#and birthdays require him to join the fun!

[leviiackrman]

bunny cuddles for the birthday girl…

more art || character page || d.o.b: march 17th

[iwaasfairy]

┌─ “ ! „ CHALKBOARD AND NAILS

tw. noncon, yandere, dumbification, objectification, daddy kink, some degradation, some praise, threats, brief mention of murder and blood, hair pulling, forced oral wordcount. 4.5k

a/n. ♡ commissioned by the amazing @totalleelee ♡♡♡ here you are my loVE!!! happy late birthday to your friend as well, and I really hope you guys enjoy it! I always like getting to write new characters and Nanami was definitely a fun one. I had to make the fic longer bc I wanted moreEeeeee but yea i just really really hope you enjoy it, and thank you again a miLLIOn for commIng me iM so sO HONOUREDDD

nanami kento x fem!reader

You should think about what you’re doing. Lying upside down off the couch with your eyes big and long, distracting lashes and your hair hanging; casting playful shadows on the floor when you move. His couch. He’d like to believe you’re doing it on purpose -hell, most people would probably be inclined to- when you’ve got that coy, little smile on your face and your shirt rides up to reveal a sliver of skin above your pants.

He would assume if you had ever dared to come onto him in any way. But you haven’t, and so he can’t, not when you remain the perfectly sweet, kind, respectful graduate they hired only a few years ago— and it makes him too aware of you.

Nanami’s not the prim and proper bootlicker Gojo jokes he looks like; so among the other sorcerers, it isn’t even too illogical that you would cling to him a little. A kouhai dumped on his doorstep when the higher-ups decided to employ them fresh out of school. If it were anyone else, he would’ve complained until the choice was overruled. But you’re not anyone else. He can’t even lie about the fact that he’s grown quite the attachment to you.

Your bubbly, engaged energy and blueberry scented shampoo and cheap coffee in styrofoam cups that you always, always forget to throw away at the end of the day. Your chattering that rings through his brain before he goes to sleep and the way you talk and talk and talk when he won’t. You’re the exact opposite of an enigma, because that would require that you left him with some mysteries, and you don’t have the ability to keep your mouth shut. He hates how easy you wind him around your little finger, and he hates that he hates it.

Nanami’s not a dependant guy- and it seems to be your goal to prove him so fucking wrong.

“Why wouldn’t that be possible? I mean, it’d be hard if suddenly a curse shows up and you’re called up in the middle of the night and have to rush to work, and our rates of serious injury are pretty high. But I think I could make it work! Y’know, communication is key and all that.” Your pretty lips shine as you ramble on. You prop your head onto one arm, and turn over so your leg is basically straddling his furniture. “Have you ever dated a non-sorcerer while you’ve been a grade one, Nanamin?”

He lets out a slow exhale, and shifts his gaze back from the lines of your throat to his book so you don’t catch him looking. “No.”

“Not once? In like twelve years?” You raise a brow like you’ve suddenly discovered he’s some ancient fossil dug up from the canal.

“I prefer not to leave my partners for weeks on end with no explanation because the sorcerer world forbids it— so no. And I didn’t graduate twelve years ago, brat.” With the spine of the book he taps your nose, before getting up from the chair to join you on the couch. The few drinks have been abandoned as you finally let the blood back out of your head and wobble like a deer, blinking too slowly. Even now, you’re pretty. Prettier than he wants you to be, taking in the soft slope of your nose and the pillowy lips and your stupid flush on your face. Brat is right.

“I think I’ll do it,” you declare after a few seconds, and rest your head back into the couch with a pout. “I get lonely. And most sorcerers have giant egos.” He’s not sure if it takes him aback -can’t place the emotion that washes over him a few inches at a time- but he finds himself watching the side of your face a little too tightly. The cogs turn in his head and send some uncomfortable cold to gather in the pit of his stomach. Your lashes flutter and some wetness lines your waterline, and he can tell that you mean it. It isn’t the alcohol, he knows you better than enough.

When you look up at him, your faces are only a few inches apart— soft breaths filling the narrow space between. Has he ever told you he loves you? He’s not a man of too many words, that’s always been more your style than his— so probably not. But he does. So much it carves a gaping hole in his chest upon impact. He doesn’t have to say anything to see the way your eyes flutter shyly with the near perfect closeness. As your silence hangs as the room disappears, his hand twitching on his thigh. Aren’t you partly his like he’s yours? That’s how it should work. It’s the only logical course of action, and so he can’t help but lean in.

You’re just too shy to say anything- right? You wouldn’t hang out with him so much if you didn’t, wouldn’t trust and touch him, or confide in him so much if you didn’t. His heart burns in his chest the closer you seem to get. But before he can finish up the gap, you giggle and back away. “Wow! Hey, we almost kissed.” Your voice is a higher pitch than normal, but still rambly. Fuck. “I didn’t expect you to be so close when I looked up,” your nose and cheeks are burning hot, “you scared me, Nanamin~”

You stand from the couch instead, and lean towards him with that little smile that drives him crazy at night. “Senpai, it’s clearly time for me to go home. I’m getting sloppy.” You are. And as much as he wants to use that as an excuse to grab you by your waist and pull you into his lap, it wouldn’t do any good. Not when you’re too busy running your mouth to understand the consequences. He loves you, but you’re one infuriating little runt. You run your hand through his hair like it’s an intrusive thought, spilling loose locks onto his forehead, and then you smack your lips. “Will you see me to the door at least?”

For not the first time, he blames your loose lips for making it so hard for him.

+

You’re entirely different outside the four walls of his apartment.

It’s a coincidence that he finds himself across the street as he spots you walking under the streetlights with a little jump in your step. You look a different sort of formidable— clinging to the arm of some plain fucking loser that is so very clearly drooling all over you. It’s almost pathetic how easily swayed the guy is, as you bat your lashes and smile at him. And somewhere in the back of his mind, it rings a little familiar, but common sense and logic get pushed down a little under the feeling of anger that he feels bubbling up in him.

Not at you— though he told you he didn’t think it a good idea, you’ve always been a bit dense. In need of protection. It isn’t an option, and Nanami’s responsible for you. He looks out for you. This fucking loser though, is oblivious about anything but the skin your dress is showing off. In the brief few moments he gets to spot you walking off towards your street, that much becomes clear. You love making it hard for him. You’re basically magnetic, dragging him along from whatever chore he was doing to follow behind patiently, getting more and more agitated.

See, Nanami has thought quite often about what he is, and isn’t. You forced him to think it over whenever he found his mind wandering back to you each time it had the chance, squeezing around his cock and whining out your dramatics into his mouth. In his imagination, he’s easy to wrap up into a neat bow. With a begrudgingly growing interest each time you landed on his couch, or trailed behind him like a puppy at work. It’s because of all that introspection that he decided he isn’t a good do-er. He does good, and he is perfectly adequate at doing it too. But he doesn’t do it for the praise of it.

Nanami isn’t a hero. He isn’t a vigilante.

He’s a simple guy with simple wants: you. So there’s only one reason that crystalizes in his mind as he finds himself walking a good distance behind this fucking loser that you’re blinking stars up at. It isn’t a noble one. Just that every fiber in him aches to grab the guy by the back of his neck and kick his head like a soccer ball. You wouldn’t like that much, but he still wants to do it.

You’re beaming and chattering along like you do at such a pace that you don’t even notice that he’s started to follow behind. Hell, you barely even acknowledge a passerby to move out of the way. You’re totally zoned in to your doe-eyed, little fantasies— even as the distance gets closer and closer, and he’s walking down the now familiar streets towards your apartment. And as much as he wants to blame you, he can't. Not really. It’s not like he didn’t know what a sweet little cheerleader you were when you were prancing around his office with the shortest skirts known to man and a coquettish blink of your long lashes. But it’s different when it’s some two-bit, middle aged non-sorcerer with a five o’clock shadow.

It’s different when it isn’t him. Even you must know that. You must feel it.

The sky’s darkening as your conversation goes from enthusiastic to clearly flirty, letting your giggle ring out down the lane— as he makes up the last bit of distance. The guy’s probably musty breath reaching you as he swings his arm over your shoulder, as he pulls you close. As he fills your head with all kinds of promises that he definitely won’t actually meet as soon as he gets your pretty hands around his cock. He knows it, and he knows that even your innocent, sweet personality would take a hit if that happened. You wouldn’t be able to perform well at work, and maybe even your relationship with Nanami would suffer if you got your heart broken.

There’s a very clear path before him that ends right where you’re walking up the steps towards your door, and those pretty lips form words he can’t focus on. He walks up to the door, and only now do you glance behind you and your pretty eyes go curiously wide at him. “Nanami?” You’re so fucking cute. But that stupid fucking arm around your shoulders is in his way. It blocks you from view, and ruins the sight. It’s a bother. There’s only the faintest hints of  jealousy and rage left in his veins - when he gives you a quick nod, then turns towards the guy who’s now got an awfully dumb expression on his face. It reminds him a little of a curse, blank and narrowed and disturbed. He feels eerily calm, really. It’s a simple problem with a simple solution, isn’t it.

“What are you doing here-” you start to say, before you stumble back.

Blood splatters all over, and with an awfully easy motion that stupid head rolls and drops to the floor. It’s quick, and there’s a few seconds where he waits for the resistance. The uncomfortable feeling of guilt. But it doesn’t come—

Until your shaky hand clutches almost painfully onto his shirt, pinching him. “H- Nanamin. What the hell do you think you’re doing? What did you-” You gasp, breaking off into a choked cry when your eyes take in the sight before you, before squeezing your eyes shut entirely and starting to shake harder. “What’s- why?! What did you do? Why did you do that?! I can’t- I can’t even- what- why?!”

You shove him aside, and his foot lands in the mess as you fumble sticking the key into the lock— too shaky to control your own extremities well. But your mouth still hasn’t stopped running. “Stay away! Go away! You’re- I- hick- I don’t wanna look!” You finally manage to get the key turned by the time the tears are making your cheeks entirely shiny, snot running and lip wobbly like a five year old— and sink down into a crouch to start sobbing it out into your arm. “You just killed a-an-” You can’t even make it halfway through without breaking out into another squeak. “F-for no reason. I invited him here- seriously, what’s wrong with you?”

Your face doesn’t come up again for breath until he grabs you by the arm to help you up, and you shove at him again, almost yelling this time. “No, no, no no no! Leave me alone!” This little scene you’re making is gonna attract attention, you know. “Leave me alone, I want to go in!” Before the situation can get out of hand, he pushes your door open enough to toss you inside, and the body after you. There’s a muffled little whimper from you when it lands with a thump on your floor. But as soon as he closes the door, the surge of adrenaline calms.

He just has to explain it to you, give him a minute.

“I don’t wanna- I don’t-”

For some reason, the entire situation winded him, and his beating heart bangs loudly in his chest. He drops his weapon aside and kicks off his shoes, and goes to you— where you’re cocooned in your own arms, knees to your chest. “Hey, it’s-”

“Leave me alone!” you squeak, knocking his hands away from you, only briefly looking up. “Go. Hck- go away!” You’re crying so much that your eyes are red and your cheeks puffy. But he still grabs you by your arms and hauls you up into his chest, ignoring the way you make yourself dead weight. Brat. He wants to say it, but he’s pretty sure you wouldn’t be too happy to hear it at this very moment. It’s not like he blames you. He’s always tried to shield you from the more gruesome parts of the occupation as much as possible. Of course you’d be upset. “Nanamin~” you whine.

“Shhh, just calm down. It’s all good now.” His heart still beats so loud. Maybe he was angrier than he first imagined. He carries you -much to your dismay, if your sniveling cries are anything to go off- out of the hall and into your bedroom. Where it smells of perfume and girly body lotion, and so overwhelmingly like you it takes him aback a little. You’re still crying, and still talking- but he does his best to drown it out in favor of explaining. See, he’s always been such a sucker for you. Swallowing down the slight rasp in his voice, he allows you to drop back into your bed, and looks down at you. You’re still pretty even with your eyes clenched closed, and crying like a baby. “There, ‘s okay.”

He runs his thumb along your eyes, then settles down next to you on the plush mattress. “I didn’t mean to scare you. Listen-”

“How can I -hck- listen?!” You’re quick to turn your face away from him, and wrap your arms around yourself a bit tighter— probably unaware of the distracting way you push up your tits that way in that little implication of a dress. Really, Nanami swallows, you can obviously do much better than that loser that’s probably staining your carpet at the entrance. Your lip wobbles again, before you suck it into your mouth. “I don’t know what- or how- but that isn’t okay, Nanamin. I just-”

So again, he tries to get your attention, this time by grabbing your arm. “Just listen. I did it for you- if this was anyone else I wouldn’t have been so pressed.” It’s true. No one is a priority like you are. “I had to.”

“What are you talking about? How- is killing someone- oh god, there’s a dead guy in my house, Nanamin! I don’t k- what am I gonna do? Why would you-”

“I’m trying to tell you something.” His voice is lower and sharper this time, and your eyes finally shoot open to look at him. But it isn't that adoring little look you normally have, and somehow that pisses him off too. You really need to have everything spelled out for you, huh. He loves you though, really, he genuinely, genuinely does. As more than just an equal— if he could, he’d give you everything. He just doesn’t know how to say it, staring back at the wobbly tears on your face. “I love you,” is what ends up coming out, and then a breath.

And he’d say more if you weren’t such a talker.

Your face goes a little distant for a few seconds, before you shake your head. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“I will tell you, if you just-”

“I can’t accept that, senpai! You can’t just go around and kill-”

“I was protecting you!”

“From what?!” Before you even give him a chance, a real one, you start righting yourself on the bed and run a hand under your nose. And you stare at him with such disbelief and broken trust that it makes him feel a little dizzy. He doesn’t know exactly how he imagined himself spilling his guts, but it wasn’t like this. “You need to leave. And I need to contact someone from the higher ups to- take care of- I don’t even know,” you sob, “I don’t know how any of this goes. That’s so messed up, Kento.” That’s the first time you’ve ever addressed him by his first name. Scolding him for a choice he made purely for you. He did this for you. “You need to-”

He can’t let the first time end this way.

“Stop talking.”

“Stop talking?” You echo back to him, and glare, also getting up off the bed and farther away from him— and he can’t help but follow. “What did you think was gonna happen? That I wasn’t going to say anything?” As he gets up with you, you walk back a step, and your eyes flick back and forth between him and the door a few times. But he chases, and you jump in surprise when your back meets the wall, effectively trapping you between the wall and him. “I- Nanami-”

“Kento.”

You barely blink as you take a sharp intake of air, and then hold your hands up to his chest to keep some space between you two. “Look- just- we can talk about this, but I can’t just ignore that there’s a dead body in my house, Kento.” He’s really sick of you talking. You’re lucky he loves your voice so much, because if it was anyone else, he wouldn’t stand for it. Whatever you see in his expression must have you worried, because that slight defiance that remains gets awfully feeble when he reaches for you this time. “You’re scaring me. Please, just- hck- just back up. Let me process this, and then we can talk.”

“No, all your talking just gets in the way.” Your eyes go wide and a wave of heat washes over your features, making you look even more attractive. If he can’t tell you, he’ll just show you. You’ve got it all fucking wrong. What he feels for you is true love. Before you can go on another mad ramble, he grabs you and drags you back to bed, as gently as he can while having his hand screwed tight around your wrist. He wouldn’t ever actually hurt you. As you land on the bed, he holds you down— watching as you open your mouth to talk. But you can’t, because he’s already shoved two fingers between your lips and feels the way your hot, wet tongue squirms as he pushes them down your throat. “There, that’s better.”

Still you’re trying to talk, it’s almost funny. You whine around his fingers and gag when you can’t, breathing his name into an uncomfortable moan that just turns him on. You try to pull your head away, but you can’t. “You’re a lot sweeter when you’re not running your mouth sometimes, baby.” He can’t help it, it just comes out. He likes you so much, and you just look so cute gagging on his fingers and grabbing his sleeve like you’re not sure whether or not to pull or push. Tears start welling up along your waterline when he runs his fingertips over your soft, pink tongue. And his cock twitches in his pants.

That’s the good part, see. Even with all this fighting, you two still get along so well. You make him a better man when he’s around you. At least, in theory. He’s not crazy, he knows that holding you down and making you choke on his fingers isn’t really the best course of action -but you left him no choice- and he’s better off finishing what he started. “If you shut up,” he draws his fingers out of your mouth to start unzipping his pants, “I’ll let you breathe. If you don’t, I’ll make sure you won’t want to talk again.” It’s all up to you, pretty girl. Simple cause and effect. You take one sharp breath as you try to get out from under his weight, but there’s really nowhere you can go.

So you do what you do best, and whine. “Nanami~” It’s a baby-ish little whimper that makes him name sound so fucking good. But still. He grabs your face to squish your cheeks, and stares down at you with such intensity that you keep your cries in.

“It’s Kento.” His voice is a low, soft rumble. He wonder if it gives away the way his body feels right now, standing above you while his cock strains against his pants. They’re getting too tight to be comfortable. “Or daddy- you like that better? Say it.” You shake your head into his grip -but your ears start glowing another color brighter, almost like he’s caught you in a lie. Of course you do. You and him are made to be together. You let out another little squeak before he lets go of you to start undoing his pants. 

That apparently seems to be too much, because suddenly you’re trying to get up as you speak. “No, no, I’m not-” You’re trapped when he forces you back down and now yanks your head back by your hair, making you cry again. “Ow, please senpai— I like you, I really do- but I can’t- I- hang on.” The heat crawls up his neck to his ears watching your eyes go big as the belt falls and his pants go down his thighs. You really do look good on your fucking knees.

“I told you to stop yapping, didn’t I?” He asks in return, and finishes sliding his boxers down, kicking them aside. Then he pulls your face towards his cock and watches as you whine. “Open up for daddy. There’s only one thing your mouth’s good for.” You’re so easy to hold in place, and it sends unimaginable gratification through his body when your little tongue comes out for him. You’re really such a brat, making everything so fucking hard for him. 

You open your mouth enough for him to start pushing inside at just the slightest yank of your hair, making you whine and whimper as you shuffle around between his legs. Your hands come to rest on his thighs, but that doesn’t hold him from sliding the hot head of his cock as far as he can into your mouth right away. You look amazing drooling all over his cock, choking when he starts to move with the most patient moves he can manage. It’s not easy to do much of anything except rock himself on your soft tongue and feel your whining go down his shaft and balls. “There, now you’re making yourself useful. That’s what you do best, hm, fucking brat?”

“Agh, fuck- that’s- such a soft little mouth.” You make him feel heavenly, and by the way you’re shifting down there on the floor -trying and failing to get the friction you want- you’re also feeling it. He can tell by the way you blink up at him so slow, swallowing around him and letting that pretty voice out in the cutest, little moans. Just for him. Only ever for him. “You’re so lucky you’re this fucking cute,” he ends up rasping out, before letting you finally pull back to breathe when you start jittering. “Say something smart again, brat.”

“Agh, daddy,” you sob, drool spilling down your chin, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.” He can tell you are. Your big eyes glossy and cheeks hot, you try to get up from the floor, and he yanks you up to turn you over instead. Your little dress rides up too easily, giving the rest of the way when he shoves it up your back. It’s almost embarrassing to see how wet you are, lacy panties soaked all the way through and peeled too easily aside to reveal that needy pussy. And you don’t even deny it, just shiver when he runs his finger up and down your slicked up cunt. “Please.”

He’s such a sucker for you, fuck. It’s almost like you know it. “My little cock slut, look at that. You’re dripping down your thighs, brat.” He spits on your center once before lining up and sliding in, and watching as your little pussy stretches around his cock with some effort— as you let out a lewd, almost desperate whine. “Fuck.” And Nanami hoists himself over you to start fucking into you, hips meeting your ass as he bottoms out, as you open your legs further to let him in. Your back half hangs pathetically over the end of the bed as he fucks into your tight, hot -so fucking hot and wet and beaming- pussy and his balls clap against you. You feel so good it’s hard to hear anything over his own heartbeat hammering wildly against his ribs.

“Daddy feel good inside?”

“Mhm, agh-yea.”

You too, baby. Nothing in the world feels as good as letting your pussy swallow and suck him in deeper, like you’re trying to hold him in that impossibly hot, blissful clutch forever. He can’t even hear much of your whining and moaning and pitiful struggle, but you probably haven’t stopped. You don’t even have the energy to close your mouth, trying to push back to meet his thrusts more even as he bumps against the end of your pussy— and his one hand is squeezed around your neck. But you look pretty this way. You look useful.

“Tell me how much you like me.”“So~ much, so much, fuck. I’m gonna cum, Kento. Daddy.” Your mouth’s still running when he snakes his hand underneath you to start rubbing at your puffy clit, and feels the way his own body starts to tighten when your walls clench wildly around him. “Fuck, I’m gonna cum. I want you to cum too, want to feel it- I wanna have you deep inside me forever, ah, ah. Oh, you feel so good, fuck.” It’s almost ironic when he thinks about it. How much he likes you running your mouth like this, begging for more. It’s poetic.

All Rights Reserved © IWAASFAIRY 2023. Works are exclusive to this Tumblr.

[lavenderchqn]

Congrats on 300 followers!! Your works are so lovely, and theyre so fun to read!! 💕

For the library expansion special event, i'd love for a hurt/comfort written fic with tighnari that involves the reader being injured? Like, reader survives but barely, and then nari is so worried taking care of them 🥹

(I have no idea if I did the request right but regardless, congratulations on the milestone again!! And thank you for your hard work 🩷 drink lots of water and take care of yourself!!)

"BELLIS PERENNIS"

synopsis — An accident happens while you're preparing Gandharva Ville for Sabzeruz Festivals' celebrations, luckily Tighnari is there to nurture you back to health... pairings — tighnari x gn!reader warnings — hurt/comfort; mentions of an injury (nothing graphic stated); notes — tysm for this request as well as the kind words! tighnari is a very special boi, so I'm absolutely delighted to be writing for him~ I've actually had something of this caliber in mind for text/written scenarios so I'm delighted for your request. Please also make sure to be taking good care of yourself, anon 🫶

As soon as the calendars mark the start of October, the people of Sumeru begin preparations for their cherished tradition: the Sabzeruz Festival, a celebration honouring their beloved archon. Sumeru’s City streets and squares are adorned with vibrant decorations, fragrant flowers and colourful lanterns light up the bustling markets. Music can be heard everywhere as musicians practice for the grand performance on the day of the archon’s birthday. 

And you? You’re in charge of dressing up Gandharva Ville instead of Tighnari, as he’s on the committee related to the Parade. Thanks to your position as his partner, all forest rangers are eager to help whatever vision you wish to bring to life. To them, it’s somewhat refreshing to be under the guidance of someone else other than their resident Valuka Shauna. 

Currently, your beloved partner is out assisting with yet another brilliant idea of the equally brilliant Madame Faruzan and Kaveh. With no commissions relating to Sumeru’s ecosystem to be done by your friends, the time to decorate the tiny city comes. In all fairness, you all want to get done with it as soon as possible — flora-related issues can pop up out of nowhere… and you promised Tighnari not to over-extort your body.

With the help of Collei, who is surprisingly joining you in the decorating process, you split the tasks among the rangers, assigning each of them to different areas of the village: some will gather additional flowers, others will craft garlands, and a few will set up the lanterns. In your mind, you can envision the vibrant flora adorning the trees and houses, illuminating the Ville like a shimmering and colourful garden. 

At first, everything goes smoothly, allowing you and the younger girl to assist each group in completing the tasks. The garland-making process is by far the most time-consuming, requiring much precision and some “aesthetic” knowledge. The longer it goes, the more and more people join in creating said wreaths, taking over for people tired and with hurt friends. 

As time goes on and on, it gets relatively close to the time Tighnari is supposed to return from Port Ormos. By this point, you’re hanging up the flowery decorations on the trees, balancing on a ladder. Unlike the early morning, people now scatter chaotically. Everyone is hurrying up to finish their part, wanting Tighnari to witness Gandharva Ville in its most beautiful state. With everyone being everything but organised, concentrating on getting the job done is less than easy. Now you have to put up with people knocking into you on accident, messing up your balance.

Just as you’re about to secure another garland, a murmur spreads through the crowd. The word is that Tighnari has been sighted approaching the Ville. This news sends a ripple of excitement — and panic — through everyone. Collei, standing nearby, shoots you a wide-eyed glance before you break into a grin. 

“Alright, everyone!” You call out, clapping your hands to draw people’s attention. “Let’s finish strong so Tighnari can see the full splendour of our hard work!” 

In the rush that follows, people are hurrying to put the finishing touches on the decorations. Rangers are darting back and forth, carrying last-minute additions and adjusting already hung to ensure everything looks flawless. You return your focus to your task, carefully tying the last garland to a branch, breathing steadily to keep your balance despite the chaotic movement below. 

But as you’re about to tie off the final knot, someone below bumps into the ladder, sending it into a wobble. It sways beneath you, throwing you off balance. Your hand instinctively reaches out to grab something, anything, to steady yourself, but there’s nothing within reach. Your heart is pounding as you brace for a fall, feeling the world tilt as the ladder tips further. 

As there’s nothing to catch you… you have an unfortunate meeting with the ground. You can feel something breaking, as you’re knocked out. Darkness envelops you, swallowing the sounds of bustling rangers who now gather around you worried. Slowly, consciousness returns in fragments — voices now hushed, a gentle touch, and a dull, throbbing ache pulsing through your body. 

Blinking your eyes open, you’re greeted by the leafy canopy roof, blurring and swimming in your vision. It takes a moment to orient yourself and take a deep breath, only to feel a sharp, burning pain in your chest.

“Hey, hey, don’t move too much,” A familiar voice says gently. You look up and see Tighnari’s concerned face hovering above you, his brows knit in worry.

“Nari…” You manage to murmur, wincing as his fingers graze your shirt. You can notice a stash of makeshift bandages on a stool nearby. Collei is nowhere to be found, leaving you as the only two in your partner’s abode. 

“You took quite the fall,” Tighnari says softly, his voice both reassuring yet stern. “We’re still waiting for a doctor from Bimarstan to arrive and asses your situation further. We’re quite lucky nobody else was injured. What I cannot explain, however, is why you were climbing ladders without anybody spotting you.” He tries to keep his tone light not to worry you, but it’s easy to tell he’s genuinely concerned. 

You open your mouth to explain, but all that comes out is a cough and you try to grab your chest in pain. Your partner is right in front of you, catching your hands — worried that your fall might’ve resulted in some injury there. 

“Having trouble breathing?” He asks, crouching with your hands still in his. As soon as you reply with a slight nod, his expression changes to a one of worry. Perhaps the situation is worse than he initially predicted. 

“Master! The doctor is here, can we come in?” Collei’s voice echoes, gathering the attention of you both. Gosh, you hope the young girl doesn’t blame herself for your injury. You don’t even want to think about potentially adding more stuff onto her plate of worries. 

“Oh,” Tighnari leaves you be for a second, opening the door to the hut. “But of course. [Y/N] is also awake now.” 

With a quick nod, the doctor enters carefully not wanting to startle you. He can overhear the whispers of your issues with breathing. Regardless of what happened, a thorough examination is in order. According to the words of the young forest ranger, your fall was quite brutal. 

“Mr. Tighnari,” The doctor calls out to your partner as he steps outside. “I’ve concluded my check-up.” 

Tighnari’s ears perk up, focused as he nods for the doctor to continue. He’s trying his best to keep his composure, but you can see the worry in his expression as he waits to hear about the findings. 

The doctor’s done is steady and professional as he speaks. “Your partner has a broken rib. That can explain the chest pain and difficulty breathing. Fortunately, your partner hasn’t fallen all that bad, otherwise rather than a patient… you would’ve had a dead body on your hands.” Despite uttering such words, his posture is unnerved. 

That cannot be said about Tighnari. His eyes are wide with shock, as he tries to comprehend if the doctor is trying to make a joke. Nobody, not even Cyno, would been so brave as to joke about a person dying — his soulmate dying, most specifically. 

“It will take careful attention and time for the rib to heal properly. I’ve wrapped their chest to provide some support, but they’ll need to avoid any strain for the next few weeks.” He pauses, giving Tighnari a meaningful look. “They should take some time off work, heaven knows what you rangers do to patrol Avidya Forest.” 

Tighnari releases a quiet sigh of relief, nodding as he absorbs the information, deciding to omit the thought of your death from his mind. “Thank you, doctor.” He says, voice steady but softened by gratitude. “I’ll make sure they rest and follow your instructions.” 

The doctor gives a small, reassuring nod before leaving. Collei, however, hovers nearby, visibly anxious. Tighnari, picking up on her distress, gestures for her to come closer.

“Collei, it’s alright,” He says gently, giving her a comforting smile. “They’ll be fine, they just need time to recover. Don’t worry — it was an accident, nobody is at fault here.” 

Her shoulders relax slightly, though she still looks at you apologetically. “[Y/N], I… I’m so sorry. I should’ve kept a better eye,” She says, her voice shaky. 

Despite the dull ache in your chest, you manage a small, reassuring smile. “Don’t blame yourself. I’m,” You pause to take a breath. “I’m not upset… and neither should you.” 

“Oh, um— o-okay…” 

Tighnari places a hand on her shoulder, giving her a supportive squeeze. “You’ve done everything you could. I’m very proud of you for taking charge. Now that everything is in order, you can rest as well. We’ve all put in a lot of effort, you know.” 

With a hesitant nod, Collei finally allows herself to relax. She murmurs a quick farewell and leaves, casting one last concerned glance your way. 

Once you’re alone, Tighnari sits beside you, his expression soft as he takes your hand. “You had me worried,” He admits quietly, brushing a thumb over your knuckles. “You’re not getting out of my sight for a while, I guess?” 

You cannot help but chuckle, which immediately turns into a wince as pain flares up in your chest. Tighnari’s grip tightens ever so slightly, brows furrowed in concern. 

“See?” He says. “This is why you’re under strict bedrest. No adventures until you’re fully healed AND approved by the doctor.” 

You sigh in response, resigned but comforted by his soulmate. “Fine, fine. I guess I have to behave now.” You reply, meeting his gaze with a hint of a smile. 

No more than three weeks pass by as you realise being bedridden is quite boring. Sure Collei, Tighnari and even Cyno are here to keep you company while you get better, yet you're still aching to go out to witness the Sabzeruz Festival in person. You’re quite certain that at this point, every place of Sumeru is decorated to the nines and yet you’re stuck in your silly little bed. 

“Drink slowly,” Tighnari says as he settles a glass of water on your nightstand. Over the past few weeks, your partner has truly evolved into his final form — a mother hen. Ever since the first day of your recovery, he has been granting your every wish. Fluffing over pillows? He’s done it. Feeding you? Complied with an eye roll. And yet, there was one thing he wouldn’t allow you to do… Leaving the hut. It has been so long since you’ve been outside, you were unsure if you knew how to walk still. 

“Oh, thank you,” You pick up the glass and slowly bring it up to your mouth.“You shouldn’t have.” You say, taking a sip. 

Tighnari’s watchful eye doesn’t leave you for a second, ensuring you’re drinking slowly enough not to cause yourself any harm. “Oh please, darling,” He rolls his eyes, scoffing at your preposterous comment. “It’s my pleasure to help out my soulmate in their time of need.” 

“I know, I know…” You sigh, taking a look outside. 

The garlands are still hanging in the branches, adoring Gandharva Ville’s trees with beautiful shades of pink and blue. Oh, how you long to witness this beauty in person, rather than from the confines of your bed. No matter how much you tried to hide said desire from Tighnari, there was simply no use. The male knew of every single one of your thoughts, whether you liked it or not. 

“You know,” Tighnari sits next to the bed, resting his head on his hand. “Maybe we could take a walk today? I think it would do you good.” 

Your eyes light up at his words, though you quickly try to compose yourself, not wanting to appear too eager. After all, Tighnari’s been strictly enforcing your rest, and far too much excitement might have him second-guess the idea. “A walk?” You ask, trying to sound calm but failing as a hint of hope slips into your voice. 

He chuckles, eyes warm as he observes your expression. “Yes, a short walk,” Tighnari emphasises, “Only around the village, and only if you promise to let me know if anything feels off. We don’t want you taking any more tumbles.” 

You nod, lifting your pinky finger. “I’ll take it easy.” 

With his support, you ease out of bed, feeling the cool, earthy air of Gandharva Ville wash over you. The decorations are even more enchanting up close, just as they were on the day you put them up. Villagers and forest rangers greet the two of you as you pass by, each offering a smile and words of encouragement — relieved to see you up and about. 

Tighnari keeps a steady pace beside you, his arm linked with yours as he leads you through the village. He looks at you every so often, making sure you’re okay. He cannot risk you any other injury so quickly, otherwise the doctor’s cruel joke might come to fruition. 

For all this time, he had been keeping up a front of being worried… in moderate amounts. On the insides, for the past few weeks, Tighnari had been a nervous wreck. Juggling preparations for the festival while taking care of you was no easy feat. And yet, seeing you up and moving at least fills him with a deep, quiet relief.

“Are you okay there?” He asks softly. There’s a tenderness in his eyes, one that shows how much he’s missed seeing you this lively.

“Better than okay,” You reply with a smile, though you do your best not to overdo it, worried about the ache in your chest. “Everything looks so beautiful. It’s like… exactly how I’d imagined it.”

Tighnari chuckles. “Good to know the work has upheld the planner’s expectations.” He sighs a little. “Though I’d much rather have you safe and sound than climbing ladders. Please… leave the high work to someone else next time, you hear me?” 

“Okay, okay—“ You nod, feeling gratitude mixed with guilt. “I never meant to make you worry.” 

“I know. There was just…” His expression grows serious. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt as helpless as when I saw you there on the ground…” 

The admission hangs in the air, as does the silence that comes soon after. Stopping for a second, you reach out to Tighnari, to wrap yourself around him in a gentle hug. “You took amazing care of me… I couldn’t have asked for more.” 

He nuzzles his head with yours, not wanting to put any pressure on your body, grounding himself in said reassurance. “Well,” He says, his voice lingering. “You’re gonna have to let me fuss a little longer. I’ll watch you like a hawk until that rib is fully healed.” 

“As if you weren’t doing so already…” 

date of posting — november 4th 2024

[soapyghostie]

teen charles lee ray x reader headcannons please <3

Decided to get another request out (that I could think of ideas for) since I have nothing to do. Yeah, I got extremely sick for the first time in forever. I’ll try to write another one later, but for now enjoy.

Charles ‘Chucky’ Lee Ray

• Charles’s fiercely protective of you. He’ll sit and wait for you to finish any after school extracurricular activities you have to walk you home. He just can’t risk something bad happening to you especially when it starts to get dark. He’d lose his goddamn mind if something happened to you because you're all he’s got.

• Despite his reputation for being the troublemaker who ‘forgets’ to do his homework and refuses to go to class, he’s surprisingly loving and affectionate towards you. He always remembers important dates like your birthday and anniversaries, and he’s not afraid to shower you with gifts that are quite questionable.

• You two bond over a shared love of horror movies, spending weekends binge-watching classics while Charles playfully critiques the kills and unrealistic aspects of the film. He’ll even comment from time to time about how he can plan and kill much more efficiently than the slashers represented on the TV. However, he always claims it’s a joke, but is it?

• Once he’s gained your trust (which takes a long time since he’s very reserved), he’s very vulnerable with you. He’ll open up about his troubled childhood and all his insecurities.

• He’s fiercely loyal to you and defends you from anyone who dares to speak ill of you. They’ll probably end up being on the news the next day with blurred out pictures of them due to the serious disembodiment of their body.

• He loves teasing you and making jokes. That's his way of flirting. When you first get to know each other, it may come across as him making fun of you, but that’s not the case. However, overtime, you get used to it and even throw out a little teasing and a few jokes of your own. You’ll have his heart racing and, for once, leave him speechless. He’s just so in love with you.

• Charles loves adventure. He loves to take the kids from his orphanage to go play out in the woods. However, if you want to join him on an adventure yourself, he’d be delighted. Y’all would go out and explore abandoned places, walk around the woods, or do anything that’s fun in the sun.

• He’s also surprisingly domestic. If you’re into baking or cooking, he’ll come help you. For warning, he may end up burning something and requiring you to start from scratch. Additionally, he also likes to curl up on the couch with you and read a good book.

• Despite his nasty reputation, you bring out a gentler, more empathetic side of him, reminding him of the humanity he sometimes struggles to reconnect with, grounding him in a way no one else can.

[scribbles97]

The Nightmare Come True - Part 5 and The End

Thanks @loopstagirl for the original idea of this whole fic that spiralled far further than I think either of us expected. Scott's POV 1 | Part 1 | Scott's POV 2 | Part 2 | Scott's POV 3 | Part 3 | Scott's POV 4 | Part 4

Christmas had come and gone as loudly as it always did in their house. 

The best gift for Gordon was the day his oldest brother had turned up at a training session alongside Jeff, the kid hadn’t stopped talking about it for a week. Jeff had been confident Scott would soon be making his way into the pool himself, especially if his request for an olympic sized pool on their newly purchased island was anything to go by. 

John and Virgil had both returned home for the holidays full of stories and with open invites for their big brother to visit them at their respective colleges come the following semester. Scott had been keen, immediately opening his calendar and circling dates between appointments and other plans. 

Even Jen had paid a brief visit, greeting the younger brothers as old friends proving just how much Scott had spoken of them all to his squad at one point or another. 

By spring Jeff had noticed just how Scott had begun to fill out again, his time in the gym paying off and rebuilding the muscle that had been lost. He was starting to relax, to enjoy life as he once had and found the confidence he had always worn like a comfortable jacket. Gradually, he was becoming a version of the son Jeff recognised. 

March was spent in the air, racking up supervised flight hours after passing the required psych exams. It had taken time for him to be comfortable in the pilot's seat again, but Scott had said himself that being in the air was as natural to him as being in the water was for Gordon. All he had needed was a supportive shoulder, one that Jeff was willing to offer. 

By his birthday, Scott’s full pilot’s license had been reinstated, giving cause for a celebration alone without the news of John’s new Space Rated status. They had called Virgil on hologram, celebrating from their separate corners of the country louder than they had done over the festive period.

It had been late in the night when Jeff had found Scott out on the porch, a letter discarded but evidently not forgotten in his lap.

“I was going to tell you earlier, but the surprise party kind of distracted me.” Scott had smiled as Jeff had joined him on the step and poured them each a measure of whiskey.

“Cambridge offered me a spot to study English Lit, it’s all online so I’d only need to go over twice a semester so I’d still be able to--” He paused to glance over his shoulder, making sure no younger brothers were lingering in the kitchen.

Jeff had chuckled, glad that Scott was doing something for himself, something that didn’t immediately lead to any plans that had seemingly always been in place.  

“You don’t have to, you know?” He had pointed out, “If you want to take some time for yourself before joining the Project…”

Scott had shook his head, grinning as he sipped his drink, “I want to get in the air again, Dad, and that rocket? I’m not letting you have all the fun.”

Both had laughed at the implication, wordlessly reaching their glasses towards one another in a silent salute to everything they had overcome in that year alone. 

Things still weren’t perfect, Alan and Gordon were far from happy about moving to a boarding school away from their family. Scott still had a way to go before he was back at his full strength and fitness, but with the encouragement from Val and Lee, he was well on his way to outperforming them all. 

“This is what I need.” Scott had nodded, “Despite everything, I’m glad we’ve ended up here Dad.” 

Jeff had slung an arm over his shoulders and pulled him close, “Me too kid, me too.” 

Of course, it hadn’t lasted. 

A short eighteen months later, Jeff had been shot into the farthest reaches of their solar system. He had been sure that he would never see his family, his boys, again. It hadn’t mattered what he had tried with the engines, there had been no way for him to get home. He had tried, time and again to find a way to get through to them but it had eventually become apparent that all he could do was try to stay alive.

He had taken to sketching and writing when he wasn’t trying to keep himself alive, focussing on thoughts of each of his boys. How Scott was at least back doing something he loved, that John had made it to space as he had always wanted to, that Virgil was close to graduating with Honors on his engineering degree, that Gordon would have made it to the Olympics, and Alan at least had four older brothers to look out for him. It had been the thought and memory of them that had kept him going, the irony not lost on him that it had been the same things that had kept Scott going through his imprisonment. 

There had been little else to occupy him over those long years. 

He had never given up hope, not even as the planetoid had begun to separate beneath his feet, he had known they would come. 

Right at the last possible second, he had spotted Scott. 

Just like that, their roles were reversed. 

Scott had stepped up in the time Jeff had been gone, and the more he had seen of the man his eldest had become, the more his heart had hurt. 

He had dropped out of his Literature degree almost immediately after Jeff had gone, had taken up the role of commander in International rescue, and the role of Father to younger brothers that weren’t ready to be orphans. Once again, thanks to Jeff, Scott had lost sight of the man he wanted to be for himself.

Once again, Jeff had vowed to set that right.

There had been months of recovery, hospital appointments and physiotherapy, most of it familiar from the year before he had taken the unexpected trip. Scott had resolutely been at his side through all of it. 

“Alan asked how you did it…” Scott had started one night, sat out by the pool waiting for Virgil and Gordon to return home from a rescue.

Jeff hadn’t needed further clarification as he had trailed off. He’d had therapy that morning, had spent the day pulling his boys closer after talking about what the isolation had done to him. Of course, they had all picked up on it.

“I imagine much the same way as you did during the war,” Jeff admitted softly, “Thinking of your family, remembering all the good times.”

Before he had left, talking about the war had been coming easier for Scott. It hadn’t taken long for Jeff to realize that Scott had clammed up once he had no longer had his father to talk to about such times.

Scott snorted, looking out to the horizon, “Admittedly, it’s a good method.”

Jeff smiled sadly across to him, “It got us both a long way.” 

It had gotten them both back home, back to their family, to somewhere where they could find their feet again and work towards the version of themselves they wanted to be.

The man sat next to him was physically recovered from his time as a prisoner, but had never found a solid enough footing to find himself amongst all the chaos life had thrown at them.

“You didn’t end up where you were aiming, I’m sorry for that.” Jeff sighed after a moment, reaching out to Scott’s shoulder, “Because of all of this, I think you lost yourself again Scott.”

“I--” For a moment it seemed like he was ready to argue, before his shoulders had fallen and he had nodded in admission, “I became who I needed to be.”

They had shared a look, one that spoke of burdens that had fallen back on tired shoulders that had barely gotten free before being weighed back down again.

“You deserved to live life for yourself Scott.” 

Scott ran a hand through his hair, “I know that now.”

“I know it wasn’t my fault,” Jeff continued, “but I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help you see that, Son, I’m sorry that life has been so cruel and unfair.”

Scott’s arm wrapped around his shoulders, “I’m glad you don’t blame yourself.” 

Jeff would never admit to him that it was a concept he still sometimes struggled with, but something he was working on regardless. His son didn’t need any more burdens. 

“So,” He started, looking across with raised eyebrows, “Alan’s headed to college in the Fall, how about you take another look at that Literature degree?”

Scott’s laugh was full bodied against Jeff, “Yeah, I suppose that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”

Laughing with his son, Jeff nodded to himself. 

They were going to be just fine.

[yasmindifference]

IMMEDIATELY asking for jason’s pov of the fake dating fic for the prompt meme. literally first and only thing that popped in my mind. i don’t have a specific scene in mind, any you want would be amazing

oh and i forgot to say happy belated birthday!! you don’t have to reply to this separately lmao

Thank you very much! I've always kind of wanted to write Jason's POV of the hickey scene in chapter two, so I hope you enjoy ♡♡

It probably made Jason a bad person, but how could he resist the opportunity when it was right there?

“You might not’ve noticed, but I’m a possessive kinda guy,” he said in extreme understatement. “When I own something—or someone—I make damn sure everyone knows. You need more than this if you’re gonna be mine.”

It was a lie. A shameless, shameless lie.

Was Jason the kinda guy who marked up his partners as much and as often as they’d allow? Yes.

Was there a single solitary person in Crime Alley who was gonna look at Red Hood’s boyfriend long enough to even realize he had hickies, let alone count them? Absolutely fucking not.

So it was a lie, and Jason knew it. Knew that Tim would be lucky to get eye contact as long as he was undercover, because nobody would want to be the moron caught staring at Red Hood’s boyfriend. Jason had never dated anyone as his crime lord persona before, so they wouldn’t know what kinda punishment he’d lay down for staring…but he was sure they could imagine, and it would keep all of their gazes firmly averted.

But the excuse was right there—right there like the hickies he’d left before, scattered across Tim’s neck and just begging to be joined by some friends—and who was Jason to ignore it?

Tim hadn’t answered. Jason felt like that was a good sign; better hesitation than an immediate ‘no.’

“So?” he asked. He couldn’t resist the urge to apply a little pressure to the mark below his thumb, treasuring the way Tim’s pulse jumped in response. “More, yes or no?”

Tim’s pulse evened out immediately, and not in a natural way. No, that was Tim applying Batman’s lessons in controlling his heartbeat. That was Tim needing to control his heartbeat, because Jason was absolutely getting to him.

“Sure,” Tim said casually. “Knock yourself out.”

“Great,” Jason said, matching Tim’s casual tone. Not easy, when the jealous, possessive thing in his chest was nearly purring in satisfaction. He’d had so much fun marking Tim up the first time and couldn’t wait to do it again.

…But half the fun was flustering Tim, and Jason was pretty sure Tim had a strength kink. (It would explain his baffling and infuriating affair with the super clone, for one, and also Jason was like seventy-five percent sure Tim had checked him out the last time he took advantage of the Batcave’s weights.)

So he took the excuse of their height difference to lift Tim right off his feet and put him on the kitchen island. Without asking. With no visible effort. (No effort required, it’d be so fucking easy to just pin Tim to the wall and hold him there while Jason fucked him—)

Tim was blushing. Fuck yes.

He also wasn’t asking why Jason had done that, which was an even better sign, Jason thought. Still, for the sake of appearances—

“You’re too short,” he offered in explanation. Tim didn’t so much as roll his eyes; another good sign.

He wanted to keep teasing Tim, see if he could get that faint blush darker and more obvious, but the other half of the plan called. They had a date to go on.

So he stepped up between Tim’s splayed legs and gripped his hips, yanked him to the edge of the island, and went to town.

Tim’s skin was soft beneath his lips. His shirt rubbed distractingly against Jason’s chest. And the quiet, hitching breaths he kept taking were driving Jason out of his goddamned mind.

He was obviously trying so hard to stay cool, to play it unaffected like he wasn’t bothered all by Jason’s attention, and he was failing. Calm, cold, unflappable Tim was being really fucking flapped by Jason giving him a few hickies.

It was hot as fuck—and, more importantly, it gave Jason hope. Hope that this plan might actually work after all. That he might walk away from this not only with his traitors dealt with, but with Tim finally being his as a bonus.

And if not…well, at least he’d have this memory: Tim’s stifled moans, the taste of his sweat, and his visible struggle not to arch up into Jason’s touch.

It wasn’t everything Jason wanted, but it was a damn good start.

[haphazardlyannotated]

Sometimes I think about an AU where Harrow's birth didn't require 200 child murders.

Gideon and Harrow probably wouldn't have grown up in each other's pockets the way they did in canon, with 200 other kids around. Still, having only about a hundred kids in their approximate age range (I'm assuming continued births with a similar frequency here) would mean that they'd know each other at least in passing.

Harrow without the crushing guilt of 200 lives on her shoulders would not attempt to open the Locked Tomb, and even if she wanted to, she would be much less likely to happen to have Gideon's blood conveniently on her hands in her attempt, plus Gideon would probably not be following her around to catch her in the act. Though somebody else might, to be fair.

Bottom line is, Harrow's parents are probably still alive. While I'm not sure about the psychological consequences of this, one change that does seem likely is that they might arrange a betrothal for Harrow. We already know from GtN that the only reason Harrow didn't end up engaged to Ortus is that they didn't want to mix up the Reverend Family's and their cavalier's bloodline. So this AU's Harrow is probably engaged to a man (or trans woman), since the Ninth doesn't seem to have the resources for whichever technological advancement on artificial insemnation gave Camilla two dads.

So considering that, in this AU Harrow might be the one with eighty-seven escape attempts.

As for Gideon, even with more potential friends around, chances are good she still wants to join the Cohort. She would probably not experience the same level of alienation and downright hatred as in canon, since Harrow's parents have no reason to freak out about her, but the general culture of the Ninth just isn't a good fit for her. Since Harrow wouldn't be as desperate to keep Gideon specifically on the Ninth, I expect she could just make her intentions to pay off her indentured servitude in the Cohort known, and that would be considered a perfectly fine choice for her career. I expect she'd still train under Aiglamene, but as part of a regular program for Ninth House children with stabby ambitions this time.

Which would be how she and Harrow end up stuck together this time.

When the summon for he house heirs arrives, everyone takes a look at Ortus and goes "...yeah, that won't do." So Aiglamene suggests replacing him with her star pupil, Gideon Nav, who was about to go join the Cohort, but could probably be persuaded to step in as Harrow's cavalier if you offered her a little improvement on the terms of her indentured servitude.

As expected, Gideon receives the offer and goes "Sure, I can swing around a toothpick while Harrow takes her employment test, sounds like a good gig to me. And besides, 'Cavalier Primary' would look good on my resumée for the Cohort."

When they reach Canaan House, Harrow still hopes to restore the Ninth House to its former glory, but more importantly, she is desperate to escape her arranged marriage, especially since her eighteenth birthday is alarmingly close and Ortus just stopped being her cavalier.

Gideon meanwhile enjoys sword fighting, actual flavour in her food, and looking at hot women.

Harrow: Are you taking this seriously?

Gideon: Of course I am! I get five years off my contract for this! I'm just saying, what's the harm in having some fun while we're here?

Harrow: If I fail to become a Lyctor, I will have to marry Ortus.

Gideon: *shudders* Fair enough.

Overall, the setting is more of a romantic comedy with the projected ending of the Reverend Daughter scandalously eloping with her cavalier- until the first murders, that is.

Due to Griddlehark not having seventeen years worth of reasons to go for the worst faith interpretation of each other's actions, and Harrow being at least a little less paranoid, they're able to work together with less conflict. However, Harrow doesn't have convenient puppet parents at home to help her realise that the Seventh cavalier is a beguiling corpse, so the net result could easily be the same. The biggest potential difference I can think of is that Harrow wouldn't try to send Gideon away with Jeannemary and Isaac. Since I like the Fourth House babies, I'm going to declare two murders less here.

Overall though, I don't see any clear options here that don't end with Gideon dead on a fence again.

The big difference would be her perception of HtN.

In this AU, Gideon's relationship with Harrow isn't tainted with obsessive hate-love masked as indifference on Harrow's side. This AU's Gideon sees her relationship with Harrow as a spicy forbidden romance, and therefore ironically interprets Harrow's lobotomy much more accurately than canon Gideon, who has been joined at the hip to her Harrow for as long as she can remember, and I'd love to see how that would change her character in HtN and NtN.

Canon Gideon gives us the beautiful, heartbreaking "I gave you my whole life and you didn't even want it" combined with "She can be in hell for all I care, I just need to know where" for the two hit kill.

This Gideon on the other hand knows that Harrow would have married her given the chance and 'only' has to think about how Harrow might have died to save her.

Which raises the question of where Harrow's soul ends up in a world where she never entered the Locked Tomb. My personal theory is that, with no link to Alecto's body, Harrow is pulled back into her own body after Gideon's soul leaves it. Then we get Harrow stuck on New Rho with Pyrrha, Camilla and Palamedes, and Gideon with Jod and Ianthe, both of them desperately trying to find each other.

When Harrow sees the broadcast, she immediately marches to the Compound, blasts open the door and demands to see her girlfriend.

A few days later, the Ninth House receives another letter from the First, informing them that their Reverend Daughter is not a Lyctor anymore, but will wed the Emperor's daughter as soon as he can stay sober through the ceremony.

The End.

[musings-of-a-rose]

Pairing: Benny Miller x ofc "Lily Morales" (21 year old daughter of Frankie Morales)

Word Count: 9000+

Rating: Mature - 18+ ONLY!

Warnings: Just like ao3, “creator chooses not to use warnings.” If you click Keep Reading, that means you agree that you’re the age to handle mature themes. Also by clicking Keep Reading, you understand warnings may not be complete in order to avoid spoilers for the story. 

Notes: Listen, I’ve had this in my head for a long time and I just had to get it out. I know the dbf trope may be overdone, and it’s not a trope I normally read, but I just…they kept talking and I had to get it out. Sometimes the fic writes you. Thanks to @mermaidxatxheart for reading this over and helping me get unstuck. And to @avengers-fixation and @rayslittlekitten for also beta reading and giving me some excellent feedback to help this take a better shape!

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**Reader is not described

Main Masterlist

Benny Miller Masterlist

"What do you want to do for your birthday, mija?" 

I shrug, popping another blueberry in my mouth. "I don't know. Wanna order pizza and watch a movie?"

My dad gives me a look, pointing his fork at me. "Is that what you want to do?"

I don't know. What do 21 year olds want to do besides get shit faced on their 21st? 

"I don't know, dad."

"I think you should go out with your friends."

"Are you really telling me I should go get shit faced on my birthday?"

He chuckles. "No, but you're turning 21. You don't wanna hang out with your old man."

"I always want to hang out with you."

"I love you too, but you're young. You should hang out with your friends."

"I'm fine here with you, dad."

"Look," he sighs and sets his spoon down, looking at me. "Be safe, call me if you need me to come get you or something, but go out. Be 21." 

He won't let up, I can see it in his eyes. "If it means so much to you, I'll go out."

—----

God, I'm bored. My friends all squealed when I finally caved in and said we could go out drinking for my birthday. They picked me up and brought me to a bar, claiming a booth on the side. They had me place the order for drinks, my first at 21, and then paid, splitting the bill amongst themselves. But while I nursed a drink, they kept slamming them back, getting increasingly more drunk. Eventually, they all got up and hobbled onto the dance floor. Well, not an official dance floor, more like a space they drunkenly cleared out while putting on songs on the ancient jukebox in the corner. Some other patrons joined in and soon there was a small group of men around them, laughing and swaying along while I stayed seated at our table. 

"You look bored as fuck, Lil."

—----

Benny:

This week had been rough. Hell, this whole month had been rough. Another girl that just wanted to use him for a fun time had come and gone, leaving Benny feeling a little more than hollow. They never stay long, always wanting his fun side. If he let down his mask for just a moment, showing them all of him, they run. It hurts but if he's being honest with himself, none of them felt right. Like they were placeholders, just someone to pass the time with. Or distract him from the girl he really likes, the one he can't have. 

He takes another swig from his beer, the one he'd been nursing for a while when this large group of about 10 college aged girls comes in the bar, squealing and talking loudly. They make a big deal of securing a booth, practically yelling about how it's someone's birthday. And then, he sees her. 

Lily, his Lily being shoved forward from the group of girls, her short, pleated skirt fanning out as they tell her to go order drinks and they'll pay. When did the feelings for her start? His mind goes back to a specific moment, a BBQ at Frankie's, when Lily was nearly 20. She was walking past the pool, fully clothed and slipped in, a little yelp leaving her just before the splash. But before anyone could move, she was pushing to the surface, makeup sliding down her face and she was laughing, her head tilted back as she made her way to the edge and Frankie pulled her out. Her clothes were soaked, hair sticking to her forehead, mascara covering her cheeks along with the purple eye shadow she had been wearing. Most girls would've flipped out, cried and screamed and gotten angry, but not Lily. She made some quip about not seeing the pool there and then she looked at him as he laughed, her eyes lit up not with embarrassment, but something else that Benny couldn't quite place. But now he saw her in a whole new light. Lily. His Lily. 

Wait, not his Lily. She can't ever be his Lily because she is Lily Morales, Fish's daughter. He couldn't do that to his friend. 13 years isnt too bad of a gap but Fish's daughter? She's too smart for him, too creative, too good. She wouldn't want his old PTSD ass anyway. 

He watches her bring the drinks back and pass them out, her friends pounding them back as Lily takes small, infrequent sips from the glass she's holding, her smile dropping lower and lower as her friends get more and more drunk. 

God, she's beautiful. Her dark brown hair frames her face, loose waves cascading past her shoulders, her shirt hugging her tits the right way and Benny shifts in his seat as his mind wanders, eyes roaming over her body. She can't see him anyway, what would it hurt? 

But as the night continues on, he sees her friends get up, forming a makeshift dance floor, some other young college guys coming to join them. But not Lily. She doesn't join her friends, opting to stay back and take another slow sip from her drink, her fingers drawing a mindless pattern in the condensation on her cup. 

He takes a deep breath, drinking the last swig from his beer as he stands. He won't have her looking so sad on her birthday. He must put a smile on her face. Benny strides over to her, pushing through the crowd. 

"You look bored as fuck, Lil."

Her eyes go wide, her cheeks flushing as she looks up at him, a smile appearing on her face. Surely that's not just for him. She can't possibly feel the same way. Can she? No, she's Fish's daughter. Cut it out, Benny. 

But he can't stop himself from sliding into the seat next to her, hoping like hell she doesn't spot his half hard boner from her thigh barely touching his jean clad one. 

When he looks at her, he knows why other women haven't worked out for him. Because she is the one he wants. And the one he simply cannot have. 

—----

My body springs to life as his voice washes over me, my eyes looking up into his bright blue ones, the ones that I see in my dreams. My cheeks warm and it's not from the half a drink I've had. It's from the fact I've been in love with this man for years. 

"Benny!"

He smiles at me, his eyes crinkling slightly at the sides and my stomach lurches. He waves his hands, silently telling me to scooch over. I do and he sits next to me, his thigh nearly pressing into mine. He leans in close, speaking into my ear as the girls have turned the music up way too loud. 

"Happy birthday!"

"You remembered?"

He's so close, his face inches from mine, his eyes boring into me. "Of course I remember. You're one of my favorite people." 

God I hope he can't hear my heart pounding through my chest. 

"But why are you sitting here by yourself? Shouldn't you be out there?" He points his thumb over his shoulder towards my group of friends, who have now mingled with a group of college boys, all grinding on each other. 

"Hard pass."

"You mean, grinding up against sweaty young men isn't your thing?" His eyes light up with laughter.

I shake my head. "I like older men." Shit, did I just say that? He looks at me, a curious look in his eyes.

"I doubt they'd be able to keep up with you."

"I think one might."

"Sounds like you have someone in mind."

"Maybe I do." Shut up, Lily!

Before he can reply, a loud whoop sounds from the dancing throng and we both look as one of the drunk men try to impress my friend by doing the worm. Benny leans in to me again, his scent filling up my nose and suddenly I'm feeling warm between my legs. 

"I'm hungry. Wanna get out of here and get a burger or something?"

"God, yes. Please save me."

He smiles, sliding out of the booth and extends his arm to me as I get up. I take it, my skin tingling as it brushes against his, feeling his muscles constrict as he guides me through the crowd and out of the bar. I catch my friends eye as I walk past them and nod my head towards Benny, telling her silently I was going with him. She gives me a wink and thumbs up before making a lude gesture that I'm glad Benny misses. I expect him to drop my arm when we're outside, but he doesn't. Instead, he looks down at me, towering over me. 

"Did you drive or?"

"What? Oh, no. Ironically, I was not the designated driver. Don't worry, we took Ubers."

He chuckles. "Smart. Alright, my jeep is around the back. I've only had one beer, is that ok?"

"You're asking me?"

"Yeah. I mean, I'm fine to drive but whatever you're comfortable with."

"I trust you." Am I seeing things or is he blushing? 

He guides me to his jeep, opening the door and helping me inside. He drives us across town to a little diner we've been to before, although it's never been just the two of us. Usually my dad or Benny's brother Will is with us. We sit and order giant burgers and a plate of fries to share, and a couple slices of what Benny calls "birthday pie" that we eat first. 

"So why did you agree to go out with those friends if all they did was ditch you?"

I chuckle. "I blame my dad. He made me."

"Fish wanted you to go out drinking?"

"He said I should "go out and be 21". I told him I just wanted a pizza and a movie with him."

"Why didn't you tell me you wanted pizza? We could've gone to get pizza."

"No, this is perfect, really." My hand covers his on the table and I see just how small it is in comparison to Benny's and I swallow hard. "Thank you, really. You saved me."

Benny asks a zillion more questions as we eat, always interested to hear my opinion on things. I've never had a man be this interested in what I had to say, almost as if… there's no way he could feel the same for me, right? I know there's an age gap, but it's only 13 years..

He links his arm with mine again as we make our way back to his Jeep, helping me in before coming around and climbing in himself. 

"I'll take you home."

"No!" Oh shit, did I yell that? I don't want this night to end so soon. Not when I have an excuse for it to just be us.

His eyebrows are raised. "No?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be loud. I uh.. I mean no. My dad expects me to be home late or crash at a friend's. If I come home now, he'll think it's weird."

"I don't think he'd mind you coming home early. Then he knows you're not out causing trouble."

"Please Benny?" I hesitate a moment before reaching out to place my hand on his arm, squeezing it a little. "Can we… I don't know.. just go back to your place and hang for a bit?" His skin is warm under my palm and I feel him shift slightly in his seat, eyes fixed on the road before he glances sideways at me.

“You’d really want to hang out with an old man like me?"

“You’re not old.” I sit back, reluctantly pulling my hand from his arm. “Besides, didn’t we establish that I like older men?” What the fuck is wrong with you, Lily?

He shifts in his seat again and clears his throat, fighting back a smile. “Have anything in mind?”

“We could watch a movie?”

“Alright, you talked me into it. But only because it’s your birthday.” He smiles before reaching over and poking me in the side. I flinch back, a giggle erupting from the back of my throat. “Oh, you’re ticklish?”

“I don’t like the look on your face, Benjamin.”

He’s smiling wide. “No look. Just tucking that information away for later.”

We pull up to his place and get out. I follow him up to his front door, my eyes taking in his broad shoulders, beefy arms, and tight ass. He's so tall, much taller than me. I'd love to climb him like a tree…

Heading inside, I kick my shoes off and leave them by the door, hanging my purse on one of the coat rack hooks. I follow him into the living area. He gestures to the couch and I sit, Benny sitting at the opposite end from me. 

"Want something to drink?" He asks and it may be my imagination, but he sounds nervous.

"S-sure." Way to sound smooth, Lily. 

"Beer ok? I think I have water somewhere."

"Beer will be fine. Thanks."

"You got it. Can't believe I can officially give you this now." He disappears into his kitchen and remerges with 2 bottles of beer, popping open the top and handing it to me. He holds up his bottle to mine and we clink them together. 

"Here's to a birthday!" He says and smiles, taking a swig when I do. 

"It's certainly been one of those."

We flip through the channels, stopping on some trash reality TV to make fun of them, cracking up at the stupidity of the show. We've had a couple of beers by now and I'm not drunk by any means, but definitely warm and I feel myself loosening up as I become more comfortable around him, passing quips back and forth.

"I don't know why she's picking Jason when clearly Porter is the better choice."

"What?" I say, shocked. "You can't mean that. Have you looked at Porter?"

Benny squints at the tv. "Yes?"

"Need your glasses, old man?" 

"Be careful. You don't wanna poke the old man."

I scoff playfully, smirking. "Maybe I do."

In one swift move, Benny sits up, putting his bottle on the coffee table before he turns to me, his eyes full of mischief. He lunges for me but I jumped up, somehow missing his grip and I smirk, turning towards him. 

"You'll have to be faster than that, old man." He tries to get up and I run, trying to move around the back of the couch, but somehow he's there, leaning over the back, his strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me back over the couch as I scream. He pushes me back down onto the couch, his large form hovering over me as his fingers dig into my sides. I squirm under him, unable to do anything but squeal with laughter as I writhe about. But the mood changes suddenly, his fingers slowing as he looks down at me, his blue eyes dragging down my face to my lips. I can feel him pressing into me between my legs and heat rushes there to meet him. He leans closer, our lips almost touching, but then he's pulling back and I can't take it. We were so close, I can't go back to how it was, not knowing that he wants this as much as I do but is stopping himself, denying him and me a chance at happiness. 

My fingers grasp at his shirt, tugging to get him to look at me. When he does, his eyes are wide, a combination of lust and conflict behind them. My finger traces his cheek and I decide to go for it, leaning up while lightly pulling him towards me with the tip of my finger. His lips are nearly on mine, his breath fanning out over my face, but he stops. 

"We can't, Lil."

I nod. "We can." I feel him grow harder against me and it's all I can do to not moan, the weight of him grounding me to this moment. He still doesn't move. 

"I don't want to take advantage."

"You're not. I'm sober."

His lips are so close to mine, his breath filling my own as my lips remain slightly parted waiting for him. 

"He'd kill me."

"I'll protect you."

"Lil," he whispers, his breath heating my lips.

"Ben." I touch my lips to his and oh, his are so soft and warm, tasting slightly like the beer he'd had earlier. He doesn't move for a second and maybe I've pushed him too far. His lips move above mine, responding to my gentle touch with a more heated one, a slight moan at the back of his throat as he glides his tongue into my slightly parted lips. A small groan comes from my chest in return and I hum into his kiss, deepening it as Benny presses on with more urgency, my legs wrapping around him, squeezing him slightly. 

His hands are on my face, pushing my hair out of it as a large hand engulfs the side of my face and neck, holding my chin in place as he kisses me deeper, pressing into me harder, his hips slightly grinding of their own accord. Then he breaks the kiss, leaning up to reach over his shoulder, gripping the back of his shirt as he pulls it over his head, tossing it on the coffee table. I've seen him shirtless before of course, but this is different. A patch of hair is nestled between his pecks, soft but strong muscles flexing as he holds himself up, a small trail of hair disappearing beneath his pants. Fuck do I want to see where that goes. I scramble to grip the bottom of my shirt, lifting slightly as I twist my body to take it off, Benny's hand coming to help. My shirt joins his, Benny's fingers sliding around my back to take off my bra, tossing that on the table too. His eyes dip to my chest and they look hungry. 

"Fuck, look at you, Lil." 

Before I can reply, he leans back down, pressing his chest to mine as he kisses me again, his warm skin so soft against mine. He feels so good, comforting, grounding, I can hardly believe I'm here. He kisses a path down my neck, pausing to suck one of my nipples in his mouth. I whimper, my back arching off the couch towards him, my fingers automatically coming up to tangle in his golden hair. 

"How do you want it?"

"Wh-what?" Is all I can manage as he starts to lick at my same nipple. 

"Do you have any favorite positions? Any you hate?"

"I don't know."

He chucks into my skin. "Should I give you a moment to think?"

I shake my head. "I really don't know. I've never done this before."

Benny drops my boob with a plop, pushing himself up so fast it makes my head spin. "What do you mean you haven't done this before?"

I know I'm blushing under his gaze. "I mean… I haven't.. I just… I've never…" I gesture between us.

"Be clear."

"I'm a virgin, ok?" I'm not that embarrassed, but everyone I know has had sex long before me. I just never felt the desire to. Probably because none of them was the man above me, who is now trying to untangle my legs from behind him. 

"I didn't know you were… didn't you have boyfriends?"

"Yeah but I've never done anything past boobs."

"Shit, Lil. I can't do this to you. I-"

"Do this to me?"

"Yeah, take your…" He gestures between my legs, still trying to wiggle his way out from between them. 

"I want you, though, Benny."

"I can't. Not when you haven't…you should do it with someone your age. You should've done it with a boyfriend-"

I let out a frustrated huff. "But none of them were you, Ben!"

He stops moving, his eyes studying my face. "What?"

Too late to not say anything now. "I.. ok, I've liked you for a really long time. Like, really liked you. I tried dating people my age but they all suck. None of them were you. I guess I've been waiting, hoping you'd feel the same. But I won't force-"

"You waited for me?"

I nod, suddenly unable to look at him, my cheeks on fire. "I hoped one day I'd have the courage to tell you how I felt. Or something. I knew it was a long shot. I mean, look at me. I'm… me."

His eyes soften, looking down my body and back up to my eyes. "You say that like it's a bad thing. You're fucking gorgeous, Lil. And..I'd be lying if I said I never thought about us. But me? Why would you want anything to do with me?"

I muster up the courage to look him in the eyes. "Because you make me feel seen. Like I matter. That I'm not just some piece of ass."

"I've been through some major shit, Lil."

I reach up, my hand caressing his cheek, fingers scratching at the stubble. "I want that too. I want all of you, Benny. I want you."

His lips press to mine again, urgent, desperate, his large hand pressed on the side of my neck, the other bracing him. He breaks the kiss for just a moment, pulling back enough to make sure I'm looking at him. 

"Are you sure, Lil? This isn't a small thing, even if you weren't a virgin."

"I am so unbelievably sure, Benny. Please just, show me. Make me feel good."

He smiles at me, his eyes darkening with a glint. “I’m about to ruin you for other men, sweetheart. But not here."

My brows furrow together. "What?"

He taps my thigh to get me to unlock my legs. I do and he stands, stretching briefly before he extends a hand to me, helping me up off the couch. He tips my head up, hooking my chin with his finger, pressing his lips to mine, his other hand coming up to lightly pinch my nipple. I gasp at the sensation, arching slightly into his palm. Then he stands straight, holding his hand out to me, giving me one last chance to stop things. I lace my fingers with his, my hand feeling small in his large one and he smiles, walking me down the hallway to his bedroom.

Once inside, he pushes some things out of the way, and sits on the edge of the bed. He beckons me over and I stand between his outstretched legs. He pulls one of my boobs in his mouth and I moan, heat and wet pooling between my thighs as he kisses his way down to my skirt line. He pauses, eyes turned up to mine, as his hand gently glides up my inner thigh, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind it. Once he reaches my panties, he stops, barely brushing a finger over my clothed clit and I jolt, pleasure momentarily shooting out from where he touched me. 

"You're so fucking wet," he says with awe.

"Is..is that a good thing?"

He touches me again, grinning when I gasp out loud. "Such a good thing."

He pulls his hand from under my skirt, hooking his fingers into the waistband and pulls them down slowly, kissing the skin that appears as my skirt and panties slide down my legs. I kick them off, foot shoving them somewhere behind me as I stand there, completely bare in front of him. I'm nervous, hands automatically coming up to cover me, but he grips my wrists, holding them apart as his eyes slowly move over my body. 

"So fucking beautiful, Lil."

He switches places with me and tells me to lay back, scooting up the bed. He kicks off his pants but leaves his boxers on, which do nothing to hide the tent in his pants. My eyes grow wide. Are all men that large? He crawls over my body, slotting himself between my legs, kissing me deeply for several minutes. My legs wrap around him, feeling him hot and heavy against me. But then he's kissing a path down my body, scooting lower and lower until he's level with my pussy, pushing my legs apart further and putting his broad shoulders between them to hold them apart. 

"Fuck, you have a pretty little pussy. Can't believe no one has touched you here."

I don't respond, my head swimming with a whirl of emotions, mostly nerves and how bad I want him to touch me, push himself inside of me. I want-

"Oh!" A cry erupts from me, my thighs clamping around the side of Benny's head as his tongue makes contact with me, licking a line up me before he taps at my clit. "Oh, God, Benny!" My fingers tangle in his hair, tugging on him and holding him in place as he laps at me, gliding his nose up my seam before I feel him press a finger to my entrance, rubbing small circles there. I can hear how wet I am, my other hand flying out to grip the sheets as he pushes his finger in slowly. 

"Fuck you are so tight, Lil."

He slowly moves his finger in and out of me, my body warming quickly before he adds a second finger, this time tapping around inside of me. He hits some spot and I yell, thighs banging against his head again.

"There it is," he smirks, his fingers rubbing and tapping at that spot as his mouth returns to my pussy, licking and sucking. I feel tingles, all over my body, racing towards where he's touching me and then I explode, my head pushing into the bed, thighs tensing as I pulse around him, whining and moaning as I come. Benny guides me through it, making sure I feel every ounce of pleasure I possibly can.

And then he does it two more times. 

My entire body is warm and loose, my brain swimming with the pleasure of it all as Benny removes his mouth from me, wiping his face on the back of his hand, grinning ear to ear as he hovers over me, tasting of me as he presses his lips to mine. 

"You feelin' good, sweetheart?"

"Mmhmm."

Benny chuckles. "Do you want me to stop?"

My eyes fly open as I find his. "No. Please I need you inside of me."

He nods. "I think you're ready for me. But stop me if it hurts or you want me to stop, ok?"

"Ok."

He scoots back off the bed, standing and pulling his boxers off. He springs up and holy shit is that supposed to go in me? He settles between my legs, pushing my thighs apart, sliding himself through my soaked folds and I whimper at his touch. He's heavy at my entrance, his eyes on my face as he slowly pushes in. 

"Oh!" Is about all I can say. It burns for sure, and is uncomfortable, but not painful. And as he pushes further in, I feel him rub up against that spot he made sensitive with his fingers moments before. My fingers dig into his biceps, his muscles strong beneath my nails as he slowly slides back out. 

“Are you ok?” He asks, his eyebrows pulled together in concern. 

“I will be once you’re back inside of me.”

“Fuck you’re gonna kill me.” 

He pushes back into me, still slowly but a little faster this time. When he can go no further, he waits, holding his hips still to give me a moment. I feel so full of him, my head swimming with his scent while I relax and stretch around him. He must feel the tension leaving me, as he pulls back out and pushes back in, more quickly. After about 5 more of these, he pushes in rather quick and I yelp as he hits a spot at the back of me. 

“Fuck! Do that again!”

He smiles, one side of his mouth pulling up as he complies, thrusting into me harder and chuckling when he hears the breathy sounds coming from me. He keeps going, making sure to angle himself to thrust into that spot every time, eventually speeding up more, rutting into me as I come unglued beneath him, writhing and moving my hips to meet his, my vision going hazy at the edges as my body tingles and I come, nails digging into him as I chant his name over and over. Benny grunts and pulls out, spilling himself across my lower stomach, little breathy grunts coming from him as he comes. 

He takes a second when he’s done before getting up and grabbing a wet cloth from the bathroom. He cleans me up and returns with another cloth, wiping my overstimulated cunt, and chuckling when my legs twitch. He tosses the rag in his hamper and crawls on the bed next to me, pulling the sheet over us. Benny props himself up on his elbow, his finger tracing lines down my chest before using a finger to turn my head to him. 

“How are you feeling, Lil?”

I sigh, feeling the corners of my mouth pull into a soft smile. “Honestly? I’ve never felt better.”

He presses his lips lightly to mine. “The best you’ve ever felt, huh?”

I nod, turning on my side to face him. “You were right though. You’ve ruined other men for me. Good thing I only want one man.”

—----

A yell rips me from sleep and I sit up quick, my head rushing slightly as I look around the unfamiliar room, blinking a few times before remembering I was still at Benny’s. In his bed. A whimper echoes in the dark space and I look down, seeing Benny tangled in his sheets, curled up and sweating, eyes jammed shut and his mouth muttering words I can’t catch all of. I may have never seen it on Benny, but I am familiar with the nightmares. My dad has them all the time, one of the many reasons why I’m studying to be a psychiatrist and intend to reform the VA mental health unit. 

I gently place my hand on his bare shoulder, his skin warm and sweaty under my palm. “Benny, it’s ok. You’re here. I’m here.”

He whimpers once more before his eyes pop open, wet with unshed tears and he gasps, hand reaching out for something I can’t see. He blinks and turns his head, seeing my hand on his shoulder and he follows it up to my face.

“Lily?”

I smile. “Hey, Ben. Are you with me?”

“I…” he pulls his shoulder from me and sits up, pulling the blankets around his waist. “I’m sorry.” He’s wiping at his face, trying to push the tears away. “Just lock the door on your way out.”

“What?”

“When you leave, just take the key and lock the door. Slide it under the mat.”

“I don’t…I don’t understand? You’re kicking me out?”

“You want to leave, right?”

“No? Why would I?”

“Because I’m fucked up! I told you, Lil. I have so much shit with me. No one wants this.” 

“Ben. Look at me.”

He shakes his head. "I can't. Just.. lock the door on your way out."

"Ben-"

"I can't. I can't see that look on your face too, I just can't, Lily."

"Ben, please look at me." 

He sighs and turns his head, a hard expression on his face and I see it, all the hurt he’s had to endure from the women before me leaving him once his guard slipped. And I want to fight them all. I take his hand, lacing my fingers through his and bring it to my lips, pressing a kiss to the back of his hand. 

“Benjamin Miller, unless you kick me out, I’m not going anywhere.”

His eyes water a little and he shakes his head to stop them. “But, the nightmares-”

“You think this is the first time I’ve seen a nightmare? Do you not remember who my dad is?”

“Fish gets nightmares too?”

I nod. “All the fucking time, Ben. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked him down. Why do you think I’m going into psych?”

“You’re…you’re really not wanting to leave?”

“No. I’d really rather stay here with you, make sure you’re ok, wake up next to you. As long as you’ll have me?”

He squeezes my hand and presses his forehead to mine. “I’d love that.”

I lay back and beckon him to me, placing his head on my chest as he cuddles into my side. He sucks one of my boobs in his mouth, claiming it’s his comfort toy. But soon after he’s sound asleep, his face peaceful and he doesn’t wake the rest of the night.

He brings me home the next day and I wave to him from the front steps as I walk through the front door. 

“She’s alive!”

“Ha-ha, dad. But I’m doing fine.”

“Was that Benny I saw dropping you off?”

“Oh. Yeah. He was at the bar last night.”

“And he brought you home this morning?”

I nod, kicking off my shoes. “Yeah. I was pretty drunk and my friends still wanted to party. His place was closest to the bar and I asked him to take me there. Didn’t think I could make it home.” I mimed throwing up, which is exactly what I wanted to do. I hate lying to him. 

“You could’ve called me. I would’ve picked you up.”

“I know. But Benny was already there. No sense in waking you up.”

“You know I don’t sleep.”

“Which is why you’re always so fun to be around.”

He looks fake hurt, pressing his hand to his chest. “I am a damn delight….but I’ll have to thank Benny for taking such good care of you.”

I hide my smirk before replying. “Please do.”

—----

The next few months pass and we keep us a secret, going on dates in the next towns over, meeting up whenever we can. I feel bad for lying to my dad and not telling him, but it’s not the right time. 

Benny is everything I thought he was and more. He makes me laugh, even cracking jokes as he’s pressed between my thighs. He makes me feel safe and I think I make him feel safer too. His nightmares, while still present, seem to happen less often, his body relaxing into mine as he sleeps deeply. 

Then there’s the sex. Oh God the sex. I know I have nothing to compare it to, but the way my friends talk about it, it seems like it’s often a chore. They talk about faking orgasms or men that are only concerned about themselves. Not Benny. He says he loves the sounds I make as he pulls orgasm after orgasm out of me, pressing his body against and into mine against every surface of his house and his jeep, anywhere we can get away with it.  

About 6 months in, it’s our turn to host the monthly BBQ for all the boys. Will usually brings his wife and kids, Santi just himself, and Tom brings his family, so it’s a pretty big to do. I remember at BBQ’s in the past, sometimes Benny would show up with some girl and how jealous I was of her. And this time, I’m still jealous, because they got to be with him in the open. No passing touches or whispers, no hiding glances or anything. But I’m feeling bold, so I put on my favorite sundress, the one Benny had hitched up around my hips as he bent me over his kitchen table the last time we were together. And judging by the look on his face, he too has this same memory when he sees me in the dress. 

Everyone is outside, the kids screaming and running around, everyone else chatting, keeping an eye on the kids as my dad starts grilling. I feel Benny’s eyes on me as I set a few bowls of chips on the table, bending over just a little more than normal to expose more of my cleavage to him. I glance up at him and wink, turning and heading back into the house. I hear him come in behind me a couple minutes later, his eyes on me standing in the doorway to the hall. He silently follows me upstairs to my room, closing the door behind us and locking it before taking 2 steps towards me, pulling me to him and kissing me deeply. His hands fist in the sides of my dress, pulling it up higher on my hips. 

“You think you’re so slick wearing this dress?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

I pull him down on me, parting my thighs to let him settle between them as my back settles into my bed. My fingers twist in his hair, his hand trailing up my bare thigh as I whimper in his ear. 

“Wanna fuck in my bed. We haven’t done that yet.”

“Your dad’s outside.”

“So?”

“So what if he hears us?”

“I’ll deal with that then. Please fuck me Benny. I need you to fuck me.”

And so he does, pushing my panties aside and thrusting into me, one hand clamped over my mouth. I try to push him into me more, my hands gripping his ass, digging little marks into it when I come, legs spasming as Benny’s moans come right after, his hips rutting into mine as he fills me up. 

“Let me get something to clean you up with.”

“Don’t. I want to feel you inside me.”

“Fuckin’ hell you’re gonna kill me.”

—----

My chest heaves as Benny rolls off me and lays on his side, trying to catch his own breath. He slides his hand across my body and gently squeezes one of my boobs, his thumb grazing over my nipple. 

“You can’t possibly want to go again?” I ask, eyebrows raised. 

“What? This is my emotional support tiddy.”

Laughter erupts from me and Benny joins in, his smile making me feel warm all over. This is nice, this is comfortable. Benny makes everything in my life good. 

“You hungry? We did miss our dinner reservations.”

I chuckle. “Totally worth missing them.”

Benny props himself up on his elbow, his hand leaving my boob to start sliding down my bare stomach. “Oh I agre-”

GROWL! 

My stomach has decided enough is enough and the sound it makes is loud in the quiet room. Benny laughs again, his head flying back with it before he brings his lips to my stomach, speaking to it.

“You hungry, girl? Should we get some food in ya?”

I ruffle his hair and he turns, his cheek resting on my stomach as his eyes meet mine. We stare at each other for a few moments before he chuckles. “Your stomach is so loud.”

“Ok, fine. I’m hungry,” I smile.

He sits up, giving me a quick kiss before rolling off the bed. “I’ll go make us something. You can shower if you’d like. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.” He leaves the room, sliding some pants on before he does. I make my way to his bathroom across the hall and take in my appearance, fixing my hair so it’s not too wild before sliding one of his shirts on. I make my way down the hall and stand in the entrance to the kitchen, watching Benny move about the kitchen, no shirt and sweatpants hanging low on his hips. He tosses a kitchen towel over his shoulder as he flips a pancake, one of his specialties, humming to himself as he does. His hair is sticking up at all angles, looking like he’d just rolled around in bed for hours. Which I guess, technically, he did. I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist, kissing his back before resting my cheek against it. 

“You want strawberries or chocolate chips in yours, Lil?”

“Do I have to pick?”

He pauses for a moment. “Shit, why did I never think to combine those?” He adds both cut up strawberries and chocolate chips to his mix, pouring out another round of batter on the griddle. “I may have to steal one.”

“I’ll fight you for it.”

He slides the pancake off the spatula and spins, gripping my wrists before I can move. “I’d like to see- are you in my shirt?”

“Mmhmm.”

He drops my wrists and slides his hands around my hips, feeling for something. “Are you..are you not wearing any underwear?”

“How else am I supposed to feel you dripping down my legs?” Benny groans, gripping my jaw and pulling me in for a heated kiss, but the sound of a key jiggling in his front door lock kills the mood. In one quick motion, Benny is shoving me back through the doorway and down the hall, motioning for me to hide. I step into his room and close the door almost all the way just as the front door opens. 

“Hey, Ben.”

“Hey..Fish.”

The door closes and I feel the color drain from my face. My dad is here and almost walked in on us fucking in the kitchen. 

“Hope it’s ok I used my key? Normally you complain about having to get up and open the door.”

“No, no that’s fine. What, uh, what are you doing here?”

“Lil is at her friend’s studying this weekend so I thought we could watch the fight?”

“The fight?”

There’s a slight pause. “The big fight? Between Samson and Jueng?”

“Oh right. The fight. Yeah, I think the neighbors in 2B are having some kind of party.”

“That explains why the parking lot is slammed.”

“Yeah, yeah. Hey listen, Frankie, I uh…I’m a little…” There’s a pause where Benny fumbles for words. 

“Oh shit, I should’ve called, Ben. I just got bored and I remembered you said you were staying in this weekend. Thought we could hang.”

“No, no. It’s uh, it’s ok. Did..did you want some pancakes?”

“For dinner?”

“I already made some.”

“Sure, sounds good. Bathroom useable?”

“It’s clean, fucker.”

Dad’s chuckle gets closer and I step away from the crack in the bedroom door, like he could see me through it. When I hear the bathroom door close, I yank on some pants and grab my shoes, tiptoe running down the hall and meet Benny at the door. 

“I’ll let you know when he leaves.”

I nod. “Sounds good. I still want pancakes.”

“Ok ok but you have to go now,” He’s practically pushing me out of the door, but just before it closes, he reaches out and grabs my arm, pulling me back and kissing me before letting me go, a smile as the door closes and I hear my dad’s voice coming back down the hall.  

That was close.

—----

Several weeks later, I decided to grab some dinner on my way to Benny’s, neither of us feeling much like cooking. I wait at the counter of the diner, studying the pie menu while our burgers cook. It’s hard to pick out pie for Benny because he loves them all. Even Rhubarb. I decide on a slice of apple and a slice of buttermilk pie, placing the order with the waitress.

“No pecan?”

I jump, my head jerking to look at my dad, leaning against the counter, menu in hand and looking at me. 

“Pecan?”

“You’re favorite?”

“Oh. Yeah I thought I’d try something new.”

He nods. “So, you weren’t going to tell your old man you were getting shitty food before coming home?”

“You’re here too.”

He laughs. “True.” His eyebrows furrow together as the waitress brings 2 large bags and reads off the order. I try to cut her off but she plows through, smiling at the end. 

“Anything else, dear?”

“N-no. I’m good.” She walks off and I can feel my dad’s eyes on me. 

“Hungry?”

“What?”

He nods towards the bags. “There’s enough food there for two. Especially with that last burger. Double cheese, double bacon, and extra pickles? That’s exactly what Benny orders so I know it’s entirely too much.”

I laugh nervously. “Uh yeah. That’s..that’s mine. Period.” He looks at me, understanding. 

“And the other burger?”

“Uh surprise! I was going to bring food home.”

He smiles and I feel terrible. “We must have been thinking the same thing. Thanks, mija. Need some help?”

“Sure.”

He takes the burger bag and I take the other, walking me over to my car. He waits for me to get in and hands me the bag. 

“See you at home!” 

When he’s turned away and solidly heading to his truck, I pull out my phone and send a quick text to Benny. 

Me: No burgers tonight. Dad came in. Had to tell him I was buying for us.

Benny Baby: Oh shit! Did he know?

Me: He recognized your order but nothing past that. I’m sorry! Can I come tomorrow?

Benny Baby: Oh I plan on making you come many times 

—----

It was a couple weeks before we could manage to see each other again and we wasted no time in making up for it. Benny pressed himself between my thighs over and over, pulling as many sounds from me as he could before I just couldn’t take anymore, completely over stimulated. Only then did we get dressed and head out to dinner across town, his arm wrapped around my shoulders as we walked into my favorite Italian restaurant, laughing and sharing breadstick puns as we waited for our food. After force feeding ourselves some dessert, we walked back around the building, Benny pushing me against the side of his jeep, slotting his leg between my thighs as he pushes his tongue in my mouth, my hands fisting in his shirt. I can feel him getting harder against me and I wonder how unoccupied this parking lot is or if I even care. 

“I thought that was you. You got a secret girlfriend?”

Benny freezes at his brother’s voice, pulling back slowly and looking into my eyes, fear and apologies swirling around in his baby blues. He tries his best to turn around without showing me, but the angle is weird and he can’t quite hide all of me, no matter how I try to angle myself. 

“Wait…Lily?” Will says, completely shocked. 

I sigh, stepping out from behind Benny. “It’s me.”

He’s not smiling, gripping the takeout bag he has in his hand a little tighter as he looks at Benny. “That’s Fish’s daughter, Ben.”

“I fuckin’ know, Will. Don’t you think I know?”

“You’re making out with Fish’s daughter. His daughter.” 

“Yeah. And you’re not gonna tell him.”

“Why the fuck shouldn’t I? You shouldn’t be fucking around - shit, are you fucking around with her?”

I feel Benny’s body tense and I gently lace my fingers through his, a motion that doesn’t go unnoticed by Will. 

“That’s Lily, Ben! You shouldn’t be…I gotta call Fish.”

Before he can move, I step in front of Benny and grip Will’s arm gently. He looks down at me, his grey blue eyes studying me as if he’s trying to see if I’ve been coerced. 

“Please don’t, Will. I promise we will tell him. Eventually.”

“Tell him what, exactly?”

I glance back at Benny, giving him a small smile before looking back at Will. “We’re together. I am the secret girlfriend and the reason he hasn’t been around as much.”

Will looks from me to Benny and back. “He put you up to this?”

“Hey fuck you, man!”

I put my hand up, touching Benny’s chest. “No. If anything, I convinced him.”

“You’re Fish’s daughter, Lil.”

“I’m aware.”

“One of our best friend’s daughters.”

“That’s me.”

“I don’t know, I…”

“Will… please? I promise we will tell him. We’ve just…been enjoying each other and seeing where this takes us.”

He cocks his head slightly. “So it’s really not just sex?”

I shake my head. “No.”

He looks between us again, looking like he’s doing some mental math. “Alright but only for you, Lil. Benny knows better. But you have to promise you’re gonna tell him.”

I nod. “Yes, of course. Thank you, Will.” I give him a hug and he returns it with one arm, the other still holding a heavy bag of take out. His eyes never leave Benny’s and I watch as they grow hard. 

“I love you, Ben. But if you hurt her, I’m not gonna hold back Fish.”

Benny nods. “That’s fair.”

—----

I love him. He tried telling me I’d grow out of him, but I didn’t. If anything I fell more in love with him as time went on. Benny let his final walls down, telling me how much he loves me, how I accept him, all of him, and how he thought he’d never find that. I don’t know how we made it 8 months without telling anyone or anyone figuring it out, aside from Will. 

It wasn’t until my dad came home early, finding Benny and me making out on the couch that I remembered why we were keeping it a secret. Thank God he didn’t come home 2 minutes later. 

“What the fuck is this?” He slams the door behind him, the walls rattling and Benny and I spring apart, Benny jumping up as my dad storms towards him. “SHE’S MY DAUGHTER, BEN!” 

Benny has his hands out in a placating manner. “I know, but-”

“My daughter! She is not for you!”

“No, but-”

Anger rises up from my chest. “You have no say over who I get with!”

He looks at me, his dark eyes fuming. “I do when it’s my best friend and my daughter! You’re only 21, Lily!”

“So? I am not some thing you can pass around! My life is my own! I can date and fuck whomever I want!”

His eyes go wide, cheeks flushing with built up anger as he turns his rage towards Benny. “Wait…have you slept with her?”

“Wh-what?”

His voice raises, loud enough I know the neighbors are listening in. “Have you fucked my daughter, Ben?”

The color drains from Benny’s face. “Let’s talk about thi-”

BAM! My dad’s fist collides with Benny’s face, his head flying back. Luckily, Benny knows how to take a punch, thanks to his days as an MMA fighter. He straightens up, dodging the next swing from my dad, his hands still up trying to placate him. 

“Dad!” I push past him and stand in front of Benny, turning his face towards me to inspect his lip, which is now bleeding, a dark circle starting to appear under his eye. I round on my dad.

“What the fuck dad?”

“Don’t dad me! You’ve been lying to me for months! Sleeping with Benny? He’s my best friend, Lily!”

“I know, but-”

“You just never stop to think about the consequences. What did you think was gonna happen? He’s 13 years older than you!”

“Yes, but-”

“He’s done some shit, but putting his hands on my daughter is the thing I’m gonna kill him for.”

“Ok, dad. Kitchen. Now. Benny? First aid kit in the bathroom.” I push on my dad’s chest, willing him to move. He glares over my shoulder at Benny as he moves into the kitchen, but doesn’t sit. 

“What the fuck, Lily?”

“I know, but let me explain.”

“Benny?”

“I love him, dad.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose, his other hand on his hip in his typical dad pose. “I know you think you love him mija, but it’s just infatuation. You’re young.”

“Do you remember a few years ago, you asked me why I had boyfriends but none of them seemed to stick? And I told you I didn’t like them or want any of them?”

He thinks for a moment. “Yeah.”

“What did I say after that?”

“I said maybe you haven’t found the right person and you said no it’s because…” I raise my eyebrows at him until he continues. “...because you were in love with someone else.”

“You told me to go for it and I said I couldn’t because there’s no way he likes me the same way and it would be complicated.”

His shoulders slump, a little bit of the anger seeping from him. “Benny?”

“Benny.”

“How do you know he feels the same way?”

“Didn’t you tell me a few months ago how good he looks? That he said he was seeing someone but wasn’t ready to bring her around everyone yet? But that he hasn’t looked this happy in the entire time you’ve known him?”

“Fuck. It was you?”

“Me. We love each other, dad. We have for years, but didn’t say it until my birthday.”

“Wait. You told me Benny let you stay over because you were drunk. Did he-”

“No. I barely drank. My friends ditched me and he saw me. We went for dinner and then back to his place where..confessions were made.”

“You lied to me?”

“You didn’t ask me if I slept with him, dad.”

“Dammit. I hate when you’re right.” 

“Are…are we going to be ok?”

He pulls me to him in a bear hug, kissing the top of my head. “I’ll always love you, mija. But your boyfriend I may have to warm up to. God that feels weird to say.”

Benny pokes his head around the corner. “Is it safe?”

Dad turns his head to him, hugging me tighter. “I haven’t decided if I want to kill you yet.”

“Well while you’re deciding, can I just say how much I love her? She’s smart and funny, and she makes the world bright again. She’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”

“You’re damn right she is. So what if I told you I don’t want you dating her?”

“Dad-”

“Sshh. I’m asking him.”

“With all due respect, Fish. I’d tell you to go fuck yourself and date her anyway. I love you, you’re my best friend, but she’s the one for me and I won’t let anything come between us unless she wants it to.”

He lets me go and stomps up to Benny, who is a few inches taller than him. He glares up at him for a few moments before extending his hand out. 

“Ok.”

“Ok?"

“Just do me a favor and don’t kiss in front of me?”

“Deal.”

“Speak for yourself, Ben. I plan on making out with you whenever I can.”

A year later we’re married, both of us eternally grateful for my friends ditching me on my birthday that night.

—----

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[foreverdolly]

penny for your thoughts | daddy!austin x mommy!reader

this is a request for my little "three days of blurbs" event. feel free to send in your own requests ! they are still very much open.

request: baby daddy!austin, your choice if it's fluff or angst or whatev

requested by: anon

word count: 1.1k

warnings/notes: a little bit of angst and then a hell of a lot of fluff. just you and austin being great parents and still being madly in love. also austin's father, david, playing the part of cupid at his granddaughter's birthday party. hope you like it, nonnie !

The condensation on the side of the hot pink solo cup wasn’t really holding your attention, but you’d rather look anywhere else than at the man who was awkwardly standing beside you. Making small talk with someone that knew you so completely, both inside and out, was deeply uncomfortable. It felt wrong. It was almost as though the two of you had gone back in time, but this was a first date gone bad. Because the nervous butterflies had turned into nervous killer bees. Austin was no longer just an ex-Disney star that you could poke fun at, but a successful actor. You had celebrated every triumph with him. Every call back. Every photoshoot. You had loved him through absolutely all of it, and yet here you two were, racking your brains for something to say to the other to alleviate the stifling tension between you two. 

The both of you had been separated for only five months, but you had already mastered the art of co-parenting. The relationship had fallen apart because of the constant distance that his job required. You were tired of falling asleep alone. Neither one of you had cheated on the other. You didn’t hate each other- quite the opposite, really. 

You just didn’t want to make Austin choose between his career and his family. You just wanted to be happy. 

“I guess I should haul the Harley out of the garage next weekend. Pop it into my storage unit along with my other shit.” His voice startled you, making you jump and peel your eyes off of your drink. 

Having constant reminders of the dirty blonde around the home that you once shared made you feel safe. You’d been clinging to the last scraps of him like a child might do with their baby blanket. You licked at your bottom lip, about to answer him when a very small and very wet body collided with your thigh. You smiled despite the situation, immediately tangling your fingers into your daughter’s soaked hair. “Did ya see me, mommy?” Penny asked with wide eyes. Her Barbie goggles hung from around her neck, her strawberry printed bathing suit dripping water onto the deck. You shot Austin an apologetic look before shaking your head. 

“What did you do, big girl?” She was eager to show off, having just recently gotten brave enough to dunk her entire head under the water. Austin’s father, David, was currently splashing around with an entire gang of five year old girls and had somehow managed to distract them all relatively successfully. You knew what he was trying to do though. He wanted to give you and Austin some alone time. 

Neither of you had signed the divorce papers yet, which was a win in David Butler’s book. It meant there was hope. 

“I put my whole head under the water! Papa saw me do it and everything!” 

Austin joined in on congratulating her, going as far as to scoop her up and off of the ground in order to assault her soft cheeks with kisses. His white shirt was completely soaked when he let her go, the now opaque fabric clinging to his body. You made a point to look away, making sure that he didn’t catch you staring. After Penny felt as though she had been appropriately praised by her parents she jogged back over to the pool, announcing to her group of friends that they should play mermaids for the third time that day. 

“I’ve been thinking about what you said,” You cleared your throat softly before looking back up at him. His eyes widened when he finally realized what conversation you were alluding to. You were struck all at once by how beautiful he was. All honey gold. “And I agree with you. I mean. . . We have Penny, and this has all been really hard on her. Knowing that you’re in L.A and not home with us has really been taking a toll. I think. . .” Was he really going to make you say it? Maybe all you two had really needed was a break. Because it had only taken you a single month to regret the hasty decision, but your pride had gotten the better of you for the remaining four. Austin never made it hard on you though. He never begged you to take him back, but he had cried to you. At least once a month. As if to remind you that he wasn’t done. As if to remind you that he was still just as in love with you as he had been when the two of you had gotten married. You might have left, but he never had. 

“You think…?” Austin breathed, sucking his bottom lip into his mouth so that he could worry at the soft skin. The sun was beginning to set, the string lights and lanterns that you and your loving husband had hung up just two years ago twinkling to life above you. 

You huffed out a nervous laugh, shaking your head in disbelief before tossing the drink into the trash bin beside you. “I think that I rushed into my decision. It was a permanent fix for a temporary situation, and I want to try again. Us, I mean. . . a family. I never stopped loving you, I just stopped feeling heard after a while. You disappeared on me and I-” Austin must have heard all that he needed to. He was quick to pull you into a tight hug, wet shirt and all. 

He was so tall and warm. And he was home. Your home. 

The blue eyed man didn’t ask for permission before kissing you. He was eager, wanting to make up for the lost months that he hadn’t been able to show you all of the physical affection that he so desperately wanted to. 

He didn’t need to though. He knew that you wanted it too by the way that you clung to him, your hands shaking at the realization that all of your problems might have just been solved. He cupped your cheeks in his palms, lazily moving his lips against yours. Like he had suddenly just been given all of the time in the world. 

“Penny? Your mommy and daddy are kissing.” 

“Really? Wait! Does this mean daddy’s gonna have a sleepover with us?”  

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[duhragonball]

It's my birthday today, and the local grocery store was thoughtful enough to stock the Dragon Ball Z Reese's Puffs, so I'm gonna try it out. Join me, won't you?

I still can't believe this is real. I mean, Reese's Puffa is kind of surreal enough as it is. It sounds like some satirical brand meant to poke fun at sugary kids' cereals. The box says "Made with REAL REESE'S Peanut Butter", the same way a fruit-flavored beverage will claim to contain genuine fruit.

The bowl on the box art is a Reese's cup, so it basically depicts candy being served in more candy. I'm old enough to remember when they would photograph cereal as "part of a complete breakfast", and there'd be grapefruits and toast and maybe a hard boiled egg. Basically they were admitting that the cereal was so unhealthy that you needed to eat three or four other breakfasts to make up for it. I just liked the photos because they were so picturesque. Ah, to have unlimited free time to prepare a leisurely 4-course breakfast while reading the paper. I just assumed everyone else was having toast with their cereal except my family, but yeah, it never really made any sense.

I haven't even gotten to Goku yet, but first I want to talk about his spoon. I don't think we see him holding a spoon very often. He's usually a chopsticks kind of guy, or he'll just use his bare hands or even dunk his head into the bowl. It kind of looks like a ladle when he holds it like that, which implies he cooked this bowl of candy soup all by himself, and he's showing it off like a proud chef. This spoon kicks ass, is what I'm trying to say.

But the real reason I bought this is because of that orange hillbilly who needs no introduction. I wasn't even looking for Reese's Puffs. It was the furthest thing from my mind. No, I was stocking up on the old-man cereal I require to survive, when I just saw him staring at me, with his friendly-yet-confident smile. Goku's not pressuring you to buy the cereal. He's sure you'll enjoy it, but it's okay if you want to take a pass. He'll just enjoy all this peanut butter chocolate goodness all by himself. Goku is truly the ideal spokesman. How can you say no to this lovable hunk?

I'm kind of out of touch when it comes to cereal marketing, but I'm pretty sure this sort of cross-promotion is a rarity. Like, they once put WWE wrestlers on Wheaties or something, but usually if the cereal companies want a cartoon on the box they'll just make their own character. Or if the cartoon people want to put their guy in the cereal aisle, they'll just commission a whole new cereal just for that brand. C-3PO had his own cereal for a while. It was pretty good!

What I'm saying is that it's kind of unusual to see a popular character like this on a cereal box. The only exception I can come up with is Fred Flintstone on Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles, but I always assumed that those were specifically "Flintstones Cereal".

Other than that, yeah, I can't think of any other examples of cartoon characters appearing on unaffiliated cereal boxes like this. Well, I drew my DBZ OC on a box of All-Bran today, but I don't think that counts.

"MY FIBER IS MAXIMUM, KAKAROT!"

I wondered what was up with the picture of Piccolo on the back of the box, and it turns out that he's one of seven different characters you can find on the back of the box. Collect them all! Aw man, that Cell one looks fucking sick! I don't know how they distributed these. Maybe they roll them out in waves and Piccolo's came first. Or maybe it's random and I might have found a Cell if I'd checked more boxes at the store. Well, Piccolo's pretty good. I guess.

All right, I just poured myself a bowl and Goku's cereal is gonna have to set course for Planet Oat. The dairy industry may not applaud my shopping choices, but I like oat milk because it doesn't spoil as quickly as cow milk, and it's got a nice oat-y flavor that compliments the cardboard taste of All-Bran.

I did not put Dawn liquid soap in my cereal. This time.

So what's the verdict here? Well, the first few bites were pretty tasty, and then I realized I was getting kind of sick of this as I made my way to the bottom of the bowl. The peanut butter flavor overwhelms everything. It has a very strong odor, so if you like Reese's peanut butter cups you can just sit this out in your room and savor the aroma. I barely registered any chocolate flavor at all. I mean, I believe they put it there, but the peanut butter is the whole story to this.

It's basically Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs from Calvin and Hobbes, only this is a special Peanut Butter variant they made. I never really appreciated the jokes about sugary cereals before. I grew up on Frosted Flakes and the like, but there were a certain class of cereals that my mom would just refuse to buy. My grandparents would have them, but I never really understood the difference between Frosted Flakes and Honey Smacks. As I got older, I ate less cereal in general, but that was mostly because I fell out of the habit of eating breakfast altogether.

But now I'm 47, and the only cereal I eat these days is bran topped with diced peaches and a couple of packets of artificial sweetener, so Reese's Puffs is way, way too sugary for my palate. It's not bad, but a little goes a long way for me.

When I was a kid, old people were always griping about all the stuff they couldn't eat anymore. I remember Isaac Asimov writing mournfully about how he couldn't have an Oreo cookie, which bummed me out because that was my favorite cookie back then, and it seemed that the fate of all humanity was to be denied the simple pleasure of enjoying them.

Now, I realize that a lot of the stuff that you liked as a kid just doesn't age up with you. Your tastes change, and you gain appreciations for new things that you wouldn't have appreciated before. That's not a bad thing. It's life. Things change, and you change along with them.

Well, you and I do, anyway. Not Goku, whose Saiyan biology keeps him looking exactly the same for sixty years so he can eat all the sweetened corn puffs he wants. But I don't envy him, is what I'm trying to say. I'm watching a wrestling show on PPV tonight, my mom took me to Cracker Barrel for lunch today, and I drew on a cereal box. I can't complain.

[spotsandsocks]

The Lost and The Found 🐺M 1/10 8.8k

Happiest of Birthdays to @monsterrae1 this fic is a gift to you my dear and I’m very sorry it got so long and out of hand! 😬

Chapter 1 is here and I’m going to update on Wednesdays.

To everyone whose been so supportive and enthusiastic 😬 Maybe you’ll read along or wait till the end but I hope you enjoy it. I have to say I’m quite pleased with it 😊

Thank you @ronordmann for the above cover perfect as usual 💕

Eddie steps out of the cab, closes his eyes and breathes in deeply. The sun is warm on his skin, the sounds and smells wrap around him and say home, safe, love.

He only opens his eyes when a beloved and familiar voice calls his name then within moments he’s wrapped in arms that are soft warm and surprisingly strong for a woman her size.

“Mi amor you’ve grown so much!” His abuela sucks in a breath of air another familiar sound and he grins to himself, knowing what will come next. “You’ll be taller than me soon!”

He knows that too and has mixed feelings about it, before very long he will be taller than her which will be cool obviously but mark a certain change in their relationship he’s not really ready for in ways he can’t quite articulate.

As suddenly as he was embraced the person he loves best in all the world holds him out at arms length and studies him closely, brown eyes wrinkling at the corners.

“So handsome” she taps her cheeks and he bestows a kiss in the required spot. Noting that he really is almost as tall as her now.

“Come, it’s time for lunch and then you can meet the new guests, we have three right now.”

Something sad flashes across her face and she looks at him with a thoughtful expression and says, almost to herself , “Maybe having someone younger around will help.”

She doesn’t elaborate and Eddie doesn’t ask, just follows his beloved abuelita towards the ranch he spends his summer holidays at each year. It’s without doubt the best part of his year. And this year, now he’s thirteen he’ll be allowed to run on his own for the first time. Not that he doesn’t enjoy running with the pack but it’ll be fun to have a little more freedom.

Walking into the old ranch style kitchen Eddie feels more at home than he does at home. At the kitchen table there’s a man in a suit, not old, not young, tall and thin. Dark eyes made darker by the shadows beneath them.

He looks tired. He must be one of the new ones then. They always look tired at first. Eddie smiles at him and gets a brighter smile than he was expecting in return.

His Abuela would have explained who he was very clearly to her guest.

Behind him he recognises an older woman who was here last summer too, she must have decided to stay on. He understands why, he’d stay too if he could.

His Aunt Pepa will be somewhere, the cousins too. He’s excited to see them again.

Out of the corner of his eye someone else walks into the kitchen and slumps into a chair at the table, head going down almost immediately. Judging by the brief look he got she’s probably still in high school, well probably not any more if she’s here. Her hair is dyed blue and green, cut short and there’s a tattoo of a flower and moon visible on her neck. He wonders if she got that before or after. There are two more he can’t work out on the folded arms she’s resting her head on.

That’s guest number two then, his Abuela said three new ones. He wonders where the third guest is. He’s been here with as many as six newbies before but not often.

Abuela is fussing around the table. Putting food on plates. Guests eat first and family later but as he’s only just arrived he’ll be allowed to join here too.

He sits down, reaches for a plate and starts to pile it up.

Abuela sits down and the girl sits up, the man straightens, everyone’s eyes on the small but most important person at the table.

She takes a bite and then everyone else starts to eat.

He wonders where the last guest is, they don’t usually eat separately. It’s one of Abuela’s rules for the house guests. The others, the ones that live or stay in the cabins scattered across the property will drop in and out as they please but everyone is invited to family dinner each month on the Sunday before the full moon.

Making a mental note to ask about the missing guest later Eddie takes his first, long anticipated bite of his grandmother's home cooking and relaxes with a sigh. It’s perfect, just as he remembers.

As the food disappears the mood at the table lightens and Eddie finds out a little more about the guests. Their names, what they like to do best at the ranch and their favourites of Abuela’s meals.

He doesn’t ask how it happened to them. That’s just rude, but he wonders anyway. He always wonders. Sometimes they share the story with him, more often they don’t.

He can’t imagine what it must be like for them, the life he’s grown up with, the gifts that run in his blood and are very welcomed, feel totally normal to him. To have the same life suddenly thrust upon them must be, well Eddie doesn’t think he has the right words for it. He’s thirteen now and for the first time he thinks he understands the trauma around that in a way he hasn’t ever considered before.

To be bitten, not born. He shudders, just a little. How do the people his Abuela helps here, those she protects and guides while they adjust to it all manage.

He can’t imagine but he’s glad it isn’t him, he’s glad he was born wolf. Eddie’s proud to be part of a family pack and he doesn’t want it any other way.

[cyber-corp]

2023: The year of all time

This felt like the first year post-COVID where things really kicked into high gear for me personally. My new year's resolution was that I would go out and have fun for once.

And had fun I did.

I did some voicework reading for a story podcast, I went to a bunch of amazing concerts (nothing beats seeing Weird Al for my birthday!), and I sorted out a bunch of RL stuff and put a neat little bow on it. Thank goodness.

But fuck all that sappy shit: Here's a small collection of things I really enjoyed this year!

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: An excellent sequel to a seemingly unfollow-uppable first film. Takes everything from ITSV, and amps it up to twenty with a stunning visual style, a sonically fitting soundtrack, and a meta-commentary on the nature of Spider-Man's character and whether they really deserve all the tragedy thrown at them.

Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe: The guys who made Pud did another show, this time with funding from the Australian Government! While stripped back in its setting, they continue to provide the same stupid bullshit that put me into laughing fits as they did with their Netflix show. Haven't they done well.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: I think when people heard about "An animated Scott Pilgrim show with the live-action cast and Edgar Wright producing", they did not expect "A proper dissection of Ramona Flowers' character and her motivations, as well as her own journey of forgiving the Evil Exes. Also lots of yaoi." Scott Pilgrim continues to dominate as the premier "guy learns not to be a shithead" franchise.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Live in Accor Stadium: The Peppers prove their pertained power as performers by playing the purest psalms in their prospectus from the past 35 years (eugh, what a mouthful). Flea came out, did a 30-second handstand, waved and said hello to the moon and then got up some people littering in the crowd. Their life is more than just a read-through.

Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want to Turn Into You: I had absolutely no clue who Caroline was before I listened to this album. I now realise that she might just be the person that pop needs right now. A soaring collection of songs destined to become classics down the line, like a greatest hits compilation that doesn't exist. We're all on Caroline's island, and we ain't leaving.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk: I kept my eye on this game as it was developing, and it was absolutely worth it to see it come through in the end. Satisfying gameplay that requires you to learn how to combo to progress, an addicting artstyle inspired by Y2K, and the soundtrack. Holy fuck the soundtrack. I just can't get enuf.

Weird Al Yankovic - TUROTRSIIIVT: Man, what a title. Emu Phillips come out swinging with jokes I did not expect, and then Weird Al comes out aggressively swinging, with all the songs you don't know him for. He then did a polka melody of his parodies, did a ritual halfway through, and then ended the concert on a high note. Only the best from Strange Alfred.

Doctor Who 2023 Specials: That bastard David Tennant returning led me down the rabbit hole known as watching Doctor Who, and did it ever pay off more than these specials. A trans woman saves the day and the Doctor realises he's bi, black, and needs therapy. A magnificent close on a chapter of one of the greatest sci-fis ever, and a bright step into the future.

The Hyperfixation of the Year award goes to none other than

Homestuck, everyone's favourite webcomic! Everyone's.

And I think that's partly because I joined this website to begin with. I probably say this all the time, but leaving Reddit was probably the best decision I could have made at that time. As much as I reminisce, the communities I was in began to get a little stale. Same jokes, same shitposts, a different day. Tumblr in some strange way, is not that. It feels less like a big communal website and more like a collection of small towns spread across a large spot of land. Calm and village-like, you know?

So to all my mutuals, my followers, to the people that liked and reboggled my stinky posts, to all that offered mealworms and crickets in my askbox, thank you. "Gecko Boy" might just be a silly lil joke in the grand scheme of things, but it's a fun joke to play into.

Whatever comes next year, I know I've got the energy to keep going. Have a good 2024 everybody. <3

[cj-emhoff]

full name — CJ Emhoff

faceclaim — Leo Woodall

gender & pronouns — Male, He/Him

sexuality — Bisexual

age & birthday —  27 & August 10th, 1997

Zodiac — Leo ☼ , Cancer ☾, Aquarius ↑

occupation — Surf Instructor for Neptune Surf & Co.

hometown — Asbury Park, NJ

living — Asbury Bay

~Biographical Stuff~

CJ "Christopher John" was born in Asbury Park — a home birth as it was, Nina Emhoff always wanting a water birth - having seen Pamela Anderson at the time had had two by then, just once she wanted that experience. Scott Emhoff though; absent. Another world market crash, gain, brokerage deal, late nights with the clients in NYC, who really knew.

That alllmost setting the tone for life ahead - Nina, founder and CEO of New Emerald Health & Life. With wellness retreats spanning the East Coast, breaking into the South American market currently where Nina lives with her new life partner in Mexico City. Scott - Finance bro. Through and through (Watch Industry? He is Eric) on his third wife, spends the majority of his time in the office and his loft in New York City when he's not entertaining clients.

CJ has two younger sisters — one just graduated college, one in high school currently. (May make one a WC so will keep the background vague) He's pretty close to both.

CJ was a star athlete, nabbing a soccer scholarship (though he definitely didn't need it) to UConn. Rushed & joined Alpha Sigma Phi Frat, all was looking good.

During winter break his Sophomore year back in Asbury, CJ was out partying with old friends and stupidly got behind the wheel. Driving the windy coastal road from Long Branch there was an accident. Both drivers were intoxicated and only one survived. CJ walked away with his life and a broken leg, broken collar bone and ribs.

a fairly big legal battle ensued, but as it goes, CJ comes from money. The accident with the potential to garner more attention, was kept at bay to his parents contacts. A judge in the family finagaling a light sentence— (keeping the victim and family vague for potential WC) CJ walking away with six months house arrest and probation, and 300 hours of community service.

Dropping out of UConn, CJ was housebound.

Rehab, court requirements, time passed slowly then really quick. Life happened, moved on. Not without plenty guilt, and a mini stint in a facility when painkillers were too good.

CJ moved out to the pool house that became his future and current residence to this day.

Eventually, his parents divorced, he got a new stepmom who lives in the main house permanently with his youngest sister.

Once the knee was rehabbed he picked up a job at Neptunes Surf & Co. to teach tourists and the milf's of Asbury's children how to surf. While his knee never will be 100%, he's gotten very comfortable in his current situation. He loves surfing, the ocean, his pool house. ~Random Stuff~

He has an accent, a "Jersey accent" not super thick but noticeable to outsiders.

Discovered he's outdoorsy-lite. When he couldn't surf he was introduced to camping - not a man of the woods per say lol but he enjoys acting like it.

hugely into older women - a bit of a milf slut.

has his therapist on speed dial ever since the accident, and does still abuse prescription pain relievers from time to time. (a lot of the time)

May have a budding tattoo addiction - anything to not think right? ~Possible Connections~

childhood/high school friends/enemies - born and raised, dynamics of all kinds welcome.

UConn/Greek life connections - never know

Rehab stint folks - always fun, CJ went once, didn't take it very seriously at all.

family of the man that died in the car accident - just. yes. please.

exes/hookups/messes - always love that kind of mess pls

and really anything else we can conjure up, truly down for most anything. On dash chem is my favorite and just love winging it too! I’ll fill this all out more as time goes on for sure!

[writingsoftarnishedsilver]

Through Her Eyes | Sebastian Sallow x OC #8

seb is really out here ruining all my fluff with angst

Summary: In a Halloween-themed celebration for Sebastian's birthday, his friends, led by Evangeline, prepare a surprise party in the Room of Requirement. Despite the fun and warmth of the night, Sebastian’s unspoken feelings for Evangeline become complicated by jealousy over her relationship with Lysander.

Words: 6,931

Tags: Halloween Birthday Party, Spin The Bottle, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Memory Vial, Pensieve Gift, Friends To Lovers, Slow Burn, Bittersweets, Longing, Jealousy, Unspoken Feelings, Love Triangle

Read more stories about Sebastian and Evangeline

The Room of Requirement hummed with excitement, alive with floating jack-o'-lanterns, enchanted pumpkins with toothy grins, and flickering candles casting ghostly shadows along the walls draped in cobwebs. Evangeline adjusted a crooked pumpkin on one of the tables, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she watched her friends milling about, preparing the final touches for the party. She glanced over at Ominis, who was busy fiddling with the floating candles, their dim lights casting a warm glow over his determined face.

The rest of their friends were scattered across the room, each in a creative costume and contributing to the spooky setup in their own way. Garreth was dressed as a dashing pirate, eye patch included, and had filled the punch bowl with one of his experimental potions that emitted a faint mist and sparkled with swirling colors. Leander, meanwhile, had chosen to be a muggle detective, complete with a comically oversized magnifying glass, which he was using to inspect the decorations with an exaggerated air of seriousness, much to everyone’s amusement.

“Do you think Sebastian’ll actually wear a costume?” Evangeline asked, hiding a smile as she adjusted the black lace mask over her eyes.

Ominis smirked, a glint of amusement flickering across his usually calm face. "Oh, he’ll wear one. I told him it was mandatory."

Natty and Cressida were at one of the tables near the door, arranging an array of snacks, each enchanted with small charms that made the treats wobble, glow, or emit faint, amusing noises. Natty, dressed as a lioness, was laughing at the enchanted pastries every time they tried to escape their plate, while Cressida, dressed in a shimmering fairy costume with wings that twitched every so often, laughed at the display.

“Honestly, this might be one of our best setups yet,” Imelda commented from her perch on a table, where she was setting up a bowl of sweets to jinx anyone who tried to take too many. Dressed as a vampire, with fangs glinting in the candlelight, she looked at the enchanted treats with an almost predatory gleam in her eyes.

Nearby, Violet, decked out in full ghostly attire with shimmering gauzy fabric flowing around her, adjusted the lighting charms to dim the corners of the room, making the jack-o'-lanterns’ grins appear even more sinister. “I think it’s wonderful that we’re doing this for him,” she murmured, her gaze softening as she glanced around the room. “Knowing Sebastian, he’ll probably act all nonchalant, but I think he’ll appreciate it.”

As the final touches came together, Evangeline took a step back to take in the scene. Floating candles cast a dim, warm light over her friends, all of whom were now gathered around, beaming and admiring their hard work. Everyone was dressed in full costume, looking both ridiculous and wonderful, the festive energy filling the room with an almost tangible warmth.

"Alright, places, everyone!" Poppy, dressed as a mischievous goblin, announced as she positioned herself near the door. "He’ll be here any moment, thanks to Ominis’ perfectly vague instructions.”

Evangeline tugged at the edges of her costume as she joined her friends, smoothing the fabric as her eyes darted toward the door. She couldn’t shake the slight twist of nerves in her chest, knowing this surprise might stir up bittersweet memories for Sebastian. The party was as much for him as it was for her friends, who had all wanted to show him a night filled with warmth and laughter instead of the quiet sadness he usually wore on his birthday.

A few muffled footsteps echoed from the hallway, and the group held their breath, still as statues as the doorknob turned. A moment later, the door swung open, and there stood Sebastian, his brow furrowed, eyes narrowing as he took in the dark, glowing room. He was dressed in a sly-looking devil costume, complete with dark horns and a grin that looked both amused and curious.

“SURPRISE!” the entire group yelled, bursting into applause and cheers as Sebastian froze in the doorway, clearly stunned. His smirk faltered, surprise flickering over his face as he looked at the assembled group, each one grinning back at him from behind ridiculous masks, wings, and cloaks.

“Alright,” he finally said, a genuine smile breaking through his surprise, “I did not see that coming.”

“Good, because it’s nearly impossible to surprise you,” Evangeline laughed, stepping forward to meet him. “Welcome to your Halloween birthday bash!”

Sebastian looked at her, his expression softening before he scanned the room, taking in the decorations—the enchanted pumpkins and cobwebs glimmering, the punch bowl swirling with mist, and the assortment of sweets and cakes practically alive with charms. The flicker of sadness that usually haunted his gaze on his birthday seemed to fade just slightly, replaced by a look of warmth.

“It’s brilliant,” he murmured, “Thank you, all of you.”

In no time, the party slipped into an excitable rhythm, laughter and music filling the air as their friends drifted from one group to another, each corner of the room brimming with life. Sebastian was pulled into a dance with Imelda, who twirled him around with surprising strength, making everyone cheer. Natty and Cressida performed a duet of exaggerated ghostly wails that had the room in stitches, while Garreth enchanted the punch to glow a haunting green, daring everyone to taste it.

In an instant, the enchanted punch was a hit, with misty tendrils swirling in the air above their cups, and each sip left them feeling light and a little bolder. Sebastian, typically reserved on his birthday, found himself laughing and enjoying the evening, the usual melancholy of the day replaced by the warmth and energy of his friends.

Evangeline watched as he moved through the room, bantering with Garreth over the potion he’d put in the punch, teasing Natty about her lioness costume, and even joining Poppy in a playful dance when she grabbed his hand and spun him around. The sight warmed her heart, and she couldn’t help but smile, knowing he was able to lose himself in the moment. Tonight, he looked truly carefree, the weight he usually carried absent, if only for a while.

As the night wore on and the drinks flowed freely, Leander clinked his cup for attention, an impish grin spreading across his face. “Alright, alright! I’ve got an idea to make this night even more… interesting,” he announced, holding up a bottle he’d procured from Garreth’s stash. “Let’s play spin the bottle!”

A wave of laughter, gasps, and protests erupted. Some of the group exchanged looks, while others leaned forward with immediate interest.

“Oh, Merlin, this again?” Sebastian scoffed, crossing his arms with a dubious look. He glanced around the circle, his gaze briefly catching Evangeline’s before he quickly looked away, his expression guarded.

Garreth raised an eyebrow, egging him on. “What, Sallow? You scared?”

Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Please, I’m not scared. Just seems like a ridiculous game,” he muttered, though his arms remained firmly crossed, a hint of tension in his stance.

Evangeline shifted nervously beside her friends, who were all stifling knowing smiles. Natty nudged her with an encouraging grin, whispering, “Come on, Evie, it’s just a game.”

Evangeline forced a smile, her heart racing as she considered it. Her friends, especially Ominis, were well aware of her feelings for Sebastian, and she knew they’d be watching closely. She stole a quick glance at Sebastian, who was still resisting, though his eyes held a flicker of something… apprehensive. The thought made her pulse quicken.

She took a deep breath, fingers nervously twisting at the hem of her sleeve. This was supposed to be fun, and everyone else seemed unfazed. But her mind was racing. If she ended up having to kiss Sebastian—her heart leaped at the thought—and yet, the idea terrified her just as much as it thrilled her. She knew her friends would be watching, waiting for the moment they all knew she secretly hoped for.

“Oh, come on, it’s just a bit of fun!” Garreth grinned mischievously, giving Sebastian a look. “It’s nearly Halloween, it’s your birthday—don’t be a coward.”

Leander smirked, holding the bottle out with an air of challenge. “You can sit this out, Sallow, but everyone else is joining in.”

Sebastian hesitated, his expression wavering between annoyance and something that looked suspiciously like fear. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he dropped down into the forming circle, muttering, “Fine."

Evangeline’s heart stuttered as she found herself joining the circle too, each movement filled with anticipation. Her friends exchanged knowing glances, barely able to contain their excitement. Ominis sat quietly, though she knew he was well aware of her nerves, and his faint smirk told her he’d likely enjoy watching this play out.

Garreth reached out and the bottle whirled around the circle, gleaming as it caught the candlelight, and Evangeline held her breath, hoping she wouldn’t end up on the spot too soon.

Eventually, it slowed to a stop, pointing at Violet. Laughter erupted as Garreth, dressed in his pirate costume, exaggerated a swooning look, clutching his chest dramatically before leaning over to plant a peck on Violet’s lips. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. “Such charm, Weasley,” she teased, pushing him back with a playful shove.

Next, Natty’s turn came, and the bottle pointed at Amit, who fidgeted nervously, adjusting his glasses as Natty gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Amit,” she said with a soft laugh, leaning in to give him a quick, friendly kiss. Amit turned a shade of red that matched Garreth’s pirate bandana, prompting a round of applause and good-natured teasing from the circle.

When Imelda spun, the bottle landed on Leander, who gave a confident smirk. Imelda rolled her eyes but leaned in, placing a quick peck on his lips. “Don’t let it go to your head, Prewett,” she muttered, and Leander grinned as if he’d just won a Quidditch match.

Cressida’s spin landed her with Poppy, and they both burst into laughter, leaning in for a quick, exaggerated kiss that left everyone whistling and hollering in excitement.

Evangeline’s nerves grew with each spin, a mix of excitement and anxiety churning in her stomach. She tried to stay calm, laughing along with her friends, but every time the bottle inched close to her, her heart raced faster.

Ominis reached for the bottle, giving it a casual flick with his wrist. The bottle spun around, glinting in the dim light as it slowed and finally landed on Adelaide. Evangeline noticed a brief flicker of hesitation in Ominis’s expression—so subtle that most would have missed it. But she saw it, the barely perceptible tightening of his jaw, the slight shift in his posture.

Still, he leaned in, his expression calm, and gave Adelaide a quick, polite kiss. Adelaide blushed, looking both surprised and pleased, while Ominis leaned back with a slight smile, though Evangeline could tell his heart wasn’t in it.

Her heart gave a strange, empathetic pang, recognizing that Ominis, too, had someone on his mind. And from Evie could tell, it wasn't Adelaide.

Finally, it was Sebastian’s turn, and Evangeline could sense Ominis casting her a knowing glance, his lips twitching with a barely concealed smirk. Her heart raced, and she barely registered the chatter around her as Sebastian reached for the bottle with an exaggerated, reluctant sigh.

“Oh, go on, Sallow,” Garreth teased, elbowing him. “Don’t look so grim."

Sebastian huffed, shooting Garreth a mock glare, but Evangeline didn’t miss the way his hand hesitated for just a split second before spinning the bottle. He gave it a flick, and they all watched as it whirled around, catching flickers of candlelight in the dim room, casting fleeting sparks across the faces gathered around the circle.

The bottle slowed, its pace dwindling as it spun closer and closer toward her. Evangeline felt every inch of its rotation like the beat of a drum in her chest, each flicker of candlelight off the glass holding her captive. And then, finally, it landed on her. The air seemed to vanish from the room as a hush fell over the circle, and her heart leapt—this could be it.

She was in love with him, and had been for over a year. She’d spent countless nights dreaming about this moment, the moment he might look at her and truly see her, might kiss her and let his walls down. And now, here it was, all because of a silly, ridiculous game that might change everything. Her pulse quickened, her breath hitching in anticipation as she met his familiar gaze, heart pounding with a mixture of excitement, fear, and desperate hope.

The room seemed to hum with energy, her friends holding their breaths as they watched the two of them, expressions full of unspoken excitement. She could feel the collective thrill and anticipation around them, her friends barely containing their glee that, at long last, something might happen.

But when she looked at Sebastian, her heart sank. He looked… taken aback. The usual mischief was gone from his eyes, replaced with an almost startled expression, his lips pressed together in a thin line. A flicker of something like hesitation crossed his face, and he glanced around the circle as if searching for an escape. She felt her heart drop, the warmth in her chest replaced by a sudden chill. He didn’t want this, she realized with a painful certainty.

He didn’t want to kiss her.

Her cheeks warmed as he leaned in, but she knew, deep down, this wasn’t going to be what she had imagined. He was close enough now that she could smell the faint hint of spice and autumn leaves that clung to him after a day spent outside. Her eyes fluttered shut, steeling herself for the feel of his lips, bracing for the kiss she had longed for. Just once. Just one kiss.

But as his breath ghosted over her skin, he shifted at the last second, pressing a soft, polite kiss to her cheek instead. His hand rested briefly on her shoulder, but it was a gesture so fleeting it might have never been there at all. He pulled back just as quickly, and her heart clenched painfully, the moment slipping away like sand through her fingers. The warmth she’d hoped for, the magic she’d dreamed of… it wasn’t there.

Around them, her friends exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions a mixture of confusion and pity as they watched Sebastian pull away, his face a mask of casual indifference. No one said a word, but the silence spoke volumes. The unspoken rules of the game had been broken, and everyone knew it. She swallowed the ache, her forced smile trembling at the edges as she tried to mask the disappointment that pooled in her chest like ice.

Sebastian gave an awkward chuckle, shrugging it off as if nothing had happened while the group of friends glanced at each other again, their confusion thick in the air, but the game went on, the bottle spinning to the next person.

Evangeline barely registered it, the lighthearted chatter and laughter around her fading into a distant hum. Her heart felt heavy, hollowed out, as though something precious had been taken and she hadn’t been quick enough to hold onto it. Across the circle, Ominis caught her gaze, his expression soft with sympathy, and she could see in his eyes that he knew exactly how she felt. He gave her a slight, understanding nod, his silent presence a small comfort amid the ache.

The night continued on—the Room of Requirement filled with laughing faces, swirling lights, and the vibrant music. But Sebastian couldn’t focus. His mind kept looping back to that moment, that one breathless second when the bottle had landed on her. Evangeline. The warmth of her cheeks, the way her eyes had softened as she looked at him. And he’d ruined it. He’d wanted to kiss her, Merlin, he’d wanted to.

The moment the bottle landed on her, his heart had skipped a beat, a reckless thrill racing through him at the thought. He’d barely let himself hope he’d have a moment like that with her, and now, having had it, he couldn’t believe he’d let it slip away. But as much as he wanted it—wanted her—he’d held back.

Because if he kissed her, he feared he’d never be able to go back to the way things were. He’d be left with nothing but the hollow ache of knowing what it felt like to hold her, to taste the possibility that had lingered between them for so long. And a kiss in a game, under the teasing gazes of their friends, wasn’t how he wanted it. Not for her, and not for himself.

As the party drifted into late evening and Garreth’s punch had made more than a few rounds, Sebastian felt the effects, his usual defenses slipping with each drink. He found himself withdrawing from the noise, letting the crowd drift past him as he walked toward a quiet alcove. The dim light from the enchanted candles flickered across the room, and he stood alone, looking out over the scene, the bittersweet mix of celebration and longing simmering within him.

He barely noticed her approach until she was beside him, her soft steps barely audible over the distant laughter. “Sebastian,” she said quietly, her voice like a balm, both soothing and unsettling. She leaned against the stone wall beside him, her gaze following his out over the crowd.

For a while, neither of them spoke, and he wondered what she might be thinking about as they stood there together, cloaked in the soft glow of the enchanted candles. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, taking in the familiar lines of her face, the way her hazel gaze softened as she watched their friends laughing and dancing in the distance. Did she feel the same pull—the same magnetic tension that he struggled against every time they were together? He wondered if maybe a part of her had wanted him to kiss her just as much as he had. The thought both thrilled and terrified him.

Evangeline eventually spoke, her expression both pensive and slightly wistful. “Having fun?"

Sebastian let out a quiet laugh, one that felt forced. “Yeah,” he replied, his gaze drifting over the crowd of their friends, their laughter and movement casting shadows against the flickering candlelight. “It’s… better than I expected, actually.” He turned to her, searching her face. “What about you?”

She gave him a small smile, though there was something guarded in her eyes. “It’s been lovely. It means a lot, you know… to see you happy.” Her gaze softened as she looked at him, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw something there—something that mirrored the turmoil inside him.

The words nearly caught in his throat, but he forced them out anyway, trying to sound casual. “Well, thanks to you and Ominis, I suppose,” he said, his voice quieter. “You two really went all out.”

Evangeline looked down, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You deserve it. I know birthdays haven’t been… easy for you since Anne got sick,” she said softly, her voice laced with understanding.

For a moment, Sebastian was at a loss for words. He wanted to reach out, to close the small space between them and tell her how much that meant to him, how much she meant to him. But instead, he only managed a soft, “Thank you.”

A comfortable silence fell between them as they watched the party from their secluded corner, a strange mix of longing and contentment settling over him. It was a rare, fragile moment—one that felt painfully perfect in its simplicity. He could almost forget the ache in his chest, the words he was too afraid to say.

After a moment, Evangeline’s voice broke the quiet. “Do you ever think about… what comes after all this? After Hogwarts?”

Sebastian’s gaze flickered over to her, surprised by the question. “Sometimes,” he admitted, leaning back against the wall. “It’s strange to think about life beyond these walls, isn’t it? There’s so much out there, but… I don’t know what it looks like without all of this. Without… us.”

Evangeline’s lips curved into a faint smile, her gaze drifting thoughtfully over the room. “Yeah,” she murmured, a wistfulness in her tone. “It’s hard to picture what comes next,” She paused, her fingers tracing patterns along the edge of her costume sleeve, as if searching for the right words. “Sometimes, I wonder if what we went through was supposed to give us answers. To help us figure out who we are… what we want.”

Sebastian studied her, his gaze softened with an empathy he rarely showed. “And did it?” he asked gently. “Give you those answers?”

She hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. “Not exactly.” Her voice grew softer. “Sometimes, I think about Professor Fig, the repository… everything we went through. It changed so much, and sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing, if not taking the power was the best choice.” She sighed, her voice barely above a whisper. “And what that choice says about me.”

Sebastian’s heart twisted, the weight of her uncertainty settling over him. He reached out, his hand brushing against her arm in a soft, reassuring touch. “Evie, you made the choice because it was right. Because you’re good.” His voice softened, each word laced with a quiet intensity. “Not many people would be able to choose what’s right over what’s… tempting.”

Her eyes met his, filled with an almost vulnerable openness. “I thought it would make things easier, knowing I’d done the right thing. But it’s just…” She let out a soft sigh, her gaze shifting as she struggled to put her feelings into words. "I worry about what might happen when I'm not here anymore. Not near Hogwarts to protect it. To keep it safe, I suppose.”

Sebastian’s heart tightened, and he moved his hand from her arm to gently clasp her hand, grounding her with his touch. “Evie, listen to me,” he said, his voice steady. “You did everything you could. More than anyone else could have. And Hogwarts… it’ll stand because of you. You’re leaving it better than it was.” He paused, searching her face, his own expression softening. “You’re leaving all of us better than we were.”

Evangeline’s eyes shone, her resolve wavering just slightly as she absorbed his words. “I hope so,” she murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

They stood there, her hand still in his, and for a brief moment, the world outside of this quiet corner fell away. He could feel her warmth, steadying him, grounding him in a way nothing else could. It was moments like these that reminded him why he held back earlier. How could he risk losing this—their closeness, this fragile understanding that neither of them dared to put into words?

Evangeline looked down at their entwined hands, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks. She bit her lip, "Follow me."

Sebastian’s heart raced as he followed Evangeline out of the Room of Requirement, the warmth of her hand lingering even after she let go. The castle corridors were shrouded in darkness, only faintly illuminated by the flickering light of torches as they passed.

It was well past curfew, but they slipped through the halls with ease, their countless nights of sneaking out together having made them experts in the art of silent movement through the castle’s winding corridors.

Sebastian could feel his pulse thrumming in his veins, his thoughts tangled with possibilities, as they finally reached the entrance to the Gryffindor common room.

When they stopped, Evangeline turned to him with a slight smile, her face illuminated by the faint glow of torchlight. “Wait here,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling with a mysterious warmth. Before he could say anything, she disappeared through the portrait hole, leaving him alone in the dim hallway.

Sebastian’s heart raced, and he shifted his weight, glancing around as he waited.

He was left alone with his thoughts, with the lingering warmth of her hand, and the sharp, unmistakable realization of just how much she meant to him.

After a few minutes, the portrait swung open again, and Evangeline emerged, holding two small packages in her hands. She paused, her gaze softening as she looked at him, and then she held out a simple, neatly wrapped parcel.

“This one’s from Anne,” she said gently, her voice laced with an understanding that only she could offer. “She sent it to me last week, asked me to hold onto it for you until today.”

Sebastian swallowed, the sight of the package stirring a bittersweet ache within him. He took it carefully, his fingers grazing hers as he did. “Thank you, Evie,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. He could feel the weight of Anne’s gift in his hands—a reminder of the family he missed, of the ties that had once been his whole world.

With reverence, Sebastian carefully pulled away the wrapping on Anne's gift, revealing a small, weathered pocket watch. His breath hitched, a wave of emotion striking him as he turned it over in his hands. It was his father’s—a family heirloom he'd thought lost long ago. The polished silver face was engraved with his father’s initials and the date he’d received it, his own birthday, from years before. The watch was slightly scuffed, well-loved, and just seeing it again brought back memories of his father winding it each morning, the ticking sound that had once been as familiar to him as his own heartbeat.

He ran his fingers over the engraving, his gaze fixed on the worn, intricate details, and a knot of both longing and gratitude tightened in his chest. "I… I can’t believe she found this." Sebastian murmured, "It... used to be my father's."

Evangeline’s eyes softened, "In her letter she said she thought it was time you had it,” she stepped closer, her hand resting lightly on his arm. “That it would mean something for you to carry a part of him with you.”

Sebastian’s grip on the watch tightened as he looked down at it, unable to speak for a moment. There was a bittersweet comfort in holding it, knowing that Anne had thought of him enough to pass it along despite everything that had happened. And then there was Evangeline, standing here, offering a quiet reassurance that felt as necessary as the gift itself.

Slowly, he tucked the watch into the inner pocket of his robe, close to his heart, and turned back to her. "Thank you for holding onto it for me. And for Anne."

Evangeline’s gaze held his, her lips curving into a gentle smile. “You don’t need to thank me."

He looked down, letting the moment wash over him before he turned his attention to the second package Evangeline held. It was slightly larger, wrapped with a bit more care, a delicate ribbon tied around it.

“And this one?” he asked quietly, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Evangeline smiled, her cheeks pink as she offered it to him. “This one’s from me. I… wanted to give it to you in a moment just between us.”

Sebastian took the package slowly, his heart pounding as he felt her words sink in. “Just between us,” he repeated softly, the warmth of her gaze settling over him.

Sebastian’s fingers traced the edge of her package, carefully untying the delicate ribbon and peeling back the wrapping. Inside, he found a small, elegant vial, its glass shimmering faintly with a hint of opalescent light. Within the vial swirled a silvery, ethereal substance—a memory. He stared at it, momentarily at a loss, glancing up at her with a questioning look.

Evangeline smiled, her eyes warm and a little shy. “It’s a memory,” she explained softly, her voice barely more than a murmur. “One we share. A moment I… wanted to make sure neither of us forget.”

The significance of the gift settled over him, his heart pounding as he held the vial with a reverence he hadn’t felt in a long time. “Evie,” he breathed, almost unable to process the sentiment, the meaning behind such a gift. “You… bottled a memory for me?”

Her blush deepened, and she gave a soft laugh, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I know it’s a bit sentimental,” she admitted, “but… it means a lot to me.” She cleared her throat, attempting a more casual tone. “And, of course, that’s not the entire gift. I… ordered a Pensieve to go with it. It should have arrived already, but it got delayed in the post.” She gave him an apologetic shrug. “I suppose I got a bit ahead of myself with the idea.”

A smile tugged at Sebastian’s lips as he absorbed her words, his heart swelling with something he couldn’t quite name. The gift—this memory, preserved so carefully for him—was like a piece of her, a part of her heart offered with trust he hadn’t known he’d been longing for.

“It’s perfect,” he murmured, his gaze steady and unguarded as he looked at her. “Really, Evie. I don’t know what to say.” He wanted to reach out, to pull her close and let her know just how much this gift meant, how much she meant to him. But instead, he only tightened his grip on the vial, feeling the smooth glass cool against his fingers, grounding him.

“What memory did you…” he hesitated, feeling suddenly vulnerable for even asking. “What memory did you choose?”

Evangeline’s smile softened, "If I told you, that'd ruin the surprise, Sebastian."

Sebastian swallowed her words, the mystery in her eyes drawing him deeper into a tangled knot of emotions he couldn’t shake. The vial in his hand felt fragile, precious, and he clung to it, heart swelling with a bittersweet ache. He’d never been given anything quite like this before—something so carefully thought out, a piece of her she’d chosen to share with him. And the knowledge that it would forever be theirs, just the two of them, made him feel both elated and painfully aware of the line he could never seem to cross.

They continued to talk in quiet tones, laughing softly at shared memories, his heart racing with each glance she gave him. But despite the warmth in her eyes, the easy familiarity between them, a darker thought began to creep in, unbidden and relentless. Tonight was special, yes, but it also served as a harsh reminder of the boundaries that lay between them. And when he saw her with Lysander—saw how comfortable, how uncomplicated it was—he felt that knot of jealousy tighten in his chest.

The memory of Lysander’s easy smile, the way Evangeline seemed to shine with confidence around him, flashed in Sebastian’s mind, and he couldn’t keep his thoughts from spiraling. He knew Lysander was everything he wasn’t—steady, dependable, someone who could offer her a life free of turmoil. And now, with her standing here, giving him a gift so intimate, so meaningful, he could barely stand the thought of sharing even a sliver of her attention with someone else.

Sebastian clenched his jaw, trying to keep his frustration in check, but the words slipped out before he could stop them. “I’m surprised Clearwater hasn't come looking for you; it's a Friday night afterall."

Evangeline chuckled awkwardly, "I mean, it's your birthday Sebastian. I told Lysander I would be unavailable."

Sebastian’s heart twisted at her words. The knowledge that she was here, that she’d chosen to spend his birthday with him, should have been enough to ease his insecurities, but the thought that Lysander had become such a natural part of her life, someone she felt the need to keep informed, burned under his skin, jealousy tightening in his chest despite himself.

He forced a smirk, trying to mask the turmoil inside. “How noble of him,” he muttered, “Allowing you to spend one night away from his constant attention.”

Evangeline’s smile faltered, the light in her eyes dimming as she looked at him, a hint of hurt flickering across her face. “Sebastian,” she said softly, her tone cautious, as if trying to gauge his mood. “You know it’s not like that. Lysander… he doesn’t expect me to choose between him and my friends.”

The words stung, hitting a raw nerve he hadn’t expected. “Well, isn’t he perfect?” he muttered, bitterness seeping through despite himself. “I’m glad he’s so understanding.”

Evangeline’s face fell, her brows knitting together as she searched his expression, clearly taken aback. “Why are you saying this?"

The question struck him, soft and pleading, pulling him back from the edge of his frustration. Her gaze held a flicker of confusion and hurt, and for a moment, he hated himself for ruining this—this quiet, intimate moment she’d created just for him. But he couldn't stop, the words spilling out before he could stop himself.

“Because it bothers me, Evie,” He raked a hand through his hair, glancing away from her, unable to meet her eyes. “It bothers me that you’re practically attached at the hip with Clearwater these days. That you’re not making time for us, for your friends.”

Even as he said it, Sebastian knew it wasn’t true—not entirely. She was still here, wasn’t she? She’d chosen to spend his birthday with him instead of Lysander, even bringing him a gift that had clearly taken thought and effort. But his jealousy demanded an outlet, and this excuse—this flimsy, ridiculous excuse—was the only shield he could throw up to protect himself from admitting the truth.

Evangeline blinked, her brow furrowing in confusion. “What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice soft but tinged with disbelief. “Sebastian, I see you all the time. Just because I’m with Lysander doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned anyone.”

He forced a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “Could’ve fooled me,” he muttered, his voice laced with a sarcasm that felt more like a defense mechanism than genuine anger. “Lately, it feels like he gets the best of you, and the rest of us just… get whatever’s left over.”

Her expression faltered, a flicker of hurt crossing her face. “That’s not fair,” she said quietly, stepping closer. “You know that’s not true. I’ve been trying to balance everything—”

“Balance?” he interrupted, the word tasting sour as he said it. He didn’t even know what he was arguing anymore, only that the knot in his chest kept tightening. “Sure, Evie. Balance. If that’s what you call it.”

She shook her head slowly, her voice soft but hurt. “So, what? You think I should just… what, stop seeing Lysander to make you feel better?"

The hurt in her voice cut through his anger, leaving him feeling hollow and ashamed, but he still couldn’t bring himself to say what he wanted, what he really felt. Instead, he looked away, his jaw tight, unwilling to let her see the vulnerability in his eyes.

Evangeline waited for a moment, as if hoping he might say something, anything, to take back his words. But when he didn’t, her shoulders slumped, and she nodded, resignation settling over her.

“Fine,” she whispered, the warmth in her voice replaced by a quiet sadness. “Goodnight, Sebastian.”

With that, she turned and walked back to the portrait hole, disappearing into the Gryffindor common room without looking back. ________________

It was about a week later when Sebastian received the pensieve Evie had sent him. The package arrived during breakfast in the Great Hall, owl-delivered with an unassuming brown wrapping and a simple note attached.

For your birthday, a bit late but I hope it’s worth the wait. - E

Sebastian’s heart tightened as he read her familiar handwriting, memories of his birthday flooding back—the warmth of her hand in his, the quiet comfort of their conversation before everything had fallen apart. He hadn’t spoken to her since, hadn’t been able to face the sadness in her eyes he’d caused, or the hurt he’d heard in her voice. He felt a sharp pang of regret now, staring at her note, knowing that the pensieve was meant as a way to share that memory she’d gifted him in the vial.

With a sigh, he gently opened the package, revealing a small, polished pensieve, its surface reflecting the candlelight in shimmering waves. It was beautiful—clearly chosen with care.

Sebastian barely registered the bustling hallways as he made his way back to the Slytherin common room, his heart pounding with anticipation. He knew he’d be late to class, but the thought of Evangeline’s memory, sitting here in his hands, waiting to be seen, pulled him forward like a magnet. The curiosity—the need to know what she’d chosen to preserve, to share with him—overpowered everything else.

He reached his dormitory, shut the door firmly behind him, and set the pensieve down on his bed, his hands trembling as he uncorked the vial. Pouring the shimmering, silvery substance into the basin, he watched as it swirled into shapes and patterns, inviting him in. He took a steadying breath, then leaned forward, dipping his face into the pensieve.

The world shifted, and in an instant, he was transported into her memory.

It was a bright, warm day by the Black Lake. He and Evangeline sat on the shore, their shoes discarded as they dangled their feet in the cool water, laughing as they skipped stones across the surface.

Sebastian remembered that day in fifth year—a rare, blissful afternoon when nothing weighed on them. No school, no worries about Anne, Ranrok, or the shadow of responsibilities; it had been just the two of them, lost in a world that felt entirely their own. The lake sparkled under the warm sunlight, glinting like scattered diamonds, while the gentle sound of the water met their laughter. And he could see it now, the way she had looked at him then, her gaze soft and steady, studying him as though she were trying to memorize every line of his face.

There was something in her eyes that made his heart clench—something vulnerable, hopeful, loving. Then she leaned her head against his shoulder, letting out a contented sigh as they watched the ripples on the lake, their breaths falling into an easy rhythm. He remembered the warmth of that moment, how he’d felt a sudden, unspoken understanding settle over them, like an invisible thread weaving their souls together.

As he watched on, Sebastian became acutely aware of details he hadn’t noticed back then, as if seeing himself through her eyes was revealing parts of himself he’d never fully understood. He caught faint whiffs of the breeze coming off the lake, and in the memory, he could smell his own familiar scent mingling with hers. The faintest hint of cedar and parchment, of some warmth he hadn't realized he always carried with him. The way she’d bottled this detail, even something so small and unnoticed, made him see how much she’d remembered him exactly as he was, how every part of him was imprinted in her mind.

When his fifth-year self shifted to toss a stone across the lake, Evangeline watched him with a soft, lingering gaze, her lips curving into the smallest, most secretive of smiles. He realized she must have looked at him like this a thousand times, a mixture of admiration and fondness in her eyes, a look he’d always missed.

The memory unfolded in soft, unspoken simplicity, each detail preserved like a quiet confession. Through her eyes, he saw himself—looking younger, his laughter unrestrained, his gaze lighter. He saw the trust between them, a bond so natural he’d barely questioned it at the time. He remembered his heart racing at her closeness, and now, with a bittersweet clarity, he realized they had shared a steady, quiet love that had been there all along, even back then.

As the memory began to fade, an ache settled deep in his chest. Evie hadn’t just preserved their day by the lake; she’d captured a piece of his soul that he hadn’t even realized he’d entrusted to her. In sharing this memory, she’d offered him a reminder of the closeness they’d shared, of the way they’d seen each other before everything had become so complicated. It was a moment he could return to, a way to feel how she saw him—how she’d treasured him, just as he was.

Read more stories about Sebastian and Evangeline

[iamcxlleigh]

𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐇 | 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒

𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ⨟ since you joined the team, you have felt as if you were part of a family, no matter how much time passes you will always consider the Bureau as your home and the team as your safe place, your family.

𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ⨟ no warning of any kind, just a little love and affection from the team for you. 🤍

𝐧/𝐚 ⨟ english is not my native language, an apology for any grammatical or spelling errors.

(the reader has a default name, I do not use y/n).

The elevator doors opened letting you cross the corridors of the building until you went through the glass doors that went directly to your work area, you had received a call from Hotch indicating that you should go quickly to the office, they required all of you at that moment.

In the middle of the night three days after your last case, it was really amazing how after dealing with one problem, another bigger one came along.

And to top it all off, on your birthday. Which hadn't turned out to be much fun, spending your first birthday since moving to Quantico alone, with no family or friends to see you.

You hadn't shown up to work today to finish up some things for your move and you told Hotch, even though it was the real reason, deep down you didn't feel like going anywhere, you received congratulations from your friends and family from a distance but none from your coworkers, it was a little disappointing.

Everything was dark except for a few lights and lamps on the desks, your desk was empty, while Reid's, Morgan's and Elle's still had papers and their suitcases nearby.

— Hello? — You called, but no one seemed to be around, just the empty noise of the air ducts.

It would already be eight months since you joined the FBI and joined the BAU, being a little younger than your colleague Spencer Reid, you managed to mesh more quickly with him and empathize a lot with JJ, then the trust became mutual with Elle, Morgan and Garcia, until finally gaining the acceptance and respect of Hotch and Gideon.

It was quite a process, but you fought to get to where you are and you were proud.

You went to Garcia's cave and upon entering you found the monitors turned off and no sign of her, you were going to peek into Hotch's office until he found you roaming the halls looking for everyone.

— Hotch, what are you-

— James, come on. It's urgent — Your superior interrupted you looking at you sternly, indicating with his hand the way back to your area, Hotchner seemed in a hurry and really serious.

— Yes, sir — You answered without wanting to waste any more time, you walked behind Hotch noticing that both his office and Gideon's had the lights off, surely this case came as a surprise.

He stepped forward and opened the door to the boardroom where the big round table was, he stood at the door leaving it open to let you in, the moment you did you opened your eyes with great surprise not knowing what to do.

— ¡Happy Birthday, Connie! — Garcia, JJ, Reid, Elle and Morgan spoke enthusiastically when they saw you, Penelope smiling ran to your side to hug you, and everyone present with a warm smile applauded you, well except for Gideon who looked on with a small smile in silence, as did Hotch.

You looked at a birthday cake on the table with white and pink cream with sparkles of all colors, with several candles, in the middle two candles with the number 23.

— Wow, guys — You hugged Penelope back with so much affection that you could melt her - It wasn't necessary, this is-.

— It was JJ's idea, she bought the candles — Derek said approaching you with the same birthday hat that Reid wore for his birthday, he put the hat on your head and put his arm around your shoulders and walked you into the living room.

— But Hotch was the first to remember your birthday — JJ laughed before giving you a warm hug when Morgan removed his arm.

— Garcia and Morgan had the plan of not calling you today to make you think we forgot — Aaron spoke walking beside you with a slight smile, you looked at your boss before laughing.

— Reid and I picked the cake — Next was Elle who pointed to herself and then to Spencer with a smile.

— Yes and thanks to Gideon we knew which one was the right one, he told us your favorite flavor — Spencer continued, you directed your gaze to Jason who was sitting in one of the chairs at the table, with a questioning look, you had never told any of them your favorite flavor.

— Chocolate — It was the only thing Jason said when he saw your look, you looked so surprised that everyone noticed it and laughed.

You forgot for a moment that you were working surrounded by expert profilers.

— Well! James has to blow out the candles for us to eat the cake — Morgan said, taking a lighter out of his pocket.

JJ lifted the cake in his hands as the candles were lit, Morgan put his arm around your shoulders as he whistled animatedly, Penelope and Reid stood on your left side and Elle at the other end surrounding you as they applauded.

Gideon got up from his seat and also took the detergent to approach you putting on his reading glasses, and Hotch still beside him with his little smile as he crossed his arms.

— Before I make my wish, I thank you very much for this, really — You spoke looking at all of them infinitely grateful, even your eyes got a little watery because of some tears that were showing.

— Don't cry honey, you have earned it. We all love you very much — Penelope spoke, feeling that she was getting sentimental too.

— Penelope is right, sweetheart — smiled Morgan, lowering her eyes a little to look at you.

— Now, make a wish, Connie — said JJ, holding the cake a little closer to you in his hands.

You looked at them all one last time, before closing your eyes and thinking very well about your wish, full of happiness.

You thought as you clasped your hands together on your chest. . .

— Did you make your wish? — JJ spoke, you nodded smiling before blowing out the candles, immediately you heard everyone's applause and some laughter.

As you opened your eyes you watched as JJ grabbed a knife he brought from home to start chopping up the all chocolate cake with some strawberries on top and the two birthday candles with your newly turned age on them.

Sitting at the big round table with some gifts for you on it, You smiled looking at them all who were also sitting at their stations, happy to celebrate the birthday with you.

— It remains to give you the gift from me, James — said Rossi, rising from his chair, quite anxious to give it to you.

— Oh Rossi, you didn't have to — You answered arranging your dark polo sweater, you laughed when you saw him leaving the room.

— You know how he is, he loves to give gifts and see the person's reaction — Luke laughed from his chair, you both laughed at his comment finding truth in his words.

— Come on! I think it's cute — Garcia said hitting Alvez's arm, he was standing behind the brunet with his phone taking pictures, the good light of the day helped a lot.

— Garcia, try to get them all right, 50 out of 100 pictures you take come out blurry — Said Emily going to JJ's side to help her distribute the pieces among you, everyone laughed at what Prentiss said.

She grabbed her gray hair in a ponytail and took two pieces for Luke and Penelope.

— Don't forget to save a piece for Tara, she's running late today — You told JJ wanting everyone to have a piece of your birthday cake.

— I'm not forgetting, Connie — The blonde affirmed, setting the piece aside for Lewis.

After several minutes, Rossi returned with a large box wrapped in wrapping paper and a red bow, you opened your mouth in surprise at such a gift.

— Wow Rossi, what is this? — You got up from your chair walking over to the white haired agent, David smiled giving you the gift.

— Find out for yourself — He was really looking forward to see your reaction, Garcia started recording with his phone while you put the box on the table and removed the wrapping paper.

As you removed some of the paper, you opened your eyes in disbelief as you laughed with excitement, you saw Rossi laugh as well, opening his arms to receive you in a hug, you hugged him tightly in gratitude.

— A LEGO? — JJ said blankly, crossing his arms.

— It's not just any LEGO, JJ. It's from Harry Potter — Garcia replied, mesmerized by your gift as she continued recording.

— From Hogwarts! — You said happily looking at the box, a LEGO set to build the great magical castle.

David knew how much you liked those books and movies, and also how much you loved puzzles and collectible figures, and he thought this would be a great gift.

— You have to invite me to build it — Alvez said, extending his hand to you for a high five.

— I will — You assured him, high-fiving him with determination, like the good friends you were.

— Let's take a picture! All together — Expressed Emily with her phone in her hand, inviting them all.

Prentiss smiled stretching her arm out to get everyone in the selfie, you were a few steps further back with JJ and Penelope hugging you with a smile with Rossi and Luke on either end, ready for the photo.

Truly be happy with one more birthday at BAU, graced to continue to give your all in your work and to be able to continue to save lives.

And every year, as you close your eyes as you make your wish surrounded by your team, you have always made the same wish without fail.

That this team that had become a family to you, always be healthy and happy, ready to meet new challenges together.

— 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 —

‹ 26. 04. 2023 ›

credits for : @iamcxlleigh

calleigh angelo ──── ‘lista maestra’

¡Nos vemos! 🗯️

[dodger-chan]

Okay one last self-indulgent birthday post because I think I need it today. Hopefully it brings others a bit of joy as well.

This one is probably the most self-indulgent because it is a crossover of two fandoms that I believe overlap in exactly one person, me. So for my birthday, please enjoy the first 500 or so words of a Bliss Like This story, as related by Bertie Wooster:

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We Woosters are not, as rule, cowards. When danger is at hand we do not run from it, but face it head on. As I write this, it has hardly been a week since I dined with my Aunt Agatha and told her in no uncertain terms that I would not be spending my weekend in the company of Honoria Glossop, despite her request. Such declarations of defiance require a stiff backbone, and I fancy somewhat more courage than is possessed by your average chap. So I was not, you understand, acting out of fear when I ducked behind a tapestry to hide in a small alcove.

“I’m not sure there’s room for both of us in here.” It was too dark behind the heavy tapestry to see my companion, but I did note her thick American accent. Our host, Georgie Emerson, had married an American heiress, so meeting a guest from across the pond was less surprising than doing so behind a wall hanging.

“My humblest apologies,” I whispered back. “But I’m afraid I can’t leave until someone else walks by.”

“Oh, well, if you’re hiding from someone, we’ll just have to make do. Who are you hiding from?” she asked.

“Honoria Glossop.”

Seeing her entering the parlor had been quite a shock. I’d have hoped Jeeves would have noticed that she was an invited guest and given me some warning that I might run into her, but I suppose even the best of us still make mistakes now and then.

“I’m not sure I’ve met her yet. Can you describe her to me? I could peek out and see if she’s gone.” Before I could either demure or provide a description, my new friend went on. “I’m not hiding from anyone specific myself; I just needed a break from the crowd. Not that I mind crowds all the time. Nightclubs are better with a large crowd. But these sorts of parties - there are so many rules and they’re so exhausting to follow. You know?”

I was once again spared the burden of replying, this time by a fine-looking young man pulling back the drapery, leaning against the wall, and saying, “You ready to join me again, Bobbie, or do I need to give you another twenty minutes?”

“Just ducky. I even made a friend,” my companion gestured to me. Her friend flashed me an easy smile and I realized I’d seen him somewhere before. “He’s hiding from a girl.”

“He would be,” the man said with a warm laugh. He obviously remembered meeting me as well. “It was Bertie, wasn’t it? We met in Paris, a few years back.”

With the location and date estimate I was able to fill in the gaps.

“Bertie Wooster, yes. It’s Harrington, isn’t it?”

“Steve,” he corrected. Americans have such odd nicknames. “Rob, this is Bertie Wooster. He’s fun, you’ll like him. Bertie, this is my wife, Robin.”

I confess to another shock. The circs I’d met Steve in were not the sort that would lead one to believe he had a wife.

“In Paris? But I was in Paris with you. Why didn’t you introduce us then?”

“You were at Le Monocle.” Oh, well that did explain things. Some things. “So who’s the girl you’re hiding from?”

“Honoria Glossop,” Robin chirped.

“Is she a tall, athletically built girl? Kind of intense? I think I met her.” There was an oddly wistful note in Steve’s voice. “If I weren’t a married man-”

“-you wouldn’t be able to introduce her to your wife,” Robin finished in a teasing tone. She winked at me. “I’m sure between the two of us we can keep Honoria’s attention off you for tonight at least.”