#I think the Beetle-robe is my favorite
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Ok to be perfectly frank, I find Brazilian Beetlejuice to be incredibly creepy-looking (which yes, is the point) but GOTDAMN, do I love those costumes. đđ¤đ¤đđŞ˛
#beetlejuice#beetlejuice brazil#eduardo sterblitch#beetlejuice the musical#I think the Beetle-robe is my favorite#but the opening act overcoat with the skeleton print and scarf? Damn that's pimpin#I just love the use of beetle prints in general
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MY FAV DUNE PT 2 COSTUMES
And my (mostly visual/aesthetic) reasoning
(In no particular order)
Ok starting off STRONG with this Irulan look:
Itâs simple, itâs classy, it looks comfy AND elegant. I love the beadwork on the headpiece and how itâs Bene Gesserit-adjacent but you can still completely see her face and hair. The light colors look good on her and that collar made me question it for just long enough to make it better.
Next up is Jessicaâs early sayyadina look, and I loooooove this robe. The earth colors are nice, I like how it kinda blends in with the sietch while emphasizing her eyes, and the fabric is very rough and functional looking while still being beautiful. Mostly Iâm psyched about the patterns in the weaving (I think itâs woven) and the way that creates continuity with her tattoos.
I had trouble finding good pictures for this, but
Everything about this scene was GORGEOUS. I swear I didnât breathe for the first ten minutes of the movie, and these Harkonnen uniforms were part of it. The colors here are amazing and make the black look so harsh and unnatural compared to the sand and rocks and the Fremen clothing. Their shiny helmets are terrifying and sterile and buglike and I am living for it. (Little me would have gotten nightmares)
Obviously weâve all acknowledged Lady Margotâs amazing dress, but itâs just That Good. The structure! The open shoulders and low neck + hood! The color! Sinister and sexy. And despite the fact that I loved the color, I might love this even more in the black and white scenes because it shows off the construction so well and the opera glasses honestly tie it all together.
Ok bringing back Jessica because she Doesnât Miss:
I loooove this. The gold printing (?) around the hood might be my favorite part, and the beads under the collar are awesome without weighing down her whole face like the outfit she wears for most of the film with all the metal on the forehead. I also like how the structure and design of it is extra similar to Reverend Mother Mohiam, with the giant rectangular hood, but the color and the face beading are actually more reminiscent of the gown she wears when the Atreides arrive on Arrakis in part one.
A shoutout for Feyd-Rauthaâs armor in the duel:
Idk I just really like how shiny it is. All the Harkonnen stuff reminds me of bugs (those evil looking shiny black beetles) I like how this is actually very much like a stillsuit and really similar to what Paulâs wearing, but more evil and shiny.
Last but CERTAINLY not least is just Chaniâs blue scarf. BOY does this pull its visual weight. Like symbolism and meaning aside, itâs such a necessary piece of color in the all the desert scenes, and adds visual interest to what is a largely beige movie. In tons of the scenes most of the color is bright bright blue in the charactersâ eyes and this scarf. And I think it adds a lot of joy and lightness to Chaniâs appearance, which obviously symbolically changes as she does.
I just love costumes! This was a visually stunning film! Iâm feeling very happy!
#these are images I found on google theyâre not mine!#ten image limit on mobile killed me a bit I had more#dune part two#dune part one#dune#costume design#denis villeneuve#jacqueline west#tag the creators!#Paul didnât get to feature here sorry#heâs got nothing VISUALLY awesome this movie#I did love the black coat on caladan in pt one#irulan corrino#princess irulan#lady jessica#jessica atreides#lady margot fenring#paul atreides#feyd rautha#feyd rautha harkonnen#my phone hates typing rautha because I type rUAtha for pern posting so much#chani kynes
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OOH HMM i wanna ask you about dramione, sevmione or snarry but i can't decide - pick one?
SEVMIONE - SHIP IT
What made you ship it?
Intellectual prowess
For all the clout fanon Draco gets for being the so-called "second of his class", I find Severus to be the actual intellectual equal to Hermione. Severus' potion skills are unmatched, and he manages to escape Voldemort's suspicions not just for years, but for decades, and to explain his way out of his absence during Voldemort's return is a tremendous show of intellect and quick thinking. Similarly, Hermione is not just book smart. She makes equal show of quick thinking (the Stinging Hex on Harry) and logical reasoning throughout canon. She's not as much of a creative thinker (re: potions in Half-Blood Prince), but she also has more emotional intelligence than Severus has displayed in canon.
Shades of grey
Severus is not just a grey character; he's the ultimate grey character, the quintessential mixture of black and white. I know fandom has been debating about whether he's good or bad for years, and I have myself landed in that debate a few times, but he's really neither and both. He's an antihero. Hermione has shown similar feats of greyness. Locking Rita in beetle form in a jar at fifteen? Putting Snape's robes on fire at twelve? Knowing Harry's fate and deliberately keeping it from him during the Horcrux hunt? Some of those things were crueler than others, but they're all firmly grey to me and speak to Hermione's willingness to cross moral boundaries if it brings her closer to a goal.
They're toxic, your honour
Severus is an asshole to Hermione in canon, from mocking her appearance to dismissing her in his class every. single. time. in favour of the Slytherins or mocking/bullying her fellow Gryffindors. He's a horrible teacher and she's one of his victims. And yes, that makes me ship them. I love it.
The Hermione/Lily parallel
It can't be denied that Lily and Hermione have a lot in common: they're both Muggleborns who have been discriminated for it, they're both Gryffindors, both brilliant, both mostly good... it's not hard to see the similarities. What I do like with regards to this ship, however, is their differences. We don't really know much about canon Lily, but, as much as I love me a grey/dark Lily in fics, she seems to have a softer edge to her than Hermione. There's enough similarity for him to be interested in Hermione, and equally enough difference both in the characters themselves and in their circumstances that it doesn't have to be a rehashing of Snily with age gap peppered in.
What are your favorite things about the ship?
Potion making as foreplay, snark/sarcasm and endless banter, Severus the Virgin (my mans is a procel and no I will not hear counter-arguments) who lets his guard down with a More Experienced Hermione.
Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?
I'm not sure if it's about the ship itself or the fandom, but I've noticed a lot of edits use Alan Rickman as a Severus faceclaim, and as much as I adore Alan Rickman, I have a hard time with him as Severus in Sevmione/Snarry fics, mostly due to the age change. I do appreciate the talent of all the artists making those edits though! It's just not for me, and it did take me a while to change my mental image of Snape so I could fully give in to that ship.
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Pinky Promise
Shino x f!reader
âGross! He has bugs all over himself, stay away from him!â
âYouâre weird! Stay over there!â
The insults drive further and further at a young Shino, who has resorted to tucking himself further in to his oversized jacket while walking home. His fingers curl with embarrassment, and he tries to steady the little heart in his chest beating what felt to him, was a thousand beats per minute. Sliding down against a nearby shops weathered wall, he doesnât realize the other child looming over him.
âI donât think youâre weird. Theyâre actually kind of⌠cute. My mother says insects are attracted to the most beautiful people of the village because they are so pure and sweet. She also says itâs because I eat too much candy.â They sputter while reaching a hand out to the little boy. Shino only moves his eyes behind the dark shades that shield him from the overbearing sun to see they were offering a wrapped sweet to him. His heart calms immediately at the vision in front of him, even managing to catch air in his throat. Her robes sway lightly in the warm breeze that mimic the mess of hair on top her head, lazily tied back but still managing to fall out in places over her newly placed headband. A fresh camellia tucked behind her right ear as if she had just picked it moments ago. Above all else, the little bumble bee droning slowly above her with no intention of leaving.
Shino makes no movement towards her, only looking away bashfully. He feels her come closer before she is fully invading his personal space.
âHere, flowers make everything better⌠and insects love camellias, I would know! My mother grows them on the south side of the village. Want to go there with me?â She questions while placing the camellia clumsily in to his headband. Shino letâs out a small gasp before slowly nodding and toddling off behind her.
The gardens were extensive, many vibrant hues flashing through Shinoâs glasses and clashing in his extensive vision. His eyes wander to the many beeâs happily buzzing to different flowers. Calmness rushes over him in waves as they stumble through the beaten path between different planters.
âPlease watch where you step, the beetles love the stems and leaves and mother said not to harm something that hasnât harmed you.â The little girl sighs as if her mom lectured her of this daily.
âY/N! Where have you been?â A lady shouts as she steps from a greenhouse to their right. The shock on her similar looking face to the girls, turns in to a smirk. She couldnât help the warm feeling of seeing her daughter making a friend for once. The woman who seemed to be almost in her thirties was fresh back from a mission, still clad in her Jonin uniform.
âI was just showing Shino the camellias!â The little girl groans to her mother.
âNot every flower is a camellia, they just happen to be your favorite, Y/N.â The woman chuckles as she surveys the little boy next to her, even though she knew almost immediately who the child belonged to. The three spend the next few hours, sitting happily surrounded by a splatter of colors and the soothing hum of insects. The mother talks of the different flower families and how itâs detrimental to their clans Kekkei-genkai, hoping to get Shino to say anything, even just a word. But he would still resort to only shaking or nodding his head, occasionally repositioning his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
âA lot of people get it confused with wood style but we could never match up to lord firsts powers!â Y/N shrieks with excitement, ready to flaunt her knowledge of the hokages at any given moment. Her mother only sighs before glancing up at the quickly growing figure behind the two children, making his way through the long rows of outstretching flora carefully trying not to disrupt even a single flower.
âAh Shibi, I had a feeling Shino was one of yours.â She chuckles as she heaves herself off the ground to greet him.
âI was slightly concerned when he didnât return home, but glad of all places he was here, Ume.â Shibi speaks quietly. As the two older shinobis have light conversation, Y/N was determined to hear Shinoâs voice.
âYou should take some flowers for your insect friends. Iâm sure theyâll be happy. And once these have withered youâll have to come back to get more! Pinky-promise me that you will?â She asks with her puny little finger stretched out to him in desperation. He hesitates for only a moment before reaching out with his own sleeve covered pinky.
âPinky-promise.â He mumbles back to her as the rouge tinges his cheeks softly. While Shibi guides him back to the Aburame home, Shino had only the thought of the pleasure he felt now that he had someone to call a friend.
Here he was now, almost in his twenties, making his way to the same gardens to see Y/N and her now retired mother. After that day as kids, it was habit to follow the girl home after training to pick a new bouquet of flowers at least once a week, usually more. This day was different seeing she was assigned a mission.
âOh Shino! Y/N is inside packing for her mission, but youâre more than welcome to pick whatever flowers you see.â Ume calls to him from the now weathered, but still the same greenhouse she was always in. He thanked her quietly enough his words couldâve been lost in the wind if there had been any that day, as the hidden leaf reached its summer and was quite warm. He could only wish there had been a breeze to save him from his own embarrassment. Regardless, he roams casually through the rows questioning which flowers to grab, as Y/N has always insisted on doing it for him so she could sneak some in to his forehead protector, or even weave some in to a crown to place on his hood ridden head.
âHaving troubles?â Y/N calls from behind him as she places a few flowers on his head as usual. He turns, catching sight of the sun glinting brightly off her head band as a few bees hover over her head. Shino chuckles slightly at the view of her in her own element.
âIt is usually your area of expertise.â He sighs, defeatedly looking at the still budding flower he had almost picked too soon. She swats his hand away lightly.
âYou have to know when to pick them. If you pick them too soon, theyâll never reach their full potential.â She huffs before picking a few nearby and placing them in his hand.
âAnyways, I have to head to the gates but Iâm sure my poor mother would love the company. Have your parents stop by for dinner, sheâll be bored to death without me here for a few days.â Y/N adds on while huffing a forced laugh. A few days felt too long for Shino as they had spent almost everyday together since children, switching between households for dinner and even bringing both families together for nights out in the village. Y/N tilts her head down with a small groan of frustration.
âListen Shino, itâs been a while but can you do me a small favor?â She asks quietly so her mother doesnât over hear. Shino canât help but slightly gasp in shock as he tries to collect his bearings. Y/N never asked for favors, especially just before a run of the mill mission.
âAnything.â He replies curtly. It takes a few deep breaths before sheâs finally able to speak again.
âIâm almost sure it wonât be just a few days. I told my mom weâre going on a simple tracking mission outside of the village but, in all honesty, itâs a little more complicated than that. Thereâs a band of rogue ninjas claiming to have reinstated the Akatsuki and we finally have a lead. Weâre headed to the outskirts of the land of waves, and theyâre high ranking ninjas weâre after. If I donât come back just make sure she does what she loves best, tending to these poor flowers and spending time in that dingy old greenhouse. Thatâs all I ask.â She whispers hurriedly, continuing to look over her shoulder in watch of her mother.
âYou lied to Ume?â He clips at her in frustration.
âI had to! She would worry more if I told her what was really happening.â She admits sheepishly, scratching nervously at the back of her neck.
âYou think she wonât worry when you donât come back after day 4? Day 30? She was an honored shinobi you canât hide that from your own mother!â He fires back as quietly as possible with his quickly rising impatience.
âThen tell her after Iâve left if you have to, I just canât stand to see her worried and you know that.â She exhales softly as even the thought of her mothers worry-lines appearing on her forehead pickle at the back of her eyes. Turning away quickly to collect herself, not even sparing a glance, she only throws her outstretched pinky over her shoulder.
âJust promise me youâll watch out for her. Whatever you say to her about it after I leave is up to you. Itâs hard enough I have to tell you.â She brokenly chokes out. Split between both sides, he does nothing at first. Only staring at what was once a pudgy little finger covered in sweets, has now grown with her. Covered in scars from countless battles and aged to match the hand that carried it and wielded her important Kekkei-genkai, one that could easily place Shikamaruâs quick thinking in a stalemate. The one that placed her in dangerous missions her own mother once faced herself. Just as sheâs about to curl her hand back and recede without a word from pure anger and spite, Shino connects their hands. Instead of the pinky, he weaves his own finger through hers.
âRegardless of the outcome, your mother and this garden is now my priority. The Aburame clan and myself will see to it.â He states curtly, almost no emotion at all. The coldness of his tone stings at her cheeks, all she could manage to mutter was, âI guess this is goodbye.â With her parting words, her figure shrinks with the now setting sun as his hand was left still outstretched where they had just parted.
His other hand unfurls the now strangled bouquet, petals crashing in to the ground as fast as his own gaze had. Mixed emotions bubble at his throat and behind his eyes. Was if anger? Regret? Hate? Maybe it was all, he thought to himself as the most painful tears heâs experienced ghost slowly over his now hot cheeks.
âShino! Are you hurt? Whatâs happened?â Ume shrieks, rushing from the greenhouse to scan him over for any abrasions, pure habit from the many years in the field. She tenderly runs her hands up and down his arms, in a weak attempt to console the young man, verifying he was indeed physically fine at the least. Without even thinking he leans in to the motherly touch as a silent sob heâs tried too hard to suppress shakes him to the core. Ume, not having the slightest thought on consoling another person due to Y/N being weathered over the years by her no longer present fathers emotionless guidance from years in the anbu, tries her best to just pat his head and calm him quietly.
âShould I take you to Shibi?â She questions. Shaking his head he pulls away, once again all emotion had been pulled from his face as if the world didnât just come crashing down on him.
âUme, We need to discuss Y/Nâs mission. Thereâs a few important details sheâs kept from you.â Shino expresses quickly. Ume can only nod while he recounts everything Y/N had relayed to him in the least amount of words he could use, both to save time and to keep from working himself up again. When Shino had fallen silent for a few moments longer, she placed a hand on top of his head, much like Y/N did to her friends.
âShe is from the Tsutsuji clan, but most of all she is the daughter of two hardened shinobi. Iâm sure sheâll be just fine, itâs not the first time sheâs hidden a mission like this from me and I know it wonât be the last. Thanks to her father, she tends to hide most things behind that smile of hers and rarely ever breaks. Damnit, as her own mother I was robbed of seeing it from her much, even when she was a child. Itâs good to know she cares for her poor old mom however. Seems she must have a soft spot for you seeing she told you the truth.â Ume utters in attempt to lighten his mood. That night Shino only returned home to check in on his own parents. Shortly after, heâs wandering aimlessly down the now quiet streets of the village. It was now a habit to clear his head, focusing on things that werenât colorful or buzzing with life for a change. The darkness of night lacked color, the hum of insects dying down. It felt night had reflected his own recent emotions tonight. The same for the third night, and the tenth. Soon it was 20 days. Ume and Shino have resorted to carving notches on the old greenhouse doorframe, one representing each day since Y/N had left. 30 days. Day 50, and it was as if everyday was on repeat mindlessly for Shino, as if his body knew the routine and it was doing it for him. Wake up, train, light tracking missions here and there, visit Ume, carve a notch, walk the town. Above all else no one had heard from Y/Nâs team or even from herself. Ume kept reminding him, and even herself at some points, no news was better than bad news. But both ultimately tried to suppress the horrid thoughts at the back of their minds, her being captured, or even killed with no witnesses.
It wasnât until a mission to track the team down had finally arose, he volunteered immediately and it lead him to cross her path once again. Stopping his squad in the treeline as two chakra signatures came to his recognition, one being too familiar, making his stomach jump nervously. Then he had met her eyes, peeking from under the cursed straw hat as the small bell rang with her tilting head. Even covered in the red cloud adorned robe, he knew it was her. Before he could register the look of regret on her face and the anger reaching at himself, she had already signed her jutsu to attack. Vines wrap around Shino and his teammates, constricting them to the branches. In the blink of an eye, she was in front of him, perching on the tree branch mere inches from his face. Looking from under the brim of her hat, he could see the tears pooling slowly at her lash line.
âIâm sorry it had to be this way, Shino.â She claims, just as the thorny vines wrap around her arms, settling in her palms to create her thorny senbon like attack. He knew they contained poison, whether it was her lethal version or not, he didnât want to find out. The last thing he could remember is questioning her why she would do such a thing before the thorns took flight, almost too quickly, blackening the edges of the dense forest in his eyesight. He could only thank himself to think quickly in that moment to place the female beetle discreetly at her foot.
Part two: the insect attracted to the flower
All sense of time was lost, as he came to, the darkness of night had shrouded his vision and panic set in. His team had made camp, setting him down by the fire and the healer tending to his wounds.
âRelax, they got the jump on us but weâre all mostly unharmed. Save for a few punctures here and there.â The healer swears to him. As Shino sat on watch that night, while fumbling for food pills in his jacket, he feels a crumpled and skinny scroll. Unraveling it, he seeâs Y/Nâs messy and loopy handwriting.
Shino, itâs destined for us to cross paths eventually, if not soon. Weâve been given word of hidden leaf trackers coming around the area of their now temporary hideout. With only recent activity in the area from our two man team, itâll most likely be classified as bandits or low ranking rogues. I fear this new era of Akatsuki has already grown too deep for me to take care of personally. My teammates were killed off within minutes of reaching our destination. Get word back to the hokage of this location, and the casualties that have taken place for proper grieving. Do not search for me. I was ordered to kill anyone from the village on sight. Iâve done and seen things I regret and couldnât bear having to do it to you. Seal this scroll and report to the hokage immediately. Do not carry on with this mission until proper reinforcements have been arranged.
-Y/N Tsutsuji
Shino tightly wraps the scroll before immediately sending his team back towards the hidden leaf while it was still night. His mind distant the whole time trying to justify what had happened. Why wouldnât she return home? How was her team killed, but she had been spared? He could at least answer that for himself to calm his nerves. Ultimately it led to the infamous Tsutsuji Kekkei-genkai she carried. The bingo books with her family name and even pictures. It made her more valuable alive than dead, regardless of the bounty on both of her parents heads, even her own. Wiping the tears from his face he hadnât even noticed, he pushes on. He wastes no time to reach the hokage, his only will left to return her to the village, to return her to him.
âShe is now considered a rogue by the village hidden in the leaves. Unfortunately we canât send in more teams and risk a sacrifice that great. At this time our village views peace and alliance with the other nations, and they arenât directly targeting the hidden leaf. Itâs not our concern at this time Shino.â The hokage proclaims, sealing their hands tightly together dismissively.
âShe had no choice!â Shino attests, to everyoneâs surprise, quite loudly. His chest now heaving in panic at the thought of his own village turning their backs on one of the most promising shinobi of their generation.
âThen she shouldâve died with the rest of her team, as a true shinobi should.â They finish curtly, turning in their chair to look out the large window, ending the conversation then and there. Shino rips the door open, slamming it harshly behind him. He doesnât make it far before seeing Ume and Shibi already at the end of the hall waiting, Ume quickly recovering her shock from the door slam. When Y/N or Shino had missions as kids they would take turns meeting them at the hokages office and walk both kids to their respective houses after being treated to dinner. This time it was different for all three, with hopes of hearing good news and being able to celebrate. But they both sense the hurt as soon as that door slammed shut, shutting his emotions with it.
âShino, tell me. Whatâs such a simple mission have you acting so out of character?â Shibi inquires in his usual monotone voice. At that point, he didnât want to retell everything for what felt like the hundredth time. He wanted to pack his bags and bring Y/N back. But gazing in to the eyes of both parents, he couldnât leave them shadowed in the dark.
âThis is not the place to talk.â He attests quickly, before ushering them both towards the Tsutsuji gardens. He once again recounts the mission, down to Y/N using her poisonous thorns, which earns a gasp from Ume. The usual stoic face of Shibi finally breaks over his tea cup as Shino tells him what the hokage had said in their office. He also runs by them their plan to retrieve her and how he had planted a beetle to track her, regardless of knowing the location by heart.
âI wonât allow you to do tha-â Ume begins, being cut off by multiple protests from Shino.
âLet me finish. This is my daughter, and I wonât allow you to do that on your own. It looks as if I happen to be coming out of retirement. But the two of us would never be enough. It will take time, that is if your parents even want you going on a mission that could shun us from our own village.â Ume finishes urgently, all the while trying to maintain eye contact between the two Aburame men. Shibi remains quiet for several moments. Shino can tell his father is serious when he drops his glasses to make direct contact with Ume.
âNot only is she your daughter, but an honorary member or the Aburame clan seeing how often she spends time with us. Above all, she is a ninja of the hidden leaf. She always will be. If we are to betray the hokage, weâll need a better team seeing as theyâll be on our tails while already dealing with the reformed Akatsuki.â Shibi vows then and there, that as long as he was with him, Shino would lead them on this mission. With that, the three of them vanished in the night to knock on old friends and teammates doors alike, amassing shinobi old and new. By sun up they had rations packed for their sizable squad containing the three, Kiba, Tsume, Hinata, Hiashi, Even Kakashi and Guy. Hiashi finally broke, seeing the pure panic in Hinata and Shinoâs eyes, knowing the mysterious hokage was wrong in sense of his decisions.
âWe all realize this could be the last time we call the hidden leaf a home since we are going against the hokages word. But to abandon a shinobi is a crime above all else. Today we see generations on this team. We havenât seen this since the war, and itâs bittersweet to see this again. If anyone wishes to back out you may do so now. Otherwise, Iâd like to bring my daughter back to her village.â Ume forces over the small crowd, trying not to crack in front of old friends.
âAny of us would do the same for our child. For our teammates. We can deal with the hokage when we return.â Hiashi affirms stoically. Kakashi nods while Tsume chuckles and ruffles Kibaâs hair in obvious agreement.
âFeels kind of good to come out of retirement for a little bit of fun.â Tsume yawns away what little amount of sleep she had before Ume had come pounding on her door in the middle of the night. As an old teammate, she may have owed Ume a favor or two, but overall knew if she was ever in the same type of need the other woman would do the same. Seeing the sheer panic when she had sleepily opened the door, she almost thought someone had died. Upon reaching the gates, Kotetsu had stopped them just before crossing to the outlying trail through the forest past the gate.
âI donât think this could possibly be an average parent and child outing, is it?â He questions in concern, mainly looking towards the most respectable and well known of them, Hiashi.
âKeep the hokage unknowing. We will face the consequences upon our return if we so happen to survive.â He stresses hard enough on the if in his sentence to make a few cringe. Kotetsu looks to Izumo before scanning over the group once more, noting some of the legendary faces in the mix. He once again meets eyes with his partner before nodding and placing a fist to his chest, knowing if it was important for some of the most strict in the shinobi way to betray the hokage.
âI wish you luck. You have support from us two if any messages need relayed or another team sent out.â He finishes before stepping aside to let them all pass. Kotetsu earns several pats to the shoulder and head nods as everyone crosses the threshold that kept the village sheltered from outside attacks.
Two days later, Shino relays to the group they were closing in on the location and to keep their eyes open. The small fire between the ever growing circle grows smaller as more people join to eat and slowly retire to their sleeping areas for the night. Even with Kakashi and Guy on first watch, Shino canât close his eyes long enough for sleep to claim him. He finds himself poking at the embers of the now extinguished fire lazily with a stick as someone sits silently next to him.
âIt truly is a tough decision. As a child I wouldnât have done the same. I wouldâve went by the word of the hokage and that would be the end. Your generation really has changed the village, and even us older shinobi who refused change. Itâs a struggle but youâre doing the right thing.â Kakashi confides in a bored like tone as usual. Guy nods from the other side of the fire in agreement before scanning the treeline once again. Only this time, Kakashi notices his eyes stay trained in a single area for several seconds.
âWhat is it?â He asks Guy in a whisper, already crouching in to position.
âWeâre being watched, by several eyes. Get in to the three man formation.â He whispers back as the three quickly position themselves back to back, leaving almost no blind area.
âClones.â Shino mutters as his beetles confirmed quickly. As if the attacker knew they have been found, they advance their attack on the small camp. Growling breaks out immediately from the foliage to Shinoâs left before Akamaru and Kuromaru bound towards a few clones. The clones keep coming towards the group as Tsume and Kiba join in the fray. Shibi and his insects soon force their way to the now 6 man and two dog circle. Shino and Shibi take turns wiping out whole waves with their insects but they just keep coming in what felt to them larger numbers each time a new set of clones would appear. Shino realizes the off feeling all too late.
âMy genjutsu is inescapable. Iâm surprised you even realized. I wouldnât even try, itâs recreated from the Uchiha clan. Our first successful recreation, and itâs stronger than the real thing. Weâre close to rival even Madara Uchihaâs power at this point.â The crude voice echoes out.
âIâve been through far worse.â Shino growls as he finally manages to release. He comes face to face with his attacker as Kakashi and Guy flank him for real this time.
âYou wonât be returning to your village alive, regardless of who you recruited. It will be a hay day at the collection office.â The young man in front of him states, the words seeping with malice. The real fighting soon began. It rang on through the night, waking everyone from their already broken slumber. Eventually, the young man behind the cloak had obviously exhausted most of his chakra, leaving him heaving in front of the now fully assembled group. Ume steps forward, entangling him in vines.
âWeâll be returning to our village, our home, with my daughter regardless of whoâs going to try and stop me.â She chokes out in anger while preparing a barrage of poisoned thorns.
âAnd whoever your leader is, can come knocking on our doors personally when weâre finished with you.â She finishes as she raises her hand towards his heart. The man in front of her laughs maniacally, causing hesitation from everyone.
âMaybe you should check up on your hokage. Donât you find it weird none of you personally know them? Our goal this whole time is to collect rare kekkei-genkai and the Hyugaâs are next. We just needed more numbers before we even thought of that. But now seeing every shinobi thatâs worth a damn is out here for one worthless girl, Iâm sure theyâll be making their move. You fell right in to the set up, youâre all jokes, too easy to fool in your older years.â He laughs before spitting at Umeâs feet, causing pure anger to fuel her. Before she can deliver the killing blow, thorns storm straight through his chest from the other side of the dense forest. Y/N stumbles out slowly, clutching her left side soon after. Shino is the first to notice the crimson pooling from between her fingers. He catches her just as sheâs about to collapse on the cold ground.
âIâm sorry, shouldâve known, shouldnât have sent you to hokage. shouldnât have sent help. need to take him down, itâs priority.â She coughs her quick apologies in to Shinoâs shoulder, slowly becoming harder for her to breathe from her own poison the rogue had stabbed her with earlier, mere moments before the fight. Noticing the effects, Shino knew this was a lethal poison, but could never guess it was hers. Thankfully Shibi had come quickly to aid as his insects neutralized the poison slowly.
âLuckily when your mother was in a squad with Tsume and I, she may have accidentally nicked us a few times, causing quite a concern for our sensei. My insects can now neutralize a poison if theyâve come in to contact before. This interestingly enough, seems to be your own.â Shibi sighs, questioning if she even had the sense to poison herself.
âEven without the poison Iâm useless. Theyâve been harvesting my chakra and extracting thorns from my attacks in attempts to recreate it. Unfortunately I used lethal thorns earlier in the day in an attempt to kill him off when he was distracted. He saw it as an opportunity to test just how lethal my poison was when I missed my target from pure exhaustion.â Y/N explains quickly.
âExhaustion, just admit you missed.â Kiba chuckles while placing a hand on her head, causing a loud smack on his back delivered from both Tsume and Ume.
âDonât worry about the rest of the rogues, theyâve almost reached the village.â Someone informs the group from the trees suddenly.
âKotetsu, whatâs happened?â Kakashi calls out to him while surveying the area for anymore signs of threat.
âIâve come here personally to inform, the village is in upset. Theyâve ordered dead or alive retrieval on all of you shortly after you left. The hokage has barricaded themselves in the office with guards at the door. It has the village split. We have a group trying to control the situation but some shinobi are already out tracking you all. Iâm just lucky it seems Iâve reached you first.â He quickly breathes between the explanation, tired from rushing to their location at break neck speeds.
âBut how did you even find us?â Shino questions, now curious how Kotetsu knew exactly where they were at. He only points to Kakashi.
âI had a general idea and was investigating long before Y/N had even left for her mission. Weâre just lucky they were still operating in the hideout nearby or I wouldâve easily given him the wrong location. It all just seems too easy.â Kakashi explains easing everyoneâs questions, and rising concerns of betrayal.
âIf you knew, even just the slightest why send me on the mission. Why send me into danger?â Y/N fires back.
âI said general knowledge. It may be hard to believe but, I donât know everything.â He shoots back, receiving only a shrug.
Part 3: a budding flower never gets picked too soon
Once the gates were in view, the chaos it contained could soon be heard. Several times the group has had to dodge trackers, luckily being guided in another direction by the Aburameâs insects or the Inuzuka clan. A lone figure slowly appears in the line of vision, casually propped against the now closed gates. Y/N canât help but reach up his sleeve, and grab Shinoâs hand. Upon seeing Shikamaru she knew it could be either good or bad news.
âBad news.â He begins kicking off the wall and trudging over to break the distance between them. Shino squeezes her hand in support, quickly linking their pinkies together.
âThis is seriously out of hand and several of us have been banished from the village for retaliation. Such a drag, Iâve been out here since last night.â He mutters, sticking his hands in his pockets and widening his stance as if everything was just a minor inconvenience to him.
âWhoâs all out here?â Kiba asks impatiently, yet worried just the slightest for his sister, though heâd never admit it aloud. Shikamaru only points his thumb to a makeshift camp around the wall, âjust everyone youâd expect.â He answers. Scanning Shino could see a few familiar faces, Kurenai, Yamato, even Choji and Choza.
âWhereâs Hanabi?â Hiashi panics.
âWe tried grabbing her on the way out but they have the whole compound guarded. We already put up the best fight we could manage without any of you here. Choji broke through a barrier but before we could even sneak through we had to put up a battle with the numbers against us. I can only do so much.â He explains casually before shrugging it off. Hiashi storms for the gates only to be pulled back by Ume and Tsume. They all agree to take action at night. With the full moon, Shikamaru was still of use and they could easily take cover in the dark. Y/N sits a distance from the fire, head tucked in to her knees. Shino slowly approaches before dropping down in front of her.
âYou know this was the other way around the day we met.â He utters quietly, placing a quickly picked wildflower in to her jostled headband. She manages to chuckle slightly, grabbing his hand before he can pull it away from her face.
âYeah I suppose it was. Wish we could go back to those days. Now weâre fighting for our village⌠again. Iâm just ready for it to end. Ready to maybe find love and just be a sensei, or sell flowers to more than just the vendors in the village.â She rambles on placing his outstretched hand gingerly on her cheek before leaning in to the contact. Shinoâs heart stutters at the word love. Could she be talking about him? Never. They were just really good friends, sheâd probably marry in to a more reputable clan like the Akimichiâs or the Naraâs and leave him behind with the wind and bees that follow her. He would be the bee, he thought. Droning behind her at a comfortable distance not to bother her, but still following desperately to be in her presence.
âWhat do you want when this is all over?â She asks quietly, staring at his glasses, hoping he was staring back.
âWell, Iâve been told Iâm good with kids. Maybe be a teacher at the academy. Teach others of my clan so future generations arenât seen as creepy or weird. Settle down eventually if the opportunity arises.â He answers her, connecting his free hand to the other side of her face.
âWhoever comes along, whoever you have your eye out for better treat you right or they have Kiba, Hinata, and myself to answer to. They should love you fully, insects and all.â She praises him slightly, hoping maybe heâll get a hint. She never thought of the two of them, not until she was secluded in a dark place during her mission. Her only drive to survive was coming back to the village, to her home. Picking flowers and laying in the gardens with Shino and her mother, talking aimlessly of insects and plants. Two things that make the others world spin. The insects gaining nutrients and shelter, the plants being pollinated and protected. She was a flower and he was the insect in the equation. Her mind in other places, she doesnât notice Shino leaning closer.
âShe could never treat me wrong. I would go to the ends of the earth to ensure her safety and happiness. And I hope she knows.â He whispers, just to be interrupted by a gagging noise behind them.
âJust kiss already so we can get our village back.â Kiba groans. Only breaking eye contact to roll her eyes, she sends an barrage of vines, clinging to Kibaâs legs and toppling him to the ground as Shino releases a swarm of beetles on to him.
âHeh, little shit deserved that.â Tsume cackles with Ume as Shibi letâs out a slight huff in agreement from their view a comfortable distance away. Laughing hard enough Tsume is wiping tears from her eyes. They couldnât help but watch, always knowing it would eventually happen, and the two moms secretly taking bets on when.
âWell Shibi, you know Shino already has my approval what do you say? I mean theyâre adults now.â Ume asks while judging him softly.
âI honestly thought they couldâve been together this whole time. But as an Aburame, he can be very reserved. You know our reputation for mystery.â He answers. Ume giggles knowing well that no one just got close enough to the clan to see their true personalities. To the right people they open up fully, and are a truly loving family with big hearts. Tsume taps the two just in time to see the two kiss. Both mothers hugging eachother with excitement.
âYou guys are going to have some powerful grandchildren.â Tsume points out in astonishment before heaving herself up to go cut Kiba free and prepare for the mission. Neither Shibi nor Ume could hide their blush of embarrassment from the comment, and they didnât even try. Soon everyone was positioned at different points of the wall, infiltrating their own village from every side. Swords and kunai ring in to the night as a select few make their way to the hokages office. Kakashi walks in first casually with Guy in tow. The guards are already on defense, one ready to cast a genjutsu.
âSorry, Iâm too old for mind games and trained Naruto himself. Youâll have to try a bit harder to fool an old man like me.â Kakashi yawns, pulling out an old tattered issue of one of his books.
âJust as I thought! My own rival Kakashi no longer finds the power of youth within himself! How about a challenge?â Guy booms.
âGuy, right now? Weâre a little busy.â He mutters.
âIâll take more of these guards down then you will! And if I donât, itâs 500 laps around the whole village!â He proclaims, receiving a sigh and eye roll from Kakashi. Soon, they work in tandem, effortlessly making headway as Lee and Shino deploy themselves to open the hokage doors.
âAll yours Y/N.â Kakashi calls down the hall to Y/N as she once again conjures her thorns while he bounds the last guards hands.
âLucky for you, these will only give you a nice nap. Iâm feeling generous.â She says, puncturing them without even looking as she passes by to the door. Shino and Lee couldnât find a way to open the massive doors in time without resorting to more violent methods, instead Y/N pushes her way between them, working together to kick down the sealed doors. After several kicks, the door gives a creak in protest before finally opening, revealing the hokage with their back turned.
âHello Y/N. I wondered how long it would take, let alone if youâd even make it.â They chuckle darkly. Soon they turn around, their disguise shedded, revealing their face as the mask flutters to the ground.
âDad?â She chokes, fury taking over.
âKita?â Kakashi asks stunned.
âKakashi, resorting to my Anbu name for old times sake. Itâs been a while. Y/N, youâve grown.â He spits.
âA while? You abandoned us for this? For⌠THIS? Putting your own daughter and village in danger for the hopes of what? Acquiring a kekkei-genkai? Youâre pathetic.â Y/N shouts, quickly making her way to the desk her own father now stood behind. She summons vines to creep over the desk, ultimately being stopped by a slew of kunai.
âAn old trick like that? Please. I trained you, Iâve been watching your every move since you were born. Youâre only as good as I made you to be.â Her dad laughs, making his way over to her. Trapping her from pure fear alone. He was right. She knew he was right. He had even taught her Anbu strategies at a young age, honing her skills to make an honorable shinobi. Countless hours, days and nights, training. And she knew she couldnât beat him because he had taught her everything.
âYour chakra signature feels pretty low kid, spending too much time at that Akatsuki gimmick I set up? It was a nice distraction while it lasted. I had hope in you to see through it quickly, but Iâve been wrong before. Who would truly be insane enough to try something like reinstating a notorious crime organization during a time of unity of all nations? Thatâs near instant death if the other nations had caught wind,â he begins to ramble, knowing just by the look on her face he had several moments before she could even coax herself to move as the others watched intently, waiting for him to make a move himself.
âI gotta give it to you, this whole ploy with the clans I banished is smart. But once again your dad is always one step ahead. I already know that lazy Nara kid will jump in any moment to save the day with his little shadow jutsu from behind.â Kita laughs.
âWrong, actually I only came for the show. Iâm pretty wore out from mine and chojiâs stunt we pulled last night. If you hadnât noticed we did leave a few things on our way out from our official banishment statement from the hokage himself. You might want to check the paperwork on your desk and view the departing schedule of messenger birds. Youâll see we sent out a few S.OSâs to nearby shinobi villages.â Shikamaru yawns the beginning of his explanation before continuing, âYouâll also see your hand is placed on a piece of paper. That would be your own bounty. I had my suspicion the night Iâd seen the hokage taking a leisurely stroll to the Tsutsuji gardens, and let himself in their house knowing they werenât even home. Currently we now have our village walls sorrounded in support, waiting for the signal. All I have to do is give it.â
âShikamaru always 10 steps ahead even when we have no idea what the hell is going on.â Kakashi mutters astonished of his capabilities.
âIf Iâm going to be honest, we can do this the easy way where you surrender and not get everyone outside involved, but I know how much of a dream that is.â Shikamaru complains. Everyone turns to him, confusion and concern battling their faces.
âIf only that plan would work for you. My daughter will be dead before any one that would be a challenge to me arrives, and Iâll be able to extract that cursed Kekkei-Genkai of hers. You all are still kids, too inexperienced.â He chides, almost laughing at the team before him.
âShino, Choji, now!â Shikamaru shouts, followed instantly by a swarm of insects filling the room to cushion the debris from Choji caving the roof in from outside. Shikamaru sends a flare in to the sky, causing all chaos to erupt in the now open room. The Inuzukaâs claw through the windows, the guttural snarls from both dog and human sorround the room quickly. The Aburame clan file in from the door, insects looming at the ready. Kita freezes as Y/N readies thorns on her now tired palm.
âIt takes a village to raise a child, not just a single man who was absent for the rest of their life. You may have taught me to be a shinobi, but you didnât teach me that working in teams pushes a shinobi to greater limits they never thought of achieving. You never taught me a bond makes a team unstoppable. For that I have to thank you. Some of the most powerful clans in our village now work in tandem instead of fighting about whoâs better, and the limit is endless on the potential of working together, something you never learned when you abandoned your family.â Y/N mutters, staring the man down intently. He goes to move towards her, malice heavy in his eyes at he growls to her,âIâll kill you. Iâll take that kekkei-genkai from your lifeless body and finish off this whole village if I have to.â He finds himself stuck in place, ultimately falling in to Shikamaruâs shadow possession.
âGet on with it already.â Shikamaru heaves out, strained on his rapidly depleting chakra levels. Y/N quickly surveys the room and her eyes fall on Shino. He meets her gaze and only nods, giving her the capability to deliver a killing blow with what chakra she has left. With her chakra finally meeting itâs limit, she crumpled to the floor the same time as her dad. Turning her head to get one last glimpse of him she smirks and breathily addresses him before passing out,âIâll defend this village until I die even if it means killing my own father.â
After a few days of recovering in the hospital, under Sakuras constant nagging, she was finally discharged to return home. A yawn escapes as she leaves the bright room, trying quickly to stifle it upon seeing Shino. He outstretches his hand with his pinky jutted out.
âPinky promise weâll never put our kids through that.â He states. She raises her eyebrow in question before locking pinkies, and soon pulling him along without letting his go.
âI just now get out of the hospital and youâre already stuck on the thought of kids?â She questions. He only chuckles in reply, seeing the three parents whoâve raised them at the end of the hall ready to bombard them with embarrassing comments.
âItâs never too early for kids! Weâre not getting any younger!â Ume calls out jokingly followed by Tsume shouting over her,â screw kids get a dog!â Followed only by Shibi shaking his head. With pinkies connected the whole walk home, they make new promises and goals to work towards together, promises of a better future for them, and their ever growing families.
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the tale of agape I â jjk
World Info: There are eight types of Love originated from Ancient Greece. In the Realm of Love, these types have been turned into seven Gods and one Goddess. â Agape (universal): OC (Name: Belle) | Pragma (everlasting): Jungkook | Storge (familial): Yoongi | Mania (obsession): Seokjin | Philia (platonic): Namjoon | Eros (sexual passion): Taehyung | Philautia (self-love): Hoseok | Ludus (playful): Jimin
Plot:Â Agape is a well-loved Goddess in the Realm of Love. Anyone who wins her approval will become the most powerful entity in the land, standing side by side as a co-symbol of eternal Love. Unfortunately with knowledge of this power, Gods and Nymphs are prone to obsession and cunning. So Agapesâ de facto brother, Storge organises a tournament in her honour. Only the winner will become Agapesâ partner.Â
Pairing(s):Â God!Jungkook x Goddess!OC (Name: Belle) ft. God!SeokjinÂ
Rating: G | PG | M | R 18+
Type: Drabble | Oneshot | Two Parter | Series
Word Count:Â 2.6kÂ
Genre:Â Gods & Goddesses | Fantasy | RomanceÂ
Tags & Warnings:Â betrayal, nothing intense in this chapter but there will eventual smut and violence soÂ
Authors Note:Â i miss doing a jungkook series lmao so here you go, there were a lot of people during requests asking for a god/goddess au so Iâm going on that with a new plot based on the eight types of love. Iâm also extremely sleepy and ready to pass out, please excuse any mistakes. And lastly of course, enjoy and let me know what you think! Is this something youâd want me to continue or nah?Â
Morning began with soft sunlight painting the Love Realm, making the Cherry Palace sandstone glow like a topaz gem. Yoongi, the God of Familial Love stood at the terrace with the God of Platonic Love, Namjoon. Their soft silk robes flowed in the cool breeze as they watched the chariots of red, gold and blue riding into the courtyard; each vehicle pulled by majestic stallions.
âAre you sure about this?â Namjoon asked, eyes gently squinted to adjust to the bright day. His flowing blonde hair looked almost white from the reflection of the sun.
Yoongi shook his head, heart shaped lips pursed. âI donât like it as much as you do but this is the only way we can filter out the ones on our own accord.â
âIs Belle okay with this?â
âShe likes tournaments. Chose the method herself.â
âJousting?â
Yoongi hummed in agreement, unable to hide the smile spreading across his lips.
Namjoon chuckled. âSometimes I think she just likes the knocking of heads.â
âAgape has a cheek to her.â Yoongi leaned forward on the balcony railing. All the heads padded out of their chariots, escorted by servants into the palace. Only one chariot hadnât arrived yet.
âSeokjin is coming too?â Namjoonsâ voice grew deep with slight contempt.
âI have to invite him. It wouldnât be fair.â
âYou know how he gets, Yoongi.â Namjoon shifted to face him completely. âWhat if he gets out of control in this tournament?â
âI gave him my warning last time.â Yoongi raised a hand to calm him. âHe knows whatâll happen.â
âYou canât kill him.â
âOh Iâll keep him alive.â
Namjoon shook his head, laughing. âHow do you make even that sound threatening?â
Yoongi grinned. âI made her my sister for a reason. No one hurts her on my account.â
âUnderstood.â
-
Refreshing wind brushed through the transparent crème curtains into Bellesâ room as her lady-in-waiting fit her into a warm pink georgette dress for the first tournament. The tone matched her pink irises, making them look more otherworldly than ever.
Angel let out a satisfied sigh after fixing the train. âLord Yoongi knows how to pick dresses.â She stood up straight and fixed the gold patchwork bordering the shoulder of the dress.
âHe always chooses pink.â Belle observed herself in the silver rimmed mirror, tilting her head. Her curls fell over half her face.
âWell, you canât wear red just yet.â
âSuch a strange rule.â
âApparently when Agape wears red, itâs only for the most auspicious occasions.â Angelsâ voice turned airy as her face lit up with astonishment. Her passion for the Gods of Love was admirable and endearing without the added obsession of climbing the ladder. She respected the concept of love in its purest form. Belle needed more of that around her. âSo itâs special that you wear it in specific times.â
âWill I wear it for my wedding?â A small thrill tingled through her belly mentioning her own wedding. Belle remembered all her dreams about being the splash of red amongst pink roses and falling peach blossoms in the Cherry Palace center garden.
Angel stared up at her, eyes glossed and face flushed with excitement. âIt could be the most beautiful deep red dress that has a train all down the Realm.â She gestured out through the curtains.
âThatâd be a bit hard to move around in.â Belle giggled as she shrugged off the pink dress until she was down to her white underdress. âBut I appreciate the enthusiasm.â
âWatch your left, Eros!â Laughter ensued from outside her room.
âYou watch your footwork, Pragma!â
Hearing the Godsâ names being used as colloquial nicknames was a strange sound to Angel but it made Belle grin. She rushed forward through the transparent curtains to the sandstone balcony which looked over one of the smaller gardens. The ones with apple trees and the fountain.
âMy lady, wait!â Angel whispered harshly.
The sleeve of Bellesâ underdress slid off her shoulder but she barely thought to fix it. Angel quickly draped a silk robe over her body to keep her decent.
The two young Gods of Love, Pragma and Eros dueled each other like they were performing in a playful dance. Yoongi called Pragma by Jungkook and Eros by Taehyung. Both of them a true symbol of their role in the Realm.
Taehyung had beautiful deep tan skin, glowing like a bronze pearl and his sharpened eyes constantly brimmed with bliss over the things around him. He wore a loose silk shirt of yellow and white, half-opened to expose his soft chest while his dark brown curls fluffed and flowed like a gentle garden.
Jungkook was of milk tea skin, sweat on his neck and cheeks glistened, matting his raven hair to his forehead. His body was lithe and muscular adorned in a red and black shirt. The smile on his face had the perfect mix of mischief and pure joy. His feet moved like the genteel steps of a blossom dancer but his sword swings were the strength of a rock sentinel. Chuckles flowed from his lips at the sequence of movements, truly enjoying the activity instead of being full of anger and determination to win something.
Belle wanted to continue admiring him but a sense of her own mischief seeped through. The fountain centered this garden which the Gods did an amazing job to avoid in their flexible parries and attacks. When she noticed Jungkook nearing the fountain ready to avoid, she took a deep breath. âHaving fun, my lords?!â
As expected, Jungkook lost his balance and toppled over to the fountain. His beautiful shirt splashed with water and his dampened hair from sweat completely soaked from the fountain flow. From up on the balcony, it looked like a Nymph was pouring water constantly on Jungkooksâ head.
Belle couldnât help but laugh and Angel tried her best not to follow along.
Jungkook winced at his drenched self; almost a hint of anger on his face before he threw his head back and scoffed out a laugh.
Taehyung looked over to follow the sound and his expression softened when he recognized Bellesâ face. âAgape,â he whispered with such a baritone voice that it even shocked Jungkook.
He tracked his gaze up to the sandstone balcony, decorated with pink roses and all-spice flowers. Jungkook raked his fingers through his hair, slicking it back so he could see her. Agape. The Goddess of Eternal Love. Beautiful brown curls and glowing skin against the warm sunlit sky. He couldnât see it clearly from here but the hints of her pink irises twinkled. A smile tugged at his lips. âYou got me, my lady.â
Belle smirked, leaning forward as her cheeks heated. âBe sure not to catch a cold, my lord. Iâm looking forward to seeing you at the match.â
Jungkooksâ smile turned to a bright grin. âIâll be as healthy as a God,â he mused before biting his bottom lip.
-
The day had come for Seokjinsâ arrival. Mania: the God of Obsessive Love. This time Yoongi opted to see him personally in the council room. Kiku, the Earth Nymph Queen and his wife stood by his side despite her wish not to see this God again. In the last banquet, Seokjin had less than pleasant things to say to her and Yoongi was on the verge of announcing war. Thankfully Namjoon broke apart the fight, telling them to separate until they calm down.
Black robe train slithered across the white polished stone floor. When Yoongi remembered Seokjin, he saw a plump skinned charmer who saw the world as a trail of possibilities. Today he stood in front of a thinning man. âI thank you for welcoming me back after my horrible behaviour in the last banquet.â Seokjin spoke in his truest charm but it was changed. There was a darkness under his eyes now and his previously plump skin became sunken with age.
Yoongi attempted a smile. âItâs forgotten.â
Beetle black eyes flickered to Kiku with the same deathly sleep-deprived expression. âAnd Lady Earth, I offer my humblest apologies.â
Kiku nodded in response without a word. Yoongi knew it was her way to tolerating this visit without giving her true opinion.
âIâm happy to be part of this excitement.â Seokjin intertwined his long fingers together like a spiders legs uncurling.
âBoth Eros and Pragma will be participating.â
âHow wonderful!â
âJimin will also be giving his famous stories as entertainment with Goddess Gaiasâ illusions. I know you enjoy them.â
âMy favorites are of ours.â Seokjin always had his way to maintaining the memory of their history. The two oldest Gods of Love. Family and Obsession building the Realm of Love from scratch. There was a twisted beauty about that fact.
âThe servants will help you to your temporary chamber in the Palace.â Yoongi nodded to the three servants awaiting his order. âMake yourself at home.â
Seokjin bowed and turned his heel, quietly expecting the servants to scurry after him.
Yoongi glanced over at Kiku. Her entire body exuded a sense of concern and a hint of anger, green vines were twirling around her fingers to relieve her stress. He held onto her hand, her skin as soft as a cloud. A silent comfort to reassure her that itâll all be well.
-
Thousands of people in the Realm of Love crowded on the wooden pavilions, waving their flags of rainbow colours representing their favourite jousters. Excitement thrummed in the air with that hint of curiosity. Who would the Goddess Agape stand next to at the end of the festival? Some of the members of the crowd were already deep into debate as to which fighter would be the most appropriate.
At the center and best view of the arena, three velvet lined seats were placed. Yoongi sat in the middle with Kiku on his left and Belle on his right. A step lower than the seats were the three non-performing gods, Namjoon, Seokjin and Hoseok, the God of Self-Love.
Once the crowd was organized and ready, Yoongi stood up. He didnât need to move an inch before everyone delved into an attentive silence. âWelcome to our esteemed competition, good people. The rules are simple. You are to clash with your partners in a fair joust and the winner will provide a favor of their colour to the Goddess.â He gestured to Belle. âThe one with the most favors will win the match.â Yoongi waved his hand. âLet the games begin.â
A wave of applause and cheer welcomed the first jousting match between Taehyung and an Earth Nymph. Their gold and silver armor glinted against the summer light. Another trail of pin-drop silence as the jousters had their lances ready. Belle kept her eyes on Eros as most of the crowd did. No one expected him to be much of a sportsman but his blooming friendship with Jungkook seemed to have influenced his new hobbies.
With a clap, the stallions galloped towards each other. In a pounding rise of suspense, they grew closer. Closer. Closer. Taehyung smashed the lance against the Earth Nymphsâ chest earning a wild applause.
He reached the other side and one of the servants gave him a white favor for his victory. Taehyung rode out to the platform where Belle sat. Keeping his half-lidded gaze, he kissed the favor and had it levitate towards the Goddess. âFor you, my lady.â
Belle smiled and gently accepted the favor. She gave a short bow to acknowledge his gift.
Another series of matches continued on but what Belle truly waited for arrived around five matches later. She may have counted in her head until she saw the red flag matched with green.
Jungkook rode in his glinting obsidian armor and black stallion that had the most beautiful silver mane. He was a picture of magic. Lances at the ready, the crowd stills with anticipation. The Earth Nymph rides first and Jungkook follows suit a few seconds later. There were some murmurs that the God lost his focus in the midst of the match. They soon found out it was another reason altogether.
The sheer brute force of Jungkooksâ lance nearly cracked the Earth Nymphsâ armor and had them falling off their horse. Due to the leather straps, the Nymphsâ struggling body was still being dragged by the stallion while servants tried to get them to safety.
Belle stared at the fallen Nymph in worry, feeling a bit guilty for the sheer excitement brimming through her body at Jungkooksâ explosive victory. He brought a red favor. This time Belle stood up from her chair as the beautiful stallion closed in. Moving down the step platform with Namjoonsâ help, she took a moment to caress the stallionsâ head.
âFor you, my lady.â Jungkook handed her the red favor.
Belle accepted it, feeling the warmth of his palm and the heat exuding from it. âMy lord,â she muttered before turning on her heel. Perhaps it was too blatant of an action for her favoritism but she didnât care.
Yoongi noticed the flushed pleasure on Bellesâ face. He couldnât help but chuckle, rubbing his lips and instinctively holding Kikusâ hand. A part of him remembered how the early thrills of a blossoming relationship felt like. The more Belle smiled, the more he felt grateful for this tournament.
Jungkook stayed still on the spot just watching Belle move back up to her platform. His body and soul grew too comfortable in her aura that it made him dizzy. When the Goddess sat down and faced him, he shook himself back to reality. Giving a quick bow, he rode back for the rest of the tournament.
***
Night fell into a deep blue blanket of sky and the remnants of thrill from the tournament celebrated with ale, dancing and pleasure. Jungkook had last seen Taehyung in a bedroom full of the most beautiful Nymphs and the smell of incense. With the look on his face, one could only imagine what was going on in there. He, however, was called to Seokjinsâ chamber.
He knocked on the door four times and announced himself before Seokjin invited him in with a chirpy tone.
âWelcome, Jungkook!â Seokjin was about the only person other than Yoongi who could call him that. âI hope you had fun in the tournament.â He gestured for him to sit at the dining table.
âSword fighting is more my favouriteââ Jungkook relaxed on the chair, his tired muscles aching when it was finally resting. ââbut I liked the favors idea.â He smiled.
âIâm sure you did.â Seokjin picked up an apple from the glass bowl and wiped it on his robe. âKeep going like this and our deal will go smoothly.â
His smile faded, fingers lightly tapping on the arm of his chair. âDo you think itâs fair? Sneaking up on the Goddess like this?â
âDonât start getting a conscience now, my lord.â Seokjin chuckled. âWhen you were begging for your friendsâ life, you said youâd kill the Goddess.â
Jungkook tasted something bitter on his tongue at the thought.
âToo bad that friend didnât have your beautiful dedication to friendship.â He scrunched his nose. âWind Nymphs, theyâre a bit filmsy, arenât they?â
Jungkook pressed his lips together, averting his gaze.
Seokjin let out a deep sigh, raising his palms. âApologies.â The kindness of his gaze ended as soon as it started when he narrowed his gaze. The shadows cast under his eyes made him look more like a Demon than a God. âBut weâre still on this deal, arenât we?â
It wasnât a request open for Jungkook to refuse. If he backed out of his deal then the price would be dire. Seokjin was an ancient God of Love like Yoongi. Entities like him could take a God or Nymphsâ powers, rotting their core soul into a Demon. An animalistic creature with no memory of their past self.
Jungkook was trapped the moment he thought of a deal with Seokjin. All he could do was nod and accept the betrayal he was going to perform.
next chap >>>
#jungkook#thebtswritersclub#bts fanfic#bts imagines#jungkook fanfic#jungkook imagines#bts gods au#jungkook gods au#fantasy au#bts fantasy#bts fantasy au#jungkook fantasy au#romance#bts romance#romance au#bts romance au#jungkook romance au#ancient greek
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I was tagged by @birbs-in-space to do the 17 questions meme! I definitely donât know 17 people to tag lmao
nickname: none that i know of, unless you are all calling me smth behind my back *squints*
Zodiac: taurus
Height: 5â6.5âł
Hogwarts House: ravenclawÂ
Last thing I googled: hhrrrgh it was trying to troubleshoot R, how to overlay a species matrix onto an NMDS ordination fit, i did not find the answer rip
Song stuck in my head: warped by RHCP
# of followers: 9,116
Amount of sleep: i havenât gotten more than 6.5 hours of sleep in months. too much work to get done :/
Lucky Number: 711
Dream Job: oof itâs 5am so i cannot give a coherent answer, but working to conserve, protect, and improve public perception of insects and other invertebrates.
Wearing: pajamas, a t-shirt, and a big blanket, as i have been every day for the past several months lmao
Favorite Author: toss up between tolkien and douglas adams
Favorite Instrument: drums or bass guitar
Aesthetic: um. i think,,,, i think we should go back to robes and tunics my dudes. especially the snazzy outfits garak wears. iâll take that.
Favorite Song: ever??? EVER??? no oneâs there by korn
Favorite Animal Noise: im. this is such a big question. fish crow calls, woodcock peent, longhorn beetle squeaks. gryllus pensylvanicus, scudderia septentrionalis, the haunting spiral echo of a veery in the spring woods, the plaintive tin horn yank of a red-breasted nuthatch clambering up pine trunks, the scratch in the undergrowth of a secretive towhee with only a glimpse of red eyes staring back through the brush. all animal noises are the best animal noises, sorry i dont make the rules
Random: my sleep schedule is now so fucked that i go to bed after my advisor wakes up and thereâs a short window in which he can reply to my emails while iâm still awake rip
tagging @ectogeo-rebubbles, @kukalakas, @dr-twink-md
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ZUKKA PROMPT đĽđ§ Zuko fainting and Sokka catching him (they are already a couple). It can be anything. Maybe sickness (he was feeling weird all day for example), maybe stress (maybe because he is already Fire Lord and he has all those meetings), maybe exhaustion (after training with Aang or not sleeping because of Fire Lord duties).
Fire Lords Need Their Rest
âI really hope Zukoâs doing okay,â Sokka sighed as he laid on Appaâs saddle looking up at the sky. âI mean Iâve been gone for-â
âYeah, a month!â Katara snapped. âIt is all you talked about during the solstice. The whole month. Zuko this and Zuko that! Next time just bring him with! Iâm more than a little sick of hearing about it!â
Sokka sat up and shouted back, âHEY! You know how Zuko does with the solstice! Fire benders get sick when they donât have the sun! And it isnât like I havenât had to deal with you gushing about YOUR BOYFRIEND endlessly!â
âIâm sorryâŚâ Katara answered looking embarrassed. âI forgot⌠I shouldnât have said that. Youâre right. You just really miss him, and I hate when I have to be away from Aang.â
âI hate when I have to be away from you too, Katara!â Aang chirped from where he sat steering.
âOogie!â Sokka groaned before he went back to staring at the sky and worrying about his husband. Was Zuko eating right? Was he getting enough rest? Was he listening to Guards Kenzo and Ming about taking care of himself, like Sokka had instructed Kenzo and Ming to do before he left? Did he remember to let Zuko know that was why their favorite guards were now on him about that stuff?
He thought for a few moments and suddenly recalled the adorable eye roll Zuko had given him when heâd let him know, and Sokka felt himself calm down.
âHey Aang, how much longer until we get to the palace?â
âTwo hours.â
Two Hours Later
Zuko had been in a meeting with General Fong when Ming came and stood at attention with a smile.
âSpeak.â
âFire Lord Zuko, Fire King Sokka has just arrived with Water Tribeswoman Katara and Avatar Aang. They are in the courtyard if you would like to go-â
âIâm sorry, but Iâm not done talking with-â The unpleasant Earth Kingdom General began, but Zuko was already on his feet and walking out the door.
He paused in front of a particularly shiny and reflective gold statue in the entryway to fix his hair and robes, before heading out into the courtyard, ignoring the look Ming gave him and setting his eyes on his husband. He smiled for the first time all week.
Katara smiled at him, before pointing to him, saying, âSokka go say hi to your husband, you dork.â
Sokkaâs face lit up with his radiant smile as he rushed to envelop the Fire Lord in his arms, and Zuko was home for the first time all month.
âI missed you too.â Zuko sighed as he returned the hug, choosing to ignore the way the world swayed for a moment. Sokka did not need to know that he hadnât slept in⌠How many days? Zuko wasnât sure. He stopped sleeping again after his uncle had gone back to Ba Sing Se.
Right then General Fong came storming out into the courtyard shouting, âWe werenât done talking about the import tax of geminate candy!â
âAnother word before Iâm done saying hello to my husband, and I am banning the import of the stupid rock candy,â Zuko growled, before tightening his hold on his husband and inhaling the comforting scent of seawater and a scent that screamed Sokka.
Aang laughed at that, before jumping down from Appa, right as Sokkaâs stomach growled.
âMing, tell General Fong that we will have to reschedule our meeting for after lunch,â Zuko ordered with a smile, as he leaned back in the embrace and looked up at his husband. In the past few years, Sokka had shot up in height and stood taller than most people. Stupid Water Tribe genes, making Sokka into a total pillar of muscle that towered over Zuko.
Zuko loved it. He loved how when he stood next to Sokka, he felt safe. He loved how Sokkaâs body curled around him, creating a warm alcove of home and safety. He loved how every inch of Sokka was filled to the brim with love and loyalty. He loved Sokka.
He rocked up onto his toes and rewrapped his arms around his husbandâs neck, before pressing a kiss to the manâs lips. Sokka happily returned it, before pressing another to Zukoâs forehead.
âI missed you, Beautiful.â
âI missed you too, Sokka,â Zuko replied, smiling. âNow letâs go get you some food.â
Then Zuko turned to Aang and Katara saying, âYou donât mind if I have a private lunch with-â
âPlease do.â Katara interrupted. âI can go get something in the city with Aang. I really do not want to see what a private lunch entails.âÂ
Zuko flushed, but Katara had been absolutely right about the way he planned for his private lunch with his husband to go.
If he had his way, and Zuko knew he would, then he was going to be finding himself thrown onto the table- And oh no⌠Everything was rapidly swaying, as Sokka let go of him to give his pack to a servant.
âSokka!â Came the distant sound of Katara shouting, as the ground rushed up to meet the Fire Lord.
â
Sokka had only stepped away from his husband for a few seconds to hand Shoji his pack, when Katara shouted, âSokka!â
He whipped around to catch his husband, when heâd realized what she was looking at, just in time. Zuko had fainted or passed out, and Sokka already had a fair idea of why. He had known the moment he caught the earthy scent of makeup on his husband, that the man was likely covering up the shadows of exhaustion on his face. However, in his relief at seeing Zuko for the first time in a month, Sokka had been willing to not bring it up until after their lunch, but now it looked like he was going to have to wait until his husband woke up.
âMing?â Sokka asked, looking at the guard. âWhen was the last time the Fire Lord slept?â
He wasnât going to like the answer. He knew he wasnât. He had never once asked that question and received an answer that had made him smile. This time was no different.
âCounting the nap he took yesterday, during lunch?â
âNaps donât count.â
âFive or six days ago.â
Sokka sighed and shifted his husband in his arms, so he was carrying him bridal style. Then he nodded at his sister and headed into the palace. He had known leaving his husband to his own devices for a month hadnât been a good idea, but he had been so excited to join in the Southern Water Tribeâs celebration of the darkest time of the year when Yueâs light filled their days without interruption. However, if Zuko was going to do this every time he was gone, and he did, then Sokka wasnât going to be able to do this again.
It looked like he was only going to be able to make it work by bringing Zuko with him and staying for the short period of time that Zuko was able to handle without getting moon sickness.
For now, he had to make sure Zuko got his rest and a proper meal.
He was in love with a complete moron.
â
When Zuko woke up, he was in bed and curled up in Sokkaâs arms. It took him longer than he would like to admit to realize what had happened. When he did realize, he groaned and curled further into the embrace.
How many people had seen him pass out? Did that awful General Fong see? Would the man try and use it as a sign of weakness and use it to exploit Zuko during their negotiations? How would that beetle roach react, when Fire Lord Zuko refused to allow it to be a way to manipulate him?
âI can hear your brain thinking way too hard, Babe.â Sokka sighed, as he let go of Zuko and sat up to grab something off of his nightstand. That something turned out to be food.
Zuko sat up as well now, and his stomach gave a growl of hunger. How long had it been since he had a proper meal and not just bites of food between meetings?
Sokka held out a piece of mango to his mouth, and Zuko looked up from the offered food and at his husband.
âYou obviously arenât responsible enough to feed yourself, if the palace staffâs report is anything to go by, so Iâve decided that making sure you eat is now my job.â Sokka joked with a loving smile, and Zuko accepted the food.
He made eye contact with the Water Tribesman, as he wrapped his lips around the fingers that held the mango chunk, and felt a fierce sense of pride at the way that smile fell and became something sinful. If Sokka insisted on feeding him by hand, then Zuko was determined to make it into a game of how many bites of food did it take to break the manâs control.
He was sure this game would leave them both very satisfied.
He licked away the juice that dampened his lips before practically purring, âOf course. Thank you for being equipped to take care of my needs, my love.â
It didnât take much more than that and meeting Sokkaâs wide eyes with his own fiery gaze to break him.
Round one of this game had left them both extremely satisfied.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/22462120/chapters/54249058
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drarry fic recs
since i read so much fanfiction, and most of it drarry, i decided to make a rec list specifically for all my favorite drarry fics. because what else are you gonna do when youâre under quarantine? and iâve got a lot of recs, so get comfortable.
first off, lemme just say that if you havenât read any Saras_Girl fics, you absolutely should. sheâs my favorite fic author of all time, really only ever writes drarry (although a lot of her fics feature background romione), and sheâs still an active writer. thereâll be a lot of her stuff on this list, so if you donât know where to start, just keep reading.
Reparations by Saras_Girl  [87k, E]
Harry is about to discover that the steepest learning curve comes after Healer training, and that second chances can be found in unexpected places.
this is my favorite fic of all time, okay? harry is a healer trainee at st. mungoâs, and all the trainees go through rotations in different departments of the hospital. harryâs first rotation is in the chemical dependency department, where he discovers heâll be working under none other than our illustrious draco malfoy. this is so well written, and the characterization is so spot on, and itâs the perfect slowburn. iâve read it so many times. i practically consider it canon at this point. (itâs also part of a series â Foundations!verse â and i love the sequel just as much.)
Talk To Me by Saras_Girl [15k, T]
When the usual channels of communication are shut down, the most surprising people can find a way in. A strange little love story.
probably my favorite one-shot. itâs an eighth year fic, but honestly, the year isnât important to the story. harry gets hit more-or-less accidentally by a spell that renders him blind and deaf, and a *mysterious person* comes to his rescue. itâs the absolute sweetest thing i have ever read in my life. without the means to communicate normally, draco writes the words with his finger on the palm of harryâs hand. the characterization, again, is perfect. and harry figuring things out and reconciling apparently conflicting ideas of what he knows of draco left me squealing.
Building It Together by digthewriter [27k, E]
Forced proximity can only lead to bad things, right? Right.
this is such an original fic, and the concept is so intriguing. grimmauld place is tearing itself apart because harryâs been avoiding the house and its memories, and it finally breaks its magical ties to him. and siriusâ nearest blood relative is none other than draco malfoy. to save the house from itself and restore it to harry, draco has to move in, and with sections of the house disappearing... thereâs only one bed. also let me just say that dracoâs job is the most original thing iâve ever seen, and itâs so fascinating and magical, and i love it. this is such a good fic.
Feel You In These Walls by alpha_exodus [6k, E]
Just this once, Harry thinks. Just this once, they'll kiss, they'll have sex, and then it'll be over.��Draco hadn't expected more than that either. But then it happens again, again, and neither of them had anticipated having feelings involved - but then they've never been able to keep anything casual, have they?
i donât usually read fics that are smut-centric, cause, yâknow... asexual. but i really like this one. itâs beautifully written, and the dynamic is just. so great. also, asexual or no, i am not immune to tension. (iâll take or leave the smut â in fact iâd mostly rather leave it â but unresolved tension? heck yeah.)
Salt on the Western Wind by Saras_Girl [60k, M]
When the war isnât quite as over as it first appears, a guilt-ridden Harry is sent to a mysterious safe-house. Among sandwiches, insomnia, and Mills & Boon, he discovers something quite unexpected.
in the face of the dangers of the remaining deatheaters who have not been apprehended, mcgonagall sends harry, ron, and hermione to a safe-house. narcissa malfoy, having saved harryâs life asks one thing of him: to take draco with him into hiding. things take an unexpected turn when draco accidentally fouls up a spell and binds harryâs wrist to his by a silver thread that will only break when the people bonded âhave reached a point of mutual understanding, confidence, and accordâ. itâs so well-written, and i love the setting, and everything a lot. itâs wonderful.
Stealing Sweaters by DorthyAnn [12k, T]
It's their eighth and final year and over the course of several months, Harry and Draco have managed to become close friends. Their friends are entirely certain that they ought to be much, much more. So they just decide to... help things along.
this is so sweet, so fluffy. i die. harry and dracoâs relationship in this is to live for. thereâs platonic cuddling and hugging and sweater stealing, and then comes the realization that itâs maybe not as platonic as they thought. the idea behind this one is that harry and dracoâs friends think they know what they need, and decide to meddle, and really all theyâve done is mess everything up.
Rainfall by Saras_Girl [4k, T]
So what if Draco has a rain kink? Everyone likes something weird.
literally the only thing you need to know about this fic is that draco has a rain kink. itâs bloody fantastic. i think youâll find this is as much about draco as it is about drarry, and if youâre as obsessed with draco as i am, youâre gonna love that. (and by that, i mean draco absolutely soaked and with his face tipped up into the falling rain. itâs a beautiful mental picture.)
On a Clear Day by Saras_Girl [41k, M]
Draco Malfoy is waiting for his real life to begin, and it appears that heâs not the only one. Coffee, charity, and the wisdom of the elderly.
draco works for a charity, and his boss is very insistent that he get harry potter to attend their next event. except that harry potter doesnât attend events at all, and he hasnât responded to any of dracoâs owls, and dracoâs just about had it. this is a marvelous fic. it deals with draco feeling the pressure of restoring his familyâs good name, it deals with harryâs trauma, how his past experiences have affected him after the war, it deals with the relationship between them in a really important way. because itâs a âno i actually hate you, you were a bastardâ and thereâs no âwait, is that sexual tensionâ and âwell, maybe itâs okay because he was a child at the timeâ. not that those arenât valid and really good things to read about in fics, but itâs nice to see it from this âiâm a mature adult, so iâm not gonna be petty about this, but i do actually hate youâ angle. i like it a lot.
Time and Again by manixzen [64k, E]        work in progress
Harry's absolutely sure it's Malfoy's fault that they are stuck reliving the same day over and over.��Harry is good at his job. He's professional, has an excellent closure rate, and is a well-respected Auror. Malfoy's the unprofessional one with his snark and his judgemental eyebrows and his far too-posh-for-work robes. If Malfoy could have managed to refrain from being a pain in the arse, everything would have been just fine. They wouldnât have gotten in yet another argument, Harry wouldnât have been distracted, and Harry certainly wouldnât have accidentally set off a powerful artifact at their crime scene. And if Malfoy would just get out of his way now, Harry's sure he can quickly fix this so they can get back to their comfortable professional dislike of one another.
so, it is a work in progress, and i know a lot of people donât like reading those (myself included), but itâs being regularly updated, and thereâs only one chapter left. so iâd definitely recommend it! itâs a pretty great fic, and worth a read.
Tea and No Sympathy by who_la_hoop [70k, E]
It's Potter's fault, of course, that Draco finds himself trapped in the same twenty-four-hour period, repeating itself over and over again. It's been nearly a year since the unpleasant business at Hogwarts, and Draco's getting on with his life quite nicely, thank you, until Harry sodding Potter steps in and ruins it all, just like always. At first, though, the time loop seems liberating. For the first time in his life, he can do anything, say anything, be anything, without consequence. But the more Draco repeats the day, the more he realises the uncomfortable truth: he's falling head over heels for the speccy git. And suddenly, the time loop feels like a trap. For how can he ever get Harry to love him back when time is, quite literally, against him?
just in case one time loop fic isnât enough for you, why not have two? this oneâs also really enjoyable, and i think you should give it a go. if you only have the attention span for a single time loop fic, i would probably suggest Time and Again over this one, but thatâs a personal preference. this one has some pretty great moments all its own, and theyâre both good reads.
All Life Is Yours to Miss by Saras_Girl [114k, M]
Professor Malfoy's world is contained, controlled, and as solitary as he can make it, but when an act of petty revenge goes horribly awry, he and his trusty six-legged friend are thrown into Hogwarts life at the deep end and must learn to live, love and let go.
alright, i realize that this is the length of an actual novel, and that i probably should not have read this as many times as i have, but when you find a fic as good as this one, you canât just ignore it. this fic is beauty itself, itâs the essence of life, itâs mandatory for everything. you want to go to college? they ask about this fic on your application. you want to get married? there are things you need to know beforehand, like âstanley the beetle doesnât like transfigured mint leaves as much as the real onesâ. thatâs essential. i donât know if i like this fic so much because of how good it is, or just because of pet beetle owner solidarity.
Good To Me (And Iâd Be So Good to You) by AWickedMemory (TeddyLaCroix)Â [8k, G]
Everyone returns to Hogwarts after the war, but nothing is quite the same. Harry's groupies are creepier than ever, Ron and Hermione are snogging all over the place, and the once-proud Draco is shuffling around like a kicked puppy. But that's okay: Harry's got a plan.
this fic is pure fluff, and if thatâs not your thing i get that, but the premise of this is just so cute. because harryâs got a mental catalog of facts about draco malfoy and a) thatâs hilarious and adorable, and b) theyâre actually really interesting and insightful for dracoâs characterization. also the end reveal is !!!
Thermodynamic Equilibrium by DorthyAnn [5k, T]
Harry's far too hot. Draco's always cold. And somehow against all odds, together they create a perfect equilibrium.
because this trope never gets old, and this is really nice. thereâs so much cuddling, and so many blurred lines between friendship and romance, and i love it. iâm a firm advocate of cuddling in every fanfiction ever. no fic is complete without it.
Helix by Saras_Girl [92k, E]
Seven months after the end of the war, Harry is feeling lost. Fortunately, he is about to be offered an unexpected and sparkling chance to find himself again.
itâs about snails. in an effort to get harry and draco to get along a little better, mcgonagall assigns them to overseeing the care of some very delicate snails for hagrid. thereâs lots of heartfelt conversations, and struggles, and theyâre very in love, so thatâs nice. thereâs also some really well-handled snape content, which i actually appreciate a lot, despite not really liking snape. it sets snape as dracoâs godfather (which is a headcanon i love), and thereâs a lot of contrast between dracoâs relationship with snape and his relationship with his actual father, and i appreciate that a lot.
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#FFxivWrite2020 - Prompt #23 - Shuffle
[Entry Masterpost]
~750 words. Urianger is autistic and stims no I will not take criticism at this time. Have happy fun stimmy times. And maybe. Some foreshadowing? Of the far future? Who knows. :)
Urianger was finally settled into the cottage, and his things now littered the house - tastefully, of course. His books occupied a new bookshelf (for Beetle already had plenty of full ones herself), his clothes were folded into the armoire, and he even had a brand new table for his card readings. This he was very pleased with, as he found the readings were beneficial to study and meditation.Â
Mostly, he would simply shuffle the cards while he thought. Beetle always enjoyed watching or listening to this, as his table was in the bedroom, and he almost always did it when she was lounging on the bed.Â
She liked it especially in quiet evenings, where she would curl up with the blanket, piles of soft pillows behind her, a mug of tea at the end table, and a nice cozy book. When all was quiet, his readings were a rather soothing thing to listen to.Â
The quiet swish of the cards being spilled from their velvet pouch, the heavy thud of the deck hitting the soft tablecloth. The way his long slender fingers riffled through each cardâs edge - oh his hands, they even sounded graceful - and the small but distinctive fwip of the cards being laid down. She always smiled at the gentle, thoughtful huffs through his nose he gave as he looked at the readings.
What she liked the most though, was the sound of the shuffling. Like a paper package being opened, a stiff yet soft noise, with all the same comfort. She found how he seemed to enjoy it, how it seemed to bring him some kind of tactile satisfaction, very endearing, along with his other behaviors: his humming and his finger tapping, the way he subconsciously sought things that felt pleasing to the touch, and would continue to touch them (such as the fabric of her favorite heavy silken robe). He had always been like this, but she noticed them with increasing frequency, now that they were married and living together.Â
And, as usual, the shuffling had lulled her nearly to sleep, but not in the troublesome way one finds, nodding off and on and off and on again, trying hard to focus, but rather in a comfortable haze that made the reading all the more pleasant. So pleasant that she did not realize the sounds she now heard were of him putting the deck away, and rising to crawl into bed.
âMm,â he said, his rich baritone voice cutting through the quiet, âWhat art thou reading, beloved?â
âJust that romance again,â she said, âThat one set during the War of the Magi.â
âAhh, where the Mhachi black mage is carrying the Amdapori white mageâs child?âÂ
âYes, that one. Always gets me when the child is born without a hitch. I know it isnât impossible for a Lalafell to have a healthy child with an Elezen, but it makes me terribly anxious nonetheless!â
âTis fiction,â he said, âAnything is possible there anyways, mm?â
Beetle gave a small laugh.
âYes, I suppose,â she said, âThough I do wonder; what exactly would a child like that grow up to be like? A Hyur and an Elezen seems to work out just fine, thereâs plenty of those about. Or at least, âplentyâ as far as intermingled children go.â
Urianger shurgged.
âSo few art conceived in the first place,â he said, âAnd many that do manage to be conceived do not survive, sadly.â
âHm. True. I donât think Iâve ever even heard of one being conceived,â she said, âEh, guess itâs not really anything we need to worry about.â
Urianger gave her a quick, sharp glance.Â
âDost thou...?â he began. She interrupted him.
âOh goodness, no, Urianger,â she said, âI donât care if we somehow manage to have a child or not. Iâve never really cared one way or the other. And besides, being with child has never sounded particularly pleasant to me. My mother said she was terribly sick with me. âCourse, she always said baby girls made you the most sick. Dunno why. Sounds like an old croneâs tale.â
Urianger pursed his lips thoughtfully.
âMm. Mayhap tis for the best,â he said, âOur lives art not fit for children besides.â
Beetle nodded.
âNot now, certainly,â she said, thinking.
She suddenly shook her head.
âBah. Itâs a moot point, really,â she said, âAnd even if we did have one, Iâm sure it would be taller than me by the time it was four, anyways.â
They both laughed, curling comfortably with one another.
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Heather
Summary: Iris wants nothing more than to admit her feelings for her best friend Draco before they leave for holiday, but she questions her decision when Heather walks through the common room and Draco starts on his usual rant about how perfect she is. Iris watches and thinks sheâs losing her best friend to Heather.Â
A/N: I loved writing this one and hope yâall like it. I think itâs super cute :) Also, if you couldnât tell Iâm obsessed with Kid Krow and I think Iâm going to write something for each of the songs
Based on Heather by Conan Gray
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I still remember, third of December
Me in your sweater
You said it looked better
On me, than it did you
The December air blew in slowly from the window, causing Iris to shiver. Even with the fire burning in the Slytherin common room, she was freezing. âIris, just go grab my sweater. You know where it is,â Draco insisted for the fifth time that night.
Finally giving in, she walked up the stairs to the boyâs dormitory. Draco had knowingly left it sitting neatly folded on his bed for her, and she smiled as she saw it. Throwing the dark green sweater over her robes she ran back downstairs to finish the essay theyâd been working on. His eyes lit up with slight adoration when he saw her. âIt suits you,â he said as she plopped down on the couch next to him.
âI know, you say that every time I steal it,â Iris replied, wishing she could just tell him she loved him already.
âYou really could just keep it, you know.â
âNo, I like having it here. Besides, I could never show up in the Gryffindor common room wearing green,â she joked.
âTrue,â he said and they went back to their essays.Â
Dracoâs sweater was slightly big on her so she kept having to pull the sleeves up, but she didnât mind. It was soft, and it smelled like him. It was hard for Iris to concentrate with him so close. Every time he looked over at her she could feel her confession threatening to spill from her lips. Sheâd planned to do it every day for the last two weeks, but every time she got close she thought about how he would react. She pictured Draco holding back a laugh, reminding her that they were best friends and nothing more. But, what if he did feel the same way? What if he said it back?
Theyâd been best friends since third year Potions when Draco decided to come sit with her instead of his usual group of friends. Sheâd never asked why he did it, but she was glad he did. Heâd spilled beetle eyes on her that day, and they spent an extra twenty minutes in the dungeons cleaning them up. After he apologized a million times, Iris decided the rumors about Draco Malfoy had been exaggerated. Although he could sometimes be as arrogant as everyone said, that side of him came out rarely when he was with her. The Draco she grew to know preferred licorice over chocolate, loved talking about Quidditch, and just wanted to pass his Transfiguration O.W.L. with at least an âAâ. He was no different than anyone else sheâd met at Hogwarts, just judged too quickly in her opinion. Since that day in Potions theyâd written every essay together. And stayed up past curfew wandering the halls, running from Filch when they were caught. And gone in every shop in Hogsmeade together. And spent their free time down at the Quidditch pitch practicing to beat each other. No matter what it was, Iris and Draco did it together. Â
Many of Dracoâs friends approached them when they started hanging out, asking if Iris was âhis girlâ, but Draco had assured them they were nothing more than friends. As more and more people questioned their relationship, Iris had found herself doing the same. It wasnât until a particularly snowy day in Hogsmeade that she realized her feelings for her friend. Theyâd gone into the Three Broomsticks for hot chocolate to warm up. Draco had these stupid earmuffs on that he insisted kept his ears perfectly toasty. When Iris didnât believe him, sheâd reached across the table and took them from his head. She found they were surprisingly warm, but Draco thought she looked hilarious. The earmuffs squished her face slightly and Draco to burst into laughter, causing hot chocolate to come spraying out of his mouth. With cocoa showered across her face, Iris also exploded into a fit of laughter. Every time Draco looked up, he laughed harder until tears were dripping down both of their faces. It was at that moment she knew she loved him. With tears running down his cheeks, hot chocolate dripping down his chin, and the widest grin across his face, Draco Malfoy had never looked better. After ten minutes, Iris took the earmuffs off, wiped her face, and theyâd headed back up to Hogwarts together.
Only if you knew
How much I liked you
But I watch your eyes, as she walks by
What a sight for sore eyes
Brighter than a blue sky
Sheâs got you mesmerized
While I die
Iris was snapped out of her thoughts when Draco nudged her. She looked up and he eyed towards the common room entrance. Heather had walked in. Her silky blonde hair was tied back in an elegant bun, and Draco couldnât seem to take his eyes off her. She smiled and waved to the two of them as she walked up to the Slytherin girlsâ dormitory. Draco waved back, then turned to Iris once she was gone, âDâya think sheâd go out with me?â
Iris shrugged, âMaybe.â
Heather. Heâd been obsessed with her since sheâd come back from summer holiday at the beginning of fourth year with her previously brown hair dyed a radiant blonde. Iris thought it looked fake, but Draco thought it looked great. Iris had spent all of last year staring at her best friend as he stared at the newly-blonde Heather. She watched him attempt to flirt his way through Potions, and assumed he spent all of his classes doing this as well. Iris also spent a lot of time last year cursing the Sorting Hat for putting her in Gryffindor instead of Slytherin. She wanted to be the girl he spent all his time trying to impress. She wanted to be Heather. Instead, sheâd lost her Potions partner and was the one putting in the effort to keep her best friend.
âI think Iâll ask her to go to Hogsmeade this weekend with me,â Draco said excitedly.Â
Iris didnât think this could get any worse. Hogsmeade was their thing to do together. They always spent the weekend before Christmas holiday shopping for their gifts together. Draco never knew what to get his mother, but Iris found the perfect gift for Narcissa every time. Once their gifts had been found, theyâd split up to shop for the other and finish the day exchanging their gifts with hot chocolate at Three Broomsticks.
âYour mother will want a new tea set. You can find a nice one at the store around the corner from Honeydukes,â Iris said, ignoring Dracoâs statement and collecting her things.Â
He obviously didnât pick up on Irisâs disappointment at him, because he replied, âThatâs a great idea! Thanks!â
She stood up with her books in her arm when she remembered his sweater. She quickly pulled it off her body and left it folded in her place on the couch. âGoodnight. Iâll see you for breakfast,â Iris finished and walked to the door.
âSee ya,â Draco said, not bothering to look up from his essay.
Draco didnât show up to breakfast the next morning, which was unusual. Iris was worried he was sick, they always had breakfast together. She understood his absence when he walked into the Great Hall a few minutes later with Heather, a huge smile plastered across his face. He looked over to Iris at the Gryffindor table and gave her a wave and thumbs-up, signaling sheâd said yes to his date. Iris gave a forced smile in return and looked back down at her bowl, wishing she couldnât see him sitting next to Heather at the table across from her.
She couldnât seem to escape the pair the rest of the day. They were joined at the hip, the way sheâd been with him just yesterday. When she saw them in front of her on the way to Charms, his arm around her shoulders, she decided she didnât want to walk that way anymore and took the long way to the classroom. Iris didnât go to the Slytherin common room to finish her Potions essay that night, and Draco never came to find her. She spent the evening in the library, but didnât get much homework done. She couldnât seem to shake the image of Heather in his arms from her head. And as she wrote about the use of beetle eyes in Confusing Concoction, she couldnât help but think about the day sheâd met Draco. A part of her wish she never had. She certainly wouldnât be feeling this upset over a boy right now if he hadnât come and sat by her.
Watch as she stands
With her holding your hand
Put your hand on her shoulder
Now Iâm getting colder
They didnât spend much time together the week before his date with Heather. He ate a few meals with her and came to talk with her before Potions on Thursday, but they hadnât done their homework together since Sunday night and sheâd gone to bed before curfew every night this week. Already knowing the answer, she decided not to ask if they were still on for their usual Friday game night and headed up to bed far too early.Â
Saturday morning she lingered a bit in the dorm before heading down to Hogsmeade by herself to find her Christmas gifts. She spent a few hours wandering around all the stores, trying to find something good to get Draco for Christmas. Heâd always been so good at giving gifts, but she hoped hers would blow him away this year. She knew sheâd finally found it when a worker at Dervish and Banges handed her the newest broom cleaner and grip.
âAll the best Seekers need a good grip!â the worker assured Iris as she handed him her Galleons.
Feeling accomplished, Iris went to get a Butterbeer from Three Broomsticks before going back up to school. As she stepped out into the snow, she saw Draco and Heather out front of Three Broomsticks, hot chocolate in their mitten-covered hands. Iris noticed her favorite green sweater on Heather and tears quickly welled in her eyes. It looked much better on her. The shade of green made her eyes pop against the snow, and Iris knew sheâd never be able to wear it again. Not looking to see if Draco saw her, she decided to skip the Butterbeer and headed up to Hogwarts before anyone could see her cry. Iris spent the rest of Saturday wrapping gifts through her tears.
But how could I hate her?
Sheâs such an angel
But then again, kinda
Wish she were dead, as she walks by
What a sight for sore eyes
Brighter than a blue sky
Sheâs got you mesmerized
While I die
Iris headed to the Great Hall the next day for a late breakfast and found Draco there with Heather too, his arm wrapped around her once again.
âHey Iris!â he shouted as he saw her walk in, âCome sit with us!â
She walked to the Slytherin table and sat down on Dracoâs free side, attempting to hide her annoyance. âHey,â Heather said kindly with a small wave, leaning in front of Draco.
âHey,â Iris replied, feeling her annoyance lessen at Heatherâs kindness.
The three of them ate breakfast together. Iris mostly listened as Draco retold his favorite Quidditch story, last yearâs Slytherin versus Hufflepuff game, to Heather with great enthusiasm. Heatherâs eyes widened as Draco told her about his diving catch, winning the game by ten points when he caught the Snitch. Iris had been told this story a million times, but sheâd also been there. The winner would be playing for the House Cup against her, but sheâd gone to support Draco too, of course. Sheâd brought him a Licorice Wand when she met him in the Hospital Wing right after heâd caught the Snitch. His arm had been snapped in half, but he was still running and cheering with his teammates before Snape made him go get his arm treated.Â
âYou play Quidditch too, right Iris? For Gryffindor?â Iris was surprised at Heatherâs question. She hadnât really planned to speak with her. Like, at all.
âYeah, Seeker as well,â she replied.
âThatâs really cool! I wish I could play Quidditch. Iâm rubbish when it comes to flying though.â
âI could teach you,â Draco suggested to Heather, pulling her closer.
âAnd risk breaking my arm too? No thanks, Iâll just watch.â Iris couldnât help but perk up at Heatherâs words. Sheâd taken her Potions and Hogsmeade partner, Iris didnât think she could handle losing Quidditch to Heather as well. âHave you broken any bones playing Quidditch, Iris?â
âSheâs broken more than I have!â Draco replied, giving Iris that old look of adoration.
âBoth arms and wrists, one of the arms was thanks to Draco in our game during third year,â Iris started. Heather gave a small gasp.
Draco laughed, âIt was only a little shove! I didnât mean for you to fall.â Heather laughed now, eager to hear the rest of Irisâs injuries.
âMy left leg happened during my first year, and so did the collarbone,â Iris finished.
âWow! And you came back to play the next year?â Heather asked in amazement.
âYeah she did! She played her first game back in a sling and a boot. Flew her broom with only one hand!â Draco told Heather, even more excited than heâd been when telling his own story.
âHe forgot to mention that I beat him like that too,â Iris said, receiving a slight shove from Draco.
âWe agreed to never mention that again!â
They spent the rest of the day like that. The three of them did homework in the Slytherin common room. Iris sat in the armchair across from the two of them on the couch, trying to ignore the fact that Heather was in her spot. Iris had to admit sheâd had a really great time with the two of them. Draco wasnât any different with Heather than heâd ever been with her. Maybe she could accept the two of them. Once sheâd gotten over her own feelings.
At a quarter to eleven Iris packed up her things and headed for her own common room. âWait, Iâll walk you out,â Draco stopped her. When they got out into the hallway and the door was shut he pulled her into a huge hug. âThank you, Iris.â
âFor what?â she asked when heâd let go.
âFor not calling me out for ditching you this weekend. For spending the day getting to know her. For being my best friend.â Iris smiled and now it was her turn to hug him. âChristmas gift exchange Thursday night? I leave for holiday Friday after classes,â he asked.
âOf course. I think mine will finally be better than yours for once!â Iris said and walked away. Draco just shook his head and laughed. He hadnât forgotten about their traditions. And they were still best friends.Â
Why would you ever kiss me?
Iâm not even half as pretty
You gave her your sweater
Itâs just polyester
But you like her better
I wish I were Heather
The week continued like Sunday had: the three of them ate, studied, and just hung out together. The more time she spent with her, the more Iris liked Heather. And Draco seemed so happy, boosting Irisâs mood even more. Him being happy was truly all she wanted.
Wednesday night Iris decided to leave Draco and Heather after dinner and headed back to the Gryffindor common room to finish her last homework before the holiday started. She was about to head up to bed for an early night, when Heather was let into the common room by a second year Gryffindor.
âHey, whatâs up?â Iris asked as Heather sat down next to her.
âI canât do it with him,â she replied candidly.
âWhat? Why?âÂ
âYou.â
âWhat?â Iris laughed slightly.
âThe way he looks at you, Iris. Itâs obvious he loves you, even if he hasnât realized it yet. And I canât stand in the way of something as perfect as you and Draco Malfoy,â she said, receiving a shocked look from Iris.
âHe doesnât love me, Heather. I can promise you that much.â
âYou donât see it. Maybe because we can never believe that someone we like might actually feel the same way,â she looked at Iris knowingly, âbut he does.â
Iris didnât know what to say. Was she that obvious? Did Draco know too? Even though sheâd always wanted to tell him how she felt, she never did because she didnât want him to know. She couldnât handle the embarrassment of being rejected by her best friend.
âI told him I couldnât do this. Donât worry, I didnât mention you. I just told him I didnât have time for the commitment right now,â Heather finished, getting up to leave. âHeather, why do you think he feels the same way? About me?â
âIris. He looks at you with this admiration, like heâs so proud to call you his. You make his world stop. Heâs in love with you.â
Iris couldnât help the smiling that was creeping onto her face. Maybe he really did love her.
Wish I were Heather
Wish I were Heather
Why would you ever kiss me?
Iâm not even half as pretty
The next day at breakfast Draco told Iris what had happened the night before. Sheâd been worried heâd be heartbroken, but he truly seemed okay.
âSheâs wonderful, but I appreciate her being honest about her time commitment. It made me think too, and I wouldnât have time to be in a relationship right now either,â Draco said. Iris felt slightly disappointed. Heather had been wrong, he didnât want to be with her. If he didnât even have time for the girl of his dreams, he definitely didnât have time for her.Â
When theyâd finished their breakfast and went to head their separate ways for class Draco asked, âWe still on for gifts tonight? Maybe we can head up to the astronomy tower? Does nine work?â Iris nodded in response, excited to give him her gift.
A little before nine Iris grabbed Dracoâs gift and headed to the tower to meet him. She was blown away by how bright and clear the night sky was when she walked up the stairs. She was there a few minutes early, so Draco hadnât arrived yet. She laid down to look up when the blonde boy poked his head into her view.
âHey. Beautiful night, isnât it?â Draco asked her as he laid down next to her.
âYeah, it really is. And quite warm for December,â Iris sat up and grabbed the bag next to her. âI want to go first. We have to save the best for last!â
âAlright, but I doubt yours is better than whatâs in there,â he replied, gesturing to the bag in her hands.
âWell, letâs find out!â Iris ripped away the tissue paper to reveal her favorite green sweater, as well as socks that looked as though Draco may have knitted them himself. Her heart sank as she lifted the sweater out of the bag, trying to look as excited as possible.
âMum tried to teach me to knit over Thanksgiving. And I remembered how much you liked the sw- whatâs wrong, Iris?â he said, noticing her getting more and more upset. Iris looked up at him as the first tear fell across her cheek.
âI canât take the sweater.â
âYes you can. You love it. Iâll have Mum knit me a new one, so then youâll have one in your room and mine.â
âShe wore it,â Iris replied, more tears falling now.
âWhat?â
âHeather wore it in Hogsmeade. I saw the two of you and she had it on.â
Iris was full-on crying now, and Draco wasnât sure what to do. Heâd thought sheâd love it. And she looked so cute in it.
âIris, whatâs this about? I told you this morning, Heather and I canât be together.â
Iris laughed at his ignorance, but decided it was time to tell him. âI know you canât, and Iâm sorry. I know you really liked her. But I canât take the sweater because it just reminds me of what I donât have, Draco.â
âAnd what would that be?â
âYou.â
Draco stared at her without a word, and Iris knew what was coming. Sheâd heard his laughs in her head when sheâd pictured this moment before. She knew the teasing that was coming, but it felt so good to have it off her chest. And when she closed her eyes, waiting for the excruciating blow to her heart, she was surprised to feel his lips on hers.
Draco pulled away after a few seconds and smiled when he looked at Iris. âI gave Heather my sweater for about five minutes because she was cold. But I asked her to give it back to me, because I couldnât look at her in it. She wasnât you. She didnât need to pull the sleeves up, and she didnât put that loose strand on the collar in her mouth like you do when youâre really focused on an essay. So I took it back, washed it, then wore it for a few days when I didnât see you. I know you like it when it smells like me. Iâm sorry it took me so long to realize, Iris, but I love you.â
Iris didnât know what to make of his confession, or his kiss. She wanted to jump into his arms and say yes a million times. She loved him too. So much. But then she remembered what heâd said at breakfast this morning. He didnât have time to commit to a relationship right now. And Iris was pretty sure his schedule couldnât have changed that much in one day to make time for a girlfriend.
âI love you too. I always have, Draco. But you said it yourself this morning: you donât have time to commit to this right now,â Iris responded honestly.
âIris, I donât have time to commit to anyone else because I spend all my time with you,â he said with a laugh,â All those days I was alone with Heather? I spent every minute wishing it was you instead. Like I said, Iâm sorry it took that to make me realize, but I know it now Iris. I know that I love you. And thereâs no one else that could be as perfect for me as you.â
Iris couldnât believe this was happening. Sheâd imagined it so many times, but it didnât compare to what she was feeling right now. Her best friend loved her back. She smiled brightly as now happy tears dropped onto the tower floor. âOpen your gift,â she said, pulling the sweater over her head. She didnât think sheâd ever take it off now.
His eyes lit up as he opened his gift. âHowâd you know I needed a new grip? And this is the best one, Iris! It mustâve cost you a fortune.â
âI figured you needed it after I beat you, again,â she joked and he pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly.
âYou look so beautiful in that sweater. I think I won the gift exchange again.â
âI think we both won this year,â Iris said, snuggling closer to Draco.
âAgreed.â
You gave her your sweater
Itâs just polyester
But you like her better
Wish I wereâŚÂ
#harry potter#draco malfoy#draco#malfoy#harry potter fan fic#harry potter fan fiction#draco x oc#draco x reader#draco malfoy x reader#draco malfoy x oc#fanfic#fanfiction#fan fic rec#my writing#slytherin#gryffindor#ravenclaw#hufflepuff#hogwarts#harry potter series#fan fiction#oneshot#one shot#songfic#song fic
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Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince (Chapter 1)
A Jily Au where Lily transfers from America in the Marauderâs Seventh Year
Read on AO3 James heard about her before he ever met her.Â
This is no surprise, of course. Rumors travel fast in any school, and Hogwarts was no exception. By his seventh year, James mostly ignored gossip, but there comes a point when even he couldnât tune out the whispers.Â
ââall the way from Americaââ
ââfully corporeal Patronusââ
ââkicked outââ
ââfought off tenââ
ââtwentyââ
ââfifty dementorsââ
What he could gather after separating out the parts that sounded like exaggerations was that there was a girl transferring into Hogwarts from America. This in itself wasnât too strange, Hogwarts had been home to Americans before, after all. The part that caused excitement was that she was much older than any transfer student anyone could remember, and she was supposed to arrive mid-October, rather than the usual September first.Â
Figuring this all out by the second week of September, he resigned himself to the fact that he wouldnât actually know more until she arrived. Of course, this didnât stop others from speculating and spreading more tales.Â
-----
By October 15, the rumors had grown to include that she could produce multiple Patronuses at once, fought off 100 dementors, became an animagus at 13, and had been kicked out of Ilvermorny for hexing a professor that had accidentally bumped into her in the hallway.Â
James was buttering his toast at breakfast and talking with Sirius about the possibility of making the Halloween feast have a surprise final course when the entire Great Hall turned silent. All eyes had turned to the entrance.Â
The first thing James noticed was red hair on black leather. The girl turned her head, looking at each person in the eyes as if daring anyone to question her presence in the hall. When she met his eyes, James quickly closed his mouth, which had been hanging open. She quirked an eyebrow, looking amused.Â
Remus was the first to move, standing and waving her over.Â
âMoony, what are you doing?â hissed Sirius.Â
âDumbledore asked me to show her around.â Remus replied nonchalantly. James couldnât take his eyes off her, noticing that she wore the usual school uniform, but with a leather jacket instead of robes.Â
Remus smiled and sat down as she got to the table.Â
âRemus Lupin, I assume?â she said, taking a seat.
âThe one and only. This is James, Peter, and Sirius.â Remus pointed to each of them in turn. James gave what he hoped was a confident smile.Â
âThe Marauders. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. Iâve heard of you.â
James had no idea about how she had heard of them. As much as he would like to believe that their pranks and other escapades had become famous and widely known, he knew that the possibility was unlikely. And, considering the looks of surprise that came from around the room when she entered, she definitely hadnât been there long enough to hear someone mention them in passing. She truly was a mystery.
âAnd what might your name be?â Asked James, thankful that his voice never wavered. What was it about this girl that made him so nervous? He knew that the rumors couldnât be true. His heart shouldnât pound around her. And yetâ
âEvans. Lily Evans. Iâm new, if you couldnât tell.â She smiled at the last part, knowing full well that there was no way he didnât know.Â
âWell, itâs nice to meet you Lily. Would you happen to be a seventh year?â James replied, gaining his confidence again.
âI am. Iâm also told that Iâm a Gryffindor, if that helps.âÂ
âFinally, another Gryffindor with a sense of fashion,â Sirius said, noticing her jacket.
Lily smiled at him. âLeather is my first choice when flying. And when walking. Pretty much everywhere, actually.â
James perked up when he heard her mention flying. âFlying? On a broom? Would you happen to be interested in Quidââ
âWould you like us to take you to Gryffindor tower? We can figure out your schedule there,â cut in Remus, making James frown. He wanted to know if she was a fan of his favorite sport.Â
âSounds good,â she replied, gesturing for Remus to lead the way.
-----
In the Gryffindor common room, they figured out that she shared all the same classes as Remus, and was put in a room with Marlene, Dorcas, and Mary. James offered to help her catch up in Potions, Charms, and Transfiguration, all of which she declined.
âIâm a fast learner. I think Iâll be fine. However, if you could help me figure out this crazy, confusing building layout, I would be very grateful.â
âIâm more suited for that task than you would expect,â he quickly agreed.
She raised an eyebrow at this. âIf you say so.â
She turned and walked to the stairs, going up to her room. James mentally smacked himself. That sounded so arrogant. I really need to stop making myself look like a fool in front of her. He thought glumly.
âWhat do you know about her?â James asked Remus. Remus chuckled.
âAs much as you do. If you want to learn more, why donât you ask her?â
James rolled his eyes. âI will, but you canât expect me to climb up into the girls dormitories, can you?â
Remus sat down with some homework. âNo, but I suspect youâll interrogate her as you show her around the castle.â
Jamesâ face reddened, and he turned to grab his bag from their room. Once he got back to the common room, he found Lily waiting for him.Â
âShall we?â she asked, motioning to the door. He put his strap around his shoulders, making sure that the map wasnât peeking out of the bag.Â
âRight. On to Potions.â
-----
They arrived a couple of minutes early, and he offered her the seat next to him. She gave him a grateful smile, and pulled out her potions book before sitting down.Â
Slughorn approached them, looking nervous. He must have heard the rumor about her hexing a professor.Â
âYou must be Miss Evans. Welcome to Advanced Potions. Weâve been moving at a rapid pace so far this semester, so if you need help, feel free to ask. If Iâm busy, Mr. Snape behind you is the best in the class, so Iâm sure heâll be able to answer any questions.â
Lily gave him a strained smile. âThank you, Professor, but Iâm sure Iâll be fine.â She looked back down, and started taking notes in her new textbook.Â
Slughorn gave a small laugh, and then excused himself to start the class.Â
âHello everyone, today we will be brewing Excresco, a potion used to make plants grow quickly. It can be found on page thirty-two. Each person must work alone. You may begin.â
James pulled out his cauldron and found the ingredients detailed in the book. He poured in his beetle eyes, and then took out his beetroot to start cutting. He heard Lily start humming an upbeat song next to him. He didnât recognize it, so he turned and asked what it was.Â
âEleanor Rigby. The Beatles?â She held up a couple beetle eyes.
He shook his head, confused.Â
âAh, must not be very caught up on Muggle culture then.â She put the beetle eyes back on the table, and started squishing them with the flat of her blade. He had no idea why Muggles listened to music about beetles. He decided to ask Sirius about it later, knowing that he would have a better understanding of Muggle music.
Slughorn came up beside Lily and watched for a minute.Â
âWhy are you mashing your ingredients? The instructions say to put them in whole.â
âThe part of the beetle eyes that affects the potion is the juice inside. When you squish them, the juice can come out easier, causing the potion to have more potency.â She said, never pausing her squishing.Â
James heard scribbling behind him, and turned to see Snape writing notes on what Lily had said.Â
Slughorn looked at her beetle eyes again and turned, not wanting to be hexed for saying anything more. It seemed that everyone thought of her as someone not to be messed with. James looked down at her textbook, and saw that each of her notes had changed some part of the potion. She noticed him looking and smiled at him.
âLike I said, I donât need help catching up in class.â
âI can see that. Iâm happy just to show you how to navigate the castle.â
She smiled and poured her squashed beetle eyes into her cauldron. Suddenly remembering that he had a potion of his own, James went back to cutting up his beetroot. No one else commented on Lilyâs unorthodox methods, but James kept hearing Snape writing notes.
At the end of the class, Slughorn passed out small seeds to test the potions on. Most people had small bushes, and a couple people had buds on their branches. Snape looked smug that his bush was the biggest that had sprouted, and that his buds had started to bloom. Everyone watched in anticipation as Lily took the plug out of her vial. It seemed like an eternity before Lily got a tiny drop of potion to put onto her seed.Â
The class watched in awe as huge bush grew in front of her, and gasped when they saw large flowers go into full bloom. Lily smiled, and plucked a flower to put behind her ear.
âBeautiful.â James whispered, gazing at Lily. He turned bright red when he saw that she had heard. âThe, er, bush. The bush is beautiful.â She smirked, raising an eyebrow at his hasty clarification.
âI think we might have a new top of the class!â Slughorn said, unable to take his eyes away from the bush, âIâve never seen an Excrestco potion this powerful.â
James heard Snape grumble behind his, obviously not too pleased about losing his spot.Â
In all of this, neither Lily or James had taken their attention off of the other.Â
âLunch?â Lily asked, standing and collecting her things.
âSounds good.â replied James, mirroring her actions.Â
They walked out of the classroom together, leaving their classmates and professor to marvel at the plant.
#jily#jily fanfiction#jily fic#James Potter#Lily Evans#fanfiction#fanfic#Marauders#marauders era#hp marauders#Harry Potter#Transfer AU#Lily Evans is a badass#Based on a Taylor Swift Song
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thatâs the kind of love that iâve been dreaming of
read here on ao3
I.
Juno doesnât usually like going undercover for a job. Too many ways for it to go wrong, too much to remember about his alias, and acting has never been his forte. Heâs really more of a âkick the door down, gun blazing and bleeding heavily from a stab woundâ kind of lady. That said, he would pretend to be a different person every day of the week if it meant Peter would keep looking at him like this.Â
The Roses are making another appearance, because, as Buddy had put it, âItâs ridiculous to let a solid married persona complete with documentation go to waste.âÂ
Theyâre sitting in a restaurant on one of Jupiterâs moons, which is the only building on this particular moon at all. The restaurant has ten tables made entirely of precious jewels and no menu. Instead there are what must be over a dozen bite sized courses paired with a swallow of different wines.Â
The course sitting in front of them now is an emerald green beetle. When Juno taps his spoon against the hard shell, it cracks neatly, allowing a creamy broth and assortment of tiny leaves to flow out. The flavor is a little tangy for his pallet and the wine is almost tasteless.Â
Peter hasnât even looked at his plate, busy as he is studying Juno. Heâs wearing a blood red dress with a slit up the side, showing where a garter is holding his stocking up high on his thigh. The neckline dips down to his sternum and his neck is slung with a number of different jeweled necklaces. His lip stain is gold and matches his shining false eye.
âYouâre staring,â Juno says, sipping his tiny serving of thin wine.Â
âYouâre beautiful,â Peter counters and Juno suppresses his blush with a firm glare.Â
âDonât you have other things to be watching right now, Nureyev?â Juno arches an eyebrow and Peter grins lazily, glancing over Junoâs shoulder at their mark, seated with his own date a few tables down.Â
âHe doesnât like his dish, heâs been pushing it around his plate for three minutes,â Peter reports.Â
Juno fingers the small signaling device in his clutch, shaped like a tube of lipstick. The only way to hack into the markâs server is through a complicated program Rita created that requires her signal to be within a range of fifty feet to work. Juno didnât understand most of what she told him, he just knows that his job is to hold the not-tube of lipstick and hope Rita doesnât trigger any firewalls.Â
âWe should do this more often,â Peter says, reaching across the table to hold Junoâs hand.Â
âWhat, eat food so expensive I think my tastebuds are going into debt?â Juno says, but itâs with a smile and a squeeze of Peterâs fingers.Â
Peter laughs and shakes his head. âSpend time together, just the two of us.âÂ
Juno leans in closer, lowering his voice. âOnly if itâs as Peter and Juno, and no one else,â he murmurs.Â
Peterâs smile softens from amusement to adoration, a look Juno is unused to on anyoneâs face, especially aimed at him. It makes his stomach flip pleasantly. âDeal.â
Just then, Junoâs earpiece (disguised as a rather elaborate cuff) crackles to life. âHey boss? I think we have a problem.âÂ
Peterâs eyes narrow as he gazes past Juno again at their mark, but otherwise his facial expression tells Juno nothing. He can hardly turn around in his seat, so he hisses, âWhat is it?âÂ
âIâm pretty sure I tripped this guyâs security. Aaaaand I think he mighta noticed,â Rita says worriedly.Â
âHe is looking rather red in the face, and I donât think itâs the food. Can you still get what we need?â Peter asks.Â
âWell yeah, âcourse I can! But it might take longer than you have before he finds out where the signal is coming from,â Rita explains. Juno looks down at the clutch in his lap, containing the secret lipstick shaped device.Â
âHeâll know itâs us either way. This isnât really the kind of joint where you can just get up and walk out without anyone noticing,â Juno grumbles, eyeing the hawkish maitreâd across the dining room.Â
âAnd we were having such a nice evening,â Peter says, feigning moroseness, but his mouth is twitching around the edges. He loves a good escape and Juno knows it. âReady to go, dear?âÂ
Juno sucks down the rest of his watery wine and nods. âReady.âÂ
II.Â
Peter hears it, faintly, as if from a great distance. Juno calling his name, somewhere deeper in whatever building theyâve found themselves in. A dark, winding place with narrow hallways and no windows. There will be a door and the only thing beyond it is another gray hall, seemingly identical to the last.Â
Juno calls his name again and he sounds wretched, like the shriek is ripped from him by a harsh fist. Peter has never heard Juno make a sound like that before. Itâs louder this time and Peter calls back. It comes out a hoarse whisper, the air trapped in his lungs.Â
He reaches a dead end and a door, but leading in the opposite direction of Junoâs voice. Juno screams again wordlessly. Peter can feel tears prickling at the corners of his eyes as he tries to call back, but again Junoâs name remains lodged firmly in his throat. He tries to run down the hall but he just continues his slow, torturous shuffle, hands dragging along the metal walls as his muscles burn and strain with no results.Â
The tears spill down his cheeks now as Juno screams continuously, wails broken by coughs and two cracked syllables that must be Peterâs name, but theyâre unrecognizable. Finally, Peter reaches another door, Junoâs voice bouncing around behind it. Itâs locked tight, no knob or activation panel in sight. Peter slides to his knees against it, listening to Junoâs shouts and his own strained efforts of responding. If Juno can hear him, he gives no indication, and Peter cannot muster strength enough to do any more than knock his head against the metal door and weep.Â
Peter wakes to the sensation of choking, his eyelashes glued together with tears. He coughs and sniffles, gulping down a breath of air as his entire body shakes with the strain of trying to move while paralyzed by sleep and his crying. He coughs again, throat crackling with tears and snot and spit.Â
Juno shifts beside him, sitting up on his elbows and turning his head. âYou alright?âÂ
Peter intends to say that heâs fine, Juno, go back to sleep but the words donât come. He sniffs. Juno rolls onto his side with a groan, groping around until the lamp by his side of the bed bursts to life and Peter winces at the sudden brightness.Â
Juno squints his eye at Peter blearily and frowns. âYou look horrible,â he says.Â
Peter huffs out a wet laugh. âJust what every man loves to hear,â he says. Juno only clicks his tongue and scoots closer, pressing his front against the line of Peterâs body.Â
âNightmare?â Juno asks. Peter hums and they both move until Peter is curled inward, folded to rest his head on Junoâs chest and drape his arm across the soft expanse of Junoâs stomach, listening to his heart and feeling his every breath.Â
The tears abate after a few moments and the embarrassment creeps in. Peter lets out a self deprecating little laugh, patting the wet spot on Junoâs sleep shirt that has developed under his cheek. âI think I got snot on you,â he mumbles, beginning to move away.Â
Juno tightens his grip just a bit. Not enough that Peter couldnât continue to move, but enough to indicate that Juno doesnât want him to. He shrugs. âI can wash it.âÂ
âIâm not usually so,â Peter doesnât know how to finish the sentence, so he just waves his hand around vaguely.Â
âDonât worry about it,â Juno replies dismissively.Â
âReally, this is-â Peter begins and Juno nudges him.Â
âJust let me hold you, Nureyev,â Juno says, exasperation tinging his voice.Â
Peter blinks, but relaxes into Junoâs embrace again. Juno leans his cheek against the top of Peterâs head and they rest like that. If Peter asks that they leave the lamp on, no one has to know but them.Â
III.
It had started innocently enough. As it turns out, with how much travel is involved in intergalactic thievery, Peter is a bit of a stream buff. Nowhere near as intent on them as Rita, but he has a few favorites that he wants to introduce Juno to. They waited until everyone else cleared out, and then commandeered the media room, armed to the teeth with snacks and a small pile of blankets.Â
By the end of the first episode, Juno was straddling Peterâs lap. The intro theme to the second episode begins to play, but Junoâs attention is split between Peterâs teeth against his lip and his hands worming beneath Junoâs worn long sleeved shirt, one threatening to edge beneath the waistband of his sweatpants. Heâs just considering whether or not he should suggest moving this somewhere more private when Peter dumps him to the side and unfurls a fluffy blanket over them both.Â
The confusion has just enough time to abate for a tinge of hurt feelings to set in when Rita shuffles into the room, hair hidden beneath a silk scarf and fuzzy robe wrapped over her pajamas.Â
Juno feels his face heat up, but Rita canât possibly see it in the dark under the glow of the stream. âI thought I heard the theme song! I love this one,â she says happily. She goes to plop down next to them, but then stops, a sly smile playing on her mouth. âIâm not interrupting anything, am I?âÂ
Juno is about to say yes, please fuck off, when Peter shakes his head and goes, âNo, of course not. Please join us, Rita.âÂ
Rita claps and wedges herself between the two of them, monopolizing the blanket. âThe costumes could really be better, that fashion was way out of date by the 22nd Century,â she remarks, leaning past Juno to grab the bowl of popcorn.Â
IV.Â
Juno comes into the kitchen to the smell of something burning, and badly. He covers his nose, wincing, and edges around the corner. Peter stands, still in his pajamas, waving his hands frantically at a pan on the stove which is brightly ablaze. He reaches for a half full glass of water on the counter and splashes it on the contents of the pan, leaping back with a yelp when the fire bursts with even more life.Â
Juno shoves Peter out of the way and grabs a pot lid with a pair of tongs, sliding it onto the burning pan and smothering the blaze, waving his hand in front of his face to try to disperse some of the smoke, grateful that the fire alarm on the ship is broken after some mistaken tampering on Jetâs part.Â
âPeter, what the fuck?â Juno coughs out, reaching for a towel and waving it at the black smoke still pouring from the burnt contents of the stove.Â
âI⌠thought Iâd try my hand at breakfast. Clearly it didnât go as planned,â Peter says evenly.Â
âYou started a fire,â Juno says blankly.Â
âI tried to put it out!âÂ
âYou canât dump water on a grease fire! You have to smother it,â Juno squeezes the broken bridge of his nose.Â
âAnd now I know that. You truly do learn something new every day. Incredible,â Peter leans against the counter casually, as if the edge of his silky nightie isnât blackened with soot. He turns his gaze down after a moment. âI wanted to do something nice.âÂ
Juno edges closer, taking one of Peterâs hands. âI appreciate the effort. Just leave the cooking to me, from now on?â Peter nods. âPancakes?âÂ
âThat would be nice.âÂ
V.Â
Juno, in his years as a cop and then a private detective, has almost worked stakeouts down to an exact science. His first rule is that they are strictly a solo activity. After a few hours in a car, staring at the same street, even the closest of friendships can get strained.Â
Still, Peter had insisted on accompanying him. âThis is hardly my first time, detective,â he had said, breezing past Juno toward the junky car they had picked up for the occasion. âItâll be fine.âÂ
That was six hours ago. Now, Junoâs ass is asleep, the coffee is long cold, the snacks are nearly depleted, and Peter will not stop fidgeting. He gets it, really, he does. They guy has a hard time keeping still. He has to have something to do with his hands. First, he was flipping his butterfly knife around, but the constant flashes of light against the blade had been distracting, so he stopped. Then, he drummed his fingers, but that gets old fast. Now, heâs scribbling with a pen on a piece of paper (a menu?), and the scratching noise is about to drive Juno insane.Â
Luckily, Peter notices the tick in Junoâs jaw before he has to be an asshole and say anything. The doodling stops. Juno thinks that might be it, and relaxes.Â
A few moments later, Peter breaks the silence and makes Juno jump. âSo,â he drawls, âthis is cozy.â He drapes an arm across the back of Junoâs seat.Â
Juno blinks at him once. Twice. âDo not,â he finally grunts.Â
âWhat?â Peter says, but heâs grinning like a cat and his eyebrow is quirked, pulling on the small scar that splits it down the middle.Â
âDo not try to put your moves on me right now. Weâve been breathing each otherâs stale air all day, I am three minutes away from an apocalyptic cramp in my leg, and Iâm just not in the mood,â Juno snips.Â
Peter blows out a long, irritated sigh. âFine, I just thought a little activity might be nice,â he relents. He sits back in his seat and stares resolutely out of the window. The tapping starts again. Juno wants to scream.
+1
As they walk around the park, Juno feels more and more awkward. Heâs wearing a sunny yellow dress and a floppy black hat and carrying a picnic basket in the crook of one elbow. His other hand is latched around Peterâs, their rings clinking together. Peter is wearing a new shade of soft purple lipstick and Juno canât help but melt a little every time they meet eyes.Â
But still, in the back of his mind, he thinks, Is this really me? Is he really a lady who is allowed to have a picnic with someone he loves?Â
Loves. He tries not to dwell on that particular thought, because now theyâve found a shady spot under a tree and Peter is spreading out the blanket on the grass and throwing himself down. He manages to make it look graceful and Juno suppresses a grunt when his back twinges on his own way down.Â
Peter offers Juno a half of a cheese sandwich and twists the cork out of the sweet wine they picked up a few planets ago, pouring it into two mugs, because they were the only cups clean when they were packing the basket.Â
Juno takes the sandwich and sits quietly, listening to the birds, tilting his face up to meet the foreign sun. When he looks back to Peter, he finds that Peterâs already watching him with a wobbly sort of smile on his face.Â
âWhat? I got something on me?â Juno asks, brushing his fingers over his face to free any remaining breadcrumbs.Â
âI like this,â Peter says, nudging Junoâs leg with his toe. Heâs taken his shoes off, wearing only his mismatched socks.Â
A shard of doubt softens in Junoâs chest. âMe, too. Itâs nice,â Juno says, âbeing here. Just the two of us.âÂ
âCareful, Juno. Say many more things like that and you might ruin your rough detective image,â Peter warns, beaming.Â
Juno lifts one shoulder, sipping his wine. Itâs a little sugary for him, but Peter likes it. âIâm not a detective anymore.âÂ
Peter doesnât reply, but his smile stays, and he tips over onto his side on the blanket, hair brushing against Junoâs thigh. When Juno slips his fingers through the strands Peter worms closer, reaching into the basket and popping a few grapes into his mouth.Â
The sharp discomfort creeping up Junoâs back settles as Peter leans closer to him, the casual touch as soothing as the warm sunlight above. It is nice, being here with Peter, relaxing as if theyâre the only two people in the universe that matter. Like they have all the time theyâll ever need and thereâs nothing more urgent to do than doze at the park. Like Juno deserves this, like he doesnât have to earn every gentle brush of his fingers through Peterâs hair and every soft word they exchange.Â
âWe should do this more often,â Juno says quietly and Peter hums in agreement.Â
#kieran reaches out into the void#jupeter#juno steel#peter nureyev#tpp#junoverse#fanfic#mine#good to reblog
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to hold the stars in our arms
âWill you tell me about the stars?â
A kiss.
âAlpha Centauri was one of mine, you know...â Crowley tells Aziraphale what it was like to hang the stars.
(read it here on ao3!)
âTell me a story, darling.â
âWell whaddyaâ wanna hear, angel?â
âWill youâWill you tell me about before?â
âBefore what?â
âNo, Before-before. Before you Fell, if you can remember.â
Silence.
âIâThat was insensitive of me, I didnât meanââ
âNo, no, âs not that, Zira. Youâre fine. Just⌠Thereâs just a lot. Weâd be here for years.â
â...You know I love your stories.â
âI know you do.â
âWill you tell me about the stars?â
A kiss.
âAlpha Centauri was one of mine, you knowâŚâ
-
Thousands of strands of stars were glittered between his lithe fingertips. More lay dormant as tiny spots all up and down his arms, glowing bold and bright. Still many more were tucked into the feathers of his fantastical wings, fast asleep amongst the plumes. Every single one knew tenderness and devotion the minute they were cradled ever so sweetly in those gentle hands and given their first, Hello, I love you, welcome to this wonderful place.
They knew they would be cherished forever, before, during, and after their deaths, by the way the being those hands belonged to held them up before sun-bright eyes shining with pure love. There was so much love, in fact, that it overflowed in pale wisps around his face and transformed the gorgeous gold irises into soft, infinite glowing pools. It was here that the stars loved to twirl and dance about, soaking up as much as they could before Raphael gently went about collecting them in total reverence.
As a goodbye, he breathed a little portion of his soul into every single one of those brilliant gifts until they glowed and lit up the pitch void of night. Then he whispered to them to be good, and sent them out, and let them spin away until they settled amongst each other, creating scintillating nebulae and mesmerizing galaxies.Â
âArenât they wonderful,â Raphael murmured aloud. His companion made a non-commital noise. This bothered Raphael, and he turned, cupping a dripping handful of stars. âDo you think theyâll like them?â he asked anxiously. âThe humans, I mean, do you think theyâll like the stars? Will they be afraid of them?â
Gabriel hummed again and dragged a finger through a cloud of gold dust. It stuck and clung there closely, prompting him to attempt to wipe it indiscreetly off on his stunning white robe even as they squeaked and protested.
âThey must,â he said, still rubbing with no success. âYou made them, after all.â
âYes, but theyâre not made by Her hand,â Raphael said. âAnd I am definitely nothing like Her.â His voice was distant; he was gazing off into the eternal lengths of the sky, watching a young star, still blue in its youth, collide into one of its blazing yellow sisters. They exploded and a shower of shimmering emerald and rose pink and sunset purple scattered in a gorgeous explosion of color. The stardust murmured to itself, surprised by the turn of events, before it fell in love with its existence all over again. It would do this again, and again, and again, as a beetle, a flower, a river stone, a human being. The stars would love themselves in any form, and Raphael would love them, too.
âWas that supposed to happen?â Gabriel asked, mildly disdained. He had been watching, too.
âIt was bound to at some point.â Raphael fluttered his hand, and the new star nursery amicably moved itself aside so he could scoop up the gold dust from Gabrielâs finger. âNothing I could do would be anything close to being like Herâs,â he continued, pressing his lips to his finger and gesturing the new stars off of his palm. âYouâll love it out there, just be yourself, donât be shy,â he told them. That one would become the stretching white expanse that was the Andromeda galaxy, but not for a long, long time.Â
Raphael would not get to see it grow up.
-
âOh, stop with the face. I really did talk like that.â
âOh, I donât doubt that, my dear. Itâs that you spoke to Gabriel on a regular basis.â
âI know, I donât get it either. Dunno how I could stand it. Anyway, he saysâŚâ
-
Gabriel chuckled in the mocking well, obviously sort of way. âTheyâre not meant to,â he said lightly, as though this were the first time Raphael had ever heard this sentiment. âNothing we angels create is meant to an imitation of Her. It is blasphemy.â
âTheyâre not,â he agreed. âThat means humans can dislike them. I hope they donât.â Raphael sighed and pulled hydrogen from his pinky and helium from his breath. They gently stirred together in the wrinkles of his palm, glowing brightly under Raphaelâs gentle yellow gaze.
âWhat are you hoping for, then?â
âI hope humans will love the stars as much as I do. I made all of thisââRaphael pushed the clingy galaxy gauzing his arms in gold out and away, holding his arms out for a beat as it sailed awayââfor them.â
âThey must,â Gabriel repeated. A slightly frostbitten note chilled his words.
âNo,â sighed Raphael, âthey donât.â
The pair went quiet. Around they, the low thrum of a breathing universe washed through them.
âWhy,â began Raphael, and that was a treacherous beginning of a thought. Why was a question, a question doubted reality, a reality She made that was everything Good and Pure and Perfect. Questions dared to say it was not. âWhy have me make these, when She could do it herself and have them all be perfect? Why ask me and make them imperfect? Herâs wouldnât explode like that.â
They wouldnât, and can you imagine what a tragedy that would be?
He felt Gabrielâs heavy purple stare shoot through the back of his skull. âBecause She made this your purpose,â he said incredulously, as though Raphael had shouted for rebellion against Heaven instead of asking a questionâthough, in these times, those could be considered one and the same. âShe could have, but she blessed you to do it instead. Do you regret what She bestowed upon you?â
âNo!â Raphael exclaimed. âNo, not at all! I love these skies, I love every single bit of gas and dust, I love these galaxies and stars, and I will love what creatures She creates nextâDid you know She let me make one animal, too?â he abruptly said, overcome in his excitement. âIt will be called a âsnakeâ and theyâll crawl on their belly to see all of the wonders of Earth hidden beneath oneâs foot.â
-
âCrowleyâŚâ
âDonât say it.â
âI really must, though. You are absolutely incredible and I am grateful to be able to love you . â
âIâYouâAâIâm not done yet! Donât make me want to kiss you in the middle of a story!â
âOh, my sincerest apologies my dear. I suppose Iâll have to make it up to you later.â
-
âHm.â Gabriel went silent. Raphael returned his full attention to the little stars clamoring for him. It was a while before Gabriel spoke again, and when he did, the stars hushed each other in fear of their whispers being overheard.
âYou shouldnât doubt yourself,â he said, oddly grave. âThe Almighty gave you your purpose. It wouldnât do you well you to question it, because She made it. Itâs foolish to think imperfections are possible and done on accident .â
ââCourse,â said Raphael absently. One star that would later become the Sun huddled close to him, trying its best to escape the creeping frostiness coming off of Gabriel in blusters. âThank you for your, ah, reassurance. You can, erm. Go, if you want.â
Gabriel nodded one time and left in a brilliant flash of lilac light. Raphael brought the star to his face and sternly told it, âYouâll shine brighter than anything else in this solar system. I swear it. Donât be afraid of Gabriel, either, he loves you too. Yes, he does. We all do. â
The Sun, if it had a mouth, would have smiled. As it was, it merely winked once, before Crowley hung it up to rest in the center of a Solar System that would be placed near the edge of the Sagittarius arm. A little ways away from the Sun, Alpha Centauri quietly began to shine. It was something new Raphael had been tinkering with for centuries now. He had dubbed a binary system. Two stars who depended on each other to stay alive. Criticize it too closely, and itâs obvious there are two stars at work. Youâll miss the intensity, the beauty of the starlight, when they appear to be unified. Gaze upon it from further away to fully wonder in its blazing glory.Â
These were some of Crowleyâs favorite because so much depended on each other the stars. Too far, and they would be flung off into the void. Too close, and theyâll demolish each other. If they maintained their perfect orbit, they would always skate around each other perfectly, pushing and pulling the other with them in an endless dance in which they never touched. But the two always reached out for the other, annihilation be damned.
-
âA bit like us, I suppose.â
â...Youâre right. God dammit, youâre right! âS like with the Apple tooââ
âHow so?â
âI dunno, remember how I asked why not just put it on a mountain or something? If humans werenât supposed to eat it? Why not just not send you to Earth if Iâm not supposed to be in love with you? Couldâve just kept you up in Heaven, but She had to put you in the Garden.â
âMy goodness. It really all boils down to free will, doesnât it? Is it that simple?â
âAziraphale.â
âYes, my love?â
âI would choose you over everything else in all of Creation any day. All you have to do is ask.â
#ineffable husbands#good omens#crowley as raphael#aziraphale#crowley#gabriel (good omens)#gomens fanfic#fanfiction#my writing#fluff
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Donât Trust Dumbledore ch. 44
The first parental thing Sirius did was write a note to the headmaster that Harry was going to spend the weekend at home with his godfathers. Harry had grinned as he watched his godfather write it against one of the walls inside the Ministry. Siri then handed it off to Miss Bones, who chuckled and promised to send it right away. His great mood only increased when they neared the floos and the Weasleyâs followed close behind them. It seemed the redheadâs planned on accompanying Harry and his godfathers home.Â
Harry made sure to give the twins a huge smile before he stepped into the floo and shouted, â Liliana Cottage.â
He stumbled, because of course he did, when he arrived much to a grinning Siriusâs amusement. His godfather helped him stay on his feet, not that he stayed that way for long, because the second the two matching redheads arrived they rushed and tackled him.Â
They held him tight and cheered. He giggled at their lightheartedness and playfulness.Â
It turned into a slight wrestling game as the twins refused to allow him to go free. They rolled around on the floor laughing until Mister Weasley used his wand to separate them. The man laughed as he floated his two boys off the ground and onto their feet. The twins pouted at him and Harry couldnât stop smiling. While his brotherâs were being levitated away, Charlie reached down and helped him to his feet.Â
Harry gave himself one day of playfulness and fun with his godfathers and the twins, who stayed behind when the rest of the Weasleyâs left. That second night when everyone else went to bed he started planning.Â
He wanted to make the custody trial public, very public. He wanted the whole wizarding world to hear about Dumbledoreâs carelessness for Harryâs treatment at the hands of his relatives. He wanted them to see the bastard defend the useless and abusive muggles. He wanted to destroy the goodhearted, caring, grandfather image the man had worked so hard to make.Â
He also wanted to bring to light a few things that had been overlooked in past years.Â
Like the damn stone in his first year, the Chamber of Secrets, Harryâs forced participation in the triwizard tournament, and the treatment of the students inside of Hogwarts. The last one only came to him after listening to Draco complain about how Professor Mcgonagall never award points to Slytherins. Harry hadnât really thought about it before and made a sarcastic comment about how Snape didnât either. Draco had glared at him and asked about the points given when they were in the past.Â
Harry had thought back and realized that in almost every class he had attended someone gained or lost points, surprising it was only looking back that he noticed it didnât matter the house. The professors had awarded or punished everyone equally. When he mentioned it Draco said that Snape does favor the Slytherins but only awards points the way he does to try and balance out the other Professors clear favoritism.Â
Harry also wanted to point out the bullying. Not just against the Slytherins. But he had seen both Luna and Neville bullied since he had returned from the past and it pissed him off. None of the Professors seemed to want to interfere. He even heard Professor Hooch muttering about kids being kids. Â
The only problem he had was who to send this all too. Bones was already looking into Dumbledore quietly. He needed someone who wasnât afraid to voice--
He groaned.Â
Skeeter.Â
The beetle animagus would love this kind of story. He just had to find a way to use her without Hermione finding out. His ex friend knew and would surely snitch the reporter out to protect the headmaster.Â
While debating that he started thinking about Voldemort.Â
The man had been silent since Harry returned and from the whispers around school had only lead a couple attacks in the time he was gone. Harry didnât want to fight him again. Not after the DOM. He had only escaped because Dumbledore had come in, probably to get the credit, and he wasnât sure he could defeat the Dark wizard even with the extra training Draco had given him.Â
What he needed to do was figure out how the man had survived. Which meant he needed to talk to a Death Eater, he sighed again. He wasnât sure writing to Lucius was a good idea, he knew that Voldemort tended to be at Malfoy Manor and didn't want to take the chance of someone else getting the letter. So he needed any other way.Â
He thought about it for a few minutes and come to the conclusion that he needed to talk to Snape, about more than one thing. Which meant he needed to go back to school. He packed away his notes and crawled into bed. He would have to break the news to Sirius in the morning.Â
His godfather wasnât going to be happy.Â
He was right, both Sirius and Remus tried to talk him into staying a couple more days. But he refused, he told them he had missed too many days and while he wanted to stay and spend time with them, he needed to get caught up. Neither man looked like they believed him but thankfully they let him go.Â
When he returned to school later that day he was ambushed as he walked into the common room.Â
Surprisingly it was Neville and Dean. Both hugged him and started asking about Siriusâs innocence and if Harry had known. As he filled them in on the details he felt safe. He was telling them about how excited he was about living with his godfathers when Ron and Hermione walked in.Â
âWhat were you thinking!â His ex-best friend shouted in a very high voice. Ron who had been standing next to her tried to cover his ears.Â
âAbout what?â Harry asked.
âSirius is in no shape to take care of you. Harry, it's cruel of you to force him too when he should be getting himself better.â The bushy haired brunette crossed her arms over her chest. He felt anger surge through him.Â
âCruel?â He hissed the word out, â Cruel like being forced to live in a cupboard or staved. Cruel like Dumbledore knowing Siri was innocent and doing nothing to help him? Or cruel like youâre best friends questioning and doubting you all the time?â Hermione opened her mouth to object but Harry wasnât having it. This was probably the best time to end this pathetic excuse of a friendship.
 âYou know what,â He glared at her and than Ron, âIâm done. You two clearly donât care what happens to me and Iâm not going to be guilted or harassed about living with my godfather.â He stormed past them and into the boys dormitories. He just hoped that Ron would stay away for a while.Â
He was a little surprised Dean and Neville came in and sat on his bed with him.Â
âYou okay?â Dean asked.Â
He looked at his two housemates. He felt wholeheartedly that he could trust Neville, the other boy was to nice and honest to be lying about his friendship. Truth was he didnât really know Dean or Seamus that well. They hung out in the dorms or classes sure but never outside of that. They never sent letters or hangout on weekends. Maybe that was proof in itself that the other two Gyffindorâs werenât being used by Dumbledore.Â
âI think Iâm okay.â Harry said, âI think we started to grow apart before...I was taken, and since Iâve been back,â he sighed, âitâs like they just want to scream at or badger me.â He shrugged. âMaybe it was just time to end our friendship.â Neville reached and patted Harry on the back.Â
âWhile Iâm still your friend mate, if you need anyone to talk to or hang out withâŚâ The normally quiet boy smiled, âIâm here.âÂ
âMe too.â Dean said. âAnd I know Seamus is as well.â Harry moved so he could hug Neville and then quickly before changing his mind Dean as well. He didnât think he would ever be close to them, not like he thought he had been with Ron and Hermione or like he was with Draco or the twins. But it was still nice to know he has some friends left in his house.Â
âThank you.â He whispered to both of them.Â
The two boys left a little while later and Harry crawled out of his bed and opened his trunk. He took out a couple pieces of paper and a couple of photos Remus and Sirius had found inside the cottage. Surprisingly it has been Siri that recommended taken the photos. He had told Harry he knew what it was like to lose them. To spend days, years without seeing James or Remusâs faces. He had admitted that one of the first thing he had done once free was search the papers for Harryâs face.Â
Carefully he put everything in the inside pocket of his rope, grabbed his invisibility cloak and snuck out.
His heart raced as he made his way into the lower levels of the castle. He froze outside the Potions masters chambers, which he only could find because Draco told him where to go, was he really about to do this? What if Snape didnât care or told him to get lost? He swallowed and knocked on the door.Â
It didnât take long for Snape to open it and glare at Harry.Â
âCan I come in?â He asked not looking the man in the eye. He heard the professor sigh before moving out of the way and allowing Harry to enter.Â
âWhat do you want Potter?â Snape asked once he was inside and the door was closed.Â
âThis is...kinda personal Sir, can we sit?â The manâs eyebrows raised at the question before he gestured to a sofa at the center of the room. Harry reached into his robe and pulled out the papers before sitting down. He looked them over debating where to start. Did he want to show Snape his motherâs will first or the Dissolution of Marriage Sirius had already signed. His godfather had seemed to understand what Harry was trying to ask when he showed him the documents Harry had asked Bill to get. The Sirius had given them a quick read over and signed them, telling Harry to make sure Snape or Malfoy filled them out correctly and only when they were ready. Once signed by all partyâs they documents would become active and Narcissa would be a Black again and she would then become Sirius's responsibility.Â
âPotter?â He heard Snape ask. Harry realized he must have zoned out looking at the papers in his hand. Taking in a long slow breath he held the Dissolution of Marriage out towards the Potions master.Â
âDraco,â He started, âUmm in the past, he told me about you and Mister Malfoy.â He chuckled a little at the memory, âOr well he kinda freaked out on you guys and then came and told me about it.â He saw Snape's eyes went wide as he read over the paper. â He also told me about the arranged marriage between his parents.â Snape looked up at him. âHe asked if Sirius could break it.â
âI donât know if Draco has talked to his dad yet, but I wanted to make sure you got the papers and that if you really wanted it, I guess itâs your choice.â He shrugged not sure his words made sense. He had wanted to talk to Severus make sure that Lucius was what he wanted but now he was too nervous to make the words match his thoughts. It all came out rushed and badly worded.
âHarry,â He met the professorâs eyes. âThank you.â Relief went through him. The man really did look grateful, maybe a little shocked, and by the tiny smile Harry saw, happy. He debated getting up and just leaving. Letting Severus Snape have his happy moment. He wasnât sure how the man would feel about the other paper Harry held.Â
He actually stood up before a hand on his arm stopped him.Â
âHarry, what is the other paper?â Snapeâs eyes were on it and Harry couldnât help but look down at his hand. He was shaking. When had that started?
He opened his mouth trying to force the words out but all that came out was a broken sound. Snape looked up at him for a second before the potions master's hand slide down Harryâs arm and he gently took the copy of Lilyâs will from Harryâs hand.Â
Harryâs feet were frozen while he watched Snape unfold it. It took a second, a single over before you could blink second for Snape to read the title.Â
The man stumbled backwards and fell into his seat. Eyes never leaving the paper.Â
It didnât take long for the man to finish the paper. When he was done his head fell back against the couch and Harry could see tears falling down his professors cheeks. He suddenly felt like he was invading and he finally got his feet to move. He tried not to make a sound as he walked towards the door.Â
âIâm who William Weasley was talking about at Blackâs custody trail?â The man asked and Harry stopped and turned to face him. Snapeâs eyes were on him, the man seemed conflicted worried maybe about what he read.Â
Harry nodded.Â
âAreâŚâ Snape cleared his throat, âAre you okay with this?â It took Harry a second to answer not because he bothered by Snape being his Godfather but because he was trying to figure out how Snape felt about it. He finally figured it out, Snape was scared Harry didnât want it.Â
âYeah.â He answered, giving the man a smile, âIâm okay with it.â Snape visibly relaxed.Â
âMe too.â The man muttered after a second. Harryâs smile grew bigger. Not sure what to do now he opened the manâs door, âOh, Sirius says make sure everything is ready before you fill out the paper, cause the second its done. Narcissa will be pissed.âÂ
Snape nodded. âThank you.â The man said to Harryâs back as he turned and left.Â
Harry walked down the corridor, he took his time returning to the tower. He felt relieved that Snape hadnât freaked out over either paper and that he wanted to be one of Harryâs godfathers. Truthfully he had been worried. With how Snape felt about James, Sirius, and Harry most days, he thought for sure the man would have told him no. That he didnât want anything to do with Harry passed Harry and Dracoâs relationship, or maybe the war with the insane wizards. Instead he had looked relieved when Harry had said he was okay with it. It had taken his breath away for a second.Â
âWhere the hell have you been?â Ron shouted the second he walked into the common room, his good mood about Snape gone. Harry stopped and looked at the red faced, redhead, Hermione and Ginny on either side of him. He could see Neville, Seamus, and Dean behind the trio looking at each other and then back at Ron and the other two.
âExcuse me?â Harry asked.Â
âWhere have you been? You show up acting like a prat and yelling at us and then you just go off, not a word about where you are going!â Harry actually had to wrap his robes around his fingers to stop himself from hexing or punching the other Gryffindor.Â
âRon, we arenât friends anymore. I donât owe you or anyone an explanation for where I go.â He tried to shove passed his old friends but Hermione grabbed his arm.Â
âHarry, you havenât been the same since youâve been back,â she said gently like she was afraid to spook him, âmaybe we should have the headmaster look at you?âÂ
âYeah, Harry,â Ginny said, âMaybe Malfoy did something to you. Let us help.â Harry had never had the urge to hit a girl before, never even thought about it, not even his Aunt. But the way Ginny moved to stand in front of him, cutting his escape route off and the way Hermione held his arm, he wanted to hit them just as badly as he wanted to hit Ron, who stood next to his sister look smug.Â
He ripped his arm free and glared at his old friend when she cried out when she stumbled forward.Â
âDonât touch me.â He hissed at her and then looked at Ginny.Â
âI donât want or need your help. Draco is my friend, unlike you three. He hasnât screamed or attacked me over who I want to live with or talked to. Maybe you should take a few pointers from him.â He tried to walk away again but Ginny would move out of his way.Â
âGuyâs leave him alone.â Dean said coming to stand behind Ginny, he put his hand on her shoulder and tried to pull her back. She growled at him and shrugged him off.Â
âStay out of this Thomas.â Ron said moving to push the other boyâs hand off his sisters shoulder.Â
No,â Dean said, âyou guys are ganging up on Harry when itâs clear he would rather be elsewhere.âÂ
In a flash Ronâs wand was pointed at the dark skinned boys face, and just as quick Harryâs, Nevilleâs, and Seamusâs were pointed at Ron. It took Hermione and Ginny a second and the two seemed confused on who to point their wants at. Harry or the other two.Â
âWhat is going on in here!â Professor Mcgonagallâs voice carried across the room as she stormed into the room, Professor Snape and the Headmaster behind her.Â
Shit, Harry cursed in his head, as he lowered his wand.
âThey were ganging up on Harry,â Seamus said, Harry turned to look at his dorm mate, he too had lowered his wand though he was sneering at Ron, âyelling and grabbing him.âÂ
âWe tried to get them to leave him alone and Ron drew his wand.â Dean said, his wand now pointed at the ground.Â
âIs that true?â The professor turned her sharp gaze on to Ron, who at least looked a little guilty about his actions.Â
âHe grabbed Ginny!â Ron said as defense pointing at Dean.Â
âI tried to move my girlfriend out of Harryâs way.â Dean said in defense and Harryâs brain got stuck on the word girlfriend, when the hell did that happen?
âIt seems like a misunderstanding.â Harry wasnât looking at the man, but he could just feel the Headmasters annoyance at the situation. He almost turned and told the man to fuck off.Â
âThey drew wands, Albus,â Professor Mcgonagall said, âthere has to be some kind of punishment.âÂ
âDetention.â Snape said, âPerhaps cleaning cauldron's will teach them a lesson.âÂ
âNow, now, Severus, Iâm sure all they need is a good talking to.âÂ
âYeah.â Ron said, earning a sharp look from just about everyone. Ginny even elbowed her brother in the ribs.Â
âI have to agree with Severus.â Mcgonagall said.
Dumbledore did not look happy at this, but the man shrugged and gave the room a fake smile, âit seems I am out numbered.â There was a chuckled, âNow then I think Harry, Mister Weasley, and Miss Granger, should haveâŚâ
âI think not.â Snape cut him off, âthose three need to be separated. Iâll take Potter. Minerva can handle Weasley and Granger. I think Pomona could use Longbottomâs help in the greenhouses, as for Thomas and Finnigan, Iâm positive Pomfrey could use some help in the hospital wing.â Â
âAgreed.â Mcgonagall said before the headmaster could try and argue.Â
âPotter with me.â Harry rushed to follow after the man. Neither said a word until they reached the Potionâs lab.Â
âSorry.â Harry muttered once inside.Â
âWhat for?â Snape asked looking at him a little confused.Â
âGetting in trouble?â Harry replied though now he was a little confused. Wasnât the man mad at him? He had literally only been out of his office for minutes before he was in trouble.Â
âHarry, did you pull your wand first?âÂ
He shook his head.Â
âDid you internally rile up Weasley so that he would?âÂ
Again he shook his head.Â
âDid you ask, Longbottom, Finnigan, or Thomas to defend you?â
 Harry was starting to see what the man was getting at, he shook his head no.Â
âThen you have nothing to be sorry for. Now do your homework or something while I grade papers.â Harry stood frozen for a second watching as the man sat behind his desk and started moving things around, when Severus looked up at him, he blushed and moved to one of the tables. A chair appeared as he approached and he gave the professor a thankful smile before he sat down and started on his Charms essay.Â
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âHey Angelâ (Jaina Solo x Zekk)
âSoulmates who can feel each otherâs pain - with jaina and zekk! pretty pleaseâ @thespacebunsâ
Taking place during their years at the Jedi Academy, rather than NJO.
Jaina glistened with just as much sweat as the corpse that lay in front of her.
Within the unseen depths of the force, Zekk struggled against the dark side for control of his agency, and Jaina felt his temptation as keenly as if her father had tossed her out the airlock with a tow cable tied around her waist just before making the jump to hyperspace. She was burning and freezing at the same time, she was shaking too much she almost didnât feel the hand on her shoulder.
âHey,â Jacenâs lopsided smile matched the one their father was so famous father, âWhy canât you ask a Jawa for money?â
Jaina didnât have the strength to groan. âWhy?â
âBecause theyâre always a little short.â
Jacen knew she was out of it when she laughed, however muted it was.
âCome on, itâs my turn. You need to rest.â Jacen wrapped his arm around hers, using just a touch of the force to lift her out of the chair next to Zekkâs bed.Â
âOkay, okay, Iâm going,â Jaina slurred. She yanked her arm from her brotherâs grasp and stumbled to the fountain sheâd built into the wall herself. She splashed some on her face in an attempt to cool herself off.
âWhatâve you been doing in here? You look like you overdosed on spice.â Jacen looked between Zekk, undisturbed in his coma, and the old smuggler, Peckhum, slumped over in the other chair.
âJust sitting,â Jaina insisted, wiping her face on her sleeve. âHow go the temple repairs?â
Jacen glanced at the stump lizards in his hands, all that remained of his little menagerie in the aftermath of Shadow Academyâs attack.
âThe ronto freaked out. Set us back a couple of days.â
âGreat,â Jaina grunted, leaning against the doorway, completely winded from the walk between the bed and the sink.
âJaina?â Jacen called out of her, settling in his lizards for a two-hour shift watching Zekkâs prone form, âYou might want to see Uncle Luke.â
-
Tenel Ka and Lowie dug through the rubble of the avalanche caused by the ronto, assisted by the arrogant young Raynar Thul who, with his robes covered in dust, looked anything but arrogant, Jaina was pleased to see.
âAny of you seen Uncle Luke?â She asked, steadying herself in her swaying.
Lowie growled an answer, pointing up what remained of the staircase on the side of the ancient Massassi Temple. Jaina waved off Em-Teedeeâs usual flowery translation of the simple directions, but she couldnât shake off the firm touch of Tenel Kaâs one remaining arm as she removed the bracer on her arm to feel Jainaâs sweaty forehead.
âAre you certain you are well, friend Jaina?â
âNo, but what else is new?â Jaina shrugged off her friendâs concern, causing more concern in Tenel Kal, Lowie, and even young Raynar, but they returned to the mountain of work at hand once they were certain that Jaina would not slip on the dewey steps.
Grand Jedi Master Skywalker descended a few steps to greet his niece, catching her just in time as she fell forward, clutching at her eyes.
âJaina?â
ââM fine, just got some light in my eyes,â She muttered, rubbing her eyelids so hard she saw stars.
Luke looked around. It was a misty, overcast day, and the only metallic objects in sight were the tiny rivets on the excited rontoâs harness, hardly noticeable from their distance.
Luke sat down on one of the larger zigguraut steps, encouraging Jaina to do the same. âWant to tell me whatâs going on?â
âNo, but Jacen wants me too,â She finally dared to open her eyes, squinting to adjust to the light.
Luke decided to ease into the subject. âHow is our friend Zekk?â
âStill comatose, but I think he squeezed back when I held his hand today,â She said. When it came to the young Coruscaunti scavenger, Jaina was endlessly hopeful, proven by his time as the Shadow Academyâs Darkest Knight.Â
âGood to hear. Are you feeling well?â
âWhy does everyone ask me that?â Jaina asked, collapsing back into a pile of vines and leaves.
âBecause you look almost as bad as Zekk does,â Luke said, his voice serious as he addressed his niece. She had inherited the better part of her parentâs stubborn nature, that was for sure.Â
Jainaâs eyes were open now, staring up at the clouds far above. If you strained, you could barely make out the gas giant of Yavin, outlined in a reddish haze.
âIt feels like somethingâs...struggling inside me, like Iâm watching a couple of Jacenâs beetles fight, but Iâm both of the beetles, and Iâm losing.â
Luke nodded, urging her to continue as he plopped down in the foliage with her.
âMy body canât decide if it wants to be hot or cold, and Iâve got this splitting headache, and Iâve tried to eat something to bring it down but Iâm scared Iâm going to throw up and Iâm getting these weird, dark dreams at night, but I can never remember them when I wake up.â
Jaina looked over at her eternally wise uncle, but he simply stared up at the sky as she had, lips pursed in thought.
âFor now, go get some rest. Perhaps itâs just stress. When Zekk wakes up, weâll talk some more.â
Jaina sat up and looked around at all the damage that still remained to be fixed. She felt guilty leaving everyone else to deal with this while she slept, but if Uncle Luke was making her, then she didnât have much of a choice. What if he told mom?
-
Jaina felt slightly less crummy after her nap, especially when Jacen burst into her room with the news that Zekk was awake! However, he almost suplexed her back into her cot before he could tell her that Peckhum had fed him some soup, and their oldest friend was now sleeping, but he was on his way to recovery.
Uncle Luke was right though, whatever had caused her strange ailment was gone now. Maybe she had been too worried about Zekk.Â
But he was her friend! Her best friend! There was no such thing as being too worried when it came to things like that, was there?
Repairs were taking a break to recalculate how much more supplies would be needed to fix the temple in the aftermath of the rontoâs freak-out (which Jacen insisted was not the creatureâs fault, as usual), so Jaina took a walk to her favorite river.Â
It was muddy in the aftermath of the battle. It would take a while for nature to return it to the crystalline state Jaina, Jacen, and their fellow trainees enjoyed to much. For now, Jaina kept herself content with sitting on a mossy boulder, tossing smaller rocks. The ripples quickly disappeared into the current, and Jaina pouted.
Then, a flat pebble whizzed past, skipping twice before it disappeared along with all the rocks she had thrown.Â
âIs this a private game, or can anyone play?â A familiar voice asked.
Jaina glanced over her shoulder before scrambling down from the rock.
âZekk!â She cried. She tried to remind herself that Zekk was still recovering, but threw her arms around him anyway, sending them both stumbling into the river, where they were both caked with mud.Â
They helped each other out, brushing off the mud as best as they could.
âYou look-â
âAlive?â Zekk finished for Jaina, smiling slightly.
She raised her eyebrows, âJust barely.â
âI actually feel better than I look. By a little bit at least.â
âWell thatâs a relief,â Jaina chuckled, feeling dizzy and tongue-tied as Zekkâs green eyes, underlined with purple shadows, met hers.Â
âDo you need to sit down or anything?â She gestured to the boulder she had previously been perched upon.
Zekk shook his head. âIâm a bit shaky after so much lying in bed, but I feel restless. I thought maybe we could take a walk in the jungle? Together?â He asked hesitantly.
He neednât have worried. âWell then,â Jaina slipped her muddy hand in his. âWhat are we wading for?â
Zekk groaned at the joke. âI think your brother is having a bad influence on you,â He warned.Â
Jainaâs laughter echoed up and down the riverbank, not noticing that Zekk was massaging the same spot on his elbow where a bruise had formed on her from their tumble into the river.
#Hey my first one-shot on this blog it's party time! Woot woot!#i often wonder if I should give zekk the surname of 'peckhum'#jaina solo#zekk#star wars#star wars legends#star wars eu#young jedi knights#zekkna#thespacebuns#i reread shards of alderaan today incase you cant tell
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For the 'unusual asks', do the first 10 with your current favorite oc and also ooc. I can't pick the best ones cuz I want to know them all!!
Oh no. Oh God. Â Okay, here we go, @actionjaxkol :
1. OOC: Spotify. Â I never thought Iâd pay to stream music, but here we are and I love it so much.
Modern Val probably feels similarly; sheâs a youngish, tenured professor who probably takes full advantage of having a .edu address on sites like Amazon, etc, though.
Justus probably has an iPod heâs very proud of. Â Thereâs a lot of country on there. Pandoraâs a thing heâs heard of!
Brassy pirates, are you kidding?
2. OOC: Itâs dirtwise clean, but cluttered. Â I usually know where stuff is, though.
Val is the same, but she tries harder than I do to keep things tidy. Â
Justus is both clean and uncluttered. Â
Brassyâs just a hot mess all around.
3. OOC: Medium brown - the color of a good espresso pour.
Valâs are a lighter brown, think like the color of a doe. Â
Justus is a green-hazel.
Brassyâs are shiny, beetle-black.
None of my lighter-eyed characters are commonly played, though if I resurrect my gnomegirl because of Mechagon, hers are an icy blue.
4. OOC - No. Â But Iâve lived with said name over 3 decades now, and itâs weird to answer to anything else, so Iâve gotten used to it. Â Bee is acceptable to call me online, btw.
Val chose her name, so she likes it well enough. Â
Justus thinks his name is stupid (and honestly, has been misspelling it so long that heâs too embarrassed to do anything about it anywayâŚ). Â
Brassy is short for Brassika, which is a family name. Â ALL of Brassyâs maternal relatives have had that name, with variations on middle name.
5. OOC: married.
Val - long-term partnered. Elf and I headcanon that marriage isnât really a *thing* in Kaldorei society, so, I doubt itâll come up. Â She hasnât asked about it, though, and isnât expecting it.
Justus - partnered, but still new at the dating thing. Â Itâs been 6sh months?
Brassy - single, very thirsty, very inept with ladies. Â Alas.
6. OOC: intelligent, high-strung, determined
Val: tenacious, bright, loyal
Justus: well-meaining, valorous, shy
Brassy: scattered, wistful, intense
7. OOC: very dark brown, heavily wavy
Val: dark blonde, curly
Justus: sandy brown, lightly wavy, usually back in a manbun or tied up. Â He has the best hair.
Brassy: short, side-shaved, navy
8. OOC: dark blue mom station wagon
Val: teleports, or takes public transport, or steals Edmundâs car when she needs to go places
Justus: walks, takes public portals, or has like⌠a Honda Civic or something comically small for his frame
Brassy walks. Â In-game she rotates through a variety of mounts because she loses them frequently; modern one bikes or uses the subway.
9. OOC: I mean, for what? Â Usually Target, tbh, for most things. Â Depending on what Iâm looking for, I go elsewhere (Sephora/Nordstrom Rack are favorites).
This oneâs hard for characters. Â Pass. Sorry; I have a bad head for WoW shops and what they do. Â I can tell you that Val has bought jewelry off of @alyssa-ward, though.
10. OOC: slightly dressed-up casual? Â I work in a professional office, but wear a lot of sandals and have messy hair and tattoos; my go-to usually involves dark jeans/slacks and nice blouses with cardigans to cover up. Â Mine doesnât fall neatly into any particular kind of look, though, because itâs all dependent on mood. Sometimes itâs a little boho; other times, it skirts the edge of goth; a good deal of the time, it's like a very lazy mom trying to be decent to go to Target, lol.
Val: currently very utilitarian. Â When she worked with the Kirin Tor, she was way dressier. Â Nice robes, heeled boots, stylish accessories.
Justus: has no discernable sense of style. So long as itâs clean and fits, heâll wear it. Â He needs to be dressed.
Brassy: ⌠dresses like Jay from Jay and Silent Bob, mixed with a lot of leather. She always has her midriff showing (without abs to show off).  She has a bomber jacket she loves and a rotating collection of sunglasses.
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