#OH I MISSED RAMBLING IN TAGS SIGHS WISTFULLY

[echobsilly]

what a fella!

[aquagirl1978]

To New Beginnings - Lovestruck AU Fanfic - Various Love Interests

A/N: I thought I was done with the original trilogy, but Antares returning brought a fourth chapter out of me. In this chapter, the group gathers to say goodbye to the LIs that are returning for new routes. I was inspired by @aliboo's amazing artwork in where she created "glam" portraits of some LIs (permission granted by @aliboo to repost)

Credit to @violettduchess for creating this amazing AU where all the retired LIs continue to exist - her story can be found HERE.

Warnings: None

Tagging: @mcira @enchantedlovestruckfan @otakufangirl-12 @fan-girl-2 @remys-lucky-franc

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"Here you go, Nikolai. Just as you asked," she said with a wink as she pressed the martini into his hand. "Shaken, not stirred."

"Niko, you've truly taken to the notion of the masquerade party, completely transforming yourself into your chosen character," Remy announced as he swept into the room. He sat across from Nikolai in a plush velvet lounge chair and crossed an ankle over his knee. "Aeryn, is my tea ready yet?" he asked, a faint Russian accent slipping into his voice.

Nikolai peered at Remy over his martini glass, his brows furrowed. "Now who are you supposed to be?"

"Why you, of course!" Remy exclaimed, his green eyes sparkling with joy. "Onyx was kind enough to find me some turtlenecks. You remember your phase years ago when all you wore were these things?" Remy tugged at the neck with his fingers. "How did you do it, these are dreadfully constricting?" When he noticed Nikolai's mouth agape, with no words coming forth, Remy continued, returning to his French accent. "Anyway, I thought you'd be flattered I chose to dress as you, Niko."

"I'm not sure flattered is the word I would choose. Perhaps, instead..."

"He's flattered, Remy," Aeryn interjected, placing a gentle hand on Nikolai's thigh. "He's just not there yet."

"Oh no, no. Not more of this!" Nikolai shouted when Jett and Leon entered the room. Jett was dressed in a crisp white shirt and tailored black suit jacket. Leon was sporting a plaid button-down shirt and black suspenders.

"When Remy told us who he was dressing as, we thought we'd join in the fun," Jett said. "I also never thought I'd ever get Leon to wear my suspenders."

"How much convincing did he need?" Remy asked.

"Not nearly as much as you'd think," Jett replied, gently elbowing Leon in the ribs. "It suits you, Daddy," Jett added with a smirk.

Leon's cheeks immediately turned pink. "Stop. Just stop."

"Don't you two look cute," Sevastian snickered, leaning lazily against the wall.

Nikolai nearly dropped his glass. "Now who are you supposed to be?" His face was blanched; Nikolai looked truly terrified by the wicked prince.

Sevastian pushed himself from the wall and made his way to the nearby mirror to fix his hair in the reflection. "Dave...something?"

"David Bowie!" Jett shrieked in Nikolai's ear as he plopped down next to him on the couch.

Nikolai arched an eyebrow. "I assume you had something to do with this?" Nikolai gestured towards Sevastian.

"I think you look great," Aeryn offered, ignoring Nikolai.

"You think so?" Sevastian asked sincerely to which Aeryn nodded. "Do you think she will come?" he whispered, speaking only to her.

Today was a special occasion. Normally, this group of retired LIs celebrated when an LI joined them when their route ended. But today...today they say goodbye to some of their friends. Antares, Nova and Aurora were leaving them to start new adventures with new MCs. To mark this momentous occasion, some of the current LIs and MCs were coming to bring them back.

Sevastian, of course, sent word to his MC, inviting her to join him at this party. He went as far as to tell her he was dressing up, and with Jett's help, gave her an idea or two of who she could come as.

"Yes," Aeryn replied, smiling. "Of course, she will come. And I'm dying to meet her!" Sevastian brightened, a small smile forming on his lips.

Remy stood and clapped his hands. “Let’s go mingle with the others. Can’t hide here in our little corner all night,” he added with a chuckle, winking at Nikolai. The group stood and followed Remy to the party. Nikolai begrudgingly joined them, Aeryn’s hand clasped firmly in his.

“How’s this all going to work…an LI paired with a new MC?” Jett asked as they entered the main room. The party was in full swing, with some of the partygoers dressed in costume and others remaining in their regular clothes. Unlike parties of the past, the music was not loud and booming, but rather somewhat subdued. There was a sense of sadness lingering in the room; usually these parties were to welcome a friend, not say goodbye to one.

“It’s cheating, if you ask me,” Leon replied, grabbing a glass of champagne from a nearby tray. “I would never want to return with a new LI.” Leon smiled at Aeryn as he spoke, his eyes twinkling with love.

“I agree with Leon. I would never want to come back with a new MC,” Nikolai added, placing a sweet kiss on the top of Aeryn’s head.

“I would gladly come back,” Remy interjected.

“That’s simply because you only got 4 seasons,” Nikolai said with a smirk. Remy scoffed, mock affronted.

“Oh look,” Aeryn said while grabbing Nikolai’s arm, an obvious move to change subjects. “Look at Atlas! Is he --?”

Nikolai peered over Aeryn’s shoulder, observing the pilot in the distance. Atlas was wearing a shabby black vest over a plain shirt that once upon a time might have been white. His MC was with him, her hair in a style he could only describe as appearing to be cinnamon buns. Atlas was, much to Nikolai’s shock, positively glowing. His cheeks were a ruddy red and he was roaring with laughter.

“He is most definitely plastered!” Jett snickered.

“He’s just excited the Emperor is leaving. Means more time with his MC,” Sevastian noted wistfully.

"Where's Antares, Nova and Rory?" Remy questioned.

"Nova and Rory said their goodbyes last night. Antares early this morning," Leon answered. "They wanted their final moments to be private. As they should be." The group murmured in silent agreement.

“Speaking of MCs…. shouldn’t the others be here by now?” Aeryn asked, glancing around the room. Off to the side, Aeryn spotted Darius chatting with Cal and Wrath. Only Darius was dressed up in a leather jacket and, for some unknown reason, wearing sunglasses indoors. Aeryn couldn’t put her finger on who he was supposed to be, but knew he was trying to be someone.

“Slater,” Nikolai groaned painfully, “please tell me you were not responsible for that.” Nikolai pointed an angry finger at Sascha. The entire group cringed as they watched Sascha dance dramatically around the room, dressed all in black, his face covered in black and white markings.

“Bloody hell,” Jett uttered. “No. Absolutely no. I had nothing to do with that.”

"Does anyone know who that is?" Aeryn points out an attractive brunette dressed in a maroon off-the-shoulder jumpsuit.

"She's kinda cute," Remy leered. Nikolai rolled his eyes at the Frenchman.

"She reminds me of my race car driving days, but I don't know her from anywhere," Leon reminisced. "Maybe she is..."

"They're here, they're FINALLY here!" Onyx's voice rang throughout the room.

Sevastian nervously glanced around the room, his fingers fidgeting by his sides. They're here; she is here. That is, if she came. What if she's not here? What if she wanted to, but couldn't come?

Sevastian was so preoccupied by his rambling thoughts that he didn't notice Aeryn approached him until she was under his nose. "You won't find her standing here," she said softly, urging him to search for his love.

With a smirk, Sevastian turned, and headed towards the crowd. Please let her be here, please, please, please. He thought it was her when he spotted a flash of red in the crowd, but it was only Cecelia. And he ran into Darius again. He stopped and began to seriously fret that perhaps his love just couldn't come. And then he felt it.

It hit him so fast; their connection had laid dormant for so long that he almost didn't recognize it. He didn't need to see her to know she was there, he felt her. Their connection tugged at his heart as a sense of serenity washed over him, stilling him to his spot.

A pair of hands slid over Sevastian's eyes as a familiar voice tickled his ear. "I almost didn't recognize you." Krystal felt his body slump against hers in quiet relief. He moved her hands from his eyes down to his lips, where he brushed a kiss on the inside of her wrist, before finally settling her hands around his waist. "So warm," she teased, as she soaked in his scent. He huffed out a small laugh as he intertwined his fingers with hers, enjoying the press of her body against his.

He shifted in her arms, unable to wait even a second longer. He had to see her, taste her, feel her. He cradled her face in his hands; his eyes gazed down upon her, admiring her like she was his own special gem, while his thumbs grazed her pink cheeks.

“I missed you.” Her lip trembled as she whispered the words. Krystal looked up at him expectantly, her turquoise eyes full of love, shimmering against the lights of the party. His thumb brushed against her lower lip, causing Krystal to sigh and shiver against his taut body.

With eyes closed, his mouth found hers. He buried his hands in her hair, pulling her closer to him. Breathing in her sweet, floral scent, the scent he gave her, he deepened the kiss, his tongue twisting and twirling around hers. They soon parted, both panting, foreheads still touching.

He eventually pulled back, curious to see how she looked. His breath hitched when he saw what she had done to herself – her fiery locks were teased, curls spilling down past her bare shoulders, and on her face, her skin was adorned with sparkling jewels and gems.

“You’re ridiculous.” She slid her hands in the open cut of his shirt, resting her palms on his bare chest, his heartbeat quickening under her touch. “A very sexy ridiculous, but still…” She rose on tiptoe and placed a quick kiss on his lips. “Ridiculous.”

“And you, my love, are magnificent.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, nudging her closer, and kissed her again. They stood there, embraced in one another’s arms for what felt like both an eternity and a split second. “I have some friends I’d like you to meet,” he murmured tentatively into her hair.

Taking his hand in hers, Krystal looked up at his, smiling brightly. “I’d love to.”

After introducing Krystal to the group, everyone gathered by the bar for a much-needed drink.

“I see he is still having fun,” Leon pointed to the pilot, who was surprisingly still standing after all this time.

“Let the lovebirds have fun, Leon!” Aeryn chided.

“I agree,” added Krystal. She nuzzled against Sevastian as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

Leon, Jett and Remy all look down into their drinks and groaned in unison. Nikolai shared a knowing look with Sevastian, winking at the Winter Prince. It was good to see him smiling again.

“What does someone have to do to get a drink around here?” a voice from behind called out arrogantly.

“Spoiled by your private bar, eh, Emperor?” Atlas called out from the other side of the bar. Antares sighed and shook his head. He glanced over by the pilot, and saw his MC.

His face immediately fell, and he awkwardly adjusted his necktie. “Stupid blasted costume,” he muttered to himself. “Should have worn my uniform, would have been happier…” Antares looked over at his MC again. She was holding Atlas’ hands, leaning into every word he was saying. Probably regaling her with some stories about his days with the Union. Antares scoffed. Antares had stories, many more left to be told. Only now they will be shared with a new MC.

He picked up his glass of honey wine and before he could take a sip, he noticed everyone staring at him. “Yes?”

“Let’s make a toast,” Remy announced. He held his glass up and the others followed. “To new beginnings.”

“To new beginnings,” Antares whispered.

[ashleyswrittenwords]

Correlation Doesn’t Imply Causation

Another Zelink Oneshot

Commissioned by @truffeart :)

Post-BOTW fluff with needless angst mixed in

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It took time for the people of Hateno to warm up to the presence of the Princess with the blood of the goddess. They were folks of the countryside where the strangest occurrences had been the occasional Goron traveller or the time a youngster swore up and down that one of the cattle could speak. Miffed hadn’t covered their wonder when the mysterious young man who had brought the decaying house by the cliffs brought home a wide-eyed blonde who suspiciously met the description of the fabled princess. 

The man had only stayed in the house for short periods of time, typically buying out Pruce’s stock of arrows and visiting the odd scientist at the peak of the village. A wild, insatiable heart for adventure was something to be expected and the older gossip mongers suspected he would bring back a woman from his travels. What they hadn’t expected was his bashful admittance the day after to Ivee and her mother that he was last century’s fallen hero, that Calamity had been vanquished, and that Princess Zelda was resting in his house.

When one person knows something in Hateno, everyone does.

Initially, it was something Zelda worried extensively about. One-hundred years. Would she be out of touch? Even worse, would they see her as a monster? During her excessive ramblings, the latter question made Link do a double take and immediately steer her off the topic. He had been awake for a little over a year and reassured her that the people of Hateno were harmless, but for the first couple weeks he didn’t dispute her flimsy excuses to stay in the home when he went out on short errands.

Actually, he was very supportive of her. Link’s love for cooking had turned into more of a passion and he had easily taken the mantle of the house chef. She could tell he allowed her to do menial tasks like dicing onions so she could feel helpful, and it worked. While out to gather ingredients for meals, he brought back gardening and sewing supplies to supplement her time; even taking her measurements and returning with three colorful Hateno dresses.

And Zelda was thankful, so thankful that after two weeks she let Link introduce her to the people he knew. She had slinked a couple paces behind him, uncomfortable by the stares once they reached the main road. Amira, the wife of the general store owner, had laughed during their brief introduction, “Nack was going around spreading rumors that you glowed in the dark. I don’t suppose that’s true?”

With a wobbly smile, Zelda affirmed that it hadn’t been true. The day got easier after that. People realized they weren’t going to witness anything other than a socially anxious girl and went about their chores as if nothing happened. Of course, she also dissuaded formal titles and told them she wanted to be a normal person for as long as possible before piecing together the kingdom that had already been underway by the Sheikah.

The days went by slow, but the months sped by her. Before she knew it, Link had woken her up to the smell of herbal tea and fruitcake - sweets in the morning had always been her guilty pleasure.

“Happy three months,” Link said with a hum as he set out some plates.

Blearily, she smiled and took a seat at the table to watch him work. “Has it really been that long?”

He barely nodded. “Official this evening.”

She observed him from behind. A soft hum smoothed over their silence and she allowed herself to enjoy this less guarded Link. He talked more often. It seemed to come naturally to him now.

Zelda let herself melt into the wooden chair and thanked herself for making patterned seat cushions. It wasn’t uncommon that she took in her surroundings, comparing what she lost to what she has now. Materially, it was a deficit but never did she feel so complete. There was no real goal other than to just be. 

They ate in a comfortable silence, both still wearing what they slept in.

When noon rolled around, she disappeared upstairs to pull on a deep green dress with sewn in flower patterns and jotted down a list of items to pick up from East Wind. 

“Do you not wish to accompany me?” she asked, tying a rupee pouch to her belt. There wasn't any accusation in her voice, merely simple curiosity due to his affinity to keeping by her side. And, admittedly, she did enjoy his company.

“As much as I do,” he grumbled shortly as he tapped the Sheikah slate repeatedly. “Impa sent a letter last week that travelling merchants were having bokoblin issues in the mountain pass.”

Link wore his riding trousers and a simple Hylian tunic. Without words, they had both understood that she had claimed his Champion tunic to sleep in after days of mending. Her heart sank, it meant the shrines weren’t working today and he would need to ride horseback.

He seemed to read her mind, reaching to thread his fingers passed her ear and through her shortened locks. A commonality after she decided thigh-length hair wasn’t practical anymore.

“I should be back at nightfall. Will… you be okay?”

It was a question born of genuine concern despite the knowledge that she was fully capable of cooking and caring for herself, but he needed that affirmation for himself and she was fully willing to allow him that. When she nodded, he pulled away and she mourned the loss of warmth. Zelda forced the corners of her lips upward. The sight reassured him.

“Be careful,” she chided once he packed a small bag and swung onto his horse. Link looked down at her, grinning as if he knew something she did not. “I mean it. Don’t do anything rash.”

“I know,” he breathily said, “I won’t.”

The manner in the way he spoke sounded like her nagging had caused him great exhaustion, which elicited a playful swat at his leg. 

“Tonight?” she said, sounding more like a statement than a question.

Unwavering cobalt eyes fixated on her. A chaste nod. They didn’t say much more by the time he secured the reins in one hand and urged the horse into a slight trot. Soon he was over the bridge and down the road. By the time she retrieved her basket, he had long disappeared into the Hateno woods.

Autumn made herself known in the tree leaves that were displaced by Zelda’s steps and the chill that bit her cheeks. She fell in love with the season all over again. Ivee’s voice was clear as day once she stepped on the village road. Two people on horseback road passed her towards the inn up ahead. They politely nodded to the woman as she shouted out today’s discounts and carried on their way.

Ivee grimaced at their backs and stiffened at Zelda’s footsteps. Suddenly, with a bright smile, she twisted around to ring out a warm invitation.

Zelda offered a weak wave when the greeter’s face fell. “Sorry.”

The store owner’s daughter waved her apology away with a sigh and continued sweeping away fallen leaves from the doorstep. “Don’t be. Dad’s been on me more about getting newcomers in before the first snow.”

“Is business bad?” she asked, taking a glance about the area. There were more people than usual. 

“Quite the opposite, it’s our busiest season,” Ivee pursed her lips in thought before gesturing towards the door with a scowl. “He’s always like this. Thinkin’ we’re missing out on customers if I don’t lose my voice by sunset.”

Zelda’s shoulders bounced with silent laughter as Ivee leaned back on her heels to wipe sweat from her brow.

“I saw Link leave not too long ago,” the brunette raised her brow. “Seemed to be in a hurry.”

A shrug was Zelda’s answer as she said, “I suppose Kakariko is having a monster problem and, well, you know how he is.”

She grinned wryly, “Can’t ignore a damsel in distress?”

The basket swung with Zelda’s idle swaying and she rolled her eyes. “Oh, no,” she considered, then remembered why she came by. “Have the truffles been restocked?”

“I’m afraid not,” Ivee pouted, “I tried to save some yesterday before they sold out again, but Dad nearly lost his head.”

“I appreciate the thought, Ivee,” Zelda hummed in contemplation. She’d have to do something else for dinner.

The woman looked down, then hazel eyes shot up to hers with an idea.

“Nikki’s daughters go truffle hunting down in the lower forest. Such troublemakers, those girls,” Ivee mumbled the latter notion under her breath. “But now that moblins aren’t as much of an issue, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if you tagged along.”

“I’d love to, but Link has still been wary about me straying too far from the village. I’d rather not give him a heart attack.” And Zelda wasn’t too keen on wandering far without him; the Yiga were still active on the roads outside the village. Until now, they were careful to keep a low profile.

Ivee sighed and leaned on her broom. Wistfully, she smiled, “I wish I had a protective husband like you. You would think I could find a respectable man already, but everyone our age in this town has the maturity of a child.”

The basket in Zelda’s hands froze mid-sway. “I beg your pardon?”

She didn’t seem to notice the change in the blonde’s body language and went on to stare off, “Link is so protective of you. Zelda, you’re lucky to have snatched up a man like that early on. I’m starting to think I’m either horribly unlucky or Calamity Ganon made them extinct.”

Surely her ears weren’t mistaken. 

Husband?

Snatched up?

The woven wood splints of the basket handle dug into her palm, but she carefully guarded her expression - a testament to her upbringing. 

“There’s plenty of agreeable men in the village garrison,” she said, trying to shrug off the odd feeling. “I can make Link put in a good word for you.”

Ivee quirked her lips to the side, “I don’t know, Zee… but honestly I have nothing to lose. Will being into soldier types make me as smart as you?”

They laughed it off and Zelda politely excused herself with a slight stiffness. From East Wind, she picked up grains and milk while making sure to leave a good report to Pruce of Ivee’s behalf. On her way out, Pruce chuckled.

“Send my regards to your better half!”

Her brows scraped the highest reaches of her forehead, but Zelda quickly reeled herself in and sent a bright smile behind her. As she walked down the road with the sales shouting of Ivee behind her, she felt the shock of their assumptions settle into a stark warmth against the chill air.

There were several variables that insinuated… a very misconstrued aspect of her relationship with Link. The tips of Zelda’s ears flared. But, no, she was a scientist and understood that correlation did not mean causation. It could simply be an assumption drawn from Amira and Pruce’s household only. 

“Zelda!” 

She jumped at the hiss, spinning towards its direction and coming face to face with Nikki. The woman gripped her wrist and dragged her around the corner of a house. Then, Amira popped up from behind a barrel.

“You’re good!” she loudly whispered. “He didn’t notice.”

“Who didn’t notice?” Zelda said, making Nikki momentarily panic when her voice was too loud for her liking. The antics of the two women were fairly normal, but this situation was entirely new.

Amira, who was glaring around the bend, appeared again with shifty eyes. “There’s a man going around asking nearly every woman on a date.”

Nikki puffed out her chest victoriously. “You’re lucky. He got distracted by the innkeeper’s daughter. He kept going on about boots. His boots this, his boots that. My goodness, he’s fortunate he didn’t pull that on me. My Nacky would have let him have it.”

“O-Oh,” Zelda exchanged glances between the two of them. “Thank you.”

“Absolutely, darling,” Amira proudly declared. “We wouldn’t want Link running around trying to find the man who wanted to steal you from him, now would we? It’d be bad for business.”

Before Zelda knew it, she was nodding vehemently. “Yes, I know what you mean.”

She most certainly did not know what they meant. At all. Quickly, she bid them a good day and began her way up the slopes to the Sheikah lab. Despite Amira and Nikki’s warning, the boot man never appeared to steal her away.

Purah’s squeaky voice was heard above the ticking of gears as Zelda pushed open the doors. Calculating brown eyes met hers, “I was wondering if you’d ever visit me.”

“I was here yesterday.”

She still appeared to be a child, but Zelda noticed she was taller than the prior day. From her stool, she squinted down into the cavernous body of a small guardian. It had long been deactivated by Link before he defeated Calamity Ganon, and Zelda was set to use it for a better purpose than rotting in a junkyard. 

The Sheikah waved her off, “Did your potion make only my mind older because I distinctly remember Symin being the only one here.”

Symin barely looked up from a diagram, “She was here for four hours, Purah.”

All the scientist did was hum a tune. Zelda helped herself to the desk space she had occupied a day before. Scattered across it were miscellaneous notes in Zelda and Purah’s handwriting. Small illustrations were more prevalent in Purah’s more recent studies. At least her physical form was growing older and the blonde was quick to scribble down her observations. 

Beyond that, however, Zelda grew relentlessly distracted. Any progress was dashed when she remembered how they referred to Link. Three desperate attempts to read through the same paragraph were thwarted by the time she slammed the book shut, unable to get the notion of being married out of her head.

Husband. Husband? That would make her his wife, logically. But what wasn’t logical would be the ability to fathom this idea in the first place.

“Symin,” she suddenly said, catching the larger man’s attention. He swiveled a bit in his stool to face her.

“Do you need another reference?” He was referring to the Guardian mandible in his lap.

Zelda shook her head before choosing her words carefully. 

“What are your thoughts on marriage?”

“Um,” Symin wrinkled his nose and gazed up at the ceiling above. “Uh, I have very little on the subject. Why ask me?”

“Don’t hit on my assistant, Zelly,” Purah’s voice echoed from within the Guardian body she was dismantling. “I’ll tell on you to Linky.”

That made Zelda place her hands on the table and partially stand. The metal parts lying on her skirt clattered to the ground. 

 “So, you think we’re married too?” She was louder than she usually was with a tone of finality. 

Symin nearly gawked, “You aren’t?”

“No!”

“You aren’t?” Purah echoed, popping her white head of hair out of the sea of wheels and cogs.

“Purah you should know this!”

“Zelly, you must know old women don’t poke their noses into other people’s business! Consider it an educated guess.”

Zelda groaned, falling back into her seat with her head in her hands.

The researcher’s assistant beside her shifted awkwardly in his seat.

“Well,” he started, then stopping and starting again. “It must have been another dramatization when the story began spreading across Hyrule.”

“What’s the story say then?” she said, defeat in her stature and embarrassment on her cheeks. “I might as well know how it was told.”

Purah had fully reemerged now, her clothes stained from oil. She wriggled onto the table. “Something something, before the Princess’s birthday,” she sang, “the goddesses something something and under the watchful eye of Hylia they eloped or whatever.”

“We eloped?”

“I don’t know!” Purah threw up her short arms. “That’s what the bird said!”

“Look,” Symin steered her away from his mentor. “Maybe it’d be best if you got home and explained it to Link before he hears it from someone else.”

She considered it. He was right. Zelda should rip the bandaid off early on, then the awkwardness could pass faster.

Right? 

“I will say, I was hurt that I wasn’t invited,” Purah pouted, handing Zelda her basket. “But remember that when there’s a real wedding.”

She didn’t have the emotional energy to argue at that point.

It had been hours since she had ascended the cliff and now the impending sunset brought dropping temperatures. The clouds over the sea hadn’t lightened her mood either.

By the time Zelda returned home, night had fallen outside and it caused her to assume that Link was wise enough to spend it in Kakariko. He knew she didn’t like the thought of him riding past dusk.

She waited until small bubbles manifested over the sea of oil and melted the butter for her mind to wander. It wasn’t… imposterous to make inferences based on their interactions. After all, they had known one another for over one-hundred years (with all minor happenstances abiding). Perhaps it was only natural that they developed their familiar bond.

Zelda had difficulties with darkness and he, with sleep, so it wasn’t an uncommon occurrence that she made herself a space amongst his makeshift pallets by the hearth, nor him in her bed in the loft. How many times has that happened?

Many times. Most nights.

The heat on her face was quickly blamed on the simmering risotto base. Gradually, she stirred in the rice and spices, copying the movements she’s seen Link do before. 

Besides, sleeping together - no, merely sharing the same proximity - was born of necessity. There were plenty of activities a married couple performed that they didn’t. Nikki and Nack called one another the most egregious nicknames. Zelda nodded to herself, stirring the contents of the pan with fervor. That was something they never did.

They were comfortable roommates. Who slept together on the occasion.

And who shared lingering touches when words didn’t suffice. 

She was wary to confess the feelings she harbored for those small moments when he’d brush the side of her cheek and down the length of her hair; the only times she regretted her dubious haircut. And maybe she did enjoy the opportunities to remind him to shave by cupping his cheek in her hand. Thrill wedged itself in her heart when he leaned further into her touch.

Discomfort sat at the bottom of her stomach. Zelda frowned deeply. The familiar sensation of impending disappointment ebbed at her.

The door at the head of the room clambered open, revealing the sheets of rain falling from the heavens. Boots stomped a couple steps on the hard-wood and the door shut more gently than it opened. 

“I’m sorry,” a chilled, but deeply familiar voice said. “I’m late.”

Zelda sat back on her haunches, taking Link in as he peeled off his sopping cloak. His shoulders shook as the rain had long set into his clothes.

“Link,” she whined. “Hylia above, what have I told  you about riding in the rain? Especially in this weather!”

“I know,” he grinned wryly at her from across the room. “And I nearly rented a room, but then goddesses told me you were cooking tonight.”

She would have chastised him further and ran to grab him an extra change of clothes, but her previous thoughts pounded in the back of her brain and the steady bubbling of risotto kept her in her place.

“You’re too much for me,” she huffed, barely looking at him. “Can you check to see if this is done?”

Suddenly, his breath was right next to her ear. “I’ll move out anytime you want me to.” 

A pause.

“It’s perfect, Zel.”

Her hand stilled in its stirring. There went the nickname criteria.

Zelda caught his eye and his amused expression deflated slightly. She blinked, “This is your house.” 

A small crease formed between is brow. “And?”

“And,” she emphasized, “you’re going to catch a chill in your own home if you don’t change.”

Link didn’t move immediately and she could feel his stare, but eventually he relented to her nagging. She could hardly hear him shuffle about the room once his boots were removed. When Zelda pulled the pan from the fire, he was descending down the loft in a simple cloth shirt and trousers.

“Did I do something?” he said, idling by the foot of the stairs.

That had made her brow furrow and her frown to deepen. 

“No,” she nonchalantly answered, throwing down a potholder on the table with more force than needed.

He eyed her from the cabinet and pulled out a couple plates.

“I am fine,” she copied his stare and could tell the question was on the tip of his tongue. Still, he held her gaze from across the room. Zelda pressed the appropriate silverware onto the placemats.

“Link, stop that. I’m fine.”

When he closed the distance to put the appropriate plates on their mats, he hadn’t yielded to her reassurances and took note on the way she stepped away to give him extra room.

Annoyance wormed into Zelda’s chest and she dimly noticed that this manner of interrogation was used before.

“Have I done anything?” Link asked again, genuinely this time. “Because I’m sorry if I worried you.”

It was a wonder how this was the same man who could take on three lynels at once. She only knew because she’s seen it. The fire was there when he stared down Ganon after a year of waking up from a century of slumber, it hadn’t stifled the flame in his eyes. But now, he was careful with her. The blue of his eyes was soft, gentle and fully willing to apologize when there was nothing he did wrong.

“No,” she said, forcing herself to match his demeanor because it wasn’t fair for her own troubles to affect him. “No, you haven’t.”

His follow up question didn’t need a voice.

“I heard something in town and,” she stopped to let her stiff shoulders sag. “I don’t think you’ll like it.”

Gods, she sounded like she was a child about to admit to breaking something. As she said the words, she realized that the idea itself hadn’t bothered her. What had bothered her was his potential reaction. 

Zelda could say they were friends, even close friends, but lovers? Spouses? The pull of her heart at the thought scared her.

Disappointment. There would be disappointment in his eyes that would leave her  to hurt.

“They think,” she paused. He tried to take her fidgeting hands in his, but she pulled away and left him dumbfounded. Zelda didn’t like that expression at all on him, only making her more flustered in what to do. 

“Who?” His tone was gentle, like calming a spooked horse.

Zelda breathed in a large breath, “This morning. Ivee and- and Pruce and… Nikki and Nack...”

She trailed off, searching the floor and Link for words.

“The townspeople?” 

Tentatively, she nodded, not quite able to spit out what she needed to say.

Now, he was fully confused. “What do they think? Zelda, I promise you they don’t judge you for what had happened.”

The Calamity. Of course he would be thinking she was worried about that with how aloof her mannerisms suddenly were. Assuming he guessed right, his small frown upticked to sympathy.

“They’d never pin that on you. If anything, they warmed up to you more than they did to me.”

He began to tell her about the odd stares he got when he began reconstruction of the house. All the stories that would typically make her laugh, but all she could do with stare at their feet.

“They think we’re married!”

The words that flew from her were unequivocally hers yet her ears could hardly believe it. Link’s lips fell into a small “o” as he took a step back. Shock barely registered on his features, and it made her regret saying anything at all. She hated the way his eyes left hers.

Unsure of what to do, she watched him pace to the opposite wall and back. Never did he meet her gaze in turn for the rafters above. A hand brushed through his damp hair.

He swallowed the remnants of his tales, more softer with a certain disbelief, “Married, huh?”

Her quiet response affirmed him.

If this had been any other situation, she would have poked fun at the way he was behaving. Nothing about him exuded the certain confidence he so often employed in front of her. Lucky was a word she would have used if she managed to confound him like this.

“Ivee was the first to mention it in passing,” Zelda placated. “I thought it was a simple misunderstanding until Pruce then Nikki then Amira until…”

“Until it wasn’t so simple,” he finished for her. She smoothed a piece of hair behind her ear with a nod.

They fell back into a quietness. Some of Link’s shock gave way for, what she assumed, a reluctant acceptance.

The risotto was growing cold and neither had the stomach to point it out.

Zelda wasn’t ignorant about her feelings. However, she knew she was a coward. Before the Calamity, she had an understanding of why his name suddenly filled up the pages of her diary. Back then, Link had a silent charm to him that let her be herself for a short moment. It enraptured her. But she also had an excuse to never admit it. 

Now, she had nothing to hide behind. No Calamity Ganon was going to drag her away from the man who was obviously embarrassed to be seen as her husband.

“Married?” he asked again, as if she hadn’t confirmed it for the umpteenth time. He was leaning against the table with his hand rubbing his neck.

“Yes, Link,” she was growing frustrated. “They think we’re… you know.”

Then, he looked up. “Is that a bad thing?”

Link’s eyes swept the room at her startled reaction. “Well,” he said with a raised brow and a small shake of his head. “If you’re completely against it then I am too, but-”

Then, to her absolute surprise, he shrugged. “It’s not horrible.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” there was defensiveness in his voice, “that other people assuming I’m married isn’t the worst rumor in the world.”

Now Zelda was thoroughly convinced he had stumbled upon a pub on his way home. “You do realize that it would mean I would be your wife.”

His shrug was more grandiose this time. “And I would be your husband.”

By then, the room was much dimmer. The fire lacked wood and Zelda hadn’t had time to think about lighting candles. She could make out his features, but could hardly read them.

“So, you’re not mad?”

Link wasn’t leaning on the table anymore. The action made her feel closer to him. 

“Why would I be mad at you?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Not at me. The rumor.”

There was hesitation in his movements, but he crossed the little amount of space between them. “Honestly? It makes sense why more people haven’t outwardly hit on you.”

That comment made her let out a short laugh.

“But no,” he said; she could hear his smile. “I’m not mad… not at all.”

Link’s approach was slower than usual, but she opened up to his enticing pulls that evolved into a gentle embrace.

There were many doubts Zelda harbored. Most old, some new. To her, they were indistinguishable. Yet, all were forgotten, if only for a little while when he held her close in his arms.

When she bunched the cloth of his shirt in her hands, she felt him shiver. 

“You’re going to catch a cold,” Zelda muttered.

All he did was hold her closer. 

[crystalwillow]

The Pregnancy, Part Two

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x Casey Valentine (F!MC)

Tagging: @kiteplayschoices @brycelahelalover @obsessedheehee @eleanorbloom @fuseboxmusebox @princesslahela @vibrantlyjaz @kaavyaethanramsey @queencarb @schnitzelbutterfingers @ramseysno1rookie @caseyvalentineramsey @ethanramseyswhore @whippedforethanfreakingramsey

=====================

Six months had passed since Casey and Ethan discovered she was pregnant, and she was now in her last trimester. She still wanted to go to work so she had something to do and so that if she went into labor she was already in the hospital. Of course, Ethan got less and less enthusiastic about her going to work, now a few more months that passed. He insisted that she stay home and look after herself, to let him work a little overtime and do the heavy grocery shopping. But Casey, being the stubborn woman she is, dug her heels in saying a firm no, continuing to go to work.

One lunch break, Casey and Ethan were sitting outside round the fountain, sharing a pizza and some fries, when Sienna came over. "Hey. Could I sit with you guys?" she squeaked out quietly, "Of course" Ethan smiled as Casey took another bite of her pizza slice, "Want a piece?" Casey asked as she held out the box to her friend. "No thank you. I'm okay. I've already eaten." She said politely, hoping her lie went undetected, as she took a seat next to Casey. "Do I still smell of blood and bile?" Ethan joked, "Honey. if you smelt of that I would not even be near you. Sienna just doesn't like getting in the middle of people" Casey explained jokingly. Sienna chuckled at the sass levels in Casey's reply, and the three spent the rest of their lunch break together. Late that afternoon, Ethan stopped by Casey's floor to collect the grocery list and her dinner order as he was finishing early, and she had to work late. "oooo someone's coming" a nurse teased Casey, as she walked away from the nurses station with her files, to give the two privacy. "Hey." Ethan smiled as he greeted her with a kiss leaning over the nurses station. "hey" Casey smiled back, as the phone rang. "one moment" she smiled and answered the phone, "Hello, Francis Ward, Dr. Casey Ramsey speaking, how may I help? ... uh-huh, okay. ... Could you hold for just one moment and I'll check that for you." she answered as she put the phone on hold "Janet!" she called out to a passing nurse, who stopped in her tracks and turned coming over to the station "yeah?" she asked, sounding tired. "I've got Dr. Rasheen on the phone calling from OR recovery 4, asking if we have any free beds on the ward for a patient that has just woken up." Casey explained. Janet checked the chart, "mmmmmmm, yep. We have room 783 free." She smiled at Casey, who picked the phone back up. "Hello, Dr. Rasheen? ... yes, we have 1 room free. Could I get the patients name please? .... Holly Barkermann. Alright, we'll have that ready for arrival in the next few minutes okay? .... okay, Thank You. B-Bye" she chimed happily as she hung up the call. After letting out a deepened sigh, Casey leant back in her chair and looked up at Ethan who smiled back at her. "Could I have the lists?" He asked sweetly. Casey sat up and pulled them out of her pocket and passed them to him. He looked at her dinner request and smiled. "I'll pick it up later on the way to get you from work sweetie" He grinned as he looked back up at her. "Thanks baby. I'll see you later okay?" she replied. Ethan nodded and gave her one last kiss before heading off the do the grocery shopping and go home.

That night Casey text Ethan.

Casey: Hey babe! Finishing up here in about 45 minutes!!

Ethan:

Casey: Babe???

Casey: Bubs?

Casey: HELLO! ETHAN RAMSEY! ARE YOU THERE?! T-MINUS 45!!"

Ethan: Can't a man poop in peace? xD

Casey: ... sorryyyy :/

Ethan xD. It's okay. I'll see you soon

Casey: Can you bring Bleu? or is he sleeping??

Ethan: Sleeping. Sorry honey :(

Casey: It's alright. I'll see you in a bit. Don't forget our dinner!!"

Ethan: I won't don't worry :D. Love you!! <3

Casey: Love you too bubba :* <3

After sending the text messages, Casey stuffed her phone back into her pocket and got back to work. It was nighttime so everything was slower paced. She got bored and decided to try and balance a pencil on the tip of her nose because she still hadn't been able to complete that. She was so occupied by it that she didn't hear someone approach the desk. "Ahem." the voice said as the person it belonged to clear their throat. Casey jumped, dropping the pencil then pouting at it "awww! I was so close!" she quietly exclaimed as she looked up to see who it was. "Oh, hey Esme!" she chirped, Esme smiled. "I'm here to take over. Your husband's downstairs, in the main lobby." she told her. Casey checked the clock on the wall. "Oh my gosh. Was I just trying to balance a pencil on the tip of my nose for 45 minutes?" she asked, flushing a deep red, fully embarrassed. "I guess so." Esme chuckled as she came round the desk to switch places with Casey. "Well.... see you Saturday I guess." Casey said to Esme, giving her a hug before grabbing her belongings, checking out and making her way downstairs. As she stepped out of the elevator, she let out a massive sigh and took her tag off over her head, tucking it inside her bag. "Busy shift?" Ethan asked, as he walked over to her and greeted her with a hug. She gripped onto him tightly. "ugghhhh, I missed youuuuu" she whined as she crushed Ethan with a hug. Ethan chuckled as he returned his wife's hug, "I missed you too munchkin" he mumbled, Casey pulled back and looked at him strangely, "Munchkin?" she asked with a confused frown, as she laced her fingers with his. "I was browsing words on that Urban Dictionary site you're always going on about. Munchkin can be used as a term of endearment for one's partner who is playful and mischievous" He explained as they walked to the car hand in hand. "Oh...? So you're saying I'm playful and mischievous now, are you?" Casey teased as they got into the car, Ethan just chuckled as he gave her a knowing look. As Ethan drove them home, Casey sat in the passenger seat chowing down on her fries and gulping down her drink, "Hungry? Ethan smiled. Casey nodded eagerly as she shoved more fries in her mouth, "bank oo bor biss" she grinned. Soon they pulled up on the drive and went inside, Bleu greeting them straight away by barking as soon as they opened the door, "Ugh. My feet are so sooorrrreeeee" Casey whined as she took off her shoes and jacket, she then squealed in delighted surprise as Ethan lifted her up and carried her to their room, content concentration on his face the entire time. I'll go grab us some soda, water and snacks then we can binge whatever it is you wish to watch tonight, okay?" Ethan smiled as he pressed a tender loving kiss to Casey's forehead before leaving the room and heading downstairs to the kitchen, and they spent the night cuddled up in bed doing exactly what Ethan said they would, and fell asleep happy and content, ready for the next day and what it would bring them. In the middle of the night Casey woke up feeling around for Ethan and groaned slightly when she couldn't feel him. She slowly opened her eyes and spotted him sitting at his desk across the room with a creased brow as he stared at his screen, "Ethan?" she whispered, and he snapped his head towards the bed, "What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked as he swiveled round in his chair. She pouted and held her hand out towards him, he sighed and walked over to their bed, sitting next to her and taking her hand in his, "Is this case keeping you up again?" she asked as she placed her head on his leg. He instinctively started stroking her hair, "mmm" he mumbled staring blankly ahead.

Casey looked up at him an noticed the bags under his eyes and looked at the clock on their bedside table, seeing it read 3:47am, "Honey. Your shift starts in an hour and 13 minutes. Come to bed and try to get some sleep. Please" she begged quietly, looking up at him. Ethan exhaled heavily through his nostrils and got up. "Just let me save this document and I'll come to bed" he said as he sat back in his office chair and spun back so he was facing his screen, sliding his glasses back on his face. "They really enhance your beauty, you know?" Casey spoke out, Ethan just smiled at her comment, gently shaking his head as he saved the document and shut his computer down. About 45 minutes later, Casey was up with Ethan as he got ready for work, she was in the kitchen making his lunch. Ethan walked in a few minutes later, smelling like his heavenly self. He stood behind Casey and wrapped his arms round her stomach and rested his chin on her shoulder, pressing delicate kisses behind her ear and down her neck. "You don't have to be up doing this for me. I can make my own lunch you know." He said, his face and voice full of concern. Casey smiled at him with a look full of love that makes him realize there's no point in making it an issue because today is her day off before her last week working. She looked up at Ethan wistfully, "What?" he softly smiled back, "Nothing.... It's just... Are you sure that you're ready to be a father? Because when we done those scans when I was an intern. You said you didn't see it in your future. You weren't sure you could give them what they would need. And if you still aren't ready. We can put them for adoption. Or into foster care. Or to a same sex couple who wants children. I want you to be ready for this Ethan. I don't want you to feel like I'm forcing you into being a father by keeping this child." Casey rambled as she brought her hands to her stomach, cradling the child inside. Just as he opens his mouth to answer, Ethan's alarm goes off telling him it's time to leave for work.

Later in the day, around noon the doorbell rang. Casey answered it after looking through the peep hole, and greeted Tia and Bryce on the other side. "Hey! What're you guys doing here?!" she asked as she gave them both hugs and invited them inside. They walked in, Casey shut the door and they all made their way to the living room, taking various seats around the room in chairs and on couches. "Ethan caught us this morning and told us to bring you lunch." Tia said as they took their seats, "We brought both enough hot and cold food for all of us and we even brought some for Ethan to have later, he looked drained when we saw him." Bryce added. Casey smiled at her friends, "I'm not surprised. He was up half the night working on the case of Mr. Hopkins again." she informed them. They gave a knowing yet understanding look with a small nod. "Anyway. How's the hospital today?" Casey asked, as her and Tia dug into their food, Bryce walking off the get a fork. Tia swallowed her bite of food and smiled at Casey, "Busy as usual. Same old people shouting the same old things, cases that take only a few moments to solve. Although, there is this one case that's come in this morning and nobody can seem to work out what's going on with them. They have no genetic markers for anything, no test that has been run so far comes back with anything that could be used as a lead to do further tests. Bryce, as always says the simple solution is to cut them open. But I have to keep telling him, you can't randomly go cutting people open, with nothing supporting them needing and operation. You know?" She tells Casey as Bryce walks back into the room. "Your dog is seriously so adorable!" Bryce exclaims as he sits back down. Casey smiles and eats more of her food. The three talk and eat until it's time for Bryce and Tia to head back to work. Casey going back to binge watching Netflix series she needs to catch up on and drinking her herbal teas. Before she knows it, she hears Ethan's key go into the door and sits up as she hears him call out that he's home. "In here!" she calls back as she gets up so she can move to the couch and cuddle him.

He stops off at the kitchen first to get plates and cutlery for them to eat then walks into the living room placing the food, plates and cutlery onto the coffee table before sweeping Casey up into a massive bear hug, inhaling her perfume deeply. "I've missed you today." He mumbled into her neck, she smiled in response "I've missed you too." She mumbled back and they sat on the couch and talked about their days. "... and then the stupid woman tried to take off with a line in her arm and the machine still plugged into the wall. She didn't even grab the pole to wheel the machine with her as she walked. She just walked. Blood everywhere. It took about 10 minutes to get the bleeding under control. I have never witnessed something so daft in all my life." Ethan rambled, as Casey listened intently. Taking in every tone change in his voice as she ate quietly beside him. "So....... You're stressed?" Casey asked as he finished rambling. "hrm?" Ethan mumbled, Casey just chuckled and got up, heading to the bathroom.

Ethan followed and stood outside so they could continue talking. "When I say I missed you at work today. I meant it you know. I didn't have someone I could just walk up to and plop my head on their shoulder, and whine to. I don't know what you done to me rookie... but.. I feel love again now. I have friends. I can be friendly with others without feeling awkward. You're a blonde bombshell of sass. But you're my blonde bombshell of sass. My other half that I gave up searching for and accepted I was going to be a dog dad forever and die old, alone and miserable. Naveen was right. When you started at Edenbrook as an intern, I took my work way too seriously. And my ways were rubbing off on you. You were becoming a mini female version of me. But, somehow I knew you already were. You were serious about your work. You were serious about a lot. You got yourself in trouble for your patients because you care. You put everyone else's feelings before your own and you took time to get to know me, ask me how I was. I.... I'd not had anyone do that there for 10 years, because I was at the top of all the interns in my year as well. They quickly became envious, jealous, angry at me even. I couldn't understand why at the time, I was just an intern doing my best to make sure all my patients were happy, healthy and had the best care provided that they would need. I wasn't actively seeking out pissing them off. I was just being me. I thought it was my fault at first but then I realized, it's not my fault that my brain is on a different level to theirs. It wasn't my fault I worked and ticked differently. Performed my best when I worked on cases solo. When I wrote and published my book I didn't expect it to be such a huge hit. To influence the next generation of medicine and impact it in such a way. Then you walked into Edenbrook and shook everything up. Including me and my heart. You gave me the wake up call I needed, and I fell for you. I fell for you hard. In Miami all those years ago, I wanted you as much as you wanted me. Damn Casey, when I first stopped you in your tracks as you followed me to the new wing of the hospital. I wanted me taking you for coffee to be a date. But I was scared of the intricacy of it all. I was your boss. It would have been wrong. It was wrong. But somewhere along the line I stopped caring. I wanted... no, needed you. I needed to know what it was like to hold you. Kiss you. Dance and laugh with you. I needed to learn to love and open up my heart. I'd both needed and wanted to do that for years, but nobody caught my eye.. that was until I saw you. I'm here today pouring out my heart and emotions, but I want you to know I wouldn't be doing that if it wasn't for you. You went from rookie, to the owner of my heart. And now... well now you're going to be the mother of my child too. Well... children... I looked closer at your last scan, saw something that shocked me so grabbed a sonographer and they confirmed that.. we, we're having triplets Casey.... We haven't conceived just one child. We've conceived t-" He spoke, voice thick with emotion. The bathroom door opened, Casey looked up at him, a delicate smile on her face, with small tears running down her cheeks, "We're having triplets?" she asked softly, trying not to let her voice break as she reached out and rested her hand on Ethan's cheek, he leant into her touch and smiled as she gently stroked his stubble with her thumb. He nodded as his own tears fell from his eyes. "And I want to keep them. I'm ready to be a father to 3 of the most amazing kids I will ever have the pleasure of knowing. I-" He started to speak again but his voice broke. The purity and happiness if this moment shone and lit the whole house up. Some would say you could hear a chorus of angels if you listened close enough. The two stood in the hallway basking in their moment of happiness as Ethan's revelation set in. They cuddled and swayed together to the music in their heads. Neither feeling their current state of happiness ever before.

Soon, Casey spoke quietly not wanting to disturb the happy peace too much, "You mean it? You're ready for parenthood?" She asked as she looked up meeting Ethan's gaze. He nodded. "I'm ready." He answered quietly, pressing a kiss to her lips and then the two headed upstairs to shower and get ready for bed. The happiness still shining bright around them, they enjoyed the peace knowing soon, it would no longer exist for a while.

[fantasyoverreality98]

One Simple Question

Pairing: Bryce x F! MC (Bess Daniels)

Book: Open Heart

Prompt: Question

Summary: Bess gathers up the courage to ask Bryce to take a big step in their relationship.

Author’s Note: This is the first time I’m participating in a challenge! I’m doing Day 01: question for the @choicesmonthlychallenge. Thank you as always to everyone who takes the time to read, like, reblog, and/or comment!

Tags: @anotherbeingsworld @aylamreads

Word Count: 1,180

------

Bess Daniels had never expected her life to be here. For the longest time, any visions of the future only dealt with her career. She knew she wanted to be a doctor, she knew that it would take years to pay off her tuition fees, and she had abandoned all thoughts of having any sort of personal life.

But then she met Bryce Lahela.

Two years had somehow managed to pass in the blink of an eye, and she still had no clue what she’d done right to end up with someone like him. He was practically perfect.

“You’ve got it so bad for the meathead,” Jackie said with a sigh, watching as Bess glanced across the cafeteria towards her boyfriend. “I still don’t get it. How can you stand him longer than a few minutes?”

Sienna clicked her tongue, shooting Jackie a glare. “What’s wrong with you? They’re in love! It’s adorable!”

Bess’ two roommates started to bicker, but she only had eyes for Bryce, who noticed her watchful gaze after a few minutes. He grinned, and her heart started to beat faster. Somehow, every single time, he had that effect on her.

Bryce said something to the other surgeons he was eating lunch with before standing and making his way over to their table. As soon as he pulled out a chair beside Bess, Jackie and Sienna ceased their arguing. They smiled at him, pretending as though nothing had happened.

“Hey ladies, what’s up?” Bryce slung an arm around Bess’ shoulders, focusing his attention on her. “I couldn’t help but notice you watching me across the cafeteria, staring wistfully. Did you miss me?”

Jackie scoffed, and Bryce smirked, turning to look at her for a brief moment before he sat back in his chair. Everyone was quiet for several seconds. Bess tried to steady her racing heart, the question echoing in her head. She worried that it might be too soon, or something that he wouldn’t be up for. Two years together may be a fairly long time, but she didn’t want to cross a line.

“I’ve got to get back to work soon, but I’ll see you later, okay?” Bryce pulled his arm away, and she instantly felt the absence of his warmth. “Talk to you later.” He gave her a quick kiss, shooting her another grin before standing from the table.

Once he’d walked out of the cafeteria, Sienna turned to face Bess, frowning. “What’s wrong? Why didn’t you ask him?”

Bess shook her head, poking at her fruit salad with her plastic fork. “I’m nervous. What if he says no?”

“Oh, please, you two practically live together already. I’ve gone over a week only seeing you here at work. You sleep over at his place constantly. Just ask him!” Jackie slammed her fists down, spilling some chocolate milk on the table. “If he says no, he’s an even bigger idiot than I thought.”

Bess laughed, though it quickly turned into a sigh. “I will, it’s just—” She shook her head again, thinking of the past two years. “This is a huge step.”

Sienna reached across the table to grab her hand. When their eyes met, her lips turned up in a smile. “You can do it, Bess. I believe in you.”

And, somehow, that reassurance was exactly what she needed.

----

Less than a day after the cafeteria discussion, Bess stood outside Bryce’s apartment door, pressing her arms against her body in an attempt to stop them from shaking.

You can do this. You are Bess Daniels. It will be fine.

She had faced almost losing her medical license, had survived a heartbreaking fling with Ethan Ramsey, had been betrayed by one of her closest friends, and yet the idea of asking Bryce one simple question terrified her more than any of those incidents combined.

“There you are! I was beginning to think you might cancel on me.” Bryce stepped aside after opening the door, the way he looked at her enough to dispel her worries for a moment.

Bess held up a bottle of champagne, forcing a grin before she made her way into the apartment. “Sorry, I just had to grab this on my way over.” If he said no, she could always say she’d just been in the mood for a drink.

Bryce took the bottle from her hands and started to walk towards the kitchen to open it. “I’m not sure if this will go with pizza, but that’s fine. Everyone likes to feel fancy once in a while, right?”

“Actually—” Here it was. This was the moment she’d been preparing for. Bess took a deep breath, telling herself the time would never be right. “I had a question to ask you first.”

He came to a halt, spinning around to face her. “Sure. What is it?”

Part of her wanted to turn and run from the building, but she ignored the urge. “We’ve been together for two years now, and we spend a lot of time together here in your apartment, so I was just wondering if…” Bess trailed off, watching Bryce’s face for a sign that he knew where this was headed. If he gave any indication of saying no, she would hurry to think up a different question.

“You were wondering if…?” He narrowed his eyes, taking a step closer to her. The corners of his lips twitched as he fought back a smile. “Come on, Bess. You can ask me anything.”

“I was wondering if you might want to move in together. We’ve been together for a while now, and I sleep over a lot anyway. It wouldn’t have to be here, we could go somewhere else if you wanted to. I just thought that maybe you—”

Bryce grinned, closing the distance between them, cutting off her rambling with a kiss. The tension in her shoulders eased as she wrapped her arms around his neck, sighing in relief. He chuckled against her lips, pulling her closer. Bess followed him when he took a step back and she heard him set the champagne bottle down on a side table.

“I would love it if you moved in. You pretty much live here already anyway.” He smiled, pulling back to look at her. “Honestly, I’ve been wanting to ask you for a while, but I was worried you might say no.”

Bess laughed, heat rushing to her face when her eyes filled with happy tears. She looked down, trying her best to blink them away before they could fall. “Are you sure? You can say no.”

Now it was his turn to laugh. “Why would I say no? Getting to wake up next to you every single day sounds pretty great to me.”

The tears came despite her best attempts to stop them, and Bess finally looked up at Bryce, reaching out to touch his face. Her face hurt from smiling so much. “I love you.”

Bryce leaned into her touch, pulling her closer. “I love you, too. Now, how about we celebrate with some champagne?”

[bellesque]

Cold Spell

Jack Frost x Rapunzel (Jackunzel)

Summary: It’s nearly wintertime in the kingdom of Corona, and Rapunzel has yet to discover a certain Winter Guardian and how he’s about to change her life.

Read the first 5 chapters on my AO3.

Part 1/? - ONGOING

Rating: T

Chapter Word Count: 1.3K

Tags: Jackunzel, Fluff, Eventual Romance, Friends to Lovers

A/N: So this fic. This pairing. I decided to pick this up again after how many years and made a promise to see this to the end. This is on my AO3 (link above), but I decided that it’s only fitting to post it here as well considering my tumblr roots included a lot of ROTBTD (raise your hand if you were a part of that! is it even still alive lol). I’ll slowly be posting the first 5 chapters here but if you can’t wait, the AO3 link is up there. Anyhow, enough rambling about nostalgia: I hope you enjoy!

Chapter One.

“TATA, MY FLOWER! I’ll see you in a few days’ time!”

The cool breeze carried Mother Gothel’s melodious voice back up and into the old tower as she descended from Rapunzel’s golden hair. She peered down the open window, smiling slightly as she waved goodbye to the only mother figure she had ever known.

“Goodbye, Mother!” she called after her, watching as Gothel’s figure disappeared into the foliage. Rapunzel let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding, and her small smile bloomed into a full blown grin on her freckled face. Gothel’s absences were rarely missed, and she finally had the tower all to herself.

It wasn’t that it changed anything; Rapunzel was usually too chicken to climb down (what if Gothel found out?), but she settled for sitting as close to the edge as she possibly could. If her mother dearest were around, she would scream and berate the young girl, saying that she would fall to her death if she wasn’t careful.

“My hair’s anchored to the hook, Mother,” was always her exasperated reply, but since Rapunzel knew of her mother’s horrendous mood swings, she always complied.

At this moment, however, as she sat with her toes touching nothing but the wind around her, she leaned forward, smiling dreamily. She had nothing to do now as she’d done everything in her daily routine: clean the tower, read her books, cover to cover. The walls were beginning to become cramped with paintings and splashes of color, and Pascal did not look like he was in the mood to put up with any of her antics.

And yet, doing nothing made her smile with giddiness.

She recalled one of the books she’d read, one about a damsel in distress who was trapped, and a prince in disguise who had come to her rescue.

“Not so much of a damsel, huh, Pascal?” she mused, looking down beside her to where her chameleon friend was. “Although, I am kind of distressed. Maybe we could, I don’t know…” A look of mischief flashed across her features as she leaned closer conspiratorially. “Leave the tower?”

Pascal jumped up in surprise, squeaking his obvious protests, and Rapunzel laughed as she patted him once, twice. “You know I’m only joking. I could never. But it would be nice to.” Her face fell slightly. “But you know Mother… it’d kill her.”

She pulled her knees close to her chin, a pout forming on her lips while her brows furrowed. “I just wish she’d trust me for once.” Frustration was beginning to seep into her tone. “See that I’m capable of handling myself out there. The world can’t be so bad, and if it were, I’d still be okay, right, Pascal?” She looked at the chameleon, uncertainty now etched on her face.

Pascal gave a grunt of acknowledgment, closing his eyes once, before looking back out to the horizon in front of them. Rapunzel managed another smile, though it wasn’t as full as her usual ones. “Thanks. I should have known you’d always believe in me.”

She, too, directed her gaze back to the scenery from her tower. She could see faint outline of the kingdom nearby: the castle being the landmark that stood out to her the most, the village houses and other buildings blurring against it, and she could just tell that the city was bustling with life and energy. She wondered what the people could be doing at this very moment as she stared into the distance; could someone be baking bread, or could children be chasing each other in a game? Could a man be confessing his love to someone? She could see the big picture, but what if she was staring at someone in the background without either of them knowing?

Like how she was looking at the world right now. Did anyone wonder if they were being watched? Maybe someone was looking at the tower, unknowingly looking at her in return.

(Somebody was.)

(He was hanging upside down.)

 --

JACK FROST cocked his head to one side, his thin lips pressed together in a moment of contemplation. He’d only wanted a quick nap in the seemingly empty tower he’d been eyeing, but now, as he came to realize the seemingly empty tower was in fact occupied, the idea of a nap didn’t seem very inviting anymore.

Their faces were inches from each other’s, but damn, the blonde really didn’t seem to mind. As though she had no concept of personal space. Her green eyes continued to stare into his, and a smirk slowly graced Jack’s boyish features as he righted himself in front of her.

He waved a hand in front of her awestruck expression. “Hey, blondie? Yeah, uh—I don’t know when we started this staring contest, but I’m pretty sure I won already.” Jack’s tone was good-natured, and he chuckled, briefly closing his eyes to appreciate his own wit—but as he opened them, awaiting perhaps a sheepish expression from her, the realization that she was staring right through him hit him like a ton of bricks.

Of course, he thought bitterly. Another one who just makes me feel like I don’t exist. Oh wait, I don’t! At least, not to them. And here I thought I’d found another believer.

Sighing, he floated to sit next to her, careful to avoid squashing her pet (he almost didn’t see it—what was it, a kind of lizard?) and he noticed the girl shivered visibly.

Well, at least she could feel his presence, even though she didn’t know he existed.

The girl laughed, a kind of breathy one, pulling Jack from his thoughts. She picked up her pet, smiling fondly at the lizard.

“Oh, Pascal, I can just feel the Christmas air coming in soon! I wonder what I’ll be getting this year—if I’m still on the nice list. Do people get taken off the nice list when they reach a certain age? Well, anyway, I’ve been nice enough, right? I think. Apart from setting Mother’s chicken on fire once…” She grimaced at the memory.

Jack began to laugh heartily this time, and the lizard-thing squeaked, narrowing its eyes as if chastising the teenager.

“Don’t worry, blondie, I’ll put in a good word for you—though I don’t think you need it, ’cause I’m pretty sure you’re in North’s good books,” he said without much thought.

Rapunzel made no action to show that she’d heard him, and she brought her thin arms around her torso. “Wintertime.” Her voice was just above a whisper, and her eyes gleamed with childlike excitement. Jack watched her intently and sat up a little straighter.

So she liked winter. That was good, especially good for him. Maybe—he tried to quell the hope threatening to ignite within him—maybe he would earn a new believer after this. Maybe even a friend.

He watched as her eyes seemed to become dreamy once more, but a few seconds later she shook her head, smiling almost wistfully. What was that about?

“Well, time to eat, Pascal. I’m starved. Hazelnut soup?”

She swung her legs over the ledge, her bare feet sweeping across the brick floor as she hummed a thoughtful tune. Jack twisted his body to look at her, following her every move, quite intrigued. Who was this girl with the long (the longest) blonde hair, stuck in a tower, with only a lizard named Pascal for company, and never closed her windows?

(Wasn’t she afraid of thieves sneaking in?)

He smiled mischievously as he invited himself inside, looking around the circular chamber and noting that it was cramped, but in a good, lived-in kind of way—his vision was instantly assaulted by an alarming number of murals on every wall, bits and bobs scattered around the room, and just the complete colorfulness of it all.

He continued to watch her as she began to bustle around in what seemed to be the kitchen, pulling out pots and ingredients as her humming turned into singing.

(She was pretty good, he admitted.)

She probably wouldn’t mind if he stayed the night.

In fact, she wouldn’t know at all.

[amethystlogan]

Tangled AU - Chapter One

I wrote this last week, finally getting a chance to type it up. Hope you guys enjoy it. Btw, I’m going to put warnings and tags as they apply to each chapter from now on, as opposed to trying to generalize the story.

Summary - Virgil and Patton chill out in the tower doing all of the things, and Roman kicks off the plot by being an idiot, but a lovable one.

Pairings - no romantic ones that are relevant to this chapter in particular.

Warnings - again nothing in this chapter, although one bit could be implied unsympathetic Janus? Just in case?

Links to Prologue

18 years post-prologue 

Virgil’s POV

Virgil slowly crept up to the windowsill, practically tip-toeing, before throwing open the shutters, yelling, “HAH!” He looked around, spotting his small green friend hiding, frozen in the foliage of the plants sitting out in the sun. “Huh,” said Virgil, “I guess Patton’s not hiding out here...” He trailed off, walking a few feet away, looping a strand of his hair subtly over the hook in the wall. He could hear Patton snickering in a low croak before - “Gotcha!” as he catches him in his hair and lifts him out of the plants.

 “That’s twenty-two for me,” Virgil commented as he lowered Patton to the window sill and unlooped his hair, tying it back with the simple purple ribbon he kept in his pocket. “How ‘bout twenty-three out of forty-five?” Patton just stared at him, tongue poked out in a bored blep. “Alright, what do you want to do?” Patton ribbited excitedly, then shot out his tongue in the direction of the hidden cave entrance. ‘Oh, no. Not happening. We’re safe in there and you know it.” Virgil scolded, nodding his head back inside. Patton pouted, blepping again. “Come on, Patt. You can’t cute your way into getting your way with this one. Besides, it’s not so bad in there.” Virgil scooped Patton into his hands, rolling off of the ledge into the tower. “We already finished all of the cleaning and stuff this morning. We could read some more, or paint. I could work more on knitting that blanket, or practice that guitar solo?” Patton just shrugged at him.

He ended up doing all of it, re-reading the same old novels, epics, and books of poetry, finishing several rows of knitting, and playing the guitar until his fingertips hurt. As he cooked lunch, he found himself gazing wistfully out of the window before catching himself. He shook his head, he needed to snap out of it. Daydreaming would only lead to disappointment, or worse, danger. He needed to focus on what he could do, what he did have, what he’d been given. After all, his father worked hard to provide him with things to do up here, all the while keeping him safe.

So, after lunch, Virgil busied himself with even more vigor. He put together a puzzle, beat Patton at darts sixteen out of thirty, and baked cookies, much to Patton’s delight. They played chess, tried some pottery, which turned into a mess. He tried candle making, with only slightly more success. He cleared some room to do stretches, after sitting on the floor through his crafting endeavors, then spent some time sketching Patton in increasingly humorous poses. He took some time to weave his hair into a web in the rafters, getting a good climb in the process, but slightly unnerving Patton, who wasn’t overly fond of spiders. They stole his flies, and their webs got everywhere.

Virgil then spent a lot of time brushing and re-tying his hair. It had a tendency to get in his way a lot, so when he wasn’t using it, it helped to keep it tied back. Well, except when his father was home. Janus seemed to be more irritable if Virgil had his hair tied back, but seemed to be softer when he had it loose, hiding his smaller frame. Once, when he was about fourteen, he got so fed up with it and, in a moment of youthful rebellion against his father, he broke one of the white shells Janus had brought him and cut the hair off that often fell in front of his face. Janus’ reaction to his new, black bangs had been... less than pleasant. So now when his father was around, he kept his hair loose and brushed forward to keep the bangs as out of sight as possible.

Virgil rolled his shoulders and neck, and stretched out his back after brushing the last few strands. His eyes caught on the arch decoration on the mantle, and Patton watched the gears turning in his eyes as he went to grab his paints and climbed up on the mantle, shoving the arch aside and behind the curtains.

. . .

Roman’s POV

Roman stood on the roof of the castle, holding onto a chimney and gazing out over the kingdom. It was a truly breathtaking sight, and he couldn’t help but sigh in awe. “Wow, I could get used to a view like this.” The breeze tostled his hair, and he breathed deeply, enjoying the morning, and it’s endless possibilities. “Alec, come on!” Well, almost endless. “Hold on... Yep, I’m used to it. Guys, I want a castle.” One of the ruffians he’d mistakenly allied himself with only sneered at him. “We do this job, you can buy your own castle.” 

They grabbed him by the back of his collar and lowered him slowly down through a hole in the roofing tiles by a rope around his waist. When he reached the pedestal where the missing Prince’s crown rested on a cushion, he carefully lifted the crown, and rested his elbow on the cushion. He contemplated the crown for a moment before placing it lopsided on his own head. Roman smirked as he surveyed the ring of oblivious guards with their backs turned to him. One of them sneezed. “Oh, hay fever?” asked Roman, conversationally, while examining his nails. “Yeah,” replied the guard, wiping his nose and settling back into formation. Idiots. “Huh? Wait, wait! Hey, wait!” The guards turned, and started shouting, only to see Roman disappearing back through the roof, crown in hand. 

He quickly stowed the crown in his satchel as he and his partners booked it off the roof and through the streets of the kingdom. “Can’t you picture me in a castle of my own? I mean, I certainly can,” Roman rambled easily, outpacing the other two on the bridge that lead to the forest on the outskirts of the kingdom. “Oh, the things we’ve seen and it’s only eight in the morning. Gentlemen, this is a very big day!”

[riverdalepoet]

I’ve Got You (part 4)

Word Count: 1957

Warnings: language, depictions of violence, abuse, and injuries

Tag List: @romanticgumchewer  @serpentlullaby  @chipster-21  @lilhemmo  @reblogserpent

A/N: Leaving Callie alone when she needed him is eating at Pea, but it forces them to break down some walls that leads to a big conversation to be had...in the next chapter.

        The next chapter will be BIG and is coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled and make sure you’re added to the tag list- message me to be added.

         Reblog and leave comments. I own nothing aside from Callie.

Chapter 1        Chapter 2       Chapter 3

______________________________________________________________

               Calloway wasn’t wrong. However good his intentions might’ve been, he was sure as hell gone and that killed him.  Afraid of what might come out if he stayed any longer, he slammed the door in her face when she needed him most for the second time. “Why do I no longer have pancakes in my hand, Sweet Pea, and where are we going?” Fangs asked, struggling to keep up with Pea’s pace.

                 “Out,” Sweet Pea mumbled through gritted teeth.

                 “Oh good- out.  I love it there.”  Sweet Pea ignored his comment heading towards the only shady dive bar on the Northside. He knew they wouldn’t card him there. “Are you gonna tell me why we’re drinking at eleven a.m. or am I gonna have to keep playing this fun little mystery game you thrown me in?”

                 Sweet Pea downed his first glass and slammed it back down on the counter signaling for another.  “How about you don’t ask any more questions and I’ll pay for half of your tab?”

               Fangs scoffed in reply, “If you’re trying to shut me up….it’s working.  Hey, can I get a scotch please?”  They stayed at the bar until Toni text them that it was time to go. Once Toni caught his eye when they arrived, he knew that she knew.  “Fix it,” she mouthed at him before turning her attention back to her girlfriend and her big moment.

                 Sweet Pea barely noticed when FP announced Jughead as their new leader or when Cheryl got her cherry-red jacket.  He tried his best to stay in the moment, but his mind was about ten miles away.  “Wanna grab another drink before we go? We’ve got our bikes back.” Fangs elbowed him in the ribs bringing him back to reality.

                 With a slight jerk of his head towards the lot where he hadn’t realized his bike was, he nodded.  “You go ahead man, I think I’m done for the day.”  Fangs ran off to where Cheryl was tapping the keg as Sweet Pea mounted his bike.  As it roared to life beneath him, he made a mental note to thank whoever was responsible for retrieving their motorcycles.

                 He thought seriously about taking the long way back to the Andrews’ home but quickly decided against.  Whatever damage he had done wasn’t going to fix itself. With his morning buzz wearing off, he was feeling the regret that had been creeping up on him all day.  Mr. Andrews met him on the porch with crossed arms and a stern look that didn’t quite match the kindness still shining in his eyes. “I don’t know what happened between the two of you, but she has convinced herself that it’s entirely her fault. Now I’m not an expert, but considering that guilty look on your face I’d bet that you could share a good chunk of the blame right along with her.”

                 Sweet Pea’s stomach churned at the idea of her, still in pain, shouldering a burden that he left her with.  “Mr. Andrews, I didn’t-”

                 A firm hand clapped his shoulder and stopped him mid-sentence.  “It’s not my business, but I hate to see anyone beat themselves up like that. Does she always do that?”

                 The teen smiled wistfully, “Yes sir, she’s got a knack for it.”

                 “I figured as much…Just go make it right with her. The two of you are good together.” Sweet Pea nodded and Fred ushered him through the door.  “I’m gonna go upstairs for a while.  Holler if you need anything.”

                 He hesitated in front of the door, afraid to face what he hurt on the other side.  Calloway had been asleep since Toni came in to make her take her medicine. She felt horrible for what she said to Pea and was convinced him leaving was a sure sign that history would repeat itself, so when Mr. Andrews suggested she needed to manage her pain, she went ballistic.  Toni was patient but firm and finally persuaded her into believing that sleep would be better than sitting there waiting for the ball to drop.  When the drowsiness became too much, she shrugged off her jacket and slid under the covers.

                 Sweet pea’s eyes landed on her sleeping form right as she flipped to her other side.  Her sudden movement caused the bottom edge of her shirt to ride up revealing the shocking blues and purples that painted her abdomen.  He knew the general severity of her injuries, but he hadn’t seen the bruises hidden under her shirt and couldn’t imagine they would have ever been this bad.  The Ghoulies couldn’t have been just out to hurt someone that night, they clearly wanted to send a message and he wasn’t there to stop them.  Before the shame burst from beneath the surface, he turned on his heel out the front door and to the side of the house.

                 Shaky hands dug quickly in his pockets to pull out a crushed pack of Marlboro Red’s and a beat-up lighter as he leaned against the firm frame of the home. When the first drag filled his lungs, he let out a ragged breath.  His mind wandered instantly to why he fought her so hard on that damn guitar, but it didn’t make him feel any better.

                “Callie, I can’t do it,” Sweet Pea giggled at her flustered face.  She was trying so hard to get him ready for the middle school’s talent show, but it was no use.

                 “Of course you can, Pea, you just have to really focus on where you put your fingers.  You’re just playing around.”

                 Sweet Pea shot her a pointed look, shoving the guitar in her hands.  “I can focus all day, Callie, my fingers are too clumsy.” She sighed in response making him laugh again.  “You know I’m right. Play something for me.”

                 A faint blush crept onto her face.  She still wasn’t used to playing for anyone other than the trailer park cat that roamed the lots at night. “Like what?”

                 Sweet Pea didn’t care what she sang for him. As soon as the melody started, he knew he would be hooked.  She would have his complete attention and adoration with every note until the very end. That’s one thing that never changed.

                 He hadn’t realized he was crying until Betty and Jughead walked up looking concerned.  He swiped furiously at his eyes and stubbed his cigarette out on the hell of his boot.  “What the hell? Are you sick or something?” Jughead scoffed.

 Betty sent a sharp elbow into his side making him backtrack.  She reached out for Pea’s arm to keep him from bolting away.  “Is something wrong with Calloway?”

 He shook his head trying to keep his composure but just the mention of her name had tears spilling onto his cheeks against his will. “I can’t seem to figure out how to fix this. I just want to take it away for her. This never should’ve happened.”

 “Pea…”  Betty murmured, motioning for Jug to back her up. “She just needs time.  You are exactly what she needs right now.  Jug says he’s known about Callie as long as he can remember and he has never seen her open up to anyone like she does you. All you have to do is be there.”

 Jughead stepped forward looking Sweet Pea square in his eyes.  “I remember before you joined up when Callie’s mom and my dad used to drink together nearly every night.  Around the same time, they’d head out, I always saw you walk three trailers down to her. You never let her sit there alone.” Jughead looked at Betty out of the corner of his eye and she nodded in approval.  They had discussed the idea of bringing this up to Sweet Pea but wanted to wait for the right time.  “I want you to know that Callie has our full protection.  I’ve already given the orders.  I don’t want you thinking you have to keep her safe all on your own.  Focus on her, man, we won’t let anyone touch her ever again, I promise you that.”

                 “I- I really appreciate that, Jones,” Sweet Pea reached for his hand to shake it.  Jughead and Sweet Pea didn’t always see eye to eye.  They had a rough start and Sweet Pea constantly challenged his decisions, but in this moment they both felt like brothers fighting the same battle for the same side.

                 Betty stepped back towards her boyfriend once Sweet Pea regained his composure and smiled at him before saying, “You know, Jug and I could sit with her for a while if you need a breather.  We don’t mind.”

                 Sweet Pea shook his head and looked back towards the front door.  “Thank you, but I really don’t want to be away from her any longer than I have to.”

  The couple nodded as Jughead waved.  “If you need anything, Pea, just call.  We’ll do whatever we can to help.”

 With that Sweet Pea said his goodbyes and rounded the corner of the Andrews’ home hauling himself up the front steps. This time when he opened the door to the guest room, he found Calloway awake.  When her eyes landed on his face, they welled up with tears. He hesitated at the door resisting the urge to go to her still struggling with the fact that he was the one to make her feel this way.

                 Bare legs dangled from the edge of the bed moving to stand, but Pea was quick to stop her.  “Hey, you,” he murmured reaching for her hand.  A timid gasp escaped her mouth as the bed sank under his weight.  “I’m sorry, angel.”

                 Callie took watery breaths trying to keep herself from falling apart.  “I didn’t mean it… Sweet Pea, I swear I’ve missed you so much.  I was just upset and scared and I…” Her rambling turned quickly into sobs and had Sweet Pea pulling her to him.  He tucked her head securely under his chin taking a deep breath of his own.

                “Callie, it’s okay.  You were right.” He stroked her hair thinking back to the bruises littered across her abdomen.  “Baby, you know you can talk to me about anything, right? I know what happened to you was awful and I don’t want you struggling with that on your own.”

                 Callie wrapped her arms around Pea pulling herself as close to him as she could.  Taken aback by the sobs that wracked through her body, he let a few tears of his own spill over and pulled back slightly to look into her eyes as she spoke, “I don’t want you to think less of me, Pea, it’s…it’s just too much.”

                 She shrunk at the sight of his red face and puffy eyes and the brokenness in his voice that peaked through for the first time since his mother left.  “I could never think less of you. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere. I just want to know how I can fix this for you, Callie! I wasn’t there to stop it. I should’ve been there, I’m so sorry.  I’m sorry, Callie this is my fault,” he cried, shaking with every breath. Callie lifted her hands to either side of his face wiping away the tears and holding him steady like he had done so many times for her.  Her eyes swept over the pain evident in his tear-stained face.

               After a few minutes of contemplating she straightened her shoulders pulling him into her. They sat that way for a while, holding each other together.    Her small voice rose over the sniffles and hiccups that echoed in the stillness of the room.  “I think I might be ready to tell you what happened.”

[viridian-angel]

Snow White Lights [Part 1]

Series: Original

Genre: Fluff

Characters: Sara/Diana

Wordcount: 2,164

Tokyo– Christmas Eve.

The streets are lined with gorgeous lights, reflecting off the beautiful snow, freshly fallen and still drifting down from the sky. It was rare that the city ever got this much snow– it actually sticking was an even rarer thing. A girl watched it from her stand, idly dozing off as her eyes wandered across the streets, covered in layers of pure white.

“Diana!”

She snapped to attention, coughing awkwardly and looking behind her. “Y-Yes, sir?”

Her boss stared her down, gesturing frantically. “Just because it’s snowing, doesn’t mean we don’t have customers! Pay attention!” he barked. “No time for spacing out! Go!”

Diana nodded wordlessly, rushing off to take the orders of the customers calling for a waitress. Which currently, was a lot of them. She was a bit of peculiarity for Japan, being half-Japanese and half-French– more specifically, her mother Japanese, her father black. She had beautiful, dark skin, and large, thick, fluffy hair– in tight, adorable little curls that went all the way down. Her face resembled a lot of the features her mother’s had– cute and feminine, with her father’s sharp, bright eyes, and infectious smile.

A lot of customers had started coming to this ramen-shop just for her– sometimes to oogle her rudely, but mostly just out of curiosity. That being said, it meant they were busy. So, no time to space out; which she had found herself doing frequently, as of late. With this, her second job at a convenience store, and studying medicine in college, her focus was spread out across the entire day, and it was getting harder and harder to cover everything with 100% of her attention.

The days did go by fast, though. That was an upside of some sort– even if she sort of wished she had more time to herself.

Her parents had passed away a couple of months ago, in close proximity to one each other. It was rough on her, of course, but with both of them gone, she didn’t even really have time to grieve. Immediately, she got two jobs in order to finance herself. It was all she could do, at this point. She had no extended family to stay with in Japan, and any extended family she had outside of Japan… weren’t really on speaking terms with her.

Time to clock out. Next job.

She took off her work apron in the backroom, quickly rushing over to her bike locked outside. Unlock it, hopping on, and peddling away. The convenience store wasn’t too far away, thankfully. Diana arrived, rushed into the back, and quickly swapped into her work clothes for her. A small chat with her coworker as she situated herself behind the register. Deep breath– get herself into the mindset she needed for this job now.

But, as she waited and waited, and the minutes flew on by, it seemed… empty. Was it this empty, usually? It was her first Christmas working, obviously– and her first Christmas alone. She tapped her fingers idly by her register, her coworker having clocked out about an hour ago now. All by herself at the end of the night. The girl sighed, setting her head on the register counter and trying desperately to even stay awake. Anything would be better than just waiting here doing nothing. At this point, she was praying for anything. A customer at all would be a nice change of pace, rather than getting stuck in her own thoughts–

Then, suddenly, a soft chime as the automatic doors opened.

“Hello, welcome to– to…. oh.”

Her eyes were absolutely glued to the woman who stepped inside– or rather, had to lean down to step inside. Compared to her and pretty much any customer she had seen inside today, an absolute giant. Pale skin, sharp eyes, long, thick, silver hair. It was definitely a change of pace.

“Oh?” the woman said back teasingly, looking at Diana from the door. “Everything okay? Am I not supposed to be here?”

Diana immediately flushed, shaking her head and letting out a weak little “N-No.”

“Well, that’s good to hear.” the tall woman said, walking to the counter and giving Diana a thorough look over. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. Are you a new employee?” she asked, a small smile on her face.

“I… uhm…  I’ve been working here a few months, actually!” she blurted out, unable to keep her gaze separate from the woman’s. Everything about her was so unusual. She was ethereal– she had the aura of someone famous, but she couldn’t recognize her for the life of her. “Do I know you from somewhere, Miss…?”

“No, I’d hope not. I keep a low profile. Or at least, as low as I can when I look like this, I suppose.” she replied. “Oh, and Sara’s the name. Please don’t call me Miss or Ma’am. It sounds…” Sara trailed, off, making a mocking noise of disgust. “Sorry, you probably have to be polite and say stuff like that. Call me whatever, then.” “No, Sara is… nice! I can use that then, it’s a, uhm… nice… name.” Diana said, a bit taken aback at how informal she was. She was still sort of staring back at her with awe. Diana stood at 5’7’’ (170 cm), while the woman in front of the counter stood at about… 6’5’’ (196 cm). Sara’s grin widened, clearly noticing the continued processing of how tall she was– and not being completely unused to it.

“And you must be… Diana, huh?” she said, having peaked at her name-tag. “It’s a very beautiful name, Diana.”. A sparkle was alight in her eyes, and it was becoming more unclear by the moment if she was going to end up buying anything. “You know, I wish I had known earlier that there was such a gorgeous cashier. I might’ve visited here more often.”

The line scored a sudden, flustered laugh out of Diana. She was glad the camera above them didn’t record audio, she didn’t want to explain this entire exchange was her being rather forwardly flirted with and enjoying the attention. “Ah, well! I, ha… thank you! Guess you know now, huh-?” she bumbled, fanning her face with her hand. “G-Gorgeous, huh?” Diana repeated quietly to herself, flushing even deeper.

Her response only strengthened Sara’s confident grin, which in turn only made Diana feel even more flustered. A neverending loop.

Sara looked outside, a figure outside the window gesturing at their watch. She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Damn. Right. I had something to do other than talk to the prettiest cashier in Tokyo. What’s your favorite stuff out of here? Maybe like… food, candy wise.”

Diana felt like if she blushed any further her face would burn up, but she tried to at least compose herself enough to answer a simple question. “Well! We have these little caramels that are super soft– yeah, that brand– or, or! If you’re looking for food food, we have these packaged curry dishes– they’re super cheap but they’re so good! We used to have these really good beef stew things, too, that came in a package, but they stopped selling those lately, and–”

She trailed off and became quiet as she realized she was starting to ramble, but was met with a warm, gentle smile from Sara. Her eyes were focused on her, and it was clear she was still paying attention, even if Diana was getting too excited. “… t-that’s it, mainly.”

Sara laughed, shaking her head. “Gotcha. If you like them that much, they must be really good, huh?”

Diana shook her head in the affirmative, covering her face with her hands.

“Alright. I’ll grab some stuff real quick and be out of your hair then, don’t worry.”

Once Diana was sure the woman was out of earshot, she let out a quiet sigh, muttering “I mean, I wouldn’t mind you staying longer, but…”

Sara returned, carrying a whole bunch of various bottles of alcohol in one arm– rather precariously– and a ton of the things Diana had mentioned in the other. Packaged curries and bentos, a ton of the premade, kept-hot dishes and snacks off the heating rack. She plopped it all as evenly as she could onto the counter, giving Diana a big smile.

“Will… will this be all, then?”

“Yeah. That’s it. Promise.”

Diana scanned and bagged through all of them– a bit slower than her usual speed, though. Sara was keeping her busy with small jokes and compliments through the entire process, keeping Diana changing between giggling and desperately trying not to cover her face with glass bottles in her hand. Even with all the time it took to get everything in, it was just flying by with Sara with her.

“So that’s your total, and would you like to dona–”

“Yes.”

“Oh. Um… how much…?

Sara looked at the touchpad, scratching her head.

“The highest amount right there, I guess. So, a thousand yen.”

“Okay! Thank you very much!” Diana nearly shouted, beaming. It was pretty rare lately to see any donating as of late, so it was nice to get a yes to it once in a while. She took the bags from behind the counter and helped Sara get them onto her arms– which, she noticed (in a rather homosexual fashion), were incredibly toned and strong. She tried not to outwardly gasp or squeeze her muscles on instinct, pushing those urges down and just layering those bags on her arms.

By the end of it, Sara was just sort of sticking her arms out, a goofy grin on her face as she squatted down and sort of shuffled out the door. “Thanks, Diana! You have a good Christmas!” she shouted, a bunch of men approaching her and taking some of the bags off of her arms to help her out, laughing the entire time. Diana tried her best to stifle her own laughter, maintaining as composed as she could as the woman left.

And then, an uneasy silence.

When everything became quiet except the light howling of the wind outside and festive music playing through the store, she realized exactly how much Sara had brightened up the atmosphere.

She looked at her register’s clock. At least there was just an hour left, she thought to herself, sighing wistfully…

It didn’t take too long for the time to pass, but in comparison to before… it really crawled by. She begun the usual duties– closing the register, locking things up, turning off the lights, checking fridge temps; and as it was all coming to a close, she heard a light tapping against the window. Looking, she spotted an excited Sara waving at her from the window. Her heart swelled in her chest, since most people were fast asleep or on their way home by this hour. She finished her last few tasks and practically burst out of the door, locking it behind her.

“I… hi! I didn’t expect to see you back here!” she almost yelled directly in the woman’s face.

Sara’s eyes widened a tad and she immediately started to laugh. “I take it that it doesn’t come off as weird, then? That’s relief.”

“No, I don’t think it’s weird! I mean, it makes me a little.. uhm…” Diana said, her words trailing off into a mumble.

“Happy?” said Sara with a hopeful tone.

“Flattered!” Diana replied, her cheeks flushing a little– from both Sara’s presence, and how cold it was outside.

“Hm. I’m glad to hear that, then.”

Sara gave the girl a one-sided smirk, taking off her heavy coat and laying it around Diana’s shoulders. “I figure the bike’s probably yours, but, uh…”

The woman looked away into the iced-over sidewalks and streets, Diana following her gaze. “A bad night for a ride, I think. Mind if I walk you home, Diana?”

She extended her hand down to Diana, snowflakes tumbling down onto her suit-vest and across her silver hair.

“Aren’t you… cold?” Diana asked hesitantly, taking Sara’s hand and shuffling into the jacket quite a few sizes too big for her.

Sara chuckled, shaking her head.

“No. The cute looks you’ve been giving me have been warming me up plenty.” she said in a soft, hushed tone, giving the woman a gaze that’d melt a snowman’s heart.

A tiny squeak emanated from Diana, the girl practically turtling into the jacket’s large collar. The most she managed to get out was hurried statements about how frostbite and below freezing temperatures were definitely not something to trifle with, which quickly came to a stop as soon as Sara took her arm. Sara looked down and gave her a big, endearing grin.

“Come on. Let’s get you home. We gotta stay close for warmth, right? Don’t want either of us getting frostbite, or anything…” she teased.

“Y-Yeah…” Diana mumbled, quickly catching the contagious smile Sara was giving her. With a few steps into the snow, she begun to lead the way home.