#IZ wanted to have blood in it so bad but the show was never allowed to

[shoechoe]

reading the invader zim comics you can tell they absolutely love the fact that they're allowed to have blood now

[gwynrielendgame]

Nyx and Tamlin’s daughter part 2

Again no one really read the first part, but I don’t care! I have been inspired to write again, so I am just going with the flow. Also, I read somewhere that instead of describing accents you should just write how the accent sounds when the character speaks, but idk. If you think it’s annoying comment and I might change it for the other parts I’ve written.

"I apologize for my parents. They mean well, but I think my mother secretly still harbors negative feelings for your father."

Nyx felt it was necessary to apologize for his parents behavior. They have been less than diplomatic tonight and it must have been because of their pasts with Tamlin. Nevertheless, they invited Tamlin here tonight for peace and instead, offered spiteful exchanges. He glanced at Isa from the corner of his eye as they strolled down the garden path. It was beautiful especially at night. His aunt Elain tended to it often which made the flowers more beautiful than any other garden he had seen. He liked looking at her. Not necessarily for her beauty, although he could say with confidence that she was beautiful. She was not beautiful in the way that Elain or Mor were, but in the way that someone obviously powerful was. It was more about her essence. Everything about her was enticingly unique.

"That is strange, is it not?" She quirked a single eyebrow at him with a smirk lifting the edge of her mouth. He placed his hands in his pockets to avoid awkwardly fidgeting in the way his mother often did.

"What is strange?"

"That your mother left him for another man who zhe iz happily married to with three children, yet zhe haz ill will for him? Zeemz a bit backward, no?"

Nyx gave her a strange look. She had been hiding how heavy her accent truly was at dinner. Perhaps she had dropped her guard now that they were alone or perhaps she was tired of hiding it. Either way Nyx liked listening to it.

"Tamlin was awful to my mother when they were together. She's allowed to feel angry at him."

"Zo the story goez."

Isa stopped to pluck a particularly beautiful rose. Nyx took it from her hands gently. Only to stick it behind her ear. She gave him a small smile before they continued on their walk.

"How have I never heard of you?" Nyx asked the question that had been burning at the back of his mind since Tamlin introduced her. "You must be Pyrinthian's best kept secret."

Again, she sent him a small secretive smile while twirling down the path. Her dress made large swooping motions around her body as she seemed to dance to a song only found in her head.

"It iz tradition that young witchez are raised in their coven, completely izolated from other fae. It iz dangerous for young witchlings when their powers are not yet controlled. 'Unnatural' magic as your kin like to call it, does not lizten to the influence of the witch when their mind iz not strong."

"What can happen?"

"There are stories of young children killing their peers on accident when trying to show off."

"Is that why Fae fear your kind? Because it is unpredictable?"

"All witch magic has a price. The spirits aid us when we call onto them and they seek a price. There iz a method to the price but it iz subject to change depending on the spirit that answers. Your father was not wrong when he said blood magic brings chaos. The reason blood magic iz so feared iz because it can attract all zorts of evil spirits and monsters, which can be part of the appeal." She chuckled as she said this and shook her head. "How many times have your parents required the azzistance from a monster?"

"More than I would like to admit."

"Despite that, not all witch magic iz blood magic. Your father's ignorance iz thinking they are one in the same." Isa took a seat at one of the benches and Nyx followed suit. He sat a bit closer than newly acquainted fae should, but he hardly cared.

"So you were raised amongst your kind? Did you get to see your father much?" Nyx was curious about this secretive female. He wanted to know everything there was to know about her.

"He caused havoc and mayhem in order to zee me. They refused until my first shape shift when I was two and they realized they did not know how to help that. My mother had been zecretly sneaking me to see him before then though."

"Fascinating."

"How do you know zo much about witches?" She asked while pushing her short hair behind her ear. Nyx reached out and clasped her hand in his. He started to trace a small tattoo on the outside of her pointer finger.

"Honestly? I do not know much. A few of them have given some information over idle pillow talk though." He admitted with a shrug.

"Charming. Speak of your past conquests to your new one." She said it with a wide smile, so Nyx was not concerned that he had actually upset her.

"I would not call you my new conquest." He gave her a cheeky smile that she shook her head to with a chuckle.

"No? Zo you escort me out here to win my heart or from the goodness of your own?"

"Perhaps I escort you out here as a gentleman."

"That iz not what your reputation would suggest." She lifted her eyebrows at him.

"I have a reputation?" Nyx was wholly unaware of any reputation that might precede him unless it had something to do with his parents. Isa pulled her hand back into her own lap.

"Nyx, prince of the night court, zon of Feyre 'cursebreaker' Archeron, high lady of the night court and Rhyzand high lord of the night court. Intelligent and agile. Mediocre combat training, excellent spy potential, enjoys the attention of any and all females, and zuccezzfully gains the attention with uave charm and dashing good looks."

"You definitely did your research." He leaned back on the bench and crossed his arms over his chest as she leaned in a bit more.

"Believe it or not, those words were straight from Lucien before we winnowed here." She mock whispered.

"That seems a bit unfair. He gave me no information on you. I'd also argue I am much better than mediocre at hand-to-hand combat." Nyx felt a bit miffed that he had been described as mediocre at anything, but begrudgingly he knew Lucien was right.

"Be careful, I might be tempted to challenge you." She gave a wickedly mischievous smile before turning her head up to look at the stars. She plucked the rose from behind her ear and began twirling it between her fingers.

"What would we be wagering for?"

"The title of best fighter. Might give our parents zomething to boast about." She continued to look at the sky instead of him.

"Hmm. Not appealing enough. Perhaps for a kiss though?" He jested. Although, he imagined a kiss from her would be amazing.

"I zuppose. If you think winning a kizz will be easier than charming one from me, then you have severely misjudged me."

"Oh I know," he sent a wide, goofy smile her way. "I would need you to kiss the pain away after you kick my ass."

"Relentlezz." A genuine smile finally lit her face up. It made her even more beautiful.

"You are a mind reader, right? Can you tell me what I am thinking of?" She squeezed her eyes shut tightly and rubbed her temples with her pointer and middle fingers. It was the epitome of concentration but it only caused him to laugh and shake his head.

"You mean my daemati powers?" He attempted to infiltrate her mind only to be met with steel mind barriers. He did not think his father would even be able to get past those.

"Daemati?" She drug out the word as if she was testing how it sounded on her lips. "How does it work?"

"For some people, I can slip into their mind and hear their thoughts and experience their memories. Your mind, however," he poked her forehead right between her eyebrows. "Is too guarded. I supposed I will have to get to know you the old fashioned way."

She pushed her bottom lip out in a pout.

"That iz not fun." He laughed loudly at her expression. She seemed truly gutted that he could not read her mind. It was such an opposite reaction to how most people felt of the ability. It seemed like the deepest of privacy invasions to most. It was why he tried to limit using it as much as possible.

"Sorry to disappoint."

"Mediocre damn-ti can be added to your list." She stood up and placed the rose that was in her lap behind Nyx’s ear. He laughed but left it there anyhow. They started back towards the house.

"Daemati. And I would say my inability to infiltrate your mind speaks more to the strength of your power than a lack of mine."

She sent him a mischievous smile before grabbing his hand and twirling herself under his arm as she hummed a tune. She amused him with her peculiar behavior.

"Are you nervous to be High lady some day?" He figured she of all people would understand the anxiety he has been feeling lately to fill his parents footsteps. What if he messed up? What if he failed?

"Have not thought of it much."

"Truly?" She gave a simple nod before responding.

"I worry more about my father's death than the power I would have after it. He iz all I have left."

"I always imagined my parents voluntarily stepping down to give me the title. They seem so invincible. Perhaps that is the child in me." He did not like to imagine their deaths, but even so at least he would have a plethora of help. He had so many mentors that could show him the way. He felt bad that Isa only had Tamlin. Lucien too, probably.

"It iz sweet that you feel that way. I have zeen too much to believe that anyone is invincible."

"I just worry that I will fail. Or that I won't live up to their standards." Nyx had many a nightmares about this specific situation.

"That iz a lot of prezzure considering you are not yet High Lord." She bumped his shoulder with hers. He stumbled a step from surprise, but bumped her back.

"I will be one day though."

"What if one of you zisters get the throne instead of you? And then you wasted all dis time for nothing."

"Neither want it. Even if the power transfers to them, they have both said they will leave the title to me."

"You will probably fail and ruin your parents hard work." She said in a serious tone with a grave look on her face.

"Thanks." He deadpanned.

"But you will have me as an ally, no? And I will be ready dig you out of whatever hole you have dug. I am quite wise and known for my generosity." He could sense a hint of sarcasm with her last sentence, but felt honored that she was so freely giving her support anyways.

"Be careful, you might be underestimating how much trouble I could get us into."

[writerpeach]

Roommates: Part One

IZ*ONE Hyewon X Male Reader

7813 words

Categories: smut, oral sex,  detective! hyewon

18+

---

Read on AFF

Read on AO3

"Please come in."

The second meeting with Detective Kwon was eight days after the first. Thankfully, you were there under much more pleasant terms, trading being led in handcuffs to roaming freely, greeted with smiles, and offered coffee.

Instead of being tossed inside a windowless cold room, you were meeting Detective Kwon in her personal office, quite the inverse of scenery. Greeting you with a welcoming smile instead of threats, she offered a seat and you sat down, scanning the awards on her walls, the various cabinets, and files as you spotted a small piglet plush resting on one, not bothering to mention it. 

You felt comfortable. You weren’t being yelled at or questioned, and you certainly weren’t fearing for your life or freedom. The detective engaged in polite conversation, her friendly tone putting you at ease as she inquired how you were handling the change of being on the opposite side of crime.

Detective Kwon had been promoted due to your cooperation, earning the rank of Chief Superintendent. Changing into a more supervisor role allowed her to command her team more efficiently but still allowed herself to do what she was best at, getting information out of uncooperative suspects in any way she knew how.

Eunbi had a different look since you last saw her, chopping her hair short which gave her a more youthful and vibrant look. 

“You look good, detective,” you complimented, earning a blush from the sharply-dressed woman across the desk. 

“Thank you. You know, we really owe a lot to you,” she said in earnest. 

“I didn’t do much, detective. It turns out you can be a very convincing woman.”

“You gave us valuable information that would have taken us weeks to find.”

Shuffling around papers and organizing a dossier Eunbi looked up and her expression softened.

“But we still have a lot of work to do to take down your former boss. The Goda clan is in shambles. We’ve made several arrests lately, we have them on the run.” 

“That’s wonderful to hear. To tell the truth, I was never comfortable with some of the things I saw during my time as a clan member. It still keeps me up at night.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. What you’re doing has been very helpful, we couldn’t have done this without you.”

“If that asshole gets locked up then it’ll be more than worth it.” 

“Now, there are still a few high ranking members we don’t know the location of,” Eunbi said and slid three pictures across the desk, two men you recognized and one you didn’t. 

“Is there anything about them you can tell us?”

You studied their pictures before speaking. ”Never met this guy. These two were the boss’s right- hand men. When he needed someone taken out, a business shaken down for protection money or anything else that he didn’t want to dirty his hands for he used them as his errand boys.”

“Do you have their names?”

“Afraid not. I was too low down the totem pole to really know them.”

“That’s fine, we’ll work with what we have and I’ll make sure our investigation team makes this their priority. It might take longer but we’ll find these thugs.” 

Eunbi smiled. It was different talking to her like this, cooperating with her, and not being threatened to spend the rest of your life behind bars. 

“How are you holding up? This can’t be easy.”

“Like I said, some sleepless nights. A lot of looking behind my shoulder, thinking someone I swore loyalty to is coming after me. This is all I’ve known for most of my life, so being on the other side of things is hard to get used to.” 

“That’s understandable. The monitoring app we installed on your phone tracks your location with pinpoint accuracy as long as you allow us to. If you ever end up in trouble you know how to activate it right?”

“I do, thanks, Detective. Let’s hope I never have to.” 

“Yes, let’s hope. The sooner we can get these scumbags off the streets, the better we’ll all be.” 

There was a sudden knock on the door that broke the tension.

“Come in!” Eunbi said. 

The door gently swung open and in walked a petite girl, blue mixed into her dark bobbed hairstyle. “Sorry to barge in, boss.” 

“It’s quite alright, Detective Miyawaki. You wouldn’t interrupt without a good reason.” 

“We’ve got new leads on potential suspects. A stolen vehicle was spotted downtown in an abandoned warehouse, it appears it was used in last month’s weapon smuggling ring that was shut down.” 

“And you’re sure they’re still there?” 

“According to our surveillance, no cars have been in or out of the warehouse all day. There could be underground tunnels but that’s highly unlikely given the layout of the building .” 

“Excellent work, Detective. Put out an APB immediately.” 

“Right away, boss.” 

The young girl bowed politely and left the room.

“We’re getting closer with each day thanks to you,” she said with a mild sense of relief in her voice.

“You have a good team here it seems.” 

“It gets pretty stressful but they’re wonderful and I couldn’t do my job without them. Between forensics, our investigation team, and our computer analysts, there's about twelve of us working non-stop.”

“Impressive.” 

“Now, I do need to talk to you about the security detail we promised you.” 

“What about it?” 

“As you can tell, we’re swamped. We need all the men and women we have working around the clock. At this moment we don’t have the resources to monitor who may be looking to harm you. We’re looking into a third-party security service to protect you but getting approval at a time like this is no easy task.”

“That’s really quite alright. I don’t leave my house much these days, and I have cameras all over my house.”

“No, it’s not, it was part of our terms and I won’t fall back on it. I can offer you an alternative, your safety is a necessity not just as part of our case against the Goda clan.” 

“An alternative?”

“Yes,” she responded, pushing a button on the black phone on her desk. “Detective Kang, can you come to my office, please?” 

Seconds after the door opened, and in walked an incredibly attractive woman with purple-dyed hair tied in a loose ponytail, dressed formally in a white shirt and gray jacket and almost as busty as Detective Kwon. She took a seat in the wooden chair next to you.

“This is the guy, Detective Kang.”

“Ah, so you’re the reason why we’re putting all these jackoffs in prison? It’s very nice to meet you,” she said, extending her hand and shaking yours gently. 

“Nice to meet you too, Detective.”

“Oh, you can just call me Hyewon,” she said with a shy smile.

“You see Detective Hyewon is the second-best detective here. She works really hard, she’ll be sure to surpass me soon.”

“That’s not likely boss. Nobody can interrogate like you can.”

Eunbi proudly smiled and quickly changed the subject. “Now, while we’re unable to offer you the protection we promised, we have an offer that’s a bit unorthodox.” 

“How so?” you said with a puzzled look. 

Hyewon spoke up. “We can’t monitor you 24/7 at this time but in lieu, I can offer you a safe place to stay.”

You furrowed an eyebrow in confusion.

“As I said, it’s a bit unorthodox but given the situation, we believe it’s a good compromise,” Eunbi said. 

“You see, I have a spare bedroom that’s just collecting dust. Equipped with the latest home automation, reinforced windows, and a 24/7 monitoring system. My house is very secure and located away from all major parts of the city.“

“That’s a generous offer but I don’t need a babysitter.” 

Eunbi laughed. “We’re not saying you do. These men are out for blood and we don’t know who might show up to confront you. Like you said you don’t get out much and Hyewon can do most of her investigative work from home. It’s a temporary solution, you shouldn’t be there for more than a month.”

“Along with my elite detective skills I spent two years in culinary school, I can cook as well as I can catch criminals,” Hyewon added nonchalantly.

“We won’t force you to live there of course, but you would be safer than at your own home.”

The two detectives looked at you, anticipating your answer. You gave it a moment to ponder over. 

“I’ll give it a shot.” 

“Thank you. Your safety is our number one priority.” 

✦✦

Moving to a new place even temporarily with someone who was a complete stranger was a bit awkward, to say the least. You only brought essential items over to Hyewon’s place, surprised by how large it was and grateful for two separate bathrooms. 

It was an understatement to say it was strange living with a beautiful woman you had just met. It took an entire week to adjust to the complicated situation, but each day that passed you both opened up little by little. It turns out Hyewon wasn’t lying, she was a fantastic cook and you had a multitude of things you shared in common. 

The first week went by quicker than expected. Awkward exchanges of quiet good mornings gradually turned into full conversations, sharing stories of being on opposing sides. 

Hyewon had plenty of tales to share of her short two year career - ranging from month-long investigations to chasing after suspects, to seeing a dead body for the first time. Hyewon shared the unexpected frustrations of being considered the prettiest woman in the station and having to prove that she wasn’t hired for just a pretty face.

After helping her clean up the intricate feast that was a most delicious breakfast, she took a seat on one of the kitchen island stools, refilling her coffee.

“I have to head into the office today to help out our team with some investigations. I’ll be working late most likely. You have both of our numbers if you need anything though, okay?”

“I’m not a puppy, I can survive one night,” you teased.

“I know, I wasn’t insinuating you were...” Hyewon replied as her awkwardness returned, her embarrassment strangely cute.

“The fridge is full of groceries but I didn’t have time to cook anything, sorry.” 

“Don’t be. I’m not that bad a cook myself, It’ll be fine. I’ll hold down the fort.”

“Okay. Call if you need anything.” 

✦✦

Hyewon’s spacious two-bedroom house felt rather lonely without her in it. You caught yourself talking a little too much to her living room virtual assistant, the eerily human voice being the only human contact you had that night meant it was time for something else. 

Heading to the fridge to grab a soda you conducted your own investigation of your own, having free rein of the house you gave every room except her bedroom a look, well decorated with light red and pinks everywhere.

After watching a couple hours of tv and making a quick meal you decided to sleep early. In the morning Eunbi wanted you to come in and sign a few affidavits and you wanted to be fully prepared for that process. 

When you woke up that morning something felt different. You didn’t quite know what time it was, but judging through the light shining through the sheer black curtains of your room it had to be at least 6 a.m. 

As you struggled to adjust to consciousness, you couldn’t help realize the obvious weight and pressure on your body. Your vision cleared, and the unmistakable purple hair snuggled against your chest belonged to a feminine figure that could only belong to one woman. Hyewon. 

While you enjoyed the comforting warmth of her body, you weren't sure what she was doing on top of you. She felt your movements and stirred awake and you were about to get your answer. 

Hyewon lifted her head off of your chest, realizing where she was but not looking any less confused. 

"Good morning?" you said, just as confused as her. 

"H-hi…” she sleepily said. “I can explain…I think..."

"Take your time," you said.

Hyewon gathered herself and laid down beside you flat on her stomach. 

"We had a late night and we didn't get much done yesterday. Our leads ended up as dead ends, so I didn't get home until around 2 am."

"Sounds rough."

"I washed up and going to my own bed seemed so lonely, and your door was open and well...your bed looked so welcoming and inviting. I only laid down for a few minutes but I guess I fell asleep and ended up on top of you and so here we are."

“Sure was an interesting way to wake up.” 

"I'm so sorry,” she said as she buried her face in her hands.

“It’s not that big of a deal, Hyewon. It’s all cleared up now so I understand. I’m just sorry I woke you.” 

"You didn't wake me. Well, part of you did but.."

She hesitated. "I felt something poking me when I was on top of you," Hyewon blushed. 

"Oh god. Now I'm the one who should be sorry."

Hyewon giggled. "Is this the famous morning wood I've heard about? There's nothing to be sorry for..."

"Have you not-" 

"Had sex before? I'm not a virgin, I've just never slept with a man before.”

“I see. Do you not like men?”

“I”m not against sleeping with men, I just haven’t had good experiences. Women are gentle and their skin is so soft and they smell amazing.”

“All of that is definitely true.” 

“I’m just picky I guess. Meanwhile, Eunbi will sleep with anyone who will put their head between her thighs.”

“I bet that’s a very long line of people.”

“It is. I was at the top of it.”

“You were?”

“She...she was my first. I’ve only slept with a few women after her, and we still fool around from time to time when work doesn’t keep us busy.” 

“And here I thought my morning wood was over.”

Hyewon blushed and covered her mouth, hiding against the mattress.

"I'm really sorry, I-" 

"There's nothing to be sorry for. It happens…” you said embarrassed. 

“I just like having someone to talk to in the morning,” Hyewon said. 

“I do too.”

“Would you be okay…” she hesitated. 

“With sharing the bed? I don’t mind.” you interrupted. “It’s plenty big for two people.”

“No I-I mean if y-you don’t want-” 

“I don’t mind at all, Hyewon.” 

Hyewon paused. “I probably snore though. And some days I’d have to get up before you do, I’d hate to wake you. “

“I’m a really heavy sleeper,” you said, trying to deflect her excuses. 

“If you really don’t mind, then I’ll sleep here too. My room does get rather lonely…”

Sharing a smile, the thought of sharing a bed with Hyewon made your sudden arrangement more enjoyable. 

“I can sleep away from you or put the pillow on the other side of the bed.”

“No, that’s not necessary. Just sleep how you always do.” 

“Okay,” you agreed, settling your agreement.  

If Hyewon snored in her sleep, you never once heard her. Keeping things casual, you told each other good night and good morning, sometimes both and sometimes neither depending on if your schedules met up. 

Hyewon’s sleep attire went from long sleeve pajamas and pants, and as she became more comfortable with the situation she herself became more comfortable and more casual. 

Ditching pajama pants for shorts, long sleeves to tank-tops, and eventually settling on oversized shirts enough to cover her up. Except for the time it didn't and you got a glimpse of her cute butt and the black pair of boyshorts underwear she didn’t know she was showing off. 

You had reached the third week of living with Hyewon, and you were as comfortable with her as being in your own skin. Sharing a bed wasn’t as complicated as you thought, although there certainly were moments where a leg brushed up against your own and vice versa. Avoiding physical contact completely was impossible though and you didn’t think much about it.

“Good morning,” Hyewon sat as she sat up, yawning widely and stretching her arms high up. You turned your head to the side to greet her. 

“Morning. Heading into work today?” you asked sleepily. 

Hyewon shook her head and messy violet hair went everywhere. “Eunbi has a bunch of interrogations scheduled, so unless she needs me for something I’m staying here.” 

“A nice relaxing morning then.” 

“Mhmm. Want breakfast?” she asked, throwing her side of the covers off and standing up, doing a quick stretching routine.

“Breakfast sounds great.” 

Lifting your head up you realized you weren’t the only thing that had woken up, gritting your teeth and laying your head back down. 

“I’ll...meet you at the table.” 

“Morning wood again?” she teased.

“Yeah...You know too much about me now.” 

 You were more than thankful the blankets weren’t thin. You waited for Hyewon to leave the room so you could make a beeline for the bathroom, but instead, you saw the wheels turning in her head. 

“Do you want me to help?” she asked as innocently as she had just asked about breakfast. You nearly choked. 

“Help…? You repeated, making sure you weren’t hearing things. 

“You’re always hard in the morning. I’ve felt it poking me in the back, and I know how annoying it must be to wake up throbbing like that.” 

“H-hyewon I-”

“It’s not a big deal,” she smiled as she threw herself at the covers. 

You still couldn’t believe it.

“I’ve jerked off a guy before. He finished in like twenty seconds so I never got to enjoy it.” 

“You’re that good, huh?”

“I’m definitely not,” she laughed. 

She tossed the covers off, leaving the sight of you pitching a tent through your boxers in plain sight. 

“You poor thing,” she said as she stared at the huge bulge poking through your underwear.      She took a breath as she grabbed the top of your boxers and slowly pulled them down, revealing your needy cock that throbbed as it was released. 

Her eyes went wide. “You’re really big,” she said, not wasting time as she wrapped her slim fingers around your length, forming a tight fist and began slowly stroking. 

You moaned at her touch. Her hand was cold which brought a different yet pleasurable type of sensation. “Hard like a rock,” she smiled as she continued pumping and you quickly began leaking all over her fingers. For someone inexperienced, it felt good, but you’d have to try really hard to screw up a handjob.

Hyewon looked at the clear liquid coating her fingers with a curious look.

“So much precum,” she said innocently as she licked one of her fingers clean, waiting a second to form an opinion. 

“It tastes good.” 

“The real thing tastes better.”

She blushed. Tightening her grip, she quickened her strokes as she settled on a rhythm and looked up.

“Does this feel good?” 

“It feels great.” 

Hyewon’s innocent eyes as she jerked you off was such a bold contrast. The last woman who had touched you was Eunbi, a master of teasing and anticipation. Hyewon’s straight to the point was a nice change.

“How long does it usually take?” she asked, genuinely curious. 

“To cum?” 

“Yes.” 

“It depends on a lot of things. Who’s doing it, what they’re doing, how they’re doing it…”

“Am I not doing a good job? You didn’t cum yet,” she said, feeling concerned.

“No, you’re doing great. There’s not a lot of stimulation with a handjob, so unless you really know what you’re doing it’s gonna take a while.”

“Anything I can do to make it feel better?” 

“Do you have any lube?” Hyewon shook her head disappointed.

“That’s fine. You can spit on it.” 

Hyewon listened and did as told, letting saliva drip out of her mouth she spat multiple times on your cock. The friction felt better instantly. 

“Anything else?” 

You were already at this point, might as well up the ante.

“You could uh. Take your shirt off?” You said, testing her reaction. You waited nervously. 

Hyewon thankfully didn’t seem to mind. She grabbed the hem of her large black overshirt and lifted it over her head. There wasn’t a bra on underneath to cover up her pale chest. She had the same pair of underwear you had seen that one time. Her breasts were big, not as big as Eunbi, but still sizable and the perfect shape with perfect pink nipples. Her stomach was toned and tight, Hyewon’s body was downright delicious. 

“Holy shit.” 

Hyewon smiled. “You like my body?” 

“I do, you're pretty hot, Hyewon."

She smiled and kept stroking and you couldn’t peel your eyes off her delicious tits. So large and round, you wanted to dive in immediately but didn't want to get greedy. 

After just a few minutes you felt your abdomen tightening, subconsciously fucking into Hyewon’s fist, drooling at her newly exposed tits. 

“Fuck, I’m close,” you moaned, leaking even more.

“You’re going to cum?” 

“Y-yes,” you replied. 

Hyewon gripped harder and stroked fasted, encouraging your release with her eyes focused on your cock, anticipating your release. You were almost there, staring at her beautiful tits bouncing in time with her strokes, waiting for your climax to arrive. With a forceful grunt, you exploded in her hand, hips jerking and groaning loudly as you released and coated her fingers with your hot seed. She kept pumping until you were drained, keeping notice of your sensitivity as she winded down her movements to a halt. 

She looked on in surprise as her fingers were covered in your stickiness. She grabbed a tissue to clean herself off, but not without giving one of her messy fingers a sample. 

“You’re right, the real thing does taste better.” she smiled. “Now let’s get some food in us.” 

✦✦

There was a surprising lack of awkwardness around the table as Hyewon served breakfast. Scrambled eggs, both sausage, and bacon cooked to perfection as per your request. She knew you needed a little extra energy after draining your stamina. 

“How is the case proceeding? Any closer?” you asked, not wanting the conversation to steer towards what had just happened. 

“Things are complicated. We’re finding it harder to apprehend the suspects we need, they’re on the move constantly. They know we’re onto them but we don’t have the resources to send more teams.” 

“They own so many businesses they could practically hide anywhere in the city, sadly,” you said.

“This is so frustrating,” she said. “But we have to move forward, taking any steps we can. I’m going to be spending a lot of time at the office next week.” 

“I’ll take care of the house, it’ll be in tiptop shape.” 

Hyewon nodded. “You’ll also have to take care of morning wood on your own, mister,” she teased.

“Back to the old ways then,” you sadly said.

Hyewon paused as she finished her eggs, chewing carefully as she formed a thought. 

“I feel bad. Although, you know I kind of liked it.”

“Liked what?”

“I... liked jerking you off. Feeling how hard you were, hearing you moan when I touched you. I felt something...seeing you throbbing when I made you cum.” 

Hyewon’s typical blank expression morphed into a deadly smirk. 

“I can see why Eunbi likes her job so much. That feeling of control is just...intoxicating.” 

“Do you like taking control, Hyewon?” you asked. 

“In my job absolutely not. But in the bedroom...I don’t know yet. Maybe.” 

“We’ll have to do some investigating then.” 

“Guess we will.” 

✦✦

 You didn't see much of Hyewon that week as expected. Your sleep schedules never synced and you ended up fast asleep alone before her, usually waking up to an empty bed. 

"Long day?" 

"Long week."

Hyewon didn't follow up on the conversation that night, drifting away to sleep. Over the weeks of becoming familiar with each other, you had gotten closer with Hyewon, both figuratively and literally. There was something that was never spoken about but you often woke up with an arm or leg draped over your body, or her chest pinned to your back. You certainly didn't mind the welcome intimacy. 

During a rather peaceful sleep, you felt something jolt you up. 

"Were you asleep?" she asked. 

"No, I wasn't," you lied. 

"I can't sleep," she frowned. 

"Too much on your mind?

"I guess. What do you do when you can't sleep?"

"I lay there for a few minutes and try to relax. If it doesn't work warm milk usually does the trick," you said. 

"We're out of milk," she pouted. "Any other ideas?" 

"Honestly when I really can't sleep I just jerk off. Puts me out like a light."

Hyewon felt her cheeks flushed as she hid her head in her hands. 

"I can leave the room if you want..." you said. 

"What for?" 

"So you can…you know."

"Touch myself?” She said innocently. “I've never given myself an orgasm. I just let Eunbi do everything for me."

"I see," you said as you formed an idea. 

"Can't you just do what Eunbi does to yourself?" 

"I don't think it would be the same."

"Well, I'm out of ideas then. Unless you want to call her in the middle of the night."

"She'd kill me."

Hyewon huffed in frustration. You were fresh out of ideas and sympathized with her. Looking over her it was kind of cute how frustrated she was, bundled up neck-deep under the covers as she watched the ceiling fan, trying to do anything to fall back asleep.

She turned onto her side, her doe eyes facing you. “Can you help me?” 

“Help you what?” 

“Help me fall asleep…”

“How do you want me to do that?”

“Ah, don’t make me say it.” 

You smiled. “Do you want me to give you an orgasm, Hyewon?”

“Y-yes... If you don’t mind...” 

“Not at all.” 

You threw the covers and sat up, making your way to her position. Hyewon had on a black cotton t-shirt which you lifted up enough to see her hips. Her underwear was pink and lacy, covering up just enough of her skin to still be sexy enough. 

“Can I take these off?” you asked. She nodded and lifted her butt. You grabbed the top of her cute underwear and began to slowly pull it off her hips, peeling it off her body and down her smooth long legs.

Hyewon nervously kept her legs locked together, but after seeking her approval you spread her thighs and revealed her beautiful pink pussy. Kissing up her inner thighs you heard her gasp as your lips made contact with her soft warm skin. 

“Your body is so amazing,” you said as you planted more wet kisses on her pale thighs. 

“T-thank you. It’s not as nice as Eunbi, I wish I had her figure,” she said sadly.”

“It’s not a competition. I’m sure you have things Eunbi is jealous of.” 

“I-I guess so.” 

Not wanting her to be down on herself anymore you interrupted her and licked up and down her thighs, painting them with long swipes of your tongue. She whimpered. 

“O-oh, fuck…” 

Making your way in between them, you kissed her center before running a finger through her folds, watching the way she looked.

“You’re wet.” 

“I-I can’t help it...” 

You started warming her up by licking up her pink slit, giving yourself the first taste of her pussy, and inhaling her aroma. You explored her folds with your tongue, cleaning off her juices until you reached her clit. You blew a puff of hot air against it and she whined. 

“You have such a pretty pussy,” you said, and before she could respond you swirled around her hardened clit, running circular patterns along it before taking it into your mouth and sucking.

“Ahh!” she moaned. You continued to eat her out, tasting her juices and licking everything up as her warm thighs wrapped around your head. 

Buried against her crotch you went wild, tasting all of Hyewon’s delicious sensitive pussy, suckling on her clit wildly as she squirmed and moaned. 

“Fuck, you’re so good at that. No wonder Eunbi likes you.”

You kept the pressure on her clit, suckling hard and you brought a finger inside her cunt, and then another, curling them and finding her spot immediately. Hyewon’s hips bucked as she moaned loud, as you licked and sucked everything that leaked out between her luscious legs, feeling her body trembling and reacting to everything you did. 

“Oh god, oh god! I’m going to cum!”

Looking up straight at her buried in between her heavenly thighs, you licked and sucked up her clit, and Hyewon came almost right away, making a mess on your face. 

Slowly removing yourself from her pussy and licking your lips, helping her ride out her orgasm, caressing her thighs as she came down from her high, panting, and still seeing stars. 

“Hol- wow. You’re really good with your mouth.”

“Do you think you’ll be able to sleep now?”

“I will...but I don’t want you to go without returning the favor.”

“I’ll be fine,” you said. 

“You made me feel so good though, I just want to do the same,” Hyewon protested

“I don’t want to keep you up.” 

“You won’t.” 

“I can just go jerk off in the bathroom, it’s no big deal.”

“You don’t need to do that. After what you just did for me I want to help you too,” she said.

“Besides, I’m already half-naked,” she said as she pulled her shirt off, letting you see her wonderful full breasts for the second time. 

“Now I’m fully naked.” 

You felt the throbbing in your crotch as your eyes focused on every inch of her body. 

“You don’t have to get naked to give me a handjob.” 

“A handjob? You deserve much more than a handjob.” 

“What do you have in mind?” 

“I want us to both be tired at the end of this,” she smirked. 

You had established Hyewon as the innocent and naive type, and while you were mostly spot-on seeing this side of her changed that. 

Hyewon gestured for you to lay down and you took her former position, adjusting the pillows to your liking. Taking a kneeling position, you spread your legs for her, the anticipation high already.

She lingered there for a moment. Her face stayed blank, the same way it had the first time you met her. It gave you the chance to admire her face, her pretty brown eyes, her cute nose, and cherry red lips, lips that you didn’t realize were so plump and kissable. 

“Are you going to keep your shirt on? It’s only fair I see you naked too isn’t it?” she asked. 

She had a point. Grabbing the collar of your shirt, you lifted it over your head and tossed it off the bed, 

“Now we’re talking,” she said, biting her lip. “You have a really nice body as well.” 

Staring just a little longer than you expected, Hyewon’s view went to your crotch. 

“What do you want me to do?” she asked. 

“You’ve never given a blowjob before?” 

She shook her head disappointingly. “Jerking off that one guy is the only experience I’ve had with men. And now, you.” 

“Just do what you did that one morning, but add your tongue and lips. Be careful with your teeth though.” 

She nodded in acknowledgment. “I've seen porn. Just suck it right? Like a popsicle?”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “There’s more to it than that, but yeah.”

“What do I do to get you hard?” she asked. 

“Well, I’m halfway there, just rub it through my boxers.” 

She followed your instructions, using her hands to create friction through your crotch awkwardly. It was cute how clueless she was about this. 

Hyewon’s eyes opened wider and within a matter of seconds before a bulge had formed.

“That didn’t take long,” she smiled and knew how to do the rest. Tugging your boxers down, she left you in the same state of undress as her, your cock twitching as it was freed to meet her. 

She did the same thing she did before, albeit with more confidence this time, wrapping her cold hand around your shaft and keeping a tight grip. Using smooth movements she stroked slowly, the now-familiar pumping motions becoming more natural. 

Using the earlier example a bit too literal, licking up and down one side of your shaft like it was an actual popsicle. It looked awkward but didn’t stop from feeling good. She did this on all sides, and you directed her to move her tongue lower, helping her figure it out one step at a time. 

“You’re getting it,” you praised her, as she continued lathering up your shaft. 

“Go lower,” you told her and she got the message, licking your balls with shallow swipes of her tongue, causing you to groan. 

“They’re sensitive right?” she asked. 

“Very, so you have to be careful,” you replied. Hyewon nodded cutely.

“Put your lips around the tip, start out gently. That’s the part that feels the best.” 

Licking a little more she traveled up until her mouth found the tip of your cock, eyeing your length. When she was ready she licked her lips and wrapped them around your swollen tip, hollowing her cheeks as she started sucking gently. You let out a deep breath and a moan immediately, the softness of her plump lips indescribable as they surrounded your cock. 

“Like this?” She asked as she carefully sucked, trying to keep her teeth out of the way as she drew out your pleasure. 

“Yes, that’s perfect. Feels so good already.” 

Feeling proud, Hyewon took more inside her mouth, almost reaching the middle of your shaft as she activated her gag reflex. 

“Don’t take it all at once,” you warned. She looked so damn pretty giving you head. Innocent Hyewon with her lips all over your dick, it was a wonderful sight, even the first few inches inside her mouth felt absolute heaven. She got used to it little by little, knowing where her limits were as she bobbed her head up and down, keeping her eyes dead centered on you. 

“Your lips feel amazing. You’re a natural at this,” you praised, the warmth of her wet mouth driving you insane. Maybe it was the porn videos, or maybe she just had a gifted talent, but what she was doing to you felt so fucking good. Her lips were perfect for giving head, their plumpness sucking the life out of your cock as her throat made loud slurping sounds, infinity pleasing to your ears. 

“You can use your tongue too,” you suggested, and after a moment you felt her wet tongue splashing against your underside, causing even more pleasure.

“Fuck.” 

You leaned back against the pillows, closing your eyes and listening to Hyewon’s mouth slurping your dick, her warm lips doing their work. You’d have to train her to deepthroat at some point, but if she was already this good at sucking you off you were in for a treat. 

Hyewon took you rather deep, gagging herself a few times before pulling her mouth off and stopped, stroking your length. 

“You okay?” you asked.

“Mhm. I don’t want you to cum yet.”

She had a determined look in her eyes and you could tell she wasn’t ready for things to end. 

“I want us to feel good. At the same time,” she said.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’ve never felt a dick inside me. That changes tonight,” she said, growing more confident. 

“Not even a toy?” 

“No. Eunbi doesn’t want to use them, she thinks I’m not ready yet. But I am.” 

“If you say you’re ready then you’re ready.” 

“I am.” 

With her expression determined she and straddled your lap, giving you even more time to stare at her naked body. 

With her warm thighs on each side of your waist, Hyewon grabbed hold of your cock and lined it up with her entrance. Her pussy was so pink, just as pretty as she was and plenty wet. She carefully lifted herself up, and with very delicate movements she lowered herself onto your cock, both of you gasping as she was penetrated for the very first time. 

“Shit,” she moaned, the new sensations so overwhelming to her. 

“Take your time,” you said, watching carefully and caressing her thighs. She sank down a little deeper, gritting her teeth as a mixture of pain and pleasure hit her all at once. Her pussy squeezed your shaft tight, almost painfully so even guided by her intense wetness. 

“How’s it feel?” you asked. She looked unsure.

“I-I don’t know yet.” 

Hyewon moved her hips back up until she was almost empty, moving back down and you watched as the tip of your cock disappeared inside.

Giving her time to adjust, you let her do everything, only taking you as deep as she felt comfortable with. 

“You’re so fucking big. I feel so stretched already,” 

“So tight, Hyewon. You feel amazing.” 

“That’s good right?” she asked. 

“Yes. You’re even tighter than Eunbi,” you admitted, not that you would tell anyone else that. 

Hyewon braced herself by holding on to your chest, carefully trying to position herself. Once she slowly adjusted, her hips began moving, and she began riding you. 

“So damn big,” she repeated. “Eunbi must love this.” 

She moved slowly at first, hips gently moving up and down, letting herself feel that intoxicating stretch. The pain had subsided and she only felt pleasure, moaning softly already. Her walls tightened more and more as she took you deeper inside her, leaving a trail of slick covering your cock to aid in penetration. 

“You feel really good inside me,” she said, at first not letting more than half of your shaft inside her pussy, trying to control her breathing. 

Hyewon carefully found a rhythm, riding with a slow but constant pace, her tits gently bouncing with every movement. You couldn’t stop staring, mesmerized by the way they jiggled, adding to your arousal. 

“You really like my tits don’t you?” she asked.

“Of course. They’re perfect.” 

“You can touch them if you want,” she said. 

“Oh I’ll do more than just touch,” you replied, and she beamed, giving the go-ahead. Running your hands up her tight body and feeling her soft pale skin you grabbed a handful of them, groping them as you felt her tight pussy lips squeezing your cock. You didn’t need to compare them to anyone else, they were perfect as is - soft, heavy, and delicious. 

She rode a little faster, moaning louder as you buried yourself in her scrumptious tits, sucking on her tits and feasting on them, being careful to not overstimulate Hyewon. 

“You’re so wet, Hyewon,” you said, watching her slowly fall apart. She replied in groans and moans, taking as much inside as she could, relaxing herself.  

“I’m going to feel this in the morning,” she said, lips curling as she pushed herself all the way down, impaling her pussy to the hilt. 

“Oh god!” she moaned as she bounced up and down, riding faster with all of you inside her tight cunt. You wanted to feel all of her body, wandering your hands around her delicate soft skin as you settled on her ass. Plump and tight, you squeezed it, still letting her do the work. 

“Fuck, oh fuck! I think I’m going to cum!” 

“Then cum for me, Hyewon.’

“I-I will!” she said, louder than expected. Bouncing her ass on your cock she leaned backward, supporting herself on your thighs as she exerted more energy in her hips. 

“Oh fuck yes, I’m gon-” 

Not even able to finish her sentence, her body lost control as she came violently, rolling her hips as her tight pussy pulsated around your cock and you felt a wave of juices drowning your cock. Her pace slows down significantly, trying to ride out the first orgasm she’s had that wasn’t a woman's fingers or tongue and the pleasure is so intoxicating to her that she might pass out. 

“H-holy shit,” she said, as she looked up for the first time in several seconds, almost embarrassed by how loud she was. Her eyes were fully glazed over after her orgasm and her pussy felt even tighter and wet around you, but she had just enough strength to keep her hips moving. 

“You need to cum too,” she said, regaining her senses as her whole body leaned forward, pressing herself against your body and you unexpectedly felt her soft lips against yours. 

“That’s for making me feel so good,” she smiled, running a hand through her hands, returning to her past pace.

“Now I want this pussy to return the favor.” 

With a tired gaze on her face, she bounced again on your cock as you kept your hands around her waist, feeling the sweat misting across her perfect skin. You wanted to freeze the moment in time. The way she moaned with every thrust with that pretty voice, how wet and tight she was, the way her supple breasts bounced deliciously, it was all incredibly arousing and yet too much at the same time. 

“I’m gonna cum too,” you blurted out, words becoming difficult to use. Her eyes lit up. 

“Good. I wanna see how much you can fill me up.” 

Her lewd words and the way her wet pink flesh squeezed your cock made it impossible to hold on, giving a few more thrusts as you buried yourself in Hyewon’s tight pussy. Lustfully staring into each other's eyes, you throbbed inside her and groaned her name loudly as you began filling her hole up, shaking as you emptied wave after wave of plentiful thick seed deep into her cunt. 

Once her tight pussy milked you of everything, giving Hyewon every last drop she collapsed on top of you, the warmth of her hot sweaty body and her weight comforting yours. 

“It’s so warm,” she said, gasping and panting in your ears. She rested there for what felt like hours as you both tried to breathe normally again. Heaving panting filling the room as Hyewon used your chest for leverage and gingerly lifted herself off of your cock, decoupling your tangled bodies. 

You watched together as the mess you left inside her slowly leaked out of her pussy, a steady thick stream of hot cum the was the evidence of the intense pleasure she had given you, dripping down her thighs and splashing against the bedsheets. 

Hyewon’s chest is still heaving, her purple hair out of place as she tried to catch a deep breath. She looked at your depleted cock and the combined juices still left on it and instinctively grabbed and took it back into her mouth, sliding it down her mouth as much as she could to clean it off, before using her tongue to do the rest.

“I’m going to need to taste a lot more of this.” 

With her stamina used up, she crashed, her skin kissing yours as her wonderful breasts pressed against your chest as if she were using your body as a pillow. 

“That was amazing.” 

“Are you okay? You rode my dick so well.” 

“I...I’m good. I could use a shower, but I can barely move.”

 “Probably be worse in the morning.” 

“Then I’ll deal with it in the morning,” she said. Her final words before she drifted off, tired, her naked body still rested on yours. It wouldn’t take before you followed, sharing one of the most peaceful nights in some time. 

You woke up restful and full of energy for once, Hyewon was surprised to see you wake up a few minutes after she did. 

“You’re up! Good morning,” she sweetly said.

“Good morning, “ you replied. 

“Sorry if I snored.”

“I didn’t hear you if you did.”

“Are you heading into the office?” 

“Yes. There’s been a big break and we have the advantage for once. Eunbi needs the whole team to be there.” 

“Want breakfast?” she asked, not bothering to put on pants yet.

“I do, but I have everything I need to eat right in front of me,” you boldly said.

Hyewon blushed. “You’re feisty this morning.” 

“When do you have to be there?” 

“In about an hour.”

“An hour is a lot of time,” you said.

“I know that look…”

"I don't know what you mean by that." 

"I'm sure you don’t…" she said as she plopped on the bed on her stomach, bare feet up in the air. 

“I wouldn’t mind one for the road. It’d keep me in a good mood all day.”

“Don’t want you to be late though.” 

“I do have to still shower and get ready, but I’m sure Eunbi won’t mind if I'm a few minutes late...”

“We’d save some time if we just went straight for the shower.” 

Hyewon looked flustered.

“And water,” you added. 

Hyewon pondered, sitting up. “My shower is rather big, so you’ve sold me,” she said, removing what little clothes she had left on and gestured to you to follow her, not that you needed any instructions to. 

She liked the water as hot as it would go. Her body was beautiful naked, but as water flowed down her chest and onto her flushed skin, matting her dyed hair to her gorgeous features. it enhanced her naked body even more. Hyewon came on your cock as you fucked her from behind and pressed her against the cold shower tile and she finished you off on her tits, carefully away from the water to make sure you got a chance to savor your handiwork. 

Drying her hair off and deciding on what to wear, Hyewon’s phone rang. 

“Detective Kang speaking.” 

“Yes, boss. He’s right here.” 

“Understood. We’ll both be there.”

Tossing her phone onto the bed she took a seat and finished dressing as you waited for her explanation. 

“We’ve made an arrest on one of the Goda clan’s lieutenants and we have a potential lead on the patriarch. Eunbi wants you to be there to give any assistance and make sure he doesn’t escape.” 

“Why me?” 

“You know the way they operated and any potential backdoors they might exploit. We’re looking for any and every advantage we can use. Your knowledge of their operations will be a powerful ally at this point.” 

“I’ll do what I can, I can’t promise I’ll be useful.” 

“That’s all we’re asking. Now let’s get going, I’ll let Eunbi know we’re on the way.” 

[vivithefolle]

I loved your ranking of character arcs (for the main seven)! Would you mind going into more detail about Ron's character arc, and how he developed from the first to the last book? I apologise if you've already answered a similar request! :)

[Ranking of character arcs]

Well, during the first three books Ron is rather static - he’s awesome, but he doesn’t has much in the terms of “character growth” moments. He does epic stuff like the chess match, following the spiders et all we know, but that isn’t character growth as much as it is freaking badass.

The first three books serve to sow the basics for Ron’s character: he’s a devoted friend, he can face death with a laugh, and in spite of his bouts of rudeness or temper he’s fundamentally kind and doesn’t take himself too seriously - something two people like “boy-who-lived” Harry and “child prodigy” Hermione desperately need.

But what the first book does is introduce Ron’s emotional baggage.

"I'm the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say I've got a lot to live up to. Bill and Charlie have already left -- Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch. Now Percy's a prefect. Fred and George mess around a lot, but they still get really good marks and everyone thinks they're really funny. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others, but if I do, it's no big deal, because they did it first. You never get anything new, either, with five brothers. I've got Bill's old robes, Charlie's old wand, and Percy's old rat."

This introduces us to Ron’s inferiority complex and its origins.

And later on, The Mirror Of Erised helps elaborate:

Harry stepped aside, but with Ron in front of the mirror, he couldn't see his family anymore, just Ron in his paisley pajamas.

Ron, though, was staring transfixed at his image.

"Look at me!" he said.

"Can you see all your family standing around you?"

"No -- I'm alone -- but I'm different -- I look older -- and I'm head boy!"

"What?"

"I am -- I'm wearing the badge like Bill used to -- and I'm holding the house cup and the Quidditch cup -- I'm Quidditch captain, too."

Dumbledore will then add his grain of salt -

Harry thought. Then he said slowly, "It shows us what we want... whatever we want..."

"Yes and no," said Dumbledore quietly. "It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. You, who have never known your family, see them standing around you. Ronald Weasley, who has always been overshadowed by his brothers, sees himself standing alone, the best of all of them. However, this mirror will give us neither knowledge or truth. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible.”

Something to know about Dumbledore - he’s JK Rowling’s mouthpiece. When she wants to tell us something, she puts it in him.

And... well, this looks like a rather... selfish interpretation of Ron’s desire. Especially the “standing alone” part. It somewhat implies that Ron is selfish - especially compared to Harry’s desire which is oh so pure and oh so sad because boo hoo orphan family stuff. (I may be letting all the times Harry fans have pulled the “butt herry iz an orhpan!! :’((” card colour my perception.)

“The best of all of them”. When Ron sees himself being both Head Boy and Quidditch Captain. He’s combining his brothers’ successes into himself. His belief is that this is how he could stand out and be loved - by combining his brothers’ accomplishments.

Anyway.

Goblet of Fire then makes us see Ron’s main problems - his insecurity can lead him astray. First he believes that Harry left him behind during the Triwizard, because why not? After all Ron has already seen that betrayal can come from the craziest places (Lockhart, aka adults/authority figures, Ginny being the Heir Of Slytherin aka family even against their will, and last but not least, freaking Scabbers, aka SEEMINGLY INNOCENT THINGS YOU FEED AND PROTECT). Add to it his budding feeling that he is overlooked in favour of Harry (the twins giving Harry the Marauders’ Map...) and Ron’s emotions get the best of him, which isn’t helped by Harry’s entitled attitude and his acting as though Ron is stupid for questioning him. And then Viktor Krum appears as a prop show us what a catch Hermione is and to be all that makes Ron insecure. The Yule Brawl serves to foreshadow Romione but also to show the negative aspects of Ron’s insecurity, namely jealousy and how he lashes out when he feels betrayed. However, at the end of Goblet of Fire, Ron symbolically outgrows his jealousy by asking Viktor Krum for his autograph.

Order of the Phoenix will then go on to show Ron being jealous of Krum, although being a bit less vocal about it... and it also gives Ron half of the things he’s dreamed of in first year: he’s made a prefect, and joins the Quidditch team. But those are immediately made hollow by the... lackluster reaction of his loved ones and by Malfoy being a vile piece of pond scum. The fact that he’s prefect could have been used to make Ron take on more responsibilities and showcase his motherly side more, but Rowling only used it to again pit him against Hermione by making Ron look like “the immature one” and making Hermione “the responsible one”. And then, to REALLY drive home the point that Ron isn’t allowed to have anything for himself, she has Dumbledore say “oh yeah Harry, you were supposed to be prefect, even though you’re basically allergic to rules and authority and also are emotionally stunted”, and so in a symbolic way VALIDATING Hermione’s reaction to Ron being prefect. Yeah fuck you too Rowling. And the Quidditch debacle could have been used to give Ron confidence in himself. Actually, it does somewhat give him confidence once he trounces Slytherin in the last match of the year. But the fact that Harry and Hermione weren’t present means that Ron’s victory is an afterthought, a background event, a minor thing. Yet, Ron still proves his maturity and patience by just accepting that his friends weren’t here to see him play. They don’t deserve him, seriously. This year also marks a drama-free year for Ron and Hermione, which could have then been built up to make them grow even closer in the next book... but oh, the faults of TERFs...

Half-Blood Prince basically takes all of Ron’s progression through the last two books and says “see that? All that? Well let’s pretend it never happened and do it again, but shittier!” The thing is, Rowling wants Ron to “make himself worthy of Hermione” like the very progressive person she is. But she is also aware that Ron is kind of a naïve romantic who wouldn’t date around while he’s in love with someone else. Unless... Unless she resurrects plotlines that have already been finished, thus bringing Ron back to square one. Now he’s back to not being able to play Quidditch properly and Hermione acts the saviour because girl power. Now he’s back to being enraged by Viktor Krum’s name. Now he’s even less mature than he was in Philosopher’s Stone because Plot Be Like That. JKR did do a pretty good job at setting up the whole argument, not gonna lie. Since Ron is so sensitive to betrayal, finding out that Hermione had lied to him about Krum would indeed make him furious, especially when he finds out that Ginny knew about it and (apparently) so did Harry. Basically, the entire sixth year is built to undermine Ron’s growth and character, both because Harry must be in love with Ginny and in order to properly appreciate Ginny he has to appreciate Ron’s qualities less, since Ginny and Ron basically have the same qualities Harry appreciates but he can only be in love with Ginny; and also because Ron “needed to make himself worthy of Hermione” courtesy of double-standards, sexism and general immaturity from our author.

Finally DH closes the horrible loop. Rather than letting Ron grow secure and confident, Rowling instead insists on pulling him down, and down, and down, then gives us Harry saying “she’s like my sister, I thought you knew” as if that somehow would fix the self-esteem issues and the self-hatred and the sheer abuse Ron is subjected to by his friends - and for someone as obsessed with "love redeems” as Rowling is, it probably is, but those of us suffering from depression know better. Even though the Epilogue shows us Ron being happy and confident enough to joke about fame, it still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth when you realize that Ron-bashers take the “Confunded the instructor” lines to absurd levels and use it as “proof” that Ron is a bad husband / lazy / a cheater / etc... when it’s immediately followed by -

"I only forgot to look in the wing mirror, and let's face it, I can use a Supersensory Charm for that."

This is basically Ron doing the wizard equivalent of the rear-view camera. But of course, bashfics have been written to make it so Ron causes a horrible crash accident and Hermione calls for divorce and blah blah blah sigh.

[girls-scenarios]

My Name on Your Lips

Idol: Yuri (IZ*ONE)

Prompt: I saw that requests were open!!!! Sorry i keep requesting, this is my go-to blog to request for ❤~ can i get a hogwarts au scenario where iz*one yuri or itzy ryujin are griffondors and the fem!reader is a slytherin and is on the quidditch team and is like the magnet of hogwarts (if that makes sense) and yuri or ryunjin falls in love with the reader but reader gets injured somehow, you can choose. Some angst but mainly fluff especially at the end please!! Thank you and sorry if its confusing 😂

Writer: Admin Kiwi

A/N: Don’t apologize for requesting, requests are what keep this blog running! I hope you enjoy this scenario! Also, IZ*ONE had better not disband. I was so sad when I got the message that I had been refunded because they were cancelling the comeback :( We all knew the show was rigged but that doesn’t mean that these girls haven’t been working hard since their debut. It also doesn’t mean that they knew they were going to win: you can’t tell me that those reactions were fake. Sighs. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy (and an explanation for my absence coming soon).

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of an injury and blood.

♡ Tip Jar♡

She knew she wasn’t supposed to like you, and that she wasn’t supposed to cheer for you. But she couldn’t help it. From the moment she’d seen you take the field during your first quidditch game, a confident smile on your face and passion in your eyes, she’d been smitten. She hadn’t been able to pay attention her own Gryffindor team for even a second, her eyes glued to you, and when you’d snatched up the golden snitch and held it in the air, a triumphant smirk on your lips, she’d barely resisted the urge to cheer. From that moment on, she’d been in love with you. But she wasn’t the only one.

You quickly became one of the most popular players in the school. Even though you were a Slytherin, plenty of students from other houses whispered in awe and admiration as you walked past in the halls. During games, all you had to do was wave and smile for the stands to go wild. It was disheartening, but Yuri knew she was just another admirer, watching you from the stands. And she couldn’t even cheer, because her house mates would never let her live it down. Maybe if she was Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, she could. But as a Gryffindor? There was no way.

“You need to get over (Y/N),” Yujin told her one day when she caught the older girl watching you practice wistfully, gently knocking her knuckles against her head and making her whine. “This isn’t healthy for you. There are plenty of wonderful Gryffindor players, why don’t you crush on one of them instead?”

She let out a sigh, looking back out at you from her window seat. “None of them are (Y/N),” she said, shaking her head. “There’s just something about her....”

“Explain to me, because I just don’t get it.”

“I like her smile, and the way she gives her all to the game, and her smirk when the game goes her way. I like the way she laughs with her teammates and I like the way she treats her broom so nicely. I like the way she walks with her shoulders back. I like the way she’s so confident in class and in the hallways. But she’s also not arrogant, she’s still so nice whenever I see her talking to people. She’s so nice for a Slytherin.” She let out a sigh. “But I also love how she’s so cunning as compared to our Gryffindor players. They use strength and willpower, she uses tricks and her sharp eyes. And she’s not afraid to tell it how it is when she thinks something is wrong. She’s just perfect.”

“You’ve got it bad, honey,” Yujin said, shaking her head. “Have you ever even spoken to (Y/N)?”

Yuri flushed, looking at the ground. “Um. Once. In potions, we bumped into each other accidentally and we both said sorry to each other.”

The younger girl raised her eyebrows, waiting for the rest of the story. When she realized that there was no more, she let out a groan. “So you’ve been crushing on this girl and you’ve literally only apologized to her?”

“I mean, yeah, but I see her play all the time!”

“That’s... That’s so lame!” Yujin threw her hands up in the air. “You can’t just keep torturing yourself like this.”

“It’s not torture.”

“You’re sitting here, pining after someone who doesn’t know you exist.”

Wincing, Yuri looked away. “Ouch. You didn’t have to say it like that.”

“Sorry. But I’m trying to make you realize how stupid this is. I’m your friend, I don’t like seeing you hurt.”

“You don’t sound like my friend right now,” Yuri grumbled, but she knew Yujin was right. You didn’t know who she was. But she didn’t want to admit that.

“Come on. We’ve got a project due tomorrow and I know you haven’t finished it.”

Admitting her defeat, Yuri stepped away from the window, shoulders slumping. “You’re right. Let’s go to that.”

“Hey, don’t look so down.” Yujin wrapped her arm around Yuri’s shoulders as she led her away. “There’s plenty of eligible witches in Hogwarts!” Of course, she was right. There were tons of students there. But that didn’t mean that Yuri wanted anyone but you. Still, she just smiled and nodded, allowing Yujin to tug her away towards the dorms.

-

“Shit!” Yuri was late. She was very, very late. She cursed under her breath as she tugged on her robes and desperately combed through her hair, promising herself that she would strangle her roommate Yena for letting her sleep through their alarms. This was what she got for letting Yujin keep her up all night working on a project. She actually liked alchemy, too, and now she wasn’t going to be on Ms. Soyou’s good side anymore.

She was ready in less than fifteen minutes, running out of her room and down the stairs with her hair a mess and her robes askew. She didn’t realize until she was headed to class and passed on of the windows that she’d forgotten her scarf. The fall wind was rough and there was already a chill in the air, making her shiver and groan, berating herself for forgetting to bundle up. She would just have to deal with it, though, because she had no time to go back and get it. Today just wasn’t her day.

-

By the time lunch rolled around, Yuri was absolutely freezing. Yena, after enduring Yuri’s fury, had offered to give her scarf over, but Yuri had been too proud to accept it. Now, she was regretting that decision as she wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. She just needed to make it back to her dorms, she could be late to lunch.

“Hey, are you cold?” A voice sounded in the hallway, and she jumped a little. Was that...? She swallowed, mouth suddenly dry as she turned around to see you looking at her with a concerned gaze. You had on your heavy winter robes and your scarf, and as your friends watched from the other side of the hall, looking bored, you approached her. “You look like you’re freezing.”

“U-um, I just forgot my scarf this morning because I was late, I’m okay.” She wanted to melt into the floor as she stammered over her words, remembering how terrible her hair must look. Today seriously wasn’t her day. “I was just-.”

“Here.” You interrupted her, pulling your scarf off your neck and wrapping it around hers in one swift motion. Immediately, her face heated up, and you gave her a little smile. God, you were so cunning. You had to know what you were doing to her. “I don’t need it. Take it before you freeze to death.” With that, you turned around and walked back to your friends, giving her a little wave.

She was so shocked that she couldn’t move for a moment, frozen in place until you’d walked away. Then, she slumped back against the wall, putting her hand to her chest to feel her pounding heart and letting out a sigh. So much for getting over you. Now, she was even more head over heels than before.

When she got to her lunch table, everyone raised their eyebrows at the sight of a Slytherin scarf around her neck. Again, she could feel herself blushing, but she refused to take it off, marching over to her seat. As she sat down between Yena and Yujin, both girls elbowed her, making her let out an indignant squeak. Hitomi didn’t even look up from her book at the noise, but that was normal.

“Hey, what’s that for, you two!”

“What’s with the enemy’s scarf around your neck?” Yujin hissed, trying to sound accusing, but the curiosity in her eyes and the smile on her face ruined it.

“So you’ll take a Slytherin’s scarf but not mine?” Yena sounded offended, but she was always this dramatic, so Yuri ignored her, massaging her sore sides as she sighed.

“I wasn’t planning on taking a Slytherin’s scarf. She just gave it to me.”

“Who?” Yujin and Yena said in unison, leaning in with wide eyes. Yuri couldn’t keep the love-sick smile off her face as she touched the scarf.

“(Y/N).”

“Bullshit!” Yujin hit her shoulder, making Yuri whine and lean away. Why was this giraffe so violent? “There is no way!”

“(Y/N), like the Slytherin Seeker (Y/N)? The (Y/N) you’ve had a hopeless crush on for ages?”

Yuri rolled her eyes. “Yes, that (Y/N). She saw me shivering and gave me her scarf.” She closed her eyes, remembering your smile. “Ah, she’s so cool. She just gave it to me before I could say anything and told me not to freeze to death. And she gave me the best smile.”

“Try not to melt into the bench, Yuri,” Yujin said dryly. “I can’t believe this. Are you fantasizing again?”

“I have the scarf as proof!”

“Good point,” Yena said. “You do realize you’ll have to return it, right?”

Pouting, Yuri nodded. “Yeah.... But that doesn’t mean I have to right now. I want to enjoy this for a little while longer.”

“You’re hopeless. Absolutely hopeless.”

“Shut up, Yujin.” Hitomi finally speaks up from across the table, looking up from her book to grin mischievously at the tall girl. “Like you wouldn’t fall to pieces if that Slytherin girl Wonyoung even looked your way.”

“Hey! I told you to keep that a secret, Tomi!”

-

At dinner, Yuri finally decides she has to part with the scarf, so with a blush on her face, she heads over to the Slytherin table. Most of the table ignores her, although she gets a few pointed looks as she walks to your seat and gently taps you on the shoulder. When you look up at her, she almost falls over, but she manages to stay in place and even give you a smile as she holds out your scarf.

“Um, I wanted to return this. Thank you for letting me borrow it.”

“Oh, thanks!” You smiled and took it from her hands, turning back to look at her properly. “And it’s no problem, I couldn’t have you freezing to death in the hallway. What was your name again?”

She had never given you her name to begin with, but she was happy to give it to you now. “I’m Yuri.”

“Oh, yeah! We had potions together, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Nice to officially meet you, Yuri. Thanks for returning my scarf.”

“Of course. Thanks again for letting me borrow it.”

Yuri walked away from the table with her heart pounding in her chest. At the Gryffindor table, she could see Yujin, Yena, and Hitomi making eyes at her, but she didn’t even care. You knew her name, and you knew who she was. Her name sounded beautiful coming from her lips, and she was on cloud nine.

-

She should have known that her good luck would come to an end. But she hadn’t been expecting anything when she climbed into the Gryffindor stands to watch yet another quidditch game between her house and yours. She was expecting just another game day, another day of pining after you from the stands with her friends rolling their eyes at her sides.

It happened about halfway through the game. As Yuri turned around to look at Hitomi, who had said something snarky about one of the plays, a Slytherin beater hit one of the bludgers at the wrong angle, sending it barreling towards the stands, headed directly towards Yuri.

“Bumph bludger!” One of the referees yelled, just as Hitomi yelled for her to get down. Yuri turned around to see the bludger a second to late to dodge.

It hit her square in the face, sending her tumbling backwards off her bench, her world going black. The last thing she could remember hearing was her friend’s worried voices, calling her name.

-

When she woke up again, she was in the hospital wing. Her face still hurt, a little, and she blinked, wincing at the headache she could feel behind her eyes. As she groaned, shifting in the bed, the curtain around her bed was pulled back and Yena appeared, her eyes going wide when she saw her.

“You guys, she’s awake!”

“Shh,” hissed the head nurse, making Yena snap her lips closed. In seconds, the other girls were there, crowding around her bed.

“How are you feeling?” Yujin asked, voice as quiet as it could go. Yuri sat up, touching at her face.

“Dizzy. And I have a headache. Oh, and my face kind of hurts.” She gently touched her nose, remembering the force of the bludger.

“They were able to fix the break in your nose,” Hitomi said helpfully, “but you’re gonna feel sore for a while. You even had a concussion.”

“Ow.” Yuri winced again. “Was it bad after I got hit?”

“Really bad,” Yena said, her voice rising again. “There was blood- ouch!”

“Be quiet,” Hitomi hissed. Yuri looked down at the hospital bed and then at her robes.

“Did you guys carry me here?”

“The field medic did, actually.” Yena started to grin. “You know, a certain someone was really worried for you, though.”

Yuri blinked at her, tilting her head. “Who?”

“A certain Slytherin seeker.”

Yuri’s face immediately turned red and Hitomi waved her hands. “No don’t blush like that your nose might start bleeding again.”

“Is that how it works?”

“I don’t know but if the blood all rushes to her head-.”

“Ah, it’s bleeding again!”

“Tissues, tissues!”

It took a few minutes for the room to calm down again (and some threatening from the nurse) but finally, Yuri’s nose stopped bleeding and she calmed down, laying down again. Her head was still spinning, though. Why would you be worried about her? You hardly knew her.

“Oh, the Slytherin team lost by way of foul, by the way,” Yujin informed her. “Since they knocked you out.”

“It was an accident though.”

“Accident or not, they still knocked you out.”

“You’re too nice,” Yena said with a dramatic sigh, shaking her head. “Please get mad at people other than me every once in a while.”

Eventually, her friends had to leave, bidding her a goodnight. Yuri, though, was stuck staying overnight, so she’d settled back into the hospital bed and tried to relax. At some point, she must have drifted off, because the next thing she knew, she woke up to hushed talking.

“Is she still here?”

“Yes but I believe she’s still napping.”

“Can I drop off some things?” Somehow, the voice seemed familiar.

“Let me check.” The curtain pulled back and Yuri blinked at the sudden burst of light. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. You have another visitor.”

“It’s okay,” Yuri assured the nurse, sitting up. Her head already felt a little bit better: thank goodness for magic. “Who is it?”

“(Y/N), she’s here to drop something off for you.”

“Oh.” Immediately, Yuri’s heart jumped into her throat. What were you doing here?

“Is it okay for me to send them in?”

“A-ah, yes! That’s okay!”

The nurse disappeared, and a second later, you stepped inside, looking nervous with a bouquet of flowers in hand. “Hello again, Yuri. How are you feeling?”

Her heart was pounding, but somehow, she managed to reply. “Better now. I’m still in a little pain, but thankfully they were able to fix the worst of it with magic.”

“That’s good.” You let out a sigh of relief and looked down at the flowers. “Um, I brought you some flowers, from all of us on the Slytherin team. As an apology. Where would you like me to put them?”

“Here is okay.” She patted the bedside table, her head still whirling as she watched you set the bouquet down. “You didn’t have to, though.”

You looked serious as you turned back to look at her. “I did. It was our fault you got hurt, so I’m taking responsibility for it. Our beater should have known better.”

“It was just an accident, really, I’m okay.” She laughed, waving a hand, but you shook your head.

“The nurse told me that your nose was broken and that you’ll have to be resting the next few days because of your concussion. I feel really bad that this happened to you. So you don’t have to worry about going to classes. I’ll take the responsibility of getting your homework and notes for you. Please just take it easy from now on and let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”

“You don’t have to-.”

“But I want to.” You gave her a little smile that made her heart jump. “I’ll leave now so you can have more time to sleep. I’m sorry again.��

“Thank you, then.” She gave you a little wave and you waved back before leaving. As soon as you stepped out of the curtain, she let out a breath she’d been holding and laid back down, pressing her hand to her heart. How was she supposed to survive you being this nice to her?

-

You stayed true to your promise. The next day, when Yujin delivered the pile of homework and notes, she said you’d collected them. And when Yuri came to the dining hall for dinner, feeling well enough to walk, you came over to the table with concern in your eyes, ignoring the weird looks her housemates were giving you.

“Are you sure you’re okay to be walking around?”

“I’m feeling much better now,” she promised, giving you a smile. “I promise. I needed to stretch my legs a little.”

“If you’re sure....” You didn’t look too convinced. “Is there anything I can do to help you out? I don’t want you to push yourself too far.”

Usually, Yuri would have felt bad requesting such a thing. But at that moment, she decided she’d take advantage of her situation. So she went for it. “You could walk me to the infirmary after dinner for my checkup with the nurse. I have been feeling a little dizzy.”

You smiled. “I can do that.”

After you’d walked away, Yujin looked at Yuri and raised her eyebrows. “You’re feeling a bit dizzy, huh?”

“Shut up and let me enjoy this.”

-

That evening, as you walked her back to her dorms, Yuri tried to keep her heartbeat under control. You were easy to talk to, she found. Unlike some of the other Slytherin students she’d encountered, you weren’t overly sarcastic and you listened well, not getting annoyed when she got excited and talked over you (as she was prone to do, as a Gryffindor). You laughed at her jokes and gave her a relieved smile when the nurse told her she was better, and she was now even more head-over-heels than before, smiling at you like a love sick fool.

The two of you got to the Gryffindor rooms much too quickly, and she wanted to grab onto you, telling you not to go. But she couldn’t do that, she wasn’t that brave.

“Thanks for walking me back,” she said, giving you what she hoped was an attractive smile as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Of course, it’s the least I could do.” You smiled back, stalling in front of the door. Neither of you moved, and she felt her heart jump. Was it possible that you felt the same way as her?

“Still, I’m happy you accompanied me.”

“I’m glad, then.” You cleared your throat, glancing around the hallway. “I guess I should get going now, though. You need to rest.”

She wished she could argue with you and convince you to stay and hang out, but her head was still hurting a bit, and she did feel tired from the medicine she was taking. So instead, she laughed and nodded. “You’re right. Thanks again!”

“No problem. I’ll meet you tomorrow morning to walk you to class and carry your books?”

Her face flushed as her heartbeat picked up and she wondered if her heart could even take that. The look on your face told her that you wouldn’t take no for an answer, so she nodded, biting at her lip, trying not to smile too wide. “Sure. See you tomorrow!”

“Sleep well, Yuri.” With that, you waved and made your way back down the hall, leaving her a flustered mess leaning against the wall.

When she was back in her room, she let out a squeal and fell back onto her bed, covering her face and kicking her legs in the air. Yena jumped at the noise, looking up from her book to stare at her roommate, her eyes wide.

“What the heck?”

“(Y/N),” she said dreamily, shivering as she remembered the way you’d smiled at her. “I think I’m in love with her.”

Rolling her eyes, Yena snorted out a laugh and went back to her book. “I should have known.”

-

Over the course of the week, Yuri found herself getting used to your company. The next morning, she’d walked out of her dorms to see you standing there, waiting for her, just like you’d said you would.

“Let me carry your books,” you’d offered. “I don’t want you exerting yourself.”

Over the course of the week, you walked her to most of her classes and back to her dorms, accompanied her to the library, and helped her with her notes and homework from missing classes. You even went with her to her room, once, going at first to help her find an assignment but then staying behind to talk. And even though she knew this was all temporary, just because you felt bad because your team hurt her, she found herself getting used to it. Found herself looking forward to spending the day with you. Found herself chatting with you about anything and everything. Getting hit in the face with a bludger had turned out to be the best thing to ever happen to her, and she didn’t want this week to end. Not if it meant not being able to hang out with you anymore.

“I like her even more now,” she bemoaned to Yena as she laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

Yena, now numb to Yuri’s squeals and outbursts, didn’t even look up as she spoke. “You never know, she might like you too. I mean, she’s spending more time with you than she really needs to.”

“I know. But that’s just because she feels sorry for me. It’ll end once I’m okay again.”

“Don’t say that!” Yena turned around in her desk chair. “You never know. You have to be positive about these kinds of things.”

“You’re right,” Yuri said, but she didn’t feel any positive feelings in her chest. Instead, all she felt was dread. Monday would come soon. And on Monday, the day she no longer needed to rest and take it easy, she would have to say goodbye to the time she spent with you.

-

Monday came too quickly, just like she knew it would. She woke up early that morning, put on her robes, and met you outside the dorms so that you could take her to her final check-up, just like the two of you had planned the night before. As she stepped up to you, you smiled and took off your scarf, wrapping it around her neck in one fluid movement. It reminded her of the first time the two of you had met, and yet felt so... domestic and affectionate that it made her heart hurt.

“Good morning, Yuri. I see you forgot your scarf again.” Their was a twinkle of mirth in your eyes as you let out a soft laugh, and she smiled, touching the soft green fabric around her neck.

“Good morning to you too, (Y/N). You know I could just go back inside and get my own, right?”

You shrugged. “I like the way mine looks on you.” At your words, her heart skipped a beat and her chest squeezed, making it hard for her to breathe, but you didn’t seem to notice. “Ready to go?”

She swallowed, took the arm you offered to her, and nodded. She was a Gryffindor, and Gryffindors didn’t run away from things. She was going to face today head-on. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Just as she’d expected, the nurse gave her a quick inspection before smiling, patting her on the shoulder, and telling her that she was all better and that she should be more careful at quidditch games from now on. It took no more than twenty minutes before the two of you were standing outside the nurse’s office with her head spinning slightly. It was all over.

“I’m glad you’re all healed up,” you said with a smile. “I was really worried about you.”

“Thanks.” Her cheeks were flushed, she knew even as she tugged at the green scarf on her neck. “Um, it made me really happy. That you were concerned, I mean.”

“I was happy to be there for you.” For a moment, both of you were silent. Then, you cleared your throat, fixing your (already perfect) robes. “Um, I guess we should head to breakfast.”

Yuri looked up at the hallway. Sure enough, students were already starting to fill the hallways. Half of her expected you to just leave after that, but you turned to her, waiting for her to fall into step beside you. Swallowing, she joined you, her heart pounding. What did this mean?

The walk to breakfast was silent, with a slight tension hanging in the air. Neither of you had talked about it yet, but both of you knew: this little world the two of you had built over the past week ended today. And Yuri was not ready.

All too soon, the two of you arrived, and you stalled at the door, causing her to turn back and look at you. You looked like you were trying to think of the right words to say, and as you stalled, she pulled the scarf off of her neck, making you raise your eyebrows in surprise.

“What are you doing?”

“Giving you your scarf back.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sorry that I keep taking it.”

A flurry of emotions passed over your face before you laughed, shaking your head. “I was giving it to you, silly. You weren’t taking it.” You rubbed at the back of your neck, and suddenly, Yuri realized: you were nervous. She had never seen you like this before, but your cheeks were flushed and you weren’t looking at her. You had to be nervous. “Honestly, you can just... keep it. I meant it when I said that I liked the way it looked on you.”

She hugged the scarf to her chest, mustered all of her Gryffindor bravery, and took a deep breath. “Would you like mine in return? I’m sure I would like the way it looked on you too,” she said. You looked up at her and she forced herself to keep talking. “I want you to have it.”

A small grin came to your lips. “Do you even know where your scarf is?”

Laughing, she nodded her head. “Of course I do.”

“Then I’ll take it. On one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“Go out with me.” Your words knocked the breath out of her as you gave her a soft smile. “Yuri, will you be my girlfriend?”

It took her a minute to breathe again, but she immediately smiled back, resisting the urge to squeal. “You aren’t asking me out because you still feel bad, right?”

“Of course not! I’m asking you out because I really like you,” you said, glancing away, trying to hide your blush. “Sorry. I’m so awkward.” Yuri giggled and reached out to gently take your hand, holding it in hers like she’d wanted to do all week. She knew her friends were watching, and that they’d probably never let her live this down. She also knew that half the school was watching. But she didn’t care.

“Don’t apologize, I like seeing this side of you.” She leaned up, whispering in your ear for only you to hear, her heart swelling with happiness as you squeezed her hand, grinning widely. “In that case, yes. I’ll be your girlfriend, (Y/N). And for the record, I really like you too.”

[spaceskam]

#30 (maybe Michael coming back to the junkyard and finding Alex and actually telling him himself about Maria?)

“Oh, fuck, you’re here?”

Alex looked up from his place in the lawn chair.  Michael couldn’t tell how long the airman had been there, but he was hoping that it hadn’t been all day.  The sun had already gone down for the night and Michael’s heart was heavy.  He’d gone and kissed Maria and, within thirty minutes, he couldn’t feel Max.  He didn’t realize how lonely he could feel until Max’s presence left him.  It didn’t help that what he could feel of Isobel was sheer panic.  He didn’t even tell Maria goodbye.

For hours, Michael, Isobel, and Liz had been panicking over what to do about Max.  He was the one that could heal, he was the one that could resurrect‒what the hell were they supposed to do?  Eventually, they agreed to put him in the pod and try to clear their minds before they regrouped in the morning.  It wasn’t Max’s time. He needed to come back.  They just had to think.

And Michael needed to fucking sleep.

“Hey,” Alex began with the world’s softest voice, wearing the world’s most concerned face, “Are you okay?  I thought something might’ve happened… You were covered in blood last night and you rushed out.  I was so worried.” Alex reached out, hesitantly moving to place his hand on Michael’s cheek.

“I’m fine,” Michael said.  He fully intended to pull away, to tell Alex to go home and that they’ll talk later.  His talk with Isobel was still fresh on his mind.  Alex was hard to love right now, it hurt just looking at him.  So much of him craved Alex, but there were parts of him that kept screaming about his father, about Project Shepard, about Caulfield, about Maria.  

Still, Michael leaned into Alex’s hand and his eyes fluttered closed.

“Are you sure?  Do you wanna talk about it?” Alex asked softly, moving in closer as he took Michael’s movement as consent.  Michael felt tears push at his eyes when he finally looked at Alex again.  “Hey, we don’t have to.  I know you’ve had a rough couple days, so if you want, we can just go lay down and I’ll‒”

“I kissed Maria today.” Michael blurted.  Alex paused, his face slowly become confused.  In that moment, Michael became aware of what hurt more than the crash landing that was loving Alex Manes.  Not having him at all.

“Well, that was unexpected.” Alex breathed out as his hands slipped off Michael. Even the heat, he felt cold where Alex’s hands weren’t anymore.  “Why?  Why would you go kiss her when you told me to come back today?” he asked, taking a step back.  Michael felt his chest tighten, a new wave of panic coursing through his veins alongside regret.  Fuck what Isobel said and fuck how much it hurt to be with Alex.  He lost his mom, he lost Max.  He couldn’t bear to lose Alex.

So why did he do it?

“I-I don’t know.  Iz… Iz said I need to think about moving forward, not in the past, and it’s really, really hard to love you with all the shit we’ve gone through, so I figured I needed to hook up with someone else and I like Maria, so I went there.  But… but then Max died and I feel like I’m going to explode because everyone keeps dying and I don’t want Maria, I just want you. Max…” Michael rambled, his voice cracking at least five times.  He was gripping his hair so hard he thought it might rip out.

“Max… is dead?” Alex said carefully.

Without much of a warning, objects shot themselves across the junkyard.  None of it came close to Alex, but Michael still felt his anger at himself build.  He forgets Alex was waiting for him, he kills his mom, he let Max die, he kissed Maria, he lost control around Alex, he let Max die.  Yet, if Alex was scared of him, he didn’t show it.

Instead, he stepped closer.

“Hey, Michael,” Alex addressed, gently grabbing his wrists and pulling them from his hair.  Alex’s eyes lingered on the heeled hand for a moment of shock, but he chose not to say anything about it.  “We’re gonna get through it, alright?  I’m here.”

“You aren’t mad at me?” Michael asked, letting Alex pull him in closer.

“Oh, I’m mad.  And I’m hurt that you kissed her, even more, hurt that she let you.  But you’ve seen too much death in the last 48 hours, there’s no way I’m going to leave you alone, so I’m here.  I’m here.  I’ll be pissed at you later.” he promised.  Michael let his head be pulled into the crook of Alex’s neck, strong arms cradling him.

And he lost it.

Michael couldn’t remember the last time he’d cried so hard.  He was sobbing to the point he couldn’t breathe, couldn’t stop the tortured groans that pushed out of his body.  He was sure he had ruined Alex’s jacket with his tears and snot, but, for some reason, he didn’t seem to mind.

The more Michael tried to stop, the less he understood what exactly had made him cry so hard in the first place.  Max?  His mom? Alex?  All of the above?  Probably.  He’d fucked over so many people, he sort of felt like he deserved all the pain he felt.  He didn’t deserve to be comforted, much less by Alex.

But Alex did it anyway and never complained.  Even when he lugged Michael towards the trailer once the rain began to fall, even when it clearly put a strain on his leg to navigate around the cramped airstream, even when Michael couldn’t help him do a damn thing because he still couldn’t catch his breath.

“Would you be okay with me staying with you tonight?” Alex asked after he got Michael into bed.  Michael sucked in a shaky breath as he nodded.

Though Michael’s eyes were red and puffy, he never took them off of Alex.  He couldn’t understand why, of all times, Alex was choosing now not to walk away.  Why did he have to wait for things to get so bad?

Alex sat on the edge of the tiny single bed and rolled up his pant leg.  Michael considered moving to put his head in his lap, but he didn’t know their boundaries.  He kissed his best friend‒was he allowed to move in for comfort?  Or was Alex the only one allowed to say what was okay?  He didn’t want to push it.

“Are you feeling better since you got all that out of your system?” Alex asked as he placed the prosthetic on the floor.  Michael watched him as he laid down beside him.  It felt all too familiar and brought back way too much pain.  He looked away.  “Are you sure you’re okay with me staying?”

“Mhm,” Michael sniffled, squeezing his eyes shut as more tears slipped past.  He made sure his back was towards him.  

“You need someone, Guerin, but it doesn’t have to be me.  I get it if it’s too much.  I can call‒”

“Stay,” Michael whispered out, looking back at Alex.  They stared for a moment before Alex nodded and settled into the bed.

A few minutes later, Michael put his hand out.  Alex grasped it and silently moved closer, wrapping his arms around Michael and holding him tightly from behind.  He didn’t relax until Alex peppered a few kisses to the back of his shoulder.  Yeah, it was definitely better with him than without.

“I’m sorry I kissed Maria.” Michael murmured.  He felt Alex tense up, but he still nuzzled his nose into his curls and squeezed him tight.  “I don’t wanna do it again.  I want you.  Even if it hurts.”

“We’ll talk about this when you have a clear head.  Too much shit has happened to you.  So get some sleep.  I’m right here.” Alex promised, letting go just long enough to comb his fingers through his hair.

“I don’t deserve you.” Michael sniffled, shutting his eyes for the night.  Alex gave the faintest kiss to the back of his head instead of confirming or denying.

“I’m not going anywhere.  I’ll be right here when you wake up.  Go to sleep.”

So he did.

[andrea-lyn]

RNM prompts! Michael takes antidotes and he starts having fresh back about the memories before they landed on earth.

“Liz, I need them,” he begs for the tenth time. It’s an old argument by now. Every week, he turns up at the lab and begs Liz to give him a batch of the antidote for his personal consumption, but she keeps refusing.

”No,” is her stubborn answer. “No, it’s still untested and who knows what it might do to your system. Tell me why you need it and I will possibly begin to consider it.” 

Of course she won’t do it unless he tells her why, and as much as it feels like pulling teeth, the memories are more important to him than stubbornly refusing to open up to Liz.

“They helped Isobel fill in the patches in her brain,” he says and as much as he doesn’t like to think about the pain of Caulfield, he knows he needs this to get past it, “I want to see if I can bring anything back from before the pods.”

He just wants to see his Mom again.

He doesn’t say that part and Liz doesn’t ask, so Michael’s been allowed to keep at least some of his secrets.

It takes her a few weeks, but eventually she meets him at the Crashdown and presses five vials into his palm. “I’m not making you anymore because I have an actual job I need to be doing,” she warns. “And you definitely aren’t paying me for this, so make them last.” She grabs his hand before he can pull it away, a pointed look on her face. “The minute you feel that something’s wrong, you need to call me. Are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you when you do this?” Liz asks.

Michael shakes his head, squeezing his hand around the vial. “No,” he says, because he knows exactly where he needs to go for this.“I’ll call you if something goes wrong. You know, all these rules kind of take the fun out of the science,” he quips.

Liz doesn’t look so impressed. “Yeah,” she deadpans. “Me trying to keep you from dying is a real buzzkill.” 

Okay, fine, she may have a point.

“I’ll call if something goes wrong,” he guarantees. “And,” he adds, breathing out slowly, “I won’t do it alone.”

Liz seems willing to take that promise, because she lets him go.

That means that Michael has to face the music and actually go to the one person he trusts to be with him in case any of those old memories do come back or, worst case scenario, they come back and trigger a bad reaction. 

As awkward as things have been the past few months, he, Alex and Maria have all managed to get back on even, platonic ground. It had been one hell of a conversation at the diner when they’d all decided that the best thing would be if none of them slept together, if they all took some space, and after a few months, then they could revisit things, if things were to be revisited.

Well, it’s been a few months and Michael’s been too much of a coward to go after anyone – not to mention, his focus has been on getting the antidote.

Besides, this isn’t about him choosing a bed to warm himself in. This is about his past, and there’s one person who knows all of it, especially the reason why he needs to take this antidote so desperately.

Alex opens the cabin door, surprised to see him. “Guerin,” he says, blinking rapidly at him. “Did you text me that you were coming over?”

“No,” he admits, but he holds up one of the vials. “I was hoping maybe you’d make sure I don’t end up accidentally killing myself trying to get back memories of my mother and my life before the crash landing.”

Alex gapes at him, mouth open, but he steps back from the door and gestures inside. Michael paces around for a while, feeling anxious about what he’s here to ask for. It might be unfair, turning up like this when he’s not actually here to settle the other issues, but he has to hope Alex will understand.

“This is going to sound crazy,” he starts.

Alex crosses his arms over his chest, staring at him with subdued amusement. “Crazier than you being an alien?”

He opens his palms and shows off the little glass vials. “Liz’s antidote, for her serum,” he explains. “When Iz took it, she got all her memories back about what happened with Rosa. I’ve been begging Liz for ages to give me some and she did.”

Whatever hesitation has been on Alex’s face melts away when he figures out what Michael wants with them. “You want to know about your life before the pod.”

He nods, feeling raw for the confession, even though Alex is the one person who understands better than anyone why he’s chasing them. 

“Okay,” Alex says. “What do I need to do?”

They set up an area on the carpet of the main area, blankets around them, water and acetone at the ready, though he doesn’t have any in his system. He’d worked with Liz on the antidote enough to know the rough dosage that would put him over the edge, so he sticks with half a vial to start, making sure that his body is free and clear of acetone to avoid any chemical overlap that might render the antidote useless.

Alex stares down at where Michael is laying in his lap. “You’re sure about this?”

“I need to try,” he pleads. “What’s the worst case scenario?”

“You die,” Alex points out sharply. 

Right, yeah, why is everyone reminding him about that? He knows he could die, he gets it, but why doesn’t anyone see how important this is to him? “That’s why I’m here,” he argues. “You’re gonna make sure I don’t die.” 

He drinks down the vial before Alex can try and stop him, closing his eyes so that he can wait for a memory to come in. With Isobel, she’d told him that she’d needed a trigger for the memories to come flooding back. He lies there with his head in Alex’s lap, eyes closed, waiting, but nothing happens.

“You still okay?” Alex asks, but Michael reaches for the other half of the vial and drinks it against Alex’s noises of protest. “Guerin!”

“I have to,” he pleads. “Alex, I have to, I need to remember more, I need to know who loved me before, I need to see her again.”

“All right, maybe,” Alex suffers it with a sigh, “but just remember, I love you now.”

The echo of his words from Caulfield trigger a chain reaction in his mind. Michael gasps as he sits up, bolting upright like he’s been shocked as he’s thrown back into places he doesn’t recognize, people he’s never seen before, and his mother.

“We’re going on an adventure, sweetheart. You’ll go to sleep and when you wake up, I’ll be there and we’ll start again.”

He remembers war, he remembers blood and fear, his mother holding him protectively tight while adults around him argue about where they’re going to go, what they’re going to do.

“We’re going to be together,” his mother had insisted sharply. “Isn’t that worth the risk? Isn’t that worth whatever might happen to give our children a chance at a future?” 

Gasping, Michael comes back to reality when those memories fade away. Alex’s hand is on his shoulder, gripping him tight, hauling him into his arms. “Hey, you’re okay. You’re okay.” He keeps hushing Michael, who’s panting wildly, and he thinks he might have been crying, because his cheeks are wet. 

He’s not so sure that this will be the last of the memories, but it’s more than he’s had before. He also has four vials left, which means that they don’t have to be the only memories.

“Did you see her?”

Michael nods desperately. 

“Did she say anything this time?”

Again, Michael nods, thinking about her words. “She just wanted to give us a chance at a better future. We didn’t even get that. So, she suffered all those years and what, for nothing? So I could have a shitty childhood and a hopeless future?”

“Hey,” Alex cuts him off before he can keep winding down that spiraled path. “I don’t know if you’ve looked in a mirror recently, but you’re not even thirty. That’s a whole lot of future ahead of you.” 

Michael inhales sharply and he’s not so sure that he believes that everything’s not ruined (he still dreams of ash and smoke and char and grief), but Alex isn’t wrong. He lets himself stay in Alex’s arms, lets Alex soothe him a while longer, and only stands when he knows if he doesn’t move soon, he’s going to do something he’ll regret.

Not because it’s Alex, but because the last time he made a decision tangled up in the grief of losing his mother, it hadn’t gone over so well.

He’s not ready to close the door on this, though. 

“I have four more vials,” Michael says, when he lingers by the door. “Could I…?”

The silence as he trailed off after the question stretches, but it isn’t awkward. Michael lets it wash over him as Alex seems to think about it. 

“Anytime,” he says, and gives Michael an encouraging look that’s filled with hope and promise.

Maybe, if he figures things out, maybe he can even figure out how his future starts inside these walls, too.

[bowsie22]

Malex Collection 7

Summary: Alex starts getting sick and has a difficult decision to make.

It started small, a tickle in his chest. Then, that tickle turned into a pain. Alex thought it was just a cold, at worst a chest infection. He went to Kyle, got some antibiotics, hoped for the best. For a few weeks, it seemed to be getting better.

And then one day, he saw Michael in the Crashdown. The tickle came back. Alex didn’t make any connection. At least not until later that night. Kyle and he were watching Star Trek when a coughing fit started. Kyle watched concerned as he coughed into a towel from the kitchen. He pulled it away, Kyle frowning at the sight of blood.

“Kyle, you see this too, right?”

The doctor slid closer, taking the towel from Alex’s hand.

“Shit.”

Looking down at the bloody petals on the towel, Alex had to agree.

After some Googling, they learned that the flowers were yellow carnations, flowers that symbolised rejection. After that, it was pretty obvious who was the reason for Alex’s Hanahaki Disease.

“There is a cure.”

“The surgery.”

“It’s an option.”

“But that gets rid of everything. Not just the love, but the feelings, friendship, all my emotions tied to Michael. I can’t do that.”

Kyle nodded, understanding. He knew that Michael had been an important part of Alex’s life for over a decade now. Alex had gone to war to protect the other man, he’d fought his father, nearly died for him. Kyle had never seen more people more in love. And he knew Alex. He’d never want to get rid of his feelings for Michael, they were too precious, too important to him.

But Kyle also understood Michael’s need for something easy and painless. As long as Alex was tied to memories of his father and Caulfield, there was no hope of a relationship between the two. Which lowered Alex’s chances of survival if he refused the surgery.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Keep this to yourself for now. I’ll need check-ups, won’t I?”

“I want you at the hospital weekly. We’ll need to keep an eye on the growth. And when it gets too bad, we’ll have to admit you.”

“No, I’ve spent enough time in hospitals. When it happens, I want to die here, on my own terms.”

“But it doesn’t have to happen! Michael still loves you, if you tell him, you don’t have to die.”

Alex stood, pacing around the room. Kyle winced, noticing the limp. The past few weeks had been hell on Alex’s leg, even if he’d never admit it.

“I don’t want Michael to be with me because he has no other choice. If he’s with me, it should be because he wants to be. Because we’ve worked through our problems and we’ve talked and healed. Not because otherwise I’ll die.”

He looked to his friend, surprised to see Kyle was crying.

“I’m sorry. I know this is a lot to put on you especially now, but please don’t tell him. Don’t tell anyone. For one, I want to things my way.”

“Ok. I don’t agree with it in any way, but this is what you want. And it’s not like you ask for much, so I can give you this one thing.”

Alex pulled his friend into a hug, made less awkward when Kyle stood to wrap his arms around Alex’s waist.

“Thank you Kyle. You’re the best, you know that?”

Alex lasted longer than Kyle thought he would. For five months he went about his daily life as if nothing was wrong. It was only when he was alone with Kyle that he allowed himself to show any weakness. By the fifth month, he was only leaving the house once a week. And then Kyle got the text he was waiting for. It was a picture of a yellow carnation in full bloom. Normally, Kyle would find the picture beautiful. But the blood and spit covering the bloom and surrounding it meant that Alex had progressed to coughing up full blooms. Kyle sighed, knowing that Alex was nearing the end.

“Shit.”

It had been one week since Alex sent Kyle the picture. Since then, he’d been confined to his bed, oxygen mask on 24/7 to help with his breathing, too weak to do anything except watch tv and argue with Kyle about telling Michael. Kyle knew that Alex wouldn’t last the week. He was coughing up carnations at least four times a day. He also knew that Michael had broken up with Maria, realising that she deserved more the someone who wanted something easy and fun. So, he made a decision that he knew Alex would hate. But one he hoped his friend would live long enough to thank him for. Or kill him for. With Alex, it could go either way.

Hearing the footsteps heading towards the bedroom, Alex called out.

“Kyle? Where have you been? I thought this was your day off?”

“Oh my God. I thought he was joking, but Jesus Christ.”

Alex turned towards the door, praying that he was so sick he was hearing things.

“Michael.”

“Kyle came to see me, said that you were sick. Jesus Alex, what’s wrong with you?”

He entered the room, eyes taking in the oxygen, bloody sheets and towels bundled in a corner of the room, the bin by the side of the bed. Michael felt the tears at the corners of his eyes. He’d never seen so weak before. God, he was actually going to die. He sat on the edge of the bed, brushing away some flower petals. He knew if he looked and Alex, he’d break down.

“It’s nothing to concern yourself with.”

Michael laughed through his tears.

“Gonna have to disagree with you there Manes. Look at yourself. Are you serious?”

Alex sighed, feeling more tired by the second. He didn’t have the energy to deal with Michael today.

“Michael, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at the Pony?”

Michael was suddenly very interested in the duvet cover.

“Maria and I broke up. She deserves more than me. She deserves more than someone who’s so in love with another person that they couldn’t give even part of their heart to someone else.”

Alex gasped, feeling a tickle in the back of his throat. Damnit, the last thing he wanted was to cough up a flower in front of Michael of all people.

“Michael? What do you mean?”

The alien stood, moving to kneel beside Alex’s side of the bed. He grabbed the other man’s hand, noting with concern how thin he was.

“I’m sorry. For hurting you. You’ve been tied up in so many painful memories that I found it nearly impossible to separate you and your father and those memories from each other.”

He paused as Alex coughed harshly into a towel, wincing when he heard him hack something up. When he finished, Alex tossed the towel to the side of the bed, hiding it from Michael’s view. He nodded at the other to continue.

“But the Iz signed up for some therapy. And it really seemed to help her. So, I signed up too.”

“Michael that’s great.”

“Yeah, it’s been a big help. And it helped me separate everything in my mind.”

“What are you saying?”

Michael looked up, meeting Alex’s eyes. He wanted to be sure that there was no confusion, no way that Alex could misunderstand him.

“I was in that pod for fifty years. And I got out at just the right time to meet you. I don’t know if that was the universe telling me something, but I’m gonna take it like that’s what it meant.”

“Are you saying we’re soulmates?”

“Possibly? I don’t know. But I want to find out. We’ve had a weird relationship. Considering how I feel about you, that we’ve had a decade together; I know so little about you. But I want to spend the rest of my life learning all that stuff. Everything that makes you, you. I want to know it Alex. And I’m hoping that you’ll give me the second chance to do that. I know I hurt you when I went to Maria and I probably don’t deserve another chance, but please, I am begging you. I love you Alex and if you’ll have me, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Alex coughed, Michael leaning back, becoming concerned when it didn’t stop. He sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing Alex’s back.

“Are you ok? Do you need anything?”

Alex pointed towards the bin, choking on something. Michael held the bin in front of Alex’s mouth, very confused. Kyle hadn’t mentioned Alex being physically sick, but he was heaving pretty badly into the bin, and there was some liquid hitting the bottom of the bin. The coughs weren’t getting better, if anything they were getting worse. Michael, concerned, floated his phone in front of his face, texting Kyle to get to the cabin and now. Finally, there was a wet thud as something big landed in the bin. Alex collapsed back against the pillows, gasping for breath. Michael looked into the bin, afraid of what he’d find.

“A flower?”

A yellow carnation lay at the bottom of the bin. Covered in blood from the bottom of the flower to its roots, it was obvious that Alex had just coughed it up. Michael stared at Alex, who smiled weakly at him. Kyle burst into the room. Taking one look at the scene in front of him, Michael crying, Alex exhausted, but happy, Kyle collapsed against the door frame, relieved.

“Oh good, you two finally figured it out.”

Kyle left after an hour with strict warnings for Alex to stay in bed for another day, at least. Michael locked the door after him, making his way back to the bedroom. Standing in the doorway, he examined Alex. The other man looked healthier already, his skin not as pale, not as weak looking. Kyle had helped him shower as Michael changed the bedsheets and threw everything into the washing machine. He approached the bed, grinning as Alex smiled up at him.

“So, Hanahaki, huh? Were you ever going to tell me?”

“Probably not. I wanted you to be with me because you wanted to be.”

“Not out of a sense of obligation?”

“See, I knew you’d get it.”

Alex patted the bed next to him, watching Michael strip down to his boxers and slide under the covers.

“So, soulmates huh?”

“Maybe, maybe not. But I know I love you. And I want to spend forever proving how much I love you.”

“I love you too Michael. But we have a lot to work through, this isn’t going to be easy.”

“I don’t want easy, not with you. I’m ready to fight and work for this, for us. Aren’t you?”

Alex pulled him into a gentle kiss, really just a press of lips. It was so different from their normal kisses. It reminded Michael of being seventeen in the museum, the nerves as he kissed the one person he’d ever had any real feelings for, praying that he didn’t screw things up. It was nice, soothing, familiar, what he’d been missing. They broke apart, foreheads resting together as Michael ran his hands up and down Alex’s back in a soothing gesture.

“Of course I want to work for this.”

“Good, we can discuss it more tomorrow. You need sleep. We’ll make breakfast in the morning and discuss it then, kay?”

“Kay.”

Alex lay back, turning on his side, pulling Michael’s arm around his waist. Michael pulled Alex into his body, holding him tight. Pressing kisses to the back of his neck, he listened as Alex’s breathing slowed and the men fell into a deep sleep. Holding him close, knowing that he had nearly lost Alex, Michael vowed to never spend another day away from the man in his arms. Falling asleep to the sound of Alex’s breathing, his heartbeat under his hand, Michael vowed to protect Alex from anything or anyone that would try to hurt him. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with Alex and he wanted it to be a long life. Let them come, they’d soon regret it.

A/N I suck at endings! I’m sorry 

[littleshebear]

The Narrow Road, Chapter Two; Training.

PROLOGUE | CHAPTER ONE |

This fic is taking a long time because of how I’ve decided to structure it. Flashbacks are bullshit, don’t do it fam. Anyway, onwards and upwards. In which Zavala gets beaten up a whole bunch, Sasha’s having none of it and the Titan Bros meet. 

Commander Zavala | OC: Sasha | Zavala x Female OC  | Zavala x Sasha | Lord Shaxx | Lord Saladin | Various OC’s | The Dark Age | Angst | Romance | Canon typical violence | Zavala getting in the ribs. Again. | Titan Bro Bants.

“The moon’s good”: They kick off their hakama for wrestling

- Hokushi.

“You’re going to die, you know.”

Zavala looked up at Shaxx quizzically, wondering how he could say something so ghoulish in such a casual tone of voice. They were on their way to combat training, Zavala’s first session. Shaxx was clearly an old hand, or at least he acted like one. Zavala couldn’t tell if he was trying to prepare him or if he was winding him up.

“Sorry but it’s true, you’re going to die today. More than once.” Zavala stopped in his tracks and kept staring at him. “You’ll get used to it. It’s all part of the experience.”

“Uh. Thanks for the heads up?” Zavala resumed walking and they carried on towards the sparring grounds on the outskirts of the settlement. “It’s fine. I’ve died before. Plenty of times.”

“In quick succession?”

“No can’t say it’s ever been more than once in twenty-four hours.”

“Get ready for more than once in twenty minutes.” They came to a halt with the other Risen from the settlement, who were gathered in a circle, waiting for the instructors to make themselves known. Shaxx leaned down and whispered, “People tend to be harsh with the new arrivals. Be prepared for that. You can team up with me if you like.”

“Would you go easy on me?”

“No.”

Zavala chuckled, then fell silent as an instructor entered the circle, and began to speak, projecting his voice across the field. “All right, pair up. Hand to hand combat today, Light abilities are not only allowed they are encouraged. Show us what you’ve got. Best of three, get to it!”

Zavala turned to Shaxx and asked, “Best of three?”

“Deaths,” Shaxx answered bluntly.

“Ah.” Zavala nodded. Shaxx wasn’t kidding about how many times he might die today. He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders, forcing himself to relax. “Okay, so are we-”

“New guy!” Shaxx and Zavala turned to see Iakin glaring in Zavala’s direction. “With me.”

“He wants a rematch?” Zavala muttered.

While Shaxx shook his head slowly, Zavala suspected he was rolling his eyes behind that helmet. “Kick the little twerp’s arse. I’ll see you after.” He turned to the rest of the assembly and pounded a fist into his open palm. “Okay, who’s with me? Come on, step up. Anyone?” The other Risen avoided making eye contact and steadily drifted away from him, as though he had plague. “Oh come on. Come on! Oh, you bunch of wusses.” He eventually managed to grab a retreating Risen by the collar. “Come here. Oh it’s okay, it’ll be over soon.”

Zavala trudged toward his opponent, taking note of the state of the ground as he did. The foot traffic in this area had turned most of the snow to a treacherously slippy, brown, slush.

“All right,” the instructor called out once the group had been paired off. “Ghosts to a safe distance please.”

Izanami shuddered and turned her optic to Zavala for reassurance. “It’s fine, Iz.” Zavala cupped her shell in the palm of his hand. “It’s just to avoid friendly fire, I’ll be fine.”

“I don’t like this,” she glanced around nervously.

“Go with the other ghosts. It’s just a precaution, I’ll see you soon.”

“Very soon,” said Iakin, a smirk fixed on his face. She spun her shell to face Iakin and contorted her top two spines into a sharp ‘v’ shape. After she floated away to the edge of the sparring ground, Iakin asked, “Why does your Ghost have separation anxiety?”

“I told you, we’ve been through a-” He was suddenly interrupted by Iakin’s fist smashing into his face. Zavala staggered backward, tasting blood at the back of his throat. He spluttered and gingerly covered his nose with his hand. His nose was broken for sure, that would be Izanami’s first job when they were reunited. He suddenly realised Iakin was coming for him again and blocked his punch with his forearm. Iakin kept advancing, swinging left and right while Zavala was forced backwards, still not having recovered from that first sucker-punch. He eventually slipped and fell. He both felt and heard the crack when his head hit a rock, then everything went dark.

Alexandra had brought her bike to a halt at the crest of a hill overlooking a vast expanse of water, with a town nestled beside it. She chugs from a water flask before offering to Zavala who politely declines. He’s far too busy staring at the sight before him.

“Is...is that the ocean?” He supposes it must be the ocean, the water extends as far as the eye can see. He’s never seen this much water, not since he was revived and then he was eager to get away from the shallow sea he had obviously died in. His heart beats faster as images of darkness and cold panic skirt at the edge of his memories.

“Traveler help you, you really are lost, aren’t you?” She shakes her head, “No. We’re well inland here. That’s Lake Baikal. You’ll be staying at the Ranger Station there until we decide what to do with you.”

“What to do with me?” He wrenches his gaze away from the lake and frowns at his new-found...What is she to him? His guide? His protector? Or his captor perhaps?

Alexandra shrugs and screws the cap back on her flask. “You were out in the middle of nowhere, no weapons, no equipment. That’s unusual to say the least. The others will have questions about how you survived alone like that.”

Zavala drops his gaze to the floor, contemplating if he should just tell her the truth; that he didn’t survive, that he died over and over. What if his Ghost is being too cautious? This Ranger seems reasonable, terrifying when she has a knife in her hand but reasonable.

The crackle of a radio, then the sound of a woman’s voice interrupts the ensuing silence. “Sasha? You coming home tonight? Your dinner’s getting cold.”

She grins and picks up the radio and replies, “Yes, I’m on my way. Just pop my dinner in the oven for me, I promise I won’t be up past my bedtime. Seriously though, just taking a little pit-stop then we’ll be down.”

“We? Ah, yes, your stray. How long?”

“About half an hour, so don’t shoot.”

“Oh come on.”

“I’ve seen how bad your aim is, Dolores, your eyesight’s terrible. Wouldn’t put it past you to mistake us for Dregs.”

“Have a care. Age comes not alone, child, it’ll happen to you too. See you soon”

She pockets the radio and gets back on the bike. “Come on, let’s go.” Zavala ambles over and rides pillion behind her.

“Who was that? Another Ranger? How many of you are there?”

Alexandra pulls on her helmet and starts the ignition on the bike. “Not enough,” she sighs before setting off.

When they arrive, they’re waved through a massive gate set into a protective outer wall. After parking the bike, Alexandra beckons for Zavala to follow her through what pass for streets in this conflagration of humanity. The town is a mixture of crumbling Golden Age buildings, huts, lean-tos and what looked like converted shipping containers piled on top of eachother. Zavala winces at his Awoken senses picking up on the sudden cacophony of minds crammed into this space. The noise gradually quiets as he erects mental defences, more from instinct than anything else, he has no memory of learning how to do this. The occasional pointed, curious thought from someone staring at him in cuts through. The people here are dressed for hardship; tattered furs, cracked leathers and worn boots. Zavala is keenly aware of how out of place his white flight suit looks here.

He looks in the direction of the latest mental enquiry to breach his mental levees and sees that it’s Alexandra, staring at him intently. “You all right? You’re wincing.”

“I’m not used to this many people.”

“This an Awoken thing? I heard you people can sense things we can’t.” Zavala just nods, beginning to accept that he’ll most likely end up with a splitting headache before he gets used to this.  

“These people can’t all be headed for the Traveler?” He asks, looking around in amazement.

“No. You get all sorts here. Pilgrims, merchants, descendants of people who tried to get to the Cosmodrome during the Collapse. The Road is dangerous but it’s relatively safe here so some Pilgrims abandon the idea and settle. There’s some unsavoury types too, so stay close.”  They turn a corner and come to a ramshackle mess-hall set up in a large tent. “Get something to eat, I need to go debrief, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She points at him as though he’s a naughty child liable to run off. “Stay here. I mean it, don’t wander.” She shepherds him to the back of the queue before telling a man in armour similar to hers to watch him.

The line moves slowly and Zavala shuffles his way along, shoulders hunched and head down.

[I think I preferred it when it was just us.] Izanami complains.

[It’ll be fine, this is only temporary.] As he nears the head of the queue, the aroma from a massive pot of stew wafts towards him. He doesn’t recognise the smells, he just knows that they make his stomach clench and rumble. [Besides, it might be nice to rest properly. Hot meals. Sleep in a bed.]

[Zavala. Three o’clock.] Izanami says in a nervous, warning tone. [And nine o’clock and six...oh dear.] The others in the queue have stepped back while two men and one woman position themselves around Zavala. Their feet are planted far apart, their arms folded.

Zavala glances between the three of them. “Can I help you?”

“You’re the guy Sasha brought in?” Asks the woman.

“You mean Alexandra Ivanova? The Ranger? Yes.” Zavala unfolds his arms slowly, letting them drop to his sides. “Word travels fast, apparently.”

The three of them begin circling him and take turns firing questions at him, one after the other, “How long were you out there alone? Why don’t you have a weapon? How did you survive? Why are you dressed like that? You a pilot? Where’s your ship?”

Zavala does his best to keep an eye on each of them. His lips curls into a snarl, his annoyance overriding his sense of caution. “Do actually want me to answer these, or are you just trying to make a point?”

“Fulgrim sent you didn’t he? What is he after?”

“I’ll tell you what I told Alex- Sasha. Whatever. I don’t work for him. I’d never even heard of Fulgrim until today.”

“Liar!” One of the men yells. He’s stick-thin and wiry so Zavala is completely taken aback by his strength when he lands a punch in Zavala’s gut. He gasps and tries to back away, doubled-over.

He wraps one protective arm around his stomach and holds his other hand out, palm-up, in an entreating gesture. “Please don’t.” With that, the three of them set upon him, punching, kicking, scratching. Zavala collapses to the floor and curls into a fetal position.

[Fight back!] Izanami pleads.

[I can’t.]

[Yes you can! You’ve fought off Vandals hand-to-hand, this is nothing!]

[I might kill them.] Zavala screws his eyes shut, fighting against the brewing anger inside him. He doesn’t want his Light to manifest, not now but each blow from his attackers cause that little spark of heat in his chest grow and grow and until his skin begins to prickle and he feels that tell-tale jolt of power in his fingertips. He screws his eyes shut, crosses his arms  and balls his fists against his chest. He’s just about to yell, to scream a warning to his assailants to get back when a gunshot sounds just a few feet away. Zavala forces his eyes open to see who fired.

“What in the Traveler’s name are you doing?” Sasha is standing with a massive pistol aimed skywards, wearing a facial expression that’s one part incredulity, three parts murder.  She lowers her gun to point it in the direction of Zavala’s assailants. “Get back. All of you!” They shuffle backward, hands up. She holsters her gun and scowls in the direction of the armoured man toward the back of the mess. “What the hell, Goran? I told you to watch him.”

The man shrugs, leaning nonchalantly against one of the mess’ support beams. “I did watch.”

“They could have killed him!”

“I wouldn’t have let it get that far. You gotta admit, Sasha, it’s more than a little suss. You shouldn’t have brought him back here, you know he’s probably a scout.”

“You ever see a spy look as incongruous as him? Not much use as a spy, don’t you think?”

“Why take the risk?” One of the men who attacked speaks up. His gaze is still full of venom but he looks decidedly less confident than before. “Just chuck him back over the wall and be done with it.”

“He is my responsibility. If any of you touch him again, you can make your way to the Traveler by yourselves. How about we put you outside the wall with a couple days’ rations? You fancy traveling alone? During winter? Like the sound of that?

“You can’t make that decision, Sasha. You’re not in charge,” the ranger called Goran protests.

“Dolores can. Want me to call her?” Sasha’s suggestion is met with grumbling and shuffling. “That’s what I thought. Get out of here, all of you.” She glares after them as they retreat and the other pilgrims gradually gather back around to queue for food again, giving Sasha and Zavala a wide berth. She kneels at his side to help him up. “Anything broken?”

“I don’t think so,” he says, wincing at a sharp pain in his chest as he gets to his feet.

[I beg to differ,”] Izanami interjects across their Link. [Two of your ribs are broken. You’ll have some serious contusions too, if you don’t let me do something about them.]

“Come on,” Sasha takes him by the elbow and steers him away from the mess tent. “Let’s get you patched up.”

Zavala nods, taking as deep breaths as his aching ribs will allow, not permitting himself to relax until he’s sure his Light has abated.

“Listen,” Sasha says as they walk side-by-side, “If anyone gets you on the ground like that again, kick at their legs. Strike with your heel, hard, and follow through. If you get the angle right, you might just break their shin or their knee.”

Zavala laughs softly and instantly regrets it as a fresh spike of pain lances through him. “Has anyone ever told you you’re a little scary?”

She smirks, not looking offended in the slightest. “I’m just practical.” She pats his arm. “Stick with me, you’ll be fine.”

Zavala gasped as his lungs filled with air. He blinked furiously as the world came back into focus and he saw Izanami hovering over him.

[Get out of the way] he told her silently. Iakin was standing with his back to them, laughing uproariously, calling to someone across the field.

“Did you see that? He must have a skull like an eggshell!”

Zavala waited until his Ghost was safely away before silently maneuvering himself around. He drew one leg back and kicked out hard, feeling his heel crash into the side of Iakin’s knee. There was a sickening snap and Iakin immediately dropped to the ground with an agonised scream. Zavala sprang to his feet and grabbed the back of Iakin’s head, fisted his fingers in his hair, pulled his head back then smashed his knee into his face. He let go of his hair and let him fall backwards, lifeless, like a rag-doll.

“WHOO! Yeah, that’ll learn him!” Izanami hollered from the sidelines, spinning her shell in jubilation. She noticed Iakin’s ghost staring at her. “What?” The other Ghost dipped the points of its shell in what could almost be a sigh before floating over to revive their Risen.

“All right,” Iakin said, getting to his feet after his Ghost brought him back, “All right. I got cocky. I’ll give you that one.”

Zavala resisted the urge to reply with a sarcastic quip and instead concentrated on finding a strong stance and anticipating Iakin’s next gambit. He brought his arms up to a defensive position and kept still, waiting for Iakin to attack. He watched him pace back and forth, trying to goad him into making the first move but Zavala remained impassive, staring him down. Iakin eventually gave in to impatience and charged at him, swinging wildly with his fists. Zavala blocked as best he could until he feels the hairs on his arms rise and his skin erupt in gooseflesh; there’s arc energy nearby. He raised a void overshield in response.

Iakin backed off when he realised his blows were to no avail. “That overshield won’t last forever, you know. Are you going to land a punch or-”

Zavala took Iakin’s jibe as an opportunity to drop the shield and summed the arc aspect of his Light. He rushed him, turning to a bright, crackling blur as he rammed his shoulder into Iakin at full force. He vapourised mid-taunt and Zavala stepped back, allowing himself a small, satisfied smile.

“Best of three, right?” He said, turning to the other sparring couples for confirmation. They had all stopped and were staring at him. A few whispers broke out and Zavala’s smile vanished. He looked around uncertainly until he found Shaxx, also staring at him. “What?” He mouthed.

With that, Iakin’s Ghost revived him and he immediately started yelling in the instructor’s direction. “That doesn’t count! This isn’t fair, how was I supposed to know he could do that?”

Zavala scurried over to Shaxx. “Do what? What did I do? you said we were meant to die, best of three deaths, that’s what you said.”

Shaxx cocked his head. “Uh, you switched between void and arc Light as though it was nothing.”

“So?” Zavala shrugged, nonplussed. “Was I not supposed to? No one told me I wasn’t supposed to do that.”

“It’s not that you’re not supposed to. It’s rare. Especially for a youngster.” He looked toward Iakin, still protesting the injustice of it all. “He wasn’t expecting it.”

“Oh.” Zavala nodded. “Oh, I see. Am I supposed to pick one or the other?”

“Not for me to say.” He jutted his chin toward another Risen walking toward the sparring ground. “Better to ask him.” This newcomer was dressed in armour that put most of them to shame. Aside from the ornately inlaid helmet, there was a slightly ramshackle feel to it. The parts didn’t all exactly match, there were obvious dents and scuffs, and it was complemented by somewhat ragged-looking cloth accoutrements. The effect was all the more intimidating though, he was a clearly a man who was no stranger to battle.

“Do you think the Fallen care one whit for fairness?” He spoke in a low growl that somehow managed to cut right through Iakin’s histrionics. He fell silent, bowing his head in deference. “You think a gang of Vandals will back off if you cry ‘fair play?’ Do honestly believe a Captain won’t use your bones as a boundary marker because you invoke rules of engagement?”

“No, my Lord.” Iakin mumbled in response.

“What have you learned?”

Iakin shot a surly glare in Zavala’s direction before responding, “Don’t underestimate your opponent.”

“And?”

“Expect the unexpected?”

“Good.” He nodded once before turning away. He stopped in front of Shaxx who nodded respectfully.

“Lord Saladin.”

“Shaxx. Vicious as ever.” A note of amusement had crept into that gravelly voice.

“Thank you m’lord.”

“And I see you’ve made friend. Good for you.” He turned to look at Zavala. “This one might give you a run for your money.”

“I hope so,” Shaxx said, giving Zavala a playful punch to the shoulder. “I was getting bored.”

“I won’t be here for the next couple of weeks at least, a matter in Old Russia requires our attention.” He glanced at Zavala, then back at Shaxx. “Keep an eye on this one for me. He’s got potential.”

“Will do. Is...” Shaxx hesitated. “Is Lady Efrideet going with you?”

Saladin snorted and turned to leave the sparring ground. He called back over his shoulder, “I’ll give her your regards.”

Zavala waited until Saladin was out of earshot before grabbing Shaxx’s arm. “Lord Saladin?” He whispered urgently. “As in war Lord?”

“No! No fear.” Shaxx assured him. “Iron Lord. They’re the ones who put Warlords down.”

“Oh,” Zavala visibly relaxed. “I don’t like Warlords.”

Shaxx looked at him askance. “You’ve had run-ins with Warlords? Zavala you’ve got stories to tell, why don’t you talk more?”

He gave a lopsided shrug and stammered, “I uh, I heard things. Never good things.” He took a deep breath and decided to change the subject. “So who’s Efrideet?”

“Ah,” Shaxx put his hands on his hips and puffed his chest out. “Lady Efrideet.” He drew out the second syllable of ‘Lady’ in a happy sigh. “I like Lady Efrideet.” He clapped an arm around Zavala’s shoulder and walked him back towards the camp. “Let me tell you about Lady Efrideet…”

[ask-azurearts]

@spadescribbles and @forever-stuck-in-the-void wanted to read the story so far and iz long .w.’ anyone can read it really but no taking it

The beginning of the previous end.

Raising the ‘knife’ in ‘their’ trembling hands just as the door burst open and the ‘actors’ tried to prevent this murder from once again occurring, ‘they’ plunged it into their victim once again. The curtains are drawn as the BAD END was once again reached. This is how this cruel world..no, the story works. A story of a murder that has a culprit which can never be found without the last missing piece. What is this piece? A key? A page? The lead role in this madness of a story? They do not know. Who is this ‘they’? Why, it is the actors in this story of madness who have notes and pieces to find this culprit but are missing one key piece that has not been found. Or has it? Maybe this new stage that has been set will finally bring forth the killer, the one who keeps this madness from ending, or will it continue to go on for an eternity? Too much time has been wasted here now, the stage is set, the actors are in place, the lead role is arriving, the killer has not shown their blood thirst yet, all that is left is to open the curtains to this story of death and confusion. This story's name? Midnights hands. Maybe it is a clue? Or is it a red herring? Once the curtain is open..just maybe...it will be seen for its truth and it’s lies.

Chapter 1, Opening Act.

    The door of the old manor creaked open as the lead role opens it, a letter in her hand as she walks inside the warmth filled main room. Her eyes wandered the large room lit by a chandelier and candles, velvet couches were placed around a table with a vase of red roses with petals of scarlet and a vase of shining ruby that had a small wooden sign placed in front of them for guests. She took silent steps towards the wooden sign, picking it up and feeling the smooth glazed wood on her fingers as she read what had been put into the wood,

’Welcome dear guest, the lady of the house and the guests are in the ballroom awaiting you to come join us for this party to celebrate the grand unveiling of this manor. -sincerely the butler.’

    The lead role, no, Jayne..places the wooden sign back onto the wooden table with the same glaze as the sign had. She gives another look around the room, her eyes stopping on a tall mirror that was broken. A few quick steps and she found herself in front of it, placing a hand on a shard that was barely hanging on from the central point of where the impact that had hit the glass had been struck. She breathes a sign, having hoped to see how she looked for this important occasion, even without a mirror she could tell her face showed her exhaustion from having to drive for more than seven hours to reach this party. A quick turn on her shoes heel and she was off towards the ballrooms grand red oak doors, light poured through the half open doors into the main room and the sound of laughter and glasses clinking together was heard. Jayne pushes the door open slowly, her eyes widening at the sight of the grand room that was filled to the brim with such warmth and happiness that felt contagious. A smile crosses her face as she took large strides into the room to greet the people of this manor, there were only six of them but their parties made it feel as if a hundred people were here.

A quick few steps to her left and she was in front of the lady of the manor, her long ruby red hair was down to her waist with its long natural curls with a rose pin to keep it out of her face and a dress that was like the end of a sunset going from a crimson red to a deep navy blue with white speckles in the spots to represent the night and constellations as well. The dress ended at her knees and puffed out  with soft white lace at the edges that were patterned with roses, she had tights on that were a lovely lapis blue with some black heels that popped out with the blue bows on the toes.Jayne felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of the lady who smiled softly at her,”Hello Jayne, you look dashing in your suit.” She said as she looked Jayne up and down. Jayne felt her cheeks become warm,”T-Thank you lady Melody.” She stuttered out, her suit was a deep navy with black pants, her white button up had a scarlet red tie with a rose brooch to add a bit of flair to her outfit since it was mainly black and blue.  Melody let out a soft chuckle hearing Jayne stutter,”My fiance is off getting the wine from the cellar so maybe we can have a quick dance?” She offered her hand to Jayne who nods and takes her hand, the two walk to where a few of the people were dancing and begin to dance themselves with Jayne being the lead. They danced in the classic ways as they would do in the 1900’s before getting tired of it and dancing how they usually do, laughing and smiling like they did when they were children dancing out in the rain before they would return inside with runny noses and bad colds the next day.

They danced and danced till they were too exhausted to move anymore and left the dance floor laughing and smiling, that was quickly stopped when Melodys fiance arrived however. Jackson, Melodys jerk fiance according to Jayne,  was scowling at Jayne seeing her holding Melodys hand,”Would you please unhand my future wife.” he hissed at her through grit teeth. Jayne simply squeezed Melodys hand as she glares at him,” Both of you stop glaring at each other this instant!” Melody snapped at them both with a harsh tone in her voice. The two looked away from each other ,mumbling an apology as Melody scowled at them both for behaving in such a childish way. Jayne reluctantly let go of Melody’s hand and left to go eat something while her stomach growled enough to keep her from looking back at Jackson and Melody. In a few more quick steps she reached the cloth covered tables piled high with plates of food from appetizers to desserts. Her eyes drifted up the pyramid of sandwiches that ranged from meat lover to vegetarian, to the tray of meats from humble bacon to full blown ribs that were still piping hot, down to the platter that had scrambled eggs, fried eggs, hard boiled eggs, deviled eggs and vegetables from stirfry to just cleaned up and ready to eat raw.

Stomach growling louder she piled her plate with two bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches along with some corn and some vegetable stir fry. While collecting the food she bumped into one of the twins. The twin smiles at her,”Jayne! I haven’t seen you since Halloween!” The twin excitedly said as they placed their plate down and hugged Jayne being mindful of her her plate. Jayne hugged back,”It’s good to see you too Felix, how is Julian?” she asked as she ruffled his hair. Felix pushes her hand away and fixes his hair with his fingers,”D-Don’t mess up my hair it took me ages to get ready. And Julian is upstairs sleeping, we got here early and ate a lot of cake and danced then he fell asleep and i stayed down here and..” He gasps once he runs out of breath,”Okay, okay I get it Felix don’t pass out on me.” She replies giving him a pat on the head.

Felix nods and picks up his plate that was piled high with roughly one of everything on the tables, including the drinks oddly enough. “Careful you don’t drop that all over the carpet in the living room or the asshole of the house will throw a fit.” She gives him a wink, Felix giggles and nods as he leaves the ballroom. Jayne smiles to herself as she walks to the tables to the right side of the ballroom to eat her food in peace. As time passed the others joined her with plates piled with the wonderful food that was being served. She made a glance at Melody who was talking with her fiance about something, she sighed as she ate the last part of her sandwich before getting up to go to the bathroom. Taking quick steps away from the table and out of the ballroom she made her way down the hall to the bathroom, she felt and odd sense of...deja vu. Shaking her head she walked to the bathrooms, her eyes drifted to the broken mirror and a frown crossed her face. ‘Wouldn’t someone have fixed that by now? She wondered to herself, a tap on her shoulder from a cold hand made her jump and spin around to face the maid Angel.

She sighed in relief while clutching her chest, her heart was racing as she watched Angel sign a quick apology,”It’s okay Angel, I didn’t hear you come in I was kinda lost in my thoughts.” She said as the Angel nods, her soft silver hair was tied in a low ponytail as per usual, and her bangs were a bit of a mess as well. Jayne gently reaches out and fixes the others bangs for her,”There we go, that better?” She asks and Angel nods while signing a thank you before putting back on her cloth gloves to take down the broken mirror. Jayne shakes her head quietly to herself before going to the bathroom, by the time she had finished Angel was gone and so was the broken mirror. Turning the sink on she washed her hands with soap and dried them with the nearby towel and leaves the bathroom, so far the night was filled with joy and plenty of laughs and warmth. Well..that was before the lights suddenly went out leaving the entire building in a pitch black darkness. There were shouts from somewhere as people stumbled around trying to find where they are, the set stage was now ready for the true beginning of this story to begin.

Chapter 2 act one: What happened?

    Stumbling about and managing to find the lights, the flip for the ballrooms light was returned and nearly blinded the few people in the room who covered their eyes with their hands allowing the light to slowly slip in through their fingers to become adjusted to it. A quick look around by the people revealed the room was in just a bit of disarray with two tables on their sides, chairs had been bumped into and pushed around and some plates had smashed on the floor from being dropped or knocked down. Jayne and Felix stumbled into the ballroom with a half awake Julien not too far behind them, the group looked around the room in fright and worry before each letting out a sigh of relief seeing everyone was okay. Melody rushes over to the three,”Are you alright? Wheres Jackson, Angel, and Chris?” she hastily asks, paling seeing the twins shake their heads,”I saw Angel in the bathroom but when I got out she was gone.” Jayne quickly says and gently grabs Melodys shaking hands,”We’ll find them, don’t worry.” She calmly and gently squeezes the others hands who swallows hard and nods. The small group head out of the ballroom and searched the manor from top to the very bottom. Their hearts pounding every time they open a door or look down the long stretching halls, the air felt heavy and suffocating and it felt colder and colder the longer they searched the large manor. The grand clock in the main room ticked away, ticking louder and louder with every passing second before it chimed, but it was not heard as the sight before the group was discovered.

Chapter 2, act two: The murder

    Back propped up against the large clock that chimed away, sat there with a large shard of glass in the neck with head slumped forward looking down at the legs and blood soaked shirt and sleeves was Jackson. There was silence before Melody let out a blood curdling scream of horror and fell to her knees sobbing and shaking while the others could only stare in horror. Time dragged on and on as Melody cried and Jackson was sat there, dead. At some point, no one was truly sure when exactly, but she stopped crying and got up,”W-Who did this?” she choked out as the others remain quiet, they didn’t know who did this or why at all. Chris and Angel run over, their eyes widening at the sight of the body. Angel looks away from the body shaking as Chris tries to comfort her.

    It seems this murder was found a bit later than last time? I wonder if this version of the story will truly be the GOOD END...or will the killer lead them astray again? Ah, so many ways this story could go wrong and end up as a BAD END or never end. I shall quiet back down now, I’m sure the cast is getting impatient to find the killer once more...I do hope all is according to the script..

The cast was in a disarray as they glance at each other in fear and confusion on what to do next, the lead role grips her chest, she hated him yes but to murder him..who would do that? She shakes her head and clears her throat,”Before we start pointing fingers, we need to find out where everyone was before and after the blackout.” She says, making sure to keep the fear out of her voice as she speaks. Everyone gave a hesitant nod or an okay once Jayne finished speaking,

”I was in the bathroom, then I left in the hallway when it went dark. When the lights came back I was near the ballroom with the twins.” She says.

“I stayed in the ballroom with Jackson before he left to go grab more wine from the cellar. After the blackout I was still in the ballroom, I just stayed where I was out of fear until the lights came back on.” Melody replies with a croaky voice.

“I was in the living room eating my plate of food. And Julian was upstairs sleeping. I Finished and gave my plate to Chris while I walked to go see Julian. When the blackout happened I grabbed his hand and we tried to make our way to the ballroom before we bumped into Jayne.” Felix tells his part, and Julian joins in at the end.

“I was cooking in the kitchen, and then I was helping Angel clean glass up in the bathroom and putting up the new mirror before the blackout, after wards we ran here due to hearing lady Melody crying.” Chris gives his part as Angel nods to confirm it is true.

With the placements now known, they break off into small parties to search for anything that could be a clue as to who the culprit is. The twins go upstairs, the maid and butler take the basement and cellar, while Jayne and Melody split up to check around the first floor.

[cassandraclare]

prejudice in fantasy lit and the use of metaphor

reallybigshadowhunterstvfan said:

what can you say about making Simon a shadowhunter, Mrs Clare? it seemed odd to me that after a whole series of battling for equality between species/races, the downworlder had to become a shadowhunter. not only he basically ceased being a minority, he also became a part of a privileged community, and it just didn't sit well with me.

 Just for the record — I’m not Mrs. Clare; there is no Mr. Clare. I am married, but my pen name is not my husband’s property. :-) 

I think this is a very interesting question that brings up a ton of issues, but there are some aspects of it I’d love to clarify — for instance, I am puzzled at calling Simon “the Downworlder.” Is he more a Downworlder than Magnus? Things like that actually are really important when discussing stories — if he were the only Downworlder in the story, that would be one discussion, but he isn’t, and therefore his story does not speak for the experience of all Downworlders or even a small fraction. 

I am sorry you were surprised negatively by Simon’s story in TMI. Simon never wanted to be a vampire — he always hated it, and unlike Raphael and Lily, he never joined the community of vampires but instead spent all his time with Shadowhunters. Being a Daylighter had already changed him from being any kind of regular Downworlder, as did bearing the Mark of Cain: both made him even less “the Downworlder” and more of an anomaly. It also separated him from the other Downworlders, who treated him with distrust. In my experience, very few readers expected Simon to remain a vampire, given that it was something he never wanted or got used to, and that it was not his dream. More on that in a bit.

As to the question, to me the suggestion that Shadowhunters are “the privileged” and Dowworlders are as a block “the marginalized” — instead of being a complicated metaphor in which they sometimes but not always stand in for people who have had their rights curtailed —  overly simplifies the situation. It is an argument seems to ignore the fact that in fact, humans exist along axes of privilege and marginalization: that people can be privileged in one way and marginalized in another and that when Simon becomes first a Downworlder and then a mundane and then a Shadowhunter, he is not moving clearly from marginalization to privilege, but rather exchanging some types of privilege for others (he remains white as a Downworlder, and is a Daylighter), and exchanging some types of marginalization for others (the marginalization of being a Downworlder for the marginalization of being a mundane-born Shadowhunter and a Jew in a world where Shadowhunters are meant to have one religion). 

Because the argument disclaims spectrums of privilege and marginalization, it also suggests that the world of the Shadowhunter Chronicles is one in which there are no gay or POC or trans people in existence; one in which there is no racism, homophobia, ableism, cis privilege, or bigotry against the neuroatypical. But that is both problematic erasure, and also not true of these books. Downworlders don’t stand in for people of color or LGBTQ+ people because people of color and LGBTQ+ people are in the books; they have not been subsumed into metaphor. (I know the showrunners said there was no homophobia in the Shadowhunter world, only warlock-phobia, but that’s the show, not the books, and it has a different world and world-building. I notice this is a question I get since the show came out, and I sometimes wonder if it’s a question of confusion between the two different universes? It’s easy for that to happen.)

Fantasy prejudice metaphors are complex and confusing and they rarely work as a one to one comparison (in other words, there is a difference between saying that this fantasy situation is reminiscent of this real world thing and saying this fantasy situation is exactly the same as this real world thing. For instance, one of the really interesting things about True Blood is that it made many deliberate parallels between “vampire rights” and GLBT+ rights — referring to vampires “coming out of the coffin” and “God Hates Fangs” on church signs. However, its vampires were also often violent predators who killed and ate people. The argument that Simon “basically ceased being a minority” (while, somehow, remaining Jewish) is similar to making an argument that True Blood was saying that gay people kill and eat their neighbors; I’m fairly sure in fact, they weren’t. They were reaching for a resonance — the echo of a real world situation that would give a layer of relatability and meaning to their points about difference. But they were not creating a literal “these things are the same” comparison or they wouldn’t have had vampires chewing off people’s heads.

So: are Downworlders discriminated against? Yes, sometimes, by Shadowhunters, who are a small specific group. Do they “stand in” for a specific minority group? No, they cannot, because they are accessible as a metaphor to any marginalized group or groups whose rights have been abridged. Also: the world at large does not discriminate against Downworlders because they do not know they exist, nor do they privilege Shadowhunters because they don’t know they exist either. It would be one thing if this was a high fantasy and Shadowhunters and Downworlders were all there was, but these books are set in our world, and the characters experience real-world bigotry, racism, homophobia etc. because of it.

Alec sighed. “Sorry to wreck your vision of our happy family. I know you want to think Dad’s fine with me being gay, but he’s not.” 

“But if you don’t tell  me when people say things like that to you, or do things to hurt you, then how can I help you?” Simon could feel Isabelle’s agitation vibrating through her body. “How can I—” 

“Iz,” Alec said tiredly. “It’s not like it’s one big bad thing. It’s a lot of little invisible things. When Magnus and I were traveling, and I’d call from the road, Dad never asked how he was. When I get up to talk in Clave meetings, no one listens, and I don’t know if that’s because I’m young or if it’s because of something else. I saw Mom talking to a friend about her grandchildren and the second I walked into the room they shut up. Irina Cartwright told me it was a pity no one would ever inherit my blue eyes now.” He shrugged and looked toward Magnus, who took a hand off the wheel for a moment to place it on Alec’s. “It’s not like a stab wound you can protect me from. It’s a million little paper cuts every day.”

 *** 

“He hurt you. It was a long time ago, and I know he tried to make up for it, but—” Bat shrugged. “Maybe I’m not so forgiving.” 

Maia exhaled. “Maybe I’m not either,” she said. “The town I grew up in, all these spoiled thin rich white girls, they made me feel like crap because I didn’t look like them. When I was six, my mom tried to throw me a Barbie-themed birthday party. They make a black Barbie, you know, but they don’t make any of the stuff that goes with her—party supplies and cake toppers and all that. So we had a party for me with a blonde doll as the theme, and all these blonde girls came, and they all giggled at me behind their hands.”

***

If we carry the theory through (Shadowhunters are THE privileged, Downworlders are THE marginalized) that means that Alec, as a gay Shadowhunter, is more privileged than Simon, a straight vampire. That Ty, who would be locked in a mental institution if the Clave discovered his autism, is privileged beyond white, rich, immortal and powerful Malcolm Fade. It’s saying that when Cristina encounters a wealthy, white, straight, misogynist male werewolf in Lady Midnight who tries to force sexual attention on her, she, a Latina woman, is the one who is the privileged character because she is a Shadowhunter and he is a Downworlder (though Sterling has arguably, given that he lives outside the supernatural world, never experienced a whit of prejudice because of it.) So I’m sure you can see where the problem lies.

It also erases Simon’s Judaism entirely. Stating without caveat that Simon has become “part of a privileged community” means ignoring the fact that Simon is Jewish; that he decides in Tales that he will continue to practice, and that he was the only Jewish protag written by two Jewish authors that I’m aware of having been on the bestseller lists last year. He didn’t think about being a vampire as he was preparing to transform — he never wanted to be one or consented to be one, nor was he part of the community, as Raphael constantly pointed out — though he does later think of having previously been a Downworlder when interacting with vampires and Shadowhunter prejudices. He thought of the important thing to him: his Judaism, which he both couldn’t and wouldn’t give up. To me it is personally painful to think that for any reader, Simon’s status as a vampire is more significant than his status as a practicing Jew.

I think sometimes it is possible to invest yourself so heavily in a metaphor that you forget the real world that surrounds the metaphor and the flexibility of metaphors in general. The Shadowhunter/Downworlder situation could stand in for the systemically privileged and marginalized of our world: sometimes it does. However it also can stand in for the way totalitarian governments abuse their own people: there are echoes in Shadowhunter history and current events of the Cambodian genocide, of Stalinist violence against intellectuals and resistors. There are also echoes of police brutality — what Shadowhunters have is the privilege of the Law, specifically: the Law is what allows them to enact bigotry in the name of justice, and when they abuse their jobs, it has resonances of the way police can abuse their jobs and use the privilege conferred on them by their authority to murder and abuse the helpless and marginalized. There are also echoes of the way soldiers carry out immoral orders given by superiors: the Shadowhunters are taught to be obedient to the Clave, and one of the ways we know who our Team Good is in any TSC series that they question that obedience. All of these are echoes and resonances: they are not saying that the Shadowhunters are the police, or the US military, or the Khmer Rouge; the resonances provide context and hopefully add a sense of realism to a situation that is fantastical in its nature.

 (It’s also a wise idea not to so totally buy what the Shadowhunters are selling about themselves. They think they’re special and better and awesome, but the books constantly question and problematize that. Shadowhunters also pay a high high price for their runes and their sense of superiority: they die young and often and experience brutal constant violence and the pressures of a repressive society that allows for little divergence from an idealized norm.)

There are reasons that the Downworlders were never constructed to be a specific marginalized group and their situation was never meant to be limited in its relatability to one situation— for instance, it’s very hard to not look askance at the argument that Downworlders are meant to be specific “race” when you can become a Downworlder and then stop being one: when you can, as Simon does, change what kind of magical creature you are, because there is absolutely no correlation between that and what race or ethnicity means in our world. 

 So yes, Simon becomes a Shadowhunter: however, what I don’t see acknowledged here is not just his ethnicity and religion, but the fact that he becomes a Shadowhunter partly because he is aware of the prejudice of Shadowhunters, and fights against the bigotry they show not just to Downworlders but also to their own. He is part of Magnus and Alec’s Shadowhunter-Downworlder Alliance. He continues to work for change from within the system, arguably something almost no one else could do, because there are almost no other Downworlders who have become Shadowhunters. It is odd to me to consider Simon as simply ascending to a height of blithe privilege when he is fact much more like someone who has become a police officer in order to root out corruption and racism in the police, and brings his own knowledge of marginalization (which he still experiences) with him.

That is why Simon in Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy is constantly fighting and bending the rules in the name of his evolving social conscience, though I understand if you haven’t read TfTSA. One of the things about having had a flood of new readers enter fandom because of the TV show is that I’ve seen a lot of arguments based on the idea that TMI is the entire story of Downworlders and Shadowhunters, or the entire story of these characters. I see people talking about characters getting a happy or sad ending in TMI even when those characters go on to feature heavily in the sequel books and could by no reasonable account be considered to have any ending, happy or sad — unless you thought TMI were the only Shadowhunters books that existed rather than a chunk of a larger ongoing mythology. In no sense has Simon’s story ended: you have no idea if he will remain a Shadowhunter or not. Perhaps if you consider the fact that TMI is not a story that has ended for Simon, but rather one that continues, the fact that he has now been two magical species and might well move on to become another will sit less poorly with you? After all, this is not “after a whole series of battling for equality between species/races” this is “in the middle of a whole series of battling for equality between species/races.” Usually the middle of a story isn’t the place it’s best to draw all your conclusions from. :-) 

[livingmybestfictionallife]

Proximity (06)-Oblivion

Prompt: Sebastian meets his newest neighbor and immediately finds her to be an interesting and genuine person. Before he knows it, he’s developing feelings for his much younger friend that he tries not to act on because of their age difference, only the proximity of their lives has other things in store for the couple.

Warnings: mild language, you may be a little angry with me after this chapter

Tags: @yourgayonlinemom, @broken-pieces, @bubblyanarocks3, @yessy2012, @sebstanwassup, @starkxpotts, @kyleannsmut, @joshuad-n, @bucky-bear-barnes, @metal-arm-red-star, @dammnnbucky, @crystallimythium, @harleenquinzzel, @camillechan, @marvelouslyloki, @msdrmarvel, @jesuistresjolie, @castielkitten, @ilovethings-somuch, @boyzines, @thelamegatsby, @huntressxtimelady, @left-boob-chris, @champssole-blog, @ruefulposts, @licoricelace, @pleasantbucky, @jjlevin, @anniemadeofclay, @-tulipsunflower-, @shakzer00, @kitty11223, @one-of-the-boys, @come-and-figure-me-out, @miraisnotavailable, @ladymelissastark, @msharleyquinn, @seargantbcky, @ballerinafairyprincess, @aliciajodiefoster, @mydragulesebastian

Previous Installments:

Prologue 

My Place at Six 

 Just My Neighbor 

Forty Percent 

Writing My Goodbyes 

If You Want  

(Y/N) paced anxiously outside the elevator doors as she waited for them to open so she could find a way to the seventh floor. Usually the stairs weren’t a burden on her, however the events that had transpired twenty minutes ago had her heart racing and she refused to allow the possibility of passing out in the stairwell to arise. Once inside the elevator, (Y/N) jammed her thumb into the ‘7′ button and then turned her phone’s  Airplane Mode feature on. She didn’t need to be any more distracted than she was and the lingering spark of Sebastian’s lips against her cheek only caused her mind to go further and further into the oblivion she desperately wanted to get lost in.

Upon reaching the seventh floor Isabel impatiently pulled (Y/N) from the elevator and hurriedly dragged her toward the English department offices. (Y/N) was given a small corner room she was convinced had once been a rather large closet that someone put a window in and was since the designated student-teacher office. She tried decorating but the extent of the room’s decor consisted of posters she had collected from Comic Cons or her artistic friends had drawn. The array of posters crossed through various universes including MCU, Harry Potter, Supernatural, with a splatter of Sherlock and a dash of Doctor Who. The poorly decorated office space often decreased the anxieties of the students who were having to meet with her privately, but she could never keep from laughing at the fact that these people were only four or so years younger than her and panicking about having to talk to her about their lessons.

“What have you not been telling me?” Isabel asked as soon as the two women entered the room.

“It’s nothing,” (Y/N) tried to say without blushing. She turned her face and locked the door, giving herself enough time to allow the blood rush to drain from her cheeks. “That picture doesn’t have me in it at all, does it?” she quickly asked with a rather panicked tone.

“No, there weren’t any pictures I could find of the two of you together,” Isabel said while dropping herself in the rather uncomfortable, overly cushioned chair opposite of (Y/N)’s desk.

“Good,” she muttered and quickly turned on her desktop computer and dropped her phone and house keys on the desk.

“What do you mean ‘good?’” Izzy gasped while trying to gain her friend’s full attention. 

“I mean nothing is going on between me and Sebastian and if the news tries to blow that out of proportion, whatever we do have will be compromised,” (Y/N) tried to convince herself rather than her friend. 

“I know what you’re trying to say, but your home screen says otherwise,” she teased while holding (Y/N)’s unlocked phone up mockingly, revealing the rather rustic/hipster photo of a barefoot Sebastian sitting on the porch of a lake house he rented for Labor Day weekend a few months earlier. 

“Give that back!” (Y/N) demanded while lunging toward the device, the memory of Sebastian inviting her to his weekend party lingering in her head as well as the moment she snapped the photo that was now her screen saver.

“Only if you start talking,” she protested. (Y/N) pursed her lips and turned back to face the computer as it loaded the university’s grading database. “Fine, I guess I’m forced to scroll through your phone and make you uncomfortable until you cave,” she teased. Upon realizing (Y/N) wasn’t paying any attention to Isabel’s blackmail, she began to open various apps. “Nothing on Snapchat,” she announced. “Facebook is a dead end too,” she continued.

“Izzy, stop,” (Y/N) grumbled.

“Instagram, here we go!”

“Iz!” (Y/N) demanded.

“Someone recently became friends with a certain Elizabeth Olsen and Tom Holland,” she teased. “Oh, and you have a DM from mister Holland: hi, (Y/N)! Nice meeting you today. Would love to grab a drink or lunch sometime,” Isabel read. “Damn, girl, you’re making all these Marvel men swoon!”

“He did not send that,” (Y/N) laughed as she read over the red ink on the stack of essays sitting beside her only to have Isabel turn the phone around and show (Y/N) the message.

“And Sebastian doesn’t think you’re more than a friend,” she replied cockily. “Spill! Tell me about this whole roommate thing you have going on with him, how the hell do you know Tom, and why do you have a new contact saved as Lizzie O. in your phone?” (Y/N) bit her lip as she contemplated telling Isabel anything but she knew she needed another opinion. Lizzie’s advice was great and made (Y/N) feel hopeful that she had a chance with Sebastian, but Izzy was different. She was blunt and straightforward and would spare her friends no shit. 

(Y/N) caved. She told Isabel the full story of how they met rather than the abridged version she opted for when she first decided to tell her friend about her misadventure. She tried not to go into too much detail about how sweet Sebastian had been and how concerned he was about potentially losing a genuine friendship on the account of her not being willing to deal with his stardom or her only wanting to be in the friendship because of his stardom. (Y/N) continued to divulge into the time she spent with Sebastian and the domesticity of their friendship: the morning coffee trips, daily messages telling the other to turn down their volume or to get their toilet to stop running because the pipes were louder in the other’s apartment, and she talked about the occasional movie nights at the other’s place.

Izzy smiled at her best friend’s glee as she spoke of the man living above her. She had lived with (Y/N) for the past three years and hated to lose her as a roommate, but she couldn’t stay in NYC and (Y/N) couldn’t go to Jersey. She’d missed their boy conversations but listening to what (Y/N) had to say about Sebastian, she feared for her friend’s emotional wellbeing. (Y/N) was two years younger than Izzy and she never wanted to see her hurt. Thankfully, (Y/N)’s dedication to graduate early kept her from divulging in the college-slut phase, but now Izzy worried she had pushed (Y/N) toward something she wasn’t quite ready for.

“It sounds like Tom likes you,” Izzy tried to distract her friend as the phone buzzed in her hand again.

“Tom only met me a few hours ago,” (Y/N) protested.

“Still,” Izzy said with a shrug of her shoulders. “You seem so happy talking about Sebastian,” she continued, “but I don’t know if you two are on the same page, you know?” (Y/N’s eyes furrowed at Isabel’s statement but she tried to play it off as a confusion with the grade displayed on the screen. “You’re only twenty-one,” Isabel sighed. “You have plenty of time to figure the whole dating thing out. Just go out and have fun. Try not to get tied down into anything,” Isabel said lightly while sliding (Y/N)’s phone back to her across the desk. She glanced down at the bright screen to see Tom’s messages shining up at her. Her heart started pounding with excitement and guilt as she read the words written and took them into consideration.

Hi, (Y/N)! Nice meeting you today. Would love to grab a drink or lunch sometime

A couple of friends invited me out to a club tonight. You’re welcome to come if you don’t have any plans!

(Y/N) looked back at Isabel who smiled lightly at her. “I’m not telling you Sebastian is bad news or anything like that--I’m sure he’d be great for you--I just don’t want you getting involved in something you’re not ready for yet.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” (Y/N) asked with a lump in her throat.

“Well,” Isabel said softly and readjusted her position in the chair, “he’s much older than you, meaning he’s at a different stage in life than you, he’s had more experience in the life that he lives than you have, he has more experience in the world than you have. He may be ready for settling down when, realistically, you’re just getting into the game.”

“So, what are you saying? Are you saying to go on a stupid meaningless dating spree to have a few more guys under my belt before getting involved with someone I care about?” (Y/N) couldn’t help the sense of betrayal in her voice, but she knew that she was expecting something from Izzy that Lizzie wouldn’t have given--stark honesty in presenting (Y/N) with her fear in relationships. 

“I’m not saying that, I’m just saying that whatever you do, make sure you’re careful. Keep in mind that he may be wanting more than just a dating relationship, but also you need to figure out what it is that you want out of a relationship right now.”

“I don’t know what I want in a relationship, but I know that I’m happy when Sebastian is around and you know that ‘happy’ doesn’t come easily for me.” Her heart was swirling with the realization that Sebastian could be more than she was looking for and that their age difference would be more of an issue than she had previously expected.

“Hang out with Tom and his friends and just get your mind off of everything for a night,” Isabel said with a smile and lightly put her hand on (Y/N)’s shoulder.

“Can I not hang out with you?” (Y/N) asked with a slight chuckle.

“You know you’ll just be talking about Sebastian the whole time which is the opposite of getting him off your mind,” Isabel laughed.

“Fine, you’re right,” (Y/N) sighed and opened her phone to reply to Tom’s messages.

Sounds like a good time. Mind picking me up from Baruch College? 7th floor. Let me know when you’re coming.

Continued Installments:

IDFC 

Last Night 

Boo at the Zoo Part 1 

Boo at the Zoo Part 2 

Girlfriend 

Needed You 

[wolfypuppypiles]

Stamina: Chapter 4

Alec had woken up many times with Magnus, and while they weren’t usually so painful, he still smiled at the sight of his beautiful warlock on his chest.

He lifted a heavy hand to brush the loops of curls from the man’s eyes, frowning at how hard it was to move. He was exhausted and he’d only just woken up, where was the logic in that?

Magnus stirred at Alec’s touch and gasped, sitting awake and taking Alec’s face in his hands.

“Alexander, you’re awake! Oh, I’ve never been so happy to see those beautiful eyes of yours. We almost lost you.”

Alec pressed his cheek to the warlock’s palm and gave him an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry. What happened?”

Magnus opened his mouth to explain when a yell came from the other room.

“What happened?! I’ll tell you what happened!”

Magnus gave Alec his own apologetic look and whispered as he crawled off the bed.

“Jace is very mad at you. I tried to calm him down but his anger has been building up for the three days you’ve been asleep and I don’t think I can stop him.”

Alec looked suddenly afraid as Magnus stood beside his bed and held his hand. Jace stormed in, face flushed with anger as he stared at his Parabatai.

“I’m glad you’re finally awake because I have a few things to say to you. Firstly, what happened was YOU’RE AN IDIOT!”

Alec flinched as Jace came closer to the bed, hands shaking with fury as he launched into the speech he’d been practicing for days.

“You went on a hunt by yourself, after over using your stamina runes, and you ended up with half your blood supply in a vampire! I found you half dead in that alley, Alec. You stopped breathing.”

Alec looked at Magnus, whose face was full of worry and grief. It must have been bad.

“I’m sorry, Jace but I-“

“What? You couldn’t call me? You couldn’t take a night off to sleep?”

 Alec sighed, feeling so guilty for what he must have put everyone through. And apparently, he’d been out for three days. Jace’s anger had been simmering for all that time and now it was finally boiling over.

 “You were going through a lot, I didn’t want to bother you.”

 Jace made a face, annoyed and offended.

 “Don’t give me that crap, Alec. I would have been there in a heartbeat and you now that! I have always been by your side and I always will be. I stood by you when you said you were going to marry a GIRL because you asked me to. Why would you ever do something so stupid without me there with you? I thought we were best friends, Alec, brothers.”

 “We are.”

“Then why didn’t you talk to me?!”

Jace’s anger was giving way to hurt now and Magnus sensed it was time to take his leave. He patted Alec on the shoulder and left the two to talk. Jace came and sat next to his Parabatai, letting Alec explain.

“I’m sorry, Jace. I wanted to give you some time after everything that happened, but you’re right, I shouldn’t have gone on that hunt alone.”

Jace nodded, crossing his arms. “You’re damn right. That was the stupidest thing you’ve ever done, and I’m including the time you proposed to Lydia.”

Alec raised his eyebrows as Jace squinted at him, and he sighed internally because he knew what was coming next. Everyone knew Alec was protective but when it came to mother-henning, Jace was the pro.

Jace pointed a finger at him. “You’re grounded.”

“What?!”

Jace stood and shook his head, eyebrows raised like a mother hearing talk-back from her unruly children.

“No, you did something stupid and you need to learn your lesson. You are not leaving this bed until you get better, and after that you’ll be on close watch so that you don’t do something so stupid again.”

Alec wanted to argue but Jace was smoothing his blankets and plumping his pillows and Alec knew he was just worried. He relented and sat back in the pillows. He sighed, rolling his eyes.

“Yes, Mom.”

Jace narrowed his eyes at him.

“Don’t sass me, Alexander.”

Alec held his laughter in until Jace left to get him lunch, before allowing himself a chuckle. It was so hard to take Jace seriously when he was so grumpily taking care of him.

Magnus came back in as the blonde left and fluttered his hands over his boyfriend, checking to make sure he was okay.

“You all right? How do you feel? Jace gave you a lot of his strength so you should be feeling a little better.”

Alec nodded and pulled Magnus down onto the bed for a cuddle.

“I’m okay, love. Thanks for taking care of me.”

Magnus happily curled up on Alec’s chest, resting his head on his shoulder as Alec’s arms came around him. He had missed it, and smiled into Alec’s chest.

“Anything for you, angel. I heard Jace call you Alexander, is that bad? Have I been using it wrong this whole time?”

Alec laughed a little and kissed Magnus’ temple.

“No, you’re perfect. It does mean he’s angry but it would be worse if he used my full name.”

Just then, a roar came from the other room, and this time it wasn’t Jace.

“WHERE IS HE? Tell me right now Jace or I swear by the angel I’ll cut off your di-“

“OKAY! He’s in there. God, Izzy, chill.”

Magnus, once again, slid off the bed while Alec prepared himself for the full force of his little sister.

Izzy hadn’t been doing well with her withdrawals but she was almost through them and now that Alec was injured, he had her full attention.

She sprinted in his bedroom and flung herself towards him, Alec barely having enough time to raise his arms before he was pummelled by her.

“Alec, you’re okay!”

He grunted in pain as she slammed into him, burying her face in his neck as he hugged her back.

“Yes, I’m fine. Jace and Magnus healed me. How are you? How’s the withdrawals going? You should be in bed.”

Izzy pulled back and sat on the bed, frowning at her big brother.

“Me? What about you? You should be sleeping, or maybe you should eat something to get your strength up.”

Alec started protesting, telling Izzy that she should take his blanket and Magnus rolled his eyes. They were trying to mother hen each other at the same time. Jace came storming back into the room with a frown and started pulling at the covers.

“Shut up, both of you. Izzy get in bed. I’m making lunch, so you two just sit there and behave.”

He shoved Izzy into the bed beside Alec, with more care than his tone gave, while the girl rolled her eyes.

“Yes Mom.”

Alec laughed and helped tuck Izzy in. “I already used that one.”

Izzy laughed too but Jace was less amused.

“Izzy, don’t talk to Alec, he’s grounded. And Magnus, don’t give him any kisses he doesn’t deserve them.”

Alec whined while Izzy laughed at him.

“What? That’s not fair!”

“Ha, ha, shame.”

Jace tucked Izzy’s blankets up to her chin and kissed her forehead.

“Izzy, don’t tease.”

Alec complained that Izzy was getting affection while he was being punished but all Jace had to say was: “Izzy dizzy is sick, you’re an asshole that refuses to do as he’s told. She gets nice Jace, you don’t.”

Alec grumbled as Jace left to get lunch but Magnus couldn’t stop laughing.

He had never seen Jace this way and no one had ever been able to tell Alec off as well as his siblings. It was rather funny, despite the upsetting circumstances that caused it.

He leant down and snuck a kiss from Alec while Jace was out of the room, and promised to bring tea.

Alec may not have been happy about being so severely reprimanded but in truth he was glad Jace was making such a fuss. It meant he still cared, too much actually. Alec had a tendency to be petty and salty as all hell when mad at someone, but Jace preferred to talk to people. And since Jace had already given his speech, this punishment and mother hen routine meant that he was on his way to forgiving Alec.

Izzy was happy enough to sit beside her big brother and lean on his shoulder as she turned on the T.V and picked a channel.

Alec whined as she landed on a medical documentary about the new discoveries and techniques of autopsies.

“Do you have to watch that? It’s disgusting, Iz.”

She smacked his arm lightly and turned the T.V up, ignoring his complaint.

“It’s interesting and I like it. I’m not watching your dumb shows.”

Jace came back with trays of food, smacking Alec’s hand when he tried to take the remote from Izzy, and handing the two their soup and crackers. Magnus came and sat with them, carrying tea for everyone.

Alec was having trouble eating his soup while the T.V blared on about rib spreaders, and made a face at Jace who was talking animatedly with Magnus about how to properly clean blood from leather jackets.

“Jace, stop stealing my boyfriend.”

Jace sighed and throws his hands up, glaring at his brother.

“By the angel, shut UP Alec. You’re still in time out, just eat your damn crackers, would you?”

Alec pushed his plate away and screwed up his nose as the corpse’s ribs on screen were spilt open.

“I can’t eat with that on, it’s disgusting.”

Jace frowned, while Izzy reiterated, again, how the show was interesting and how, as a forensic pathologist, it was very useful to her. Alec complained some more until Jace came over and pushed his soup back towards him.

“I don’t want it, Jace.”

Jace’s hands flew to his hips and he used his best impression of their mother to tell Alec off.

“Alexander Gideon Lightwood, I did not drag you back from the brink of death to see you waste away just because you refuse to do as your told. Eat your soup and let your sister watch her show.”

Alec groaned, loudly and with force as he picked up his spoon.

“Jesus, you’re annoying when you’re worried.”

Jace smiled and smacked his hand on Alec’s shoulder.

“Yeah, I love you too, brother.”

(This and all my other works can be found on ao3 and fanfiction.com with the same author name as my url on here. pllleeese tell me what you think I worked really hard on this chapter and i may write another one)

Special thanks to @discarded-arc-reactor for the original prompt and for helping with this particular chapter I hope you like it!!