#and don’t forget the close relationship with older male teacher!

[super-nova5045]

rip neil perry you would’ve loved angus tully

[marblesphere]

Gojo Satoru x Reader

!!Warning!! This is self-indulgent fic. Sort of teacher x student relationships. Age gap. Implied suggestive theme. Character death. Fluff. If you are not comfortable, please don’t read this. As a caution, Minor please don’t interact.

[Name] 5 years old

Gojo Satoru 16 years old

Geto Suguru 15 years old

Ieiri Shoko 16 years old

"Satoru." My head poked into the class from the opened sliding door.

"Ah! My cute [Name]-chan!" Satoru grinned as he quickly picked me up. He rubs his cheek to mine, causing me to giggle.

"Satoru, your glasses hurt." I complained.

"Don't worry. Pain, pain, flies away." He smooched my cheek.

"Satoru. Let her down." Suguru sighed at his antics.

"Nope. You are just jealous that [Name]-chan likes me more than you." Satoru planted me on his lap, while still hugging my small frame.

"Konbanwa, Suguru." I smiled.

"Konbanwa, [Name]-chan. How are you today?" Suguru smiled.

"Today, our teacher gave us homework." I excitedly started telling them my day.

"What kind of homework?" Suguru asked.

"Making a flower. I am going to make a lot." I spread my hand to express how many I would make. "I will give you one later, okay?"

"That's very kind of you. I will look forward to it."

"Nooo~. [Name]-chan. You won't give me a flower?" Satoru put his head on top of mine, whining.

"Silly Satoru. Of course I will give you one." I giggled.

"Promise?" He stuck out his pinkie.

"Promise." I warped my pinkie to his. ~"~

 Suguru sighs while looking at his partner's antics. This little girl is the only one he showed affection openly. Usually he will tease, flirt or taunt the opposite gender. But, that's it. He never showed any interest in them. But, this little girl has him wrapped around her fingers.

'...Does that mean…' "Satoru…" The high school first grader called his friend.

"What?" Satoru replied but his thumb was still engaged in chicken fight with the little girl.

"...You won't lay your hand on her, right?"

"..." It took a while for his friend to process what he was asking. "The hell you are thinking." He made a disgusted face. He is fond of this girl and showers with affection. But he regards her as a precious little sister. Well, that might change in due time.

"As long as you know. That's fine." Suguru sighed in relief. ~"~

"What are you talking about?" I blinked up at the older teens.

"Nothing to worry about. So, what kind of flower are you going to give me?" Satoru asked.

"Secret. You will know when the time comes." I put a finger on my mouth, making a shushing motion.

"Eeehhh~. I want to know now." Satoru whined.

"Bad Satoru." I puffed my cheeks.

"Aw. I am sorry. Don't get mad. Or I will… give you a tickle." His hand has already started tickling me.

"Ahahaha...hahaha...Sa...Sato...ru...st...stopp...hahahha."

"I will stop if you forgive me."

"Hahaha….o...okay…" I nodded.

The tickling ceased instantly. "You are not playing fair." I huffed.

"Ahahaha. Don't get mad. Here. A lollipop." He shoved the candy stick to my mouth.

"!!!" My tongue swirled around the candy. "Melon flavor." I blinked. "Ah!" My eyes shot towards the clock which showed 3 o'clock. I wriggle out from Satoru's lap.

"[Name]-chan. Where are you going?"

"I promised Yae-chan to play together." I smiled. "I am going then. Bye bye Satoru, Suguru."

"Bye bye, [Name]-chan." Satoru waved.

"See you tomorrow." Suguru smiled.

Today, Yae-chan and I are going to play tag in a park. Some of our classmates from the Sakura class are also here.

"[Name]-chan!" Yae-chan waved her hand.

"Yae-chan!" I smiled back as I waved to her.

Fun times always fly past quickly. It's 5 o'clock now. Time for us children to go home.

Few days later, Mikan-chan, Hinako-chan, and Sera-chan invite Yae-chan and I to another game of tag. Of course we agreed.

So, after school, I told Ijichi-san I am going to play tag with friends, so I won't be visiting Satoru.

"Mikan-chan, where are we going to play today? The park?" Yae-chan asked curiously.

"Hehe. Nope. We will play in a big house today." Mikan-chan said proudly.

"Big house?" The rest of us blinked.

"Yes. We are almost there." Mikan-chan said. After a twist and turn, we finally arrived at a big house Mikan-chan said.

"...Mikan-chan, are you sure you want to play tag here…?" I looked at the obviously ominous house.

"Of course. It will be so fun here." Mikan-chan talked as she was oblivious of the strange scent the house omitted.

"Hmph. Are you scared?" Hinako-chan jeered.

I frown at her. "I am not. But, Satoru said don't go near the house like this. It's dangerous." I said.

"Satoru? Ah. That neighbour onii-chan." Yae-chan said.

"Hmph. Nothing is dangerous, you stupid. There is no ghost. You are just afraid." Hinako-chan sneered.

"I am not afraid." I puffed my cheeks.

"Yes, you are. And that neighbour of yours is probably lying to you." She added.

"Satoru is not a liar!" I yelled. "Satoru never lies to me!" I told her.

"Adults are always lying. My mother said so." Hinako-chan retorted.

"Satoru is not a liar. I will prove to you that ghosts exist." I was miffed, completely forgetting the warning I had received.

"Fine." Hinako-chan stuck her chest out. Thus, the game of tag is quickly forgotten. Right now, they are going to prove the existence of ghosts. ~"~

Yae quickly runs to [Name]'s house. All she can think about is how to get to her house quickly. Fortunately, the house isn't that far. But, to a little kid this is already exhausting all her strength.

Yae panted as she arrived at Sakuya's house. She sees [Name]'s mother talking to 2 men.

"[Name]-chan's Mama!" Yae yelled, catching their attention.

Hisaki Reika, Suguru and Satoru shift their attention to Yae. The crying little girl collapses to her knees, fortunately being caught by Satoru. "Otto."

"Yae-chan?! What's wrong?" She asked the child, worry and concern evident in her tone and face.

"[Name]-chan… danger…" Yae hiccuped.

"Where are they?" Satoru asked, it's a rare case where he actually talked seriously.

"Yae-chan. Calm down and take a deep breath. Slowly… inhale… exhale…." She instructed.

Satoru shifts his hold on Yae, so Yae is being propped by his arm. Yae follows Reika's instructions, so she starts calming down.

"In what direction?" Satoru asked again.

"Satoru, don't scare her. Let her catch her breath." Suguru admonished, he knew his partner was anxious.

"Yae-chan, please tell me what you know." Reika smiled.

"...They are in an abandoned house near the park we usually play." Yae hiccuped.

"Got it." He transferred Yae to Reika and quickly teleported.

"Satoru-" He left before Suguru could say something. "Yare yare. Yae-chan. Please tell me the whole story." He smiled kindly.

Yae starts telling them their story. "Mi-Mikan-chan said she found a big house to play tag near the park. Then…[Name]-chan said this house is dangerous, she said her neighbour onii-chan said so. Hinako-chan said that onii-chan is lying. [Name]-chan said onii-chan won't lie to her….They fight with each other before [Name]-chan said she will prove to Hinako-chan that ghosts exist." Yae recounted. "...sorry...I should have stopped them." Fresh tears started flowing again.

"Oh no. Yae-chan this is not your fault. Don't worry. [Name]-chan and the others will be fine. That strong onii-chan will rescue them." She assured the little girl.

"R...really?" The little girl hiccuped.

"Yes, of course." She smiled reassuringly at the little girl.

"Then, Hisaki-san, I'll be on my way too." Suguru nodded at her.

"Okay. Be careful. I will go there after I take Yae-chan home." Reika nodded back.~"~

"Hic…"

"Sssshhhh…" I tried to shush Hinako's cry. "Don't cry or she will find us." I whispered to the other them.

The exploration starts normally. We argue as we open each door on the first floor. Of course there's nothing. And this fact made Hinako-chan more unbridled. She keeps saying Satoru is a liar. Of course, I am angry too. Satoru is not a liar.

But the deeper we go the more I smell the foul stench. On the 3rd floor. There's this one room with a particular strong vile stench. "The spirit must be here." I mumbled.

"Hmph. I am sure there's nothing inside." Hinako-chan said. Mio-chan and Mikan-chan seem to agree.

"Nee...let's just go. This room feels creepy." Yae-chan said.

"You are just afraid. As I thought, your neighbour is a liar." Hinako-chan harrumphed.

"Satoru is not a liar. I will prove it to you." I huffed. I also feel this room is creepy and definitely dangerous. But she says Satoru is a liar. I can't forgive her. So, I mustered up the courage to push open the door. The old door creaks open. We are unaware of the curse residing inside.~"~

 "Are you ready?" The eerie voice echoed in the building. Hinako-chan and the others clamped her mouth tighter, afraid their cries would leak out. But a small whimper still leaks out from her mouth.

My heart is beating so fast I can even hear it. The voice and footsteps echo louder. I bit my lips thinking what should no, what can I do against that monster.

"Satoru, can you teach me how to exorcise cursed spirits?" I blinked up to the older male.

"[Name]-chan. You need curse energy to exorcise one." Satoru smiled cockily.

"So, I can't?" My mouth turned upside down.

"Well… there's one that you might can do." He drawled.

"Really?! Tell me?!" Excitement bubbled up.

"It's like this." He grinned as he taught me.~"~

"Found you."

"Kyaaaaa!!!!"

I quickly throw the nearest object I found within my reach which has no effect on it.

"Rin pyo toh sha kai jin retsu zai zen" I made a kuji-kiri. The lines I made in the air sort of materialized as light and attacked the curse.

"Let's run!" I yelled. The others and I quickly ran towards the door. Once we are out, I close the door. We still can hear clearly the curse's wail.

"I want to go home." Hinako cried.

"Let's go." I grabbed their hands and started running again. "You guys stay here and don't make a sound." I told them and closed the door. "Rin pyo toh sha kai jin retsu zai zen." I threw another kuji-kiri to focus its attention on me. I quickly ran as I was chased. I didn't run for long before I cornered.

"Are you...ready? Found you…" The grotesque curse stamped toward me.

'Scary...I...am...scared…' "...help...HELP ME! SATORU!" I yelled as I closed my eyes.

A loud crash was heard and a smell of wisteria enveloped me. "Sa...to..ru…" My opened eyes took a glimpse of white hair and sparkling blue eyes.

"[Name]-chan. Close your eyes and ears, okay? And don't move until I say so." He smiled sweetly.

"Eh? Okay." I nodded and obediently did as I was told. I can't hear or see anything except the vile smell that started to dissipate. Again, I was enveloped in a nice wisteria smell.

"You can open your eyes now." He said gently.

"Satoru…?" I blinked.

"Yep. The Gojo Satoru is here. You can rest easy." He winked.

"Where is everyone?" I gasped in realization.

"Don't worry. I found them before I found you. Right now they are outside the building with Suguru...maybe.... They are safe now. So are you." He stroke my head.

"Re...really?"

"Of course. I will never lie to you." He grinned.

"Hic...hic...Uwaaaaa!" I wailed. The tears are flowing nonstop. "Scary… I am scared…" I clung to Satoru as if he was my only lifeline.

"I am here now… no one can hurt you…" He cooed.

I cried for a good while. Now with my small hands wrapped around his neck, Satoru escorted me out of the abandoned house.

"[Name]!" I heard mama's voice.

"Mama!" I wriggled as I stretched my hands to her.

Satoru transfers me to her arms easily. "Mama!" I wrapped my hands tightly around her.

"It's good you are alright." She sighed in relief.

"Satoru saved me." I smiled.

"Thank you, Satoru-kun. Suguru-kun too, thank you for rescuing the others." Mama bowed.

"No. It was our duty. No need to thank us." Suguru smiled.

"There's no way I will let [Name]-chan get hurt." Satoru supplied.

"[Name]." Mama set me on the ground. My senses are tingling. "Didn't Satoru-kun tell you not to go inside the abandoned house?"

"...I…Hinako-chan said Satoru is a liar. I just want her to know Satoru is not a liar." I muttered, sneaking a peek at her, only to be stared down with hard glare. "Satoru…" I pleaded to the older teen. He always takes my side.

"Even though I am happy. I am quite angry with you too, [Name]-chan." Satoru smiled.

I flinch, then I look at my last resort, Suguru.

"There's no use looking at me, [Name]-chan." Suguru smiled too.

"I...am sorry…I just don't want her to say Satoru is a liar. Satoru is...not a...liar" I hiccuped, tears started flowing again.

"[Name]-chan." I heard Satoru sighed as he lifted me up. "I don't really care if they say I am a liar. I just don't want you hurt. As long as you believe in me. I will be fine." Satoru patted my head.

"[Name], you are a kind child. But Mama doesn't want anything to happen to you. If something happens to you. Mama will…" Mama choked out a sob.

"Sorry...I am sorry, mama!" I wailed. The incident was over. The rescued children were all asleep and brought back to their parents. They were told the children fall asleep after playing some kind of adventure game. The children will quickly forget after they wake up believing that was some kind of dream. The only ones who properly remember this are Yae-chan and me.

Yae-chan has promised to keep this a secret. That night, the dinner was lively. Satoru and Suguru were eating with us.

"[Name]-chan, it's time to sleep." Satoru patted my bed. Wearing blue pajamas, I crawl to the bed. "Let's tuck you to bed." He grinned.

"Satoru, don't turn off the light, okay." I murmured.

"Are you afraid?" He blinked.

"Un…" I nodded my head.

"Then, next time, please don't go to dangerous places. You should just ignore whatever they are saying." He flicked my forehead. A small 'itta' escaped my mouth. "You really worried me, [Name]-chan." He sighed.

"Sorry...Satoru… I promised I won't go to dangerous places again." I stuck my pinkie to him.

"You promised, okay. Don't break it. If you break your promise, you will have to swallow a thousand needles." He wrapped his pinkie to mine.

"I will. So, Satoru, don't leave me alone okay." I am getting sleepy. My eyes are dropping.

"Sweet dreams." With a kiss on the forehead, I am out like a feather. ~"~

Gojo Satoru, he prided himself to be strong. He didn't really understand why he should have protected the weak. This world no matter how evolved, the rule is still the same. The strong prey on the weak.

But as usual, there is always an exception. For Gojo Satoru, his exception is the little girl sleeping on the bed. This seemingly normal girl. Well, maybe not so normal. As the sole heir of the Gojo clan he is always on guard. Because everyone around him always want a piece of him.

That's why he always taunts and teases them. Just to remind them not to mess with him. But at the same time, this attitude earned him a lot of enemies. The Gojo clan praises him as a genius. So, from the moment he was born, he had to shoulder those unneeded expectations.

He used to try hard because of it, but right now he doesn't give a damn.

Well, this little girl is the first one to tell him. It's okay to take a break and just let go of those expectations. Coming from a little girl, this is quite a feat. That was the first time Gojo Satoru let out a genuine smile for her. ~"~

 "Satoru." A small girl not older than 3 years old poked her head into his room.

"[Name]-chan." Satoru plastered a smile as usual. This little kid from his neighbor seems attached to him. Well, he didn't mind. She was quite amusing for her age. Trying to mimic him and all.

"Satoru. Here, kakigori." [Name] smiled as she handed the sweet to him.

"Oh, kakigori. Thank you [Name]-chan." He never declined a sweet.

"Of course. I hope after you eat it, you will become cheerful." She smiled, her baby teeth showing.

"I am always cheerful." He grinned.

"Nuh uh. You are always sad. I don't know. I just know you are sad. Don't get sad anymore Satoru." The little girl patted his head. "Pain pain goes away.." Her little palm covered his eyes before making a motion like throwing something away. "Pain pain goes away… hic… pain...pain… go..away..." She sobbed.

Bewildered, Satoru finally let out a helpless sigh. "Why are you crying, [Name]-chan?" He patted my head.

"Because you didn't cry. Sorry… I can't take your pain away...sowwy…"

"It's not your fault. [Name]-chan. Thank you for crying for me." He pulled the much smaller girl to a hug. "Don't cry anymore. I will be okay. The pain has gone away." He coaxed the girl.

For the first time in his life. Gojo Satoru knew what it was like being worried by other people. "Really? You are not lying?" [Name] hiccuped.

"Of course." He wiped her snot with a handkerchief. "I will never lie to you." He smiled. "So, don't cry anymore."

"Okay." She nodded, smiling.

"Good, let's eat kakigori toge..ther…" The forgotten kakigori has melted. "Let's go eat ice cream." Satoru lifted the small girl.

"I want bubble gum flavour. Because it's like your eyes, so pretty."

"Eh? [Name]-chan, does that mean you want to eat my eyes?" He put on a faux hurt expression.

"Of course not. Silly Satoru. I just like the colour of your eyes. They are so pretty. Because they are yours." The girl giggled.

"I see. I like your eyes too. They are so honest. Just like you."

"Hehehe, thank you."

From that moment, a genuine bond formed between them. And his affection to her too has become genuine. In other words, he spoiled her rotten, of course within limits. She might be the only one who can bend the Gojo Satoru to her will. Later, she will be known as the Gojo Satoru's owner. ~"~

 After the incident, Satoru and Suguru agreed to teach me some basics of close combat for self defense. And apparently, I am not allowed to go out alone for a month. Either being accompanied by Mama, Satoru, Suguru sometimes even Nanamin or someone from Jujutsu High.

Apparently I was born with innate ability as an onmyouji. But, my necklace which was given by my late father is some kind of seal, sealing the ability to see. The seal has weakened, and I start seeing the curse. Mama has told Satoru, Suguru and Masamichi sensei my origin.

Apparently, my great great great...uh… many generations ago, someone from my father's side is a direct descendant from a Keikain, an onmyouji. She is married to a youkai. The Keikain clan died out many generations ago. Father is, what was the word, a leftover. At that time, my grandma from generations ago was expelled from clan because marrying a youkai. They took different surnames and voila, I was born after generations had passed.

When I was born, papa said my spiritual power is too strong, this kind of power is attractive to curses. They are effective in purging curses but also in attracting curses. So, he sealed my power. Hoping I will just live as a normal girl.

But alas, the seal quickly weakened, one because I hung around a lot with someone with a cursed power. Two, I have encountered cursed spirits.

"Mama, am I bad? Is it because this Papa has gone far away?" I blinked my watery eyes.

"Oh no. Of course not, honey. It's definitely not your fault. Papa has gone far away to search for a way to help you." Mama gave me a teary smile.

"Okay…" I nodded.

"...Onmyouji, huh? I am not sure how to handle onmyouji spiritual power." Sensei sighed.

"Is that different from curse power?" Suguru asked.

"If curse energy is negative energy. Then spiritual power is positive power. Though all the same it can be used like curse power. It just, spiritual power is far more attractive to curses than curse power or curse object. I am not sure whether the way of handling them are the same." Sensei said.

"My late husband had some books for spiritual power. I am not sure whether this will help or not." Mama said.

"Can I take a look?"

"Of course." Mama then led Sensei to Papa's study.

"Satoru, Suguru. Will I be okay? Is Mama troubled because of me?" I asked the older males.

"[Name]-chan…"

"Of course not, [Name]-chan. Don't worry. Nothing will happen to you. This Gojo Satoru will protect you. And Reika-san is not troubled because of you." He patted my head.

"Not only Satoru, I will also protect you. What Satoru said is right. Your mom is not troubled because you. That's why don't worry." He smiled.

"Thank you, Satoru, Suguru." I smiled.

So, in the end it's decided I will stay in Jujutsu high with Satoru because it's the best option for my safety. Mama will stay with me every weekend or holiday. My room is in between Satoru and Suguru. Someone will take me to school every morning.

Even though I have my own room, I mostly sleep in Satoru's room when he is not out. And in the morning Suguru will wake us. After school, sensei will tell me how to meditate. According to him, even though I have different power, the way of channelling is more or less the same. So, meditating is the first step. ~"~

Few months later

"Who is this little girl?" A big sister wearing a maiden shrine outfit peered down at me. I hide myself behind Nanamin's leg.

"She is a special student here." Nanamin told her.

"Kon...konichiwa, I am Hisaki [Name]. Umm… nice to meet you." I bowed and hid myself again.

"So cute." She smiled. "I am Iori Utahime. Nice to meet you, [Name]-chan." She kneeled down to my level and smiled.

"Un!" I smiled.

"By the way, she has another nickname." Nanamin said.

"Nickname?"

"Gojo Satoru's owner."

Big sister suddenly freezes. "Onee-chan, what's wrong?" I blinked.

"This little girl is what?" She asked again.

"Gojo Satoru's owner." Nanamin said again.

"We are talking about that Gojo Satoru, right? The annoying arrogant prick. There's no way he will listen to other's orders. Let alone a small girl." Utahime Onee-chan said indecorously.

"But, this is the truth." Nanamin said.

"Are you two fighting?" I looked up at them.

"No. We are not fighting. She is just having trouble processing that you are Gojo-san's owner." Nanamin said.

"Satoru? Onee-chan knows about Satoru's too?" I smiled at her.

"Well, no one doesn't know who he is." Utahime onee-chan grumbled.

"Onee-chan, do you hate Satoru?" I tilted my head. "Satoru is nice. He just doesn't know how to show it."

"Did he brainwash her?"

"No. It's the opposite."

"I can't wait for Utahime to come."

"Satoru, don't tease her." The door opened, revealing Satoru and Suguru.

"Ah! Satoru, Suguru." I waved my hand excitedly.

"[Name]-chan. I have come back. I bought a lot of sweets." Satoru grinned. "Ah, Utahime, there's none for you." Satoru told the girl.

"I don't want any!" Utahime Onee-chan yelled.

"Bad Satoru, sharing is caring." I scolded.

"Well, I care about you, so I share my sweets with you." He grinned.

"Then, what about Suguru?" I titled my head.

"...well, I will give him one then."

"Nanamin too."

"Ok, one for Nanamin."

"What about Utahime onee-chan?"

"Utahime doesn't need it. She is dieting." Satoru whispered (loudly) to my ear.

"I am not!!" Utahime onee-chan yelled.

"See what I mean." Nanamin sighed as he would rather go outside to exorcise curse spirits rather than being in the same room with Satoru.

"Ah, Nanamin." I called. I grab a few sweets from the plastic bag. "Thank you for accompanying me today." I smiled.

"...you are welcome." A slight smile curved on his lips.

"Ah! Nanamin smiled. Let me get a picture." Satoru exclaimed, taking out his phone.

Quickly as it came, Nanamin's smile disappeared. "Then, I will be on my way." Nanamin left.

"Onee-chan, let's eat sweets together." I smiled.

"Ehh~ [Name]-chan. I thought this is our quality time." Satoru whined.

"The more the merrier. Let's ask Shoko too." I clapped my hand.

Shoko finally arrived. We are already waiting for her as we munch the sweets. Utahime onee-chan ate some too. "Shoko, you are late." Satoru said.

"Shoko, I saved your favourite." I waved.

"Thanks, [Name]-chan. Looks like even though you spend a lot of time with Satoru, your personality is still intact." She patted my head.

I… don't understand a thing she said. I blink and look at Satoru. "Shoko, that's not a nice thing to say. I am just fine." Satoru said.

“Satoru.” I called.

“Hm?” He hummed in respond.

“What is owner?” I asked curiously. Satoru blinks owlishly at me.

“Nanamin said, I am Satoru’s owner? What does that mean?” I munched a pocky stick.

“That means, [Name]-chan can ask me to do anything.” He grinned.

“Anything?” I blinked.

“Anything. What do you want me to do?” He smirked proudly.

"Then, Satoru, can you open this for me?" I asked as I handed him a pocky box.

"Of course." Satoru smiled as he used his cursed technique to open the box.

"Amazing." My eyes sparkled.

"Is it? Because I am the strongest." Satoru laughed (cockily).

"You are so amazing, Satoru. I hope I will become like you too." I clapped my hand.

"Yep. But I will be way stronger by then." He smirked.

"Is that so? Then, you will protect me, right?" I smiled.

"Of course. Leave it all to Gojo Satoru." He grinned. ~"~

While the others are still eating without batting an eye. Utahime is gaping. That Gojo Satoru is acting nice in front of a little girl. She was quite skeptical when she heard [Name] is Gojo Satoru's owner. She did tell him to share his sweets and he complied. But, she thought it was just to humour her. Utahime never thought he was so whipped. She can clearly see his affection is genuine.

Utahime looks at Shoko. "This is the usual." Shoko munched her sweets.

"Eehh…" Utahime is processing the scene in front of her. ~"~

"[Name]-chan, it's your bedtime." Satoru lifted me up.

"Eehh… I want to play with Shoko and Utahime onee-chan too." I pouted

"No can do, young lady. It's 9 o'clock. It's time for sleep. Reika-san will get angry if you sleep late." Satoru said.

"...okay… bye bye Shoko, Utahime onee-chan, Suguru." I waved.

"Bye bye." They waved.

After changing into my pajamas, right now I curled in Satoru's bed. "Satoru… Bedtime story." I am excited for bedtime story. Satoru always has some funny stories.

"Well… long long time ago, there was a strong sorcerer named Gojo Satoru…" I giggled at his opening.

"He is so strong that no one can win against him."

"How strong?" I blinked.

"Hmm…. I can win with just one finger." He smiled.

"Really?"

"Really really." He nodded. "Then, one day. Some old geezers came to challenge him."

"Who are the old geezers?" I asked.

"Annoying people." He answered.

"Oh."

"So, the old geezers challenged him and lost miserably. The end." He grinned.

"So fast." I pouted.

"It's time to sleep." Satoru slipped into the bed too. I quickly snuggle to him and out like a feather. ~"~

A year later

I am running on the street, searching for a familiar curse energy. I feel it just now, so he won't be far. "Suguru!" I yelled. "SUGURU!" I yelled out loudly. Finally the said stops moving and turns around to face me. "Don't go, Suguru." I cried.

"I can't. I have lost faith in humanity." He smiled sadly.

"Then, why are you so sad? You don't want to go, right? Then don't go! Stay with us!" I cried not caring how ugly my appearance was.

He shakes his head. "I am sad maybe because I won't be seeing you ordering Satoru around." He patted my head.

"Please don't go. I will work harder, I won't slack off anymore. I will cut my sweet. I will properly sleep in my bed. Hic...don't go...hic."

"If you do that, Satoru will be lonely." He sighed helplessly. "Please stay with him, okay." He smiled

"Su...gu..ru…" As soon as he touched my forehead, I felt sleepy. 'No...I can't…'

Suguru catches the unconscious girl. He brings her to the nearest park, takes a photo and sends it to Satoru. After that, he leaves some of the cursed spirit to guard her.

Satoru, just as he has received the picture from an unknown number, quickly teleports to the park. Fortunately [Name] is unharmed. "Don't...go...Suguru…" A lone tear escaped her already tear-stained cheek. ~"~

~Few years later~

[Name] 15 years old

Gojo Satoru 26 years old.

This happened before my promotion to a semi-second grade sorcerer. I was staying over in Satoru's house because Mama is out for vacation.

"Breakfast is ready." A cheerful voice said.

"Good morning, Satoru." I rubbed my sleepy eyes.

"Good morning, [Name]-chan. I have made your favourite." He grinned. Satoru is wearing a casual black long-sleeved shirt and white slacks. His sunglasses perched on top of his nose bridge.

On the table two plates of omurice are placed, complete with the tableware and two glasses of milk.

"Go get freshen up before the breakfast goes cold." He ushered me to the bathroom.

"Ummm…." I nodded.

After breakfast, we are just lounging around in the living room. Watching horror movies. No matter how terrifying they made the ghost, it doesn't phase me a bit. I have been meeting a lot of curses in any shape. This one that is shaped like a human seems more human.

"[Name]-chan." Satoru called.

"Hm?"

"Why are you not scared?" He asked.

"...Because it's not scary…?" I tilted my head.

"...But, this movie guarantees that everyone will be scared if they watch it…" He pouted.

"Then, Satoru, why are you not scared too?" I asked back.

"Because I am the strongest jujutsu sorcerer. Gojo Satoru." He smirked.

"Then, I am not scared because I am Gojo Satoru's owner." I said flatly.

"...the nickname seems stuck with you." He sweatdropped. "But, I like it." He grinned. "But, I like it more if you are scared and cling to me." He wrapped his arms around himself. "Kyaaa!!! Satoru, it's so scary." He said in a very disgusting high-pitched voice. "Don't worry, [Name]-chan. I am here." He said in his voice again.

"..." I looked at him for a while and ignored him, focusing my attention on tv.

"[Name]-chan has become so cold." He fake-cried. "Where is my cute [Name]-chan that always clings to me and calls me Satoru."

….There's a reason why I act like this. This guy is unbelievably popular. Whether it's a little kid, teenager, career woman, married woman, even grandma will act like a girl with her first crush just by seeing his face.

And there's one time the commotion happened in my school. I think I was in 5th grade. That time he substitutes my mom coming to school. It's a parent-teacher conference. I still remember how happy I was, until this guy showed up without his blindfold. You can imagine the commotion he caused. Everyone, by everyone I mean everyone. From students to teachers to parents. They are ogling at him. He knew and enjoyed it.

And so, going home from school, I banned him from wearing his sunglasses when outside. He has to stick with a blindfold. At least, with blindfold, no one pays attention to him. In other words, it's just the jealousy of a hormonal teenager. But, there's no way I will tell him this.

"Satoru… you are creepy." I deadpanned.

"[Name]-chan." He whined.

"...So, you want me to act scared or not." I sighed.

A wide grin with his hands stretched out is the answer. ~"~

Right before summer vacation, the whole class is going to do a test of courage. You know this is some kind of matchmaking. They will choose some of that was not scary at all. Pair the class into girl boy pairing and they have to walk around the designated perimeter together with just one flashlight. The scared girl will cling to the boy, and the boy will assure her they will be alright. What a scam.

They have agreed to meet in the old school building entrance tonight. "Will something pop out there?" Yae asked.

"Old school building? I have long exorcised the curse spirit over there." I answered.

"As expected from onmyouji. So, what progress have you made with your 'Satoru'?" Yae teased.

"...There's no progress to report. He is older than me, like what? 11 years." I sighed.

"But, you like him right? As in you want him to ravish-"

“Let’s stop before our conversation steered away to unknown territory.” I cut her off. “Besides, that’s not love. It’s called lust.” I mumbled, cheeks tinted pink, because my mind dangerously hovered on a certain image she said.

"You think I am 3 years old?" She rolled her eyes. "Love and lust are always together. Love is just more glorified than lust. Because if you love someone then you want everything they are physically and spiritually. While lust might be because they like one or more aspects they have."

"Yae… how come you know this?" I blinked.

"Anime and movies are the source. Unlike you who only watch horror genre and can even laugh at it." She snorted.

"Well, it can't be helped because it's not scary. Their movements are funny too. Cursed spirits don't move like that. They-"

"So, do you like him or not?" She asked.

"...of course I like him." I mumbled. "But, I am sure to him I was just a little sister." I said.

"Did he tell you that?" Yae asked.

"Umm...Few times when I was in grade school?" I blinked.

"That is hardly a proof. I mean, if he showed interest when you were a grade schooler, doesn't that make him a dangerous person?" Yae snorted.

"Well… I can't deny that." I nodded.

"Besides, it's just an 11 years age gap. Did you forget there was a time when a 40 something old man married an 18 something girl. That's what we call a cradle robber." Yae raised her brow.

"It was in the past…" I mumbled.

"Not really. There are some cases like this too right now. Well, all you need is to wait until you are 18 and then eat him in one swoop." Yae grinned.

"I...am not going to eat him. By the time I am 18, he might already have a girlfriend or wife." I grumbled.

"....with that kind of personality? I don't think so. I think only you can handle him. Or at least he is tamer with you." Yae smirked.

"Don't talk like he is some kind of pet." I sweatdropped.

"Oh, but he is. You are his owner. You do know your nickname on going in those circles, don't you?" Yae laughed. She is enjoying this.

"...Gojo Satoru's owner…"

"Yep. You should use that to your advantage." Yae giggled.

"...How should I use it?" I tilted my head.

"...Think for yourself." Yae rolled her eyes.

"Eehhh?"

"So, are you coming for the test of courage?" Yae asked.

"No. I have a job tonight. Nothing dangerous will happen there." I shook my head.

"Then, I am coming with you." Yae said.

"Hm? You are not going with them?" I blinked.

"What's the point? Megumi is not there." Yae rolled her eyes.

"Megumi is in a different school though." I sweatdropped.

"That's why I don't want to go. I'd rather watch you exorcise cursed spirits." Yae reasoned.

*Bzzzz* My phone vibrated. I fish out my phone from my skirt's pocket and see a notification from Satoru. I open his message.

"Tonight, Megumi will go with you. (ﾉ≧ڡ≦) Teehee~!"

"I see…"

"What's wrong?"

"Megumi will come with me tonight." I threw my phone to her, so she can see the message.

"Coming with you is really a good idea." Yae giggled. “I will tell class rep we won’t be participating.” She smiled.

This girl will do anything just to see Megumi. Her infatuation is really something. Megumi… I think he might have a crush on her too. And Yae is good at playing pull and push with Megumi. I am sure Megumi has no idea about this. Truly, a copy of Satoru. Sometimes I wonder if they are related to each other.

Who would've ever thought that sweet Yae grew up to be like this. I sigh, this is Satoru's fault. I heard their conversation when I was in 6th grade. Satoru was teaching this girl how to attract Megumi. The content of the conversation is so scary that I ran straight to Megumi's temporary room and told him not to grow up like Satoru.

10 o'clock. Yae, Megumi and I are in front of the cursed building. "Megumi, here. I made too much. Eat them later with Tsumiki-san." Yae dropped a small pouch of cookies on Megumi's palm.

"Thank you very much." Megumi said.

'It's definitely a lie. She must have made it just now.' I sweatdropped. I sigh, "Megumi, let's get this finished quickly and eat some ice cream." I called the younger boy.

"...We have no supervisor? What about Gojo-sensei?" Megumi blinked.

"Our supervisor for today is Ijichi-san. As for Satoru, he said he has business."

"No can do, [Name]-san. You shouldn't allow your pet to roam without you." Megumi said flatly.

"....He's not a pet though…" I sighed.

"But, you are his owner. Please control him." Megumi said.

"...Shut up… talk later. Let's finish this quickly." I huffed.

"Then, I will lower the curtain." Ijichi-san said as he made a hand seal. After the curtain is lowered, we enter the building.

Megumi summons his Gyokuken (Divine Dog) a pair of black and white dogs, while I summon a shikigami, Tanro, a Honshu wolf. "[Name]-san, I will take this one. So, you take the other one." Megumi said.

"Okay. Call me if you need anything." I nodded as I mounted Tanro. I quickly arrived at the second cursed spirit's location and easily dispatched it. This building was haunted by some 4th grade cursed spirit. The weakest one in the hierarchy.

The mission is over quickly, dispatching some 4th grade cursed spirits are hardly what we call a mission. This is more to let us accumulate experience.

"It's over." I stretched my hands up as we exited the building. "Ijichi-san. You can raise the curtains. We have finished." I told the older male.

"Thank you for your hard work." Ijichi-san smiled.

"No problem. Megumi, we are going for ice cream. Will you come with us?" I asked.

"...Sorry. I still have homework to do and Tsumiki will get mad if I stay out late." Megumi said. Yae's smile drops considerably. "Maybe next time. I will definitely join next time." Megumi said.

"Okay. You promised." Yae smiled.

'Ah, the push and pull.'

In the end, only the two of us are having ice cream. "Why don't you call Satoru-san?" Yae scooped her parfait.

"He won't be back until morning it seems." I showed her the message.

"I'll be back late. ʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっ"

"We should go home too, after finishing this." I gazed at the window.

"Can't wait to sleep in his bed?" Yae smirked.

"...I sleep on my bed. I have my own room."

"You can use this chance to sleep on his bed." Come the suggestion. "You guys are used to sleeping together anyway. I am sure he won't mind."

"That was in grade school. I...am not a child anymore." I mumbled, a slight blush coating my cheeks.

"The question is whether you want to or not."

"I...want to…" I muttered softly.

"Then, easy, just do it. You used to do whatever you want anyway." Yae sighed.

"I know… it's just…" I remember the words that that woman said to me.

"I pity him. He has to babysit you so much he can't even have time for himself."

I was so angry at that time. But, now I think about it, she is right. Almost 24/7 I stay with him. Satoru might not say anything. But, maybe because he's afraid of hurting me.

"So, what happened exactly?" Yae sighed.

"Yae… you remember I told you about that woman I saw with Satoru, right?" I opened my mouth to speak.

"Ah. I remember you told me about an old hag hanging around him. Yep. I remember." She nodded.

"You see… that woman told me…" I recounted the tale and the words she said to me.

"I see. What a load of bullshit." Yae deadpanned. "And, you are an idiot too, for falling for her words." Yae flicked my forehead.

"Ittai." I rubbed the sore spot.

"That woman probably just wants to get to his pants. But, was rejected. And she shifted the blame to you. Don't worry much about what other people think. Just think about what you want to do." Yae said.

"What I want...to do…"

"If you keep pushing him away, he might really go away. Satoru-san's personality is unrestrained. He might slip away. Do you want it to happen?"

"I don't want to!" I answered quickly.

"Then, you know what you should do, right?"

"Be more honest with what I want." I nodded.

"Good. You have the entire summer vacation to do it. You are going to Jujutsu high anyway." She smiled.

"Yeah. Thanks Yae." I smiled gratefully at my best friend.

"Of course. You owe me a cake from Sweets Bakery." She said.

"No worry. I will buy it." I laughed. The two of us share a laugh.

*Bzzzz bzzzz*

My phone vibrated signalling an incoming call. "Moshi moshi, [Name] here."

"[Name], where are you right now?" Hinako's voice transmitted to my ears.

"We are eating ice cream at Kinoko's family restaurant." I answered.

"Can you come to sanchoume. We are having kimodameshi here…" She said.

"What?! Aren't you guys in the old school building?" I frowned.

"The thing is, Yuriko told them about this abandoned building in sanchoume. They said it seemed interesting and changed their location. Now they are inside and haven't come out yet. It's almost an hour." Hinako cried. "You are an onmyouji, right? I remember you were the one who help us back then. Please help." She pleaded.

"...Listen. Don't let the others enter the building, okay. Not even to search. I will be there soon." I hung up.

"What's wrong?" Yae asked.

"Those idiots went to an abandoned house in sanchoume. Hinako said some of them have gone inside and haven't come back. I will go and check on them." I grumbled. "I will smack them so hard after I rescue them." An annoyed tick appeared on my forehead.

I put on my jacket and speed dial Satoru's number. "Moshi moshi, my cute [Name]-chan. Have you finished your mission?" Satoru's playful voice came through the phone.

"Satoru. There's an emergency. Idiots from my class have gone to an abandoned house in sanchoume for kimodameshi. Cursed spirits might be there. I will go there right now."

"Is Megumi with you?"

"Megumi has gone home. We have finished our mission. Right now it's only Yae and I."

"Understood. I will take some time to arrive. Don't do anything dangerous." He said seriously.

"I know." I hung up and sped through the street. I want to use Tanro, but this will shock people, so I can only use my feet.

Time like this is how I envied Satoru. He can teleport and fly in the air. Arriving there, I can see Hinako is trying to block them from entering.

"Hinako!" I called.

"[Name]. You are here." She smiled in relief.

"So, who is inside?" I asked without beating the bush.

"Yuriko, Mio, Higashi-kun and Takeuchi-kun." She listed out the most troublesome people in our class.

"Tsk. Stupid idiots. I hope they are still alive so I can smack them so hard they will fly back to their house." I grumbled.

"Please save them, [Name]." She pleaded.

"I will. As long as they are still alive." I said grimly. The stench is too much, my nose scrunched up in disgust. 'This might a first grade.' I gulped. I have only ever fought with second grade and that was under Satoru's supervision. 'Fine. Bring it on. If I keep being like this. I won't be a first grade onmyouji/sorcerer.'

I step into the house. "Tanro." I called for my shikigami. "Let's locate the human scent first. Can you do it?"

"Awooo." He howled. Tanro then speeds through the building. Tanro stops in one of the rooms. "Awoooo!" He howled.

It seems like they are here. "Tanro, bust open the door." I commanded. With a roar Tanro tears open the metal door.

"Hiii!!!"

"Kyaaaa!!!"

The screams from inside the room prove that they are still alive. "Hi-Hisaki…?" Takeuchi-kun lowered his trembling hands with a pole.

"Wh...what are you riding?"

"Kyaaa! A monster!!!" Yuriko screamed.

"I will smack you all later. For now, let's get out of here." I dismounted Tanro.

"Be-behind you!!"

The cursed spirit is blocked by Rokuson. Another shikigami I have called. A deer. "Bukyoku." I called another one. This time it's a samurai.

"[Name]-sama." He greeted me.

"Tanro, Rokuson, take them out. Bukyoku, we will hold it here." I commanded.

"Yes!" Bukyoku charged to the cursed spirit, which I am certain is a first grade. "Bind." I made a hand seal, glowing light warped around its neck and limbs, sealing its movement. Tanro and Rokuson crash the windows in this room to get outside. The easiest method.

"Ki...kikiki!!!" The cursed spirit gets angry. The room distorts and suddenly all exits are blocked. The binding spell has been broken.

"Domain expansion… this is bad…" A bead of sweat rolled down my temple.

"Kikikikiki!" It sounded like he was having fun.

"Sorry, but I am the hunter and you are the prey." I glared at it. "Rentei!" Another shikigami, this time a koi fish shikigami. "Transform." Rentei transformed into a katana, Nenekirimaru. "Bukyoku!"

"Ha!" Bukyoku and I took a swing at it. I am actually more of a supporting role, as my sealing and binding technique are much in higher level than my almost non-existence offensive technique. That's why I use Shikigamis. But, my supportive skills are weakened in this domain. My sword skill is really average. So, I didn't actually do much damage to it.

Bukyoku falls down to his knees. I can't call back Rokuson and Tanro because being blocked by its domain. The only way to counter domain expansion is to make my own.

I have tried a few times, but I always fail. This time… if I fail I will definitely die. "I won't die. I promised Suguru that I will stay by Satoru's side. Besides, as his owner, I can't die easily."

I released Rentei and made a hand seal. Chains start coming out from every direction, chaining the cursed spirit.

"Domain expansion, Shikigami no Hyakki Yako." In an instant the space around me changed shape again. This time, it's almost like a giant shrine. We are standing right on the Torii gate. The shrine's door opened. White mists spread out from the door, and something no, human skeletons fly out from the door, each skeleton wearing an onmyouji garb and forming a circle, trapping the cursed spirit.

"Harai tamae kiyome tamae, kyu kyu nyo ritsu yo." The skeleton shikigamis made a hand seal. Another layer of binding spell is casted. Sphere of lights concentrated above the cursed spirit, it took a shape of a giant spear. The light spear pierce down the cursed spirit and completely annihilate it.

Completely spent, my domain vanished, I can't even maintain Bukyoku. "Haa...haa...haa…" I panted. "I will become stronger. Strong enough so Satoru won't worry about me." My legs gave out due to exhaustion.

"Otto. Worrying about you is my job, [Name]-chan. No matter how strong you are, I won't stop worrying." Smell of Wisteria flooded my nose.

"I did it. Domain expansion." I gave him a weak smile.

"I know. You did a good job." He smiled, unlike the usual teasing or mocking smile. He gave me a genuine smile. A smile reserved only for me. "But, next time please exorcise it without injuring yourself." He said.

"...I am going to ignore you for the rest of the week, Satoru." I grumbled.

"Eeehhh~." Satoru whined.

Satoru gives me a piggyback ride. "[Name], are you alright?" Yae asked worriedly.

"....Except exhaustion, I am fine." I smiled weakly.

"Hisaki, are you alright? Did that monster get you?"

"I won't be here if it got me, idiot." I rolled my eyes.

"Hisaki, that was so cool. What was that deer and that wolf? Call them one more time."

"Hisaki."

"Hisaki."

They keep calling me, it's annoying. "Hai~" Satoru called out. "[Name]-chan is tired right now. So, no more questions." Satoru smiled.

"Hey, why are you wearing a blindfold?"

"Don't tell me he is your boyfriend. A blindfold? Is he blind? Lame."

"...Satoru, don't you dare lower your blindfold, or I am really going to ignore you." I muttered.

"Oya, don't tell me my cute [Name]-chan is jealous." He teased me. He knew exactly what my reaction would be. It usually will be, "I just don't want to handle another commotion. You stupid idiot." With deadpanned eyes and slightly blushing cheeks.

But, this time I promised I will be more honest with myself. "Un. I will be jealous. you are not allowed to look at other girls or women without your blindfold. No sunglasses too." I mumbled softly, just soft enough for him to hear.

It's only for a split second, but I feel his whole body freeze by my unexpected reply. "And don't add -chan to my name anymore." I jumped down from his back.

"I promise I will smack you guys. So, which idiot changed the location?" I looked at them.

All of them start looking at each other. Cearly no one wants to say anything. "You guys are lucky I am nearby. What if something happens to you guys? Think what your parents would think if you guys died earlier than them."

"You...You are an onmyouji, right? Then you have the duty to protect us." Yanagawa Yuriko stuttered.

"I-"

"We saved people who accidentally caught up in this mess. But, we are not obliged to save someone who courts death." Satoru said.

"H-Hmph. This is not your business, blindfold guy."

"Oh, this is my business. As an adult, I have the authority to report a group of kids who trespassed a forbidden entry building." Satoru flashed a smile as he showed them the number he called. 110

Their faces went pale. "Oi, you kids! what are you doing here? This is a forbidden entry building!" Local polices have come.

In the end, except for Yae and I. They are all being questioned by the police and writing an apology statement. After that, they are allowed to leave.~"~

Outside police box

"So… what advice did you give to her? She has become much more honest." Satoru looked at the girl beside him.

"I just told her to be more honest to herself or else you will slip away." Yae grinned as she looked at the newest picture of Megumi.

"Is that so? She was cute before. Right now, she has become cuter. What should I do?" He grinned.

"Well, I did manage to get from her, why she is not as clingy as she was as a kid." Yae put her phone in her pocket.

"Oh? Do tell me. I will get Megumi's sleeping face for you." He grinned. He knows of her infatuation with Megumi.

"Deal!" Yae exclaimed happily. "So, do you remember which woman that hung around you when we were in 6th grade? Apparently that woman told [Name] she was pitying you, because you will have to babysit her every time and hardly have time for yourself."

"A woman….?...Too many unimportant people hang around me."

"So, I told her it was just that woman's bullshit. She was definitely being rejected by you when she was trying to get into your pants and she doesn't need to care what other people are thinking, but what she wants."

"So, that woman was the reason. If not for her, then [Name] and I will be much closer already." Satoru whined.

"You are calling her without -chan. Why didn't you do it when you were calling for her?" Yae blinked.

"It's an adult's circumstances." He flashed a smile.

"....At least, wait for her until she is in legal age, okay." Yae sighed.

"Will try." ~"~

"Sorry for the wait." I exited the police box. The policewoman was kind enough to clean and bandage my wounds. Even though most of them are just scratches.

"It's almost 1 o'clock in the morning. What will you do?" Satoru asked Yae.

"I will sleepover in [Name]'s house." Yae yawned.

"I don't mind. Let's go." I smiled.

They start walking, but I still root on the spot. "[Name]-chan?" Satoru called.

"I can't walk. My legs hurt. Piggyback." I held out my hands.

Satoru grins widely. With a few large strides, he kneels down showing his back to me. His arms are around my knees and my hands loop around his neck. Smell of wisteria is flooding my senses. I start feeling sleepy. "Satoru…" I called.

"Hm?"

"I am not bothering you, right? ...You won't be angry if I am clingy, right?" My eyelids are starting to drop.

"Silly [Name]. I like it when you bother and cling to me." He laughed.

"I see… then,...I am...glad." I fell asleep as soon as I got it out of my mouth. ~"~

The whole month passes away in blur. Yae and I spent my whole summer break in Jujutsu High, just like every other year in the past. And I have been promoted to semi-second grade sorcerer by Shoko. Satoru celebrated it by buying sweets. Which is welcomed by us.

Now back to school. The rumour that I am an onmyouji has spread. Everyone will stare at me like I am some kind of rare animal in a zoo. And a lot of pointless requests flood in. 'I feel like I am haunted' or 'the hair of a Japanese doll in my house is getting longer' this kind of thing. In short, nothing is associated with cursed spirits.

Unlike when I was in school grader, where I was being driven to Jujutsu High after school. I was deemed good enough to live at my house again at the start of my middle school. So, no more Ijichi-san after school to escape from this rowdy crowd.

Hinako, Mikan and Sera started having lunch with Yae and I again after the whole kimodameshi fiasco. "[Name]-chan. That blindfold guy… don't tell me, is he the one that helped us in grade school?" Hinako asked.

"...I don't really remember that whole incident. But, I remember a pair of very handsome blue eyed onii-chan and black eyed onii-chan at that time." Sera said.

"Yes. That blindfold guy is the one from our grade school incident." Yae nodded.

"...Huh? Wait a moment. Was he your neighbour onii-chan back then? The one who Hinako called a liar?" Sera blinked.

"Correct." Yae nodded.

"....Was he also the one that came to your parent-teacher conference that time?" Hinako asked excitedly.

"Ah, yes. The very same." Yae nodded happily.

"...Why is Yae-chan the one answered?" Mikan sweatdropped.

I have long dropped into an annoyed mood. "How come this guy still causes trouble without him being here?" I grumbled.

"But, why is he wearing a blindfold? Did he have an accident?" Mikan frowned.

"Nope. He is wearing it for personal reasons." Yae laughed as she sneaked a glance to me. The rest of the girls are also shift their line sight to me, who is chomping on lunch, looking like someone ready to murder a certain someone.

*Bzzzz bzzz*

My phone vibrates, I frown as I unlock my phone. "❤ (ɔˆз(ˆ⌣ˆc)"

My phone vibrates again before I could type an answer. A familiar playful voice comes out from the phone. "[Name]-chan, I want a ki-"

"Satoru, as I thought, I am going to ignore you for the rest of the week.” I sulked.

“Eeeehhh? [Name]-chan~ don’t be so mean.” He whined.

“If you behave well, I will act scared when we watch horror movie."

"Roger. I am always well behaved." I can hear his grin from here.

"Is that so? Then, why are you still causing trouble without being here?" I raised my brows.

"It's because I am the most handsome Jujutsu sorcerer, Gojo Sa-"

"I am going to hang up."

"Wait! [Name]-chan. Don't be hasty."

"I am eating lunch."

"Aw, Is my cute [Name]-chan jealous again?"

“Geee….” The rest of the girls are staring at me.

"Yes. I am jealous. You do remember when you were in high school, you attracted a lot of people, from little girls, teenagers, carrier women, married women, and grannies. That's why I told you to wear your blindfold." I mumbled softly, so they won’t hear.

"Okay, [Name]-chan. I will behave really well. I will buy a lot of sweets for the movie night. Rather, I am going to buy them now. See you later." He hung up, I could clearly hear his proud big grin from here.

"Pffft." Yae trembled in laughter while the other three looked dumbfounded.

"Shut up." I chomped on my lunch, trying to ignore the burning feeling on my cheeks.

"[Name], what kind of kinky play you did?" Yae asked amused

"We are not doing some kinky play. We are just going to watch a movie." I retorted.

"...Why need to act scared? To you, a horror movie is something like comedy though." Yae raised her brows.

"If I don't do it. He won't stop doing some disgusting high-pitched voice." I replied.

"[Name]-chan, is he your boyfriend?" Sera asked.

"Soon to be. Well, they practically are. Just waiting to be labelled." Yae mused.

"So,[Name]-chan. Which part do you like from him?" They grinned slyly.

"I...don't want to answer." I dodged the question.

"Ehhh? You are no fun." Hinako pouted.

“Then, is that why he is wearing blindfold? Because [Name]-chan is jealous?” Mikan asked excitedly.

“Half of the reason. The other half is because his eyes are sensitive to light.” Yae conjured the lie.

“Well, I will be jealous too if he is handsome like that. I don’t want anyone look at him too.” Hinako said.

“Tell us your love story.” Sera exclaimed.

“No.” I refused.~"~

So, the graduation day has arrived. After receiving our diploma. We are at the school entrance, taking a picture with friends and family members. I have already decided to go to Jujutsu High, Yae and Hinako are going to the same school. Sera and Mikan are going to an all-girls school. We promised to hang out if we have time. Yae promised to spend all her school break in Jujutsu High, just for Megumi apparently.

Some of us (read: Yae) have received flowers from our juniors, and confessions from junior or classmates alike. Yae shot down everyone that confessed to her. "Yae-san, [Name]-san. Congratulations on your graduation." Megumi said as he handed us small bouquet of flowers.

"Thank you, Megumi." I smiled.

"Thank you, Megumi." Yae shot him a brilliant smile.

"By the way, [Name]-san, you are going to Jujutsu High, right?"

"Yes." I nodded. "Megumi also will be going there after you graduate middle school, right?"

"Yes. I plan to. By the way, [Name]-san, please put a leash on Gojo-sensei. He's annoying." Megumi deadpanned.

"....He is not a pet. But it's true he is annoying." I said.

"Hisaki-san!!" Someone called out.

I blink as someone I don't recognize is walking to me nervously. He is holding a diploma, that means he is also a graduating student.

"Yes?"

"Please go out with me!!" He said, quite loudly I might add. Might be due to nervousness, because his whole face and neck are red. Now the whole students are staring at us. The chatters stop as if waiting one of us to speak.

“Accept him.” One of the students said, maybe his friends?

“Accept him. Accept him.” Soon, all of them are cheering. Yae looks like ready to murder someone. “You all-“ Megumi quickly grabbed Yae’s hand and shook his head. He secretly motioning his head to a newcomer.

"Sorry, I-" I was wrapped in wisteria scent as I was pulled back to a familiar embrace.

"Sorry. This girl is my wife to be. Can you back off?" a playful light-hearted voice said.

"Eh?" (Me)

"Ha?" (Megumi)

"Ara… how quick. Congrats, I am waiting for the wedding." (Yae)

"EEEEHHHHH????" The whole students.

I tilt my head up to look at him wearing sunglasses, paired with a long-sleeved white t-shirt and pair of black slacks. His collarbone obviously exposed with the top button unbuttoned, and to finish off, he wears a more fashionable shades. His obviously grinning mischievous blue eyes stare back at me. "...Didn't I tell you not to wear sunglasses?" I raised my brow.

"But, I am meeting my [Name]-chan. Not some other girls. I have to show off sometimes too. To scare some pests." He grinned slyly. His mischievous bright blue eyes peeked out from his glasses.

"...."

"Congrats on your graduation." He patted my head. "As for your graduation gift…” He bent down so his mouth is next to my ears. “It will be me." He whispered in my ear.

As expected, right now, the female population is exclaiming how hot he is and is speculating our relationships. Didn’t they say he was lame last year? The boy in front of me too is frozen like a statue.

"You are saying this now?” I frowned.

“Hm?” He blinked at my quite unexpected reply.

“…Satoru… Aren't you already mine from the start. I mean, I am Gojo Satoru's owner." My lips curled up to a smile.

His face broke into a grin. "...Indeed." He laughed gleefully. "As expected from my wife to be."

"...Since when?"

"Eeeh? Didn't you say you will marry me? I was waiting." He whined. "Satoru, when I grow up, I will be your bride." He made that disgusting high pitched voice again.

"Maki, do you hold playful cloud. Can I borrow it. I want to smack it to Satoru's face." I am already in phone with Maki.

"Send the picture to me later." Maki said.

"[Name]-chan. You are so mean." The overgrown child whined.

"....Please talk about this kind of thing in a private place." Megumi said.

"Megumi, you are here too?" Satoru grinned.

"I will seriously punch you." Megumi said. "[Name]-san. Please control your pet."

“Truth to be told, Satoru’s entrance is quite normal.” I said.

“Which part of him is normal?” Megumi deadpanned. “But, considering his personality, this is really count as normal.” Megumi nodded.

“What kind of entrance you are thinking he would make?” Yae asked.

I look at the overgrown man, who put his head on the top of my head, casually leaning his weight to mine. “Actually, considering his personality, I was thinking he will come in holding some kind of musical instrument bag and say something let’s go home [Name]-chan, today I will have you master “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Something like that.” I said.

“I see. This is more convincing.” They nodded.

“By the way Satoru, you are heavy.” I tried to free my trapped body.

“Nope.” So, the four of us are talking like the usual, completely ignoring the looks we are getting. And I too, completely forgotten I haven’t replied to the boy who has confessed to me.

“I am sorry. I can’t accept your confession. There will be someone who is better match for you. The world we are living is different.” I bowed a little.

“Eh? Ah. Yes.” He replied absentmindedly, obviously still shocked.

“Yae, Megumi. Let’s go home.”

“I will celebrate with Megumi alone. Satoru-san looks like he wants to take you to somewhere important.” Yae snickered. “I will celebrate with you later.” She smiled. “Let’s go Megumi.” Yae dragged the blushing boy away.

"Let's go home, Satoru." I sighed, dragging him away. He shamelessly intertwined his much longer fingers to mine.

I might not want him to attract annoying people. But the sight of Yuriko's face is refreshing. My lips curl to a smile.

"Are you happy that the gift is me?" He smirked.

"...Satoru… I am going to ignore you the whole week."

"Don't forget your promise, [Name]-chan. Tonight is movie night." He giggled.

"....I will try to act scared." I sighed. “So, where do you want to take me to? How come Yae know it?”

“You will know when we arrived.” He answered in a sing song voice. After a series of twist and turn from branded boutique to make-up salon. We have arrived in our destination. A high-class restaurant.

“…Why are we here?” I blinked.

“To celebrate your graduation of course.” Satoru chuckled at my dumb question.

“I thought we are having a movie night?” I looked at him. Again, he is drawing attention. “Haa…” I sighed.

“Don’t worry [Name]-chan, we are in private room.” He laughed as if he knew what was I thinking. I bet he knew.

We are guided to the private room. No, rather than private room, it’s more like a back garden. My eyes lit up, I take a few steps ahead. The garden is decorated beautifully. It feels like I step into some kind other realm. “You like it?”

“Yes.” I nodded, a delightful smile plastered on my face.

“That’s good.” we were seated in the middle of the garden. “You told me once you want to have dinner like this.” A cheshire cat grin on his face.

“I did?” I titled my head.

“Yep, you did.” He nodded.

“….” Who is this mature Satoru? I look at him blankly. “Satoru, did you eat wrong medicine today? Are you sick? Or perhaps you were cursed by cursed spirits?”

“How mean~. I am purrfectly fine. There’s no way I am cursed. I am the strongest. I just want to congrats my cute [Name]-chan for graduating middle school.” He pouted. His maturity has disappeared somewhere in the void.

“Thanks, Satoru.” I giggled. ~"~

[Name] 16 years old

Gojo Satoru 27years old

Geto Suguru 26 years old

"What… Did you say…?" I looked at the Masamichi sensei.

"Suguru is discovered near here and Satoru has gone to hunt him down." Sensei said one more time.

"...Satoru is hunting who…?" The world seems distorted. I put my hand on the table to steady myself. "No…" I whispered. I don't want them to fight. I don't want them to get hurt.

Few years after the incident of a star plasma vessel and the masacre in a small village. I understood why Suguru is doing this. Even so, I just don't want them to fight. Why… Why can we be together again? Just like that time. Before everything spiralled out of control.

I run out from the school. "Ijichi-san, take me to Suguru's location."

"I...am not sure where he is…"

"Then, just take me to the downtown." I said urgently. And to the downtown it is. I exit the car and start running. To where? I don't even know myself.

I don't know how long I ran. My feet seemed to bring me back to Satoru's house after aimlessly running on the street. "Satoru!" I threw open the door.

I panted as I tried to calm myself down. Satoru has just come out from shower judging by the wet hair and towel on his head. I ram myself to him, arms wrapping around his waist.

"What's wrong, [Name]-chan?" He patted my head. The usual Satoru will start teasing how much I miss him. The usual Satoru will grin and smirk at the sight of me coming to his house. The usual Satoru will… my body trembles, the tears I have been holding start flowing down, wetting his shirt. "Why are you crying again, hm?" His voice is getting softer.

"Because...hic...It's because… you didn't cry. Hic...so, I will cry… in your stead. Hic…" I hiccuped.

"...Thank you… for crying for me…"~"~

After a bout of crying, I freshen up in the shower. Even though we are neighbours, I think I spent a lot of time in Satoru's house. Half of my things are in the house. And no, we didn't sleep in the same bed anymore. I have my own room. So, the guest room became my permanent room.

"Let me dry your hair." Satoru grinned as I stepped into the living room. I sit on the couch, between his legs as he starts working his magic. Drying my hair.

The sound of the hairdryer died down. A pair of long arms wrapped around my shoulders. "Satoru…?"

"...Let me stay like this for a while… I will be back like the usual Gojo Satoru tomorrow. So… let's just stay like this for a while." Satoru murmured. His voice sounds so...broken. I have also noticed some tremble from his voice and his hands.

"Okay…"~"~

Gojo Satoru knew that Geto Suguru was lying. He knew it yet his hand shot through his friend's chest before he could stop it.

"If you didn't finish me now. The next target will be [Name]-chan. She has grown, hasn't she? The last descendant of Keikain onmyouji. I am sure she will be a great asset. At least her spiritual power is." Suguru sneered.

At that time Satoru only saw red, he must kill Suguru before he could do anything to her. And so, when he came to his hand has shot through his former partner's chest.

Suguru slump on his shoulder. "Listen well...Satoru… Protect [Name]…. As she grows up...her power...will attract...a lot of...trouble… Some...disgusting...old farts...higher ups… also consider her...to bear some...children…for them… Don't...ever let...them...lay hand...on her…. Or...I'll...come back….as cursed spirit...to haunt...you…"

"I promise… I won't let them lay hands on her...ever."

"That's...good...I'll...be...going….first...partner…" Geto Suguru breathed his last.~"~

[Name] 17 years old

Gojo Satoru 28 years old

I sit on bed, frowning. I have a feeling something really bad will happen soon. It makes me feel restless and anxious. "[Na~me]-chan. What are you thinking about?" Satoru poked my forehead.

"No...it's just I feel so uneasy and restless these days. I just have a feeling something bad will happen. I feel like I won't see you anymore." I bit my lips.

"I am not going anywhere." He sat down beside me and pulled me to his lap. His sunglasses are gone. "Even if by chance I go somewhere, I'll definitely be back to your side." He pressed a kiss to my forehead.

"...Aren't you supposed to say you are going to take me along." I pouted.

"Well, I can't take you along if I am going somewhere dangerous." He laughed.

"Hearing this from you makes me mad." I huffed.

"Eeehhh?"

"Because it feels like you are saying, I am weak." I mumbled.

"Well, you are weaker than me." He grinned. In retaliation, I pound his chest, which only serves him to laugh harder.

"But, I will certainly be back to your side. This is a promise and I am not lying. You do know I will never lie to you." He flashed me his cocky smirk.

"I know. I just don't like it if something were to happen to you." I rested my head on his broad shoulder.

"Nothing will happen to me. I am the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, Gojo Satoru." He laughed, his arm slipped under my shirt and was resting on my bare stomach.

"What are you doing, Satoru?"

"The mood is perfect." He grinned. His bright blue eyes are sparkling with mischief. "I have endured well all these years. So, I think it's time I get my reward, don't you think so?"

"Then...close your eyes." I muttered shyly.

"...." Satoru only looked at me with amusement.

"I know your six eyes will see everything, but just close your eyes." I grumbled.

"You do know that's a really pointless request. Since I can see anything, why not let me see." His smirk is back.

"S-shut up! Just close your eyes." I stuttered. My face is all red. I don't need a mirror to know.

"Okay." He relented and closed his eyes anyway.

For a good pointless measure, I cover his closed eyes with my palm and press a quick kiss to his lips.

"Y...you can open your eyes now." I stuttered. I am fidgeting right now. My eyes averted his.

"That was quite a different reward than what I had in mind. Surely, you have thought this much wouldn't satisfy me, [Name]."

When Satoru called me without any honorifics, it sent shivers down my spine, in a lot of ways. I know he wouldn't be satisfied. But, I am afraid… what if my body shape is not to his liking, what if my breasts are too small. I become self conscious. I am still wearing clothes, but I feel like I am already stark naked under his eyes. Is this some kind of Six Eyes special ability too?

"You are worrying about strange things again, aren't you? Don't think about anything else. Just think about me."

Without any warning, his lips crash down to mine. Eagerly devouring and claiming what is his. His slick tongue forced my cavern to open. "!!!" Without wasting any chance, he slipped into my mouth. "....nnn…" His slick muscle explore everything he can touch.

His scent, the familiar wisteria scent flooded all my senses. It makes my senses go into overdrive. I can't see, feel or smell anything except for him. I feel like drowning in his essence. My hands clench to a fists, grasping his clothes in my hand, making wrinkles on his perfectly ironed shirt. I stopped breathing some time ago, and now my brain is in need of oxygen. My hands are pushing him away to let me breathe.

"Breath through your nose, [Name]." He separated our lips to say that before he went back devouring it. His thumb is caressing my stomach, while the other is firmly around my waist, preventing me from escaping.

After what seemed like eternity, the kiss ceased. I pant for the much needed oxygen. My eyes watery and hot blush is coating my cheeks. The silvery string of broken saliva is the only evidence of that heated kiss, and the first evidence of many to come.

"Satoru…" I panted. My own pink muscle lolled out for him. I can clearly see every emotion he holds for me. Desire, lust, possessiveness, greed, gentleness and the glorified love. He wants to drown me in his essence and he will. "Satoru…"

"Hm?" His hand came up to hold my face. Thumb swiping my swollen lips.

"...please, be gentle with me."

And….I unknowingly set off the caged beast inside him.

          Omake

How is the movie night is actually going.

First half of the story.

“Sa-Satoru, I am scared!” I clung to his arm tightly. We are sitting on the couch with sweets littered on the coffee table.

“Don’t worry, [Name]-chan. It’s not scary at all. You see, the protagonist will be stabbed by the ghost.” He grinned fully enjoying this,”

“Why are you spoiling the story?” I hit his arm.

Second half of the story.

“Satoru, will the ghost die or the heroine die?” I asked as I munched a pocky stick. Our position has changed. Somehow, I am now sitting between his legs, still on the couch.

“They will die together.” He grabbed my hand with pocky stick and moved it to his mouth.

“Satoru, take your own sweets.” I rolled my eyes.

Credits rolling.

I have fallen asleep in that position, not caring how the story ended or post credit scene. One good thing about Satoru is he is nice makeshift pillow. I vaguely heard a good night and a forehead kiss, before I completely fallen to deep sleep.

[wayward-dreamer]

Life’s Lessons - Going To California

AO3 Link: Read Here

Pairing: Mechanic!Dean x Female!Teacher!Reader

Word count: 6,964

Summary: When Sam and Eileen back out of going to California, Dean and Y/N take a trip to the golden state in their place. Dean reflects on his relationship with Y/N, making a decision on what his next step should be.

Warnings: Lots of fluff, Dean being sweet (yes, that’s a warning), Swearing, Smut, Dirty talk, Oral sex (Male and Female receiving), Unprotected sex (wrap it up before you tap it people), more fluff.

Music: Going to California by Led Zeppelin (Dean and Y/N starting their journey scene)

Life’s Lessons Spotify Playlist

A/N: Time stamp #3 is here! I’m so excited to share it with you all! There’s so much more to come for these two, but more on that at a later stage! ;) As always, happy reading and enjoy! :)

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Life’s Lessons Saga Masterlist

Dean walked through the house from the kitchen, twisting off the caps on two beers, the necks of the bottles resting between his fingers. He stepped out onto the back porch, walking over to his little brother, who was manning the grill while he was gone. He handed one over to him and then took over turning the burgers. It was a warm evening, the sun slowly setting and bathing the sky in a light purple hue. A soft breeze started, making it a perfect night to sit out and eat dinner.

It had been a while since the brothers saw each other, Sam having been busy with case after case, so when the weekend came and he had nothing work related to do, they made the plan for Sam and Eileen to come over for dinner to his house. Eileen had said she didn’t mind them coming over to her and Sam’s apartment, but Y/N had put her foot down, because no one was going to let the pregnant woman do anything at this point.

Tapping Sam on the shoulder, Dean gestured for him to move. Sam frowned, tapping his older brother back in defiance, not making a move to step away.

“Alright, scoot, let me show you how it’s done,” Dean muttered, as he pushed Sam away from the grill.

“Dude, I know what I’m doing,” Sam grumbled, as he moved to the side, his brother taking over, the flames of the grill fanning a little higher.

“No, you don’t,” Dean stated, chuckling when he saw Sam roll his eyes. He flipped the burgers over, one side browned to perfection already.

“How’s things?” Sam asked, smiling.

“Good,” Dean replied, moving away from the grill slightly, as the flames were too hot. “Amazing, actually.”

“That’s great, man,” Sam said, his smile growing.

Dean nodded, biting his lip as he wondered whether he should tell his little brother what he had been thinking about recently.

“Dean.” Sam got his older brother’s attention when he saw the look on his face. That one always meant there was something Dean wasn’t telling him. “What’s going on?”

“I, uh…” Dean smiled, unable to hide it anymore. “I think this is it.”

Sam frowned slightly as he didn’t completely understand. However, his eyes widened as things became clear very quickly. “Wait… you mean…?”

“Yeah, Sammy,” Dean muttered, smirking. “I wanna ask Y/N to marry me.”

“Oh my god.” Sam was in complete shock, but if it were even possible, the smile on his face became bigger. “Oh my god!”

“Shh,” Dean hissed, looking back into the house behind Sam. “She’ll fucking hear you, man.”

“Sorry,” Sam apologized, quietly. “This is great, Dean.”

Dean chuckled as he nodded. “I know. It’s insane, it’s only been 4 months that we’ve been together officially, but it just feels right.”

“So, when-when are you going to do it?” Sam asked, leaning back against the outdoor dining table as he looked at his brother.

“I don’t know, man. I’m just… I’m scared if I do it too soon and things go south, then it’s all screwed to hell. I just wanna enjoy our time together, we’re having so much fun… I don’t want to ruin that,” Dean explained, his shoulders tensed as his jaw clenched.

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think that’ll happen,” Sam reassured his older brother, offering him a soft smile.

“Thanks, Sammy.” Dean raised his hand and tapped Sam’s shoulder. “Let’s just keep it on the down low, for now. Okay?”

“Yeah. You bet.” Sam nodded and held his beer out. Dean smirked and clinked his bottle against Sam’s.

Y/N walked out onto the back porch, holding a tray with all the fixings for burgers on top of it. Eileen walked out behind her, a beer in one hand for Y/N, a glass of water in the other for herself. Putting everything down on the table, she helped Eileen sit down, pushing the table back slightly to give her more room with her round belly.

“How are you?” she signed, smiling.

Eileen frowned, shaking her head. “I feel like a whale,” she responded, signing but also speaking loud enough that Sam heard her.

“You are not.” Sam signed as he came over and kissed the top of her head, but she looked up at him and glared.

“Easy for you to say. I can’t see my feet,” she signed at him, shaking her head.

Sam tried to say something, but they were interrupted by Dean announcing that the burgers were ready.

He walked over to the table and put the platter down, moving behind Y/N as he passed her. Grabbing his hand, she stopped him and leaned up, pressing her lips to his in a sensual kiss. Dean’s arms came around her waist and pulled her in closer. He pulled away after a moment, smiling against her lips.

“Kiss me like that again some time. Okay?” he asked, smirking.

“Okay,” she laughed, pecking his cheek.

“Ugh, not while we’re eating,” Sam groaned, looking away from them.

“Shut up, Sam.” Dean tapped his little brother on the head, ducking away when Sam tried to get him back. He sat down next to Y/N, chuckling as he started assembling his burger.

They all started to eat, everyone complimenting Dean on the taste of the patties.

“So, there’s something I wanted to ask you guys.” Sam got Dean and Y/N’s attention after swallowing his bite, looking between both of them.

“Shoot,” Dean muttered around the morsel in his mouth.

“How do you both feel about a little getaway to California?” Sam asked.

“Aww Sammy, are you asking us to come on your little trip with Eileen?” Dean asked in return, teasing his little brother. Y/N chuckled lightly, nudging Dean’s arm to stop messing with him.

“No, I mean just the two of you,” Sam replied, rolling his eyes. He looked at Eileen and she laughed. “A friend from college owns a beach house there, but he and his wife are going to be in Europe for the summer.”

“Man, that’s the life,” Y/N sighed as Dean nodded to what she said.

“And we would go and keep an eye on things for two weeks before his sister comes to take care of the place, but Eileen feels like she can’t make the trip in the car,” Sam explained, looking at his wife before looking back at his brother.

“And I can’t fly now, so that sucks too,” Eileen signed, pouting. Y/N frowned and held her hand across the table, squeezing it.

“So, what do you guys say?” Sam asked, raising an eyebrow. “You want to go?”

Dean and Y/N looked at each other. A smile grew on her face, not even having to think it over. Dean smirked, biting his lip. He turned to Sam and gave him a simple nod. “Hell yeah, we’re in.”

“Great, I’ll let him know,” Sam informed, quickly taking out his phone and sending a text to his friend.

They all continued eating, talking and laughing as the sun completely set, enjoying the summer breeze that blew around them. As Sam and Eileen left and Dean and Y/N got ready for bed, neither of them could keep the smiles off their faces. A little two-week getaway to California was exactly what they needed, and Y/N couldn’t wait to spend some uninterrupted, quality time with her boyfriend.

“So, you’re really not going to tell me why we’re driving instead of flying to California?”

Y/N dumped her bags in the trunk of the Impala, standing in front of Dean as he closed it and she waited for him to say something to her question. It was the same one that had come up a few days ago, while Dean and Y/N were at John and Mary’s for dinner. After she asked why they weren’t flying, his parents both laughed quietly to themselves and John added a “I’m sure Dean will tell you eventually” and left her to figure out the rest.

Dean got into the driver’s seat as Y/N got into the passenger’s side and turned to him, eying him suspiciously. He looked through his box of cassette tapes, ignoring her as she looked at him. She narrowed her eyes as a thought came to her, and the realisation quickly dawned on her as her eyes widened.

“Dean Winchester… are you scared of flying?” she asked, an amused smile gracing her face.

“No.” He was lying, and he knew he had no reason to; it’s not like she would make fun of him for it, but it was a little embarrassing for him.

“Dean.” She got his attention, smiling at him when he looked at her, clearly annoyed that she had figured it out. “It’s okay. It’s not a big deal.”

“Exactly, so let’s forget about it,” he mumbled, choosing a tape and shoving the box back under the seat.

“You know that it’s the fastest and safest form travel, though, right?” she asked. She wanted to make him see there was nothing to fear. “And I would be right next you, talking you through the whole thing if you got scared.”

“Yeah, you’re not getting me in one of those flying death traps, sweetheart,” he declared, shoving the tape into the player.

She laughed, shaking her head. “Fine. You win. For now.”

The tape began to play, causing her to sigh as she heard the first few notes of “Going to California” by Led Zeppelin play out.

“A little on the nose, huh?” he asked, chuckling.

“A little, but it’s good,” she replied, leaning over and kissing him, softly.

“Alright,” he said, turning the key in the ignition of the Impala, grinning as it came to life. He turned to her, the smile not leaving his face. “You ready?”

“Absolutely,” she said, smiling wide.

Dean backed out of the driveway and took one last glance at the house, speeding off down the street, more than ready to spend two weeks in sunny California.

They drove for 11 hours, taking turns in driving after they would take a break at a rest stop. Y/N was glad he trusted her enough to drive his beloved Baby, after she had reassured him that she had driven an older car before and would be able to handle it. Luckily, it didn’t take too long for him to agree. However, when neither of them could afford to keep their eyes open any longer, Dean pulled into a motel somewhere outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their heads hit the pillows of the uncomfortable bed and they fell asleep instantly, not caring what the mattress felt like because of how exhausted they were.

The next morning, they woke up early and got ready, had breakfast at a small diner across the street from the motel and were back on the road after they had eaten. Once again taking turns, they made it to Malibu in 10 hours, with Dean not really taking speed limits into account, citing he wanted to get there sooner. Y/N was annoyed but she couldn’t be too mad at him, knowing she couldn’t wait to get there either. By the time Dean did his poor rendition of Free Fallin’, it was around 6pm when they got there, stopping at a grocery store and picking up things they would need, before driving to the house.

As Dean drove down the streets lined with fancy beach houses, both he and Y/N started to feel a little awkward as they passed each one, knowing this wasn’t something they were used to. Looking down at her phone, Y/N confirmed the address and Dean pulled into the driveway, turning the car off. They both stared up at the white, two-storey house with large windows, a freshly mowed lawn and long path leading up to the front steps.

“Is it too late to go back?” he asked, turning to her.

She shook her head, moving across the seat and leaning into him. “We’re not going anywhere, but inside that house and just having a great two weeks to ourselves.”

“Damn straight,” he nodded with a small smile, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

He got out of the Impala and went over to the trunk, taking out the bags and closing it as Y/N walked ahead of him.

She keyed in the number on the lockbox that was given to them by Sam after he spoke to his friend, and took out the key to the large double doors of the house. She unlocked the door and swung them open, gasping as she walked in. The house was big but modest, which was a pleasant surprise as she walked through. Everything was open concept, the kitchen and living area leading out to the outdoor area, which had an amazing view of the ocean. Dean came in and dropped the bags near the staircase, immediately standing next to her as they looked out at the Pacific coast.

“I was right,” she muttered, quietly as the ocean breeze blew her hair back softly. “This must be the life.”

“Damn,” Dean whispered as he looked out at the sparkling blue ocean. A life like this wouldn’t be so bad he thought to himself as he walked out onto the balcony.

There were a few wicker armchairs, a coffee table and benches outside, along with a wooden dining set and on the far side of the outdoor area was a fire pit, with a few chairs around it. He sighed happily, smirking when he felt Y/N’s arms wrap around his waist, her lips pressing a soft kiss to the nape of his neck.

“Should we unpack?” she asked, softly as her lips brushed the skin of his neck.

“Yeah,” he replied, turning around and taking her hand in his as they walked into the house.

They both couldn’t wait to kick off their little trip in the golden state.

Y/N sighed contently, feeling the warmth of the sun against her face as it hit the shade above her. She crossed her bare legs that were out of the shade, extended on the beach chair and getting a great tan going. Pulling down her sunglasses with her finger, she smiled as she spotted her boyfriend coming out of the water, her own personal James Bond walking towards her, as he shook off the seawater from his hair. Beads of water dripped down his muscles, glistening as the sun shined down on him. She bit her lip as she thought about everything that she couldn’t wait to do with him when they got back to the house. He smirked at her as he got to the lounge chair, picking up his towel and wiping himself down.

They had been in California for a few days and were having an incredible time. They had spent their days exploring Malibu and the surrounding areas, driving around in the Impala and stopping whenever they would see a look-out spot, taking a selfie everywhere they went. They had made dinner and just relaxed for a few nights at the house, but later that night they were going out for dinner to a restaurant they saw while they were driving around and really wanted to go to.

Y/N continued to watch Dean as he sat down on the beach chair next to hers, the shade covering his face as he leaned back. He turned his head and smirked at her, giving her a wink.

“You’re so obvious, you know that right?” he teased, knowing she had been checking him out.

“Shut up,” she mumbled, pushing her glasses up.

He chuckled, looking out at the gorgeous view in front of him.

“Water’s great, not too cold right now,” he told her, his eyes closing as he felt the sun over the shade warming his face.

“Might have to get in later,” she said, smiling but was more than happy to stay there and enjoy the view in front of her.

“Or… now,” Dean suggested, standing up from the beach chair and holding his hand out to her. His eyes roamed over her red with white polka dots high waist bikini, his lip tucking in between his teeth as he gazed at her.

“But I’m so comfortable,” she protested, wriggling in against the chair. “And you were just in the water.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. He leaned down and took her hand in his, tugging on it. “Come on, sweetheart. You’re coming in with me.”

She looked up at him with a frown but gazed out at the ocean, the waves mesmerizing as they came up and receded back.

“Alright,” she agreed, a smile playing at her lips. She got up and took off her wide-brim beach hat, dropping it on the chair along with her sunglasses. Her hand slipped back into his, as they walked out towards the water.

Dean and Y/N moved through the waves and under once they got to waist height. They swam and splashed around, laughing and enjoying their time in the water. They stayed for a while, before they knew they had to get out and back to the house. They swam to the shore, walking out onto the sand and wiping themselves down before packing up the chairs and their belongings. They walked from the public beach to the private one the property was situated on, leaving the chairs and soiled flip-flops in the lower mud room before they walked up the stairs to the house.

They took turns having a shower, as Y/N refused Dean’s offer of showering together to avoid the obvious distraction that he always posed whenever they did. After she had freshened up, Y/N took a little time to get ready, wanting things to be perfect. There wasn’t anything different about tonight, but she still wanted to make it special for the two of them. This was their first little trip together and it had been wonderful so far, so she couldn’t wait to continue to have an amazing time with Dean for the rest of their days there.

She kept her make-up light and her hair open, sweeping it over her shoulder. She wore a red A-line dress with small, white floral pattern and a sweetheart neckline with off-shoulder straps. She put on her strappy nude heels, picked up her purse and walked out of the bedroom, her heels loud against the wood planks of the staircase.

Dean was dressed in a navy-blue half-sleeve, button-up shirt, blue jeans and his boots and sitting in the living area, waiting on Y/N. He looked up when he heard her shoes against the wooden floors, smiling when he saw her. He got up from the armchair and met her halfway, stopping in front of her to cup her face in his hands. He leaned in, kissing her softly before he pulled away, grinning at her.

“You look amazing,” he told her, his smile beaming.

She felt her cheeks heat up as she leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You clean up pretty well, too, handsome.”

“Ready?” he asked, moving back and instantly taking her hand in his.

“Ready,” she confirmed, smiling.

They left the house and locked up, Dean walking to the car and opening the door for Y/N. She pecked his lips before getting in, watching as he closed her door and then walked over to the driver’s side. He got in and smiled at her, immediately starting the car and backing out of the driveway, heading in the direction of the restaurant. Dean parked down the street once they arrived, taking Y/N’s hand as they walked down. Having made a reservation already, they were led to their table quickly, in the back outdoor area, sitting across from each other. There were fairy lights above them, wrapped around the beams and a candle at each table, bathing the area in a warm glow. Y/N beamed as she watched Dean taking everything in, a soft, peaceful smile on his face. She was so glad he was getting this break from work, knowing he deserved a little time off after working so hard.

The waitress came around and took their drink orders, coming back quickly with Dean’s beer and Y/N’s Negroni. She leaned forward on the table, taking Dean’s hand in hers and clasping it, tightly. There was a peaceful hum of patrons around them, but she didn’t see anything past the love of her life in front of her.

“You okay, sweetheart?” he asked, softly.

She nodded, looking down at their joined hands. “I am. I don’t think I’ve ever been more okay in my life.”

He grinned, unable to stop his heart from skipping a beat when he heard what she said. He felt exactly the same way.

“I guess Sammy didn’t have such a bad idea about us coming here, huh?” he asked, chuckling softly.

“Definitely not,” she replied, shaking her head as she sipped her cocktail. “I’m so glad we could do this.”

“Me too,” he agreed, bringing her hand to his lips and placing a soft kiss on her knuckles.

After their drinks, they ordered dinner. As they ate, Y/N looked around to see that a live band had started, smiling as they played a few familiar tunes, causing people at other tables to sing along. As the waitress cleared their plates, Dean looked over at Y/N and smiled, seeing her lost in the music as she swayed to it.

“Ready to go?” he asked. He smiled when she turned around and faced him, a content expression on her face. “Maybe we can take a walk along the pier?”

“Yeah,” she said, softly as she nodded. She picked up her purse and followed him out once they returned his card, linking her hand with his as they walked down to the pier.

The weather was perfect, a pleasant breeze dancing around them, the salty sea air mixing through it. They walked along the pier, hand in hand, in a slow and peaceful pace, the waves washing up onto the shore along with the music coming from the restaurant the only sounds that they could hear. Dean turned to face Y/N, as his hand moved around her hip and brought her close to him, taking her hand in his as her other one curved over his shoulder. They swayed back and forth slowly, basking in the serenity around them.

“Kinda wanted it to be just us when we did this,” he told her, looking down into her eyes.

“Good call,” she stated, leaning up and kissing him, softly. “This is much better.”

“Can I… Can I ask you something?” he wondered, clearing his throat nervously.

She nodded, smiling up at him. “Of course.”

“I know… I know we put getting married and having kids on the table real early, but…” he started, but took a deep breath as he gathered his thoughts to speak coherently. “You still want all those things, right?”

She was slightly taken aback, but a reassuring smile graced her face. “Dean… I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

He breathed out, relieved as he nodded. “I know that, I do. I just-”

Y/N leaned up, pushing herself up onto her tiptoes despite wearing heels, and kissed him, stopping whatever negative thought he was about to have. She kissed him sensually, putting everything she felt for him into it, before she pulled away and looked into his eyes.

“When it comes to what I want for us… there’s nothing for you to worry about, Dean,” she said, as she moved in closer, resting her head against his chest as they swayed to the music. “I love you and I know we’re going to spend our lives together, forever.”

“I love you,” he whispered, leaning his cheek against her head.

Y/N’s hand left his and moved up around his neck, the other sliding up from his shoulder to lock around him, as she pushed herself up and kissed him, a little harder than before. Dean’s hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her up as he held her close, her feet dangling above the ground. Suddenly desperate for each other, she tugged at the collar of shirt as their lips moved against each other’s, unable to pull away. She nipped at his bottom lip as her hands moved into his short hair, bringing him closer to her.

Dean pulled away, however, breathing heavily as he smirked at her. “Let’s get outta here.”

Dean put Y/N down, their hands immediately linking as they rushed down the pier, her heels loud against the wooden planks as they hurried back to the car. Dean drove at the required speed, getting annoyed as he wanted nothing more than to hightail it back to the house. It didn’t help that Y/N had slid over on the bench seat, kissing and nipping at his neck, distracting him.

“Sweetheart, you gotta stop or we won’t make it back,” he said, a choked laugh leaving his mouth as she sucked at his pulse point.

“Fine.” She sighed, annoyed that she had stop as she moved away from him, sliding back against the passenger side of the car. She had been more than ready for him all day, their day out at the beach only making her desire for him stronger.

They made it back to the house a few short moments later and hurried to the entrance. Y/N struggled to open the door as Dean wrapped his arms around her waist, his turn to pay attention to the soft skin of her neck with his lips. She turned the lock and it finally clicked, swinging the door open as they staggered in. Y/N turned to Dean and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply. He kicked the door closed, both of them stumbling further into the house.

“Dean,” she moaned, her lips brushing against his. “I need you.”

“Fuck, I need you too, sweetheart,” he groaned, in between kisses. “Been teasing me all day, especially in that bikini…”

He picked her up, her legs automatically wrapping around his waist as he held her tight. She bit her lip as she looked into his eyes, moving in to kiss him again, their mouths rough and sensual against each other. She felt the bulge of his jeans against her, knowing he was hard already. He walked them towards the staircase, relying on instinct to get up to the bedroom, considering he couldn’t see anything past Y/N and her lips against his. He made it up to the room without tripping, setting her down as his hands moved to the zip on the side of her dress. She smiled up at him as she made quick work of unbuttoning his shirt, pushing it off his shoulders. She shimmied out of the dress once he pulled the zipper down, letting it fall and pool around her feet, leaving her in a pastel pink strapless bra and matching lace panties.

“So beautiful,” he whispered, as he leaned in and kissed her again, a little softer this time. However, knowing how much he wanted her after a day where the tension was building up constantly, he deepened the kiss.

Y/N walked backwards as she undid his belt and unzipped his jeans, blindly, the action second nature to her after having done it so many times. Dean placed his hands on her waist and pushed her onto the bed, only rough enough for a small moan to leave her as she looked up at him. He bent down and took off his boots, ridding himself of his jeans and boxers at the same time. His hard cock sprung free from the confines of his boxers, causing her to bite her lip at the sight. No matter how many times she had seen him naked, it still stunned her that she got to have him.

She sat up on the bed, moving to sit on the edge and closer to Dean. She looked up at him with that smile of hers he loved, that mischievous one that always let him know what kind of mood she was in and took hold of his cock. Dropping some of her saliva onto his shaft, her hand wrapped around and pumped up and down, slowly at first but started to build up. She leaned forward, her mouth sucking at the tip of cock, licking away the pre-cum. She sunk her mouth lower, taking him in inch by inch, until he hit the back of her throat. Dean groaned as she began to bob her head, his hands cupping her face as he looked down her. She looked up at him as she moved back and forth, her mouth gliding over his cock, her hand wrapped around the base in a light grip.

“Fuck, you’re too good at that, sweetheart,” he groaned out, his thumb stroking her hollowed cheek.

Pulling back, she licked at the tip of cock, her tongue circling it. She grinned as her hand stroked him and she leaned forward, kissing his hip bone. “You love seeing your cock in my mouth, don’t you?”

He growled as he cupped her face and leaned down, kissing her roughly. “Fuck yeah, love it so much,” he muttered against her lips.

“You taste so good, Dean,” she sighed, pecking his lips.

He hummed as he kissed her again, his hands moving to her shoulders as he lightly pushed her, her back hitting the bed. “So do you, gorgeous.”

Moving over her, he leaned down to kiss along her neck, leaving soft nips at her skin. He drifted down, his lips leaving a trail of kisses down her chest, nipping at her covered breasts, down her stomach and stopping at her covered mound. He kissed her inner thigh, his fingers rubbing over her panties, feeling how wet she already was.

“Did sucking my cock get you this wet, baby?” he asked, chuckling.

She looked down the length of her body, their eyes meeting as she nodded.

He grinned as his fingers slipped into the edge of her panties, pulling them down and over her legs, tossing them over his shoulder.

“So beautiful,” he whispered, as he leaned down and planted a soft kiss to her sex. A low moan left her mouth, her hands gripping the covers beneath her as her eyes fluttered closed in anticipation of what was about to happen. The things he could do with his mouth still amazed her.

With his tongue, he licked a long stripe from her entrance to her clit, lightly circling the nub. Pressing his mouth over it, his tongue continued to move around the bundle of nerves, causing a moan to fall from her lips.

“Fuck,” she sighed, as she looked down at him. She threw her head back when he drifted down, his tongue licking along the length of her folds before it moved down her entrance. He alternated between sucking at her clit and licking her folds, bringing his fingers to her wet canal and inserting them, thrusting them in and out in a slow rhythm, but picking up the pace as her moans became louder.

“You taste so fucking incredible, Y/N,” he groaned between his ministrations, looking up at her.

“Feels so good,” she moaned loudly, gripping his hair tightly in her hands, bringing him in closer. “Oh god, Dean… fuck, I-I love what you do to me.”

He grinned as his fingers moved steadily within her, ready to bring her to the edge. “Yeah? You love feeling my tongue on your clit, sweetheart?”

“Yeah,” she gasped, as her hands continued to comb through his short hair.

“You love my fingers inside you?” he asked, emphasising the question by moving them a little faster, the pads of his fingers rubbing along her walls. He felt her clench around them, signalling she was close.

“Fuck, yeah,” she moaned, breathlessly. “I fucking love them so much.”

He smiled against her sex, kissing her skin as he looked up at her. “You’re close, aren’t you, Y/N?”

“Yeah, so close.” She nodded, frantically, ready to let go. “Make me cum, Dean.”

“You wanna cum on tongue, don’t you?” He smirked, already knowing that’s what she would want.

“Yeah, wanna cum on your tongue,” she whimpered.

Dean leaned in, sucking the nub into his mouth, his fingers picking up the pace. He thrust in and out of her, feeling her grip around him as he moved them within her. He felt her getting wetter, knowing she was close. He moved his mouth down, her moans rising in volume as his fingers continued. The coil in her stomach tightened more and more, bringing her closer to her release.

“Dean, oh my god! Fuck!” she shrieked, as the coil snapped. She moaned through her release, wetting Dean’s fingers and his mouth, his tongue lapping up her juices and continuing to lazily thrust his fingers as she came down from her high.

When he was satisfied that he taken everything she gave him, Dean leaned up and hovered over her, leaning down to kiss Y/N. She moaned at the taste of herself on his tongue, wrapping her arms around his neck and bringing him closer. She pushed her body into him and turned, rolling him onto his back while he was distracted by her lips. Pulling away, she sat up and looked into his eyes. He smiled as he looked up at her, his hands sliding over the smooth skin of her legs.

She planted her hands on his chest, shifting back until she felt his cock against her heat. Reaching down with her right hand, she took a hold of his cock as she lifted herself up, lining it up to her entrance. She sighed, letting out a shaky breath as she sank down, his length completely sheathed by her walls. Dean groaned as he felt her heat around his cock, his hands moving up to her hips and holding onto her. She began to rock back and forth, her hips thrusting down as he brought his up to meet hers, in a slow and sensual pace. She ran her fingers along his chest, moaning softly.

“How do I feel, Dean?” she asked, as she looked down at him. She grinded her hips down, feeling his cock deep within her.

“Amazing,” he replied, as he smiled up at her. He let her control the rhythm, meeting her hips as he thrusted up into her.

She leaned down, bringing her face closer to his. “You love feeling me wrapped around your cock, don’t you?” she asked, her voice low and husky.

“Fucking love it, sweetheart,” he growled, gripping her hips tighter in his hands.

“Love feeling you inside me, Dean,” she whispered against his lips, kissing him softly. “Love feeling your big cock inside my tight, wet pussy.”

“Fuck, Y/N,” he groaned, looking into her eyes. Holding her close, he sat up, his chest pressing against her covered breasts. His hands moved up her back, unclasping her bra and pulling it away from her body. He leaned in, kissing the soft flesh of her breasts, leaving soft bites along her skin. Her hands combed into his hair, bringing him closer into her. She moaned as she felt him take her left nipple into his mouth, licking over the nub, stiff from the air in the room.

“I love you so much, Dean,” she whispered into his ear, her fingertips lightly scraping through his hair. “I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”

Releasing her nipple with slight pop, he looked up into her eyes, as she continued rock her hips down on his.

“You don’t ever have to worry about how I feel,” she reassured him, reiterating what she told him at the pier. “I’m yours. Forever.”

She leaned down, kissing him passionately as she gripped the hair at the nape of his neck. His hands moved up her back as he pulled her in, not wanting to let go of her. He was completely floored by the love he saw in her eyes. He knew he shouldn’t be; he knew she loved him, but somehow it still shocked him that anyone could love him as much as she did. Yet again, he thought about grateful he was for her.

“I love you so fucking much, Y/N,” he whispered back, his breath brushing against her lips.

She moaned, feeling the pressure in her belly building up again, as she continued to meet his thrusts.

“Dean,” she moaned against his lips, looking into his eyes. Her hips picked up pace, chasing her release. “I’m so close.”

“Me too, sweetheart,” he muttered, as he held her tighter.

The familiar feeling rose in her stomach, telling her she was closer as their hips continued to smack into each other, their thrusts faster than before.

“Cum with me,” she whimpered, her eyes not looking away from his, not even for a second. “Dean, please… cum with me.”

“Oh fuck, Y/N,” he groaned. His hands flew down to her hips, gripping tight as he felt his cock pulse inside her, her walls clenching around him. “Fuck, let go for me, sweetheart. Fucking cum on my cock.”

For a second time that night, the band snapped, a string of moans erupting from her lips as she threw her head back, her hands tight in his hair. He grunted as he dropped his head onto her shoulder. He felt his cock throb, a strangled moan leaving his mouth as spurts of cum bathed her walls, mixing with her climax.

They breathed heavily as they came down from their high, feeling only the frantic heartbeats in their chests. As they started to come down, the rush of the waves on the beach reached their ears from the open door to the balcony. Dean lifted his head from Y/N’s shoulder, his hands coming up to cup her face, bringing her close to him. He kissed her, lovingly as he held her tight. He didn’t want to let go of her. Hearing her words as they made love made his heart soar. He had never felt that way before her. Y/N picked up on his quietness, pulling away to look into his eyes.

“You okay?” she asked, smiling softly.

Dean smiled in return, nodding slowly. “Never been better, gorgeous.”

Y/N squealed and laughed as Dean turned them over, throwing her down on the bed. They continued their passionate exchange into the early hours, finally falling asleep to the moon shining into the room and the soothing sounds of the ocean.

The next two weeks flew by, and before they knew it, it was time for Dean and Y/N to leave the beach house behind and return to their normal lives in Lawrence. Dean packed up the Impala, a small frown on his face as he did so. He didn’t want to leave, having had such an amazing time there with his girlfriend. They had so much fun together, swimming in the ocean during the day, walks on the beach at night, going out for dinner or cooking at the house, and absolutely ravishing each other after all of it. This trip had not only been relaxing, but a great eye-opener for him. He already knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Y/N but hearing it from her only solidified the decision he had already made.

He was going to ask Y/N to marry him.

It may have seemed too early in their relationship to think that way, but if he could’ve married her back at Christmas, one kiss into their relationship and all, he would’ve done it in a heartbeat. As he closed the trunk and leaned against the car to wait for Y/N, he started thinking about how to go about things. He knew he had to talk to his mom about her ring, hoping that it would be okay with her to give it to Y/N.

He lifted his head as he heard the front door to the house shut. He smiled as he saw Y/N walking down the path, her long, printed summer dress flowing in the breeze as she came towards him. She smiled softly as she got closer to him, an eyebrow lifted as she saw his expression.

“What?” she asked, laughing slightly.

He shook his head, not wanting her to clue into anything he was thinking just yet. “Nothing. Just… thank you.”

“For what?” She stood in front of him, placing her hands on his shoulders as she looked at him.

“For coming with me on this trip, for dealing with me… for just being amazing,” he told her, placing his hands on her hips.

“You’re pretty easy to deal with, Dean Winchester,” she said, softly as she leaned up, kissing him.

“You say that now,” he said, chuckling.

“I’ll say it always,” she countered, kissing him again quickly, before she moved away to the passenger side of the car.

As they pulled away from the house and made their way onto the highway, Dean smirked as he looked out at the road ahead of him. He glanced at Y/N, smiling as he saw her texting, no doubt telling Sam they had left and would be back home in a day. As he drove, he couldn’t help but think about everything that had changed in his life, and how much more it would continue to do so. He couldn’t help but think about how happy he was, how much more confident he was in himself, and how much better his life had become.

For all of that and so much more, he knew he had the beautiful woman sitting beside him to thank.

-x-

If you’re crossed out, I can’t tag you :(

Tags: @deanwanddamons @winchest09 @downanddirtydean @jensengirl83 @wonder-cole @that-one-gay-girl @flamencodiva @ellewritesfix05 @roonyxx @akshi8278 @hobby27 @michellethetvaddict @spngirl05 @kyjey @halesandy @440mxs-wife @stoneyggirl @deanswaywardgirl @redbarn1995 @marianita195 @babypink224221 @deans-baby-momma @parinarain @thoughts-and-funnies @mandalou29 @jerkbitchidjitassbutt @superaveng @supernatural-love14 @vicmc624 @prettyboyswow @lunarmoon8 @supernatural-bellawinchester​

[scuttling]

Bully

Fandom: Criminal Minds Pairing: Aaron Hotchner/Latina OFC Sophie Cortes Word Count: 2,249 Tags: SFW, Pre-relationship, Supportive Aaron Summary: A case in Chicago means the team is introduced to someone from Sophie's past. Collection: Sophie Cortes timeline, 0-6 Months at the BAU (See Masterlist for reading order) Link to AO3 or read below! “Alright, we’ve got a case in Chicago,” JJ says as they gather in the briefing room on a Wednesday morning. “The detective there is… how do I put this? He’s a real asshole, but they need our help, so just prepare yourselves for one of those.” She passes out the case file, and Cortes tenses beside Hotch, a shift in demeanor he can almost feel, though they are sitting a foot apart.

“Please tell me, just to ease my mind, JJ—it’s not the 54th precinct, right?” She looks up with a grimace, and JJ nods.

“Sounds like you know the guy. Detective Jeffrey?”

“Fuck. Yes, I know him.” She puts an elbow on the table, leans her forehead into her hand, sighs. “He’s like the anti-Hotch: cruel, impulsive, hotheaded, blames his failures on his coworkers. This guy is going to give us grief the whole way, especially if I’m there.”

“Is there a reason for him to be aggressive toward you? Did you pass him up for promotions, accolades?” he asks, and she looks up at him, frowns.

“He’s a misogynist, and a racist, for starters. Wanted a spot on the tactical response team and didn’t get it because he can’t take orders, which had nothing to do with me, but you know how narcissists project.”

“Nothing is actually ever their fault,” Reid says, filling in the blanks.

“Exactly. I was the most convenient target for his anger. So, of course I want to do my part, I’m just letting you know there’s a lot of hostility there so you aren’t blindsided.” The team seems collectively a little more tense—no one messes with one of their own—and Hotch nods thoughtfully.

“You’re with me while we’re there, then. If he wants to give you a hard time, we won’t make it easy.”

“Okay. Thanks.” She exhales, turns back to the case file, and JJ continues with the briefing.

He takes her aside once they’re on the jet.

“Can we talk for a moment?” he asks, standing by the open seat next to hers, and she gestures to it.

“Sure. Is it about what I said earlier, about Jeffrey?”

“Yes and no. I trust your judgement; if this guy is going to be a pain in our ass, I want to have a game plan going in so things move as smoothly as possible.” She closes the folder in her lap, nods, gives him her full attention. “First and foremost, you can not let him get to you.” She leans back against the window, sighs.

“I know. It’s just hard, like going back to high school and facing your old bully.”

“I get it. From what you’ve told me, this guy is going to have all of us on edge, but you know the precinct, the area, some of the officers; the team is going to look to you a lot while we’re here. You need to be firm, authoritative, but not antagonistic. Most importantly, you need to be confident. Don’t second guess yourself because of this jerk we’re dealing with.”

“I know that giving in and getting mad is what he wants, so I’m going to try my damndest not to give it to him.” She laughs a little, like it’s easier said than done, and he maintains eye contact, wills her to see how much he really does trust her with this. “I really appreciate this, Hotch.”

“It’s what I’m here for.”

“I know. But you show your faith when it really matters, and not everyone in your position does that. You should know how much it means to us.” Her words warm his heart, and not just because it’s her who’s saying them. He knows he comes off like a drill sergeant sometimes, but it’s all for good reason. He just wants to take care of his team, keep them safe.

“Thank you. The job is tough; I try to support you guys anyway I can.”

“It shows. Thanks for having my back,” she says softly, tilting her head, and then she sighs and smiles, sits up in her seat. He’s known her long enough to be able to tell when things are getting a little too heavy for her, knows she’s looking for lightness, now. “If we have time for drinks after this case, we have to go to Tito’s, just putting it out there.” Morgan hears her, leans over from his seat across the aisle.

“Tito’s! I haven’t been there in years.”

“Neither have I. They have the best portobello tacos in Chicago. Drowning in chimichurri,” she says to Hotch, and he smiles a little at her excitement. “Give me a Corona and lime and a plate of tacos and I’ll forget all about Douglas fucking Jeffrey.”

“We’ll see what we can do,” he says, and he spends the rest of the trip sitting between the two of them as they reminisce about their favorite things about Chicago.

He actually really enjoys it.

When they arrive at the precinct, she is decidedly less jovial, and Hotch immediately understands why, when he introduces himself to Detective Jeffrey.

“Cortes, good to see you again,” he greets, while his expression tells a different story entirely. “Are you his... assistant?” He pretends to be confused, and JJ bristles beside them at the implication, but Sophie remains impassive, doesn’t even look tense. It’s possible his pep talk had more impact than he thought.

“She is no one’s assistant, she’s a supervisory special agent with the FBI just like me, and she will be taking point on this case. I expect you to defer to her expertise,” Hotch informs him with no room for misunderstanding in his tone. Again, if she’s surprised, she doesn’t show it, just continues reading over the case file provided.

“No offense, but this is a serial killer we’re talking about. It’s worlds away from chatting up a meth addict CI in a McDonald's parking lot.” She does close the file at that, and it appears to him that she can handle personal insults just fine, but that jabs at her work are where she gets defensive.

“You wouldn’t have closed half of your cases if it weren’t for my CIs, and you know it. But I’m not in Intelligence anymore, I’m a profiler, and I’m good at what I do.” She crosses her arms, exhales, and turns away from him, a clear dismissal. “Hotch, Prentiss, and I will go to the crime scene. Reid and Gideon will meet with the second victim’s wife, Morgan and JJ will work victimology, and we’ll reconvene here.”

“You got it, boss,” Morgan says, taking a seat, and in times like these he is really proud of his team. He knows as well as Sophie what it means to show Jeffrey that an alpha male like Morgan will take her orders, and Morgan took them and ran. He hides a smile.

They are unfortunately stuck with the detective when they are rerouted to a new crime scene as another body is found, but Hotch isn't worried. It will be a great place for her to show him what she can do.

“What do we know about the victim so far?” Sophie asks Jeffrey, her posture open.

“Sheila Lapinski, 27, hooker.” Prentiss rolls her eyes behind his back. “No one has reported her missing, no next of kin anywhere we can find. Coroner puts her time of death between 3 and 5 AM.”

“Does she have a record?”

“Osele’s pulling it now,” he says with a sigh, and she stops scanning the scene, looks to him with a cocked brow.

“Then how do you know she’s a prostitute?” He chuckles, puts out his hands like the answer is obvious.

“You know where we are. They’re like fleas around here, infesting, multiplying.” Cortes crouches down and lifts the sheet covering the victim, who is wearing a cardigan, pencil skirt, and flat shoes.

“She dressed like a prostitute to either of you?” she asks, looking up at Hotch and Prentiss, and he shakes his head, though he’s not sure why he’s surprised; the detective may actually be worse than she described him. Prentiss bends down, looks like she’s trying not to smile.

“No. She looks more like a school teacher, actually.”

“I’m telling you, they call this—pardon my French—” Sophie stands, crossing her arms, and cuts Jeffrey off.

“Pussy Alley. I know what guys like you call it. But you have no evidence this woman is a sex worker, and if she’s not, it’s extremely important that we find out how and why she was dumped here.” An older, bearded detective walks up to them, notebook open, and he smiles at her.

“Hey, Cortes. Nice to see you again, though not under the circumstances.”

“You too, Osele; these are Agents Hotchner and Prentiss. I worked with Osele in Intelligence way back when.” They all shake hands, and she nods to his notebook. “You have her record?"

“Yep, she’s squeaky clean. Not so much as a parking ticket.” Sophie shares a look with the both of them, and Jeffrey splutters.

“That’s—that’s not possible.”

“I think you’ll find that plenty is possible when you open your eyes, Detective,” Hotch can’t resist replying. Cortes crouches down again.

“There are no signs of a struggle. The bottoms of her shoes aren’t worn. Her clothes are clean, not cheap; hair done recently, not cheap.” Jeffrey puts his hands on his hips, all but rolls his eyes.

“Ah, there’s some hard hitting detective work.”

“You’re not even attempting to prove your theory that she’s a prostitute, so we’re disproving it for you,” Prentiss explains, pulling out her phone. “Easily. Garcia,” she begins, and she steps away from them to talk to the tech.

“What else do you see?” Hotch asks softly, meeting her on her level. “Anything that indicates occupation?” Her eyes are focused as she scans the victim, lifts her hand to examine her nails, her lip to examine her teeth.

“She has ink smudges on her hands, so she could be a teacher, but she could also be a receptionist, writer, accountant, secretary, bank teller… any type of administrative professional. She’s got a fresh manicure, teeth are in good health, so I’d bet she’s got insurance or has had it recently. No wedding ring, she’s too old to be on her parents’, so all signs point to a steady job.”

“Okay, there is no god damn way you can tell if she’s got health insurance just by looking at her.” She stands, and Hotch follows, covering the body with the sheet.

“No, you’re right, I can’t. It’s an educated guess based on analysis and not snap judgement. Do you have any insight into this case, aside from the fact that you think she’s a sex worker because of where she was found?”

“There’s not much to go on. Sometimes these cases go unsolved.” It’s then that Prentiss returns to them, and this time she is smiling.

“I had Garcia run our victim’s info, and it doesn’t look like she’s currently employed—no recent bank deposits, appears to be living off of her savings.”

“So not a teacher after all,” Jeffrey states, looking smug, and Hotch waits patiently, because he knows there’s more.

“Not right now, but she just moved to the area from a suburb called Evanston, and she was a third grade teacher there for two years. Private school, really nice place. Great insurance.” Sophie looks at her like something she said clicked, and she pulls out her phone.

“The ink on the heel of her hand could be from a newspaper; maybe she’s job hunting.”

“Wasn’t our first guy unemployed?” Prentiss recalls. “We should have Gideon and Reid ask his wife if he’s been job hunting. Could be a connection.”

“I’ll call Reid.” The fact that the victims were job hunting is what breaks the case. They work late into the evening, but they’re actually able to find the unsub—a man posing as a prospective employer only to people who are new to the area—relatively quickly once they put it all together.

The officers who remember Sophie from her time in Chicago are all clearly impressed with her and the team, and it makes him very, very proud.

Jeffrey clearly hates how quickly they solved the case, and he enjoys that, too.

That night, they do make it to Tito’s for drinks and Mexican food, and the team goes around the table and talks about their ‘Jeffreys’ in honor of Sophie showing up hers.

Morgan buys them all a round of Coronas in her honor as well, and later, Sophie offers to buy another; Hotch heads up the bar to help her carry.

“Since we’re here another night, is there anyone you’re going to try to see? Catch up with?” he asks while they wait for a few of the drinks. She smiles softly, tucks a hand under her chin thoughtfully.

“No, there’s nothing for me here anymore. Coming back, facing Jeffrey, was my last battle to fight, and you made that possible, so thank you.”

“It was my pleasure to see him knocked down a peg… and to watch you shine.” She reaches out, covers his hand with her own, which he did not expect, and nods back to the table with the rest of their coworkers, their friends.

“Come on. We’re going to have to rein them in soon. I could use a little back up.”

“Any time."

[kurooisdbest]

nickname: carri

men: iwaizumi, tsukishima, konoha

number: 11

TSYM!!!

heyyy Carri! PLS DONT HATE ME IM SORRY IF ITS SUUUPER LATE BUT Thank you for participating hihi🥺

here are your results !

Tsukishima (Friends)

Iwaizumi (Acquaintances)

Konoha (Engaged)

TSUKISHIMA

Your friendship with Tsukishima started when you became a manager for the Karasuno VBC together and withYachi

You were already close with the other 1st years but Tsukishima was a tougher nut to crack

he was always cocky and standoffish, and that ticked you off but you being you, you got used to it and began learning how to bark back at him.

Thus, your battle of insults would turn into a tackling sessions (he was surprised how fast and strong you were, being able to attack him like a predator pouncing on its prey. Little did he know you grew up in a house with three older brothers making you a professional in wrestling matches *for the sake of the story let’s just say u have brothers hehe*), and of course would result to the both of you being lectured by Daichi and Suga

With Daichi getting impatient with the two of you, he always punished the both of you with penalty laps. A day never went by without the both of you running around the gym. Daichi was pleased with the result but he would never admit that. He saw how you and Tsukishima became closer, what began in endless bickering evolved into small chit chats, and he was a proud dad

Your friendship with Tsukishima became one of the most valued relationships you have until present;

It was the end of the MSBY vs Adlers match, and you, together with your batchmates decided to drink after to catch up with one another.

“Tsukiiiiiiiiiii come on pls I’m strong now!” you pouted at your best friend, begging him to allow you to drink.

He knew you were a lightweight, you all discovered that during one of Kuroo and Bokuto’s afterparty, when he had to carry you home after finding you passed out in the corner. Thus, he made you swear to drink only when he or the other boys were around.

His nose scrunched at your incessant begging and groaned, knowing he could never win over you. “Fine since your so ‘strong’” he made sure to make air quotes before continuing. “bring your ass back home on your own.” he deadpanned. You smiled at him brightly before linking your arms with him, dragging him to the bar.

It’s been so long since you guys got together like this. So much untold stories from Hinata’s trip to Brazil, Making fun of Kageyama’s awkward commercials, and of course the story of how Yamaguchi and Yachi got together.

As much as Tsukishima protested, he couldn’t deny that he missed hanging out like this. So much has changed in a small amount of time… except for one.

You were drinking to your heart’s content, naive of the consequences you were about to face the next day. He laughed at the drooling mess beside him and sighed. He brushed the stray hair on your face and smiled.

“I forgot to ask!” Hinata shouted from the other side of the table. “Have you ever confessed t-“ he was cut by Kageyama’s hand covering his mouth. Tsukishima glared at the ginger headed male before standing up. “We’ll be going first.” He dragged your body to stand, before carrying you on his back.

Your head rested on his shoulder as he carried you to his car. The smell of his cologne made your lips curl into a smile before nuzzling your head on his neck. “Thank you, Tsukki. i wuv yyyuuuuuu!!! youuur the bestttt” your words slurred before fully passing out. He clicked his tongue and chuckled lightly. “You’re a pain in the ass you know that?” he looked back at you, seeing how peaceful you were, letting out soft snores, before letting a smile adorn on his face.

IWAIZUMI

You recently moved from Tokyo after your father was reassigned to work in Miyagi

Being an alumnus of Aoba Johsai, he enrolled you there for your third year

Everything was going smooth. Your movers arrived on time, you easily unpacked your furniture, and you had everything you needed to face the new environment you were about to enter

However, what your father forgot to mention was that Aoba Johsai was HUGE

Hence, what would a new transferee like yourself have to go through? of course, Get lost i the vicinity

You applauded yourself mentally for thinking ahead and left for school early or else you would be late on your first day

After dozens of twists and turns you finally reached your classroom

Your homeroom teacher entered and instructed you to introduce yourself in front of the class “Hi, My name is l/n y/n. I transferred here from Nekoma. I hope we could get along.” you ended your introduction with a bow before returning to your seat.

“Thank you. L/n and Iwaizumi, I would like to speak to you both after class.” He stated before continuing with his announcements.

You didn’t know anyone in your school and you couldn’t help but wonder what your teacher wanted to talk to you about with Iwaizumi.

After class, you turn your head to where Iwaizumi was seated to see him asleep on his desk.

“Iwaizumi-san?” you poked his shoulder, trying to wake him up. Take note of the word: “Trying” because it seemed like you wouldn’t succeed with just a mere poke.

He must’ve been tired for him to fall asleep like this. Having no choice, you grabbed both of his shoulders and started shaking him. His body jolted and raised his head from the desk and gave you a confused look. You simply smiled at his reaction and told him how both of you were instructed to meet with your professor after class.

His cheeks slightly flushed in embarrassment for forgetting and for making you wake him up.

In the office, your teacher told Iwaizumi to show you around campus so that you wouldn’t have to get lost next time.

You tried to decline, feeling guilty for making Iwaizumi show you around but despite your attempts to politely decline, Iwaizumi faced you and gave you a gentle smile. “It’s alright. I don’t have practice today anyway. Come on.” He turned his back and walked toward the exit.

However, you were glued there and couldn’t utter a word. You suddenly feel a hand grab yours and pulled you along.

When the both of you exited the office, Iwaizumi let go of your hand and walked ahead, glancing back at you every once in a while to make sure you were following him.

He walked by your side and toured you around the school, telling you facts and what he called “survival” tips. (Tip#1: Never fall for Oikawa. Who was that? you didn’t know. What does it have to do with you? again, you didn’t know fjsjbfjd)

sometimes your hands brush against each other and sometimes he would put an arm around your shoulder bringing you closer when you pass through places with huge crowds.

He explained to you that he didn’t want you to get lost and you let him continue because somehow… even if it’s just your first day, you might just have made your first (crush) friend

KONOHA

You had been together with Konoha for almost 6 years now. A relationship which bloomed and nurtured from middle school until high school

Despite being a year younger than him, his childish antics proved that maybe, just maybe, you were older than him in terms of maturity

He begged you to become a manager right after you became a 1st year in Fukurodani and not missing a chance to spend time with your boyfriend, you agreed.

Both of you were busy with Finals and the volleyball competitions ahead but that didn’t stop you from spending time with your boyfriend. You’re relationship was past the point of fussing over the small issues. You both were in sync with one another and the both of you learned how to handle problems that would occasionally arise.

Everything became a routine. You would spend your breaks with Konoha and the volleyball team, study after classes before training starts, and walk home together after trainings.

Although lately, you’ve been spending time with each other less. Sure, you and Konoha would study in the library together but that was it. You wondered why he would suddenly bail on you without a word, you wondered why he insisted on letting you go home first, and why he would reply late to your texts.

You understood that maybe he was just busy but the stress you were feeling about school was starting to take its toll on you

Your emotions began to heighten. You were feeling lonely and sad, realizing that maybe the spark between you and your boyfriend was slowly fading. That maybe he found someone better. You began feeling insecure, letting your mind wander over every possible scenario about what would happen next. Is this really how your love will end?

You began to shut out everyone. You barely replied to Konoha, you spoke only in a few sentences, and at times, you couldn’t even spare him a glance.

You didn’t want anyone to think you were petty so you opted to keep everything to yourself. It didn’t bother you anymore that you were spending less and less time with Konoha. Instead of feeling hurt, you felt numb.

Little did you know everything was about to change

“l/n-san.” Fukorodani’s setter and your best friend, Akaashi tapped your shoulder. “Hm?” you answered while continuing your homework on the bench without looking at him. “l/n-san.” he repeated. You dropped your pencil to look at him. “Yes?”

“Konoha-san…” he trailed off. “Huh? What happened to Akinori?” you deadpanned. “He fainted. He’s in the infirma-” you rushed to the infirmary, cutting Akaashi off mid-sentence. A surge of concern suddenly filled you and your heart began beating rapidly.

Upon reaching the infirmary door, you slid it open only to notice the lights turned off. You flicked it on and saw no one at the desk. You entered slowly and walked further into the room, scanning the beds, looking for Konoha. At the end of the room, there you saw him. Sitting down, staring at the wall in front of him.

He didn’t seem to notice you enter as you sat yourself down beside him. “Hey Akaashi told me you fainted. Are you okay?” you hesitantly placed your hand on his. “Are you mad at me?” he whispered, eyes still on the wall. “I wouldn’t say I was mad… maybe a little hurt and I felt that you were shutting me out…I didn’t even know what you were up to… What’s up with you lately?” you answered.

“I’m sorry. I just…” he faced you and placed his free hand on your cheek, caressing it. “I didn’t know you felt that way. I was just busy, that’s all.” you leaned into his touch, unaware that you really did miss him. “It’s okay, I understand. What were you busy with? Maybe I could help…” you stared back at him. “I’m not sure if you could” he answered awkwardly while rubbing the back of his neck. “I understand, excuse me” you stood up and feeling your eyes starting to tear up.

Suddenly, you felt upset. What could he be doing that even you couldn’t help with? You were about to turn the doorknob when you felt a familiar warmth grasp your wrist. “Babe…” you muttered, tears slowly streaming down your face. You faced him with your tear-stained face and smiled.

He felt guilty for having to tell you this way. He didn’t want to do it this way but he didn’t have any other choice. “Listen to me, okay?” He grabbed both of your cheeks in his hands, making you look at him. You stared at him and nodded.

“I’m so sorry for hurting you the for the past weeks… I wanted to surprise you that was all.” he cooed before releasing your cheeks. He rummaged something in his blazer and took out a small box. “This isn’t anything fancy but I’m graduating soon, and I have to wait a year before being in the same campus as you again. Y/n, I don’t know what I would do without you in my life. I loved you in the past, I love you in the present, and I will always love you in the future. Will you marry me?”

You couldn’t help but nod as the room filled with the sound of your sobs and your sniffles. Konoha hugged you tenderly and kissed you. “I love you” you replied.

a/n: hope u guys aren’t mad at me nfkshfk ily all thank you for always being patient AAAAAA posting updates for Ace of Cups soon :”>

*I have like other requests piled up in my ask box but i’ll try to get to you soon im sorry 😭

[moonlights-inkwell]

“Be Good to Me.” I Whisper. (And you say, “What?” and I say, “Nothing Dear.”)

Summary: Jaskier’s different in Oxenfurt. It’s not a bad thing at all.

Jaskier x Reader

Word Count: 5,406

A/N: This fic was going to be a super short and indulgent smut fic, but then it took on a life of it’s own and got to be like 5000 words before I even got to the porn, so now it’s gonna be a two parter. Oops. Also, Jaskier’s looking kinda rugged in this fic, mostly cause I was basing his appearence on how Joey looked during the Love Run era and I’m... weak. And yes I gave him glasses. Why? Who knows.

Title taken from That Unwanted Animal

Warnings (for Parts 1 and 2): Smut. cock warming. Oral (female and male receiving). Body worship. Female pronouns used/afab genitals described for the Reader. Light Praise Kink. Dom Jaskier. Professor/Lecturer Jaskier.  

You wake, slowly and without much intent, to the sound of singing.  

It’s not uncommon, these days at least, to be woken by music and laughter. It’s a welcome change of pace from your normal life of travel, fighting and pain, all the laughter and music. Oxenfurt is always so lively and full of music and laughter, even now in the coldest and darkest months of the year. You almost resent that it isn’t a permanent fixture of your life. You've never thought yourself a deeply domestic person, but now in Oxenfurt, you feel... content in a way you've never felt before. 

Not knowing, or caring about, the time, you decide it much too early to even consider opening your eyes, and remain beneath the sheets entangled about you. Fingers curling into the soft, treated furs that cover the mattress, you tug the duvet closer to you, and feel the blankets on top of them shift, weighted and soothing all the while. A lazy grin spreads across your face; it’s so warm, a luxury you know all too well you cannot afford to take for granted. Cracking open an eye ever so slightly, you catch sight of a fire, crackling and popping deep within the arch of the fireplace. Bless Oxenfurt, you think tiredly and close your eye once more. A fireplace in the bedchambers, and the living area. You could get used to luxuries like this.

You never considered that you’d ever spend any period of time in Oxenfurt, never mind be wintering there, and while it’s wonderful you cannot help but feel out of place. You’ve never been the sort of person to be wealthy or talented enough for a University of such high esteem; daughter of a seamstress, former barmaid, barely able to hold a tune or paintbrush. But along came Jaskier, wonderful, beautiful Jaskier. With Geralt returning to Kaer Morhen for the winter, your bard had asked you, soft and sweet, to join him at his old place of education. He only needed to ask you once.  

The campus is beautiful, warm and comfortable and full of lively, excited youths, so bewitched by their art and school. You understand it, it’s difficult not to be taken in by the beauty of it all, but one thing keeps you weary; the fact that it’s a place of such overwhelming privilege, the likes of which you’ve had next to no interaction with. You’ve always known Jaskier is a man of luxury: his accent, embroidered doublets and silk chemises advertise it in a way that is out of place on the road traveling with Geralt but are common as muck on campus. Everyone here is like him, rich but seemingly playing at slumming as students, as if they too will be traveling bohemian bards rather than what will undoubtedly actually happen, being taken in by whatever court will have them. He’s different in Oxenfurt, too. Not a bad sort of different, but... unusual. Jaskier, your bard, lover and traveling partner, is wonderful, a giddy and excitable fool, who spends much of your time together teasing and goading, is strangely absent. In his place is... someone else. A professor and an adult. It’s hard to believe your bard, a man who sings often of masturbation and hand-jobs with a smug grin, is a professor. A teacher. He’s smart, you’ve always known that, but it’s easy to forget how bloody intelligent he is.

He plays the fool all too well, well enough that it’s what you think of when you consider him. It’s strange to see him acting so maturely, planning lectures and grading compositions, walking about and advising students, talking about writing and singing techniques. They adore him, it’s written across their faces when you see them together, and the adoration and admiration of him is transferred onto you too. They gape and gawk at you, talking quietly and singing lines from songs that Jaskier had written about you. When you walk together around the halls and cobblestone roads, they rush to you both, mouths full of questions about travel and monsters as well as whatever the hell a cleft or bridge are. It’s so strange. You don’t know how you’re to feel about being watched by these aristocratic students, caught somewhere between hero worship and sideshow attraction. Even in tiny taverns and villages, people look at you as just a girl, aided usually by Geralt’s intimidating frame outshining the various knives you have adorning your figure. The only person who normally stares at you is Jaskier, always in this shocked sort of adoration, as if he can never quite believe that you are real and beside him. It’s sweet and never invasive, always looking but never prying.

You purr softly at the thought of Jaskier, in this delicate daze of being half-asleep, this is perfection, a comfortable, engulfing warmth and softness, resting on top of soft fur with the love of your life in bed beside you. But something isn’t quite right. Jaskier always touches you, something you silently think must come from a lack of human contact as a child, he always has a hand on your bare skin especially while in bed, on your hip, curled about you like you could be snatched away, forehead pressed into your back, or fingers threaded through your hair. But right now? There’s not any such contact, and it makes you roll over in bed, eyes suddenly wide with realisation. Empty.  

It’s expected, but disappointing none the less. During the week he has lectures in the morning, and leaves you to rest as long as you wish before doing whatever you want until his classes end, usually resulting in your traveling about the campus town, meandering by the market and bakery often. It feels childish, but you hate it, you’re too used to waking in his arms and turning about to kiss him awake. It’s horrible to wake without the comforting weight of his arms around you and the combination of warmth and tickling hair from his chest hair against your back.  

“What in the fuck... is that a scale? In the middle of... what is that?” An oh so familiar voice says loudly, which makes you grin. He’s here, even if not in bed with you, there’s no need to wait about for him to return. He sounds scandalised, you can see him in your head, hunched over a pile of papers, brows furrowed into a look of confusion and annoyance. Adorable. You shift up and attempt to get to your feet, faltering slightly at the comfortable warmth of your sex and the dried fluid on your thighs; eyes slide down to take in your naked form. Bed clothes have never been a necessity with someone as insatiable as Jaskier, hell, even normal clothes are barely necessary.  

“What the fuck?” He mutters, the sound of his voice draws you towards the door, but you stop as quickly as you start. There seems something overly presumptuous about walking to him nude, even if you have been in a relationship for years and have seen each other naked more times than you can remember. Stepping forward once more, your eyes slide across the sight of one of Jaskier’s shirts balled up on the floor where it had been tossed to last night. It’s scooped up without much of a second thought and tugged on before turning to look at a mirror; it’s beautiful, silk and embroidered with bluebells, with a high collar, and is left open to expose the inner curves of your breast, the expanse of your stomach and almost all of your legs. It, combined with the slight swell of your lips from relentless kissing last night and sleep tousled hair, makes you feel strangely beautiful. You don’t often feel beautiful, especially having just woken up, so when you rub your face gently with the fabric and breath in the smell of your lover, you feel your nipples stiffen slightly. Lavender and musk and something so entirely Jaskier fill your senses, and you walk out of the bed chambers, smiling softly as the material grazes your thighs as you do so.

Gods above, he’s beautiful. Always is, always has been, but still no matter how long you’ve known him he manages to take your breath away. He’s always had such a boyish face, handsome but soft, fitting easily with the childishness he exudes, but winter has seen that change. With him not performing for the season, and needing to look older than his students, his need to shave and keep up appearances has dissipated somewhat. He’s sitting there in an armchair in front of a desk, all curtains drawn and leaving him illuminated by the fire roaring across from him and the candles littered about the table in front of him, shirtless and resting his now stubbled chin on his hand while his hair, longer than you’ve ever known it, frames his face. You like it longer, and he seems too as well, letting you twist and braid it during the evenings while he strums at his lute in front of the fire and tells stories you don’t believe to be entirely true. He doesn’t look older, but instead more mature, like he had responsibilities that aren’t trying to earn as many coins as possible between stolen kisses and avoiding being swatted at by Geralt. His skin is almost glowing in the candlelight and reflects from the delicate spectacles that rest on the bridge of his nose. It’s alien and familiar all at once, and you smile to yourself at it. He had told you he was full of surprises the first night he kissed you, but this was a surprise you doubt even he could have ever anticipated. You’ve taken to referring to this more grown-up Jaskier as Julian in your mind, just to try and separate the two for your own peace of mind, but it doesn’t seem right now. It’s like looking at another side of a coin or hearing a song and finally paying attention to what the lyrics mean; it’s the same but not, and you worry that maybe you’ve spent your entire relationship with the man before you underestimating him. Reducing him down to beautiful fool and verbose romantic, when he’s always been mature, but felt no need to show it. You know from first-hand experience that being serious in the presence of Geralt always makes the air cold and uncomfortable, but now, away from the Witcher and his overwhelming stoicism, Jaskier can be as serious as he wants without souring anything. It’s refreshing. You never thought you could love him more than you already do; but right now? Bathed in golden light, relaxed and without pretention or any semblance of performance? You could marry him on the spot. You’re hardly a creative like he is, but you could write epics about him; verses about his eyes, sonnets about his cupid's bow, songs about the colour of his hair. He curses in what you assume is elder before pushing his hair away from his eyes, and you have to fight back the urge to run to him and tug it back with a ribbon to keep it from annoying him, and so you stay.

Leaning back against the door, you take him in as best you can and try to dedicate this image of him to memory. Him, soft and comfortable, looking like a real professor, surrounded by the warm brown of the furniture and the golden glow of fire that crackles and pops under the quiet music of him humming whatever is written on the pages, that’s the sort of Jaskier you want to remember. Content. It's a habit you have gotten into since you began courting, trying to keep the most delicate and domestic memories for nights when the traveling gets the most of you, and you wish you could just go home. It’s normally simple things, like when he sleeps in after you, hair haloing around him, long lashes fanning out on his cheeks, or the day when he took you to a field of wild flowers to unwind, and had laughed so loudly the skin about his eyes and bridge of his nose had crinkled like silk moved too quickly, a crown of dandelions and bluebells about his head. He’s so beautiful, and when you’re both old and grey you want to be able to remember just how gorgeous he is. He never truly believes it when you tell him it, as you never believe him when he says how much he believes you to be beautiful. Perhaps it’s why the two of you fit together so well. Insecure fools, finding security in the other’s arms. It takes him a moment or two to glance up from the papers, but as soon as he does, he gapes at you, lips parted and eyes raking across your frame and back up to your face once more. It’s quiet, but you clearly hear the soft gasp that comes from him, which makes you smile sweetly to him and tilt your head to the side.  

“Good Morning, Dandelion.” Your voice is low and scratchy with sleep, pet name rolling easily from your tongue. It feels like a foolish thing to say, but every other thing that had come to mind was hardly better. “What are you doing?” The bard says nothing but grins and pushes himself back into the seat, opening his arms wide gesturing you onto his lap. It’s all the encouragement you need to walk over and clamber onto his lap, his arms wrap about you and tugs you closer still, burying his face into the crook of your neck.

“Afternoon, Dear Heart. It’s mid-afternoon.” He murmurs into your skin. “You looked so peaceful; I couldn’t be responsible for waking you when you were so blissful. Besides, I had compositions to overlook.” Squirming, you try to turn to look at the sheet music, but Jaskier holds you tighter still, face burrowing even further into the curve where your throat meets shoulder, his words make his lips brush against the sensitive skin, like kisses aborted before truly meeting their destination. “This chemise looks awfully familiar-”

“It looks better on me, Dandelion. Don’t you think?”  

“Everything looks amazing on you, Darling Dear.” He says softly and presses a teasing kiss to the corner of your mouth, and then one to the tip of your nose. “I’m quite sure you could wear rags and still be the most beautiful woman to have ever walked the earth.”  

“Flatterer.” You grin and rest your hands on the thick, downy fluff that covers his chest.

“I thought it sounded nicer than saying everything looks beautiful on you, but...”  

“But what?” You ask when his sentence dawdles to a stop without ending.  

“But I prefer you in nothing at all.” He grins, and despite all the ways his appearance has changed since the two of you arrive, you see your playful, boyish bard once more, all too proud of himself for having found a complimentary way of saying he wants you nude once more. It’s flattering, always will be flattering, that Jaskier loves your body in ways that you never have but you slap his arm playfully, more for your own sake than his; so you can pretend that you didn’t just consider stripping the shirt off to make his grin turn to the same flustered smile it always turns to when you exert any modicum of control over your bedroom activities. For all his experience, and your lack thereof, all it takes is you acting like you know what it is you’re doing to turn your Dandelion into a blushing, nervous mess of a man. The thought of his pink cheeks makes your own flush, and you try to distract yourself.

“What’s the time?”  

“Doesn’t matter in the slightest, Dear Heart. It’s a weekend, and you were so peaceful. I assumed after last night you would need all the rest you could possibly get.” The smug little grin that breaks across his face makes you blush harder. It had been a long night, and the thought of it sends a rush of heat to your sex.  

“O-oh.” You laugh weakly. Jaskier cups your cheek and pulls you into a soft, chaste kiss, the kind that makes your heart stop entirely for a second or two. His lips are softer here, not chapped and chafed by wind and travel, just plush and inviting. Just as you start to melt against him, and a hand travels up to grip his shoulder, he pulls back to glance back at the paper once more, “...Sorry. I must be distracting you-”  

“My favourite kind of distraction, My Love.” He squeezes your hips softly and tilts his head, “And I will never be too busy for you,” He pulls you closer still, chest pressed to chest, to rest his chin on your shoulder, looking to the papers once more. You’re sure it’s accidental, but he drags your bare cunt along his thigh, and you bite back a moan. “Especially seeing as you’re so bloody warm, like a little bed-warmer.”  

“A bed-warmer that you’re ignoring for music?” You tease, and one of his hands slips under the shirt to rest on the warm flesh of your waist as he shakes his head, sending chestnut hair brushing against your cheek, your own hand threading through the hair of his chest.  

“I’m not ignoring you. Gods, no one could ignore you if they tried. I just... I simply have to look over these compositions.” His voice is distant and distracted, he’s a thousand miles away, and you decide to try to be a good little bed-warmer, as he so eloquently put it, trying to stay still and keep him warm. You aren’t sure how long passes before you begin to shift, could be a second or an hour, but Jaskier’s thighs are not the most comfortable resting place you can imagine, so you shift up onto your knees for a second, using the added leverage of height to shift closer towards him, accidentally brushing your hips against his in your search for comfort, but instead only feel a familiar stiffness against your sex. The shock draws a soft gasp from you, and that makes Jaskier chuckle lowly.  

“Oh. I... You. You’re hard.” The words come out breathy and virginal, as if the idea of the man you’re sat atop of being attracted to you is some sort of strange impossibility rather than being obvious. He spends his nights with either his tongue or his cock buried inside you, but were someone to have heard that weak little statement, they would have assumed that You had never been so much as touched before in your life. Jaskier appreciates the absurdity if the chuckle he breathes out is anything to go by at all, you feel him turn his head and then the heat of open-mouthed kisses being pressed to the crook of your neck. Kisses there have always made you feel vulnerable, made worse by seeing what beasts could do if they got their teeth that close to your jugular, but Jaskier isn’t a beast. He’s barely like a man, more like a dream you’ve created for yourself, and he always kisses you there. He must like the vulnerability it makes you feel for the frequency he kisses it.  

“Have been since I saw you in my shirt.” He murmurs, quiet as though it’s a confession of sorts, head shifting slightly to brush his nose across the column of your throat. “It’s quite difficult to not be hard when you look so... Debauched.”  

“Debauched?”  

“As sin, My Love. Fucking... hair wild, neck bruised, tits barely covered... And in my clothes? Melitele, I cannot imagine anything more debauched.”  

“Your cum is dried on my thighs too.” You all but sing out. The reminder is all the encouragement he needs to reach down and trace lute-calloused fingers across the crust of spunk at the top of your legs. They don’t remain there for long, however, travelling up to trace across your slit.  

“And your soaked cunt too.” He says lightly, digits trailing across the seam and gathering as much of the wetness as he can, stopping just above the place where you need him most to bring up the fingers and slot them into his mouth, sucking on them with a purpose. The whine that escapes your mouth isn’t dignified in the slightest, but neither was the way he was dangling exactly what you want in front of you without letting you indulge.

“Don’t tease, Jask-”  

“I’d hardly call this teasing, especially compared to your coming out here in nothing but my shirt-”

“Julian~” You whine weakly. Using his birth name is so uncommon to you that you almost trip over the word, but it achieves some sort of reaction from him. He pulls back and stares at you, a hunger in his eyes as his pupils grow wider and trail down your body, lingering on your cunt for a second longer than the rest of you, then looking up to meet your gaze again. You know his usual lust filled gaze, light and flirtatious and appreciative but this is... hungry. Ravenous, as if he’s been denied you rather than staring at his own handiwork, littered across your body and encouraging his staring.

“No, Dear Heart. I have such a lot of music to review and grade. My students will be disappointed if I don’t do it quickly. So disappointed.” His voice is pointed but you know from the look on his face that he’s playing, with you and himself. A game to see who cracks first, one you have no interest in playing. You have absolutely no interest in making him beg for you, or begging for him, you just want to feel the blissful drag of his cock in and out of you. “Don’t be selfish. You get to have me all year, and these poor things only have my genius to consult for the winter.” Genius. You aren’t entirely sure about that, but watching him speak, all you can think of is him putting his clever mouth to work on you.  

He moves quickly, hands removing themselves from your skin to pick up the papers while his chin returns to your shoulder once more. It's infuriating, so you tug at his chest hair like a petulant child.  

“But you’re hard!” You whine out in utter indignation.  

“I know, Dear Heart. Your cunt is against my cock, of course I’m hard.” Jaskier says slowly, as if talking to a small child. “But, I’m also a professor who needs to overlook my student’s work.” He’s right, you know that he’s right, and it’s hardly as if Jaskier is some brute who leaves your needs ignored but, Gods, you’ve been wet since you saw him, and the thick ridge of his cock against you is hardly helping your situation. “You can feel how much I want to fuck you, Darling. Gods above and below, the things I want to do...” He sounds defeated, and you turn your head to gently peck his cheek. “But, truly, I do need to look at these.” You nod quickly and gnaw at your lip; you aren’t being fair, and you know it.

“Then look at them, Buttercup. I’ll just... keep you warm.” You smile sweetly and he nods then pecks your cheek.  

He’s busy. You know he’s busy, but he's still hard and it isn’t helping your situation. Memories of last night, specifically of how it had felt to sink down on him while his mouth worked about your nipple, comes to mind too which causes your hips to rut against his subconsciously, drawing a growl from the bard. It’s not a noise you know well, coming out when he feels slighted or is especially engrossed in a song, but it sends a rush of heat to your cunt once more and you desperately grind your hips into his again. This is not keeping him warm, your mind chides you, but the feeling of the lacing pressed upward by his tenting trousers rubbing against your clit is enough for you not to care about how you had promised to keep him warm. The only thing you care about right now is chasing the feeling of overwhelming pleasure.

“You... are toying with things beyond your control, Dear Heart.” He murmurs darkly, pulling back to stare at you once more and only serves to intensify the blush that is spread across your cheeks. Beyond your control? Jaskier? The thought makes you giggle.

“I am... I’m just trying to... warm you up.” The words come out stilted and gasped between each circling movement of your hips against his. “You. You said you... were cold. I’m trying to be a good... bed warmer.”  

A good bed warmer? Not at all. You want to be a good partner, a good woman-desperate to feel your lover's cock buried to the hilt inside of you; the blissful stretch that it causes, his hands guiding you gently in your ministrations. Even without his prick being free, you move against him as if it is, hips gyrating and tits bouncing with each movement, you try and pretend that the feeling of coarse lacing against your clitoris is all you need. In all honesty, it almost is, especially when Jaskier gives up all pretence of working and allows his hips to buck up and grips your hips tightly enough to bruise, guiding each circling motion that your hips make. You can almost feel the ridge of his cockhead through his undergarments, and sink down on it enough that the fabric covered tip almost sinks inside of you before you pull back and return to rubbing your sensitive nub against the fabric. All too soon, you feel yourself lifted onto the table and whine, trying to grab at him but stop when you see Jaskier scrabbling with the ties of his under clothes, finally pulling them loose and shoving them to just beneath the delicate curve of his bottom. It’s seldom you get to see him so desperate he can barely undress himself, but you don’t allow yourself to admire that for as long as you should like to, because of what catches your eye. His cock stands freely, the base framed by dark curls that creep up onto his stomach and into the thicket of hair across his chest, which makes your mouth water in a way you don’t understand and never want to. You just know that the thickness and slight curve of his member makes you want to sink to your knees to wrap your lips about the leaking, pink head and listen to the breathless moans that doing so always draws from him, prettier than any song that you’ve ever heard him sing. Without second thought, you try to push yourself off of the table to settle on the floor and take him in your mouth but are tugged unceremoniously back onto Jaskier's lap.  

“But-" You start, only to have Jaskier cut you off before you can voice your complaint.

“Hush.” The firmness of his voice silences you immediately, his hands guide you up to his member before one slides down to the puffy lips of your sex, spreading them before tugging you down onto him. The manoeuvre is hardly ceremonious, but it’s worth it to finally have that which it feels like you’ve been wanting for hours. The sensation of him splitting you open makes you moan loudly, hips returning to their frenzied bucking to try and reach climax, but your enjoyment is short lives seeing as your desperate canting is stopped by the tight grip on your thighs holding you in place.

“Jaskier?”  

“I thought you wanted to be a good bed warmer, Dear Heart.” His voice trills and you still. The way he says good is enough to make your breath hitch and heart falter.  

“I do-" You’d go to the end of the world for the slightest praise from the Bard, and the way you admit to it makes him grin, and cup your cheeks in both hands, trusting you enough not to move simply because you want to be good for him.

“Then be a good little darling and stay still for me, if you would.” All previous dark hunger that had edged his voice is gone, replaced with his usual childishness once more. You almost wouldn’t realise he was doing anything sexual at all were it not for him having just speared you onto himself. The strangeness of the situation makes you clench around him, drawing a moaned out curse from his lips.  

“But you're inside of me-"  

“You just said you wanted to keep me warm, Pet.” He says slowly, as if speaking to an untrained dog, and the newfound pet name is hardly doing much to dissuade that thought from your mind. “But we aren't in bed, and seeing as you made this mess, I suppose being a cock warmer rather than a bed warmer will have to do.” The candidacy with which he says the term makes you blink. Sometimes, you think, Jaskier forgets that he’s the only man you've ever been intimate with, so terms like... cock warmer, that he throws about like they’re nothing brings a nervousness about you. You don’t know what that even means, but it distracts you from the fact he had just implied that him being aroused by you is a ‘mess’.  

“A... cock... warmer.” You say, leaving a good few seconds gap between each word. The uncertainty in your voice is obvious, and the man inside you chuckles slightly and mumbles something to himself that you can’t quite make out, but sounds like ‘corrupting her’.  

“Sorry Darling. Look at me, throwing about terms you don’t know and acting as if you should.” He sounds genuinely apologetic, but there’s a level of something patronising to his words that you’re not sure he even knows is there, yet intrinsically sets off a need to argue within yourself that you’re barely capable of choking back. “I want you to sit here, looking as radiant as you always do... Debauched and in my clothes, my cum dried on you, with my cock inside of you. But. You cannot move.” He says it simply, as if it's a term people should already be acquainted with; factual, like he’s trying to teach you something new, and your core tightens around him. You wonder, dazed, if that is the tone of voice he uses when teaching his pupils about music.  

If so, you might have to sit in on a lecture. Or have him teach you about music in the privacy of your shared chambers, where you can shove a finger or two inside of yourself to alleviate the want that is developing between your thighs.  

“I can't move? But why?” You wanted it to sound inquisitive, but instead your voice comes out as a whine, and Jaskier grins at that.  

“Think of it as a game, Darling. To show who has more resilience to the other. Who will... fall victim to the carnality of being so close, but still not... fully intimate.” He's so confident that it is almost infuriating, made more angering still by the way he gently brushes his lips along yours as he speaks, refusing to fill the gaps and just kiss you. It’s already almost more than you can bare, hand slipping down to rub at the swollen bud not two inches from where his dick is resting inside of you, but feel it pinned to your thigh before you can so much as brush a finger across it.  

“No, no, no, Dear Heart. If this is a game, then that is cheating, no?” You want to slap the smug smile off of his face, or force your tongue into his mouth, either would please you. “You cum from me, or not at all.” And with that, his earlier predatory smile is back in full force, making you shiver. “If you can stay still for me while I mark these compositions then I'll fuck you the way you want me to. That seems a fair deal to me, don’t you think?” He grins, toothy and wide, and you nod wordlessly.  

“Good girl.”  

[petri808]

G1+Hakyona Angel/Demon @firiare & @bmarvels

Humans have always thought themselves above other creatures even though they were merely just another species like the rest in nature. In the beginning, those with power or abilities fought against humans, but eventually gave up. They realized it was a pointless endeavor, so for the last 200,000 years, they used their magic to fade into human societies, and the ancient myths became nothing more than fairytales. Contrary to what the human societies had conjured up about ‘mythical’ creatures, the truth behind many of the stories were just that, story’s. Tales designed around them to serve a human’s purpose. A scary demon to frighten peasant subjects into submission or an angelic fairy to soothe away the fears in their hearts and offer salvation.

Life wasn’t always easy for any creature on Earth. One must learn to adapt and change, fit in and move forward. But it could be doubly difficult for a mythic creature trying to blend amongst the humans. Over time, most had developed societies within the human civilizations to watch out for their own, or gathering places where they could be their true selves. Forged bonds were also common between creatures and humans who’s loyalty were not in question. It was all meant to protect both sides, for wherever there is room for fear or misunderstanding, problems are unavoidable. Could one imagine a human being brought up to believe a demon is evil, not freaking out if suddenly they’re bf/gf said surprise, I have horns— probably wouldn’t go over well.

Hak new this well enough, he was a half demon after all. Mother was a demon and father a human who’d served in the military. But if this existence didn’t already come with struggle, his mother died during childbirth, and father during an overseas war when Hak was 4 years old. Luckily for him, a close family friend adopted him knowing full well the family’s genealogy. It was an older gentleman with no children of his own. Mundock, or grandpa Mundock raised him to blend into society. Hak turned into a very smart, athletic, capable young man who after college made a modest living working at a shipping company owned by another demon. It was a comfortable, albeit lonely life, because Hak shied away from romantic relationships.

Not that the ‘tall, dark, and handsome,’ stereotypical male couldn’t get a date if wanted to. Instead, he was afraid of falling in love only to have his heart broken if they couldn’t accept what he truly was. But his best friend Jaeha, a dragon in human form, was the opposite of Hak in many ways. Where he was quiet and naively sarcastic, Jaeha was extroverted and flirty. The man constantly tried to set him up with women. Come on, the man would admonish, let’s do a double and have some fun!

“No! No! What part of no, don’t you understand?!” Hak growled at his friend. “I’m not interested.”

“Pfft, boring grumpy ass...” Jaeha walked away from the couch where Hak was lounging with a video game. The conniving man then noticed Hak’s phone sitting on the kitchen island. Fine, he grinned to himself. ‘Time to take matters into my own hands.’

Jaeha opened the phone easily since he knew his friends password, and downloaded a popular dating app. While Hak was too engrossed in his game, he set about creating the perfect profile to lure in the women. Frankly, it wasn’t very hard. One hot profile picture, check. Bio info, stays in shape, works at a shipping company, hobbies include soccer and martial arts. Looking for, monogamous relationship with a sweet, friendly girl who is open minded. Click, send. Within minutes, the app’s inbox was receiving hits. Jaeha happily screened through them, looking for the right girl he was sure Hak would find difficult to say no to. Because despite his friend’s, ‘I don’t wanna date,’ attitude, he knew what Hak’s type was and that he was lonely.

He scrolled through profile after profile of the women messaging Hak looking at their bio’s. They ran the gamut of types, and not just in looks but demeanor from shy to scandalous. Many were obviously just interested in Hak’s appearance, and after close to 50 profiles, even Jaeha was starting to wonder if this was worth the effort.

That’s when he saw her... A pretty, fiery red head with purple eyes who’s effervescent skin and soft, innocent eyes just pulled you in. Her appearance may have caught Jaeha’s attention, but it was really her bio that solidified it. College educated, works as a primary school teacher, with a love of fantasy arts and stories. Oh, she is perfect!

Jaeha checks to make sure Hak is still focused on his game, then sends off a message to the woman.

‘Nice to meet you Yona. I noticed you’re into fantasy stuff, that’s pretty cool.’

‘Hello, nice to meet you too, Hak. Yeah, I find mythical creatures to be fascinating, so I’m always watching out for nice art or good fiction books about them.’

Jaeha grinned at the message. So far, so good. ‘It’s nice to meet someone who appreciates such things. I’ve done a little research on dragons and demons too.’

‘Really? Why demons?’

‘I think they get a bad rap in the old stories.’

‘Lol. You might be right... I don’t think angels are saints either.’

“Wow...” Jaeha mumbled out loud.

“Wow, what?” Hak looked up, questioning his friend.

Shit! “Oh, nothing. I just noticed you killed that opponent is all.”

“Oh,” Hak’s brow raised in suspicion, but he opted to go back to his game.

Jaeha breathed a sigh of relief. He would have to tell his friend the truth, but not yet. Time to go in for the kill.

‘Yona, would you do me the honor and go out on a date with me? I’d really love to get to know you more. How about this Saturday for dinner, restaurant of your choice, my treat.’

Several minutes pass by, but finally she responded. ‘Okay. Merrimans restaurant on Kilauea avenue at 6pm. Make sure to call in a reservation.’

‘Will do. See you then. Have a great rest of your day, Yona.’

‘Nice meeting you too, Hak.’

Jaeha grinned wide and walked over standing in front of his friend. “Hak, buddy, I gotta tell ya something, so turn that stupid game off!”

“No! So move your ass outta my way!”

“I got you a date.” Jaeha held the phone at arms length with the picture of Yona on the screen for Hak to see it. “Saturday, 6pm.”

“You did what?!” Hak stood up and grabbed his phone from the man’s hand, his blue eyes turning red in anger. “I told you, I’m not going out on a date!”

“Fine.” Jaeha crossed his arms over his chest, but a smug, unperturbed look still on his face. “Then you can be the bad guy and turn her down. Go ahead Hak, be the mean guy who breaks her heart.”

“You son-of-a!”

“Just look at her Hak. She’s pretty, she’s smart, and— she’s into creatures! She’s perfect for you! I’m tired of watching you moping around our apartment, you need a damn girlfriend.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“No, I’m your awesome wingman.” Jaeha winked and started to walk away. “Don’t forget to make the reservations. Details in the chat.”

“Fucking prick!” Hak groaned and plopped back onto the couch with a thud. His friend got him good this time, because he knew Hak didn’t have it in him to be mean to a girl. So, begrudgingly he started reading the woman’s profile.

Yona. ‘She’s tiny...’ okay, so, she is very attractive... and her comments about angels and demons catches his attention. No wonder Jaeha liked this one. But Hak wasn’t getting his hopes up, because finding them fascinating is still not the same as how someone would react if one were standing right in front of them. ‘Merrimans,’ at least she had good taste. He calls and sets up the reservation. “Ugh, this better turn out okay,” Hak yelled out loud enough for his roommate to hear it. “Or I’m kicking your ass dragon!”

It was four days until the fateful dinner date and he’d be fooling himself to say he wasn’t nervous, anxious to see if this girl could really be different from all the others, yet realistic that it may not turn out that way. Hak went about his work days like normal, never showing his co-workers or delivery customers anything beyond a mask of invincibility. He prided himself on never losing his cool, a behavior he’d maybe inherited from his military father. Even though inside he was a mess. Ugh! This is exactly why he avoided this area of the heart! Because in that way he was more like his mother according to gramps. His mom was a tough demon with a heart of gold who hated the idea of hurting anyone. Hak too didn’t like to let anyone down, and his respect for women came from stories about her.

What if this Yona woman liked him back but couldn’t accept his true identity? He’d break both their hearts. Maybe it would be best to let her down gently right from the beginning? This and more Hak pondered during those four days, his mind constantly calculating the options and odds. So that by Saturday morning his decision was made, right or wrong. He’ll go through with the date, but make it clear he’s not interested. Yes! That’s what he’ll do. Shield them both from future misery. Yona’s a beautiful woman, she’ll find someone better.

“Hi,” Hak stood before the hostess stand. “I have a 6pm reservation under...”

“Hak?”

A tiny female voice behind him sent a shiver right up his spine. Hak whipped around at his name, a surging sense of power titillating the nerve cells of his skin. “Yona?” The woman exuded something he’d never encountered before.

“Hello,” the woman smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Y-Yeah,” cheeks heating up, “it’s nice to meet you too. Um,” he turned back to the hostess still flustered and mind racing, “Hak, reservation for two.”

“Welcome to Merriman’s,” the hostess responded. “Please, right this way,” she gestured for the pair to follow.

Hak stepped aside and motioned for Yona to go first, then followed behind. Clearly this woman was not human, but what she was, he wasn’t sure of. Her energy was bright, soothing, and so inviting that it almost overruled his own thoughts. Was she a succubus?! What little he knew of them came from the stories, how they lured men in with their beguiling natures. Hak shook his head of those thoughts before they could be seated. Yona only came up to his chest she was so tiny, so that the idea of her being a strong demon was hard to grasp. Well, whatever she was, this date wasn’t going to be as easy to get through as he’d hoped.

The air between them was expectedly nervous. Hak couldn’t tell if Yona had figured out his nature yet, and she sure wasn’t behaving like it. To anyone around them, they simply appeared as a couple on a quiet dinner date. He did his best to stay engaged, though she initiated most of the conversations. They talked about things Hak assumed any pair would when trying to get to know each other. Family, friends, interests, but nothing overly reaching and he definitely didn’t want to just bluntly ask about creatures, not in a restaurant where they were surrounded by humans.

She was everything her dating profile had made her appear to be and more, and he felt himself being pulled in. It created a growing dilemma as the night wore on, and Hak found it more and more difficult to stick to his original plan. By the dessert round, he knew he needed to make a decision, so screw it, he’ll ask the question that could get him immediate answers.

As soon as they exit the restaurant, where no one was around, Hak launched into his question. “I’m gonna be straight with you Yona. It was actually my roommate who set this all up, not me because he thinks I need a girlfriend. A-And I’m not saying it wouldn’t be nice, but there’s things about me that—”

Yona placed a finger on his lips to hush him. “Not here. Someone might hear us.” She then took his hand, “there’s somewhere safer we can talk.”

“O-Okay...” Hak blushed both from her commandingly gentle reaction and her hand in his!! He followed quietly as she led them just a few storefronts away to another business, giving up total control like a putty in her hands. If Jaeha saw them, Hak wouldn’t hear the end of it. How the mighty demon Hak was subdued by a tiny woman...

The business itself was nothing special, just a bar from the outside. But then Yona continued inside towards the back, stopping in front of a wall. Hak watched in awe as she muttered a few words in another language and suddenly a door appeared. They went through it and that’s when Hak realized they were still in the bar, just a section reserved for creatures!

After moving them to the side, Yona turned around and giggled. “Let me see the real you, Hak,” she spoke as she dropped her own glamor and white feathery wings suddenly appeared from her back along with a yellow effervescent glow on her skin.

His eyes flashed wide in shock, but he complied with her request. Hak turned off his glamor to reveal two short, pointed black horns on his head, a long black leathery tail, and talons on his fingers.

“You’re a demon” She verified.

“And you’re an angel,” Hak breathed out. “Now I understand that comment from the chat.”

She nodded. “But I have a confession as well,” Yona confided. “I already knew you’re a demon because your friend Jaeha contacted me a couple of days ago suspicious of my remark.” She chuckled, “he really looks out for you, I hope you know he cares.”

“He’s a pain in the ass,” Hak grumbled, “but yeah, that’s why he’s also my best friend.”

“Well?” Yona placed a hand on her hip in a cocky pose. “What do you think? I know I like what I see, but what about you?”

Hak snorted a laugh. An angel... who’s not a saint, huh? This woman was intriguing for sure. “Alright, angel. You’ve got my attention.”

The sound of clapping, and a slap on his back, caused Hak to spin around, swinging at the offender. But what he found instead was his green-scaled dragon roommate.

“Whoa!” Jaeha caught Hak’s fist. “I’m just here to congratulate you buddy.”

“Damn it, slanty eyes!” Hak counter punched the man in his chest. “But... thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Jaeha laughed, “now come on!” He gathered the couple one of each side of him, and pulled them towards the dance floor. “Time to celebrate my buddy’s finally got a girlfriend!”

“I swear to hell I’m gonna kill you Dragon!”

[olivieblake]

KSIGJICNRJCNEHCBD HELLO HELLO WELCOME TO THE HELL THAT IS KNOWING ZUTARA IS EVERYTHING AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN AS SUCH !!!! wow i love that you are as angry as i was (and am every rewatch? yikes) this is amazing i knew you're my favorite but yeah wow man this really. confirms it whew high five

yeah it’s pretty wild how I knew this was what happened and was already bracing for it and yet STILL got completely misled by the narrative??? MEN I tell you MEN. I’m also going to use this ask as a method to reply to some of the other commentary if you don’t mind since this seems like a good place for communal frustration (here is my original post for anyone scrolling around lost)

@meg-hemmings: I agree with all of ur thoughts and I would TOTALLY read anything you wrote for Zutara … your writing is among my absolute favorite ever and I think you would write the Zutara dynamic so beautifully!

@one-man-propaganda-machine: I am - begging - you to write it yourself.

I... am not going to make promises, but I may have to. I want something very specific and that never bodes well for me. I doubt it would be more than a one-shot, but there are multiple scenes that could have occurred between episodes that would flesh out what was there (and of course I’d cut the final 15 seconds of the show, much like another epilogue I loathe and ignore)

@deifiliaa: omg atla discourse in 2021; olivie, i’d love to see what your character tier list looks like now that you’ve finished the series 👀

I’m going to put azula at the top. not because she’s a good person obviously but she’s FULL. OF. HITS. every time she’s on the screen the narrative gets immediately more interesting. she’s savvy and self-assured and I love it. her ending depressed me although I like that it was kind of about the loss of her two best friends? if that had been more of a focus I think I would have enjoyed it more but yeah, losing mai and ty lee could have been rightfully devastating. who among us is not totally obliterated by friend breakups. I also really loved uncle iroh; if anything that’s why I wasn’t invested in zuko’s storyline until close to the end, because watching him disappoint his uncle was very difficult (I get it, he’s a teenager, he’s growing and evolving and whatnot, but also I am closer to being his uncle than to being him so like, yeah). I also hope the peter pan revenge guy (JET that’s his name, sorry pregnancy kills my brain cells) did hook up with both katara and zuko. I love that journey for all three of them. I wanted more time with mai than we got, so there wasn’t quite enough there to love... but I was very down with ty lee interfering on her behalf. what a pivotal moment

of the core characters I think I was quickest to love sokka; the episode where he apologizes to suki and asks her to train him cemented it for me. I think it’s a big deal to show boys apologizing on-screen and owning their misconceptions. I like katara a lot—she’s what a lot of people do with fanon hermione. toph is also great, and part of me feels there is a strong basis for a ship with aang that balances their opposing energy, though I also like the idea of them being platonic besties. aang is... twelve. pretty much every time he was on the screen mr blake (a teacher) was like “man, aang is such a seventh grader,” so it was nice how convincing that was for his emotional journey, but at the same time it was hard to forget he was in seventh grade. appa and momo are STARS. I am sure I have mentioned this before but mr blake really loves animals and he was devastated by appa’s kidnapping; he hugged our dog for about ten minutes after aang found appa. after he decided I was zuko, he speculated that he is closest to aang but he’s not happy about it lol. “ugh, aang and I are such boring pacifists” was I believe his take on the subject

@libbynico, who for some reason I can’t tag: so true! katara was literally something like a mother/older sister figure to aang the entire time, but whatever

yeah, I think it really sucks that katara, as the emotionally nurturing character, felt shoved into the role of love interest. it’s everything wrong with the distribution of emotional labor in male-female relationships but sure, WHATEVER, apparently nobody thought to ask me in 2008

@touslesnoms: I liked “such selfish prayers” by andromeda3116 if you ever decide to read zutara after the series; the worst prisoner by emletish is super funny too

thanks for the recs! I will take them. I do want something very specific so I will be accepting recs until I find it lol. or until I lose composure and write it (yeah this is me WITH my composure, no wonder mr blake thinks I’m zuko, “I’m never happy” indeed)

@gaeleria: THANK YOU!!! Ugh omg that “I’m confused” kiss scene made me actively hate the ending. I knew ahead of time they were endgame, so I tried to make myself accept it early on. Like, I really didn’t like the pairing, but I wasn’t going to be emotionally invested in the romance and it was just going to be like, whatevs. AND THEN THEY WROTE THAT SCENE??! 1000% no. What was even the point of that scene? If they had written it to make Aang have some introspection and realize it’s not all about him, Katara’s feelings matter too, or even apologize, or anything… but no, there was literally no point to that scene. No character growth, it was never mentioned again. Ugh.

this is in answer to both you and beloved @zabbini: yeah this was a fuck-up for sure lol. I think it may come down to editing for time; the series is very irregularly paced, what with the majority of the action taking place in the final three episodes of a 16 episode season. or maybe it’s just because MEN CAN’T BE TRUSTED TO WRITE ROMANCE but either way yeah this was a real misstep and just truly, truly reeked of a particular (white) male attitude about how women think and what they owe. had a bad day, dudes? buy a gun, kiss your forever girl, do whatever you want and it’s fine! (I’m exaggerating but barely)

in terms of what’s so angering for me: a character like katara who previously had tons of agency was robbed of it when it came to her romantic arc, which is just really upsetting. and to be fair, I was equally upset when zuko instantly agreed to the agni kai with azula because it was like okay well katara’s extremely valuable, as you know, but now you want her to just sit on the sidelines...? (more of a story flaw than a relationship flaw, but my chest sunk a little at the idea that katara was going to sit by and watch as an accessory to zuko’s story when she’s a crucial weapon in their collective fight. what a waste, right?) 

it’s also especially hard to buy into the aang thing when zuko’s method of problem-solving on katara’s behalf is there for comparison. he asks her what she needs in order to find closure and then from there, does everything necessary to get it without having to be asked twice. versus aang, who is a twelve-year-old pair of rogue lips who never wins any of his fights without the aid of phenomenal cosmic powers...? ugh I’m getting off track but in the end there’s just a complete lack of understanding what female audiences want, though again, I don’t think they were really considering that at all. which I guess is... fair, it’s not the point of the show, but then why make the ending romantic at all? to show that their brand of hero gets everything he wants, I guess

in conclusion in 2008 I’m not sure the industry was capable of doing better, which sucks but isn’t surprising. still, it does fit the components of “stuff I write fics for,” which is I enjoyed most of it but find myself enraged by slivers I compulsively need to fix—WHICH IS STILL NOT A PROMISE but ugh I can already feel myself giving in 

[bywordofaphrodite]

Book Reviews 7&8: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen & Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery

This review’s theme is female-led romantic classics ! Audience age: roughly age 10+

This review is about two of my all-time favourite female-led classics! Pride and Prejudice is one of the only classics I can truthfully say I enjoy, sorry to lovers of classics I just cannot bring myself to love many of them. Elizabeth Bennet is a timeless heroine, and her story is an easy, comfortable read. Anne of Green Gables, likewise, echoes the same sentiments, albeit with considerably more hijinks added into the mix- and with the heroines’ age gaps and very different circumstances, this is to be expected!

Nostalgic review

Rating: ★★★★★

These novels are, if I didn’t already make clear, comfort stories in the best sense of the word. It’s been several years since I last read either of them in full, but there is a special ease about them at all times; even in the midst of disaster, you know there is hope just around the corner.

In the case of Pride and Prejudice, I’ll admit that as much as I love Lizzy, it is the entirety of the story that draws me in more than just her character. I love the general vibe of the novel, the drama and gossip in the town and all the fuss that comes about with each new ball the Bennet sisters must attend for social reasons. The surprising scandals are all very alluring, and really, Jane Austen’s stories walked so Gossip Girl could run!

On the flip side, Anne as a character- she is one of my absolute most favourite characters ever written. I’m no orphan and I’ve never had to struggle in the way she did, but I grew up the odd one out in a small town, with a hot temper and a huge imagination that always managed to get me into trouble. Everything about Anne is relatable to me- right down to the infamous scene where she attempts to dye the red hair she hates and it goes green instead (I tried to bleach mine and it went orange, so I didn’t fare much better).

While it has been a long time since I last read these books, I am expecting more positive surprises than negative ones, now that I’m older with a bit more perspective!

Pride and Prejudice Review

Post-read: ★★★★★

Synopsis: Elizabeth Bennet, the second daughter of a middle-class family desperate to marry off their five daughters, navigates her way through matters of marriage, estate, love and temperament in an attempt to make a match that ensures her own happiness in a time where love was not always a priority.

Set in Regency England, the middle-class family the Bennets begin to fear their ruin as Mr Bennet grows older. See, Mr Bennet’s estate and fortune detailed in his will can only go to a male heir upon his death, thus ruling out his five daughters without their marriages taking place. As luck would have it, two eligible rich men arrive in town, and Mrs Bennet becomes obsessed with setting up her daughters with them. Amidst numerous balls and trips to the rich families’ residence of Netherfield, Jane Bennet catches the eye of sweet Charles Bingley, while Elizabeth begins a cold war with Bingley’s best friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, after he slights her upon their first meeting, to Mrs Bennet’s fury.

Over time, Mr Darcy becomes increasingly attracted to intelligent and witty Elizabeth, but so do other, less appealing characters to the likes of Elizabeth’s pretentious and stupid cousin, the clergyman Mr Collins, and the handsome militia officer Wickham, who tells Elizabeth that he has lost his fortune because Darcy stole it from him. When Elizabeth’s fifteen year-old sister runs away with Wickham in the middle of the night, Elizabeth is forced to hear our Mr Darcy’s side of the story and put aside her prejudice toward him. He, in turn, overcomes his pride, and by the end of the novel the two are able to freely admit their love without pride or prejudice standing in the way.

For such an old book, it really does stand the test of time. The lessons Austen teaches in this story are forever applicable to relationships in any timeline, though we have to make do without the fancy dresses and balls (and the gender norms and sexism, so it’s still a win for us, I suppose). I enjoy her writing and love how humorous it is; Austen perfected the art of polite mockery. Elizabeth is a good role model, and her character development over the course of the novel is wonderful.

Characters who aged well: first and foremost, Elizabeth Bennet of course. She’s headstrong and real, and satisfyingly selfish when necessary (nobody should be selfless when presented with a proposal from Mr Collins, and I will not hear otherwise). Mr Darcy remains an eternal heartthrob- I do sometimes wonder how someone less determined to see the bad side in Darcy would have viewed him from the get-go (my guess that had Jane been the perspective offered, Darcy might have been cut a bit of slack earlier. But where would be the fun in that?). I won’t comment on all the characters, but I will mention that I appreciated Jane much more as an adult. As often happened with sweeter female characters, internalised misogyny used to get the best of me on occasion and I would resent them for being ‘boring’. Now I just think she’s lovely.

For a villain, Mr Wickham aged so well. I once saw a Tumblr post declaring him the 1800s equivalent of a modern-day fuckboy and it’s stuck in my mind ever since because yes, that’s exactly what he is.

Characters who aged badly: Everybody hates Mr Collins, but I don’t know if I’m entirely correct in listing him here, given he wasn’t well liked back in 1813 either. As an antagonist, he technically aged well, but I’m going to keep him here anyway because I felt like ranting about him. The same goes for nauseating Mrs Bennet and Mary… they aged as intended, but I will remain frustrated with them anyway.

Favourite scene/quote: ‘An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr Collins… And I will never see you again if you do.’

This line never fails to make me laugh, whether on paper or onscreen. He does delight in vexing his over-excitable and irritating wife, and in this case it was all the more pleasing: he saw his wife trying to force his favourite daughter into marrying perhaps his least favourite person on the planet and supported Elizabeth’s decision to reject the man wholeheartedly, as well as reinforces the bond between father and daughter in a humorous way.

Scenes I particularly enjoyed are the ones surrounding Wickham’s secrets and shocking fake elopement with Lydia, partially because Lizzy and Darcy become close, but mostly because all the detective work unravelling the drama is so entertaining. It’s pleasing to see Darcy come out the undisputed hero after all Wickham’s deceit and attempts to ruin many girls’ reputations in attempts to get their fortunes.

Anne of Green Gables Review

Post-read: ★★★★★

Synopsis: red-headed orphan Anne Shirley is adopted by unmarried siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert by accident. After a trial period, they agree to keep Anne, and the misunderstanding brings the greatest joy to their small farmhouse in the town of Avonlea.

This book! Everything about it!

As I anticipated, time did not change any of my love nor expectations for this book, but rather made me fall in love with it all over again.

Starting at the beginning, Anne’s introduction to the Cuthberts starts off with her first asking him to call her by a name she chose herself, and then settling with keeping her own name as long as they remember to spell it with an ‘e’. This alone is already something I relate strongly to- I can’t bear when people forget the second ‘e’ in my name… it looks so empty.

Moving on from the names!

Anne is enrolled in school, a place she is successful in due to her intelligence, yet many adults in the town, including her teacher, refuse to treat her very well. Anne’s temper gets her into trouble of numerous occasions with adults and classmates alike, the most memorable instance being when the handsome popular boy Gilbert Blythe calls her ‘carrots’ and tugs her plaits to get Anne to notice him- and she does, but likely not in the way he hoped: she smashes her writing slate over his head. Utterly iconic move.

The friendship between Anne and her neighbour Diana is a high point of the book, too. Anne is always on the lookout for ‘kindred spirits’ or ‘bosom friends’, terms she applies not only to Diana, but also to Matthew and her second teacher, the amazing Miss Stacy who represents that one literature teacher every writer child connects with.

Navigating dozens of scrapes and accidents, Anne manages to graduate school and attend an academy where- with Miss Stacy’s encouragement- she obtains her teaching license in one year instead of two, and ties first place with Gilbert Blythe, whom she has ignored to the best of her ability since the ‘carrots’ incident, though he has tried many times to obtain her forgiveness. Toward the end of the novel, Matthew has a heart attack that shatters both Anne and Marilla, and she gives up the scholarship she won in favour of teaching close to home in order to stop Green Gables from being sold. Gilbert Blythe passes on his teaching position at Avonlea school to Anne so she won’t have to struggle, and Anne finally accepts that she has lot more love for Gilbert than anything else.

Though they do not get together in this book, the following sequels end with their marriage, and their developing romance is a special part of this first novel too.

Characters who aged well: Anne Shirley, best girl! I think I’ve already listed enough examples to showcase what I think of her, but I also think she has aged very well as an interesting character and feminist role model, all the way back in 1908. Gilbert, too, is a wonderful example of how a man should be, and his character growth is every bit as good as Anne’s. The supporting characters are wonderful too.

Characters who aged badly: Mr Phillips, Anne’s first teacher who treated her terribly and tried to marry a student in the same classroom. Predator teachers exist now too, of course, but this man simply did not cop the jail time he deserved (yes, times were different then, I don’t care).

Favourite scene/quote: ‘I’m not a bit changed- not really. I’m only just pruned down and branched out. The real ME- back here—is just the same.’

This is the essence of Anne’s story, and I like to think for many people. Most people like to think they’ve changed while growing up, but the truth is that most people remain the same, they just grow into their ideas and find new dreams to follow; change doesn’t have to signify loss, just growth.

There are many great scenes in Anne of Green Gables, and narrowing down favourites is quite hard. As a romantic, I loved any scene with Gilbert, even though Anne herself was desperately trying to ignore him. All of Anne’s scrapes are hilarious, too, but if I had to choose, it’s when Matthew picks Anne up from the station the day they meet, and the quiet man- whose only interactions are with his sister- immediately takes a liking to the poor orphan girl no other adult has ever been kind to. Their ride home together signifies a beautiful change in both their lives, and their instant bond is heart-warming.

Overall verdict: I’ve read both of these novels more times than I care to count, so there was never really any strong doubt that I wouldn’t continue to love them a fair amount. It may seem a ridiculous thing to say that I still find them both to be well-written, but as someone who finds many ‘classics’ incredibly boring and too wordy to properly enjoy (looking at Charles Dickens, by the way), I’m making a note of my contentment with Austen and Montgomery’s writing styles. I do generally prefer female authors in the first place (and not just because most men can’t seem to write good female characters to save their lives) so I’m not entirely surprised by this, though I think it necessary to mention after my shock over the stunted sentences in Enid Blyton’s works and Nancy Drew and the Mystery at Lilac Inn.

While rereading these books I also felt compelled to re-watch the televised versions and show them to my younger sister too (she loves them!). I do have personal favourite versions, and this is due not only to the actors in the cast, but to which I deem the most accurate and faithful in comparison to the original written source material. For Pride and Prejudice, contrary to the popular version amongst most people who reference it, my favourite is not the Kiera Knightley movie. I greatly prefer the BBC show, finding the casting, setting and costuming far more accurately detailed. I don’t hate the movie, just to be clear! But if you want accuracy watch the television show, especially because the episodes had a chance to explore more of the script than the movie did, so there was no need to cut things out or rush certain developments.

As for Anne of Green Gables, there are a few different movies and series. My forever-favourite is the Megan Follows and Jonathon Crombie led film series, with the first movie released in 1985. The casting was perfect, I adored the settings and costuming, and Megan as Anne captured everything about the character in the most perfect way imaginable. As for the newer Netflix series Anne with an E, I have only seen a few episodes but I think that was really well done too; the casting of the leads was also very faithful to Montgomery’s novels. It’s a shame that Netflix chose to cancel a show that so many young people really enjoyed, but I hope maybe some of them will watch the movies or pick up the books!

The true importance of these books for me as a child was my connection to the characters, which hasn’t changed at all. Though I do identify in part with Elizabeth, it is Anne who is so much like me, and while I haven’t reviewed past the first book here, I can confirm that my personality has evolved in the same way hers does in the sequels. Something interesting I noticed when mentioning either of these series to people unfamiliar with them is that they are surprised I like these books. The reason? Owing to how old the novels are, people expect the characters to be boring and grounded in sexist tropes. While I cannot deny there are plenty of books out there that are full of these issues, the characters of Elizabeth and Anne are very much feminist in the best way possible. They fight against the expectations for their gender and forge their own paths. Their relationships with the male leads take a long time to develop- Anne and Gilbert do not get together until proper adulthood- because they want everything to be done on their terms, within their own certainty. Neither lead suffers from ‘not like other girls’ syndrome, both cherishing their friendships with the women around them, and Anne especially is a celebration of the best parts of femininity.

Ultimately I find both Pride and Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables to be comfort novels. There is conflict and angst, humour and love, and the reassuring knowledge that by the end of it everyone will get their happy ending.

[ba-responds]

Imagine: Being Garrett Douglas’ True Mate (Part Two)**

Garrett Douglas x Reader

A/n: This is the never-before-seen, second and final part of this story! Don’t get too used to stuff like this, because Older/Younger smut/relationships make me slightly uncomfortable now, but I like how this turned out! 

 **Warning(s): Smut, Sex, DUBCON*, Alpha Kink, Older/Younger, Teacher/student

       -Dubcon: consent is unknown or uncertain, and this is distinguished from consent being definitely absent, as in non-con. Often, a character involved is uncertain about whether he or she wants to participate.

Word Count: 5.5K

Masterlist

Part One

“(Y/n),” A voice called, but it was muffled as if it was coming from a different room. Your eyes felt heavy, your entire body aching; A high pitch ringing sounded loudly in your ears, making your head pound. Your back was against something hard and cold, making goosebumps rise on your skin. 

“(Y/n)!” The voice yelled louder. You groaned, your mind still foggy. Trying to open your eyes, you tried to force your body into a sitting position despite the ache. You desperately wanted to just go back to sleep, your body telling you to rest, but you knew you shouldn't.

“(Y/n)!” The voice yelled in your face, grabbing you by your shoulders to shake you. You gasped at the pain in your shoulder, your eyes shooting open as you instinctively shoved the person on you, back. You winced as you gripped your shoulder as you sat up, the muscle tense and bundled. Your eyes shot to the person who awoke you, spotting a brown haired male a few feet away from you, his eyes wide as he stared at you in surprise. 

Scrambling back, your mind raced with a sudden rush of what felt like lost memories. You could see him and Scott sitting next to each other in your class you had with Mr. Harris sophomore year; you could see him climbing through your window at night when you were bored and wanted company; Him clumsily racing after you after you'd pull some stupid prank on him; You grinning wide when he would look so happy with Malia; Every time he saved the day when something supernatural natural happen, that no one else was able to crack the code on. The owner of one of the matching bracelets you had on your wrist. You now remembered making both of the bracelets when you were young; you originally made three, but instead turned one into a necklace for Scott, per his request. All of these memories hit you so hard you almost felt like passing out.

“S-Stiles?” You stuttered out, making a wide grin spread across his face as he ran up to you, tackling you in a hug. Tears slipped down your face as you hugged the person you considered to be your brother. You sobbed as you clung onto him, finally relieved that the tugging feeling of forgetting something you had felt in your mind for the last few weeks, was gone. 

“What happened to you?” Stiles muttered as he held you at arm's length, staring down at your body in concern. Your eyes followed his gaze, looking down at the blood soaked men’s button up shirt you had on, most of the bloodstain concentrating at your shoulder, before spreading everywhere else on the shirt. You gasped as your hand instinctively shot to your shoulder, were a deep pain still resided.

“H-he… he bit me…” you panted out as you yanked at the sleeve of the shirt, exposing your shoulder, mentally preparing yourself to see a gruesome wound. Your head felt light as you realized that the wound was fully healed, but it had scared over, in the perfect mold of teeth marks. 

“Who!?” Stiles yelped as he grabbed your arm, inspecting the scar worriedly. Your hands shook as you looked up at him with tearful eyes. Your breathing came out rigid as black spots formed in your line of vision. Stiles quickly held onto your shoulders as you tilted, almost falling back. You blinked a couple of times, forcing the black spots away, but still feeling light headed and queasy. As if on cue, the room seemed to grow hot again, as if you had the flu.

“M-Mr. Douglas… my mate…” you whimpered out as a pain shot through your heart at the thought of his betrayal. “He's controlling the ghost riders…”

“Who the hell is Mr. Douglas? What do you mean he's your mate?” Stiles questioned, but before you could answer, a loud voice started talking over an intercom. It was at this point you looked around, taking in your surroundings. You were in a very dimly lit, monochrome train station. People sat on the benches, looking straight ahead, as if they weren't even real at all. A shiver ran down your spine at their blank faces, spotting many people you now recognized. The sound of thundering gallops of horses made your eyes snap to the train entrance, gulping as Stiles took you protectively into his arms, making you lean into his chest, your legs still splayed out in front of you as you sat on the cold floor. Sweat dropped down your face as you sucked in a deep breath. You felt like you were burning internally, yet freezing at the same time. Your eyes fluttered closed as blackness momentarily took you over. 

“(Y/n),” Stiles muttered into your ear as he gently shook you, trying to keep you awake. You tried to force your eyes open, but they continued to close after every couple of seconds.

You could see glimpses of what was happening, even though everything seemed blurred, and in slow motion, your hearing fading into a ringing. A blurry figure walked up to you and Stiles. You could feel Stiles hold you harder as the tall figure came closer, but his touch seemed to make your skin tingle, as if you were slowly losing your sense of touch. Next, you felt your body get tugged forward harshly by warm, rough hands, as another pair of hands desperately tried to grip your waist, their fingers digging into your skin in an attempt to get a better grip. The second pair of hands clawed at anything they could get a hold of, trying desperately to get you back into their grip; but it felt like they were yanked away, their hands suddenly ripped away from your body. You felt your feet bang against the floor at the loss of touch, as you were turned and dragged backwards by your upper arms, your head hanging down. Your eyes fluttered open again, raising your head some to spot Stiles being held back by a group of ghost riders, his mouth open as it seemed like he was trying to yell out to you, his arms outstretched in your direction.

“S-Stiles!” You tried to call out, but it came out more of a quiet whisper, before everything went black.

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

You panted heavily as you leaned against the cold wall of the hospital room, the lights flickering on and off, the room bare of everything else except for the hospital bed, and a few medical supplies on the counter in the far left. Your hands shook as you rocked back in forth with your knees pressed against your chest, sitting on the cold floor. Your mind was so jumbled, you couldn't remember how long you've been in the same place. All you did know was something wasn't right. 

You had woken up in this hospital room, the door locked, the lights dim. At first you screamed until your throat ached, before finally realizing that no one was around. Everything was eerily quiet, the room freezing, and dark. That's when you realized that it wasn't the room freezing, but instead you seemed to be going through hot flashes, one second you were cold, the next you were burning hot. 

“Was everyone taken? Why am I here?” You thought to yourself as you began feeling hot again, but your shivering didn't cease. Your body still ached, and your stomach twisted and turned every few seconds, making you feel queasy. 

The loud sound of pounding footsteps made its way to your ears, making you pause for a second as you contemplated whether you should rush to the door and beg for help, or if you should try to hide. Deciding that the second one was the best option, you slowly shuffled over to the hospital bed, attempting to hide your body behind it the best that you could. The footsteps continued for a few moments, before stopping at what you assumed was the door to your room. 

Your heart pounded harshly in your chest as you clenched your eyes closed, your teeth still chattering despite your body feeling as though it was on fire. The lock on the door softly clicked, you held your breath as you peered through the framework of the hospital bed at the door. The door slowly creaked open, and a deep voice humming softly drifted to your ears. Your heart seemed to do a flip as Garrett Douglas entered the room, his eyes scanning the room, as he took a deep breath, smelling your scent. His scent suddenly assaulted your nose, making you dizzy, as something in your mind seemed to strain.

 This tugging feeling almost made you jump out of your hiding spot, and run into his arms. It was like your body desperately wanted him, but your mind forced you back, knowing that he was dangerous. Garrett’s smirk grew as he fully stepped into the room, his eyes lazily gliding over to your hiding spot as he made eye contact with you from through the bars on the underside of the bed. Your breath caught in your throat as his eyes flashed green, before he stalked forward, taking large strides until he was on the other side of the bed.

“Are you going to continue hiding, mate?” He chuckled out, crossing his arms over his chest as he peered at you from over the bed, the smirk never leaving his face. Using the bed as leverage, you forced yourself up, glaring at him as your hand unconsciously rose to your now scarred shoulder. His eyes trailed down to said shoulder, as his smirk turned into a grin.

“It scarred over, didn't it?” He asked smugly, making you growl lowly at him, not responding. He suddenly reached over the bed, grabbing you by the arms, and shoving you towards him so you stumbled onto the bed face first. You let out a gasp as you struggled to get up, flipping onto your back, but he held you down easily, climbing over top of you. He caught both of your flailing hands, holding them over your head with one hand, as the other trailed down the wrongly buttoned buttons of your his shirt. Your legs were trapped under his painfully, so every time you tried to force your legs away, his knees would dig into your thighs. His fingers trailed down your covered chest, down the gap between your breast, as he quietly noted how during your rush to get dressed earlier, you forgot to put back on a bra.

“You weren't good for Alpha were you? All cuddled up to that boy back in the train station,” he muttered as you forced yourself to struggle against him, although you were honestly getting aroused by his behavior. You cursed to yourself, repeatedly telling yourself that you only felt this way because he was your mate. “Am I going to have to punish you?”

“Get the hell off of me,” you hissed at him, opening your mouth to let out a string of curse words, but you were stopped by his lips attaching onto yours. A low groan left his mouth as he forced his way into your mouth, his tongue roaming freely. You felt his legs slide off yours as he settled in between them, his growing hard-on rubbing against you. 

“A-Alpha….” you muttered out as he trailed kisses down your neck, not knowing why you pleased him by calling him that, but it slipped out of your mouth so smoothly, it had his chest rumbling with a content purr. Your back arched as he trailed one hand down your side, catching some of your exposed skin, his cool fingers contrasting greatly with your hot skin. A strangled moan left your lips as he kissed lower on your collarbone, stopping at the first button on the shirt. His hand finally released yours as he used both of his to slowly unbutton the shirt, staring up at you with glowing green eyes. 

Once the shirt was completely unbuttoned, leaving your chest open and bare, his tongue trailed down the valley between your breast, before swirling around and lightly flicking one of your nipples. You bit your tongue to keep in a moan, your hands finding his shoulders and you started to push him away. His teeth clamped down hard on your nipple, making you yelp.

“Be good for Alpha,” he warned strictly as he looked up at you with a raised eyebrow. You immediately nodded, releasing his shoulders, as you dragged your fingers through his hair, making it stick up. His lips returned to your bud, sucking it gently before his tongue drifted downwards, his hands sensually undoing your pants, as he stared up at you without breaking eye contact. As he moved himself further down, he dragged your pants off as well, one hand wrapping around your lower waist to help you lift up so getting your pants off would be easier. After they were off, he took a hold of your ankles, making you bend and open your legs as he settled in between them once again, his breath fanning against your inner thigh. 

His smirk grew as he stared up at you, watching as you bit your lip and let out a deep breath. He pursed his lips, blowing cold air onto your core, making you gasp and squirm. Garrett held down your hips, chuckling deeply as your hips bucked up when you finally stopped resisting, instead letting this, almost animalistic urge take control.

“That's it mate, that's what I like,” he groaned out as your hands buried in his hair, a whimper leaving your mouth as he moved closer to your core. His tongue flicked your clit, sending a shiver of pleasure up your spine, your hips jolting in surprise. His tongue delicately licked your folds, before he buried his face into your core, his tongue sliding into you. You let out a loud moan, tossing your head back in ecstasy, your mouth hanging open. His tongue swirled intricate patterns as your mouth gaped open, your eyes drifting down to him, where he was staring back up at you, his eyes still glowing green. 

Upon making eye contact, he let his mouth move away from your core, sliding his body up yours as he made his way to your lips, pulling you in for a heated kiss. Tugging at his shirt, you pushed it up, telling him you wanted him to take it off. He complied, sitting up to take off his shirt, and shimming out of his jeans too. 

While he was busy doing that, you closed your eyes, realizing that you were cold again, but your body had stopped shivering and aching. You raised a hand to wipe your face, shaking your head.

“Why can't I resist him?” You thought, trying to take control of the urges, but you couldn't. Especially when Garrett leaned back down, trailing sloppy kisses up your neck.

“You're such a good girl, (Y/n). The perfect little mate,” he muttered between kisses, making a knot form in your stomach, and your heart fluttered. His fingers trailed down your leg, caressing your inner thigh on the way, before his fingers gently skimmed over your opening, collecting your juices with his fingertip before plunging into you. A shudder went down your spine as you let out a shaky moan, pulling his face down to yours, crashing your lips together. A second finger buried into you, making you whimper into the kiss. His fingers moved achingly slow, curling slightly before pulling back. 

Growling as you became impatient with his teasing, you quickly flipped the two of you over, so you were now on top, straddling his thighs. Leaning down to place a sloppy kiss on his lips, you rolled your hips, feeling his erection grind against your stomach. Garrett’s hand found the back of your neck, holding you in place while he dominated the kiss. Your hand trailed down his chest, past his stomach, and wrapping around his thick cock. Slowly pumping it, you let your thumb glide over the tip, spreading the dribbles of pre-cum over the head. Placing one hand flat on his chest, you rose up some, holding him down with one hand, while the other lined his length at your entrance. Glancing down as the tip pressed against your opening, you let your eyes glide up to lock gazes with Garrett, keeping eye contact as you lowered down on him.

Your mouth dropped open once again, as he slid into you, a look of bliss crossing Garrett’s features. You lowered even further down on him, before bouncing back up, finding a good rhythm. Your hands laid palm down on his chest, keeping you up right as you rolled your hips, feeling his cock bury deeper in you. You were honestly surprised he let you take control, seeing as he seemed to love showing his dominance over you. His hips thrust up into yours, one hand on your waist, the other had a hold on one of your breasts, squeezing it lightly as he rolled your nipple in between two of his fingers.

“Alpha, I'm gonna…” you moaned, out, your head lulling back as your stomach began to tighten, your legs quivering as you bounced up and down faster, the sound of skin slapping against skin filling the room. He suddenly sat up, pulling you into his arms and his hands moving you, helping you keep up your pace. You felt yourself clench around him, as you pulled him in for a kiss. Your fingers tangled in his hair, as you tilted your head up, closing your eyes as he sucked another bruise into your neck. Your breathing became heavier as you felt your orgasm come near, riding him harder than before to make sure it hit you hard. 

Garrett groaned into your neck, trailing kisses down to your shoulder, where he placed a light kiss on his bite mark. You gasped as your orgasm hit you, your nails digging into his shoulder as your eyes shot open, a loud moan leaving your mouth. He grunted as you held him close, your breast pressing against his upper chest. He panted into your neck, before he let out a long groan as he came inside you. You continued to ride him, enjoying every bit of your orgasm.

 When you finally started to come down from you high, you rolled your head around, earning a nice crack. You looked down at Garrett, a small content smile on your lips as he looked up at you, his eyes still glowing green. Just as you were about to look away, you saw a flash of color in the reflection of his eyes. Looking closer, you gasped and shot back, falling off of the bed. Hissing as you slammed into the floor, you hopped up, running over to the medical supplies that were on the counter. Quickly shuffling through everything, you finally grabbed a hold of a glass jar containing cotton balls. Using the reflective surface of the jar’s lid, you saw the slightly distorted image of your face. Bright yellow eyes staring back at you.

Screaming, you dropped the jar, sending shards of glass everywhere. You scrambled back, staring at the broken glass in shock, not believing what you just saw. Your eyes snapped to Garrett accusingly, who laid on the hospital bed spread out, a content look on his face with his eyes closed.

“What did you do to me!” You roared, stalking towards him. He lazily opened one eye, glancing over to you, before he sat up.

“I think it's pretty clear. You're a löwenmensch; a half lion, half werewolf hybrid. Like me,” he said with a shrug, standing up off the bed, and stretching. Your knees went weak as you stumbled back, your mind racing. You brought your shaky hands in front of you, looking down at them. Instantly your nails grew into claws, as if they knew what you wanted them to do. Your vision blurred some as you forced yourself to not pass out, your hands dropping down to your sides. Your body once again felt cold as you stared straight ahead, your mind racing; thinking of so many things, but nothing at the same time. 

As if on cue, loud thumping sounds could be heard from somewhere down the hall, as if someone was knocking things around. Despite this, you didn't feel curious, you felt completely void of any emotions. Garrett grunted as he stood straight, wearing his clothes again. He stalked towards the door, stepping past you before glancing over his shoulder towards you.

“Stay here, mate,” he demanded, before turning away and walking out of the door, the door locking behind him. You continued to stare at the wall, your knees pulled up to your chest, your body bare and shivering. No matter how hard you tried, you couldn't focus on one thing, it was like every time you found something to focus on, something better; more interesting; more attention-grabbing; seemed to zoom past, drawing your attention, only for both thoughts to go away, leaving you with nothing. 

The room seemed too quiet, so quiet there wasn't even a ringing in your ears that should replace the silence. The ground vibrated, as if someone was stomping nearby, but you couldn't hear it. Time seemed almost nonexistent to you, you could have sat there for 5 minutes, or 2 days for all you knew. 

It wasn't until the door burst open again, that made you realize that time was in fact moving accordingly. Your world was still silent as a pair of hands grabbed at your body, before something warm was draped over your shoulders. The hands shook your shoulders, but your body refused to let you react. It wasn't until one of those hands grabbed your jaw and forced your head in their direction, that you realized who it was.

Stiles, Scott, and Liam all stood by you, their worried gazes fixed on your still shivering body. Stiles was knelt down to your size, one of his hands holding your jaw, the other resting on your shoulder comfortingly. His mouth moved as if he was saying something, but you couldn't hear him.   

Forcing yourself to focus on him, you slowly started to regain your hearing. At first it was a high pitched ringing, then his muffled voice, until it was clear; but it didn't stop there. Your hearing got better and better, until you could hear his heart pounding in his chest. Closing your eyes, you took a deep breath, your senses being overloaded with different things, but you forced all of that back. Taking in a deep breath, you opened your mouth to speak.

“You're all okay…” you muttered, your throat feeling dry and sore. A relieved look washed over the boys’ faces, as Stiles helped you up. Your legs shook slightly, but not enough to keep you from standing, relying heavily on Stiles. Liam quickly rushed around the room, gathering your clothes, muttering briefly about the still blood stained shirt, before handing them to you. With a small smile, you took them, carefully stepping away from Stiles to put them on as the boys turned away. Once dressed, you stood straight, keeping on a strong face as you kept steady, but really your body ached so bad you could cry.

“(Y/n)...” Scott muttered after sniffing the air, turning towards you with a shocked expression. “No…”

You nodded, knowing he knew that you were no longer human. Stiles and Liam looked between the two of you confused, making you shift your gaze down to the floor. You took a deep breath, closing your eyes as you made your vision change, and your claws grow. Letting the deep breath out, you looked up to the two confused boys, making them gasp in surprise.

“I was bit by Garrett, better known as Mr. Douglas,” you sighed, avoiding any eye contact with the boys. “He’s my mate…”

Scott growled and punched the wall closest to him, before turning back towards you, his eyes blazing red with anger. He watched as your lip trembled slightly, as you tried your best to not cry. He stepped forward, pulling you into his arms, his eyes watering as he did so.

“It's gonna be okay….” he croaked so quietly you barely heard him, but you understood what he meant. 

“I'm dying Scott, listen...” you muttered into his chest, making sure only he could hear. He stiffened, listening to your heartbeat, which was irregular, speeding up at random intervals as your body attempted to fight off the bite, which was causing your body to shut itself down. You knew you didn't have long, you could practically feel it in your bones. 

“Don't tell them,” you whispered, pulling away from Scott, who looked at you shocked, conflict rising in his eyes. He hesitantly nodded, before turning his back towards you, motioning for you to climb on his back so he could carry you to wherever they planned on going next. As you climbed on, you locked eyes with a worried Stiles, giving him a weak smile, before burying your face into Scott's neck, trying to control your breathing. Your head shot up again as you remembered something, pulling the extra bracelet from your wrist, tossing it to Stiles.

“I think this is yours,” you mumbled with a smile, as he stared wide-eyed at the woven bracelet. He immediately put it on, giving you a wide grin as you both held out your wrist, showing each other the matching bracelets, while Scott pulled his matching necklace from under his shirt. The three of you smiling at each other, knowing y'all were back together again.

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

You stood with your head held high, your body no longer aching as your body put up a last wave of adrenaline, attempting to save you from your untimely demise. Your fists were clenched as you heard Scott talk to Garrett, your so-called mate. Your teeth clenched, as you dug your boots into the dirt of the forest floor, your eyes glowing yellow as you looked around the dark forest, making sure no ghost riders were hiding further away in the shadows. You were pulled back into reality when Theo, who was standing next to you, stepped out from behind the tree you hid behind.

“He’s not alone. He has a pack,” Theo said loudly, catching the attention of the ghost riders and Garrett who were surrounding Scott.

“And Theo isn't a part of it. But I am,” Malia growled out, stepping past Theo. You took a deep breath, before stepping out, eyes blazing with hatred.

“So am I,” you hissed, watching as Garrett's eyes widened, before narrowing into a glare, as he growled lowly. Peter walked next to you, a smirk on his face as he made his presence known.

“I'm not, but nobody likes a nazi,” Peter damn near chuckled, but Garrett's eyes didn't move from you. Garrett's fist clenched as you glared at him, baring your teeth at him as a threat.

“(Y/n), get over here,” he growled, taking a step forward, only for his path to be blocked by Scott. Immediately, Garrett lashed at Scott with his claws, which in return made your pack start to attack the ghost riders. You let out a loud battle cry as you charged at a group of ghost riders, your claws slashing anything they could reach. You easily dodged the bullets the ghost riders were shooting, flipping a couple of ghost riders over your shoulder. A ghost rider managed to sneak up behind you, slashing your side, which made you fall down to your knees, a loud whine of pain leaving your lips. One of your hands clamped down on the wound, feeling blood pour out and coat your fingers. 

 You felt the ground shake, causing you to look up to see the train coming. You opened your mouth to warn the others, but a ghost rider kicked you in the side, causing you to cry out in pain again. Thankfully, you looked up just in time for Malia to toss Scott one of the ghost rider’s whips. You smiled, letting out a bloody cough as Scott pulled the diverter. Watching as the train turned, and went a different direction. You stumbled onto your feet, leaning against Peter, who walked over to help you up. The both of you made your way to Scott, standing behind him as the ghost riders stalked past, walking away. Peter glanced down at you as Garret called for the ghost riders to come back.

“Why aren't you healing?” He muttered quietly, making you shake your head, not bothering to answer. As the ghost riders turned and walked back towards Garrett, you stiffened, with wide eyes, watching as Garrett turned back towards you.

“(Y/n), come to your true alpha,” he smirked, holding his hand out to you. You growled, baring your teeth at him, making his smirk fall slightly.

“Fuck you,” you hissed, standing straight, claws out, ready to continue fighting. The others stood guard too, waiting for the ghost riders to attack. Scott stood in front of you, semi blocking you from Garrett's smug gaze. Just as you were about to shove past Scott and lunge at Garrett, the ghost riders instead surrounded Garrett. You stepped back slightly, confused and shocked, as to what was happening. A shiver went down your spine as you watched in horror as Garrett transformed into one of them, feeling like something in your body snapped, making you fall to the floor, writhing in pain. Scott and the rest were immediately on you, panicking as they tried to figure out what to do.

“What's happening?!” Malia shouted, holding your head up as you coughed out blood.

“The bite is killing her. The only thing that was keeping her alive for this long, was being near her mate. Now that he's basically dead, her body has nothing to hold on to,” Peter muttered, staring out into the forest, as if it was too painful to watch you in this condition. Malia’s mouth dropped, as she turned her head to Scott.

“Scott!” She called hysterically as she cradled you in her arms, seeming as if she was begging him to say it wasn't true. Scott didn't meet her gaze, instead turned away with a sob, hands to his face. You grabbed Malia’s hand, stopping her from freaking out, as she looked down at you with tear filled eyes.

“It's okay…” you croaked out, turning your head to see that all of the ghost riders left, except one. The Garrett turned ghost rider stood, his head tilted down as if he was staring at you. Waiting. Taking a shaky breath, you pushed Malia away, stumbling onto your feet, falling down in front of the thing that was once your mate. Turning your head towards Scott, you took the bracelet off of your wrist with shaking fingers, before tossing it to him. He caught it with one hand, clenching it in his fist as tears continued to stream down his face.

 “Give it to Stiles. You would lose it if you kept it,” you said, as you took a few more painful breaths, feeling your body slowing down. You fell onto your back, taking one last staggering breath, as black started to cloud your vision, seeing a flash of green smoke, before everything went dark completely.

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

Stiles smiled to himself as he stood by his closed locker, glad that things were finally back to normal. He couldn't believe it, today was his last day of school. He had so much to look forward to. With that thought, he straightened up from leaning on the locker, his hands locking onto the straps of his backpack. A small tug on his wrist made him look down, sighing as he saw one of his bracelets had gotten caught on a piece of his backpack. He swiftly got it unstuck, before a weird feeling of forgetting something tugged at his brain. Thinking harder, he stared at the bracelet.

“Where did I get these from?” He thought, playing with both of the matching bracelets on his wrist. He didn't remember why he wore both, or why Scott wore a matching necklace. Scott couldn't answer the question either when he gave Stiles the second bracelet, he only said he had this feeling that he had to give it to Stiles. 

“Could we possibly have forgotten someone else…?” He thought for a second, before shaking his head. He was almost completely sure he remembered everything that happened with the ghost riders, as well did the rest of his pack. There couldn't have been someone they forgot, he was sure everyone in the train station had returned after the ghost riders left. A voice called out to him, making him snap back into reality.

“Stiles, come on!” Scott called, waving at the boy. Stiles smiled, fixing his backpack once again, and began walking towards Scott, leaving any thought of forgetting someone, behind.

*~*~*~*

[meganshinsou-tm]

Sugarcoated. (m)

↳ chapter nineteen: just a little bump

❧ genre: pro-hero hitoshi, adoptive siblings, happy ending

❧ chapter warnings: slight angst

[multi-chap masterlist] [previous chapter - next chapter]

"I can't believe we're doing this," Hitoshi groaned as he rubbed his eyes.

Eri stood before you, your hands on her shoulder as the three of you waited your turn behind the tent that the costume contest was being held at. In a matter of twenty minutes, the two of you were able to teach Hitoshi a very easy and simple dance. It wasn't like he needed easy though, Hitoshi was surprisingly a really good dancer once he found a rhythm. 

Smiling, your hand reached over to touch his cheek. Lavender eyes looked in your direction with a soft smile.

"It won't even last five minutes, it'll be over before you know it," you tried to reassure him, "plus, you seem to have quite the little fan-club among the older students, I'm sure they've only dreamed about something like this a million times."

Rolling his eyes, Hitoshi took your hand, "Don't remind me. I swear I won't live this down." He looked to Eri, a hand ruffling her hair. "You're both lucky I love you so damn much, first I have to wear these ears, now I have to practically do-wop in front of the whole teacher and student body of UA!"

Before you could reply, the pair that was performing and strutting around made their way back out. The host, All Might himself, soon announced the upcoming act.

"And lastly but definitely not least, our very own Hitoshi Shinsou will be accompanying two lovely ladies, Eri and (Y/N) in a brief dance to 'I Like It' by BTS."

The sound of hoops and hollers were heard as Eri excitedly drug the both of you out from behind the tent's divider and before the crowd that had formed.

Suddenly your face went completely red at the amount of people staring back, stomach starting to feel queasy. You went to turn around and run off but Hitoshi chuckled and quickly wrapped his arms around your waist, dragging you back to the front. 

The sweet and catchy music had already started to play, Eri immediately singing along and dancing. Some eyes focused on her and others focused on Hitoshi standing you back up straight to face them, giggles and laughs floating in the air at the comedic display of him setting your body up like some doll.

"Neon nami doego ohiryeo deo joha boyeo pretty woman," Hitoshi mouthed with the biggest grin as he stood beside you and started to slowly catch up with Eri, "Come on halfling, don't get shy on me now."

Chewing your bottom lip, your eyes stayed on him, body slowly moving as well. Soon all three of you were in sync, stepping and sliding. Fingers snapping and wiggling towards the crowd as your hips rocked along.

"Don't wanna be fool, wanna be cool, wanna be loved neowaui same love. Baby I want it," you sang along finally looking out as the short dance ended.

The onlookers cheered and clapped, causing you to blush like crazy. Hitoshi wrapped a hand around your head, pulling it close and kissing your temple. He grabbed Eri, picking her up with a grunt and holding her on his hip as she giggled. After taking a bow, All Might made his way to the front, clapping also.

"That cuteness was beyond plus ultra everyone, I think we have a winner!"

After the contest, Eri ran off with Toshinori to find other foods and games to occupy their time. The former #1 hero was almost like a grand-father to the little girl and it was truly adorable to see the two of them interact. Thus, it left you and Hitoshi alone at the candy apple booth. 

After the last apple was sold, Hitoshi sighed as he came up from behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist and hooking his chin over your shoulder.

"Can we close now and enjoy ourselves," he groaned.

"Of course, let's go find some real food, I'm hungry."

The hero chuckled and pressed a kiss to your neck, "You know, I hear bunnies like carrots, I happen to have a very rare one if you'd like to try it."

Your brow quirked and you smiled, "Mmm, that does sound good. You know what I really love about carrots," you replied with a hushed voice.

Hitoshi dragged his lips up your neck, his hold tightening as he hummed in response.

"I love how hard they are ... and the sound of them snapping in half when I sink my teeth into them like the rabid animal I am!"

A knee playfully kicked at your behind as Hitoshi nipped the shell of your ear in annoyance. "God, I love it when you talk deranged to me!"

The rest of the festival went along great. After an insane amount of teasing back and forth Hitoshi finally treated you to some food. Once the event ended, Shouto and Deku who had showed up an hour before, offered to keep Eri for the night since you and Hitoshi would be staying behind a bit longer to help clean and close everything up. The next two hours were exhausting, even with the help of every other teacher and faculty member, the process of making UA look completely devoid of any sort of festival felt like it would never end.

Hitoshi had taken off to go help finish taking down a few booths as you went and loaded all your items from home into the jeep. After doing so, you made your way back towards the grounds in search of your lover, body aching and ready to finally head home. It didn't take long to find Hitoshi, you could see his tall body and wild purple hair flowing in the cold wind as he walked your way. 

Smiling you looked to see that he wasn't alone, in fact a woman was walking with him, both of them in the middle of a conversation. Honestly you weren't bothered to see your boyfriend like this, had it not been for the hand that this woman so casually had hanging from his shoulder.

"I didn't know you had moves like that Hitoshi, I commend you," the woman replied with a smile.

Your face subtly cringed and you stopped in your tracks. Hitoshi shrugged, rubbing the side of his neck, "Well, when free ice cream and sweets are involved and your 6-year-old sister and girlfriend demand you dance - you dance."

"Well maybe that earned you brownie points in the bedroom huh," the woman teased, nudging Hitoshi's side with her elbow.

Your eyes narrowed at this, fists clenching at your sides 

Who does this broad thinks she is? 

To think she had the nerve to even casually tease about yours and Hitoshi's relationship, let alone your personal sex life didn't sit right with you. What also didn't sit right was how Hitoshi didn't seem bothered by this woman's response, in fact it got a chuckle out of him. 

As they neared, still unaware of your presence, you were able to look closer at the stranger. She had long dark hair, was a few inches taller than you, somewhat tanned skin and in other words, beautiful. Your anger turned to self-consciousness rather quickly, fists un-clenching and body hunching over.

"Hey sweetness, you okay," Hitoshi's voice asked suddenly next to you.

Looking up and being torn from thought your eyes blinked at him, standing before you, a hand holding your wrist and the other touching your cheek. A warmth came over you as his amethyst eyes searched yours with concern, it made you forget why you were suddenly down in the dumps as you nodded in reply, "Yeah – uh, I'm just super exhausted Toshi."

"Aww, now that's a cute name," said the unfamiliar females voice from behind Hitoshi.

Your eyes quickly shot in her direction, seeing a smile on her stunning features. Had you actually not been so physically and mentally exhausted from the past day of getting ready for the festival and the festival itself, you may have faked a smile or greeting, but it was damn near impossible to find that energy. 

Instead, you said nothing at all, only stared. 

The black-haired lady cleared her throat as Hitoshi moved next to you, placing his hand on the small of your back.

"I'm sorry, we have yet to meet, I'm Claire Amano, I teach English for the 2nd years," she responded and gave her hand.

Your brows rose and you slowly blinked, mustering up the force to grab her hand and shake it. "I'm (Y/N)."

Claire smiled with a nod, tilting her head, "It's nice to finally meet you (Y/N), I've heard so much about you, not only from Hitoshi but his students as well. It's like you're some kind of celebrity among them."

You only hummed in response with a half-ass toothless smile and heavy eyes. Hitoshi chuckled, placing his hand on the side of your head and pulling you closer to kiss your hair, his arms embracing you. 

"Well you aren't very talkative, you really must be running on fumes huh."

"Well, I won't keep you two any longer, I should be going as well. Thanks for the help Hitoshi, I'll see you Monday. Goodnight to you both," Claire cheerfully spoke with a wave and a nod to Hitoshi.

The hero bid her farewell in return and turned the two of you around, walking towards the vehicle. The walk was short but to Hitoshi it felt like it lasted hours, you didn't so much as speak a word or make a sound. Even your own arm didn't wrap around him and your face didn't snuggle into his side. Something was off and he could feel it, he could feel the difference in your mood, the way you walked and looked. 

Once at the jeep, Hitoshi opened your door and helped you hop up and into your seat. He wasn't sure what he was expecting next, but it wasn't that you'd just ignore him and go straight to buckling your belt without so much as a glance in his direction. A purple brow rose and he ran a hand through his hair, removing his faux cat ears while closing your door.

Hitoshi made it to the other side and into his own seat, turned on the vehicle and made sure the heater was turned up and the vents were blowing in your direction. He reached towards the backseat and grabbed a jacket, using it to cover and further warm you up. Your hands curled up into the garment and pulled it closer around your face and body as you slumped over onto the middle console with a deep sigh.

"Thank you."

The male looked in your direction while putting on his own seat-belt, "So you do still talk - in that case, wanna tell me what's up?"

Your head turned and craned to look up at him, your (e/c) eyes squinting and expression holding question, "What?"

"You've barely said a word since you met back up with me and Claire."

Your expression changed at that grouping of words, "me and Claire", just the recap of it made disgust visibly spread across your features. 

Once you realized the contortion in your face, you suddenly changed it and looked back away. You really didn't mean to have such a response, you were just so tired and almost delirious that you honestly had no control of the actions you made, and you really weren't sure if you'd have control over the words you'd speak either. 

Before replying you had to think really hard about those next words, making sure they wouldn't come off in the wrong tone or way, in all honesty you didn't even feel like talking, being too tired and also too annoyed to do so, knowing you'd probably smart off in one way or another.

"I told you Toshi, I'm just really tired, it's nothing."

"You're absolutely positive, there's nothing on your mind you want to talk about, nothing at all?"

"Other than to ask when you're going to start driving? Not really," you replied, agitation and impatience lacing your tone as you curled deeper into the jacket.

Hitoshi narrowed his eyes at you, confused. 

He's seen you tired before and in those times you never acted the way you were now. If anything you were a blabbering mess of incoherent words, snuggling and burrowing up to his side like some needy kitten to its mother, but now you were the opposite, quiet, still burrowing but not into him and more like you were burrowing to get away from him. Not once in all your time together had either of you even remotely acted like you wanted to be away from the other, you always wanted to be closer if anything. 

Sighing, Hitoshi decided not to push it, he knew people needed their space from time to time and he was willing to give you that for now, maybe it really was nothing other than you were just dog tired.

"Okay sweetheart, I'm sorry," he replied before leaning over and placing a kiss to your hair, shockingly you hummed at his affection and nuzzled your cheek against his lips, "We're going home now, take a nap and I'll wake you when we get there."

Just as expected you passed out in no time on the way home. The entire drive, Hitoshi couldn't stop from thinking about why you seemed so different so suddenly. He may have been book smart but he wasn't the best at picking up on people's emotions, even when it came to you. 

So far it had been nothing but sweet and loving moments in your relationship, you never fought with each other or got annoyed, everything was perfect. Hitoshi also wasn't that great with relationships to begin with either, you had to be the first serious girlfriend he had. The hero went on dates and such, hooked up here and there, but not once had he ever settled down like he was with you. So to have a small tiff or bump in the road was entirely new to him and so was how to handle it.

When it come to your attack, Hitoshi didn't bat an eye at helping you, but it also felt like hero work in a way at the same time. He took care of you, patched and healed your wounds, like he would with any other person, except you were someone he loved and deeply cared for, making that period all the more emotional for him. Just thinking back to that night still upset Hitoshi, it was burned into his brain and as much as he willed it away, sometimes it still haunted his dreams. Even if he did make it to save you, it still wasn't early enough for his liking and he couldn't help to think what might've happened had he been just a few more minutes too late.

Finally, the jeep came to a stop. With a sigh Hitoshi put it in park, his hands falling from the steering wheel and his head hanging low as he leaned forward, resting his forehead on the wheel. His own thoughts were exhausting him as well, along with the activities of the past few days. His tired eyes blinked and he turned his head to look at you, still fast asleep on the console. His heart did a flip seeing your bunny ears had fallen into your face. With a smile Hitoshi sat back up and gently removed them to place on the dash. His hand ran through your hair, causing you to hum and stir.

"Mm – Tosh," you mumbled and started to sleepily inch your body onto the console even more, pretty much moving towards him still half-asleep.

"Baby give me a sec and I'll bring you inside to bed," he chuckled.

Even still asleep you were stubborn and continued to crawl over to his side, hands slipping over the middle object and you almost knocking your head on it. He rolled his eyes and took charge, his hands and arms grabbing your tired body and pulling you into his lap, cradling you like a child. Immediately you nuzzled and burrowed into him. He grunted when your hands came up and awkwardly nudged his lips.

"My hands...you dideen warm em," you slurred.

Hitoshi's brows rose and he took your now warm hands into his. "I'm sorry sweetness," he apologized softly and kissed your fingers before performing his usual ritual when you got into the vehicle together, "I didn't mean to forget."

"S'kay Toshi," you sniffled into his chest.

The grip around your hands tightened at the sound and Hitoshi looked down to see you hiding your face, hearing more sniffles and your frame hiccuping.

"Hey - hey, I swear (Y/N) I won't ever forget to warm your hands again, not even when it's fucking summer," the lavenderette groveled, pressing his cheek to your hair and holding you close.

"It's not that Hito, I – I was a brat before ... I didn't mean to sound so sour to you. I just – I really am tired and I was ... jealous."

"Jealous," Hitoshi questioned. Suddenly, everything hit Hitoshi like a train. "Shit, I'm so stupid."

Repeating those words, your boyfriend quickly cupped your tear-stained face and made you look up at him. He bit his own lip at the look you held, you were so upset with yourself all because he couldn't put two and two together. The pads of his thumbs wiped away the flowing tears and he replaced them with kisses.

"No Toshi, I'm stupid. I should've just told you something was bothering me when you asked. I just let my thoughts get the best of me, I was thinking of how pretty she was, how she was touching you and you were joking together, how she used your first name ... fuck that was the worst. I know you'd never do anything Toshi and I'm sorry if all this is making you feel like I'd doubt –"

"Okay, okay, first off, shut your mouth for me," Hitoshi chuckled.

Even through tears and a frown, the corner of your mouth tried to tug up into a smile. Nodding, you took a few deep breaths to calm down and wrapped your hands around Hitoshi's wrists. 

He smiled and pulled your face to his, his lips enveloping yours with a deep and warm kiss. You couldn't help but whimper into the kiss, all your doubts and irrational fears running for the hills. You could feel every ounce of love this man had for you just from how he held and kissed you, the way his mouth melded and fit yours perfectly as if it were carved and constructed with your own in mind. Hitoshi finally peeled his lips from yours, trailing soft pecks to your cheeks, nose, eyelids, brows and forehead.

"There's no need for you to apologize (Y/N), I was totally oblivious and ignorant to how things may have come off to you. Miss Amano is a work colleague and nothing more, I swear. She just started teaching when I did, she moved from the states to teach English and I help her every now and then when it comes to the language barrier. Both being new teachers we sort of just tend to help each other out, but it's absolutely nothing more than just coworkers, I promise. The only reason she even calls me by my first name is because of the culture difference sweetheart, I can tell her to stop that though, no problem."

Your lips pouted and you hung your head low. Of course Hitoshi was helping the lady out, it was just the type of person he was, you knew that first hand.

"If she's just an honest friend Toshi, you could've told me. I may be greedy with you sometimes but I'm not going to stop you from having friends."

"I know that sweetness, I honestly just didn't think about it, which is dumb on my end. It's just once I get home to you, other things like work and coworkers are the last thing on my mind. You and Eri come first no matter what. Even when I'm not with you, I'm thinking about you. I mean, I literally am reminded of you and that little brat of a sister every day because your pictures are all over the walls of my classroom. I can't escape you and I'd never even dream about it. You and Eri are pretty much a topic that is brought up multiple times throughout all my classes and conversations," Hitoshi smiled and cupped your face in his hands putting your foreheads together, "No one is safe!"

You huffed a laugh at this, pleasing Hitoshi and causing him to visibly relax. "I guess you're right about that. I truly am sorry though Hitoshi, about earlier, with my tone."

Hitoshi shook his head and pulled you into a hug, resting his cheek on you. "It's nothing baby, we're going to have misunderstandings and get aggravated with each other from time to time. The important thing is that we communicate, talk me to alright? Even if you're so fucking mad, talk to me, let me know how you feel. Don't hide or push away, remember you promised to always keep those pretty eyes on me?"

You cracked a small smile and peeled from Hitoshi's hold to look at him. "I'm sorry Hitoshi," you replied sheepishly, placing a hand to his face. He smiled and grabbed it, turning to place a kiss to the inside of your palm like always. "Promise, you'll keep your own pretty eyes on me as well?"

Hitoshi smirked, shaking his head as he leaned in to kiss you. His lips took your own in a possessive way that was still soft. His hand came up and cupped your cheek when you pulled away, almost breathless, foreheads resting against each other.

"I can't think of a time when they weren't ever on you sweetheart. Everything I have is yours and yours alone, eyes and all."

Smiling, you placed another short and sweet kiss to Hitoshi's lips, brushing the tips of your cold nose with his after. "I love you Hitoshi, eyes and all."

The two of you stayed in the warm jeep for a few more minutes, holding the other close and not wanting to move really but eventually you both made it inside and didn't stop until reaching the bedroom. After taking a long and warm shower together you moved at a snail's pace to dry off and pull on some panties and one of Hitoshi's shirts before dramatically crawling your way into the bed like it was Mount Everest. He would watch and chuckle at our delirious state, you were back to normal, blabbering nonsense, giggling here and there at some joke you made. You even got on all fours and circled around into a nest like a cat.

Hitoshi went to lock everything up then returned, turning off the bedroom light and crawling into bed himself. He had to literally unfold you from your 'cat' like sleeping position, straightening your body out like a normal person only to have you cling to his side and made it damn near impossible to move and get comfortable himself. Once the room was dark the hero shielded you under the blankets as you nuzzled into his skin. His own arms wrapped tight around you, one of his hands playing with your hair as he rubbed your back with the other, softly lulling you to sleep first. Your breathing started to slow and the weight of you in the bed became heavier, high pitched sighs leaving with each breath you exhaled. Once your foot kicked Hitoshi knew you were out for the count.

He kissed your forehead and eyelids softly before pressing his cheek to your hair and humming as well. 

"Crazy little halfling, worrying for nothing. I'm so in love with you, it's unreal," he quietly breathed into your (h/c) tresses before drifting off to sleep as well as a soft kiss was being placed on his skin with a smile.

[justcallmehitgirl]

Where Is My Love (Peter Parker x Female Reader)

Pairing: Peter Parker x Female Reader

Summary: Peter Parker has been gone for five years. But the girl he left behind still had to grow up. One-shot. AU. Takes place right after Endgame so spoilers.

Word Count: 4100

Warnings: Angst + minor fluff + older female/younger male (no physical relationship)

A/N: Flashbacks are in italics.

“Where do you see yourself after high school?”

You’re laying down on your bed and you turn to look at your best friend who is laying down beside you. This was a regular routine for you both on a Wednesday night after you’ve finished your Chemistry homework. Just sitting and reflecting.

“I don’t know, let me get through high school first and then I’ll tell you,” you respond cheekily.

“I want to go to MIT,” Peter says wistfully.

You smile and stare back up at the ceiling. “You’ll go, I know you will.”

Peter turns his head and gives you a small smile. He reaches over to put his hand on top of yours.

“I know for sure that I see myself growing old with you.”

You feel your cheeks reden. Even though he was your best friend, you still couldn’t stop the butterflies from fluttering in your stomach.

“What if we move far away from each other for college?” you inquire.

“I’ll visit you.”

“What if you meet a girl?”

“You’re my best girl.”

“What if you’re busy?”

“I’ll never be too busy for you.”

“You say that now, but you’re already busy with your Stark Internship.” You bite your lip.

You feel his hand tighten around yours. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be,” he says lowly.

“You don’t have to be sorry, I know you’re doing great things. Just don’t forget about me, yeah?”

He gives you a wide grin. “Never.”

--

Five Years Later

“Hey Amy, have you seen my green sweater?” you ask your roommate as you pass through the kitchen in a hurry. You’re about to be late to your Women in Lit class and you can’t find your favorite sweater anywhere. It was hunter green with dark blue stripes. It reminded you of winter.

“I don’t know, have you checked the hamper?” she calls out from the living room.

You roll your eyes. Hello Captain Obvious.

“I did!” you shout from the bathroom. You put your long hair up in a messy bun and are about to brush your teeth when you hear a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it,” you hear Amy call out. You hear the door open and then low mumbling in the background as you brush your teeth. You’re finishing up when you hear, “Y/N, can you come out here.”

You furrow your eyebrows and rinse your toothbrush before putting it back in its holder. You take a look at yourself in the mirror and grimace. Whoever was at the door shouldn’t be subjected to seeing you like this. You quickly pull the elastic from your hair and shake your hair out. You then walk out of the bathroom and head towards the front door.

“I’m kind of in a hurry, Aims, what’s up...”

That’s when you see him. You stop dead in your tracks. Your mouth drops slightly and your eyes widen. You had heard that people had come back. Family and friends being reunited. You had imagined him returning, but it was different seeing him in front of you after all this time. He hadn’t aged a bit since you last saw him, and you couldn’t help but feel your heart drop. It was the universe’s sick joke. He still looked 15, and you had visibly aged now that you were 20.

“Peter?”

“Hi Y/N,” he greets.

It’s dead silence and you can see Amy from the corner of your eye step away from the scene. “Hey Y/N, I’m going to head to class so I’ll see you later… nice to meet you, Peter,” she mumbles.

Both you and Peter don’t even flinch as Amy quickly gathers her belongings and exits from the small apartment.

A few moments pass after the door closes shut. It’s just you two now. You don’t know what to say. You’ve thought about this moment for years, ever since he disappeared without a trace. You weren’t there when it happened. You just heard from his Aunt that he was gone. Your heart was broken for years. Your best friend and your first love was gone. Years of planning your future together had slipped away the moment he disintegrated from the universe.

He clears his throat. “You grew up.”

“You disappeared.”

His mouth tightens and he quickly looks down at his feet. “Yeah, I did.”

You slowly take a step closer to him. You wish for nothing more than to touch him and hold him close. You want to bury your face in his chest and let him stroke your hair. Despite him being five years younger than you, he’s still a head taller than you and you just want him to lean down and press his lips against yours. There is so much wanting in this moment yet you restrain yourself. He’s practically still a child.

“How… when?” You stammer.

“Two weeks ago.”

And yes, it all made sense. That’s when they all came back.

“I went to your apartment,” he continues, “your mom almost had a heart attack when she saw me. She looks good by the way… she uh… told me that you were going to school in Connecticut so took a train here to see you. I… I wanted to see if you remembered me.”

You look at him incredulously. “Of course I remember you,” you say, your voice just above a whisper.

He takes a couple steps closer to you until he’s right in front of you. You look up and his eyes lock with yours. He hesitantly wraps his arms around you. You freeze in his embrace. No matter how many times you wished for this moment, you can’t help but feel your chest tighten. He was real, and he was here.

“This feels nice,” he says softly into your ear. You melt at his words and feel your body relax. You slowly wrap your arms around him and for a moment, everything seems okay.

--

“I failed,” you groan, as your head rests on the outside of your locker. You feel a hand soothingly rub your shoulder.

“Hey, don’t say that. I bet you did great.”

You sigh and look up. Peter was ever the optimist.

“That’s easy for you to say, you’re a genius.”

He chuckles, leaning against the locker next to yours. “Genius is quite the compliment.”

You lift your head from your locker. “You know it’s true.”

“And I know that you probably aced the exam. C’mon, you studied for weeks! Ten times more than me and Ned did.”

He wraps an arm around your shoulder and gives you a squeeze.

“Believe in yourself, Y/N. Life may surprise you.”

You smile, as he drops his arm and lets you go. He always knew what to say to make you feel better.

“Want to come over tonight for dinner? Mom’s making spaghetti, your favoriteeee,” you singsong.

His expression immediately changes as he furrows his brows. “Umm… I… I can’t tonight actually. I got this thing with the Stark Internship and I can’t get out of it.”

Your face falls slightly. “Oh… okay.”

“Next time for sure though!”

That’s what he said last time.

You give him a forced smile and nod in understanding. He gives your shoulder a gentle squeeze. He looks down at his watch.

“Oh shit, I gotta run… but I’ll see you later, Y/N!” he says as he scurries down the hallway, disappearing from sight.

--

You’re both sitting down at your small kitchen table. There’s not much space between you two, as the table is no longer than a couple feet wide. A mug of hot tea sits in front of you. Your Women in Lit class is long forgotten. You never missed a class before anyways. Peter quickly glances between his glass of water and you. After your embrace, you awkwardly showed him around your apartment and then settled on planting yourselves in the kitchen. Another bought of silence fills the room.

“What grade are you in now?” he asks, breaking the dead air.

“I’m a sophomore in college,” you respond before taking a sip of your tea.

“What do… what are you majoring in?”

“English Literature… I’m studying to be a teacher.”

He gives you a knowing smile.

“What happened to becoming a doctor like your parents wanted?”

“Decided life was too short to not follow your heart.”

He nods. “Did…,” he hesitates, “Did any of your family… disappear?”

You take another sip of your tea and shake your head. “No… we were one of the lucky ones.”

“Yeah, I was glad that Aunt May hadn’t… went away. But I’m sad she worried about me for all those years.”

“Do you remember anything during that time that you were gone?”

“No,” he answers, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, “I honestly just remember fading away and then just reappearing. It’s like time didn’t stop.”

You stroke the side of your mug with your thumb, the heat emanating through the ceramic. It feels warm, comforting. You close your eyes for a moment and picture what he must’ve felt. The feeling of turning into nothingness. You had seen people disappear with your own two eyes. The shock and pain you felt would haunt you for the rest of your life. You remember reaching out and trying to grasp at them and instead, they were dust in your fingertips. You shudder at the thought.

You reopen your eyes and see Peter looking at you intently. He reaches over and takes your hand into his.

“What happened while I was gone?”

It’s a loaded question. ‘Who are you now?’ is the question you know he’s trying to ask. Different snapshots of the last five years fill your mind.

“Where do I begin?”

--

You’re lazily reading your World History textbook and eating your lunch when you notice a shadow cast over you. You look up and sigh heavily before grumbling, “What do you want?”

Peter takes a seat next to you. You scoot over to put some distance between you and him.

“I came to apologize… I know I’ve been acting weird lately.”

“Weird? You’ve been nonexistent for the past month.”

“I’m sorry, Y/N. I know I’ve been a total jerk. Things with the Stark Internship got crazy, but I’ve straightened out my priorities.”

“Yeah, your priorities with Liz?” You scowl, stabbing a piece of lettuce with your fork. The memory of Peter ditching you and your friends to go to Homecoming with the pretty senior only to disappear for the rest of the night flashes in your mind.

“There’s nothing between me and Liz.”

“That’s hard to imagine,” you mutter, taking another bite of your salad.

“Please look me at, Y/N.”

You reluctantly put your fork down and turn your body to face Peter. His eyes are pleading with you and you can’t help but soften a bit.

“I’m truly sorry for how I’ve been acting lately. I’ll be better.”

You sigh again, but this time in defeat. It was hard staying mad at your best friend. “You don’t have to be better, Pete. You just have to be you.”

You take his hand into your yours and squeeze it gently.

“Are we good?” he asks, eyes staring into yours.

You nod and give him a small smile. “Yeah, we’re good.”

--

“And how was graduation?”

“Oh you would’ve hated it!” You lean back in your chair and continue, “it was super depressing. I think that after half the class disappeared, going to school just… wasn’t the same. It was just a reminder of all the things we had lost.”

“That must’ve been hard… seeing us disappear and then having to continue doing stuff.”

You look at him thoughtfully. “It was… but it got better eventually. It hurt less and less everyday. I made new friends, I went to therapy… life kept going and I began to move on.”

You see the pain in his eyes after the words come out of your mouth. Moving on? What did that even mean? It just meant that you weren’t going to dwell on the ‘what ifs’ anymore. You spent the year after he disappeared ridden with guilt and heartbreak. You wished you had disappeared too. You lost your only friends and you subsequently lost a piece of yourself. Your parents watched you become a hollow shell of who you once were. It was a time in your life that you want to forget. But it made you the person you are today, and you’re stronger because of it.

Peter blinks and the look in his eyes are gone. Instead he’s smiling haphazardly, trying to regain some composure. “What’s college like?” he asks, words laced with fake cheerfulness.

You force a smile.

“College is great, Pete. You have so much freedom and you’re learning things that you actually want to learn. Right now, I’m focusing on Renaissance Literature and Jane Austen. It’s amazing. You’ll really love it.”

He smiles genuinely and takes a sip of his water. He licks his lips and takes a deep breath. “Do you… uh… do you have a boyfriend?” he stutters, looking down at the table.

You tilt your head and look at him as he tries to avoid eye contact with you. You knew this question would come up eventually.

“I did… we… we broke up six months ago.”

He looks up at you. “What happened?”

“He just decided that things weren’t working out,” you say with a shrug.

“How long were you together?”

“About two years… we met during my senior year.”

“Did I know him?”

“No, he was a freshman in college when we started dating. We met at a college recruiting event.”

“Did you… did you love him?”

You nod your head slowly. “Yes… yes I did.”

“More than you loved me?” He looks at you in anticipation.

You breathe in deeply. “I could never.”

--

“My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!” Peter says along with the movie.

“Has to be one of the best lines in cinema,” you say, reaching into the bowl of popcorn in Peter’s lap.

You both are sitting on Peter’s bed watching The Princess Bride, one of your regulars.

“Second only to ‘Luke, I am your father,’” Peter says, voice deep, mimicking Darth Vader.

You laugh and lean your head on Peter’s shoulder. He instinctively leans into you. You are silent as you continue watching the movie. A few minutes pass before Peter starts fidgeting with his fingers.

“Hey Y/N?” he interrupts.

“Yeah?”

“We’ve been friends for a long time...”

“Since elementary school.”

“You know me better than anyone… even better than Ned.”

“I would hope so.”

“So you know I’m not the best with talking about my feelings… especially after Uncle Ben died… but I…”

He pauses and you patiently wait for him to continue.

“I…,” he stutters, “I love you.”

“Okay… I love you too,” you say nonchalantly. Of course you loved your best friend.

“No… I mean, while I do love you as a friend… I meant… I’m… I’m in love with you…”

You lift your head from his shoulder and look at him square in the face. You see him gulp and he moves the bowl of popcorn to the floor.

“What?”

A look of relief washes over Peter’s face. It’s like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. “I’m in love you, Y/N. I think I have been for a while. And I know, I know I’m only 15 and I don’t exactly know what it means to be in love, but there’s no other way to describe the way I feel about you.”

“When did this happen?” you ask, reaching out to stroke his arm gently.

“It just did. I feel like everyday could be my last… I mean, I could get hit by a schoolbus or get struck by lightning, and… and I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to tell my best friend that I’m in love with her.”

You look down at his bedsheets. It’s Star Wars themed with a pattern of lightsabers and planets. You remember when he got these sheets. You’re too young to know what love is, but you also know that you’re bound to Peter in ways that you can’t even describe yourself.

You don’t say anything. You just slowly reach out and wrap your arms around him. You bury your face in the crook of his neck, and he tentatively pulls you in closer. You don’t move, you both just hold each other, taking the moment in. A boy has never told you he was in love you before. You can’t help but feel content and elated. Maybe this is what love is.

You pull your face away from him and stare into his brown eyes.

“You don’t have to say it back…” he starts.

“I love you too, Pete,” you blurt, your face inches from his.

“Really?” He chokes out. You smile shyly and nod. Yes, you were in love with Peter Parker, the boy who’s battled bullies for you, cried with you, and has always been there for you.

His eyes dart between your eyes and your lips. “Can I… can I kiss you?” He asks nervously.

You smile even wider. “Okay,” you respond. You just stare at his lips for a moment. This is your first kiss. ‘Would you be bad at it?’ you think to yourself. You hesitantly lean in and gently brush your lips against his. It’s soft at first as he envelopes you deeper in his embrace.

You continue pressing your lips against his. He’s so warm and lips are soft. You become bolder by opening your mouth. You tentatively begin massaging your tongues together as you run your hands through his hair.

He moans and you reluctantly break away. You press your foreheads together as you pant heavily.

“Wow,” he breathes.

“Ditto.”

He smiles and nuzzles his nose against yours. You smile against his lips and stroke the back of his neck. Your lips are just barely touching and you’re breathing each other's air. You’ve never felt this close to someone before, and you never want this feeling to end.

--

“Your hair has gotten longer,” he comments. You look up from your mug of tea.

He tentatively reaches his hand over the table to brush a piece of your hair away from your face. His hand lingers a bit and you reluctantly pull away. He retreats his hand quickly.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbles, as he runs a hand through his hair.

“We can’t,” you whisper, your heart twisting in your chest. You’re aching for him to get close to you again. But you know it’s wrong. He’s so young, and you’ve grown so much. You’ve gotten so much older than him in these last five years. You graduated high school, you started college, you fell in love and you fell out of love, and you lost your virginity to someone who wasn’t him.

“I know,” he nods sadly in understanding.

“What’s it like to be back?”

He bites his lip in thought. “It feels weird… but I’m readjusting. I’m back at school and just trying to keep moving forward.”

“Did… did Ned come back?”

You remember your other friend, your only other friend.

“He did… he’s doing well. A little shaken up, but he’s coping. Trying to catch up on all the movies we’ve missed,” he laughs softly. “We’re in the same classes too. Feels like how it used to be.”

You look down sadly. You feel so left out. Apart of you wishes you could go back so you could trade notes with Peter in between periods, whine about Calculus together, and dissect what the mystery meat was in the cafeteria. But you quickly scold yourself. You went to high school already. You didn’t disappear. They had five years stolen from them. They were stuck in time only to reappear and try to live a life that didn’t wait for them.

--

You’re sitting on a school bus with your head leaning on Peter’s shoulder as he quietly plays with his phone. You lean in closer and place a gentle kiss on his cheek.

“Wake me up when we get there.”

He looks at you and nods before kissing your forehead. “Love you,” he says softly, and you smile a bit before your heavy eyelids close. You don’t say it back. You don’t know why but you tell yourself that you’ll tell him later.

You doze off for a few moments. In the background you think you hear Peter say, “Ned, hey. I need you to cause a distraction.”

You then wake up abruptly to the sound of Ned screaming, “Holy shit! We're all gonna die! There's a spaceship!”

You look around and see the rest of your peers scramble to the windows in the back to see what the commotion is. You feel Peter slip away from you. You turn back around and notice he is gone. You frantically look for him.

“Peter?” you shout, your voice drowned out by the shouts and hollers of the other students. “Peter!”

You notice his phone still laying on the seat beside you. You take it and clutch it close as you continue to look around the bus for him, but you know that he’s already gone.

--

“I’m sorry for dropping in on you like this, I just had to see you,” he says as you two walk towards the front door. It’s getting late and Peter needs to catch the train back to New York.

“Don’t be sorry at all… I’m glad you came,” you touch his arm gently.

He gives you a small smile.

“So what’s next for you now, Peter Parker?”

“Finish high school,” he chuckles.

Silence fills the air again. “I’m sorry for disappearing.”

“You don’t need to keep apologizing.”

“No, I mean I’m sorry I disappeared… on the bus.”

You nod gently and bite your lip in thought. “Where did you go?”

“To save the world,” he says with a smile.

You squint your eyes at him in curiosity and then you laugh softly. “Alright, Parker.”

“So… can, can I visit you again?” He stammers.

“Yes… I’d like that,” you respond, even though you know he won’t. He’ll get caught up in homework, parties, applying for college, and... girls. And you secretly hope that he does. You want him to be happy, even if it’s not with you.

“Do you think that… maybe one day…”

“Who knows what the future holds,” you interrupt, “when you’re 20, I’ll be 25… doesn’t sound that bad, right?”

He nods and rubs the back of his neck.

“But for now,” you continue, “live your life, Pete. Enjoy being 15 and if you still feel the same way when you’re older, I’ll be here.”

“What if you don’t feel the same way?”

You sigh. “I never stopped, Pete.”

It sounds like a promise.

He takes a step toward you and cups your face in his hands. “No matter what happens, you’ll always be my best girl.”

You give him a small smile, as your eyes slightly water. You think about him falling in love with someone else. You think about him going to prom, graduating high school, and starting college. You think about all the firsts that he’ll experience without you and all the things that he’ll do that you won’t do together. That time has past for you, and now it’s time for him to live his life and grow up… without you.

“Get home safe, okay?” you say, breaking the moment. “Tell May I said hello.”

He removes his hands from your face. “I will.”

You walk over to the front door and open it. He walks towards the doorway and lingers for a moment as he walks past you. You lean your head against the doorframe as you watch him walk away. He’s halfway down the hall when you remember something. That feeling of regret that had weighed you down for five years. You yell, “Peter!”

He turns around and gives you a curious look.

“I’m sorry…,” you start, “I’m sorry for not saying it back… on the bus that day.”

You don’t know if you needed to say it for him or for yourself. He looks confused for a moment before realization hits him. He gives you a crooked smile. “You never had to say it… I always knew.”

You nod and smile. He gives you a final wave before he continues down the hallway and you watch him until he disappears from sight.

[lynelovespopculture]

A CAOS CHARACTER PROFILE: ZELDA SPELLMAN

Woman, witch, sister, aunt, mother figure, devoted daughter of night, midwife, teacher, lover, wife, and stepmother. These are all titles belonging to the head of the Spellman family. Zelda Phiona Spellman is also nothing if not a bunch of contradictions. Her cold, hard outer core hides a huge, warm heart.  She’s ambitious but will not take power not due to her. She may cook children in crazy dreams but while awake, she will do anything to keep them from harm.  So, what makes Zelda tick? It’s time to take an in-depth look at Sabrina’s beloved Aunt Z.

BACKGROUND

We are not sure where or even when Zelda was born. What is clear (well, pretty much) We can assume that Mr. & Mrs. Spellman or as Hilda affectionally calls them, Mum and Dad, were a happily married warlock and witch. Over time, they welcomed their 3 beloved children. (I’m very aware that I said 3. I didn’t forget about Ambrose’s parents. I read somewhere that Ambrose is only a distant cousin therefore his mother/father wouldn’t be a sibling to the other 3. I don’t know how true this is but it’s the only theory I found so until the show says otherwise, this is theory I’m going with.) We never get an exact answer of the children’s birth order, but we do know that the red-headed, blue-eyed Zelda was born before her sister, making her the eldest girl and possibly the oldest overall. Given how they treat Sabrina, I think it’s fair to say that Mr. and Mrs. Spellman are loving yet firm parents. Never favoring Edward over their daughters just because he’s a boy. Zelda was always proud of being a witch. She recalled being not being able to sleep for days before her dark baptism. Unlike Hilda and   Sabrina, Zelda had no doubts at all about joining the Church of Night. On the night of her 16th birthday, Zelda willingly knelt before a high priest and signed her name in the book of the beast.

SCHOOL DAYS AND YOUNG ADULTHOOD

With her baptism behind her, Zelda was enrolled in the Academy of Unseen Arts. At first, she had a ball; gaining a lot of long-lasting friendships and having lively debates about magic. However, as she rose to a senior student, Zelda found more and more doors being closed to her because she was a female student. One example of this is the vote for ‘top boy’ Edward got the vote when it was his time but Zelda? She was never even considered just because of her sex. This must have made Zelda, intelligent and a born leader, angry and frustrated. To cope with these kinds of unfairness, Zelda could have started to develop her harder outer shell, realizing her male teachers and students responded better to a cold fish rather than a crybaby. She also became somewhat of a mean girl.  Maybe Zelda figured if she was unable to be ‘top boy’, she would rule over the girls with fear as ‘top witch’. She oversaw harrowing (bullying) of other students but no one ever died on her watch. When Hilda got to the school, there could’ve been whispering among Zelda’s group that she would go soft on her little sister. This gossip only angered Zelda and pushed her to treat poor Hilda the worst of all. So bad, in fact, that even years later Hilda would recall her sister’s behavior as ruthless. At some point, the school got involved and contacts   Mr. and Mrs. Spellman. The Spellmans try to calm their youngest daughter and scolds their oldest. It’s here, alone with her parents, that Zelda admits to her inner pain. Explaining that the school gives Edward everything because he’s a boy, she feels her parents are overprotective over the sweet temper Hilda, and despite her perfect attendance in church and flawless grades, Zelda feels that she gets nothing. Her parents are not unfeeling to their daughter, but gender roles have never been questioned in the Church of Night so they’re not sure how to help their unhappy child. Despite her ruthlessness or perhaps because of it, more and more boys are attracted to the beautiful, teenage Zelda. None more than a young, powerful warlock named Faustus Blackwood. We are not sure about the age difference (if any) between Zelda and Faustus, so they are either students at the academy together or Zelda is a senior student while Faustus is a   young teacher. If it is a student/teacher thing then, of course, their relationship is forbidden so they are forced to meet in secret, and they get creative to be together.  Given their mutual glee at Lupercalia, it makes me think that they share a secret Lupercalia in the past. During Zelda’s senior year, Faustus was a teacher who was officially supervising the matching but he secretly using magic to guide Zelda to a warlock, who is gay and in on the plan. For the next 2 nights, Faustus with the gay warlock’s partner sneak into the woods, find Zelda and the warlock and go their separate ways. I like to think that this is when Zelda lost her virginity and after their nights together, the connection between Zelda and Faustus only deepened. Months after Lupercalia, Zelda graduated from the academy with full honors but soon returned to the school as a teacher.  Now that they’re both teachers, Zelda and Faustus can and do go public. As hard as Zelda falls for Faustus, I believe that Faustus falls even harder.

MOVING ON

At some point, the high priest of her childhood dies, and Edward gets the post of high priest and headmaster of the academy of unseen arts. It would be a lot of pressure on anyone and very likely that Edward asks his sister, Zelda, to stay at the school and be his support. She does and these are the times of power and glory for the Spellman family. Power that Zelda very much enjoys. However, after a few years and especially after the deaths of her parents, Zelda Spellman might feel like life is passing her by. Same town, same job, and same boyfriend.  She and Faustus have been together for years now but with no commitment. What Zelda doesn’t know is that   Faustus is dying to marry her, but Edward has forbidden the marriage. Somehow, Zelda is given the chance to train as a midwife, the same job that Hilda, who now lives in England, is training for. After some soul searching, Zelda tells her brother that she has decided to quit teaching and move to England to study with Hilda. Edward, who knows Faustus’s obsession with Zelda is only deepening, encouraged her to go. Zelda and Faustus part on good terms but inside, Faustus feels like he’s dying, Zelda’s leaving completely breaks his heart. Yet, he doesn’t blame her, he blames Edward. Once arriving in England, Hilda is thrilled to be with her sister again and Zelda meets little cousin Ambrose, who now lives with Hilda. It takes time, perhaps years, but Zelda and Ambrose form their own bond. For a while, the 3 live happily together. In addition to helping Hilda out with Ambrose, Zelda proves to quite a natural midwife, completing her training with ease. She even starts to date again. (She has dealt with her fair share of sex demons you know.) When Ambrose gets old enough to go to the academy, the sisters feel it’s time to go back to Greendale. Right before the move, Zelda is a little shook to learn about Faustus’s sudden marriage to Constance. Again, Zelda doesn’t know is that the marriage was forced on Faustus by Edward. Once back in Greendale, Zelda releasing how much she missed her own coven. Zelda becomes a renowned midwife, famous for never losing a baby. But the dark days are coming for the Spellmans. Ambrose was caught trying to blow up the Vatican and was placed under house arrest by the witch’s council. Ambrose must have felt awful for letting down the 2 women that he considers his own aunties. Hilda forgave Ambrose easily but his relationship with Zelda remains frosty. Then Edward dropped a bombshell. He was in love and planned to marry a mortal! Marrying a mortal is forbidden by the church of night for any warlock, let alone a high priest! Even if Edward is given special permission to marry Diana, Zelda faced a personal crisis. She’s devout; what she believes in, she believes in deeply. She is torn between the church’s teachings and wanting her brother to find happiness. Zelda may feel a  need to talk out her feelings but see how well Hilda and Diana get along,  talking with her sister is the wrong choice so she goes to an old friend, Faustus, who is happy just to be near her again. Yet unlike Blackwood, Zelda doesn’t hate mortals, she bares them no ill, she’s just doesn’t understand their world and it may even scare her, not that she would ever admit it. Over time, Zelda does see just how much Edward and Diana love each other and accepts the union. She goes with her siblings to meet Diana’s family, though it’s unclear of just how much they know and attends the wedding. To Diana’s family, this may seem like small gestures, but Edward and Hilda know how much Zelda’s support means and they love her for it.

FAMILY

To Zelda, only one thing matters more than her faith and that is her family. Losing Edward and Diana in that plane crash must have been a terrible shock and it changed the Spellman family forever. It certainly changes Zelda forever. We learn in the dream episode that Zelda’s greatest fear is losing Hilda forever which is completely understandable when you remember that they already lost their brother. The sister’s relationship also changes by Edward’s death. Sabrina is less than a year old when her parents died. Given Hilda and Ambrose’s close easy bond, Zelda might have been nervous to care for her niece, she didn’t need to fear. Even Diana’s ghost admitted that her daughter is well cared for by 2 mothers who adore her. Hilda is the one who wants Sabrina to be well-rounded by knowing her mortal side. Taking her to see a mall Santa when she young, making mortal friends, going to mortal schools and again, over time, Zelda accepts this as just part of Sabrina’s life. As Sabrina grows older, Hilda and Zelda become more a united parental unit. A perfect example of this is when Zelda and her niece get into a huge fight and Sabrina stings Zelda with, You’re not my Mother! And Hilda jumped in without a second thought. As this episode ends, Sabrina walks home, wounded and defeated, Zelda is waiting for her and Sabrina breaks down on the steps and Zelda comes down just to hold her. They’ll always love her, but Zelda is upset and disappointed when Sabrina flees her baptism. She feels like she is failing Edward because she knows this is Edward wants, Zelda was her brother’s witness when he signed Sabrina’s name. The ensuring trial must have been bittersweet for Zelda. Sabrina is accepted into the academy, but Hilda is cast out of the church for witnessing a catholic baptism. It’s only at the privacy of confession that Zelda tearfully admits that she feels like she’s failing. Under Edward’s rule, the Spellmans knew glory, under her, they’re a fallen family. As head of the family, Zelda feels that she should have all the answers, but she doesn’t know how to fix this. It’s also hard to pin down Zelda’s moral character. She tells Hilda, she feels bad about mistreating her when they were younger and clearly means it yet both sisters brush off the killings, (it’s probably like a form of bittering.) She uses magic on Mr. Kringle so he can’t hit Harvey. She is sweet and caring to Constance as a midwife but shows no guilt about having a passionate affair with the pregnant woman’s husband. Speaking of Constance, Zelda tries everything to save her during childbirth, but Constance dies anyway. However, Zelda has another problem. Not only is 1 twin a girl, not both boys as she told Faustus, but she’s the firstborn something Blackwood would never accept. So, Zelda hides the child with plans to raise the baby herself but soon realizes she’s not safe with the Spellmans either. Zelda’s motherly instincts kick in as she puts the little girl’s needs before her own wants. By season 2, with Sabrina busy with school and boyfriends, Hilda, a boyfriend, and a new job and with Ambrose no longer on house arrest, Zelda may feel like her family no longer needs her. Luckily, she’s not idle either. She’s back teaching full-time and she and Faustus are continuing their affair. When she tells Faustus that she’s the victim of gossip and asks to clarify their relationship now that Constance is dead. Faustus shows little concern and that’s when an annoyed Zelda breaks off their sexual affair. Knowing Faustus’s huge sexual appetite, Zelda knows she’s taking a risk. Blackwood could very easily find another woman who would willingly fulfill his needs (Shirley Jackson comes to mind.)  But Faustus has no intention of losing the love of his life again. He respects Zelda’s boundaries but as soon as they’re back on good terms, despite the short time since Constance’s death and the bitter memories of Edward’s disapproval, Faustus proposes and after considering, Zelda accepts. I know she says she only says yes for power and I don’t doubt that Zelda will enjoy the power that being the wife of a high priest will bring her.  There is much evidence in this show that Zelda loves Faustus. Going back to the dream episode, it clear that the dark lord and Faustus Blackwood are 1 in her mind and she’s devoted and attracted to him. One of her great fears is being rejected by him. Later, they kiss and she doesn’t back away. They make love and by the next day, she’s craving more of him. When Faustus admits that he likes whipping, it excites her. Zelda wants to be told that she’s more than sex to him and upset when she’s not reassured. Even after they’re engaged, the tarot card reading tells us that she feels a little guilty about hiding his daughter, unsure about what the right thing is and she afraid Faustus may cheat on her. After all, she was his mistress during his marriage to Constance. Zelda might even want this marriage for another reason; motherhood. Just by marrying Faustus, she becomes the stepmother of 3, Sabrina is getting older, could this former midwife long for a baby she won’t have to give up? On the wedding eve, the anti-pope is murdered. Zelda thinks it would be best to delay the wedding, but Faustus won’t hear it. Sabrina, Nick, and Ambrose   ruin the church wedding, but Zelda and Faustus successfully marry privately in his office. It’s a stressful honeymoon. It must be maddening to hear your new husband plot against your family and have to do nothing. Even after the spell is broken, Zelda returns, despite her husband’s growing madness, to protect her family, her stepchildren and the coven. She tried her best but gets caught and must flee before the mass murder.

THE FUTURE

We leave the Spellman family on a rather sad note. Blackwood is the run with his twins, there is no more dark lord and no one is exactly sure what comes next. Still, we know that Sabrina and the fright go to hell to save Nick while Prudence and Ambrose track down Blackwood. As for Zelda Spellman, a woman who has been sister to a high priest and wife to another, there will be no more supporting roles. She is ready to lead the coven as high priestess and the school’s headmistress. First, she and Hilda must help the coven heal. Then Zelda must decide on her own manifesto.  She will not put forth Edward’s rules blindly, but she will consider them. Zelda will count on those she trusts most, her family, to advise her.  She is not a great reformer as her brother was, so I really see her outlawing or taking away anything, but I do see her reworking some things, such as

-a bride on the eve of her wedding will not be taken by force. Instead, the bride and her attendant will be visited by the high priestess for a private audience and blessing.

-on feast of feasts, the queen will help prepare and serve an actual feast of food before taking her place of honor when the coven will sup together before attending mass in Freya’s name. No bloodshed of any kind!

-top boy shall hereby be known as the top student and shall be open to anyone who wants to run, regardless of gender except of course, for the outgoing top student.

Again, these are my ideas. I’m sure we’ll get tons of cool stuff once Part 3 drops on JAN 24TH 2020.

LIKE THIS? DID I MISS OR FORGET ANYTHING? WHAT CHARACTER SHALL I DO NEXT? LIKE, REBLOG AND COMMENT!!!!!!!!!

[itsjrock3-blog]

Being Gay Is Not a Choice

For so many years I have been scared to tell my truth, but today I will give you the real raw uncut version of why being gay is not a choice for me personally. 

I am 27 years old and for the past 23 years I have been battling demons that I have never discussed with anyone else. When I was a young child I was molested by a male family member, and also a male teacher. I knew it was wrong but part of me also did not know what to do. Here I am around the age of 5 years old and I’m having to make a grown up decision about what to do. My mom was very present in my life, and always taught me that nobody should be touching any parts of my body. But for some reason I kept quiet about the things that happened to me as a child. Part of it was I did not think people would believe me. These men scared me into not telling. I mean I was only 5 years old. So when people ask me why didn’t I tell I think it is unfair because a 5 year old should not be faulted for telling or not telling. So I decided to keep it to myself and continued living life. The church has been a big part of my life since I was a young boy. If it wasn’t for the church I honestly do no think I could have made it through a time like this. My grandmother’s made it their mission to bring me up in the church and made sure that I had a relationship with God at a young age. So many nights I have stayed crying asking God why me?  I have tried to suppress homosexual thoughts the older I got and for awhile it worked. But the older I got and was aware what things were meant to be used for sexually, I noticed I had an attraction for men. The older I got the more frequent these thoughts would pop up in my head. As a kid I fought a lot. No one really knew why they just knew I loved to fight. My reason for always fighting was because I made a vow to myself that I would never let another person violate me ever again and I will fight to the death of me to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I would say I was an angry kid. But it wasn’t the molestation that made me angry. I was angry because people used to always try to bully me for being different. People would always assume I was gay without asking me and that would upset me. Because at that time I didn’t consider myself to be gay. I was just a teen figuring my life out. At that point I tried to prove people wrong. I would wear different clothes from my peers, dye my hair, get piercings. I wanted to be that kid that could be different but not be gay. I wanted to show people you should never judge a book by its cover because we all come in all different shapes and sizes. I thought it was just a phase in my life that would eventually go away and somehow I would be cured I guess. I still dated girls, played sports and did what other kids my age did. I have dated girls all the way up until I graduated college. At this time I considered myself bi and every girl I dated was genuine and was not an act. I really did like these girls but all these relationships failed. They failed because I was unhappy with myself and unable to love anyone else due to my past. In 2019 I quit my job and decided to leave law enforcement because it wasn’t what I wanted to do anymore. I spent most of 2019 reflecting and searching for answers for my life. When I looked back over my life all the hurt and pain these men caused me resurfaced and I decided to began to live my truth little by little. It was time for me to get things in order and take my life back. I started telling my close friends my attraction for men and I will never forget their responses. They were so welcoming and supportive. Tri and Dez are two of my friends that I will cherish for life. The amount of support I have gotten from them means the world to me. For so long I have been afraid to tell people that I also like men in fear of being shamed and discarded. I don’t like people thinking negatively of me but 2019 has taught me fuck everyone else and their feelings. I had to live with these scars so what people have to say doesn’t matter to me anymore. I like MEN and that’s that. I did not pick this life, it was given to me. I was robbed of being able to decide naturally what gender I am attracted to. So for me being gay is not a choice. I would never pick being bullied, shamed, depressed, and ashamed as a lifestyle. But that is what I went through and I am standing in my truth. I ask that everyone respect my privacy and hold all the negative comments and questions to themselves. Please do not try to put together a timeline or say I told you he was gay to other people because until you have been in this predicament you will not understand what it is like and the impact it has had over my life So be careful how you treat because you never know what they are going through. 

Thanks,

Joshua H. 

[despairingy-obsessed]

Chapter Two

Todoroki brought the two girls into his car, driving them all the way to his modest apartment. It was a nice, two bedroom apartment with two bathrooms and a large kitchen and dining room. It was enough for the hero, since he never liked to brag about his money the way Denki and Sero did with their huge manor like houses.

"Mr Todoroki? Where are we?" Hyouiki asked in her usual quiet voice. She was the silent twin, the complete opposite of her more talkative twin. Aiko tilted her head, staring up at the address.

"Number...120...?"

Todoroki nodded as he pulled out his key. He'd need to install security systems soon, since he'd have two other people to worry about besides himself.

"Go and have a look while i make a phone call." The twins ran off, keeping their hands intertwined as they inspected every inch of Todoroki's house.

"Hello Izuku."

"Todoroki" The energetic green-ette chimed through the phone. He always sounded happy, except during his battles. Todoroki could still remember his high school days, when he disliked his quirk and the very thought of his father made him sneer. Their relationship was nowhere perfect but he could at least confide in him, as one should be able to do with their parents.

"I've brought them home. They seem to like the place. But how am i going to tell my father?"

Izuku remained silent for a moment before speaking. "He'll understand. He might even be able to help train them."

"No." Todoroki growled. His defensive tone made the nearby Aiko jump. Todoroki forced a happy smile towards her, to calm the jumpy girls nerves.

"I don't want them to endure what i had to." Izuku hummed as Todoroki continued. "I want him to treat these girls as family, not as some project. They mean the world to me. For once in my life, i know i'm on the right track."

"Just tell him that. He's changed Todoroki-san. Trust your gut. The paperwork and the observation are almost over. Once they see that your a fit parent, they'll be legally yours."

"I never imagined adoption to be such a lengthy process." Todoroki hummed. After his short conversation with Izuku, Todoroki went and sought out the twins. They were in the kitchen, his pots and pans all over the floor as they looked inside the cabinet under his sink.

"Please put those back and come sit with me in the living room." Todorki said, leaning against the door frame. The twins obey him, sitting on the couch in silence. Todoroki knelt on the floor in front of them, making eye contact. He wanted their trust as much, maybe even more then their respect.

The two twins blinked as they awaited to hear the reason Todoroki stopped their adventures. "I bet your wondering why your here. It's because i've decided to adopt you." Todoroki awaited their reaction.

"Adopt? Does that mean we live here?" Aiko asked, grabbing her sisters hand. Hyouiki, who Todoroki believed to be closer to widened her eyes in surprise.

"Like a dad?! Your gonna be our dad?"

Todoroki held up his hands in surrender. "That all depends on you two and the lady who will be visiting us early tomorrow. She'll be coming to check up on you two and make sure you two are comfortable here. It's called an observation. I believe you two are mature enough to handle this information..." The twins straightened up, all three looking to the door when the door bell rang.

"What the...?" Todoroki dismissed the twins, who followed him to the door, latching onto each of his pant legs. He opened the door, finding a lady waiting. Her stiff posture and business suite told him everything he needed to know.

"Hello. I'm here to check up on..." The lady paused, glancing down at the terrified twins. They had issues trusting other people, which is one of the reasons Todoroki decided to take them in.

"Come inside. They're a little shy. Say hi girls." The twins waved, refusing to let go of the duo toned male.

"She's not going to take you guys away. Please behave and go play." Todoroki crouched down, ruffling the kids hair. They let out giggles, running off to play somewhere in the house.

"You plan on taking in two twin girls, with no spouse and no prior experience with children? Risky move, Mr. Todoroki."

"I've met plenty people with experience that sucked at parenting. And i think i can provide a proper home." Todoroki stated, his cool tone making the lady narrow her eyes.

"Taking care of children isn't easy...and Twins girls is even harder. I'm sure your able to support them financially but are you able too emotionally?"

Todoroki didn't hesitate to nod. "Of course. I may seem like im not the best to be handling children  but they trust me and i want them to be comfortable. I have plenty of support behind me and my older sister is a teacher. She'd be willing to help me learn."

The lady wrote a few things down, beginning her inspection. By the time she left, it was late evening, just about dinner time.

Todoroki prepared a quick meal before sending the girls off to sleep in the queen sized guest bed. They passed out as soon as they hit their pillows. Todoroki couldn't help but stare at Aiko's bandages and Hyouiki's hospital bracelet. His heart suck a bit, remembering the fragile state the two, sweet innocent girls were in just a few weeks ago.

Todoroki made his way to his own bedroom, sitting down on the edge of his bed. It wasn't to late to call him.

Todoroki hit the green call button, listening to the rings. "Hello?" The gruff, deep voice of Enji Todoroki boomed through the speaker.

"Hi. I wanted to tell you, your a grandfather."

"What?" Hearing the confusion in his fathers voice made Todoroki smile.

"I adopted some kids i saved. The twins are amazing."

"Adopted...Twins? Shoto, you'd better not be joking. Did you really take in two street brats?"

"Yes, with quirks more powerful then ours combined. I'd appreciate it if you stood by my decisions for once."

"I'm not thrilled but...your an adult. I'd like to see their so called skills for myself. I'll be over soon, once things slow down at the office." Todoroki hung up soon after. He couldn't help but be thrilled.

The twins would legally be his daughters soon. He could see it now...Aiko and Hyouiki Todoroki...

                   ..............................................................................................................

The next week was busy. From large amounts of paperwork to caring for the twins and keeping up with the press. Todoroki was drained by the time he and the twins returned home. The twins ran off to their own room, their new toys clutched in their hands.

As a surprise, Todoroki took them out shopping. Aiko had picked out a baby doll, which came with a bottle and a mini stuffed moneky. Hyouiki was drawn to a soft plush teddy bear with brown fur and a green bow. She didn't want to buy it but Todoroki ended up getting it for her. The look of pure joy on her face was one he'd never forget.

Almost as soon as he closed the door, there was a knock. Todoroki opened the door, heaving a sigh at who he saw. His father stood, his fire beard snuffed out, exposing his scar and angular chin.

"Where are they?" His father held a bag in his hand, Looking out of place.

"Come inside. I warn you, they're shy," Todoroki shut the door before walking into the living room. "Girls!" The sound of pounding footsteps made Enji's eyes widen. The twin girls sprinted to Todoroki's side, looking up at him.

"Yes, Mr. Todoroki?"

"This is my father. He came to meet you." Aiko was the first to speak.

"Hello. I'm Aiko." Todoroki's father bent down, putting on a half smile.

"Hello. I'm Enji. You will refer to me as grandfather, since my son is legally your father."

"Does that mean Mr. Todoroki is our dad now?" Aiko asked, placing her hands on her hips. She seemed to be giving Enjo and attitude, which amused Todoroki.

"Yes..." Enji handed Aiko the bag, which the sisters peeked into, their faces brightening.

"Thanks Mister! Err, grandfather..." Hyouiki said, her bright smile melting Todoroki's heart. He was lucky his father had softened over the years, or this meeting might not have gin smoothly.

"You two don't have to call me dad if you don't want to." Todoroki said calmly, glancing into the bad his father brought. The bag was full with sweets and a few tiny stuffed animals. The ones shaped like little lumps that are usually on the counter of the grocery stores.

The twins seemed happy, digging into their snacks with delight. Todoroki watched with joy as his father and the twins got along, making him sigh in relief.

One challenge overcome....what was next?

[heartfeltheart]

Alchemy: Magic Vs. Science

Chapters: 3/25 Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist/Harry Potter Rating: T Relationships: Edward/Winry, Lan Fan/Ling, and May/Alphonse. Primary Characters: Edward Elric, Severus Snape Additional Tags: Crossover, Teacher!Edward, BrOtp Edward/Severus. Sassy beyond measure. Series: Part 1 of 9. Summary: Magic and Science, are they the same or are they completely different? It just takes one person to point out all up and downs. Along with breaking the stereotypes that come up with being a wizard, alchemist and most of all being human. Thank you, @amynchan! D/C: I do not own Harry Potter or Fullmetal Alchemist. Discord: La Red(Mesh Mash of… stuff.): https://discord.gg/KYjmVAb Alchemy Series: https://discord.gg/DejEYNJ

“English and Edward’s accented voice.” “Amestrian or another foreign language.” “Written notes.” ‘Thoughts.’ First Name: Informal Last Name: Formal (Or used to annoy others)

"Dis is amazing..." Edward said in total awe the moment the bricks moved away to show Diagon Alley. He quickly looked over his shoulder to see Severus giving him an amused look. "Hov is dis place been able to keep out of the public eye?"

Severus started to walk forward in a seemingly random direction and signaled for Edward to follow him. "The entire place is charmed, no muggle is able to see it."

Edward pointed at himself. "And I?"

"Another theory, for another time." Severus replied quietly, he weaved through the witches and wizards. Edward followed him while looking around the area trying to take everything in. So many questions swam through his mind Edward wanted to ask Severus but he held back.

The last thing they both needed is someone listening in to them and talk to the wrong people. Even if Edward has full permission from that crazy headmaster to teach at his magical school, he didn't want to make any enemies...yet. There were a lot of kids and teens running about with their parents. All of them had a list in hand, chatting endlessly about the upcoming school year. Edward couldn't help but smile bitterly, he never went to a traditional school per say, he did go to a small school with Alphonse and Winry before his mother died. After that, Granny home-schooled them after Edward got into far too many fights.

"A knut for your thought?" Severus murmured glancing back at Edward who has a distant look in his eyes.

"Are a lot of deze kids go to Hogwarts?" Edward asked offhandedly, pointing at the kids running around Diagon Alley.

Severus glanced around the area before he nodded. "It is that time of year when they come out here to buy their supplies for the upcoming school year."

"...By do I have the feeling I am already regretting dis." Edward sighed raising his arms in defeat.

"You and I both." Severus replied as he walked into Flourish and Blotts. "Keep your thoughts to yourself, Elric. We do not need any unwanted attention."

Edward only rolled his eyes as he followed Severus, in his own pace. Glancing around the bookstore, he took note that the place was filled with more students along with their parents. All of them were in a hurry trying to get their books and find themselves out of the chaos. "Dis place...is rather chaotic."

"You don't even know the half of it." Severus sighed to himself, heading towards the back of the bookstore, where fortunately seemed to be empty except for a couple of random teens or older adults. Not giving any of them a single glance, the both of them walked passes them. The students were giving Severus nervous looks or quickly shuffled away in fear. "It should be over here...Here it is."

Severus stopped in front of a certain bookcase and signaled Edward towards it. "This section has all the alchemy books in this place."

With a grin, Edward started to glance through the titles and recognizing a few from the other bookshop he previously visited. He pulled out a book and began to get lost in the book. Seeing this, Severus turned around and headed out leaving Edward in his own world.

-.-

"Not good enough."

"Total trash."

"This will only get someone killed."

"...This guy is an idiot..."

"This one is...oddly decent."

Edward sat crossed legged on the floor in front of the bookcase with a large book in hand. Multiple piles of books scattered all around him, the piles were all coordinated by decent, okay, nope and just plain trash. There was a small tiny pile of good books, which only compromised three books our of well over several dozens of books he scoured through the area around his current spot.

Edward randomly picked out another book from the shelf and flipped it open on a random page. "This is actually good enough to be used."

Edward grinned as he read the book. He flipped through the pages, he landed on the dedication page. Whose names he saw written there made his blood freeze.

In the loving memory of my wife, Trisha.

To my sons, Edward, and Alphonse...I hope this book gets to you both.

Snapping the book closed, Edward turned the book around to see the spine of the said book. His eyes narrowed at the name of the author of the book.

Von Hoheheim.

Grudgingly, Edward placed the book in a different pile. Personal use. Even if his father was a shitty one, the man is still his father. Even though Edward still hold a deep hatred towards the guy...

"Whoa...look at this?"

"Who would take out this many books?"

"Who knows, George."

"Why don't we found out, Fred?"

"Lead the way, dear brother."

Edward blinked slowly as he heard those voices. It was obvious they were male, ten or eleven, and by their tone, it sounded like they are siblings. Slowly, Edward took a peek over the 'nope' pile of books. He came eye to eye with a two pairs of brown eyes, brown stared into gold. "Hello."

The two pairs of brown eyes widened in a realization that they got caught spying. With a loud oomph, the twins accidentally stumbled forward. They accidentally spilled over the pile of books.

Edward stared at the boys taken in their full appearance. Twins, they were identical twins, they were wearing worn but well taken care of clothes. Hand-me-downs perhaps? They were almost identical. He watched the twins scrambled up and began to take note of their differences. The one on the left had an extra freckle right under his left eye. The other has a bigger nose, hardly noticeable unless you take note of it. "Do you need zomething?"

One of the boys quickly looked around trying to find something to say that would not get in trouble with the stranger. "Alchemy! We were looking for alchemy books."

"Really?" Edward asked in false bewilderment, he inwardly chuckled at the horrible excuse. "Vell, how about dis..."

-.-

The sight that Snape came to see was Elric chatting away with two boys, Weasley's by the looks of it. They were chatting about alchemy while putting away books, each Weasley was holding a small pile of books while listening to Edward with such eager eyes. They took in Elric words about alchemy, they even seemed eager about it.

Snape waited until the last book was put away until he made his presence known. "Did you find everything that you needed, Elric?"

When Snape appeared, the twins paled at the sight of the man. Recalling what their brothers had told them about said man.

"Ah Zefferus, der you are." Elric grinned, not even taking note of the tense atmosphere around his perhaps future students. He saw that the Potions Master carrying a pile of books in his arms. "Done vith your shopping?"

"Done with yours?" Snape remarked, seeing Elric's own pile of books. He took a single glance at the twins, his lips curled back in a fashion he could only do. "Ah, Weasleys... Here I thought we could finally get a bre-"

Snape was cut off as Elric pilled his own books over the professor books. This resulted with the Head of Slytherin view being obscured by said books. "Elric..."

Elric ignored him as he took the books from Fred and George, who all had grins of mirth's, piled them on top of the rest of the book on Snape's arm. "Vu tvo are koing to pe first years, ja?"

"Yeah, we have three-"

"Older brothers and two of-"

"They are going to be at Hog-"

"Warts with us."

Elric's eyes pin pong between Fred and George as they spoke for one and for the other, finishing off each other sentences. He raised his hand to stop them from talking, as they began to get off topic. "Huge family, older broders, one younger broder and zisder. Pranks?"

Elric stared into the twins eyes, almost glaringly. He then pointed at one of them. "Fred..." Then he pointed at the other one. "George."

Fred and George stared at him in bewilderment, he actually guessed accurately right. Not even their own mother could get their names right more than half of the time.

"As much as I enchoy a prank effery once and a file...No pranks in my class." Elric shook a finger at the boys, talking in a reprimanding voice. "Dey tend to get you killed..."

The twins paled at how easy the golden eye teen spoke those last words. It was as if he could care less about it too.

Elric then grinned at the twins and ruffled their hair. "Nov come on, it is time to pay. Come on, Zefferus."

"About time..." Snape growled under his breath, he glanced over the stack of books in his hands. "Now come on..."

Elric only grinned and laughed as he followed him, he signaled for the Weasley twins to follow him. "Do not mind him, he is just being immature."

Snape huffed out but did not respond to the comment.

"Before I forget..." Elric looked down at the twins, brows furrowed. "Do you tvo need help getding your school books? You tvo helped me, I help you in return."

"You are on a limited budget, Elric." Snape said low in a tone, to the Elric wanting to get out of the current situation he was currently in.

"Den I vill uze my perzonal funds then...if I could do dat?" Elric muttered the last part to himself wondering if he could transfer the money he has accumulated for his work in the military. "Could I transfer money from my perzonal account and turned it into..."

Elric trailed off not fully knowing what else to say as he is not familiar with this worlds system works.

Snape took a quick glance at the Weasley twins, they were confused by Elric's words and his own confusion of the Wizarding World. The Potion’s Professor mentally debated if he should stop this conversation as it would lead to unwanted attention but...Seeing as the youth is probably going to make it a point on who he is and what he is not later on...

"We...could have that arranged." Snape said slowly, wondering just how much money the other has. As Elric had told him he was in the military but did not mention what was his ranking or payroll. "How much...?"

Elric quickly scanned through his pockets to quickly take out his notebook and a pencil. He quickly wrote down a number and showed it to Snape. "Vill dis be enough to get me through the year?"

Snape took one quick glance...then another...and another. His eyes widen at the amount on the paper. "In what currency is that in?"

"In bounds. I changed it ven I came to dis country." Elric said feeling unsure if the amount he wrote down is enough. "Vill it be enough?"

"Is this your entire savings?" Snape felt his mouth dry at the sheer amount that Elric presented.

"Just about..." Edward moved his head side to side as he thought it over. "Three months vorth of bay."

'He could buy ¾'s of Diagon Alley with that amount.' Snape thought to do the math in his head. He cleared his throat in trying to clear his mind. "It is more than enough. We'll head to Gringotts after this..."

"Vat is Grinkotts?"

"Are you a muggle?" Fred and George asked, no longer able to hold in their curiosity.

-.-

Mrs. Molly Weasley looked all over the bookstore frantically pulling her two youngest along with her. She looked over every crook and cranny trying to find the twins. One moment they were in her sight and then...they disappeared in their typical fashion only known to troublemakers. Normally it wouldn't have been an issue but Molly mind is on overdrive that day.

Four of her children are going to be attending Hogwarts and this year, money is extremely tight. Charlie and Percy were placed into advanced classes and they require new texts books and the twins, albeit they could reuse other books the other boys had gotten previous years, the required new textbooks are out of the families price range. It is not her year...

Molly ignored her youngest son complaints as she pulled them along with her. Even with Charlie and Percy looking for the twins too, it seemed like they were having the same trouble as her. The twins were nowhere to be found...panic is finally setting in.

"Fred! George! Boys, where are you!" Molly called out, no longer able to hold it in any longer. She took a turn and quickly headed back to the front of the store hoping that she just missed them. "When I get my hands on them."

"Mum, we found them." Percy called out running towards his mother in a frenzy. Molly stopped mid-step and quickly headed towards Percy's direction.

"Where are they, are they are alright? I knew this sort of thing would have happened." Molly prattled on as Percy led her through the shop. "We still need to buy your and your brother's books, among several other things."

"About that...Fred and George already got their books. They already paid for the books."

"How...?"

-.-

"He's going to be the new Professor at Hogwarts."

"He's going to teach Alchemy."

"We saw him looking through books."

"About Alchemy."

"The guy looked like he's Bill's age."

"I wonder if we could get into his class."

"Remember what he said, he gets to pick his students."

"Do you think he might?"

"Pick us? He said he might consider it."

"Fred...George...Do you even know if he actually is a professor." Charlie asked, feeling that a headache is coming in. Out of all the things the twins had done...

"That professor was with him. Nap?"

"Professor Snape?" Charlie asked feeling his blood run cold for a bit. "This guy was with Professor Snape? Getting books?"

"Yeah him, he was with Mr. Elric."

"Mr. Elric needed books for his class.

"We helped him and in turn."

"He bought our books for the year." Fred and George finished, each boy holding a pile of books in their arms. "And a couple of other books too, about alchemy."

Charlie stared at them wondering if he should be glad or angry at this point. Glad that his brothers don't have to worry about their books, as the book list that year is by far pricier compared to other years. Anger at that fact it was a handout, now th-

"I hope we make it into his class."

"Only if we study the books he got us."

"He also bought your other books?" Charlie asked he extended his arm out towards the boys. "Let me see."

Fred and George glanced at each other wondering if they should. Seeing how tense their older brother was, they quietly complied. The each took out four different books from their own pile and handed one to Charlie.

Charlie took the book and scanned it when he saw the tag price on the book his eyes nearly popped out of his head. That single book had to cost about the same as the average cost of a seventh year's book list. When he opened the book, Charlie couldn't make head or tails about it. He flipped the book to show it to the twins. "Do you know what this is?"

"That's a peripodic table...I think?" George's nose scrunched as he attempted to say out the word.

"Periodic table." Fred corrected him.

"Yeah that. It's a table of all the elements."

"Mr. Elric said that learning this would help us understand Alchemy." Both boys continued on in unison. "If we study it, he might consider allowing us to get into the class."

Charlie watched as his brothers spoke to each other excitedly about the subject in hand. The only times he ever saw the twins with that sparkle in their eyes when they talk about their pranks or play quidditch. Let alone something that has to be school reacted. Then again...anger persist.

Charlie was one of many that petitioned for the elective to be open the upcoming school year. Here are the twins... ending up meeting the teacher. The said teacher seemed to already teach them a couple of things on the subject, already received praised along with getting books paid. "And he just paid for your books? This must have cost him a fortune."

Fred and George paused, they looked at each other uneasily. The conversed nonverbally trying to figure out what they should say to their older brother. With a nod of determination, they figured out what to say.

"Mr. Elric is from another country." Fred started off.

"He works for their government." George continued off.

"During his time there, he hardly spent any of his money."

"From Mr. Nape." "It's Snape." "...Mr. Snape's reaction from the number Mr. Elric gave him made it seem like he was rich or something."

"Why did this...Mr. Elric buy your books? All your required books?"

"He said that since we helped him, he helps us." They said trying to figure out what that meant. "We tried to tell him to not to but..."

"It was rather..."

"Difficult trying to get him not to buy our books."

"He wouldn't take no for answer."

"The way he wanted us to repay him is by-"

"Studying and getting good grades."

"That's it?" Charlie asked taken aback.

"That's it."

-.-

"Doze two are the right age to start learning about alchemy." Elric said as he watched Snape shrink all the books and putting them into his suitcase. Once it was said and done, Elric closed the suitcase with a puzzled look as he picked it back up. "You haffe to tell me hov dat...spell vorks."

"Here I thought you would have an episode?" Snape replied dryly at Edward words.

Elric only shrugged, he turned around taking a good like of the area. "Vere to next?"

"Gringgots."

-.-

One hour later...

Snape resisted the urge to groan in annoyance as he watched Elric speak Amestrian to the goblin that is helping the blonde set up his own vault. The moment that Elric found out that he goblin, Kavex, spoke Amestrian, that was the main language they spoke making Snape feel left out.

"I never had any use of it until recently. I got by with what I had on hand." Elric said as he filled out the required paper. "I mostly spent it on...medical bills."

"You've accumulated a fair amount over the years of your military service..." Kavex said looking through a couple of documents. "How long will you be staying, if I could ask you of that?"

"At the most a year." Elric responded without a second thought. "I have other affairs back home...but who knows...I might come back."

"And everything here will be the same." Kavex nodded, he held out his hand towards Elric's direction. "I need your blood and signature to complete the vault."

"It won't be used or stored away...right?" Elric asked hesitantly.

"It will be the binding contract that will allow only you to access the vault." Kavex said, he pulled out a giant tome and slid it over toward Elric. "This is our laws if you wish to look through it before he finalizes anything. It's written in Amestrian."

Elric slid the book closer to him and began to read it, ignoring Snape's look of disbelief that he gave him.

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