#and back in a dark blue jumper <3<3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[ansonmountdaily]

Anson Mount's reaction in a Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 interview

Source: The Screen Chatter Interview Page, June 4 2023

[solivagant242]

losing you pt. 10

remus lupin x f!reader

warnings: strong angst, swearing, hospital, car accident

pt. 1 pt. 2 pt. 3 pt. 4 pt. 5 pt. 6 pt. 7 pt. 8 pt. 9

amberly is used as the MC here since i used to write a lot of fanfics with her, but feel free to self-insert or use whatever name you’d like <3

________________________________________

“Moony, have you eaten yet?” Her dark head pokes around the corner, framed by the untidy soft curls that he’d always longed to push back from her face. “It’s nearly three.”

He rests his burning eyes on his hands, groaning. “It is?”

She perches on the edge of his desk and leans forward to press a soft kiss on his cheek. “Yes, it is. Did you have lunch?”

Remus grimaces. “Forgot.”

Amberly sighs. “You need to eat, love.”

Her hands find their familiar spot in his hair and he pulls her into him by the waist, savoring the smell of lavender that’s imbued in her clothes and skin. “Thanks for checking on me.”

She nuzzles into his shoulder. “Of course.”

She was so warm. She’d always been warm, everything from those chocolate-colored eyes to her pale, gentle hands that had always been able to soothe his scars and wounds and fears. Her smile melted him like spring sunlight on stubborn snow.

Amberly stroked the back of his head. “It’s okay, Moony.”

He chucked a piece of crumpled paper across the room, fists clenched. “I should have gotten better than that”-

“You did the best you could, right? It’s not like you didn’t try.” Her big brown eyes are wide with concern.

“It wasn’t enough,” he spits, chest heaving. “I wasn’t enough.”

Amberly touches his shoulder and he collapses next to her on the bed, burying his face in the pillow. “You’re always enough, Remus. No matter what.”

A sob shakes his shoulders and he clings to her, tears soaking her jumper, as her fingers card through his hair. 

Icy tears are soaking Remus’ ears and pillow.

He’s been staring at the same blue-washed ceiling for hours now, unable to move or sleep or think anything other than the same four words that have been repeating mindlessly in his brain all day.

It’s all my fault.

It’s all my fault.

It’s all my fault.

If Amberly were here right now, she’d use her thumb to wipe his tears away and kiss the spots where they had been. She’d snuggle right up next to him and rest her head on his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck. He’d wake during the night to find her in the exact same position, clinging to him with her soft curls draped over her face. 

Once, Sirius had joked that sleeping with Amberly when she stayed the night must be like sleeping with a very large and very affectionate Venus flytrap. Remus had laughed as warmth flooded his bones and Amberly blushed next to him.

Now he doesn’t think she’ll ever look at him, much less hug him, again.

If she’s even here at all-

The thought hits him like a punch in the gut and he doubles up as a raw sob rends his chest in half. 

No more holding hands on the way to the bakery in the mornings. No more sleepy cuddles on the battered living room couch. No more back and neck rubs by the light of the fireplace in the evening. No more random animal and math facts exchanged over lunch, or cheesy cat memes sent over text at all hours of the day. 

All of that would be gone.

The added thought of and it’s all my fault wraps iron fingers of guilt around Remus’ ribs and squeezes. He buries his face in his hands as tears pour down his face, more tears than he believed possible after all the crying he’s been doing.

You did this to her. You pushed her away. Over and over again, after all she tried to do was help. You were a complete and utter prick to the one person who loved you more than she loved herself. 

Merlin, she’d do anything for me. Did do anything for me. Countless visions of keeping her waiting, of her making him his favorite food even when she was tired, of those brown eyes being exhausted and drained because of him rose to his thoughts. But always, always so warm and full of love and that he felt like he was coming home every time he saw her face.

Until now. 

Remus chokes back another sob.

The hospital gave him a room on the first floor, down the hall from Amberly. Apparently it was the “least they could do” after the state he’d been in when he saw her. He’d collapsed to his knees on the floor as the sheer force of what he’d done hit him. Sirius- who’d still been very close to punching his face in- had had to drag him out as the doctor watched impassively. 

Down the hall.

She’s just down the hall. 

His feet are on the ground before he knows it and he’s padding noiselessly down the white, blue-lit corridor. An eerie silence permeates everything. The narrow windows in front of the doors are dark and silent. No one is awake at two forty-three a.m.

Her room.

Her door.

Her bed.

Her-

Remus feels fresh tears pour down his face and he sinks onto the chair at the side of the bed. 

She’s still, so still. Her face is paler than ever against the sterile white of the hospital sheets. Her eyes are deeply shadowed, and she’s breathing so faintly that the blue quilt is hardly moving. Her hair is spread across the pillow like it’s melting into the night, barely discernible in the dimness of the room.

He takes her hand. He can’t remember the last time they held hands, not the way they’d used to. Fingers interlocked, warm and sure, the one single guarantee out of everything in this life that he’d loved and loved and loved.

Amberly stirs. 

His lips part as he turns towards her, shocked; her eyes flutter open and fix on him.

He can’t tell what she’s thinking. He can’t read her expression at all, and as he opens his mouth to croak out a I’msosorryIloveyoupleasedon’tleavemepleasepleaseplease-

“You’re not Remus.”

Her voice is soft, almost disappointed. There’s an odd note of resignation in it that strikes Remus to the core. 

He clears his throat and tries to keep the tears out of his eyes. “It’s me.”

“No,” she murmurs, shifting slightly in the bed. Her cast rustles against the covers. “He wouldn’t have come.” Her eyes close again.

Remus’ throat closes up at the note of assurance in her voice. “Wh- what do you mean?”

“I don’t know,” Amberly mumbles. “Busy. He’s too busy.”

“Busy with what?”

“Stuff,” she breathes. “I think I should leave him alone. He doesn’t like when I help.” A tiny bit more alertness returns to her eyes and she gazes at him in the dark. “It’s my fault.”

“No,” Remus manages to choke out. “It’s not.”

Her eyes are luminous in the dark. “It is. It’s why I have to stop.”

“Stop what?”

“Stop”- Her voice is getting breathy and quiet as she sinks back down into sleep. “Stop caring.”

Then she’s asleep again and tears pour down Remus’ face as her hands goes limp and slowly, slowly slides away from his. 

[crappy-writings]

Keeper of Shadows

Wanda Maximoffxfem!Reader // Series

Series Summary: An odd series of fatal attacks in Upstate New York piques your interest, especially when they seem to be related to the strange powers you received when you were 10 years old. By some stroke of luck or misfortune, the Avengers too are investigating the case, and you are their number one suspect. In a temporary alliance, you work together to discover why people are dying, unraveling a line of love, secrets, and betrayal.

Chapter 3: The Portal-Jumper

(Chapter) Summary: You got away from the two Avengers, but for how long. Besides, you can’t escape the past.

Trigger Warning: Cursing, Injuries, Burns, Death, Anxiety

Word Count: 3,213

A/N: Exposition heavy chapter, sorry in advance. I promise I’ll get the plot moving soon, just bear with me for a bit.

<- Chapter 2 // Chapter 4 →

KoS Masterlist | Main Masterlist | Reblogged Fics

Dropping into the portals was a dumb idea. Actually, no, opening the portals in the first place was the dumb idea. But when you were staring into the eyes of two Avengers, there was nothing else that came to mind.

You tilt backwards, letting yourself fall into the open portal beside you. Time felt like it froze as you fell. You see the very top of the forest trees and fading blue of the sky before the first portal closes. The scene changed into a dark, barren land, tall structures of rock and stone set the background, only accented by a dark, gray sky. A creature like the one you fought moments ago spots you and bares its sharp teeth at you

But as quickly as it saw you, you were already falling into the second portal. 

The wind is knocked out of your lungs as your back makes an impact against something big and metal, a loud clang sounds off in the dirty alleyway as you fell against a dumpster. The portal in front of you closed with a bright flash the moment you were through. 

You cough and gasp for air, an intense cold settling into your bones despite the beads of sweat that rolled down your face and back. A sick feeling settled uncomfortably in the pit of your stomach, your hands were shaking intensely, and your body ached. For a few minutes, you could not move your body at all, the strain from the fight and the portal jumping leaving you completely and utterly exhausted. 

Stray beams of fading sunlight covered you in an orange glow, lighting up the rest of the alleyway you laid in. Mixed hues of blue, pink and orange dance between white clouds with purple-ish underbellies. The sounds of New York City were loud in your ears, cars zooming past the streets and honking incessantly, engines revving and screeching tires bouncing inside your skull. You lay your head against the filthy dumpster, closing your eyes in search of respite.

To your left, dark, wispy figures floated around within the darkness of the alley. The small figures lacked any particular shape or depth, their forms contorting differently every other second as they fluidly swam between the shadowed walls and ground. You had not noticed how they slowly began to merge, gathering at the very edge of the shadow to loom over you like a tower.

You clenched your jaw as you stared at them, forcing your body to move away from the alleyway’s shadow and remain in the fading sunlight. They stand tall in their intimidation attempt as you move away from them. They remain still, waiting. They wanted to leave, to travel away from the alleyway. 

A shudder rips through you as you continue to stare. You don’t want a Shadow hitching a ride with you, not now, not today. You rose on shaky legs, taking care to make sure your own shadow would not converge with the alleyway’s. 

Your hand raises to tip your hat forwards so as to hide your face, but your fingers grasped on to nothing. It was not there. You left your damn hat in the forest. 

‘Fuuuck.’ Frustration rises within you, exacerbated by your injury and exhaustion. At least the pain in your shoulder had dulled enough not to bother you too much. Instead, you duck your head, staring down at the ground as you leave the alleyway. Sparing one last glance at the tower of Shadows, you watch as they crash down backwards like a tidal wave, returning to their shifting dance. 

Making a right, you walk alongside the rushing cars and taxis of the city in an attempt to walk home. You took off the shitty FBI jacket you got from a joke and costume shop, taking care not to jostle your shoulder too much. Turning the jacket inside out, you brush off leaves and dirt before putting it back on. The small notebook you carried stuck out slightly from the inside pocket of the jacket. A gentle breeze blew past you, making you shiver more than you already were.

You were still testing this newfound portal jumping ability, but the limitations of it were incredibly taxing, not to mention dangerous. Having used it only a handful of times, it first manifested during a boring graveyard shift, where you were desperately wishing you could go home. 

A white flash at your side startled you, the barren lands of what you assume is a different dimension revealed itself. Further within, a second portal stood, revealing your dinky apartment. A few Shadows began spilling into the gas station you worked at, scurrying to find dark corners to hide in. Some of them did not find them in time, evaporating under the fluorescent lights of your workplace.

Within a minute though, both portals shut in the blink of an eye, and weakness had spread throughout your body, sending you to your knees with a sick feeling making its way through your entire body. 

Another time, you opened a singular portal and stepped into the other dimension. It was cold, black and gray rock formations were visible in the distance. Scattered throughout the landscape in front of you were smooth, glass-like stones, along with small, deep green grass patches. The sky was a gray-ish color, but not as dark as you had seen it before. It was empty, too, no Shadows nor Runners were in sight. You attempted opening a second portal in there, to no avail. The original portal also began to waver, and the weak and sick feeling began to haunt your body. You jumped out of the darkened dimension before you could lose your grip on the portal and potentially be sealed away in there forever.

A dark silhouette zoomed past you in the corner of your eye, snapping you out of your thoughts. It began slowing down its speed along with the rest of the cars as they stopped for the red light. As the silhouette stilled atop a yellow taxicab, you were able to take in its form. This particular figure had a human-esque appearance, lacking any particular defining features like a nose, lips, or hair, but its white eyes remained wide and attentive. Its iridescent skin appeared to be alive as it clashed and shifted around its figure like waves of the ocean. 

The creature, or a Runner as you had dubbed them when you were 10, stared down at a blue car that stopped at the red light, waiting. You look closer at the same car and make out the shape of a small child, staring out the window at the creature. When the traffic light finally switched to green and the blue car started riding away, the creature continued to run after it, jumping between the car roofs and streetlights in its path.

A soft sigh escapes you and for a moment, you were taken back to the fight that had happened not even fifteen minutes ago. 

That particular Runner was larger than any of the ones you had seen. It had a canine-like appearance but was larger than a bear. It had been stalking the crime scene, circling around the unaware agents as if they were prey. Odd vein-like lines protruded from its skin, shifting around with the rest of its outer shell. Curiously, it was out in the daylight. They usually were out at sunset or sundown, but the sun’s heat typically burned their skin if they were out during the day. This one was also abnormally aggressive and freakishly strong. It’s almost as if it had gotten a shot of whatever the Hulk got. 

Were it not for the fact that it was, somehow, already injured, you would not have been able to defeat it. Its oil-like skin had begun to melt, wrapping around your neck and shoulders and slowly but surely running down your arms. It dug its claws into one of your shoulders before gunshots distracted it from its attack. 

Had it not been for Natasha Romanoff’s distraction and Wanda Maximoff aiding you with your blade, you would very much be dead. You remembered accidentally making eye contact with Maximoff, an odd feeling of warmth running down your back both times you had done so. The same feeling had occurred when your blade had suddenly flown into your hand. The arrival of the two Avengers at the crime scene cannot be a coincidence. 

You had not noticed the pedestrian light had switched to the white, walking figure until a man dressed in casual clothes walked past you, prompting you to follow. Thoughts of the last 20 minutes bounced inside your skull, making sure to keep as many of the details at the forefront of your mind until you could document them.

It took about 10 more minutes for you to arrive at your apartment. As you walked, you saw a variety of Shadows scurrying between objects and people’s, well, shadows. Runners also jumped between buildings, cars or streetlights, some following cars, others making their way through the city.

A small, musty, dark studio waits for you as you step through the door. A cramped kitchen stood to the left at the very end of the apartment, an equally cramped bathroom right next to it. A tall lamp stood beside the bathroom door, its positioning being able to light the entire space. Beside you was a small twin bed with plain blue sheets, a drawer right beside it, stacked with a few notebooks and sketchbooks on the top, along with a desk lap overlooking the bed. A compact window hung above it, a dark gray curtain shielding the inside from the outside sun and fluorescent streetlights of the city. Directly in front of you was a wooden dining table with two plastic chairs, a wooden chest not so well-hidden right underneath it.

A groan escapes you as you lean against the door, renewed exhaustion settling in your bones again. Worst of all, you had a graveyard shift tonight at the local gas station. The only relief of the night was knowing you would not have to stare at Ethan’s dumb face. Ethan, a 25-year-old man who still made “Yo Mama” jokes and thought himself the last Coke in the goddamn dessert, despite being an asshole who only worked at a shitty New York City gas station. Maybe you would not be so annoyed by his presence were it not for that fact that man never fully completed his shift responsibilities.

You push yourself off the door, peeling off the dumb jacket and dropping it on top of the nearest kitchen chair. You also pull off your shirt, slowly so as to not aggravate your shoulder, as you turn on your lamp before entering the bathroom. Dropping the tattered shirt on the bathroom floor, you ducked to look for the first aid kit you knew you had somewhere in your cabinets, finding it at the very back alongside an elastic bandage and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. 

Placing the kit on top of your sink, you finally take a look at the damage left behind by the Runner you fought not that long ago. Three puncture wounds starting at your shoulder that extended into three downward gashes, stopping just above your chest. You wince as you feel the telltale stinging of first degree burns on the very edges of the puncture wounds. The ends of the wounds were still bleeding. You figured that it wasn’t too bad though, some water, alcohol prep pads, and gauze should be good enough, no stitches or invasive procedures required. 

You take a shower first, washing off all the dirt, blood, and Runner gunk off your body. After drying off, you dress your wound with some rubbing alcohol, disinfectant and gauze from the kit. Having changed into some warm, comfortable clothing, you sit at your kitchen table with your laptop, a large notebook with all your notes about the case, as well as the small notebook you had brought to the crime scene. 

You transcribed your recent notes into the larger notebook, detailing the victim’s wounds, or the ones you could see, as well as the location he was found in. There was one thing that had caught your eye. The man, Elijah Brown, had something in his hand, but you had not been able to get a good look at it before forensics took it away for evidence. Details of the Runner you encountered were also included, making sure to add in how its behavior was different from the ones you had encountered before.

Runners had never been particularly dangerous. Most of the time, they completely avoided adult humans, including you. They did seem to play with young children though. You weren’t quite sure why nor how, but some kids were able to see them, besides you. They eventually age out of it though and eventually cannot see them anymore. Regardless, the Runners seem to entertain the young ones, particularly during long car rides. Years of observation made you notice an odd game they played, which consisted of them following high-speed vehicles, jumping between cars, buildings, streetlights or whatever stood in the way, as if they were following some arbitrary rules that only they knew of. Other than that, you have not quite figured out exactly why they are around.

Shadows were a different story. Although they did not forwardly attack humans, they did feed on fear. Most people do see them without realizing it, catching them as something  moves in the corners of their eyes, only to turn around and see nothing and no one. The fear of being in the dark and odd feeling of being watched when nothing is there is often a Shadow hiding within murky corners. When they are particularly hungry, they’ll sneak into a victim’s rooms at odd hours of the night, waking them by paralyzing them and taking the shape of odd, unsettling figures to thoroughly terrify whoever was unfortunate enough to have crossed its path.

Any pertinent information you gathered from news stories had been marked with a yellow highlighter, drawing matches between what you knew about Runners and what details of the case had been revealed to the public. While researching, you managed to find some of the leaked S.H.I.E.L.D. reports from last year. The government had tried wiping those off the internet, but many people had managed to download the files and reproduce them everywhere. 

Within those documents, you found a copy of a partially blacked-out file detailing the death of a park ranger found within a National Park’s office in Pennsylvania, sporting similar injuries as the current victims. The death of that park ranger had been blamed on a coyote, despite the fact that there was no evidence of such an animal breaking into the park’s office. Whatever has been going on during the recent months is not new, but it only seems to be getting worse now. 

A frustrated groan escapes your throat as you shut off your computer. Your notes about the case felt lackluster at best. Despite going to the crime scene in search for answers, your notes were scarce, and you had no explanation for the trail of dead people or the altered behavior of the creatures only you could see.

What are you doing? Why are you trying to play vigilante when you don't even know where to start? You don’t know what you are doing, you don’t know what you’re looking for, and worst of all, you’re probably on the government and the Avengers’ radar. 

Your eyes slowly glide towards an old wooden chest, given to you after your grandmother unexpectedly… passed away. You press your lips tightly, a sigh escaping you as you stare at it for what felt like an eternity. You walk towards your dining table, sinking to your knees to pull out the chest from underneath. Fiddling with the old, somewhat rusty latch, you manage to open it without ruining the lock’s integrity. The smell of metal and wood hits you as you open the lid. You push away a family photograph of the entire family reunited at your grandparents’ house that sat at the very top, as well as old family movies and photo albums. An old porcelain doll that belonged to your grandmother stared at you with dead, glassy eyes, sending a chill down your back. You turned it over so it would not look at you.

At the very bottom, you find the object you are looking for, covered up with a piece of white cloth. Removing the cloth, you stare at the thick, dark leather-bound book, your heart sinking in your chest. You run your fingers along the edge, your hands shaking subtly, debating whether or not you should open it. For a moment, you felt like you were ten years old again. Your mind flashes with the old memory you had not thought of in a long time. The one you did not want to think of.

You swallowed heavily, a burning mixture of anger, guilt and anguish licking at your heart like a flame. Your breath had picked up without you noticing, and you wanted nothing more than to not see that book again. Covering the book once more with the white cloth, you dropped it into the bottom of the trunk once more, abandoning any thoughts of opening it and potentially finding answers there. There has to be another way for you to find more information. These odd deaths have been happening for years now. There has to be a way for you to find that information elsewhere. The key to the answers must be somewhere besides in that stupid, fucking book.

The book radiated malice, and it had already cursed you once. You don’t plan on making the same mistake twice. Not unless the situation becomes dire enough for it.

You will figure this out. You have to. This got started because of you. People died because of you. You had to figure out what was happening, you had to make things right.

Your mind momentarily drifted to the two Avengers that saw you in the forest. There was no doubt in your mind that they were hunting you down right now. A conflicting feeling sat heavily within you. On the one hand, you were completely out of your depth trying to solve this problem by yourself. Maybe aiding each other is the answer. 

On the other hand, you do not know how they will react to you and your powerset. They probably think you’re the one behind all this. They can very easily decide to throw you in a cell and hand you over to the government, deeming you too dangerous to be out in the world, unaccounted for. No, you cannot get found, you do not want to take the risk. 

It was nearly 8:30pm when you checked your phone. It was a few hours before your shift, and the bone deep exhaustion you had managed to stave off was coming back with force. You will figure things out tomorrow. 

You set up an alarm an hour before your shift, before dropping face down on your bed. You fell asleep within the minute.

<- Chapter 2 // Chapter 4 →

[dreadfutures]

Blue's DA4 Screenshot Binge Pt. 3

CAMEOS CAMEOS CAMEOS

I just wanna say FUCK YES i was right, we get everyone from Tevinter Nights

Evka Ivo - Tevinter Nights, Short Stories, The Missing

Fighting against Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain with other Wardens: that there in the center with her buns and her hammer is EVKA. I assume we may have also seen Antoine but I didn't really see an archer anywhere.

They are my favorite and I demand more fics with them.

Irelin - Tevinter Nights, Short Stories, The Missing

Our favorite shape shifting Veil Jumper with DAI's June vallaslin is back:

ANDARATEIA CANTORI/VIAGO DE RIVA - Tevinter Nights, Short Stories, The Missing

God I would have rioted if we didn't get them. I am pretty sure big haired elf crow here is Teia, and mustachio'd crow is Vi.

Mourn Watch - Tevinter Nights

I really wonder if the two we see in Emmrich's shot are Audric and Myrna <3 (pleased I want to hug audric so badly pleeeease)

MOMIGAN

I just want to say I never doubted Morrigan would be in DA4, I figured since she was going to be a smaller role she might have fewer lines and not need to be hired super early like when she was first asked and said she hadn't been asked yet.

Mom cut her hair into a respectable A-line cut, and I think her hair is graying and she has mouth creases ;w; she has never looked more beautiful to me. Rocking her same arm sleeve, wrist feather, necklace... and her mother's helmet.

People were confused at first, thinking it was her sister, Yavana, from Those Who Sleep - who wears a dragon skull as her helmet in a very similar style!

But it's Morrigan <3

I'm going to make a few more guesses:

Zara Renata?

At the end of Wigmaker Job, Magister Zara Renata, a blood mage Venatori Magister who uses her slaves to keep herself perpetually beautiful, implies she's going to lure Lucanis in and destroy him. Maybe she's the one he's fighting against here:

They are in distinctly Tevinter ruins I think, and it looks like maybe Teia? is on the stairs.

Felassan? Please? God? For me? FOR MJ???

In a nest of some kind, with these sacks of white growth that seem to be consuming corpses, there are tentacles wrapped around an elf who is not looking so hot.

Their face is streaked with dark veins like a ghoul. They're wearing some kind of armor - seems like it might have triangles on it, perhaps a Veil Jumper. Their hair is pulled back sharply with a tight buzz on the sides.

Please, god? Please? My husband?

But also: concept art Solas, as much as I hate white guys with dreads:

My money remains on Felassan.

[kitsunefaux]

All Ships Week - Day 3

Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh

Ship: Tendershipping

Prompt: Horror/Supernatural

Content Warning: Blood & Injuries

Enjoy!

----------

As a vampire hunter, Ryou knew the dangers of being caught out after dark. It hardly mattered now. Blood soaked his blue-knit jumper, pain shooting through his body with each stumbling step. He wasn’t making it home either way.

Ryou gritted his teeth as he leaned back against an alley wall, a dumpster and a dead end to his right, a seldom trafficked side street to his left. His chest rose and fell in pronounced movements, his palm pressed tight over his abdomen to slow the bleeding. He’d been ambushed just as the last golden rays of sunlight slipped below the horizon, courtesy of some vampire crime boss who got tired of Ryou sticking his nose into his illicit business. Usually, he had no problem dealing with lackeys, but this time…

Well, let’s just say that someone else took advantage of his distraction to get in an easy hit.

A chill wind caressed his cheek, a low whistle in his ears. His eyelids fluttered, consciousness slipping like sand through his fingers. He was almost grateful when the slap of shoes against the pavement jolted him to his senses, a hiss of pain falling from his lips.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the thorn that’s burrowed itself into my side.” Bakura stopped a few steps away, brandishing Ryou’s knife. “You dropped this.” Red dripped from a silver blade, a taunt from a thief. Bakura didn’t even need his own weapon to end him.

Ryou lifted his head, meeting a blood-tinted gaze, his own eyes concealed beneath mirrored lenses. White hair fell haphazardly around Bakura’s face, his smirk revealing a single fang. After ensuring Ryou’s undivided attention, he raised the knife to his mouth, swiping his tongue along the blade, savouring the taste of spilt blood. Ryou shuddered and blamed the wind.

“What? Nothing to say?” The knife clattered to the ground, and Bakura kicked it away. “One little stab and you’re done? You humans are all so…” He moved in an instant, grabbing Ryou’s wrist. “Fragile.” Blood flowed freely from his uncovered wound, a red puddle spreading over his jumper.

“That was a dirty trick,” Ryou said, his voice weak, more breath than sound.

“What was?” Bakura raised Ryou’s bloodied hand to his lips and began to lick it clean, like a cat grooming its paw. His grip stayed firm when Ryou tried to pull away. “I’ve played so many tricks, you’ll have to remind me which one. Or…” He let the hand fall. “We could cut to the chase.” 

Ryou turned his head as Bakura snatched the mirrored shades from his face, crushing them beneath a vindictive heel. “That’s more than enough of that, I think.” Bakura grabbed his chin, bringing it back around. “Let me see your pretty eyes, little one.” An icy hand cupped his cheek. “Don’t worry. I can take the pain away.”

“Just let me die,” Ryou said, a near-silent plea, tears gathering in soft brown eyes.

Bakura smiled, and it almost looked fond. “Oh, Ryou.” He tucked a stray white lock behind his ear. “I think we both know that’s not going to happen.”

Careful with his movements, Bakura gathered Ryou into his arms and carried him off into the night.

[frogsmulder]

Invisible Wounds

Krycek tends to Mulder's head wound while they are imprisoned in the gulag in Tunguska; 500ish words; rated t; tagging @today-in-fic

special thanks to my one and only Finn for translating the Russian <3 and to Anika (aka @baronessblixen, go check out her fic!) for the title

read on ao3

It's cold. The smell of damp and dirt fill the air. It's dark too save for the slit of light from a small barred window. Mulder's head throbs dully, the ache unforgiving. 

Waking from a fitful sleep, he squints as a dark shadow moves across his vision. His heart rate picks up and his head hurts more. He's sat slumped against the wall, the cold concrete scratching and biting at his scalp as he musters the energy to follow the shadow. He swallows his fear as the figure approaches. 

Every muscle in his body tenses. There is the sound of fabric ripping. The figure bends down to him and he screws his eyes shut. 

"все окей, я с тобой, их здесь нет."

The foreign tongue is soft but no less intimidating. A hand grabs his shoulder steadying him, another gently holds his chin. Eyes flying open, Mulder levels a stare at his assailant, his face so close to his he can't discern any features in the darkness. 

“I don't speak Russian,” he spits in the figure's face. 

“What?”

He laughs back at him and applies a gentle pressure around where his head stings, wiping away the blood. "ты всегда был такой сучкой?”

“I said, have you always been a little bitch?”

Mulder jerks away, the voice suddenly clear. “Krycek?” 

Slowly, Mulder relaxes, letting Krycek dab at his brow. His touch is surprisingly caring, fingertips warm against his cold skin. He shivers at the contact. He is vaguely aware of Krycek hushing him as he brushes his hair away from the cut. 

“Hold still, I'm getting the grit out of your cut, идиот."

Images of Scully play through his mind and he shuts his eyes against the pain, wishing that she was here with him to be his doctor. That it was her dainty hands running through his hair, checking for concussion; her blue eyes he could stare into, her concerned expression he could watch knowing that meant deep down she loved him. 

He opens his eyes to see not a light dusting of freckles, nor a swish of fiery red hair, but Alex's warm brown eyes and long lashes, his tongue poking out slightly in concentration. Mulder studied his face: dirty, it held a similar contortion of concern to Scully's, finally the twitch at the corner of his lips letting him know he knew Mulder was watching him. 

Heat rising rapidly to his cheeks, Mulder clenches his jaw and averts his attention, thinking instead to how he'd rather be watching Scully. Again, Alex runs his fingers through his hair and her occasional but singular smile comes to mind. 

He can't stop the tears that come. They spill silently down his cheeks for her. Missing her every second he is here and she is on the other side of the world. 

With the pad of his thumb, Alex quietly wipes away the streams down Mulder's cheeks. 

Silently, Mulder glares at him, more angry with himself for showing his vulnerability to a man he cannot yet has to trust. Frozen in the headlights of Mulder's stare, Alex hesitates. Seconds between them stretch for an eternity before Alex stands and walks to the other side of their cell, sitting as far away as possible. Mulder dries his cheeks with the back of his rough jumper sleeve and turns away from Alex, willing himself not to lose anymore tears.

[bluvlet]

top five in9 costumes? :3

Ooh this is an interesting question! These aren’t going to be ranked in the sense I prefer one more than the other, it’ll just be a list of five I like! Also I’ve never sat down and properly thought about it before, so apologies if the reasonings are a bit lacklustre.

5. Rudolph (A Random Act of Kindness)

I really really like drawing this guy. Long hair and greying hair are both characteristic that just really appeal to me visually, and I find them really fun to draw. Also i like the subtle differences between original timeline Rudolph and the alternate Rudolph that appears in the episode. Original Rudolph has his hair tied back, less facial hair, and smaller, more rectangular glasses. He feels a lot more put together. Alternate Rudolph wears his hair down, his facial hair is more grown out, his glasses are rounder frames that, if I am picturing him correctly, don’t fit his face as neatly. His more laid back appearance reflective of how much less important he is in this timeline, and how aimless he tells Zach he feels. In his video to himself Original Rudolph is dressed neatly in black and blue; Alternate Rudolph looks like he’s had the life sucked out of him, standing around in baggy white and grey. (Zach is also dressed in white in this scene. I wonder if it has something to do with it being his mother’s funeral - a reversal of the traditional custom of wearing black? Whatever reason, it makes the alternate timeline look so strange and sterile.)

4. Ronnie (Wise Owl)

Ronnie’s costume does very well to be a physical representation of his mental state. I think it’s good that we never see a change in costume (even though you would expect him to after the bath incident) or see him take off his shoes (as far as I’m aware). I like the colour choice of orange and pink, I can’t explain it but they feel like very hopeful colours to me - compared to say, if he was wearing red. But they also remind me a bit of fire, and Joanne’s pink birthday balloon. I like the detail of his hair being the same, still long enough to conceal the burn scar on his ear… The wig itself was rather horrendous though.

3 + 2. Blake + Drew (The Trolley Problem)

Ugh he’s not talking about The Trolley Problem again is he…. Individually I love Blake and Drew’s costuming, but I also love how they visually contrast each other! Blake wears a white jacket overtop a black shirt. And he accessorises himself with bracelets and necklaces and a ring on his middle finger. His hair is styled upwards and white, but not quite entirely, and is still a bit dark around the back. Drew on the other hand wears his darker colours on his outer layers, with his white shirt peeking out from underneath his jumper. He is dressed plainly, without accessory, and his hair is black and flat to his head - but neat. I just love the visual dichotomy of the two of them, urgh they fascinate me endlessly.

(Also this is not a serious point but I find it a bit funny that Blake wears glasses, and lacks the ability to see the wider scope of Drew’s plan. Glasses are a universal icon of intelligence, particularly academic, but wearing them indicates that you have imperfect vision. Your glasses can be taken from you, and you can be left ‘in the dark’.)

1. Pierce (The Bones of St Nicholas)

I have nothing remotely serious to say about this I just love his christmas jumper and his hat and him matching with Posie. They’re so cute. I can’t wait until December, and it becomes the appropriate time of year for me to draw fanart of this episode.

[fallenpetalau]

i got a little distracted with making these little gems and backstories that go with them 😭 I'm back on the comic! I promise!

I kept the circus/clown theme i felt our Spinel had, so Yellow is a Sword Swallower, Blue is a Juggler and White is a Pierrot. All of these Spinels are part of troupes - having at least 10-20 of their same gems alongside them while our Pink Spinel is a one-of-a-kind.

Yellow Spinel snaps just like in canon. Except she attacks the colony where her Olivine resides and destroys stuff. Blue Spinel runs away and lets herself corrupt and disappears in the wilderness of a planet near a colony. And White Spinel gets shattered the instant that the fun moment is over. She gets harvested and recycled into remaking new White Spinels

ETA Image Description

[Image Description: Three pictures, each depicting a different circus themed character in the style of Steven Universe.

Image 1 is of a Yellow Spinel proudly holding a sword. She has twin vertical pigtails tied at the end, a yellow court jester themed outfit and a large white Ruff collar that leads to pants that poof out with diamonds on her thigh and solid color to her shoes. Surrounding her is different depictions of herself in various poses, bowing, a size comparison to her diamond, Yellow, and on of her in a state of anger, large black drops overtake much of her outfit and her collar is tattered and stained. Instead of her usual outfit, her goofy pants were replaced with a too-tall alternative that rose past her stomach and only ended at the start of her shirt. Her hair is messed up and her gem is upside down.

Image 2 is of a cat themed Blue Spinel, she acts as a juggler and is noticeably taller than a regular Spinel. Her two-pointed hat moves to her emotions like it were actually a cat's ears. Her arms are made of bicolor streams of ribbon, blue and white alternating and look like baggy sleeves but can be used outside of being as an arm. She has a black upper lip and white lower lip with white upside down drops on her eyelid acting as face makeup. The collar of her outfit and the decoration around her hip is sharper looking than Yellow Spinel's, jutting out and up in multiple points. Also surrounding her is other depictions of her, one holding her juggling pins, one of her crying due to Blue Diamond's oppressive power and three of her corrupted form as a Panther-like creature. It's blue with dark blue teeth, white under the eyes and like a tiger- has two fake eyes imaged on the fur of the back of its ears- it has two sets of ears and two extra limbs on it's shoulders that act similar to the destructive claws of the Mantis Shrimp and is aggressively solitary.

Image 3 is of a White Spinel , much smaller than the other two, both in gem size and in body size and almost completely white in front of a slightly-lit black background. Her gem is the size of a pupil and lacks pigmentation - being almost solid white itself. Her gem is in place of her pupil on her eyeball and she would be only half of Steven's height if lined up next to him with her hat making up the difference. She is an old-fashioned mime themed with a tall cap with black pompoms, a soft two-layered Ruff draping around her neck and a baggy jumper with a simple cord tying the loose fabric close to her form. There are triangles on top and bottom lid that fit together to make black diamonds on her face and each have a small black dot at the outer point of it. ]

I've never written an image description for my art before, I hope it's understandable haha😄

[therk900]

📷 May TC Challenge (Day 1 - 31) 📷

1. Have you ever said something embarrassing to/in front of your TC? Thankfully no. I’m careful what I say and do most of the time

2. When did your TC start teaching you? Does he/she still teach you? B started teaching in 2022 and left at the end of 2023, S started teaching at the start of 2021, M started in 2020, and N started in 2022

3. Do you know anything about your TC’s childhood/youth? B had a cat when he was younger and S used to live in the country. N used to be so shy during school which is a surprise, since he is the complete opposite now!  

4. Describe your TC’s eyes. Gentle

5. What’s your favourite outfit on him/her? B had this blue jumper that he wore most of the time over his formal clothes. S wears formal clothes with these boots and he has 3 jumpers that I love. N’s one is a green jumper and formal pants and a white button up shirt with this brown jacket he has! A had this nice jumper that I LOVE! It’s a navy blue jumper with some white writing on it. My favourite one for M would be a dark navy blue button up shirt, and dark formal pants! 

6. How do you try to impress your tc? I try anything and everything really

7. Describe what you think your wedding would look like. What are you both wearing? Who’s invited? What’s for dinner? Hopefully in some sort of lovely garden with a modern feel to it. I feel like we would invite our friends and family to the occasion. For dinner, salad with some fish maybe. 

8. Have you ever caught her staring at you? How did you react? Yes Yes YES! Multiple times with B! One time earlier last year, B was taking a class of mine, and when I looked up, I saw him completely staring at me. I looked down in an instant. When I looked up 30 secs later to see if he was still looking, and he was!!!! I was just doing some sketching and he was sitting at the table diagonal to me. I looked up a few more times since and he wasn’t looking for some but for most of them, he was!

9. would you run away from home and leave your entire life (friends, family etc.) behind just to be with your TC? Maybe

10. what does your tc teach? B: English S & M: Science G: Media

11. If you lived together, would you rather have kids or pets with him/her? KIDS! And maybe one pet

12. are you in love with your tc or is it just a crush? I think it’s just a crush. Not 100% sure

13. do you think your tc could you like you back? Well, for M and N, they both have a wife, so no. But who knows for the others.

14. have you ever dreamt about your tc? The amount of times I have dreamt about them is concerning

15. imagine that someone wanted to make a movie about your life with your tc - what actor/actress would play you and your tc? For A, maybe Alex Wolff With B, maybe Seth rogan I’m not sure about myself, S, M or G

16. have you ever had an argument with your tc? Nope

17. how did you find the tcc? I was just searching up ���teacher crush” on tumblr and found it! I was a viewer of the Community and didn’t have the courage to post anything until the start of last year

18. can you remember the moment you fell for your tc? Kind of. It was an end of one of B’s classes, and I was listening to a song called "Get into it (yuh)" by Doja Cat, and all i could think about was B. With S, it was just a realisation when I was speaking to him one time. I found out with A via a dream. And with M, I was just in class. i forgot how with G and N

19. Think of a song that reminds you of your TC and tell us your favourite line from it.  B: Here with me - d4vd “As long as I'm with you I've got a smile on my face” A: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John "So goodbye yellow brick road Where the dogs of society howl" S: Enchanted - Taylor Swift “This night is sparkling, don't you let it go I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home I'll spend forever wondering if you knew I was enchanted to meet you” N: Just Like That - THAT BAND HONEY "Baby that's just why we can't commit, maybe And our back and forth makes me want it more" M: Guys My Age - Hey Violet "Guys my age don't know how to treat me... Guys my age don't know how to touch me Don't know how to love me good Guys my age don't know how to keep me" G: Love In The Dark - Adele "We're not the only ones, I don't regret a thing Every word I've said, you know I'll always mean It is the world to me that you are in my life But I want to live and not just survive"

20. does anyone else know about your TC? Only one of my friends know

21. Have you ever stalked your TC online? If yes, what did you find? If no: do it and tell us what you find, it’s fun! I haven’t stalked them online.  Edit: I just found S and B's accounts. They are both private. 

22. what outfit would you most like to see your TC in? A SUIT! I wonder how they look in a suit

23. what is the best outfit they’ve ever worn?  B used to wear these brown formal pants with a nice formal shirt and also a dark blue jumper that I loved For S, he had these nice jumpers, and when he wore that with his formal outfit, it looked so good on him For A, jeans and a navy blue jumper that he owns With N, and G, anything formal For M, he has this green jumper, and he wears it all the time, and it really suits him

24. your best friend tells you that they have a crush on your tc - how do you react? I wouldn’t be surprised!

25. has your tc ever helped you with something that’s not school related? Yes. B has helped me with my drawings since he knows how much I love drawing

26. do you want to get over your tc or are you happy with it for now? I am very happy with it for now! it has made me know them better 

27. If your life was a book series/tv series/movie and you had a fan base, would your fans realistically ship you and your tc?  Depends really

28. What’s something that always makes you think of them?  A: Have no idea yet!  S: Anything to do with science for some reason G: A movie called “Alien” N: Have no idea yet!  M: DILF (because he is one)

29. Let’s chat for a sec! What’s something you’ve been dying to talk about regarding your tc?  How nice they are

30. How often do you think about them?  I think about them here and there

31. What’s something you’re manifesting happening between you two? (If you don’t manifest, what’s something you hope happens?)  That I get to see them outside of school, like in a cafe or something.

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Hello All! I’ve got two snippets today. First up, a bit from the first chapter of Episode 3: The Diplomat, my contribution to our on going gift to @raenestee, a CO Star Trek series. In this episode, the crew of the USS Redemption visit a new planet in the Delta Quadrant and meet a group of aliens with a particular talent. Here’s a little of Simon talking with one of them who has noticed the way he’s been looking at Baz, and might be just a tad jealous.

“But our sex is not something that is permanent for us,” Inveja interjects. “We can be whatever we want to be. Or…” She leans forward and trails a hand across my jaw. “Whatever is needed of us.”

Her face shifts a little and at first, I think it’s a trick of the light. I blink and see that her features have become just a tad more masculine than they were before. She’s also given herself a pair of neck ridges.

Phekk a nine-toed asteroid slug.

(Baz is an alien with neck ridges, if that wasn’t obvious.)

And some from Chapter 7 of Depth of Reason, which I swear will get finished someday.

The bell rings and I quickly bring the plate and beers out to the coffee table before letting Baz in. I open the door and as soon as our eyes meet we both smile.

Baz is wearing a soft, light blue jumper and dark wash jeans. It’s the most casual I’ve ever seen him dressed. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Baz in jeans. Not even when we were kids. Even though I’m sure his outfit is more expensive than anything I own, something about seeing Baz dressed so laid back is definitely doing it for me.

“Hi,” I finally manage to say. My wings flap stupidly behind me.

“Hello,” he says, grinning.

Thank you for the tags this week @rimeswithpurple @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @fatalfangirl @captain-aralias @j-nipper-95 @forabeatofadrum @hushed-chorus @alexalexinii @youarenevertooold @wellbelesbian @ileadacharmedlife

Tagging @whatevertheweather @moodandmist @bookish-bogwitch @cutestkilla @raenestee @thewholelemon @facewithoutheart @nightimedreamersworld @yellobb @artsyunderstudy @aristocratic-otter @ivelovedhimthroughworse @iamamythologicalcreature @valeffelees @ebbpettier @supercutedinosaurs @simonsnowsfreckles @messofthejess @imagineacoolusername @blackberrysummerblog @palimpsessed @shemakesmeforget @larkral @ic3-que3n @theearlgreymage @shrekgogurt and anyone else who would like to play 💛

[weemsfreak]

i can’t wait for the next parts of botany of course and the board :))

Botany...Of Course, Pt 4

Thank you everyone for the interest in my fics :) This is a bit of a shorter part but I have more coming soon!

Larissa Weems x OCTeacher Peyton

Fluff ~1700 words

Pt 3

(Photo is of the Opryland Resort in Nashville)

Sunday

It was the last day of Larissa's conference. You found yourself in the third botanical garden, sketching a really interesting plant from Florida, Dendrophylax lindenii, or Ghost Orchid. You loved this hotel and this garden, how you would love to work here. The conservatory at Nevermore was as much as you could handle by yourself, but to work somewhere like this, it would be a dream. The smell of the plants every time you walked in the garden was refreshing, and made you extremely happy. You loved your Nevermore family though, and you would never want to leave them. They accepted you, and you accepted them.

As you were sketching and taking some photos of the plants, you were thinking about Larissa. You hadn't realized you were, until you did. You thought about last night and how she had stood up for the both of you. You thought she didn't know about you and was fighting for herself, but she was trying to protect you. At the same time you were protecting her, even though you thought nothing of it. She was fun to be around when she was Larissa and she was striped of her principal duties. She was always nice to be around, of course, but when she wasn't stressed to the max, she was funny, chill, sweet, precious and an all around good person. You could see the hopefulness, the glimmer, the love, and the life in her eyes every time you looked at her. Those sapphire blue eyes, ones you could never find an answer for as to why nobody loved them. Nobody loved them, perhaps like you. You had thought about what she had asked you nights ago, about erasing her memory from last year. The only other memory you had ever taken was your fathers, you couldn't let him relive it any longer, even though you were only a kid. You thought, no, you knew that you wanted to take Larissa's memory for her. Even if this was all a lie, even if she didn't like you as much as she acted like she did, even if she was using you just to get rid of the memory, you would take it. You wanted nothing more than for her life to be happy and well lived. She was the mother of the outcasts, she took care of them like they were her own. Her supposed friend had tried to murder her for frig sake, she had to know somebody cared about her. Someone had to take care of her, in one way or another.

What you weren't aware of was, as you observed the flowers, someone was observing you.

*Larissa's POV*

They were sitting on the walkway right next to some white flowers. It was adorable how they talked about and treated plants. They were wearing a dark red jumper and platform strap sandals, you thought it looked stunning on them. You couldn't help but think about last night, how they had lied to help you defend yourself. You thought you were being over protective, but in those types of situations you would never back down. You didn't want to scare Peyton and come off too strong, but when they told the girls off with that kiss and their powers, you thought it was hilarious. Hot, and the best thing ever. They looked so pure, so overjoyed to be learning about new plants, so at peace to bask in the atmosphere of the garden. You couldn't help but wonder if they would want to work here. It would be the best place for them, maybe even better than teaching at Nevermore. You hoped not, but you wanted to support them in any way you could. You smiled while you observed them, you couldn't stop thinking about their long hair and tan skin. The way their style changed everyday, the way they were so open to things, the way that they were so helpful, the way they treated you; with respect and love and adoration. You thought that, - oh, they spilled their drink. They stood up, they look mad. You saw them mouth something, 'fuck'. You laughed, out loud. You caught yourself and looked back to the presenter who was staring at you, but didn't stop talking. You gave him a forced smile and tried to focus.

"Fuck" you said aloud by accident. You looked around, nobody was near you. As you looked, you caught a glimpse of white hair through a window in an upstairs room. Larissa- was she stalking you or were you staking her? Probably the latter, accidentally on purpose, you thought. You looked to her, she looked so focused on her work, she probably didn't know you were down here, right? As you were lost in thought, she looked out the window at you, and gave a knowing taunting smile. You put on your fake annoyed face at her, and pouted your lips, which made her laugh. You loved her laugh. You couldn't hear it from here, but you wished you could. You gave her a wink and waved goodbye, going to clean off the drink you spilled on your leg.

You weren't sure when Larissa's conference would be done today, so you ventured to the mall alone. You decided you needed some new clothes. You hadn't gone shopping in a while, besides the new bras and underwear that Ren made you buy before the trip. Larissa's conference had ended while you were at the mall, therefore she found your shared hotel room empty. She looked for you before deducing that you were probably back out at the garden, drawing some plants and taking notes. She got a shower and freshened up for the evening. As she walked towards her bed from the washroom, she noticed your notebook on your bed. Odd, you would have it with you if you were observing the plants. She picked it up and opened it, tracing her fingers over some recent sketches. She admired your work, the detail you put in, and the way that you put effort and thought into everything you did. She flipped back to Fridays work, where she saw your sketch of Physostigma venenosum. Shivering, she flipped a few pages forward, and found a beautiful sketch of a garden. There was a building on the left, a fountain and pond on the right, sky lights and a pathway between plants and trees. Someone was walking down the pathway. That someone looked familiar. They were adorning a matching cream colored outfit with a lip brooch. Their hair was up, and they looked rather tall. Was that… Larissa's eyes lit up and she gasped in awe. In amongst all the plants and trees, the stunning botanical garden, you were sketching her, when she wasn't even with you. You were thinking of her, while the beauty of all these plants that you loved was right in front of your eyes. You were sketching her, when you could have been sketching anyone. She flipped the page once more, eyeing a poem on the back of your sketch.

"If Larissa was a season, she would be Fall. Fall is my favorite season of all. She's chilly, not cold, she's wise, not old. I feel safe wrapped up in her leaves, no doubt, as although I am small, like a tree she is tall. But maybe she would really be spring, no, winter. When the frost hits and it's like a glaze. The silvery, blue, cool tones fit her just right, when you look in her eyes and they give you a light. They remind you of summer, so warm, so inviting. Like the ocean, you'd love to jump right in. You have to refrain, alas, it is true, for summer was not meant only for you. It was meant for the people, for the people to love. They wake in the morning and put on their gloves. Not in the summer, in winter it's true, but don't worry, you'd wear them too. For if she was winter and summer and fall, she'd have to be spring, she'd be them all. A breath of fresh air, it cuts like a knife. Like the flowers and animals, she gives me new life."

Her eyes filled with tears and she caught herself, daring to let them fall. Where did you come from? And why did you appear in her life? Were you sent to make up for all the things that she had been through? Were you here to be a friend when she needed it most? She had thought she had a friend before though, and she turned out to be wrong. Horribly wrong. Larissa was usually right in her decisions and judgement, but lately she had been second guessing herself.

Larissa found herself at the mall. She figured you would be here or in the hotel somewhere, exploring no doubt. You weren't answering your phone, but she figured you were just caught up in something. She entered a jewellery store, spotting a pair of gorgeous dark amber earrings that would match your eyes perfectly. They reminded her of old fashioned gothic décor, something she knew you would love. Exiting the jewellery store, she caught a glimpse of you standing across the corridor, reading something on the wall. She felt herself become giddy at seeing you and she suddenly felt blessed to mean more to you than just another stranger at this mall. She came up behind you and embraced you, leaning her head on your shoulder. She scared you, making you drop your bags on the floor. You realized who it was by her smell, before you even caught a glimpse of her. Who else could it be though, really. You wrapped your hands around hers, closed your eyes and leaned your head against hers. "Hey Riss, how was your day?" you giggled, basking in her touch. She brought her lips up to you and gave you a kiss on the cheek, making you blush harder than ever before. You were screwed, you thought, absolutely screwed. "It was good, very good, but it's way better now that I found you." She gave you another kiss on the cheek and grabbing your hand, she lead you out of the mall.

Pt 5

[arrowofcarnations]

O'Knutzy Week Day Three!!!

The third part of my little Cubs-at-Hogwarts AU. Characters belong to @lumosinlove! This was written for @oknutzyweek2023 :)

tw: alcohol (no drunkenness)

Day 3: Dance (A4)

“It’s bad.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“No, it is, Finn, it’s—quel est le mot, Leo?”

“Hideous?”

“Oui, hideous.”

Logan grimaced at his reflection in the floor-length mirror. The dress robes had been worn by his father for one formal event or another during his school days, but they might as well have belonged to some distant Tremblay ancestor; they were loudly out of fashion, all lace and frills and an exaggeratedly wide collar.

Logan was not fucking wearing these to the Yule Ball.

“I’ll just go in my uniform,” he said, making his mind up as he turned away from the sight of himself. Leo was shaking his head, a sympathetic frown on his face.

“You’ll be so underdressed, you’ll stick out anyway.”

“Non, my formal uniform. The ones we had on when we got here.” He glanced at the open wardrobe, where a glimpse of pale blue silk could be seen. He could stand to wear that again. He wouldn’t be laughed out of Hogwarts, at least.

“You’ll get in trouble. You heard the teachers—dress robes required.”

Logan made a sound of frustration; he knew Leo was right, but he needed a solution. One that didn’t involve him looking (and smelling) like his great-great-grandfather Jean Claude. He turned pleading eyes to Finn, who looked like he was doing his level best not to burst out laughing. Logan scowled at him. “Fuck you.”

“I didn’t say anything!” But a laugh tumbled out of Finn the second he opened his mouth. A smile tugged at the corners of Leo’s mouth as Finn covered his own.

“I’m going to find a dragon from the first task and get it to kill you both.”

Leo patted Logan on the back. “I’ll just charm it again,” he said with a smug grin that was, annoyingly, cute. Logan had been in awe of him that day, watching from the sidelines as Leo lulled the dragon into a state of such peaceful calm that it just let him take the egg. Judging by the expression on Finn’s face as he watched beside him, Logan guessed he hadn’t been the only one.

The spellwork had been beautiful. Leo had been beautiful. He was beautiful all the time, slumped over half-asleep at breakfast and catching his breath after a training session and winking at him with that smile as they snuck around the castle after dark, and it was driving Logan to distraction.

He watched Leo’s gaze fall to the ruffles obstructing his neck and chest and was pulled back to his present predicament. “I’m not going. I’ll say I’m sick.”

“And abandon me and Le like that?” Finn was teasing, but Logan had to swallow the no in his throat anyway. He would take every stolen second he got with them. He hadn’t forgotten how temporary all this was; sometimes it felt like a clock was levitating above his head, ticking down the time until he got on the boat back to France, Leo went back to America, and Finn stayed here, waving them goodbye. Would they miss him? Would they stay in touch? Logan didn’t want to think about it if the answer was no.

Finn must’ve seen something on his face because his expression softened. “Right, look. Give me your robes. I transfigured a Slytherin bloke’s jumper into a bikini once—can’t be too much harder to turn this into something you can wear.”

Logan looked at him skeptically. “The ball is in three days.”

Finn took him by the shoulders and smiled reassuringly. Logan’s eyes darted to the freckle on his upper lip he’d wanted to kiss for weeks now before he caught himself and looked back up. “Then it’ll be fixed in three days,” Finn said. Then he gave Logan’s shoulders a gentle shake. “Come on, Tremblay, have a little faith. Yeah?”

Logan smiled despite himself. “Yeah.”

Finn shook him harder. “Yeah?”

“Yes, okay, get the fuck off me,” Logan laughed, shoving him. Leo laughed, too, and Logan grinned at him as he started undoing his bowtie, eager to get back into normal clothes.

•

Between classes, homework, and mandatory pre-ball dance lessons with their respective schoolmates, Leo felt like he hardly saw Finn or Logan the rest of the week. Now he stood in the room he’d been sleeping in for the past few months, messing with his hair and thinking about a certain redhead and brunette.

He wondered if the lessons also made them want to be trampled by a hippogriff. He wondered if Finn had cracked Logan’s outfit problem. He wondered if Logan would let him stand too close during The Weird Sisters’ performance, and he wondered if Finn would hold his hand like he did last week running through the halls, honey-brown eyes aglow as he leaned in and…and—

“Earth to Knutty,” came Kasey’s voice, snapping him out of his thoughts. “You ready, or do you need more time to stare at yourself?”

“I’m ready, I’m ready,” Leo said, turning around. Kasey looked classically handsome in his black dress robes and white bowtie, hair half up in a ponytail and so effortlessly perfect Leo would swear on his mama’s gumbo that he’d charmed it to stay that way. “You look good.”

“Thanks. So do you.” Kasey gestured to Leo’s dress robes—deep blue with a cranberry red bowtie, reflecting Ilvermorny’s colors. He’d had to learn how to charm an extra inch of fabric onto the bottom of the trousers after trying them on for the first time since last summer, but everything was fitting well now. “Trying to impress O’Hara?”

Leo felt heat rise in his cheeks. “I could ask you the same thing,” he countered. He’d definitely taken note of how much time Kasey had been spending with Finn’s older brother, Alex. He was pretty sure they’d even gone for drinks in Hogsmeade together last weekend.

Kasey opened his mouth, closed it, then laughed. “Touché. So it is Finn you’ve been daydreaming about, then?”

“...Some of the time.”

“Oh? Oh, Tremblay, too, huh? That’s what his sister thought. Guess I owe her a galleon.”

“Do you, Alex and Noelle spend all your free time gossiping about us?”

Kasey shrugged as he led the way out of the guest dorms and down the steep stone staircase. “Sometimes we talk about quidditch. Come on, rookie, you’re going to be late.”

The Great Hall had outdone itself for the occasion. Gone were the long tables Leo had come to know, replaced by smaller round ones lit by flickering lanterns on either side of the large dance floor. Leo gaped up at the charmed ceiling—it looked just like the night sky over his porch back home, perfectly clear and studded with countless stars—and his eyes followed the strands of festive mistletoe and ivy that crossed it in every which way, ending on the walls covered in a silver frost that almost made him shiver instinctively.

It was breathtaking. And all of it paled in comparison to the two boys who’d just walked through the doors.

Logan came into view first, gorgeous in a set of forest green dress robes that made his eyes almost otherworldly. From the outside, he looked calm and confident, but Leo could see him fiddling with his cuffs and scanning the room for a friendly face. A moment later, Finn strode in and met him, wearing dress robes in the Gryffindor red and gold that Leo always loved on him. Finn leaned in and whispered something in Logan’s ear that made him laugh, then saw Leo and beamed, waving him over. Leo’s heart leapt.

He’d already taken a few steps toward them before he turned around and shot an apologetic look at Kasey. “Uh, I’m—”

Kasey smiled knowingly and waved him off. “Have fun.”

There were about a hundred things Leo wanted to say to the two of them,, but once he’d reached them, all that came out was “Hi.”

Logan smiled at him like he’d said the right thing anyway. “Bonjour, Knutty.”

Finn let out a low whistle, looking Leo up and down, then Logan. “Can I just state for the record—we clean up nice.”

“Thanks to you,” Logan said, gesturing to his own outfit. “How are these the same robes?”

Finn threw an arm around Logan’s shoulders, then Leo’s, herding them over toward the drinks table. “It was nothing, mon cherry.”

“Chéri,” Leo laughed, falling into step with them. “And don’t go throwin’ that one around. Unless you want half the school to think you’re their boyfriend, Heartthrob O’Hara.”

“Ah shit, you heard that one?”

“Yeah, I heard that one.”

Finn’s arm lingered around him just a moment too long once they’d reached the burbling fountain of pumpkin juice; Leo could still feel the warmth of it even after Finn took it back to grab them a trio of silver goblets and start ladling liquid into each one. The crooked-grin-cheeky-wink combo Finn gave him as he handed him his drink hit him harder than any jelly-legs jinx ever had.

He handed a drink to Logan, too, then held his own up between them. “Right, boys. Cheers to…?”

“The flask of whiskey in your pocket,” Logan said, glancing down at Finn’s robes pointedly.

“Sure I’m not just happy to see you?” Finn fired back, batting his eyelashes.

Logan scoffed, but Leo saw the color rise on his cheeks a little. “Rude not to share.”

“I’m gonna. Not yet—wait ‘til the teachers get distracted later on.”

“Cheers to sharing,” Leo offered, raising his cup. “And to us, surviving this crazy fucking year.”

Finn’s whole face lit up at that. “Cheers to us,” he declared. “Sláinte.” They knocked their cups together and drank.

•

For a school-sanctioned event that required waltzing and dress robes, it was a decently fun time, in Finn's opinion. As champions, he, Logan and Leo were asked to perform the first dance with their dates. Dates was a very loose term this year, though: Logan danced with his sister, Noelle, who'd been popping in regularly since the fall to cover the tournament for The Daily Prophet; Leo danced with one of his classmates, a girl with hair the color of candy floss who must've been a foot shorter than him; and Finn had had fun twirling his friend June around the dance floor.

"I think that one's jealous," she'd muttered, nodding toward Logan. Finn looked over her shoulder as they turned and found Logan's eyes already on him, but they quickly flicked back to Noelle. He found himself craving more of that green. More Logan. And he wanted more blue, more Leo, just as much. Fuck.

"I mean, you're looking good, Carter, can you blame him?" She did, dark hair plaited elegantly around a high bun and swathed in robes of deep purple. Their fourth-year romance may have only lasted a whopping two weeks (on account of June realizing she only fancied girls), but Finn had eyes.

June just looked at him like he was thick. "Not of you," she said. He knew that tone, that expression; he'd regularly been on the receiving end of it for almost seven years now. She was waiting for him to catch up to something obvious.

"Wait. Of—you? So, like..."

Her gold filigree earrings swung in tempo as she nodded. He twirled her out toward the onlookers, then pulled her back in, moving through the steps they'd all practiced dozens of times by now.

"Well? Do you like him back? Reckon so, you're with him and Knut, like, all the time."

"Not all the time," Finn protested. He didn't say anything else for a moment, but she had a way of waiting him out. "I do like him. And Leo."

Her brown eyes went a bit wider at that. "Oh, you mean?"

"Yeah."

"Aw, that's cute!"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah!" she said, squeezing his shoulder and smiling. "I mean, they're both trying to steal Gryff's glory, so not everybody's gonna love it, but who cares? Also, Blondie definitely also likes you."

The dance came to a close, they all bowed and curtsied politely amidst the applause, and the ball was officially in progress. Finn and June weaved their way off the dance floor as it started to fill.

Finn fiddled with his clothes until June knocked her shoulder into his. "They feel the same, Fish. Just go talk to them. Or skip straight to snogging, that's fine, too."

Heat immediately crept up his cheeks as he considered it. It certainly wasn't the first time he'd fantasized about doing just that—laughing in the kitchens after dark, studying in the library, sitting close together on his favorite sofa in the Gryffindor common room as the fireplace gently roared—but it seemed closer to real, now, like something he could actually do.

"You think it'd work? Without one or both of them decking me, I mean." So many what-ifs raced through his mind, and the possibility of losing them as friends sat like a stone in his stomach.

She just smiled and shrugged. "Never know until you try. But I do know that Logan's sister's already ditched him for Talker, so you'd better go get him before the truly mad number of people making heart-eyes at him take their chances."

"What'll you do?"

"Go snog Amy, obviously."

"Obviously. Right, you're the worst, love you, see you later."

"You're a bloody idiot, love you too, bye."

•

The ball wasn't as torturous as Logan thought it'd be. The Weird Sisters were playing their hearts out. He'd only had to gently turn down two girls who'd asked him to dance—one shyly, one so boldly it'd made him blush. He liked to dance when it was with people he knew, and he did, with Nolly and Saint and a semi-reluctant Luke, but Luke spent most of the time dancing with-with Saint, and his sister beamed like the sun when Thomas swept her away.

He was happy for all of them. And it made his urge to be next to Leo and Finn again all the sharper.

It wasn't hard to find Leo, tall as he was. They spent a while toward the front of the room, searching for the best snacks, and danced next to each other for a couple of the faster songs, which wasn't the same as what the couples were doing but was fun. It was enough, more than enough, if that was all Leo wanted it to be.

Every time one of them looked around for Finn, he seemed to get pulled into a dance or conversation with someone else, but finally, he locked eyes with them and made a determined beeline to their spot on the edge of the dance floor.

"Hi. Merlin's tits, that took ages."

"You're friends with everyone, aren't you?" Leo laughed.

Finn shrugged, grinning a little. Logan could look at his smile forever. It scared the shit out of him.

"Your date looks nice," he said before he could help it.

Finn's expression turned a little...Logan didn't know what. Curious, maybe. Leo was eyeing him, too, and he wished he could shove the words back in his mouth but here they were. "June's a stunner, yeah. She's a lesbian with a girlfriend, though, sorry to rain on your parade."

"Quoi? Non, I wasn't—I don't like her." Finn's eyebrows raised; fucking hell, this was coming out all wrong. "I thought you liked her, maybe."

"Oh, as a baby fourth year I absolutely did. But, nah, she's like family now."

The flames of jealousy that had been licking at Logan's heels all night sputtered out.

Finn cleared his throat, then added, "Plus, I...like someone else."

Logan's stomach dropped to his shoes. "Oh?"

But Finn gave him a significant look, then looked at Leo the same way. "Someones. I like...someones."

Logan admired a lot of things about Finn: his big heart, his willingness to trust the world, the way he took care of people. But looking at him now under the shimmering silver lights, he thought the thing he admired most about him was his bravery.

"Me, too," he said around his dry throat.

Leo's eyebrows pitched up as he looked between them with a disbelieving smile. "Yes," he said, voice hushed like if he said it any louder, everything would vanish in a poof of smoke. Logan understood.

They stood like that for who knew how long—seconds? Hours?—just grinning at each other like they'd won something bigger than the tournament. Then Logan had the sense to steer them out of the Great Hall, the massive doors shutting out the party behind them.

It was blessedly quiet in the hallway, and Logan was grateful for it and the privacy. He reached into Finn’s robes—Finn spluttered, eyebrows practically disappearing in his hairline—and retrieved the flask, taking swig and passing it to Leo, who took a long pull himself before returning it to Finn. The band was muffled, but they all heard the song change as Finn swallowed his own mouthful of fiery liquor—a slower love song started up.

"Oh, I love this one," Leo said, but he didn't seem to want to go back inside.

Finn held out his hands—one to Leo, one to Logan. "Dance with me?"

It startled a laugh out of Logan. "Here?"

"Why not? I'd dance with you both in there, too, but I know you don't like being gawked at."

It did something funny to Logan's chest that Finn knew that about him already, that he'd said it matter-of-factly like there was no chance he'd gotten it wrong.

"What do you say, Frenchie, wanna fraternize with the enemy?"

Logan cocked an eyebrow at him, but he was already taking his and Leo's hands in his own and pulling them closer. "Is that what you call it?"

Finn's laugh was the sweetest music.

[bastetwastaken]

For the request thing, how about 12. Gift giving with casteshipping if you have the time?

Hey friend! Thanks for the ask ^.^

I ended up catching Covid and have spent a lot of time suffering, but I'm getting back around to writing things now <3 Sorry it's so late, and short, but my brain is still very foggy.

I hope you enjoy the silly sweet thing <3 <3

..........

It was late morning when he finally woke up to an empty bed. 

The lack of warmth from the other person wasn’t a surprise to him by now though, Atem was an early riser, he always had been. 

For him though, the best time of day for him to work was late afternoon and well into the evening, when Ra’s light had faded from the world and he could move under Khonsu’s less harsh gaze. 

He stretched out and listened to the sounds of Atem moving around in their small apartment. Rubbing his hands quickly over his face he pushed himself out of the bed, he really should make an effort to start getting up earlier…especially today.  

He left the bedroom and walked down the short hall toward the main room where he could see the soft glow of the lights Atem had insisted on putting on a tree which he had also insisted on bringing into their home.

“Morning.” He said as he shuffled into the room, smiling when Atem looked up from the book he was reading and laughed. 

“Just.” Atem teased. 

“Shut up.” He laughed. 

Atem set his book to the side then stood up from the sofa, holding a hand out to him which he walked closer and took, pulling Atem toward him just to see the blush on Atems cheeks when he fell against his bare chest. 

“I’m glad you’re awake.” Atem said softly. 

“Hmm, can’t be without me?” He teased, hands sliding down Atems back over the soft jumper he was wearing. 

“Maybe I can’t.” Atem said with a smile. “But no, the reason I was hoping you’d wake soon is under the tree.” 

He frowned and looked to the side, spotting a small wrapped box sitting under the decorated tree. 

“What?” He asked. 

Atem laughed and moved away from him, taking his hand and pulling him down to kneel on the floor with him. He watched as Atem picked up the box and held it out to him, a golden bow stood out against the dark blue paper. 

“I…I bought you something.” Atem said, chewing his lip nervously. “I know all of this is still new to us, but I wanted to follow tradition at least a little.” 

He looked at the gift then up at Atem, confused as to why he felt the need to buy him something, and also a little guilty because he hadn’t thought of buying Atem anything at all…they’d both worked so hard to get to where they were right now and here he was, likely ruining things. 

“I, um, didn’t get you anything.” He said quietly. “I didn’t know it was something we’d bother with.” 

Atem smiled at him and shook his head, setting the neatly wrapped gift to the side and shuffling closer. Their knees pressed together, a smile worked its way onto his face without his permission when Atems hand cupped his cheek. 

“You’ve already given me everything I want.” Atem said, leaning closer to him, their noses brushed as he spoke softly. “Being here, just having this life with you…is the best gift I’ve ever received.” 

He stared blankly at Atem for a moment then scoffed. 

“Is this an attempt on my life?” He asked. “Are you trying to kill me with kindness?” 

“Shut up.” Atem said with a soft laugh before pressing their lips together. 

He should be used to kissing Atem by now, but he still found himself shocked by how…casual they could be with one another now. Now Atem no longer held his status and he was no longer tainted by a reputation he never really truly wanted. 

Sighing happily into the kiss, he moved forward, a hand in Atems hair as he pushed him back until he was laying on the soft rug. His lips left Atems for a moment and he smirked playfully. 

“I could give you more gifts.” He said, brushing his lips against Atems again. 

“You could.” Atem said before pulling him into another slow kiss. 

[cha0s-boyy]

[ID: ten cartoony digital drawings of animal characters. 1. an anthro sparkledog character from the waist up. they are a white floppy-eared dog with yellow blush markings and red freckles. they have round eyes with yellow irises and red pupils. one eye has eyelashes on upper lid and the other has eyelashes on the lower lid. they have human-like hair in a short style, except for raccoontails on the sides. the main hair is split dyed red and blue, and the raccoontails are the same colors but with yellow stripes. the character is wearing a red and yellow striped jumper with sleeves that cover the character's paws, black overalls with one of the straps falling off, and a black collar with yellow stripes. the character has an open-mouthed smile, showing one upper tooth, and they have one paw raised in front of their body. 2. an anthro sparkledog from the thighs up. he has an average body type, with top surgery scars on his chest, a missing right hand, semi-floppy ears, and feral nipples on his stomach. his base fur is gray tricolor, but all over his back and tail are cyan, yellow, magenta, and fuchsia spots. he has a black hair tuft with a magenta and blue striped streak, a yellow and magenta nose, and cyan inner ears. his eyes are round, with three thick blue eyelashes on the outer edge of each, and one iris is yellow while the other is magenta. he is wearing a black and white checkered bandanna. his missing hand raised and his other hand down by his hip. he has his teeth showing and lips pulled back in a grimace or frown, and one eye is squinted and squished. the piece is heavily shaded from the upper left. 3. two anthro characters from the waist up, laughing together. both characters are grinning with their eyes closed, and both have fairly average body types without prominent busts. the character on the left is a pale green wolfdog with darker green ears. she has straight white shoulder-length hair with bangs, cut in a spiky style. she is wearing a striped dark green t-shirt over a white long-sleeved shirt, a bright green spiked collar, a silver chain with a cross on it, and a silver earring with a cross on it. her head is turned in profile, and she has one hand raised in front of her chest/neck. the second character is a white possum with black ears and dark gray markings on her snout and eyelids. she has drippy black eye makeup. she has short spiky white hair with pink streaks in it, and black and pink raccoontails on the sides. she is wearing a black sweater with indigo flames on the bottom, and has several ear piercings, one of which has a razor blade dangling from it. she has her head tilted downwards and her body is slightly hunched with laughter. 4. a bust of a furry creature. he has a canine body structure, but no nose pad, and evenly sized triangular teeth. he has a mane on the back of its neck and a long tapered tongue with an arrow shaped tip. his head and mane are red, his body is black, and he has white stripe markings on his snout and eye, and dot markings on his chest. his eyes are black with white spirals, his inner ears are white with black stripes, his teeth are black, and his tongue is white with black rings at the end and a red tip. he is smiling with his mouth open. 5. an anthro wolf from the hips up. she has gray fur and a lean body. she has human-like hair that is styled like a mohawk in front but is long and goes all directions in the back, striped in dull red, yellow, blue, and black. one of her eyes is yellow and the other is blue, and she has two triangular eyelashes on each eye. she has a nose ring and a plug in her ear, and she is wearing a gray graphic muscle shirt tucked into black pants, and a spiked bracelet on one arm. she is grinning toothily, has one hand raised up near her snout, and has the end of her tail barely in-frame behind her. her tail is striped like her hair.

6. an anthro hyena from the chest up. she has human-like hair, an average body type, and a moderate bust. her fur is brown with typical spotted hyena markings, with the addition of freckles on her cheeks. her hair is brown in the back, but purple in front, and is styled with bangs and more length to one side of her face. she has teal eyes, with a single eyelash at the corner of each eye. she is wearing teal eyeshadow and a dull yellow t-shirt. she is smiling, has her head turned to one side, and has one hand raised, fingers resting on her collarbone. 7. an anthropomorphic alien axolotl character from the waist up. they have turquoise skin with a scale pattern on their head, and an indigo to violet gradient on their gills. they are thin and flat-chested, and the gills on the left side of their face are stripped, missing the feathery parts. they are wearing a green alien mask and a gray and blue hoodie with purple text on it that says "get fresh." they have their left hand raised in a peace sign. 8. an anthro fox-parrot hybrid in a simple style. she has a fully red fox head, and her body is covered by a dress that ambiguously doubles as folded wings. her dress has a yellow ring at the top, and three stripes or red-orange-red for the rest of it. she has one wing extended, and it it shaped like a triangle, but curved so the end is raised to wave at the viewer. it is yellow on top, and has pale blue flight feathers. 9. a dark gray cat with lighter gray on her ears, face, and neck, green eyes, and a jagged scar on her neck/shoulder. she has a grumpy expression. 10. a halfbody of a seated feral cat. she has long thick gray fur, with black on her neck and the top of her head, and a white face. she has a narrow brown eye, and one missing eye. there is a scar on her lip, and another on her shoulder. /end ID]

[djpurple3]

i coloured my scoobert doo fanart! clearly i couldn't Quite commit to the artstyle but this was so so so fun. and i think Fred should have a mullet. Let Fred have a mullet.

i could ramble but i'll try not to <3 I dressed Shaggy like that bc of him being a gymnast? so he still likes free-moving clothing. I just. waves hand. Mystery Incorporated my beloveds

@leiasolo77 in case you wanted to see the finished thing! @merlybird500 i know it's not mc but i hope you dont mind

Image ID under the cut

[IMAGE ID: Fred, Daphe, Velma and Shaggy from Scooby Doo standing in a line up against a light grey background.

Fred has one hand on his hip. He is wearing a long-sleeved white shirt with a dark blue collar, orange cravat, and dark blue bell-bottom jeans. He also has big brown boots, and he has his hair in a short mullet. He is drawn as tall and fat. He is smiling at the viewer.

Daphne is wearing a light green scarf, pink cardigan with shoulder length sleeves, and a purple knee-length dress. The dress has light purple trim. She also wears pink tights, and light purple ankle boots. She has a light brown handbag, and she rests one hand on it. Her orange hair is held back with its usual light purple headband. She is smiling at the viewer.

Velma is shorter than the others. She wears her usual orange turtleneck jumper/sweater, but it has been altered to be slightly-too-long full-length sleeves. She wears her normal pleated red skirt, knee high orange socks and strappy red shoes. She wears glasses, has her dark brown hair in a bob with a fringe/bangs, and is looking down at her phone with a slight smile on her face. She is drawn as short and fat.

Shaggy stands a little hunched, looking left towards his friends with a smile on his face. He has short, scruffy brown hair and stubble. He's wearing his usual green t-shirt, but an olive green sweater unzipped overtop. He also wears grey activewear leggings, and chunky green sneakers. He is the tallest of the group, though hunched, he looks about the same height as Fred.

The artist's signature, a pale 'DJ' is drawn over each character's right shoulder.

/END ID]

[arianatwycross]

Chapter 3

continue reading below or read on AO3 here

“Told you he liked you.”

Lily rolls her eyes. 

“Just because I made him blush, doesn’t mean he likes me still.”

“But it does.”

Lily groans, pulling herself from the floor and giving Mary another exasperated look. 

“Who likes who?” Dorcas interrupts. 

Lily groans once again. 

“Lily fancies-” 

“Nope! Not here Mare.” Lily chastises, her tone grave. 

Mary just smiles. 

The common room is not as full as it could be - being a free period for a few seventh years, there’s only a handful of them milling around. 

“Who do you fancy?” Dorcas whispers theatrically, sitting on the edge of the sofa behind Lily. 

“I don’t fancy anyone.”

Mary laughs. 

Before Dorcas can interrogate Lily, the boys wander in - loud and distracting. Lily’s eyes instantly travel to James. He’s taken off his jumper - recently, she deduces but the way his hair sticks up haphazardly. His shirt sleeves have been rolled up and she clocks his forearms straight away - she inwardly groans. 

“Oh,” Dorcas whispers behind her. 

Lily swivels around on the floor to question her oh but finds her looking at James and then back to Lily with a twinkle in her eye. 

Lily just rolls her eyes again. 

“Evans!” Sirius calls out when he spots her. She raises an eyebrow in response. 

“James is going to go for a fly this afternoon, wanna join him? I know how much you love watching him fly.”

Lily should have expected this. She can either rise to his torment, let him embarrass her, or - agree. 

“Ok.” She shrugs, pulling her hair into a ponytail. 

James watches her movement with his mouth wide open, Sirius laughs at Lily’s blase response, Remus walks into the back of James and Peter blinks curiously at the group now standing oddly in the middle of the common room. 

“Wait, what?” James finally says. 

“I don’t mind watching, I need some air anyway.” She manages to say it calmly, however, her heart beats dramatically in her chest. 

“Oh. Ok, cool.” James says, his hands flying to his hair, his eyes darting to Sirius and Remus. 

She cooly watches Remus whisper something into James's ear and Sirius slaps his best mate on the back.

“I just need to get changed.” He says, briefly looking at her before darting up the stairs. 

The entire group bursts into laughter and Lily feels strangely like the butt of a joke. 

She frowns, watching her friends laugh. Mary wiggles her eyebrows at her, making Lily swat her hand away from her ponytail. 

“You want to wear my coat? It makes your eyes pop.” Mary offers. 

Lily stands, brushing down her skirt, smoothing the crinkles. She ignores her friend for all of one minute before she nods and says thanks. 

Surprisingly, it's not awkward between them as they walk down to the pitch. Whatever James did while getting ready, alleviated the tension she saw in his shoulders just ten minutes before. Instead, James seems quite giddy. He’s put on a dark blue hoodie - the aura of cosiness makes Lily feel something almost uncomfortable - too much. He’s got a kick in his step as he leads them to the back of the castle, telling Lily about his previous training session the day before. The one she watched. 

She’s always been entranced with the way he tells stories - an aspect of his personality that she previously tried to ignore but James is the type of person to capture someone's interest whether they wanted it or not. 

She laughs as he describes the way a fourth-year student by the name of Betty, flung herself through one of the goalposts in an attempt to get away from a rogue bludger. She takes the opportunity to touch his shoulder when they pass through a crown of sixth years near the pitch, the action coming naturally to her. She notices a slight pause on James' behalf as her hand touches his jumper, but he gracefully takes a hold of her arm and pulls her through the throng of students. 

They stay touching like that the entire way, brief elbow touches, him guiding her by the back, her smiling as he talks - it’s more intimate than they’ve ever been and it's thrilling. 

He leaves her by the gate towards the pitch as he goes to pick up his broomstick. It's cold outside that afternoon, grey clouds cover the large pitch, making the green of the grass seem dull. She wraps her scarf around her neck tighter, trapping her ponytail and fringe. James appears suddenly, shocking her from her stupor. He chuckles but doesn’t speak as he pulls her fringe from her scarf with two fingers. She watches intently as his eyes track his fingers. Lily can physically feel the air thicken around the two of them, her entire body electrified by just a small touch -that small moment fuelling her need and vanishing her doubts towards him. She knows it could be good between them.