#and on the other hand though......... gestures at artemis.......

[bcneheaded]

wait omg... someone pointed something out..... like... gestures at god of war. when the norse gods die, there's lights and all that yes? its a p big deal, but damn do yall remember what happened when a greek god died ?? shit ROCKED THE WORLD

[idontknowwhatimdoinglol]

Yandere Olympus x human reader (headcanons)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

you were a mortal girl who had been taken in by the gods as a child. in return for this you lived amongst them working as a servant, since there were so many nymphs already there wasn't much for you to do but you always kept busy. one of the goddesses who had cared for you since childhood, aphrodite, had kept you close to her at all times rarely letting you go far from her gaze. you would help her with small tasks such as picking her jewelry for the day or helping her make new clothes, that was a more painful task. "i will never get this stitch done if you dont hold still!" the goddess complains trying to stick the needle through the fabric. "it hurts, you keep poking me" you complain trying to move away but she grabs your arm and holds you still. "i just need to make a few more stitches and-" she starts before getting cut off by the new presence in the room. "aphrodite may i speak with you" the commanding voice of hera calls from the entrance of the room. "why of course." she answers pinning the fabric together. "dont move my darling, you wouldn't want to ruin my flawless stitch work now would you?" she smirks before walking to hera, both far enough away for you to not hear what they were saying. one of hera's loyal crows had landed on a stool next to you cawing, you bent down and let it jump onto your finger petting its head. "hello pretty bird" you smile as it ruffles its feathers, nuzzling its head against your hand. "may i ask what you are doing?" hera's voice comes into the room. the bird flys from your hand onto her shoulder instead. "i-im sorry my goddess, i was simply petting your bird. they're lovely" you complement earning a nod. aphrodite comes back in and takes the fabric she had been sowing off of you. "oh dear you have so many scratches from the pins, you should see apollo he would be happy to heal them for you." she suggests hiding a smile behind you. you nod walking from her room. you were greeted by a few gods on your way to find apollo with smiles and waves, before you reached apollos temple you were stopped by the queen of the gods herself. "come with me mortal" she says waiting for you to follow. though your scratches stung you feared hera's reaction more if you disobeyed her "yes my goddess" you say following behind her. she leads you to her private room before sitting on a chair. "pour me some tea" she commands with a smirk, enjoying having you to herself. you hand her a cup of hot tea and stand near her "is there anything else you need my goddess?" you ask tilting your head. she thinks for a moment before using her powers to bring you to her lap, with a surprised gasp you are put on her lap like a child. she takes your arm that had scratches and small pin pricks from the sowing pins. "she really should be more careful with such a fragile thing such as you." the goddess mumbles. she grabs a piece of fabric from the table near her and wraps it around your arm. the two of you are interrupted by aphrodite clearing her throat from the entrance of the room. "i was worried that my little mortal had run away when apollo had not seen them yet. but i should've known they would be here, you always have liked to steal them away for yourself." aphrodite laughs with hints of jealousy. "then why dont you join us for some tea?" hera suggests. gesturing to a chair across from her. "well if you insist, only if i get a turn with our darling to" she smirks sitting down. this was your normal on olympus, being fought over by the gods. you had thought it was simply because they liked your company or help, if only you knew how much they truly loved you.

your usual day on olympus consists of at least 2 or more gods trying to steal your attention, whether its the hermes giving you flowers or other gifts he finds in the mortal realm or one of his brothers trying to one up him or if aphrodite demands a beauty day with her and artemis.

above all their fighting they still follow rules, giving an angry gglare or pouty face when another god that is more powerful steals you away. hera is famous for this, stealing you to help with the most minor tasks just so others cannot have you. only sharing with one of her friends or children.

when heron is brought to olympus things do shift. hera of course is horribly angry but doesn't start the war in this world because she knows that you would most likely end up hurt or she would be banished from olympus never to see you again. so instead she glares from afar.

you are not let anywhere near heron at first, being kept away by hera or ares. eventually though you manage to meet him and he was very kind to you, taking after the rest of his family and quickly becoming a yandere for you aswell.

of course he quickly is told that you are simply to be seen as a sibling not anything more. the gods dont want you dating because that may lead to them not getting as much of you or worse, you leaving them.

they refuse to let you grow old. once you turn a certain age they will turn you imortal whether you agree or not. youre theirs for eternity and no one or nothing will stop that.

- - - - - . o 0 O 0 o . - - - - -

[b4tboys]

➣ interlude

pairing: yj!dick grayson x gn!reader

wc: 2.7K

summary: interlude — a short period when a situation or activity is different from what comes before and after it. angst no comfort, set between seasons 2 & 3 of young justice.

notes from lee: i was searching for artemis’s new boyfriend who is also bab's ex and she set them up when babs went back to her ex (obv dick) so here’s to being the interlude in their love story. alt title: heather (since it’s dec 3rd)

It just happens, as many of his exes describe. One mission, one instance that exacerbates the feelings, and then you find yourself completely surrendered to his charms as he takes you to a too-fancy dinner and worms himself into every aspect of your life.

It feels that instantaneously he has the key to your apartment, (though his ridiculous superhero ass likes to use the window) you have a large portion of his hoodies and other amounts of clothes from the times he stays over, a designated mug, and his favorite cereal.

The domesticity of it all is something you’ve wanted for a long time, and it’s perfect because you don’t have to compromise who you are and what you do. After all, he’s the same. The same sort of crazy who has devoted his life to fighting crime and helping people at the cost of everything.

This is quite possibly the happiest you’ve ever been.

But there are still your doubts about the relationship, it gnaws at the back of your mind, and it shouldn’t. It is, of course, no help that many of his former lovers share your occupation. Though they are nothing but kind you cannot help but overthink the overly touchy way they are with Dick and the way he doesn’t mind in the slightest, the attention whore he is.

He’s given you every reassurance and gentle kiss to wash away the lingering stain of uncertainty but it doesn’t seem to fade. But his romantic gestures and sly, syrupy, sweet talk push the thought to the back of your mind before it comes up and bubbles over. Though perhaps you should’ve stayed more skeptical.

It’s been a bad day, everything soured, gone sideways, south, and to shit on your mission. Even so, when you step back into your apartment it’s warm and it’s home and your lover is there to sweep you off your feet in a fit of giggles and kisses.

It’s Dick’s night off, so naturally it is also date night. ‘Date’ for you is informally defined as a nice night in, takeout, and a movie that typically goes unwatched. He’s a cheesy romantic. He likes the stupid cliches and takes notes, mentally, so naturally he’s already ordered food, lit candles, put some sort of pillowed nest together, and a movie queued and ready for the moment you stepped in the door.

He sets you down gently after spinning you around but keeps his forehead rested against yours, crooked nose brushing against yours. “Hi,” he breathes out, a big smile stretched across his face. His hands slowly unfurl your fingers from the handle of your bag until it drops to the floor so he can loosely intertwine his hand in yours instead.

You look up at him with a silly grin on your face too, “Hi.” You kiss the tip of his nose, “Someone’s ready for date night.”

“I’m always ready for *you* time, baby. Morning, noon, and night.” His hands crawl to your hips, pinching them lightly as he kisses you and then tugs your bottom lip between his teeth. Dick lets your lip go with an audible pop. “But knowing you, you want nothing more than a shower and a change of clothes. So get to it so I can have you all to myself, pretty.” He spins the two of you around so your back faces the living room and gently shoves you towards the bedroom.

When you turn to look over your shoulder at him, he just shoos you, with no pretense of joining you tonight. So you take longer than normal, to spite him and simply because you can take an uninterrupted shower.

You come out of your room, dressed in some old t-shirt he’s left in your dresser, more than ready for date night. Yet he’s all dressed up for a night out, and one he’s not taking you on. “Sorry, babe. B, got wind of Joker threatening the UN Assembly and I’m needed.”

Things feel off, like how he had his suit on him/stashed somewhere at your place or answered the call when he’s been on a technical hiatus since Wally’s death. But you just sigh, because you love your boyfriend and don't want to keep him from the mission, the job, and something he loves.

“Just come back to me, yeah?” You ask, a half-smile plastered on as you wrap your arms around him.

He gives you his smile that’s won awards, “Always.”

He does not come back to you.

At least 12 hours later, you've checked your phone, and communicator, and gotten your laptop connected to the JL’s system at least 100 times in a semi-obsessive manner. Finally, you work up the courage to ring Tim as the rays of the sunrise make their way through your living room windows.

You pace around your couch, chewing on your lip while the phone rings. And a huge sigh of relief when Tim picks up. “Hey, hi, Tim.” You rush, not letting him get a word in, “Is Dick…?” you trail off, not quite brave enough to let the words slip past your lips.

Tim clears his throat, “He said he was heading back to your place. Is he not there yet?” And like a summoning spell, the window creaks as Dick slips into your apartment. You mumble a string of thanks as you turn around to see your boyfriend, taking in the complete exhaustion he’s exuding.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Your question is accompanied by a frown and drawn brows. You don’t bother to interrogate him about not taking any time to contact you. He pushes right past you to rifle through the drawers for civvies. “Dick?”

He’s started to strip as he gives you a short answer, “Babs’ in the hospital, paralyzed, I need to go.”

Your eyes widen as you ramble out your thoughts, “What? What happened? Let me take you. I want to visit too. Does she need anything? Let’s stop and get flowers.”

He pulls a shirt over his head and buttons his jeans as he shuts you down, “No. Only authorized visitors, the fewer people that visit the better. We don’t want to risk the possibility of anyone figuring out her identity.”

“Oh, ok. At least let me drive you?” You ask, watching wearily and trailing behind him to the front door.

Dick bends to tie his shoe, before grabbing his coat from the rack and shrugging it on. “Don’t want to make you pick me up later. Bye.” He kisses your cheek, either not noticing or caring about the obvious anxiety on your face, and takes his keys.

“Bye, I love-“ you’re cut off by the door shutting, “you.” There’s no time to process his lack of ‘I love you’ because your communicator goes off, signaling you’re needed back at the watchtower.

You’ve gotten the clearance to visit Babs, and technically your boyfriend who hasn’t left her side the entire time.

You bring a bouquet of marigolds, for a bit of color and the fact they symbolize resilience, plus a get well soon card signed by everyone on the team.

When you open the door to the room, it feels like you’re intruding on an intimate moment between lovers. Dick is asleep on Barbara’s lap and he’s holding one of her hands while she uses her free hand to card through his hair.

Her head snaps to the door, clearly on guard, but relaxes when she sees it’s just you. Her hand makes no attempt at stopping its gentle caress through his tresses.

You feel gross, inferior, to the red head paralyzed in a private hospital room. But you don’t want to look insecure or by asking her to stop hogging your boyfriend or stop playing with his hair. So you put on a smile and set down the vase and the card on the bedside table.

“Hey, just checking in on ya. The team got you a get well soon card. We’re all worried and hoping for your recovery and as soon as you’re out, the girls want to take you out for mani-pedis.” You look down at your still sleeping boyfriend. “Dick been giving you trouble?”

She looks down at him and smiles, a fond smile that you know you make when you look at him. “No, no, he’s been great, keeping me company and treating me like glass.”

You gnaw on your lip, not quite sure how to react to everything going on in front of you. It’s pretty obvious that she is still in love with him and you’ll bet he is too. “Glad he’s treating you well. I’ve got to get going, but happy you’re still with us. Keep us updated, because B is trying to keep a lid on what’s happening, I know the girls would appreciate it.”

Barbara nods, “Yeah, will do. Been missing my outside communication, but you know how these Bats are.” She laughs lightly, like you know what she’s talking about, like you also have some sort of overprotective circle for yourself. All you can do is nod and smile before leaving.

As you walk through the hospital and out to the parking lot, you know you’re about to cry. You can feel the heavy weight of emotions in your chest and the waterfall of tears begging to come out as it sits right behind your eyes. But you don’t even get the time to process it, because once again, you’re needed in the watchtower. At least now you weren’t lying about needing to go.

It’s been another hard mission, and it’s clear to everyone that your head isn’t in the game. M’gann makes a mention of being there to talk, but you brush it off, because everything is just noise right now.

The alpha squad you had been assigned to just looks at you and you can’t tell if it’s pity or worry that’s mars their gazes, and you wonder if they all know, if they feel sorry.

You duck out first, unable to not feel like a zoo animal in this situation. You try your hardest to maintain a neutral facade for the team, not needing them to see your emotions and prod, before you zeta back to Gotham.

When you make it back to your apartment, all the gear comes off immediately and you wrap yourself in a sweatshirt of Dick’s and bundle yourself on his side of the bed even though it no longer smells like him.

The watery eyes and quivering lip come out as you wait for him to pick up your video call and unfortunately you’re surprised he does. You need an ear to vent to, to get some reassurance, but it just devolves into an argument.

“Barbara needs me,��� he says firmly, running a hand down his face with a sigh as he leans against the bland walls of the hospital hallway.

You’ve quickly lost your wits, not ok with his non-answer or seeming apathy. “Why does it have to be you?! There’s a whole team of people concerned for her, a whole brood of Bats. Is it so much to ask for my boyfriend’s time right now?”

You watch as he bites his tongue over the phone, presumably trying to not lash out and call you all the nasty things you’re thinking about yourself as you beg for just a shred of his attention. You know that it’s selfish and dumb, but you also know you shouldn’t have to fight for his attention and time.

You curl into yourself, backing down, and apologizing for getting emotional when you know you shouldn’t have to. “I’m sorry, I just- I need you right now. I need you to tell me you love me still,” you plead quietly, feeling so small and stupid for practically grovelling.

“You know I do, but god dammit, I can't always be there. That’s how this life goes, why can’t you just trust me when I say I do and believe me?”

It's very easy to pick up the lack of him even saying the word ‘love’. You can’t hold back the questions that feel more like accusations, “How am I supposed to trust that when you’re spending all your time with your ex-girlfriend?”

“You know it’s not like that. You know.” He almost hisses, like he’s sick of trying to defend their close relationship to you.

“Do I?” You ask quietly.

He sighs, “Look, I’ll see you later, ok?”

“She's still in love with you.“ You blurt before he can hang up. “She’s still in love with you and I want to know if you are too.”

He blinks slowly, clearly taken aback, “This-this is not an over the phone conversation.” He takes a moment, trying to see if you’re going to say anything as he purses his lips. When you don’t say anything he says goodbye again, “I’ll see you soon.”

Your phone goes to the home screen after he hangs up, it’s a picture of you and him. Of him laughing as he squished your cheeks, looking at you like you put all the stars and constellations in the sky. But you were nothing more than a consolation, a second place prize, if that.

It’s not long before he’s coming through the door, not the window, with a lopsided grin on his face, “Told you, soon.”

You watch him as he approaches the bed and sits at the end of it. The smile disappears and his face grows serious as his hand finds your knee through the comforter. “Baby, I’m sorry that I’m not giving you what you need right now.”

“That wasn’t the question I asked. Do you love her?” You ask, having to be confrontational in this moment, because otherwise you know he’ll talk his way out of it and find some way to make you feel like it’s your fault.

“It’s not a yes or no kind of question, because of course I do. I’ve known her for years. I love her as my friend and teammate.” He can’t look at you, rubbing circles into your knee.

“Damn it, Dick, just break up with me!” You screech, it’s not a request, but a demand. “You can’t even tell me you love me anymore. Did you ever?”

“I don’t want to break up with you though. I like what we have, it’s,” he pauses, “comfortable.” He’s side stepping the question again.

Your brows scrunch together, “Is that how you’d describe our relationship? Comfortable?” You take a moment to turn that over in your head. Why is it comfortable and not loving or fun or safe? But you answer your own question, “Because you’re settling. Dick, honestly, just tell me that you want to go back to her. Stop dragging me along through your drawn out feelings for Barbara.”

He sighs, finally resigned to telling the truth, “I’m sorry.” And for the first time it feels like he’s being genuine. “You’re just not her. And it wasn’t right of me to use you to get over her, I know that.”

“But you’re not over her,” you say, looking at him for confirmation. He shakes his head. You swallow thickly, “I’ll get all your stuff packed up.” You draw your knees in closer to yourself, forcing his hand to pull away.

The finality of your statement hangs in the air until he accepts it quietly, “Ok.”

You hear him stand up when the bed squeaks, but you don’t look at him. You don’t look when you hear him walk out of the bedroom and fiddle with his keys and take the one to the apartment off the key ring or open the door and take a minute before shutting it. How can you when your vision is blurred with tears?

Not even a week later you watch Dick roll Barbara, finally discharged and in a wheelchair, into the tower and kiss her. It makes you sick. You would never be her.

[enehana]

Jason Grace with the cabins

Cabin 1: Zeus. It's just him and Thalia because of the oath. Probably. Hopefully. Jason would be very protective of any younger siblings. He'd use his status as Champion of Juno to try and protect them from her wrath. It would work, for the most part.

Cabin 2: Hera. There isn't any children of Hera. He'd absolutely be chill with the 'adopted' children of Hera, though. Like the Iris cabin.

Cabin 3: Poseidon. Percy Jackson, baby. I don't believe they really compete over much unless its an actual competition or game. They work together just fine. Good friends, only gay sex as a joke. Any other children of Poseidon (that aren't supposed to exist either), Jason wouldn't really talk to. Percy would probably be too protective of them for Jason to have much to do with them.

Cabin 4: Demeter. The Demeter kids would always be asking him if he could change the weather for their gardens. He doesn't. He's too worried that if he tried it would get too out of hand and ruin their gardens. Some of them think the gesture is sweet. Others are more annoyed that he won't try. Cause he's literally the son of Jupiter, he should be able to control his powers. And he can. But he isn't risking it. They probably get along pretty well.

Cabin 5: Ares. The Ares kids are always challenging him to duels and asking to spar. He usually agrees, granted it's a friendly thing. They want to make their dad proud by defeating the son of Jupiter. They don't. Jason wins, and then gives them pointers. This makes them want to fight him more. If he thought it wasn't a friendly thing, he wouldn't fight them unless they actually attacked him. He'd always try to talk through the issue. Jason fully believes he isn't anyone special because his dad is the king of the gods. He thinks they want to spar with him because he genuinely is one of the best and most experienced fighters. Cause that's how Camp Jupiter is. Overall, they probably wouldn't get along well naturally. Zeus wasn't the biggest fan of Ares, so their kids wouldn't be inclined to be playmates or anything. But Jason would always try to work well with them.

Cabin 6: Athena. One of the best combinations. Jason and the Athena kids would be working together constantly. Sparring tips, doing research, teaching younger campers. Jason is built for leadership despite how much he never wanted it. Athena kids want to lead and earn their glory. He would absolutely support them on anything they decided.

Cabin 7: Apollo. I refuse to believe Jason died in TOA. It all happened, but he didn't die. Just no. The Apollo kids would be incredibly grateful for Jason not letting their dad die, especially after he actually started being a good dad. Jason would try to relax with the Apollo kids if he ever got a break. They'd all definitely be great friends.

Cabin 8: Artemis. Thalia Grace. Need I say more?

Cabin 9: Hephaestus. They'd love each other. Hephaestus was not treated great by Zeus and Hera at all. Jason would 100% try to make up for that. AND Jason always tried to befriend the outcasted kids. Hephaestus was one. Leo certainly loved Jason. The potential for Valgrace to be canon was insane. And the electricity. He could charge anything they made. He's strong too. Definitely able to hold up heavy machinery while they worked. He'd be amazing with the Hephaestus cabin.

Cabin 10: Aphrodite. Piper Mclean. Her siblings would love him. The younger Aphrodite kids would look up to Piper so much, so the fact that things ended 'amicably' between them would mean so much. Jason would be caught up on Piper for a long time, and would avoid the Aphrodite cabin for a while. But once he came around, he was there to stay. They were his siblings too, in his eyes. He'd steer them away from the whole rite of passage thing and encourage them to find the person they want to spend the rest of their life with. And he'd understand if they didn't. Jason was so sweet to them, but I can't image that he would date another child of Aphrodite.

Cabin 11: Hermes. Probably a pretty neutral thing. The Hermes kids tend to be tricksters and rule breakers, which Jason is not. He'd try to keep them in line, but he'd also want to maintain a good impression with them. He'd love to make friends with them. He had heard about Luke from Thalia, and he wouldn't forget that. Thalia did throw him off a cliff. But he would never hold Luke's betrayal against them.

Cabin 12: Dionysus. Jason wouldn't be a fan of the Dionysus cabin parties that were definitely against the rules. Dionysus let them happen anyway. The Dionysus kids would try to get Jason to let loose and forget about his responsibilities for a while. It didn't work, but he did appreciate their effort.

Cabin 13: Hades. NICO MOTHERFUCKING DI ANGELO. They're besties of course. If Bianca lived, she would like Jason purely because Nico liked Jason. I don't remember a lot about canon Bianca, but I can't imagine she would really be friends with Jason. Hazel and Jason were absolutely friends. She missed him when he went missing. And Jason always tried to befriend outcasts, and Hades wasn't considered an Olympian despite literally being the king of the underworld, and Nico was outcasted too much for literally no reason. (I love Nico.) Jason would be great with the Hades cabin.

Cabin 14: Iris. Jason briefly met Butch Walker. It wasn't much of anything. The Iris cabin would love Jason. Hera absolutely adores children of Iris because their mother is her personal messenger. Jason is the champion of Juno. So of course being loved by the queen of the gods would put them together too often. They would make pride flags and hold them up to him, silently asking if he's queer. He doesn't understand what they're doing. Genuinely clueless. He just praises their work. Awesome pride flags.

Cabin 15: Hypnos. Jason and the Hypnos kids. With Jason's PTSD induced insomnia, what better combination? They would absolutely be willing to help him sleep at night. The problem isn't even nightmares, he just cannot fall asleep. The Hypnos cabin would let him sleep in there at any time. And Jason would do anything in return. He takes any gesture of kindness towards him very very seriously. He would do anything for the Hypnos kids.

Cabin 16: Nemesis. Mutual respect. The Nemesis kids respect Jason so much. They can sense that he's done so much good and so many bad things have happened to him AND HE'S STILL A GOOD PERSON. They look up to him so much. They have a lot of adoration or maybe even obsession with this man. Jason respects them in turn. He appreciates how they want justice, they want everyone to be equal, and everyone has to follow the rules. They work incredibly well together. The Nemesis kids can link up their powers with an ally so they're in perfect balance during a fight, and holy shit do they do that with Jason. Jason and the Nemesis cabin is unstoppable. Jason by himself is unstoppable (HE DID NOT DIE I SWEAR), so the Nemesis kids being able to put themselves on par with him is insane. But they cannot spar with each other. The Nemesis kids know that Jason deserves to get revenge more than anybody they've ever met (and Percy, Annabeth, Leo, etc.). They just cannot fight against him under any circumstances. They would let him beat them every single time. He would get very frustrated that they wouldn't even try.

Cabin 17: Nike. Honestly, not the best relationship at camp. Definitely not the worst though. Nike kids tend to believe there can only be one victor and that life is an individual game, no teams. Jason wants everyone to win together. Equality amongst everyone. And the Nike kids 100% stand a chance against Jason. They can influence the outcome of any competition, so the chances of them beating Jason in anything skyrocket. But they also know that when it comes to survival they have to work together. They do tend to push in favor of Jason then. But usually, it's the Nike kids VS. Jason Grace. And Jason just wants peace between them.

Cabin 18: Hebe. The Hebe cabin practically worships Jason. They always wanted a relationship with someone like their mother's husband. And Hebe married Heracles, son of Zeus. So when Jason showed up to camp, they got all fancy and fawned over him. Though they did the same thing with Thalia. Jason was not a fan of the attention. He never wanted to be a leader. So when all these attractive, young demigods start begging for his attention, he felt really awkward. And he was raised at Camp Jupiter, where they value skill over parentage greatly. He did not like getting attention because of who his dad was. He wanted to prove himself through his skill. He did not want to be his father. He spends a lot of time avoiding the Hebe cabin, but he is always polite when he can't.

Cabin 19: Tyche. Jason is on relatively good terms with the Tyche cabin. The Tyche kids do have an illegal gambling room set up in their cabin, which Jason is not very happy about. He doesn't try to stop them though. Their ability to give people chronic bad luck stops people from reporting it. And Mr. D doesn't care anyways. If Chiron shut it down, he'd just help them set it back up. The Tyche kids do admire Jason because somehow he's managed to survive for so long. Abandoned by his mother, raised by wolves, was a child soldier his entire life. They figured their mother must like him if he's survived that long, so they like him too.

Cabin 20: Hecate. Half of the Hecate kids like him, and the other half don't. It's mostly the judgey ones that don't like him. The ones that do like him look up to his power and skill and status. They are the Hecate kids that accept Hazel as their own sibling. The ones that don't like him think he isn't very powerful for a son of Jupiter and is weaker than them. They also typically are the ones that are jealous of Hazel for being their mother's favorite. Hecate kids typically use their powers to enhance other camper's powers. They can lend their magic to others to have a greater effect. They do this with Jason. He works well with the Hecate kids when they're willing to.

[polarisgreenley]

🌼Daisy Boy🌼

🌼Summary: 5 times that Garreth Weasley, florist extraordinaire, wielded the power of floral arrangements, and the 1 time he received one of his own. 🌼Rating: T 🌼[read on AO3]// 4.6k words 🌼One-shot, GarrethWeasleyFest24 Event 🌼Prompt: Florist!AU and Flower Language 🌼Pairing: Garreth Weasley/Artemis Loreley 🌼Minor Pairings: Sebastian Sallow/Ominis Gaunt, Isaac Cooper/Imelda Reyes, Leander Prewett/Anne Sallow

🌼 This is my entry for @garrethweasleyfest 

🌼 Out of the prompts given, I selected Florist!AU and flower language, though also made it into a Modern AU as well. There are... flowers. Lots and lots of flowers. Hope you really like flowers.

🌼 Thank you to cuffmeinblack and ellivenollivander for hosting!

🌼 Very happy to contribute, and please give love to all of the amazing creators of this event under #garrethweasleyfest and #garrethweasleyfest24!

1.

The silver bell chimed as the large, wooden framed door to New Blooms opened one April evening. The faded, early evening light that flowed from the large storefront windows warmed the dark green interior and the light wooden floor.

“Hey Garreth.”

“Sebastian!” Garreth Weasley greeted brightly as he finished placing the carnations. “Never thought I’d see you here.”

The redhead wiped his hands lightly on his dark brown apron, making sure that neither his light blue button-up nor olive drab trousers were dirtied. He faced his fellow freckled friend, except that unlike Garreth with his wavy copper hair tied in a low, short ponytail, Sebastian Sallow had short brown hair that seemingly defied the laws of gravity.

Sebastian grinned a moment before he tousled his hair. “Right. Well, let’s say I needed a bit of uh, reinforcements.”

“Is that so,” started Garreth.  “Alright. What can I get you?”

“Flowers.”

“Really now.” Garreth placed a hand on his chest. “I thought you wanted a toolbox.”

Sebastian snorted. “A bouquet. The bigger the better.”

“That a comment on something?”

Sebastian rolled his eyes.

Garreth laughed. “And what is it that you want to say?”

“Something along the lines of ‘I’m sorry I fucked up’.”

Garreth lifted an eyebrow; Sebastian laughed quietly.

“...how bad?”

“Pretty bad,” mumbled Sebastian. The slightly taller man tousled his hair even more.

Garreth shrugged as he gestured toward the myriads of flowers all around them.

“Alright then. What does she -”

“- he,” corrected Sebastian.

“...he?”

Garreth gasped as he whipped back around with the biggest grin.

“- no.” Sebastian cut him off before he sighed. “Not yet.”

Garreth groaned as he covered his eyes with his palm. “Well hurry up. I’d like to not be in a nursing home when it finally happens.”

“Ha ha, very funny,” deadpanned Sebastian as he pulled out his smartphone and started dialling up someone on speaker. “One thing at a time.”

“Please tell me you aren’t calling him to ask.”

“I’m not that daft. I’m calling in the cavalry.”

 Garreth was about to ask who this cavalry was just as the receiver picked up.

“Sebastian? You do know what time it is, right?” The voice on the other end of the line asked, her voice huskier than usual but no less soft.

Sebastian checked his watch. “Uh, seven? Supper time?”

“It’s three in the morning.”

Garreth’s heart skipped at hearing their friend’s voice from the other end; Artemis Loreley had left England two weeks ago for a year-long research exchange program in Japan. Poor girl probably thought it was an emergency.

“Apologies, but I figured you’d be the best help, Artie.”

“You upset Ominis?”

Sebastian looked up at Garreth. “Is she psychic?”

“No, you’re just predictable,” said Artemis as Garreth shrugged. Her voice had returned to its usual tone; he could picture her shaking her head with a small smile. “Hi Garreth, I assume you’re there?”

Garreth thought Sebastian had a point - she could be psychic.

“Hey Snow,” chimed Garreth. “Do you know Ominis’ favourite flower?”

“Tulips.”

Sebastian beamed. “See I knew you’d know! Thanks Artie.”

“You’re welcome. And good luck. Just, if you send a report, I’d appreciate it if it’s in a few hours from now.”

“On it. Night Artie.”

“Good night, Snow.”

“Good night you two. Talk to you soon.”

Sebastian’s screen returned to the phone app; Artemis’ icon of her black cat sleeping in a way that questioned the presence of a spine looked back. Garreth couldn’t help but smile; at least she seemed to be doing alright.

Garreth gestured to Sebastian to stand by the wooden countertop, and he got right to work. He hummed his favourite song as his vision for Sebastian’s apology bouquet came to fruition.

“And now just this little knot here and - finished! Here you are,” announced Garreth as he propped up the bouquet in its display stand.

Sebastian hummed as he looked at the bouquet, and then snorted. “An olive branch? A bit literal, isn’t it?”

“I’m just making sure that the message comes in loud and clear,” started Garreth as he pointed to the masterpiece wrapped in gentle, clear wrapping and a blue cloth cord. “Bluebells for humility - you being humble for once. Peonies for bashfulness, well, to some degree. And of course, the literal olive branch. That hyacinth is there to ask for Ominis’ forgiveness.”

“And the tulips?” Sebastian asked as he pointed to the multiple red tulips in the bouquet. The vibrancy made them pop; it didn’t matter if Ominis was blind, it was the thought that counted.

“It means ‘believe me’.”

Garreth didn’t mention the other meaning behind it.

“Fantastic.” Sebastian beamed as he made his payment. “Thanks, Garreth.”

“Happy to help. I am, after all, florist extraordinaire.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes but kept his grin. “Alright. Wish me luck.”

That night, Garreth’s phone buzzed. A picture of Ominis with his set blond hair and in a proper dinner suit, holding the apology bouquet in his hands had been sent to the group. His unseeing marbled blue eyes were softened toward the red tulips; his fingertips seemed to gently caress the petals. A little blip of thanks, it worked wonders followed. 

Garreth fell asleep with a smile just as he saw Artemis respond back with a black cat thumbs up sticker.

2.

Garreth pulled up to a quaint little park about an hour outside of the city early July morning. The client had been rather vague about whom he was supposed to make the delivery to as he pulled up in the New Blooms delivery van. Whomever this was, he had somehow cordoned off the park from passerby for the full day.

A singular man stood at the edge of the park in a light grey trench coat, a fedora, and sunglasses. He’d just pulled down his white face mask to take a sip from a plain white coffee cup.

Garreth wondered perhaps he was meeting with the next docuseries serial killer.

“Hello, Mr…. Anderson?” He called to the man as he tentatively approached. “Garreth Weasley from New Blooms.”

The suspicious man lifted his head and had what one would call an award-winning smile. He lifted the cup in his hand in greeting.

“That’s me. Apologies for the bit of cloak and dagger,” answered the man. “Can’t risk being spotted.”

The possibility of the man being a docuseries serial killer had increased by tenfold. Even if his order was incredibly romantic.

Garreth cleared his throat with a smile; he was, after all, a florist extraordinaire. “I understand. I’d like to go over the final placements of the arch and design before we proceed.”

With another cup lift from Mr. Anderson - he really wasn’t sure if that was his real name - and one earbud in his ear, Garreth began his work. The morning dew slowly dissipated and gave way to the bright summer sun. A trickle of sweat rolled down the back of his neck as he worked to set the arch to surround a particular wooden bench in the park.

This absolutely had to be perfect.

As the songs continued to flow, Daisy Boy rolled up and he started to hum. A smile spread as Garreth remembered when it came out his first year at uni. He’d been humming the tune the first Friday afternoon in spring term and, admittedly, was not paying attention. At least, until he’d unceremoniously bumped into someone and caused them to go off kilter straight to the courtyard grass. 

“I’m so sorry,” Garreth apologised as he lowered his headphones. “Are you alright?”

The svelte girl wore a simple dark green blouse and black trousers; her hair a natural snow-white in a braided crown. Her main concern seemed to be the daisies that'd been crushed under her crossbody school bag.

“I’m fine,” her soft, alto voice responded as she looked up. Her bangs naturally framed her fair face as his gaze met hers - her almond-shaped eyes were a dark, forest green and a few shades lighter than his own.

Garreth at least had the decency to offer his hand; she blinked twice and slipped her much smaller, cooler hand into his. When she stood, she came just below his chin.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, considering I’m the reason you ended up down there in the first place.”

She gently batted her right hand; she was hugging a plant biology textbook to her chest. “Daisy Boy?”

“Huh? Oh,” started Garreth as he tilted his cheek. The song was bleeding from his headphones. “Yeah. You know it?”

“I've got a set of twin friends who have it on repeat.” She chuckled lightly. “Drives Ominis absolutely off the wall. I rather enjoy it - it's a cute song.”

Garreth lifted an eyebrow with a smile. “You know Ominis? So… I’m guessing the twins are the Sallows?”

The snow-haired girl - Snow, he ordained as a moniker - blinked twice.

“Yes. Small world.”

“Agreed. Garreth Weasley, by the way.”

“Artemis Loreley.”

He looked up to the clear blue sky as the song ended; he wondered if Artemis was doing the same two continents away.

With the final rose in place and once-over done, he declared that the floral arch was completed to perfection.

“Mr. Anderson? The arch is completed,” announced Garreth as the man returned at the agreed upon time.

Mr. Anderson looked different without the long trench coat, white mask or fedora. In fact, in his pale blue suit, stylized brown hair and fashionable sunglasses, he looked rather dapper. And familiar, though Garreth couldn’t quite place him.

“Wow, this is brilliant, Mr. Weasley.” Mr. Anderson appraised the floral arch with his award-winning smile. “I’m very glad to have trusted New Blooms with this.”

108 roses of red, pink and white, all in full bloom, were strategically placed along the green archway. Sheer, glimmering cloth draped - perfect to capture the sunset rays of the planned proposal. If the man wasn’t going to ask the question outright, the 108 roses would ask for him.

With a final exchange of details and confirmation that he’d be picking up the arch later that night, Garreth left as he wished Mr. Anderson good luck. As he munched on a BLT sandwich in the next town over, his phone started to blow up. He unlocked his phone screen - daisies in a spring field - and nearly choked on his coffee as he opened the notification for the New Blooms social media account.

The football star Isaac Cooper had announced his engagement to fellow football star Imelda Reyes. There was a selfie of ‘Mr. Anderson’, the man he’d only just departed from an hour ago, next to the woman with sharp brown eyes and low dark brown ponytail in a dark green dress. The sunset shimmered amongst the draped cloth and the roses. They were focused on each other as the camera snapped; the emerald ring glittered on Imelda’s ring finger with her hand cupping Isaac’s cheek. 

A single caption read: ‘Will you marry me?’ Message well received.

3.

Rain poured against Garreth’s simple, black umbrella; the darkened skies cried as he barely held back his own tears. The lump in his throat threatened to crush his larynx - it wouldn’t, but it sure as hell gave a good go - as he stared down at the grave surrounded by flowers. With a heavy sigh, he knelt and placed his homemade bouquet to join the others. His fingertips dragged across the wet headstone; the engraved name was cold to the touch unlike the heart of the woman that was laid to rest.

His phone vibrated as Daisy Boy played; the bright tune juxtaposed the early November wind that nipped at his nose.

Garreth cleared his throat as he tapped his screen. “Hey Snow.”

“Hi Garreth,” Artemis’ voice flowed from the other end. “Just wanted to see if you were okay to talk?”

“Yeah, yeah. Um.” Garreth cleared his throat again. “Isn’t it kind of late… there?”

“A little, but there are more important things than sleep.”

“A cheeky nightcap?”

An airy laugh flowed from the other end. Garreth’s smile was drawn to the sound.

“Being there for you. Or,” Artemis huffed lightly, “well, as much as one could be, considering the distance. I’m truly sorry I couldn’t be there for the funeral.”

He couldn't hold back the sniff as he sat himself down on the wet ground, nor the way how his chest warmed, touched by her actions.

“No. No, it’s alright. I understand. It's not like we knew this'd happen, you know,” he started as he leaned slightly against the headstone. “Plus, you called right when I messaged you about it.”

“Of course I did,” said Artemis without hesitation.

His fingertips brushed the mint within his bouquet; it didn't nearly console him as the person on the other end of the line did.

“I'd like to stop by when I come back next spring. Pay my respects.”

“Yeah that'd be great. Aunt Matilda would love that. How many more months left?”

“Five.”

“Five?”

“Mhm. Time flies, doesn't it?”

He'd argue it was still too long, though he huffed a laugh instead. “Yeah, yeah it does.”

The raindrops softened their blows against his umbrella.

“Do you remember that time,” Garreth started as he thumbed between the marigold blooms and cypress leaves, “when we had that giant snowball fight back in second year?”

Artemis laughed; Garreth could hear something rustle on her end. Maybe she was getting into bed? After all, it was nearly one in the morning there.

“Yes I do. That was so much fun, even if you pelted me with a ball of ice.”

“All's fair in Winter Wonderland War luv.”

“Can’t believe - no, I take that back - I can believe Anne thought that was the best way to get Leander’s attention.”

“I mean, mission accomplished. That got her a hot cocoa date,” mused Garreth.

“I just, when you threw your snowball and it hit Professor Weasley’s face,” Artemis chuckled, “now that was a moment to remember.”

A laugh bubbled up from his chest. Aunt Matilda had stood there stiff as a board as his ‘super snowball supreme’ made contact. A pin drop could’ve been heard in the silence that followed, and that would’ve been something, considering the blanket of powdered snow. Frankly he’d thought that’d be his final day on earth. Got the wigging of a lifetime, but he didn’t miss the corner of her lip turned up like she’d been holding back a smile.

The floodgates opened and he continued to pour out stories. He repeated a few from the funeral as he shared laughs and commentary with Artemis. The chamomile blooms tickled as he gently lifted the petals; his aunt truly was loved by all who knew her. A plethora of wisdom.

“...Snow?” Garreth asked after a while, noticing that she hadn’t responded as she had been. “Snow?”

Momentary panic gripped his chest before he picked up slowed, even breathingHe dropped his gaze to his watch - seven. He tilted his umbrella as he looked up to the full moon and not a cloud in the sky. They’d been talking for nearly two hours so… it must be three in the morning there.

Garreth chuckled softly alongside her soft breathing at the other end of the line. “Sweet dreams, Snow.”

4.

Garreth looked down from his seat on the second floor of the auditorium. The rare January morning sun seeped through the opened windows and illuminated the empty front rows for the graduate students to sit in. To his left sat his friend Natsai Onai, or Natty for short, a current criminal law graduate student in a brilliant cobalt jumpsuit. To his right was Anne Sallow - a pharmaceutical graduate student and Leander Prewett’s girlfriend. She was adorned in a deep green dress and wore the little ruby earrings that Leander had gifted her a couple years ago at her birthday party.

“At least Leander will be very easy to spot,” mused Natsai. Her golden bangles clinked as she leaned her cheek against her hand. “You did a great job with that lion, Anne.” 

“Thanks Natty. Lee really wanted one but well. He’s not exactly artistic.” Anne chuckled as the bright bouquet rustled in her lap. “And thanks Garreth, for making this. I knew you’d be the best.”

Garreth beamed as he placed a hand on his chest. “Of course. I am, after all, the florist extraordinaire.”

Natsai rolled her dark brown eyes with a smile. “Sebastian not coming?”

“Psh. My brother is off on his date.”

“So he finally did something?” Garreth asked.

Anne laughed as she shook her head; her tawny brown bangs rustled. “More like Ominis did.”

“Good on him,” said Natsai.

“Thought we’d be in nursing homes before anything happened,” added Garreth.

The three of them shared a laugh as the auditorium doors closed loudly.

“Though they aren’t the only ones that are taking forever,” muttered Anne.

Garreth looked toward the freckled brunette with a tilt of his head. “What do you mean?”

Anne gave him a deadpanned look; Natsai chuckled quietly. But before he could press further, the opening speaker had unceremoniously patted the microphone and announced the graduation ceremony shall commence. The band began to play, and as the formal procession continued, Garreth spotted his best mate. The golden lion formed from the carefully placed gemstones atop Leander’s black graduation cap really did stand out from the others; one of the rare decorated ones. The half-circle auditorium filled with too long speeches from various faculty and speakers, and the steady procession of students receiving their diploma on the stage accompanied by reverberating claps. Garreth’s hands were red with how loudly he’d clapped, and the smile never died down as he watched his best mate get that hard-earned masters in business.

After the admittedly long ceremony, they’d moved to the open lawn; Anne had rushed ahead of him and Natsai as she beelined for the crowd of Prewett redheads.

“This reminds me of our undergraduate ceremony,” commented Natsai next to him, their steps unrushed. “Have you kept up with everyone?”

“I try. You?”

“I do my best. Of course, Anne, Poppy and Artie are in their graduate studies as well, so that does make things easier.”

Garreth hummed as they reached where Leander was. He couldn’t help the smile that spread as Anne presented his best mate with the joyous, bright congratulatory bouquet. Red carnations and Peruvian lilies accented the daffodils, dwarf-sunflowers, and golden wheat that took centre stage. Well wishes for Leander’s new life chapter to be filled with riches, and Anne’s personal desire to show their powerful, adoring bond - Garreth had been particularly proud of incorporating those dwarf-sunflowers to fill in the little gaps. With the yellow tassel that brought it all together, it was no wonder Leander beamed the way he did as he kissed his girlfriend and held her close.

“Garreth! Natty! Thanks for coming,” brightly greeted Leander.

Anne slipped out of his hold as Leander gave a one-armed hug and back claps to Garreth.

“Congratulations Lee!” Garreth cheered as he squeezed Leander into the hug, careful to not hurt the flowers. “Wouldn’t miss you becoming Mr. Business Man.”

“Eh, my job won’t start up until next month - gonna enjoy that time to relax a little,” remarked Leander before he moved to hug Natsai. “Thanks for coming Natty.”

“Of course.”

“Come on, let’s take a selfie first,” suggested Anne as she pulled her phone out.

“Here I’ll do it. Got the longer arms after all.”

Anne grinned as she passed her phone to Garreth. “Show off.”

“Not my fault I got longer arms.”

Natsai laughed as she stood next to Anne, and Leander held Anne’s shoulder with the bouquet and diploma to his chest. Anne held both of her friend’s and boyfriend’s backs with a beaming smile and Garreth stood next to Leander with his arm thrown over his shoulder.

Picture perfect.

5.

Garreth breezed by the familiar scenery of his alma mater as he expertly dodged the uni student not paying attention. He smirked at how that had him years ago, though he didn’t spot an unsuspecting girl crouched near the blooming daisies. But he wasn’t here for a simple visit. No, he knew exactly where he was headed as he picked up his pace toward the university’s science building.

It’d taken a few minutes, but soon enough he found himself in the lobby of the botanical science labs. He readjusted his crossbody leather bag as he idly looked around.

“Daisy Boy, will you smile my way?

Will you show me how to dance and sway?

Daisy Boy, hey, you light my day

While you keep the little fairies away.”

“Practising your debut?”

Garreth stopped singing as he turned around and beamed. Artemis was smiling at him, in the flesh, as she stood in the door frame. She wore practically hiking gear - too wide and too long brown pants with plenty of pockets, long-sleeved dark green shirt that hugged her svelte form with thumb holes, and hiking shoes dusted with fresh soil. Her snow-white hair, as it had been ever since the day they met, was in the braided crown as her bangs framed her face.

“Of course, been training my pipes all year to my favourite song,” joked Garreth as he strides toward her.

She’d taken perhaps two steps before he’d wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest. Warm and here, not thousands of kilometres away. The familiar, faint scent of her golden osmanthus perfume tickling his nose even as it cut through the fresh soil scent that lingered in the air. Her hands wrapped around his back; her usually cool hands warmed the muscle underneath.

He missed her more than he’d thought. “Welcome back, Snow.”

“Thank you,” answered Artemis as she leaned back. Her forest green eyes met his as she tilted her head. “We’re supposed to meet up this weekend, right? Did you swing by to see someone?”

“What, you thought I came to visit someone else?”

Artemis blinked twice as she let go. It seemed a few degrees colder without her in his arms.

“Me?”

“Mhm! Thought you’d be back in the labs even though you just came back last night. Figured I could entice you with some lunch. Take a break.”

“I’m only here to turn in a few things - “

“- right, and that’s why you’re in your gear and have fresh dirt on your shoes.”

Artemis opened her mouth to retort no doubt. Garreth was faster as he held out the bouquet he’d been holding in his right hand.

“Come on Snow, an hour minimum isn’t going to end the world,” started Garreth as he slightly held the bouquet forward a little more. “I’ll even sweeten the deal with a candy apple.”

Artemis’ airy laugh flowed through his ears as his cheeks hurt from smiling. She reached and accepted the bouquet with both hands. The dark green paper was tied with a silver ribbon, and housed an assortment of flowers. Purple sea lavenders, white sweet cicely, little daisies and single branches full of her favourite golden osmanthus and hawthorn blooms. Her eyes softened as she gazed at the flowers, and her fingertips delicately caressed the petals.

“I'm glad to be home too,” answered Artemis softly.

Garreth wasn't sure if that comment was toward the flowers or to him. But his chest skipped a beat nonetheless. Instead, he nodded, knowing that she understood his message.

Something passed through her eyes as she smiled. “Alright, you win. Let's go get lunch.”

“Brilliant.”

6.

Garreth flopped onto their shared picnic blanket with a hefty breath. The spring blue sky spread in infinite measure as fluffy white clouds lazily passed by. His lunch sat in his stomach at something that borderline discomfort; maybe wearing his jeans wasn’t the best choice in attire today.

“Nothing beats some stodgy fish n’ chips I say.”

“I’m sure there’s a few opinions that’d say otherwise,” Artemis lightly commented. “Thank you for taking half of mine; didn’t realise I can’t stomach a full portion anymore.”

A hard crunch and candy cracked diagonally above his left. Garreth smiled as he closed his eyes.

“Can imagine that Japanese food wasn’t nearly as heavy. Candy apple going down well?”

“Mhm.” A couple moments of silence passed. “Want a bite?”

Garreth opened his eyes; a juicy red apple glistened in its candied glory above his face with a bite taken out. He didn’t bother taking the candy apple stick from her hold; instead, he wrapped his hand around her entire wrist and brought the dessert close enough to sink his teeth in. The hardened candy delectably shattered as the sweet apple juice intermingled against his tongue.

“You know you could just take the whole thing, right?” Artemis’ alto voice floated down. “No need to hold my wrist hostage.”

“I’m noshakin’ rish - “

“- I can’t understand apple, Garreth.”

Garreth chuckled as he continued to chew on his bite and let go of her wrist. The April sun was gentle against his skin as he readjusted the rolled-up sleeves of his burgundy shirt to sit more comfortably against his elbows. He reclosed his eyes, content with simply basking in the sun and the warm hug within from lunch.

“I’m surprised you’d brought the picnic blanket with you,” remarked Artemis.

“Yeah, that happens when your friend tells you ‘you never know where and when some dog went to the bathroom’.”

“Hm, not heard that one.”

“Really now,” mused Garreth. “Seem to recall you saying that second year.”

Artemis softly laughed as the smile remained on Garreth’s face. He wasn’t sure what exactly it was, but this was… good. Lovely, even. The wind rustled the lush trees and grass around the courtyard as another candied crunch reverberated.

“So what’s the plan?” Garreth asked after a few moments.

“Well, I need to tie together the research we did in the international lab. Finish up the thesis, prep the defence.”

“No more year-long adventures to Japan?”

“Not for the moment, no.”

Something, again, warm and light bloomed in his chest.

“Could you sit up for me?”

Garreth hummed. “But the fish don’t want to move.”

“The fish I’m sure are seated fine in your stomach acid. Please? I’ve got a little surprise.”

Garreth blinked open his eyes as he turned his head slightly to his left. Artemis sat there with her back straightened, her feet folded under her as she held a beautifully woven daisy crown in her hands.

“A daisy crown?”

“Mhm.”

“For me?”

“Don’t see any other Garreth Weasleys around,” Artemis teased with a lilt. “Come on, I’ll put it on you.”

Garreth cleared his throat as he sat up, and tilted his head down just enough to hopefully mask the heat that slowly spread under his cheeks. Flowers weren’t just flowers, not to him. They were his life’s work - they always meant something. That’s why people always came to him for flower arrangements or bouquets, why he was the florist extraordinaire - he knew exactly which flowers to use to get the message across.

Most people didn’t know them well - not like him. Not like Artemis. She was the one person that knew just about the same as he did in this field. So which message did she mean?

A whiff of her golden osmanthus perfume tickled his nose as she gently placed the crown upon his head. He lifted his gaze as his eyes met her forest green ones. Was spring always this warm?

“So,” Garreth cleared his throat lightly, “how do I look, Snow?”

Something soft passed in her eyes as her pale peach lips lifted into a smile, and she whispered as soft as the daisy petals that tickled his forehead.

“You look great, Daisy Boy.”

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Febuwhump Day 1 - Helpless

As of the night that I am writing this I am runnning on 31 hours without sleep and a strange manic energy so I figured I'd see how much Febuwhump I could write in one sitting! Definitely won't be doing the whole month because hiatus and all, but let's have fun!

Also figured I'd try something different - prompts mixed with other artists'/writers' works! Fanfic + Febuwhump :D

@skyward-floored, surprise! This is based on your story A Royal Castletown Wedding.

The spell had been broken. Seeing her had been like finding water in the desert. His brothers had been beaming. Their love had destroyed that hag's darkness.

It had all been like a fairytale.

Warriors instead felt like he was trapped in a nightmare.

Or, perhaps, he felt like he was still in the nightmare that had actually happened.

Cia had nearly taken him, mind, body, and soul, and he'd been completely helpless. Despite a few days passing, he still felt ill at ease, like if he blinked Artemis would have that possessive smirk again, like he was still trapped under Cia's spell.

He'd thought he was fine. He'd thought he could control his reactions to the issue. But the wedding rehearsal... it just reminded him of... even now, he felt utterly helpless, succumbing to the paranoia his mind had contorted itself into, feeling his lungs and heart squeeze with every racing breath. He was paralyzed on the balcony at the moment, tucked away in a corner, away from crowds, away from her.

It's Zelda. She's Zelda and you know it. It isn't Cia.

Somehow the words weren't enough. He was convinced he was going to hide here for the rest of his life, petrified in every way imaginable.

"Link?"

Artemis' voice whispered on the wind, gentle but nervous. He wanted to kick himself. While he had almost been enslaved to Cia, Artemis had almost lost him forever. He knew that had to have hurt her too. And here he was, hiding from her just a day before their wedding.

Despite how he berated himself, though, he couldn't muster up the courage to speak, to let her know where he was. Minutes turned to hours. Soldiers started to patrol the castle in search of him. Yet still, he hid, crouched down with his knees tucked under his chin, managing to disappear between a plant and a bench despite wearing all white in a stony veranda.

"Captain?"

The voice was nearly shrill at first, making Warriors wince. Wind quickly noticed the gesture and grew quieter, crawling under the bench to get to him.

"What's wrong?" Wind asked softly, looking him over. "Are you okay?"

Warriors tried to smile reassuringly. It came out as a grimace.

His little brother watched him carefully, clearly concerned, but there was a semblance of understanding. Once again, the youngest Link was proving his keen sense of observation that he'd been demonstrating his entire stay here. Seeing him made Warriors feel... safe. Safe, because Wind had seen through Cia's lies, and if he was here, then the captain knew it had to be okay.

How pathetic.

Wind shifted to crawl back under the bench and leave. Warriors reached out a hand, whispering, "Please... stay."

The sailor froze, concern turning to grief before a protective love shone on his face. He carefully made his way back to his brother and tucked into his side. "Okay. I'll stay."

And remain he did. Together, the two basked in each other's warmth, and Warriors let the little sailor keep him safe.

[mysticstarlightduck]

Word Find Tag!

Thanks for the tag, @writingrosesonneptune (here)!

My words were: Glass, Teeth, Red, and Sky

I'll go with Song of Thorns and Supernova Initiative for this one!

Glass (Supernova Initiative)

The strange liquid swirled within the glass syringe with a menacing silver glow. Jack frowned. "What the hell is that?"

"Oh, this little thing? An advanced tracking system of my own creation. To ensure you and your crew complete your mission properly so that you can't slip between my fingers again - all of you will get one of these" The Director gestured to his assistant, who picked up the syringe and moved to stand beside Jack, who glared daggers "Injected into your bloodstream."

Teeth (Song of Thorns)

The sound of gnashing teeth echoed throughout the cavern, the creature's thundering footsteps somewhere above causing pieces of gravel to plummet from the rocky ceiling. Roselyn swallowed a whimper holding onto Renn's hand as they turned to the strange Lantern Keeper. "Okay, how do we get out of here?"

The other girl cocked her head to the side, gesturing somewhere further into the mountains. "It'll be fine, I know a way, but we'll have to be quick and very quiet. C'mon." She started to walk but stopped in her tracks holding out a hand as if expecting a handshake. "Name's Cyriel by the way. Though I think your vampiric friend here knew that."

Red (Song of Thorns)

As, giant mahogany doors of the castle hall swung open, a clacking of boots on the stone floor echoed fiercely. His guest had arrived. The king placed the gold-trimmed goblet on the table, carelessly, a drop of deep red wine staining the precious cloth upon it. He smirked. "Ah, yes, the famed Ghoulsbane. I see you found your way to my palace promptly. Good. I hope you enjoy your accommodations."

The young man shook his head, absentmindedly running a hand across his crossbow, studying the metal gears. "I won't be staying. You said you had a job for me?" Despite addressing the head of state, he doesn't bother with any honorifics.

This causes a hushed murmur to echo amidst the royalty scattered across the hall, until the the King leans forward on the table, silencing his peers with a single gesture of his hand. He didn't look away from the hunter as he spoke once more, his voice venomous as a serpent's tongue. "Yes, I do. Hunting down a certain thief of dhampir blood - one Renn Atrius of a rather considerable disrepute. I'll pay you accordingly, as your talents in dealing with such beasts speak for themselves. I assume you'll make short work of this... nuisance."

"Consider it done," Elveryn answered with a curt nod, twirling a silver arrow between his fingers, before nocking it to the crossbow.

King Larkin smirks, sitting back down on his gilded chair, the chalice of wine upon his hand once more. "Excellent answer, lad."

Sky (Supernova Initiative)

In her room on the spaceship, Cassie lay splayed out on the floor like a small starfish, a fluffy blanket between her and the cold metal of the room as she looked up at the murky, almost starless sky above. It was oddly familiar, the sight, reminiscent of the grimy moons they once called home a few years ago - and not in a comforting way.

The room's door opened with an almost hermetic whoosh of air, and she didn't need to look to recognize the familiar footsteps that followed. "Something on your mind?" Jack asked, sitting down on the floor beside her, leaning against the wall, and handing her a vanilla smoothie.

Cassie shrugs, taking the smoothie in one hand while battling with a stubborn strand of her own hair that insisted on falling into her eyes. "Eh, not really. Just thinking - this place stirs up memories, don't it?"

"I find it's best not to dwell on it." Jack agrees, gently pushing her hair away from her face. He smiles "But really, we'll be outta here soon enough. Artemis says he knows someone that'll fish the ship in no time."

"I hope he knows what he's doing this time" Cassiopeia chuckles.

"He always does - I think. In a weird, gremlin way, he kinda always has a backup plan for most scenarios."

Tagging (gently): @sleepy-night-child, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @smol-feralgremlin, @oh-no-another-idea, @littleladymab, @little-peril-stories

@the-ellia-west, @winterandwords, @cowboybrunch, @eccaiia, @sarahlizziewrites, @illarian-rambling

@leave-her-a-tome, @writernopal, @anyablackwood, @unstablewifiaccess, @forthesanityofstorytellers

@i-can-even-burn-salad, @cakeinthevoid

@lassiesandiego, @thepeculiarbird, @clairelsonao3, @memento-morri-writes, @starlit-hopes-and-dreams

@the-golden-comet OPEN TAG

[youngjusticeslut]

A Heart That Yearns is Never Lonely

Fandom: Young Justice Links: AO3 // FF.net Characters: Dick Grayson, Zatanna Zatara Ships: Chalant Disclaimer: I know Chalant is not my usual bread and butter, but when it's your Roomie's favorite ship and she asks for a fic for her birthday/Christmas, how can you say no? So I tried my best! Rating: T+ (Implications of sex and one-night stands) Word Count: 3,837 words Summary: “The impressive trick is how you got something so specific from Zatanna, without revealing who or what it was for.”

“We have a history.”

//

How Dick convinced Zatanna to make him a Glamour Charm.

When Kaldur brings up the notion of how they’re going to disguise Artemis and fold her into their ruse, Dick knows that he has to recruit Zatanna— to an extent, at least. 

Kaldur is against the idea, initially. There are other routes they could take, like the traditional one. Dye her hair and slap a few prosthetics on her. Except Artemis makes a face at the prospect of dying her hair, which admittedly is hilarious. Faking her own death and lying to everyone she loves? Didn’t even take a moment to convince her. Dying her hair? Now that was a line she wasn’t enthusiastic about crossing. Plus, with her cosmetic skills, Dick isn’t exactly optimistic about her ability to apply prosthetics on the daily. 

(He made the mistake of mentioning that last part out loud. It earned him a jab to the ribs so hard it left a bruise that didn’t heal for weeks.)

Besides, Dick likes to be thorough. Why go the simple route and open up a can of worms, when there were other, more proficient, ways to go about this that were less likely to lead to discovery. Hence, how Zatanna comes into play. Granted, he isn’t quite sure how she comes into play quite yet, but with her knowledge and expertise, he’s sure there’s a solution to their problem that doesn’t involve three hours of Artemis complaining and more bruises in his future. 

Plus, wheedling a favor out of Zatanna always has its merits. So really, it’s a win-win situation. 

The real challenge here is finding time to fit in her busy schedule. Between League duties, her three night a week gig at the Magic Shack, not to mention her natural elusiveness, tracking her down always proves to be more cumbersome than need be. But Dick is persistent, and so he finds himself waiting by the stage door at the Magic Shack at exactly 11:04pm, four minutes after Zatanna’s set ends and right as she’s making her exit. 

The door flies open two minutes later. Zatanna steps outside, having changed out of her stage costume and wearing a simple dress that, to Dick’s disappointment, leaves far more to the imagination than her performance costume. Dick pushes himself off the wall he’d been leaning on, throwing up a hand in greeting. If Zatanna’s surprised to see him, she doesn’t let on. She just mimics the hand gesture and closes the distance between them. 

“What an honor. My second-favorite bat has come to pay me a visit.” 

Dick raises a brow. “Second-favorite?” 

“Tim makes a mean cup of coffee.” 

Ah. There’s that playfulness that he missed. Unlike Barbara, where jabs were a contest to come out victorious, or Artemis, where banter could easily turn violent, Zatanna is different. There’s a looseness there, a sense of casual enjoyment that didn’t last longer than you needed it to. No strings, no commitment. Not if you didn’t want there to be. Dick’s missed that. 

“That he does. Afraid I didn’t make it to the show, though. Was it good?” 

“Three standing ovations, six bouquets, and only one marriage proposal,” Zatanna says, the corner of her mouth tilting upwards, suggesting a coyness to her smile. 

A strand of her hair has come loose from her ponytail. Dick tucks it behind her ear, letting his fingers glide underneath her chin as he brings his hand back. “So, slow night.” 

“I’d say.” Zatanna brings her hand up to his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “It’s good to see you. Haven’t seen you at the Watchtower in a while.”

“We just keep—” 

“—missing each other,” she finishes for him, removing her hand. “Bats says that you’ve been working on something behind the scenes.”

Dick grins. “Been keeping tabs on me, have you?” 

“Feeling seems mutual. How many tries did it take you to find me on my free night?”

“Far too many,” he muses, drinking in her features. She looks good. Better than good, really. Performing suits her, it brings a light to her eyes that’s been missing for far too long. He means to tell her that, one day. “Hoped that I’d get to catch a glimpse of you in your stage costume.”

“No free shows, I’m afraid.” Zatanna removes her bag from her shoulder and Dick instinctually holds his hand out. After she’s removed her compact and lipstick, she gives him the bag to hold while she touches up her makeup. Once she’s re-applied, she holds the mirror up to check for any flaws. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company tonight?” 

Dick hands her bag back once she’s done, then shrugs. “Maybe I just wanted to see you.” 

Zatanna laughs, shakes her head. “As much as I’d like to believe that’s true, I think you’d be doing us both a favor if you got to the point. I’m a busy woman, and now you’re cutting into my evening.” 

“Already a step ahead of you, Zee.” He nods to his car, a shitty Toyota that’s far too old and yet his pride and joy, because it’s all his. “Let me take you to dinner.”

“Tempting.” Zatanna takes a step towards the car, and then sits on the hood. “Nice ride. Bats getting cheap on you?” 

The opposite, actually. Bruce had offered him any car he wanted for his eighteenth, but Dick refused them all. He had a meager amount saved up over the years, and he spent every penny of it on this car. Not even the top of the line could compare to the feeling when he earned the keys himself. 

“Does it meet your approval?” 

“Afraid not. You know my standards.” 

“That I do.” But even Dick knows that Zatanna can’t pass up a free meal. She wouldn’t be working so many shows if she didn’t need the money. He opens the car door and holds his hand out for her. “You have the night free, and I missed you. It’ll be like old times.” 

Zatanna takes his hand, but doesn’t yet move from the hood of his car. “Getting warmer.” 

“Alright, you dragged it out of me. I have something planned.” 

This piqued her interest, just like Dick knew it would. Zatanna plucks herself from her perch, gracefully standing again. “Ding, ding ding. We have a winner. Should I change?” 

Dick unzips his jacket, revealing a blue button-up, ironed to perfection. “Naturally.” He’s pleased with himself that he’s thought this far ahead. She was always a sucker for big gestures. He’s happy to see that still hasn’t changed.

“A moment, please.” Zatanna lets go of his hand, and he gives her room to work her magic. “Rennid rof ydaer teg!” 

A cloud of smoke envelops her, and a moment later her casual dress changes to a satin blue halter, the exact shade as his shirt. Her hair is now down, freshly styled, and the air around her smells like cherries, almost like the perfume he’d bought her for her sixteenth birthday. 

Dick is unable to tear his eyes away from her, which isn’t great, considering there’s a lot he still needs to get done tonight. For a moment, and only a moment, he wishes that he could forgo the whole mission and give in to his most selfish of desires. The same desires that beg him to reconcile, to try them again, foolish and illogical as it would be. But instead, he just holds out his hand again, nodding to the car door. “Your quick-changes have gotten better.” 

Zatanna takes his hand and enters the car. “You’d be surprised what extra training can do for a woman.” 

“Oh, of that I have absolutely no doubts.” 

— 

To her credit, Zatanna only asks Dick three times what sort of plans he has in store for them that evening. It’s cute, really, and it gives him a chance to quiet her with kisses on her hand as he drives and tells her she’ll see soon.

Just after midnight, he parks in front of a warehouse and cuts the ignition. Unable to help himself, she casts a a quick look at Zatanna, whose palpable confusion is worth every second it took to set this up. 

“When you said dinner…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but Dick can only imagine what he pictured. Manhattan, maybe. Somewhere smoky and exclusive where she could order a dry martini made with top shelf liquor. Or a cozy Italian joint, where the owner would obviously know him and serve them a menu de jour. 

“Where’s your sense of excitement, Zee?” Dick steps out of the car and opens the door for her, pleased that she readily gives him her hand when he offers his. “Don’t you trust me?” 

“Less by the minute. Tick-tock, Grayson.” 

Dick laughs, light and airy in a way it hadn’t been in a while. He closes the door and tucks the keys in his pocket before leading her to the warehouse and ushering her inside. 

Once inside, Zatanna’s eyes crinkle, the confusion melting into annoyance. The warehouse contains the makings of an acrobatic escape, trapezes and platforms all around. Nothing too impressive, at least not to the ordinary eye. “Really? You brought me all the way here to.. What, watch you train?” 

“Disappointed?” Dick asks, trying to hide his smirk as he takes off her purse and sets it to the side. He doesn’t give her time to respond. Instead, he hits a light switch on the wall, and turns a dial beside it. The halogen lights cut off, and for a moment, they’re in total darkness. Then, the room lights up with hundreds of tiny silver lights, glittering in a way that could only resemble a clear, starry night. “Would have pegged you better than to jump the gun,” he finishes, only a hint of a simper in his voice. 

Zatanna can’t hide her awe, especially not as the room becomes aglow with soft colors. She’s obviously impressed, but crosses her arms over her chest and tilts her head towards him. “I still don’t see dinner.” 

“You really can’t be patient, can you?” Dick rolls up his sleeves and kicks his socks and shoes to the side. “Dinner’s going to take a bit more effort to get to.” 

It takes her a few seconds to understand what he means, but when she sees him chalk up his hands and walk over to a trapeze bar, her eyes go wide. “You can’t honestly expect me to—” 

“Wow, Zee. Didn’t realize you’d become such a chicken.” 

“Those are fighting words, Grayson. I can just levitate myself to wherever we need to go.” 

Right. He’d forgotten about that. Still, not easily dissuaded, he hoists himself up onto the bar, and maneuvers himself so he’s hanging upside-down by his legs. He swings towards her, holding his arms out. “Don’t worry. If you fall, I’ll catch you.” 

Zatanna scoffs. “I won’t fall.” 

Hook, line and sinker.

“Prove it.”

She shoots him a look that’s somewhere between annoyance and determination before slipping off her heels. “If you tear this dress, I’ll kill you,” Zatanna warns, taking a breath to steady herself before taking his hands. “You’re lucky I’m hungry.” 

“Atta girl.” Before she can change her mind, Dick holds tight to her hands and propels his body so the trapeze bar swings in motion. Zatanna’s involuntary shriek is like music to his ears, but he’s a professional, so he controls the bar and focuses on holding her up. Dinner is three platforms above them, so they have some work to do. “You see that platform on the left?” 

Zatanna tilts her neck, just barely, and nods. “The one that’s way too far for my liking?” 

“That’s the one. When I give you the signal, you’re going to jump onto it.” 

“Are you insane? Only one of us is a professional acrobat and I can promise you, it’s not me!” 

Dick laughs again. She could easily levitate her way out of the situation, but he likes that she’s been thrown off her guard and he temporarily has the upper hand— that so rarely happens. He swings a bit harder, and they get closer to the platform. “On the count of three. Ready?” 

“As I’ll ever be.” 

“One… two…” 

“You’re going to be paying for my weekly therapy sessions with Canary for months, Grasyon!” 

“Three!” They hover just over the first platform, and Zatanna obediently jumps and lands on her feet, only barely sticking the landing. Dick follows suite a minute later, grinning from ear to ear. “A bit more practice and you’ll be ready for a gig at Haly’s.”

The adrenaline must have hit her, because Zatanna just grins back, a little breathless but otherwise unharmed. 

“Ready to go again?” Dick nods upwards to another trapeze. “We’ll do a duet this time.” 

Zatanna seems weary about having to go about this again, but she seems to have resigned herself to her fate, so she wraps her arms around his waist and nods. 

Dick brings one arm around her for support, and then jumps up to catch the next trapeze. He kicks them off and swings through the air, making sure her grip on him is tight before letting go and holding onto the bar with both hands. “You doing good?” 

“Oh yeah, peachy. Just another day in the life.”

“Then hang on!” When her arms grow tighter around him, he swings his legs up hard so they soar through the air. The lights twinkle all around them, and if you didn’t know any better, it almost seemed as if they were flying through the night sky. Dick sneaks a look down at Zatanna, and the fear has all but abated and instead been replaced with genuine joy. 

“I want to try something!” She yells, her voice shaky with excitement. “Etativel!” Zatanna lets go of Dick’s waist and floats in the sky beside him. “That’s better.” 

“That’s cheating.” Dick raises himself so his torso is resting on the trapeze, his arms hanging over the bar. “This is the real magic.” 

“Potato, potahto. The real question is, can you keep up?” She flies higher, and Dick has to scramble to put his hands back on the bar and spring close enough to jump to the next one. The higher ground was nice while it lasted. 

Zatanna spins through the air, clearly much more comfortable, the skirt of her dress billowing around her.  She’s fast, but Dick’s experience allows him to catch up quickly, leaping from trapeze to trapeze as he ascends. Zatanna meets Dick after he’d leapt to the third trapeze, floating so their faces are inches apart. 

“Now this, I can get with.” 

Dick catches his breath before lifting a hand to swipe his bangs from his eyes “Well sure, you make it look so easy. But skill,” he pauses, doing a single handed pull up from the bar. “Can be expressed in a number of ways.” 

“Wow, the acrobat has arm-strength. Who would have thought?”

“Sarcasm duly noted.” He inches closer, watching how the lights reflect off the satin of her dress. It gives her a glow, one that suits her, and he has half a mind to tell her to consider finding a spell to give her a permanent shine that follows her every move. Instead, he says, “Nice dress, by the way. You look beautiful.” 

Zatanna’s smile falls, only a little, but Dick knows her well enough to recognize the change. “Thank you. It was a birthday gift from… Zatarra.” 

That is information he didn’t know. “Didn’t take Doctor Fate for a huge shopper.”

“He isn’t.” She plays with a tendril of her hair, avoiding his eyes. “He’s decided on giving me an hour a year with him. Zatarra, I mean.”

“You saw your dad? Zee—” 

“It’s fine, Dick. I’m fine, I—” 

Before she can finish, the magical glow around her suddenly vanishes, and she falls. 

Dick’s reflexes are fast, he immediately drops down after her and grabs her by the waist, then hooks a leg on a trapeze and maneuvers them so they land on a platform. Unfortunately, he doesn’t quite stick the landing, and they both tumble to the ground. He does have the decency to force the fall so she lands atop of him; the last thing he needs is to crush her, she’d never let him live it down.  

The fall knocks the wind out of them, but Dick doesn’t feel anything broken, so he calls that a success. Zatanna’s laying on top of him, but there’s no moaning or screaming, so there’s no red flags as of yet. 

“Zatanna?” 

“I’m fine. Just need to catch my breath.” 

Dick rests a hand on her head before he can remind himself that he shouldn’t. It’s instinct. “Zee, you fell.” 

“Happens from time to time.” She sits up, gets her bearings. “Flying takes a lot of concentration, and when you break it…” 

“Down goes Zee. Got it.” Talking about her father must have triggered her. He’s naturally curious, he wants to know more about the how and why. Now isn’t the time, though. He’ll ask Artemis soon enough. The air feels a little too heavy, so he nudges her lightly. “Told you I’d catch you, though, didn’t I?” 

It works, and the spell is back once more. Zatanna smiles and nudges him right back. “So you did. I owe you one.” She turns her gaze towards the ceiling, watching as the lights glimmer. “How did you find this place?” 

“It’s back from my old Haly days.” He sits up so his knees are in front of him. “Can you keep a secret?” 

Zatanna shoots him a look, as if the answer isn’t overwhelmingly obvious. “Depends how interesting it is.” 

“I’m thinking about going back. I’ve been training here, a few times a month, when I have spare time. That’s what I’ve been working on, behind the scenes.” Not completely untrue. But it’s enough to bait the next part of his story. 

Sure enough, Zatanna is thrilled. She’s grinning from ear to ear, that impish little smile that drives him crazy and used to garner him to do much of her bidding. “That’s amazing. Of course I’ll want front-row tickets to your opening night.” 

“Granted. There’s just one issue.” He pauses, looks up at the ceiling. “I wish I didn’t have to join as… myself. A Grayson, going back to Haly’s circus, it’s a lot of pressure.” 

Dick doesn’t enjoy lying to her. He feels Zatanna’s eyes on him, and does his best to keep his face neutral. Most days she can read him like her favorite book, and he’s been laying the facade  on thick. If she buys it and helps, he’ll consider it a success and another step forward in the mission. If she calls him out, he risks losing a friend forever.

“Dick Grayson wants to moonlight as an average Joe… sounds like you need a Glamour Charm.” 

Bingo. 

He turns so he’s facing her, cocking his head to the side in question. “A Glamour Charm?” 

“I’ve seen it in one of Zatara’s old magic books. It’s supposed to be a charm that hides the wearer from those he chooses. Or.. something of the sort. I could look into it more, if you want?” 

In his excitement, Dick reaches for her immediately, wrapping his arms tight around her shoulders. “It’s perfect, Zee!” It is perfect. A better outcome than he could have ever hoped for. “Thank you,” he says into her hair, allowing himself just a moment to reminisce in the scent of her shampoo before pulling away. 

Zatanna holds her hands up, a warning. “I make no promises, but I can try. This is powerful magic, challenging to make and if it falls into the wrong hands, if something bad were to happen…” 

“It won’t. Scouts honor.” 

“Promise me, Dick.” 

Dick tries to take her hands, to calm the steel in her voice, but Zatanna won’t allow it. Instead, she grabs his chin with her fingers, staring him down. “And say it backwards.” 

The words shoot a pang of nostalgia through him. Silly as it was, that’s what they used to say to each other, back when they were younger and in love with the idea of love. If you said a promise backwards, it sealed it into existence. He hates making this promise, because he truly doesn’t know, but he needs to do this. For Kaldur. For the mission. 

“I promise. Esimorp I.” He’s probably butchered the pronunciation, but it’s enough for Zatanna. She lets go of his chin and instead rests her hand on his cheek, cupping it gently. 

“Now it’s a lock.” 

They both grin at each other, but the feeling doesn’t settle like it usually does for Dick. It courses through him, burning, and she’s so beautiful with the lights all around her that he throws caution to the wind and closes the distance between them. His mouth is on hers in an instant, and she reciprocates hungrily, settling her arms around his neck to bring him in closer. 

Dick’s mind is full of plans for the mission. The Glamour Charm will take a few weeks, which is enough time for him and Kaldur to figure out how exactly they’re going to kill Artemis. There are so many plans to make, so many thoughts, but at the moment, he doesn’t care to entertain them. Instead, he decides to clear his head and slips his tongue into Zatanna’s mouth when she grants him entrance. 

Even though her hands are on him, grasping at his shirt, he pulls away, breaking the kiss. Dick catches his breath, making sure she’s looking at him. “This okay?” 

“Yeah.” Zatanna’s just as breathless, her curls beginning to fall in her face. 

“You don’t want to eat first?” 

She shakes her head. Her hands don’t leave Dick’s shirt, and since he’s still hesitating, she slides her hands around his chest, moving to gently nip at his ear. “I’m hungry for something else,” she whispers right in his ear, sending a course of shivers down his spine. 

It’s exactly the invitation he needs. Dick carefully unlaces the halter strap from her dress, bringing it loose before sliding it down. They have an unspoken agreement. One night, no less than three months apart. Time stands still, and for a moment they’re both teenagers again, catching up as if the future plays no purpose. They’re both lonely, hungry for something that only the other knows how to satiate.

Later, he’ll carry her off the platform and take her to the room in the back. He’ll grab her a proper dinner, and spend the better part of an hour running his fingers through her curls while she warns him not to get it tangles. He’ll marvel at the way she looks draped in only a sheet, and pretend not to notice as she starts to gather her belongings to leave before daybreak. 

For now, this is fine. More than fine. 

It’s perfect. 

[kattythingz]

YJ x FMA Pt. 3

Yeaaaaah, I couldn't resist.

I've already made my bed with this one, man. I might as well commit to the bit lmao. This au has been incredibly self-indulgent so far and I'm honestly digging it.

New folks, the main gist of the au is explained in part 1, so direct all your confusion there first :P

🧡 Pt. 1 💛 Pt. 2 🤍

“Holy fucking shit! Are you serious?!”

Ling could hardly contain his grin when Ed exclaimed in what could only be described as sheer scientific euphoria. Kaldur and Artemis let out similar snorts of amusement behind Ling and M’gann outright giggled as Ed ran up to Ship, the previous rush of getting to their escape point completely forgotten in favor of gawking starry-eyed at the majestic aircraft. His arms hovered back-and-forth with a familiar excitement to reach out and touch, before he inevitably caved.

“Holy shit,” Ed repeated, reverent as he brushed a hand over Ship’s indulgent surface. “I knew it. I’m dreaming. I got shocked one too many times and I passed out—”

Ling really couldn’t help the overflowing bubbling of laughter from his chest. It caught Ed’s shining gaze as he pivoted with one hand kept on Ship, the other flinging to jab at Ling. “Tell me I’m dreaming, Ling! Tell me right now!”

“Dude, how old are you again?” Wally chortled, though not cruelly, Ling noted with approval. He would’ve had words to emphasize with his sword if any one of his friends demeaned Ed’s bliss. “It’s like you’ve never seen an airship before. Ship’s pretty plain-looking as far as those go, you know—”

Ship made a beeping noise of protest, and Ed yelped, turning like he could pinpoint the source. Which, now that Ling thought about it—

“Hold on,” Ed said, lightning-struck, and touched his second hand to Ship again. “Hold on. Is this thing—?”

“Alive?” Ling said amusedly, and Ed whirled on him. “I believe ‘sentient’ is the more accurate term M’gann used, but—”

“Shut up!” Ed beamed, and Great Dragon on Ling’s heart—

He’d missed this sight something awful.

The rest of the team were clearly just as endeared. Especially M’gann, as she beamed right back, saying, “Thank you! Ship says she likes you too.”

“‘Ship’?” Ed said. He startled when Ship opened her hatch suddenly. Gently, though Ed didn’t know it. Ling read the moment for him and set a prompting hand on the small of Ed’s back with a tilt of his head, and Ed didn’t waste a second. He climbed slowly up the ramp, like he thought his footsteps could hurt Ship.

The team took their seats easily except for M’gann, who spun in the air to smile at Ed and say, “This is Ship! She’s a friend, even though she might not look it immediately. She’s just as much a member of this team as all of us. Isn’t that right, girl?”

Lights flickered along the side in eager answer, and Ed tracked the reaction greedily. Ling could already see the cogs turning behind those eyes, and the sight warmed his heart beyond comprehension.

“Here,” Ling laughed, pulling Ed back down to Earth and coaxing him by the hand to a vacant corner with two seats, no doubt provided by Ship’s thoughtfulness. Ed followed his second cue to sit, eyes still high above the ground as he took in the finer mechanics.

“Alright,” M’gann announced with noticeable cheer, finally at her seat at the helm. “Everyone strapped in? Sorry, Ed, this might feel a little weird at first.”

“Wha—?”

Ed cut off when Ship began lifting. He let out a yelp when the distance really grew, wobbling on instinct and hands shooting to grip the Ling’s bicep.

Ling remembered how strange the first fly had been on him too. He set an anchoring hand over Ed’s, catching the slightest fear in those eyes and smiling.

“Relax,” Ling told him quietly, to avoid embarrassing Ed with a spectacle. Judging by Ed’s rapid glance in his direction, the gesture was appreciated. “Your ears might ‘pop’ in a second from the air pressure, and it’ll feel uncomfortable for a while after, but you’re otherwise fine.”

“Did someone else tell you that?” Ed said between a grimace. His hands kept taut for a moment as Ship caught a steady pace, before he relaxed under Ling’s hand.

He let out an exhale, casting Ling a smile that time. “That sounds like the sort of talk you’d ask me to repeat ten thousand times for you instead.”

“Rude!” Ling gasped—to no avail. He’d smiled too wide again. “I learned a few things while you were gone, you know. A year’s a long time.”

Ed’s eyes sparkled in the literal changed atmosphere between them now. “Really? Then how’d you end up here immediately?”

“I had a moment of regression. You know how I get when I’m hungry.”

Ling was rewarded with a brilliant laugh for that. 

He completely understood when the sound drew several eyes back to them as well, and there was a pause as the team considered the two of them.

Artemis eventually broke the silence.

“So,” she started with an imperceptible smirk, crossing her legs and leaning back in her seat. “Ling’s infamous fiance.”

“Unfortunately,” Ed said.

The easy humor shifted something in the atmosphere, and faster than anyone could grin, Wally blurted, “What was that you did with the walls? I’ve never seen any earth powers that spontaneous before!”

“Yeah! What kind of power was that?” Robin leaned forward—sounding like his age, to Ling’s relief. Though Robin was undoubtedly much younger than Ling, he so often behaved like, well… Ed and Ling, back in their own teenagehood. This was a nice change. This was good. “You covered all that mass in, like, one motion. And you knew exactly where it would stop.”

Perhaps it was the nerves from being mass-stared at from all corners, but Ed flushed at the admiration. “Oh, well…” He cleared his throat. “That was pretty basic from me, really. I’d usually go for something louder, but I wasn’t sure entirely what was under the walls… It was better safe than sorry in the moment.”

“You couldn’t tell from a touch?” Ling furrowed his brow.

“Not completely.” Ed shook his head. “I had an innate understanding, but I couldn’t put a name to… a lot of the things.” He cast Ship a grimacing onceover. “But I guess I’ll have to get used to that.”

“So that is part of your power?” Kaldur asked, because, naturally, he couldn’t resist his curiosity either. Though his was more tempered. “You understand the components of the earth, and mold it?”

Ed blinked at the astute observation.

“That’s… exactly it, actually,” he said slowly. “I’m surprised you got it in one go…”

“Well,” Ling said, never one to miss a chance with a sly grin, “he is the esteemed leader around here.”

Ever since Ling had learned the team’s average age, he’d made it his life mission, while he was here, to soften them all to act their ages more often. Kaldur, in particular, was a tougher target on par with Artemis, but he, too, had a weakness. Recognizing his competence, for one. Recognizing his competence as leader, for two.

Ed clocked that in an instant, bless his perceptiveness, and he nodded easily. “Yeah, makes sense.”

Kaldur wavered. “You—can tell such a thing?”

“Sure. You’ve got the eye and attitude for it. And you sound a lot like a certain someone.” Ed cast Ling a sideways glance, and Ling pulled his most gracious face. Ed rolled his eyes back to Kaldur. “Next thing you’re gonna tell me, you’re a prince too.”

Wally immediately burst out laughing. “You got it in one! No way!”

“Well, not exactly on the nose,” Robin hummed. “But definitely close enough.”

Kaldur was far too well-mannered to gape, but he most certainly stared at Ed. “How—?”

“Like I said,” Ed snorted, but his grin was genuine as gold, “it’s obvious.”

Kaldur ducked his head, hiding that successful blush under a hand rubbing his neck. “That praise might be undue for the time being. I have only been in this position for a few months. But… thank you.”

And that, too, was a sight Ling had missed. The way Ed positively melted at the image of these kids, walking in shoes too big for their feet but filling the mold so well, for better and for worse. 

Ling had a great feeling about this world, suddenly.

<- prev ◆ next ->

[orangerosebush]

(prefacing by saying I haven’t yet read the fowl twins series so maybe that fixes things but I don’t it) I’m forever salty about the real lack of time spent on exploring Artemis and Juliet’s whole dynamic, because in theory it would be so interesting!! The inherent tension between her being a Butler but also the only other person really near Artemis’ own age growing up could have led to some interesting character moments between them, and I feel like we just get nothing?? Even in TEC when she finally gets to join the main team I feel like she and Artemis barely interact!!

Not-so-fun fact: :( Juliet is not in the sequel series outside of the following sentence:

“In times like these Angeline missed the Butler family, who had been bodyguards to the Fowls for centuries, but Artemis had swept one Butler off to Mars with him, and the other was in the United States pursuing a career as a professional wrestler.”

TFT: Deny All Charges

There are a few things that strike me about Juliet's character -- many of which are related to why she's tricky to slot into the narrative after TEC. The Fowl-Butler contract is interesting to think about RE: Artemis and Juliet as the next generation of each respective family.

While continuing the family legacy places particular burdens on Artemis, one must note that continuing the family legacy places the specific burden of subservience on Juliet. Her dreams would necessarily be put on hold for a Fowl.

After the first book, Colfer realizes that leaning too far into certain aspects of the Fowl-Butler historical dynamic reads as strange-to-troubling for a book set in the 21st century.

At least in the English version of the books (I cannot remember how this is handled in the French translation), Butler only calls Artemis "young master Fowl" in the first book.

Now, the lack of an explicit title does not change that functionally, Artemis occupies a certain station in contrast to the station Butler occupies. But it is at least a gesture at smoothing over parts of the Fowl and Butler dynamic that beg questions the books are not equipped to explore.

As such, just as Butler's dynamic throughout the series with Artemis does not allow for the narrative possibility of Butler starting a family (resulting in Artemis being supplanted by Butler's biological child as the focus of Butler's life), so too does Juliet's status as a Butler place her in a strange place narratively.

On the one hand, Colfer has Juliet choose her own aspirations over her status as a Butler in TEC; Juliet disappears from the later books to pursue her dream of wrestling in America.

Yet on the other hand, Juliet is pulled back into her role as a Butler when the twins are born -- albeit as "nanny" rather than bodyguard (though... much could be said about the emotional role Butler plays being more demanding than the physical role).

We do get some insights into how Artemis and Juliet relate to one another, early series, outside of Artemis' role as Butler's employer. There's this scene in the first book:

“'See to it, Juliet. To the letter.’ ‘Yes, Arty.’ Artemis frowned, but only slightly. For reasons that he couldn’t quite fathom, he didn’t mind terribly when Juliet called him by the pet name his mother had for him.”

I specify "early series", as, well -- I have to think that the way Juliet relates to Artemis would shift after Artemis:

Gets Butler shot (TLC)

Goes missing for 3 years in a way that is mildly traumatizing for Butler

Results in Butler having a heart attack (TTP) (“Butler had enough strength for three words. “Go…to…hell.” Then he clutched at his arm and collapsed. “Oops,” said Opal. “Heart attack. I broke him.”)

Uses Juliet to get to Butler when Artemis has the Complex

Results in Butler having another heart attack (TLG) (“He’s okay,” [Holly] panted. “But that bolt stopped his heart for a while. If it hadn’t been for the Kevlar in his chest…”Holly didn’t finish her sentence, but Artemis knew that his bodyguard had escaped death by a whisker for the umpteenth time, and umpteen was the absolute limit of the number of extra lives handed out by the universe to any one person. “His heart will never be the same, Artemis. No more shenanigans. He’s going to be out for hours,” said Holly, checking the fuselage’s porthole.”)

Dies again in a way that is moderately-to-very traumatizing for Butler (TLG)

[luvly-writer]

“You are my sunshine”

Part 19: Save me from this sorrow

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Jason Todd x Latina! Reader

Social Media Au

Status: Finished

Warnings: none

Author’s Note: AHHHHH!!! Seeing your feedbacks make my day so much!!!! Thank you so so so much for reading. Hope you enjoy!

Taglist: @lorosette @milas-teapot @izukuisbaby @screeching20s @alecmores @writing-for-the-hell-of-it @unofficial-jaytodd-wife @graywrites5567 @addictedtothefictionalworld @randobeetlehouse

Series Masterlist:

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——————————————-

“Dime cuánto va a dolerme la verdad,

tampoco se muy bien si la quiero ir”

(tell me how much will the truth hurt me, i’m not even sure i want to listen to it)

You were listening to “Amigos” by Pablo Alborán and Maria Becerra on your way to Jason’s apartment.

Your nerves were going to kill you. They were almost suffocating at this point, oh how you related to the song. You wanted to get this over with, you wanted the truth and yet at the same time you weren’t sure if you ACTUALLY wanted to hear it cause it would confirm everything.

You had never gone to Jason’s apartment seeing as he was constantly at yours. Your gps was giving instructions of the pin he had sent you.

You finally get there and park your car. It’s a nice ass complex, you wouldn’t expect less of Bruce Wayne’s adoptive son.

“Aquí vamos, Yn, with your head held high”

you get out of the car and head to the lobby. You are buzzed in seeing as Jason had already announced you’d be visiting. The trip up the elevator was slow. You tug on your work clothes.

Today had been a good day so far, you had a meeting where it was announced that you’d be promoted to head architect and director of designs of the company. You’d wish you could celebrate in ways other than discussing your potential heartbreak with the cause of it.

The elevator dings and you walk towards his apartment. 27B.

Just as you raise your hand to knock, the door opens. Lo and Behold, Artemis Grace, stands there just about to exit his apartment.

Of course.

Because of your shock, you miss the way Artemis looks at you up and down, licks her lips and slightly smirks. If only you knew that she desired you more than she ever could Jason.

“If you excuse me, χαριτωμένο μικρό πράγμα, I have to take my leave. Please do enter.

(translation: pretty thing in Greek)

You are stunned for a sec and suddenly Jason comes into view, looking panicked.

He gulps and brings you inside.

You both are left standing there in an awkward silence. Not knowing what to do

Alfred’s lessons on manners suddenly come to Jason, “would you like something to drink? water? juice? wine?” he asks gesturing to the kitchen

“just water” you reply, knowing that you’d like to be as sharp minded as you can at the moment.

you both walk towards the kitchen and you sit in one of the seats in the islet/counter. You place your bag on the seat next you and face Jason, placing your hands on the table.

he hands you a water bottle and you both open your mouths to speak at the same time:

“I swear it is not-“

“Did i truly have-“

you both look at each other and laugh a little, easing them tension. You gesture for Jason to go first and he gestures for you to go first. Both look at each other exasperated and Jason clears his throat. “May i go first?” he asks and you nod.

Listening to him was going to be easier than sorting the mess you were feeling right now and putting it to words.

In a sense, Jason was relieved that you let him speak first, he had time to actually sort what he wanted to say and how. Even though he felt as if he somehow had an unfair advantage since he knew how you felt because of the drunk night in the car.

“It’s not what it looks like, it never was how it looked like and it never will be how it looked like” he starts. You raise your eyebrow at the cliche response and open the bottle. You gesture for him to carry on.

“Artemis and I are just friends, we always have been. Yes, there have been times where things have happened, but none of them have meant anything, just two friends.” You look at him skeptically and he noticed that the last part might have sound odd so he clears it up.

“Yes, she and i have slept together before but none of that matters, she and I have never wanted to carry out something other than a friendship. She’s one of my business partners and closest friends and I would never desire her in any way.” you nod and take another gulp of water.

“That and there are more chances that she would want to bed you right now than she’d want me”, at that, your eyes open wide and you choke on the water you were drinking and start coughing. Jason comes from the other side of the count and starts patting your back. When it subsides, you are breathing a little heavy and you stare at Jason,

“You could have told me that after i finished drinking, Jason, frankly i don’t think the surprise did any favors to my lungs at the moment” you say and both of you start to laugh.

He apologizes and waits for you to be normal again so that he continues.

“As I was saying, we met up and we posted that, thinking nothing of it. I would have never thought that it would be blown out of proportion-“

“-you both are ‘celebrities’, the fuck did you expect?”

he narrows his eyes at your response and you smirk lightly, “the point is, she is not a threat to us”

“oh there is an us? last time i checked, we didn’t wear labels”

“you can’t possibly believe that there wasn’t an us” Jason said. His eyes longingly looking at you wanting nothing other than to hold you and kiss you. You were sitting at the chair, your back to the counters and he was standing next to you, one hand on his hip and the other on the counter, facing you.

“that every caress, every date, every call, every encounter, every moment, every minute and second with you meant nothing” he finishes.

“i don’t know what to expect Jason, that is the problem. At the beginning, you made it abundantly clear that it was just for fun, so I took it for fun, then it started to get more intimate as time passed and you never clarified. I had asked a month after the first date, and you said the same thing. You treat me like your lover and your plaything at the same time, what was i supposed to believe?” you retort

“My play thing?!?!? Whatever made you believe that you were just a play thing to me?” He responds, getting slightly agitated

“Your siblings, Jason! Do you think it doesn’t fuck with the mind or raise any warning bells that they wanted to meet me before i met you? Do you think it doesn’t make it questionable? Could you honestly blame me for having assumptions at things i asked and you never clarified and stay paranoid?” Yn answered, finally letting her frustration be displayed. She had had it. Ok, fine. Jason wasn’t taken or interested in someone, but those were still things that troubled her and finally she was done and needed answers.

Jason stays quiet through her rant. He watched as Yn stood up and walked back and forth frustrated. He knew that before anything was further explained, he needed to let her say it all because even if he knew, she didn’t know he knew.

Yn passed her hand through her hair.

“I was fine playing the part of secret lover to the public but it’s no longer fun Jason. What do they want from me and more importantly, what do you want from me!?!” she said sternly as she stood in front of him looking directly to his eyes challenging him to respond.

“I want you. I want your time, I want your attention, I want to be the object of your desires and the focus of your love, I want to be yours wholeheartedly and completely, just as I want your heart to belong to me and only me. I want dinner dates and waking up in the morning, I want to see your night routine in person, i want to drive you around in my bike and take you anywhere as long as I’m with you, I want you only you.” he answers, taking you face in his hands and rubbing your check with his thumb.

You wanted to accept that answer, yet you couldn’t because there were still other questions to be answered. Most of the time this is how he got you to forget them, romancing you into his arms, but you needed to know.

You take his hands of your face, “What about the rest? How did they know me before you, why are they searching for me? Make it make sense, Jason. Was it a challenge? Did you pick some random person to toy with, is that why you’re so desperate? Get a kiss out of me, lead me to your bed, fuck me and leave for your next conquest?”

Jason was hurt at the accusations. He swears that he will fucking give them one hell of a earful tonight in patrol for not understanding simple boundaries.

“you know that’s not it-“

“oh! I KNOW?!?!? I KNOW!?!? DO I JASON!???”

your frustrating was beyond limits, Why was he avoiding it so much

“Yes, Yn! You know damn well that my fucking feelings are not fake! Or did you honestly think that i place so much effort and time and i give so much love and attention to ANY person that comes to my life?!?”, now Jason was frustrated as fuck. When did this get so complicated? The original plan was she comes, they fix the misunderstanding with Artemis and everything would have been fine. Since it was a drunk confession, he through he had more time to come up with a well thought of explanation for her accusations and his siblings actions, yet she didn’t come to simply talk about that, she wanted to know everything and he short circuited.

She closed her eyes and said, “we should calm down and breathe for a moment. We are getting too riled up and we aren’t fixing shit if we both can’t think straight” as she breathed heavily.

Jason agrees and gestures to the living room. They both walk towards the sofa and sit down. Jason at one end facing her and Yn, at the other facing him.

Yn speaks first, “I feel like a plaything and a joke to all of you. You treat me as your girlfriend and give me exclusivity, yet you refuse to admit that there is a romantic relation in any of the things we do until today. Your siblings treat me as a rare species in need of investigation and find me a challenge. You all seem to know me before even meeting me and took me as a target before speaking to me. Finally, one day you fill me with love and champagne and the next, you are seen with another woman that media confirms as your girlfriend. Tell me, am i insane for feeling conflicted?”

Jason shakes his head no and answers, “Not at all sweets, frankly, if it had been the other way around, I don’t think I would have had much class dealing with it.” he validates your feelings

“but, I would love for you to let me speak and explain everything, can you let me, my love?”

and you nod, getting more comfortable in the sofa.

Here comes nothing

“You are my soulmate.” he throws it out the and you swear you feel the air leave your lungs. You stare at him dumbfoundedly….you are his soulmate?? you knew that soulmates existed in this world, but weren’t both people supposed to know? Like at the same time?

“Like legit? you ask and want to scold yourself for sounding stupid. He nods in response. “How do you know?”

fuck

the one explanation he was waiting to avoid.

He stayed quiet for a moment, thinking and calculated. Finally, he opens his mouth,

“A few days before the Scholar’s Charity Gala, we were….at…an activity, yeah, and encountered some strange light blue beings-“

“-the Anima populi?!?!?”, Yn interrupts mesmerized, “they are real!?!?”

Jason nods and she continues, “That’s impossible! I thought they were only a myth to make kids believe in love”

“Well, sweets, turns out they are very much real and the legends are true. One of them had contact with me, and suddenly all of my family and I black out and images and memories of you flashed before our eyes. Once we regained consciousness they explained who you were to me. And coincidentally, you appear at the gala. Their excitement to getting to know you and the bet are a result of that” He finished, looking at her uncertainly, hoping she’d believe him.

Yn stayed quiet, processing everything. Suddenly, she looked at him, eyes wide.

“We haven’t kissed” she says and Jason, not understanding where she’s getting with this, raises an eyebrow and nods

“According to legend, once the two souls kiss they are bound to be sealed as one. Meaning that if we had kissed, I would have known it was you. I had feeling it was you and all but….wait wait wait, how did you encounter the Anima populi? They are not easy to be found!” Yn questioned and Jason swore he was fucking sweating in his seat. Yn please for the love of everything, stop asking questions.

He clears his throat and looks anywhere but her. He tries to avoid the answer by asking her a question, “You had a feeling it was me?” he smirks and looks at her. She flushes and opens her mouth to speak yet she can’t, she looks anywhere but him and he can’t help but huff out a laugh. He moves to sit closer to her, trapping her between the sofa and her body, and takes her face gently with one hand and turns it towards him, forcing both of them to make eye contact.

you want to look anywhere else, and you try, but this blue - green eyes keep on pulling you back to them, almost hypnotizing you

“Maybe once or twice, don’t let it get to your head”

He places his hand on you waist and pulls you on top of him. you sitting in his lap

Both of you, comfortable in your position, his hands on your waist, yours on the sofa on each side of his head staring down at him

“I feel like your lying to me, love” he smirks looking up at you.

“is that so, Mr. Todd”

“Yes, because you see, that’s the thing about this whole ordeal. When one person gets lost in their imagination about one person, the other is bound to do the same” he answers as he grabs one of your wrists and kisses the inside whilst looking at you through his eyelashes. Fuck me, Jason Todd is a beautiful man and there is no room to argue.

“Have you gone crazy thinking of me?” you ask leaning down a little

He huffs and rolls his eyes, “Have i gone mad thinking of you! the audacity of you to ask such question” he uses the same wrist he is holding and tugs you so now your faces are inches apart, “i’ve thought about you so much my head can go dizzy with just a whisper of your name. I’ve thought about you alright, so much that it is impossible not to” he brushes his lips to yours, barely touching them, and yet you can feel a small spark in you chest.

“i’ve thought about you in the morning, noon, and night, in my bed, here, in my bike, i’ve though of wanting to wake up and go to sleep with you, of going anywhere with you, i’ve thought of cooking for you and taking care of you, i’ve though of surrendering my entire being is yours so much that if you were to need for the moon, the moon you’ll get, you see what you don’t get is this, i knew we were soulmates but i felt that we were when you first looked at me. I have known for so long that i understand you are the ruin of my restraint, the object of my downfall and the lighter of my revival. You are that flame that never ceases to end and that breeze that cools the burn. Yn, what else do i have to say for you to understand, I burn for you, most ardently” he says softly and you have to pull back to look at him in the eyes.

Those are not words to be taken lightly and you want to see, you NEED to see if it’s true.

You take his face in your hands and look into his eyes. In return, you found sincerity, vulnerability and complete, utter, raw honestly and emotion.

“I have opened my heart and soul to you with only hopes that you do that in return” he says and his eyes water a little

Jason felt his chest tighten. He entertained a thought that never had crossed his mind, where the Anima Populi wrong? Her silence was killing him.

Instead, knowing that words had failed her and emotion was too much to express with them, she took one look at his lips and decided.

She smashed her lips to his and it was almost as if something exploded and bloomed inside of her at the same time. Her chest was filled with warmth, and almost as if someone had injected something, a cool sensation ran through her veins. It felt as if she had died and been born again.

One of Jason’s hands hugged her waist instead of just holding it whilst the other held the back of her head.

The kiss was passionate and intense, leavening them truly out of breath after it. As they tried to catch their breath, they look up and noticed that each had a faint almost transparent flame above their heads, one red (Jason) and one blue (Yn) and both started to twist around the other leaving a purplish trail behind. They finally connected and created a purple fire heart, that glowed and then vanished into thin air. Yn looked down at him and smiled, nuzzling her nose to his.

“Looks like you are stuck with me now, Jason” she remarked lovingly looking at him.

Jason couldn’t keep his eyes of her. Their soulmate connection had been established and their souls were bound to one another. He had a soulmate, a legit soulmate. Someone destined love him and only him even with the darkness he brings, a darkness she had yet to encounter. At that thought, a small amount of guilt became present in his heart. His beautiful girl, soon you’ll find out, as for now, the only thing he could respond with was:

“Wouldn’t have it any other way” and pulled her in for another kiss.

“tu me curas esta soledad, soledad

tu me curas esta soledad”

(you cure this loneliness of mine”

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Author’s note: INTENSE CHAPTERRRR!!! But Fret not, it isn’t the last one. I kinda want to write a smut chapter but i’m nervous toooooo

[monstaxdirtywonk]

Heaven is a place in hell with you pt. 8

Member: San as Hades X Persephone reader

Genre: Fluff, Angst, smut finally lmao

Plot: it's loosely based on the myth but I've made some changes to fit my narrative

You were looking around for Hades, at this point there was only one place he'd be, he is probably reading again in the throne room. You still needed some time to get used to your new environment, but Hades has been more than understanding and you were very thankful for that. He was busy from time to time but you knew that was to be expected. He always made time for you however, getting to know each other further since you were together officially only for a week. I guess you can't say officially yet because the fellow God's didn't know about you two but you were content to be his even in secret .

"Here you are" you said a bit louder than intended which caused Hades to shake from the mere shock of your voice echoing in the peaceful room.

"You scared me" He said and started laughing nervously to reject the awkward feeling of adrenalin creeping up for no reason.

"I'm sorry" you gave him the best puppy eyes you could master and moved closer to sit on his lap.

"I'm gonna knock next time"

"You don't have to knock, just don't semi yell during the dead of the night"

You laughed because that sounded so ironic.

"It's always the dead of the night here though"

"My point exactly"

You laughed again. It seemed like someone else was taking a pass for yelling often though.

"Why is Thanatos allowed to be so loud though?"

"That's his default. I wish I could find the button to turn down his volume a bit"

"He is too feisty to not be loud anyways. But for me, I was just too excited to finally find you. I've been looking for you for some time now. Missed you already".

Hades closed the book he was reading and left it right on the table.

"I missed you too. I wanted to visit you in your rooms later on"

"I wanted to talk about that too now that you mentioned it. Why can't we sleep together? I feel like a mere guest here and it kills me".

Hades was old fashioned to say the least. But it wasn't so much about whether you were married or not but rather to take things slow. He had his fair share of experience, even though it's been a long time since he became intimate, but you had no experience whatsoever and didn't want to make you feel pressured. He didn't trust himself enough to be around you like that, sleep in the same bed, maybe his wondering hands would touch you in an improper way during the night

"I'm sorry you feel that way, sweetheart. I just thought it'd be better if we took things slow, to not overwhelm you".

"What overwhelms me in fact is not sleeping with you! I've been dreaming of this moment for so long. It's right in my grasp now but I can't have it yet somehow".

Hades sighed because he was making things harder for you, it seems like. He misunderstood and had the opossite effect.

"Okay...we can sleep together tonight then! BUT we will just sleep. Understood?"

Hades raised his eyebrow, knowing well where your thoughts were heading. Exactly where his thoughts currently are too, to be honest.

"Mmm we will see about that..." You crossed your arms underneath your bust, like a child that was throwing a tantrum. His act made you doubt his attraction towards you and that scared you off a bit. You were thankful he was considering your needs and wants but it seemed like he was controlling himself a bit too well. Little did you know.

"Come here" Hades smiled making his dimples to appear and gestured for you to sit on his lap. You loved physical touch but you didn't experience it much so far since Artemis was a bit stern about such things.

You moved closer and sat on him, moving around a bit to find a way in which you wouldn't crash his legs too much with your weight.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" You asked full of curiosity.

"My legs are fine. I'm a God after all. Something else might start acting up later on". He smirked and cackled.

You had no idea what he was talking about but you knew for a fact it was sexual. He was confusing you a bit, keeping some distance from you and now being all teasing and playful.

"I'm so happy you are here. I don't want you to take this the wrong way and feel undesirable or anything like that. It feels like a fever dream and I'm afraid I'll wake up from it".

You turned your head to face him and cupped his cheeks before placing a quick kiss on his lips.

"Do you dream often?"

"I don't sleep much to begin with. I don't need it. But, when I do, yes."

"What do you dream of, then?"

*You, he wanted to say but it'd be too cheesy maybe*

"Fields, endless fields with lots of sunshine"

"You'd like to see all those?"

"I can and I do at times but not for long, I gotta stay in the shadows. But it seems like sunshine found me here too".

He was talking about you and you knew it. You never thought of yourself as a sunny person before. You had your gloomy days, your doubts, your pessimistic moments. But if you think about it, the sun takes its breaks too, otherwise it'd burn everything down to the ground. You and Hades are like the sun and the moon, gotta work together to bring balance.

You lay down on his chest, fondling the hem of his shirt to soothe him down. He doesn't seem stressed to begin with, but you always want to be a comforting touch for others. A kiss is placed on your forehead, which lingers for some time, till the imprint of sensual lips is left behind, a reminder of his love.

"What are you dreaming about?" Hades asked softly, waiting to hear about fairies and sheep. He didn't know your dreams can get more daring than that. Not too daring because you can't dream of things you don't know of, right?

"I used to dream of freedom. To be set free and to live on my own. Living here never was my ideal life, according to my inner desires at least. But I did choose to be here and that granted me great freedom for once. I was naive about love, still am, but the very first taste was so sweet that it made me drunk quickly. I took a sound decision though. As sound as someone in love can be".

Hades started petting your hair softly and then spoke out.

"I want you to know that you are free here. If you want to leave and go somewhere, you can. You are used to God's being above you, but I want you to think of us as equals."

Your eyes grew twice in size.

"I can't think of such thing, Hades. That'd be blasphemy after all. I don't want you to get in trouble or anything. I know my place in this world."

"Which world?"

That was a really good question. What someone defines as world is a vast and abstract concept. Your world used to be the world of the living, but you're not there anymore.

"Exactly my point. This is my world and I make the rules. Other God's don't have a saying about that either. Even if they don't agree, their opinions hold no value here."

"That sounds hot" you smirked and started laughing.

"You like it when I'm assertive?" He asked.

You nodded.

"I know this might sound selfish but I like how powerful you are. It's surreal to think that a powerful God would fall for me, yet alone be a little whipped too".

"What's that?"

"What's what?"

"A little whipped. What does that mean?"

You started laughing at the boomer side of Hades that you had to get along with, too.

"It's when someone is really into someone. But it's not just a lighthearted crush, you get really soft for that person."

Hades nodded at the explanation.

"Well you can say I'm more than a little whipped then".

You smiled brightly at that response. Some people play hard to get, too self centered or scared to admit someone else has such power over them. But Hades is confident about the way he loves you, not hiding his feelings away, but being open and even proud about it.

"I'm gonna get too spoiled it seems like."

"You will."

"For the time being, let's just sleep together".

Here you go again.

"We will! You have my word".

"Tonight?"

"Tonight".

~~~~~~

The underworld didn't have many servants which was lacking compared to the other kingdoms. However some demi gods stayed with Hades when the world's were sorted and served his majesty. Only one of them was female, Nyx. The goddess of the night graced the kingdom with her beauty and grace and Hades thought you could afford some socializing. She wasn't exactly a servant due to her goddess state, but she was willing to help you out and making your transition to your new home a bit easier.

"What color should I wear?" You asked while looking her way and draping two dresses on you.

"Are you gonna have a meal first?"

You nodded.

"That's what he said. He wants to have a meal and talk a bit first. I don't know why he makes it such a big deal."

Nyx noticed the concern that settled on your forehead by creating a frown, that's why she didn't speak up till you did.

"I know this sounds stupid and I'm sorry if it's too personal, you're the only one I can share it with"

She stood up from the chair and moved closer, already sensing the need for comfort and a quick pick up.

"No, don't worry! You can tell me anything that troubles you and I'm gonna listen".

"Artemis was always telling us to be careful with men because they're...quick to react if you know what I'm saying. She said that they're often ruled by their hormones. That's why I thought Hades would be a bit more...reactive? But he takes it slow, which isn't a bad thing, I just doubt whether he wants me like that too, or it's more of a platonic love? That wouldn't be bad, just unequal because I view him as a man myself".

"I see where you're coming from, but as someone that knows Hades for a long time, I'd say that he is different. Of course I'm sure he feels attracted to you in that sense too, he just needs some time to get to know you a bit better in order to take the next step. It's just his general philosophy, it has nothing to do with you".

You really hoped she was right. She did know him way longer than you do after all. Maybe you should forget about that for now and enjoy the moment.

"Hid favorite color is purple and I'm sure it's gonna look lovely on you. Maybe we should go for that dress, what do you think?"

You looked at her again and slowly nodded, her words waking you up from a train of thoughts and worries. Nyx couldn't see what Hades found in you at first. She used to have feelings for him and tried to make a move but was denied. She doesn't feel anything for him anymore, but the curiosity of who he chose as his partner got under her skin. She can see now what's your appeal, for Hades at least. Innocence. Not a faux one that is used as a foreplay or flirting style, but purity, which is hard to find among immortals. If it was someone else and not Hades, she'd assume the worst, but she does trust him. Even if he hurt her by rejecting her, he wasn't one to manipulate you or anyone really. He just wanted a break from the filthy world.

After getting ready you made your way to the dining room and slowly opened the door. Candlelit room that seemed frozen in time, your movements slower than usual, and shadows dancing with each other.

You saw Hades sitting already at the very far left and you went to sit the opossite way but the table was longer than you'd like.

"Where are you going?" He asked confused.

"That's where queens usually sit" You said with a smile.

"When they are guests over. Now it's just the two of us so you should come closer."

You did as you were told and Hades quickly got your hand in his as you settled down.

"You look so beautiful tonight. I don't think we're gonna sleep much".

You tried to hide your face between your hands because that was very daring for your poor inexperienced heart.

Hades laughed, he liked making you flustered way more than he thought it was possible.

As the dinner was served, you got distracted by the servants and all the plates you saw in front of you, but Hades eyes didn't leave your figure for a second. You had styled your hair in voluminous curls, that emphasized how long they were. Your wrists were adorned with bracelets made of pearls, matching your earrings. The necklace however, was a mixture of pearl and silver details, sparkling ever so slightly by the way you moved your neck to his side. A light lavender fragrance captured his sense of smell, and he was certain you weren't just a nymph, because not even Aphrodite would compare to you.

"That's a lot of food" you spoke up trying to stop the awkward moment of him blatantly staring at you. You weren't used to attention to say the least.

"I wanted you to eat well and gain enough strength for tonight"

Here he goes again.

"Can you stop flirting like that? My poor heart can't handle all that".

"You were more confident when you asked for us to sleep together".

"You're always more confident before and when something is about to happen, reality hits you and you go back to your shell".

"Your shell? Besides being a nymph, are you a mermaid too?"

"I might be. One without a tail though".

"At least you got their beauty".

"You flirt every other sentence now, don't you?"

Hades started laughing because he wasn't even doing it on purpose.

"When I like something I see, I'm honest to a fault".

Good thing the lighting here wasn't that bright and he couldn't see the blush on your cheeks.

"I'm the opossite I think. It's gonna take me some time till I'll start complimenting you."

"I can handle that if you show me your love in other ways".

Is he drunk or what?

"Weren't you the one that said we are going to just sleep tonight?"

"I might have changed my mind. Of course if you want that too".

"I'd like that too. I'm just a bit nervous, that's all".

"We're going to take it slow, my love".

You nodded.

You felt flustered underneath his gaze and took a look at the variety of food the servants bought for your meal.

"OH is this a pomegranate? I love them, they're so tasty!" You exclaimed only to be cut short by Hades.

"Why did they bring pomegranates?" He looked serious and even mad. You were beyond confused.

"There is a special power associated with pomegranates from the underworld, my love. If you eat them while being here, you'd have to stay forever."

"Forever? As in, never leave, ever?"

"Not exactly. You can live for some time but you're gonna be tied to this world. You'll start experiencing discomfort if you're away from here for too long".

"I see. So you don't want me to eat them because you're not ready to be tied to me in that way or you doubt whether I'm ready to commit to such an important decision?"

Hades looked at you and then spoke up.

"The second one".

"Don't question my determination about my will to stay here."

"It's just a big decision and I didn't want you to not be informed. Whether you want to proceed or not."

You thought about it for some time and when you turned around Hades looked at you attentively, ready to hear what you have to say.

"Can you feed it to me?"

Hades lifted his eyebrow, you couldn't ask a better thing.

He got half a piece of the fruit and moved it closer to your mouth. You opened and started eating slowly, but Hades didn't move away even when the fruit was consumed.

"Open up again"

You did as you were told, looking at him surprised but aroused by his dominant side.

He inserted two fingers inside your mouth, and you started sucking on them, enjoying the leftover juice.

"Fuck" He muttered underneath his breath.

Quickly he removed his fingers and replaced them with his lips, kissing you so hungrily you couldn't decide if it was the sweet taste of pomegranate or you that he was lusting after.

His hands cupped your face and they held you there for a minute before you had to break off the kiss in order to catch your breath.

"Should we go to the bedroom?"

"Yes" you answered and stood up, following Hades.

The dinner you just had was held in a room directly next to his bedroom so it didn't take long till you found it. The theme was dark, grey and purple colors adorned the walls and he had a large bed at the center of the room.

"I guess I fit the theme with my choice of attire"

You were hinting to the purple dress you were wearing.

"Nyx told you?" He asked.

You looked at him surprised.

"How do you know?"

"Well...I never saw you wearing purple before you came over to stay so I assumed it wasn't a color you'd prefer. You like lighter tones, right?"

"I do yes"

"Wear them then. Don't change to fit my liking. I like you in pastels too".

You found it really sweet how observant he was and how much he emphasized your individuality.

"Plus you won't be wearing it for too long"

You gasped and your cheeks started blushing.

He chuckled and came closer to hug you and take some of the embarrassment away.

You found refuge in the crook of his neck and tried to hide there from his risky words.

Hades moved his hand underneath your chin and you got the message that he wanted a kiss. Maybe more than that.

Your suspicion was confirmed because the moment your eyes landed on his, he went for a second kiss that took your heart away. It was messy, like the one you shared before, but it felt do good, your stomach was doing flips uncontrollably.

His mouth moved lower, and you turned your neck to allow him to kiss you properly. His kisses turned more aggressive and he started sucking on the delicate skin, surely about to leave marks there. Marks you'd show off proudly to the world. You were his now.

His hands started exploring your body as well and they moved higher to grope your breasts, gently but hungrily at the same time. His large hands on you had a fire lit within you in no time.

"Do you wanna touch me too, love?"

You did. But the sensation he bought you so far felt incredible and you were frozen still for a bit.

You nodded and he got your hands and placed them on his waist.

"Just touch me wherever you want".

That was easier said than done. You already felt nervous to do much but the overwhelming desire made you forget about it for a moment.

His body felt firm and toned against you and his tiny waist made his godly shoulders appear even broader. Underneath the soft clothes he was wearing, muscles contrasted.

He broke the make out session for a bit and took off his clothes fast before he came back to you. You, however, wanted to take a better look, which felt very embarrassing when he saw you ogling his physique like that.

"Like what you see?" He smiled proudly, loving the effect he had on you.

"I do. Now I see where the saying looking like a Greek God comes from"

He started laughing and kissed your forehead. His signature move by now.

"Happy you do."

His hard dick was poking against your dress by now, out and proud and you really wanted to touch him but you weren't sure what to do to make him feel nice.

"You can touch me wherever you want, remember?"

Was he reading your mind? Maybe your hesitation was written all over your face.

"Can you guide me?"

Oh shit. You were killing him.

"Start by stroking me slowly and focus mostly on the tip".

You did as you were told, feeling extremely aroused already.

Your small hand made him look even larger and he was about to cum faster than he'd like to admit. Just you being there, was the biggest turn on to him.

You stopped stroking him all the way down and decide to mostly focus on the tip, applying pressure over the slit which made him hiss.

"I'm sorry" you apologized thinking you were doing something wrong. More like doing something incredibly well.

"No don't apologize. You did so well in fact I might cum earlier than I should. Let's take it to the bed".

He started kissing you again and slowly removed your dress which made you shiver a bit by the sudden temperature change.

Hades was staring really hard, which made you insecure since you assumed the worst.

"You are beautiful, love".

You gave him a reassuring smile and went to lay down on the bed.

"Open up your legs for me, sweetheart".

You did as you were told and he put his fingers between them, playing with your clit and spreading the wetness. When he thought you were wet enough, he inserted a finger inside you.

"Does it hurt?" He asked while looking so attentively.

"Only a tiny bit" You reassured him.

The sensation felt like burning pressure which was more uncomfortable than painful, but at the same time you were craving every little more of his hands against your heat.

"My baby's so tight. How can I fit properly mmm?"

You moaned at that. Simple ass words made you moan out loud because you loved the idea of being so much smaller than him.

"Please I want more"

"More?"

"I want you to take me...properly now".

"No more fingers?"

You nodded and your eyes had such a pleading look which worked wonders for Hades. He loved how easily submissive you were for him. Letting him have his way with you and trusting him completely.

He pumped his dick a bit and moved closer to your aching hole, carefully opening your legs further.

"Ready?"

"Yes"

He put the head first and teased the area by sliding it up and down to further turn you on. As if that was possible. You were beyond wet at this point.

Little by little he entered you and stopped almost halfway when he heard your sigh.

"Painful?"

"A bit."

"The more you'll relax, the easier it will be"

You took a deep breath and closed your eyes because naked, muscular and sweaty Hades didn't really help at keeping you 'relaxed'.

He put his hand on your clit, slowly drawing circles to ease your pain with pleasure. After he saw your breathing slowing down some more, he moved in a bit further till he was fully inside you.

You opened your eyes to see his face inches away from yours, looking at you with all the care in the world.

"Does it hurt now?"

"It's better now"

You engulfed him in a hug which pushed him even further in, causing you two to moan in synchrony.

"You feel amazing. I've never felt like that with another woman before".

This was supposed to be a compliment but your imaginative mind thought of Hades fucking someone else and the green monster of jealousy possessed you.

As if he could read your mind, he knew exactly what to say.

"I am yours now though"

You smiled so brightly at that. You wanted to be his one and only till the end of time. Maybe even after that. For sure, even after that.

"I love hearing that"

"I know that you do. We aren't that different after all".

Your hips started moving on their own, which bought Hades to the present and he started moving his hips, slowly thrusting into you.

You could literally see veins popping around his forehead, he was really holding back.

"You can fuck me faster if you want"

"OH I definitely want that, but I shouldn't. It's gonna hurt tomorrow to begin with, let's not make it any worse."

"Okay but next time we can try a different position too"

"We will. Let's take it slow"

You nodded and moved your hands lower to cup his butt.

"Daring, aren't we?" He started teasing you.

"You're balls deep inside me, I don't think it's time to be all shy with you".

"That's my girl".

Hades moved a bit faster to grant your wish, but not too hard or as fast as he'd wish for.

You started feeling an overwhelming positive feeling which you've never experienced before but it was almost addicting.

"Hades..."

"I know, love. Let it go"

You let your body relax some more and his hand traveled between you to tease your clit once again.

Not long after, you came undone, experiencing the best sensation you've ever felt, tightening around his dick, making him cum too right after you.

You were breathing hard but remained connected till you collected yourselves again.

"All good?" He asked.

"All perfect" You smiled at him.

He placed a kiss on your forehead and slowly removed himself.

He laid down next to you and gestured for you to cuddle him.

"I...feel sticky." You said embarrassed.

"I'll clean you up in a bit"

"You're so caring and loving"

"Anything for you, my love"

[shebeafancyflapjack]

Moonah Girl

Some details about Silver (my Ghosts oc's) curse and her connection with the moon(ah). It's more than just a cute nickname given to her by Robin.

- It's unclear if Silver's curse to only be awake during the three days of the full moon was always going to be part of her as a ghost given the time that she died and her Esbat ritual, or had something to do with Robin placing her in the bed of cornflowers. At least, that's a thought that often plagues him, if he is somehow at fault for what was meant to be a sweet gesture. Silver, on the other hand, likes to believe that he 'saved' her by placing her on that bed, and that she might have just been trapped in sleep forever as a ghost if he hadn't.

- As a Pisces, Silver's main element is water. The moon is connected to her as it is the tide. Canon Silver doesn't have any powers but Gore Silver has the ability to summon mist, as a shield and a veil to confuse and distort people. The land outside BH is nearly always coated with mist, which if Livings stare hard enough they can see her dancing upon the field.

- The moon charges Silver as the sun does a solar powered battery. The moon is to her what Monster drinks were to her best friend. Even though she only gets three days a month, she takes advantage of every minute and is always hyper and positive - that is if she's slept during a month of clear skies and lots of moonlight. As much as Mary would have preferred her darling girl to sleep inside where she was sheltered and close, Robin explained to her that it's important for Silver to always rest in moonlight. Not only does it refuel her energy but it also makes her dreams more pleasant. Only during a new moon does she suffer either way, the lack of moonlight giving her bad dreams or night terrors at worse. During this time, either Robin or Mary stay close to try to soothe her through them, Mary sometimes bringing her inside to cuddle her in her room.

- Even when awake, Silver feeds off the moonlight. As much as she will come inside the house to visit her friends, at night when they're asleep, she'll mostly wander outside, usually alone or often with fellow night owls Robin and later Amy. The one time Silver attempted to spend her entire three days doing a Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathon, she ended up regretting it, as trying to stay indoors for too long made her drained and sickly, and her dreams for most of the month after were unpleasant to say the least, until she was 'recharged'. As for what would happen to Gore Silver if kept away from the moonlight...well. 😬 👿

- Speaking of Gore Silver, moonlight is one of two things she can 'see' through her blindness, the other being her "Mummy's" fire, at least until Mary 'turns the lights on' for her - ie, casts her magic over her mind to see her surroundings as a fantasy world.

- One of Silver's patron deities in her practice was Artemis, who is not only a lunar deity but also was known to live in the woods and be surrounded by her nymphs. Basically one of the reasons Silver is so chill about her situation - for the most part - is she sees it as being one of her godddess' chosen maidens.

- Though usually happy and upbeat, partly from the moon and also the mushrooms consumed before her aneurysm ruptured, several things can cause Silver's mood to crash in the opposite direction. Either being indoors or weather covering the moon or just something genuinely upsetting her. This is exaggerated more so with Gore Silver, who will be happy and friendly and childlike most of the time, but her 'crashes' can result in tearful meltdowns while being forced to keep smiling, or laughing hysterically and causing the brains of those around her to suffer instead - either intentionally or not. But if she seeks vengeance and justice, she will get it. She's a Guppy after all.

[cherrywrites626]

HFOBG Chapter 16 Sneak Peek

Will glanced sidelong at Nico in time to watch his expression spasm through about a hundred different emotions before landing on something close to darkly murderous, not really certain why it was he appeared to be rubbed the wrong way by someone who seemed so nice—at least as far as he could tell.  

Chalking it up to past history that was frankly none of his business, he smiled at the slightly taller boy and brushed the comment aside with a halfhearted shrug.  “What exactly do you mean by ‘heal the sick’,” he asked, wondering whether or not it was the answer they’d been hoping for all this time.

Percy extracted his hand from his shoulder and rubbed it haphazardly through his hair once more.  “See, I really meant it when I said I am not the person who is best suited for this conversation,” he reiterated, gesturing off toward a different area of town.  “Artemis or one of the other healers could definitely tell you more, but the gist I gathered in passing was it healed a few people who had been suffering from some unknown illness that a lot of others had already died from.”

“The one that killed Nico’s sister,” he clarified further, just to be certain.

The other’s smile dropped at the reminder, sea-green eyes going wide for a beat before swinging over to the person in question.  “Shit.  Sorry, Neeks, I totally spaced,” he mumbled, tone strained as if the subject had been a point of contention for them several times in the past.

Nico merely huffed a humorless laugh out through his nose and shook his head, arms crossing over his chest as he glanced out toward the western wall.  “S’okay.”

“Right.”  Percy turned back to him with another sheepish grin.  “But yeah, the healers thought so, at least.  Doesn’t seem to do much aside from those two things, though.  They thought it might be connected to the other illness somehow.”

“Is that why you call it the zombie mushroom,” Will wondered aloud, brow furrowed slightly in thought.

To the best of his knowledge, no known species of mushroom came close to the description other than cordyceps.  The fungi’s parasitic tendencies were vaguely similar to the disease, at least in observation of the affected specimen while it was helpless under the mushroom’s control.  But that was a widely known and understood concept.  Perhaps there was a simpler explanation.

Ducking his head a bit, the sheepishness the other exhibited intensified then.  “Ah, not exactly,” he replied, chuckling low under his breath at whatever knowledge hadn’t yet become part of the equation.  “That’s just what we’ve been calling them because of their initial origin popping up all over the graveyard.  Plus they’re nearly the exact color of their skin, among a few other freaky details.  I’m sure there’s a more scientific term one of the healers would know.”

“Graveyard,” he echoed, eyebrows rising high in surprise at the concept of burying their dead when his people had abandoned the practice long ago for several practical reasons as well as preventative measures.

The biggest being cross-contamination of diseased bodies spreading the illness further.  Although that was more for those already turned or else known to be infected, even if the science was inconclusive to the harms of handling them either way.  A risk was still a risk, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

But it made sense to cremate all of their dead regardless of the reason for their passing with so little space to afford the growing number of deceased that couldn’t better be used in other ways.  Why put up a cemetery when you could utilize the land for growing food or something equally beneficial?  A loved one’s ashes in your family home were no different than a plaque slapped on the ground commemorating where a body had been laid to rest, in his opinion.  

It was fascinating to hear not all groups felt similarly about space-saving procedures.  That, or they simply had more room and less issues with sick and elderly dying regularly with a population so small it was still in the hundreds.

---------------------------------

Catch this update NEXT FRIDAY and don't forget to read the latest here

[laysean87]

Believe in Magic Yet? - a Young Justice fanfic

Author Notes: This takes place sometime in Young Justice - Season 1 - after Zatanna joins the Team

This rough draft of a short story is loosely based on an old Garfield comic strip, and my attempt at comedy. I originally uploaded a version of this on Tumblr, which was meant to be dialogue only (albeit with some sparse action descriptions, couldn't be helped), as something of a psuedo-script. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters used in this short. They are the properties of their respective owners.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, Zee, you're into magic, right?" Wally said as he sat down next to Zatanna inside the kitchen of Mount Justice. In front of him was a bowl full of a variety of potato chips, pretzels, popcorn and other types of food he was prepared to make history. "Sorcery and the whole bit?"

The dark haired mage looked up from her salad plate. "What about it, Wally?"

"How about you show me one of your favorite spells to use. Presumably if there's a guy you find... cute." The emphasis on the last word was followed by a wiggle of his eyebrows.

Zatanna tilted her head. "I thought you didn't believe in stuff like magic."

Wally held up a hand. "I don't. But... just for the sake of curiosity... What's your favorite spell to use for fun? Humor me."

"You really wanna know?"

"Yeah, I do. C'mon, babe. Show me something, anything, I don't care what it is." He then took a few potato chips from his bowl and toss them into his mouth like a pig, gorging them in a sloppy manner. He was thinking that he would be entertained somewhat.

It was then that Zatanna then got an idea. Her mouth turned upward into a tight lipped smile. This would make a nice joke to pull on him. It would serve him right for trying to low-key hit on her, besides. "Ok, then. Otatop spihc emoceb god doof!"

Wally, with his mouth completely full, was about to ask what spell she had just performed when the food inside his mouth completely changed. Not to mention his face when his taste buds realized what he was eating now.

"Dog food?!" He spat out the chewed up bits of dog food from his mouth on the kitchen floor and started coughing. Afterwards, he wiped some saliva from his mouth before glaring at Zatanna.

"That is SO not funny!" The speedster then snatched a bottle of water and began to drink it to wash out the remains of what was left on his tongue.

Zatanna simply pointed at the water bottle. "Retaw emoceb toh ecuas!"

It didn't take long for Wally to see what she had done next. Spitting out what was in his mouth, he looked at what he thought was a water bottle. "AHH! HOT SAUCE!" He jumped out of his seat and ran back and forth around the kitchen island.

"Believe in magic yet?" Zatanna asked with a smirk.

Wally was too busy panicking to hear what she said, and he didn't care, either. He fanned his hands in the direction of his mouth to cool his tongue. It didn't help, as his mouth still felt like someone had caused it to burst into flames.

"AHHMYTONGUEISBURNINGMYTONGUEISBURNINGMYTONGUEISBURNINGAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Thinking quickly, he opened the refrigerator door, only to find there was nothing cold to drink. So he ran over to the kitchen sink.

"Nehctik knis sepip golc pu!"

Frantically, Wally turned the cold water knob, but nothing come out of the faucet. It was somehow clogged up.

"AWW MAN!" he shouted.

Desperate, he darted past Artemis who just entered the kitchen and down the corridor towards the nearest restroom. "GANGWAY!"

Artemis looked on in confusion over her shoulder. "Um... what the hell just..."

She then saw Zatanna innocently blink her eyes while sitting in her chair with her salad, as though nothing happened.

Placing her hands in a gesture of dismissal, the blonde teen archer turned and walked away. "You know what? Never mind. I don't even wanna know."

[fissions-chips]

to deny your nature

(gorgon au pt. 2- day 5: 'help them', tw for brief description of wounds)

   “Alright- bring him over here.” 

   Butler finished wiping down his hands, now stripped of their gauntlets, and turned to look at the serpent still coiled at the far side of the room. Artemis narrowed his eyes, wary. Protectively, he shifted himself about, lifting a hand to point at the pot Butler had slung over the cooking fire.

   “What is that?” 

   The knight blinked, unsurprised (though disappointed) at the hostility still twisted into the gorgon’s tone- while he couldn’t blame the creature for being defensive, knowing now what he was trying to protect, it was exhausting knowing that he would be having to work under such hostility nonetheless. “Cloth,” he answered simply. “For bandages- I’m boiling them to clean them. If the wound’s already infected, I don’t want the dressing to make it worse. Now, can you please bring him over here?” 

   Artemis bristled, tail tip flicking like an irritated cat. “Near the fire?” 

   “Yes,” Butler sighed, holding up his hands in a sarcastic, unarmed gesture. “I need the light to see what I’m doing.” 

   For a moment, he almost thought the gorgon wouldn’t move, and he would have to simply make do with the weakening glow of the lantern- then, to his relief, the larger creature let out a huff of breath, before picking himself up off the ground and slowly uncoiling himself from the far corner. He moved as carefully as he could, eyes fixed on the small man resting across his body- even as he tried not to shift him too roughly, both he and Butler were met with a quiet yelp of pain, and Artemis flinched. 

   While the gorgon finished settling Jon across the floor, Butler used a stick to fish the boiled linen from the pot- replacing his gauntlets, he wrung them out, before setting both aside. Turning, he found Artemis crouched, Jon’s head resting across his side, hands held in his own as the serpent’s thumb rubbed an anxious circle across one’s palm. “Is this going to hurt him?” He hissed. 

   “It’s probably going to hurt, yes,” the knight muttered, positioning himself beside the prone man. Lifting the edge of his shirt, he could see hastily torn bandages haphazardly wrapped around his middle- they were dark with blood, and his brow furrowed. “But I’m not going out of my way to hurt him. I need to see what I’m working with here, especially if it’s infected. I’m not a doctor by trade, you know- I’m a fighter. Can you cut these?”

   Frown deepening, the serpent idly flicked a claw and split the fabric, before turning his head to rest against Jon’s. Butler watched from the corner of his eye as Artemis’s hand tightened around the smaller man’s own. “I’ll try to keep him still,” he growled, the frustration in his tone not quite meeting his eyes, glittering as they were with worry. “Be quick.”

   Glancing down, Butler steeled himself and carefully pulled the bandaging aside. 

   Almost immediately, he was once again hit by the stomach-turning stench of infection, and he winced. The wound was about as long as his hand and positioned just above the man’s hip, cutting well past the skin and into the flesh beneath. The skin surrounding the wound was swollen and red, seeping with blood and a foul, clouded liquid. Heat emanated from it, and when Butler, as gently as he could, pushed at the gash slightly to see how deep it went, the man whined, struggling against the other even as Artemis stilled him. 

   “Shh, shh…” The gorgon murmured, his free hand combing through the small man’s hair, trying to soothe him. The whine sharpened into a shout, and Artemis’s voice cracked sharply. “I’m so sorry, love- I’m so… he’s trying to help you. He’s trying to...” Lifting his head, he bared his teeth at Butler. 

   “Hurry!”

   Lifting his hands, Butler moved back, not willing to prod further with the other’s teeth so close to his throat. “I’m done.” He announced, looking down at his bloodied hand and cringing. “It’s… it’s pretty bad. That’s a nasty injury.” 

   Artemis didn’t answer him for a moment, too focused on trying to calm the man currently shifting about between his hands. Jon’s expression was twisted into one of pain, even unconscious, and his hands shoved blindly at the serpent’s body. When the other finally managed to get him still once again, he bristled, snapping his teeth. 

   “It is- now fix it.”

   Butler ignored the statement for a moment, scrubbing his hands clean. Then, he spoke. 

   “On that front, I have good news and bad news.” 

   The gorgon blinked. “What?”

   Sitting himself down on a nearby stone, Butler began strapping his gauntlets back on, trying to ignore the memory of wounded flesh against his fingers- he was a fighter, yes, and a killer, but the feeling of blood and fevered skin against his hands was sickening nonetheless. “The wound wasn’t deep enough to pierce any organs- if it had, no doctor alive would be able to treat him now. That’s the good news. The bad news is, that’s a severe infection, and I can’t just stitch it up and make it go away. Even if I cleaned it out fully, it’d just come back, and if it gets into his blood… it’s out of anyone’s hands. He needs medicine, not field surgery.” 

   Artemis’s eyes widened. One arm was curled around Jon’s shoulders- it pulled him closer to the serpent’s chest, the gorgon’s face paling slightly. “He’s… you can’t fix it?” His voice twisted into a snarl, claws scraping against the stone. 

   It was a fearsome sight, even with the small man tucked up against him- Butler tried to remind himself of what he had seen only moments before, the creature instead trying to comfort his companion, pleading his forgiveness. It was strange to line up the images in his mind, what he knew to be true about Artemis’s species, and what he was learning now. He held out his hands in a helpless gesture. 

   “The wound itself I can treat- I’ve done sutures many times. That’s a flesh wound. But I’m not a physician or herbalist or magician- I’m not a healer. I’ve only ever been taught to treat my own injuries under the assumption that I, or my troop, would be able to get medicine if it got infected. I can go get medicine for him-“ 

   “And let you run off and lead your kinsfolk back here?” Artemis hissed, cutting him off. His coils shifted angrily, voice spitting with venom as he reared back, eyes wide. “Do you take me for a fool? Despite your preconceptions, monster-slayer, I am not a dumb animal! I won’t let you and your troop kill him in your fight to kill me!”

   Butler leaned back, startled at the sudden display of fury. His hand moved, on instinct, to close around the hilt of the sword that he didn’t currently have- Artemis saw the motion and snarled, coiling himself up once more to hide his companion, dragging him back into the shadows of the far corner. His expression, furious, spoke volumes, even as he turned his back on the other. 

   I rest my case. 

   Resting his head in his hands, Butler tried again. 

   “I want to help. I do. I don’t want him to die any more than you- you clearly… care for each other.” He didn’t know the word for it, and didn’t care to pry- his ideals had been challenged enough for the moment. “But I can’t fix him without medicine- I just can’t. It’s not possible. And I can’t make medicine- I’d need to go to a doctor.”  

   Lifting his head, he looked the other in the eye. 

   “I’m not- I wouldn’t bring them here. You’d kill them if I did.”

   Tail tip drumming furiously against the ground, Artemis nodded. 

   “Oh, I would. Happily.” 

   Butler bristled- he fought to keep himself from snapping back. “And if I did, they wouldn’t kill him. They… they wouldn’t. Not my uncle. I wouldn’t, and-” 

   “I’ve seen your kind break eggs.” 

   Artemis’s voice was quiet- far from the furious note of before. He said it like it was matter-of-fact, even as Butler’s eyes widened. 

   “I’ve seen them dig up our nests, human. Our homes… Do you know how they force us out?” 

   He turned, dark eyes catching the firelight as he turned. Raising a hand, he pointed to the marred, pockmarked flesh across his jaw, tracing the line of it down his throat. “They smoke us out and set us alight,” he spat. “Old, young- it doesn’t matter.”

   Butler paled. They… they wouldn’t do that. He tried to reassure himself. Would they? 

   “They trap us in nooses of wire,” Artemis continued. “Or in pits of sharp stakes. They use… tricks.”

   The knight’s blood went cold. He’d been taught those same traps himself. He could remember, vividly, The Major outlining such methods and means to him. Staring down at his hands, Butler found himself faintly sickened.

   “Can you imagine it?” Artemis whispered. His voice echoed across the stones, the shadows flickering and shifting around him as he set his head back down on his own body. His eyes were fixed on a point past Butler- as if they were fixed on something Butler couldn’t see. “Your own home becoming your tomb- your pyre. Assuming you survived, dragged yourself back to it when the smoke cleared… all of it is broken up anyways, or burnt to ashes. Even eggshells…” Closing his eyes, he was silent for a moment. Then, he sighed. 

   “There are exceptions to every rule, and I won’t pretend that there’s a ‘right’ and a ‘wrong’ to it. I deny my instincts every day, caring for this man as I do- he does the same, caring for me. You’re denying your instinct to kill me right now, I’ll give you that. That makes you better than most… but I cannot just blindly let you leave, knowing that they could come back here. You may not believe they would kill him, but I cannot say the same.”

   With that, he turned back to Jon, settling down beside him and beginning to comb through the man’s hair once again. Watching the two, Butler was torn between frustration at being left at an impasse, and a confusing mix of pity and horror. Looking at the two, Butler wondered, for the first time, about what would happen if his uncle and their troop stumbled upon the two. A battle with Artemis would be inevitable, and surely to the gorgon’s death (for he was a maneater, and had admitted such)… but they wouldn’t harm Jon, certainly? Not without cause? 

   It was too much to wrap his head around at the moment. He needed a solution to his current problem, so he could leave before he began questioning things further- it wouldn’t be long before Artemis remembered that he had threatened to kill the knight if he couldn’t save his companion, and he clearly had no qualms about doing so. 

   With the way he could see the serpent eyeing him from the corner, Butler knew he was considering it already. 

   After a few minutes of thought, Butler spoke aloud.

   “Do you think he would survive being left alone for a few hours?” 

   Scales rustled quietly as Artemis shifted about, though the other didn’t lift his head. 

   “…Perhaps.” He muttered. “But I won’t leave him.” 

   “Not even for the sake of getting his medicine?” 

   Artemis paused. Then, he slowly lifted himself upright, tilting his head. 

   “What are you scheming, human?” 

   Butler stood, taking a moment to stretch. His body begged for him to take off his armor- it was starting to shift from an ache to hurt. It was either stand upright and move about, or pay the consequences for hours upon hours in plate-and-mail… assuming the consequences wouldn’t catch up to him anyways, whenever he finally got the chance to sleep. He would have to settle for ‘keeping himself moving’. 

   “If you did, you could come with me. Hide somewhere near the village and wait for me to come back with the medicine- I wouldn’t be able to hunt down my troop that quickly, and if I let the townspeople know, you’d be aware well before we made it back here… and stop calling me ‘human’. My name is Butler.” 

   The serpent blinked- Butler could see the gears turning in his head as he slowly mulled it over. “If you alerted anyone,” he muttered. “I’d kill them. Brutally. Right in front of you… Butler.”

   “And then me, yeah,” Butler was tempted to roll his eyes, but managed to rein it back to a simple shrug. “But- if I do this, you will leave the village alone. No hunting anyone from there again.” 

   Artemis scoffed. “Your own life isn’t worth enough?” 

   Butler finished his stretches, turning to give the gorgon a sharp look. “I’m going against everything I know here by leading you to a human population, whether you know about it already or not. My life can’t be the only condition here- even if it’s to save his.” 

   He nodded towards the loose pile of scales he assumed was most likely to be housing Jon- his suspicion was proven right when Artemis shifted, finally pulling his arms away from the other. Jon whined as he did, leaning into the serpent’s scales. 

   After a few more moments of thinking, Artemis sighed. “I will leave them alone… as long as they do the same for me and mine.” 

   The knight gave him another look. 

   Teeth bared slightly, Artemis turned away, beginning to rummage around in the shadows beyond himself- sharp claws curled around a pile of blankets and pelts, dragging them slightly closer to the firelight. “Jon’s wound is a sword wound- it’s unlikely that some passing rogue did it. Someone from that village, however…” 

   “How do you know it’s a sword wound in the first place?” Butler asked, watching as the gorgon gently dragged Jon onto the makeshift bedding. There’s a cot right there, he wanted to say- but he let the serpent do it anyways, not wanting to anger him again. 

   “Scent, mostly. It smelled of steel, before it had soured so badly.” Artemis offered. “And no animal would dare to attack him, with my scent nearby. They know better.” Pulling himself away from Jon completely, his face fell when the other flinched, blindly reaching out for him. Crouching, he pressed his head to Jon’s own for several moments, murmuring something that Butler could only assume was meant to be comfort. 

   When he finally reared back, he found Butler waiting with a blanket from the cot held out. Brow furrowing, he took it, eyeing Butler warily as he slowly bent and settled it across Jon’s shoulders. “No more than a few hours,” he warned. “He’ll be frightened, if he wakes here without me. He’s not coherent.”

   Butler nodded- the quicker this is over, the better for everyone. Reaching down, he patted at his sides for a moment, brow furrowed in confusion.

   “Did… did you take my coin satchel?” 

————————————————

   “So… how did you two meet?” 

   Butler’s voice had lightened considerably, despite himself- sunlight on his skin, after who-knew-how-many hours in that cave, made even the dire situation at hand seem a little bit more bearable. 

  Artemis glanced at him from the corner of his eye, seeming to mull the question over. Out from the shadows of his lair, Butler was finally able to get a good look at the gorgon- in broad daylight, he seemed… less draconic, though certainly no less intimidating, as he slithered along beside him, ears pricked for the sounds of other travelers. He’s only a couple of heads taller than me, Butler realized- though I suppose that’s all a matter of posture for him.

   “Hmm… let me think- it was several seasons ago,” Artemis tilted his head, thinking. “Ah, yes. It was winter. My kind go dormant for those cold months, when the snow’s too deep for us to hunt in. I was deeply, deeply asleep- and I suppose Jon just… wandered in.” 

   “Wandered into a gorgon’s lair?” Butler muttered. “Did he know you were there?” 

   “Oh, heavens no,” Artemis waved a hand. “Jon didn’t know I was in the area- he had come from some far kingdom, running from… well, I don’t know what, exactly. But he wasn’t doing well- winter is a harsh time for anyone, but especially for a little pack hunter like your kind, all alone. He was skin-and-bones, as I recall, and freezing. So he wandered in at night, hoping to use my den as shelter, and in the dark he stumbled right over me.” 

   Butler blinked. “I’m surprised he survived.” He muttered. 

   Artemis tossed back his head and laughed- his voice had brightened considerably, no longer that same sinister hiss. It was almost charming. “So am I! I grabbed him, I had him right in my claws and coils- I’m sure it was terrifying for him, but I was so frigid and sleep-struck that I didn’t recognize what he was! All I knew was that it was something warm, and I was so cold… so I dragged him to where I was sleeping and curled up around him until morning.”

   “That’s what saved his life- body heat?” 

   “Yes- simple body heat.” The gorgon rubbed at his arms, as if imagining a sudden chill. “I doubt I could explain to you just how cold winter feels, with one is born without it. When I awoke again, in the daylight, I found the saddest little man trembling against me- I won’t lie, I did consider eating him. It was a time as hungry as it was cold… but then I wouldn’t have his warmth anymore. So we made a bargain- he would keep my den warm, with that human trick, fire, and his own warmth at night. In return, he could stay in my den, protected from the weather and wild things, until the snow thawed. When that time came, however, he just… never left. He learned to clear away the traps left for me, leading others, those like you, away from my den. I never asked him to- we’d grown fond of each other.”

   His expression had turned wistful as he spoke- then, Butler saw his face began to fall. “The den would be so quiet without him now… he’s a chatterbox. I’ve never met a more talkative human.” 

   I doubt you’ve met many that weren’t scared to death, Butler thought, though he held his tongue. It didn’t feel right, when the other’s expression was so clearly one of human-like grief. “I’ll do everything in my power to heal him.” He spoke. “You have my word.” 

   It was the honest truth- Artemis glanced at him again, eyes narrowing. Then, his expression softened somewhat, ever-so-slightly. 

   “That seems to mean a great deal to you…” he muttered, forked tongue briefly flickering. “I’ll hold you to it, then.”

——————————

   Butler had always loved apocatheries. 

   Healing would never have come naturally to him, he was sure- simply put, he wasn’t built for it, and as a Butler it was never really an option. Something about the scent of herbs and ground medicine, however, he found soothing. Something born of someone’s hands to heal, and not hurt- out of plants and powders and things brought up from the ground, no less! Anyone could at least face an enemy they could see, head-on- but healers battled enemies unseen and not fully understood, and for that, they had Butler’s respect. 

   “Good afternoon.” He greeted the man, walking up to where the other was peering at something on the shelves. When the older man turned his head and noticed the sigil carved onto Butler’s armor, his expression warmed- for the first time that day, Butler was reminded of what that symbol meant, to townsfolk such as these. 

   Protection. 

   A brief pang of discomfort suddenly seized him, thinking back on Artemis’s grim words- he shook the thought away, giving the town’s healer a respectful nod and smile.

   “Good afternoon to you as well, my boy!” Adjusting his spectacles across his nose, the old man began to walk back towards a large desk, where stone, mortar, and various medicines sat. “What can I do for you? I didn’t realize your lot was still in town! Someone got hurt, did they?” 

   Still in town? Did they leave without me? Butler’s brow furrowed, though he forced himself to focus on the task at hand. “No, not one of ours- I’ve been sent on behalf of a couple I came across. One of them is deathly ill, so I’ve come to retrieve some medicine.” 

   The old man blinked- then he nodded. “Oh yes, of course! Ah, what’s the problem, then?” 

   “An infected wound,” Butler answered simply. Then, thinking further, he added. “The man is too ill to travel, and was shaking in his bed, according to his partner. It looked quite severe, when I took a look at it- is there anything you can give me that will work, without them needing to come here? They were quite far away, and I doubt he’d make the journey- his husband was too worried to leave him.” 

   The old man’s face softened. “Oh, poor things, poor things,” he murmured. “How horrible- you’re a kind one, to bring it to them. I might have something for that, if you’ll wait just a moment.” Turning, he shuffled towards one wall, beginning to pluck bottles from the shelf and peering at their labels. 

   As he did so, Butler let his thoughts drift slightly. His troop had left, it seemed- to look for me, most likely. He would need to come up with some sort of excuse as to his absence- he couldn’t say he had been helping a gorgon… but he didn’t want his uncle to assume he had been missing for some foolish reason either. 

   Absentmindedly, he found himself asking. 

   “Do many people in this town carry a sword?” 

   Looking ahead, he found the man already mixing powders and tinctures into the mortar, grinding them into a fine paste. “Hmm? Oh, ah, not really. We’re peaceful folk- it’s only your lot, or so I thought. Do you need one, lad? I noticed you didn’t have one- there’s a blacksmith, the next town over…” 

   Shaken from his thoughts, Butler blinked. “No, no, I’m alright-“ he sighed. “I left it with that couple…” His expression darkened. No one else… could it have been- 

   He forced the thought away. No. Absolutely not.

   “So they knew you’d return- you’re a nice young man, aren’t you? Reminds me of my boy.” The old man was nodding- when Butler turned his head, embarrassed, he laughed. “At my age, I’ve earned the right to call even someone like you ‘lad’- it’s alright. There’s no shame in kindness, even for a tough one like you.” 

   He held out a bottle and a small packet. “Here you are. The salve’s for the wound. Tell them to put it on every time they change his bandages- and they need to change them often! Cleanliness is the enemy of sickness and disease. The powder’s something to help with pain- once a day, mixed in water, if he’ll keep it down. If not, don’t give it until he can. Got all that, my boy?”

   Butler nodded, taking them. Pulling out his satchel, he paid the healer in full, and then some. “Thank you, sir- I really appreciate it.” With another nod and smile, he left, looking down at the small bottle in his hand. 

   Such a small thing, to save a life. 

   He focused on that fascination, hoping it would help to distract him from the unease prickling at the back of his mind. Sure enough, as he walked back to the edge of the woods, he did not see a single weapon on anyone’s hip. He forced himself not to think on the matter further. 

   My troop wouldn’t hurt anyone without due cause- and they certainly wouldn’t leave someone to die down a bank. It must have been a traveling rogue, he reassured himself. I’ll keep an eye out.

   Once he was well past the tree line, Butler paused at the trunk of a large oak and cast his eyes skyward- dark eyes glittered among the leaves, watching him. 

   “I’m alone, as you can tell.” Butler sighed. There was a sudden creaking from above, the furious rustling of countless leaves and branches as the gorgon slowly unslung himself from his perch- for such a massive creature, it was unsettling how still he could make himself, so much so as to be near-imperceptible, even in broad daylight. 

   “Do you have the medicine?” 

   He nodded, holding out the bottle and packet- Artemis plucked them from him and uncorked the bottle, tongue flickering. After a few moments, he seemed satisfied with his inspection- he sealed the bottle once more and handed them back to Butler, letting out a short huff of breath. 

   “It smells like something Foxy would make… will it work?” 

   “It should,” Butler nodded. “It’s supposed to go on his wound. This one’s a painkiller.”

   With that, they began to make their way back- Butler let the gorgon lead the way, not trusting his sense of direction enough to guide them. Besides, his senses are keener than mine, if someone dangerous is roaming around… 

   “You seem troubled.” 

   Butler balked, startled from his thoughts. Artemis was looking back at him from over his shoulder, one brow lifted in silent question. 

   “It’s… it’s nothing. Why does it matter to you?” It came out harsher than he meant it to- the serpent’s eyes went wide, and Butler paled. 

   Artemis only looked away, however- after a moment, he shrugged. 

   “…It doesn’t. You just weren’t before.” 

   Both were quiet for several minutes, after that. Butler felt, in a way, like he had failed some sort of test. Stewing in that feeling only left him more uncomfortable- staring ahead at the long, spiraling black body before him, he sighed. Everything is too confusing right now. 

   He focused on the little bottle in his palm, given to him by a kind man. Something that would save a life. Soon, he would have fulfilled his end of the bargain, and he would be able to leave and find his troop, and his uncle, and forget about this whole disaster. 

   The silence was becoming unbearable. After a few more moments, Butler forced himself to push all the tumultuous thoughts from his mind, focusing only on the forest ahead. 

   “So,” he called, watching as Artemis slowed his pace to match his. “Your brother’s name is Foxy?”

   It was a guess- and a lucky one at that, if Artemis’s lifted brows were any indication. “Yes.” He answered. 

   “And he’s a healer?”

   Artemis nodded, voicing taking on a note of mild amusement- far more pleasant than the tension of before. “Foxworth… he has never quite reconciled himself with his place in the food chain. He can be fearsome, but doesn’t have much of a stomach for it. So he’s taken on the role of a healer, yes. Quite good at it too- I should visit him soon. I check in on him, every once in a while- make sure no one’s muscling in on his lands. I doubt he’d do much about it if they did, but someone has to keep his reputation ongoing…” 

   Butler found himself snickering, despite himself. 

   “So- he decided to call himself ‘Foxy’? Foxy?” 

   Artemis sighed into his hands. 

   “I’ll have you know I was quite against the idea…”