#and knowing she gets the perfect fairy tail ending makes me so absolutely proud and happy and PROUD

[javierduffy]

going back as an adult and replaying games you hyperfixated on as a kid and feeling COMPLETELY different feelings about certain things is crazy because why am i now sobbing over tilly jackson’s letter to the marston-roberts family in the epilogue

[fullbusterfantasmic]

Love Potion ♋️ Chapter 4.7

Rated M

It’s all NSFW (As it should be)

1,933 words

A/N: The first position mentioned is called the butterfly or some shit (maybe?) idfk but I like it, & the second is the reverse cowgirl. Formatting is wonky, I know please look past it.

🌬Gray’s POV

The shine her eyes had held has begun to rapidly be overtaken as the (e/c) darkens, while she beckons me closer.

Her mouth is right beside my ear as she says;

“Ravish me...lay your claim on me...let every touch from you send me reeling, and begging for more...show me everything you’ve imagined doing to me and lastly...share every feeling you’ve kept hidden from me”.

The intense requests she made ignites a fire somewhere within me. Flames are rapidly consuming the protective layers of ice I’d long ago placed over my heart. Barriers erected after Deliora’s first attack, reinforced following the death of Ur...gone in an instant. Her tongue runs along the outer shell of my ear, lips placing a kiss to my temple. Pulling away, she then collapses back onto the pillows behind her, now surveying me through darkened, heavily lidded eyes.

My teeth clench as the familiar darkness begins to surface and my internal struggle begins. She asked for it....so why not give it to her? I shouldn’t...I....I’m ready to...no I NEED to let her in that now open space within my heart, within my very barren soul.

You don’t know what you do to me...

✨Your Pov

Im nervous...

I may have asked too much, it was too soon for me to come on so strongly! He still has yet to look at me, and his long bangs obscure his eyes from view.

“Gray I-“

I began to try and retract my previous statement but he interupts me. “From the very first moment I laid eyes on you I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen....and the most dangerous...” he moves out from between my legs, motioning for me to lay on my side. “ I knew if I got close to you I’d end up falling for you and that would put you at risk...”. One of his legs now rest underneath mine and my other rests over the top of his.

“Try as I might, I couldn’t force myself to get or stay away from you; somehow we always end up spending time together” he pauses, pressing a kiss to my temple before continuing; “ -and now we’re here...”.

The room is growing colder once more, goosebumps cover my exposed flesh and I lightly begin to shiver. My entire body is shaking by the time his voice reaches my ear; “With all that being said...I’m done explaining myself, and I’m done talking”.

“Now I’m going to fuck you senseless, this entire town will know you’re mine by sunrise” The vow is whispered to me in such an intimate way, it has my internal walls fluttering, before clenching around nothing. That is soon remedied; A surprised turned pleasurable cry slips out from between my lips as Gray effortlessly slides into me.

This position is a first for me, and experiencing it with this god like man...Said position has quickly become a “10 out of 10, must do again”. He holds my body so closely against his, and somehow those skilled fingers are still roaming up and down my sides. Occasionally pausing their ministrations to ghost across my chest or rub tantalizing circles Into my clit. The angle in which he thrusts into me puts the head of his cock in the perfect position to hit my G-spot each and every time he bottoms out.

The whole “I’m finished talking now” line was absolute bullshit! As soon the smug Ice mage was balls deep inside me, did the sinful whispers begin. Dear God! That deep husky voice alternating between uttering the most endearing things, having my eyes growing wet with tears. Only to make a flawless transition into speaking the most obscene and sensual promises (or threats), have my face continuing to burn red.

I was an absolute wreck.

“You should see yourself right now...Completely fucked out of your mind, slobbering all over, and tear stains coating your cheeks...yet still so breathtaking”. My enthralled lover may no longer be whispering, but the chill of his breath on my neck is still ever present. I don’t speak, I knew my ability of coherent speech had vanished long ago.

Gray doesn’t need my words to go off of now, not when my breath hitches and my body jerks involuntarily. “This one will be....number four right?” He sounds so proud. That wasn’t really a question, and I wouldn’t of answered it even if I could have.

As much as I craved release, my pride urged me to deny it. A small voice inside my head is saying; “Ignore the relentless tingling of your clit, the tight wound knot in your stomach, the pressure from that magnificent cock sinking itself into your deepest depths...”.

Dammit ___________, get it together!

You are a proud Fairy Tail mage; A living embodiment of strength, determination, and destroyer of adversity! You’ve let this man turn you into putty within his hands, he thinks he owns you! Now it’s time for you to reclaim your pride and turn the tables on him!

Who am I kidding?

🌬Grays POV

“Holding back now are we?”

I can’t help but tease her when she’s trying so hard to hide the fact that I have her teetering on the edge of bliss. She lets out and annoyed huff and I poke one of her inflated cheeks, making sure my cock is buried inside of her as far as it can go.

“You take my cock so well baby, you’re already starting to shape to me on the inside...you’ll be my perfect little cock sleeve in no time” I murmured before giving her another nice dark love bite to match the one on the other side of her neck. “I know you want to drench my cock some more” my ice coated finger flicks against her clit before circling over it.

“Hah!” she shrieks at the frozen contact to her bundle of nerves, involuntarily jerking and in turn slamming her hips backwards, burying my dick inside her once more. The tip of my head just barely makes contact with her cervix, and then her walls suddenly contract, clamping down around me. I have to give every effort to not paint them white as not only her ecstatic wail reaches my ears, but I look down just in time to see her lightly spritz the hand id been using to play with her clit.

For a moment my brain begins to short circuit, and then it just shuts down completely.

✨ Your POV

That was....incredible.

Several minutes pass with my mind reeling from the intense orgasm I’d just experienced. It’s like I’m drunk, but not from the alcohol I’d consumed earlier. Drunk from the dopamine flooding my brain, and my heart swelling with overwhelming feelings of love. Love....love for the man currently sharing my bed.  Before I can turn to Gray and embarrass myself with a bunch of post orgasm love drunk rambling, I remember something....oh my god.

I sober up and am slammed back into reality almost instantly. My face begins to burn and I Stifle a cry of humiliation as I realize; I’d just squirted all over his hand! That’s never happened to me before! Gray hasn’t said one word...he’s been silent since it happened! He probably has a look of disgust on his face, I can’t bring myself to look and see.

I try to move,, intent on getting away to take refuge on the other side of the bed. His arms immediately constrict around me, “Oh no you don’t, you aren’t going anywhere!”.  Suddenly he’s flat on his back keeping a firm grip on my hips as I’m forced to straddle him. Glancing over my shoulder I see the proud smirk he’s wearing, then he speaks; “Never had a girl do that before...I like it” giving me a wink afterwards. “Sh-Shut u-up” I mumble as I return my gaze to the wall in front of me, breathing deeply in attempt to calm my palpitating heart.

“Y’know normally I’d give you a little break but... I can’t...not after seeing you do that” he pauses, and I can’t see his eyes roaming over my back side, but I feel his hands slide down from my hips. Then a sharp SMACK resounds around the room, followed by my startled gasp. “Ride me...now!” a fierce growl preludes another sharp smack to my other ass cheek.

I don’t even bother to stop the excited shake that over takes my body, the sudden change into this demanding demeanor is thrilling! Keeping my back to him, I’m quick to position myself over his length and begin to sink down on it. The soft mewl I emit is drowned out by a hiss as the tip of his dick slips between my lips. “That’s it...good girl” he praises as he begins to rub out the red marks on my ass.

Eager to please I get straight to work.

Albeit a bit awkward at first, but Im able to get a steady rhythm going in no time. “So much better than in my dreams...fuckin’ hell __________ your ass is perfect! Yeah that’s it babe, bounce it just like that” Gray mumbles appreciatively, completely enamored with the sight in front of him. “Dream about me often do you?” I tease, throwing him a smug glance over my shoulder. “More often than I’d ever care to admit, now turn around and face me would you?.

I do as he asked, rotating my body to face him. He gently pulls me down towards him and I stop short, my face now inches above his own. My stomach feels like it’s filled with butterflies at the sudden closeness. Unsure of what to do I quietly whisper an awkward sounding “Hi”. A wide grin appears on his face as he responds; “Hi” followed quickly by a chuckle at my sudden awkwardness.

Now we’re both smiling at each other like complete dorks, and I’m compelled to lean forward and kiss him. I resume my ride as his tongue curls around mine, quickly losing myself in the passion of this moment. Gray is quick to pick up the slack, thrusting his hips upward each time mine sink down. The atmosphere in the bedroom has changed, we both feel it. When I say his name again it comes out in a breathy whine.

His eyes reflect an emotion I’ve never seen in them before and his tone is gentle when he says “I know baby, hold on just a little longer for me”. Strong arms wind themselves tighter around me, drawing my body in as close as possible as he speeds up the pace of his thrusts. “I want to feel you gush all over my cock when I finally get to cum inside you” his lips are on mine again, kissing me passionately while bouncing me up and down on his cock.“That okay with you baby? Do you want me to fill up this tight little cunt?”

My confession comes out quick and shameless; “Yes! God there’s nothing I want more right now, I’ve wanted that for ages!”.

“Tell me, who do you belong to now snowflake?”

“YOU! I belong to you now Gray”

“Tell me you need me”

“I need you, I never want to be without you, so please just-“

“Tell me...” he pauses, placing a hand on my cheek and staring into my eyes.

“Tell me you love me”.

[kimpossibooty]

Ten Pokémon You Can Take in Hand to Hand Combat

Kids everywhere use these wild lil guys to fight other wild lil guys, but I’m here to tell you that sometimes you can skip a step and get your own hands dirty. After months of research, I’ve prepared for you a guide to ten Pokémon that, when the time comes, you can protect your family from.

I took a few things into account when making this list. Types that would be directly harmful to touch, like fire, poison, and electric, are all out of the question from the start. I’ve also taken into account evolution. Much like Man, the most dangerous Pokémon, strength grows with development, so Pokemon at a later stage of life are more of a threat than their weak babies. Last, I looked at basic logic. Normal type is known to be weak in fights. I don’t want to repeat myself, but the basic thesis of my paper on Danny Fenton’s letdown of a prom night applies to the idea of laying your hands on a Ghost type. 

With all the boring stuff out of the way, let’s get a-tusslin’.

1. Caterpie (Difficulty 1/10)

National No: 010

Type: Bug

Species: Worm Pokémon

I’m throwing you guys a softball here and starting off with this uwu looking squirmer. The worst they have to offer is a little bit of a bite, and even that only comes if they get held back a few grades before they evolve. Whatever they come at you with is nothing against a size 12 pair of Timberlands.

2. Lickitung (Difficulty 3/10)

National No: 108

Type: Normal

Species: Licking Pokémon

This absolute fool utilizes its biggest vulnerability to attack. They throw that tongue your way, just sidestep and and stomp/stab/sprinkle with Carolina reapers. If you’re worried about your reaction time, consider standing in front of a streetlight in the dead of winter before dodging a slimy slap.

3. Drifloon (Difficulty 3/10)

National No: 425

Type: Ghost/Flying

Species: Balloon Pokémon

4. Sentret (Difficulty 4/10)

National No: 161

Type: Normal

Species: Scout Pokémon

PokéGod clearly had it out for this poor sap when She gave them a built-in bullseye. Be sure to aim for it when you sweep kick their load-bearing tail out from under them and Macho Man Randy Savage Diving Elbow Drop them while they’re down.

5. Wooloo (Difficulty 4/10)

National No: 831

Type: Normal

Species: Sheep Pokémon

Fighting a Wooloo is less of a quick spat and more of a long con. Canonically, one of these cotton balls can withstand massive falls due to their cushiony fluff. It stands to reason then that they will not notice someone hanging onto their underbelly, like Odysseus and Polyphemus cutting out the middleman, waiting to strike the moment they let their guard down.

6. Ditto (Difficulty 5/10)

National No: 132

Type: Normal

Species: Transform Pokémon

A solid spartner (sparring partner). With the same strength and mind as you, they’ll never get the upper hand, so you can work on your endurance for as long as you’d like. If you find yourself ready to end the stalemate, bear in mind that Ditto can’t recreate a bowie knife tucked into your garter belt. 

7. Mr. Mime (Difficulty 6/10)

National No: 122

Type: Psychic

Species: Barrier Pokémon

I’m not saying this will be an easy match physically, but looking at their bulbous visage will unlock a primal strength you never knew you had in you. All inhibitions will be dropped an your sole purpose in life will become throttling the bastard until those rosy cheeks turn blue and that all-knowing, ever-taunting smile finally fades away.

Fuck Mr. Mime.

8. Alolan Rattata (Difficulty 6/10)

National No: 019

Type: Dark/Normal

Species: Mouse Pokémon

One word: entrapment. This Alolan scourge has taken to a life of crime, picking up the dark type as it embraced the lifestyle of island time.Your best bet is t hide a mousetrap in a thick wallet and carry said trapwallet in a conspicuous back pocket as you stroll around town. Once you hear the yelp of a dastardly pickpocket, turn around and punt that riffraff of a street rat with everything you’ve got. 

9. Starly (Difficulty 7/10)

National No: 396

Type: Normal/Flying

Species: Starling Pokémon

I tried to avoid adding birds to this list. Being able to move on a third axis is an unfair advantage, and I can vouch for how hard it is to fight a bird. That said, this scoundrel orb is going to be your best bet if you’re set on chasing that specific anti-avian thrill. It’ll be hard to get the drop on them, but a Starly’s the perfect shape to hop on and put in a headlock, as you careen down from the heavens to a mutual but worthwhile death.

Before we finish this journey, I want to pause. I’ve been focusing so much on the who that I forgot the why. Let’s ask for a moment, not who you can fight, but who you should.

Honorable Mention: Mime Jr. (Moral Difficulty 1/10)

National No: 439

Type: Psychic/Fairy

Species: Mime Pokémon

You know how people always talk about going back in time to kill Hitler as a baby?

10. Dugtrio (Difficulty 9/10)

National No: 051

Type: Ground

Species: Mole Pokémon

All those years of practice on Whac-A-Mole and that one spider game at Chuck E Cheese’s are finally going to pay off. Grab a mallet or mallet-stand-in and siphon off all of the government-induced rage you’ve got in you. You are facing a major threat in any seismic tremors they cause, so I recommend avoiding direct contact with the ground. Approach the enemy via a low-flying hot air balloon, a large crane, or Moon Shoes™.

NOW GET OUT THERE AND MAKE ME PROUD KIDS

[ljf613]

20 Fic Writer Questions

Thanks to @theboyfrommakapu and @old-and-new-friends for the tag.

1) How many works do you have on AO3? Technically 66, but 9 of those are really just stubs of fics I will write someday.

2) What’s your total AO3 word count? 131,183.

3) How many fandoms have you written for and what are they? 14: Miraculous Ladybug, Tales of Arcadia, Teen Wolf, Space Boy, Dr Quinn: Medicine Woman, Children of the Wolves: Ame & Yuki, Yona of the Dawn, Fairy Tail, Shall We Date?: THE NIFLHEIM+, The Dragon Prince, Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, The Familiar of Zero, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Avatar: The Legend of Korra, and several others that have not yet been posted. (The NIFLHEIM fic was just as a crossover for a Fairy Tail fic, I'm not invested in that one enough that I'd really write a story in that fandom on its own.)

4) What are your top 5 fics by kudos? 1. nobody wants to pay the asking price (716 kudos) 2. you don't get what all this is about (669 kudos) 3. we all bend and break sometimes (644 kudos) 4. I'm worse at what I do best (559 kudos) 5. fifteen for a moment (541 kudos) (The we all want love/we all want honor series is way more popular than I ever anticipated it would be.)

5) Do you respond to comments, why or why not? Always. There are times when it takes me a little way to come up with a good response, especially for the really detailed comments (I think the oldest unanswered one is from way back in January), but I get around to it eventually. I think it's really important to interact with people who've not only taken the time to read my stories, but also want to talk about them.

6) What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending? It's Winter Again (And I Can't Wait To See You), without a doubt. I wanted to write a super-angsty Yuaang fic, and I believe I succeeded.

7) What’s the fic you’ve written with the happiest ending? The happiest? I haven't actually ended too many fics, and most of them didn't end particularly happily-- hopefully might be a more apt description....... I guess The Bells of Kardia Cathedral had a pretty happy ending.

8) Do you write crossovers? If so, what is the craziest one you’ve written? I've only written one real crossover (aside from a couple of ATLA/LOK "crossovers"), the aforementioned Fairy Tail/NIFLHEIM fic Fairy Tail in NIFLHEIM, which was pretty crazy. I do have an ATLA/Magi crossover planned that I think might be pretty interesting.

9) Have you ever received hate on a fic? I don't think so (unless I deleted and forgot about it). The closest I can think of (although I can't find it now, so I either imagined it or whoever wrote it deleted it) was someone who thinks the way I'm handling Toph in the Ba Sing Se arc of we all want love/we all want honor is rather OOC for how I've set her up in this series. I actually do understand where that person is coming from, and I plan on addressing exactly why she's behaving the way she is sometime in the next few chapters.

10) Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Nope. Never have, never will, don't even ask.

11) Have you ever had a fic stolen? Not..... exactly? Someone's reposted the entirety of wawl/wawh and reposted it in a single doc, but it was posted privately for personal use (to make it easier for them to download the whole thing together). I haven't yet decided what I want to do about that.

12) Have you ever had a fic translated? No, but I'm totally open to it if anyone's interested!

13) Have you ever co-written a fic before? Nah. There were times in the past when I almost did, but it never seemed to work out.

14) What’s your all-time favorite ship? Nathan x Haley (Naley) from One Tree Hill #otp: always and forever

15) What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will? Well, nothing's completely off the table, but probably The Death of a First Crush. I have a lot of fondness for that fic-- it was probably the first real longfic I ever attempted to write, and I always knew exactly where I was going with it and how I wanted it to end. However, I started it at a very particular time of my life, when I was going through some very particular emotional stages I was trying to convey, and I don't think I could recapture those feelings if I wanted to. And maybe also Children of the Wolves. That's a story I was super-excited about, and I'd probably been thinking about since middle school (long before I discovered that fanfic was an actual 'thing' other people might actually be interested in reading)-- but the response was so lackluster I couldn't muster up any real motivation to continue it. I would like to get back to it someday, but only if there's some real interest.

16) What are your writing strengths? I'm but a lot of thought into my at worldbuilding, I do my best to avoid plotholes, and I think my dialogue and descriptions are pretty good.

17) What are your writing weaknesses? I don't know how to draft things-- they have to be absolutely perfect the first time, or I will sit and wait until they are. Also, I can't really write action-- fight scenes and such require a lot of visual/spatial awareness my aphantasiac brain just isn't capable of.

18) What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic? Well..... I don't think I've ever really done it, although I wouldn't be opposed to it if it made sense for the plot. If it was a real language, I'd definitely want to get help from an actual speaker, rather than just relying on Google translate or something.

19) What was the first fandom you wrote for? The first fandom I ever posted for was Miraculous Ladybug. The first fandom I ever wrote for (that I actually have posted, we're not discussing the mediocre Twilight stories I scribbled out in middle school or anything) was Familair of Zero.

20) What’s your favorite fic you’ve written? My absolute favorite? IDK...... I really love the age of wizardry is over, and I'm super-proud of both Between the Emotion and the Response and we all want love/we all want honor.

Tagging: I have no idea who has and hasn't been tagged for this yet, so if you're interested, just go for it!

[makethiscanon]

So for my first request, can you write a one shot of Toshinko in a Cinderella AU please? What do you think?

Okay I’m not proud of how long this took me to get back to, HOWEVER, I am pleased with the result. I might have gone overboard.

NEVER THE LESS.

Here’s all 4.7k words of this fluffy, Cinderella Inko tale! Please enjoy~It’s a long one. You have been warned.

Inko’s Fairytale Moment (An Inko x Toshinori Cinderella fic)

Inko felt the longing in her heart. She watched her friends load into a horse-drawn carriage, hiking their dresses up to their knees to keep the mud at bay. Rei and Mitsuki looked absolutely stunning in their ball gowns. They were going to knock the prince speechless, she could tell.

After very little time at all, Inko had to turn away. She closed the drapes and wished them well from the confines of her bedroom, then sighed a deep sigh at herself. What she wouldn’t give to go to the ball. It was all the worse because she was, in fact, invited. Mitsuki and Rei had begged for her to go. But she couldn’t. Not… as she was.

She wasn’t like her friends, all dainty and slight. Time had dealt her body and her confidence a heavy blow. She was in her forties with a child who had flown the nest long ago. Her skin was tired and her stomach was flabby. It wouldn’t be right to go to the ball as she was, especially when the prince himself was trying to choose a bride. No man of royal blood would ever choose a woman like her and she couldn’t bear the humiliation or the glances or the mutters of other women should she attend, even if just for fun.

She skulked around the house, cleaning to pass the time but it dragged on so very slowly. Even after doing the dishes and mopping the kitchen floors when she looked at the clock it was still too early for the ball to have officially begun. She sighed again. Maybe she would simply go to bed and wait for morning to come.

She climbed the stairs to her room in the top most corner of the house but when she opened the door there was another woman sat on her bed. She shrieked, slamming the door closed in case the woman lunged but instead all she heard was laughter.

“Ms Inko, what are you doing? Come in here. I won’t bite.”

Against her better judgement, Inko opened the door. The woman was on her feet this time, with flowing blonde hair and a racy cream and purple dress that could make any head turn.

“You’re late,” the woman chided, ushering Inko into the room before she could turn tail and flee.

“L-late?” She questioned. “For what?”

“For what?” The woman repeated as if Inko had asked the daftest of things. “For your fitting. Your dress. The ball.”

“Oh.” Inko said, feeling her heart sink. “But I’m not going.”

“Oh yes you are. There’s no doubt about it.” The woman pushed Inko until she was in front of a tall mirror and forced her to look herself over. “Your friends are there. They’re having a good time so why can’t you?”

Inko frowned, wondering just who on earth this strange woman was.

“How do you know so much about this?”

The woman scoffed, stepping back to formally introduce herself.

“Why, because I’m your personal Fairy God Mother. You can call me Takeyama, and bibbity-bobbity-bitch I’m here to turn you into a fabulous queen for the evening. Now get your dancing shoes because I need to know what I’m working with to coordinate your dress.”

She pulled a thin rod from out her cleavage then posed like she was ready to conduct an orchestra. Inko stepped back in alarm.

“Wait. Wait,” she begged, holding her arms up. “Please. I don’t want to go. I can’t. Not when I look like this.” She gestured to herself as a whole.

“I… don’t see your point.” Takeyama frowned, wondering if Inko meant her dress sense. True, she was wearing housewife 101 but a quick flick of the wand would fix that.

Inko hated that she had to say it out loud. She was insecure and shy, and voicing her concerns only made them that much realer.

“My size. My shape. I’m not fit to go to a ball. People would stare. Heaven forbid, what if the prince saw me? I could never. Maybe once upon a time but not now. Please just let me be and let me sleep.”

The desperation in her voice struck a chord in Takeyama’s Fairy God Mother soul. There was nothing wrong with Inko or how she looked, but if this was a case of confidence then, perhaps just for tonight, Takeyama could give her ward the means to love herself.

“Alright, Inko. You can go to sleep. I’ll leave you be. Just do me one small favour.” She flicked her wrist so slightly that it was impossible to see, jolting the wand a breadth. “Look once more in that mirror for me.”

In the hopes that Takeyama would leave, Inko did as she was told. But when she caught sight of herself in the mirror she couldn’t believe what she could see.

“I—I’m—” Gone were her tired eyes and loose skin, her mum-tum and the body that came from a woman who loved her offspring unconditionally. She was a wisp of herself, as bright as a button and simply radiating with confidence once she realised it really was her. “What’s happened to me?”

Takeyama felt proud by Inko’s reaction. She flicked the wand again, adding makeup, hair-up and a salmon pink ball gown to boot. When Inko caught sight of herself for a second time she started to cry.

“Get it out of your system now,” Takeyama cooed, coming to hug the trembling woman. “I can fix your makeup in a jiffy while you’re here but you’re on your own at the ball.”

“You did—you did—you did all this— so I—I—could—I could go to the ball?” Inko could hardly get her words out, tears streaming down her face as her heart swelled with happiness. All she wanted was to spend the night with her friends, dancing the time away without the fear of being judged. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Just spend your time wisely, my wonderfully anxious ward. You’ll only stay this way until the last stroke of midnight, then revert to your natural state, no matter where you are.”

“That’s enough time.” Inko said waterly, wiping her eyes enough to smear her makeup down her face. “That’s more than enough. Thank you. Thank you for everything.”

With a giggle and a flick of her wand, Takeyama fixed Inko’s makeup, then sent her on her way. There was no time to lose. It was nearly time for the ball to begin.

oOo

Inko found Rei and Mitsuki in the palace’s grand ballroom, knocking back drinks and dancing with each other because no man would ever be good enough for either of them, not even the prince himself. They were here for a good time. Tonight was an open bar.

At first neither woman could believe their eyes, not until Inko got flustered and started stammering like she so often did, but in the end the pair were delighted to have their third musketeer with them, and believed every word Inko said about her odd Fairy God Mother.

“Mine let me back in the house one time when I drunkenly locked myself out.” Mitsuki roared, remembering the instance fondly. “Haven’t seen her since but I know she’s keeping an eye on me.”

Inko was shocked at such a revelation. She glanced around, wondering if everyone here was surrounded by a cluster of invisible Fairy God Mothers, each nattering about their wards’ less-than-perfect life choices.

As Rei and Mitsuki wandered off towards the drinks table, leaving Inko alone, she gravitated towards a marble pillar where she could rest and watch the other dancers with interest. Despite her elegant appearance, she was so used to being shy and self-conscious that her position of choice was that of a wallflower. She honestly didn’t know how to act any different.

Just then, trumpets blared to announce the royal family’s arrival. First came Queen Nana, as beautiful as they got. She descended the staircase with a legion of attendees but brushed them aside to speak with any woman that was near, offering them a smile and a wave until she reached her royal throne at the far side. Next, of course, came her friend and advisor, Torino. Though time had withered him down to a height half that of his original size, he still exuded confidence and pride and welcomed the guests like family. Inko found herself jealous at his assurance in himself. He did not seem to care what time had done to him, but took it in his stride.

Perhaps after tonight she would try being kinder with herself. Time took hold of everyone, after all.

Finally the crown prince, Toshinori, arrived. The room erupted with girlish squeals, applause and declarations of love for him. He was dressed in the absolute finest white royal uniform, tailored to contain his gargantuan muscles and stood at a height tall enough to make any woman feel petit. It made Inko’s heart flutter to know he would have no trouble lifting her even if she were normal size.

In a bid to find a place to perch, it seemed Inko’s friends had lost her amongst the crowds. They did not return even after some time. So Inko merely watched the blonde prince as he glided around the room, kissing hands and bowing gracefully to all who approached him. Being the tallest in the room, she could watch him even as women clung to him on ever side.

In a way, she felt sorry for him. Perhaps it was her own feelings, but if she were in his position, she would much rather have room to breathe than suitors invading every piece of her personal space.

Another horn blared, and suddenly every woman in the room flooded the dancefloor towards Prince Toshinori. He smiled and laughed and welcomed them all, and did not seem to mind in the least that they were practically trampling on his feet to get his attention. The horn was a signal that the prince would choose a lady to dance with. Inko stayed back, practically suctioning herself to the column while eager women charge past, shoving each other out of the way.

Really, she thought, it was enough just for her to be here. Her Fairy God Mother had sent her a miracle and her heart was already full to bursting that she was here, surrounded by elegance and dressed like a princess. As soon as the night was over, she would write to her son Izuku to tell him all about her adventures. She knew he would be pleased. He was always telling her to go out and enjoy herself more.

Just as she was thinking about where she had left her writing paper the crowd of women suddenly started to fan out towards her. She wondered what was happening until, to her surprise, she saw Prince Toshinori making his way towards her with the most dashingly handsome smile she had ever seen. She felt her heart flutter as her knees threatened to give way beneath her. He was looking at her. He was looking straight at her with his warm blue eyes.

“Dear damsel, what has you clinging to that column like a gecko?” He asked, his voice both booming and kind. He surely didn’t mean to but his singling-out of Inko caused legions of scorned female eyes towards her. She wanted to answer him but noticed their glares first. How she had hoped being slim and attractive would help her blend in, but by the prince’s efforts she now stuck out like a sore thumb.

“I-I-I—” she tried, but no words would come. Her body was rooted and her face felt clammy, caught under a collectively scrutinising gaze. She could do nothing but beg the prince wordlessly to turn away, to leave her be, to let her breathe. She was flattered and humbled that he would pay her any mind at all but in his presence she felt as though the magic was gone and her body was pudgy and withered once more.

Prince Toshinori, sensing an unease in Inko that he chocked down to nerves, took a stride towards her while extending a hand.

“My dear, I would hate to think of you going the whole night attached to that pillar. If only for a moment, would you please join me in—”

At the moment Inko felt her insides drop, realising the prince meant to ask her to dance, a second miracle occurred. From the other side of the room a familiar voice bellowed out to catch the prince’s attention,

“Oi! Prince Toshinori! You’ve run out of pinot. Can we get some more over here?”

As the women in the room turned to see who dared trouble the prince with such a trivial matter, he gave Inko an apologetic expression then turned to address the voice. The voice, by no miracle but friendship alone, belonged to Mitsuki.

Inko took her chance. She knew Mitsuki didn’t care that one single type of wine was gone – she’d drink absolutely anything as long as it was free. It was a distraction, and Inko wouldn’t pass up such an opportunity. With everyone’s attention diverted she slipped away, heading for the veranda.

Outside the air was cool with enough of a breeze to help Inko’s nerves. She pressed herself against the stone railing, looking out into the gardens. What a mess, she thought. How silly she had made herself look in front of the prince.

She stayed there until the music returned, then spotted the prince dancing with a woman so poised and perfect in the centre of the ballroom. It was better this way, she believed. Rather all eyes be on her anyway.

A short while later, a rather drunken Mitsuki and a more put-together Rei appeared, looking for Inko.

“There you are.” Rei said in her soft voice, coming to hug Inko, knowing what an ordeal that must have been for her.

“Did you like my distraction?” Mitsuki asked, flashing her a lopsided grin. “I’m glad you got the hint. As soon as the prince got more wine he went back to look for you.”

“He did?” Inko asked wistfully. Rei took her by the hand.

“Did you want to dance with the prince?”

Inko’s cheeks reddened

“O-of course.” She said. “But not like that. To make a fool of myself in front of so many people…”

Mitsuki slapped her playfully on the shoulder, a tad harder than necessary thanks to her intoxication.

“Stop being so shy. You’re drop dead gorgeous.”

“For now.” Inko lamented, pulling at the skirt of her dress. Wondering the time, Inko looked up to the clock tower and found it to be only quarter to ten. As both Rei and Mitsuki knew of Inko’s midnight-deal, when they saw her looking skyward they each took her by the hand and tugged her back towards the ball.

“Oh no, I—” she began, but neither would release her hand.

“Come on.” Rei insisted, then Mitsuki took a firmer hold on her arm. “Let’s make these last two hours count, just the three of us.”

O

The night turned out to be as fun as Inko had hoped it would be. With most other women distracted by the prince’s presence, she, Rei and Mitsuki danced the time away together in one corner of the ballroom. It was not a slow waltz like the prince and his partners did, but rather a fun bop like how they had once danced at their children’s’ birthday parties.

Inko smiled and laughed, and twirled to her heart’s content. Rei and Mitsuki took turns disappearing to the drinks table so as not to leave Inko on her own again, fearing something similar to last time might happen should she be left to her own devices.

At quarter-past-eleven a final horn blared to signal the prince’s leave. While Queen Nana and Sir Torino stayed to witness the rest of the party, Prince Toshinori bowed with grace and apologised with regret that, as he had royal duties that he needed to be sprightly for tomorrow he had to retire. Every woman watched him go, including poor Inko who could only wonder what might have been had she had the confidence in herself to dance with him.

Inko danced with her friends a long while more until finally she felt the need for another bout of fresh air, feeling her feet begin to ache.

“Excuse me,” she said politely. “I won’t be long. I’m just nipping outside again.”

Her friends nodded and let her go, with Rei telling her not to stay away for long, unless she wanted to return to a rather too drunk Mitsuki. She promised her friend then made her way back onto the veranda.

Finding her comfortable spot against the stone railings, Inko sighed as she slipped out of her shoes and stretched her toes, staring up to the sky. What a wonderful night, she thought. What a beautiful moon. What a wonderful time she had been blessed with. She looked at her hands, how dainty they were compared to her usual ones, normally calloused from hard work. She span in her dress, feeling the lightest she had ever done. This was a night she would always remember. A night she truly had fun.

“Excuse me, Madam?”

A man’s voice caught her attention. When she looked, she saw a man in a white royal military uniform, although his clothes did not fit him all that well. He was thin and looked ill with sunken in eyes but the gentlest of smiles. It appeared he had come from within the gardens and not the party. Perhaps, she thought, he was on patrol. His uniform suggested he might be part of the royal family’s security.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “I was hoping not to startle you.”

“Oh, no.” Inko said softly. “Please, I’m alright.” She looked back to the sky wistfully. “I’m only here to collect my thoughts.”

The man paused for a moment, watching her look skyward with a twinkle in her eyes. He looked into the party then made the decision to keep her company, coming to stand beside her as he too stared up at the stars.

“Perhaps I can help you arrange them.”

She looked at him and smiled shyly, but thanked him for the offer.

“I never dreamed I would be here tonight.” She said. “I’m usually too shy for these kinds of things.”

The man smiled a knowing smile, turning his attention towards her. She noticed his eyes. They were such a warm shade of blue.

“A wallflower, you might say?”

“Exactly. My son will be shocked when I tell him I came here.”

“If you’ll allow me, I can’t imagine why. You look wonderful tonight. A true bell of the ball, I should say. You would be right to have more confidence in yourself.”

“Oh,” was all she could say, flustered by his compliment. It hurt only a little, knowing such a compliment would not occur again after tonight. “But I don’t usually look like this.”

“No?”

“No,” she admitted, tugging lightly at her dress. “I’m a mother and a housekeeper on any other day.”

The man was quiet for a moment, but as time drifted by his warm smile grew.

“You do not seem to mind being either of those things, my dear.”

She chuckled, surprised by the accuracy of his comment.

“No, not at all. My family is my world. I would climb mountains for my son, but as you might imagine, motherhood takes its toll.”

She was met by another brief silence, in which time the orchestra inside began to play a slow waltz. Finally, the man said with a pensive gaze,

“Appearances are not always what they seem. Looks may change over time, but a kind heart will always stay beautiful.”

Her cheeks flushed pink. She tried to think of a response that wouldn’t make her stammer, but while she did so the man began to cough. It was heavy and raspy, and he leaned against the railing to catch his breath.

“Are you alright?” She asked in alarm, placing a tentative hand on his back.

“I’m fine.” He reassured her, wheezing desperately. “Just an old war-wound acting up. It’s nothing to worry about.”

She was reluctant to believe him.

“I can get you some water?”

“No, no,” he said, and after that his coughing subsided. “But thank you for your concern.”

The pair stayed in relative silence for some time, both enjoying the lull of gentle music and the crisp bite to the air. It was Inko who broke the silence. For some reason she felt at ease around this sickly man. She enjoyed his company in a way that made her forget how she looked or how she would look tomorrow.

“I nearly danced with the prince tonight.” She admitted, chuckling at her lack of confidence. “But I was a wallflower, just like you said.”

“Is that why you fled?” He asked, a strangely sombre tint to his voice. Inko’s cheeks turned pink again.

“Ah, you saw that?” She asked, wondering how many others had noticed her cowardly disappearing act. “Yes. My friend caused a distraction to let me get away.”

Surprisingly, the man burst out in a fit of laughter that came from deep within his belly. It was low and delighted, and Inko almost couldn’t believe that the noise had come from him. She stuttered as her blush deepened.

“What was I supposed to do? I’d have shown myself up in front of everyone, I’m sure.”

“My dear, you need to have more confidence in yourself. Whether or not you make a fool of yourself is irrelevant. What’s important is that you have fun.”

The man suddenly stood to attention, placing one arm behind his back as he dipped low in a bow, then extended his hand towards her.

“So perhaps,” he said, catching her by surprise, “you would care to join me in this dance? Out here there are only the two of us, so let us enjoy this moment of peace together.”

He was so unfathomably gentlemanly. Inko felt her heart flutter like a giddy schoolgirl. Her shyness begged her not to do it, but the woman who longed to waltz at the ball was stronger. With a nervous smile she reached out and took his hand. He took her into his embrace, a hand nestled into her waist as the pair began dancing in time to the sounds from inside.

There was something about him, Inko thought as she looked at his face, something that seemed so familiar. It was never stronger than when she looked at his eyes. They were such a brilliant blue but so kind. She had met him somewhere before, she was sure of it.

“I’m sorry,” she said, smiling as he span her gracefully across the veranda. “I never caught your name.”

Her words made him pause. Only, before he could say anything more, the clock overhead began to chime.

“Oh no.” Inko said with a gasp, realising too late that she had spent all her time away. It was already midnight, far too soon for her liking. “Oh no. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I have to go.”

Just was her luck to have such a wonderful moment ruined. She felt awful for abandoning him so suddenly, but Inko rather worried her dance partner would have a rather turn of opinion about her should he see her true form. She let go of his shoulder and tried to pull her hand away, only he kept hold of her and asked her hurriedly to stay.

“I’m sorry,” she said again, hearing the chimes like a gong in her ears. If only she could get inside. It was too late to hide completely, but if she could get inside she could lose herself among the other women and leave, knowing she had not spoiled such a wonderful man’s opinion of her.

“Please,” he said, sounding dejected. “Don’t leave. I have yet to catch your name, too.”

“I—” she said, trying as politely as she could to wiggle her hand free. “Please I—”

Dong… Dong… Dong.

The final chime rang out. The music inside carried on but Inko stilled, knowing it was too late.

“Please,” she begged softly. “Don’t look at me.”

His hand slipped from hers as the magic receded from her body. Mercifully the dress grew to accommodate her but it hurt no less when she felt the appearance of her love handles or the callouses on her palms.

“Please…”

She covered her face, unwilling to see the look of horror in his eyes at what she had become. If only he would walk away now and leave her to her misery, but for some reason she could not hear his footsteps.

“Madam…” he said after the longest, most painful pause. But she could not bear it. He sounded hurt. He sounded lost. She felt the tears well up in her eyes before she could stop them. For a single night she had been beautiful but that only made the reality hurt her more.

“I’m sorry.” She said. “I’m sorry I lied. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth. I wanted for one night to be pretty. I wanted to have that fairy tale moment, if just for a single second. I’m sorry. I never should have come here. I don’t belong here. I’m so sorry. I—”

His hands grabbed her by the shoulders. He pulled her into the tightest hug. A hug that was kind. A hug that urged her to stop saying such hateful things about herself. A hug that understood.

“Please, my dear,” he said weakly. “Please don’t say you don’t belong here. You do. You belong here just as anyone else does. More so.”

Inko couldn’t stop her tears. She felt embarrassed and ashamed, but even then his words still found a way to reach her. When she finally chose to lift her head, she saw such kindness in his eyes, like he was looking at someone he had cared for all his life.

“Appearances are not always what they seem.” He reiterated. “A kind heart will always be beautiful.

“When I saw you in the ballroom I knew something was amiss. Now that I know who you truly are, I can say with certainty that I was right to ask you to dance.”

“Hm?” Inko said with a sniff, puzzling over the meaning of his words. Letting go of her so that he could stand back, the man took a deep breath then his body began to steam. Then it happened like a lightning strike. One moment he was the thin, sickly man, then the next it was Prince Toshinori stood before Inko.

“Your highness?” She gasped in alarm. But with another quick fizz and a pop, he was back to his sickly self. She was so in shock. She had no idea what to say. Having expected as much, Toshinori came to her, taking both her hands in his.

“My dear, I know more than anyone what it is to be afraid to show your true self.” He raised her knuckles to his lips and kissed them softly as her face, both tear-stained and covered in runny makeup, broke into a tizzied blush. “But if you’ll allow it, I’d like to show you there’s no need to be ashamed. You really are beautiful, through and through.”

She could not believe this man – this wonderfully kind man who she felt so at ease around – was the crown prince himself. She couldn’t believe what he was telling her, but try as her insecurities might, she could not deny the look of affection in his eyes or the way he pulled her close, returning his hand to the rather bumpier curve of her waist.

“I would rather like to finish our dance,” he said, starting to sway her in time to the music while he gave her time to collect her thoughts. “And then, perhaps if you’ll let me, I’d like to give you that fairy tale moment you wanted, and let you live it for the rest of your life.”

[offbrandmercyplates]

Bedtime Stories (Emster)

Bro I had a lightbulb. Lemme know if writing fanfiction is okay or not, but this was just too cute and I had to share it! It was based off the bedtime stories comic!!!

********

“But the prince travelled from house to house, looking for anyone who the shoe could fit. He came across monsters with big feet, monsters with little feet, and monsters with no feet at all! But he never came across the young, beautiful monster that he remembered from that night, with the lilac tentacles that slipped perfectly into the glass slipper." 

Papyrus’ head lulled against Sans and his eyelids began to flutter. Bee had to contain a chuckle, as she’d learned by this point that whenever she did chuckle at the two sleepyheads they instantly became alert and would demand at least one more story. 

"Finally, he came across the grand house of Cinderella and her family. When he knocked on the door, the stepsisters were overjoyed! Their tails wagged and their ears perked up as they welcomed him inside. However, both of their feet were too big to fit in the shoe.”

Sans smiled to himself. Even at this young of an age, there was joy in the karmic justice of the stepsisters’ fate.

“Cinderella, meanwhile, stayed to sweeping the stairs, listening to the conversation, trying to figure out some way that she could enter without her stepsisters stopping her. The prince sighed as both of the step sisters failed, but as he turned to leave, Cinderella ran down the stairs and called out to him." 

Bee cleared her throat. She was never good at doing voices. 

”‘Wait! I would like to try on the slipper!’ The prince swiveled around. He could already feel the memories of the beautiful maiden coming back to him, though this time she was in rags, and covered with ash.“

”'My love, is it truly you?’“ Her voice switched to a deep register, and the two brothers chuckled at her, clearly not getting it close to what an actual man sounded like. 

"But, as she and the prince got closer to each other, the step mother, lurking in the corner, had a wicked idea. She pretended to be approaching the stepsisters, but on her way over, she pumped into the prince, and he dropped the slipper. As soon as it hit the floor, it immediately shattered into a thousand pieces." 

"Oh no! How are they gonna get married now?!” Papyrus looked genuinely concerned. Even though she should know by now that every story that she told would set Papyrus on edge, every single night she was always alarmed by just how empathetic he was. It made her proud. 

“I dunno bro, maybe that, uh, fish godmother can help?” Sans responded lazily. At least Bee was sure that he was paying attention. 

“Cinderella merely chuckled to herself. 'There’s no need to worry, Your Majesty, for you see, I have the others.’ And she reached into her pockets and pulled out the seven other glass slippers for each of her tentacles.”

“Hooray!” Papyrus snuggled under the blankets a little closer to his brother. 

“And so, the two went back to the castle and were married that day. And they lived happily ever after. The end." 

"What happened to the stepsisters? And the mom? Did she leave them?” Papyrus’ eyes widened. 

“They weren’t very nice to her, bro.” Sans was always the more strait-laced.

“Maybe not, but I still think that they deserve a second chance.” Bee could feel her cheeks glow with pride. 

“I think Cinderella agrees with you, Papyrus. She invited her stepmother and stepsisters to live at the castle with her, and over time, because of her kindness, the sisters and mother felt guiltier and guiltier. One day, they got on their knees and begged her for forgiveness. And she gave it to them." 

"See. I told you.” Papyrus playfully nudged his brother.

“I don’t know. If I were Cinderella, I would want that fish godmother to give me a car or something. And g. So I could drive away and buy a house.” Sans did take after his father.

“Well, you can think about that tomorrow,” Bee leaned in and gave each brother gentle kisses on the top of their skull, “Goodnight Sans. And goodnight Papyrus.”

“G'night.” Papyrus yawned.

“Yeah, g'night.” Sans also yawned, though he tried to suppress it. 

Bee turned off the lamp and the room was plunged into calming darkness.

“Sweet dreams.” She whispered, before gently edging out the room and shutting the door. 

She popped her head into the bedroom. Gaster was nowhere to be found. Well, he only goes to two locations in this house, and the bedroom is empty. Lab it is. 

Bee climbed down the stairs, listening for any sounds that could give her an indication of just what had kept him up so late. No explosions or screaming, which was always a good sign, but no confused hums or joyful muttering as he copied down his latest theory. 

She gently knocked on the door, before doing as all mom’s do and opening it without waiting for answer. 

There, in front of her, was a delirious Gaster, with small dark circles that she didn’t know he could have under his eyes. He was writing feverishly in a notebook while various colorful substances in jars and vials on the desk danced in the background. 

“Are they asleep?” He didn’t look up.

“They are. That means you should at least try to get some sleep as well." 

He sighed before rubbing his face with his bony fingers. He was in no mood to protest.

"I know.” He dropped the pencil and stood up from his desk, draping an arm around Bee’s shoulder as the two walked out of the laboratory together. As they passed through the doorframe, his arm extended a little further around her shoulder to switch off the light. The two traipsed up the stairs.

“What story was it tonight?” He peered at her from the side. 

“Cinderella." 

"Never heard of it.”

“It’s about a girl who’s stuck with an evil family, but she ends up going to a ball in secret with really nice clothes because of her fairy godmother, but she has to leave before midnight, but before she goes she leaves behind a glass slipper. The prince fell in love with her that night, but since she’s gone, he takes the glass slipper and tries it on every woman in the kingdom until he finds the one that can fit it. So he finds her, and they get married.”

“Makes perfect sense.” His sarcasm gave Bee a trace of a smile.

“Even in the long version it doesn’t make any sense. Especially since our Cinderella had 8 tentacles, so she had a bunch of slippers." 

The two reached the top of the stairs, and Gaster shut the door to the stairway behind them. He moved like clockwork, as this ritual of her retrieving him from the confines of his lab had become a nightly ritual for them. As he shut the door, the two continued walking. As they approached the bedroom, he turned his head to the side and looked at her directly.

"That’s a human story, right?” Bee nodded in response to his question.

“Then why are the characters monsters?" 

Bee just chuckled.

"They’re not monsters in the version I was told, silly. I just,” she gestured inanely, “changed around some stuff a little bit." 

Gaster’s confusion did not vanish from his face.

"I think that the boys deserve to see monsters in the stories that I tell them. It would suck to only get told human stories, don’t you think?" 

Gaster contemplated the idea a little bit, before nodding. 

"Interesting. I never would’ve thought of that myself.” He began to unbutton his shirt, while Bee pulled her dress over her head. 

'Well, good thing I’m here then.“ The two continued to undress in silence before slipping into comfortable night clothes, and then collapsing in bed. 

Gaster held Bee close. He could feel the thumping of her soul. Sleep began to droop in both of their eyes as they settled into bed with eachother. 

"Thank god you’re here.” Gaster mumbled into her curly hair as the two drifted off into sleep.

~~~~~~~

Um?? UM?? UMMM????????

THIS IS SO CUTE OMG THANK YOU????

I’m absolutely floored

just

the boys being so curious and analytical

Emmi being such a MOM

their ritual of her retrieving gaster from the lab

the fact that she changed the story so it would be with monsters so the boys could see monsters in a normally human tale?? WHICH IS SOMETHING EMMI WOULD TOTALLY DO?????

11/10 FIVE STARS THIS IS INCREDIBLE THANK YOU SO MUCH

ALSO FANFICTION IS ABSOLUTELY ALLOWED HOLY SMOKES

[johnny-and-dora]

how sweet the taste of certainty

Finally, she doesn’t have to wonder if their love is doomed to be some quiet, fragile thing. It’s not some fickle flickering candle at all, but rather something as bright and as certain and as inevitable as the sunrise. Something beautiful and familiar that, in earnest, is only just beginning.

or, amy tells her parents the shining, golden reason why she can't marry teddy. (a missing scene of my royalty au)

read on ao3 / read the original  -

The morning after she asks Jake to marry her, Amy stops a couple steps short of the heavy dining room doors, heart in her mouth, feet suddenly and brutally rooted to the ground. The eloquent and respectful speech she spent all night planning has seemingly evaporated, leaving her less of a person and more a pile of nervous mush.

“Are you ready?” Rosa meets her gaze, her armour glinting in the summer morning sunshine.

“No.” Amy admits, smiling nervously, calculating the nearest escape route and how long she could survive in the forest based on her existing hunting and foraging skills. “Do you think this is a bad idea?”

Rosa considers it for a beat. “No. I think it’s crazy, and it might blow up in your face, but I think it’s a good thing. For everyone.”

She can’t help but feel reassured by her best friend’s trademark bluntness, smoothing down her dress and fixing her hair again almost compulsively. It’s just breakfast. A breakfast that may as well be taking place in the middle of a minefield, but still just breakfast. She can handle breakfast.

Amy takes a deep breath, nods at Rosa, and pushes the doors open.

She’s greeted by the tail-end of an idyllic Santiago family meal; her parents sit at the head of the table, looking stoic and serious as usual. Three of her brothers are also dotted around, Julian in the middle of shoving an entire croissant in his mouth as he waves at her. David is mercifully absent. Silver linings. She definitely doesn’t need the golden child around today.

“Amelia – good, we were starting to worry…” Her mom trails off, a weight behind her words that instantly sends an unpleasant lick of irritation down her spine. She clenches her fists, resisting the urge to tell her just how much she really needs to be worried about. Just how close she was to smuggling herself and Jake over the border last night and never looking back.

Amy knows this won’t work unless she’s calm, firm and collected – she needs this to go perfectly, the stakes for this particular conversation so far past the roof they’re practically up in the stratosphere (Jake’s words, not hers). So, instead of letting out all the latent anger kicking around in her chest, she takes a deep breath and smiles politely, the one usually reserved for dukes that condescendingly call her “sweetheart” and then drop their jaws when she can recite state law from memory.

“You guys said you wanted to see me?”

“Prince Theodore has been asking after you. He’s waiting at the West Wing gate.”

“Good. I need to talk to him.” Amy says, forcefully enough that her mother sharply raises an eyebrow, sucking all the air out of the room in the process. “I need to talk to you, too.”

Her mom and dad share a quick, loaded glance. Everyone falls quiet, Tony and Simon no longer squabbling over who gets the last bread roll, Julian letting a blob of jam fall on his shirt without noticing. All eyes are on her as Victor gestures for her to continue – ideally, she’d do this with as little of an audience as possible, but she confesses to Jake later that she couldn’t help but revel slightly in the drama of it all.

She’s Amy Santiago – she’s fluent in five languages, director of the royal art collection, ambassador for human rights and one of the best trade negotiators in the seven kingdoms. She is capable of anything. She can do this. She’d barely last a week in the forest anyway.

“I’m not going to marry him.”

“Amelia…” Her mother sighs disapprovingly – it drills into Amy’s soul, but she stands her ground, making peace with her portrait being one step further away from the mantel. Her father eyes her warily as if he was expecting this.

“No, I know. I know you think it’s what’s best for me. I know a marriage like that worked for you two, and I know that it would benefit the kingdom and that’s great. But I can’t marry someone I don’t love, and you can’t force me to.”

“Accepting his proposal may seem like a risk, but a one worth taking.” Her father says. “He’s good for you, Amy – his reputation, his influence, it could really help you build something. You two are perfectly matched.”

Amy chews her bottom lip, a nervous tic she just can’t shake, gathering her courage. “Maybe in a different situation, Teddy and I would have worked. I see what you see in him. But it’s more than just on principle. I physically can’t marry him.”

“Why not?”

“Because - “Amy says, voice shaking a little, but eyes alight, “-I’m engaged to someone else.”

And, well, there it is. Her whole life changed by a single sentence.

It has the intended effect, increased tenfold thanks to a truly magnificent spit take from Julian as he chokes on his orange juice. Her parents stare at her in stunned disbelief – a wide-eyed Tony pats Julian on the back as his coughing dissolves into laughter. Best of all though, Amy can see Rosa smiling wide and proud in the corner of her eye, and it’s all she needs to feel newly emboldened, heart thumping in a way that makes her feel powerful instead of helpless.

“My God, Amy. I thought I had it with the whole one-night-stand with the Prince of Arabia thing, but you officially just won most dramatic family announcement. Well played.” Julian laughs, uproarious and bright. She’s glad he’s here.

“I…don’t understand. You are…already engaged?” Her mother asks weakly.

“As of last night, yes.” Amy tries to remain as neutral and matter-of-fact as possible, but she can’t help softening at the fresh memory of Jake saying yes over and over again, punctuating each affirmation with a kiss as she laughed, buoyant and alive with unadulterated joy. It’s all still very surreal, especially considering she hasn’t slept since; but if it is all a dream, it’s one she never intends to wake up from.

“I don’t see a ring,” Julian says, a bright grin plastered on his face that Amy ever so slightly mirrors, unable to completely tamp down her happiness any longer. “Isn’t there supposed to be a ring?”

“There is, but he has it. I proposed to him.”

“Oh, of course you did.” Julian shakes his head in a perfect marriage of awe and amusement.

“How…what…who…” Tony stammers – having graciously passed the point of no return, Amy decides to throw all her caution and concern to the wind and dive headfirst into the unknown.

“His name is Jake Peralta and he is the absolute love of my life. I have never been surer about anything than I am about that fact.” She consciously pours every ounce of conviction she has into her words, and it tastes like honey on her tongue, fresh air in her lungs. “He’s a baker and he helps out in the kitchen with Charles and he is the kindest, most loyal, most wonderful person I have ever met.”

There are so many ways to describe him – completely unexpected, completely full of warmth and laughter and more love than she thought any human being was capable of containing. Loving Jake is endlessly surprising, but it’s also the easiest thing she’s ever done.

“I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d never approve of me being with someone who didn’t have ‘reputation’, but the truth is that Jake is good for me in a way that Teddy could never be. He is unconditionally supportive and thoughtful, and he sees me for me, not just as a status symbol or some idealised fairy-tale. I love him and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.”

She says her piece, affection flowing from her almost of its own accord. As she does, she’s flooded with memories – throwing grapes at each other at the picnic they shared in the wildflower meadows beyond the gates. Jake smuggling cupcakes to her to cheer her up on bad days. Him clumsily risking his life climbing through her bedroom window just to help her rehearse her big address at a formal dinner, planting a kiss on her forehead every time she got through a cue card.

Their walks around the castle grounds, laughing at stupid inside jokes. Playing cards in the kitchens with Charles, Terry and Rosa. Teaching him how to paint and sketching him in increasingly ridiculous poses. Having dinner with his mom. Stealing away moments behind the stables and on staircases. Most vividly, their countless private rendezvous in the forest, free of all façades and responsibilities and reputations to uphold.

Amy refuses to hide any of it anymore – he is, openly and unashamedly, the man she loves.

No-one speaks, for a little while; she lets her honesty sink in. Her mother is wearing a look of abject horror – her dad’s expression is stony and unreadable, and it startles her when he is the first one to break the silence, directly addressing Rosa standing guard by the door.

“Diaz. Is all of this true?” Rosa glances at Amy, who gives her an encouraging nod. She knows her father has always valued Rosa’s directness as much as Amy does.

“Yes, sir.” She pauses. “And for the record, I’ve known both of these people a long time, and this is the happiest I’ve seen either of them. It’s kind of sickening, actually.”

Her parents exchange glances, a silent conversation Amy isn’t privy too – she’s too busy feeling her heart swell with further affection, this time for her best friend. She and Jake owe so much to Rosa helping them out, relaying messages back and forth and covering for them. When this is all over, Amy’s definitely embroidering a thank you pillow for her to punch.

“I see. Will you please bring this Jake Peralta here for me?” His tone is even and calm, almost unnervingly so. Rosa nods, quickly disappearing. She knows exactly where Jake will be; in the kitchens, probably stress eating day-old pastry and getting a last-minute pep talk from Charles (which is guaranteed to be largely unhelpful and delivered through hysterical tears).

She’d warned him that they’d probably want to meet him; he’d expressed anxiety about it last night, but Amy had quickly reassured him that no-one else’s opinion mattered to her about this. They’re getting married, whether her parents approve or not.

Obviously, she wants them to like him. She’s dedicated a lot of time to making sure he knows he is loved and accepted, and she’s willing to work even harder to wax lyrical about how wonderful he is for the rest of their lives if she has to. For now, though, she just has to focus on not getting them both exiled.

Her dad calmly asks her brothers to leave the table – Julian mutters in protest as he exits, only stopping to brightly clap Amy on the shoulder and earnestly congratulate her with an enthusiastic high five.

“He sounds great, mimi. I can’t wait to meet him.” For once, her older brother is completely sincere, save perhaps for the suggestive wink he gives her, and it’s a touching gesture that eases some of the relentless anxiety building in her gut. Amy dreads to think how insufferable the pair will be when they do finally meet. She can’t wait either.

Part of her is absolutely fucking terrified to be left alone with her parents with her open defiance and violation of their wishes hanging so ominously in the air – Amy Santiago has never been a rule breaker. She’s always worn the stupid fancy dresses even when she’s dying for something more practical and let Gina give her more and more complicated and ridiculous hairstyles and politely mingled with the endless line of boring high-status bachelors as her parents watched on hopefully. She’s always played the role of the only princess to perfection.

But then she thinks of little six-year-old Amy demanding that she be taught the same combat training as her brothers and twelve-year-old Amy petitioning to allow female members into the Royal Guard and, well. They really should have seen this coming from a mile away.

Thankfully, it doesn’t take long before Rosa strides back in, a clearly nervous Jake hurrying forward in her wake. For a moment, her original plan of whisking him away to start a simple life together swims into her head, a powerful urge to protect him surging over her.

But then their eyes meet, and he waves, a small nervous smile on his face. And then she notices, as it catches the sunlight streaming in through the window and glitters as if enchanted, the engagement ring hung proudly around his neck. And she just knows, as sure as the sun will rise, that they can handle anything.

“I understand that you are engaged to my Amy.”

“Yes, sir.” Jake rocks on his heels slightly, nervously fidgeting the way he always does when he’s anxious. “I’m very lucky to know her and I love her very much.” It’s not the most eloquent speech ever performed in this great hall, but it’s by far her favourite.

“How do I know you are good enough for my only daughter?”

“Oh, there’s no way I’m good enough for Amy. She’s the most incredible person I’ve ever met and the best thing that’s happened to me.” He steps closer to her, silently taking and squeezing her hand as he speaks. “But she still chose me, and I promise you that I will spend every moment of the rest of my life trying to be someone worthy of being loved by her.”

She wants to scream from the top of her lungs that he is completely and utterly good enough, and she wants to hurt anyone who has ever made him feel otherwise. Instead, she squeezes back, and mouths I love you while her parents exchange another hushed conversation.

“Well then - it appears there’s nothing we can do to stop you. Nor do I think we should try.” It could be a trick of the light, but she swears that she sees a glimmer of pride in her father’s eye. Her mom clears her throat, clearly still struggling to comprehend the situation.

“Mija, what we want most for you is for you to be happy. Does he make you happy?” She asks – Amy glances at the man beside her and finds her best friend, her fiancé, her favourite person. Easiest solve in the world.

“More than anything.”

“Then that settles that. You two have our blessing.” Her father says, as simply as if he was commenting on the weather. Amy blinks once, then again, her grip on Jake’s hand getting tighter.

“We…we do?”

“Yes, you do. We clearly have much to discuss, but I must first inform Prince Theodore that other arrangements need to be made.”

“I…wow. Thank you. Thank you, so much, I…” Her brain appears to be malfunctioning, so she does the only thing that feels right; she hugs her parents, whispering another strangled thank you, and then hastily pulls a stunned Jake out of the room, now squeezing his hand so tightly it’s probably cutting off all the circulation. If it does hurt, he doesn’t say anything – then again, in the moment neither of them seems able to speak.

She drags him into the nearest room; Holt’s classroom which, blessedly, is currently empty. Heart pounding, she finally meets Jakes gaze. He looks like he’s just found the end of a rainbow.

“Did they just…”

“Yeah. Yes. I think they did.”

“So, we’re…”

“Getting married. Yep. That is a thing that is officially happening.”

There’s a single moment before they’re both collapsing into shocked, near-hysterical laughter, an amalgamation of relief, disbelief, exhaustion and above all else, joy. Amy practically throws herself around him, performing some kind of strangled hybrid of laughing and crying as she buries herself into his shirt.

They stay like that for a while, completely wrapped up in each other. It could be seconds or minutes or maybe even hours – she doesn’t care. Time has ruled their life together for so long; now, it’s an insignificant enemy, no longer precious, unpredictable or finite. It’s bliss.

“Hey, listen. Rosa told me, uh, what you said. To your parents. About me being the love of your life and all that.” Jake says, suddenly adorably shy.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. She said it with a disgusted look on her face, but I think she’s secretly rooting for us.”

Amy hums in contentment, making a note to call her a secret sap and then hug her the next time she sees her. Jake clears his throat nervously, calling her attention back to him, all soft and warm honey gaze.

“You’re mine too, by the way.” He says sheepishly. “Just in case…I mean I hope you that know by now, but-“ She smothers his nervous ramblings with a firm kiss, finally. Finally, the abstract brush-strokes and subtle hues of the future they could have together come into sharp focus, vivid and prismatic.

Finally, she doesn’t have to wonder if their love is doomed to be some quiet, fragile thing. It’s not some fickle flickering candle at all, but rather something as bright and as certain and as inevitable as the sunrise. Something beautiful and familiar that, in earnest, is only just beginning.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, future wife.” He grins, kissing her again. She’s sure, now, as her lips meld to his that he is the person she was always meant to come home to, to find a home in.

Amy feels a wave of exhaustion overwhelm her; now that the adrenaline is wearing off, the unfortunate side-effects of not sleeping for almost twenty-four hours rapidly take hold. She barely suppresses a yawn, scrunching up her nose as Jake looks at her fondly.

“You wanna go back to bed? I happen to know an excellent nap partner.”

“Oh, great, me too. I’ll see if Hitchcock’s available.” She says, laughing when Jake pouts in offence, draping her arms around him, leaning up so that their noses are almost touching.

“It’s our first day together as an engaged couple. I want to do something special.”

“Ames, we have the rest of our lives to do something special.” He says, gazing down at her with so much undiluted affection that her resolve completely melts away. The rest of their lives. She really likes the sound of that.

“Okay, napping sounds pretty good right now too.”

“Good, because we have about five minutes until I collapse from twelve hours straight of nervous hysteria. Would you mind carrying me to your bedroom?”

She rolls her eyes and shoves him, but also offers him her hand. They soon collapse into Amy’s four-poster bed, quickly pulling the covers over their heads, wriggling around and fighting for space while they giggle like little kids. Amy sleepily leans into him when they’re all settled in, and she’s never felt safer than she does now, being lulled to sleep by the steady rise and fall of his chest.

“We’re getting married.” She whispers reverently, eyelids heavy – she feels his lips gently ghost against the top of her head in response, perhaps subconsciously as if he were made to do it. They drift off, and the last of her anxiety ebbs and flows away as if merely a bad memory.

It’s the best sleep either of them has had for months.

[mdelpin]

Nothing Says Fuck You...Like a Bouquet of Flowers

Sorry for the crappy edit but I wanted to mark the occasion. I have somehow managed to write 100 Fairy Tail Fics since August 2017. I know boys, I’m shocked too! Here is #100 I hope you enjoy it!

For @oryu404​ and @becausewhenyoupracticeyouimprove​ two amazingly creative souls who have always been both supportive and incredibly fun to work and create with! Note: This story is inspired by this post and the infamous bouquet of loathing!

AO3 | FF.Net

Gray was so tired of Erza’s stupid plans to try to get him and Natsu to get along. Why couldn’t she get it through her damn skull that they were as friendly with each other as they were ever going to get and just leave it at that?

He couldn’t even remember the last time they’d actively tried to kill the other. It must have been at least a year by now? If that wasn’t proof that their relationship had improved, Gray didn’t know what would convince her.

But no, she had demanded he buy Natsu something “nice” to make up for knocking him into next week while he’d been distracted talking to Lucy earlier. The way Gray saw it, it was Natsu’s own fault for not being alert. All he’d done was remind the fire mage that he could be attacked at any moment. He’d done him a favor, really.

Gray grumbled, putting his hand in his pocket to pull out his money pouch, snorting as he realized it had been a gift from Natsu from the last time he’d been on the receiving end of Erza’s machinations. Although for the life of him, Gray couldn’t remember what the dumbass had done to earn the punishment. It was actually a pretty nice pouch made out of some sort of soft fabric he didn’t know the name of.

He opened it and poured his scant jewels into his hand, it looked like he had about 300 jewels on him. What could he possibly buy for that little? Maybe he could buy him some food, Natsu would be sure to appreciate that, but he had a feeling Erza would find fault with it.

Gray walked around town, peering into different shop windows, hoping to find something quickly, but nothing seemed right. He was staring into space when he heard someone speak to him.

“Can I help you find something, dearie?”

“Huh?” Gray blinked, trying to figure out where the voice had come from.

“I couldn’t help but notice you’ve been looking into all the shops. Are you looking for something?”

The voice belonged to an old woman who was standing in front of a flower shop. The one place he’d avoided in his search.

“Oh, yeah. I have to buy a gift for... a friend,” Gray explained, not sure what to call his rival. He guessed most of the time they were friends.

“I see, have you considered flowers? Most everyone likes getting flowers,” the old woman smiled as she showed him the shop behind her. “You can say just about anything with flowers.”

“Can you say I think you’re a stupid, good for nothing two-faced jerk who has disappointed me more times than I can count, and most of the time, I’m pretty sure I hate you?”

“My, that’s very colorful!” the woman laughed, not seemingly put off at all by the harsh words. “Are you sure this is for a friend?”

“Yeah, he’s just infuriating most of the time,” Gray muttered, remembering how he’d started to feel every time Natsu hung out with Lucy instead of him. It was just like it used to be before Lisanna had “died” and it bugged him. If he were actually honest with himself, that had probably had more to do with his attack than anything else, not that he would ever admit it out loud.

“Anyway, I should probably get back to it before the stores start closing.”

“Hang on, I never said I couldn’t help you. You can absolutely say all that with flowers,” the woman asserted, looking amused at the doubt on his face.

“Here, I’ll show you,” she grabbed him by the arm and brought him inside her shop.

“Let’s see,” she peered around the bright room until she found the flowers she was looking for, grabbing one and showing it to Gray, “This one here is a geranium, it symbolizes stupidity.”

Gray chortled as he saw the flower came in a shade of pink very close to Natsu’s hair color.

Figures.

Gray knew squat about flowers except that some of them smelled awful, so he was intrigued by the idea that different flowers could mean different things. It sort of amused him to be able to give Natsu an “apology” gift that was quite literally a fuck you. Could it possibly get any better? Even Erza couldn’t say anything to that since he was quite sure the requip mage knew as much about flowers as he did.

He watched with fascination as the woman continued to pull out different flowers, showing them to him and explaining their meaning.

Foxglove for insincerity

Meadowsweet for uselessness

Yellow carnations for disappointment

Orange lilies for hatred

There quite literally was a flower for every sentiment he had jokingly expressed. And the absolute best thing about it all was that it was quite colorful. Hell, the way some of the colors of the flowers blended together made them almost look like bursts of flames. Natsu would absolutely go gaga over them. Gray could not contain his excitement, this might be the absolute best prank he had ever pulled off, and no one would be the wiser.

He felt quite proud of himself for having stumbled onto this opportunity.

“Alright, so say I wanted to have a bouquet made out of these flowers, how much would it set me back?”

“Well,” the old woman hesitated, clearly wanting to make a sale but not wanting to scare him off, “How much do you have?”

“All I’ve got is like 300 jewels,” Gray replied honestly, it wasn’t a huge sum so he wouldn’t mind using it all up, not considering the payback.

“For 300 jewels, I’ll have it delivered!” the old woman chirped. She gestured Gray towards a display of small cards. “Pick one out and write a message for your friend. Make sure to put his name and where you want it delivered on the envelope, and I’ll make sure my delivery boy gets it there today.”

Gray nodded his acceptance and began to look through the cards as the woman selected flowers. “Oh, and can you make sure you add in some of those pink geraniums, he’ll love those.” Gray giggled to himself as he finally selected a card.

He tapped the tip of the fountain pen gently on the table and tried to think of the perfect message, eyes lighting up when he finally came up with what he wanted.

Gray hastily scrawled it on the card, waiting for the ink to dry before putting it in the envelope and addressing it to Natsu Dragneel at the Fairy Tail Guild.

Handing the envelope over to the old woman, he once again removed his pouch, and while ignoring the twinge of guilt that attempted to distract him from his goal, he emptied its contents on the work table.

The woman smiled at him in acceptance, “Don’t you worry, my grandson will have these over to him as soon as I am done!”

Gray nodded, and before leaving the store, he thanked her gracefully, “This was a lot more fun than I thought it would be.”

She laughed and waved as he left.

0-0

Gray wandered around town for a bit longer knowing he would go stir crazy at the guild waiting for the flowers to be delivered, plus there was the off chance that he’d get into another fight with Natsu that would make him leave the guild and miss the delivery of his present.

Once he thought enough time had passed, he made his way back to the guild, his entire body thrumming with anticipation. As he entered, he was immediately approached by Erza.

“Did you do as we discussed?”

“Yes, Erza, it should be here any minute,” Gray assured her.

“What did you get him?” she asked, eyebrow already raised in suspicion.

“Don’t worry, he’ll absolutely love it.”

“He’d better,” Erza threatened before moving to their team’s table and sitting down with Lucy, the two of them immediately immersing themselves in conversation.

“Hey, Ice Bastard, let’s go! You and me, right now!” Natsu’s flaming fist was in front of his face before he could protest.

“Boys!” Erza yelled from her table, “Isn’t one fight a day enough?”

“What do you mean?” Natsu complained, “That wasn’t a fight, he sucker-punched me, at least I’m calling him out.”

“I don’t care, I’ve had just about enough out of the two of you for one day,” Erza growled, “Gray, why don’t you go ahead and give Natsu his present so that we can all move on?”

“Oh, uhm, I don’t have it on me. It’s being delivered,” Gray explained quickly, wanting to defuse Erza before she had a chance to get going on one of her rants.”

“Delivered?” Natsu puzzled, “What kind of present gets delivered? Oh! Is it food? Cause I’m starving.”

“I thought about it, but I figured Erza wouldn’t accept that.”

“Oh!” Natsu laughed knowingly, “It’s one of those presents.”

“Alright, well, when is this present coming?” he asked, and there was no disguising the excitement in his eyes. Natsu was still a little kid when it came to anything present related.

Gray looked out the window and noticed a young boy walking around, holding some flowers and a note that he peered at before studying at all the buildings fixedly and finally walking their way.

“Looks like it’s just about to get here,” Gray declared, a smile already gracing his lips at the prospect.

Not one minute later, the door to the guild opened, and the boy entered. “I’m looking for a Mr. Natsu Dragneel, is he here?”

“I’m Natsu Dragneel, “Natsu walked over to him, and the boy handed him the bouquet of flowers which had been covered in colorful paper as well as plastic to keep them safe while they traveled.

Natsu’s nose must have been going into overdrive, for he stood there for a full minute sniffing all the different flowers and peering at their colors excitedly, just as Gray had known he would.

“Can I get your signature to show my grandma I delivered them?” the young boy asked, and Natsu quickly obliged, borrowing a pen from Mira to do so. “Thank you!”

“Wait!” Natsu called out before the little boy could leave. “Lucy, can I borrow some jewels?”

Lucy made a show of complaining, but she placed some jewels in Natsu’s hand nonetheless, and he quickly handed them to the little boy.

The little boy’s eyes lit up at the money, “Thank you!” he called out, bowing to both Natsu and Lucy before running off.

“You got him flowers?” Erza gushed at Gray, admiring the bouquet Natsu was holding. “I didn’t actually expect you to do something nice.”

“Those are really pretty, Gray, “ Lucy added, “the orange and yellow ones especially, they look just like fire. That was really thoughtful of you.”

Gray nodded absently, fascinated by the expression on Natsu’s face, even managing to ignore Juvia’s wails in the background as she realized her beloved had bought flowers, and they hadn’t even been for her.

“Oh, there’s a note!” Natsu exclaimed, grabbing the small envelope and setting his flowers gently on the nearest table so he could open it and read his message.

Natsu’s entire body, all the way to his ears, had become covered in a light coating of fire, which confused Gray greatly, not knowing quite what to make of his reaction.

He thought of the message he’d printed on the notecard.

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Neither of those flowers is in this bouquet

But it still shows how I feel about you….

He’d felt really clever when he came up with it, and he still did, so why was Natsu acting so strangely and why was it beginning to affect him.

“I- I wasn’t expecting this,” Natsu finally said something, but it wasn’t really much help.

“I’m glad you like it?” Gray replied unsurely, still not positive what was going on or why now it seemed like everyone had stopped what they were doing to watch the two of them intently.

Juvia’s wails were only becoming louder, while Cana kept telling anyone who would listen that she’d known it all along, her cards had foreseen it.

Oh, God!

It was then that Gray realized he had not thought this through well enough. It seemed like Natsu, not to mention everyone else in the guild, thought the flowers were some sort of love confession.

Shit, Shit, Shit! He is going to beat the crap out of me for this. This isn’t funny at all!

“I’d told Lucy I was giving up this morning right before you punched me, but now to receive this from you, I- I don’t know what to say.”

Excuse me? What?!

Gray had been about to open his mouth to explain when those words washed all over him. Natsu liked him?! When the hell did that happen, and how come he didn’t know?! What should he do?

He heard a whisper in his ear, “I don’t know what your actual play was here, but I do know If you screw this up, I will make you regret it for the rest of your life.”

He jumped to see Erza give him a threatening look.

“Uhm, it’s no big deal,” Gray laughed nervously, tugging at his hair in the hopes it would circulate some blood into his brain that might help him get out of this unscathed.

“I don’t know about that Gray, I don’t think you even sent me flowers when we thought Lisana had died,” Mira smiled sweetly.

“You never bought me any flowers,” Juvia whined, absolutely positively not helping his case at all.

He could hear muffled snickering from the corner as both Freed and Bickslow attempted to hide their amusement at his discomfort. Before he had any time to do anything other than sending a glare their way, he was confronted by an even bigger problem.

“Oh, hey, Gray, what do the different flowers mean?” Lucy asked as she examined Natsu’s flowers more closely.

“Yes, Gray,” Erza’s arms were crossed in front of her chest, and he could tell from her smirk that she had already figured out what he’d done, “Please enlighten us, we’d like to know too.”

Gray’s eyes darted from one guild member to the next, all of them staring at him with varying expressions, but the one look he didn’t find on any of them was sympathy for his plight.

Unbreakable bonds, my ass!

“Meanings? I’m not quite sure what you mean,” Gray coughed, trying to buy himself some time, “I just, uhm, you know, thought they were pretty.”

“Is that so?” Erza raised her eyebrow at him again as she showed him the card he’d hastily written out earlier, “That’s funny, your message seems to indicate you do.”

Natsu’s gaze was locked on him, and Gray was having a hard time thinking straight. His green eyes were opened wide, and he looked so earnest and damn it vulnerable, and Gray instinctively knew Erza had been right. He couldn’t fuck around with this.

“Uhm the pinks ones are called geraniums, “ Gray calmly began to dig his own grave, what else could he do? Now that Lucy had opened her big mouth, he had no choice but to come up with meanings that didn’t sound terrible, and the others would accept. “I picked them cause they reminded me of your hair.”

That part was at least true. “They’re soft like your hair, too,” Gray blurted out, remembering a job not that long ago when Erza had knocked Natsu out on the train, and he’d ended up on his lap. Gray had spent most of the ride absently running his fingers through Natsu’s hair, feeling utterly relaxed as he watched the scenery rush by.

“Yes, but what does it mean?” Lucy asked again, earning herself her very own glare.

Okay, what could he change stupid to? Fun? Yeah, fun was good, and it was true that Natsu could be stupidly fun at times.

“Fun? Yeah, fun.” Gray tried to sound self-assured, but the way Natsu was furrowing his forehead made him think he wasn’t too convincing.

What were the others? Insincerity, uselessness, disappointment, and hatred his brain supplied helpfully.

This was never going to work, he wasn’t good under pressure. Not with words, anyway. Fuuuuuuuuck! Why did he have to be such an asshole?

His choices were limited. He could come clean now and earn both Erza and Natsu’s wrath, not to mention the entire guild’s for Natsu’s embarrassment, or he could try to make a run for it before he managed to put his foot in his mouth.

Gray was about to bolt when Cana came for him out of nowhere. “Just a minute, guys, I need him for something,” she called out before grabbing him by the arm and dragging him upstairs to the infirmary.

“What are you doing?!” she hissed at him, “You’re gonna blow your chance.”

“Huh?” he blinked at her, having no clue what she meant.

Cana facepalmed, muttering something about boys being stupid.

“Gray,” she began, using the same tone Gray had heard Erza use on Natsu when she was attempting to teach him something she thought a toddler should understand. “Why do you pick fights with Natsu all the time?”

“Cause he thinks he’s better than me,” Gray immediately responded with a scowl.

“Really? Did he think he was better than you when you punched him this morning?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Gray, have you seriously not noticed that you mostly pick on him when he’s talking to Lucy?”

“What, no?!” he protested even though he had to admit there might be something to that, but he stubbornly refused to acknowledge it.

“He’s just with her all the time, “ he declared, frowning at Cana.

“Uhuh, and that bothers you. Does it bother you when Natsu spends time with Erza or Happy?” Cana grinned knowingly.

“Don’t be stupid,” he sputtered, “Erza is Erza, we’ve known her forever, and Happy is a cat.”

“So just Lucy, then?”

“Maybe Lisanna, too,” he admitted grudgingly.

Cana slapped her leg in mirth, “I knew it! You are such a dope.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re in love with Natsu, you dumbass!”

“No, I’m not,” Gray disputed hotly, getting progressively more irritated by the gleeful expression on Cana’s face.

“Oh, yes, you are,” Loke laughed, appearing out of nowhere.

“Am not, why are you even here?”

“I was bored and popped in to whatever is going on downstairs,” Loke shrugged, “By the way, Levy is looking for some sort of flower encyclopedia in the guild library. I have a feeling that information is relevant, seeing as Natsu is holding the nastiest symbolic bouquet I’ve ever laid eyes on. Your work?”

“How do you even know about that stuff?”

“I’m a celestial spirit, I know all about symbolism, kinda my thing. Plus, I’ve bought many a lady flowers.”

No! Damn Levy and her stupid need to know everything! He was starting to get even more agitated.

“Just tell him you love him and get him out of the guild before she finds it,” Cana advised, “I can send Gajeel to distract her.”

“I already told you I -”

“That you’re in incredible denial?” Loke grinned, “No need to tell us, we know. We’ve watched you ogle him for years.”

“I do not ogle him,” Gray insisted, although, okay maybe he did look at Natsu more than was strictly necessary.

“Sure you don’t,” both Cana and Loke teased. “Have you seen how you get when anyone but you messes with him?”

Before he could protest that accusation, Loke grabbed him, putting his arm around his shoulder and squeezing it in solidarity, “Dude, just go down there and tell him how you feel. You already know he likes you. It’s not like you have anything to lose.” Loke advised.

“If you don’t, or Levy gets back before you have a chance to talk to him, he’ll be humiliated, and he’ll never forgive you. Any chance you might have had will be gone.”

“You know how proud and stubborn Natsu can be,” Cana reminded him, “Good luck getting through that if you fuck this up.”

“Ugh, I’m so confused, how do I know whether I’m in love with him or not?”

Loke smacked him on the back of the head with a sigh. “Okay, close your eyes.”

“Why do I have to close my-”

“Close your fucking eyes!”

“Fine, you don’t have to be such a jerk about it.” Gray closed his eyes and emptied his head as much as he could, although the tension didn’t entirely leave him.

“I want you to imagine kissing Juvia,” Loke demanded.

Gray tried to do as Loke asked, but he just couldn’t manage it, the most he was able to muster was a peck on the cheek.

“You done?” Loke asked, and when Gray nodded, he added, “Don’t open them yet, now do the same but with Natsu.”

Gray nodded, and this time there were tongues and teeth, moans and grunts and hair pulls, and he could feel the blood rush to his face.

“I rest my case,” Loke patted him on the back.

“Holy shit! I’m in love with Natsu,” Gray yelled only to hear Cana and Loke burst into laughs.

“Welcome to the party!” Cana cheered, “Better late than never. Now go down there before Levy can ruin it!”

Gray opened the door of the infirmary and ran down the stairs. He could hear Levy coming from the downstairs library, muttering that she had thought the geranium thing had sounded fishy.

Without a second thought, Gray froze up that entire entrance so that Levy couldn’t get back to the main room just yet. He could hear Gajeel complaining, but he seemed more interested in seeing things play out, especially as Levy didn’t really need his help to deal with the ice.

“I’m back,” Gray announced unnecessarily, hearing Loke and Cana coming down the stairs behind him.

“What is going on?” Natsu’s eyes had gone from earnest to suspicious, and Gray cringed, knowing he had very little time left. “Why did you ice that entrance?”

“Look, just forget about the flower meanings, all that stuff is stupid anyway. The important thing is that I like you too.” He grabbed Natsu by the arm and tried to steer him out of the guild, but Natsu refused to budge, shaking Gray off.

“You buy me flowers, write me that message, and then you start acting strangely the moment someone asks you about the meanings,” Natsu accused, and Gray could feel the room heating up around him, mirroring Natsu’s emotions. “You were messing with me, weren’t you? It’s gotta be some sort of insult.”

Now that the initial surprise at the gift had worn away, Natsu studied him carefully, taking in everything about him. Unfortunately, for Gray, he had always been able to read him better than anyone else.

“I am such an idiot, of course, it is!” Natsu yelled, “To think that I-, nevermind.”

“Wait! You’re right. I was pissed at Erza for making me get you something, so I was an ass,” Gray admitted, “Honestly, had you been with me, you probably would have gotten a kick out of it.”

He chuckled weakly but stopped when he noticed Natsu wasn’t joining in, he only looked more upset with every word that came out of Gray’s mouth. Alright, time to put his cards on the table.

“I’m sorry, I will get you a different present if you want, but I swear to you, I do like you,” Gray pleaded, “I just didn’t think you felt the same.”

“Wait a minute, now you’re trying to say you do like me?” Natsu searched his face again and seemed confused by whatever he found there. “That wasn’t part of the prank?”

Gray shook his head, wracking his brain for a way to prove his words.

“Alright, you have one chance to come clean, if I even sense you’re lying to me, we’re over before we start,” Natsu warned, his heated glare not filling Gray with much hope. “What do the flowers really mean?”

“Fine,” Gray accepted the challenge, knowing the only way out of this was to take his lumps. He avoided looking at Erza as he ticked each meaning off on his fingers. “Stupidity, disappointment, uselessness, hatred, and insincerity.”

Gray got the punch he was expecting, although he was a little surprised at the force behind it. Still, he took it without comment, knowing full well he deserved it, but it was what Natsu did next that surprised him.

Natsu roared with laughter, holding on to his sides as he doubled over. “You can say all that with flowers?!”

“You’re not mad?” Gray sputtered in disbelief.

“I mean yeah, a little, but I have to admit that’s pretty amazing and,” he declared sheepishly, his carefree demeanor allowing Gray to relax a little. “I would have been so tempted, too.”

He grabbed Gray’s hand and dragged him out of the guild.

“Hey, wait! Where are you taking me?”

“I want you to take me to that flower shop, I need to get a bouquet made for Gajeel,” Natsu grinned even as his eyes twinkled with mischief.

“We’ll talk on the way, I think we’ve caused enough of a scene for one day, don’t you?”

Gray could certainly agree with that sentiment, and full of curiosity as to what their talk would bring, he let Natsu pull him along.

Off they went, leaving the sounds of the guild behind as they strolled through town with their hands still laced together. Gray had no idea how it had all worked out, but his fuck you bouquet had somehow ended up getting him the one thing he’d wanted but had been too afraid to admit to.

From that day on, it became an inside joke between them to order the filthiest bouquets they could come up with for the other. Gray always made a point of including pink geraniums in the ones he ordered for Natsu.

An homage to the pink hair he adored and to his own stupidity, which had finally worked in his favor.

A/N: This marks my 100th Fairy Tail fanfic, which is something I am quite proud of. When I first started writing fanfic I never thought I’d get to 10 stories let alone 100. I hope you enjoy this one, I really wanted the 100th one to be gratsu since they are my OTP and my first love.

I want to thank everyone who has read my stories and enjoyed them and an even bigger thank you to the ones who actually let me know in some way! I really appreciate your support, it blows me away. Also thank you to all the friends I have made on this journey, I hope we’ll all be around a while longer!

[cursed-ice-spirits]

Fairy Lights

First of all, happy fucking birthday Rebecca.

Second of all, I blame @thecursedvaultchild for dragging me into this ship. 

Enjoy.

Rebecca put up the last fairy light around the statue and jumped down with a smile. 

She had decorated the Courtyard with fairy lights. Where she got them doesn’t matter. All it matters was that her date is coming soon and she’s extremely nervous.

“You can do this, Lord,” she told herself as she tugged at her purple ao dai. It was beautiful, but was she enough for it? No, stop it. “It’s just a date. With Diego. Who you fancied for a while. No pressure.”

Rebecca took a deep breath and thought back to her conversation with Andre before she went on the date. 

“You look nervous,” Andre said with a slight smile as he zipped up her dress. “A Knut for your thoughts?”

Rebecca pursed her lips. “I don’t know. What am I doing going on this date? This is Diego, one of the best duelers AND dancers in all of Hogwarts. He’s way out of my league.”

“Stop that,” he snipped, poking at her cheek, before going back to doing her hair. The length made it a bit harder to style it but he can deal with it. “You’re not so bad at dueling yourself. Have you seen what you did to Lockwood last week? That coward ran off with his tail between his legs.”

He saw her crack a smile at the memory and continued. “You’re talented at Charms, you’re a master at art and Arithmancy, you know your way around COMC, and you’re a great dancer as well. I should know this, I was your date for the Celestial Ball, after all. All those things make up for the areas you’re not so good at and it makes up who you are. You need to stop putting yourself down.”

“Harder than it looks, Dre,” Rebecca frowned at the mirror. “I don’t know… there are all sorts of what-ifs. Like—“

“What if this turns out like Charlie?” He asked. “It won’t be. It was a mutual break-up and both of you thought it’s better suited not to be in a relationship. Which is fine. But Caplan? He genuinely likes you. It’s not like, one of his flings or something, but he genuinely likes you. Lana thinks he does anyway.”

“Really?”

“Yup.” He finishes the last touches on her hair and pulled back. “You can do this, Bex, just be your true self. Don’t pretend to be someone you aren’t. Just be happy and believe in yourself.”

“Believe in yourself,” she repeated to herself. “Be your true self. Don’t pretend.”

She sat down at the fountain, facing the entrance of the courtyard and closed her eyes, feeling the wind blowing against her face. It was a beautiful night, a perfect one for a date, and the fact that they weren’t supposed to be out this late gives her a bit of giddiness that comes with breaking the rules. 

Given, she’s a prefect, and she shouldn’t be condoning this, but still.

It’s… nice to be out.  Forgetting her troubles for a moment, she lets herself smile. 

“Your smile is like the sunshine, Sunshine.”

Rebecca couldn’t help but let out a slight laugh as she opened her eyes and looked up, seeing her date smiling down at her.

“That was absolutely horrible,” she said as Diego helped her up. “What do you think?” She asked a bit nervously. 

“It’s beautiful,” he said, and he wasn’t looking at the fairy lights decorating the courtyard, no he was looking straight at her. 

Rebecca felt her ears redden. “I meant the decorations, you doofus.”

“Who said it was about the decorations in the first place? They can never outshine you.” Diego laughed when she just buried her face in his shoulder in response. “You’re adorable when you blush.”

“And whose fault was it in the first place?” She asked, stepping back to pout at him, but it ruined the effect with the gigantic blush still on her face. 

No matter how many times he flirted with her, she still blushes and it frustrates her to no end, because he should not still be having this effect on her after months of pinning and pinning, that’s so unfair. 

“Mine of course,” Diego said with a grin as he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “And proud of it.”

“Obviously, since you take great delight in making me blush,” she says, rolling her eyes as she poked at his cheek. 

“What can I say?” He grinned as he gently took hold of her hand, catching her by surprise. Kissing every one of her fingers, he looked down at her with a smirk that always drives her mad without fail. “You look gorgeous in red.”

Rebecca’s face turned completely scarlet. “D-D-Diego!” She splutters. 

“What? I’m just saying the truth.” Diego took hold of her chin and tilted it up. “Look, there’s the red now.”

“Oh my god,” Rebecca said. “You are impossible.”

“But you love me,” Diego pointed out, laughing when Rebecca didn’t even bother to deny that, since she was the one who confessed in the first place and asked him out on a date, before running off and dealing with Andre making fun of her the entire day.

Imagine her surprise when he corners her the next day and agrees.

“Shut up,” she says instead, swiping at his arm. 

“Make me,” Diego shoots back with a smirk.

Rebecca reddened even more if that was possible, but grabbed his collar and tugged him down to her level, ignoring the yelp that escaped, and placed a kiss on the side of his mouth 

“Hope that counts,” she tells him as she lets go, then runs off. 

“You little minx!” Diego laughs as he goes after her. “Get back here!”

Seems like he was prepared this time, because he easily catches her and brings her out into a twirl, taking joy in her gasp of surprise, before pulling her to his chest. “Gotcha.”

Her face was burning at the proximity. “Ah, so I can’t really pull the same trick twice, huh.”

“Nope,” he said, popping the ‘p’. He tapped her nose. “How bold of you. Did you really try for a full-on mouth kiss? On the first date?” He teases.

“Still, pretty bold.” He runs a thumb over her scars, sending shivers down her spine and looks at her in the eyes with a soft look that made her heart flutter. 

Rebecca feels her lips quirk into a smile. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No reason at all,” he said, curling a lock of her hair around his finger and tucking it behind her ear again. “I was just thinking… the atmosphere is rather romantic, don’t you think? How about we… I don’t know,” he leans down and purrs into her ear, “dance?” He pulls away, smirking at her red face. “If there’s music of course.”

She blinks, trying to regain her composure. “T-That’s what I was planning to do before you decided to make me breathless as always. And I know a way to fix the lack of music.”

Seconds later, music starts “mysteriously” playing in the background. Rebecca grinned up at him. 

“A girl has to be prepared.”

“A beautiful girl,” he adds as he lets go. Before she can react, he sweeps into a bow and held out a hand. “May I have this dance?”

Rebecca laughed. “You didn’t have to ask in the first place.” And, with twinkling hazel eyes, she took his hand.

They fit like pieces in a puzzle and danced beautifully. Rebecca was extremely grateful her mother had taught her how to dance, or else she would have tripped over her feet and step on Diego’s foot and that will end up in a disaster. But for now, there was no misstep, or stepping on feet, and she couldn’t help but laugh every time she twirled and twirled, and before she knew it, he was bringing her out into a spin and sweeping her into a dip.

“Oh!” she gasped, finding herself face to face with him. “Hi there.”

His gaze was surprisingly soft as his hand spins into her hair. The smirk that appeared when they were dancing seems to fall away into a fond smile.

It left her speechless. To see that smile aimed at her. 

“You missed earlier, y’know,” He said suddenly. “Allow me to fix it.” Rebecca blinked. “Wha--?”

She was swiftly cut off when he brought her head up and pressed his lips against hers and making the butterflies in her stomach flutter furiously. 

Warmth seems to spread through her entire body. Starting from her fingertips, all the way to the tips of her toes. She melted in his arms and went to kiss back, fluttering her eyes shut and tilting her head to give him better access. 

It was her first kiss and…

Wow. 

Wow.

Unlike the kisses he shared with Summer, it wasn’t hot, passionate, and fierce, it was gentle, sweet, as though she was fragile and he was afraid of hurting her. 

(In many ways, that was so so true.)

Her hands slipped from his shoulders to his hair, threading long fingers through the brown locks. She felt him smile against her lips as he pulled her up to her feet, hands lowering to her hips to pull her closer.

Her heart threatened to burst out of her chest. And it was all over too soon. 

They pulled away at the same time, panting for breath. He stared down at her as though she hung the stars and moon in the sky.

“Wow,” she said, and that was all she can manage. 

Diego’s lips twitched into a smile. “Wow indeed.”

He went to pull her in for more, but then a small meow cut through the air, freezing them in their tracks. 

“I guess we overstayed our welcome,” Rebecca said, her hushed voice filled with glee as she flicked her wand and turned the music off. Another wave took down the fairy lights. “Come on, let’s go before we get caught.”

“Definitely,” Diego grinned as he kissed her neck, making her squeak. “Don’t want to get detention, eh, Miss Prefect?”

Rebecca grabbed his collar and tugged him towards her, pressing a kiss on the side of his mouth and smirked when he freezes up. 

“Oh look at that, I missed,” she said innocently, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “Race me to the Common Room and maybe I won’t miss.”

He smirked. “Oh, you’re on.”

And they raced out of the Courtyard just in time to miss Mrs. Norris passing by, giggling like the teenagers they are and not the battle-worn warriors that fought and fought against Vault after Vault.

They may have kissed more outside the Common Room. 

They may have talked and talked until the wee hours of the morning, before cuddling on the couch. 

They may have done both of those things, but all that mattered is that Penny’s squeal of delight after finding them asleep on the couch together woke them up.

Rebecca let out a groan as she buried her face in Diego’s chest and, if possible, snuggled closer to him. She felt him chuckle and reach up to play with her hair, coaxing her gently to go back to sleep.

Tuning out Penny’s excited chatter about whatever she’s rambling about, Rebecca slipped back to the arms of Morpheus.

She’ll deal with the rumors later. 

[percywinchester27]

Unconventional Roommates (Epilogue)

Word count: 2.6K

Pairing: Dean X Reader

Warnings: Fluff

Series Summary: Now that his brother is at Stanford, for the first time in his life, Dean does something for himself. He takes a step towards chasing his own dreams and moves away from Lawrence to start college, which is both thrilling and scary at the same time. Only catch, in this unknown town, he is stuck with the MOST infuriating female on the planet- the roommate from hell!

A/N: Here we are! Thank you, guys. Your love kept me going <3

This couldn’t have been possible without the incredible @deanssweetheart23. Thank you so much for everything, Athina. You rock, my princess <3

Unconventional Roommates masterlist

"This is a horrible fricking idea!" Dean grumbled, getting out of the car.

Y/N merely smirked, and Dean had to admit that the expression had never looked so alluring on anyone else. "You're just nervous. This is the coolest thing I've ever done."

Dean adjusted his tie. She looked so happy that he would have done anything to keep her smiling like that. This wasn't a big deal as it is. He was only nervous because he had never done this before, and also because he was about to walk in with the best girl he knew.

Incidentally, the reason for Y/N's excitement was same as his nervousness. She had never done this before either.

The building was colored in flashing crimson and purple lights which reflected on Y/N's face. Dean couldn't help but be reminded of the fair, when they were stuck in the Ferris wheel. She had looked beautiful then, and she looked beautiful now. The black wig that she was sporting suited her perfectly, so did the dark lipstick. She looked something else.

Just before they could enter the hall, Dean caught hold of her hand and pulled her back.

"Have I told you that you look absolutely stunning?"

Y/N looked down, smiling shyly. It would still take him time to get used to her reacting like that instead of glare down at him like she was about to pull out a butcher's knife.

"You don't look bad yourself, Romeo!"

"Are you kidding me?" Dean complained, touching his slick black hair. "I look like a clown."

"No you don't," she said, running her hand over the lapels of his coat, fussing over him. "You look hot." She licked her lips. "I'd kiss you, but I don't wanna ruin the look with my lipstick."

"Screw the look," Dean said, reaching out for the small of her back and pulling her close. "I don't give a damn about the look."

He leaned in, but she put a finger to his lips. "If you kiss me now, we'd have to go right back home to finish what we started, and I don't want to miss tonight. It's such a big day for you."

Dean could feel the heat rising to his cheeks. She was so proud of him.

It wasn't a big deal. They were launching the paper today, but they all did it every month. For him, though, this was the first time. They had loved his pictures so much that a couple of them were being used in tonight's Halloween party as a backdrop with some Halloweeny stickers. Y/N had been delighted to know about that. It was right after telling her that, that Dean had asked her out to the party.

She had been excited about it from the get go, especially the dressing up part. Dean found it amusing that she was so excited about dressing up even though she did it for a living. That was until he found out what she was planning to dress up as. Honestly, he shouldn't have expected any less of her. She had somehow convinced him to dress up as Gomez Addams, complete with the temporarily colored black hair. He might have to take a couple of days to wash it off completely, but again, her happiness was so palpable that he didn't want to take it away. She was ravishing as Morticia.

All things considered, it was still better than her idea of dressing up as Ted Bundy and Clementine Barnabet. Dean had to talk her out of it. He loved that she was still wearing the printed socks that he had gifted her. The skull beanie had been a constant up until tonight.

As the day approached though, despite her initial reaction, Y/N seemed to grow a little anxious about it. Not enough to curb her enthusiasm, but definitely enough to not fully enjoy it. They had had fun with putting together the ensembles. For the past week, since their evening on the beach, Dean had woken up at ungodly hours to catch Y/N's closing act of the night. All eyes in the club hungered for one look at her, but her eyes only searched his, and Dean felt like his chest widened a couple of inches each time.

After each show, he'd wait behind the curtains to welcome her when she came back, not believing that the Nymph was his. The other girls were happy for Y/N. They were all around her age, but she had mentored almost all of them. It made him clearly see her for who she was- a giver. She did so much for the girls who could very well end up being her own competition, and she did so much for all those little girls in Mia's school, too. Seeing her interact, he also realized that she was a natural teacher, she loved to share what she knew, selflessly.

They scourged through the fancy costumes at the Elixir, trying to try out funny hats and coats, entertaining the girls who had been exhausted after entertaining people all night long. Y/N's eyes shined when she saw him accepting her life and everyone in it so easily. She kissed him harder that morning in the car.

They did find the perfect costumes for Gomez and Morticia, too, there.

Other girls passing them were dressed as nurses or hot assistants, making the most of the opportunity to wear revealing clothes without it being questioned and more credit to them, but there was something very endearing about Y/N's childish excitement about dressing up in two full length layers.

"C'mon!" He grinned, pulling her by her arm, but she didn't move.

"Are you sure you wanna do this?"

Dean huffed. "Now you're having cold feet about this? After you made me spend 2 hours in the bathroom trying to get the hair right?"

"No… Dean," she said, voice abruptly serious. "It's not that, I mean…"

"Hey," Dean put his hand against her soft cheek. "You alright? You're not feeling sick, are you? I told you not to overdo the shifts. In fact, you can take it easy now. Anyway you're quitting the job next month when all your installments for the apartment are paid."

"Dean. Listen." She put her hand over his… the one she was already holding. "Do you want to be seen here with me?"

"Y/N!"

She was quick to put up her hand. "Look… I'm not doubting you. You're like God's personal blessing who just happened to creepily drop into my apartment, but not everyone is as accepting as you. Someone might recognize me… and I'm used to all sorts of slurs, but you're not. I don't want to put you through that."

Her voice had consistently risen, and her eyes were widening with every said word.

"Shhh… Just stop panicking," he said, pulling her against his chest. "You're missing the whole goddamned point here. You think I'd be ashamed if someone said anything about you? Don't you get it by now that I'm just beyond thrilled to be with a fantastic person like you? The first night when I found you at Elixir, I didn’t leave because I was mad at you, I left because seeing me there was distracting you. I thought you knew that."

She shook her head. "I do know that, and I know you won't be ashamed… I thought you'd be more like… angry."

"If someone called you a bad name?"

She nodded meekly against his silky black lapels.

"We could always make them a customer in our newly furnished torture room," he shrugged. "Bet that will teach them to talk crap about hard working people."

She laughed, breaking completely free of the dismal Morticia façade. "You're crazy."

"Says you!" He said smiled, pecking her cheek. "That's very rich, don't you think?"  

This time she let him take her in.

If it was a rainbow disaster outside, the inside was how the fairy world would look in the scene of an Armageddon. It was insane. Dean didn't know where to put his eyes. Wasn't Halloween supposed to be incredibly gloomy? Why was it so colorful?

"Hold me!" Dean said, grabbing Y/N by the shoulders. "I think my retinas are screaming for a savior."

"Shut up, it's not that bad," she admonished. "Besides, bright flashing lights are supposed to make you bold and all that. People dance without stopping to think what they look like."

"Seems fair." Dean looked at the centre of the floor where couples were trying to dance along the jazz tune.

"You wanna go out there?" She jerked her neck towards the floor.

"What? No!" Dean said, flustered. "I can't dance to save my life."

"It's not that hard… come, I'll show you."

He rolled his eyes. Of course she could.

Y/N pulled him towards the dance floor, but still away from the centre. She guided his hands to her waist and put both of hers on his shoulders. "Now you just sway from one side to another. See? Like this."

"I'm just gonna step on your dress and pull us both down," he warned trying to follow her. It wasn't fair that she was doing it so effortlessly and he was left to struggle.

"OMG, Y/N!" Hannah exclaimed, walking up from behind. "I didn't know Dean was gonna bring you along! You both look great."

Hannah was dressed like a Vampire… at least that's what Dean made out of the fangs and blood crusted lips.

"Cas, Meg!" She called out. "Look, Dean's here and he bought Y/N along."

Soon enough Dean's other two friends were there. Meg was wearing a red and black bodysuit with horns and tail, while Cas was dressed in a white suit with attached feathered wings, a halow perched on top.

"Angel and Demon?" Y/N asked. "That's very original."

"Hey, it wasn't my idea," Cas said, pulling her into a half hug. Dean wasn't really sure Y/N was the hugging type, but Cas just gave the vibe.

"You turned out to be way more badass than we gave you credit for," Meg grinned, nudging Y/N in the shoulder. "And there we were wondering how you could rock that limbo so hard."

It was hard to tell in the flashing lights but Y/N seemed to blush.

The DJ changed the song to a more upbeat one Meg pushed Y/N towards Dean, "C'mon, you guys, move it!"

"You wanna move it?" Y/N wiggled her eyebrows, grinding against him. Dean laughed but before he could reply, his eyes fell on Nick who was eyeing them from the sides.

"C'mere!" Dean pulled Y/N tightly against him, one hand sliding down her back to grab her ass, the other fisted in her hair, holding her to him. He brought his lips to her temple, kissing her softly, then deliberately dragged it along her cheek and down to the base of her neck. Sucking a mark exactly where he knew affected her the most. Y/N's moan was both muted and involuntary.

"Dean!" She giggled. It wasn't something she did often, but Dean loved the sound. He didn't stop there…. He let his lips travel along the column of her neck, hands roving all  over her back.

Y/N's fingers gripped his coat tightly, her chest rising and falling against his own. Out of the corner of his eye he saw that Nick had disappeared.

"Who are you putting on a show for, Winchester?" She said, reaching up to kiss his lips, not caring about the lipstick anymore apparently.

"No one of importance," Dean shrugged. "You mind putting on a show?"

"Nope… not at all. I do that for a living."

Dean didn't care if he had put Nick in his place, or not. Nick had sure tried to ruin it all for Dean, but ultimately hadn't it worked in his favor after all. For all he cared, Nick could go screw himself. He had Y/N, there would never be a bigger victory than that.

"So about Thanksgiving," Y/N said, "I can't really cook a turkey. I mean we invited all these people, and I can't cook to save the world."

"It's okay, we'll figure something out," Dean replied. "There's like a million cookbooks out there. Besides we can always order, and everyone is getting something or the other. If the turkey sucks, we can eat the mashed potatoes."

"But counting Mia and the girls, Sam and Jess, Cas, Meg and the couple of girls from the club, there's like 12 of us. Our apartment isn't big enough."

"Y/N. Stop panicking!" They had both stopped dancing by now and were just holding each other's hands. "We have almost a month to go. By then you'd have signed the papers for the building and we can do it in the basement."

She still didn't look convinced.

"Hey," Dean lowered his face to look into her beautiful eyes. "Even if they don't like the turkey, the newly minted torture equipment will keep them from saying anything." He winked.

"Seriously, Dean," she said, "I've never done this before. I don't know how to talk to people… what to talk to people about. I just- this feels so normal and I've never had normal before."

His heart broke for her. She wanted this and yet she was so scared of the unknown.

"You know the girls, Y/N. And Meg and Cas are friends. They like you. You know that!"

She nodded absent-mindedly. "What about Sam and his girlfriend?"

Dean scoffed remembering the conversation he'd had with his brother. "Sam thinks you're way out of my league. And Jess? I've met that girl. You don't need to talk, she'll talk enough for everyone in the room."

"Mhmmm…"

He pulled her back against his chest and they started moving in slow circles again.

"You'll have your dream, Y/N. We'll have a studio downstairs and Mia can live here. You can study something else at the University in the day and I'll get a job in a few years down the line. We can eat crappy food, play scrabble on weekends and have long walks on the beach. That is normal, right?"

"That doesn't sound too bad," she mumbled, and her voice was so hopeful, Dean was tempted to take one look at her face to know what she was really thinking.

"Do you want to head home?" he asked quietly.

She shook her head. "Let's stay a while. This feels normal and I like it."

She put her head back against his shoulder as swayed on the same spot. Dean didn't know what tomorrow held. Hell, all of this was so new to him that he couldn't even estimate what the next minute was going to bring. But as long as he was with Y/N, he knew he could do it. He could do anything. Dean was happier than he had ever expected to be in his life.

He was learning what he loved, his brother was happy and doing good in life and there was an incredible girl in his arms.

To say he was content would be an understatement.

He was fucking ecstatic.

Dean bent down to kiss Y/N's forehead. He could get used to it…. in fact, he would be the luckiest guy in the whole wide world, if this unconventional life became his normal.

*************************

A/N 2: This is it, guys! We are done with one more series. My immense gratitude to everyone who has commented, sent asks, and words of love. It’s meant more to me than I can ever tell you. Thank you so much!! Much love <3

So, did you guys like it???

A/N 3: Please do consider reblogging my work and leaving feedback. Reblogging helps spread it, and also helps against the “best posts first” option tumblr has. The more the notes, the less chance of it getting buried beneath others posts. And the comments are what keep me going. I love you guys and I’ll be in forever grateful <3

Here’s my side blog @percywinchester27-writes. You can give that blog a follow and turn the notifications on to know about updates.

UR taglist:

@deanssweetheart23  @captainradicalpassion  @docharleythegeekqueen  @sleepless-sin    @mrsdeanfuckingwinchester  @ohgodwhybloggg  @roxyspearing  @oneshoeshort  @theofficialduke  @wildlandfox  @mrswhozeewhatsis  @emoryhemsworth  @dslocum89  @justacinnamonroll  @fanfreak07  @dustycelt  @serienjunkiegirl   @thinkwritexpress-official  @babykalika2001  @daskleinevolk  @jayankles  @blacktithe7  @pensysto  @iyannamckague  @shamelesslydean  @crystallstaircase  @melonberri  @commander-meghan-shepard  @trenchcoat-angel  @smiling-meerkat  @sprnaturallover  @violinbetty  @fandom-trash-worth-it  @grace-for-sale  @katsanders  @samwinchesterfanfic  @bluestarshining  @torn-and-frayed  @adaliamalfoy  @anathewierdo  @gabavaldman  @brindz30  @heavymetalhauswife  @sdavid09  @hatemeup  @plaidstiel-wormstache  @deannawinchesterpie  @kit-kat-katie99  @jessieray98  @mlovesstories  @thing-you-do-with-that-thing   @directionernullneun  @yoursmilemakesmeloveyou  @theoriginalvicki  @angelessquirrel  @thereisnolumos  @julie121899  @mikid2000  @freekryptonitecloud  @padasteph-nie  @luna-plena-venandi  @tiffy119  @linki-locks11  @mirandaaustin93  @pjofangirl18  @hunterswearingplaid  @cookiechipdough  @superlock-on-pc   @daughterleftbehind  @abumbling-bee  @savanna1899  @imweirdandobsessed  @emilycollins11  @diariesofthebeautyobsessed  @bakabozza  @imascio08  @luvspnandphan  @stormisamystery  @atc74  @aiaranradnay  @bellastellaluna  @deansgirl215  @xristina-gkika  @almostelegantfire @infinity-dreamchaser  @roonyxx  @ericaprice2008  @akshi8278  @leatherandapples @ceisbill  @alwaysdreamingforthebest

[tpkanimereview]

Reviewing: Kaguya-sama wants to be confessed to : Love is War.

Hey peeps, I'm here to review the 2019 anime: Kaguya-sama wants to be confessed to: Love is War. On my case, I absolutely love it since I read the manga on my summer of 2018. And still ongoing today. I'm going to give my opinion on this anime on what I like and dislike about it. So lets get started.(Also Spoiler Alert.)

Background Check

"Kaguya wants to be confessed to: Love is War" is made by the Author and Mangaka Aka Akasaka. The Manga started on May 19, 2015 on Miracle Jump and got transferred to Weekly Young Jump on 2016. The anime was released on January 12, 2019. animated by the studio of A-1 pictures.

Summary

Student council president Miyuki Shirogane and vice-president Kaguya Shinomiya appear to be the perfect couple. Kaguya is the daughter of a wealthy conglomerate family, and Miyuki is the top student at the school and well-known across the prefecture. Although they like each other, they are too proud to confess their love as they believe whoever does so first would lose. The story follows their many schemes to make the other one confess.

My Likes

I'm not a very good reviewer but I started one anyway so I'll tell on what I like in this animation. First is the studio of A-1 pictures. The studio that animated multiple series' like Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata, Working, Fairy Tail, Kanaagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens and so on. I was surprised when I read that A-1 was gonna animate Kaguya so I was hyped. But that hype went completely worth it thanks to the release last month without any delays.

The Facial Expressions of the Characters (Especially Kaguya) is amazing, All of them are completely remade to be more amazing than ever. Like when Kaguya was saying to Kashiwagi that she likes the Glare of Shirogane and says it's cute. Her Facial is REALLY FUCKING CUTE.

Chika. You guys know what I mean.

BGM is definitely gives life to the anime. Especially on the scene on where Kaguya learns what "First Time" mean. I literally can't stop laughing on that parts thanks to Kaguya being cute and dramatic music playing on the background. Makes a good combo. (Also Chika's ED song and dance is the best.)

Dislikes

Manga order is all over the place in the anime. The Wiener Joke Ark went too late already. As someone like me who likes chronological orders in anime ( I give exceptions to Kara no Kyoukai though ) wish they could do that.

Nah for me I don't see any plot holes (Or it's just me being a bad reviewer doing this at the middle of the night.) I completely like the story. They even keeptrack on who wins or who loses in the process when I can't even track those.

I think I'll end this review for now: 9/10 for this anime.

[wittyvitale]

A Birth in a Blizzard part 2 (a Fairy Tail fanfic)

Author's Note: OK, I've finally completed the second part of A Birth in a Blizzard. Be prepared, as with all of my stories, this one also has a ridiculous amount of fluff. I'm also thinking of writing a tiny Jerza drabble as an epilogue to this story, since Gruvia is the ship that's primarily represented in this chapter. We'll see. Enjoy!

Juvia was on the largest bed in the infirmary, sweating and screaming in pain. It absolutely killed Gray to see her like this, but he was trying his best to be strong for her. He kept placing washcloths on her forehead that he cooled down with his ice magic. Erza was at the other end of Juvia, coaching her and trying to keep her as calm as possible.

“You’re doing great, Juvia,” Erza said encouragingly. “I’m starting to see the head. Just a few more minutes and you’ll be ready to push.”

“I don’t… I don’t think I can do this,” Juvia exclaimed, tears pouring down her face. “I’ve never felt so much pain before. I really don’t think I can do this.”

Gray grabbed Juvia’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “Juvia, I can’t even begin to imagine how much pain you’re in,” he started. “But you’re one of the strongest, most persistent women I’ve ever met. Remember how long you pursued me, even after I said no, even after I broke your heart too many times than I’d like to admit? You never give up. And because of your tenacity, we’re married and you’re about to give birth to our child. Don’t give up, Juvia, you can do this. And I’m right here with you.”

Juvia began to cry all over again and stared at her husband. “Oh my darling Gray.” She said through her tears.

“Juvia, it’s time for you to push,” Erza replied, breaking Gray and Juvia out of their little moment. “When I tell you to, push as hard as you can.”

“O-ok, I will,” Juvia said, her courage beginning to return to her.

“It’s time, push, Juvia!” Erza exclaimed.

Juvia listened to Erza and pushed as hard as she could. She fell backwards on the pillows and breathed deeply. This process was repeated a few more times until Erza told Juvia that one more push would do it. After pushing with all of her remaining strength, Juvia was rewarded with the sound of a baby crying. She collapsed backwards and breathed heavily while Gray wiped her forehead with a washcloth.

Erza deftly caught the baby and carried the child to a small basin to be washed. When she was done, Erza dried the baby and wrapped her in a blanket. Erza couldn’t help but smile at the newborn; this whole experience made her even more exited for the birth of her own baby in about two months.

“Juvia, Gray,” she began, walking closer to them. “Congratulations. You’re now the proud parents of a healthy baby girl.”

Gray’s mouth was agape and Juvia smiled with tears running down her face. Erza handed the baby to Juvia and the new parents stared at the little bundle intently.

“A girl.” Gray said with amazement, feeling tears brim in his own eyes.

“Hello there, my little angel,” Juvia said softly and tearfully to the bundle in her arms. “Welcome to the world. Your Daddy and I have been wanting to meet you for so long.”

Gray stared lovingly at his wife and child, soaking in the amazing sight before him. He was filled with emotions he couldn’t even begin to describe.

“I’ll leave you two alone now so that you can get acquainted with your new daughter,” Erza said quietly. “But I won’t be too far, so just call if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Erza,” Gray said. “Seriously, I-“

“There will be time for gratitude later. For now, focus on that little girl and your wife.” Erza interrupted. “Like I said, I’ll be around if you need any help.”

Gray nodded as Erza left the room, leaving the Fullbuster family to welcome its newest member.

“Gray, would you like to hold her?” Juvia asked.

Gray, whose eyes were glued to the new baby, was snapped out of his trance and looked at Juvia. “Yes.” Was the only thing he managed to say. Juvia smiled and carefully handed the baby to Gray, who handled his new daughter like a breakable porcelain doll.

Gray couldn’t help but let his jaw drop as he held his new daughter. She was still wrinkly and a little red, but she was the most beautiful thing Gray had ever seen. The baby had her mother’s soft blue eyes and her small patch of black hair was the same shade as her father’s. She also appeared to have Gray’s skin tone, as she did not look as pale as Juvia.

“Juvia, she’s… she’s…” Gray started, not even able to get all the words out.

“I know, love,” Juvia said understandingly. “She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?”

Gray just nodded and continued to stare at his daughter, a soft smile etched on his face.

“We need to give her a name, darling,” Juvia said to her husband. “The Fullbusters have a tradition of naming their children after shades and colors, right? You had your heart set on Violet the last time we talked about names. Do you still want to name her Violet?”

Gray continued to look at the baby, but now his face was etched in thought. “Y’know what? I don’t think so. I think I just came up with a better name. But I want to make sure you like it too, seeing as how you carried her around for 9 months and just spent hours in labor.”

Juvia gave a weak laugh, “Oh, Gray, you’re always so thoughtful. I’m sure I’ll love the name, tell me what you’ve thought of.”

“Well… I was thinking Aurora. The Fullbusters do have a tradition of naming their children after colors. But when I saw our little girl for the first time, I saw every single bright color the universe has to offer. She reminded me of the Aurora Borealis, a stunning force of nature that can contain every color imaginable. So let’s name her Aurora. What do you think, Juvia?”

Gray looked at his wife and was shocked at what he saw; even more tears were streaming down her face and she was sobbing.

“J-Juvia, are you okay?” Gray asked, concern rising for his wife.

“Y-yes, Gray darling, I’m fine,” Juvia assured him, brushing the tears off of her face. “It’s just that your words were so heartfelt and perfect that I was overwhelmed. Aurora… It’s the perfect name for our little girl.”

Gray was relieved and sat next to Juvia on the bed. She held her arms out expectantly and Gray returned the baby to her mother. Juvia gently stroked the baby’s face with her finger, a soft motherly smile on her face the entire time.

“So her name is Aurora Ultear Fullbuster.” Juvia said.

“Our beautiful little girl.” Gray continued. He looked at Juvia and gave her a kiss on the lips, one that, as tired as she was, she returned with full force. There was no way either of them could be happier than they were at that moment.

[hulksmashin-bannerpackin]

Heartbreak

Pairing: Bruce Banner X Reader

Summary: Reader is in love with Bruce but out of fear of rejection she never acted on it. When it seems Bruce has found someone else Reader slowly breaks.

Warnings: MY ATTEMPT AT ANGST

“You’re staring again.”

“No I’m not!”

“Yes. Yes you were.”

“What do you know?”

“I know what pining after someone like a sad puppy looks like.”

“Shut up Tony!”

Y/N banged her fist against table, turning her attention to a smirking Tony.

“You really should say something.”

“And get rejected? No thanks Stark.” Y/N huffed as she picked her pen up and focused on her notepad. “So are you going to help me out with this or not?”

“Yeah yeah, you said you were having trouble with the gloves?” Tony said frowning as he dropped the subject to look over her equations.

Y/N was a proud new member of the Avengers. Joining them shortly after the New York invasion. An accident happened, an experiment gone wrong and the flow of a strange energy now coursed through her. She was a genius much like Tony and Bruce, she loved science and she put her brain to use crafting her own special bodysuit. She made it to channel that energy into power, similar to Tony’s uni beams but she could also create shields.

Two years after joining she had grown close to both men, more often then not you’d find the three of them working in the labs and destroying what little sleeping patterns they had together. She loved the lab. She loved being an Avenger and unfortunately she loved… Bruce…

It was impossible for her not to fall for him. He was so kind and gentle and even though he had so much power he didn’t abuse it. He wanted to use it for good even though if she was honest she believed with the power of the Hulk he could quite easily take over the world if he wanted too. And he was broken just like she was. Y/N had the craziest idea that if they were together they could be whole.

But she was a scientist not a fool. When did love ever truly work out? She didn’t believe in such fairy tail nonsense. So that made her heart ache all the more whenever she looked at him. Still she refused to do anything to risk the friendship they had now. It was enough. Just being with him and being there for him. It was enough.

Don’t dream too far. Don’t loose sight of what’s in front of you.

She was good at hiding her feelings, she really was! Tony was the only one who found out and that was because she let her guard down and she was never going to let that happen again, not with anyone else.

Wishing only wounds the heart. Don’t start, just focus.

She needed to focus on her work, the first time her suit malfunctioned she felt terrible. Her energy converter overloaded and caused an explosion. People got hurt. Steve got hurt. Civilians got hurt. Y/N locked herself in her room, each individual avenger tried to coax her out, she didn’t listen to any of them. Steve saying he was fine only made her feel worse.

Tony tried again after three days, then finally Bruce tried again after Tony. When he said he wasn’t leaving until she let him in, she relented. She didn’t want to make Bruce drop everything for her.

“Jarvis, unlock the door please.” She snivelled out pathetically.

Bruce heard the lock click and he carefully opened the door. His eyes widened at the sight in front of him.

Y/N was sitting on the ground at the foot of her bed, all around her paper with various equations and scrunched up balls of paper.

“Oh Y/N…” Bruce’s eyes softened as he crossed the distance of her room towards her.

“GET AWAY FROM ME!!” She screamed at him, voice cracking, sore from crying.

Bruce halted immediately, his foot hanging in the air before it lowered awkwardly back to the ground.

“Y/N-”

“What Bruce?! What are you going to tell me? It was an accident? It wasn’t my fault? It was out of control?”

Bruce bit his lip, tensing slightly but not answering.

“It WAS my fault Bruce! So what if it was an accident! It shouldn’t of happened! I… l need to be better Bruce… I hurt all those people… I hurt all those people!!!”

Bruce swallowed the lump that formed in his throat and began walking towards her again. He tried to step over the many papers scattered across the floor but couldn’t avoid all of them. He sat on the ground beside her, without saying anything he pulled her into a tight hug. Y/N broke down again, crying loudly and turning into him, arms draped tight around his middle as she dipped her head into his chest.

Bruce weaved one hand into her hair, keeping her safely and securely in his arms. Bruce knew there was nothing he could say at that moment. There wasn’t any words that could possibly make her feel better. So he just held her and let her sob into his shirt.

After Bruce spent hours just being there for her lo and behold she crept outside of her room the next day. Any trace of tears gone. She pushed the feelings away and got to work in the lab to fix her suit.

Logic is certain Logic is safe

Everything was normal again, everything was routine. She fixed her suit, went on missions and even managed to drag out Tony and Bruce for a movie marathon every once and a while. She was happy, happier then she had ever been.

Until one day Y/N started noticing Natasha acting… Different. Suddenly Natasha was spending more time with Bruce, suddenly she was talking to him more and suddenly she was flirting with him? Y/N saw this happening but she pushed it to the back of her mind. Natasha was a natural flirt. Y/N was probably just overthinking. Besides it’s not like anything would come out of it right?

Bruce seemed to just tolerate it. He continued to interact with Natasha just as he normally would, he tended to just let her do whatever, too shy or polite or even unsure how to say no to her. Y/N would wager Bruce didn’t even notice the changes Natasha displayed. That made her even more certain she was just overthinking.

Then it happened, suddenly they were a couple. Suddenly Natasha made it very clear they were together. There was a fine line between a lover and a friend and it seemed that Natasha not Y/N had crossed it.

Y/N was absolutely crushed. It’s like she could feel her heart split and every single individual piece fractured off and broke. Suddenly she couldn’t think, she couldn’t hear, she couldn’t move. Everyone around them were congratulating them. Natasha smiled proudly and Bruce gave an awkward half smile and a shrug.

“Congratulations!” She chimed excitingly.

This isn’t real This can’t be right

“I’m so happy for you both!”

Why was she even so upset! She decided herself she would never pursue Bruce! That just being with him was enough. She left the room, she walked to her bedroom in a haze.

“Y/N!” She heard someone call and she turned slowly, her body couldn’t seem to comprehend how to move normally right now.

“Y/N… I… I’m sor…” It was Tony. “Are you okay Y/N?”

Strange, he looked almost as heartbroken as she did. She offhandedly wondered if Tony could even feel empathy.

She took a deep breath before she answered him. She smiled as her tears finally spilt down her cheeks.

“She’s perfect. He’s perfect. They’re perfect together.” She said with a shrug and a laugh, her voice sounded broken.

“Where does that leave you…?” Tony’s voice sounded hurt. Y/N guessed he did have empathy after all. She did have to admit he was her dearest friend.

“Doesn’t matter. Not as long as she makes him happy.”

With that she continued to walk away, quietly going into her room, Tony didn’t follow her.

“Hearts can’t break from love. Cardiac circulatory collapse can break hearts, not love.” She muttered to herself as she nodded and laid on her bed, pulling the blanket over her head. “I chose this. I CHOSE this.” She started breathing heavily which eventually evolved into her choking back cries, trying to make herself cry silently. She didn’t seem to have the energy to wail or howl. She just wanted to sink into her bed and stop existing. Just for the moment.

Y/N decided she would do as she did best, continue to think logically. Bruce was still her friend, logically that should still be enough. She stayed cheerful and happy and she truly did still enjoy every second she spent with him. Even if during the entire time she felt her insides squeeze painfully and her stomach dropped every time Natasha was next to him, dragging him off somewhere.

Y/N also pretended her powers were fine, that her sparks of energy weren’t getting erratic, that it was getting harder and harder to channel it through her suit and that sometimes her attacks ended up weaker or even more powerful then she had intended.

And she was fine. Truly she was. Until her suit malfunctioned again. She couldn’t concentrate during the battle, when she happened to see Natasha pull Bruce in for a kiss, she tried to swallow the pain and ignore it but something was wrong! Her energy converter was… Wrong! Everything was just WRONG!

The next thing she knew she had screamed and nothing.

She had woken up on a bed, she assumed she was in the medical ward and late at night by the look of the sky. She heard the soft hum of a television and listened.

“Y/N out of control!” “Lucky no one died” “Many people rushed to hospital!”

Her eyes widened as she quickly tried to tune out the noise. No… Not again… Didn’t she already have enough problems?! Why couldn’t she just! Just… She didn’t know how to even finish that thought.

She looked to the other side of the room and saw both Tony and Bruce asleep in chairs. She wanted to cry. She had made them worried. Seeing them there finalised her decision. She sat up and quietly tip toed out of the room.

Quickly and silently she made her way to her room and packed a bag, she sat at her desk and pulled out a pen. She wrote three letters.

One addressed ‘Avengers’ One addressed ‘Tony’ And one addressed ‘Bruce’

She left the one addressed to her team out in the kitchen where she was sure someone would find it. She crept back into the medical ward and placed the two letters to Tony and Bruce on her bed and she took one last look at Bruce. She studied his features and tried to commit every last detail to memory. This was the last time she’d be seeing him after all.

She made her way out of the tower and walked down the dark streets of New York. She’d figure something out. She was smart.

Eventually she was forgotten. The Avengers tried desperately to find her but she left no trace. Life went on. That’s how the world works. They still kept a radar out for her but there was nothing they could really do.

Tony and Bruce were the only ones who struggled to well and truly give up.

Tony felt devastated for failing someone who he considered one of his best friends.

And Bruce still looked at the letter he kept in the draw of his night stand. He sat, clutching the letter in one hand as the other held his head.

“Y/N… I always loved you…”

Sequel!

Permanent Taglist: @insanityismysanity12345

[shewhowantsmouseears]

Love Like Lava, Epilogue

Notes: The final section of my story has completed, so it's time to doll out some thanks.

To my close pals for their wonderful friendship, ones who kept me going with their smiles - Boxlunches, Palooka, Chllstarr, Greta, friends old and new within the Mice Discord, without those last pushes I wouldn't be here!

Once again, a big thanks toward my great gal Angie, who is the co-creator of Millicent! And, by that line, Agalma too!

A special thanks towards Disney Diligent, who helped inspire/create the final look for Aphrodite Minnie.

As always, super ultra huge mega thanks to my fantastic editors, Drucilla and Blueshifted! Funny enough, this story seemed to create the most division between them, one adoring lines that the other insisted be kicked out! XD Thankfully I as the narcissistic writer get to ultimately choose =P But yes, these two put in hard work and great effort for my little hobby, and deserve all the praise in the world!

Finally, thank YOU, yes YOU, all of my fans for reading, liking, commenting, reblogging, and for ultimately enjoying this wild ride! It's definitely gone through some changes since I first bubbled the idea years ago - a simple romantic comedy turned into questions of loss and sense of purpose. I had to cut out a few ideas (at one point, I debated about a sideplot of Clarabelle as Medusa and Horace as her blind boyfriend), but I think in the end I came away with a better story overall. I hope you all had a good time, and I also hope you stick around for next lovey-dovey tale!

(... and apologies in advance to all the donald fans because yes I am absolutely going to kick him around again)

Summary: When it comes to legends and myths, the final curtain never rests. What can the love story between two unlikely immortals inspire for upcoming generations?

“You don't have to do this, you know.” Donald knew his statement was obvious, yet he felt a need to say it anyway. “You don't owe him anything... except maybe a kick to his almighty shin.”

“I know,” Mickey casually replied, finishing the last strikes with his hammer upon his project. “But when I had this in mind, it was for someone huge, and he's the only guy big enough to use it. Besides, I like makin' stuff for folks.”

“Oh, Mickey.” Minnie was sitting on his workbench, admiring him with a swooning sigh. “You've got such a big heart.”

“If you two are going to get all lovey-dovey,” Daisy warned, averting her eyes, “I'm out of here.”

One of the newly repaired Axelias came over to wipe away Mickey's sweat, and he gave her a smile. “Thanks, Axelia.”

“You-Are-Welcome-Welcome-Welcome.” This one had the newest feature, a movable mouth. It was still a work in process, so her smile was lopsided, but it was still a smile she chose to make.

Mickey brought the hammer down one last time, then decided he was finished, pulling back to admire his work. “What do you think?”

“Not bad, not bad at all.” Donald offered a thumbs-up, grinning with pride.

Daisy snickered. “I can't wait to hear the mortals' reaction when they see it for the first time.”

“It's positively perfect.” Minnie came up to kiss Mickey's cheek, and he chuckled. “Oh, Mickey, will you ever stop being amazing?”

“Only when you stop bein' cute as a button.” Mickey nuzzled his nose to hers, causing Minnie to giggle wildly.

“Guys, seriously, I'm gunna hurl.” Daisy pretended to gag with a finger in her mouth. “Look, can we get this over with already? The sooner we can drop it off, the sooner we can go sailing. The ocean misses us.”

Mickey laughed, and placed his hand on the project, his other hand steady on his walking stick. “Fine, let's get going! It's not going to deliver itself!”

Thus the four of them reappeared on Mount Olympus – it had been several months since they last touched the cloudy paradise. No, it didn't deserve them, but Mickey had ultimately decided he could grace them with his presence when he felt like it. It wouldn't be too often, but he found such joy in his creations that he wanted everyone to have them. They popped up near the rebuilt thrones of Hera and Zeus, now separated. Hera flinched when she saw them, ready to duck and hide if need be. Zeus grimaced until he saw the unusual glimmer in Mickey's hands.

“I have brought you a gift,” Mickey declared, his back tall and proud. “I want nothing in return. I call it... a lightning bolt!”

Zeus' eyes went as big as the planet itself, and he knelt down to take the mighty yellow arch in his hands. “Such electricity... such power... I have never felt anything so magnificent! I feel a thousand years younger!” He burst with glee, hoisting the mighty weapon above his head. It was the best toy he'd ever gotten, and he wanted to play with it right now. He opened the clouds with his hands, trying to find a good place to strike. “Maybe there, or, no wait, how about here? But there's good too...”

Hera eyed the group suspiciously. “You SAY you bring a GIFT, yet you want NOTHING? What MADNESS are you SPEAKING of?”

“Careful.” Mickey wagged a finger. “My girlfriend can kick your butt.” Hera promptly shut up, cowering from Minnie's gleeful grin. “Aw, naw, I meant it! And I want all of Mount Olympus to know that I'd be happy to craft them anythin' they want. I need projects to keep me busy.”

“And he's very good at everything he makes,” Minnie cooed, snuggling up to Mickey's free arm.

Nearby gods found themselves piqued by curiosity, and it was Fethry who dared to speak first. “Say, could I get new shoes? These ones keep molting their feathers!”

“I wouldn't mind a new vanity mirror,” Gladstone happened to comment.

Even Mortimer found himself wanting in on this. “Okay, if you're that good, maybe you can bring some new life to my goblets? If you can.”

Daisy groaned. “We're never going to go sailing at this rate.”

Donald put his arm around Daisy's shoulders. “Oh, how you suffer.”

Gods and goddesses began to line up in front of Mickey, asking for jewelry and armor and other trinkets. Out of the corner of his eye, Mickey saw Pete hiding behind one of his deformed statues, and he quickly retreated when he saw Minnie's eyes on him. Judging from the smell, he still hadn't fully recovered. But he would one day, and perhaps he'd foolishly try for revenge. There would always be people who didn't learn from their mistakes.

There would also always be people who became better from their mistakes. Mickey smiled at Minnie, but then blinked as he saw her licking her lips with a puzzled look. “Minnie? What is it?”

“Hm? … Oh, it's nothing. Just...” She shrugged. “I have the oddest craving for peaches again.”

That probably had to do with Goofy placing the finished carved peach in her temple, having felt for some reason that it was the right thing to do. He hadn't seen Minnie or any of his unusual friends in all those months, and while he missed them, he wouldn't allow his sadness to hold him back anymore. It was the last act he did in the village before he left for his trip around the world with Agalma, and with his newfound confidence, he also brought the story of Millicent, Agalma, Aphrodite, and himself to every shore. The story spread throughout the land, although a few creative individuals decided that Agalma was too lazy a name, and decided Galatea was far more suitable. It is the nature of stories to change, after all.

The stories of Zeus and Hera, of Hades and Persephone, of Hephaestus and Aphrodite also changed as the decades came and went, with some believing Persephone was Hades's prisoner, and others thinking Aphrodite saw Ares on the side. One day the history became legend, the stuff of fairy tales and impossibility. People no longer needed the gods, and thus couldn't believe they'd ever been around in the first place. Yet these stories stayed, inspiring generations in many ways – art, music, theater, and even morality for a few. Even though such tales couldn't possibly be true, they were still told and enjoyed, even in museums of the highest education.

That's where a young boy was admiring a carving of the mighty Hephaestus presenting a gift to the lovely Aphrodite, although the stone was so worn down it was impossible to tell what the gift was. The mouse boy smiled in admiration – so the Greeks and Romans believed even a powerful god could have been disabled? He looked down at his own legs, forever bound in a wheelchair, and felt an odd sense of pride. If Hephaestus could be capable of great things, maybe he could too. With a funny chuckle, he touched his wheels, ready to move on. But when he lifted his head, his jaw dropped in shock.

What a coincidence – the prettiest girl in his class, and who he had a gigantic crush on, was also in the museum, looking at a nearby vase depicting Persephone. What were the odds? The boy always wanted to talk to her, to have that melodious voice directed at him, but had also felt that because of his disability, he never had a chance. Yet... he glanced back at Hephaestus. If that guy could land the most beautiful goddess, the boy had no excuse not to try.

He cleared his throat. “Say, uh... hi there!”

The mouse girl blinked and turned around, equally surprised to see him. “Oh! I didn't know you were here too!”

She responded she responded she responded – CALM DOWN. “Uh, y-yeah! I love this exhibit.” Thank goodness the wheelchair was blocking her from seeing how hard his tail was wagging.

“Me too.” The girl giggled, nodding towards the vase. “These stories are so romantic! I just love them! Which one is your favorite?”

She wanted to know more about him she wanted – FOR REAL, CALM DOWN. The boy hoped he wasn't blushing as hard as he thought he was, pointing at the stone carving. “Well, uh, gee, I always thought Hephaestus was kinda neat. Even though his legs didn't work, he made gold servants and lightning bolts and all kind of nifty things.”

“Oooh, I love that story!” the girl squealed, walking over to see the carving closer. “And he won the heart of the fair Aphrodite! I bet they loved each other sooo much!”

“Yeah, me too.” The boy scratched his chin, wondering if there were gods since his luck had never been so good. “Say, uh...the cafe here ain't too bad! You... maybe... wanna grab some lunch together?”

The girl turned to face him slowly, her own delicate chinks pinking. “Really? … I'd love to!” She smiled shyly, hands curled up together. “You know, I've always wanted to tell you how great your art is.”

“W-what?” the boy stammered, his disbelief at new levels.

“Those drawings you're always making in class... I think they're really amazing! They're so lifelike! Do you think you could show me how to do it sometime?”

“YEAH! … I-I mean, yeah, sure, okay.” As long as she didn't know she was the subject of more than half of the things he drew, then he was fine with showing her his doodles. “I guess I could show you my sketchpad over lunch.”

“Great! Let's get going!” The girl took a step forward, but then hesitated. “Do you need help pushing your wheelchair?”

“Naw, I'm just fine,” the boy said, beginning to roll. “And, y'know, I'm glad you asked instead of doin' it right away. Folks see me like this and assume I can't do nothin'.”

“That's very unfair of them...but if I ever make you feel like that, please let me know.”

“Sure thing!” He smiled at her, and she smiled at him, and they began to exit the exhibit together.

But as they left, the boy could've sworn he saw the stone-faced Hephaestus smile. It must have been his imagination.

[classysassy9791]

11 Question Shenanigans

Tagged by @grapefruitwannabe :)

1. How did you get into fandom? What was your catalyst to finding the tumblr community?

Well, I sneaked my way into the fandom a long time ago, starting with randomly finding the anime on Adult Swim and then eventually stumbling upon fanfiction.net. Already a bookworm, I loved reading all about my favorite characters, and then the plot bunnies formed, and viola! Here I am almost 9 years later and 40 stories deep!

The tumblr community was actually pretty recent (a little over a year). I can thank the wonderful @iliveondaydreams for that. This little sunshine not only accepted to be my beta, but then she introduced me to this community, where the love for my OTP fandom is still going strong. So I get to fall in love with it all over again. She’s a saint, I tell ya!

2.  What’s your favourite part about your favourite fandom?

My favorite part about the Inuyasha fandom is how much positivity and love everyone shows each other. And that even long after the manga finished and the anime stopped airing, this fandom is still as strong as ever, continuing to spread their love through works of art, fiction, and everything in between. Gosh, you all are my rockstars! Thank you for indulging in this fandom as much as I do (sometimes more!). You make my world spin :)

3.  If you could spend the day with any fictional character, who would it be and why?

Hm.. Hard to choose, but I would probably pick Kagome. The thing that I love about Kagome is she is such a leader. She doesn’t follow like a sheep because society says to, and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She asks questions and gets answers, and if she wants something done, she does it. And yet, she’s also cheerful, positive, and an amazing friend. Sometimes I see myself in her. I would love to just be around her (and doing some archery practice would totally be okay, too)

4.  What fictional character has had the biggest impact on your life or has inspired you the most?

Kagome and Inuyasha. They taught me about what I mentioned above, but they also taught me that it’s okay to be different. To never judge a book by its cover. And to always give someone a chance before you turn them away. As I’m sitting here and actually really thinking about it for the first time, I’d say they were a large part of who I became, who I am, and I am so, so grateful for that. There’s a reason why they’re my OTP.

5.  Talk about your favourite book (I KNOW IT’S HARD but if you had to pick one)

So, when I was in high school, I had a friend named Wes. He’s was my best friend since we were 4 years old, but while I stayed a book worm, he got roped into the partying and the drugs, so we obviously lost touch. So the following book already had meaning to me simply because of a name. 

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen is about a girl named Macy who suddenly lost her father to a heart attack, and now as to deal with the emotional toll on her family. Since it happened during their habitual morning runs, Macy gives up running. While her sister is beginning her own life with her husband, and her mother buries herself in work, Macy finds comfort in her boyfriend, Jason - a meticulous brainiac who always has the answers. While he’s away at Brain Camp for the summer, Macy works at the library, and sticks to emailing him about her days. In one email, she finally confesses she loves him, causing him to back off and tell her they need to take a break until he returns at the end of the summer. 

Hurt and upset, Macy goes for a ride and stumbles upon Wish Catering. On a whim, she applies and lands the job. There she meets a wonderful new group of coworkers she absolutely loves, and Wes - the mysterious artist who makes all the girls swoon. 

As Macy begins to breathe again for the first time following her father’s death, her mother feels her grip on Macy is slipping, and struggles to keep control of her daughter’s life. Macy is pulled in two separate directions - the concise and mundane job at the library followed by studying for the SATs at night, or the chaotic, free-spirited friends at Wish Catering that her mother disapproves of. To top it all off, Jason is returning at the end of the summer, where he’ll want to discuss where their relationship will be going from here.

A story about the idea of being “perfect,” and what that does and doesn’t mean.  It’s really a great read and I highly recommend it!

6.  Do you have any accomplishments or anything in your life you feel the most proud of?

Well, I’m graduating college with my Bachelors in Science and Nursing, and will officially take my boards this summer for my Registered Nurse Licensure, so that’s a pretty big deal for me, especially since I’ve been fighting for this for seven years. Besides that, I have been working at a hospital for 6 years, have written a lot of fanfiction stories which I continue to improve my writing skills with, I went out of my comfort zone and traveled abroad for a mission trip (it was the first time I had been on one, the first time I had been out of the country, and the first time I had been away from home for so long), and I am almost completely independent when it comes to my stability. So yeah, I’d say I’m pretty accomplished for the moment. 

7.  Tell us about a project you have going on! Or if you don’t have one, maybe something you’ve always wanted to write or draw?

Guys... I have 60+ pages of projects going on. But I’m really excited about a multi-chapter Fairy Tail fic and a multi-chapter Inuyasha fic I’ve been writing in the background. They won’t be out for a while, since I’m concentrating more on my ongoing fics, but I can’t wait until they’re ready to be published! 

8.  How do you feel about AU’s?

I really enjoy them! I tend to actually prefer them, because you get to see the characters in a different setting, under different circumstances, and in a different time. And you know what they say about InuKag... a love that transcends time ;)

9.  Do you have any favourite composers or soundtracks?

No, not particularly. It really depends on my mood. I tend to like listening to the oldies, but if I ever want to sing along or get some writing ideas, I love good old country music, where every lyric tells a story. 

10.  In your opinion, what is the best Disney movie to come out since Disney’s Golden Age?

Gosh, there are a handful that I fell in love with. Pocahontas was really good, because it shows a woman’s strength and courage and love. To not judge a person by the color of their skin, which I think was a huge lesson to learn. Also, The Little Mermaid, because it was about a girl following her dreams, and doing whatever she had to to obtain them (not saying you should sell your voice to a sea witch, but, ya know). And, most recently, Frozen, because it’s theme that true love comes in many forms, and it’s the best love there is - regardless of who you are or where you come from, you are you, and you are loved. 

11.  Fangirl about something, really go wild!

To be honest... I’ve never really felt like a “true” fangirl. (yeah, oops) I mean, I adore these characters and really fell in love with who they are and what they’ve been through. But... I don’t tend to get really “giddy” (even though when people give me giddy reviews, I squeal like a school girl, and I want to give giddy reviews back, but I just... can’t). I’m sorry, I fail at life. But I’ll attempt to for the sake of this questionnaire. You’re just not allowed to judge ^.^

So... I really love Inukag?? Like, omg, my favorite part is how they call out each other’s name you can just feel their declaration of love, and they always find one another and rescue one another, even though they’re sometimes 500 years apart and I just really, really, REALLY love their dynamic and their friendships and just... everything. 

Including their happy little life with their happy little friends and their happy little towards tomorrow. 

Yeah... I died. 

Anyways, thanks for the tag, lovely!!

I tag: @iliveondaydreams @jeanbeannie @darlingdontletmego @supertimetravelmiko @stoatsandweasels @inukag-4ever

[ladysiuanraine]

HOW ANDREW J. WEST IS LIVING HIS OWN FAIRY TALE ON ‘ONCE UPON A TIME’

In real life, his wife, fellow actor Amber Stevens West, says her husband is more like everyman Henry than any other character he plays. He's polite and professional, the guy who folds his costume in his trailer at the end of the day so crew members aren't stuck doing it.

"He played such a good villain, which is hilarious to me because he's the kindest. He's so gentle, and calm, and not scary or intimidating at all in person, but he's so good at playing disturbed people and he thinks it's so much fun because it's such a departure from who he normally is," Stevens West tells The Hollywood Reporter.

"I love visiting sets when he's working because I get to gloat and be proud," she adds. "Every single person is like, 'Oh my God, we just love Andy! He is just such a nice guy!' He's just so friendly, and professional, and he's just considerate. Every person he comes in contact with has something wonderful to say about him, and I am very proud."

West on 'The Walking Dead,' left, and on 'Once Upon a Time'

The real-life nice guy reflects on his career trajectory from "Greek" to "The Walking Dead" to the ABC drama — and everything in between.

For a while, Andrew J. West was afraid he would be typecast as a villain — which is a funny notion to consider for anyone who has ever met him in real life.

The actor, who stars as the grown-up version of fairy tale hero Henry on ABC's rebooted Once Upon a Time, is perhaps best known for his role as the sadistic cannibal Gareth on AMC's The Walking Dead. After his four-episode arc ended, he joined the Freeform horror series Dead of Summer as what creator Edward Kitsis described as "Axl Rose leading a death cult of townies."

In real life, his wife, fellow actor Amber Stevens West, says her husband is more like everyman Henry than any other character he plays. He's polite and professional, the guy who folds his costume in his trailer at the end of the day so crew members aren't stuck doing it.

"He played such a good villain, which is hilarious to me because he's the kindest. He's so gentle, and calm, and not scary or intimidating at all in person, but he's so good at playing disturbed people and he thinks it's so much fun because it's such a departure from who he normally is," Stevens West tells The Hollywood Reporter.

"I love visiting sets when he's working because I get to gloat and be proud," she adds. "Every single person is like, 'Oh my God, we just love Andy! He is just such a nice guy!' He's just so friendly, and professional, and he's just considerate. Every person he comes in contact with has something wonderful to say about him, and I am very proud."

West and Stevens met while playing love interests on the then-ABC Family series Greek — a role that began as a two-episode guest spot and turned into a season-long arc. Before that, he was cast in a one-episode co-star role on the short-lived CW drama Privileged that turned into a multi-episode arc. Sense a pattern?

West tells THR that it's flattering and exciting that he's been brought back to shows so many times in his career.

"Every time it does happen I feel super lucky," he says. "Everybody has strengths and weaknesses. But when you can come onto a show and do a good job, but also just bring a positive vibe to what you're working on, that goes a long way. I see it happen all the time with actor friends of mine — great people that are just fun to be around and they do their job well, but they're also just a really positive. They get hired in one or two episodes, and they end up sticking around for the entire season."

Though he grew up writing and filming sketches with his friends as a kid, West never considered that acting could be a career path. But while at Indiana University, he started helping out his film studies roommate by helping write and star in short films. That led to university plays, and eventually, after graduating with a philosophy and anthropology degree, he moved to Los Angeles. He booked a few commercials while waiting tables at a small Italian restaurant, but quit once he landed the Privileged gig.

"I was so naïve. At the time, a year and a half seemed like a long time to me. It seemed like a long time that I had been out there busting my ass and auditioning and doing all these things. Then I was like, 'Finally, they're giving me a shot!' And then in my mind I thought, 'Well, if they let you go act in a TV show, once you're in the club they'll probably want you back.' I was so young. Looking back on it, it's like, 'Oh my God, that's the stupidest ever, it doesn't work like that at all.' For all intents and purposes, I should have had to go back with my tail between my legs, but luckily it didn't work out that way."

On Once Upon a Time, West is living a different type of childhood dream, telling familiar fairy tale stories as Cinderella's handsome prince. In a way, Once creators Kitsis and Adam Horowitz say it was the next natural progression in his career. While playing the aforementioned cult leader Satanist on their Dead of Summer, they realized he would be perfect for the new version of Henry they were planning for season seven of Once.

"I think we're very confident in telling you that Andrew is not a Satanist, but within that we saw his ability to play all these different things," Horowitz says. "He had incredible talent and just getting to know him we realized just how perfect he was for Henry so that when time came to cast the part he immediately came to mind. We called and asked if he'd be willing to do it, and we were just thrilled he was willing to come aboard and take on the role."

Says Kitsis, "What we loved first and foremost was how talented he was and also he just understood the rhythm of the show. He just picks up where [Jared Gilmore, the original Henry] left off and he really inhabits someone who makes this show real. When we're watching him we're always with him, and that's what we loved about him. No matter what he was saying, we were always with him."

West was familiar with Once so he knew who Henry was, but he had no idea about where the storyline would go when he signed on. A week after accepting the role, he flew to Vancouver to film the season six finale.

"I'm shooting a scene where I'm with my daughter in fairy tale land in a cave, and something's chasing us. Nobody has any idea what's going on. The director of the episode, nobody really knew. They were just like, 'We're just playing like something's going to kill you guys and we'll figure out where this is going later.' It's tricky, but super exciting. Then when we found out that the show got picked up for season seven, we all came back up here a few months ago and that's when we started to dig in. But still a lot about this character and about the storyline is just getting revealed week to week as scripts come in, too."

Both he and his wife are series regulars on TV shows this season, though Stevens West's sitcom Ghosted films in Los Angeles while Once is in the so-called "Hollywood North" of Vancouver.

"We've definitely had to spend a bit of time apart because one of us is working on location somewhere. That's come up a lot over the years," he says. "This is the first time that we've both been series regulars on different shows that are shooting in different cities. Luckily it's Vancouver-Los Angeles and those cities are pretty close by plane, so that makes it a lot easier."

He continues, "Amber and I have a strict three-week rule, where even if it's just for a night or two, we've got to just get back and be with each other. At the same time it's exciting, because we both are getting to work on these shows that we love. It's fun to get to share that."

West is fully on board for future seasons should Once continue past season seven, but in the meantime he's happy to enjoy the experience. While he's seen plenty of fellow actors skyrocket to fame, he's happy with his continued upward trajectory.

"I've been so lucky to make a comfortable living doing what I love to do for such a long time that if it had worked out differently, that's sort of scary in a way," he says. "I can't imagine it working out better. For my own sanity and my own disposition, this is the trajectory that is right for me. Whether it's right or wrong, or whether it is what you want or what you don't want, I think you have to take a step back and just ask yourself, 'Am I happy? Am I satisfied? Am I content with the work that I've gotten to do, the work that I'm doing?' Professionally in my career, I absolutely am. That's all you can hope for. That's the ultimate. I just feel lucky to really feel that way, when I take an honest step back and look at all of it up to this point."

Once airs Fridays on ABC.