#and black and white striped socks were WAY out of style at that time

[delphiniumarchangelmoon]

Some of the highlights from my bsd recostuming planning notes:

Mori: those boots are somehow the worst crime you’ve committed what the fuck are those absolutely not you’re getting vampy lace ups

Elise: he spends how much money on you just for you to wear a bunch of shit that doesn’t match? Absolutely not. If you wore that it’ll you’d be publicly humiliated on all the fashion forums girl STRIPED SOCKS???? THIS CAME OUT IN 2016 GIRL YOU’DGET WRECKED honey no I’m giving you the gothic look you deserve.

(The curse of hyperfixating on alt fashion, I cannot help but be a pedantic bitch about designs meant to emulate a specific subculture and clearly did not have an ounce of research put in it makes my blood boil)

Give junichiro a personality (that’s literally my only note for him 💀)

Kunikida needs to be sluttier, you can’t be walking around in a 3 piece suit and dress shoes when you’re constantly ready to throw down AND your official bio says you hate authority. No suit jacket, sleeves rolled up + docs.

Why is everyone wearing a vest???? Like I love a good waistcoat but there’s so many

Bram you’re perfect, no notes

Nikolai you’re perfect, no notes

Kouyou and Kyouka you’re perfect, no notes

Chuuya CINCH IN THAT WAIST BBGRL

Ranpo: fantasy elf nepo baby detective

Poe: depressed fantasy vampire prince

Mushitaro: tbh I just need you to not get drowned out by the other two more than you already do. Make sure he holds his own?

[aliypop]

Anyway You Want Me: Chapter 2

(Rewrite)

Word Count: 3,531

Writers Note: I abandoned this fic, but I'm rewriting it now that I've expanded on Cecelia and Elvis, This is an au idea as stated last time! Well let us try this again

Warning: None so far except for language and historic language

Pairing: POC OC x Elvis

Plot: In 1953, in Memphis Tennessee, Cecelia and her mother Denise Valmos move to Shelby County as Her mother Calpurnia's Nashville home is going through renovations, but when asked to keep a low profile by her mother, Cecelia makes friends with the quirkiest, shy, yet charming kid in class, at least Friends is what she'd call them.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3

Taglist

@darkmoviesquotespizza

@sissylittlefeather

@richardslady121

@thegettingbyp2

@presleyenterprise

@sissylittlefeather

@dkayfixates

@rjmartin11

@thetaoofzoe

@your-nanas-house

@zayurir

@60svintage

@sillybookmarks

@leapresley

Memphis, Tennessee, Saturday, May 1953

"Is it three yet?" Cecelia asked as she was in her bedroom brushing out her curls and adding a small victory roll, adding a flower to the side for good luck. Sure, the look was out of style, but she still appreciated the timeless look, 

"It's 2:40," Denise shouted back as Cecelia grinned. She was finally going to be hanging out with someone, a cool someone, a shy someone, but it was someone she could talk to and share her everything with. Taking her keys from off her dresser, she was ready to go. 

"See you later, mother!"

"See you later, and be safe!" 

"I will!" Walking out the door, Cecelia passed her father, "Hi Daddy, bye Daddy..." Racing to her car, she got in and drove off, waving at the fans who were there for her parents. The life of being a child that no one exactly knew had any talents.  

"What's gotten into her?"

"A boyfriend." Denise rolled her eyes at her ex-husband, "You'd know that if you were in her life more." 

"Maybe if you weren't so busy with Sinatra-"

"Don't you go there..."

Elvis would be lying if he wasn't twiddling his thumbs with jobs at the electric company just to kill time today. His watch was reading 2:56, which meant his shift was almost over, and he could hang out with Cecelia. Elvis couldn't wait to see her, which was totally not weird because Elvis only knew her for two days, but she was cool enough for him to be excited about seeing her, right? Either way, he knew she was worth him hanging around. Pulling back up to the store, Elvis saw her pink car. His heart was pounding out of his chest as he saw Cecelia, wearing shorts and a striped shirt, leaning against the counter with the toned legs of a dancer, and, boy, was Elvis entertained. She had on heels. And a pink chiffon bow in her hair and Elvis wanted nothing more than to pull her close and whisper sweet nothings and say- 

"There you are! I was talking to this young lady here about electric wiring."

"Did you know that when the male goes into the Female, and they plug into each other, boom, we get lights!" Cecelia glanced at Elvis, acting as if she didn't know that. Meanwhile, he was thinking about a male and a female, but not lights.  

"Mhmm... I-I-I'll actually be right back." Elvis said as he went to freshen up. It wasn't like he was trying to impress Cecelia, Well, maybe a little, changing out of his work slacks. He had on a pair of black slacks and a white lace see-through button-up shirt with pink socks and his loafers. When he walked out, Elvis had hoped he would have taken Cecelia's breath away, but instead, he heard, "You look good, Pres."

"Thanks, Val, you uh ready to go?" 

"Yeah." Taking his keys, he opened her door, then his, as the two began their adventures,

 "So where to first, record shop, comic shop?"

"Surprise me," Cecelia said, taking a bit of a glance at him as he began to drive. He wanted to rest his hand on her thigh, but friends didn't do that. He just had to focus. 

"Music shop it is."

Music played on the radio as Cecelia hummed along. She could carry a tune, Elvis thought to himself as he listened. He didn't sing much unless it was at Church. Or his room or the stairs of his apartment complex. Other than that, he was a shy little thing,  

"So Cece..."

"Hmm?"

"You never did tell me where you moved from." 

"Well, sugar..." Elvis felt his heart pound when she said sugar. That southern drawl of hers was strong, a bit like Scarlet O'Hara but sweeter, "North Carolina, Originally born and raised, but then for three years I lived in Georgia, and that was like stickin your hand in a jar of hot peppers and rubbin your eyes afterward." she laughed as Elvis kept trying to focus on the road, but he had laughed with her too, 

"Sounds like it was hell."

"You've no idea, sugar." She smiled, applying her red lipstick, 

"So what about you? You don't exactly sound like a Memphian boy." She smirked as he blushed. It was back on him now, all the attention, 

"Well, I was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi," Elvis smiled as Cecelia grinned,

"That explains that heavy accent."

"Yours ain't light either,"

"I don't know what you're talkin bout." Cecelia playful nudged him as they parked at the music store, 

"Oh really, what do you call honey."

"Definitely not what you call it." She laughed at his adorable accent as he helped her out of the car, 

"And what do I call it."

"Hunneh..." she mumbled as he laughed with her,

"That's what I sound like?" He questioned as she nodded, 

Watching him walk to the comic store was like he was some star of importance, which to her he was. He had distinctiveness about him, but it was clear that he didn't notice it yet. When they walked in, Cecelia called to the guitars on the wall. Her medicine of choice was a Gretsch, but she didn't mind a Gibson. Or a Fender. 

"Do you play?" Elvis asked

"A little..." Cecelia said, a guitar pick in her mouth, trying to reach for one of the Gibson guitars on the top shelf.

"Mind if I..." Before Cecelia could respond, she was suspended mid-air and sitting on his shoulder,

 "Oh..." reaching for the guitar, she grabbed it, 

"Thanks, sugar. I mean, El, Pres." She was flustered by the actions before her.

"No problem. Cece with an E," He put her down. And he grinned a little bit. Her skin was actually really smooth, not that he was surprised, but it was a bonus. Sitting down, she strummed the guitar.

"Well, I don't care if the sun don't shine. I get my lovin' in the evening time. When I'm with my baby." Cecelia began to sing as she played the song with a more bluesy rock and roll feel. She had a jazz undertone, but to Elvis, it sounded like an Angel was singing to him and a guitar princess strumming with the way her fingers were on the fret playing. It was almost as if Cecelia were a pro, and the song Cecelia picked was a classic now sung by Dean Martin. 

Elvis was enchanted by her. But he couldn't be. Cecelia probably saw him as a friend anyway, and he'd been okay with that, even if his heart would simply ache from the confession.

"Do you play Pres..."

"El..."

"Elvis!"

"Hmm, sorry, I-I-I was thinkin." he stuttered as Cecelia blushed. Why was he so cute and innocent? She couldn't think of him like this. He was her friend, and he probably didn't feel the same.

"Oh, I was wondering if you played guitar."

"A little." He rubbed the back of his neck, "But how about the comic book shop?" he added. He wanted to save Beale Street for later in the afternoon when the lights started to come on, and the street really came to life, 

"I'd like that," putting the guitar down. The two then walked to the comic book store, 

"So, where'd you learn to sing and play like that!"

"Well, my mother. She sings, and my daddy. When he was around. Played guitar, then I learned the rest from B.B. King." She shrugged,

"A girl who enjoys good music."

"Good music, good food, and great SUPERMAN!" she rushed to the window as Elvis laughed, 

"Cece, wait up!"

"EL IT'S A NEW ISSUE."

"Superman nice... But" his eyes saw a Jay Garrick comic, he snuck off and picked it up as he showed her, all he heard was a gasp, 

"ELVIS YOU FOUND IT!"She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him, a blush creeping on his face, 

"F-F-Found what?"

"The comic issue I've been lookin for! " 

"you're welcome!" there were eyes on them as Cecelia and Elvis both blushed, 

"A discount for your date there," Irene said. Irene was the daughter of the owner. She knew Elvis well, in the sense he'd buy his Captain Marvel Jr. comics here. 

"She's just a friend, Irene."

"Sugar, look what I found!

"Mhmm, a friend..." Irene smirked, "I'll ring that one up, too." she winked, walking toward the counter. 

"This one's gonna be legendary..." He looked at the comic book as she grinned, "Definitely legendary." They walked to the car to further their adventure. As they cruised down the street, the radio had been playing Dean Martins That's Amore, in which Cecelia had taken it upon herself to croon her entire heart out as Elvis as the test subject, 

"Y-You speak Italian..."

"Well, I've sung in German, French, Italian, and Spanish," she grins, "But Sometimes I speak French." 

"I-I-I-"

" Êtes-vous d'accord, Elvis?" Cecelia leaned in,

"I don't know what you just said. But hell, it sounded pretty." Elvis's brain was short-circuiting. If she was being a flirt, then he needed to get her back for it, too. 

"You think so. I've been a little rusty and haven't been to a French restaurant in a while..." She sighed,

"You live an interestin life, Cece." 

"I try to. Sometimes, I can never sit in one place. I have to be doing somethin. You know El. Like playing violin or singin or," Elvis was listening to her. She was passionate and energetic, a fast talker when she was excited, and he loved it. 

"Am I talking too much?"

"No, you're talkin just fine," opening her door, he took her hand and helped her out as she blushed. He was a gentleman, a good listener, who had a keen attention to detail, and soft yet slightly callused hands that she could admire. 

"So this is Beale Street..." She said to herself,

"Wait til you see it at 7 pm. It's only 5, so we got time to see whatever you want." 

"Hmm... Let's walk and get into some good trouble." She grinned as Elvis smirked,

"I'm beginin to really like you." he said, as Cecelia blushed, "As a friend."

"Me too, kid," she giggled. Ruffling up his hair as she laughed, 

"I-I- I ain't no kid, Cece, why I bet I'm older than you."

"When's your birthday, El," Cecelia smirked, stepping up to him,

"January 8th, 1935." he smirked as if he were right, and she would grovel at his feet and say she was, in fact, a kid, a mere worm, "What about you, huh,"

"January 7th, 1935." she grinned, 

"Damn it, guess you're the boss." He laughed as the two then came up towards a tailor shop. Elvis was standing at the window looking at the suits and the shoes, 

"Wanna go in?" Cecelia asked. Elvis looked a bit hesitant. He had always craved the look, though he knew he couldn't afford it much. But a man could dream.

"I can't afford much of anything in there..."

"Elvis Aron Presley, You are going in that store. You will try on whatever it is you want, so that way. You know what you'll want when you can," she smirked, taking him by the hand and dragging him through the doors. She was gutsy, and he liked it. Really, he loved it.

"Excuse me, but my friend here wants to try on..." Her eyes scanned the room for the pink suit that was in the window, "That fine suit right there, if you please." she smiled,

"Of course, Ms. If you'd follow me, sir."

"Cece..."

"Trust me, you'll look great." Cecelia smiled as she sat down in the waiting area, reading the men's fashion magazines and swooning at some of the men in them. She could hear Elvis in there having a bit of a ball and commotion over the experience, a snicker leaving her lips, 

"Cece little help here!" was all she heard,

"You'll be fine. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about!"She shouted back. She was on a page about Frank Sinatra and her mother when her concentration was taken off guard. 

"Well, Ms., what do you think?"

"Well...I..." The pink in the outfit brought out those electric baby blues, and the lace gave him this alluring, sultry feel. The pants gave him an essence that told him he could have anything he ever dreamed of, and suddenly, she was beginning to dream of him in broad daylight, 

"Well, Cece..." The sinister smirk on his face was doing something she'd never felt before,

 "Stand up straight..." she stood up, "Well, aren't you cookin' good lookin," Cecelia smirked, looking him up and down like one would inspect a car. 

"You really think so?" He asked as he danced a little in the outfit,

"Mhmm..." Her mind was racing, but they were just friends, "You could get any girl in that."

"You should get it for your boyfriend, Ms. We'll make up a fake invoice if you want to keep you two a secret..."The clerk smirked as both Cecelia and Elvis blushed,

"Oh no, we're just friends and just browsin' around, really," He then went back to the dressing room to change into something else. Cecelia couldn't contain the blush on her face when she saw him in another outfit, "Woah... you're a knockout." She smiled,

"We have a dress that compliments his suit." The clerk said. And Cecelia was in the dressing room, turning into a young woman rather than a young girl. She was wearing the latest dress in fashion, the Wiggle dress.

"Well, what do you think?" 

"I-I..." That was all Elvis could say. He short-circuited like a bad electric cable. There was no going back now. He was past a crush. He was in love. 

"You're beautiful."

"You mean it?"

"Yeah..." Elvis said as he went to get changed back into his clothes. Cecelia was tricky to read, but he knew he'd get the gist of her. Cecelia couldn't help but feel butterflies in her stomach, but maybe she was just hungry. The shop keepers shook their heads.They knew young love when they saw it, and that definitely was it.

"You hungry?"

"Hmm, I could eat, El." she took his hand. She waved the shopkeepers goodbye. They waved back and watched them leave until they were safe towards wherever they were going. 

"So the thing about me getting any girl..."

"You could in that outfit. You just gotta be confident, you know..." She paused. There in the cafe was an array of black skin dancing and singing, having a grand time while they were enjoying their burgers and fries, 

"We can eat here if you'd like." 

"YES!" this was the life she had missed, the life Elvis had always known. 

"Hey Elvis!" some teenage girls waved at him as he waved back. 

"Hey Mildred, Shirley, Rudy," he winked as they giggled, "Who's your friend."

"Cecelia Valmos." She introduced herself as they walked over and sat down, "

Oh girl, I love your hair!" one of the girls said as Cecelia grinned, 

"Thank you. I love yours, too!"

"She just moved here not too long ago." 

"You picked a good tour guide."Rudy said, "He's always here like he lives here," she chuckled, 

"Is that so."

"Girl, you should see E cut up a rug. He's like a white guy with a black soul." Shirley commented as Elvis blushed, "And when He sings..."

"Ladies, I'm right here." he blushed, getting embarrassed a bit. 

"I'll keep that in mind." she chuckled. The waitress then came by as she looked at saw Elvis, 

"Let me guess, cheeseburger, a milkshake, fries salted." she laughed, "And for you, dear?"

"Cheeseburger and a soda, please." 

"No fries?" Elvis asked,

"I'll just eat yours."

"Aw, a date?"

Elvis and Cecelia quickly shook their heads,

"We're just friends..." Cecelia said,

"For now, " the three girls had said as they went to dance with their boyfriends. Cecelia watched them as she then looked at Elvis, who was tapping his foot, 

"You wanna dance?" offering her hand out to him,

"Sure." Elvis took her hand as they went up to the jukebox. Let's have a Party was playing, and that's what Cecelia intended to do. The two were dancing together and laughing as it had been the most fun the two had been having. Pulling her close and spinning her around, he was impressed with her footwork. There had been a few girls he'd danced with, but this one, for once, could keep up. He then began doing his own thing as Cecelia watched his hips. She began to be mesmerized until she joined him. Swaying her hips as Cecelia danced around him, another guy took her by the hand as they began to do the Lindy Hop, flipping her over his shoulder as Cecelia laughed. He was impressed with her courage and how much of a fun time she was. 

"HEY E CATCH!" Bernard shouted as he spun Cecelia into Elvis's arms.

Elvis caught Cecelia as he dipped her, heart racing as she looked up at him, "Nice catch..." She said as Elvis blushed, "Nice, dancin." he then walked them both to their table. Sitting down, Cecelia and Elvis ate and talked as she took some of his fries, and he took some of her pickles from her burger, 

"So, has today been fun so far," Elvis asked as Cecelia sighed.

"I don't know, I mean..."

"Yes..."

"Well..."

"Cece..."

"I've been havin a blast!" she smiled. 

"Great, 'cause now I wanna show you the true Beale Street." he smiled, clutching his heart at her reaction. 

"Is this not the real..." walking outside. Cecelia saw the city lights. They felt more comforting than New York and brighter than Paris. They felt like home. Elvis could see the sparkle in her eyes as she was mesmerized by the scene, music from every street, people dancing, cars going by,

 "May I?"

"You may." Elvis took Cecelia's hand and walked with her across the street. Walking by other shops and bands. Cecelia could feel that this was where music truly lived. A group of musicians were playing as Elvis began to mumble under his breath and sing the words. Cecelia had tried to listen. 

"You know... You heard me sing..." Cecelia smirked,

"Yeah, I did..."

"it's your turn..." 

"Cece..."

"Please, Pres..."

"Cil..."

"Elvis... Elvis...Elvis." She cheered as he took a deep breath and sang along to the song. When he began to sing, it was like time stood still to try to catch up to him. He was lost in the music, dancing and almost nearly performing the song. When he had stopped, Elvis had noticed Cecelia's mouth completely wide open in shock.

"ELVIS ARON PRESLEY!!! WHY ARE YOU NOT ON THE RADIO!" Cecelia playfully shook him about. As he laughed, "Or on TV, people should have posters of you, they should have billions of your records!!" she grinned, 

"I could say the same about you," he smiled as Cecelia giggled. He was right, but she was right, too.

 "Yeah, but this is about you!"

"Well, Cil, I got terrible stage fright." He laughed, "I can't be no singer or actor with stage fright." he sighed,

"Yeah, you can. Many get nervous, too."Cecelia said as she got closer to him,

"I-I-I-I da-don't pronounce my W's right an..."

"So, you got the look. I mean, behind the lanky look and the choppy colored hair... There's a star." Cecelia backed away,

"Cil..."

"Imagine it, everyone screamin Elvis Presley!" she twirled, stumbling a bit as he caught her,

"Yeah... no," He laughed. Maybe if I played football or somethin, they should be cheerin your name." he smirked, lifting her up again on his shoulders, "Cecelia Valmos, the great guitar player, the amazing singer." he looked up at her as she looked down at him both their eyes meeting, it was electric.

"Elvis Presley, the great dancer! and mover of hips and remover of panties!" she joked as Elvis turned red,

"That don't sound half bad." he laughed with her, the two heading back to his car, 

"Elvis... Are you free tomorrow?"

"I got church an work, but after that..." 

"Wanna hang out again tomorrow?" Cecelia asked,

"Sure, we could go to a park or the library, maybe we could study at my place?"

"We could do that, I could make brownies as a snack," 

"It's a done deal then Cece," he smiled driving her to her car,

"See you tomorrow El."

"Same time?"

"Same time!"

Walking to her house, she was on cloud nine. She was in love, and her mother knew it. For every mother did, they all could remember that rush of joy the first time they fell head over heels in love, 

"How was it."

"We went comic book shopping. And to a music store, and dancing." She twirled around giggling, 

"Oh, mama, it was great." Elvis smiled as his mother watched the blush on his face get deeper.

"Are you gonna see her again?"

"When are you going to see him again?"

"Tomorrow, after church," She blushed,

[rjalker]

Turning the formerly feral kittens into public domain characters, starting with Sapphire, because she was the first to hold still for me to get a picture as a reference for her face.

Includes a more detailed guide and cute simplified versions, including one where her white paws are literally mittens and boots.

Fun fact: Her name is Sapphire because she was so fluffy, and at first we wanted to name her Cloud, but then we were like no, there's too much of a theme here already. So then we were like "okay but what about Sephiroth as a reference to clouds". And then we were like no, because we want someone to want to adopt her. So Sapphire it is. As a reference to the name Sephiroth. As a reference to the fact that she's fluffy like a cloud.

She has the biggest ears of all her siblings, and the shortest, skinniest, but fluffiest tail.

Feel free to draw her in whatever style you want. Or change her pronouns. She's a cat. She doesn't know what gender is. But she could in your version!

They can all have the last name Jupiter since we caught them on / the day after the 4th of July, and I can't think of any other name.

So, Sapphire Jupiter.

As of September 2023, she weighs 4lbs.

Gizmo is now posted!

Not drawn yet:

Eclipse Jupiter

Taaz Jupiter

and their mom, Marlena Jupiter.

Who is the father? The world may never know....unless you decide to create him yourself.

...Aand she has just jumped into an empty trash can. So I will edit the picture I just got of her in the trash can into this post. Lol.

[ID: Three digital drawings, each with the same royal blue background, each showing a black and white kitten character. The first shows the kitten with more detail, drawn linelessly, with the head and torso in the center, and the arms and legs off to the side, disconnected to fit in the square frame of the image. The character is labled, "Sapphire", and a small photo of the kitten it's based on is in the upper left corner. Some notes read, "Yellow eyes, thin, fluffy fur", and "short, skinny fluffy tail". The kitten has a mostly black body, with round yellow-gold eyes, and a pink and black nose. The face is solid black, except for an irregular white stripe from the chin, going crookedly up to between the eyes at a diagonal. Where the white stripe overlaps the nose, the nose is pink, and black where the stripe does not meet. The kitten has a thick white fluffy chest like a collar, and a thinner white stripe on the belly all the way down. All the feet are white with solid pink paw pads, with the front feet having the white end at the end of the foot, and the back feet stretching up to almost the knee, like tall socks. The tail, drawn to one side, is skinny and fluffy, and slightly more than half the length of the torso. The next two images show a much more simplified version of the character, standing upright against the blue background. The character now has larger pointed ears, oval shaped yellow eyes with a line for pupils, a simplified face stripe, a black nose and mouth, and a simpler white collar and belly. The limbs are drawn as simple bendy lines ending in white, with the tail raised happily behind. The second version of this image is the same as the first, except that the white parts of the front paws, or hands, have been extended out to form little gloves or mittens, and the white markings on the back legs have been extended into boots. End ID.]

I would share pictures of her for drawing references...but dear gods these cats do not want to be photographed lol. Every time I try to take a picture they're already moving.

Edit: Nope, lol, here's the picture of her in the trash can:

[ID: Another photo of the kitten depicted above, now looking up while sitting in the bottom of a medium sized white trashcan.]

@publicdomaincharacters some more public domain characters :)

[spacerangersam]

Hello! Could you give me your personal thoughts/criticisms of each of the Button House ghosts' (from BBC Ghosts) costumes/outfits in detail please? Thanks!!

I feel like I should say, I don’t have a problem with most of the ghosts’ costumes. 

Julian’s is fine, I like the garters and the the fact that he’s wearing a striped pale blue shirt and a patterned tie rather than a plain white shirt and a plain red tie. I don’t like what happened to his hair over the course of the series, but I mean, the outfit itself is good.

Pat’s is great - I like his concept/piolet design just a little bit more just because of the green shorts and the rope thing he has around him which is an interesting little accessory - but otherwise, no notes, it’s a scoutmaster uniform, and the aviators are nice. Captain is also fine, I mean, they couldn’t really have mucked up his costume if they’d tried since he’s in a ww2 captains uniform, but point still stands. Robin is fine, it’s fur, it works, Mary’s is also quite nice, I like that’s it’s bright and colourful, and Humphrey's outfit is great, it really stands out against the other costumes because of how bright and bulky it is, and I'm glad they committed to the ruffle.

I legitimately love Annie’s outfit, the cap with the frills, the big fancy collar with the little details - it’s fairly simple but it looks great - Sophie knocks it out of the park with every outfit she wears, they’re all so beautiful, and Isabelle/Francis/Thomas’ outfits are all amazing (I have a soft spot for regency fashion tbh, and for Isabelle’s dress in particularly as a lover of green). The only thing I wish was that Thomas had kept the riding boots (I’m pretty sure he’s wearing them to the party) and the coat he wore to the party. But I also understand why both came off, I just thought they looked nice.

Really, my problem is just with Fanny and Kitty’s outfits.

I don’t know why, but Kitty’s outfit looks a bit cheap to me? I can’t explain it, maybe it’s the material used or something, but it does, and I really don’t like the dark colour scheme. A lot of the dresses I’ve seen from that era have a bit of a lighter colour scheme (though obviously not all of them do), and I really think a lighter colour scheme would really make her pop.  I mean, the other dresses she wears in flashbacks, while still a bit cheap looking, are so much prettier and do suit her so much better. The pink one, the blue one - she looks so lovely in them, and it’s a shame she didn’t get to have one of those as her death outfit. 

And Fanny’s outfit… God, I have a soft spot for Edwardian fashion too, and Fanny’s outfit is just so bad. Ignoring the fact that she dies at night so should be in her pyjamas, she has the wrong silhouette, her hair isn’t quite right either, not exactly the Gibson do it should be, I hate the colour, and putting aside historical accuracy, I just hate the dress, I think it’s fucking ugly  asdfgh. When I think of the Edwardian era, I think of those beautifully intricate white blouses and long white dresses, and I wish they’d put Fanny in one of those. She would have looked so much nicer, and not as if she (or one of her servants more like) accidentally put in a black sock with her washing and fucked up the colour.  

Like, I know they call her The Grey Lady, but I wish they’d let her wear white. They could’ve called her the lady in white, or the white lady, it would’ve been fine. If they wanted her to looked stuffy and old-fashioned, there were other ways to do it than giving her an ugly outfit that does not look like it should be worn by a Lady of the house. They could have given her a more Victorian-style dress or something, one that’s a bit outdated and shows how she’s still stuck in her ways. Just anything but that dress. Hell, they could’ve kept some of the grey by giving her a white blouse and a long grey skirt, that would’ve worked fine.

I wish I could like, show some examples but my internet is playing up and any time i try to click on a website it just reloads the page so...

[gaymergal]

:3 happy pride 🌈 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

I unintentionally came out to my older sister (again) by wearing a piece of clothing.

💚💜🤍 😂 she remains the best

(Story followed by small spiraling below the cut 😃👍🏾✨)

Forever ago when I was in high school, I was only out as gay at school with friends. And didn’t come out to family until later (Highschool for me was 2004-2008 Bush era. And though my family is and has been very liberal leaning, we were also raised catholic which definitely fueled my personal hesitation to come out at home. Spoilers alert when I told my mom it went hilariously well)

One day after school myself and a pair of friends were at the mall, and the three of us bought a three piece matching friendship necklace at Claire’s on clearance that said roughly Best (star charm), Friends(heart charm), Forever(rainbow charm)

(90% sure that was the breakdown important thing is my section of the necklace had a rainbow charm)

It was like the only rainbow thing I owned, and I would wear it sparingly cause wasn’t 100% out. I had left the necklace on at home and my sister immediately clocked it and pulled me aside and asked if I was gay.

It was a very brief side bar conversation, I was in the kitchen and she literally pulled me into another room and was like “u gay? Your wearing a rainbow necklace”

“Uh yeah”

“Ok cool”

I never did a big announcement to family. Starting with my sister (actually, one of my brothers might have been the first family to know followed then by my sister🤔)

I just told family in one on one conversations as it came up, and eventually even extended family just knew I was gay.

(When I told my mom, because of the way I nervously started the conversation, on the verge of tears saying “i have something important to tell you” she thought I was teen pregnant and when I said I was gay she was like that’s it? That’s fine!)

Anyway! In 2020 with the support of my wife I experimented with pronouns and found that in addition to she/her I really do vibe with he/him pronouns (🥰 I am both her wife and boyfriend and absolutely love being called either)

I really only use he/him privately online and at limited irl queer gatherings and haven’t explicitly told my family (There is a hesitation that family might not fully “get” use of he/him pronouns and for now I’d rather keep it away from them for the time being. At this point its less of a fear of rejection and more of a…I don’t know how that conversation is going to go, and that gives me anxiety to bring it up and start a conversation about it.)

We just had our local pride weekend and I was wearing a pair of black socks that had stripes of green purple white at the top of them 💚💜🤍 for genderqueer and did post a family picture of me my wife and our son at pride to FB (socks visible) not thinking anyone in my fam would clock it.

Got a text from my sister yesterday: “Random question. What are your pronouns?”

Which prompted a phone call (that went super well :3 🥰)

At first she thought they were non binary colors and googled to confirm, but saw that the colors didn’t match but “knew it meant something” and then asked my niece (gen z theater kiddo) what the those specific colors represented. (Lol like straight up queer pop quiz style “hey green white purple, what’s that flag? 🤣)

When the dreaded “what do you want me to use for you” came up (idk why so much anxious, it is very much use one or the other or a mix, i genuinely like and respond to both. the only strong feeling i have is please don’t directly ask me which to use, or why he/him in addition to she/her)

It was a very quick, “so i can still use she/her”

“Yep”

“You sure?”

“Yep”

“well if that changes, I’ll just keep an eye out for new colors”

“🥲💖” (which I found to be very sweet!)

On the one hand, part of me is like, ah history repeating itself, just tell family as it comes up.

But with Pride and (:3 my first!) Father’s day coming up I am tempted to make a FB post just to set the record straight on my pronouns but, (anxiety)

Its weird, like I don’t necessarily feel like I’m in the closet as much as I did with being gay in high school. I’m not afraid of someone finding out. I don’t think my pronouns are something that needs to be kept secret. If asked I am comfortable enough to respond to the question, but the thought of anoucing them publicly is just a big no-no. 🙃

😅 Anyway!

🥳 happy pride! ❤️🧡💛💚💜💙💖

💚🤍💜 treating myself to an early father’s day hair cut tomorrow ✌🏾 :3

[whore-for-murdock]

Can’t You See That You’re Lost Without Me? - Chapter II

Nameless ghouls (Ghost Band) x Black!OC

Series Summary: Asteria is forced out of her home and old life, but maybe it’s for the better.

Chapter Summary: Asteria is offered a job and meets Papa.

Warning: Probably bad writing, idk what else.

I would love and very much appreciate any constructive criticism, please interact (like or comment, reposts if you really want to) if you enjoy. Comment or dm me if you want me to start a taglist.

I pull my curls into a bun at the top of my head, covering my hair with my shirt so it won’t get too wet. I showered, washing my face carefully, spending about thirty minutes in the warm water. When I get out, wrapping the fluffy towel around myself, I walk to the wardrobe, finding a dress identical to Jess’. Only now do I notice an upside-down cross embroidered above the right breast area.

My eyes widen, realizing what this means about the people I have recently encountered. I slip the dress on, relatively unbothered by the new information. If they were to kill me for a sacrifice or any other practice I was told satanists have, they would have done it already. Opening the two drawers at the bottom of the wardrobe find a pair of Mary Janes in one and black knee-high socks with two white stripes at the top in the other.

As I slip the shoes on, a knock rings through the room. I open the door to see Jess, right on time, she smiles gesturing for me to follow her through the hallway. As we walk I realize that the entire building has an old gothic style, from the windows to the arches. I stare at Jessica expectantly after she points out the way to the important room I need to be able to get to. Though it takes some time for her to notice my curious gaze, she soon begins to tell me about the ghouls.

“We have eight ghouls here in the abbey. Papa summoned them to assist him during mass, and rituals. They even help members that are higher up in the church with their tasks. They aren’t allowed near any others, however.” She says hesitantly, as though she is fearful of even mentioning the ghouls and what they do. She looks over and quickly notices my growing confusion. “As you may or may not have noticed, this is an unholy church of Satan. Papa Emeritus IV is the current Papa, his role in our church is similar to that of a priest in a holy church. Papa summoned the ghouls from hell to do all the things I told you they do around here.” I walk beside her silently as I process this information.

-- --

Jess soon walks off leaving me to my thoughts. I continue to walk through the halls, being broken out of my thoughts by my name being called from behind me. I turn to find a sister who holds a strong aura of authority. She motions for me to follow her before quickly walking away from me, I jog slightly to catch up to her. She leads me to what seems to be her office, filled with dark tones.

She gestures to a seat in front of her desk and I sit, awaiting information as to why she brought me here. She stares me down and I shift uncomfortably under her stern gaze, her intimidating aura worsening the deafening silence. She finally breaks the silence and tension addressing her reason for bringing me here, while holding a book in her hands.

“Do you wish to stay here? Long-term?” She asks, I think it over quickly, deciding that living in a satanist church is better than wandering aimlessly through the woods.

“I do, but may I ask some of the general beliefs of your church? I don’t want to be shunned again…” I trail off, my last moments in my old church. Sympathy flashes through her eyes before she clears her throat.

“Here, we give into sin and are accepting of everything, you will be accepted here. So long as you worship Satan, you will always be welcome here. If you wish not to, you are to leave once you have fully healed.” She states fluidly, as though she has said it a thousand times before. I blink at her processing all the information she gave me quickly, before making my decision.

“I’ll stay here, worship Satan and anything else you may ask of me. I’d never be opposed to the opportunity to join such an accepting religion.” I say, my gut telling me this is the best place for me.

“Great. You will need to take up a contributing role in the covenant, unfortunately, we only have one position open for the time being. It comes with many responsibilities, are you willing to take on a job that will be consistently demanding?” She questions now standing beside her desk, staring down at me.

“Yes.”

-- --

I stood in front of Papa, Sister Imperator having just introduced us. His face is covered in black and white makeup, which only put me off initially. He smiles down at me softly, sensing my nervousness.

“How are you doing, cara mia?” He asks me in a soft tone that calms my nerves quickly. His heterochromatic eyes stare at me with a hint of concern as they pass over the healing injuries on my face. I remain silent for a few moments, unsure of what my answer would be.

“Better than I have in a while, Papa,” I state shyly, not knowing how I am supposed to act around the important figure of the unholy church. I kept my answer short so as to not get scolded for rambling. Papa’s smile widens at my positive answer as he gestures for me to walk alongside him.

“Has your upcoming job been explained to you?” He asks as we walk slowly through the abbey, entering a part I haven’t been near before, though I haven’t been to many places here. I shake my head before answering.

“Not yet, though Sister Imperator did give me this book Liber Ghoulius Eorumque Historia, so I assume it pertains to them,” I say carefully, hoping I didn’t butcher the pronunciation of the book title. Papa glances at me, seeming to take notice of the book under my arm at this point.

“And how much do you know about our ghouls?” He presents another question, his tone becoming more serious with this question.

“I know that they were summoned here, by you and the Papas before you, to assist you with masses and that, at least from the only other member of the covenant I’ve met, they might be dangerous.” I list, thinking of the information Jess had given me. I glance up at Papa to see him looking back at me with his eyes widened slightly.

“You know more about them than I would have thought. You are correct in assuming they have the potential to be dangerous, which is why we keep them isolated from the covenant at most times.” He stops walking and fully faces me, his expression deadly serious. “Are you sure you wish to take this job? It will require you to be with or near them for most of the day, for almost every day of the week.” He informs me, staring deeply into my eyes, holding my hands in his, creating a tense atmosphere around us. Mulling it over in my head quickly, I decided to take the job, not really having anything to lose at the moment.

“I am, but you still haven’t told me what the job is exactly,” I say, breaking the intense eye contact.

“You will watch the ghouls, keeping them on time and on task when needed for the most part,” he states calmly, watching me carefully to gauge my reaction to what the job is.

“So I’m gonna be their manager or would it be more like their babysitter?”

[descendantsramblings]

Style Headcanons

So basically, I’m a big hater to the way the costume team worked on them. The whole “All Isle kids wear Leather” and “Auradon Kids always look like they’re on their first kid and on the way to the country club” thing drives me crazy. It sorta feels like they made costumes before giving them personalities (The leather on Carlos  and Evie feels like it clashes with their personalities. Lonnie’s dresses in the first movie doesn’t fit the personality we see, even though she didn’t have much of a personality until movie two. Audrey dressed like a thirty-four year old mother who just picked up her kid before going to the country club. Ben’s only good outfit was his swim trunks.) So here are some personal headcanons and pictures of what I imagine for them. (I started making them at 1am last night lol)

Villain Kids 

Evie

As someone raised to want to be a princess, she wants to dress like how she imagines a princess would.

She loves pastels and is no stranger to pairing pastel blue with a neutral red or bright white. 

The only pants she really wears are either athletic shorts or those little flowy elastic shorts, otherwise she’s all skirts.

She’s sorta a prep but not in the same way a character like Audrey would be. 

Evie has respect for most aesthetics, even though she doesn’t fully fit just one. However, she hates crocs and those little pastel shorts that white boys wear, she will announce it often.

Wouldn’t be caught dead in neon colors. 

owns a blue fur coat (it’s fake fur, obviously)

Carlos

Baby boy is a total softie

You know that one gay little sweater in movie one, that’s where they went right, more of that.

He’s into the soft boy aesthetic and only strays from it for formal wear

loves layering sweaters over button ups

Cuffed jeans, always because ya know, bisexual 

Owns a floral button up from Jay, normally he hates patterned button ups but it’s his favorite shirt. 

Loves striped sweaters, he owns about 6 variations of them in different colors (all include red, white, or black of course)

Jay 

In theory, Jay doesn’t really have one aesthetic, he’s willing to try on just about anything

Most of his clothing was bought by Evie or Carlos, especially his formal wear

The only clothes that Jay will buy for himself is athletic wear

He doesn’t really see the point of buy clothing that he can’t go straight to practice in. 

Still has the beanie,  but he owns one in just about every color to match it to his outfit.

Listen, we know Jay’s main color is yellow/gold, but why did we always see him with more red/blue in the movie? What type of snow white aesthetic were they trying to give him?

Jay owns a button up that he write on, he refuses to wear it actually buttoned though

Mal

She loves the grunge/alternative aesthetic, she thinks it makes her look more like she belongs to the Isle

She wouldn’t wear skirts until after she and Evie became friends, Evie bought her her first skirt (a purple plaid one) and she fell in love with it

Mal has a whole jewelry box of just chains, both necklaces and ones that attach to clothing 

Owns a pair of Demonia Swing-815 boots (black patent) and a pair of Demonia Camel-203 boots (holographic purple) 

100% owns one of those studded hot topic belts. 

Has a headband with little horns that symbolize her mother’s horns 

Instead of the leather half gloves from the movie, she has those little fishnet gloves and covers her hands in rings.

Uma

Her style is similar to Mal’s because if Mal is going to do something, Uma will do it better.

Uma only wore outfits that were super Fem and had skirts until Mal started doing it

Then it was Uma always wearing pants, because of her love for plaid skirts she owns a whole collection of plaid pants

the only jeans she owns are black or dark wash. 

Her first ever large purchase was a pair of Doc Marten 1460 Zip Tartan Lace up boots (they’re green, black, and blue plaid) 

She and Harry bought matching Doc Marten Jadon platforms (his are more shiny though)

Isn’t as into chains as Mal, more into chockers. 

Harry 

When the E-boy aesthetic came out, Harry was all over it 

Harry definitely has one of those chains with a little lock on it. 

I’d like to imagine he has baby gauges

the before mentioned platform doc martens, he definitely treats them like his baby

Even though Harry dresses like an e-boy,  he always has his pirate hat on

Definitely wears cloth masks as a fashion piece he actually would wear his in the pandemic though, unlike some people who wore them before but not for safety 

Harry is actually really good at graphic liner, he owns a gold, red, and white eyeliner to add color to the outfit if it’s mainly black

gold>silver 

Bought plaid pants because Uma did, he want’s to match with his captain

Gil 

As we know (maybe you don’t) it’s in the canon that Gil’s mother taught him to sew and he enjoys it. 

So Gil doesn't dress in one aesthetic or even close to being in one, he wants to try out everything, both making and wearing them.

He does stick to a monochrome color scheme though, mainly shades of brown with white or black thrown in. Sometimes he adds a little red or yellow though to “honor” Gaston

Most of his clothing is more comfortable than anything

Only owns three pairs of jeans, the rest are different types of pants (he loves corduroys) 

Owns a pants chain that harry bought him but he only really wears it when Harry and Uma are wearing one so he won’t feel left out on it. 

Dizzy 

Baby girl has seen the Isle steal the childhood innocence from people, she dresses in kidcore as a way to keep hers

Her outfits always has at least 4 different colors in it.

No stranger to neon colors, she has a pair of overalls that are neon rainbow and covered in gummy candy and she only wears them with a neon green tee, Evie and Carlos hate this outfits, Jay loves it because of the disappointment it brings to the two fashion fans 

Dizzy’s outfits in the movie were colorful obviously but they should have been just more over the top

She loves patterns and has no fear of pattern mixing

definitely owns some funky earrings, clay rings, and  statement necklaces

puts beads on her shoe laces, especially on her converse (they were white ones, she drew all over them) 

Auradon Kids 

Ben

Okay so Ben’s animated and movie outfits were bad, you can’t convince me of anything else

Why was Ben not dressed in the soft boy aesthetic? You’re trying to tell me that Belle’s son wouldn’t be a soft boy?

He has a jean jacket with his father’s beast symbol painted on the back

Absolutely loves graphic crewnecks, often layers them over collared shirts

He and Carlos go shopping together often in their free time

Lover of funky crew socks,  ones with paintings, patterns, logos, whatever. But his socks always match

After he and Mal started Dating, he bought a white jean jacket and let her paint it, he wears it all the time even though it didn’t match his original clothing, he bought more clothes in her color scheme to match it

He owns like 6 pairs of high top converse (light blue, yellow, white, navy, black, and Purple after getting the jacket back from Mal)

Chad

Listen, out of everyone he was the closest to how I imagined he should be, that being said, he had a little soft boy thing going on in some movies that I don’t think fit his personality

Polos and button ups are basically all he owns, but he does have some of those pastel simply southern esc graphic tees (Southern people probably know what I’m on about, all the guys who act like Chad at my school have like 5 of them each)

Owns 6 pairs of those horrid little southern boy pastel shorts in different shades of blue (plus 1 white pair)

Will not wear jeans, ever, the only pants he owns are khakis

All over the shirts that have logos embroidered into the shirt over the chest. 

Definitely gets asked if he’s on the way to golf/ the country club, the joke is that he is, he has to meet his father there after school

prep.jpg

Audrey 

Listen, I’m not an Audrey stan, but they did her so dirty in the first movie

She should have been the stereotypical mean girl outfit wise, I mean, mini skirts, all pastels

Owns a pink teddy coat, and a white one, she actually cares about if they get dirty though, takes good care of them

definitely has a collection of tennis skirts, pairs them with sweaters/crewnecks or blouses that have a slight puff to the sleeve

The type of girl to wear rufflely rompers on her birthday every year, pink, white, or baby blue obviously

loves those tiny shoulder bags

preppy and looks good in it. 

cropped polos and tube tops

Jane

This account is a Jane should have been cottage core/ fairy core fan page, her outfits were almost there, just not there, she’s literally a fairy but can’t use magic nor did they let her dress like one, I hate it here

Baby girl loves gingham and floral patterns, some of her dresses are a little more to her mother’s taste than hers (her mother bought them) but as long as it’s a pattern she likes she will wear it. 

Cardigans are her best friend, she owns one in multiple shades of pink and blue, plus a white one (all of her clothing fits a pastel pink/blue/white color scheme)

Babydoll dresses her a her favorite style of them (the one I put in the top right corner is what I imagine her birthday dress as) 

People try to mockingly ask if she’s on her way to a tea party/picnic (like they do with Chad and the country club) if the answer isn’t actually yes one of her friends still say yes, no one can be rude to her about it 

She owns a corset (Evie bought it for her, it made her nervous at first but she loves it) 

Owns kitten heels and flats mainly also two pairs of mary janes (in white and blue) 

has one of those little pearl purses that aren’t really useful but they’re cute 

Lonnie

Last but not least, our funky little lesbian (she is, Jay is just her emotional support queer man) Lonnie, she sticks to the teal, blue, and pink color scheme they gave her in movie one

She mainly wears sweats (or athletic clothing) otherwise it’s graphic tees tucked in (many of them are from the men’s section) 

Only wears sneakers, she has places to be but also collects them (also owns 1 pair of pink crocs, Evie tried to burn them)

Carlos and Ben talked her into wearing a collar shirt under a graphic tee once (they bought her a sleeveless button up which she hated at first) and now she does it anytime she wants to look like she put effort into her outfit. 

Wears a lot of necklaces and rings (she loves to layer necklaces, she thinks it makes her sweats look less boring) 

Uses a mini backpack instead of a purse, easier to carry more things.

Has two pairs of custom painted air forces. 

Hates wearing bracelets but always has to have a hair tie on her wrist so they don’t feel empty .

[syndianites]

Day Two: Bee

If anyone asked, the reason she changed from her chic, luxury look to a more comfortable, earthy one was because it was the start of a new year and fashion trends were changing.

She dressed to impress, and she couldn’t do that in last year’s fashion, looking like someone who had finally gathered up enough money to join the trend. No, Chloe was always on top of these things. If anything she set the trends herself.

In reality, it was because of Pollen.

Chloe hadn’t been Queen Bee for a while. She’d done more harm than good ever since she’d been a hero. Miracle Queen, Queen Banana, Penalteam- and that was just the most obvious ways she made life hard for others. And while she never outright spoke against Hawkmoth, she didn’t really support him either.

Except he had Pollen now.

The thought came with a thick feeling of dread in her chest. The little Bee had been one of the few people to unconditionally support her because they actually trusted her. Not because of fear, or pressure, or a blind dedication she never really earned. Pollen had supported her because she saw Chloe as a person before anything else.

And for all that Chloe was mad at Ladybug and harboring a heavy hurt over being replaced she didn’t want Pollen to suffer for it. With Ladybug she was safe. But with Hawkmoth? Pollen had given her a good idea of the torment someone could put their kwami through if they wanted to.

So for the first time in a long time Chloe whole-heartedly supported Ladybug and Chat Noir. She berated anyone who spoke ill of them. Discredited anyone who claimed the heroes were incompetent. Even begrudgingly avoided being mean in hopes of not making more akumas.

And to mark that change, she wanted to change her style.

Which led to her looking in her mirror now. She’d traded the shiny yellow jacket for a soft yellow cardigan with stripes starting mid-torso. Her shirt was solid black that flowed into a skirt of the same color. A fluffy, off-white belt separated the two. To top it off, she had off-white knee-high socks with black stripes on and plain black flats.

And while her hair and sunglasses stayed the same, her makeup was switched out for yellow eye shadow and an almost mahogany lipstick.

No matter what happened, she was a bee through and through, and no one let their Queen stayed trapped with a raving lunatic who wanted some stupid wish. She would do everything she could to help free Pollen, even if it meant helping the people who hurt her.

Because for all Pollen called Chloe a Queen, Pollen was the true Queen of ever Bee Hero there was.

@maybeequeenchloe

[bibiana112]

Top five zero escape character designs go

I completely forgor to post this one! Fuck!! but here you go these were extremely fun to write honestly, these are in order of favorites so most of them are from 999 lol

Santa!! Duh!!! The first thing that stands out to me is how monochrome it is, everyone has a bit of color to them even if muted but he's clad in all this high contrast black and white and it makes him clash a little next to the others which works with how he's supposed to subvert the standoffish and brazen shallow youth kind of character who's just there to cause conflict. Something I always remember too is how some people went all in on analysing the way reds and blues are color coded for transmitters and receivers too pointing out the Field's designs as an example of that color dichotomy and then making a point of how Akane is associated with both at the same time with her purples and how looking at it that way could be a way to communicate that Aoi simply has no access to either ability at this point even if back in their tiny designs he had a blue scarf and her a red tie but Okay that's not even getting into what he's actually wearing I love how no one can quite pin down what style he's going for aside from somewhat punk? Somewhat sporty? I think the closest I've found was techwear? But yeah I like his arm warmers and stupidly thin scarf I like how they're both black in a way that matches with Akane's outfit composition and he has those cool shoes™ which have no shoelaces so it's more practical and a fuck ton of pockets on his bulky ass pants which again very practical given he's got a bunch of stuff to keep track of like he clearly lies about finding the bookmark on the sofa and he keeps a whole gun in them too like yeah I like how the abundance of pockets is pretty purposeful for a change

June!! I probably like it a lot because it looks like such a comfy look for me but also it's so good at what it intends to communicate about her, like, all the multicolor stripes on the long sleeves and socks and the little curls in her hair that are animated when she emotes give her the quirky girl vibe and obviously the whole sweet childhood friend look with the dress and floral patterns make her look sweet which wasn't only the archetype they wanted to subvert but also what turns out to be how the character wants to present herself very purposefully also I like her bun It's such a specific way to decorate her hair and I like how it shows her as having a level of conscientiousness and attention to detail when it comes to her appearance that stays intact during the whole franchise, she never has her hair down completely

999 Junpei, I like his floaty looking jacket :3 No but for real I was shocked that those were actual notes in his character design concepts that the vest makes him fit into the setting because they look like floats like??? I can't believe I picked up on that when I first got into the series like I thought I was joking, but okay, he also has a ton of flannels and layers that give him a back to the future cosplayer look and I love that for him but I think what makes it sell so much of the just a college guy thing he's got going on is the casual and slightly mismatched pants and shoes like what are those shoes colors doesn't matter it's just what he put on that day probably rushing not to be late, his hair I like too it's not very anime it's just a guy with medium length brown hair but in a way that's still a very distinctively him kind of look! Now that I think about it don't his shoes match with the fucking bracelet lol

Luna! I don't know she just looks so nice!! Fighting for her life there as the only girl in the main cast not being needlessly sexualized I guess (I like vlr Alice and Clover in theory just look at their hair and color schemes but we'll y'know,,, And I love love Phi but having both her wear the shortest skirt ever and having her wear an oversized coat to represent her ''immaturity'' from what I've read,,, just. yikes. Also they all seem like they should be uncomfortable, Lotus complained about not being dressed for the situation at least) but yeah I like how she still has maid elements on her design like in her concepts but instead of just giving her a black dress and white apron which is a look that personally really bores me they incorporated the apron into something more full of life! The purplish pink sleeves with fancy cuffs and a dark purple skirt with pretty patterns and ribbons tying it together and a very proper looking braided hair, also of course her pendant is nice and full of importance

ZTD Phi, because I'm a lesbian... I wish I was joking but like what do you want from me it's ztd aksbsk it's a weird choice to decide she's suddenly a red head who dyes her hair but not her eyebrows it's a weird choice to decide she's suddenly wearing glasses when what it implies is that she's wearing them for fashion purposes since she never once complained during vlr hm at best it's a neat idea for her and Sigma to have their color schemes be the inverse of each other? I don't know but I look at it and even if the model is. not the best nonetheless I go omg bless this character designer she's just holy shit those shorts and that blouse with the blue accents so so so pretty hhhhhhhh

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Day 2: Relationships / Matching

*Introducing the Perfect Pair Collection, featuring asymmetrical designs that match.* The oxymoron was not lost on her.

Time to switch to a completely different art style on day 2– 😣 Today’s prompt features the Pomefiore trio!

A harsh tug on his sleeve drew Jade to a halt. He glanced at Miss Raven, who clung to his side, pointing to a nearby shop window with her free hand. Jade followed her finger to what was on display—small boxes and racks, each displaying a glittering piece of jewelry.

“Oya, I do not believe we have baubles on the grocery list,” he tutted, teasingly wagging a finger. “To think that your interest would be so easily captured by mere shiny objects, Miss Raven... Corvids truly are simple-minded creatures. Perhaps you have more in common with the headmaster than I had initially thought.”

“I’m allowed to appreciate beauty, aren’t I?” Raven retorted, casting Jade a sideways glare. “Besides, you wear jewelry.”

“Ah, this?” He gently tapped at the earring dangling from his left earlobe. Three diamond-shaped scales cast a silvery-blue glow upon his skin. “I wouldn’t call it a piece of jewelry so much as a battle trophy.”

At this, Raven wrenched her face away from the glass display to stare at him. “Please don’t tell me you did something unsavory to get your hands on it.”

“You have such strange ideas, Miss Raven.” Jade chuckled as he slicked back his black stripe of hair behind his accessory-clad ear. “Fufu. There is nothing unsavory about victors claiming a prize for their triumph, correct? That is only the natural order of things.”

… I feel sorry for whoever the twins beat up.

She shook her head and returned her gaze to the display window--to the selection of earrings that were laid out upon velvet cloth. Introducing the Perfect Pair Collection, read a sign, featuring asymmetrical designs that match. (The oxymoron was not lost on her.)

Surrounding the sign were various pairs, as promised: a sun and a moon, a jar of jelly and another of peanut butter, a hand and a heart… but Raven felt herself drawn to earrings in the shape of a lock and a key. How peculiar that the head of the key curved into a heart and that its teeth were ribbed with pearls, and how slim yet stylish the lock was.

“My, are you interested in that pair? What an interesting choice.”

“N-No! I’m just admiring them,” Raven insisted. “You don’t normally see designs like this… I wonder how the jeweler was able to make objects so clunky and heavy into something wearable.”

“That is a fair point. The craftsmanship is indeed exquisite.” Jade’s sharp eyes carefully traced the shape of Raven’s ears--pointed, like the headmaster’s. “How unfortunate it is that you lack the piercings to wear them.”

Raven’s hands instinctively flew to her earlobes, as though trying to shield them from him. “I told you, I’m not interested in buying--” 

“Why, whoever said anything about you purchasing the earrings? I was keen to pick up a new pair for myself.” Jade provided a smile and a bow. “Now then, if you would excuse me for one moment…”

Before Raven could protest, he had already vanished inside the jewelry store, leaving her stranded on the street with a list of groceries to procure.

“... Fantastic.”

The bird sighed into her palms. From past experience, she knew that it would not be a wise idea to pursue Jade and attempt to drag him away. For as skilled as Raven was at weaving words, she often found that Jade’s natural charisma, paired with his silver tongue, often gave him the advantage in disagreements.

Best to just leave it for now.

Still, she warily eyed him through the store window as he conversed with a clerk. A few vague hand gestures, a practiced smile, a polite and controlled laugh. All motions Raven had familiarized herself with.

Entranced with her eel watching, Raven didn’t register the trio approaching her until one of the group called out to her.

“Mon petit oiseau! What a coincidence it is to be running into you today.”

“Oh!” She startled at the huntsman’s voice. “Rook…!! And… Vil-senpai and Epel-san. Hello…!”

Acutely aware of Vil’s sternness, Raven quickly lowered her head in deference. This earned a slight curl of the lips from him.

He was dressed as fashionably as ever--a white, frilly top with a V-neck, paired with sunglasses propped in his hair, sleek leggings, and glove boots. Several necklaces adorned Vil’s long, milky neck, and his face was expertly painted with a sheer wash of shimmering, nude makeup.

“Good day to you, Shetland potato,” Vil replied coolly. He passed a glance to Epel, who stood behind him, struggling to carry several rolls of fabric.

“G-Good day,” Epel managed, tugging at his collar. It appeared as though Vil had dressed him, too--for he was dressed in a lacey lilac blouse, and tied off with a black bow. Instead of leggings, Epel wore puffy shorts and striped socks.

“Such a treat it is to see you out of the attic and venturing out into the world!” Rook laughed, brushing back a wisp of his golden hair. He was without his trademark feathered hat, and had traded his dormitory robes for a button-down shirt--the sleeves rolled up and a few buttons undone, army green khakis, and boating shoes.

Compared to the Pomefiore trio, Raven looked like a spaghetti stain on a square of white fabric. She nervously dusted off her skirt, hoping that Vil wouldn’t harp on how she was wearing the same outfit yet again.

“What brings you to town?” Rook inquired, dropping the bags he had been carrying and excitedly grasping Raven’s hands instead.

“Just… groceries. Uncle is away for a conference, so I am to fend for myself in his absence,” she mumbled, gingerly prying her hands away. “Well… sort of. Jade has been mother henning me for the past few days.”

“Monsieur Mastermind? Ohoh. What a dynamic duo! Two halves of the same coin, trading bitter blows with their words… forever locked in verbal combat!”

“I… I guess?”

“I trust that he is looking after you well?” Rook’s smile widened. “If not... perhaps we should kidnap you away and stow you in Pomefiore until the headmaster’s return!”

“Absolutely not,” Vil snapped. “We have our hands far too full with play preparations to be hosting the Shetland potato--or anyone else, for that matter.”

… H-He didn’t object to Rook kidnapping people. Is that a normal thing for Rook to do? Should I be concerned? She shoved her question down to change the subject to something more comfortable. “Erm… Is that what the supplies are for?”

“Oui! Roi du Poison’s club is staging a performance in the winter. These materials are to make costumes.” The huntsman’s eyes suddenly lit up with a mischievous sparkle. “Fufu. Mon roi has thrown his heart and soul into direction. It is a treat to behold!”

“Congratulations, senpai.”

“Don’t congratulate me yet,” Vil commanded, holding up a hand. “We are still in the throes of auditions. Wait until you have witnessed the show for yourself before you cheer for it.”

“Oh, well… I hope you find suitable actors, then.”

Vil’s eyes suddenly narrowed. “Hm. Now that you mention it… Shetland potato!”

Raven jumped when he barked at her. “Y-Yes?! Look, I know I’ve been wearing the same outfit every time you see me, it’s just that Uncle fills my closet with nothing but duplicate clothes…!!”

“I think you would be fitting for one of the roles in my play,” Vil declared. “Report to Pomefiore at 8 am sharp tomorrow if you are interested in auditioning.”

“Huh?! Me, in one of your… I don’t think I’m…”

“Are you doubting my eyes?” His glare sharpened, turning into a pointed dagger.

“N-No, sir…”

“Good. Then I hope to see you then.” Vil spun around on his heel and waved a hand. “Rook! Epel! We’re going. Don’t dawdle, now.”

“Yes, Vil-senpai. I-I’m coming!”

Epel dashed after his Dorm Leader, Rook following suit--but not before he gave Raven one last glance over his shoulder, accompanied by a wave. Au revoir, he mouthed, the twinkle never parting from his emerald eyes.

She waved back absentmindedly, brought back from her daze only by the ringing of the jewelry store door swinging open again.

Jade emerged from within, bearing a small baby blue box with a white silk bow. “I have returned, Miss Raven. Fufu. I trust that you were not too lonely without me?”

She hastily hid her hands behind her back. “Of course not. You were only gone for a few minutes…!”

“So I was.” Jade’s eyes darted to the Pomefiore trio, whose figures were vanishing over the horizon. “Had I been absent a few moments longer, perhaps I would have had to wrangle you from the hands of an nosy huntsman.”

“As though forcing your way in and kidnapping me back would be any better!”

Jade stifled a laugh.

“In any case, I have procured the earrings I had my heart set on.” With deft fingers, he slid off the top, revealing a glittering lock and key tucked away inside. Jade plucked up the key by the head. “Miss Raven, do lend me your ear.”

“Those are yours…!”

“Correct--and therefore, I may do with these as I please.” He smiled pleasantly. “And I choose to lend you one to wear.”

“It’s not that simple! Have you forgotten already? I can’t wear it--don’t have piercings,” she protested. “You’re not going to jab it through my earlobes, are you?!”

“I will do no such thing.” Jade’s voice remained tranquil as he seized the raven by her chin and jerked her head to one side, yielding a clear opening for him to plant the earring. She squawked in surprise, flailing against him--but his grip was too strong, and she, too weak.

He sighed, continuing to speak as though he were describing the nice weather. “I assure you, this will not hurt one bit, fufufu. Now be a dear and hold still.”

It happened in an instant, despite the bird’s struggles. A slight pinch upon her earlobe, the kiss of the cool metal key on her skin, and it was over.

Jade straightened with a satisfied smirk, and patted Raven on the cheek. “There we are.”

“Eh? What? How did…” She cautiously poked at the earring. “There wasn’t a needle…?”

“I requested that the jeweler convert the key earring into a clip-on.”

“Wha…?! You… You tricked me again?!” Her face flared with a mixture of embarrassment and rage. “But why even bother with such a thing?”

“I wished to see how it would look on you. As I suspected, it is lovely on you.”

Raven gritted her teeth, praying that it would somehow help hide her flusteredness. “... And what do you plan to do with the lock earring? You didn’t also have that one converted, did you?”

“Certainly not.” Jade toyed with the lock in question, rolling it between his index finger and thumb. “I was thinking to wear it myself in lieu of my usual sturgeon scale earring, so that we may match.”

“Match?” Raven scoffed through her blush. “I didn’t know you cared so much about your accessories while grocery shopping.”

“I do not,” he confessed with a coy grin. “However, I would be remiss to pass up an opportunity to show to the world what a perfect pair we make.”

“You what--” Raven was interrupted by Jade grasping one of her hands and placing the lock earring into it.

“If you would do the honors,” he murmured, tilting his head to one side--and once more, slicking his black hair back. His tone was low and inviting, yet somehow she could hear him well and clear over the townspeople that bustled around them.

The scales suspended on his earring swung back and forth in a slow motion. Click, clack, against one another, in an almost hypnotic fashion.

His single, golden eye stared right at her. Waiting, pleading.

Raven swallowed hard. With trembling hands, she unfastened the sturgeon scale earring from his earlobe and secured the lock earring in its place. As soon as the deed was done, she rushed to wipe her hands off on her skirt.

Eel cooties, eel cooties, eel cooties…!!

“Thank you for your assistance, Miss Raven.”

“You’re… you’re welcome.” She pursed her lips, avoiding his eyes--but her traitorous gaze soon found itself lingering on the lock. “That suits you, in a way--like a lock, you guard many secrets, and it’s impossible to get you to open up.”

“Fufu. I am flattered to hear such kind words. If I may return the compliment, that key earring fits you like a glove.”

“Right. Because Uncle is adorned in keys, it would make sense for the motif to carry over to his relatives.”

“No, no, you misunderstand.” Jade held a finger to his lips, a twinkle of conspiracy in his golden eyes. “Come closer… and I shall impart one of my closely guarded secrets to you.”

“This isn’t another one of your tricks, is it?” she asked, her eyes forming suspicious slivers--but despite her curt words, the bird’s body instinctively leaned into his. She cursed her curiosity.

Jade chuckled and bent down, allowing his lips to hover by her ear. Time seemed to slow, but her heartbeat quickened. Face, hot--extremities, cold. Opposites, yet matching. One, unable to exist without the other.

And, at last, his answer came.

“It suits you well--for you hold the key to my heart, Miss Raven.”

[aliypop]

Anyway You Want Me: Chapter 2

Word Count: 3,147

Writers Note: This story is just an au of what if my Oc and Elvis met in high school instead of the Louisana Hayride

Warning: None so far except for language and historic language

Pairing: OC x Elvis

Plot: 1953 Memphis Tennessee Cecelia Valmos and her mother move to Shelby County as their house in Nashville is going through renovations, when asked to keep a low profile by her mother Cecelia makes friends with the quirkiest, shy, yet charming kid in class, at least Friends is what she'd call them.

Chapter 1

Memphis, Tennessee, Saturday, May 1953

"Is it three yet?" Cecelia asked as she was in her bedroom brushing out her curls and adding a small victory roll. Sure, the look was out of style, but she still appreciated it."It's 2:40." Denise shouted back as Cecelia grinned. She was finally going to be hanging out with someone, a cool someone, a shy someone, but it was someone. Taking her keys from off her dresser, she was ready to go. 

"See you later, mother!"

"See you later, and be safe!" 

"I will!" walking out the door, Cecelia passed her father, "Hi Daddy, bye Daddy..." Racing to her car, she got in and drove off, waving at the fans who were there for her parents. 

"What's gotten into her?"

"A boyfriend." Denise lied, "You'd know that if you were in her life more." 

Elvis would be lying if he wasn't twiddling his thumbs with jobs at the electric company just to kill time today. His watch was reading 2:56, which meant his shift was almost over, and he could hang out with Cecelia. Elvis couldn't wait to see her, which was totally not weird because Elvis only knew her for two days, but she was cool enough for him to be excited about seeing her, right? Either way, he knew she was worth him hanging around. Pulling back up to the store, Elvis saw her pink car. Cecelia was wearing shorts and a striped shirt, leaning against the counter with the toned legs of a dancer, and boy was Elvis entertained. She had on heels. And a pink chiffon bow in her hair and Elvis wanted nothing more than to pull her close and say- 

"There you are! I was talking to this young lady here about electric wiring."

"Did you know that when the male goes into the Female, and they plug into each other, boom, we get lights!" Cecelia glanced at Elvis, acting as if she didn't know that. He was thinking about a male and a female, but not lights.  

"Mhmm... I-I-I'll actually be right back." Elvis said as he went to freshen up. It wasn't like he was trying to impress Cecelia, Well, maybe a little, changing out of his work slacks. He had on a pair of black slacks and a white lace see-through button-up shirt with pink socks and his loafers. When he walked out, Elvis had hoped he would have taken Cecelia's breath away, but instead, he heard, "You look good, Pres."

"Thanks, Cece, you uh ready to go?" 

"Yeah." Taking his keys, he opened her door, then his, as the two began their adventures,

 "So where to first, record shop, comic shop?"

"Surprise me," Cecelia said, taking a bit of a glance at him as he began to drive. He wanted to rest his hand on her thigh, but friends didn't do that. He just had to focus. 

"Music shop it is."

Music played on the radio as Cecelia hummed along. She could carry a tune, Elvis thought to himself as he listened. He didn't sing much unless it was at Church or in his house. Other than that, he was a shy little thing,  

"So Cece..."

"Hmm?"

"You never did tell me where you moved from." 

"Well, sugar..." Elvis felt his heart pound when she said sugar. That southern drawl of her was strong, a bit like Scarlet O'Hara but sweeter, "North Carolina, Originally born and raised, but then for three years I lived in Georgia, and that was like stickin your hand in a jar of hot peppers and rubbin your eyes afterward." she laughed as Elvis kept trying to focus on the road, but he had laughed with her too, 

"Sounds like it was hell."

"You've no idea, sugar." She smiled, applying her red lipstick, "So what about you? You don't exactly sound like a Memphis guy." She smirked as he blushed. It was back on him now, all the attention, 

"Well, I was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi," Elvis smiled as Cecelia grinned,

"That explains that heavy accent."

"Yours ain't light either,"

"I don't know what you're talkin bout." Cecelia playful nudged him as they parked at the music store, 

"Oh really, what do you call honey."

"Definitely not what you call it." She laughed at his adorable accent as he helped her out of the car, 

"And what do I call it."

"Hunneh..." she mumbled as he laughed with her,

"That's what I sound like?" He questioned as she nodded, watching him walk like he was some star of importance, which to her he was. She never could find someone with whom she could laugh about accents. When they walked in, Cecelia called to the guitars on the wall. Her medicine of choice was a Gretsch, but she didn't mind a Gibson. Or a Fender. 

"Do you play?" Elvis asked

"A little..." Cecelia said, a guitar pick in her mouth, trying to reach for one of the Gibson guitars on the top shelf.

"Mind if I..." Before Cecelia could respond, she was suspended mid-air and sitting on his shoulder,

 "Oh..." reaching for the guitar, she grabbed it, 

"Thanks, sugar. I mean, El, Pres." 

"No problem. Cece with an E," He put her down. And he grinned a little bit. Her skin was actually really smooth, not that he was surprised, but it was a bonus. Sitting down, she strummed the guitar as her pink-painted nails began to play a song. 

"Well, I don't care if the sun don't shine. I get my lovin' in the evening time. When I'm with my baby." Cecelia began to sing as she played the song with a more bluesy rock and roll feel. She had a jazz undertone, but to Elvis, it sounded like an Angel was singing to him and a guitar princess strumming with the way her fingers were on the fret playing. It was almost as if Cecelia were a pro, and the song Cecelia picked a classic. Elvis was enchanted, but he couldn't be. Cecelia probably saw him as a friend anyway, 

"Do you play Pres..."

"El..."

"Elvis!"

"Hmm, sorry, I-I-I was thinkin." he stuttered as Cecelia blushed. Why was he so cute and innocent? She couldn't think of him like this. He was her friend, and he probably didn't feel the same.

"Oh, I was wondering if you played guitar."

"A little." He rubbed the back of his neck, "But how about the comic book shop?" he added. He wanted to save Beale Street for later in the afternoon when the lights started to come on, and the street really came to life, 

"I'd like that," putting the guitar down. The two then walked to the comic book store, 

"So, where'd you learn to sing and play like that!"

"Well, my mother, she sings, and my daddy, when he was around, played guitar, then I learned the rest from B.B. King." She shrugged,

"A girl who enjoys good music."

"Good music, good food, and great SUPERMAN!" she rushed to the window as Elvis laughed, 

"Cece, wait up!"

"EL IT'S A NEW ISSUE."

"Superman nice... But" his eyes saw a Jay Garrick comic, he snuck off and picked it up as he showed her, all he heard was a gasp, 

"ELVIS YOU FOUND IT!"She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him, a blush creeping on his face, 

"F-F-Found what?"

"The comic issue I've been lookin for! " 

"you're welcome!" there were eyes on them as Cecelia and Elvis both blushed, 

"A discount for your date there," Irene said. Irene was the daughter of the owner. She knew Elvis well, in the sense he'd buy his Captain Marvel Jr. comics here. 

"She's just a friend, Irene."

"Sugar, look what I found!

"Mhmm, a friend..." Irene smirked, "I'll ring that one up, too." she winked, walking toward the counter. 

"This one's gonna be legendary..." He looked at the comic book as she grinned, "Definitely legendary." When they left the comic shop, they walked to the car to further their adventure. As they cruised down the street, the radio had been playing Dean Martins That's Amore, in which Cecelia had taken it upon herself to croon her entire heart out as Elvis as the test subject, 

"Y-You speak Italian..."

"Well, I've sung in German, French, Italian, and Spanish," she grins, "But Sometimes I speak French." 

"I-I-I-"

" Êtes-vous d'accord, Elvis?" Cecelia leaned in,

"I don't know what you just said. Hell, it sounded pretty." Elvis's brain was short-circuiting. If she was being a flirt, then he needed to get her back for it, too. 

"You think so. I've been a little rusty and haven't been to a French restaurant in a while..." She sighed,

"You live an interestin life, Cece." 

"I try to. Sometimes, I can never sit in one place. I have to be doing somethin. You know El. Like playing violin or singin or," Elvis was listening to her. She was passionate and energetic, a fast talker when she was excited, and he loved it. 

"Am I talking top?"

"No, you're talkin just fine," opening her door, he took her hand and helped her out as she blushed. He was a gentleman, a good listener, had a keen attention to detail, and had soft yet slightly callused hands that she could admire. 

"So this is Beale Street..." She said to herself,

"Wait til you see it at 7 pm. It's only 5, so we got time to see whatever you want." 

"Hmm... Let's walk and get into some good trouble." She grinned as Elvis smirked,

"I'm beginin to really like you." he said, as Cecelia blushed, "As a friend."

"Me too, kid," she giggled. Ruffling up his hair as she laughed, 

"I-I- I ain't no kid, Cece, why I bet I'm older than you."

"When's your birthday, El," Cecelia smirked, stepping up to him,

"January 8th, 1935." he smirked as if he were right, and she would grovel at his feet and say she was, in fact, a kid, a mere worm, "What about you, huh,"

"January 7th, 1935." she grinned, 

"Damn it, guess you're the boss." He laughed as the two then came up towards a tailor shop. Elvis was standing at the window looking at the suits and the shoes, 

"Wanna go in?" Cecelia asked. Elvis looked a bit hesitant. He had always craved the look, but he knew he couldn't afford it much. 

"I can't really afford much of anything in there..."

"Elvis Aaron Presley, You are going in that store. You will try on whatever it is you want, so that way, you know what you'll want when you can," she smirked, taking him by the hand and dragging him through the doors. She was gutsy, and he liked it, 

"Excuse me, but my friend here wants to try on..." Her eyes scanned the room for the pink suit that was in the window, "That fine suit right there, if you please." she smiled,

"Of course, Ms. If you'd follow me, sir."

"Cece..."

"Trust me, you'll look great." Cecelia smiled as she sat down in the waiting area, reading the men's fashion magazines and swoony at some of the men in them. She could hear Elvis in there having a bit of a ball and commotion of the experience, a snicker leaving her lips, 

"Cece little help here!" was all she heard, and then it was,

"Well, Ms., what do you think?"

"Well...I..." The pink in the outfit brought out those electric baby blues, and the lace gave him this alluring, sultry feel. The pants gave him an essence that told him he could have anything he ever dreamed of, and suddenly, she was beginning to dream of him in broad daylight, "Well, Cece..." the sinister smirk on his face was doing something to she'd never felt before,

 "Stand up straight..." she stood up, "Well, aren't you cookin' good lookin," Cecelia smirked, looking him up and down like one would inspect a car. 

"You really think so?" He asked as he danced a little in the outfit,

"Mhmm..." Her mind was racing, but they were just friends, "You could get any girl in that."

"You should get it for your boyfriend, Ms. We'll make up a fake invoice if you want to keep you two a secret..."The clerk smirked as both Cecelia and Elvis blushed,

"Oh no, we're just friends and just browsin' around, really," Elvis said as he went to get changed back into his clothes. Cecelia was tricky to read, but he knew he'd get the gist of her. Cecelia couldn't help but feel butterflies in her stomach, but maybe she was just hungry. 

"You hungry?"

"Hmm, I could eat, El." she took his hand as she waved the shopkeepers goodbye, 

"So the thing about me getting any girl..."

"You could in that outfit. You just gotta be confident, you know..." She paused. There in the cafe was an array of black skin dancing and singing, having a grand time while they were enjoying their burgers and fries, 

"We can eat here if you'd like." 

"YES!" this was the life she had missed, the life Elvis had always known. 

"Hey Elvis!" some teenage girls waved at him as he waved back. 

"Hey Mildred, Shirley, Rudy," he winked as they giggled, "Who's your friend."

"Cecelia Valmos." She introduced herself as they walked over and sat down, "Oh girl, I love your hair!" one of the girls said as Cecelia grinned, 

"Thank you. I love yours, too!"

"She just moved here not too long ago." 

"You picked a good tour guide."Rudy said, "He's always here like he lives here," she chuckled, 

"Is that so."

"Girl, you should see E cut up a rug. He's like a white guy with a black soul." Shirley commented as Elvis blushed, "And when He sings..."

"Ladies, I'm right here." he blushed, getting embarrassed a bit. 

"I'll keep that in mind." she chuckled. The waitress then came by as she looked at saw Elvis, 

"Let me guess, cheeseburger, a milkshake, fries salted." she laughed, "And for you, dear?"

"Cheeseburger and a soda, please." 

"No fries?" Elvis asked,

"I'll just eat yours."

"Aw, a date?"

Elvis and Cecelia quickly shook their heads,

"We're just friends..." Cecelia said,

"For now, " the three girls had said as they went to dance with their boyfriends. Cecelia watched them as she then looked at Elvis, who was tapping his foot, 

"You wanna dance?" offering her hand out to him,

"Sure." Elvis took her hand as they went up to the jukebox. Let's have a Party was playing, and that's what Cecelia intended to do. The two were dancing together and laughing as it had clearly been the most fun the two had been having. Pulling her close and spinning her around, he was impressed with her footwork. There had been a few girls he'd danced with, but this one, for once, could keep up. He then began doing his own thing as Cecelia watched his hips. She began to be mesmerized until she joined him. Swaying her hips as Cecelia danced around him, another guy took her by the hand as they began to do the Lindy Hop, flipping her over his shoulder as Cecelia laughed. He was impressed with her courage and how much of a fun time she was. 

"HEY E CATCH!" Bernard shouted as he spun Cecelia into Elvis's arms.

Elvis caught Cecelia as he dipped her, heart racing as she looked up at him, "Nice catch..." She said as Elvis blushed, "Nice, dancin." he then walked them both to their table. Sitting down, Cecelia and Elvis ate and talked as she took some of his fries, and he took some of her pickles from her burger, 

"So, has today been fun so far," Elvis asked as Cecelia sighed.

"I don't know, I mean..."

"Yes..."

"Well..."

"Cece..."

"I've been havin a blast!" she smiled. 

"Great, 'cause now I wanna show you the true Beale Street." he smiled, clutching his heart at her reaction. 

"Is this not the real..." walking outside. Cecelia saw the city lights. They felt more comforting than New York and brighter than Paris. They felt like home. Elvis could see the sparkle in her eyes as she was mesmerized by the scene music from every street, people dancing, cars going by,

 "May I?"

"You may." Elvis took Cecelia's hand and walked with her across the street, walking by other shops and bands. Cecelia could feel that this was where music truly lived. There was a group of musicians playing as Elvis began to mumble under his breath and sing the words. Cecelia had tried to listen. 

"You know... You heard me sing..." Cecelia smirked,

"Yeah, I did..."

"it's your turn..." 

"Cece..."

"Please, Pres..."

"Cil..."

"Elvis... Elvis...Elvis." She cheered as he took a deep breath and sang along to the song. When he began to sing, it was like time stood still to try to catch up to him. He was lost in the music, dancing and almost nearly performing the song. When he had stopped, Elvis had noticed Cecelia's mouth completely wide open in shock.

"ELVIS AARON PRESLEY!!! WHY ARE YOU NOT ON THE RADIO!" Cecelia playfully shook him about. As he laughed, "Or on TV, people should have posters of your records!!" she grinned, 

"I could say the same about you," he smiled as Cecelia giggled. He was right, but she was right, too.

 "Yeah, but this is about you!"

"Well, Cil, I got terrible stage fright." He laughed, "I can't be no singer or actor with stage fright." he sighed,

"Yeah, you can. Many get nervous, too."Cecelia said as she got closer to him,

"I-I-I-I da-don't pronounce my W's right an..."

"So, you got the look, I mean behind the lanky look and the choppy colored hair... There's a star." Cecelia backed away,

"Cil..."

"Imagine it, everyone screamin Elvis Presley!" she twirled, stumbling a bit as he caught her,

"Yeah... no," He laughed. Maybe if I played football or somethin, they should be cheerin your name." he smirked, lifting her up again on his shoulders, "Cecelia Valmos, the great guitar player, the amazing singer." he looked up at her as she looked down at him both their eyes meeting, 

"Elvis Presley, the great dancer! Mover of hips and remover of panties!" she joked as Elvis turned red,

"That don't sound half bad." he laughed with her, the two heading back to his car, 

"Elvis... Are you free tomorrow?"

"I got church an work, but after that..." 

"Wanna hang out again tomorrow?" Cecelia asked,

"Sure, we could go to a park or the library, maybe we could study at my place?"

"We could do that, I could make brownies as a snack," 

"It's a done deal then Cece," he smiled driving her to her car,

"See you tomorrow El."

"Same time?"

"Same time!"

Taglist: If you wanna be tagged let me know!

@darkmoviesquotespizza

@sissylittlefeather

@richardslady121

@thegettingbyp2

@presleyenterprise

@sissylittlefeather

@dkayfixates

@rjmartin11

@thetaoofzoe

MORE TO COME IN CHAPTER 3!

[shyrose57]

How many of you know what Dress Up Niki is? Because I’m making a Dress Up Niki AU.

Tubbo:

A simple boy from Lilith, as far as the group is concerned. 

Prefers Warm and Pure styles. Typically with some sort of nature or animal theme.

His default outfit is a pale yellow sweater with three thick brown stripes, and scrunched sleeves, over a soft green button-up shirt that's collar pokes out, brown shorts with green thread and a single bee embroidered onto each side, pale green socks, brown sneakers with green accents, a braided yellow/green bracelet with a bee charm, and a yellow and brown bee-themed backpack that he carries his stuff in.

There's a strange bee plushie that he only uses in emergencies, style wise. It's very soft, and smallish. It's wings are gossamer, and it's eyes are amber. Sometimes, it seems to move on it's own, though nobody's been able to prove it. Seems to have very potent Pure and Cute attributes.

Skills are Smile, Charming, Picky Immune, and Cinderella.

Tommy:

An orphan from Apple Federal who ran away and now is traveling the world.

Prefers Simple and Lively styles. Usually something sporty, and easy to move in.

Default outfit is a white long sleeve, a red short-sleeved hoodie, light brown cargo pants, red and white sneakers, white socks, brown fingerless gloves, and a brown satchel that holds his stuff.

One-third dark elf-one third forest elf, and otherwise human. Due to this, he can see easily in the dark, has more energy at night, overall has high magic stores, and is really good with animals. 

Feels a strange draw to Phil, though he can't pinpoint why.

Skills are Picky Immune, Gift, Clock, and Charming.

Wilbur:

Hails from the Republic of Wasteland, Windvale Tribe. Having always longed to study the styles of other nations, he finally left to do so after an argument with his brother, Fundy.

Prefers Simple and Gorgeous styles. Usually something with an 'old-fashioned' flair.

Default outfit is a pin-striped button up shirt, with rolled up sleeves, brown trouser, suspenders, white socks, a pair of laced boots, an brown, yellow, and blue arm-band peeking out from under his shirt, and a golden bangle bracelet on his wrist. Carries a briefcase bag to hold his stuff.

Very good with music, and has an easier time directing magic through it. 

Always has his guitar on hand. It has very potent Lively and Gorgeous attributes.

Skills are Smile, Charming, Critical Eye, and Picky Immune.

Phil:

Comes from Cloud originally, but moved to the North Kingdom as a teen. Nowadays, he travels the world with Techno.

Prefers Elegant and Simple styles. His clothes will be influenced by the area, as he is a survivalist at heart.

Default outfit is dark green kimono top, with a red heart stitched into the breast, over a simple black shirt, black pants, sandals, a striped white and green hat, and a leather pouch around his waist that holds his items.

Part forest elf, and as such, has a pair of large bird wings on his back, which he uses to fly quite often.

Skills are Smile, Charming, Picky Bounce, and Sleeping. 

Technoblade:

Former general from the north, he went rogue and became a mercenary at seventeen.

Prefers Mature and Elegant styles. Regal, but not enough to hinder him in battle.

Default outfit is a white poet’s shirt, dark red sash around his waist, black pants, knee-high Cavalier boots, a dark red hooded cloak that reaches his knees, numerous golden accessories, a leather pouch attached to his thigh to hold his stuff, as well as a dagger beneath it, and a sword sheath at his hip.

Immune to the Curse of Blood, for reasons unknown-possible descendant of Nikki.

Skills are Charming, Critical Eye, Cinderella, and Gift Bounce.

Plot:

Prince Tobias is the third prince of Pigeon, after Prince Dream, and Prince Eret. As the eldest, Dream has taken the throne in wake of their mother's passing.

Shortly before her death, the Queen gave her children each a special gift to aid them in the times to come.

Dream was granted a special mask, made of porcelain, and baring a simple smiley-face on it's surface. The mask is enchanted, hiding the wearer's emotions and weaknesses from everyone around them. Perfect for diplomacy.

Eret was given a coat, of deep red and golden thread. It granted it's wearer confidence, drawing attention to them, and giving them the strength of leadership. Perfect for leading.

And Tobias was given a bee plushie, warm and soft, that gave it's holder hope, and reminded them of memories of joy and childhood. Perfect for a boy who'd have to be a hero.

When Dream took the throne, he started changing. Acting colder, and more power hungry. Uncaring for his people. His siblings soon realized that the mask had become corrupted, not merely hiding emotions and weaknesses, but making them vanish all together, turning their brother into an unfeeling tyrant.

After failing to get the mask off of him, Tobias fled the kingdom, desperate to find the mask's maker, or anything to tell him how to fix it and save his brother. Eret remained, determined to help the kingdom as much as they could, and do damage control. Though reluctant to allow her little brother out alone, he realized it would be safer out there than in the kingdom at the moment, and helped him flee.

Very few had seen Tobias’s face, due to the late queen's insistence upon not dragging her children into kingdom affairs until they were of age, so it wasn't too hard for him to vanish. Eret sent a family friend his way, Jordan Sparklez, who helped him into Lilith, and established a cover story.

Tubbo Sparklez, a Lilith student returning home after traveling abroad to learn more about himself, just as his father had.

He soon meets Tommy Innit, a runaway from Apple Federal.

Tommy had always been an easy target for the other kids. He was always a bit too loud for the caretakers, and annoying to the other children. Not to mention his strange habits. Needless to say, Tommy often found himself being blamed for things he didn't do, and punished for them. At fourteen, he was fed up with it.

So he ran. Packed his few things and bolted. Eventually found himself in Lilith, where he quite literally crashed into Tubbo, and despite the rough start, the two became quick friends.

Though Tommy still planned to travel, he decided to relax for a bit, and hang out with his new friend. Those plans were thrown astray when Pigeon attacked the town, and the two fled together.

The terrifying experience led to them agreeing to stick together and protect each other. Tubbo confesses he was searching for something, because his brother was in trouble, and Tommy decided to help him out. After some deliberation, they decided to head to Cloud, hoping to find some clues there.

From there, they meet Wilbur Soot, and eventually, Philza and Techno. The three end up sticking with them, all soon wrapped up in a complicated adventure as Tubbo searches for a way to save his brother, and the rest of the group find themselves facing things about themselves they never knew, and learning where they belong in this vast world.

[a-edgar-allan-hoe]

The Red Witch

Jasper Hale x Reader part 2

A/N: So here is the 2nd part everyone! I hope you like it!

Summary: Imagine being an immortal witch from the Middle Ages and being the previous love of Jasper before he was turned. You two were separated under certain circumstances and cross each other’s path once again, years later in the present era.

Warning: language. Blood

Part 1 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5

“(Y/N)? Are you ok?” You hear your friend Melanie ask you, her voice laced with concern as she places a comforting hand on your shoulder, bringing you out of your thoughts.

Your head was beginning to throb violently and the scent of everyone’s blood was beginning to reach you. You could sense their pulse, the flow of their blood through their veins, and a part of you, deep down inside, hungered for it. Not in the way vampires felt, but in a way that you wanted to rip their souls out of their bodies and bathe in their blood while you only gained more power. And it sickened you. It sickened you to the very core.

“I think I need some fresh air.” You turn to face her, only to hear her gasp when she stares at your eyes.

“What? What is it?” You ask her.

She pulls you to the back of the shop, making sure no one noticed before speaking to you in a hushed tone. “(Y/N), hun, I don’t want to freak you out but, your eyes are red.”

“They’re what?!” You stare back at her in confusion before pulling out your phone to see for yourself only to let out a gasp as well.

Both your eyes were blackened in this deep blood red that covered not only your irises but your sclera as well, resembling something of a demon from the pits of hell. You shut your eyes in response, not even wanting to look at yourself, the mere sight of your eyes horrified you.

“Shit shit shit. This isn’t supposed to happen. I haven’t had this happen to me in a long time, not since I was little.” You hiss, pinching the bridge of your nose.

“Does that mean?”

“Yes. I let my stupid emotions control me. And now look.” You run a hand through your hair as you open your eyes back up, staring at the floor. “I need to go. I need to go before this gets worse and I hurt someone.

“Don’t worry hun. You go and sort it out. I’ll close the shop early. And please, remember to breathe.”

You nod in agreement before taking out a pair of your sunglasses from your purse and throwing them on to cover your eyes. You slip on your black leather jacket, grabbing your belongings and rush out the shop. With a quickened pace, you walk over to your 1967 dark blue Shelby Mustang with white racing stripes and hop in. You strapped on your seatbelt and put your keys in the ignition to start the car, gripping the wheel as you closed your eyes, listening to and feeling the rumble of the engine. It was one of those things that calmed you down, you always loved the sound of muscle cars.

Taking a deep breath you rev up your engine and drive off, the sound of your car echoing through the streets as you race out of town and towards the woods so that you can be away from from everyone. You had your windows down and your radio up, enjoying the feeling of the wind against your face as the scenery around you blurred past.

You pulled up to a small clearing not too far from the road and got out of your car. Looking at the trees around you, you throw your head back and take a deep breath, taking in the smell of the forest. The throbbing in your head was still there but it was starting to fade. You slip off your gloves and sit down near your car. Glancing down at your hands you noticed that they were turning pitch black with tendrils that seemed to wrap it’s way up your arm, like a poison that runs through your veins only to reach your heart to provide an inevitable ending. Your powers felt like a poison coursing through your veins, and the thought of it ever reaching your heart made your blood run cold. You also noticed that your fingernails have grown to a sharp point, like the claws of an animal.

Shit. Shit shit shit. You needed to stop this.

You unlace your black dr martens and kick them off, digging your toes into the grass and feeling the earth beneath you as you closed your eyes, taking deep breaths as you tried to become one with your surroundings. Earth, fire, water, air, spirit.

You hadn’t used your powers in a long time and were out of practice. And yet, you felt like you needed to. You feared that if you didn’t learn to control it, you would eventually succumb to it and then your powers would eventually control you. And that was the last thing you wanted. With a deep breath you open your eyes back up and stare at your hands. Using your sharp nail, you slice into your arm and watch as the blood slips out of your wound before swirling around your fingers. You try to focus on a certain object and watch as the red substance slowly flows together, forming a red dagger in your hand.

So you weren’t completely out of practice. You let out a sigh of some form of relief, watching the blade melt back into blood, slipping back inside your wound before healing itself. Then slowly, your hands and fingernails returned to normal.

Thank goodness.

After a short period of sitting on the grass and listening to the peaceful sound of the wind and the birds, you pull your phone out of your back pocket to look at the time.

Shit.

Your little sister Harper was going to be off of school in a couple of minutes and you didn’t want to be late. You throw your docs back on and get back in your car before starting your engine and racing off out of the forest and towards Forks high school. You had your radio turned up and currently Led Zeppelin was playing as you pulled up to the high school.

You left the radio on and got out, leaning against the hood of your car with your arms crossed over your chest. You stood there, searching for your sister and finally see her appear out the front entrance.

She had her backpack slung across one arm, her 80s style windbreaker blowing against the wind. She was wearing her old white sweatshirt she found at the thrift store that had Scooby Doo on it, tucked into her high waisted jeans that were rolled up to show off her funky new socks that she just bought because they had dinosaurs all over it. The laces of her white converse were hastily tied as she makes her way over to you with her head lowered.

The way she dressed always made you smile, she always looked like she stepped out of an 80s sitcom, and it perfectly resembled her dorky and full of life personality. Standing next to each other, no one would have ever thought you two were related, with your dark choice of clothes and her bright and colorful ones.

“Hey scooter.” You smile at her once she approaches you.

“Hey” she mumbles out quietly, pushing her glasses up as she gets to the passenger side, making you raise your brow.

Huh. What’s wrong with her?

You turn around to get back into your car before a familiar face stops you in your tracks, making your clench your fist as your breath hitches in your throat.

“Oh you have got to be shitting me.” You hiss, looking away once Jasper catches your stare.

Great, so Jasper and the other vampires happen to go to the same high school your sister goes to. Just great.

You catch Harper giving you a wtf look before turning around to follow your eyes to see for herself what you were getting so upset over.

“(Y/n)?”

“It’s nothing Harper, get in the car.” You shake it off as you both get in.

You sensed Harper watching you carefully as you start your car back up and pull back out of the parking lot. You gave Jasper one last glance, feeling him staring into your soul as you drove off.

How could someone you’ve sworn to forget, someone who didn’t even remember you, still have such an effect over you?

“So how was school?” You ask her as you make your way back to your home, which was located away from town. You could still feel her staring at you.

“It was okay. Nothing special.” She shrugs, looking at the road in front of her before turning back to you. “So what’s up with you? How come you’re acting so moody?”

“So what, you’re my therapist now?”

“Well you were totally chill until you saw that weird pale, Lestat looking dude.”

Did she just call him Lestat?? Wheeze!

There was a pause before her eyes widened a little. “Wait, is he? Is he the same guy that’s in your necklace?”

You clench your wheel as your back straightens up, using your free hand to grasp the intricate gold locket you wore around your neck. The one Jasper gave you many many years ago that he had custom made to have a dragonfly on it. The one you put a small picture of him in to remember him by.

“Did you go through my things?” You raise your brow at her.

“.......maybe.”

“Harper.”

“Hey! I was bored okay. It’s not like I did it recently. And you have so much old shit anyways.”

“Hey, language.” You shake your head with a roll of your eyes. “And it’s not just any old shit okay. It’s stuff that means a lot to me.”

“Looks like a bunch of ancient junk to me.”

“Oh so you’re calling me ancient now.”

“Well technically....”

“Harper.”

“Ok! Sorry!” Harper laughs before getting serious again. “But seriously though, who was he? You’ve like never told me about him.”

You let out a sigh, feeling a lump in your throat that felt like it refused to go away. “That’s because it hurts to talk about him. Jasper and I, he used to court me back in 1862. Harper.....we were supposed to get married.”

A/N: Part 3 coming soon! I didn’t want this chapter to be too long so I had to split it. Thanks for all the support you beautiful people! 😁

Tags: @twilight-kpop @cricketlicket @bella-stenbakken @ineffabledears @elisemurphy06 @ashdab2611 @pancake-pages @toomanybandstocare @cammellia

[goldtracing]

Part IX – England: The Victorian Era (1830 – 1901)

So now we come to the instalment of the series that I’ve been looking forward to a lot – the Victorian era. Buckle up and enjoy.

England:  

First of all, I’ll be topping this off with the infamous Vatermörder. It was a high, white collar, very fashionable in the early Victorian period that was starched and tightly woven to the point that it was very stiff. The translation of the name is “Father Murderer” and it does it justice – imagine dear old Arthur getting to intoxicated at a ball or at a pub and suffocating on his own collar just because he couldn’t hold his head straight. All the more the shocker when he would have returned from the dead after motionlessly lying there for a few minutes. Thankfully, this clothing article eventually went out of fashion.

Another development was the mandatory wearing of long trousers. This was because men’s calves were sexualised, and public decency commanded they be hidden. Breeches were only allowed at costume balls and while horse riding. Knickerbockers in combination with long socks were meant for outdoor sports. Not the best thing for Arthur Kirkland, the traveling imperialist, who would have spent a lot of time in warmer countries. Although, granted – in the latter part of the 19th century the army allowed soldiers to wear shorts. This also became a trend amongst explorers.

Trousers themselves came in various designs – from plain black to colourfully striped or checked. Black was reserved for evening wear, while the other patterns and colours were meant for day wear. Now folks, try to imagine England in blue-yellow checked trousers.

This was also the era from whence all those beautiful waistcoats come from. They were often made from the same material women’s dresses were – silk, satin, velvet,… – and in some cases matched them in opulence. Since this was the only article of men’s wear where relative artistic freedom was allowed in terms of style, many seized the opportunity.

And naturally, any text on Victorian men’s fashion would be incomplete without the coats. Coats were a whole science of themselves and underwent many changes over the course of the century. In the first few decades of the period frock coats were all the rage – single as well as double-breasted – before they lost popularity in the 1850s. It also had a pinched waist in the way of showing off the male physique while not being scandalous.

Tail coats came into fashion in the 1840s, but were reduced strictly to evening wear by the 1860s – black, as the trousers. In the stead of the frock and tail coat, morning coats and jackets appeared on the stage as formal wear. These were a step closer to the suit jackets and smokings of the modern day, both becoming fashionable in the 1890s.

Hats were also an essential part of a gentlemen’s outfit, with top hats being the most common. Bowlers were invented in the 1860s, quickly becoming very popular due to being more robust and smaller than the top hat. However, I see Arthur sticking to top-hats, since he would have been convinced that they gave him a more aristocratic appearance than the bowler.

Another important piece of clothing would be gloves. Men and women back then wore them daily if they had the money, with dark gloves being day time gloves and white gloves being a uniform part of evening wear. Of course, these weren’t worn indoors except for a ball or a public gathering.

Boots were common, usually going right up to the knees in either a Hessian or Wellington cut. Besides that, it is from this time that we have all the fancy shoes that are part of the standard suit now – such as Oxfords.

They were also a number of other fashion inventions that originated from this era. Starting with the corset – I’m convinced that England would have at least temporarily worn one in order to appear more slim and thus athletic. Also ties, suspenders and cuffs. Pyjamas were also invented in this time, in the 1890s to be exact.

 Part I – On the fashion attitudes of England and America

Part II – England: The early years (950 – 1400)

Part III - America: The early years (1600 - 1700)

Part IV - England - The Tudors (1400 - 1600)

Part V – America: Independence (1700 – 1800)

Part VI – England: The Stuarts (1600 – 1700)

Part VII – England: The Georgian Era (1700 – 1830)

Part VIII – America: The Civil War & The Gilded Age (1800 – 1900)

Part IX – England: The Victorian Era (1830 – 1901)

Part X – England & America – Edwardian Era to Roaring 20s (1900 – 1929)

Part XI – England & America – Great Depression to post-WWII (1930 – 1949)

Part XII – England & America: Cold War Part I (1950 – 60)

[missdawnandherdusk]

Fairytales

Hufflepuff!Reader x Draco

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife Offer me that deathless death Good God, let me give you my life

Chapter One     Chapter Two    Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Summary: Is Umbridge the worst thing you have to face? Is there a silver lining or something much darker lurking underneath? 

A/n: Y’all are going to love me, then hate me. I’m serious. You guys love my fluff writing, but for those who have been with me for a while know I’m the goddess of angst writing. But it’s also +15k words so... Also this gets slightly PG-13 but nothing too risque. So, there’s that. Let me know what you think! I love seeing all the messages/comments from you guys!

Draco quickly found you in the halls, your silvery cloak setting you apart from the masses of black. If his aunt Bellatrix was out from Azkaban, so were a lot of other Death Eaters and he had gone about frantic the past few days not knowing if you were alright.

Paranoia wouldn’t leave him alone. Someone had to know what you meant to him. Maybe his father found out. Maybe someone told from the school. Maybe his aunt had seen you that day on winter holiday. There were too many variables.

But you were there smiling beside your friends waving at him. He pulled you into a quick hug and quickly slung his arm around your shoulders, his eyes darting around the halls as if he were expecting a Death Eater to jump out and take you away.

“Draco,” You chided softly. “I can hear you worrying,” There was a soft smile on your lips.

“Ten Death Eaters escaped from Azkaban,” He hissed into your ear and watched the color drain from your face.

You were quiet a moment, then you nodded.

“We knew this was coming,” You sighed softly. “Here it starts”

He huffed, not enjoying that he knew you were right. Up until recently he had been waiting for this moment, this rise to power. But things changed. You changed him. In his paranoia he had looked into your family history and felt comforted that you were a pureblood, but he knew that Abby was a half-blood, and a few of your—his—friends were mudb—muggle born.

Now a war was brewing, and he didn’t know where to stand. He promised he’d keep you safe, and he would. But he also knew that you would stand for what was right, what was fair. It wasn’t fair to condemn muggle borns. They were people too. It had come to a point that he had a respect for a few muggles as well—the author of your books to begin, and then you showed him muggle music and he loved that too (even if he wouldn’t admit that to you).

You remained quiet and thoughtful throughout the first week back. Sometimes he thought he’d see something in your eyes that held doubt or fear, but your smile would return, and you’d lay your head on his shoulder and it would all be a distant memory.

Despite the war lingering in the backs of everyone’s minds, O.W.L.s were still approaching for the both of you. And with Umbridge’s regime tightening by the day it left Draco practically desperate for a quiet moment with you that didn’t involve studying or hiding from an annoying shade of pink. He hated the color.

So, you started to join him for Quidditch practice. As far as he knew D.A. was still going on, which meant you would be alone without Abby for the night, and though both he and Abby suggested you go back, you shook your head and the subject dropped.

He’d watch your figure in the stands—most time nose in a book— as he trained and ran drills. Your proximity comforted him. The small waves and bright smiles you offered were enough to keep him going.

Until you didn’t show one night to his practice and Ernie nearly ran to him afterwards, out of breath.

“You need to come, quickly,” He panted out.

He dropped everything, stripping his quidditch gear and tossing his broom to the wayside and ran after your fellow house prefect, wand in hand, ready for anything and everything.

His heart broke when he found you crying in Prefect’s bathroom alone. You were curled up under a stained-glass window, sobbing into your arms. Ernie slipped from the room and Draco locked the door behind him. Panting, he made his way to you carefully, as not to slip and fall.

“Darling?” He called softly.

Your head raised, tears streaming down your cheeks. You buried your head back into your arms and started to cry harder, curling up tighter.

“What happened?” His voice was gentle as he came to sit beside you.

“She... she said... I was lying about my father...” You sniffled out the words. “That he wasn’t killed by a Death Eater... and I... I just wanted the attention...”

Draco’s heart froze, thinking about the secret that your mother had shared with him. The truth was on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t tell you, not now.

“Who?” He demanded, “Who said you were lying?” He spat the words, fury boiling in his stomach.

“Umbridge,” You squeaked. “She made me... I got detention... It hurt so bad...” You uncurled your left hand from where it gripped at your sweater and he could see angry red gashes into your skin: I must not tell lies was written in your handwriting.

“She did this!?” Draco took your hand, becoming more careful when you hissed in pain.

Draco had to forcibly calm himself before he went and did something stupid. Really stupid. Justified. But stupid.

“She... she has this quill... made me do lines and it appeared...” You cried into his arms as he held you close.

You backed away slightly and wrinkled your nose, your tears all but forgotten, “Quidditch?” The word held a soft smile.

He rolled his eyes and stripped his shirt throwing it to the side. Wiping away your tears he stood, turning the faucets for the master roman styled bath and gestured for you to pick a sweet- smelling soap. You reached out turning the green faucet handle and the blue one, making the water a soft turquoise.

_______________________________

I watched as Draco stripped to his underwear and stepped into the soapy water. I couldn’t stop myself from following the tone of his back and the creamy white skin that stretched tight over lean muscles. He dipped under, the turned back to me.

“Are you coming?” There was an amused smirk on his face.

“We’re going to get in trouble.” I argued weakly.

“From who? The door is locked, and we’re both prefects,” He pointed out. “Scared Y/l/n?”

I scoffed and rolled my eyes, striping as I had in the summer when we swam and entered the silky water and into his arms. The warm water welcomed my skin and the pain on my hand. The winter chill faded from my bones. I loosely hung my arms around Draco’s neck. Butterflies fluttered in my chest. The detention was all but forgotten.

“Have I ever told you you’re beautiful?” His lips were just below my ear, pressing the words softly to my skin. “Because if I haven’t, I’ve been doing it all wrong,”

A warm smile reached my lips. My eyes slipped closed as I curled my fingers in his hair. His hands supported the backs of my legs as they curled around his waist. His lips trailed down my neck, making me shudder involuntarily. I felt his smug smile against my skin.

I bit my lip before three words slipped out that I wouldn’t say but desperately yearned to.

My eyes fluttering open, I nudged him, drawing his lips to mine in a soft, gentle kiss. His hot breath mixed with mine in a familiar comfort. His hand dipped from the water, curling into my hair, leaving warm water drops trailing down my neck and shoulders. A soft sound escaped at the sensation. He hummed in response. The kiss stayed slow and lazy. All of my cells relaxed and reached a tranquil state that I never knew was possible.

I broke the kiss and rested my forehead against his, breathing softly, my eyes closed. Again, I stopped myself from uttering those three words.

I felt him nod as if he knew what I wanted to say and acknowledged it. But maybe it was just my imagination.

He set me on one of the bath outcrops, ascending from the water and grabbing two warm towels that were rolled on a rack next to the bath. I watched him, memorizing every part of him that I could. Towel in hand, I rose from the water and I could feel his eyes doing the same.

“Get changed, and wrap your hand the best you can,” He ordered softly. “Meet me outside your portrait.” His fingertips brushed down my arm, making me shiver again.

In a sweater and fuzzy socks, Draco met me in the halls, a soft smile in his lips. Being careful about my hand Draco led me down the hall toward Snape’s office. I didn’t quite know why though.

Pausing at the door, Draco tried it, but it was locked. He knocked, huffing irritated. 

“Professor?” He called; I could hear the frustration in his voice.

My hand reached out and slipped around his waist, a calming effort. The door unlocked and opened, and instead of meeting Snape, green eyes and wild black hair met us.

“Potter,” Draco spat.

“Malfoy,”

“Oh, can we not do this now?” I muttered, rolling my eyes.

Draco gritted his teeth and pushed past Harry, pulling me in with him where he paused, Snape at his desk.

“Mr. Malfoy, Miss Y/l/n, what do I owe the pleasure?” Snape greeted politely, a smile not touching his face.

“She needs Essence of Murtlap. Or if you’ve got any of my vials left...” Draco spoke softly and lowly.

“Murtlap,” I clarified. “I don’t want to take his,”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Draco scoffed, his blue eyes piercing mine. “It’s fine,”

“Murtlap,” Harry muttered softly; I had forgotten that he was there. “Umbridge?”

I turned, my eyes meeting green ones. I felt Draco’s grip on me tighten but I paid him no mind.

“Yes,” I confessed softly, my eyebrows pulling together.

Harry presented his hand where fading still were the scars reading the same words that mine did. I pulled from Draco’s grasp and went to look at Harry’s hand, slowly unravelling the bandage from mine. Other than the differences in our handwriting, it was the same sort of magic that pierced our skin.

Draco touched my shoulder softly, a vial in his hand that I had seen once before. A time when I had to take it because of the boy with the same scars as mine in front of me.

I started to argue with Draco about not using his potion, adamant about not giving away why he needed it in front of Harry, which left me having to give in and take the Healing potion. I watched as my hand stitched itself back together, leaving nothing but pink skin in its wake. Draco pressed a soft kiss to my hand, not caring that Harry was watching us keenly.

“Y/n,” Harry started, but paused when Draco tucked me behind him.

“Yes?” I prompted him to continue, taking a step in front of Draco, giving him a look.

“I’m sorry,” Harry rushed out. “For... what happened at the match, and... everything else,”

“Mr. Potter, please apologize on your own time,” Snape sneered. “We have work to do,”

“It’s okay,” You whispered, looking down and moving into Draco’s arms, “Just remember who the real enemy is.”

I grabbed Draco’s and pulled him out of Snape’s office and into the hall. He was sulking and no doubt wanted to go back in there and give Potter a piece of his mind, but my gentle look stopped whatever he was thinking.

“That goes for you too.” I chided softly. “Remember who the real enemy is,” 

With an eye roll, a smile touched his lips and I knew the storm had passed.

“Thank you,” I reached up and pressed my lips softly to his. “You didn’t have to give up your Healing potion for me,”

“No one hurts you,” He narrowed his eyes, pressing another kiss to the back on my healed hand that was back to normal.

Merlin, he was protective, I thought, but stars if it wasn’t the most attractive thing.

 ______________________________________

Draco loathed the fact that it wasn’t the last time you came to him with the angry red words on the back of your hand. He thought about writing to his father about the matter then chuckled darkly at the thought: Father, Umbridge is calling Y/n Y/l/n a liar and physically punishing her because Umbridge doesn’t believe that a Death Eater killed Y/n’s father, could you please clarify the situation.

You looked at him, your eyebrows raised asking what had made him laugh in the middle of study hall. He just shook his head and pulled you into his lap, not caring about the stares it got him. You weren’t complaining.

With February moving into Hogwarts, the weather became warmer and rain replaced the snow. Draco watched you squint up at the rain one day like it offended you personally.

“Hard to fly in the rain,” You spoke softly, taking his hand. “Throws my senses off.”

He slipped his hand into yours and pulled you inside the castle, where you seemed more at ease. As it rained, you tended to stay inside more. The weather really seemed to affect you, or perhaps Pinnae and in turn you. Your wardrobe turned into darker muted colors. Draco wasn’t sure if you were doing it purposely or not. Your sweaters were traded for the same t-shirts you had worn over the summer but paired with school sanctioned skirts and pants rather than cutoffs that he found himself missing. Your robes still draped over your shoulders, so he couldn’t complain too much about the lingering chill in the air.

“So, Valentine’s day,” Abby asked pointedly one night at dinner as you all took your seats at the Hufflepuff table.

“What about it?” You asked.

“There’s a Hogsmeade trip,” Pansy finished Abby’s train of thought.

Of course, Draco knew that. He had been trying for days, if not a week, to figure out what to do for you on Valentine’s Day. Most of what he thought of was stupid and muggle, and he didn’t know if he wanted to stoop that low, but he didn’t want to show up empty handed. Then there was the pressing matter of your birthday that was a couple weeks after the fourteenth.

“Well, we were thinking about having a double date,” Abby looked deliberately at him.

Oh, he was so in Abby’s debt for thinking of this. A smile touched his lips at he gave an amused smirk to you.

“Would you care to accompany me?” He murmured softly in your ear, watching you face flush.

“Okay,” You stammered, suddenly very interested in your half-eaten dinner, your lips darting between your lips distractingly.

Later in his room that night as you read him The Phantom of the Opera, he asked how you really felt about the idea of Valentine’s Day. Before he always scoffed and rolled his eyes at it, thinking it was ridiculous, but he knew that you had a bit more of a romantic heart than he did.

“I mean,” You started, putting down the book. “If you wouldn’t buy me, I don’t know, flowers or chocolates or whatever on any other day, why should I make you do it then?”

“Do you want me to buy you flowers on a regular basis?” He raised an eyebrow.

“No,” You laughed. “I mean if you really want to, but...” You shrugged. “I don’t want you to do it because I think you should, or because it’s what society says... but because you want to, if you want to...”

“Well, you’re going to have to give me some sort of idea here sweetheart,” He chuckled, “It’s not like I’ve done this before,” The confession made his heart flutter because it was true: he normally had the answer to everything and knew exactly how to act, but this? He had nothing.

“Oh, come on, Dray,” You rolled your eyes moving to straddle his lap. “You know what I like more than anyone else. Well, maybe not Abby, but it’s a close call,” You giggled pressing a kiss to his nose.

His hands went to your waist and snuck up under your oversized band t-shirt. You scrunched your nose playfully and sat back.

“If you want to buy me flowers and chocolate and ridiculously expensive things, pretty rich boy, then I won’t stop you,”

“Maybe I will,” He drawled, propping up on his arms. “Pretty boy, huh?” He grinned.

You rolled your eyes and pushed his chest playfully so that he fell back laughing. You dissolved into giggles on top of him. His hands slid up the soft skin of your back, the warmth singing under his fingertips. You head laid on his chest, your fingertips tracing random lines on his arm and shoulder.

He had a week until Valentine’s Day, but you were right: if he wasn’t going to get you flowers on a normal day, why would he on a specific day?

So, with some help from Pansy, who was better at Charms than him—only slightly—he sent you notes every day, enchanting them to turn into flowers when they reached your hands. He did it in the classes that you didn’t have together, knowing it would make you blush deeper as the other students watched you. He felt an extra layer of satisfaction when he knew that Harry was also accompanying you in class when he sent you flowers—not that he’d ever admit that.

It was Wednesday when he got a note back—folded in the shape of an owl. When he opened it, it was a drawing of his profile and the flowers that he had sent that day framing his face.

I quite liked the sunflowers today,

He smiled at the note, not particularly paying attention to Snape as he droned on about Bellum Amoris.

The rest of the week passed, and a soft kiss ended his Friday night before the Hogsmeade outing tomorrow with you—their date. He was excited to take you out properly. But it was because he wanted to, just to see you smile and call him ridiculous and watched everyone else get jealous. Because you deserved the world, and he was going to do everything to give it to you.

Pansy burst into his room early Saturday morning, looking unkept and frantic. 

“Draco... Y/n is in trouble.” Was all she panted out.

Draco dropped everything and followed her down the stairs, through the common room and down the halls, both running towards the hospital wing.

“What happened!?” He demanded, rounding a corner.

“We’re not sure, but she didn’t wake up this morning, no matter what we tried. Abby just got her down here.” Pansy explained, panting.

“Where is she!?” He snarled, his eyes scanning the rows of white linen beds. 

“Draco!” Abby called, drawing his attention. “Please, she needs you,”

He saw you laying on a hospital bed, eyes closed as if you were asleep, but something was off. Madam Pomfrey was dabbing your forehead with a damp cloth. You looked sickly.

“What happened?” Draco demanded, taking your hands and clutching it in his.

Your hands were ice cold. Your eyelashes didn’t flutter open. Your lips didn’t smile.

“She was cursed, and we can’t undo it.” Abby whispered, your other hand in hers.

“What do you mean you can’t undo it!?” He roared. “Fix her!” He glared Madam Pomfrey down. “Get Snape! Get Dumbledore! I don’t care. Just fix her!”

“Mr. Malfoy!” The nurse scolded. “I have kept her alive this long! But I cannot undo what has been done. I fear you are the only one who can.”

“What?” He backtracked. “What do you mean me?”

“The curse,” Abby’s voice was so broken, Pansy was now behind her, rubbing her shoulder comfortingly. “It was Bellum Amoris. It doesn’t have an antidote... But... well we think that...”

“What!?” Draco demanded. “Tell me!”

“You need to kiss her. It should break the curse.” Madam Pomfrey finished.

“Are you bloody joking me!? This isn’t some fairy tale! This is her life on the line!”

“I know that!” Abby stood. “And I don’t want to lose her either! Now will you shut up and listen to me! You need to break the curse fast or she is going to die!” Her face was red with anger and Draco had to admit that he was impressed at her defense of you.

“But me?” He whispered. “Why me?” He looked down at your colorless face and the shallow breaths that seemed to lull with each moment.

“True loves kiss,” She stared as if it were obvious. “Bellum Amoris is a love-based poison...”

“But... she doesn’t love me. I’m... me.”

“Oh, the two of you!” Abby groaned. “Of course, she loves you! Why else would I put up with you if she didn’t? She sees who you are Draco. And though I will never truly understand it, she loves you. Don’t you love her too?”

He paused. He wanted to say of course he loved her but... did he know what love was? 

“Yes,” was all he could muster. “Please just... give us a minute,”

“She doesn’t have much time,” Abby whispered, taking Pansy’s hand and the two of them left him alone with you.

Draco reached out and stroked your cheek, tears in his eyes. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, his thoughts spiraling. He remembered meeting you, and how sweet it was. It seemed like things were meant to be... but was it true? Did you love him? Did was his love strong enough for this to work?

“Oh, why did you have to go and do this?” He whispered through tears. “It was to spite me wasn’t it? To prove that I could love and be loved?”

You didn’t answer but he desperately wanted you too. He wanted to see your smile again. You were just so good, and he wasn’t worth much with morality. His heart raced, wanting to believe that this would work, but if it didn’t? Nothing would tear him apart more if this was just a fluke.

Could he be your Romeo? Your Wesley? Your Raoul?

“Come back to me,” he murmured and pressed his lips to yours.

Pulling away, nothing happened. His heart plummeted to the depths of Tartarus. It wasn’t true love then. He wasn’t enough. It was just a mistake. He was unlovable.

He sat at the edge of your bed and hung his head, muffled cries escaping his lips. They were always right. He couldn’t be loved. He was nothing more than a carbon copy of his father. A Slytherin. A villain.

“Draco?”

He froze turning to you, meeting your warm eyes once more.

“Why... why are you crying?” You sounded so concerned.

And he knew, of course you loved him and how had he ever not loved you?

Scooping you up, he pressed his lips to yours forcefully and kissed you like he meant it. He kissed you like everyone doubted him. He kissed you like the way you loved him. He kissed you like the way he loved you.

Your hands were gentle as they curled into his hair and pulled him closer.

“I love you,” he murmured, pulling away. “Merlin, I love you Y/n,”

“I love you too Draco,” you gasped and pulled him into a tight hug. “I’ve loved you for so long,”

He gripped at your, his fingers curling into your shirt as he buried his face in your shoulder inhaling deeply.

He was loved. You loved him.

_______________________________

“What happened?” I asked meekly. “I... I don’t remember...”

“Someone slipped Bellum Amoris into your drink,” He gritted out, cupping my face, searching for something that I wasn’t aware of, but it seemed to calm him.

“Bellum Amoris? But who would... why would anyone?” My eyebrows furrowed. “What did I do?”

“Nothing,” He assured me quickly, drawing my into his arms. “You didn’t do anything,”

“Wait, the antidote for Bellum Amoris is...” I blinked, looking up at him, a smile growing on my face.

He grumbled and pouted slightly.

“Oh, my stars,” I breathed out. “You... you really do love me,”

“Of course, I love you,” He snapped. “What’s that even supposed to mean?”

“That you’re healing,” I rubbed his shoulder softly. “I never thought that I would be the one...”

“How could you not be the one?” He gave me a gentle look. “Do you think I’d skip Quidditch practice for just anyone?” There was an amused smirk on his face that had me laughing.

“I love you,” I said again, just because I could and pressed my lips to his. “I love you Draco Malfoy,” It was euphoric, finally letting the words fly free. Giggled tumbled from my lips.

“Y/n?” Another voice rose.

“Abby?” My eyes snapped up as Abby and Pansy came back in, the former looked like she had been crying.

“Merlin, Y/n don’t do that to me!” She shouted, pulling me in for a hug. “What were you thinking!?”

“She didn’t do it, babe,” Pansy chided. “Glad to see you’re awake Feathers,” She offered me a smile.

“Only I get to call her that,” Draco snapped.

“Okay,” I drawled. “Let’s all just take a deep breath. I’m fine. No one is to blame. Everything’s okay,” I tried to pacify the air around us.

“You were just poisoned!” Abby retorted, mixing with Draco’s same declaration.

“Okay, yes, but I don’t want to worry about that right now,” I breathed out. “It’s the weekend, I have my best friends with me, I just want to go to Hogsmeade, and have a ridiculously overly done Valentine’s Day,”

“I think we can manage that,” Pansy grinned. “Draco you’re gonna have to let her go,” 

“She’s not going anywhere yet,” Madam Pomfrey strode over. “Until I give her clearance,”

Abby and Pansy backed away, Draco just moved over, not letting go of my hand as Pomfrey checked my pulse, reflexes, and asked a few questions as to how I was feeling.

“I love you,” I whispered into Draco’s shoulder as he hugged me one last time before we parted ways to get ready for Hogsmeade and Valentine’s Day.

“Oh, my Merlin he loves you!” Abby squealed as we flitted around our room getting ready. “Like, true love! Y/n!”

“I know,” I grinned and sighed, hugging a pillow.

“You lucky son of a bitch,” She laughed, and I knew she had been spending a lot of time with Pansy as the curse rolled off her tongue almost naturally—a habit Pansy also had. “All those stupid fairytales and you found your own, I should have known,”

“Do you think the dress is too much?” I asked off hand, running my hand over the dark magenta fabric of the simple dress. “Maybe I should just wear jeans,”

“Y/n, he bloody loves you, wear the dress,”

Well that was a good a way as any to shut up my anxiety. And maybe when I threw a cardigan over it and paired it with boots, it wasn’t so dressed up. It was casual. Like I wasn’t trying to hard.

Draco and Pansy met us at the portrait, and we headed down to the small village that sat at the bottom of the valley with our small group of friends. We passed Harry and Cho walking together on the way down. Cho waved at me and I waved back. Draco didn’t shout anything at Harry, so I counted that as a win.

“At least Cedric was better looking,” Blaise muttered. “Don’t know why she’s with Potter,”

I fumbled in step and Draco caught me before I could fall. I had forgotten that Cho and Cedric had been together. I thought I had gotten over Cedric’s death too, well, as much as I could at the current moment. Guess I was wrong.

“Bugger off mate,” Draco snapped. “How stupid can you be?” He draped his arm around me and pulled me away from the group a bit, sitting me on the wall of the bridge. “Are you alright?”

I nodded, not meeting his eyes.

“Just caught me off guard,” I explained. “I’m... I’m okay.” I nodded again, taking his hands. “I have you,”

He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “You look lovely, if I haven’t mentioned,” 

“I don’t think you have,” I smiled, knowing what he was doing, and I let him.

Abby and Pansy lingered behind from the rest of the group and we rejoined with them, walking along. Pansy hissed and Abby stiffened upon entering the village.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have come,” Abby muttered, seeing the faces of the escaped Death Eaters staring us down.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that all of the Bellatrix photos were glaring me down, hurling silent accusations. It made me huddle closer to Draco.

“No,” Draco decided. “We deserve a day out.”

His confidence surprised me more than it should have. I had never seen him so... carefree? So bold that he deserved something good? It was like the Draco I saw when we were alone was finally shining through. It made me smile and agree with his words. We did deserve this.

Madam Puddifoot’s tea shop was filled with other couples today, just like us. I caught sight of Harry and Cho again and did my best effort to smile at them. Rodger Davies and Hannah were here too. They waved.

Taking a pair of tables in the corner of the small shop, I shrugged off my cardigan, not needing it in the warm atmosphere.

“I’ve never actually been in here,” I thought aloud. “It’s cute,”

“Bit frilly for my taste,” Abby muttered. “If one of those cherubs throws confetti on me, I’m hexing them,”

“That’s my girl,” Pansy grinned.

Draco was quiet beside me and I knew he was lost in thought. My mind ran through a list of things that he could be thinking about—the Death Eaters, Harry and Cho, Cedric, the frills of the shop, what to order, the fact that not hours ago we professed our love to another.

“Love?” I called softly, pulling him back to the present.

He hummed an acknowledgement, his blue eyes almost silver as they met mine. I nestled closer to his shoulder, resting my head on his shoulder. His arm circled around my waist, his other hand thrumming a beat on the table with his fingers.

“They look a bit awkward, don’t they?” Abby muttered, nodding to Harry and Cho.

“Give him a break,” I chided back. “Poor kid’s been through enough,”

“Just saying,” Abby shrugged.

“If he’s going to take a girl out, at least he should do it right,” Draco chimed in. “Bloke’s got no idea what’s going on,”

“Oh look, now she’s crying,” Pansy snickered.

I huffed and stood.

“Are you going to help me or not?” I snapped at Draco, gesturing to Harry and Cho.

“What do you want me to do?” He shot back. “Harry and I aren’t exactly simpatico at the moment,”

I opened my mouth to say something, but he had a point. Sighing, I kissed him quickly and raced after Cho who was heading out into the rain. I casted a quick shielding charm and ran over to her, calling her name.

“What do you want?” She asked, miserable.

“To know if you’re okay,” I held my wand between us so that the makeshift umbrella was over the both of us.

“No, I’m not,” She sniffed. “I don’t know what I was thinking. Harry is...”

“He’s not the brightest no,” I admitted. “But Cho, he’s a guy. It’s what guys do. They’re all stupid and hopeless,”

“Cedric wasn’t,” She whimpered.

I bit my lip and nodded.

“No, he was great, wasn’t he?” I whispered out, fighting back tears.

“At least you have Draco now,” She wiped away her tears. “It’s nice to see him with you. Makes this whole D.A. thing kinda worth it. That maybe there is hope after all. I wish you’d come back,”

“Thanks Cho,” I placed my hand on her shoulder and rubbed it comfortingly. “And... if you ever wanna talk about Cedric, I’m here,”

“You’re the best of us, Y/n,” Cho hugged me, and I almost dropped the shielding charm. 

“Do you want to join us?” I offered.

“No, you go have fun on your double date, I think I’m gonna head back and get some homework done while I can. We have Snape’s essay due Monday and I haven’t started it.” She drew her wand and cast her own shielding charm. “Thanks Y/n,”

“Anytime,” I waved, watching her walk towards the school.

Back in the small shop, I made my way back to Draco. Harry was gone. I sighed and shrugged mentally, letting myself enjoy Draco’s company.

“Always the Hufflepuff,” He teased.

“Better than Slytherin,” I drawled.

Rolling his eyes, he pressed a kiss to my temple. 

“You two are something else,” Pansy muttered. 

“Yeah,” I sighed contented.

The rest of the day was dampened by the rain so much that we all ran for cover and ended up in the Hufflepuff Common Room curled up on the couches. Draco’s hands played absentmindedly in my hair as I continued to read The Phantom of the Opera. Abby was flipping through my vinyl collection, showing Pansy how the record player worked, a lesson Draco learned not long ago.

I paused from reading when the song shifted to a new one—Abby chose one of my dad’s Bob Segar records. My eyes closed and a smile stretched across my face as I started to sing the words to the familiar song. Setting my book down, I pulled Draco off the couch and Abby followed suit and pulling Pansy into her arms as we began to dance.

I laughed and let Draco spin me around as I sang to the classic rock legend. Draco was laughing at my antics and Abby turned up the volume, the lyrics encompassing every inch of the Common Room. Others were soon drawn to the rock song and there was a makeshift dance floor in the Common room to my dad’s record.

The next song was slower, letting Draco pull me in as we swayed back and forth softly. With my head on his shoulder, I murmured the words to the song. After a while, Draco began to hum to the repetitive melody. I never heard him hum before, let along sing. It was comforting, a soft deep sound that drew me in.

“I love you,” I whispered softly.

“As I love you,” He responded, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

Though the hour was young, my senses began to drag me under, shutting me down. I leaned a bit more against Draco and he took notice, leading me back to a sofa, letting me drape across him under a blanket. His hands went back to playing with my hair and it wasn’t fair that he was so comfortable and warm. My eyes slipped closed, knowing that I was safe.

When they opened again, Draco was still beside me, but we were in a bed—his bed. Thinking nothing of it, I rolled over. He grumbled something and his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me back to him, his chest against my back, his legs tangling with mine. His soft breaths on the back of my neck were steady enough to lull me back to sleep.

_______________________________

Draco woke, and you were sleeping peacefully beside him, a small smile on your face, as it always was when you slept. He pressed a kiss to your neck and your eyes fluttered open, squinting up at him.

“Morning,” He grinned.

“Why are you a morning person?” You grumbled, dismayed, hiding in his arms from the morning light.

“Not all of us are night owls,” He toyed.

“I am an owl,” You mumbled, causing him to laugh.

“That you are, my dear,” He chuckled, pulling you onto his chest, brushing your hair from your face.

You squinted at him again, pouting. He pressed his lips to yours, and your pout was forgotten as you kissed him back sleepily. His hands ran up your back, causing you to shudder.

“Not fair,” You mumbled against his lips. “You know exactly what you’re doing,” 

“Maybe I do,” He mused, tracing up your spine, triggering you to shiver again. 

“Draco,” You whined, laying your head on his shoulder. “Stop being mean,”

“I’m never mean,” He scoffed, false dismay in his voice.

You didn’t answer and he could see that it was because you were fast asleep again. He continued to rub your back soothingly, pulling the blanket around you both. Draco watched you sleep in the morning light, knowing that he loved you and that you loved him. It made everything else sort of fall away.

“Is she awake?” Pansy’s voice piped up from his doorway. 

He shook his head.

“Ugh, that girl can sleep,” Pansy whined.

“I told you,” Abby chimed in pushing through the door. “She’s not a morning person. She never has been,”

“You guys are loud,” Your voice slurred grumpily.

“Well, you should be awake,” Abby countered. “Rise and shine Feathers,” 

“Only Draco can call me that,” You pouted into his shoulder and he chuckled.

You were absolutely precious in the morning. He wondered how many mornings he’d have with you and if he could have them all. You yawned and he decided that he was going to fight for them all.

The week passed with gentle ‘I love you’s and nights in the Hufflepuff common room listening to records and reading books. To be fair, you two did study as well, getting ready for your O.W.L.s but there was something sacred in the quiet nights that belonged to the four of you.

“Whatever you’re planning,” You and Draco walked up to the table in the Great Hall where your friends group went very quiet all of a sudden. “Don’t. I don’t want anything for my birthday.” Your eyes narrowed on Abby.

“We were just talking strategy for the Quidditch game,” She lied with a smile.

“Sure,” You rolled your eyes and looked up at him. “I mean it. Don’t let them plan anything. No party, no cake, no nothing,”

He chuckled and sat beside you, giving Abby a knowing look. There was no way they were going to let your birthday slide. However, they were better at keeping it a secret. All he had to do was keep you busy until after the Hufflepuff Gryffindor Quidditch match the Saturday before your birthday. Which means he had you the entire day.

You pouted when he showed up in your common room that morning. 

“What’s that for?” He teased, reaching down to kiss you.

“I know what you’re planning,” Your eyes narrowed and for a moment he thought you did, but your pout returned, and he knew you were clueless.

“All I’m doing today is spending time with you. Just like every other weekend. And maybe we’ll even do some homework,” He grinned. “No birthday stuff. No party.”

“Good,” You huffed sitting next to him on the sofa.

The morning passed, and he did actually end up getting some homework done and you practiced your Transfiguration spells. You were getting quite good when you focused, not that he was helping with that.

“Oh, actually,” He looked into his bag after you both returned from lunch, grinning when he saw the anger on your face. “Will you calm down, seriously,” He chuckled. “These are from Pansy for your album, she just got them developed.” He handed you the envelope with the photos in it.

Was it a birthday present? Totally. Was he going to tell you that? Nope. You were precious when you were upset and suspicious. Grumbling, you disappeared to your room and returned with the photo album you had gotten for Christmas and took the time to transfer the photos and dates from the back onto the unused pages.

Christmas December 24th

New Years, Jan 1st

DADA Training, Malfoy Manor, Jan 3rd 

First day back, Jan 13th

Draco and Y/n dancing, Feb 14th

Valentine’s Day, Feb 14th

The last photo was taken at the tea shop and held four smiling faces as one of the cherubs did throw confetti on you all. It was one of Draco’s favorites of the four of you.

“They’re planning something, aren’t they?” Your voice was soft as you placed the last picture in the album. “I know it is my birthday, but... celebrating,” You shrugged and sighed, leaning against him. “It just doesn’t feel right with everything looming,”

“I think that’s why they want to, love,” He rubbed your shoulder softly. “We all don’t know how long we have left to be kids,”

“I wish it would all just go away,” You confessed, thumbing you locket open, the Narnian lullaby playing softly as your eyes focused on the small dancing circle of mythical creatures. “Wish we could just run away to Narnia,”

Draco gathered you into his lap and pressed a kiss to your forehead. He wanted to run away too. Away from family feuds and wars and Dark Lords and Death Eaters. Back to a time when the biggest thing he had to worry about was who won the next World Cup.

“Let’s get out of here,” He decided. “It’s not raining, why don’t you let Pinnae out? For your non-birthday-day.”

Your smile returned and he headed out to the tree by the lake, broom in hand, waiting for you to fly down. Sure enough, you came swooping down, slicing through the air. He mounted his broom and joined you, feeling the brisk breeze of the end of February on his skin. Draco jerked when you cut dangerously close to him, banking in front of him, chirping a laugh.

“You did that on purpose,” He sulked, chasing after you.

You noticed and drove straight down towards the lake. It was almost too easy, and you were much bigger than a Snitch. Just as he reached out, inches from the water, you plunged in and he was forced to swerve up, hovering above the water.

Pinnae shot up from the water, showering him in little droplets soaring into the sky. He laughed and chased after you once more. Your game continued, he’d pursue you and you’d do something to escape his grasp. Until with wings outstretched you landed on his broom, morphing back.

“You’re such a cheater,” He steadied the broom, balancing it.

“I think you’re just mad because you lost,” You grinned cheekily pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I’ve never actually flown on a broom before.”

“Really?” He was shocked; it was one of his favorite things to do.

“Well, I mean in first year, but that was it.” You shrugged, your eyes looking at the world that seemed so small below you.

Draco shifted you so that you were sitting more securely before he began to coast down towards the lake water then back up, enjoying the ride with you in front of him. He eventually landed on the riverbank, letting you down, watching you stretch. A smile fell on his face.

You laughed and rolled your eyes, noticing his stare. He continued to marvel at you.

And he might have forgotten the time, or what he was walking into then he entered the Hufflepuff common room with you and a cheer went up at your arrival.

_____________________________

I froze, staring at all of my friends, classmates, and housemates. It seemed like everyone was there, from every house. There were banners printed in Hufflepuff colors as well as ones that had “Happy Birthday Y/n” plastered across them with enchanted letters and moving images.

“We won!” Abby exclaimed running up to me. “And happy birthday,” She grinned. 

“I told you not to—” I started but she cut me off.

“You said no nothing, so...” A mischievous look was on her face.

“It’s an expression,” I uttered in despair, turning to Draco.

He was smiling at me, raising an eyebrow, and no matter how much I might have hated that he kept this from me all day, and maybe all week, his words from earlier laid on my heart: “We don’t know how long we have left...”

“Thank you,” I turned to Abby, hugging her. “I guess I can’t really complain, can I?”

“I mean you can...” Abby drawled.

“But you won’t,” Draco came up behind me and held my waist. “Because we know you,”

The party, a mix of birthday and Hufflepuff victory went on for what seemed like hours. Draco and I fell into a sort of familiar pattern, the one we had started what seemed like forever ago at the Ball: mingle, say hello, and take breaks when I became overwhelmed. It seemed like all of D.A. was there including Harry, Ron, and Hermione. It was a tense conversation between the five of us, and even more so when Pansy and Abby joined. Hermione tried to alleviate the tension and it worked to an extent. Harry was pleasant, wishing me a happy birthday. Ron mumbled about the same before breaking off to join his twin brothers, who I thought were having a good round of “never have I ever” with fire whiskey. I avoided that section of the room at all costs.

Draco and I ended up in a corner near the fireplace. I swayed slightly to the music whose bass beat seemed to thrum through me. Draco’s hands were still on my waist and had become a lot more affectionate now that he seemed comfortable with the company around us. It was hard to keep a blush off of my face with the things that he whispered lowly into my ear. Or that his hands became a bit bolder when they held me.

As curfew neared, the crowd thinned until it was our normal group of friends. Pansy was draped across Abby’s lap, nursing a glass of fire whiskey. Ernie was looking very cozy with Taylor, his hand toying with her tight brown ringlet curls. I was in Draco’s lap, in a similar fashion to Abby and Pansy. Draco’s hands had slipped up past the hem of my skirt, but I didn’t really care because we were under a blanket. I couldn’t lie, he looked inviting: his tie loose around his neck, the few top buttons of his shirt undone, his hair disheveled and out of place.

“Happy birthday,” He murmured into my neck, leaving soft kisses. “I love you,” 

“I love you too,” I smiled up at him.

His lips pressed to mine, and I could taste the sweetness of cake on his tongue. My hands knotted into his hair, pulling him closer. His fingers pressed into my skin, drawing me flush against him, moving me so that I was straddling his waist. Excitement and desire fluttered in my chest. Using my advantage, I kissed him hard, pressing him back into the couch, grinning when he fought back for dominance. A low sound emitted from his chest, warning me to give in. I hummed back, as if to scoff.

“Get a room,” I heard someone behind us.

Draco pulled back and grinned mischievously. I don’t know how it happened, but soon we were in his room and he had me pressed against the door, kissing me again. His hands slipped into my shirt, running up my sides. The warm feeling started to spread from my chest to the rest of my body as I became putty in his hands.

“Draco,” I breathed against his lips.

“Trust me,” He replied, his hands moving to stroke my face gently. “I’ve got you,”

I nodded, looking up at him through my eyelashes. He took my hand and led me to his bed, setting me there before closing and locking up the rest of the room. Our own little safe haven. A new sort of anxiety rose in my chest.

His lips were soon on mine again as he pushed me back into the bed, crawling over me. His mouth wasn’t gentle; there was a brand-new edge of conflict and desperation in the way his lips moved. He didn't stop kissing me. I was the one who had to break away, gasping for air. Even then his lips didn’t leave my skin, they just moved to my throat and down my neck. The thrill of victory was a strange high; it made me feel powerful. Brave.

My fingers found his shirt in the dark and undid the rest of the pesky buttons. He took only a moment to strip the shirt before his hands were on me again. I pulled his mouth back to mine, and he seemed just as eager as I was. Little whimpers left my mouth to his deeper growls.

“Can I?” He panted onto my lips, his hands lingering at the top button of my shirt.

“Can you?” I grinned against him, feeling him return the gesture and he unbuttoned my shirt, desire and anxiety creating a beautiful creature inside of me.

With my head resting on his pillows, hands gripping at the smooth skin of his back, his lips and tongue explored the canvas he had uncovered. His name was a whisper and plea at my lips. It felt like every nerve ending in my body was a live wire.

“Draco,” I moaned softly, drawing him back up, his blue eyes meeting mine.

My name came softly through his lips, with so much affection, I thought that my heart would burst. “Are you okay?” He murmured, soft concern on his face as he brushed a hair from my face.

I nodded, my heart warming that he was so nervous. His mask had gone, and I could see him, the real him. The kindness, gentleness and selflessness that he hid rolled off him like waves.

“Do you want this? Do you want to keep going?” He asked softly.

I wanted to say yes just as much as I wanted to say no. Stars, I wanted him, and I wanted to chase this feeling, but I knew I wasn’t ready for it. I knew that he wasn’t ready for it. It would be easy to say yes, but just as important to say no. I wanted to say yes. I wanted to say no. I didn’t want to answer. I didn’t want to lose this; him, being here and close, no walls, just us.

I heard him chuckle, as he kissed my jaw and neck while I thought. 

“Hmm?” I asked, really not trusting my voice.

“We’ll wait,” He whispered softly against my skin. “I promised I’d do this right,” The smile that I fell in love with came back to his lips. “And if you can’t give me a yes undoubtedly, then we won’t,”

I nodded and reached up, brushing his hair out of his face. It had grown longer over the few months, almost shaggy and unkept. A small streak of rebellion.

__________________________________

Draco’s heart felt like it was going to burst. You were panting and so innocent underneath him that it made him want to claim you so that no one else would dare to think that they could have you.

But he would wait for that. He would wait for you. He would wait for himself.

Regrettably he left you in bed to take a quick—cold—shower and gave you the space to collect yourself. You were in one of his old t-shirts tucked under the covers when he came back. Your fingers were toying with your locket, your eyes closed peacefully.

Draco slipped into bed beside you. As if you were a magnet attracted to him, you shifted and curled up beside him, your head on his chest. Your fingers traced abstract patterns on his chest and Merlin, he loved you. The two of you spent most of the night talking about nothing and everything: childhoods, favorite foods and sweets, spells, future dreams...

The morning of your actual birthday, there was hardly an attention on you at all. Every student seemed to have their hands of a copy of the Quibbler and whispering about Potter again. Your eyebrows furrowed as you read the pages of the outrageous magazine and went quiet.

“It’s nothing we didn’t know,” You sighed softly, showing him the interview from Harry. “Your father is mentioned... so are Vincent’s and Gregory’s. This could get bad,”

He skimmed the article, seeing that you were right. Harry had named his father as well as some others as Death Eaters. He tossed it to the next student, wrapping an arm around you.

“Are you okay?” He asked, knowing that hearing about his father and the Dark Lord would throw you off balance.

“I think so,” You nudged a few strawberries around your plate. “Are you?”

He nodded, feeling the stares of the students on him once more. Like they were waiting for something to happen. Then he had a sinking feeling: they were waiting for you to react to the news about his father.

“Heads up,” Abby nodded to the monstrosity in pink clicking down the walkway of the Great Hall towards Potter. “That doesn’t look good,”

Pansy cursed as Umbridge turned towards where you all were sitting. The copy of the Quibbler that he was reading not moments ago was long down the table, so he didn’t worry too much.

“Miss Y/l/n,” Umbridge snapped with a false sweetness.

Draco clenched his fists, his hand going to his wand in his robes.

“Good morning,” There was your mask of politeness.

“I was not aware that being a prefect placed you above the rules,” She tutted. “All students are to sit with their House Tables at all meals.”

“This is the Hufflepuff table,” Pansy shot back. “And no one follows that rule, it’s ancient and wrong,”

“Watch your tongue Miss Parkinson,” Umbridge’s eyes still didn’t leave yours.

“Oi,” Draco called. This time Umbridge’s eyes did flicker to his. “Pansy and I are both prefects, I don’t see what qualm you have with Miss Y/l/n here when she has done nothing wrong,”

Umbridge tilted her head, her smile becoming more forced.

“I expect more from you Mr. Malfoy. It is one thing for you to show such disrespect, but another thing to fraternize with a delinquent like Miss Y/l/n,” She talked about you like you weren’t sitting beside him, tucked under his arm.

“My apologies,” You stood, “Abby,” You looked at your friend who stood with you and the two of you rushed from the Great Hall.

Draco started to chase after you, but Pansy held him back.

“Think about it Malfoy,” She hissed. “Umbridge can write to your father.”

The thought made his blood run cold. His eyes trailed your retreating form as you turned towards in the direction of the hospital wing. Then he turned to glare at Umbridge. Never had he hated someone more. His eyes met curious green eyes from across the way.

To no one’s surprise, the Quibbler was banned before the first class could get out. Not that Draco particularly cared, he had watched students all day charm and transfigure the magazine to hide it from Umbridge’s tyrannical rule. It almost made him smile that Umbridge was being defied by every student in the school.

As soon as his class got out, he went to find you. He doubted that you went to Herbology this morning, but Abby told him you had gone and stayed behind because you were in love with a bowtruckle. Draco sighed and laughed, thinking of how much you amused him. He found you, with a Ravenclaw student, a small bowtruckle crawling up your arm. You were giggling at it, rotating your arm to keep the small thing from falling. All of your worries and hurt from this morning was absent.

“I told her you’d worry,” The Ravenclaw spoke up in a dreamy voice to him. “She didn’t seem to notice with the bowtruckle. She named him Steve.”

You looked up from Steve(?) a sheepish smile on your face.

“Look!” You glowed, beckoning the bowtruckle into your palm and holding it out to him. “Professor Sprout just got them in, aren’t they precious?”

He wondered if Sprout really just got them or if the professor had been saving them for a day like this for you. Setting his bag down, he took the stool next to you, offering his hand to one of the small leafy creatures. One hoisted itself onto his hand. He much preferred these to mandrakes or anything else he had encountered in herbology.

“Very good at lockpicking,” The Ravenclaw nodded, about six bowtruckles on her shoulders. “Social creatures.”

“Luna, we’re not using them to lock pick,” You rolled your eyes.

“Oh, I know. There’s a spell for that. I’m just glad they’re not Nifflers, they’ll steal anything shiny.”

Draco finally placed why there was something familiar about this Ravenclaw student: it was Loony—Luna Lovegood.

“I don’t think he likes me much. He’s the one who started my other name you know.” Luna didn’t look up from Steve in your hand.

“He doesn’t like anyone much,” You smiled up at him. “Only a few.”

“I suppose you like him though. Seeing you became an Animagus and all for him,”

Draco froze and he felt you tense next to him. Both of you gazes were transfixed on Luna, who was nonchalantly picking up another bowtruckle.

“How did you know that?” You demanded. “How... who told you?”

“No one told me, but the signs were there. Silent for a month, you don’t really mind cold weather, and you have the mark. I’m surprised the bowtruckles like you, normally owls prey on them,”

“What mark?”

“All Animagi have them. You can’t see it though without having been kissed by a gnome you know the name of.”

He watched your face go through different stages of disbelief. At the moment all he was worried about was your safety.

“You can’t tell anyone,” He hissed. “It would put her life in danger.”

“No one believes what I say,” Luna’s large blue eyes met his. “I suppose I have you to thank for that,” It wasn’t a threat, but it guilted him. “And perhaps Granger to an extent.”

“Luna, this is serious, no one can ever know.” You pressed, setting Steve on the workbench. “Not Harry, not Neville, no one.”

_____________________________________

I was too preoccupied with Luna knowing my secret that I didn’t realize that Steve had crawled up my arm and to my shoulder until Draco’s hand carefully caught the bowtruckle and placed him back on the work bench.

“I won’t tell anyone if it means that much,” She smiled at me sweetly.

“Thank you,” I breathed out.

“Your father is a Death Eater.” Luna’s large eyes looked to Draco. “It must be difficult,” 

“I... um... yeah,” He stammered, thrown off balance by the kindness that Luna offered. 

“We should get going,” I whispered.

Waving to Luna and saying goodbye to Steve, we headed back towards the castle. Now that Umbridge was animate about keeping all of the students at the proper house tables under the watchful eye of herself and Mr. Filch, Draco and I only sat together in one class: Potions.

Being away from him gave me a strange sort of feeling. I had gotten used to him being by my side. Knowing that I would be alone left me more anxious than I had been in months. I was forced to keep a vial or two of Anxiety or Thoughts potion in my bag just to make it through a day. Draco always seemed to have them on his person as well, slipping me them between classes or at night when I’d spend countless hours in his dorm room: studying, talking, kissing, lamenting.

It was the beginning of April when things seemed to go from bad to worse. Draco, Pansy, and I were heading back from the library on a night that D.A. was occurring. A large group of students—that I recognized immediately as D.A.— were rushing down the hall and scattering. Abby grabbed my hand and pulled me away from Draco causing me to run with her or face falling.

As I rounded the corner, I saw Draco and Harry sprawled on the floor in what seemed like a collision in the fervor. Both boy’s eyes were locked on mine, a streak of pink standing over them as I disappeared around the hall and ducked into the Owlery.

“What the hell?” I panted at Abby.

“We were outed. Merlin, Y/n are you okay?” She panted.

“Are you?” I asked, checking her over. “I’m going back out there,”

“You can’t! Umbridge will expel you!” Abby protested.

“She can’t expel and owl,” I grinned and hugged her quickly, morphing into Pinnae.

“Be careful!” She called as I soared into the night and towards the tower that held Dumbledore’s office.

Perched on a window, I saw the entire scene unfold. Not that I particularly cared—I was just looking for Draco, to make sure that he was okay. About to fly away, I paused upon hearing Draco’s name.

“He was heading back to Gryffindor Tower,” said Umbridge. There was an indecent excitement in her voice, the same callous pleasure I had heard many times before. “The Malfoy boy cornered him.”

“Did he, did he?” said the Minister of Magic appreciatively. “I must remember to tell Lucius. Well, Potter . . . I expect you know why you are here?”

That was good wasn’t it? Not that Draco had meant to crash into Harry allowing Umbridge to grab him, but... maybe it wouldn’t be too bad. I hoped that Umbridge didn’t catch sight of me in the hall. I flew from the window and to an opened window where a blond-haired boy paced the floor. I morphed mid-flight into his room, landing on two feet with a soft thud.

“Merlin, Y/n!” Draco exclaimed drawing me into his arms. “Look I didn’t mean to get Harry caught, I didn’t! He ran into me, and stars,” He was frantic in his explanation.

“Draco, Dray, calm down,” I soothed brushing his hair from his face. “Everything’s okay.”

I sat him down on the bed and explained everything that had happened in Dumbledore’s office. He listened quietly, nodding and slowly calming down, his eyes not leaving my hands that were encased in his.

“I should get back,” I whispered. “Abby’s probably freaking out...”

He nodded. My heart fell because I knew I had to leave him when it seemed I needed him the most. I pressed a soft kiss to his lips and took off into the night. Abby was freaking out when I got back, but in a happy manor.

“I summoned a Patronus!” She told me excitedly. “It was the coolest thing! It was a badger! Like our house!”

I tried to share her excitement, but I couldn’t. I was too emotionally drained to. She caught my energy level quickly and simmered down. I told her about what happened in Dumbledore’s office, and she cursed Marietta. I changed into pajamas and drew the curtains to my bed. I spent the night staring at my locket’s magical scene, the lullaby lulling me to sleep.

The next day, Umbridge was appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts and it took everything in me not to leave on the spot. I met Draco’s eyes from across the dining hall and his grim expression matched mine.

Then came the Inquisitorial Squad.

“What in Merlin’s name possessed you to join her squad!?” I paced the floor of the Hufflepuff common room where the four of us were at a standoff. “Are you serious!?” I snapped at Draco.

“Y/n, please, I had to.” Draco stood, stopping me in my tracks. “She’s reporting to my father. If I didn’t join...”

That sapped all of the fight from me.

“Okay but that doesn’t explain you!” Abby spat at Pansy. “What were you thinking!?”

“You act like I didn’t join to keep you safe too!” Pansy shot back, almost snarling. “If Draco and me are on her squad, she thinks she’s won! And we get to see everything she plans firsthand!”

I sighed and rubbed my face. Pansy was right, and so was Draco. No matter how much I loathed the idea, it was smart. My hand reflexively went to the back of my hand where the memory of pain from detention with her lingered. Pansy and Abby were still bickering, but I didn’t pay them any mind. Draco hesitantly reached out for me.

I took his hand and exhaled softly.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered softly. “It was smart. I’m sorry I yelled.”

He nodded and drew me in.

“I hate it too, but with her here, it’s like my father has eyes and ears here. Sometimes I wonder if he already knows.”

“Do... Do you think we should...?” I hated even considering the idea. It made my stomach churn and heart fall to the depths of hell.

“No,” He answered immediately. “I’m not giving you up. The safest place for you to be for both of us is with me. I’ll go senseless with worry and you’ll get anxious and it will just fall apart.”

I nodded and looped my arms around his neck.

“I love you,” I offered weakly.

“As I love you,” He brushed away the escaped tears on my cheeks.

It was hard to stay bleak though, as the Easter holiday was this weekend and cut into next week. I returned home, and though I didn’t see Draco over the short holiday, we wrote to another daily. The small break offered some solace from Umbridge’s dictatorial administration. A break from Hogwarts in general.

The day I returned, I had to go and see Professor Sprout about future plans and career choices under the watchful eye of the horror in pink.

“Have you considered Muggle Relations?” Sprout offered. “Work for the Ministry?” Umbridge tutted.

It took a lot of willpower not to snark about the way the Ministry had gone down the drain, but Sprout caught my sentiment and switched tactics.

“How about a Healer?” She suggested.

“Too much anxiety,” I gave. “I did consider it though, but I’d never make it,” 

“Quite right,” Umbridge muttered under her breath.

I pursed my lips, glaring at her. Sprout scoffed with discussed then faced me again.

“Well, my dear, you excel in a great number of things, it may be time for you to find which one impassions you the most and pursue that,” Professor Sprout smiled. “I have no doubt that you will succeed in whatever you try.”

I left with a bunch of different pamphlets of different jobs that I could pursue, and they were shoved into the bottom of my bag as I went to find Draco.

“I think I want to become and Auror,” He said thoughtfully as we studied for our Charms exam. 

“An Auror?” I looked to him, a smile on my face. “I could see it,”

“Really? Snape didn’t seem too pleased when I mentioned it in passing. I’ve got the grades for it... and after everything... maybe I could do some good in the world,” He fiddled with his quill, staring down at his notes.

“You’d be a great Auror,” I encouraged, taking his hand.

Another beacon of hope that the next few weeks offered was Fred and George Weasley, who a week after setting off a hoard of fireworks in the Great Hall, hexed an entire floor as a swamp and rode to victory on their broomsticks right out of Hogwarts. We all cheered them on then scattered before Umbridge or Filch could throw a detention our way.

Things seemed to simmer down through the rest of May and the four of us found a new sort of normalcy. It wasn’t what we wanted it to be, but it was better than fighting with each other or getting caught by Umbridge so... it would have to do.

Draco’s birthday was in the middle of review week, so Abby, Pansy and I couldn’t plan much, but Pansy did manage to sneak a bottle of fire whiskey, Abby found a way to get into the kitchen so that she and I could spend a few hours baking. With the cupcakes cooled and frosted we headed to the Slytherin common room.

“Happy Birthday,” I grinned.

“Oh, come on, we have to study,” Draco pouted, defeated.

“You have time for one cupcake,” I wrapped my arms around him from behind, leaning my head on his shoulder. “I made them myself.” Abby cleared her throat. “Okay, we made them, but come on Dray, you deserve a little fun,”

He gave in and set down his quill. I cheered victoriously as a makeshift party formed. It was nothing like the rave that occurred in late February, but I didn’t think Draco wanted anything but the four of us together. Well, four plus Ernie, Hannah, Vincent, and Gregory. Pansy had shoved a handful of frosting in Abby’s face, who retaliated and now they were both licking frosting off the other shamelessly. I looked back to my own cupcake and licked the frosting timidly. Draco laughed beside me at the shenanigans that occurred around him, victim to the whiskey and need to unwind.

And for a moment, the weight of everything around us lifted from his eyes and features. That was worth everything.

___________________________________

Two weeks of O.W.L.s and Draco thought if he had to write his name one more time or hear Umbridge recite the same script of rules, he was going to hex her. He had spent his nights with you, studying and practicing spells.

Despite the looming exams, you seemed almost at ease. Draco could tell that you were anxious, you had been for weeks before the exams, but you walked into each exam with your head held high in confidence. You later told him that you had a technique to taking exams that kept you calm: either you knew it or you didn’t, and there was no need to have a panic attack about what you didn’t know.

After his astronomy exam, he found you with Abby in the halls talking to Ginny and Luna. They went quiet as he approached, and he tried not to take it personally. You took his hand.

“We need his help.” You pressed. “We’ve got to make it look like you all are captured, get Umbridge out of the way, then you guys can go!” You insisted.

Ginny glared him down and Luna looked like she didn’t have a care in the world, so the norm.

“What’s going on?” He interjected.

Ginny huffed. “Fine, tell him.”

“Harry thinks that Sirius has been captured by Death Eaters and they want to go and save him, but they can’t with the wicked witch in pink prowling the halls,” You explained quickly.

“So,” Abby picked up. “You go and ‘capture’ the ones who want to go, bring them to Umbridge, Hermione will get Umbridge out of the way, and then let them go,”

You looked up at him, a pleading look on your face. He took you aside, out of ear shot of the others.

“You want me to help Potter save a convicted felon?” He snapped. “Have you gone mad?”

“Look, I’ve met Sirius, and Hermione told me about what really happened, and Draco please, if someone had captured my father, I’d—” Your eyes became glossy with tears.

“When did you meet Sirius?” He demanded.

“Look, it was about a week into being Pinnae. Harry attached a letter to me and...” 

..............................

Late September...

I looked at the letter tied to my ankle and suddenly I felt a pull in my chest and my wings spreading. It was as if the letter itself possessed the magic to direct me to the recipient. Knowing that I couldn’t fight against it, I gave in and let the magic guide me.

I came to a place in London. A house. I fluttered to a window and chirped. A man with long brown wavy hair greeted me at the window. He was familiar, somehow. Then it dawned on me.

Sirius Black.

The escaped convict from Azkaban.

He peered at me, his gray eyes seeing right through my Animagus and into my soul. As if he knew what to look for in an Animagus.

“Come inside and rest for a bit, it’s a long flight back, there’s tea and biscuits downstairs” Was all he said after taking the letter.

I gaped after him, such a human gesture that I slipped out of form instantly. “H-how did you know?” I stammered, chasing after him, any fear towards him fleeting.

“Takes one to know one,” He muttered, lumbering to the kitchen table and sitting at the head seat. “So, who’d you do it for?”

“No one,” I covered quickly.

He gave me a look that told me he wasn’t convinced.

“Look, kid,”

“Y/n,” I gave.

“Y/n,” He rolled his eyes, unamused. “Becoming an Animagus is hard work and it take true dedication and devotion to a cause or person. So, I’ll ask again, who’d you do it for?”

I sat down in one of the chairs, a few seats away from him and looked down at the table. My gaze flickered to his as he waited expectantly.

“You’re close with Harry, yeah?” My eyes flitted to the note and back to steady grey eyes. 

He gave a seldom nod.

“And the stuff they say in the papers isn’t true, is it? My mother’s always defending you,” 

“Your mother?” He mused.

“Elizabeth Y/l/n,”

A smile touched Sirius’ lips.

“I knew her, back in school. Slytherin as they come. Until she met your dad. Then everything changed. It was so unnatural.” He was lost in a memory and I was holding onto his every word.

“I never met my father,” I said crestfallen. “He... He died in the war,” 

“He was a part of the Order you know,”

“The Order? Like Star Wars?”

Sirius barked out a laugh, his eyes shining for a moment.

“The Order of The Phoenix,” Sirius clarified. “Merlin, you’re like your father,” 

My smile dropped a bit. “The Order?” I asked again.

“An opposing group during the war. Voldemort had his Death Eaters; we had the Order. And still do,”

I nodded. “You said my mother was a true Slytherin, but that changed when she met my father...”

“Quite right, take a certain heart to get through to a Slytherin,” “Malfoy,” I whispered to the table. “I did it for Draco Malfoy,”

“So, you’re the Hufflepuff Harry goes on about,” Sirius leaned back in his chair, not giving away any emotion other than nonchalance.

“You can’t tell him that I’m an Animagus,” I rushed out pleading. “It would jeopardize everything,”

“Your secret is safe with me,” Sirius smiled. “Malfoy,” He scoffed. “No wonder Harry is so livid whenever someone mentions the either of you. James used to get so mad about your parents being together,”

“There is good in him.”

“There’s good in almost everyone,” Sirius mended. “The question you have to ask yourself: is it enough to be worth it?”

“That’s not my call to make,” I snapped.

An amused smile grew on his lips.

“And you’re sure you’re not a Gryffindor?”

I scoffed at the mere thought. “Bunch of stuck ups who think they’re always right. No thanks,” 

“You got spunk, kid,” Sirius chuckled. “And a good heart. I’m rootin’ for ya,”

“Really?”

“Sure,” He shrugged. “I told you, becoming an Animagus takes dedication and devotion. Even false hope is still hope,”

..............................

Draco gaped at you as you rushed to apologize for not telling him. And to be fair, there was a lot going on back then as there was now. He huffed and ran a hand through his hair and nodded.

“Alright, I’ll do it.”

You jumped up and hugged him, beaming. He held you close before releasing you, going to round up the rest of his Squad to set the plan into motion. He did his best to act like the arrogant Slytherin that Umbridge took him for as she grilled Harry for information. When he was told to fetch Snape, he filled the professor quickly in on what was going on before putting on his act once more.

Hermione gave him one look then burst into tears, unveiling her plan to get Umbridge out of her office. And it was quite brilliant. He never really noticed before, but Hermione was quick on her feet. The kind of cunning that a Slytherin would envy.

When Umbridge, Harry, and Hermione were out the door, he had his friends release the small band of rebels.

“Here,” Draco pulled Harry’s wand from his robes, to a confused Ron and Neville who were about to full on brawl. “Now get out. Quickly.” The others were released, and his Squad flocked behind him, Pansy at his right-hand side.

“What in Merlin’s name?” Ron stammered.

“He’s on our side!” Ginny explained quickly, grabbing her brother’s arm. “Now let’s go,”

Dumbfounded, Ron staggered from the room with the others. Luna smiled and waved as she left, hand in hand with Neville. Sagging and rubbing his face, he stormed from the office, ripping the Inquisitorial Squad badge from his robes, leaving it in the hallway. The end of term was two days away and he felt as if after tonight, the entire Wizarding world was about to change.

There was the same fear and anticipation in your eyes as he gathered you into his arms and pressed a kiss to your lips harshly. You didn’t complain, instead you let him push you against the nearest wall and let him kiss you aggressively until all of his fears and doubts melted away on your lips. Pulling away softly, you looked up at him through your eyelashes silent reassurances in them.

And they waited. All night.

You were wrapped up in his arms as he, you, Abby, and Pansy lounged across his bed. You had tried to read aloud, but your voice got too shaky and too quick and jumbled. You gave up and sighed, pulling out your locket, thumbing it open and watching the Dawn Treader sail on the sea waters.

It was the early hours of the morning when an owl came fluttering to the window. He recognized the family owl and took the letter from its grasp with shaky hands. You were beside him, a gentle hand on his shoulder. Pansy and Abby must have gone, because he was alone with you.

Finding the courage he could, Draco opened the letter and distinguished his mother’s handwriting.

~

Draco,

Your father has been captured as well as Crabbe and Goyle and a few others and sent to Azkaban. They were sent on a mission to find a prophecy and it went awry.

Bring Miss Y/n back with you when you come home. I’ve already arranged it with her mother. 

Take heart my love,

Narcissa Malfoy,

~

His hands started to shake as he read the words over and over again, trying to make sense of them. Trying to wish them unreal. Draco let you take the paper from his hands as he let out a strangled cry. You were right there. He collapsed into your arms, terrified for what came next.

________________________________

Draco and I ended up on the floor. He clung to me, letting silent tears and gruesome cries escape. I bit back my own tears and consoled him the best I could. I took deep exaggerated breaths, knowing he needed a steady pace to match his own. I kept a rhythm as I rubbed his back. It might not have been a potion, but I knew how to get him through a panic attack. I repeated the same words softly: it’s going to be alright, I’m here, I love you.

Over the weekend, I had packed up my things, ready to leave, and moved into Draco’s dorm for those few days. Anyone who dared say anything to him, taunting or jeering, got a hex to the face.

On the rare occasion that I was without him, I ran into Harry who was coming from the Gryffindor common room.

“Y/n, look,” He started, “I don’t know how to tell you this but Draco’s—”

“Father is a Death Eater, yes I know.” I said firmly. “And he’s in Azkaban right now. I know that too.”

Harry looked at me, shocked.

“But... then... you’re still...” He stammered.

“Yes.” I folded my arms, but my demeanor softened. “And... I’m sorry about Sirius,”

He stiffened, his fist clenching.

“So, you knew that it was a trap! I bet Draco knew! That’s why he decided to help us!” He spat at me.

“What? No!” I defended quickly. “He had no idea! Neither did I! Harry, you’re being ridiculous!”

“Ridiculous!? Me!? Look at you! You’re delusional to think he actually cares about you! He’s using you! That’s what he does!” His words were a slap to the face.

“No that’s what you do!” I shouted back. “I’ve tried to be nice Harry! I’ve defended you time and time again and you’re still just as cruel! Just like Draco used to be! But you know what he changed! You might be a hero, but you’re acting like a real asshole!”

Harry drew his wand, glowering at me. I drew my own wand.

“Do it Potter,” I spat. “Come on. Scared of a Hufflepuff?” I twirled my wand. He raised his wand.

“Stop!”

We both turned, seeing Snape come down the hall, Draco and Abby right behind him. I didn’t lower my wand even though Harry did.

“What do you think you’re doing Potter?” Snape hissed, glaring down Harry. Draco and Abby were at my side, their wands out. I rolled my eyes and put my wand away. 

“Nothing,” Harry bit out, glaring at me. “He won’t always be around to protect you.” “He doesn’t need to protect me,” I scoffed.

Harry left muttered under his breath. Snape turned to the three of us.

“Miss Y/n,” The professor started.

“I know, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lost my temper,” I mumbled.

“I was only going to suggest that you loosen up on your wand a bit and center your stance,” Snape had a small smile on his face. “No need for you to get knocked over in a duel,” And with that he left, his robes billowing behind him.

“Are you okay?” Draco asked, stroking my cheek.

I nodded. “Just Harry being Harry,” I gave an amused smile. “Come on, we’re going to be late,”

At the End of Year feast, Draco sat by my side. Now that Dumbledore was back, we were allowed to sit together. I was also allowed to wear my muggle t-shirts again. I realized that it was also the small things that had worn me down over the year as well as the bigger things.

I sat with Draco on the train ride back as well. The compartment only allowed the four of us in it. Draco took the window seat and I stretched out beside him, curling up with The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland. I had found the right balance of asking him if he was alright, pressing for answers, and letting him have space to think on his own.

Narcissa greeted us both at the station, hugging me and stroking Draco’s face softly. Saying my goodbyes to Abby and promising to write to her, Draco and I set off, hand in hand. We walked

through the marvelous front door of the Manor. Draco sighed and set off to his room, trailing me with him.

“Draco, whose wand is this?” I asked, picking up the wand from his bedside table.

The wand seemed to hum at my touch, and it was familiar somehow.

“No ones,” He answered quickly, turning from his trunk.

I could see the lie for what it was and frowned. When did he lie to me?

“Draco?” I pressed softly. “What...?”

“Just leave it.” He demanded. “It’s not important.”

“I’d say it’s pretty important,” My voice started to raise without my permission.

“Y/n, it’s not what you think,” His voice hardened. “Just leave it.” It was nearly a snarl.

“Draco,” I snapped. “Whose wand is this!?” His gaze dropped to the bed, his hands clenched tightly into fists, shaking slightly.

“Your father’s,”

Whatever I had thought, whatever explanation I tried to find, it wasn’t that. I took a small step away from him.

“Why do you have this?” I hissed, gripping it tightly.

“It belongs to me,” his voice was soft and void of emotion, his eyes still didn’t reach mine.

“It belongs to me,” I snapped, tears rushing to my eyes. “What... why... how could you!?” I stammered, now yelling at him. “You kept this from me!? As if you had a right to it!” My blood boiled with anger.

“I do have the right!” He argued back, snarling, his cold blue eyes finally snapping to mine. “My father killed your father. My father forfeited the wand and now it belongs to me!”

I froze, staring at him. Trying to process his words and his harsh tone he never used at me, my mind reeled with pain and betrayal. What else had he been keeping from me? How long had he kept it from me? Was this all just a ploy? My mind thought of everything we had been through and I started to doubt it all.

“You have no idea the world you live in!” Draco sneered. “All you do is run away to stupid books and fairytales! They don’t exist Y/n! It’s time you grew up and faced the real world!” It was a slap to the face.

“The real world?” I shrieked. “What that your father is a Death Eater!? That he’s working for Voldemort!? That he murdered my father!? That you’ve kept it from me all this time!?” I could barely see him through my tears.

“Because you’re taking it so well!” He shouted. “How do you think I’ve felt!? Knowing what my father did to again darken the Malfoy name!? Knowing that you’d never forgive me for this!? Did you ever stop to think!? No! You only care about yourself! As long as you get to play messiah! As long as you get to run away to a fairytale!”

I squeezed my eyes shut, my lip quivering in hurt and anger. I dropped the wand to the floor unceremoniously and slipped the familiar weight of the locket from around my neck. I threw it onto his bed.

“Take them then,” I barely spoke. “And have fun with reality,” My face held an emotionless mask.

I met his eyes one last time. Then I turned and Pinnae flew out into the night.

I flew fast and far. Towards my mother’s house. I stumbled a few times in the air, my human emotions overriding my bird form. I made it home though. A miserable mess of tears, but home.

“Y/n?” My mother asked. “I thought you were with Draco,”

“How long have you known!?” I yelled, storming in through the front door. “How long have you known his father killed mine!?”

“Y/n, honey,” My mother cooed, rushing to comfort me.

“No! I want an answer! How long!?” My voice waivered as my faith in what I really knew started to crumble. I pulled out my wand and wielded it against her.

“Since he died,” My mother took a deep breath in. “I told Draco at Christmas. I gave him your father’s wand. It belongs to him,”

“You... you didn’t think to ask me!? Or tell me!?” I screeched. “How could you!?”

“I was keeping you safe!”

“By lying to me!?” I shot back. “All this time! My whole life!” Then it hit me. “I thought Draco knew from the beginning... but it was you! You kept it from me! You did this! Why would you do this!?”

“To keep you safe!” She shouted back. “His father killed my love! I didn’t want to see the same fate to my daughter!”

“So, you set the whole thing up!” I gaped at her. “You knew that I would get mad Draco! You knew I’d...” I took a step back, the weight of the situation crashing around me.

I didn’t know who to trust.

“Y/n, please, you have to understand—”

“No,” I spat. “You just cost me the most important thing in my life.”

“Family is the most important!” She threw the accusation at me. “Are you going to give that up for a Malfoy!?”

“He was my family! He was my home! I love him!”

Shaking my head in disbelief, I backed up to the door, and again, Pinnae flew out into the night. I didn’t know where to go. I had just lost everything. That was the reality I had to face. I wanted to go back to Draco. I wanted to apologize. I didn’t intend to get so angry and hurtful. I didn’t mean to walk out.

I glided over the countryside and found myself in a familiar place that I visited a few times a year. Surrounded by headstones, I phased back, walking towards a known gravestone.

“Oh Papa,” I sobbed, falling at the foot of the stone. “What did I do?”

I cried and cried, my tears falling and wetting the marble stone. I pleaded to him. I begged him to come back and tell me what to do. I just needed to hear his voice. Knowing I never would, I started sobbing harder. Just wishing he was somehow here again. Just so he could tell me what to do.

Sitting back on my knees, I gazed around at the stone angel statues and mausoleums. It seemed all wrong for the memories of my father, the cold stones that surrounded me. He was warm and gentle.

“Why did she have to... Why can’t the past just die!?” I sobbed out, hugging my knees. “Papa,” I whimpered. “Teach me to live...to forgive... give me the strength to try,” I buried my face in my arms and cried.

It was agony. I had no one. I had nowhere to go. I wasn’t going back to my mother, and Draco no doubt hated me. I couldn’t even be upset that Lucius killed my father because it wasn’t the worst betrayal I had faced today.

I had given everything up. 

I was truly alone.

.

.

Chapter 6

.

End note: I did apologize right?

Tags: @coffee-addicti @msmcsmutt @ravn-87 @artemismohr18 @whygz @crazywritingbug @fuzzy-panda@bitemebro522 @zombiesnips-blog @jillanaholland @shookyungsoo @savingdraco @welcometomyworldwithoutrules @akari180 @slytherin-emerald @chaotic-good-gemini @memalfoy-spidey@theres-a-dog-outside-omg @queenfeatherwings @fanficflaneuse @go-whovian-universe @spicyshenanigans @darling-im-not-okay-i-promise @dietkiwi@katsukink @takemetothekingdom @strangerr-things @tmnt-queen @mccloudchloe @hxneybgb @justsomerandomgur @belcvayelena @moviesbooksandfandoms @howdycharlie @xtrashmouthxtozierx @cocochanelthepupper @ninacotte@mccloudchloe @braelynn-j @jiggllyy @honeymarvel @go-whovian-universe @darcypottah @atomicpunkrock @thiccheerioss @lottie289 @boredashaeck @beautiful-pegasus @tceedlmao @deadlynyghtshayde @iconjuresnapeingrandmaclothes @anonymous034 @bi-andready-tocry @lunna-does-real-doodle @dragonsandbread @atomicwonderlandmentality @okaydraco @the–queen-of-hell @langdonzvoid @cmxreader @alienmotel @oh-itsnothing @tulippings @thestressedprincess @sunflowerxsadnessw @caps-wilsonn @fattycooter @angelotakunerd08 @thisisahugemistake @fanficsigottaread​ @gweaslvy​ @okaydraco​ @strawberriesonsummer​

[hexpea]

Ch. 3 - Scintillation

SCINTILLATION: a flash or sparkle of light

We took a break after lunch, a well-earned one for sure. During that time I took the opportunity to nap only to wake up to an extremely sore body. Since Rengoku was to arrive soon, I decided to bathe and make myself a bit more presentable as a human compared to yesterday’s dinner and today’s training session.

I took the opportunity to wear a kimono instead of my regular uniform. It wasn’t often that we were able to wear something other than that damn black suit.

I, of course, started with my white Nagajubon, the kimono-shaped robe that goes underneath the kimono to reduce the need for it to be laundered. I wore this along with the Datejime, the sash that tied the Nagajuban in place. It was decorated in bright lavender stripes with tiny sakura petals strewn about. I had picked it out myself considering this part is hidden beneath the kimono anyway.

Next up was the Kimono itself. Since this was the only kimono I had which was leftover from my Coming of Age ceremony it was in Furisode style, long-sleeves. It, too, was lavender purple that was covered in periwinkle and pastel pink roses. The details of each petal were incredibly intricate. I truly was proud of myself for choosing such a beautiful piece.

I fastened my Kimono with my Obi, the wide, silk sash that goes around the waist. It was one of the most difficult parts considering it needed to be tied in such a way. I kept it simple and tied it in the Taiko Musubi style though it didn’t go along with the Furisode style. Unfortunately since I was tying the knot myself I didn’t have much of a choice.

Next was my Hakama which I chose to match the periwinkle flowers of my Kimono. From there I put on my tabi socks and tied the buckles tight, then I slid on my Zori sandals and called it done.

I took the time to put on some light make-up and tied my hair into a simple bun with two strands of hair at the sides of my face.

I suddenly heard the familiar knock on my door, loud as ever. This time I smiled to myself, actually being ready to accept his presence without looking like I just rolled out of bed.

“Wow,” Rengoku’s breath was stolen as he looked me up and down after I answered the door. Rengoku was dressed in traditional Western style clothing, a white dress shirt and ascot with a blood red vest and black dress pants and loafers. He still carried his sword at his hip which stood out without his usual haori.

“Sorry if I over did it, but I’m taking this date thing seriously,” I playfully wiggled my eyebrows at him. He licked his lips as if his mouth was dry and finally met my gaze after staring at my get-up.

“No, no...you’re beautiful,” he said quickly, “stunning actually. Will you be comfortable during the walk to the station?” I nodded, which was a lie, but there was no way I was changing after how long it took me to get ready.

“Hmm...should I also bring my katana?” I asked, pointing to his blade. He glanced down at his hip and then back at me.

“Not necessary. I just like to bring it just in case. As the host of this date, I’d prefer to be the only one fighting any demons,” he smiled at me and held out his arm just as he did the day before.

“I can’t believe I get to go to town two days in a row,” I said quietly as if to myself, but even the hard-of-hearing Rengoku heard it. He chuckled to himself as I finished the sentence.

“I’m happy to be able to treat you to such a luxury,” half of his tone was teasing and the other half serious, “I figure we’ll go out to eat again and also stroll along the main street to see the shops.”

“Sounds lovely,” I agreed and took his arm, the two of us happily strolling down the hallway. It didn’t take very long for the kimono to become uncomfortable, especially against my sore muscles, but I knew I had to endure it.

“Wait, wait, wait,” Rengoku stopped mid-way down the hallway, “let’s go back for a moment.” He began to drag me back to my room.

He entered and closed the door behind him and looked at me thoughtfully.

“Mayumi, you’re beautiful,” he reassured me yet again with a breathy voice, he stepped forward and caressed my cheek which made my skin flush, strong heat rising to its surface. His skin on the back of his hand was surprisingly soft. “You’re clearly uncomfortable,” he continued, taking free reign and undoing my bun while maintaining eye contact. My hair fell around my shoulders and I gasped from the unexpected movement.

“I know you worked really hard, especially on this messy knot back here,” he chuckled, turning me around and undoing the knot.

“Kyojuro...are you undressing me right now?” I gulped. He quickly paused as I turned my head back to look at him. His face was bright red.

“I don’t mean to...truthfully I’d rather see you comfortable. You’re beautiful just in your uniform...you’re beautiful no matter what you look like,” he explained, “I want you to enjoy your time and I don’t want you to have to worry about what you’re wearing.”

“That’s sweet,” I smiled to myself, “if you’d like to wait outside, I can do the rest.” He gave a firm nod and stepped outside.

I blushed to myself as I undressed in solitude and slipped on my button-up top and skirt. It felt so much better than all of those layers and a tight knot around my waist, especially in the middle of summer.

“Alright, let’s head out,” I joined him in the hallway where he was leaning against the wall in waiting.

“Do you mind if I throw this in your room?” He asked, now holding his vest and ascot. His dress shirt was disheveled and no longer tucked in. “These were equally uncomfortable, so I figured with the formalities out of the way we could just enjoy each other’s company.” I nodded excitedly, taking the silk vest and cotton ascot, throwing it on my messy futon.

Once we were both comfortable, we quickly headed toward the station. The walk was familiar and we enjoyed great conversation as usual. He was now able to carry the talk instead of having me drone on about Iguro who was now at the very back of my mind and the least of my worries.

The train ride itself was just as joyous though I was yet again flattered and flustered that Rengoku had bought both of our tickets. I genuinely felt like...dare I say it...a princess. Such kindness was relatively unfamiliar considering Iguro wasn’t exactly the romantic type with me.

We ate at the same restaurant we had the night before, selecting something new but equally as delicious from their menu.

From the restaurant, we strolled back onto the busy evening streets of the town. Many shops were lit up in beautiful colors, the shop owners smiling wide and greeting each customer that passed by. Rengoku allowed me to lead the way, agreeing to head into any shop of my choice.

“It’s gorgeous...and it matches my Kimono,” I sighed, holding the Kamikazari after entering one of the shops. “Such a shame,” I muttered to myself, regretting my bad habits that prevented me from taking it home.

“It really does!” Rengoku’s voice boomed through the shop, quickly taking it from my hands.

“Kyojuro!” I scolded, trying to reach his grasp as he held it from me. “What are you-?” He carried it to the back of the shop where the shop owner sat. “Kyojuro,” I followed him, “what are you doing?”

“I’m getting you this,” he looked at me as if he were confused by my frustration.

“Please, you don’t have to…” I slightly begged. I hated how much he was spending on me as of late. It was crazy how quickly we went from just co-slayers who greeted each other and held pleasant conversation when the time presented to such close friends in the matter of forty-eight hours.

“I don’t have to, but I want to,” he insisted, the usual large smile planted on his face. I blushed and kept my mouth shut.

After he purchased the small hair ornament, we walked out onto the street. He held the pin with such dainty fingers in one hand and stopped me by grabbing my shoulder with the other.

“Here, let’s put it on,” he looked up at my hair, putting the pin gently between his teeth before touching my hair. I turned around and allowed him to wrap my hair into a simple bun, sticking the pin in to hold it in place. “I had learned to do this when my mother was too sick to do so herself,” he explained, “she really enjoyed having her hair up and I was determined to learn when she became too weak to do it herself.”

“That’s incredibly sweet, Kyojuro,” my heart fluttered at his sweet but sad story, “thank you for this. It’s really too much…”

“No, it’s not,” he insisted again, “I’m taking you out on a date. This is standard practice from what I understand of it.”

“I definitely feel spoiled, that’s for sure,” I giggled as he remained silent, though something in the air felt as though he wanted to say something.

“There, perfect!” He declared of his work as I turned to look at him, hand gently touching the new bun at the back of my head with a smile.

“Very good,” I complimented, feeling how perfectly he completed the style. “Thank you, Kyojuro,” I gave him a weak smile, my heart fluttering as I stared at him in the glistening evening light.

“Of course, Mayumi,” he smiled back, staring back into my eyes with his piercing irises. Hearing my name roll from his mouth made my body tingle even more. “You look so beautiful,” he added in a near whisper. I tightened my smile, feeling my face heat up as the moment continued.

As I was lost in his eyes, I barely felt as his warm palm cupped the side of my face. I closed my eyes when I realized it and leaned into his touch, placing my own hand over his. My heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest, nausea creeping up on me like no tomorrow.

He smiled sweetly at my reaction and eventually allowed his hand to leave in exchange for grabbing my own to continue moving through the town. His fingers intertwined with mine, my pounding heart now settling to butterflies in my stomach as we continued down the street.

We continued moving through the shops, stopping each time I gave a little squeak of interest. Rengoku bought me a few more small trinkets along the way and I whined about his spoiling me over and over again.

We hung around town until the sun went too far down past the horizon and some of the shops began to close.

When we arrived at the train station, something about the aura felt off. The lights were on, but there were no employees to be found and a train was already parked at the station with no engineer.

Rengoku had lost his smile as he stood and took in the scene.

“A demon,” he murmured, placing a quick hand on the hilt of his katana. Though I was scared, I was just as excited knowing that I’d finally get to see Rengoku in action.

I knew that as a Hashira, feeling a demon was like a sixth sense to Rengoku. I couldn’t feel anything, just the fact that something was off about the whole thing.

Without further hesitance, he unsheathed his sword and held it pointed center with two hands as his eyes patrolled back and forth.

“Well...what do we have here?” A shaky, disturbing voice sent chills through my body. I still couldn’t pinpoint where this creature was. “A Hashira! How...delicious…”

“Come out!” Rengoku demanded, staring at one spot toward the ceiling of the station. I joined his gaze but didn’t see anything. His piercing eyes didn’t dare leave that spot. “Quit hiding, show yourself!”

“You’re no fun,” the demon then suddenly appeared, fading in slowly right in the corner where he had been looking. I tried my best to keep my jaw off the floor. How did he even see that thing there?!

Its skin was a dark grey and had long, flowing black hair with completely white eyes. It was as if it were a shadow, or at least could easily camouflage in the shadows.

The demon then dropped from the ceiling, its arms held out as if it were ready to pounce on the two of us. It licked its lips as it started walking toward us. I began to back up a little, but Rengoku held his ground.

“I took out all of the workers here and was just about to indulge on those in the cars before you showed up. It’s very unkind of you to interrupt my meal,” the demon playfully pouted.

“You will not be finishing this meal,” he declared, reinforcing the point of his sword in its direction. He began taking large strides toward the demon. The demon, a beta for sure, tried its best to prepare a counter attack but was quickly decapitated by Rengoku’s move.

“Wow, didn’t even have time to think about how to react,” I chuckled in response to the demon’s death. Rengoku sighed and put his sword back in its place.

“I really don’t know why they even bother with Hashira. Truthfully, the only real fights we face are with the Kizuki,” he shrugged in response, “I hate that we didn’t arrive sooner, we could have saved the lives of the employees.”

“That’s very unfortunate,” I agreed, “but at least the lives of the civilians in the cars should be okay.” Rengoku nodded.

“I’ll send my crow back to Oyakata-sama. He’ll be able to take care of this stuck train and the civilians,” he added as his crow flew to his shoulder, “as for us, I don’t think walking home in the dark is a safe idea. It may be a half hour train ride but it's a good four hour walk.”

“Yeah, no thanks,” I giggled, “back to town we go, I guess. I’m sure there’s an inn we can find.” He gave a single, strong nod, his smile returning.

We began the walk back to the town. I felt incredibly lucky to have seen a Hashira take out a demon though it was a quick fight...if you’d even call it a fight. My muscles really ached at this point having been walking for most of the evening and the nap I had taken earlier was wearing off. Rengoku had trained my ass off from four am until noon and it was now nearly eleven at night.

“Everything hurts,” I groaned as our walk neared its end, “I definitely need a day off tomorrow.”

“Demons never take a day off!” Rengoku exclaimed excitedly. I gave him an annoyed look, back hunched over from the pain.

“There are only so many demons and there are other demon slayers. I think they can do without me for a day,” I laughed as best as I could, “besides, we have to stay out here for the night and then get our way back to headquarters anyway. I’m looking forward to a nice hot bath and curling up on a mattress for once.”

“It is a real treat,” he agreed, pointing toward an inn that sat on the edge of town.

We entered and Rengoku took the lead at the front desk, even paying for our room. The fact that he had likely put more money out than he wanted tonight made me feel even worse. I hated the idea of being a burden to someone who wanted to take me out. Though he said we shouldn’t, I was sure if he were alone he would have done the four hour walk and then woken up bright and early at four AM anyways.

The innkeeper, with a smile, led us upstairs where all of the rooms were located. He unlocked one of the doors and allowed us inside, giving Rengoku a copy of the key. The two bowed briefly as a goodbye and Rengoku closed the door behind us.

The room had two twin-sized beds and a small bathroom with full plumbing. It was a pretty sizable room as well with two large closets.

“This is nice,” I nodded, staring around the room.

“Would you like to take your bath?” Rengoku asked, hand motioning toward the bathroom. I smiled excitedly. Indoor plumbing was a true luxury having only been invented fifty years prior. Despite it being around for so long, it was still rare to find.

“I’m so ready,” I giggled like a child and scampered to the bathroom. Rengoku followed to check it out with me.

“This is nice,” he repeated, looking around the wood paneled walls and porcelain floor tiles. There was a small bathtub, a single standing sink, and a tiny toilet. It was small, but it was something!

“Now, if you’ll excuse me!” I playfully shoved him back out into the bedroom area and closed the door. I heard his hearty laugh from behind the door.

I then turned to the bathtub and began running the water, placing the plug in the drain. While the tub filled I got undressed and folded my clothing on the edge of the sink.

I dipped my toes into the warm water and began to sink in. On a nearby ledge sat some soap and shampoo as well as a tiny bottle of lotion. It truly felt like luxury!

I cleaned myself and quickly wrapped a towel around my chest. I glanced at my clothing and I realized I would much prefer to put clean clothes on instead of the now dirtied ones.

“Hey, Kyojuro?” I peeked my head out of the door, trying my best to shield my body. He was resting on one of the beds, hands behind his head, his shirt and pants unbuttoned for comfort, and looked quickly in my direction. “Do they happen to have any robes in those closets?” I asked.

“Hmm…” he got up, gripping his pants so they wouldn’t fall around his ankles, and opened one of them, “yes! What luck!” He grabbed one and handed it to me.

“Thanks,” I smiled, slipping the robe through the small crack in the door, “after your turn in here, I’m going to use the tub to hand wash my clothes. I can do yours, too, if you’d like.”

“No thank you,” he smiled sweetly, “no way would I make you wash my clothes. I can join you and we can do it together.” I smiled back and closed the door for a brief moment to wrap the towel around my hair and tie the robe around my body.

Once I was all finished, Rengoku and I traded places. I relaxed on the mattress of the bed opposite to the one he chose. The feeling of the soft fabric and squishy material was pure bliss. Sure, futons are comfortable for what they are, but nothing beats sleeping off the floor and on something a little bit softer. I nearly fell asleep before Rengoku came back.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” I heard Rengoku’s voice, this time soft, as he caressed my face.

“Did I actually fall asleep?” I asked, looking all around in the hopes that it wasn’t morning yet. He nodded with that classic smile on his face. When my eyes finally adjusted, I realized he was only in a towel that was wrapped around his waist and his hair drenched and sticking to his shoulders. I felt heat rise to my face...and in-between my legs.

“I felt bad for waking you, but I figured I’d let you know that I went ahead and scrubbed your uniform clean,” he smiled sweetly, “hopefully it will be dry by tomorrow morning.”

“You did not,” I gasped, sitting up, “I should have helped you! Kyojuro!” Also, you touched my panties...not something I had expected out of tonight...

“No, no, we’re still in town so technically I’m still the host,” he reminded me. I sighed with a bit of exasperation. I was going to owe this man my whole life if he kept this up.

“You’re really doing too much,” I scolded, sitting on the edge of the bed and allowing my hair to fall out of the towel and down my shoulders. I began finger combing it as best as I could, wincing when I felt the knots.

“Well, I’m courting you, so…” he rolled his eyes as if that were obvious. He sat down on his bed and fell back, his legs dangling off the side of the bed. My eyes widened as I saw the soft lump in-between his legs underneath the towel. I quickly looked away out of respect, though my heart and body wanted to misbehave.

“Courting me?” I asked, trying to continue the conversation and distract myself from staring at his half-naked body.

“Well, dating should have intentions, right?” He asked, sitting up.

“It’s our first date, a pity date that you asked me to,” I chuckled, “and to be honest, I’ve just been all nervous and sweaty this whole time. Not to mention how pained my body is from our workout earlier today.”

“I’m sorry…” he mumbled sadly, “I was hoping this was a good time.”

“What?!” I panicked. “This day has been perfect! I just wish I was a better sport.” He gave me a confused look. “For the past two days, being around you has just made me a nervous wreck, growing by the minute the more we’re together.” I admitted and his expression fell into a sweet smile. “Especially now that you’re sitting here half-naked in front of me with only a weak towel covering your...your…” I flapped my hand in his direction as if to signal his naughty bits. His face turned a slight shade of pink though his smile never left.

“I’m glad you told me this,” he stood up, “and to be fair, you only have a weak robe covering yours. He took a step closer, closing the gap between the beds.

I looked up at him as he ran his fingers through my wet hair and held them there. He knelt down in front of me so that I was now looking down at him. He placed his free hand on my knee as his fingers in my hair began to gently rub. “Would you like a massage? That might help your muscles relax.” He asked, voice quiet.

“Sure, it sounds like you got tips from Uzui with all this,” my voice felt like it was shaking just a bit. Did I just admit that I have feelings for him in the most awkward way ever? And he didn’t think anything else of it?!

"Maybe I did," he winked in a joking manner before standing.

He left my side for a moment to head into the bathroom where the small bottle of lotion was located.

“Here, lay back,” he instructed, pouring some of the liquid onto his palms. I did as he instructed, trying my best to keep my robe closed.

He started at my feet. The lotion felt cold to the touch as he applied light pressure to my arches. I hummed at the pleasurable feeling, a tiny drunk smile growing on my face while my eyes closed.

He worked at my feet one at a time, making sure to even get between my toes. He slowly then moved up my legs, massaging my calves, not worrying that lotion was getting all over the bed. He continued to move until he reached my thighs, massaging carefully to not disrupt the rob and reveal me.

I was in pure heaven with the feeling of his rough hands kneading my doughy skin. It felt as though if I were to try and stand up I wouldn’t be able to. My lower half felt like pure mashed potatoes.

“May I get your back and shoulders?” He asked politely, now standing at the end of the bed. My eyes fluttered open when I heard his voice. How could I turn that down?!

“Mhm,” I nodded a little, flipping onto my back and doing my best to arch my back and get the robe off of the top part of my body while hiding my breasts from the flame Hashira behind me.

When my top half was exposed, I plunged back on the mattress and allowed my face to bury itself into the pillow.

The cold lotion hit my back quickly and I nearly squealed. Rengoku gave an apology in a whisper as he kneaded the space near my spine, dragging the knuckles of his thumbs down the center and then allowing his fingers to fan out and press the rest.

My favorite part was my shoulders. He gave a tight squeeze and I grunted in pure pleasure, feeling the crunchy knots find their way out. I could hear a laugh from deep in his chest in response to my satisfied noises.

Over time, he weaned me from the pleasure and I sighed in relief, stretching my body out like a cat -- extending all of my limbs as far as they could go.

“How do you feel?” He asked, smiling and rubbing the leftover lotion all over his hands. I looked at him, head turned deep on the pillow.

“Amazing,” I managed to gurgle out.

I remained there, top still nude, as he went and washed his hands of the lotion. I took a deep breath, feeling the oxygen course through my veins. I felt as if I were on a cloud, being cared for by an angel.

“Hmm…” Rengoku hummed, sitting on the edge of his bed. I peeled my sleepy eye open toward him.

“Hmm?” I repeated with a questioning intonation.

“Your bed is covered in lotion,” he chuckled, “would you like to trade beds so you don’t have to sleep in that?”

“Trade?” I grumbled. “No way, I can stay here. I’m the one covered in lotion anyway.”

“Well, what if we shared?” He asked again. “I figure it’s likely not very comfortable to have the cold, slimy liquid all over the sheets.” I laughed at his description and sat up, facing away from him to put the robe back over my shoulders.

“Are you okay with that?” I asked, genuinely concerned. I didn’t want to impose or be more of a burden than I was already.

“Of course! I’m the one who offered!” He insisted, patting the bed next to him.

He crawled under the covers as I walked to the other side of the bed. It was going to be a tight squeeze considering the size of the twin bed. I hadn’t thought about it until that point. He was nearly on the edge of the bed, lifting the covers to invite me in.

I carefully slid in next to him, feeling my legs against his. He covered the two of us with the blankets and then squeezed his hand back toward himself. The two of us were facing one another. I felt his hot breath over my face as he looked deeply into my eyes, a smaller, sleepier smile on his face.

His bare chest was pressed against mine though the puffy robe I had on shielded the feeling of his skin on mine.

“Did you have a good day today?” He asked in the darkness. I felt his hand come up and start stroking my hair, folding it behind my ear repeatedly.

“Mhm,” I answered quietly, closing my eyes and allowing the feeling to take me into a deep, sweet sleep.

“I’m glad,” he whispered, sighing into peace.

The feeling of his warmth against me was intoxicating. Our legs had begun to tangle themselves together on the small bed. His pelvis was now against mine and the familiar soft bulge I had felt while training earlier that day could be felt through the fabric of the robe. I felt my cheeks turn a little pink as I realized the feeling.

I unfolded myself a bit, allowing my arms to stretch over his body. I wrapped them around his body as best as I could in the tight space. I opened my eyes just a little to see if what I was doing was okay. His eyelids looked heavy, but his gaze never left my face.

Though I was tired, my heart was beating a thousand miles a minute. I worried that he could feel it thanks to the proximity. I had never imagined that I would be sharing a moment like this with the flame Hashira.

I sighed and nestled myself into his neck, this time caving in to my desires. He could definitely feel my heart if I could feel him easily in this position. His beat was steady and strong, just as expected for an admirable warrior.

He had stopped rubbing my hair and instead started to cradle my head, pushing myself closer into his chest. He hummed a bit out of pleasure and I felt it reverberate against my eardrum. I smiled to myself and rubbed my face on his neck, slightly stubbly.

Cradled into one another’s arms, we fell asleep…