#and then she sat on my shoulder purring for like five minutes and was upset when I put her down

[pteryx-pets]

ROTATE the cat

[seriouslysnape]

Home for the Holidays

__

Draco Malfoy x Hufflepuff! Reader

Warnings: None.

(Edit - A/N: Now why tf did I post this in February...)

Word Count: 1,840

“I’m just a Hufflepuff.”

__

“Draco, I’ve got to go to class!” You shrieked through giggles as the blonde headed boy peppered your neck with kisses.

“Just five more minutes.” He protested, continuing to attack you with tickles and kisses.

Another round of laughter bubbled out of your chest, a sound that made his heart flutter. Draco had a knee placed on either side of your hips, keeping you secured down to his mattress. 

“You said that last time and I missed the entire class. I’ve got to go.” You persisted with another giggle, trying to wiggle out of his hold, but to no avail.

“Are you saying that you would rather spend your Friday in class rather than with me?” He questioned, knowing you’d prefer to stay in bed all day.

“Well, I’d clearly love to stay here all day, but I have an Herbology exam that I can’t miss,” You announced, your chuckles dying off as Draco stopped tickling you; “Professor Sprout is already on to me for missing class last time.”

“As if Professor Sprout would actually punish one of her Hufflepuffs.” Draco sneered down at you.

“You’re just upset because she doesn’t hesitate to take House points away when it's you.” You fired back. 

Draco looked off out the window with a laugh, because you definitely weren’t wrong. While he was distracted, you got out from under him and pinned him down on his bed. He fell back onto his pillows with a surprised grunt, smirking as you straddled his hips. He grinned up at you.

“I quite like this view...” He purred, his hands trailing up your waist.

You playfully smacked his shoulder, rolling off of him and his bed. He watched as you threw on your robes and grabbed your books. Draco had Potions first, but he never really cared about being late. You were scuttling around the room so quickly that you didn’t even catch Draco’s sudden shift in demeanor. He sat up, leaning on his elbows.

“[Y/N], we need to talk about Christmas break.” Draco said, causing you to completely freeze. 

You gave him a look, really wishing he hadn’t brought it up. You sighed heavily.

“Not this again.” You warned.

He got off of the bed, following you as you continued to gather all of your stuff. 

“I want you to come spend Christmas break with me and my family.” He stated as you had previously talked about before.

“I already told you no.” You argued, shoving your quill into your bag. 

Draco had mentioned in passing a few days ago that he was making arrangements for you to spend Christmas break with him at the Malfoy Manor. He thought you would be on board with it, which was why he didn’t bother asking you first. Christmas break was only three or four days away, and time was of the essence. He was surprised, though, when you had such a negative reaction to the idea. 

“I don’t want you to spend Christmas alone here.” Draco admitted.

It was true, you had spent all five of your Christmases at Hogwarts. Your family situation was...complicated. Needless to say, you’d much rather stay at school during the break. If only you could stay during the summer too.

You had multiple reasons for being weary of spending Christmas with the Malfoy family. You’d love nothing more than to spend Christmas cuddled up with Draco by a cozy fire, but it was his parents that you were more afraid of. You had never formally met either of them, but had heard stories that made you shudder in intimidation. 

Lucius was a powerful man. Draco was a spitting image of him, and acted like him at times as well. Lucius Malfoy was known for being refined, formal, and serious at every possible moment. He absolutely terrified you inside and out.

Of the two, Narcissa was the one you were less afraid of. According to Draco and other sources, she wasn’t always an unpleasant human being. However, she was proud to have married into the Malfoy name. She took pride in her wealth, and her pureblood family. She believed in having pristine manners, and being your best all the time. She sounded like a crazy possible future mother-in-law.

Fortunately, you had the fact that you were a pureblood on your side. Realistically, Draco never ever would’ve even given you a second thought if you hadn’t been. You knew that his family would be pleased with your blood status, but that fact that you were a Hufflepuff was concerning.

They were all proud Slytherins. They donated impressive brooms to Slytherin’s Quidditch team every year, and money to wherever else they felt it was necessary. You were petrified of what they would say to their Slytherin son dating a Hufflepuff girl. 

“I don’t understand. Why don’t you want to meet my parents? We’ve been together since last January, almost a full bloody year!” He screeched, the tips of his ears turning red with frustration.

“I know that, D. It’s not that I don’t want to, I just-” You stopped off, almost letting it slip.

But Draco was observant. He caught your quick pause, seeing the way you stopped short because you were afraid to tell him something. That was one thing Draco never ever wanted. He never wanted you to be fearful to tell him something, but he was still irritated.

“You’re being selfish. I just want you to have a nice holiday and you won’t even accept it.” He snarled.

You didn’t want to tell him. You were more afraid of what he would say about how his parents would react to you being a Hufflepuff. Him acting this way wasn’t helping. You slung your bag over your shoulder, ducking out of his room before he could stop you.

“I have to go.” You said, rushing out of the Slytherin tower.

Draco went to chase after you, but decided to let you go. He’d get to the bottom of this. One way or another. He knew if you didn’t come home with him for Christmas, then you’d be stuck at school by yourself, because all of your friends would be home. He hated the thought of you spending Christmas alone. If you wouldn’t come with him, then he was going to stay with you. However, he still wanted to know why you were so apprehensive about meeting his parents.

You couldn’t focus on Herbology for the life of you. You kept thinking about how disappointed Draco looked when you told him no. You didn’t want to ever hurt his feelings, but the thought of spending two weeks with his parents was far too frightening. 

You avoided Draco for the rest of the day, thinking about how you were going to respond when you did finally have to have that conversation. You were quiet during dinner at The Great Hall, refusing to meet Draco’s stare that you could feel from a few tables away. He had been itching to talk to you since you had left him that morning, and he was afraid you were going to make official plans to stay at school over the break. Then you really wouldn’t be coming back home with him. 

You booked it out of The Great Hall once you were dismissed from dinner, hoping to sneak back to your dorm undetected. You sighed in relief when you made it to the Hufflepuff common room, continuing your commute to your room. You had originally planned on spending the night in your room alone to figure this all out, but your plans changed when you saw a familiar face sitting on your bed, like a puppy waiting for its owner to come back.

Draco was sitting with his legs folded, and his head perking up when you walked in. You had left dinner in such a hurry that you were quite shocked that he had gotten here before you. You weren’t sure if he was still angry with you, so you approached lightly.

“Hey. How’d you beat me here?” You questioned.

He gave a proud smirk.

“I’m quick like that.” He bragged.

You gave a soft laugh, comforted that he didn’t seem to be angry anymore. You knew he had come to talk. You supposed that now was as good as any other time. He extended his hand to you, requesting that you sit with him. You shrugged off your robes, before taking his hand and joining him on your small bed. Your room was quiet, his hand cupping the side of your face and stroking your cheek with his thumb.

He leaned forward a little, looking into your bright eyes that he loved so much. He could see the anticipation behind them.

“Kiss me.” He whispered.

You met him halfway, kissing him gently. You had missed him today, in all honesty.

“I didn’t see you all day...how was your Herbology test?” He asked after he pulled away.

“It was fine,” You said, getting right to the point; “I’m guessing you didn’t race me back here to talk about Herbology.”

His fingertips danced over the material of your skirt. You knew him so well.

“No, I didn’t,” He admitted; “Darling, why won’t you come back home with me?”

You averted your eyes to everywhere but him.

“You come from wealth and prosperity...your parents are very well known.” You began.

Draco nodded, but didn’t say anything yet.

“You’re all pureblood Slytherins and I...well...” You paused; “I’m just a Hufflepuff.”

Draco’s eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement. He shifted closer to you.

“’Just a Hufflepuff’? You’re not just a Hufflepuff,” He corrected; “Do you think that my parents won’t accept you because you’re not a Slytherin?”

“Are you saying that they will?” You asked, suddenly looking at him.

Draco sighed heavily. He wouldn’t lie, the thought had crossed his mind. He was curious to see their reaction, because they always assumed he’d bring home a Slytherin, or maybe a Ravenclaw. He didn’t want you to be ashamed of your House.

“If they don’t, then they’re going to have to learn to,” He said, kissing your hand; “Because I’m not giving you up for them.”

You gave a short, but rather unamused laugh. You were still worried. 

“Do you think they’ll like me? Aside from being a Hufflepuff?” You asked.

Draco smiled proudly, leaning in again so his lips were close to yours.

“Darling, they’re going to love you,” He said honestly; “If nothing else, I want to spend the whole holiday snuggled up with my favorite girl.” 

You sheepishly laughed, a smile appearing on your face. You loved the sound of that.

“There’s that stunning smile,” He added; “So, what do you say? Will you come home with me for Christmas?”

You pondered for a moment. While you were still nervous, you realized that the important part would be spending Christmas with Draco, regardless of what his parents thought. You had to admit, it’d be nice to actually have someone to spend the holiday with. 

“Yes. I will.”

[digitalworldbound]

takari w.i.p

hi! it’s been forever, i know, but i’ve just graduated college! i’ve been loosely working on a short takari fic centered around the language of flowers and such. i feel like hikari loves flowers and takeru loves giving them to her? it will have six little parts, but i only have the first two half-way finished.  anyways, here is a snippet (pls be gentle, i haven’t edited it yet): 

Five Times Takeru gave Hikari Flowers, and the One Time she Returned the Favor 

The Beginning

“You know, Takeru,” his mother began one day, a hot summer breeze floating through the window. Their new apartment was bare, her voice bouncing off the empty walls.  Takeru, legs dangling off of the kitchen counter, trailed his eyes on his mother as she meticulously arranged flowers into the perfect formation. “Every woman loves flowers.”  

The blond nodded, pretending to understand. Though he was a bright boy, there were many concepts he had yet to wrap his mind around. If only Yamato were here, Takeru thought.

Sensing her son’s disinterest, Takeru’s mother tried another approach. “Flowers have their own language.” Her fingers diligently arranged the blossoms, hesitating only to admire her son’s wide eyes/

“What do you mean, mommy? How can they talk if they don’t have mouths?” Takeru hopped down from his perch, cautiously approaching his mother’s newest bouquet. While a daisy was become victim to the young boy’s scrutinizing gaze, Nancy laughed. For a boy of only six, Takeru was very serious. “No, baby, they don’t have mouths.” Her giggles continued at her son’s disbelieving stare. “The different flowers have meanings, sweetheart.”

Takeru hesitated, eyeing the stem in between his fingers warily. “What about this one, then?” The once pristine white petals had dropped with the boy’s investigation. Nancy crouched beside Takeru, gingerly taking the blossom from his grasp. “Well, my love, daisies symbolize hope.”

-

Daisies – Innocence, Hope

Peonies –  Bashful, Happiness

Lilacs – Joy of Youth

Wood logs crackled underneath a flame, the glow illuminating the dirty faces of children. Takeru had hoped that finding the eighth Chosen would put the rest of the group at east but going home had caused more problems than he had thought. Yamato was upset, confused, and alone. Meanwhile, Takeru was sat between Taichi and Koushiro, enjoying the hum of the digital crickets.  Across from him was Sora, arm wrapped around a shivering Hikari. Gatomon set several feet away, diligently cleaning meat from fish bones.

The campfire chatter had dwindled into the faint snores of their Digimon partners, the air seeming heavy without his brother’s smooth harmonica music.  Koushiro and Taichi huddled around a laptop screen, discussing things in a series of whispers. Takeru stood up, stirring Patamon from his slumber. Picking his partner up in his arms, Takeru made his way towards the girls.

A breeze whistled through a field of flowers as Hikari gazed curiously at the boy with the green hat.

“Hi!” he said cheerfully, his toothy grin putting the younger girl at ease. “My name is Takeru. What’s yours?” A warmth spread to his cheeks. He already knew her name, hearing her brother scream for her during the battle with Myotismon, but that wasn’t the same as her telling him herself. His mother always told him that first impressions were the only impression a person gets. It was embarrassing to think that they had only known each other for two minutes before he burst into tears.

“I’m Hikari,” she answered simply, her dark eyes reflecting the dancing flames. He stood beside her, arranging Patamon comfortably on the ground once more.  A chilled breeze danced through the trees, stray flower petals dancing around their small group.

Hikari’s shoulders were tense, dark shadows emphasizing her eyes. Though she had only been with them for a day, she had witnessed the group at the absolute best and terrifying worst. Her entire body had been overtaken by a mysterious entity; her brother attacked by his best friend. Yet, her cheeks lacked any tear-tracks.

“You’re really brave, you know?” Takeru looked earnestly in her eyes. There would be no way he could stand in the face of an evil vampire, composed and fierce as she was.  Knees tucked close to her chest, Hikari looked small in the firelight. Dirt streaked her face, her hair knotted from her semi-possessed state. Her shoulders shrugged as if she didn’t believe him. “Well,” he continued “When I first came to the Digital World, all I did was cry. I was scared of everything. Even with Puppetmon, I was shaking like a leaf.” From the ground, Patamon nodded solemnly.

Fire crackled, bright ashes decorating the air like miniature fireworks. A voice, barely above the volume of a whisper, floated through his ears. “Why did you cry? Was it that terrible?” Hikari’s eyes remained focused on the campfire, but her body leaned in his direction.

“It wasn’t terrible at all! It was fun when we were all together; I think I was confused. My brother was with me for the first time in forever, but he was so angry. Then, monsters started attacking us and everything just got all jumbled. You didn’t even have time to prepare for any of this, but you had to fight the worst monster yet. You didn’t even cry! You’re like a Power Ranger or something.”

Hikari giggled, her eyes settling on Takeru’s face for a second. Flower petals had woven themselves through her knotted strands, giving Sora plenty to fret over. With the older girl focused on tidying up their newest member and Patamon snoring lightly, Takeru let his gaze wander to the stretch of land beside them. The field of flowers was untouched, stems standing proudly. Careful not to disturb his sleeping partner, Takeru made his way towards the blossoms. It had felt like an eternity had passed since he talked to his mother about the language of flowers, but he did his best to recall.

Waist deep in a field of fresh blooms, Takeru gathered the prettiest ones. Hikari’s eyes had followed his form, but he did not divert his attention. If his mother was right, all girls loved flowers, and he was sure Hikari would be no different. The flowers smelled sweet, their scent tousling his blond locks.

Though only a few minutes passed, the fire was low by the time he returned. Koushiro had tucked himself into a sleeping bag, laptop secured underneath his arm. Sora busied herself with cleaning up their mess. Fish bones and various twigs were tossed into the pit, the fire dancing in response. Taichi perched himself underneath a nearby tree, Agumon sitting faithfully beside him. Looking around, he found Hikari not far from her brother.

Hair combed, she looked almost peaceful as she stroked her partner’s fur. Gatomon had curled herself in Hikari’s lap, purring lightly as she slept. Takeru did his best to approach quietly, but as soon as he set foot into camp, Patamon raced towards him.

“Takeru, I thought v you were gone forever!”. In a flurry of orange wings, Takeru’s partner rested lightly on his hat. “Don’t be silly, Patamon! I would never leave you.”

“Why do you have all those flowers, Takeru?” Patamon’s voiced echoed in the quiet of the night. Hikari glanced up, giving them a brief smile before her amber eyes focused on his makeshift bouquet. A flush of heat settled into Takeru’s cheeks. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”

Hikari gazed up at him, eyebrows raised quizzically. With the confidence of an eight-year-old boy, Takeru thrusted the myriad of flowers towards her. “Surprise!” His grin was wide, toothy and disarming.

First the first time since he met her, Hikari smiled. For a fleeting moment, she was glowing. “They’re beautiful.” Though soft spoken, Takeru knew the words were genuine. The sparkle in her eyes told him more than her words ever could: his mother had been right.

Rubbing his sticky palms on him shorts, the blond plopped himself down beside his new friend.  Hikari ran her fingers through the peonies, taking a moment to sniff the lilac. A stray daisy landed on the toe of Takeru’s sneaker.

“Hey, Hikari,” he began, leaning over to pick up the blossom, “did you know that flowers have their own language?”

Her amber eyes tore themselves from her gift, lashes fluttering in confusion. “What do you mean?” Hikari’s voice was stronger than before, the corner of her lips twitching in an almost-smile. Patamon sleepily curled up in his partner’s lap.  The embers reflected in his wide, blue eyes. “Well, let me tell you what my mommy told me.”

-

Violets – Loyalty, Devotion, Faithfulness

Takeru could feel the table groan under the weight of his fist. He had been so careless! If he had only let Hikari go through the gate first, then-

“Takeru! Stop! Punching the desk won’t help bring Hikari back!” Daisuke’s breath was hot on his face, his presence far too close for comfort. It was too much, Daisuke was too much. It happened in a blur. Takeru’s fist tangled themselves in the fabric of Daisuke’s shirt, shoving him into a nearby chair. Metal screeched against the linoleum floor.

“You don’t know that! You don’t know her!” Takeru screamed. From somewhere beside him, Takeru barely registered Miyako’s gasp of fear. Iori cowered behind her, burying his face in the older girl’s dress. He was too angry to care. Hikari was alone in one of the most volatile parts of Digital World because of his negligence. Because of their negligence. All of them were to blame, yet the others didn’t seem perturbed.

Daisuke, body crumpled on the ground, gaped at Takeru from his huddle on the floor. His cinnamon hair was tousled, eyes rimmed in red. Maybe the blond had been too harsh on his friend. The beast of rage that seemingly possessed his body quieted. Guilt seeped into his stomach, forcing bile into his throat. Takeru’s hands tugged at his hair, a loud groan escaping his lips.

Miyako crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s nobody’s fault Hikari is lost. You need to quit punching your friends, Takeru. If Daisuke is indisposed, it will be harder to get her back.” Iori nodded in agreement, the tension too thick for him to speak. Takeru’s shoulders slumped in defeat. Miyako was right. The only way to ensure Hikari’s safety was if the boys work together,

A truce had to be called. Arm outstretched, the goggle-headed boy warily eyed Takeru’s hand before he finally accepted. Daisuke straightened his clothes, brushing off invisible dirt. “You know,” he began slowly, his eyes trailed on his sneakers, “I may not know Hikari as well as you do, but that doesn’t mean I’m not worried about her.” Takeru raised his arm, trying not to feel offended when Daisuke flinched. He rested his palm on the band of goggles, earning a smile that rivaled the brightness of the sun. “So, we have an understanding?”

With his hair tousled and eyes bright, Daisuke reminded Takeru of Taichi. The knots in his stomach seemed to unravel. “Of course.”

-

The walk back to Hikari’s apartment was silent, the crickets singing their sweet lullaby. Daisuke parted ways early on, Chibimon’s growling stomach becoming impossible to ignore. Takeru found his eyes trailed to the girl’s frail figure, anxious that she would find some other way to disappear on him.

Rescuing her had been simpler than either boy had thought. It had only taken minutes for their Digimon to break into the dome, swooping down like the awkward, preteen heroes they were. Hikari was unharmed, her smile nearly blinding Takeru from his perch on Pegasusmon. It seemed that she was able to care for herself, finding a reliable hiding spot until Miyako messaged her with their plan. All too soon, the three Chosen were gathered in a heap of limbs on the floor of the computer lab, exhausted after another adventure.

His lingering gaze must have been more obvious than he thought. No sooner than they had reached the bottom of her apartment complex, Hikari halted. “Takeru, you need to relax. I’m okay,” she insisted. She gestured to herself as if to say ‘Look at me! I’m all in one piece!’ The streetlights cast shadows underneath her eyes. Gatomon stirred in her partner’s arm, her fretful sleep causing Hikari’s eyebrows to knit together.

“It doesn’t change the fact that I should have been there.” Bitterness dripped from his words. The hairs on the nape of his neck stood on end as the brunette gazed at him. Takeru felt as if he were eight-years-old again, promising their leader that he would do everything in his power to protect Hikari. What would Taichi say when he found out he failed?

Lost in his thoughts, the blond startled as Hikari’s hand ghosted over his shoulder. “None of us should have been there, Takeru. I’m grateful that it was me instead of the others. Miyako is so rash, she would have gotten herself hurt. Daisuke would have done something reckless, and Iori would have frozen if there was any confrontation.”

In the dim glow of the streetlight, Takeru’s eyes found hers. She was right and he knew it. If any of them could handle being stranded in another world, it would be Hikari. Emotions clouded his gaze, the color shifting to a stormy gray. “I’ll make it up to you.” His voice was so resolute and firm that it left Hikari wondering just when the boy with the green hat had gotten so strong.

He started up the stairs, giving the brunette no choice but to follow. His steps only slowed when the pair reached the Yagami’s door. The front door was worn from a childhood well-lived, the nameplate crooked in the most endearing way. A small flowerbox sat just outside their kitchen windows and without much thought Takeru plucked one of the purple stems. Hikari raised an eyebrow at his antics, but any response died in her throat when she realized how close he was.

His breath fanned her face, ruffling the strands of hair that pulled themselves loose from her barrette. A corner of Takeru’s lip curled up into a smirk, tucked the end of the flower behind Hikari’s pink-tinged ear.

“Goodnight, Hikari. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He was gone before Hikari could reply, her mouth open in shock. What was that about?

[slyttherins]

A Jily wedding | Wolfstar

Summary: Slices of life leading up to Jily’s wedding

Pairing: Sirius Black x Remus Lupin / James Potter x Lily Evans

Word count: 2589

-

James, Sirius and Peter sat at a table at the Leaky Cauldron, drinking beers and celebrating James' last days as an unmarried man.

''I can't believe you're getting married. Married!''

James rolled his eyes and finished the last of his beer. ''Shut up, Pads.''

''I mean, who would've thought you'd end up marrying Evans. All those years of trying and failing to get her on a date finally gave something.''

On the other side of the table, Peter snickered, remembering how desperate James had always been for her during their years at Hogwarts. Someone will without a fail mention it during their speech at the wedding. There were so many good stories about James Potter's grand flirting techniques - and failures -, it would be a shame to not share some with their guests.

''Moony, where are our beers?'' James called out to him.

''Coming!'' he replied from the bar, only now receiving the tall glasses. ''You're getting the next round,'' he told Peter when he sat down.

Sirius wrapped an arm around his shoulders and toasted to James - again.

''I don't get it. How can you be so calm about this? You're getting fucking married in twelve days, Prongs!''

The closer they were to their wedding day, the less nervous James was - unlike Lily who was a nervous wreck, planning everything with his mother. Sometimes, she'd ask his opinion on things like cake toppers or flowers, but James always told her the same thing: I don't care, do what you please. To some, it could pass like he was behaving like an ass, but he truly didn't care whether there were white or blue or yellow flowers on the table-centers. To him, all that mattered was that his beautiful fiancé would become his wife at the end of the ceremony. That Lily Evans would become Lily Potter. The rest...was just confetti.

.

''Is Petunia coming?''

Remus Lupin knew nothing about weddings, but, unlike the other marauders, he was helpful. He had come to the Potters' to help Lily with some last minute preparations like the final seating chart and making sure everything was in order for next week - and she couldn't be more thankful.

Lily looked down. ''No. She...she isn't,'' she replied, feeling her eyes welled with tears.

Remus pursed his lips into a thin line, now regretting asking. ''I'm sorry.''

''She made her choice a long time ago. I don't know why I ever thought for a second that she'd send a positive RSVP...''

''She's your sister. You're allowed to be upset.''

''I thought she could make an exception for one day, for my big day, and put her hatred against the wizarding world aside, but I guess not.''

Family was a difficult subject for Lily Evans. Mainly her relationship with her sister, Petunia. They used to be very close, but her witch abilities put a strain between and their relationship had kept deteriorating until they became completely distant.

Two years ago, Lily - alongside James - had attended Petunia and Vernon's wedding. Although they hadn't talked the whole night, Lily saw this as a step into rekindling their relationship, but Petunia had proven wrong when she didn't return the favor and checked the RSVP as 'no' for Lily's wedding.

''My parents cannot make it to my wedding either. It's so sad to think that on my big day I won't have any family there to see me walk down the aisle. I don't even have someone to give me away to James-'' She pushed her face in her hands, more upset than she let on.

Remus' heart broke at the sight of a crying Lily, five days before her wedding. She didn't deserve this. She deserved a beautiful wedding with all of her loved ones in the attendance. A wedding filled with love and happiness.

He squeezed her forearm. ''You have me. I can be your family for one day.''

At Hogwarts, she and Remus had become best friends - much to James' jealousy. Their friendship wasn't to the marauders' level, but they were very close - thanks to being both prefects, and studying and potion partners.

If James were there, he'd add that they were both bookworms too.

Lily raised her head, the couple tears she had let slip now visible. ''You'd do that?''

Remus nodded. Yeah, he'd do that.

.

This morning, a letter had arrived from Madam Malkin announcing that their robes were finished being crafted and that the boys could come in and try them on in the afternoon.

The accent color of the wedding was a rich purple-y red color which somehow suited everyone. When Madam Malkin revealed the robes to the marauders, they were pleasantly surprised and excited to try them on.

Everyone's robes were different while being cohesive, just like their personalities. The base of the outfit was simple: white shirt and black trousers - except for Peter who was the ring bearer. James, as the groom, had a cloak, a vest - matching with his best man - and a bow tie. Instead of a bow tie, Sirius and Remus had matching ties. Remus also had suspenders instead of a vest because Lily prefered that for him - and, according to Sirius, he looked fine.

''How do I look?'' James asked, standing in front of the floor length mirror and perfecting the cloak over his shoulders.

''It looks nice. But, won't you get hot in this?'' Peter replied, slouched in one of the chairs, munching on some snacks and leaving crumbs on his nice dress shirt.

''Probably. I'm only wearing the cloak for the ceremony, though. Padfoot? Moony, what do you thi-'' James turned around and groaned, seeing the two kissing in the corner. ''Bloody hell, can you two not suck faces for ten minutes?''

At James' voice, Remus pulled away and looked down, sheepish. ''Sorry.'' His lips were slightly red and a piece of his hair was sticking up at the back.

Sirius, on the other hand, was unbothered and still staring at Remus as if he was some bone to munch on. ''If Evans hadn't put Moony in bloody suspenders and fit trousers, it wouldn't be an issue,'' he defended, taking a seat beside Peter. ''Have you seen his ass-''

''I don't want to hear it!'' James interrupted before Sirius could finish, raising his hands to cover his ears like a child.

Madam Malkin appeared in the fitting area. ''Everything alright here? I heard screaming.''

''All good, Madam Malkin,'' Remus replied politely with a small smile, hoping she hadn't noticed his burning cheeks.

Sirius looked smug and Peter was snickering in his seat, amused by the situation.

''If one of you tears or stain anything before the wedding, you'll be paying for the repairs,'' James warned them - Peter included.

.

One week before the wedding, James did the unthinkable and walked in on Lily trying on her dress. It wasn't intentional - he didn't even know she was home -, but Mrs. Potter had shooed him out of the room quickly, screaming that it was bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding.

''I didn't even see the dress!'' he promised from the other side of the door. ''But, just so you know, I'd still marry you if you were wearing a pillow case.''

Lily had laughed. She was going to marry that idiot. ''And you better have a dress robes when I see you at the altar, Potter.''

.

''So...who's next?''

''Next what?'' Remus asked, confused.

''Who's the next marauder to tie the knot?''

''Well, Peter. But I suggest you take a seat because that's not happening for a long time. Have you seen him flirt with Dorcas? He can't even pick up that she isn't interested in boys!''

They both bursted laughing.

''It must be you, then.''

Remus choked on his tea, almost spittering it all on himself. ''You know Sirius and I can't get married, Evans.''

''Not now, obviously.''

''Even if we could, marriage isn't Sirius and I's deal. We love each other very much, but have no intention on getting married - ever.''

Although it could sound nice to call Sirius his husband, Sirius' view on marriage had been heavily tainted because of his family and blood purity obsession. In the Noble House of Black, you didn't marry out of love, but to keep the bloodline pure. Toujour pur.

A few years ago, his parents had even tried to force him into marrying his cousin, Narcissa. Sirius had found it morally disgusting and was very thankful when Narcissa married Lucius Malfoy.

''He might changed his mind for you.''

.

''How was your afternoon with Lily? Has she gone all bridezilla yet?'' Sirius asked when he heard the door of his and Remus' shared flat open and close.

Remus chuckled as he removed his boots. ''Surprisingly, no. She'd have all the reasons to, though. She received some last minute RSVPs and has nowhere to place them on the seating chart, the florists got the wrong colors for the arrangements and the Ceremony Official mixed up his dates and Lily and James' date isn't available anymore,'' he explained. ''If I were her, I'd be crying on the floor - but don't tell her that.''

Sirius laughed and went around the counter to greet Remus properly, abandoning the sandwich he was making himself. ''Your secret's safe with me, love.'' He kissed Remus who scrunched his nose, smelling a mix of exhaust and leather on his boyfriend.

''You've taken out the motorcycle?''

''Yeah. I went on a ride with Prongs. We came up with a genius idea to drive him to the altar on my motorcycle, but there's very small chances Lily will let us.''

''With reason.''

Much like Remus, Lily wasn't a fan of that motorcycle. Motorcycles itself were dangerous and had a high risk of fatalities, but Sirius' was huge and fast and could fly, which made it ten times more dangerous. Plus, James and Sirius were very reckless on that motorcycle and had once been chased by muggle authorities.

.

The ceremony went on smoothly - if you don't count Peter almost dropping the rings. James had shed a few tears when he saw Lily in her white dress and Lily didn't forget her vows, which she had been nervous about. Her memory wasn't the best under stress.

After saying 'I do', everyone had moved to the magically enlarged ball room for the reception. As expected, the place was beautiful. Rich purple-y red and white flower arrangements, chic drapes, floating lights and a massive cake.

Like expected, Sirius had filled his best man speech with embarrassing anecdotes of the couple - mainly on James' end. He did tease a bit Lily too - otherwise it wouldn't have been fair -, but he was harder on James, as expected. The guests had laughed and James was embarrassed, which was all Sirius wanted.

''You just wait for payback on your wedding day, Padfoot,'' James threatened as they shared a shoulder hug.

.

Lily might not have gone all bridezilla on her wedding planning, but she insisted on handing her guests a list of rules for the night. There weren't too many and they were simple and basic. No pranks. No gorging yourselves at the buffet table. No exhibitionism. No drunken speeches. No getting so wasted you can't walk. No white for the women attending.

Some were specifically hinted toward one or more people, but she figured that all their guests could use those rules.

Lily had joined Remus at a table as the guests danced to rest her sore feet. She had charmed her shoes before putting them on so they wouldn't hurt her feet from wearing them all night, but the charm must've worn out by now.

''Mrs. Potter,'' Remus greeted, nodding his head.

The redhead chuckled and took a sip of her champagne. ''That's me.''

''You look beautiful, Lily. Radiant.''

''I can't believe I'm married, Remus. Married! This is insane.'' She smiled and took another sip.

A few feet from them, Sirius' shirt was halfway unbuttoned and his tie was undone as he danced with James, a drink in his left hand. His hair was pulled into a messy half-up, too hot to let them down fully, and Remus watched with discouragement and endearment. They looked ridiculous.

''Seeing this makes me regret what I just willingly signed up for.''

Remus laughed. ''Worry not, we're in this together.''

''They look like idiots.''

They laughed and James held on to Sirius who's drink tilted and almost made a mess. Sirius brought it up to his lips and kept on dancing with his best friend.

''You think Sirius will make it till the end of the night? How many drinks has he had?''

At this moment, Sirius tripped on his own foot, making him vacillate and almost falling. More than he should've.

''I'll handle him,'' Remus assured.

.

When Remus decided it was enough, he pried Sirius from the room and led him to one of the couches in a secluded part of the ball room to - hopefully - sober up before going home.

Lily had offered them a sobering potion, but Remus had declined it, knowing Sirius would be annoyed and want to drink more after - which he really shouldn't if he doesn't want to get alcohol poisoning. It wasn't his first time dealing with a drunk Sirius - and he didn't really mind. He was easy enough to manage.

Sirius' head rested against the high armrest of the couch, sprawled like his bones had been replaced with jelly. Drunk and dazed, he reached out for his boyfriend and dragged him down with him, making Remus squeal in surprise.

Sirius took hold of his hand and brought it to his face and leaned into it as Remus sat on his lap.

''Where's your tie?'' Remus asked, not seeing the silky strip around his neck.

Sirius looked down and shrugged, only now noticing that it was in fact not there anymore. He shrugged, not caring much about the lost tie. It's not like he had planned to wear it again.

''You're very drunk.''

''And you're very pretty.'' Sirius wrapped his arms around Remus' neck and started kissing his jaw lovingly and drunkenly. ''I love you, Moony.''

In his last stage of drunkenness, Sirius Black was a needy and affectionate drunk - before blacking out, that is. Once he was past the goofing with James stage, he was the neediest person, wanting nothing else than to hug, cuddle and kiss everybody he knew - especially Remus.

He'd look around the room, searching for Remus just so he could wrap his arms around him and kiss his face and flirt with him. To love and be loved in return. It was all a drunk Sirius wanted - needed.

Remus tried to resist Sirius' kissing and pulled away, insisting on keeping his promise to Lily and following her wedding rules. He looked down at the raven haired wizard, seeing clearly how much of a mess he looked with pieces of hair were falling into his heavy eyes, a soft smile across his lips and the smooth skin of his chest on display from his half buttoned shirt.

''Shall we go home?'' Remus took a piece of Sirius' hair and twirled it around his fingers.

Sirius shook his head in protest, feeling the effects of alcohol dissipate a little. ''Wanna stay a little more,'' he said...only to change his mind less than a minute later, which made Remus laugh.

''Let's go say goodbye to the newlyweds, first.'' Remus helped him get up from the couch and walked back to the party area.

[sherrybaby14]

Gang Bang

Pairings:  The Avengers x you (Tony, Steve, Bucky, Thor, Sam)

Warnings:  Smut, orgy

Summary:  The title pretty much says it all.

Words:  2600

A/N:  Dedicated to the lovely ladies on the discord.  *kisses*

The night started out fun, just hanging out in the common room with your fellow Avengers.  Thor was in town.  Always a time for celebration.   But the night was starting to dwindle and now only six of you remained:  Tony, Steve, Bucky, Sam, and Thor.  The guest of honor.  

“Let’s play truth or dare?”  Tony was sprawled out on the carpet.  

“How old are we?”  Steve scoffed.  

“Well, you are very old.”  Tony laughed.  “Why not live a little?  I’ll start with you.  Truth or Dare Captain?”  

“Truth.”  Steve folded his arms on the couch.  

“Do you want to fuck the gal?”  Tony nodded toward you.  

“Woah Stark!” Bucky sat up.  “A little out of line.”  

“Well I see the way he’s always flirting with her.  Thought we should get it out in the open.”  Tony raised his eyebrows.  

You looked at Steve.  Interested in the answer.  You’d thought about fucking him, hell you’d thought about fucking all of them.  

“Dare.”  Steve shook his head.  

“Not how the game works.”  Tony was grinning.  “I’d say that’s a yes.”  

“I would like to have sexual intercourse with her as well.”  Thor smiled up at you.  

Woah.  Your night just got a lot more interesting.  Could you handle an Asgardian?  You were about to join the conversation that was happening as if you weren’t in the room when Sam chimed in.  

“You can’t just say those things man.”  He took a sip of his drink.  “That’s not how it’s done around here.  Apologize!”

“Do I need to apologize?”  Thor looked you right in the eye.  “You don’t seem upset.  Humans should be more direct.  Let’s go around the room.  Who wants to sleep with her?”  

Tony raised his hand first.  You bit back the squeal as your eyes flashed.

“Aw, hell.”  Bucky raised his too.  “You’re really hot.”  

Best. Night. Ever.  

“I’ve thought about it too.”  Sam shook his head.  “I mean, look at you.”

Like that, your brain about dropped out of your body.   All eyes went to Steve.

“Yes.  I would like to make love to her.”  He rolled his eyes.  “Happy?  Now you know, we all want you.”  

Everyone’s attention turned to you.  There was no thinking.  You were going on auto-pilot.  Not wasting this opportunity.  

“Truth or Dare?”  You stood up from the chair.  

“Who are you asking?”  Tony popped up.  

“All of you.”  Your eyes scanned the room.  “Truth or Dare?”

The men looked at each other and shrugged.  You nodded your head and waved your arms.  

“Dare.”  Tony took the lead.  

“I dare you all, to strip.”  A smiled crossed your face.  

The tension in the air thickened.  You saw some hesitation on Sam’s face, shock on Bucky’s and confusion on Steve’s.   But then Thor stepped forward.

“Easy.”  He pulled off his shirt, muscles rippling.  

“You’re not the only one hitting the gym.”  Tony followed, and his chest looked just as delicious.  

“I’m no chicken.”  Sam stepped forward and joined the other men.  

“Not about to let Sam show me up.” Beautiful Bucky stripped down with the rest of them.  

You looked at Steve.  He was waffling.  You gave him a pouty look.  

“Alright.”  He darted over, his hands pulling off his shirt first.  

The view in front of you was amazing.  They were all in different stages of undress.  Kicked off socks and shoes, undoing belts.  Sliding down pants and boxers.   You could not believe this was happening.  

Thor was nude first.  And he was standing hard and proud.   Your jaw dropped at the sight of him.  

“Impressive?” He liked your eyes on him.  

“You’re not the only one with a giant cock.”  Sam drew your attention.  

“Holy shit.”  You didn’t mean to say that out loud and covered your mouth.  

“I may be the shortest in height, but I make up for it in other areas.”  Tony exposed himself now.  

It was impossible to tell whose was larger, because they were all so big.  The biggest you’d ever seen.   A tremble went through you when Bucky and Steve caught up.   Five wonderful large cocks.  All for you.  

“It’s our turn now Princess.”  Tony raised his eyebrows.  “Truth or Dare?”  

“Truth.”  You anticipated the question and walked forward.

The naked men formed a small circle around you.   They were all about an arms length away from you and you turned, taking them all in.  

“What do you want us to do?  Now that we’re naked?”  Tony, always in charge.  Well not tonight.  

“I want you to FUCK me.”  

That was it.  All of them came barreling forward.  You went limp as ten hands were on your body, tugging and fighting over who got to remove your clothing.   Your pants were gone, shirt vanished.  Shoes and socks removed at the same speed your bra was unclasped and panties removed.  

“Oh my God, you’re all so fucking hot.”  Hands were groping your body everywhere.  

Your breasts were being kneaded, nipples pinch, a finger rubbing your clit, one sliding inside of your pussy and another prodding at your ass.  Hands were on your hips, shoulders, stomach.  Every part of you was being touched.  

Hands weren’t the only thing in use.  Kisses were running up your back, your wrists were being licked, your neck sucked.   You were already floating with want.  A hand was on your chin and your head was tilted.

Bucky.  He pressed his lips to yours and you let out a groan. He was the only known at the moment, his tongue dancing with yours.  Who was fingering you?  Who was working their finger into your behind?  Did you care?  Did it matter?  They were all so hot.  

You moaned into Bucky’s mouth.  Different parts of your body receiving the same amount of pleasure at the same time.   A tongue flickered against your nipple and you stole a glance, to see the top of Sam’s head as he teased your bud.  Then Steve moved for your other.  Both nipples being teased into hard pebbles at the same time.  You were dying.  

“You’re so fucking hot.”  Tony was at your back.  You imagined it was his finger working it’s way past your resistance into your back passage.  “Let us take care of you.”  

“Such good care.”  Thor’s voice was like a rumble.  

You didn’t know where he was, but then felt a tongue run up your slit.   Your knees gave out, but they were all supporting you.   He started to tease your clit.  You moaned as he sucked.  It felt amazing, but then Steve bit down on your nipple making you squeal.  

“Fuck.”  You broke the kiss with Bucky.  “My body…I can’t keep up.”

So much attention on all your spots as the same time.  Fingers in your pussy and ass, mouths on your chest and pussy.  Kisses being placed on your back, and Bucky now at your neck.  

“Don’t try.”  Tony spoke as he licked your back.  “Just give up.”  

With that you came undone.  It was impossible to tell what set off the orgasm.  Too much was happening to you.  

“Oh she tastes exquisite.”  Thor purred against you.

“First of many tonight Darling.”  Sam kissed his way up to your clavicle.  

“All about you.”  Steve joined him.

Hands were on your shoulders, pushing you down.  You were incapable of supporting yourself anyway and let them lower you to the floor, the finger still buried in your ass.  

Through the hands, you couldn’t see much, but you felt it.  A cock at your pussy.  You looked down to see Thor through the knees of the others.  He was laying on the floor and you were being placed on him.  

“Fuck.”  You couldn’t think at all as your were impaled.  

“She is tight.”  Thor grunted.  “Push her down harder.”  

Before you could object a squeak left your lips as the others did what they were told.   You stretched around him, struggling to take it all.  

“That’s it.”  Thor’s fingers found your hips and he pulled you down.  

You moaned as he filled you to the hilt, the tip of his cock poking at your cervix with a pinch.  Thor guided you, moving you up and forward.   You let out a mewl and arched your back.  

“I think she needs her mouth occupied.”  A hand was on your chin.  You tilted your head to see Steve’s cock inches from your face.

It looked glorious and you were dying for a taste.  As you parted your lips hands enveloped your breasts again, tugging and tease your stiff peaks.   Before you could moan Steve pushed inside.   Your tongue flicked up his shaft as you tried to gather enough saliva to take him all the way.  

“Make her hum.”  Steve’s voice meant order.  

Your clit started to receive attention, from who? You had no idea.  His velvet flesh felt amazing on your tongue, and Thor in your pussy, the hands on your body?  Perfection.  This was heaven.  

Right when you had that thought a second finger joined the one still buried in your ass.  You tensed.

“Shhhh.”  Tony was at you ear, a hand pet your head and urged you further down Steve.  “Relax.  Don’t worry about a thing.”  

You did as you were told, unclenching the muscles.  There was lubricant twisting inside of you.  

“That’s it.”  Tony kissed your neck. “What a good girl.”  

The praise almost sent you over the edge.  You arched your back, pushing your ass up as Tony started to scissor your rear, readying you for a deeper penetration.  It burned.  It stretched.  It was just what you needed.  

The hand guiding your head started to speed up and you started to gurgle.  Taking Steve deeper and faster, pushing past your gag reflex to really taste all of him.  The hands on your chest pinching even harder, Thor rocking your hips with vigor.  

You felt it coming.  Your body was ready for another.  You started to moan around Steve’s cock.

“Oh that’s it.”  Steve grunted.  “What a hum.”  

Your eyes rolled back into your head as your body shook in total control of itself.  The pleasure was indescribable.  

“Beautiful.  Fucking beautiful.”  Thor let out a moan and lifted his hips, pulling you down harder on him.  

Tears stung your eyes.  Not from the pain, but from the ecstasy in your veins.  That’s when you felt it.  Tony’ straddling Thor’s legs his cock pressed against your asshole.  

The shaking started again, but this was a different variety.  

“Don’t be afraid.”  There was a kiss on your neck.  “It will only hurt for a minute.”

You relaxed.  You could do this.  You could handle all of them.  Tony pushed in.  Tight was an understatement.  You were bursting with cock.

You would have screamed, but Steve was still enjoying your mouth, drool feeling dripping down your chin.  

“That’s it.”  Tony pushed in further, stretching you.  “You’re doing so well.”  

You whimpered and shut your eyes.  You could feel Thor’s cock against Tony’s in the thin skin between your holes.  It was incredible.  

“Almost there.”  Tony kissed your neck.  

It was agony and ecstasy at the same time.  You were doing this.  With them.  You were getting the love and affection and attention you needed.  No, deserved.  It was worth the burn and sting.  

“Perfect.”  Tony’s pelvis butted up to your ass.  “So tight.  So wonderful. So good.”  

The hands on your chest left.  The new position had your clit pressed firmly against Thor and he started to rock you again.  Slow, quick.  The friction sending you overboard.  

A hand grabbed each of your wrists.  You tried to move your head as both of your palms were filled with lotion.  Then your hands were guided to cocks.  

Fuck.  Both Sam and Bucky gripped your wrists.  You jerked them, letting them set the pace.  

“You are a sight.”  Bucky grunted.  “This is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”  

There you were.  Shoved full of cock in every possible way.  You’d never felt more fulfilled in your life.  

Thor and Tony began thrusting, moving you, sharing you as your hips bucked between them.  One going deeper as the other pulled out.  Your mouth was still filled with Steve and a hand was back to guiding your head.  Sam and Bucky were on either side of you, using you to stroke them.  

It was too much.  Your orgasm was coming again.  This one was different.  It was going to crash hard.  You didn’t know if you were looking forward to it or terrified of it, but you knew one thing.  There was nothing you could do to stop it.  

“You feel amazing Darling.”  Thor dug his fingers deeper into your hips.  

“You were made for this.”  Tony grunted.

“Taking us all this way.”  Sam cooed.  “What a fucking angel.”  

You started to cry.  You were incapable of controlling any part of your body.  The way they were giving you affection while you were doing this was too much for your brain to handle.  It was too hot, being wanted this way.  Pleasured by five men.  

The coil got tighter and tighter.  Your thighs started to shake.  You were getting too wound up.  Overstimulated.  The Orgasm was being damned.  You needed your relief.  It was becoming tortuous.  

“Fall.”  Steve rubbed your head.  “Just fall.”  

You looked up at him through blurry eyes. It was an order.  You let go.  And they went to town.  Tony and Thor slamming into your with tandem, Steve pushing your mouth further down.  Sam and Bucky squeezing your wrists and using your hands faster.  

And then it happened the coil.  It exploded.  You made a guttural, unearthly noise as your body took off.  It was electric.  You didn’t see stars because you didn’t vision.  The only sense at your disposal was pleasure.  And it felt better than anything.  

~~ You’d lost track of who you had taken in what orifice.  They passed you around like a doll.  A good doll.  One deserving of this special treatment.  You were filled to the brim with cum and cock by the end of the night.  

The last finish, left you a mess.  You were laying on the floor.  Unsure if it had stopped.  Weak and crying.  Not sure if it was because you were sad it was over or your body couldn’t handle any more.  You’d been pushed to your limits.

“One last show for you Doll.”  You looked up with hazy eyes.

All five of them were around you, standing.  Looking down at you as they stroked themselves.  Steve was dripping with precum.  You opened your mouth, wishing you had the energy to push yourself up and lick it.  

“It’s coming for you.”  Steve winked.

“We’re all coming for you.”  Sam nodded.  

You realized what was about to happen and let out a moan.  

“First.”  Thor grunted. “Always first.”

His warm cream hit your chest.  Why was this turning you on more?

“It’s not a race.”  Sam aimed and hit you in the cheek.  

You dragged your fingers through it, scooping it into your mouth.  

“Oh fuck that’s hot.”  That was all it took for Bucky.  

His landed across your stomach.  You ran your hand through it, smearing his jizz into your skin.

“Open up.”  Steve was pointed at you.

You parted your lips.  He didn’t miss.  You dragged your tongue across to get the little fly aways as you swallowed him down.

“Best for last!”  Tony’s cum splashed across your chest.  

Your body was vibrating with aftershocks.  But part of you wasn’t certain you hadn’t came again.  The way they were owning you.  Declaring you as yours.  This was perfect.  This was where you belonged.  This was your truth.  

[toloveawarlord]

Black Army Mischief Maker (Ch. 4)

You can find my masterlist in my bio!

Characters: Finley Godspeed, Sirius Oswald, Ray Blackwell, Kyle Ash, Fenrir Godspeed, Dalim Tweedle

Tagging: @plumpblueberry​ @christmaswarlock​ @starry-starry-night24​ @youreawizardharr​ @thetwinkims​

A/N: Finley is back!

No sooner had the mysterious new woman arrived, she was gone. A soldier reported that Alice had been detained by the Red Army. The young Godspeed sported a frown as she tilted the watering can forward to dampen the soil of the plants.

“You’ll drown that poor tulip.” Sirius’s voice snapped the girl out of daze. He smiled softly as she yanked the can upright and bent down to spread around the sopping soil. “What’s with that disappointed expression?”

Finley lifted her mud-caked hand and wiggled her fingers to let drops of the dirt fall. A whine passed her lips. “It’s not fair. Alice only just got here and now she’s gone. We had a big party and everything. The Red Army shouldn’t have stolen her away with their fancy foods that are hard to pronounce and my adorable Eden.”

The Queen of Spades chuckled at her. It came as no surprise that she brought in the Jack of Heart’s daughter to the conversation. She was quite smitten with the little lady. “We’ll get her back here where she belongs.” Who knew what kind of danger awaited Alice at the hands of the proud Red Army?

“Hey, Fin, wanna tag along to the hideout?” Ray asked, not sporting his usual army attire. He’d been watching her out of the office window with that sad expression on her features. A trip out would be good for the both of them.

Finley held her hands out to Sirius, letting him pour water from the can to clean them. “Yeah, I wanna go. It might make me feel better.” Her sluggish steps showing how down she was. “Whoa-”

Ray spun her around before plucking the girl up and placing her on his shoulders. Her hands settled on his head, lacing through raven locks. “I know you’re upset about Alice, but we’ll see her again really soon.”

His words didn’t lift her mood. The whole walk to Central Quarter was in a comfortable silence. She needed some time to process all those emotions. In the alley, all the cats were waiting.

“They’re so soft... like Alice.” Finley sighed heavily, practically covered in cats. They all vied for her attention, purring and meowing as they rubbed against her body when her hands were occupied.

It wasn’t strange for the young Godspeed to get attached to someone so quickly, but this was something else entirely. Maybe a little bit of jealousy that she didn’t understand as such. “How about we go eat our feelings?” Ray suggested, patting her on the head as he cradled a white cat in his arms.

“Okay!” Finley jumped up, startling the cats that scattered in various directions.

The pair went to every cafe and food stall that they could, snacking on savory and sweet items, drinking more hot chocolate than one should in a single outing. A stall owner called to Ray, having a complaint that he believed only the King of Spades could remedy.

To the girl, it seemed like it would take a while... long enough to visit one nearby building.

When the sun went down, this establishment got quite lively. Finley didn’t sneak in here often, unless it was before opening, but on occasion, she disregarded all the rules. Eyes followed her, some already intoxicated enough that they believed they must be hallucinating.

A towel fell over her head. “You can’t be here, kid.”

“Hey!” Finley protested, balling it up and tossing it back to Dum, who leaned over the counter to catch it. “Is Kyle here yet?”

The bar owner found it odd that she’d come here in search of the Red Army doctor, but he noted that she wasn’t as perky as usual. “If I show you where he is, will you leave?” He didn’t mind her visits, but not when he had patrons, many of whom were uncomfortable with a child in the building.

“I promise! I just need to see him.” 

It must be important, he imagined. Normally, she’d be playful and be begging for free food. Leaving the bar counter, he made a path through the crowd to a table near the back. “You have a visitor.” At least the good doctor wasn’t totally drunk yet. “Five minutes and then you’re out, kid.”

“You’re the Ace of Spades daughter, uh, Finley, right?” Kyle had bumped into her a hand full of times with a certain Cheshire Cat, and Eden talked about her often when she was in the infirmary.

“Yeah, I am.” Awkwardly, the girl climbed onto the stool beside him and managed not to fall off. He’d treated her a few times for scrapes and bruises, but she always knew he worked for the army. “Does Alice really want to stay away from us?”

What a question. He couldn’t possibly give her the real reason, otherwise it would undo Lancelot’s plan. Plus, he wasn’t sure how she would react. “I think Alice is going to... uh-- help us-- with some stuff.” He struggled to put a coherent sentence together.

“Oh.”

Kyle internally groaned at her pitiful expression. He was not good with upset kids, always throwing them back to their parent to deal with the crying and the moodiness. Downing a gulp of beer to calm his nerves, he thankfully didn’t have to continue to lie to her.

“Hey, bug. It’s time to go home,” Fenrir said, accompanied by Kyle’s typical drinking buddies. He crouched by the stool, brushing his hand through her short hair.

“Okay.” She didn’t argue, climbing down and taking her dad’s hand. They only made it a few steps when she stopped, turning back to the Seven of Hearts. “Tell Alice I miss her, and... she has to come visit soon.”

After he’d agreed, the pair left the bar and returned to headquarters. Bathed and dressed in her pajamas, Finley sat on Fenrir’s bed, absentmindedly petting ShuShu and humming a lullaby.

“Ya gonna sleep with me, bug?” He chuckled as her body rocked slightly as she fought falling asleep. Although she hadn’t done a lot today, he imagined her disappointment of Alice leaving had taken a toll on her. Even the girl knew something about it wasn’t right, but she couldn’t figure out what.

But no one would tell her. War with Reds hadn’t been announced yet, and it would only upset her more. Finley could befriend anyone, and she adored many of the Red Army officers.

Finley wiggled under the covers until she’d successfully cuddled up against him, rubbing her forehead against his chest. “Why did Alice leave without saying goodbye?”

“I heard that she ran into some trouble and the Jack of Hearts helped her out. She didn’t have time to come back with the bad men after her. I’m sure she’ll write ya a letter when she gets settled.” Fenrir knew that she wouldn’t get one. It’d be unlikely that any correspondence from Alice would actually be from her.

“But Ray promised that we’d protect her.”

Fenrir rubbed her back, soothing her to fall asleep. He wished he had an answer that she would understand, but that would require breaking her fantasies about the Red Army.

But with war already declared, it was only a matter of time.

[ilovecookies576]

I Met You In A Forest Chapter 3

Here is chapter three and I hope you guys enjoy.

Summary: after two months Luna and kumi finally gets to meet shino’s friends but first they have to get along with them.

Disclaimer: I don’t not own naruto I only own Luna and kumi

It was the afternoon and naruto and the others were following shino into the forest “Shino where are you taking us?” Asked ino but shino didn’t respond instead just kept walking. “Come on shino! Just tell us we’ve been walking for 20 minutes already!” Whined tenten but then shino stopped walking and so did everyone else “are you ok shino?” Asked hinata as shino took two steps forward and got tackled. “Shino!” Yelled kiba but froze when the person that tackled shino started to laugh. Everyone was frozen and silent until someone else had jumped down from a tree and picked up shino “hey shorty!” Said the mysterious person “h-hey! Come on put me down! Not in front of my friends!” Shino said as he whined a bit. “Your friends are with you?” They said while putting him down as shino nodded his head and pointed to his friends. As the mysterious person turned around to see all of shino’s friends giving them the death stare “wait! You are the person that kidnapped shino!” Said naruto with a angry look. Everyone was ready to attack them when the mysterious person spoke “oh I’m sorry let me introduce myself!” They said as they took of the hood of their cloak “I’m Luna Kisangani and this is my little brother Kumi Kisangani” she said as she walked closer to them but akamaru stopped her in her tracks and started to growl at her before she stuck out her hand for him to smell her. As he sniffed her he stood there in shock and then jumped into kiba’s jacket “hey what’s wrong akamaru?” Said kiba as akamaru poked his head out of his jacket.

“Oh! I’m sorry! Please don’t be frightened! I mean no harm!” Said Luna as she took off her cloak. Her hair went all they way down to her waist and it was red and a light blue. She had on some blue jeans and then her sandals as she sat down on her knees and held out her hand again and so akamaru came out of kiba’s jacket and sniff her hand again but this time akamaru rested his head on her hand as she used her other hand to softly rub his back. Akamaru barked four times and then went onto Luna’s lap and laid down “akamaru huh? That’s a sweet name for a little pup like you” she said as she rubbed his back. Everyone was in shock until kiba said something “Akamaru! Get away from her!” Said kiba until Luna said something again. “Your name was kiba right?” Said Luna looking up at him “yeah and what’s it to ya?” He said with a angry look “that’s a sweet name for a little pup” she said while giggling a little and if you listen closely you can hear a few more people giggling as well “why you little!” He said while blushing a little bit “what? Is the little puppy upset?” She said with a smug look “who are you calling little!?” He said angrily but when he said that Luna had stood up and little did kiba know he was shorter then her. Kiba was five feet and some inches while Luna was six feet and some inches. Kiba was speechless for a minute then Luna spoke “what’s wrong shorty?” She said while looking down at him as she used her hand to pet his head and used the other to hold akamaru “stop calling me that!” He said while blushing as Luna stopped petting his head and walked over to naruto “i’m going to guess that you’re name is naruto right?” she said while naruto nodded his head.

After a while of getting to know everyone they started chatting about things but kiba was still angry about being called short. “What’s wrong kiba?” Said Luna as she sat next to him “it’s nothing” said kiba with his arms crossed “come on kiba lighten up” Said Luna as she put her arm around his neck “I said it’s nothing” said kiba closing his eyes but soon he felt his hood being pulled of. “H-hey! What was that for!?” He said while unfolding his arms “just stay still shorty” she said as she started to scratch the back of his head. Kiba started to calm down and closed his eyes and smiled a bit “are you calm now shorty?” Said Luna with a smile “mhm” he said as he started purring. Everyone stopped talking for a second and looked at kiba and Luna “kiba?” Said hinata in a soft voice “hmm?” He said in response and opening one eye to look at her “kiba are you purring?” Said naruto as he started to laugh a bit. A few seconds pasted before he realized what naruto had said as he jumped up and his face turned the same color of the marks on his face as he covered his face in embarrassment. Everyone but shino was laughing “how would you like it if you were to look like a softy!” Said kiba still embarrassed “yeah right! I would never look like that!” Said naruto teasing kiba “then let’s test that statement” said Luna as walked over to naruto and sat beside him. As she started to scratch the back of his head he started to feel relaxed and close his eyes like kiba did.

A few minutes later it was neji’s turn and as Luna started he was already relaxed “this is enjoyable” Said neji with a small smile. “Hey do you guys play a game?” “Sure why not?” As everyone stood up “well then… tag! Your it!” Said kumi as he tapped choji and ran “oh! So we’re playing this game? Well then you guys better start running!” Said choji as everyone but neji started to run away as choji started to run after them. As they were playing lee noticed neji was not playing so Lee called out to him “come on neji! Play with us!” Said lee with a smile “I’m not going to play a children’s game” he said as he crossed his arms “what? Are you to slow to catch us?” “Slow poke!” Teased naruto and lee. Neji turned to see shikamaru standing next to him “hey neji guess what” “what?” As shikamaru tapped him on his arm and said “your it” and walked away from him. Neji closed his eyes and looked down and said “you guys better start running!” As he started running after them as everyone screamed and ran off.

They played for hours and now they were all laing underneath the stars and talking about different stars. “I’ve hadn’t had that much fun in a while!” Said shikamaru “Well guys we should head home” “hey why not spend a night under the stars?” Said naruto “I don’t see why not” “sure!” “Alright” as everyone agreed and continued to look at the stars. One by one everyone fell asleep underneath the dark sky.

The next day everyone was still asleep while Luna went to a nearby pond to wash her hair a little bit. After a while the others woke up “good morning everyone!” Said Luna as she tidied her hair into a ponytail “good morning Luna” said kiba as he rubbed his eyes “well we should get back to the village” said sakura as she stood up. “But I’m still tried” “me to” whined kiba and naruto “well then I don’t mind carrying you two! Hop on my back naruto!” Said Luna as she picked up kiba while naruto got onto her back. As they walked into the village they were told the hokage wanted to see them right away so as they walked into the hokage’s office lady tsunade was waiting for them “you kids have some explaining to do” she said while crossing her arms and walked around her desk and opened her eyes to look at the kids but soon noticed two of them was unfamiliar “and who are you two?” She said as she walked up to Luna and kumi “I’m Luna Kisangani and this is my little brother Kumi Kisangani it’s nice to meet you ms. hokage-sama!” Said Luna with a smile “well nice to meet you to and where is naruto?” Said lady tsunade as she looked around the room for naruto “oh he’s right here” Said Luna as she turned to the side to show naruto sleeping peacefully on her back. As lady tsunade looked at naruto she smiled and patted his head and walked back to her desk and sat down in her chair “well I just wanted to know if you kids were ok you are now dismissed” she said as the kids started to walk out of her office.

As the kids walked through the village they decided to go to kiba’s house because they did have to take the sleepyhead home and they should ask to stay the night because they didn’t want to take naruto back to his apartment so he can wake up all alone. So as they knocked on the door kiba’s mom opened it “oh hey kids! What do you need?” She said with a smile “well can we stay for the night? Please?” Said Luna as she walked to the front to show kiba in her arms. “Oh you found kiba! Of course you can stay the night!” She said as she lead them into the house. “Thank you for finding him and his room is right upstairs to the left” she said with a smile “ok thank you mrs. inuzaka!” Said Luna as they opened the door to kiba’s room. When they entered his room Luna took off kiba and naruto’s shoes and put them at the door next she unzipped kiba’s jacket and hung it inside his closet last she took off their headbands and put them on the dresser. As she slowly put kiba on his bed she pulled up the covers up to his shoulders then leaned down to kiss him on his forehead and whisper “sleep tight little puppy” as she sat down on the bed and rapped her cloak around naruto and kissed him on his forehead and held him as he slept in her lap peacefully.

Later on everyone had went downstairs but Luna had stayed upstairs with naruto, kiba, and akamaru. As they all lay asleep kiba started whimpering as Luna turned to look at him his face showed fear so she reached her hand out to rub his head a little. As he started to calm down Luna rapped her arm around naruto again and started to hum a melody.

That’s the end to chapter three I hope you guys enjoyed and have a great day!!

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Smalltown Bringdown 4

Warnings: blood, violence, noncon (fingering).

This is dark!biker!Bucky and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: Bucky takes you for a ride.

Note: Okay so it took me a while to finish this one in terms of organizing my ideas and maybe I just think about this stuff too much lol. But it is a little longer than the last two chapters. Now I’m thinking part 5 will be the last but as it happens so often, this story might be slipping beyond by restraints lol. But anyway, enjoy. To those who take the time to read, thank you. Love you guys!

Please, leave some feedback, like and reblog <3

Five days in and you couldn’t say you were adjusting, merely closer to acceptance of your hopeless circumstance. That was always easy. In Birch, it was an inevitability that one would settle. There were no grand dreams to be achieved, no underdog story or redemption; there was only monotony and routine. As it was oft said, you were born and then you died. 

You were surprised to have the weekend off. Working in a bar, it was expected to work Friday to Saturday; those were the busy days. Your schedule didn’t seem to fit to the necessity of the business though, more its owner. Whenever you were there, he made sure to be there too. He was always there to see you off at the end of the night, though his farewells were briefer than his first.

That night was different. Slightly. He didn’t stick around to watch you from his table. His blue eyes didn’t follow you, his ears didn’t prick up whenever you spoke with a particular customer for too long. He had a single beer then retreated to the back with Steve. Lifelong friends, it was easily assumed that Steve was a natural confidante and a useful intimidator. He’d kept his hands to himself since that first shift, but he was none the subtler.

He emerged only as you were helping wipe down the bar. A ripple of deja vu blurred your vision as he neared the other side. Lucy rubbed her back as she peeked in the kitchen to check on Bobby. You tossed the cloth in the basket under the bar and looked up at your boss. Bucky rested a foot on the bottom rung of a stool as he hooked a thumb in his pocket.

“I’ll give you a ride home,” He said. 

“It’s a ten minute walk.” You replied. 

Lucy let the door swing behind her and you caught it as you held it open with your foot and opened the closet just inside. You pulled your jacket off the hanger and slung your bag over your shoulder. You turned back and Bucky met you at the end of the bar.

“So it’ll be a quick ride,” He blocked you in. “Or… you can hang around for a little… we can… talk.”

“Fine,” You zipped your jacket up halfway.

He smiled and backed up enough for you to brush past him. He turned and his hand rested on your lower back as he led you to the door. He held it open for you and his hand was quick to dance along your hip. He stopped you before his bike and you watched him approach it.

You stepped away as he straddled it and kicked up the stand. He peeked over his shoulder as he turned the bars and steered it backward out of the spot. He stopped before you and slid the helmet from the handle. He held it out to you.

“Don’t wanna hurt that pretty head of yours,” He winked and you huffed as you accepted the helmet.

You climbed up behind him, careful to touch him as little as possible as you slid the strap through the metal loop. He reached back and squeezed your leg.

“Don’t be shy,” He said. “Or you’ll find yourself in the road.”

You slipped forward on the seat until he was between your thighs and he pulled your arms around him. You let him and stiffened against him. The bike roared as he turned the key and you couldn’t help but hold him tightly. He pulled out of the lot and onto the road, the wind formed a soft tunnel around you.

You were dizzy as he pulled up to your mother’s house, your cheeks raw from cool night air. 

“Thanks,” You climbed down and quickly undid the helmet. You held it out to him before he could kill the engine. When he didn’t take it, you hung it on the handle bar. He angled the bars and turned the bike off. He flipped the stand down and dismounted.

You spun away and hurried up your mother’s walk. He followed as you fumbled with your keys. The front door stuck and you rarely went in that way. He came up behind you as you found the right key but he caught your hand before you could reach to the handle. He pressed himself to your back and crushed you against the door.

“What’s the rush?” He purred in your ear. “I don’t even get a good night?”

“Bucky,” You breathed as he pulled on your wrist and turned you around. He wrestled the keys from you and tucked them in his pocket. He set your hand on his shoulder as he kept close.

“You think I do favours for nothing,” His hand went to your waist and slowly crawled along your side. 

“You insisted. I would’ve walked.” You argued as you wriggled against him.

“Honey, you know I’m not gonna wait forever,” His finger crept along the front of your jeans. “I’ve waited long enough as it is.”

“Why?” You hissed. “Why are you doing this?”

“Why did you have to be the hero?” He leaned in and nuzzled your hair. “You should’ve kept your mouth shut like you did in school. I never would’ve known you were there but… even with a gun to your face, you had fire in your eyes.” He loosed the button of your fly. “Do you know how fucking hot that is?”

“I… no.” You grabbed his hand and he waved you off as he pushed your zipper down. “No, I was afraid.”

“Maybe,” He said. “But I think you still regretted dropping that knife.”

“Stop,” You fought his hand with yours. “Stop.”

“Don’t make this hard,” His other hand shot to your throat. “I’m hard enough as it is.”

“You’re disgusting,” You snarled.

“You like it,” He laughed under his breath as his finger tugged at the thin elastic of your panties. “A girl like you… such a boring life… you want the excitement, you just don’t know it.”

He shoved his hand in your panties and you pressed yourself to the door. You turned your face from him to hide your shame and he dragged his nose along your temple. His hot breath embraced you as he caressed your vee.

“My mom’s asleep,” You grabbed his wrist. “Please…”

“So we’ll have to be quiet.” His fingers pushed between your folds and your hand dropped to the handle. You tried to turn it helplessly as he held you to the door. “Shhhh.” He hushed you as he began to play with your clit. 

You gasped as he sent a chill through you. You hadn’t been touched since that regrettable fling with Alex, the younger mechanic at the local shop. He had been clumsy and selfish. That was a year ago; maybe more. You squeezed the handle and closed your eyes.

“You’re already wet for me,” He whispered. “Honey,” He rubbed his crotch against you, “You got me hard as hell.”

You bit your lip as his fingers sent waves through you. It was hard to resist the peculiar and long-sought sensation. He was right, you were wet and getting wetter by the second. He slid his fingers further back and forced his hand between your legs. He dragged his fingertips back and forth and used your juices to ease his way.

He pushed a finger inside you a felt around. He rocked his hips as he dipped another finger in. He pressed the heel of his hand to your clit and curled his fingers inside of you. You shook your head as your core pulsed. Your thighs quivered and your nails dug into the wood of the door.

“You’re gonna cum for me,” He growled. “Not just now, but tomorrow.” He pressed his cheek to yours as his voice gristled in your ear. “I’m gonna take you for a ride.” His hand moved faster and you gritted your teeth. “Take you somewhere you don’t have to be quiet.”

Your entire body shook as the waves crashed into each other and you pushed your chin up as you came. You stuck your tongue out and you held it between your teeth to keep from crying out. He didn’t stop until you stilled. Until you were panting and weak against the door.

“And if you’re not waiting for me in a nice little dress,” He pulled his hand from your panties. “Then I’ll just have to come in and drag you out.” 

He ran his wet fingers along his bottom lip before he slipped them in his mouth and licked them clean. He wiped them on his jeans and reached in his pocket. He took out your keys and held them out.

“You got it, honey?” He shoved the keys into your shaky hand.

“Yes,” You said quietly. “Yes, I understand.”

“Finally,” He smirked as he slowly back away. “I’ll be by at noon.”

💀

Noon, sharp. Bucky rode up as the clock tower chimed a dozen times. You were on the curb waiting for him since quarter to and your mother was conspicuously watching from behind the blinds. She had checked your purse for the mace and made sure it worked. Her eyes were still red from the test.

You wore a pale blue dress beneath a beige jacket, a pair of brown suede boots and a matching purse. You didn’t care if you looked good for Bucky but you also didn’t need him reproaching you for disobeying. You were tiring of that.

The thought of him was infuriating. And something else. The memory of what happened the night before. You refused to look at the front door. 

“Hey,” You neared his bike as he waited for you and avoided his gaze. He had two helmets today. You took the one in his hand and he watched you secure it.

“No time to waste, honey,” He revved the bike. “Careful. The exhaust is hot. You don’t wanna burn yourself.”

“Where are we going?” You raised your voice over the loud engine.

“Now what would be the fun in telling you?” He chuckled. 

You crossed your arms and made no move to get on. You glared at his taunting smirk.

“Now, I can help you up, honey, but I’m already running late,” His leather glove audibly strained as he gripped his handlebar. “So come on.”

You bit down and rolled your eyes. You reluctantly grabbed his shoulder and swung your leg over. As you sat, you tried to pulled your skirt down to cover your knees on either side of him. It was a fruitless effort.

“Oh,” He turned his head and leaned back against you, “I didn’t mention how sexy you look…” He reached back and touched your leg. “I like the innocent look.”

You scrunched your nose and resisted ripping his hand away from you. You slipped your arms under his and hovered your lips close to him, “Aren’t you running late?” You asked.

He shook his head as he turned forward and growled. You clung to him as he revved the engine again. You almost yelped as he pulled away from your house, the bike ripped through the rush of wind around you. The streets of Birch rushed past you in a blur and soon faded to the metal rails of the highway. You shivered as your bare legs were lashed in the open air. You were thankful to have Bucky’s broad shoulders as shelter.

He slowed as he came to the end of a ramp. He stopped and looked both ways as he awaited his turn. You read the green signs and sighed. You hadn’t been to the city since your failed stint in community college. Well, you hadn’t so much flunked out as busted. You couldn’t afford to live and study at the same time and only one of those was possible without the other.

When he drove up to his destination and the monstrous rumble of the engine subsided, you were greeted by a familiar but unwelcome figure. You got off the bike as you worked at unbuckling your helmet and Steve approached. You peeked over at the hotel doors as Bucky climbed off behind you. You turned and looked between them in confusion.

“Russ isn’t gonna wait forever,” Steve said. 

“Only for me,” Bucky smiled as he removed his helmet. He turned and took yours in kind. He slung them over his handlebar carelessly. “I told you I’d be late.”

“She really need to be here?” Steve asked.

“Oh, suck it up,” Bucky warned. “Keep your hands to yourself and she’ll do the same.”

“I’m not afraid of her,” Steve scowled.

“Sure,” Bucky chuckled. “I know.”

“Can I interrupt for one second and ask what the hell is going on?” You said.

“You can and you have,” Bucky looked to you. “But keep that tongue to yourself once we’re in there. Not many of my ilk are so tolerant.”

“Clearly,” You squinted at Steve as he rolled his eyes.

“Just a meeting.” Bucky assured as he pulled his gloves off. “Got some business out east and a lot of hands on the wheel.” He tucked the leather in his pocket. “Look, you don’t gotta worry about specifics. You’ll be with the other gals. They’re friendly but a bit rough around the edges… you’ll fit right in.”

“Like a lamb among wolves,” Steve shook his head.

“I’m starting to think you might be more fit to sit with the ladies as well,” Bucky turned on Steve as he swept his arm around your waist. “Out here telling me I’m late only to waste my time arguing.”

Steve looked away repentantly and waited for Bucky to urge you past him before he followed. He led you through the hotel doors and across the lobby. The hostess at the front desk recognized him and gave a meek smile as she nodded and directed him to the conference room on the sixth floor. The place was nice; upscale even. You’d never suspect a small-time criminal to be strolling across its polished marble. Or yourself, really.

The elevator was silent; tense. You were still trying to figure it out. You’d seen this hotel before, marveled at it on the way to classes you couldn’t afford. You glanced out the corner of your eye at the man who held you close with one arm. At his other shoulder was the dour sidekick who spent his time threatening simpletons in a one-horse town. 

What business could they possibly have here?

The doors chimed and opened before you. As you stepped out, Bucky’s arm fell away and he tapped your ass. 

“Behave,” He warned. You didn’t miss the gloating grin on Steve’s lips. “You too.” Bucky added sharply and Steve grimaced.

Bucky led you to a set of double doors, a rise of voices on the other side. He opened them and revealed a room of leather-clad goons. They all looked out of place in this room fit for a gala. His hand was on your arm as he was greeted by each man he passed with a nod or a grumble of his name. 

Steve followed at his shoulder as he cut through the crowd to the man at the back of the room. The man sat at the head of the gathering as he overlooked them as a king would his subjects. He stood as Bucky approached the other side of his table. There was no deference between them, merely recognition. 

“Russ,” Bucky greeted and held out his hand. The man with the greying red beard stood and took it. They shook firmly.

“Buck,” Russ returned. “Not often you’re late but…” He glanced at you, “Think I understand now.”

“Well, we shouldn’t waste any more time, should we?” Bucky straightened up. “We got a bit of shit show up east, don’t we?”

“That we do,” Russ nodded and sat back down. The man to his right rose and offered his seat to Bucky. “I got Oslo on his way already. He’s scoutin’ the scene.”

“Mmm,” Bucky squeezed your arm and excused himself with a finger. “Honey, why don’t you go say hi to Chyka?” He pointed over your shoulder. 

You blinked at him and looked between him and Russ. It dawned on you what this was. He was showing you his power; his pull. That he wasn’t just the man in Birch, he was the man all over. You nodded and slowly pulled away. As you turned, his hand lingered on yours as if to draw you back but he let you go.

Your nostrils flared as you crossed to the group of women. They were just as fond of leather as the men; vests, skirts, boots. You neared and tried to shrug away your nerves. You tucked your hands in your jacket pockets and planted your feet.

“Chyka?” You asked. 

The woman quieted as they looked over at you. The last to turn her head had black hair and a large crooked nose. She had a unique beauty to her, a rough type of elegance. She leaned back on the long sofa and crossed her legs. She looked you up and down.

“Ah, and who are you?” She asked with a sneer.

You gave her your name and peeked over your shoulder. Bucky was sat beside Russ and already in deep conversation. You couldn’t expect him to hold your hand. Perhaps if you blew it, he’d leave you be.

“And what brings you round here?” She raised an arched brow. “Girl like you doesn’t seem the type.”

“I came from Birch,” You said indifferently. “To see the city.”

She scoffed and tilted her head. “To see the city? You with Steve then? He does have peculiar tastes.”

“No,” You answered and kept from fidgeting.

“Bucky?” A woman with stringy blonde hair perked up.

You nodded. “Sure. Guess you could say I’m with him.”

“Well, I’ll be,” Chyka smiled. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

Your brow wrinkled at her reaction and you looked around the half circle of women. “This seat taken?” You pointed to a velvet chair.

“Girl, you come in here on his arm, no chair in here is taken,” Chyka mused. “Come on,” She waved away the stringy blonde beside her, “Sit. Next to me.”

“It’s fine, I don’t wanna--”

“Danielle’s fine,” She insisted. “She was just gonna grab us some drinks, weren’t you?”

“Sure,” Danielle stood and sidestepped you. “Beer or--”

“What’ll you have?” Chyka asked you pointedly.

“Water,” You replied.

“We don’t got water,” Chyka pointed to the cushion next to her.

“Whatever you’re having then,” You sat and shrugged.

“Beer’s fine, Dani,” Chyka dismissed the other woman and those around her looked to each other and whispered in their own conversations. You could sense their lingering attention. “Course he would bring a girl with an attitude and a half.”

You narrowed your eyes at her. “You know my name. It’s not girl.” You retorted.

“Oh,” She smiled. “Well, then…” She swayed her legs and peered over at the men. “Well, I’m Russ’ woman so we’ll be getting to know each other well. If you last long at all.”

“If ,indeed,” You grumbled and checked the time on your phone. “Suppose I’ll have to put up with you.”

“I like you, g--” She stopped herself and used your name instead. 

“Hmm,” You leaned on the arm and looked around. You never thought you’d miss Birch.

“Do you know who Russ is?” She nudged you. “Who your man is?”

“My man?” You turned to her.

“This…” She spun her finger around, “Is a club meeting and our men run these things. You understand?”

“Sure,” You replied dully. “Place like Birch is small, easy--”

“Birch is nothing compared to the rest of it,” She interjected. “He don’t just run Birch.”

You blinked at her.

“He could have this entire city in his pocket.” She continued. “You see, when Russ made his grab, it was Bucky who helped him close his fist.” Danielle returned and offered you a bottle. You accepted it but did not drink. “The boys from Birch aren’t to be challenged; not here, not anywhere. Excuse the pun, but Birch is a twig among branches in the scheme of things.”

“Oh yeah?” You rubbed your thumb over the label. “Should I be impressed then? By you? Him?”

She laughed again and drank from her beer. “You should be aware…” She intoned. “I never seen a woman walk in here with that man,” She gestured with the neck of her bottle towards the head table. “And you always see that man when he walks in a room.”

You followed her gaze to Bucky and your thoughts began to storm. You sat back and lowered your eyes as you slowly turned the bottle in your hand. This wasn’t just a show of power, this was a very clear message; he wasn’t going to just go away.

[let-me-love-you-loki]

Waking Up in Vegas--Epilogue

Epilogue: You Made It So Sweet

Mera, Evening, 8:18 PM

           I couldn’t remember the last time I walked this path. Even though years had passed since I’d moved away from Davenport and Buffalo, I suppose I expected the asphalt to be worn thin. Colby and I had walked it enough. For a moment, I was lost in memories of long ago, of a different time when we were two different people.

           “Bee, d’you remember that time they had the lock-in at the community center and we tried to sneak out the window to go back to your house?” I tucked my hands in the pocket of my hoodie. The sun was going down behind the clouds, swirling fallen leaves around our feet.

           Colby—I couldn’t think about him as Seth anymore, that person had faded away for me—grinned broadly, his brown eyes sparkling. “I remember. Mr. Burnham catching me by the shoe. I gave you a boost up to the window first, and you were hiding in the bushes outside waiting for me.” He pulled his hand from his pocket and pointed to a window set high in the weather-beaten wall. “It was that one right there.”

           “How old were you?” Dean asked from my other side. He had his beanie pulled low over his head, tucked over his ears. His hands were stuffed deep in the pockets of his leather jacket. He wasn’t always fond of the trips I took to Davenport these days—he didn’t like the cold much.

           Colby and I looked at each other. “Thirteen? Fourteen maybe?” I replied uncertainly.

           “It was just after your fourteenth birthday,” Colby said with a sideways smile. “We went to King’s Island that year.”

           I laughed, happiness bubbling through me with lightning quickness. It echoed down the empty street as we circled in front of the community center and turned back toward Colby’s mom’s place. “We did! That’s the year that you puked on the rollercoaster.”

           “I always knew you were a lightweight,” Dean added, the corner of his mouth tipped upward.

           “I had five hot dogs and popcorn before we got on that thing! And you picked the biggest coaster in the park. That one is all on you, Bear.”

           We looped back around, slipping past the house where I’d spent so many hours of my life. I glanced over, half expecting to see the porch light on as Holly waited for us to drag ourselves inside. Or for Colby to kiss me goodbye in the driveway. I felt an ache in my chest at the memory. But it was a far away sort of ache. One that had begun to heal.

           At the end of the street, Colby stopped and smiled. “I’ve missed this,” he sighed. His breath made faint whisps of fog in front of his face. The temperature had dropped even further while we’d been walking. “We used to pace this place until midnight.”

           “You’re both crazy,” Dean chattered, hunching his shoulders. His face was red from the cold. “Can we please go inside now?”

           I looped my arm through his. “Yes. I’m starving.”

Seth, Evening, 8:32 PM

           It was so different now. A year ago, I never would have believed that this could be the way my life would turn out. For all those years, I expected only to see Mera Reynolds at my side, to be the rock that weathered the storm, the anchor that kept me centered, the light that kept me from losing my way. And in so many ways she had been all those things. But it was too much to ask of just one person. Especially when I wasn’t willing to give it back.

           There’d been those long weeks and months where I’d languished in the ache that chased me when I thought of her. She had been a ghost in my life from the moment we’d parted ways. I’d sworn I’d moved on, that it didn’t matter, but I’d never quite let go of everything that she had brought into my world. I lived in a mausoleum to the life we planned. I worked until I couldn’t keep my eyes open to avoid thinking of my mistakes and the longing that I carried with me. The longing that I refused to acknowledge until she was in the arms of someone else.

           But now… it was new and bright and like the happiest days I could remember of my adolescence. Mera was still there, still by my side, but in a way that was better for both of us.

           “Jesus fuck,” Dean swore as I cut the engine of my Jeep. The garage door rumbled shut behind us. “That house better be blazing hot.”

           Mera snickered and I brightened. For an instant, we were back in Florida, first meeting and building a bond together. I didn’t resent Dean his happiness now. Not when it made my friend so dazzlingly joyful.

           “I’m sure it is,” Mera teased, climbing out of the car. She slipped around the black Audi in the second space and opened the door that spilled out into the kitchen. The moment she stepped inside, I heard her let out a happy groan. “Oh dear God, that smells so good!”

           The voice that answered sent a shot of warmth up my spine. It had been months, and yet I still hadn’t gotten over how that warmly lilting voice made my heart skip a beat in my chest. “Thanks, Mera. The three of you need somethin’ to warm you up.”

           Becky stood at the stove, her flaming red-orange hair tied back in a messy ponytail, dressed in sweatpants and a tank top. She grinned as the three of us slumped into the house, tugging off gloves and jackets and toeing off shoes. I watched her for a long moment, taking in the way her lips tipped up and the ease with which she moved. It had taken me so long, but I’d finally begun to understand Mera and the happiness she’d found with Dean.

           “Can you watch this for a second?” she asked me, pointing at the pot of slowly simmering chili on the stove. “I want to talk to Mera for a minute. Alone.”

           I nodded, chucking my beanie into the pocket of my jacket and hanging it over the back of a chair. I slipped into Becky’s spot at the stove, pressing a kiss to her cheek as we traded places. Dean leaned against the counter as Mera and Becky wandered down the hallway.

           “You look… happy,” Dean said suddenly. When I turned toward him, he was watching me with this bemused sort of expression. “Better than I’ve seen you in a long time. So does Mera.”

           I looked away, feeling my eyes burn. “I’m glad she forgave me. She’s my best friend… she always will be. If it weren’t for her…”

           “Oh. My. God!” came a shriek from somewhere near the master bedroom. I twisted around just in time to see Mera dangling sideways out the doorframe. “You finally fixed that crack in the ceiling! It took you long enough!”

           She disappeared, the sound of giggling spreading through the house. Dean smirked and straightened up, stretching his arms out to the side. “You’re in big trouble with those two,” he teased. “They’re thick as thieves.”

Becky, Evening, 8:41 PM

           I watched Mera look around the room. It didn’t escape me that she’d once slept in this bed. That this had been her room before it had been mine. I knew that there was something about her—something between her and Seth—that I would never really understand. At first, it had worried me even though I knew that everything about that past for them was buried away.

           She sat on the padded bench at the end of the bed. An addition I’d made to the room when I’d moved in. I sank down beside her and tried to figure out how to say what I wanted to say. Mera was such a part of Seth, so important in his life that I knew he would hesitate on anything that didn’t have her stamp of approval. Hell, it was because of her that I was with him in the first place.

           “I need to ask you a favor,” I stated quietly.

           Mera turned toward me, tucking her hair behind her ears with both hands. “What is it, Becks? Is something wrong?”

           “No,” I replied with a faint smile. “Nothing’s wrong. Not yet anyway. I’m hoping it won’t go wrong at all. Not if you help me.”

Dean, Evening, 8:48 PM

           We’d given up waiting on Becky and Mera. Seth pulled out bowls and loaded the two of us up with chili. A quick dig around in his fridge found some cheddar cheese and some sour cream that was well on its way to expiration. We meandered into the living room and sat down on the sofa. He picked up the remote and started surfing channels. He put SportsCenter on, the volume down low.

           He was listening, just like I was. Listening for the girls and what they were saying. What was going on those few feet down the hallway?

           The beast in my chest purred in slumber. It hadn’t been woken in a long while, not since Mera had found her peace and happiness. But it tipped its eyelids open, wondering if she was hurt or upset. My life centered around chasing the highs of her smile and her touch. And that was just the way the both of us wanted it.

           I looked up when I saw them coming down the hallway. Becky was red from her collarbones to her ears, her arm tucked around Mera’s shoulders. Mera on the other hand was beaming as if she were a five-year-old on Christmas morning. Those amber eyes turned toward me and it was like her smile got even bigger. Her joy slipped into me, circling around my bones, weaving into my soul and coating my heart with liquid gold. I couldn’t help but smile back.

           They disappeared into the kitchen, but returned quickly with hushed whispers and bowls of their own. Becky sank down on one side of Seth. Mera took the space between us. She leaned against my chest, attention firmly on her childhood friend. I was pleased to find that I didn’t mind so much… not anymore.

           “So, Bee, are you ever going to suck it up and pop the question?”

           Seth nearly choked on his chili. I couldn’t help but snort. Ah… I thought. This is what they’re plotting.

           “I mean, it’s not like you don’t have an absolutely gorgeous ring in there.” Mera said this with a hint of wistfulness. But it melted away as she beamed at Becky. “Seriously. It’s the most beautiful piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen. He’s hiding it away in there somewhere. And it should be yours.”

           “Wait just a minute, Bear,” Seth interjected, his face going slightly pink. “Are we really going to talk about this right now? And about your ring?”

           “I think it’s a perfect time. Don’t you, Becks?” There was a twinkle in her wolf eyes that I recognized. She knew something. The two of them had a secret.

           “Oh, I don’t know. Not unless he wants to do things very out of order.” Becky blushed brighter, her eyes on her lap.

           Seth looked between the two of them, caught elegantly in their little plot. I grinned. “What do you mean ‘do things out of order?’ Becks?”

           Mera threaded her fingers with mine as Becky grinned at Seth. “I mean, we can have the baby first.”

           For a moment, I thought the world stood still. Seth and Becky stared at one another; their eyes locked as if nothing else existed. A slow smile spread over his face as he made sense of her words. Mera reached forward and snatched the bowls of chili from them before they could crash to the floor.

           I settled my chin against her shoulder as Seth and Becky clung together in tears. “A baby, huh?”

           Mera leaned into me, and I saw the way her eyes glassed over with tears. “Yeah.”

           After a while, the two of them looked back at us, sheepish as if they’d just realized we were there. I felt my answering smile and knew it was reflected in Mera’s face. “Congratulations.”

           Seth took a deep breath, his fingers still laced with Becky’s and looked at Mera with a pleading expression. “You’ll be a godmother, right? And promise me that you’ll be at the wedding?”

           “In the wedding,” Becky stipulated from behind him.

           Mera’s body relaxed, her shoulders softening. She sniffled. “On one condition.”

           “Anything,” they said together.

           I watched as Mera took a long look at Seth—at the friend she’d loved and lost and found again, at the man that she’d known as Colby for so long and so well that Seth became a stranger to her. She drew a soft, slow breath and shifted her gaze to Becky.

           “Promise me that you won’t ever let him be Seth Rollins again. Not here, not outside that ring.” Seth’s fingers flexed around Becky’s. “Remind him who he is. He’s my best friend. He’s just Colby. And that’s more than enough.”

Tag List

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[the-wlw-cafe]

Supercorptober - Day 7: Yellow

Read it on ao3 here!

Being cooped up at home while the rest of the world was trying their best to fight a worldwide pandemic was terrifying, no doubt, and even though it couldn’t harm her personally, Kara spent every day worrying about Alex and Eliza, who didn’t have the luxury of self-isolating and working from home. However, if Kara was forced to name one positive about the pandemic, it was definitely the opportunity to spoil her girlfriend for once, instead of the other way round. When even popping down to Noonan’s to get some sticky buns for breakfast was considered a risk not worth taking for many humans, Supergirl could just come in and pick up food for her girlfriend whenever she pleased – though in hindsight letting slip that she was here to pick up food for her significant other maybe wasn’t the best idea. She expected gossip columns to run wild with speculations about the identity of her secret lover. Kara shuddered. She was not looking forward to fessing up about that mistake to Lena.

But now, she was content, having Lena snuggled up in her arms, having started to fall asleep ten minutes into the rom-com Kara had put on – working from home was really messing with her sleep schedule – and idly playing with her hair. Whenever she stopped, Lena would make a disgruntled noise and move closer. Kara wasn’t even sure her girlfriend was aware she was doing it, but she’d rather swan dive into a vat filled with liquid kryptonite than stop. And this was the exact moment she saw it: There, at the root of her hair, the hair was noticeably lighter.

“Lena?”, she asked, head cocked to the side.

Lena mumbled something unintelligible and opened her eyes, blinking at her with the daze of sleep slowly clearing, which Kara took as a sign that she was listening.

“Are you getting grey hair? But no, wait, humans get grey hair in streaks, right, and not just all at once. Or is it actually possible that all your hair turns white without warning? Isn’t that, like, a thing when you’re really stressed, or did I read that somewhere? Wait, Lena, do you feel stressed? Did I not notice-“

“Kara, darling, love of my life, feel free to start making sense any second now, otherwise I’ll go back to sleep. I’ll have you know that despite being the Girl of Steel you’re a very comfortable pillow.”

“Sorry”, Kara said, sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck. “I just saw that your hair is getting lighter, like, at the roots.”

Lena stiffened in her arms. “Oh. Well, don’t worry, with the pandemic I just haven’t been able to see my hairdresser for touching up the roots.”

She cleared her throat and turned her attention back to the television in front of them. “So, what happened while I was out?” she asked, a clear attempt at distraction. But Kara had known her for too long, and Lena had never made a secret of the fact that she didn’t care much for rom-coms much, in fact, she only tolerated them because she knew how much Kara enjoyed them. But the hero wouldn’t let her off the hook that easily.

“Wait…are you saying that you’re actually a natural blonde?”

“Kara...”, Lena sighed, but her interjection was lost in the delighted squeal Kara let out.

“So that means we can go as each other for Halloween! Just imagine, a Luthor as a Super – come on, the joke potential is right there! Wait, how fast does your hair grow – can you grow the blonde out in time for Halloween? Not that we’ll actually be able to get out, because of, y’know, everything…”

“Kara!”, Lena said, interrupting Kara’s ramble with more force this time.

“Sorry”, she apologised, still grinning at the prospect of amazing costume ideas still flashing through her mind. “I just can’t believe you didn’t tell me, think of the possibilities-“

“Can you just let it go?”, Lena hissed. Kara recoiled as if Lena had smacked her, eyes wide in surprise. Lena cast her eyes downward, examining her fingernails intently.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped at you”, she murmured.

Kara sat there for a moment, dumbfounded, completely perplexed as to what brought this outburst on.

“It’s okay”, she said, eventually, scooting closer again to take Lena back into her arms, but Lena sprung up from the couch as if she’d suffocate if she couldn’t bring some distance between them. Kara held her arms out for a few confused seconds before realising how stupid she must be looking, and pulling back.

“I think I should get some more work done”, Lena croaked, not being able to hide the hoarse quality her voice had taken on at all, before turning and making her way to the guest bedroom that had served as her office for the duration of her self-isolation period as quickly as she could without running outright. She didn’t turn when Kara called after her, leaving her girlfriend alone in stunned, guilty silence.

“Stupid”, she cursed at herself. Rao, what kind of girlfriend just would just ramble on like that and not notice how much it upset her significant other? A terrible one, for sure. But she didn’t understand why Lena was so upset in the first place, but asking was off the table for now while Lena needed her space to calm down. Apologies were in order, but sitting on the couch stewing in her own thoughts wouldn’t help anyone. A trip to Lena’s favourite Parisian boulangerie however sounded exceedingly helpful.

(“Pour votre petite amie?” the baker asked, grinning mischievously, and Kara broke out in a nervous sweat as she remembered that she also had her little slip-up at Noonan’s to confess to.)

When she returned to their apartment, the door to Lena’s office was open. Still, Kara quietly knocked on the doorframe, trying to give her girlfriend ample opportunity to send her away should she need some more time on her own. No answer came, and as Kara peeked her head inside, she saw that her girlfriend’s desk was abandoned and her laptop was shut. She stood in in the middle of the doorway for a good five seconds, before the sound of the bathroom tap reached her ears. Ah, that made sense. And there she’d gone, worrying about nothing again, as if Lena needed her to be overprotective on top of insensitive today –

A choked sob, almost drowned out by the sound of running water, made her blanch. In a matter of seconds, she was at the bathroom door.

“Lena? Baby, are you okay?”

She received no answer.

“Lena, you’re worrying me, I’m coming in, okay?”

When no objections followed, she gently pushed open the door.

“Oh, baby…”

She found Lena kneeling on the floor, the sink, her hands, and a good portion of the comfy NCU-sweater she’d stolen from Kara smudged with a dark liquid that filled the entire room with a chemical smell that made Kara’s nose itch. Lena looked up at her, seeming so tiny where she was crouched on the cold marble floor, eyes swimming in tears and dark streaks on her face where she’d tried to wipe them away.

“I can’t do it”, she mumbled, “I tried but I can’t do it.”

Immediately, Kara knelt down beside her, pulling her into an embrace.

“My hands were shaking so hard and I dropped the bottle”, Lena sobbed into her shoulder.

“Lena, baby, it’s okay. It’s okay, you don’t have to dye your hair, I’m sorry if I made you feel that way”, Kara cooed, humming softly and stroking her girlfriend’s wet hair, not caring about the way it stained her hands.

“But I do!” Lena cried. “I always have.”

“You don’t have to change your appearance”, Kara whispered into her ear, gently, but without leaving any room for an argument. “Not for me, and not for anybody else.”

Lena didn’t reply, she only clutched Kara’s shoulders tighter as sobs continued to shake her body, and Kara’s string of murmured apologies didn’t let up. Eventually, Lena’s breathing returned to normal, but she made no move to disentangle herself from Kara’s embrace. Kara just waited patiently. Lena would talk to her as soon as she was ready.

“I have my mother’s hair”, Lena whispered, and suddenly, many things clicked into place.

“Lillian hated it. She forced me to dye my hair and made me see a speech therapist to get rid of my accent. She said it was to create a cohesive family narrative, but I knew she hated me, I was four years old and I knew the woman who was supposed to be my mother hated everything about me.”

“Oh, Lena”, Kara breathed, slowly rocking her girlfriend back and forth. “I’m so sorry I made light of something that affects you so deeply, I’m so sorry I didn’t pay attention to how you were feeling.”

“I’d almost forgotten about it until you noticed, and I panicked. I’ve been doing this for so long, I don’t know if I would even recognize myself in the mirror if I stopped now.”

Kara was silent for a moment, before she tentatively asked: “Would you like to try it out? See if you like it?”

Lena turned away, brow furrowed.

“Kara, you saw how I reacted when you brought attention to it. What do you think will happen when the media gets a hold of it?”

“Well, the media aren’t here, are they? We’re all in social distancing, you don’t have to see anybody if you don’t want to, and you have the perfect excuse to try new things with your hair!”

Lena let out a wet chuckle and wiped at the tear tracks on her face, leaving more black smears behind.

“Ugh, I need a shower”, she groaned, while Kara pulled her to her feet. Then, almost as an afterthought, she added: “You really wouldn’t mind?”

Kara took her in, the way she was biting her lip, fiddling with the hem of her sweater, either too exhausted or too comfortable around Kara to hide the signs of her anxiety surrounding this question.

“My opinions on it don’t matter in the slightest”, Kara said, “but if they would, I’d tell you that I love you no matter what, and any hair colour would look incredible on you. I just want you to feel comfortable, baby, that’s all that matters to me.”

Even though she didn’t say it, the relief that went through Lena was palpable, her muscles losing their tension.

“I think you need a shower too”, she purred, dragging the tip of her index finger over Kara’s collar bone, leaving a black trail in its wake.

“Oh, definitely.”

[cottagecorewhore420]

One Broken Headphone

A fluffy, WLW, protective girlfriend short <3 ~ 2500 words <3

I hope you enjoy reading it! Please lmk what you think :)

tw: brief mention of physical assault

Corrine had gone downstairs to get the delivery- which thank gods, she was starving. If Marcie didn’t get crab ragoon in her stomach within the next five minutes, she couldn’t and wouldn’t be held liable for any damages incurred.

Right as she was starting to fantasize about the fried piece of heaven her girlfriend was currently tasked with obtaining, a huge clap of thunder shook the apartment.

Philly, the large and skittish cat who Corrine had adopted off the street a year ago, mewled pitifully before a dart of white crossed the room. Apparently, it seemed as if Philly was scared of thunderstorms, if her current location of under-the-loveseat was any indication.

Way too often in Marcie’s past had people called her a bleeding-heart, but even now, when obviously the cat was beyond safe from the storm, she felt a jolt in her chest at the poor, scared, little baby.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay, I promise-,” she dropped down to her knees, and slowly began crawling over to the couch, moving slowly and purposefully as to avoid scaring the cat any further. She had only just started being trusted by the animal, and she didn’t want to backtrack any progress, especially since she knew how scared Philly was right now.

She received a meow as she continued closer- which, really, was better than nothing.

As another clap of thunder resounded outside, she idly worried about Corrine, but considering Corrine was a fully functioning human adult, and Philly was an anti-social terrified cat, her loyalties at the moment were a little more inclined to making sure the latter was okay. She started moving towards her again, and in doing so heard a crunch underneath her left knee- looking down, disheartened, she saw the broken right earbud of Corrine’s headphones she used on her laptop.

Before she had time to wallow in the fact that she had just broken her girlfriend’s headphones, Philly yowled and jumped from her position under the couch into Marcie’s lap, covering up the now-useless wires with her copious fur.

The cat was obviously really scared of the onslaught of rain outside, and Marcie’s bleeding heart beat again in sympathy for the poor cat, who assuredly had endured these kinds of storms by herself on the streets before Corrine found her.

With that sad thought, she mournfully began petting the fat feline in her lap, talking softly to her, trying to steel herself to telling Corrine that she had broken her earbuds.

~

“Corrine, I’m so sorry! I just, I- the thunder started, and I watched Philly dart under the couch, and she was so scared of the storm, and I knelt down to talk to her, and I heard a crack- it- I’m- I’ll buy you a new pair, I promise, I’m really sorry!”

All of this was said through a rush of words and teary eyes, the avalanche of apology hitting her as soon as Corrine walked back into the living room with their food.

Marcie looked near tears, sitting on the floor looking dejectedly up at Corrine’s standing-form, and yet, despite her obvious upset, she wouldn’t stop petting and comforting the cat that had been the cause of- well, what was Marcie upset about?

“Wait- I’m confused. What happened?”

Marcie thrusted the pair of earbuds at her, the right one’s speaker pitfully haning out of the in-ear part, obviously broken.

Looking down at the misty-eyed woman, who felt obviously horrible about breaking some old pair of headphones, because she had been trying to comfort a cat- who was even NOW, while upset, more obviously invested in the wellbeing of a cat who wasn’t even hers, Corrine was struck with the thought of “oh, fuck- I love her.”

“Hey, hey, Marcie, it’s okay, I promise.” She set the bags of food on the coffee table, and leaned down to sit next to Philly and her girlfriend.

“First and foremost, I’m glad you were up here to comfort Philly- she’s always reacted really badly to storms. I actually found her right after one, when she was meowing behind the dumpster out back.”

She could see the anguish that caused Marcie, to think of the sweet if not slightly-anti-social cat as sad and lonely.

“Secondly, I have had to headphones for I-don’t-even-know how long, baby. Seriously. I have like three others like that anyways somewhere in my room.”

Marcie looked up from where she had been resolutely staring at Philly’s back, seemingly studying the calico coloration in an attempt to not look up to Corrine.

“Also, honestly, that’s my fault, I’m the one who has a habit of sitting on the floor and then leaving stuff- I promise that’s not the first thing of mine that’s been broken because of me being forgetful.”

“Thirdly, I’m not mad, or upset, or secretly resentful- okay? I promise. I do not care about those headphones. They’re just an object, sweet pea.”

They lapsed into a terse silence, both petting Philly who was purring loudly at the attention, before Marcie spoke up.

“I- ahem. Um.” She swallowed past a lump in her throat, tearing her hand and eyes away from Philly and looking out to the balcony, looking through the window at the storm.

She focused on the sheets of rain as she steadied herself. “My last girlfriend- I accidently broke her- I broke her laptop charger one day. Like, the cable insulator part. I didn’t mean to! She had asked me to plug in her computer, but it wouldn’t attach, so I had taken it out and went to put it back in, and I guess the insulation maybe was unraveling or something, which wasn’t good, cuz it just snapped…”

Corrine was only idly stroking her cats’ fur now, staring at Marcie’s turned-away face, studying the obvious tension.

“She freaked out. She started yelling at me, and saying that I…” Marcie seemed to steal herself, looking out to the balcony intently, as if she was staring down the rain in a battle of wills. “She was saying how I was a complete fuck up, and she didn’t know why she even bothers with me. And that I owed her a new charger, and then she- ahem.”

There was a growing pit of dread in Corrine’s stomach, but she could see that this was something important to discuss if they wanted to build a long lasting, strong relationship. She needed to show Marcie she was safe, now, and protected. And it seemed Marcie needed to heal from this, too.

“She got really pissed, and she had gotten laid off earlier that week. That’s why her computer needed to be plugged in, she had been looking at jobs online for so long. She was just really, really stressed, and then I think I just was the thing that- “

“Baby,” Anne stopped stroking Philly, who seemed wholly unbothered now that the thunder had turned to just heavy rain. The calico got up and walked off elsewhere, apparently content with the amount of attention she had been bestowed. “Why are you excusing her?”

Anne reached out to grab Marcie’s hand, and when she did, Marcie’s head whipped around from her watch point, out to the balcony- there was tears welling up in her eyes, and her nose was bright red. “She hit me. Not just once, but like. A couple of times. She was really stressed, and she just- she started screaming and hitting me and she was so mad, and I- “she started sobbing, and lunged into Anne’s waiting arms, where Anne started comforting her, whispering similar platitudes to the ones Marcie had coaxed Philly with earlier.

“Baby, shh, it’s ok. I am so sorry that ever happened to you- that’s not right. I don’t care if her whole family died in a plane crash and then she got fired and stubbed all her toes. That is no excuse to ever hit you, Marsha Braun.” The serious tone coming from her usually-jovial girlfriend, along with her given name, made Marcie pull back and look into Anne’s eyes, seeming to search for something.

Anne sat there, idly reminded of when her uncle and she would wait patiently in the woods for the baby deer to approach.

Whatever Marcie was searching for, she apparently needed to find. When it seems she was satisfied, Marcie lunged forward again, but to hug Anne, locking her arms around her neck and pressing a kiss into the woman’s juncture between shoulder and neck.

“I was so scared when it happened, Annie.”

Anne’s heart cracked at hearing that, the words reverberated within her, sounding hollow. Marcie was such an abundantly kind, generous, loving person. The idea that anyone could do something such as strike her, multiple times, for doing nothing more than trying to do a favor- it made a fire boil in her veins.

“I’m so so sorry, kitten. I will never, ever, let you feel like that again.” And she meant it. Anne may not look intimidating, but her 12 years of Judo and ample weapons training said otherwise. She had a protective streak a mile wide when it came to those she cared about, and Marcie quickly was entering that realm, despite the two of them only having dated for going-on five months.

“I like that.” The words were soft, breathed into her neck.

“What?” Circles and nonsensical patterns were drawn on Marcie’s back, in comforting sweeps.

“Kitten. I like that- “Here, she yawned widely, also into Anne’s neck. “I like that a lot.”

“Tired?”

“I’m sorry- we haven’t even eaten yet and I know you’re hungry and we haven’t seen each other in days-“

“Baby, kitten, shh- I am hungry, so I’ll go ahead and eat my half while you take a short nap next to me on the couch, hmm? That way you get some beauty sleep, not that you need it-“

Marcie gave a shy grin.

“-and I get to eat my General Tso’s and watch whatever show I want, without having to battle somebody over Kitchen Nightmares or Hotel Hell. And, of course, I get to be next to the prettiest woman in the world while doing so.”

“I love you.”

Holyshitholyshitholyshit- They hadn’t said that yet. They were going tragically slow, and then she just says that! Marcie just said that! Anne’s heart constricted slightly, and she could practically hear the concerto playing in her brain, a cacophony of emotions.

“I love you too, Marcie.”

~

“Y’know… sometimes I worry it was my fault. She did it more than just the one time. I didn’t leave right away. I just- she had made me feel really really bad about myself. Like she was right, that nobody would want to put up with me. She only slapped me around a few more times-“

A few more times too many thought Anne darkly, listening as Marcie spoke, her voice projecting upwards into the blackness of their bedroom. She was laying on her back, looking to the ceiling, sidled up next to Anne.

“But… the last time, she had slapped me around and then was really pissed and she threw something at Benji. And I just- I felt so bad for my poor boy. He did nothing to deserve that, and I couldn’t let him stay there any more. It didn’t hurt him, thank god, but I left that night.”

Benji. The huge golden retriever that Macie loved; the one she had to put down a few weeks before she and Anne met.

She had only known about the dog through pictures and stories, but she knew he was Marcie’s childhood dog, and she had had him all the way up through college. She had loved Benji so much.

Anne was filled with aches in her soul- anger, brittle and sharp at Marcie’s ex. Rounded, hollow pain for Benji, who was gone. A resounding ache, pointed, for Marcie’s hurt. She didn’t know what else to say, so she said all she could think.

“I’m happy you left.”

“Yeah… me too.”

As they drifted into silence, Anne said a silent prayer, sent up to a golden retriever named Benji, in thanks for protecting her now-girlfriend from herself, when she hadn’t been there to do so.

She hoped the old dog would have liked her- she certainly liked his owner.

[grither55]

The Princess and the Peasant - (An Azula Epic) - Chapter 16 - Bath, Dinner and Goodnights

Elle lay curled up in strong arms snoring quietly when water abruptly splashed onto her face swiftly jolting her awake.

She found herself still laying in the princess's naked arms while the woman now glared down at her with icy golden eyes that made her shiver so wonderfully.

"Wake up! I have been generous enough to hold you…but I am not sitting in this tub for five hours." Azula snorted with her cold eyes gazing down at Elle's reddened face while the small girl sat up yawning once more.

"How long was I asleep master?" Elle pondered innocently with the back of her head pushing into the woman's pillowy bust.

Azula had long since decided that she savored the way the girl called her master as if it was her name.

Not once, has her pet addressed her without a title.

She was well behaved…that she knew for certain.

"An hour and a half." The princess grunted in an aloof voice while staring down at her handmaid's adorable little face.

"A-an hour and a half? I-I must be snuggable after all!" The blonde-haired girl cried out with childish delight in her voice that had the regal woman rolling her eyes down at her.

"Is that your only concern? Being snuggable?" Azula questioned with another roll of her eyes while Elle still sat between her womanhood beaming so sweetly.

The girl was truly an innocent little thing…she didn't even pay any mind to the fact that her backside was pressing against her nether region.

"I am snuggable!" Elle cheered with a joyful laugh while pumping a fist above her head while Azula glanced down at her with a deadpan stare.

"That answers my question." The princess stated wryly as she gazed down at her companion all the while finding her pet's victorious demeanor amusing.

"Azula-sama finds me…snuggable. I…must record this as soon as I dry off." The blonde-haired girl muttered with a thoughtful countenance while holding a finger to her lip.

"Hm. For your sake…you had best keep such weak notions to your diary." Azula announced in a rigid voice while staring down at her carefree pet with an imposing gaze.

"O-of course I will! I would be upset if I had to compete with the other servants for a snuggle with Her Highness!" Elle exclaimed with a smile while Azula now glanced down at her with narrowing eyes.

"Just what do you think this palace is girl? This isn't a pet shelter! And your fellow peasant girls will never find themselves in the same bed as me." The princess snapped with a margin of ire in her hardened voice while the small girl peered up at her with confusion in her eyes.

"Isn't it princess? You're our matriarch and you give each girl here a roof over their heads. That sounds like a shelter if you ask me." The blonde-haired girl chimed while her princess glanced down at her with her brows furrowing curiously.

If there was one trait that she adored about Elle it was the fact that the girl always held her in the highest esteem.

"I am indeed the Fire Nation matriarch…though even if this is a 'pet shelter'. The other pets will stay where they belong…in the servant's quarters." Azula remarked while adjusting her bottom with Elle still laying against her breasts.

"I am so glad that I am your favorite pet. I love you so much Azula-sama…" Elle admitted sweetly while averting her eyes from the princess just when a palm landed in her hair.

"Mhm. You are a good girl Elle. I am…quite fond of you. There is no need to rush the proceedings…we have until you are sixteen to get to know each other better." The princess announced with her hand petting her submissive girl's head while the petite girl adorably leaned into her palm.

"Until I am sixteen!" The blonde-haired girl yelled out with a giggle while blushing under Azula's patting hand.

"That is correct. Now I have another job for you. As my personal servant…it falls upon you to not only wash my feet…but my entire body." Azula purred with a twinge of sadistic delight in her voice while glancing down at Elle's now reddening cheeks.

"Y-your e-entire body master?" Elle stuttered much to Azula's delight while staring up at the divine woman with a returning nervousness.

"Do you…have an issue with that?" The princess pondered lazily with her entitled gaze peering down at her pet's pink countenance.

"E-even Your Highness's…b-bottom…and your…" The blonde-haired girl trailed of meekly while gesturing between the amused woman's legs.

"Hm? Are you so innocent that you can't even speak about my womanhood?" Azula cooed with amusement lacing her voice while Elle gazed up at her as red as a tomato.

"Her Highness's no-no zone." Elle mumbled bashfully while Azula now glanced down at her in a rare break from her stoic nature.

"My what?" The princess snorted with her brows furrowing while making little effort to stifle her chortling.

It was a feat to be proud of to make her laugh about something that didn't involve the suffering of others.

Her little pet truly was a naive one.

"Your no-no zone, the no touch region." The blonde-haired girl explained while peering up at the princess laughing with her hand over her forehead.

All the while Azula's belly began to shake underneath her while she lay against the regal woman's breasts with an awkward blush adorning her cheeks.

"My…you certainly are an innocent little thing." Azula stated while shaking her head just when her laughter finally began to die down.

"S-sumimasen Azula-sama…" Elle muttered lamely while her shoulders began to slump fearing that she looked idiotic in the eyes of her brilliant master.

"Oh, would you quit with your sulking? I like you as you are…pure…mine." The princess cooed with her fingers once more trailing through her pet's soft hair.

"Y-yours Azula-sama." The blonde-haired girl agreed while hiding in the princess's perfect breasts once more.

"Though I must ask…where did you ever hear such ridiculous terminology?" Azula inquired with an entertained smirk while patting the girl's head with a possessive hand.

"F-from a few girl's in school." Elle admitted pitifully while Azula once more rolled her lovely eyes.

"Well that figures that such nonsense would be peasant babble. To answer your question. No. I will not make you wash my…'no-no zone'." The princess declared with yet another snort while the small girl blushed under her domineering gaze.

"A-as Her Highness commands!" The blonde-haired girl piped up while saluting her amused master just when a bottle of shampoo was deposited into her hands.

"Your job begins now. You will…wash all of me…save for my nether regions. Oh…and if you don't start now. I will punish you!" Azula spoke in a tyrannical voice smirking all the while when Elle sprang upward upon command.

"Y-yes! If Azula-sama says now! It means now!" Elle exclaimed while squirting shampoo onto her hands just when Azula turned in her seat to grace her with her divine back.

"That's right my pet. Now start with my hair!" The princess commanded with her eyes narrowing into a dominant stare while gazing over her shoulder at her submissive girl.

"It will be done princess." The blonde-haired girl chirped as she began to happily wash the older female's hair while humming cheerily all the while.

All while Azula sat in a regal manner with her hands upon her knees while she sighed in contentment with her loyal pet gleefully washing her hair.

It was gratifying having such a dutiful servant.

As the minutes passed by with Elle's happy hum being the only sound in her tub, she began to realize that she enjoyed chatting with her pet.

With that in mind she began to mull over what she should talk about with the girl.

Then Azula smiled as she rubbed the underside of her chin while she nodded in approval of her brilliance before she turned to gaze over her shoulder to speak to her handmaid.

"So…." The princess began while the young girl peered up at her still smiling.

"What is on your mind master?" Elle pondered with a tone of adulation that Azula just adored.

"What other…vegetarian foods do you like besides pralines?" Azula asked with her hand curled under her chin while gazing down at the girl's brightened countenance.

"Um…let's see, I like white fudge!" The blonde-haired girl piped with a broad smile while the princess squinted down at her in disapproval.

"Besides candy. You can't eat candy all day. I will not allow it to be said that Princess Azula managed your health poorly." The princess stated in an almost maternal manner while staring down at her pet's now pouting face.

"But I like candy…" Elle whined before gulping under Azula's now narrowed glare that made her feel like she had misbehaved.

"My word is final and my authority is absolute! I suggest you remember that I make your decisions for you!" Azula barked with a domineering voice while reeling around to point a finger down at Elle's quivering face.

"Y-yes master. Please don't be mad at me…" The blonde-haired girl mumbled like a saddened puppy while the regal woman rolled her eyes before turning away once more.

"I am not angry. Now return to washing my hair. And answer my previous query." The princess grumbled with her arms folded over her bare breasts.

All the while scowling over her bizarre urge to assure Elle that she was not angry with her.

"I-I liked that curry…" Elle admitted shyly while obediently running her hands through long dark hair while the princess clicked her tongue in seeming approval.

"Hm? You liked fire vegetable curry? That is a good dish. I approve of it." Azula remarked while waving her hand in the air never considering that it was oppressive to dictate the girl's diet.

"I-I did. It was a lot like a curry I had back in my world. Thai curry." The blonde-haired girl explained with a smile while her master nodded in understanding.

"I see. I have decided to permit this dish in your diet. What else do you like?" The princess questioned with a stern countenance while she folded her hands over her naked belly.

"I like lots of fruits! Um…whatever fruits you have!" Elle answered jubilantly with her fingers once more at work rinsing her princess's hair.

"A vegetarian likes fruits…I wouldn't have guessed that. But very well. I shall permit you to eat that as well." Azula spoke with a spoiled demeanor about her while Elle continued rinsing her hair.

"I also like tofu...hmm you smell good Azula-sama!" The blonde-haired girl exclaimed while sniffing the princess's hair which earned her a questioning glance from Azula.

"Do be certain that you refrain from sniffing me in the eyes of others." The princess grunted with her strict eyes peering down at her pet happily sniffing her hair.

"Mhm. I make no promises. My princess has such a lovely fragrance…" Elle sighed before embracing the princess's naked back while burying her face in her mane of hair.

And she was likewise paying no mind to how her leg was now brushing up against Azula's well-formed backside.

"You are a peculiar girl. But I favor you all the same." Azula confessed with her palm brushing her wet hair from her eyes all the while enjoying how her pet nuzzled her nude back.

"Um…what else do I like? Ooh! I like onions! And…I like peppers! I also like noodles! And pie! I like pie! I like coconut! Lots of coconut…I love sweet potatoes! And hotcakes! I also love hotcakes! And, I really like cold cereal! Can I have cold cereal Azula-sama!" The blonde-haired girl rambled in a hyper manner while the princess's eyes glared ahead in mild annoyance.

"Ugh. You are a bouncy little tiger monkey. I can already see that you'll be testing my last nerves." The princess complained while glaring over her shoulder when her pet continued to tug on her back.

"May I please have cold cereal master? Please!" Elle whined while the older female began to growl with the azure flames flickering as proof of her ire.

"Yes! You can have cold cereal!" Azula snapped with the torches briefly bursting into small infernos while she listened to Elle cry out in joy.

"I love cold cereal! You're the best Azula-sama!" The blonde-haired girl squealed while tenderly hugging the princess's long back once more.

"I am well aware on both counts. Now wash my back pet." The princess ordered with her stern visage gazing ahead while small hands began to dutifully scrub the slope of her back.

"Her Highness says scrub! So, I scrub with joy." Elle chirped with enthusiasm while humming once more as she chewed on her lip while soaping up the woman's looming bare back.

"Good girl. We need to finish up with this bath…I am growing hungry." Azula complained with a scowl while glancing down at her belly when it rumbled thunderously.

To her delight, just as soon as her belly began to growl her faithful pet began to labor with increased urgency.

"Azula-sama's belly must be nourished! The cherries were not enough to appease Her Highness! You can count on me master! I'll be done in a flash!" The blonde-haired girl assured in a chipper tone while scrubbing diligently with the growling of her master's belly still resonating into her ears.

"Hm. Such a fine pet…" The princess muttered with her hand on her chin while she leaned back with her hands on the floor of the tub all the while sighing pleasantly.

"I-I am overjoyed that you think so Azula-sama." Elle confided with a blush adorning her cheeks while running the cloth down the slope of her master's back.

Azula just sat with her crimson lips now forming a pleased smile while she savored the sensation of her young admirer cleaning her body.

Eventually it was Elle's turn to bath and the princess was even feeling generous enough to assist her.

Time began to pass by until the two were long finished with the bath.

They were dressed and dried off, and Elle had been ordered to go fetch the princess's dinner.

The young girl strode in a hastened manner through the near endless halls of the palace before a voice yelled out to her.

"Girl! What are you doing scampering about like this is a playground?" General Bujing demanded in a voice so rigid that Elle froze up in her tracks.

Unlike her princess's cold demeanor, the older man's voice lacked the slightest hint of fondness that prevented her from cowering in terror.

"I-I am f-fetching dinner for my master. P-Princess Azula." Elle stuttered with her hands at her sides while shifting fearfully under the military man's scrutinizing stare.

"Is that right? I can't help but wonder if the princess is aware of your improper conduct. That is…if you are even speaking truthfully." The gray-haired man stated in a cold voice while stepping forward to loom over the small girl's now worried countenance.

"I-I speak truthfully. I-I am Her Highness's most favored servant…let go of me!" The blonde-haired girl yelped when the military man seized her wrist.

"Now I find that even more doubtful. I have never seen a servant behave in such an unacceptable manner." General Bujing sneered while the young girl continued to cry out.

"Y-you're hurting my hand!" Elle whimpered while Bujing gazed down at her with sadistic eyes even going so far as to tighten his grip.

Just before he got any further his hand was furiously slapped away.

General Bujing now gazed on in puzzlement to find himself staring at an uncharacteristically wrathful Mai.

The noblewoman stood tall with the small girl peering up at her with relieved amber eyes.

"Oneesan!" The blonde-haired girl cried out with a grateful smile while the gloomy woman held her under her arm.

"Touch her again and you'll regret it. The girl speaks the truth and last I checked…annoying though it may be. It isn't a crime to be happy." Mai retorted in an icy voice while Bujing now stared back at her with his eyes narrowing in anger.

He clear did not enjoy being back-talked.

"Lady Mai. I suggest you watch how you speak to a high general…especially over something as trivial as a misbehaving servant." The gray-haired man hissed with his hands now folded behind his back.

"Would you prefer to talk to Azula instead?" The markswoman answered while glaring at the now sweating man with the acrobat approaching angrily from down the hall.

"No…there is no need. Though I am certain that the princess would be interested to learn that her servant was behaving in such an erroneous manner." General Bujing argued with his glare never leaving the petite girl's side even when the acrobat stopped beside her.

"You leave her alone! She's our group servant, when Azula is not around she's under our direct supervision. And I can tell you that Azula will not be pleased to hear that her dinner is growing cold because of you. I'll be certain to relay it." Ty Lee remarked with her hand on her hip while standing beside Elle's small frame.

Needless to say, the elderly man was now staring back at them warily uncertain if the duo were telling the truth.

But the risk of angering Princess Azula was far too great.

"Then I suggest you watch her more closely! This unrefined girl could clearly use further training!" The gray-haired man exclaimed while turning away with the young girl's shoulders slumping in concern.

"And I suggest you mind your own business General Bujing." Mai spoke while staring sternly at the marching man's back with her words prompting him to pause in his step.

Bujing turned to gaze back at them angrily with the two noblewomen never backing down.

"The girl spoke the truth. She is indeed Azula's favorite servant. From now on you'll be seeing her cheerfully scurrying about the palace on a regular basis. I advise you to think twice before you harass her next time. Delay her and you delay Azula. And we all know how Azula gets about punctuality…don't we?" The markswoman explained while turning to walk away with her hand gently pulling her adopted sister behind her.

The acrobat followed them all the while casting the general a nasty glance with her arms folded over her pink blouse.

General Bujing made no further comment as he watched with sweat dripping down his now worried eyes when the two noblewomen led the strange servant girl away.

He never failed to notice how the two women tucked the girl under their wing in an absurdly protective manner.

As if the pitiful girl was their turtle duckling!

Does Princess Azula truly value such a whiny little girl?

Just a minute later after the three were out of earshot of Bujing the two peered down at their younger companion in concern.

"What an ass! Are you okay little sister?" Ty Lee asked while placing her hand on Elle's shoulder while the young girl smiled up at them.

"I am fine thanks to my oneesans!" Elle exclaimed while the acrobat grinned before mussing her hair.

And just like that the kindhearted acrobat was already resuming gushing over her.

"You really need to watch how you behave around here shorty. I suppose it is best that we escort you. Let's get Azula's dinner before Her Highness gets too bitchy." Mai stated in her usual deadpan voice while still pulling Elle under her arm.

"Good point Mai! Azula's been happier lately. Let's keep her that way." The brown-haired woman spoke while smiling warmly down at their young friend.

To think that this innocent girl won over Azula…

She wouldn't have believed it if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes.

That was when the small girl gazed at a small watch that she was carrying before gasping in horror as if she just had an arm cut off.

"Oh no! I am running behind schedule! I-I am going to be late for Her Highness's dinner! I-I am going to be tardy! Azula-sama despises the tardy!" The blonde-haired girl shouted in fright while both women sweatdropped down at her when she began to scurry ahead with Mai still holding onto her wrist.

They weren't sure if they should be impressed or frightened by how well Azula had trained the girl in mere days.

"It's okay Elle! We'll vouch for you. Besides! Azula likes you. She won't be mad." Ty Lee assured gently while speeding up after the rushing teenager.

"Y-you really think so?" Elle murmured while peering up at Mai still guiding her down the hall.

"Yes Elle, we know so." The markswoman replied in a faintly softened voice while sighing down when the girl began to chew on her lip.

"So, Elle…evidently you're feeling better?" The brown-haired woman conversed while the other woman glanced over with her brows furrowing.

"She got sick after all huh?" Mai muttered while Ty Lee nodded with a strangely worried gleam that also sparked her concern.

"I am. It would seem that the herbal medicine worked wonders. I'm back on my feet and serving Azula-sama!" The blonde-haired girl chirped while puffing out her chest in a childish show of pride that amused her big sisters.

"Is Azula running you ragged again?" Ty Lee pondered in a tone of disapproval that flew over the girl's chipper head.

"Oh no oneesan. Not at all." Elle insisted while shaking her head with Mai peering down at her in a questioning manner.

"Really? You look a bit worn out." The markswoman snorted while the acrobat sweatdropped as they continued down the palace halls.

"I've just done a few humble chores here and there. First, I began washing Azula-sama's feet at five forty, twenty minutes earlier than scheduled. After an hour and half Her Highness, herself congratulated me on my efforts!" Elle announced in a cheerful voice while both women gazed down at her with pity in their eyes.

"Elle…you spent an hour and a half just washing Azula's feet?" The brown-haired woman questioned with disbelief in her eyes.

Even when Azula had two or three handmaids' washing her feet they were done in under twenty minutes!

Azula was clearly making Elle work harder because she enjoyed Elle's eagerness to please.

"Mhm and after that I spent another hour and a half massaging her feet. Forty-five minutes for each foot! Azula-sama says that is the recommended length of time that it takes for the lotion to absorb into her skin." The blonde-haired girl responded with gusto while both noblewomen sweatdropped once more.

"It sounds like hippo cow shit." Mai sighed while holding a palm to her forehead.

She was just astounded by how easy this girl was to manipulate.

"Azula-sama also said she was tired and she needed a footrest. She was even kind enough to ask me if it was okay…so I agreed." Elle spoke with a joyful voice while both of her big sister's now glanced down at her just bewildered that she said yes.

And there was even a spark of anger in both noblewomen's eyes, most especially Mai's.

"Elle! You don't have to do everything Azula says. She shouldn't be using you as a footrest! You matter…to all of us." Ty Lee complained with a frown while gazing down at Elle's naïve face.

"It's alright oneesan. It really is. I made Azula-sama happy and that was all worth it. We even b-bathed together." The blonde-haired girl confessed while twiddling her thumbs with both women gazing on nervously.

"Azula…bathed with you?" The markswoman asked with the edge in her voice soaring over the innocent girl's head.

"Yep. I washed her entire body save for her…um bottom and her no touch zone." Elle boasted with her chest puffing out while the two women exchanged a brief comical glance.

"Her no touch zone?" Mai repeated with a trace of amusement in her eyes while Ty Lee also sweatdropped.

"Her no-no zone." The blonde-haired girl clarified while point to her own lower region while the two older girls blinked in comedic amusement.

"No-no zone little sister?" The brown-haired woman giggled while staring at the other noblewoman who was face palming once more.

"That is the most absurd way of describing-" The markswoman trailed off when the acrobat covered her mouth.

"That's what I heard a few girl's call it back in school. They also called it a kitty. Is that a more proper term?" Elle inquired while holding a finger to her lip while both women gazed away now turning red.

They both knew that if they told Elle that it was okay to call Azula's womanhood a 'kitty' that only great agony was certain to follow.

"Hm. Not really no. But don't worry! Me and Mai will educate you on the subject later." Ty Lee informed with a cheery smile while ignoring the other woman's display of discomfort.

"Ooh…I have a secret to tell you both. But you have to promise to not tell anyone." The blonde-haired girl began mysteriously with both women staring down at her curiously.

"We won't tell a soul…you can trust us. We're your big sisters after all." The brown-haired woman stated fondly while snaking an arm around the blushing girl's side.

"Yeah. Big sisters." Mai sighed while scratching her cheek while Elle tugged on her sleeve.

"Will you two please bend over…I am…rather…um…" Elle trailed off nervously as she turned red under their combined amused stares.

"Short?" The markswoman finished while the acrobat's warm laughter resonated into the air.

"Y-yes." The blonde-haired girl stammered with the acrobat already leaning over her shoulder grinning all the while.

"Aww! It's okay to be short. We like you small!" Ty Lee cooed while patting Elle's adorable head just as Mai stooped over on the girl's other side.

"So, what's the secret little sister?" Mai questioned in a calm but slightly inquisitive voice while Elle glanced about as if making certain that no one was listening.

Before she stood on her toes with her head in-between both of their ears.

"Azula-sama thinks that I am snuggable!" Elle exclaimed in as quiet a voice as she could muster while the two now leaned on her shoulder with their eyes widening in surprise.

Both noblewomen exchanged a quiet glance while inwardly knowing if they broadcasted such a rumor that Azula would not only have Elle thrown out…

But their lives would suddenly become…very miserable.

"Keep your voice down…" The markswoman urged quietly while standing up to her full height with her hand on the smaller girl's shoulder.

"Aww! That's so cute! We won't tell anyone. Our lips are sealed." The brown-haired woman stated with a grin while patting the younger girl's shoulder.

"Come on. Let's get that food. We can talk more afterward." Mai sighed while taking the lead with Elle still latched onto her sleeve.

All the while Elle followed in between them while the two continued to watch over her in a genuine big sisterly fashion.

And most adorable was the fact that the small girl's smile never once lessened after revealing that the princess deemed her 'snuggable'.

About twenty minutes later…

Azula sat holding a cup of wine gazing at her clock in mild annoyance to see that the girl was oddly late.

Her brows furrowed in aggravation until she glanced up when she heard a cart being pushed down the hall.

Then the doors opened while she peered on curiously to see her two subordinates following Elle in just before discreetly shutting the door.

"You are late…" The princess trailed off in a judgmental voice with her lips pursed in a scowl while the petite girl paled in fright already bowing rapidly at the hip.

"S-sumimasen Azula-sama! I-I-" The blonde-haired girl began in stammer while the regal woman eyed her only for Mai to place her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"It's not her fault Azula. Besides I should think after three hours of tending to your feet you should be able to let one-minute slide." Mai spoke in her usual voice while Azula peered at Elle with her brows rising in curiosity.

"I'll ignore your tone and ask. Why was she late?" Azula pondered while gazing at her pet still fretfully curtsying her repeatedly one bow after another.

It almost made up for the girl's unusual tardiness.

"General Bujing stopped her in the hallway. He began to harass her…and he even grabbed her wrist. I intervened. But I still thought you should know about it." The markswoman explained in a calm voice while the princess now gazed on with a spark of an inferno in her callous eyes.

"Really? General Bujing thinks it is his business to meddle in my affairs?" The princess asked with a noticeable frown while turning to watch her handmaid scamper over to her side.

"Don't be mad at her Azula. Elle didn't do anything wrong." Ty Lee pleaded while sighing as she observed Elle bow low on the floor.

"S-sumimasen Azula-sama! Sumimasen!" Elle cried out while bowing over and over with Azula now peering down at her with pleased golden eyes.

"I suggest you give her some sort of official seal as proof that she answers directly to you to prevent future disruptions to her work." Mai advised as she pulled out a seat on the furthest side of the table.

Azula's stern gaze briefly flickered up at Mai clearly considering her words before glancing back down at Elle kneeling before her boots.

"I will let it slide…just this once only because it was beyond your control. You perform the highest quality of work. Make certain that you continue to do so." The princess commented with her palms folded in her lap.

"Y-yes Azula-sama. A-as you say, always as you say. I-I am sorry. A-are you mad at me?" The blonde-haired girl stuttered in a sullen voice while the regal woman sighed as she shook her head.

"Azula! The poor girl's been working to please you all night. Just tell her that everything is okay." The brown-haired woman exclaimed after seating herself while frowning back at the controlling woman's hardened visage.

"Hm. I am not mad at you Elle. You are a good girl. My good girl. Now calm yourself…" Azula purred just as she bent over to pat Elle's head with the young girl now peering up at her with a revived smile.

"I am so relieved! Oh Azula-sama…" Elle trailed off before assaulting Azula in a sudden hug around her waist with the princess now staring down at her in slight annoyance.

"Elle! No hugs! Not right now! I…want to eat my dinner!" The princess complained with her belly growling in protest while her two-childhood friends snickered at her expense.

"I don't want to be a bad girl…I want to be the best girlfriend that I can be for you…" The blonde-haired girl murmured with her face pressed in the woman's rumbling belly while the princess awkwardly began patting her head.

All the while Mai was now gazing at the two with a questioning countenance before turning to the nervously smiling Ty Lee.

It was obvious that she missed something.

Elle…a thirteen-year-old…Azula's girlfriend?

"What…did I miss?" The markswoman questioned in a slightly uneasy voice while gazing at the acrobat's clearly reddening face.

"So well behaved. That's my girl. Now go bring me my dinner." Azula commanded with her palm in Elle's hair while the small girl beamed up at her with happy amber eyes.

"You haven't heard oneesan? Azula-sama is going to marry me when I turn sixteen!" Elle announced with a sunny smile while Mai now glanced at them with her eyes widening in disbelief.

And if one looked closely there was a sliver of accusation in her tawny eyes that the princess never failed to notice.

"Really little sister? No, I hadn't heard. Why don't you fill me in?" Mai pondered with her hands folding over the tabletop while Elle happily stood up with a blush on her young cheeks.

"We are going to date until she turns sixteen. And if all goes well…I will marry her…when she comes of age." The princess remarked while reaching out to pat the flushing girl's cheek.

"I-I am Princess Azula's girl now. And when I am old enough…she is going to take me as hers." The blonde-haired girl declared with her chest puffing out pridefully while the princess gazed at her with a charming smile while she stroked her cheek gently.

"You already…belong to me." Azula purred with her hand clutching at Elle's reddening face with a possessive aura about her.

"I…think they'll make a cute couple…" Ty Lee trailed off with a wary smile while Mai still eyed the two with a less than convinced gaze.

"O-oh Azula-sama…I am yours." Elle agreed while holding a hand to her swooning cheek with her princess's lips curving into a pleased smirk.

"Mhm. You are. Now…be a good girl…and set the table for us." The princess commanded with her belly growling once more before giving her pet one final pat on the cheek.

"Yes princess! Straight away!" The blonde-haired girl cheered before turning to set the table for all three noblewomen.

"You don't have to set the table alone! I'll help you Elle." The brown-haired woman offered before standing up as she made her way over to the girl's side with a cheerful smile.

"B-but oneesan it's my job as the group servant." Elle protested only for the acrobat to frown while gently pushing her aside with her hip.

"You aren't the group servant…I only said that to get that mean old man to back off. You're one of us now." Ty Lee explained just before poking Elle's nose with a grin while the small girl turned an adorable shade of red.

"Ty Lee, I hereby decree that Elle must set my plate. Set yours and Mai's if you wish, but she will set mine. Come Elle. Bring my plate and silverware." Azula commented lazily while clapping her hands with her words jarring the eager girl into action.

"Wakarimashita Azula-sama!" The blonde-haired girl chirped before scurrying past her sighing big sister while grasping her master's plate.

"If Azula makes you happy Elle…then I am happy for you. Though one can only hope that she finds more dignified tasks for you…other than…being a human footrest." The markswoman commented while watching the petite girl set down a plate before the princess.

The princess now silently glared over in her direction once more while Ty Lee continued to set the many platters upon the table.

"It was light play…nothing more. The girl even admitted that she likes my feet." The princess stated with a smug smirk while her words caused both of her friends to cringe in unison.

The two noblewomen once more gazed at the blushing girl all the while pondering why she would ever say that to a woman like Azula.

"But Azula…she's got such a cute face. How…could you ever step on her sweet face…someone this cute shouldn't be used for such a degrading task." Ty Lee scolded with a frown while pinching Elle's cheek as she strode past the blushing girl.

"Azula-sama says that the other handmaids don't wash her feet properly. So…I volunteered to do it every day for her." Elle piped with glee just before setting silverware before Azula who gazed at her with a wolfish grin on her lovely lips.

Even Ty Lee visibly blanched while peering at the young girl's innocent face before sighing loudly deciding not to comment on the matter any further.

"She likes assertive women Ty Lee. I am assertive. What more is there to understand? It was all in good fun. We even bathed together afterward…" Azula trailed off with a gratified smile while turning to Elle standing faithfully beside her.

"Well…that's great Azula. It looks like all of the platters are set up…and everyone has a plate!" The brown-haired woman commented with her hands on her hips smiling all the while.

"Sit Elle. Beside me…" The princess ordered while pointing her finger at a chair placed beside her throne.

"Yes Azula-sama. H-have I pleased you today?" The blonde-haired girl asked shyly before sitting down beside her princess with the older female eying her fondly.

"I confess that you have. You have been such a good girl." Azula cooed before reaching out to pat Elle's head with a controlling palm.

"I-I have? But…I-I was tardy." Elle stammered with a timid smile while she sank into her seat enjoying the soft domination that Azula exerted with ease.

"That's not your fault…and you can rest assured…that I will have a word with General Bujing." The princess stated with an edge to her voice while reaching across the table to raise the lid off the main course.

The two noblewomen blinked in amazement to find themselves gazing at a strictly vegetarian dish.

A simply delectable vegetable stir fry complete with a broth and white rice.

There was also a course of fire noodles, and many other food items that it seemed that Azula wanted Elle to try.

And finally, Azula's personal favorite treat, mochi.

"You didn't have to order the entire meal vegetarian Azula-sama!" The blonde-haired girl exclaimed with awe in her innocent eyes while peering about the table in excitement.

"Consider it a reward for being so faithful. I doubt Mai and Ty Lee will mind." Azula remarked while gazing at Mai's apathetic face and then Ty Lee's usual cheerful visage.

"It's totally super Azula! She deserves it." Ty Lee replied while nodding as she reached across the table to serve herself.

"I don't mind…and I hardly have a right to complain since I only ended up here by chance. I am just surprised…it isn't like Azula to consider anyone but herself." Mai answered while also reaching to scoop food onto her plate.

Elle was a nice girl, liked by all three of them in some manner.

Even Azula.

In a strange way she was quickly becoming the young girl of their group that they all wanted to protect.

"A-arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama…" Elle trailed off sweetly just as she leaned over to embrace the woman's toned bicep.

"You…are welcome. But there will be no hugging while I eat my meal. I don't need you pushing on my stomach while I am eating!" The princess exclaimed while gazing at the pouting girl slinking back into her own seat.

"Yes princess." The blonde-haired girl whined with a noticeable sigh while she began to scoop smaller portions than the older girls.

"So Azula…" Mai began with a slight smirk that had the woman in question gazing up at her already annoyed.

"What?" Azula answered while scooping food onto her plate with her eyes narrowing in a warning manner.

"No-no zone…" The markswoman stated with a victorious countenance that had the princess glaring at her with a twinge of redness on her cheeks.

All the while Ty Lee giggled despite her own blush while Elle continued to gaze around in a lovably puzzled manner.

"Shut up…Mai." The princess growled before peering at her timid pet with a sigh.

There is no way that she could let her possible future wife remain this…ignorant.

Even if it was adorable.

"So, you and Azula bathed together?" The brown-haired woman questioned with her giggles dying down while the young girl peered down at her plate still blushing.

"W-we did. It was a bit overwhelming at first…b-but after I pleaded for mercy, she w-went easy on me." Elle replied with a stammer while Azula smiled in a prideful manner.

"Mercy Azula? Why do I get the feeling that I don't want to hear this?" Mai inquired with a sigh while sitting back with a full plate.

"Oh, I simply forgot that she was kneeling on the floor…and I accidently brushed my ass against her little face. You should have seen her adorable face…quivering and begging me to show her leniency. But at heart I am a merciful woman…so I made certain that it didn't happen again." Azula announced casually over the dinner table with her words stunning her two-childhood friends into a blushing silence.

The two noblewomen gazed back at their unabashed leader before turning to their young companion's reddened face.

"A-Azula! Please wait until she's older before you start s-shoving your ass in her face!" Ty Lee cried out while Azula just smiled with a wine goblet in hand.

"It was an accident Ty Lee." The princess insisted with feigned innocence that had all but the young blonde rolling their eyes.

"I am sure it was. Well congratulations Elle. You had both Azula's feet and ass in your face all in one day." The markswoman declared in her usual tone while the small girl turned even redder upon hearing her words.

"I-I had a good day. I-I really did! Azula-sama held me in the tub. She let me nap with my face in her bosom." The blonde-haired girl chirped with the two women staring back in even further shock.

"Hm. So, I did." Azula agreed while stirring her meal with a pleased demeanor about her.

It was just stunning the two how Azula was already getting naked with Elle, even if they weren't having sex.

"I spoke too soon. You had her breasts in your face as well. Well…at least you got something out of it. Likely more pleasurable to have a woman's boobs in your face…than her feet." Mai commented factually while Ty Lee began to choke on her drink.

"M-Mai!" The brown-haired woman protested while her friend calmly began to eat her meal.

"I got the most precious thing of all! I got to snuggle with Azula-sama!" Elle shouted while puffing up her chest in a childish show of pride that had the three women sweatdropping.

All of that talk about Azula seemingly testing the waters with the girl sexually and the young girl only wanted to cuddle.

"Keep your voice down girl! You can't just shout that to the world!" The princess snapped with her icy eyes glaring about clearly worried about her reputation.

"So…tell us Elle. What makes for comfier pillows. Azula's thighs…or her breasts?" The markswoman teased with her words earning her a glare from the woman in question.

"Both! Her thighs are so well formed I could just sleep there all day! And her bosom is very warm and soft as well!" The blonde-haired girl explained with a pure hearted voice while the acrobat coughed on her drink.

"W-wow Azula. I didn't know you were that comfy." Ty Lee stated while eying her stoic friend now staring back at her icily.

"Azula-sama?" Elle pondered sweetly while Azula turned to her with surprisingly patient eyes.

"Yes?" Azula answered while swallowing a mouthful all the while surveying her lovely handmaid with possessive eyes.

"Are we officially adding lapnaps to our morning schedule?" The blonde-haired girl with a sunny smile while the princess now glared at her through the corner of her annoyed eye.

All the while she listened to the acrobat's oohs and awws, and Mai's snort of amusement.

"No. We are not. But we are adding a two-hour foot session every day. At one, on the dot. Be certain that you record it." The princess commanded while swallowing her food with her words causing the poor girl's shoulders to slump.

And both of her friend's amusement died down while they now gazed at Azula rather taken aback by how selfish she could be.

Even to a girl she professed to like.

"But…you said that I am your girl." Elle protested meekly while Azula still gazed at her with cold eyes.

"I did. And you are. You belong to me." Azula stated before opening her mouth to chew on another bite in a regal manner.

"E-even if we share separate beds…surely we will hug sometime…maybe an hour every morning…" The blonde-haired girl trailed off while the monarch sighed under her breath.

"This morning it was five hours. Not one." The princess reminded bitterly while the young girl turned red while sulking in her seat.

"Aww…if Azula's too much of an icebox I'll snuggle with you every day little sister." Ty Lee announced with a warm smile that had Azula staring at her from the corner of her eye in faint jealousy.

Just as she expected it would…

"Really! Lapnaps with my oneesan!" Elle cried out while Ty Lee smiled despite the girl's fondness for sleeping in a woman's lap.

"If you want…sure! But you don't have to kneel on the floor. We'll go snuggle in my bed." The brown-haired woman explained while turning to the princess's now irate face.

"Absolutely not. I forbid it. You are not permitted to put your face in another woman's lap. You will use my lap only. And only…when I give you permission." Azula declared in a voice of authority while gazing at Elle's now jubilant face.

"You speak as if Ty Lee was going to do something obscene to her." Mai scoffed while swallowing a sip of wine.

"So, we are keeping lapnaps! Every morning at eight on the dot!" The blonde-haired girl cheered while the regal woman eyed her once more.

"No. Not every day…only when I…" The princess sighed while observing the girl withdraw her silly little diary.

"Lapnap…with Azula-sama from eight…to nine." Elle commented with an adorable smile while the three women sweatdropped once more.

"What a clingy little tiger monkey you are." Azula snorted snidely before returning to her meal.

"I suppose so!" The blonde-haired girl cried out while taking a bite of her food smiling brightly as she did so.

"Tell me Elle…why are you vegetarian? I don't believe that I have asked yet." The princess pondered with a thoughtful countenance while peering at her young admirer's happy face.

"Oh, that's because I can't stand the thought of anything dying for me." Elle responded with her smile wavering just a bit while Azula rolled her golden eyes at her.

Her innocent answer caused Ty Lee to glance up from her plate before turning to Mai's sighing face.

It was as if the two silently agreed that they would have to watch out for her.

"Well coming from a little pacifist that doesn't surprise me. What would you do…if I were to order you to abandon your…diet?" Azula inquired with a contemplative smirk while turning to Elle's now worried expression.

"Azula, you can't just make changes to someone's personality. You either like them for who they are…or you don't. It's…that simple." The markswoman spoke while gazing at the princess with a pointed stare.

"She is how she is Azula. And I like her just the way she is." The brown-haired woman stated with a smile while gazing at the small girl looking so shy over all of the attention.

"I would just disregard the order. I absolutely will not eat meat. Not even for my princess." The blonde-haired girl declared in a proud manner with her words incurring three taken aback looks for her answer.

It had stunned even Azula that the girl had actually stated that there was an order she would ignore.

"Disobedience? Silly girl. I am in control of everything that goes onto your plate. With but one word you won't be able to find a vegetarian bite in the entire palace." The princess remarked with merciless delight lining her now cold voice.

The statement now had both noblewomen gazing at Azula in disapproval.

"I would just go on a hunger strike." Elle boasted with her chest puffing out while Azula's controlling smile widened in amusement.

"Azula!" Ty Lee scolded with a frown all the while shaking her head.

"A hunger strike? Is that a challenge to my authority?" Azula purred with her palms now folded on the table before her.

"No Azula-sama. It is just the truth. I would rather starve than eat meat." The blonde-haired girl insisted a resolute nod while the princess still eyed her with predatory eyes seeming to take it as a challenge.

"After ten days of hunger pains. I am quite certain that I could change your little mind…" The princess trailed off with a taunting smile while the other two women glanced at her warily.

"Azula! Why do you have to keep going from nice to mean with Elle?" Ty Lee protested with a concerned shake of her head.

"Oh no. Not only do I know that my princess would never do that to me. I also know that before I start to starve my oneesans will feed me." Elle declared with a jubilant smile that had Azula now staring at her two-childhood friends with imposing golden eyes.

What irked Azula the most was that all three of them knew that Elle had her beat in that regard.

"Yep! I would just steal you for a few weeks until Azula decides to stop being a meanie. You can be my snuggle servant…your only job will be snuggling with me for days on end!" The brown-haired woman announced with a cheerful grin that had their young companion gazing over at her with her eyes almost sparkling in excitement.

"No. You will not." Azula retorted with a frown while Mai gazed humorously at Elle's overjoyed face.

"I want to be your snuggle servant oneesan! It sounds fun." The blonde-haired girl chirped in a return to her chipper voice while staring at Ty Lee in rising admiration.

"Aww! Hear that Azula? She wants to be my snuggle servant." Ty Lee commented with a bright smile while leaning over to pat her little sister's hand.

"How touching Ty Lee…but she isn't for rent. Humor me Elle. Let's say I would never do that to you. I am curious…how would you survive if you were trapped on a deserted island?" The princess pondered with her fingers resting beneath her chin all the while surveying her handmaid in amusement.

"I really doubt that the girl is going to be trapped on any isolated islands anytime soon…unless you drop her off yourself." Mai stated while gazing at Azula with a monotone stare.

"Hm…I would look for berries!" Elle answered naively while Azula now gazed at her with her nose scrunching up comically.

"That's it? You would just hope that you find an adequate number of berries to survive day by day?" Azula scoffed in a deadpan voice while peering at her pet with a chiding stare.

Once more…the girl is just too naïve.

"I suppose so. I would never want any living creature to die just for my sake. I am just one girl. There are millions, upon millions of humans out there. There's nothing special about me that makes my life worth more than a rabbit or a butterfly soaring in the breeze. So, I just try to live as peacefully as I can…and hope for the best." The blonde-haired girl explained in a relaxed voice that took all three women aback.

Even Ty Lee.

There were just astonished by how little worth Elle placed on her own life.

It was also shockingly mature to hear this from a thirteen-year-old girl.

And yet…sad at the same time.

All three were now staring at Elle with varying arrays of emotion in their gazes with Azula's being complete bewilderment.

That was one of the most intriguing aspects about Elle that continued to draw her in.

The girl was an enigma to her.

She just didn't understand Elle…and it annoyed her to admit that.

"You just trot along and hope for the best?" The princess snorted with her wine glass in hand while staring at her little admirer with a twinge of frustration in her gaze.

"That's right. I am a simple soul Azula-sama. I don't need much…and I just want to be happy. I just go with the flow! I try not to worry about what may or may not come. What will flow will flow!" Elle responded with a carefree shrug while the three women gazed at her as if she had just spouted a third arm.

"What will flow will flow? You are a strange kid." The markswoman remarked with her tawny eyes agape in bafflement.

"Maybe so. But I am content. Whether I die old or young…that doesn't matter to me. As long as I was happy…that's all that matters. It's just the way it goes. No sense in worrying about what may come." The blonde-haired girl spoke before taking a bite of her meal with a content countenance.

Azula sat staring back at Elle with her brows furrowing in disbelief over what she was hearing.

And try as she might she couldn't help but feel a sliver of concern.

Her lips pursed into a scowl all the while glaring at the young girl's lighthearted face.

'Curse this peasant…for making me feel such weakness.' The princess thought bitterly all the while snorting in contempt.

"Hm. How lucky for you that I am here to make your decisions for you. It's clearly for your own good." Azula stated with her stern gaze suppressing the faintest slivers of concern that she felt for her young companion.

Up until now Ty Lee and Mai wouldn't have agreed to Azula saying such a thing.

But now they couldn't help but wonder if Azula was right.

"I do not protest your governance Azula-sama…in truth I find it to my liking. I just look at life differently than most people. I try not to carry a grudge…I am weightless! If all ended in an instant…I would have no regrets." Elle answered after swallowing her bite with a gentle smile that had even Azula staring at her agape in shock.

All three of the women exchanged a glance with the acrobat's being the most emotional of them all.

Those were strange words to hear from a thirteen-year-old girl.

Words that roused a sense of concern in all of them.

Even if they didn't show it.

"Elle…you are young. You shouldn't be talking about dying so casually. Please don't do that. It…worries me." Ty Lee spoke softly with a trace of sadness in her usually cheerful eyes while peering at the small girl's speedily fading smile.

"I-I am sorry oneesan. I…am not trying to worry you! I am happy here! That's all that I am trying to say. Please don't be sad." The blonde-haired girl cried out while staring at her big sister's frowning countenance.

"Just…please don't talk like that. We'd miss you if you left us." The brown-haired woman assured while wiping at her eye trying not to shed a tear.

"Y-you would?" Elle stammered with her rising smile causing all of them to gaze at her oddly.

"Of course, we would! Isn't that right Azula?" Ty Lee urged with a pleading look in her eyes while she turned to the princess's callous face all the while rolling her eyes over her concern.

"The girl's not dying Ty Lee. Cease the waterworks." The princess grumbled before turning to glare at the teenager's innocent visage.

"It's nice to have a new face around. I can see that we'll have to be keeping a close watch on you." Mai agreed while Elle turned to her smiling even wider than before.

"A-arigatou gozaimasu oneesan." The blonde-haired girl muttered before jumping up in a startled manner when the regal woman loudly snapped her fingers in her face.

"Eat your food tiger monkey! It's growing cold. Let it flow into your mouth! I don't need you starving on me." Azula barked with her imposing stare causing Elle to gulp meekly before saluting her much to her delight.

"Y-yes Azula-sama!" Elle exclaimed while the two noblewomen sweatdropped when she began picking at her food like a tiny bird.

"Good. It would be a shame to lose you. You give such a splendid foot massage." The princess remarked with her two-childhood friend's now staring at her in disapproval.

"Azula!" The brown-haired woman scolded while folding her arms over her bust all the while huffing angrily over how insensitive her friend was.

"I-I would be saddened if I lost you too Azula-sama. You bring such joy into the world. I-it wouldn't be the same without you…" The blonde-haired girl trailed off with her amber eyes peering at her master while the woman's lips curved into a refined smile.

"Yeah. I am just going to say that I disagree with you kid." The markswoman sighed with the princess swallowing a sip of wine clearly pleased by the girl's worshipful nature.

"Yeah! Azula…makes the world a pink place." Ty Lee stated while smiling at Elle with a warm countenance.

"I know I do. But you don't have to worry your little heart about ever being without me. It's too late for you to run away now. I am going to dictate your every action…right down to what you eat…for as long as you live." Azula announced in a glacial voice while narrowing her eyes at her pet's reddening little face.

The two noblewomen visibly shuddered after hearing that terrifying statement.

Anyone else would be in tears after hearing that.

But Elle…

"Please do! I find your rule quite soothing Azula-sama!" Elle cheered just before laughing happily while Azula now gazed at her with her lips adorning a pleased smirk.

"Y-you really should stop encouraging Azula to tell you what to do Elle." The brown-haired woman blurted out nervously while watched as the princess leaned over the side of her throne.

"Well…when you beg so sweetly how can I ever say no? Very well Elle. You no longer have a will of your own. That too…belongs to me now." The princess informed with a domineering smile that had the other women shivering.

"Yay! You're the best friend that I could ever ask for princess!" The blonde-haired girl yelled out with a grin while her big sister's gazed at her comically.

"Mhm. And you are the best pet I could ask for." Azula purred before reaching out to pat Elle's head with the young girl blushing beneath her palm.

"I can't still believe you enjoy Azula dictating your life. But…whatever." Mai snorted in a dismissive voice while concealing her inner concerns.

"O-oh Azula-sama. I-I am so glad that you think so." Elle stuttered while swooning with a dreamy look in her young eyes all while the woman petted her head.

"You are fortunate that it is so. You would clearly starve without me. There is no woman or man out there that can provide such a prime selection of foods as me. This is just even further proof that I am the optimal dating candidate." The princess boasted with an arrogant smile before removing her palm from her young admirer's blonde hair.

"Sure. Whatever you say Azula." Ty Lee coughed while shaking her head in amusement over her conceited friends' absurd idea of dating.

"What other princess can offer what I offer Ty Lee? If she exists simply give me her name and I will slaughter her before our young companion's own eyes! Never for her nation to ever rise above their shame and ruination!" Azula called out with a violent grin now adorning her crimson lips while the torches in the room suddenly burst into azure flames.

The two noblewomen gazed at her awkwardly in a tense silence while they sweatdropped over the princess's megalomania.

Then the sound of joyful clapping filled the air while they turned their gazes to the small girl chipperly stroking the regal woman's gargantuan ego.

"You go Azula-sama! I don't know who this princess is but she can't defeat my princess charming! Her Highness's victory is imminent!" The blonde-haired girl cheered with gusto while Azula glanced at her from the corner of her eye in clear approval.

"Elle…this princess doesn't exist. There is no victory for Azula to win." The markswoman informed in a deadpan manner while shook her head over the young girl's continued clapping.

She supposed that she could see why Azula liked Elle so much.

The girl's love for Azula was seemingly limitless.

"Hm. My little admirer speaks wisely." The princess spoke with a wolfish grin while only to grunt when a blonde blur leaped into her lap.

Azula now peered down at Elle now happily hanging onto her neck while peering up at her callous face with a sweet smile.

All the while Mai and Ty Lee snickered at her glaring face while making very little effort to stifle their laughter.

"My princess is the greatest there is. And that's all there is to it." Elle sighed with a blissful smile before snuggling into the irate woman's chest.

"Your enthusiasm pleases me Elle. Now go back to your own chair!" Azula snapped while glaring down at Elle's beaming face with narrowed golden eyes.

"B-but Azula-sama…I want to sit in your lap." The blonde-haired girl whined only to pout like a sulking puppy when the princess raised her into the air by the back of her shirt.

"Azula! Don't hold Elle like a rag doll!" Ty Lee protested while she sweatdropped all the while at the sight of Azula holding Elle above her throne while the small girl pouted adorably.

"Not while I am eating." The princess snorted while peering up at the petite blonde's pitiful attempt at puppy dog eyes.

"I-I just wanted to snuggle." Elle mumbled lamely before being dropped onto her backside in her chair.

It did not escape the notice of the others that Azula did not drop Elle carelessly, she had set the girl down with a margin of care for her fragile nature.

"Too bad. Now eat your food…and stay in your seat!" Azula bellowed out dominantly while staring at Elle with narrowing golden eyes when the girl moved to hop over again.

"Aww…that's so cute Azula." The brown-haired woman gushed while observing Elle sulking with a lovable pout on her cheeks.

"W- wakarimashita Azula-sama." The blonde-haired girl stammered while slumping in her seat with her hand now grasping at her utensils once more.

"Quit your pouting tiger monkey." The princess scoffed while rolling her elegant eyes over her pet's childish behavior.

"Y-yes master." Elle agreed without delay while Azula peered at her with her frown quickly transforming into a smile once more.

"Just do as I say Elle. Be a good girl and I will indulge your silly desires." Azula commented with a refined smirk while scooping up another mouthful.

"So, Elle…earlier I heard Azula state that she moved you into another chamber?" Ty Lee pondered in a strategic effort to change the subject.

"Mhm! I have a bigger room now!" The blonde-haired girl chimed while peering at her master eating in an ever-graceful manner.

"Azula moved you into a larger room?" Mai asked with curiosity in her voice all the while Elle rapidly nodded her head exuberantly.

"I did." The princess stated casually while gulping down her bite with her callous eyes all the while peering at her joyful pet.

"Azula-sama removed my cot and put in a really nice bed! I have a desk now with a chair! Now I can write poetry for Her highness at my desk!" Elle cried out with jubilance while Azula's lips curled into a pleased smile.

Not only were the two noblewomen rather taken aback by the princess's strange act of generosity.

They couldn't help but sweatdrop over how even now Elle only thought of how the new arrangement would benefit Azula.

They had no doubt that played a factor in Azula's bizarre habit of pampering Elle.

"I suppose you could. Perhaps you can also find a non-Azula related hobby." The markswoman commented while her leader eyed her in a spoiled sense of disapproval.

"And now I have a lounge chair! And a huge closet full of nice clothes! A-and even an art station! There is even a painting stand! Now I can paint Azula-sama from the comfort of a chair!" The blonde-haired girl squealed while her two big sisters shook their heads in a fond manner.

"Or not." Mai concluded dryly with a sigh while the acrobat smiled cheerfully.

"Aww, that was really nice of Azula." Ty Lee cooed while gazing between Elle's radiant little face and Azula's slight scowl.

"I am simply humoring her in order to continue to receive the highest quality of service." Azula spoke in an offhand manner while waving her hand before her face.

Neither Mai nor Ty Lee believed the princess's obvious lie.

"I-I'll have my first two Azula-sama paintings finished even faster now that I have an art station." Elle admitted bashfully while peering over at Azula with a blush on her cheeks.

The joyful announcement incurred several more oohs and awws from the acrobat and a slightly inquisitive glanced from her other big sister.

And Azula's red lips curled into a gratified smile as she drank a sip of her wine.

"When they are finished…I demand that you show me my paintings." The princess purred in a hubristic voice while resting her chin in the palm of her hand.

"Wakarimashita!" The blonde-haired girl agreed in a cheerful manner that earned her an approving glance from her master.

"You're going to hang them up…where we can see them…aren't you?" The markswoman inquired while the princess gazed ahead with her usual entitled smirk.

"Elle, tell your big sisters about my decorating plans." Azula commanded in a supremely haughty voice while Elle turned to face her sisters with an enthusiastic grin.

"Azula-sama told me that when she becomes Fire Lord, I must line the entire palace with artwork in Her Highness's royal likeness!" Elle announced in a lively voice while both noblewomen gazed at her in renewed pity before turning to the princess's pleased smile.

"T-the entire palace Azula? Do you have any idea how much work she must be putting into each painting? Elle just might work herself to death!" Ty Lee protested with disbelief in her sisterly voice that had Azula rolling her eyes.

"I never said that I would make her do it all in one day. Far and wide I will ensure that she is known as the painter of the flawless Fire Lord Azula. No doubt she will sell a great many prints." The princess remarked in a content voice before pushing her empty plate aside.

"It seems a waste of her talent to only paint your face a hundred times over." Mai sighed with a shake of her head while gazing at the sunny faced girl.

"We'll just have to agree to disagree. I can think of no finer subject." Azula replied with an arrogant smile while turning to nod over in her little admirer's direction.

"Azula-sama?" The blonde-haired girl began once more while the older female eyed her with a trace of noticeable fondness still smiling.

"What is going through that little mind of yours?" The princess pondered with a less sadistic smirk than her usual.

"W-will you make sure that old man doesn't try to twist my arm again?" Elle requested in a timid voice while Azula peered at her with her smiling now fading fast.

The two noblewomen winced in unison while exchanging a knowing glance with one another.

Though they had no pity for the old general, they knew that he was bound to regret impeding Azula's dinner.

"I will. Show me your wrist." Azula ordered with her lips pursed into a frown while Elle leaned over sliding down the sleeve of her shirt.

It was barely noticeable, but there was a faint, very faint mark on the girl's skin from where Bujing had seized her arm.

"He…bruised her." The brown-haired woman growled out in a protective voice while the markswoman also frowned in mutual disapproval.

"This will be corrected. You can be assured of that. First thing tomorrow morning…I will give you a seal to where on your arm. After that…I doubt very much that you'll ever be harassed again." The princess informed with her eyes forming a terrifying stare before releasing her handmaid's arm.

"A-arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama…" The blonde-haired girl murmured meekly while smiling up at the regal woman's stern countenance.

"You belong to me. Only I may berate you." Azula stated in a domineering voice that had young Elle blushing once more.

"How romantic." Mai scoffed in a monotone while shoving her plate aside.

"O-oh Azula-sama, you're the best there is. I-I just know you'll defeat this other princess." Elle gushed while swooning with a hand on her cheek with her two big sister's sweatdropping once more.

"That's right my little admirer. I'll crush her underfoot." The princess boasted with a visible swell of pride while gazing at the young girl with a violent grin.

"Can I ask you another question master?" The blonde-haired girl pondered with a shy smile while the regal woman still peered at her smiling in a graceful manner.

"Of course, I have boundless brilliance to share with your developing mind." Azula responded in a voice of ever rising arrogance that had Mai groaning in annoyance.

"H-how do I determine the value of the coin that you gave me?" Elle asked bashfully while peering at her feet clearly afraid that she would be viewed as an idiot.

"Finally paid her huh?" The markswoman questioned in her usual tone while the princess rolled her eyes in response.

"I was always going to pay her. Now…you wish for me to educate you on Fire Nation currency…is that correct?" The princess purred with her fingers brushing her bangs from her eyes all while staring over in the small girl's direction.

"T-that's so Azula-sama. I don't know how to spend it." The blonde-haired girl admitted with an adorable stutter all while finding herself captivated by the woman's natural charms.

"That simply will not do. Will it? Hm. I shall school your little mind on the subject during tomorrow mornings breakfast. How does that sound?" Azula remarked with her golden eyes peering over at Elle's innocent face with a hunger for dominance emanating from deep within.

"It sounds wonderful Azula-sama!" Elle cheered with warm laughter that had all three women gazing at her fondly when she reached out to grasp the woman's hand.

"Aww…she's so pink Azula." Ty Lee cooed with a giggle while Azula glanced at the girl holding her hand sighing all the while.

"Yes Ty Lee. Elle is…very pink." The princess stated while reclining in her throne with her pet leaning over to hug her bicep.

"Has there been any word on the Avatar?" Mai questioned in a bored voice while Azula's smile returned to that of her usual cold nature.

"I am glad you asked Mai. As of matter of fact there has. We will be leaving in two days on a mission." Azula announced with a callous smirk while the two noblewomen gazed back in surprise.

All while Elle now peered at Azula with her innocent eyes on the verge of panic.

"D-do I get to come Azula-sama?" The blonde-haired girl requested as she tugged on the regal woman's sleeve while the princess gazed down at her with a sophisticated smile.

"Of course, you're coming with me, silly girl. I can't leave you here to make your own decisions…now can I?" The princess declared with a suave curve of her lips while staring down at the now overjoyed girl with amused golden eyes.

The two noblewomen sweatdropped when their adopted sister's cheerful shout rang into the air.

"This is joyous news! I get to travel with Azula-sama!" Elle squealed in delight just before leaping over the arm of the throne and plopping right into the now grunting woman's lap.

The acrobat giggled once more while watching the princess attempt to intimidate their young companion into vacating her lap.

"Go back to your chair peasant. Or I will punish you." Azula spoke while pointing a finger in Elle's beaming face when the small girl began to hug her belly.

"But Azula-sama…I am your pet am I not?" The blonde-haired girl pondered with her face pressing into the princess's upper belly while the woman's brows furrowed in slight curiosity.

"Yes, you are my pet. But you still have your own chair." The princess growled just as she snapped her fingers in the petite girl's cheerful face.

"Azula…please…in the name of Agni stop turning Elle into a pet." Ty Lee sighed yet even still she smiled over Elle's adorable personality.

"But pets sit in their master's laps. So that means that this is my spot." Elle retorted with a sunny smile while Azula rolled her lovely eyes in returning amusement.

"Only if the master deems it so. I do not recall ever stating that you were a lappet." Azula snorted before lazily reclining with Elle propped up upon her belly.

"B-but Azula-sama! If I am your girlfriend and your pet…then that means I belong in your lap." The blonde-haired girl insisted while sighing happily with her head resting against the monarch's belly.

"Elle…girlfriend and pet are not usually one and the same…" Mai stated in deadpan yet even so it did not deter the chipper teenager.

"In our case they are one and the same. Very well Elle. I will permit this for thirty minutes. Then you must go to bed." The princess announced in a near maternal manner while gazing down at her pet with her face resting against her fist.

"O-only thirty minutes of snuggle time?" Elle protested comically while Azula's eyes now narrowed into a truly terrifying stare.

"Would you prefer no…snuggle time?" Azula asked in a tyrannical voice all the while delighting in how Elle's shoulders slumped in defeat.

"N-no Azula-sama…" The blonde-haired girl stuttered pitifully like a sullen puppy while the princess once more rolled her eyes.

"You are a whiny little tiger monkey…" The princess sighed before lowering her palm into the pouty girl's hair just as she began to pet her soft blonde tresses.

"I am Princess Azula's tiger monkey!" Elle cheered in a childishly prideful voice all the while blushing as she pushed her head into the princess's bosom.

The other two women sweatdropped while watching Azula peer down at Elle with an amused smirk about her sophisticated lips.

"Mhm. I suppose you are." Azula agreed lazily with her hand patting Elle's soft head in a possessive manner.

Over the next thirty minutes Elle continued to snuggle up in the princess's lap all the while slowly but surely beginning to yawn.

Such actions incurred glares from Azula and more oohs and awws from Ty Lee.

Until finally the allotted thirty minutes had expired and the yawning girl was forcibly evicted from her master's lap.

"Go to bed now Elle. I will see you…tomorrow morning at seven." The princess ordered with her palms resting in her lap while she back at the exhausted girl with stern golden eyes.

"Yes…Azula-sama…" The blonde-haired girl trailed off in mid-yawn yet even so bent over in a courteous bow that earned her a stare of approval from the seated woman.

"Such a reverent girl…" Azula trailed off before leaning forward to pat Elle's head while the small girl remained bent over at the waist with her hands at her sides.

Elle simply smiled warmly with the hand petting her head before releasing a few sleepy laughs all the while savoring the princess's attentions.

"I can't believe General Bujing called Elle's behavior improper and erroneous. What an ass." Ty Lee snorted with her arms folded under her breasts.

The statement caused the princess's eyes narrowing in a strange combination of anger and amusement.

"This one? Improper?" The princess scoffed with her controlling eyes peering down at her handmaid's timid little face.

"I-I'm not improper am I Azula-sama?" Elle mumbled with her eyes peering down at the princess's boots while the elegant woman sat with her legs crossed in a regal manner.

"No, most certainly not. I approve of you." Azula cooed in a curiously subdued voice while glancing down at Elle being compressed beneath her palm.

"Good. I want to be your good girl…always." The blonde-haired girl answered with a sweet smile just when her head was patted once more.

"Go to your chambers now servant…" The princess trailed off with her palm withdrawing while she surveyed her pet with a flicker of fondness in her callous eyes.

"Oyasumi nasai Azula-sama!" Elle exclaimed with a gentle voice while bowing once more all while Azula stared down at her clearly pleased by her obedience.

Both noblewomen found the scene to be strangely touching, even Mai herself.

Their new companion was a real sweetheart, of that they had no doubt.

"Oyasumi nasai…to you too Elle." Azula spoke with a stern nod only for Elle to leap into her lap once more while she sighed deciding to allow the hug.

"T-thank you Azula-sama…for the new chamber." The blonde-haired girl murmured graciously while the princess glanced down at her before patting her head.

"Consider it a reward for being a good girl. Now…run along now…before you pass out in my lap." The princess commanded before pushing the young girl out of her lap just as the blonde stood up with a faint blush on her cheeks.

"Yes princess!" Elle responded with cheer before curtsying Azula yet again before elegantly arising from her bow.

Azula never failed to take note of Elle's exceedingly courteous disposition, one of the girl's traits that she deeply favored.

Then she tilted her head curiously when her handmaid turned to scurry over to the smiling acrobat before hugging the woman around her waist.

"Aww! Goodnight to you too little sister!" The brown-haired woman gushed with a kind smile while patting the small girl's head.

"Oyasumi nasai…oneesan." The blonde-haired girl replied with a bashful smile while the woman mussed her hair.

"You go get your sleep now." Ty Lee stated softly before patting the girl's head once more while Elle stood up before adorably dashing over to Mai's seat.

The gloomy woman sighed when she turned to greet the girl approaching her with a twinge of fondness in her tawny eyes.

"You know…I am not really much for…" Mai trailed off in a deadpan voice just as Elle latched around her belly.

"Too bad. If I have to endure it so do you." Azula commented smugly while sipping her wine as she silently enjoyed watching Mai tense up.

"Oyasumi nasai oneesan!" Elle cried out cheerfully while Mai gazed down at her with softening eyes.

"Yeah. Same to you Elle." The markswoman spoke before gingerly patting the girl's grinning head.

And just like that the small blonde stood up almost turning to walk out of the room.

But she halted to peer back at the princess's stoic face all the while chewing her lip.

Then Elle speedily scurried back towards Azula's throne with the other two women smirking in entertainment.

The princess's wry expression was priceless while she watched the small girl scamper back over with aggravation finally beginning to show in her hardened eyes.

"Servant…you already said goodnight to me." The princess sighed only for the small girl to halt before her throne with her needy little eyes peering down at her boots.

"B-but Azula-sama…I love you so much that I wanted to do it all over again…" The blonde-haired girl whined while kicking at an imaginary pebble with her cheeks heating up under the princess's scrunched up stare.

The acrobat could be heard giggling in the background while the regal woman sat peering down at the young girl's bashful face.

"Really? How fortunate for me." Azula remarked dryly just when Elle embraced her around the neck with even more emotion than before.

"Azula…that is so cute! She's a total snugglebug." The brown-haired woman cooed only for the woman in question to glare at her from the corner of her eye with the small blonde latched around her neck.

"O-oyasumi n-nasai…" Elle stammered in a voice of endless affection with Azula glancing down at her while she patted her on the back.

"Goodnight to you too…once again. Now no more hugging!" The princess stated strictly before pushing the pouting blonde back to her feet.

"J-just one more?" The blonde-haired girl murmured with puppy dog eyes while the princess stared down at her with imposing golden eyes.

"We've hugged enough for one day. Now go to bed girl!" Azula barked with narrowed countenance now making Elle gulp under her glare much to her satisfaction.

"Y-yes Azula-sama…um…I hope you sleep well…" Elle trailed off with a shy smile while scratching her cheek nervously.

"You as well servant…now get going! Or I will punish you!" The princess exclaimed before pointing a domineering finger in the blushing girl's face.

"Wakarimashita!" The blonde-haired girl chirped before performing a final bow with her hands at her sides all the while peering up at her master's sighing face.

"Yes Elle… wakarimashita." Azula spoke with forced patience before watching Elle smile up at her and then turning to sprint away.

All three women observed Elle dashing to the doors and vanishing for the briefest of instances.

Only for two of three women to sweatdrop when the young girl peaked back in to peer at the princess's now exasperated face.

"Go." The princess snapped with her irate eyes staring at the naïve girl's smiling face all the while listening to the acrobat's hearty laughter.

"Oyasumi nasai minasan!" Elle yelled out while waving happily at all three with Ty Lee being the only one to cheerily wave back at her.

"You too baby sister! Maybe I'll pay you a snuggle visit one of these nights!" Ty Lee shouted with a joyful giggle while Azula glared at her from the corner of her eye.

"Go to sleep girl or I will put you to work all night long scrubbing the floors of the palace halls." Azula announced with a scarily callous stare now being aimed at the carefree young girl who was now making a hasty retreat.

"I love you Azula-sama!" The blonde-haired girl called out from down the hallway with the princess's lips now curving upwards ever so slightly over the adorable declaration.

"Is she actually gone now?" Mai asked while gazing at the open door with amused tawny eyes.

"It would seem so. Though I was beginning to wonder if that girl would ever finish saying goodnight." The princess snorted while reclining with her face now resting in the palm of her left hand.

"But she's so cute Azula!" The brown-haired woman squealed while gazing at the princess who simply rolled her eyes in response.

Though Azula did not say it aloud.

She did not disagree with her friend.

Elle was most certainly a lovely little thing.

Hers and hers alone.

[raendown]

Pairing: MadaraTobirama Word count: 4921 Chapter: 25/42 Summary: Not all wars are fought on the battlefield. Some are fought at the conference table, with whispers in the shadows, or even in the bedroom.

In a world where the Senju and Uchiha traditional lands were too far apart to have ever made them enemies, Butsuma and Tajima are the ones who come together and sign a treaty of peace. Madara isn’t happy to have his life signed away for him in a political marriage to strengthen the bond between their clans. He is even less happy to have Tobirama make assumptions of him from their very first night together. What follows from there is a journey of healing, of learning, and finding the places to belong in the places least expected.

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Chapter 25

After searching high and low in every other spot he could think to check Madara was forced to admit that Tobirama had probably retreated to the depths of his laboratory and reluctantly head that way. It wasn’t that he was nervous about going back to the place where he had nearly ended his own marriage too soon. That fear still gripped him every time he thought about Tobirama returning here but he had learned to fold the feeling away with memories of how well constructed the new layer of protective seals had been once Mito was finished with them. Rather it was knowing he would have to speak with Touka to gain access to the basement which made his steps unenthusiastic as he turned up the walkway. Now more than ever he found himself wishing he’d remembered to have Tobirama key him in to the wards around the separate entrance. So far he hadn’t needed to drag the man out of any terrible research binges but he had been assured several times that it would happen eventually.

He sort of wished it had happened once already. At least then he wouldn’t be knocking on Touka’s front door and cringing with every blow, almost praying she wasn’t home except for that would mean tracking her down and getting this over with anyway. Madara put on the bravest face he had and squared his shoulders as he felt a half-familiar presence approaching inside the home.

She didn’t look all that impressed to see him but then she never looked terribly impressed by much anyway.  

“I’m off duty,” was her greeting, tempting him to roll his eyes.

“Congratulations. I need you to let me in downstairs.”

“Oh, I thought you wanted me to replace someone calling out sick for patrol again. Softies. If they can’t run patrol on an upset tummy they’re not fit to be a shinobi.” She gave a snort of disgust that Madara couldn’t help but agree with. Village life came with a lot of perks but it was also letting some of their number grow lazy and soft.

Not wanting to let her go off on a rant, he indicated the empty hallways behind her with a vague motion. “Can I get in there? I want to see my husband and he won’t hear me knocking from the other entrance.”

“Ah and you need to get past me, hm? Very interesting. I wonder what you would give me to get through my house.” When Touka pulled her lips back it was more of a snarl than a grin and he didn’t like it one bit. Madara held back the urge to stick his tongue out at her but refused to play her game.

“I would give you the option of letting me pass amicably instead of encouraging me to switch you on to the night shift for a month.” Much as he wanted to stay in her good books Madara had too much pride to beg for something so simple. Too much pride in general, some would say, but he’d never cared about other people’s opinions before and he wasn’t about to start now.

Her feral expression of glee fading away in to a scowl, Touka stepped back with a low grunt and jerked her head in such a way he could tell the offer would not last long. If he didn’t step through now she would find something to match his threat with and he knew whatever it was he wouldn’t like it. A smart man would step through the door. Madara couldn’t say he was as smart as the man downstairs but he did step past his hostess and hurry down the hall to the basement stairs without making any more fuss.

Just like each of the few times he’d been here he walked with extreme caution, wary of touching even the door itself as he knocked and very carefully opened it to let himself in. Tobirama looked up from where he sat at the section of countertop filled with notebooks.

“I could swear I hadn’t even been here that long,” he said with a note of questioning hesitance. Madara smiled as he made his way across the room.

“Not very long at all. I just thought I’d make sure you haven’t rolled your eyes right out of your head.”

“Ugh.” As soon as he was close enough Tobirama leaned back in his chair to rest his head against Madara's chest. “If I had known Susumu’s sense of humor included that sort of idiocy I would never have let you talk me in to going.”

Madara wrinkled his nose with sympathy. “Even I didn’t think she would have the gall to invite your father.”

“I haven’t the faintest idea what possessed him to accept! Or to drink that much! One would think the man a fish for how much alcohol he consumed today!”

“Perhaps he was uncomfortable surrounded by so many of my clan?”

Tobirama snorted. “Would you drink even a drop if there were that many people around who you didn’t trust?”

“Good point.”

Shaking his head, Tobirama half turned in his seat to rest an ear against Madara's breast as though listening for a heartbeat, something he would have never done if there were even Touka in the room with them. Madara resisted the urge to puff himself up with pride that he was allowed these moments of softness.

Feeling a little daring, he lifted one of his hands to hesitantly fiddle with the pale locks crumpling against his robes. He curled his toes with joy when Tobirama hummed and paused what else he was about to say in favor of letting out a low rumble of pleasure, almost a purr. With bolstered courage Madara ran his fingers through the man’s hair. It was softer than he’d expected it to be but what he enjoyed the most was the tension in his husband’s neck that told him Tobirama was putting some serious effort in to not abandoning all dignity and nuzzling back against him like an overgrown cat.

“You were saying?” he murmured after a few minutes, amused but also slightly guilty for derailing their conversation.

“Hmm I was saying nothing. Don’t stop.”

“No, I believe you were saying something about your father?”

“Don’t recall. I’ve never met the man in my life. Just a little to the right – yes.”

Madara cocked an eyebrow but said nothing, only smiled and kept scratching his fingers along Tobirama’s scalp just to listen to the various humming and purring sounds that escaped him in a broken stream. Evidently he had found the man’s weak spot. The two of them passed a pleasant five minutes or so indulging themselves in their own ways before Madara reluctantly stopped scratching, petting gently to appease Tobirama when he opened his eyes to glare playfully.

“You were saying?” he repeated himself, prompting Tobirama to sigh.

“I…may have forgotten. What were we talking about?”

“Butsuma and your family’s apparent predilection for drink.” Madara was aware of the judgement in his voice but he didn’t take it back. Just under eight months in this place and he’d already born witness to all three members of their family in a drunken stupor.

“Ah. Right.” Tobirama closed his eyes in exasperation. “To be perfectly frank I think the only reason he showed up was in an attempt to make your father look a fool. He’s not a nice man but he’s always been able to schmooze when he wants to. After his remarks at the meeting I think perhaps he figured out why Tajima’s behavior has been so strange lately and he attended the party thinking he could make himself look the better man.”

Madara looked down at him dubiously. “How so?”

“By proving that he can get along with others in your clan. I believe he’s trying to show himself to be the opposite of Tajima with all his sneaking about and underhanded plans.” One pale hand lifted to tilt back and forth. “Not a great effort, they’re still about the same in my mind, but the thought was there.”

“Not a great effort indeed. Maybe he would have gotten along with some people if any of them had remained sober enough to speak.”

Madara preened when Tobirama let out a single bark of laughter, such an unfettered sound gifted to him with no sign of self-consciousness. Every small little bit of himself that Tobirama opened up for him to see was like another mountain climbed on the admittedly rough journey of getting to know each other.

“It’s not the other people who should have stayed sober enough to speak. Truly Butsuma should be making his prayers of thanks tomorrow that his words were too slurred for anyone to understand what he was trying to say.” The scorn in his voice would have been obvious enough even if he hadn’t followed it with a scoff that sounded like it must have scraped his throat on the way up.

“Whatever it was I think I’m a little angry with him.”

“Oh?”

“I’m fairly sure I heard Izuna’s name in there somewhere and I do believe I take a brotherly sort of offense to that. Only I get to disparage the little idiot like that.”

Tobirama leaned forward to scrub both hands through his hair before standing and organizing the notebooks he’d been rifling through back in to some semblance of order. “I can understand that in the sense that I would want to protect my own kin. On the other hand you’re more than aware of my opinions about Izuna so I won’t both you with that.”

“Appreciated,” Madara grunted.

“Still, it does boggle my mind that he would allow himself to fall in to such a state, to say such things, all in front of the company he came with the intent of impressing. Even if he hadn’t been trying to impress them! I don’t know if you’ve noticed but ever since this village was built both of our clans have been steadily flourishing in each other’s company but our fathers have been slowly…deteriorating, I think, is the word I’m looking for.” When he turned back around Tobirama was frowning thoughtfully. “They’ve both been losing their edge and acting out of the ordinary. I think working with each other is slowly driving both of them round the bend.”

“Now that you mention it…I think you’re right.”

And he was. Thinking about it a little more, Madara was able to think of several examples to confirm that theory off the top of his head and that was enough supporting evidence right there. For whatever reason Tajima and Butsuma were having an incredibly adverse effect on each other the longer they stayed in close proximity.

“This does not bode well for the rest of us,” he murmured eventually. Tobirama sighed and nodded.

“Unfortunately not. If the two of them drive each other mad they run the risk of dragging the rest of us down with them.”

“So what do we do?” Madara asked.

“Bury them in a very deep hole?” Tobirama suggested with a careless shrug, making him smile. Clearly he was not in the mindset for solving all the world’s problems.

Not that Madara could blame him. The hour was late and the day had been long, filled as it was with socializing and wrangling Susumu-sensei whenever she came up with some other ‘fun’ prank she wanted to pull that might actually get her killed. Setting off fireworks in a clan of jumpy shinobi with fire affinities had been the least of her terrible ideas. Madara would have felt sorry for himself having to play the adult again as he did every year for his teacher’s birthday but it was some consolation that at least he hadn’t had Tobirama’s job.

Watching over his own drunken father didn’t sound like a very good time. If that had been him there surely would have been several other insults given.

“At some point we’ll need a better plan than burying them in holes or whatnot. If your father’s caught on to the hissy fit mine is throwing we’ll probably both end up running damage control when they drag other people in to this mess with them.” Inevitable, really, and not at all what Madara wanted to be doing with his time.

“I admit, I’m a little surprised to hear you disparage his intentions so boldly,” Tobirama said carefully.

Madara took a deep breath, arms folding across his chest. “Well he’s got absolutely no reason to be acting like this. Somehow he got it in his head that Butsuma is intentionally trying to phase him out or something but he’s jumping at ghosts and everyone knows it. The rest of us are trying to build peace and what he’s doing is only going to tear it down instead. I don’t appreciate that.”

He watched the shadows dancing in Tobirama’s eyes, wondering what thoughts were ticking away inside that brain of his. Until now they had mostly avoided the topic of whether or not he approved of his father’s actions; it was probably Butsuma throwing his own hat in the ring as well that prompted Tobirama to open the conversation. With so much time to mull the situation over Madara had come to the conclusion that if Tajima moved against what Konohagakure stood for then he would not stand with the man, he would not support anything that threatened what they’d all fought so hard to nurture and grow.

And he would not support anything that threatened to take away the happiness he had now with Tobirama. Their marriage wasn’t something he had chosen for himself but it was something he would fight to keep now and not just out of duty. He cared for his husband. Even if what way he cared was something he had yet to define that didn’t matter, this was something he knew he didn’t want to lose.

With that in mind he unfolded his arms and reached out to tug on his husband’s sleeve until he earned himself a warm hug, mumbling in to the strong shoulder he had discovered he very much enjoyed resting his face against.

“I’ve already chosen where my loyalties lie,” he murmured. Tobirama held him a little tighter.

“As have I.”

“Good. Right. Glad we agree on…being loyal. And things.” Madara cleared his throat and nestled in deeper. “Anyway, I just came to make sure you were alright and that you hadn’t boiled your own head with shame over Butsuma’s actions today.”

From above there came a motion he assumed to be Tobirama shaking his head. “He’s not worth such an effort.”

“You’re really not fond of your father at all, are you?”

“As far back as my memory goes we haven’t said a kind word to each other that had no ulterior motive. I don’t think Butsuma ever wanted children for any purpose other than to breed more soldiers.” He shrugged as though the idea meant little to him and Madara supposed he would be used to it if that was how he had grown up.

He and his own father had been close once upon a time and the memory of that still reared its head every so often when he thought too much on how far they had drifted apart. Some part of his heart, well buried and pressed down deep, still carried a remnant of the love he once felt for his father. It was those parts that cried out with a deep-welled sadness every time he looked in to Tajima’s eyes and saw nothing but the same bland regard the man had for all his soldiers, every time he faced the fact that inevitably there would come a time when he had to follow through with this choice he had made.

The other parts of him, the petty parts that were never buried very deep, rejoiced in a sharp kind of triumph to know that someday Tajima might know what it felt like to be rejected by the ones that should have loved him unconditionally.

“Should we take bets on which one of them does something stupid next?” Madara asked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“Gambling is more my brother’s area – though if I had to guess I would say your father will not be happy when word of this gets back to him. Some form of retaliation can’t be far away.” Tobirama sounded exhausted by the mere concept and Madara realized that perhaps he should move the conversation somewhere else entirely.

“It is getting rather late. Guessing games can wait for later, I suppose. Will you come home?” He pulled away just enough to peer up through his eyelashes in what Izuna had once told him was a devastating look. Whether that was true or not he could tell that he at least had Tobirama’s full attention.

After a pause in which he swallowed thickly and looked away, Tobirama nodded. “Home sounds good. I’m sure I can find something to fill my time for a few hours; I find I’m not tired enough for sleep just yet. Are you going to bed soon?”

“Soon maybe,” Madara admitted, “but not quite yet though. With all the socializing today I never got my workout in, I was planning on running through a few drills in the backyard. Nothing more than a few katas but it’s better than inactivity.” He paused to see Tobirama’s eyes light up.

“Oh? Would you mind some company?”

With his eyes open just a little wider than their usual squint and his brows lifted ever so slightly he looked almost like an eager puppy waiting to hear that he’d been a good boy, the mental image of which nearly caused Madara to burst out laughing. It took a few moments of nibbling his bottom lip to contain himself before he could nod. Despite having been getting along well for months now they had yet to see each other in action more than the tail end of a spar or two, usually when one of them faced off against Hashirama and the other came seeking him for something. Other than the one fight he had witnessed between his teacher and his husband, of course. That had been something on the order of a religious experience.

Madara knew his smile was a little soppy, a little too warm, but he couldn’t help himself and for once didn’t bother to try as he stepped away and tugged on his husband’s sleeve.

“I would enjoy that,” he said. “Now we’ll really know each other. I always say the best way for shinobi to truly know a person is to meet with them in combat.”

“Then I look forward to learning more about you.” As he spoke Tobirama reached out to pull Madara back to his chest. Then he brought his hands together and made a sign Madara didn’t recognize. A split second later they were gone from the lab, standing now in the middle of their bedroom without so much as a blurring of worlds. Madara blinked around himself in wonder.

“You have mastered the Body Flicker. I didn’t even feel us moving!”

“Ah, that’s because I did not use the Body Flicker. That would be the jutsu Izuna must have told you about from our mission together, the one I invented for myself. I call it the hiraishin. Brother declared it a forbidden jutsu due to the necessary chakra control and the, ah, consequences of not meeting those requirements.” Tobirama shifted like he was experiencing the phantom pains of an old memory, stepping away to rifle through their closet for clothing more appropriate for moving around in.

Madara gaped. “You really do invent your own jutsu!”

Rather than preen or brag as he expected the man to do, Tobirama gave one solemn nod as he pulled out an old threadbare shirt. It wasn’t until he was moving out of the room to go change that Madara caught the shadow of a smirk around his mouth and knew he was only playing at being humble.

The two of them took turns changing, Madara distracting his misbehaving mind from imagining things by running through which sets of kata would be best today. Yesterday’s workout had been mostly cardio so probably something to help tone his arms with a bit of ab work thrown in. Tomorrow he could work on his legs and call it intentional that he’d split the entire routine over three days instead of the truth that village life was making him a little bit lazy just like everybody else.

When they were both ready he grabbed a few of the water canteens he kept in the fridge and brought them along outside where they moved to opposite sides of their yard to stretch. Trying to concentrate on his own movements when Tobirama was only a dozen feet away contorting his body in to all sorts of interesting shapes was possibly one of the hardest things Madara had ever done. As well as he had hidden it and as much as he still believed in the culture he was raised with he couldn’t help but admit to himself that he was tempted sometimes. There was really no denying that Tobirama was an attractive man, something that made it a little difficult sometimes for Madara to sort out how he actually felt about his own desires.

Separating his bodily yearnings from what his heart wanted was hard when he’d never really felt either of them this intensely for anyone before. He had found other people attractive, sure, and he had obviously wondered what certain intimate activities would be like when he was alone with no one to see the shame of his wondering but with others it had been more of a curiosity, an ephemeral ‘someday’ that he would find out when it was his time to do so. With Tobirama it was different. That someday felt much too far away, a chaffing restriction, and the curiosity fairly burned in his veins each time he caught a glimpse of more skin than usual.

Looking over at his husband from the corner of one eye, Madara bent in half and pressed both palms flat against the ground while he wrestled through the same problem that had been plaguing him for days now. Was the attraction so overwhelming just because Tobirama was that attractive and they lived in such close quarters? Or could all of these undeniable emotions building inside him truly be called love, making this attraction only an extension of his heart? If only there was some defining factor that would help him figure out the difference.

“Ready?” Tobirama’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts, hurrying to bring himself back to a more normal standing position and nodding as he realized he’d been going through his stretches on muscle memory alone without paying any real attention.

“Are we sparring?” he asked. “Or just…”

“Considering both of our abilities I would say we don’t have room here for a proper spar.” His partner sounded disappointed by that, actually, which made Madara feel a little better for thinking the same.

It would have been fun to see if he could go all out with Tobirama the way he could when he was facing off against Hashirama. From what he gathered through rumor Tobirama was only less powerful than his brother by the poor luck of not having been gifted the Mokuton, otherwise they were fairly evenly matched. At some point he was determined to have a proper spar between them.

“Take me through your usual routine,” he insisted instead. What he knew of Tobirama’s style was wildly different than his own, focusing more on speed and precision than brute strength.

“Are you sure?”

“I asked, didn’t I?”

“Just remember those words for later.”

Madara scowled a little and huffed at the man for treating him like glass. He was as much a shinobi as anyone else in this village and there was no reason he shouldn’t be able to keep up with any workout.

Or so he thought.

Within half an hour he wanted nothing more than to eat his own words and call mercy, held back only by his pride. The muscles in his legs burned with an almost mocking sort of irony that he hadn’t meant to focus on them at all. His arms screamed at him to slow down while his heart did it’s best to beat him in to submission just trying to keep up with the quick movements he was forcing himself through.

He’d known Tobirama was fast. Apparently his idea of fast was the dust in Tobirama’s footsteps because his husband could move – and this was only training! More curious than ever to see the man in real action, Madara covered his huffing and puffing as best he could so he wouldn’t look foolish. If he incorporated a bit of these high-paced katas in to his own routine it would be no big deal within a few weeks. Right now his body was screaming at him for throwing himself in to new movements he wasn’t used to so intensely without any buildup.

By the time Tobirama finally slowed his body and allowed them both to rest he was wearing only a light sheen of sweat across his brow and Madara was very seriously considering drowning him in the nearest koi pond.

“Would you like to take me through your routine?” he asked eagerly. Madara snarled.

“No. But only because I don’t want to! Not because I’m tired!” The wobbling of his knees belied his words a little but after a quick glace Tobirama, mercifully, said nothing.

“Very well. I do feel like I’ve had a good workout, so perhaps it would be best not to overwork ourselves. Tea?”

“Gods yes.” Wobbling over to the engawa, Madara snatched up the canteen he had brought out for himself and uncorked the top, nearly missing his mouth entirely in his eagerness to replenish all the water he’d just sweat out.

Tobirama was kind enough to wait until his legs weren’t shaking quite so badly before he suggested Madara go shower while the tea was being prepared. Never in his life had Madara been so grateful to have someone else telling him what to do. His mind was entirely emptied by an exhaustion he hadn’t felt since he was young and untested, fresh to the training fields and only just learning what it was like to push his body to the limits. Over the years he had settled in to his own style and forgotten what it felt like to stretch his muscles in new ways.

Showering was an ecstasy he appreciated more even than the tea, hot water pounding down on his aching muscles while he sat on his rump and offered praises to whoever invented indoor plumbing. Getting up to turn the water off felt like climbing a mountain but he was rewarded for his efforts once he was out and dried and dressed, quickly finding himself tucked away in to a corner of their living room couch with a blanket over his lap and a steaming mug of perfectly steeped tea in his hands. With Tobirama very carefully sitting as close as possible it felt like huddling under a kotatsu together only more comfortable.

Kami but his thoughts could not help going off in all sorts of sappy directions this evening.

“Thank you for the tea,” he mumbled just for something to say. Tobirama leaned in to him a little more and hummed.

“Bed afterwards?”

“If I don’t fall asleep here. You’re warm.” His words came out almost accusatory and Madara refused to take them back, feeling a little indignant. What right did Tobirama have to be so easy to cuddle with no matter where they sat?

He flushed to receive a light kiss on the temple for his efforts. “We do have a blanket already,” Tobirama pointed out. “There’s nothing wrong with falling asleep here if you’re comfortable.”

After such a full day of socializing, corralling his wild-child teacher, soothing the ruffled feathers while Tobirama corralled Butsuma as well, adding so much exercise that he wasn’t used to left him feeling much more drained than he expected. Though he wasn’t about to admit it, there was something almost romantic about being allowed to fall asleep on the couch with his husband after a long day together.

Complaining a little just because he didn’t know how to show how much he appreciated it, Madara let Tobirama adjust them both so they were lying down. A clone was sent to bring their teacups to the kitchen while Tobirama fluffed the blanket to cover them both and then Madara found himself held tightly between two strong arms with his face pressed up against a chest that still smelled faintly of sweat.

“You’re going to stink in the morning,” he grumbled.

“I could get up and go shower.”

“No moving.”

“Ah.” Tobirama’s voice sounded amused but he refused to look up and see the smirk he knew the man would be wearing. “Then I suppose we’ll both survive my morning stench. Goodnight Madara.”

“Hmph.”

Only when they had both closed their eyes and let their heartbeats even out, when he was sure Tobirama has fallen asleep, did Madara shimmy around to look up at the peaceful face of his husband and murmur quietly, “Sleep well.”

[letmeletmetrashyourlove]

Duo (Pt. 1)

(Gif credit: borhapmovie) 

Author’s Note: I’ve been sitting on this guy for a while trying to figure out where I want to take the story and I think I have it figured out! Part 1 of ??? 5 maybe???? 

Summary: Y/N’s a single mother of twins who lives in a two bedroom apartment across the hall from a Uni student who seems more than willing to help. 

                                                           ***

          “Mumma?”

I awoke to my shoulder being gently shaken by my son Leo. He stood at the side of the bed, stuffed dinosaur clutched in one hand, the other rested on his belly.

          “Yes, sweet boy?” I asked, rolling over to face him. It wasn’t unusual for him to come in in the middle of the night, though he usually tiptoed up as not to wake me before snuggling himself under the covers beside me.

          “I frew up.” He murmured, shuffling his feet with his eyes trained on the floor.

          “You threw up?” I yawned, sitting up slowly and rubbing my eyes. They landed on the clock, telling me it was well past 2am. The rhythm of rain on the roof was doing little to coax me out of sleep.

          “Uh huh.”

          “Does your tummy hurt?” I asked, forcing myself to sit up so I wouldn’t fall back to sleep while Leo was still trying to talk to me. I threw my legs over the side of the bed, my socked feet hitting the floor with a soft thud.

          “Uh huh.” He let out a slight hiccup before wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his pjs.

I reached out for him, pulling him to stand between my legs and wrapping my arms around him. I pressed a kiss to the top of his head,

          “Okay, buddy, where’s the mess?” I asked against his hair.

He took my hand and led me into his bedroom, pointing to the puke. It was all over his pillowcase, but luckily the rest of the bed and the floor seemed to be clean. Amelia was asleep in her own bed on the other side of the room with Princess Marshmallow curled up at her feet, purring soundly.

          “How about you go climb in my bed while I clean this up, yeah?” I whispered, sweeping his hair from his face. He was overdue for a haircut but he insisted that he liked it long since it made him look even more like his sister.

          “Okay.” He replied, leaving me to clean up the mess. Going by only the light from Leo’s star nightlight, I cautiously peeled the pillowcase from the pillow. I opted to toss it into the trash rather than try to clean it off in the middle of the night, especially with no washing machine in the apartment.

That’s when I heard a belch from across the hall followed by coughing. I let out a sigh as I wandered into the to see the bathroom light on. Luckily, Leo had managed to make it to the toilet this time. He was hunched over it, his chest heaving,

          “Oh, baby.” I pouted, kneeling down beside him.

Now that he was in the light, I could see how pale his face was. I moved to once again sweep his hair from his face, grabbing one of Amelia’s clips off the bathroom counter to pin it back so he wouldn’t make a mess of it.

          “Leo?” Amelia called from the bedroom, “Where’d you go?”

The pitter patter of feet on the hardwood was followed by her peeking her head into the bathroom. She squinted against the light, her hair knotted and standing on end from rolling around in bed.

          “Uh oh.” She said, plugging her nose as she watched Leo gag over the toilet, “Leo has the upset tummy buggies, doesn’t he?”

          “Yeah, sweetheart, go back to bed, I’ve got him,” I told her, shooing her away. The last thing I needed was for the both of them to be sick. Although, if he had it, she had probably already been exposed to whatever bug was causing it.

She stood in the doorway, hands on her hips and chin up,

          “I wanna help!” She declared, brows tightly knit together.

There was no point in telling her no. It was only going to end in a tantrum which is not what Leo needed while he was feeling so poorly. I let out a sigh, rubbing gentle circles on Leo’s back as he eased back from the toilet to sit on his knees.

          “Alright, how about you get him a glass of water, yeah?”

Amelia spun around and padded into the kitchen. She returned a few moments later with a sippy cup full of water.  

          “Here, bub.” She said, handing it to her brother. He offered her a weak appreciative smile before bringing it to his lips. He took a sip from it before immediately throwing up again. The rumbling of his stomach started to drown out the bathroom exhaust fan.

          “How’d he get sick, Mumma?” Amelia asked, sitting on the floor beside me. I brought a hand up to her hair to help work out some of the tangles.

          “I don’t know, baby. Maybe somebody at school was sick too.”

          “You know, sometimes Princess Marshmallow throws up, do you think that’s how he got sick?” She asked, tilting her head at me.

          “Princess Marshmallow throws up because he eats his own hair, not because of a stomach bug,” I explained, trying not to laugh at her question.

She pondered the thought for a moment. She was about to open her mouth to speak again when I interrupted.

          “Amelia, can you get me a wet washcloth?” I asked.

She nodded, her brown hair tumbling in front of her face as she scurried over to the linen closet and grabbed a cloth before stepping up on her little pink step stool to reach the sink. She got the washcloth wet, wringing out the excess water before passing it over to me. I used it to wipe the sweat from Leo’s face before swiping it across his mouth.  

          “Melia.” Leo began, “You’re gonna be sleepy if you don’t go to bed.”

          “Your brother is right. Go to bed, Snap Pea.”

Before they were born, I always called them my peas. Two peas in a pod. When they were born though, it was clear that one was my sweet pea, Leo. Cautious and affectionate. But Amelia was my snap pea. Firey and sassy. Her exhaustion seemed to override her attitude though. She burst out in a yawn before shuffling back to bed.

          “You need anything else, buddy?” I asked Leo, running my finger down his cheek.

          “No. Can you just sit with me?” He whimpered, his tired, watery eyes meeting mine.

          “Of course, baby,” I replied, settling into a more comfortable position on the floor. Leo followed suit, settling himself on my lap, head rested against my chest.

                                                            ***

          “Mumma!” Amelia prodded at my arm, making me wake with a start.

I had fallen asleep sitting on the bathroom floor, my head rested on my arms which were sat on the edge of the tub. Leo was asleep with his head in my lap. At some point during the night, he had peeled off his shirt and it now sat atop a pile of soiled washcloths.

          “What time is it, baby?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.

She padded into the other room, letting out a long ‘ummm’ as she stared at the clock.

          “The big hand is on five and the little hand is on seven.” She said.

7:25. The girl couldn’t have slept in for once in her life?

          “I’m hungry,” Amelia said, rubbing her belly and poking out her bottom lip.

          “Okay.” I yawned, reaching down for Leo’s face. The moment my hand touched his skin, it sent a jolt through me. Heat was radiating off of him and he was still covered in a thin sheen of sweat. I let out a sigh, realizing I would have to get to the pharmacy for some medicine. He woke from the sensation of my cold hand against his face. He sat up abruptly, once again throwing up into the toilet. He gave me a heartbroken look as he curled up on the floor again, head rested on his stuffed dinosaur.

          “I’ll get you some medicine today, okay?” I reassured, rubbing his side gently, “Do you need anything right now?”

He shook his head,  eyes fluttering shut once more as I got up off the floor and took Amelia’s hand.

I made her some toast and scrambled eggs, getting her situated at the table before I stepped out into the hall to check the mailbox for the child support check that was supposed to have arrived two days earlier. When it wasn’t anywhere to be found, I let out a groan.

          “You alright?” A male voice asked.

I turned to see the neighbor from across the hall checking his mail as well. John was an acquaintance, I had him feed Princess Marshmallow and check the mail for me over the summer.

          “Yeah. I just… expecting a check… isn’t here yet.” I replied, flitting through the few pieces of junk mail that were there instead.

          “I uh... heard a lot of coughing and… barfing… last night.” He commented, pulling his own mail from the box and looking through it.

          “You eavesdropping?” It was meant to be a playful quip, but due to exhaustion, it came out as a snap. I shook my head, a silent acknowledgment of my harsh tone, “That was Leo.”

          “Is he feeling any better?”

          “I think he’s fallen back to sleep now, finally.” I sighed, leaning against the wall.

          “You look exhausted.” He commented, looking me up and down.

          “I was up with him all night,” I said, running my hand over my hair that I had piled on top of my head in an attempt to keep it out of my face.

          “I uh… If you ever need any help with an-”

          “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of my own children.” I barked, crossing my arms over my chest. As a single mom of twins, everybody seemed to have a different opinion on how I should be taking care of my children. Over the years, my patience for patronizing had fizzled out, putting me on the defense. Especially towards people who didn’t have children themselves.

          “I didn’t say you weren’t!” He threw his hands up in surrender as he took a few steps back.

          “I-” I sighed, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.” I stammered, looking to my feet. They were clad in mismatched socks with holes in the toes, which somehow seemed like the perfect metaphor for how I felt.

          “It’s alright,” John replied.

I don’t know why, but the sudden urge to vent to him overcame me. Perhaps it was his charming, inviting smile. How soft he looked in his plaid PJs. Or maybe it was that my verbal filter didn’t work on fewer than 5 hours of sleep.

          “Sorry… I just...I have to go get Leo some medicine but I can’t take him with me, he’s still waking up to puke every fifteen minutes.”

          “I could stay and watch him for you while you go.” He offered. When the words flew from his mouth, he immediately seemed to know it was an inappropriate thing to offer. Sure, we’d been neighbors for a couple of years, but that certainly didn’t make him trustworthy enough to watch my kids for me while I was away. I let out a scoff and shook my head.

          “What? I took care of Princess Marshmallow.”

          “Well, a cat is quite different than children.”

          “Can’t be that different.”

I knew he was joking, and in any other situation I would’ve laughed but I was far too tired and worried about Leo. Instead, I shot him a glare.

          “Alright, how about I go pick up the medicine for you then?” He offered, “Just tell me what to get.”

I stared at him for a moment. He still wore a soft smile on his lips, his hair a little knotty from sleep. He seemed innocent enough, and he hadn’t stolen anything or catnapped Princess Marshmallow when he watched the apartment. Besides, what was he gonna do? Steal the few pounds I gave him and never come back to his own apartment? I nodded at him, making his smile grow. His gaze fell behind me just as I felt a hand tugging on the back of my sweater.

          “Mumma?” A small voice called from behind me.

Leo crept up behind me, hiding behind my leg as he stared up at John with eyes as wide as saucers. He was the shyer of the twins, evident by the way he tucked himself behind me at the sight of John standing in the hallway. He was still topless, his hair still in clumps, tacked to his forehead with sweat.

          “Hey, baby, what’re you doing up?”

          “I frew up again.” He whispered, “Who is that?”

          “This is Mr. Deacon, he’s gonna help me by going to get some medicine for you,” I said, resting my hand on the back of his head as he hugged my leg, head resting on the back of my thigh.

          “Mr. Deacon?” He whispered, eyeing John up and down a few times before gripping onto the back of my sweatpants.

          “Yeah. Remember when we went to spend the weekend with grandma over the summer?”

He nodded,

          “Mr. Deacon took care of Princess Marshmallow while we were gone.”

Leo nodded once more, remaining behind my leg as he studied the man in front of him.

          “He’s gonna get medicine?”

          “Uh huh,” I replied.

          “Is he a doctor?”

          “No, baby. He’s a…” I trailed off, realizing I didn’t know what he did for work. All I knew was that he played bass. I could faintly hear him strumming sometimes, found it quite soothing, actually.

          “Electrical engineer,” John answered for me.

          “What’s that?” Leo asked, his grip on my pants loosening.

          “Uh, well. It’s all kinds of stuff.” John said, squatting down so he was level with Leo.

His gaze flitted up to meet mine as if he wanted my approval to talk with Leo. I gave him a nod to continue.

          “What kind of stuff?” Leo questioned, tilting his head slightly.

          “Uh.” He paused a moment, likely pondering the best way to describe what he did in a way a five-year-old could understand, “Fixing broken things, making new things that have to do with electricity.”

          “Electricity?” Leo stepped out from behind me and instead stood beside me, but he kept one arm wrapped around my leg, anchoring himself to me. The heat from his body was seeping through my sweatpants, making me grow even more concerned.

          “Yeah. Uh. Stuff like lights,” He pointed up to the ceiling. Leo’s gaze followed his gesture before landing back on him again,  “And your TV and the radio.”

          “Oh. You fix that stuff?”

          “Yeah.”

          “Mumma! Maybe he can fix our TV!”

          “Yeah, I could probably fix your TV,” John replied.

          “Oh, no. No. I wouldn’t want to be any more trouble.”

          “No trouble at all. I promise.” He smiled at me.

I found myself staring at him for a moment too long. He had a tenderness about him, not necessarily conventionally attractive, but the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled made him radiant. He raised an eyebrow at me, snapping me back to reality. I shook my head in an attempt to regain my composure.  

          “Let me go inside, I’ll give you some cash for the medicine,” I said as I turned into the doorway.

          “There’s no need, I’ll get it.” He offered.

          “No, John, I insist.”

He opened his mouth to protest but quickly closed it when I shot him a stern glare.

          “Well, if you insist.”

I ushered Leo back into the apartment and got him settled on the couch before I grabbed my purse, pulling out a few bills. I jotted the name of the medicine down on a scrap of paper before meeting John in the doorway again.

          “Sorry about that uh… interrogation.” I smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear as I handed him the bills, “Four-year-olds are too curious for their own good.”

          “Don’t worry about it. He’s a sweet kid. I’ll be back in a few.”

I waited until he disappeared around the corner before entering the apartment again. Amelia had finished her breakfast and was sitting on the couch beside Leo who seemed to have come down from his sudden energy boost and was back to wallowing on the couch. Amelia had her hand on his forehead like she had seen me do many times before when they were sick. She threw me a worried glance over her shoulder as I wandered up behind her. I gave her a half-hearted smile.

          “John will be back with some medicine soon, bub.”

Amelia settled herself on the floor in front of the couch with some crayons. She and Leo were chatting when Leo suddenly sprang off the couch and sprinted towards the bathroom.

                                                            ***

A knock on the door pulled me away from my position on the floor of the bathroom beside Leo. I peered through the peephole to see John standing on the other side, a paper bag in hand.

          “You decided not to rob me, then?” I teased as I opened the door.

He grinned and shook his head, reaching into the bag.

          “Medicine, your change, and a candy bar for mum.” He smiled, handing them all over.

It wasn’t until he handed me the candy bar that I realized how hungry I was. I mouthed a thank you to him as I counted the cash,

          “Change? This is all the cash I gave you.”

          “Told you I’d get it.” He replied.

          “Really, just take it.” I insisted, shoving it in his face.

He shook his head, taking a step back.

          “Quit being so damn stubborn and take the money.” I ordered, folding it in half and tucking into the front pocket of his shirt, “Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

          “Any time.”

He offered me another crinkly-eyed smile as I closed the door. I felt an odd bubble in my stomach. At first, I thought I was starting to catch Leo’s stomach bug, but I quickly realized it was just butterflies. I hadn’t felt those since I was a teenager. Heat spread across my face as I went into the kitchen to get Leo a cup of water to take his medicine with.

          “Mumma!” Amelia squealed as I stepped away from the sink,  “The door gave us money!”

She ran up to me with the bills in her hand.

“Dammit, John,” I muttered under my breath, taking the cash and tucking it back into my purse.

[blueboxesandtrafficcones]

The Nuptial Necessity - Chapter 25

A 12xRose Human AU

Despite an unglamorous job description, Rose loves the work she does with The Thistle Foundation, a charity founded by her best friend’s great-uncle.  It doesn’t hurt that her boss, her friend’s father, is easy on the eyes.  With a great job, wonderful friends and a loving family, life couldn’t be better – except for having someone to share it with.

All of that is threatened, though, when the great-uncle dies – and sets a strange condition for his nephew to inherit, jeopardizing the Foundation and Rose’s future, sparking a chain of events that might just get her everything she dreamed of and more.

Chapters will be posted on Saturdays and Tuesdays.  Many thanks to my beta, @stupidsatsuma

Rated: Explicit, for eventual smut

@doctorroseprompts

AO3  |  Masterlist

—

Tuesday, cont’d

Malcolm checked his watch once again, leg bouncing anxiously as he waited.  He wasn’t an idiot; it was clear that Rose was upset, but she wouldn’t talk to him.  He also knew that Sarah’s excuse to disappear into the kitchen was just that, and he was absolutely certain that the two of them were huddled somewhere out of sight, talking- probably about him.

Don’t you dare make Rose cry, he silently warned his old friend, narrowed gaze watching the hall to the toilets.  The last thing he wanted was for her to be upset, especially at him.  It always broke his heart to see her in tears, and he hated the idea it would be his fault.

Once the ten minute mark passed he had had enough, and throwing down his napkin, stalked across the small shop and around the corner, only to find an unexpected sight- the two women clinging to each other, sobbing with laughter, Sarah in the middle of gasping out a story he couldn’t quite make out but had Rose howling.

“What the fuck is this?”

Rather than startle them apart his bark had the opposite effect, sending them into fresh gales of laughter.

“What?”

More laughter.

“What?”

Releasing her grasp on Sarah Rose staggered forward to him, practically throwing herself in his arms.  “Oh, I love her,” she wheezed, sagging against him.  “We should have her over for dinner.”

What?  “Sure, if you want,” he said uncertainly, entirely lost on how they’d gotten to this point.  “What happened?”

“She- and I- so we- and then- oh, you had to be there,” Rose sighed, nestling her head against his chest.  “Did you really pose nude for an art class?”

“I needed the money,” he defended himself automatically, wrapping his arms around her and glaring over her head at Sarah, who was watching them with a smirk.  “What have you been telling her?”

“The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” his old friend promised, raising her hands as if in defense.  “Things she needs to know.”

Malcolm harrumphed at that, entirely certain their definitions would be wildly different, hers far more embarrassing for him.  “It’s all lies,” he peered down at Rose.  “Don’t believe a word.”

She grinned up at him, licking her lips.  “You know,” she whispered, “I did study art history in uni, and toyed with being an artist myself.  It seems only fair that you pose nude for me.”

Narrowing his eyes at her, he tilted his head in thought.  “I’ve done some sketches myself, so I’ll make you a deal- you pose for me, I’ll pose for you.”

“Deal,” she didn’t hesitate.  “Oooh, don’t you have a really old car?  Other than Bessie, I mean?”

“We have a 1953 Rolls Royce?”

Her lips curled up.  “You know that scene in Titanic?”

He shivered in delight at the idea, already able to see it playing out in delicious ways.  “Fuck yes.”

And just like that, things between them were fine.

-

Soon enough they were on their way, with tentative plans for Sarah Jane to join them for dinner on Thursday.  Malcolm drove once again, but slower this time, and Rose was all too happy to put her hand in his when he offered it.

“I’m sorry about Sarah,” he said somewhat tentatively.  “If she hurt you, or embarrassed you.”

Having been watching the water on their left, she had to turn her head to face him.  “It’s okay,” she decided after a moment of consideration.  “Yes, in the beginning, it was a bit weird, and I felt left out, but… in the end she was lovely.”  She debated silently about telling him what Sarah Jane had said in regards to Wallace’s ‘plans’, but settled against it.  She could always tell him later, and things just felt too fragile at the moment.  If it wasn’t love for him, she didn’t want to tip her hand – if all he wanted was a bit of fun, to lean into the ‘honeymooners’ idea, well… that was fine.  She’d take what she could get, enjoy the here and now, and worry about the future later.

Malcolm squeezed her hand, raising it to his mouth and pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles.  “I’m sorry,” he repeated.  “It was nice to catch up with her, but that’s no excuse for ignoring you.  Thank you for being so understanding.”

“I was just surprised,” she turned further into him, taking advantage of the bench seat to curl into his side.  “And a little put off by her thinking I was Clara.”

He opened and closed his mouth several times before settling for a shrug.  “There’s too many possible answers to that that would now be weird to say after last night,” he admitted.  “I’m going to leave it alone, but I want you to know I had good comebacks.”

Rose glanced out the windshield, noting they were on a relatively straight patch at the moment with no cars to be seen.  Taking a chance, she moved closer and purred in his ear, “I’m sure you’d have given it to me good.”  To highlight her point, she caught his earlobe gently between her teeth, free hand settling on his lap.

“Holy fuck,” Malcolm gasped, veering sharply in response before getting the car back under control.  By the time he had she was back on her side of the bench, sitting prim and proper and innocent as could be.  “What was that?!”

She just laughed, leaning back against the seat and stretching her legs out in front of her.

-

Malcolm pulled into the driveway faster than necessary, tires squealing slightly as he braked and threw it into park.  Practically jumping out of the car he moved around to Rose’s door to open it for her, helping her down a bit more brusquely than wise- but her half-laugh half-gasp of his name told him he was forgiven.  Leaving the keys in the ignition for the footman to deal with, he hurried her into the house, ignoring her giggled protests.

“What’s the rush?” she laughed, as he guided her expertly through the house, calling on half-forgotten knowledge from misspent summers long past.  “Malcolm.”

“In here.”  Here was a small broom closet under the stairs, just barely big enough for them to stand up in, provided they stayed close.  He backed her against the door, leaning down to hover his lips over hers.  “Rose.”

“Malcolm.”

“Say yes,” he breathed, one hand skimming down her waist to her knee, applying a light pressure there in encouragement.  “Oh, fuck, please say yes.”

She giggled, leaning back against the door, moving her feet apart before raising her knee to hook over his hip.  “We’ll have to be quiet.”

He moved with her, pressing himself against her and groaning, burying his face in her neck to lay wet kisses there.  “That’s not a yes.”  He wanted her, desperately, but more than that he wanted her to want him.

“Ah.”  Rose wrapped her arms around him, bumping her hips up against him once, twice, three times, drawing a wretched moan from him.  “Well, then- yes.”

-

Biting her lip, Rose shifted on the couch, rubbing her thighs together.  She’d finally reached the part in her romance novel where the heroine gave into her desire for the love interest, and it was exceptionally steamy, especially after her own encounter that afternoon in the hall closet.

“Alright?” Malcolm asked, and she peeked over the top of the book to find him watching her.

��Mhmm.”  Putting her book aside, she sat up and turned, sitting flush next to him, hip to hip.  “What’cha doing?”

He gestured down towards the papers scattered on the table.  “Reviewing the paperwork still.  This is about the rents- I don’t want to bore you.”

“Tell me anyway.”

He raised his eyebrow, looking at her skeptically.  “You want to hear about rent and tenants?”

“You said I would be handling some of the management stuff as Lady Gallifrey,” she reminded him.  “I should know about it- I want to know about it.  I want you to teach me.”

“It’s not the most interesting thing in the world.”

She nudged him with her shoulder, grinning.  “Yeah, but it’s funny- many things are infinitely more interesting when told in a sexy Scottish accent.”

“You think my accent’s sexy?”  He sounded genuinely surprised, and she laughed out loud.

“I think everything’s sexy about you – including your accent.  Body.  Mind.  Now come on, teach me.”

“Alright.”  Not looking convinced of her interest, he nonetheless played along, rifling through his paperwork for a moment before pulling out a piece of paper that looked like a summary.  “So, here’s how this works.  The property’s about four thousand acres-”

-

Taking the time to pamper herself before bed, it was the first time Rose really had by herself to consider everything that had happened over the past few days.  From successfully seducing Malcolm on Saturday, arriving in Scotland on Sunday, yesterday’s horseback riding and “riding lessons”, to this afternoon’s outing… it had been a virtual whirlwind, and as the dust metaphorically settled around her as she washed her hair, she found herself standing in a fog, uncertain of the safest path ahead.

That wasn’t strictly true – the safest path ahead was to have her things moved to the other room, stop shagging Malcolm, and wait for the five years to pass.

That wasn’t what she wanted, though.

Okay, what’s relatively safe but let’s us keep having sex?

If she were honest with herself, she wanted it all.  A real marriage, filled with love and laughter and happiness and babies (and sex).  And she wanted it with Malcolm – only Malcolm.  The only problem was, she had no idea what he wanted, and what she might have to sacrifice for them to find a happy compromise.  Realistically, though, she knew what she would be willing to give up – children.  It would hurt, and she would have to live vicariously through Clara, but that was something she’d rather not have with him than have with someone else.

At the end of the day, it came down to love – did he love her as she did him?  She couldn’t tell, and he hadn’t said.  He acted like he did, but that had all started after the Gala, and she couldn’t be certain it wasn’t a function of their bedroom activities.  Did the new intimacy between them free him to show her how he felt, or was he acting that way to keep her in his bed?

She had no idea.

As soon as she was dry she reached for her mobile, texting Clara I need to talk to you.  Picking up the blow dryer, she was almost finished by the time she got a response, but it wasn’t what she wanted.

We’re doing an overnight field trip in a museum, I can’t get away.  Is tomorrow afternoon okay?

Shit.  Biting her lip, Rose shrugged.  What harm could one more night do? she thought pessimistically.  At least if she didn’t confront him, she couldn’t be rejected, and the sex was incredible.  Fine, she replied, let me know the second you’re free.

Once she was ready except for her pajamas, she examined her options with her hands on her hips.  She’d brought two sets in, unable to choose, and all of her ruminating hadn’t helped a lick.  One was a simple cotton nightgown, the same from the night before that he’d seemed to like well enough, while the other was overtly sexy, a red satin lined with lace that screamed fuck me – she’d bought it on sale a few days after Valentine’s Day, after all.

“Rose?  Everything okay?” Malcolm knocked on the door, startling her.  “You’re not upset about Sarah, are you?”

“No, I’m okay,” she called back.  “Just a moment.”

Closing her eyes she reached forward, fingers closing around fabric – satin.

Alright, then.

Pulling it on over her head and smoothing it down, she had to admit she did look good in it.  Skipping the matching knickers, she pulled on the robe that went with it instead, tying it tightly before picking up her discarded options and returning to the bedroom.

“So, Jack arranged for us to go to the distillery tomorrow,” Malcolm said as soon as she opened the door.

“That sounds nice,” she replied, dumping her armful of clothes on top of the dresser to deal with tomorrow.  “Do we get a sample?”

He started to laugh, stopping abruptly when she pulled off the dressing gown and climbed into bed.  “Uh, yep,” he swallowed hard, eyes firmly south of hers.  “Of course.  Samples… samples are good.”  His gaze slowly rose to meet her own, and he looked delightfully punch-drunk at the sight of her.  “Tired?”

She slid down on the mattress, turning to face him and propping herself up on her elbow.  “Nope,” she popped the p, grinning.  “Not yet.  Got any suggestions of things to do that’ll tire me out?”

She shrieked with laughter when he pounced on her just as she’d hoped, fingers digging into her sides as he started a tickle war.

It was fair to say by the end, they’d both won.

Several times.

[imagine-loki]

Gifted

TITLE: Gifted (Sequel to Giftless)

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: 11/?

AUTHOR: nekoamamori ORIGINAL IMAGINE: 

Imagine that you are Stark’s niece and you secretly share a strong relationship with Loki since he entered the crew. One day you get hurt so bad during a mission that you are about to die.  Loki knows a spell that will save you and share his immortality with you but you and he will be linked forever sharing thoughts, pain, emotions…

RATING: T NOTES/WARNINGS:  Also on AO3 click here

Somehow, Loki didn’t fight you the next morning when you insisted that you needed to go to class. He understood keeping up with your studies, even if he did want you to rest properly.  At least you only had a couple of lecture classes that day, so it wouldn’t be too strenuous.  You’d agreed that Loki could come with you as long as he didn’t misbehave too terribly during them. 

You laughed at him when he tried to leave the tower in his black suit of sexiness. He wasn’t dressing in his battle armor, since he wasn’t technically coming as your guard, but he wasn’t going to fit in wearing a full suit on campus.  Especially not that suit. “You can’t dress like that for college. Unless you’re teaching the class. And even then…” He looked at you confused. You were wearing your usual jeans, t-shirt, converse, and a hoodie stolen from Loki’s closet, your hair braided out of your way. Loki sighed, looking put upon, but magicked himself a pair of perfectly tailored jeans and a comfortable, but elegant sweater. You rolled your eyes, but that was the best you were going to get out of him. “Sit,” you told him, pushing him to one of the nearby chairs.

“So demanding this morning,” he teased, but sat obediently in the chair you’d pushed him into.  You weren’t giving him much of a choice.  Sure he could overpower you, but that would upset you, which he didn’t want.

“You’re trying to blend in, right?” you asked. He sighed, looking even more put-upon, but let you brush his shoulder-length hair. He pretended to be annoyed, but was purring within moments of you touching his hair.  You were one of the very few who could get away with touching his precious hair and he cherished the touch.  You pulled it quickly into a slightly messy manbun at the back of his head.

“What did you do to my hair?” he asked when he stood again and saw it in a mirror. He wasn’t upset, just curious.  You hadn’t hurt his hair or cut it off, so you were safe from his ire.

“Lots of guys wear their hair like that now. It lets you get away with having long hair without people thinking it’s weird,” you explained easily.  You then gave him a mischievous grin and stood up on your toes to place a kiss on part of his neck that was usually covered in hair. “Plus I can do that,” you replied while he shivered at the new sensation and purred. 

You drove to campus and parked, mostly because Loki didn’t know exactly where he was going. He offered to teleport you, but you reminded him again that you were trying to blend in and lie low. It was hard enough blending in being who you were.

Once you had parked, you led Loki to the campus coffee shop to get caffeine. The barista started making your order the second you walked in. You were definitely a regular.  You placed an order for Loki, choosing something he’d like, since he’d never been there before and didn’t know what to order for himself. “New boyfriend?” the barista asked when you picked up your drink. Which was announced for ‘Sigyn’ even when you hadn’t given your name.

You grinned at her. “Nope, same boyfriend I’ve had for two years,” you replied. She just stared when she realized that meant that the man with you was the real Loki. “It’s just his first time visiting campus,” you handed Loki his drink and you left the shop to walk to class. It was nice feeling normal for once, getting to stroll to class with your boyfriend. You strolled leisurely across the beautiful campus and made it to class in plenty of time.

The lecture hall was huge and you hoped the professor wouldn’t notice the extra student. You didn’t need to worry. If they noticed, they wisely didn’t say anything. There were whispers from some of the students, but nothing major that you couldn’t ignore. 

You had to stab Loki hard in the side with a pen when he was flirting innocently with some of the college girls who wouldn’t leave him alone. They giggled at his expression when he got ‘caught’. Silly Trickster boyfriend. He didn’t cause too much trouble though, so you took him out to a yummy lunch on campus. It wasn’t a fancy place, since it was on a college campus, but it was still a nice meal.

After your other class of the day, you headed back to the tower. You’d had to promise Tony and Pepper that you would hang out with them some that weekend instead of just hiding in your apartment. You also had no food in your apartment and didn’t want to go shopping, so you let Loki drive you home to the tower. He really liked driving because he couldn’t on Asgard; he also liked being the gentleman and doing the driving.  He could be extremely old fashioned at times.

You did your homework quickly for the weekend in your pajamas in the common room. You weren’t going anywhere else that afternoon, so it really didn’t matter if you were in pajamas. Even if your uncle grumbled that you were wearing a spaghetti strap tank top. It wasn’t scandalous, but he was your uncle and claimed he didn’t want to see that much skin. 

You luckily didn’t have much homework, but you still wanted it all done so you could enjoy your weekend. You also really loved having access to all of Loki’s knowledge through the soulbond. It made your classwork and homework a lot easier. Yes, it was cheating. No, you didn’t care. You were too overworked as it was. And it wasn’t like you didn’t know the information.  You were just doing the college thing at all to get the degree.

While you were working on homework, Loki got a summons to go talk to Fury. He looked worried at leaving you and really didn’t like Fury much, so didn’t want to see him.. “Lo, it’ll be what, five minutes? You know Fury doesn’t do speeches. I’m just going to sit here and finish this assignment. He probably just has some paperwork or something for you to fill out,” you reminded him. 

He sighed, but got off of the couch and moved to your end of the couch to lean down and give you a kiss. “I will return soon,” he promised. He teleported down to Fury’s office and you went back to your assignment. 

You should’ve known things wouldn’t stay quiet.

A few minutes after Loki had left, the one of the apprentice healers portaled into the room. “Kat, good, you’re here!” she exclaimed. 

You shook your head, hurt that you wouldn’t be able to help with whatever emergency they had found this time. “I can’t help, Claire,” you reminded her, holding up your wrist with the bangle on it. You knew for a fact that all of the healers had been warned that you were out of commission.  Claire completely ignored you, grabbed your hand, made a portal, and dragged you through it. “Claire, I literally cannot help,” you reminded her again. Usually the healers weren’t quite this ninny-like.

“All of the healers are tapped or out on patrol. You’re the only one with any juice left. You have to take this case, Kat,” she pleaded. There weren’t many healers, really besides Healer Julia most of them only had a touch of healing power in addition to their main ability. You sighed and let her drag you to Healer Julia’s desk. Julia was nearly passed out sitting at her desk chair, you could see how drained she was. She recovered insanely quickly, in a couple hours she’d be fine to work again, but she didn’t have the same level of healing strength that you did.

“I know you’re off duty,” Julia greeted you when you were standing in front of her desk. “But it’s Pepper-”

“Aunt Pepper?” you demanded, completely on alert then. “What happened?” you asked, your brain automatically going into healer mode and emergency to deal with mode.  It was the same state you’d been in for most of the last year and your mind instantly wanted to help.

“She was severely injured on patrol.” That was strange. Middle of the day patrols were notoriously safe. Pepper should have been fine. Hel, she shouldn’t have even been out on patrol.  She should’ve been at Stark Industries.  

Julia was digging in her desk drawer for something. She dumped the entire drawer’s contents on the floor and pulled out a key from the mess. “Your uncle should forgive you for this when you save his fiancee,” Julia replied with a glint in her eye. She unlocked the metal bangle around your wrist. She had the whole rest of the infirmary to deal with. Leaving you just the one patient.

Tony was going to kill you, but you couldn’t let Pepper die. They wouldn’t have called you if it wasn’t urgent. “Where is she?” you demanded of Claire. You ran together to the emergency bay. 

You knew the second that you saw Pepper that the healers were right to call you. You had seen wounds that bad and in this same method only twice before. Pepper had been impaled by a large metal spear. “This is bad,” you told Claire. She didn’t have healing magic, but volunteered in the infirmary anyway. You had to focus to call up your healing magic, to get your hands to glow. 

Shit. 

You was still too drained for this healing, but you were going to have to do it anyway. You were the only one who could, if you wanted Pepper to live. Pepper had been nearly gutted when she was impaled. She would die and you couldn’t let that happen. 

You went to her side, your hands just above the wound in her chest. “Pull the spear,” you told Claire firmly. You had gotten used to taking charge in the infirmary over the past year and the healers obeyed your orders without question.  You placed both of your hands on Pepper’s wounds the second the spear was cleared and threw every ounce of power you could muster into her, praying it would be enough to save her.

Tony would be devastated if Pepper didn’t survive.

You didn’t know how long the healing took. You were low enough on power that you were lost to the healing trance. You’d had to let it sweep over you, sweep you away before you could even start the healing. Things were bad when you had to let the power guide you and not the other way around.

“Kat! No!” you heard Loki’s voice from far away. His cool arms wrapped firmly around your waist and hauled you bodily away from Pepper’s bed, breaking your physical contact with her. Your powers were too weak to do the healing with out touching her and the magic snapped.

“Loki?” you asked softly, confused. You looked over Pepper. She was healed, or very nearly. She’d be sore, might scar, but she was healed. She would be just fine.

Loki carefully set you on your feet, like he was evaluating-

Your legs buckled and you would’ve been on the ground if his arms hadn’t still been around you. He caught you easily and supported you.  “M‘m ok,” you murmured, wondering why your vision was dark and getting blacker by the moment. He cursed and you looked up at him, still confused. You were just tired from the massive healing. He held you against him with one arm and used his other hand to summon a portal, through which your uncle fell.  It seemed he’d picked up the portal trick from Doctor Strange. 

“What the hell?” Tony roared in anger. Loki lifted you off of your feet and handed you to Tony.

“Keep her away from Lady Potts,” Loki ordered, gesturing to Pepper on the bed. He stormed out of the room without another word. 

“Kat? What’s going on-? Shit! What the hell happened to you?” Tony demanded, turning his attention to you, even above Pepper. He laid you on the couch in the emergency bay.

“I’m fine, Tony,” you tried to insist.

“You’re bleeding from your eyes, and nose, and ears,” Tony replied as he looked you over. “You haven’t been able to move an inch since I got here. And your eyes are…black. What the hell were you thinking?” he demanded, terror in his voice.  This was magic.  Tony couldn’t fix magic. 

“Pepper,” you told him simply. It finally got through to his brain that it was Pepper lying on the bed. “Go to her. I’m fine,” you added. You weren’t fine.  You were a dirty, rotten liar.  Now that the adrenaline of emergency healing was gone, you realized how badly you weren’t fine. Luckily, you were bound to the god of lies, and Tony believed you.  Or at least believed you enough to determine you were stable while he evaluated Pepper. 

Loki stormed back in a minute later. He ran to your side when he realized that Tony was dealing with Pepper and not you. “You were supposed to take care of her,” Loki growled at Tony.  He had left you in your uncle’s care.

“She’s fine,” Tony replied, too busy examining his fiancée.  He really thought you were stable.

“She is anything but fine. Her body was seconds from shutting down. I don’t even know how she even completed that healing. She should have passed out long before she got to this state.” Loki replied heatedly, fretting over you.  

“Lo, the wound-” you had to tell him where you’d seen it before. Each breath hurt, everything hurt.  Your body was pissed at your abuse of it.  

You managed to move your hand enough to touch Loki’s. You could switch to telepathy with physical contact.  You were too weak to do it otherwise.  /I’ve only seen that kind of wound twice before. When Thor did it to you and Tony/ you told him, desperate to deliver your message.

“Stop that,” Loki snapped at your use of telepathy.  You realized how bad you must look when his voice turned harsh toward you. He fastened the bangle back around your wrist himself. 

Yeah, he was pissed. 

“We will deal with Thor later. Right now, we are leaving.” Loki scooped you up in his cool arms. You couldn’t have fought him if you wanted to. You didn’t want to. You wanted to rest and sleep forever and your head lulled onto his shoulder.

“Where are you going?” Tony demanded, whirling when Loki said you were leaving.

“I’m taking her to Asgard. She obviously cannot get any rest here. She would have died today had I not intervened,” Loki told him, not bothering to mince his words.

“Couldn’t let Pepper die,” you replied sleepily, your eyes closing when you were safely in Loki’s arms.

“Stay awake, darling, just a little longer,” he bid you, finally softening his tone. 

Tony reluctantly nodded once.

“Go. Get her out of here. You’re right. This just proves that we can’t keep them from abusing her kindness or her healing gift. Not while she’s here.” Tony came over to Loki, and therefore to you. “Thanks for saving her, imp. Now go rest. You need to heal.” He kissed your forehead. “Take care of her,” he ordered Loki. Loki nodded, then recited the spell to open the portal back to Asgard.