#also I know *someone* who keeps ranting about 'red fruits'

[anophiles]

red fruits 🍓

there is... another juice

[violettelueur]

GOJO SATORU || BECOME A REAL COUPLE

| featuring : gojo satoru from jujutsu kaisen

| warnings : grammar errors other than that n/a

| form : imagine (with she/her pronouns)

| word count : 2700

| published : 05 december 

| request : Hi hiiii!! I saw that your requests were open again :) I would like to order a black coffee please! a fake dating → feelings realisation where (fem) reader is from one of the big 3 clans and is pressured into finding a SO by her clan. So Gojo offers to fake date her; meeting her parents etc. Only for them both to realise that they ended up falling for each other. Would love to see how you determine the way they handle it and confess for real. Thank you!! Love all your work so far x

| barista’s notes : can i be completely honest with you? this little piece isn’t really my best ʕ ﾟ ● ﾟʔ even though it’s only been 2 days but i already feel like my writing skills have disappeared ʕ ㅇ ᴥ ㅇʔ but other than that, thank you so much for loving all my work ʕ•ᴥ•ʔﾉ♡ i really hope you enjoy your cup of classic black coffee (jujutsu kaisen request!) and please come again soon!

“You have to get married soon Y/N! You’re 27 and we have no heir for the Kamo clan!”

“Didn’t I leave the clan 10 years ago? There is no way I’m going to listen to someone like you nor my child is forced to become a jujutsu sorcerer, and what makes this more irritating is that you came all the way to my workplace to tell me this,” you snapped back at the man in front of you, before turning around trying to walk away from the situation. However, it seemed like the old man wasn’t going to give in to the situation or to the rejection of your answer, he was stubborn - just like you were, after all, that was the only thing you inherited from that man.

“Y/N! I am your father and I demand you to listen to me!”

“Shut up!” you shouted before turning to look over your shoulder. The man that stood there pride and arrogance running through his veins - something that you didn’t inherit, fortunately. There was no way you could call this man your father. The same ‘father’ that criticized you for not having the same blood manipulation like the rest of the family - well that’s what he gets for being with a woman from a different clan that had a different curse technique that you inherited - an outcast, that was what you were within the Kamo clan, yet they still demanded you to get married and have a child to keep the lineage going. There was no way in hell you were going to follow their rules.

“What a disgusting father you are, no wonder mother left you,” you commented with a smirk before continuing to walk away to go back to where you were heading. On the other hand, it seemed like someone else wanted to disturb your plans.

“Y/N~”

                                     ꕥ

At this current moment in time, you were standing in front of one of the very few vending machines that were located within Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College wondering what you were going to choose since you were still undecided. Cold Water? Milk tea? Coffee? Maybe a carbonated fruit drink to satisfy your sweet tooth? You weren’t so sure.

“Have you put money in the machine yet honey~?” someone asked you from behind, causing you to quickly turn around to see a tall white-haired figure standing before you with a teasing smile painted upon his face.

“Satoru? Ah...no I haven’t” you muttered as you scratched your cheek with your finger, trying to occupy yourself with something to not look at him. “Let me pay for you then,” Gojo then offered as he reached over to the side, accidentally brushing his arm - causing you to tense up - before he placed some of his coins within the slot to add some currency into the machine before you could even deny his offer.

“I could pay for myself you know, and we’re alone, you don’t have to act,” you stated before sighing in defeat, as you turned back around to decide what you were going to choose once again. “I know,” Gojo commented back to you before gently placing his chin upon your shoulder, leading you to tense up once again from the physical contact before slowing relaxing, “but what type of boyfriend would be I if I didn’t treat you a little?”.

‘Well fake boyfriend Satoru’

                                        ꕥ

“Your family pressuring you again?” Satoru cheerfully asked as he walked beside you, trying to lighten up the tense atmosphere from the conversation that you had with your ‘father’ just a few seconds ago.

“More like the Kamo clan than the L/N clan, get married this, get married that. Is that all I am good for? Marriage? Augh, I just need them to leave me alone, I left for a damn reason,” you ranted as you put your hands in your pockets, restraining yourself from punching something to let out some steam.

“How about I date you then?” Gojo suddenly asked, leading you to look at him with the most wide-eyed expression like he had just said something completely stupid - to which he did - but before you could even augre what he just stated, Gojo quickly began to explain what he meant by his little statement. “What I mean is let’s fake that we’re dating, we deceive everyone that we’re together and the Kamo clan will finally leave you alone once they realise that you are in a relationship with someone from the Gojo clan aka me, they can’t augre with that,”.

Still looking at your colleague with a dumbfounded expression, you turned your head to look in front of you before thinking about what he had just suggested. What Gojo stated to you was somewhat a clever idea. The Kamos family was obsessed with bloodlines and for you to be with Gojo means that they would foolishly believe they can become more powerful. Even though you didn’t physically inherit the blood manipulation curse technique, you still had in somewhere in your veins due to your father meaning they would believe they still have a chance for a powerful heir. However, that would mean you have to announce this to the clan as well as your mother’s clan - which wasn’t much of an issue for her side - it was just too much effort for a fake relationship.

“Satoru that is so much effort, you’re going to have to meet the Kamo clan then,” you commented, after realising the pros and cons of this little ordeal. “I know, but once we end this little fakery of a relationship, they don’t have to know, you don’t have to report your every move to them, remember you left,” Gojo explained back, leading to any worries that you had manifesting to instantly fade away with the wind. 

Taking one last sigh, you turned back to him and nodded. “Fine, let’s fake date Satoru,” you finally declared before taking your hand out in front of him for a handshake, leading to the powerful shaman to take hold of your hand before firmly shaking it, “okay fake-girlfriend! Leave it to me,”

                                ꕥ

Sitting in front of your dad across a table was something you never wished on your worst enemy, you hated that you were back in the four walls that you had escaped from many years ago. However, for some odd reason, when Gojo was by your side, you felt completely safe.

“Since when did this little association between the both of you come to play?” your father asked in a suspicious tone as he eyed both you and Gojo - yet, knowing how greedy your father was for power, you could tell he was delighted at the fact you were ‘together’ with the most powerful jujutsu sorcerer. 

“Ah~ We have been together since our last year at Jujutsu Tech,” Gojo explained as he turned to look at you with a cheeky smile on his face to which you smiled back at him, trying to keep up with the facade of being a fake couple. “And you didn’t inform me this Y/N?” your father then asked to which then you explained, “well, I did leave the clan a year after that, so I had the right to no inform you. After all, I’m not your daughter like you stated beforehand,” 

Angered by your sudden statement, your father immediately slammed his hand on the desk as if the statement wasn’t true at all. “I demanded you to come back, I demanded you to respect the name of the Kamo Clan and this is how you taint it,” you father roared in fury, causing Gojo to put an arm out in front of you as if he was protecting you from anything that could happen to cause you to look at him in shock.

“Technically, Y/N didn’t even taint your name, she took their mother’s, so you’re in the wrong here, don’t do something that you will regret,” Gojo sinisterly threatened the man that was in front of both on you, before taking your hand in his as a way to comfort you - surprising you once again from his actions, yet for some reason, you gripped on his hand somewhat conveying him that you were thankful for him standing up for you.

                                      ꕥ

“Ah Miss Y/N, did you come to see your mother?” a maid asked in a surprised tone, once she noticed that you came out of your designated room with you adjusting your red obi sash around your waist as your wore your family’s kimono, white was light in colour embroidered with the minimalist design of flowers and butterflies - giving you a somewhat soft feminine look, contrasting the portrayal of your character somewhat.

“You know you don’t have to put the ‘Miss’ in front of my name, and I do apologise for the sudden visit, I forgot to inform you all,” you told the maid with a gentle smile, leading to the maid to smile at you back before you then continued with, “Ah, I did come to meet my mother, but have you seen Satoru? Like a tall man with white hair, who is also wearing sunglasses,”. However, before the maid could answer your question.

“Y/N~”

Turning around, you found Gojo walking towards you with your mother by his side, causing you to freeze in shock as you didn’t expect him to go to your mother without you. “I thought we agreed to greet my mother together Satoru,” you commented as you pointed your index finger at him to emphasise your point, only for him to smile at you cheekily before scanning his eyes up and down at your new outfit. “You do look beautiful in your kimono though, is this what you wear when you come back home?” Gojo then asked, to which you nodded at his question - trying to ignore your pending blush being slowly painted in your cheeks - before you quickly greeted your mother, who was watching from the sideline.

“Good Afternoon mom, I apologise for coming to visit you so suddenly,” you said to her, to which your mother softly smiled at you before cupping your cheeks in her hands. “There is no need to apologise, I’m happy that you came back home since you are so busy back at the school, but also I’m happy that your boyfriend introduced himself to me, he is quite a different character must I say,” she commented with a light laugh, causing you to turn to him wondering what he had said to her, only for him to put up a peace sign as if that would answer your wondering thoughts. Although, before you could even vocalise your confusion, your mother linked her arms with yours before guiding you down the corridor to welcome you home.

“I can tell he really cares about you Y/N,” your mother stated, causing you to look at her with a perplexed expression to which she then smiled back at you before beckoning Gojo to follow the both of you to invite him for some sweets and tea that were being prepared.

‘If only you knew mom, if you only knew how much I care about him as well even though this isn’t real’

                                      ꕥ

“You’ve been staring at the canned latte for some time, do you want that one?” 

Suddenly, you instantly snapped out of your thoughts - not realising that you were in a daze - causing you to then immediately click on the button indicating on the mentioned drink. “Ah, sorry I was just wondering if I should go with the strong or light one,” you then answered, trying to hide the fact you were looking back on the moments that you had with Gojo.

“Are you okay?” Gojo then asked as he removed his chin from your shoulder, letting you crouch down to grab the coffee from the dispenser before collecting the coins from the other dispenser to give back to Gojo, only for him to shake his hand and say, “if you need another drink, you can use it,”

‘Is that why he put extra in?’

“Are you sure?” you quietly ask, only for the cheeky shaman to nod his head before he deciding to walk with you to wherever you were heading off too. “Like I said before, what type of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t spoil you a bit?” Gojo then asked once again, causing you to tilt your head in confusion.

“You know we’re not really dating right? We are a fake couple,” you mentioned, as you opened the can of coffee to take a sip after reminding him about the little plan that the both of you came up with to avoid the whole ‘marriage’ drama from the Kamo clan.

However, you didn’t hear an answer from your friend. Only pure silence surrounded the both of you, causing you to be perplexed on why you didn’t instantly hear a sassy comment back from the shaman, leading you to pause and turn your head to the side, only to see the man look at you dead in the eyes with his crystal blue ones.

‘Since when did he?’

“What if I don’t wanna be a fake boyfriend anymore?” Gojo questioned you with an uncharacteristic serious tone, causing you to look at him in bewilderment before quickly coming to the conclusion that he was probably teasing you.

“You mean you want to end this facade? If you want we can, there is kind of no point in continuing this little act,” you replied, as you took a sip of the caffeinated drink causing you to gain a little bit of energy in a short amount of time.

“Y/N, I’m being serious, I don’t want to be your fake-boyfriend anymore, I want this to be real,” Gojo then declared, causing you to suddenly choke on the liquid in shock before letting out a coughing fit as you tried to clear your throat leading to Gojo patting your back to help you out.

“Ha?” you then expressed, not sure on how to react to his declaration as you tried to look for any deception in his eyes. “Oh you are being serious Satoru,” you then commented to which then he nodded as if he didn’t already convince you that he hadn’t already.

Quickly looking away from the man, you were trying to hide the rose hues that slowly was coming upon your face. You thought you were the only one feeling this way. You thought you were alone on this. Ever since that moment when you and Gojo met your father, you always wanted to stay by his side, you felt like you were important, you felt safe, you felt warm. 

It was like what your mother explained to you when you were young, ‘don’t make the same mistake as me Y/N, when you find someone you want to be with, make sure they make you feel safe and protect and not just the ‘butterflies in your stomach feeling’, I want you to feel loved and important, I’m so sorry for putting you through this’

“Y/N, come on say something, I’m not a nervous guy but this is something else you know,” Gojo pleaded as he wasn’t really enjoying the long silence that was going on around both you and him, only for you to suddenly grip his dark blue jacket before pulling him closer to press your face upon his chest as if you were still trying to hide but somewhat trying to express some confidence in what you were planning to do.

“Are you absolutely being serious ?” you then asked, once again asking how serious he was being.

“Absolutely serious,” Gojo then replied as he placed his large hand on the top of your head before caressing your hair, trying to comfort you from your embarrassment.

“Then I don’t wanna be your fake girlfriend anymore….please,” you then murmured as you gripped his jacket more tightly as you confessed your long time thoughts, only to suddenly feel a peck being placed on the crown of your head.

“Of course honey~ let’s become a real couple”

[doodle-pops]

Once again, you had a dream about Fëanor. From time to time you met them like this. When this first happened, years ago, you found yourself being a child in your dream and you came upon him when he was hiding away from the world, crying, asking Eru why his ammë doesn't want to return to him and his atar. Only when you heard him mentioning Ilúvatar you realized what are you dreaming of.

You approached him slowly and somehow, you found out you have a small basket with apricots and cherries. He finally noticed you and looked you up and down his eyes red and puffy. He must have expected you to laugh at him if his pout and clenched fists were anything to go by. You offered him your small, understanding smile, you knew what it was to loose someone close, along with the fruit.

"When daddy died, my mommy and I started writing letters to him. It helped, even if we never got a reply. I still keep writing to him. It gave my mum strength to move on."

"B-but I would like my mommy to answer."

"I want the same. I wonder if someone could read out letters to your mother and my father," you shrugged.

You woke up and at first, you didn't think much of it, other than that it was strange that you remembered so many details, and actually the whole dream at all. Few days after that, you met Fëanor again. You could easily tell he still missed his mother dearly, but he told you about the letter he wrothe with his father, just like you did. It helped him cope with his loss a bit.

Since then you met often in you dreams, getting to know each other better as you both kept growing up. Sometimes you dreamt of him every night, sometimes there was a pause and you haven't dreamt about him for weeks.

He grew to like you. You were always willing to listen to his rants, and to offer comfort afterwards. You also were one of the few, who got to see his first inventions. With each dream together, you became closer. You became a cherished friend to each other. You were there, when he needed you and he was there, when you needed him. You saw him fall in love with Nerdanel and how happy it made him.

One day, you were particularly tired on your way home from work. You wished nothing more than to fall into your bed and sleep for a day or two. You were crossing the road, when you heard breaks squeaking and you froze like a deer caught in the lights. You thought you heard someone call your name, before everything darkened around you.

When you woke up, you found yourself in comfy bed in a room fragrant with herbs. You felt someone holding your hand and heard a familiar voice, begging you to not leave him. As you finally opened your eyes, you saw him in flesh.

"F-Fëanáro?" "Bless the Valar, you're finally awake!" he nearly crushed you as he hugged you. "Finally we meet both awake, y/n." His eyes glistened with happy tears. "I was afraid you too will never wake up again," his voice trembled.

For Fëanáro's fans from sweet annon <3

To meet Feanor and give him some hope about his mom and befriend him. Sometimes all we need is someone to listen to us to give hope

[heathenarmyimagines]

Title: Find Us

Summary: (Y/N) has done her job, now Ivar must do his.

Pairing: Ivar x Reader

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten

Taglist: @ubbesgirl, @shewolf2000, @tis-itheapplepie, @atequila, @demoncrypt1066, @greennightspider, @badbitsh13, @fireismysaftey, @minarawr, @laketaj24, @hvitserksgirl, @blahblahcookiesdoma, @fabulous-peasent, @sforsammmmmi, @minmiin1d, @courtrae89, @letsloveimagines, @tomarisela, @titty-teetee, @beyond-the-ashes@elenawrit, @mblaqgi, @whenimaunicorn, @chuflisworld, @mystruggledlife, @moose-squirrel-asstiel, @syreni-dea, @trashqueenbitch, @alykatv, @mbaku-babygirl, @perfectus-in-morte, @beyond-the-ashes, @neeadinghugs, @readsalot73, @triumphantreturnofpies, @anarchy-is-coming, @tephi101, @alicedopey, @ivarslittlebadgirl, @jtrstp, @nejijjeoroo, @charlylama, @ivartheblessed, @captstefanbrandt, @fabulouschrissi, @ivarsrideordie, @3x5gurl, @the-writer-appreciation-blog, @lolabee9, @captainfoxy22, @young-ugly-god, @im5ftbutmythroat66, @bribyyy, @irishhiggins, @cadetomlinson, @keclleon101, @slutforragnarssons, @ltkeke, @meeeeeeeeeps, @lille-kanin, @opalscarab, @ssraven7, @ivarandersen, @concretewaywardangel, @funmadnessandbadassvikings, @sharon-is-tired, @cadetomlinson, @mystruggledlife, @chuflisworld, @justmarissa97, @lol-haha-joke, @weirdly-randomly-awesome, @inlovewithmakeupcomicsanim, @idonthavehusbandsihavelovers, @alexa040004, @buckythetinman , @burntmythroatskullingmytea,@jorunnravenslayer, @two-unbeatable-beaters, @buffy-the-vampire-blogger, @arses21434, @ltkeke, @captainfoxy22, @chinduda @letsshamelessqueen-m @my-soul-is-the-moon @we-are-transcendent

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six,Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten

The sleep came easily enough, even easier considering that you had gone all day with no rest and unbeknownst to you it was the most rest you would receive in months.

In the land of the living it had been three days and you hadn’t had a clue, for you it was just like any other dream. Time was irrelevant and nothing important to worry about as you walked around the abandoned market. With the information you now had you came to the conclusion that this was a Viking age settlement.

And just knowing that much made you eager to look around and see everything. How many people could say they had seen something like this? It would be an opportunity lost if she didn’t explore.

You were still in your hospital gown and had been barefoot before you found some shoes that were too big but they stayed on.

Viking mud is still mud after all.

There was so much to see, there were stands that had vegetables and fruits and less attractive ones that had dead animals hug up on display. Further into the market area you found jewelry and long stretches of fabric. Most were brown or white but others were absolutely gorgeous colors like red, blue and gold.

It was while you were touching a blue silk fabric that you heard something behind you.

Muddy footsteps.

It made a wet squishing noise; squish squish squish, getting closer but not at a rushed speed. 

Whoever was behind you felt no need to rush.

You turned around; fully expecting to see the man with no eyes to be standing there with a new riddle for you to solve, but that wasn’t who it was.

It was you.

The woman standing before you had your face, she was older maybe in her twenties or early thirties, her hair was longer than you could imagine growing yours and it was in a braid that rested plainly over her shoulder. She was wearing a brown dress and leather shoes.

Despite how much you had looked into mirrors you had never seen yourself like this.

‘Y-you.’ you managed to say when you found the will to speak.

‘You.’ the woman smiled.

‘Do you know who I am?’ she asked as she stepped closer to you.

Instinctively you stepped back.

‘Your name is Wilda, you are a Saxxon woman.’ you replied.

‘I am, or maybe I was. It is hard to understand even for me, I have been dead for so long and yet here I stand speaking with you.’ she mused.

She walked over to the fabric you were just holding and rubbed it curiously.

‘I had been wanting this fabric when I died, the woman who made this was the best seamstress in all of Kattegat.’

‘Kattegat? Is that the name of this place?’ 

‘Yes, this is where it all began. This is where it all happened, where your fate was sealed with the Boneless One. I must apologize, for I am also responsible for involving you in all this, but please know I didn’t wish for any of it.’ she said sadly.

It was weird seeing yourself like this, it was like watching yourself in a movie but you had no memory of acting in it. Either way this woman...this you, was talking and it was understandable.

‘Can you tell me what happened, why am I involved and what will happen after Ivar accepts his past life?’ you asked.

‘I do not know it all, but I will tell you what I know, come walk with me, I want you to see something.’ she said as she began to walk away from the fabric stand.

You walked beside her, still keeping a bit of distance.

‘I was a child of the church, in York. When I was a small child the city was raided by the Sons of Ragnar and their Heathen Army. I barely survived but after they took over Ivar took me in as a slave.’

‘Why?’

‘I was often the apprentice to the healers after men would come from battle. I would take care of his legs with salves and oils. He hated me, it was simply a fact but he valued my care through the years.’

‘Why did you marry him?’

‘Years had passed and I’d seen him do...horrific things, he’d won great victories and suffered massive losses then all at once he was just losing. Battle after battle his plans failed him, he was losing his fame, becoming a joke among warlords.’

As the two of you walked past the last stand of the market she led you through a trail in the woods.

‘At his wits end he called on the seer.’

‘Seer? The man with no eyes?’ you asked. 

She nodded.

‘He sees peoples’ fates and speaks with the Pagan Gods. He told Ivar that the Gods had abandoned him; that they had favored his father Ragnar despite the disrespectful way he viewed them, and they would not show Ivar the same mercy if he followed his father’s footsteps.’

‘Ragnar? I thought he was a myth.’

‘People spoke of him as if he were, but he was a real man with real feelings. Ivar loved him despite the strain his broken legs put on their relationship, and like his father he began to place too much pride in his own importance.’ 

‘Broken legs...he really couldn’t walk could he.’ you said in amazement.

‘Not on his own he made braces to keep himself upright, really they were amazing to see. Even I, who despised him, felt a small amount of admiration for his resilience.’

‘I grew up in his care, he never hurt me but he was cruel. When he came to me demanding my hand in marriage I didn’t understand. He told me it was life or death, he said he would have the church in York reduced to ashes if I refused.’

‘How romantic.’ you said sarcastically.

‘I thought so as well. From what was told to me Ivar had gotten everyone close to him cursed, exiled from all their nine worlds, left to wait for the reincarnations of both Ivar the Boneless and a Christian Girl to to reunite and his guilt alongside her love and forgiveness would be the light that lead them to Valhalla.’

‘My love?’ you asked in embarrassed shock.

‘Yes, you love him and I know it.’

‘How can you know something like that? Do you feel my emotions or something, because I’m not sure if it is more than a crush.’ you said in your defense.

Wilda laughed and was odd to hear it, you recognized it as your own laughter but you never heard from someone else.

‘My sweet girl, you are not the first reincarnation, and your Ivar isn’t the first either, if God wills it you will be the last.’

‘I’m not the first? How many have there been and what happened to them?’

‘They all end up here eventually.’ Wilda answered as at last the two of you had arrived at your destination.

You were in a large clearing. There was nothing else there to take your eyes away from what was in the center.

Two graves, both empty and two piles of dirt waiting to fill them in once there was a body inside.

Your heart was lead.

‘It is never painful, for any of them, you’ll just go to sleep.’

‘But I- I’m sleeping now...am I am I d-‘

‘No, you are alive outside I promise. All you have to do is wait, wait for Ivar to accept his faults and remorse.’

‘And if he doesn’t then what? You’re saying I can’t do anything for myself? What kind of misogynistic bullshit is this? I thought Viking women had rights of their own.’ you ranted angrily as you paced, looking away from the graves.

‘Unfortunately, I wasn’t Viking, even if I did follow their beliefs I was a thrall. I had no rights before my marriage and even with that title I was still Christian.’

‘So what? Just sit here with you and wait?’ 

‘Yes, do you have faith that your Ivar will save you?’

‘Of course!’ you shouted so suddenly that it surprised you.

All at once it hit you how much faith you had in Ivar, the one thing you had no doubt about was that he would do anything for you.

He cared for you, even if not romantically, he cared about you; and no matter what he had to do he would save you.

Or he would die trying.

‘Then wait.’ Wilda said sweetly.

Ivar’s POV

The last three days had brought about a lot of chaos.

(Y/N)’s family was devastated by the news, her siblings were scared and her mother was in complete shambles. Miss (Y/L/N) had called your father who flew out with his wife and other kids and had arrived on the second night. 

His own family had been affected as well, he had been too shaken up and crushed by guilt that he couldn’t drive so he just sat in his car feeling sorry for himself and crying harder than he had since he was a child. His brothers ended up tracking his phone and once he had calmed down he explained what had happened.

No one in the Ragnarson family could ever remember seeing Ivar this distraught before, even his parents sat aside their marital issues enough to sit in the waiting room with Ivar and (Y/N)’s family.

It was strange to see for Ivar.

His family loved each other in their own odd constipated way, but they rarely got together like this. Even Bjorn and Lagertha showed up once, apparently they all wanted to be there for him but he suspected they just couldn't get over the fact that he had a friend.

Every day there were at least four people in the waiting room for (Y/N) and one of the most constant residents was Ivar.

He hadn’t even gone to school, all he could do was sit and watch...and think about things. Think about what he had to do, because no matter what logic told him he just knew this was his fault. She was a human vegetable and was because of him.

That thought alone made his head hurt, he was constantly taking pain killers that did little to ease his headaches.

He was on his phone watching the same video he had seen a thousand times it felt like.

The footage from (Y/N)’s sleep study. 

Her mother had demanded the footage, in hopes to find some kind of clue about what led to (Y/N)’s sudden seizure. She expected to see an administration of medicine or maybe even a nurse sneaking in, anything to explain it.

Unfortunately there was nothing on the film that the doctors hadn’t already explained. For about an hour she was sleeping peacefully, a bit of uncomfortable tossing and then, like a firecracker had startled her, she shot up.

Her body convulsing as she thrashed around so violently that she fell out of the bed and if the visual wasn’t upsetting enough the scream she let out after she landed on the floor was absolutely blood churning.

She was screaming loud and shrill at the top of her lungs, all the while her body never stopped shaking, her limbs were endlessly flailing. The nurses and doctors had rushed in to restrain after only forty seconds or so but it felt so much longer to Ivar.

He watched how carefully Herald administered the sedative and the way (Y/N)’s body went immediately limp. Ivar closed the video once the doctors started hurriedly checking her vitals.

Ivar sighed and stood up to stretch, the joints of his shoulder blades cracking in protest as he did so.

‘Going home for the night Ivar?’ Miss (Y/L/N) asked as she yawned in her own chair.

‘No, just going to the restroom, might get a coffee.’ he assured.

‘Grab me one please.’

‘Of course.’ Ivar said happily.

He didn’t really need to use the toilet, just needed to move around. His legs were getting sore and he needed to take his pills and he preferred to do that in private.

‘I would have killed for a treatment like that in my life.’

The color drained from his face as he looked in the mirror and saw a most unwelcomed sight.

‘I get the feeling you don’t like me much...understandable I suppose.’ the old man said from behind him.

His heart suddenly swelled with anger as he turned and swung, ready to feel his fist connect with the bearded face of this bastard, but it didn’t.

All that happened was his fist went right through him, as if he were air, with nothing solid to connect to he stumbled to regain balance.

‘I’m sure had I been alive that would have been a solid attack, were you done or do you want to waste more time? Because your Christian doesn’t have much to waste.’ the old man said tiredly.

Ivar turned around and glared, but it softened a bit when he saw something he hadn’t noticed before in his anger.

The old man was standing.

There were unpainted metal braces on the viking’s legs that seemed to be the only thing keeping him up, along with the cane he was using.

‘Why are you here?  Are you going to kill her now, brain dead not enough for you? She has nothing to do with this, whatever bullshit this all is, leave her out of it!’ Ivar shouted, not caring if someone heard him yelling to himself.

‘My Christian had nothing to do with my problems either, and had she been as selfish as I was she would have refused to take part. Then I would be cursed with no hope of redemption, and both of our Christians would have had longer and probably happier lives without us.’ he said tiredly.

‘But she was soft, she felt it was her stupid Christian duty to help others over herself. Despite her resentment for me, and mine of her, she agreed to help my family and for that I want to repay my debt to her. In order to do that I need you to see me.’

‘I do see you.’ Ivar argued.

‘No. You see an old man in strange clothes but you don’t see yourself in me at all do you? It's frustrating because you are the last and most important piece to this complicated puzzle. The Christian, her job was to find us, you and me, now you have to see us. Really look at me and see yourself...she will die if you don’t and the loss of her will drive you mad.’ 

He felt like ripping out his hair in frustration, Ivar had never been this angry. In his youth anger was the backbone of his personality, he was angry because his legs hurt, he was angry he couldn’t talk to anyone other than his brother because he didn’t have any friends, he was always angry. But this was pure rage; red hot and scalding, he was angry because he was terrified.

‘What do you mean she will die?’ 

‘Her body is here where you can see it, but her essence is in the void between the nine worlds and a living person can only stay there a short while before their body lets them go completely. Please if not for me and my family or yourself do it for her.’

For her, all at once his anger left him.

‘J-just look at you?’ he repeated.

‘See me...and look into you.’

Ivar felt like fire ants were covering his entire body, his stomach felt ready to rid itself of the crappy hospital lunch he’d had earlier, his heart felt like it was frozen in ice; and all that paled in comparison to his headache.

He had only met the eyes of the old man for a few seconds and already he wanted nothing more than to look away.

For her.

Ivar dug his nails deeply into the palms of his hand as he held the man’s gaze.

‘There you go, see me...see all we have done.’

Then as if zoomed in like a scene from a movie he could see images in the blue pupils, and what he saw made him want to look away even more.

He saw...a boy with a dirty face it looked like he was trying to pull something, suddenly he felt like there was something leather in his hand and he pulled it back he felt the boy in the eye pull it back and suddenly he struck his hand out with all his might and watched as the boy in the eye was hit in the head by the blade of an axe.

‘No!’ he gasped in horror.

‘Don’t look away, no matter how terrible or how ashamed. Do not look away.’ the viking said, but his voice was different now. It wasn’t as hoarse as before it appeared to be...younger in a way.

The boy faded away and he saw something worse than the boy.

‘Sigurd?’

In the eye there was his brother, his hair long, his clothes strange and he was talking and Ivar wished more than anything that he couldn’t hear what his own brother was saying, but he did, clear as a bell in his mind was his older brother’s voice.

‘It must be hard for you now that your mummy’s dead. Knowing she was the only one who ever really loved you.’ Sigurd said in a strange dialect as he sipped something from a chalice.

Hurt and anger swelled and he felt something wet and thick touch his lip and distantly his mind realized his nose was bleeding heavily, again his arm jerked forward and watched an axe fly and plant itself in his brother's ribs.

‘Sigurd…’ he whimpered as his eyes began to overflow with tears.

If anyone came into this restroom they would see him standing still as a statue, staring into space as his nose bled like a red river and his eyes leaked like faucets.

‘Don’t look away, don’t run from what you have already done.’ 

‘Sigurd...Siggy I’m sorry. I didn’t mean-’ he choked on the lump in his throat, the blood from his nose leaked into his mouth as he spoke and the taste was horrid but it felt nostalgic in a horribly gruesome way.

Again the image in the eyes changed and this one was more than the image it practically sucked him in like a portal.

No longer was he in a hospital restroom; he was in a stone building and there was so much noise, loudest of all was a baby crying. He could recall this, the dream, the one he remembered in the truck that night with (Y/N) the one that made his nose bleed.

This time it was so much more, it felt like his brain was exploding in his skull, he felt an aching throb in his ears but it didn’t compare to the horror he was seeing and hearing.

He could smell burning flesh, feel the heat and as the melted gold poured into the crying man’s mouth; the screams would haunt him until his last breath.

In horror he felt his chest shake in laughter.

Just when Ivar thought he would pass out from the pain in his head he felt something he hadn’t felt in years. His legs were breaking under his weight, but that wasn’t possible, he had titanium bones, they could never break but still he felt it. Even worse so he heard that familiar cracking noise as he fell to the floor.

‘Hold strong, we both know you can take more than this, and there is so much more to see.’ now Ivar was certain the voice he heard wasn’t the voice of an old man.

That was his own voice, and he suddenly processed that he wasn’t being sucked into the eye, but the eye was moving closer to him.

No longer was the phantom standing on crude braces as an old and ragged man. Now he was crawling, using his strong arms to pull himself along, his legs dragging behind him like a useless tail.

More than anything Ivar wanted to look away and see what the face of this man looked like now but he couldn’t.

For her… for (Y/N).

He stilled himself and tried to brace himself for more pain he was sure would come.

He had been right, more pain came and no amount of preparation would have made him ready for it.

A thousand or a million images flashed in the eye going so fast it shouldn’t have been possible to follow each one, but he could. Not only did he see and comprehend each image he felt them.

He saw the light go out in a fat man’s eyes as someone was chopping into his back with an ax, he felt the muscles in his arms ache with the effort it took to stab through the muscle and bones of a man in the heat of battle.

That was when he realized that these images, these senses were all things he’d seen and experienced before.

These were his dreams.

 ‘Yes, you are remembering. That is good, almost done now; look at me.’

At last that horrible eye closed, and Ivar nearly collapsed in relief, but he kept just enough energy to look up at the face that carried the eye.

There was no longer a beard to hide anything from view he could see the face in front of him with complete clarity.

This truly was his face, it was like looking into a mirror but this mirror showed what he looked like before.

‘Finally...you see me.’ He smiled.

[shotorozu]

“you didn’t think getting a classmate thrown at you would cause you to choke in silence— and by some miracle, todoroki is the first one to catch on.”

legend : [Y/N = your name] f!reader with they/them pronouns, all might’s daughter reader, reader has a telekinesis quirk

warnings : swearing because of bakugou, choking, if you ever hit your windpipe and you start choking, get help right away!

notes : i’m trying a new format for fics! (and drabbles) idk why i’m going on a todoroki dump lately, it’s his birthday after all. ALSO I WAS ALMOST DONE BUT GRRR TUMBLR RELOADED. i was so mad lol. so i don’t really like this but DONT WORRY!! i’m making another fic.

»»————-　♡　————-«

It’s been almost 4 months since your first year at UA had started, and you’d think by now— you would’ve gotten used to all the hectic things that had to come.

Nope, not in the slightest bit.

Though you do love the class, and you enjoy being around them since they all seem like nice people, (minus one person) the class itself goes haywire with their frenzied energies.

Sometimes you wonder if you’re able to keep up with them, since they all have such excentric and unique personalities. They somehow manage to keep the room’s atmosphere lifted up with their voices, that are accompanied by lighthearted jokes.

But today, it seemed to be out of your favor.

You’re in your seat, recalling what your father— All Might, had said about your progression, and how he planned on helping you work with your quirk more.

Needless to say, you’re quite delighted to hear that your father wants to pay more attention to you, since he was mostly just focusing on Midoriya.

But your train of thought is cut short when you see Mineta fly towards your way, practically knocking into your entire front, and jamming into your windpipe— as it bounces from you and towards the wall.

“Damn grape fruit, learn some fucking decency for once,” You can hear Bakugou call out to him, and you can assume it was him that decided to throw your classmate at you

“Sorry, Y/N!” Kirishima calls out to you, noticing how his hot headed friend chucked the short, and purple haired classmate towards your direction.

You try to play it off cool, since you can’t even be mad. Even though Bakugou’s quite a spiteful person, he probably didn’t mean to throw Mineta at you.

Your seatmate, Todoroki looks at you as if like he was analysizing you. His mismatched gaze locked onto you with concern, I mean.. how could he not? Mineta has been thrown on you.

The air escapes you for a moment, and you try to breathe in to counter it. But it doesn’t work, as it became futile.

You blink, and you try again— trying your best to just breathe damnit, you’re questioning what’s all of this for? And it feels like you’re suffocating.

It’s all very sudden too, and without any warning. You can practically the way your heart hammers against your chest violently, and you try your best to not make too many movements. Okay, just breathe Y/N, am I having an attack right now? It really can’t be, can it?

You grasp your chair as you need something to grip on— facing yourself away to prevent any attention to be drawn towards you, since that’s the last thing you want. Every second that passes, it gets even more difficult to take in the air, and it feels like your life actually slipping away from your grasps.

Was it even possible to choke from getting your windpipe hit by Mineta? You never thought it would happen to you, since your quirk allows you to protect yourself— curses. What would your dad think of this? It’s not like you expected this to happen in a classroom.

A calm voice breaks you out of your thoughts, and suddenly you feel a cool hand press against your nape— “Did you hurt your windpipe, L/N?”

Todoroki’s eyes scan over your facial features calmly, noting about every single red flag that’s shown on your face, that’s practically screaming for something

You feel shame course out your entire body due to the situation, but you nod— still unable to accumulate proper words due to the current situation

The dual quirk user says nothing. However, his actions are quick, moving infront of you to shield you from any attention. His other hand resting against your back— proping you up right, so your position on the chair isn’t hunched uncomfortably.

His hand caresses your back up and down, giving out instructions for your labored breathing— “Breathe in,” he commands calmly, activating his quirk in hopes of aiding you “Breathe out,”

You finally manage to get in some air, inhaling through your mouth, and sharply exhaling the air back out. It feels so good to be able to breathe again, and you’re confident that after this— you won’t take it for granted again.

Unfortunately, the situation hadn’t been discreet enough— as it managed to grasp the attention of Midoriya and Yaoyorozu, they crowd at your desk. Asking Todoroki if there’s an issue, concern lacing their tones.

But you’re overwhelmed, eyes threatening to close. Your body slumping against your desk, and you fall unconscious.

—

It was interesting describing the situation to Recovery Girl, and also to your father.

All Might being concerned was an understatement. He was concerned about how it happened, and how he could’ve prevented the situation if he was there. (But he’s not to blame, at all.)

Briefly after you fell unconscious, attention was gravitated towards you— as everyone was clearly concerned. Then, you were dragged to Recovery Girl by two of your classmates; Kirishima and Midoriya, since Midoriya couldn’t stop rambling about his concern towards you.

“Your windpipe got hit, and the impact blocked it.” Recovery Girl explains, briefly after using her quirk on you “And it appeared to be that you’ve gotten the wind knocked out of you. Good grief, who throws people in classrooms? I could give them a scolding right now.” Recovery Girl rants.

You wince at the problem, “Ah.. there’s no need for that. I’d suppose it’s partially my fault for having my guard down.” You grin, but she doesn’t look amused.

Recovery Girl can only sigh, placing a hand on your shoulder. It’s her way of comfort, you’d guess. “Either way, it was still careless of them. I’d go on and on, but for now, you just need to rest right here— you were overwhelmed back there so it’s important to get some rest.”

Recovery Girl’s partially right. So after resting for a little bit longer, you finally leave the infirmary. But you flinch in surprise; a little startled when you meet Todoroki— who’s leaning right behind the door.

“Ah, Todoroki,” You wave at him, and.. you honestly don’t know where to start. Especially after the classroom situation. “I want to apologize about what happened back there. You didn’t need to do that.”

He shakes his head, “It’s alright, L/N. It’s.. what I had to do anyway.” His brows furrow, remembering what happened back in the classroom.

“Besides that.. are you okay? You didn’t damage your throat, did you?”

You laugh, and it may or may not have been in attempt to make the situation light hearted. “My windpipe got blocked, and apparently, I got the wind knocked right out of me! I didn’t know there was an actual name for that! I should really be cautious next time.”

His lips turn up, and he releases a short chuckle— “I suppose it’s a learning lesson for both parties.”

The walk back is.. rather shameful. How were you supposed to go back there, almost as if you didn’t nearly die? choked? The lack of conversation is painful on your ears, and partially on your ego since the silence is almost awkward.

You don’t know what he’s thinking.

“So!” You decide to break the silence, heterochromatic eyes laid on you as he awaited your response. “What do you mean by.. both parties?”

“Well.. you did say you wanted to be cautious more. Which I get, even though you shouldn’t be that cautious in the first place— since it’s not your fault,” Todoroki stares at his feet momentarily, finding his words.

“And both parties because.. I should’ve asked you if you were okay when I saw Mineta get thrown at you,” His expression crumples up, grimacing when he suddenly remembers that exact moment, he should’ve helped them. “I noticed you were choking a little too late.” He mutters.

Like.. how can he stare at you all the time, and just suddenly not notice you choke?

Your feet stop in it’s place, and you shake your head— “You’re so hard on yourself,” you comment, looking up at the ceilings. “Again, it’s not your fault. I was trying to be discrete— y’know!”

“I don’t want you to feel like you should hide anything from me.” He tilts his head to the side, eyes boring into your own.

Blinking, you think over his words— “I’ll keep that in mind.” You’re taken a back by the bluntness in his tone,

“Anyways, thank you, Todoroki. I.. wish I could pay you back somehow.” You pat him on the back, his heart hammering against his chest when you lean in to do so. It’s doing that again.

You turn your back against him, as you start walking even closer to the classroom— and before you can have your hand on the door, he calls out.

“Shouto.”

“..What?” You ask, unsure if you heard him correctly.

“You can start by calling me that,” He offers you one of his one of a kind smiles, something that feels so genuine— full of authentic gratification.

An uncontrollable smile breaks through your face, and you immediately turn away to hide away the flustered expression that is your current state “If you say so.”

Choking in class because someone was thrown at you is definitely not your proudest moment as Y/N Yagi, but.. you’ve definitely gotten something out of it.

Shouto speaks once again. “Oh and.. why wouldn’t I help you? That’s just watching someone die.”

You wince, realizing that Shouto’s correct. Why wouldn’t he help you?

bonus : mineta got flamed by everyone afterwards— including a serious talk from recovery girl, and all might. even though it wasn’t inheritantly his fault that you almost died in class lol

»»————-　♡　————-«

tldr : Y/N gets folded by mineta bc bakugou threw him at you by accident,

likes and reblogs are appreciated, thanks for reading!

i do not own bnha/mha and it’s characters. boku no hero academia/my hero academia belongs to horikoshi kohei, i only own the writing.

do not plagiarize my work :))

[imagine-docx]

the cute barista and his crisis.

Summary: You spent the night at home, while your roommates were out partying. Suddenly, a random number called you ranting to you about how much he hates life. [college!barista!]

Warnings: hella sexual jokes and references, swearing, and hating post-secondary, as per usual.

A/N:  hope you guys are still doing well and i hope you guys are staying safe! 💛 - Amanda

┍━━━━━♥♠♣♦━━━━━┑

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday consisted of either early morning classes, midday classes, and the occasional class that ran past 8 pm. Fridays were the only day you can claim as yours, but of course, you had to work.

It was Thursday and the cool New York air was engulfing you and your roommates as the three of you made your way to the usual coffee shop that was a little bit off campus. “Gonna ogle the cute barista again?” Wanda nudged.

“Ah yes, young love,” Nat snickered. 

“Shut up,” you felt the heat rise up to your cheeks, “I think he’s cute, but he probably has so many girls fawning over him.”

“Remember, we are the one cute girls in the coffee shop,” Nat said, opening the door, “After you, m’lady.”

That resulted in you and Wanda letting out a laugh, “Okay incel,” Wanda responded. The three of you glanced up at the menu, “I’m feeling tea today, but what kind?” Wanda said.

“After that comment, poison flavoured,” Nat muttered.

You let out a laugh, “You’re quite spicy today, go for a spiced tea.”

Wanda stuck her tongue out at Nat, “That’s why she’s my favourite roommate,” Glancing back at the menu, “Is Russian spiced tea good?” 

“I don’t know, ask your favourite roommate,” Nat said.

“Bitch.” 

The cute blond barista came up to the register, “You ready? Or do you need another minute?”

You felt Nat pinch your left ass cheek, and you nudge your elbow into her ribcage, “Yeah. Can I get a caramel iced coffee?” 

“Of course, what else?” He asked.

“Can I get a cinnamon dolce latte?” Nat spoke keeping her hand near your ass cheeks.

“Of course, and for you?” He indirectly asked Wanda.

“Russian spiced tea please.” She spoke.

“That’s $17.60, here or to go?” He asked.

“Here,” Wanda said, while digging in her backpack for her wallet, “Credit please?”

“Aww, we love it when our sugar daddy treats us,” You snickered, resulting in a laugh from Nat and the barista.

“It’s only because she bought dinner and you bought dessert last night,” she grumbled.

“Go take a seat, and I’ll bring the drinks over when they’re done.” He spoke, which resulted in a hums of thank you from the three of you and you guys walked over to the usual booth you guys inhabited when you were here.

“Is there a reason that my poor ass cheek got abused?” You asked.

“He was checking you out,” Nat bluntly stated.

“No he wasn’t, he was doing his job.” You stated. 

“And I am a natural redhead,” she sarcastically said.

“Wait, it's dye?” Wanda practically cried out.

The three of you laughed, and went over your plans for the next weekend. Nat had work and was doing rehearsal for the Russian dance competition that was happening in a few weeks. Wanda had to work and was also seeing her brother Pietro on Sunday. You on the other hand had to work, and had to have a comparative essay done by Monday. 

“You’re so lucky you’re done your midterms,” Wanda said, “I’m still struggling trying to wrap my head around platyhelminths.”

“But see, you watched me and laughed at me for only surviving off of coffee and fruit snacks for three weeks straight. Now I am prospering and living my life and you have a midterm on Monday,” you said.

“You looked like death around the apartment,” Nat laughed, and the cute barista brought over your drinks.

“Russian spiced tea, cinnamon dolce latte, and caramel iced coffee,” he said, passing around the drinks, “And a tiramisu square.”

“Uh, we didn’t order this?” Nat asked. 

“The table over there sent it,” he responded, pointing his head over to where a group of boys were sitting.

“Thank you,” the three of you hummed and there went the barista.

“You know,” Nat leaned into you, “He has a nice ass.”

“Nat,” You hissed.

“America is proud of that ass,” Wanda snickered.

Suddenly the group of boys that sent the dessert got louder, trying to get your attention. You rolled your eyes, “God, I hate men.”

“Except for the pretty blond one with a nice ass,” Nat said, digging into the tiramisu. 

“I second that,” Wanda said, taking a bite of the piece on her spoon.

Suddenly the frat boy cult got even louder, Nat rolled her eyes, and moved your hair from the base of your neck, “What are you-” Then came a long lick from the base of your neck to your jawline. Suddenly the frat boy cult shut up, “Jesus Christ, warn a girl.”

“Why are you acting all shy now? You weren’t this shy last weekend when I was doing body shots off of you at the back of the apartment,” Nat said, nonchalantly.

“You may have shut up the frat boy cult, but the cute barista is so red you can confuse him for a bottle of ketchup.” Wanda stated.

┍━━━━━♥♠♣♦━━━━━┑

Two weeks have passed, and you would go into the coffee shop whenever you had over an hour worth of a gap, or before work. Today is one of those days. It was Friday, and you were due to start your shift in forty-five minutes. 

Walking into the shop, there was the cute barista working the front. You didn’t catch the way his eyes practically lit up upon seeing you. “Just you today?” He asked.

“Yes sir,” you said, giving him a smile.

“Caramel iced coffee?” He asked.

“Of course,” you said, digging in your bag for your wallet. 

“Don’t worry, it's on the house.” He said, “Here or to go?”

“To go, please.”

“You got it doll,” and with that you stood off to the side and waited for him to make your drink. 

“Caramel iced coffee,” he called out.

“Thank you, have a good day,” you called out before making your way to your shift.

“You know you look like a lovesick puppy,” Bucky said to Steve.

“That obvious?” Steve asked. 

“Yeah. Also, remember, Happy is gonna take that coffee out of your paycheque,” Bucky said patting Steve’s back.

“If it’s for her, Happy can have my entire paycheque.” Steve responded, going to clean up.

“Ugh, teenagers and their hormones,” Bucky spoke.

┍━━━━━♥♠♣♦━━━━━┑

You, Wanda, and Nat sat on your shared living room floor eating the steamed dumplings and sushi that you ordered for dinner. “So you saw the cute barista boy today,” Wanda said, “Soy sauce please.”

Nat handed her the sauce before taking a california roll for herself, “His ass still thick?”

You nearly choked on the dumpling you were eating, “Fucking Christ, Nat.”

“You can’t miss that ass!” Nat tried justifying, “He walks in, and his ass walks in five minutes later.”

Wanda choked on her iced tea, “He wore this white shirt that was way too tight for him, God that left nothing to the imagination,” you said recalling the way his muscles moved when making your coffee.

“Someone’s having a wet dream tonight,” Wanda said.

You threw a soy sauce packet at her head, “No! I don’t even know his name.”

“See that’s a problem, she can’t moan his name if she doesn’t know his name.” Nat laughed.

You threw a soy sauce packet at her head, “The both of you need to get laid.”

“So do you sweetheart, and by the big muscular blond with the thick ass who works at The Petite Bean.” Wanda said, nearly dodging another soy sauce packet.

┍━━━━━♥♠♣♦━━━━━┑

The next Friday night you were at home by yourself eating a sandwich from the bodega that was next to your building. Wanda and Nat went to this party, you wanted to go, but after your shift, you were exhausted and just decided to call it a night. 

Taking the last bite of your turkey sandwich, you got up and threw everything out, and decided to go and take a long hot shower. You stood at the tv debating whether or not you should turn off the documentary on whales, but you decided not to as it helps serve as background noise.

You showered and threw on a massive NYU hoodie and some pyjama shorts. Getting out of the shower, you headed back to the kitchen, dug around in the cabinets for a snack of a sort, and headed back to your position on the couch. 

You were scrolling through your Instagram, when a random number called you. You answered because you never know it could be Nat or Wanda in trouble. “Hello?”

You heard a shaky breath from the other side, “Oh sorry, I have the wrong number.”

“Hey, before you hang up, are you okay?” You asked.

“Not really-”

You cut him off, “Did you want to talk about it? I have the time.”

“Are you sure? I don’t wanna bother you,” the man from the other side of the line said.

“Of course, shoot,” you said.

“Midterms got the worst of me. I’m practically failing chemistry, why did I take chem? Like I’m an art major, the fuck am I doing in science? Then the girl I dated for a little keeps coming by the place I work at with the man she cheated on me with, and that shit still stings. Then, there’s this cute girl who keeps coming by the place I work, and I can’t seem to talk to her. She’s like this ball of sunshine, and I don’t think I can talk to her. Do you have anything fucked up happening in your life? Or is the lord hating on me?” 

You laughed, “Unfortunately, no. With the chem thing, don’t be so hard on yourself. Courses get to the best of us, we are so reliant on a GPA, when it doesn’t even guarantee a job after practically killing ourselves for this degree. Failing one course isn’t so bad, just don’t fail more than three, that might result in academic probation. Honestly, if she cheated on you, fuck her. She doesn’t deserve any of your attention, if she was the one who gave you up. And with the other girl, just slowly ease her into it, ask her how her day has been, ask her about the weather, if she’s holding a book or something, try to bond with her about that.”

“You sound like a psych major,” he joked.

“Psych minor,” you corrected, “Socio major. From what I know you can’t be a science major. So what do you major in?” 

“Art history, and minor in regular history.”

“Oh, we got a huge history fan don’t we?” You joked.

“Biggest nerd in Brooklyn.”

That same night the two of you stayed talking until 4:30 am, before he heard you yawning and telling you to get some sleep. You both bidded your goodnights and the moment your head hit the pillow, you knocked out.

┍━━━━━♥♠♣♦━━━━━┑

The following morning, or afternoon at that point. You stumbled into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee, and heard Wanda and Nat groaning about how they need Advil. You opened the door to Nat’s room and saw the two of them practically cuddling. You threw two bottles of water, and the bottle of Advil at them before heading to the washroom to brush your teeth. 

Once you were done, you sat on the counter of the kitchen drinking your coffee, you heard stumbling from the hallway. Suddenly, a disheveled Nat appeared, she was sporting bedhead, smeared makeup, a black lace bra and some random sleeping shorts that looked like they belonged to Wanda. “Good morning sweetheart,” you cooed.

She flipped you off before making herself a cup of coffee, “Never drinking again.”

“Nat,” Wanda whined, “Please I need a cuddle buddy.”

“You have another roommate,” Nat reminded her.

Wanda nudged your legs open and curled up into your frame, “My favourite.”

You laughed while patting her head, “What happened?”

“So much booze, free booze.” Nat stated.

Free booze to university kids was like feeding candy to a toddler. “Alright cuddlebug. I have errands to do, I gotta go shower.” You said trying to push away Wanda.

“No, please don’t.” Wanda latching onto you harder.

“She’s gonna make her way down to Manhattan to see the cute barista,” Nat joked.

“Harhar, I’m going to the bank and I need to mail out this return. The green dress was too big, had to order a size down.” You said, finishing off your coffee, finally pushing off Wanda, “Also why the fuck would I go to Manhattan to see the barista.”

“Dick makes you do crazy things baby girl.” Nat said.

┍━━━━━♥♠♣♦━━━━━┑

While you were getting dressed your mind ran onto the man who called you last night and ranted to you about his life. You decided to call him back and check up on him. After three rings he picked up, “Hello?”

“Hey, you called me last night and we talked for an hour and a half about some super deep stuff, you okay?”

“Oh, yeah, thanks for checking up on me.” He spoke.

“Not a problem, if you ever need to rant, you can always text me.” You said shoving your wallet into your bag.

“Are you sure? I don’t wanna burden.” He asked.

“If you need a friend, I am here for you.” You said.

You two exchanged names, before both of you had to go. And that started your texting relationship with a man named Steve Rogers.

┍━━━━━♥♠♣♦━━━━━┑

You came back home from your errands trip and brought bagels for the two hungover disasters you call your roommates. You walked back in and saw Wanda and Nat under the pink fur blanket watching the whale documentary you were watching last night. “My baby is back,” Wanda said excitedly.

“I bring bagels, because bagels make us happy when we are hungover.” You said placing the bag on the table, “Two rainbow bagels with strawberry cream cheese. Two poppy seed bagels with tuna salad on both.” You said handing each of them their own bagels. 

You grabbed your own two before plopping next to them, “If barista boy doesn’t domesticate you, I will.” Nat said.

You laughed before you felt your phone buzz in your pocket, you got a message from Steve asking about the bagel place you usually get your stuff from. “Who’s Steve?” Wanda asked.

“New mans?” Nat exclaimed.

“You’re replacing barista boy before you could even dick him down?” Wanda cried out.

“No, Jesus. I haven’t even met Steve-” Wrong phrasing you used there.

“You’re back on tinder?” Wanda asked, “I thought we were doing it together.”

“No, he accidentally called me last night and we talked for an hour.” You said nonchalantly taking a bite out of your bagel.

“A threesome with barista boy and Steve? Wow someone’s getting some,” Nat said, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Jesus Christ Nat.”

┍━━━━━♥♠♣♦━━━━━┑

As per usual, you made your way into the cafe getting coffee before your shift. Noticing the barista, you again missed the gleam in his eyes when he saw you. He mustered up the courage, “Hey, how are you?”

“I’m good, how are you?”

“I’m doing good,” You smiled.

Steve felt his knees weaken at your smile, “The usual?”

“The usual,” you said, paying and going to message the roommate group chat about the tight light blue shirt barista boy was wearing today.

“Alright, here you go.” He said sliding you the coffee and a straw.

“Thank you, have a good day,” you said before slipping out of the shop and heading to work.

“So you took the girls advice and asked her about her day, look at you making big moves.” Bucky nudged Steve.

“One step at a time Buck,” he said, going to clean up his station.

“Hey, you better have not given her another free coffee,” Bucky called out.

┍━━━━━♥♠♣♦━━━━━┑

After several weeks of messaging Steve, you learned he also attended NYU and both of you worked around your schedules, trying to meet up. The two of you finally decided to meet on campus. You picked a morning where you, Nat and Wanda had a two hour gap just in case something happened and he was in fact a 50 year old pervert with a thing for third year students.

You: hey i’m in the student centre

Steve: Hey, I’m sitting, I’m wearing a black jacket and a white t-shirt

You looked up and almost screamed, as if the gods were playing a joke on you. It was your cute barista boy. Okay, being rational, he could happen to be here at the same time, wearing the same out- nope, no way. “Steve?” You asked, approaching the table.

Looking up from his phone, he was shocked as well, “H-hi,” he stuttered out.

“Can I sit?” You asked.

“Of course.”

“So I guess you were helping me, try and talk to you,” he finally spoke out.

“Wait, what?” You asked, confused.

“The girl I was messaging you about, was you,” he sheepishly said.

You didn’t know how to respond, “Really?”

“Yeah, if you don’t feel the same that’s okay.” Steve said looking down at his fingers.

You took his hand in yours, “No, I like you too.” 

“Really?”

“Yeah, Nat keeps trying to get me to ask you out. But I kept talking myself out of it.” You said.

“How about I treat you to the finest thing this campus has to offer and we can talk about how we both are idiots,” he offered.

“It better be the Wendy’s,” you joked.

“Only the finest for the finest,” he winked at you, resulting in the blush staining your cheeks. He stood up and put his hand out, upon standing up you took his hand and was about to exit the student centre. 

You heard Nat speak loudly to Wanda, “She’s getting dick, I’m so proud of her.” You wanted the ground to create a blackhole and swallow you whole. 

Until you heard another voice, “BuckBuck! Our baby Steve is all grown up and getting pussy.”

You looked to see Steve blushing, turning back and flipping him off, “Fuck off Sam.”

Of course, both of your roommates were the worst.

[nachtai-ish]

Boss. (Y’lan Noel x Reader)

Pairing: Boss!Y’lan x Reader Summary: Tensions flare when there’s a change of command.

Author’s Note: Thanks for reading and make sure to do my taglist survey so I can add you to the gang! I added Trevante and Y’lan to my list. Join The Taglist Here!

(if you have already filled it out once and don’t want to fill it out again, just im me! i’ll update the spreadsheet myself!)

               You hated him. Sitting over there, across the way from you being…kind and considerate, thinking of others in the room, listening to ideas and taking them down as if he really cared. Smiling.

What kind of boss smiled like that?

“And I just want to know what has been working here and what hasn’t. Uh, I’m not familiar with Fashion but I ran Esquire well for 5 years and when Jimmy told me that Black Style was not doing good, I jumped at the chance to right the ship. My mother, may she rest in peace, loved Black Style Magazine.” He placed an open palm on his chest, right where there was a sliver of dark skin peeking out of his white Cuban collar shirt. You tried hard not to roll your eyes too hard at his ploy at gaining sympathy.

“Aww.”

You sighed inwardly, of course your idiot co-workers would eat it up.

“Mrs. Y/Ln.” He placed his eyes on you, sitting forward in his chair steepling his hands. “You worked close with the old editor. Is there anything that you ever wanted to do or something that she did that maybe you didn’t agree with?”

You sat forward recognizing his posture and question for what it was, a power play. “Mr. Noel. I hope I am not out of line when I say that I have great respect for Courtney Barnes, the old editor you speak of, and while everything she may have done for the magazine might not have been the best, I am not in the mood to speak Ill of a former colleague and friend.” You placed your hands on the table, and kept your posture open, face trained into non-chalaunce.

Y’Lan Noel made a small noise, almost like a laugh and sat up nodding. He smiled, all of his pretty white teeth, straight and aligned like chiclets but in the best way. He was still nodding when he stood up going to the board where he had written out words like ‘modern, style, beauty, timeless’ and picked up the marker.

               It was disconcerting how silent it was when he wrote out the word loyalty in big red letters and then placed his hands in his relaxed trousers, and stared at the word. You didn’t bother looking at your colleagues that were giving you the look that said that you probably needed to pack up your desk. You adjusted in your chair, switching your legs over just to cross them again and watched him.

“Loyalty. I’ve always liked that word.” He started, quietly. “Loyalty is a great trait to have. Our readers are loyal to us, and we have to be loyal to our readers. I understand that many of you were and still are loyal to Courtney, and I understand why. She’s a great woman, she actually gave me one of my first starts. I am not asking you to lose your fidelity to her, only allow me to earn your trust and loyalty as well.” He turned and with an open posture, his hands out of his pockets, giving a sweeping look to everyone in the room. “I want Black Style to be everything it has been and more, and with your help we can do this.”

The room was silent for a moment, and then one person clapped, and then another, and soon you all were up on your feet, you giving him a silent golf clap while keeping your face neutral.

               “Thank you so much for coming.” Y’lan commented over and over as people being filing out of the conference room, you were one of the last people to have to pass him.

“Oh, Ms. YLN, please stay and chat with me, I just have a few things to discuss with you.” He was smiling but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. You adjusted your shoulder bag, awkwardly hanging back as the last few people filed out, trying hard not to look at you.

When everyone was gone, he closed the door and pressed a button on the wall that made the glass frosted, which made you more antsy. He left you standing near the door, moving to the table where there were waters and assorted snacks sitting out.

“Water? Fruit snacks?” He said, picking up a cookie with a napkin and placing it on a small white plate.

“Uh, no. I’m okay.” It was funny. Any and all bass that might have been in your voice earlier was gone, what was left was your normal voice, quietened by confusion and slight paranoia.

“Sure? I know the meeting ran long. I’m giving you all an extra 30 for lunch.” He turned around and leaned against the buffet table. He grinned and bit into his cookie, “Sit. This won’t take long.”

You pulled out a chair on the other side of the table, putting a whole table and a row of chairs between you. “What’s this about?”

He put the plate down and brushed off his hands. “This is about me and you.”

You sat back in your chair looking at him with even more confusion. You and him, there wasn’t any you and him. You didn’t even know the man past what his email was and how he liked to be called Y’lan. “What are you talking about?”

He stood up from his position on the buffet table and crossed over slowly to the table, sitting down in front of you. He kept your eye contact when he said, “You don’t like me do you?”

Your eyes were burning with trying not to blink, “That’s not a fair question. I don’t know you.”

He smiled and placed his mouth in the crook of his index finger and thumb, “Usually a person can tell in the first 5 minutes of meeting someone whether or not they would want to be around them, romantically, sexually, or professionally. What did you think about me?”

You tapped your fingers on the table, looking at him for a moment and wondering if being honest would lose you your job. “Can I speak candidly?”

He sat back, grinning. “Of course.”

You sighed leaning forward a little, “I thought you were a man who got the job because you were a man, not because you were qualified. Courtney had been grooming me for the job since she announced that she was retiring and you walk in with your nice flowery words, handsome face, and beautiful smile and now your editor in chief and I’m still just a stupid Head of.” Your words had become fast at the end and now you were panting, a little angry at yourself for spilling so much of your feelings to your new boss.

Y’lan looked taken back, but he quickly masked any surprise with a nod and a smile, “To be honest, I figured they would give the job to you too.”

You sighed, feeling a little calmer at his admission and acceptance of your angry rant. “Well –

“But, let’s get facts straight Mrs. YLN, I am qualified. Esquire has been the number 1 selling men’s magazine for the 5 years I have been running it. And while I’m not well versed in women’s magazines, I know at the bottom line this business is about selling.”

“It’s not just about selling, yeah that’s a big part of it, but it’s also about giving a quality magazine and making sure we don’t alienate our readers with huge changes.”

Y’lan leaned forward, eyes impassioned. “Okay, like what?”

“Like- “You stopped yourself sitting back in your chair, folding your arms. “You’re the editor, you figure it out.”

               Y’lan sighed then, raking those thick fingers over his face as if this conversation was stressing him out. You smirked to yourself, happy that he was seeing that you weren’t going to fall in line.

“Mrs. Y/LN, I don’t want there to be a struggle between you and –“

“Well I want your job.” You admitted, your hands on the table now, folded together with a victorious smile on your face. “So obviously we don’t always get what we want.”

Y’lan stood up then, leaning forward across the table, one finger pressing down on the wood. It made you focus on him, and really focus on what your body had already noticed moments earlier. Y’lan was uncomfortably sexy. You gulped as you noticed the vein in his neck ticking, noticing his adam apple bob in the silence of your stare off.

“…So take it.” He finally said, quietly, eyes not leaving yours.

“Excuse me?” You sat up, uncomfortable with what had come to your mind when he said that. You shouldn’t be thinking of your boss that way.

“1 Month, we’ll do two issues. Your way and my way. If the higher ups like your magazine, I’ll resign and recommend you for my job. If the higher ups like my magazine, you submit to me and respect me as your boss.”

You gulped at the word submit, something in the way he said it with a glance down your body before finding your eyes again made you tremble. “…Fine.”

“Deal then?” He raised his hands, across the table. He smiled.

You gripped it, shaking hard meeting his eyes with a determined stare.

“Deal.”

(Hey! Yes, this is going to be two or three parts. Yes, I know but I’ve been sitting on this for a while and I want to write outside of who I’ve been writing for.)

taglist: @chaneajoyyy  @wawakanda-btch  @blackmissfrizzle @quietpoeticheart  @bigsisbria​ 

[softjeon]

Here there be beasts | Pt. 2

• Pairing: Jimin x Wolf!Namjoon • Genre: Angst, Fluff | Rating: Mature | RedRidingHood!AU / Fairytale!AU → Gifset Trailer • Words: 10k | AO3 • Disclaimer: nsfw-content, smut, mentioning of blood, abuse, violence, weapons, dark themes, anxiety

written with @cassiavioletblue​

↳  Fear was a strange feeling. People feared the unknown, the dark and witchcraft. The shadows that were lurking through the forest at night. The same fear that made the folks in the village keep their distance from the forest at night; that locked their doors on nights when there was a full moon, or no moon at all.

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It had rained through the night into the early morning. As it came down, it had brought a cool dampness to the air that Jimin felt right to his bones, sending a shiver through him. A light fog stood over the lake he passed, but when the sun began to make it’s way above the horizon Jimin could feel it’s warmth rapidly tempering the air, causing the mist to rise almost straight up in a motion that appeared like dancers across the lake.

There was a smile on his lips that he couldn’t wipe off since he had woken up in Namjoon’s embrace this morning. And even though it had been a rough sleep, he liked it a little too much. Jimin only parted from the other with a heavy heart but he really needed to hurry to get back home before they would come and look for him and give the other and the wolf more trouble. Before he climbed down again though, Jimin draped his red coat over Namjoon softly, hoping that it would keep him warm. And maybe, also would make the stranger remember him.

Jimin was back in the village as soon as the sun’s rays were waking everyone up. It was early, but he could hear a few people already roaming around and he hurried up to get back to the doctor’s office to bring the herbs he had gathered and head home. Their village was about as small and simple as a town could be. The little community had a marketplace at one end and a church in the center.

“Jimin!”

Jimin froze in his steps, cursing under his breath before turning around with a sweet smile. “Yes?” He gazed up at Hosung, who was stomping towards him. It was obvious that he had seen him not being home when he had promised. Jimin didn’t listen to his rant and curses, the little prayers he said in between left him cold and feeling nothing as he simply let Hosung pull him along and behind closed doors.

“You done now?” Jimin crossed his arms in front of his chest, “I am fine as you can see. I knew I wouldn’t make it back to the village in time, so I stayed with my grandma, simple as that. Don’t pretend like you would have cared Hosung.” He rolled his eyes at him, before turning to the stove to heat up some water. “You didn’t look for me, right? Couldn’t been so bad that I was gone. Did you invite someone else at night then? To keep you warm?” Jimin passed the taller man, shaking his head as if it even phased him that the other did. Honestly, Jimin could have cared less. Right now, he had different things on his mind and one being the stranger that lived in the woods. 

Without a word Hosung turned Jimin around and slapped his face. He was shaking with rage and adrenaline from the hunt because he hadn’t had time to rest and had been on his feet the whole night.

“Don’t you dare talk to me like that! I was worried sick for you! How could you do that to me? Vanish into thin air right after an attack? During the hunting night when the horns and people might have driven the monster out, angry and full of spite? I’ve seen you dead and in pieces in my mind, Jimin, fearing that the next time I would be able to look into your eyes they would be cold and dead and wide open in fear because you died in pain. And now you come back and mock me? Accuse me of cheating on you? What have I done to deserve this! Haven’t I always had your best interest at heart? You are an accepted citizen in this village because of me and me alone, Jimin, you might remember that next time you think about talking to me like that.”

Jimin hadn’t expected the blow. His eyes were wide, cheeks burning as he stood frozen in Hosung hold. There were tears threatening to spill, so he bit his tongue as hard as he could, trying to take a deep breath. “I…I am sorry.” The apology came over his lips so smoothly, hands shakily reaching out for the other. “I was…I was just as scared…for you,” He gulped, trying not to let the other see how much his cheek was hurting right now, hoping that there would be no bruises left. The lies to soothe the man were so easily spoken, something that Jimin had many years to perfect. “I don’t want you to get hurt out there. I am sorry, Hosung.” Hosung easily let him in again, pulling him into a tight embrace.

“I’m sorry if I scared you Jimin. Just please... don’t run away from me or stay outside the village. You know what can happen to people who do that. You are safe in here. Just…stay. I don’t know why it’s so hard for you to see where your future lies. It’s here, with me. Not outside the village, not in the forest. There’s only death and horror waiting. I can keep you safe and cared for. You will have everything you wish for. Just let go of that childish stubbornness. It won’t help you.”

Jimin didn’t fight the hold, just nodding to whatever the other was saying. “I know,” He whispered empty promises to Hosung. “I know, I’ll keep by your side.”

He knew it would be the safest way to just keep inside the village, to not find out what really happened and just stay with Hosung. He just wanted what was best for Jimin and honestly, sometimes he wasn’t so sure what even would be the right or the best thing to do. And yet, something inside of Jimin was telling him not to stop searching.

He just needed to be a little bit more careful from now on.

...

The village still seemed to be in shock, whispering behind closed doors and pointing their fingers at people even after a couple of days had passed. Jimin hadn’t returned to the forest. Not that he hadn’t wanted to, but Hosung kept closer to him and he did everything to show that he was trustworthy again, playing the perfect role until he would finally fall into his old habits again (meaning sleeping all day after being passed out drunk at the tavern).

Jimin sighed as he stood at the market, eyeing the fruits of the farmer as he eavesdropped a few conversations, when he startled at hearing his own name. His heart began to beat a little faster, hands shaking as he reached for an apple to buy when it slipped from his grasp. “Don’t listen to them,” The farmer had been quick enough to catch it and placed it back in Jimin’s hands. “They are looking for anything to make sense in this time honestly, saying it could have been you, the only one that the wolf spared.”

“But there’s never been a wolf with me…they just exaggerated it-“

“I know,” The older man smiled at him and Jimin’s eyes widened when the other so easily told him that he believed him.

“You believe me?”

The farmer nodded again, his gray hair falling into his eyes with the motion. “The girl survived, too, right? They are just making up stories now - but be careful, will you Jiminie?” The younger nervously bit his lip. No one ever called him this nickname. No one but his mother. He placed two apples in his hands, refusing to take any payment from him. Jimin bowed in gratefulness, putting the fruit safely in his basket before he left the marketplace. He knew a better place to get more answers and he also needed to get his hood back. 

It was strange to step into the woods without his red cloak protecting him, but the sun was shining brightly - he wouldn’t need to fear anything. At least Jimin hoped so.

He took the same route, straying from the path just about the same way he had done the first time. Jimin had absolutely no clue where Namjoon lived or where he could find him and the longer he was roaming the woods the more he feared he would get lost and never find the other. 

…

Namjoon had waited, with excitement in his heart for Jimin to come back. He had even tried to wake up at sunrise like people normally did, neglecting his hunts at night. But Jimin didn’t come. And when his reserve of fruits and nuts and berries was almost gone he made a last dinner of them, a bitter taste in his mouth as he knew that he would need to hunt again and that he would sleep during the daylight again meaning that even if Jimin would visit him he might miss him. 

After a long night of hunting Namjoon had finally called it a night - or day, as the sun was already shining. His muscles were sore, and his hands were bloody so he stripped and slowly walked into the little lake. It was cold but it helped to keep him awake until he was finished cleaning up. He had a full stomach and he was exhausted so sleeping would be easy after this. He yawned, heartily, splashing a little around to get rid of the blood without really having too much scrubbing because his skin felt raw and tender after the transformation.

Jimin was about to turn around and take another route, when he heard the splashing sound of water and his heart instantly skipped a beat. The moment, Namjoon (and his sculpted, and very much naked chest) came in view, Jimin shrieked and jumped behind a tree in his panic that he had interrupted something that he wasn’t supposed to interrupt. He whined quietly, hoping that the other hadn’t seen him, yet. 

Namjoon almost got a heart attack when he heard the shrieking. He had dozed off a little despite the cold water but Jimin’s panicked sound brought him back to his senses.

“Jimin?!” He turned around, searching frantically for a sign of the younger - and deflated visibly when he saw the other staring back at him from behind a tree. “Jimin, what the hell are you doing? Are you trying to wake the whole forest? I bet even your grandma heard your scream. Did you see a snake?”

“I am so sorry!” The younger jumped back again, cheeks flushing red in his embarrassment. “No…no, I…just.” He put his hand over his eyes, carefully getting out from the tree he was hiding behind while at the same time covering up Namjoon’s body so he wouldn’t see him. “I didn’t expected you to...to be in the lake...half naked, I assume.” He peeked through his fingers, before hiding quickly again.

“Why?” Namjoon made a face, “Do you wash yourself with clothes? That’s stupid.” He tried to get out of the water but another sound from Jimin had him freezing right where he was. “You’re really that shocked because I am naked? Don’t tell me you’ve never seen a naked person before. I can assure you that I have the same parts as you do. Just maybe… a little different in size...” He added as he let his eyes travel down Jimin’s form.

Jimin groaned when Namjoon hit the nail right on its head. He was right, Jimin had never seen another naked man before. Not one like Namjoon at least, that was sculpted like a god or something that was designed to lure him in.

“Hey, I’m not that small!” Jimin pouted cutely as he let his hand fall, but still not daring to look directly at Namjoon. “And no, I don’t wash myself with clothes either…it’s not nice though to stare, right? It’s called manners.”

Namjoon burst into laughter. “Manners? I don’t care for manners if it means denying oneself the pleasure of a nice view just to dream about it in secret behind closed doors. Also weren’t you the one that told me he doesn't believe in confessing your sins? Isn’t that against the rules, against the manners of your village too?” He smirked at Jimin who was visibly flushing under his gaze.

Jimin dared to look at Namjoon, trying to keep his eyes locked on his and not let them sway down a little more but he failed miserably only seconds in. “So, you don’t mind it if I…” Jimin stopped, when his eyes fell onto the many scars and bruises on Namjoon’s skin. Some of them looked fresh, as if Namjoon had fallen or gotten into a fight. His name fell from his lips in a whisper, before Jimin jolted forward not caring about getting into the water because now the scenery had switched from the other taking a simple bath to cleaning out his wounds. “Are you hurt? Oh god, what happened?” 

Jimin’s demeanor changed so fast Namjoon had a hard time keeping up. It took him a moment to get what Jimin was referring to because for an awful second he thought he still had blood on his hands but when he looked at them they were clean. Then he remembered the bruises that came from changing forms, the cuts that came from running through the woods on bare feet and without clothes and the wounds that came from prey fighting back. Now it was his turn to flush in embarrassment. “Oh, no, don’t worry, I’m... I’m fine this is just… you said it yourself when we hiked up those hills; it’s exhausting and dangerous and sometimes you slip. That’s all. I’m fine, Jimin. Don’t worry.”

Jimin soothed over Namjoon’s skin with a light touch, tracing a few scars mindlessly. “Be a little more careful will you?” He whispered, smiling up at him as he settled his hands on the other shoulders. “I don’t want you to get hurt, so please keep in mind that I will smack you if I find you with new scars because you have been too exhausted and slipped from somewhere, deal?” Jimin sighed and looked down at his own clothes that were now sticking onto his body. “So much about washing myself with clothes on.”

Namjoon chuckled, smoothly slipping back into teasing mode. “And how will you know if I got any new scars? Will you map out all the old ones? I guess that would take patience, some time - and a lot more attention to detail than you were willing to give ten minutes ago. Or did it change now that you are about to get naked too?” He gently pulled at the wet clothes on Jimin’s form. “If you needed an excuse to go for a swim with me you wouldn’t have to get into the water like this. You might have ruined your shoes.”

Jimin scoffed, “I have another pair at home and trust me. I will count them all if you let me.” The soft giggle that came from him, only showed how much Jimin enjoyed their little flirting. It was making him feel a little lightheaded with the way his heart was beating against his chest. “If I would have known we would swim today, I would have come prepared.” He licked over his lips teasingly as he leaned onto Namjoon, amazed by how warm he still felt despite the cold water. 

“Oh? And what would that preparation have entailed?” Namjoon was getting curious. He had been fond of the boy despite them being strangers, but it was easy to become attached to someone so honest and caring. Now that Jimin began flirting back though he wondered if there could be more to their teasing. He would definitely be up for it - but Jimin might just test the waters, play with fire a little while behind the village walls there were safety and a home waiting for him. “Swimming with naked strangers, hu? Aren’t you spoken for?”

“Just a pair of dry clothes and maybe a few more sit-ups, because I can’t keep up with you,” Jimin raised an eyebrow at him cockily, trying to ignore the new fact that Namjoon just revealed to him that he was completely naked when he could only see his upper half. He let his hands soothe over Namjoon’s chest, tracing the line of a scar when he whispered his answer, “It was never my choice to be spoken for, but it is my choice to be here right now. Shouldn’t that be all that matters?”

Namjoon’s eyes widened at that answer. He hadn’t expected Jimin to sound so defeated, as if his vow was a burden he would like to forget. Namjoon tightened his grip on Jimin and pulled him closer until they were almost flush against each other. He leaned in to whisper into Jimin’s ear. “The forest is my escape. It could be yours too if you want to. What happens here stays here if you want it to be a secret. You only need to try and be quiet because if you scream again someone might hear you.”

Jimin slowly wrapped his arms around him, hands soothing over Namjoon’s shoulder blades and down his back. “Thank you…I’ll try but…if you run around naked like this,” He sighed, giggling as he hid his face a little more, “It might happen again. You maybe just have to be fast enough to shut me up.” Jimin winked at him cheekily, before he finally pulled off from him and walked out of the water again. Halfway out of the water, Jimin took his shirt off, wringing it out before hanging it and his pants to dry over a branch.

Namjoon licked his lips like the predator he was, letting his eyes roam over Jimin’s form freely. The boy looked so soft, so delicious; only flawless, unmarred skin wherever he looked, and he silently wondered if Jimin would look as beautiful with love bites as he imagined. Sometimes wrecking a beautiful thing could be a pleasure - especially if Jimin wanted him to.

Jimin noticed Namjoon’s gaze on him immediately and it made him want to hide, cheeks dusting rosy as he walked back into the water. “Is it that bad?” He asked, pulling Namjoon a little deeper into the water with him. 

“Bad? Oh no, quite the opposite. You’re pretty - too pretty for your own good.” He pulled Jimin back towards him and now that the other had undressed and came back into the water he saw it as permission to explore whatever this was between them a little further. “Do you like to be touched, pretty one?” His hand wandered downwards over Jimin’s back until it rested on the small of his back, just above the swell of his ass; perfect to pull him closer - or to let his hand slip a little lower if Jimin wanted him to.

The breath got stuck in Jimin’s lungs, when Namjoon so easily manhandled him. He didn’t push his hand away, liking the feel of the warmth way too much but at the same time, it made him nervous. No one ever had touched him like that, not even Hosung. His touches felt different in so many ways. “I…I don’t know?” Jimin had his arms wrapped around Namjoon’s neck, lips only inches away from his cheeks. 

Namjoon smiled against the younger’s neck, placing a brief kiss against the warm, soft skin. So that’s why he had been so shy. “Do you want to find out then? How it feels?” He nudged his knee in between Jimin’s thighs to open the younger’s legs a little and give him more room in case Jimin would let him touch him.

A gasp fell from the youngers lips, followed by a soft smile. “I’m not sure anymore if you’re not the evil luring me in with your sweet talk.” Jimin whispered softly, before hooking a finger under Namjoon’s chin to make him turn a little more towards him. “But I’m already too deep, right?” His eyes flickered down to Namjoon’s lips as he leaned in a little closer. 

“Well if you say so... then I better don’t disappoint.” Carefully he closed Jimin’s lips with his own and almost moaned at the sweet taste. A few hours ago, he had buried his fangs into flesh, ripping out bloody chunks to satisfy his hunger and here he was, getting the sweetest dessert after. His hand wandered lower, tracing the curve of Jimin’s plump ass before getting a good grip on it. When Jimin opened his mouth a little surprise Namjoon took this as invitation to deepen the kiss and he plundered Jimin’s mouth recklessly. The younger so easily got lost in it, letting Namjoon guide him and roam his hands all over his body. It drew a moan from him so quickly, that it had him surprised at the sudden pleasure that was pooling in his stomach and Jimin just kept on kissing Namjoon to keep him from seeing the blush on his cheeks. 

Even when their lips parted and they were catching his breath, Namjoon’s hands were still on him, guiding him to the more shallow water, where he could lay Jimin down with the most beautiful smile the human had ever seen. A little shyly, Jimin let his hands soothe down Namjoon’s back to his bottom, while he let the other kiss down his neck. “Namjoon,” Jimin’s voice sounded out of breath and he closed his eyes as he arched his back into his touch. It send a shiver down his spine.  

“Yes?” He wasn’t sure if Jimin was asking for something or if he was just calling out for him because he didn’t know what else to do. Making out with Jimin was an absolute treat because the younger reacted beautifully to everything he did, every little touch, every kiss drew a response from him and Namjoon couldn’t wait to see how the younger would act if he went further; if he would be able to play his body like that when he crossed the last boundary between them.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something ever since we parted,” He blinked his eyes open, when Namjoon pulled from his lips again, urging him on to talk. “About the wolf, if you heard from him…if…if he’s okay and…,” Jimin soothed over his cheeks, pushing a string of hair behind his ears. “Do you still have my cloak, maybe? You’re not mad at me, are you? That I left you? I just had to be at the village and…” He casted down his eyes, “I wish I would have gotten to see you sooner again.”

Namjoon propped himself up on his elbow to get some distance between them so that he could look at the other properly. Jimin’s plush lips were red and swollen and his eyes were gleaming. Namjoon smiled a little wolfishly, proud that it was him to make Jimin look like that. “Are you telling me you want to talk now? Instead of making out. I’m deeply wounded.” He wasn’t. And with a little kiss on the tip of Jimin’s nose he showed him that before entangling himself from Jimin. Nonetheless it took him a few deep breaths to calm his blood (and keep it from rushing south).  

“The wolf is okay, don’t worry. I saw him last night, actually. Hunting. So, he is safe and well fed.” He watched as Jimin’s face lit up and shook his head with a fond expression. “You’re quite something you know that? Also, I do have your cloak of course but not here, obviously, I’m not mad at you and... what do you mean? Did they ban people from going out? Did they lock you in?” His eyes went cold and grey at the thought if someone keeping Jimin confined. 

Jimin had rolled over onto his stomach, staying close to Namjoon who was basking in the warmth of the sun while still being very much naked (a fact Jimin still tried to ignore, though his eyes kept wandering down a couple of times). 

“Not really locked in…,” Jimin hesitated, drawing little circles into Namjoon’s skin. “He was just...very mad at me for staying away and I said some stupid stuff. I should have seen it coming and not angered him more…” He quickly replaced the sad expression with a smile and added in a happier tone, “I’m glad that he is okay, though please tell him to be careful. The hunt isn’t over…” Soothing over Namjoon’s cheek softly, he made him look at him, hoping that the other wouldn’t ask more about him staying away, “I will warn you again if I know anything, I promise. And about that cloak. I really like to have that one back. I only have two of them left. I need it...or else the wolf won’t know who I am.”  

“Him...” Namjoon didn’t push any further but he didn’t like the shadow that mentioning that person cast over Jimin’s eyes even though the younger tied his best to hide it. He could imagine that whoever it was who treated Jimin badly wasn’t just easily left behind. The village was small and Jimin only had his grandmother. He probably brought safety and security or respect from other villagers or all of it together. He had kind of done the opposite to stay safe: instead of staying with someone he didn’t love he had only allowed himself short encounters with other people, wanderers who passed through the forest, people who were looking for herbs that only grew in certain areas, people that he would never see again. And even though it wasn’t what really made him happy it was the safest option. He gave Jimin a gentle smile. “I’ll give you your cloak, don’t worry. But you shouldn’t think that the wolf won’t recognize you. He knows your smell. Cloak or not you are safe here during the day.” 

Jimin nodded at that, biting his lip in thought as they got up and Namjoon reached for his shirt to give it to him. It hadn’t dried up completely, but at least it wasn’t soaking anymore. He eyed Namjoon from the side, who just stood there stark naked waiting for him. “Do you always walk around naked like this?” He raised an eyebrow, not able to hide how his eyes flickered down his body once more. Namjoon chuckled and Jimin felt a pinch of jealousy at how free he must feel, living in the forest and not feeling insecure. If he had the body of Namjoon’s he probably would feel a little bit more confident, too. Namjoon answered with an awkward shrug. He couldn’t just tell Jimin that when he changed he ripped his clothes, so he made sure to transform naked - which also left him with no clothes for his return. 

Quickly, the younger hurried and caught up to him, his eyes wandering down his backside and Jimin almost gasped when he saw more scars on his back. Being so in his thoughts and worry for the other, Jimin didn’t see it when Namjoon stopped and bumped into him. Rubbing his nose, his eyes flickered up to see what made the other stop, when his gaze fell onto a small cottage. Jimin had no clue how deep in the forest they were, but it definitely was far enough so no one could find Namjoon’s hide-out that easily (not like his grandma’s house that was right by the path). Slowly, he followed the other inside, trying to take everything in from his surroundings and very much glad when he saw that Namjoon was getting dressed. It was a simple home, a few books stacked in one corner. A bed, a small fireplace. Everything that one needed and nothing more. “I like it,” Jimin said with a big smile, taking the dry clothes Namjoon offered him, before pointing at the kettle. “Can I?” He asked, “To make us tea? Not everyone is hot like you all the time. You really need to tell me your secret.” Jimin giggled, pulling the dry sweater over his head before he began to prepare the tea. “Or else I will spend my winters nights with you from now on.”

Namjoon felt a little pride when Jimin paid his home a compliment because he hadn’t been sure if it was strange compared to the houses in the village. There were dried herbs hanging from the wall and he had some stuff lying around that he thought pretty; a bird’s feather, a stone that was gleaming if you tilted him just right towards the light, a few snail shells…

“Sure, go ahead. Just... let me pick the herbs please. After watching you collect basically anything out there in the forest thinking it would help, I’d feel safer like that.”

Jimin easily made a little more room for Namjoon, letting him help set up the tea (although Jimin was sure he wouldn’t accidentally poison them). He liked it when Namjoon was close to him way too much already. “Namjoon? I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” He fumbled around with the hem of his sweater a little nervously, “About what you said earlier how it’s safer during the day. What happens at night? Is it true what they say? Not the wolf I mean…but something else.”

The question caught him by surprise, and Namjoon was stunned silent for a moment because he didn’t know what to answer. Telling him that the wolf was hunting at night and that some nights were more dangerous than others (full moon nights) would have been the most truthful version but he didn’t want Jimin to be scared of the wolf even though he should be. And he doubted that Jimin would really listen. He had almost run straight back to the hunters just to ‘warn the wolf’. He could tell Jimin about another beast out there, one that was tearing those village people up - but he didn’t want to lie so blatantly and he also had no idea what exactly happened so he just answered pretty vaguely. “It’s just that lots of predators are on the hunt at night. And even though most wouldn’t enjoy eating a human it doesn’t help you if they realize their mistake after they’ve hurt you. A forest is a dangerous place but during the day there are people every now and then or someone who might help or maybe even your grandma. At night you might bleed out before someone notices. Or just fall to your death because you didn’t see the hillside.”

Jimin nodded as he reached for two cups and filled them up with the hot tea. “So, it’s really just predators out there? Nothing evil? What is attacking our people then? Why isn’t it attacking you or my grandma? Not that I want them to…but, I just want to understand.” He gave the steaming cup to Namjoon, before taking a sip from his own, regretting his decision right away when he burned his tongue. 

“I don’t know, honestly. Who or what is hurting your people. I can just assume. Maybe it’s an animal with rabies or something else that is hurt and hungry and insane.” He sipped his tea to buy himself some time, not caring about the heat. “I guess your grandma and me we are safe because we stay in our homes, which have door locks and sturdy wood walls. And because we don’t run around during the night. Otherwise we would be in just as much danger as you villagers.”

Jimin sighed. This weren’t the answers he had hoped to hear, but he thanked Namjoon, nonetheless. There wasn’t much to sit on, so Jimin just leaned against the counter, observing the other with a soft smile. “You look tired. Do you want me to go?” He placed the tea aside and walked over to him, pushing a few strands of his hair back from his face, cupping his cheeks. “It’s okay, I’ll come back again. I promise.”

“I am... pretty tired, actually.” He was torn between giving in to the aching tiredness that had settled into his bones and his wish to keep Jimin with him a little longer. They had just seen each other again and they had made out and it had been awesome, and he really wanted to do that again and... when the cup almost slipped from his fingers he leaned against the counter to make sure the next thing slipping wouldn’t be himself. Stupid transformation and the toll it took on his body. “Only if you promise that you’ll come sooner next time.” He finally said.

“Come,” Jimin’s voice sounded sweet like honey, when he held out his hand for him to take, pulling him towards his bed. He pushed Namjoon down on his shoulders, draping the blanket over his body easily, because the other was moving like a doll for him. “I will try, I promise.” Jimin leaned in, taking in his sweet scent, before placing a soft kiss on his lips. “Don’t miss me too much.”

Namjoon felt like he had already started dreaming before even closing his eyes. He let Jimin guide him easily and when he laid down, feeling the weight of his body settle against the mattress he sighed blissfully. “You should stay, next time. And sleep with me.. in the same bed… I’ll…warm you...” He managed to say half understandably before sleep took him under and his breath evened out, leaving Jimin the only one awake at his side.

“I know you will,” Jimin whispered, staying just for a little longer because Namjoon looked so peaceful while sleeping that he couldn’t help it. He kissed him on his cheek again, before getting up and collecting the dirty cups again to clean them up before he would go. Namjoon didn’t seem to mind the soft noises as he just kept on snoring and Jimin chuckled fondly. Before he went out, Jimin took out the apples he had gotten from the farmer and placed them on Namjoon’s table. He had wanted to share them with him earlier, but their lips had been occupied in a different way. Jimin blushed at the thought of kissing Namjoon again and quickly hurried outside, where the sun was already starting to set. Jimin pulled the red hood deep into his face before heading back into the forest and to the village again. 

...

The village was in uproar again and most of the citizens were gathered on the great marketplace, discussing heatedly what to do next. As they didn’t find and kill the wolf some of them were afraid that the wolf would get revenge the next night when they were all asleep. Some others said they should hunt for another night and then another until they had him. The more religious people were telling anyone who listened that they would never find the wolf because it wasn’t a wolf but the devil itself waiting outside those doors and the only thing they had to do was praying and living a pious life. And the last fraction was adamant that they have to give the wolf a peace offering, something to feed his appetite so he wouldn’t need anyone else.

Jimin had made it just in time for the doors to close behind him and the smile that was still on his lips that he was tracing mindlessly with his fingers was quickly wiped off his face when he saw the gathering. His heart stopped; eyes wide as he searched the crowd. 

“Did something happen again? Hosung!” Jimin hurried over to him, when he saw his figure appearing from the crowd standing amongst the hunters. “Did someone get hurt? In the daylight? Don’t tell me someone…” He snapped around, trying to see if anyone was in pain or bleeding.

“Oh, see who is joining us.” Hosung answered icily, gripping Jimin’s arm to pull him closer. He couldn’t do anything else, not with all these people around. Most of them probably wouldn’t have cared if he punched Jimin again but he didn’t want to drag his personal drama out in the open. He would discuss behind closed doors why it was so difficult for Jimin to stick by a few simple rules. “No one got hurt yet. But we might throw out the old bearded maniac from the red house as an offering to the best to make him forget we tried to kill him.”

“What?” Jimin’s voice toppled over and he stared in absolute disbelief at him. “What are you talking about and… I haven’t been far away, Hosung.” He opened the lid of his basket to proof to the other that he had just collected mushrooms (thankful that he had thought of that lie before as it came in handy now) not far from the village. “Are you completely out of your mind now? You can’t do that!” Jimin whined when the grip around his arm tightened, aware that Hosung didn’t like it when he spoke his mind so freely. “He is old, please. It’s not fair. He won’t stand a chance.”

Hosung looked at him as if he was a child that was to be lectured.

“That’s the whole point of it, Jiminie. When the wolf can feed easily he won’t have to hunt for others. We will start with that man and then maybe we can throw out some meat every once a week. But a wild wolf needs to hunt. So, we better give him something alive the first time we feed him.”

Jimin felt like he was about to faint at what Hosung was hinting at. “Y-you want to…make sacrifices?” His voice was barely audible and Jimin wavered, his knees feeling wobbly as he leaned against Hosung in a weak attempt to steady himself. “How many will it take to make this stop. I just want this to stop.” Jimin felt awfully sick to his stomach, visibly losing all color from his face.

Hosung eyed him again and then he let him go. “Maybe you shouldn’t be here. There are decisions to be made that aren’t for the weak hearted or those who can’t control their emotions. You should go home and rest a little. Or prepare those mushrooms you got? Let’s just forgot about this, I will come home in a bit and we don’t have to talk about this ever again. You won’t have to burden your consciousness with any kind of decision. Just go home, Jimin.”

Jimin absently minded only nodded his head. A barely there motion, because his mind was occupied with horror and screams. He stumbled a little, trying to block out the whispers. In all those years, the village had never sacrificed someone like that. Not without reason to believe he was danger for them. Just like they had done it just a couple of times, casting people out or... once with his own mother. There was a stab in his heart, tears dwelling in his eyes. But back then, they thought the wolf had been gone. It’s fur still being in the proud possession of Hosung’s father ‘till this day. They had burned his mother like a witch and her screams had filled the night. 

Jimin pushed down the door handle, slowly closing the door behind him before he let himself fall against it. He couldn’t let this happen again. There shouldn’t be innocent life taken like that. Who would be next? For how long would they keep doing it? Jimin hid his face in the palm of his hands, shaking with the sobs. Something was so awfully wrong, and he still had no answers. He wished himself back to his grandma so badly, her embrace soothing him more than anything else. But he could hear her voice as well, telling him to go back, to do the right thing. She told him with every visit and each time, Jimin asked what the right thing was, that he didn’t know, and she had just brushed through his hair before laying back down tiredly. 

It had taken a while until Jimin had calmed down and when the bells were ringing, signaling the people to lock themselves inside Jimin stood at the fireplace peeling the potatoes with puffy eyes. He didn’t move when the door unlocked and got locked properly again, startling a little when Hosung placed a kiss on his cheek and making himself a home. The other had been staying at his ever since he found him sneaking back in and Jimin hated every bit of it. Before he had at least some time for himself, being able to use the excuse of them not being married, yet. 

Jimin barely ate from his plate, pushing the food around as he was deep in his thoughts, smiling and nodding whenever Hosung was telling him about something, while he wished himself to be back with Namjoon. “When will you send him out?” Jimin’s voice sounded small, but he dared to hold Hosung’s gaze anyways, “The old man. Did you decide?”

Hosung’s smirk made Jimin shiver and his eyes flickered down to where he reached for his hand around the table, motioning for him to come closer. Jimin followed easily, sitting himself on his lap as he soothed over his dark hair. His blue eyes were piercing through him, dark skin smudged by the dirt from their hunt. His nails were just as dirty, but he let him touch him nonetheless. Hosung was known for his ruthlessness, killing the animal with his own bare hands if he needed to. “Tell me,” Jimin’s voice caught Hosung out of his daze as he let his finger trail own his cheek and neck to his collarbone, pushing the fabric down just enough to place a kiss there. 

Namjoon, Jimin thought. His heart and mind only thought of him. 

“Tomorrow,” His rough voice made Jimin turn his head to look outside the window, where the moon was the only light in the night. 

“But tomorrow is…” A finger on his lips made Jimin shut, before Hosung’s arms wrapped around his waist and he carried him over to his bed, placing him down rather roughly.

“A full moon, yes, Jimin.” Hosung breathed against his neck, “It’s when the wolf is the strongest.” As if it knew that they were talking about it, a howl broke through the night and Jimin’s breath hitched, eyes focused on the nearly full-moon. “Don’t worry, my love. I’ll keep you safe and nothing can break us apart. Do you hear me?” Hosung hooked a finger under his chin and turned his head, “Not even the wolf. You’re the safest with me.”

Jimin closed his eyes and let Hosung pull him closer to his body. It wasn’t nearly was warm as Namjoon’s. He felt awful for lying next to someone that his heart didn’t belong to. He had lost it somewhere in the forest already, somewhere with Namjoon. 

Turning away from him, Jimin tried his best to hide the tears from him.

...

When the morning light broke through the village, Jimin felt awful. His head was pounding from the lack of hydration and from how much he had cried. He groaned, feeling Hosung’s weight halfway on him as he tried to wiggle himself free. A chuckle made Jimin stop. “Are you pushing me away again?” Hosung soothed over his cheeks with a smile and Jimin shook his head. “You’re crushing me,” Jimin tried to turn a little more so he could push himself up, “And I hope you know that your father won’t like to know that you spend the night with me again. We’re still…”

“You’ll be mine fully soon. I heard they are preparing the ceremony,” Jimin’s words had been cut off by Hosung, who leaned in so closely, whispering the words into his ear. “Don’t worry about him, my love. He will be happy to know that you’re staying in for your safety, listening well to me.” Something in his voice made Jimin hold his breath and his heart was beating just a little faster, a nervousness in his veins that he couldn’t shake off.

“But tonight...is the...shouldn’t I be there...with you?” Jimin reached out when the other got up from the bed, smiling at him as if he’d been too dumb to understand. He gotten his answer only seconds after when Hosung just left him in his room and the sound of a lock turning made Jimin jump up. 

“Hosung!” Jimin called out for him, knocking at the bedroom door as he tried to push it open. He was kicking and screaming until his voice broke him off. “I told you to follow what I’d say but you can’t listen and tonight you won’t get hurt, nor will you get in between the village decision. You won’t embarrass me tonight. I will come back as soon as it’s done.” 

Jimin cried out helplessly, begging and pleading for him to open up but Hosung was gone already. He sunk to his knees, knocking against the door until he couldn’t keep his arm up anymore. He had hoped to at least be there, to soothe the man, maybe slip in a note to tell him where he could hide, somewhere in the caves that Namjoon showed him. Jimin leaned against the doorframe, staring into nothingness for hours, only getting up to get some of the water that always stood by his bed, only to fall back into a daze. He felt so helpless. 

And he couldn’t warn the old man, nor Namjoon. Jimin could hear the faint noises of the people celebrating, the full moon still covered by a thick grey cloud. He scoffed. It wasn’t a celebration, it was a god damn sacrifice and when he heard the scream of the old man, Jimin knew he was losing time. He needed to do something. Anything. It was then his eyes fell onto something shiny. A butter knife. Jimin sprinted over to retreat it from his bedside table and back to the door. With nervous hands, Jimin pushed the knife into the lock as deep as he could, wiggling it as if it was a key. 

Another scream.

Jimin whined desperately, when it finally clicked and he pushed the small knife between the door and the striker plate, He slid it down until he could find the door’s bolt and finally slid it open. Hastily he grabbed his cloak, pulling it over and locking the door of his bedroom again. Knowing Hosung, Jimin would have enough time to return again as he would celebrate in the tavern until the morning. And even if he found his bedroom empty, then so be it, Jimin thought. 

Running outside, he narrowed his eyes to see from afar if they had already brought the man into the forest, but the doors were already locked and the cloud that hid the moon was slowly move across. Turning on his heel, Jimin ran in between the alleys, climbing up a windowsill on top of a barn, at the house by the fence and jumped. Jimin had pulled himself up this wall many times. He knew exactly how fast he needed to be to make it and how he needed to slide down again. When he stood on the other side though, trying to catch his breath Jimin was frozen and only his eyes were flickering through the dark.

He had absolutely no idea where they could have brought the old man. Hosung hadn’t told him where and when Jimin looked up the moon was shining its light over the forest beautifully and if it wasn’t for the awful situation he found himself in, he would have thought of Namjoon and if he ever would love to look at the moon with him.

He bet his skin would gleam under the light of the moon, Jimin was sure of that.

A horrifying howl echoed through the woods, bringing him back and Jimin began to ran into the only direction he could think of. “The meadow,” He whispered to himself the only plausible answer of where they could have brought the sacrifice. The only open place that was close enough so neither had to stray too far from the village and it would be light enough from the moon for the wolf to see what they brought him. A perfectly presented sacrifice; Jimin was sure that he would find the man there and he could only hope he would be arriving before the beast or whatever it was could take him.

…

Namjoon had used to love full moon nights. When his mother was still alive he knew that even if he couldn’t remember exactly what he had done or what had happened he knew that he had been safe the whole time. His mother had been better at staying kind of conscious and she had told him that in a few years he might be able to do that too, that she would teach him, and he would grow up to be a powerful young wolf. But then she was murdered by the villagers and all the rage and pain that had been pent up inside of him turned him absolutely feral each month. Each day after a full moon he woke up, naked and cold, muscles aching so bad he could barely move and the iron, almost sickeningly sweet taste of blood in his mouth.

He had gotten better at it, if only a little but still he lost time each night the full moon drew the transformation out of him against his will.

…

Jimin was running like a maniac, the cold air was burning his lungs as he struggled for breath, praying to whatever deity there was that he would find the old man unharmed. His red hood ripped on branches, as he pushed himself through the thicket, trying to take the quickest way instead of the safest.

He only came to a halt when he stood at the end of the meadow, eyes wide, chest heaving with every breath he took. His mouth felt dry, but he had no time to think about it when he heard the man’s aching gasps. “No, please.” Jimin stumbled ahead to where he found him bound to the stump of a tree, blood oozing out of small cut wounds all over his body. They must have cut him on purpose to make the beast smell the blood. The man blinked up at him, when Jimin began to pull at his restraints. “It’s okay, I’ll get you out of here and then…and then you…you just run, okay,” Jimin was rambling, voice shaking with every word, “Up to the hills…to…to the caves and you hide there.”

…

Namjoon had found out that it was easier if he didn’t eat that much on the day leading to the full moon night because it was painful and exhausting to change and he had thrown up before, but he also couldn’t go completely hungry or else he would hunt too much. And he preferred to hunt when he was conscious enough to know what and how he was hunting. He took off his clothes and placed them neatly folded over the armrest of his wooden chair before stepping out into the moonlight stark naked. He could feel the pull of the moonlight already before the light even hit his skin. It was like an ache deep within his bones, something pulling at him, ripping on him in all different directions and he groaned when the first joint popped.

He cowered down onto all fours because it made it easier like this as his form was as close to the animal that he would become as he could muster while being human. He tried to loosen his jaw but at the next crack he tightened in involuntary again. He had mastered the art of breathing through his pain and yet it still took over, crashing into him like a wave and taking everything with it that wasn’t the agony he was feeling.

…

Jimin flinched hard when there was an agonizing scream howling through the night and his eyes widened. It didn’t sound human. Rather something in between and he was sure it was the beast. It could only be it.

The old man was whimpering and Jimin tried to soothe him as he cut open the restraints as fast as he could. When the ropes finally fell onto the damp grass below, Jimin almost fell as he hastily tried to whip around and help him up again. “We need to get you out of here,” Jimin’s gaze flickered down to the wounds on the man’s stomach and to his hand that was covered in blood now. “Why…why are you doing this?” The old man’s voice brought him back quickly and Jimin put his arm around his shoulder to steady him. He smiled at him despite the awful situation they were in. “I will explain later, now please…” 

…

When Namjoon was finally fully turned he immediately jumped into motion. The animal in him wanted to get rid of the pain, to ease his suffering, let everything out that he was suppressing or trying to control when he was human. He felt anger and sadness and longing and hunger all at once and it was threatening to take over his mind so he did what he knew would help: letting his instincts take over and hunt.

This night he didn’t even have to search for prey as the wind already brought him a whiff of blood, fresh and mouth wateringly delicious. So he followed it, stretching out his limbs with each jump, straining against the boundaries of his new form to feel his new body in its fullest, to feel alive and free, running away from everything that normally kept his mind in any kind of confinement, be it modesty or social rules or anything really that kept him from his most primal, instinctual urges.

…

The man was almost fully leaning on him and Jimin had a hard time keeping him up, panting with every step. They were too slow, he had to realize that quickly when the howling sound was coming closer. “Shhh, please, be quiet,” Jimin hissed towards the man, trying to be as soundless as possible but with the man whimpering it was a useless task. For a moment, Jimin contemplated if it would be safer to bring the old man to Namjoon to let him take care of his wounds but something else had him completely stilling not letting him end his thought process. With wide eyes, Jimin carefully turned to look over his shoulder, while his heart was threatening to jump out of his ribcage any moment. 

No matter how loud or quiet the two were trying to be Namjoon could smell them anyway and he was quickly closing in on them. When he caught a glimpse of his prey he stopped immediately, his heart making a little leap in his chest from the thrill of anticipation that run through him. He hadn’t one but two meaty pieces in front of him just waiting to be torn down and then ripped into chunks. They would make so many delicious bite sized pieces he would be sated for the next days. He growled threateningly, salivating at the sight of them and getting a thrill out of their fear. 

Jimin fully reacted on instinct as he whipped around and pushed the old man behind him. His breath got caught somewhere in his lungs though when he saw the wolf stepping out of the shadows. He had recognized him immediately and yet, something was off. Jimin met the hungry stare with his own and backed off a little, lips trembling when he realized what was different.

They had lost all their color as if it the shadow itself had sucked in the warm brown eyes he had seen so many times in the woods as they crossed paths. This wasn’t his wolf. No matter how much he seemed like it and the threatening growl made it clear that he was here to rip. 

“I’ll count to three and then you’ll run to the hills, hide there,” Jimin hissed to the old man, who was shaking so much that he felt it in every fiber of his body with how hard he gripped his shoulders. “I’ll be fine…t-trust me.” Very slowly, Jimin backed off a little more, pushing the old man to the side, while keeping his own gaze on the wolf. 

“One,” He began to count, pulling slowly at the strings of his hood, holding onto it tightly, “Two…” Jimin took a deep breath. “…Three.” The moment the old man started running, Jimin threw his red hood towards the wolf, successfully covering its face and giving them enough time to run into opposite directions. 

The delicious smell of blood came from the old man so when they both started to run his initial instinct was to go for that prey. He was glad they tried to run; it made the hunt more exciting because a prey that he didn’t need to chase wasn’t as sweet. He ran at full speed so he could almost jump at them when the other one threw his cloak over his face. The wolf howled in anger, his paws getting tangled in the fabric before he landed in a heap on the floor, blind and struggling. It didn’t took him long for his claws to rip the stupid thing to shreds but it slowed him down enough for his prey to put some distance between them - and it also changed his mind. The old one wouldn’t taste as sweet as the younger - and he had also just spiked his anger up so he would take definitely more joy in catching and devouring him. He stood for a second, shaking with anger before he ripped the last piece of fabric off of his claws and then picked up speed again.

He would get him. That much was sure.

Once again this night Jimin was running like a maniac, jumping over every root and trying to be fast enough to escape. He just needed to be faster, knowing the wolf would quickly regain his posture and be after him. Jimin kept yelling though, until he was sure the wolf was definitely after him and not the old man. Never in his life had he been so fast and never in his life had his heart hurt so much. Jimin didn’t dare to peak over his shoulder, the growls behind him enough to tell him that the wolf was closing in on him. 

The boy was a pretty fast runner and even though it angered him a little that he was outrunning him for a few minutes (because of the head start) he quickly gained on him. No human could outrun a wolf forever especially not when they were so scared. He could hear the younger’s short gasps of breath and felt pride surging through him knowing that he was the one affecting the human so much. He stretched his body a little longer, kicked his paws against the ground a little harder and like this he could almost reach his prey, he was so close, so very close - until his prey suddenly sidestepped him and threw himself into the bushes like his life depended on it. Which it did. He slowed down to change directions and then jumped straight into the bushes after him. 

Jimin knew it was too late, the moment he heard the wolf snapping at him for the first time. He could see the lake; the water was glistening peacefully under the moonlight. He had been so close. So, god damn close. His body moved on instinct as he turned around the moment the wolf jumped and Jimin tried to shield himself as much as he could. 

Namjoon’s name was the last thing that came from his lips. He knew he was close, but no one in his right mind would come out into the forest on a full moon night. No one, but him. 

With a splash the human threw himself into the water and the wolf happily followed. He didn’t have webbing between his toes for nothing so if his little prey had thought water would stop him he had just played himself!

It didn’t stop him one bit - something else did though.

The human yelled something, and it hit him like a blow even though he didn’t quite understand it. It was a word, a strangely familiar one, maybe a name. His name? The wolf growled at the human who looked like a wet mouse all small and dripping and squealing in fear.

A/N: Oh oh oh, Jimin is in a misery right now. Will Namjoon hurt him? Will he recognize his voice? Or will Hosung be near to find and get Jimin out of there to save him from the wolf. Hmm.......

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[lovelyirony]

Stars with thorbruce

Bruce remembers his mother’s hand smoothing over his curls, telling him stories of how the constellations came to be. He remembers hearing soft words of using the Big Dipper for milk and cookies. He smiles as he remembers asking his mother who lived among the stars. 

They were beautiful, surely someone had to live there. 

His mother smiled. 

“You will find it out, my smart boy. None of us know yet, although some of us have a feeling that we’re not alone in this galaxy.” 

Bruce would look out his window every night and ask the stars who among them lived in what world. He asked how their world was. 

Thor knew others lived other places. His mother read Loki and he stories of other people, how they lived. 

His father said how Asgard ruled it all with a golden-hued hand. 

He asks of Terran people, Midgardians. 

“You don’t need to concern yourself with them,” Odin says. “Now go and train. A weak king serves no purpose on a strong throne.” 

- 

Bruce does not smile when he realizes that there are others out there, not when he’s been dragged in as a monster to help fight other monsters. Accepted, just this once. 

He looks up at beings who look like stars for one brief second. And then they descend with a roar, and he knows. 

He turns, letting Hulk take the lead. 

His mother knew they were not alone. 

But she could not have known this was the result.  

- 

Thor is…different. He returns from taking his brother back to…Asgard? And he is quiet. 

Bruce just quietly moves around him to get his tea or food. 

“Dr. Banner?” Thor asks, his voice impossibly soft. It does not fit a man who is as large and imposing as he is. “Can you…what can you tell me about Earth?” 

“It sucks,” Bruce answers automatically. 

Thor blinks. 

Bruce does not want to explain why earth sucks. So he takes his naan and goes back to his room. 

- 

The god cannot leave well enough alone. He is knocking on Bruce’s door at eight o’clock in the morning. 

Bruce answers in an old t-shirt that’s seen better days, old pants, and bags under his eyes. 

“Why does earth suck so much?” 

Bruce sighs. 

“Go to the kitchen. I’ll explain there.” 

Bruce goes into a long-winded tangent about how much human invented concepts suck and how policy makes everything slow and he can’t even fly in a plane because he’s deemed a flight risk and people keep trying to kill him and the unending guilt over his own mistakes will be his demise. 

“Do you guys have therapy on earth?” Thor asks. 

Bruce laughs. 

“Yeah, we do. I need to find a new therapist soonish. Just hard with my…issue. Earth doesn’t suck. It’s cool.” 

“Show me?” 

“Uh…yes?” Bruce asks, blinking. “What do you want to see?” 

“What’s your favorite thing about earth?” 

Bruce has to think. 

“Come with me tonight. On the roof.” 

- 

The stars are never as bright as they were in Ohio, which is about the only good thing Bruce can say about Ohio. It’s the only good thing anyone could say, really. 

“Are you serious?” 

“Yes, never go there,” Bruce says. “Ever.” 

“…noted. Not even for one of your natural…reserve park things?” 

“Nope. Not even for those. You’re gonna get murdered there.” 

“I’m a god, Bruce.” 

“Ohio people only believe in one god, and that god is less jacked than you.” 

They laugh together. 

Bruce tells him all about his mother’s stories of the stars, what he learned from others. 

“Do you want to hear our stories?” Thor asks softly. 

They make a habit of going on the roof once a week, weather permitting. If it does not permit, they sit in the sunroom and have coffee, chatting that way. 

Bruce learns that Thor was alive when Nikola Tesla was, but never went to earth. 

“I was in training to become king, and Odin didn’t really want me venturing out too far,” Thor says. “But I heard that earth had some catching up to do. You definitely have us beat with food though. Damn.” 

They stare over at the stars. 

Bruce struggles to ignore his red cheeks or the fact that Tony keeps calling him “lover boy.” 

“Nope. I’m not that.” 

“Sure you aren’t, the rest of us spend time gazing into Thor’s eyes,” Tony says, batting his eyelashes. “Just ask him out already.” 

“Get therapy,” Bruce shoots back. 

“Are we talking about how we all need collective help?” Natasha asks. “I thought that was what Steve’s meeting was about tonight.” 

“Shit, I’m not going to that then,” Clint says. “Do you think he’ll buy it if I tell him that my dog has a son?” 

“I don’t buy anything, I grew up in the Great Depression,” Steve responds, coming down the stairs. “Also Clint, you have a dog? Since when?” 

“Since never,” Clint responds back. “I don’t have a dog.” 

“Good, Tony said no dogs.” 

“For Steve,” Tony mumbles. “But we’‘re missing the obvious part of this discussion, which is Bruce’s love-life.” 

“I don’t have one of those in stock.” 

“Check in the back,” Tony snarks. 

Bruce rolls his eyes. 

“I don’t have a love-life guys,” Bruce says. “The only thing I love is dismantling huge corporations that are evading ecological law.” 

“And also hanging out a ton with Thor,” Natasha responds. “Wait, are you–” 

“If we have to talk about emotions then I demand we discuss Natasha’s thirsty tweet about Sharon.” 

“My cousin, Romanoff?!” Tony yells. 

Bruce takes this time to escape down to his lab, where Natasha is not allowed in. 

“I cannot say with full certainty that she will not break in,” Jarvis answers. “But I will try my best, Dr. Banner. Hell hath no woman like a woman.” 

“You’re just as bad as Tony with phrases,” Bruce says. “But thanks.” 

Thor is down there. 

“Why is Natasha locked out of the lab?” 

“She told me that she preferred wine from California, she was obviously banned,” Bruce says quickly. 

“I thought last week’s argument was you and her against Clint,” Thor says. “And I think you won? Clint thought his expired Kool-Aid was wine. That was a very sad night.” 

Bruce freezes. 

“Ha. Yeah. That was right. She’s still banned.” 

“What was the debate upstairs about? I heard snippets about it. Tony said something about checking in the back? Is he mad about the fruit again? He can’t expect to buy strawberries and them to still be there.” 

Bruce laughs. 

“Nah, Steve’s having a group talk about therapy options for us. I think Tony’s gonna try and con his way out of it by pushing Bucky in front of him. It won’t work.” 

- 

As it turns out, Natasha has swift revenge. 

She can’t break into the lab. 

But she can make sure the two of them can’t break out. 

“Until you confess the door is gonna be closed,” Natasha says over the intercom. 

“Confess what?” Thor asks, looking nervous. 

“Oh…you know. Stuff. Now you have to by six, otherwise Steve will break you out and then you have to say it as a duo. Do you want to tell all of us or just the two of you…alone?” Nat asks. 

“Fuck you,” Bruce says, flipping off the sensor. 

- 

Thor’s nervous. He…this is new. He hasn’t liked someone is what is probably about two thousand years. 

Bruce is…he’s different. 

He likes the small things and rants about how stupid the smallest things are (like his least favorite spoon) and also looks phenomenal when the sun is shining and he’s laughing about a new story and…

Thor wants a forever. He’s known forever. 

But he hasn’t known forever with Bruce. 

And now they’re locked in his lab. 

Bruce bangs his head against the table. 

“Think Steve will break us out?” 

Thor is about to answer when the intercom comes to life again. 

“No, he won’t be,” Tony says. “I’ve managed to convince him to share his PowerPoint on what kind of fork he wants to reorder for the kitchen. He got passionate about what design he wants on the handle.” 

There’s a muffled yell that sounds suspiciously like “no curvature on the handle!” and then silence. 

“God,” Bruce mutters. 

They sit in silence for a moment. Thor’s not exactly sure what to say. It’s not like they make Hallmark cards for “you’re the first person I’ve loved in about two millennia and I want you to be mine until the earth implodes.” 

Similarly they don’t make a Hallmark card for “I thought I was incapable of love but now I’ve fallen in love with you and you’re a god and I’m a near-indestructible chaos-bringer.” 

It’s a work in progress for the card-making interns, honestly. 

“What did Nat mean by talking to me?” Thor asks. “I know this is probably gonna be awkward. Wouldn’t be locked into a lab if it wasn’t.” 

If Bruce had had maybe ten minutes to himself, he would’ve come up with a good lie. One that he could say without shifting eyes or a stuttering mouth. But he can’t. Lying takes time. 

“So I’m pretty sure I like you. As in want to take you out on a date like you. And I didn’t tell you because you’re a god.” 

Thor blinks. 

“Bruce no offense but you calling me a god and also seeing me at my lowest in salmon board shorts? Hilarious.” 

Bruce gives him a face. 

“You know what I mean.” 

“And I was going to say that I like you, but you are a brilliant scientist who changed your world through discovery, not by force,” Thor responds. “You love helping others and you also turn into a giant green guy who likes food trucks and hates not smashing things.” 

Bruce blinks. 

“Did we–?” 

“Yeah, we did. I also think this means we have an excuse to miss both Steve’s presentation on fork styles as well as his call for therapy, which in reality was only for Clint.” 

The lab doors open. Bruce automatically flips Natasha off, but is met with Natasha flipping him off. 

“Tony wants to talk to me about my ‘intentions’ with his cousin because of you, Banner. This means war.” 

“Well now I have a guy who has a giant, unliftable hammer on my side,” Bruce says defensively. He grabs onto Thor’s hand, grinning. “Just try me.” 

Thor smiles too. 

“I believe I owe Bruce a few more dates, so we will regrettably be missing Clint’s intervention,” Thor says. “See you later!” 

Clint makes a groupchat with them in it only to send: 

:((((( guys :( 

They don’t check it until the morning, after Bruce rolls over and complains that Thor has way better pillows. 

[ofmermaidsandmarauders]

stolen dreams took our childish days - chapter 2

Read on AO3, FF, or below the Read More

February 2020

It was Fergus’ first day back to school and he was dreading it. His stomach was in knots and despite Jamie’s best efforts, he was essentially refusing to eat the pancakes that are placed in front of him.

“C’mon, lad. I even made them into wee Mickey’s!” Jamie stared at Fergus for a moment before letting his own shoulders fall. “Fine, fine. Eat some of yer fruit and then we’ll head off to school.”

Fergus felt like this was a fair trade-off, so he took a few bites of the berries that were on the plate. He knew that he had survived a school day on less. In fact, this meal was like a feast fit for kings. Claire and Jamie had wanted to make his first day back special, and he knew they were just trying to be nice, but it was making him more nervous. He was afraid that his friends would notice a new family dropping him off and ask questions. His teacher would likely know what had happened, and her eyes would be full of the pity that usually shone through after something tragic like this. 

He had observed the change last time it happened in front of his own eyes. He had only been six when his teacher asked where the bruise on his shoulder had come from. Fergus had tried his best to hide it but the shirt he was wearing was dirty and had slouched off while he was taking his coat off after their recess break. Looking at the bruise, he had just shrugged it off.

“Oh, that’s just from my mom’s boyfriend. He was angry last night.” His answer had been so matter-of-fact. He was only six. How was he to know that it wasn’t the norm? Most mommies didn’t have boyfriends who hit their six-year-old children. His teacher’s eyes had instantly shone with tears and from then on had looked at him with this pity and sadness. She had called someone. The police, maybe? He wasn’t sure. All he knew was that the next night, an officer and a caseworker had shown up at his mom’s door. They had talked with his mom for a while. Her boyfriend wasn’t there after they had gotten into a fight. The officer and caseworker had left after pulling Fergus aside and reminding him that if anyone ever hurt him he should tell a teacher at school again.

The minute they had left, Fergus’ mother was in tears and approaching him. Her hands were shaking and he noticed that she looked more tired than usual.

“What the hell did you do that for, kid? Can you imagine if Adam had actually been here? You would’ve gotten him in so much trouble! He didn’t mean to hurt you the other day!” She seemed to just be ranting at him rather than talking to him, so Fergus kept his mouth shut. Claudia was distressed, tugging her hands through her long, curly hair. It looked like she hadn’t showered in a few days. “God, it was just an accident.”

With an eye roll, she walked away from Fergus without another word. Not even to hear him whisper that it was all on accident, too. He hadn’t meant to tell. Moving forward he promised not to talk about his home life. None of the bad stuff. Unfortunately for him, his teacher had also vowed to keep an eye on him. For another month it was okay. A caseworker came out occasionally to check in with Fergus and Claudia. Adam somehow was never around when the caseworker came, but he didn’t care. It was less of a chance of something bad happening.

Almost a month to the day, Fergus came in with finger marks on his upper arms, peeking out from under the hem of his sleeves. There was also a long scratch on his chin he tried to blame on a cat, but his teacher was smart. She knew Fergus didn’t have any pets from their introduction assignment at the start of the year. She knew what the bruises meant and she called the police to come and take Fergus away.

He didn’t think it was fair. He had to leave and Adam got to stay with Claudia. Why was Fergus the one who had to leave his mom? Why didn’t they make Adam go away forever? If he would just go away, Claudia could be happy again. He could make his mom happy.

“Fergus, I asked are ye ready to go to school?” Fergus snapped out of his reverie and saw that Jamie was looking at him with a broad smile on his face, the brand new navy backpack hanging by his side. 

“Oui,” he mumbled, leaving his uneaten breakfast on the table and taking his belongings from the man’s hand. He looked happy to be taking Fergus to school. Adam used to complain when he had to walk Fergus a few blocks to his class. 

Fergus wondered when Jamie would start to get annoyed.

It was Thursday evening and Fergus was completing his homework while Claire finished up with some chores. Jamie had gone to pick up their dinner, a treat, and a surprise, he had said. She just laughed and waved him off as she tried to finish the laundry.

“Claire, have you seen my green blanket?” Fergus asked from the other room, having finished with his work. She popped her head in and nodded, the laundry basket in her arms.

“Yes, just finishing some laundry. I washed it so it’ll be clean. I’ll put it in your room before bed, don’t worry.” She assumed that he would be settled by this, but instead Fergus’ face appeared to grow red and he seemed to shake. His whole body was trembling, fists clenched at his sides.

“Why would you do that?!” The words came from his mouth like a burst of anger, raising to a decibel she didn’t even know he had in him.

“I… I just thought that you’d want it clean. For the… For bedtime,” Claire started stammering over her words, not sure what the issue is.

“I didn’t want it washed! I want you to leave my stuff alone! Do you hear me? Don’t touch my stuff! Don’t touch my stuff!!” He kept screaming, the tears running down his cheeks now. Claire stood frozen in the doorway, the laundry basket now feeling like it had concrete loaded inside.

“I’m… Oh, Fergus. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know…” she whispered, her own tears filling her eyes. 

Fergus knew that it was an accident. Claire was just being nice, but he didn’t care. It was the only way that he was still connected to his mom. His caseworker still hadn’t told Claire or Jamie when he could start visiting her again. Last time it had been over two weeks. What if it took longer this time? At least with the blanket, he could hold it tight and smell her, but Claire had taken that from him. Just like they had taken him from Claudia.

“Go away!” he yelled angrily, running to shove the door closed before she could come in. He didn’t care if it was going to hit her, Fergus just wanted her out of his face. 

Claire looked at the mix of laundry in her basket, letting the tears fall only after Fergus had effectively shut her out. She barely made it to her own bedroom before breaking down into hiccuping sobs. It hadn’t even been a week and she had already done something to make him hate her so.

Most foster parents spoke of the ‘honeymoon’ stage with a child. The child would be on their best behavior, no tantrums, no acting out, for at least a few weeks. They had all sworn it up and down in the classes. The worst part is that she didn’t even blame Fergus. She had obviously broken a boundary that he had set without realizing it. She was the only one to blame.

Claire wasn’t sure how long she lay in the bed, frozen with tear tracks on her cheeks when Jamie came into the room. 

“Claire?” he asked softly, moving to push some hair off of her cheek. It took a slight tug, glued to her skin by the saltwater that had dried. “What’s wrong, mo chridhe?” 

“He hates me,” she whimpered pathetically. Claire couldn’t bring herself to look at him. There was a reason she couldn’t have children. She couldn’t be a mother. She wasn’t meant to be a mother because she was bad at it.

“Claire, I’m sure he doesn’t hate ye. What happened? I was barely gone for twenty minutes, ye ken? I come home and ye’re crying yer eyes out and he’s in there throwin’ a wee fit.” Jamie had a slight smile on his face despite the situation, knowing that the two had obviously gone at it.

“I was just trying to wash his things. He just… He flipped out. He was angry I touched his things. And he’s right. I should’ve asked. I don’t know what he’s been through. They say in the classes that personal items from home can be a major trigger and look at what I’ve done! I just disrespected his boundaries!”

“Christ! Claire, ye ken that there was no way for ye to… Ye had to do the laundry.” Jamie pulled her into his arms, letting her rest between his thighs with her head against his shoulder. She took a deep breath and then let it out, her breath covering his skin in a sad exhale.

“Yes, but I should have asked what he needed to be washed,” she insisted, trying to find some way to make herself at fault. He knew what path she was heading down and was determined to steer her from it.

“Claire, ye ken that ye did nothing wrong. Now, we will go in there and deal with the lad, but I need ye to see that yer doing a wonderful job as a mother. Besides, ‘tis only the sixth day together. There will be plenty more fights where that one came from,” Jamie reassured her as his hands slid down her arms. She leaned back to look him in the eye and finally cracked a smile. 

“You’re right. We can fix this. He can’t stay mad forever, can he?” She smiled a little more and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I love you.”

“I love ye, Sassenach.” Jamie guided her to stand by her hips before standing on his own. 

Knocking on Fergus’ bedroom door, Jamie called out to him and heard a feeble mumble.

“I’m going to take that as an agreement that we can come inside,” Jamie called through the door, opening it a crack. Fergus was curled up in the window seat, his own tears now dried. His things had been tossed about within his bedroom, obviously the aftermath of a tornado tantrum.

“Och, now, what’s the matter, lad? I understand that ye were upset but ye canna leave yer room in such a state. Let’s clean it together and then we’ll all talk over dinner.” Jamie looked proud of himself, and Fergus perked up a bit at the thought of dinner. He was very hungry after his tantrum. “I brought home Italian. Spaghetti, meatballs, chicken parmigiana, and the likes!” 

“Alright,” he agreed, moving to grab the closest toy, opening the window seat where he stored most of his unused things.

With the room clean and the three of them settled at the table, Jamie glanced between his wife and their newest addition. The two of them both appeared uncomfortable. He nudged Claire’s shin with his toes, arching an eyebrow. She needed to be the one to fix this.

“Fergus… I…” She trailed off, chewing on her lower lip for a moment before sighing. “I’m sorry for touching your things. I didn’t understand how important they were to you and I should have asked you to give me what you wanted to be washed. I hope you can forgive me.” 

He stared at Claire for a moment, blinking repeatedly before nodding. Jamie watched the boy for a moment, waiting for him to say something, though he remained silent.

“Fergus, Claire just apologized. Can ye acknowledge her apology?”

“Oh, um…” Fergus looked nervous, his fork pushing some of the spaghetti around on his plate, though no effort was made to eat any of it. “I’m sorry I got mad at you, Claire. It’s just…” He froze, realizing that he was about to reveal exactly what had upset him. For a minute, he wasn’t sure he should say anything. What if they laughed at him? But then again, no. They had helped him clean up his room, even though the mess was his fault. And Jamie didn’t look mad at him for yelling at Claire. In fact, he looked like he was actually trying to take Fergus’ side and make things better. 

“I just miss my mom. She gave me that blanket and it smelled like her so now it won’t. And I was really mad at you, Claire. But I’m sorry I yelled and that I threw my stuff and made you guys help me clean. I won’t do it again I promise. Please don’t be mad at me, okay?” The words tumbled out of him faster than he could think them. 

Once Fergus realized the gravity of what he had done, he was suddenly even more anxious that he would carry the weight of the blame for the situation, and the two would want to be rid of him. He had heard of kids being kicked out for less.

“Oh, Fergus. Honey… I…” Claire trailed off, her eyes fresh with tears as she stood from her chair and crouched in front of him again. Get on their level. That’s what all the books and blogs had said. Get to their level so they feel like they’re being heard. Well, she was trying that approach again, hoping that he knew how sorry she was. “I never should have touched your personal things. I’m so sorry for washing your blanket. I can’t imagine how much you miss your mum.” Her hand smoothed down his thick curls, a sad smile gracing her features.

“Och, lad. Of course ye were upset. Only an accident though, aye?” Fergus looked up at Jamie’s words, a flush of anger spreading over him before realizing that Jamie wasn’t mocking him. He had a similar smile to Claire’s, his own hand reaching over to rest on Claire’s shoulder. Claire didn’t look like she was in pain though, not the way that his mom did when Adam put his hand there. In fact, Claire reached up and squeezed Jamie’s hand, like she wanted him to hold her.

“Yeah, just an accident. I’m sorry for yelling,” he told Claire again, placing his own hand on her forearm. Their limbs all created a link, connecting them together as they got through their first argument as a family.

“Fergus, maybe tomorrow we can call Ms. Sutton and see how soon you can see your mom? If it’s not going to be for a while, we can see if she’ll let us call your mom in the meantime. Do you think that would help?” Claire’s offer was one that was foreign to him. Nobody had ever sought out his mom. Nobody had ever tried to offer him that lifeline before. Fergus nodded enthusiastically and leaped into Claire’s arms, hugging her tightly around the neck.

“Thank you, thank you. Merci, merci, merci!” He repeated over and over into her curly hair, tears filling his eyes.

[cupcakezys]

Fun challenge for you! (If you wanna do it): Re-write an Arwen scene to Merthur😉

Oooooo yes! Sorry this took a while, I just had so many different ideas and life did not want to give me a break to write any of them. Also, I know you said an Arwen scene… but I might have written a little more than that. So have this way-bigger-than-I-meant-it-to-be fic. ^_^

Read on AO3.

Merthur under the cut!

“I can’t believe you convinced me to stay with you.” Arthur groaned, looking around Merlin’s tiny room. “Was there nowhere else I could stay?”

Merlin rolled his eyes and shoved his semi-clean tunics back into his closet. “We need to keep you out of sight, and Gaius may not know you’re here but he does know your magical beast is about as real as-“

“Your serving skills?” Arthur asked, amused, as he lifts an old bowl Merlin had been meaning to clean for weeks now. The inside had turned a slight red from the soup that had been in it. “Truly, Merlin, this is disgusting. You can’t expect me to stay here.”

Merlin, having spotted his magic book peeking out from under his bed, dived for it, feigning grabbing for his fallen pillows. “You really can’t go without your big bed and your soft pillows? Maybe I could ask Gwen if she’d let you stay with her, or we could hide you in Morgana’s chambers if you really can’t live without your precious royal bed.”

Arthur’s face pinched and he turned away from Merlin, allowing him to grab the book and throw it into the bottom of his closet. He breathed a silent sigh of relief and went back to fixing his bed.

“This will be fine.” Arthur finally said, tense like Merlin was telling him he needed to walk through hot coals.

He rolled his eyes. “Prat.”

Arthur pretended not to hear him. “How are the preparations coming along? Have we found someone to play our knight in the tournament?”

We, he said, like it wasn’t Merlin doing all the work. “Absolutely. He’s a farmer from one of the outlying villages, and no one will recognise him.”

Arthur didn’t look convinced. “But does he look the part?”

Merlin shrugged. “Well…”

“Merlin.” Arthur hissed the moment he opened his bedroom door, making him drop the large pile of washing in his arms, and gods, why did he have to do that.

“What?” He snapped, irritated. He’d only half cleaned the leech tank and still had to do the laundry and scrub the floor. His knees hurt just thinking about it.

“Do you think anyone suspects us?”

Merlin sighed and sat on the edge of his bed. Arthur had taken it the first night, and though Merlin could have complained and gotten it back, he didn’t. Arthur had offered to sleep on the floor the instant he’d seen Merlin lay down, of course, because he may be a prat, but he was a noble knight too. Merlin had refused and gotten a pillow to the face, Arthur’s laughter following him into sleep.

Now he shifted so he was facing Arthur, just barely able to make him out in the darkness. “I doubt it. From what Gwen’s told me, the ladies of the court are quite impressed with Sir William. They think he’s very handsome.”

Arthur snorted. “Typical. He wouldn’t know a real knight if he whacked him round the head with his lance.”

Merlin shook his head, though he couldn’t stop the grin crawling onto his face. “Is all this really worth it?”

Arthur sighed. “Yes. I don’t expect you to understand, but when I’m competing as William, my title doesn’t matter, nobody gives me any special treatment. So when I win this tournament-if I win this tournament, it will be because I deserve it and not because I am Prince Arthur.”

“I think I understand.” Merlin said, though he wished he didn’t. If Arthur’s status as the future king of Camelot kept him from harm then Merlin wasn’t complaining. He hesitated a moment, but Arthur didn’t say anything more, so he stood. “I need to finish these chores for Gaius.”

Arthur sighed, tired and quiet. Merlin gathered his washing and slipped from the room, careful not to wake him.

Merlin startled awake to Gaius standing over him, eyebrow raised, and his head pounding from a night spent sprawled uncomfortably on the floor. A quick glance outside showed the late morning sun shining brightly in the sky. Arthur would have left by now, nervous as he had been this whole tournament. Merlin wasn’t sure why he hadn’t woken him, but he knew he’d be in for it when he went down to the tournament grounds today.

“Merlin, on your feet.” Gaius said sternly. “Arthur may be away, but I’m not. And why is my leech tank still dirty? Where do you get the idea you can sit around all day doing nothing?”

“Wha-?” Merlin pushed himself up, irritation and anger born from all the stress and exhaustion of the past few days rising up before he could stop it. “Do you think I sit around doing nothing?! I haven’t had a chance to sit around and do nothing since the day I arrived in Camelot! I’m too busy running around after Arthur! Do this, Merlin! Do that, Merlin! And when I’m not running around after Arthur, I’m doing chores for you! And if I’m not doing that, I’m fulfilling my destiny! Do you know how many times I’ve saved Arthur’s life?”

Gaius opened his mouth, but Merlin didn’t give him the chance to say anything. He was too angry, and it was like a dam had been broken within him. He didn’t think he could stop himself now, even if he wanted to.

“I’ve lost count. Do I get any thanks? No. I have fought griffins, witches, erm- bandits! I have been punched, poisoned, pelted with fruit, and all the while I have to hide who I really am, because if anyone finds out, Uther will have me executed! Sometimes I feel like I’m being pulled in so many directions, I don’t know which way to turn!”

He was panting by the end of his rant, and all of a sudden he felt exhausted. Gaius was looking at him like he’d never seen him before, but Merlin didn’t feel like talking anymore, let alone apologising, so he spun on his feet and all but ran for his room. He slammed the door behind him and all but collapsed against it.

He heard a door close, knew Gaius had left, and sighed.

Then promptly screamed when he opened his eyes and saw Arthur sitting in his bed, hair sleep tousled and eyes wide.

He clapped his hands over his mouth. “How much did you hear?”

Arthur blinked. “Why would my father have you executed?”

“Arthur-!” Merlin stepped forward, only to jerk back when Arthur flinched, reaching for a sword he didn’t have.

“Are you a spy?” Arthur hissed, more awake now, and Merlin panicked.

“No! I was just- I was born differently. In a way that the king wouldn’t approve of.” He wanted to run, rather than have this conversation.

But Arthur was staring at him in confusion, and Merlin knew if he ran now he might never get the chance to explain himself. He wasn’t sure if it would even matter, if he could lie his way out of this one, but he had to try.

Arthur frowned. “You were born- what, because of magic? Some sort of spell?”

“No.” Merlin shivered, his voice dropping to a whisper. He didn’t even think, too caught up in his earlier anger and the panic now making his heart pound. “Arthur. I was born with magic.”

He immediately clamped his hands back over his mouth. Damnit. Curse his stupid mouth for speaking before he could think. Fear crawled up his back as he watched the prince closely.

Arthur blinked twice before he slowly shook his head. “No. You don’t- I would know if you had magic!”

“I’ve had to hide it all my life, for fear of what would happen if the wrong person found out.” Merlin swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat. “If your father found out. How was I supposed to tell you?”

They stared at each other for a long time, until Arthur grabbed his cloak and pulled it around himself. Merlin pressed himself into the door as Arthur approached him, and hated that Arthur refused to even look at him.

“Move.” Arthur growled.

Merlin shivered. “What are you going to do?”

Arthur’s jaw twitched. “I have a tournament to win.”

“O-oh.” He slid out of the way, shoulders hunched, as Arthur slipped past him.

Arthur paused. “Your services are no longer required.”

And then he was gone, and Merlin collapsed onto the ground, heart shrivelling in his chest.

Merlin wondered the marketplace in a daze. He had no idea where Gaius was. He suspected he was at the tournament – watching in case anyone got hurt, ready to tend the stupid, bull-headed knights that liked to stab at each other with sharp objects.

Merlin didn’t know for sure. He couldn’t know for sure, because he refused to go anywhere near the tourney grounds. The risk of running into Arthur wasn’t too high, considering the prince was pretending to be away on a mission, but still Merlin didn’t want to risk it. He was afraid of what he might do – whether he’d beg Arthur to forgive him or scream at him for being such a prat when it was Merlin that had to live his life in fear.

No, it was best to stay far away, and that was why he was wondering the marketplace, a bag full of his belongings over his shoulder, as he contemplated leaving.

He wasn’t sure he actually could. Camelot had become his home this past year, and he was reluctant to leave it, whether Arthur hated him or not. He didn’t want to leave Gaius, or Gwen, or Morgana, and who knew how long Kilgharrah might have to wait alone in the dark before someone made their way down to his cave and spoke to him again. The old dragon might have been selfish and just a little manipulative, but Merlin couldn’t imagine spending twenty years alone in the dark, and the idea of leaving anyone to that fate made his gut twist uncomfortably.

On the other hand, if Arthur truly did hate him now, could he trust him to keep his secret? Merlin didn’t know, and it was both terrifying and infuriating. If Arthur couldn’t see all that Merlin had done for him, maybe he wasn’t the once and future king Kilgharrah had foretold he would be.

Maybe he wasn’t everything Merlin had believed him to be.

“Merlin?” A voice called, startling him out of his thoughts.

He jerked around. “Gwen?”

She hurried over to him, a basket in her arms, and Merlin idly wondered what was in it. “What are you doing here? I thought you were helping Sir William.”

Merlin felt his smile turn forced. “He didn’t need me today.”

“Does that mean you missed his bout against Sir Leon?’

Merlin didn’t want to be curious, but he was. “Why? What happened?”

Gwen bit her lip. “Well, he looked really distracted. Sir Leon almost unseated him twice before Sir William managed to catch him in the side and knock him off. He made it into the final.”

Merlin released a quiet breath. “That’s good.”

“I also happened to pass by his tent after the match.” Gwen said, in that knowing way of hers, and Merlin immediately winced.

“Gwen-“

She held up a hand. “It’s alright. He explained. I mean, I understand, to an extent, why but- I mean obviously I couldn’t ever really understand why, I’m not a knight but- you know what I mean.”

Merlin smiled, a real one this time, even if it was only small. Trust Gwen to cheer him up by just being herself.

“He also asked me the best way to apologise to someone he cared for.” She glanced at him meaningly, then chuckled to herself. “Well, he asked in his own way, without asking.”

Merlin swallowed thickly, his throat suddenly dry. “What did you say?”

“I told him that actions speak louder than words, and if he really wanted to apologise he should do something to prove it.” Merlin would be surprised that Gwen had spoken up to the Prince of Camelot, but he knew how determined she could be when allowed the courage to speak freely. Arthur wasn’t someone she needed to hold her tongue around. “So he came up with a plan.”

Merlin leaned close, trying to ignore the way his heart was beating faster by the second. “And what is this grand plan of his?”

Gwen grinned. “He’s going to cook you dinner.”

Merlin jolted. That he was not expecting. “He’s… cooking? Arthur?”

Gwen nodded, almost laughing now, and Merlin had to wonder if this was all some elaborate prank.

Then he imagined Arthur, Prince of Camelot, cooking him dinner, and the fear for Gaius’s tower had him sprinting for the castle.

Merlin only slowed when he reached the bottom of Gaius’s tower. He could hear the faint sounds of cursing coming from the top, and although Gaius should be making potions for tomorrows patients, he suspected his mentor wasn’t the one currently condemning all chickens to an eternity in hell.

He pushed open the door slowly, almost afraid of what he would see.

Thankfully, nothing was on fire. Arthur stood in the corner of the room by the fire, a raw chicken in his hands, and as Merlin watched he frantically tried to find a way to dispose of the chicken in the fire. Eventually the prince threw it in the empty cooking pot and turned back to the rest of the room.

Two dinners from the palace kitchens sat on the bench, and Merlin wasn’t sure if he felt relieved or disappointed.

Looking at Gaius’s still-intact rooms, he decided he was very relieved.

He swallowed and opened the door. “Gwen told me you were cooking.”

Arthur jumped and glanced up at him, guilt and just a touch of fear on his face before he swallowed it back behind his princely mask. “Merlin.”

He inclined his head to the dinners on the table. “You’re not cooking.”

Arthur glanced at it and grimaced. “Look, I can kill a chicken from a thousand paces, just don’t ask me to cook it. That’s what servants are for.” Merlin raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms. Arthur winced. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

Merlin sighed and pushed the door closed behind him. “I’m not ashamed to be a servant. I told you before, didn’t I? I’m happy to be your servant until the day I die.”

Arthur made a small, strangled sound. “Why?”

Merlin turned around and shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable. “Because I believe in the world you will build.”

“Even though you’re a sorcerer?”

Arthur’s voice was tense, hard, but it wasn’t cold like Merlin had feared.

“Yes.” Merlin met Arthur’s eyes, the first time he had since he had admitted his secret, and was surprised to find Arthur unwilling to look away. “I know you will create a land free and full of peace, a world where ordinary people no longer have to fear for their lives and the rulers of Albion don’t fight each other, but join together to create a golden age of prosperity unlike any other.”

He shifted, looked at his feet as his hands clenched behind his back.

“Even if you never learned of my magic.” He whispered. “Even if it was still banned and you only ever believed it was evil, I would still believe in you. I would still protect you, no matter the cost.”

This time, Arthur sounded a little bit awed, and a little bit broken when he spoke. “How can you be so sure?”

Merlin simply smiled at his boots, a sad thing, and shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Arthur moved forward slowly, giving Merlin plenty of time to move away. He didn’t. A hand rested on his shoulder, another on his chin, tilting his head up gently, and Merlin didn’t resist. Arthur’s eyes were a storm this close, all dark and deep and blue.

He swallowed, and saw Arthur do the same.

“I know I have much to learn. There are some things that I am terrible at – cooking being one of them, and knowing what to say to someone I care about.” He sucked in a breath. “And also apologising when I know I’ve done wrong.”

Merlin’s breath stuttered. “Arthur-“

“Let me finish.”

Merlin hesitated. He’d never heard Arthur sound like that. Like he was begging. He nodded, as much as the fingers on his jaw would allow.

“I’ve had some time to think. About what I heard, and what you said.”

Merlin was tempted to ask about the bout with Sir Leon, but he’d promised to let Arthur finish, and he was almost afraid to interrupt him now, in case this was all a dream.

I’m sorry.” Arthur whispered, and Merlin had to wonder if that was the first time Arthur’s lips had ever formed the words. “I’m sorry you grew up with such fear. I’m sorry you still live with it, every day. I’m sorry it was my farther that forced you to live a life of hiding. And most of all I’m sorry I made you feel too unsafe to tell me.”

Merlin, embarrassingly, felt tears welling up in his eyes. “And I’m sorry I lied to you. I know it hurt you.”

Arthur nodded, accepting the apology easily, and then he released a shaky breath. “Your magic-“

His voice seemed to give out on the word, like he couldn’t force the rest of his sentence past it. Merlin understood. It was difficult, terrifying even, speaking of magic in the heart of Camelot without condemning it.

“My magic?” Merlin prompted, because he needed to hear what Arthur was going to say.

Arthur licked his lips nervously and moved away. Merlin’s chin tingled where his fingers used to be.

“I know you’re not evil. I know if it’s yours then the magic isn’t bad.” Arthur forced out, and now it was his turn to avoid eye contact. “but…”

“It still makes you uncomfortable.” Merlin said, understanding.

Arthur went to protest, but Merlin knew him too well, and Arthur knew it. His face twisted into a slight grimace instead, and rather than admit it he turned to their cooling dinner.

“Come on, let’s eat.”

Merlin smiled hesitantly and joined Arthur at the table. “Does this apology meal include you washing the dishes too?”

“Shut up Merlin.”

Merlin laughed, but after they had finished eating Arthur took his plate, and when they went to sleep that night Arthur slept on the floor, no matter how much Merlin protested.

They woke the next day and silently got ready, Merlin helping Arthur into his clothes as he always did. It felt unreal, that Arthur knew and still trusted him to do this. That he still saw Merlin as Merlin, despite the lies and his father’s hatred of all things magic influencing him his whole life.

“One more match.” Arthur murmured, breaking the silence. “Then the tournament will be over.”

Merlin fixed his cloak around him and stood back. “Then you can go back to being Prince Arthur. To being waited on hand and foot, the giant comfy bed, with the ability to order around innocent servants and knock around your thick-headed knights.”

Arthur frowned in mock offense. “My knights aren’t thick-headed. Some servants are just too much of an idiot to understand the mind of a knight.”

Merlin pressed a hand to his heart dramatically, and then they were both laughing and smiling softly at each other, and Merlin’s heart missed a beat at the look in Arthur’s eyes. He reached up for his neckerchief and gently tugged it free from his neck, ducking his head shyly as he offered it to Arthur.

“For luck.” He said by way of explanation, and hoped that would be enough.

Arthur rolled the fabric between two of his fingers. “Is it… you know?”

Merlin looked up. “Charmed? No, it’s just an ordinary favour.”

Arthur took it, a slight grin on his lips. “An ordinary favour? Do you know what favours are, Merlin?”

Merlin’s breath caught. “Yes.”

Arthur stared at him, unblinking, before he slowly wound the cloth around his arm. He stared at the red bit of cloth for a moment, breathing shallowly, before turning back to Merlin.

“Thank you.”

Merlin grinned, was going to say no problem prat, now try not to die out there, when suddenly Arthur’s lips were on his and he couldn’t think, let alone speak. He simply allowed himself to be kissed, and when Arthur tried to pull away he tugged him back, throwing his fear and inexperience to the wind and kissing his prince with everything he had.

Finally Arthur managed to pull himself away, and Merlin let him go, no matter how he wished he didn’t have to.

“I must go.” Arthur whispered, and Merlin nodded, because he knew he did, and then he was gone, leaving Merlin alone in his room.

He raised a hand to his lips. They tingled, and Merlin couldn’t wait until this stupid tournament was over so he could kiss Arthur again, preferably in the prat’s rooms, where they could lock the door and not be disturbed for hours.

When Arthur inevitably won the tournament – with only a little help from Merlin and his magic, considering his knightly opponent had mysteriously been replaced with a deadly assassin – Merlin was the first one to congratulate him. It was also the first time he told Arthur he had saved his life, and exactly how, and they first time Arthur had reacted to the mention of magic without a flicker of hate or fear.

It was also the first time Arthur allowed Merlin to use magic on him, the deep cut in his side fading to a thin scar, near invisible unless you knew what you were looking for. Arthur had been uncomfortable, but he hadn’t told Merlin to stop, and after he was healed he had ordered Sir William of Daira to go collect his trophy.

Merlin had kissed him senseless for that.

It was later, late at night in Arthur’s chambers, when Arthur addressed what they had both been avoiding thinking about. Merlin had an arm around Arthur’s shoulders, Arthur’s head on his chest, and Arthur’s fingers tracing patterns onto his side.

“What we have between us, my father would never understand. Least of all if he were to discover your magic.”

Merlin shushed him. “I know. You don’t have to explain it to me.”

“We’ll have to be careful.” Arthur continued, as if he hadn’t heard him.

Merlin snorted. “I know how to be careful Arthur.”

Arthur sighed. “I know you do.”

Merlin pulled him closer, and golden hair tickled his nose. “Things will be different when you’re king.”

He felt Arthur smile. “They will. I swear it.”

It was dangerous, but Merlin was used to danger. Living in Camelot was dangerous, but it was worth it. Similarly, loving Arthur was dangerous, but Merlin knew it was worth it, had the moment he’d saw what a noble man the prince was inside. So Merlin let himself fall asleep, Arthur curled up in his arms much in the same way he had curled up in his heart, and dreamt of the golden future they would bring.

It was their destiny, after all.

-

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[misfitmonarchy]

for the non-sexual intimacy prompt list: could i get handholding, in the park, for the first time? thank you, thank you

“Scott, you’re being ridiculous!” Allison yelled from the living room, where most of the pack was trying to drown out the shouting from the kitchen. 

“Yeah, listen to Allison!” Stiles shouts from where he’s glaring daggers at Scott. Scott fixes his apron, wearing the same dark look on Stiles’ face. “At least SHE knows when it’s a good time to cut her losses, as someone who’s dumped you enough times, I think we can count her opinion as expertise.” 

The living room was silent in shock as Scott threw the towel he’d been twisting in anger on the kitchen island that stood between him and Stiles. His eyes flared Alpha red and Stiles rolled his eyes. 

“Oh puh-lease, like I care about your stupid eyes! You’re just pissed I’m not one of your Betas. I told you about this MONTHS ago!”

“That you were feeling distant from the pack! That you might need some time? Yeah. You didn’t tell me  you went and got a NEW ALPHA!” Scott roared. Derek hadn’t even taken off his shoes yet, snow still melting in his hair as he raised his brows at the pack in the living room. 

“What the hell’s going on?” Derek asked as Erica, Isaac and Kira came over to welcome inside. They all cringed as another crash came from the kitchen. 

“Those were my mother’s! Be careful with those or you’re dead!” Jackson snaps. 

“Shut up!” Scott and Stiles shout in unison. 

“Stiles joined a new pack I guess, while in the FBI? And Scott just found out.” Erica says, with a pinched face. 

“That’s... Didn’t he mention something about this back in October?” Derek asked. He could still feel his bond to Stiles thrumming in his chest as it always did. He’d never noticed it change or shift at all, he was still pack, even if he had a new alpha. 

“He did. That’s why Stiles is pissed that Scott’s having a fit.” Lydia sighs from where she’s picking at a tray on the coffee table filled with crackers and dips and fruits. 

“Packs shift all the time, especially where he’s been so far from the rest of us for so long...” Derek says, frowning at another crash and more yelling. 

“FUCK YOU!” Stiles shouts and Derek cringes at the pure animosity of it all. “I shouldn’t have even come back, huh? You didn’t fucking miss me at all did you? I’m your brother! It shouldn’t matter that I have a new alpha!” Alright, that was enough. Derek moved past the others and into the kitchen. He dodges what looks like a spatula just before it hits him. It clatters to the floor, and his appearance seems to make Scott and Stiles pause long enough for Derek to stand between them. 

“That’s enough, both  of you.” Derek may not be the alpha but his snarl is enough to make the younger boys look at their feet. “Scott, we’ll talk when I get back. Stiles, put on your coat.”

“Bu-”

“Now, Stiles.” Derek glares at his back as Stiles, side steps a broken plate and walks past the Christmas tree towards the door. The living room is dead quiet as Stiles gets his things and slams the apartment door behind him. Derek turns to Scott and then nods to the burning food behind him. “We’ll bring back something, try to salvage what you can.”

“I... Yeah. I’m sorry I just--”“I’m not the one who you need to apologize to, and I don’t think you know what exactly you’re sorry for. We need to talk about pack politics, but later. For now try not to ruin the holiday any more than you have?” Derek leaves before Scott can say anything back. 

Allison sends him a grateful look as Derek heads out after Stiles. 

Derek takes a moment to clear his head before leaving Scott’s apartment and following the scent of white-hot anger and the salt of tears. Stiles sits on the curb outside the building, hugging himself as the snow falls into his hair. 

“Come on.” Derek says, waiting for Stiles to stand before leading him down the sidewalk towards the park, it was a good short cut to one of the better 24 hour grocery stores. There weren’t many that were still open this late on Christmas Eve. 

They walk in silence, and Derek waits until Stiles has caught his breath, wiped his tears and crossed the street with him before talking. 

“He’s being a moron.” Stiles grouches as they enter the park. The city has decorated the trees with simple white string lights. They pass several people taking pictures. Stiles is still glaring at his feet. “I told him about this a while ago! I don’t fucking understand his problem! We’re still pack! We still share the bonds!”

Derek hums along with him, moving Stiles out of the way of other people on the path by holding his shoulder. At some point his hand eventually just holds onto the fidgeting spindly fingers instead. Stiles rants and until he hasn’t got any words left in him. 

“In his mind, Scott still doesn’t really understand the line in pack and... family. For born wolves it’s easiest, it makes sense. For him, he sees you as an essential in grounding him and always being there. Kind of like a parent letting their kid go out on their own.”

“If anyone is the kid in this situation it’s Scott.” Stiles grumbles. Derek squeezes Stiles hand to shut him up.

“Look at it this way, every wolf at least for born wolves, is born into a pack. That hierarchy is almost always with their parents as their alphas, true alpha or not. Just like how your dad at one point was your alpha, he set the rules, took care of you... etcetera.” Derek absently rubs his thumb down Stiles hand, ignoring how it made his chest tighten. “Scott doesn’t see it that way. He sees it as what you’re born with is what you keep forever. But there came a time where your dad wasn’t your alpha anymore, right?”

“Yeah, it was Scott. And... Well I think you at one point, but that was a confusing time.” Derek nods and maneuvers them between a few couples that are doing photo ops by the lights. He looks over at Stiles who has only just now seemed to notice the lights at all. 

“Exactly. It’s not that you aren’t pack anymore, it’s just that you’ve found a new person that you see as your alpha, someone you respect and trust to take care of you. Likely a supervisor, or a friend, someone who’s rules and objectives you see as your own. It’s completely natural. I think part of Scott’s problem is that even after these past few years, he’s not completely in tune with his alpha instincts. It’s really hard, especially for someone who’s not born into it. You should give him some slack, he probably had a bigger issue with you smelling like another alpha than anything else.”

Stiles frowns but nods along, his fingers twitching against Derek’s. They walk in silence a bit more before they reach the end of the path. 

“So... we were both being morons?”

“Basically.” Derek nods.

“And almost ruined Christmas because our heads were up our asses?”

“Yep.” 

“Great.” Stiles snorts sarcastically. 

Derek laughs, pausing when he sees a strange open look on Stiles’ face. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” Lie. Derek doesn’t bother asking though, and looks behind Stiles to the trees. “We should take a picture, with the trees.”

“You want to?” Derek asks and Stiles nods, rubbing his face again to make sure it wasn’t still wet from angry tears. They have someone take it for them. 

They bring back frozen pizzas and chicken tenders from the store, and only when they reach Scott’s apartment does Stiles realize that it’s the first time Derek Hale has held his hand. He also realizes that maybe he doesn’t hate it so much... that maybe he would like to do it again. And maybe never let go.

Instead he opens the door for Derek who’s carrying the bags and goes up to enjoy what they can salvage of their Christmas Eve dinner with the pack.

[jungshookz]

can you do a college ta!jimin where y/n is failing her class but she’s too scared to go to jimin for help even though he’s her ta bc every time she sees him in lecture she makes a fool of herself and is embarrassed bc jimin is also v hot

→ pairing: park jimin x reader

→ genre: university!au, ta!jimin, neRVOUS!y/n, tae and kook are the dream team from hell, joon is a try-hard but we still luv him 

→ wordcount: 2.5k

→ note: ok i was going to write this tomorrow but i couldn’t wait because i need ta!jimin in my life right now immediately so i’m soRRY if it’s short but IT WAS SUCH A CUTE IDEA and i needed to get it ouT into the world also fun fact: a girl that i met during my first month at uni told me all about how she fucked her friend’s psychology TA to help her friend get an A in the class and i need me a friend like that

(gif isn’t mine!) 

um

hi

quick question

why the FUCK did you think this astronomy course was going to be easy peasy

it was supposed to be your grade booster!!!!!

all you learn about are the STARS in the sky

they’re just flaming balls of gaS and you somehow are unable to grasp that concept for some reason

“how’d you do???” namjoon plops down in the seat next to you before looking at his own test and flicking through the sheets

you blink down at the test in your hands

49% written in an angry shade of red

you technically failed even though you were 1% away from getting a passing mark

this was the last chance to boost your mark before the final exam and you totally just bombed it

there are three midterms that you have to take in this course

which meant you had three chances to study hard and do well

you got 59% on the first one

63% on the second one

and this one?

49%

you droPPED not 1% not 2% but a FAT 14%

o boy

you have a feeling you’re not going to do too well on the final exam considering the journey so far

“i, uh, i did okay.” you shrug and stuff your test into your backpack quickly “how’d you do?”

“eh, i did okay too. 86% is fine, i guess.” namjoon murmurs and circles one of the questions on the test “i didn’t study as much for this one so that explains why i did more poorly compared to the first and second one.”

you peek over at namjoon’s test and let out a sigh when you notice his has a significantly less number of red cross marks

you love namjoon but you’re ready to smack the back of his head because you would be ecsTATIC if you got 86% on a midterm you barely studied for

“i’m probably going to go talk to jimin during office hours and ask for some help with the questions i got wrong. you wanna come with-“

“nO” you immediately curl into yourself and wince when namjoon mentions jimin

jimin

park jimin, if we’re being more specific here

he’s the TA for this class and let’s just say,..,,..,,. there’s a reason why the class filled up so quickly at the beginning of the year

he is drop-dead gorgeous

like unbelievably gorgeous

like sculpted from the gods themseLVEs gorgeous

soft, perfectly tousled raven locks

pretty brown eyes

the cutest button nose

and his lips

his pillowy lips that curl around certain words so perfectly and you’re always mesmerised when he takes over a lecture because he does this thing where his tongue will poke out and swipe over his bottom lip in the middle of his rant and you will never admit to anYone that you’ve fantasised about what it’d be like giving him plump bottom lip a lil kith once or twice or thrice

he has a couple ear piercings and you never thought you’d be attracted to that but oH boy you definitely are

not to mention he’s like???? so fashionable???????

most of the time he wears like a button-up tucked into a pair of slacks just to keep things professional or whatever but SOMETIMES he walks in in like a pair of ripped skinny jeans and a loose white tee and a denim jacket or something and that just gets your gears gOING

one time you caught a glimpse of his bicep flexing as he ran his hand through his hair and you literally couldn’t focus on anything for the rest of the class

(today he’s wearing a white button up tucked into a pair of ripped blue jeans and he has his thick black glasses sitting perfectly on his nose)

and!!!!! on top of that he’s the sweetest human being in the entire world

everything about him is just so utterly, frustratingly perfect

he gigGles very often and overtime he does that you’re pretty sure an angel is born in the heavens above

and he’s always super helpful with everyone

even though it’s pretty obvious some of the people in here approach him with the dumbest questions because they just want an excuse to talk to him he will anSwer those dumb questions and help them to the best of his abilities

you haven’t really had a conversation with him before just because this is a class with 200 people and you obviously aren’t going to elbow your way through the crowd just to stand there with nothing to ask him

the only question you can imagine yourself asking is “…..wat is a star” and u don’t want him thinking you’re a big ol dummy

however

the times that you havE interacted with him or the times that prove to you that he does indeed know that you exist have been awful to say the least

absolute humiliating

you don’t know why but every time you make a fool of yourself it’s in this class and it’s riGHt in front of jimin

when you were doing your presentation with a couple other classmates you kept stuttering over your words because jimin was in the front row just staring at you and you could feel your face growing redder than a tomato

you kept stumbling and missing important parts in the presentation so your teammates had to step up and help you a little and afterwards you apologised proFuSely and treated them all to a drink from starbucks

another time namjoon asked if you could go down to the front and grab his paper for him and as you were walking down the steps of the lecture theatre you missed a step and fell riGHT in front of jimin

so, in conclusion: jimin probably thinks you have a speech impediment aND you’re clumsy as hell

you’re just glad that there are only like 2 weeks of class left because that means you’ll finally be able to get away from jimin

it’s not like you want to get away from him

it’s just that

you can.,,.,. u can feel yourself starting to develop a tiny crush on him (spoiler alert you already have a fat ass crush on him you stubborn walnut) and that ain’t good because then you’ll be all sad and mopey because you know for a faCt park jimin is way WAY out of your league and there’s nothing you can do about it

“y/n.”

but you know what you should at least try and say something to him before the year ends because if you don’t you’ll probably regret it

“y/n.”

oR you could make an anonymous page on that ‘university crushes’ page (there are already severAL park jimin posts on that Facebook page so you’re sure your contribution won’t make a difference)

“y/n!!!!!!!” you jump when you feel someone grab your shoulder and you snap out of it immediately “what’s gotten into you?? i said your name like a trillion times!” jungkook furrows his brows

“what? what?” you look around frantically and-

what the heck

when did you get to the dining hall

“i said her name a trillion times on the way here and she didn’t reply to me either.” namjoon snorts as he picks up an apple from the fruit basket “she’s probably daydreaming about jimin again” he teases and you resist the urge to roll your eyes when you see slow smirks begin to appear on everyone’s faces

oh god

here it comes

“ooOooooOOOHH-“ jungook and taehyung begin teasing you and you whack their hands away when they reach up to pinch at your cheeks “our y/n has a little crush on park jimin!!!!!!!”

“i don’T have a crush on anyone!” you scowl and grab a carton of apple juice for yourself “cut it out, you freaks”

“aw, don’t be like that! it’s okay! he’s a very pretty person.” taehyung nods and grabs the juice box from your hand

“get your own juice box.” you snatch it back from tae’s hands before whipping around and heading towards the table where they put all the muffins and donuts (you’ve been craving something sweeT)

as you walk towards the table you turn your head so that you’re able to send a glaRE at your friends “i’m terminating this conversation because i do not want to talk about my crush on park jim- oH-!” suddenly you’re stumbling riGHt into someone and you feel hands grip at your waist to keep you steady while your own hands instinctively reach out to balance yourself

you turn your head back quickly ready to profusely apologise to this person for your clumsiness and that’s when you realise you just stumbled riGHT into-

p a r k   j i m i n

/…..FUCK

christ

jesus CHRIST

see

it happened again!!!!!!!!

whenever you do something humiliating jimin is riGHT there

“careful there!” he laughs lightly and you retract your hands from his pecs (ᵒʰ ᵐʸ ᵍᵒᵈ) immediately “you good?”

“great. i’m good!” you squeak out and feel your cheeks starting to warm “i- uh, are you okay? i’m so sorry, i wasn’t watching where i was going-“

“don’t worry about me, i’ll survive.” he jokes and your eyes immediately dart away because of your inability to hold eye contact for more than like fiVE seCONDS

“okay, cool, um, that’s good. ……anyways i’m just gonna pay for my juice box-“

“y/n, right?”

you immediately look back up at him

o god

he knows your name

okay okAY okay calm down just act cool you’re super cool you’re a cool gal!!!!!!!

[high pitchy voice] ʸᵒᵘ’ʳᵉ ᶠᶦⁿᵉᵎ

“yes. that’s me. i am her. i am y/n.” okay there we go we finally got there “you’re… jimin.” oOFhkj

u know what just shut up don’t say anything

“you’re the one who wrote about astronomy and its relationship with astrology, right?”

huh

oH righhhhhht that paper you had to write for astronomy

while you’re not good at exam-type things you’re pretty good when it comes to papers because it’s just you ranting about something but make it ~professional~ aNd also cite ur sources

“yes! that was me!!” you perk up because that paper was the onLy thing you were confident handing in in the class lol “i actually changed my topic last minute but i’m glad i did because i had a loT to say about the subject - b-but you probably already know that because you’re the one who graded it, hah-“ you reach up and scratch the back of your neck awkwardly

you catch a glimpse of the boys over jimin’s shoulder

they already paid for their food and they’re sitting at your guys’ usual table and while namjoon is shooting you a thumbs up and a dimpley smile both tae and kook are being iDIOTS

kook has his fingers curled like an ‘o’ while tae is sticking his finger through the hole and they’re botH wiggling their brows at you and you feel your cheeks warm even moRE

that’s so embarrassing

why are boys like that

whY are you friends with boys like that

namjoon scowls and whacks their hands down before pointing to their food and you can practically hear namjoon telling them to cut it out and just eAT you dumbasses

“i thought it was really well-written and very well executed. i enjoyed reading it, actually. i enjoyed it so much i read it twice!” jimin laughs and you feel your heart skip a beat when you hear his cute giggle “how did you do on the latest midterm?”

you’re not… particularly sure why jimin is stiLL talking to you

it’s not like you’re complaning or anything

you’re just confused 

..,.,.,is he just being friendly because TA evaluations come out soon

hM

“i did, um… let’s just say i could’ve done a loT better.” you clear your throat

you’re not about to remind him of your grades because u really reaLLy don’t want him to think you’re a moron  

“oh! i’m sorry to hear that…” he frowns and his shoulders droop slightly before he perks up again “i’d be happy to talk to you and help you out! i’m free at 5:30 this afternoon.”

“5:30 works for me! but don’t office hours end at 4?” you furrow your brows in confusion and your bottom lip pokes out a little in the tiniest of pouts and jimin uwus internally

“yeah, and?” he still has his bright smile on his face and you are just conFUSEd “i’ll help you out and maybe we can grab a bite to eat afterwards.”

wait what

wait hWAT

“are- are you sure? i don’t want to inconvenience you or anything-“

“don’t be silly, you could never. here, i’ll give you my number.” jimin plucks the pen out from behind his ear and grabs your hand and you feel your heart rate SPIKE almost immediately

you instinctively giggle when the pen starts gliding against your skin and jimin peeks up at you with a smirk “ticklish?”

you take your bottom lip in between your teeth and keep your eyes on your hand “a lil”

jimin clicks the pen and tucks it back behind his ear and you look at the digits that have been scrawled on your hand “alright, i have some more midterms to grade so i’m going to disappear but i’ll see you later?”

“yes, that sounds good” you swallow thickly because you’re still registering the fact that park jimin just,,, gave you his number

“see ya!” jimin waves at you as he starts to walk away and u literally almost scream when his right eye drops in a wink

you wave back at him shyly and press your lips together

what is going on

is this a fever dream

are you in a simulation maybe

and then you’re standing there just wondering.,..,,. what was THAT and also are u going on a….. date later

nO no no

don’t over think it

he’s just being nice

he’s a nice guy

jimin lets out a breath once he leaves the dining hall and he has to stop to let his heart calm down a little

god damN

that number thing was a bold move but he’s so glad you didn’t reject him or anything

hopefully you show up this afternoon otherwise that’d kinda suCK

he can’t believe it took him nearly two whole semesters to finally grow some balls and say something to u lol

better late than never!!

help me help you make your wishes come tru (aka send me a request)

masterlist

[rubythecrimsonwriter]

Flipping Legacies, pt. 4 (unedited)

pt. 1 (edited)

pt. 2 (edited)

pt. 3 (unedited)

Parts of pt. 3 are included in this, simply because I ended pt. 3 in a weird spot because that was where I’d stopped writing.

For those who are new and following me from ao3--no, there’s not yet four chapters to this. On tumblr, you people get to have the dubious honor of seeing my writing process, so you guys get stuff as I’ve written it. Or as I have time to carouse tumblr and post. Mostly the former so far. The latter for this time.

~~~~~

“He goes by the name of Ra’s al Ghul—R-A-apostrophe-S, lowercase A-L, then capital G-H-U-L,” she says, letting the potatoes boil and grabbing the flour she’d set aside on the counter and the yogurt and eggs out of the fridge. “He’s apparently immortal—Hood didn’t tell me how or why—and he’s also, evidently, pervy and borderline sociopathic, which is just what everyone wants in their terrorist organization.”

She’s on speaker. She can tell because she can hear Clint snort and Steve let out a noise that is probably a mostly-strangled laugh.

“I did some digging,” she says. She leaves out the part that she’s made acquaintances with the street workers, who are wary of her, but apparently all know that she’s gotten a mostly-all-clear from Red Hood. New Yorkers’ gossip mill is only trumped by the Gothamites’. “The League is mostly based out of the Middle East, but Batman pissed them off however many years ago and have made regular forays into the city since then--just to stir up trouble.” There’s a produce vendor that got really snippy and went on a three-minute rant about how he’s supposed to make money when he’s got Batman and the League playing real-life Fruit Ninja that Natasha had to actually use her training to keep a sympathetic face on and not bust a gust laughing at.

There is also the accompanying YouTube video that she’d pulled up out of curiosity and got the magnificent image of weapons-grade steel forged with loving precision into a tool of clean death being used to slice an actual watermelon that had been chucked at the assassin by one of the Robins. The video is too grainy to get a pin on which Robin, but she would bet just about anything that it was the second Robin. The second Robin enjoyed pulling weird shit out of nowhere and throwing whatever-it-was at unsuspecting enemies before launching himself.  

The three-pronged attack—with Batman as the formidable third prong—worked about ninety-five percent of the time, and Natasha almost always gets a laugh out of whatever had been used as a distraction this time.

“Half-baked assassinating nuisances, in other words,” Tony snarked.  

It’s not a video call, but Natasha can see Steve’s eye-roll.

“In other news, I had to beat Hood over the head with the knowledge that he is a Kingpin,” she says casually, grinning outright in the privacy of her apartment.

Clint immediately bursts into laughter, while silence radiates from Steve and Tony.

“He tried arguing with me,” she continues, her grin leaking into her voice. “He defined a Kingpin, and then tried to define himself as something else. I watched him mentally flip through various adjectives and come up with synonyms to the definition he’d just read me about Kingpins.”

There’s a muted thud, and Tony finally joins Clint in laughter. Steve’s not one for boisterous laughter like the rest of the boys, but she can imagine him resting his head against the nearest flat surface and grinning helplessly at the very idea of having to be told that you’re a kingpin.

“’You’re a wizard, Harry,’” Tony chokes out, and then resumes laughing.  

Clint wheezes a little.

“Very much so,” she agrees. “He’s stupidly impressive in his criminal activities, so I did not anticipate having to argue with him about the definition of them. It’s one thing if I have to argue with someone over whether viewing a copyrighted video posted online somewhere that’s not sanctioned by the company is illegal. Its an entirely different thing if I have to argue with someone over whether their systematic takeover of power of the various mafias defines them as a Kingpin.”

Natasha folds the yogurt, flour, and eggs together to make the dough needed as she talks.

“Natasha,” Steve says. His grin is bright in his voice. “You’re breaking Clint.”

Yes, she is quite capable of hearing Clint wheeze.

“I need both hands for my perogies now, so I’m hanging up and giving Clint a chance to catch his breath,” Natasha says.

Tony shouts something to JARVIS—something mathematical that she hasn’t bothered looking up yet—and Steve says, “Clint’s flapping a hand in the phone’s direction, so I’m assuming that he’s saying goodbye.”

“Bye, Clint,” she says affectionately.

“Bye, Natasha,” Steve says.

“Bye Steve, go wrestle Tony into eating something not blended by a robot with questionable tastes and sleeping sometime before I come back to the Tower,” she says, and hangs up before she hears Tony say something lewd about wrestling.

~~~~~

She realizes something as soon as she starts trying to dig into Ra’s al Ghul’s past: Hood was not lying or exaggerating about the immortal part of the immortal asshole description. She can’t decide if she’s disgusted or impressed by the fact that he’s anywhere from two hundred to seven hundred years old, depending on what trail she follows. His actual name has long been lost to the annals of history, much like her own—though whether it was on purpose or by accident would only be known by Ra’s. His new name directly translates to Head of the Demon, or, more American-ized, Demon’s Head.

On the plus side, the word ghul—demon—has been around for many more hundreds of years before Ra’s has, so she doesn’t have to wonder if he named himself after it or if they named it after him.  

On the other hand, the only Demon’s Head that comes up during cursory google searches is some punk clubs and the occasional BDSM place. Ra’s al Ghul, as a name of a person, shows up nowhere. There is a lady named Talia al Ghul that flits in and out of Gotham elite as she ferries back and forth between her home in the Middle East and Gotham, but she’s so high profile that her secretly being part of a terrorist organization is a stretch.  

Natasha has done it. She still works undercover and she is still highly successful. It’s possible. With whatever immortality source (or possibly a gene?) that Ra’s al Ghul has, he could have theoretically passed it onto his daughter, and therefore Talia is much older than she looks. Natasha’s first instinct says that she’s spinning this yarn for far too long and it’s implausible in the extreme, but. Well. She passed her own centennial three years ago, and she still looks twenty-six. And she lives with a frozen super-soldier from 1945, who is rapidly nearing his own centennial and looks twenty-three. Plus—well. Talia al Ghul has ties with Gotham, and anyone that she would even think twice about and has ties with Gotham is probably worthy of some digging. Gotham was highly suspect long before Batman and the various Rogues showed up on the scene.

She’s beginning to suspect that she’ll get nothing from google, and only vicious, overblown rumors from the locals when she starts heading towards the most likely area where the League of Shadows is.  

But Talia. Talia might be the key.

She digs a little deeper, using her old SHIELD access paths at times (slightly illegal) and outright hacking other things (blatantly illegal) and manages to access TSA and FAA for the last few years. Talia has travelled a lot more than the tabloids have tracked—all of the countries on the Arabian Peninsula, which makes sense. Some other Middle East countries—Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq—as well as Russia, Poland, Switzerland, Egypt, Somalia, Libya, and Morocco.  

The interesting thing?

The only time Talia travels alone is when she goes to the States. All other times, she is accompanied by people that are clearly bodyguards, or one other male that fits the description of Hood, or a child.

Her phone pings and lights up next to her. She unlocks it swiftly.

ras al ghul has a daughter, Tony texts.

let me guess, her name is Talia? Natasha sends back.

her names talia al ghul and is somehow high society socialite? how does that work?

Carefully. Natasha responds snarkily.

wait what did YOU find on her?

likely the location of los and a few pieces of confirmation that hood was probably under her care for several years, but not in the last year. it fits the information i was given. hood is probably about nineteen or twenty

It’s a grim thought, but it looks like the League of Shadows are not completely to blame for Hood’s proficiency. This will be a long mission. Dismantling the child soldier/assassin organizations tend to take a while.

~~~~~

Natasha had strayed from the path laid out for her in late November of 1989. In a blatant display of correlation does not equal causation, it was also the last time she had seen Drakov—aka the Winter Soldier, aka “Bucky” Barnes. Their last time together was a traumatic one, and ended with Drakov being forcibly wiped and Natasha extracted and sent across the world.

Perhaps an outside observer would immediately jump to the Hollywood-esque conclusion: she was so distraught over what happened to him that she broke away to do good in the world. On the contrary—it was not his treatment that had bothered her. Being wiped was normal for Drakov. He became unstable rapidly, unable to do his job.

No, what had bothered her was he, himself, who named her Romanova.

“You hold the power of the states in your hand,” he’d said affectionately. “A queen among women, always.”

She was number twenty-eight among the Red Room. Her name was whatever her handlers wanted it to be for the mission.

A name. A name. A name. Strange how powerful something so simple as a name can be.

And then she had gone looking. For her name. For her sisters’ names. For the names of those that she had slaughtered and killed while training to become Chernaya Vodva.  

By 1991, the Soviet Union fell at her feet, and the Americans started realizing that there were some outside influences on how it had fallen.

By 1998, she’d been safely ensconced in SHIELD, under the protection of Coulson and the wing of Barton.  

Twenty-five years had passed, and the shock of seeing Drakov in Gotham was like Clint managing to rig one of his pranks successfully. Shocking at first, and hilarious after a few seconds had passed.

Of all the places that Drakov could have gone to. He had all of New York City, all of the US, all of the world that he could have gone to, and he chose Gotham.

“Natalia,” he says.

“Drakov,” she says.

He looks...surprisingly good, actually, for a man set free of his captors and little idea of the state of the world. If he’s who Steve says he is—which he probably is—then Natasha has little doubt that the combination of Steve Rogers Wrangler and Winter Soldier both served him in good stead in this brave new world.

“You look good,” she offers.

“You look like trouble,” he responds dryly.

She can’t help the smirk. “My specialty,” she says.  

“Are you and Steve still running headfirst into the stupidest shit?” he asks.

“Even worse: we plan on running headfirst into the stupidest shit,” she says.

“Oh, no, not the plan,” he says flatly.

She grins, sidles up to him, links their arms together. “I have missed you,” she says fondly. “And more to the point, so has Steve. How dare you not teach me how to withstand his particular brand of puppy dog eyes.”

They walk, falling into step like they had so many times before. “You overestimate my teaching abilities if you think that I can teach you that through anything but throwing you at it repeatedly.”

Remembering the times that he had actually thrown her at something, she sighs. “Bozhe moy. No. That is not an effective teaching strategy, Drakov.”

“Maybe not, but it’s highly entertaining anyways,” he says.

[cartoonfangirl1218]

EoA ships fluff headcanons part 4

Who secretly melts inside when the other says their name? Eleteo: I feel like it’s equal melting on both their parts. For Elena, this sort of love is nothing like she’s felt before. Everything is just so *special* when Mateo says it. He makes her feel like the most important person in the world which is definitely saying something. He’s just so sincere and warm, and the way he says her name with love and adoration and respect makes her fall for him even more. Mateo makes for a lot of the same reasons. He’s not a “nobody” wizard hiding in his basement. She makes him feel like he can do anything, that he’s worth so much more to her and it makes him want to be more for her, and so it continues in an endless cycle. Gababel: Isabel does. Like I said before, it’s not hard to get her to blush whereas Gabe is concerned, and when Gabe says her name especially in the beginning of the relationship...just lots of red face. Part of it is from the disbelief she still has, as well as how it just feels like she is being singled out. She’s gotten kinda used to being Elena’s little sister, burgeoning scientist, it’s hard to believe she can step out of the shadow and be noticed especially by Gabe. But she is, and the way he says her name makes her feel safe, and respected and with such warmth...yes, she loves it, and him. Estenaomi: Esteban does. He is a secret softie and so he secretly melts when Naomi says his name. It is so often that her softer side is hidden under her sassy exterior so the times when she says his name with fondness that she gives no one else, it’s special to him. Especially whenever he feels like his abuelos are nagging him with how he can’t be more like Elena or be more mature, and then he knows, he has Naomi, who (almost) never says his name in a tone of deep disappointment and he hopes to never disappoint her ever. Estoma: Doña does. Since almost no one knows her real name, and Esteban rarely says it in public, so when he does it is in some deep or romantic talk which just makes it even more special. He says it like it is the most beautiful name in the world, it just like ❇️ It goes a long way to making her hate it a bit less. Who nose boops the other more often?

Eleteo: Elena does, she is affectionate like that and it makes Mateo a blushy mess. Gababel: Same as above. Isabel does it more often and it gets Gabe so flustered especially since she usually draws it. She goes on her tip goes and Gabe is expecting a kiss but gets a nose boop and smart remark or compliment. Estenaomi: I feel like it is even. Like Esteban can sometimes do it condescendingly like when he was teaching Naomi to dance but Naomi dishes it right back at him when she’s teasing him. Estoma: Doña usually in the middle of Esteban speaking. She says it’s like an automatic “shut up” button which he doesn’t appreciate.

Little habit that entertains the other? eleteo: Elena is always entertained by whenever Mateo imitates someone else since it is usually so exaggerated or when he gets annoyed. She is not entertained by his annoyance per say but his arms get so frenzied and he is all animated and not the usually calm and collected, it’s a bit funny like when Esteban “ate” his mom. Mateo is entertained when Elena gets all sassy and competitive like in the Scepter Training shorts. It’s always fun to hang out with Elena when she starts doing her hair flips, and sometimes he starts goading her competitiveness just a bit. Gababel: Gabe gets entertained when Isabel sees a scientific mistake in some sort of scientific journal where there isn’t suppose to be any artistic license or suspension of disbelief because it is supposed to cold hard facts and she goes in a long rant and Gabe just smiles. Isabel is always entertained by whenever Gabe incorporates his guard training into little things he does like throwing fruit or olaball or snowball fight because she finds it cute when he shows off and how proud he looks. Estoma: Doña is entertained whenever someone gives a speech Esteban wrote because you can always see Esteban in the background, mouthing all with the words with cringing and enthusiasm whenever the person gets it wrong or right. Sometimes Esteban accompanies Doña shopping and he is always a bit entertained with the way she has her assistant behind her carrying bags and taking the stuff while she points to it and says “Mine.” Not “I think I’ll buy that” or “Maybe this one?” Just, “Mine. Mine. Mine.”  He sometimes asks her if she even looks at what she’s buying or if it depends how shiny it is. Estenaomi: Like Elena, Esteban sometimes gets his entertainment from when Naomi is annoyed or freaking out because it’s usual the other way around when Naomi is telling him to calm down and not be dramatic or it’s not a big deal so yeah. The shoe is on the other foot. Naomi is entertained by Esteban’s constant feud with anyone who has not heard of or doesn’t agree hat Avaloran chocolate is the best. Because Esteban just gets so personally offended but she also can’t blame him because chocolate is worth fighting for.

Who overpacks?

Eleteo: Hmm I feel like Mateo would. Not with clothes but just with additional spellbooks for “light” reading whenever Elena is at her political meetings even though he ends up not reading half of them because he is spending time with Elena. Gababel: Isabel does. As in line with her overthinking nature, she packs everything they could possibly need in case of an emergency by sea or land though Gabe tells her not to worry  because he’s there, he’ll take care of any emergency😉 Estenaomi: Esteban does because he cannot *possibly* go to Paraíso without his black linen suit or his matching red bolero jacket or his Flores family heirloom dagger or his hairdryer or well, there’s more but you get the idea. 😋 Estoma: Again, it would be Esteban. But I feel like Doña would overpack in the return trip from all her shopping. Who moves in with the other, and who decorates?

Eleteo: Well technically we saw that already with Mateo moving into the palace and the wizard quarters were already decorated but when they officially move move in as a married couple it is still Elena who decorates the room with some of his books even though he says they can keep them in the workshop and bringing in some of the baby pictures Rafa gave Elena which again, is so her idea because she finds baby Mateo adorable. Gababel: Well obviously Gabe has to move into the palace since it is so spacious that there is room for everybody and it is technically Blanca who swoops in to decorate along with Isabel because though Gabe can be very neat in his guard quarters, he has no idea about aesthetic and neatness in his room. Plus Isabel likes to keep his things in line with her own system of organization so it’s just best to let her take over. Estenaomi: Well since the two are sailing around the world together, it is Esteban who moves in with Naomi and he decorates his part of the room with his own sense of flair with fancy drawings and clothes and of course, his moisturizing/hair stuff. Honestly his stuff takes up more of the bathroom then hers does. Estoma: Probably Doña moves in with Esteban after they get married since the palace is very big and I can’t see Esteban wanting to be separated from his family. And she decorates it. Though there are the usual disagreements of his stuff blocking hers, there is no need for that many vases in one room etc.

Who watches the other sleep? Eleteo: Undoubtedly Elena because Mateo has little catnaps around the palace or sometimes he studies so hard he falls asleep where he is sitting and that’s where Elena finds him still hours later, and she just smiles at him because he looks so peaceful when he’s asleep. Gababel: Gabe is the one who watches Isabel go to sleep, benefitting his stay up and guard work so Isabel doesn’t quite have the same stamina for staying up late unless she’s reading something really good. Gabe can’t help his heart swelling with love and disbelief that she is lying beside him and he just cuddles her closer. Estenaomi: Hmm I feel like it would be either of them. More likely Esteban would find her asleep standing up at the bow so he has to take over but Naomi has watched him fall asleep, and like Gabe can’t believe she’s spending her life with him. Estoma: Esteban since I picture him as the night owl so he’d stay awake longer and watch her with a small smile on his face.

Worst date ever? Eleteo: It was all going well when the whole staff came upon them along with the Grand Council with a list of things that needed to be done now and by done now I mean done that morning when Elena was kissing Mateo. It turns out in all her busyness, Elena forgot to cancel all her appointments and forgot to inform them of her date. They tried to salvage by continuing somewhat romantic activities in the few 1-2 minute intervals but it was hopeless. Estenaomi: It was a real disaster date. First, Naomi gets splashed with mud all over her new dress, then Esteban burns his tongue on the spice and accidentally spills his water on Naomi, they miss their carriage ride to the olaball game and ended up with a night back on the ship where they just rested. Well rested for like half an hour. Then they realized the food they had was a little suspect when the food poisoning hit them. Estoma: I imagine in the beginning, they kept their dating on the down low just to make sure it would work out and you know, not be a mistake they’d regret the rest of their lives. Well one night they go to the opera and surprise, it was also Francisco and Luisa’s date night. And since they assumed there was nothing going on between them, they invited themselves along to sit next to them and join them for dinner. Gababel: Another abuelos crashed date. But not exactly. Gabe and Isabel were pretty well established as a couple so obviously they were together for Christmas time. Just for their families to meet up and chat while they sneak out with some mistletoe. Well, Blanca, Roberto, Luisa and Francisco got to talking and all the baby stories came out. All of them. All the ones they hadn’t want the other to hear. Isabel was mortified when Luisa started to bring picture albums. And there was nothing they could do as the adults kept pulling them in to the conversation.

Favorite feature? Eleteo: Both love each other’s eyes. They are truly the window to the soul but Elena’s love for Mateo’s soft sweet smile and his curls come at a close second. Estenaomi: Esteban adores Naomi’s freckles, you knowing counting them. He finds them so uniquely her. Naomi likes Esteban’s swoopy hair which she should considering how much gel and time he spends on it. Gababel: Though it might be considered shallow Isabel likes Gabe’s arms. Not only because they are mascular but they just make her feel safe. Gabe likes Isabel’s mouth, anything that comes out of it so informative and special and sincere even when she is babbling, and then of course there is the kissing. Estoma: Doña likes Esteban’s face. I mean it is so expressive, at times incredibly sweet, hilarious and sinful all at once. Esteban likes her hands, she uses them a lot and are perfectly well manicured. What they did after they got married?

 Eleteo: Once they walked out the hall, just before the ceremony there was lots of swinging around and kissing and surprisingly, silence as they took each other and the moment in. They did it. After all the drama and dangers, they got a perfect happily ever moment and then they kissed. Which was promptly ruined by Luisa, Naomi and Isabel reminded Elena she had to get changed. But once they got on their honeymoon they got to kiss again. And again. And yet again.   Gababel: Once they left the crowd and crossed the threshold of their honeymoon suite, they actually did a kinda adorkable happy dance. They were married to their best friend and soul mate, and after that little dance, Gabe picked Isabel up again and they started to spend the rest of their lives together. Estenaomi: Well let’s say the day after they made their impulsive, not that sober marriage, they. Got over their hangovers and realized what happened. At first it was a bit awkward, saying they could always have it annulled but then it led to their talk that yes, they did see themselves heading for marriage, they actually weren’t so horrified by that they were currently married. I mean they did what to spend their lives together anyway. So they started a second celebration to their decision that they were going to stay married. Estoma: After the ceremony and before the rest of the party, they took a moment to repeat their vows in private because they were trying too hard not to cry in public and kinda missed it as it was being said. As you can imagine, it was much better the second time with their undivided attention and maybe some choked up moments. Most romantic kiss?

Eleteo: For Elena it has to be her first kiss with Mateo. Now, Elena is usually very confident but love...that’s a whole different ballgame. She wasn’t sure how he felt and moreover, the whole feeling was just so vulnerable and uncertain and yet she felt so right next to him. So when they first kissed, it was like a sign that everything between them was going to be perfect. They were perfect for each other. The kiss made Elena stop thinking and just be complete with Mateo.For Mateo, the moment after the priest said “You may now kiss the bride” during the ceremony. It was like fireworks went off. Everything was perfect. The world was safe. He had a whole new family and Elena, beautiful Elena and he were cementing their bond for eternity. Nothing could top the thrill he felt.  It felt like he was complete and he was at home. 

Estenaomi: The most romantic kiss for Naomi was the surprise first year anniversary date. Esteban had been so annoying with the way he kept the whole thing a secret. But the surprise was totally worth it when it was a gondola ride down the canal. Also frustrating was that he refused to kiss her till the ‘right’ moment which was also worth it because it was in the moonlight as they went under the bridge. Esteban’s most romantic kiss was his second one with Naomi. They had kissed once before but they thought it didn’t mean much, it was just drunken fun. But weeks later, Esteban being the impulsive boy he is decided to do some risky move during one of their adventures and nearly fall off a cliff and Naomi snapped kissing him alternating with yelling about how hurt he could have gotten. But Esteban knew at that moment how much she cared for him since Naomi rarely lets her emotions get the better of her.

Estoma: Like Elena, the most romantic kiss for Esteban was the first kiss they had. Sure, it wasn’t supposed to happen. They were fighting and the heat built up and exploded. But it was also amazing because it was the first time he had been kissed or any sort of affection in years. Plus that unique nervous thrill that yes, she actually might like him back. It was just wow. Doña’s was what started out as horrible trip to her village that Esteban mistakingly thought would be closure. But it was salvaged in the end when they took a walk through a grove of apple trees and blossoms, and as the sunset over the horizon, they kiss. And Esteban asks that this was what she wanted her first kiss to have been like? She’s shocked he remembers that she said and of course, it just made it more sweet and romantic.  Gababel: Isabel’s most romantic kiss came with one of the sweetest gestures Gabe ever did which was to surprise her in Satu for some big intellectual science award prize she was receiving. He hadn’t told her, no one was meant to come since they were busy with royal/baby duties but Gabe managed to get her entire family with homemade signs and after she got her prize she launched herself in his arms with a big kiss. Gabe’s most romantic kiss was the first time he came home from battle after starting his relationship ship with Isabel. He had been worried. Very worried because this was the first time he was going into battle knowing Isabel waiting for him on the other side and of course, that just made him more determined to live.  It had been a horrific battle, he almost lost his leg but he made it and he came home and there was Isabel and it was the best, sweetest kiss of his life. He was home, he was safe, and he was with her.

Showtune songs Esteban: I dreamed a dream (Les Miserables), Evermore (Beauty and the Beast), Waiting in the Wings (Tangled), Nobody needs to know (Last 5 Years), Learn to live without (If/Then), Wait for it (Hamilton), Once upon a December (Anastasia), Empty chairs at Empty Tables (Les Miserables) 

Doña: She used to be mine (Waitress), Learn to live without (If/Then), Money money (Caberet or Mamma Mia), Diamonds are a girl’s best friend (Moulin Rogue)

Estoma: Fine (No ordinary day), Anything you can do I can do better (Annie Get your gun), Elephant Love Medley (Moulin Rogue), Here goes (Rent), Take a break (Hamilton), Something that will last (First Date), Out of the darkness (Ever after)

Naomi: Legally Blonde (Legally Blonde), So much better (Legally Blonde), I can do better (Last Five Years), One day I’ll fly away (Moulin Rogue) Estenaomi: I’ll never tell (Buffy), First Impressions (First Date), No day but today (Rent), In his eyes (Jekyll and Hyde), I’ll cover you (Rent), Something to believe in (Newsies), It takes two (Into the Woods), Seventeen (Heathers), Bad idea (Waitress)

Gabe: History has his eyes on you (Hamilton), Empty chairs at Empty Tables (Les Miserables), One Song Glory (Rent), Sandy (Grease) 

Isabel: Once upon a December (Anastasia), Hopelessly Devoted to you (Grease), Moments in the Woods (Into the Woods), History of the wrong guys (Kinky Boots), When he sees me (Waitress)

Gababel: In a crowd of thousands (Anastasia), It takes two (Into the Woods) That would be Enough (Hamilton), Somewhere (West Side Story), There Once was a man (Pajama Game), As long as you’re mine (Wicked), All I ask for (Phantom), Most amazing thing (Little Woman), You matter to me (Waitress) Eleteo: Under your spell (Buffy), If I never knew you (Pocahontas), Come What May (Moulin Rogue) 

Eleteo: Under your spell (Buffy), If I never knew you (Pocahontas), Come What May (Moulin Rogue), Your Song (Moulin Rogue), Far longer than Forever (Swan Princess), Sunrise (In the heights), As long as you’re mine (Wicked), Next Ten Minutes (Last Five Years), Out of the Darkness (Ever after), Something to believe in (Newsies)   Mateo: Go the distance (Hercules), I’d give my life for you (Miss Saigon), How could I have known (Secret Garden), Something good (Sound Of Music) 

Elena: Empty chairs at Empty Tables (Les Miserables), Defying Gravity (Wicked), Just breath (In the heights), My shot (Hamilton)

Who gets drunk first?

Eleteo: Elena rarely gets drunk. You can’t let the crown princess/queen get drunk in public. But because of that lack of exposure, getting her drunk is really easy. Like three cups of wine easy. And that’s when her not so discreet Flores side comes out with a vengeance and with lack of balance. Mateo is pretty easy too but they decided never at the same time because one of them needs to be sober to drag the other out of the room. It’s like this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WSF9CKO8wIQ  Gababel: Isabel. Even as she grows, she is much smaller than Gabe making her a lightweight and as you said, the things she says when she is drunk. Lots of curses and no filter especially when it comes to talking about Gabe’s mountain range of abs. This most often happens at physicist parties. Crazy things go down with physicists trying to use experiments on alcohol levels. Estenaomi: Esteban gets drunk first. Once more, it is more of his trait that he can never refuse a dare, nor can he refuse a drinking contest. But even if he wasn’t in a drinking contest, he is used to sweet wine not strong hard beer and so he gets plastered one jug in and Naomi has to drag him before he gets into a fight or worse, starts describing their intimate life in way too great detail in front of people they know. Estoma: Doña. But it’s less than staggering drunk but more it makes her sleepy and amorous. She’s a lot more likely to start moving into Esteban’s lap and lying her head in the crook of his neck and saying she wants a foot rub or to go to bed. 

[rebelminxy]

Forbidden Fruit

Pairing: Priest!Sam x Reader

Word Count: 4935

Square Filled: Canning

Rating: Mature/Explicit

Warnings: Explicit Content, Explicit Language, NSFW, 18+, Canning, Double Penetration,

A/N: This is my fifteenth square filled for the @spnkinkbingo! Getting so close to finishing my card! The aesthetic was made by none other than my darling @idreamofplaid she has the best aesthetics that I have come across and will be using more of her stuff with my fics because legit they give me motivations and ideas to write. Thank you sweetie for letting me use them and of course will give credit where credit is surely due :)

MASTERLIST

SPNKinkBingo Masterlist

 “Please Pastor Samuel, you have to help me with my daughter!”

              Sam groaned internally, recognizing that voice before looking up. It was the fourth time this week (Y/N)’s mother had come to his office asking him to ‘save’ her daughter. He looked up at her with a smile, wondering what she was coming in for this time.

“What is the problem now, sister?”

“I believe my daughter has someone taking her down the devil’s path, no, I know for sure someone is.”

“And what makes you think that?”

              She extended her hand out which held a black plastic bag. Sam took it from her and before he could open it, she spoke again.

“I know what those things involve, I can Google. I am telling you, some boy must be trying to sacrifice her to the devil!”

              Sam continued to open the bag as she ranted on how her daughter had changed so much ever since she started university. His eyes went wide when he saw what was inside the bag. Two dildo’s, various vibrators, a long chain that had a leather collar at the end which had the word ‘BITCH’ across the front in metal, some paper clamps and a used candle.

“You see! Devil items! Why would she need a collar, as if she were a dog? And recently she has had some purple markings along her neck, does nothing to hide them! When I asked her to show me the rest of her body she threw a fit and hid in her room until I stopped bothering her!”

“How did you get a hold of these things, Mrs. (Y/L)?”

“Well,” she hesitated. “She is packing up for her move, and I went through her boxes to make sure everything was packed.”

“So, you went through her things without permission?” Sam asked as he gave her ‘Are you kidding me’ look.

“I am her mother, and as long as she lives under my roof, I can do what I please with her things.”

“Yes, but she is also a grown woman moving up and on through her life.”

“I don’t want my daughter selling her soul to the devil! Bondage and pain, that is all devil’s playthings!”

              Sam sighed as she went on a rant about her daughter’s change. About how she probably met devil worshippers at school and has been listening to the devil’s music.

“Pastor Samuel, all I am asking is that you talk to her. You have known her since she was a little girl and she would always turn to you for trust. Please, I am begging you to save her soul!”

              Sam sighed, knowing that whatever he said to (Y/N) wouldn’t make her change, but he had to give in for the sake of this woman.

“Ok, come over by my place with her and your husband and we will have a small talk. I cannot save her unless she wishes to be saved by God Himself. Only she can find salvation, you understand?”

“Yes, but thank you, Pastor Samuel. I feel once you have a conversation with her, she will change by the grace of God Himself. Oh, and is it possible for you to burn those items? I don’t want to bring them back home.”

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

              It was 7p.m. when Sam heard the knock on his front door. He was expecting the (Y/L) family to arrive, so he had some water boiling for tea. He walked towards the front door and opened it, smiling to welcome the family into his quaint home. (Y/N)’s parents walked in, thanking him before (Y/N) made her way past him. Sam’s eyes raked over her as she walked past him, not even saying hello.

              She wore a black corset decorated with red flowers that pushed her breasts up, and a leather jacket to cover her from the chilly evening. She wore a pair of tight black pants, the sounds of her gold heels clicking along his wooden floor. She wore her hair back in a ponytail, a few loose strands falling as he could see she added more piercings to her left ear. Her eyes were covered with glitter and her lips painted a dark wine purple color.

              Once she joined her parents in his sitting room, Sam shook his head, getting a grip with what was to happen next. He joined the three in the sitting room, offering them tea which (Y/N) parents accepted graciously. When he came back with tea, he noticed (Y/N) was standing by his fireplace, looking at a picture on his mantel. It was the one they both took for her 18ths birthday. Sam had just gotten back from missionary work he had done in Costa Rica and was there to celebrate her birthday and his 28th birthday before he dedicated his life to God. That was the last time they saw each other as best friends.

“Now,” Sam started once everyone was settled. “We are here tonight to talk to (Y/N) about something Mrs. (Y/L) found in her luggage. I do believe you have been told about this, Mr. (Y/L)?”

“Yes, and I honestly don’t think it is right for my wife to be touching our daughters’ things to begin with…”

“Well excuse me if I want our daughter’s soul to be saved! Ever since you stopped attending service, she followed your footsteps and is now doing God knows what that involves the devil!”

“(Y/N) is a grown woman and if she has interests that are outside the norm, then she should experiment as long as it’s a safe environment,” Mr. (Y/L) pushed.

“How is it safe that our daughter is being marked up by God knows who?!”

“Why do you even care, mom? It’s not like you are innocent when it comes to sex.”

“Young lady, just because I made mistakes in my life does not mean I want you repeating them!”

“Oh, I know I am not repeating your mistakes. I am making my own.”

“Young lady! You are still a child! You do not know how the world works!”

“I am not a child anymore! Gosh, I am so glad I am moving out! And how dare you throw out my things! You had no right to throw my stuff away!”

“I was not bringing those devil items back under my roof. And if you have any more, we will be throwing them out tonight!”

“How many times do I have to tell you, THEY DON’T INVOLVE ANYTHING ABOUT DEVIL WORSHIPPING!”

              Sam cleared his throat before Mrs. (Y/L) continued her screaming match with her daughter.

“Firstly, you will not throw out any of her items. They belong to her and you must respect her personal things. Secondly, we are not here to judge someone for their preferences. We are here only to advise (Y/N) to be careful of which path she might be taking.”

              (Y/N) turned to face Sam, her eyes narrowing.

“All I am saying is that maybe you need to look at your surroundings and make sure you are safe. I know what you do behind closed doors is none of our business.”

“Damn right it’s not,” (Y/N) said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“(Y/N)! Not in front of Pastor Samuel!”

              (Y/N) rolled her eyes at her mother, causing Sam to narrow his eyes at (Y/N). She backed away at his glare, her face becoming neutral.

“Maybe this move would be best for the family.”

“The issue here is, even by my moving, she will be barging into my place like it’s hers!” exclaimed (Y/N).

“Well, I need to make sure you are ok and eating well enough.”

“What if we do this?” interrupted Sam, knowing both women would be at each other’s throats again. “What if (Y/N) here promises to go to Sunday Mass every week and in return, you don’t invade her privacy? You let her grow and she attends service just like you want her to.”

“Oh, that would be wonderful!”

“Hell no!”

              Sam narrowed his eyes at (Y/N) again, making her compliant and quiet again.

“Will we make that deal, so both parties can be happy?”

              (Y/N) and her mother shared a look, before both nodding in agreement. Sam smiled at how quickly he was able to get both women to agree to a neutral ground. This wasn’t a first whenever it came to (Y/N) and her mother, they could argue for hours if people let them. So, after a few cups of tea, the (Y/L) family made their way out of Sam’s place, thanking him for his time. He let go a breath of relief once he heard the car leave, moving back towards the sitting room to clear out the coffee table. Suddenly, he heard two knocks on his front door. He was surprised since he wasn’t expecting any more visitors. He looked through the peephole to see (Y/N) standing there calmly. He opened the door to her smiling at him. He looked over her shoulder, searching for her parent’s car as she tried to get in.

“Calm down, I told them I was going to meet up with some friends from school. Mom wasn’t too happy, but she gave in when I promised I would be at Sunday Mass.”

“You can’t be here tonight,” Sam stated as matter of fact, trying to keep her from going into his home.

“C’mon! It’s been ages since I last saw you. We can at least hang out.”

“Look, your parents are worried about what they found and tonight would not be the best night for you to be here.”

“Did you throw it all away like she said she asked you to?”

              Sam looked down at (Y/N) who stood her ground beside him. He sighed as he moved aside to let her in, shutting the door behind them, knowing that she wouldn’t leave yet.

“Of course, I didn’t. I gave them to you as a gift, I wouldn’t throw them out that easily.”

              (Y/N) giggled as she made her way straight to his bedroom. Once she reached the room, she gasped and smiled when she saw all the toys her mother had ‘thrown out’ laying there on the bed. (Y/N) immediately picked up her collar and put it on, sighing happily once it was tied around her neck.

“Thought I would have to go through the garbage to find these things.”

“I told you not to leave those things out in the open,” Sam demanded as he leaned against the door frame.

“I only bring these with me wherever I go. Everything else stays in my dorm room. Which thankfully I am moving out from. I can finally get my own place and I even made sure the apartment had an extra room to soundproof for our fun.”

“What makes you think I will be going by you?”

              (Y/N) turned around with a pout.

“You promised that once I was in my last year of college you would quit being a priest, so we could be more open about our relationship. You never wanted to be a priest to begin with!”

“It’s not that easy, pet. My father expects a lot from me since my brother didn’t follow in his footsteps. Plus, your parents wouldn’t be too happy to know their priest was the one to corrupt their daughter.”

“But what if I like being corrupted?”

              Sam looked down at (Y/N) who was already standing in front of him, sliding her hand down his chest. Seeing her in front of him, her collar on her neck, it made Sam want to take her right there. But, he had something else in mind.

“What did I tell you about misbehaving with your mother?”

              (Y/N)’s eyes went wide before lowering her head.

“I am supposed to be a good little girl and not give her a hard time.”

“And what would you call your mother asking me to talk to you about your behavior?”

“That I wasn’t a good little girl.”

“Correct, now what do bad little girls get when they don’t listen?”

“Punishment,” she mumbled in response.

“I didn’t hear you,” Sam said as he raised his voice. He grabbed her chin and lifted her face so she could look at him as she spoke up.

“Punishment.”

“Good, now I want you to undress. Only leave your corset and heels on and I expect you on the bed in your position.”

              (Y/N) nodded her head, whispering a ‘yes sir’ before moving next to the bed. As she undressed, Sam opened his button-down and pulled the edges out of his pants. He unbuckled his belt and removed it. Placing it at the edge of the bed. He saw how her eyes fell onto the belt, expecting him to use it. But Sam reached over to his desk, pulling out a small cane from behind the desk. Her eyes grew wide as she watched him get a grip around the piece of wood. Sam watched as she climbed onto the bed and kneeled at the edge. Her legs were spread open, leaving her pussy viewable to his eyes, her hands flat on her thighs. She pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail and kept her head down, her eyes low.

“Now, where shall we start,” Same pondered out loud as he paced in front of her.

              Without a word, Sam lifted the cane and smacked it on the top of her right hand, gaining a hiss from her. He quickly did the same to the other hand, causing her to hiss and jump in her spot.

“Do not move unless told to!”

“Forgive me, Sir.”

              Sam smacked her hands five more times each, leaving a red mark along the skin. He quickly grabbed a clear gel he kept for moments like these and put some on her hands, softly caressing her tender skin.

“Important to never leave a mark where they can see,” he whispered as he tended to her hands.

“But I want you to mark me, remind me who I belong to.”

              Sam looked up at (Y/N) and saw the sincerity in her eyes. Ever since they began this relationship, Sam knew one day he would have to let her go. But whenever she gave him this look, it made him want to leave the church, even more, so he could finally be with his pet.

“Then I will mark you, but nowhere no one else can see. Only for my eyes and yours, understand?”

              (Y/N) nodded in agreement. Once he was done tending to her hands, Sam moved to sit next to her at the edge of the bed.

“Lay across my lap and make sure your ass is up in the air.”

              (Y/N) obeyed without question, her body stretching over his lap, keeping her ass as high as she could. Sam wrapped an arm around her waist to hold her still. The hand he held the cane, he used it to rub her bare ass as he spoke to her.

“Now, I will hit you 20 times on each cheek. That will signify each minute you spent in this house dealing with your mother’s troubles tonight. You will count aloud and if you can’t handle it, what is our safe word?”

“Tainted.”

“Good, now, get ready to count. 20 on one and then we will switch to the other.”

              Sam growled as he felt her rub her ass against his hand, her body shivering with pleasure. Before she could get comfortable. Sam raised the cane and landed it on her ass with a smack. She yelped out in shock and quickly started with the number one. With each hit, Sam would rub the now tendering flesh with his hand, giving her breaks after each hit. By the time he reached 10, he spaced out the breaks even more, so she could deal with any pain she possibly felt. He watched as her yelps turned into moans of pleasure. Feeling her body against his made him harder and more impossible to focus.

“20!”

              Sam watched as she was panting for a breath once he was done with the first cheek. He felt the small drop of sweat fall from his face as he switched to the other cheek. The cane smacks her delicious skin, leaving it red. When Sam reached number 7 on the second ass cheek, he leaned down and bit her red flesh, gently but still sunk his teeth into her skin, leaving bite marks behind. He wanted a bite of her perky ass, but he had to finish the punishment first.

“8!”

“9!”

“10!”

              Sam huffed and did his best to handle his self-control, He had 10 more to go and he would complete the punishment. He never stopped midway unless she used their safe word, which was a rare occurrence.  

“18!”

“19!”

“20!”

              (Y/N) screamed out the last one, causing Sam to throw the cane across the room and flip her over, noticing the tears falling down her face. Sam wiped her tears away as he shushed her in comfort.

“Why didn’t you use the safe word, pet? You know you can stop me.”

“I wanted to hold on for you.”

              Sam looked down at her, noticing the smile she wore.

“Was I good, Sir?”

“You were perfect, pet. Go lay down while I get more medicine.”

“No medicine. Not yet anyway. I want you to fuck me.”

“What have I said about that kind of language, pet?”

“Good little girls don’t use it. But, this little girl wants you to show her how bad you can make her.”

              Sam growled as she broke free from his arms and climbed onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck as she leaned in for a kiss. Sam couldn’t stop her, more so he didn’t want to stop her. He grabbed the back of her head and gripped her ponytail tightly as he devoured her mouth.  He felt her groans vibrate through her throat to him, grunting back at her reaction. Sam begins to run his hands along the sides of her body, feeling the soft skin at her thighs before feeling the silk from the corset. He couldn’t control his need, not after she had been away all summer long.

“Were you with anyone on your trip to Paris?” he asked with a commanding voice.

“Never, only you, Sir.”

“Good, you belong to me, only me.”

              Sam turned and threw her onto the bed, making sure she laid on her stomach. He moved towards the wooden bedposts, reaching from between the mattress leather cuffs with a soft faux fur on the inside. They were chained up to the bed, fixed specifically for her. Sam quickly cuffed her, gaining a gasp of pleasure from (Y/N) as she watched him. She smiled coyly at him as he finished cuffing her to the bed, receiving a smack at the curve of her back from him.

“I want that delicious ass in the air.”

              (Y/N) quickly moved to a kneeling position, making sure her perky ass was as high up as she possibly could. Sam watched her shake her ass in the air, her body grinding into the bed as he removed all his clothing. Once he was naked, he stood at the edge of the bed, his eyes still on her as he ran his fingers down her neck and along her back. He teased her with the tips of his fingers, loving how her skin grew goosebumps from his touch.

“I love watching you squirm under my hand. How your body reacts only to me.”

“Only you,” she grunted out as she shimmed her ass at him.

“I would love to take my time with you tonight, pet, but we don’t have that kind of time. We don’t want your parents getting worried about you being out so late, now do we?”

“Mmm, no Sir.”

“Good that you understand. So tonight, I will enjoy that delectable ass and after we are done, you will go straight home and apologize to your mother for your misbehavior. Do you understand, pet?”

              (Y/N) shook her head in response, but Sam didn’t take it as an answer. He pulled her by the ponytail and leaned in close to her ear.

“Do you understand, pet?”

“Yes, Sir!” she exclaimed with a whimper.

“Good little girl.”

              Sam then reached towards his dresser and pulled out a chain that was connected to the collar earlier. He grabbed the hook on the back of her collar and connected the chain to it. He smiled down at her and yanked slightly at the chain. He dropped the chain, letting it hang beside her, as he moved to grab one of the dildos he had given her and began to suck on it, making it wet. He heard her moan out at the sounds his mouth made against the plastic toy, making him smiled wickedly. He moved to climb onto the bed and kneel behind her. He spread her legs out, pushing her upper body down onto the bed so her ass and pussy were exposed to him. As he sucked on the dildo, he grabbed hold of his already throbbing length and slid the tip up and down her slit, teasing her. His eyes rolled to the back of his head when he felt how wet she already was.

              Once he felt the dildo was wet enough with his spit, he removed his cock and continued to tease her with the tip of the dildo, causing her body to shiver as he poked at her clit. She tried to arch her body, but Sam placed a heavy hand on her back, keeping her still. He continued his teasing of her clit before lowering the dildo down to her entrance.

“You are not allowed to come, no matter how much you want to. Not until I say so.”

              She whimpered a ‘yes, sir’ as he pushed in the dildo, stretching her insides. The dildo was a bit bigger than him, but he knew it was nothing compared to his cock. He slowly pumped the toy in and out of her, using his free hand to tease her asshole. He licked that finger and soaked her asshole with his spit, toying with the small entrance.

“You like that don’t you, pet? Love how full you feel. Bet you will love how full you will be in a few with my cock inside that pretty asshole.”

              Sam pushed the dildo all the way inside her pussy, only the bottom of the toy showing. He moved over to his dresser and pulled out a bottle of lube. He put it next to her knee, something he would need later. But right now, he wanted a taste of what was to come. So, he moved lower so that his face was inches from her ass and spread her cheeks open for his viewing pleasure. He could see how wet her pussy already was, the bottom of the dildo getting soaked. But his interest was in that sweet puckered hole. He moved forward and slid his tongue along the little hole, licking and teasing it. He felt her tighten under his tongue.

“Relax pet, you know you will enjoy this.”

“But it’s been two months…”

“You know I won’t hurt you.”

“Yes, Sir.”

              With that, Sam teased her entrance with his tongue, spreading her wider so he could stick the tip of his tongue inside. He could hear her moans, feel her body tremble. And it made him want to get inside her even more. He reached for the bottle of lube and opened it, spraying half of its contents all along her asshole. He used his fingers to spread the lube all around, making sure the area was soaked and ready. Without hesitation, Sam got back onto his knees and pumped his cock a few times in his hand, watching as she moved her air in circles in wanton. Once he was ready, he guided his cock to her hole, poking to tip slightly at the entrance. She tightened up at the contact, causing him to make hush noises to relax her.

“If you don’t want to, we don’t have to pet.”

“No, I want to, just nervous.”

“Then relax, you know you can trust me.”

              Sam felt her entire body relaxed under him as he began his invasion again. Slowly, he began to slide inch by delicious inch of his cock inside her ass, taking his time and pulling out until only the tip was inside to get her used to it again. Two months was enough time for her sweet ass to become the innocent area he took as his before. He felt how tight she was, groaning at how good it felt inside her. After taking his sweet time, he finally buried himself balls deep inside her, feeling the dildo against his cock. He stayed still, letting her body get used to the feeling, but when she started to move against him, he took hold of the chained leash and lost it. He wrapped the chain around his hand and pulled at it, causing her head to go back a bit. He placed his other hand against her back and pulled himself out, his tip at the entrance. And before he could warn her, he rammed straight back in, gaining a scream from her. He continued his assault, ramming his hard cock inside her, feeling the dildo as he slid in and out. He could hear the slapping of their skin as he took claim on her ass. As he continued, she yelled out in pleasure, his name riding off her lips as she begged him for more.

“You want more, I will give you more, pet.”

              He moved even faster against her, huffing as he started to sweat. He felt himself get closer and closer, knew he couldn’t last longer than he wanted to.

“Remember, you can’t come until I tell you to.”

“Yes Sir!’ she screamed back as he rammed his entire length in and out of her ass.

‘You want this ass filled with my come don’t you pet!” he yelled out as he pounded into her.

“Yes! Fill me with your come, Sir!”

              Sam kept his fast movements, pounding into her, knowing full well she would have difficulty walking in the morning. But at this moment, he didn’t care. All he wanted was to make this ass his. He rammed into her a few more times before coming all inside her, her name screamed at the top of his lungs. He rode out his high as his body jerked against hers, his cock pumping all his white-hot come inside her ass. Once he came back down, he huffed and puffed to catch his breath. His focus finally on her, he noticed she was still squirming under him, his cock softening inside her. He pulled out and grabbed the bottom of the dildo.

“Not until I say so,” he reminded her as he pulled the dildo out.

              Just as he rammed his cock into her ass just moments ago, he did the same with the dildo. He pumped it in and out of her, slapping the hard plastic into her pussy. He heard her cry out, tears starting to fall.

“I can’t, I can’t hold on!”

“Just a little bit longer, pet,” he responded back huskily.

              Sam continued his torture on her pussy, the toy doing what he wanted to do to her. He wanted to destroy her pussy, remind her exactly who she belonged to. After what felt like an eternity, Sam felt her body shake and shiver under him, her self-control almost at its limit. He leaned in closer and whispered in her ear.

“Come.”

              She screamed out his name, her screams of pleasure bouncing off the walls of his room. He smiled at her as he watched her body shake from the high she just received, he rammed the dildo into her a few more times before pulling it out entirely. He threw the toy onto the floor and watched as his little pet writhes in pleasure.

“You did good, pet.”

“I am always happy to make you happy, Sir,” she mewled

              Sam smiled at her willingly submissiveness. He quickly went to the bathroom to wash himself off and to bring a wet towel to clean (Y/N) up. Once his task was done, he wrapped her up in a blanket and let her rest, moving to get dressed.

“So, are you still keeping your promise?”

              Sam turned to see (Y/N) sitting up in his bed, her corset coming loose as she looked at him all serious. He smiled at her and leaned over to place a soft sweet kiss on her lips.

“Yes, but let’s change it to once you graduate. At least that way I have one year to handle my affairs in the church and find a more stable job to sustain us both.”

“But I can work for us…” she murmured.

“No, if we are going to be together, we are going to do this together. I still have my undergraduate degree to get back into law school and Dean can help me out by letting me work at his car shop for the time being.”

“Daddy Winchester won’t be so happy both his son’s left the church, especially you for a girl,” (Y/N) giggled as she laid back down.

“He has no say when it comes to us. You won’t regret this, pet?” he whispered anxiously.

“Never.”