#anyway it should've been sebastian and we all know it

[treacheryinblue]

A Noah Sebastian x F!Reader One Shot

Word Count: 2.3k

× Summary: Noah does what he can to help relieve some of the overwhelming stress you're forced to endure. It's just smut.

× Warnings!: SMUT (oral [f receiving]) aka Noah obviously being the munch we know he is. language, 18+ , no proofread, no revisions, written in about an hour so it is what it is. •‿•

Masterlist

Study, study, study. 

Work, work, work. 

That's all you did nowadays. 

The routine of it all had become monotonous to say the least, though it's what had to be done if you were ever going to finish your degree. Your third attempt at said degree. School just wasn't for you and you had figured that out as soon as you walked across the stage at your high school graduation however many years ago. While most felt excitement with continuing their education, you felt nothing. You hated it; the deadlines, the papers, the asshole teachers who always acted as if they were leaps and bounds better than everyone they encountered. What you hated about it most of all, though, was the lack of freedom. 

Only one thing - one person - was keeping you going despite the headaches and breakdowns where you’d yell that you were “over it” and it was “all so useless anyway”, and that person was Noah. Maybe it sounded cliche, but he truly was your rock through it all. Even with the loads of stuff he had going on, he still always found time for you, especially when he could tell that you were on the verge of one of those previously mentioned breakdowns. This just so happened to be one of those nights. 

You were sitting on the couch of his home studio, anxiety-riddled fingers tapping away at your keyboard, trying your best to finish a paper that was due the following night. Of course you shouldn't have waited until the very last minute, but procrastination was what you did best. Noah would beg to differ, but you didn't have the mental capacity to get sucked into those sorts of thoughts right then. 

Every now and then Noah would swivel in his chair to look at you, ask how things were going, and then turn back to his music once you replied. The answers were never what he wanted to hear, but he understood. He didn't want to be another source of aggravation for you, so he never pushed. Little did he know, just having him around you was enough to calm your nerves. That, plus the melodic vocals he would softly sing every now and then truly could work wonders. 

“I think it's time for a break,” he exhaled while rolling his chair to the side to set his guitar down. “I can almost see the steam coming off your head.” 

“In a minute,” you murmured under your breath. Your brows were furrowed, keys of your laptop still rhythmically tapping until you groaned and slammed down on the backspace to erase the paragraph. 

“Oh no, now.” Noah stood from the chair with a chuckle and made his way to you, his body dropping down on the couch at your side. His hand immediately went to your bare thigh, fingers slowly caressing along your skin and working their way towards the innermost area. 

“Noah, come on. I have to finish this,” you sighed, attempting to move a bit to shake his hand away. 

“You also need to take a breather, let out some frustrations. Maybe then you can come back to it with a clear head.” 

You were ignoring his words to the best of your ability, as well as his wandering hands. 

“That's what I do when I get stuck with a song.” 

And didn't you know it. On many occasions Noah had tracked you down within the house when he should've been working, just to let out some frustrations between your legs. It didn't matter what you were in the middle of doing when he found you because he would bend you over any surface and fuck you until the creative juices were flowing again. He claimed it did the trick every time, but you weren't convinced. This is even what led to him teasingly calling you his ‘muse’ when the moments would arise. 

A heavy sigh sounded as his hands began to tug at your shorts, though you only leaned off to the side and propped yourself against the arm of the couch. You wanted space between the two of you, but not so much that it meant one of you going to another room. No, you still wanted to be close. 

“Noah…” you huffed, your foot gently nudging at him when he went for your shorts again. This time he succeeded in drawing the fabric down your legs and tossing them aside. Despite this, your eyes remained focused on the laptop screen. 

He glanced at you as his strong hands pried your knees apart and fully spread you open for him. “Continue to work if you want to,” he shrugged. 

You didn't want to admit that you had become aroused during this miniature cat and mouse game the two of you were playing, though you were sure he noticed the small wet spot beginning to form on your panties. Sometimes it was so frustrating how easily he could get you going, even when you were mad at the world and just wanted to throw something. 

Noah released one of your legs so he could run his fingers along your pussy over your panties, again and again, making lingering contact with where he knew your clit was each time. Your face remained expressionless, eyes still set on the glowing screen, but your body was definitely reacting to him. You knew you were becoming wetter by the way your panties clung to your folds and Noah continued his strokes with more vigor.  

“Is this really the time?” 

There was no response because his mouth was soon occupied with digging the tip of his tongue into your clit, the added scratch of your panties causing your toes to curl and your hips to jolt slightly. Noah smirked to himself at your reaction because he knew he would be able to get to you eventually. There was no way you'd be able to resist and you both were well aware of this. 

Tattooed fingers soon tugged your panties aside, a faint hum of delight coming from him at the sight of your wet cunt so open and vulnerable. Just his for the taking. 

“Fuck,” he murmured while lowering himself back down between your thighs. His lips secured around your clit for a gentle suck before his tongue began taking long licks across the swollen nerves. 

Your fingers stalled on the keyboard, your head falling back as a moan was pulled from your chest. How were you supposed to get your work done when Noah was so intent on using his own methods of calming you? 

“You taste so goddamn good.” 

Noah moaned into your cunt, eyes closed, the entirety of his mouth devouring you like a starved man. His motions were slow but precise, fully knowing what he was doing. He was basically a professional when it came to your body. 

Okay fine, he could win this time. 

You quickly saved the document you were working on and then closed the laptop, the device now set on the floor by the couch. Even though Noah didn't dare stop, you could tell he was excited about getting what he wanted. 

With your hands now free, you reached down to slip your fingers through his hair, eventually latching onto the dark locks. Noah dragged his tongue down to your entrance, slowly swirling around the drenched hole, only to then make his way back to your clit. He knew that if he lingered at your clit for too long then you'd be cumming in less than two minutes, and that wasn't the sort of experience he wanted you to have tonight. 

“Mmmph!” A moan transferred to a slight squeak as his teeth gently nipped at your clit, your hips bucking up towards his mouth. He chuckled to himself at your reaction, which only earned him a firm tug to his hair. 

Noah glanced up to you, playfully glaring. He shook his head as he sat up just enough to shift your legs together, your panties quickly slipped down and tossed aside to be forgotten like your shorts. You were then being spread open again and no time was wasted before he was back to business. 

“Oh! Oh my god, just like that!” 

A couple of long fingers plunged into your cunt, slowly easing in and out and pressing up to your g-spot in a way that had you panting and your body trembling. The sensations were maddening, especially as Noah’s tongue swirled around your clit, alternating between this and firmly suctioning his lips around it. 

“Mmm, don't stop. Yes!” 

His fingers drove deep into your pussy and then paused once fully buried. You made a slight sound of protest, prompting him to begin making that goddamned ‘come hither’ bending motion that made your breath hitch and your lower back arch. 

“You like that, baby?” He taunted, long swipes of his tongue again being taken in an agonizingly slow pace. Each motion caused your pussy to clamp around his fingers, the sound of how wet you were easily deciphered behind your moans and heavy breaths. 

“Y-Yes…” you stammered, nodding. “It feels so fucking amazing.” 

Noah's proud smirk was so prominent that you swore you could feel it against your pussy. Honestly, it was impossible to miss. He always loved knowing how good he could make you feel with just his hands and mouth, and sometimes only his words too. 

Your body felt like it was overheating, although in a good way. To ease some of the fire, you grabbed onto the hem of your shirt and pulled it up over your chest. Your abdomen was tense from contracting, pert breasts on full display for him. It only took a moment for you to begin rubbing and kneading over your tits, squeezing them together and sinking your fingers in deep. Noah glanced up to you, his mouth stilling completely though his fingers continued their thrusts. 

“You're so needy,” he grinned as his lips began to move along your inner thigh. He suckled and bit at the tender skin, making sure it was hard enough to leave little marks behind, ones that only he would be able to see and know who you belonged to. 

“All you needed was for me to make you feel good, baby,” he breathed along your heated flesh. “Fuck the frustrations right out of you.” 

The addition of his low voice, along with you now pinching and rolling your nipples, had you right where he wanted you. Noah gave no warning before forcing a third finger into your already tight and stretched cunt, the intensity making you drop your hands to the couch so you could grip onto the cushions for dear life. 

“Noah!! Fuck!” 

The pressure of your orgasm was swelling until your body couldn't contain it any longer. You were in a frenzy as your hips grinded down against his fingers in time with his thrusts, nails scratching along the leather couch, head tossed back so your passionate cries could freely ring. That’s when Noah’s skilled mouth attacked your pussy again, his tongue hungrily lapping at your clit and your arousal that had spilled past his fingers. He groaned against you, and you even noticed his own hips rutting into the couch, his whole body being put into eating you out. 

“Don't stop…right there…” you gasped and moaned between each statement, the climax coming on fast and strong. “Yes…oh my god…I'm going to cum…”

Noah rammed his fingers hard into your core and made sure to stroke along your g-spot with every retreat, only to repeat the motions until you were nothing but a whimpering mess beneath him. It was that pace that finally sent you careening over the edge. Your hands grabbed the back of his head so your nails could scratch the base of his neck and along his scalp, all while your hips unapologetically pressed as close to his mouth as possible. This left him no choice but to continue circling your clit and pulling it between his lips, suckling as if your life depended on this orgasm alone. 

Your cunt surged around his fingers in a flood that rushed with such force that you could see his chin glistening, as well as the couch that now pooled with your cum. 

Satisfied with his work, Noah began to slow down his pace only when your hips did first. His goal was for you to ride out the orgasm as long as possible, and the way your body still twitched and your pussy clenched let him know all he needed to. 

As your body stilled, he slowly retrieved his fingers and watched in awe as more of your arousal dripped from your spent cunt. Typically he liked to watch as his own cum spilled from you, but right now wasn't about him. 

Noah slowly kissed along your thighs, across your abdomen, and up to your lips which he eagerly claimed with his own. You were still in haze, floating in your own little world thanks to the great orgasm, but even that couldn't stop you from moving your lips in perfect sync with his. As your arms slinked around the back of his neck, his hands dragged up your sides until he was grasping firm to your waist to pull you close. 

“Feeling better?” 

You softly laughed, a content sigh following as if to show him just how relaxed you were now. 

“Yes…and now I really do need to finish my paper but all I want to do is that again and again…and maybe again for good measure.” 

Brushing a hand along the side of your face to push your hair back, Noah grinned, his head slowly nodding in agreement to your words. Unfortunately, he knew he couldn't let himself be that bad of an influence over you. 

“Finish your paper and then we can see about that. Think of it as motivation.”  

[sissyisawitch]

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Relationship: Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

Summary: After leaving everything behind and starting a new life almost three years ago, MC returns to Hogsmeade for Christmas Eve. Little does she know that her brief return will be enough for her past to catch up with her…

Word Count: ~9.4k

Warnings: Mentions of alcohol in the beginning? Otherwise it's just pure pining and fluff

Author's Note: Special one shot because I just love Christmas. It should've been even longer, but I had to shorten it, or I'd never have managed to post it in time for Christmas. Anyway, I had a blast writing it, and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did!

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas!🎅🎄 Lots of love💕

“Oh, MC, I can’t get over how much we’ve missed of each other’s life. You can’t imagine how much I’ve missed you!”

MC and Poppy sat in a cozy corner of the Three Broomsticks, whose dim lighting and soft hum of conversation provided a comfortable backdrop for their reunion. Excitement and laughter had been echoing for the past hours, as the two best friends shared their numerous respective adventures, and reminisced about the wonderful times they shared while at Hogwarts.

“Life sadly took us on separate journeys after graduation, there was no other way… But I'm so grateful that we haven't lost touch.” MC said as she took a sip of her third Butterbeer of the afternoon. She had never realised how much she had missed the sugary drink, especially after being away from Hogsmeade for so long. It tasted of the good old days when she spent the entire day shopping with her schoolmates, before going for a collation to relax and forget about the homework they had to do.

After Hogwarts, Poppy became a renowned Magizoologist, following in her grandmother's footsteps, like she had always dreamt of doing. As for MC, she had taken a very different path. Barely a few weeks after graduating, the girl had decided to leave everything behind and embark on a life full of travel and adventure. She never stayed in one location for very long. Her aim was to discover as many places as she could.

Now, the only thing left of her former life was her best friend Poppy, and the letters they regularly exchanged. It was for her that MC had exceptionally returned to Hogsmeade, to see her on this Christmas Eve.

“Merlin… I didn’t realise it was so late already.” MC sighed as she looked out the window. The evening sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow through the pub windows.

Poppy grimaced in response, as if a bittersweet realisation came to her, “Time flies when you’re having fun. I wish I could stay longer... but Gran hasn't been well lately, and I've already left her on her own all afternoon...”

“Don't worry, Poppy. I totally understand.”

“I'd love to offer you a place to stay, especially since it’s Christmas Eve… but as I said, it's complicated at the moment.”

MC offered the girl another genuine and reassuring smile, “It’s okay, I don't mind. I've managed to find a room in an inn for a couple of days.”

“I'm glad to hear that.” Poppy smiled back, although ruefully.

After paying for their drinks, the two girls made their way out. They stood on the porch on the Three Broomstick in contemplative silence, the air thick with unspoken emotions. The time had come to bid farewell once again.

Poppy took a deep breath, as if to get rid of the lump in her throat, before breaking the silence, "MC, it's been wonderful catching up with you. I wish we could freeze time and stay like this forever."

A wistful smile played on MC's lips. "Life moves on, though. We have our own journeys to continue."

Poppy hesitated before uttering her newt words, “…Don't let it be another three years before our next reunion."

“It won’t. I promise.” MC replied weakly, having to bite the inside of her cheek to hold back her tears. She had never been very good at goodbyes.

Maybe that was why she had never said one to Sebastian.

With a lingering hug, they exchanged a few more words, promises to stay in touch, and expressions of hope for the future. It was nightfall when Poppy finally disapparated, leaving MC alone on the village streets, which were neither crowded nor deserted. Most of the people still outside were on their way home, or off to enjoy a late drink with their friends.

MC walked for a while, before stopping at a vantage point overlooking the quaint village which was bathed in the soft glow of Christmas lights that shimmered like a galaxy full of stars. Tremendous decorated Christmas trees could be found on every street corner, perfectly matching the garlands of fir branches that linked the roofs of the various cottages. It was even possible to find some snowmen that were bewitched to fill the air with the enchanting melodies of Christmas carols. The whole scene resembled a holiday postcard brought to life, especially with the thick blanket of snow covering the village.

It was magical. Literally.

As MC gazed at the picturesque view, memories started flooding her mind. The charming village setting reminded her of the spirited Christmases she used to share with Sebastian, spending the best part of their day at Zonko's trying to find a way to prank Ominis, before heading off to Honeydukes to buy Chocolate Frogs, just in case the blond ended up sulking for too long. The inseparable duo then made it back to the Great Hall just in time for the big Christmas feast, where they joined Ominis. The smell of roasted turkey, and the sound of familiar laughter echoed in MC’s thoughts.

After dinner, the group of friends used to return to their common room and sit down by the fire. She could almost hear the crackling of the fireplace, and feel the camaraderie that accompanied their joyful exchange of gifts. After that, Ominis fell asleep very quickly, and MC and Sebastian usually took the opportunity to get a little closer. If she closed her eyes, she could feel the sensation of his shoulder used as a pillow against her cheek, while his woody cologne invaded her nostrils.

MC could never escape these kinds of memories, especially when she was in Hogsmeade.

Everything always led back to Sebastian in Hogsmeade.

That was why she had refused to set foot there for so long.

To forget the insurmountable heartbreak of never having her feelings returned by the love of her life, MC had decided to start a new life. She had wanted to move on, to forget her feelings for Sebastian, but she had known that this would prove to be impossible with him in her life. She had therefore decided to make a clean break – because she knew that bidding Sebastian farewell was not a skill she possessed – and to disappear brutally. To make her plan even more effective, she had also cut ties with Ominis, seeing as he was Sebastian’s best friend, and MC had felt awkward to put him in the middle of her drama. The only thing MC had kept from her old life was Poppy... now her one and only friend.

MC had then spent years travelling around the world, searching for a place where she would feel comfortable enough, and that she would love enough to want to settle there for the rest of her life. The goal to her quest was to find a place that felt like home.

After almost three years, she still had not found her home.

“Ow!” MC suddenly exclaimed. Someone forcefully colliding against her back disrupted her reverie.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am. I didn’t see you.”

MC turned at the sound of a deep masculine voice. Indeed, the man could not possibly have seen her, for he was carrying a large pile of children's toys in his arms, up to his eye level, thus blocking his field of vision.

The man shifted the pile of toys into one of his arms instead of both, moving them away from his face to take a look at the unlucky person he had just unintentionally bumped into.

Next thing MC knew, before she could even realise it, MC found herself face to face with none other than Sebastian.

His chocolate eyes widened in recognition as they locked onto hers. An amalgam of shock and bewilderment flashing across his face, washing away his previous apologetic look. He was so flabbergasted that he forgot about the packages in his hands, which began to wobble. MC rushed closer to him, to put the parcels back upright, and prevent them from shattering on the floor.

“…MC?” He asked hesitantly, never tearing his gaze away from her, just to make sure he was not dreaming, that his former best friend was well and truly standing in front of him.

“Hi.” She smiled softly at him. She could not believe that she had not recognised what had once been the only voice capable of soothing her even on her worst days. To be fair, it had changed remarkably. It was more intense, manly... even sexy.

“You’re back?” He questioned eagerly, a beaming grin breaking through the initial stupor.

MC nodded in response. She could not bring herself to tell him that it was only temporary, or even worse to admit to him that she had not come back for him, that she had never had a single intention of ever seeing him again. She could not be the one to wipe that gorgeous smile from his tantalising lips. It would break her own heart all over again.

As she kept staring into those familiar eyes, a rush of emotions overwhelmed MC. The old crush she had once harboured seemed to reignite with an unexpected intensity. It was unbelievably insane that just one glance at him was all it took to make her flamboyant feelings for him resurface. She thought she had managed to eradicate them, but she had actually only been able to bury them deep inside.

However, with that also came the horrid realisation that Sebastian was carrying a large number of toys in his arms. As MC looked once again at the eye-catching bundles in his arms, reality struck her like a cold breeze.

There, nestled in his grasp, was the object of the rude shock that life had evolved without her, in ways she never could have foreseen. Obviously, these toys were for his children, meaning that Sebastian was also married and had a loving wife waiting at home for him.

MC, still quite in denial, racked her brains to find another rational explication, but there was none. There was no other option because Ominis always said he never wanted kids in order not to pass on his ‘cursed Gaunt genes’. As for Anne… well last time MC had heard of Anne was the day Solomon Sallow died. After that, she had severed all contact with everyone except Ominis, who had promised her not to divulge any information about her whereabouts.

MC’s heart sank as her mind kept repeating itself that Sebastian had moved on, embracing a world that now included the joy and responsibility of raising a family.

“Merlin, MC! I thought I’d never see you again! You’ve missed so many things, there’s so much I need to tell you! Do you live here now?” If Sebastian had ever held a grudge against MC for disappearing without warning, no trace of it was visible. His excitement was taking over completely.

“I have a room at the Hog’s Head.”

“What? The Hog’s Head?” He exclaimed in horror – rather dramatically if you asked MC – “You can't possibly stay in this dodgy shithouse!”

MC was surprised by his crude words. She was used to his outspokenness, but she had not expected to hear it again so soon after such a long time. She could only shrug sheepishly, “I don't really have much choice... Sirona didn't have any more rooms available for me. Everything was booked up… you know… with the holidays.”

“Ah... Well, I can't exactly let a lovely lady like you sleep there. I've got room at home, you can come if you like.” Sebastian puffed out his chest, putting on his false air of chivalry.

MC tried her best to conceal the blush creeping up her cheeks, but alas, she could do nothing about her nervous stammering, “Oh… Oh, I… I don’t wanna bother you. Besides, the Hog’s Head’s not that bad…”

“Don't say no. Please. Really, I insist. We could spend the evening drinking and catching up… What d’you say?” Sebastian gave her the sad puppy eyes, and MC could feel all her resolve slipping away at the same second.

Thinking about it twice, the Hog's Head was truly, absolutely dreadful. The few times MC had been there, she had been catcalled far too many times for her liking.

So yes, she knew that staying with Sebastian, his wife and their children was going to be pure torture, but MC still preferred that to the risk of being mugged or assaulted by one of the Hog's Head patrons.

“Okay.” She ended up saying, forcing a smile that masked her internal turmoil.

“Brilliant!” Sebastian looked so excited that it would not have surprised MC if he had started jumping up and down. “Have you got any luggage you need to pick up in your room before going to my place?”

“No, I've just got this." MC replied, pointing to her small rectangular shoulder bag, barely large enough to hold a box of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. “I travel light.”

“Perfect! Well then, if you will follow me, my lady.” He offered her his arm with a wink, and after a brief moment of surprise, she accepted it.

Sebastian made it so effortless to fall back into their old dynamic, that it made it just as natural and easy for MC to do the same. It was like they had never been apart.

They walked together, sticking close to each other, in the same way they used to do when they were still teenagers. As they strolled through the streets of Hogsmeade, MC assumed Sebastian was taking her to a Floo Flame. The girl was therefore genuinely caught off-guard when he stopped in front of her. a small house typical of the village – made of stone with an excessively pointed roof – and took out a key to open the front door.

“Ladies first.” Sebastian's face lit up with pride and joy, while he let MC in first, still the perfect gentleman as usual. Even married, he could not help being flirty.

Before entering, MC took a deep breath to try and calm her nerves, in anticipation of meeting the woman who had succeeded where she had failed, the woman who was better enough than her in Sebastian's eyes to have succeeded in stealing his golden heart.

However, instead of coming face to face with her nemesis, MC found herself immersed in an intimate reflection of Sebastian's essence, overwhelmed by how homey it felt. The house was truly cosy, but a little small for a family in MC's opinion. But then again, it had to be remembered that Sebastian was used to small spaces, having lived in his little one-room cottage in Feldcroft for most of his life.

The living room had the charm of disarray, with stacks of well-read books scattered on the coffee table next to empty mugs, suggesting that Sebastian had not lost his messy habits. The smell of the fireplace and coffee intermingled, creating a comforting atmosphere that reflected precisely the way Sebastian always managed to put MC at ease.

MC guessed that the upstairs, which was in fact a mezzanine, must be the bedroom. She did not dare go upstairs to respect his privacy, but from the ground floor, she could see the top of bookshelves reaching up to the pointed roof, proof that Sebastian was still as thirsty for knowledge as ever.

All these little details showed MC that, although his life had evolved, the man standing a few steps away from her was still her beloved Sebastian.

Sebastian, observing MC's reactions, could not suppress a grin, "It's not much, but it's home. You can have the bedroom, and I'll sleep on the couch.”

On further inspection of the house, MC came upon the kitchen, which was open to the living room. She could not help noticing that the worktops bore the marks of failed culinary experiments. Some pans with burnt bottoms were abandoned on the counter, and dirty cutlery had accumulated in the sink. In short, the kitchen was a mess, just as Sebastian could be in other people's lives.

However, what stood out most to MC was the absence of signs of shared living. There were no visible traces of another person – no stray belongings, no indications of a partner or children. It was as if the whole house resonated with Sebastian alone, as if his whole person had become woven into the fabric of his environment.

As MC continued to stare in silence at his topsy-turvy house, Sebastian scratched the back of his neck nervously, “Don't pay attention to the shambles, please. I didn't clean up... since I wasn't exactly expecting any guests.”

Instead of reassuring him as she would have liked, MC's curiosity was quicker to take over her next words, “Where’s your wife?”

“My wife?” Sebastian frowned.

“Yes. The woman you married.” She added bitterly. Her curiosity slowly lowered its mask to reveal its true self of authentic jealousy.

He looked away, but MC could still see that he was biting the inside of his cheek to keep a straight face, “I’m flattered you think I’m charming enough to get a wife, but I’m afraid there’s still no Mrs. Sallow. Besides Anne, of course.”

“Oh.”

“Oh?” Sebastian chuckled at her enigmatic reaction.

“I thought the toys were for your kids…” She admitted shyly, pretty embarrassed after making so many wrong assumptions about him.

“My kids? Bloody hell, MC, you sure have high expectations for me!” Sebastian exclaimed, clearly amused by the situation. “But no, I don't have kids. The toys are for my niece.”

MC was gob smacked, eyes wide and mouth agape, “Your… niece? You have a niece? Anne had a child? Wait, did she get married? With who?”

“That’s a lot of questions.” He smirked playfully at her, while looking for a bottle in one of his cabinets. “But I think you can guess the answer to the last one.”

MC looked down at her feet, taking a moment to think, when realisation hit her like a bolt of lightning. She turned her head back to Sebastian so fast it almost gave her whiplash, “Ominis?”

“Bingo.” Sebastian replied casually, uncorking a bottle of Firewhiskey. “And he took Anne's name. He's Mr. Sallow now.”

“No way!” She gasped, letting herself fall limply onto the sofa out of utter stupefaction.

“Yes way.” He laughed wholeheartedly, sitting down next to her and pouring two glasses of alcohol for each of them.

"How? When?"

"Apparently, after fifth year, they did more than just keep in touch."

MC took her glass in hand, but did not drink from it. She had far too many questions on her mind to take the time to have a sip, "But how did they deal with Anne's curse?"

"It disappeared once you killed Rookwood, since he was the one who cursed her. Apparently, magic disappears with the caster. I learnt all this a few months after graduation, when Anne got back in touch to invite me to their wedding…”

Sebastian suddenly paused in his explanations to down his glass of Firewhiskey in one gulp.

“She wanted to invite you too… I had to explain to her that you'd disappeared without warning." He continued, looking pained, and MC suspected it was not just because of the bitterness of the alcohol.

"I'm sorry." MC winced at her own words. She was pathetic to listen to, using the most clichéd and basic phrase. But it was all she could muster to respond, because it was exactly how she felt. She was profoundly sorry. Sorry to the people she cherished the most, for abandoning them without looking back. But also sorry for herself, because she now had to accept the bitter realisation that she had been absent for so many crucial milestones of their lives.

Sebastian only shook his head, avoiding her gaze and preferring to stare at his empty glass, "Why did you do that? Why didn't you say anything? I was worried sick ‘cause I thought something bad had happened to you, that some Ashwinders were still out there, and had kidnapped you. I spent months looking for you... I'd even asked the Aurors to search for you.”

MC sipped her drink slowly, using the alcohol as a distraction from the painfully heartbreaking explanations of the man sitting next to her

“…They eventually found you overseas. In perfect health... and in perfect company so I've heard. That's when I realised that you hadn't been taken away, but had gone away of your own free will.” Sebastian poured himself another glass before throwing it back again.

“I'm so sorry.”

He scoffed bitterly, “I don't want to hear that you're sorry. It's no use. I just want to know what you were thinking when you left.”

This time, it was MC's turn to down her glass before pouring her heart out in the most honest way possible, "I just needed to get away from everything, from the past. I just wanted to start again."

Against all odds, he nodded understandingly, "Wish I could stay mad at you for it... but I won’t say that I don’t understand."

What he did next surprised MC in the most pleasant way. Sebastian reached out towards her, placing his large hand on top of hers, which was resting on the brown leather of the sofa. Even if his hand was calloused and weathered by time and experience, MC was amazed by how perfectly it fit around her own.

"What matters is that you're here now." He offered her a tender smile that warmed her heart in the most appeasing way. Only he could do that to her.

"I am." MC smiled in return, even more brightly. It was contagious. She turned her hand over and intertwined their fingers together.

As their conversation died down, MC could not help but steal a moment to observe the transformation in Sebastian’s appearance. The once-adorable teenage boy she remembered had blossomed into a handsome man. His features, chiselled by the passage of time, sculpted a strong jawline that added a touch of rugged refinement to his countenance. The shadow of a beard adorned his face, giving him a distinguished and slightly mysterious air. Sebastian's tousled hair fell with a casual elegance, framing a face that bore the subtle imprints of life's experiences, such as a scar on his eyebrow arch that MC had never seen before.

The only remaining trace of the boyish charm that MC had cherished years ago, was the constellations of freckles that beautifully decorated his face. They had always made MC weak in the knees, but the butterflies in her stomach were multiplied tenfold now that they were highlighted by his light tan.

MC internally begged herself to stop ogling him before she fell further under his spell (if that was even possible, considering how head over heels she was for him).

She poured herself another drink and cleared her throat, “You said you wanted to catch up over drinks, right? Go ahead. Tell me about yourself.”

As Sebastian spoke, MC found herself captivated by the way he carried himself – his confidence unaltered after all these years, and the assurance with which he gestured. There was an understated magnetism in the way he spoke, a reflection of the man he had become since they last parted. As he easily recounted all he had achieved, MC marvelled at the beauty of the journey that had transformed him into the person sitting in front of her.

And so, MC listened attentively, desperate to know everything she had missed about him. She thus learnt that, after Hogwarts, Sebastian had joined the Auror recruitment programme. His first reason was that it was a profession he was passionate about, and that allowed him to do what he loved all day long. The second reason – and perhaps the most important – was because he knew that this career would help him to achieve noble things. In other words, it was his way of making amends for all the mistakes he had made in the past, in the hope that Anne would eventually forgive him too (which had taken a long time, but eventually worked out).

After having been accepted into the programme, Sebastian knew that he would not be able to stay in Feldcroft, firstly because the cottage held too many painful memories, but also because it was now Anne and Ominis' shared home. Consequently, he had found himself a small studio in London, not far from the Ministry. However, even after spending several months there, it just never felt like home to him. He resented the lack of green space, and the fact that he always had to check that none of his Muggle neighbours noticed that he was a wizard. So he moved again.

Looking for a place that was both in the heart of the Highlands and still bustling with life, Sebastian found only one possibility: Hogsmeade. The small, all-wizarding village met all his expectations, and the Ministry was easy to reach thanks to the Floo Network. And so, Sebastian moved into this small cottage, perfect for his life as a bachelor.

“So Auror Sallow, huh?” MC said playfully. “Well, can Auror Sallow win a duel against Ancient Magic Prodigy MC?”

“He sure hopes he can, since it’s supposed to be his job.” Sebastian laughed along with her.

“Do you want to put yourself to the test?” She cocked an eyebrow at him mischievously.

“You know I never shy away from a duel.” He replied with the same spark of deviltry in his eyes.

Without wasting any more time, Sebastian stood up, then turned to MC, holding out his hand to help her up. It was a simple gesture, but it was enough to make MC's cheekbones turn pink, as would any act of affection she received from Sebastian.

The two took their positions, taking a few steps apart before facing each other. It had been years since they last engaged in the exhilarating dance of magical duelling, a pastime that had once defined their youth, especially after being named Crossed Wands champions for three years running.

"Ready?" Sebastian grinned, the confidence of experience illuminating his eyes.

"Always." MC replied, wand at the ready, and they prepared to rediscover the thrill that had bound them together in shared laughter and friendly rivalry.

Ever the perfect gentleman, Sebastian let MC commence hostilities.

“Expelliarmus!”

“You're off to an easy start.” Sebastian laughed after brushing the attack off with a simple Shield Charm. “Confringo!”

MC deflected the spell just as easily, smirking right back at him, “You're off to a predictable start.”

A symphony of lights ensued, as sparks and spells flew, and the air shimmered with the energy of their magical prowess. MC’s spells were fluid and controlled, a testament to the skill she had honed over the years. Sebastian, however, moved with a newfound grace and precision, his every movement reflecting the growth and mastery he had attained thanks to the Auror training.

The duelling only grew in intensity as the two friends weaved intricate spells, each trying to outmanoeuvre the other. Laughter and teasing remarks echoed through the night as memories of their youth resurfaced in the midst of their magical exchange.

After several long and intense minutes of competing against each other, Sebastian unexpectedly directed his wand away from MC, aiming instead at the ceiling, and more precisely at the chandelier hanging from it.

“Glacius!” The candles obviously failed to resist the ice and were instantly extinguished on contact, plunging the room into semi-darkness.

Distracted by the newfound refined strategy established by Sebastian – which he had no doubt learnt to put in place at the speed of light during one of his courses – MC did not notice Sebastian disappear under a Disillusionment Charm, which was all the more effective as there was hardly any light in the living room, apart from the orange flames crackling in the fireplace.

With a final, masterful flick of his wand, Sebastian cast the final blow, “Depulso.”

MC found herself propelled to the floor, her back slamming against the sofa. Judging by the underwhelming low force of the impact, it was easy to guess that he had restrained himself, so as not to hurt her.

“Looks like I've had my long-awaited revenge for fifth year. I've finally bested you in a duel." Sebastian, breathing slightly heavier but grinning ear to ear, extended a hand to help her up.

MC, refusing to admit defeat, grabbed Sebastian's hand but only to make him fall to the ground beside her. She rolled them over until she was astride him, holding him firmly down.

She grinned down at him, “Really? Because I actually think I’ve won.”

He barked a laugh, “And I think you've forgotten the rule that you're not allowed to use physical violence in a wizard duel.”

“Since when do we play by the rules?”

Their gazes met for the umpteenth time that night, but this time was different. It was as if time had come to a standstill, as if the world had momentarily stopped spinning for them, just to let them savour the closeness of the moment.

MC kept staring into Sebastian's chocolate eyes, and was truly taken aback by what she saw in them. His eyes, once full of youthful curiosity, now sparkled with a different kind of radiance. They shone with a brightness that seemed to reflect the happiness and contentment he had found in his life. The laughter lines around his eyes only enhanced their glow, and as MC looked into those bright, expressive eyes, she could not help but feel a sense of joy for the man who had evolved from the adorable teenage friend she once knew, into the confident and content individual currently lying on the ground beneath her.

In those eyes, she saw the echoes of the genuine happiness that had transformed Sebastian into the person he was meant to be, the person she should have met from the very beginning of fifth year, if only Anne had never been cursed by Rookwood.

But now Sebastian was completely fulfilled with every aspect of his life. It was as plain as the nose on his face. And the feeling was made all the clearer by the fact that his lively eyes were perfectly matched by his wide toothy grin, which shone brightly even in the middle of the darkened living room.

After eventually snapping out of her thoughts, MC pulled herself away from Sebastian and helped him straighten up, “I’m proud of you, Seb, of what you’ve become. The future Mrs. Sallow will be very lucky to have a capable man like you by her side.”

Sebastian sat down next to her on the floor, facing the fireplace, and back resting against the sofa behind them, “She’ll never be as lucky as Mr. MC will be. I hope he’ll realise he’s got the most brilliant witch of the world by his side.”

MC grabbed his arm and hugged it close to her chest, while hooking her leg over one of his. Their limbs were tangled together, clinging to each other. Sebastian seemed to have no objection to this new positioning. In fact, he seemed quite delighted as he wrapped an arm around the shoulders of the girl next to him.

“What d’you think he’ll be like, my future husband?” She asked quietly.

“He’ll have to be right for you.” He replied all too solemnly.

A small laugh escaped her, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means it has to be someone who will know how to take care of you, and give you everything you need to be happy, without a single shred of hesitation. It will be someone who's worthy of standing by your side and will be able to protect you from any danger… so basically someone who'll be able to defeat me in a duel."

"Seems like I'll be stuck with you for the rest of my life, then." MC continued to smile, but it was no longer in amusement. It was something more akin to contentment.

Sebastian mirrored her expression, "Perhaps you will. I can’t imagine it'd be too bad, would it?"

"Apart from your occasional bad temper, I think I could take it." She rested her head on his strong shoulder.

MC was not sure whether it was the fatigue accumulated from her perpetual travels, or the feeling of being in a warm, comfortable home, or even the fact of being reunited with Sebastian (it was probably all three), but her eyelids became heavy without her even realising it, leading her into a peaceful sleep.

“I'm going to celebrate Christmas at Anne and Ominis' house tomorrow. You're coming.” Sebastian declared out of the blue, without realising that the girl had started dozing off.

“What? No, Seb, I can’t do that. I can’t just barge in when I wasn’t invited.” MC mumbled groggily.

“You don’t need an invitation, MC. It’s you. You’re always welcome.” He retorted instantly, as if it was the most common fact to ever exist. “Plus, they miss you, so they’ll be the happiest people in the world if you show up.”

“I won't even have a present to give them...” She muttered like a pouting small child, which made it impossible for Sebastian to hold back a chuckle.

“You're back. Believe me, that's better than any present you could buy.”

Sebastian's fingers subconsciously started tracing invisible shapes on her arm, effectively lulling her back to sleep.

❄∗❆∗❅⁂∗☃∗⁂❅∗❆∗❄

The next morning, MC was woken by the few rays of winter sunshine that the curtains had failed to hold back. Keeping her eyes closed to enjoy a few more minutes of rest, she rolled onto her stomach and was pleasantly surprised by the feel of soft sheets against the skin of her face. But what struck her most was that she could smell Sebastian's perfume all around her, as if she were immersed in one of the bottles.

Completely enveloped by the sophisticated fusion of woody undertones and hints of vetiver, and the enigmatic charm it carried, MC opened her eyes and realised that she had indeed spent the night in Sebastian's bed. On seeing this, MC let herself think that Sebastian had slept in the same bed as her, and that perhaps, with a little bit of luck, he reciprocated her feelings.

A flutter of anticipation flickered within her, one that prevented her from staying in bed any longer. Without wasting any more time, MC descended the mezzanine stairs to the living room, where Sebastian was already sitting on the couch, Daily Prophet in hand.

“Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Sebastian greeted her with a smile when he noticed her standing at the bottom of the stairs.

MC realised he must have been up for quite some time, for he was freshly cleaned up – the lack of stubble which had been present the previous day was testament to it – and already dressed up for the imminent Christmas reunion. He was clad in a tan windowpane shirt, coupled with a gingerbread brown vest matching his tailored pants. The choice of colours could not have been more perfect. All those shades of brown brought out all his most majestic features: his unruly yet soft hair, his freckled skin, his warm and reassuring eyes…

Sebastian was making it humanly impossible to tear one’s gaze away from his god-like appearance, and MC could not resist making a comment about it.

“Morning, handsome.” She smirked playfully back at him.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Better than ever.” MC admitted, a discreet pink tinting her cheekbones. “Just a question, though. How did I get up there?”

“I carried you, of course. Couldn't let you sleep on the floor. What kind of host would I have been?”

“And… you slept…?”

“On the couch. Just like I told you I would.” Sebastian smiled tenderly.

“Right.”

And with these few simple words, reality dawned on MC. Disappointment settled in, like a gentle snowfall dampening the warm embers of her previous hope that Sebastian harboured feelings for her.

The truth was that he had chosen the sofa over sharing the bed with her, a sign that he still viewed MC as nothing more than a friend. The girl felt her heart tug, like a reminder of why she had chosen not to be part of his life any more.

MC took a deep breath, “I'm gonna go and get ready, so we don't arrive late at Anne and Ominis'.”

“Anne likes us all to be dressed up for Christmas. We can go and buy you a dress at Gladrags, if you'd like–”

She immediately shook her head, “No, no, it's fine. Don't worry, I've got everything I need.”

MC took out her wand and pointed it at her small shoulder bag on the floor. With a simple flick, the object grew tenfold in volume until it reached the size of a suitcase. MC opened it, revealing that the bag had been enchanted to be bottomless, and she climbed inside it before disappearing. All that could be heard was the sound of her footsteps, and her bustle as she went through all sorts of outfits.

“Talk about travelling light.” Sebastian snickered.

A few moments later, MC emerged back from the suitcase as if climbing a ladder, wearing an ankle-length cotton mahogany dress. The corset hugged her waist perfectly, and highlighted her bust with its square neckline and short puffed sleeves. The dress was nothing extravagant, but the fact that it fit her like a glove was what made it so charming.

“Is this dress all right? Think it'll be nice enough for Anne?” She gave it a twirl, so that Sebastian could see it from every angle, before putting on a black cloak to protect herself from the winter cold.

“It looks great. You look great. Well, not great, actually. I mean– More like stunning. You look stunning, you do. We’re even matching. The colour, I mean. Because obviously you look better than me.” Sebastian stammered awkwardly, his cheeks tinged with a hint of shyness. “Merlin, this is awful. I need to learn to shut up.”

“It’s alright. I understood what you meant, that's the most important thing.” MC could only chuckle at his new bashfulness. She found it absolutely endearing.

Sebastian took a deep breath before speaking more clearly, “What I’m trying to say is… You're beautiful. You’ve always been.”

“Thank you, Seb.” She met his gaze, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

He tried to divert attention from his nervousness by slipping on his long black coat, and grabbing the wrapped gifts for his niece, “Ready to go?”

MC nodded in response, waiting for Sebastian to apparate them. She expected him to grab her by the arm, but instead he wrapped an arm around her waist. He brought her small figure close to him, as if he wanted to make sure that she would be comfortable during the apparition, that there was not even the slightest chance for her to get splinched.

With a loud crack, the world began to spin. Next thing she knew, MC was standing in the middle of the snowy village of Feldcroft. As she tried to right herself, she staggered slightly, dizzy from the apparition, whose effects were far more brutal when someone was doing it for you. Fortunately, Sebastian still had an arm wrapped around her waist to cradle her against him. With his other hand, he grabbed her elbow to steady her.

Once Sebastian was certain that MC was all right, he guided her towards the Sallow cottage, which she had not seen for years. From the outside, it looked much bigger than she remembered, particularly because it had an extra floor. Sebastian explained that he had helped Anne and Ominis enlarge it after their wedding, so that they would have enough room for their future family.

Sebastian was the first to set foot on the cottage porch. He hid MC behind him with his body, to create an effect of surprise, then knocked on the door. It was Anne who answered, appearing in the doorway wearing a sublime ankle-length midnight-blue velvet dress adorned with cultured pearls.

"Sebastian! I told you to buy only one present! She's going to end up spoiled rotten if this keeps up." Anne exclaimed without even greeting her brother.

"She's my only niece. Who am I to spend my money on if not her?"

"How 'bout your sister?" She raised an accusing eyebrow at him, while clearing him of all the packages in his arms.

"Ah, but I've brought a surprise for you too. Look what I found last night…" He intoned with amusement, and stepped aside to reveal MC. "A lost soul who wanted to spend Christmas alone at the Hog’s Head!"

"Oh my, MC!" Anne swiftly pulled the girl into a bear hug. "Ominis, come here!"

"What is it, sweetie?" The blond man called from afar, carrying his daughter in his arms.

Judging by the way he had stopped dead in his tracks, coming to an abrupt halt, MC knew that he had sensed her presence thanks to his sentient wand.

Sebastian decided to take his brother-in-law’s daughter off his hands, so that the two friends could reunite peacefully, "Hey, little monster! Wanna give a hug to Uncle Seb?"

Meanwhile, MC approached her old friend and spoke softly, "Hello, Ominis."

Knowing that Ominis was not very comfortable with physical contact, especially with people he did not know well, MC was not sure how to greet him. So it came as a great surprise when he made no hesitation whatsoever and took her in his arms, holding her tightly.

"I should be telling you off for disappearing... but I'm not going to. Not today." Ominis whispered in her ear.

She chuckled lightly, "I'm happy to see you too."

"Let me take your coat." He offered after pulling away.

MC untied the ribbon from her cloak, and handed it to Ominis. She then turned to Sebastian to pick up the toddler in his arms, so that he too could remove his thick winter coat.

"Hi, little princess. I'm a friend of your mummy and daddy, and your uncle Sebastian too." MC cooed in a honeyed voice. She could not help noticing that the little girl in her arms was the perfect amalgam of her two parents. She had all her mother's features, but with meadow-blonde hair and grey-blue eyes like her father.

"Unkie! Unkie!" She pouted and made big gestures with her arms to indicate that she wanted to go back to her uncle. She truly was an uncle's little girl.

"I'm here, baby.” Sebastian immediately took her back into his arms, after giving Ominis his coat, to cradle her. “You don't have to be scared of MC. She's really nice too, you know."

"Auntie?" The one-year-old asked hesitantly, reaching out to wrap her hand around MC's index finger.

"That's right, that's Auntie MC." Sebastian encouraged her. It was impressive how he naturally had his way with kids.

It may have been silly, but something as simple as being called Auntie by a child she had just met, as well as by Sebastian, awakened something in her, a sense of belonging that had been dormant for a long time. She truly felt like a fully-fledged member of this family.

Anne suddenly let out a sigh, "I'd love to be able to celebrate the reunion with you, but I've still got lots of things to do in the kitchen. Sebastian, can you look after the baby while Ominis lays the table?"

"I'll come and help you, Anne." MC declared.

"Thank you, MC. You're too kind." Anne exited the living room, followed by MC.

“So… You and Ominis, huh?” MC started once they were alone. She was sitting across from Anne at the small kitchen table which was covered in food stains from preparing the meal.

Anne immediately shook her head, “Oh, no, no. We’ll have plenty of time to talk about my marital life later. Let's talk about how you ended up here with my brother after all these years."

"We ran into each other last night in Hogsmeade. He offered me to sleep over, and we basically spent the better part of the night talking." MC shrugged.

"And?” Anne pried impatiently. “What happened?"

"Nothing. What do you want to happen?”

“Nothing. It was just a random question.” Anne replied coyly while she finished icing the Yule log. “So, update me as well. Where are you in life? Have you met anyone?”

“No, not at all. I haven't really had time for that.”

“That's a shame.”

“What – uhm – What about him?” MC did not look up from the kilted soldiers she was preparing, in an attempt to appear nonchalant. Needless to say, it was a failure.

“Who?” Anne feigned ignorance.

MC heaved a sigh, deciding to finally meet her friend's gaze, “Sebastian. Has he met anyone recently?”

Anne bit the inside of her cheek, "I think you should ask him directly."

"I'm scared it'll be awkward…"

"Well… if you want to know everything, he hasn’t courted anyone since you went away. He claims that he's not interested in dating, that he’s focusing on becoming a proper Auror first. He always finds an excuse to avoid admitting that he's already got a girl on his mind, but is too much of a coward to act upon it."

MC felt her heart skip a beat. A cold realization settled over her, making her stop everything she was doing. Her heart sank, the weight of unspoken truths pressing upon her, and she forced a tight-lipped smile, concealing the ache within as she navigated the sudden revelation that someone else was in Sebastian's heart, and it was not her.

MC swallowed thickly, "Has he known her for long?"

"Several years."

"And is she a good person? Does she treat him well?"

"He's never been happier than when he's with her." Anne admitted with a sincere smile that contrasted drastically with the unsettled look that MC was unable to disguise.

"Who is it?" She asked weakly, not entirely sure she wanted to know the answer.

"I fear that’s too much information, and that's not for me to tell. Just ask him."

Without another word on the matter, Anne gracefully pivoted, excusing herself to go back to the living room and announce that the meal was ready. MC took a moment to compose herself, swallowing the bitter pill of disappointment before joining the others in the living room.

Seated at the table, surrounded by the warmth of holiday decorations and the aroma of a festive feast, the four friends engaged in a pleasant chatter. The clinking of cutlery and laughter created a veneer of normalcy. They reminisced adventures from their time at Hogwarts, shared stories about their jobs, exchanged anecdotes about Anne and Ominis’s little one, and indulged in the delights of the Christmas meal.

“So, MC, what have you been up to during your travels?” Ominis asked as he had just finished feeding his daughter.

MC swallowed her mouthful of turkey before replying, “Well, you know, trying to explore the world and discover new places. Honestly, I’ve just been searching for a place that makes me want to stay, that feels like home.”

“And have you found that place yet?”

MC was silent for a moment. How was she supposed to explain that she had found this special place years ago, but had fled far away from it, just to search the world for something similar? Because if MC was willing to face the truth, she knew that her home was wherever Sebastian was.

Sebastian was her home.

It was quite ironic that he did not feel the same way about her…

“I… I’m not sure.” MC finally said.

“…Does that mean you’ll be back on the road again?” Ominis questioned again, but this time with caution.

“Yes. I leave tomorrow morning.” MC replied resolutely.

The clatter of dropped cutlery echoed like an unintentional punctuation to the tremendous silence that followed. Eyes widened, gazes met with uncertainty, and an unspoken tension pulsed through the room.

Anne was the first to break the palpable unease by raising her voice, “What? But you just came back! You can’t leave so soon.”

The next sound came from Sebastian's chair legs scraping the floor as he stood up abruptly and threw his napkin on the table, “Excuse me. I need some fresh air.”

His eyes did not meet anyone's as he left the table. Without even grabbing his coat, he stormed out of the house. The door slammed behind him and echoed through the deathly hush inside.

"What’s up with him? Did I say something wrong?" MC asked, disconcerted. She was completely unaware of the weight of her revelation, which had hit her friends like a tidal wave.

Anne huffed in irritation before shouting at her, "Of course you did, MC! You're supposed to be his best friend! Can't you see how cruel you're being to him?"

Ominis rested a hand on his wife's shoulder, "Calm down, sweetie. It's not her fault MC is dense."

"Hey!" The girl exclaimed indignantly, but Ominis ignored her.

"Let me put it simply for you, MC. We were all hurt when you left without saying a word, but Sebastian's been a complete wreck ever since. The usual cheerful Sebastian you know was nowhere to be found for years… until today. And that's only because you came back.”

“And now, you've just brutally told him that you plan to disappear tomorrow, and take his happiness with you! Again!" Anne insisted, determined to keep rubbing it in until realisation eventually hit the girl.

Fortunately, it worked quite quickly, but now MC did not know what to do with herself, "I... I didn't know that... I thought he’d just forget about me and move on."

"I thought you knew him better than that. Haven’t you yet realised that you're everything to him? Because it's more than time you do!"

“I… need to talk to him. Excuse me.”

MC, in turn, rushed out of the cottage, only grabbing Sebastian's coat in her haste.

The freezing air greeted her as she stepped outside, snowflakes landing on her hair and the bare skin of her arms. Thankfully, it did not take her long to spot Sebastian, who had moved slightly away from the house to lean against a tree, his shoulders hunched slightly against the winter chill.

She approached him slowly, but with a determined step, the snow crunching under her feet. She knew he had heard her by the way he straightened up, even though he seemed intent on ignoring her.

“Seb, come back inside. It’s freezing, you’re gonna catch your death.” She implored him, covering herself with her arms to protect herself from the icy wind.

“What’s it to you? You won’t even be there to see it.” He replied even more coldly than the weather, without even turning to look at her.

“…Put on your coat at least.” She insisted, extending it to him.

Sebastian took the coat from her, but instead of putting it on like expected, he draped it over her, so that she would not get cold. His hands lingered on her shoulders, which were now protected by the thick felt.

At last, he met her gaze, his eyes silently pleading with her, “Am I not good enough for you to stay? Not good enough for you to notice me?”

MC grabbed his wrists as if by instinct, “Seb, of course you’re plenty enough. You’re my oldest friend–”

Sebastian sighed in annoyance and pulled away from her, “But can’t you see it’s not enough for me?”

“…What?”

Sebastian reached into his pocket, retrieving a small velvet box. He had always imagined giving her this gift with a broad smile, but now he was opening the box with a rueful frown, to reveal a delicate ring.

“I wanted to give it to you a little after we graduated. I wanted to give it to you to confess my feelings. I wanted that ring to be a symbol of my devotion, and a promise to always remain loyal to you… Turned out life had other plans because you left the day I bought it.”

“Sebastian…” MC croaked out, doing her best to fight back the tears that threatened to fall as she stared at the magnificent jewel that was the poignant representation of all the missed opportunities and lost time.

"Now’s a good time to give it to you, I think. If you’re going to leave again, might as well be honest while I have the chance, before you run away like last time." He said acrimoniously as he placed the ring on her finger.

"Wha…” The shock took away MC's voice before she could even finish her sentence. Her eyes were riveted on the golden band. “What about the girl you like? Anne told me you were interested in someone."

"The girl I like?” He laughed humourlessly. “MC, I've been ridiculously and irrevocably in love with you since fifth year, since the day you kicked my arse in Hecat’s class. You literally knocked me off my feet. I know I didn't always show it well, but it's true, it's always been you.”

MC let out a pained grunt and hid her face in her hands in shame, "Oh Merlin, Seb... I've been such an idiot."

“Why?” Sebastian frowned.

“I've always loved you too. But I was so miserable thinking I'd never be anything more than your friend, that I decided to disappear to try and forget you.”

“And? Please, tell me it didn’t work.” His words came out desperate, almost begging.

She took his face between her hands, and lovingly caressed his cold cheeks, “It didn’t. How could I ever forget you? Being away from you only made me miss you more.”

His hands came down to rest around her waist, bringing her close to his body, in search of both solace and warmth, “It's all right. We're together now. You don't have to leave anymore. All's well that ends well.”

“Well… Not exactly all. You gave me this beautiful ring, and I have nothing to give you in return.”

“I finally have the witch of my dreams back at my side. I couldn’t dream of a better Christmas present.”

Suddenly, MC and Sebastian were interrupted by a cracking sound coming from above them. They looked up and saw a branch of mistletoe sprang out of thin air from one of the branches of the tree they were standing under, its delicate white berries shimmering in the soft glow of the surrounding lights.

Sebastian looked back down at MC, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, “Actually… I’ve just thought of a gift you could give me.”

The snowflakes descended gracefully around them, creating a magical scene that mirrored the fluttering emotions in their hearts. In that enchanting moment, with the world cocooned in a quiet hush, MC found the fiery courage and desire to close the thin gap between them. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, and their hearts were set alight, for the moment they had dreamt of most in their lives had finally become reality.

Out of enthusiasm, Sebastian tightened his grip around MC, with his arms completely wrapped around her petite frame, enveloping her in such warmth that she completely forgot they were both covered in snow. He pressed and secured her tightly against him, and lifted her off the ground. Out of reflex, the girl's hands travelled up to wrap around his neck to steady herself. Her fingertips grazed his soft curls, sending shivers down her spine.

Unfortunately, their winter wonderland moment was abruptly interrupted by the joyful cheers of their friends inside the house. MC and Sebastian reluctantly pulled away from each other, and turned in the direction of the commotion to see Anne and Ominis glued to the window to spy on them. The wand in Anne's hand was proof enough that it was she who had conjured up the mistletoe.

MC giggled, looking back at her boyfriend with stars in her eyes, and her hands resting in his chest, “Merry Christmas, Seb.”

“Merry Christmas, darling.” He answered softly before leaning in to steal another kiss from her.

MC sincerely hoped there would be another Mrs. Sallow other than Anne next Christmas, for she had finally found her home and never planned on leaving ever again.

❄∗❆∗❅⁂∗☃∗⁂❅∗❆∗❄

Part 2 : Christmas at Home (link)

[leclerc-s]

let him be a trophy husband!

series masterlist

isabella perez they've put it together.

logan sargeant no. they think it's reputation (daphne's version) not a new album.

isabella perez whatever logan. anyways. how are the grammys?

max jones-verstappen I'M BORED!

zoya torres i suspect he'll end up drunk by the end of the night. mae jones-verstappen to be fair, he was life this at the fia prize giving ceremony. daniel jones-ricciardo he always gets drunk at things like this.

pierre gasly why are you people on your phones? you are at the grammys put them away!

mae jones-verstappen commercial breaks exist you french fuck!

rowan todd forgive him, he's never been to one.

pierre gasly because you've never taken me with you. I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO GO TO THE EMMYS! BUT CHARLES DID?

charles leclerc that's because i know how to behave in public.

carlos sainz why are people on twitter acting like i got fired midseason?

isabella perez they're dramatic like that. you guys thought i was bad, the twitter girlies are worse.

oscar piastri to be fair, you cried over dropping a churro one time.

lando norris i don't like it here anymore.

bailey winters SOMEONE JUST ASKED HIM HOW MANY RACES HE WON!! HE WALKED AWAY EMBARRASSED! LOGAN'S LAUGHING AT HIM!

isabella perez watching lando get made fun of on live tv by trevor noah is hilarious.

lando norris this shit isn't funny isa!

arthur leclerc "here we have 3x world champion max jones-verstappen, 8x grand prix winner daniel jones-ricciardo, and teammate to rookie of the year, lando norris."

oscar piastri can i laugh?

lando norris I'M ENTERING MY REPUTATION ERA!

charles leclerc maybe win a race first

daphne jones-ricciardo can you people behave?

lewis hamilton don't bother daphne, there is no controlling them.

freya vettel lando no wins can't even escape being made fun of at the grammys

lando norris oh fuck off vettel

mick schumacher don't forget no rizz. it's a miracle bailey took him back

bailey winters it took a lot of convincing.

penelope trevino ZOYA! YOU LOOKED BEAUTIFUL ON THAT STAGE!

logan sargeant I AGREE! THAT'S MY GIRLFRIEND! zoya torres aww thank you. nat helped pick out the dress. natalia ruiz THAT'S MY DAUGHTER!

lance stroll hey, does this mean charle is officially a grammy winner?

charles leclerc in my mind i have been since folklore lando norris first driver to win a grammy before a drivers championship charles leclerc at least i've won a race esteban ocon gagged him!

fernando alonso none of you know what the word decorum means.

daniel jones-ricciardo and you do? mr. i'm going to sniff flowers mid-interview

fernando alonso at least i can say that i've never commited crimes like seb. multi-21 anyone?

lance stroll THEY LITERALLY CALL YOU WAR CRIMINAL! sebastian vettel SPYGATE ANYONE? rhys jones HE'S A WAR CRIMINAL LIKE ME!!

rhys jones so, what'd i miss?

ollie bearman the hamilton x hamilton edits on tiktok isabella perez I LOVE THOSE!! logan sargeant HOW DO YOU NON=AMERICANS KNOW ABOUT HAMILTON? isabella perez i love musicals!

fernando alonso hamilton x hamilton? are they putting lewis on a boat with himself

lance stroll he means are they shipping lewis with himself? rhys jones NO! THE MUSICAL BY LIN MANUEL MIRANDA! fernando alonso who? lance stroll now he's just trolling.

rhys jones anyways, new album?

mae jones-verstappen yes, the dead poets society daphne jones-ricciardo THE TORTURED POETS SOCIETY! mae jones-verstappen YOU SHOULD'VE NAMED IT SOMETHING ELSE! rhys jones I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS BUT WHAT THE HECK DAPHNE! THE PEOPLE WILL BE CONFUSED!

liked by maejonesverstappen, arthur_leclerc, lilymhe and others

daphnejonesricciardo all's fair in love and poetry...new album THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT. OUT APRIL 19 🤍

📷: danieljonesricciardo

comments have been limited

isabellaperez mother ate with this one y'all!

landonorris i am ready to cry to this one.

baileywinters THE PEOPLE AREN'T READY!

redbullracing just in time for the chinese grand prix!!

danieljonesricciardo hey! i'm responsible for the cover art! i did that!

↳ daphnejonesricciardo yeah you did!

rhysjones geez daph, put some clothes on! as your little brother i don't need to see that!

rhysjones I'M KIDDING PLEASE DON'T CANCEL ME! I LOVE MY SISTER! I'M JUST A BABY!

↳ georgerussell so now you're a baby but when it comes to teasing lando you aren't a baby?

↳ rhysjones I CAN PICK MY BATTLES RUSSELL! THE DAPHNE GIRLS ARE WILD!

maejonesverstappen oh the people aren't ready for this.

charles_leclerc i definitely need a good cry album. this will help

↳ carlossainz55 i'll join you buddy!

maxjonesverstappen1 WOO! GO DAPHNE!

nataliaruiz WE WILL BE STREAMING!

lewishamilton it's going to be amazing daphne!

visacashapprb we will be streaming mrs. jones-ricciardo!

yukitsunoda0511 LET'S GO!! WOO!! GO DAPHNE!!

↳ daphnejonesricciardo thank you yuki! hope you like the new album!

↳ yukitsunoda0511 are you kidding me? i will adore it!

fernandoalo_oficial how many songs are about our whirlwind romance daphne? 🤣

↳ daphnejonesricciardo i plead the fifth! 😅

↳ danieljonesricciardo BACK OFF FROM MY WIFE FERNANDO!

↳ fernadoalo_oficial it's not my fault! blame the internet!

lilymhe YAY! I GET TO ANNOY ALEX WITH MORE SCREAM SINGING!

↳ alex_albon you could never annoy me

↳ lilymhe and we will be having a conversation about keeping this a secret from me mr.albon!

↳ alex_albon I WAS SWORN TO SECRECY!

taglist: @burningcupcakefire @arkhammaid @sunflower-golden-vol6 @applopie @lorarri @mypage-myfandoms @bb-swift @thewannabewriter @you-bleed-just-toknowyouarealive @stopeatread @hobiismyhopeu @lilsiz @alessioayla @niniluvsainz @au-ghosttype @cowboylikemets1989 @justtprachisblog @rmeddar123 @nichmeddar @landonorizzz @unluckyyoshi @Mimolovescookies @brekkers-whore @natcha888 @camdensreg @mycenterfold @dear-fifi @prongsvault @kaa212 @anxxiousaries @julesbabey1 @julesbabey @georgeparisole @Smnthnclj @dan3avocado @melissayalene @nothanqks @nikfigueiredo @bella-1 @namgification @jensonsonlybutton @chezmardybum @d3kstar@weekendlusting@anytimeanywherebitchblog @ragioniera @burberryfilms @trouble-sistar @lesliiieeeee @leclercsluv

strikethrough means i couldn't tag you

¡leclerc-s speaks! new taylor swift album people! how we feelin?

¡disclaimer! this is in no way making assumptions about the people involved in this story, this is all fake. it is a fanfiction please don't take any of what is said seriously. this is all for entertainment purposes and as a creative outlet for me. enjoy!

[jaauroo]

Recovery Period

Sebastian Sallow X Reader Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Summary: My own take following the end of Sebastian’s Quest-line. You spend the day in fear of what’s to come next after the events of Sebastian’s choices.

Word Count: 4.0k Warnings: Spoilers for Sebastian and Poppy's Quests Additional Info: Reader is GN, basically no description of them, Hogwarts House is unspecified.

Notes: so i really wanted to do a fic where we explore after the events of sebastian's quest bc I FEEL LIKE WE GET ROBBED NOT BEING ABLE TO INTERACT WITH THEM ANYMORE anyways this is gonna be a five parter, hope you guys enjoy! :) also i havent written fanfiction and forever pls forgive if its not up to standards

Something had felt... off.

The common room seemed unusually quiet. Indeed, it was the very early morning, but there would usually be a couple housemates up and ready to go about their day; relaxing in the morning before they head to the Great Hall to feast on the delicious breakfast selections. In general the atmosphere seemed to have shifted. It just didn't feel the same. The buzz of excitement you had to see your favorite pair of Slytherin boys in the morning faded out to what felt to be nervousness. Maybe it was the events in the past forty-eight hours is what is causing this affect on you. You were simply just imagining things. But you knew deep down, it was not your imagination and it was the unfortunate truth. Harshly sighing, thinking about it was causing a figment of a headache in the back of your head.

But at the current moment you had one goal in mind: Find Ominis Gaunt. If your current situation didn't feel so grim, you would've laughed at how close the two of you are now. Upon first arriving at Hogwarts, Ominis had his guard up around you which caused him to come off as rude in a way. You didn't mind because you knew he didn't genuinely mean it. What caused the two of you to even become friends however, was none other than Sebastian Sallow himself.

Speaking of Ominis- you had to find him. Your last conversation with him left an ill feeling bubbling in your gut. All you had to do after that was wait. But after everything you were tired of waiting, your patience wore thin. It had left your mind racing and the gut-wrenching feeling all remained after hours of waiting. So in a hurry you had left the common room with two destinations in mind. One: The Undercroft. As likely it would be that he'd be there, given how early it was, it was quite a bit of a stretch. Two: The Great Hall. And this is exactly where you will be heading.

Rushing to the Great Hall, you had passed a few familiar faces. All of which said a passing greeting to you and you passed by with a smile and wave. Despite the running pit of emotions occurring in your mind.

"Oh there you are!" A voice shouted off in a distance. Regardless of your name not being called you were inclined to look, the voice all to familiar to you. "Hello Poppy, how are things?" You turned your attention towards the sweet Hufflepuff as she rushed over. Though your mind was elsewhere. "Brilliant! Now that the poachers are backing off. Really I can't thank you enough for everything you've done." Poppy took your folded hands into hers and gave an appreciative squeeze. You lightly chucked and reciprocated the light squeeze to your companions hands. "Really, no thanks is needed. I would do whatever for the helpless creatures a thousand times over." A genuine smile took over your features. Over time at your first year at Hogwarts you've really grown to love the magical creatures.

"A thanks is needed, you're really amazing you know?" Her simple words of praising left you standing taller than you had before. "Please Poppy, no need for flattery. I'd say the same for you." Your tone held a joking manner but it was genuine all the same. A smile graced Poppy's face as she let go of your hands, realizing she held onto them for longer than she should've. Having really only been friends with beasts she isn't certain about what is right and wrong between doing stuff with her fellow humans. "Oh! Sorry I've actually wanted to ask when you'd like to get some butter beers?" Poppy had questioned remembering the main reason she called out to you in the first place. It clicked in your head that your last conversation was mentioned that you both should get butter beer sometime. Especially since Poppy had never gone to get some before. Which you had found ridiculous! You had gotten some when you first arrived at Hogwarts and she'd been here for four years longer than you had. So of course, being her first real friend you had promised an outing for her try it for the first time. Though the sparked memory of getting butter beers on your first day had reminded you of Sebastian. Which had also reminded you that were in the middle of finding Ominis to discuss about that exact person.

"I haven't had thought of an exact day yet. But I need to tend to some things at the moment. I'll send you an owl?" You hurriedly said, hoping you didn't sound rude or that you were just trying to avoid hanging out with her any longer. But she seemed to pick up that whatever it was looked urgent. Plus when she had called out to you she did see how you were trying to rush through the castle without knowing why. Which is why you can not blame her for accidentally derailing your little mission. "Yes! That would be lovely, well off to it then I suppose." Poppy had left with a wave leaving you to your own. Now that you are back onto track: to the Great Hall.

The rest of the way there was less distracting allowing you to rush to the Great Hall without any interruptions. The two large doors leading into the exquisite hall was left open so the sleep deprived students didn't have to struggle pushing open the doors to try and retrieve a breakfast meal. You gaze went over to the Slytherin table, scanning up and down in hopes to find your friend. And it seems luck was on your side today when you spotted Ominis' nicely combed hair. He looked to be eating but in actuality he picked at his food with the utensil in his hand. Relief washed over you when you made your way over to the table, sliding into a seat across from him.

"Ominis." You announced your presence to him with a hushed whisper. No doubt he knew someone sat in front him but he wouldn't have known who unless you've spoken. His head rose in the direction of your voice, before he got to say anything, you spoke with urgency, "Have you spoken to Anne yet?" First his reaction to the question was widen eyes then he furrowed his brows. Ominis, unknowingly, was a very expressive person and you would have laughed at how shocked he had looked if the situation didn't feel so dire. "Merlin not here!" He listened in on his surroundings to make sure no one was within close proximity, "We can talk about it after classes in the Undercroft." Brows still furrowed, he stated the last bit in a low voice so only you could hear. The Great Hall was dreadfully quiet this early in the morning.

You nodded, "You're right, I've just been-" You didn't even have to finish your sentence as Ominis had spoken out of turn saying, "I know." The two of you fell silent after. Ominis knew how you felt, maybe not entirely to your extent, but he knew. No words needed to be spoken about it any further considering the two of you seemed to be on the same page.

Since you were already sat at a table, you decided to help yourself to the breakfast that was steaming fresh in front of you. Not that you exactly felt up to eating, feels as though you can barely stomach food at the very moment. Regardless you gave yourself small portions to slowly consume, whereas Ominis was poking his food not even making an attempt to eat. You had taken notice of it, debating back and forth with yourself whether you should tell him to at least try to eat. In the end you did, but the blind Gaunt could be stubborn, not wanting to do something unless he, himself, has decided to. What had shocked you was he only responded with a nod and attempted to stuff down his food. What remained of breakfast was filled of mutual silence between you two.

The clock ticked in seconds. As each second went by it seemed to go so dreadfully slow. It was like Merlin himself was making you suffer in your anxiety by slowing down the time. But of course it was all in your head.

If you weren't looking at the time, you had looked over at the desk that sat in front of your own. A space was empty. Ominis was in the seat directly in front of yourself, but the seat to his right remained unoccupied. It's usually where Sebastian sits. Right next to his best friend. The empty seat had made you think about how you haven't even seen him all day. The worst case scenario thoughts kept plaguing your mind, rather than thinking of the positive outcomes.

But beside all that drowning thoughts nonsense, you were now in your last class of day: Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Hecat, thankfully, decided on not doing any practice spells this day and go by textbook. Not that you don't mind a good duel every now and then, today just did not feel like a day you would want to duel against a fellow student. Guess you could say your mind only wonders about a very important conversation you're about to have. You'd probably end up severely distracted as you duel and get your ass handed to you. Something you definitely do not want.

After what felt like an eternity, the bells had chimed signaling the end of class. Gathering your parchment (that wasn't even written in) and quill, you had shoved them into a small enchanted bag you carry around. Doesn't even matter if the papers were scrunched at the aggressive action. You could finally go to the Undercroft.

Rushing out of the DADA classroom, you had made your way down the staircases to the entrance to the Undercroft. It was quite essential to get there before any other students left their classes and started roaming around the castle since they had just finished up the last class of the day. Ominis trailed behind you, maintaining a bit of a distance, not quite moving as fast as you are. With how quickly you left the class you practically flung yourself out of there into almost a sprint.

The entrance to the Undercroft opened with practiced wand movement. Stepping through led you down a short corridor to a large room that was blocked off by a steel gate. Of course until you step up near it, it would open itself up to you and any visitors.

Sebastian's head raised itself from looking at the floor at the sound of screeching metal from the entrance-slash-exit. Your gaze caught onto Sebastian, he sat hunched over a couch you had conjured. Which- thanks to Professor Weasley for teaching you that, lounging in the Undercroft was considerably more comfortable. Wide eyed, he stared at you then at Ominis who had entered behind you. Ominis had almost walked right into you, if not for his peculiar working wand he would have. You were stopped dead in your tracks staring at the brunette. So, this is where he had been all day. There was so much you wanted to say to him but you felt as if your words caught in your throat.

"What is it?" Ominis had asked as he walked around your figure to further let himself into the room. You broke your gaze on Sebastian to face your friend, "Uhm, Sebastian's been in here..." His reaction to the news was releasing out a sigh. "Let's speak, quickly." Ominis turned to the closest corner near the entrance, away from the prying ears of his life long best friend. One look over at Sebastian just to see his eyes had averted back to looking at the ground. He didn't even want to know what was going on with you two.

Joining up at the corner that Ominis had deemed good enough for you to speak at, silence fell over the entirety of the Undercroft. You stood in front of the blonde, picking at your fingers as you anxiously awaited for him to tell you the news. "Anne has decided to not send him to Azkaban." A feeling of relief washed over you. Good, that's all you wanted to hear. All this anxious waiting just to hear a simple sentence gave you a sense of calmness. "But," He continued, causing you to hold your breath, as if he was going to downpour the actual news to you, "You need to tell this to Sebastian."

Confusion wrote itself onto your face. Not that Ominis could see it, "Wait, why aren't you going to tell him? Wouldn't it be better if it came from yourself?" He had tilted his head down at your questions. The blind Slytherin was struggling to form his thoughts into words. Mouth slightly gaping as he figure a way to word what plagues his mind. "As for now, I don't intend on speaking to Sebastian. I had told him on multiple occasions to not get involved in the dark arts." A frown overtook his features, he spoke softly as he continued on, "He betrayed my trust. I hope you understand."

Upon hearing the mention of the dark arts, you can't help but feel guilty. You felt as if you kind of encouraged Sebastian to dig deeper into it. Even though you didn't. But you also didn't tell him to stop or somehow prevent him from going further. And of course Ominis would be hurt by it. Ridiculous is what you felt when it had hit you why Ominis feels as if he can't be around Sebastian. You did understand, which is why you won't question him further. "I do, and I will tell him the news. And thank you for helping convince Anne to not send him away." Ominis sighed, "Only because you convinced me." A short pause of silence came from him, "Though you may be right about not turning him in. But in one way or another he should know the consequences of his actions."

You nodded along his words, "I couldn't agree more Ominis." It was the truth, yes, he shouldn't have done what he did, and yes, he rightfully should be sent to Azkaban for not only performing a killing curse but also for the two other curses as well. But at the end of the day, he was just a kid (admittedly you all were) desperate to find a cure for his sister. Willing to do anything that in anyway could help. This is why you wanted to overlook his actions. Though, it didn't make him any less at fault.

"Well, if that is all, I'll be off. Good luck." Ominis nodded his head and sent a closed tight lipped smile your way that vanished as quickly as it came. Without giving you a chance to say anymore he briskly walked off to the exit. The steel gates shut closed behind him. This left you and Sebastian alone in the Undercroft. You looked back over to him, taking note how he still refused to glance over in your direction. He was caught in an action of twiddling his thumbs. With a deep breath in, then out, you made your way over to him.

You sat on the three person couch next to him. He in the middle with you to his right, next to the arm. It left a considerable amount of distance between you two. The silence was deafening, Sebastian still caught circling his thumbs around one another. No one had said anything, time ticked away and it just made the Slytherin more anxious.

He stopped his anxious maneuvers and willed himself to look up at his oncoming fate. Quickly then, he realized Ominis was no where to be found. When did he leave? He questioned to himself. Sebastian had been so wrapped up in his thoughts after seeing both of his best friends enter together. At that moment he knew that you two were figuring out a way to drag him to his impending fate of getting sent to Azkaban. But here you were, sitting next to him in silence, just the two of you. No Ominis in sight. Maybe, he thought, you were here trying to ease him into going without a fight, and if he had tried to run Ominis was waiting at the exit.

You had turned your head to Sebastian, his brown hair glowing red under the lit fire, something you've always admired. Disregarding that thought of admiring him, you saw his face contorted into confusion as his eyes traced where Ominis once stood in the Undercroft. "What's going through that mind of yours?" Sebastian turned to look at you, you being the one to finally break the silence. For the first time today, your expression was calm. No longer carrying the anxious look you once bore. Him looking at you seemed to ease his nerves a bit, just only a bit. "I'm being sent to Azkaban, aren't I?" His interlocked hands tightened against themselves as he asked the question. You sighed knowing the feeling of waiting for an impending fate to come. Though it wasn't your fate, it was his, you still worried nonetheless. "No... You're not being sent away Sebastian."

His tensed up eyebrows had relax at the information. Relief washed over him as he leaned back into the couch from once being hunched over, his head resting on top of the cushion, looking at the plain ceiling of the Undercroft. "Good... That's good." He whispered, mostly to himself. The room fell quiet again, you were unsure what else to say more. You probably should mention how Ominis won't be speaking to Sebastian again until he deemed Sebastian trustworthy enough to not go off the deep end again. Rather than letting the boy next to you find out on his own when he tries conversing with Ominis to only be given the cold shoulder in return. "You should know, Sebastian," Your tongue swiped over your lips, unaware of how dry your mouth had became in these past few moments, "it'd probably be best if you give Ominis some space. At least for the time being."

The boy said nothing in return. His head, most definitely, so full of thoughts and swirling emotions. Truthfully it was a lot to take in for him. Everything had felt as if it was all crashing at once in such a short span of time. Sebastian had sent a letter via owl to Anne. The chance of her ever answering was unknown to him. Regardless he wasn't even entirely sure if she did answer back, considering he'd been holed up in the Undercroft since he returned back to Hogwarts from the catacomb. Anne being the person he did all this for, was understandably angry at him, and for who knows how long. He lost her, and now Ominis too.

Nothing could make you leave at this moment. You saw the exhaustion of Sebastian as he sat back motionless, eyes clenched closed. It almost felt as if your heart stabbed in pain at the sight before you. The Sallow boy felt your gaze on him. A thought occurred to him how you were still here. Even in the pained silence. At any moment you could've gotten up and left but you didn't. He was thankful, even though he lost the two very dear to him, you were still by his side.

"I'm glad we met." Sebastian turned his head on the back of the couch to meet your eyes. A sad smile adorning his face. You couldn't help but copy his expression. "I am too, Seb." His eyes scanned your face, taking in your reciprocating features. So much compassion was shining through your eyes, the intensity of it had his gaze break away from yours. He didn't deserve it. Trailing down, he caught your non-dominate hand absentmindedly rubbing soothing circles into your wrist.

The soft smile broke, eyes transfixed onto your arm, "How's your arm?" Sebastian had asked so quietly that you almost didn't catch it. "Oh." Now acutely aware of your actions you had stilled entirely. Slight stinging remained on your wrist, though it was tolerable, something you could barely feel unless you were paying mind to it. And the worry that stormed your mind all through out today had made you completely forget of your injury.

Memories of the day before flashed before you. The Inferi, all surrounding you, their face lifeless with only a goal in mind to attack you and anything other living. They had started grouping up and surrounding you, making you focus your attention on them instead of the angry Solomon who had started casting spells both to you and Sebastian. It was when you had just casted a  ring Incendio to make the Inferi back off when you felt a hot stinging flame hit your wrist. The sudden ache of pain caused you to drop your wand and clutch your wrist as if it in some way would ease the pain. Whether if the older Sallow had meant to hit the Inferi or directly aimed for you, it was unknown. You kneeled over in pain, wrist within your clutch and had watch anger consume Sebastian. Everything had unfolded from there.

Blinking away the memory before it had refreshed on that part, you pulled up your sleeve of your injured arm. The fabric had scratched it, soothing the remaining stinging only for it to return not a second later. Site of the injury was a slightly deeper color than your normal skin tone, but still looking much better than it had before. It should be completely healed by the end of the day. "Nothing a little Wiggenweld couldn't fix." You twisted your wrist slightly to show Sebastian the healing wound. He sat up, body twisted to face you to examine your arm. A sudden and quick twitch of his hand was something that didn't go unnoticed from you. Sebastian had an urge to grab onto you, hold your arm and run his fingers along the burn in hopes that it would somehow, in someway, completely heal it at that very moment. As quick as that thought came though, he pushed the urge back. Right now didn't seem like to be good time to do so.

Guilt washed over his face as the thoughts continue running through his mind. None of this should've happened, especially not you getting hurt the way you did. It was wrong of Solomon to have directly attacked you when you were distracted, unfair even. "Hey..." You softly said, placing a hand onto Sebastian's shoulder. "I'm okay." A smile appeared on your face. What exactly was going on in that brain of his, you had no idea but your sentiment seemed to work when he snapped out of his blank gaze. When his eyes caught yours, you almost had half a mind to ask if he was okay. You already knew the answer to that. Instead, your hand traveled down his shoulder and grasped his hand that lay palm down in his lap. His cold skin in your grasp was oddly comforting to your warm hands. Both of you had turned down and looked at your hand overtop his. All of Sebastian's thoughts faded within an instant, your warm hand made his lips quirk upward ever so slightly. He turned his hand around and interlocked your fingers with his. Whatever had been troubling him can just disappear for a moment. For now he just wanted to relish in this moment with you.

Nothing has been spoken following after. Just the two of you sitting in silence basking in each other's presence. The anxiety of today completely washed away, your heart calm and steady, knowing that Sebastian will still be here at Hogwarts, or rather with you. As for Sebastian, his mind was at ease now confirming that at least you were still by his side. Even with all that he has done.

[bluejaysandblackbats]

Catch and Release

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam

Summary: AU where Jason doesn't die in the explosion and he and Tim end up attending the same high school months later.

Chapters: 4/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, Sebastian Ives, Jack Drake, Janet Drake

Relationships: TBA

Additional Tag: Jason Todd Lives, Jason Todd-centric, POV Jason Todd, POV First Person, Tim Drake Has Issues, Tim Drake Has Issues, Tim Drake is Not Robin, Jason Todd is Not Robin (Anymore), Bruce Wayne Needs a Hug, Alfred Pennyworth is the Best, Alfred Pennyworth Knows, Stalker Tim Drake, Jason Todd Has Chronic Pain, Jason Todd Has PTSD, Angst with a Happy Ending, Unlikely Friends, Injury Recovery, Emotional Baggage, Rage, Bruce Wayne is Bad at Communicating

Chapter Four: Looking Glasses

My glasses weren't ready for my Wednesday appointment, but they were done the Friday after my second week of school. So, I took a cab to the optometrist's and then the pizza parlor, where I ran into Tim. He was with his friends, so I thought he wouldn't notice me. "One meat lover's pizza with thin garlic butter crust," I ordered. I waited in the corner, drinking out of the two-liter soda I bought to drown my misery. I had a crappy week at school and didn't want to speak to talk to anyone. The smell of pizza usually left me in a better mood. Besides, I liked being away from the house and the family. I ate the fries they gave me for dining in and watched people standing at the street corner.

"Order for Christopher!" the man at the counter called. I finished my fries, threw the two-liter in my bag, and grabbed my crutches. When I got to the counter, I realized I couldn't carry my pizza and use my crutches. Tim got up and offered to help. I was mortified. I hid my name and everything to avoid speaking to him, only to need his help.

"Here, listen, my driver's on his way. He can drop you off if you want, and I'll help you to your-."

"I don't wanna be any trouble," I interrupted. I said it harshly without meaning to, but I don't think Tim cared. He'd been following me around campus all day, and we just so happened to meet at the pizza place. It would've felt like he was stalking me had he not gotten there first. "I should've thought-."

"No, it's okay. It's really no trouble. I insist," Tim replied.

There was no polite way to turn him down, and his driver just pulled up out front. "I'll split this pie with you if you don't take me home."

Tim grinned a half-smile. "Alright. Come on, I've got your pizza," Tim reassured me. He carried my pizza to the car, and I followed him out.

Once we got in the car, I asked the question I'd had since the first day of school. "Are you watching me? At school, I mean?" I asked.

"I've been-. I'm curious. People talk, and-. Well, you never let anybody close enough to learn anything about you," Tim replied. I knit my brows with great effort.

"What do you wanna know, Tim?" I asked.

"Jason, what kind of accident was it?" Tim questioned.

"Explosion... Gas leak explosion. I don't like to talk about it," I lied. Honestly, I was dying to talk about it. I was sick of holding it all inside myself, but I couldn't afford to let anyone in my head. Especially not some freshman I'd known for less than a week. Tim gave me my pizza box and the okay to eat in the car. I set the box between us and draped an open napkin over my lap. I let Tim eat, but he wasn't hungry. I ate in silence.

It'd been a while since I'd had pizza. I think it was my birthday the last time. I was in the hospital then. Bruce wanted to cheer me up, but all I could think about was my-. I could only think about Sheila. I tried to take the brunt of the blast, but I wasn't big enough. She impaled her skull on a rock anyway. So, I lay trapped between the debris and her lifeless body for what felt like forever. I relived that moment constantly. Lately, I only think about it when I feel trapped. "Jason?" Tim whispered as he touched my arm. It shook me out of a trance. "You alright? You were gone for a while... We're at my house now."

"Oh, we're here?" I mumbled as if I'd been asleep. I slipped my backpack on, and Tim helped me carry my pizza box inside. His house was mostly empty, save for a maid or nanny working on the premises. He set the box on the coffee table and turned the tv on.

I took my homework out of my bag and sat it upright on the floor. "You're gonna do your homework?" Tim asked. I nodded and put on my glasses.

"Yeah, that's what I typically do when I get a minute to sit down," I half-joked. Tim shrugged and flipped through the channels.

"Would it be distracting if I asked you a few questions?" Tim asked. I shook my head. "Jason, when you were thirteen, you went on a short trip to Hollywood over the spring break, right?" The question was weird, but I nodded.

"Yeah, I was visiting a friend. He invited me out to see the movie his Aunt worked on," I answered. That was a half-truth.

"Did you get to see Robin while you were there?" Tim asked.

I laughed it off. "Robin lived in Gotham... But no one's seen much of him lately," I replied. Tim nodded seriously and turned toward the tv.

"He was in Los Angeles that week," Tim replied, "Weird coincidence, huh?"

"What are you getting at, Tim?" I asked.

"Nothing, I'm just a big fan of Robin. I always ask," Tim whispered. I took a deep breath. "I'm coming on too strong, huh?

"A little," I replied as I opened my history book and filled out my worksheet. It took me an hour to finish my homework before I asked Tim to call me a cab.

Tim seemed sad at first, but he called the cab anyway. When the cab got there, he lingered out front with me. "Hey, um-."

"Thanks for everything, Tim. Can we do this again?" I asked. Tim grinned. I didn't want to admit it, but it was the first time I'd felt normal since the accident. I didn't want to let that feeling go. I opened the door and waved at Tim before heading home.

As soon as I got home, Bruce came out of the manor fuming. He waited until I reached the front door to start in on me. "Where the hell have you been?" Bruce asked, whispering through clenched teeth.

"I got my glasses, ate, and did my homework... How are you?" I asked.

"I was worried-. Did you ask me how I was?" Bruce questioned. I nodded. I never asked him how he was. I think my sincerity shocked him. I offered an awkward smile. "I'm alright... How are you?"

"I'm good... I think-. Yeah, I'm good," I smiled. Bruce let me in, and I took the stairlift without argument. I didn't even have to argue with him. I chose peace and peace felt... Kinda nice.

[ladyhindsight]

Back to the scheduled programming of me despising and nitpicking everything and everyone in this series.

With The Last Hours dealing with James Herondale being able to fire a gun (for a bit anyway) and the previous chapter in City of Lost Souls having Luke brandish a shotgun at Sebastian and threaten to blow his legs off, it should've been obvious to point out long before now: why don't the Downworlders use guns against the Nephilim?

Whatever it may be, there's plenty things the narrative refuses to acknowledge in this chapter alone.

Clary and Jocelyn have dumped Luke in the care of his pack and are heading towards Magnus' place. Clary narrates the time skip in the meanwhile:

Clary knows, but do we? Obviously because Luke is a werewolf and heals fast and all, but if we are all in the know, why do we need to know that Clary knows?

→ They couldn't take him to a mundane hospital, but it has been hard...

When was the last time Maia and Clary even interacted? Additionally on any level where Clary could become even close calling Maia an ally in the sole presence of their pack? The pack that Maia belongs in as well?

No.

How many times are we going back to this quote? We get it. Jace is not himself and has thus been absolved of every previous or on-coming evil deed.

Clary and Jocelyn arrive at Magnus', and Clary goes to change her clothes.

I get wanting to look good and attractive to your significant other. However, Clary has always been concerned only over her looks when it comes to Jace, other girls being prettier than her; what could she, a Raggedy Ann doll, offer to someone so angel-like like Jace? This whole concern and now non-concern over Clary's own looks, it always some way or another relates to Jace.

Clary goes to the living room where Jocelyn is telling Magnus what happened.

But Jocelyn just called him Sebastian not a few paragraphs ago:

Like??

Then, per usual, Clary picks a fight with her mother.

Yes. How much grief and annoyance would've everyone been spared from.

→ Magnus' alien slippers are constantly brought up until he takes them off. I hate the fixation on this pretend-funny aspect.

→ Like pretty much with each previous chapter I've pointed out that with any and every relationship-related detail Clary manages to always circle back to herself and Jace.

→ It was never said they were invited. They just went there. Even less reason for Isabelle to have been there at all.

→ Also, where and when? It has been two weeks since City of Fallen Angels. How many times and why have Alec and Jocelyn occupied the same space? Explain!

That's probably why she asked...

This conversation and the following one including Brother Zachariah makes it evidently clear that Jace and Sebastian's dark bond is not possession. But somehow Alec is able to feel this yet did not the one with Lilith.

One of the very confusing aspects to anything relating to Jace and the antics surrounding him are the rules on which every dark possession/not possession operates and how Clare has totally forgotten Alec's role in Jace's life. So instead of paying any mind to the parabatai bond to begin with, Clare has to bend and not explain certain details in such extent that they leave more questions than answers.

→ Why Alec couldn't feel Lilith's possession over Jace? Why has this not been addressed at all and not questioned even here where it is finally brought up?

→ Why Alec's feelings over Jace dying weren't addressed in CoFA? Or this aspect to their parabatai bond? CoFA failed in everything so there is that to consider.

→ Why no one questions how Jace and Alec's bond was restored after Raziel brought Jace back but not the fact that Jace was left otherwise unprotected from demonic possession?

Brother Zachariah answers Jocelyn, an answer Clary can hear. Isn't it obvious, additionally to the following conversation, that he's speaking to everyone unless specified that he's speaking only to one person?

I don't know if it is necessary to call back to something that happened a chapter ago, especially with this length.

The dark bond has changed Jace in every other fundamental level, but his love for Clary remained unchanged. It's either all or nothing. I refuse that Clary is so much more essential to Jace than anyone else in his life that the only thing Jace gets to keep of himself is his love for Clary of all people. When everything else in these books are about Jace and Clary's amazing and deep love on the expense of other characters, this is just soul-sucking.

→ A concept which Clare needs to introduce again with exposition, she throws in a character's knowledge on the subject instead of just telling it without filtering it through a weak justification.

→ Everyone everywhere else seems to know where it is, on the same level as the location of the Bone City. Everywhere and nowhere

→ Jocelyn only speaks sense and especially from a perspective of a mother, but all that she says is portrayed as an obstacle and how she is in the wrong about Jace.

→ Clary's words are such a slap in the face to Jocelyn and to everyone ever having lived in an abusive relationship. "Do you think I am that stupid to stay with an abusive person?" And Clary is being so vindictive about it as well, with her softest, deadliest, and edgiest voice of ever to edge.

So Clary has no rebuttal to Jocelyn and does the only thing she can do and maturely leave the room dramatically and slam the door behind her. We then cut to Simon meeting with Raphael who wants to hire Simon as his bodyguard.

I hate the whole of this sentence. I hate the whole of the scene as well because it gives you nothing and feels irrelevant.

We then cut to the final scene in the chapter, where Isabelle comes over to Jordan's place to look for Simon. And bangs on the door because she doesn't know how to use the doorbell. Also there was a buzzer downstairs in COFA, what happened to using that. How did she get in?

What business does Jordan have calling Isabelle Izzy? Exactly the same as Zarah has any business calling Livia and Tiberius Livvy and Ty. Zero.

The way I see it, Isabelle has a lot more on her platter than Clary but everyone is interested only in how Clary fares through losing Jace when Isabelle (and Alec) have more to grieve.

Here Isabelle explains why she isn't mad at Clary, that Clary is the only reason she did not lose two brothers instead of one. That much is true, but what the narrative still and forever onward chooses to ignore is that it is because of Clary (and Jace) that anyone is risking losing Jace altogether. AGAIN. What also everyone ignores is that Clary only asked for Jace. One Thing = Jace, but also One Thing = erasing all the loss that night.

It's a weird fucking detail to latch onto, as if Isabelle doesn't have more right to Simon's comfort and Clary because neither are related to Jace? I hate everyone and every single thing said in this chapter.

You can always say no.

→ Why is it primarily Simon's job, as in why the sole responsibility is on Simon to console Clary or Isabelle?

→ Why didn't Clary and Isabelle come together with this loss?

→ Why is Simon such an emotional vacuum that he only cares about Clary's feelings? This is contended in Jordan's thoughts, that Simon may never get over Clary, the first girl he ever loved, and thinking Isabelle is so strong and doesn't even need him, but good god, this is chapter alone is more exhausting than one installment of any other series of TSC.

[sebaztianlovesgeek]

(to be clear this isn't a vent, at the time it made me upset but now I just laugh at how stupid that kid was)

I remember this one time when I was 13 my friend introduced me to his friend, we shall call him D. Me, D and the friend who introduced D to me mainly talked in group chats with each other alongside some other friends, D and me didn't really talk much in the group chats

Of course since at the time I loved Jojos Bizarre Adventure (and I still do) I sent a bunch of Jojos memes and fanart to the group chat because a few other people in there watched Jojos. Apparently D absolutely hated anime, which I didn't really care because people have their preferences of course, he never really commented on any of the jojo stuff I sent to the group nor did he comment on anyone elses

Until ONE DAY one of our friends sent me a text saying "Hey D has been saying some mean things about you outside the group," and I was confused because D was usually the "chill person". They sent me a few screenshots and screen recordings of messages/voice recordings of him saying things about me, my favourite probably being "Oi, *friend* send this voice message to Sebastian. Hello Sebastian, GO FUCK YOURSELF"

Its probably my favourite because he was such a pussy he had his friend send it, instead of just sending it to me directly himself.

What about the other things he was saying? Average edgy 13 year old stuff

So why was this wannabe edgelord angry at me and telling me to fuck myself? Well it was because he hated anime and hated how I always sent Jojo memes to the group chat all the time.

Yeah, this guy really said some horrible things about me just because I liked anime and he didn't. The thing is whenever I sent a jojo meme to the group chat he never said anything like "please don't send anime stuff I don't like anime" because even though thats odd I would've been okay not sending jojo memes and stuff

In fact the only reason I knew he didn't like anime was because his friend told me randomly in a conversation and never mentioned it again afterwards, I always thought "oh so D doesn't like anime as in he's not a fan of watching it, not as in he would say horrible things about someone he knew liked anime"

But nope. And it doesn't end there it gets funnier.

So I went and texted the friend who told me about all the stuff D was saying and said something like "Tell him I'm sorry for sending anime to the group when he doesn't like it but I don't appreciate how he's acting, I have autism and my special interest is Jojos so I often info dump about it because it makes me happy"

If this happened now I would've just blocked D and ignored him, but when I was 13 I was the type of guy who thought that if not everyone liked me it would be the end of the world so I was kind of telling him "hey please don't tell me to fuck myself" while also sucking up to him because I blamed myself for D not telling me to stop sending jojo stuff to the group chat and then getting his friend to send me a voice recording of him telling me to fuck myself

So after the friend told D about my autism and stuff, D pulled out the classic "BuT mY 3 yEaR oLd BrOtHeR hAs AuTiSm AnD hE dOeSnT aCt LiKe ThAt, He DoEsNt oBsEsS oVeR aNiMe AnD sTuFf"

Oh yes because a toddler 10 years younger than me who probably doesn't even know what anime is (unless its like pokemon or something) and probably has a special interest like Thomas the tank engine or Peppa Pig is totally the base of how the average autistic person acts

D was acting as if I said liking anime was a symptom of autism, no I wasn't, I was saying having an extremely special liking to a certain interest (aka a special interest) is a symptom of autism. My special interest is Jojos, but another autistic persons interest could be memes or goth music or zebras or Bendy And The Ink Machine or something like that

Anyways I eventually did what I SHOULD'VE done at first, and that was block the little twerp and I thankfully have not talked to him since, I hope he's a lot more mature now.

The thing that boggles me the most about this whole situation was that I wasn't the only person who sent anime content to the group, there was a friend of mine in the same group who loved Attack On Titan and Death Note, she would send memes about those animes as well as fanart and stuff to the group, yet D never picked on her (as far as I know anyways)

This unfortunately was not the first time that I was yelled at/had mean things said to me for info dumping, it mostly came off as a shocker at the time because most of the people doing that were just horrible from the beginning, but D was just the "chill guy that my friends hung out with and would talk with me in the group chat every once in a while"

If you have autism and someone yells at you and tells you to "fuck yourself" because you simply like talking about your special interest and they for some reason don't like it, its not your fault that there are angry people who are probably jealous that you can find so much happiness and passion in a certain subject or piece of media you watch

[xonceinadream]

So I can officially die happy, y'all. Last weekend was Phoenix Fan Fusion and my sister and I got to meet Grant Gustin. This was very, very crazy and so much fun. She's been watching Glee since way before she should've been, like as long as she can physically remember and is now 16. And, of course, y'all know what Glee and Sebastian mean to me.

Story/details/pictures under the cut.

He is super gracious and amazing and I was super awkward meeting him which yes, I am like that. But my sister laughed hysterically because in the picture I am awkwardly like a foot away from him because I think I blacked out a little bit with nerves.

During both the photo op and autograph session, I let my sister do the talking and he was so nice. Like genuinely happy looking (you would think this would be obvious when you're paying a lot of money to meet something but as somebody with an assortment of celebrity pictures, this is definitely not always the case).

For those who haven't done autograph sessions at comic conventions, celebrities bring an assortment of pictures of their various projects to sign. We weren't even sure if he'd have a Glee one but he did!

When we handed over the picture of Sebastian, he asked if we were Glee fans. My sister said yes and he laughed and said that somebody had chosen the picture earlier to get signed just because he liked it. Which was great. (And also very sweet because it was about 6:30 PM and the hall closed at 7:00 PM and several security officers were VERY clear that we were NOT supposed to do more than say hi thank you and goodbye.)

Anyway, just hearing him talk was amazing. He's super personable and super awkward and anxious (which is something he's talked about before so not surprising but really endearing).

Like I can not say enough that this was so amazing. He's very well-spoken and I just love him all the more which I honestly didn't know was possible.

(Also - just hearing him talk made me feel so Seblaine-y. Like this isn't something I would ever bring up to him or anything so don't come at me but being in his presence had me just dying to write some Seblaine).

Anyway, just had to share with some people who know how much he means to me.

[endiness]

y'know what annoys me about the fandom giving blaine shit for dating karofsky? obvs he hurt kurt the most, but karosfky did still assault blaine and harass him and was homophobic to him too. but who cares about that.

and nevermind how fucked it is that kurt pretty ruthlessly broke up with blaine. and very likely watched him dive headfirst into depression at nyada yet did nothing to help him. although i suppose doing nothing is still better than encouraging blaine to take on disordered eating behavior like he did the last time blaine was depressed. and then the show used karosfky to invalidate blaine's feelings and his perfectly reasonable anger at kurt for breaking up with him the way that he did.

[kashvibatman]

"Potions class." I whispered softly, looking at my timetable.

Why hasn't Professor Figg written back to me yet?

I wondered, stuffing my timetable back into my sling bag.

Is he okay? He said he'll write back as soon as he reached and he should've reached a long time ago.

I was so worried in thought that I literally jumped when someone shouted my name.

"Y/N!" Poppy called as she rushed up to me.

"Hey Poppy. Where were you all this time?" I asked her, as we proceeded to the dungeons.

"Oh! I had promised to help Professor Jaggs with the nifflers you see after class!" She said cheerfully.

"I was wondering where you'd gone. Anyway its so nice to see you helping magical creatures Poppy." I smiled.

"You're one of the few who actually care and aren't afraid."

"Who is afraid of Nifflers Y/N?" Poppy asked rather surprised.

"Sebastian." I blurted out of nowhere.

Poppy looked at me unbelievingly.

"But wait...that doesn't make sense. He's always making trouble, breaking rules and in detention. He can't be afraid of something as harmless as Nifflers." She said disbelievingly.

"You're right! Sorry- that came out wrong. He isn't afraid. He just doesn't like them." I said remembering his exact words-

I don't lose 'myself' in the euphoria of their so called "cuteness".

"But that's even more impossible!" Poppy said laughing. "You cant 'not like' Nifflers. They're so adorable!"

"I told him the same thing. He said it's because he had some shiny toy when he was a little kid. A Niffler stole it and he never found a new one again... so that's why he has a thing against Nifflers." I said grinning.

"Hmm... that's understandable. Sebastian always has mysterious reasons." Poppy said softly.

"He's a Slytherin for a reason. But he's alright. Mischievous but respectful. Honestly some of his other housemates can be a headache sometimes."

"Yeah I like that about him too." I said.

"Anyway what's up Y/N?" Poppy asked looking me straight in the eyes.

"How do you mean?" I asked quickly, looking away from her.

Poppy simply smiled as she said gently,

"Something is troubling you. Even though its just been a few weeks that you've been here, I feel like I've known you forever. You're my best friend."

All I could do was smile back, as I stared at a crack on the stair we were approaching.

"He should've written back by now." I said out loud without any context.

"Professor Figg?" Poppy supplied gently.

I nodded taking a heavy breath as we entered the potions classroom.

"I'm sure he's fine Y/N." Poppy said gently touching my elbow. "He's one of the best we have and know at the job."

I took in another heavy breath and nodded giving her a smile.

"Y/N!" Natsai called from her potion station and approached us.

"Hey Natsai." Poppy and I chorused.

"How're you feeling now?" Natsai asked, patting my back.

"Better." I smiled.

"That was one hell of a duel you had with Rookwood yesterday. You're a great dueller. Hard to believe you're starting as a fifth year." Natsai patted my back, as I remembered my close encounter with Rookwood last afternoon in Hogsmeade where Natsai had accompanied me.

Someone nugged me on the shoulder as they walked past me while Poppy and Natsai suddenly became rapidly involved in figuring out whether it was Puffskien or cat hair on Natsai's robes.

I turned to see and found that the person who bumped into me was Sebastian.

He didn't look back but my eyes followed him to his place at the end of the classroom, his robes bilobing as he sped across.

He reached, turned and then looked at me- his brown eyes sparkling in the faint light.

He kept his bag on the seat beside him and then with both his chin and eyes, he gestured to the empty seat beside him.

I nodded.

"Lets take our seats before Professor Sharp comes and bombards us with more sarcasm than usual." Poppy said turning to me.

"Whose hair were they?" I asked as I read the instructions on the blackboard.

"We agreed they were Puffskien hair. Poppy is more knowledgeable about creatures." Natsai said, pulling her text out and Poppy left to bring a cauldron to her desk.

"Are you sure you're okay after last evening? Because something is bothering you." Natsai whispered.

"I am, Natty." I sighed smiling.

"Lets meet after school. Courtyard- 6pm okay?" Natsai said quietly as our classmates approached.

"Yes. See you!" I said, walking upto Sebastian, who watched me approach as he removed his bag from the seat.

"Hey." I said swinging my bag off my shoulder as I adjusted my robes and rolled up my sleeves.

"Some conversation with Sweet Sweeting on the way here huh?" He said snarkily.

"You saw us?" I asked surprised.

"I was right behind you." He said winking.

I looked at him disbelievingly.

"And for starters L/N." He said giving me a smug look. "I don't - 'don't like' Nifflers. I envy them." He smirked, locking eyes with me.

"So you sneak up on me too now?" I asked. "I understand my life cab be very interesting but please let me be." I say smugly.

"I'm not the King of Sneaking around for nothing." He grinned.

"Anyway." He suddenly turned serious.

"Where were you last evening?" He asked, cleaning his station as mostly everyone settled in.

"I had work to do." I said, sitting down on the stool, a little tired.

Work was our code word. That's how we both communicated when our work wasn't exactly legal or authorized or both.

Sebastian stopped working for a second as he glanced at me sitting on the stool.

"Did you not sleep? You looked awfully tired at dinner last night." He asked, as he cleaned his cauldron with a cloth.

"Isnt any topic regarding sleep a bit too rich coming from you?" I smirked tiredly.

"It takes a certain charisma to be working all day and night long and still look absolutely dashing." He grinned.

"Anyway I've never been one for sleep cycles. It's a very common Slytherin trait." He winked.

My head slightly ached now. I massaged it.

"Were you traveling far from Hogwarts?" He asked looking at me, as he began cleaning another cauldron for some reason.

I nodded, took a look around to make sure no one was around as I took a deep breath and said softly,

"Professor Figg has left me an assignment to investigate while he's away on other investigations. He said Ranrok's allies were spotted there and he wanted me to go and look for clues." I said looking into my bag for my potions text. 

"What place was this?" He asked attentively.

"Some castle ruins. East of Hogwarts. I flew on Highwing and it took about an hour to reach." I replied.

"You went alone?" Sebastian asked rather pointedly.

I nodded standing up to drink my refreshment potion. 

"Why?" He asked with his mouth slightly open as he stopped cleaning the cauldron.

"You could've written to me-"

"You had detention Seb." I sighed, still looking for my potions text.

"And I could've skipped it." Sebastian said simply.

"Then you would have got MORE detention." I said now hunting vigorously for my textbook.

"Which I am used to!" Sebastian said hotly.

But I couldn't reply this time. I had opened up my bag and my hands found the picture of Professor Figg and me when we had gone to the Ollivanders in Hogsmeade to purchase my first ever wand just months ago. He had suggested we took a picture so that I always remember the day I was reborn a witch.

I stared at it, as my chest became heavy with worry as my breath rate became rapid.

Sebastian gently tickled my chin with his quill as I squealed.

"Whats that?" He asked coming beside me.

"Nothing!" I said hastily, shoving the picture back in as I pulled out my Potions textbook.

"L/N are you okay?" He asked me.

"Yeah I am!" I say softly.

"I doubt." He sniggered.

"Why?" I asked dubiously, hoping he couldn't see my worried face. But I think he could thats why he thought I wasn't okay.

"Because you've got out your Charms textbook." He smirked, pointing at my book.

"OH Merlin!" I grumbled, finally pulling out my Potions text book and putting the Charms one back in as our Potions Professor came in followed by Sebastian's best friend Andreas who came up infront of him on our station.

"Now that you've cleaned up your cauldrons- (Oh no I forgot!- I thought) Today we will be brewing The Draught of Peace- a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned: If you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing." He said leaning against his desk.

Sebastian gently pushed one of his cleaned cauldrons towards me.

That's why he cleaned two!

I thankfully beamed at him as he gave me his- 'What would you do without me' look.

"You may partner up or brew alone. This class is of for 2 hours and a draught of peace takes 90 minutes to brew. You have good lot of time. Everyone in this room will leave after preparing the potion. If you don't..."

He paused, taking a good look at the class.

"You know what I'll do."

"What will he do?" I whispered to Sebastian.

Sebastian simply winked shaking his head.

"BEGIN NOW!" He said loudly clapping his hands, ushering everyone at their tables, and sounds of turning pages ran rampant all over the room.

I leaned over and placed my cauldron on the burner.

"Hey Sebastian, partner up with me?" Andreas asked.

"Umm no. You need to brew alone for once." Sebastian said airily.

I opened up my book to the index, to check the page number for the recipe of the Draught of Peace.

My head hurt to read. But I didn't stop. I couldn't. This was the last class of the day.

"Page 34." Sebastian whispered, turning on the burner under his cauldron, as he glanced at me.

I nodded with a smile turning to the recipe.

The Draught of Peace is a potion which relieves anxiety and agitation. Its ingredients are-

1) Powdered moonstone

2) Syrup of hellebore

3) Powdered porcupine quills

4) Powdered unicorn horn.

5) Valerian Root

EFFECT- Relieves anxiety.

SIDE-EFFECTS-

Overdoing the ingredients may result in a long or irreversible sleep.

CHARACTERISTICS-

Emits light silver vapour

BREWING TIME- 90 minutes

DIFFICULTY LEVEL- Advanced.

----

"Its an advanced potion." I said out loud.

"Hmm?" Sebastian asked, pulling out what looked like Moonstone from his supplies.

"It is indeed." Professor Sharp came up. "It is an ironically difficult potion to make, requiring that the brewer follows the directions carefully, because making a mistake could have drastic consequences. Adding too much of the ingredients, for instance, would put the drinker of the potion into a deep - and possibly irreversible - sleep."

"Right sir." I managed to say, kind of tensed.

"I've seen you in class Miss L/N. You're a talented potion maker. I feel you are tough enough to take on this potion. If you need any help, feel free to ask me."

"Thank you sir." I smile as he walked off.

"I can't believe there was no sarcasm in there." Andreas said.

I grinned as I read the recipe-

Add powdered moonstone until the potion turns green.

I take my moonstone and started crushing it.

"Can you crush my moonstone?" Andreas asked Sebastian.

"Seriously?" Sebastian asked dubiously. "Andreas the potion's just begun mate." Sebastian sighed, walking to his station.

I smiled again. Sebastian may be sarcastic, but he was helpful.

I finished powdering my moonstone and added it into the cauldron and waited for the potion to turn green.

Sebastian was still busy silently powdering Andre's moonstone without being caught by Professor Sharp.

I saw his potion had started to boil with green bubbles.

"Sebastian your potion!" I said quietly.

"OH Merlin right! Here- Andreas!" Sebastian cried softly getting back to his potion.

I read the next step waiting for my potion to turn green.

2) Stir until the potion turns blue.

So I had to wait till it turned green and then stir.

I read the next step.

3) Add powdered moonstone until the potion turns purple.

I decided to powder more moonstone meanwhile.

I powdered some with the mortar and pestle and I watched Sebastian stirring and his potion turned into a magnificent blue.

"Heyy that's a nice blue!" I say happily, getting on my toes to get a better look at his concoction.

"Thanks. It's as amazing as it's brewer." He grinned looking into his cauldron.

He read the next step and his face lost the glee.

"No! I haven't powdered more moonstone! The potion will be spoilt if I start now!"

"Put out the burner and turn it on when you're done adding!" Greg suggested.

"But that'll kill the potion." I blurted.

"Yeah!" Sebastian groaned, watching his blue concoction.

"Here use mine." I handed him my powdered moonstone.

Sebastian raised his eyes doubtfully.

"Mine hasn't turned blue yet." I said peeping into my cauldron.

"I can powder some more." I say sliding my plate of powdered moonstone to him and I dug into my supplies for more.

"Thanks." Sebastian smiled genuinely as he poured the moonstone in.

I nod, powdering more moonstone as my potion subtly hinted a change in colour.

I waited for it to turn proper green while Sebastian was still waiting for his potion waiting to turn purple.

"Yes!" I let out a sigh of relief as it turned green.

"Wow thats literally the Slytherin Green!" Sebastian grinned coming up by my side as he looked into my cauldron.

"You should've been a Slytherin." Sebastian murmured so softly that only I could hear as he stared into my cauldron.

"Just because my potion turned green?" I asked skeptically, pulling my book.

"Mine isn't the Slytherin Green. But I am a Slytherin.... somehow." Sebastian laughed, looking at me.

"Sebastian can you help me here?" Andreas asked, not looking up.

"Right. Keep going L/N." Sebastian sighed walking off to Greg.

I added in my moonstone.

Now I had to wait for it to turn blue.

Blue was Professor Fig's favorite colour..

The same sick feeling took hold of my stomach again.

A scene from last night's duel flashed before my eyes... That was a lot of Stunning charms I'd used yesterday.

"Y/N stir!" Sebastian whisper yelled, with one eye on me as helped Andreas.

"OH right thanks!" I say softly, coming back to the potion I was brewing.

I stirred clockwise till I got a navy blue like the Ravenclaws.

"Should I've been a Ravenclaw?" I smirked as Sebastian approached to peep into my cauldron.

Sebastian grinned, "Perhaps you shouldn't have been sorted at all."

"That would be.... well nevermind." I say, unable to look for the right words.

"Hah! Have I stumped the gifted one?" Sebastian said adding something to his cauldron that he shouldn't have.

"Seb what are you adding?" I asked instantly frowning.

Sebastian turned to his hand and watched in horror.

"Andreas!" He glared at Andreas.

"What?" Andreas asked innocently.

"Whats your pearl dust doing in my hand?"

"Well I was showing you the pearl dust, and then you forgot to give it back to me as you checked L/N's cauldron and then just absent mindedly added it in." Andreas said rather spitefully.

Sebastian was about to reply when Professor Sharp came to our opposite table.

"You're done for Sebastian." I blurted, staring at a black mass somehow looking like a huge alive bug crawling out of Sebastian's cauldron.

"I honestly don't know exactly how many Detentions I am supposed to report for tonight." He said rather confused.

"Where exactly did you leave your brain today?" I asked.

"I didn't leave it anywhere. It sort of just left."

"Could you please elaborate?"

"Dont worry it's very common." He said with a wink.

"What're you going to do now?" I asked peeping into my own potion.

"Add more detention into my bucket." He said tiredly looking at Professor Sharp with his back so close to  our table.

"Scourgify!" I suddenly cried pointing my wand at Sebastian's cauldron and the mess cleaned itself up.

"What're you doing?!" Andreas cried.

I didn't say anything, quickly piled up his stuff neatly at his table as he watched still with his mouth slightly open.

I pulled him over to my station gently just when Professor Sharp approached us.

"Any help needed Miss L/N?" Professor Sharp asked.

"No sir thank you. Sebastian is being very helpful. We're brewing together you see." I said innocently with a smile.

"Ahh so you two have partnered up then?" Professor Sharp said peeping into the cauldron.

"It looks good. Keep proceeding. For the first time Sallow hasn't blown up the whole classroom. He's been better behaved since this year. Finally he's caught on to his age." Professor Sharp said sarcastically as he walked away to the table beside ours.

There's the sarcasm. I thought as I turned back to our potion.

"You owe me." I say with a smile without looking at Sebastian, peeping into my cauldron.

"Big time." I heard the smile in his voice.

"Say what, I've been thinking. Anyway we always brew mischief together... how about we also always brew potions together?" He asked sheepishly.

"Always?" I asked smirking.

"Always." He said with a certainty in his tone I'd never heard or felt before.

"You could do the brewing and I could provide my charm and emotional support." He grinned leaning against the table, looking for my eyes which were set on the potion.

"I'd be perfectly content to have you around doing nothing. But I know you won't leave me alone with all the work." I say looking up deep into his eyes.

His head tilted slightly as his smile widened. His eyes again showcased his inner childish innocence.

"There's the silver lining." I grinned, gently pressing his nose, finally making him laugh.

[barcaavengers]

Weakness || Bucky Barnes Imagine || Pt. 1

Note: I just had to jump in the Bucky Barnes train after watching TFATWS and with Sebastian looking like that it gave me much needed muse to get back into writing. So Here it is! I feel like this is fast paced but I'm already working on the second part. Let's see how this goes. This goes from Episode 3 and transitions to Episode 4 at the end so consider some spoilers? As always, let me know your thoughts and I'm open to ideas!

Disclaimer: Gif not mine.

The idea of going to see Zemo to get any leads wasn't something you were particularly fond of when Bucky decided to go in there by himself. Yes, you trusted the soldier, but it was Zemo who you didn't trust. He was responsible for the break up of the Avengers. If it wouldn't have been for those events you would have all been together to defeat Thanos.

Your combat skills were what gave you the spot in the Avengers. You didn't have a serum, or superpowers, no tech to give you advantage, you were just really good with guns, strategies and tactics, learned to think outside the box.

You know everything is about to go to hell when Bucky takes you and Sam to a warehouse filled with cars and starts talking about breaking Zemo out of jail.

"Do you remember what that man did to all of us? To you? To T'Chaka?" You ask between Bucky and Sam who were looking at each other, that was until the squeak of the warehouse house doors interrupted. The three of you turn to look as a shadow got closer until…

"What the hell?! You said it was hypothetical! What is he doing out, Barnes!?" You snarl and take two quick steps towards Zemo.

"We need him, Y/N!" Bucky blocks your path.

"You are going back to prison!" Sam shouts, Bucky putting his hand on Sam's chest.

"If I may…"

"No!" The three of you shout, looking at Zemo before turning to each other.

"It's the only way! We can't do this alone!" Bucky states. "When Steve refused to sign the Sokovia Accords, you two backed him. You broke the law and stuck your neck out for me… I'm asking you to do it again."

"This is different! It was to protect you from him but now you are asking us to work with his ass after everything?" You question. You would do it in a heart beat because he was asking for it, but the thought of being crossed by someone like Zemo was what had you on edge.

Sam only sighed and you knew, yet again, he would go through with Bucky's plan. "Okay. If we do this, you won't make a move without our permission…" Sam says and your eyes close as you let out a huff.

You are all walking down the bridge once you get escorted to the city of Madripoor, Low Town specifically. "You need to stay in character, no matter what happens" Zemo says.

"The assistant, shouldn't be that hard" you say with a roll of your eyes.

"Anyone would love such role, Y/N. I would prefer if your dislike didn't show when we get there" he says. "It is the only way to explain why we brought a lady along to such dangerous business."

"I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself, but thanks for your concern. That's sweet coming from someone like you" you say and you can spot Zemo smiling from your spot behind him.

"You okay?" Bucky asks once he falls behind you, looking at the surroundings and taking everything in.

"I'm not thrilled about this, but I guess we have no choice" you say as you look around, then your eyes fall on his frame. "What about you?"

"I don't know anymore…" he says before you all get inside the club.

Everyone fell silent when Bucky walked in, watching him, wondering if it really was the Winter Soldier. You have never been in the same space with Bucky in public, so the whispers and the looks had you feeling a kind of way, almost defensive, but you had to keep your role and give smiles to strangers while you walked with Zemo with your arms linked. You look around the place, leaning against the counter, hiding back a smirk as Sam drinks whatever the hell they just put in on his 'usual' drink.

"Zemo might not be welcomed here, but his assistant can stay as long as she wants" a man says into your ear and you are quick to move away.

"Excuse me?" You eye the man on your side.

"What's your name pretty face? I can get you a better job than being an assistant" the man reaches to push your hair away from your face, letting his hand linger on your shoulder and your body tenses. Sam meets your eyes and slowly shakes his head, knowing you were about to break character and beat the hell out of this man. Zemo noticed, but kept a neutral expression.

"If he doesn't take his hand off you…" You hear Bucky murmur under his breath. You gesture with your hand at him carefully to not give anything up, just raising two fingers towards him.

"Who says I want a better job?" You smirk and reach for your drink, sipping on it on one go.

Zemo turns to look at Bucky, and you have heard the words Winter Soldier in Romanian enough times to know them, so when Zemo speaks them and Bucky nods, your heart stops. He is swift in his moves and in a blur he is gripping and twisting the hand of the man that was bothering you. He looks back at you as he shoves the man away, your eyes meet for a moment before it all starts. Men from left and right start throwing themselves to him, like if they stood a chance against the Winter Soldier. Seeing him like this sent chills down your spine. Quick, agile, ruthless. His moves were so calculated, so life ending. The Winter Soldier might be gone but his skills and moves were there alright, you only hoped it was just that.

"It didn't take much for him to fall back into form" Zemo says on your side almost as if he read your thoughts.

"Make it stop, Zemo or I swear I'll jump in the fight…" you snarl.

"Stay in character or the whole place will be upon us" Zemo says and you let out a huff. "Your soldier will be fine. It's all part of the show…"

"He is not my soldier…" your eyes couldn't get away from Bucky, who now had a man pinned on the table and that's when you hear the clicking of a gun.

Things take a bad turn real quick. Sam got caught in his character thanks to a phone call. Selby got killed and now there was a bounty for her killers who were apparently the four of you, then Sharon saved your assess and took you to her place. You were getting ready for the party, something comfortable to fight should it be needed. Bucky leans against the bathroom frame while you curl your hair, "You know that will go away soon though, right? When you pick on the next fight."

"If it lasts me two minutes it would be worth it" you say with a smirk as you look at him through the mirror, placing the iron on the counter you turn to look at him, he offers you a weak smile. "Well you look handsome" you say as you eye him. The black suit looked so good on him, and it just made his blue eyes stand out.

"You look... beautiful" he blinks as he eyes you, his hands falling into his pockets.

"Well thank you" your cheeks flush. After a few seconds, your gaze softens when you feel he is...off. "Are you okay, Buck? I know that what you did back there..." you trail off.

"I'm fine. Its just… I'm still processing..." he shrugs.

"You shouldn't have gone through with the plan. We could've found another way…"

"We didn't have time to find another way. Zemo knew that way would give us the information we needed" he says.

"I still don't like that he is using you like this..." you say with a frown.

He remains silent for a moment, wetting his lips before speaking. "Y/N, I know we-"

"You two done?" Sam interrupts and James takes an annoyed intake of breath, your gaze drops.

"Yeah" James walks away without a look back and you chew on your lower lip.

"Did I interrupt something?" Sam says with a smug smile.

"Get out" You walk out of the bathroom and Sam throws his arm around you, laughing.

"You two were having a moment there, weren't you?" Sam teases as you walk, poking on your shoulder. "Listen, you gotta do this smoothly. He is all rusty. He hasn't had a date in like 70 years."

"He probably wants to be by himself to finish that notebook, and right now nothing can distract us" you frown.

"You distract each other already" Sam says between laughs. "One of you will be in danger and the other will run and save the other."

"That's what I mean. Zemo said it earlier, the Winter Soldier has a reputation. If he has to keep playing the part, I'll be trying to stop him even more than I already do. I can't blow off the mission because of whatever this is..."

"Alright, you got a point, but talk to him, alright? If you want, take him out of the party and work it out" Sam pats your back as you walk out to the living room area.

"Looking sharp, Y/N" Sharon says with a grin once you come out and you twirl with a laugh. "Enjoy the party. Stay out of trouble, I'll see what I can find."

"Shall we then?" Zemo asks, holding his arm out to you.

"Let's go" you link your arm with his, just to play along. After this time with Zemo you figured out you might as well enjoy yourself, there was still a long way ahead before getting rid of him again. He didn't seem so bad since he broke out, you still didn't trust him though.

Once at the party, you stick around with Zemo. Sam and Bucky are somewhere around the lounge surveying the place, you all still had a bounty on your heads anyway. Meanwhile you are with Zemo, who was making some moves that had you giggling and laughing. He took your hand and started going around you before letting go and you grin. "Should've known you were this fun I would've helped breaking you out" you tease over the music.

"Didn't had a chance" Zemo says and smiles as he claps while letting the music move him. He eyes something behind you before looking back at you. "Your soldier can't seem to stop looking at you" you want to turn around, but you decided against it.

"He is not my soldier…" you say. "He is just watching out for us. We have prices on our heads remember?" You tap your head as you say the words. "And you have him acting as our bodyguard."

"I know your hatred was fueled when I had him act in such way, and I do apologize for such plan but it was the only way" he says. "You would know if you understood how things realistically move" he says.

"Apology accepted" you say. Zemo takes your hand and twirls you, and you catch a glimpse of Bucky walking towards the two of you.

"I believe we have company" Zemo says into your ear. "You know where to find me" he says and walks out and into the crowd with his own, awkward dancing pace. You giggle at it before turning around and finding Bucky close.

His shoulders were tense under that black suit that made him look so good, and his scowl was too obvious. "Having fun with Zemo?" He asks, everyone around you was moving to the music, except him who only looked to where Zemo had disappeared to, his tongue poking in annoyance at his cheek.

"Just wanted to get to know him a bit more. Is not an everyday thing we hang with a Most Wanted prisoner" you say with a shrug. "Who you broke out of jail may I add."

"I didn't do anything" he says and his gaze averts from yours.

"For being one hundred and six you are an awful liar, Buck" you smirk, but he doesn't say anything. His hands are tucked in his pockets, eyeing everything but you. "Relax. Enjoy the music."

"This isn't my type of music" he says coldly and looks around the place once again.

"Fine…" you stop on your moves. Might as well take Sam's suggestion, plus you could see this scenario and the music was too much for him. "Come on, let's go back upstairs and talk" you hold your hand out for him and he looks at it, he hesitates before his glove covered hand wraps around yours and you lead the way.

"I told you, I'll be fine" he sighs as he sits down on the couch, you sit right beside him.

"Bullshit, Barnes" you say as you drop down. "When you were fighting those people…"

"It was just an act…I'm not a killer anymore..."

"I know, Buck" you reach to put your hand on his knee, which he eyes before looking at you. "But you didn't go to therapy to get over this only to be pulled again for a show. This isn't right."

"I'm okay, I promise…" he trails off. "I'm just getting used to all of this" his hand covers yours, sending electricity through your nerves.

"I promised Steve I would look out for you to not do anything stupid," you smile at him "I am not a super soldier or have any powers, but if I can help. I will do what I can…" you admit to him. His blue eyes look into yours and your heart stops it's beating for a second.

You hold his gaze and shift your position on the couch, your leg was already falling asleep since it was under you. "I-" he pauses and you can see his mind wondering, thinking, calculating. Sam was right, you could almost see the gears turning.

"Talk to me. I know you have something to say" you smirk.

"I guess that what I'm trying to say is, I am glad that you are with me in this mission even after everything-"

"Don't. Please…" you were sure he was going to bring up that one time where Sam, Steve and Natasha, as well as yourself, were attacked by him while trying to get a hold of Hydra. It was the first time you had seen him, you didn't know him, but you feared him. You are a mere human and he is a super soldier, the most dangerous soldier for the past years. He had tried to kill you back then one way or another, guns, knives, grenades, but somehow you survived.

Then you met him when Cap and Sam went after him, seeing him act like a normal person triggered something in you. How could someone like him turn into someone so dangerous? The time you spent watching after him, and fighting alongside the team had warmed your heart towards him to the point you admitted to yourself you caught feelings for him. How could you not? You were the only person to go to Wakanda to see him after he was freed, and it will be an understatement that you cried your eyes out when he told you the words. That was when the two of you started having a connection.

"You okay?" His voice echoes and you realize you had zoned out.

"Yeah. Sorry I was just thinking of…" he eyes you curiously, those steel blue eyes had you going weak. You inch closer and you feel him move, his head siding in a way that all you had to do was… "I'm so sorry for this, Buck-"

"What are you apolog-" and your lips muffle his words when you press them against his. You hated this. Losing your control the second you are alone with him. This wasn't right, but it felt unbelievably nice. His lips don't move, so to save yourself more embarrassment you pull away and duck your head to avoid his gaze, hoping that your hair is covering the redness of your cheeks.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that…" you pull your hand away from under his, daring to look up at him. "We should go back to the-"

This time, he interrupts you. His flesh hand moving in a blur to the back of your head to bring you in for another kiss. His lips were rough on yours even when they parted slowly, but what did you expect? For him to be the womanizer Steve once told you he was? That now that he was free he would be kissing any girl? You let out a sigh of relief through your nostrils before pulling away.

"Did I do something wrong?" His eyes were soft with worry as he tried to meet yours.

"No. Gosh no" you bite your lip. "Don't apologize...I just lost myself there…" you giggle and he smiles weakly. You move forward again but stop, looking into his hues for approval before you lean in again slowly and his lips capture yours. He dares to part his lips and you tilt your head slightly, so does his, deepening the kiss only slightly.

"Y/N? Are you- Sweet Jesus!" Sam voices echoes through your ears and Bucky quickly pushes you away lightly, but enough to have you away from him.

"Sam. I-" You try to explain.

"Nuh-uh. I saw enough to know what was going on."

"Any leads?" Bucky asks, trying to divert the attention, standing up now.

"Sharon found him" Sam says. "Let's go, and no PDA while I'm around, okay?"

"When all of this is over-" Bucky starts as you two walk down the containers, Sam, Sharon and Zemo a few feet ahead.

"I shouldn't have done that" you insist. "My timing was off.."

"You make it sound like it was wrong when it wasn't" he pulls out his gun and so do you.

"It was" you nod your head as you walk. He reaches for your hand, looks at the group in front of you before he pulls you to the side behind a container, your body between the two.

"I have wanted what happened more than you know" he is soft in his words and his eyes divert to your lips for a moment. "I just...I have a past, Y/N..."

"A past you are free from now, Bucky" you point out. "You are not The Winter Soldier anymore. You have grown from that ever since Wakanda…" you assure him. "I'm not even asking you to accept it to start something because I know its way too soon-"

"You don't understand" he slowly backs away from you.

"You don't trust yourself entirely yet, do you?" His eyes avoiding your gaze made you frown. "I knew that this would have consequences. I'm going to talk to Zemo."

"Y/N, wait" he catches your arm as you turn and he brings you close. "We can't trust Zemo. You know that…" he says. "I am not sure how to explain it, but-"

That's when it hit you. "You don't want him to know we are each other's weakness…" you voice and his head nods slowly as he swallows.

"That's why we need to sort this out, but later, not during this…"

"Y/N?" Sam calls out and you frown.

"On it!" You whisper shout back.

"Be careful. I'll go in with Sam…You stay with Sharon…" he says and your head nods.

*****

"Walker I swear if you don't shut up I'll make you swallow that shield" your arms were crossed, leaning against the wall behind Bucky who was guarding the stairs. Zemo was cuffed, Sam was inside talking with Karli, Walker and Hoskins had found their way to you and now were here.

"Easy there. I'm just worried about your partner being in there by himself" he says and you notice the glare the Sargeant gives him.

"You have been messing this whole operation the moment you got here" you spat.

"Aren't you worried about Sam back there?"

"He can handle himself. He is doing what is right, unlike others" you eye him up and down and his whole face darkens, taking a step forward and you take a defiant one as well.

"Think carefully what you will do next, Walker" Bucky puts his hand on his chest.

"Let him. I can kick his ass and take that shield off his hands in a heartbeat…" you hiss.

"This is all easy for you, isn't it? All that serum rushin' through your veins. You let your partner in there with a Super Soldier, that blood will be on your hands if things get dirty in there…" Walker says to Bucky. How dare he!?

For a moment, you ponder on his words and you can't stand the thought of Sam being in there getting beaten by Super Soldiers while Walker could be right. You didn't want him to be. What if they took him? What if…?

"Buck…" you put your hand on his bicep and he looks at you, knowing very well what you wanted to do.

Of course, Walker wasn't very good with entrances since he literally waltzed in calling Karli and saying she was under arrest. Super Soldiers showed up everywhere and your eyes widened. Karli pushes Walker and then storms off running.

"Karli!" You call and look at Sam.

"Go! We got this!"

Your head nods, eyes shift to look at Bucky who was fighting a Super Soldier off before you storm to the direction Karli headed to. You see her walking down the corridor, not too far from you. "Karli, wait! This is not what it looks like!" Karli says and she stops in her tracks, looking back at you.

"It is exactly what it looks like! You are working for Captain America!"

"What? No! We hate the guy!" You admit bluntly, honesty can get you places after all, and at least she stopped. "We just want to work this out. There has to be a better way to fight for what you want, Karli…" you say and get closer.

"Yeah. There is...But first, you will help us deliver a message before we trust you again" your head tilts to the side curiously when you feel arms around you and you feel a pinch on your neck. Your eyelids feel heavy all of a sudden until you can't hold them open any longer.

-Bucky's POV-

After fighting some of the Flag Smashers off he meets with Sam, Walker and Hoskins in the middle of the building.

"We lost them" Hoskins says as he looked around.

"You made us loose them! I had everything under control until you stepped in!" Sam complained.

"Where is Y/N?" Bucky asks as he looks around.

"She went after Karli. I haven't seen her since..." Sam says, his phone goes off and Bucky is quick to move close to him as he opens the message. "They got Y/N…" Sam's brown eyes shift to look at Bucky who was clenching his jaw yet his eyes showed how worried he was, and mad for letting you go after Karli alone.

"That's it." Bucky turns on his heels and started walking the other direction.

"Bucky!" Sam calls but it didn't get the man's attention. "Bucky!"

[witsserviceablesubstitute]

In case it wasn't clear I'm replaying Inquisition atm and still thinking about my DA2 companions, 😔.

DA2 was always going to appeal more to me because it's about the mage/templar conflict from the perspective of the powerless, while DAI is about the mage/templar conflict from the perspective of the power structure itself and I do miss my beloved ragtag murder of broken bisexuals (+ Sebastian).

The companions of Inquisition are fine, and I don't hate the worst parts of them like others seem to (Viv's politics are bankrupt— I don't want her anywhere near power— but oddly enough I like her more than Cassandra. She's self aware and makes me laugh). Their flaws are fairly understandable, though it's indicative of where BioWare was in 2014 that DA's first Black companion is Thatcher adjacent. These games, so close and so far... Just, argh, the two-sidesism of the 2010s videogames era drives me crazy. Bioshock Infinite was the same. Though, I still think Anders and Fenris were the most egregious example in the Dragon Age series.

Anyway, here's my three controversial opinions of Inquisition:

1) I don't hate Dorian's slavery apologism at the start when his experiences in Thedas lead to him becoming an anti-slavery Magister (canon as of the DLC and comics). He's young, careless, privileged, and it's his first time out of Tevinter. However, apart from his conversations and failed attempts to connect with Solas, we never see that journey and we should've absolutely seen that journey.

2) Solas as an entity kinda comes out of nowhere and is a bit off theme. It's interesting, he's interesting, and it builds the lore and history of Thedas in interesting ways. But the meta connotations are troubling because DA keeps doubling down on disproportionately punishing Thedas' oppressed groups without letting the player meaningfully choose to help them. It's always "there's no real helping their suffering and it's half their fault anyway".

3) (This one is going to get me exiled, I know) Cullen should've been your Brutus. It's thematically relevant, he hates mages, and his experiences in DA2 would've strengthened the prejudices he had because of his trauma in DAO. It's still complicated and gray because he (and all Templars) have been used cruelly as meat shields, drugged by the state into compliance, and mages are the scapegoats for Templar suffering. He's a veteran and his (Templar) betrayal would've bookended activist Anders (Mage) betrayal in cool narrative ways.

Okay, please don't hate me too much 🙏😭.

[hyacinthsdiamonds]

I don’t think Seb meant it badly. I do actually think it is a good and an important point to make here. If there’s a 7 year old kid out there who wants to be an f1 driver and being emotionally and/or physically abused by one/both of their parents, hidden behind a ‘tough love’ facade, seeing max being successful and seeing that “oh tough love works! look at max verstappen” it is important to also see that you don’t have to have been treated like shit to be successful. Sebastian Vettel was incredibly successful with the same team but with a completely different upbringing. He was supported and loved no matter what his results were and managed to live a fairly normal life before he went into f1. It says, you don’t have to be treated like shit to be given the drive and resilience to make your dreams possible. Also, if I heard a kid say in school “oh my dad left me at a petrol station because I came second in my race” I would absolutely report that to authorities it’s not fucking ok? That’s child endangerment, abandonment and emotional abuse? Why would anyone even try to entertain that that is a healthy relationship. Maybe it’s better now between Max and Jos, and they were the 1% that it worked for and we will never hear the 99% of other stories where kids were abused to be successful in their sport and the traumatised kids who didn’t make it and were broken by it will remain unheard. And if it’s never called out how do we know that the cycle won’t continue.

You have very valid points. And yes, we absolutely should call out abuse and advocate for victims but it's important to take care not to speak over or to re-traumatize the victims in question. Recovery and healing is a lifelong process. It's a long journey and it takes some victims decades before they can even acknowledge that what they went through was abuse and that what happened to them, what was done to them, wasn't their fault. There isn't a step by step guide to healing, every victim has their own journey.

I'm not going to speculate on Max's private life or his relationship with Jos now. But Seb (allegedly) discussing the things Jos did to Max as a kid to a journalist, isn't going to magically make Max's entire perceptive shift. Publicly he has never said he regarded what happened to him as abuse. If anything Max will probably double down and say that he's glad it happened because of where he believes it got him, if asked about Seb's alleged comments.

I'm not defending Jos or condoning his behavior in any way shape or form or saying his relationship with Max was healthy in anyway. We've heard those stories, heard the allegations regarding Jos' behavior and conduct towards his partners and towards others. Jos should've been held accountable years ago. It's says so much about our society that he wasn't. Our society has been closing our eyes to this sort of abuse for decades, whether it be parents of athletes or performers etc, time and time again they've gotten away with it so long as there's a new talent, a new prodigy in the industry in question. And you're right, we don't talk about the kids who endured the same abuse but didn't make it. That has to change, it all has to.

We absolutely should call out abuse but by centering that quote on Max, the focus is shifted away from the issue and onto "oh how Max will react!" By shifting the focus onto Max, he is going to be made to answer for what happened to him. The media doesn't actually care about victims. The media only cares about the story they can get out of them, about how they can exploit that story for views. Max was likely only referenced for the click bait, as he one of the most recognizable drivers on the planet and is likely to claim his second world title soon.

[2centsnobodyasked4]

Teresa VS Rubi

I haven't watched a telenovela since like 2007. I feel like Rebelde was the last one I saw. However, I hold on to a couple of novelas that I thought were outstanding, such as Rubi. With the years, I've come across a lot of talk about 'Teresa' and I wondered why it had the same premise as Rubi. I was slightly intrigued. I learned that the story of Teresa came first back in the day, then Rubi. On social media such as tiktok and youtube, people are always comparing both. I kept saying that obviously Rubi was better because it was the one i watched. So in order to not be THAT biased, i decided to give Teresa a shot. So i just binged the entire novela in a couple of weeks. So here are my 2 cents.

Intro:

Song: La descarada- Reyli

Song: Esa hembra es mala- Gloria Trevi

With the songs alone, I will still have to give it to Rubi's intro song. I feel like it was more seductive and more true to what the novela was going to be about. On the other hand, Teresa's theme song felt like it would be more appropriate for Rubi. Because it was sang from the point of view of the 'betrayed friend'. Although you can argue that the betrayed friend was Luisa and that it would be from her point of view, but that only happened towards the very last episodes, so it wouldn't really make sense for it to summarize the entire novela as Reyli's song did.

Furthermore, I enjoy Rubi's intro more, especially the beginning were is says 'Una obra de ..." it makes it seem fancy and like I'm in for a special treat.

The actress

Barbara Mori vs Angelique Boyer

I know I'm going to sound like a jerk by comparing their physical appearance, but I'm going to do it anyway.

Face

They are obviously both beautiful women, but in MY opinion, Barbara Mori's face is more seductive without even trying. She reminds me so much of Megan Fox. On the other hand, Angelique's face is so youthful that she has to work extra hard and make over the top gestures to act out the seductress role.

Body

Although they both have fantastic bodies, they are very different from each other. Once again, Barbara's body gives off a more sensual and natural look. Even the way she moves is a perfect embodiment of Rubi. Angelique once more has a more youthful small body, and the main thing that makes her 'hot' is her boobs, which look really fake and it doesn't play into the story since she's suppose to be poor. Rubi didn't have much of a chest, but she still managed to appear more naturally seductive. Teresa was just constantly exposing her chest to appear seductive.

Acting

Barbara Mori's acting was excellent. She made me feel like thats how she was in real life. Everything came natural to her. Angelique's acting was all over the place. She really had to OVERACT to put her point across. Everything about the novela in general was overacted actually. Angelique had to do over the top facial expressions to show when she was scheming, when she was talking down to people or when she was in love. She came out looking like a cartoon character as opposed to Barbara that made her character seem like a real person.

Story

I've already made this post way longer than i expected and there's so much more that I want to talk about out so I'm just gonna have to shoot out random points:

Evil

I feel like they were both equally evil. They both were horrible to their families, to the men they loved and to their friends. I can't really make my decision on who was worse. I will hand it to Teresa though that she worked and studied hard to have a degree and was an excellent lawyer. However, I've seen arguments that mention that she was smarter that Rubi and relied on her brains instead of her body to get ahead. But thats not true. Sure she had a degree but she didn't get far because of it at all. She did the EXACT same thing that Rubi did, got ahead with her body provoking a rich guy. Sure she played the long game but at then end she did the same thing, not just with Arturo but with Fernando as well. She seduced him, nothing to do with her brain.

Ending

Rubi's ending was EXCELLENT. It has stayed with me for a long time because we finally have a main character that didn't win at the end. She got what she deserved. She lost the man she loved, she lost all her money which is what she fought the most, she lost her beauty, and she lost her beautiful body. EVERYTHING, and it was just excellent.

Teresa's ending left me baffled. She ended up with the man she loved after everything that she did. People may argue that she changed and felt remorse for what she did, but come on. She didn't even suffer for that long. She only regretted things because she was caught and exposed, otherwise she would've never changed. Also the fact that Arturo came to her after what she did to his sister is disgusting. Sure forgive her for what she did to him, but to his innocent sister? Seriously??? I get it, that they wanted for them to have a happy ending since the actors were dating in real life, but that just makes bad story telling.

Plot

It kind of gave me the impression that Teresa was going to follow a similar plot to Rubi's in the sense that Teresa was going to stay in love with Mariano all the way til the end, and that at some point when Teresa was not going to have any more money, that Mariano would now be super rich and prestigious but would want nothing to do with her like in Rubi. Although that would've been a Rubi copy, it would've been a better route to take. Because then other elements seem pointless. Something that I do admire more from Teresa was the fact that Mariano fell in love with Aurora, because in Rubi, it felt like Alejandro, although he married Maribel, it never seemed like he truly loved her. It was more like he cared for her. So i was so ready for an awesome ending to where Teresa was trying to stop the wedding and be suffering because the love of her life no longer loves her. That would've been so satisfying to watch and Mariano's wedding would also be triumphant because he overcame his temptation....however, that didn't happen. Teresa didn't even care, so it makes the wedding kind of pointless to the story. It really felt like 3 quarters of the novela they were building it up that triumph moment, but instead it felt like they changed the direction of story to fit in the real romance between Angelique and Sebastian. To be honest, Arturo's ending should've been the same as his counterpart role in Rubi.

In Summary. I have a lot more bones to pick with Teresa, but the ones that come to mind, are probably mostly the acting, not just of Angelique but of the cast. I think many of them were new actors or something, but their acting was horrible. I can really tell who was new and who was a veteran. Having said all of this, I DID enjoy watching Teresa. I know it may seem like I'm just hating on it and like I didn't enjoy it, but I really did. The first few episodes were really boring but after a while it was hard for me to stop. In one day I would go through 10 episdoes.....bruh, those are like 10 hours a day dedicated to Teresa. It was intriguing and interesting, especially many of the elements that were different from Rubi, such as her becoming a lawyer and her ways that she helped unmask Ruben.

In conclusion though, I do see Rubi as superior. A superior actress, a superior story and superior ending. Maybe a bit is from nostalgia but I did give Teresa a fair chance. Although entertaining, it was not what I would consider a good novela.

Me das miedo Teresa.

Rubi, tan bella como malvada.

[innocentbeing]

so.. I’m just gonna throw this out there.. just gonna put it into the atmosphere..

I think Doll is Canopus and I think she might be the one who went to the town house with polaris and shot Soma 👉👈  

HERES WHY !! 

1) Soma’s behavior is weird if he’s talking to “Ciel”  it’s far too polite and not how he usually acts with him

here’s how soma is with ciel:

this way of greeting him is very consistent. now compare it whatever the heck this was

his behavior is just.. SUPER weird. it’s like he’s talking to a friendly acquaintance rather than his BFF. you can say yana wanted to make it vague for the 2ct reveal.. but she could have done that without making Soma super OOC LOOL. we didn’t see the shooters face, he didn’t have to say his name, just make him act like he usually does.. what I really love about yana’s writing is how she treats her characters.. her characterization. she’s REALLY good at writing realistic, complex characters... so to make Soma really weird for a moment for the big reveal is just.. no. It’s just no. LOOL. 

Yana’s way too good of a writer, esp with characterization, to do this. Just no. LMAO. No. There are plenty of ways to not reveal the killer, build up 2ct, and still keep Soma in character SHUD. I’m not gonna accept that he was talking to “Ciel” until the manga forces me to.

MOVING ON..

2) Choice of words Soma uses

So.. not only does Soma ACT weird.. what he SAYS is weird LMAO. and no, I’m not talking about “Oh it’s you” instead of saying Ciel’s name. Even if we ignore the vagueness and his weird behavior.. his dialogue.. the words Yana deliberately chooses.. is 100% not consistent with his character if he’s talking to “Ciel”. 

Soma forced Ciel to stay in bed and rest when he noticed he wasn’t feeling well. he knows he has asthma that could be triggered from the cold and the rain. he constantly worries for ciel and wants him to be well and healthy.. 

there’s just no way he’d be calm if he thought ciel could potentially have a fever... no way in hell LMAO.

There’s hardly a hint of any concern on the left pic. It’s minimal. Soma should've been up in arms over it if it was Ciel. He straight up Cannot be talking to “Ciel”. He just can’t. NO. D<

NEXT....

3) The conversation with Sully and Wolf is weird af

So... they mention the name of Agni’s supposed killer and Soma makes no reaction to it? they tell him Agni was already dead by the time Ciel and Sebastian got there. He doesn’t think that’s weird they’d say that? Doesn’t feel the need to yell at them and correct them that he wasn’t already dead— they killed him?? no??? doesnt he think its odd that the murderers— his friend— just shot him, killed agni, and then.. took him to get his injuries healed?? like, thats FKING WEIRD RIGHT? LMAOOO THAT LITERALLY MAKES NO SENSE.

also, lets ignore the fact that he’s willing and ready to murder someone he wanted to wholly support and befriend with all his heart... LIKE OBVIOUSLY IF HE SAW OCIEL KILL AGNI AND SHOOT HIM HE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO BE PISSED AND UPSET.. OBVIOUSLY. but its a little weird to not even be.. confused by the random ass violent attack from someone you’re close to?? upset they would do that? Betrayed? i mean, he was obviously upset by Agni’s death, crying out “why did agni have to die” because agni was such a good wholesome person, like what kind of world would kill him like that... but he mentions nothing about why or how someone he’s close to, his friend, would do that. 

I mean, Soma understands O!C SO WELL LIKE... YEAH SURE, IF HE SAW HIS FACE LIKE THERES NO WAY TO JUST DENY WHATS RIGHT BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES.. but idk, i feel like he would know that o!c wouldnt do that.

but then again it could just be like.. stages of grief. anyway, there’s THIS WHOLE PAGE

“you saw who attacked you?”

“yes. that is one face I would never mistake for another”

...LIKE WE SEE HOW AWKWARD THE FLOW OF THIS CONVO IS IF SOMA THINKS O!CIEL KILLED HIM RIGHT?? They mentioned Ciel’s name, told him Agni was dead by the time [Ciel and Sebastian] found him... then ask him if he saw the killer... and he responds with “yes. i saw all right. i saw as clear as day” as if they weren’t just talking about o!ciel, the killer. like.. either he is ignoring everything they’re fking saying (which he’s clearly not) OR he does not think the killer is O!C. 

OR It’s possible that he knows about R!C at this point and thinks he’s the killer instead thanks to the the picture Agni gave him. however, it still doesn’t explain the first two points :// which brings me to my next point...

4) Agni’s weird reaction to the picture

yeah, we all know how fking weird his face is over seeing that there’s two ciels

it could be just to hold the suspense of the big reveal, but there was literally no reason to make him look so terrified LOOL. he could be SHOCKED and still keep the tension, but that face is HORRIFIED LMAOO. its confusing and weird. 

also, this is a piece he found that ciel chucked into the fireplace

it’s part of the same photo Pitt took when ciel snatched it away

and in the flashback, he took a pic of the twins... but it is NOT the same photo as the one above

Ciel is wearing different clothes.. there’s an adult behind him (probably vincent) which makes sense because it was a family portrait. In the flashback, Pitt only took a picture of the twins. it’s very clear the picture Agni saw is not the one we saw in the flashback.

So.. the question is.. WHY would Yana make them different pictures if we’re supposed to believe Agni’s reaction was about the twin?? Wouldn’t it make sense to CONFIRM that his reaction was about 2ct since R!Ciel’s existence was known at that point?? Why do we still need to see the photo Agni saw if it was just meant as ambiance for real ciel’s appearance??

Of course it could still be the twin since they’re most likely both in the family photo.. but it still doesn’t make sense to make the pictures different. It’s as if there is a reason for it. Like he could’ve saw something else. 🤔🤔

Yana obviously wants us to believe that Agni saw rCiel, but the fact that they’re different photos is worth questioning it because if he really did see rCiel then it should and could have been confirmed in the flashback. Instead, we get photo that looks similar to it. To only make us think they’re the same. It’s as if it’s a red herring, and if Agni’s reaction was not about RC, then it makes some sense to also doubt that he was the shooter since it’s connected. It's kinda like at the beginning of this arc when we see Undertaker sneaking into (whom, at the time, we believed was) OC's bedroom to pour some kind of liquid down his mouth, but now we can look back and see that it was actually RC all along. Which, thank GOD bc i always thought that scene was so weird and stupid cos like why tf did oc not freak out over that?? Anyways, i think this situation is similar to that.

SO THOSE ARE PRETTY MUCH MY MAIN REASONS WHY I DONT THINK IT WAS REAL!CIEL.. but if it wasn’t real!Ciel then who was it??

WELL! Like I said, I think it was Doll and I think she’s Canopus but I’ll be honest, I don’t have any solid reasons for it. It’s just the next best thing I could come up with. Here are some of my reasons:

1) The shooter has to be a character we’ve seen before

Like.. they just HAVE to LMAO. It’d be SO disappointing and anticlimactic if it was some new character we’ve never seen before?? Like why build up all this tension and suspense only to reveal it’s just some literally-who-cares character 😭😭 

2) The shooter is smaller than Soma

So.. I dunno their exact heights. I dunno where Doll would reach if put next to Soma. BUT I’m pretty sure she’s at least smaller than him LOL.

3) “That is one face I would never mistake for another”

I think this one is pretty self explanatory! Doll has a unique face!

Obviously she would have to be a bizarre doll by the time they met, but I don’t think that scar is something Undertaker could change. ..Or maybe he just wouldn’t care enough LOL 

4) Soma knew who the shooter was

So yeah, this one is weird considering we never ever seen Doll and Soma interact.. like ever. However, we don’t see much of Soma’s life when he’s not with Ciel in the first place!! In this arc we learned that he goes out of his way to make curry bread and give it to those in need! 

and well, we all know that Doll could definitely relate to being a homeless, hungry child. 

SO idk, perhaps they could’ve somehow met each other like that. Maybe in passing at the market. Maybe he saw her and gave her some bread. IDK.. I DON”T HAVE MUCH TO GO OFF OF. LMAO

5) “Don’t you dare touch me”

Apparently what the shooter said to Soma is exactly what O!Ciel said to Doll after he set everything on fire and I think that’d be such an AMAZING parallel. Like, it’d really show how far gone she is?? Imagine her living off of revenge because of what O!C did to her and her family. Just like how he is.. OMG 😭

annd that’s about all the reasons I got! The main thing that’s putting me off is the speech difference between Doll and Canopus :/. “I think it’s time you stopped hesitating” and “don’t you dare touch me” are all of what we’ve heard from Canopus.. it’s different from Doll’s accent

but it’s not like she can’t just improve on her speech !

SO ANYWAY, that’s it! Some food for thought! THanks for reading!!

[nikibogwater]

Thoughts on the reunion between Din and his rightful baby? (I know it’s been a year total they were separate but that was too long for me!)

The Author part of my brain is saying it was a little clunky and probably could've been done better, but the Fangirl part of my brain is screaming and crying and flailing so that I can't hear the former. 💕😭💕

...Okay, fine I'll elaborate. The actual reunion scene itself is amazing and everything I could've hoped for. Their reunion taking place in the middle of ABSOLUTE CHAOS is just so perfect, and with Peli there to lend some comedic relief, the entire scene came across as wonderfully cathartic and heartwarming. Pedro Pascal's voice work was (as usual) stellar--you can really hear the surprise, panic, and relief all wrapped up in Din's voice. And I'm not sure which of the doubles was in the suit for this scene but again, as usual, they were able to communicate so much emotion through very subtle movements and body language. THAT HUG IS EVERYTHING TO ME, OKAY?!?!?!?!

All of that being said, I do have to admit that the buildup around the reunion scene was a little bit clumsy. I've seen several fans point out that this really should've been in season 3 of The Mandalorian, and I have to agree with them there. It was really weird to stick such an important development in a show that wasn't The Mandalorian. And I do wish we could've seen a little bit more of Grogu's side of the story--specifically, more about what made him decide to return to Din. And like, yes, I know, obvious answer is He Loves His Papa, but he was the one who wanted to train with Luke in the first place. If we could've seen a bit more of him struggling with the Jedi lifestyle, realizing that this wasn't what he wanted anymore, I think it would've made his reunion with Din that much more impactful. As it is, it kind of just looks like he went "Well that was fun, but I think I'm gonna go home now."

Also quick aside, but I absolutely despise Deepfaked/Autotuned Luke. It is so robotic and uncanny. Lucasfilm, please, for the love of the Maker, just get a look/soundalike to play Luke from now on. I mean, Sebastian Stan is right there.

But anyways--critiques aside, I've been on cloud nine ever since our favorite Clan of Two were reunited, and for the first time in over a year, I'm actually genuinely excited for the future of The Mandalorian.

Thanks so much for the ask, Non!