#but in the end they boil down into 'well. we'll see how honest he is from his actions. and his actions are pretty darn good'

[brown-little-robin]

Narcisso Anasui as Big Bad Bill (Sweet William Now)

long post below the cut :]

[nevertheless-moving]

stormlight au number 35 (help me i'm lost in the sauce)

Jasnah, Dalinar, and Renarin (surviving Kholin Radiants) travel from End of World all the way to right after Gavilar's death.

Vengeance pact still happens, but plays out very differently. We don't need absolutely every man in the kingdom to join the army, alright Elhokar? And we're making sure Dalinar is there to accept their surrender, actually win in reasonable time frame and 'conquer' them (no Alethi want to live out there anyway, and as long as they send gemhearts in tribute we won't enslave them. actually elhokar, your sister wanted to talk to you about slavery—).

Honestly, just an excuse for:

A) Adolin to have a breakdown that his entire family has been replaced by voidbringers, before eventually accepting with relief that they're still his family, they've just become voidbringers, but its ok because he loves them and will protect their increasingly heretical actions with his life. Hugs his glowing red and green eyed little brother a lot.

Adolin: do I — should I also learn to read?

Jasnah: do you want to?

Adolin: not really, no.

Renarin: to be honest, it's probably for the best if you just focus on being, well, a good Vorin Alethi. One of us probably should be, if we don't have a desolation as a distraction.

Adolin: ok! sure! I can do that. Also thought id mention that if possible, I would personally appreciate *not* having a desolation.

Jasnah: it may prove necessary.

Adolin: I know, i know. Just thought I'd put my feelings out there.

Dalinar: and we'll need you to produce Kholin heirs. Neither Renarin or Jasnah are likely to, and I'm not remarrying a younger woman.

Adolin: Sounds good!

B) Kholin family to have way too strong a reaction to this random darkeyed surgeon in training when they visit Kharbranth, scaring the absolute shit out of said darkeyed surgeon. Adolin walks into a wall when he sees Kaladin. He doesn't even know about the Radiant thing, it's just that

C) Kaladin dresses really hot in this au. Ok. I lied. this is actually the main reason for this au. It — there's a whole chain of events. I – don't look at me like that. The character development works, alright?

A lot of it boils down to distracting people from groping the female medical trainees.

He realizes that breathing in a certain way, while it makes you focus better and move faster, it also makes you more...present somehow? people pay attention to you, for better or worse. Some of the ladies teach him that there are different ways to channel people's focus on you, if they're looking anyway.

And apparently, for the first few years Kharbranth medical students, light and dark eyed alike, have basically no protections from wealthy patients or Lighteyed chief's of staff who are a bit too interested in teaching you to use your safehand, and its not like Kaladin can challenge them to a duel - he doesnt know how to fight, and it would get him and the person hes trying to protect kicked out of the program. So much for honorable lighteyes being real.

But I mean. If wearing some eyeliner, and a gemstone in your hair, if taking your right glove off first after an exam, conspicuously leaving the left on while talking, if bending over to pick his clipboard up in a certain way... if it gets people to not focus on his friends...

...one could probably get pretty angsty with this concept, ngl.

The Stormlight understanding and oaths come in time. There might also be some Radiant Disguise Superhero hijinks, havent fully decided but it's not really a major stretch from canon to say that Kharbranth struggles with violent crime. Also Kaladin gets to learn about institutional racism in school. It's great. I have a lot of Kaladin thoughts but so does everyone in this au so its ok.

Kholins visit Kharbranth:

Jasnah: you've been moping for days. Is your new fixation of the week not responding to your advances?

Adolin: I don't want to talk about it

Dalinar: son, you've clearly been in a mood—

Adolin: look, I'm not — the individual is not suitable for my station, alright? I'm not courting someone I could never actually marry, because that would be stupid.

Jasnah: while it would complicate matters, you know your brother and I have plans to alter the alethi codes around eye color, considering they're clearly a crude derivative of radiant mythologization

Dalinar: I thought we agreed that was low on the priority list

Jasnah: You said that uncle, Renarin most certainly did not agree, and his arguments are sound

Adolin: He's just some surgeon, alright! He's not just darkeyed, he's a darkeyed man. I said I'll get over it! I always do.

Dalinar: ah.

Jasnah: ...did you say surgeon?

Adolin: Yes? Why?

Dalinar: why does it —

Jasnah: how did you meet?

Adolin: He was — he was with this group of women at a winebar, and he was dressed like – but it turned out he just goes to protect them from - and it was so — why are you asking me about this?

Dalinar: Oh! A darkeyed surgeon. Protecting, you say? He sounds...honorable.

Jasnah: Very honorable.

Adolin: He is! He volunteers at this house for injured soldiers, and you wouldn't believe he'd never been to war, I mean his spear Katas — he's – it's like he was born for it —

Dalinar: He sounds like a fine young man. Perhaps you should bring him to meet us.

Adolin: I — while I appreciate that father, I really do, I thought I was the one who was supposed to well. I mean my role in...all of this is to produce heirs and look proper, right?

Jasnah: Hm. when you put it it that way...

Dalinar: I mean, Navani and I might be able to...

Jasnah: Don't be ridiculous. I'm perfectly capable of producing a child, should it prove absolutely necessary,

Adolin: Jasnah?

Jasnah: Provided the man you're courting is of worthy quality.

Adolin: We're not — I haven't been courting! I didn't think it was an option! I don't even know if he's interested! From what I can tell he has people throwing themselves at his feet all the time!

Jasnah: An abnormally honorable darkeyed surgeon, natural warrior, magnetically charismatic personality...yes that might make a worthwhile addition to the family.

Dalinar: I can write to Elhokar at once, recommend that he and Aseuden —

Jasnah: Uncle we've been over this — this is exactly the sort of thing that led to me insisting you come with me on this trip! If we cripple his ability to lead—

Adolin: Are we — are we moving into the discussing the future part of the evening, because I can go guard the door—

Dalinar: wait, when you say produce a child, you don't mean through soulcasting, right?

Jasnah: I don't see why I should answer that question.

Adolin: Yeah, i'm just going to go guard the door now

[lochrannn]

There's some controversy over rumours about there being a Sparrow Academy spin-off [1] and they mostly boil down to (understandable) disappointment over TUA getting only an abbreviated final fourth season and Steve Blackman and the rest of the production team then turning around and making a different but almost identical show.

And I thought I'd put some of the points + my own thoughts/assumptions on this together.

One of the theories (that I also find an understandable assumption) is that it's due to transphobic sentiments, that TUA was axed because of Elliot's and Viktor's transition and though I can't find any tangible evidence for that beyond the fact that they are now developing a similar show but minus the trans character, in the climate that we're currently dealing with, it could definitely also be transphobia, there's no way to know, but every reason to be vigilant about this sort of thing and hold creators accountable. And I also want to say, I do not give a shit about Steve Blackman either way, beyond the fact that he's made a show I like. I have no particular fondness or animosity towards him.

All that being said, I want to add one more point to this issue, because I think it's important not to get caught up in only blaming all this on one individual and not see how Netflix's bullshit plays into this.

Basically, Netflix likes to cancel even successful shows after three seasons because of their financing model that means they have to pay the studios and production companies exponentially more.

See this article on Deadline for more but the details are basically:

"I hear at least some of the cancellations on the list were prompted in part because the shows were deemed to have gotten too expensive. That is because of how many of Netflix’s series deals are structured. It is widely known that Netflix employs a “cost-plus” model, offering to pay upfront a show’s production costs plus a premium of 30%+ of the costs. Even after Netflix subtracts a distribution fee, outside studios are at break-even or in a positive territory from Day 1, versus having to deficit-finance series for the first few seasons on most traditional networks. But in exchange for the upfront payments, outside studios give up the potential upside that normally comes up with owning a long-running successful series, including off-network and international sales.

Instead, Netflix’s deals include bump/bonuses after each season that are getting progressively bigger. While the payments are relatively modest after Season 1 and a little bigger after Season 2, I hear they escalate after Season 3, especially for series owned by Netflix — sometimes from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars — as the studio starts to pay off the shows’ back-end. For series from outside studios, which I hear cost about 20% more than their Netflix-produced counterparts, I hear the built-in payment increases do not skyrocket as much but still are bigger after Season 3, Season 4 and beyond."

I also have to assume with the cast being made up of a hand full of very well established actors with a movie career and on the opposite end those who had never done a bigger project before TUA, they may all have an interest in going on to the next thing. TUA, as we've seen, takes a lot of time to film and has held all the cast back from doing much else, especially during Covid.

(Also, I'll be honest, I watch TUA for the characters, I'd probably find it hard to get into a spin-off, even one that was about only one or two of the Umbrellas. So, even if the whole background didn't sort of annoy me a little, I wouldn't bother anyway). And now I'm gonna look forward to 6 more eps of my babies in.... the next 12 months? Fuck knows when we'll get it 😅

[1] I checked the source of the source, it seems legit, even if it's not been confirmed yet.

[thestalwartheart]

Lol, my honest unpopular opinion is the opposite of the other nonny! I actually have long thought too many fics made Bond too much of a jerk! Like, I watched Spectre and I didn't even blink at the ending. Bond did his job, it's done, he's going on holiday now. Q is tired and annoyed by him, as he often is, but is like, 'fine, whatever, have the car, you saved the day, bye'. It never would have occurred to me to read Q's reaction there as heartbroken, or to consider Bond should have stuck around to help with cleanup or whatever. He's a field agent, he did his job, he's done for now. I mean, after hearing fandom take on it, I see where they're coming from. But I never would have gotten that from the movie without fandom pointing it out. Lmao

Yes!!! Differing opinions!!! We love to see them.

I was just thinking about this last night. I think you definitely can read Q as being heartbroken (I usually boil it down to unrequited love), but the first time I saw that scene, I read that look as wistful. It seemed to say, "Same old James Bond. It's a shame this is the last time we'll ever do this, but I'm glad you're getting out." I've always thought in the strict canon universe that Q was pleased he could give James that car and contribute to his happy ending. Any way you look at it, it's a powerful moment. I've used both interpretations in fic and seen both done very well in other fics, too.

My favourite SPECTRE fix-its have always done the work to build a foundation of friendship between Q and James that went beyond what we saw in canon. It makes Q's anger/disappointment in those fics a lot more believable to me, and I couldn't have written my own without doing that.

Another tangent incoming! Outside of the SPECTRE ending, but still the subject of Q, James and manipulation, I don't think James was ever trying to be malicious. Does that mean he wasn't callous or self-serving? No. He's an agent. He's going to be both of those things all the time. With Q, I think there was definitely a *wink wink* "scratch my back because you know it's the right thing to do" kind of thing going on. James knows how to get people to bend to his will, but I think Q is willing to go along with it most of the time. He did build him an exploding watch, after all. From the first time we meet him in Skyfall he's fine with working against the bureaucrats. And he trusts Bond not to go off the rails. The only exception there is in Austria after the incident with the DB10 (RIP), but it's a very quick turnaround from Q being furious to siding with James. As soon as he realises James is onto something, he's right back on board.

(Where I took issue with James in SPECTRE was when he gave Q the ring and then let him out of his sight (as if that wasn't a massive cock-up security-wise). In the original script, we saw that play out to its natural conclusion with Q being taken. It's a shame that didn't make it into the final movie, because I think it would have been a real moment of reckoning for James.)

TL;DR: I think all this boils down to the fact everyone at MI6 knows the job is more important than anything. Personal pride. Personal lives. Destroyed vehicles. All of it. James does his job. Q does his. Occasionally they help each other out while annoying the shit out of each other, but there's affection and respect underlying all of it.

Of course, it's a delight to read more into it in fandom, and some days I really did think both Ben Whishaw and Daniel Craig were up to more than they'll admit with his acting choices. None of the above rambling means I'm against the post-SPECTRE angst, btw. I absolutely froth it!

Thank you for another thoughtful opinion, Nonnie! 💛

[maddenleftchat]

Oh, since you wanting some anime asks, could I request maybe general dating hc's for Bakugo or Todoroki? What they look for in a relationship, cuddling hc's, anything you'd like rlly!

Thank you so much for the first anime request! Idk if you wanted this to be yandere so I'll just keep them normal. Do feel free to request them as yandere!

Triggers: bakugou being a bitch, a bit of mention of trauma (todoroki) but just fluff

Enjoy

!Bakugou!

Okay...if we are being honest, a relationship with Bakugou is almost impossible.

Like unless you have the exact same goals as him, you're out of the picture.

To Bakugou, you're either below him, or competition.

Yet somehow! Some way! You beat all odds…

You managed to have Bakugou see you as an equal.

How did you do it?

Well..you challenged Bakugou to a fight, and it ended in a draw.

This caused Bakugou to offer to help you train so you both can be stronger.

Don't get me wrong, to even get Bakugou to even consider that fight took weeks!

~

But once you do eventually end up in a relationship with this boiling kettle, it's not much better.

Bakugou isn't much softer with you, except when you two are cuddling, we'll get back to that later.

Bakugou will force you out of bed at fuckin 5 a.m. to go on a run with him.

Because to him, this relationship meant you were in it.

You just promised to help him and be a part of him reaching his goal.

And to support him, you're gonna be a part of every single part of his training.

But if you genuinely can't get up in the morning to go on a jog or exercise with him (due to illness or whatever) you're gonna cheer him on.

You're gonna count his reps, you're gonna just be there to make him feel good.

It may not seem like this does a whole lot on the outside, but deep down.

I mean like way deep down.

Deep.

Deep.

Deep.

Deep.

Deep.

Down, he really appreciates it.

But obviously your relationship isn't just about training.

You two do share intimate moments, they're just...not very often.

But when you do, it's really passionate and there's not a whole lot of talking.

~

Bakugou is a cuddler.

But he rarely ever does it, unless it's subconsciously in his sleep. (If you two share a bed.)

But when he is awake and doing it, it's quiet.

Maybe with some soft music playing in the background.

These moments are special to Bakugou.

So don't ruin the mood.

Bakugou just likes to hold you to his chest and his chin resting on your head.

His arms will wrap around you, and his fingers will draw circles on your back.

And if you like it, he'll even warm up his hands.

But on the rare occasion that Bakugou does talk during these times, he just reminds you of how perfect you are.

And how great and kind you are.

I can see if Bakugou wants cuddles he'll just pick you up and sling you over his shoulder.

~

Bakugou will also cook for you.

So, don't worry about that.

It doesn't matter how much you want to cook in the kitchen.

You're not allowed.

Every time he catches you in the kitchen, he gives you the death glare.

Tread light in the kitchen.

That's his turf.

~

How does Blasty boy show his affection?

Well mostly through touch.

He loves to hug you from behind whenever you're doing mundane daily tasks.

Or maybe he'll grab you from the dinner table and ballroom dance with you around the kitchen.

Bakugou isn't afraid of PDA to a certain extent.

He won't kiss you in public, but he will have contact with you in some way.

The contact can vary from just having pinky locked, to him having an arm around your waist/shoulders.

But that's about it.

Bakugou feels that it should be only him that gets to see you when you two kiss.

He's a bit possessive, and he can't risk his tough exterior being tainted.

~

In short: Bakugou is a confusing lover. But had good intentions behind all the yelling and aggression. But it does take a special kind of person to keep up with this hot cup of coffee.

Word count: 655

_________________________________________

¿Todoroki?

Todoroki is a volt.

Straight up, it's gonna take you months to even get this man to open up.

I would recommend starting off by becoming Todoroki's friend.

Try starting off slow like saying "hello/good morning." Everyday and asking how he is doing.

Don't be too overwhelmed for this man.

But let's skip the torturously long process of even having him consider you as a friend.

Let's say you slowly work your way up the long stairway to his heart.

Each step being more and more agonizingly slow than the last.

Even when you do get in a relationship, It's going to take him a fair amount of time to open up to you.

So don't ask any questions about his dad or anything.

He'll open up when he's ready.

But for now, like Bakugou you gotta keep up with this man and his goal.

~

Unlike Bakugou, Todoroki won't force you to help him with his training.

But he does appreciate it a lot when you do go with him every now and then.

Even if you're not training with him, just being there to support him is enough.

Though, I would recommend not going every time he does training.

Todoroki does enjoy his alone time.

But please…

PLEASE!

Support this lil half an half's dream.

It will make all the difference.

Even if it's as simple as saying, "You're gonna do so well when you're a hero!"

When he gets back from training.

Or when he gets back from a hard morning workout and you made him breakfast and you say, "Breakfast for the best up and coming hero."

It will make his heart melt.

Todoroki will smile around you more than he does normal people.

~

Like Bakugou, Todoroki's cuddle seshes with you are rare.

Unlike Bakugou, Todoroki isn't that much of a cuddler.

So if you want it to happen. You're gonna have to make it happen.

And you can't give subtle hints.

Todoroki is way too dense for that…

Even then he'll be a bit hesitant at first.

But once you do get him to cuddle you, it's spooning. (Him being the big spoon).

Your cuddle times are very intimate, with not even music playing in the background.

These are the rare times Todoroki might share some of his past with you.

This is when he feels most valuable, so don't fuck it up.

The best option when he does share his past with you is to either stay quiet the entire time, and then thank him for trusting you enough to share that with you.

You don't want to give him your petty or that makes him feel weak.

And that's the last thing he wants to feel.

~

You're gonna be the one cooking.

The only thing shoto knows how to make is cold soba…

He doesn't have the balls to face the kettle yet…

So hopefully you're good in the kitchen or it's take-out until you learn to cook.

~

PDA is a no no with Todoroki.

Even if it's just holding hands.

He personally believes that should be behind closed doors.

So, don't think about getting a quick peck on the cheek outside.

It ain't gonna happen.

But surprisingly, when it comes to sharing his affection it's more with words.

He isn't one for physical contact.

Maybe a hug every now and then, but like the cuddling, very rare.

Todoroki prefers to remind you every morning and night that he loves you, and that you are perfect in his eyes.

Whether he says it over text or in words, it always feels so poetic.

Even though it all means the same thing, he says it differently every time.

~

In short: it's gonna take a lot of patience to become Todoroki's parenter. But in the end it's all worth it.

Word count: 635

_________________________________________

Thanks for reading!

[em-exceeds-change-zearu]

hi! different anon here, if I may ask, at the risk of finding out I never understood Kattobing, Yuma and Zexal, I have to ask.... what is worng with Wonder Wing???

i mean, in the end it probably all just boils down to personal preferences, but i just genuinely hate the fuck out of wonder wings. it can be boiled down to two parts though - the music itself, and then the lyrics/execution of it?

Regarding the music itself: it's just. hm. It's not very memorable to be honest. It's very slow and mellow, and it doesn't really fit in with the rest of Zexal's openings? I'm not saying there's a problem with slow and mellow songs, but it just doesn't fit the energy the rest of the OST has - even slower EDs like Setsubou no Freesia or Artist still have the same energy to match the rest of the OST. And that's probably the main problem with Wonder Wings - the singer just doesn't have that energy at all. It honestly sounds like someone reading out the lyrics with the barest inflection of singing. Like. Did this dude just phone it in? Or is he just that bad of a singer? I could not tell you but what I can say is wow, this was. not fun to listen to. again this could just be my personal preferene speaking but man I was not feeling this dude today or any other day.

The lyrics on the other hand, they're just. Kind of really literal. Like if you told someone "okay this is yugioh zexal it's about card games and kattobing and very very shounen here write something about it" and you went to SparkNotes and got the Important Key Terms and slapped something down. Like.

This Duel will decide our destiny Come, show off your heart (cards)

and

Let's create a new future with our Shining Draw Taken by these Wonder Wings Don't let go of your hands Kattobing, further than the sun

like. i can't tel you how jarring it was to hear these terms just slowly spelled out like. Ok. Yes we're aware that duels are a thing that determine a destiny and also kattobanging our way through this current crisis but also what does this mean. what does kattobing mean. 

well, let’s see what Yuma has to say about that in the final episode!

Kattobingu! That's holding onto courage and taking a step forward! Never giving up in the face of crisis! And challenging all difficulties that come your way!

ah. okay! 

remember, kattobing on its own is just, a string of nonsense syllables. a bunch of onomotopea slapped together. the nonsense word equivalent to a bowl of Rice Krispies cereal: snap, crackle, pop. it’s flat out a made up word, and early on we were all struggling on how to summarize it: remember our earlier translations? i’m pop flying? yeah. 

kattobing is a concept that’s very hard to translate literally - it’s an idea that’s built on throughout the whole entire show. even yuma himself has a pretty shallow understanding of it despite it being a crutch word for him - without a physical representation of what it means to him to focus on, like the key, or astral, etc, he falls apart very quickly. the will and drive to push on and keep trying no matter what in the face of failure is honestly something very very hard to keep up even for the most determined of people. it’s something so ingrained into yuma as a character and the show in general that you really want a theme song - especially one that’s meant to introduce the finale and the crux of this entire journey we’ve taken together with yuma and his friends - to really embody that. so just listing out these terms in a very flatly delivered song is just not going to cut it.

for contrast, let’s look at some lyrics of Challenge the Game, the ED that shares Wonder Wings’ final song slot.

When there's a problem that can't be beaten. We'll just try again. You keep holding your heart inside your chest. Continuing to believe, trying to help. Even while you're discouraged and crying. Let's try to secure tomorrow with our bonds!

aha. there we go. not only is this song sung with a lot of energy, the lyrics themselves embody what kattobing is without having to spell out the concept for you. not only that, it’s basically describing what yuma has consistently been doing this entire show - continuing to tackle problems with sheer belief and determination. it’s a song that not only contains the energy of the show, but succtinctly summarizes what we’ve just been watching for the past five seasons, what we hope to see in the final arc. 

basically what i’m saying is that the difference between Wonder Wings and other OPs and EDs in Zexal is the difference between 4Kids’ translation of kattobing versus that one clip of Funimation’s shitty attempts at dubbing it. Funimation went for a very literal translation - just saying kattobing and dropping it like an awkward loanword in the middle of these middle schoolers yelling at each other in english. it. doesn’t roll off the tongue and it doesn’t have any forceful impact or meaning to it in english. what the hell are little kids watching the show with no context going to get from just hearing that? they don’t know what it means. it doesn’t mean anything to them. 4Kids’ instead goes for “I’m going to high-five the sky!” which, yes, it doesn’t literally translate from the snap-crackle-pot nonsense you try and parse from it. but it doesn’t need to. the intent is there. “high-fiving the sky” is complete nonsense. it’s something impossible to do. but declaring it just shows how much yuma’s willing to push himself, to move forward, it’s a phrase with force and drive that yuma himself puts meaning into every time he says it. 

tl’dr: wonder wings is shitty funimation garbage, every other single zexal op/ed is the 4kids superior dub. i’m not saying having wonder wings as a favourite is a bad thing or anything if that’s what you like, but also, why would you when literally every other song in zexal’s ost is, like, right there.

[thewidowsghost]

The Unknown Muggleborn - Chapter 10

3rd Person POV

Quirrell, however, must have been braver than Harry, Ron, and Hermione had thought. In the weeks that follow he did seem to be getting paler and thinner, but it didn't look as though he had cracked it.

Every time they pass the third-floor corridor, Harry and Ron would press their ears to the door to check that Fluffy is growling inside.

Whenever Harry passes Quirrell he gives him a small smile, and Ron started telling people off for his stutter.

Hermione and (Y/n) had more on their minds than the Sorcerer's Stone. Hermione had started drawing up study schedules and the two had been color-coding all their notes. Ron and Harry watch in amazement as (Y/n) launches into some complicated Potions thing at Hermione's request and the brunette begins jotting down notes.

Harry and wouldn't have minded, but Hermione kept nagging them to do the same.

"Hermione, the exams are ages away."

"Ten weeks," Hermione snaps.

"That's not ages," (Y/n) pipes up, "that's like a second to Nicholas Flamel."

"But we're not six hundred years old," Ron reminds her. "Anyway, what are you four studying for, you all ready know it all!"

"What are we studying for?" (Y/n) exclaims. "Are you crazy? You realize we need to pass these exams to get into our second year? They're very important, we should have started studying a month ago."

"I don't know what's gotten into me," Hermione chimes in.

Unfortunately, the teachers seem to be thinking along the same lines as Hermione and (Y/n). They pile so much homework on them that the Easter holidays weren't nearly as much fun as the Christmas ones. It is hard to relax with Hermione and (Y/n) next to you reciting the twelve uses of dragon's blood or practicing wand movements. Moaning and yawning, Harry and Ron spent most of their free time in the library with them, trying to get through all their extra work.

"I'll never remember this," Ron bursts out one afternoon, throwing down his quill and looking longingly out of the library windows. It is the first really fine day they'd had in months. The sky is a clear, forget-me-not blue, and there is a feeling in the air of summer coming.

Harry, who is looking up "Dittany" in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, didn't look up until he hears Ron says, "Hagrid! What are you doing in the library?"

Hagrid shuffles into view, hiding something behind his back. He looks very out of place in his moleskin overcoat.

"Jus' lookin'," he says, in a shifty voice that gets their interest at once. "An'what're you lot up ter?" He looks suddenly suspicious. "Yer not still lookin' fer Nicolas Flamel, are yeh?"

"Oh, we found out who he is ages ago," says Ron impressively. "And we know what that dog's guarding, it's a Sorcerer's St —"

"Shhhh!" Hagrid looks around quickly to see if anyone is listening."Don' go shoutin' about it, what's the matter with yeh?"

"There are a few things we wanted to ask you, as a matter of fact," says Harry, "about what's guarding the Stone, apart from Fluffy -"

"Don't rope me into this," (Y/n) says, not looking up from her potions notes.

"SHHH!" says Hagrid again. "Listen - come an' see me later, I'm not promisin' I'll tell yeh anythin', mind, but don' go rabbitin' about it in here, studens aren' s'pposed ter know. They'll think I've told yeh-"

"See you later, then," says Harry.

Hagrid shuffles off.

"What was he hiding behind his back?" says Hermione thoughtfully.

"Do you think it had anything to do with the Stone?" Harry wonders.

"I'm going to see what section he was in," says Ron, who'd had enough of working. He comes back a minute later with a pile of books in his arms and slams them down on the table. "Dragons!" he whispers. "Hagrid was looking up stuff about dragons!Look at these: Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland; From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper's Guide."

"Hagrid's always wanted a dragon, he told me so the first time I ever met him."

"But it's against our laws," (Y/n) comments, still gazing down at her notes, Snape had told her that he was giving her a more advanced exam than everyone else's. "Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709."

"Everyone knows that," Ron agrees. "It's hard to stop Muggles from noticing us if we're keeping dragons in the back garden - anyway, you can't tame dragons, it's dangerous. You should see the burns Charlie's got of wild ones in Romania."

"But there aren't wild dragons in Britain?" asks Harry.

"Of course there are," says Ron. "Common Welsh Green and Hebridean Blacks. The Ministry of Magic has a job hushing them up, I can tell you. Our kind have to keep putting spells on Muggles have spotted them, to make them forget."

"So what on earth is Hagrid up to?" wonders Hermione wonders aloud.

. . .

When they knock on the gamekeeper's hut an hour later, they are surprised to see that ll the curtains are closed. Hagrid calls, "Who is it?" before he had let them in, and then shuts the door quickly behind them.

It is stifling hot inside, and (Y/n) rolls up the sleeves of her shirt and Fang jumps into her lap.

"So - yeh wanted to ask me something?"

"Yes," says Harry, seeing no point in beating around the bush. "We were -"

"Not me, just to be clear," (Y/n) interjects and Hagrid glances gratefully at her.

"Wondering," Harry continues, "if you could tell us what's guarding eh Sorcerer's Stone apart from Fluffy."

Hagrid frowns at him. "O' course I can't," he says. "Number one, I don' know meself. Number two, yeh know too much already, so I wouldn' tell yeh if I could. That Stone's here fer a good reason. It was almost stolen outta Gringotts — Is'ppose yeh've worked that out an' all? Beats me how yeh even know abou' Fluffy."

"Oh, come on, Hagrid, you might want to tell us," Hermione begins."But you do know, you know everything that goes on around here," she finishes in a warm, flattering voice. Hagrid's beard twitches and they can tell he is smiling."We only wondered who had done the guarding, really," Hermione continues. "We wondered who Dumbledore had trusted enough to help him, apart from you."

Hagrid's chest swells at the last words and Harry and Ron beam at Hermione, (Y/n) scratching Fang behind the ears.

"Well, I don' s'pose it could hurt ter tell yeh that . . . let's see . . . he borrowed Fluffy from me . . . then some o' the teachers did enchantments . . .Professor Sprout — Professor Flitwick — Professor McGonagall —" he ticks them off on his fingers, "Professor Quirrell — an' Dumbledore himself did somethin', o' course. Hang on, I've forgotten someone. Oh yeah, Professor Snape."

"Snape?" Harry asks.

"Yeah — yer not still on abou' that, are yeh? Look, Snape helped protect the Stone, he's not about ter steal it."

Harry knows Ron and Hermione are thinking the same as he is. If Snape had been in on protecting the Stone, it must have been easy to find out how the other teachers had guarded it. He probably knew everything — except, it seemed, Quirrell's spell and how to get past Fluffy.

"You're the only one who knows how to get past Fluffy, aren't you, Hagrid?" asks Harry anxiously. "And you wouldn't tell anyone, would you? Not even one of the teachers?"

"Not a soul knows except me an' Dumbledore," says Hagrid proudly.

"Well, that's something," Harry mutters to the others, (Y/n) rolling her eyes. "Hagrid, can we have a window open? I'm boiling."

"Can't, Harry, sorry," says Hagrid. (Y/n) notices him glance at the fire, and she looks at it, too.

"Hagrid — what's that?" But she already knows what is. In the very heart of the fire, underneath the kettle, is a huge, black egg. She nudges Fang off her and crouches in front of the fire.

"Ah," says Hagrid, fiddling nervously with his beard, "That's — er . . ."

"Where did you get it, Hagrid?" (Y/n) asks, studying the black egg.

"It must've cost you a fortune," Ron pipes up, crouching beside (Y/n).

"Won it," answers Hagrid. "Las' night. I was down in the village havin' a few drinks an' got into a game o' cards with a stranger. Think he was quite glad ter get rid of it, ter be honest."

"But what are you going to do with it when it's hatched?" wonders Hermione.

"Well, I've bin doin' some readin'," says Hagrid, pulling a large book from under his pillow. "Got this outta the library — Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit — it's a bit outta date, o' course, but it's all in here. Keep the eggi n the fire, 'cause their mothers breathe on 'em, see, an' when it hatches, feed it on a bucket o' brandy mixed with chicken blood every half hour. An' see here — how ter recognize diff'rent eggs — what I got there's a Norwegian Ridgeback. They're rare, them."

Hagrid looks very pleased with himself, but Hermione doesn't look pleased at all. "Hagrid," she exclaims, "you live in a wooden house!" But Hagrid isn't listening. He is humming merrily as he stokes the fire.

. . .

So now they have something else to worry about: what might happen to Hagrid if anyone found out he's hiding an illegal dragon in his hut.

"Wonder what it's like to have a peaceful life," Ron sighs, as evening after evening they struggle through all the extra homework they were getting. Hermione had started making study schedules for Harry and Ron, too. And it was driving them nuts.

Then, one breakfast time, Hedwig brings Harry a note from Hagrid. He had written only two words: It's hatching.

Ron wanted to skip Herbology and go straight down to the hut, but Hermione wouldn't hear of it.

"Hermione, how many times in our lives are we going to see a dragon hatching?" Ron asks.

"We've got lessons, we'll get into trouble, and that's nothing to what Hagrid's going to be in when someone finds out what he's doing -"

"Shut up!" Harry whispers.

Malfoy was only a few feet away and he had stopped dead to listen. (Y/n) turns to give him a glare and the blond scampers off, reminding (Y/n) of a little ferret.

Ron and Hermione argue all the way to Herbology and in the end, she agrees to run down Hagrid's with the other five during morning break. When the bell sounds from the castle at the end of their lesson, the three of them drop their trowels at once and hurry through the grounds to the edge of the forest. Hagrid greet them, looking flushed and excited.

"It's nearly out," Hagrid ushers them inside.

The egg is lying on the table. There are deep cracks in it. Something is moving inside; a funny clicking noise was coming from it.

The five draw their chairs up to the table and watch with bated breath.

All at once there is a scraping noise and the egg splits open. The baby dragon flops onto the table. It isn't exactly pretty, Harry thinks. It's spiny wings are huge compared to it's skinny jet body, it has a long snout with wide nostrils, the stubs of horns and bulging, orange eyes.

It sneezes, a couple of sparks flying out of it's snout.

"Isn't he beautiful?" Hagrid murmurs. He reaches out a hand to stroke the dragon's head. It snaps at his fingers, showing pointed fangs. "Bless him, look, he knows his mummy!" exclaims Hagrid.

"Hagrid," says Hermione, "how fast do Norwegian Ridgebacks grow, exactly?"

Hagrid is about to answer when the color suddenly drained from his face - he leaps to his feet and runs to the window.

"What's the matter?" (Y/n) asks.

"Someone was lookin' through the gap in the curtains - it's a kid - he's runnin' back up ter the school."

(Y/n) bolts to the door and looks out. Even at a distance there is no mistaking him.

Malfoy had seen the dragon.

. . .

Something about the smile lurking on Malfoy's face during the last week made Harry, Ron, Hermione and (Y/n) very nervous. They spend most of their free time in Hagrid's darkened hut, trying to reason with him.

"Just let him go," Harry urges.

"I can't he'll die," Hagrid says. "He's too little."

They look at the dragon. It had grown three times in length in just a week, smoke furling out of its nostrils. Hagrid hadn't been doing his gamekeeping duties because the dragon was keeping him so busy. There are empty brandy bottles and chicken feathers all over the floor.

"I've decided to call him Norbert," says Hagrid, looking at the dragon with misty eyes. "He really knows me now, watch. Norbert! Norbert! Where's Mummy?"

"He's lost his marbles," Ron mutters in Harry's ear.

"Hagrid," says Hermione loudly, "give it two weeks and Norbert's going to be as long as your house. Malfoy could go to Dumbledore at any moment."

Hagrid bites his lip. "I — I know I can't keep him forever, but I can't jus' dump him, I can't."

Harry suddenly turns to Ron."Charlie," he says.

"You're losing it, too," said Ron. "I'm Ron, remember?"

"No — Charlie — your brother, Charlie. In Romania. Studying dragons. We could send Norbert to him. Charlie can take care of him and then put him back in the wild!"

"Brilliant!" exclaims Ron. "How about it, Hagrid?"

And in the end, Hagrid agrees that they could send an owl to Charlie to ask him.

The following week drags by. Wednesday night found Hermione, Harry, and (Y/n) sitting alone in the common room, long after everyone else had gone to bed. The clock on the wall had just chimed midnight when the portrait hole burst open. Ron appears out of nowhere as he pulled off Harry's Invisibility Cloak. He had been down at Hagrid's hut, helping him feed Norbert, who was now eating dead rats by the crate.

"It bit me!" he says, showing them his hand, which was wrapped in a bloody handkerchief. "I'm not going to be able to hold a quill for a week. I tell you, that dragon's the most horrible animal I've ever met, but the way Hagrid goes on about it, you'd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit. When it bit me he told me off for frightening it. And when I left, he was singing it a lullaby."

There is a tap on the dark window.

"It's Hedwig!" (Y/n) says, hurrying to let her in. "She'll have Charlie's answer!"

The six of them put their heads together to read the note.

Dear Ron,

How are you? Thanks for the letter — I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon.

Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's till dark.

Send me an answer as soon as possible.

Love, Charlie

They look at one another.

"We've got the Invisibility Cloak," says Harry. "It shouldn't be too difficult - I think the cloak's big enough to cover three of us and Norbert."

It was a mark of how bad the last week had been that the other five agree with him. Anything to get rid of Norbert - and Malfoy.

There was a hitch. By the next morning, Ron's bitten hand had swollen to twice its usual size. He didn't know whether it was safe to go to Madam Pomfrey - would she recognize a dragon bite? By the afternoon, though, he had no choice. The cut had turned a nasty shade of green. It looked as if Norbert's fangs were poisonous.

Harry, Hermione, and (Y/n) rush up to the hospital wing at the end of the day to find Ron in a terrible state in bed.

"It's not just my hand," he whispers, "although that feels like it's about to fall off. Malfoy told Madam Pomfrey he wanted to borrow one of my books so he could come and have a good laugh at me. He kept threatening to tell her what really bit me — I've told her it was a dog, but I don't think she believes me — I shouldn't have hit him at the Quidditch match, that's why he's doing this."

The other three try to calm Ron down.

"It'll all be over at midnight on Saturday," says Iliana gently, but this didn't soothe Ron at all. On the contrary, he sits bolt upright and broke into a sweat.

"Midnight on Saturday!" he says in a hoarse voice. "Oh no — oh no —I've just remembered — Charlie's letter was in that book Malfoy took, he's going to know we're getting rid of Norbert."

The others didn't get a chance to answer. Madam Pomfrey came over at that moment and made them leave, saying Ron needed sleep.

. . .

"It's too late to change the plan now," (Y/n) murmurs to the others. "We haven't got time to send Charlie another owl."

"This could be our only chance to get rid of Norbert," Harry adds. "We'll have to risk it, and we have got the Invisibility Cloak, Malfoy doesn't know about that."

They find Fang sitting outside with a bandaged tail when they go to tell Hagrid, who opens a window to talk to them.

(Y/n) crouches beside the large boarhound, scratching behind Fang's ears.

"I won't let you in," Hagrid puffs. "Norbert's at a tricky stage — nothin' I can't handle."

When they tell him about Charlie's letter, his eyes fill with tears, although that might have just been because Norbert had just bitten him on the leg.

"Aargh! It's all right, he only got my boot — jus' playin'— he's only a baby, after all."

The 'baby' bangs its tail on the wall, making the windows rattle. Harry, Hermione, and (Y/n) walk back to the castle, feeling as though Saturday couldn't come quickly enough.

. . .

They would have felt sorry for Hagrid when the time came to say good-bye to Norbert if they hadn't been so worried about what they had to do.

It was a very dark, cloudy night, and they were a bit late arriving at Hagrid's hut because they'd have to wait for Peeves to get out of their way in the entrance hall, where he'd been playing tennis against teh wall.

Hagrid had Norbert packed and ready in a large crate.

"He's got lots o' rats an' some brandy fer the journey," says Hagrid in a muffled voice. "An' I've packed his teddy bear in case he gets lonely."

From inside the crate comes ripping noises that sound to (Y/n) as though the teddy is having his head torn off.

"Bye-bye, Norbert!" Hagrid sobs, as Harry, (Y/n), and Hermione cover the crate with the Invisibility Cloak and step underneath it themselves."Mummy will never forget you!"

How they managed to get the crate back up to the castle, they never knew.Midnight ticks nearer as they heave Norbert up the marble staircase in the entrance hall and along the dark corridors. Up another staircase, then another— even one of Harry's shortcuts didn't make the work much easier.

"Nearly there!" Harry pants as they reach the corridor beneath the tallest tower.

Then a sudden movement ahead of them makes them almost drop the crate. Forgetting that they were already invisible, they shrink into the shadows, staring at the dark outlines of two people grappling with each other, ten feet away.

A lamp flares.

Professor McGonagall, in a tartan bathrobe and a hair net, has Malfoy by the ear. "Detention!" she shouts. "And twenty points from Slytherin! Wandering around in the middle of the night, how dare you —"

"You don't understand, Professor. Harry Potter and (Y/n) (L/n) are coming — they've got a dragon!"

"What utter rubbish! How dare you tell such lies! Come on - I shall see Professor Snape about you, Malfoy!"

The steep spiral staircase up to the top of the tower seems the easiest thing in the world after that. Not until they'd stepped out into the cold night air, did they throw off the Cloak, glad to be able do breathe properly again. Hermione does a sort of jig.

"Malfoy's got detention! I could sing!"

"Don't," (Y/n) smiles warmly at her sister. "You know that's my thing."

Chuckling about Malfoy, they wait, Norbert thrashing about in his crate. About ten minutes later, four broomsticks come swooping down out of the darkness.

Charlie's friends were a cheery lot. They show Harry, Hermione, and (Y/n) the harness they'd rigged up, so they could suspend Norbert between them. They all help buckle Norbert safely into it and then Harry, (Y/n), and Hermione shake hands with the others and thank them very much.

At last, Norbert was going . . . going . . . gone.

Harry and Hermione slip back down the spiral staircase and (Y/n) grabs the Invisibility Cloak. She darts down the stairs when she hears a noise coming from the end of the hall and throws the Cloak over Harry and Hermione.

As the figure steps out, Filch's have looms suddenly out of the darkness. "Well, well, well," he leers at (Y/n). "You are in trouble, aren't you.

Harry and Hermione watch in shock and horror as Filch grabs (Y/n)'s upper arm and begins dragging her down the corridor.

Word Count: 3574 words

[unusualvisionsblog]

Sky full of star: Chapter 1

My first original series/ book! Ah I'm super nervous and excited. Its pretty cringy I guess but I hope y'all don't hate it yeet.

Summary : Kathleen Hunter, 23 and a redhead is a daring and an ambitious flight attendant who wants to travel the world. But when her jobs brings her to a new love and brings back an old flame, what will Kathleen do?

Warnings : none actually, cringe probably, swearing later.

There might be a few spelling mistake since I posted this at like 1am yeet

Word count : 1615 or something

So here we go oof

CHAPTER 1

Never had she hated her life more. Her alarm didn't ring and she had already stubbed her toe on that darn bedside table. Ouch. She really couldn't  afford to be late today.Sighing deeply, she checked the time. Today was really important for her,  because if this flight went well, her career would really take a jump. Being a flight attendant was definitely not an easy job. She had to deal with rude passengers and crying babies. She looked at herself in the mirror, biting her lips in criticism. Her strawberry blonde hair were a mess but there wasn't enough time to do a decent hair style.

Kathleen would never believe anyone whenever they complimented her on her looks, because having been called plain and boring by her mother for 23 years, it was hard to believe anything else really.

But when someone else would see her for the first time, they would notice how the  loose tendrils of her silky hair would cover her face and how her alluring blue eyes would peek out and how they would shine brilliantly when her pink lips uplifted to form a sweet smile.

Putting her hair in a quick messy bun, she got dressed and grabbed a coffee before leaving. She quickly reached the bus stop and waited, tapping her feet constantly and after every two sips, checking the time. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice a group of suave business men and women heading towards her  when suddenly "BAM!". A young man talking to his colleague bumped into the frowning woman. At this sudden motion, Kathleen stepped back, dropping the hot coffee on her uniform. Now this really was the cherry on top of an already bad day.  She crossed her arms, glaring right into the brown eyes of the fair young man, "Excuse me, are you actually freaking blind? You've completely ruined my day AND my coffee!"

Taken aback, "I apologise for the coffee but this is just as much your fault as it is mine" the man huffed, his brows creased. This only infuriated Kathleen more and she was more than ready to retort back,"Hah! You- " when the woman next to the man interjected,"David we really don't have time to argue with random people on the street, you're getting late!" and with that they all moved forward with David looking over his shoulder and scowling at the woman one last time, muttering, "God what a horrible start to the day."

Having finally reached the airport, Kathleen quickly changed into her second set of uniform and did her make up before getting on board the flight.

As tiring and exhausting this job was, Kathleen really did love being a flight attendant as it was the only way she got to travel the world. She'd been to France, Germany, Italy, India.. the list goes on and on.

She had met people who had impacted her life throughout her journey and she was excited for her next one and if this went well, there was going to be a sweet sweet salary bump for her.

Having helped all the passengers in the economy section feel  comfortable, she moved to the business class where she finally got a chance to talk to her  best friend, Tracy Sawyer. Tracy smiled brightly at her as she walked towards her, "Omg, are you excited?! This is your first flight with you in charge!! You are so going to kill it!"

"Wow you have way more confidence in me then I have  for myself." She chuckled in reply.

"Okay first shut up, you're definitely getting that raise and second you have got to see that hottie in first class, single and wohoo he is a snack!"

Raising her eyebrow, "Don't you have like a boyfriend Tracy?" She questioned.

"God you are so dense, Kathy he isn't even my type, I was talking about you! You've been single for like 8 years!"

"3 not 8!"

Tracy rolled her eyes in reply, "Whatever you're serving first class today! See you around love! First seat on the right" She said winking at Kathy and moving to the next section.

She would be lying if she said she wasn't  even a least bit interested in checking out this so called handsome single man. She took a deep breath and walked right into the first class section and with a bright smile turned towards the right side, " Good morning and thank you for choosing Blue sky airlines, how can I help you today?" She lifted her eyes and that's when her smile faltered. They were the same brown eyes that had glared right back at her in the morning.

"You- it was you at the bus stop wasn't it? Screaming at me?"squinting at her with his lips pressed

" I-i act-" she stuttered.

" Do you know that I am the CEO  of  Timetrend?"

Wide eyed, her breathing became rapid but she could not speak.

"This is an interesting turn of events" with a smirk on his face.

At this point Kathleen composed herself, "Sir allow me to apologise to you profusely, I truly am very sorry." But let's be honest, they both knew she wasn't.

"Well I guess you can make it up to me by getting a glass of champagne or is that too much for you?"

Biting her lips to prevent her from making the situation worse, She replied, "right away sir."

She cursed Tracy severely in her head. And to make matters even more abominable, there was only one first class passenger. And he was a pain in the ass.

He couldn't believe his bad luck, imagine having the same clumsy woman as your flight attendant. At least here he had an advantage, he could order her around completely although he wasn't actually that cruel. He was having a hard time  trying to control his laughter looking at the flustered girl who was so composed before.

As much as he tried to distract himself, he was extremely bored, he had finished all of his work so that he could spend time with his girlfriend on the flight. Well Ex girlfriend now since she broke up with him yesterday. He was upset sure but not heartbroken. He didn't really love her and she probably didn't either although she tried to but the effort was only one sided. He didn't have time for relationships. He was a busy man after all.

He tried to sleep but he just couldn't. He heard the sound of her heels and guessed that she was making the rounds again. He sat up straight and decided to order another glass of champagne, this was a long flight after all.

" Do you need anything sir? " She questioned, still afraid to meet his eyes.

"Yes, I'm bored."

At this her eyes shot up, with eyebrows raised but she quickly hid it with her normal smile

" Well we have a wide range of movies, if you'd like. We also have mag-"

"No."

"I'm sorry?"

"I mean no, I want to have a conversation. Tell me something about yourself."

" Are you drunk sir?"

" No of course not! Who gets drunk after two glasses of champagne?"

" Well okay, what would you like to know?"

"For starters, tell me your name."

And somehow, to both of their surprise, they were able to keep an interesting flow of conversation going without any awkward silences or anything of the sort and soon they were laughing like old friends. Well actually Kathleen was laughing, the closest David came to laughing was giving her a genuine smile. Soon Kathleen returned to the other attendants for the rounds, returning soon enough to first class, with smirking glances from Tracy.

"Kathleen, might I ask you why did you choose to become an air hostess? You don't have to answer." He added cautiously

"One  call me Kathy, I actually do not like Kathleen at all.

He chuckled slightly taking a sip of his drink

"Two it's not really complicated. I mean I didn't always want to be an attendant. I wanted to  be a pilot. But you know financial issues."

"Oh. Yeah I get that"

There was a comfortable silence between the two before Kathy had to leave again.

"We'll be landing soon, so I'll take your leave." She smiled at him warmly. There was something so innocent about her smile that he couldn't help but smile back.

She got up to get back to her seat with Tracy when a sudden turbulence caused her to stumble forward but before she could hit the floor,a pair of strong hands grabbed her waist and prevented any accident that would end up with her having a huge boil on her head. She felt her heart pound as she looked into his brown eyes slightly converted by his brown hair for what seemed like 10 minutes but was actually 5 seconds? She was being ridiculous! She shook her head and smiled at him,thanking him and went on her way avoiding eye contact.

-----

He really couldn't help but smile at her and he was pretty astonished about himself. They were getting ready to descend, when there was a slight tremor and he realized that it had completely shooken Kathy and she would probably fall down but before that he grabbed her firmly by the waist and immediately stood up. He didn't know what happened but something in her blue eyes pulled him towards her. He saw a strand of her glossy red hair on her soft pink cheeks, he was having  a hard time fighting the urge to tuck it behind her ear. He didn't even register the fact that he was staring at her before she blushed and pulled away. For the first time in his life, he felt flustered at the sight of her. He probably was just tired. Hopefully.

#love #angst #romance #chicklit #original #fiction

[hotchzier]

louis hadn't exactly planned on waking his boy up until it was exactly half an hour before he had to leave. but with how entangled they were it was deemed impossible to get out of harry's bond without waking him up.

"darling." louis called softly, turning his head a bit back so he could look at him.

"darling, i need you to wake up." louis continued softly, reaching out to move his boys hair back and out of his face. he left his hand to gently rub circles in harry's temples.

he really didn't want to leave.

louis leaned over and gently layed his lips against harry's forehead, attempting to wake him up with his kisses.

"hmph", is all he got out of him.

"baby, i gotta get up."

"mmm". harry dived his nose into louis' neck, inhaling deeply.

louis smiled fondly and moved his hand into harry's gorgeous curls. he always loved playing with them, especially during small moments like these where the both of them are intertwined deeply into their bed. voices never higher than a whisper.

louis gently pulled on his curls in order to lift harry's head up a bit so he could move his lips down to his ear. he nudged it a bit and then whispered at him to wake up once again.

"nnnh-not going to." harry mumbled, still nestled into louis' neck.

louis let out a breathy sound, somewhere remotely close to a chuckle.

"and why is that, my boy?"

"if i keep sleeping, you wont leave." harry eventually whispered with his smallest voice he had.

louis' fond smile slowly morphed into a small frown. he knew how hard these moments were on not only harry, but himself too. he quickly turned the mood to a happier setting by letting out a small chuckle after thinking about the "logic" behind harry's words.

"i wish it worked that way, love." he said quietly, and then leaving a peck on the top of his head to seal his words.

"wanna stay here forever". harry whispered as he moved his head to nose louis' cheek.

louis' chin tilted down a bit so his and harry's noses met to rub against eachothers.

butterfly kisses.

their lips eventually found each others as it seems it's impossible for them not to when their faces are this close.

the first kiss of the day, and most definitely not the last.

they layed there and kissed for a bit. as corny as it sounds, the time always feels endless and that their souls have suddenly turned to immortality when their lips have morphed into each others.

when louis reluctantly pulled pack, harry finally opened his eyes. his usually bright green eyes were a bit dull today but they never failed to catch louis' breath.

their eyes didn't pull away until the realization that the time for louis' departure would be here sooner than later.

louis pulled back to look at the analog clock that rested on their bedside table.

9:22 AM the digital, red letters read out.

he'd have to get going at the latest by 11 and considering how this had been going, it'd be a struggle to get him out of the door until he absolutely had to.

when he turned back to harry his eyes layed upon the frown that had came across his face in the past few seconds. he felt himself frowning shortly too.

god, he hated this. he hated leaving his boy.

louis leaned into leave a lingering peck against harry's lips.

"i love you." he whispered against their touching lips.

all harry did was let his lips curl up to a small smile. he knew he was choking on his emotions deep down inside and he was trying his hardest to conceal them.

"gotta take a shower, love." louis started to get up but harry caught onto his arm before he could even swing his feet off the bed.

"lay with me for a bit longer, please, louis."

his hearth ached. his boys voice was so small and sad. he longed to just quit his job as the aspiring journalist he was becoming and lay with harry in a bed forever.

"can't, darling."

water came across to filling the already glassy, emerald eyes of his.

fuck.

louis didn't realize how hard it would be this time. he'd only be gone for five weeks into the states in order to research on a piece he was doing for the different ways life is lived. but it would be the longest they had ever been away from eachother in the span of the 4 years they were together. he wanted nothing more than to take him with him but they just couldn't.

he leaned in to quickly wipe harry's tears, but he refused to lie down again, knowing he wouldn't get up if he did.

"we'll facetime every fucking day. you can call me whenever you need to, no matter what. and we'll text every minute we can. i promise you, my love." louis stated as his hands held onto harry's face.

harry's hand came up to wrap around louis' dainty, but firm wrists. he continued to look louis in the eye as he nodded slowly. "okay." he whispered softly.

"okay?" louis wanted to hear it again to confirm harry got it.

"everyday." is all harry whispered back.

-

as louis stepped out of the steamy bathroom, he found the still ruffled sheets of the bed to be empty. he followed his feet to the kitchen to see the coffee pot incessantly boiling and harry at the table with his journal.

he seemed to be stuck on his thoughts and aimlessly writing in it, more than likely to calm him.

louis came up behind him from where he was seated and wrapped his arms around his shoulders, inhaling harry's scent and then kissing him once more.

"let me make you some coffee before you leave. or tea? you always prefer tea in the mornings, i just thought maybe you needed some caffeine as you do have a long trip ahead of yo-"

"coffee's fine, sweetheart." louis cut his frazzled rambling off with yet another kiss to his lips.

harry turned around to pour louis a cup and handed it to him as he sat back down with louis.

"nothing for you, babe?" louis asked, genuinely curious as harry usually had a cup as well.

"dont think i'd keep it down to be quite honest". he said as his voice trailed off into some distant land of his mind.

louis sighed and turned his body towards harry's seat. he sat there, drinking his coffee, while reviewing all of harry's features. he never, ever could get over how unbelievably lucky he got with this godly gorgeous boy of his.

"stop staring at me". harry said, his voice fining entertainment.

"i cant". louis knew harry could hear the smile in his voice.

harry disregarded the comment, even though is knowing smile stayed on his face as he turned to asked louis if his toothbrush was packed.

"yes, darling, everything i need is ready to go." he said a but, exasperated. he knew harry was just stalling louis' time but they'd gone over his packed bags at least a million times in the past few days.

"okay, love, just checking." harry said, his voice seemed a big lighter now that he was fully awake, but it still had a sad tinge to it.

10:39 AM the clock hanging against their wall now read.

his ears picked up on harry's breath faintly hitching as he turned to see that harry looked at the same time as he did to.

"still got a good 20 minutes, baby. you'll be okay", he said trying his best to calm his boy down.

he got up to put his cup in the sink he turned back around to harry already standing. his eyes had trailed him the few steps to he sink and now to where louis was walking in his direction.

louis slowly wrapped his arms around harry's long and thin torso. harry felt a bit tense in his arms but he slowly relaxed as louis held him tighter once harrys arms wrapped around his neck and his head fell into his shoulder.

they stood their wrapped up into eachother tightly for a good while, both pulling back with glossy eyes.

it really would be a good time to get going then, but louis couldn't find himself to doing it. he wanted to stay here with his boy as much as his boy wanted him to stay too.

when he looked back up again his face contorted into a frown and his eyebrows pulling together at the sight of a tear rolling down harry's face.

louis took his hands and squeezed them. he leaned up to kiss all over his boys face even has the taste of his salty tears made his way into his mouth.

"i'm sorry." the end of harry's words were slightly cracked by his emotions.

"no, don't be, baby. i just hate seeing you so sad."

"i feel selfish for crying. this is your thing that you've been looking forward to for so long and i just- i don't know we've never been away for this long and im gonna miss you so fucking much." now harry's voice cracks were surreal and tears were unstoppable as he chocked on his sobs.

louis' heart was breaking and he felt his eyes fill up to at his darling boy who was a whole emotional wreck. he wasn't any better himself though.

"you're breaking my heart, baby", louis let go of their intertwined hands to wipe harry's tears out of his face. his hands stayed there to rub circles into his cheeks to calm him down. "i promise you i'll be back before no time and when i get back we can lay in bed and watch movies the whole day like we always do, okay?"

harry just nodded as he tried to suppress his sobs even more. it was pretty much time for louis to be leaving, as he should've been at the airport about ten minutes ago.

"i'm so sorry, darling, but i really gotta get going. ill text you the soonest second i can and you can text me every damn time you want to. these five weeks will fly, my boy."

harry was still keen on saying the bare minimum as he leaned into louis' touch and closed the gap between them to kiss louis' lips for the last time in awhile.

they wrapped eachother into their arms one more time, squeezing extra tightly before louis turned to grab his bags to put them in the car.

harry insisted on helping him but louis refused. he just wanted his boy to rest up for now.

as soon as the doors to his taxi closed his phone dinged with a message from harry, he smiled to himself at how extra his boy was.

"miss you so fucking much already xx"

[paladinofklance]

We'll find each other, when even the night is at its darkest.

Read on AO3

This is done by me;

Tumblr: paladinofklance

AO3: moonandstarlight

Summary:

5 times they hold back, and 1 time they do not

I am back with anew fic, this one inspired by the lovely season 3, God i loved that season and i am now officially dying until the 13. October

Hope you enjoy :)

☆ One.

Ten minutes, that’s how long Lance wanders around biting aimlessly at his nails -a nervous habit- while his thoughts keep him occupied. His position on the team has always been hard for him to think about, some days he will feel like he belongs and they all want him here, other days, not so much.

It’s hectic, all this Lion switching -that actually ended up going well- and then suddenly Shiro coming home. Lance admits, they made the team work when Shiro wasn't there, they got closer, understood each other better, even when they all still missed Shiro.

Luckily, he’s back now.

Lance sprung with happiness when they first found him, there was constantly a hole, a hole where Shiro would fit perfectly in. After some time, his glee disappeared as he found himself back in the spiral of his thoughts. Lance has always been an over thinker, unable to stand up for himself when his anxiety starts lurking in the back of his mind.

When he finally stops, he is at the location he had been pondering for so long. He is sure Keith wouldn’t make fun of him, he is a good guy, has always been if they both try. To be honest, he also has no idea who else to go to, he could voice his concerns to either Pidge or Hunk, but he won’t do that to them. Hunk might be worse at overthinking, so that wouldn’t be fair and Pidge is already busy enough with flying Green and trying to find her family. She has a purpose out here, he wouldn’t want to make her doubt her position too. So, Keith, it ends up being, Keith is also a solid member of Voltron, they wouldn’t want to get rid of the best pilot for centuries, so here he is.

Lance knocks before he can turn himself around again, shifting from foot to foot. “Yeah?” The answer is clear and inviting, so Lance doesn’t hesitate to open the door and step inside. Keith’s room is almost an exact copy of his, but he doesn’t focus on that for too long because soon enough he is meeting Keith’s intrigued eyes.

“Hey man... I just wanted to talk with you, because well, because I’ve been worrying about something.” Lance breaks eye contact with Keith, casting them to the side, before returning them nervously to Keith’s again. Surprisingly he is met with a small smile, even though Keith is slowly crossing his arms. It’s never really a surprise to see Keith do that anymore, he does it whenever he talks to someone like he is nervous they’ll start attacking or just damage him in some way.

The smile widens, “must really be bothering you if you’re coming to talk to me,” Keith says, and Lance admits he has something there. It is really bothering him. “Well, I mean you’re the leader now, right?” Lance asks and this time Keith’s smile fades and his eyes concentrate on the floor. His arms tighten and he shrinks down, “I guess.”

“I have been doing some math. With Shiro back, that makes six paladins, but there are only five lions, and if I am right, that is one paladin to many.” Lance holds up his little finger, his face falling in character as he feels his insecurities eat at him inside. They could easily just wipe one of them off, give them a ticket home and what does Lance give to this team?

“Solid math,” Keith affirms, blinking before looking towards Lance. Lance in return turns his head down. “Look when Shiro takes over the Black Lion, you’re going to want your Red Lion back. If I get a Lion, that means I’d have to take Blue from Allura. She’s progressed a lot faster than any of us, she might even be able to unlock powers we don’t know off.” Lance mirrors Keith, as his arms fold over each other, eyes directed onto his feet. It had hurt when these thoughts had surfaced again, it had made tears stream down his cheeks, but in the end, he wouldn’t be able to take Blue from Allura, she is smiling so much more.

Keith and Lance’s eyes meet, “that’s true.” Keith confirms, “So maybe the best thing I can do for the team is step aside.” Lance looks at Keith, hoping he’ll understand how hard this is affecting him. He won’t be annoyed if Keith agrees, he won’t start a hysteric, he’s thought it through.

“What are you talking about?” Keith sounds almost confused, his head tilting slightly to the side. The response is better than Lance had imagined in every scenario, his stomach flutters slightly. “This isn’t a participation game. This is war. And you want your best soldiers on the front lines,” Lance says, arms unfolding, eyebrows furrowing slightly.

Keith extends his arm, “stop worrying about who flies what and just focus on your missions. Things will work themselves out,” Keith gives him an almost saddened look, but Lance has never been good at reading Keith’s eyes. They’re too guarded, too aware that emotions show themselves in them, that Keith simply holds it back most times.

He didn’t expect to get in here and get an agreement that he should step aside, or perhaps he had. His anxiety lurking after that satisfied blow from someone that he isn’t worthy of a place in Voltron. Keith hadn’t exactly settled his nerves, but Lance admits he did something. “Okay… Thanks.” Lance shy away from Keith’s eyes, he’s never been good with letting people know of his insecurities, and even when he opens up, it embarrasses him. He feels like a burden, an unnecessary weight. He meets Keith’s eyes quickly, before turning towards the door.  

“And lance…” Lance turns at Keith’s tone, giving a glance to the man. “Leave the math to Pidge.” Keith smiles, it takes Lance a little by surprise at the genuineness behind it. Keith’s whole demeanor surprises Lance, because not only is he smiling but his arms are unfolded and for once he looks open. Lance can’t help the smile that spreads on his face when he meets Keith’s eyes.

☆ Two.

Keith had been surprised when Lance had been behind his door those weeks ago, it had made his heart beat a little faster, while his nerves were starting to boil over 'why'. He was glad, in some way, that Lance -his so called rival- sought him out, but not particularly delighted to hear the brunette's thoughts.

In some way, Keith had always thought Lance had himself placed together well, with his confident sentences and walk. But if Keith thought about it a little longer, it doesn’t come as a surprise that perhaps Lance is a bit of an over thinker.

He tried helping as much as he could, reminding him to now worry so much over this, and he even threw in a joke, that gave him the smile he knows so well. It meant a lot to him with Lance choosing him, he imagines that is why his heart beat faster when he left and he stood in the same spot for so long while thinking back on it.

He remembers feeling better afterward, secure and content. They had shared something in those moments, and Keith feels that might be the reason why he isn’t even thinking too long about who he should go to because the answer is so obvious.

The thought of just going to Shiro straight away and tell him how he feels, it was there, but something is off, and truly, he feels better about going to Lance.

Keith locates the guy in the training deck, fumbling with his bayard, adjusting the lens, or Keith assumes, he isn’t skilled in this department. “Start long range shooting training sequence, level fourteen.” Keith clears his throat, making Lance turn around surprised. “End sequence,” Lance says, and chuckles. His eyes are questioning, watching Keith like a hawk as Keith fumbles slightly with a loose thread.

“You’re on a high level,” Keith says, changing the subject from the semi awkward silence. He hadn’t really thought through how he would start the conversation, just that he wanted to find Lance.

Lance shrugs nonchalantly, retreating his bayard. “It’s not that good, let’s sit, my legs are tired.” Lance waste no time in falling to the floor, stretching out his legs in front of him. Keith sit down beside him slowly, arms automatically crossing as he falls back into his thoughts. He has no idea if anyone else notices this, or if it’s him being paranoid.

He’ll only find out one way; “Lance, can I ask you something?” Lance gives him a nod while leaning back against his arms. "Am I a bad leader?" Lance doesn't seem taken back by the question, but just a little confused. "Do you think, we think that?" After a couple of seconds, Lance comes with his answer, and that takes back Keith.

He guesses he does. Or kind of.

He thinks the only reason being that everything Shiro says is always better than his, and normally Keith would so easily agree with him too, but this isn’t Shiro, something is off. His suggestions keep changing gradually to something so off for Shiro, but Shiro used to be their leader -their very good leader- and it’s usually him who comes with the good plans, so Keith doesn’t blame the others. The only reason he can’t agree with them, that he has to scream back and forth with Shiro, is Black’s stubbornness in the back of his mind telling him to do it, and the unsettling feeling in his gut whenever he meets Shiro’s eyes.

Keith glance up quickly when he feels the weight on his shoulder, “something is off about Shiro.” Keith gets out, leaning slightly into the warm hand spread over his shoulder. Lance gives him a raised eyebrow, giving a hint to continue. “He isn’t himself, even Black feels it. He feels distant when I talk to him, he keeps bringing me down as a leader-“ Keith stops at the squeeze on his shoulder, looking up at Lance. He looks irritated, his eyebrows furrowed

“And we keep on agreeing with him, not you.” Lance looks sorry when he looks at Keith. Keith gives a small smile, he doesn't blame them for following Shiro, but again it hurts when he constantly gets pushed to the side. He thinks they make it work, he tries including everybody, instead of going for much more of co-leading. He knows he is too fierce, too impulsive, so he tries bringing them together so they all are a part of the Black Lion, more than just teammates. “Tell me more about how Shiro acts different,” Lance says, hand dropping from his shoulder.

Keith gives a grateful smile, finally relaxing and leaning slightly against Lance’s shoulder as he lets his thoughts out. He hasn’t always had the opportunity to share his feelings, his thoughts and concerns, there has never been a person for that, never really been anyone he’s wanted to tell everything to. Except, here is Lance.

☆ Three.

They have been sharing glances the whole day, sometimes consciously, other times Lance is almost sure it isn’t, their eyes just meet. He doesn’t know when they became each other's emotional support, their cushion to fall back against, whenever things were too much. He has no idea when, but he is grateful for it. This thing, it’s done so much for their relationship, it’s better, less tense. If it had been now, Lance wouldn’t have been nervous to approach Keith with his insecurities like he was months ago, now it’s just him he turns to, easily.

It’s nice.

When they’re finally alone, it isn’t a surprise that Lance gets up from his place on the couch, to move over beside Keith, content at just sitting there for a while beside him. Lately he’s been thinking, specifically, after Pidge told them they'd soon be celebrating one year in space. Honestly, that sets Lance on edge, he didn't think so long had gone by, but space and time really mess with his head.

For one year -plus his time at the Garrison- he hasn’t been home, none of them have. Don’t get Lance wrong, he wants to stay and help, make sure the empire won’t spread to earth, but what do their families know and think? Have the Garrison sent out papers, telling them some sorry excuse, or some wild lie? Do they even believe they’re still alive?

Lance turns to the side, his eyes catching Keith’s side profile, it looks stern, like his face usually is, but there is still the openness in his posture, arms are drawn to lay on his thighs, completely exposing him. There goes by several minutes before Keith finally turns to meet his eyes, “what are you thinking about?” Lance’s question is asked softly, watching as Keith tucks his legs up to sit cross-legged, right arm coming up to help support his head.

“Earth,” Keith answers back, they’d all been present when Pidge told them the announcement of how long they’d been in space. “Me too,” Lance sighs, leaning back against the couch, head tilting back to lay against the soft cushion. “You miss it?” Lance asks again, he needs something to keep him occupied, so his own thoughts won’t start racing straightforward. Keith tilts his head towards him, tucking his head into his arm, so he can properly look at Lance.

Lance feels like he’s getting a whole lot better at understanding Keith’s eyes, they’re slowly opening up to him, just like Keith. Right now they’re shining with curiosity and nervousness. “I guess, like fireflies and thunderstorms, and people actually understanding you,” Keith says, a light chuckle falling from him. Lance cracks a grin at that, he misses that too, everything is new and newer in space. “But, besides those things, I don’t know… My dad, but I have no idea where he is, and my mom-” Keith stops the sentence, eyes falling away from their eye contact. Lance has never had anything against Keith being half Galra, it’s somehow actually cool to think about if there are others like that on earth too. What annoys him, is how lost Keith looks whenever he thinks about it, he doesn’t know the feeling of not knowing like that, but he sees that look cross Pidge’s features too, sometimes. “She is a whole other problem,” Keith mutters, twirling his fingers around a lock of his hair.

Lance leans in closer to Keith, their bodies pressing up against each other. Keith meets his eyes, and they share a soft smile. “I promise, when things are less hectic, we will try solving it.” Lance blink a couple of times, watching as Keith’s eyes change the feeling, his face falling after the wide eyes.

“Thank you.” Lance accepts the gratitude that is sent from Keith, the smile, the words and the mellowness behind him. “I guess you miss your family,” Keith states, and Lance can only nod.

He doesn’t know what to say, it’s not like there is anything new to this. He misses his family, and he would like to see them again. He’s discussed this somehow with Hunk and Pidge, but they’re both just as saddened by talking about it, so once again he doesn’t do it. Keith, even though he is sad, that is what they do, they talk and they help each other out, but Lance has no idea what to say.

After a while, there is a tentative touch on his bicep, and a soft hold, a thumb moving from side to side slowly. It’s calming, and his eyes fall closed, an exhale of a breathe leaving him contently.

☆ Four.

Lance knocks one time on Keith’s door, and not even seconds pass before he is knocking again, this time starting up a tune to keep himself occupied.

He stumbles slightly when Keith yanks his door open, a slight scowl on his face, “you are very much awake,” Keith comments, watching as Lance’s fingers go to tap at his thighs instead. Lance tries looking apologetic, but soon again he is staring down Keith, fingers tapping.

Keith looks puzzled as he watches Lance, examining him right back.

“You okay?” Lance ponders that question, as much as he can, every possible answer he could right now give, flying through his head. He feels uncomfortable in his own body like his limbs want to break out in all kind of movements, and all these different things he is suddenly thinking about want to be said. His anxiety is increasing in tenfolds, being the only thing holding him back from doing anything. It’s making this castle claustrophobic, the walls are too bare and too serene.

He is quiet for far too long, eyes scratching every surface visible for him, “come in,” Keith says, stepping aside to let him in. Lance wonders inside again, looking around. The sheets are rumbled, Keith was probably sleeping, it is late. He gives Keith a glance, to get his thought confirmed, the guy is wearing only shorts and a shirt, hair a mess. Lance knows he should have waited, but he was starting to drive himself crazy, thinking too much, fidgeting too much. He tried everything, he walked around for a bit, took something to eat, tried training and went to observe the stars. It’s all things he’s done before, whenever he starts feeling like this, but never has it been this brutal.

He can feel the hum underneath his fingertips, aching to do something inside this way to still castle. He turns to tap with his foot, looking around again, “come here,” Keith states, and there is a soft hold around his wrist, warm and burning. Keith settles down in his bed, leaning up against the wall by the side, watching Lance with a tilted head. Lance sits down hurriedly, placing himself opposite of Keith.

He splays his fingers out on his thighs, starting up the same tune he had been doing before. “Lance.” Keith’s tone is demanding this time and breaks Lance’s tune. His focus is running thin, that’s why every activity he tried doing ended up being a try. But, something in Keith’s voice catches him, and he feels a surge of calmness when he meets Keith’s curious eyes. “I can’t stay still,” Lance says, watching for any reaction in Keith’s eyes, but they keep on being friendly and curious.

They’ve done this enough for Lance to understand, he is letting Lance decide what to tell, how to proceed. He feels giddy at that, his bones rocking up and about. He starts clapping slowly, making small sounds, as his foot starts tapping away again. The words start jumbling up together in his brain, they start searing on his tongue, wanting to come out.

“I want to run. Run down the corridor and through the hallways, sing a song loudly, clap along to it and do cartwheels all the while. I want to be able to focus on something, for more than two seconds, train some more, get something to eat, but I don’t want goo, I want to make something funny, and have a blast while doing it. But I can’t because this castle is too still, I feel trapped and everything keeps closing in on me.” Lance’s words are excessive, but it’s like he can’t stop now, Keith has that effect on him.

Somewhere along the way, Keith got between Lance’s layers and got permission to know everything he thought. “Have you felt like this before?” Keith’s voice is settling and makes the words already ready to spill again, hold back. He nods meekly, eyes straining to the side, to avoid Keith’s intense gaze. He’s never been ashamed of having ADHD symptoms, he’s never actually gotten diagnosed, but has just always had restless periods. “Lanc-“ Lance can’t help but stop Keith, blurting out the answer, “I feel like this now and again, but never like this. I know it’s because the castle is so claustrophobic, it’s making it harder for me to focus and comprehend things.” Lance keeps his eyes on Keith’s sheets, his eyes stinging slightly.

The worst thing about this, it is the castle closing in on him like this. At home, he would spend the whole day outside, both day and night and run around doing all these activities to get off with the energy. It affects him, that it isn’t a possibility out here.

There is movement in front of him, but he holds his eyes plastered to the spot. He jiggles his arm, trying to once again let go of the restless feeling in it. The calmness that had followed Keith’s voice is rapidly fading away, instantly knocking the restlessness back into Lance.

Keith hasn’t said anything, and Lance has no idea what he is thinking or how he is reacting. He doesn’t want to look, he’d rather bolt out of this room and run the corridors thin, trying to escape this silence.

The gentle touch on his chin jerks him upright, eyes meeting Keith’s worried ones. “Tomorrow we are going somewhere,” Keith mumble, left-hand curling slightly on his cheek, while his right goes up to hold the other side of his face. Keith’s hand are cool against his skin, burning through him and settling those nerves that were building up.

Lance doesn’t even notice the tear tracking his cheek, too caught up in Keith’s eyes; so genuine and filled with trust. It only faces him when Keith brushes his thumb gently, catching it and drying it away. “I’ll talk to Allura, find some water and the sun.” Keith grins, Lance’s face splitting apart to allow a small smile.

Lance leans into Keith’s right hand, eyes falling shut for the first time in a while. A sigh leaves his mouth as he feels his fingers calming, and his legs stopping their slight jumps. When he opens his eyes, Keith’s are staring straight at him, and without any thinking, his hands move to hold onto Keith’s.

Keith is smiling, and it’s the prettiest sight Lance has ever seen; calm and pretty.

☆ Five.

His tea cooled long ago, no longer tasteful or warm. He’s been staring down at the mug for minutes now, no movement on the way to take the mug and move it to the kitchen. His eyes are stinging knowingly, the tears welling up and blurring his vision.

The funny thing, Keith has no idea why he is crying in the first place. All he knows is lately sleep has been wrong, and his days gray. He knows what it is, he is diagnosed and everything, but that still doesn’t answer your questions enough. When he was younger he got diagnosed with depression, and honestly, Keith didn’t believe it at first. He remembers sad days, days when he didn’t want to get up, and everything fell against him. There have been thoughts he didn’t like, but on the scale of sadness, it apparently reached the depression stage. The doctor told him it could have been triggered by a stressful event, and Keith knows it goes back to his father disappearing.

Keith also knows it’s hit him before when Shiro disappeared and he flunked out of the Garrison because of the zero motivation to even try.

Though, now, he has no idea why. He started wondering about it when he first starting feeling down, when he stopped hitting the training deck and having good nights of sleep, that maybe it was this hectic lifestyle. He has been doing all these cool, scary and stressful things for over a year now, somehow that must be affecting him.

What he is afraid of, is if his motivation to be apart of Voltron will fade. He cares so deeply about this team and what they’re doing, but right now the thought of going into his Lion, it tires him all the way into the bone. He would need to know days ahead every attack, prepare himself for the physical and mental exhaustion that would follow. It is time he doesn’t have, it would never work, not when an attack could be seconds away.

There is a tear on his hands, and he turns back to his cold tea, still untouched and sorry. With shaky hands, he grips the mug and starts stepping towards the kitchen, steps slow. His hands are wound tight around the mug, but with every step he dreads the drop of it.

Tears are streaming down his cheeks, making his face warm, and eyes cold. His bottom lip is caught between his teeth, he’s been worrying it for so long.

There is faint noise from the kitchen, it’s probably Hunk cooking. The thought of meeting someone, it tires Keith out. He has never been good at socializing, but with Voltron, he started enjoying it. That happiness around it is disappearing.

He turns the corner, his eyes finding only Lance, fussing around with different things. He’s probably helping Hunk, it’s not a surprise, it’s dinner time soon. Hunk had started asking for help, which Keith found fair, he’d helped some time ago.

When his eyes had met Lance’s back, he felt more tears fall, but for once it felt like something was taken off his shoulders. The tears were relieving. It makes it easier walking to the counter, ready to get this mug out of his hands. The murky color and taste of it, the coldness surrounding the mug, he doesn’t like it.

He doesn’t even catch the cup falling from his hands, before there is the ear crashing sound from it, piercing through the room as it lands into the sink. Tea scatters around the edges of the sink, something breaks off the mug and Keith’s heart drops. The noise had been loud, pierced through his whole body, bringing out a sob and more tears.

Lance turns startled, eyes going wide as he takes in Keith. He must look a mess, red puffed cheeks and still wearing pajamas. Keith brings his hands up to dry away tears, trying to not keep letting so many fall toward the floor. He is sniffling, eyes straying from Lance to the mug. It’s scattered, shattered in pieces, and somehow Keith feels alike.

Everything inside him right now is broken pieces; everything is jumbling around, breaking apart as more tears fall. Tears are supposed to carry your feelings out with them, but right now they’re simply helping the shards inside him sharpen. “I-I’m sorry,” Keith mutters, turning to look at the broken mug. “Hey now, it’s just a mug, there’s more of those.” Lance steps closer, Keith hears it clearly.

He turns to look up at Lance, watching as he cautiously comes closer, “Hey, come here.” Lance’s voice is calm to Keith’s ears, and he lets him move close, let’s him wrap his arms around his middle and around his shoulders. Keith doesn’t even hesitate as he leans into the hug, hands catching the front of Lance’s shirt and his head falling against his sharp collarbone.

Lance’s shirt is damp in seconds, but as much as Lance’s embrace and the soft scent of sea salt calm Keith, he still feels this way. He knows it won’t stop, he used getting medication for it to settle down, and he has none of that here. “What’s up?” Lance’s voice is soft, a little muffled from his head being buried into Keith’s hair.

“I have depression,” Keith’s statement rings too loud, at least for him it does. Lance doesn’t say anything for a while, he simply hugs Keith closer and buries his head further into his hair. “Do you get medication?” Lance asks after a while, Keith sniffles slightly, nodding.

Quietness falls over them again, but it’s okay, Keith likes it this way. Like this, there is only the silent hum of the ship, and Lance’s and his breathing.

The only disturbance comes when footsteps are heard outside the kitchen, and Keith gets ready to get pushed away or let go off, but instead, Lance pulls him closer, before lifting up one arm. There are few words exchanged, it must be Hunk. Keith is about to back away, but soon enough Lance’s arm returns around Keith.

Keith has never been one for touches and all, he’d do it occasionally if he trusted the person enough and wanted to show his adoration. He never used to like it that much, Lance flipped the tables for that.

“You want to talk about it?” Lance question is asked softly, “there isn’t much to say.” Keith really doesn’t know what to say; he feels sad, exhausted and unworthy. What he’s learned over time, is sometimes things can go so well, but you can end up somehow falling and ending up back into this evil cycle. Some things you found so much happiness in, they can be ruined completely for you by depression, some things won’t ever have the same feeling to them, because of it.

He pulls back from the comfy space on Lance’s chest to look up at him, he looks sadder, touched. “Thank you, I have no idea why I am crying, but you helped everything settle. Thank you,” Keith murmurs, Lance gives him a breathtaking smile, hand running along his jaw, thumb taking some of the tears with it.

Lance’s eyes are bright, almost too bright, but they carry so many wonderful feelings. Keith is mesmerized every time he gets to look into them. They help, they make a small smile form on his lips; Lance’s smile widens at that, hand running through his hair before he is pulling Keith close again to hug him tightly.

“We’ll go find Coran in a minute, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

☆ Plus one.

This time, it’s like they simply seek each other out. Keith is exhausted and honestly, he could drop right about now, but for some reason, he still can’t. They have never had this bad a fight, this intense and dangerous.

After so long in space, they’re really starting to get the hang of Voltron, but even with how long they planned this fight and how much they trained; it was hard. They’d been tested, separated several times and surrounded by fighters and hundreds of fleets. He wants -needs- Lance, to talk to him, voice his concerns for future fights like this, see if he is okay.

Keith finds it an essential part of his day, talk to Lance. It doesn’t have to be anything, just know more about him, how he feels, how he is. It makes him happy, and many days it’s the highlight to get to talk to Lance.

He knows this feeling, has known for a while now -maybe even before, they have always had tension between them- what it meant. He’s not surprised, he’s aways liked men better, they had something rawer over them, and he’d much rather touch broad shoulder and back muscles, than breasts. He’s always felt like this, women simply didn’t get to him that way. No wonder that he somewhere along the way would fall for Lance, the guy is a blessing to get your eyes on, but this isn’t just attraction to his looks, he likes everything.

They’ve been there for each other for so long, Lance has seen more of him that he has ever shown anyone.

He knows that’s why as soon as he spots Lance, he skips unbelievably fast over to close his arms around him, look up at him with a smile so soft, and reserved for Lance. Lance is just as quick, catching Keith and grinning all over. “I guess we were looking for each other,” Lance says, face sparkling as his grin widens to full capacity. Keith can’t deny that statement, head shaking with a soft chuckle as hands close around Lance’s cheeks.

Over this time, he’s gotten better at understanding Lance’s eyes. They have always been easy to read emotions out of, but now he understands. He get’s why they sometimes shimmer, and how when they’re darkening he’s reminded of things he won’t allow others to see. He’s glad he can do that, so he knows he isn’t alone in thinking these soft things.

“I wanted to make sure,” Keith states, leaning into the warm embrace, the safe bubble that forms whenever they hug. “Me too,” Lance says, visibly swallowing. “This was unbelievable, I am still running on adrenaline. I was scared, it’s funny, for the first time out here I was really scared I wouldn’t survive.” Lance gives him a long thoughtful look, Keith understands.

He only remembers the fight in splotches, details from here and there. He focused so hard on trying to stay alive and the whole team with him out alive too. “Are you okay, though?” Keith asks nervously; there are so many things that can ruin you with these fights. Scars that form physically and mentally, they all leave something to them.

Lance has them, Keith has them. They’ve spent hours talking about them, trying to explain why they keep on stinging just as much. But they stay, Shiro can still remember clearly why he got the scar on his nose, and how painful it was to receive.

Keith runs his fingers through some of Lance’s hair, watching as Lance’s eyes strain on different things, clearly thinking back on the events. “I think I’m good, I was just afraid for everybody, but, we were lucky.” Lance catches his bottom lip in between his teeth. “I was worried about you,” Lance says, eyes meeting Keith’s. “I was worried about you too,” Keith admits, smiling nervously at Lance.

He’s never been good at things like this, too oblivious to notice anything. What he doesn’t miss though, is Lance’s sentences and smiles, he can see it in his eyes. There have been so many times, where they both looked sweetly at each other, or their touches lingered longer than necessary. Honestly, Keith doesn’t want to hold back anymore.

Lance pokes his side, “You okay?” He asks, head tilting slightly to move closer to him. “Yeah, I actually am. Relieved, and thankful for so many things.” Keith pokes Lance’s cheek in return, giving him a smile.

Quietness fall over them, Keith watching Lance, who in return watch him back.

Lance’s arms tighten around him, Keith’s hands tilt Lance’s head slightly down, and just like that, their lips meet. They seek each other out once again, and finally, it’s happening. Keith’s been waiting, and he is damn well sure Lance has too.

It’s emotional and makes Keith’s feelings gallop high into his throat. His lips are sweet, and kind, it’s Lance and everything Keith knows of him. It’s sweet and alive, Keith can’t get enough of this soft press of lips against his.

Whatever awkwardness that surrounds first kisses, it’s drowned out by the pure happiness radiating off them both. It’s been on the cards for so long, they held back, but God, it’s good to give up and finally kiss Lance.

“I am more than okay, actually.” Keith smiles softly against warm lips,