#and yes i gave him a crutch because i wanted to shush

[fishymom-art]

my time has come to turn my handsome little guy into a minimal wage earning twink

aka

Handyman Bill AU with my Human Bill design ahhaha

[it-was-summer]

Video Killed The Radio Star - Chapter 6 (Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader)

A/N: Hello! I’m sorry for being so inactive, I just started up college again this semester and it’s been a long week and it’s only Wednesday. I think I might try to update Sunday every week starting next week so we will see how that works out!

Warnings: Soft mention of drugs once again, They are just talking again and things are being put in motion. 

Plot: Spencer and you have conversations and make some plans. You have a certain kind of dream. 

Word Count: 2.1K

Spencer could feel his cheeks grow warm, a grin creeping its way onto his face. There was the pesky idea of fate repeating in the back of his mind. Spencer suppressed the idea, not wanting it to ruin the moment. He was too busy zoning out, thinking about how easy the smile on his face appeared when he heard your voice, not noticing the growing silence over the line. “Spencer?” your voice called through the phone.

“Yes, I’m sorry, I’m here!” Spencer laughed quickly, clearing his throat nervously. “Why are you up?”

He heard you laughing over the phone, nervous knots twisting in his stomach. “Spencer, it’s seven o’clock.” You giggled, feeling lighter than you had all day. You heard him laugh nervously at himself as he muttered an embarrassment, “Right.”

Spencer licked his lips, “Why did you call?” he questioned, trying his best to relax on his couch.

You felt the weight in your chest replace the butterflies, swallowing hard. You had kept it all in, it was hard to pick the reason for your call. You took in a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. “Things have just been piling up, and I feel like I need some help.” your fingers pinched the comforter between your thumb and index.

“What kind of things have been piling up?” Spencer asked, straightening as he listened.

You pinched the comforter tighter, jaw clenching down. You didn’t want to cry with Dr. Spencer Reid on the phone. Maybe it was because you hated feeling vulnerable. You tried your best to relax and remember that he wouldn’t judge you, he said to call if you needed anything, and you did. “I don’t want to say something stupid,”

“You won’t,”

“Well, it kind of started when I left the hospital. I had a dream, a memory, one night. I could feel her, she wasn’t there, because she’s dead! Then,” you let out a calming breath, “Then, I was in my mom’s kitchen, and I saw this pink light. I was back there, like in the room, I could feel it, smell it.” You shivered, overwhelming anxiety dawning on you.

You felt safe with Spencer, you couldn’t explain why you did, but you did. Was it because he was the first face you saw that day? Or because he had come to check up on you in the hospital?

Despite your overwhelming feeling of trust towards Spencer, you couldn’t stop the tiny voice in the back of your mind that told you he thought you were crazy. Clammy hands rubbed against your pajama pants in a desperate attempt to dry them.

Spencer wanted to spew statistics, say something about how many victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder, but he stopped himself. He wanted to dig deeper, he wanted you to know you weren’t alone. He cleared his throat, trying to sound calm. “I know what it’s like, to feel like they’re still around. It seems irrational to think that a dead person is around, that getting saved was all a dream, but I know what it’s like.”

Your heart rate slowed at his words, closing your eyes as you chuckled gently. “You just have to say that because you're my federal agent,” teasing him softly over the phone.

“Hey, that’s Doctor federal agent to you.” Spencer joked, a tiny chuckle building up in his throat. “I’m saying it because I know,” he ruffled his hair as he tried to think about what to say, falling back into a silent panic. He wasn’t used to talking to people about it, especially people that he didn’t know. He tried to recall his emotions, trying his hardest to remember. He wanted to be a beacon of light for you, something to follow, something to trust. He swallowed hard, “About two years ago, I was kidnapped,”

“Spencer,” your tone was so soft, so sweet, he felt his chest pound. “You don’t have to explain anything to me,” You heard a gentle protest on the other line, shushing him. “Spencer, really, it already means the world to me that you gave me your number. You didn’t even have to pick up and yet, you did.”

Spencer hesitated, wanting to insist that he was fine with talking about it, to insist that it didn’t bother him, but he kept his mouth shut. He knew that it wasn’t something he was comfortable with talking about and you were right. He didn’t even know you, but here he was trying to convince you that you were safe. That you weren’t alone. “I’m sorry,”

“For what?”

Spencer grinned, feeling lame as he searched for an answer. After a few moments of silence, you spoke up again, “Spencer, I’m not working right now and I’m always alone,” you trailed off, your cheeks flaring, “Well, I was wondering if I could keep calling you. As long as you aren’t busy,”

You were waiting to hear Spencer’s calming voice reject you, but you could hear the excitement in his voice as he answered with an enthusiastic “Yes,”

You felt your chest tighten, “I’ll call you tomorrow at eight?”

“Eight sounds good,”

“Okay,”

“Okay,”

You quickly said a nervous goodbye, hanging up after hearing Spencer bid you farewell.

---

It was night, cool breezes blew through your hair, as you looked up with a smile. Your arms wrapped around his neck, large hands holding your hips. You ignored the excitement shooting down your spine, your body feeling nuclear under his touch, your emotions being the bomb and his touch was the impact. You felt so wonderfully warm if something touched you, you were sure it would heat up in a second.

You felt his hands move away, pulling at his neck for a thick scarf, wrapping it around your neck delicately, pulling you closer by the ends of it. He laughed, peppermint filling your senses, leaning down quickly. You caught a glance of hazel eyes before you woke up in your lonesome bed.

A pit formed in the bottom of your stomach as you push yourself up on your bed, blinking as you registered who you were just dreaming about. You let out a whisper of a desperate no, dramatically falling back down onto the bed with a groan. Your hands rubbed your eyelids, trying not to picture Spencer leaning down, trying not to remember how he smelt of peppermint. How did you even know that? You scolded yourself as you got up, throwing on some semi-appropriate clothes and heading for the door with your crutches.

You needed some air, you knew he was in your dreamland of romance because he was the last person you talked to last night. After the phone call, you spent the rest of the long night on your bed with a copy of The Picture Of Dorian Gray. Why couldn’t demonic Dorian Gray live in your dreamland? You limped into the coffee shop, holding back a giddy smile as you gave Spencer Reid’s lips one last thought.

You had spent the rest of your day, doing mindless tasks; you read, you cleaned, watched mindless television, anything to keep yourself distracted. Your mind kept drifting towards darker ends, today seemingly worse than the last. Your body yearning desperately for numbing bliss, a gentle reminder that despite all of your romantic dwellings you were still living in an unbearable existence.

You were about to endure another episode of staring up at the ceiling when there was a gentle knock at the door. You welcomed the distraction with a grin, hobbling as fast as you could, over to the door. You opened it to see a delivery woman smiling back at you as she handed you a tiny package, you signed for it quickly and politely shut the door. You sat at your kitchen table, opening the package with a tiny struggle.

It was free from all the tape now, but you couldn’t stop the sick feeling from eating at you. What if you had another stalker? How stupid were you to just bring a package into your house? After everything that had happened, you cursed yourself for your carelessness. You swallowed a quick gulp of air, opening up the package slowly. You let out the air with a tiny gasp, seeing a tiny card on the inside that read Spencer. The note was right next to a box of peppermint tea and a small copy of Oscar Wilde’s The Nightingale and the Rose.

You tried not to let it get to you as fire decorated your cheeks, you opened the note quickly, reading messy handwriting.

Y/N,

Since you said you were always alone, let this keep you company.

-Spencer

You bit the inside of your cheek, heart racing as your stomach filled with the fluttering wings of butterflies. Before you could let your mind go any farther, you suppressed them, choking the life out of beating wings in your stomach. It wasn’t fair to him, to Spencer. He was too good and you were here in your apartment, yearning for a drug to satisfy you. He didn’t need that. He shouldn’t have to fix you and he wasn’t going to be your coping mechanism.  

You stood up, grabbing the peppermint tea, slipping it into the cabinet with a dramatic huff. On your way back to the couch you grabbed the book, sitting down and letting it do the job of keeping you company.

After a cup of peppermint tea, you called Spencer’s phone. You felt a very familiar lump grow in your throat as you heard the first ring. Despite being in the good company of a good book, you couldn’t stop thinking about Spencer. It seemed that thoughts of him kept you more company than anything Oscar Wilde could produce. You let yourself be convinced that he was just a friend, that he was just someone trying to help you get through a rough patch. He was just someone who understood.

Another ring. You squeezed your eyes tight, the sudden urge to hang up the phone was becoming slightly overwhelming. You were about to hang up the phone at the third ring, but then you heard a very breathless “Hello?”

Anxiety exited your system, warmth replacing the void effortlessly. “Hi,” you chuckled, hearing a heavy pant on the other end of the line, “Did I interrupt a workout  routine?”

“No,” Spencer let out a breathy laugh, relaxing at the sound of your voice. It was a welcome distraction from his day, they didn’t have a case, it was just a long day. “I was just cleaning up,”

“Is the doctor dirty?” you questioned, the word choice setting in as your cheeks became a light pink, stuttering to fix your mistake. “I mean, messy! Are you messy?”

Spencer didn’t think the question was all that odd till he realized that it could have been taken out of context and then he let out a tiny chuckle, shaking his head slowly. “No, I’m not dirty, just cluttered,” he answered, a smile on his lips. “Did you get the package?”

“Yes,” Your voice rising in volume with excitement, “I did, it was perfect. Thank you so much.” A tiny piece of guilt slithering into your mind as you stole a glance over at the book next to you. You were about to speak when Spencer cut you off.

“I was just thinking about what you said last night and thought it would cheer you up,”

Your guilty thoughts came to a halt, a blush creeping its way towards your ears as you let out a gentle, “It did,”

“I’m glad it did,”

You let out a soft hum, trying to come up with something to say. You wanted to ask him how his day was, or ask him how he was feeling. But all of those questions seemed weak. You could’ve told him that you wanted to be friends, but your emotions decided for you. “Would you be alright with going out, like as friends?”

“As friends?”

“I would like us to go out as friends, yes.” your voice shook slightly with anxiety as you waited for his response.

Spencer couldn’t fight back the laugh bubbling in his chest, chuckling at how nervous you seemed. “I would love to,”

“Are you sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know, you might think I’m weird or something?”

“Y/N,”

“Yes?”

“I would want nothing more than to go out with you, as a friend, that is.”

[shapeshiftinterest]

mao mao heroes of pure heart Christmas gift exchange

for @maomaosrealfamily

wishlist: Mao Mao, Badgerclops, and Adorabat ice-skating; Mao Mao struggles

______________________________________________________________  

story under the read more

These Blades are for Skatin’ (also on AO3)

“Do you even know how to ice skate?“ Badgerclops asked, helping Adorabat lace up her skates.

After their usual daily patrol and a fight with some ice dragons that’d been too close to the valley, the trio had decided to take a break at the recently frozen pond.

‘‘Well, no.” Mao admitted. “But it looks fairly simple, and I am a master of the blade.”

Badgerclops gave him a look, picking Adorabat up and setting her on wobbly feet. She threw out a ‘Thanks, Badgerclops!’, fixing her scarf and waving at the two before trudging through the snow toward the pond.

“Dude, just because you use a giant knife-“

“It’s a katana!“

“-And know how to throw littler knives-“

“Wha- those are kunai and you know it! Stop calling them kniv- mmphm!!“

“- does NOT mean you know how to ice skate.“ Badgerclops finished. Mao narrowed his eyes at the other, pouting around the finger being used to shush him.

The cat smacked it away, waving his hand dismissively.

“If my sister Minori can strap kitchen knives to her ballet flats and use them to dance-carve her name into a piano, I’m pretty sure I can do something as simple as ice skating.” He said confidently, already lacing up his own skates.

“I’m sorry, your sister did what now?“

Mao ignored him and made his way to the edge of the pond.

Among the other sweetiepies he saw Adorabat, who’d already made it to the other side and was talking with her dad and some classmates. Eugene was holding her wings and skating backwards, slowly pulling her across the ice and explaining how to move.

With one last glance to make sure the area was secure, the sheriff took a step onto the ice-

“GAH!!“

-and immediately slid forward into a split.

Thighs burning from the sudden stretch, Mao fell over onto his side and hissed, one skate on the ice and the other still in the snow.

A little ways behind him he could hear Badgerclops laughing. He grunted, pushing himself into a sitting position and shakily using Geraldine to stand upright. At least the sweetiepies were too preoccupied to pay attention to him.

"Oh yeah, a real master of the blade, pfff hehehehe.”

Mao glared at his co hero. "As if you could do any better.” He grouched.

“Actually,“ Badgerclops said, hip checking the other and walking onto the ice. “I can. Watch and learn, dude.“

And with that sassy remark, the deputy pushed off, gracefully gliding across pond and weaving in and out between the sweetiepies.

He did a couple loops around Adorabat and Eugene’s group, making a turn and skating backwards, one hand clutching his beanie and the other tucked into his jacket pocket.

Mao’s mouth fell open, watching in surprise as his friend leapt over Chubbum and went into a backwards spin. He did a few more tricks before sliding in front of the other and striking a pose.

“Who’s the blade master now, Mao Mao?“ He said smugly.

“Wha- when did you learn how to do that?!“

Badgerclops shrugged, “Rodeo classes.“

“That doesn’t-“

“Badgerclops, that was AMAZING!!“ Adorabat exclaimed, swooping in to rest on his shoulder. “Can you teach me how to do that?“

“Of cour-“

“A-Adorabat!“

The trio turned to see Eugene huffing and puffing his way towards them.

“Get down from there, you could get hurt!“ He wheezed.

“But I hang here all the time?“

Eugene made a concerned face and adjusted his glasses. “Yes, but your skates could get caught in his jacket if they slice through. What if you fall and twist your ankle!“

Adorabat pouted, “It’s fine! Badgerclops would catch me first, right Badgerclops?”

“You know it.“ He said, offering her a fist bump.

Meanwhile, Mao was still trying to stand on the ice without using Geraldine as a crutch. His latest attempt had ended up with him face planting and Kevin skating over his hand.

“Oops! Sowwy, teehee.“

Eugene sighed and helped Mao up, basically attaching the cat to Badgerclops’ other jacket arm.

“How about this, Little Gem. If you get down and come with me, we can get hot chocolate.”

“With tiny marshmallows?“

He smiled. “Yes, with tiny marshmallows.“

“Wait, hot chocolate? Can I go with y’all?“ Badgerclops asked, hand already prying one of Mao’s gloved paws off of his arm.

“If you help teach the Sheriff how to skate I’ll bring you both hot chocolates.“

“Deal! Let’s go, Mao.“

“Wait, Badgerclops, that’s too faaaAAAAAAAHHHH!!“

The taller of the two grabbed his friend’s hands and sped away, while Eugene and Adorabat sat on a bench and started untying their skates.

After about an hour Mao had started to get the hang of it, after 2 hours he could skate from one end of the pond to the other without holding on to anyone.

The Sky Pirates had shown up about ten minutes in, but Badgerclops blasted their ship before they could set anchor (it would have broken the ice if it’d landed). 

The four, having jumped off beforehand, had been promptly ambushed by wave after wave of snowballs. The attack, lead by Adorabat and some of her classmates, forced the pirates to retreat, and turned to an intense snowball fight between the five year olds. (One of the snowballs hit Mao in the skates, nobody admitted who the thrower was.)

Him and Eugene had switched places halfway through, that way the bat could teach Mao how to turn and the deputies could enjoy their hot chocolate together.

“You’re doing great Mao Mao.“ Eugene said, the Sheriff’s hands holding his wings tightly as the shorter of the two slowly spun them around. “Just turn your heel like that- yes. Aaand, perfect!”

“WHOOOO!!! YOU DID IT MAO!!“ Badgerclops hollered from his seat, already on his 3rd cup. Adorabat was huddled in the front of his jacket and trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue.

She would have yelled something too but she’d burned her mouth after drinking her hot chocolate too soon.

“And with that, you know the basics of how to ice skate. Congratulations, Sheriff!“ Eugene sneezed. “Ngh. Let’s go inside, I’m freezing my wings off haha.“

“You go ahead, I want to practice spih- ah- aH- ACHOOO!!“

Mao sniffed. “Y’know on second thought yeah, let’s go inside.”

The two made their way to the deputies and returned the skates, all four of them returning to HQ.

______________________________________________________________  BONUS:

based on the headcanon that Eugene has multiple jobs, as well as takes multiple shifts, he’s an instructor for basic ice skating for this fic and usually teaches the kid classes

Eugene and the sheriff’s department have a good relationship, you can take that as either

him, Mao and BC being in a relationship (OT3)

him, Mao and BC being friends (no ships)

or Badgermao being friends with Eugene (OTP + friend)

Sometimes he has sleepovers at their house

originally I was going to write more Badgermao vibes and like, maybe a flashback thing where Mao and BC met as kids at an ice pond

Mao gets ignored by his sisters/ dad (they brought him) while they skate

he ends up getting lost and meets Badgerclops, who teaches him how to skate and they hold hands/ arms, get hot chocolate, make a snowman, maybe have a snowball fight with Gerald

Mao has a line like ‘I know how to ice skate! My friend taught me how when we were kids.’ but because it was so long ago he’s basically forgotten how to do it and BC teaches him all over again

[molzies-fanfics]

Whoops

A/N: I’ve never actually broken anything so I hope this is somewhat accurate, also anon I’m really sorry I didn’t respond earlier but I hope you healed up well!

Parkour had been a hobby once upon a time, but you had started posting videos on the internet, gaining followers over the past couple of years which led to earning a lot of money. So this basically became your job, but wasn’t it everybody’s dream to enjoy what they did for a living?

 Although one day you were so caught up in your twists and flips from one surface to the next you didn’t notice that someone had spilt something…

 Waking up in the hospital was a nice surprise, a bump on the head and a broken leg was the more nasty one. God…you had no idea how your boyfriend was going to react.

Leo was an incredibly loving and careful boyfriend, sometimes you couldn’t picture your life without him…but right now? You really didn’t want him to come over and see the epic blunder you had gotten yourself into.

 He had texted about an hour ago, saying he would drop in when he would get the chance during patrol. It wasn’t like you could just say no! If you said no that would raise suspicions, leading to him coming over anyway. It wasn’t like Leo didn’t trust you, he just got concerned over whether you were getting kidnapped or not.

 Letting out a massive sigh, you sat up to try and reach for the tv remote, but moving resulted in tugging the skin trapped under your cast causing you to hiss in pain. “Y/N?” hearing a familiar voice, you whipped your head around meeting the bluest eyes you ever did see. “Hey Leo…” you tried to sound casual, failing miserably as his gaze focused on the dark blue cast. “Oh my god, Y/N what happened?” he questioned as he rushed to your side, cupping your face in his hands.

 “Well I was doing some parkour today and…I slipped.” You winced at the recollection. “Oh love, I’m so sorry. Do you need anything?” you were surprised in the change of conversation, originally thinking he was going to scold you for being so reckless, but you saw the concern etched into his features and knew he was being serious.

 “The TV remote and some water would be great?” you wondered if you were doing the right thing, taking advantage of this opportunity. “Of course.” He smiled before handing you the remote. With the TV flickering to life, you turned back to him. “I thought you would be mad.” You almost whispered to yourself. “I am a little bit. It’s just…my need to take care of you kinda overrules that.” Leo chuckled to himself as returned with your water.

 “Oh…well thanks.” You showed a weak smile before gulping down the glass. “Woah, slow down. You don’t want hiccups as well do you?” he laughed. You attempted to gulp down the lump in your throat as well. “I just realized…I won’t be able to work for so long now.” You gasped. “Love, you need time to heal, and that’s better than irritating the wound and starting all over again…isn’t it?” Leonardo rubbed circles into your shoulder. “I guess so.” You spoke into your glass.

 Leaning over to give your forehead a kiss, Leonardo leant his head against yours, staring into your eyes. “I’m here for you.”

Raph had squeezed through your window without even letting you know he was coming. You couldn’t decide whether it was nice of him to surprise you or inconsiderate if he scared you. But you knew this time it was you who was going to give him a shock. The red banded turtle lumbered through your living room before spotting you on the couch.

 “Hey…babe?” his tone changed as he spotted the cast trapping your leg. “Hi Raphie.” You greeted pathetically. “What the hell happened? Who did this to you?” he didn’t move as his temper soared, his features expressing a mix of pain, anger and regret. “No one did this to me! Well…unless you count myself.” You chuckled sadly. “…what?” he whispered.

 Shutting your eyes tight, you didn’t want to see the look on his face when you told him. “I hurt myself today whilst filming. I wasn’t looking where I was going, there was some water…I slipped.” You sighed, preparing for the worst. Expecting him to yell, stomp about, reminding you what you had done and how he would continue to until it was drilled into your mind how dangerous your job really was. Maybe even tell you not to go back to it…

 “Idiot.”

Surprised at the emotion in his voice, you opened your eyes to glance over your boyfriend. “What?” mumbling almost to yourself. “I said you’re an idiot. You should be more careful.” He almost smiled. Instead he sat down on the couch, bicep brushing against your uninjured foot. “I-I’ll keep that in mind.” You stumbled “You’re not mad?”

 “How can I? You’ve received the brunt of your mistake anyway, I don’t want to add to that.” He gave you a sad smile whilst rubbing your leg affectionately. “Aw…thanks Raphie.” you whimpered, still a bit emotional from a stressful day and Raph just had to go and be a sweetheart. “Oh hey…don’t cry.” He got up to move closer to you, shuffling himself under your back so you could cuddle.

 “Sorry…it’s just been a long day and I wasn’t expecting you to be so nice to me. My mom yelled at me so much today, complaining about how much the hospital would cost me especially since I won’t be able to go back to work now and earn the money back” you started to sob into his chest. “Shush, babe, everything will be alright. And if thing’s get tough around here you’re always welcome to come crash with us.” Raph suggested thoughtfully.

 “Your…your brothers won’t mind?” you sniffled, completely bypassing the thought that your boyfriend had practically asked you to move in with him, despite it being purely for your benefit. “Hell no, you’re family Y/N.”

 You ended up launching yourself at him then, ignoring the pain in your leg from the sudden movement as you latched your lips onto Raph’s.

 “You are so sweet, y’know that?”

 “It happens.” He chuckled.

Donnie was practically a doctor himself, so when you broke your leg and only found out when you woke up in hospital, you knew he was gonna be pissed. Not by the fact that you broke it in the first place, but maybe because you didn’t come to him about it. Face it, it would’ve been difficult to get to him with a broken leg but at least it would’ve been free and you would’ve been able to see your boyfriend in this difficult situation.

 Walking on crutches back to your apartment only to find out the elevator was out of order was a treat though. The cherry on top of this whole mess. After spending a whole hour, yes an HOUR, climbing the stairs with your cast on, you opened your door to be greeted by none other than Donatello.

 “There you are dove! I was starting to get…worried.” He was excited to see you before his eyes fell to your cast. Feeling way too tired for this, you were hoping he wasn’t about to start an argument. Closing the door before anyone in the hallway could see him, you turned around only to be met with a hug. Which was kind of difficult seeing as Donnie was six foot six.

 “What happened? Are you okay? Well, clearly not you’ve broken your leg! Do you need anything? Water? Hot water bottle? Do you need me to help scratch your leg? I’ve heard casts can be super scratchy.” Your boyfriend started to ramble. “Donnie! I’m fine, I just need to sit down. The elevator was out of order so I had to use the stairs.” You explained briefly before hobbling over to the couch. That was before Donnie scooped you up bridal style of course.

 “Let me take care of you.” He smiled warmly. You were too exhausted to say anything but “Okay.” Laying you down on the sofa, Donnie got you some snacks, blankets and put your favorite movie on. Curling up into his arms you realized how truly grateful you were to have a boyfriend like Donatello. Kissing him on the cheek, you gave him an exhausted grin, staring into his emerald orbs before placing your head in the crook of his neck.

 “I’m here for you always dove.”

 “Thank you Donatello.”

You couldn’t lie to Mikey, you couldn’t even keep a secret from him. His face was like a magnet for your affection, and that included being truthful. Which meant you had to tell him that you broke your leg and that was why you had to cancel your date. So, when you texted him without saying why, he immediately asked if he could come over instead. Knowing it was better to go this over with sooner rather than later, you said it was okay.

 Dreading the minutes in between the text and when he arrived, you sat there trying to get comfortable with, what felt like, an over sized cast. It was like slow torture on a mental and physical plane…which sucked. All you knew was that Mikey would be upset when he had seen what had happened, but he wouldn’t be angry…would he? You’ve never seen Mikey angry before, but that doesn’t mean he never had been angry. Anxiety started to build up in your chest, today had been challenging enough.

“Hey sweet cheeks! Sorry I took so long, want to pick up some pizza!” He chirped as he stumbled into your living room, leaving the window open. A draft picked up, causing you to shiver. As if sensing it, Mike picked up the nearest blanket, came over and wrapped you up in it. He then sat down next to you, completely ignoring your cast set on the pillow next to him, and took a slice out of the box.

“So how was your day?” He beamed. Sunlight was basically coming out of his cheeks at this point. “Uh…kinda horrible?” you chuckled to yourself, starting to find it funny that he hadn’t noticed yet. “Oh no, how come?” he then rubbed your leg. You gave him a look before gesturing to where his hand lay, looking down Mike finally put two and two together.

“Oh my god! What did you do?!”

“HAHAHA, I love you Mike.”

[echo-bleu]

Somebody to lean on

[implied depression, PTSD, nightmares, past abuse (human and animal)]

For an anon prompt here that took me way too long to write: "I wish you would write a fic where we see what a positive influence Buffy is in Alex's life and just how much she helps him day to day. I just lost my dog so I could use some good dog fluff."

It's...not fluff. I had a bunch of false starts, started this, gave it up, started something else, also gave it up, lost myself in my head for like two weeks, reread this and found that it didn't suck as much as I thought, so I finished it.

Thank you @insidious-intent for handholding and encouraging me to post this!

Read on AO3

Alex hesitates for a long time after his therapist told him getting a dog would be good for him. He understands all her arguments, that's not the problem. Yes, a dog would be good to force him to walk more−he does his PT religiously most days, but walking as much as his physical therapist wants him to was harder, since it requires getting out of the house. A dog would make him get up on the really bad days when getting out of bed feels like climbing a mountain. A dog would help him keep a regular schedule even when he's discharged from the Air Force and loses the structure it provided. A dog would remind him to make himself something to eat when he loses track of time.

Alex makes pro and con lists, over and over, on the margins of his work notebook and post-its stuck to his fridge. The pros always come on top, if only by a small margin. Yet he still quibbles. Being responsible for another being is scary. He isn't ready. He isn't really in Roswell to stay, he doesn't want to fully settle there. He might have to travel for the Air Force or whatever new job he found, and then where will he leave the dog? There are plenty of arguments against it.

“What are you really scared of?” his therapist asks during a session, after months of this.

They hash it out for a while. In the end, it comes down to this: dogs love their humans unconditionally. Alex doesn't know if he's worth being loved unconditionally.

-

Mimi is the one who convinces him. She just s ees the dog in his future. Alex never really believed in the DeLucas' fortune telling, but like often, he has to admit that he doesn't know how Mimi could have done that by just guessing.

Plus, aliens are real. What's the point in refusing to believe in someone's vague precognition gift after that?

So sometime after that conversation, Alex tells his head to stop screwing with him and takes himself to an animal shelter. Since he was too scared to even accept the idea before, he hasn't looked into dog care yet, or into what breed would be the most appropriate to his lifestyle. But it doesn't really matter, because he wants an older rescue dog, not a puppy he could ruin by raising it wrong. He wants a dog who can fit with him, and that's a dog who's been through hardship and survived.

Buffy isn't what he expected.

He expected to go through a few shelters before he found a match, for one. He expected to choose a dog who was shied away from him, at first. He expected a larger breed, a tall, strong, quiet dog.

Buffy is none of these things. She's a beagle−and how did Mimi get even that right?−she's small enough to fit into his arms and she's anything but quiet. She's six years old, a rescue from an abusive home, and she limps from a badly healed fracture in her right hind leg. When Alex sees that, after Buffy has already started licking his face, he snorts in laughter.

She's scruffy and soft and bad-mannered, but she's not afraid of Alex at all. It's like being abused hasn't even made a dent in her faith in humans. Or maybe just in Alex, since he seems to be the only one she even comes close to.

They fit together perfectly.

-

Buffy doesn't like Michael, at first.

She might just be picking up on Alex's mood, or there's something about him that sets her off. She doesn't have a problem with Isobel, at least no more than with Alex's other friends, so he doesn't think it's because he's an alien, but she barks loudly when he shows up and plants herself in front of the door, ready to defend her territory. And when Alex shushes her, she sits and glares at Michael, following him in every room like she's watching him. Michael finds her creepy. Alex laughs at them.

It gives him something to laugh at. Pretending that he's okay with everyone invading his home, on the pretext that it's the only place far enough from town to hide Rosa−in the goddamn murder basement, no less−is taking a toll. Pretending he's fine with Michael's proclamation that they're just friends while they're working in his living room is torture. Not to even mention the thought of him and Maria together, of Maria's betrayal.

Buffy barks at Michael, and stays away from everyone else, hiding under Alex's bed. Alex laughs because that's what he wants to do, too. It's like Buffy is reading his mind. Of course, he doesn't have that luxury, so he lives vicariously through her for three weeks and dissociates nearly constantly. The walks he takes with Buffy are his sole escape.

It's only when they're all gone, after Arturo has been read in and Rosa has a new identity, that Alex lets the events of the last few months wash over him.

He lies down on his bed and cries himself to sleep, five days in a row, and Buffy snuggles against his side and nudges his neck. He wakes up from the worst nightmares he's had since he got out of rehab, featuring Michael in the explosion that blew up his leg instead of the one at Caulfield, and Buffy licks his face. He struggles to get up in the morning, and Buffy barks his ears off until he's taken her out.

Months later, he'll tell his therapist that he thinks Buffy may have saved his life.

-

Buffy loves him.

It's a realization that comes over Alex slowly. He doesn't think that much of it, at first, because all dogs show some kind of love to their human, right? Dogs are known to be loyal. As they grow on each other, he just soaks up in her presence and her warmth, when every other part of his life seems to have gone cold. She's soft and warm and alive and that's exactly what he needs.

Later on, he freaks out. It's such a huge responsibility, to have her, when some days he can't even get out of bed. He could put her in serious danger without even meaning to. She trusts him to take care of her, and he doesn't know if he's up to the task.

Buffy answers his concerns with enthusiastic licks and opinions about where she wants to go for a walk. It takes a while, but Alex decides they'll probably be fine. She won't let him forget about her.

She doesn't let him forget about himself. When he loses himself in work, forgetting to eat or sleep, she's there to remind him. She even starts trying to help him on bad days, nudging his leg when he's limping too much, so he trains her to fetch his crutch. Her pride when he thanks her never fails to make him smile.

Buffy loves him unconditionally, and it's something Alex has never had before. She doesn't turn her back on him when he makes a mistake. She doesn't force him to talk when the words catch in his throat. She's just there.

Alex has always loved deeply, but Buffy is the one who teaches him how to be loved.

So when Michael shows up at his doorstep one day, months after his relationship with Maria very publicly exploded, Alex doesn't shut down.

When Michael starts sprouting some grand metaphoric declaration of how he didn't mean to hurt Alex and how they've got to be star crossed lovers with shitty timing, Alex takes it for what it is, and he murmurs that he's willing to work at it.

Michael leaves and only comes back after a few days, without the cowboy hat and the wall around his heart. Buffy doesn't even bark at him. He goes down to one knee and pets her before he looks up at Alex. Alex lets him in this time.

When, some time later, Michael tell him he loves him, Alex doesn't immediately dismiss it. He takes it in and let it bounce around his brain for a while. He cries a little and he hugs Michael and they spend the night lying on his bed with Buffy between them, just being together.

In the morning, Alex is ready to believe it.

Because if Buffy loves him with all her little heart, then maybe Alex can be worthy of love.

[joyful-soul-collector]

Trick or Treat

@van-lukas asked: Hey, for your celebration! Pearl Thief characters + trick or treating

Thank you for this request! I had a lot of fun writing it!!

300 Follower Celebration!

“Tay look! It has a tail just like mine!” Loch squealed, spinning round and round, trying to get a good look at the tail of his shark onesie costume. Tatum and Art laughed, and Art leaned down to straighten the hood. 

“I can see that,” Tatum said as Art stood upright again. “Teeth like you too.”

Loch frowned and stuck a little finger in his mouth, feeling the sharpness of his teeth. 

“My tee’ ah’ no’ shar’!” Loch said, the finger still in his mouth. He took it out again with a small pop then bared his little teeth, standing on tiptoe and throwing his head back so that Tatum could see. He had to hold one hand on his hood so it didn’t fall off while the other gripped Tatum’s leg, keeping him steady as he wobbled on his toes. “See? Not sharp!” he said, his teeth still clenched together. 

“Oh yes, my mistake,” Tatum said warmly, ruffling Loch’s hair as he thumped back onto his heels, and began to examine his jack-o-lantern trick-or-treating bucket. The warmth immediately evaporated as Tatum fixed Art with a glare. 

“My brother is dressed like a fish,” he said bluntly. “Why.”

Art glanced up from the tunic of his costume he was adjusting, then rolled his eyes at the look on Tatum’s face. 

“I told you, it’s Halloween and we’re going trick-or-treating. Seven just about had a stroke when they found out you two had never been trick-or-treating before, and insisted we all go together this year,” Art said, securing his crown a little more firmly on his head. 

“Yeah, I know all that, but why is Loch a fish,” Tatum said. “And why do I have this weird cape thing on?”

“Cuz that’s what you do on Halloween, you dress up,” Art said. 

“Yeah but why,” Tatum said, dragging out the last word in frustration. Art laughed and grabbed the small tube of fake blood off the picnic table. 

“For fun, Tatum,” he said, walking over to where Tatum stood. “I’m sure there’s some historical reason for dressing up on Halloween but really it’s just for fun. Now stay still, no vampire costume is complete without the fake blood.”

“I don’t even know what a vampire is,” Tatum grumbled, but he obeyed Art’s request and kept still while the sticky red paste was applied to the sides of his chin. 

“They’re these creatures that suck people’s blood. There’s lots of movies and books and stuff about them, they’re pretty cool,” Art said, capping the tube and using his finger to smear the blood into shape. Tatum spoke when Art took a moment to wipe his finger on a napkin. 

“Why the hell would people like something like that?” Tatum said, one eyebrow cocked skeptically. Art shrugged. 

“There’s just a lot of stories and interpretations I guess,” Art said, turning back to the picnic table and putting the tube back in in his bag before starting to rummage around for a comb. “And a lot of people think of them as some sort of sexy, magical, forbidden love type thing, especially after the Twilight books came out--” Art cut off with a small gasp as he felt warm hands on his waist and Tatum’s breath against his ear. 

“Sexy, magical, forbidden love, huh?” he said in a low, slightly amused voice. “Sounds fun.”

Art snorted and twisted around to face him. 

“Yeah I’m not kissing you until we wash that fake blood off,” Art said, and Tatum made a mock-offended look. 

“Well had I known I wouldn’t be allowed to kiss you then I wouldn’t have let you make me a campfire,” Tatum said, releasing Art’s hips and frowning at him. 

“Vampire,” Art corrected. 

“That’s what I said.”

“No it’s not!” Loch piped up, finally taking his gaze off of his trick-or-treat bucket. Tatum and Art both stared at him for a moment, then looked back at each other.

“I did not realize he was still listening,” Tatum said quietly. Art burst into laughter, and Loch giggled along happily, even though he couldn’t have had any idea why Art was laughing. 

“You three better not be havin’ fun without me!” said a loud voice coming from the parking lot. Art turned and saw Seven making their way down the ramps to the beach on their crutches. They were wearing the costume Art had rented for them: blue robes with white stars and a matching pointy hat, though they weren’t wearing the fake beard that had come with the costume, and had instead gone for tying their white hair in a ponytail under their chin. 

Of course, Art thought, smiling as Seven hobbled closer.  

“Hey Sev!” Art said. 

“Seven!” Loch squealed, running as fast as his little legs could carry him and colliding with Seven’s legs before anyone could stop him. Seven stumbled but quickly righted themself, laughing at the obvious delight on Loch’s face. 

“Hey there squirt! You excited?” Seven said, staring fondly down at the ball of glee by their legs. 

“Yes! Yes yes yes!” Loch said, releasing Seven and bouncing on his toes happily. 

“One excited little shark, check,” Seven said. Then they looked up at Tatum, smirking at his resting frown. “One angsty vampire, check.”

Tatum scoffed but couldn’t hide a small smile, and he nodded at Seven’s costume. 

“What are you supposed to be?” he said. 

“Art didn’t tell you?” they said, and they lifted one of their arms, still holding the crutch, and swung it around Art’s shoulders, leaning into him heavily. “We’re King Arthur and Merlin!”

Art didn’t see any sort of understanding enter Tatum’s expression, but he did raise his eyebrows at Art in amusement. 

“Your name is Arthur, so you dress up like someone named King Arthur,” Tatum said. 

“Oh shush, I’ve been dressing up like King Arthur every year since I was five, before I even changed my name to Arthur,” Art said. 

“Does that mean you named yourself after King Arthur?”

“…No--”

“You hesitated,” Seven said. 

“N-No, I didn’t!”

“No you didn’t hesitate or no you didn’t name yourself after King Arthur?” Tatum said. 

“Both!”

“Uh-huh,” Seven said sarcastically, ignoring Art’s glare, and turning their attention to Loch again, who was gazing at Seven’s trick-or-treating bucket. Art noticed Loch’s nose twitching slightly as he gazed at the bucket, and he started to chew on his lip. Tatum and Art glanced at each other, but Seven was completely oblivious. 

“We have matching buckets, don’t we squirt?” Seven said with a smile. 

“I’m hungry,” Loch answered, not seeming to have heard what Seven said at all. Seven’s grin softened, and they chuckled sympathetically. 

“Well it’s a good thing I brought us some sandwiches then,” they said, reaching into their bucket and pulling out four saran-wrapped sandwiches. Loch squealed happily as Seven tossed one to him. “They were giving  them out at work so I brought some for you guys! I figured trick-or-treating would be more fun with some food in our bellies.”

But when Seven finally held one out to Art, he felt his heart start to pound. 

“Oh, no it’s okay, you have that,” Art said, feeling guilt settle in his chest at the thought of taking something he didn’t need. But his words made Seven, Tatum, and even Loch look up and frown at him. 

“It’s free food!” Seven and Tatum exclaimed at the same time. Art jumped at the sudden anger in their voices, and instantly started to wring his hands nervously. 

“It-It’s a gift, Art,” Seven said, holding the sandwich out to him again. “I got it for you to eat. Please?”

“O-Oh… Right, yeah, of course. I’m sorry,” Art said quietly, taking the food and starting to unwrap it. 

“It’s alright,” Seven said with a warm smile. Art took a bite. 

“Thank you,” he said, and Seven nodded as they took a bite of their own sandwich. They all ate in silence for a moment, and Art tried his best not to mind the cardboard-like taste of the bread, knowing the other three probably didn’t notice nor care. 

~~~

Apparently, Art hadn’t explained what trick-or-treating was very well, because when the first handful of candy was dropped into Tatum and Loch’s buckets, they looked back at Art with such surprise that he wasn’t sure if they ever actually knew what was supposed to happen after they said the words “trick or treat”. 

“You mean they just… drop food into your bucket for free?” Tatum said to Art as they all walked down to the next house. 

“Well you have to say ‘trick or treat’ first.”

“And they just… they just give it to you?” Tatum reiterated. The tone of his voice made Art look up. Tatum was looking down into his bucket with the most confused and oddly anguished face Art had ever seen on him. He looked ahead to make sure Seven and Loch weren’t paying attention, then put a hand on Tatum’s shoulder, stopping at the driveway of the next house. 

“Tatum? Are you alright?”

“I… I uh…” he said, still staring at the candy.  Then he looked up and said in a quiet voice, “I-I don’t understand. Why are they just giving it away? Don’t they need it?”

“Well… no. They don’t. They got it so they could give it to other people, the candy is supposed to be given to you,” Art said gently. 

“That doesn’t make sense. I don’t catch fish just to give it to a stranger who asks for it. This is… I don’t…” Tatum looked back down at his bucket again, not looking any happier than he did before. Art sighed and put his hand on Tatum’s arm. 

“Look, I know it doesn’t make sense to you right now, but let’s try and ignore that feeling for now. Let’s just have fun,” Art said. When Tatum still didn’t look up, art sighed and wracked his brain for ideas. 

“Just… just pretend it’s like when Seven gave us sandwiches,” Art said. Tatum looked up with a frown. 

“That’s not the same, Seven got those just for us, they’re not just giving out food like it doesn’t mean anything--”

“I know, I know, just pretend. If that’ll help you have a good time and feel less bad and confused, just pretend for now. We can sort it all out later, but I want you and Loch to have a fun time tonight, and you’re not going to have fun if you keep thinking about it like this,” Art said, and he straightened Tatum’s cape just for something to do. “Just… try not to think about it okay?”

“…Alright,” Tatum said with a sigh. “But I’m having a full-on existential crisis when we get back to the docks ok?”

Art laughed and gave him a kiss on the cheek, to which Tatum clearly couldn’t help but grin at.

“Okay. Let’s go, Seven and Loch are waiting for us,” Art said, nodding to where Seven and Loch were by the door, patiently waiting for them before they rang the doorbell. Well, Seven was patient, Loch was bouncing from one foot to the other, clearly doing his best not to just push the doorbell without them. Tatum laughed at his little brother and they hurried to catch up with them. 

They trick-or-treated for the next couple hours before Loch began to whine that his legs were starting to hurt. At first Art thought Tatum would just put Loch on his hip and they’d keep going, but Tatum sided with his little brother, saying they should go back to the docks. It was only then that Art realized Tatum had been rubbing at his upper thighs for the past few minutes, a slight grimace on his face. It seems the three hours of time they had on land was coming to a close. 

Art drove Seven to the shelter as it was closest, then quickly to the beach, where Tatum and Loch shed their costumes and jumped into the water. Loch immediately jumped back out again, eager to eat his candy, but Tatum stayed, helping sort and eat the pile of candy from his position in the water at the end of the dock. Though he did make a point to push himself up and give Art a kiss on the cheek since the fake blood had now been washed away. 

Loch discovered his favorite candy was Jolly Ranchers, specifically the green ones, while Tatum’s favorite turned out to be plain Hershey chocolate. They both gave Art any Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups they found since it was his favorite and neither of them could stand the taste of peanuts. 

They stayed up until Loch’s head was starting to droop with exhaustion, clearly crashing from his sugar high. 

“You ready to sleep baby?” Tatum said, picking up Loch under the arms and bringing him into the water. 

“‘M no’ tired,” Loch mumbled. 

“Oh I know, but I am. So would you come go to sleep with me?” Tatum said with a smirk at Art. Loch seemed to take a moment to think before letting his head drop onto Tatum’s shoulder. 

“Mmkay,” he said, curling up closer to Tatum’s chest and closing his eyes. “‘M all full of candy,” he said. 

“Haha, I know. I can’t believe you didn’t give yourself a tummy ache,” Tatum said, ruffling Loch’s hair. Art smiled at the two of them, and Tatum bobbed up to give him a kiss goodnight before disappearing below the surface. 

Art took a moment to gaze at the reflection of the full moon over the water, admiring the silver ripples dancing over the ocean, before heading home. 

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[hannitizer]

To Have a Home part 13

Summary: After Draco is found guilty of an attempted murder, he is sentenced to the Lupin’s house with hopes he’ll finally understand what it means to have a family. Only problem? Draco doesn’t want it.

A/N: Hey Y’all! Here is part 13 to my story. I hope you all enjoy!

Here’s Part 14!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Okay, so what you’re going to want to do is put these two things under your armpits, and then swing your legs forward, like this…” 

Draco watched as Isla swung her body forward on the crutches. Her jacket had been discarded on one of the chairs. Remus sat next to him, a puzzled look on his face. 

“Isla, are you sure that you’re doing that right?” 

She stopped mid-swing. “Do you want to do it, Wolf Man?”

“No no, it’s just… interesting. That’s all.” 

Isla turned to Abigail. “What do you think, Gail?” 

“Why don’t we let Draco try it out? He’s got to do it sometime.” 

“There’s no way that you’re going to make me do that like some… pathetic muggle. I won’t do it.” Draco threw himself further into the couch, icy glare hitting each of them.

While Remus and Abigail looked at each other concerned, Isla laughed. 

“Okay, Draco, listen up. Just because you’re throwing a temper tantrum doesn’t mean that everything gets to go your way. If it were up to me, I’d slap you a good one…” She looked over to Abigail’s stern face. “But because it’s not up to me, I won’t.”

Isla walked over to Draco, crutches swinging under her arm. She looked like she was ready to whack him with one, so Draco took cover behind Remus, trying to make himself as small as possible. Her looming presence was intimidating, something that scared him. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was exactly, though. 

“Please don’t hurt me!” He cried out, almost visibly shaking. He felt his breath come short, and it was getting harder and harder to convince himself to breathe in and out. 

Before he could hold onto Remus, Isla was on him, taking him by the shoulders. 

“Jeez kid, I would never hurt you like that. I was only kidding; I wouldn’t hurt you unless you gave me a reason to, and believe me, it has to be one hell of a reason. Are you okay?” 

Draco didn’t respond, not moving at all in Isla’s arms. He looked from Isla to Remus, who was still sitting next to him, a pleading look in his eyes. 

“It’ll be okay, Draco. I’ve never seen Isla hurt anyone. She may look intimidating, but deep down, she’s a softy.” 

Isla hit him square in the chest. “Shut up Mooney. If you keep talking, I’m going to personally feed you to a dragon, and that’s a promise. I don’t care if you’re married to Abigail or not.” 

“Let’s all take a deep breath, okay?” Abigail came from behind, a tray of juice and biscuits in her hands. She placed it on the dining room table before walking over to the group. “Draco, let’s try those crutches. Do you think you can do that?” 

Draco looked at all three of them. He didn’t want a fight, but he also didn’t want to be carried by Remus everywhere, especially when he needed to use the bathroom. He slowly nodded his head, letting himself be helped by Remus and Isla onto the crutches.  

After a few shaky moments, Draco was able to balance, his boot in the air and his arms wrapped desperately around the armholds. Isla held back a snort as Draco attempted to move forward, though he struggled immensely. Remus stood in front of him, and Abigail in back. Together they made an almost-sandwich around him, arms out ready to catch him. 

It took a while, but eventually, Draco was able to get the hang of walking around on three legs instead of two. He felt almost like a pendulum, swinging back and forth. He had managed to make it from one side of the living room to the other. It took a lot of encouragement on Remus and Abigail’s part, but he had done it in the end. Draco flopped back onto the couch, dropping his crutches to the floor.

“No more,” he said, “I don’t think I can do anymore.” 

“Oh, come on, Draco. Don’t be such a wimp.” Isla sat down next to him, picking up the crutches. “You can try a little more.” 

“Why don’t you walk over to the table. We can have biscuits and juice then.” Abigail added, sitting down at one of the seats. Remus joined her, so that left just Isla and Draco on the couch. She handed him the crutches with a wink, walking over to join the Lupins. 

 After struggling to get himself on the crutches, Draco managed to hoist himself on and he slowly made his way over to the table. He took his time, carefully placing his okay foot on the ground followed by the two crutches. He smiled to himself, finally getting the hang of it. 

It was like the time Luke had finally mastered the force. Or when Bilbo makes it to the lonely mountain. Or when Jo March…

What he didn’t see, however, was the bit of carpet one of his crutches had got caught on. He flew forward, colliding head-first into the kitchen table. Before any of the adults could even pull their wands out, Draco’s arm caught the side of the biscuit tray, sending biscuits and juice flying. 

He landed face towards the ground, nose pressed flat. He let out a yelp of pain, struggling to hoist himself up. 

“Oh my goodness, Draco! Are you alright?” Abigail was already at his side, trying to help him up. Isla was spelling the broken cups and biscuits away, and was about to dry his shirt when Remus suggested getting a new one entirely, going upstairs to fetch one. 

“My face hurts.” He mumbled, trying to shield himself from Isla as she leaned down too. 

“How about I get these out of here.” She said, taking the crutches and putting them next to his couch. 

Abigail had already spelled his throbbing nose, which was hurting less already, and was looking for any other injuries. Remus returned shortly with a nice, long-sleeved off-white sweater. It was the one that he had seen Draco burrow in before, and he knew that, even though Draco would never admit, it was his favorite. 

“Here,” he said, tossing it down to him, “put this on. It’ll feel nicer.”

Draco scootched away from Abigail, and took off his shirt, struggling a little to get it over his head. It only took a moment, however, and he put the sweater on, rubbing his fingers over the soft fabric. 

It also took a moment for Isla to notice something that didn’t sit well with her. She frowned, pulling out her wand once more.

“Draco,” she advanced slowly on him, hoping that it wouldn’t upset him like before, “What is that on your back?”

He frowned a bit, craning his neck to look. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Those marks, on your back, what are they from?” She prodded once more. 

Remus carefully moved his shirt up in the back, much to Draco’s annoyance. 

“Let go of me, mudblood!” he cried out, trying to shimmy out of his grip, but he only shushed him.

Isla lit her wand up, showering his back in light. What she thought she had seen was very much there. Scarring ran across his back, in every which way. Abigail gasped, immediately pulling out her wand to see if she could fix it, but everything she tried did nothing to it. 

“Draco, what happened to you?” Isla asked in the quietest voice she could manage. Draco, in response, fought against Remus once more, screaming at him to let him go. 

“No, Draco, you need to tell us what’s going on.”

“Was it someone you know? Did you do this? Someone in your family? A friend?” Isla tried probing harder, but Abigail held her arm up. 

“Draco, did someone use sectumsempra on you?” 

He paused fighting for a moment, looking up at her. “Potter used that… One day in the bathrooms at Hogwarts. But Professor Snape healed it.” 

Abigail’s face read puzzled for a moment. “That’s what it looks like, but if Snape was the one to heal you, it shouldn’t have left that bad of scarring… Where did he hit you?” 

Draco looked down. “... He hit me square in the chest. I didn’t think I was going to live; I thought I was going to die right there on the bathroom floor. Potter was lucky Professor Snape was around…” 

“Abigail, can I talk to you… Privately.” Isla stood up, extending her hand for Abigail to grab on to. 

“Remus, why don’t you get Draco situated back on the couch? I’ll be back in a moment. Draco, if you ever feel pain, let me know.”

The girls walked to the office just down the hallway as Remus lifted a hesitant Draco into his arms. As soon as the door closed to the boys, Isla started looking at the books that lined the walls. 

“This doesn’t add up…” She mumbled under her breath, “Scars that deep shouldn’t come from half a year ago.”

“And if he was hit in the chest, the scars wouldn’t show up on his back. There’s got to be something going on that we aren’t seeing.”

“Well, Draco’s not going to be cooperative about it. Did you see him in there?”

“Yes, Isla, I know,” Abigail sighed, “I”ve been dealing with this for the better half of the month.”

“I don’t want to leave him like this, but I don’t think he’s going to talk about it today.” Isla said, giving up her attempt to find the book she was looking for. There had to be well over a thousand books in the room. She was surprised that Remus and Abigail could find what they were looking for half of the time. 

“How about we both look into it, and we’ll talk about it when we find something. Until then, I’ll just keep a closer eye on him, see if he says anything.” 

“Good idea. I should get back to the house anyways. I left Alex watching our surprise guest this morning, and Tonks is probably mad that I’m not helping her track down Narcissa.” 

“Do you have any news on her?” Abigail asked, perking up when she heard her name. 

“Nothing much. We have a few places that we’re looking at. We think that Voldemort might just have her at the Malfoy manor, but you can never know for sure unless we can actually get there, but that’s a whole other issue for a different day.” Isla pulled Abigail into a tight hug. 

“Bye, Abigail. Stay in contact, and keep that baby safe!” 

“Shhhh, I haven’t told Draco about them yet.” Abigail whispered. 

“Well, get on that!” called Isla, opening the door of the office. She gave Remus a hug goodbye as well, and ruffled the hair on Draco’s head before letting herself out the front door, walking to the border of the property, and aparatting away.

[hvlfwygod]

the ferryman | gabriele & abel & lucien (& chiron) (& etc)

summary: some spirits are moved more easily than others

Gabriele wasn't sure why he'd come anymore. His company was frustrating at best and— he didn't want to be uncharitable and finish the thought. He'd come not because he was doing anything particularly useful, but because he was worried. He thought Lucien had been perfectly secure in the hospital, but apparently the bed was needed. So, he was going to the Big House instead. Despite getting Jordan to seal all the windows and Chiron's repeated assurances, he could not shake the feeling that something was going to go wrong. His goddess was whispering something, but he couldn't quite catch it. Really, he just wanted to see Lucien get inside this room and the door get locked. And he wanted a friend by his side while he waited with Jordan for this transfer to occur. But Abel was sulking, honestly sulking, and Gabriele prayed to be out of the bad energy soon. "You didn't lose, Abel," he said, not for the first time.

Jordan said that he’d meet everyone there, trying to spend as little time as possible with every single component of this. He’d told them before he left that he’d done the research, and turns out, Hecate, though excellent with communicating with and guiding spirits, had no actual control over them. Turns out, there was no way that the spell was supposed to work with putting a second spirit in the body. Because Major came back, it complicated things. He was an anomaly, and there was... basically nothing Jordan could do about it, besides put a locking spell on his holding cell, apparently. He shivered under four layers, his body protesting the cold and yet refusing to warm up.

Abel was on the other side of Gabriele, just as quiet, though the gloom did seem to seep from their pores. As Gab spoke, they turned up their nose. “Ah, I didn’t say that I did.” This time. “You can stop speaking to me as though I am a petulant child.” They were almost grumbling instead of speaking. “Had I decided to go for lethal blows he would not be standing there anyway.”

Gabriele rubbed his hands together, unconsciously affected by Jordan's shivering. He sighed deeply. "I'm not speaking to—" He had half a mind to ask Jordan if he also thought that he was speaking to Abel like they were a petulant child, then he realized that doing that might vindicate them. "Alas, my attempts at encouragement fall on unwilling ears. I am sure you're correct, and let's be thankful that you went easy on the poor man." He sighed again. "I still think this is a bad idea. Jordan, the room will hold, yes?"

Abel only sighed more at Gabriele’s reply, feeling more patronized, and Jordan could feel the aura of death creeping in on him, though he didn’t know quite what it was. He hunched his shoulders up as if that might keep him warmer, and suddenly a cat appeared on his shoulders, wrapping around his neck like a scarf and blending into his hair. At the question, both man and cat tensed, and his eyes found another person as if for the first time. “I don’t fucking know,” he snapped. “I’m literally fucking here because I’m a failed magician. I think it’ll hold. I don’t know.”

Abel glared at Jordan over Gab. “Shut up. Stop sulking because you accidentally possessed a person. Poor you.”

Gabriele bristled slightly at Jordan’s reply and even more at Abel’s. Though he was inclined to agree with them: as much as he believed in second chances, and even pitied Jordan’s situation, he didn’t appreciate being snapped at. “Abel, shush. Jordan, you are not a failed magician. I would argue you’re actually quite competent, which for this instance is quite unfortunate. You’ll have to forgive my paranoia, as since you cannot do much else to assist us, we’ll have to wait until Abel is healed to help our friend.” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. The vibrations off these two were unbearable. “I do not like playing with fire by giving Lucien more time to scheme, but it cannot be helped. The least I can do is make sure he cannot run off.”

Jordan clenched his jaw and Crinitus growled at Abel, looking as though he might leap off Jordan’s neck before he got a pat from his owner. “It was a stupid question. I gave an equal response.” Fuck this year, thank god it’s almost over, Jordan thought to himself as he walked away from the other two, not giving them time to reply to him. He approached each of the windows, drawing sigils so they would stay locked tightly. Crinitus followed down Jordan’s arm, as if inspecting and reinforcing the windows.

“Don’t listen to him,” Abel muttered, as though they needed to be the one to reassure Gab. “It was a good question. He’s just upset.” They hung their head. “I wish I was well enough to extract more from him. I might be. I’ve been using shadow magic each night to heal myself and I think Ime might be messing with me to keep me on the crutches as a joke.”

Gabrielle watched Jordan walk away with a weary expression, then turned his attention to Abel. He tilted his head, studying them for a moment. “I would prefer you be safe, Abel. I would hate to see you hurt yourself more. I’m sure Major would, too.” He didn’t know this, but he wanted to reassure Abel. Gabriele rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. “How bad was it when you took those smaller ghosts out?”

“It’s not hurting me. I’m perfectly able to do it,” Abel was muttering once more. “Not like I need my leg to extract a ghost.” They rubbed their eyes with two fingers and pinched the bridge of their nose at the question. “That’s the real reason I’m afraid to do more. He started bleeding internally, I think. Coughing up blood and the like. I’ve never taken a ghost out of someone before, but it seemed strenuous.”

Gabriele decided he wasn't going to argue with Abel about why they should wait for a stab wound to heal before doing anything strenuous like exorcise a ghost. Something told him that it would only end in further frustration. Instead he focused on their answer to his question. "I see," he said with a frown. He took a few steps away from Abel, hoping the bit of space might help to clear his head. "I think I can—" Gabriele paused when he saw a car approaching. His eyes flickered over to Jordan, then Abel, then he walked over to the passenger door as Chiron unfolded himself from it. "How is he?"

"Difficult to move," Chiron said. He, too, seemed incredibly annoyed. At least they all had each other for company.

Gabriele moved to peek into the car. Lucien was handcuffed in the backseat and trying very hard to not be. Gabriele was given a hard, hateful stare, and an unkind comment that he only heard partly, muffled as the man was by the closed window. He rolled his eyes and walked back over to Abel. "I was saying, I can try to ease that burden.

Jordan felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up as Crinitus, true to his name, floofed out as he pressed closer to his owner. He had no desire to see Lucien ever again, and he walked back to Gabriele and Chiron. “Done. I’m leaving.” Despite his words, he didn’t disappear right away, awaiting any sort of further instruction.

Abel did seem like they were starting to disappear. At the sight of the car, Abel’s form began to fade from vision, as though hiding themself from Lucien.

Lucien knew it was probably a hopeless endeavor, but he tried to break out of Chiron's hold anyway. As he was hauled out of the car, he tried to push his way to freedom. Of course, it was to no avail, but it didn't stop him from kicking and thrashing. He couldn't believe there was an audience for this, and he was newly enraged when he saw that Jordan was among it. For a single moment, he thought the man was here to help him, but then it became clear and Lucien bared his teeth. "You fucking traitor," he sneered.

Was Abel even listening to him? Gabriele looked up to the sky. "That would be nice, Gabriele," he mumbled under his breath, so quiet he doubted anyone heard him with Lucien throwing such a fit. "Thank you."

With no further instructions and even less of a desire to stay now that Lucien was directly speaking to him, Jordan ignored the hissing cat on his shoulder and disappeared with a small pop.

Abel glanced over at Gabriele when he spoke once more. “Hm?” The shadows under their eyes were more pronounced, though it could be to do with their near transparency. “Ah, ya, thank you. Sorry, I just don’t know if a peaceful passing is an option at this point.”

Gabriele just watched as Chiron hauled Lucien inside. Normally he would offer to help with a task that looked as difficult as this, but Gabriele had no interest in getting kicked in the face over someone else's bad idea. Besides, Chiron was strong, and for Lucien's struggles he was inside the house in a matter of seconds. Gabriele followed after from a safe distance. "I agree. It's doubtful, with that one," he said. "But I want to try something, okay? Come with me."

Abel resisted the urge to groan loudly in displeasure, instead they just kept a small frown below their face mask. When asked them to come, they followed after Gabriele.

Gabriele managed a smile, then sped up his walk. "Chiron?" he called out as he walked into the Big House.

The centaur looked over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "Yes?" His arm was fully wrapped around Major's body, and Lucien seemed to be exhausting himself; his struggles were getting more vague and had longer pauses in between. Now it looked to be nothing to just hold the man relatively still.

Gabriele cleared his throat and pointed to Lucien. "May I quickly speak to—”

"I'm not talking to you," Lucien snarled.

Gabriele smiled. "You don't have to say anything, actually."

Chiron sighed. "Quickly." He tightened his grip and turned so that Lucien, glaring at anything other than him, was facing Gabriele.

Wasting no time, Gabriele moved a little closer and stared at Lucien. Eye contact would be easier, but since it was so... busy in this body, he could manage. "Hello?" he asked gently. Was he imagining things, or did Major's body slump somewhat? Regardless, he felt that he had someone's attention. "How are you feeling?"

Abel ran their tongue over their teeth as they watched Gabriele and whoever it was inside of Major’s body he was speaking to. They noted the change in posture and pitch of the ringing in their ears as they shifted their weight from their heel rather than their toes.

No answer came out loud, but Gabriele felt it: restless, uncertain, grasping at empty air. "Forgive me for disturbing you," he said; it was only because it was definitely not Lucien that he was being so polite. "What are you doing in there?" Another quiet moment, but this time Major's hands twitched slightly. Gabriele took it gently and felt the ghost become more grounded in Major's body. Or rather... many, cobbled together. There was halfway a conscious person here. Gabriele swallowed his disgust and pressed on. It felt as though a thousand pairs of eyes were on his back, so he knew he had many spirits listening in, not just the ones who responded to his greeting. "I am not here to hurt you. I simply think you are lost. This is not where you belong, and if you feel stuck, I am able to guide you out. You need only follow my voice." Immediately, he felt something brush against his hand. Just a few ghosts, but it was better than nothing.

Abel had never seen Gabriele work before, and they went from quietly sulking to entirely rapt. They could understand now why a goddess would have chosen Gab for his job. How comforting would it be to have a soothing voice to follow at a time of such confusion and stress. His voice was hope. It was a vocal guiding hand, and they suddenly forgot that they were upset and sulking.

Gabriele allowed another moment to pass to see if anyone else would join his small group, but all the rest of the ghosts seemed unwilling or too uncertain. He didn't push it for now, and let go of Major's hand. "Sono venuto per avvolgerti e proteggerti da tutte le cose malvagie," he mumbled. "I'll take you soon, stay with me."

Lucien was already starting to stir, so Gabriele stepped back, his new spiritual posse moving with him like little orbiting moons. "I will come back and talk to more. I shouldn't try to guide too many at once."

"Ugh," Lucien moaned before Chiron could get a word in. He lifted his head groggily, like he'd just woken from a long sleep, and spat at Gabriele's feet. "Fuck you." Gabriele ignored this.

Chiron did, too. "That... Well, let me know when you plan to visit, so we can have him ready."

"Fuck you."

Gabriele smiled again. "Of course." He turned to Abel. "If I can help enough of these spirits, it should hopefully make your job less... painful, no?"

Abel didn't quite know how to express how much they needed Gabriele to help them at their job. After seeing him in action, the wanted to let him know that they thought his technique was both brilliant and moving, but they weren't sure if it was quite time for such sentiments, especially in front of Lucien. They nodded once, eyes bright and focused on Gab. "I... yes, I think that it would."

He noticed that Abel was no longer pouting. It was like the whole room got a little brighter, and Gabriele's smile grew. "Good. I am glad."

Once the demonstration seemed to end, Chiron lifted Lucien off the floor completely and walked him further into the house. He kicked his legs in protest, but there wasn't much he could do.

Gabriele watched Chiron disappear into the house as he headed for the door himself. "I am going to go somewhere more secluded to finish this," he said to Abel, gesturing the ghosts surrounding him. "But I will speak to you later, si?"

Abel almost smiled back at Gab, and then remembered that the slightest uptick of their lips would be imperceptible to their friend anyway. “Ya,” they agreed with a nod, starting out of the room after Gabriele. “If you can still find pleasure in my company after today.”

[ohnoivemadeamistake]

I DID THE THING!

Enjoy, ya friccen nerds

First Act of Kindness, pt. 1

Blood on the ground. Blood on her teammates. Blood on her enemies.

Vivian Miller, the BLU Medic, was trying her best to get to every teammate that needed her, but it was difficult. The RED Team was really aggressive this match, especially their Soldier and Scout, who were shit-talking the other team to the max.

"Looks like they got some anger issues," Derek, the BLU Sniper, jokingly stated before Vivian left to take care of the BLU Scout. However, she didn't quite make it to him before his blown off arm landed in front of her and he ran out of Respawn, even more irritated than he was.

"Medic!" BLU Spy called from the bomb, which was being held by the RED Heavy and Demoman. Vivian started towards the payload, but the RED Spy shot her in the shoulder, uncloaking him. He laughed at her before running up behind BLU Soldier. She called out to him, but he dropped to the ground before he turned around. He laughed again.

"You should have stayed in Germany with your paints, you DaVinci wannabe!" He taunted. She stared at him as he turned around straight into the BLU Pyro, which prompted her to laugh at him as he burned. Pyro looked at her and gave her a thumbs up.

"Hmmpf mm(goodjob)! Hmmpf hmm hmmpf(go get healed)!"

The Medic smiled slightly and nodded before running to where she knew a health packet would spawn for her.

She saw it, but before she got too close, she saw the RED Sniper fall down closer, his bloodied hand outstretched towards the same health packet she was running towards. The Medic got a little closer around the small corner, and saw that his leg had been blown up partially, most likely by the BLU Demoman. It was just his left leg, and as she stared, examining it from afar, she saw that the pant leg was pretty much gone past the knee, and it was bloody and his foot was gone, the area where his ankle was had just been pouring out a massive amount of blood, and she could see a dark red trail end not too far away, so he must have just lost it.

The BLU Medic was looking at him for a hot minute before he started crawling towards it. She felt sorry for him, and thought about how much he would need this health packet rather than her, even though he was the enemy.

---

He shouted a profanity as he fell victim to one of the BLU Demoman's sticky traps. The RED Sniper had been trying to head up to his secondary nest, after he got chased out of his primary one for this location, but the enemy had predicted where he would be going long before he even knew he'd have to go there!

You see, he thought to himself, THIS is why we've been so aggressive all round. Because the BLU Team has to be so SMART! They're always so coordinated, and work together so nicely, and we AREN'T so coordinated, and we DON'T work together so well! Even with the two calm and collected teammates that can make a plan for our victory, we never seem to follow any of their plans since our brute force always seems to do the job!

He felt his eyes water in anger as he hit the ground. Anger at himself for not seeing the obvious sticky bomb until he tripped on it, triggering it. Anger at his team, for choosing to rely on their strength instead of their smarts. Anger at the BLU Team for using both their strength and smarts. He grabbed his dark orange aviators to hide the tears that would start to form at the sides of his eyes.

He held himself against the wall and started limping towards a health packet at the end of the hall. He slowly transitioned from the wall to trying to use his rifle as a crutch, which wasn't a very good idea so he went back to limping against the wall. He was so close to the health packet now, the RED Sniper forgot that his foot was missing and fell face first into the wood flooring, his hand stretched outward towards the packet. He looked up and continued trying to crawl towards the health packet.

He was so close before he saw a pair of boots step briskly in front of him, bloody at the bottom. Before he could sigh, a blue pair of rubber gloves reached down and grabbed the pack. It was the BLU Medic, and she got the pack before him!

He groaned into the floor, but he didn't hear the steps of her boots. Instead, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

Sniper looked up to find himself staring at the blue-turquoise eyes of the BLU Medic, and she was holding the health packet out in offering to him. He noticed a bullet hole in her right shoulder, so why wasn't she taking it for herself?

"Aren't you going to take zhe packet or not?" She told him. He snapped back to reality. He couldn't help it, her eyes were unlike anything he's seen …

"Sorry …" Sniper sat up and grabbed the packet, prompting her departure. Even though he should've been focusing all his attention on the packet and getting his foot back, he found himself watching her go. He was confused, mostly. She was the enemy, and he'd been headshotting her all round. Why would she help him? Did she feel bad for him? Was it instinct?

---

The BLU Team had finally won their first match in a week, and they were all ecstatic. The RED Team had been bullying them with their 4-match winning streak, this loss had really crushed them. Both Scouts had taken the time that the BLUs were celebrating to shit-talk each other, saying they were either absolute garbage or just flat out yelling profanities at them.

The BLU Medic and Soldier were chatting it away, the Medic complimenting her father endlessly for how well his planning with the BLU Demoman had led to their first victory in a week, and the Soldier, flustered, telling his daughter that he shouldn't get all the praise before shushing her when he saw the RED Sniper walking towards them with a very slight limp.

"Hey, doc, could I ask you something in private real quick?" The Australian asked her nervously.

"Not in private," the Soldier got in between him and the Medic, which was reasonable, but the Medic got a bit defensive.

"Soldier," she put a hand on her father's shoulder. "Maybe you can stand guard, so ve can talk." He nodded, and the Medic followed the Aussie around the corner and stopped when he felt that they wouldn't be heard.

"So, I don't mean to be rude, but why'd you help me back there?" He asked her. The Medics eyes lit up.

"Well, I don't quite know," She replied nervously. "I guess that, as a Medic, it became an instinct to help everyone that might need it. It … I don't think I should have done it with what we are paid to do, but it just felt right." She looked up at him again. She looked past his dark orange aviators and into his dark blue eyes and found sincerity.

"Well, I just wanted to thank ye, for that," He said, and the Medic started to feel a bit hot under the collar. She tends to get at least one thank you from every member of her team during a match, but after a match and from the RED Team? The people she was hired to kill, not heal? It was nice, she supposed. "It's not something I would've expected from someone I've been absolutely destroying the entire round," he concluded, and she laughed.

"Alright, now let's get back to our own teams, you buffoon!" She bapped his arm with her fist in good fashion when she was able to recollect herself, which caused Sniper to flinch. He laughed it off, said goodbye, and they both went back to their respective spawn rooms, and teleported to their respective bases, while still thinking about that health packet.

[zoocross0vers]

A Zootopian Christmas Carol Part 4: The Future

A/N: Another part and then it’s just the ending! Again, really wish I had this done by Christmas, but I hope you’ve enjoyed it nonetheless :)

For my Latin/Mexican friends, I hope you had a great Dia de Reyes yesterday! :D

WARNING: This Chapter is a bit of a tear jerker. TwT

FF.net Link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13461657/4/A-Zootopian-Christmas-Carol

…

Chapter 4: The Future

Bogo's eyes widened in fear. What was going on? He looked toward the window and saw that it was dark out and the moon was full. “It's night time again. But-But how is this possible spirit?” He looked over his shoulder and saw that the large jovial cheetah was gone. “Spirit? Spirit!”

he called in a panic, “No, spirit please come back! You must tell me about Finn!”

He hyperventilated, realizing that he was all alone in the empty house. “No, no. This can't be. Spirit!” he called again as he rushed into the small kitchen in the next room. “Spirit! Wilde!” He ran back to the main room and called at the top of his lungs, “Tiny Finn! Someone! Anyone!”

The uneasy buffalo slowly backed up. “Please! What's happening?” he whimpered desperately, still walking backwards, until he bumped into something small. He let out a quiet gasp and he very slowly turned. He saw that behind him stood a small figure about the size of a child -- the size of a kit to be exact, wearing a hooded cloak of a dark purple shade.

Bogo stepped away from the figure in fear. The figure didn't move, nor did it say anything. “T-Tiny Finn?” The small figure silently shook his head in denial. “Th-Then, are you the Ghost of Christmas Future?”

The small figure nodded his head.

Bogo gulped in fear, “Spirit of the future, of all the spirits I was to encounter this night, your coming is the one I’ve feared the most. Please, tell me... what happened to Tiny Finn?”

A harsh gust of wind suddenly blew past them both. Bogo slowly opened his eyes when the wind calmed. He saw that there were lights back on in the Wilde household, and that by the window stood a forlorn Judith staring outside. “Judith Wilde?” Bogo asked.

At the dinner table, sat Bonnie, Stu, and Felicia. Felicia was helping her grandmother and grandfather crack open and peel the skin off some peanuts. James sat nearby his grandfather Jonathan, reading a book while also glancing over concernedly toward his mother from time to time. Jonathan meanwhile was teaching his grandson, Johnny-Stu, how to properly stitch up a tear in one of his pants.

A concerned Bonnie headed over to stand by her daughter. “Judith? Are you alright?”

Judith sighed, “It's getting late and...he hasn't come home yet. It feels like he's starting to walk slower and slower each day. I just don't want him to be drowning in his sorrows again like last time, huddling outside on that cold little patch because he feels so guilty about everything,” Judith's voice trembled at that last statement, as a tear threatened to stream down her face.

Bonnie placed a comforting paw on her daughter's shoulder. “Nicholas probably just didn't want him to be alone, dear. I know he's taken what happened very hard, but he knows that he has the rest of you to look after. I don't think he’d endanger his own health like that again.” Bonnie smiled.

Judith smiled back, but frowned again, “Still, that was a very frightening night. I thought he would never come home. And then...I would have already lost two.” Judith hugged her arms tightly, as her breath hitched and a tear streamed down her cheek.

“Two?” Bogo asked with worry, “What does she mean by that? Lost two what?” he desperately asked the spirit, who merely pointed back toward the scene before them. Bogo obeyed and returned his attention back to them.

Bonnie placed her arms around her daughter's, “Shh, shh,” the elder bunny gently shushed her with motherly care, “There, there dear. I know Nicholas is unlike your father in that your father wears his emotions on his sleeve. But even if Nicholas bottles up and hides his emotions, we all know that he feels guilty over something that wasn't his fault. He may not want to accept or believe that right now, but he will. Just give him time. He promised you that he’d never endanger himself like that again and knowing how much he loves you and the children, I’m more than certain he means it. Nicholas will be fine, you’ll see.” Bonnie gave her a reassuring smile.

Judith nodded with an accompanying sniffle. She wiped away at a lone tear and managed a meek smile,  “Thanks mother. I’m really glad you and father are here.”

“Of course dear,” Bonnie replied.

“I just feel bad for Jeremy and Lulu. I know this was their year to have you and father over for Christmas,” Judith said.

“Don’t worry about that. Your brother and sister understand why we felt we had to come here again this year. We promised them that we’d visit them on the 26th and 27th respectively, to make it up to them.”

Judith nodded understandingly. 

“Any sign of him yet?” Amelia asked, walking out of the kitchen. She approached the two does.

“No, not yet,” Judith replied.

Amelia stood beside them at the window. “I hope he comes home soon. I’m getting worried.”

“I know Mrs. Wilde, I am too,” Judith gazed back out -- the only movement she saw was that of other mammals walking around and of gentle snow falling. She sighed worriedly when she felt a tug at her dress’ skirt.

It was little Felicia standing by her leg, “Mama? When is Papa coming home?”  

Though Judith wasn’t certain herself, she simply replied, “Your father’s just running late again, Felicia. He’ll be home soon.”

“Is it because of Finn?” asked the small kit. 

“Yes,” she replied forlornly.

Before the kit could ask anymore questions, the front door opened. 

“Nicholas!” Judith exclaimed as she ran to him. “Where were you? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” he said with a reassuring smile, though it was evident from his pinkish-red eyes that he had been crying. “I’m sorry if I took so long. I just wanted to spend a little extra time with him so he wouldn’t be alone on Christmas. After that, I decided to go to church to listen to some of the hymns in his place. I know he always used to like listening to them on Christmas Day.”

Judith smiled gently up to him, caressing his cheek, “I know he did. Thank you for going in his place, sweetheart.”

Nicholas nodded, his eyes growing a little glassy. “I…” he cleared his throat to prevent his voice from breaking, “I-I...I think I’m going to...go sit over there by the fire.”

Judith and the others watched him walk over to the chimney, all of them keeping a close eye on him but not one of them saying a word. He appeared okay, but there was something off about his step that made him look so hollow and dead inside.

Nicholas stopped by the chimney when he reached an empty chair that was sitting to one side of it. Beside the chair, there rested a small wooden crutch without an owner, carefully preserved -- just as the spirit had foretold.

Bogo laid eyes on it and felt his heart sink, “No…” he whispered quietly.

Nicholas stared quietly at the small crutch for a moment, then very slowly reached toward it with trembling paws. He took it into his shaking paws and stared at it longer, bringing it up close to his chest. Not a second later, he couldn’t take it anymore. His breathing became extremely erratic and his breath gave a violent hitch as he collapsed down on his knees to the floor, clutching the tiny crutch tightly against his chest, just over his broken heart.

“Nicholas!” 

“Son!” 

Cried Judith and Jonathan respectively, as they and the rest of their family dropped what they were doing and mad dashed over to Nicholas’ side. “Nicholas,” said Judith as she reached him first. Nicholas, still holding the crutch in one paw, quickly threw his arms around his wife’s waist and buried his face against her stomach. 

“It’s my fault!” he wailed against her. His eyes streaming with tears. 

She instinctively wrapped her arms around him to comfort him, “No, no, don’t say that! It’s not your fault.”

“Yes it is…” he wailed again, tightening his arms around her, “I failed him. I couldn’t save him. I should have...I should have...I should have done everything to save him and I didn’t! I should have hustled! Pick-pocketed! Done something! But I didn’t!...I didn’t…” he sobbed against her. 

Bogo watched him somberly, “Wilde…” 

He had never seen his normally cheerful employee look like this -- so broken and so fragile.

Nicholas sobbed, still clutching on tightly to his wife. Judith, who had now started crying herself after seeing her husband like this, did her best to comfort him between an equally broken heart and tears. “You did what you could.”

Nicholas shook his head, wiping his tears against her dress, “It wasn’t enough…” he croaked, “I should have done more...I should’ve...It’s all my fault...It’s all my fault…!”

Judith’s breath hitched as she brought his face up to hers, “No it’s not! It’s not!” she sobbed, her forehead pressed against his. 

“It’s my fault…” Nicholas whimpered once more as they cried to one another’s faces. 

The rest of their family couldn’t hold back their tears any longer and all huddled close around the two, hugging them as tight as they could, sobbing along with them.

Bogo kept his glassy eyes on his distraught employee, who kept crying endlessly. The cape buffalo hyperventilated, taking a couple of steps back in denial, “No, no. This can’t be happening!” He gripped at his head and then turned to the small spirit, grabbing him by his miniature shoulders and shaking him, “Spirit! Please tell me this isn’t happening! Tell me this all a dream and nothing more! Tiny Finn is still alive somewhere! Isn’t he? Isn’t he?!”

A harsh wind blew, blowing the spirit away as nothing more than an empty cloak in the wind. The wind grew more violent, forcing Bogo to close his eyes. 

When the wind passed and the snow cleared, Bogo found himself in a cemetery. Before him, lay a small grave, where the tombstone read, ‘TINY’ FINN TIBERIUS WILDE (1838-1844)

“No!” Bogo wailed, falling to his knees. It was true, the boy was dead. That sweet innocent little kit who had so much mercy in his kind heart for Bogo -- despite how cruel the buffalo was to his father -- was dead. DEAD.

Bogo couldn’t believe it. How could such a horrible thing be true? Bogo legitimately found himself crying over the little kit’s grave. “How could I be so cruel to let this happen?” he asked himself as a tear streamed down his face.

Someone approached Bogo from behind. It was the small, cloaked spirit. Bogo sniffled and wiped away a tear, “Spirit, I didn’t want this to happen. Tell me these events can yet be changed.”

Bogo and the spirit’s attention was deviated toward some nearby laughter. A few graves away from them, a group of three brown weasels were shoveling dirt inside a rather large grave site. “Hahaha!” they guffawed, “I’ve never seen a funeral like this one!” said one weasel with a bowler hat and green overcoat.

“Aye, no mourners, no friends to bid him farewell,” concurred another weasel with a newsies cap that hid his eyes.

“You think that’s bad?” added a bug eyed weasel by the name of Duke Weaselton. “I swiped this off of him.” The bug eyed weasel held out a gold ring with the initials, ‘E.B.’ engraved on them.

Newsies cap weasel lifted the cap from his eyes as both he and the bowler weasel stared at the ring in awe. “Oy! Is that real gold you got there Duke?”

“Did you really swipe that off his dead carcass?” asked bowler weasel.

“You better believe it! I heard this guy was a real cheapskate in life, but it’s nice to know he’s become real generous in death! Hahaha!” laughed the bug eyed weasel. The other weasel’s joined in on the laughter.

“Oy fellas! How’s ‘bout we rest for a minute a’fore we fill it in, eh?” asked the bowler weasel. 

“In the meantime, how ‘bout you treat us to some drinks, Duke?” asked the newsies weasel.

“Drinks? With this baby I could buy the pub!” declared a smug Duke. 

“Why not?” said the bowler weasel. “We got time. It’s not like he’s goin’ nowheres. Hahahahaha!” the three weasels guffawed and left the open grave site. 

Bogo and the small hooded spirit stood there watching them go. A curious Bogo stepped closer to the deep hole and peeked inside, “Spirit? Who-Whose lonely grave is this?” 

“Who’s do ya think it is?” asked the small spirit with a deep masculine voice that was far too deep to match the small child like size of the spirit. 

Bogo gasped, shaken by the sudden booming voice and stepped back, his foot slipping against the edge of the hole! He fell in, but not before gripping onto a thick tree root about a quarter of the way in. The terrified buffalo held on for dear life as he looked back down the hole and saw that it somehow became much, much steeper than it was before -- possibly even hundreds of feet deep.

The small spirit, removed his hood and revealed that he was a dwarf fennec fox. He looked down at Bogo with little to no care.

“Spirit! Help me! Please! Help me out of this unmarked grav--!”

The small fennec fox waved an arm over the tombstone, causing the dark shadows that covered it to move away and reveal the name marked on it. Bogo saw that the name engraved on the tombstone was: EBENEEZER BOGO 

Bogo’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped in horror. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, “What? No. No that can’t be! There must be some mistake!”

“You sure about that?” asked the spirit, “Seems pretty clear to me that this is your grave, Ebeneezer Bogo.” 

Just then, the echoing creak of an opening casket caught Bogo’s attention. He glanced down and saw that the wooden casket down below had indeed opened up all the way. Out from it, tall, bright, and fiery flames shot up at him, clawing at him, desperate to drag him down to his infernal punishment. 

“No!” Bogo screamed in horror. “Spirit! Please! Help me! I don’t want to die!”

“Seems a little too late for that, don’t ya think?” said the spirit, pointing a thumb toward Bogo’s headstone. 

“No!” Bogo shut his eyes, refusing to look at the name on the tombstone any further. “I don’t want that!”

“Well what do you want?” asked the spirit, pacing around the edge of the hole. “You can’t take your money down there with ya if that’s what you’re tryin’ to tell me.”

“I don’t want my money! I...I’m sorry!” Bogo cried with his eyes still closed. 

“What was that? Couldn’t hear you. Small ears y’know,” said the fennec fox sarcastically as he pointed to his large ears.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry for all I’ve done! I don’t want these shadows to be what is destined! Please! Please tell me that these are only the shadows of what may be rather than what will be!” The root Bogo was clinging to came a bit loose, causing him to move a couple of inches down. He held on tightly for dear life and tucked his legs in to prevent the fire from hitting his feet. “I-I mean, if a mammal were to change his life, then his life’s journey could also change! Please spirit! Say it so!”

“Do you ask me that only b’cause you’re afraid for yourself? Did you forget how your selfish ways affected the Wilde’s?!” scolded the spirit.

The root Bogo held onto, loosened a little more. He gasped in horror as he almost lost his grip, “No! No of course not! I haven’t forgotten Tiny Finn or the rest of the Wildes! I don’t want this horrible future for sweet little Finn or his family!” The root gave in a little more, “Aah! Help me spirit!”

“Help? You want help now? After you denied it to so many animals!”

The root further loosened, “I-I know I did! I was wrong! I was wrong about everything! I never wanted this future for Tiny Finn!”

“You sure it’s not the one you wanted? The kid was poor and part rabbit. And I could’ve sworn you said somethin’ along the lines of…” the fennec fox placed his hood over his head and brought it back down, morphing his face from his own to Bogo’s. He spoke to Bogo in the buffalo’s own voice, “‘If they would rather die, then they best do it fast and decrease the surplus population. Most notably you pesky hares and rabbits who don't stop overpopulating society enough as it is!’”

“Aah!” Bogo yelped in horror as he released the root with one of his hooves. As a result, he now dangled with one arm. This forced him to take a good look at the ravenous flames awaiting him down below. The spirit lifted and lowered his hood again, morphing his face back to a fennec fox’s. 

“Please spirit!” Bogo cried, sincerely and desperately, “Please hear me! I am not the mammal I was! I will not be the mammal I would’ve been were it not for you and your fellow spirits! Why show me this if I’m past all hope! Take pity good spirit!! Assure me that I might change these shadows you’ve shown me by an altered life!!” The root gave way more and more, “I’ll change!!!” The spirit walked away as if unconvinced.

The root completely gave way and Bogo fell along with it, “I’LL CHAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaange…………….!!!!!” he screamed as he fell down, down, down, into the fiery red smoke of the awaiting fire.

... 

A/N: *sniff* You don’t know how much it hurt to write that scene with the Wilde’s. TwT

Plus, I just realized that Nick’s family would be even further doomed in this future if Bogo died as he was the only one willing to give Nick a job. O.O

[strangerivy]

Let The Rain Fall - Three

Summary: Elena and Jasper's relationship blossoms into something but will it stay that way when she finds out his family’s secret? Warnings: Anxiety Attack, Swearing Pairings: Jasper  x OC (Elena)  Genre: 17+ | Fluff Word Count: 3667 Author’s Note: Let me know what you think! I am always open to feedback to better my writing ♥  

Links: || One | Two | Three | Four || Masterlist ||

Jasper didn't come back to the cafeteria and he wasn't in History class either. A no show the next day also. I was beginning to worry that something bad had happened. Bella was acting strange too and so was Edward. I wanted to ask them if they had heard from Jasper, but I didn't want to push my boundaries since our friendship was still new and I really didn't want to jeopardize that. I was enjoying having friends in this new school and town.

I sat in my living room waiting for Bella to come to pick me up for school. It was raining again so I sat there silently listening to the rain. It was calming, taking my mind off Jasper for a minute. A knock on the front door pulled me out of my thoughts. I stared at the door confused on who would be here this early, I knew it wasn't Bella because I would have heard the roar of her truck pull in. I pushed myself up off the couch grabbing my crutches to get to the door. I opened it and Jasper was standing there.

"Good Morning," He greeted with a shy smile. I looked past him thinking maybe Bella was with him, but she wasn't. He sensed my confusion "Bella rode with Edward today and I offered to come to get you if that's alright?" He looked worried that I might reject him not that I could with my ankle being sprained. I had no other way to get to school unless I woke my mother up but I didn't want to do that.

"No, that's fine," I went to reach for my backpack but ended up almost falling over he caught me by the shoulders, grabbing my backpack for me, "Thank you," I whispered my cheeks turning red from embarrassment.

I followed him out the door closing it behind me, he was driving a black Volvo. He walked over to the passenger door helping me get in and putting my backpack and crutches in the back seat for me. The car ride was quiet besides the radio which was playing some soft oldies. I smiled as it made me think of my grandparents. They always listened to this kind of music. He got in the car and began driving to school I shifted in my seat to face him, trying to see if he would tell me where he disappeared to for the last day and a half. 

"Where were you?" I blurted out not able to contain my curiosity anymore after a few minutes of the silence. He looked over at me but stayed silent, I scrunched my face a little annoyed. "I mean if it’s a family matter you can just tell me," I mumbled facing back forward and sliding down in my seat a little turning to look out the window watching the rain hit the window.

"It’s not that, it’s just..." We were pulling into the parking lot now, I looked over at him and I could tell he was trying to think of what to say.

"Jasper, it’s okay. You can just tell me when you’re ready," I gave him a smile trying my best to let him know it was okay, he reached over and grabbed my hand and gently squeezed it as if to say thanks. He opened his door and got out of the car walking over to help me out. When we started walking to the school that's when I noticed people were staring. Oh god. My body instantly tensed up from the stares.

"People are staring," I whispered over to him, he must have not noticed since he looked around and grinned.

"Yes, I suppose they are," 

"Why are they staring?" I didn't understand why there was such a fascination that Jasper and I arrived at school together. People clearly saw us a few days before in the hall together and the cafeteria. Were they staring then? He laughed and placed his arm around my shoulders. Some people continued to stare while others began to redirect their eyes as if they were interrupting a private moment between us. I looked up at him confused about what he was doing but I didn't reject the motion. I knew I had feelings for him, and it appeared he returned those feelings, but I needed verbal confirmation.

My anxiety was starting to act up and my body was starting to heat up as if I was standing in the middle of the desert. My breathing was starting to become staggered and I start to look around in a panic, trying to find somewhere to run and hide. Jasper noticed and kind of panicked before redirecting our walk toward some cars that would put us out of view of everyone. He stopped and got in front of me placing his hands on my shoulders. I felt as if I wasn't getting any air into my lungs and I couldn’t directly look at him. My senses were on overload.

"Woah, Woah there darlin'. What's going on?" His voice was soft and calming, he put his hand on my cheek rubbing circles with his thumb. I opened my mouth but there were no words coming out. I didn't really know what to say. Do I just confess my feelings for him? What if they aren't mutual? What if it’s all in my head? My thoughts were defiantly against me at this moment.

"I just... I..." I still couldn't find them; I felt my eyes beginning to water. Oh no. He pulled me in wrapping his arms around me. I nuzzled into his shoulder taking some deep breathes to calm my nerves. He shushed me rubbing my back softly trying to calm me down. It was like a wave rushed over me that instantly relaxed my body and I felt calm again. My body temperature went back to normal and breathing was back to normal. I was amazed that this guy, who I had just met, could calm me so well. He pulled back but kept his hands on my arms looking at me to see if I was okay.

"I like you," I blurted out, my cheeks heated up but that was it. He smiled and gave a small laugh.

"That's it?" He asked tilting his head slightly with a smirk, "I like you as well Elena," I smiled even though mentally I was jumping with joy.

"Well," I started out shifting my crutches as they started to become uncomfortable in my current position. "Now that that is out of the way, we should head to class." He nodded placing his arm back around my shoulder and we walked into the school.

My first three classes went as normal. I was excited to see Bella and to talk to her about Jasper. I walked into my fourth period after saying goodbye to Jasper and she was in her seat, she gave me a smile as I walked over to her.

"Someone seems happy," she said as I sat in my seat. "I take Jasper told you how he felt?" 

"As a matter of fact, yes. Yes, he did." I confirmed pulling out my English book. We were reading Romeo and Juliet. I had already read the book, but it was a classic, so I didn't mind reading it again. 

"You know, he really adores you. He's normally...very distant towards people." I looked at her kind of bewildered at that fact because he didn't seem that way to me but looking back, I have also never seen him talk to anyone else besides me and his family and of course Bella. He seemed to avoid people now that thought about our interactions together.

The teacher came in at that point, so we couldn’t continue our conversation. At lunch, things were much calmer than the day before but that might have been because Emmet and the sister weren't at school that day.

Jasper drove me home after school and I thanked him as I got out.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow as well if that's alright with you." He asked as I got out of the car. I nodded and shut the door walking up to my door, he waited to leave till I was in my house. My mom was gone to work already so it was just me at the house. I sat down on the couch and took the brace off my foot. The swelling was down, and the bruise wasn't too bad. Maybe it was just twisted. I stood up to see if I could put any weight down on it. There were some shots of pain up my leg, but they were bearable. I wanted to go walking again but decided a few more days of healing would probably be best. I went to my room and grabbed my laptop. I wanted to do some research on those wolves. There had to be some reasonable explanation.

After an hour or so of researching, I had next to nothing in answers. The only things I could get were legends or myths but of course, that was useless to me. I sighed shutting my laptop calling it a day. I got out of my clothes and into bed. I dreamed that night of the wolves but also Jasper.

I stood in the middle of a field that was full of flowers and when I looked up in front of me there stood a large black wolf with the same yellow eyes I saw in the woods. It was huge, on all fours it had to be over five feet tall. Jasper appeared next to me, but something was different. His posture was defensive as if he was going to attack the wolf. I began to panic after to notice that. I moved in front of him trying to be a barrier between him and the wolf.

"Jasper no! It will kill you!" I yelled at him trying my best to push him back to run. A low growl came from him, a growl that sounded inhuman. I backed away from him unsure what to think. I looked at him and that's when I noticed his eyes, they weren't there normal golden color they were black. "Jasper?" and then he charged the wolf.

I woke up in a sweat not sure what to make of the dream. I looked over at my clock and in bright red numbers, it read 6:00AM. I sighed deciding I should just get out of bed. The dream bothered me, it was so real, why would Jasper charge the wolf? What could that mean? Why were his eyes black? I shook my head trying to erase the dream from my memory it was clearly nothing. There was no way a wolf could be as tall as a human. I went out to the living room once I got done changing and sat on the couch looking out the window waiting for Jasper to get here.

His eyes. It was honestly terrifying how black they were and the way he just stood there. Like that wolf wasn't about to tear him to shreds, almost like he could beat it in a fight. I heard a knock pulling me out of my thoughts and I got up to answer the door it was Jasper. I smiled up at him, grabbing my backpack off the floor.

"No crutches?" He asked noticing I was standing on my own. I shook my head and pushed my hair out of my face stepping out and closing the door behind me.

"No, it’s actually feeling a lot better. I must have just had a bad twist." He opened the door of the car for me and I got in. The ride was quiet.

"Something is bothering you," He stated as we reached the school. Was it that obvious?

"I just had a really weird dream last night," I told him getting out of the car once he parked. He put his arm around me as we walked to the school. "It was about that wolf I saw, and you were in it too."

"I was?" he asked looking down at me with a curious glint in his eye as we continued to walk to my first-period class. I nodded pulling my backpack in front of me digging in it for my math book.

"Yeah, but I mean it was really weird. Your eyes were black. I mean just pure black. It was kind of terrifying" I could feel his body tense up and his arm fell from my shoulders, I looked up at him confused and he had this look on his face that just seemed off. 

"Hey, it was just a dream." I grabbed his hand and his face relaxed and he gave a soft smile. He leaned in and kissed my forehead before walking off without a word, leaving me there confused in front of my first class. I watched him till he was out of sight before opening the door to my first class.

He didn't meet me after my classes after that and he sat with his family at lunch. I kind of pushed my food around on my tray not hungry. I looked over at him and he made eye contact giving a small smile that was almost sympathetic before looking away talking to the pixie hair sister. I swear him and his family could give me whiplash with how they acted. It was like he was holding something back something he wanted to tell me but didn't want to at the same time. I sighed and looked away from him. I tried to not let it bother me but deep down it really did, we were still getting to know each other, and I didn't expect him to just pour his whole life out to me, but I didn't expect this.

I decided I would confront him after school when he drove me home today. I got into six-period and we just sat there listening to the teacher, no hello or whispers about history like we normally did. I was doing well before by at least not letting it show that it bothered me but now that he was next to me, I couldn't help it, I slouched in my chair staring at the clock the rest of the class. Once the bell rang, we walked to his car in silence and I was a few paces behind him. Once we were in the car I mustered up as much courage as I could before speaking.

"What’s going on with you?" I demanded "I mean, I tell you about my dream and then you just completely shut me out. I know we're not dating or anything but-" I was cut off by his lips. At first, I didn't kiss back my wide as I tried to process what was happening but once I realized what was happening I began to kiss back my eyes fluttering closed. His lips were soft, and I felt like my breath was taken right out of me. He pulled back looking at me trying to see my reaction. I opened my eyes and looked into his golden ones. They seemed darker than usual, but it was probably the lighting.

"Well umm, that... that only answered half of my question." I fumbled with my words trying to process what had just happened. He grabbed my hand and began to rub circles on my hand with his thumb.

 "Elena, I need you to do something." I raised my eyebrow at him, was he really asking me a favor right now? After today? "I need you to...I need you to ask Bella about my family." 

"Why?" I was really confused now. Why wouldn't he just tell me what is going on?

"It would just be better if she told you. If I did, you might not believe me." Well, that's a load of crap and made absolutely no sense. I turned in my seat looking out the window and he sighed starting the car going to my house. We pulled up and my mom’s car was gone so no one was home. This wasn't unusual, I spent most of my childhood either alone or with my grandparents before they passed.

"I don't want to ask Bella." I blurted out as he put the car in park. "Jasper. Just tell me what the hell is going on." I pleaded turning to face him, I wanted to hear it from him. I didn't want to go and ask someone else about him, I needed to hear it from him. He nodded and opened the car door and walked over opening my door and offered me a hand. I took it and followed him up to the house. I unlocked the door and he followed me in. He looked around as if trying to see if anyone was home.

"No one’s here. Just us." I put my hands in my pocket not sure what to do. He looked down trying to see what to say first, I was about to say something when he looked up at me.

"My family and I... we’re not like everyone else." He started my mind immediately went to mass murder or cult, but I shook that thought off as it was ridiculous. I looked at him and I could tell this was going to be a long conversation, so I sat down on the couch motioning him to join me. He disappeared. I looked around completely bewildered when I noticed the couch was pushed down next to me. I looked over and there he was. I jumped back freaked out on how he had moved there so quickly. That was physically impossible. No human can move that quickly.

"What in the actual fuck!" I yelled completely shocked. I grabbed the couch pillow as if to build some sort of barrier between us. How did he do that? How did he move so fast? My reaction was clearly amusing to him which made me frown, "this is no time for jokes Jasper," 

"No, no your right." His face went serious and he moved slowly grabbing the pillow from me slowly putting it behind him and moving closer to me putting his hand on my knee. Well, there goes my ammo.  "This is going to sound... I'm not really sure-"

"Jasper just tell me!" I interrupted; I was growing impatient and my heart felt like it was beating out of my chest. He took a deep breath before looking me directly in the eyes.

"We're vampires." I immediately started laughing, I almost fell off the couch from laughing. I looked back at him and noticed he was dead face serious and my laughter started to slowly die off as I began to realize what he was telling me was true.

I looked down at my hands trying to understand what he just said. That's not possible. That's when it all came rushing at me. The cold hands. The eyes. The speed. Holy Shit. I jumped off the couch backing into the wall trying to put as much distance between me and him as I could. My eyes were wide, and I thought my heart was right back to beating right out of my chest. He appeared right in front of me which only startled me more. I slipped around the corner running into my room to see him already standing there.

"What the actual fuck Jasper?" I yelled not sure what to do grabbing the snow globe off my desk getting ready to throw it, there was clearly no outrunning him. He moved towards me at a more human pace holding up his hands as if it was a sign, he wasn't going to hurt me. He slowly reached up and grabbed the snow globe from my hand setting it back down on the desk. I felt a calmness rush over me, and I looked over at him in a panic. How can I feel calm in a moment like this? In what world would I feel this calm.

"Elena. I need you to listen." I opened my mouth but shut it as I had no words, "I am a vampire but my family and I we're... we're sort of what you would call vegetarians."

"Vegetarians?"

"Yes, we don't hunt people. We hunt animals." I stared at him. This had to be a dream. This couldn't be real. I had to be dreaming. "Elena?" I looked at him staring right into his eyes and that's when I saw it. He was scared, terrified even.

"I..." I shut my eyes and took a deep breath pinching the bride of my nose, "I need some time." I whispered before opening my eyes to look at him and he nodded. He got up and I followed him out but stayed a few steps back. He turned before leaving the house taking a few steps toward me closing the space between us. He leaned down and kissed me. I closed my eyes kissing him back and he deepened the kiss. That's when I knew. I would follow this man anywhere. No matter what he told me or what he was. I would go where he went. I was disappointed when he broke the kiss holding back the whine that I almost let out. I was almost tempted to change my mind and tell him to stay but I knew I needed to think. To process this all.

"When you’re ready. Call me." I nodded as if I was telling him I would and he left, shutting the door behind him. I locked the door and turned around leaning on it sliding to the floor running my hands through my hair. I quickly got up going over to the couch grabbing my phone. It rang until I heard an answer on the other line.

"Elena?" 

"Bella? We need to talk."

[1899-newsboy-strike]

The Queen of New York- Crutchie Morris Imagine

Warnings: none other than it’s long

Summary: Y/N is Spot’s second in command, and one day as she’s giving Jack a message a certain newsie catches her eye.

Part two

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

You were a well known newsie, as well known as Spot. People knew you to be someone who was tough, hard, and always said that you were the girl version of Spot. As soon as you got to Brooklyn you were almost immediately Spot’s second in command because he heard about your reputation in Queens, and you had broken up a fight between two newsies as if it were nothing as soon as you got to the Brooklyn lodging house. Spot knew that he could always count on you when it came to protecting all of the newsies in Brooklyn and trusted you to be in charge whenever he wasn’t there.

You were always the one in charge of giving messages to the rest of the boroughs in New York, and today you had one for Manhattan about letting some of your newsies either stay at the lodging house till a problem was solved. “Hey Racer, where’s Jack sellin’ today?” You asked as you saw Race selling and he smiled at you. “It's been a while since I saw ya Y/N... he ain’t sellin’ today he’s at da lodgin’ house.” Race explained and you nodded. “Thanks.” You called out as you made your way to the lodging house.

As you walked in Jack was cleaning making you laugh. “You the maid now Kelly?” You asked as you leaned against the wall making him jump and turn around. “Hey Y/N whatcha doin’ here?” He asked as he walked over to you. “Spot sent me on business.” You explained as you spit in your hand and shook his. “We’s been havin’ problems cause of da rain and there’s a leak, so Spot sent me ta ask-” You has continued but were cut off as you had gotten distracted from the person standing behind Jack.

You’d never stayed too long in Manhattan or even paid much attention to when some of them came to  play games in Brooklyn, but you were sure you’d never seen this newsie before. He had his newsies cap on backwards, had blonde hair, he was probably the same height as Spot, and the smile on his face made you melt, but you’d be damned if you let anyone know that. Jack cleared his throat making you look back up at him. “Spot sent me ta ask if some a our newsies could stay till da leak was fixed.” You explained as you quickly recovered trying not to show any softness since it was Jack you were talking to.

“Yeah, we’s got room for a few, and some of ya can share if that’s alright with da one comin’.” He nodded and you smiled. “Thanks Kelly, I’ll put in a good word for ya.” You explained and as you were about to turn around and head out you were stopped by the newsie that caught your attention. “Hi I’m Crutchie, I’s don’t think we’s met before.” He introduced himself as he held out his hand making your heart flutter. You furrowed your eyes at his name until you realized he had a crutch that you hadn’t noticed when you had seen him before.

You felt your cheeks heat up as you grabbed his hand with your shaky one and shook it. “The names Y/N, it’s a pl-pleasure ta meet ya.” You stuttered out and mentally slapped yourself for stuttering in front of anybody. You hadn’t noticed Jack smirking as he saw you talking to Crutchie. “Da pleasure’s all mine.” He said and you could tell he wasn’t flirting like someone like Race would, which made you smile even more and you decided to leave before you made an even bigger fool of yourself. “I’ll be seein’ ya.” You told him before you walked out and made your way back to Brooklyn.

“Spot, I think I’m gonna be stayin’ with whoeva’s goin’ to ‘hattan.” You explained as you told him Jack had said yes. He raised his head to look at you and his eyebrows furrowed. “Ya sure?” He asked and you nodded not explaining why as you made your way to your bunk and got all your things for tomorrow. What you didn’t know was back in Manhattan Jack teasing Crutchie about being able to get you Y/N, Spot’s second in command to stutter and blush.

“Thanks for lettin’ us stay Jack, I’s gonna be stayin’ too ta make sure these guys behave.” You explained as you and four other newsies were in the Manhattan lodging house. “No problem, Spot would do it for us if we needed it.” Jack explained and looked around. “We only got two empty bunks, so one a you’s is gonna have ta share wit one of da otha boys.” Jack explained making you look at the other newsies with you. “I’ll share, don’t need them complainin’ ta me.” You joked as you gestured to the four boys behind you. “You’s can share with Crutchie.” Jack told you with a smirk on his face as your eyes widened and you tried to stop yourself from blushing. “Okay.” You nodded and Jack walked away after showing the other four where they’d be sleeping.

“Hey Crutchie!” You called after him as you had seen him walk into the lodging house in the opposite direction of you. He turned around and smiled as he saw you and you walked over to him. “Hey, you’s stayin’ with the other boys stayin’ here?” He asked and you smiled looking down at your feet. “Yeah, Jack said dat I’s gonna share with ya.” You told him and his face went just as red as yours. “Okay, I’s can sleep up in Jack’s bunk if it makes ya uncomfortable. He sleeps on da top, but I’s wouldn’t want ta make ya feel uncomfortable.” He explained and you shook your head. 

“No it wouldn’t make me uncomfortable at all, but if ya don’t want me sharin’ with ya I’s can get one a da boys ta share.” You explained as you looked in the direction of the Brooklyn newsies’ bunks. You looked back at Crutchie and saw something flash in his eyes that you couldn’t quite read. “No, I’s not uncomfortable with it, ya can share with me.” He said a little too quickly making you blush. “Is Y/N blushin?” You heard next to you and your eyes went wide as you looked at the person who said it and realized it was one of the Brooklyn newsies, William.

“I ain’t blushin, I’s just cold is all.” You explained as you brought your hands up to your hot cheeks. “Hey Sling Shot I’s think Y/N is goin’ soft on us.” He joked making your blood boil. “Shut up ‘fore I make ya sleep in da rain.” You glared at William as he laughed. “Uh, Will I think Racetrack is callin’ you.” Sling Shot told him and you gave him a nod as William walked away. “So what Jack told me about ya was true.” You heard Crutchie say more to himself making you look at him. “What'd he tell ya?” You asked him as you both walked over to his bed and sat down.

“He told me you’s hard like Spot and dat no one can make ya blush or stutter, even though I’s made ya do that da otha day.” He explained and you bit the inside of your cheek. “I’s just got ta make sure da boys respect me ya know. It ain’t like Spot where he can get a goil and still be feared by all da newsies. If I was somebodies goil da boys would look at me differently, and they’s not gonna respect me da same as they would Spot cause I’s a goil. You’s saw da way William acted when he just saw me blushin’ it’d be worse if I was someone’s goil.” You explained and Crutchie smiled sadly at you.

“You’s rather be unhappy and respected den happy and woik a little harda ta make em treat ya da same?” Crutchie asked making you laugh slightly as you leaned against the pole holding up the top bunk and pulled your knees to your chest. “I’s already woik harda, I’s don’t wanna have ta woik even more just ta be happy with a guy. I’s neva even seen anyone dat I’s found attractive... well I have but before that I’s neva even looked at anyone that way.” You explained and Crutchie just sat and listened to you talk about all the reasons you’ve never looked at guys in a romantic kind of way and he admired you.

“You’s da Queen a New York.” Crutchie joked as you both continued talking and you laughed shoving him. “I’s don’t think I’s the Queen a anything.” You told him as you smiled and hadn’t realized you were both closer than you were before. The boys watched Crutchie in amazement as everyone thought about what they had heard about you, and saw how freely you spoke with Crutchie and how comfortable you had looked with him, as with someone else you would be more stiff and you wouldn’t have such a big smile on your face as you did now.

“I think everyone’s goin’ ta sleep.” Crutchie explained making you look around as you realized it was darker than you thought it would be, the time passing by quickly as you had talked to him. “So do ya want ta sleep opposite of each otha or... just sleep the same direction?” You asked him hoping he’d say the same way. “I’s don’t think we’d want each otha’s feet in da otha’s face.” He joked making you laugh and nod. “Yeah.” You agreed as you started to become nervous. You hadn’t slept with anyone else in the same bed other than the younger newsies who had nightmares in a long time, let alone someone you had found attractive like Crutchie.

As you both found a position that made the both of you comfortable, you had kicked each other multiple times and had almost burst out laughing as either one would almost fall off the bed. One of the bunks near yours had shushed the both of you and you were now facing away from each other as you both tried and sleep. You stayed in the position you were in trying not to move as you heard Crutchie sound asleep behind you and sighed as you could fall asleep. You held your breath as you felt Crutchie moving behind you and panicked thinking you woke him up, but he had only rolled over and his arm had somehow wrapped around you. Your body relaxed slightly as you felt comfortable with his arm around you, and you carefully turned around to face him and had scooted closer. You had finally fell asleep with Crutchie’s arms around you, your head on his chest, and your legs had tangled together while the both of you slept, not knowing what the morning would bring.

[geminidarksidehasawoken]

Unbreak Me

Hey guys!

This chapter has been a long time coming

@fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore @iplaydrake @drakesensworld @carabeth @sashatrr @blznbaby @dcbbw @hopefulmoonobject @candy702-blog-blog @ao719 @furiousherringoperatortoad @ladyangel70 @angi15h

Can you handle the truth?

After a few more Advil the pain behind my eyes dulled enough for me to drive. Leanna and Sabrina said their goodbyes with Sabrina asking her father if she could accompany us to the airport.

The drive was long and too quiet, with way too much time to think, Leanna sleeps beside me as we head to the Beaumont estate, and I couldn't wait to put this place behind us.

The house is still, quiet, there is no Hana at the piano, no Maxwell in the day room with music the place is just still. A sleepy Leanna walks to her room, mumbling something about chocolate later with lunch. And I smile as I watch her until she's finally in her bed, exhausted, a testament that they spent all night talking.

I take my time slowly going up the stairs and enter the room I share with Drake.

I'm not sure what to expect... But nothing could have prepared me for this.

My heart bleeds at the sight before me, Drake sits by the floor with tears streaming down his face. "Drake?" I call worried about him. Never seen him this distraught in all the years I have known him. His brown eyes haunted with pain and too much hurt finally meets mine and the rawness I saw there undid me

"She left, she chose you" he whispers and I'm not sure what he means. He rest his hands on his forehead covering his face. His pain resonates with me and I sit with him, pushing away the pain of his betrayal I pull him to me just like he did all those years ago, for me. Preparing to give him whatever he needed

"Drake, what do you need?" I ask, in that moment knowing that he was my best friend and I would do anything to stop his pain, to heal his hurt. "I need Hana, I need to know that you will be safe... I just need to know that you and Leanna will be okay, I need Hana to know I love her." He says and I know his heart has broken, shattered and its because of me. I've held onto him as a crutch too long, using the fact that I was legally married to keep attention away. My friend was hurting for my own selfish reasons.

"Where is Hana?" I ask, feeling his pain flowing through me, it was as though a tsunami was tearing my insides apart, too much to bear.

"She's gone to Shanghai, she's going to marry the man and merge her fathers company with his" he tells me gripping his hair as though doing so would stop or ease the pain, but nothing would, only her.

"Drake, " I say not sure how to put my thoughts into motion. "Let me fix this for you"

I hear myself say as I pull him from the floor and lead him to the bed, his eyes are wide at my statement, and usher him to the bed. He crawls in and I cover him, his head in my lap as I stroke his soft hair. "I wish you had told me, but more importantly I wish I hadn't been so weak" I mumble hating the sting in my eyes at his pain.

"White, this is my own doing, I knew you could handle the truth, but..."

"But?"

"I didn't want you to hurt seeing us, I knew it would cause you to think of him" he mumbles on a cough, "and I wanted to preserve Leanna childhood, I don't think she would understand why I left mommy to be with aunty, so I didn't because I didn't..."

I shush him and stroke his hair. While I thought about the last twelve years.

"I think it's time we told him the truth, so that I can set you free, Drake it was an honor to be your wife" I whisper.

"Are you sure, what happened to when she's older?" He asks looking up at me with wide eyes.

"Your happiness matters, and she's a big girl she will understand, its her truth and we will all be there to help her process, you, me and Hana, the three amigos"

"Wait, you would do this for me?" He asks doubtful."

"Drake, I love you, how can you not know that I would do anything for you"

He pulls me unto him in an awkward hug so my body is close to his, and I lay there with him, while silent tears fall from his eyes. "I can't lose her" he whispers turning into me and I just hold him until he cries himself to sleep.

Slowly I crawl out of bed so that I don't wake him, there in my mind was a plan hatching in my thoughts as I called Liam's phone.

"Hello?"

"I need to borrow your jet" I say before I lose my nerve.

"Oh okay" he answers clearly confused

There is no time to waste as I head to the airport.

I just prayed my plan would work as there is no way I could go on knowing based on my selfishness I hurt my best friends, because the truth was I should have known better, should have done better once I was able to find my footing.

**Liam***

Sabrina is tired and I walk her to her room and offer to read for her. "Sure, top drawer of my favorites" she answers. She is so much like her mother as who else would have a drawer for their favorite things? I open the draw and my fingers brush against a pearl bracelet I haven't seen in years. My heart feels sadness at the sight of it, remembering my declaration of love and the promises I had made for the future. Unable to put it down, I hold it

"Brina, where did you find this?" I ask curious knowing she was always holding onto lost things.

A tired smile plays on her lips as she see it. "I didn't find it, Leanna gave it to me, it was a gift to mother from her father" she says "did you give mommy fancy things just because you loved her?" She asks innocently but the questions doesn't register as my mind calculates. Fear paralysing me. " Father?" She calls her brow knitted with worry as I must be as white as a ghost.

"Sabrina, how old is Leanna?" I ask the question terrified of the answer yet needing to know anyway. Because I think I always knew, I just didn't want to accept it.

"She's eleven and a half, why?" At her answer, I grip the chest of drawers for support knowing I very well may fall if I'm not careful.

"Oh... I need to sign some papers, can I get a rain check on that story?" I asked knowing I can't concentrate now.

I feel as though I am swaying under the new realization, I have another child. A child who calls another daddy. I feel, what the fuck did I feel! Getting to the office I dial the Beaumont's

The phone is answered on the second ring by the butler on duty. "Get me Drake" I roar.

"I am afraid, he isn't taking calls at the moment" he says.

"I do not care! I Liam Ryes demand his presence now, a car will be waiting for him!" I bark and disconnect the phone. Anger vibrating in my blood, sadness haunting at the lost years. How could they do this to me?

I hear the door click close and I turn around to see Drake anger burning in his eyes. "What the fuck was so damn important you had to drag me here?" He roars glaring at me, his anger tangible in the office.

"How could you?" I demand, the words too new too raw to be spoken out loud.

"How could I what?" He challenges grabbing the whiskey bottle from my desk and taking a swing.

"Leanna, she is my daughter," I say. It wasn't question but a statement, it was a fact, I knew, I felt it in my veins.

I watch as Drake opens and closes his mouth nothing coming out, he stands defiant. "So?" I prompt and he glares at me.

"What do you want? Congratulations you finally figured it out?" He spits the words at me, only causing my anger to burn more.

"I trusted you with my life, yet you, you keep something of this magnitude from me" I say my hands twitching from the need to punch something, to do something.

"And?"

"How could you betray our friendship this way..." I can't imagine her pregnant and laying beside Drake, having him kiss and touch and play with her in utero. "I could never, would never betray you by dating one of your exes, yet as my friend you not only dated but married the mother of my child, Drake where the fuck is your loyalty?" I demand and he throws the glass into the wall, he looked as though he had just crossed the line.

"My loyalty?! It's been with fucking you! The woman I love is going to marry another man because my best friend had his head too far up his ass to put the pieces together!" He says pointing his finger at me.

"So this is my fault?" I can't believe what I am hearing. "You always wanted her, you took advantage of her while she was weak, you are despicable"

He laughs and its loud in the office "Li, I've never touched White, I never kissed her, I seen her naked yes, but I've never, never touched her inappropriately. So get off your high horse before I knock you off"

It's my turn to laugh, obviously he thought I was gullible "Knock me off I dare you"

"I hate you for what you did to her! You, you broke her! I watched her hurt, I listened to her cry for months when she thought we were sleeping. I saw her bleed for you, in order not to think of you she worked and went to school, saying maybe if she was good enough, maybe if she was worth it you would have fought for her. And not once did you reach out to find her, to talk things through... You're the despicable one. Did you know she still breaks down on your wedding day?"

I grab a bottle of whiskey from the shelf and turn it to my head loving the way it burnt going down.

"Stop! I don't want to hear it!" I say, it's too much his words outing the fire I had caused.

"No you dragged me here, to talk so let's talk... The day she found out she was pregnant it was after working a double shift and online classes, she came out and saw you on the television speaking about how delighted you were from your honeymoon"

"Drake, stop!" I begged but he didn't

"No! Where was your mercy for her? Remember my last phone call?"

"The one you smashed the phone in my ear"

"Yup! That was the call to tell you that you were gonna be a father, and you ruined it. That was the last time she ever cried openly. She thinks that this was her karma for sneaking around with you."

"Oh God!" I cry, knowing I was the cause of this pain.

"And to top it all fucking off, she went into labor the day you and that witch announced you guys expecting. Imagine Li, feeling that level of pain, you broke her! You did this, so don't stand their telling me how could I? How could I place my life on hold ensuring that your child was always out of harm's way, knowing her importance to the history here." He continues, but I can't take anymore.

"Liam, I didn't betray our friendship, but you, you are the one that let her get away." His words ring true and I continue to drink.

He's laughing, and its sad and I turn to see the tears mirroring in my eyes shining in his "I did the same thing to Hana, and now I have lost her."

We sit on the sofa, tired emotional and I'm speechless. The one thought in my mind was how did I fix this?

Riley

The flight was long, and I had more than enough time to put my speech into action. Mr Lee greets me warmly and tells me that Hana will always head to the horses in need of comfort. "You flew all this way to apologize?" He asks with a smile.

"She's my best friend, I'd move heaven and earth for her if I needed to."

Hana found me, on the back of the estate looking over the stable where horses were neighing, "Riley, "

I turn to look at her, and I see the pain weighing on her, the hurt she never intended to cause. "Why didn't you tell me?" I ask after we stand in silence for just too long. She swallows, tears glistening in her eyes

"Was Drake the fling?" I ask, unable to take the sting from my voice.

"Yes." She answered quietly. "I've wanted to tell you, but it was never the right time, and Drake is so terrified of losing Leanna, of what it would mean for her..."

The tears stung my eyes but I couldn't cry, "Leanna will always be Drakes daughter, I wouldn't dream of taking her away from him, " I reassure her.

"Do you love him, truly love him?" I ask her and she answers her breath hitching on a small sob.

"Too much" she replies wiping her tears.

"Hana, you saw me at my lowest, I deserved your respect, your honesty to tell me you had fallen in love, I would have moved heaven and earth to ensure that you guys got your happily ever after" I whispered. The ghost of a smile skips her lips and I want to pull her into a hug but my pride stops me, for some reason her betrayal seemed to hurt more and I couldn't understand why.

She clears her throat and straightens her spine. "I hate it that you found out about it that way, I have dreaded telling you for so long-"

"Why?" I interrupt, not understanding the need for her to keep this from me.

She closes her eyes and a single tear falls. "Riley, you'll never admit it, but Liam I think he may have unintentionally scarred you... for life" she whispers softly.

"This isn't about Liam-"

"Isn't it? You never gave yourself time to heal, the day you found out you were pregnant, you just came back to life and behaved like Liam never happened, but how can you, when she looks and acts so much like her father"

"Point Hana?"

"My point is this, after everything you are still very much in love with him"

My laugh is humourless, I didn't want to hear this, this wasn't about me. I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes it. ".I"

"No, I'm not done! For 12 years, you haven't been kissed, for 12 years every year you cry on his wedding day, then for the rest of the year you are devoid of any emotion. I know and that is why every year I ensure that I am there"

At her words I feel as the she's picking at the scabs the wounds that never really healed and the realisation that she is right floors me and I can't take it...

"Enough! That man hurt me, he shattered my heart like a piece of China and never bothered to pick up the pieces. So yes, it still hurts and I can't take the touch of someone else because... I'm... I'm scared... Scared, that I knew all along, that I was never good enough for him... That I was gullible, I compromised my morals for him, for a moment to bask in the sun with him... Hana, I... I'm still hurting, I'm still trying to get over him when he's found love, had a family, and I'm still stuck hurting that he never came for me."

Hana pulls me into a hug, like she did all those years ago after cutting me free. "Oh Riley, he doesn't deserve that kind of commitment, he doesn't deserve you" she tells me. But I can't believe them. This was my karma, because deep down I knew that had he asked me to stay as his mistress, I would have because I didn't know how to leave him, I wanted to be his happy place even with Madeline.

"Oh my gosh... I'm the Madeline in your story, trapping Drake in a loveless marriage" I say looking into her sad eyes.

"Hana, I love you... You deserve the happiness I couldn't have... We'll figure it out"

"Drake chose you, we don't have a chance" she says walking away from me.

"No. Drake didn't choose because he would always choose you" I whisper

"Hana, I got home to find Drake crying, Drake doesn't cry... This wasn't his choice but my own selfish one" I say as we walk through the blossoms.

"He needs you"

"Then why are you here and he isn't? I'm done settling... He needs to show me, that I am more to him that his constellation prize" she whispers her face set in a determined line.

"Hana, "

"No Riley, Drake, Drake may damn well be the love of my life but I intend to find happiness without him... For years, I've settled and he's had no problem letting me go, which means he can always let me go and I won't ever feel like that again"

There is anger and hurt swirling in her voice. "But this is my fault," I say.

She holds me by my shoulders and looks me into my eyes with tears streaming from hers. "No, this is not. Drake had a choice and he chose to let me go... He chooses to let me go..." her voice cracking with pain. "He let me go, again" she whispers, her breath hitched and the storm blew in, raging taking no prisoners the pain the hurt just too real, top raw and open and I hold her... Anchoring her, as we slipped to the floor under the weight of the pain.

[rhabakoli]

Targets On Their Backs

So, here it is, Part two of this HC by one of @dreamwritesimagines followers, bc I can’t seem to stop myself.  It’s about 2.2k words, 4 pages long, and it’s quite... something. 

Also, if anyone has a better title, shoot. 

Gala and Ubbe had moved Ragnars bed into the new room, while you were walking around in circles, holding you son to your chest and humming softly, trying to keep him calm and quiet. He had started fussing, when Eitr flew out the door. The bird had yet to come back, which made him restless. Ubbe sat on a chair, feet on the table and played with his dagger, his axe on his lap. Even you, inexperienced in war and fighting as you were, could tell what he was doing. “Do you think there’ll be another attack tonight?” He scoffed. “If there’s more than just the one assassin, they’d be mad to try. But I’m still not leaving until someone is here, who can at least throw a dagger.” “I can throw a dagger.”, you murmured. You almost accidentally hit your husband, but who had to know. As it was, you still were glad he wouldn’t leave. “Thank you, Ubbe.” 

He made a dismissing gesture. “You’re family. I can’t let anything happen to you.” Gala put the last furs on the bed and then came over to you. “Do you need anything else, before I go?” You smiled at her. “No, thank you, Gala. Get home and rest, today has been… well.” She nodded, gave Ragnar a little wave and was about to leave the room when Hvitserk stepped in, his arms laden with books. They almost collided but he reacted quickly, shifted the weight in his arms and steadied Gala by grabbing her shoulder. “Excuse me, I didn’t see you, Pri-” “It’s Hvitserk.” One corner of his lips pulled upwards. “I don’t like when you call me by my title. I’ve told you before.” “Yes, Hvitserk.” He lit up when she said her name and then went to put the books on your table. “You’re gonna stay here for a while, I thought you might like to have your books here.” “Thank you.” You noticed Gala turning towards the door once again. “Hvitserk, won’t you join Gala on her way home? I am not comfortable with her being alone after the attack.” He didn’t need much convincing. Gala looked at you with wide eyes, before blushing and pulling her cloak closer around her shoulders. Your brother-in-law motioned to the door and bent slightly at the waist. “M’lady.” Ubbe snorted and winked at you, when you turned to him. “Subtle, Sister. Real subtle.”

Ragnar was sleeping in his bed with Eitr, now clean again, residing on the head end of it. She was staring at the door, as if she was expecting someone to storm in at every given moment. You went over to her and stroked her soft feathers, kissed her small head and spoke to Freyja, expressing how grateful you were for her present. You stood there for a while, watching your son and your bird, and you tried not to think about all the ways tonight could have ended. Your son could be dead. Eitr could be dead. Hel, more guards and Gala could have been killed. Oh Gods, Gala. The poor thing had been through so much with you, already. You’d have to prepare a present soon. Something to express your fondness and how much she was needed and appreciated. Maybe you could find her another cat. Surely, Earl Erik could give you some pointers, perhaps he knew someone who had kittens. Then, something else came to mind. “Ubbe.” At you voice, he raised his head and turned slightly in his seat. “Who’s the best at throwing? Daggers, I mean.” “Ivar.” He turned around fully now, sitting backwards on the chair, one arm on the backrest, the other hanging over it, swinging his axe slightly. “Why? Do you want to learn?” “Least I can do, no?” Ragnar gave a little snort, making you look. His soft baby hair was in complete disarray, and you wondered who he had it from. He had a lot of it too. You wished you could ask your mother. “Y/N, do you think that’s the best idea?” “I can’t always rely on you all. At some point, someone’s going to get through, get to us when no one is around.” You straightened your back, raised you chin as you threw him a look. “You said it yourself: You won’t leave until someone’s here who can at least throw a dagger.” You shrugged. “And daggers are way lighter than swords, after all.” Ubbe laughed and shook his head. “You and Ivar really deserve each other.” “What, because it’s uncommon for a woman to handle a weapon?” “No, not for born Vikings. But they also can hold a sword for more than 5 seconds.” “I am not christian anymore, am I?” “I think you’ve never really been.” He leaned his head on his hand, tilting it to the side. “You’ve adapted way too fast. Maybe it was fate after all.” “Thank you.”

Ubbe turned towards the door, when you heard voices. Soon, the door opened. Ivar stepped in, closely followed by Bjorn. “Ivar, you can-” “I know what I can, and what not.” He looked furious. “Don’t try to tell me what to do.” “I’m not, I’m just saying, maybe you should-” “You should shut up.” Ivar came straight towards you, letting his crutch fall to the floor and pulled you close to him. Immediately, your arms were around him and you were pressing your face against his neck. Bjorn threw his hands in the air in a slightly exasperated move and shook his head. You peeked out underneath Ivars jaw, seeing Bjorn pointing at you. “Talk some sense into him.”

Then he turned, gave Ubbe a slap to his shoulder to make him move. At the door, he stopped, smirked, bent at the waist, with one arm stretched to the side and went after the oldest brother. After the door closed, Ivar relaxed a bit. He softened his hold on you and looked over the cribs sides, watching his son sleep. Eitr flapped her wings once and let out a hoarse croak. “Ah, I’ve got something for you.” You raised your head, surprised. “Are you talking to my bird?” “Yes.” Your eyebrows almost left your forehead at that. Ivar ignored you in favour of your bird, who watched his every move. Your husband conjured up a piece of meat, dark, juicy, fresh as could be. He lifted it, Eitr following his hand with her eyes. When he was sure she’d react, he threw it and watched the falcon catch it midair. “You… did you slaughter a goat just for that slab of meat?” He laughed. “No. The cook did.” “But you specially went to get it.” He looked down at you, frowning slightly. “Yes. She murdered an assassin coming after our child.” The look on his face turned grim. “I’d serve her a whole horse, if she was able to eat it.”

You slept awfully. Every other noise made you wake up in a panic, frantically looking towards the crib, where Eitr still watched over Ragnar. Ivar awoke right with you, always, pulling you back down against him, shushing you and stroking over your hair in an attempt to soothe you. Thus, you were exhausted and pale, with red rimmed, dry eyes. You could hear the guards outside talking, muffled voices and laughs. Ivar slept next to you, seemingless dead to the waking world. You slowly got up and went to see your son, who was just like his father. There was no denying it. He was sleeping on his belly, spread eagle in his crib, a bit of fur gripped in one tiny fist and drool collecting on the sheets. You weren’t saying Ivar the Boneless, most ruthless Viking to live, was drooling in his sleep, but… well, if his sleep was deep, contrary to usual... “Y/N.” You jumped, barely keeping in a yelp. “Ivar.” You swallowed your fear, trying to calm yourself. “Did I wake you?” “No, love.” He sat back against the headboard, raising an arm towards you. Quickly, you went over to him and joined him under the covers. His hand came to lay on your back, not breaking contact, even as you positioned yourself against him, arms around his neck and leg thrown over his hip, the other curled against his side. This way, you were eye to eye with him. “Morning.” Ivar nudged your nose with his, pressed his hand between your shoulder blades and kissed you good morning. He came away humming and a serene smile splayed on his lips as he pressed little, soft pecks all over your face and down your neck. “How is the little prince?” “He’s well. Sleeping, drooling, just like his father.” You squeaked, when Ivar bit you in turn. “You dare being this brazen towards your king?” His voice was rough from sleep, deeper than usually. He let his fingertips of his free hand wander up your thigh, pushing up your shift in the process. “I can do as I please, I am the queen, after all.” “Hmmm.”, he rumbled. “That you are.” He grabbed your bum with both hands and lifted you, placing you in his lap. “Ivar!”, you protested. “Oh, shh.” He took your face in his hands, studying it, tilting it from side to side and lastly brushing your hair back from your face. “Are you alright? I know you didn’t sleep well.” “As alright as one can be, after last night.” You stroked over his shoulders, followed his tattoos down his chest. “And I feel like I should ask you that question. You couldn’t have slept much either, with me waking you up all the time.” He shook his head, frown in place. “No, don’t you worry about that. I am more used to it.” He heaved a shaky breath, stopping your hands on his skin by laying his own on top of them.”Y/N.” The way he said you name, made you fear the worst. “What?” “I feel like it is my fault.” “What, the attack?” You were ready to launch in a long rant about his tendency to talk bullshit, when he stopped you. “All of them. Your poisoning, the tea-” His voice broke and he cleared his throat, as he laid a hand on your belly, probably thinking about the child that would have been your first. “The attack on Ragnar.” You took his hand, kissed the palm of it, silently encouraging him to go on. “You can’t deny, it’s been a lot, and it’s been awful for you, for the child as well…” He took a deep breath, eyes now glassy. “And I-” He clenched his teeth, jaw muscles tensing so hard, you were afraid he’d never be able to release them. “I think I should let you go.” “What?” You felt as if he had punched you in the guts. “How did you even-” He clamped a hand over your mouth, big, round eyes looking up at you, pleading. “A better man would let you go, release you from your vows, so you can go away, far away and live without a target on your back.” His eyes hardened before he closed them, hands coming to the back of your head, pulling you back down to him. Ivar breathed you in and leaned his forehead against yours. His hands fisted your hair, holding you close. You mirrored him, stroking your hands up his chest to his jaw, thumbs dragging over the bone. “I am not a good man, love. I can’t let you go, I am too selfish. I need you close, I need to know where you are at all times, so I can protect you, shield you.” It was no lie. He was too headstrong, too impulsive to be a truly good man. But he was good enough for you. He was loving, gentle, with you as well as Ragnar. He even bettered his behaviour towards his brothers. And that you told him. Your fingernails scraped over his skin, brushed through his hair, calming him, as it always did. “You don’t need to be good, to be right for me, Ivar The Boneless, King of Kattegat, most feared Viking of all lands.” He watched your face, hands now on your hips, simply holding you against him. “I don’t think sending me away would do any good. I’d be an easier target, even. I’d still be your wife, I wouldn’t have the heart to deny it. And why is that?” A small smile showed on your husbands face, before he answered what you’ve asked him innumerable times now. “Because I have it.” “You do learn, after all.” Eitr let out a coo from her spot over the bed, a sign that Ragnar was waking up. And true it was, just moments later his baby-blabber filled the room. He was happy and talk active in the mornings, making you dread the time when he’d be actually able to form words. “So don’t think like that. You might be selfish, but you are not at fault. It is the people who seek your throne, your misery, who are to blame.” Softly, you pressed a kiss to his lips and then got up. “The young prince awaits.”

**

Part 3

[lostonehero]

Again

A bright light and a loud screech forced Lazarus awake. He sat up quickly looking himself over, and yes it was he this time. He gave a heavy sigh letting memories wash over him. He looked around seeing he was in the rubble of what was once a building.

"War again." He sighs outloud.

He knew what this meant, not a peaceful life, nor a good one to find the time to find a solution to this. He got up slowly realizing he was missing a leg. Well atleast it wasn't a fresh cut, he sighed using a broken wooden door as a crutch.

Well here is to the new life again....

Ain't it fun to fo around again.

.......

Lazarus woke up again rubbing his neck. Bo matter who people tell you being hung is awful neck breaking or not. His neck was sore as he sat up.... he was a child? Oh he hasn't been a child in ages.

But if course this wouldn't be normal now would it. He looked at himself in a mirror hung up on the side of the wall haphazardly. So half snake, ok he can handle this. He also could feel he wasn't entirely himself he knew what that meant, and he wasn't happy.

How fantastic he was somebodies.... er oh self preservation, and wow this kid developed this older then normal. He sighed summoning a notebook. He begins to write....

"Life number er 5483 I think, anyways i am currently someone's Oh Thomas's self preservation. So another life where I can't make progress on finding out what and how to stop this is, and also another life where I can't find the other who has the same fate as myself. Anyways I think that's enough for now. This has been Lazarus."

.......

"First the wedding and now this Deceit are tou seriously trying to make Thomas bad ." Patton throws his hands up then crosses them looking at Deceit disapprovingly

Virgil glares at Deceit. "Oh come on snake this is sad even for you."

Deceit shuts his human eye and takes a deep breath. "You know what , fuck it I'm done trying. Thomas you're going to burn yourself out and the stress will eat you from the inside out. Patton you are manipulative and honestly that kicked dog attitude is disgusting. Virgil what the fuck did I do to make you hate me I don't know, but maybe you should look in a mirror and realize you aren't that fucking innocent and joking Patton won't ease your conscious. Logan for fucks sake stop bottling up your emotions this is why nobody listens to you. All you do is sit on a pedestal higher then everyone because no emotions and that is why everyone tunes you out. Roman you're the only one who I can say something positive about you atleast try to get Thomas to do things for himself. With that I'm done I'll be sticking to the subconscious till you kick the bucket Thomas then onto the next life." Deceit flips off everyone and sinks out.

The group sit there in shock trying to recover.

......

Lazarus sighed sitting in his room, it's been a few weeks since he blew his top. God he hasn't gone off like that in ages. Last time God it had to be a few hundred lives ago when he got fed up with the people around him. Well at least now he can start again on theories.

He summons a large whiteboard and begins to drag diagram after diagram trying to connect things to solve this dilemma. He became so engrossed he didn't realize someone entered his room.

"Lazarus? What are the odds?" Roman whistled. "Now I get why you blew up geez what was the life before this?"

Lazarus turned around startled but then smirks. "My my Roman what are the odds, but if you must know I was framed and hanged."

"Oof that is awful on the neck. Anyways now that I know it's you made any progress?"

"No I haven't Roman just like the other time, what about you?"

"Eh besides maybe something that caught my eye on some old tablet in a museum in this world nothing much."

Lazarus sighs making the whiteboard disappear and sits on his bed. "Well any way you could get Thomas to return to that museum?"

"I've been trying actually that was the start of the arguement. I mean the museum is better then going to a family gathering with the worst people in Thomas's family but going is the right thing. Gods I realize why you hate Patton now." Roman falls back and lays on Lazarus bed next to the sitting man.

"Well to the next life then since we obviously won't make any headway this one." Lazarus sighs now laying next to Roman.

"Say since that is most likely the truth, what do you think we'll be in the next one?"

"Maybe women who live on the streets."

"I think we'll be kings again."

"You just miss having a castle."

"Shut up."

"Anyways you should leave don't want to ruin what you got." Lazarus sighs sitting up.

Roman gets up sighing. "Fine I'll be back later on Laz."

.......

Deceit was summoned and that made his slightly off balance. Roman caught him before he could fall or say something.

Roman puts his finger to his lips. "Shush Thomas doesn't know we're walking about. He snuck out of the family gathering and went to the museum, so let's go find that tablet."

Deceit nods following behind Roman.

Not long they stumble upon a massive tablet in a large room devoid of anything else.

Lazarus cracks his knuckles. "Ok this looks promising, oh I haven't seen this language in ages." He summons a notebook and begins to write.

.........

Hours go by as the two begin to compile notes and theories. They don't notice the small crowd of people watching them in amazement or Thomas looking on in horror as the sheer fact others can see his sides is hitting him like a brick.

"Now Lazarus what are the chances that this isn't just a younger version of the tablet we saw before?" Roman sighs thumbing through his notes.

"Even if it was a younger version this version isn't in pieces and on top of that it has more information that we can use. Granted it seems really repetitive. Is it just me or it says reincarnation well over a hundred times." Lazarus huffs.

Roman groans covering his face. "Lazarus I figured it out, it's just a piece on..."

"Roman just stop please I don't want you to finish that phrase." Lazarus throws his notes up in frustrated exhaustion. "Well this was just another dead end."

Roman nods sinking till he is sitting down surrounded by the scattered papers of there collective notes. "Well we always have the next life."

"Don't remind me." Lazarus sighs snapping his fingers and the mess disappears in an instant. He looks around finally noticing the crowd and Thomas. "Well this is just a fuckkng cherry on top of the fuck you sundae."

Roman looks over and looks slightly shocked. "Well shit, uh code fade."

Lazarus nods sinking out, and Roman quickly follows suit.

........

Thomas was pacing his living room. "People saw you. They actually saw you guys. How??? And what were you doing?"

Roman sighs. "Finding another dead end, and I mean Thomas we can interact with the real world what makes you think others can't see us."

Thomas blinks. "Well I mean."

"Also the fact that the majority of us tend to only show up when needed so it wouldn't have come into play. So at this point it was a miscalculation on our part." Roman shrugs.

"You act as if you've done this before." Logan says slowly.

"Never said I haven't, eh it's a long story that you won't believe so I won't share. It gets more frustrating everytime I have to go over this story, so let's just leave it at I'm sorry won't happen again, and la-Deceit was right you needed things to yourself and now you feel better well for the most part." Roman sighs sinking out.

Thomas looks down relaying what he was told.

The others look at each other trying to comprehend what has happened.

[writersrealmbts]

Protect Them-Hybrid AU: Part 3

Description: Safe with Me Sequel! You work two days a week teaching kids the joys of learning and reading, your favorites being the triplets. When the triplet’s adopted older brother is the one that starts picking them up, you’re not sure what life just handed you but you’re pretty sure it’s just another little slice of heaven. Hoseok x Reader.

Warnings: I don’t even know, if you do, let me know and I’ll change the warnings.

Posted: 11/28/2018

Tags: Hybrid!au, hybrid!Hoseok, Safe With Me Sequel

Angst with fluffs: 1,980 words

A/N: Part 3! Yay!

You listened to the doctors quietly talking to Hoseok, and the triplets whimpering and sniffling, probably clinging to his legs. “Temporary…alone…help…” Each word from the doctor you caught scared you. Suddenly you felt the bed sink down beside you, and you had been so focused on what the doctor was saying that you jumped. “Shh, it’s okay, y/n-noona,” Kae whispered, then carefully curled up into your side. “We’re safe now. We’re going to make your boo-boos better. Are you sleepy?” “A little,” You whispered back, heart breaking at how gentle he was being with you. How he had to comfort you instead of you having to comfort him. His little lips were suddenly pressed to your cheek. “Let’s nap.” You blinked, smiling a little before letting your eyes close. You relished in the warmth he radiated, noticing his faint smell of apples. The medicine had you pretty fuzzy already, so it wasn’t that hard to drift right off. When you woke up you were warm and cozy, despite the pain in your head and body. “Hey,” Hoseok said softly, trying not to scare you. “I tried to make sure they didn’t hurt you, but I couldn’t stop them from cuddling with you. How are you feeling?” “Like the flesh on my leg was ripped away and someone bashed my head with an anvil,” You whispered, not wanting to wake your cuddle-buddies. “Your parents?” “On their way. They’re okay. So is the rest of our family. Eomma and Appa were scared, but they calmed down after they heard all three of them,” His voice was soft as he spoke, and he was probably petting one of their heads lovingly. You nodded. His fingers brushed yours, hesitating when you flinched, but taking your hand when you relaxed. “The doctors said that your loss of vision should be temporary. They’re having trouble contacting your emergency contacts though. Is there a number we can call for your family? Or friends?” You hesitated, then shook your head. “My mom is in jail. My dad died when I was a kid. I’ve only lived here for about a year now, and I don’t…I have a couple friends…why?” “Well, when you’re released you’ll still have to go through physical therapy and you might not have your vision back completely…” “Oh.” “I know it’s not something anyone wants to hear, but you’re going to need some help.” Well that wasn’t good. Yes, you had a couple of friends, but none that you knew well enough to call and ask them to help you. You hadn’t talked to your sister since your mom’s imprisonment and the hybrids that had basically raised you had left to take advantage of their newfound freedom after you graduated. You got postcards every now and then from the latter. The former hated you for being the sole inheritor of trust fund that your father left behind. Not that it amounted to that much. The monthly stipend usually covered your insurance and part of your rent for the month, which left you with a little extra that you tucked into your bank account for rainy days and groceries. Now that would have to cover whatever your health insurance didn’t. “Hey, you okay?” His voice had gotten even softer and gentler. “I’ll be fine. You don’t need to call anyone,” You whispered, your free hand finding one of the little heads and stroking their hair. Nari from the length of the hair. “Y/n…” Hoseok murmured. “Are…are you alone?” “I’ll be fine,” You repeated, turning your face away from him. Your head really was hurting and the tears that were coming up were causing even more of an ache, which just caused more tears to well up. “Can you please find someone and ask if I can have more pain medicine?” Your voice was wobbly. He made a soft sound of acquiescence and seemed to float out of the room. You took deep breaths to try and calm yourself. Kae stirred slightly to your right, still in the same spot. Nari was on your left side, which left Minsu hugging your right foot at the end of the bed, careful not to hurt your left leg. The beeping of the monitors was making you feel worse than you actually did. Hoseok came back with a nurse, but you jumped because your fixation on the beeping of the monitors prevented you from hearing their approach. You squeezed your eyes shut, gripping the sheets trying not to wake the kids. Hoseok made shushing sounds, moving closer and holding onto you gently. “It’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.” “I hate this,” You whispered shakily. He made a soft sound and his tail brushed along your back. “I can’t even imagine. But we’re going to take care of you, okay?” “What?” “I called Emma. Her and Jin agreed that you should come stay with us. Actually, eomma is ready to basically drag you back to our house to take care of you. She does that.” He chuckled softly. “They’ll be here any second.” You could hear hurried footsteps. “They’re here.” You heard a sigh of relief then felt all three of the triplets stir. “Oh thank God,” Emma breathed. “Y/n? Did Hoseok tell you the plan? Get over here, Hobi.” Hoseok released you, moving across the room. “He did. I couldn’t possibly—” “Don’t worry about it. You’ve done me about two-thousand favors by now with these three. Don’t even try to fight me on this. I’m strong, and I’m pregnant with twins. The outcome will be the same,” Emma said firmly, then suddenly her voice turned into something of a coo. “Hi, babies.” All three had carefully gotten away from you and must have gone to her. Jin’s breath of relief sounded from the doorway while Hoseok went back to comforting you. “Min-min, Nari, Monnie, Hobi!” There were tiny squeals of happiness as he must have scooped some of them up. Hoseok gave you a little squeeze. “Guys, keep it down.” Jin and Emma quickly quieted the pups down, apologizing, then you heard Emma come closer before she seemed to flutter around your injuries. “Oh, y/n…” She murmured. “Hobi told me everything. You’ll be released tomorrow and we’ll take you home. No arguments.” “I need to get my stuff,” You whispered. “Miss,” The nurse murmured. “Your information says you live in Hyperion?” “Yes?” “I’m sorry, miss, but that area was hit the hardest by the tornado…” Your heart dropped into your stomach. Not only was your apartment gone, but your place of work. Your family was gone. You really didn’t have friends. You couldn’t see. You wouldn’t be able to walk for at least a week—and then you’d be walking with crutches. You had nothing. “Shh, it’s okay, y/n,” Emma whispered, suddenly coming over to comfort you. “Don’t worry about that right now. We can figure it out after you’re better.” You leaned into the comfort she offered. She was the closest thing you had to a good friend and you needed the comfort she was offering. “Everything will be alright,” She murmured in a tone that made you believe her. “Emma, we should take these three home,” Jin said quietly. There was a grumpy growl from one of the triplets. “But we can’t leave y/n-noona alone.” It was Kaemon and he was both growling and whimpering. “She won’t be. I’m gonna stay with her, Kae,” Hoseok told his brother quietly. “I’ll stay with her. It’s okay.” You nodded. “I’ll be fine, Kaemon-ssi.” He climbed onto the bed again and Hoseok must have picked him up and brought him up to you. He placed a kiss on your cheek. “Okay. I love you, y/n.” “Love you too,” You replied automatically, smiling shakily. “Feel better soon,” He then let Hoseok take him away. “Alright, I’ll bring you some clothes to change into when we pick you up tomorrow, okay?” Emma said softly. You nodded, figured the clothes you had been wearing were ruined. Not that you wanted to try and get back into those skinny-jeans with your leg the way it was. You waited until they were gone before sighing softly. “Sorry I’m creating more work for you.” “I don’t mind. Really. Has the medicine started working yet?” He asked softly, helping you to get more comfortable when you started reaching to adjust one of the pillows. “A little, I think. So, you were away for school for a while?” “Getting my teaching degree. I was going to try and get a teaching job here in the city, but with Emma expecting…I figured helping her with the triplets is still decent experience and she’s paying me since I’m foregoing a job hunt in lieu of helping her. Especially with Jungkook moving in with Jimin and working down there this summer so that he’s there when the semester begins. They visit a lot, but it’s better to have someone that you can count on to be there. Besides, she had a ton of help with the triplets and even then we all struggled to keep up with them. Now she’s going to have the triplets and a set of twins?” “Crazy,” You murmured, mostly just enjoying the sound of his voice. “Their reading skills have really improved since the last time I visited. They must be learning a lot from you.” “They’re smart kids. They help each other a lot.” “How’s Kaemon doing around the other kids?” “Well, he does better with the ones that are there every week. But he shies away from all the adults. He’s always been quieter, so sometimes it’s hard to tell if he’s just being himself or if he’s scared. Normally he’ll come to me if he’s scared, though, which helps.” You chewed on your lip, closing your eyes because being blind even temporarily was terrifying. Hoseok was quiet for a second. “They’re certain that this is temporary. The blindness. Until then, I’ll be your eyes. Which means I’ll be spending a lot of time with you. Think you can tolerate me until then?” You snorted, almost laughing. “You can’t be any worse than twenty hyper children.” He chuckled. “Don’t underestimate me.” His hand smoothed over your hair, such a familiar gesture. “So…where is your family?” “Sister is somewhere halfway across the country, hating my guts. Dad’s dead, mom’s in prison for killing dad, and the family hybrids that actually took care of me are traveling. I get postcards. In other words, my family is a mess and the only ones I would even care to see are finally living their lives as they want and getting ready for their own kids. No aunts, no uncles, no cousins.” You splayed your fingers on the bed, then letting them slide back together, wishing you could see the way the blankets bunch between your fingers. You flinched when there was a crash outside the room. “I hate this.” He hummed softly, then kept petting your head gently. “I know. It’s going to be okay.” He shifted, pulling your head gently to his chest, shifting so he could wrap his arms gently around you and hold you. “You should try and sleep. Maybe this will help keep the nightmares away. Is that okay?” You sighed shakily, shifting into the warmth and comfort of his arms. “Yeah. Thanks.” He started humming some song or other, tail resting over you and adding a little bit of comforting weight. His arms held you securely to his body, but avoided any injuries. His instincts were on point when it came to comforting you and you felt yourself drifting off quickly with the combination of this and the medicine helped you fall asleep. And thankfully you didn’t dream.

Masterlist.   Part 2.  Part 4.   Masterpost.

Tagged: @jiminslye