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fairytalesandlegacies · 1 year ago

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Trust Fall

Sebastian Sallow x Reader

Title: Trust Fall

Author: fairytalesandlegacies

Fandom: Hogwarts Legacy

Relationship: Sebastian Sallow x Reader

AO3 Rating: Explicit 18+ (a complete collection of author's notes, inspiration credits, content warnings and tags can be found on AO3)

Summary: Sebastian Sallow teaches you how to fight against the Imperius Curse late one night, and in the process, some long-kept secrets are revealed.

A heady rush of defiance and determination surges through your veins, lighting up all your nerve endings like a live wire, and in your eagerness to rebel against the enchantment, you end up doing the complete opposite of Sebastian's request, hands sliding under the fabric of his cloak and slipping it off of his shoulders in one swift, fluid sweep, silk-lined wool pooling at his feet as you dive straight for his necktie, making a fine mess of the striped emerald and silver satin in your eager attempts to loosen it, fingers curling around smooth silk and giving it a gentle tug to urge him closer, unraveling until it's completely come undone, spilling into the hood of his cloak. The words kiss me ring out inside your head, desperate and longing, and for a moment, you can't tell whether it's his voice or your own imagination, caught up in a fantasy you've been playing out inside your head for the past two and a half years.

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After a whirlwind first year filled with dragon attacks and crumbling ruins, keepers and keys and hidden passageways, bonds of friendship forged in secrets and fire, daring quests and trying trials to prove your worth to wield an ancient form of magic only few can see, you should have expected your final year at Hogwarts would be anything but uneventful — and that suits you just fine.

Though, eager as you are to move beyond the confines of the castle and take the wizarding world by storm, there's a part of you that isn't quite ready to leave this place you've come to call home just yet, a part of you that's still got a few more noteworthy memories to make. Luckily for you, you've got a best friend who certainly knows how to make things memorable.

Ever since that thrilling excursion to the Restricted Section back in your fifth year, the two of you have been sneaking out of your common rooms almost nightly to go on all sorts of daredevil adventures — midnight waltzes through the Forbidden Forest in search of the legendary unicorn den, swarms of lacewing flies fluttering all around you like traces of dark magic; summer nights spent sneaking out of the sweltering confines of the castle and stealing away to the lake for a refreshing swim, diving down to its depths to see if you can catch a glimpse of a pod of mermaids or the eye of the giant squid, exploring cavernous grottos hidden beneath the waterfall, turquoise and sapphires made of pure light dancing across the surface of the water by the glow of your wands.

And of course, just last autumn, the night the two of you flew to the top of the Astronomy Tower to make wishes on a shower of shooting stars, bright sparks of silver and gold lit up in his warm brown eyes as he'd gazed up at them with a wide smile on his face and slowly counted to eighteen — one wish for each year he'd been alive. You suppose it would've been a truly breathtaking sight to behold, only you were too busy gazing at something far more beautiful, charting constellations of your own design in the sun-kissed freckles that dapple his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.

Luckily, you didn't have to wait long to get your second chance, a flurry of snowflakes swirling down from the sky the night the two of you snuck back up for an encore in celebration of your birthday a few months later, green and silver scarf wrapped around both of your shoulders to keep you warm as you blew out candles lit by an overzealous Confringo cast and shared bites of a slightly lopsided cake he'd insisted on baking himself (though you suspect the only reason it was actually edible was because he'd had help from the house elves.) You never told him, but it was the best birthday you've ever had.

That's just how it was with him. Sebastian Sallow had a way of making every moment feel like an adventure.

And tonight is no exception. An owl asking you to meet him at your usual spot wakes you from your bed at a quarter 'til midnight, and the next thing you know, you're following his Disillusioned form down a candlelit corridor, traversing well-worn paths you've come to memorize like the back of your hand. You assume you're off to the Undercroft as per usual, but the longer you follow, the more it seems Sebastian has other plans (either that, or he has no idea where he's going and is simply feigning confidence — wouldn't be the first time.)

"Sebastian," you hiss, but he doesn't seem to hear you, moving ahead at the same steady pace.

You try again.

"Seb—"

"Bash—"

"Oi, Sebastard!" you call out in a series of escalating whispers, running through your rolodex of well-loved nicknames until he finally hears you, a wrinkle in the hood of his cloak catching under the candlelight as he turns his head in your direction.

"Yes, darling?" he whispers back, and you don't need to see his face to know that he's smirking underneath his cloaking charm. You're suddenly very glad for your own Disillusionment Charm — even though you know he only does it as a joke, purely to rile you up, it still makes you blush up a storm every time he calls you that. Thankfully, you have a lot of practice brushing it off.

"Did my Quaffle hit you a little harder than I thought during last week's match?" you tease, relishing every opportunity to gloat that you were the one to score the final goal and lead your team to victory. "Undercroft's the other way entirely."

"Have a little more faith in me, darling. I know exactly where we're going," he reassures you, cocky as ever. "We're simply taking the scenic route."

"I wouldn't exactly call this scenic," you snicker, casting your eyes around the bare stone walls of the corridor you're currently sneaking down.

"Are you sure about that?" he counters, throwing open the unassuming double doors at the end of the passageway with a graceful flick of his wand.

What lies beyond steals your breath away, shivers akin to a haunting melody in an empty cathedral dancing across the back of your neck as you step into a corridor bathed in glittering golds, greens, and blues, kissed by silver in the light of the full moon spilling through wall-to-wall windows, a mosaic of painted glass depicting star-strewn skies over tempestuous ocean waves, fields of wildflowers dotted between snow-capped mountains, and twisting ivy redolent of the Scottish countryside curling in curtains around a sprawling scenery of a vibrant, lush green forest.

At the very end of the hallway, you spot a familiar fixture — the Serpentine Beast Window, leading right out into the middle of the Defence Against The Dark Arts Tower. How extraordinary — a whole corridor hidden inside of a window. Nearly three years here and you're still discovering new secrets about the castle, despite all your eager exploring back when you first arrived.

"Stumbled upon this little beauty earlier today and immediately thought of you," he says softly, and then quickly clears his throat. "I mean to say, I thought you would like it. And, judging by that little dip in the outline of your cheek that can only mean you're wearing your signature dimpled smile, I'd say I was right."

You turn to face him, exchanging one beautiful scenery for another, wondering just how many of your mannerisms he's got memorized, and could know to look for even when you're nearly invisible.

"And look," he adds with a smug smile, pointing toward the little alcove with the familiar clockwork fixture sat just beneath the Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom as the two of you peer around the corner. "You see? Told you I knew exactly where I was g—"

Without warning, a bat-like figure emerges from out of the blindspot of the alcove, and the two of you immediately fall silent.

"Impertinent piece of— I know there's a secret room hidden behind here, if I could just—" Headmaster Black curses, flitting agitatedly back and forth in front of the clockwork cupboard, muttering all manner of incantations to try and figure out a way inside.

In your panic, the two of you bolt back behind the corner you've just rounded, hastily squeezing into a little recess in the wall of the corridor. You've never been the most graceful of people, tripping over your own feet and nearly falling flat on your face in your eagerness to escape, but Sebastian is well prepared for it, reaching out to steady you, grabbing ahold of your waist and pulling you into the little hideaway. Next thing you know, you're pressed right up against him, caged between the cold stained glass wall and the warm, heavy weight of his rapidly rising and falling chest, heart beating like the wings of a wild thunderbird beneath it.

You've never been this close to him before, but even though he's nearly invisible, you've all but memorized his every feature, so it's easy enough for you to map them all out — from the sharp curve of his jawline to the devil-may-care sweep of his hair, to the plush pink pout of his lower lip, and— uh oh, you're definitely staring. And maybe it's just a trick of the light, but you could almost swear he was too, that little telltale flicker as his eyes snap back up to meet yours.

Ocean blues filter through his Disillusioned form as the aquatic landscape bleeds through from behind him, making him look as though he's one with the water, moonlight dancing along the edges of his outline, igniting him in a soft silver glow. Sebastian was right, it is very beautiful in here…though you'd wager it's less to do with the colorful mosaic and entirely due to the man standing in front of you, lips a mere breath from yours, close enough to lean forward and—

Oh, you really need to sort out your priorities. If you're not careful, your less-than-pleasant headmaster will catch the two of you sneaking around past curfew, and that's worth two poltergeists on a good day. This is no time to be thinking about your best friend's lips, wondering whether they might taste like the strawberry sugar quills he'd snuck the two of you after dinner, or the spearmint toothpaste he uses every night before he goes to bed…

The sound of distant footfalls headed down the opposite corridor snaps you out of your reverie, accompanied by the dulcet tones of your irate headmaster, evidently giving up in his attempts to break past the barrier into the place that's been your refuge for the past two and a half years, until all you can hear is the sound of the Defence Tower's crackling Floo flames and the frenzied staccato of both of you trying to steady your breathing.

"I think we're safe now," you tell him, whispers disguising your breathlessness.

"Hmm?" Sebastian replies with a distracted hum, gaze snapping back up from the shape of your lips for the second time in as many minutes.

Sebastian shakes his head, and for a few nerve-wracking seconds you hold your breath in fear that he can feel the sudden jump in your pulse as he leans in even closer in an effort to peer around the corner, before giving you a quick nod of affirmation and slipping out of the passageway, taking what's left of the air in your lungs along with him. The glass wall against your back suddenly feels a lot colder without Sebastian's warm weight against your chest, and for a brief moment you wonder whether you've gone mad, wishing that Black had hovered around for just a little bit longer.

"Yes, it would appear so…for now, at least," Sebastian grouses, lips twisting into a frustrated scowl. "But if Black's been sniffing around the Undercroft, then it's only a matter of time before he works out how to get inside, and that means it's as good as lost to us as a safe haven. I'm…not sure where else we could go," he says, sounding genuinely heartbroken by the notion of having to cut this little nighttime rendezvous short.

You're about to join him in his lament, when a spectacular idea comes to you.

"Oh!" you exclaim, quickly clapping a hand over your mouth when the outline of his eyebrows shoots up in alarm.

"Sorry, got excited," you explain. Sebastian's lips quirk up in fond amusement.

"Follow me," you whisper, taking him by the hand and leading him up the staircase directly across from the hidden corridor.

"Where—" he starts, but you cut him off with a cryptic, "You'll see."

Without another word, Sebastian follows you up several flights of stairs, twists and turns leading you past Charms and up through the Astronomy Tower, sleeping portraits tutting at the two of you along the way.

"Can't believe I didn't think of it before, but, well…I've only just discovered it, and we've always had the Undercroft, so I didn't think…aha! Here we are," you whisper excitedly as the two of you round one final corner, coming to a stop between a blank stretch of stone and a tapestry of Barnabas The Barmy.

Sebastian looks at you like you've gone mad.

"Darling," he drawls, the affectionate moniker dripping with the urge to tease you senseless. "That's a bare stone wall."

"Are you sure about that?" you ask in a mimic of his playful prodding from earlier, lips quirking up in a smug smile at Sebastian's gasp of surprise as an ornate doorway bleeds into view, sprawling across the stone wall like fast-growing ivy.

With a confident smile, you breeze through the door and into a spacious moonlit room decorated in a blend of botanical greenery and gothic architecture, ceiling enchanted to reflect the world outside, sky full of stars glittering through an array of blossoming vines suspended from the illusion of a skylight.

You haven't quite finished setting everything up just yet, so it's still a little messy in some areas (a seemingly endless struggle to coax the paintings and fixtures to hang just right) but you're fairly happy with what you've done with it so far. A handsome writing desk strewn with stacks of dusty old textbooks, half-finished essays, inkwells, broken quills, and a bowl magically enchanted to fill with fresh fruit whenever you enter the room (courtesy of your friend Deek, who'd noticed you missing meals one too many times because you were too wrapped up in one of your projects, and decided to intervene) sits in one corner, while a potioneer's station with a trio of burners and a potting table with nearly-sprouted dittany and mallowsweet sits in another, a whole empty corridor just waiting to be filled with anything your heart desires (your own private library, perhaps) nestled in between.

"Is this…the Room Of Requirement?" Sebastian whispers from beside you, awestruck expression on full display now he's no longer cloaked by his Disillusionment Charm. "I thought that was just a myth."

"So did I," you chuckle, lifting your own with a casual flick of your wand. "…until a fortnight ago."

Sebastian turns to look at you, eyes narrowing.

"Hang on," he says, tone changing from fascinated to guarded in the span of a few words. "You've known about this room for two whole weeks and you haven't told me?"

You can't help but feel a little pang of guilt over how hurt he sounds.

"Come now, it's not like that," you assure him, reaching out to take his hand. Despite his sudden shift in mood, he immediately takes it, fingers slipping easily between your own, sighing as you rub soothing circles along his thumb.

"Like I said, I've only just found out about it," you explain. "Professor Weasley showed it to me after I spoke to her about wishing I had a quieter place to study for my N.E.W.T.s. — suppose she took pity on me, seeing as two out of three of my only years here have been plagued by nerve-wracking exams — let me turn it into my own private study, and decorate how I please. She made me swear not to tell anyone, but…well…you're my best friend, Seb, of course I was planning on telling you. I just wanted to wait until I'd finished setting everything up first," you finish, eyes narrowing at one of the paintings above your desk set several inches above the others at an odd angle.

"You are a wonder, you know that?" Sebastian laughs, warmth flooding back into his features as he gazes down at you with a fond smile, giving the palm of your hand an affectionate squeeze. "You've got all these professors fooled into thinking you're this saintly, rule-abiding student, yet here you are, sneaking out past curfew with the school's biggest mischief-maker to learn forbidden magic in a secret room you swore you'd tell no one about. We do so adore restricted areas, don't we?"

"Forbidden magic?" you repeat, arching a curious eyebrow.

"Why do you think I invited you to meet me tonight?" he says, lips curving up in an impish grin. "I've got another spell I'd like to show you."

Your eyes light up in excitement, eager as the day he taught you Confringo.

"But first, I think you owe a tour of your secret private study, starting with…whatever those are," he says, curious gaze flitting between three magnificent archways connected by an imperial staircase just across the way, slivers of gold waltzing between the branches of two majestic oak trees twisting around the entryway of the first, a lullaby of birdsong and gentle ocean waves echoing from the bright, hazy doorway of the second, climbing vines curling like serpents around water-logged trees cloaked in mushrooms and moss, casting shadows like Celtic filigree across the marble floor as the soft silver glow of magically-conjured moonlight spills down the steps leading up to the entrance of the third.

"Oh, you mean my vivariums?" you reply with an air of feigned nonchalance, smiling at the way he gazes at them with all the wonder of a small child discovering magic for the first time. "Forest, swamp, coastal, or grasslands — where would you like to start first?"

Sebastian turns to look at you, eyebrows arched in astonishment.

"You mean to tell me there's an entire ecosystem in each one of these?" he asks.

"Well, of course," you answer. "Each beast I've rescued deserves to feel right at home, wouldn't you agree?"

"You've got magical beasts in there?" Sebastian huffs out around a disbelieving laugh.

"Would you like to meet them?" you ask, lips curling up in a bright smile.

"Would I like to— is that even a question?" he asks, jubilant.

"Please, lead the way." Sebastian sweeps into a low, theatrical bow and is nearly knocked off his feet as you eagerly tug him by the hand toward the first of four doorways, stepping from the serene moonlit study into a lush green forest teeming with birdsong and honeybees, lit by the soft golden glow of warm summer sunshine.

"—should really check on everyone anyway. I set up an automatic feeder and a toy chest in each one, but they still need to be brushed on occasion so I can collect all their feathers and fur," you ramble, but your idle chatter is lost on Sebastian as he stands there in the middle of the forest clearing, gazing awestruck at a pair of unicorns — a bright white female and her little golden foal, coats adorned with a series of swirling spirals that seem to shimmer in the sunlight — trotting toward you in the distance.

"I— I can't believe it," he breathes. "After all that time we spent searching, you finally found the unicorn den."

"Do you remember that mooncalf den we found in the middle of the Forbidden Forest that one time?" you prompt, smiling at the memory of one of your many midnight forays.

"How could I forget? The way you cooed over them. Adorable," Sebastian teases you with a fond smile.

"Fifty paces east and we would've found it," you tell him, delighting in the impressed look on his face.

"Huh," he muses softly. "All that time, we were so close. Funny how often that seems to happen."

You watch his gaze drift down to your entwined hands and settle there for a moment, heart thundering to the beat of swiftly approaching hooves. Before you can think of anything to say, you're pulled out of the intimate embrace by the arrival of your unicorns, the bright white female nearly knocking you off your feet in her enthusiasm to greet you. She nuzzles at your shoulder before shooting Sebastian a curious glance, her little foal hiding behind her. You've never brought anyone else into your vivariums before, and she has every right to be wary after everything she's been through.

"It's alright. Sebastian is safe, I promise," you assure her in a comforting whisper, reaching up to stroke along the bridge of her nose. She huffs out a breath and closes her eyes, shaking her head in an effort to get you to reach a little bit higher. After a moment's deliberation, she approaches Sebastian, bowing her head and allowing him to touch her. Sebastian shoots you a wary glance, asking your permission. You give him an encouraging nod, and slowly, carefully, he reaches up to gently stroke along the same path, letting out a delighted laugh when she huffs and nuzzles against his shoulder in turn.

"This is Hazel," you tell him with a soft smile. "A lovely woman by the name of Betty Bugbrooke bonded with her when she was just a foal, came to visit her in the forest every week. But one night, they were attacked by wolves, and Hazel ran off scared. Betty worried she might be injured, or worse— that poachers might have gotten to her. She asked if I could find her, give her a safe place to recover. It was only after I brought her here that I realized she was—"

On cue, the little golden foal takes this moment to make his grand entrance, squeezing in past his mother to head-butt Sebastian in the stomach, eager for attention.

"Oof," Sebastian laughs, raising his other hand to gently stroke the foal's mane.

"And this is Hazel's son," you chuckle, glancing back and forth between the two boys. "I haven't thought of a name for him yet — he was only just born last week. Perhaps you could help me name him?"

"You'd let me?" Sebastian asks, pleasantly surprised.

"I think it's only right. He seems to have taken quite a shine to you," you smile as the little foal head-butts Sebastian's outstretched hand.

"Either that or he thinks my fingers are carrots," Sebastian laughs.

"I don't think he's quite figured out how to work the automatic feeder just yet," you venture, glancing back at the row of little wooden crates by the entryway and making a mental note to double check you've conjured the spellcraft correctly. "Would you like to feed him while I brush Hazel?"

"Sure," he says, glancing warily at the automatic feeder, not quite sure how to use it himself. "Should I just—"

Before he can finish asking, you lift your wand and produce a fresh bag of beast feed similar to the ones you've used in class, handing it off to him before conjuring your brush and heading toward Hazel.

Out of the corner of your eye, you watch as Sebastian reaches into the bag and lifts a handful of food into the air, where it floats between himself and the foal, who eagerly reaches forward to chomp at the pieces. Sebastian chuckles fondly at the hungry little unicorn and sets about trying to figure out a name for him, listing a few choices out loud and asking him what he thinks of each one in turn.

"What shall we call you?" Sebastian muses, tapping a finger against his chin. "Oh, I know! How about a wood-themed name to match your mother? Let's see…how do you feel about Hawthorn?"

The golden foal snorts and shakes his head.

"Alright, I'll take that as a no," Sebastian chuckles. "Hmm…how about Rowan, then?"

The little foal stamps his front hoof in even deeper disapproval.

"Well, we can't very well call you Dogwood," Sebastian laughs.

Hazel lets out an impatient snort as she waits to be brushed, bringing your focus rather sharply back to her. You breathe out a hasty apology, but she merely gives you a look like she knows exactly why you were so distracted.

"Hush, you," you admonish her with a small smile, reaching up to brush the tangles out of her long silver-white mane.

Hazel lets out another huff like she's sighing at you, glancing over to watch Sebastian playing with her son, red-faced and laughing as the two of them chase each other across the clearing, before turning back to level you with another pointed look, nodding her head and nuzzling her nose into your shoulder, and you think it might just be the closest anyone's ever come to getting a unicorn's stamp of approval.

A little while later, the two of you are sitting at the edge of the forest by the toy box, discarded cloaks laid out underneath you like a makeshift picnic blanket, watching Hazel and newly-named Willow chasing an unpoppable bubble around the clearing, when Sebastian lets out a long, slow, contented sigh and leans his shoulder into yours.

"I have to admit, it's a wonder I've seen you at all these past two weeks," he says with a soft chuckle, gazing out onto the golden horizon, mesmerized by the way the sunlight kisses the surface of the lake. "I could easily stay like this forever."

He turns to look at you, sunlight dancing in his warm brown eyes just like the stars had that night on the Astronomy Tower.

"Here…with you."

Breath catches in the back of your throat as you look at him, eyes trailing down the curves of his freckled cheeks to land on his lips again. Here in the soft afternoon light, his freckles are more pronounced than ever, each one a kiss from the sun. You imagine him spending his summers running around outside, tearing through the countryside on all sorts of rollicking adventures, tending to the gardens and livestock in the village on his quieter days. Perhaps that's how he developed such a sturdy build, broad shoulders straining against the sleeves of his button-up, rolled halfway to his elbows, baring toned, freckled forearms that flex with each flick of his wrist as he guides the moving path of the unpoppable bubble.

You feel your body start to lean forward of its own accord, eyes fluttering closed, but manage to stop yourself before you do something monumentally stupid like kiss your best friend in the middle of a magically-conjured forest clearing.

"Ah, but then you wouldn't get to see the rest of my vivariums," you quickly recover, jolting yourself out of the moment.

"Merlin, I forgot," Sebastian shakes his head, seemingly coming out of his own little reverie. "This is just one of three."

"Four," you correct him with a small smile. "The doorway to the grasslands sits just above the entrance to the Room Of Requirement."

"I didn't even notice," Sebastian marvels. "I was so preoccupied with the three right in front of me."

You slowly get to your feet, dusting grass off the edge of your skirt.

"Well then, are you ready to see the next one?" you ask, holding out your hand.

"Absolutely," he says, taking your offered hand, though he does most of the heavy lifting as you help him to his feet. You expect him to let go once he's standing, but he only holds on tighter, slipping his fingers back in between yours. You can't help the rush of warmth that surges through you at the contact.

"Shall we take the scenic route?" you ask, inclining your head toward the darkened forest just ahead.

"Is there any other way to travel?" Sebastian quips back, eagerly following at your side.

Jobberknolls and fwoopers fly overhead, weaving between the autumn-kissed treetops as the two of you make your way through the thicket, while kneazles chase rolling puffskeins through the leaf-strewn undergrowth. As the two of you trudge along, the forest itself grows darker and darker, fading from the warmth of a golden summer's day into a misty moonlit night, the ground beneath your boots becoming steadily more uneven and unforgiving, solid dirt and gnarled tree roots giving way to soft, muddy earth dotted with moss and mushrooms, puddles of water stretching between patches of grass and tall, swaying cattails, until you reach the very edge of the forest, opening out onto the swamplands.

Sebastian lets out a sharp gasp, faltering for a moment when he sees two skeletal, horse-like creatures with wingspans the size of a Hebridean Black swoop down from the night sky to land at the edge of the forest, one pitch black like the sky above, one as bright as the moon.

"You have thestrals?" he whispers, equal parts amazed and apprehensive.

"There's a den just north of here," you tell him, giving the palm of his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Absolutely riddled with poachers, last time I checked. It's not safe for them out there anymore, at least not at the moment. So, Deek asked me to rescue a mated pair."

"Deek," Sebastian repeats, the name somewhat familiar. "That's that house elf that's friendly with Professor Weasley, right?"

"The very same," you reply with a small smile. "He's the one who helped me set up my study, in fact; encouraged me to rescue as many creatures as I could, give them a safe place free from the threat of poachers."

"Which is how you ended up with a mated pair of thestrals," Sebastian concludes, sounding both amused and impressed.

"Gomez and Morticia," you answer with a cheerful nod.

Sebastian glances at you, one eyebrow arched in amusement.

"It's what I've taken to calling them," you say with a small shrug. "Suits them, don't you think?"

Sebastian watches the pair of bad omens curl up together under the shade of a weeping willow, Gomez stretching out his wings to wrap around Morticia's shoulders like a protective shield, before leaning forward to nuzzle his nose against hers.

"It certainly does," Sebastian replies with a soft smile.

He turns back to look at you, teasing grin returning in full. "Came up with names for all of them, have you?"

"Of course," you reply with a jovial smile. "It would get awfully confusing if I didn't, especially with an entire herd of— aha! There they are, right on cue."

One by one, all seven of your mooncalves emerge into the clearing, moonlight dancing in their big, bright blue eyes, webbed feet splashing through muddy puddles as they all come hurtling toward you, jumping up and down, enveloping you in a cuddly circle. You greet them all by name — Millie, Mooncake, Marzipan, Vanilla Bean, Snickerdoodle, Pancake, and Jellybean — giggling and cooing over them as you ask each one how they've been, who's hungry, and who needs to be brushed.

Too wrapped up in your little herd to notice the way Sebastian's lips curl up in a soft, smitten smile as he watches you, heart fluttering inside his chest at how utterly adorable you are, how big and pure your heart is. Of course you'd have a whole herd of them. He shouldn't have expected anything less.

"Where on earth did you find them all?" he asks, huffing out a laugh as one of the braver ones comes sniffing around his ankles, peering up at him expectantly.

"Poacher camps," you explain, upper lip curling in a scowl. "Every so often, I'll come across an encampment near their den in the forest, catch them before they manage to steal away with their quarry. They mostly use cages with level one locks, so they're easy enough to pick while their backs are turned, but it's not exactly the quickest process. So far, I've only been caught twice. Managed to duel my way out of trouble without too much fuss — nothing a vial or two of Wiggenweld couldn't patch up — and more importantly, without any mooncalves getting hurt in the process. Poachers scare pretty easily when they find out a student knows Confringo — thanks for that, by the way."

You look up from your little herd of mooncalves to find Sebastian staring at you in astonishment, mouth hanging open like you've just revealed some grand secret double-life, so distracted he doesn't even notice the muddy paw prints saturating the knees of his trousers as Jellybean jumps up to nose at his pocket, searching for treats.

"You—" he falters, breath coming out in a disbelieving laugh. "You're amazing, you know that? I wondered where you'd been disappearing off to whenever you weren't with me. Speaking of which…I'd like to come with you next time, if you'll have me. Help you fight the baddies, keep these little ones safe," he says, leaning down to stroke the top of Jellybean's head and letting out a contented hum when she closes her eyes and makes a high-pitched squeaking sound.

"I take back every time I've ever teased you for going soft over these little gremlins. I can see now why you like them so much," he relents, chuckling as Jellybean purrs and nuzzles her head against the palm of his hand, eager for more scritches.

"Aren't they wonderful? They're so sweet and soft and silly," you laugh as you watch a trio of little ones chasing after a tiny floating moon conjured from the toy box with all the fondness in the world. "Oh, I just love them so much."

"Is that what it takes to earn your love? I'm at least one out of three of those things," Sebastian chuckles under his breath, eyes growing wide the moment he realizes he's just said that out loud.

"Sorry, didn't quite catch that," you say, struggling to hear anything over the sound of Snickerdoodle happily crunching away as you feed him a handful of treats.

"Nothing," Sebastian lies, summoning a handful of beast feed from out of your bag with a flick of his wand. "I was just asking Jellybean here if she was hungry."

At the mention of food, all seven of your mooncalves come gallivanting up to surround you both, floating toy moon immediately forgotten.

"Alright, easy there, I promise I won't let anyone go hungry," Sebastian reassures them, laughing as their little pink tongues poke out to tickle the palm of his hand. There's no Hazel to tease you this time as you stand there, rooted to the spot as though you've just been Stunned, one breath away from sighing like a lovesick damsel as you watch Sebastian dote on your mooncalves, heart threatening to burst with the overwhelming love it carries.

You wait until the very last mooncalf has huddled in with the rest of their herd and laid their head down in the tall, swaying grasses to drift off to sleep, fur brushed and bellies full, before making your way to the next vivarium. Together, the two of you wade through knee-deep swamp water littered with lily pads and lotus flowers, cloaks soaked and caked in mud and moss, until you reach the mouth of a darkened cave, shards of moonstone jutting from floor to ceiling like rows of shark's teeth.

Led by the glow of your wands, the two of you carefully make your way through the cavernous passageway, a kaleidoscope of colors bursting across the walls each time your light shines through a cluster of crystals, until eventually, the light at the end grows bright enough to outshine even the strongest of light spells, a symphony of crickets and tree frogs and echoes of dripping stalactites giving way to the soft cries of seagulls and gentle ocean waves, moss giving way to seaweed, until the muddied puddles of the swamp meet little whirlpools of sea water.

Together, the two of you step out into a bright, hazy world lit by golden sunlight streaming through fluffy white clouds stretched across a brilliant blue sky, ocean waves crashing against massive weather-worn rocks surrounding you on all sides.

After thestrals and unicorns, Sebastian really shouldn't be surprised to learn that you have hippogriffs too, but he gasps in disbelief all the same when two of them come swooping down from the sky to land right in front of you, eager to be brushed and fed.

They're wary at first, only used to you, Natty, and Poppy from your daring rescue weekend last, watching Sebastian with a kind of cautious curiosity as he dips into a low bow, warm brown eyes fixed first to Highwing's golden gaze, and then Caligo's piercing bright blue. After a moment, the two of them bow their heads, allowing Sebastian to come stand beside you and brush them, Caligo affectionately nipping at the hood of Sebastian's cloak when he sneaks him a few extra treats from your bag of beast feed.

"Keep that up, and I bet he'll let you ride him in no time," you chuckle, plucking another loose feather from Highwing's bright white plumage and stowing it in the pocket of your cloak.

Sebastian turns to look at you, eyes wide with excitement.

Your lips quirk up in a smug smile.

"There's nothing quite like the view of the castle grounds from the back of a hippogriff," you sigh, mischief dancing in your eyes as you cast him a playful grin. "Want to see for yourself sometime?"

"Do you even have to ask?" Sebastian quips back, lips pulling up into a brilliant smile.

"Is it just the two of them in here, or are there any other surprises I should know ab—" Sebastian barks out a startled laugh as a bright white diricawl bursts into existence right beside him.

"Oh, hullo Gwyneira, nice of you to join us," you chuckle as the squat little bird marches up to the automatic feeder, bobbing and weaving without a trace of fear between the hippogriffs' taloned feet, and steals three helpings' worth of food before disappearing again with an audible pop.

You didn't think Sebastian's face had room for any more freckles, but after a long stretch of sitting at the edge of the beach, dark gray trousers rolled up to his knees, wool socks and worn leather boots discarded in favor of dipping his toes into the sand, tempting the water to come up and kiss the soles of his feet, you're proven quite wrong, a ruddy hue settling into the hollows of his cheeks as he squints against the blinding sunlight and watches in fascination as Caligo and Highwing take to the skies.

Eager to see where they're off to, the two of you make your way a little further east, where a large formation of rocks leads up a steep cliffside covered in a thick coat of lush greenery, cracked and crumbling steps ascending to the ruins of an old castle. It's a bit of a climb that's hell on both your knees, but the view at the top is well worth it, sunlight spilling over a landscape that seems to exist forever in the golden hour, rolling grasslands teeming with billywigs and honeybees buzzing about a colorful sweep of wildflowers, surrounded on all sides by majestic, snowcapped mountains.

Sebastian gazes out onto the horizon, elbows resting against the edge of the wooden guardrail fencing in the highest outlook of the clearing, mesmerized by the way the sunlight hits the glittering golds of Highwing's feathers and the cool blues of Caligo's as the two of them soar across the mountain range, when a flash of bright red wings swoops by overheard, wind curling its fingers through his hair.

"Is that— oh, there's no way," Sebastian gasps in unbridled excitement.

"Oh, did I forget to mention I have a phoenix?" you reply cooly, though your proud, beaming smile gives you away.

"Incredible," he says, a little breathless as he watches the legendary bird soar across the mountainous landscape. "Absolutely incredible."

He turns to look at you, sunlight catching against the back of his frame and igniting him in a soft golden glow, fixing you with a smile that's somehow even softer as he adds, "Every time I think I've seen everything, you always find a way to surprise me."

Sunlight spills across his features as he holds your gaze, kissing brand new freckles into the curves of his cheeks and the bow of his lips, and in that moment you've never been more jealous of the sun, longing to follow in its lead.

You're shaken out of the moment by a series of curious squeaks and whines, turning in time to see a family of nifflers eagerly waddling up the path toward you, keen to sniff you out and see if you've got anything valuable to nick. You introduce Sebastian to the felonious foursome — the infamous Irondale Pilferer, Calamity, his partner in crime, and their newborn twins, Mischief and Rascal. Sebastian greets them with a friendly smile, crouching down to tickle Mischief's belly and laughing when a handful of coins comes spilling out of her pouch. You tell him he's more than welcome to pocket them…if he can manage to keep them out of her brother's clutches.

Sebastian lets out a deep, contented sigh as he gazes out into the distance, watching as the sun slowly starts to slip beneath the mountains, bathing the clearing in hazy shades of citrus and rose.

"Blimey, how long have we been in here?" he laughs, glancing down at the edges of his nearly-dried cloak. "It feels so real in here, I'd honestly forgotten we're still in a room inside the castle, and haven't just traversed the whole of the highlands in the span of— what, a couple of hours? This place feels never-ending, it'll be a wonder if we ever manage to find our way back."

He glances over at you suddenly, a worried crease settling into his brow.

"Do you know the way back, or do we just live here now?" he asks, huffing out a nervous laugh.

"Come along, lost boy. Let's get you home," you tease, fixing him with a fond smile as you take him by the hand and lead him down a curved, winding pathway that twists around the cliff face of the clearing, tall grasses and fragrant wildflowers weaving between the pickets of the worn wooden guardrail, down down down until you reach a magnificent waterfall spilling out into a vast, glittering lake on the periphery of a familiar terrain.

As you climb down the last moss-covered boulder and make your way across the clearing, you spot Hazel curled up around her little foal, the two of them softly dozing under the shade of an oak tree, gentle sunlight spilling through its branches in a lazy waltz across the lush green grass.

Hand in hand, the two of you step back through the doorway opposite the edge of the forest, and into the heart of your starlit study.

Sebastian shakes his head like he's coming out of a trance, glancing back toward the sunlit doorway to double check it hadn't all just been a dream.

"An entire world — sorry, four entire worlds — existing inside a single room in the castle?" he marvels, breathless laughter rushing out of him as he glances around the study. "And you managed to set all this up in just two weeks?"

"Well, I had a lot of help," you're quick to assure him, not wanting to take all the credit. "From Deek and the room itself."

"But you're the one who rescued all those creatures, and you chose all the decor, didn't you?" he insists, playfully knocking his shoulder against yours.

"I suppose that's true…" you relent, lips curving up in a proud smile as you glance around the room, sleek mahogany bookshelves lining nearly every wall, just waiting to be filled with all your favorites, moonlit sky casting shadows on the polished marble floor through the twisting greenery adorning the skylight up above.

"It's magnificent, by the way…your private study," he tells you, voice soft and low as he turns back to look at you.

"Our private study now, if you'd like," you correct him, mesmerized by the way the moonlight dances in his eyes.

"A secret room that's just ours alone? Oh, I like the sound of that very much," he says, voice close to a whisper now as he keeps his steady gaze fixed on yours.

It's easier to catch this time, now you're no longer under the spell of a Disillusionment Charm, the way his eyes trail down to your lips and linger there, just for a moment. Your tongue darts out to swipe across your bottom lip in instinctual anticipation, and you could almost swear you hear his breath hitch, hand gripping yours a little tighter.

And oh, you're going to do something very stupid if you don't snap yourself out of this right now.

"So," you prompt, embarrassed by how breathless you sound. "You promised to show me something forbidden tonight?"

Sebastian blinks, eyebrows jumping to his hairline.

"What?" he blurts out, half shocked disbelief, half breathless laughter.

Ah. You just clocked the way that sounded. Brilliant subject change. Spectacular choice of wording right there.

"You— you said you had a spell you wanted to show me?" you clarify, cheeks burning at the eager look in his eyes.

"Oh," Sebastian breathes, shoulders sagging a little. He shakes his head to try and clear it.

"Right, we should—" he falters, suddenly nervous, hand slipping out of yours as he makes his way into the middle of the study. (You try very hard not to mourn the loss, the space between your fingers a little too empty without his to fit perfectly between them.)

The look he gives you as he stands opposite you is apprehensive, posture worse than usual as he ducks his head down in an effort to appear smaller.

"So…" he starts, lips pulling up in a wincing smile. "I trust you remember a little spell called…" he swallows. "…the Imperius Curse?"

All the air rushes out of the room like a Dementor's kiss, fear lancing through you like slivers of ice, leaving pins and needles in its wake.

It's been over a year since the catacombs. You thought he'd put all that behind him.

"Sebastian…" you say his name like a warning.

Sebastian puts his hands up in surrender.

"Allow me to explain," he says softly. "Please."

You purse your lips, eyes narrowed. After a moment's deliberation, you let out a sharp sigh and give him an impatient look, your silence giving him permission to continue.

Sebastian breathes a sigh of relief and nods in gratitude.

"Okay, so…hear me out," he starts. "You and I have both known what we wanted to do since the end of our fifth year, yeah? But getting Outstandings in our O.W.L.s is only the beginning. If we're to have even a shot at surviving life as Curse-Breakers, then we need to be prepared for what's out there."

"Even— no, especially— all the things the school deems too dangerous for us to even know about. Honestly, what's the use in Defence Against The Dark Arts if they're not going to teach us how to properly defend ourselves against the Dark Arts?" Sebastian scoffs, rolling his eyes as he riles himself up over his longstanding disdain for the curriculum.

Your lips twitch into a small smile in spite of yourself.

Sebastian shakes his head and lets out a wearying sigh, reeling himself back in, gaze softening as he turns back to look at you.

"Listen, I know you didn't want to learn it last time…but this time, I really think you should," he insists, solemn conviction laced with an undercurrent of soft, desperate pleading. "Not for the purpose of using it on anyone, but so you can understand how it works, the kind of power that comes with wielding it, and most importantly, how to fight against it, so that if anyone is ever fool enough to cast it on you, you won't be so easily subject to their whims."

A shudder runs through the both of you at the very thought, Sebastian bristling with a kind of fierce protectiveness you've only ever seen him display for a few choice souls — his twin sister, his oldest friend, and you.

"And the other two curses?" you ask tentatively, voice low and quiet as your vision swirls with sparks of acid green and crackling carmine, a phantom burst of pain unlike anything else in this world rippling across your abdomen as the memory of cold stone beneath your hands and knees overwhelms you. "Would you have me fight against those, too?"

"No!" Sebastian says a little too sharply, terror flashing in his eyes.

He takes a deep breath, grounding himself.

"The only one I feel even remotely comfortable casting on one another is the Imperius Curse. In the right hands, it's the only one that isn't inexorably harmful…the only one anyone's ever been able to fight against. With the other two, it's really just a matter of…of dodging it," he swallows thickly, a flash of guilt tightening his jaw. "Or…or enduring it."

Sebastian's expression darkens and you know he's thinking back to the Scriptorium again, his reaction so raw and visceral it's as though you're back on a different stone floor, tears drenching the hood of your cloak as he'd clung to you, shoulders shaking in violent, body-wracking sobs.

It's not as though he's made peace with what happened with his uncle, or that he feels more remorse for one grievance over the other. You suppose it's just a little easier to contend with your past mistakes, to quiet the voices of all the people you've wronged, when you don't have to look one of them in the eye every day…when they've been nothing but kind and loyal to you, and all you did in return was repeatedly let them down.

And you know, because he's told you countless times now, that there isn't a single day that goes by where he doesn't wish it'd been him instead, that he should've fought harder against your refusal to cast it on him. But that's an empty regret, because even if you had to go back and do it all over again, you still never would have let him be the one to take it.

"I'll never cast that spell on you ever again," he says, broken, choking. "Once was already too much. I'm so—"

"I know you are," you tell him softly, the same words you've repeated countless times since that quiet little moment in the Undercroft at the end of your fifth year.

You'd kept in touch over the summer, too eager to hear from him to follow through on any half-baked notions of needing space. And a good thing, too — Sebastian, it seemed, was just as keen to hear from you in return. He'd written dozens of letters — two, three, four, sometimes five times a week, if his owl was feeling up to it (though according to one of his letters, she'd start biting his fingers if he ever reached for his quill a sixth time in the span of a single week.)

He never veered toward the topic of your magic or what happened down in the catacombs, content to talk at length about the mundanities of your day instead, asking after your fancy new life in London living all on your own in the flat Fig had left you in his will, commiserating over the hardships of settling a late loved one's affairs. He never seemed bored in the slightest, even when you felt you were droning on about nothing, always happy to hear what you've been up to, even on the days you never left the house. To Sebastian, it seemed no subject could be exhausted, especially when it came to you.

In each new letter, he'd oh-so-casually ask about one of your favorite things, from sweets to flowers to the muggle authors you'd grown up reading, and every week, you'd find a little hand-wrapped parcel among his many letters — a box of sugar quills or a chocolate frog he'd picked up in Hogsmeade the weekend before, a bright blue jobberknoll feather he'd found at a nearby den and fashioned into a quill, fresh honeysuckles and hyacinths from his neighbor's garden pressed between the pages of a quote he'd scribbled down from one of your favorite books, along with an essay on why he liked it.

He'd been keen to keep you up-to-date on how he'd been faring too, eager to keep busy and make himself useful, helping his neighbors with various errands and tasks they might need done, tending to livestock and community gardens, helping to fix up the hamlet in the wake of loyalist destruction. He spoke like he was desperate to prove himself, prove he was keeping his word. A few times, you couldn't help but giggle at the way he sounded like an overzealous suitor trying to woo his intended, keen to sell up his accomplishments.

At first, you'd thought it was simply because he was lonely, that you were his only correspondent, but then Ominis finally broke his silence in July (insisting in his letters to you that given the choice between his family's company and Sebastian's, he supposed he'd rather tolerate the latter, and not because he missed the impish bastard, or anything — his words) followed by a tentative hope you're well from Anne in August. Though she hadn't quite been ready to forgive him back then, Anne was still anxious to know how her brother was faring, not-so-subtly asking if you'd heard from him in her owls to you, and, according to Anne's letters, getting an earful from one of her former neighbors.

After Anne left Feldcroft, she'd kept in touch with one of the neighbors she'd always been closest to — a kindly old woman who used to send over home-cooked stews when Anne and Sebastian first arrived on Solomon's doorstep, and who'd apparently been singing Sebastian's praises all summer for all the hard work that nice young man had been doing to help cut back on the gnome infestation threatening to overtake her rose garden.

Evidently, there were only so many times Anne could bear to hear about that poor boy's crumpled face every time the old woman mentioned Anne's name in passing, how sweet it was that he missed his twin, but wished her luck in her travels as she took a much-needed respite to mourn the loss of their uncle, opting to stay behind and look after the estate, that she'd finally broken and decided to send him a letter. Just one line — hope you're well — but to Sebastian, it was everything.

And yet, the frequency with which he wrote to you never wavered. If anything, it'd given him even more to talk about.

You remember how excited he'd been for term to start back up again — it was all the two of you seemed to be able to talk about in the days leading up to September. You'd grown so used to his presence, even if it was only through letters, that the stroll through Diagon Alley felt rather lonely without him, as did the train ride from King's Cross (though an afternoon of stories, snacks, and Exploding Snap with Ominis, Poppy, Natty, Garreth, and Amit certainly made for a lovely journey through the countryside) but seeing as he could easily get all his supplies in Hogsmeade and simply use the Floo Network to travel to the castle, it seemed rather silly to invite him to come all the way to London, just to go all the way back.

You remember the way the floor fell out from underneath you the first time you saw him again — teeth as white as a Patronus Charm against the sun-kissed glow of his skin, an impossible surplus of freckles scattered across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose, spilling into the curves of his dimples as his lips pulled up into a bright smile, warm brown eyes lit up like afternoon sunlight across the forest floor, somehow even taller and stronger than he'd been only a few months prior as he'd rushed toward you and lifted you off your feet in a dizzying hug, shivers dancing down your spine as he'd buried his face into the crook of your neck and whispered, "Merlin, I've missed you."

By then, you'd finally begun to admit to yourself that maybe, quite possibly, you might have developed something of a small crush on your closest friend. This moment clearly endeavored to whack you round the back of the head with it.

Laughter caught like honey in the back of your throat as you'd pulled back to look at him, cheeks burning like you'd just hugged a living Confringo blast, and said, "Thought you'd be sick of me by now. We only wrote each other every day."

But Sebastian's sincerity only grew stronger.

"Never. Much as I looked forward to your letters, it's not the same as getting to see you in person. Merlin, can't believe it's been almost three months since I last saw you. You look—"

Sebastian paused, eyes lingering on the silken spill of your hair as it cascaded down your shoulders, longer now and out of its usual braid, the healthy glow that had blossomed across your cheeks from all those downtown strolls in the warm summer sun, same bright eyes, same soft smile you always seemed to reserve just for him.

"I sure hope the end of that sentence is good," you'd teased in the wake of the silence that stretched between you, momentarily worried you had some leftover pumpkin pasty on your face, or forgotten to repair a singe in your cloak.

But then Sebastian had let out the softest laugh, ducking his head in a sheepish grin and peering up at you through his lashes. And Merlin, how your heart raced.

"That's one word for it. Good. You look good," he said softly.

He looked at you for a moment longer, lips pulling up into a soft — dare you call it adoring — smile. And then he shook his head, and in the next instant it was gone, replaced by something sharper, cheekier.

"Though it appears you've somehow gotten even shorter since the last time I saw you," he added in a teasing lilt, lifting his arm and settling it atop your head as though you were a particularly moody armrest.

"Or you just shot up over the summer, you bloody tree," you'd quipped, wriggling out from under his arm, only for it to fall around your shoulders and stay there until they called for everyone to take their seats for the start of term feast.

Sebastian's laughter lanced through you like a bolt of lightning, and you spent far more time than you'd care to admit lying awake later that night wondering whether he'd planned it.

The next morning, you awoke to find him waiting for you bright and early outside of your common room, in the midst of a heated debate with the eagle door knocker over the answer to the riddle: when is a door not a door?

"When it's ajar," you'd answered as you stepped out into the corridor, eagerly accepting the freshly-baked croissant held out in his hand.

"That's—" Sebastian blurted out, flustered. "How is that more of a correct answer than a portrait? Ever heard of the Fat Lady? The painting of the ticklish pear? The doorways to both the kitchen and the Gryffindor common room are literally hidden behind a portrait. So technically, my answer was correct."

You'd never seen a door knocker look so exhausted.

"Does this little serpent belong to you?" the bronze eagle asked you as it cast a wearying glance at Sebastian.

Now that's one hell of a riddle.

"I— yes. He's with me. Sorry," you answered quickly, turning on your heel and steering Sebastian down the corridor before the door knocker decided to exact vengeance by locking you out of your common room later that night.

You glanced over at the serpent in question, shit-eating grin spread across his ruddy cheeks.

"Sebastian," you prompted as you took in the sight of him, out of breath as he greeted you with a cheeky hello you. "Do you know how many staircases it takes to get from Slytherin Dungeon to Ravenclaw Tower?"

"Oh bloody hell, not another riddle," Sebastian groaned.

"Seventeen," you replied, cheeks aching from the effort of trying not to laugh. "Seventeen staircases. And you climbed all of them this morning just to…what, argue the merits of what makes for a good riddle with my house's door knocker? You do know I could've just met you in the Great Hall, right? You didn't have to go to all the trouble."

The redness in the hollows of his cheeks spread like wildfire across the bridge of his nose, nearly drowning out the smattering of freckles there.

"Well yeah, I could've just waited downstairs," he brushed it off with false bravado. "But I figured it's only right I escort my charge to her first day of classes. It is a special occasion, after all."

"Is it, now?" you asked, smile growing even wider.

"It is," he quipped. "Did you know it's officially been one whole year since the day we met?" he asked, puffing out his chest with a kind of pride that made your stomach swoop like you just fell through the vanishing step in the grand staircase.

"You mean since I knocked you on your arse?" you teased around a mouthful of warm flaky pastry and rich chocolate.

Sebastian pouted at you and made a grab to take back his croissant, barking out a laugh when you shrieked and proceeded to shove the entire thing into your mouth.

"The very picture of grace," he'd mused, smile fit to bursting as you stuck your tongue out at him.

"Speaking of which," he added, smile turning sly. "I think it's high time we had a rematch, wouldn't you?"

"Eager to make losing to me a yearly tradition?" you smirked.

"You wish," he snorted, smile fond as he rolled his eyes. "Meet me in the Undercroft after your last class, and we'll set the record back to rights."

"I look forward to sweeping you off your feet again," you countered with a playful smile.

Sebastian's eyebrows drew up the slightest fraction, lips pulling into a soft, amused smile as he let out a sound that was half hum, half laughter.

"Here's hoping one of these days I can manage to do the same," he'd mused, all the air rushing out of your lungs in a single breath as he took a step closer and reached out to swipe his thumb across your lower lip.

You had half a mind to wonder whether the duel had begun early, whether he'd been practicing wandless, nonverbal spells over the summer, and had struck you unawares with a combination of ice and fire charms, heart pounding in your chest as you watched his tongue dart out to lick a dab of melted chocolate off the edge of his thumb, darkened gaze locked on yours the whole time.

"See you then," he said, the low hum of his laughter stirring something that felt an awful lot like wings in the pit of your stomach, threatening to burst out of you and chase him down the corridor as you watched him walk away.

It took you five whole minutes to find your way to your first class, despite the fact that he'd literally walked you to the door.

You were still in a bit of a daze when you'd strolled through the sliding gate several hours later, hair wild from a particularly humid session in Potions brewing your first-ever N.E.W.T. level Draught Of Living Death, a streak of dirt on your nose from wrangling a screaming mandrake into a fresh pot of soil in Herbology — at least, that's the excuse you'd told yourself when Sebastian caught you off guard in the middle of your rematch, knocking you off your feet with a well-timed Depulso that had absolutely nothing to do with the way his forearms flexed beneath his rolled-up sleeves.

The spell hit you directly in the stomach and had you gasping like you'd just been struck by a charging graphorn. You vaguely registered the clattering of a dropped wand against worn stone, and in the next moment, Sebastian was on his knees beside you, hands reaching out reflexively and then faltering in midair, like he wasn't sure what to do, whether he was allowed to touch you.

You'd laughed it off, relieved for that first rush of air back into your lungs, head swiveling to where he kneeled beside you, preparing to see a sheepish grin, a wincing apology made less effective by a triumphant, gloating smirk, but all you saw when you looked into the eyes of your best friend was sheer terror, and you knew in an instant where his mind had gone.

Sebastian's gaze flitted between your eyes and the place you'd been hit — the very same spot his Cruciatus Curse had struck you less than a year prior.

"Oh Sebastian, it's okay," you reassured him, wincing at the slight wheeze to your voice. "I'm fine, see? It wasn't anything like—"

Sebastian's lower lip trembled, and in the next moment you'd been pulled into a tight embrace, shaking in his arms as seismic sobs wracked his entire body, an endless chorus of I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, please forgive me spilling from his lips.

You'd held him back just as tight, assuring him between gentle strokes of his hair that you'd long forgiven him, that you knew he didn't have a choice.

"But I did have a choice," he argued, pulling back to fix you with a red-rimmed scowl. "I led you down there. I insisted. I'm the one who got us into that impossible situation in the first place. I made so many terrible choices, and all that time I let myself believe it was worth it because I thought I was doing the right thing. But in the end, all I did was hurt the people I—" he faltered, swallowing around a sharp burst of nerves that only had half to do with the guilt welling up inside him.

"I've had all summer to relive what I did to you…to everyone," he whispered softly, haunted by ghosts both living and dead as he'd looked into your eyes.

It's the same way he looks at you now, desperate and pleading for forgiveness you've already granted him, absolution he still won't allow himself.

You know how much he regrets it, how deeply it haunts him, even now. You know he's changed, learned from his past mistakes, determined never to repeat them. You know you can trust him. So if Sebastian wants you to learn one of the Unforgivable Curses, then you have to trust that it must be for good reason.

"So you're telling me it's actually possible to fight against the Imperius Curse?" you ask, still wary, but, you'll begrudgingly admit, curiosity effectively piqued. "How in Merlin's name did you ever learn how to do that?"

Sebastian lets out a breath he'd likely been holding that entire time, some of the tension unraveling from his shoulders as his lips pull into a smile like he's relieved you're still standing here with him, eager to share in something new he's learned like it's just another trip to the Restricted Section.

"Well, as you may have noticed, our dear friend Ominis is not exactly thrilled about our choice of career," Sebastian starts, and you can't help the small smile that curls across your lips as a litany of passive aggressive comments about how he'd better not see the two of you anywhere near the Janus Thickey Ward when he starts his residency in June, comes flooding into your memory. Sebastian clocks your smile and his lips twitch into one of his own.

"Keeps lamenting about how he wishes we'd choose something less dangerous," he adds, rolling his eyes in a show of fond amusement. "But that if we absolutely must, then he'd rather we go in fully prepared for what's out there. I'd assumed he was just going to help us practice a few defensive spells, offer to teach us some of the healing charms he's been learning shadowing Nurse Blainey. Imagine my surprise when Ominis Gaunt, self-proclaimed opposer of anything to do with the Dark Arts, offers to teach me the ins and outs of the Imperius Curse."

That certainly does surprise you, helping to put whatever remains of your unsettled nerves at ease. You know Ominis would never agree, let alone be the one to suggest practicing dark magic unless he truly felt it would be beneficial, unless he truly believed Sebastian could be trusted with such a thing.

"We've been practicing nearly every night in the Undercroft for the past several weeks," Sebastian goes on to explain. "I'd have told you sooner, but I didn't want to risk subjecting you to such a spell until I'd grown comfortable using it myself, fighting against its effects. Now that I have…would you like to see how it's done?"

A frisson runs down your spine, and you're not entirely sure whether it's thrill, fear, or some strange combination of the two. You swallow, only trusting yourself to nod.

"Alright then, draw your wand," he instructs, taking a few tentative steps closer until he's standing right behind you, gentle hands wrapping around the wrist of your dominant hand and bringing it into the air alongside his own.

"We'll begin with the wand movements so you can establish muscle memory," he says, warm breath ghosting across the back of your neck as he speaks in a low, soothing voice, sending shivers that have nothing to do with the forbidden magic you're about to perform racing down the length of your spine.

Together, you aim for the opposite wall, following his directions as he speaks them aloud. Arc up…left…up at a sharp diagonal to the right…and then straight back down in a figure four.

After you've completed your first circuit, Sebastian takes a step back and allows you to practice a few more times on your own, making sure you've got the movements just right.

"Good," he says, sounding impressed, but not altogether surprised. "Perfect form, in fact."

You can't help the automatic smile that curves across your lips at his praise.

"Now to put it into practice," he prompts, drawing his own wand from the inside pocket of his cloak and turning round to face you.

"Do you trust me?" he asks softly, fixing you with a serious, almost pleading look, like if you answer no it's as good as casting Crucio.

"You know I do," you answer automatically. Because even though you're still a little nervous at the prospect of delving into darker forms of magic, there's no one you'd rather learn it from.

Sebastian's eyes crinkle in a grateful smile, before quickly shifting back to something more serious.

"Alright then," he says, taking a deep, steadying breath. "Prepare yourself, I'm going to cast it on you."

"I'm ready," you tell him, standing with your spine a little straighter, wand at your side.

"Imperio," he intones, wand flicking through the air in the pattern he'd just taught you.

The effect is instantaneous, a serene sort of blankness settling over your mind like you're floating through the clouds, a comfortable warmth akin to dozing off in front of the fireplace spreading throughout your entire body. Then, clear as a bell, you hear Sebastian's voice ring out inside your head, instructing you to walk over to your desk and bring him back an apple from the bowl set atop. Without even questioning it, you do so, legs moving of their own accord.

"Finite," he says as you come to a sudden stop in front of him, a bright red honeycrisp apple held out in offering in the palm of your hand. The floating high disappears instantly, leaving you feeling out of sorts, a little dazed as you stare down at the apple, almost as if you'd dreamed you'd gone to fetch it.

"How are you feeling? Are you alright?" he asks, checking you over like he's the one preparing for a Healer's career. "It can be a little overwhelming when you first experience it. Part of why I asked you to bring that," he adds, pointing down at the apple. "The sugars will help you recover."

Sebastian's always had a bit of a sweet tooth, but the sudden uptick in the sheer amount of sugar quills you'd seen stuck between his teeth as of late suddenly makes a lot more sense. Slowly, as though testing the bounds of being back in control of your own limbs, you lift the apple to your lips and take a small bite, mulling over his question.

"It was…strange," you decide, aware that's the biggest understatement of the century. "I know I should've been scared, but instead I felt oddly serene."

"That's what it does to you," Sebastian nods solemnly. "Lulls you into a false sense of security. Tricks your mind into complacency, like you're merely a vessel and someone else is steering the ship."

"I can see how it earned the name unforgivable," you agree with a grimace. "I reckon the only reason I'm not nearly as unnerved as I should be right now is because I knew you were the one casting it."

"That's exactly why I wanted to be the one to teach you," he says with renewed conviction. "In order to learn how to defend ourselves against it, it's important to practice with someone we trust."

"Which is why," he adds with a wry chuckle. "You're going to be the one casting it on me next."

Your lips part in surprise. Even though you knew it was coming, it still catches you off guard.

"Are— are you sure?" you ask warily.

"Course I am," he reassures you with a confident grin. "As I said, it's important to know what it feels like from both sides, understand the kind of power you wield."

You stare at him for a moment, mulling it over, and then give him a curt nod, taking a few steps back to allow enough room for a safe cast.

"Remember, you have to mean it," he reminds you, stowing his wand in his pocket and standing in front of you with his arms behind his back. "Concentrate. Think the command very clearly in your mind."

You take a deep breath as you square your shoulders, assume your stance, and raise your wand.

"Alright, I'm going to cast it," you tell him, giving him the same warning he'd granted you.

"I'm ready," he assures you in an echo of your words.

"Imperio," you say aloud, and a warm weight like you've just been handed the reins to the carriage of Helios himself settles into your dominant hand. The effect on your intended target is immediate, spine straightening as he stands to attention, an eerie green glow flickering to life in the heart of his warm brown eyes.

You nearly lose your nerve when you see it, an overwhelming, all-consuming realization that you're completely in control of another human being settling into the pit of your stomach like lead, terrified that one wrong move could potentially hurt your dearest friend. But then you remind yourself that he's the one who asked you to cast it on him, that you're learning this spell for a reason, and so you close your eyes and clear your mind, focusing on the task at hand.

Walk over to the desk and bring back one of Highwing's feathers, and then place it behind my ear, your own voice rings out inside your head, clear as crystal. You open your eyes in time to see Sebastian already on the move, watching with a kind of macabre fascination as he does exactly as you'd commanded.

"Finite," you say the moment you feel the quill gently slide into place behind your left ear — though at first you wonder whether you've done it right, when Sebastian doesn't immediately withdraw his hand, instead letting it linger to brush back a lock of hair and tuck it behind your ear to join the bright white feather. You're saved from worry when he clears his throat a moment later, the bridge of his nose dusted in a curious shade of pink.

"A perfect first cast," he tells you, and although you don't necessarily want to be proud that you'd gotten such a dark spell right on your very first try, you can't help but preen a little at his praise.

"Now, I want you to try it again, but this time, let's focus on recitation," he says, backing up a few paces and resuming his stance from before. "Think the words very clearly inside your mind and watch as they come spilling out of my mouth as though we were a living ventriloquist act," he quips, lips curling up in a wry smile.

Used to his rather dark sense of humor in light of things he should probably take a bit more seriously, you merely smirk and roll your eyes.

After another steadying breath, you lift your wand and cast it again, beginning with a simple, "Hi, my name is Sebastian Sallow, and I'm a seventh year Slytherin at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," watching in equal parts wonder and horror as he repeats every word you'd just been thinking in perfect recitation.

That's what an utterly ridiculous idea comes to you, and, curious to test the bounds of the enchantment beyond mere facts and figures, you instruct him to say something you know he never would of his own accord.

"Hello, I'm Sebastian Mallowsweet, and cockroach clusters are my favorite treat in all the world! I can't wait to buy a whole barrel from Honeydukes the next time I'm in Hogsmeade," Sebastian repeats in a bright, cheerful voice that makes you giggle so hard you nearly slip up and lose your hold on the spell, but not before you get him to add in a hearty, "Perhaps I'll share some with my best mate, Duncan Hobhouse, the bravest man I've ever known."

"Finite," you manage between poorly-stifled bouts of laughter.

"Oh, that's just cruel," Sebastian chides you with a playful scowl, shaking himself out of the enchantment.

"I'm not sure what's worse, the image of a whole barrel of cockroach clusters, or the idea of voluntarily spending time with Puffskein Dunkein," he adds with a sharper shudder toward the latter. "Rest assured I'll get you back for that heinous slander."

At this point you're a lost cause, laughing so hard it's like you've downed a dozen shots of giggle water, shoulders shaking as you struggle to regain composure. Try as he might, Sebastian can't even pretend to be cross with you, lips quirking up at the corners in a fond smile.

"It's a powerful feeling, isn't it?" he asks softly, giving you an appraising look, curious to see how you'll answer.

"Is it bad that I sort of enjoyed it?" you ask, wincing as though you've just admitted something wicked.

Sebastian studies you for a moment, choosing his next words very carefully.

"There's nothing wrong with the thrill that comes with learning a bit of forbidden magic," he says thoughtfully. "As long as you're responsible about how you use it."

"Some people learn that lesson through trial and error," he continues, lips twisting into a self-effacing frown. "And to some, it just comes naturally. Given that I am speaking to the person who had the chance to take one of the most powerful sources of magic known to wizardkind and keep it all to herself, but chose not to…I think it's safe to say you've more than proven yourself."

Your lips pull up in a small, grateful smile.

"And let's not forget one very important caveat: I gave you full permission to cast it on me and make me say whatever you wanted," he reminds you. "So let me ask you this: would you ever cast it on me without my consent?"

"Of course not!" you answer without hesitation, scandalized by the very thought.

"There you go," he says with a reassuring smile. "So, no, you're not a bad person for enjoying that little moment of power, because in the end, all you did was make a friend say something silly."

"But the kinds of people who usually wield this type of spell…well, let's just say their intentions aren't quite so whimsical," he says, grounding you back in a sharper reality, the chilling warning like a gust of wind through lantern light, reminding just how dark and twisted the path through the woods can be.

"Which is precisely why you're learning it," he says with bright conviction. "So you can understand the dangers of it, learn how to fight against it."

"Now, with your permission, I'm going to cast it again, and this time, I want you to try to break it, alright? Concentrate on channeling your own wants and needs, making your own voice louder than the one giving the commands."

You give him a firm nod of affirmation, wand held steady at your side.

"Ready?" he asks.

"Ready," you reply.

Sebastian raises his wand.

You brace yourself for it this time, try to shake yourself out of the fog the moment it hits. Just before you slip under, you see Sebastian's lips curl upward in a mischievous smirk, dark eyes glinting with mirth. It doesn't take long for you to figure out why, when, true to his promise to get you back for your little cockroach clusters prank, the words, "Sebastian Sallow is the best in our year — a dueling champion, clever as Merlin, graceful as a phoenix on the wind," come tumbling out of your mouth without your approval.

You concentrate all your effort on trying to break his hold on you, your own voice snorting with laughter inside your head as you recall that first day in Defence Against The Dark Arts when you'd knocked that cocky little smirk clean off his face with a single blow. Dueling champion, my arse.

That little burst of your own laughter grounds you, gives you clarity, strengthens your resolve to push back against the commanding voice inside your head, until you feel the curse's hold on you start to weaken, little by little, like the steady tick tick tick of an unlocking charm, before all the right tumblers and springs click into place.

Spell broken, you decide that the best way to get Sebastian back is to take his own ostentatious accolades a step further, hand over your heart as you pretend to swoon, sighing, "Devilishly charming, too. I would gladly spend hours charting constellations in the freckles that adorn his handsome face."

"With my lips," you add with a salacious wink to really drive it home, delighting in the way his whole face goes up in flames, burning brighter than a Confringo blast.

(The fact that it's all true is irrelevant. The point of the thing is to tease him, and judging by the stupefied look on his face, you've succeeded.)

"I—" Sebastian falters, embarrassingly breathless. "Hang on, I didn't tell you to say any of that!"

"That's right!" you exclaim, doubled over laughing for the second time in as many minutes. "I'd already broken your hold on me, that was me having a lark," you tell him, beaming with pride.

Sebastian looks relieved and disappointed all at once.

"That's…that's amazing," he manages. "Broke free from the enchantment on your very first try. You really are something special, you know that?"

You sweep into a low, theatrical bow like a performer on a stage, lips curving up in a smile when he snorts with laughter.

"Alright now, don't get cocky," he chides with a playful roll of his eyes. "While that was excellent for a first try, I still managed to get in a few commands before you broke the enchantment. So, we're going to keep practicing until you're able to completely throw it off from the get-go, alright?"

"Yes, professor," you tease him, stifling one last bout of giggles as he levels you with an admonishing arch of his eyebrow, though the fond upturn of his lips gives him away.

"Cheeky," he chuckles, shaking his head.

You can't help but stick your tongue out at him, further proving his point.

"Now, as you'll have no doubt noticed, fighting off verbal vs. physical commands requires different levels of concentration and technique," he continues, assuming a professorial stance in spite of (or perhaps, unconsciously, because of) your playful commentary. "One is merely a matter of holding your tongue, but it's a different game entirely having to fight for control over the entire rest of your body."

"With that said, I'm going to cast it again," he warns, wand at the ready. "And this time, I want you to practice fighting against a physical command."

"Ready?" he asks, checking in one last time.

"Ready," you nod, back straight as you prepare for the incantation.

"Imperio," he says, and in an instant, that same serene blankness creeps in, only this time, it's like you can make out distinct shapes in the fog, growing clearer and clearer the harder you focus, the more you ground yourself, holding fast to your own thoughts, your own feelings, your own desires.

His task is simple — button his cloak and straighten his tie.

You feel your feet start to move toward him, hands raising to complete the command, when—

No, your own voice rings out, loud and clear. I don't want to do that.

Your hands settle over the front of his cloak, pausing as they inch closer to the open clasp.

Button my cloak and straighten my tie, Sebastian's voice calls out again, more insistent this time. But the voice that answers — your voice — is so much louder and stronger.

No, you stand your ground, snapping back with a triumphant laugh. No, I really don't think I will.

In fact, that's the last thing I want to do right now, you muse, lips curving upward in a cheeky grin.

You can't help but notice how pretty and pale his throat looks beneath it, adam's apple straining with each swallow, caught on the edge of a soft, stuttered groan as you slide your hands up the length of his chest, fingertips dancing across the back of his neck and threading through the soft chestnut curls at his nape. Your eyes follow the movement with a needy, yearning kind of hunger, consumed by the thought of how much prettier it would look littered with pink and purple bruises in the shape of your lips.

A sharp intake of breath sends your senses into overdrive, head swimming in an intoxicating blend of spearmint and strawberry sugar quills lingering on the edge of his lips and the tip of his tongue, and suddenly all you can focus on is how badly you want to taste it. The words kiss me ring out inside your head, desperate and longing, and for a moment, you can't tell whether it's his voice or your own imagination, caught up in a fantasy you've been playing out inside your head for the past two and a half years.

Whatever remains of the enchantment's hold on you is immediately withdrawn, sobriety washing back over you like a sudden plunge into a freezing lake, stumbling forward as Sebastian takes a few cautionary steps back. Instinctively, he reaches out to steady you, gentle hands prying yours from around the collar of his button-up shirt. He holds them there between the two of you for a moment, and then slowly glances down, letting out a small gasp when he realizes he's touching you, and immediately pulls away like he's just been burned.

He looks at you like he's afraid of you, eyes wide with panic and shame, a fiery red heat blossoming in the hollows of his cheeks.

For a moment, you're terrified you've crossed some sort of line, turned his stomach with the regret of having to eat his own words, all that lavish praise he'd bestowed upon you, all those gallant notions of a natural proclivity for responsibility, moral compass thrown off course by the magnet that always seems to pull you toward him.

Your mind reels as you struggle to process what just happened, one little moment changing the course of everything in the space of a few seconds. It all happened so fast — one minute you were fighting against the enchantment, and the next, your hands were in his hair, all sense lost to everything but how soft it felt beneath your fingertips, swept up in the way those warm brown eyes fixed on yours like he burned for you, sunlit warmth and dulcet sugar ghosting across your lips with each breath, and suddenly all you could think about was how desperately you wanted to kiss him, so focused on channeling your own thoughts and feelings into a shield to defend yourself against the curse, you unwittingly summoned everything you've ever wanted to the surface, all those long-held desires you've tried so hard to keep buried, unearthed.

You open your mouth to apologize for getting carried away, scrambling to come up with a reasonable explanation that doesn't involve spilling your deepest secrets, pouring your heart out to the man who's held it captive for years, hoping like hell the connection severed before he heard those stupid little words ring out inside your head, that you haven't completely ruined your friendship — but before you get the chance, he's the one who starts talking, a litany of apologies falling from his lips at a dizzying speed, promising you that he would never, ever use Imperio to make you kiss him of all things, begging you to trust him.

You blink in surprise. What's he on about? Of course you trust him. That was never in question. He's mischievous, certainly, a silver-tongued charmer when he wants to get his way, but you know he would never do anything as villainous as use potions or spells to try to get someone to…to…

Oh.

So you hadn't imagined it, then.

His thoughts. His words. His voice. Wrapped so sweetly around those two little words.

Kiss me.

Not a command, but a subconscious desire, just like yours.

Sebastian wanted you to kiss him.

A mad, blissful smile spreads across your face, heart pounding in your throat as it threatens to leap right out of your chest. Your lips part, willing the right words to come, to assure him it's more than alright, but his anxious steamrolling doesn't give you the chance.

"I'm sorry," Sebastian cries, agonized. "I'm so sorry. You have to believe me, I would never take advantage of you like that. I swear to you it wasn't intentional, I just got carried away in the moment and it sort of slipped out. Beautiful girl tugging at my clothes like that, soft hands running through my hair, the way your eyes sort of burned when you looked at me, I—"

His expression softens to something you'd dare call smitten, lips curving upward in a big, goofy grin as he plays it back, and then quickly shakes his head, admonishing himself.

"Merlin, there I go again," he sighs, wincing in embarrassment as he chances a glance at you, an earnest longing burning in his eyes that makes your heart ache with the need to reach out and touch him. "I've tried so hard for so long to keep my feelings in check, because I know you don't feel the same way, and the last thing I want to do is jeopardize our friendship, so I—"

You're certain the end of that sentence would've been lovely and heartfelt, but you'll never know for sure, the rest of his words swallowed in a soft, surprised oh as you rush forward, closing the distance between you and pressing your lips against his. It's soft and small and tentative, hands gently cradling the sides of his face to keep you both steady, but when you pull back a moment later, Sebastian looks at you like he's just been Confunded, his face an adorable blend between shocked and hopeful, sun-kissed freckles spilling into the curves of his dimples as his lips curve into a bright, blissful smile.

And then, just as quickly as it had appeared, it's gone, replaced by apprehension and disbelief.

"Wait," Sebastian falters, holding you back at arm's length and looking you over with the same care and consideration he'd shown the first time he cast the curse on you, concern etched into his narrowed eyebrows. "Are you still under my spell?"

You can't help the smirk that curls across your lips at his choice of wording.

"In a manner of speaking," you reply, sly smile turning soft as you reassure him, "but not in the way you're thinking."

Sebastian blinks at you, confused.

"Then why would you…do that?" he asks, like he genuinely can't believe you'd kiss him of your own accord.

"Because I wanted to," you tell him, and the weight of it makes you laugh like you're about to cry. "I've wanted to kiss you for so long, Sebastian, you have no idea."

Sebastian's breath comes out in a sharp burst, redolent of that same euphoric laughter bubbling up inside your chest.

"How long?" he asks.

"Since you took the fall for me that night we got caught sneaking into the Restricted Section," you tell him, smiling fondly at the memory.

"The first time, that is," you add with a wry chuckle.

Sebastian lets out a disbelieving laugh, raking a hand through his hair and grinning at you like he would gladly go back and do it all over again.

"And you?" you ask tentatively, hardly daring to believe this is actually happening.

Sebastian's lips pull up into a playful smile.

"About five seconds after you knocked me on my arse during our first duel."

Now it's your turn to let out a surprised laugh. All that time you spent thinking your feelings were one-sided, and he's the one who fell first.

"It took you five whole seconds?" you tease, slipping easily back into your usual banter, reveling in the fact that you can freely flirt with him now.

Sebastian snorts with laughter.

"Yes, well…if you'll recall, I was rather stupid back then," he heaves a dramatic sigh. "After all, it took me two and half years to finally work up the nerve to kiss you."

"I'm the one who kissed you," you remind him, quirking an amused eyebrow at him.

"Ah, still besting me, I see," he chuckles, warm breath ghosting across your lips as he takes a step closer.

"Oh, but I wonder…do I still have the power to knock you on your arse?" you tease in a soft, low murmur.

His eyes do a slow, deliberate sweep down to your lips, tongue darting out to lick his own in anticipation, before slowly trailing back up to meet your eyes.

"Every time you smile at me," he replies with a cheeky smirk.

"You charming bastard," you chide him, laughter swallowed up in another kiss as he leans forward to press his lips against yours.

"Mmm, that reminds me," Sebastian murmurs in between stolen kisses, smiling against your lips as you let out a needy whimper, already addicted to the way he tastes.

"So, earlier…when you called me devilishly charming and told me you wanted to — what was it — chart constellations in the freckles that adorn my handsome face…you really meant that?" he teases, positively beaming.

The look on his face is so smug, you're torn between wanting to knock him on his arse again, and wanting to kiss the stupid smirk right off his stupid, handsome face. (Though you already know which one is going to win out.)

"Oh, fuck off," you laugh. "Yes, I think you're handsome and charming—"

"Devilishly so."

"Yes, yes, you absolute menace. I think we've well and truly established that I like you," you wave him off, rolling your eyes in fond amusement. "Now, shut up and kiss me."

Sebastian chuckles under his breath and starts to lean forward, stopping just short of your lips, making you let out another impatient whine.

"Just one more thing," he says, remnants of mint and sugar ghosting across your lips as he leans in close, voice dropping to a low, prowling murmur. "You are, without a doubt, the most breathtakingly beautiful person on the face of this earth, and I consider it a goddamn tragedy worse than the falling out of the founders that I've gone this long without the pleasure of reminding you every single day from the moment we met."

For a moment, all you can do is stare at him, spellbound by his words, heart aching to leap right out of your throat and build a home inside his chest right next to his own, and then you're rushing forward, closing that hairsbreadth distance that might as well be the space between two mountains, crashing your lips against his and kissing him senseless.

Your hands are everywhere, tugging at his shirt, threading through his hair, pulling him as close as possible. So lost in the intoxicating touch and taste of him that you don't realize you've been steadily moving backwards until your backside collides with the sharp corner of your desk. You let out a startled gasp that quickly turns to laughter, head lolling against Sebastian's shoulder as your own shake with self-effacing mirth.

"Are you alright?" he asks, concern akin to a battle with an ashwinder and not a piece of inanimate furniture. You manage a small nod through your laughter.

"Damn desk, bruising my girl," Sebastian scowls, the words my girl sending a thrill like a bolt of lightning right through you.

You let out a surprised giggle as he picks you up and gently places you on top of the desk, settling between your thighs.

"The only kind of marks you should ever have on you are the ones from my lips," he whispers in between soft, slow, teasing kisses up the length of your neck, sucking a bruise against your pulse point that has you curling your fingers through his hair and moaning his name.

"Always hoped I'd hear you say my name like that," he murmurs in a deep, rumbling growl you can feel thrumming between your ribs like thunder.

Eager to return the favor, you thread your fingers through his hair and give him a gentle yet insistent tug, delighting in the way it elicits a rough, guttural moan in the back of his throat, pulse point jumping beneath your touch as you run your tongue along the curve of his adam's apple.

You're fairly certain one of the buttons goes rolling off under the desk as you tear open his shirt and splay your hands across his chest, pleased to find a whole new canvas of well-earned muscle teeming with sun-kissed freckled dotted between soft patches of chestnut hair, uncharted territory just begging to be mapped out with your lips.

By contrast, Sebastian is equal parts gentle and nervous. Clumsy, trembling fingers work the buttons of your blouse and the lacings of your bra until you're completely bare before him, the flowing fabric of your sleeves hanging loosely off your shoulders. For several long moments, all he can seem to do is stare at you like you're a miracle made real, licking his lips in anticipation as his eyes rake across your breasts.

Sebastian's gaze flickers up to yours, a silent plea. You let out a soft breath, nodding eagerly. In the next second, he's pressed in close again, warm hands skimming up the length of your torso before gently settling under the swell of your breasts, holding you like you're a precious artefact, pleasure sparking low in your core as hard-earned callouses graze across your nipples with a perfect texture.

Sebastian lets out a soft hum as he feels them pebble against the palm of his hand, eyebrows arching in a kind of curious fascination as he glances down at his own hands like he's just performed a spectacular bit of magic. Freckled cheeks curve into an eager smile as he ducks his head down, pressing a series of tentative, exploring kisses from the soft slope of your breasts down to the pale peaks of your nipples, taking one of them into his mouth and applying the gentlest bit of suction as he swipes his tongue across the sensitive bud, grinning in triumph as you let out a lurid moan and arch into his touch.

He pockets that bit of very useful information for later as he slowly makes his way back up toward your lips, eager to kiss you again, peppering fevered kisses across your collarbones and up the length of your neck, not wanting to miss a single inch of skin. Within seconds, he's captured your lips in a searing kiss, one hand tangled in your hair, the other gently cradling your cheek as he kisses you breathless, groaning into your mouth as you pull him flush against you, soft breasts pressed against the hard plane of his chest, heathered skirt hiked up around your hips as he cages you in.

Sebastian's rapidly growing hardness is an insistent pressure between your thighs, sparking your own arousal in a pleasant ache that pulses through your core with each touch. In an effort to get even closer to you, Sebastian shifts, and the head of his cock inadvertently grinds between the gusset of your underwear, sending shock waves of pleasure that have you gasping into his mouth, white-knuckling the sleeves of his shirt.

You can't take it anymore. It's too much and not nearly enough all at once. You need more of him. You need all of him.

"Sebastian," you sigh, breathless between kisses. "Do you— do you have protection?"

"Protection?" Sebastian pulls back to look at you, eyebrows arched in a look of adorable confusion.

"From what? I doubt anything will attack us while we're in—" he stutters as the tip of your finger curls into the waistband of his trousers and gives a suggestive tug forward.

"Oh," Sebastian's eyebrows jump in surprise.

"Unless you don't want—" you immediately pull back, feeling foolish.

"Oh, I want," he insists, drawing you back toward him, voice rough and pleading with exactly how much he wants. "I was just caught off guard. I wasn't expecting—"

Sebastian falters, nerves ramping up again.

"You have to know, when I asked you to come out with me tonight, I wasn't expecting any of this."

"I know you weren't," you reassure him with soft, gentle strokes through his hair. "I trust you, remember?"

Sebastian nods, breathing out on a sigh of relief.

"But, yeah…if you're asking me to be honest…stick a pin in trying to be a gentleman," he lets out a sheepish laugh, one of his hands coming up to attack a phantom itch on the back of his neck. "Then the answer is a resounding, embarrassingly keen yes. I very much want to."

"I do too," you admit with a shy giggle, fingers curling under the collar of his shirt to draw him in for another, softer kiss.

The moment the words leave your mouth, two small crystal phials appear next to you on the desk, labeled in pristine print across each side: infecunditatem temporalis, XXIV h. — temporary infertility, lasting twenty-four hours.

The two of you stare down at them for a moment, blinking in surprise, and then slowly pick them up.

"Well, that's handy," Sebastian remarks with a breathless laugh. "This room really does think of everything."

"Cheers," you murmur softly, instinctually linking arms the same way you've always done for every shot of Firewhisky and post-match Butterbeer toast, before downing your respective phials in one swig.

You set them back down on top of the desk and glance up at one another, suddenly nervous.

"I've never done this before…have you?" you ask, not entirely sure you want to know the answer. You've always been exceptionally close, but you doubt he's told you everything.

"Ah well, you know me…" Sebastian starts with a cocky upturn of his lips, and then immediately deflates, letting out a long, slow, defeated sigh. He knows he'd never be able to lie to you, but a part of him momentarily considers whether he should, irrational fear mingling with a deep-seated insecurity that you'll be put off when you find out he has no idea what he's doing. He's researched, of course. Extensively. But it's not like he's ever put it into practice.

"No," he sighs, admitting it like it's some kind of flaw. "Most I've ever done is kiss someone…and that was back in fourth year…on a dare."

He doesn't miss the way your shoulders relax, relief in the form of a small smile curling across your lips, and suddenly he's very glad he never did anything for the sake of just getting it over with, rebounding his hopeless feelings with some faceless stranger wishing it was you, giddy with a heady mix of nerves and excitement that he'll get to be your first.

And if he's very, very lucky, your only.

"And since?" you nudge, keen to hear him say it.

Sebastian's lips quirk up in a playful grin.

"There's only one person I've wanted to kiss since then," he says, leaning forward to capture your lips in a slow, deep kiss.

"Only one person I've imagined lain on their back as I fall to my knees and bury my lips between their thighs," Sebastian confesses in a low, hungry growl, punctuating each word with a searing kiss as he slowly works his way down the length of your body, mouthing at your neck, between your breasts, across the ticklish plane of your stomach, until he's on his knees in front of you, gazing up at you like you're a brand new constellation in a starless night sky.

"You've no idea how badly I've been longing for a view like this," he says with an appreciative groan, kissing a hungry trail up your inner thighs. "Makes the view from the top of the Astronomy Tower look rather dull by comparison."

You can't help the blissful laugh that escapes you, legs trembling beneath his eager lips. Sebastian pauses his ministrations to look up at you, eyebrows arching in lighthearted indignation.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I say something funny?" he admonishes, nipping playfully at your inner thigh and making you let out a sharp peal of laughter.

"No, it's just…oh, please don't take this the wrong way, but I'm just…pleasantly surprised, is all," you giggle.

"Whatever for?" he asks, rising back up to meet you. You throw your arms around his shoulders and pull him close, pressing a kiss to the tip of his nose.

"You hear stories…about men who absolutely refuse to do that sort of thing, yet seem to expect it from their partners," you explain, thinking back to all those hushed conversations you'd overheard in the girls' lavatories, whispered in the dark before bedtime. "I suppose a part of me has always wondered whether you'd be the same. More of a taker than a giver in the bedroom."

Sebastian leans back to look at you, lips pulling into a frown.

"On the one hand, I'm insulted you think I'd do anything short of worship you," he says, diving back in to press a series of hungry kisses up the length of your neck that have you shaking in anticipation of such a promise.

"But on the other," he counters, pulling back to fix you with a teasing smirk. "It's nice to know you've spent a great deal of time thinking about what I'd be like in the bedroom."

A carmine blush creeps across your cheeks as you remember all the times you'd done far more than just think about him, careful to draw your curtains and cast a silencing charm so no one would hear you when you called out his name.

If only he knew…

…come morning, you'll make certain he does.

"Speaking of which—" Sebastian prompts, eyes darting around the room with an appraising frown, before landing on the desktop underneath you, broken quills and crumpled sheets of parchment hastily shoved aside to make room for your — ahem, more amorous ventures.

"This room might be fine for study and spellwork, but it's not the most romantic of places. I can fix that," he says, giving you a wry smile as he offers you his hand and helps you down from the desk.

"Just close my eyes and picture what I want, yeah?" he asks, looking to you for reassurance. You nod in encouragement, slipping your fingers between his and giving the palm of his hand an affectionate squeeze.

Sebastian closes his eyes and concentrates, summoning two and a half years' worth of fantasies to the forefront of his mind. A moment later, there's a soft grind of stone, and the two of you glance up in time to see a marble statue of an owl that's always sat in the alcove between the grasslands and the coastal vivarium twisting into an invisible recess in the floor, revealing a brand new corridor in its wake.

You let out a startled laugh as Sebastian scoops you up into his arms and carries you down the corridor, lulled by the excited thrum of his heartbeat as you bury your face into his chest and wrap your arms around his neck. In just a few short strides, you arrive at the end of the hallway, where a handsome set of oak doors adorned with elegant swirling filigree in blossoming flowers and twisting vines, crescent moons and little stars, springs to life like fast-growing ivy.

You reach out to turn the handle, and for a moment, you're plunged into total darkness, the room beyond an unfinished painting, transforming before your very eyes the moment the two of you step inside, polished floorboards rippling into place like piano keys playing an arpeggio, walls and ceiling a patchwork puzzle as they slowly piece themselves together.

Brushstrokes in deep ocean blues and dark verdant greens turn the heart of the Forbidden Forest under a midnight sky into a painter's palette, dozens of paper lanterns lit by softly flickering candlelight floating all around you like fireflies, bathing the room in hazy hues of silver and gold as they mingle with the light of the crescent moon trickling down from up above, ceiling enchanted to look as though it opens out onto the heavens, night sky glittering with thousands of shooting stars.

A trail of your favorite flower petals leads to a cozy alcove bed cradled between two recessed bookshelves brimming with pristine leather-bounds the two of you will no doubt spend hours perusing at leisure, gossamer curtains woven with intricate stars and crescent moons spilling down across the silken sheets.

The gentle cadence of rainfall taps its fingertips against the glass of an ornate three-paned window set just above the bed, painted in a perfect replica of the sprawling landscapes from the hidden corridor he'd shown you earlier in the night, while a crackling fireplace dances merrily in the heart of a cozy reading nook complete with two plush armchairs tucked together side by side.

Sebastian lets out a contented hum as the last little details of the room settle into place, glancing down to gauge your reaction, eager to know what you think.

"Oh, Sebastian," you whisper as you gaze around the room, candlelight dancing like flecks of gold in your eyes. "It's beautiful."

Sebastian beams. Of all the times you managed to leave him utterly spellbound tonight, it's a point of pride to finally be able to elicit the same response from you.

"Trust I've been dreaming of the perfect place to be romantic with you for quite some time," he murmurs, leaning down to nuzzle his nose against your cheek.

You gaze up at him adoringly and lean up to kiss him, butterflies taking flight in your stomach when you feel the hard press of his uncontainable smile against your lips.

"Now, where were we?" he whispers, whisking you away to the cozy alcove bed at the heart of the room and gently setting you down at its edge between the star-strewn curtains.

As though he can't stand to be parted from you for a second longer, Sebastian sweeps forward to capture your lips in another breath-stealing kiss, gentle hands sliding across the curve of your jaw to thread through the hair at the back of your neck, cradling the back of your head as he kisses you slowly, deeply, savoring every second.

He takes his time peeling off the layers of your clothing, unwrapping you like a gift, hands sliding between bare skin and soft cotton until your blouse comes spilling off your shoulders to pool around your waist, eager lips following its trajectory as he presses a series of adoring kisses down the column of your throat, tongue darting out to smooth across the tender, claiming bruise he'd left on your pulse point, smirking at the way it jumps beneath his touch, gently palming at your breasts as he makes his slow descent.

Where before he'd allowed himself a small taste, this time Sebastian indulges, falling to his knees and burying his face between your breasts, pressing lavish kisses in time to the beat of your heart, before taking the nipple he hadn't had the pleasure of tasting earlier into his mouth and applying a gentle suction, delighting in the way it elicits the same sinful response from you as it did before.

Not wanting to neglect either of them, Sebastian tries to mimic the same technique on the one not currently occupied by his mouth with his fingers, gently kneading the pebbled peak between his thumb and index finger. Clearly it's the right move, because the moment he does both in tandem, you let out a sharp gasp, arching your back in an effort to get even closer to him, fingers curling around the sleeves of his shirt and gripping tight.

Sebastian chuckles, a low rumbling laugh that vibrates like a crackle of thunder inside your chest as he worships every delectable detail of your breasts, until a series of pink and purple bruises in the shape of his lips starts to blossom across your skin. The sight of it stirs something primal inside him, little reminders lasting well beyond tonight that let everyone know you're his.

Sebastian would gladly spend the rest of his days buried between your breasts, but the curious, insatiable, thrill-seeking side of him is eager to keep exploring, map out every inch of your body with his hands, lips, and tongue until he's memorized every single way you love to be touched, keen to know what other addictive sounds he can get you to make.

He presses a trail of kisses down your torso, smiling when you giggle and squirm beneath him as his lips tickle the curves of your stomach, pausing when he reaches the waistline of your skirt.

"Lay back, darling. Let me take care of you," he insists in a low whisper, sending heat like an inferno straight to your core. You do as he asks, hair fanning out across the sheets, a cool press of silk against your fevered skin.

Deft fingers carefully work the buttons at your waist, unraveling your wrap-around skirt until it's laid out flat beneath you. Hands shaking from a mess of excitement and nerves, Sebastian carefully hooks his thumbs into the waistband of your knickers and slowly slides them down your legs, breath hitching when you tilt your hips to help ease them off, giving him a glimpse of your backside.

"Fuck, you're stunning," he says with a wrecked, desperate groan that has you blushing like you've just downed a shot of Firewhisky, laid bare beneath his hungry gaze as he takes a moment to drink you in.

"Can I touch you?" he asks in a quiet, almost pleading voice.

"Please," you tell him, just as desperate.

Nervous, gentle hands slide up along the outside of your thighs, smoothing over the curves of your hips before settling in the space between, breathing out on a soft, stuttered gasp as his fingers thread through the soft patch of curls at the apex of your thighs.

He skims a finger featherlight along the seam of your lips, testing the waters before delving deeper, a low groan rumbling in the back of his throat when he feels how wet you already are for him. Heat pools low in your belly as he slides between your folds in an achingly slow tease, sending shivers like shock waves rolling down the length of your spine, working you into a frenzy as careful, calloused fingers graze your clit.

Once he's satisfied you're ready to take him, fingers coated in your slick, Sebastian slips down to rub teasing circles against your entrance, driving you to the point of madness, canting your hips with soft little whines, until finally, he relents, slowly sliding his ring and middle fingers inside you and curling them in a come hither motion that has you gasping and writhing above him.

"Is this— is this alright?" he asks, concern bleeding through breathless exhilaration.

"It feels amazing, Seb," you manage, your words barely more than a stuttered moan as his fingers twitch inside you. "Please don't stop touching me."

Your soft gasps and moans guide him to where he needs to go, thumb rubbing heady circles against your clit as his fingers curl in that blissful breath-stuttering way inside you. He works you into a maddening frenzy, pressure slowly building like an arrow being drawn across a bowstring, and Sebastian can't help but let out a low groan each time you flutter and tighten around him. If this is how incredible you feel against his fingers, he can't even imagine how amazing you're going to feel around his cock. Though that particular pleasure will have to wait just a little bit longer, because Sebastian isn't anywhere near finished with you yet.

You let out a needy whine as that delicious pressure suddenly disappears, only to be replaced by a sharp burst of breathless laughter as Sebastian grabs a handful of your backside and hauls you closer to the edge of the bed, coaxing your legs over his shoulders as he buries his face between your thighs.

"Forgive me, darling, but I need to taste you," he groans, tongue darting out to delve between your folds.

"Sebastian," you cry out as a burst of pleasure sparks through you, hands fisting in the sheets. Sebastian lets out another loud moan as you call out his name, tongue gliding down to lick at your entrance, burying himself deep enough to taste your pleasure at the back of his throat, before sweeping back up to capture your clit in a blissful blend of gentle suction and the sinful swirl of his tongue.

Slowly, carefully, he slides his fingers back inside you, curling them against that sweet spot deep within you, lips and tongue working in perfect tandem to worship your clit with the same eager attention he'd given your breasts.

You've never felt so feral in all your life, hands clutching at the sheets as you writhe above him like a wild animal in heat, Sebastian's name spilling from your lips in a flurry of sighs and soft, keening moans. With a contented hum, Sebastian reaches up to gently pry your fingers from the bedspread, lacing his own through yours and giving the palm of your hand an affectionate three-pulse squeeze, encouraging you to hold fast to him instead, not wanting to miss a single detail of just how wild he makes you.

Your other hand follows suit, seeking him out, chestnut curls even softer than the silk sheets as you curl your fingers through his hair and give him an insistent tug, and oh, he really likes it when you're a little rough with him, so desperate and needy for his touch that all you can think to do in that moment is pull him even closer, the low, throaty moans he makes every time you do only serving to heighten your pleasure as they vibrate through your core like rolls of thunder.

He brings you crashing over the edge, wrecked and breathless as you call out his name, begging him between stuttered sighs that you need him to be inside you, now.

Sebastian lets out a soft, blissful breath as he presses a few more kisses to your inner thighs, and then slowly rises to his feet, gaze locked on yours as he swipes the pad of his thumb across his lower lip, tongue darting out to lick the last of your release. The sight is obscene, riling up a primal pride deep within you that only makes you want him even more.

You sit perched on the edge of the bed, reaching up to slide his button-up shirt off his shoulders and running your hands down the length of his torso, soft curves over hard-earned muscle, freckles scattered amidst soft patches of chestnut hair like a star-strewn sky through a forest canopy, pausing to take a steadying breath as you reach the waistband of his trousers. Hands trembling from a mix of nerves and excitement, you carefully work the buttons to relieve him of his trousers, the last layer of clothing left between you.

You take a moment to drink him in, eyes raking down the length of his body in hungry appraisal, letting out a soft gasp as you take in the sight of his generous length, before slowly sweeping back up to meet his gaze again, thrill and desire outweighing any apprehension over his intimidating size. You understand now how he must have felt when he first saw you — every inch of him is absolutely stunning.

You wrap your arms around his neck to pull him down for a kiss, sending the two of you tumbling backward against the pillows, giggling and grinning as you cling to one another. Sebastian kisses you, soft and slow, his body a warm, comforting weight as he settles between your thighs, hovering above you. The two of you breathe in on a stuttered gasp as he takes himself in hand and slides the head of his cock between your folds, coating himself in a combination of his saliva and your release, hesitating as he lines himself up with your entrance.

"Ready?" he asks with a steadying breath, heated gaze locked on yours.

"Ready," you answer, just as breathless as you tilt your hips in invitation.

With a broken, blissed out moan, Sebastian slowly sinks inside, stuttered breaths ghosting across your lips as he closes his eyes and presses his forehead against your own, hips stilling the moment he hears your soft gasp from underneath him.

"How're you feeling, love? Are you alright?" he asks with an edge of panic to his voice, terrified at the thought of hurting you. He keeps still as a statue, giving you a moment to adjust to the sheer size of him.

It's indescribable — the most incredible pressure, a pleasant ache like kneading sore muscles, building and unraveling tension all at once; a feeling of fullness after a life spent starving; a kind of magic even more timeless and powerful than the rarity thrumming through your veins, wonderstruck by how perfectly he fits inside you, like the two of you were made for each other.

"More than alright," you reassure him with a breathless, euphoric laugh. "I feel amazing."

Sebastian lets out a sigh of relief.

"Merlin, that's one word for it," he breathes out on a blissful laugh, eyes rolling back at how amazing you feel wrapped around him. "You're perfect."

He leans down to kiss you, soft and slow and sweet.

"I'm going to start moving now…is that alright?" he asks after a few quiet moments, voice straining like it's been torture holding back.

"Please," you sigh, coaxing him closer as you wrap your legs around the small of his back.

Sebastian sets a slow and steady pace, achingly tender as his hips rock against yours in long, languid thrusts, pressing soft little kisses to your cheeks and the corners of your lips as he moves above you, whispering between kisses how beautiful and breathtaking you are. He's careful and controlled, each move dulcet and deliberate like a slow dance between the sheets, determined to make this perfect for you, determined to get it just right, because it has to be. Because this is you, and you are everything.

He's been dreaming of this moment for years, and a part of him still can't believe it's really happening, that he actually gets to be with you. He's spent the better part of the last two and half years convincing himself you'd never feel the same, that he was lucky just to call you his friend, selfish to want more, that he didn't deserve you…though that never stopped him desperately wanting you all the same.

He understands now why they call it lovesick — feverish blush prickling at his skin, heart beating like a staccato as he moves above you, hands trembling as they gently cradle the back of your head and draw you in for a slow, sweet kiss. It's all-consuming, burning through him in equal measures of fiery fervor and glowing embers, like he's just swallowed an Incendio charm. Incurable — though this is one life sentence he'll gladly serve.

It's overwhelming how amazing you feel wrapped around him, soft hands threading through his hair and tugging ever so gently, legs locked around his hips to keep him anchored in your depths, shallow gasps and stuttered ohs whispered in between soft sighs in the shape of his name as you gaze up at him like he is everything to you.

It would be all too easy for him to lose himself in the euphoria of finally getting to be with you, and Merlin, he wants to.

He wants all of you. It's like he can't get close enough, a primal hunger to fuse himself with you, body and soul, bury himself inside you like treasure, climb inside your chest and build a home inside your heart, dive down to your depths and spill all his secrets inside you, long-held confessions of how deeply he's fallen for you.

The words bubble up inside his chest like steam inside of a screaming tea kettle, burning his throat as years worth of messy, nerve-addled feelings threaten to spill past his lips. He wants to kiss the words into your skin, knit his love so deep within you, you feel it in your bones, with each pulse of your heart, his name a subliminal sigh with each breath you take, until you're inextricably woven together, until he's an irrevocable part of you, just as you are for him.

He aches for you to be his, because he's so desperately yours. He'd shout it from the top of the Astronomy Tower, from the stars themselves, if he could.

But if he does…he's afraid you might actually hear him. And Sebastian can't have that. He can't let you know the true depth of his feelings. Not yet. It's too soon, too much for something so fragile and new. He knows he can be a little intense, a little overwhelming. When Sebastian loves, it's fierce and unwavering, and as much as he wants to tell you, show you, how deeply he loves you, he's afraid the intensity of his feelings will drive you away.

He supposes that's one of the many reasons he's always been so drawn to more fiery forms of magic. After all, they're just like him. Fervent. Insatiable. Incendiary. Kindred — kindling — spirits. Cast with the best intentions — to protect and keep warm — but one wrong move, too much, and it becomes dangerous, destructive.

Sebastian has spent his whole life being told as much — that he's too much. Overzealous. Unrelenting. Reckless. Doesn't know when to stop. Breaks everything he touches. Loses everyone he loves.

He can't lose you too.

He's a wildfire, and you— you're a forest teeming with birdsong and greenery, and he's terrified that with one wrong move he'll burn you to the ground, when all he wants to do is keep you warm.

So he holds himself back, concentrates all his efforts into taking it slow, swallowing a symphony of lovesick confessions and pouring the softest version of his love into every touch, determined to make this perfect for you, determined to get this just right. Because maybe, if he gets this right, he'll actually be lucky enough to keep you.

"So perfect," he sighs as he moves above you, soft and sweet.

"Tell me what you need, love," he urges between stuttered breaths and slow, languid thrusts. "To make this perfect for you, too."

You can tell he's holding back — each touch a little too gentle, a little too careful, a little too reserved — and you think you know why, because you know him.

Sebastian Sallow has never done anything halfheartedly, so when he loves, it's without reservation — fiercely, deeply, perhaps a little madly.

You also know that he's lost just about everyone he's ever loved.

Though you've never actually spoken the words out loud, you know that he loves you too. It's always been there, unspoken, thrumming beneath the surface of every interaction.

You can hear it in the silence of a lazy afternoon spent cloud-watching under the shade of a flutterby tree in the summoner's courtyard, splayed hands edging across the grass until you feel the accidental brush of his pinky finger against yours.

In little gestures played off as teasing banter, covert hands sliding stacks of toast and chocolate croissants across the shared desk of your first class, wrapped in scribbled notes admonishing you for missing breakfast after yet another sleepless night.

It's in the way you wish each other goodnight, stretching out the moment with hastily stifled bouts of laughter and stolen glances over your shoulders as you watch him make the long trek back from Ravenclaw Tower to Slytherin Dungeon, hesitant to part after yet another nighttime lark, despite the fact that you know you'll see each other the very next day.

In the way he insists on coming along with you on some of your more daring ventures, pushing down his deep-seated fear of spiders and instinctively stepping between you and a thornback ambusher seconds away from incapacitating you with its venom.

You've always known Sebastian loves you, but up until tonight, you've always thought it was in the same way he loves Anne and Ominis. Fond. Familial. Kindred.

That was before you'd felt the weight of his lips against yours, the tremble in his hands as he'd pulled you close, the beat of his heart thundering in time with your own.

Now that you know it runs even deeper — not just friendly or familial love, but romantic love, too — it adds a whole new layer of vulnerability. And if he loves you the way you think he does, the same way you love him, then you know why he's holding back. Because when someone is your whole heart, the prospect of losing them is that much more terrifying.

This is a man who has endured more pain and loss than most people could even dare to imagine. This is a man filled with more fear and guilt than anyone should ever have to bear. Afraid to fuck up again. Afraid to hurt you again. Afraid to lose what little remains of the people he loves. Afraid to let himself have what he wants, because deep down, he still doesn't think he deserves it.

Afraid that he is too brash, too broken, too intense, too much for anyone to ever want, the weight of his grief too heavy for anyone else to carry, spirit too bright and burning for anyone to ever want to get close enough to touch.

And maybe he is. Maybe he is too much. But that's never stopped you wanting all of him just the same. If he is an untamed beast, then your heart is a vivarium, a home built for an occamy at its full potential. For you, he could never be too much, because you could never get enough of him.

He's a wildfire, but you've always been drawn to his warmth, his light, bright sparks lighting up your coldest, darkest nights. You wouldn't just walk through his flames, you'd dance in them, safe in the knowledge that you'll never get burned.

Because he's a wildfire, but you are a hurricane, and you're more than a match for his heat.

So when he asks you, soft and sweet, what you need to make this perfect for you, that's exactly what you tell him.

"You. Just you," you sigh as you lean up to press a trail of kisses in between the freckles that dapple the pale column of his throat. "I want all of you, Sebastian. Please, show me how badly you've been wanting me all this time, too. Don't hold anything back. I can take it…anything and everything you're willing to give."

Sebastian's hips still as he pulls back to look at you, lips parted in surprise.

"Are— are you sure?"

You lean up to kiss him, slow and deep, your answer little more than a sigh against his lips.

"I'm yours, Sebastian. I've always been yours," you whisper. "Now all you have to do is take what's yours."

Sebastian gazes at you, stunned for a moment, breath catching in his throat. And then his eyes darken, and that charming smile that's always made you weak in the knees curls across his lips, adoration burning like the heart of a wildfire in his irises as he keeps his steady gaze locked on yours.

He laces his fingers with yours and pins your entwined hands above your head, holding you captive, using them as an anchoring point as he begins driving into you with rough, zealous thrusts that hit deep and steal your breath, his other hand coming up to smooth across your cheek as he pulls you in for a kiss, swallowing his own name as it falls from your lips in a stuttered sigh.

"Like this, love?" Sebastian groans, the hard line of his smirk pressed against your lips. "Is this how you want me fuck you?"

"God, yes. Please, Sebastian—"

"As you wish, darling," he growls, picking up pace even faster, his thrusts coming even rougher. "You've no idea how badly I've wanted to have you just like this."

"Tell me," you urge, voice barely more than a whisper.

A litany of lovesick confessions spill from his lips in between desperate, hungry kisses: how deeply he adores you, how beautiful you look laid out beneath him, how amazing you feel wrapped around him, how you must've been made for each other with how perfectly you fit together, how he's been dreaming of being with you like this for so long and he can't believe he's lucky enough to actually have the real thing.

How he'd love nothing more than to keep you forever, make you his in every possible sense of the word (because he's yours, he's always been yours, every beat of his heart belongs to you and you alone) wants you to feel the ache of him throbbing between your thighs days after he's made love to you, a constant reminder of what you've done together; wants to leave claiming bruises all over each other's necks so that everyone will know you belong to one another.

You tilt your head back, bearing your neck in offering, and Sebastian lets out an appreciative groan, swooping down to leave another mark right below the first, fire dancing in his eyes as he pulls back to admire his work.

"Mine," his voice rumbles through you like thunder as he presses the word into your pulse point.

"Yours," you sigh, leaning up to graze your teeth along the column of his throat, eager to claim him in return.

It's enough to drive him over the edge, burying his face in your neck and breathing in deep, greedy lungfuls like you're a burst of fresh air after a life spent drowning, praising you between hungry kisses. How he could gladly spend the rest of his life right here between your legs. How wild you drive him with the sounds you make, the way you call out his name.

"I've wanted to hear you say my name in every possible way — in laughter, in sighs, in gasps…in screams," he says with a prideful smirk as he gives a rough snap of his hips that hits deep enough to pull his name from your throat in a sharp, breathless gasp.

Sebastian lets out a low, throaty chuckle that sends shock waves straight to your core, heating burning every inch of your skin like a shot of Firewhisky as he tells you how badly he wants to watch you come undone beneath him, feel you wrapped around him as your body clings to him, see himself reflected in your eyes as you call out his name, to know that he's the only one who can make you feel like this, take you apart just to be the one that completes you.

The hand that's spent all this time tangled in your hair, gently pressed against the curve of your cheek, comes down to wrap around your waist, tilting your hips upward and pulling you roughly against him, the new angle giving him access to an even deeper sweet spot inside you, each thrust causing the space where you're connected to grind against that sensitive bundle of nerves, sending waves of pleasure radiating throughout your entire body as he keeps a steady, consistent rhythm, buried to his hips between your thighs, building you to climax until you're crashing over the edge, fingers laced with his as you fall together, fluttering around him, pulling him in even deeper, an endless chorus of I love you, I'm so in love with you, I'm yours falling from his lips as he spills deep inside you, calling out your name like it's a sacred prayer and you're his salvation.

Sebastian collapses against you, panting against your neck and pressing lazy kisses to your cheek before rolling to the side to lay on his back. You're barely able to get out a breath before he's pulling you into him, coaxing your head onto his chest, wrapping his arms around you in a protective hold, burying his face into the top of your hair and breathing you in with deep, contented sighs.

The words he'd said to you as he'd fallen over the edge repeat inside your head like a mantra, pulling your lips into a bright, blissful smile.

"Sebastian?" you ask as you snuggle in closer, heart full.

"Yes, darling?" he asks, still breathless but utterly blissed, voice muffled by your hair.

"I love you too."

You feel his whole body relax, exhaling on a long, slow, contented sigh that almost sounds like a sob toward the end, like he's relieved to hear you say it out loud.

"D'you know," he says into the comfortable silence after a few moments, lips pulled into a bright smile as he glances over at you. "I've seen entire ecosystems co-existing inside a single room tonight — bloody hell, I saw a phoenix — and all of that still couldn't even hope to compare to being with you," he marvels, still a little breathless. "To think, we could've been— I mean, two and a half years. I can't believe it took us this long to finally act on our feelings."

You lift your head, a playful look in your eyes as you gaze up at him dreamily.

"We just took the scenic route," you tell him, smiling as you lace your fingers together and press a kiss against each of his knuckles in turn.

Sebastian's chest rumbles with laughter as he nuzzles in even closer, pressing kisses to the top of your crown. You do the same to his chest, charting constellations of your own design in the sun-kissed freckles you find there, falling into a deep, comfortable sleep before you have the chance to name them all.

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yourprettylildoe · 2 months ago

Text

ℒ𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁ℯ 𝓅ℯ𝒶𝓇𝓁

Yandere!crownprince x mermaid!reader

ꨄ︎ Perhaps one shouldn't fear monsters of the sea, but the bewitching human in front of you who gets whatever he wants.

Was there anything more beautiful? Alaric could wonder as he stared.

Sat on a rock, a mermaid that was you sung so beautifully, that the crown prince was in a trance.

He was decked out in his royal attire, strolling around in the forest near the palace until he heard a voice as sweet as honey and followed its direction.

It didn't help that you were gorgeous too. On top of all that, mermaids were rare, so to see one as ethereal as you made him delighted.

Suddenly, a twig snapped. Your large, fawn-like eyes snapped to his, your voice dying down. A soft yelp escaped you as you dove back into the water.

"Wait! Please wait!" His begging fell on deaf ears and his shoulders slumped.

Damn it. He screwed it up.

"Y-your majesty!"

His courtier, David, scrambled to his side, clearly relieved to have found him.

Alaric's forest green eyes never left the water.

David's brows furrowed, "what are you doing here?"

A slow, calculating smile grew on Alaric's face, "I saw a beautiful fish."

He turned towards his companion. "Prepare the palace to welcome its most precious guest."

And the man knew that this one wasn't going to slip out his grasp.

♡︎

Your breath was coming out in short pants as you swam frantically.

How could you be so reckless to let a human see you? Your mother would kill you if she found out.

Ever since you were young, you've been taught to stay out of human kind's way. They would chew you up and spit you out once they got their greedy hands on a beauty like you.

Mermaids often possessed flashy tails and captivating looks, luring everyone in for all the wrong reasons.

And you just had to sing a melody so loudly.

Subconsciously, you chewed on your finger deep in thoughts. Perhaps the man would forget about your existence.

Oh, but how could he forget you, little pearl?

♡︎

Swimming in the same spot as last time, you had not learnt your lesson. For some reason, the trees loominh over the crystal clear water made the place a gorgeous place.

In your head, you could hear your mother yelling, "y/n, you're going to get yourself killed if you don't get out of there this instant."

Almost rebelious to your inner mother's scolding, you started to sing

Too high on dopamine, you fail to notice the predator's eyes on you.

"Excuse me?"

That familiar voice made your body freeze as you met the same smoldering emerald eyes.

Before you could dive into the water, he exclaimed in desperation: "please, don't go. Listen to me." Something about that phrase made you stop.

"Don't go."

With a soft sigh, you meet his gaze.

A crown sat atop his brown locks. It was sparkly and very pleasing to look at under the sunlight.

The man smiled softly, "that's more like it." He crouched down, his body casting a shadow over the water.

His eyes were curious, running over your body and specifically, your face and tail.

However, he wasn't frightening like how they described humans. He spoke to you like he would a terrified animal.

"I've never seen anything like you before," he said, almost in complete awe. "I've only ever heard of creatures, but seeing one...it's truly beautiful."

You inched closer, asking. "Are you going to tell anyone?"

He blinked. "I won't."

"You sure?"

"Of course, little pearl."

Your stance visibly relaxed. "Y/n"

He tilted his head, "huh?"

"My name," you uttered shyly. "Yours?"

"Alaric."

And for the first time, a smile crept up on your features. "It's a nice name."

"not quite as nice as you." He stared, almost in a trance, "Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I only just want to get to know you, darling."

And he meant every word.

Just a little more time, he reassured himself, and you'd be his.

♡

For a while, both of you met at the same spot, chatting. You've learnt about each other so much and you've grown to trust him.

You were unknowningly adding fuel to the never-ending fire in him.

After all, the prince had anything he wanted in the palms of his hands. He was born with a silver spoon, everything handed to him as soon as he asked for it. Servants left and right at his beck and call.

Who was going to stop him now?

Humming, you excitedly rushed to see your human friend just like you had been doing.

Suddenly, your heart dropped.

You were engulfed in a web-like material that closed around your body.

A net.

Alaric. He tricked you.

Was he going to kill you? Was this how your story ended?

You thrashed violently, wanting to escape the trap. The material rubbed harshly against your arms.

"We got her, your majesty!" A voice called out amidst the other ones as the net was lifted up.

Surprise, surprise, you were met by a giddy Alaric, almost as if a child getting their favourite toy.

You screamed softly, "what are you doing? Let me out-"

"Shh, shh, you'll hurt yourself more." His voice wasn't soothing like it used to be. "Relax. Soon enough, we'll be together, just like it was meant to be."

Tearing up, you croak, "you tricked me."

"No, I saved you, little pearl."

"Alaric..." you slurred as your eyes grew heavy.

One thought echoed in your head.

You should've listened to your mother. You shouldn't have trusted those emerald, deceiving eyes.

Everything went black.

The crown prince was delighted as you were knocked out cold, though he was temporarily deprived of your gaze.

Now, he had to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

Your songs were now only his to hear.

Your eyes were his to gaze upon.

He can just hope you'll love your new, pretty legs soon.

♡︎

go read part 2!

TY for reading <3 feel free to send requests.

𝓎ℴ𝓊𝓇𝓈 𝓉𝓇𝓊𝓁𝓎

@yourprettylildoe

#Yandere #yandere prince #Mermaid #Merfolk #writing #Original story #Story #Love #yandere x you #writing stuff

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thetxtdevil · 2 months ago

Text

Thinking about Merman!TXT

content: sfw, slightly suggestive at the end, gender neutral reader referred to as "human"

You find yourself in Neverland, a place of youth in a dreamlike state. However, the island is very woodsy and you get dirty quickly. Looking everywhere for a place to bathe you come upon a lagoon, a beautiful waterfall lightly sprays water down creating an infinite rainbow. You carefully lay your bag on a rock and dive in the clear water.

Eyes closed and enjoying the warm water and fresh citrus fumes that engulf you, you don’t hear the splashing of unknown visitors. A sudden big splash of water pushes you, turning around to see a giggling boy with red hair. Your eyes wides watching his emerald tail fluttered up as he dives into the water.

“Hello human, who are you?”

You whip yourself around to see another merman with long black hair with a blue tail that almost camouflages with the blue waters. That’s when you start understanding your surroundings, this is a mermaid lagoon.

“Better question is, why are you here, human?” The red headed merman asks watching you being tossed around like a ragdoll by the blue tailed merman and now a golden tail merman. You try to answer but all you could do is scream from forces of the muscular mermans.

“Alright Kai and Tae we don’t want to break the human.” Says the white tailed merman who sat on a rock all pretty and dry. You wanted to say your thank yous but you were astonished by the contrast of his dark navy hair with his iridescent tail. His dimples indents his plush cheeks as he smiles at you, "I'm Soobin and the redhead is Yeonjun," you bow your head at the introduction, “I will ask the question again, what are you doing here?”

“I-I just wanted to wash up after playing in the woods with— Hey that’s mine!” You rush to grab your bag that was searched in by another merman, but you were too slow.

The rose color of his tail splashes water in your face quickly swimming away from you to the redhead. “I bet the human was playing with Peter Pan,” he says with a mocking tone, “and I bet they want to kiss him.” You roll your eyes to come in contact with the golden merman, Tae, who was pursing his lips mimicking a kiss.

“Ha, you maybe right Beomgyu, but I don’t understand, we’re much more better looking than him, right Kai.” Yeonjun says, the blue finned merman nods but is mostly enchanted by whats in your bag.

“Is it true? Do you like Peter Pan?” The white tailed merman asks.

“Ew no and can I please get my bag back?” No one was was listening, all 5 mermen were captivated by something in your bag.

“What’s this?” “It’s a wand?” “A microphone?” “A thingamabob!”

“It’s a light.” You say trying to swim to their location, jumping on the rock next to Soobin. You tug the object out of Beomgyu's grasp and hold the light out. Clicking the button the clear top starts flashes rainbow colors. They are all wet dripping droplets of water down their chest as they float around you watching the colors change in your hand.

Yeonjun gets closer to the light, his hand innocently finds itself resting on your thigh. Tae lightly holds onto your ankle. You start to feel lightheaded from their presence, noticing how alluring these men are. Shirtless, clearly showing off their toned upper half which seemed to contrast with their elegant tails that reflect the colors shining from the light. Their necks thick and veiny adorned with gills, arms humanly except for the fins that stick out their forearms. The sight was different yet beautiful.

Neverland, a place for youth seems to have a lagoon to lose your innocence...

A nuisance,

TxT's Devil 🧜‍♀️

taglist: @inkigayocamman, @naoristerling

dividers: @sister-lucifer

#txt devil #txt imagines #txt x reader #txt x you #txt x y/n #txt thoughts #yeonjun imagines #soobin imagines #beomgyu imagines #taehyun imagines #hueningkai imagines #yeonjun x reader #soobin x reader #beomgyu x reader #taehyun x reader #huening kai x reader

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fuzzyautumninmetal · 7 months ago

Text

Beautiful

Kyle 'Gaz' Garrick x Fem!Mermaid reader

Big thanks too @brokenpieces-72 and @all-purpose-dish-soap for the plot idea!! love you 🫶

I really really hope I've done Kyle justice here 😩

The icy water clawed at Kyle's skin, the pressure in his ears a dull throb. Panic flared in his chest, a cold, sharp spike. His oxygen gauge flickered, a mocking red, and his lungs burned. He'd been reckless, pushing too far, and now his tank was failing. He was going to die here, alone, in the depths of this frigid, unforgiving sea. Then, strong arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him upward. He felt a surge of relief, a desperate hope, but his vision blurred, his body heavy. He couldn't see who was helping him, only felt the powerful, rhythmic strokes pulling him towards the surface.

He woke to the harsh sunlight and the familiar faces of Task Force 141. The relief was overwhelming, but it was quickly followed by confusion. He remembered the panic, the darkness, and then... someone had saved him. But who?

Kyle, still shaky, shook his head. "No, I... I don't know what happened. I felt someone pull me up."

"You alright, Gaz?" Johnny's voice was gruff, concern etched on his face. "You were out cold for a good five minutes. Thought you'd gone and met Nessie down there."

The others exchanged glances. "You sure you didn't just black out and think you were saved?" John asked, his tone sceptical.

Kyle frowned. "No, I'm telling you, someone was there. I felt their arms around me."

The incident became a running joke amongst the team, with Johnny constantly teasing Kyle about 'meeting Nessie.' But Kyle couldn't shake the feeling of truth in his memory. He had to know who saved him.

Weeks later, driven by a need for answers, Kyle returned to the mission site. He rented a small boat and spent hours scanning the water, the memory of the strong arms pulling him up vivid in his mind. Then, he saw it. A flash of emerald green, a tail shimmering in the sunlight.

A mermaid.

You swim gracefully through the crystal clear waters, your emerald tail propelling you effortlessly through the waves. your long, wavy hair cascades behind you like a waterfall, reflecting the sun's rays as you moves. You pauses when you spot something floating on the surface.

A boat?

Curiosity piqued, you surface, your eyes widening at the sight of a human. That human. The one you saved.

As the figure surfaced, Kyle's heart skipped a beat. It was her, the mysterious saviour from his near-death experience. You were real, not some delusion or hallucination brought on by oxygen deprivation. You were stunningly beautiful, your hair flowing like a river of molten gold in the sunlight, your eyes a captivating blend of gold and red that held an air of mystery. You were different, unique, unlike anyone he'd ever seen before. And you'd saved his life.

You quickly dove back down into the water. He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't have come looking for you. It was stupid really. Reckless. You should of left him to his fate...but you couldn't. You couldn't watch an innocent human die.

Kyle watched as the enigmatic figure dived back beneath the waves, leaving him with more questions than answers. Despite the brief encounter, he knew he wouldn't forget you any time soon. Your actions spoke volumes about your character, and your beauty captivated him in a way no other woman had. There was something undeniably intriguing about you, a sense of mystery that made him want to learn more.

He found himself returning to the same spot over and over again, drawn to the memory of the mermaid who'd saved his life. Each visit filled him with a strange longing, a desire to see you again, to thank you properly for saving his life. He began to bring offerings, seashells and starfish, anything he thought might catch your attention.

You can feel his presence every time he comes. Its annoying really. He doesn't belong here. This is your home, your sanctuary. Why does he keep coming? To see you? No. He wants something else. Something more. He wants answers. Answers to questions you cannot give. You're not supposed to exist. Not anymore anyway. But you do...and you can't let him find out. You can't let him expose you.

One day, as he tossed a handful of sweet treats onto the water's surface, he swore he saw a flicker of movement beneath the waves. Was it her? Had she returned? He stayed longer than usual, waiting, hoping for another glimpse of the mysterious mermaid.

He waited for you, patiently watching the horizon until the sky turned dark. He knew you were there, hiding in the shadows, observing him. He knew you didn't want him there, but he also knew you hadn't stopped him yet. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever came next.

"I know you're there," he called out, his voice echoing across the empty sea. "Please, I just want to talk. I won't tell anyone about you. I promise."

You listen to his words. You don't trust them. Humans lie all the time. They lie to protect themselves. They lie to get what they want. But you need to hear him out. You need to understand why he keeps coming here. He's persistent isn't he? Maybe that's something you admire? Or maybe its infuriating? Either way, you decide to show yourself. Just enough so he knows its you. Your eyes meet his as you break the surface of the water.

When the mysterious figure finally emerged from the depths, Kyle's heart pounded in his chest. It was her, the mermaid who'd saved his life. Their eyes locked, yours filled with a mix of curiosity and caution, while his were filled with gratitude and admiration.

"Thank you," he said quietly, his voice barely audible above the sound of the waves crashing against the boat. "For saving me."

You watch him. Watch his face for any signs of deception. None are shown. You swims closer to the boat, your movements graceful and fluid. Your close now. Close enough to touch if you wanted to. You reach out a hand, touching the side of the boat gently. A sign of acceptance maybe? An olive branch? Or just another test? Only time will tell.

He watched, entranced, as the mermaid swam closer to the boat. He could almost reach out and touch you, if only he dared. When you touched the side of the boat, he felt a surge of hope. Could it be that you were willing to communicate?

"I'm Kyle," he introduced himself, extending a hand towards you.

You watch his hand move through the water towards you. You takes it hesitantly, your grip firm yet gentle. You pull yourself closer to the boat, your body breaking the surface of the water. Your upper body is exposed now. You looks up at him, your eyes questioning as you introduced yourself.

Kyle heart raced as you pulled yourself closer to the boat, your body breaking the surface of the water. He was face-to-face with a mermaid, and you were even more breath taking than he'd imagined.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, his voice trembling slightly from excitement. "I owe you my life." You hold his gaze, your eyes intense. You pull yourself further onto the boat, your lower half still submerged in the water. Your upper body is bare, your skin glistening with water droplets. You look at him curiously, taking in his features with equal intensity.

"Why do you keep coming back?" you asks, your voice soft yet steady.

Kyle swallowed hard as you pulled yourself fully onto the boat, your lower half still hidden beneath the water. His eyes traced the lines of your body, taking in your bare skin glistening with water droplets. You were even more beautiful up close.

"To see you," he admitted honestly, meeting your gaze. "To thank you properly for saving my life."

Your eyes narrow slightly as you process his answer. You take a moment to study him. To analyse his facial expressions, his tone of voice. Is he lying? Does he truly just want to thank you? Or is there something more? You can't read humans very well. They're too complex.

He met your gaze head-on, unflinching under your scrutiny. He understood your scepticism; after all, he would likely feel the same in your position. But his intentions were pure - he simply wanted to express his gratitude.

"If it helps," he offered, "I've brought you gifts." He gestured towards some sweet treats beside him.

You look at this gifts he brought you. Gifts? From a human? "What are they?" You questioned. Your gaze never leaving the gifts, you've never seen anything like them before. They look...spongy and pretty? He pointed out each item one by one - the fluffy, sweet-smelling muffins, and the rich, decadent chocolate cake. He hoped these would help bridge the gap between their two worlds.

"They're called muffins and cake," he explained. "They're sweet and delicious. Would you like to try one?" His question hung in the air, a silent plea for acceptance. You look at him sceptically and then back at the gifts. Muffins and cake? What a strange name, and you can eat them? You looked back at Kyle, your curiosity got the better of you.

"Please"

Kyle's heart swelled with delight when you agreed to try the food. He carefully picked up a muffin and held it out to you. "Here you go," he said, his voice filled with anticipation. "It's called a blueberry muffin." As he spoke, he couldn't help but marvel at how surreal this situation was. Here he was, on a boat in the middle of the ocean, offering cake to a mermaid.

You watch as he holds out the muffin to you. The gesture is kind and gentle, and you find yourself drawn to it. You reach out slowly, your fingers brushing against his as you take the muffin. Your touch is light, hesitant. You bring the muffin to your lips and takes a bite.

Your eyes widen in surprise as the flavours burst in your mouth. Sweetness, tanginess, a hint of crunchiness. It's overwhelming and amazing all at once. You chew slowly, savouring every bit before swallowing. Kyle watched as you took the muffin from his hands, his heart pounded in his chest as he waited for your reaction. When your eyes widened and you began to chew, he let out a sigh of relief. She liked it!

After finishing off the muffin, you look over at the..... Cake? Your eyes wide with curiosity. You reach out and pick up a piece of the cake, holding it up to inspect it. It's dark and moist looking, and smells divine. You bring the piece to your lips and takes a bite.

The taste is unlike anything you've ever experienced. Rich, sweet, and smooth. It melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more. You place it on the boat before you hoist yourself up and sit on the edge of the boat, you fin swaying lazily in the water as you picked the cake back up.

Kyle watched in awe as you eagerly devoured the cake, your eyes lighting up with each bite. He couldn't help but smile widely, feeling a sense of satisfaction knowing that he had managed to share something new with you. "That's chocolate cake," he told you, pointing at the remaining piece. He leaned back against the boat, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and the company of this intriguing creature.

You continue to eat the cake, savouring each bite. You look up at Kyle, studying him. There's something about him that's different from other humans you've encountered. He seems genuine, honest. Any regrets you had saving him were now gone.

He noticed the change in your demeanour. Your earlier suspicion seemed to have faded away, replaced by an almost friendly curiosity. He felt relieved. "I should probably start heading back soon," he mentioned, standing up and picking up the empty food wrappers. "But I'd love to come visit again sometime."

His words were sincere; he genuinely enjoyed spending time with you and wanted to get to know you better. You look at him as he stands up, and you notice his form is tall and lean. He moves with an ease that you admire. As he picks up the wrappers, you gently lower yourself back into the water. "Tomorrow?" You ask softly, your voice echoing the sincerity in your eyes.

Kyle was taken aback by your question. Tomorrow? He hadn't expected you to invite him back so soon. But the thought of seeing you again, sooner rather than later, filled him with excitement.

"I'd like that," he replied, a warm smile spreading across his face. "See you tomorrow then." With a final wave, he started the boat and drove it back to shore, leaving a trail of bubbles behind.

You watch as he drives the boat back to shore, your eyes following the trail of bubbles until they disappear completely. A small smile graces your lips as you dip back under the water, the surface reflecting the moon above.

Back on land, Kyle couldn't stop thinking about his encounter with you. His heart swelled with warmth as he replayed the events of the day in his mind. He found himself looking forward to tomorrow with eager anticipation.

The next evening, he arrived at the same spot as yesterday. He was excited to see you again, and brought more treats with him.

Kyle waited patiently, scanning the water's surface for any sign of you. After what felt like an eternity, there was a splash and you emerged from the depths, your wet hair slicked back and clinging to your skin. You swim towards him, a big smile on your face. When you reach him, you climb onto the boat and sat on the edge, dripping water everywhere. You look at the food he brought. For you.

Kyle's heart fluttered as you emerged from the water, your smile as radiant as ever. "Hey there," he greeted you, handing you the food. "I brought some more treats for you." You accept the food from him, your hand brushing against his. You take the food and begin eating it, savouring every bite just like you did yesterday. You glance up at him occasionally, a soft smile on your face.

He watched as you ate the food he'd brought, noting the soft smile that graced your lips when you looked at him. He felt a strange warmth spread through him, a sensation he'd never really experienced before. "Would you... like to go for a ride on the boat?" He asked, trying to keep his nervousness in check.

You tilt your head, your nose scrunched up in concentration. "How about we race instead?" You suggests, your voice lilting. "See what's faster. Me or the boat."

Kyle laughed, the sound echoing across the water. He loved your playful spirit. "A race it is," he agreed, starting the engine and adjusting the throttle. "But fair warning, I'm pretty competitive." With that, he revved the engine and waited for you to signal the start of the race. "So am I" you giggle as you dive into the water, disappearing beneath the waves before coming back up. "First one to that buoy over there wins." Kyle watched as you dove into the water, your movements graceful and fluid. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he waited for you to resurface.

"On your mark..." he called out, his gaze locked on the buoy. "Get set... GO!"

Without hesitation, he gunned the engine, sending the boat speeding through the water. The wind rushed past him, carrying with it the scent of the sea and the thrill of competition. As Kyle sped off, it caught you off guard, but you quickly caught up to him, your sleek tail easily keeping pace with the boat. You swam alongside Kyle, teasing him with your speed and agility. You laughed and disappeared beneath the waves, using your powerful tail to propel yourself through the water. You knew you had the advantage in this race, but you couldn't resist the opportunity to show off your skills to Kyle.

His heart pounded in his chest as he raced through the water, the wind rushing past him. He could see you right beside him, your speed and agility a testament to your nature. Just as he thought he might catch up to you, you would suddenly disappear, only to reappear further ahead. You were fast, incredibly fast. But Kyle wasn't one to give up easily. With renewed determination, he pushed the boat harder, matching your speed stroke for stroke.

You continue to tease Kyle, showing off your speed and agility. Your laughter echoes through the water as you dart in and out of his path. You enjoy watching him try to keep up with you. You flicked your tail to splash him, hoping to catch him off before you sped off again.

Kyle felt a rush of cold water as you splashed him, your laughter echoing in his ears. He could see the teasing glint in your eye as you darted away, your tail flicking playfully.

'She's enjoying this too much,' he thought, his determination growing stronger. He pressed the throttle even further, the boat responding eagerly. You continue to tease him, your laughter filling the air as you dodge his attempts to catch you. You love the way his face scrunches up in concentration, the determination in his eyes. You flick your tail to splash him again before darting off once more.

He let out a hearty laugh as the cold water splashed him again, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the power of the boat beneath him, its response to his command. 'She's got spirit,' he thought again, admiring your tenacity. As you darted away once more, he pursued you, determined to win this race.

You continued to lead him on, your laughter ringing out across the water. You enjoyed the thrill of the chase, the challenge of staying ahead. You flicked your tail to send another wave of water crashing over him before darting off again towards the buoy. You were close. So close. Kyle doesn't have a chance.

You see Kyle closing in on you, his determination clear. You decide to make one last dash for the buoy. You push yourself to your limits, your muscles straining as you use your powerful tail to propel yourself forward. You reach the buoy first, a triumphant grin on your face.

Kyle saw you pull ahead, your speed and agility leaving him in awe. As they neared the buoy, he gave it one last shot, propelling the boat forward with all his strength. He reached the buoy mere seconds after you, you brought your fin up out of the water and nudge him lightly, a playful smirk on your face. "Told you I was faster." You say, your laughter filling the air again.

He smiled, his heart still pounding in his chest. He could feel the salty spray of the ocean on his skin, the exhilaration of the race still fresh in his mind. "You were faster this time," he admitted, meeting your gaze with a playful smirk of his own. "But next time, I'll beat you." His words hung in the air between them, a promise of future races and the camaraderie that came with them.

You giggle, your eyes shining with mirth and satisfaction. You lean against the side of the boat, catching your breath from the race. "Oh will you now?" You say, your voice light and teasing.

Kyle nodded, his smile widening. His competitive spirit was already stirring, ready for the next challenge. "Oh yes," he said confidently, "I always keep my promises." His gaze lingered on you, appreciating your strength and resilience. You were a force to be reckoned with, and he couldn't wait to see what other adventures they'd share together.

You wink at Kyle, your eyes twinkling with mischief. You're not sure if you believe his claim, but you're looking forward to seeing if he can prove it. You stretch lazily, your muscles still tingling from the race. "I'm always up for a good challenge," he said, his gaze never leaving yours. "And if it means spending more time with you, then I wouldn't miss it for the world." His words were sincere, a testament to the bond they shared. Despite their differences, they understood each other, respected each other. And for that, Kyle was grateful.

You meet his gaze, your own eyes reflecting the same sense of camaraderie and trust. You understand his competitive spirit, his desire to test his limits. You respect him for it. "Good," you say simply, "because I like a good challenge too."

"Then it's a deal," he said, extending his hand for a shake. "To future races and adventures." As their hands met, the bond between them strengthened. They were partners in this journey, allies in a world where survival was often a game of wit and skill.

You take Kyle's hand, feeling the firmness of his grip. You squeeze gently, your eyes locked onto his. This is more than just a race or an adventure; it's a partnership, a bond forged in the depths of the ocean. "It's a deal," *you say, your voice steady and resolute. As you gaze at his hand clasped in yours, a sudden surge of alarm courses through you. A crimson stain blooms on his skin, seeping through the cracks in his weathered hand.

"Kyle, you're bleeding!" You exclaim, your voice a mixture of concern and urgency. The words dance across the surface of the water, creating tiny ripples that break the otherwise still surface.

He looked down to see a cut on his palm, blood trickling down his fingers. "Damn," he muttered, wincing slightly. "Must have caught it on something when we were racing." He glanced at you, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Guess I'm not as invincible as I thought."

"Obviously," *you couldn't help but chuckle. You held your hand out. "Give me your hand." Your voice was firm, leaving no room for arguments. When Kyle didn't give you his hand, insisting that he was fine, you gently grabbed his wrist and brought his hand up to your lips but paused. You were about to do something that might seem a little...unconventional, to put it mildly.

"This is going to seem weird...and disgusting," you warned him, your voice softer now, almost apologetic. He looked at you, confusion etched on his face. You licked your lips, the saltiness of the ocean water leaving a metallic taste on your tongue. Then, you did it. You licked the palm of his hand, your tongue tracing the gash, the blood mingling with the salt.

Kyle watched, mesmerized, as you licked the wound on his hand. He felt a strange mix of discomfort and fascination, the sight both gross and oddly alluring. "What...the hell..." he muttered, though there was no real annoyance in his tone. He'd seen stranger things in his life, after all. Still, the sensation of your tongue against his skin sent a shiver down his spine. It wasn't unpleasant, but it definitely wasn't normal either.

He watched, transfixed, as you lapped at the cut on his hand. He could feel the coolness of the sea water mixed with the heat of your breath, the wetness of your tongue against his skin. It was an odd sensation, but not entirely unpleasant. "Damn," he breathed out, his voice low and rough. "That's...that's some crazy shit right there." But even as he spoke, he found himself leaning into the sensation, his body responding despite his mind trying to process the strangeness of it all.

You pull away from his hand, watching as the cut closes before your very eyes. The edges of the wound fuse together, sealing shut without so much as a scar. Your saliva does its job, healing the small injury instantly. "There," you softly say, feeling satisfied. "All better." You look up at Kyle, meeting his gaze. Your eyes glint with a knowing smile, a silent acknowledgment of the bizarre yet effective method of first aid you just employed.

Kyle stared at his healed hand, disbelief washing over him. He'd expected a few stitches, maybe a band-aid at most, but not this. Not a lick of his hand by a mermaid. "That's...fuckin' amazing," he said, shaking his head in awe. "I mean, I've seen some shit in my time, but this takes the cake." He lifted his hand to inspect it again, running his thumb over the smooth skin where moments ago had been a gaping cut. His mind raced, trying to comprehend how something so simple could have such profound results. "And here I thought you were just a pretty face," he added, flashing you a teasing grin.

A laugh bubbles up from deep within you, echoing around the two of you in the vast ocean. It's a sound that's as unexpected as it is infectious, causing Kyle to join in, his hearty laughter mixing with yours.

"Pretty face?" You echo, rolling your eyes playfully. "Oh, please. Don't flatter yourself."

You poke him lightly in the chest, your fingertips pressing against his skin. The contact sends a spark of electricity coursing through you, reminding you of the connection between you and Kyle. "But I suppose there's more to you than meets the eye too," you add, giving him a sly smirk as you splashed some water on him with you tail.

He chuckled, enjoying the banter between the two of them. He leaned back in the boat, his arms folded behind his head as he watched the waves crash against the hull. The salty air filled his lungs, a stark contrast to the thick smoke and grime of his usual environment.

"You know what they say about judging books by their covers," he quipped, shooting you a playful wink. His attention shifted momentarily to the horizon, his mind wandering to the events of the day. From the adrenaline-fueled race to the peculiar healing technique, today had been anything but ordinary.

You lean against the boat, your head resting on the side as you watch the sun dip below the horizon. The sky puts on a show, painting the heavens in hues of pink, orange, and purple. "It's beautiful," you murmur, your voice barely audible above the gentle lapping of the waves against the hull of the boat. You turn to Kyle, a soft smile playing on your lips. "Wanna see another cool trick?"

Kyle turned to face you, his curiosity piqued. He'd seen plenty of sunsets in his lifetime, but none quite like this one. The colours seemed brighter, more vibrant, as if the world itself was putting on a show just for them. "Another trick, huh?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'm intrigued. What ya got?"

He leaned back, propping himself up on his elbows as he looked at you. There was a certain allure to you, a mystery that drew him in. You were unlike anyone he'd ever met, and he found himself wanting to know more about you.

You pat the side of the boat invitingly, a teasing smirk on your lips as your tail swishes behind you. "You've got to come in the water," you say, your voice a melody carried by the salty breeze. "Unless you're scared," you add, sending a playful splash of water towards him.

Kyle laughed, the sound rich and genuine. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had this much fun, or been around someone who could make him forget about everything else for a moment. "Nah, I ain't scared," he said, pushing himself off the boat and stepping closer to the edge. "Just don't want to get my good clothes wet," he joked, looking down at his jeans and t-shirt.

You giggle at his comment, the sound light and carefree. Your eyes sparkle with mischief as you hover near the edge, waiting for Kyle to take the plunge. "Well then, tough luck," you tease, flicking a droplet of water at him. "Just take your clothes off."

Kyle rolled his eyes, a chuckle escaping his lips. He stripped off his clothing, leaving him in nothing but his boxer shorts. The cool air sent a shiver down his spine, but he ignored it, focusing instead on the anticipation building within him. "Alright, alright," he said, holding his hands up in surrender. "I'm coming in. Just don't laugh when I start swimming like a brick, okay?" With that, he took a deep breath and plunged into the water, disappearing beneath the surface.

As he resurfaced, he blinked rapidly, adjusting his eyes to the dimmer light. He shook his head, sending droplets of water flying in all directions. "Fuck, that's cold!" he exclaimed, his teeth chattering slightly.

You burst out laughing at Kyle's exclamation, the sound echoing around the both of you. You swim closer to him, your tail flicking playfully. "Cold? For you, maybe," you tease, your voice muffled by the water. "But I'm used to it." You swim up to him, so close your noses are nearly touching. "Close your eyes," you murmur, your voice softer now.

Gaz hesitates for a moment, then obeys, shutting his eyes tight. You gently cup his cheeks, your cool hands a contrast to the warmth of his skin. He smells of salt and seaweed, a familiar scent of the ocean. You lean in and kiss him, your lips meeting with a soft, damp touch. You feel the surprise, then the wonder, as his breath catches in his throat. You don't linger, but with a swift movement, you submerge you both under the water.

Kyle felt a rush of something unfamiliar as your lips pressed against his. His eyes were squeezed shut, his senses heightened by the unusual situation. He felt the chill of the water envelop him completely as you pulled him under, the sensation of being submerged sending a jolt of fear through him.

But as quickly as it came, the fear faded, replaced by a sense of calm. He could breathe! It was strange, almost magical, feeling the oxygen fill his lungs without having to break the surface. He opened his eyes, blinking away the stinging saltwater, and saw you before him, your body glowing in the dim light.

You were beautiful, even under the water. Your hair fanned out around you, swirling like tendrils of silk. Your eyes glowed with mischief and joy, reflecting the light from above.

You pull back slowly, watching Kyle's reaction closely. A grin spreads across your face, seeing the awe in his eyes. You reach out, taking his hand in yours, leading him deeper into the water.

Kyle allowed himself to be led, his grip on your hand firm yet gentle. He moved through the water with a grace he hadn't known he possessed, the weightlessness allowing him to move with ease.

He glanced around, taking in the beauty of the underwater world. Fish darted past, their scales shimmering in the light filtering down from above. Corals waved gently, their colours vibrant and alive. The world around them became a blur of colour and movement, but only your presence remained constant. He felt a strange warmth spreading through him, not from the water, but from within. The sensation was overwhelming, intoxicating. It made him forget about the war, about the bloodshed, about the pain. All he cared about was the moment, this singular moment shared with you.

You lead Kyle further into the depths, the world around you growing darker and more mysterious. The pressure increases, adding an element of danger to your adventure. But you're undeterred, pulling him along with a determined look in your eyes.

Eventually, you stop, turning to face him. You place your hands on his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. Your own heartbeat quickens, matching his rhythm. You lean in, pressing your forehead against his. In this moment, there's no need for words. Everything is understood between you, communicated through touch and glance. It's a silent promise, a vow sealed under the sea.

Kyle let you guide him, entrusting himself fully to you. As the pressure increased, he felt a thrill run through him, a mix of excitement and apprehension. But he wasn't afraid. Not with you. When they stopped, he looked into your eyes, seeing a depth there he hadn't noticed before. A kind of longing, perhaps? Or was it hope?

His heart pounded in his chest as you placed your hands on him, feeling the wild rhythm of his heart match yours. When you leaned in, pressing your forehead against his, he closed his eyes, savouring the moment. He held you tightly, not wanting to let go.

Your bodies are pressed close together, the slight friction creating a spark of electricity between you. Without warning, you pull back, grabbing his hand once again. You begin to swim upwards, towards the light. Your movements are graceful, powerful, guiding Kyle effortlessly towards the surface.

As they neared the surface, Kyle began to feel the urge to breathe. His lungs burned, craving air. But he waited, holding his breath, trusting you to bring them safely back to the world above. And then, suddenly, they broke through the surface. He gasped, sucking in a lungful of sweet, fresh air. He looked at you, gratitude and admiration shining in his eyes.

You emerge from the water, your body slick with wetness. You turn to Kyle, a triumphant smile on your face. "Pretty cool right?" He nodded, still trying to catch his breath. He looked at you, your body glistening in the moonlight, and he had to admit, it was pretty damn cool. "Unreal," he finally managed to say. He reached out, running his fingers through your wet hair. "I've never... I didn't know..." He shook his head, unable to find the right words.

Kyle moved closer, closing the gap between them. He reached out, tracing a finger down your arm, feeling the smooth skin beneath his touch. He leaned in, his lips hovering just inches from yours. He could taste the saltiness of the ocean on your lips, mixed with your unique flavour. It was intoxicating, making him want more. Before he could second guess himself, he kissed you. His lips pressed against yours, soft and seeking. The kiss was hungry, desperate, a reflection of the emotions swirling inside him.

Feeling Kyle's lips on yours sends a jolt through your system, lighting up every nerve ending. You respond eagerly, wrapping your arms around his neck and pulling him closer. Your tongue slips past his lips, exploring the warm cavern of his mouth. You can taste the salt on his skin, mingling with the sweetness of his breath. It's a heady combination, one that makes you dizzy with desire. Breaking the kiss, you pull back slightly, looking into Kyle's eyes. There's a hunger there, a need that mirrors your own. And it's a need that you're more than willing to satisfy.

You lean in again, kissing him deeply, losing yourself in the moment.

#call of duty #cod mw2 #cod mwii #call of duty mwii #kyle gaz x you #kyle gaz x reader #kyle garrick #kyle gaz garrick #gaz x female reader #gaz x reader #gaz mw2 #gaz cod #writers on tumblr #cod mw3 #cod modern warfare #call of duty mw3

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monster-disaster · 6 months ago

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Are you doing anything for Mer-May?🌊

It’d be fun to have a story between a mermaid reader and maybe two love interests. Being a human man and merman 👉🏻👈🏻

merman!Lauran x mermaid!Reader x human!Alex Good to know: no warnings

A/N: Well, I'm reeeeaally late with this, but I hope you will still find some joy reading it. :)

The sea shimmers under the blazing midday sun, casting a brilliant glow across the water. Vivid greens and blues sparkle under the bright rays that scatter across the waves. Gentle ripples move in a rhythmic pattern, pushing and rocking the small boat on the surface. In the distance, the land appears as a thin, delicate strip, barely visible at the edge of the horizon.

Your laughter mingles with the soothing sound of the crashing waves as you dart out of the water with a joyful shriek. Droplets of seawater glisten on you like tiny diamonds as the sun kisses your skin. Your eyes follow the familiar form of your mate, whose scales shimmer in shades of emerald and sapphire beneath the glimmering water. His movements are quick and graceful as he grabs your lover's waist with a swift motion and pulls him up to the surface. The sight of Alex's shocked expression at the sudden change of position makes you laugh even harder. The sound blends seamlessly with the waves and the cries of the seagulls above.

"Alex," Lauran grins. "It's your turn now."

The human just groans, making the other male grin.

Your gaze lingers on the pair for a long second. Lauran, your mate, is an enchanting beauty with long, blond hair cascading down his back. His straight nose, hard jawline, and perfect, sharp teeth add to his captivating allure. Beside him, Alex has a natural, boyish charm. He is leaner than the merman. His physique is shaped by living on land and spending long hours in the water. His dark hair is tousled and tangled with salt and bright sunlight. The contrast between them is striking, yet they complement each other perfectly.

"You’re too slow, Alex!" You tease the human. Your laughter rings out as you swim absently in the water. With a few flicks of your tail, you glide closer, then dart away at the last moment, always staying just out of his reach. Alex, determined, lunges after you. His movements are fast but not quite enough to catch you. Water splashes everywhere, and your giggles grow louder. Meanwhile, Lauran floats nearby with an amused smile on his lips. He swims around Alex, his cockiness is obvious as he watches the playful scene between his lovers.

The chase whirls you around the boat in a dizzying circle. As you swim, your hand skims the wet side of the vessel. The surface is cool and slick beneath your fingers. You glance over your shoulder every now and again before ducking down and appearing somewhere else.

"It's not fair, you know?" Alex pants. His breath comes in quick, heavy bursts, but he still refuses to give up. His face is flushed with effort and excitement. His shoulders are slightly red from the sun.

"Slow down, my love," Lauran cuts in, his voice soothing and amused. He swims up to Alex, gently placing his webbed hand on the back of the man's neck. The touch sends a shiver through the young man's body, and you can see goosebumps rise on his sun-kissed skin as he closes his eyes for a long, blissful moment.

"We don’t want to exhaust him too soon," you agree, joining the pair with a playful smile. Wrapping your arms around Alex’s neck, you pull him close, pressing your bodies together. You can feel his muscles relaxing and melting against you, and a contented sigh escapes your lips as you bask in the warmth radiating from him. He smells like summer and salt.

"No," Lauran hums softly into the crook of Alex’s neck. His lips graze the sensitive skin with gentle, nibbling kisses. The merman’s touch is both tender and teasing.

Taking control, you lean in to kiss your human lover. Your lips brush against his with a playful nip on the soft flesh of his lower lip. You tug it gently before allowing your tongue to explore the warmth of his mouth. He tastes like the sea and something else. Even after spending so much time in the water with you and Lauran, there is still an earthy tint about him. His presence is a grounding, connecting the world outside to your realm in the sea.

"But you are still slow," you giggle. Every word you say brushes against his slightly open lips.

"I would like to see how fast you would be with legs," he retorts before pressing against you for another searing kiss.

You spend the day in this blissful dance in the salty embrace of the sea and the caress of the burning sunlight. You chase each other through the water with kisses, warm touches, and silly jokes. Time seems to stretch as you move together in a carefree rhythm.

When the sun dips below the horizon, coloring the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, Lauran gently guides Alex back into the boat. His worry and protectiveness for the human are evident in every movement he makes. No matter how much time Alex spends in the water, he will never have muscles like you or Lauran. He gets tired and sore much more easily than the merfolk.

Alex, however, glances back at the pair of you with a sad look as you and your mate start to push the boat towards the land in the distance. His voice tinted with reluctance. "I don't want to go home yet. It's still early."

Lauran's eyes soften with a reassuring smile as he responds, "As you wish, my love. The day doesn’t have to end just yet."

As you push and steer the boat with Alex aboard, the three of you navigate toward your favorite spot; a secluded cove not far from the bustling beach. The cove is framed by jagged rocks, separating it from the outside world. The boat glides through the water with a gentle sway while the busy beach fades into the background. The splashes under your tail echo off the rugged walls.

Alex climbs out of the boat onto the sandy shore, leaving a wet trail behind. You and Lauran follow him, emerging from the water until your upper bodies and most of your tails are on the beach. The sand clings to your damp skin as you settle down next to Alex, feeling its warmth beneath you. You rest your head on your human's arm while Lauran curls up against him. His scales catch the last of the fading sunlight as he gazes out through the entrance of the cove.

The sounds of the bustling beach seem distant now, replaced by the gentle whispers of the evening breeze and the rhythmic lull of the waves.

"I don't want this summer to end," Alex says, breaking the silence first. A small scowl forms between his brows as he thinks about the future. The thought of you and Lauran going back to your own world when the summer ends weighs heavily on his chest.

You and the merman exchange a knowing glance, both feeling the same reluctance and worry. As autumn approaches and the temperature begins to drop, you and your kind prepare for your annual journey across the sea. It’s a cycle that repeats year after year, a rhythm of migration that’s as much a part of your life as the changing seasons.

"We could stay," you reply, your voice is heavy with the unknown. The idea of remaining in this place is both thrilling and daunting. It’s not uncommon for merfolk to make such a decision, but it is a significant one with challenges and sacrifices.

Lauran nods, his gaze softening as he looks at Alex, who is nestled comfortably between you both. "If you want us, we could stay," he says gently, offering the possibility with an open heart.

As you all lie together in the quiet cove and the stars begin to twinkle above, the lingering decision feels like a chance for something new. For something exciting.

#monster romance #monster x human #monster x reader #monster boyfriend #terat0philliac #teratophillia #sweet asks #monster girlfriend #monster fucker #monster kink #monster lover #monsterfucker #exophelia #merman x reader #mermaid x human

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skelly-words · 5 months ago

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Mermaid Levi <3

I loooooove mermaids (idc that he's technically a merman stfu). This is an x reader, but it's not very romantic.

Also, he has no name in this, so feel free to read it as your fav XD

tags- yandere and monsterish, no smut, drowning, idk what else to tag, levi's a fucking mermaid bro, fear, this could be mild horror idk, i don't think reader has gender yet

wc- 2.4k

Tourists riddle the Pacific coast. Beaches are so crowded in the summertime that it’s unpleasant to go. Most families pop an umbrella up in the sand and camp out all day, and the crowd only begins to thin when the sun dips under the watery horizon.

But you like to swim alone, turning left– away from the coast and down a dirt road. The back wheels of your car kick up a small cloud of dust in your wake. You bounce up and down in your seat as you navigate the bumps and divots until you can hear the bumper cables in the trunk rattling. The sidestreet isn’t meant to be taken, so it’s seldom maintained. You can tell where it has flooded in the winter, cracking on the surface like a salt flat, and cutting deep grooves across the road’s width.

About a mile down, the road comes to a dead end with a miniscule cul-de-sac to provide parking. The packed earth stretches out to become grass and the sandy shore of a shimmer lagoon. The water passes between green and blue hues as it reflects the splendid sky. But it looks more of a murky emerald in the shade. Most of the lagoon is consumed by reeds and cattails, clustered in the shallow mouth where it feeds into the ocean and up against the waterline. In fact the only break in the wall vegetation is the gap made by a rickety pier.

Algae grows from the pilings, making the legs fuzzy and green below the waterline. The boards are sturdy enough, groaning but not bending as you walk out to deeper water, blue beach bag in hand. The sun is so bright, glaring from above and bouncing light off the sunbleached wood. Squinting over the water, you see that it’s empty.

You like that nobody else comes to this watering hole. It’s only deep enough to swim off the pier’s end, where a neglected kayak tugs at the rope tying it to the endmost piling. It plummets down into a trench of deep blue. A perfect circle with no apparent bottom. The unsettling nature makes most people stick to the beaches. There is always a rumor or two of someone drowning in it, but nobody ever seems to know them. The kayak doesn’t belong to anybody specific anymore, and algae sprouts from the underside. Yet, despite it all, the lagoon is the only place you can feel comfortable, never hesitating to strip down to your swimsuit and smooth sunscreen down your skin.

Because nobody comes here. You sit on your pile of discarded clothes, dangling your toes in the water. It feels warm, just cooler than the dry summer air. Fall is on the way, but it’s still hot as fuck until sunset. Sweat runs down your spine, tediously over the bump of each vertebrae. You stand up on the pier, toes curling over the edge to brace yourself.

The water waves. It welcomes you down. You take a breath and push off the plank, head first and with your eyes shut tight. Everything is silent beneath the surface. You can no longer hear the grass rubbing together, wind between wheezing trees. Time seems to stand still while you are submerged, and springs back to life as you pop up to gasp for air.

You swim laps. Around and ‘round the blue hole with your watery shadow following on the mushy bed. One, two, three, four, breathe; you count strokes and inhale just enough for the next four scoops of your arms. The splashing water kicks up behind you sounds like music. Rhythmic and meditative to keep time with your steady count. It’s a familiar song. At a certain point you didn’t need the mental count anymore and your trained muscles do all the work for you. Until your chest hurts and arms burn beneath the mild water.

You float on your back, gently kicking your legs until you bob dully around the center of the scenic pool. The sun is beaming and your eyes are closed as you relax on your back. To drift in circles with the fluid current. Slight tugs back and forth as the coastal breeze picks over the surface. When it becomes too hot, you swim back to the pier and dry off. It’s not until then that you notice another swimmer. His head is barely above water, facing away from you in the center of the lagoon.

He looks left and right, then turns around to spot you standing at the end of the pier. You don’t know how you hadn’t seen him earlier, swimming in that exact spot just minutes ago. His hair is soaked and plastered to his forehead. The color shines an iridescent, oil-slick purple. But you can’t make out the details of his face until he comes closer, treading water and approaching slowly. Careful not to spook you.

“This yours?” He asks when you’re within earshot. He speaks slowly and the enunciation flicks stiffly off his tongue.

You squint at his fingers, held just above his eyeline with a glint of silver pinched between them. The stud on your left ear is missing. You silently feel for it before answering.

“I think so.” You kneel down at the pier, then flat on your stomach to reach it. Palm up, skimming the water’s black surface. The shade cast by the creaky boards makes the lagoon look so dark, a stark comparison to the sparkling water under the sun. “Is it shaped like the moon?”

He nods eagerly and comes just close enough to press the stud into your hand.

“Thank you. How’d you even find this?” A disbelieving laugh passes through your lips.

He doesn’t say anything and just smiles at you sheepishly, head tilted down and demure. You take the time to study his face. The bump in his nose, lashes fanned across his cheeks when he squints to look up at you. Strange purple flecks mark a trail down his neck, seemingly embedded in the skin.

“I never saw you get in the water.”

He blushes deeply when you speak directly to him again, but manages to reply this time. “I came from the other side,” he says. Gestures vaguely behind himself and continues, “and you were swimming.”

You scan the rest of the lagoon, but there’s no other break in the dense cattails besides the pier you’re stretched out on.

“I should’ve taken them off before getting in the water. They’re an heirloom.” You take off the other stud and slip them both into the pocket of your discarded jeans.

“Very pretty ‘n shiny.” His eyes gently track the movement of your hands and he inches just a little bit closer. Droplets running off his shoulders as he treads water in the shade of the pier

“That’s why I noticed it.” His nervous gaze quickly flicks away from you. “It would be a shame if the lagoon swallowed it up.”

His voice has a mesmerizing quality to it now that you’re given a chance to listen. “People lose an incredible amount of objects, like you wouldn’t believe.” It lilts into something enchanting and melancholic, almost enough to bring tears to your eyes. “Anyway, you looked like you were leaving, so I’ll let you go.”

“No, I was just gonna get back in the water.” You sit up and kick your legs over the splintering edge.

“Wait, don't-”

But you’re already plummeting into the water, barely giving yourself time to inhale before you’ve slipped under. It’s like your senses snap back when the cold water engulfs you, eyes widening as you sink. Bits of algae and sediment hover in your vision, appearing to drift upwards while your body plummets down. And through the layers of gloom, the glittering tail of a massive fish beats back and forth. A fish? Or not, as you see the strange boy dip below the surface. Scales sparsely trail down his sides to encircle his waist and legs. They’re chatoyant, milky-purple, and a few stray higher to decorate his chest and neck. You’re too busy cataloging his abnormalities to notice that he’s reaching for you.

You curse your lack of attentiveness as your oxygen begins to run out. He doesn’t pull you back to the surface. His arm hooks around your waist and drags you towards the soggy waterbed. Your abandoned beach bag is the only proof you were ever there.

Bubbles leave an effervescent trail as you scream. Your nails tear at his bicep in an attempt to loosen his grip, then into craggy ground for something to hold onto. He’s headed for the trench, with your flailing body clutched in a vice-like grip as he dives over the ledge. It’s a steep drop-off. A perfectly round hole-punch shooting straight down. The blue hole is bottomless, approaching black as the dappled beams of light dim above you. Your ears throb at the increase in pressure and your oxygen is gone. It’s finally time for you to inhale a lungful of water and close your eyes.

“Can yo…ear m…okay?” Everything sounds far away and your chest feels like it’s being crushed. “Plea…your ey…ook at me.”

Water pours from your mouth, dry heaving as you cough so hard your stomach aches.

“Please, breathe.”

You have no choice but to listen. Your breath rattles like gravel is shaking in your ribcage, and you lapse into another coughing fit. Everything is wet; the slick rock digging into your spine, the dripping stalactites, and the clammy hand drawing shapes on your stomach. It instantly retreats when you speak.

“Where am I?” You say weakly. The sound may not be audible at all, echoing in your panicked head. Your limbs feel paralyzed. Numb and barely tingling as you try to flex your fingers. It’s too dark to see anything besides the distant ceiling covered in subtly glowing lichen.

“Where am I?” You repeat firmly. There’s still a grating quality to your voice and you can better hear how strained the sound is when it bounces back to you. “I know you’re in here, you fucking freak!” But even the insult comes out broken and wet.

You want to scream when there’s nothing but silence as an answer, feeling the frustration make your hands shake. Nothing but rock walls surrounds you, scaffolding for the moss and algae growing from shallow crags. The flora are the only sources of feeble light, brightening the cave at its jagged edges. You sit up on the limestone somewhere around the center. Drowned in the inky expanse more so than you were under the water.

The sound of lapping waves comes from your left. You stop breathing to listen. He can’t move without making sound. Droplets splash over the rock as he lifts himself from whatever hole you were towed through. Landing on the ground with a smack.

“I’m so sorry.”

You jump when his voice is so clearly beside you. His apology slips like poison into your ears. So you stay still, frozen in your spot because his voice is that transfixing.

“You’re sorry?” You croak.

“Mhmm, you weren’t supposed to see me.” He sighs. The expression gurgles slightly in his throat, and you can feel it on the back of your neck. “If I let you leave, I would’ve never seen you again.”

You’re so scared, tears welling in the corners of your eyes. Yet, you can’t move or pull away, just feeling him hover. It’s impossible to tell how close he is in the dark space. The best you can do is remain motionless.

“No, I p-promise I won’t. I’ll be back.” You talk quickly and quietly, as your unresponsive tongue tries to stumble through a sentence. “I can’t come b-back if you don’t let me leave.”

He croons softly. Smooth and eurythmic like a whale call as it glances off the walls. “You’re the only person I get to see, and I don’t even know you.” Melancholy spills out of him, soaking each word through. “I just wanted a chance to talk to you.”

You recall beginning to frequent the lagoon last summer. You’ve come dozens of times since then. And you reluctantly start to feel bad for him. An awful tug at your heart, telling you to comfort him and be kind. His beautiful voice becomes more difficult to resist the longer you listen to it.

“I wanna know you, know your name.” He trails tender fingers down your arm, so lightly that goosebumps spring up in a stippled trail.

“So that’s all? Not to kill me and eat me?” You turn to the side, hopefully facing him, though all you can see is darkness.

His hand limply falls away. “N-no, none of that.”

He goes quiet for a minute or two. Drips of water, landing in a nearby pool, count the seconds. It might be night by now. The sky isn’t visible. Not a single crack in the cave ceiling. There isn’t a crossbreeze either. Air so stagnant it gets stuck in your humid lungs. You cough periodically into your elbow.

“But…” He begins again, seeming to pick his words carefully with how slowly he speaks, “Can’t I keep you? Please, since you’re already here.”

His choices make you bristle. Remaining motionless, still, as you realize that your wishes may not matter. The pallid light emitted by the lichen doesn’t illuminate an exit, if one exists. You doubt there’s a way out aside from drowning in an underground tunnel.

“I think you’d better not.” Maybe you can gently convince him. “I-I wouldn’t want to worry my dad. He’s expecting me for dinner”

Again, you’re left waiting for an answer, staring blankly into the shapeless black while he contemplates this fact. Of course you have family waiting for you. He should’ve anticipated this and simply fled instead of snatching you up too. This whole kidnapping is turning out to be a finely complicated mess.

“Yes, but I’d rather not.” He clasps your hand, all pruned up and frozen as you haven’t had the chance to dry.

You don’t try to take your hand back or get away. There’s not a nearby escape, or weapon to reach for. The damp cave grows colder by the second and you tuck your knees up to your chest. It doesn’t keep you very warm, but it’s the best you can do, dressed in your modest bikini and nothing else. His gelid hands, gently passing yours back and forth between palms, go over each of your digits with the most clinical of care.

When he kisses your knuckles, his lips are cold too.

A/N- should i continue this? lmk <3

#obey me levi x reader #obey me levi x mc #obey me leviathan #leviathan x reader #obey me x reader

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mari-on-dragonspine · 1 year ago

Text

Each Seventh Wave

} HONKAI STARRAIL

} smut! ( warning for minors: consume at your own risk!)

} fem-bodied OC/MC (you) x IL DAN HENG!; NOT LORE ACCURATE; MC looks like Stelle Trailblazer!

} do let me know if some tags are missing!

Side note: @prinzessin-writings this is for you 💕 Hope y'all enjoy TvT

" Only the special ones become dragons ."

That's what he had been told his entire life prior to his rebirth– one of the few pieces of information he was given too. And it was true, not everyone could reincarnate in such a graceful form - the ultimate powerful form blessed by the moon and shaped by the sea waves. The form he had learned to conceal and hate for his past sins, even though he was still his former self to pay a tribute to his home: the obscure depths of the ocean. But as he laid his emerald green gems upon you, his whole vision of the universe shifted. You were but a human - and one of those who live only enough to taste life itself - however you were the perfect balance of beauty and perfection in his eyes. All that is to be adored and all that is to be feared, all the rains and droughts, the thousand winds and breathless deserts lived inside of you. You were an exotic galaxy to him, a universe full of wonders, the immensity of the ocean condensed in one body and sealed with golden eyes. He didn't even notice how he was staring at you until you turned to meet his gaze. Time stopped flowing and all sounds were as if they were stolen from the whole world - the truths of life and death, revealed in one instant. But what were you doing in such a lonely place? Were you really but a mere vision? He was lost swimming in this intricate maze of thoughts before you gasped. You had been seen by none other than the high elder? of the Vidyadharas. But you couldn't have known at the time. You never saw one like him before. He was tall and gorgeous, his whole aura emitting calming yet fearsome? energies. He was dangerous but collected, just like an exotic creature. The more you tried to avert your eyes, the more you couldn't. You both were enraptured by the powerful connection of your souls.

-So.. You're a fish or what? -

That's what you said, at first.

A fish?

Normally he would never have reacted to such a nonsensical question.. However as his sharp senses felt your fear and surprise around him, he couldn't help but feel relaxed and… Amused? A quiet smile cracked on his lips, enlightening his face just long enough for you to see through his apparent seriousness.

-What you aren't? Then…a mermaid? But you're no maid. Like, you're definitely a man. So a merman? No? -

The more you tried and the further you strode(? from the truth, the more he couldn't help to smile. More and more, until he cracked down into a faint laugh. He couldn't remember the last time he laughed, he wasn't even sure if he ever did.

As you were trying correctly with "dragon" this time, he leaned a bit closer, his head tilting a slight bit to let you watch carefully his horns. Everyone on the Luofu knew about the Vidyadhara. But you look just as puzzled as you were before. In fact, you were not from there at all. You just happened to be in that time and place, looking at him as he was emerging from the sea, holding your breath as the water his lean fingers caressed looked solid and smooth as silk, moving closer as pearls streamed down his cupped palms just like a precious waterfall of jewelry. And you were at least discovered. Clueless as you were about his intentions, you touched one of the colorful horns that adorned his head just like a crown. It felt strangely warm and smooth at the touch. You could have sworn that they twitched in shock, just like the eyes of the charming stranger called Dan Heng, who still didn't reveal his name.

-What.. What are you doing?-, he stammered, trying with all his might to get ahold of his loud heartbeat.

-I… shouldn't have touched them? You seemed quite ok with approaching me in the first place.-

Your amber eyes twinkled as you leaned closer to him in response, your breath now tickling his cherry red lips, teasing their owner. He held his breath as you smiled with gentle malice. Maybe you still had a chance of getting away with stealing conces in the forbidden land of the "never dying". He gasped, as if he was drowning in the intensity of that moment and before you both knew it, your lips came together just like magnets attract each other, your tongues dancing in perfect harmony as both of your hands went for each other's clothes. You were but strangers, however your souls didn't need an explanation.

You got struck by his beauty from the very first glance and he was hypnotized by your puzzled yet bold aura, your fair traits and silver hair. You both were but fireflies spiraling down the burning light of passion for each other.

-Hmn… It's…is it.. Really? -

He was trying to be rational and snap out of this dangerous dance, but it was way too late for that. You wouldn't let him, not now that your pearlescent skin was exposed and could feel the warmth of his fit body, twitching with Lust and desire. You shushed him with a moan full of expectation, your fingers tracing the fine borders of his mouth. You were in for it and he was too. There was no point denying that. Your mischievous tongue licked his whimpers away, as your hand was now well planted under his long, dark hair, your legs tight around his slutty waist and your intimacy pressed against his.

-Ah… don't… Don't say anything. Just… Take me now. Mr horny horns… -

It was such a silly thing to say, but your sweet smell and sensual aura couldn't spoil the mood. You let him go berserk on your body, biting your breasts with his sharp canines and thrusting his intimacy in you over and over, emptying the beach around you of its natural lapping as you replaced it with moans of pleasure and more, switching poses over and over. You were such an awesome queen on top of your dragon, watching him blush as you pulled his hair to hear his highest pitches and even hurting him to the point of him begging for your "mercy". It was all just a game of pleasure for the both of you, a dangerous game but oh so entertaining. You wished for it to never end, but all good times never last. The sun slowly went down, just like Dan Heng's eyelids as you were kissing them. You followed a meticulous route for it: eyelids first, then the tip of his small nose, the corner of his bright ruby lips and his slender neck, now rose in brushes. You were still on top of him, one hand tapping your spine lightly, as the other was placed unmoved on your butt. You both were dirty in body fluids and gasping for air, but you were satisfied and free.

But you both still didn't know what tomorrow would bring.

-We.. Will meet again right?-

You asked in a faint voice, right into his hear before slowly going for his earlobe, sucking on it lightly but still enough sensually to feel his body react under yours, that responded with a small movement, as if wanting to start your love routine again.

-Yes. - there was no space for hesitation. His voice was firm and mature, as he slowly turned his head to kiss your forehead. - No matter where you go, I will find you. Your heart chose mine and now is yours forever to wish for-

-But… But you don't even know my name.. Or who I am.. -

He shook his head, now shushing you back, in the same, lustful way of yours.

-It's ok. I will find you. Tell me not your name or anything else. It's our destiny. -

And as he slowly introduced you to the profound secrets of the stars and waters and you both talked and laughed and loved each other, the morning rose upon the ivory coast. But none of you were to be found there. The proof of a fated encounter washed away by waters and winds, but the memory of it forever preserved on your bodies and minds. Yes, your encounter felt but a vision, but the sands of time were already running towards your next one. Five.. Six… the seventh wave gently brushed the sand off the shore. Nothing more was left by that time, nothing more but memories.

#honkai star rail #hsr smut #dan heng #il dan heng #imbibitor lunae #Mari's works

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princessasmosprincess · 2 years ago

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Mermaid Headcanons

In the universe of Mermaid Splash

Pairings: The Brothers x GN Humans

Genre: Fluff!

Warnings: Drowning briefly mentioned.

***

Author's note: A little extra something for Mermay. Some are longer than others but there's no real reason for this, it just happened that way.

***

Asmodeus

Tail and accessories: Amber to match his eyes, like the setting sun. He wears 7 strings of pearls of different sizes representing himself and his brothers.

As for the romance, I already have a whole fic about it here (alternatively you can find each individual chapter on my masterlist). Asmo IS The Little Mermaid.

Lucifer

Tail and accessories: Red, perhaps ruby or carmine. He wears a few strings of pearls, maybe 7 like Asmo but they're braided together since Lucifer prefers a more conservative appearance.

Lucifer thought Asmo was ridiculous for falling in love at first sight. It was a one in a million chance that just so happened to work out, there's no way it would happen again. But then one day he swims to the surface and meets eyes with a certain human and he falls hard.

Mammon

Tail and accessories: Yellow gold, and of course he's wearing tons of pearls and various jewels recovered from shipwrecks. Not only does he have them around his neck, he strings them around his tail too.

Mammon would fall for a pirate captain. He'd be at the side of their ship, listening in on the captain laying out their plans to their crew on deck, they're going to sack a town nearby with a massive treasury. Mammon is already giggling and twirling his hair. He's not just in love with their potential riches, but their mind as well.

Leviathan

Tail and accessories: Indigo like in his demon form. He'd wear minimal jewelry most of the time but he'd put more on when he was alone.

Levi is the most likely to have a secret cavern like Ariel, with a stash of human items. He even has a life-size statue of a human he likes to daydream about, but he's too shy to talk to a real human. Maybe one day he was trying to save a fish friend from a seagull and he surfaces near a human. The human, excited they actually saw a merperson, would chase after him as he swam away. They would get caught in some seaweed or start to drown and of course Levi would go into hero mode and save them. They'd begin a friendship, gushing about each other's cultures, and maybe one day it would blossom into something more.

Satan

Tail and accessories: Emerald green. He'd wear a few strings of pearls but nothing more, very tasteful.

Satan would recover a book that a human dropped from a balcony or off the side of a ship. He'd give the human instructions on how to dry the book so they could still read it later, despite their screaming since they're face to face with a real merman. He'd compliment them on their book choice and recommend a few more. When they realized he was no threat, they'd thank him for recovering the one they were reading and they would tell him about their favorite books. Every night after that they'd read by the moonlight and hope Satan would come along again to talk with them.

Beelzebub

Tail and accessories: I wanted the twins to match in some way so Beel's tail would be magenta to match one of the colors in their eyes. He'd wear some pearls but nothing too long to get in the way of his swimming or eating.

There's a couple of ways Beel's romance could go. Either a sleeping Belphie could get caught in a fisher's net and Beel would go to save him only to get caught himself, or Beel could be hunting for snacks in a school of fish and get pulled into a net. Either way, Beel befriends the fisher and tells them where to find the tastiest fish nearby, as long as they promise to leave some for him. I could totally see him sitting on the edge of the boat, snacking away as he talks with his human.

Belphegor

Tail and accessories: His tail would be purple to match the other color in the twins' eyes. Minimal jewelry most of the time because it can be uncomfortable, he just wants to sleep.

Belphie was napping on the reef when a freediver came upon him while they were hunting for pearls. They woke him up because they worried he was dead and he tried to scare them away when they tried to talk to him. Undeterred, the human returned every day, still hunting for pearls and oysters and to get to know him; in return, they would keep other humans away from Belphie's favorite napping spot, while he might encourage sharks to hunt elsewhere. A sort of symbiotic relationship.

Bonus: The Dateables' tails*

Diavolo's tail would be a deep burgundy color with gold flecks that sparkle in the light.

Solomon only appears as a human in Mermaid Splash but he does have a merform. His tail would be black that fades to a deep blue at his fins.

*Minus Simeon, Barbatos, and Luke as they are humans in Mermaid Splash

#mermay #obey me #obey me shall we date #omswd #mermaid splash #lucifer obey me #mammon obey me #levi obey me #leviathan obey me #satan obey me #asmo obey me #asmodeus obey me #beel obey me #beelzebub obey me #belphegor obey me #belphie obey me

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dragonmasterhiccup · 4 months ago

Note

When he looks at her like that… she can feel the guppies swirling around in her stomach. He makes her feel like she’s beautiful.

Melodía giggles at the face he makes. “Yeah, sound travels a bit differently underwater. And Mermish is pretty different from Norse. It was weird for me too when I talked to you for the first time.”

She squeaks excitedly, briefly letting go of his hands to do a backflip in the water before taking his hands again. “Okay. So, the key to swimming is just letting your tail flow. You move it back and forth, like this.” The mermaid slowly moves her tail, holding it in front of her so she can swim backwards while she pulls Hiccup forwards. “You put your tail in front to go backwards, and behind you to go forwards. We’ll start with that for now, and then I’ll teach you how to turn.” The princess smiles as she gently pulls him along.

So he was speaking mermish! He broke out into a grin, remembering her excitement when she spoke Norse the first time.

Now, he felt the same way. "This is amazing!"

He continued smiling at her as she pulled him through the water.

It wasn't too different than with legs... He gave her a nod, and started doing as instructed, moving his tail like she had, and he surprised himself by how fast he could go.

"Whoa! These sure are powerful," he said, looking back at his emerald green tail.

Taking Melodía's hands again, he tried swimming backwards, pulling her along. They glided for a moment before he pulled her closer, giving her a kiss.

Pulling away, he grinned happily at her. "How was that?"

#asks #threads #toothless101 #little mermaid au

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volturiwolf · 3 years ago

Text

Supergirl - A Paul Lahote x fem!Reader Story

A request from @cokcola4112

As usual, there are foul and sexual language and scenes, so if you're a minor, go with your own risk.

And it's a long one.

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Tagging (from previous Paul story): @xxx-wounded-angel-xxx @chocolatechipcookiesandcamembert @florence-end @emmy1148 @ilove-bts @crazyacegirl @emerald-jade1 @lahoete @navs-bhat @aquanova99 @alecvolturiswifeforever

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Being close to the water felt like second nature to you, whether it was the sea, a lake, or a river - any type of water body filled you with peace and calmness. You didn’t know why you liked it so much. Was it the feeling of freedom? Of being able to lose yourself and forget about anything and everything around you? You didn’t exactly know why you were drawn to the water so much.

Thankfully, living on the west side of the Olympic peninsula meant you were lucky enough to be as close to the water as your little heart desired. From a young age, you remembered yourself taking up any water sport you could imagine, starting with swimming which was the easiest for you, to sailing, to canoeing, before you finally decided to stick to surfing.

Over the years, you had practically become a professional at it, taking part in many competitions around the States, and eventually, the world, though you never let the local La Push and Forks communities know - you didn’t want to brag about something you were good at, not that anyone would care anyway.

Your parents were supportive enough to encourage you to pursue your dream since it was probably the only thing that interested you. It wasn’t that you didn’t care about school or your friends or doing other things in general; it was that surfing was the only thing that brought you an absolute joy, and you all saw the potential for turning your love into something much more, hopefully becoming an actual professional and focusing on it exclusively.

However, you had a competitive advantage over the others who engaged in this sport that you hadn’t known until a few weeks after your 14th birthday. It was weird to even think about it then, but you learned you live with that. It was probably why you loved the water and everything that had to do with it so much.

Unbeknownst to you, you descended from mermaids through your mother’s lineage. You wouldn’t believe it, even after it happened to you. It was a full moon night and you went out with your family, a classic night out sitting on the beach and watching the stars above. It was a bit chilly outside, but the sea was still perfectly warm, so you decided to play with the water a bit, dipping your feet in.

What you would never expect was feeling an intense numbing feeling all over your feet before you looked down, only to see scales growing out of your once human feet, falling on your bum, and getting your now torn shorts wet. You were panicking; you didn’t know what was going on with you. You couldn’t scream; no noise came out of your mouth.

Your parents seemed way more calm, as if they expected it. Without causing a fuzz, your mother took a blanket and put it around you to cover you from anyone who may be looking around the empty beach, while your father grabbed a towel and swooped you up, trying to dry you before quickly walking towards the car and putting you in the vehicle. You saw your mother coming a few minutes later, having grabbed all your belongings.

You didn’t really remember how long it took you to go back home, how your father scooped you up and led you to your bedroom, or even how your parents tried to explain everything to you. You just remember them vaguely telling you your mother descended from mermaids and it was usually on a full moon night like this one that the first transformation would occur.

There wasn’t a specific time; it was supposed to be sometime during your adolescent years, but nothing was definite - the experience was unique to everyone. The only common element was coming in contact with water during a full moon. There was no cure for it, but there were ways to suppress the effects, like following a specific regime: stay away from water, but get a lot of hydration; avoid going out on a full moon night, in fear of the high air moisture around the town; planning your whole life around those nights, in order to avoid making plans on those nights.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

(Y/N)’s POV

After a point, my life felt too controlled by my parents - I knew they were looking out for me, but I didn’t ask for this life; I didn’t ask to have to hide; I didn’t ask to have to plan everything beforehand. I started losing contact with my friends, and eventually I lost them altogether, over not going out with them on full moon celebrations; not going to the beach with them at night - like we used to - in fear of triggering a transformation even on a regular night; not acting ‘like I used to’.

The only thing I had left to remind me of my life before was surfing. It was the one thing nobody could beat me at, and I was aware of my skills being better than those of the local boys and girls. Adding the mermaid factor, I was able to do amazing skills and tricks on my surfboard, like swimming under the waves for a long time, without needing to take a single breath.

An additional perk of being a mermaid was being able to breathe underwater even without transforming, which came pretty handy when I wanted to avoid several people while I was swimming. I would just dive into the water and stay there for enough time to make sure they were gone. I could breathe and see normally in the water, as if I wasn’t actually in the water, but out of it, like a normal person.

Growing up just outside of La Push, there was a specific group of guys who seemed to be involved in pretty much everything around the area, including the Quileute reservation, being Quileute themselves. Through the years, I had been watching them from afar, growing from ‘silly’ boys to seemingly more mature and serious adults in a few years’ time, as if they also had to grow up too fast.

They kind of reminded me of myself, growing up too fast; getting too serious too fast. I didn’t know why I felt a sort of connection with them, as if they, themselves, were hiding their own secrets. As the years went by, the small group of one became two, then three, then four, until, a few years later, there were 10 people. Some of them I recognized from the very beginning, being in my year at school, but, just like me, they would regularly skip school. My reasons were the competitions I had to go to, but I didn’t know what their reasons were.

The only person from the group that seemed to care a bit more than the others about school was a curly-haired boy named Quil Ateara. Then, it was Embry Call who was a decent student but too quiet for his own good. Then, Jacob Black and Jared Cameron seemed to be mostly indifferent about school. Finally, there was Paul Lahote who was an absolute hottie but could care less about school or his attitude towards the others for the matter.

Paul seemed to be the only one who did not care if he hurt others, either verbally or physically. He was the one to start fights at school, which usually ended up with him staying in detention or being forced to do community work on the weekends. I was getting bad vibes from him - or should I say I felt a dark, upsetting aura coming out from him - part of my mermaid nature, so I decided to stay away from him for my own good.

Spending time practicing with my surfboard was the one thing that cleared my mind and gave me control of my life. It was also the one thing that my parents could not prevent me from doing - it would be equivalent to imprisoning me because that would be what it would be like if they took surfing, my only love and passion, away from me.

Sometimes, it felt like I was filling up an emotional void inside of me with surfing. I would rather focus on training for long hours than have to deal with the real emptiness I sometimes felt of not having anyone to talk to about what was going on with me, besides my parents and sister. She, too, had to go through the very same thing, but she had me when she was going through that. She now had a boyfriend too, a soulmate if I might.

Weird thing was that mermaids had soulmates, like their other halves. My sister’s soulmate was a boy from Forks; my mother’s was my dad. They were both lucky in their lives - their partners were understanding. But the overwhelming love around me was choking me, and I’d rather stay away from home or my family for as long as I could.

It seemed selfish and absurd to be jealous of their happiness, but I was and nobody could tell me that feeling like that was not normal. Because I was the one left unhappy, sad, and alone, and I had every right to feel bad about myself until I could do anything to change that.

And until I did or until some miracle happened, I would spend more and more time at the Second Beach, which was not as famous as the First Beach, so there was still some peace and quiet around. When I wasn’t in the mood to surf, I would just lay down on my surfboard, which I would always bring with me, and take in the saltiness of the air around me. Days would pass by like this and it felt nice to not have to think or worry about anything.

Unfortunately for me, there was one specific day that started awfully. I didn’t know why, but I had this sort of weight in the pit of my stomach which filled me with unnecessary and unknown worry. Yet, I wouldn’t stop myself from heading down to the Second Beach. I needed the calmness and hidden wisdom the sea and that place held. I needed to get away from my own thoughts and worries, and, though I had to trust my gut, I preferred to trust my heart, and I quickly left the house.

I parked as close to the trail as I could, finding a few cars already parked there. Great! Exactly what I needed! I was hoping for some peace and quiet, and given that everyone mostly would go to the First Beach, I had taken that for granted. I took a deep breath and continued walking, hoping for the best.

I soon found out who were occupying the beach, before I even saw them - their voices were too loud to ignore. It was the same loud group at school, with the addition of Sam Uley and Leah Clearwater, who were older; Seth Clearwater, Leah’s younger brother, and two young teens, who I thought were called Brady Fuller and Collin Littlesea.

I watched them play a mix of soccer and martial arts as I made my way away from their noisy presence and the rack they caused, hoping to muffle their voices by sitting on the other side of the beach. However, as unfortunate as I was, the long distance between us was still not enough to cover Paul’s yelling at the others to “pass him the ball, or he’d showed them what he’s made from”.

All that to me sounded like empty threats. He may have been muscular and “threatening”, but he wasn’t the only muscular or even the tallest person around his company. Sam was towering over everyone, and Jacob seemed to easily compete with Paul in muscle mass. Yet, Paul’s aggressivity and the way his muscles flexed with every move seemed to do things to me.

I quickly turned to look the other way, setting my bag and surfboard down, placing my towel over the surfboard, and laying on it quickly, before anyone from Paul’s company caught me staring at them. It wasn’t an exaggeration that they were eye candies, but Paul was literally a taffy: sticky, hard to chew, painful sometimes, but still the type of candy I would go after for its buttery and sweet taste, and the way it melted in my mouth.

What’s wrong with you, (Y/N)? Since when did you get so horny for Paul Lahote? It was true that I wouldn’t pay attention to Paul as we were growing up - he was a regular kid, caring more about having fun than developing mentally, emotionally, and academically. But when he hit puberty, everything changed in Paul, physically speaking.

He started getting more muscles and working out more, but it was only a year ago that he somehow became twice as buff as he used to be. Same with the others. Even Leah’s body was toned, full of muscles, tight breasts, and butt. I didn’t know what they took or what they did, but it was clearly working and I wanted them to give me some of that too.

Ever since my transformation, my skin was more sensitive and dry. It needed constant hydration and moisturizing, and that's when I found out body creams, body lotions, and body butters are expensive. I wished I had those guys' glow up instead of what I got.

I was lost in thought, too focused on my own issues to see the ball hitting me straight on my face. The pain was sharp and scared me before the stink came.

"Fuck! What the fuck?!" I jolted up as if an electric current passed through me. I was angry. I was pissed. Being a loud ass was one thing, but throwing balls on other people's faces had me ready to fight with these guys, even if I was destined to lose.

"Hey, didn't see you there." Paul grinned, leaned down to grab the ball, and started running back to his friends.

"Are you serious? Are you serious right now? You're not even gonna apologize?" I was furious at this guy's indifference and rudeness.

"I wasn't even the one who threw that ball. Besides, we were here first." He started being cocky, and that didn't come through me.

"Oh, yeah. Did you rent the place? Did you actually buy it? This is a public beach. Being careless is one thing, easy to forgive. Being rude, though, is something you cannot change if that's just who you are."

"Is this what you think, huh? You come to my territory to show off and offend me in front of my friends?" Paul was merely a few inches away from me, looking threatening and trying to intimidate me. His friends came running closer to us.

"In case you haven't noticed, this is not your territory. I'm from La Push, too, Paul Lahote. You would have known if you weren't a stuck-up bitch."

Paul moved closer to me, growling like an animal, a wild dog. Sam's face became a bit pale as he pushed himself toward, between Paul and me. "Paul, stop. Now. That's enough. You should have just apologized."

"I wasn't the one who threw the ball!" Paul spat the words on Sam's face.

"That's not important." He turned around to look at me. "I'm truly sorry for his behavior, he's not always like that."

"Yeah, he is." Embry and I whispered at the same time, looking at each other funnily.

"You know what, princess?" Paul continued. "You want me, you want us to leave you alone? How about a bet?"

"Paul!" Sam growled at Paul.

"What kind of bet?" I continued unbothered.

Paul smirked with overflowing confidence, looking back at my unattended surfboard. "I see you have a surfboard. How about a race? If you win, we will leave you alone and not bother you. We will actually leave the beach." He paused.

"What if you win?"

He smirked evilly this time. "If I win, you will leave us alone. You will leave this beach and you'll never come back. You will be banned from ever coming here, for as long as you live."

"Are you sure you want us to compete on the surfboard?" I asked him cockily.

"I'm sure, princess. What? Are you scared?" He laughed.

"No, I'm not. You're in. If you lose, I don't want to see you around here, ever again."

"We'll see about that." Paul turned around, running towards his friends, to get prepared for this race.

I was always prepared for surfboarding, whether I actually did it or not. I quickly changed into the wetsuit that I kept in my bag, before waxing and preparing my surfboard as I usually would - just because it wasn’t a professional race, it didn’t mean it wasn’t a race at all.

I was confident in my skills, maybe too confident. I wasn’t gonna lose this race, even if I did it on purpose. I loved that beach. It was quiet, and it had the best currents in the Olympic Peninsula, making it a perfect spot for practicing and racing.

No, I wasn’t gonna lose from Paul Lahote. It didn’t matter that he was hot, or that seeing him with his tight wetsuit made my heart race. The way he walked confidently toward me, or how his eyes only made me weak on my knees. I turned around to look at the sea horizon. I was professional, too professional to fall into his schemes.

“Are you ready, princess?” He asked, smirking cockily.

“Ready as you are, puppy.” I talked back with the same confidence as him, only this time Paul growled again.

I ignored him and got into the water. He started walking beside me until we reached a point where it was deep, but not deep enough. I got into my surfboard and started paddling my hands in the water to go farther. Paul followed suit. When I thought it would be deep enough, I stopped and turned around to see Paul.

“We’re good here. There should be a big wave coming. Are you ready?”

“I am. Are you? Ready to lose, I mean.”

I rolled my eyes at him. Why was he so annoying? It must have been his main and only talent.

A few minutes passed until I finally saw what I wished for: a pretty good wave, at least 10 feet tall, the unthinkable for a beginner but good enough for a pro. I looked at Paul to see his confidence shattering a bit. The wave was coming closer and got steadily taller bit by bit.

“Are you ready, Lahote? 3, 2,..”

“1!” He practically jumped forward, while I moved smoothly, swimming all the way from the base of the wave and up to its swirl.

Paul was shaking a bit but was holding a steady balance on his surfboard, making him go forwards smoothly. I was proud of him; many wouldn’t have even dared to ride such a wave or even compete with me. If he only knew, he probably wouldn’t have challenged me in the first place. But, here we were and I still had to win.

Minutes went by smoothly, and Paul started getting more and more confident on the board. He was riding the wave with more expertise than I had ever seen in someone who wasn’t doing it for free. It helped that the muscles on his legs were big and tight enough to help him keep his balance.

I was keeping a steady rhythm in my movement, nothing too informal or too professional; I wanted to maintain my durability steady, so I could last much longer than Paul. In contrast to what Paul was trying to pull off in the last few minutes, I was trying to act as neutral as possible.

Paul, on the other hand, started trying to pull off some serious tricks, wanting to show off. In the untrained eyes, he would have seemed decent, but I could tell his balance was off and his technique was lacking. Yet, he didn’t seem to faze one bit, looking cocky, and trying to brag. I was getting tired of his nonsense.

I leaned down a bit to lower my balance center and turned the surfboard around, so I could go against the wave. I expertly showed little Paul Lahote how a surfer actually surfed, swirling around the wave without falling off their surfboard. I swirled around him and managed to pass by him, as I felt him fuming with anger.

However, instead of giving up, Paul tried - pretty unsuccessfully - to do the exact same thing that took me a lot of time to master. He started wobbling, clearly losing balance, before he finally fell off of the surfboard, getting hit by the wave. I looked at him, smirking, as he finally lost a race he never thought he would. I would have continued laughing at him if I didn’t start getting worried.

Paul hadn’t resurfaced just yet. I couldn’t really see him, as I was still riding the wave. I turned my surfboard around, trying to get as close to the spot he fell but I couldn’t see him. Fuck! Fuck it! I quickly took my leash off my leg, before pushing my surfboard behind me and jumping into the water.

I started swimming like crazy, looking around for Paul, although the waves on the surface stirred the water and made it cloudy and muddy. I dived deeper, looking again. I then saw him, one foot trapped under a boulder, as Paul seemed unconscious. I started swimming towards him, but the strong tide led me away from him.

I took my bikini bottom off and pushed myself and whatever power I had in me to make me transform. I hadn’t tried that before, although I knew we could also transform at will. I tried to manifest a tail as hard as I could. I would have given up but, just in time, I felt the familiar numbing and stink, and I looked down to see my legs turning into the purple scaly tail I grew to love.

My tail was strong and it helped me get to Paul quickly. Moving the boulder was a bit difficult but somehow I managed to push it away just enough to free Paul’s leg. I quickly grabbed him and swam towards the shore. I was scared I would get noticed by the others, but, thankfully, I managed to change back and get dressed just in time before Paul’s friends came running toward us.

Sam took Paul off of my hands, as Jared and Embry helped him get them both out of the water. Leah came by my side, looking upset and worried for me, and I let her help me get out. Getting out of the water, I saw Paul was laying on the beach, still unconscious, as Sam tried to revive him. I felt something in me break.

I walked towards them, leaning down and sitting on my knees beside Paul. He was paler than ever before, and Sam was still trying to perform CPR on him, panting and worried, but trying to look put together in front of the others.

I turned to look at him. “Can I try? Please?”

He looked at me confused but nodded his head as he let go of Paul. I quickly unzipped Paul’s wetsuit, trying to get it off of him, as Sam helped me lift Paul a bit off of the sand. When the top part was off, I started performing CPR, pressing my hands against Paul’s warm chest in rhythm. Though I wished I could take a few moments to admire his overall appearance, I knew that was not the time for that.

It took me a couple of minutes of pressing and a few blows in his mouth, but Paul finally spat out the water and took a deep breath in. He was finally breathing, although quickly, to catch his breath. The blood was slowly coming back to his face, and he seemed he was getting healthier by the second.

“You better take him to the hospital. They need to check him properly.” I told Sam who thanked me, and carefully helped Paul get up.

I saw Quil, Seth, Jacob, Leah, and Embry gather up all of their things, as Sam and Jared supported Paul and led him towards the parking lot. As I was walking away, I caught Paul looking at me, still walking away, and I couldn’t stop thinking if or when he’d be better.

★→♥←★→♥←★→♥←★→♥←★→♥←★→♥←

My parents were quite upset with me. Instead of just accepting the fact that I managed to help and save someone, they worried more about the fact that I came really close to revealing my secret to outsiders. I was worried, too, but what mattered was that Paul was saved. Even if I somehow managed to reveal my secret by accident, I’d think of something to explain to the others - I hadn’t thought of something specific, but I’d find something.

Instead of accepting it, they decided to ground me until they decided I wasn’t grounded anymore. That meant that I wouldn’t be able to step outside of the house at all, as they had also decided to have me homeschooled with private tutors. They thought that the more time I spent outside of the house, the higher the chances of me not controlling my transformation or powers.

It wasn’t that I was throwing flame balls out of my hands or that I was setting random things on fire; my main power was telekinesis and I still hadn’t mastered it enough to attempt to perform anything in public. Still, my parents were adamant: I wasn’t to leave the house until I proved that I was in control, and only if I promised I would never transform while humans were present.

It was totally unfair. It was the only thing I could do at the moment. I couldn’t let Paul die, especially since I felt a spark inside me when he turned to look at me as they took him away from the beach. I didn't know if it was a spark at all, but it felt nice and somehow reassuring as if I knew that he was alright and he would be back on his feet in no time.

For some reason, ever since that moment, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I couldn’t stop dreaming about him. I couldn’t eat; I couldn’t study; he was the only thing I cared about. Not knowing if he was actually okay or not was killing me. I tried to find his phone number but there was no one I could refer to for help. And as long as I was trapped in my own house, there wasn’t much I could do.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Paul’s POV

It must have been about a week or two ever since I imprinted on (Y/N). I didn’t really count or care about time. The ache I had been feeling all over my body and mind all this time were clear indications of what happened. But though I knew deep down in me that I had imprinted on her, the images I saw in the vision I had, made no sense whatsoever.

Unlike the “usual” images others around the pack had seen about their imprints, I actually saw (Y/N) letting go of my hands and walking away from me. She was perplexed, anxious, and constantly looking at the full moon all this time. Then, suddenly, she started running towards the beach, before jumping into the water, and that was when the vision ended.

It was as if my subconscious was trying to tell me something, but, at the same time, I had to find the answers on my own. I had to ask her myself, and I had to tell her everything about me, the imprinting, and the wolves. She had every right to know now that she was part of the secret, whether she eventually wanted to be with me or not.

I was going to school every day for a week straight, hoping to bump into her by any chance. I remember we had a few classes together. I even convinced Jared, Embry, Jacob, and Quil to come with me - although it didn’t take a lot to convince Quil; he was always the more responsible guy when it came to school. I hoped at least one of us would bump into her during these past days.

The week went by painfully slow, and not one of us had seen (Y/N) around. It was as if she disappeared. I tried looking around La Push, asking every single person I saw around if they had seen her, but they would all look at me scared or weirded out - I was supposed to be in a gang after all. The ones who actually did not avoid answering would say they hadn’t really seen her around.

It was only after a few days that I finally found someone who may have known her at all. It was a classmate of ours, who was friends with (Y/N) many years ago. She told us that (Y/N) used to be a normal person, friendly, lovely, and the best person to hang out with. Then, one day, around 3 or 4 years ago, everything changed.

She suddenly became too self-aware and closed to herself. She stopped hanging out with all of her friends, and she preferred spending time in the comfort of her own house. The only time others would see her was when they happened to bump into her on their way to the beach, where she would always surf.

I didn’t know she knew how to surf; then again, I didn’t actually know anything about her. But then I remembered how expertly she surfed and beat me at it, so she must have been training for years. Besides that, I had to get to know her myself. I couldn’t completely rely on what her friend said; people change, though I had no doubt that (Y/N) was a lovely person. Imprints are supposed to be the better versions of us, the ones who complete us, and make us better people, right?

Yet, I didn't know how to approach her. Even when her friend gave me her address, I was too worried and scared to talk to her. I was told her parents were too strict, which was why she had been in and out of getting homeschooled ever since she was 14 years old. After that, she was mainly seen out at the beach, surfing. Other than that, nobody knew what she was up to or how she was, having cut any and all communication with her old life.

I decided the only way I could approach her was the good old ‘throwing rocks at the window’. There was the risk of getting caught by her parents or the neighbors, but I didn’t care; I had no other way to approach her. I did find the house pretty easily, as it was slightly secluded from the others around the area. I tried to sniff and hear my way around her house, afraid that I would end up knocking at the wrong window.

Going around and around, I finally located her room when a strong, flowery but also salty smell hit my nostrils. It smelled like salty sea water, and it held a coolness and freshness to it. I never particularly liked the sea - I mean, it was cool and all, especially on a hot day, but, ever since my transformation, I became one with the woods, the forests, and the flora around.

I took a deep breath to calm myself and threw the first pebble I had on me. A few seconds later, I threw the second, and after a few seconds the third, and so on, hoping (Y/N) would get my message and come to the window. I waited a few minutes, and nothing happened, as if she didn’t listen to me or ignored me. I sighed, disappointed and ready to leave.

I turned around and walked a few feet before I heard the front door open. I turned around to look at (Y/N), wearing a short night dress and a robe, and her scent hit me more powerful than ever. It calmed and excited me at the same time. She walked toward me, before stopping a few feet away from me. She looked more beautiful than ever.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “What are you doing here, Paul? It’s nearly midnight. You shouldn’t be out here.” Her tone was critical but also concerned.

“I came here looking for you. I needed to talk to you. I haven’t seen you since the day we raced at the beach.” I looked at her apologetically.

She seemed kind of defensive all of a sudden. “Look, Paul, if it’s about the beach, you can come whenever. I shouldn’t have betted with you. It’s not my beach or your beach, it’s for everyone. So, the bet is no more. And I’m sorry for wasting your time, and I’m sorry for what happened to you. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” She was now remorseful as if everything that happened to me was her fault.

“You know you did nothing wrong. I went up against you. I proposed the bet. I tried to show off by surfing without caution or care and almost ended up drowning. The guys told me what happened. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here by now. Thank you.” I couldn’t look her in the eyes, so I looked at the ground instead.

“Yeah, uhm, no problem. You’re welcome.” She replied awkwardly, not knowing what else to do.

“Can I…”, I gulped, “Can I hug you?” I lifted my head to now look at her perplexed face.

“Uhm, I guess, yeah, you can.”

We awkwardly opened our arms and took each other in our embrace. Her skin felt a bit dry, dehydrated, but still cool and cold, but not vampire-cold. I felt lost in her scent, trying to take in as much of the scent as I could, hoping to keep it engraved in my memory forever. We spent a few minutes like that, not saying a word, but it didn’t feel awkward; it felt necessary and essential for both of us.

We, unwillingly, let go of each other. (Y/N) was slightly smiling, and her eyes were glossy and almost sparkling. She took a hold of my hands and caressed them comfortingly.

“I’m gonna be honest. I’m glad you passed by. I was worried for you. I didn’t know how you were. I didn’t know who to ask.” There was something longing in her tone, and I hoped I was right about that.

“I’m doing well now, thanks to you. Look, (Y/N), I didn’t just come by because of that. I wanted, I needed to see you, to make sure you were doing okay. I got worried when I didn’t see you around. I needed to see you.” I took her face in my palms, letting all my emotions slowly flood out of me in an unprecedented confession.

She smiled understandingly. “I needed to see you, too. Talk to you, see how you were.” She placed her hands on mine, her eyes piercing holes into mine.

“Can…Can I see you again?” My voice was trembling, scared of her rejecting me.

“Of course, you can. I want to see you, too. Can you come by tomorrow night?” She looked at me blissfully, as her whole face suddenly lit up with immense joy.

“You got it, princess.” I wanted to be respectful, so I kissed her forehead instead of her lips, though I wanted to kiss her so badly. I slowly let my hands fall off of her face, and I took a few steps back, as she kept looking into my eyes.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” She whispered, and my heart skipped a bit at the sensation her voice caused to my ears.

I only smiled at her before I started running away towards the woods, having found immense happiness in that small moment of perfection with my imprint.

★→♥←★→♥←★→♥←★→♥←★→♥←★→♥←

We spent the next few nights with me coming by her window, her sneaking out, and going out together. It was quiet at that time of the night, and we could go for walks around La Push, have a midnight picnic, or lay on the beach watching the starry sky above us.

Everything felt so natural, so effortless, so right with her. None of us had to pretend; we would say what we felt at the moment, even if it was the craziest thing ever, like how the severed head of a sea slug can grow its own body, or that human skin can actually glow but that light cannot be seen by the regular human eye. That one made me laugh hard, ‘cause I only thought of vampires glowing up until now, and I used to call them “standing disco balls” because of that.

I wished I had more time with her; I wished we could spend our days together, not just our nights; I wished we didn’t have to hide from her parents or others around. Of course, the pack knew what was going on - I didn’t have to tell them; (Y/N) was the only thing I could think about during our patrols.

I now knew I had to tell her everything, to let her in on our secret. I had to tell her about the imprinting, the legends, the wolves. The only thing that concerned me was how would I tell her she was the love of my life.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

(Y/N)’s POV

I was so happy for these little "sneaking outs" with Paul. It felt surreal in my head because he used to be the dream I couldn't catch; the one I desired. Then everything in life changed and I didn't just lose my friends, but also the chance to watch Paul every day, even if that was from afar.

And now, now I found myself laying on the beach, with Paul less than five inches away from me. I would have never imagined that. He emitted such warmth, but the kind of warmth that could capture your whole being and keep you there, wishing for more.

Surprisingly, Paul's aura had changed drastically from the day I saw him at the beach. The otherwise grumpy, negative, pessimistic Paul was now shining bright, exhuming so much happiness and calmness that seemed to be contagious. He changed completely within such a short time, and I was happy that he was happy.

There was a mystery wandering in the air from his side, but he wasn't the only one, for sure. Though there were some clear signs that he felt things for me, I couldn't exactly be sure of what he felt, and I didn't want to open up just yet, for fear of being misunderstood or hunted down.

I wanted to let him in on my secret of being able to transform into a mermaid, but I didn't know how he would react. On top of that, I didn't know how he would feel if I told him that, on that day at the beach, something sparked in me - a spark I was warned about by my parents.

That spark was the way for our people to know when they had found their soulmate, and on that day, I found mine on Paul Lahote. 'Soulmate' was a strong word, and I was scared of the weight and the responsibility it held towards the other person. Paul may have been the most volatile person in terms of temperament, but his recent actions said otherwise, and I relied on that change of character for the big reveal.

So, I kept pushing back the reveal, until I was completely sure that Paul was feeling the same way about me - not necessarily feeling like I was his ‘soulmate’, but still having strong feelings of love, appreciation, and understanding for me. I was happy to live in that small bubble of happiness and excitement, and I didn’t want this to end ignominiously, where Paul would know my secret, but wouldn’t feel comfortable with that, so he’d give up on us, possibly risking him telling someone else about my identity.

That was why I tried to have as much fun as I could now, without commitments or risking everything. Paul and I were having a good time together, and that was all that mattered. Of course, I hadn’t told my parents; they would freak out even with the idea of me sneaking out for a boy, even without risking revealing my identity.

“Boys are trouble, and you don’t need that trouble in your life”, my mom would always say. She was right in a way, but Paul wasn’t just any boy. Paul was my soulmate, and if my parents knew that, they would be more at ease, and would probably stop nagging and suffocating me as much as they did. Or they could very likely become even more overprotective and try to “preserve” my “pureness” until I was an adult; I really didn’t know - it could go either way with them.

Yet, the thought of my parents catching me sneaking out did not even stay for a second in my mind. I wouldn’t ruin Paul’s and my little dates with worries about “what would happen” and “what if”. I was careful not to reveal too much, and I was good at controlling myself and my transformation. I had spent too much time worrying and training, training and worrying. Now, I would enjoy my life with Paul.

Tonight, it was a full moon night. The only thing that made me uncomfortable and worried was the full moon. It was the only thing that controlled us, and, though I had tried to fight the inner urge of the mermaid blood that ran through my veins, it was still difficult and almost impossible when the full moon was out. But I had promised Paul I would go out with him tonight - he wanted to tell me something important, and I was too anxious and curious about that to check my calendar beforehand.

So, here we were, on our way to the Second Beach, where it all began. I had to wear long-sleeved, baggy clothes to avoid the humidity, and I was already suffering in them. We didn’t usually have warm nights in La Push, but today had to be one. Either that or I was too nervous and couldn’t stop sweating through the thick fabrics.

“Hey!” Paul took my hand in his. “Are you okay? You seem nervous. Tell me, is there something wrong? We can go if you don’t like it here.”

“Uhm, yeah, no. There’s nothing wrong. It’s just a bit humid, that’s all.” I played it down casually, trying to not worry him any more than he already was.

“Oh, okay, because I really needed to talk to you.” It was his turn now to be nervous.

“Is there something wrong?”

“No, I just needed to talk to you, especially tonight that it’s the full moon.”

I goggled my eyes at the keyword “full moon”. He knows! He must know! Why would he bring me here on the ‘full moon’ if he didn’t?

“(Y/N), are you sure you’re okay? We can go anytime. We don’t have to stay here.”

“No, no, I like it here with you. I just remembered something that happened with my parents today, like a cringe memory. Don’t worry about it.”

“Oh, okay. Let’s take a seat then.” Paul quickly spread the wool blanket he had brought with him to not get sand all over our clothes, like the gentleman he was.

I sat down but I kept a small distance from him, feeling the guilt eating my insides. If he knew the truth about me, he was decent enough to not make a fuss about it just yet. But I had to tell him myself, because others tend to stretch out rumors too much, to the point where nothing is true. Paul was the victim of a rumor too, as everyone believed he was a gang member - at one point, I thought the same thing, until I got to know him and every doubt or negative thought vanished instantly.

“Paul, I… I have to tell you something. Something important.” I wanted to reach out to him so badly, but I forced myself not to. I had to collect myself and my thoughts; touching Paul, even if it was just his hand, would make my heart race again, and I had to stay calm.

Before I could continue, Paul interrupted me. “Please, (Y/N), let me tell you something first. It’s really important for me to tell you, so you don’t hear from others.”

“Others? What do you mean ‘others’? Who else knows about that?”

“Well, my friends actually. They know what I’m about to tell you. It actually affects all of us.” For someone who was confident in himself, Paul looked really shy and hesitant to even look at me in the eyes.

“Ho-How does it affect your friends?” I was suddenly too worried. What did he hear? Who told him all that?

“Well, you see, my friends and I are the “lucky” few to have a gene that causes this to us.” Wait. What is he talking about? “So, Sam, Jared, Embry, Jacob, Quil, Leah, Seth, and I have it. Even kids younger than us have it, and we suspect that others have it too.”

“Wait! What are you talking about? What gene? And what does it do to you?” This time I was worried about him, not me, not me at all. Whatever he was talking about, must have been too serious for him to get this nervous around me.

“Uhm, as I told you, I am one of the “lucky” few to have a specific gene. A gene that has passed to me through generations of Quileutes.” Paul closed his eyes and took a big breath before continuing. “I can transform into a wolf, (Y/N).”

I felt my face numbing. “What?”

“Have you ever heard of the Quileute legends?”

“Well, barely. I wouldn’t say I know…too much, but I had heard a few things, here and there.”

“Well, one of our legends is how our ancestors would transform into wolves to protect our land and people. And that part of the ancestors that made them shift into wolves has been passed on from generation to generation. Many generations before me had not manifested the effects of that gene, meaning they hadn’t been able to transform. My generation managed to manifest that gene.”

“What caused it?” I was now more curious than ever. I was not faithless or did not believe anything he said; if I could turn into a mermaid, why couldn’t he transform into a wolf?

He looked down, contemplating if he should tell me or not. “I don’t think you’re gonna believe me.”

“Try me.”

He now looked me in the eyes. “Vampires.”

Ha, I didn’t know there were vampires around the area. “Oh, okay. I would have not imagined there would be vampires around. Well, it does make sense, kinda? I mean, every story, film, and TV series has vampires and werewolves being mortal enemies, right? Though I would think that you would transform by now? Don’t you transform under the full moon?”

Paul was in shock, probably not expecting a neutral reaction out of me. “Uhm, well, we’re not that kind of werewolves, if that’s what you mean. The full moon does somehow affect our mood and feelings, but we can pretty much transform at any time we want, and sometimes, even when we don’t want to.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Our transformation is mainly triggered by anger, but anything that can pump up our heart and body temperature, even a sudden fear, can make us shift. That’s how I first shifted. I had a fever for days. One day, I was so angry at my father that I stormed out of the house toward the woods. After that, everything was a blur. When I finally shifted back, I saw it was Sam, Billy, and my father the ones who found me. They told me my father felt me shifting and got worried, so he contacted Billy and Sam to help him out. They found me in my wolf form and they had been trying to help me shift back for hours before I finally managed to shift back.”

“Was it painful? I mean, shifting into a wolf and back?” My voice cracked a bit, and Paul felt the slight pain in my voice as he moved closer to me and took my hand in his.

“I don’t know how to describe it to you, but it’s mostly the sudden burn you feel all over your body as the anger and wolf consume you. Then, it feels like your bones are breaking, expanding, and reforming differently and bigger this time, and vice versa when you shift back into a human. It feels weird to live in another body, especially one that is huge, furry, and animalistic. It was bizarre at first, and it took me a few months to get used to it. I had to learn fast and become efficient because there was a vampire lurking nearby; a vampire who drank human blood.”

“Don’t all vampires drink human blood?”

“Well, I wouldn’t normally reveal that, but, since you’re part of this world now, I’ll tell you. You know Dr. Cullen, his wife, and “children”?”

I raised one eyebrow in doubt. “Yes?”

“Well, they are vampires but they only drink animal blood.”

I took a few seconds to process that new info, but my only question was “Why?”

Paul laughed at my unlike query. “Something about their ethics, their soul, or something. I don’t know what to tell you. I never really liked them. Well, I do like Emmett. He’s like my vamp bro now. And they helped us with the vampire and the other vampires she created, so I guess they’re okay.”

I didn’t need to ask about the other vampires now. I was part of the supernatural, but I wasn’t aware of a big part of it, but I guessed Paul would help me out if I ever had another question about everything.

“Can I ask you why did you tell me all that? I won’t lie, I feel a connection between us but I think what you told me is too important to share with anyone. So, what I’m asking is why me.”

“Believe it or not, that’s the hardest part for me to say. Uhm, so, werewolves have something called “imprinting”. It’s the process through which we find our partners. It’s more of a soulmate thing where we connect with someone emotionally, physically, mentally. That person becomes the center of our new world, and it’s our responsibility to ensure their safety and happiness. That person becomes an “imprint”, and the relationship developed between the wolf and the imprint can be romantic, friendly, or parental. Imprints are what keep us grounded and in connection to reality; they are someone to look for, to hope for when we are mostly stuck into our wolf skin. They say that the imprints are the ones who match a wolf the best, to produce the best offspring. Billy says the imprints provide some of their power to the wolf, through the connection they have; probably the power that’s created through their love for each other? I think the imprints are the ones who best fill the void we have in our hearts; our better halves; the ones who match your whole being; the ones you can connect to.”

“Can I ask you something? And I hope you don’t make fun of me.”

“I could never.”

“From what you told me, can I assume that I’m your imprint?”

Paul smiled, and answered with a simple “Yes”.

I smiled back at him. “Good.” I finally leaned in and kissed him on the lips.

I would lie if I didn’t say my heart felt like it was exploding. My whole body was tingling, and I felt as if I was in a state of euphoria and ecstasy when he kissed me back. He captured my face between his palms, and I slid one hand through his hair as the other one was massaging the back of his neck. My body was numb and I could just stay here forever; I wanted to stay here forever. Unfortunately, I couldn’t hold my breath for too long on land, so I slowly backed off, with my mind still hazy and dizzy from Paul’s kiss.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything for you, love.”

“Can you show me? How you look like in your wolf form?”

Paul became upset too suddenly. “No! (Y/N), no! I’m scared I’ll hurt you. I tried to control the wolf in me these past days, but the full moon is when the wolf controls me. I had been struggling to keep him tame all this time. I don’t know what will happen if I change now. Especially due to you being here. I don’t know how the wolf will react to your presence.”

“Paul, I don’t want to push you to do anything, but I really want to see you. All of you. Please?” I was curious but also anxiously eager to see what he looked like when he was in his wolf form.

Paul sighed deeply. “I’ll try. For you.”

“Thank you.” I mumbled as I watched him remove his pants and place them carefully on the blanket.

He walked away, and for a moment I thought he was leaving. “I just need to keep a safe distance between us.”

I nodded and watched him as he took a deep breath once again. This time, he started trembling and I saw some smoke coming out of his body, as Paul started to growl. Within a few seconds, a wolf jumped out of Paul’s body. The wolf had the most lustrous silver-gray fur I had ever seen, and his silver eyes were shining under the moonlight.

I took a few steps forward, trying to get as close to the wolf as I could. The wolf was wavering between coming closer to me, or backing off and keeping its distance from me. Finally, Paul’s side prevailed and the wolf moved away from me.

“Hey, Paul. Don’t worry. I’m doing okay. I want to feel you. I just want to feel you.”

The wolf took a few unsure steps towards me, his head down, like a giant puppy who feels guilty about breaking his favorite toy. Once he was only a few inches away from me, I was able to slowly caress his muzzle, gliding my hand towards his forehead, neck, and side. I felt so secure and calm with him that I couldn’t help myself from burying my face into Paul’s soft fur and inhaling his scent. Even in his wolf form, Paul smelled the same as his human form: woody, earthy, salty, and homey. Whatever ‘home’ smelled like, that was how Paul smelled.

The wolf huffed but it was a sweet huff, turning around to touch my head with his face, gently rubbing his nose on my cheek. It was clear that Paul was in control of his wolf, and not the other way around, as he feared. The wolf was calm, obedient, and quiet, showing true, human emotions towards me. He kneeled down to lay on his tummy with me still attached to his side and back. We stayed like that for some time, feeling the absolute silence and calmness around embracing us.

“Thank you for telling me everything. It means the world to me.” The wolf tilted his head and huffed again in satisfaction. “I would like to show you something if you are okay with it, and you would like to turn back.”

The wolf slowly started standing up, so I stood up to take my weight off of him and give him space. He walked towards the woods and a minute later, a naked Paul emerged, trying to hide his privates with his hands. He awkwardly walked towards the blanket, turning around so I could only see his ass, and quickly put his pants back on.

He turned around to face him, but my eyes were stuck in his ass. “Eyes up here, (Y/N).” He smirked playfully.

“I guess it’s my turn now.” I simply stated before I started stripping off of my baggy pants and sweater.

Paul was shocked to watch me strip, but then calmed down when he saw the tight shorts and crop top underneath. I started taking these off as well, to reveal my black bra and red panties underneath, and I swore Paul’s eyes almost dropped out of his eye sockets.

“Uhm, (Y/N), what are you doing? Not that I’m complaining, but what exactly do you want to show me?”

I ignored his question for now, continuing with my own action plan. “Is that the only pair of pants you have?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Well, unless you want to get them wet, I suggest you take them off. If you want to keep them, you can wear my pants after.”

Paul raised one eyebrow at me. “What do you have in mind?”

“I was thinking of a night swim if you don’t mind. If you take your clothes off, I’ll take mine off, too, so we’re even.” I casually replied.

I could clearly see Paul blushing under his tan skin and freezing on the spot. “Oh, okay.”

He didn’t move, still frozen and unsure of what to do, so I took the initiative to take my underwear off first. I first unclasped my bra, and my boobs were finally free. I turned to look at Paul who was still frozen, only this time, his jaw had dropped to the floor when he saw me. I laughed and went to take my panties off, and I saw Paul stiffing and trying to look either anywhere else but my body.

“I’m going in. I’ll be waiting.” I smirked at him, and slowly went into the water.

It was warm, though dark and scary to a human’s eyes. To my eyes, it was peaceful and beautiful, and it felt and smelled like freedom and home. I took a small breath before diving into the water. I moved my hands and legs around, feeling one with the sea. Thankfully, I could breathe underwater without having to transform, so I stayed underwater, waiting for Paul to come in.

I saw Paul running in the sea, trying to swim around and find me but couldn’t. I laughed to myself and sneaked closer, still underwater. I waited for him to run a bit deeper into the water, and when he did, I sneaked behind him and tickled his calves. I heard Paul let out a high-pitched scream, before turning to look around, just as I slowly emerged out of the water.

“What the fuck, (Y/N)?! You scared the hell out of me! I’ll get you.” He yelled and came running towards me, as fast as the water’s resistance allowed him.

I stood still, waiting for him to catch me, not trying to get away. Paul stopped right in front of me, waiting for me to react. Instead of swimming away, I moved closer to him and placed a light kiss on his lips. It only lasted a few seconds, but, when I moved away, Paul looked starstruck.

“You told me and showed me you could transform into a wolf, right?” Paul simply nodded, unable to say something else. “Well, I wanted to show you something, too. You’re not the only supernatural around.”

I dove back into the water, leaving Paul staring down at me. I took a breath and focused on my legs, manifesting my beautiful tail in my mind. Within a few seconds, I felt the numbness and the stink and my tail started moving around in the water. I smiled.

I came out of the water, trying to balance on my fins. Paul looked clueless, probably wondering what was happening and what I wanted to show him. I came as close to him as I could. I carefully took his hand in mine.

“Can I show you?” I asked him, and he nodded his head, whispering a quiet “Yes”.

I took his hand and slowly led them under the water toward where my private parts would have been. Paul tried to take his hand away, looking at me doubtfully. I only asked him to “Trust me, please”, and he relaxed his resistance and let me guide his hand around.

I moved Paul’s hand to touch my scales. He lifted his eyes to look into my eyes, still full of questioning and doubt. I slowly moved his hand downwards, so he could feel my scales’ smoothness and shininess, and how slippery and rough they could feel. I let go of his hand, allowing him to touch me on his own if he wanted.

Paul used his other hand as well, slowly touching and feeling around my body, scales, and tummy. He was respectful enough to not touch above my stomach, though I had no issue with him doing so. His face was now full of curiosity as he was feeling his way around my body, as his hands glided across my tail, making me numb and leaving a warm, new sensation behind.

He lifted his head up to look at me once again, with only one question in his mind and on his lips. “How?”

“Just like how you can transform into a wolf. I have inherited the ability to transform into a mermaid through my mother, and she inherited it from her mother. It’s not a gene per se; it’s half of my DNA, kinda like you with your father.”

Paul looked mesmerized. “Since when could you transform?”

“I changed once by accident, on the first full moon after my 14th birthday Thankfully, I was with my parents and they knew what to do and how to help me get through all this. I’ve been able to change ever since.”

Paul’s face lit up as if something just clicked on his mind. “Is this why you had to leave your friends? Was it because of your transformation?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I was alone in this, and I was scared. I didn’t know how they would react, so I never told them. I was also afraid of changing on accident once again. For you, it’s the anger that triggered your transformation. For me, it was water and humidity, before I learned, years later, how to control my transformation on my own, and not let water affect me.”

“Is that why you wore those baggy clothes? Because you were afraid of the humidity?”

“Yeah. It’s one thing that I can control myself, but with the full moon on full blast, I didn’t know if I could. Anything could trigger my transformation tonight. And I was scared you knew what I am before I could tell you. But when you said you were able to transform into a werewolf, I instantly calmed down and I was sure I could trust you with my secret. Also, the fact that you’re my soulmate helped me relax so much more.”

“I guess you could call it a ‘soulmate’. It definitely sounds better than ‘imprint’ and ‘imprintee’, for sure.”

“Well, you’re not the only ones driven to find your soulmates by fate.” I looked into his eyes, knowingly.

“Wait. We’re not? Did you… Did you “imprint” on me, too?”

“Well, we don’t actually call it “imprinting”. It’s more of a spark within us, like a fire of hope, absolute freedom, calmness, and love. At least, that’s what I felt when you turned around and looked at me when your friends took you away from here, back then, on that day.”

Paul looked sentimental like he had found new hope, taking my face between his hands. “That was when I imprinted on you. At that moment, when they took me away. I couldn’t believe I found my imprint, and I was scared of how I was going to approach you. When we imprint, we have a vision of our future with our imprint. I watched you walk away from me, on a full moon night like this one, and you jumped into the sea and swam away from me. I lost you, and I didn’t want to lose you. I never believed in fate or the imprinting before I found you, but I’m so glad you showed up in my life, and I promise to never let you go.”

“It doesn’t have to be like this. I don’t want to let you go either. And I promise I won’t go. I won’t leave, Paul Lahote. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Forever.”

“Forever.”

As the full moon shone above us, Paul and I moved closer to each other into a tight embrace, lips touching, hearts beating, his hot skin against my cold one, promising and wishing for an eternal life together.

#paul lahote #paul lahote imagine #paul lahote x reader #the twilight saga #twilight saga #twilight renessaince #twilight post

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