#Overprotective Dad

[superbat-love]

Clark: Should we really be here?

Bruce: What is it, Clark? Do you not want to be on a date with me?

Clark: I do! But it feels weird to be following Cass and her date like this.

Bruce: We’re not following them, we just happen to be in the same vicinity. Bowling is my hobby.

Clark: …Sure. Anyway, he seems like a nice guy.

Bruce: Hmph. He may be big and tall, but I bet those muscles are just for show. Even Damian could take him on.

Clark: Damian is a trained assassin.

Bruce: Eat your strawberry crêpe, Clark.

Clark: Bruce, why are there police officers talking to Cass?

Bruce: Ha! I knew there was something suspicious about that guy.

Clark: They’re heading this way.

Officer: Sirs, we’ve received a police report about two suspicious-looking men in Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses stalking a pair of teenagers. Please come with us to the police station for further questioning.

Bruce: Stalking a pair of- That’s my daughter!

Clark: Can I finish my crêpe? I don’t want to waste good food.

[granddaughterofdemeter]

Hi, if you want to do it I would really appreciate it, you can do an imagine Percy Jackson x Female reader daughter of Hades where she is very close to her godly Father (Hades best father) they are very close and she and Percy are dating and Hades finds out, Can you tell me what their confrontation with Jealous Hades would be like with his daughter and Percy with that affronting and sarcastic way of his?

ofc!

*inspo from b99, jake meeting amy's dad*

Get. Away. From. My. Daughter.

[percy jackson x f!reader]

" Or I will. skin. you"

" So you can just control your daughter's life?"

"No-, ugh you, Perseus Jackson, are so infuriating."

You love Percy, of course you do, but when he asked to meet Hades you freaked. He was hurt, sadly, but he quickly understood why after this.

Though, unfortunately for you, your man is a very, very, maddening person.

A large bang caught your attention as Percy leaned in, a mischievous grin crossing his face. You both snapped your eyes toward the door while the dark energy surrounding the Underworld crawled close to you.

The guilty sighs coming from both Nico and Will helped you discern what was going on.

" We tried, [Name]. I'm sorry..." Will apologized. You smiled and shook them off as you placed your focus on your very angry father.

"[NAME], why would you even think about dating this mediocre, dense, child?"

You groaned but before you could say anything, your, mediocre, dense, boyfriend, interrupted you.

"Maybe it's because she likes my, mediocre, dense, brain!"

Hades nearly lost it...

So, of course Percy made it worse by twirling you to face him and kissing you on the forehead knowing full well that your dad would lose his shit.

"Get. Away. From. My. Daughter, Or I will skin you alive."

"So you think you can just control your daughter's life?"

"No- ugh, you, Perseus Jackson, are an infuriating person! [Name], are you sure this is the person you want to spend a while in your life with?"

Percy got increasingly offended.

"A while? Why can't she spend a lifetime with me?"

Hades laughed in your boyfriends face, before retorting. "My daughter has the ability to gain men much better than you ever could be."

That was when you butt in. "How dare you say that Percy isn't a man that deserves me?"

"It's alright, Rosie, he's not wrong." Percy chuckled, antagonized by the truth he could see your dad's words.

"No, you deserve me and I deserve you, and my father doesn't have the right to call my romantic choice 'mediocre' because this isn't the 1800s and he can't sell me for two sheep."

Percy smiled gently towards you as you scolded your surprised dad just for him.

Hades sighed, looking at the gaze that your lover held for you. He could see the love that he had long ago refused to believe that Poseidon's demigod son could hold for someone that wasn't himself just like his father.

But that moment was what helped Hades realize that he can't control the fact that you are your own woman who can choose who you want to love...

hope you like it!

sorry it took me so long (ノへ￣、)

[geogrewife]

Gul Dukat about to break Garak’s neck because he touched Ziyal’s hands is so dad of him.

Dukat does not play when it comes to his daughter. Good for him!

[bunny-is-cute]

Author’s Note: So I heard this Alastor AI Cover of “Mother Knows Best” and my brain immediately thought of him keeping Calliope (OC Daughter) close by after she had been kidnapped as an infant. It’s not a perfect edit by any means but I thought it fit.

If you haven’t read the fanfic, link is right here!

[gambitimagines]

I don't know how it goes in other countries, but here in America, we usually invite boyfriends to meet parents (or they meet the whole family), and the boyfriend comes over to the house for dinner or everyone goes out for a meal.

I wish I could do more imagines like this, but there isn't much wiggle room for family interaction without it blossoming into an entire fic. NOT that that would be bad, but I don't want my other works to be too neglected, and if I just wrote several fics like that, I'm sure you all would find it tedious and boring after a while. We'll see what happens, maybe I'll churn out a couple if I can and just try not to go overboard.

Yes, I included TWO pictures of dad shaking Remy's hand. Like with using several race/weight reader examples, I tried to include dads too a little. I thought about including some parent imagery, but they were hard to locate and there is, unfortunately an image limit. So instead, there's that nice Will Ferrell meme, lol.

Yay for new images! Hope you can feel the cringe with this one! XD

[alexiela73]

Hi there!! I love your fics and I was wondering if you could write me a reaper x daughter reader where reader has been bullied in school and gets into a very physical fight? I need overprotective dad Gabe

Thank you, and thank you for waiting so long!

Breath coming in ragged gasps, your body was locked in a defensive position, though you leaned more on your left leg then you would have liked. It made you feel unbalanced, and that was never a good thing when readying to defend yourself.

Despite what felt like the beginning of obvious bruising to the side of your face, the real pain further up on your skull. Someone had grabbed a handful of your hair and you could see a few strands of your thick black hair on the ground now.

"Miss Reyes," you heard faintly over the pounding ache in your head. The voice was easily recognizable as one of the teachers, but you didn't turn to answer. "Miss Reyes, step away this instant!"

Your eyes remained locked on the group of teenagers in front of you, on the boy in the middle with the dirty blonde hair and the blood dripping onto his oh-so-perfect school uniform from his busted lip and oddly crooked nose. One of his friends held him up by his arm, pulling the boy back a step when your eyes flickered to him.

There was fear and cowardice in them, you thought.

"Miss Reyes, this is unacceptable!" the voice was much louder this time, and sharp talon like claws gripped your lower arm and spun you around to face the principal of the school, Ms. Schillings. Her cheaply painted lips were turned into a snarl, her small eyes shining with anger and disgust. "Unacceptable I say! Name calling, attacking another student- Have your parents taught you nothing but how to behave like a wild animal?"

"Me? Ms. Schillings, Damian is the one who started it-" you began, trying to explain the situation.

"Don't try to pin this on anyone else, Miss Reyes!" she snapped, wrenching your arm and giving you a shake. Her polished acrylic nails dug into the skin of your arm, biting so hard you had to grab her wrist in the hopes she'd stop shaking you so hard. "Always causing trouble for everyone else and thinking you don't need to do as your told. Well, I've had about enough of it!"

Panic welled in you. "Ms. Schillings, I promise I didn't start anything! I was trying to get to my math class and Damian just grabbed my hair and started saying horrible-" you tried again, but she cut you off.

"I can't tolerate this any longer. You'll pack up your locker, Miss Reyes. I'll be calling your parents, that's for sure. I hope your ashamed- with all the hard work your father put in to get you into this school, and you throw every opportunity out the window," she says, voice dripping with disgust.

Heart sinking, you looked around desperately. The hallway was flooded with students, most of who had seen the altercation- why wouldn't anyone speak up? How could they all hate me so much as to let me get expelled for something that wasn't my fault, you thought.

Letting you go, Ms. Schillings clapped her hands sharply. "Everyone to class, this instant. Damian, go to the nurses office. Miss Reyes, I'll see you at my office," she said, her voice loud and clear.

The students in the hall quickly shuffled to their classes as the principal walked away. Damian wiped his nose, still leaning on his friend.

"See? I told you, freak. People like you don't fit in with people like us- Bet your dad knows that better then anyone," he sneered, and the two started making their way to the nurses office.

You stood there watching them go...who knew how long you stood there for, in the middle of that hallway as classes took place. Your eyes stung with tears, and your throat felt thick. Why did this keep happening?

You started at this higher end school a quarter of the way through the year. It was your sixth school in three years, and all eyes had been on you when you had arrived.

From the very beginning, you had been a target of bullying in all the schools. Not because there was anything different about you in looks or speech, not because there was some defining feature that made you stand out to the people who felt the need to belittle others.

No...it was because of who your father was.

Gabriel Reyes, ex-captain of Blackwatch and more importantly, the recently released villain Reaper, was known to all the world. When he was released from prison a few years ago, he had been broadcasted across the world- after all, Reaper had committed some...questionable acts.

But when he'd realized that his old flame had birthed his child in secret, he made the hardest choice of his life. Looking at the soft toddler, with her mothers face and his eyes...he knew he wanted to be a part of your life. Truly a part of it, with no secrets. No danger.

So Reaper turned himself, and during those years he worked hard. Good behavior, rehabilitation, court orders, help from Overwatch... He did everything to lower the sentencing, the years. Everything so he could come home to you.

Your uncle Jack had had to explain this to you repeatedly as you grew- to remind you of the importance you held in your fathers life. Nothing could have sparked such life in his deadened heart...except the knowledge that you were out in the world.

That's why the anxiety rolled over you like crashing waves. Already you had been driven out of other schools- schools that clearly hadn't wanted you there, but it was so hard to find schools willing to take on the daughter of the notorious ex-con.

Each time got harder and harder to find you a school, and each time you tried to hide the pain, the fear and the exhaustion you felt from trying to pretend like nothing was wrong. Like you weren't tormented every time you walked into the school.

You loved your dad so much, and he'd begged last time. Pleaded, even- Ms. Schillings, in her own sadistic way, had taken great pleasure in making such a powerful man feel small and desperate. He tried so hard to provide for you, even when the world seemed to fight him for the smallest things.

To have him come here, to know that you had been kicked out...again, after he'd found work and an apartment...

Minutes passed by, and finally you felt yourself take the first step. You made your way slowly to your locker, where you opened it through bleary eyes and stared inside. It was mostly empty, except for your backpack, a book and a picture of you and your dad on the door.

The picture seemed to get fuzzier and fuzzier, and you couldn't look away from him. You two looked so happy...even when he looked tired, he tried to be happy, for you.

"I'm sorry, dad..." you whispered, and a sob escaped your throat. "I-I'm s-s-so...so s-sorry...I'm so...." Your hands covered your face, and the words seemed like bricks in the pit of your stomach.

How angry or disappointed would he be? Did he regret the choices he'd made, when he decided to partake in your life? When he decided to become your legal guardian after your mother passed away?

Does he regret having me for a daughter, when it only made his life harder?

"Never," a deep, gravelly voice said gravely from behind you. "Y/n, I will never regret being your father."

Turning, you were caught in a strong pair of arms and instantly, you felt...safe. The familiar cologne of your father filled your nose, the unsteady beat of his heart in your ears as his hand cradled your head to his chest.

"D-dad," you sobbed, wrapping your arms around him and crying into his chest. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I-I promise, I didn't..."

"Shhh," his voice rumbled, vibrating through his chest and his hand gently rubbed between your shoulders. "Deep breaths, little one. Deep breaths. I'm here."

Most people thought of Gabriel has abrasive and rude. No one understood how soft and reliable he could be, the kind of rock he could be for someone he cared about.

Patiently he held you, rocking you softly, and only a glance from Gabriel was enough to send any potential stragglers or bathroom-seekers back to their classes and away into hiding. You knew no one would pull anything, not as long as he was in the hall.

It took a little longer to calm down, and when you did he gently lifted your face to brush away the tears. "Mi hija...," you recognized the softness in his rough voice, even as his eyes scanned your face. "Mi hija, your cheek...who hurt you?"

Jumping slightly from hiccups, you pushed away his hands and wiped at your eyes, which were puffy from all the crying.

"I...no one, papi," you said feebly, but you could see from his face that he wasn't buying it. "I just had an accident. No one-"

"Y/n," his voice was soft but stern. "That isn't an accident. The spot on your head- that is no accident. Don't lie to me, mi hija- please."

Sniffling, you tried to avoid his eyes when he forced you to look up at him, but when your eyes met his, you saw anger- but it wasn't anger directed at you. It was anger for you, for the pain you'd been caused, and his brows were furrowed in worry.

"Please," he said again. "Tell me the truth."

So...you did. It came forth, like a dam that had been threatening to crack and spill for so long. You told him about the cruel words hurled at you, the teasing, the way people would torment you. How the teachers acted like you were a liar, and how Damian had grabbed you by the hair and dragged you back.

How you had turned and punched him, just the way your dad had shown you, and how his friend had done the same to you in turn. How Ms. Schillings had humiliated you in front of the school, and expelled you.

How you had thought he'd be disappointed in you.

Though his face never changed, the tension in the air was palpable. Thick black mist seemed to cover the floor around both of your feet, seeping from his skin, and there was a flicker in his eyes- something truly monstrous.

Yet, Gabriel took your hands and kissed each one softly, placing a kiss on each bruised knuckle.

"I will always be proud of you," he said passionately. "Always, y/n. I'm so proud to have you for a daughter. I only wish...that I was the father you deserved."

"No, dad!" you said vehemently, gripping his hands tighter. "You're my dad, and I love you. Your everything to me. You've done everything for me...I just don't want to let you down."

Gabriel let go of one of your hands, carefully smoothing your hair back, ever so lightly grazing a finger over the swelling in your hair. "You won't ever let me down, kid," he promised.

Once more your dad hugged you, in the too tight way some fathers do that squeezes the air from your lungs, before letting you go and stepping back.

"Go out to the car, y/n. I still need to have a word with Ms. Schillings," he said, barely hiding his simmering temper. "I'll be right out."

"Dad, you know that you can't-," you said, voice slightly panicked, but you emptied your locker and pushed it closed.

"I know the rules. I won't kill, assault, scream, or destroy her or the boy," he said, as if reciting a list he's had to memorize. After a moment a wolfish grin slowly lit his features, and the look in his face...was rather haunting. "There's nothing about not being able to scare them though."

"Dad," you said, a bit more sternly.

Grunting, Gabriel waved his hands slightly. "Fine. We'll see- either way, I'm getting you out of this dump. No kid of mine is going to a shit school like this," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets, glancing up and down the halls. "See you in the car, mi hija," he said.

Watching him and the black smoke cascading from him, you smiled slightly and started heading to the car.

That punch she threw was nothing compared to the fright they were all about to get.

[sleepymarimo]

jokingly telling 𝐓𝐎𝐉𝐈 a few weeks before your due date about how babies sometimes get switched in hospitals and he just shakes his head and says you’re being silly…

…then when megumi is born he refuses to let him out of his sight because he is not going to risk having his son swapped!! his big frame is almost blocking the halls, his nose grazing the glass of the door window while he watches each test..!!

and when the nurse steps out holding baby ‘gumi in a blanket, they’re obviously intimidated, practically squirming under the assassin’s gaze. “uh, i’m guessing you’re dad?”

toji takes megumi from them, holding the newborn like he’s a treasure, which he is. one look at those little green eyes peeking from the blankets and toji knows he’s going to guard this tiny bundle with his life.

he nods. “yeah, i’m dad.”

[riyo-soka]

Asajj Ventress trouncing the main characters in a fight, straight up lying to people, and deciding to get the fuck out of there so the plot couldn’t catch her is so Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) of her and I couldn’t be happier

[iamharryhale]

Buck: What the fuck?!

Bobby: Language, Buck!

Buck: Whom the sexual intercourse?!

Bobby: What the fuck?

[superbat-love]

Bruce: So? What are they doing now?

Clark: They’re sitting on the bench and eating ice cream.

Bruce: How close?

Clark: [squints] Umm, pretty close.

Bruce: How. Close.

Clark: [sighs exasperatedly] There’s a 12 inch gap between them. Bruce, did you call me here to the Batcave to spy on Cass and her date?

Bruce: Cass told me not to follow her, tag her with any recording devices or spy on her using drones or hidden cameras. I haven’t done any of that.

Clark: So I’m your tiny little loophole.

Bruce: Trust me, there’s nothing tiny or little about you, Clark. Now, what flavor are their ice-creams?

[mlady-magnolia]

Welt giving Kafka the shovel talk

@prringlecan this one’s for you <3

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 300

Danny squirms and hisses, trying to dig his claws into dark scales as the clouds whistle by. “Wait- Ancients dammit- STOP!” he shrieked, cursing how tiny his own ghost form was compared to his other not-quite-future-self. Wings that could easily dwarf the entire Ops center beat through the air, fast enough to cause his eyes to sting. 

“Dan- bring me back- stop-” he wailed, despite the grip on his scruff not even loosening. Yet the larger dragon didn’t so much as twitch back towards Amity, the city disappearing into the distance like a speck. “We have to go back-” 

The GIW were- were- They had to go back! The portal was gone (exploded, broken and all of Fentonworks a smoldering mess, oh Ancients he’s gonna be sick-), no one could return to the Realms, they were all sitting ducks- 

“Jordan please-” he begged, even though he already knew that between the city, between every other ghost and them, Dan would always choose to keep them safe. But Jazz was hurt, she wasn’t waking up from where she lay limply cradled in Dan’s claws. 

There was so much blood, and he only knew she was still alive from the weak fluttering of her core, growing stronger as her heartbeat faded. She needed help, she needed doctors- he doesn’t know if she would be able to come back, not with how they were leaving the ecto-rich city behind and he didn’t want to lose her- Dan’s blank panic was swamping his own, drowning both of them in the emotion as the dragon tore through the sky. Some part of him knew they couldn’t stay in Amity anymore, but- But Jazz needed help- Danny couldn’t help the tears that dripped from his yes, pretending it was merely the clouds as they flew to places unknown to him.

If you are interested in their designs, here is a link: HERE

Heey mutual @radiance1 Dragon buddy o' mine & @hdgnj u might enjoy

[gumballavocadoharry]

Harry and River; Baby years:

Life after you: *Mentions of death, grieving,sadness,overprotectiveness and overall pain*

It's been only 3 months since Leia died. River is 8 months today and he's just playing in his playpen unaware of the turmoil that just eradicated unannounced. I held my emotions tightly for River, I had to be strong for him so he would be okay. Almost routinely, I scrubbed the counters, washed the dishes and made dinner.

"Waahh!" I shot my head over to see River crying over a broken toy in his playpen. With lightning speed, I ran over and scooped him up in my arms trying to calm him down. I gingerly rubbed his back and whispered in his ear to quiet him. "Daddy's here. He'll make it better...I'll take all the pain away." Maybe it was overcompensation. After all it was just a toy.

I took River to his high chair and started feeding him his favorite snacks before dinner was ready. "Who wants some yummy mashed cookies?" I carefully placed some chocolate chip cookies I mashed up in a blender and fed it to River. Once he finished, I fed him some mashed carrots for dinner in hopes he would be sleepy.

The clock struck 7 before River was fast asleep on his baby mat in the middle of the living room floor. "Let's get you to beddy by." I said in a baby voice. I placed him in his crib, making sure he was okay before giving him a soft peck on his chubby cheek and walking out the room, leaving the door cracked open a bit.

My eating habits were less than just abnormal. I barely ate anything except a few cheese slices or apple slices and that's what kept me alive. But I couldn't eat. My appetite wasn't back yet as I was still getting used to a table for one. The nights were so empty and ghastly without Leia. Her presence was enough for me to feel content and unalone.

It wasn't exactly easy for me to erase an image of a pale wife wearing her black dress, hands crossed over her heart that was cold and unresponsive. The raw, murky and damp gray sky fit the somber mood of burying the love of your life in this brown encased box that would be under the soul of the earth. And to have your baby witness that, was heart wrenching for me. Our matching black suits looked upon the lifeless woman that was no longer to exist anymore after losing a battle to a brutal disease.

The immense pain of having to show your son his dead mother. "Look baby, that was mommy." Only cuts the wound deeper.

I didn't even realize I was still standing at the high chair with the empty bowl in my hands until I snapped from my thoughts.

I carried the baby monitor as if it were attached to me by the hip. Like it was infused into me. I needed to hear every cough, every sniffle, every cry coming from River so I could help him. At least that's what I was reassuring to myself most of the time. What I could control, I did. Never again would something like this befall me.

I nervously shifted my positions on the couch as the uneasiness of River not being here made me sick. Physically sick. As if I was waiting for him to break at any moment like how it felt to wait on the positive for a pregnancy test. Except that was a moment of pure joy as I was delighted by the news. This time, it was more chilling. Knowing that anything could go wrong was enough to make me faint out of fear of the harsh consequences the world had to offer if one mistake or slip up was made on my precious River.

I couldn't take those risks anymore. Cough. On impulse, I ejected myself aggressively from the couch and zoomed into River's room, instantly scooping him up in my arms and patting his delicate back.

"It's okay, everything's alright. Dada's here and it'll go away now." I listened to his heartbeat and breathing as if he could catch pneumonia. The thought nearly cut me into pieces. I can't give pieces to River, he needed all of me.

The next day at work after I had dropped River off at daycare, sending him away with a bunch of kisses and 3 minutes of making sure he was settled in nicely, I settled myself into my desk where I had to freestyle a painting for an art magazine. Even I had to admit my lousy job on it. I couldn't think of anything happy to paint except blackness. Just a big blob of dark, somber color. Black. Art imitates life right?

"And how are we doing?" Asked a good mood Mitch who settled at his desk not too far from mine. I shrugged. "Pretty okay." Mitch looked me up and down as if he could see right through me, which he probably did. After all depression isn't something so easily to hide from an observant person.

"Really?" his response shook me from the inside. "I'm just taking things a day at a time."

He nodded just dropping the subject for now. "How's River?" I glanced over quickly before returning to my project. "Needy, but otherwise fine." Mitch let a chuckle slip. "He's needy?"

"Yes, River depends on me for a lot." I said almost defensively. Mitch raised his hands in defense. "Of course. He's just a baby." I smiled at that. A warm feeling flourished in me. "Yeah, my baby."

My baby. My delicate little flower that would sprout beyond the concrete walls. "Nice painting." A sarcastic Mitch said after looking over at my painting. I rolled my eyes. "I'm low on inspiration okay?"

"I know. It's been rough." I nodded in agreement desperately holding in any sign of sadness that would serve as a distraction from my work. Not to say I was doing a satisfying job at it, seeing the ugly black painting I was so concentrated on.

"Lemme know if you need anything." "Thanks, I really appreciate it."

"How you holding up with everything?" I looked down before responding. "I'd say pretty commendable so far."

"That's really good Harry. My advice...just don't go off the deep end." He joked. I laughed a little, but I think Mitch knew it was a little too late for that. By the way I fuss over River, he would think I lost my mind and all sense of rationalism.

Ever since Leia got sick, I've been more protective of River. I try to ease him into things that he realistically should've been doing. But I'm.........

I'm just scared. So maybe it's just not time yet. "Is River doing solids yet?"

A sudden feeling of shame overwashed me. "Uh, no he still does mashed things like peas and yogurt."

"You still mash his yogurt?" "Don't want him choking." I could tell Mitch wanted to say more, but didn't want to start a debate over what I thought was best for River.

River is 8 months. Yeah I know he needs to be eating solids right now, but you can never be too careful. And besides...he doesn't mind it.

Later on that day after work, I rushed to pick up River from daycare. "Hey rivie!" I exclaimed holding my arms out for him. River held out his arms to as his face turned into a smile. "Come to daddy." I said in a baby voice, layering his face with kisses upon kisses. The caregiver smiled seeing the adorable interaction between me and River before strolling over to us.

"Oh he was just a little angel." I smiled proudly seeing at how River's rapport was positive. He was a hit with the staff and playmates here and he seemed to be a class favorite. I adjusted the baby bag dangling off my shoulder and then adjusted River on my hip before exiting the daycare.

"Daddy missed you so much! I was thinking about you all while I was at work." I said peppering River's cheeks with hello kisses. I strapped him into his carseat and smooshed a big kiss to his poor kissable cheek that was smashed with my puckered lips, leaving behind a smoochy whistle sound.

River looked up at me with an unimpressed look. I gave a small apologetic smile. "Sorry, but daddy just couldn't help himself. You're so cute and you're my little kissie snooks." I gave a gentle pinch of his cheek and cooed at him with soft eyes. Oh how my sweet River wasn't too perceptive of self consciousness yet so that allowed me to cuddle and kiss him away.

The drive home was fairly quiet despite the slight cooing noises coming from River's reversed car seat. Once at the house, I took River inside and made him an early dinner. I wanted him to go to bed earlier today since he didn't sleep well yesterday. I was in the middle of mashing his dinner up when I heard him sneeze.

I dropped everything and rushed to River, feeling his forehead and cheeks and seeing if he was congested. He couldn't be sick right?

The dreadful scenes that ran through my brain were endless. My stomach tied itself in a knot to where I became sick. Not to mention the tightening of it due to being sick with worry about River's possible condition. It's almost as if the universe was mocking me and threatening to take another one from me.

Most people would think I was just being melodramatic about everything, but I was dead set on fighting a war with fate if I needed to if it meant I got to have River. I wasn't taking any chances, I shoved a thermometer gently into his armpit and waited impatiently for a beep.

98.10.

Normal temp for a baby I guess. No fever, nothing. River looked at me as if to say "dad, cool it" but I felt justified in my reaction. After all, babies are very sensitive to these things and I only have River's best interest at heart. Because I love him so much. I love him too much...I love him to pieces, to death, to let anything happen to him.

"I love you." I said softly, almost compensating for my slight overreaction to his insincere sniffle. I kissed his cheek as a 'make it up to you' type of response. I finished making his dinner and served it to him in a cautious observant manner, making sure every bite of those beets were eaten.

River hates it, but it's a super food so I felt it was important for him to have. Plus a well awarded banana pudding was served right after to him as well. I let River stay up to watch me wash the dishes until I had to take him upstairs for a bath and a needed diaper change.

Bathtime was fun for River as I had a variety of bath toys laid out for him as I washed his hair and body. "All done, I said scooping him up from the bathtub and swaddled him in a ducky bath towel that amplified River's adorableness.

I took him into his bedroom and lotioned River's small body along with putting a fresh diaper on him. "Nice and clean." I said to River putting him into a warm sleep footed onesie. I tucked into bed and sung a soft lullaby to him. "Goodnight Rivie, daddy loves you." I pressed a sweet and soundly kiss to his forehead.

The next morning I was at work bright and early, working on a new painting. I didn't mind being 3 minutes late all because of watching River get settled into daycare again. Mitch wasn't too shy about striking up a conversation about that subject.

"Three minutes." I looked at Mitch with curiosity and insecurity. "What about it?" "Oh nothing, it's just....I shouldn't"

"What?" "Well, I noticed you've been three minutes late for the past few weeks." I looked down and shrugged. "It's just...I have to make sure River's okay."

"I get that Harry," Mitch continued. "But as I friend, I just notice these things and......well,"

"What?" "Don't you think you're being a little overprotective towards River?"

That comment made me avert myself. "Of course not! I have to do what's best for him and he's too little to do things by himself so...That's where I come in. And besides, it's not a crime to not want River to have anything bad happen to him. I promised that to Leia, River and myself."

"Of course Harry, I think you're a great father, but you're holding a lot in, I can tell."

"Look Mitch, River needs me. He's very vulnerable to the world and I can't let anything happen to him." "And then nothing will happen to him if continue to out your grief on to River."

Before I could respond, my phone lit up with the daycare's number on the screen. In a sharp panic, I answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello Mr styles?" "Yes. Is everything okay?"

I could hear cries coming from the background, one I recognize all to well. River's.

"That's River! What's wrong?!" "Well, he seems to be a little fussy more than the usual and he won't take any milk or food."

I knew River. This wasn't a fussy cry, the poor baby was screaming out in pain and I couldn't bear to take it any longer. "I'm coming right now to come get him."

I hung up before the carefree girl could say anything else and the next thing I knew, was I was running to grab bag from the chair and frantically digging for my keys. "Harry what's goin-"

"Could you tell Mr Caddel that I clocked out early due to an emergency. He can dock my pay or whatever." I said in a small state of hysterics. I finally found my keys and ran out the door and down the studios steps, practically wanting to leap into the wide gap that spaced the top stairs from the bottom ones.

I made it to my car and stepped on the gas as hard as I legally could. I could only imagine River's harsh cries for me to come and sweep him up in my arms. That last sound of River's screaming cries left my heart in agony. The mental agony was the hardest weight on me as I drove down every shortcut I could think of.

I pulled up into the daycare and parked pretty obnoxiously, but that didn't matter as much as getting to my baby boy as fast as possible. The door swung open surprising the other patrons of my appearance.

I ran to the office where I could hear the loud hysterical cries from River. "I'm here!" I said on point as I opened the door, revealing my presence to the caregivers. I reached out for River who accepted his invitation for a well needed cuddle and he instantly fell into my arms.

His cries calmed down a little to where it was just pitiful whimpers that contrasted to the loud merciless screams he had hooted out for the whole block to hear. "He's okay, he seems to be doing better now. I think he just missed you." The young lady said with an soft sympathetic tone.

I nodded in agreement. "I think so too. I'm gonna sign him out now." The minute I did, I held River tightly in my arms as we walked out to the half sunlight parking lot. I looked at River with concerned eyes. "Is it your tummy? Hmm?" I gingerly asked. "Did you get a diaper rash and it hurts?"

River just looked down with a tranquil expression. "Oh River you mean to tell me that you got me all worked up and worried sick thinking the worst and now suddenly you're okay?"

River just looked at me with a smile. "I'm not mad. Just shaken that's all." I put river into his car seat but not before smothering the little lad in kisses much to River's dismay. "No, you are going to let daddy kiss and cuddle you because you scared him half to death."

I gave way to a few more kisses before deciding to take my place in the driver's seat. "Young man..." I said quietly.

Later on that night, I had River in between my legs playing with him before my phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hey Harry it's Mitch." "Oh hey Mitch." "I just wanted to know if River was alright?"

"Yep," I said popping the p. "Would you believe he stopped crying once I held him?" I was still in disbelief. Mitch chuckled. "Yeah, they'll do that. I've got niece to prove that."

"Thanks for checking in Mitch and for covering for me." "No prob. You would've done the same for me. Plus it was an emergency."

"Yeah." A long pregnant pause stood there. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Sure thing."

As I was setting up my art sack, I contemplated skipping work today to watch River. I didn't feel comfortable with that daycare anymore due to River's last episode with them. I felt they handled it too carelessly and I seemed to be the only experienced one with him. Nonetheless, I knew I couldn't have Mitch substitute me again, so I had to deal with the reality that River was going to go to the daycare and I would have to shuffle through work.

I hesitantly set River down on the mat of the play area where all his companions were, wondering if this was a mistake worth making. The caregiver didn't dare look me in the eyes, despite mine being glued on her. Not in a flirtatious manner, but a stern questioning one.

"Bye rivie, love you." I said pressing a soundly kiss to his peach colored cheek. I looked back at him with skepticalness and scanned the entire area for threats. I finally managed to pull myself out of my protective daze and into my car.

I plopped my bag down on my desk as Mitch looked over in the middle of painting his mural. Mitch gave me a knowing look as I returned it with a taciturn look. But Mitch pestered anyway, confidently not intimidated by my reservedness.

"So you came to work today?" Was this a continuation of yesterday's conversation? If so I wasn't in the mood. I didn't need to justify my love to my son to anyone, not even a friend.

"Mmhm." I mumbled quietly. I couldn't even imagine how I looked physically to Mitch. Was it the bags that settled themselves under my eyes along with the neighboring dark circles? Or was it the constant fear that I carried along with a chipped heart?

The room was a quiet tense until it was lunchtime. Me and Mitch sat at our respective tables, munching away on the sandwich I made along with potato chips and a bottled iced tea. I struggled to finish my lunch as I kept looking at the clock. Anxiously waiting for work to end and River would be with me again.

"Harry...," I looked over to Mitch before turning back to my lunch. "No." I stated plainly not wanting to start yet another debate over my child rearing ways.

"Yes Harry, you can't ignore the elephant in the room. Deep down you know you're taking on a lot. And as a friend I can't stand by and let you be hurt like this."

"I'm fine. Nothing is wrong, River's okay, I'm okay." "Are you?" Mitch pointed to the black globby painting I had painter earlier. "Harry...I'll be frank and unfiltered. You have built up a thick wall of emotion, yet deep down you are still incredibly sensitive and on edge with Leia's death. I know you miss her, but I think it goes deeper than that. It was how she died that scares you."

"I'm a little nervous I admit that, but....but nothing. I have it under control." Mitch shook his head. "You're losing control. I saw the way you rushed out of the studio Harry and how you interact with River lately. You're scared to death that something might happen to him and that you won't be there to control it."

In the middle, I kept thinking about River. Was he okay? What if he is screaming for me right now? What if something horrible happened? A sharp ping nipped me inside. My heart sped up and my breathing became labored. Mitch observed with concern.

"Excuse me Mitch, I gotta go." "Where?" "Gotta check on River."

"Nothing's wrong with him though." "You don't know that!" I said raising my voice a little. "Harry, you gotta calm down. I mean he's safe at daycare."

"And what if he's not?" I said turning to Mitch with petrified eyes. My clenched hands straddled through my bag for keys. "WHERE ARE MY KEYS?"

"Harry! Chill!"

NO! River needs me!" Mitch looked on with a baffled expression. "I'll just take him out and we'll go home. I think I'll quit Mitch, I have to become a stay at home dad for River, it's just not working out with me being away this much. You'll understand when you have little ones someday."

"Harry, do you even hear yourself? Not being there is not gonna kill him!"

"It killed Leia didn't it?" I said quietly. "It killed her!" I threw my items out of the bag and was on the floor, on my knees burying my arms into the bag to find my keys. Mitch ran over to me.

"Harry stop it! Get a grip! River is fine, you've got to believe that!" "I don't have to because it may not be true! He could be there and have a unknown disease right now and.....and-" My voice cracked.

"Let it all out Harry." A sob broke from my mouth. And then a full blown cry. I was on the ground sobbing like a 2 year old that couldn't find his blanket.

"And there was nothing I could do about it. S-She was r-right there and she couldn't breathe..a-and she just stopped breathing. She died in the middle of the night when I wasn't there. I couldn't do anything, I was just helpless Mitch! I thought I could overcome this by myself but I'm a wreck if River is not near me! I just love him so much and no one else is gonna love him the way I do, so I owe it to him to play both roles. I-I just fee-feel so bad for him, because I'm what he has. There is no mommy in his life! There's no Leia and I'm scared! I'm alone....I loved her and she was my best friend. And now she's gone. I don't wanna lose my baby too!"

Mitch rubbed my back as I sobbed bitter loud tears on the floor by my desk. "it's going to be okay Harry. Just breathe and let go. You couldn't control what happened to Leia, and you can't control what happens to River, but that's okay. You just gotta let it go."

I pulled myself together and wiped my face and red nose. "I know you miss Leia. And I know you love River more than anything. But because you love him so much, you have to do what's best for him....including putting life into perspective. And not bottling things up."

I nodded. "You're right. You have always been right and I'm sorry."

Mitch pulled me in for a hug. "it's gonna get better, just take things a day at a time." Mitch was my epiphany. My cynical views of the world needed to change. "You take the rest of the day and week off and I got ya."

"Thank you so much!" Mitch smiled and trailed over to my desk. "Oh here they are." He held up my keys with a painting palette design dangling alongside the other silver and gold mix. "Thanks." I sniffled, voice still fading in and out from my breakdown.

I grabbed my bag and keys and walked out. But not before thanking Mitch. "Thanks for being a good friend." I smiled weakly.

Mitch waved me off with a smile. "Get outta here."

I drove to the daycare to pick River up. I was in a more collected mood than when I was first here and walked in with more tame. "Hello rivie! Daddy missed you!" I said scooping him up and kissing him all over his face. "I could really use a hug right now."

I glanced at the young caretaker, giving her an approving smile before heading out.

"Hey River want some yogurt?" I took a cup from the fridge and fed it to River who seemed to enjoy more than the other occasions. Well.....it wasn't mashed up this time. River needed solids. "River....from now on daddy's gonna stop worrying about you so much. I mean of course I'll always fuss over you, but not in the way I used to. That would make us both sick. I have to treat you more like an 8 month old okay?"

River looked on as if to say 'deal' and that was good enough for me. I kissed his cheek and continued feeding him his yummy treat.

"We'll be okay." I said to myself with newfound assurance.

[bunny-is-cute]

Uh Lucifer…we’re glad you had Osian back but you won’t like…go crazy overly protective over him right?

Lucifer: Oh course! He’ll be a baby for a long time! Angel babies grow at a slow rate! For every seven years on Earth, it’ll be one year for an angelic baby. Charlie is over 200 years old but she looks like a young adult!

[im-totally-not-an-alien-2]

Danny didn't know what to do with all these flowers. Sure, Amity had done a 180 after they stopped listening to his parents (its just a shame what had happened to them) and they now loved thier guardian and savior.

Which brought him back to the flowers. It was the day after Valentines and he had gotten gifts from what felt like everyone in the city (except Vlad who was in ghost jail via the Observants) leading him to having a massive pile of flowers, stuffed animals and candy to figure out what to do with.

Obviously most of the stuffing were going to be decorating his lair in the GZ but the flowers would rot eventually and he didn't even own a single vase anyway. He was not going to mention the chocolate.

Then Tucker gave him an idea. He can just give them away to other heros.

Cackling he set about plans to ambush the batfam who he had met once or twice when he was exploring through dimensions (and promptly chased out of the city)

He started with Red Robin the smartest and arguably the cutest of the brood. He had picked a good time too because birdy looked five steps away from falling asleep on the rooftop while running, so when Danny through a bouquet or roses at him the soft petals clocked him right in the face.

The look he gave was one of pure confusion as he stared at the plants. Then, all too soon it clicked and the vigilantes face turned a lovely shade of red as he looked around for whoever tossed them. Luckily Danny stayed off the visible spectrum that night.

The next victim was Spoiler who he clocked in the back of the head while she was distracted by talking to a civilian. The yelp she made was glorious and almost made Danny cackle and give away his position.

Red Hood Danny had to be the hardest one. Sneaking up on him was almost impossible. He could sense RH like he could a ghost but something was definitely off. He wondered if Hood could sense him too. Is that how he always seemed to know he was around. It didn't matter in the end because Danny had a lot of free time without the ghost attacks and a near endless supply of ammo. Still. Danny was getting irritated and just decided to chuck flowers at the guy until he landed a hit. He didn't know why hood was freaking out so much over flowers or why he was shooting at the flowers or even what "Pit" he was screaming about but the moment he got a hit in Danny decided to bounce.

Robin was funny. He threw a bouquet and the little bird caught it like a sword before inspecting it with a raised eyebrow.

Orphan was nice. She caught her bouquet gracefully in her arms almost as if she was expecting it and held it to her chest before looking right at him and waving.

While he was invisible.

He bolted.

Occasionally he liked to interfere with the bats rogue battles by throwing a single rose into the frey, startling the baddie of the hour and giving the bat or bats time to collect themselves. Yeah thats right. He Tuxedo Mask'd them. Something that infuriated some of the bats and got other giggling.

He at least knew better not to do this to Poison Ivy. For her he portaled in something special. The look on her face when one of those battery powered toddler jeeps came racing down the street with a full rose bush in a glass bubble and into the fight was something he'd cherish forever. Especially when she realized she couldn't control the thing thanks to the glass.

This leads to the last bird.

Nightwing was probably one of the best victims hes had. He took it like a champ and even played along, giving a little speech about being honored to receive such a gift, prompting Danny to throw individual flowers at the heros feet. Nightwing continued talking and Phantom kept giving him flowers, distracted by what the hero was saying and slowly drifting closer until-

The kick to the side of the head didn't really hurt, when you get used to being thrown through buildings not much could really hurt you anymore but it was enough to stun him and force him to drop his invisibility. Another kick and a few shocks from a pair of acrizma sticks for struggling and he was on his belly at Nightwings feet. He felt something fasten around his wrist and his core felt restricted but he didn't transform back into Fenton.

Crap. Power dampening cuffs.

He was so screwed.

Danny was later upset to discover there was a whole other bat he didn't know about or even get to target once due to him being on the daylight shift.

[talesofadragon]

𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

Summary: Despite witnessing the death of his mother and being forced to grow under the watch of his Death Eater father, Theodore Nott is living proof that love and care bloom even in the most barren conditions. Maybe, they flourish even more.

Warnings: Allusions to sex

Pairing: Theodore Nott x Pregnant!Reader

Genre: Tooth-rotting fluff 

Word count: 4.2K

All Masterlists | Theodore Nott Masterlist

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 he had over his twenty-four years of existence.

His first dream was at the tender age of three after his mother surprised him with a trip to Diagon Alley. When nightfall came, the Sandman put him to sleep, drawing images of the alley's bustling stores and magical people behind his eyelids.

His second dream was at seven years of age. It had been a few years since the loss of his mother, and he had come to terms with the painful reality that her ghost did not linger within the desolate corridors of Nott Manor. But her soul and her memories seemed to still echo in his head.

The third dream was the catalyst that set off a chain reaction, unleashing a plethora of heavenly promises and alternate realities. It marked the beginning of one of the best stories he had ever read and one in which he had serendipitously played a role in curating. It happened when he was fourteen.

Hogwarts was abuzz with excitement as it hosted the renowned Triwizard Tournament. Though he wasn't particularly enthralled by his school and its whimsical attractions, let alone the two other visiting schools participating in the tournament, he had no idea how profoundly this event would impact his life. Everything changed when the girls from Beauxbatons Academy gracefully entered the scene, and amidst them was a certain witch with the most mesmerizing, iridescent eyes that instantly captured his attention.

Y/N Y/L/N—that had been the name of the witch who occupied his dreams for years on end. Though today she was known as Y/N Nott, his remarkably beautiful and majestic wife.

Tonight, just like every other night, Theodore sat on his bed. He would lovingly observe the gentle rise and fall of Y/N's chest as she peacefully slept beside him. In recent times, she often kept one hand tenderly clasping his while the other lovingly cradled her pregnant belly, an undeniable symbol of the beautiful life they were bringing into the world.

And like a magnet calling for the metal, Theodore’s hands would always wander to the life they had created, astounded by the little flutters he felt both against his palms and in his heart.

Y/N truly was his dream. And she was entirely his.

“Why are you not sleeping?” she murmured without prior notice, prompting Theodore to look at her. Her eyes were barely open, tiredness dominating her every feature.

Theodore was cautious not to engage in conversation with her, not wanting to risk waking her from her peaceful slumber. Instead, he propped himself up on one elbow, using his free hand to gently play with her hair. He lovingly brushed away the stray locks that caressed her face and used his index finger to twirl some of the strands. A playful smirk adorned his lips, knowing that the action almost always lulled Y/N into an undisturbed sleep—and he could already see her eyes fluttering shut.

But then, she abruptly shook her head, forcing her eyes to open.

“Y/N,” Theodore chastised, giving her a pointed look.

“Theo,” she replied, drawing out the last vowel.

Theodore snorted at her antics, and for some reason, he recalled the lazy days he spent with her in his bed at Hogwarts in the years following her transfer to the school.

She shifted closer to Theodore’s side—maybe she thought that moving around might sober her up. She cupped his face, angling it closer to hers. “Why are you awake?”

“I’m just thinking, butterfly.” He shook his head with a subtle laugh, his hands caressing her lips and pulling her bottom lip down. He only released it when he was sure her pout would mold into a relaxed smile.

“About?”

“Us three.”

Theodore observed the puzzled expression taking over his wife's features. She blinked owlishly while languidly processing his words. As his thumb gently brushed against her pregnant belly, her gaze shifted downward, and a melodious giggle escaped her lips.

“What about us three?”

“Nothing in specific,” he replied, grinning like a Cheshire cat. He already swooned whenever Y/N used the word “us.” But to hear it accompanied by a number that reflected a product of their ardent devotion? It filled his heart with love.

“I’m sleepy, Theo. Be specific, please.”

Merlin, Theo smiled. If this is a dream, I hope it lasts forever.

“I’m just really happy, Y/N,” Theodore elaborated.

Y/N mirrored the winsome smile that he radiated. She leaned in closer, positioning herself between his legs with her knees firmly planted on the mattress. Tilting her head to the right, Theodore's attention wandered between the still-visible hickeys on her neck, which had yet to fade away since two nights prior, and her lovely little belly.

“I want to straddle you,” she said after putting both her hands on his broad shoulders. “But I’m too big, and I can’t figure out a comfortable position that doesn’t involve me squishing you.”

Theodore’s uproarious laughter flooded the entire room. He found it both amusing and ludicrous that Y/N would think that. Wordlessly, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her toward him until his chest cushioned her back, and his hands wrapped nicely and securely around her middle.

“This is my favorite position.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow at her husband’s remark. “Huh. Since when did Cowgirl stop being your favorite?”

“Y/N.” Theodore rolled his eyes. He buried his head in her neck, teasingly biting her. She giggled, trying to push him away. “No straddling, riding, or exerting yourself while pregnant.”

“But—”

“No buts,” Theodore deadpanned. “Go back to sleep, butterfly. Not getting enough sleep is bad for the baby.”

“But how can I sleep when my baby is awake?”

“Is he now?” One of Theodore’s hands combed through Y/N’s hair while the other rubbed soothing circles on her belly.

The placid movements made her eyes flutter, but she blinked away the exhaustion at once. “Not my little prince,” she whispered. Her eyes landed on Theodore. “My little king.”

Pink dusted Theodore's cheeks in response to the comment. He had never realized how much he yearned for even the tiniest and most tender displays of affection until Y/N entered his life.

He basked in her warm words, bumping his nose gently with hers. “I love you. But I will love you even more if you get some rest.”

Y/N pouted. And Merlin, it was physically impossible for Theodore to do anything but smile at her reaction. “Not before you do.” She glared at him, and he held her gaze. A moment passed, then two, and then three. An errant yawn escaped Y/N's mouth, and she unintentionally blinked. She inwardly reprimanded herself at the realization. “Let me read you a story then.”

“A story?” Theodore asked amusedly.

“Hmm. It’s good practice for when the baby comes.”

“No, Y/N.” Theodore shook his head. “I know what you’re trying to do.”

“I’m not trying to do anything,” Y/N shrugged innocently.

“Lying little witch.”

“Overprotective big oaf.”

“Oaf, you say?” Theodore raised an eyebrow while Y/N laughed. “Alright, you’ve done it.”

Instantly, Theodore flipped her over, making her back softly land on the mattress. He tickled her ever so gently, planting kisses all over her neck, cheeks, and body, eliciting delightful giggles from her until she let out that long, familiar sigh of contentment. Within minutes, she had drifted into a peaceful slumber, leaving him to gaze affectionately at her and the beautiful life they had created together.

As soon as Y/N’s eyes opened, Theodore's absence from the bed struck her, followed by the unnaturally quiet atmosphere around her room. She planted her elbow on the mattress, and with great effort, though she would never admit it, propped herself up and gazed at her surroundings.

The magical clock on the wall marked eight-thirty in the morning, and Y/N found it odd that Theodore was nowhere in sight. He rarely left her alone, especially since she became pregnant, hardly giving her a minute by herself.

Deciding not to think much of it, she slipped her slippers on and, unceremoniously, made her way out of bed. She was about to call for her husband when the smell of eggs and grilled cheese permeated the air. Her hurried steps echoed through the house as she dashed toward the kitchen.

“You’re making breakfast?”

“Y/N!” Theodore whipped his head in surprise, flying pans and floating juice surrounding him. “I told you to call me if you need anything. Especially if you want to walk down the stairs!”

Y/N completely brushed off his comment, eyes lighting up as one of the spatulas scrambled the eggs. “I’ll set the table.”

“Woah, woah, woah. You’re not doing that.”

“It’s no trouble, really,” she replied, looking down at the arm that blocked her way.

“Y/N—”

"Setting up the table will not break my back, Theo! I can do things even though I’m pregnant."

"I know, Y/N. I know." At this point, it was evident that Y/N's mounting frustration was reaching a tipping point. Theodore had to tread carefully with his words to avoid making her cry or, worse, giving her a reason to ignore him. "It's just that I wanted to surprise you with breakfast in bed. And, you kind of ruined it."

Y/N's big doe eyes locked onto her husband, a hint of calculation shimmering in her irises, revealed by the tilt of her head. As she placed both hands on her belly, Theodore's composed demeanor couldn't hide his concern and attentiveness.

He never enjoyed seeing Y/N upset, especially when she was pregnant. The mere thought of an upset Y/N during her pregnancy made him uncomfortable.

However, her giggle dispelled all his doubts, and a wave of relief washed over him. Still, his heart felt like it was dunked in the frozen waters of the Black Lake when he saw her skipping ahead, confidently navigating the stairs.

"I can fix it!"

"Y/N! What did I say about the stairs?"

"That I can't walk down the stairs by myself," she cheekily replied, holding onto the railing tightly. His heart clenched just as tightly as he watched her.

"Stay where you are, I'm coming,” Theodore announced.

“Uh-uh-uh. I’m climbing those steps myself, and if you even think about helping me, you won’t be coming until a year after this baby’s born.”

Theodore scoffed, “Don’t threaten me with sex, Y/N. It’s not going to work.”

“I said you won’t be coming, Theo darling," she pointed out matter-of-factly with a wicked grin. Sometimes, it didn't take much to remember that she was sorted into the House of Snakes. "I never mentioned sex.”

Theodore glared at his wife, his tongue poking his cheek. She won. And she knew it.

“One step at a time.”

With a quick wink, she resumed her way up the staircase, calling over her shoulders, “The baby wants strawberries, and I want grapes. Can you fix something, my love?”

“Get in bed safely first, and then I’ll see if you can get your fruits.”

Y/N waved at him from the threshold of their open bedroom door. Once he was sure she was inside, he cursed under his breath. Though, his smile never wavered and only turned into the biggest grin when he started chopping grapes and strawberries.

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?”

Theodore stood proudly, attempting to hide his uncertainty behind a facade of confidence. He wore an expression that asserted, “I am perfectly capable of baking a cake for my wife.”

The chaotic ambiance in the kitchen begged to differ.

The room seemed to be the battlefield from the Third Wizarding War with flour scattered everywhere, eggshells haphazardly discarded on a plate, and cake batter splattered on once-pristine beige walls.

Perched on the bar stool, Y/N attempted to mask her chortle behind the book in her hands. It was a good thing that Theodore was too busy opening and closing cabinets to notice her amusement.

“Theo, my love. I know pureblood Slytherins struggle to admit defeat, but maybe it’s time you retire that apron you’re wearing and let me take care of this cake.”

“Absolutely not,” Theodore refuted with a little too much vigor. The spatula in his hand swayed to the right, causing a generous amount of batter to land on the side of Y/N’s face. “Oh, Merlin! Y/N, I’m so sorry. Are you okay? Did I hurt you? I swear I didn’t mean it!”

Y/N’s nose scrunched in disgust when Theodore approached her side. He cupped her cheeks, but she briskly swatted his hands away. His heart broke, and he stepped back with dimmed hazel eyes.

“You utter nincompoop, Theodore Nott!” With a horrified expression, Theodore watched Y/N rush to the sink and splash her face with water. A goblet of cold water came flying to her hands after she snapped her fingers, and she gulped it down at once. “That smelled foul! I don’t want to imagine how it tastes. Throw that bowl away. Right now.”

He did so immediately. He looked down at the gooey mixture, stifling a scowl. “Maybe it’s better if I buy a cake.”

“Or, hear me out. I should make one.”

“You’re not exerting yourself.”

“Theodore, darling. Baking a cake is a breeze. It’s you who struggles to even boil water.”

“I don’t struggle to boil water,” Theodore grimaced. One look from Y/N, and he was left evaluating his response. His eyes wandered to the slight mess he had created in the kitchen and then to his pouting wife, who looked absolutely ethereal with her round belly. He was starting to cave. Damn, that witch. “No! Don’t look at me like that. I’m getting you a cake. One you’re not making.”

“But—”

“No buts. In fact, I’m going right now,” Theodore said in a rushed tone. He knew that if he even looked at her for one second longer, he couldn’t remember what letters formed the word “no.” He immediately summoned his keys, placing them in his pockets. “I’ll be back in a minute. Don’t touch anything, don’t worry about anything. Just… breathe. Yeah, butterfly?”

Y/N blinked, gazing at her husband. “You too?” she replied unsurely.

Theodore gave her a quick, though impassioned, kiss that almost made her forget where she was and what they were talking about. His hand went to rub the curve of her belly, and she cursed those stupid hormones that made her whimper.

Dazed, she watched as Theodore fetched his coat. He sent her a languid smile, and then, he dashed out of the house and apparated promptly. As soon as she heard the apparition crack, it was like the “Nott Enchantment” was lifted off her, and she could see everything around her much more clearly.

She turned on her heels, carefully studying her kitchen. With a devious grin, she rushed to grab her wand and immediately pointed it at the counter. “Wingardium Leviosa.” The utensils simultaneously launched into the air, followed by the eggshells and the other ingredients on the counter.

Y/N cleared the surface quite easily, directing whatever needed washing to the sink, which was already filling with soap and water, and disposing of the trash. Scourgify was at the tip of her tongue, but deciding that she wanted to revel in her rebellion a little more, she tucked away her wand and pulled the cleaning supplies from the storage.

Immediately, she put on the pink rubber gloves, which Theodore never quite fancied, flexing her fingers in the air and picturing the look of sheer terror on her husband’s face. She poured the surface cleaner on a cloth and began disinfecting the kitchen.

Slowly, but surely, the abysmal smell—courtesy of Theodore’s extraterrestrial baking skills—was replaced with the fresh scent of pine and vanilla. Y/N inhaled these scents, labeling them as one of freedom. Even her baby seemed happier, vehemently kicking her belly and bouncing around.

It didn’t take long before everything was clean. Satisfied, Y/N placed the cleaning supplies under the sink and started putting back the clean utensils. Though, her peace was disturbed by a loud pop.

She shrieked, placing one hand atop her mouth and the other on her belly when it dawned on her that there was now a little less light inside her home than there was a second before.

Looking up, she exhaled a sharp breath when she realized that one of the ceiling’s light bulbs was out.

“It’s a good thing your father isn’t here, my little prince,” Y/N whispered, gently caressing her belly. “He probably would’ve apparated us to the moon, thinking it was a Death Eater or something.”

Once more, she felt her stomach fluttering as her baby’s little kick brought a smile to her face. She couldn’t help but feel grateful that her little boy seemed to be inheriting her sense of humor, and she silently thanked the stars that he might just be a lot less uptight than Theodore.

Merlin seemed to be on her side too, egging her on and encouraging her little streak of rebellion. Without giving it much thought, Y/N rushed to the electrical panel by the kitchen’s wall and spotted the room’s switch.

When they had first moved, Theodore was particularly concerned about muggle electricity, swearing that it was an anti-wizard mechanism that would electrocute them if they came near it. Y/N didn’t believe him. But because she loved him too much to see him losing his precious hair over this trivial matter, she did indulge in his absurdity and kept herself away from the panel.

After her curiosity got the best of her, she decided to ask Fleur, a friend from Beauxbatons and Bill Weasley's wife, about electricity. Knowing that Mr. Weasley, Fleur's father-in-law, had a fascination with muggle devices and technologies, she figured Fleur might have some insights. Additionally, Hermione, Fleur's sister-in-law, being a muggleborn, likely knew a thing or two about it as well.

To her relief, Fleur reassured her that electricity wasn't half as bad as Theodore had made it out to be. With the kitchen switch turned off, Y/N could easily change the light bulb without any risks.

She grabbed her wand, pointed it up, and carefully removed the old bulb. Just as she was almost done placing the new one, she felt a hand snatch away her wand and another grab her waist.

Y/N gasped, feeling herself being pushed against the wall. Her breath was knocked out of her lungs, her eyes peering up in horror until they landed on familiar hazel irises that looked anything but warm.

“What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?!”

Her annoyed voice mixed with Theodore’s sharp one. She pushed him away from her just as he threw her wand across the room. It clattered on the floor, the noise accompanying Theodore’s labored breath.

“I told you not to do anything!”

“Well, I wasn’t doing anything!”

“You were playing with that muggle death trap, Y/N! All while being pregnant!”

“Oh, get off your rocker, Nott! I turned the electrical switch off before changing the lightbulb,” Y/N argued, gesturing toward the electrical panel.

It was obviously a mistake given how Theodore's face turned as white as snow, and the trembling in his fingers signaled the storm of emotions building within him, about to erupt. “You touched Frank Benjamin’s apparatus of doom?!”

“What?” Y/N made a face after a moment of silence and confusion.

“Did you touch that thing?” Theodore asked, pointing at the panel.

“Yes.”

“Are you mental?”

“I’m starting to think I am after two years of being married to you!”

“Don’t change the subject!”

“Who the bloody hell is Frank Benjamin even?”

“I told you not to change the subject!” Theodore warned.

Y/N was this close to slapping her husband’s obnoxiously handsome face. “You are being awfully dramatic, Theo. Just because Draco told you and Blaise that electricity is a torture device developed by muggles doesn’t mean it’s true!”

“Oh, yeah.” Theodore crossed his arms. Surprisingly, now that Y/N could see the pink and purple paper bag from her favorite bakery in his arms, her husband looked a lot more cute than intimidating. “How’d you know that?”

“I asked Fleur,” she deadpanned. “Oh, and would you look at that? I’m still alive! Looks like Frank Benjamin did a lousy job.”

“We do not say his name in this household, Y/N!” Theodore insisted while stepping closer. He seemingly noticed the bag he was yet to discard in his hands. He placed it on the counter and turned to his wife before he froze in his place. “You cleaned the house?!”

Y/N flung her arms in the air at her husband’s callousness. “Yes! And with those pink gloves you hate so much!”

“I told you not to do anything. I left you for ten minutes!”

“I wish you left me for more. Maybe then I would’ve been able to do the one thing I need more than anything.”

“Which is?” Theodore scoffed.

“Breathe!”

Following her outburst, Y/N’s hand came to rest on her hip while the other landed on her heart. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and let the oxygen flow inside her lungs.

When her eyes fluttered open, the tension that inundated the air slipped. And meeting her on the other side was her Theodore with warm hazel irises and outstretched hands.

“Come here.” He gestured with arms wide open. Y/N dove into his embrace. She had gotten quite better at accommodating her large belly in Theodore’s bear hugs. “I’m sorry if I've been frustrating lately. I just… I just want you to be safe and happy, Y/N. Both of you.”

“We are, Theo. With you, we always are,” Y/N assured him. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she buried her face deeper into her husband’s clothes. His scent invaded her senses, and she had to admit defeat against her hormones.

“Hey. Look at me, butterfly.”

Y/N lifted her tear-stained face. She wanted to let Theodore know it was just her hormones and that there was nothing to worry about, but any modicum of common sense evaporated as soon as Theodore started kissing away the tears.

She exhaled in delight, relishing in the feel of her husband’s lips against her skin. His touch was delicate and ephemeral, yet it left a trail of anticipation and ardor in its way.

“Theo,” Y/N murmured. She cupped his face, her thumb gliding gently over his stubbled jaw. “I love you.”

“You can never love me more than I love you, Y/N Nott," he admitted, caressing her neck, specifically her pulse point. "And maybe, it’s because my affection knows no bounds that I’ve crossed the line from being protective to becoming overbearing. And for that, I truly am sorry.”

Y/N’s heart swelled with affection at his heartfelt words, leaving her momentarily speechless. “I forgive you,” she replied, planting a soft kiss on his neck. Theodore's lashes fluttered in response to her touch. “And thank you for admitting this out loud. I know it must’ve been hard.”

“Oh, it’s not the only thing that’s hard right now.”

“Theo!” Y/N guffawed loudly. She playfully slapped his chest, but he quickly caught her wrists and nuzzled his face in her neck, nipping her sensitive skin. “Stop being promiscuous. I’d like to peacefully eat my cake, please!”

“Why have a cake, Y/N? When I can make you the most fantastic cream pie. It’s going to leave you craving for more,” Theodore whispered huskily in her ear, going as far as licking her earlobe and sucking it gently.

Y/N gnawed at her lower lip, already feeling herself surrendering to Theodore. Curse those stupid hormones and all the times she teased him with sex. Must he retaliate, too? How did they even get to this point?

“After the cake, Theo. Our baby is hungry.”

Theodore stopped then, pressing a soft kiss to Y/N’s temple. He grasped her hand, beaming when she interlaced their fingers together. He watched her as she giddily reached for the strawberry cheesecake he had gotten her, plating two slices, and taking the biggest one for herself.

“This is really good.”

“Better than my cream pie?” Theodore wiggled his eyebrows. He laughed and ducked out of the way of a flying strawberry, effortlessly catching it before it hit the ground. “You missed, my love.”

“Don’t you ‘love’ me, Theodore Nott!” Y/N pointedly addressed him. It was hard to take her seriously with the crumbs on the side of her mouth. "One more sexual innuendo and I'm naming our child Frank Benjamin."

"Absolutely not!" Theodore scowled. He took a bite from his own cake, looking back thoughtfully at his wife. "Though if you do indulge in my cream pie, I'll let you tell Draco and Blaise that we are considering naming our child Frank Benjamin."

Y/N's eyes lit up like a thousand stars twinkling in the night sky, and Theodore couldn't help but feel a euphoric swarm of butterflies dancing in his soul, bringing an overwhelming sense of happiness and warmth to his heart. Her radiant joy illuminated the room, and at that moment, he knew that her happiness was all he ever needed in this world.

Thank you to the lovely nonny who suggested this prompt💚 I hope I did it justice. I always knew that I will be writing for Theo Nott sooner or later, and I'm glad to have started with this piece.

Thank you to everyone who sent me requests; there are loads of Theo fics I'm working on, and I hope to release them as this year progresses.