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eideticmemory · 4 years ago

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FINE LINE | SPENCER REID

Two decades and two children later, you and your ex-husband learn to navigate the world of co-parenting.

Word Count: 2,604.

Warning: Daddy issues, mommy issues, angst, drama, romance. Love to see it.

You could feel it. The light illuminating your face, touching it with a gentle heat that made your eyes flutter open. Your head felt heavy, as if your neck was attempting to support the weight of a canon ball. You rested your skull on the back of the chair you sat in, eyelids dropping just above your irises. Just in the distance, you could make out a cinema screen. Large, blurry, projecting a bright white screen.

Her image appeared in the center of the square, perfect, in place, still. But you could make out the grin on her face. Watching her dark red lips release the words, “Hello, sleepyhead.”

You could just barely muster up the strength to part your lips, pushing out a small gust of air. It was hot and made your mouth feel like it was on fire.

“H—“

“Oh,” she interrupted you, gently, quietly. You jumped at the feeling of her touching your arm, her palm tight around your forearm. She was cold, freezing, but you could still feel warmth radiating off of her. “I’m afraid you can’t stay too long this time. It’s time to wake up.”

“Hm?” You whined. “Mm?”

“Wake up,” she repeated. “C’mon, wake up. Wake up, wake up, wake u—“

“Up!”

You jolted, violently, harshly, your eyes springing open to reveal the usual sight of your bedsheets.

“Mom, wake up,” an exasperated voice sounded from beside you, the words catching your attention instantly. Tightly.

“Huh?” You mumbled, flickering your eyes up to the figure at your side, sitting on your bed, looking at you with a concerned stare. “Hm?”

“Are you alright?” Eden asked. Sunlight shone on her face, giving her the appearance of an angel. Sent to wake you, pull you back into reality. “What were you dreaming about?”

You let out a long sigh, as if you could even begin to explain your subconscious mind to your 15-year-old daughter. “Oh, y’know,” you whispered, sitting yourself upright and resting back against the headboard. “Just...lions, and tigers, and bears.”

“Oh my,” Eden responded, her big brown eyes concentrated on your face.

You chuckled underneath your breath, and let out a quick huff. “Oh, shoot, is your brother up?”

“He’s up, he’s dressed, he’s fed, and reading the Illiad.”

“Oh?” You stepped out of bed, pulling the duvet over your legs to reveal your pajama pants. “What happened to War and Peace?”

“He finished that yesterday.”

“He gets quicker every hour,” you shook your head.

“It’s a genius thing,” Eden shrugged. She fiddled with the ends of her hair, watching the strands brush over her fingers as she chewed her lip. “Hey, mom?”

“Yeah, kid?” You replied, standing in the bathroom mirror as you began to get ready for the day.

“You—you know dad, right?”

You stopped in your tracks, any and all movements coming to a halt. Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and you spun on your heels, slowly, until you came face to face with Eden. “Uh . . . your dad?”

“Yes.”

“Tall? Long, brown hair? Hazel eyes? Has a birthmark on his right thigh?” You listed, toothbrush hanging from your mouth.

“Ew,” Eden cringed. “Yes.”

“Never met him in my life,” you shrugged.

“Mom.”

“Kid,” you tilted your head, face softening as you realized how nervous she was. “What’s up?”

She sighed, ducking her head down to avoid eye contact. “I invited him to my sweet 16.”

“Oh.” It came out like reflex. You said the word before you could fully process the information.

“Are you mad?”

“No—huh? E,” you rushed to sit beside her. “You don’t have to hide inviting your father from me—you—you don’t have to invite your father at all. He’s always welcome to visit on your birthday. And of course he should be at your sweet sixteen.”

“Really?” Eden questioned, eyebrows raised. “So, it will be a nice day? A nice party? Everyone will be nice to everyone?”

“Yes, yes, girl scouts honor.”

“Good,” she nodded, a satisfied smile on her face. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”

“Oh, babe,” you murmured, tucking her hair behind her ear. “It—“

“Mom!” A shrill voice struck both of you with fear, coming out of nowhere.

“Yes, my love?” You directed at Emerson, watching him fidget with his hands in the doorway. His shaggy brown hair covered his face slightly and his button up was tucked into his khaki shorts.

“My chess tournament starts soon, are you coming?” He asked.

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world, kiddo. You and your sister go downstairs while I get dressed.”

They’re obedient, your kids. Kind, driven, smart — with an average IQ of 187.5. The could take over the world if they really, really wanted to. But they don’t. They just want to go out for pizza, and get their twenty dollar allowance every week, hang out with their friends, focus on school, and . . . to see their father. You solemnly set your toothbrush down in the bathroom, looking at yourself in the mirror — tired, worn out, nauseous from another . . . dream? Nightmare? You’re not sure, and frankly, you don’t want to think about it.

So, you pushed on. You got dressed, fixed your hair, used light makeup to cover your exhaustion. Stepping out into the bedroom, your eyes quickly fell on your cellphone — the device laying on your bedside dresser. Hands on your hips, you shook your head, telling yourself not to do it. It’s not necessary, it’s overbearing to even think about.

Then, you remembered who you were dealing with here. And you rushed over to picked up the phone.

“[y/n] Reid,” he beamed. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I heard you talked to E,” you whispered, pacing back and forth in your bedroom.

“I did,” Spencer confirmed. “She called me the other day.”

“To invite you to her birthday party.”

“Yes.”

“And are you planning on coming?” You asked.

“Of course I’m planning on coming. It’s my daughter’s sixteenth birthday.”

“Right, right, it’s not like you missed her fifteenth, or thirteenth, or her twelfth, or her actual birth, or anything.”

“[y/n]—”

“Listen, I didn’t call to argue, or even talk,” you sighed. “I just called to tell you that this party isn’t an option. You will be here Saturday at 10 o’clock sharp, you will help decorate, you will spend time with your children, and you will make this the best damn day Eden Reid has ever had. Understood?”

“I have to help decorate?”

“Spencer—“

“I will be there. 10 o’clock. I will help decorate, I will spend time with my children, I will make this the best damn day Eden Reid has ever had. I understand.”

You released a quiet huff, like your lungs couldn’t stand to hold the breath any longer. “Thank you.”

Spencer let out a soft, sad laugh, “Haven’t done that in a while.”

Chess gives you anxiety. You understand it. You can conceptualize it, and even play it. Well. But the bubbling in your stomach every time you witnessed a game — particually one where your eight year old son is playing — comes back to haunt you again and again. You don’t worry about Emerson, he can take care of himself. He’s like his father in that way, the game is in his blood. But the tension, the speed, the risk. It made your breath lodge in your chest, and every so often, you had to sigh to regain control.

The only thing that could pull you from that stress is Em. Emerson Derek Reid, the little half smile on his face when he wins a match. It makes the three hour tournaments worth it. Watching your boy play against college level students who have been playing all their lives. Yeah, so has he.

He jumps off stage in an excited state, rushing towards you with open arms. “You’re a tiger, kid!” You exclaim. “You killed it.”

“Thank you, thank you,” he shrugged. “It’s really my opponents’ fault, they wouldn’t know a queen from a rook if it was looking them in the face.”

“Ooh, cat fight.” E remarked, causing Em and you to laugh.

“Hey,” you said. “Since you’re both already out of school today . . . wanna play hookie?”

“Mom? I am shocked!” E gasped, trying hard to contain a laugh.

“Oh, c’mon, we never get to hang out anymore since you guys started these college classes and my business went up. I’m off work, you’re already out of class, let’s just do it. Let’s go shop and eat and hang out and I will write you guys an excuse for tomorrow, okay?” You rambled, putting your hands to their shoulders.

Em and E looked at each other, and after a minute, they looked up at you and nodded.

Your very, very favorite people on the whole planet.

You took them to the mall. Bought Em some new clothes, but he wasn’t really interested. You and E did most of the picking. He sat in the corner of the store reading and only participated to try on outfits you guys had picked out. You both squealed and told him how cute he looked, and he scrunched up his nose. Just like . . .

And then you bought E some shoes, some vans. There was a huge sell, and she fell in love with everything she tried on. And you fell in love with seeing her happy so you ran up a bill.

“Okay, which one of us is dying?” E said as you sat at lunch. Em bursted out laughing.

“Wha—neither of you! I just wanted to spoil you guys. You kill yourselves all week with school, even though it’s summer. And I never see you, that’s all.”

“Mhm,” Em hummed, an unconvinced look in his face as he eyed his sister. “I bet someone died.”

“Em!” You exclaimed, E’s laughter blending in. “God, you guys are morbid.”

“Our parents both worked in the FBI, we’re basically trained,” E giggled.

Just then, you got a call. Work. Fuck. You stood from the table and stepped outside, excusing yourself first.

“[y/n].”

“Can we close the Pickett case tonight?”

“Raven . . .”

“I don’t want that boy in that house for one more second. [y/n], I will send you more of my notes, but . . . read them, read them. You will understand. Please.”

You sighed, “I’ll be there at ten. If you are not there at ten . . . I’ll wait for you. Let’s do it.”

“Thank you! Thank you, thanks! Bye. Sorry. Bye.”

You took in a deep breath and shook your head.

Nothing was going to spoil your lunch. Not today.

The car ride home, the three of you vibed to music. Your kids knew every word to Fleetwood Mac’s discography and it was your greatest accomplishment. They even developed their own dance routine to Dreams when they were younger.

Your very, very favorite people on the whole planet.

You pulled up to your house, and as you approached the driveway, you saw a familiar car parked out front. Your stomach flipped, caved in, skipped, hopped, and jumped.

Words can’t even described what it did when you saw him.

Sitting on the porch swing.

“Dad?” Em exclaimed loudly in excitement. You parked in the driveway, eyeing Spencer the whole time.

“Dad?” E said quietly, confusion in her voice. “Did you—“ She directed at you, interrupted by her brother hopping out of the car.

Em ran up to Spencer, and his father scooped him up in a quick motion, spinning him around and kissing his head.

You let out a quick huff, turned to E and smiled, “C’mon, go say hi.”

You followed E out of the car, and watched as she tip toed towards Spencer. She suddenly skipped and jumped into Spencer’s arms.

“Hey, dad,” she said.

“Hey, kid!” He replied, before putting her on her feet. “Your hair is getting so long!”

“Yeah,” she twirled her hair and laughed. “What are you doing here!”

“I wanted to see you guys . . .” He turned to you. “And your mom, who’s quiet as a mouse.”

“Hello,” you shrugged, giving him a kind smile.

“Are you staying for today, dad?” Em asked, tucked under Spencer’s arm.

“I was actually hoping to stay until Sunday, if that’s okay with your mom, of course.”

Your very, very least favorite person on the whole planet.

“Please, mom? He can be here for my birthday!” E pipped.

Em. E. Em. E. Those big, pouty eyes of theirs staring you down. “You can stay in the guest room,” you told Spencer.

“Is that close to your bedroom?” Spencer smirked.

“Heh,” you huffed. “Don’t push it. You can stay upstairs.”

“Yes! C’mon, dad! I made a new model that I wanna show you!”

Later that night, you made the kids pasta. It was one of your finer cuisines, taught to you by an old friend, and they asked for it all the night, especially when they needed to study.

Spencer wandered into the kitchen after getting settled upstairs. “Woah! I thought we could go out for dinner, huh? My treat?”

“We would, dad,” Eden said. “But we both have tests tomorrow. Calculus and Physics. Maybe tomorrow.”

You set their plates down and looked up at Spencer. You walked over to him, eyeing him knowingly as you led him out of the kitchen.

“They’re nerds,” Spencer laughed.

“They’ve also both got an eidetic memory. It’s gonna take them all of three minutes to study, then they’ll be all over you again,” you told him, walking out onto the back patio.

Following you, Spencer closed the door behind him, isolating you two on the porch.

You sat down, plopped down, and looked up at him, “Why are you here?”

“Subtle.”

“Spencer.”

“I mean it, you should be a federal agent.”

“Spencer.”

He sighed heavily, “I have some things I want to . . . handle.”

“Here?” You asked.

“Yes,” he hesitated. “I haven’t been enough a part of the kids’ lives—“

You rolled yours eyes. Yeah, you knew that.

“I want to fix that, to have a real relationship with them.” He continued.

“You’ve always been able to,” you shrugged. “You get distracted.”

“Work,” he muttered.

“Always is.”

“And . . .” he whispered, his eyes flickering back and forth between you and the ground.

You furrowed your eyebrows, “And?”

“I — I want to fix my relationship with you.”

Huh.

“I want us to go to therapy.”

Huh.

“Wha—“ You stuttered, rising from your seat. “Spencer, what?”

“Not couples therapy. Nothing . . . romantic,” his voice cracked. “But we can’t keep acting so . . . poorly around the kids. They’re smart, they notice things. They always have.”

“Spencer, how are we gonna go to therapy? You’d need to dig up Freud himself and have him work on us full time.”

“I just think we need to talk,” he murmured. He stepped closer to you, breathing deeply as he towered over you. “Will you please just think about it?”

You stared him in the eye, let out a heavy exhale.

Spencer.

#spencer reid imagine #spencer reidxreader #spencer reid/reader #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid #criminal minds #criminal minds fanfiction #criminal minds imagine #mine #fl

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thelustrousyellowdiamond · 4 years ago

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The Scavenger Hunt Part 1

Steven was trying to enjoy his birthday. But a certain someone that he invited didn’t want to participate. It was very frustrating for him, especially with the rest of his family trying to get him to stop trying to help everyone else and just enjoy himself for a bit. But he couldn’t help it. Helping others was his whole life, if someone else wasn’t as happy as he was then he couldn’t be happy until they were happy.

Blue and Yellow Pearl invited him over so they could share something important with him. “I think it’s called a... scavenger hunt?” Yellow Pearl said in an uncertain manner.

“You follow the clues to find the surprises until the end where there’s some kind of big reveal,” added Blue Pearl.

“Look, guys,” said Steven. “Thanks for everything, and I really appreciate all the kind gestures, but I’ve already got a renovated house, that pocket telescope Connie gave me, and that party suit from you two, so I don’t really need any more gifts. I just want everyone to have a good time.”

“But you deserve some fun too, Steven,” said Amethyst, who was nearby. “Would it hurt to be spoiled a bit for just one day?”

“I mean, it might...” Steven uttered sheepishly. “Dad often talks about how-”

“Dude, forget it!”

“Besides, we’ve already set everything up,” Yellow Pearl stated. “Everything would go to waste if you said no.”

Steven sighed. “Alright, fine, I’ll humor you this once. But it’s just so we can have fun, got it?”

Blue Pearl nodded. “You may want to get into your adventure appearance modifiers for this one, Steven.”

Connie and decided to join the Pearls along with Amethyst and Steven for this hunt. However the others were rather partied out and opted instead to collapse on the sofas in the expanded house and just chat.

Steven looked at his first clue:

A carrier the shape of a sweet

Lies in the hands of some new old friends

Just down the street.

Steven was confused. “Which street? There are lots of them in Beach City.”

Yellow Pearl blushed. “Uh, we hadn’t really thought that out.”

“Alright, just follow us then,” said Blue Pearl.

“Not much of a hunt then now,” Amethyst grumbled.

“Come on guys,” said Connie. “They’re trying to do they’re best. We should have fun regardless.”

Steven frowned. “I just don’t get it. They’re up to something and I don’t understand why they would do all this for me.”

The three of them followed the Pearls all the way to the end of Beach City, right around where the water tower was. Steven was quite surprised to say the least, not by the gift itself, but by who was presenting it.

“FAMETHYST!?!?” exclaimed Steven and Amethyst at the same time.

“So these are all the gems you met up in space when you were rescuing your dad?” asked Connie.

“Only a few of us,” said Amethyst 8XJ (the Amethyst with the curl) “The rest of the humans and quartzes are back at the zoo. J-10 and Y-6 just decided to tag along. We’ve even been able to unbubble the Rose Quartzes and cruise the galaxy as we please.”

“Woah!” exclaimed Amethyst. “How did you guys convince Holly Blue?”

“We didn’t,” stated Skinny Jasper.

“She got fired and reassigned somewhere else!” shouted Carnelian. “We’re rid of her for good!”

“Ste-van! We were told to give this to you,” said Y-6. He handed him a strange looking drawstring bag. “Happy fifteenth birthday!”

“It’s an ice cream cone drawstring bag from the Wacky Sacks Supply Company!” Steven looked puzzled. “But where did you get this? How did the Pearls get you guys in on this thing?”

8XJ shrugged. “We dunno. We were just doing our jobs and then Holly Blue Agate got a notice of termination. With her out of the way, we figured that we could finally do as we please, take joyrides, relax in the pools, explore other planets, and just hang out!”

“We kinda just bumped into the Pearls while exploring Earth a little bit, and then we had this brilliant idea to say hello to all of you!” said Carnelian.

The Amethysts including 8XM all went into for a group hug. “Whatever the case may be, it sure is nice to see you guys again,” she said. “Feel free to drop by the temple anytime! I could even show you my room and all the junk I’ve collected over thousands of years of living here!”

“Steven, I think it see a note attached to the bag,” said Connie. “It must be another clue!”

“Why don’t you do this one, Connie?” replied Steven.

“Well, okay. I do hope you get to do at least one though.”

The next clue you seek

Involves song, not speech

For under a stage on your way

Is a special recording

For a special day.

“This one is easy!” said Connie. “It’s gotta be the stage that they set up for special events like speeches, Beach-A-Palooza, and concerts!”

Steven was confused. “But they aren’t holding anything special in Beach City today. The stage would have to be folded up and put away somewhere.”

“Well, maybe we can just ask around,” Amethyst suggested. “Didn’t you want this to be a bit more of a challenge?”

However, it didn’t take that long. Since Sadie Killer and the Suspects often had to help set up, Sour Cream was able to point them in the direction of the abandoned warehouse where the stage parts were normally kept in storage. It only took about ten minutes of digging before they found a VHS tape with the words BIRTHDAY BALL BASH written on it.

When Steven found a TV to start the video however, the Pearls got quite flustered and fast forwarded the entire thing, obscuring the screen so that all Steven could hear was high pitched indiscernible lyrics.

“Hey! What gives?” Steven asked, frustrated.

“Eh heh heh...” muttered Yellow Pearl.

“This video was chock full of embarrassing and cringey moments,” Blue Pearl bluntly stated. “We’re doing you a favor by skipping the entire thing.”

“And here it is! The final clue!” interjected Yellow Pearl. “It’s at the end of all this awful footage!”

“Wait, seriously? It’s already the end!?!?” Amethyst blurted. “You guys are terrible at planning scavenger hunts!”

“Amethyst, don’t be rude!” snapped Steven. He turned to the Pearls. “I am really sorry about all of this, I know you’re trying your best.”

At the hill’s apex

Is where you’ll want to go next.

A spotlight will uncover

Your last gift concealed

And all shall be revealed.

“The lighthouse!” exclaimed Steven. “It is rather far from here on foot though.”

“That’s okay! We can just walk back leisurely,” said Connie. “Even if this whole thing was super easy, we can just take our time. It’s been a while since the two of us got a moment to just relax together anyway.”

“Well, I’m always up for long walks on the beach with my best friend,” Steven blushed contentedly. “I’m game!”

After spending about an hour trekking to the lighthouse, the two of them looked over the edge of the lighthouse by the telescope together. By that time, the sun was beginning to set.

““Wow...” Connie said. “I know that Beach City sunsets were beautiful, but I’ve never seen one from this view before...”

“Yeah...” Steven trailed off. The sunset’s glow lit up Connie’s face in sight a beautiful manner that he felt like he could just gaze into her eyes forever.

“Do you think we could stay up and watch the stars come out?” asked Connie. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to study them up close with this kind of telescope.”

Steven looked back and laughed. “I think if we did, the Pearls would get even more impatient. They’ve been trying to cheer me up, I think.” He slowly took Connie’s hand. “But if we may, I... I’d like to share this moment with you. We’ve been through so much together, and- and I don’t think we’ve had much time to make it official, but... will you be my girlfriend?”

“Oh! I didn’t think you’d ask-”

“You don’t wanna be my girlfriend?”

“No! I mean, yes! I mean, I didn’t think you would ask right here and right now, but yes. I would love to be your girlfriend.”

However, their moment was interrupted by cheering and shouting below.

“YEAH! WOO!”

“GO GET ‘ER!”

“I just can’t wait to help plan your wedding!” said Sapphire giddily.

“Wh-what!?” exclaimed Connie.

Both Steven and Sapphire looked very awkward. “Oh, sorry! I got so caught up in it that I must have been looking too far into the future...”

“WHAT!?”

“FORGET SHE SAID THAT!” shouted Ruby. “WE’RE JUST VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!”

“Hold up!” Steven called down to them. “First of all, I wasn’t proposing marriage, I just asked Connie to be my girlfriend! Second, what were you doing spying on us like that!? We were having a moment!”

#ask yellow diamond #su steven #connie maheswaran #su amethyst #famethyst #zoomans #su carnelian #skinny jasper #su blue pearl #Yellow Pearl #su ruby #su sapphire #steven universe

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unicornprincessinthetardis · 3 years ago

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Hey~. This just kinda spilled out of me, so enjoy xP

Hardup Hall is silent except for the ticking of the clock over the mantle, and the crackling of the fireplace. It’s dark, except for the moonlight pouring in through the windows, and the fire still dancing on the hearth. CINDERELLA sits on the floor in quiet contemplation, watching the dying flames, and hugging her knees to her chest. BUTTONS makes his way quietly down the stairs, a wrapped parcel tucked under his arm. When he reaches the bottom step, he pauses and regards Cinderella for a moment. She doesn’t seem to have noticed him.

“I had a feeling you’d still be up,” Buttons says.

Cinderella startles and turns at the sound of his voice, but relaxes when she realizes who it is. “I finished scrubbing the floor a while ago,” she explains. “Now I’m just a bit reluctant to put the fire out and go to bed.”

“Can’t blame you,” says Buttons sympathetically, coming over to sit beside her. “Terribly drafty isn’t it, the attic?”

“Especially this time of year,” she agrees, sighing. Her eyes fall upon the parcel for the first time. “…What is that?”

Buttons grins and holds it in full view. “Something that might help. Why don’t you go on and open it?”

She gives him a bemused look, but takes it from him, setting the package in her lap and removing the brown paper as carefully as she can, not wanting to make too much noise. Buttons, sharing her concerns, glances warily at the staircase every once in a while.

But fortunately, no one comes charging down demanding to know what they’re doing, or looking for a late-night drink or snack, and Cinderella opens the package without interruption. She gasps softly as she pulls out its contents.

“A quilt~?” she says, standing and holding it out in front of her so she can examine the whole thing. It’s made up of dark blues and pale pinks and creamy whites. It looks expertly made and so, so soft. She wants to wrap herself in it immediately. “Buttons, it’s beautiful. And it’s for me?”

“Of course it’s for you!”

“But why on earth—I mean, what’s the occasion?”

Buttons has gotten to his feet and now blinks at her question, seeming faintly amused. “The occasion? Cinders, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what day it is?”

She isn’t sure what he’s getting at. “It’s the fourteenth, I believe…”

“But the clock struck midnight a bit ago,” he reminds her.

“Oh right, of course. Midnight does have a way of sneaking up on people, doesn’t it. So I suppose that makes it the fifteenth—"

Buttons sees the moment her eyes light up in realization, and he grins at her again. “Happy birthday, Cinders~.”

She laughs at herself, clutching the blanket and peering up at him over it. “I can’t believe you remembered!”

“Apparently someone around here has to,” he teases. “Sorry to bring it up at such a weird hour. I didn’t want to miss it, but I can hardly give you anything when… they’re around.” (He rolls his eyes in the direction of the staircase).

“But you know you didn’t have to give me anything at all,” she says, feeling a bit guilty. “Not when they pay you so little…”

“Hey, at least I get paid,” he points out. “Which is more than they do for you. And—what else do I have to spend money on, really? What could possibly be more important than making sure my favorite person in the world has something nice on her birthday~?”

Cinderella scoffs modestly, but he isn’t done.

“Honestly, I… I wish I could’ve gotten you something better. Like one of those diamond necklaces or hairpins you see in the high-end shop windows. Or a gown, or at least a spiffy hat! Y’know? The kind of presents a proper lady deserves.”

Of course he knows as well as she does that, even if he could afford to give her those things, they’d only be in her possession for a day or so before disappearing into her stepsisters’ boudoirs, just like every other pretty thing she once owned. If they weren’t destroyed out of spite.

“Because… you are a proper lady, Cinders,” he continues, softly but with conviction. “You’re more of a lady than any of them will ever be—which is probably why they’re trying so hard to make sure you forget it. And I—well, I just hope you never do. Forget it, I mean.”

Cinderella smiles then. “Of course I won’t forget,” she tells him sincerely, before adding, with a playful sort of twinkle in her eyes: “Not as long as I’ve got you around to remind me~.”

Buttons says nothing, just hopes that the redness of his cheeks isn’t too noticeable in the dim firelight.

“And as for those Things A Lady Deserves…” Cinderella drapes her gift across her shoulders and pulls it snug around herself, like a cloak, and sighs contentedly. “Well, none of them keep out the draft, do they? I daresay this quilt is worth more to me than a thousand spiffy hats~.”

Her gaze softens. She regards him for a moment, before going up on her tip-toes to press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Buttons,” she says. “And not just for the quilt; for everything.”

She doesn’t wait for a reply (which is good, because Buttons’ mind has gone completely blank), just slips past him and makes her way up the stairs to the attic, her footfalls as silent as a cat’s.

They both know that things won’t be much different when the sun comes up. The stepfamily will not acknowledge that it’s Cinderella’s birthday. They won’t hold back on the snide comments, and her workload won’t be any lighter. But at least, at the end of the day, her room will be a bit more inviting to go back to, now that it’s brightened with a pretty quilt. And she’ll sleep better under a blanket that’s no longer thin and threadbare. Buttons thinks he’ll sleep better, too, knowing that she’s a little bit less miserable.

Distantly, he remembers to smother the fire before heading upstairs himself.

~~~

Thank you again for this, @starry-nightengale! <3 I do love this so much, it’s lovely, and you really have captured them and the dynamic so well (and why yes, I am basically posting it for an audience of just us two, and you wrote it! XD )

(And apologies to my other mutuals/followers, who this will mean almost nothing to, or at least Buttons won’t, anyhow! All I can say is pantomimes, which will equally mean nothing to most of you, unless you’ve been around for long enough to see one of my rare original posts on the topic from years ago. But practically the whole point of tumblr is gratifying and expressing often niche interests/opinions/fandoms/ships, so even though this one of mine, of ours, is incredibly niche, now I’ve discovered I share it with someone, why shouldn’t I include a sprinkling of it in the already chaotic mélange of anything that crosses my mind, or more often takes my fancy as it crosses my dash, that is my blog? And especially when that involves sharing and celebrating the fanworks of mutuals, which is the case here)

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tinybibmpreg · 3 years ago

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a oneshot as a birthday gift for myself lol. was going to be more adult themed but then i got sidetracked by angst & lore and then a happy fluffy family resolution. so. lmao.

my temperamental prince character Gaelwin and his elf knight (future) husband, Tasnear, working out some misunderstandings and family secrets about their daughter. past/post mpreg

Blykren: Getting to Know You

Gaelwin smirked down at him, mismatched eyes blazing with some emotion Tasnear wasn’t sure he wanted to know the identity of. Gaelwin shoved him onto his bed and climbed on top of him, like a predator holding down its prey- ready to kill. Tasnear resisted the urge to throw off Gaelwin, to fight against him and escape. It wouldn’t do to hurt a prince of East Atalan. He was already in such low standing with the King, Gaelwin’s grandfather. He quite liked being allowed back in the palace, being with he and Gaelwin’s daughter. It wouldn’t do to get himself exiled again.

He’d just have to hope that Gaelwin was just being mischievous, trying to scare him, one last thrill before he went off to sleep. The prince’s siblings were quite vocal at times that that was what their brother did- terrify people. For fun or out of cruelty. He’d scare them into obedience, go into wild rages and smash everything around him, destroy their things, hurt himself in the process. But he’d never lay a hand on them unless he was grabbing them and carrying them off to what he believed was safety.

Tasnear wasn’t sure if that applied to him, seeing as he wasn’t one of Gaelwin’s siblings. He wasn’t even sure Gaelwin actually believed he really was Orwina’s mother.

Which certainly wasn’t good. Gaelwin could be downright violent towards people who he didn’t see as family, especially with his new powers. He could rip people to shreds with a wave of his hand if he wished, and he’d done so before. Having spires of ice erupt from the ground to skewer an assassin through, using wind to send projectiles of dirt and rocks to go through a man who had swore at him. Everard had told him how Gaelwin, before getting his powers, would throw and stomp on people who offended him. He always had a reason for reacting so badly, Averil insisted, even if the reason didn’t seem strong enough, or obvious enough. It wasn’t violence for violence’s sake, even if it really seemed to be.

He wasn’t sure what he had done to offend Gaelwin. Perhaps Gaelwin was finally convinced he was lying about being the one to give birth to their daughter. Perhaps he’d gotten sick of him befriending his siblings. Tasnear couldn’t think of anything he could have said to upset Gaelwin. He was always kind to his siblings, and never said a bad word about him to the children nor to anyone else. Orwina loved her father, and though Tasnear feared the man and the danger he posed to everyone around him, he would never try to change his daughter’s mind.

So Tasnear didn’t dare speak now. He just stared up at Gaelwin, bracing himself for whatever the prince might do to him. But the man did nothing- he just kept him pinned, that devilish smirk on his face.

Minutes passed and Tasnear found himself growing bored. With a different person, he might have thought that they were waiting for him to let his guard down, but Gaelwin didn’t seem the type to try that tactic. He just seemed to be thinking, rather, barely breathing or blinking, eyes losing their intensity and glossing over as time dragged on and on. Tasnear debated internally on whether or not to snap Gaelwin out of his thoughts. He opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated. Before he could make up his mind on whether or not to say anything, Gaelwin blinked rapidly and shook his head. With a huff, he pushed himself up, now only kneeling with his legs on either side of Tasnear.

“Huh. Got lost in my head for a while there.” Gaelwin rubbed his eyes, blinked a few more times, and looked down at Tasnear. Confusion flickered across his features, only to be replaced by a grin. “Hello, Sir Tasnear.”

He didn’t bother correcting Gaelwin that he wasn’t a knight anymore. “Is there something you need of me, Prince Gaelwin?”

“No, not really, Tas.”

Tasnear chewed his lip for a moment, not expecting the diminutive from Gaelwin, then asked, “Ah… Has Orwina has begun calling me that to you?”

Gaelwin placed a hand on Tasnear’s chest, fiddling with a clasp on his tunic. He nodded, then undid the clasp. He continued down the elf’s tunic, undoing all the clasps until he could expose his undershirt. Tasnear didn’t know what to think of being undressed. Was Gaelwin merely curious about his clothing? Had he just wanted to do something with his hands, like a nervous habit of picking at buttons? Gaelwin’s siblings had assured him Gaelwin had no interest in anything but keeping them safe or indulging basic curiosity and harmless impulses. Tasnear didn’t fear being taken advantage of by the prince.

“Tell me, Tas,” Gaelwin started in his questioning tone that demanded an answer no matter when or where or to whom he asked. Pale, bruised fingers drew down Tasnear’s front to stop on his belly. “Are elves as humans? Is a mother’s body marked forever by its pregnancy?”

Not at all what Tasnear expected to be asked, though if he was honest with himself, he’d had no clue what the prince was going to ask. At least it was something he could answer easily. “Yes, typically. If an Elvin mother shows during their pregnancy, they will have marks, just as a human would.”

“Tas.” The way Gaelwin said his nickname was… odd. Tasnear felt embarrassed, and he wasn’t sure why. He was fine with the nickname, had grown up being called that by family and friends and people who were familiar with him. But the way the prince said his nickname, as if in knowing it he’d indulged some great curiosity, made his ears twitch. Gaelwin’s eyes flicked to the movement and he moved a hand to Tasnear’s left ear, pinching the point of it between two of his fingers.

He swallowed at the prickles of sensitivity. His other ear twitched involuntarily, though Tasnear tried to suppress it.

Gaelwin tilted his head, his messy blond hair falling into his eyes. He finished unbuttoning Tasnear’s tunic and pulled it open, then shoved up his undershirt. Tasnear bit his lower lip, his face growing hot.

A cold hand spread out over his belly. Tasnear glanced down and saw as Gaelwin traced his thumb over the stretch marks on his abdomen. Though they’d somewhat faded over the past few years, they were plainly visible. Grinning, the prince suddenly was over him again, a wicked look in his eyes.

“Prince Gaelwin? Mmph!” Tasnear jolted as Gaelwin surged down and kissed him, their teeth slamming together painfully. His hands went up to push Gaelwin off reflexively, but he managed to stop himself and instead held onto the front of Gaelwin’s tunic, closing his eyes.

The kiss was more of a bite than a kiss, far too forceful. Tasnear wasn’t sure what to think of it at first. Surely, Gaelwin wasn’t attracted to him. His siblings made it obvious that Gaelwin would never view anyone as desirable, and Tasnear had figured that for himself through watching how Gaelwin treated people. Gaelwin only viewed people as threats or as things beneath him. He didn’t make friends, much less take lovers.

Still, the kiss was thrilling in a way. During moments in his pregnancy, he’d imagined what it would be like for the father of his child to be there with him. He’d wake up to fleeting dreams of a charming prince holding him and touching his belly, claiming him. Tasnear hadn’t tried to entertain ideas of what it’d be like if the 15th princess’ son had taken him as a lover instead of just requesting a child of his own when his mother asked him what would make him happy, but he’d been emotional and overwhelmed and couldn’t help himself.

It wasn’t the gentle embrace he’d dreamed of, but it certainly felt like he was being claimed. Being pressed into his bed, Gaelwin biting him as if he were trying to devour him…

Definitely not what he’d imagined while he was pregnant, but still something he, surprisingly, would have and did enjoy.

Tasnear’s hands moved from clinging to Gaelwin’s tunic to wrapping around him, one hand going to holding the back of his head. Gaelwin dipped his head down to bite his neck and Tasnear’s fingers tightened in his hair, which only made him bite harder until it drew a whimper from Tasnear as he felt the prince’s teeth slice through his skin and draw blood. Gaelwin hummed and lapped at the blood. When he pulled up, leaving Tasnear catching his breath beneath him, his teeth were stained red. He ran his tongue over them.

“G-Gaelwin…”

“Hm. I believe you.”

Tasnear furrowed his brow in confusion. “What?”

“I said I believe you, Tas,” Gaelwin repeated, shrugging. “I didn’t before. But now I do.”

“Ah… about…?”

“About what you said. About Orwina.” Gaelwin rolled his eyes as if Tasnear was being ridiculous. “My mother never told me where she came from, just that by using magic, she was mine. So I guess your whole story about a knight telling your family your exile would be lifted if one of you did a favor for the son of a fifteenth princess wasn’t made up, and you really did carry and give birth to my daughter for me.”

“Oh. I’m- I’m glad.”

“Sorry my mother lied to you. She did that sometimes to make things easier for me.”

“It’s… alright. I’m very fond of Orwina. I’m glad I’m her mother.”

Gaelwin climbed off of him and sat on the edge of the bed. He looked over his shoulder at Tasnear, an impatient look on his face. Tasnear scrambled up and perched next to him, pulling down his shirt and starting to button up his tunic.

Before he could get too far, Gaelwin made an unhappy sound and reached to yank his shirt back up. “Hey, I still want to look at you. Do the marks go on your sides? Is there anything else?”

He felt his ears go hot and start twitching again, which he didn’t bother trying to suppress. He was too flustered. Gaelwin raised a hand to one and pinched it again.

“Why are your ears moving so much?”

“They do that when I’m…”

“When what, Tas? When you’re aroused or embarrassed?” Gaelwin asked, twisting Tasnear’s ear curiously. Tasnear’s whole face felt hot hearing Gaelwin ask if he was aroused. Not something he’d ever expected from the prince. Seeing his face go red, Gaelwin tugged on his ear and huffed, asking, “Are you going to answer anything?”

“S-sorry. I’m just… just flustered. I’m not used to- to any of this.”

“Neither am I. So your ears twitch when you’re flustered?”

Tasnear nodded slightly. “Yes. Elves’ ears can also twitch when they’re angry or upset or- or aroused. Any strong or sudden emotion, really. Joy or surprise, as well… As adults, we try to suppress the twitching. If we hear something in the distance, sometimes, as well.”

“And my other questions?”

“It would be easier to… to show you, I suppose.” At that, Gaelwin raised an eyebrow and sat back, waiting. Tasnear couldn’t believe he’d offered that, but pulled off his tunic and shirt, setting them aside. He looked down, refusing to meet Gaelwin’s eyes.

Gaelwin put both hands on his abdomen, leaning in close. “Wow. You’ve got a lot of stretch marks.”

“They were quite red, during the pregnancy… I used salves to try and help, but it didn’t do much…”

“Did they hurt?” Gaelwin picked at a larger one with his nail.

“They itched. The salves helped with that, at least.”

He brought his hands up to Tasnear’s chest and traced the lines on the underside of his breasts. “Oh. You’ve got some here as well.”

“Mm, yes. My chest developed a bit during the pregnancy as well…” His chest was still somewhat soft. “I used to be quite flat-chested.”

Gaelwin tilted his head. “Hm. A bit redundant, since you didn’t get to keep Orwina very long after she was born.”

“Excuse me?” Did Gaelwin think he’d gotten to be a mother to Orwina when she was a baby? That couldn’t have been right.

But Gaelwin ignored him. “I know my mother lied to you about the reward you’d get, but it’s still quite surprising to me that anyone would agree to have a baby knowing that it would eventually go to a different realm entirely. For all you knew, you’d never get to see her again.”

“But I never got to see her.”

Gaelwin sat up, confused. He stared at Tasnear, searching his face. Finally, he asked, “What do you mean? Didn’t you give her to someone acting on behalf of my mother after she was born?”

“You… you couldn’t tell how old she was when you first got her?”

“I wasn’t allowed to see her for three months after my mother received her.”

That was mind-boggling to Tasnear. Aghast, he asked, “Your mother didn’t let you see your own daughter until she was three months old?”

Gaelwin shrugged. “She never let me near my siblings when they were babies. She didn’t trust me.” Tasnear couldn’t help but give Gaelwin a horrified expression. Gaelwin waved it off and explained, “I don’t blame her. My mother loved me, she really did, but I was dangerous. Once my siblings were weaned my mother would help me hold them, and once Orwina could walk I was allowed to hold and play with her with my mother or father watching.”

“You didn’t get to hold your own daughter until she was old enough to walk? Prince Gaelwin…”

“Is that… bad? I didn’t really like that Everard and Averil and Eberlein got to spend more time with her before I was allowed to, but once she was old enough I would always hold her and carry her around. She really loved riding on my shoulders when she was a toddler. I should ask her tomorrow if she still likes that, in case she’s just been too busy to remember to ask.”

Something about the story didn’t seem right. “Why couldn’t you spend time with Orwina for so long?”

“Oh, because there was… an accident, with Averil. I was left alone with my siblings for a while, and my guardian took Eberlein away to change him or feed him. Everard and Averil were only about three… We were playing a chasing and hiding game in the library, and then I fell into a bookcase. Everard will swear now that I did on purpose, but I didn’t, and it landed on Averil’s leg.”

Gaelwin’s sister was missing half of one of her legs and walked with a crutch and prosthetic. Tasnear had a bad feeling about where the story was going.

Continuing, Gaelwin told him, “My father’s library was very old, and that bookcase was very tall, top-heavy, and crumbling at the bottom, and I fell very hard against it. I couldn’t get it off of Averil and she wouldn’t stop screaming and there was all sorts of blood, and my guardian wasn’t much help when we tried to lift it off of her. So I grabbed one of my father’s swords and cut off her leg to free her. It was mostly severed anyway. The doctors said it would have been removed eventually. But… my mother believed Everard.”

“So you weren’t allowed to spend time with Orwina until she was older.”

“As I said, my mother didn’t trust me.”

Then why did she trick me into bearing you a child to make you happy if she thought you were so dangerous? She could have lied and said it was impossible and you would have shrugged it off and thought of something else to wish for. It makes no sense, Tasnear thought but didn’t dare voice. Gaelwin seemed to be agitated by the story, even if he spoke of his mother’s distrust casually. Gaelwin and his siblings’ conflicting stories about their parents bothered Tasnear.

At least now he understood why Gaelwin was so misinformed about the real age Orwina had gone to live in the other realm with her father and grandmother.

He almost didn’t want to bring it up anymore.

But the prince brought it up anyways, “So what did you mean by you never getting to see her before we got off track?”

He swallowed, nervous about telling the story. It had been so upsetting when it happened, the depth of deception and the omission of details when he had agreed to carry a prince’s child to restore his family name. Gaelwin grabbed his hand, squeezing it to coax him into speaking. After taking a deep breath, he started, “After my family was disgraced and exiled, we didn’t think there would ever be a chance for one of us to restore our family name and reverse the king’s decision, not even after my father’s death. But one day a knight from the royal guard showed up at my family’s door and announced that the fifteenth princess, the daughter of the King who my father had betrayed, was willing to take away our disgrace if we did a favor for her and her eldest son. I accepted, even though my family begged me not to, afraid that the favor would be too great or impossible since my father’s betrayal had been unforgivable to King Ataria Erwyn.”

“You didn’t know what the favor was?”

“No. The knight took me to see a few of the royal mages, who told me that the fifteenth princess, your mother, wanted to choose someone to be the mother of her son’s child. I could have backed out, but I thought it was a blessing. All I had to do was bear a prince’s child, and my family name would be restored, I could return to my position in the palace as an honor guard. I even asked if I could do that, once the child was old enough for me to return to full-time service in the guard. They simply said I would be rewarded as your mother had promised.”

Gaelwin seemed to get where the story was going, nodding. “So you thought that you would become a consort for a prince, essentially. That by being a mother, you would be bearing and raising a royal child.”

“That’s exactly what I thought. The spell took a few days to perform, and then it took a week before the mages could test and see that I was with child. After they confirmed it, I thought they would take me to see the prince in the palace, so I asked if I could be with my family for a while instead, and they told me they’d intended to bring me back to my family anyway, that I’d stay with them until I gave birth.” He took another deep breath. “The pregnancy went by fine. Any difficulties I had, the mages provided remedies for. They checked on me frequently. My family and I prepared for the birth, prepared for the baby… we thought that the baby and I would remain at the family home for a few months until the baby was strong enough and I had recovered enough to make the journey to the palace.”

Gaelwin scoffed. “I can’t believe they let you think that. It just seems cruel.”

“...It was,” Tasnear said softly.

The prince moved closer to him until they were sitting pressed together. Gaelwin wrapped an arm around him and leaned his head against his shoulder.

Taking that as an invitation to continue, Tasnear did. “Things seemed alright when I went into labor. The mages were alerted and they stayed largely out of the way as my family helped me. Elvin children are born earlier and at a smaller size than human infants, and Orwina took after you. It took a while… but when I was pushing, the mages…” He stopped, biting his lip.

As he waited for Tasnear to finish telling him what had happened, Gaelwin took his hand again and played with his fingers.

“Um, they forced my family to leave and barred the entrances to the room with magic. As I finally gave birth to Orwina, they readied a spell. When she was born, one of them caught her and told the others that she was a girl and they cut the cord and covered her up and- and another two held me down and they used a spell to vanish with her. I never got to see her, I barely heard her cry… I first saw her when she and your siblings arrived in the forest of this realm, but I wasn’t really sure if it was just wishful thinking for a while until Everard started telling me about your letters from your mother…”

“I don’t know what I’d do if someone took away Orwina or one of my siblings from me.”

Seeing as how Gaelwin had tried to destroy the kingdom when he’d gotten separated from them upon first arriving in their realm, Tasnear had a pretty good idea of what the prince would do. “My family tried to help me forget about it. We weren’t even sure if she was alive, or who her father really was.”

“Not a prince, that’s for sure. At least not until we showed up here.” Gaelwin sighed heavily and flopped backward, Tasnear’s hand still in his. “Goodness. Those were upsetting stories.”

Tasnear wiped his eyes, finding that he’d teared up a bit while telling the story. He took another deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He didn’t have to be so upset anymore. Orwina was alive and well, very happy in her new life in the palace with her family. Tasnear got to see her every day, as the children’s unofficial guard. He couldn’t be a parent to her, but it was enough, knowing she was safe, seeing that she was happy and well cared for.

Even though Gaelwin was dangerous, Tasnear didn’t believe he’d ever hurt their daughter.

He laid down next to Gaelwin. The prince lifted his hand to inspect it as he fiddled around with his fingers.

“Are your nails naturally this color? Orwina doesn’t have black nails.”

“Yes. Elves have dark nails. Black nails are a trademark of my family… Usually, anyway. I guess hybrids don’t inherit that.”

“They’re nice. I like them better than mine.” Gaelwin’s nails were short and chewed on, bruised and scabbed underneath. “I wonder if we had another baby if she would have black nails.”

Prince Gaelwin was full of surprises. Any lingering upset over bad memories was quickly overtaken by shock. Tasnear turned to stare at him, eyes wide.

Seeing his expression, Gaelwin looked confused once more. “What?”

“What?” Tasnear repeated. “Is that- is that something you’ve thought about, Prince? Having another child?”

“No! I didn’t even believe that you were Orwina’s mother until I saw your body.”

“But- but you said she.”

“I just figured if we had another it’d probably be a girl since Orwina is. And I don’t know, I think another daughter would be nice. I mean, I’d be just as happy if it was a boy, but I’d prefer a girl. Not that I’d be upset at all if it was a boy.”

“Are you… trying to convince me?”

“I don’t know. Do you think you could be convinced?”

Tasnear wondered how it could have gone from him thinking that the prince was going to attack him to now, with Gaelwin possibly asking for a baby. It was due to this whirlwind that he found himself saying, “I- I suppose I could be.” Upon realizing what he’d just said, he quickly added, “But- but we barely know each other, Prince Gaelwin! Now I’d prefer to know the father of my child better. I’d rather… have a relationship with that person.”

“Well, we can’t get married,” Gaelwin said plainly.

“I didn’t-!” Tasnear felt flustered all over again. “That’s not what I meant, Prince Gaelwin. Um, why not, though…?”

Gaelwin gave him an exasperated look. “Tas, I’m married.”

“What?” The prince’s siblings had never mentioned that.

“You know that. To Queen Fractura?”

“Oh. Is that marriage actually binding, still…?” Tasnear felt relieved, for some reason. Gaelwin had been tricked into marrying a queen in order to receive his powers, and she’d tried to use him to destroy the kingdom of East Atalan, where his grandfather ruled. Thanks to his siblings and Tasnear, that hadn’t happened. He’d figured that with the evil queen in a dungeon somewhere that Gaelwin’s marriage to her would have been nullified or that the King would have insisted on a divorce.

Gaelwin nodded solemnly. “Yes. We’re still husband and wife.”

“You’re not seeking a divorce, Prince Gaelwin?”

“No. I don’t have any reason to.”

Tasnear could think of a handful of reasons off the top of his head, namely that the queen had tried to kill Gaelwin once he’d seen past her deception, and that she’d tried to use him to destroy a whole kingdom.

He kept quiet about that, though. Instead, he clarified, “I just meant getting to know each other better, Prince. Becoming friends, spending time together… building a measure of trust.”

“I trust you not to hurt my siblings if I’m not around.”

“And- and I trust you, not to purposefully harm me nor our daughter,” he told Gaelwin, finding that he was telling the truth.

The prince was quiet for a moment, and then asked him, “Do you want to go check on Orwina? All this… I wouldn’t mind making sure she’s tucked in.”

“I’d like that.”

Both of them got up and Tasnear pulled his shirts back on. He followed Gaelwin through the palace to the royal family’s living quarters. Gaelwin let him into a decent-sized room with a large bed- his own room. Then, the prince brought him through another door into another living space connected to his bedroom, where two smaller bedrooms branched off. In one room Tasnear saw Gaelwin’s brother and sister Everard and Averil on their beds, who eyed the both of them warily. In the shared space, Gaelwin’s youngest sibling, his brother Eberlein, was laying on his stomach on the floor, writing on a few pieces of paper, with an open book beside him. And in the other small bedroom, there was an empty bed that belonged to Eberlein, and another where Orwina was sitting and looking at a book, her blanket and pillows all shoved aside.

“Hello, Gael,” Eberlein greeted, not looking up from his writing. “Hi, Tasnear.”

Tasnear returned the greeting quietly. “Hello, Prince Eber.”

“Studying, dear Eberlein?”

“Mhmm. My tutor wants me to learn more about war history, so I’m writing down all the interesting battles I want to hear more about or anything that I want explained.”

“Good boy. Don’t stay up too late. That goes for you two as well, Everard, Averil.”

Everard scoffed, but his twin shyly replied, “Yes, brother. We were just talking.”

“Anything interesting?”

“We were waiting for you to get back and wondered what was keeping you, that’s all,” the girl admitted. “Eber went looking for you, but a guard told him you were in Tasnear’s room, so he came back.”

“We were worried about Tasnear,” Everard added, narrowing his eyes. “I guess we didn’t have to be. He looks fine.”

Suddenly aware that he was likely covered in bite marks and bruises around his lips and neck, his hair and clothes probably ruffled. Tasnear felt humiliated.

Gaelwin, who had no such marks and permanently ruffled hair, wasn’t ashamed. “Of course you didn’t have to be. You knew all along he was telling the truth. I was just making sure of it, and he was!”

“Oh!” Averil clapped her hands together. “I- I’m so glad, Tas! Now Gael doesn’t have to worry about you being our friend. Eve and I were worried he wouldn’t ever believe you.”

“Y… yes, there’s no need for anyone to worry, now.”

“Are y-you going to bed now, Gael?” Averil asked. “We’ll help shut off the lights.”

“Just a moment. Poppet, are you still awake as well?” Gaelwin stepped into Orwina’s bedroom, Tasnear close behind. “Oh! You’re reading?”

“Gael!” Orwina sat up in excitement. “And Tas!” She slid off of the bed and ran up to Gaelwin, hugging his legs.

“Hey, ‘pet.”

“Eber said you two were spending time with each other! Does that mean you’re friends now? I hope so!” Tasnear couldn’t help but smile at how earnest the little girl was. She looked thrilled at the idea of them being friends.

Gaelwin lifted her up. “I don’t hate him anymore.”

Orwina beamed. She turned to Tasnear and told him, “You’re friends with Gael! If he doesn’t hate you then he really likes you!”

Even a seven-year-old could tell Gaelwin was very difficult. “Oh? I’m glad…”

“I’m happy! Gael, are you happy?”

Gaelwin pressed his forehead against hers. “I’m happy to see you.”

She giggled and hugged his neck. “I’m happy to see you too!”

All of the bad feelings from before melted away seeing his daughter so happy with her father. Tasnear was so grateful that Orwina was such a happy child, always overjoyed to see her family and friends. Even if he could only be a friend to her, he was thankful.

“Tas and I wanted to come to say goodnight to you.”

Orwina’s eyes widened. “You called him Tas!” She looked back at Tasnear. “That means Gael really likes you a lot!”

“Do you want a hug from Tas, Poppet?”

The surprise on her face would have been comical if Tasnear wasn’t sure that his own expression mirrored hers. Glancing out of the bedroom door, he could see equally shocked faces on Gaelwin’s three siblings.

Prince Gaelwin didn’t let anyone else but his siblings touch his daughter.

Orwina reached out for him, the dull points of her ears twitching with excitement. He took her in his arms and she squeezed him tightly, making a happy noise against where she buried her face against him. Tasnear hugged her tight as well, relishing getting to hold his daughter for the very first time. He closed his eyes, feeling tears welling up, and tried to burn the memory into his mind so he wouldn’t ever forget it, so it would make up for the past seven years, for the grief he’d gone through when she’d been taken away as a baby.

“Poppet, do you want to sleep in my bed with Tas and me tonight? We both had a bad day…”

She popped up, ending the hug sooner than he wanted. “Yeah!” she answered, and Tasnear was glad that Gaelwin wasn’t immediately taking her back, instead just reaching to pet her hair as the elf held her. “Oh! If you had a bad day, can I read to you both before bed? Gael, my book-”

“I got it, ‘pet.” Gaelwin grabbed the book. “Let’s get to bed. Goodnight, everyone.”

A trio of goodnights, two confused, one normal, followed them. Tasnear felt a bit too embarrassed to look back at the twins, sure that they were feeling rather odd at knowing someone would be sharing their brother’s bed. But that embarrassment was just in the background. Being able to carry his daughter in his arms, feel how she settled against him, a weight that belonged there- that joy shone above everything else.

He couldn’t wait to write to his family and tell them that at last, he’d found his daughter. Something he’d been keeping from them in fear that he’d never get to be close to Orwina and would eventually be sent back home, returning to exile.

After setting Orwina down in Gaelwin’s bed, he took off his boots and tunic and set them on a chair. Orwina directed him to take the left side of the bed, as Gaelwin always slept on the right where there was an abundance of pillows. The prince went into his bathroom and came out in sleeping clothes, then climbed into his nest of pillows and handed Orwina her book. She flipped to the front of it and started to read.

A few pages in, Tasnear realized that Gaelwin was staring at him. He bit his lower lip, glancing at Orwina’s book to try not to think about it.

Midway through, Orwina was yawning and Gaelwin was still staring. After a few more pages, the book flopped over with a soft thud as their daughter fell asleep. Tasnear carefully picked up the book and set it on the nightstand. He tucked Orwina in, and Gaelwin turned out the lights with a wave of his hand, a breeze going around and blowing out all the lanterns. The two of them settled down, Gaelwin’s cold stare returning.

Somehow, Tasnear managed to fall asleep despite it. And when he woke up in the morning, Orwina had sprawled out with half her body on his chest and arm, and Gaelwin was awake, bags under his eyes, watching.

“Ha. I told you Gael would stay up all night.” Everard’s voice startled the both of them, the boy standing at the end of the bed with a tray of food in his hand. Tasnear kept himself from jumping, not wanting to wake up Orwina. Gaelwin hissed and glared at his brother.

Averil gave them both an apologetic look. “Oh, Gael. We told you Tasnear is safe. Why’d you let him stay here all night if you were worried?”

“It’s called trust-building. He slept all night and didn’t do anything to Orwina, so he passed a test. Ugh… Now I’m going to bed.” Gaelwin turned over and buried his face in his mound of pillows. He grumbled until his breathing slowed and he fell asleep quickly.

Everard rolled his eyes. “We brought breakfast. Avie’s got a kettle and we’re going to make some tea in our common room.”

“You’re welcome to join us once you’re free.”

“Free?” Tasnear echoed.

“Orwina has you trapped. You’re stuck under her for a while.”

“We can just wake her up.”

Averil laughed a little. “Okay. If you think you can bring yourself to. Only her tutor is stronghearted enough to wake her, and Eve asked her not to come since you’re here.”

“Yes. In bed with our brother, bruised up. That kind of gossip will spread, and Gaelwin doesn’t like rumors.”

“S-sorry. I’ll cover up before I go.”

As nice as it was to have his daughter sound asleep on top of him, sometimes embarrassment could win out. The twins snickered as his face reddened and walked to their living room, leaving him trapped under Orwina and keenly aware of how the bruises on his face and neck were aching.

In his letter to his family, he would definitely have to leave some things out.

#mpreg #past mpreg #just a warning this story has a brief mention where tasnear is worried gaelwin will attack or assault him but very quickly he realizes #that he wont lol. and also mentions a past child injury (princess avie is fine now) and a baby being taken away (orwina is now back with Tas #original story #oblio's fics #Gaelwin 'Gael' Blykren #Tasnear 'Tas' Lyreale #Everard 'Eve' Blykren #averil 'avie' blykren #Eberlein 'Eber' Blykren #Orwina Blykren #Blykren - story tag

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blacknailpolishonguitarstrings · 4 years ago

Text

The look of love

NSFR!!!

Two hours were left till the game.

Ryder looked at himself one last time in the mirror, cocking his head in a judging manner. A straight, perfectly serious poker face, short ginger hair casting a slight shadow over blue eyes sparkling with intelligence, and ivory skin so pale it almost appeared translucent in the harsh morning sunlight. His tall, slender frame was hugged by his red and yellow knitted jumper with an embroidered lion right above the heart. The animal shook its mane, golden stitches moving across the fabric as it opened its jaw in a wide, mighty roar. Chuckling lightly, the young wizard tugged at his clothes one last time and tucked a stray, slightly longer, strand of hair behind his ear before exiting the bathroom with a satisfied smile.

The circular dorm room housing the 6th year Gryffindor boys was mostly dark, save for a golden ray of sunlight fighting its way through the thick garnet-coloured velvet curtains. James and Sirius were already down at breakfast, judging by the empty, unmade beds, and Peter appeared to be still in a deep sleep, a small snore cutting through his loud breathing from time to time. Remus, on the other hand, was laying on his bed, eyes unusually wide open. He seemed to be submerged in deep thought, but Ryder did not miss his longing glance at Sirius’ bed before going down the stairs.

***

One hour was left till the game.

The day was beautiful, with a clear, cloudless, azure blue sky and a bright golden sun which cast its powerful white light on the early spring earth, warming it, feeding the emerging plants its powerful magic. It was a perfect day for Quidditch. And Merlin knew, they needed as much of an advantage as they could get, even though the excellent conditions would also favour the other team. They were playing Ravenclaw, who had assembled a magnificent team this year, and it was the most important match of the season, deciding if Gryffindor would move on to finals this year or not. They simply could not afford to lose. Ryder had a lot of confidence in the Gryffindor team, of course, having trained relentlessly for weeks with them under the masterful tutelage of James Fleamont Potter, the most renowned Chaser Hogwarts had seen in years. And yet he could not shake the excess of nervous energy riddling his body, electrifying his limbs, reaching every nerve and cell, setting him alight. It felt as if his whole body was on fire, ready to soar the skies at breakneck speeds, catch that bloody Snitch and win. Oh Circe, there was nothing he wanted more, needed more than a glorious win.

Finally, he reached the Quidditch pitch, with its six hoops standing tall and proud in the sky, its towers adorned with the House colours, and the large Ravenclaw and Gryffindor banners weaving in the light breeze, in preparation for the upcoming match. A few early supporters clad in red and gold or blue and bronze were already there, spread out across the stalls on the wooden benches.

***

Only fifteen minutes were left till the beginning of the match.

The changing room was bustling with the young Gryffindor players, all geared up and ready in their scarlet robes, chatting rapidly and revising strategies they had gone over thousands of times already. Yet, one team member remained missing. One of the Beaters. Not Marlene, no, she was present and fully prepared, her blonde ponytail bouncing on her back as she jumped up and down on one spot, warming up. No, the Beater missing was Sirius. Curious, Ryder left the room through the back door, left slightly ajar by someone else. And there, he saw them. Remus and Sirius, limbs intertwined around each other in a tight embrace, which appeared brotherly at first, but he noticed: it was so much more than that. Everything from Remus’ soothing hand gliding over Sirius’ lower back, to his small, nervous, smile, and bright, wide-open eyes filled with a very strong, slightly unsettling emotion, full of fire and passion but also tenderness screamed something akin to…love. Sirius was entirely relaxed in his friend’s arms, burying his face in the crook of his neck, letting the tall boy run his fingers softly through his shoulder-length, jet-black hair, a rather unusual occurrence.

“Took them long enough,” thought Ryder before backing away, deciding to let them have their moment of privacy.

Despite how discreet they both thought they were not having told anyone or each other about their feelings, one could see right through both, Remus and Sirius, from a kilometres away. It was all the little things, like their constant searching looks, trying to find one another in the room, the blushing at the smallest of compliments, how their smiles grew just a little more when they were in each other’s presence, and the longing glances, which somehow always failed to meet, that betrayed them every time.

“Ryder?” Said someone behind him.

“Hey, Padfoot, all good?” Asked the red-haired boy, turning towards Sirius.

“Yeah, yeah,” he replied, mumbling distractedly. “Just slightly nervous because of the game you know, the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup are at stake, we can’t fuck it up.”

“No shit Sherlock.”

The other wizard looked at him confusedly.

“Muggle reference,” he waved it off. “But indeed, we cannot mess up, and we won’t. Come on, we’re due any minute now, try not to fall off your broom out there while ogling Remus in your Quidditch jumper.”

“Sod off,” muttered Sirius under his breath, colour rising to his cheeks.

***

Twenty minutes into the game.

Ryder soared high in the sky, a light zephyr whooshing through his hair as he held on tight to the slim, wooden handle of his broom engraved with golden letters, a magnificent present from his parents for his fifteenth birthday. Players clad in ultramarine and scarlet zoomed below him, the dark red Quaffle passing from a Chaser’s hands to another Chaser’s hands every few seconds. Menacing black Bludgers chased by the two pairs of Beaters zigzagged between them, trying to knock them off their brooms. Even further below, a moving mass of red and blue cheered, their screams slightly muted in Ryder’s ears. His eyes scanned the grounds and skies, for only a tiny flash of gold and silver, which remained invisible. Not far from him, the Ravenclaw Seeker, Chang, if he remembered correctly, tailed him closely, not taking her eyes off the Quidditch Pitch either. He had never spoken to her before, but he had seen her play a few times. She was good, an enemy not to be underestimated, fast and swift, dangerous.

The blue crowd erupted into roars again, Remus’ loud and very pissed off voice cutting through them:

“Thirty to forty for Ravenclaw, GRYFFINDOR MOVE YOUR BLOOMING ARSE!”

Ryder could not suppress an amused smile at that, which only grew at the sight of Sirius nearly flying into a goal post, eyes fixed on the Commentator’s Box.

“BLACK STOP GAWKING AND FUCKING PLAY! Also, a not so gentle reminder for the dear Miss Evans that Potter is still very much on the market and only waiting for you, love.”

“Bloody hell, Lupin,” chuckled Ryder, shaking his head, sharp gaze never leaving the sky, still looking for the Snitch.

“Lockhart here just requested that I transmit a message to the Ravenclaw team saying he bet a galleon on your win. I say you bastards are going to lose very soon, just like Gildie here. Now, POTTER GET IT TOGETHER AND START BLOODY PLAYING AND RYDER YOU BETTER CATCH THAT SODDING SNITCH!”

“Mr. Lupin!” Sounded McGonagall’s scandalized voice somewhere near the microphone.

Egged on, the ginger boy began circling the goalposts, swerving left and right, still scanning everything for the tiny, fluttering golden ball which was nowhere in sight.

The match dragged on and on, the Snitch still not having appeared even once. A glance at the scoreboard sufficed to tell him that Ravenclaw was ahead of Gryffindor by fifty points. Apparently, their Keeper was either having a wonderful day or he was simply marvellous at his job. Ryder needed to catch the bloody ball now before the situation got any worse. Suddenly, he saw it, that longed-for flash of gold, fluttering peacefully, almost mockingly, at the bottom of Ravenclaw’s goalposts. And unfortunately, Chang was much closer to it than he was. If he flew there right now, she would immediately see it and rob him of any chance of catching it. Therefore, he feinted. He flew upwards, circling the Gryffindor goal posts as shouts rang out amongst the crowd. Immediately, the other Seeker sprang into action, speeding across the entire Pitch to reach him. With a jubilant grin, Ryder weaved a couple more times between the players, pretending to search for the Snitch, waiting for Chang to catch up. As soon as she reached him, he flew in the direction she had just come from, going as fast as he could, half-bent over his broom, gliding smoothly in the air. Sensing the subterfuge, she swore, but flew right after him, coming closer with every passing second. The Snitch was still hovering calmly near the bottom of the middle goal post, and by now, she had already seen it. Chang was too close though, and Ryder knew it, she was about to pass him, advantaged by her newer broom. As if she could sense his thoughts, she swerved right in front of him. It was too late now, Ravenclaw would win, but he refused to give up. All of a sudden, a Bludger came out of nowhere, knocking the Seeker dressed in blue clean off her broom. Glancing briefly to the side, Ryder saw Sirius flash him a proud smile. With renewed energy, he flew faster, slicing cleanly through the air, chest pressed against the handle of his broom and arm extended in front of him.

And then he felt it, the tiny golden ball clasped tightly in his fist, silvery wings flapping desperately against his palm, trying to free itself. An elated smile spread across his lips, as he dismounted his broom, brandishing his arm high in the sky. It was over, they won. Gryffindor had won. He and Sirius had won the match for the team.

Exhilaration flooded his veins, electrifying his body, adrenaline still rushing through his blood as the joy of the victory crashed over him like a tsunami, washing everything else away. At that moment, only he existed, surrounded by the thundering of the crowd’s vociferations. His team surrounded him, clapping him on the back, hugging him.

It was thrilling.

And then, without warning, Remus appeared next to him, picking Sirius up and kissing him fiercely. More cheers broke out around them, as the kiss lasted for long, happy seconds. As they fell apart, Sirius smiled triumphantly, not one of his words escaping Ryder’s sharp ear, who smirked knowingly for himself:

“I always knew you liked me, Moony.”

story written as part of a giveaway on Instagram

#wolfstar #remus lupin #sirius black #original character #fanfic

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tanzaniiite · 4 years ago

Text

failure // domestic! bakugo

requests: CLOSED

warnings: mild angst!

word count: 2.4k

a/n: i’ve been reading a lot of domestic bakugou lately, so enjoy!

He thought he made himself pretty clear.

No dating until marriage, in your husband's eyes, it was a simple rule to abide by. You, on the other hand, understood your daughter's problem with her father's outrageous rule. "Dad! How am I suppose to get married if I don't date anyone?" Nakano, your eldest daughter, whined as her lips curled into a pout. Katsuki looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "Sounds like a personal problem" He replied, causing your daughter to pout even more. You sighed slightly, with Nakano's fifteenth birthday around the corner, your husband decided to take it upon himself to set a few ground rules for high school that was starting in two weeks. One of the major rules being; no dating.

"That's not fair, you started dating mom in high school!"

"Wrong. I knew her in high school, I started dating your mom a year after graduating"

You were too busy trying to help your other daughter, Emiko, with her homework but the argument rising in the kitchen was shifting your focus. "Why does Nana want to date boys anyway? They're gross" Emiko muttered, writing down another answer in her notebook. You smiled, Emiko was still in elementary school, of course, she wouldn't understand why this was such a big deal to her older sister. "You'll understand when you get older, baby" You whispered, pushing her ash-blonde hair behind her ear. The sweet moment between you and your youngest daughter didn't last long when the yelling started again. "Listen brat this isn't up for discussion. No dating, you need to focus on your studies, not some horny fuck boy" He stated sharply, the mere thought of a boy with his daughter was making his blood boil.

"Focus on what? I'm literally going to general studies, the only thing I need to "focus" on are my grades and that won't be a problem for me"

Ah, that was another thing. Your daughter applied to the hero course at UA and unfortunately didn't make the cut and was placed in General Studies. Although Nakano was a spitting image of her father, she was more reserved and less bitchy. But at the end of the day, she was still Katsuki's daughter and that fiery side could and would come out when provoked. Back in UA, you were actually in General Studies and so you tried to comfort her about the whole thing but you understood why she was upset. Being rejected was never easy.

"Exactly, focus on your grades and maybe your ass can get into the hero course next year!" Bakugou yelled, causing your daughter to fall silent. "Katsuki!" You shouted from the dining table, getting up making the chair scrape on the floor behind you. Of course, Bakugou wasn't happy that Nakano wasn't accepted into the hero course but surprisingly he seemed more disappointed than upset when the letter came in the mail. He didn't speak on the issue afterward so you figured he was just happy that Nakano got into UA at all. But now his true feelings were seeping through.

As you made your way to the kitchen, Bakugou whipped his head to turn to you. "What?! That's her problem now Y/n. She thinks she knows everything, when clearly she doesn't" He claimed while gesturing to your daughter. You glanced at Nakano, she was glaring at the floor and her fists were balled up. To the untrained eye, it would look like she was refraining from losing her temper. But you knew your daughter, you could see the small tears welling in her eyes. You ignored your husband and went to your daughter. "Hey baby, it's okay. C'mere" You cooed, pulling Nakano close to your chest and running your fingers through her hair. She didn't say anything as her arms wrapped around you but you could feel your shirt growing damp.

"Babe, stop coddling her. This is why she's so soft now-"

"Bakugou. Do me a favor: Shut. Up."

The ash-blonde has never closed his mouth quicker. The glare you were giving him was deadly and he knew he messed up. Emiko peeked into the kitchen, watching the scene unfold with extreme curiosity. "Nana, are you crying?" She asked loudly and bluntly. This caused Nakano to rip away from you and glare at her sibling with damp eyes. "No, I'm not!" She claimed, wiping her eyes harshly. Emiko just tilted her head, "But your eyes are wet" She pointed out. Nakano's glared hardened, "Ugh, just shut up!" She shouted, stomping out of the kitchen and upstairs to her room. It wasn't long before you heard her door slam shut.

You crossed your arms and stared at Bakugou. It didn't take a genius to figure out that you were upset. Katsuki huffed before turning to his youngest child, "Hey munchkin, go to your room real quick. Mommy and I need to talk about something" He said, jabbing a thumb towards the staircase. Emiko blinked at him, "But I need help with my homew-" She started. "Emiko, upstairs. Now please" You requested, your voice calm but serious. The little ash-blonde nodded and grabbed all her stuff and scurried up the stairs and into her room.

And then there were two.

"Baby I-"

"Don't "baby" me. Are you serious? Why would you bring that up? She already feels bad enough that she didn't get in. Why rub salt on the wound?" You inquired, your eyes filled to the brim with fury. It was no secret that your husband wanted your daughter to get into the hero course but he should happy that she got into UA in the first place. It wasn't exactly an easy school to get into. Bakugou sighed, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, "Yeah yeah, I know. It's just... she has a great quirk Y/n. She knows how to use it properly and she's a smart girl with so much potential. It doesn't make sense to me, that she flunked the entrance exam" He explained. You bit your lip nervously, Nakano had told you a while back that she failed the exam on purpose. She didn't want to be a hero, she saw how her father came home every day with new scars, how exhausted he was. She hated seeing him getting beaten up on TV. Sure, he always won but at what cost? Nakano decided from a fairly early age that she didn't want that life.

But she also explained to you that whenever her father talked about anything hero related, he was happy. She told you how ecstatic he was when they started training her body and quirk. How excited he was when she told him that she applied to his old high school. He was just over the moon whenever she brought up hero names and costume ideas. Nakano told you that she liked seeing him so passionate about something and didn't want to put a damper on his parade.

She didn't want to disappoint him.

You definitely knew what the pressure to please your parents felt like and how overwhelming it could be. Although you couldn't help but feel bad that your daughter felt like she could confide in you but not her father. You knew that Katsuki could be intimidating but she was his daughter and you told her that he would love her whether she wanted to be a hero or not. One could imagine her shock when her father showed how he truly felt about her not getting into the hero course. It's not like he said anything extremely harsh, but she could tell that he was annoyed that she didn't get into the course. And it was even more frustrating that she couldn't even tell him that she didn't want to be there in the first place.

"Unless she failed... on purpose"

You decided enough was enough, the truth was going to come out eventually. Your daughter couldn't keep this up for the next three years. Katsuki was stubborn and would demand an explanation each time she didn't get into the hero course. It was just better to come clean now. Bakugou's vermillion eyes looked to you, widened slightly. His shocked expression quickly faded as he chuckled, "Oh come on. Nakano wouldn't fail such an important test on purpose" He snorted. But when you didn't agree with him and just fiddled with your fingers, it all clicked. The ash-blonde grabbed your shoulder and looked into your eyes, "She didn't. Tell me she didn't fail that test on purpose" He asked, his eyes pleading that you were joking. You stayed silent. "Y/n! Tell me Nakano wouldn't do that" He asked again, with more anger behind his voice this time.

You looked at your husband and placed a hand on his cheek, in an attempt to calm him down. "She doesn't want to be a hero 'Suki" You muttered softly. He scoffed and pulled away from you. "Bullshit! Of course, she wants to be hero, why else would she ask me to train her? Nakano's always talking about hero names and costumes. Hell, she even said she wanted to intern at my agency. So why would she apply for the hero course just to fail it? That doesn't make sense Y/n!" He shouted, pacing the kitchen, getting angrier by the second. You mentally rolled your eyes, you knew he wouldn't believe you until he heard it from Nakano herself.

"Nakano baby, come downstairs please" You called out, running your fingers through your hair. It didn't take long for her to come downstairs. She was looking at the floor once again but this time she was wringing her hands instead of balling them into fists. With how loud Katsuki could be, there was no doubt that she heard his little rant. The truth was out. She looked up at you and you nodded to her father who was staring out the kitchen window, a string of curse words and other indecencies pouring out his mouth. You moved to the living room, this was a discussion that the two of them needed to have alone. However, you still wanted to be close by in case things got too heated.

"...daddy?"

Bakugou turned around, his eyebrows were furrowed and his mouth was pulled into a deep frown. Nakano knew she was in for it but still waited for him to speak first. "Did you really fail the test on purpose?" He inquired, his tone surprisingly calm now. His daughter was more scared of this version of him, she honestly preferred the yelling and screaming, at least that was familiar. She nodded slightly, not breaking eye contact with him. Katsuki took a deep breath, he already snapped at her once today, he wasn't going to do it again. "And why the hell would you do that? I thought you wanted to be in the hero course" He pressed, trying to get answers without losing his temper. Unfortunately, he couldn't mask the annoyance in his tone. Nakano scratched her cheek slightly, "I.. um, I don't want to be a hero dad. I'm sorry I lied to you but you were so happy whenever we talked about it! I really am sorry, please don't be upset!" She exclaimed, catching her father off guard.

He just stared at her before running a hand down his face. "Why didn't you tell me? Why lie about it?" He asked, his eyes closed. Katsuki would be lying if he said he wasn't slightly hurt. He really thought his daughter wanted to become a hero and now she's telling him she doesn't want to? Bakugou couldn't help but feel upset, were all the conversations they had lies? Nakano seemed so excited at the time, what changed now? Was all the training they did going to go to waste? "I know there's no good reason for lying but talking about hero stuff always seemed to make you happy. Even when you were tired from work, you would still talk to me and train me. I know that's a bit selfish but I like spending time with you, we don't do much of that anymore" Nakano explained, referencing the increased crime rate in Japan.

Bakugou blinked, trying to process what the fuck was going on. It was true that he was at work more than he was at home for the past year, so he could understand where his daughter was coming from on that front. But.. he loved spending time with her, he didn't care what they talked about. "Oi. Look at me" He demanded, snapping his fingers lightly. Nakano looked at him, guilt written all over her face. Katsuki knew she felt bad for lying and that she wasn't bullshitting her apology. "You may be a brat, but you're my daughter and I like spending time with you. I don't give a fuck what we talk about. Why would you think we needed to talk about hero shit?" He asked, genuinely curious. Did he seem that passionate about his work? I mean, of course, he was but he didn't think he showed it.

"I don't know, it just seemed appropriate"

Nakano shrugged causing Katsuki to chuckle. He was still upset that she flunked the exam on purpose but a small part of him was proud that she still managed to get into the General Studies when she was deliberately trying to fail. Bakugou pulled his daughter close to him and ruffled her hair, "You're something else kid" He mumbled, kissing her forehead gently. Nakano looked up at him, her vermillion eyes staring into his matching ones.

"So are you mad?"

"Of course I am"

Nakano just hugged her dad's waist, she was aware that he had every right to be upset with her. But at the end of the day, Katsuki still loved his daughter more than life itself even when she did dumb shit like this. He decided he was going to let her off the hook this time (not that he would ever tell her that, he has a reputation to keep), and just celebrate all that she did accomplish, aka getting into General Studies. Bakugou couldn't help but smirk as he hugged his daughter back, because he knew if Nakano actually wanted to, she would've gotten into the hero course without a doubt. And that alone, made him the proudest dad in the world.

"But I swear if you fail another test: I'm gonna beat your ass. Got it?"

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getthesamovarready · 4 years ago

Text

First Sight

I just love this chapter honestly

also on ao3

Chapter 2: twist of fate

TK is sitting at the kitchen counter when he walks in the door. “Long night?” He asks, bringing his coffee to his lips. Owen cringes silently, shutting the door behind himself. He shouldn’t be coming home to his son trying to parent him, and his stomach rolls over in guilt. Immediately though, TK drops his frown, descending into a fit of laughter. “Glad to see you’re embracing your new surroundings Dad.” He stands from his stool, padding across the floor. “Don’t take too long getting ready, we have to be early today.” He pats him on the shoulder, making his way to the stairs. “Oh!” He calls, halfway up the stairs. “I really hope there doesn’t end up being a bunch of mini-Strands running around Texas.”

Owen pours himself a desperately needed coffee from the pot TK brewed, following him upstairs with a laugh. With the amount of times he caught TK sneaking home in the early hours, he supposes he should let his son enjoy this one. Even if it is a little humiliating.

He didn’t notice it this morning, but when he takes off his shirt he catches a whiff of perfume, and it shocks the breath right out of his chest. He can feel her hands on his chest, and his stomach twists as he tries to shake it off.

It takes a shower, and the familiar comfort of his skincare routine, to stop heart racing and memories of last night sending tingles down his spine. His hard work is undone, however when he starts to dress for work.

His work shirt is perfume-free, but still his fingers fumble with the buttons, unable to avoid thinking of unbuttoning the back of Michelle's dress last night. He screws his eyes shut, willing his shirt to cooperate with his hands.

When he makes his way downstairs he is flustered, and TK's casual leaning on the countertop doesn't help. "I thought I said not to take too long?" He smirks at him, glancing at the clock. An hour isn't too long, Owen thinks, but he doesn't respond. He just scowls at TK. "Oh wow." TK chuckles. "Must have been some night." He notes Owen's flush. "She really did a number on you didn't she?" He pushes himself off the counter to head to the door. "You sure you're fit to drive in that daze?" TK calls from the doorway, and Owen leaves indents in his fingers as he squeezes the keys in his fist.

Knocking on Dustin's door probably wasn't what Owen had in mind when he suggested that she celebrate Iris's birthday. He definitely wasn't suggesting that she slam at it, and scream until he called the cops. But that's what she did. And she actually feels a little better, kicking his house. She feels a little of her tension dissipate.

So she doesn't even feel that guilty when Carlos's squad car pulls up. She even nearly smiles when she greets him. She doesn't feel the usual guilt when he has to handcuff her.

She doesn't smile, however, when he pauses. And her chest tightens when he coughs. "What's that?" He asks her, and she whips her head around to question him. He's staring right at the back of her shoulder.

She flushes instantly, remembering Owen unbuttoning her dress, kissing her neck, his teeth dipping lower to nip at her shoulder. She turns her head forward again, determined not to answer Carlos's question.

"Michelle…" She huffs, desperately wishing she could tug her sweater to cover the bruise. "Do you have a hickey on your neck?"

"So what if I do?" She snaps. She's a grown woman, what's it to him what she does anyway? She starts to walk towards the car, Carlos close behind.

"I just...you didn't tell me you were seeing anybody." There is a hint of disappointment in his voice, and she realises that maybe she's been more distant than she thought recently, if he really thinks she could hide something like that.

"I'm not." She tells him when he opens the door, and her stomach twists at the look on his face.

"So who?" He starts to ask, closing the door behind her and slipping into the front of the car. "So who was that?" He points at his own neck, concern lacing his voice.

"A guy." She mumbles.

"A guy? Just some random guy?"

She sighs. "I met him at the Honky Tonk last night." This is honestly way more humiliating than the handcuffs around her wrists.

"Last night? You let some guy you don't know do that?" He's eyeing her through the rear-view, and she squirms. "I'm assuming you did more than just…" He huffs out a sigh, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "You let some random guy you don't know take you home?"

"Actually… I took him home." It gets exactly the reaction she expected.

"Michelle!" He groans. "What the hell? You let a stranger into your house? He could have been a murderer! Or like… robbed you? What's wrong with you?"

"Not everyone is a criminal Carlos." She groans. "Some people are normal!"

"Says the woman I just arrested for violating a restraining order for the fifteenth time!" She slumps back in her seat. He has a point, and it's not the first time he's tried to convince her that maybe Dustin might be innocent.

"If you people would do your jobs I wouldn't have to violate any orders, because you would have found out what happened." She snaps back. "It's her birthday Carlos, I can't just let her go on her birthday."

"We're not gonna have any new birthdays to celebrate anytime soon are we?" She struggles for a moment over his question, wondering what on earth he could possibly mean.

"Oh my God, Carlos!" She scoffs. "I'm not a total idiot."

"I just had to be sure." He eyes her again through the mirror.

"Whenever you want to stop being my father and start being my friend, just tell me." She glances out the window. "Hey, I start work in twenty, can you just drop me there?"

"Michelle, I'm not an Uber." He chuckles.

"I wasn't gonna tip." She smirks at him, chuckling when he takes the turn for the firehouse. "He was lovely, by the way. Not even a little bit murdery."

Carlos, back to being her friend again, laughs at her. "Good."

"You know," she leans forward. "Normal friends, when their friend has sex for the first time in a very long time, are happy for their friends."

"It's not that I'm not happy for you, Chica." He taps his hands against the steering wheel. "It's just...not like you. And you've made some...questionable decisions recently." She isn't sure if he's talking about Billy or...everything else in her life. But she wouldn't call Billy 'recent', so she assumes he's talking about the multiple arrests in the last few years, and everything else since Iris went missing. "It just feels very… new-Michelle."

"I know." She mumbles behind him. It is very new-Michelle. She'd had this very problem last night. "He was really nice though." She smiles, blushing as she thinks of how sweet he was about her little freakout. "He was really nice to talk to."

"Yeah, I'm sure you did lots of talking." Carlos scoffs, smirking.

"We did, actually. We talked a lot."

"So what does he do?" Carlos asks casually, and she flushes.

"I don't know."

"What's his name?"

"Owen...something. " He eyes her suspiciously.

"You talked to this guy, a lot. You took him home with you. And you don't know what he does? Or who he is?" Her cheeks are absolutely burning. "I don't even have a last name to find out about him! How are you supposed to show him to me? How could you have sex with someone and not let me know what he looks like?"

"It didn't seem important." She defends, omitting the fact that it seemed important to her not to know any of these things last night. "I'm sorry that I can't show him to you. He was quite something." She grins.

"Just his looks? Or?" He doesn't finish his question, and she giggles slightly when she finishes it for him in her head.

"Not just his looks." She sends a wink through the mirror, and he nods approvingly. She smiles out the window, the tension from Carlos's initial questioning gone completely.

He lets her off at the firehouse, with yet another warning. "Don't want you to make a bad impression on the new team." He tells her, unlocking the handcuffs. "Good luck today, Chica." He pulls her in for a quick hug, pressing a kiss to her hair.

"Come out for a drink with me after work?" She asks, pulling away. "I'll probably be taking the team out anyway, but it's Iris's birthday." She explains. "We should celebrate it."

"I'd love to." He squeezes her hand with a nod, turning to get back into the car.

It takes her a while to walk inside, and she's glad Carlos managed to drop her off early. It's quiet when she enters, and completely different to the last time she was here.

Nothing is the way it used to be, and she has to wander a bit before finding her office. She doesn't see a soul, and she can't help but wonder where they could all be. But she's not in uniform yet, and her shift starts in five minutes. So she finds the changing rooms, and she's just made it back downstairs to meet the team, when the alarm blares, and a group of unfamiliar people rush past her.

Tim and Nancy follow the group at a stroll, and smile weakly at her when she sees them. "You guys okay?" She asks, casting her eye over the new firehouse. The pair of them shrug. "You met them? What are they like?"

"They're nice." Tim shrugs, frowning slightly. "They're okay I guess."

"Captain Strand is more than okay." Nancy mumbles with a smile, squirming her eyebrows at Michelle. The pair of them chuckle, while Tim shakes his head.

“You guys okay? You ready for this?” She’s pretty sure she’s not ready for their first call out in six months, but still, she leads them to the ambulance, her hands shaking only a little when she reaches for the door handle. “If you’re not…” She can technically get dispatch to send another team. But that probably wouldn’t do any good.

But Tim and Nancy assure her that they are fine. Months out of the rhythm of things, has the three of them silent the whole drive there. Each of them rehearsing the motions in their heads.

Michelle thinks she's finally okay, that she's ready for her first call in months. Until she hears the Captain speak, and her stomach drops. "So we have some room to work." She catches, her stomach twisting itself into knots as she steals herself for the inevitable.

"You mean give us some room to work?" He spins around like a shot. "This scene belongs to us." She looks him in the eye only briefly, a warning for him to calm his obvious panic, before she brushes past him. She does her very best to hide hers, shoving it down as far as it will go before starts to direct Tim and Nancy.

"You must have missed the part where they made me the captain of the 126." It's suggestive, late-night, Owen, and she whips around, steeling her features.

"Michelle Blake, Paramedic Captain." She introduces herself coldly. "And this scene is medical, so I run the call."

"Woah, since when does EMS tell Fire what time it is?" She has to give it to him, he does a remarkable job pretending never to have met her before. Probably something to do with his newfound talent for getting on her nerves.

"Guess you didn't read the Travis County Manual, did you?" She presses, starting to get to work.

"I'm more of a … visual learner." She doesn't miss his eyes trailing over her, and she turns her head to catch him in the act.

"In Texas, EMS calls the shots involving medical emergencies." He has a hint of a smirk on his lips, and she can't help but snap at him. "So you do what I say, Captain." It's so unlike last night, and if she wasn't freaking out so much she would probably find it funny. He hides it well, but she can tell that Owen finds it hilarious.

She's good at her job. She always has been. She knows that she's impressive, but it's nice to have an audience, and this one is enthralled. They've obviously heard that the old 126 was in serious need of a re-haul, and probably didn't have high hopes for the remaining members. When she's finished, she looks back at Owen, and he's still watching her.

"Nice work, Captain." He smirks when she passes, following behind Tim and Nancy. "Impressive."

"Welcome to Texas, Captain." She winks. Immediately, she regrets it at the flush of his cheeks. And she's brought back to this morning, in her robe, letting him out of her house. She starts back on her way to the ambulance, blushing furiously.

He's in his office when she returns. He looks like he's deep in paperwork, she suspects the county manual, but almost as soon as she sees him he's out of his seat, making his way to her office. "Captain Michelle Blake." He stops in her doorway, leaning against it. "What a happy coincidence."

"This is not a happy coincidence." She huffs, dropping into her chair. "This." She gestures to him. "Is payback from God for my bad decisions." Of course she couldn't have a one night stand and move on with her life, of course there would be some kind of consequences.

"From God?" He chuckles. "I didn't think you were all that concerned about God, Michelle?" At least, not when that god wasn't Owen in the middle of the night.

"When things like this happen, I start to think maybe I should be." Carlos is going to have a field day with this.

"You say payback." He steps into her office fully. "I say fate." She can't help but smile, blushing softly. "Come on, it's like a movie. I think that if God had anything to do with it, he's giving us a sign." It is, it's exactly like some stupid romantic comedy.

"It's not a movie Owen." She sighs. "This can't be anything, you get that, right?" He doesn't seem to get it, his head cocking to the side with a hint of a pout. "Owen, we work together now. It would be a really bad idea." He looks like he disagrees, moving to sit on the edge of her desk.

"Okay." He sighs with a nod.

"No one can know about this. No one can even suspect." A smile springs on her lips unexpectedly. "So, if in future, you could avoid checking me out when I'm working, that would be a big help."

"Fine." He grins with a laugh, before sobering up quickly. "So, you okay? First day back?" If it hadn't started with such a shock, she would probably be less okay. But she nods silently. "I know the place is really different. I know that can be difficult…"

"I'll be fine, Owen." She assures him. She's actually a little bit glad the place looks so different. She had been worried about being assaulted with memories at every turn. But the place is bright, shiny, and new. "Thank you."

He nods softly, standing from the desk. Just when he reaches the doorway, he taps it with a sigh, turning around. "I should probably warn you." He bites his lip. "TK works here, he's on the team."

"TK?" Her eyes widen, and he turns again. "Your son TK?" And he's gone.

Xxx

When she gets back from their next call, there is a cupcake sitting on her desk. Owen, the only person she can think of who would do this, isn't in his office, so she can't immediately go berate him for doing something so sweet. So she approaches the offending cake, picking up the post-it that sits under it.

Couldn't get a candle quickly. For your sister. -O

She sets the cake aside, smiling at it every now and then, while she does her paperwork. She decides against indulging immediately. It's the only cake Iris is going to get, and it doesn't seem right to eat it on her own, at work.

Owen is in the kitchen when she emerges for a cup of coffee. "Captain Blake." He greets her casually. "How's your first day back?" His head tilts towards someone rummaging in the fridge. "TK whatever you're looking for isn't going to be there if you haven't found it already." His eyes dart over to her when she straightens her spine. He smirks at her, and she glares pointedly at him.

"I don't even know what I'm looking for Dad." TK admits, emerging from the fridge with a soda. "We really gotta work on the snacks in this place. And by that I mean I gotta do it, I don't trust you. We need things like cookies, and chips."

"There's a bakery around the corner." They offer in unison, both of them immediately flushing and avoiding the other's eyes.

"It's great," Michelle continues, thinking about many an impromptu celebration catered by said bakery. "And they like us, might even do you a deal." They liked the old team anyway, but she's sure they'll warm to any member of the 126.

TK thanks her, leaving the two of them alone in the kitchen.

"Way to not be suspicious." She laughs, almost going to nudge his arm, but thinking better of it at the last minute.

"He'll just think I've been sneaking around in secret eating illicit cookies." He brushes it off easily.

"Thank you, for the cupcake. It was really sweet of you." She blushes. "I really appreciate it."

"I told you to celebrate today." He shrugs. "I wanted to make sure you could."

"Speaking of celebrating." She starts, twisting her fingers. "I think we, the team I mean, should go out for a drink? After work?" When he starts to nod, she bites her lip nervously. "The thing is… we always went to the Honky Tonk after work." He stops nodding, twisting his lip awkwardly. "I think Tim and Nancy would like it if we did the same. And I told Chris last night I'd take the new team…"

"Sure."

"Sure? That's okay? It won't be weird?"

"Of course it'll be weird." He scoffs. "It's fine though, tell the team." She nods, starting to walk away, when he stops her. "I uh...I just wanted to ask. I left my number, on your bedside table. If I didn't work here...would you have called it?"

Her answer is easy, and it twists in her stomach. "Yes."

#michelle blake #Owen Strand #owelle #michelle x owen #911 lonestar #owen is the sweetest in this fic honestly #he doesn't really deserve it #also im really trying not to let this be a captain strand rip-off so sorry if anyone thinks it is but i really hope it doesnt seem like that

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soulwillower · 4 years ago

Text

i’m yours • beverly marsh

(beverly marsh x reader)

requested: could you possibly write something for pride month? Like maybe a bev x reader oneshot or headcanons were they are married. Idk, something cute!

warnings: swearing probably, fluff!!!!, unedited :)

[losers + reader are adults!]

this was so cute!! i died writing this, also happy pride month my angels, i love u all so much!!! <3

1.6k

♡

it was one of those days where you just couldn't wait to get home. all day at work you were thinking about it; you'd fallen asleep at your desk, you’d zoned out during meetings, the whole time daydreaming about a glass of wine, the light breeze through your apartment, and familiarly soft, red hair.

as you park outside the apartment, slamming your car door shut, you get a call from the owner of the red hair, the very woman you could never get off your mind.

"hey baby." you answer, "i'm coming up right now, everything okay?" you ask, walking towards the stairwell (which bev had convinced you was better for the two of you than the elevator) with a soft smile on your lips. on the other line, bev replies, "yeah, of course. i just missed you. i made dinner, and was just calling to see if you'd be home soon." she says, a smile in her voice that you can practically see beaming at you.

her words still give you butterflies, just completely astonished that she loves you so much. "i missed you all day," you admit with a grin of your own, "i'll be up in a minute. i love you." you say sweetly, pulling yourself up the stairwell towards your apartment level.

"i love you too." she says dreamily and it makes you sigh in a lovesick manner as you hang up. your girlfriend was amazing.

when you finally opened the door to your apartment, the smell of a home cooked meal fills your nose and your stomach grumbles in hunger. you smile, touched that bev wanted to cook for you, especially after what was surely a long day at work - she'd been very stressed about her new clothing line recently.

"hi, honey!" a voice calls from the other room, pulling a smile onto your face at the familiar voice. "bev?" you call, setting your bag on the hook next to the door and walking down the hall. you pass rows of framed photos on the walls, pictures of you and her, of your dog, and of all the losers at varying stages of age.

one of your favorites hangs at the end of the hall - a picture of the eight of you that was taken on bev's fifteenth birthday. richie beams at the camera with braces, stan has his arm hooked around your neck with a stupid smirk on his face, and bill is poking eddie’s cheek playfully.

those things make you chuckle fondly but what makes you glow is the way you're looking at bev in that picture. as you trace your young, innocent faces with your finger, you chuckle to yourself, thinking how fucking whipped you were for her, even so many years ago.

little did you know then that you'd grow up to fall in love with her, spending the better part of your young adult life dating her and, as you hope secretly, possibly the rest of your life.

bev comes around the corner and you look at her in all her effortless beauty, the breath leaving your lungs as it always does when you see her, the way it has since you were kids.

she pulls you in for a kiss, soft and loving as she runs her hands down your arms before pulling away. "how was your day, y/n/n?" she asks with a grin, blue eyes bright and gazing at you with adoration.

you smile, unable to contain your love for her even at the most domestic of actions. "long. what about you?"

she wags her hand in disregard and grabs your arm, promptly pulling you towards the kitchen. you grin at the back of her head as she leads you to the table, laughing faintly at her actions that so reminded you of her when you were young.

"sit." she says and moves to grab a bottle of wine from the counter and placing it on the center of the table.

your eyes widen as you take in the table, which was set delicately with wine glasses and portioned out salmon and veggies with a salad on your plates. "bevvie, this is beautiful." you say as you sit down, eyes flickering over the beautiful place settings to her bashful but proud smile.

your heart flutters. "you didn't have to do this." you say softly as you grab her hand from across the table. she smiles at you, a twinge in her lip making you tilt your head. she looks slightly nervous, but before you can question it, she speaks up.

"y/n/n, i've got something i've meant to tell you for a really long time."

you can't help the anxiety that bubbles from those words as doubts flash in your mind, but she instantly quells them as she continues, "i love you, very very much." she says, still holding your hand.

you smile, feeling the warmth spread in your chest from the woman sitting across from you. "i love you too, bev." you say, squeezing her hand. she nods in that way that she does when she's half-listening; you can tell she's a tiny bit nervous, so you spit out, "are you pregnant?" to try and ease some tension.

she laughs, a sound that you wish you could put on tape and replay forever, a song that could pull you from the depths of hell and back to earth again. which it had, once upon a childhood nightmare.

"no, y/n." she says, eyelashes fluttering as she chuckles lightly. "no, i- okay." she says, taking a breath and smiling as she watches you.

"as you know, i have loved you since we were thirteen. since we met, really. and having you in my life, i- i just, i'm so glad that i have someone who i can... you know, dance barefoot in my jeans with, someone who with every word comes an inside joke." she says, eyes welling with tears. you tilt your head, barely allowing yourself to think as you listen to her words. your face heats up as love fills your whole entire body. is she....

"-i fell in love with my best friend. and getting to see you and hug you and love you every day... it is the best achievement i have ever accomplished. and... i want to have you for the rest of my life." she whispers, slowly sliding from her chair and down in front of you, getting on one knee.

"so," she starts shakily and you begin to shake your head in utter disbelief, stomach doing complete backflips as your chest alights with fire.

you think you're going to be sick with happiness, if that's even a thing that can happen. she's still holding your left hand, the other covering your mouth so you don't scream, no matter how loudly you want to.

"-we've been through everything life could throw at us together, and i just-" she says, but you can't wait, as much as you love her words - tears are already forming in your eyes and you yelp, "yes, yes, bev!"

she laughs at this, fully and soundly, and you take a mental picture - bev, on her knee in front of you with a blindingly stunning smile and tears in her eyes, a dinner she cooked for you next to you, hey light blue eyes alight with affection. you know you cannot possibly be more in love.

"y/n, baby, let me get through this!" she says with a smile, eyes glossy and cheeks pink. your stomach is fluttering,

your hands are shaking and your breathing is staggered because the love of your life is on her knees in front of you, asking for you to marry her. you sniffle, mumbling, "okay, okay, oh my god."

she laughs a little, "-um, we usually don't design jewelry, but... i just wanted something unique for you, because i can't just express my love for you in words, so.. i designed this." and she pulls a ring out of her pocket, not in a box or any kind of covering.

she holds it up to you, biting her lip as she looks at you. your breath hitches - she designed a ring for you, just for you. several thin bands stretched under a beautiful diamond, looking almost like vines underneath it as it sparkles between her fingers. the diamond is tinted slightly light blue, and it reminds you of her eyes.

nobody else will ever be as lucky as you. "bev, i..." you say, tears falling in tracks down your cheeks. "this is so beautiful, i can't believe y-"

"will you marry me, y/n?" she cuts you off with a smile, tears slipping from her eyes. the words, hearing her speak them, makes you choke out a watery and shocked laugh. "yes. yes!" you say, sliding down to the ground with her, hands cupping her cheeks and kissing her fiercely.

she kisses back and you can taste her tears and your own as she loops her arms around your waist. you're marrying her, you're marrying the love of your life.

"i love you so much." you whimper as you pull apart, wiping your eyes with a face-splitting grin. "we're getting married." you whisper as bev giggles, pulling your hand and slipping the ring on your finger.

you smile as you look down at your hands, the beautiful and dainty ring glistening up at you, beautiful and simple yet complex and true; just like you and bev. you pull her into another kiss, smiling so much that you can barely press your lips to hers.

its a feeling that you get to feel forever now.

"dinners going to get cold." she mumbles against your lips as she rubs your cheek with her thumb. you wipe your face as you pull back, nodding. "you worked so hard, love. we can't let it go to waste." you agree, laughing as you see her smile bashfully.

"you're perfect, you know." you whisper, watching her and then looking down to your left ring finger, heart soaring as you catch the blueish tint of the diamond on your finger.

"i love you so much, y/n. we're getting married." she says, eyes wide with a smile as you pull yourselves up into your chairs. as she settles into the chair, she says, “you’re going to be my wife!”

you shake your head, "stop, bev, i'll cry all over my salmon." you say honestly with a small chuckle. her melodic laugh makes you feel warm inside and you smile to yourself.

you get to hear that laugh for the rest of your life. and you can't wait.

#beverly marsh x reader #beverly marsh #losers x reader #losers club x reader

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teaboot · 5 years ago

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So my boomer 2nd cousin has been semi disowned since 2016 for voting a certain way, it was the last straw for most of us including her own mother. I say semi as some of the family still speaks to her. I was at a wedding where she was invited and she decided to start up a conversation with me, the disabled lesbian cousin, about how my pills are what make me sick and gay. I stg I almost launched over a buffet table to beat her with a ladle. Any tips on not killing her?

I too have similar issues, and deal with them in one of three ways:

First, I remind myself of a time when I too had similarly ignorant beliefs fuelled by flawed reasoning and a lack of personal experience. I remind myself of the experiences that corrected my ignorance, and do my best to gently replicate those circumstances with the individual- I listen to their concerns and carefully steer them into questioning why and how they came to these conclusions.

I do this got two reasons: firstly because they will naturally resist any outside idea that conflicts with their image of themselves or the world around them, and secondly because any answer they come up with for themselves will always be more powerful than an answer said to their face.

If you want to teach a dog to sit, you don't yell at him to sit until he gets it right- you manipulate his circumstances so that he decides to himself.

Option two: I accept that this relative is simply one of many people on this earth who just generally sucks, and resolve myself to putting up with their incoherent, intolerant ramblings as I would the anxious, frantic shouting of a coked-out businessman riding the subway at 9 PM on a Wednesday. Am I uncomfortable? Am I concerned? Am I worried for his wellbeing and the health of his social circle? All yes. Am I fully equipped, able, willing and responsible to personally take him under my wing? Unfortunately less so. It would also be in poor taste to punch him into silence, and so I sit, playing Mahjong on my phone.

Option three: Relentless Mockery. 'Yeah dad, the atmosphere isn't real. Neither are lakes, birds, or 38% of your highschool graduating class. What, you're gonna believe what some scientist tells you? They work for the government, genius, they'll tell you whatever they want you to believe. You think Australia is a thing? It's a cover, genius. You ever been to Australia? No? Didn't think so. Hey, look at me, I'm Craig, I believe in global warming and dolphins. God, read a book.'

Relentless Mockery can be practiced both to the subject's face and in private, by your digression. Bonus point in favor of privacy or the close confidence of a friend: from there on, any otherwise shitty future encounter is *magically transformed* into yet another in a long line of ridiculous stories; an event to look forwards to instead of an ordeal to be suffered.

With Option Three™, you too can experience the euphoric high of a close personal friend asking, 'so, any new Aunt Linda stories?', to which you can respond,

"Oh my god. Okay, so my cousin's funeral was last weekend, right? So I go, and she's there. Not a big deal, except- you know- she *specifically* wasn't invited. So like, I'm in line to go in, and she's right in front of me just *sobbing*. I'm talking snot, tears, the whole nine yards. Going on about she can't believe he's gone, poor Danny, oh, she's going to miss him so much, she was his favourite auntie- and then she starts talking about the time she took him to Disneyland for his birthday. And I haven't heard this one, so I'm just nodding along, but she's saying how she rented a motel and took him to the pool, and how she took him up on the log ride and took pictures with peter pan or some shit- and I'm starting to zone out, right, but then my other cousin cuts in, and he's like, "when was this?" And she was like, "oh, his fifteenth birthday", and HE goes, "you were in Chicago when Dan was fifteen, remember? Your boyfriend invited you out while he was on time off", and she just turns, like, purple. Saying that he must be remembering, that it was definitely then, and she could never forget, but then- get this- AUNT CAROLINE shows up. And she's, like, PISSED. "You never took Daniel anywhere, you haven't been there for his birthday since he was nine years old, what are you talking about?" And I'm just standing there like. Oh My God. Right? And then they're just SCREAMING at each other, right, and that's when the priest walks in, and he just sees them tearing each other apart, and he goes- "ladies, please keep it down, we can hear you in the chapel"- ...and then she turns to HIM. I didn't hear the rest. I just ran. Didn't go back until the wake. They're not talking anymore, though."

Option Three: A Trusted Personal Favorite.

Then again...... Some people really do need an ass whooping. Not that I'd endorse that. Encouraging violence would be irresponsible. Don't hit your shitty relative with a ladle.

Or just avoid her forever. That works, too.

IDK. Still working on this one. Anyone else got anything?

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fatandnerdy30 · 4 years ago

Text

Land of the Avengers chapter 2

“May?” Peter tossed his bag into the corner of his school apartments, listening for his aunt moving about the house. “May, you home?” He bounced through the kitchen and down the hallway where he found his aunt working on something at her computer, headphones in and speaking to someone.

“That’s fine. Just keep an eye on her vitals and BP, okay?” There was a pause as the other person’s lips were moving. “No, no, she hasn’t had a problem with her oxygen since she was admitted, so you should be fine. If not, call me and I’ll walk you through it on my way. Janet, you’ll be fine, I promise. Just do what you have to do and you’ll be great. Okay, talk to you later.” The screen went blank and May sighed, pulling out the earphones.

“You got a call from your apprentice?”

Peter’s voice made the woman scream and twirl around in the chair so fast she actually spun herself in a circle. “Peter! Oh my god don’t do that!” She held a hand to her heart and gave her grinning nephew a mock glare. “I swear you’re out to kill me.” Getting up, she gave the young boy a hug. “How was school today?”

The boy was practically bouncing in May’s arms until she finally let go. “I have something amazing to tell you! Captain Potts suggested to Colonel Richards for Harley and I to take the flight test early!” His face was beaming so much it was almost glowing. “He scheduled the test for next week! And that’s not the best part, either. Colonel Richards told us we can take one person with us, and since you’re family…can you maybe take a week off?” He looked a little worried when May’s brow furrowed.

“Next week? Isn’t that a little last minute? And why a week? I thought the test was a one day thing.” What would cause the man to schedule a test so soon? Maybe she should call the school.

“Well, that was the only placement open in the next two years, and the colonel really thinks we’ll do amazing! And he also said we deserved a break, so the test would be the flight to wherever we’re going, he hasn’t told us yet, and back, but there will be a small vacation in between, so that’s why it’ll be a week. Can you come?”

“I don’t know, honey. That is really short notice, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to get that time off, but, I do have some vacation coming up, so I’ll talk to my boss. I can’t-” She laughed at the way Peter was practically bouncing in place. “I can’t promise anything, so don’t get your hopes up, okay?”

“Yes, May.” The boy was still grinning though. May’s boss was sweet on her, so he would so approve this vacation. He wouldn’t want Skip dating her, but if he could pull some strings, he would definitely allow it. “Okay, I’m gonna go call Harley and tell him the good news! Bye May!”

“Peter, I told you….and he’s gone.” She hung her head. “I swear that boy is too hyper.” She smiled all the same and turned back to her computer to get some work she’d brought home done before taking her nephew out to dinner to celebrate.

*~*

That weekend found two boys stepping off the monorail above the city and stopping to look up at the intimidating white and silver building towering over Peter and Harley. The afternoon sun glinted off the windows, reflecting it back onto the clouds to create a mirrored world of light. It was a sight to behold.

“I wonder how tall it is?” Peter asked, staring up at the top of the buildings that looked as if it were scraping the sky itself.

“It’s thirty-five stories tall, so about three-hundred-eighty feet in total. But, that doesn’t include the sublevel floors. I read it last night on my comp-tab. It’s really interesting. Did you know this is also where the city gets its power, including our school?” The younger boy just rolled his eyes.

“You’re a dork. Let’s go.” He laughed and pulled a pouting Harley behind him. They had just walked in and Peter stopped, causing Harley to collide with him. “Woah!! Look at this! How cool is this!” Peter’s voice echoed through the lobby, making a few of the employees smile and giggle. “I mean, we’re in the actual Baxter Building! I wanna see every floor before we go to the simulation floor!” Harley shook his head, pulling the boy’s head under his arm.

“No, we’re on a time schedule, you doof! We only have a week to prepare for our flight.”

Peter pouted and tried to pull his head out from Harley’s grip. “I know that! I just got excited, that’s all.” They walked to the receptionist, who was giggling at Peter’s outburst, making the boy blush and look down.

“Good morning boys. How can I help you today?” She smiled at Peter, who had looked up. “Hello Ma'am,” the older of the two spoke in a deeper voice. “We’re here to use the simulation room. We have our flight test in a week.” Harley puffed out his chest, but his voice remained the same volume.

“Oh really? Aren’t you a little young?” The woman pushed her brown locks behind her ear. The boy couldn’t be older than fifteen, possibly younger. and Jenny couldn’t allow kids upstairs just because they said they were given permission. If she did that, every kid would have to be let in, and she could never handle that.

“He’s not,” Peter said lowly. “But, I was offered to take the same test together as Harley by Colonel Richards himself.” He then pulled his backpack off his shoulder, digging around and showing the woman his pass. “He even made us these passes.”

“Oh my,” the woman stared at the pass, her green eyes wide in shock. They were actual building passes given to the members of Richards’ team themselves. “I had no idea the special visitors Mr. Richards would be so young. Let me just scan your badges and you can go right up.” Peter and Harley handed the woman their passes, both boys looking proud, as they should. They would be the youngest pilots on the sub-orbital force in history, especially Peter.

“Okay, everything checks out. You boys train hard, okay, but remember to take frequent breaks. I’ve heard that room can be intense,” the woman informed, her face serious.

Harley nodded. “Thank you, Ma'am. We will.” He began walking, Peter following, looking around with wide eyes.

“I still think this is awesome,” he said for the hundredth time. “Have you asked your mom to come on the trip?”

The older boy’s face fell as he nodded. “Yeah…but she can’t get off work on such short notice.” He had really wanted her to come, but she couldn’t. The diner wouldn’t have been able to cover her shift for a whole week. His mom did seem sorry to have to miss his test, but she promised to tell everyone at the diner, this way they could celebrate with them after hours. “But, I understand. I’m not some little kid,” he pushed Peter playfully through the elevator doors as they opened.

“Hey!” The younger stumbled, catching himself on the wall. “I’m not a little kid! I’ll let you know my fifteenth birthday is in two months, thank you very much.” He put his nose in the air.

“Okay, okay. Your aunt coming?”

Peter’s eyes lit up and he nodded. “Yeah! She said she’d talk to her boss, but it looks good! So, she’ll be able to video every second of the trip and show it to your mom when we get back!”

Harley nodded, watching the numbers rise until the elevator beeped and the doors opened.

*~*

“Woah…” was all Peter could say as the two stepped through the doors. The technology on this floor was amazing! In the middle of the floor sat a large dome shaped room that took up more than half the floor. “This…this is so cool.”

“I know, right?” Harley was looking around, his eyes wide with wonder, when suddenly a gruff voice snapped them both out of their stupors.

“Hey, there’s no kids allowed on this floor! It’s dangerous!” A hulking bald man made his way over to the boys, his footsteps quick. “Waddya think you’re doin’ here, anyway?”

“We…we have passes,” Peter stuttered, holding up his blue pass in a shaking hand. “The colonel invited us. For simulation practice…” His face was red and he was looking at the floor.

“Lemme see those.” The man grabbed Peter’s pass and studied it. “Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. You must be the little geniuses Richie told us about! How ya’s doing?” He clapped both boys on the shoulder, catching their winces. “You wanna get straight to it, or do ya’s wanna have a tour first?”

“Umm…a tour would be great, Sir,” the oldest responded.

“Tour it is. I know you’s don’t have a lot of time, so let’s get rolling. Introductions first. Susie! Over here!”

A blonde woman looked up from the keyboard she was furiously typing at. “What is it, Ben? I’m kind of busy.”

“Well, you can take a second break. These are the kids Richie told us about. Introduce yourselves.”

Peter and Harley stared up at Susan Storm as if they were seeing the northern lights themselves. “Miss Storm…I mean, Dr. Miss-I mean Dr. Susie…Oh, I’m dead.” Peter’s face turned an even brighter shade of red and he hunched his shoulders down until just the tips of his ears were showing. Dr. Storm chuckled as she took her glasses off.

“Susan is fine. And let me guess, the red one is Peter,” the boy nodded. “And that must mean this is Harley.”

“Yes Ma'am. It’s nice to meet you.” He held his hand out and shook the woman’s hand.

“Good to see one of you is together,” the woman said jokingly. “Don’t be so nervous, Cadet Parker. I don’t bite, I promise.” She smiled softly at the boy, who nodded.

“Yes Ma'am.”

“Good. Now, my job here is to measure spikes of electromagnetic fields that appear in the upper atmosphere.” She pointed to three screens that had small lines jumping up and down on them. “This measures the amount of activity, this tells me where they are and this one measures the frequency,” she turned to each screen respectively. “I see nothing new, so this is a good thing for suborbital pilots. It helps keep them safe and us out of trouble.” She smirked at her joke.

“Do you have any other jobs?” Peter asked, watching the lines on the screen jump.

“Yes, actually. I often have to go into suborbital space in order to get a better reading of the ozone for safer flights, and to experiment on new ways in order to create quicker flight plans safely.”

“That’s kind of awesome, actually,” retorted Peter, staring at the consoles. “Do you send your findings to the pilots or to the radio tower?”

“Excellent question. I actually send it to both, plus the pilots also get a vibration meter just in case any falling debris from space comes into the atmosphere. It’s happened quite a lot, and before this, a lot of crafts actually went down. We had a whole legal battle until we came up with this idea.”

“So it measures any kind of disturbance around the plane?” Asked Harley. “How does it do it? I mean, it’s got to have a high frequency to detect even the most subtle of vibrations in the atmosphere around the entire plane. There’s got to be hundreds of tiny cameras and wave sensors hidden in every plane!”

“Yes, actually,” Susan’s eyes were alight with wonder. “No wonder why Richard likes you two. He loves students that are full of questions.” She smiled down at the two. They really were a little young to be taking the flight simulation test, but her fiance had been talking about these two nonstop for days. Ever since Pepper had mentioned it, he’d been all gung-ho about it. It really was cute to see him excited about something.

“Don’t let Suzy-Q here bore you guys,” came another voice as the door opened. “I actually have the best job.”

“Great,” Ben sighed. “Kids, this is the younger-and dumber- sibling of Dr. Storm. Johnny, introduce yourselves to the cadets.”

“Heys, kiddo’s. Nice to meet you, I’m Captain Storm. The youngest pilot the Sub-Orbital crew has ever seen.” He made a muscle man pose. His uniform was a dark blue, as was everyone’s, but his matched him better with the darker skin. It might have been the shaved head, or his attitude, Peter didn’t know. All he knew was that he liked Captain Storm.

“Hello sir,” the younger boy said, saluting him.

“Hey, hey, no sirs around me, okay? And put that hand down, don’t want you poking an eye out. Just call me Jay, okay?”

Ben snickered. “He always wants to seem cool and hip in front of the kiddies.”

“Hey, I am hip, man! It’s just hanging around you old dudes all day makes me miss seeing young faces.” Jay then looked around the room. “Oh yeah…where’s their tour group? I was hoping to let the little group to take some photos of me being the awesome pilot I am.”

The two scientists looked at each other before bursting into laughter. “That’s a good one, hot head!” Ben cackled.

“What?” Jay cried angrily.

“There is no tour group. It’s just these two. They’re here to use the simulation machine,” Sue responded. “Oh, and I would rethink that 'youngest pilot ever’ title, because these two are taking the test in a week’s time.”

The pilot’s face fell as he stared at the two youngsters in front of him. There was no way! “When did this happen?”

“Colonel Richards told us earlier this week, Mr. Storm.” Harley felt pride well in his chest at that. And Ben noticed, grinning at the look on the boy’s face.

“Well, I think we should let them get to training,” the bald man said, clapping Johnny on the shoulder. “Come on. You can show off later, or maybe the kids can tell you how to do your job better.”

Johnny sent him a look that made Ben throw his head back and laugh, pulling the young man out.

*~~~~*

"This is the flight simulator," Dr. Storm showed the boy's the dome-shaped room in the middle of the floor. "The main reason why there are so many generators in here because of this. It takes a lot of energy to run the simulator. Probably enough to run the entire city for three years."The boys were stunned. It took that much energy to run the simulation machine?

"That's insane," Peter whispered. "But, isn't that bad for the environment? I mean, the generators make so much heat and the gasses they're known to produce have been proven to deplete the breathable air and-"

Susan held up a hand with a smile. "I know all of that, but Richard actually developed these especially with that in mind. It's a new kind of energy, renewable energy. It's something the world has never seen. Actually, you're the first people outside this building to see it." Her watch let out a beep and she turned her wrist to see the time. "And now it's getting late, so you two better get in there. You have today and tomorrow to practice before your test. I'd wish you boys luck, but I'm sure you won't need it." She opened the door latch.

"Just so you know, there is a water dispenser and a bathroom. People tend to spend a long time here and I got tired of having to clean up after they left." She sent a glare to the doors her brother went through. "So, I had Reed put in a bathroom." She gave the boys a tight smile. "Go on in. And we'll be monitoring you from out here, so we'll be the first to know if there's a problem."

Peter and Harley gave a nod in unison and stepped into the chamber. As soon as the door was shut behind them, they looked at one another. "Let's do this," Harley said, holding his hand out.

"And kick its ass doing it," Peter replied with a smile and they grabbed each other's hands in their secret handshake.

"Did I mention that we have cameras and microphones in there, too. So no bad language," Susan's voice made the two jump and look up at the camera that had turned to look at them, feeling her admonishing look through the lens.

"Sorry!" they yelled in unison and began making their way through the dome to the two seats in the middle of the room. In some odd way, they made the room seem emptier. Together they sat and buckled themselves in, looking around the white room.

"Good job on buckling up, boys. You don't know how many trainees make that mistake and treat this as just a VR ride instead of a potentially dangerous experience. You two signed the wavers, right?" The boys nodded. "Good. The room will make an odd noise as the simulation starts, but soon it will fade into the noise of the flight sim. Simulation starting in three......two....one....good luck boys."

They didn't get a chance to respond before the room started making a high pitched whirring noise before the room actually disappeared! In its place was the inside of a sub-orbital craft. Harley stared out the window and actually looked real, even down to the birds! "This...this is amazing!" His voice didn't even echo in the cockpit, as it was a small, full space. "The reality is so real." He reached out and touched a control, surprised to feel the yoke in his grasp. "Amazing."

"I wonder how they do it? Maybe it's something to do with the brainwaves that measure your senses? That would be amazing tech to put into use in the real world! Imagine what could happen if people didn't have to leave their homes in order to work, that would mean they'd be able to spend their lives in filtered air and therefore increase their lifespan by at least ten years!"

Harley gave him a look as if to say 'shut up'. "But, think of the damage the power one of these needs in order to run. Could you imagine something like that in every home? It would kill the planet indefinitely. It was a good thought, though, kid." The younger nodded and got a 'thinking' look on his face. "Worry about it after we're done, okay? Our futures ride on this simulation. We have to do good, or else those scholarships should be taken away." Peter's face turned serious in an instant and he gripped the yoke. "I'm ready. Let's get started."

#marvel fanfiction #iron dad #g/t fluff #marvel g/t #Giant/tiny #g/t #sfw g/t #natasha romanoff #steverogers #Iron Man Tony Stark #virginia potts #harley keener #professor hulk #clintbarton

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n1ghtt1me-stars · 5 years ago

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Part 10 (1)

Warlock saunters vaguely through life (Warlock saunters vaguely into their lives part 10) - this work is around 20,000 words so will be uploaded in eight parts every week

work on ao3, part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine

The five years after the non-apocalypse passed quickly and peacefully.

And Warlock really didn't want anything to change.

In school, he had very few friends - really they were more acquaintances than friends - other quiet people he sat with in the library and the computer suite because everyone knew that they wouldn't disturb each other. Warlock wasn't even a hundred per cent certain on all their names.

After his last GCSE exam, he went straight home. It was physics and Warlock was pretty sure he lost all the marks except on the parts about Space, as Crowley had helped him revise that topic. There was talk about a party that all his year was invited to, but it felt presumptive to assume he was a part of that group.

The tube had become part of his everyday routine: headphones in, head down and praying that it wasn't crammed (though it usually was).

There was a well-done-on-your-exams cake waiting when he arrived home. Crowley and Aziraphale stood proudly behind the table with the cake on it. Smiling, Warlock walked over and gave them a hug. Neither of them really understood human school though they celebrated each achievement and somehow cake became a part of it.

Aziraphale began to plate some slices of cake while Crowley turned to him and asked, "How was school, dear?"

"S'alright," Warlock replied. "Hated the test but my physics teacher gave us sweets afterwards. I think she pitied us."

Crowley laughed and Warlock continued with descriptions of his classmates' looks of despair. Aziraphale chimed in with "Oh those poor dears. Were exams one of mine or yours?"

Leaning back in his chair as he thought, Crowley eventually said, "I can't remember. I think I did it but it could have been a favour."

"I swear," Warlock said, "if you didn't give me cake, I would be really annoyed right now."

Later that evening, Warlock laid on his bed on his phone. Somehow, he had become friends with Adam and his lot. Not so much Wensleydale and Brian (Warlock did get Wensleydale's help with physics as well though it didn't pay off). He spoke a bit with Adam who really liked plants, and Warlock had grown up in Crowley's garden so they had some common ground.

Mostly, Warlock messaged Pepper. They both did ICT as a hobby and as a GCSE (Brian also did the exam but only because he thought it would be easy). Pepper was also into social justice and Warlock knew the best way to be heard in both Britain and America through his father’s complaints.

(They also both liked romantic comedies and were too ashamed to admit it to anyone else)

Is Adam still prepping for the party? Warlock sent Pepper after their rants about exams died off.

Of course. Been planning this since his fifteenth. Warlock can feel Pepper rolling her eyes. He's even made a truce with Johnson because he can get drinks for the after-party.

That's dedication. How's he hiding it from his parents?

Convinced Anathema it’s a rite of passage. She's going to distract all the adults including your parents after the barbecue so we can go to the treehouse.

Sounds fun. And it really did. Since his eleventh birthday, it had become a tradition to throw a joint party with Adam. His parents were usually abroad so they travelled to Tadfield for roughly a week.

To you maybe. Adam’s been setting up rubbish bags and threatening to fight anyone who litters in his woods.

Haha so glad I don't help plan these things

Wish you did, Pepper quickly replied before sending another message, it's annoying that you can't come during Christmas or Easter

I know. Two more years and then I don't have to go back to my parents’ house.

Only two years. Can't believe we're all growing up. Pepper sent.

Yeah, neither could he. Growing up was a surreal thing. Changes happened without you noticing; he doesn't know when the last time he called Crowley Nanny was. He remembered being teased for having servants and stopped referring to Nanny in school. And then, it bled into his home life. Warlock wasn't sure if Crowley noticed because he never said anything, but it made Warlock a little sad thinking about it.

I know. Think Adam will mature once we turn 16?

Nope. Still be thinking he's the centre of the universe till someone knocks him down a couple of pegs

Warlock laughed aloud at that. Adam was regularly self-centred, but he meant well most of the time. Once, when they were thirteen, he didn't talk to Warlock for weeks after he couldn't come over for Christmas despite him explaining why. It took Pepper hitting him for Adam to apologise.

The year after, Adam posted a book about coding to the Dowling house. Warlock still wasn't sure how he got that address.

Before he could reply to Pepper, she messaged again that her mum needed her so she'd talk tomorrow. It was only ten so Warlock doodled in his notebook a bit; he could do rough sketches of a variety of plants and flowers without thinking. For his art GCSE, most of his coursework had been based around plants because he could use Crowley's garden as a source. A few years ago, Crowley had expanded to a greenhouse on the roof (which Warlock was pretty sure was closed off to tenants) and it was so beautiful and full of lush plants in there.

It was definitely one of Warlock's favourite places.

A couple of weeks later (most of it was spent catching up on sleep), Warlock packed for their trip to Tadfield. Technically, he wasn't a military kid like the others he grew up with who moved every few years. But, on the other hand, as a diplomat's son, he went on more short-haul trips so packing was a breeze.

Going through his mental list, he packed his clothes effectively so he could take his tablet and laptop. He knew Aziraphale would be taking enough books for the week so he didn't have to worry about that.

Suitcase ready and his phone on charge for the car journey, he went up to the roof. He passed Aziraphale prepping packed lunches in the kitchen: most likely simple sandwiches if he was trying to make something without magic.

It was a rare clear day and Warlock could see miles of the city all around from the rooftop however he couldn't hear the busy streets. Apparently, plants needed a calm, clean atmosphere (even though they were already in a greenhouse) so the roof was quiet and smelled of clean air and not the usual scent of exhaust fumes.

Pushing open the door to the greenhouse, Warlock was met with a warm wall of humidity. Crowley stood over some vibrant green ferns with his water sprayer, inspecting for any damage and threatening them.

"You all better grow well when I'm away," he said as the leaves trembled. "or you'll know what'll happen. I don't think any of you can survive a fall from a roof."

Warlock gently stroked a shaking leaf and it stopped trembling. As if communicating with the others, all the plants went still and Crowley turned to glare at him. "You and Aziraphale are way too nice to them."

"Yeah," Warlock said, "We're the ones who are too nice."

Crowley waved the spray bottle at him before giving the plants one last glare. Walking out of the greenhouse, Crowley asked, "Are you ready to go?"

To be honest, his stomach was turning. Each year, it was terrifying to be celebrating his birthday with people he only saw once a year and only knew because he was standing in the background when the world nearly ended.

"Yep, can't wait," Warlock said. He must have sounded convincing because Crowley told him to put his stuff in the car before going to find Aziraphale.

They stayed in the same rented cottage every year that was always empty despite it being the height of summer. Like the flat, it was a lot smaller than the house he grew up in, but Warlock preferred it. Every floorboard creaked and the chairs felt like they would collapse whenever someone sat on them but it was never empty.

Unsurprisingly, they arrived before lunchtime because of Crowley's driving, so they had the sandwiches at the cottage. Warlock had several messages from Pepper demanding he come into the woods as soon as possible because Adam is getting stressy about the party and someone needs to distract him.

Leaving Aziraphale and Crowley to sort out the cottage, Warlock jumped the fence in the garden as it was the quickest route into the woods. He only came once a year, but he could walk this path with his eyes closed. It was cool beneath the shade of the trees, yet the light that filtered through made the whole area a nice golden hue. The air had a similar feel to the greenhouse: clean, fresh and the furthest thing from the city air.

The first thing he heard was Adam's voice. "Hang the paper chains evenly in the branches," he shouted. Warlock walked into the slight clearing in time to see Pepper glare at Adam. "Please," he added reluctantly at her look.

No one was really sure if Adam still had his powers, but Adam swung round to lock eyes with Warlock as if he just knew he was there.

"Warlock!" He shouted and smiled widely. However, Warlock's response was cut off when a weight slammed into the back of his knees. Stumbling forwards, Warlock stopped himself from falling as Dog continued to jump and bark at him. For some reason, Dog was always overly enthusiastic around him and no one else.

"Hey," Warlock said as Dog ran over and sat down at Adam's ankles. "How are you?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Adam said. "It's good you're here actually, you can help Wensleydale with the paper chains. He has no idea how to spread the colours evenly."

Looking over at the tree, Warlock could see what Adam meant. There was a large patch of red on one side of the tree, a couple of stands if blue next to it (where Wensleydale was precariously sitting) and other colours in a pile on the floor. If left to his own devices, all the colours would end up in distinct blocks which would just look weird. "Sure," Warlock said, "I'll save the tree."

"Thank you," Adam said earnestly. Suddenly, he shouted "Brian, no!" before running off to deal with another impending disaster.

On his way over, Warlock said hi to Pepper who was setting up some solar-powered garden lights. "We'll have to take some of that red down," he said to Wensleydale who was clambering down from the tree.

"Yeah," Wensleydale said sadly. He cleaned his glasses on his shirt and put them back on to stare at the paper chains. "I guess it would look better if they were mixed together."

"Yeah..." Warlock said as he studied the colours. "If you get back up in the tree, I'll pass them up and we can spread them out?"

"Sounds good," Wensleydale replied and he climbed the tree again. As they worked, they chatted mostly about the recent exams because that was the only common ground they had.

"How did your RE go?" Wensleydale asked. Warlock was grateful that they had quickly moved on from the physics paper.

"Alright I think," he said as he passed up a green chain. "But it didn't help that Aziraphale kept telling me about misprinted bible quotes. They were all I could remember in the exam."

"Oh, I read about some of those. I think my favourite was 'Thou shalt commit Adultery'."

Laughing, Warlock said, "Nah, 'the unrighteous shall inherit the Kingdom of God' is definitely the best one. It's amazing how these were so wrong with just little mistakes."

Finally finished with the tree (which now looked like an explosion of colour instead of a paint-by-number), Warlock realised that his stomach was growling. Brian and Pepper disappeared a while ago once they had finished their jobs and Wensleydale quickly left as well, claiming he was tired from scrambling around the tree. That just left him and Adam, who was trying to get Dog to stop playing with a scrap piece of paper that he was intent on tearing to bits.

"Dog, drop it!" Adam said. Warlock laughed as Dog ignored him. "Drop it," Adam continued sternly, "or no treats for dinner."

Dog dropped it and Adam looked at Warlock smugly. "I'm pretty sure he only stopped because you mentioned treats," Warlock said and Adam's expression faltered slightly.

No," he said stubbornly. "Dog understood the threat."

"Sure he did," Warlock said, filling his voice with sarcasm. "Well," he added, "I'm hungry so I'm going to ..."

"Come to mine," Adam interrupted. "My mum will be preparing dinner soon."

"Uh..." Warlock couldn't see a valid reason to refuse, except that being around the adult Youngs was weird, but he couldn't admit that to their son. "Sure," he said, "let me just message Crowley."

"Awesome," Adam said, and, as soon as Warlock put his phone back in his pocket, grabbed his arm and started dragging Warlock to his house.

Excluding all the supernatural elements, Warlock wondered if there was anyone else in a similar situation where the child was the one to know that they were adopted and not the adult.

He couldn't help thinking about it as Mrs Young pulled him into a hug and Mr Young gave him a firm handshake. Really, he looked nothing like Mrs Young who shared the same light hair and soft face with Adam, and the only similarity he had with Mr Young was the dark hair colour that his mum also had. Adam, though, did actually look like their son despite not being related.

The situation was strange and Warlock usually tried to ignore it, especially around his family because his father could not find out he wasn't biologically his.

It would be the straw that broke the camel's back; it would be all the excuse his father needed to disown him.

"Sit down," Mrs Young said, ushering Warlock and Adam to the dining table. "I'm making bangers and mash so I hope you're hungry."

"They're vegetarian by the way," Adam said to him.

"Yeah, that's fine," Warlock said. He knew that Adam went vegetarian a while back and that his parents followed his example. Anyway, you could never go wrong with sausages and potatoes.

Warlock could hear the sound of ceramic plates being set out and the kettle whistling in the kitchen. Despite his reservations, Warlock did love being in Adam's house. It was loud and full of life and reminded him of the times when he, Aziraphale and Crowley tried to make a new dish together (with varying degrees of success). It was also the furthest thing from the empty estate that he used to live in.

Once everyone was sat down and eating, Mr Young turned to him and asked, "So, what exams did you do Warlock?"

"Uh, ICT, RE and art," Warlock said, "plus English, maths and combined science of course."

"A good range," Mr Young said, meeting Warlock’s eyes as if he was genuinely interested, "Your parents must be proud."

"Yep," Warlock said, quickly shoving a forkful of mash into his mouth so he didn't have to say anymore. He was pretty sure his father's lecture on why he should do more useful subjects like politics or business lasted an hour when Warlock told him his chosen options.

Thankfully, Adam started talking about the party. He omitted the part about the truce and Johnson bringing alcohol but he waved his cutlery around as he spoke about all the decorations and the games they' were going to play in the woods.

"I'm thinking that we play games that we used to play as kids," Adam said, as though he never stopped playing those games. "Forty forty in is good in the dark..."

"How do you play?" Warlock asked.

Adam turned to look at him with wide eyes, "You've never played?" Adam said. Warlock looked away slightly from his shocked look. As a child, the only game he could remember playing was soccer (well football here, that was probably the only American thing about Warlock) when some of his mother's friends brought their children round. Names of games like 'bulldog' and '123 home' were suggested if he remembered correctly but soccer was the only thing they all knew so they didn't have to waste time explaining it. He never had regular friends to develop these kinds of games with.

"No..." Warlock eventually said, focused on the food in front of him as he cut the sausages into tiny, regular pieces. "I've never heard of it."

"That's fine," Adam said, his cheerful mood not at all affected. "You can be on my team and we’ll destroy the others."

"We never played in teams," Mrs Young added. "If you was IT, you had to do it alone."

"Well, in my version there’s teams and it's more fun when you have someone to work with."

"Okay dear, finish your food," Mrs Young said, gesturing to Adam's half full plate which he had been ignoring whenever he spoke.

They finished in relative silence and Warlock helped Mrs Young carry the plates into the kitchen as Adam took Dog out into the garden. "You're such a polite boy," she said, "not like the chaotic demon I raised." Warlock laughed though it was more at the fact that she didn't know how right she was. "Are you excited for the barbeque tomorrow?" she asked.

"Yeah," Warlock said. "Thank you for hosting it again. They're always brilliant. This will be the fifth one-- won't it?"

"Oh its no trouble," Mrs Young said, dismissing his praise with a wave of her hand. "I can't believe you're all growing up so fast. Soon, you'll be at university and then adults. First, it was Adam's sister and now Adam. Oh God," she paused and wiped her eyes, "I better stop before I start weeping."

Warlock scuffed his feet against the floor. "It's alright," he said, feeling like an intruder. Adam had told him late one night in a rare honest conversation that his older sister visited less and less and that it made his mother upset. In return, Warlock told him how his parents had been distant growing up and he disliked people like his sister, who selfishly took their parents' love for granted.

Adam didn't argue with him. He only said that he was glad Warlock was with Aziraphale and Crowley now.

"Go hang out with Adam," Mrs Young said as she shooed him out of the kitchen. "I'll get Arthur to help me."

Leaving her shouting for her husband, Warlock went into the garden where he found Adam laying on the recently-mowed grass with Dog. The sun was just setting, turning the sky red (Warlock hoped that meant the weather would be good tomorrow for their birthday). Sitting down next to him, Warlock saw that Adam's eyes were closed but he knew that Adam was aware that he was there. He waited in silence until Adam opened his eyes.

From his position sitting up, Warlock had to lean over slightly so he could make eye contact with Adam. "Are you going to stay there all night?" he asked.

"Maybe," Adam said with a smirk. Honestly, Warlock wouldn't be surprised if Adam actually did as he always seemed to belong more outside.

"In that case," Warlock said as he stood up, "I'll be heading back to sleep in a proper bed."

Adam groaned but scrambled quickly to his feet. "I'll walk you back," he said. There were grass stains all down his back and loose stands in his hair. Warlock tried to help by picking some of the pieces out but stopped quickly when he felt Adam still beneath his hand.

"You don't have to," Warlock said, feeling slightly guilty for disturbing him.

Adam waved him off. "I want to," he said, smiling brightly.

Adam took them along the main road instead of the through the woods even though it was longer. Surprisingly, Adam kept quiet (only interrupting occasionally to ask questions) when Warlock spent most of the walk talking about some new plants Crowley had gotten recently and how they were so pretty Warlock had already drawn them many times trying to capture them right.

Finally, they reached the cottage. Pausing at the gate to say goodbye, Warlock was shocked when Adam pulled him into a quick hug. Adam pulled away too soon for Warlock to hug him back and said, "You're so going to love your present tomorrow."

"I bet my present for you is better," Warlock said almost automatically as his brain was still processing the hug.

Adam laughed and said, "Doubt it," before running off.

When Warlock woke up the next morning, his memory of his conversation with Adam was crystal clear while the rest of the evening after that was a complete blur in his mind.

Next part

#warlock tags along #warlock grows up #warlock saunters vaguely into their lives #good omens #good omens fanfiction

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razorblade180 · 6 years ago

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Lasting Embers

[Island of Patch, night time]

Jaune:Psst, Yang? *opening door*

Yujin:*sleeping*Zzzzz

Yang:*rubbing her head* Ssshhh, she’s sleeping.

Jaune:*small smile*......

Yang:Do you have my things?

Jaune*sigh*......by the front door.

Yang:*walking out of the room* Guess I should get ready then huh?

Jaune:Yeah.....*looking at Yujin* I guess so...

[Downstairs]

Yang:*gearing up*......Jaune, I know you want to say something.

Jaune:It’s just....are you sure about this?

Yang:Of course not, but I have to do this. If I don’t then who knows how far this mess will get out of hand. *sigh* how long has it been since the world really needed saving?

Jaune:*leaning against the door* about nine years give or take. Man, where does the time go?

Yang:I know right? Never would’ve thought twenty seven would feel so old.

Jaune:*smirk* What do you mean? Our prime has barely started yet.

Yang:Guess you’re right *hands on hips* I mean when you look this good age starts to be deceiving. Especially after having a kid.

Jaune:Yeah you’re pretty great. Strong, beautiful, and devoted to your four year old. Which is why you shouldn’t be going on this mission.

Yang:Jaune I’ve made up my mind. It has to be done.

Jaune:Then I should be the one going; or at least both of us!

Yang: That doesn’t make the situation better and you know it. Yujin is going to need at least one of us to look after her. We can’t both go running off to play hero.

Jaune:.....

Yang:Hey*cups his face* it’s not like I’m going alone. The gang is getting back together; no criminal is safe when team RWBY is on the job. You know that better than anyone.

Jaune:I know when it comes to things involving Salem, nothing is ever simple. She didn’t exactly go quietly during the final fight. Now we have these radical followers who are committed to following her way of life. They not only know about the relics, but about all of us.

Yang:All the more reason to make our move now before they gain any more following or power. *tying shoes* I don’t have to tell you that this is our best plan; you’re the strategist after all.

Jaune:Did you forget the part of the plan where you don’t come back? That you have guys have to keep them distracted until they’re completely out of the picture.

Yang:......

Jaune:The moment you go after them for real there’s no turning back. It’s all or nothing; just like with Salem. Another secret war with an unknown leader at the helm.

Yang:*opening the door* Whatever it takes. No point in living in this world if you don’t feel safe right? Besides, they’ve already put two of us in the hospital; and killed two more......*red eyes* I can’t let them get away with that.

Jaune:*looks at the floor, clenching fist* Believe me, neither can I. You’re right about this being our best move; I just can’t help but wish we had another one. I’m tired of losing people...

Yang:....Can you do me a favor?

Jaune:What is- *pulled into a deep kiss*

Yang:*Puts her wedding ring in his hand* hold on to this for me till I get back? I’d hate for it to get ruined if I take it.

Jaune :Yang....

Yang:Don’t worry, I promise I’ll comeback. No matter how long it takes. *tearing up* it’s selfish but, wait for me okay?

Jaune:*holds ring tight* always....

Yang:Well....I guess I should be go-

“Mommy?”

Yujin:*standing on the bottom step*

Yang:H...hey sweet heart. *picking her up* what are you doing out of bed?

Yujin:*rubbing her eye* I had a nightmare about a monster.

Yang:A monster? Well there’s no reason to worry. We’d never let a monster hurt you. Not in a million years

Yujin:I know mommy; you’re strong! Hey, why are you all dressed up?

Yang:I...mommy has to go help your aunties with something very important.

Yujin:Okay, will you be back by breakfast? I want French Toast.

Yang:Sorry Yujin, it’s gonna take a long time to get back.

Yujin:Oh.....dinner?

Jaune:*grabbing Yujin* Sorry sweetheart; your mother is going to be gone for awhile. It’s okay though, she’ll come back before you know it.

Yujin:*drops shoulders* Aww, okay. If you say so; does this mean you’ll miss my birthday? It’s months away.

Yang:....tell you what, when I get back I’ll be sure to bring you the greatest present in the whole world.

Yujin:*gasp.* Promise? *holds out pinkie*

Yang:Cross my hearts *wraps pinkie around her’s.*

[Sometime later]

Jaune:*two wedding bands on a silver chain necklace* Yujin!!!! *knocking on the door* are you awake and decent?

Yujin:*groaning* Decent is a yes; awake though....,

Jaune:*walking in* Oh don’t be such a bum. It’s your birthday today for crying out loud.

Yujin:Oh yeah....forgot all about that to be honest.

Jaune:*pulls out a cake from behind the corner. Candles and all* Happy fifteenth birthday Yujin.

Yujin:*small smile and blows out candles*Happy Birthday to me...

#rwby #rwby lasting embers #yujin xiao long #yang xiao long #jaune arc #rwby dragonslayer

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i-am-the-hero-alfred-jones · 5 years ago

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Fairy Tail’s Fairy Tale’s Chapter 5

((Part 5 of my contribution for the fairy tail big bang being put on by @ft-ez-bb I hope you guys enjoy! Please like/comment/reblog/ect!))

BLUEBEARD

"Oh. . . I don't know this story." Wendy admitted. "Let me see." Carla muttered to herself as she read, ". . . ugly man. . . . wife. . . forbidden room- Oh! OH MY GOODNESS!!!" she quickly flipped through to the next story, "You are forbidden from reading this story!" she scolded, sternly. "Uhm. . . okay. . ." Wendy said confused. "We're doing Sleeping Beauty!" Carla announced.

SLEEPING BEAUTY

"Jellal can be the prince, since he has sleeping powers." Carla declared. Jellal had been sitting at the bar and enjoying the show. He hummed and stood, "Alright." he agreed easily. "I'll be the princess." Erza offered. "Wonderful." Carla confirmed, 'Who else do we need?" "An evil fairy." Wendy said.

"Well if anyone's gonna curse Erza, it's Ever." Bixlow teased. "Excuse me?!" Evergreen demanded. "She is the most fairy-like." Freed taunted, throwing the woman's own words back at her. She glared at the group, "You'll pay for this." she vowed, storming over to the stage. "We also need a good fairy." Wendy said, "Mirajane?" Mira smiled, "Sure! It sounds like fun!" The group headed backstage.

Wendy began narrating, "A long time ago, there was a king and a queen who wanted a child more than anything else in the world- finally they got one. The king and queen. threw a huge party for their daughter- whom they named Briar Rose. They decided to invite the fairies of the kingdom to the party,but the king had a problem. There were 13 fairies in the kingdom, but he only had 12 golden plates. So he decided to only invite 12 of the fairies and leave one at home. The party began and all but one of the fairies had blessed the baby when the forgotten one arrived.

Evergreen walked onstage in a splendid dress, her wings were spread wide behind her and she glared around the room before speaking. "The king's daughter shall in her fifteenth year prick herself with a spindle and fall down dead!" she announced, then turned and left as suddenly as she had arrived. "But one fairy hadn't blessed the princess yet." Wendy reminded. Mirajane stepped forward, in a similar (though much brighter colored) gown. "I cannot undo the spell." Mira explained, "But I can adjust it." She spread her arms just as Evergreen had, "It shall not be death, but a deep sleep of one hundred years into which the princess with fall." Then Mirajane walked offstage.

Wendy turned back to face the guild, "The King loved his daughter so much, and was so afraid of losing her that he had every spindle in the kingdom burned. And the princess grew into a beautiful young woman." Erza walked onstage in a rose-like gown and a crown. "On her fifteenth birthday, the king and queen were out, and Briar Rose was wandering the palace. As she did, she found a small room she had never been to before." Wendy continued.

Erza opened the prop door. On the other side sat Evergreen at a spinning wheel. "Good day, Ma'am." Erza greeted, curtsying, "What are you doing?" "I am spinning." Evergreen replied, smiling maliciously, "Would you like to try?" "Yes, please!" Erza smiled brightly as she was given Evergreen's seat. Erza began spinning and suddenly lay down in a deep sleep. "Uh. . . I don't think she's pretending. . ." Evergreen noted worriedly. "I'm sorry- were we not going for realism?" Jellal asked, poking his head out from backstage. "Uh.. ." Wendy looked to the master nervously. Makarov waved the matter off, "It's fine." he assured, casually.

"The sleeping spell covered the whole castle, all the servants, and the king and queen who had just returned." Wendy continued. "As they slept a wall of thorns grew around the castle. And the legend of Briar Rose spread throughout the land. The legend of the beautiful sleeping princess, just beyond the thorns. Princes came from all over trying to get in and see her, but none succeeded. After many years had passed, a prince came again to the land, he had heard the story from an old man, and wanted to see the beautiful Briar Rose."

Jellal walked onstage in a handsome suit, he too, had a crown on his head. "When this prince approached the thorns, they bloomed into roses and parted so he could pass." Wendy narrated. Jellal approached Erza and knelt down, cupping her face. He leaned in to kiss her. "What are you doing?" Wendy asked just before their lips touched. Jellal looked to her, startled, "Don't I have to kiss her to break the spell?" he asked. "No." Wendy said, staring at him, quizzically, "The spell broke because the one hundred years were up. The kiss was just a coincidence." she explained, "You don't have to kiss Erza if you don't want to." Jellal looked at Wendy, then at Erza, then to the guild, then back to Erza. He wanted nothing more than to press her tender lips to his own- but doing so would be admitting to the guild that he loved Erza. Jellal sighed and removed his sleeping spell with a wave of his hand. Erza sat up. "And they all lived happily ever after!" Wendy declared happily as Jellal slunk offstage. ". . . What just happened?" Erza asked.

Gray sighed as he watched the rain pelt against the window. "It's still raining." Lyon noted, sitting by his old friend, "You seem uneasy." he added. Gray shot him a glare, "What do you care?" Lyon rested a hand on Gray's shoulder, "Gray, as your friend, I need you to know that I don't care about you or your problems." he said bluntly, "What I do care about is Juvia. And she's still sad. I went to her house to try and cheer her up, but she just kicked me out. So it's your turn." "You can't tell me what to do!" Gray snapped. Suddenly Lyon was shirtless, "You're going to go and apologize to Juvia if I have to knock you out and drag you there!!!" he yelled angrily. Gray was startled, "I've never seen you so angry, Lyon. . ." "You hurt the woman I love." Lyon said simply. Gray was now also in his underwear, "YOU BARELY KNOW HER!!!" "That can't stop true love!" Lyon declared. "Fine! I'll go!" Gray began to leave the guild, Lyon was right behind him. "What do you think you're doing?!" Gray demanded. "I need to make sure you do it right!" Lyon replied. And the two left the guild, bickering all the way.

"This is so not fair." Evergreen muttered bitterly, "Erza's been a main character three times and all I've been is an evil witch!" she complained. Her teammates rolled their eyes. "HEY, WENDY!!!! Can you make Evergreen a main character so she'll shut up?" "Bixlow!" Evergreen scolded, smacking him with her fan. Wendy smiled brightly "Sure!" "I happen to know the perfect story for you, Ever." Freed said, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes as he spoke, "It's called The Fisherman and his Wife." "Elfman can be the fisherman!" Bixlow once again yelled. "Huh?!" Elfman blushed lightly as his giggling sisters pushed him towards Wendy. Evergreen's teammates were pushing her in the same direction. "Now we just need a fish." Wendy said. "Did someone say fish?!" Happy asked eagerly. "Happy, do you wanna play the fish?" Wendy asked. Happy looked disappointed "Oh. . . so I don't get to eat any fish?" "You can have a fish after this story, buddy." Natsu assured. "Then let's do it!" Happy declared. The trio read the story and headed backstage.

THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE

"Once upon a time there was a poor fisherman who lived in a miserable pigsty by the sea. Everyday he went fishing." Wendy began. Elfman walked onstage with a fishing pole. He was in filthy peasant clothes. He cast the fishing pole into the audience. He reeled it back and Happy was holding onto the end of the reel. "Please don't eat me!" Happy begged, "I'm not really a fish! I'm a magical prince!" "He's a fish?" Carla asked skeptically. Wendy shrugged, "You are what you eat."

"I'm not gonna eat a fish that can talk." Elfman assured, "That's totally unmanly." He unhooked Happy's backpack and the exceed ran off happily. "Well, I better go home." Elfman stood and walked to the other side of the stage, going through the prop door to get there. Evergreen sat on a chair knitting. She glanced up to Elfman as he entered and sighed, "You didn't' catch anything?" she asked disappointedly. "Well, uh. . . . I caught something. . . " Elfman admitted awkwardly. Evergreen glared, "Explain." she commanded, crossing her arms over her chest. "I caught a magical flounder who told me to let him go." Elfman confessed. Evergreen's glare increased, "Did you ask the fish for anything before you let him go?" she demanded. "Uh. . . no? Should I have?" What would we even want?" Elfman asked. "We live in a literal pigsty, Elfman!" Evergreen scolded, "Go get the fish again!" Elfman groaned, "Fine. But I don't like this." He walked back to the fishing spot.

Elfman looked out into the audience. "Uh. . . Hey fish! Are you out there? My wife sent me here against my will. . ." he called. Happy flew over and landed on the stage, "What does she want?" Elfman sighed, "She says I should've asked for something before I let you go. She'd like a bigger house." "Go back home, it's hers." Happy flew off again. "When the fisherman went back home, a cottage and a happy wife were there to greet him. They lived pleasantly for a few weeks until. . ." Wendy narrated. Elfman and Evergreen sat in nice chairs in their usual clothes. ". . . Elfman, I've been thinking." Evergreen announced suddenly. "Yeah?" he asked curiously. "I bet we could get the fish to give us a castle." she said. "Isn't the cottage good enough?!" he asked. "What?! Why would we settle for good enough, when we could have better?! Go back to the fish!" she commanded. Elfman groaned, but stood, "It's not right. . ." he muttered, "It's not manly. . ."

Elfman stood again at the fishing spot, "Hey, fish? It's me again! My wife sent me against my will. . . again." Happy again alighted himself onto the stage, "What's she want?" "A castle." Elfman looked miserable. "It's hers." Happy flew away. "When the fisherman went home he found a castle and a happy wife, but the next morning. . ." Wendy continued.

Evergreen and Elfman sat in nice clothes. "Elfman, I've been thinking-" "Oh no. . ." "Look at all that land! Wouldn't you like to be the king of it all?" Evergreen asked. "No." Elfman said, bluntly. "Fine, then I'll be king. Go to the fish." she replied. Elfman groaned, but again stood and went to the fishing spot, "So unmanly . . ." he grumbled as he walked.

"It's me again fish! My wife sent me!. . . I wanna go home. . ." Elfman said, growing sadder by the word. Happy appeared again, "What's she want?" "To be King!" Elfman looked like he might cry. "It's hers." Elfman went back home, Evergreen was now in fine robes and a crown. "You're king, are we done with the fish now?" Elfman begged. "I wanna be Emperor." Evergreen decided. "Oh, come on!" Elfman exclaimed angrily. "Go to the fish!" Evergreen commanded. Elfman trudged over, head in his hands.

"I'm so sorry, fish. . ." he mourned, "My wife sent me- I'd rather be dead than here. . ." Happy stood onstage, "What's she want?" "She wants to be Emperor!" "It's hers." Elfman went back to Evergreen. She now sat on a golden throne in a golden robe. "You're Emperor. Are you happy now?" Elfman begged. "No." Evergreen said simply, "I want to be guild master." Elfman openly wept as he drew near the other side of the stage. Happy was already waiting for him.

"Let me guess- you're wife sent you here against your will for something?" Happy asked. "She wants to be guild master-" Elfman explained. "It's hers." Happy replied. Elfman trudged back home. "Okay, you're King, Emperor, and guild master- can we stop at that?" Elfman begged, "There's nothing else to be!" "The two went to bed." Wendy narrated, "But the next morning. . . " "I want to be a god." Evergreen declared. "That's impossible!" Elfman yelled angrily. "Go to the fish!" Evergreen replied, just as angry. Elfman stomped over to Happy. "What's she want?" Happy asked casually. "To be a god!" Elfman exclaimed. "Go back home." Happy said. "You'll find her in the dirty pigsty. "And the wife learned a valuable lesson about greed." Wendy finished, "The end!"

"Why do I always play the entitled characters?!" Evergreen demanded, storming back to her table. "Maybe because you're an entitled person." Bixlow replied. "Excuse me?!" The two started bickering while Laxus ordered another drink.

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