#bloody mary just dance

[andshewas-mp4]

j’veux pas mourir toute seule <3

[a-skrub]

Dance Of Sovngarde

A Skyrim Attack Animation Moveset

[as-salty-as-the-sea]

LITTLESIHA NATION LET’S RISEEEEEEE

every time i watch the map for can’t tame her, my skin gets cleared, my crops have been harvested, i’m passing all my graces etc etc

also pansexual heart is in reference to this instagram post !!

well since u opened this post, here’s some old felicia sketches for ur pleasure.

[averokagejd]

"are boss witch and felicia sister-"

wrong, they're either rivals, or witch lesbians, or rival witch lesbians, and you will not change my mind until full proof is shown otherwise.

[wanderlustjustdance]

❤️BLOODY MARY❤️

[abstract-candy]

Gonna be honest I'm kinda disappointed with the bloody mary map :(

I love the song and the map looks really pretty but the choreography just seemed too repetitive to me to be honest.

I don't hate it or anything but I kinda wish it had more.

If you like it though then I'm happy for you and I hope you all have fun dancing to it!

[ferrarirossa]

𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓾

pairing: charles leclerc x fem!reader

warnings: 18+ smut/NSFW, oral sex (m receiving), unprotected sex, squirting, cursing, size kink

summary: three words: Red. Like. Passion. But red is also the color of the car driven by Charles. Red is your lingerie, as red as your dirty thoughts about the Ferrari driver…

author’s note: do not copy or give credits

The smell of alcohol, loud music, people crowded together, temperature too high: the definition of a busy night. A night in Monaco meant this to you. Boundless fun and one-night stands with whoever came along.

After your breakup with your ex-boyfriend, your sweet and delicate personality has transformed into hate and lust personified. Temptress with your gaze, you conquer every boy who looks into your eyes, driving him crazy.

This one night seems long and empty just like the others. You enter the club, approach the bar counter, and ask for a Bloody Mary. The bartender can’t take his eyes off of you because of how gorgeous you look this evening.

With your cocktail in your hands, you wander around the place feeling observed differently than on other nights. You begin to feel in awe, your skin begins to sweat for no reason. You turn around to understand the reason for all this, and you are struck by a pair of sea-colored eyes that study every curve of your body highlighted by the red silk dress you are wearing.

Brown hair. Ice eyes. Sexy body under the black shirt that struggles to contain his muscles. Who is this man? His appearance seems familiar, but you had never noticed him in the different clubs you frequent almost every night, you would have noticed his gaze and his charm.

So you decide to move in his direction casually. You walk past him and look at him with cat eyes and out of the corner of your eye, you notice him getting up from the sofa where he was sitting just a few seconds ago, following you to the bar counter. When you’re about to ask for a second drink, you hear a familiar voice say: “I’ll pay for the young lady, she’s with me, thank you”.

You turn towards him, meeting his gaze directly toward your breasts. To attract his attention you say in a confident voice: “Oh yes? So are we together? Is today our anniversary by any chance?”

The sound of his laughter sends a shiver of pleasure down your spine. His aura of mystery makes you moisten between your thighs. No one had ever succeeded until now. “Who are you? Why do you seem to already have a place in my mind if I have never met you?” you think in your mind. “So what are you waiting for to drink? Are you going to stare at me all night, princess?” he says, smiling mischievously and moving his gaze toward your thighs pressed together.

Suddenly your favorite song comes on from the speakers so you take his hands, take him to the center of the dance floor, and start purposely seducing him with your sexy moves. You notice his gaze moving toward your hips and then looking at your ass every time you turn your back to him while dancing.

The atmosphere gets hotter and hotter until the sound of his sensual voice reaches your eardrums as he whispers: “How about we go away for a while, princess?”

That nickname drives you crazy, it makes you even wetter and more in need of finding out everything about the man whose name you don’t even know. Placing his hand on the lower part of your shoulder, he guides you toward the exit in a confident manner, leading you to his car.

You can’t believe your eyes: it’s a Ferrari 488 Pista, titanium-colored with a livery featuring red and white stripes reminiscent of the Monaco flag. You already saw that car before. With his hand, he motions for you to get into the car. Still shocked, you enter and observe the interior of it, just as beautiful as the owner. As you look around, you fall into the swirls of his eyes, now just millimeters away from you, which immediately bring you back to earth. Then, without asking, he starts attacking your mouth with his kisses.

You immediately turn your head slightly to allow him access to your neck. You feel his teeth on your sensitive flesh stimulating your pleasure, your nipples stiffen, and your hands tighten on the leather of the seat. His hands instead roam all over your body, exploring every area still covered by the soft fabric of your dress, which is slowly becoming more and more wrinkled due to the contact with his powerful body.

He leaves two purple marks on your neck, you still feel his warm breath near your earlobe. Without wasting time, you bring your delicate hands near the zip of his pants. You too, without asking, slowly unbutton it, until you glimpse a protuberance trapped in his Calvin Klein boxers.

Without speaking, you look him in the eyes and he responds with a nod of approval, encouraging you to continue. You quickly lower his boxers below his knees and take out his cock, already full of pulsating veins visible from afar due to how excited he is. This vision makes you feel so horny that you let out a moan of pleasure without him touching you.

You begin to move your fingers up and down his length, and then focus more on his head with circular movements. With your other hand, you stimulate his testicles so that he dies from the pleasure of having you. Watching his head go back in pleasure and his moans mixed with excitement and lust sends you into ecstasy. You bring your mouth closer to his cock, first licking it lightly and then suddenly taking it all in your mouth until it reaches your throat. This sends him into a frenzy, so much so that he can no longer feel his legs. You watch his abdomen contract and his moans become louder and louder as he holds your hair forcefully, pulling it slightly toward him to make his cock go as deep as possible into your throat.

He cums all over your mouth and hands. You look at him with eyes full of appetite and continuing to look at him you lick all the liquid from him, tasting it and swallowing it. This gesture drives him crazy enough to tear your dress and then throw it somewhere. He is shocked by the color of your lingerie. Fiery red like blood, like the stitching of the seats of his Ferrari, like the sex you are about to have. Quite violently he turns you around to unbutton your lace bra. Your lush breasts enchant him, enough to invite him to leave hickeys right next to your nipples. Your cries of pain infused with cries of pleasure are music to his ears, his favorite tune. He leaves hickeys all over your abdomen until he reaches your inner thighs. He looks at you with his icy gaze for a second, then takes your thong with his teeth and pulls it down until your crotch is exposed.

He enters you without any warning, enough to make you scream so loudly that the people outside the club look around. Luckily the windows of his Ferrari are tinted to hide the obscenities you are doing inside. His pace is fast like his car, his moans resemble the roar of an engine. Together you create perfect music, harmonious notes that blend with the noise of your flash making contact. As he moves inside you he bites your earlobe and moves to your right collarbone. You have never been so at peace. For the first time, you forget all the pain of your past, this man is magical. His cock adheres perfectly to the walls of your vagina. “Fuck you’re so tight, you're perfect for me, princess”. You can’t even answer him, you can only let out a moan of pleasure. Suddenly you feel a knot in your stomach getting stronger and stronger and then you cum hard like never before. “This man is phenomenal”, you think. After a few seconds, he also cums for the second time, still shouting how wonderful you are.

“So? Don’t you ask my name?” he says. “Is it possible that you don’t remember me, princess?”. Immediately that nickname, his voice, his toned muscles, and his icy eyes come back to your mind. It's Charles Leclerc. The famous Formula 1 driver. Your first meeting? A night of fire like this. You have tried to track him down but since so much time has passed you lost all hopes. “Charles,” you say, your pupils widening as does your smile. “I have never forgotten you, princess”. “I hope you can forgive me, it took me a long time to find you, but here we are, perfect as we were that night, made for each other”. With eyes full of tears, you lie down on the seat starting to fantasize about a future together, about a life full of red and love.

[inkdrinkerworld]

Terrified

Cw: idiots in love, remus being scared of fucking up, maybe some swear words, angst to fluff

Wc: 2.6k

You never want to see Remus again.

Your chest burns as you watch him dance in James’ back garden with a girl who looks nothing like you and all you can feel is bile climbing your throat.

Sure you hadn’t believed him when he’d first asked you out, but his persistence, his kind words and the way he would constantly flirt with you had gotten you to agree to one date.

You’d hoped he was being honest, that he had feelings for you too. Maybe not as strong as yours were, but at least enough.

Now you see you’d been a fool.

One Week Earlier:

Remus and you have been dancing around your feelings for each other for as long as you’ve been friends. You always flirt and tease each other, but nothing ever comes of it. Remus likes you- it sometimes feels a bit more than like, especially when he smells your chamomile conditioner, or when you offer him his favourite sea salt and caramel chocolates.

You feel the same. Remus always wants to buddy read with you, or hear you talk about your day and over the years, you’ve both gotten into a steady routine of either calling or messaging the other before you go to sleep.

It feels very much like the two of you are together already even though you’re not.

Your friends have become annoyed with you both for the amount of teasing banter that’s tossed back and forth that yields nothing.

“Just ask her out, Moony. Bloody fucking ‘ell, you’d swear you didn’t know the girl was tripping up about you.” Sirius moans, sipping his beer as Remus watches you talk with Lily and Mary at the other side of the long table.

You’re all at a pub to celebrate the end of the week, needing drinks after the way work has shafted you all in some way or the other.

You hair’s out tonight, a rare occurrence, and Remus swears that he can smell your shampoo from where he’s sat.

You’ve got on your work pants still, just with a different top- a softer looking top to your usual scrub tops. Even though you’re tired, and the lighting is shit in the pub, Remus’ breath is stolen by you.

“S’not like it would hurt anything.” James chimes in, Remus keeping his eyes on you as he tries to distract himself from acting on his friends’ goading. “C’mon Moony, you’d both be happy together.”

James would never root for you both if he thought there would be any major falling outs and a lack of chemistry, still Remus is hesitant.

It’s a bit different to liking you from the safe title of, ‘just friends,’ to liking you and doing something to turn the title into something else- something more.

You turn in his direction, a wide smile on your face when you find his hazel green eyes across the room.

“You’re far away tonight, Remus.” There’s no real sadness in your voice, but something about your eyes has Remus readying himself to change positions with Mary.

Sirius snickers, “He’s fighting your love, poppet. Doesn’t want to sit too near, lest he embarrass himself.” You frown, twisting a strand of hair around your finger as you examine Remus.

“You don’t actually have to come over.” you say, your mouth curving into a soft pout. Remus doesn’t hesitate in slamming the heel of his shoe into Sirius’ shin.

“Why don’t you come sit with me here, dove? Sirius can go sit with Mary.” you shake your head, turning back to Lily and Mary who glare at Sirius and shake their heads at Remus.

He sighs, sitting back into his chair. Remus’ mood doesn’t brighten till you’re all leaving. James and Sirius have gone to the till to settle up, Mary and Marlene have hitched a taxi, Lily is already in the car per James’ request with the doors locked and you’re standing at the door waiting for Sirius because he’s yours and Remus’ ride home.

“Sirius didn’t mean what he said earlier as anything more than a joke. You know that right dove?” Remus asks gently, scuffing his shoe against the pavement as he takes a drag of his cigarette.

“Mhm.” You pull your arms around you before letting them fall and then reach for the cigarette hanging from Remus’ lips. “Is this the strawberry menthol one?” You ask, looking up at Remus with eyes that seem to ensnare him like a siren ensnares its prey.

“Yeah,” it’s breathy and wispy, unlike Remus in all ways. It isn’t the first time you’ve shared a smoke- you don’t do it half as often as Remus, but every now and then, it’s a nice feeling between your teeth and fingers.

“You also don’t have to just do things to prove them wrong, which is why I gave you the out.” You turn your head to blow the smoke behind you, shoulders dropping just a little more as the smoke curls around your face.

Remus is enraptured. This close he can definitely smell the chamomile shampoo, though it also smells like sterility and sanitizer.

“I don’t need an out when it comes to you,” his hand reaches your lips, thumb dragging against your bottom lip just a second longer than it should before he plucks the cigarette from your mouth.

“You don’t have to keep the flirting up when it’s just Remus.” Your heart is pounding in your chest when Remus doesn’t look away. He tilts his head down towards you just as he takes a drag. It’s a little hypnotic to watch him inhale a little and then breathe out, blowing his smoke just over your shoulder.

Maybe it’s two pints he’d had, loosening his lips, but his words wash over you slowly. “I don’t flirt with you for their benefit, pretty girl. It’s not a farce.”

You feel your palms sweat against your thighs. “Oh really?”

He nods, a small grin spreading on his lips and making him look even hotter with the cigarette hanging from his mouth. “Yes really,” He throws the butt to the floor, stamping it out with the toe of his shoes. “I’ll prove it to you too. How abouts next Saturday, you and I go on a date.”

You shiver when his hand reaches for your elbow, drawing you a tad closer to him and out of the way of the opening door. “Just the two of us?”

Remus chuckles, “That’s how dates usually go, pretty girl.”

You hum, mulling it over in your head. You’re really only dragging it out like this so you don’t seem desperate, just in case this is a joke. “Sure, I’d love to go out with you Remus.”

You’d been excited about the date all week, not telling anyone about it lest you jinx the whole thing. When Friday rolled around you’d been practically bouncing off the walls.

Remus had texted you during the day, a little reminder of the date and the dress code for the fancy restaurant.

Your mind had been reeling with all the outfit options.

In the end, you’d chosen a pretty green dress with silver kitten heels. You’d curled your hair and told Remus you’d meet him at the restaurant.

You’d looked perfect and despite the trepidation over this all being one elaborate joke, you’d been hopeful. So, so hopeful.

Only when you got to the restaurant and texted Remus that you’d been there, he’d not responded.

Twenty minutes passed, then forty five, and you’d almost cried when the pretty waitress came in to ask if you were still waiting or if they could give the table away.

You’d at least ordered a slice of caramel cheesecake and then texted Sirius if you could come over to wallow.

That’s when you’d found out.

“Wallow? Poppet, I’m at a party.”He’s a little hard to hear, but you make him out fine and you frown.

“What party? Is everyone there?” you’re trying to be covert, but with Sirius there is anything but.

“Yeah, Moony’s here too. How come’s you’re not here, poppet?”

You won’t cry on the phone in the middle of the street.

“I’m coming over now.”

And that’s how you find Remus with his hand over your direct opposite’s bum, a flirty smile on his face and where you hear the splinter then shatter of your heart as you watch him kiss her neck.

“Hey poppet, you look like a stunner!” you blush a little, leaning into Sirius just a little. He shoves a red cup into your hand and you hardly even sniff it before knocking the entire thing back without flinching. Sirius laughs, fully impressed. “Okay, I assume you’ve had a rough night?”

“Yeah, but I just came to give this to Remus. When you find him will you give it to him?” Sirius nods, turning to find Remus but you’ve already shoved the box into his hands and making your way to the door.

You spend the entire night in your pyjamas eating the last of your caramel ice cream while you try to remind yourself that you and Remus aren’t a thing. You’re just friends, you just flirt with each other. It wasn’t that serious.

Nothing works, not even when Sirius messages you to tell you he’s never seen cheesecake make someone sad.

You feel a little numb, all through the weekend, avoiding your friends and their invites to bars and brunch.

You last a total of four days, then someone is banging on your door and you have to drag yourself out of bed with messy hair and stained Christmas pyjamas and open the door.

Sirius and James stand on the other side of the door. James is sympathetic, frowning when he spots your red rimmed eyes. Sirius opens his arms to you and the tears are back again.

“Oh poppet. He's a total idiot.” he mumbles, rubbing your back as you sniffle.

“We sent the girls on him,” James says soothingly, squeezing your shoulder.

“He won’t survive them.” you say wetly, stepping back to let the boys in.

Sirius smirks, “Moony’s a fucking twat, he shouldn’t survive them.”

You laugh and so does James. “Isn’t he your best friend?”

James nods, “Yeah, but he can still be a twat, angel girl.” You don’t feel comfortable telling them everything that had happened or everything you felt, but the boys use their tendency of imbuing you with confidence to get you to take a long hot shower, do your hair and find your sexiest outfit. Then, they drive you over to Remus’ apartment. .

Lily, Marlene and Mary are all leaving his apartment when you get there, smirks on their face when they see you.

“Make him work for it.” Mary whispers and you nod, letting Lily kiss your forehead just before sending you to Remus’ door.

“Open your door Remus.” The door opens almost immediately, Remus looks as horrible as you had been before your intervention.

Your friends don’t linger, they all pile into their cars and leave and you’re grateful that for once their nosiness hasn’t overridden their regular senses.

“Fuck,” he mutters, head hung low like he can’t stand to look at you. “Dove.”

“Can I come inside?” you ask and he nods, stepping out of the way so you could walk into his place.

Before you can say anything, Remus tugs your hand to pull you close to him. “Just for a minute.” he mumbles, his arms wrapping around you. Remus can’t stop the deep inhale, all he can smell is you and all he wants to smell is your chamomile shampoo. Maybe even some of your vanilla perfume.

You smell him too, his citrus and mint body wash. His clean cotton laundry detergent and something else that’s distinctly Remus. It feels good to hug him like this, but also you worry about the girl from the other night. You worry about your friendship and what’s going on.

When his hand cups the back of your head and his nose drags along your cheek you feel your breath hitch and your heart speed up. Your legs wobble, knees knocking slightly.

“I don’t know why you stood me up, or why you were dancing with that girl but I suspect she may not be happy to know you get this close to all the women in your life.”

You try for a joke, but it falls flat and Remus pulls away from you like you’ve burnt him.

He sighs, “I’ve been an idiot.” You nod, not wanting to lie.

“It would’ve been nicer if you just said you didn’t want to go anymore.” You’re trying hard not to let your voice crack, the last thing you want is Remus and you to make up just because you’re crying.

Remus bites his lip, the pretty scar slicing through it pulling tight as you watch his teeth sink into it.

“Dove,” you take a step back from him then. You don’t know what’s going to happen but you need a clearer head than the one you have right now.

“I did want to go.” He sounds sincere but you remember being at the restaurant for nearly an hour all alone.

“Then why didn’t you? I stayed for an hour waiting for you.”

Remus flinches. His chest burns with shame, guilt swirls his stomach. “I don’t have a good reason, other than I was scared it was just a joke. Just another thing we say and don’t do.”

You shake your head, “I texted you telling you I was there. Then I called Sirius and he said you were at a party with him and when I came you were dancing with a girl.” You take a deep breath to dispel the emotion clogging your throat. “This isn’t going to go anywhere if you’re not going to be honest Remus.”

His hand is rough against his face as he leans against his kitchen island.

“I wanted to get over you. I knew if I went on the date I’d just fall for you even more and I didn’t want to fuck up our friendship- I haven’t had the best track record when it comes to being in relationships. I’d have rather been friends than be your boyfriend and potentially lose everything.”

You shrug your shoulders, “I’d have rather you said that and cancelled the date. I’d have told you, you have nothing to be worried about and that we’d work through it together. Now, I don’t know if I can trust you anymore.”

Remus nods. “I’m sorry dove. If it’s worth anything, it didn’t help. I was thinking of you the entire night and when Sirius gave me the cheesecake I almost ran over to your place. He and James stopped me and made me tell them everything. They told me I was being rash and stupid, said I was going to lose you now for sure.”

You sigh, tears pooling in your eyes finally. “I wish you just told me.”

Remus reaches for you, not being able to stomach the way your chin wobbles. “Darling,” he pulls you to his chest again, letting you cry. “I’ve been such a fucking twat.” You laugh through your tears.

“Yeah,” you say quietly, Remus chuckles. “You have been.”

“You’re really making me work for your forgiveness, precious girl. I don’t mind,” he kisses the crown of your head. “Would it be too much if I asked if you still wanted to go out on a date?”

You pull away, teary eyes looking into his. “Why?”

“I’m still head over heels but I need to prove I’m not a complete and utter knobhead.”

Remus is putting the ball in your court, knows it’s the best thing he’s ever done.

Still, his nerves are on fire. His chest constricts like you’ve already rejected him.

“Now?” He nods.

“You’re already all dolled up, don’t see a point in wasting this outfit in my dusty apartment.”

You nibble on your lip, “Maybe in a few days, Remus. I think we need to let this all settle.”

His smile dims a little but he nods, “I understand, dove. Just let me know when you’re ready.”

You leave his apartment and for the next couple of weeks you and Remus take it slow, slow to hang out, slow in speaking to each other one on one.

When you end up going out, he picks you up at home flowers in hand and a small box of your favourite chocolates.

“Let me do it right this time.”

[aimedis]

milo as a dad headcanons (+sweetheart) !!

milo and sweetheart have twin sons (am i milking the redacted boys w twins headcanon?)

Dad Milo who was, unsurprisingly, very nervous to be a dad because of his own father but was also worried about his child(ren) growing up with a Department worker

But they both handled it with so much grace

Dad Milo who almost passed out when they found out he was having twins

Parents Milo and Sweetheart whose twins are literally identical and are nearly impossible to tell apart aside from the fact that the oldest's hair is longer than the youngest's (even before they got hair, Milo and Sweetheart could tell them apart easily) 

The twins have an attitude that rivals Milo and Sweetheart's combined (so much so that Sweetheart has threatened to beat their ass) ((does not believe in hitting them though)) 

Parents Milo and Sweetheart who swear in front of their kids but respect that other parents don't want that around their kids (the swearing doesn't make their kids scared of them at all)

Parent Sweetheart who is generally a pretty gentle parent, the slightly vulgar language is only used when the twins are being excessively difficult for the sake of being difficult 

Dad Milo who is insanely protective of his kids (but not in an overbearing way, in the ‘if you hurt my kids you’re dead’ way) 

Sweetheart the workaholic who has literally left work hours earlier to get their oldest a cake pop after he called from Milo’s phone

Dad Milo whose lockscreen is a picture of the twins sitting on the kitchen counter with ice-cream all over their faces

Dad Milo who almost cries when he holds his son as he screams bloody murder while getting vaccinations

Dad Milo who pretends it doesn't hurt whenever one of the twins screams 'i hate you!' in a toddlerlike fit of rage but even after the apologies and makeups, he lies awake at night thinking about it over and over (because maybe he's just like his dad after all)

Dad Milo who still remains calm and firm in his discipline but also remembering to be kind and careful with his boys

Dad Milo who sings and dances with the twins

Parents Milo and Sweetheart who rarely argue in front of their kids

Dad Milo who is practically a seer when it comes to the boys, watching them intently and preventing them from doing stupid things that could get them (seriously) injured before it actually happens 

Parents Milo and Sweetheart who are so used to being punched by their kids

The house during the solstice after the twins get their powers is a mess (Milo makes it his mission to take care of everyone no matter how shitty he feels) 

Dad Milo who pretends the twins being clingy is a hindrance but secretly loves when they want to be around him

Parent Sweetheart who walks around the house on business calls while carrying one (or both) of the twins in each arm (Milo thinks it’s domestic as all hell)

Dad Milo and the twins play a game where he pretends to attack Sweetheart (sometimes in his wolf form) and the twins try to defend them by hitting him and standing in front of them with their arms held out (Milo finds it hilarious, Sweetheart finds it mildly annoying because they always do it when they’re trying to work)

Parents Milo and Sweetheart who are the biggest bullies to their kids (in a loving way)

Parent Sweetheart who only pretended to not be able to tell the difference between the twins one time but their youngest got so upset he started crying, so they didn’t do it again

Dad Milo who treats every messy drawing or art project as the next Mona Lisa (tells everyone their oldest is gonna be a big artist someday)

Dad Milo who is the type to hear one of the boys (or god forbid, both of them) likes a type of snack, food, or drink and buy enough to fill a store (“Dad I can’t eat all of that!”)

Parents Milo and Sweetheart who are definitely the hot parents at parent teacher interviews

Dad Milo who actually can’t say no to the boys (Marie has to talk some sense into him every so often)

Dad Milo who is beyond happy that his kids love his Ma just as much as he does

Dad Milo whose kids are shifter/stealth hybrids (idc if it’s not plausible or possible) and nearly has a heart attack every other day because he has three menaces teaming up to scare the shit out of him

Dad Milo who takes pictures of his family everyday

Parent Sweetheart who gives the boys a very serious lecture about bullying, telling them to be kind to others and if people aren’t kind to them, they should tell them right away

Dad Milo who constantly stresses the importance of letting him kids know that they can talk to him and tell him anything, even if they might get in trouble (“I’d rather be disappointed while I come pick you up from somewhere you’re not supposed to be rather than sitting at your funeral”)

Parent Sweetheart who nearly quits on the spot when they’re called to release their sons from a department cell. Twice.

Dad Milo who uses empty, pointless threats on his toddlers to get them to behave (“Hey, if you don’t stop screaming, I’m gonna have to go outside and pick a flower.”)

Dad Milo who picks up the boys by their shirts to turn them around when they’re going somewhere they’re not supposed to be

Dad Milo who can’t help but smile whenever he hears anything that reminds him of his family, of home

[lauralot89]

So I went to see the local dinner theater's production of that Dracula play wherein Renfield impersonates a doctor and here are some things I'd forgotten:

Jonathan Harker first shows up charging into the asylum, emptying his gun into Dracula, and immediately faints afterward. Also he has a beard, the state of which suggests he hasn't shaved since Dracula tossed the mirror months prior

Dracula has a big black horse named Lilith which has been with him for "a long time" and is extremely fast, so I'm assuming Dracula vamp'd his horse

At one point Van Helsing is reading Latin prayers from a book to make Dracula fuck off, except then Dracula asks if Van Helsing can read in the dark and uses his Making Lightbulbs Explode vampire power to explode the lightbulbs

The actor playing Dracula howled at the end of his "children of the night, what sweet music they make" line, and then howled again after he made Mina (Lucy in this version) drink his blood

Also he for some reason stabbed the bag before he threw it to his brides, I guess just out of spite at them

The play opened with Lucy (Mina in this version) and Dracula having a lovely choreographed dance number together

But enough about that, let's talk about the themed cocktails the dinner theater was offering:

Dracula's Blood: Black raspberry liqueur, raspberry vodka, cranberry juice, and it glitters!

Black Magic: Grape pucker, blue Curacao, cherry syrup, cranberry juice, splash of Starry

Bloody Mina: Bloody Mary mix, clamato juice, tequila, dill brine, Tabasco

Renfield's Elixir: Coffee liqueur, coconut rum, pina colada mix, ice cream base, grenadine

Cherries & Berries: Mixed berry & strawberry puree, rum, lime, margarita mix, served frozen

Also shooters:

The Monster: Apple pucker, spiced rum, lime juice

Van Helsing: Triple sec, grapefruit vodka, lime juice

The Brides: Coffee liqueur, butterscotch schnapps, vanilla vodka

[a-skrub]

The Dance but Fitting tempo version (i guess)

Dance Of Sovngarde with Bloody Mary song because i wanted to

[gigglesandfreckles-hp]

amenable parameters

It’s a childish game. “Truth or dare, Lil?” “Dare,” she replies without hesitation, leaning back into the worn leather booth. “Obviously.” Hestia’s eyes gleam. “Go snog Potter.” It’s a stupid, stupid childish bloody game. “No,” Lily says firmly. “Pick something else. We’re Heads together. And friends.” She turns to Mary for support, but her best friend only tilts her head and shrugs. “I think I want to see this, Lily.” Lily stares at her, feeling utterly betrayed. “You’re joking.” “What’s the big deal?” Mary asks. “Like you said, you’re friends now. It’s just a dare.” “No way.” “Come on, Lil,” Hestia groans, “don’t be a spoilsport!” “You dared me to kiss Benjy!” Mary adds. “I can’t,” Lily begs, “and you would have given Benjy a bloody lap dance, even if no one had dared you.” “He’s still in love with you and you know it,” Hestia says pointedly. “Potter?” Lily yelps, her voice rising. “At least you lot don’t have to sit through the prefect meetings and watch him moon over her for the entire hour,” Marlene chimes in. “He does not—” “He does. Even Lupin agrees,” Marlene counters. “And you know how those boys are. They tell each other everything.” Lily certainly hopes not. “I’m not going to just walk over there and…snog him.” “Of course you’re not. Consent is important, Lily.” Hestia leans forward, her elbows resting on the table between them. “You’re going to ask him if he feels amenable to having your tongue down his throat. And then you’re going to snog him.” “Jesus, Hestia,” Lily hisses, shutting her eyes tight.  “What? You think he’d say no?” “Of course he wouldn’t,” says Mary, betraying Lily once again. Lily chances a glance over to the table where the Marauders sit, a collection of empty and half-drunk Butterbeer glasses strewn between them. Peter seems to be regaling them with some story, his hands flying around in animation. “I really can’t.” “Give us a reason,” Hestia challenges. “And not that rubbish about you being Heads. You think Emmeline and Eddy weren’t snogging all last year?” “I just…” Lily’s voice trails off as she glances at the boys’ table again, this time allowing herself to linger on James. He wears a dark blue jumper, sleeves pushed up to his elbows in that casually maddening way. As if on cue, he throws his head back and laughs. Even though Lily is too far away to hear over the din of the Three Broomsticks, she can still pick out his laugh. She can find it in the middle of a hurricane, in the chaos of a war. She hears it in the halls, in her dreams. She wants to hear it forever. Hestia clears her throat, snapping Lily back to the present. She looks back to find three pairs of amused eyes fixed on her. “Please don’t make me,” she mutters miserably.

continue reading on ao3

[persephone-writes]

A Diviner's Guide to James Potter

Chapter Three: Wicked and Wayward

James Potter x Fem!Gryffindor!Reader

Chapter Two - Chapter Four ☆ Series Masterlist

Description: Quidditch, firewhiskey, and James. What could go wrong?

Word Count: 5.4k

Notes: I feel as though I might be having too much fun coming up with fake Harry Potter names

Dorcas had woken you up early Saturday morning with all her ruckus. You groaned, peaking out to see a ray of sunshine coming through a small gap in your four-poster curtains. You pulled the covers back over your eyes, still a bit delirious. That was until a crash sounded from somewhere in the room, shortly followed by a “Shite, bloody heater” in a less than successful whisper. You slowly sat up, moving to the end of your bed and poking your head out through the scarlet curtains. Dorcas was standing in the middle of the room by the heater dressed in a pair of jeans and a thick jacket, half bent and clutching her sock clad foot, which had presumably been stubbed. You must have looked horrid, for Dorcas began giggling through her pain. 

“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.” She was still laughing when she placed her foot back onto the floor, going to pull on her boots. You huffed, closing your curtains and throwing yourself down onto the bed. It was likely to be around seven in the morning, far too early for a Saturday. You had stayed up rather late last night, Marlene trying to convince Mary to spill the name of some mystery guy she was going out with. 

“We’re not ‘going out’ going out!”

“Is he cute?” Marlene pestered. “I bet he’s a stud!”

Mary looked like she wanted to disappear completely, covering her face with her hands like she was playing peek-a-boo with a child. 

You fully retreated beneath your blanket, cursing Dorcas for being a clutz at such an hour. You heard her gather up her quidditch bag and leave the room, having the good sense to shut the door as softly as she could manage. In an unforeseen turn of events, the universe granted you another two hours of blissful, uninterrupted sleep, despite Dorcas’s attempts to foil your peaceful morning's rest. When you pushed back the curtains for a second time, Lily was already getting ready. Marlene was absent, probably having already gone down to breakfast. 

You let out a mangled cry as you got out of bed, passing Lily as you walked towards the lavatory. “Dorcas woke me up at the crack of dawn earlier. I was blessed by Merlin to fall back asleep. I’m gonna kill her after she wins this bloody game.” You could hear Lily laugh at you as you shut the door. 

You were the last one to arrive at breakfast, finding Remus and Peter forced to sit without James and Sirius, which was always an odd sight.

“Gracing us with your presence?” you said to them as you sat down. Peter smiled a bit to himself, shrugging as he ate. 

“I was just asking Remus if he's Mary’s mystery man,” Marlene said. Mary’s reddened face fell into her palms like she had done the previous night, elbows sliding across the table and bumping into her plate. She looked as if she wanted the ground to swallow her up and shoot her out someplace halfway across the world. 

“He’s not,” said Mary, mumbling through her hands. “I told you, he isn’t in your year.”

“Fine, fine,” Marlene laughed, pushing Mary’s shoulder a bit to get her to come back out. Mary peeped through her fingers first, surveying Marlene’s expression before dropping her hands. 

“Besides,” said Remus, his tone serious and without humor, “if I were her boyfriend, do you think I’d tell you lot? You’re gossips, every last one of you.” 

Mary’s face, which had since been going back to its original color, grew pink-tinged once more. Her eyes danced around the Great Hall, landing anywhere but on the people in front of her. Remus paid it all little attention, returning to his food with a calm, easy air about him. With James and Sirius absent, no one had a good enough joke about the situation to make its speaking worthwhile, allowing the group to lull back into a far more boring conversation concerning an article in the Daily Prophet. 

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As a show of your friendship, or perhaps simply house spirit, you sat squished between Lily and Marlene in the Gryffindor stands, waiting for the match to begin. On the bench behind you, Remus and Peter were murmuring to themselves, scarves double-wrapped around their necks. Lily, always the cheerleader, had red and gold streaks painted across her cheeks, a permanent smile of anticipation upon her rosy face. It was a little less than halfway through the quidditch season and the Gryffindor team was looking especially good this year. Even with months of practice running through drills and scrimmaging, you knew some of the younger teammates were standing on shaky legs, freshly polished brooms held tightly in their sweating hands. You hoped that the new plan James and Sirius had concocted worked out as well as they hoped. 

“All right,” Atticus Bundleby, a fifth year Ravenclaw, said over the loudspeakers. “Welcome to the fourth quidditch match of the season! Today we have Hufflepuff versus Gryffindor!”

All four houses cheered, watching as the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff teams flew up from their places on the ground. The Hufflepuffs looked like large bees in their yellow and black uniforms, making it a point to circle their house tower. From down the pitch, you could hear the usually mild-mannered Hufflepuffs roaring and stomping, soon performing a well orchestrated wave. 

You all looked for James and Sirius, who came shooting up like lightning from the grass below. The latter whisked himself this way and that, nearly going upside before catching himself at the last second. It was difficult to tell whether this was an intentional, perfectly performed stunt, or rather a happy accident. Either way, the fanfare erupted all around you, everyone standing and screaming at the top of their lungs, throats soon to be hoarse. James flew by him, slapping him on the shoulder before he was off again. 

Marlene shot her arms up in the air and waved a Gryffindor flag. Remus was not much better at containing his excitement, whooping with hands cupped around his mouth. A group in front of you held up a large sign, liking reading something rather insulting towards the Hufflepuff team. Last year, the Slytherin team had come up with a rude, yet clever pun involving James’s glasses, which began an all out war lasting the entire season. The final battle ended with a rather unfortunate dung bomb incident in the Slytherin locker rooms, to which the culprit was never found. It was a lucky break, since James was fully cleared of suspicion, making him eligible for the position of Head Boy.

The players began circling around on the pitch, the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor seekers, Poppy Dunwood and Dorcas at its center. 

“The players take their positions as Monsieur Button steps out onto the pitch to begin the game!”

Monsieur Button walked onto the field towards the wiggling trunk, the bludgers eager to be released. His thick neck craned up to look at the players on their brooms as he spoke to them. He then kicked the trunk open, the golden snitch and two bludgers flying out. You watched the snitch jerk around in the air before seeming to disappear into the vast expanse of the sky. 

“The bludgers are released, as well as the snitch! The snitch is worth a hundred fifty points, its capture ending the game!” Atticus’s nasally voice echoed through the speakers, cutting through the murmuring crowd. 

As Monsieur Button took up the quaffle, the noise in the stands grew. He tossed it in the air, the chasers moving forward. 

“The quaffle is released, let the game begin!”

It had to be, in your biased opinion, one of the shortest matches you had ever attended. It seemed as though in no time at all Dorcas had the snitch firmly in her grasp. She released her thick hair from its confines atop her head, shaking it out with a grin as she made her victory lap around the pitch. Sirius had his beater bat resting on his shoulder before he came to swing it around like a baton. James’s smile shone bright even from so far away.  A pop of red and gold streamers flew from the crowd, falling on your head. 

As usual, you all decided to wait outside of the locker rooms to greet Dorcas, James, and Sirius as they emerged. You stood huddled next to Lily, looking for warmth in the February cold. Remus was rocking back and forth on his feet, a habit of his when he was waiting for anything. The white scar along his cheek and nose crinkled as he scrunched up his face, the biting wind getting to him. 

“That's what you get for being tall,” Marlene joked. “No one to shield you from the wind.”

Remus shook his head at her, pulling his coat tighter around his lanky frame. “Not my fault,” he said, voice a little hoarse from all his shouting in the stands. 

As you all began to grow antsy, James emerged from the locker room, pushing the red patterned curtain aside. His hair was tousled dry and still a bit damp, his curls slightly longer than they usually were. He had on only a thick gray sweater and his Gryffindor scarf, which hung loose around his neck. Your group was to the side of the entrance to make way for the other players, causing James to walk by a ways first, not having noticed your presence. It was a rare sight, being able to watch him just be for a few moments, his profile stark against the muted land. Unfortunately, no one let it last very long, for both Marlene and Remus shouted his name. 

James’s head turned abruptly, a stunning smile of surprise appearing as he shot over. 

“You didn’t have to wait for me,” he said, just like he did after every match. 

“Oh, we’re waiting for Sirius, actually,” said Remus. James’s laugh came through a slight scoff towards his friend. “Really, though, you did good, Prongs.”

“Yeah,” you agreed, cheeks growing tired from smiling, “you were brilliant.” 

You loved the way his face was lit up, touched by his friends' words even after the hundreds of times they had said the exact same thing. No matter how poorly Gryffidnor lost, they were always “bloody brilliant, mate. top-notch work!” You wished things could be like this every day of your life. 

“Really brilliant,” Lily said, prompting the others to nod along. 

“That move you and Sirius did, where he knocked the bludger into Jones right as you were scoring–” Peter recounted breathlessly, miming with his hands. “Merlin, it was fantastic! There wasn’t a way he could see it coming!”

“The Hufflepuffs should be embarrassed,” Marlene proclaimed, positively giddy. “Their Common Room is set to be absolutely–”

“Horrid, downtrodden, a ghastly display of melancholy?” Sirius taunted, emerging from the locker room. He threw an arm around James’s shoulder, brimming with a somewhat pompous pride. 

“Oh, but don’t you feel kind of bad,” you began, your smile still very much present despite your words. “What an awful way to lose.”

“Don’t feel bad for those hacks, they should’ve stepped up their game,” Sirius laughed, pushing James’s head which only came popping right back up. “Hey!” he began again, a sour look on his face, “anyone going to tell me how fantastic and handsome I was out there, or am I chopped grindylow?”

“You did very well, Sirius,” said Lily with a good dose of sarcasm. He seemed unsatisfied with her poor excuse of congratulations, looking to the rest of you. 

Dorcas then came through the curtains, beaming as Marlene called out her name. The cacophony of praise soon was directed towards her, who was still basking in the team's victory. 

“That's it?” Sirius exclaimed, folding his arms over his chest as would a belligerent child, cross with their parents for taking away a toy. “Meadowes gets all the praise now? I see how it is.”

“I did most of the work, anyway,” Dorcas stated dryly. Sirius looked laughably glum, his frown only growing.

“She’s right,” said James. “The seeker and the captain are clearly the most important. Besides, half of it was the Grumblesnad.” He smirked, prouder of himself now that he had been reminded of his own cleverness. 

“I came up with the plan, you twat! The Grumblesnad is my baby.” The back of Sirius’s hand hit James in the chest. 

Remus scoffed under his breath. “ Sure .”

“What in Godric’s name is a Grumblesnad?” Marlene asked.

“Only the greatest series of quidditch maneuvers ever to be conceived,” said Sirius, ignoring Remus’s apparent discount of his role in its creation. 

“Which is half mine!” 

After a fuss between the two, in which James pushed Sirius and shoved him a ways, Sirius’s eyes met yours with a particular twinkle, then moving to Marlene’s. You held your tongue and waited for his eventual witty remark, ready for combat. 

“Come on, darling, don’t hold back the compliments,” his voice raised in a bit of a sing-song, still looking at Marlene. “Lay ‘em on me, I know you want to!”

“Yes, yes, Sirius, you were magnificent, completely took my breath away,” her tone fell rather flat, throwing Lily into soft giggles. Although he was being rather irritating, you couldn’t find it within yourself to be entirely annoyed, happy his mood seemed to have improved considerably since yesterday. You only hoped it would last the night. 

“Can we get out of the cold, please,” Remus said, glancing down at Peter. “I think Wormtail’s gonna keel over soon.”

Peter did look rather uncomfortable, smiling sheepishly at the sudden attention. 

“Yeah, my hairs going to freeze solid at this rate,” James said, beginning the walk back towards the castle. The others followed, all close to one another in a useless effort to keep warm.

“It’s not even freezing out, making it utterly inconceivable your hair would turn solid,” Lily corrected.

James shook his head, too belated to care.

The castle was full of bustling students chatting to themselves, all heading back to their Common Rooms for the evening. It was a Friday just after a match, meaning all the rooms would soon be filled with lively laughter and a great deal of music. The group made their way through the portrait hole, all heading up to their rooms to get ready for the coming party. As you and your roommates headed up the stairs, Sirius called out a highly unnecessary: “Don’t need to get pretty for me ladies, I like you just the way you are!” causing you all to collectively groan and roll your eyes. Sirius had a knack for getting that sort of reaction out of a person. 

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The music was loud, reverberating through the Common Room like a concert hall. Chatter filled the spaces in between the music, cigarette smoke rising from the groups of students packed inside, all changed out of their uniforms. When you and Lily came down from the dormitory, she had pulled you immediately to the center of the room, which had been cleared of some furniture. Every party she’d beg you to dance, and every time you’d act as if she couldn’t convince you to do so. 

After dancing yourself sweaty and thirsty, you went over to the table near the back to get yourself another drink, leaving Lily to cut it up with a more willing participant. It was the first time all day you weren’t worried about something, and you planned to ride the feeling as far as it would take you, even if it did cost you a hangover. Marlene was already at the table mixing her own. She had an odd knack for making something strong that tasted sweet and mild as juice. The only problem was the effect it had on your stomach the following morning.

“Get tired?” Marlene laughed, taking an experimental sip of her drink  before setting it down on the table, adding some blue liquid to which you had no memory of ever seeing before. As you grabbed the firewhiskey, she poured some of it into your cup as well. 

“Yeah,” you said with a shake of your head, your fingers buzzing. “If Lily had it her way I’d be out there until sunrise.”

“And then to the library after breakfast,” Marlene joked, taking a second sip and nodding at the taste. You screwed the cap back on the bottle, grabbing your drink and walking back into the thick of the party. Marlene followed behind, trailing you as you made your way to the fireplace. Somewhere along the way you passed Lily dancing with Mary, her face paint still present, but rather smeared. 

You found Peter, James, Remus, and a very drunk looking Dorcas squished onto the red sofa. James was leaning forward in order to make the necessary room, Remus with his arms pressed tightly against his sides. Despite this, they all appeared wildly happy. You wandered over, standing in front of them with a giggle at their positions. Marlene plopped down in the only empty armchair, holding her cup by the rim as her arm hung over the side. 

“You guys look cozy.” 

Dorcas smiled up at you, glassy-eyed and dazed. “It’s all James’s fault,” she said, glancing over at him. 

His elbows were resting on his knees, strong arms slightly flexed. You tried to settle your spinning head, unsure if it was due to the drinks or him . His laced hands, so ordinary yet impossibly lovely, threatened to make your knees weak. The torch you’ve been carrying for him was only intensified by your inebriated state, forcing you to remind yourself to behave. The reminder that your crush was turning into something frighteningly strong washed over you like a wildfire, but you willed it away as best you could. With a great deal of effort, you looked to Dorcas, dreading the prospect of being caught ogling your friend's ex boyfriend. 

“So mean,” James complained, voice higher pitched than usual. Dorcas’ laugh came mostly through her nose, sloppy and without embarrassment. 

“Sit,” Remus offered you, standing up and moving around the coffee table, which was littered with abandoned drinks and a couple of ashtrays brought down from someone's room.

“No, no, I’m fine,” you said with a wave of your hand, wishing to the stars that Remus would sit back down. 

“I was getting up anyway, have to take a piss,” he said, rather matter of factly. 

“Charming.” You watched as he disappeared into the crowd with a shrug. If there weren’t so many people around, you may have cursed him. 

You didn’t immediately sit, telling yourself it was because you felt bad for Peter, who was previously halfway on the arm. When you failed to move, James looked up at you, neck bared and cheeks ablaze. They were rosy on a good day, but when he drank they looked as though he had borrowed someone's rouge. 

“Aren’t you gonna sit?” James asked, syllables melting together. 

You shook your head, holding your cup to your chest and growing more nervous the longer he stared. “It’s fine, I’m okay standing.”

“I’m leaving too,” Dorcas said, standing up onto unsteady legs and smoothing over her trousers. 

“You don’t have to get up for me,” you pleaded, an awkward, festering anxiety pooling in your stomach.

“I’m getting up because you lot are bores,” she laughed. “Going to find the real party.” 

James gave her a faux glare, trying to swat at her but missing. 

Dorcas didn’t linger, letting out a laugh before weaving her way through the sea of others. She shouted something along the lines of “Lupin, I’ve got a challenge!” but you were unable to catch the rest. 

James scooted over towards the middle of the couch, leaving you no choice but to eventually take the place beside him. Although you always had an itching desire to be near him, this very situation was something you usually tried to avoid. Making a fool of yourself was not on your list of things to do this weekend, nor was fawning. The whole ordeal was far easier to navigate when he and Lily were a couple, since it was second nature to not flirt with one of your best friend's boyfriend. Now, it was complicated. 

He was staring at you, dark, tousled curls askew, smiling unabashed in your direction. Tentatively, and only because you had to, you sat down next to him. He was still looking at you, clearly amused at something you didn’t catch. His eyes were made golden by the fire, and you couldn’t help but stare back into them, trying to figure out what he was thinking. 

“What?” you asked with a nervous chuckle, feeling achingly sober all of the sudden. He just laughed a bit, leaning back into the sofa and letting his legs stretch out. 

“Nothing,” he said, eyes dancing from this point to that, sometimes coming back to your face. 

“What?” you asked again. 

He just laughed at you more, wicked and wayward. “Leave a drunk man alone!” 

Peter began to laugh at James, prompting the latter to shove his shoulder into the cushion. You shook your head at them, feeling a happiness rise within your chest like champagne bubbles. 

“You’re not one to sit down at a party,” you commented, looking back to see a hoard of students dancing. James was often one of them. 

He shrugged, picking up his drink from the coffee table and downing half of it. You watched his adam's apple bob, delicate and altogether beautiful. You swallowed down the will to tell him so.  

“This third degree!” he whined again. “I’m getting burned here, darling.”

The name made your stomach flip, your heart sending a single, forceful beat against your chest. You could feel your face heating like a kettle, or perhaps a cauldron, thankful to be able to blame it on the fire. You suddenly decided that the only way to ward off your swelling nerves was to get absolutely pissed. You took a sip of the evil, awful concoction Marlene had made you, which tasted lovely but was sure to get you nice and hammered. 

You swallowed it down, sweetness and tart lingering on your tongue. “You’re mysterious tonight. Very unlike you.” 

“Peter, am I being mysterious?” James was smirking in his direction, throwing an arm over the back of the couch behind his head. Peter’s face contorted into something straddling annoyance and hilarity. He shook his head, not as an answer but as a dismissal of the question.

“Really, though,” you continued, your head halfway fuzzy, “why aren’t you out there, you know, getting your groove on?”

“Getting my groove on?” He had that teasing grin on his face that always made you sweat. You persevered, lacking the willpower to get up and leave just yet. Perhaps you were a glutton for punishment, or just a run of the mill masochist. 

“Yeah, doing your excellent disco moves,” you said, swaying a bit in your seat. “Which, by the way, I have no idea where you learned.” 

James shook his head and took another long sip, draining his cup. He then said your name, muddled and messy. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“Are you telling me I dreamt up that little routine you did Friday before the Christmas holiday?”

“No, you did not,” said Peter. You stretched out your hand towards him, raising your brows at James. 

“That was spur of the moment. Can’t be replicated,” he answered, eyelids growing heavier by the minute. “Plus, I was very drunk. Marlene was mixing.”

“That explains it,” you laughed, looking down into your cup. The liquid inside was green from whatever the blue liquor was that had mixed in with the firewhiskey. You glanced over at Marlene, who was talking to a boy from your year who stood beside her armchair. When you looked back at James, his eyes were already on you. “When's the next match?”

“Hufflepuff and Slytherin are playing on the second Saturday in April this year, then us against Ravenclaw just before exams,” he paused, a small, lopsided smile peaking out. It threatened to topple you over. “Why? Wanna work on a cheer or something?”

“No,” you drawled, leaning back into the sofa. “Just asking.”

You hated the way he was looking at you. It was suffocating and exposing all at once, turning you inside out. Beside you, James was reclined, now with hands clasped across his stomach. His shirt rode up a bit, just enough to send you spiraling further. You needed to say something, and quick.”

“How many points do we have right now?” you asked, although you had a good idea already. 

“Four-thirty,” James said proudly. “Slytherin is close, though. They’re at four hundred. Hufflepuff doesn’t have a chance after today. There's no way they’re catching up in April.” 

You nodded, racking your brain for something else, but ultimately coming up empty.

“C’mon,” said James, sitting up, “can’t sit here all night. Dance with me or something.”

You shook your head violently. “No, no. I’m fine right here,” you laughed to cover up the wave of unsettling beating which had returned, stronger than it had been before and banging in your ears relentlessly.

“You’ll dance with Lily and not with me?” he teased. “And, weren’t you absolutely desperate to see my moves a minute ago?” He was laughing, eyes a bit glazed over but no less piercing.

“I–” you began, unsure how to get yourself out of it, “I’m just a little tired is all. Maybe later.” 

“I’m starting to think you weren’t joking when you said Peter was your favorite,” he said, his voice languid. 

You couldn’t speak, so you simply laughed again. With another look into your cup, you were reminded of your earlier plan to get sloshed. You swallowed down as much of your drink as you could manage, though were unfortunately stopped after a few chugs. James put a hand on your arm, pulling it away.

“Slow down, love. I’ll have to take you to Poppy if you keep that up.” 

You let him move the cup towards your lap. The uncontrollable, unquenchable feeling of affection crept up on you, swarming your head with a newfound intensity. He called you love. You were marching like a soldier into enemy territory, ammo gone and gun jammed. Even your helmet was askew. You had an acute, unwavering sense that if you stayed beside him any longer, you’d do something highly regretful. 

“Marlene!” you said, standing so quickly a bit of your drink sloshed out of your cup and onto the table, leaving a small, green splatter. She perked up in her armchair, head tilted up at you. The Gryffindor beside her stared at you with bloodshot eyes. “I need to go to the loo. Will you come with me?” 

James opened his mouth but was unable to get a word out, for you grabbed Marlene’s arm just as she set her drink down on the table, dragging her into the crowd. 

“You really have to pee, don’t you?”

You huffed, gauging if you were well enough concealed within the packed room to change course. You pulled on Marlene’s arm again, turning you each around towards the portrait hole. Realizing you still had your drink, you hurriedly left it on a bookshelf against the wall before rushing off again. 

“Hello? Earth to Y/N? The dormitory’s that way.” 

You briefly looked back at Marlene, eyes wide and pleading. She settled a bit, allowing you to pull her to the portrait hole and out of the Common Room. You stood in the corridor, the music muffled and soft. Your breath came out uneven and shallow, distracting you from the baffled look Marlene was sporting. 

“Now what was that all about?” she asked, motioning to the Fat Lady. 

“I’m sorry,” you said quickly, pacing back and forth for a moment. “I’m sorry, I just had to get out of there.”

“I love you, you know that…but our room wouldn’t have sufficed?” she asked, laughing before she fully took in your rounded shoulders, eyes downcast towards the floor. “Come on, let's take a walk or something,” she offered softly. 

You nodded, allowing her to lead her down the hall. She took you to a corridor on the fourth floor, dimly lit by a few candles which would soon burn out as the night went on. The portraits along the walls were mostly asleep, some gentle snores arising from their confines. Others, however, were yet to slumber.

“Hello, Miss McKinnon,” said the portrait of an old woman in a pointed hat, her golden frame large and ornate. “Out after curfew, I see?”

Marlene glanced up at her for a brief moment, then at you, her eyes meeting yours for the first time since you descended the staircase.

“Hello, Lady Decima,” she said quietly, growing silent as she watched you look around in the near darkness. The candlelight flickered on the side of your face, illuminating your inward facing eyebrows, furrowed and harsh. Marlene said your name, and you finally looked up. “Is it Divination?”

You shook your head, fisting a hand in your hair before letting it drop limply at your side. You felt like a child, huffing in the hallway after dark. 

“No, that's the least of my worries right now. ” 

“Is it one of those things that seems awful right now, but silly in the morning?” Marlene asked, entirely serious. 

You laughed bitterly to yourself, shrugging. “I don’t know, maybe? I don’t think so.”

Marlene leaned against the wall, sliding down to sit on the floor. Her arms rested on her knees, hands bouncing up and down a few times. You watched the flame of a candle on the wall grow shorter, soon to flicker out. 

“Are you mad at someone?”

You shook your head again, slowly coming up to sit beside her. In the empty, silent corridor, the problem which led you all the way out here felt so far away, like it wasn’t even real any longer. When you closed your eyes the room spun, forcing you to face the stone pillar in front of you. 

Marlene sighed, cocking her head as she looked at you with pity. “Will I have to interrogate it out of you, or will you cooperate?”

You paused in consideration, though your mind was working too slowly, too uncalculating to accurately weigh the pros and cons of truthfulness. You took the icy plunge. 

“I fancy James,” you muttered, head coming back to rest against the stone. You thought admitting it would feel bigger, but it was as if the words were in a different language you didn’t understand. Whatever transformative experience you had been expecting never came, and you couldn’t decide if what you felt was relief or disappointment. Marlene said nothing at first, so you filled in the empty space. “And I know I can’t do anything about it. It wouldn’t be right to Lily, and theres no way he feels remotely the same. But Godric, is it killing me, and it’s only getting worse.”

Marlene hummed, lips pursed for a moment as she mulled it over. “Yeah, Dorcas thought you might.”

Your head whipped towards hers. “What?”

“Before the winter holiday she said something to me. I wasn’t convinced, though.” She shrugged, smiling so poignantly it made your heart break. “Guess I was wrong.”

You groaned, your head falling forward as you stared a hole into your lap. The whole thing felt wrong, like a pair of ill-fitting trousers. This corridor may as well have been a deep, dark tunnel you burrowed yourself into, made up of all things rotten and dank. A great, mounting feeling of shame burst through your chest, crushing you from the inside. Maybe this was the transformation. You knew, at least in part, you had done this to yourself. 

“I feel thirteen again, and I don’t like it.”

Marlene laughed, hiccuping once and holding a hand to her mouth. “I really wish we had done this sober.”

“Me too,” you laughed, sharing a glance her way. When your eyes met, you both fell into a fit, tears forming in your hazy eyes, a mess of giggles sounding in the stygian hall. 

“Really, though,” Marlene sighed, coming down from her laughter, “what’re you going to do?”

You paused, a bit happier than before in the company of your friend. One of the candles faded out and the room became just a little darker. “I have no clue, Marls.”

Chapter Four

[conangray-marauders-fest]

Reveals Day 1

Hello, everyone! We are so excited for day 1 of reveals! We are so proud of all of the hard work that the Fest participants have put in! We will be revealing new works each weekday for the next two weeks!

As a reminder, please keep in mind that a lot of Conan's material (and the Marauders Fandom) can be angsty, so please mind all ratings and tags!

I want ya (like everyone else here tonight) - by starsbythepocketfuls

Everyone loves Mary. It’s a fact, anyone who meets her loves her, and the only people who didn’t clearly had issues. So it’s no surprise that Lily’s one of the many. Mary’s just got that gravitational pull, she's impossible to stay away from. It might be a new year, a new party but it’s just the same. Someone asks Mary out, she kindly rejects them, the world keeps spinning. So Lily’s not going to ruing their friendship over something unrequited. She’s not going to sit there and die inside every time someone dances with Mary. She’s not going to do anything. Until she gets really drunk… Mary doesn’t like her back, she can’t, can she?

the day the stars died (and our hearts misaligned) - by saturnitystar

He draws his lower lip between his teeth, still refusing to meet Regulus’ eyes. “You promised. You promised it wouldn’t go this far. You – you said you were okay, that everything was going to be fine but it’s not, it’s not fine anymore.”

“Everything is fine –”

“No, it’s not!” Sirius almost yelled, eyes widening at the way Regulus immediately pulled away to shield himself. He felt as though someone had plunged a knife into him, seeing his younger brother scared and curling in on himself with his eyes squeezed shut – scared of him.

Sirius discovering Regulus’ dark mark, and the conversation that ensues. (inspired by Conan Gray’s “Astronomy” <3)

sleeves - by ilookinpeopleswindows

“Pads!”

Sirius turned around. A football, in all its black and white glory, greeted him with a smack to the face. “Bloody hell, James!” He was going to have a bruise.

(or: severe sirius angst. proceed with caution.)

The Cut That Always Bleeds - by fictional_simp09

Alice struggles being in a secret relationship with Narcissa, especially when she finds out her parents have arranged for her to marry Lucius Malfoy

~ Based on The Cut That Always Bleeds by Conan Gray

Don't leave me hangin' alone again - by 29_AonekoLee

They never bothered to give a name to their relationship; there was a mutual agreement that it was ephemeral, just an interlude. But as they approach the inevitable end, Sirius and Remus try desperately to prolong their time together. [fanart]

Please feel free to reblog, comment, kudos, and otherwise encourage the participants! They worked so hard!

[pedge-page]

Joel Dealing with Preggo Wife as you're sitting in your little sofa chair, watching the TV with curious eyes and twiddling your toes propped up on the ottoman.

Joel just folding some clothes when suddenly you shout in a long drawn out yell:

"AAAAAAAUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Joel sits up quickly. "What what is it what's wrong??"

You clear your throat, "Nothing!" You peep, giving him too thumbs up and a chipper smile.

He gives you a curt look but then turns back to folding.

Then

"aaaaAAAAAAAAUUUGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!" You screech with your hands clutching your belly and your face all screwed up in obvious pain.

"Honey! What's wrong??"

"Nothing!" You say again. Your face is so happy and smiley, as if there's not a hint of the woman just screaming bloody Mary 11 seconds ago. "Im gooooooood."

Joel doesn't even fully turn around when you open your mouth and wail,

"WWWAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Joel stands over you with his hands on his hips as you take a deep breath when the ache passes through you again.

"Are you in pain?"

"No! No no noooooOooOooO baby I'm good! I'm soooooo good! A-okay superman!" You wink at him, drumping your hands on your thighs and swaying back and forth as if you were dancing to a tune.

Joel raises his eyebrow and watches you without blinking...and after a few moments your little reassuring smile starts to dissolve into wide eye horror, fingernails digging into the plush armrests next to you as another wave of pain freezes your body and overcomes you slowly, your mouth opening and voice carrying out your throat :

"aaaaaaaaaHHHHHHUUUUUUUUUIUIJJJJHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

"Mmmmmhm. Not in pain, right?" Joel says to his stubborn, stubborn, born-on-a-stub Wife.

You suck in rapid breaths of air, eyes squeezed to hold in the tears welling up as you shake your head at your husband like the worst liar known to man.

He purses his lips trying not to let out the giggle puffing through his chest.

"My brave brave stubborn girl." He kisses your forehead.

"M' not stubbor-- oooohhAOOOHHHHHHAAAAARHHHGGHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEERRRRTYYYHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAUUUUGGGHHHHHUUHUUHUUUHHH!!!!!!!

Joel kneels beside you with his hand on yours. "Deep breaths with me, babe."

You follow his suit and breathe in then force it out, in and out in and out, Letting out little grunts with the pangs in your belly. Your fingers grip his shoulder as you grit yoyr teeth "fucker-fuckin-fucking fuck fucker-"

"Okay, whatever you say, just breathe."

"Fuckin--ahhh! Stupid-stupid ugly beard fuck ughhh- ugh fuck--your nose is so cute mmm AH--yeah hate you fucker- sweet daddy I love y--FUCK!"

He just keeps nodding, urging you to breathe in and out with him as you let your wildly confusing pains.

He just knows his daughter is going to keep both of you on your toes.

- - - -

Taglist

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