#a fluffy just-for-me piece suddenly gained a plot

[blindvogel]

The first part of a thing that has been marinading in my head for the past few days, inspired by @timethehobo truly delectable Emmrich art that screamed modern AU in my head. There are liberties taken with the actual timeline of events but really, this is just a fun idea to play around with until Halloween hits.

~~~

Just a piece in the game (Part 1 of 3) (Part 2)

She returns to Nevarra City with far less fanfare than she left it. Not that it was a sensation in the first place, but Kamari knows in certain circles her quitting the Royal Academy of Arts and Science was a source of gossip for a while. Well, several years of absence and no further fuel to the fire have the tendency of burying things, something she appreciates. 

Which means nobody makes note of her quickly climbing the steps of the Necropolis museum and wandering through the exhibitions. 

It’s nostalgic, in a sense. If things hadn’t gone the way they had she would be working here now, curating the art gallery. But there’s no reason crying over spilled milk, especially when she finds herself rather happy in her current employment. Working with Varric Tethras does that. 

So she lets herself drift through the hallways, flowing along with the other visitors, pleased to be just another face in the crowd that enjoys an educating afternoon. 

Eventually her feet carry her towards one of the newer exhibitions, one she isn’t familiar with yet, dedicated to some newly discovered burial sites from the Fields of Ghislain. She expects some tasteful artistic renderings of the discovery site, some unearthed artifacts on display, neatly labeled. Perhaps some skeletons, with luck a sarcophagus or two if her memory of the Towers Age still remains accurate. 

She finds all of these things, which - small victory for not having lost her touch after a long absence and a change in career. She also finds two men having a quiet discussion over a display case. 

One - short, slightly rotund, richly dressed and balding - she is not familiar with. The other one she would likely recognize anywhere. 

Professor Emmrich Volkarin is just as Kamari remembers him. Tall, dressed in a finely tailored suit with a turtleneck underneath but the sleeves carefully rolled up to showcase a truthfully ludicrous but still somehow tasteful amount of bracelets and rings, his silvered hair neatly coiffed. 

Well, nearly as she remembers him. The gold rimmed glasses are a new addition.

Neither of the men notice her so she doesn’t feel too bad just watching them for a little. Almost accurate. Watching Emmrich Volkarin. 

Kamari had taken a few of his seminars while she was still at the academy, both as a student and later simply because the topics interested her and she had a little bit of spare time in between work. She had always found him a good teacher - honest enthusiasm in a topic can go a very long way. Much later she also learned to appreciate his good looks. Which she is admiring now.

She can’t quite pick up the topic of the conversation but judging by the animated gestures of Emmrich’s hands, underscored by the faint clinking of metal against metal, it is something he very much cares about. Likely to do with whatever is on display given their hovering over the glass case. 

Giving up her position on the periphery with a tiny sigh Kamari wanders closer, finally catching a glimpse of the focus of the discussion. A metal disk of interlocking rings, embellished with engravings that from her perspective look like old elvhen script. Idly she wonders how long it would take Bellara to translate it, betting with herself on about an hour. 

Now that she is closer, she catches the tailend of the conversation. 

“...a very important find for you, Professor Volkarin. So please, be assured that there is truly no need to second-guess our security measures.” The short man dabs his brow with a handkerchief he pulls out of a pocket before noticing her. 

Luckily he doesn’t seem to recognize her either as he gives her a faint smile and scurries off, seemingly glad to finally escape a circular conversation. As he does, Emmrich turns to - well, she never finds out what his initial intention was since his eyes fall instead on her. 

Kamari never deluded herself thinking she could escape Emmrich Volkarin’s seemingly eidetic memory. Varric might be a little mad at her later for this but that will be later, now she gets to enjoy a serious expression melt into a rather pleased smile, warm eyes twinkling at her over the rim of stylish glasses.

“Hello, Professor,” she says, matching his smile. 

“Kamari”, he exclaims, “please stop with this nonsense and call me Emmrich. I was not aware that you returned to Nevarra. What a pleasant surprise.”

A thing she likes about him is that he is indeed genuinely pleased to see her. It feels nice. 

“Only for a short visit, to see the family and - apparently your new exhibition?” It certainly feels less nice to lie, even if it is only half a lie, but he needn’t know why she is here, now. She would hate to know she disappointed him. 

“Oh, well,” Emmrich visibly preens a little, “I am glad that you are not missing out then. It was a very fortunate find, as you know a completely intact crypt from the Towers Age in the Fields of Ghislain no less is a rare treasure.” Kamari silently congratulates herself on both dating the site correctly and on having successfully moved the conversation away from her and to a topic Emmrich will likely talk about until he’s forgotten anything else for a while.

“Would it be too much to ask for a personal tour, then?” she pushes with a coy smile.

“Oh no, not at all!” He beams, and offers her his arm like the gentleman that he is.

She bridges the distance between them and slips her hand into the crook of his arm, thinking that if not for well, everything, this could almost be a date. 

He guides her back to the entrance of the room and the first showcase, happily elaborating on the discovery of the site, on the significance of the find. The lecture is accompanied by the familiar jangling of bracelets and Kamari finds herself lost in time, brought back to the years before she left Nevarra. Things were simpler then. 

All she had to worry about was making sure she got the right grants for new acquisitions, keeping up with her minor duties in the Mourn Watch, and considering how to best gather the courage to ask out Emmrich. 

Now she’s traveling all over Thedas trying to stop a misguided ancient elf from blowing up the world. Really, it’s rewarding work but her dating life sucks. 

“Hmmm, too much detail? I am sorry if I am prattling, Kamari. I did not mean to bore you.” Emmrich’s change in tone pulls her fully back into the present. Apologetic, bashful, sheepish. Or something very similar at least.

She shakes her head and looks up at him, pulling at her memory to provide her with what he was talking about last. “Not at all. I was just thinking that it has been a while since I had the pleasure of attending one of your lectures. You were just talking about the Orlesian influence on the construction of the inner chamber and placement of support pillars. Please, continue.” 

Emmrich regards her with a look she has seen on him only a handful of times and she isn’t quite sure what it means. Has she misheard, said the wrong thing? 

“I was certain I would owe Johanna a bottle of sherry. She says I’ve been hard to follow recently.”

Kamari remembers her old mentor and a very good friend of Emmrich, a surly and outspoken woman that made sure everyone knew where they were at with her, and in general.

“Nonsense, Emmrich. We both know it’s simply because Johanna has no patience,” she reassures him and gives his arm a light squeeze. 

A part of her is surprised at how easy it could be to fall into her old life, if there wasn’t that whole blowing up the world bit that needed preventing.

The pleased look returns to his face with a soft chuckle. “Don’t let her hear you say that.”

“I would never. I like my kneecaps.”

That makes him laugh, a sound she really likes. Something she is going to miss when she leaves again.

“I’m glad you haven’t changed in the past years,” she says, figuring that she might as well be honest where she can while she can.

“Oh. Well I wouldn’t say that.” Emmrich reaches up a little self-consciously to adjust his glasses. 

“They look good on you, don’t worry.” Kamari flashes a smile.

He inclines his head with that look on his face again. “Thank you, my dear.” 

And then he continues on as if nothing had happened, launching back into a lecture on the significance of the carvings on the sarcophagus and the grave goods found within. Kamari lets herself simply be pulled along and entertained for a while longer, enjoying her afternoon.

Emmrich manages to get through almost the entirety of his exhibition before he is interrupted by the bell and the announcement that the museum is about to close for the day. He looks a little disappointed, likely because they hadn’t gotten around to the last piece, the one he had been fretting over earlier. But it was time.

“Let me walk you out, Kamari,” he offers, all customary politeness, and she nods in agreement. She has all the info she needs for her little venture tonight.

As they walk through the galleries back towards the museum’s exit, her hand still tucked into the crook of his arm, they are both quiet. Kamari’s attention is split between refreshing her memory of the layout and trying to just enjoy the last few moments. Soon enough it will be back to her actual purpose for visiting Nevarra, and likely another long while until she gets to see Emmrich again. If they can stop Solas, that is. 

They eventually come to a stop outside on the stairs when it is clear that it is time to part ways. Kamari turns to face Emmrich to say her goodbye but before she can pull her hand away he takes it in his, lifting it up to his lips. It is mostly a gesture, not even a kiss, but the blood still rushes into her cheeks and ears. 

“Thank you for indulging me today. I am truly grateful, Kamari.” 

“I can say the same thing,” she replies after swallowing the lump in her throat that suddenly formed while so much intense focus is directed her way. Then she manages to wrangle the fluster into submission and gives him a smile. “Hopefully it won’t be years until I see you next.” Not a lie, not even a little.

He finally releases her hand, leaving a not insignificant part of her disappointed and also relieved. “That is my hope as well. Please, give my regards to your family. I’m sure I have kept you already for too long.”

He hasn’t. Her family has no idea that she is here but the lie saves her from throwing herself into something ill advised when she needs to be focusing on the big picture. Varric’s understanding would only go so far.

“I will. Have a good night, Emmrich.”

One last smile and a look to memorize his face, and then she turns and strides off in the direction her family home would be. She’ll circle around to her hiding hole for the night once she is out of sight, to go over her info and prepare to steal the artifact that Emmrich is so terribly keen to keep safe.

[terrm9]

Father’s Day

Ethan makes sure to celebrate the Father’s Day with his daughter. (Ethan X Chiara X Matilda)

Words count: 4 000

Warnings: two swear words, fluff

Author’s note: I don’t know what happened here guys. I am so sorry, this fic lacks plot and point, depth, quality, this truly is one fluffy piece of shit. I had a good feeling about it when the idea appeared in my brain and then I started to write and nothing seemed right. And I just kept telling myself ‘just keep writing and it will start making sense. It will get better’... and suddenly the fic is finished and it still doesn’t make sense. I was so close to not posting it, but then I thought that sometimes mindless fluff can make my mood better and so maybe it can do some good to you too. Love you all and I promise I won’t be angry or hurt if you hate this:D

Also Ethan is ~47 in this fic, if you thought I wouldn't mention his graying hair, I am sorry but I did

Also also, I didn't find the strength needed for a proof reading this and so I didn't proof read it. If you see a mistake, please pretend you don't see it

The sun was long set at the time Ethan stepped into the apartment and even though he rationally knew that it was late, he couldn’t quite give up on his hope that maybe Matilda was still up. On the days like this, when more patients came in than out of the hospital and there was so much of a paperwork that he has to bring it home with him, there is nothing Ethan loved more than to put his daughter to sleep and then spend a nice quiet evening with Chiara.

But of course, Matilda was fast asleep – judging by the silence filling the whole apartment – and so Ethan was looking forward to skipping to the part of sharing an evening with his wife.

Chiara didn’t notice him as he stepped into the living room, her nose slightly crinkled as she was filling some papers spread on the dining table, white earpods in her ears.

Looks like I am not the only one to bring work home with me today.

Ethan stopped in his tracks for a moment, just inhaling the familiar scent of Chiara and home and absorbing the picture in front of him. Even after alsmot ten years since he met her for the first time, even though she was his wife now, someone he woke up next to every morning, Chiara still – always – managed to knock the air out of his lungs. How her smile only gained more brightness through the years and how she looked almost like a girl with her hair braided on one side.

Had he been an artist, he would call her his muse.

But he was just a man, a doctor with any artistic words stuck in his throat and so he just kept staring at Chiara and thought, inspiration, that’s what she was, because even the most rational of men could get inspired.

„I can feel you standing there,“ Chiara exclaimed suddenly, putting the earpods off and turning to him with that bright smile.

„My apologies,“ he smiled faintly and crossed the distance between them to give her, what Chiara called ‚a proper greeting‘. He kissed her softly and it only took the feeling of Chiara’s warm body under his hands to ease the tension in him almost completely.

„Matilda missed you tonight,“ Chiara murmured into his chest, not willing to break their embrance.

„As I missed her,“ Ethan sighed. „Did you have an eventful afternoon?“

Chiara chuckled at that, parting from him at last to switch her phone off and leave the work on the dining table.

„Just the usual. The teacher asked them to draw themselves in the future and she couldn’t decide which version of that future she should draw because she wants to be everything.“

Ethan could imagine the conversation very well. Matilda, at the age of five, knew exactly what she didn't want to become when she grows up - a doctor. She kept shifting between wishing to be a travel blogger like her aunt Kyra or a photographer like aunt Alicia. After a weekend spent in Providence, she proclaimed that she could also imagine being a cable repairwoman like grandpa, because grandpa has the coolest coworkers that came over and let her eat chocolate cookies and watch football with them. And if by any unfortunate coincidence she should become a doctor after all, she would definitely be a surgeon like uncle Bryce, because he actually cuts people and that's much more interesting than her parents' job. All they do is talk about the patients.

„I promised her you would take her to school tomorrow. You have rounds in the morning but I can taker over,“ which would only be a service for you, she thought to herself. „That would certainly make her feel better.“

„Was she that sad that I didn’t come home earlier?“

"Oh, she was more sad about the Father's Day program at her school – you know, the one where kids and their dads go together - but I explained her why you had to miss it."

Ethan furrowed his brows, confused for a while.

"Why do I have to miss it?" he asked as he picked Matilda's stuffed llama from the floor.

"It's the Wednesday when you are at the conference in Seattle."

Ethan put the toy on the couch next to Til's favourite blanket and sat down before responding, his voice carrying no sign of hesitation.

"If there's a Father's Day program at her school and she wants me to be there, I'll be there."

Ethan knew all too well why he was so persistent on being there.

He wished he didn’t know, but he did.

Because he knew what it felt like to spend so many of his Mother’s Days programms with his teeth gritted, wishing it could all just end.

He could still remember the first Mother’s Day without Luise, how his teacher walked into the class and told them that they would create nice postcards for their moms and how Ethan’s classmate pointed his finger at him and said: „And what is Ramsey going to do? It’s not fair that he doesn’t need to do anything for the whole hour.“

It was the first time Ethan punched someone.

There was no way, no way, that he would allow his daughter to feel any of those feelings.

His thoughts were interrupted by Chiara, now sitting right next to him, a soft concern visible on her features.

„Alan and Naveen would go with her, you know. She wouldn’t be alone.“

„I am her father.“

„And you are also an author of the study this whole conference is going to be about.“

Ethan knew Chiara was right, just as he knew that she was doing this not because she didn’t want him to attend the programm, rather because she respected and supported his career.

But her arguments were of no use. Ethan’s mind was made up and he only wondered if this is what it felt like, all those years ago, when he pushed Chiara away in order to support her career. The idea of putting career first was making him uncomfortable and all he could do was to think, how did Chiara see it all those years ago?

Or rather, how did he not see it back then?

He had no answers, only his gratitude that she stayed and showed him the world through her eyes.

„Aurora is just as much of an author as me. She can handle the conference without me just fine. You can go with her.“

„Me?“ Chiara asked incredulously.

„Sure. They don’t really care which Dr. Ramsey will come.“

Ethan aged well. More wrinkles circled the corners of his eyes and the grey hair on his temples were not an optical illusion anymore (and Chiara has never found him more handsome than now) and his gaze changed too, the cold blue of his eyes almost forgotten, as his eyes were warm and soft almost all the time he was with his family.

Ethan aged and changed and yet there was a thing that didn’t change in the slightest in these last years. His insufferable stubborness.

And so Chiara knew that he won’t change his mind and that there was no point in trying to and while it warmed her heart to see how in love with Matilda Ethan was, the study was important to him.

Obviously not important enough, however, and Chiara decided not to push him any further. Instead, she asked curiously.

„And what are you going to perform? What if Matilda wants to do something crazy?" Chiara raised an eyebrow.

"Of course she won't want anything crazy. What if it were my father and Naveen taking her?"

Chiara laughed wholeheartedly at his question, because for someone so brilliant, sometimes Ethan was desperately clueless when it came to people around him - and what they were willing to do for their daughter.

"Please, this is Naveen and Alan you are talking about. Matilda could say she wants to sing Hakuna Matata and they would come dressed as Timon and Pumba."

"Ah," Ethan exhaled, obviously only now realizing that Chiara was, indeed, right. And singing - or dancing, for God's sake - was not part of his plan. "Well, she can play some basic compound on the piano, she has learned some already. And I could accompany her on the cello."

Chiara choked on the water she was just drinking, turning to look at Ethan so swiftly, his brows furrowed in a concern for her neck.

"On a what now?"

“A cello. I thought you knew that I used to play the cello as a kid.”

“Of course, but the as a kid part is important. I mean, I played a piano as a kid and now I couldn’t play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star if my life depended on it.”

Ethan laughed, wrapping his arm around Chiara in a half-hug and had to bite his tongue not to tell her that maybe Matilda could teach her, as she already could play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star exceptionally well.

“I might have stopped playing actively when I was ten, but I found a certain sense of serenity in music – and playing – for a long time after that. I-,” Ethan stopped himself, mulling over his next words. It was not like he didn’t want to tell Chiara anything, but talking about his years at med school was not something he did often. “I befriended a music shop’s owner back in Baltimore. He was a nice guy, barely older than me and so very different. He had musical instruments for sale there and as we became closer, he let me borrow the cello and play a little in the back of the shop. It became a thing that helped me clear my head when school became too stressful and it also helped me not to forget how to play. I think Matilda’s level on the piano is very close to what I can remember with the cello.”

Now all he had to do was to find someone who would borrow him the cello.

*** *** ***

Ethan always found it amusing, how his mornings with Matilda differed compared to Matilda’s mornings with Chiara.

He made sure to wake her up earlier than usual, so that they could cook breakfast together and have some time to spare.

Chiara – the person that hated mornings more than eggplants – did all she could to stay in bed for as long as possible. She would rather prepare Matilda’s breakfast in the evening and run to the school than wake up before 6 AM.

And it seemed like Matilda realized this difference quite soon, for all the times Ethan came to wake her up, she knew she could ask him to join her in bed for a few minutes.

"Hey, little Rookie," Ethan whispered, softly stroking Matilda's curls out of her forehead so that he could press a gentle kiss on it. "Time to wake up. We don't want to be late for school."

The little Rookie nickname was first used when Til was perhaps one year old and it made her giggle so hard Ethan kept using it. Chiara found it extremely funny, always pointing out that Matilda was nothing if not Ethan’s exact copy – and she was right. With her big blue eyes and long curly dark hair, there was no doubt that she was Ethan’s daughter. Not that the similarities ended in her physical appearence – she was phenomenally subborn for a five year old (to which Ethan always argued that she could as well inherit that from Chiara) and sarcasm was her second language. She also might have used ‚fuck‘ once or twice and Ethan knew it’s not Chiara she heard that from.

You should call her little Terminator, Chiara always teased and partly, she was right.

But there were many traits and marks of Chiara in their daughter, marks not so visible but unmistakely hers. How Matilda’s smile was always bright and warm and sincere, something only Chiara could pass on. How she came home one day from school and asked Ethan if he could make cupcakes with her, because her classmate loves cupcakes but his parents are too busy to make them for him and so she would love to bring him some to school. How she appreciated the most common of things, like sun shining because it makes her skin warm and also rain falling because she can jump in the puddles. Her genuine curiosity and open heart and just her general need to make people around her feel good.

That was all Chiara’s mark and Ethan loved his two girls so much it sometimes still surprised him. That he was capable of such love.

It also made him want more sometimes. More people to love that much.

„Snuggle time, please?“ Matilda smiled, her eyes still closed and Ethan was prepared, he knew this request would come and so he didn’t even need to check the watch to know that he could lay down next to her, the tiny bed making his position rather awkward.

He snuggled Matilda from behind and between her slow stirs as she began to wake up and his soft kisses put on the back of her head, he whispered how excited he was to attend the Father’s Day program with her.

*** *** ***

Ethan didn’t even need to try hard to persuade Matilda that a piano-cello duet would be better to perform than a dance. She liked the idea from the beginning and after going through her music sheets with Chiara, she happily exclaimed that they could try to learn Hedwig’s Theme together. Her eyes were bright and full of excitement and Ethan knew the decision was already made, because he couldn’t resist that face.

And so they performed and for a girl who was five and her father, who was almost fifty, they did a great job. Seeing Matilda’s pure, unadultered joy and excitement and so much gratitude that her dad could be there with here, was something Ethan would consider one of the best moments of his life forever.

Tillie was almost jumping up and down with the happiness as they watched her classmates and their fathers or grandfathers or mothers in some cases or maybe even uncles perform their numbers. She was clapping hard after every single one and she kept waving at everyone, her smile so wide Ethan thought for a while that she resembled Bryce more than anyone. The thought made him chuckle, because Matilda would love to hear that, as Bryce was her hero and possibly the best person she could spend her sleepovers at.

Ethan could hardly say that he enjoyed being surrounded by so many people, but he sincerely did enjoy spending the day with his kid. He didn’t regret choosing making a fool out of himself in front of bunch of kids instead of the conference. He almost forgot about the conference altogether until Aurora’s call interrupted the bustle full of laughter around them.

She only called him to let him know that all went well and she was off to have a lunch with other diagnosticians that helped with the study.

"Yes, alright. I'll see you on Monday. Good job, Aurora," Ethan put the phone back into his pocket and turned to Matilda.

"I am sorry you missed the conference because of me, dad."

Ethan knelt down so that he could face his daughter, the very same blue eyes he knew from mirrors, looking back at him, wide and curious.

He smiled softly, kissing Matilda's forehead before responding.

"I am not. No conference is that important, and just between the two of us," Ethan lowered his voice and put his best serious face on, causing the mischievous sparks ignite in Tillie's eyes "Conferences are so boring. You saved me from a torture."

She giggled and threw her arms around Ethan's neck, squeezing him as hard as a five years old could.

"Now let's go, I think there's an ice cream that needs to be eaten."

"But daddy you said ice creams are sugar bomb!"

Ethan chuckled at her shocked expression - not sure is it was a genuine one or an act - and took her little hand into his.

"I'll pretend I don't see you eating it."

Matilda squealed and before her ‚no sugar in this house‘ dad could change his mind, she stormed off in the direction of the ice cream truck.

Before she could reach her destination, however, she stopped in her tracks and tugged on Ethan’s sleeve, pointing at the little girl sitting under one of the trees – alone.

„That’s Dorothy! She is my best friend.“

Yes, Ethan remembered Matilda mentioning Dorsey, her best friend, quite often, but he never got a chance to meet her before. The girl was tiny, much smaller than Matilda – which inherited Ethan’s significant height, too – her hair almost white and her eyes similar to Matilda’s, big and blue but not even close to being as bright.

„She doesn’t have a dad,“ Matilda added, her voice much less excited now. „She didn’t want to come here but her mom has to be at work.“

Ethan’s heart tightened at her words, the description of Dorothy’s situation reminding him of his own when he was a kid way too much.

„Why don’t you go and ask her to join us for an ice cream?“ Ethan smiled at Matilda faintly.

Before he could as much as blink, Matilda was gone and in the very next moment, both girls were back, smiling up at him, his own kid widely and Dorothy very shyly.

„Hello, Dorothy,“ Ethan knelt down and smiled at her encouragingly. „I am Ethan. It is my pleasure to meet you, Matilda talks about you a lot.“

„Hello,“ Dorothy muttered, not meeting his eyes and Ethan noticed she was holding Matilda’s hand.

Without any other word, he stood up and led both girls to find an ice cream truck, only half-listening to what they were talking about – enough to recognize that Dorothy was much more open when talking to Matilda, but not enough to register particular words.

Maybe that’s why Matilda’s next question took him off the guard.

„Right, daddy? I was just telling Dorsey that you could be her dad, right? And I would be her sister!“

Ethan’s eyes widened and before he could find the right words – gentle but also firm enough to explain that that’s not exactly how these things work, Matilda spoke again.

„She could come over anytime and we could have sleepovers like the ones I have with uncle Bryce or grandpa and we would play together and I could borrow her my toys, right?“

Ethan nodded and smiled, of course Dorothy is always welcome to stay at our place, and let the topic go, because there was nothing wrong about his daughter having best friend that would come over.

Thirty minutes later, all three of them sat at the grass and ate their ice creams and it was easy to forget the previous converstaions.

*** *** ***

Until he came into his office, a week after the Father’s Day and found Chiara waiting for him, her arms crossed at her chest and her expression unusually stoic.

Before he could ask what was wrong, Chiara spoke.

„Matilda’s teacher just called.“

„What?“ Ethan stepped closer, automatically reaching into his pocket to make sure his phone, wallet and car keys are there and he is ready to leave and pick up Matilda at any moment. „Is something wrong? Is she in trouble? Sick?“

„She is absolutely alright,“ Chiara shook her head sligthly, her face unreadable – something that scared Ethan more than her visible anger. „She just called me to let me know about the rumors going around Matilda’s class these past few days. She thought it would be better if I found out from her rather than from other parents.“

„Rumors?“ Ethan asked, utterly lost and confused.

It took all the willpower Chiara had not to let her facade slip and keep her expression neutral. But teasing Ethan was one of her main hobbies, even after ten years, and so she tried her best.

„Apparently, Matilda and Dorothy Wilkins told everyone that they are in fact sisters. They have different mommies but the same dad – no other than the famous Dr. Ramsey,“ now, it was really hard not to laugh. Ethan’s whole face paled and the confusion was quickly replaced by recognition. „The other kids shared the news with their parents and now those parents talk.“

Ethan didn’t know that Matilda told Chiara about her idea of Ethan becoming Dorothy’s dad the very same evening she shared it with Ethan himself and even though Chiara tried to explain why that idea is not going to work the way the wished it would, Matilda was stubborn. Meaning, Matilda adopted Dorothy as her sister anyway and didn’t mind sharing her dad with her.

„Fuck,“ Ethan whispered, pacing around the office, not really looking up at Chiara.

If he did, he would catch her grinning.

She cleared her throat quickly and added: „Some of the parents came to tell the poor teacher that they appreciate how civil the mothers of Matilda and Dorothy are about the whole thing and that it must’ve taken much strength of our spirits to put out kids into same school.“

She couldn’t anymore. The first chuckle escaped her and when Ethan’s eyes met hers, the mischievous sparks were dancing on full display in her irises, her smile wide and so amused.

Ethan exhaled a sigh full of relief and rolled his eyes and when he looked at Chiara again, she was laughing softly, badly trying to cover her laugh with the hand over her mouth.

The bizarreness of the whole situation and his wife’s reaction made Ethan laugh too and he slumped down on the couch, pulling Chiara with him.

„We should give some kind of explanation, right?“ he whispered when they both calmed down.

„Oh, I don’t know. I am the civil one,“ Chiara smirked smugly. „And with a strong spirit!“

Ethan laughed again at that, thinking about how any kind of rumors about him and Chiara startled him in the beginning of their relationship and how over the years, Chiara managed to teach him to just let people talk.

„She really wants that sibling, huh?“ Chiara broke the silence, poking his side softly.

„Yes, she does,“ Ethan nodded.

„And you would...want that too, right?“ Chiara asked again, this time much more seriousness in her voice.

Both Chiara and Ethan were decided to adopt a child back in the days they believed they would never have their own. After Matilda was born, they didn’t really talk about it anymore – they felt too blessed, too lucky that they’ve gotten her and they were happy.

But the thoughts of adoption never truly left their heads and Chiara knew that especially Ethan considered the option often. She could see him talking to Matilda when she asked for a sister or a brother for her birthday, she saw the dreamy smile as they spoke about little kids.

And it was not like she was against the idea of adopting a child – quite the opposite. She grew up with two siblings and her brother and sister were one of the best parts of her childhood. She wished she could give Matilda the same feeling, the same love she recieved at her age. She just felt like she would be asking for too much, like it would be selfish to want another little human that would make them happy, when they already had one.

Those thoughts were not rational, but they were there and they slowed her decisions down.

„Yes, I would,“ Ethan nodded after a long while, looking straight into Chiara’s eyes.

He would never push her. But he wouldn’t lie either.

Chiara nodded and leaned in to press a soft kiss on Ethan’s mouth, pouring her emotions into it, her excitement with the idea just as strong as her anxiety.

Deep down, she knew that the decision has just been made. That no matter how openly they talked about it or expressed themselves, all three Ramseys wished to share their love and happiness with another soul.

[cedric-stories]

Wassailia Cookies (Cedric x Reader)

Word Count: 2,800

Warnings: Very suggestive (what’s new? Lol), no sex but strongly implied, language, fluffy.

Plot: You’re gonna need to read it to find out 😉

Author’s note: hope there’s no errors. Sorry it took me so long to post again.  Have been busy for the past few days packing for vacation. I’m happy to say there is a ‘by the ocean’ fic in the works, lol. Happy Holidays y’all!!

(and yes, the suggestive content is suggestive but there is no sex. Tbh, I’m a little scared about writing my first smut so I keep holding off. Eventually though, lol. I’ll mark where it gets weird with a 😊 and where it ends.)

Last thing, THANK YOU ALL MY NEW FOLLOWERS!!! I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT!! AND TO ALL YOU WHO LIKE MY POSTS!! I’m glad y’all enjoy it

Wassailia Cookies

Reader pronouns: She/her

“Love, can you please get the door?” you called outside the tower.

You waited outside with two heavy, brown boxes crowding your view.

           “It’s open.” He said, not sure that you could see.

“Thanks!”

           Once you got inside, you placed them down on the nearest wooden table.

Your chest was heaving up and down, “Oh man, those were heavy.”

           “What on earth are they?”

You smiled, trying to catch your breath. “Ingredients to bake Wassailia cookies.”

           Cedric cocked his head. “Bake cookies?”

“Um, yeah,” you wondered what he didn’t understand. “I thought we could make some sugar ones together. If you want to?”

           He still had a puzzled look on his face.

“Alright, that would be fun, but why not just conjure some?”

           Your perplexed expression turned to utter shock.

“What fun is that? It’s a tradition to make cookies by hand during the holidays.” You explained with your ‘you should know this’ tone. “Didn’t you do this with your family?”

           Cedric shook his head. “I never have. Growing up, mother always just conjured some, if we had any at all.”

“So,” you began, “did you guys have any family traditions for the holidays?”

           “Well…no I guess not. My father was always” his expression sadden, “to busy to do things like that.”

           You felt bad for him. Here the love of your life has never had any traditions over the holidays. You had just presumed he did. Not knowing what to say, you just stood in front of him.

           “Well, why don’t we just make some traditions of our own?” you said, trying to cheer him up.

           Cedric’s eyes met yours and gained back the familiar twinkle.

“Alright! Do you still want to bake?”

           You grinned. “I’d love to!”

You picked up a box and Cedric picked up the other. The two of you started into the kitchen and set the stuff down on the counter.

Cedric put a hand on your back, and you shifted into him.

“Now, you must me patient with me, love. I am not much of a baker.”

           You giggled. “I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

           After standing there for a minute, you began taking ingredients out. You asked him to grab a few bowls and you brought out the mixer. You rummaged through a few papers and picked one out.

           “Here, this is the recipe, if you want to get the wet ingredients out of the fridge and start putting them together that would be great.” You said, still looking into the box.

           “Alright, I’ll see what I can do.”

           When you finally finished getting things organized you walked over to the mixer to find the beginnings of the dough already made.

           “Oh, wow. Thanks, honey.” You were surprised by how fast he had gotten things combined.

           A few minutes later, you put the dry in with the wet and began mixing it.

“It says not to overmix, so I think we better stop it, don’t you?” Cedric asked. You hadn’t even noticed it was on the verge of overmixing.

           “Right!” you blurted out, running over to the mixer, and shutting it off. “Thank you.”

Cedric replied with a ‘uh huh’.

           You put the dirty bowls and spoons into the soapy dish water and started to clean up when you saw Cedric steal a piece of dough from the bowl.

           “Cedric! Don’t eat that! You’ll get poisoned!” You exclaimed, stomping over to scold him.

           “No, I won’t.” He said, rolling his eyes.

“Yes, you will.” You snapped, snatching the bowl away from him and wrapping the dough into two separate balls.

           “You’re just that worried about me, huh?” Cedric asked with a smug look on his face.      

           “Well, maybe so.” You said, walking over to your boyfriend.

Cedric was leaned up against the counter when you wrapped your arms around his waist and pressed against him. You looked up and gave him a small kiss on the lips.

           “You do know how much I love you, right?” You questioned, looking at his shimmering, cognac eyes.

           Cedric’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink.

“I think so.”

           After sharing another gentle kiss, Cedric and you walked into the living room and sat down.

You had your head on his shoulder and began thinking.

“You want some hot chocolate?”

           “Yes, I’d like some.”  

You got a tea pot and poured some warm water from the sink into it. The

Water dripped down slowly from the nozzle as it filled. The soft even sound of the liquid hitting the metal surface made your shoulders relax and put your ambiance at ease. You reached up, grabbed the glass handle, and pivoted your hand to shut off the water. Placing the pot down, you walked over to the blackened stove and flipped a burner on. The flame flickered and crackled as it rose above the center of the burner. A small line of smoke twisted as it floated up into the air. You placed the pot onto the burner carefully and opened the cupboard to the left to find the hot chocolate mixture.

           While the packets you had bought from the store were fine, you always liked to add extra bits of chocolate to make the drink more potent. You got out the bags and a gold-wrapped bar of chocolate and set them aside. Next, you walked past the stove to the right and reached up to open the other dark, woodened cabinets. You found two glass mugs that were almost teacup shaped and added the packets to them.

           Unfolding the golden wrapping from the chocolate, you dropped two squares into each mug, making sure they were about equal amounts. When you were done, you slowly wrapped up the chocolate again and put it back.

           You began hearings a small, steaming sound from the pot. Then, a loud whistling came screaming out from the spout. You grabbed the teapot and started pouring the boiling water into the cups. Steam rose up and the water splashed, conforming to the shape of the mugs. After you had poured enough water in till it was about an inch from the top, you set the pot down and grabbed a spoon. You dipped the spoon down into the hot liquid. While you were stirring, you heard footsteps from behind.

           The steps got closer until they were right behind you. The next thing you noticed were two arms gently wrapping around your waist. As you continued, the warm body pressed you up against the counter from behind.

           Kissing the top of your head, Cedric began to speak.

“This is nice, isn’t it?”

           “Yes, there is no place I’d rather be.” You replied, stiffening your back, and curling into him.

“Are you almost done? It’s boring without you.” He said, brushing his hand across your stomach, causing your middle to twitch.

“Almost.”

           The spoon had moved onto the other cup and you were just about done. You tried scooching up to grab some marshmallows from the cupboard, but Cedric pushed against you harder to try to keep you in place.

           “Honey,” you giggled, “I need to get the marshmallows.”

“No, you don’t,” he denied, nuzzling his nose into your hair, “stay here, who likes marshmallows anyway?”

           You immediately stopped fighting.

“You don’t like marshmallows?” You asked, once again in shock of something he said.

           “No, do you?”

“Oh course!” you cried. “How can you not?”

           “Too sticky for me.”

“Cedric, you can’t have Wassailia spirit without marshmallows!” You said jokingly. You were giving full expressions with every word you said, but since you were stuck facing the cupboards between the counter and your boyfriend, it looked like you were talking to two cups of hot chocolate and a wall.

           “Well, I think I will manage.” He laughed, letting you free to grab your beloved, squishy, white clumps of god know what.

           After grabbing the package, you put a few into your mug and left them on the counter. Walking back to the living room, Cedric grabbed a book and sat down on the couch. You followed and plopped down. Snuggling next to him, you began to think about your relationship the past year.

The two of you had been together for 9 months now and it was beautiful.

You could not believe he asked you out that day. He was all you had waited for, and believe me, the first time you looked into those brown eyes was like the first time you had ever felt alive. It was almost like you were suffocating for years, and then suddenly, when he looked at you, you were able to breathe. Now, a few months later, you were sitting next to him, watching him read a book.

You couldn’t believe you were here, with him. Your whole life, the two of you had been separated by dimensions* and now he was yours. You looked down his body and noticed the wrinkles in the dark robe he was wearing. You observed the crinkles of his gloves as he licked a finger and flicked a page of his book to the other side. You laid down across his lap and felt the warmth radiate off his body. Yes, this was truly happiness.

You looked up at your boyfriend as he kept reading. You began tracing your finger along his jaw and kissed up his chest. You wrapped your arm around his waist, curled your legs up next to him, and nuzzled his stomach.

“Excuse me, what in the world are you doing down there?” Cedric asked, lifting his hands so he could see you.

You gave a little smile up at him.

“Nothing, just begging for your attention.”

           😊“Oh really? And why are you doing that?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I love you.” You began, sliding your hand up his shoulders. “I think you’re handsome, and kind, and sweet, and beautiful,” you paused, “and I’d really appreciate it if you’d kiss me.”

           Cedric’s lips curled up and he leaned over and quickly set his book down on the side table. You wrapped your legs around his waist, guided your arms around his neck, and leaned up into him.

           Settling down onto his lap carefully, you noticed how turned on he was. You tried to hold back a sigh and looked up at him; his face was beginning to turn red.

           “Well, I didn’t know you were enjoying this so much.” You tease, slightly bucking your hips.

Cedric let out a small whimper.

           “Yes, but I-I didn’t expect you to get close enough to notice.” He answered, shifting his gaze to the side.

           You began running your hands through his thick, raven black hair and smiled. You knew you had him. Kissing his cheek, you traced a figure around his ear.

           “God, have I ever told you how lucky I am?” You asked, your lips still inches from his. “First, I get a job as a nurse in the castle, then I get to go out with the guy of my dreams. Next thing I know, I’m sitting on his lap waiting for Wassailia cookies.”

           Cedric gave another noise in response and tried kissing you, but you shifted away from him and gave a grin.

           “I never believed in my wildest dreams that I’d end up with you. You’re my everything, my world, and I wouldn’t change any part of it. My life is complete with you, Cedric.” You began kissing down his cheek to his neck. “I’d do anything for you.”

“Anything?” He asked with a flirty look.

           You smiled.

“Anything.”  

           Cedric chuckled. “I love you so much, Y/N. I can’t believe you feel that way about me. You truly are the best thing that’s ever happened.” He said, pressing his forehead to yours.

           Your expression softened even more, and your heart began to melt. In the mists of this, you still noticed he was hard. Cedric was not like most and his emotions were very connected to his desires, and you knew that. You also knew he was probably dying to kiss you but was holding back to continue the moment. While you could’ve given in and kissed him, you decided to play a little game and see what he’d do.

           He moved your face towards his and leaned in to kiss you. You tried pulling back again to tease but he didn’t let you.

           “Oh no you don’t, I’m not falling for that again.” He said, recalling an older event (not today).

“Mm.”

           Instead of kissing you though, he just looked into your eyes. The moment lasted a little longer than you had expected, and you began getting impatient.

“Oh, Cedric,” You sighed, shifting in slowly. “Did I ever tell you how beautiful your eyes are?”

           He blushed once again and smiled. You could tell he was trying hard to hold back, in case you were truly just trying to be sweet.

           You traced along his jaw again and brushed your fingers lightly along his neck, running your hands down his chest. Moving your arms back up around his shoulders, you adjusted slightly and then began a slow bucking motion across his lap.

           That was the breaking point for him. You felt his hands firmly grasp the sides of your face and his lips crashed into yours and he began bucking back up against you. You let out a sharp breath and moaned as things began heating up. His hips hit harder and harder the longer you went on. You felt your legs begin to shake. As much as making out was fun, it wasn’t giving you enough.

           “Cedric!” you almost shouted in between kisses. “Please, please just fuck me!”

           The next thing you knew, he was on top of you, pawing at your shirt.

“Can I?” he asked for consent.

           “Oh god, YES! Please, just hurry up!” You gasped, struggling to untie his robe. 😊

Awhile later, you fixed your clothes and hair, and made your way back to the kitchen with your boyfriend attached to your side. You opened the fridge to check on the dough.

           “I think it’s done.” You said softly, wiping sweat from your forehead with a napkin.

You grabbed the two round discs and set them on the counter. After, you wandered over to get some flour and sprinkled it down along the surface. Unwrapping the plastic, you placed the dough down and started rolling it out.

           You had the side of your body pressed against Cedric as you continued. Every time you’d fix the sheet of cookie dough, he would kiss your cheek. You loved this so much.

           Once the dough was in a thin layer, you grabbed a cutout and flowered it.

“If you wanna start cutting out shapes you can.”

           Cedric nodded and grabbed a star shape.

Within a few minutes, the two of you were done and had cut out both entire sheets. Cedric seemed to particularly like the snowman shaped cutout.

           Cedric opened the oven carefully and set the timer for 14 minutes.

Cedric heard the oven go off and opened the door.

He took out his wand and gave it a light flick. The silver sheet came slowly out of the oven and floated its way over to the counter. Smiling, you got out a spatula and gently began lifting each cookie off the pan. They bent to the spatula as you scooted the thin end under. After each cookie was securely balanced, you would slowly move to the other counter and flatten the edge to it. Then, you’d begin to lift the cookie in a slight angle to slide them onto the surface. You repeated this motion until the very last cookie.

           You looked at the star shaped, tan, sugary treat and, instead of placing it with the rest, you cut it in half. You grabbed a piece and handed it to Cedric.

           “Here, try some handmade cookies.”

He took it from you and took a bite. He seemed to like it.

           “Good?” you asked.

“Very good.” He answered, piling the rest of it in his mouth.

           You decided to give him your half and started making some royal icing. You colored it red, yellow, green, white, and black.

           “Alright, I got some bags out and made icing, now we just have to decorate!”

           Cedric grabbed a chair and sat down next to the table. You sat down on his lap and grabbed a cookie.

           The two of you began frosting the cookies (stealing a bit of icing in between) and decorated them. You liked doing small designs with the icing while cedric just liked to flood the whole thing. After a few hours, you had finished the two dozen cookies and set them onto a few plates.

           “Thank you, Cedric.” You kissed his cheek.

“Thank you, y/n, for letting us share this experience together. There marks the first year of traditions for me. Now, how about we take a few of those cookies and go sit by the fire?”

“That sounds great!”

           You headed out with a plate full of cookies to the fire and smiled looking at the Wassailia tree proudly standing in the corner with ornaments and tinsel.

“Merry Wassailia, Cedric.”

           “Merry Wassailia, Love.”

[sweetestlamb]

Caged Bird

Summary: “I should let him go right?” 

Author’s note: Finally back with another chapter, this one was a bit harder for me than the other chapters because writer’s block was a bish and I kept second guessing myself. I erased so many things and I don’t know if I am even proud of this anymore or if it’s any good LOL but I spent all day writing it so I guess I should post it. I’m not losing motivation but life was beating on my door and I feel like this wasn’t as fleshed out as I wanted it to be but I don’t have the time to flesh it out more and I really didn’t want to go another week without writing, it makes me anxious to leave them unattended for so long.  So if you like anything about this let a girl now. 

“You told him?” Sujin glances over at Su-ah from her place on her bed, her phone idle on the bed, she’s trying not to text a certain someone too much but that is proving easier said then done with him messaging her without any discretion or care about appearances. 

Jukyeong looks knowingly at her phone with a soft smile and she hides the small square too embarrassed even though they hadn’t been talking about anything inappropriate, he was teasing her that she wore his sweaters more than he did these days and asking her if she wanted to go shopping with him so she could pick out exactly which sweater she wanted to steal borrow. She rolls her eyes at the dramatic message, she didn’t take that many of his sweaters, he was just overexaggerating as he was wont to do. She folds the sleeve of her borrowed(thank you very much) sweater over her hands and pointedly avoids looking at the vibrating device. 

She has self control. 

But a second vibration makes her flaunter for a minute, wondering if he’s saying something important he hardly ever double texts these days. She reaches for the phone gasping when it’s suddenly snatched out of her reach. 

“Hey-!” her voice trails off bashfully at the glower on Su-ah’s pretty face, that’s her take no shit face, damn. She sits up straighter giving the girl all her attention lest she become more agitated and try to read the messages, that would be too unsettling. They had both already commented on her recent oversized sweaters, coyly trying to get her to admit to who they truly belonged to. She ignored their teasing and jut her nose in the air each time, they already knew and she refused to give them the satisfaction of saying it out loud. 

“Focus on us for one minute. Your boyfriend can wait.” Su-ah states firmly putting her phone on the small desk behind her and she sputters at the comment, red hot flush barreling down her entire body like a wildfire. 

“He’s not my boyfriend!” She denies vehemently, cheeks burning hotter from the nonplussed looks she receives from her two closest friends, Su-ah looks utterly unimpressed and Jukyeong can barely contain the smile spreading on her full lips, she opens her mouth to argue harder needing to smother the jolt of pure bliss that surfaced in her belly at the other girl’s bold proclamation but the words get firmly lodged in her throat. 

His hands tightly wound around hers, his thumb gently caressing the rough skin of her scarred knuckles. The way she didn’t want to pull away or hide from him, he was looking at her, truly seeing her and instead of fear something warmer spread through her veins. 

Those lips on her forehead, the softest sweetest kiss she had ever received in her life. Nobody had ever held her like she was something precious before but that was how he pressed her to his wide chest, her head nuzzled into his fragrant neck as she drowned in his intoxicating scent nervous to breathe him in too much lest she get lost in his spell. 

The deep rumble of his voice as he called her “baby”, she had always rolled her eyes hearing couples use such supercilious nicknames with each other, what was the point? Why did being in a couple have to mean that you lost your name and essentially a piece of your identity? It was stupid and childish and she wanted nothing to do with such a transgression, or so she had believed. 

Until the moment he called her princess. 

What started out as a tease had transformed into something bigger than she had ever expected, she hated it or so she told herself. But when he called her Sujin in the park she felt like a part of her was missing, she wasn’t just Sujin to him anymore. In that moment she had a grand realization she wasn’t losing herself like she had initially thought but rather gaining another layer, she would always be Sujin and that was enough but she could also be his princess, his baby.  

When had she turned into such a sap? This was all his fault. 

“Hello? Sujin? Are you even listening to me? Hey! Are you seriously fantasizing about your boyfriend right now?” She jumps at Su-ah’s loud voice, slapping a frantic hand over her mouth and looking around as if people will materialize out of thin air. 

“Can you stop saying that word, Suho might hear you!” She stage whispers and Su-ah raises a thin eyebrow at her shoving her hand away. 

“Why are you so red? Did something happen between you two, you can’t hide anything from us! What happened to “we’re just friends”? She blushes redder at Su-ah’s quotation marks and Jukyeong leans forward excitedly, “Have things changed? Did you tell him how you feel? Oh my god, did you guys...kiss?!”

Su-ah stills at Jukyeong’s question before vibrating violently in her seat and grabbing her shoulders shaking her back and forth, “Sujin did you lose your lip virginity? Did you let him deflower you?!” 

Sitting stunned and wide eyed, she stares at her friends expectant faces wondering how the conversation became derailed so quickly? She had invited them both over to explain the Baekyung situation and her conversation with Suho’s father but somehow Seojun had become the star of the night. 

“Are you crazy why would you call it that?” She immediately realizes her mistake when both girls turn to look at each other and simultaneously shriek, “She didn’t deny it!,” and she watches in horror as they jump up and starting dancing around the room, then she groans and tugs the hood of the sweater over her head pulling the drawstrings so she is cocooned in the fabric as they start singing off key, “Sujin kissed Seojun! Sujin kissed Seojun!” 

Instinctively she grabs a fluffy pillow and flings it across the room in a perfect arch before it lands with a soft thud on Jukyeong’s head, time stops as they all stare at each other and then it’s a flurry as the girl picks up the pillow launching it back and that is how Sujin gets involved in her first ever pillow fight. There are pillows flying every which way and Su-ah and Jukyeong gang up on her, shoving her into the bed and playfully smacking her on her stomach and back as she curls up in a ball body shaking from her laughter. 

“Tell us everything and we’ll stop hitting you.” Su-ah promises and she shakes her head in refusal, seconds later she feels a grazing on her sides and she knows what’s coming so she tries to draw away but her means of escape are thwarted by Jukyeong grabbing her by the shoulders and pressing her harder into the bed. 

“Su-ah please don’t. This is evil, I thought we were friends.” She pleads staring up at both with beguiling eyes and for a minute she thinks her puppy eyes have succeeded as both release her, but then she feels a barrage of hands on her side and laughter is forcefully pulled from her body as she twitches in a fit, twisting and turning from the hands but to no avail. She feels tears pooling in her eyes from the sensation and this is how Suho finds them, tangled up and breathless from laughter and he stares at them in shock. 

“When you guys are done...doing this can you please respond to Seojun? He thinks you suddenly got into an accident or got kidnapped because you stopped responding to him.” 

Su-ah turns to her with a look of triumph on her mischievous face, “That sounds like boyfriend behavior to me.” 

Suho doesn’t reply except for a twitch in his lip before he slides the door closed behind him, giving them privacy again. 

She tries not to rush to her phone but her eyes find their eye over to the device all the way across the room, maybe if she runs really quickly she can make it past the two girls and lock herself in the bathroom? 

“I know that look. Whatever crazy plot you’re cooking up is unnecessary, you can have your phone back. I know you two hate to be apart,” Su-ah teases leaning over and then handing her the phone, she stares at it worried that accepting it will be admittance to Su-ah’s claims she hesitates to take it. 

Su-ah takes the choice away from her when she places the phone in her outreached hands, “Don’t keep him waiting.” She holds the phone flat in her palms looking up at both her friends, they have identical smiles on their faces and warmth blossoms in her belly. 

She’s happy, this is what happiness feels like. 

But she’s also overwhelming nervous, she has never done this before, never had someone who made her feel this way. Was it supposed to be this terrifying? Putting the phone down resolutely she turns to her best friends needing their advice. 

“I have no idea what I’m doing.” She admits, feeling small and more than a little bit lost. Instantly she is squished in the middle as they both come to sit by her sandwiching her in between them, twin arms thrown over her shoulders. 

“We know you’re scared but he likes you, everyone can see that. When you’re in a room together it’s like he doesn’t see anyone else, you are always his focal point.” Jukyeong whispers softly placing her head on her shoulder and she wants to deny that but too many images flash in her mind of him doing just that, him dropping everything and racing to her even in the beginning when she had been a mess and constantly pushed him away. Intimate moments at lunch where his eyes hardly leave her as he ardently watches her eat the food that he had prepared just for her, despite countless girls watching him and squealing his name in the distance. 

Everyone had eyes for him, but he only had eyes for....her. 

“What if all of this becomes too much for him and he wants someone normal? Someone who doesn’t have all my baggage? Being with me must get exhausting.” She’s still talking about Seojun but a small piece of her is also directing this statement to them, was being her friend as exhausting? Did they ever consider just abandoning her and finding someone who didn’t have such tiresome issues? 

“You still don’t understand do you?” 

She turns towards Su-ah who blinks wet eyes at her and suddenly her eyes feel moist too. 

“Understand what?” 

“How much you mean to us. All of us. Nobody could ever replace you, we don’t care about your baggage, we want to help you carry it all.” 

She blinks and stares straight ahead, scared of breaking apart. 

Is that how Seojun felt too? Was she worth the trouble to him too? 

When had her life ever been so simple?

They all jump when her phone vibrates again and this time she doesn’t hesitate immediately picking it up, expecting to see another message from the boy in question but instead a new number appears. She stares blankly at first before suddenly recognizing the number. 

“Who’s that?” Su-ah questions, staring at her phone with pursed lips and she swipes the message open. 

Dinner tonight? 

It feels strange to see that message beneath Seojun’s and she finds herself closing it without responding and opening Seojun’s plethora of messages instead. 

I was just joking you can steal all my sweaters. 

Are you still there?

Princess?

Can you answer me so I know you’re alive? 

He is so dramatic, she doesn’t message him for ten minutes and he’s already thinking the worst but then she remembers all the times he has found her helpless and trembling in the rain and his fear makes more sense. Smiling in understanding she finally replies, I’m okay you worrywart. Su-ah and Jukyeong are here, I got distracted. 

ignoring social norm he responds to her immediately not the least bit concerned with appearing too invested. 

Don’t scare me like that. I was about to come over. 

“Sujin are you sure Seojun is okay with you going on dates with Baekyung, that’s who text you right?” Her head snaps up at the question, she bites her lip in consideration. 

“He said he understood. He knows I’m only doing it to help him. But tonight is the last time.” 

She shouldn’t be concerning herself with anyone else’s problems, hers were enough on their own. But she couldn’t help it, the other boy was going through the same ordeal as her and she saw herself in his cold numb eyes, he was existing instead of living. She knew what that felt like. She understood him all too well. 

“Why does he need your help?” Jukyeong asks innocently and she stills before shaking her head, “It’s not my story to tell.” 

They don’t ask anymore questions and she’s grateful for that. 

She has to get ready for her date, she can’t help but wish it was with someone else. She doesn’t even want to call it a date, now that she has someone that she wants to do this all with. 

She looks beautiful, she always does and he wonders if he might have genuinely liked her if they met under different circumstances? He had never learned what it meant to care for someone, too busy trying to survive but she understood him, they had so much in common. He didn’t like her-his heart wasn’t capable of such emotions he was convinced- but he felt a certain kinship that he’d never felt before with anyone else, maybe they were meant to met each other. 

Could she be his destiny? 

“I need to talk to you.” He stares at her across the table looking effortlessly elegant and he takes a sip of his water, something akin to dread pooling in the pit of his stomach. 

“Talk then,” he answers gruffier than he intended but he can see the apology on her face and his vicious side is making an appearance in anticipation of whatever she wants to say to him. She stares at him for a long time and he wonders if she is second guessing or simply searching for the right words, annoyance surges in the wake of her hesitation he is not some child who needs sugared words or placation. “Just say it already,” he says snarkily and her eyes harden at his harsh tone, that’s more like it he hates to be pitied. 

“This is our last...gathering. I can’t help you anymore. I am doing something about my situation and I think you should too.” 

Rage builds up in his veins until he can see nothing but red, he thought he finally found someone who understood but here she was judging him and already abandoning him and all for what, some pretty boy idiot who would never understand what it meant to struggle? They were two sides of the same coin and nobody could ever truly love them, how could she not see that? At birth they had been deemed unlovable by their own parents and there was no way to undo that fate, it was best to just accept the hand they had been dealt. 

“Do you think he really likes you?” He asks meanly sneering at her with a curled lip, this reminds him too much of Dan-oh, of that stinging rejection and the way she wanted nothing to do with him- too lost in her fucking precious Haru-ah and he can’t stop the vicious words that are falling from his mouth, “You’re just a charity case to him. Like a sick puppy he found outside, he doesn’t like you he just feels sorry for you. It’s pathethic.” 

The words land exactly how he intended. 

She looks angry but that fades to consternation and then doubt builds in her eyes and he knows he was successful, he has planted a seed of doubt in her mind and that will only manifest bigger and bigger until she cracks under the pressure.  

“You’re wrong.” She states but she doesn’t sound certain, he can hear the question at the end and he smiles mentally. He almost feels bad but then the image of the other boy smiling with his perfect family flashes in his mind and any guilt he feels melts away. Why should he have it all when he, Baekyung had nothing? 

“I’m not. You’re just a phase for him, he probably think he’s being nice pretending to like you. I’ve seen all those girls around him, why would he want someone whose weak broken and whose parents don't even want her? Don’t be naïve, it’s beneath you Sujin. People like us need to know our place.” 

He stifles the little voice in the back of his mind that questions why he’s pushing away someone who only wants to be free, why did she get to escape the prison that they both had been locked in for so many years? Why couldn’t she just accept that they didn’t deserve anyone else and just be with him? Why was he always the last possible choice? 

She doesn’t say another word, opening her wallet and throwing down enough money to cover the meal that hasn’t even been brought out yet. The cold look she shoots his way stops him from saying anything, he can see the hurt in her eyes and it’s twisted but he feels a tinge of satisfaction at her expression. 

He watches her walk away feeling no better than his father, when had he become such a monster and why didn’t it scare him more? 

What did that say about him? 

The sound of the doorbell echoes through the spacious house and she wonders if it’s Sujin, and that mere possibility is enough to make her race to the door before her husband can make his way from his seclusion in his study. Most day he didn’t even bother coming out and when he did he didn’t even acknowledge her, it was heaven but it also left her guarded waiting from him to explode and hit her. It was like living in a landmine, she walked lightly as to not be heard. 

The face on the other side of the door completely shocks her. 

Lee Joo-Hun stands there, looking determined and she stares blankly at him. It has been months since their families have shared a meal together, she saw his visible discomfort every time her husband would berate her or Sujin. Many people showed discomfort but few did anything to help them, it was human nature after all. 

Better you than me. 

She forces a brittle smile to form on her face. Playing the role of happy wife easily, its a role she has been cultivating for years. 

“Oh. I didn’t know you had plans with my husband today. Come on in.” She notices that there is a certain unexplained tension in his shoulders but after only a moment’s pause he nods before stepping over the threshold, slipping off his expensive loafers and not bothering to put on the slippers they have placed for guest. Maybe he doesn’t plan to stay for long. 

“I’ll go get him,” she says softly wanting to do nothing of the sort, she has not been on his radar as of late and she had every intention to keep things that way but she can’t show this to their guest. Her husband would be livid if she did anything to harm his relationship with someone he saw as a beneficial business partner. She’s unprepared for the hand that stops her, tight around her wrist she has to force herself not to flinch at the sudden touch. 

When she looks back, his eyes are wide and they penetrate through her and she snatches her hand back a fear rippling through her at his stare, he’s looking right through her like she’s made of glass. 

“Sorry,” he apologizes and she smiles nervously waving him off, “I was just surprised you didn’t do anything wrong.” But he’s peering at her like he knows everything racing through her mind and she has to glance away, it’s all a bit too much and suddenly the study door opens and all the air is siphoned from the room as her husband exits the room, his face changing quickly when he notices that they have a guest, she knows that the rage that first appeared will make return once they are alone again. 

“Why didn’t you tell me that we had a guest?” The inquiry is said innocuously enough, he has long mastered repressing his rage in front of others but she can see the anger in his brows. 

Before she can answer, Joo-hun stands between them blocking her completely from her husband’s gaze. 

“Let’s talk.” Her husband raises a brow at the commanding tone and she can read him as easily as a book, he’s furious at being spoken to in such a tone but the other man doesn’t give him an opportunity to disobey because he’s already walking into the study. Her husband glares at her as if she is to blame before disappearing into the room and shutting the door in her face. 

Without a conscious thought she presses her ear against the door but the wood is solid and she can barely hear anything and she leans back about to admit defeat but then the voices raise becoming progressively louder and she hears her husband shout, tone bristling with fury, “How dare you threaten me in my own home!” and the loud booming voice of Joo-hun rings out, “You disgust me and I will do everything imaginable to make sure you end up where you belong.”

The temperature drops at those chilling words and she takes a step back at the sound of movement behind the door, once again coming face to face with the man.

His expression softens when he sees her but she can still see a glint of hardness beneath the surface. He had expressive eyes, they were part of the reason he had been such a celebrated actor. 

He knows. 

She’s certain now, he knows what a monster she is. 

If her husband deserves to suffer then so does she for everything she has done to her poor little girl, she was just as culpable if not more. If only she hadn’t been a coward and left when he first started hitting her, if only she had gone through with the abortion. She had selfishly brought a child into this world knowing that their life would be hell just like hers because she was scared to be alone. She wasn’t a mother, she wasn’t even fit to be called a human at this point and the look he gives her makes her feel like scum on the bottom of his shoe. 

“I’m leaving.” He announces walking back over to his shoes, and she had been right he wasn’t planning on staying long. 

A loud bang suddenly fills the empty void, her husbands scream are not too far behind as he flings books and whatever he can get his hands on into the walls. 

She knows what fate awaits her tonight. 

This is her punishment and it’s exactly what a stain like her deserves. 

She stares absently at the ground, the sound of the door knob turning reaching her ears and she knows that she’s going to be alone again. The door opens and she sighs, waiting to hear the door close knowing that in seconds she will be a whimpering mess on the ground. 

But the sound never comes, and she looks up to see what’s stopping him and his eyes are still hard but not as sharp. 

“Come with me.” 

She hears the word but the sentence does not compute and it takes a moment for her to process what he just said, her mind tells her that surely she heard him wrong. There’s no way he said what she thought he said. 

But then he reaches out a hand and she stares at his palm. 

“Why would you want to help me? I’m not a victim. I knew what he was doing, I knew everything and I did nothing. I am just as bad as him. She hates me too. I didn’t protect her.” 

It’s the truth, she lost the right of calling herself a victim as she watched her husband step on her seven year old daughter and her first thought was thank goodness it’s not me. That was the day the light left Sujin’s eyes but hope didn’t fade completely not yet, but each time her father hit her those huge eyes would look her way and each time her heart constricted but helplessness stopped her from acting. It took years but all that youthful hope was extinguished and she never heard that word again, “mother” it seemed fitting since she had never been a mother to the girl. 

“I don’t understand why you did what you did. But it’s not my place to judge, despite what you think you are a victim and I am done turning a blind eye. Staying here won’t help Sujin, she needs her mother.” 

Sujin needs her? That sounds laughable but then a distant conversation resurfaces in her memory and she feels frustrated tears welling in her eyes. 

“What does it mean to be a mother? I can’t answer that question for you but the fact that you’re asking that means you want to try, so do that. Try your best and apologize when you’re wrong. That’s all mothers can do.” 

The woman looked so fragile laying in the hospital bed but the strength of her words were undeniable, she didn’t know what made her visit she knew if her husband caught her there would be retribution but she couldn’t stay away. She didn’t even have an excuse and they simply stared at each other before the other woman smiled at her and motioned for her to sit on the chair, she had done so without question. 

There were flowers all over the room, both fresh and old. 

“Someone must really love you.” She had said and she watched jealously as a maternal smile graced her face, she could almost feel the motherly pride. 

“Sometimes my son gets carried away.” 

The boy on the motorcycle, she had thought he was just a delinquent but the amount of flowers in the room said otherwise.

That was ultimately what pushed her to ask the silly question: what does it mean to be a mother? 

She had never known, her own mother had treated her like a bargaining chip that would lead to the betterment of her own life, naming her fortune only to force her to have anything but that in her life. 

The woman had smiled delicately before answering her. 

The words swirled around like a tornado in her mind, she hadn’t expected such a simple answer. 

“Are you coming?” Joo-hun’s voice brings her back to reality and she thinks about Sujin and the day she was born and how small and vulnerable she looked laying in her arms as they both cried, wailing their hearts out. 

She hadn’t known what it meant to be a mother back then and she’s no closer to knowing now but she knows that she wants to try, Sujin might never forgive her for what she did and she wouldn’t blame her. But she still wanted to try, even if it took her whole life she would spend it trying to repent for all her sins. 

She takes one small step forward, the shackles that have been tightened around her body her whole life crumbling in the face of her renewed hope.  

I want to try. 

She isn’t wearing his sweater, it’s pitiful but that’s the first thing he notices when he sees Sujin in the morning, she’s walking alone and he can’t stop the joy that shoots through him at the observation it was never easy to see her arrive with the other boy despite knowing the truth. But today the encroacher is nowhere to be seen and he settles the kickstand of his motorcycle before rushing over to her, without thinking he wraps an arm around her shoulder but then he feels her body tighten at the unexpected touch, “Relax, it’s just me,” he whispers airily but to his disappointment her body becomes more rigid at his words. 

He immediately removes his arm, moving out of her personal space- not understanding what exactly is going on but still not wanting to be the source of her discomfort. 

He shifts apprehensively, already wrecking his brain to think of what he might have done to warrant such a bitter cold reception from her but coming up emptyhanded. So instead of trying to guess and create his own reasons, he asks her, “Are you okay? Did I do something?” 

He can tell she’s going to lie before she even opens her mouth, he watches the swarm of emotions play across her face before she settles on nonchalance, “No. I’m fine, you surprised me. I don’t want to upset your fangirls so I think it’s best if we avoid each other at school.” He stares at her in shock, wondering if this is the same girl who he held on the bench just days ago her lips soft on his cheek and her perfume filling his senses? 

“I already told you I don’t care about them. You already know that I only care about yo-” 

“Stop. I can’t do this right now I need space, I have to go.” She interrupts him and after a long gaze she stalks away and he wants to follow her, nothing she’s doing is making any sense not after everything they’ve been through. He’d given her everything he could offer and it still wasn’t enough, she was still walking away and he was tired of chasing her, if it was that easy to walk away from him time and time again then maybe he was fighting a losing battle. 

He turns around, walking the other direction. 

He misses the dark eyes that follow him over a small shoulder. He doesn’t look back. This time he chooses self-preservation. 

He doesn’t go to lunch, unable to bear the thought of sitting across from Sujin and pretending that he’s okay when he feels like a hollow fruit. So he escapes to the roof top and instant regret fills him as he remembers all those months ago when he had held the other on this very roof, it had been so different from their hug at the hospital and the hug in the rain. Those hugs were filled with what he thought was affection, but now he doesn’t really know. He can’t understand why she’s suddenly pushing him away again when he thought they had overcome all the barriers between them. 

Was it because of her father? Had she only kept him by her side because he had helped her but now that Suho and his father were on her side she realized that she no longer needed him? It pains him to imagine that this could be true but the thought rolls around in his thoughts until he starts to believe it, that has to be it. Was he that expendable to her? 

Clearly the answer was, yes. 

The rooftop door suddenly bangs open and he hates his heart for speeding up, as he turns around piteously hoping to see her. HIs heart plummets when he’s greeted by a smiling face that’s nowhere as beautiful as the one he hoped to see, he tries futilely to hide his disappointment with a smirk. 

He recognizes the girl as one of the people who have confessed to him in the past months, she wasn’t as nervous as the others but it had taken her a few minutes to stutter the words out and he had gently turned her down, he wasn’t cruel because he knew how terrifying it was liking someone and not knowing if it was reciprocated. 

She shuffles anxiously on her feet and he wonders how she knew he was up here. Sometimes the girls at school made him uneasy, their fixation with him wasn’t normal. 

He watches at she inhales deeply before looking at him with an unwavering gaze. 

“I know that you said that you liked someone else and I respect that. But I haven’t seen you dating anyone and I just like you so much you’re all I can think about and .....Cantyoujustgivemeachanceifshedoesntlikeyouback?” 

It takes an extra moment to decipher what she said with the rapid speed that she expels the words and he stares at her, her breathe coming out in short winded puffs like she just ran a marathon. 

He steps forward purposely, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder before answering her, thoughts of Sujin’s sudden rejection permeating his mind. 

She walks away stunned by his reply and he doesn’t go down until the bell rings, he still isn’t prepared to be in the same room as Sujin but he can’t avoid her forever. 

The classroom is abuzz, he can hear excited voices as he walks down the hallway and he wonders what bit of gossip has their attention now, he slides the door open only to feel all eyes land on him. The class goes silent before suddenly he’s being bombarded with questions. 

“Is it true?” 

“Why her? I liked you before she did.” 

“Are you finally going to get a girlfriend? It’s not fair you shouldn’t only date one person oppa.” 

He ignores them all sliding into his seat and dropping his head onto the table, when they realize that he has no plans of answering their invasive prompts they go back to gossiping about him as if he’s not sitting right there. 

He rubs his temple, trying to stop the head ache he can feel forming but he knows that it’s already too late. 

The energy shifts in the room and without looking up he already knows why, he can hear the telltale clicks of her shoes on the floor. 

He hears Su-ah’s voice shortly after, “What are you all so excited about? Did something happen?” 

It’s vindictive but he wants them to hear the gossip so he finally looks up, eyes settled on Sujin who is already looking at him.

“Oh! Su-ah it’s the saddest news, Han Seojun is getting a girlfriend. He finally accepted a confession.” A girl whose name he doesn’t know wails as if her life is over and he watches the confusion morph on Su-ah’s face before he glances over at Sujin and she looks devastated and it suddenly he feels sick instead, what is he doing finding enjoyment in this? 

He can’t hold her gaze, he doesn’t know what the look on her face means and he doesn’t want to analyze it, he’s done doing this.   

“It’s just rumors.” Su-ah repeats this over and over like a mantra, but she can’t hear a word that the other girl is saying all she can think about is Seojun with someone else. She imagines him smiling and holding someone else, cradling their cheek as he kisses their forehead and wrapping them in his too big sweater while beaming down at them and it makes her rush to the bathroom, water scalding her hands before she can even think about what she’s doing. 

“Sujin no!” Jukyeong snatches her hand away from the too hot water and she only fights her for a moment before lets herself be pulled away, losing all her fight. 

“Calm down Sujin, talk to us. What happened between you two?” Su-ah asks firmly and gently and she can’t stop the diarrhea of words that explode from her mouth as she tells them everything, Baekyung and how much his words stuck in her mind and her doubts about Seojun and whether she could truly be loved by anyone much less someone as coveted as him. What right did she have to drag him down? 

He might like her now, think that he was aiding someone helpless but was that all this was? Was she just something to soothe his ego? 

“Do you really feel that way?”

She jumps at the harshness in Jukyeong’s tone, she has never heard the other girl talk like this before. She has never been anything but kind when speaking to her, the tone makes her head spin. 

“What?” She replies at a loss for words. 

“Do you really think that’s true? Do you believe the words you are saying right now?” Jukyeong presses harder and she stalls at her interrogation, not knowing what she thinks anymore she can barely trust her emotions- they change too quickly without her permission or consent. It makes her miss the days when she felt nothing, numbness overwriting all these pesky feelings. 

“I...I...I don’t know.” 

The silence drags on before she hears Jukyeong sigh heavily, “Then I think you should let him go.”

It’s the last thing she expects to hear especially from the ever optimistic girl and acid runs through her body at the mere suggestion. 

“What do you mean?”

“This isn’t fair Sujin, you can’t play with someone like this. You can’t push him away and then get jealous when someone else shows interest, he’s not some toy that you can pick up whenever you see fit. He is a person, who really cares about you. If you still don’t know what you feel for him then maybe it’s best to let him go.” 

She turns to look at Su-ah hopeful that the other girl will say the opposite, will implore her to fight for Seojun. She’s crushed when she sees a similar look on Su-ah’s face. It’s a mix of exasperation and pity, she hates it. 

They both think that she should let Seojun go. 

She leaves the bathroom with nothing in her mind, walking aimlessly back to class taking her seat and robotically pulling out her notebook. She doesn’t hear one word that the teacher says for the rest of the time, her heartbeat wildly thumping in her chest. 

When class ends it takes Su-ah calling her name a few times to break her from her stupor. 

“It’s time to go home.” 

“Oh.” She starts to put her books away in her bag, dropping one when Seojun walks past her table without a sideways glance, it’s like they are strangers again and that makes her want to scream because this was all her fault. 

“Wait.” 

She can’t bring herself to speak the word aloud and he leaves, walking away from her just like she had this very morning. 

He’s already speeding off on his motorcycle when she gets outside and she sees a girl beaming at his back, surrounded by a group of girls who are congratulating her and telling her how jealous they are. 

That must be her, the lucky girl. 

The one that had replaced her so easily. She stomps away ignoring Su-ah and Jukyeong’s cries of her name. She knows she has no right, none at all but she does it anyway she has to know if this is really the end. 

That’s how she finds herself outside of his apartment, staring at his motorcycle the proof that he is here and not out with the girl from school, it makes the unease in her stomach unfurl slightly. Staring up at the looming building she tries to think of what she can say to him, she should listen to Jukyeong what she was doing wasn’t fair but she can’t lose him, she had undid all the good in one fleeting moment because she didn’t trust them. Baekyung had said the words but she was the one who chose to believe them, the one that let those words wedge a divide between them and for that she was solely to blame. 

Saying sorry wouldn’t nearly be enough, but that’s all she can think of as she pushes the door open and calls for the elevator. 

The ride has never felt that long all the other times she has visited his apartment, but today it feels like an eternity but when she reaches his floor it feels too soon and she’s not ready. 

Which is exactly why the universe gives her no warning and as the doors open she meets his eyes, he looks notably surprised to see her there and takes a step back in his shock. 

Once she recovers from her own shock, she takes in his attire he’s no longer wearing his uniform- dressed in all black from head to toe like a grim reaper and she wonders if grim reapers are supposed to be that hot, absently she steps out of the elevator before the doors can close between them. Her tongue feels huge in her mouth as she openly gapes at him. 

“What are you doing here?”

“Where are you going?”

Their questions collide and his gaze sharpens once he processes her words, she knows she has no right to question him about anything and his cold look echoes that very sentiment. 

He scoffs at her and tries to circumvent around her and she feels the floodgates opening up in the face of his blatant disregard, “I know you’re tired of hearing this but I’m sorry.” 

His expression barely changes, as he folds his arms peering down at her. 

“Okay.” 

He tries to walk around her once more and this time she’s the one to invade his personal space, gripping his elbow to stop him from walking away from her. She has an irrational fear that if he walks away that this will be her last chance, it makes her let down her guard fully terrified she’ll never get another opportunity. 

“I was scared, that once you realized that I was always going to be this broken you wouldn’t want me anymore. Even if he goes to jail I’m always going to be like this, a broken fucking mess and how can I ask anyone else to deal with that? How can I ask you to give up on having a normal relationship with someone who won’t need therapy for the rest of their lives? I should give you up, everyone is right. I don’t deserve you. I don’t.” 

Despite her rapid blinking a few stray tears escape her tight hold and she watches the wall he put up around his heart gradually start to stilt away as his eyes opens up in the face of her palpable dismay. 

“Sujin.”

“Please let me finish, if I don’t say it now I’m scared I never will.”

He stares at her before nodding slowly. 

She takes a deep breathe before continuing, “I’m not good girlfriend material, no don’t argue I’m not. I will doubt us all the time and I won’t always talk to you about my feelings because I’ve spent so many years ignoring them, I only spoke to you last time because it involved your family. I knew I couldn’t keep that from you but this didn’t seem as important. I should be able to handle it on my own, I’m not a baby. I’m too impulsive and selfish and a coward and....I shouldn’t burden anyone with dating me.”

It looks like it’s taking everything in him not to rebuttal, because when it really matters he always listens to her. 

“I know that I haven’t made this easy on you and I should have just let things be-let you be with someone normal, but I can’t and I know why, I’ve always known why but I was too scared to admit it. I can’t just be friends with you anymore.....I want more.” 

She can’t believe it but the words are now out in the universe, the ones that she has been thinking for months and swallowing every time he showed her how much he cared about her, and he looks taken back by her confession, she hadn’t planned on saying that when she showed up but now it feels stupid to keep it to herself, if she’s going to lose him then she might as well be honest, at least once in her life. 

“Can I speak now?” 

She doesn’t know if she’s ready to hear what he has to say, but it’s only right since he listened to her, taking a centering breathe she nods at his inquiry preparing herself for the worst. 

“You are selfish.” 

Her heart sinks at his words, that isn’t a good start and even though he is merely echoing her words it burns deeper to hear them from him. 

“And impulsive and so damn confusing, you’re hot and then you’re so damn cold and I’m only human Sujin I can’t just pick myself up after you push me away every time, I get hurt too.”

She tries not to bristle at his tone and the lack of nicknames, feeling her heart sink into her stomach now. 

“When that girl confessed to be do you want to know what I thought?” 

She blinks at the sudden change in topic and her immediate answer is no, she does not want to know at all but he doesn’t even give her a moment to reply before he’s answering his own question. 

“I thought she is so straightforward and this is so different, I don’t have to guess about her feelings she wears them on her sleeve, this is so much easier being with her would be so much easier.” 

Her first real confession and rejection all in one day. She has always been an overachiever and it’s only fitting that this would be no different, blinking harshly she forces the tears to stop she has no right to make him feel guilty, everything he said was right and she couldn’t blame him for choosing the path of least resistance. 

“Thank you. For everything, I really mean it.” She bows at him before turning around, she can’t stay here for another minute not knowing that he’s no longer hers and probably never was in the first place. 

It’s all too cruel. 

She presses the button, she should just take the stairs but this will buy her a few extra minutes with him, it’s pitiable but she wants to savor every remaining moments. 

The elevator arrives, gleaming metal doors sliding open and she steps inside ready to go home and cry her eyes out. 

But then a large hands wraps around her wrist and she’s suddenly tugged backwards her back slamming into his chest. 

“Where are you going? Did I say I was finished?” His voice is rough in her ears and she can feel the rapid beat of his heart through his skin, it amps up her own racing heart too scared to even hope but she feels brittle and unsteady his body is the only thing keeping her upright. 

“Dating someone else would be easier, but the thing is I don’t want easy. I’ve never wanted easy, I just wanted you in anyway that I could have you. So why are you trying to “set me free”? Fuck that self sacrificing bullshit, you said it yourself you’re selfish so hold on to me and don’t let me go, when you have doubts hold on to me tighter. I’m not some caged bird that you’ve imprisoned, I’m the guy who likes you and that’s not going to change because you pushed me away. Do you feel feel that? That’s fear. You’re scared to lose me. Good, remember this feeling and how much it makes your heart ache and hold on to me tighter.”

She hiccups at his words, tears pouring down her cheeks now and she finds herself turning in his arms before her brain can catch up, relief washing over her so profoundly she sways a little on her feet. 

He has a shit eating grinning on his face as he stares down at her. 

“You didn’t accept her confession.”

He rolls his eyes at the statement, pulling her closer although there is no space left between them. 

“No I turned her down again but some girls saw us come from the roof top together and they started spreading rumors anyway and I couldn’t be bothered to stop them.” 

She stares unimpressed at him, reading between his lines and feeling foolish because she fell right into his trap. 

“You knew it would make me jealous.” 

He shrugs noncommittedly, “I hoped it would help bring you to your senses.” 

Has she been brought to her senses, she’s not sure she feels crazier than before his words echoing in her brain and she’s moving before she even knows what her intentions are, his smile starts to slip away and he releases her and makes an apprehensive retreat backwards and she automatically follows him, he steps back, she steps forward, another step back and she steps forward again, they do this dance until he’s pressed against the wall with nowhere else to run. 

“Why are you running?” 

He blinks looking dazed and she takes that opportunity to move in closer, cradling his face in her hands before leaning her head forward until only an inch separates them, a scratching noise comes from the wall and when she glances down she can see his nails digging into the paint, she hums at the sight and the implications. 

She was clawing at his resolve.  

Skin vibrating like a livewire she gently pulls him down, until they are eye level and their breaths are curling in the miniscule space between them, those feline eyes are darting all over her face before they land on her lips, she sinks her hands deeper into his hair. 

“Are you sure about this?” 

She has to ask one last time, this all feels like a dream and she’s terrified of waking up and finding that she imagined this all. 

He doesn’t answer at first, too busy staring a hole through her face but she waits patiently, remembering all the times he had waited for her. 

“What?”

“Can I really keep you? Do you really want to be mine?” 

It’s so cheesy and sappy and all kinds of ridiculous, nothing that she ever imagined for herself because she never thought anyone would make her want to say these kind of sweet nothings but here they are- and there’s no turning back now she waits for his reply with bated breath and this time he barely pauses for a second instantly answering, “I’ve been yours this whole time. Are you mine though can you let me in?” 

When you have doubts, hold on to me tighter. 

She drags him the rest of the distance between them, her lips barely grazing his own and it’s crazy because her lips are already on his, soft flesh upon flesh but it takes a moment to realize that she’s actually kissing him, she is kissing Han Seojun. They are kissing. 

She has no idea what she’s doing and she leans onto her tiptoes pressing more firmly against his mouth, imitating the kisses she has seen on tv and from couples in the hallway at school twisting her head to find a better angle but something still feels wrong and it takes another moment to realize what’s wrong. 

He is frozen on the wall, completely still under her ministrations. 

And she immediately pulls away, apologetic and feeling bone deep shame. 

“I’m sorry! I had no right to spring that on you, you barely forgave me and I did that. It won’t happen again, I promise.” 

His eyes are glossy and his cheeks are so red and it’s almost too beautiful to look at, how was she not supposed to kiss him when he was looking like that?

“Don’t apologize, you just made my brain short circuit. Come here.”  

She blushes bright at his too honest admittance, feeling giddy from the power that she seems to have over him. She had been scared that her inexperience would be off-putting for him. 

He tugs her back, letting her body block him in against the wall and she gasps at the warmth of his body he’s so hot even through the layers of clothes separating them. Her breath hitches when he starts to lean back down and this time when their lips meet it feels like the universe has righted itself, the stars and the moon are aligned and something clicks inside her like a gear snapping into its rightful place. 

It’s a simple kiss, a mere press of lips to lips but it is perfect and sweet- nothing like what she imagined because her mind could never fathom something so ideal, the softness of his mouth on hers is enough to make her toes curl and when he wraps his arms around her waist, one hand tight on her back as he eliminates any space between them dragging her impossibly close, she sighs unable to contain her delight as a smile works its way across her lips. He chuckles into the soft press of their first kiss and she can’t help the answering giggle that she lets out, to anyone else they would look deranged but she doesn’t care, this was real. 

He breaks away only to pepper kisses all over her face- first her forehead then her cheeks, her nose and even her chin, all left warm in the wake-  and she blushes under his passionate and diligent attention before grabbing his face and kissing him harder on those plush red lips, hands tight on his hair as she tastes him for the first time. He’s intoxicating and she knows she can never go back to being just friends, not when his flavor is thick on her tongue and she knows what his moans taste like.

Not when his hands are bruising tight on her waist and his scent is coiling around her like a blanket that she never wants to be without. 

She was allowed to have this and she would relish every minute. 

He sits awkwardly on the couch with the woman he has only ever seen a handful of times, when his father had called him and asked for a favor he had never expected this. He had been completely flabbergasted to see the woman on his doorstep but stepped back to give her entrance, nonetheless. 

He knew that his father meant well, was hoping that the two would be able to reconcile like they had but he was forgetting how much they fought before getting to where they were now. It had been an arduous path to restoring their broken relationship and he feared that Sujin and her mother had differences that might be irreconcilable . 

She looks like Sujin, just more weathered and beaten down by life in her expensive clothes and jewelry none of it doing anything to hide the sadness that wafts off her in ebbs and waves. He tried calling the other girl several times but to no avail as he reached her voicemail over and over again, he knows that there is no way this can end well but he couldn’t kick the woman out either, not to be with that sadistic bastard. 

“I should go. She won’t be happy to see me.” She states matter of fact and he’s not a good enough liar to try to argue with her so he says nothing at all, staring at the floor in silence. 

Then the jiggle of keys reach his ears and they both sit taller, gazing at each other wild eyed as the door pushes open. 

Sujin looks blindingly happy, a wide smile stretched across her face and he contemplates throwing a blanket over the woman’s head to hide her- just so the girl can enjoy a few more seconds of happiness but it’s already too late, Sujin slips off her shoes putting on her slippers and walking over to him, her eyes are still on the ground and then she finally looks up and all the air is sucked out of the room. 

All of the joy and exuberance that had previously been imbedded in her pores dissipates and he sees a look so numb, it feels like he’s seeing the Sujin from months ago cold and shivering in Seojun’s arm, the one that didn’t want to live and saw her life as expendable. 

He wonders if he did the right thing? Would she ever forgive him for this? 

She doesn’t say a word, throwing the keys on the table and sprinting back to her shoes, haphazardly stuffing her feet back into them and shooting him one final look of betrayal that makes his blood turn to ice before she slams the door behind her, the sound so powerful the walls vibrate. 

“She hates me.” 

From that look on her face, her mother wasn’t the only one. 

[gypsydanger01]

THE STORM - Part twenty-four

Fandom: The Boys (Amazon prime tv series)

Pairing: Black Noir x OC

A/N: Double update today because I feel like it🤍 VERY SOFT VERY FLUFFY

Disclaimer: I don’t own The Boys, only my OC characters and certain pieces of au plot.

Comments, reviews, constructive criticism, and other requests are always more than welcome!

I choose you

 [Later that night]

That night, Black Noir patiently waited for Vought Headquarters to slowly drift to sleep. Once the building had gone silent and mostly everyone had left, the silent superhero made his departure and ventured into the night.

In front of Sarah’s house, concealed in shadows, he waited. He could hear her pacing inside, rap music playing in the background. And he imagined her form engulfed in a sweatshirt, hands wrapped in the ends of the sleeves. Her soft scent and dark hair. Her radiant smile and tired eyes.

He rounded the house and flipped over the fence. Walking with determination he found the backdoor left ajar; he pushed through, letting the warmth engulf him.

He found her in the living room where she was sweeping up debris from under the sofa.

Noir stood contemplating her amongst the wrecked furniture that once graced her living room. The blackened pillows, broken television screen and wobbling coffee table served as reminders of their fight and how they’d been at each other’s throats. Small holes littered the once pristine walls, and the ruined picture frames were stacked in a corner.

He picked one up and gazed at the serene woman in the picture. Although the glass in front of it was cracked, he could still see the happiness in her smile, the live energy in her eyes.

“Thanks for lunch,” her voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

She had yet to turn around as she finished sweeping, and Noir realized she must’ve known he was there the whole time.

She set the broom against the wall and turned to face him, arms awkwardly crossed in front of her chest. Her eyes caught the item in his hands.

“That was seven years ago, I went to Japan for my birthday.”

His eyes traced her in the photo, and the colorful city lights spilling across her face reminded him of their movie night together. In the dark, he’d been captivated by the way the television highlighted her features, first blue, then bright white, finally orange.

He nodded at the photo and delicately set the frame down, suddenly regretting how their fight had destroyed most of her home and belongings.

Sarah watched him, and he watched her, but there was no tension, no animosity left between them.

Finally, she switched her Dr. Dre playlist off.

“There’s cake left,” she began to fill the silence, “Would you like some?”

Noir simply turned and walked back into the kitchen where he pulled a chair out for her. Once she’d sat down, Sarah felt the ghost of his fingers over her hair as he moved away and went to sit on the other end.

Well, no cake then, she thought.

He produced a small notebook from a pocket across his chest and slipped a pen from his left boot. The one they usually used was at its last pages and Sarah wondered if he always carried an extra one on the off chance they met.

He signed, “New table,” and lightly knocked against the wooden surface.

Sarah nodded and kept herself from fidgeting.

“Why are you here,” she couldn’t help the question that slipped out. “I’m just confused,” she amended, “We fought, and now you know who I am, but you left me that note and bought me lunch, and—”

She paused when she saw him begin to scribble on the notepad.

You were right

She glanced at the page and leaned in.

“I was telling you the truth about why I’m doing this,” she licked her lips and while she could not tell, the man in front of her was immediately drawn to the small action. “I didn’t—I didn’t want to lie about my identity, but can you blame me? I thought you’d break me like a toothpick.”

He nodded, feeling something stirring within at the sight of her flushed state.

She leaned back in her chair, incredulous.

“So that’s it?”

Noir was surprised at her sudden outburst and brought his pen back to paper.

I do not condone hurting children

At that point, Sarah stopped and really looked at him, wishing she could look past his mask. She knew who he was and what his real job was; she knew he’d probably tortured and killed countless men. But he softened and was protective of children.

She needed to look him in the eyes and see what lied there. Would his eyes be emotionless and passive, or would she see passion, pain, and torment? As she watched him fidget under her gaze, she was reminded of his reaction upon learning that she too had been subjected to testing.

And then she remembered the light webbing of scars over his hands in the sink.

He added a few words. No more blind trust. He added, one-sided trust.

Sarah glanced at the page and was momentarily speechless at his confession.

“And do you trust me?”

He nodded. You are good. You want to help people.

The woman in front of him read the words and let them sink in. He was questioning his loyalty to Vought, she realized. Maybe, after years of blindingly carrying out Vought’s orders he’d grown tired of being left in the dark. Maybe, the fact that the test subjects were children had landed hard, hitting a sore spot within.

They will not find you

She watched him clench the pen, the point still against the page. She scanned him, noting the tension in his shoulders and the way his other hand pressed against the table’s surface. Homelander following her kept replaying in front of his eyes, like a broken record player. Homelander waiting to catch her alone, asking for her name and allowing her to call him John. Homelander acting so pleasant and personable was a disgusting façade, and Noir had felt the urge to knock him into a wall when he touched her.

And then the vicious cycle of thoughts and energy came to a halt. Her hand was small next to his as she lightly traced lines across his gloves.

He finished writing. Homelander will not hurt you

She gazed at him, and a feeling of safety wrapped around her like a warm blanket hugging her through the night.

“Thank you, Noir,” she replied softly, wincing at the crack in her voice.

He nodded, and the violence in his head subsided. At that moment, they were together and nothing else existed outside of that kitchen. Since the night at that gala, he’d fixated on her, but that obsession had morphed into something more, a connection that ran deeper than any label could define.

He scribbled one last message before setting the pen to the side.

I choose you

Yes, he’d chosen her. His loyalties had wavered, but he’d seen her pain when she explained her motives, the truth that shone in her magnetic eyes. His loyalties had wavered, but he’d found the damning evidence against Vought and now, he’d chosen Sarah Burns and Marianna Stacker combined. All that matter began and ended with her.

Sarah was lost in her own thoughts, still tracing patterns over his gloves.

She decided to press forward while they were enveloped in this bubble of air, far away from the rest of the world. First, she brought her hands up to the edge of his glove. Stopping at his wrist, she pushed at the sleeve and traced light circles onto his skin. Her eyes still trained on his, she slowly slipped the dark material from his fingers. His hand felt tense, but it slowly relaxed as she ran her fingertips over his knuckles.

And he let her.

Noir brought his other hand forward and slowly discarded the other glove.

She smiled softly at him and rose from her chair. He twisted in his chair to follow her, but she came to stand in the space between his legs. She placed her hands on his shoulders, and he automatically brought his hands to her waist.

“I trust you,” she softly spoke and felt his hands lightly squeeze her waist in response.

She continued, “It’s okay if you don’t want to,” she whispered as her fingers ran against his mask’s edge. “You said you choose me,” she repeated his words. “Trust me.”

Noir stiffened for a moment, and it wasn’t distrust that gripped him but a deep-seated fear of her rejection. Finally, he nodded and pulled her closer to him.

Her scent was intoxicating and an unusual fear of losing her had his heart pounding against his chest.

She slowly slipped his mask up and off his face, setting it on the table.

Sarah drank in the sight of him and smiled, although her heart stopped at the light scars crossing one side of his face. He had sharp features and she was sure he’d gain quite a following if fans saw him. She lightly traced his scars before following the line of his nose. He wouldn’t meet her eyes until she called his attention, “Hey.”

It took a few seconds for him to finally look into her eyes. He was sitting with her standing between his legs, and yet his height made it so they were nearly on the same eyelevel.

Sarah had been wondering what she would find beneath the mask. Now, she saw fleeting emotions, such as fear, pain, desire, and an underlying adoration.

Under his intense gaze, she felt as though he truly saw her, as though they could truly communicate without saying a word.

Sarah pressed a soft kiss to the side of his head, and he held onto the sensation of having her so close.

He suddenly pulled her closer, taking her into his lap. Sarah blushed at the change in position, her heart beating faster. Her legs falling on either side of him, she looked at him and smiled.

Under the soft kitchen light, in the quiet of her home, she hugged him, letting her fingers trace patterns on the nape of his neck. The suit was hard against her chest, but she didn’t mind as he wrapped his arms around her. His fingers too searched for her in the folds of her sweatshirt, almost in an attempt to feel her under the oversized material.

He needed to make sure she truly was there and not a fiction of his mind. Then he suddenly stopped, not wanting to scare her. He settled for delicately holding her to his chest, still sitting at the kitchen table.

Sarah’s mind thought of their jobs, their conflicting missions. But at the moment, she enjoyed the embrace letting everything else fall away.

He’d chosen her.

She closed her eyes and whispered a reassuring, “We’re okay.”

And he lightly squeezed her waist in agreement.

 [A while later]

They stayed that way for some time, melting into each other. He’d alternate between running his fingers over her hair and holding her close. At one point, they’d agreed on a way to communicate: she would speak, and he would tap once against her back if he agreed, or twice if he didn’t. After some time, she drifted to sleep.

Once her breathing had slowed, he gently rose to his feet. She couldn’t be comfortable against his suit, he imagined. And so, he slowly walked through the living room, turned out the lights and headed for her bedroom.

Setting her down on the soft bedding, he didn’t feel comfortable lying beside her without her permission. He craved being close to her, but ultimately stepped away. Returning from the living room, he gently covered her with the light blue blanket she often had wrapped around her shoulders.

Finally, he left her room and sat on the couch.

And there he stayed all night long.

In the silence, he was aware of every pin drop; he would protect the one good thing in his life, the one soul so closely intertwined with his own.

MASTERLIST

Tag list: @ateliefloresdaprimavera @ellejo @dust-bun @coco724 ​  @proximio-5 @damiminator @omegahighendpro @rpgluvr95 @sweetrabbitteamx @rayray1463 @mialexisrodrigues @angelocipriano @reborn-rekall

[nattspencer]

In case of boredom - Part 2

Missy x Reader

Part 1 / Part 2 (you’re here) / Part 3 - Complete

Summary: The reader was always intrigued by the Time Lady. When she jumps into the TARDIS, the readers decided to write a little novel to take her out of boredom, putting little annoying riddles as a password to each file.

A/N: English is not my first language, therefore I’m really sorry for any mistakes, let me know about them. I’m also very sorry for taking so long, I planned to post part 2 as the final part, but the whole file was already 7k+ words, so today I decided to split it in two. Part 3 won’t take that long to be released. Don’t forget to let me know your thoughts about this, it really motivates me.

Warnings: Super fluffy with tiny bits of angst

Word count: 3k

Not my GIF

     When you first started the book project, you never imagined that it would result in an almost constant flirting with an alien maniac, exceptionally on the most awkward moments. You still could remember when this happened for the first time, it was exactly the next day that she pinned you on the corridor, you were just sipping some tea entering quietly in the console room, in the corner, you saw Nardole babbling with Bill about some weird tech thing. Mr. Eyebrows, in another hand, was tingling his fingers on the ship’s control panel hoping to find somewhere interesting to go and Missy was at his side, intensely looking at a monitor with some wires scattered on the table, her sight soon fell over your figure and mischief popped up on her face. This couldn’t be good. 

      “Y/N, you really should drink this tea in another room, the way you’re clenching so deliciously this pretty lips of yours around this mug is really distracting me” She said with a smirk scanning you from tip to toe with her eagle eyes.       “Missy!” The Doctor warned with his raising eyebrows.       “Only me drinking a little tea it’s already distracting you, sweetie? You really must be in need, maybe, if you behave nicely, I can do you a little favor later” You winked slightly and left the room towards the kitchen, but you could see from your peripheral vision all the jaws dropping, no one expected your reaction to being like that. Soon you heard some steps coming behind you.       “Girl, where did all that boss energy came from?” Bill asked you giggling while she took a glass of water.       “First, shy people also can be sassy, second I always told you I am not as innocent as I look and more importantly third, she challenged me! I couldn’t let her embarrass me that easily, if she wants to play, then let’s play”       “Mate, she is a mass murderer, do you really wanna pick HER to flirt with?” She asked with an arched eyebrow.       “Considering we are constantly away traveling with aliens and both of us are lesbians which are not even a little attracted to each other, what other people would you suggest?” You both laugh.       “I admit we are not the ones with billions of options but still, really?”       “Well, I don’t think she is that bad, not anymore, I really do believe that there’s good in her, deep down there, she just needs to learn how to externalize it. Also, that’s not a flirt flirt, it’s a joke type flirt!”        “Y/N, she seriously suggested putting me on a brain dead state, and do you really think that she is GOOD?”       “I know the brain dead thing wasn’t very nice, but at least she tried to help, and as I said, she doesn’t know how to externalize it. Also, she never tried to get you killed again, did she? Just give her another chance, please? I think she is really trying, otherwise she would already flee a really long time ago”        “Fine, but I’m only doing it because I really trust in your abilities to read people, however, don’t expect me to suddenly treat her as my best friend, I will just be open in case she just want to talk to me as a decent being”        “That’s all I’m asking for” You smiled “See, you don’t judge me to try helping an intergalactic murder to be good and I don’t judge you for still thinking about a certain cute puddle”       “Hey! A puddle and a murder are really different things okay, and also, now that you put it out loud, what’s wrong with us?” You busted in guffaws. Soon, The Doctor called you two out to a new adventure, which you rushed into.       Your whole body was complaining to you when you came back to the blue box, all your muscles were sorely overused and you decided that you deserved a really long hot bath before feeding your Time Lady with a brand new book chapter and riddle. After your relaxing moment, you got your file and rushed to the library, but unlike the other days, it was not empty. Three heads could be seen around the laptop, still, none of them seemed to notice your presence.        “Was this always there in the computer?” The Doctor asked with frowned eyebrows.       “I don’t think so, it’s incomplete, and it really looks like something Y/N would write” Bill answered simply.       “She writes? And that well? I didn’t know that” Nardole confessed.       “Yeah, she is an amazing writer! Once I saw her writing and begged her to let me read since then she always showed me some of her work, I think she is just a bit shy about it” ��     “So you knew about this?” The Time Lord asked again       “No… She didn’t tell me about this one, I just found it by accident”        “So you’re telling us that probably we shouldn’t be reading this?” Nardole’s voice shook a bit.       “Yeah… maybe we shouldn’t…” Bill admitted with a guilty look.       “Actually” You said, making everyone’s head turn to you “There’s no problem for you to read it at all” You smiled and relief was painted on the three faces “Bill was also right, I am in fact a bit shy about my work, always tend to show to people in anonymous mode, however, she really made me gain confidence with her reactions” You said walking towards them.       “You’re a genius! You just didn’t realize that”        “Indeed a very talented young writer’ The ancient replied with a kind smile.       “Agreed” Nardole raised his two thumbs up.       “Thank you, I try my best” You giggled.       “Why didn’t you told me about this before?”        “Because I didn’t write that for you, actually, it was for someone else” You revealed shyly.       “Someone else?”       “She means me, pet” The Time Lady’s cold voice was suddenly heard and everyone turned glancing at her.        “You were secretly writing for Missy?” Bill was really confused.       “She was bored! And also very lonely! I couldn’t just sit down not doing nothing about it” You vehemently justified.       “Watch it kitty, you don’t want to make The Doctor jealous” She smiled wickedly “Also, I might say I’m really disappointed, I really do enjoy being exclusive, you’ll have to work harder”        “Good girls know how to share, Mistress, besides, now you have partners to discuss your theories with”        “I doubt that discussing with them would be any constructive” She answered with an arched eyebrow.       “Who knows” You shrugged “Maybe you’re wrong, maybe I am, or maybe that would make you see the plot from a different perspective, that maybe could make you get to the right answer”        “Don’t get jealous Missy, this might be fun” The Doctor teased.       “Fine, but you three better no be boring, or I will hide this computer and kidnap Y/N” She finally said, annoyed.       “Did you guys read it all?”        “Yeep, where is the next chapter?” Bill said excitedly.       “Alright, about the next chapter, there is a thin” Reluctance filled your voice.       “What thing?” Nardole asked.       “It needs to be unlocked, there’s a little riddle as the password and before you ask, I want to establish a rule, only Missy can solve them, alone, without any help. This whole thing was mainly created just to keep her busy, so I think it’s fair to keep that exclusively to her”        “It’s fine for me” Bill said and the others nodded agreeing with her. You could see a victorious smile rising on the Time Lady’s lips, she really enjoys being treated uniquely.        “Great! Now let me put the next file on the computer. We can read the next chapter tomorrow night after our usual universe walks when we are all tired and Missy would probably already have solved it” You glanced at the Time Lady with a suggestive look, and only you two knew that you were mocking her about the four days delay.       “One day it’s more than enough for me, poppet” She reassured with a threatening smile.       “I’m sure it is” You said finally putting the files on the right place “There it is, all yours, have fun, Mary Poppins”        “Mary Poppins? You’re getting bold, puppy” She said with a playful glance.       “What? Do you really think you’re the only one able to set nicknames?”        “Mr. Eyebrows is there to reassure what she said” Bill confirmed.       “Hey! I think we were over from the Mr. Eyebrows thing!” The Doctor exclaimed annoyed.       “We are never over from Mr. Eyebrows thing” Nardole said giggling.       “That’s new, I’ll include that to my personal vocabulary, feel honored Y/N”        “My pleasure”        “There’s a plot against me now?” The Time Lord said.       “Only to annoy you” Nardole uttered.       Since then, it became a routine and soon, you were already midway towards the end of the story. In the beginning, the post-reading reunions were kinda weird, it took a while to work your chemistry and put the pieces together, but eventually, it worked, and you didn’t know if you were relieved or worried, because they were getting closer to the right answer every time. Missy was often the one picked to read it out loud, and you were really surprised, but also very honored to know that she appreciated your tale so much that she would gladly read it twice. While they got to know the new events, you were away finishing the next chapter, only joining in when everything was set and done. Now you were all seated on the floor in a big odd circle, babbling around. Bill’s half-asleep head was resting on your lap, while you massaged her scalp.       “Well, the talking is really great, but I need to check on a little experiment that I’m doing in the lab, might blow up if I don't” Nadole said, lifting up.       “And I think I really should go to bed, but Y/N melted all my limbs” Laziness filled Bill’s voice.       “What can I do, I’m ace in doing massages”       “Oh, don’t be full of yourself, puppet, it doesn’t suit you” Missy teased.       “No need to get jealous, I can massage your scalp too if you want” You smiled “I just thought that if I get my hand anywhere near your hair it would result in a painful death”       “Quite true, don’t you dare dishevel my hair without my permission, however, I’ll wash it in a few moments, so I think I can have a trial of what you call massage when you’re free”       “Her hands does wonders, you’ll see” Bill pleased “I’m seriously thinking in just getting a pillow from the sofa and just sleep right here”        “Oh, not in a million years, you’ll gonna complain non stop later about how your back hurts, I’m taking you to your bed right now, young lady, let’s go” The Doctor said already getting up and extending his hands to Bill, who got on her feet lazily. Soon, they disappeared through the ship.        “Lap’s free, next customer, please” You joked tapping your thighs.       “You better be good, pet, I’m very caring towards my hair” She said laying down her head comfortably on your legs.       “Don’t worry, you deserve my very best” Your hands carefully untied her brown curls and started a pleasant massage on her scalp.       “I noticed what you did, you know” After some minutes she broke the silence. Her eyes were closed, and her face was more relaxed than you even saw.       “What do you mean?” You asked lightly.       “Your characters, they are related to us, aren’t they?”        “Yes, they are. Although, it was meant for you to find out”        “And you didn’t bother in telling me that bit?”        “Nah, I knew you would find it anyway” Her eyelids opened. Beautiful stunning blue eyes were staring at you with slightly dilated pupils “It was my way to try helping you”        “Um… cheeky. So that’s the way you see me? See the motivation behind my change?”       “Yeah, I think so. I suppose you and The Doctor are kinda the same in the end, both of you so very alone. He found comfort in us, companions, friends, but you, you’re too afraid of being hurt, too afraid to let someone in, and then suddenly they’re gone, so you found comfort in destroying things and people in a desperate attempt to fill up your superiority complex, doing whatever you want in order to actually feel something, actually like yourself, to feel greater, but I don’t think that it could fill you anymore… It got boring… So you thought about your oldest friend in the universe, the only one that would never truly leave you, and you knew that turning “good” and going by his terms was only one way to become friends with him again. What you didn’t expect, however, was that you grew kinda fond of the non-Gallifreyan part of the ship”

      “You really think that you’re clever, don’t you?” 

      “Well, I might not have the knowledge of a centuries-old Time Lord, but in terms of people, I know quite a bit. Other than a marvelous observer, back on the earth, I’m in the last year of Psychology college”

      “That explains quite a bit… So the post-reading reunions thing, was it all part of your plan? To make me belong?” She said sitting up lazily.

      “To be honest, I just figured that out along the way and hoped for the best. I’m not that good with plans, not in the way you are, I’m more the improviser type. Actually, I think we all are, you have to be if you’re traveling with a stupid old man” You shrugged and a soft smile painted your lips.

      “Thank you” Her voice was tiny, but you could see the fondness and gratitude behind those pale blue eyes, but also, there was a hint of fear, and then, you understood. 

      “You’re more than welcome, twisted Mary Poppins” You answered planting a light-loving kiss on her forehead “Now, you really should go to bed, I can see how much you enjoyed my massage” 

      “Yeah, you’re not that bad”

      “A compliment! That’s new. You really must be sleepy”

      “Oh, shut up!” You two giggled.

      A few moments later, you were in your room, alone, staring at the ceiling, lost in thoughts. You were really falling for Missy, and terribly fast. If you think mathematically, you could spend the rest of your life with her, but she would always have to face your loss at some point, and something tells you that not a lot of planets would like to suffer her rage. Probably, the best choice would be to just stand by her side her as a friend, never truly telling her your feelings, and never really connecting the way you wished. Loving a Time Lord was loving the stars themselves, too big and too flaming hot to get close. Furthermore, you couldn’t imagine her falling back for you since you’re just a silly brief human.

      One day, The Doctor decided that it was time to test how Missy would behave outside the ship and between other people, no distress calls, no danger, just a normal calm place to start with baby steps. Of course, a companion was needed to fulfill her simple task, visit a local fair, and walk someone through the alien stuff, very Doctor-ish indeed. She could take all three of you but he didn’t want to push her this hard, so Mr. Eyebrows asked if you could go with the Time Lady since you are quite close to her, and you agreed right away. Quickly, you two were stepping out of the TARDIS and started to wander off around the tents, while the Time Lord seated comfortably in front of the monitor eating crisps.

      “Those ones are sonic mines, well, they were, all junk now. But you wouldn’t like to meet one of them when they blow, they disrupt your internal organic stability while stir up the exterior environment” Missy explains 

      “Sounds painful”

      “Nah, it’s so fast that you barely have time to feel” She replies simply when something catches her attention “Oh!! Orphan 89 jewels! What a nice planet that was!” Missy’s excited voice was heard while she ran towards an old tent.

      “Really?” The two of you now were staring the shining ornaments

      “Yes, polite people, awesome beaches, three suns that turned the sky purple when they set, also four moons and a very starry sky in the night”

      “What happened?”

      “Didn’t you get it?” An evil smile danced on her lips “I said polite people, and polite people are always boring” 

      “You destroyed the planet, didn’t you?”

      “Old days, old faces… I wasn’t this nice all the times you know” She shrugged and resumed walking aimlessly.

      “Did you regret it?” You asked with a tiny voice, almost scared of the answer

      “Hearing their screams were once very satisfactory, but now… now I’m not so sure” Missy admitted avoiding your gaze. You walked side by side while an awkward silence took place, and then, when your eyes glanced at an area filled with something that really looked like snow, you had an idea.

      “Run with me” You broke the silence

      “What?” She frowned

      “I said: Run. With. Me” Your orbs were full of mischief 

      “But you don’t even know the surroundings, we might get lost”

      “That’s quite the objective, honey, come on!” 

      “Are you completely bonkers?”

      “Whoops, I think you’re getting contagious” Missy cracked a little genuine smile, and you couldn’t be more proud. She opened her mouth to protest again when you immediately  said with pedant’s eyes “Trust me”

       “’m so gonna regret this… If The Doctor ever get cross about it I’m blaming you, little girl”

      “Blame is on me” You raised your hands in surrender “Now, let’s go?” You extend your hand and she catches it right away with a tiny authentic smile painting her lips, your feet begin to run.

[snowbellewells]

Face to Face in the Broad Daylight /// Chapter Seven

Hello Everyone!  I feel truly awful to have left you hanging on my @cssns​ werewolf sequel for so long.  I’m hoping that all of you who were enjoying it haven’t completely forgotten what was happening. Anyway, finally I come bearing an update that ties up a lot of the story threads, and after this there is only the happy epilogue left!  I never meant to string it out like this, but you should have the last installment by next week!

Thanks once more to my artist @branlovestowrite​ for the beautiful fic cover!

I’m including the story summary and link to it from the start on AO3, especially because it has been a while and readers might need to refresh their memories on where we left off!

Summary: Here we have a sequel to my werewolf, alternate season two and beyond fic from last year’s CSSNS. You probably want to read that story "Run to Me (in the Dead of Night)" first, or it might be a bit confusing in places. This second story in the same universe partially exists just because I wanted to revisit these couples and enjoy a bit more of their fluffy happily ever afters. However, we may also see them get into some new surprises and challenges, and of course we need to see if Rumplestiltskin is still under control or back to his usual scheming and plotting....

From the beginning on AO3

~ chapter seven: what once was mine

“Emma! Help her, please!” Graham’s frantic voice pulled Emma back to focus on the present crisis. He was crouched at his love’s side, gathering her tiny form as close to him from off the cold, bare ground as possible - clearly torn between brushing her hair from her slack face, trying to watch for further danger, and being sure some help was coming all at once.

Emma was almost startled to see her boss and friend in his familiar human form, all wiry limbs and curly hair once more instead of the russet wolf he had been when placing himself between Morgana and the woman he loved; the woman carrying his unborn child. Instead of noting when he had switched back to the genial sheriff she knew, all her focus, all her attention and power, had been trained on the huge flash and buzz and humming pull of energy both to and from the villainous beings before her. For a truly frightening, paralyzing stretch all of the gathered magic of Rumplestiltskin, and each and every Dark One who had come before, had been contained within Morgana, forcing all of them to shield their eyes and stumble back at the sheer wall of power surging outward from where the sorceress had stood, suddenly seeming to tower over them, her long shadow stretching out to encompass every visible inch of ground in view. With sickening clarity, Emma had known as their adversary tranformed before them that this double cross had been Morgana’s intention all the time. While she might once have been Gold’s ally and pupil, she had intended to take his power for herself rather than helping him be rid of the dagger. And she had so very nearly succeeded that the horrifying vision of a monstrous, unstoppable witch harnessing her own powers and those of every Dark One who had come before her, reigning over the fabled kingdom of Camelot and their own world with a iron fist of cruelty, destruction, and terror had been all too real in Emma’s mind’s eye. She could see castles crumbling, kingdoms bowing, and ordinary people enslaved to Morgana’s twisted will with no hope of release. 

Now however, beyond her knowledge or understanding - she hadn’t even had time to try - the evil sorceress was gone, vanquished with a roar of fruitless rage and flash of light. There had barely been time for her stunned eyes to take in the smoky dark cloud of sinister residue swirling into the thick tome where Belle had embedded the dagger, blinking in staggered disbelief, before Graham’s panicked voice and the librarian’s harsh gasps for breath jerked her back to the present. 

Emma wasn’t slow on the uptake, now that her focus was on the remaining crisis rather than their foe. It was clear Belle had been sent into a frighteningly early labor; her body in intense physical distress as a result. But, as much as Emma did possess magic and anxiously desired to help, she had no idea what to do. A wave of helplessness and panic swamped her momentarily, before she surfaced again, realizing exactly what she could manage.

Reaching a hand to rest on Graham’s forearm, trembling with fear for his beloved, she drew his worried eyes to her serious gaze, willing her certainty to infuse him with some sort of confidence in their course. “Hey, hey… Graham,” she pressed seriously, making sure she had his understandably torn focus, coaxing him back. “Are you with me? Listen, okay? I don’t know a whole lot about delivering babies - magically or otherwise - but I do know that Belle ought to be in a hospital, not out here lying on the cold ground. Let me transport us there, and you’ll be in clean surroundings with people who know what they’re doing, alright?”

The sheriff gave her a curt nod of either agreement, understanding, or both, but she could see the dark cloud of worry and self-recrimination gathering on his brow. Though he was clearly bracing himself for her proposed magical travel, and making his best effort to shield and cushion Belle at the same time, Emma could read his fearful churning thoughts almost as plainly as if he had spoken them aloud. Babies, yes, Storybrooke’s small hospital and capable staff had probably managed the births of many just fine, but a human-werewolf hybrid pup? It had been anybody’s guess what that delivery would look like anyway - and that was before the situation had become even more difficult.

Still, Emma knew better than to let the pressure and panic overwhelm her again. She was determined to help them all she could. One task at a time; it was the only way she was going to get anywhere.

Crouching next to her boss, Emma clutched Belle’s clammy, quivering hand, thinking just how tiny her bookworm friend’s petite frame really was. She couldn’t help another nervous flutter of the heart wondering how big the baby was already with its accelerated gestation, and praying Belle wouldn’t be torn apart by something she had wished and hoped for so fervently; that she should live and thrive in. Belle would be such a wonderful mom, and she deserved her chance. She deserved so much happiness after all that she had weathered; Emma figured she had survived enough herself to know.

Thankfully, though it was light, she felt Belle manage to press her fingers in return, once more centering her in the present and what she needed to do first. The grip was tenuous, but as their sprightly little librarian squeezed Emma’s hand in return - still fighting and hanging in there every step of the way, Emma felt hope rekindle that Belle would battle through. With that, she tightened her other hand’s hold on Graham, willing herself not to tremble and broadcast her fears to him any more than she could help. Relief flooded through her as she felt Killian’s large, solid hand rest on her back, linking them and letting her know he was with her, wordlessly soothing and strong. She was going to need him once they arrived at the hospital, Belle was wheeled away, and the rest of the delivery was out of her hands. She didn’t really know how to do anything more, but the waiting, the flagging adrenaline, and coming down from all they had just seen - she knew that she would be a mess if he weren’t there. And she was thankful all over again that he seemed - as always - to simply know and understand that, just as he always had. They were made for each other in a way she’d never even believed in enough to realize what she’d been missing. But she wouldn’t ever want to do without him again.

Remembering what little she had figured out about her magic for certain (and it wasn’t much, with the only magical experts in town evil or the Blue Fairy - whom her mother trusted implicitly, but who strangely unnerved Emma - Emma had been attempting to teach herself as best she could) Emma forced herself to slow her breathing, close her eyes, feel for those she wished to protect, and picture nothing beyond where she intended them to go. Pushing that gathered swell of energy outwards, she sooned sensed dizzying movement beyond her closed eyelids. And when she opened her eyes, they had made it - all of them - in one piece, to Storybrooke General.

They had barely landed and gained their bearings when medical personal rushed toward them, their need clear from the agonizing wails now leaving Belle’s mouth all too clearly. Soon a whole phalanx of nurses and orderlies were whisking her off on a stretcher, Graham clutching her hand and keeping pace beside it until they forced him to let go and stay behind. Emma and Killian could only watch as he trudged back to where they stood in the open reception area.  There was nothing else for them to do but wait...

~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~

Back in the lakeside clearing - suddenly empty and eerily, starkly, silent -  a single person remained, barely standing on his own two feet in shock. The man’s breath rasped weakly from all-too-human lungs, in a way it had not done for centuries. Rumplestiltskin was frozen, shocked and surprised; a state that had become completely foreign after ages of premonition and foreknowledge made surprises rare indeed. The twisted, maimed and spindly legs which magic had made immaterial all these years were barely holding his weight, and he sunk slowly to crouch on the rocky ground at the water’s edge.

The events of the last hour were still sinking in it seemed. Some corner of his brain was already crying out in horror; the rest of his senses struggling to catch up and comprehend his utter ruin. He had become so reliant upon - so addicted - to the immense powers of all the Dark Ones within his puny frame, that the weight of his vulnerability, weakness, and fear seemed near to crushing as the long-forgotten feebleness crept back into his conscious like monstrous shadows across the floor.

Rumple made to stand up again, but found his limbs quivering and drained. Without thinking, he flourished the hand that would summon him his heavy, gold-topped cane, but nothing happened. No cane appeared, not a trace of magic raced through his fingers… only emptiness remained. 

It was then that the full consequence of his devious grasping and false alliance struck home within his breast. Morgana had double-crossed him; he could see now in clear hindsight that it had been her intention from the start to siphon the forces of the Darkness into her own being to at last wreak her own revenge on her half-sibling and claim Camelot for herself - a frighteningly magnificent dark Queen. He had been blinded by his need for vengeance, his believed invulnerability, and not seen the deal that had brought downfall until it was too late. She had paid with her freedom and her very being, now trapped  - for all time, as far as he knew - within the book by Belle’s saving action. Yet, the swift retribution on the one who had betrayed him was cold comfort in the wake of his own punishment.

Rumplestiltskin, the poor village spinner still at heart, was once more what he had vowed never to be again: a crawling, weak, pathetic coward, left to his own pitiful devices to be trampled beneath the heels of those stronger than himself. The fact that Hook and his other adversaries, along with the woman he had once loved, were gone as well, rather than staying to torment him, gave little peace. He was not sure he could even drag himself back to his shop and in from the elements - nor what the point would be in doing so.

It was an interminable amount of time before he could even gain enough support from a stout tree trunk nearby to pull himself to stand. Stooped and wavering, Rumple broke off a large enough branch to use as a sort of crutch and help him hobble forward before collapsing with panted breath on a large rock. Did he even wish to return? Or should he wait for some wild animal or new threat to put him out of his torment and misery at last?

A howl of desperate rage escaped his lips as he let his head fall back in exhausted defeat. The fact that he was finally reaping what ages of his own crooked dealings and treachery had sown was not lost on the former Dark One, but it made the collapse all the more bitter to swallow. He might have even felt the sting of true regret as he began to hobble from the forest… but it was too little, and much too late.

~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~

Somewhere in the halls of Storybrooke’s hospital, as Whale and the rest of his most capable personnel fought for the life of both the tenacious young town librarian and her first child, Belle floated hazily beyond awareness of what was happening around her. Though the moments preceding her descent into unconsciousness had been fraught with fear and horror - the deep desire to prove her worth, to stop her maniacal former love’s quest to destroy all those she held dear - she was ignorant of all that worry and trauma now. It was a fitful state, far from the bliss of perfect rest, but she was no longer aware enough to be troubled by the many cares and concerns which had been weighing on her.

Unfortunately, she was also oblivious to the fact that she was very much in labor. She and Graham’s little one was on its way whether she was awake to push or not, whether it was time or not, and whether or not her body was ready or capable of delivering it safely. As she continued to lie helpless and unaware on the operating table, it became clear that an emergency Caesearean section was the only way to go - and immediately at that.

Whale was snapping out orders with a speed and fervency that most of his staff had never yet witnessed; generally seeing minor falls, broken arms or legs, and stubborn coughs and colds as their main health issues in Storybrooke’s sleepy environment. The fact that in another realm and long-gone life he had been a brilliant and pioneering scientist as well as an accomplished physician - if also an eccentric and a bit disturbed - became more abundantly clear as he continued to fight for the woman on their table, her life in their hands.

Graham, for his part, was going nearly mad outside in the hall where he had been forced to wait with the rest of their friends and family. His rapid pacing and clutching at clumps of his hair, even more curling and unruly than normal from his distraught mistreatment, was nearly enough to make Killian wince and try to warn his new friend to calm down. However, the other wolf managed to bite his tongue and hold the words back. For one thing, such a suggestion would almost certainly be useless. Clearly the sheriff couldn’t relax until they knew that Belle was out of danger. Not only that, but Killian felt it was not his place to tell others how to handle grief or strife (he had never been a very good model of it himself) and beside that simple truth, it would be incredibly hypocritical of him, seeing as how if it were Emma lying where Belle was, fighting to survive bringing a pup of his into the world, and he were in Graham’s place, he would be faring no better, and quite possibly even worse.

Time seemed to trickle by at first, as if the clock in the waiting room were taunting them, the two hands moving at a crawl, just when they most needed them to hurry along. Eventually, Snow, who had arrived with David and Henry in the midst of their wait, accompanied by Ruby, who had already been at the hospital to report on the diner to a recovering and once again tart and no-nonsense Granny Lucas,  to help her carry, went down to the hospital cafeteria to fetch some sort of breakfast for them all. David sat in the chair in the corner, looking resolutely calm, as if he could will things to fall into the proper place simply by projecting assured confidence with enough certainty. He couldn’t very well do much else, as his grandson had fallen asleep sometime around two a.m. and Henry’s dark mop of brown hair was still resting on his shoulder gaining what sleep he could. No one wished to take peaceful rest away from the preteen, whom they still wanted to shield from the worst if possible. No matter how helpful and mature he tried to be, he was still a kid with a child’s innocence and already more involved than they would have preferred.

Yet, as slowly as the minutes had seemed to crawl all through the long night and early morning, just as the stars were beginning to fade in the sky outside the large windows at one end of the waiting room, those minutes also appeared to jolt into motion and rush forward once more when Dr. Whale at last entered the room and made his way toward them. Emma genuinely felt as if her heart was crowding up into her windpipe, stoppering her ability to breathe and pounding against the roof of her mouth. The notorious physician looked exhausted; his shoulders bowed and dark circles beneath his eyes; he seemed disheveled, his hair stood even more wildly on end than usual, as if pulled at or run through in anxiety and frustration so many times it could no longer lie still, and the residue of blood and other materials Emma didn’t even want to consider too closely stained a swath at the front of his scrubs.

He came to a stop before Graham, and Emma tried to mentally prepare herself for whatever his report might be. Watching Graham as closely as she was, she could see that though he was mastering a sort of stoic, calm patience as he stood to receive news of Belle’s condition, his body swayed the tiniest bit - as if the awful words he might hear could knock him off his feet, never to rise as tall and straight again. His whole world rested on what the doctor was about to say, and as steady as he might appear, everyone else in the room with him knew it.

“Sheriff Humbert,” Whale spoke up solidly, reaching out a hand to shake Graham’s, “you’re the proud father of twins. Fraternals - a boy and a girl.”

He paused briefly as the other man’s face positively lit up - joy, relief, pride, anxiousness and love all coming together in his expression as it transformed from the frozen mask of worry and fear it had held for the past several hours. The sheriff returned Whale’s hand clasp, shaking enthusiastically for several seconds before looking over his shoulder at Killian and Emma, and then to David on his other side. “Twins…” he repeated in a stunned sort of awe. “Can you believe that?”

Whale nodded in rather unnecessary confirmation, not seeming at all surprised by Graham’s excitement, nor his immense relief. “I’m sorry it took me so long to get out here with the news, but I wanted to make absolutely certain that Ms. French’s vitals had stabilized and that she was resting comfortably,” he continued seriously, giving Emma a nod of acknowledgement over Graham’s shoulder. “We’re honestly very lucky you had Miss Swan with you, to get her here quickly without allowing any more precious time to pass than it did, nor for Belle to exert herself any more than she had to for the delivery. As it was, those two bundles of joy took almost all she had. It was a lot of strain on such a small frame - and in such a wildly shortened timespan. I had feared I wouldn’t be able to give this promising an update, but she seems to be rebounding better than I could have expected. She’ll need to be careful to allow her body time to heal, take things slowly…”

By that point, Graham was nodding along in agreement with such attentiveness that Whale grinned crookedly; the expression both a bit unnerving and knowing, but which was nevertheless part of his eccentric charm. He chuckled easily and concluded, “But I think I can count on you, Sheriff Humbert, to make sure she does just that.”

Without wasting more time, he gave a few cautions and warnings, and assured Graham that he was free to go and see both his offspring and his partner, as long as he didn’t agitate or overexcite Belle.  It seemed that the feisty woman who had completely captured their Huntsman’s heart needed more rest than she even now wanted to admit. Shaking his head with the sort of amused and doting affection that was clearly going to become habit if they were to spend the rest of their lives together, Graham fervently thanked Whale for all he had done - shaking the doctor’s hand once more, so enthusiastically that the other man’s teeth clacked against each other loudly. Then he took off down the hall toward the elevators at a trot, too anxious to see his little ones and to reach the side of his lady love once again to be able to hold himself back.

Whale shrugged to Emma and Killian, a sort of ‘I expected as much’ expression on his face, and they grinned in return, largely just relieved to know for certain that the worst was over. Offering their own thanks as well as the sheriff’s, Whale nodded to each in turn and then spun on his heel to go back to his other patients and chores.

As his wiry form disappeared around a corner at the end of the hall, Emma at last released the tense breath she had still been holding. It was almost as if she had needed to know that Belle would pull through and there was nothing more she could - or should - have done differently before she could completely relax. Looking up into Killian’s clear blue eyes as she leaned into his side, Emma could see his affection clearly - and drew even more assurance and strength from him. For once, they had gotten the best possible outcome instead of their worst case scenario, as often struck them in the dealings with villains and magic that Storybrooke seemed to instigate. Everyone was going to be fine, and Emma couldn’t be happier - even if she did feel like she needed to hibernate for a month to regain the adrenaline now vacating her body and recover from the fear and shock that had gripped them all from the moment they arrived at the standoff until Whale affirmed that the crisis was over.

“Come, my brave lass,” Killian murmured gently into the downy-fine hair at her brow bone, gathering her closer still and taking the weight she let him bear as she leaned on him more fully. “Let’s go home.”

Emma nodded blearily, already feeling hazy and half-asleep. They paused momentarily to make sure that David and Snow had Henry with them and would bring him by later. All three seemed determined to see Belle and the new arrivals before they left the premises. Emma was excited too - as she knew Kilian was - but they could wait until tomorrow. Right now, she was practically sleepwalking and not functioning well enough to string together congratulations which would make sense. She wanted to transport them instantaneously to her bedroom, but was afraid she might make a mistake in her current state.

Instead, she focused on merely putting one foot in front of the other and let Killian steer her forward, out the doors of the hospital entrance and into the grey pre-dawn light.

Tagging a few who may enjoy: @kmomof4​ @jennjenn615​ @therooksshiningknight​ @laschatzi​  @spartanguard​ @gingerchangeling​ @resident-of-storybrooke​ @winterbaby89​ @hollyethecurious​ @darkcolinodonorgasm​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​ @revanmeetra87​ @teamhook​  @tiganasummertree​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​ @searchingwardrobes​ @lfh1226-linda​ @linda8084​ @branlovestowrite​

[hisbbwnaughtykitten-blog]

Little Pet’s Weekend Adventure

As excited as I was that Daddy had me taken me on a long weekend trip into the mountains, I was also a little scared. He had that look on his face; you know, the one where he has cooked up this amazing scene that he just can’t wait to put into action. Why would that scare me? Well we had decided a while ago that we both wanted to explore more of our fantasies that we had not touched; most of mine were untouched simply out of fear for various reasons and some simply because I was too embarrassed to admit to them for a while.

It was a long discussion, but we plotted out the how’s, the what if’s, the hard limits and and the soft ones. I felt pretty good about our plans; but as always the when and where was left up to Daddy. He always liked to keep me on my toes like that. So, there I was sitting in the passenger seat of the rental vehicle and watching the trees and greenery blur by when Daddy’s hand on my thigh gave a gently squeeze and pulled me out of my mind.

“Are you sure you packed everything we’ll need for the weekend, Daddy?” I asked, trying once again to get a clue or something as to what he had planned for us.

He simply smiled and leaned over to the kiss the top of my head. “I am positive we will be just fine, my little pet.” It was the second time he had used that term recently… ‘pet’. And it had me starting to think I knew a small idea of what he had planned.

After a short time, we pulled off the small two lane road onto a smaller drive that was lined with gravel. It was a long winding trail through the trees that seemed to go on and on until it finally end in front of a gorgeous cabin that over looked a bubbling river. I made a sound of excitement and leaned forward against my seat eager to get out and explore. I looked to Daddy for permission and he chuckled at me.

“Go on, explore.. ” he said as he reached over to unbuckle my seat belt and draw me into a deep heated kiss that only hinted at the desires that brewed inside him. “I’ll unpack the vehicle and come find you.”

With another squeal, I quickly scrambled out of the car and up to the cabin only to run back to Daddy for the key. Once I turned the key in the lock and pressed the door open I entered in to what would be an amazing weekend without a doubt. The interior of our little getaway cabin was rustic and quaint. During the winter, the fireplace would serve as the only heat source from what I could tell; though it was probably cool enough during those fall nights to light a small blaze too. The kitchen was minimal, but provided plenty of space for cooking and serving.

However, the bedroom and bathroom where planned with pure luxury in mind. It was probably about the same size as the living room and kitchen combined with an adjoining bathroom too. The huge four poster bed sat in the middle of the room against the back wall of the cabin.  To the left side of the bed were windows that reached nearly floor to ceiling, giving a breath taking view down the mountain and over the valley. I stepped into the bathroom and grinned as I started to tear my clothing off.

The centerpiece of the bathroom was a tub as huge as a pool, in my mind. I quickly turned on the tap and adjusted the temperature so it was just below scalding. As I stepped down into the tub a sighed as I felt all the tension, stresses and worries leave my body and pure pleasure warm my body. I settled in and sank so low that the water came up to my chin. And it was there that Daddy found me.

“I thought I might find you here…” he said as he leaned against the door frame with a soft smile playing on his lips. It was one of those smiles that reminded me just how loved and cherished I was by him and made me want to attack him with snuggles and kisses.

Sitting up and causing a wave reaction in the water, I beckoned for him to join me. Chuckling he begin to strip and grabbed our bath things and setting them on the side of the tub before stepping down behind me. Silently and lovingly he began to bathe me. First my back as I sat forward, then he pulled me back against his chest as his hands roamed over mine. He took his time around my nipples. “So soft and lovely… ” He murmured against my neck as he pulled and twisted them teasingly causing me me inhale sharply and moan quietly.

Finally his hands traveled lower over my body, scrubbing my round belly and then his hand traveled between my thighs, over my fluffy lips and eliciting another inhale from me as my heart raced excitedly. But he continued down my thigh as far as he could reached before coming back to my princess parts and traveling down my other thigh. Then he released the rag and slowly, teasingly trailed his fingers back to my center.

“Please?” I begged at this point, a bit breathlessly as I pressed my hips up to his hand greedily.

“Please what?” he growled quietly against my hair and down my neck. His hot breath causing me to shiver despite the temperature of the bath we sat in.

“Please… please may I cum?” I asked. I knew better than to not ask after my last punishment. But that’s a story for another time.

His thick finger pressed between my folds and found my little pearl throbbing for his attention. He stroked it gently before rubbing small tight circles around it quickly. He slipped his finger down along my slit, pressing just enough to barely slip in before traveling back to my clit to repeat the same pattern. He did this for several moments before finally shoving a finger deeply into me. I shouted and arched, water sloshing all over the floor by my movements as he then brought me quickly to the very edge.

But then he suddenly stopped. I looked up at him confused and he simply grinned. “No, Kitten… ” he chuckled and stood. Stepping out of the tub he grabbed a few towels, spreading a couple on the floor and then holding one spread open. “Time to dry off.”

I sighed, but I didn’t argue, only pouted… just a little. Okay, maybe a lot. But we dried off and then walked into the bedroom. I opened the suitcase and pulled out Daddy’s things looking for my clothes. But I all I found under this clothes were our usual toys. I turned to him again confused, “I thought you packed everything?” I said.

He turned from the bag he had been in and simply held up a pretty pink collar that even had a little bell on it and then a fluffy ginger tail plug. “Oh, my little pet… You won’t need clothes this weekend.” He stepped up to me and removed my towel, and then my day collar. He motioned for me to get on my knees, but he wanted more. “Hands too…” he instructed me softly.

I lowered myself so I was on my hands and knees and looked up at him. I couldn’t help to notice how erect he had already grown. He cocked his head as he looked down at me with a smile of joy before leaning down to place the collar around my neck, jingling my little bell once before he rubbed down my shoulders and back to my ass.

“Relax pet, ” he murmured as he rubbed over my rear, “just relax.. ” Slowly he teased my tight little hole before he could finally slip a finger in. It didn’t take long since he’d been training my ass for a while now. Satisfied I had relaxed my muscles enough, he slid in my tail and I moaned a little as it settled into place. “There we go… I think it’s time for a meal after our long trip..” he said as he stood and dressed himself.

He went back to the bag and retrieved a leash that he snapped onto my collar and proceeded to lead me to the kitchen. He pointed to a place in the floor and commanded , “Sit.. ” so I did. Sitting back on my feet, my hands between my knees, I watched as Daddy prepared our meal. I watched as he took the two plates and placed them on the table and then came back to take my leash and lead me to our food.

I looked up at him as he sat in front of one plate. I wasn’t sure if I was expected to ask or to wait for instructions. I didn’t have to wait long to figure out how far he was taking one of our discussed fantasies. Taking his knife and fork, he cut up the food on the plate into small pieces and then gently placed the plate in the floor. “Dinner is served, Kitten.”

I blushed deeply, so it was to be a fantasy realized. This was one that embarrassed and yet aroused me for some strange reason. I crawled forward and lowered my head to the plate and then began to shyly eat my serving. He reached down to pet my head before he ate his own meal as well.  As we finished, I sat back on my feet once more. He took up the plates and washed them before turning back to me. “Let me take you out to potty now.. ”

I froze up for a moment and wanted to argue. What if someone sees us? However, it was then that I realized this is why Daddy had chosen such a secluded location. Swallowing my fear, I nodded and he took my collar and lead me outside onto the green grass the surrounded the cabin. He unhooked my leash and motioned for me to go on. I wasn’t really sure what to do as I crawled further into the yard. I had seen lots of clips on tumblr of women who had gotten to do this, but the execution was something I wasn’t quite clear on.

Looking back over my shoulder I noticed Daddy had stepped back onto the porch, a noticeable bulge in his lounge pants. Taking that as encouragement, I gained a little bit more confidence and had some fun crawling around and pretending to sniff this and that. The soft swish of the tail across my ass and the back of my calves was actually quite comforting for some reason… maybe I would have to ask to wear this at home more often.

Finally, I picked a space and spread my knees quite far and peed. It was a bit humiliating. But as I turned to back to the house to look at Daddy, I saw he had his cock out, stiff and stroking. I hurriedly crawled back and sat at his feet licking my feet. “Is pet all done?” he asked. I nodded eagerly, my eyes traveling between his face and his dick. “And does pet want a special treat?” I nodded even more excitedly now and leaned forward to nuzzle the dribbling tip of his head. He stepped back out of reach though and I whined.

I looked up at him with a pout and he grinned. “Come fetch, pet.” And he began to step backwards into the house. I giggled as I realized his game and quickly chased after him on my hands as knees. Every time I got close to wrapping my lips around his delicious length, he’d move out of reach again. Finally, he collapsed on the sofa and beckoned me to come to him. I crawled up slowly waiting for him to move again; but he stayed.  Once I was sat between his feet, he reached for my chin. “You’ve been such a good little pet, come take your treat.” he said and pulled me towards his member.

I mewed or something, and happily took him into my mouth. I started to lift my hands too, but he made a quick noise like you would to stop most pets from stopping a bad behavior. So I tightened my lips, I sucked harder, and I bobbed my head quickly and steadily. My tongue pressed against him, swirling around the tip to clean off any pre-cum before quickly shoving him back to my throat again.

Before long, Daddy’s hands came to either side of my face and held me in place as his hips bucked up and he fucked my mouth. He let out a roar as his white, yummy seed poured into my belly. I moaned around him in my mouth as he came; my own need pouring down my thighs, but I didn’t touch. Breathing heavily, he settled back against the sofa as he came down. I rest my head gently on his knee and watched him, quite proud to have his cum in me again. I closed my eyes and leaned into his hand as he petted my head softly. “Such a good girl…” he murmured lazily.

He then sat up, and pulled me into his lap and snuggled me for a few moments before reaching to remove the collar. He shifted me over on his lap and started to remove my tail when I finally spoke, “No, please don’t Daddy.. ” I begged and turned to face him. He looked at me puzzled and then chuckled softly.

“Of course, Kitten.. ” Then we were quite for a few moments more as we rested and cuddled. Suddenly he was lifting me up and standing, walking back to the bedroom. He placed me gently on the bed and removed the bags before taking off his clothing and joining me. He lifted me up on my hands and knees again, pressing my chest down to the rough covers the rubbed against my bare nipples in the most erotic fashion.

He positioned himself behind me and lifted my tail before leaning over me and whispering into my ear. “I’m going to take my Kitten now and I’m going to breed her… ” I moaned loudly as he pushed his thick cock into my soaking wet cunt and began to fuck me the way only he knew how.

[onlyjihoons]

college! minhyung

a/n; inspired by a series of unfortunate events that happened to yours truly, and it’s my first time writing a college au so please enjoy:’)

major: music and audio tech

mark really liked music and making music so when he heard there was a course for it he immediately signed himself up for that

and he’s in the school’s dance club,, a very underrated dancer

tbh he partially got in because of his looks

also an underrated visual in nct

but mostly because this boy got those sick moves and he does music too?? yes please

i’m not saying that he’s the campus hottie but that’s exactly what i’m saying

but he’s really low-key and just wants to pursue his passion in music

and do well

you and mark met through this thing where you get admitted early into a course you like

you,, chose communications and media management or mass communications, as you would like to call it(i shall refer it to cmm)

and mark was there for the early admission exercise too because he had it as a backup if he couldn’t get into music and audio tech

at first the whole room was super tense because,, cmm is fiercely competitive

and you needed more than just language to get through this whole thing

when you arrived, you took a seat at the back because,, isn’t that what students do

and then mark came into the room like a really awkward bean

literally bows to everyone while saying excuse me

and he takes his seat beside you(!!)

you were lowkey screaming because,, why would someone as hot as mark sit beside you,, an average girl who just wants to get into the damn course

and your school didn’t had guys like that

let’s take a moment to imagine mark in casual clothes, like that red lacoste polo tee and ripped jeans and black vans and a kanken?? did that made your heart race? because it made my heart do just that

ya’ll know exactly which pic im referring to

so you decided not to be a chicken and make friends w him

“i’m really nervous,, i’ve yet to internalize my script for the screen test later”

“same,, i’m more worried for the written test tbh” with that shy smile of his

ok b4 we move on there are 3 components of your early admission exercise thing

1. written test 2. screen test 3. interview

and basically you have to go through all of that lmao

ok let’s get back to the story

“i’m sure you’ll do well, uhm..”

“mark”

“mark, yep”

“and you’re?”

“y/n”

“that’s a pretty name ^^”

you swore your heart dropped

fast forward to the interview, you and mark were in the same group

and the damn lecturers had their radar on you bc wow reader you’re a catch

“so y/n, we saw that you write fiction in your portfolio, right?”

you broke into a sweat bc they ain’t gonna reveal that you write fanfictions in front of mark

“yeah i do”

“so could you please come up with a plot and characters for a current affair you know?”

you were pretty shook because fanfic ideas only hit you when it’s the right time(ff writers do you feel me)

so you were stuttering,

“i lost my childhood friend in a tsunami??”

and the lecturers literally cracked up at your idea

but they couldn’t blame you though, its hard to come up with an answer on the spot

at the end of the interview, mark was also lowkey cracking up

“omg i can’t believe you said that y/n, but i gotta admit it was pretty creative”

“i know right, why did i say that…” 

“i thought it was really creative and different though, i liked it”

there goes your heart

fastforward to the beginning of the school term

mark and you exchanged numbers on that day and when you guys received the results of the posting he wasn’t in cmm but music and audio tech

tbh you were rlly happy for him bc you guys were convenient friends from that day on and he was so excited and passionate about making music its just so so heartwarming

and well, the first assignment the lecturer gave was about a collaboration?? article

it can be between any student as long as its a different major

and it applies to every student on campus gdi

so the first person that came to your mind was mark

so after your lecture you ran straight to the block mark’s lecture hall was at

and as soon his lecture ended you ran up to mark who was busy chatting with his newfound friends

“mark! did you get the collaboration assignment?”

“yeah i did, why?”

“c-can i collab with you?”

and all his friends were all stunned like,, why is this girl suddenly coming up to mark to collab

“s-sure, why not?” with the mark giggle, you know what i’m talking about

“good, i’ll see you soon then,” you winked, leaving mark dumbstruck

and when you left your heart was leaping out of your chest and you mentally slapped yourself for winking at mark

anyhow, you and mark would meet up every other day to work on the assignment, with mark as your protagonist of your article

and mark makes a music piece, as you take part in producing the music piece

but the song is actually about you!!

basically mark talks about what he learns in the course, like making music and stuff

he also plays the guitar which is a plus

whilst you guys were collabing

mark gained attention for his insanely good looks, which he often denied and pushes the campus hottie title to taeyong,, his senior

and also his music making and lyric writing talent

have you seen his rap freestyle in snowball project??? like how did you even mark lee 

and you gained attention for your writing, one of the top cmm students in school with a bright personality and media sense

and rumour goes around the campus that the best students of both majors are collabing and are already scoring those As lmao

that rumour was true and everyone was looking forward to the finished products of the geniuses of the school

while you two were collabing you two got to know more about each other

and you know,, you,, like,, like,, each other its so cute 

you two keep sending signals to one another

for mark its adding smileys to his texts and a few hearts and like holding the door when you enter the recording studio and all those gentlemanly stuff ugh so sweet

for you,, its just more affection and skinship and playful slaps on the shoulder

the rest of the school; “pLEASE DATE ALREADY”

both of your friends literally could sense those signals but the both of you couldn’t

so on the last day of doing the assignment you and mark would show each other’s completed assignment

you showed mark your article of him, alongside with a candid picture of him working on the music you took secretly

“omg y/n,, this is so good, thank you so much”

“you’re welcome mark,, it’s nothing,, really”

and mark showed you his finished music piece and you were so proud of him because the song actually sounded legit and not by a college student

after the music ended, mark looked at you seriously and started fiddling with his hands

“you know,, y/n,, i’ve been wanting to tell you this in the longest time…”

“what is it?”

“that,, i really like you,, since the d-day we met, i really like how you are so passionate about writing and stuff… and how pretty you are and…”

“i like you too, mark, i really really like you”

and the you two hug and boom youre dating aAAAA so cute

dating college!mark would be the softest thing ever

he would memorise your favourite drink and buy it for you every morning without fail

you reckon mark would be broke by the end of the year from buying your favourite white chocolate mocha from starbucks every morning lol

and wait outside the girls’ dorm for you

and the main point is he looks good while waiting for you that sometimes you come down a lil later to just take candid pics of him waiting for you LOL

if mark’s lectures end earlier than yours, he would wait for you outside your lecture room like omg sweetest boyfriend ever

basically you guys are like inseperable

but he’s a lil shy with the pda during the first steps of the r/s so expect loads of blushy mark

but when he’s warmed up to it he’s like the clingiest baby ever

he does give you space tho,, which youre thankful for

and when he stays up too late to do his music assignment you would creep into the studio to bring him some snacks and coffee

and make sure he gets sleep because this boy can’t be stopped unless youre around

you joined the dance club soon after he joined an like you two are the literal power couple with the visuals and talents just,,, debut together please

when ya’ll did 1million dance studio’s All I Wanna Do choreography iT WAS LIT AND SLAYING EVERYONE WAS CHEERING

mark is generally rlly shy with compliments so you always compliment him so that people dont take advantage of his humility if that makes sense

like there was once he had a group project and je did most of the work and everyone was like “mark you did all the work!! this isnt a group project”

mark was like no omg my teammates did the work too

and his jackass teammate was like “oh mark only did half of the work and we did the most”

you were ready to fight that asshole and mark had to literally hold you back 

mark really likes it when you steal his hoodies and wear it to lectures bc you look so cute in them

and his graphic tees too this boy has gr8 fashion ngl

when the break rolls around you guys would go cafe hopping and eat till your stomachs were almost exploding

and also shopping for clothes and all that

mark was willing to be your human guinea pig when you buy makeup when your hand runs out of space for swatches

and when its time to pay mark just shoves his credit card to the cashier and youre like

“mark youre gonna be so broke thats $128 worth of makeup”

and you pouting and mark had to use his fingers to lift your lips up into a smile

“you’ve done so much for me for just being my girlfriend, babe, just let me pay for it this once”

and it was the 34th time he paid lmao

anyhow dating!college mark is all pure and fluffy and innocent

please give mark lots of love

[andyfrills]

Andy’s FanFic Log 13/03/2017

Hello again! This time I decided that I’d add a fic count to the log to make keeping these consistent a little easier. And also because I was curious how much I actually get through… (Of course it doesn’t include the fics I leave out.) I’ll also be going back and adding a count to the previous logs as well.

Fic Count: 38 Fandoms this Log: Voltron, Yuri!!! on Ice.

※ I end up reading a lot of random shit. Until I’m a bit more comfortable I might censor a few things out, but there will be explicit fics, darker themes, crazy plots, and insane ships amongst all the sugar and fluff I find around the place. So the really important thing is to carefully read the warnings that I occasionally give & that are on the fic itself, and back away if it’s not for you.

Other posts in this little series can be found under the read fanfiction tag on my page~

This is a long one, so let’s get started!

Voltron

red down a dead end by anihanki Words: 2.3k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Klance (Keith/Lance) Keith’s elbow is perched on the open window, heat beating down on him and sweat dripping down his neck. ‘So soak it all up, let it sink in,’ plays softly in the background, in harmony to the traction of the wheels on the pavement. From the corner of his eyes, he watches Lance as they pass by the desert. ~ I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would! It was really well written with just the right sprinkling of angst before a heartwarming ending~ <33

Fight for Your Life by maychorian Words: 10k, Rating: G, Status: Complete Relationship(s): None (All platonic) A collection of ficlets based on prompts from tumblr. ~ A nice set of one-shots, drabbles, and prompts :)

i just want you to know who i am by Kyoshu_Koi Words: 10k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Klance "It's you!" Keith screamed, "It's always been you." Or the fic where I combine every possible soulmate au together into one big mess ~ A heartwarming soulmate au <3

Do What's Familiar by screwitimironman Words: 13k, Rating: Mature, Status: Wip Relationship(s): Klance, Shallura (Shiro/Allura), Hunk/Shay (Maybe according to the author) When Keith starts losing his natural magical ability his world turns upside down and no one seems to be able to help him. If he can't use his magic, he can't protect Altea, and Zarkon's dark forces will overcome the proud magical capital. It doesn't help that he has to also deal with the sudden appearance of a sleek blue cat who harasses Keith through his bathroom window, and a worrisome reoccurring dream of a beautiful naked boy writhing in his bed. Hopefully the Red Paladin can win his familiar's trust and regain the strength to protect the city, before it is left in shambles ~ Awesome so far! Can't wait to read more!

Never Part Of The Plan by ohluminati Words: 6.6k, Rating: G, Status: Wip Relationship(s): Shatt (Shiro/Matt ~ Seriously fandom. This was the ship name we had to choose?), Klance, Past Shallura, Hunk/Shay This was never part of the plan. Keith had agreed to help but this... this was something entirely different . He had never intended to fall in love, but here he was standing on a street corner in the freezing cold kissing a boy he had hated only a month ago. ~ Interesting so far :)

Entangled by mackerelmademedoit Words: 101k, Rating: Mature, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Klance When Keith found himself mentally linked to Lance of all people, he never thought that it would end in anything but irritation and misery on both sides. He certainly never imagined that it would be a useful asset in team Voltron's fight against the Galra Empire. Now if he can just keep his feelings in check, they might actually have a chance at defeating Zarkon. Needless to say, when he'd wished for a 'bonding moment' with Lance, this wasn't exactly what he'd had in mind. ~ This is awesome! I love this fic!! I'm a sucker for this type of story too ww

A Contract of Sorts by BoyBitingDemon Words: 3.5k, Rating: Teen, Status: Wip Relationship(s): Klance Only Lance would end up forging a contract with a god. I mean, he didn't have much of a choice, but at least they're not hell bent on universal domination. That's a plus at least. ~ Cool concept and interesting so far! It'll be nice seeing where it goes~

Deep End by Nymphcos Words: 11k, Rating: Teen (Maybe Mature imo), Status: Wip Relationship(s): Says Hance (Hunk/Lance) & Shallura, but it’s actually Shiro/Matt/Lance... I think. When Lance arrives at The Garrison as a cargo pilot, he wishes he could go home. When Keith leaves, he expects to be respected by the teachers. When he joins Voltron, he thinks he might finally get the attention he deserves. He's wrong about a lot of things, but he hopes he's not wrong about the trust in his fellow paladins. Lance never expected for no one to answer his call for help. All he got was frustrated groans telling him to handle it. He doesn't handle it. ~ I have a feeling this is going to be really good! I might be wrong, but I hope I'm not. Even though this is rated teen the torture, psychological torture, and depression are rather prominent so it may be wise to treat this as a slightly higher rating.

Discovery Channel by DracoNorth Words: 11k, Rating: Explicit, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Klance Lance grit his teeth as Keith bit around his collarbone, he could feel the sharp sting of the mark and already could tell it would be one of the darkest ones Keith had ever given him. Just as the two were about to about to argue again, the door to the shower room swung open and all the blood within their bodies slowly turned to ice. Shiro walked in with a black towel slung low around his hips as he absently scratched at the back of his head and yawned, his eyes closed as he passed by the two's shared stall. “Do you think he noticed?” Lance murmured softly to Keith as they continued to watch their leader's back, the two of them slowly drifting apart from one another. “I noticed.” ~ I almost didn't read this one because of the second-hand embarrassment I was getting at the start. Not a bad fic all in all, but prepare for a lot of inconvenient cockblocking.

you, me, and our cooties make three by sanctimonials Words: 1.1k, Rating: G, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Heith (Hunk/Keith ~ I think that’s the ship name...) “How do I kill these kids and not go to jail for it?” Hunk blinked. It was just too early for this nonsense. Or, alternatively, Hunk and Keith aren't very good field trip chaperones. ~ An intermission of fluffy Heith fluff for all your fluffy needs. <3 Well, it's actually a bit short for all of your fluffy needs, but I really liked that sentence so it gets to stay.

Head Over Heels by saecchii Words: 6.6k, Rating: Explicit, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Shance (Shiro/Lance) Shiro gains a new roommate, who he is absolutely smitten with. ~ Fluffy smut. Better than I first expected it to be. :)

Fools Rush In by redburn Words: 8.1k, Rating: Explicit, Status: Wip Relationship(s): Klance Keith is a struggling musician just needing to pay the rent. Lance is a high-end prostitute with a heart of gold. They meet when Keith accepts the job as Lance's new driver and sometimes bodyguard. ~ This looks like it's going to be really good too! I'm looking forward to following it.

At Least I've Got You In My Head by seasonalreign Words: 1.8k, Rating: G, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Sheith (Shiro/Keith), Shklance (Shiro/Keith/Lance ~ I was half joking about that name in the tags last week, but I actually saw it being used as the ship name... So fine, it’s what I’ll use.) Suddenly he crashes into something. He frowns, turning around. Lance couldn't remember a tree being there, and he definitely didn't remember trees having strong arms that could wrap around a person's waist. And they're there. Shiro and Keith. They're there, staring at him like this is a dream, like they can't believe they're looking at Lance. And suddenly all of Lance's buried feelings, all his forgotten memories are rushing back with the intensity equal to that of the rapids in a wide river. ~ I feel this could have been a bit longer and slightly more fleshed out, but still a nice fic.

It takes a team to clean by Callin Words: 3.8k, Rating: Not Rated (G), Status: Complete Relationship(s): None The team wants to start cleaning the Lions on their own, but when things don't go as planned, will they be able to fix the mess they made? ~ A nice sequel fic to scruba dub dub, lions in the tub. :)

Calling Home by SeveralSmallHedgehogs Words: 2.6k, Rating: G, Status: Complete Relationship(s): None (Klance if you really squint) Coran, with Hunk's help, has managed to make something similar to a cell phone. The best part? It can reach earth. So, the Paladins do what everyone does when they're homesick. ~ Aww this one is really sweet <3

Traveling Light But Heavy-Hearted by fruitygelpens Words: 7.6k, Rating: Mature, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Hance Usually when Lance was sad, he had Hunk to comfort him through his depressive mood-dips. He would pull him into a classic Hunk Hug and let him cry on his shoulder or just talk. Lance loved being enveloped in Hunk's warmth, and soaked up every bit of it whenever he got the chance. When Lance was with Hunk, he was warm. But right now, Lance was cold. ~ I was promised fluff and I was not disappointed. :) Very heartwarming stuff right here~

I'm Not Standing Still by Holtron Words: 2.6k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Shatt When Shiro wakes to find himself safely aboard the castle-ship, there's someone unexpected who's been waiting for him--and finding a home for himself among the paladins. ~ A nice little thing :)

Breathless by Adventures_in_Writing Words: 1.8k, Rating: Explicit, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Klance Keith is finding that on more occasions than he cares to count, that Lance makes him breathless. ~ A good, fluff injected piece~

Cold Toes by Kitaya_Li Words: 344, Rating: G, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Hance Lance is prone to getting cold toes and it’s something that everyone on board the castle ship finds out at one point or another ~ Cute! Short... But cute!

It Takes a Village by Zemmiphobia Words: 18k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Thace/Ulaz One decision by an injured soldier changes not only the fate of the universe, but the fate of her young son. ~ I didn't realise I'd enjoy reading baby Keith being looked after by the blade of marmora as much as I did when I read this. It's good! Go read it!

helianthus by procellous Words: 16k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Shatt Prince Matthew went missing when he was a baby, stolen away from his nursery while everyone slept. Matt has never left his tower in his life; it's always been just him and his over-protective mother. Shiro wants no part in helping some random tower-boy make his way to the kingdom. Even if he is cute. And looks suspiciously like Princess Katie. And is the right age to be the missing prince. And has the same name. And grew up in a tower completely separate from the world. Oh, for f**k's sake. ~ Better than I expected. But warning for described animal death, I almost cried… Please don't read this if you don't think you can deal with reading it, it's an unavoidable scene.

Diplomacy by Cassbuttstiels Words: 5.4k, Rating: Mature, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Klance In which Keith and Lance of course have to room together and share the same tiny bed for three consecutive nights. Cue rapid escalation ~ Good fic! Thumbs up for paladins in unconventional fashion~~

To Be A Caretaker by Chloe_Hallow_Eve Words: 2.8k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): None After Shiro is gone, everyone grieves in their own ways. Those ways aren't necessarily healthy. Lance tries to make sure the others are taking care of themselves. ~ Nice fic!

A Shot at Love by princedeadend Words: 4.6k, Rating: Mature, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Klance “Which Keith? Oh god. Uh, he had a few mixed drinks earlier and then he moved on to tequila shots when I got busy and couldn’t keep an eye on him.” Lance glances through the window and sees that Keith is avoiding Glenn who is trying his damndest to get Keith to come down off the bar. Shiro sighs deeply. “Okay Lance, you’re dealing with Tila Tekeithla now.” ~ Omg drunk Keith yes. Don't envy having that much tequila though, that shit is messed up.

Neither the Time Nor the Place by Megan Words: 3k, Rating: Explicit, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Sheith This seems like a thing that should have come up before, either in sparring practice or while arranging themselves in too-small regulation beds. Why hasn't it come up before? Is it just not a normal week unless Keith's physical makeup is finding yet another new and inconvenient way to surprise him? Oh, hey, you can open Galra doors and use quintessence! You're half Galra, by the way! Did we mention that you'd really like Shiro to hold you down and have his way with you? ~ Didn't absolutely love it. But hey! It's still pretty good.

learning curve by scriveyner (trismegistus) Words: 2.8k, Rating: Explicit, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Shklance A story in which Lance Learns Things. ~ Pretty much pure smut this one. Enjoy ;)

Junkyard by Quiddity Words: 2.5k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Shance Fill for kingsdoodles prompt: "Maybe like the first time Shiro realized he was in love with Lance?" ~ Hey, look! A little bit of fluff!

Staring at the Ceiling in the Dark by thebestworstthing Words: 3k, Rating: G, Status: Complete Relationship(s): None Deep down, some part of Katie thinks that maybe she just got used to being a boy, to being Pidge Gunderson. A different part thinks, “I was born a girl so that’s what I must be.” Even though she knows that that isn’t how things work, that if it was Lance or Hunk — or anyone really — saying these things she would literally slap them until they started talking sense again. ~ Omg, this one made me want to hug both Pidge and the author! I can really relate to it and their feelings around being agender (I sometimes am as well, since it's in the range of my genderfluidity). Experiences obviously differ between different people, but go read it anyway! And leave the author some love~ They deserve it!

Castle on the Hill by GamerAlexis Words: 11k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Klance “You’re going to be my new friend, Keith!” Lance cheered, resting both hands heavily on Keith’s wheelchair and jumping up and down.  “I don’t have any friends here yet but I’m not worried.  I make friends real fast, like you!  You’re just the first, which makes you my best friend.” “I’ve, uh, never had a best friend before,” Keith confessed softly. “I guess I’ll have to be your first!” Lance declared ~ Absolutely loved this one! It's very heartwarming~

Dream, Seam by ardett Words: 4.9k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): None Lance is the blue paladin. The Galra realize this before he does. ~ Really well written, I enjoyed this one!

Core Relationship by agok Words: 18k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Klance Every four years the Alteans host a giant party called the Core Alliance Celebration in honor of their alliance with the Galra. Prince Lance is ready to meet some new people and relax from his responsibilities for a week, until he meets Keith, a Galra soldier who isn't interested in anything the festivities have to offer. ~ I enjoyed this one too! But I think an epilogue would have rounded it off really nicely. I'm not sure if the author is still considering writing one or not...

Yuri!!! on Ice

Blossoming by novocaine_sea Words: 5.8k, Rating: Explicit, Status: Complete Relationship(s): SaraMila (Sara Crispino/Mila Babicheva) Sara’s finally free to date men and doesn’t know where to start. Mila shows her something better than what men have to offer. ~ I don't actually know what to say about this one ww it is a pretty good fic, but be prepared to read past Sara being spelt as Sala the whole way through.

Wings by maygunbun Words: 2.2k, Rating: G, Status: Complete (T^T) Relationship(s): Victuuri (Victor Nikiforov/Katsuki Yuuri) Street artist Katsuki Yuuri wakes up to find that his wall art has been altered by the famous Viktor Nikiforov. From there, the two get to know each other despite having never met face-to-face, for a picture speaks a thousand words. ~ Why is this not longer! T^T I'm seriously crying a bit because here I was loving this and preparing myself for an awesome long-ass fic when it ends. I'm so sad that such an amazing fic doesn't have a continuation.

The Best Men by kiaronna Words: 4.7k, Rating: Not Rated (Teen?), Status: Complete Relationship(s): ChulaCometti (Phichit Chulanont/Christophe Giacometti), Victuuri Just as Viktor lives to surprise, Christophe Giacometti lives to scandalize, to sensationalize. But innocent little Phichit Chulanont is proving to be an impossible victim. OR: where Christophe tries very hard to get under one Thai skater’s skin, and instead finds himself all over the younger skater’s Instagram feed and wrapped around his finger. ~ Awesome fic!

life and love by novocaine_sea Words: 12k, Rating: G, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Victuuri Twenty-two year old Yuuri Katsuki travels to Italy to study photography. One day, while going around the city taking photos he gets lost and ends up at a coffee shop, ultimately meeting one Victor Nikiforov who would take him all around Florence, showing him what life and love are really all about. ~ Great fic! I'm a sucker for artist aus and I absolutely loved this one! <3

Ink on Ice by Daughter of Vayu (aquaregia) Words: 43k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Victuuri Because a mangaka and figure skater just didn’t mix together. Or so people thought until they saw Katsuki Yuuri and Viktor Nikiforov. ~ Omg this is beautiful! TwT I cried happy tears because of this.

The Plot Twist We Deserved by Daughter of Vayu (aquaregia) Words: 2.5k, Rating: Teen, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Victuuri Viktor Nikiforov and Yuri Plisetsky were otaku, obsessed over a manga series 'On ICE!!!' which was written by Katsuki Yuuri-sensei. See how the two fanboys gushing over their favorite manga and annoyed the hell out of Katsuki Yuuri. ~ Thankfully some lighthearted fun after the main story above.

a sense of limerence by crunchrapsupreme Words: 10k, Rating: Explicit, Status: Complete Relationship(s): Victuuri “So, do you like to skate, Yuuri?” Victor asks, retracting his hand. Yuuri flushes and ducks his head. “Ah - I’ve actually never ice skated in my life.” ~ A trope I don't often read (somehow I don't come across it as much as you'd expect) but this was really nice.