#but it hesitated because he was barking and just stood in the middle of the yard looking stupid

[msburgundy]

orange man good. total coyote death. no more ducks for dinner.

[night-daily]

Are friends supposed to kiss on the lips? | Zuko x fem! reader

summary: Sokka's plans are the best.

warnings: none.

Has been two days since Zuko joined the team avatar at the western air temple. The things between you two were tense and the rest of your friends were growing tired of it but Sokka, as the genius he is, came up with a plan.

“Are you sure this will work?” Katara asked his brother. “Well, what's the worst that can happen?”

His plan was simple, Aang will lock the two of you in a room of the temple which can be only opened by him, Katara will tell you that Toph is waiting for you there and Sokka will just drag Zuko, in his mind, you two will become friends or at least will stop barking to each other.

You were training alone in the forest, and controlling the water wasn't hard but you wanna do it perfectly, it has become an obsession. You were tired of being beaten by the fire nation. By Azula.

“If you keep training just your element without moving you'll never improve.” Only hearing his voice made your heart race. “Are you offering to be my target then?” You didn't turn to face him. “More like training with you” The water on your hands fell to the ground. “You don't have to act surprised, like I told you before, I've changed, I'm good now.” He walked closer stopping in front of you. You watched his face, he wasn't lying. “I won't go easy on you.” That was your only response. “I wouldn't expect less.” He smirked blowing fire to you taking you by surprise “Hey! I wasn't ready!” You exclaimed stepping aside to avoid the fire. “The enemy won't give you a warning, you know?” This made you lose your temper, seeing the fire coming out of him remember all the times you have suffered because of it and not only you but your friends and family too. Your fists clenched.

You started turning the water into ice, trying to hurt him it wasn't a training anymore, he sensed your change of mood “Stop!” He thought you would stop but you didn't and you throw him hard on the ground. He hissed in pain and finally, you realized what you have done “Zuko!” You rushed towards him worried. His eyes were closed and he was breathing slowly. You grabbed his face putting his head over your legs. “Please, wake up” You were almost tearing up, this was your fault. “I can’t believe you fall for something so stupid” He was smirking again and opened his eyes just to see you worried. “You're an idiot I thought I hurt you” You push his head out of your legs. He groaned at the sudden movement “Ouch”

You sit away from him on the grass, hugging yourself tighter. You looked so fragile, so broken. Zuko felt his heart ache to see you. “Why are you training so hard?” He was curious because as far as he know you've never liked fighting but what changed? He knows you're in the middle of the war but that never made you be like this, so full of anger.

You didn't dare to look at him. “I'm tired of running away from the fire nation” even your voice sounded broken. For a moment he was confused but then he knew what you meant. Zuko stood up from his place and knee in front of you “look at me” you hesitated and then your eyes were looking at his “When Azula tried to attack you that day, I was afraid, you've been kind to me since the first moment even when you knew it who I was, you made your way through my heart and my mind” your faces were inches apart “I'm always going to come between you and anything that could hurt you, even if it's my sister” and then he leaves you there, alone with your thoughts and your heart beating fast.

what just happened? Did he likes you as you like hi-

“Hey” Katara's voice made you jump on your place “Toph is waiting for you” Toph? Did you forget you were going to do something with Toph? “Let's get going!” Her good humor was contagious so you started walking with her by your side, chatting about your memories together. You were walking for ten minutes until you arrived at the temple, you stopped in front of a room, and you saw Zuko sitting there on a chair, you turned to ask what was going on before Katara push you in there and you heard the door closing behind you. You and Zuko hurried up to the door trying to open it “This door can only be opened by Aang” Sokka explained “And we're not letting you out until you are friends”

Then the room was silent. None of you said or did anything for a few seconds. “Me too” your voice echoed. Zuko looked up to you, confused. “I- I'll always protect you, Zuko” hearing his name coming out of your mouth was like a sweet melody and it was enough to made him blush. He suddenly grabbed you by your wrist and pulls you closer to him. His eyes were looking at your lips making you nervous “ Can I?” He whispered. Instead of responding, you crashed your lips on his, his hands were now on your waist with closed eyes, you two have been waiting too much for this, to be together. Finally, you separated your lips to breathe, but still, you two were closer “Are friends supposed to kiss on the lips?” you asked with an amusing smile. Zuko laughed placing a kiss on your forehead “I hope not”

[yallthemwitches]

Simple Math

Remus notices something is off about James and Lily at the Prefect's meeting.Written for Jily Week 2024, Day 1: Hair

Thank you @sunshinemarauder and @kay-elle-cee for hosting the event :) AO3 Link Here

Remus walked his way to McGonagall’s office feeling every footfall as he went. He was already knackered from the full moon earlier that week, but on top of things Sirius and Peter had thrown a bender the night before, importing as much contraband firewhiskey they could supply in order to turn the Gryffindor common room into a disco dance hall. 

Their prefect meeting couldn't be helped, if not now transformed into its own mode of punishment as it was McGonagall herself who had to break up the party, padding her way into the common room in her night robes. Even Sirius cowered as she laid eyes on her very own Head Boy and Girl in the middle of the dance floor grinding away like it was some wizarding Studio 54. 

Remus lit a cigarette and took a few drags as he approached the second floor. A group of prefects stood idly by the door, talking amongst themselves and looking rather irritated. 

“All right?” Remus called to Cornelia, a Hufflepuff prefect who was eyeing the door with frustration.

“The door’s locked—that or it’s been enchanted, I think everyone has given a go at unlocking it.”

Remus pulled out his wand and did a half hearted flourish. Alohomora

Instead of the lock popping open, a sound that resembled a muggle game show buzzer went off. 

Remus snuffed out his cigarette.

“D’you know if Lily and James have arrived yet?” He asked.

“I haven’t seen them, but Trevor said he saw them at breakfast. They told him they had to prepare some things before the meeting.”

Uh huh. 

Remus sighed deeply. 

“Alright then, uh, can everyone just humor me and stand back for a second.” All of the younger prefects who had nervously crowded the door moved without hesitation. 

Bombarda. The young prefects instinctively covered their ears and faces, expecting the door to blast open. Instead, the door remained very much intact, instead making the same buzzing noise as before. 

Ah christ. The other prefects started to whisper. He heard a fourth year asking someone if they should be worried about a death eater attack. While Remus could admit that that would be certainly worse, he still wasn’t too pleased with what was actually happening. 

There was some scuffling noise behind the door and the prefect’s chatter dissipated. The door lurched open and James stood in the doorway. 

“Oi, Which one of you is trying to destroy Hogwarts’ property?” he barked out. Behind him, Lily was already leaning on McGonagall's desk. 

“I realize that punctuality is key around these circles, but patience is a virtue,” James tutted, opening the door further to let the stream of prefects enter. 

Remus gave James a one over. His hair was messy–ok that's a given, but his shirt was looking rather creased. It stuck out of his pants in a clearly haphazard attempt to tuck in. To an untrained eye, this wouldn’t be so suspicious—James was often looking a bit rugged when he came to class. 

The real tip off was Lily. Even as the prefects took their seats, she ran her hand through her hair, attempting to smooth the ruffled parts. Her uniform was unbuttoned two buttons lower than her usual fit, and her tie looked off kilter. 

It was simple math really, but perhaps because Remus was feeling charitable, he assumed better for the Head Boy and Girl. Afterall, he had first-hand witnessed the two at the party last night, a couple fire whiskeys deep and not shying away from the powdery muggle drug that Sirius was passing through the crowd. (“When I do a themed party, Moony, I do the fuck out of it”) 

Remus sat in the front row and watched James join Lily at the front of the classroom. James started off with the newest patrol round schedules, while Lily continued to comb at her hair, catching little knots and picking them apart with her fingers. Her eyes focused on James’ speaking with such intensity, Remus felt like he was witnessing something private. Her mouth parted a bit and Remus took note that her lips were looking more plump and swollen than usual….

They must be bloody fucking joking.

Remus tried to focus instead on James who was garbling his way through the most boring information imaginable. On second inspection, his hair was sticking out much farther than usual—not in the way that resembled getting off his broomstick, but rather like if someone stood over him and tugged furiously upwards. James turned to Lily who had been maintaining her gaze, all the while still attempting to tame her hair. He stumbled a bit on his words; then miraculously forgot what he was saying entirely. 

Of all days, they picked the one where he was too hungover to even enjoy their embarrassment. 

After the meeting, Remus didn’t even wait for Lily and James. He went straight back to the boys’ dorm and threw himself on his bed. A muffled groan came in the direction of Sirius’ bed. 

“What time is it mate?” Sirius sounded completely wrecked. 

“Almost noon.”

“Merlin’s tits. That was some party. I feel like death.”

The door opened and James entered and collapsed on his bed, face first, his glasses skewed on his face. 

“Fuck yes. Bed,” he spoke into the mattress.

“How was your meeting, darling,” Sirius cooed at James, still appearing comatose from his own bed.

Remus found his in. “Don’t worry, he had a real swell time. Our noble Head Boy and Girl made sure to be perfectly satisfied before their meeting.”

Sirius’ head shot up from the pillow. “Woah Woah, Jamsie….you know better than to shag on the job tsk tsk.” 

James propped himself up on his arms. “What were we supposed to do? The whole tower was crawling with people last night. Can’t a loving couple get thie—”

Sirius threw a pillow at James' head, which James was too hungover to dodge. “You looked pretty well taken care of while dancing last night. Half expected you both to just lay right down and go at it in front of everyone.”

James mumbled something sounding like a half-hearted dissent. From the other side of the room Peter’s cracked voice spoke up.

“I heard them in here too…I came up here to sleep and they forgot to close the curtains…”

James made a loud groan. 

“I hope you're proud of yourself,” Sirius tutted, mimicking James’ mom’s tone.

There was a silence. 

“---Was it really that obvious—at the meeting I mean?”

Remus lit a cigarette and leaned back.

“James, let me put it this way. I know exactly where your hands have been from the look of Lily’s hair alone.”

[ohtobeleah]

Oh Chute // Bob Floyd

Summary: For some reason you’d never know, yours and Jake personal Heaven becomes a check point for the friends you left behind. One by one the Daggers come through on their way to their forever life after death.

Warnings: Mentions of death. Blunt force trauma. F-18 accident. Bob Floyd Angst.

Word Count: 2.5k

Author Note: This is a spin off Series to Bruises. Masterlist Tagged below.

Bruises Masterlist | Life After Death Masterlist

Name: Robert Floyd: Age: 36 Cause Of Death: Blunt Force Trauma sustained via fall.

***~***~***~***~****~***~***~**

“Where the hell am I?” Robert Floyd had no idea where the hell he was. One minute he was in the cockpit, sitting behind Phoenix like he had done for years, and then? He was in a field somewhere in the middle of nowhere. His head hurt, a lot. But when he came to with a mouth full of dirt he knew something had to be wrong. Very wrong. 

“Oi.” Jake Seresin loved golden hour. It was his favorite time of the day. When the sun would kiss the horizon and leave a beautiful golden hume across the fields that seemed never ending. Rolling plains of green lush fields that were all his, all yours. Your own silence of paradise. 

“Hotshot!” Jake snapped at the Boxer whose hair stuck up along his spine. His bark was just that, all bark and no bite. “I’m gonna get your vocal cords clipped if you don’t cut it out man.” It’s an empty threat that the Boxer dog has heard a billion times before—and it always seems to fall on deaf ears. Hotshot kept barking in the direction of where he’d sensed danger looming. “Dammit—!”

Jake stood from where he was crouching to fix the broken wire on the fence that bordered what he could only assume was another property. Someone else’s slice of heaven. He hadn’t ever seen what was beyond the rolling hills, but he didn’t care all that much. He already had everything he ever needed and more. 

“Hello!? Is anyone here!?” 

“Huh?” Jake frowned when he saw it, a figure dragging a parachute across the field in his direction. “Ain’t no way—“ Jake shook his head and rubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand. He pocketed the gloves he’d been wearing and took a few cautionary steps closer to the figure that grew closer and closer. Until he knew for sure who he was seeing: 

“Floyd?” It comes out a little bit questionable and albeit hesitant because Jake isn’t sure why exactly he was seeing Bob on his property. “Bob? Is that you?” He calls out again. “Oh fuckk—this can’t be good.” Jake says that last part to himself, he knows that the only people here are already dead or figments of his imagination. 

Bob freezes in his tracks, it had been a few years since he’d heard that unforgettable voice. It’s Jake, it’s Hangman. Bob can only just make out the blonde hair and the stupidly symmetrical physique, but regardless of the distance he knows it’s Jake Seresin. Oh crap. He’d fallen asleep before training hadn’t he? He was asleep in the red room right this very second, dreaming of a friend he lost not too many years back. 

“Hangman! Oh my god! What are you doing here?” Bob asks all the while he’s back on track, walking towards Jake as he makes his way over. Hotshot is already a mile ahead and at Bob's feet in no time, wagging his tail and licking Bob's hand. A welcome fit for an old friend. “Hey buddy, hi!” 

Like Jake said, all bark, no bite. 

“Uh, I—“ Jake knows he should probably approach this conversation carefully. If Bobs here then there’s only one real explanation as to why. He’s dead. “I live here.” Jake rubs at the back of his head as he assesses Bob's reaction. There’s hardly a flinch. “This is my home man, and you’re a long way from yours.” It doesn’t make sense, why was Robert Floyd in Jake's own personal afterlife? He didn’t understand the lore as well as you but even this was making his brain itch. Surely you’d know why? 

“What do you mean you live here?” Jake can see the confusion all over Bob's face when he finally does reply. He can also see the blood creeping out of his nose. Something had gone wrong, terribly wrong. “I just ejected, my chute got tangled—“ Jakes standing there with his arms crossed just waiting for the lightbulb to turn on. Bobs a smart guy, he should be able to connect the dots. “Hang on, you died.” Bob's frowning while he looks up at Jake once again. “You died years ago. Does that mean?” 

“Dead doesn’t mean done Bob.” Jake just smiles, he still wasn’t sure why Bob was here or what happened to bring Bob here, but he was thankful to see an old friend. “You might of—“ Jake doesn’t get to finish his sentence before Bob is cutting him off. Nope. Nope this can’t be happening. Bobs not dead. He’s just asleep. 

“I need to get back.” Bob just shakes his head in disbelief. “I uh—I’m dreaming, yeah.” It’s his way of processing what’s happening. “I’m dreaming, yeah, yeah no I fell asleep in the rec room didn’t I?” There’s a silence that lingers in the field while Jake just looks at his old colleague, god he didn’t look a day older than the last time Jake saw the WSO. 

“Sure pal.” Jake just sighs while the two men hug for what feels like the first time in a lifetime. He can feel how fast Bob's heart is racing. “Why don’t you come up to the house? I’ll fix you something to drink.” It’s the only thing Jake can think of to help settle the clearly distressed soul. Bob nods, he doesn’t know what else to do. He’s tried to wake up a few times now but damn this dream really feels real. 

“Jake, is this real?” Bob nearly sobs while the two men walk back up to Jake's truck. He’d driven up to the border fence a little while ago. “Am I dead?” Jake contemplates how to handle this situation, but he settles on a little humour to take the edge off. He always did love fucking with Bob. 

“As a doorknob dude.” Jake chuckles softly all the while Bob just stands there in disbelief. “You probably hit the ground hard too.'' Jake can see the colour draining from Bob's face as he takes his helmet off in the passage's seat. It’s then he sees the blood pouring out of Bob's ears. Damn. The ground must have been really hard. Jake remembers that feeling all too well. The thud, the snow. But for Bob it must have been so much worse. 

“Oh god.” 

***~***~***~***~***~***~***~**

“Honey!” You heard Jake's boots against the hardwood floor before you saw him. He’s got that all too familiar walk that lets you know it’s him. Not that it would ever be anyone else, but right now it did sound as if there were a few extra footsteps present. “You around?”

“I’m in the kitchen with Ellie!” You cooed back. Bouncing softly while you waited for your tea to steep. “She’s just gone down for a—“ Before you could even say that your daughter had just fallen asleep against your chest in her wrap, you were rendered speechless by the scared silhouette behind your husband. “Bob?” 

“Hollywood?” Bob was in more shock than you were. “Oh okay yeah now I’m definitely dreaming.” He steps past Jake and into the kitchen to give you a hug that was all too welcomed. You send your husband a frown of concern over the WSO’s shoulder and Jake confirms what you think you already know. 

Robert Floyd was dead. He’d recently died or was dying as you spoke and he was in denial about it. 

“Uh—Bob honey I’d say it’s good to see you but I don’t think you belong here.” You cooed with a soft expression plastered across your face. As much as you loved seeing an old friend you knew for certain that if Bob was dead he needed to get to his own forever home before he got stuck between the land of the living and the land of the dead. “What happened? What’s the last thing you remember?” 

“I’ll get you a drink man.” Jake adds all the while you and Bob sit down at the dining table in the kitchen. He finishes making you your cup of tea while he listens to Bob explain the last thing he remembered before he was waking up in the middle of Jake's back paddock. 

“It was just a simple training session.” Perhaps the denial was beginning to wear off, you could see how shaky Bob's hands were while he played with his cuticles and looked around the kitchen. “Something was wrong with our altitude gauge, Phoenix couldn’t keep the nose and before I knew it we were punching out.” It all happened so fast. “I pulled my chute.” Bob explained all the while his heart began to race as realisation set it. “But it wouldn’t untangle—“ Your heart just broke, Jakes too. He couldn’t imagine free falling from the sky like that—even though he kinda did. “I think I hit the ground before I could pull my secondary.” 

“Bob, do you know where you are?” It was the softness in your voice and the love you held in your eyes that made Jake fall a little more in love with you. He did everyday. Not a day went by where he didn’t fall more in love with you. “Do you hear anything? See anyone?” 

When you had died, all you could hear was Jake begging you to stay. The sunset was so beautiful and the homestead was so peaceful and nothing seemed to hurt, you just couldn’t stay. As much as it pained you to turn your back on the faded image of the love of your giving you CPR, you had to see what was inside the home you now shared with that very same man. He’d come racing up the driveway not a few months later. 

“I think I’m in a hospital somewhere?” Bob could hear a beeping sound, like a heart monitor reading his pulse. “I don’t remember it hurting, dying that is.” Bob let his chin fall as Jake handed him a glass of water, remembering that the weapons system office didn’t drink in life so he probably wouldn’t in death. “We all missed you, both of you, so much.” It was a beautiful thing to hear, even after all this time. You knew Jake missed his friends and hoped they understood why he did what he did. He had to be with you. If he couldn’t in life then death would have to do. 

“For what it’s worth?” You looked to your husband with an all knowing smile before you rubbed your thumb on Bob's hand to sooth his worried soul. “We know, but we’ve been happy this whole time.” 

“I understand why you both did it, you know.” Bob added as he sniffed. “Rooster was so mad for so long but I always understood.” It made Jake's heart sink into his stomach, but hopefully he’d get the chance to say he was sorry one day. “Am I really dead?” 

“I’m sorry Bob.” You didn’t know what else to say. “If you wanna come into my office with me I can probably help you figure out where you’re supposed to go from here?” You offered. “I’m not even really sure why you’re here and as much as I’ve really enjoyed getting to see you again, but, you can’t stay.” 

“Where do I go then?” Bob asked softly and all the more confused. “I don’t know what I’m doing?” 

“What’s your perfect world man?” Jake asked as he leaned back on the kitchen countertop. He had his, you were all Jake Seresin ever needed. “Your idea of heaven? Your forever home?” Your little girl was his forever dream. “Surely there’s something—“

Robert Floyd was silent for a moment, he thought about where he’d want to spend the rest of his forever life. 

“I had this old drum set when I was a teenager.” You caught the glint in Bob's eye, he could hear the music playing. “My dad owned this old instrument shop that had pretty much everything you ever needed in it, drums, electric guitars, pianos, even clarinets.” 

“If that’s where you wanna go Bob then I’m sure that’s where you’ll end up once you step outside our door.” You could see the gears turning in your husband's mind, he was trying to figure out why Bob was even here. It was so random, so out of the blue. Were all his friends going to come through one at a time? Was this how things worked? Did they all miss him so much they couldn’t pass on without saying goodbye? 

“I’m not ready to go yet.” It was as genuine as ever. Bob was just scared, he didn’t know how to feel or what to say. All he knew was that he just needed a minute to figure out if this was real or if he’d just fallen asleep in the rec room. “Could I maybe just sit here for a while?” 

“Yeah Bob.” Oh how you’d missed your friends, the people who cared the most. “Yeah, take all the time you need.” 

“You can go, if you want—“ It was the softest of voices, the most calming of lullabies. Bob could hear her right in his ear. “I’m right here, you aren’t alone, so if you need to go, you go, okay?” Phoenix cried as Bob turned around in his chair to look over his shoulder. He saw the image clear as day. He was in a hospital room being kept alive by machines and tubes. 

“Who is it?” You asked as Bob saw his final moments play out right before him. He never wanted that, to end up on life support. Bob had always told the people who mattered most to him to pull the plug if he ever got to that point. Phoenix must have listened.

 “It’s okay, you go, say hi to Hangman and Hollywood for me.” 

“Nix—“ Bob smiled at the thought of his front seater. He hoped wherever his heaven was that hers wouldn’t be far away. “She says to say hi.” 

It felt all too real when you looked over to your husband. These were his people more so than they ever were yours. He’d known them for years and left them all without saying goodbye. Now was his chance. 

“I really did miss you Bob.” Jake sighed as he walked across the kitchen with heavy steps. His hand came to rest on the WSO’s shoulder, bringing a comfort Bob didn’t know he’d missed so much. Jake loved you so much, that was clear to everyone who knew him once he lost you. For some it was easier to accept than others. Bob only hoped that if Rooster got a chance to stop by on his journey into the forever that he wouldn’t hold his grudge. “But I couldn’t say, every breath I took since she left felt like such a waste on me.” 

Bob looked at you, and then looked back up at Jake. The blood from his ears had begun to fade. There was no more pain. Bob was simply Bob. And he could hear the drums as clear as day just outside the front door. It was his time to go. 

“I’m just glad that you guys got your happily ever after.” Bob chuckled to himself. “Even if it was in death.”

***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***

Tags 🏷️ @americaarse @blindedbythelightt @tayl0rhuynh @athenabarnes @imaginecrushes @whyareallnamesgone @mjmaximoffbarnes @amiets2 @mads-weasley @gabbyella @ephemeralninon @xoxabs88xox @pedrohoe04 @starkleila @je-suis-prest-rachel @clancycucumber230 @maisie-rebloging-blog @callsign-barbell @obiwankenobis-lap @some-lovely-day @paperbag333 @callsign-magnolia @jhiddles03 @hardballoonlove @shanimallina87 @seitmai i @abaker74 @missemrose @starset21 @kmc1989 @phoenix1388 @emma8895eb @tsofo26 @itsmytimetoodream @angelbabyange

[daydreamgoddess14]

The Ties that Bind - Chapter 6

And what if I maybe decided that this isn't actually the last chapter?

Don't ask how my work week is going, I stupidly wrote this instead of the draft report I need to submit on Friday.... Incidentally, the report has a shorter wordcount than this chapter so technically, technically all I need is some actual ooomph to go ahead and write it!

CH 1 | CH 2 | CH 3 | CH 4 | CH 5

Masterlist

Tagging: @cillmequick & @thomasshelbyswife

Chapter 6

Weeks had passed since Seren had left. She made her way around the aisle of the supermarket with her new charge, not too fast and not too slow. Heaven forbid she get the speed wrong. 

“That jam there, on the middle shelf.” The elderly woman in the wheelchair said suddenly, pointing vaguely at approximately 80 jars of jam variations.

“This one?”

“No, down.”

“This?”

“No left a bit, the one that looks like cherries.”

“Cherry jam then?”

“No, the one next to it.” Seren resisted the urge to smash every jar on the floor. She held up another jar. “That’s the ticket, love. Now, eggs.”

“You don’t like eggs?” “I want you to make a cake. Coffee and walnut.” Seren hesitated, her last coffee and walnut cake had been demolished in the space of about four hours by David and River.

“How about a vicky sponge instead?” She suggested, scanning the shelves.

“Too sweet. Next to the eggs, there, the walnuts.”

“Coffee and walnut, my favourite.” Another voice chimed in.

“Mine too! She’s refusing to make it though.”

“I’m not refusing, I just-” Seren turned back to the lady, eggs and walnuts in hand. Alongside her stood River.

“Fine Mags, I’ll make coffee and walnut.” She dumped the stuff in the basket on Maggie’s lap. “Excuse me.” She said politely to River and went to push the wheelchair on. “Seren, wait, please?”

“Who’s this young man?” 

“River, nice to meet you.” He shook her hand, Maggie blushed.

“Seren, you told me you were single!”

“I am.”

“I think I’d remember if you’d told me about this fella. He’s very handsome,” she turned to River, “you’re very handsome.”

“That’s because I haven’t told you about him. There’s nothing to tell. This is an old… acquaintance, that’s all.” Maggie’s bark of laughter turned into a hacking cough.

“Old acquaintance. Do I look bloody daft?”

“Come on, we’ve got to get a move on. Senior swim time.” Seren turned the wheelchair away from River and started at speed down the rest of the aisle.

“Bet he’d love to see you in a cossie.”

“Margaret Monroe!” 

“I’m only saying, love. If you’ve got it, flaunt it.” As they rounded the next aisle, Maggie turned in her chair to Seren, “he’s still there.” She whispered loudly enough to be heard by the entirety of the store. “Corrr and he’s looking at you like you hung the moon.” 

“Give it a rest, Mags.” Seren could feel the heat in her cheeks.

“It’s rude to ignore people.” The older woman said sternly.

“It’s a long story. We’ve got to go otherwise you’ll miss swimming.” Maggie raised her hand and waved to River who caught them up easily with no wheelchair to manoeuvre around. 

“How do you know the lovely Seren then?”

“She looked after my grandfather.”

“Oh!” She said brightly, then her face fell a little, “did he die? I’m so sorry.”

“No, no. He’s… fine. He’s his usual self.” River confirmed, noting the relief that crossed Seren’s face.

“Why’d she leave then? Why’d you leave?” Maggie looked back and forth between them.

“I told you, it’s a long story. Do you want to go swimming or not?” Maggie huffed. 

“It was nice to meet you, love. We’re off to the leisure centre for a swim. She keeps telling me it’s good for me.”

“Sounds fun. It was nice to meet you Maggie, see you again.”

“No you won’t.” Seren interrupted.

“Can I call you?” He asked quickly, before the opportunity to ask had disappeared.

“No, please don’t.”

“You should! God knows this girl needs to smile more. Either that or she needs a proper good-”

“I smile loads.” Seren scowled, interrupting quickly to stop Maggie from saying something less appropriate. Maggie rolled her eyes. As she went to push the wheelchair through the checkout, River dropped Seren’s favourite chocolate bar into the basket.

“For after swimming.” He shrugged. “It’s really good to see you. Still wearing my hoodie though?” He smiled faintly. Seren nodded at the unexpected gesture and to her surprise, River was the one to walk away. As Seren watched him leave, Maggie chattered away next to her.

“Well you kept him quiet, what a lovely man Seren! Bet he’d show you a good time,” the older lady sniggered.

“Stop interfering, you old perv.” Seren teased her gently. “I’m going to stop getting you those smutty books from the library.” She threatened.

“Don’t you dare. I deserve to get my thrills from somewhere young lady.” Seren let her talk, her mind drifting to River. He’d done exactly as she’d asked and not contacted her in weeks. A week after the confrontation in the barn, she received a small box with her book, phone charger, chocolate and various other things she’d left behind at David’s house. It had been hand delivered to her house, she hadn’t sent a thank you message. As the weeks had gone on, she found her anger giving way to sadness. She still felt foolish for having trusted both River and David so completely, she began to feel more betrayed than angry. She’d fended off nosey questions from Maggie when she’d first started looking after her, her bruises still visible and her hand still tightly wrapped. She was so easily distracted by a tall flash of dirty blonde hair in the corner of her eye and now, with the unexpected meeting in the supermarket, she found herself wondering if she’d been right all along and he had really been there, she hadn’t imagined it or wished for it. With Maggie safely back at home, Seren poured herself a glass of wine and tried to settle with a book. A light tap at the door stirred her. River.

“I told you not to come here.” “You told me not to call.” She rolled her eyes, holding the door so it was clear he wasn’t going to be welcomed inside.

“I told you I didn’t want to see you again.”

“I know.”

“So? Why are you here?” She looked at him properly for the first time. Stubble longer than normal, a mournful look in his eyes and dark circles underneath. She knew she didn’t look much better, Maggie told her daily how sad her eyes were. Her resolution to not let him in was wavering. With a sigh, she pulled open the door fully. “Come in. 5 minutes, that’s all you get.” He slipped past her gratefully and she could smell the soap and aftershave he used, scents that had long deserted the hoodie she continued to wear.

“I wanted to apologise. Properly, I mean. I didn’t get a chance really that night, or when you came back to get your car. It was… fucked up. You should never have been caught up in it all.”

“You should have told me the truth.”

“How could I?” He asked, desperately. “I had to keep you safe.” 

“Safe?” She scoffed, closing the space between them and moving the neckline of her top to one side, “I still have the bruises!” Barely visible to the naked eye, River could see the faint marks which still littered her neck. Without thinking, he brought his hand up and traced the outline with his finger. He could make out her pulse, her heart pounded, and the movement of her nervous swallow. She took a step back, shaking her head, “don’t touch me.” She pleaded. His hand and his gaze dropped down to her hand where she still had a bandage.

“Still not healed?” He asked, his voice hoarse. He lifted it gently, holding it in both of his hands.

“They had to align the fracture. Two more weeks and I can take this off.” She felt a warm tear drop onto the exposed skin on the palm of her hand and looked up at him. 

“You got hurt because of me-” he started.

“I got hurt because I stupidly thought I could punch a grown man. I was an idiot, trying to protect David - who apparently can handle himself just fine.” 

“No, you were incredible. If you hadn’t been there… I wouldn’t have been there in time. They’d have done it, they’d have killed him.” She knew she should take another step back but the warmth of his body was intoxicating and she was struggling to hold onto her anger. He released her hand and wiped his eyes.

“How is he?”

“Pain in the arse. Hates everyone they send to look after him. He misses you.”

“Don’t do that. Don’t make me the guilty one.”

“I didn’t mean to, sorry. It’s just… he was better with you, I think.”

“He went through a crazy evening, finding out your old workplace wants you dead is a bit mental.”

“I was better with you.”

“River-”

“I know, I know, I’m sorry again.”

“Stop apologising, you’re doing my head in. You look like crap.” She muttered, wrapping her arms around him. 

“Yeah, so grandad keeps telling me.” He let his head drop into the crook of her neck and breathed her in.

“It’s just a hug, that’s all you get then you can fuck off.” She felt him nod against her and the soft huff of his breath on her skin. The proximity and familiarity made her heart flutter. She reluctantly released the hug, for her own sanity. He watched her intently, the conflict in her eyes clearly visible. He brought his hands up to cup her face and she leaned into his touch, a trembling sigh passing her lips as he met her in a soft, uncertain kiss. She pulled away first, placing a hand on his chest to push herself back. “No. No, I’m still so angry, River.” She paced back and forth in front of him. “I feel like such an idiot for trusting you so implicitly.” She told him, the accusatory tone to her voice gave away the anger rising in her again. She backed further away from him. “You should go now. I asked you not to come.” She marched past him and flung the door open wide. “Go now please, I can’t… I need to stop thinking about you, and the only way I can do that is to not be near you.” She trailed off weakly. He paused as he passed her. 

“I can’t stop thinking about you either.” He admitted cautiously. Seren reached for him first, her traitorous body overruling her mind and all sense of reason. She caught the edge of his jacket and pulled him down into a far less hesitant kiss than the previous one. He kicked the front door shut again and pressed her back against the wall. She led him down the short hallway, dropping his jacket and her (his) hoodie along the way. River pulled off the oversized t-shirt she wore, surprised to find nothing underneath and enveloped her in his arms. He walked her backwards through her open bedroom door, both of them tripping on her discarded shorts, his t-shirt. She pulled him with her onto the bed, hissing in pain as she realised she'd used the wrong hand. He slotted between her open thighs and turned her hand gently, kissing the slither of exposed skin between the thumb and index finger. Seren wanted to hold onto the anger she felt was justified, but she couldn't deny how much she wanted him. He stopped suddenly and she held her breath, waiting. She felt a kiss at the base of her throat and then at each ghost of a fingertip bruise on her neck, faint, but he found them all. She choked back a sob.

“I hate that I need you so badly.” Her whisper turned into a low moan as his long fingers teased a path through the thin layer of her underwear, already soaked with her need for him. She bucked against his hand, holding it in place tightly with her good hand. 

“Show me, Seren,” he demanded quietly, “show me what you need.” He slid the underwear down her legs. She covered his hand with her own and guided it to where she wanted him most. River thrust his fingers into her torturously slowly, building her orgasm from so deeply inside she could hardly breathe. "I've got you," he murmured through kisses, "I've got you." His thumb brushed against her clit and she rocked into him. She grasped at his shoulders as she got closer and closer to the edge. "I want this… want you, always." He kissed her hard as she came, swallowing her moans as she clenched around his fingers, his name on her lips. He worked her through the orgasm, watching her with a mix of pride and lust as she fell boneless into the mattress. 

“I’m not sure this is an appropriate way to earn forgiveness, River.” She whispered, a giggle bubbling in her chest for the first time in weeks.

“Thought I was never going to see you smile again,” he half joked.

“‘M not smiling.”

“Yeah you are.”

“It’s the endorphins. Totally out of my control.” She sat up to look at him, covering herself with her arm. “How do you still have clothes on?” She gestured to his jeans.

“I was more bothered about getting yours off,” he admitted. 

“Some things never change.”

“I’ve missed you so much, Seren.” His head dropped to his chest with a heavy sigh, the tension between them finally cracking. She moved her hand from where it covered her chest and brought it to cup his face, her fingertips running over the stubble. “Everytime I sleep, I see Duffy pointing that fucking gun at you.” He said hoarsely, laying bare his helplessness. Seren closed her eyes, trying to blink away the tears.

“Oh, love.” She sighed. Removing her hand from his face, she got off the bed and pulled on the closest item of clothing, his t-shirt. Then she set about closing the bedroom curtains and switching off the light in the hallway. He watched her from the edge of the bed until she stood directly in front of him. “C’mon, clothes off, we’re going to bed.” She nudged him. “I’ll be back in a sec.” She disappeared to what he assumed was the bathroom and came out a few minutes later in a t-shirt of her own. She put the one she’d taken off with the jeans he’d left by the bed and pulled back the covers of the bed. She folded her body around him, tucking her knees behind his and pressing her chest to his back. He could feel her warm breath on the back of his neck and her hand curled around onto his chest and for the first time in weeks they both fell asleep straight away. Seren woke on and off through the night to soft caresses and kisses until they succumbed to sleep again. In the early hours, fuelled by a restful night, she felt River curl around her, pressing hard into the soft flesh of her thighs. She rolled onto her back and pulled him to cover her body, pressing her heels into the back of his thighs to guide him into her. It was still so dark in her room that she could hardly see him. She let her hands guide her, trailing up his arms, over his broad back, down to squeeze his thigh, back up and into his hair. He matched with each roll of her hips, slowly and languidly. The darkness made everything quieter, his whispered affirmations, praise and moans were dizzying. Seren clung to him like she never wanted to let go, holding him to her as they both came. When she woke again, she was alone. If it hadn’t been for the ache between her thighs, it could have easily been a dream. 

*

River clattered up the stairs to Lamb’s office with more energy than he’d had in weeks, though his face did not share the same spirit.

“Blimey, you’re positively sprightly this morning. What’s wrong with your face?”

“It’s just my face. Ewelina has walked out on the old bastard.”

“Was she the Polish girl?”

“Yep, he insulted her cooking.”

“How many is that now?”

“He’s gone through eight, I think? He didn’t like Glenys-”

“No one fucking liked Glenys.”

“Or Debbie, Sarah, Pete-”

“What was wrong with Pete?” Lamb asked, incredulous.

“He couldn’t play chess. Shame, he left some decent IPA behind.”

“Is there anyone left?”

“Dunno, guess we’ll have to ask Taverner.” Lamb laughed,

“No, no Cartwright, you will have to ask Lady Di. Not me.”

“Go on Lamb, please? She’ll kill me.”

“While I would pay to see that, I’ll settle for watching you make the call.” He sniggered. With a heavy sigh, River took the outstretched phone.

“Umm, hi? It’s Cartwright? River Cartwright?” Lamb couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation to his disappointment. “Yep, another one. No, he just says they’re all shit. Great, thanks.” He hung up and passed back the phone. 

“Sending someone else?”

“So she says.”

“Y’know Cartwright, I’m quite enjoying the inconvenience all of this is causing for Lady Di. I feel like it’s a bit of vindication for us.” Lamb said decidedly.

The cause of the inconvenience tutted into his coffee, his mind wasn’t playing ball and the crossword was giving him more trouble than he deemed necessary. Outside, he heard a car far larger than River’s arrive, accompanied by a neat knock on his back door.

“David. Seems I have a reason to be here again?”

“Diana, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Well the pleasure is certainly not mine, I assure you.”

“Coffee?”

“Hmm,” Diana Taverner looked around David’s kitchen while he pottered around making her a cup of coffee. “You’ve declined another approved carer?” “They weren’t suitable.”

“None of them?” She scoffed. “I do find that hard to believe. You’re becoming a nuisance, David. I’m starting to regret not letting Duffy shoot you.”

“You don’t mean that,” he smiled.

“I actually do. I want this resolved, I want this off my desk, and the next time I hear your name, I want it to be when I find out that you died peacefully in your bed. Do I make myself clear?”

“Perfectly.”

“So what is it you want?” David hesitated.

“I want Seren back.”

“The girl from the barn?” He nodded.

“I got on with her, she understood me. We had an agreement.” Taverner frowned.

“Cartwright, you know she’s not service approved. Our agreement was that you would have someone who was service approved.”

“So employ her? It’s not that difficult, surely?” She drank her coffee in silence. 

“Will it shut you up?”

“There’s a good chance of that, yes.” He held up a finger, “but I don’t want River to know, not until it’s done.”

“That’s making the very big assumption that I’m going to do this for you?”

“You want it off your desk. That’s how it goes.” 

“I don’t like being held over a barrel like this.”

“Should have shot me when you had the chance then.” Taverner laughed,

“Yes, well - touché. Very well. You won’t hear from me again.” She left her half drunk coffee on the table and David went back to his crossword.

*

Seren hadn’t heard from River at all. She sat with Maggie side by side in a brightly lit corridor, like naughty schoolgirls waiting to go to the office.

“I don’t like this.” Maggie grumbled.

“I know, but Daniel and Penny think it’s the right thing for you.”

“We’re coping perfectly fine, aren’t we?”

“Of course we are, but you’ll have a lot more friends here?” She held out a leaflet, “look, they go to senior swim as well? And trips to the cinema and Kew Gardens - you love Kew Gardens.” Maggie huffed.

“I like living in my own bloody house.” Seren didn’t respond. Maggie hadn’t taken the news of moving to a care home well at all. Her daughter and son-in-law were in the office finalising the details of her new ensuite room. “Will you visit me?”

“Of course I will, Mags. Try and stop me.” Seren took Maggie’s hand and kissed the back of it. 

“You’re a good girl, Seren. What will you do?” She shrugged.

“No idea. Maybe a holiday? It’s been a weird year so far.”

“Somewhere sunny. Get that swimming cossie out again.”

“I’m starting to think you’ve got a thing about my cossie, Mags.”

“Maybe in my younger days darling. Don’t tell Penny.” Seren smiled.

“Your secret is safe with me.”

“Mum? Shall we take you to see your room?” Penny emerged from the office.

“I’ll go and have a look at the garden,” Seren told them and then dropped down to talk to Maggie, “be nice!” She warned her. She wandered around the extensive garden of the very exclusive - and expensive - care home. She wondered whether David had gotten the fence painted before the weather had turned, whether the plants they’d chosen were thriving. Her phone rang in her pocket and she pulled it out, the screen still cracked. She really needed to get that fixed. “Seren Harrison?”

“Ms Harrison, I have a call for you from Diana Taverner at Thames House. Can I connect you?”

“Uhh-” Seren’s response was a very undignified stutter and the call was connected before she could accept - or refuse - it. “Hello?”

“Ahh, hello. We weren’t introduced previously. I’m Diana Taverner, I hope you don’t mind my calling?” Seren stumbled over her words and formed some sort of non-committing answer. “Good. I was with David Cartwright a couple of weeks ago, has he been in touch?”

“No, why, what’s happened to him?”

“Nothing at all, more's the pity. He’s been getting through designated home assistance at quite a rate,” Seren couldn’t help but smile at the comment. “It’s becoming very frustrating. Apparently, he will only have you helping him.”

“Me?”

“You got along, did you not?” Seren recalled numerous plates and mugs she replaced but the memory was quickly overruled by ones of doing the crossword, drinking tea in the garden and learning how to play chess.

“We did,” she said softly.

“It seems the ties that bind you both mean a great deal to him. He would like me to make you an offer of employment.” Seren held her breath. “If that is acceptable to you?” Seren could almost hear David’s voice in her ear ‘don’t give in easily, make them work for it’. 

“Well, I’d need to know the terms of the contract, of course.” She stammered. Taverner sighed.

“Yes, yes. I’ll have someone send it over to you by courier. They will wait for an immediate return or dismissal though?”

“I’m sure that’ll be fine.”

“I certainly hope so. I do not want to have to deal with this any longer. I must go, I have a meeting with the Prime Minister shortly. I trust the contract will meet your approval, it’s likely you won’t hear from me again so you have both my admiration and commiserations for managing the Cartwright’s. You deserve a bloody damehood.” Seren nearly laughed at Taverner’s exasperated sigh.

“They’re definitely hard work.” She agreed.

“Indeed. Goodbye Ms Harrison, and thank you.” The call rang off before Seren could respond and from the conservatory, Maggie called and waved to her.

She parked in her usual spot. The revolving door of carers hadn’t bothered with the weeds on the driveway, she noted. She knocked and waited patiently, her hand had barely moved from the woodwork when the door flung open.

“Can I help you?” He asked impatiently. Seren sighed.

“Mr Cartwright, it’s Seren. I umm, well you see -” she tried to think of the best way to explain, the best way to re-introduce herself when she saw the corner of David’s mouth pulling into a smile. “You old git!” She scolded him with a grin.

“Couldn’t help myself my dear.” He beamed. “May I?” He held out his arms and she hugged him warmly. “It’s good to have you back.”

“It’s good to be back. I take it you’ve been quite the troublemaker?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Seren dear. It’s been quite an ordeal, really.”

“Hmm. Why don’t you offer me a proper apology over tea? I brought cake.”

“Coffee and walnut?”

“Of course. Chess?”

“Naturally. Come on in.” Seren followed him into the house, the familiarity of it washing over her. Despite the break in, she felt safe and calm there. They caught up over cake. Seren found that she was no longer angry. Knowing that she was a fully paid up Park employee, David spoke more openly about his past. She knew there would always be things he would keep from her, but he was able to articulate fully what had happened when they’d been in the barn. He told her of his worries about River not sleeping properly, eating junk and his overall desolate attitude.

“I take it he doesn’t know I’m here?” She asked carefully. As he went to respond, the sound of a car turning on the driveway filtered through from the kitchen window.

“I suspect he does now.” He mused as River came to a stop quietly in the doorway.

Chapter 7

[klausysworld]

Enjoying your writing so much.

I’m hoping you can work your magic on this idea….

Reader is a werewolf. Klaus and reader have a one night stand, they hate each other. Reader gets pregnant, but over the months and moments throughout the pregnancy they being to have feelings teach other, but do nothing about them, the day of the birth is when they admit their feelings.

I love you, and i love you

Somehow i managed to get pregnant from a one nightstand with a narcissistic paranoid overly judgmental original hybrid’s baby. I mean what great luck. Klaus i and i haven’t got on much at all. Especially at the start. He was obsessed with taking over New Orleans and if i’m honest i just wanted to disappear and take my baby with me.

Halfway into the pregnancy however we began not completely ignoring each others existences. It was the middle of the night, i couldn’t sleep and i had gone downstairs to get a drink, Klaus was in the kitchen bourbon in hand but i didn’t notice him in the dark. That was until i felt the kick in my stomach and lurked forward gasping, Klaus was immediately by my side a hand on my back and the other finding my cheek gently getting me to look at him

“love? what’s wrong? what hurts” his eyes were darting all over me until we locked gazes, i shook my head with a little smile on my face and grasped his hand from my face bringing it to my stomach and he hesitantly held it there. The look on his face when we felt our baby kicking was heart melting. The glimmer in his eyes and the smile on his pink lips and he looked back and me with admiration

“they’re really going for it” i huffed when the baby continued to hit me, Niklaus barked a laugh and rubbed my bump. He went down onto his knees and got in-front of me so he was facing our creation. He gave a soft kiss to my lower belly and started whispering things i couldn’t quite hear until the baby calmed down and he got back up

“you’re good at that” i whispered and he smiled and kissed my head before passing my drink and letting me get back to bed.

The next time we had a moment was when i was experiencing an overflow of pregnancy hormones. Klaus had been out all day and for some reason i had wanted him to come home because…i missed him??

Anyway he didn’t come home until really late and i began yelling at him but ultimately just ended up bursting into tears. His face fell in an instant and his rage burned out when he realised i was just so sensitive and he had left me completely alone while heavily pregnant

“sweetheart-“ he started but i was in the middle of a sobbed rant

“what would i have had to of done if you were dead? you’ve made me completely depended on you and your stupid family and now if you leave I’m going to have to do everything by myself! i cant have a baby by myself Klaus!” he carefully approached my flying arms and pulled me into a hesitant hug. When i pulled him impossibly closer and buried my face in his neck he began to hold me tighter

“i’m sorry, i’m sorry, i’m okay, you’re not going to be alone i have you okay? alright. Come on lets get some rest yeah? I beg the little kicker had you all tired” he soothed and tried to pull away but i stayed clinging to his figure

“i just ache everywhere Klaus, the baby’s so heavy now, my back hurts” i cried and he nodded sympathetically and carefully lifted me into a bridal style position and took my upstairs to my room. He stood behind me and wrapped his arms around me under my stomach

“you tell me if it feel bad okay?” he muttered and i sniffed nodding. He placed his hands at the bottom of the baby bump and gently lifted the weight up. The pressure on my back was removed for a moment and i breathed a content sigh leaning back into him and he kissed my shoulder

“feel a little better?” he asked quietly and i nodded. We stayed like that for a small while before he guided me to bed and waited until i fell asleep.

I knew i had feelings for him. But they were small enough to ignore. Besides sometimes i still hated him and wished he would just let me be on my way but something about him still had me worried when he disappeared for too long.

We hadn’t been speaking much the last week or so. He was always busy and i was pissed off that he was spending so much time with his ‘therapist’. I knew he had a crush on her. He was always talking to her, it was getting annoying.

I was sat on the couch rolling my eyes at the thought of Klaus and Cami when i felt a sharp paint in my abdomen. The pains came again lower and i struggled to stand up and began walking over to where my phone was in the next room, i had forgotten it there and couldn’t be bothered to grab it earlier. Halfway there i felt my water break and looked down to see the puddle on the floor, my breathing became panicked and i quickly grabbed my phone calling Klaus immediately

“what is it love, i’m in the middle of something” he sounded pissy but i didn’t comprehend his tone

“k..klaus i think i’m having the baby” i whispered and a loud silence came from the other end

“now?” he whispered back and i breathed a laugh before groaning and dropping the device

“love!?”

“Klaus! it- it hurts! where the fuck are you?” i heard a load of shuffling before a door slam and i looked up to see him running at a human pace towards me

“i’m here, i’m here” he reassured helping me stand properly and getting me into the car so he could drive us to the hospital.

After however many agonising hours of labour i was led with our newborn baby in my arms. Tears welled in my eyes as i noted each of their features, the mix of Klaus and i was unbelievable, you could see very clearly that they belonged to us.

A throat cleared and i lifted my head to see him stood nervously with his hands behind his back

“klaus, they’re so beautiful” i told him sitting up and patting the bed so he could sit next to me, i passed the baby into his arms and smiled brightly at the wonder on his face

“looks just like you” he said softly stroking our child’s face

“klaus…” i trailed aimlessly and he looked back to me and took one of my hands after making sure the baby was secure in his arm

“yes love?” he whispered and kissed the back of my hand “what’s wrong?”

“what are we doing Klaus? We have a baby” a tear fell from my eye and he frowned

“i know that… i thought that was a good thing”

“i can’t live in your house with our baby when i know you’re dating Camille…i don’t want to feel like the other women” i explained quietly and he shook his head

“y/n, Camille is nothing more than a friend and a therapist , if anything i speak about you to her more than anything, i ask her how i should speak to you, i never want to upset you, i know we didn’t get on at the start but i want this to work, not just for our baby but because i- well i uh…” he paused and i watched his cheeks tint pink as he tripped over his words

“i love you too” i whispered and his eyes snapped back to mine. I smiled and turned my head away leaning it on his shoulder and cooing at our baby

“i love you, and i love you” he confirmed kissing both our foreheads

[phos-phorus]

Launt / ''Chapter 1''

Still struggling with the Launt fic (I'm not satisfied with this at all) but here's the first ''Chapter'' because I feel bad for taking so long.

This is an unpolished version. If I upload the fic on AO3 it will probably be a tiny bit different just because I'll probably change a few things so constructive criticism is welcome! With that said I hope y'all enjoy!

1970

Their paths crossed on a sun-baked afternoon during the qualifying session at a British track. Niki had been on a flying lap, perfectly in control as he hit every apex with precision. Then, out of nowhere, James appeared in his mirrors, a blur of speed and audacity. Without hesitation, James forced his way past, shoving Niki off the racing line as if the rules of racing didn’t apply to him.

Niki was forced to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision, his car fishtailing slightly before he regained control. Anger surged through him as he pulled into the pits after the session, where he saw James casually leaning against his car, a smug grin plastered across his face.

“You call that racing?” Niki barked as he stormed over, his usually calm demeanor gone.

James barely looked up, his blue eyes glinting with amusement. “Come on, Lauda. Can´t handle a little push?”

Niki’s jaw tightened. “You shoved me off the line. My line. You have no respect for the rules.”

“Rules?” James chuckled, shaking his head. “This is racing, mate, not a Sunday drive. If you’re not willing to take risks, you’re in the wrong sport.”

For a moment, Niki stood there, his fists clenched at his sides, the urge to punch James in the face almost overwhelming. But instead, he took a step back, exhaling sharply. “Arschloch,” he muttered under his breath as he turned his back on James. He walked away, determined to focus on the next race. He had no time for brash idiots like Hunt.

James watched him leave, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “Asshole.”

Yet, fate has a funny way of intertwining the lives of those who seem destined to clash. Over the next few months, as the season progressed, Niki and James found themselves crossing paths more often. At first, it was nothing more than icy glares and terse nods. But slowly, almost imperceptibly, things began to change.

It all started with a rain-soaked evening at a track in the middle of nowhere. The day’s races had been called off, the downpour turning the circuit into a treacherous mess. Most drivers had retreated to their trailers or nearby hotels, but Niki, ever the perfectionist, had stayed behind, poring over notes about his car’s performance in the day’s practice session. He sat in the back of his team’s garage, his brow furrowed in concentration, while mechanics packed up around him.

James, on the other hand, had been on his way to the nearest pub when he caught sight of Niki alone in the garage. For reasons even he couldn’t fully explain, he stopped in his tracks. Maybe it was curiosity, or maybe it was just boredom, but instead of heading off to chase drinks and women, he found himself wandering over to Niki’s side.

“You know, Lauda, staring at that car won’t make it go faster.” James quipped, his voice cutting through the sound of rain drumming on the metal roof.

Niki looked up, surprised. His first instinct was to brush James off, but something in the Englishman’s easy grin made him pause. Instead, he sighed and leaned back in his chair.

“Maybe not. But understanding why it didn’t go fast today might help tomorrow.”

James nodded, hands in his pockets as he surveyed the sleek machine in front of them. “Fair enough. But sometimes you’ve got to step away, clear your head a bit.”

Niki smirked. “I’m guessing your idea of clearing your head involves a few pints and some poor woman you’ll never call again?”

James chuckled, unoffended. “Maybe. But you might be surprised. Sometimes, it’s more than that.”

Niki raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “More than that? From you?”

James shrugged, taking a seat on a nearby tool chest. “People see what they want to see. Doesn’t mean that’s all there is.”

That was the first real conversation they had, one that stretched on for a surprising amount of time as the rain fell harder outside. The next morning, Niki found himself thinking about their talk, replaying James’s words in his mind. Maybe there was more to the man than just reckless driving and reckless living.

After that night, they began to spend more time together. It wasn’t anything planned—just a few minutes here and there, small talk—brief exchanges about lap times, car setups, the quirks of different tracks. Then came the late-night conversations, where they found themselves discussing life beyond racing. James was surprised to find that beneath Niki’s stern exterior was a dry wit and a surprisingly sharp sense of humor. Niki, in turn, discovered that James was more than just a reckless playboy—he had an uncanny ability to see the bigger picture, even if he rarely showed it.

One weekend, during a break between races, Niki and James found themselves at the same shabby motel in a small town just outside the next race circuit. It was the kind of place that had only one pub, where all the drivers ended up after long days of practice and qualifying. That evening, after the usual chatter about the upcoming race died down, Niki surprised himself by agreeing to join James for a drink.

The pub was dimly lit, filled with the scent of spilled beer and the low hum of conversation. James, as always, seemed to know everyone, and within minutes, he had introduced Niki to half the room. Niki, more reserved, stayed by James’s side, sipping his drink quietly as the night unfolded around them.

After a few rounds, they found themselves at a table in the corner, away from the noise. James leaned back in his chair, a relaxed smile on his face. “So, Lauda, tell me something. Why racing? Why not some cushy job back in Austria?”

Niki looked at him, considering his answer carefully. “Because I need to win. I need to be the best at something that matters.”

“Doesn’t everything matter, in its own way?”

“Not like this,” Niki replied firmly. “In racing, there’s no gray area. You’re either faster, or you’re not. You’re either alive, or you’re not. That kind of clarity… it’s rare.”

James nodded, understanding. “And that’s enough for you? Just being the best?”

“For now,” Niki said, though his tone suggested there was more he wasn’t saying.

James didn’t push. Instead, he took a long drink, then grinned. “Well, you’re a damn sight more interesting than I first thought, Lauda.”

“And you’re not as much of an arschloch as I first thought, Hunt,” Niki responded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

[praise-suns-and-chill]

Okay I needed to write SOMETHING, and that scene how we get Ogerpon desperately needed a rewrite anyways.

End result is the same, but I feel like... there should be more options than just fighting things out anyways.

Just a small one shot, but maybe I will rewrite more scenes later!

"Kieran, you know it isn't up to you."

Jules glared at Carmine. As if she had any room to talk, considering she usually acted like everything was up to her.

"Exactly. It's up to me too, and to my Team, and if they would get along with Ogerpon as well to begin with."

Now both siblings looked at her, surprised. Jules crossed her arms in defense.

"Yes, my teams opinion matter to me too. We will all spend time together, that means we all should get along! I wouldn't want any infighting, just watching anyone in my team be stressed all the time because they need to be around someone who doesn't treat them properly." She definitely only meant her team with that. Of course.

While Carmine just looked utterly confused, Kieran stared at the ground, his hand twitching as usual when he seemed to think.

"That's... I never thought about that..."

Jules gaze was gentle when her eyes wandered over to him, and she nodded.

"That's alright. Most people don't really seem to think of that. But... they're my team, right? And that means that we all work together, not just that I boss them around without thinking about how they feel." She hoped he would get the small hint.

She looked down at Ogerpon next, gently patting her head.

"If her opinion matters for who gets to train her, then so does the opinion of the rest of my team."

She wasn't fully sure if Ogerpon could understand her, but the little ogre happily nodded along.

"Maybe... instead of fighting over it, we should let our teams decide, then."

Carmina looked between Jules and her brother incredulously.

"Are you serious? THAT'S how you will decide that?"

"Why not?" Jules shrugged.

"...I think that's fair." Kieran also nodded now, his eyes still flicking over to the green ogre, still unsure despite his words.

"On three?" Jules held up the balls her Team was in, and watched her new friend do the same.

"One..."

"Two."

"Three!" And both released their Teams all at once.

Ogerpon jumped slightly back in surprise, but her hesitation didn't last long before curiosity overtook her, just like both of the Teams.

Quaquaval just looked around in nothing but confusion for a moment, before quickly noticing all the eyes on it and starting to fix its "hair", of course, needing to make a good impression.

Her Spiritomb taking one look, shivering and promptly retreating back into its keystone. Alright, she had never been the social type anyway, that was to be expected.

Growlithe on the other hand enthusiastically jumped around, sniffing and playfully barking at all the new arrivals. While a newbie to the team, looks like he would be happy to just befriend anyone.

Kierans team started looking around just as confused for a moment, aside from his Dipplin, who was already confidently crawling over to the strangers.

Yanmega was next to follow, and soon they all started to mingle around each other, Ogerpon a bit overwhelmed, but brightly smiling in the middle of it all.

And so, their trainers simply stood by for a while, watching their teams peacefully play with each other. Kierans nervous fiddling had stopped by now, even a small smile now showed on his face.

All the while, Jules kept her eyes on him from the side, now her being the one to nervously fiddle.

Carmine meanwhile was actually being quiet for once, apparently distracted enough by the cute sight in front of her. Distracted enough that Jules scooted closer to Kieran, sitting down next to him.

He quickly looked up.

"Should we stop them now?" The anxious look was already back, and his hands gripped onto his sweater.

Jules quickly shook her head.

"No! No, we should... Still give them some time..." Her voice was hushed, not wanting Carmine to overhear and interrupt. She now mirrored the boy, her fingers nervously tipping against her shirt.

"I... wanted to say sorry."

She frowned at the ground, not quite being able to look up, as Kieran looked at her confused.

"Huh? Why?"

"Because I didn't tell you right away. I wanted to, but Carmine just stopped me, and then she told me that you would probably run into the mountains, and I was worried you would actually do that too then, and I didn't want you to get hurt so I didn't tell you and the next day I just felt so bad about it and then I told you because I thought at least it was day and I could maybe come along but I had still kept quiet the first day and I wanted to say sorry there too but-"

Her words stumbled over themselves and she crossed her arms, holding onto herself as her voice got more and more quiet, as she struggled to get the words out. Despite her attempts to stay subtle, she wasn't as successful as she had hoped.

Now her Spiritomb burst out of its keystone, quickly turning and hopping over to her trainer. Of course, the ghost type would notice negative feelings first. Growlithe was next to notice, running quickly back on his stubby little legs, and soon Ogerpon and the rest of both teams followed, disrupted by the troubled Teen who was now holding onto the stone her Spiritomb had disappeared back into.

Meanwhile Kieran just stared at her, dumbfounded, as if he hadn't expected any of this.

"I..." He took a moment, not knowing what to say, and before he could continue the two were interrupted.

"What did you do, Kieran!?" Carmine looked at him shaking, but before he could respond Jules jumped up again, as if all her energy had just flooded back immediately.

"He didn't do anything, stop accusing him while knowing nothing!" The glare from her golden eyes matched Carmines, Growlithe did his name justice as he growled in defense of his trainer now, while Quaquaval looked just about ready to kick Carmine off the cliff.

"Jules, don't, I'll deal with it!" The boy held up his hands, trying to pacify the two before an argument could break out, and after a tense pause, Jules sighed and slumped back down as Ogerpon walked up next to her. The cute ogre looking as worried as could be between all three, the sight seemingly melting away even Carmines anger.

"Fine. If you say so!" Still, she wouldn't stop taking control now, looking over this assembly before settling on Ogerpon.

"So? Did you decide by now?"

Ah.

Right.

Jules seemed to slump even further, while Kierans ticks immediately flared up again. There still was a decision to be made, after all.

The two exchanged quick glances before looking away and watching the two, Carmine took over, as usual.

"So!" She clapped her hands and looked down at Ogerpon, pointing to each of the two teams after another.

"Which one do you want to join?"

"Pon?"

The green ogre followed Carmines pointers, confused for just a moment before tilting her head, thinking for a short moment.

Before she eventually wandered over to Jules, waving her hooded arms in the air, the rest of her team swarming around their new friend, as her new trainer gave her a sad smile.

If Ogerpon wanted to stay with her, she would never say no. After all the rejection, she deserved a loving, caring trainer.

But...

She glanced to Kieran, who was just hiding his expression behind his hair. Not showing what he was thinking, not saying a word.

But he, after all the rejection, deserved a loving, caring friend.

[tapperhet-em]

"You stay right here and if Melba barks, shoot whoever is coming through the door. You've used my rifle before, so you know how. Don't hesitate." Lorcan didn't like leaving her alone in the cabin, but he wanted to go hide the Jeep in a turnout he knew was hidden back down the drive. The guys in Elio’s SUV already knew they were there, and this would keep anyone else from stumbling on them if they started checking out other properties since they never showed up at Einar’s family’s estate. It made no sense for both of them to go just to park the Jeep, so he was going to trust that the less than fifteen minutes he’d be gone would be safe for her.

"I remember." Meeri nodded in the almost pitch black of the living room, not sure if he could see her. Melba was laying at her feet as she stood and talked to Lorcan. They had completely unloaded the Jeep, the contents were just to the side of the door, waiting for the others to get there so they could decide where everything would go.

"Good. The guys should be here in a couple hours, they thought, but they could be closer than that, so if they pass me I'll let you know so that you don't shoot Einar. Kinda get the feeling you'd both hate me if that happened." He was trying to lighten the mood just a touch by teasing her. He took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. The four men had been soldiers since they’d gotten out of school, Knights to the Royal Family almost as long, but Lorcan still couldn’t quash the nerves he felt. They were without backup, Meeri was being hunted and someone else’s life was on the line if there were mistakes.

The guys had all known that Einar had been in love with Meeri for years, just no one was going to come out and say it. It was an unspoken thing, all of them respected and even kept teasing off limits. The seeming reciprocated feelings they had glimpsed earlier at Einar’s apartment meant she had probably been hiding her feelings for as long, most likely to protect him from her family. Lorcan considered her a little sister, and he was pretty sure Elio did as well. Tieran was the one no one knew quite what his feelings were. One day he’d be hot and the next day frigid. Lorcan just hoped including him in all of this wasn’t a mistake they’d regret later on.

"I wouldn’t hate you,” Meeri fought a laugh, “but I have a feeling it would make things extremely complicated. As if things aren't complicated enough suddenly, putting a bullet in him would definitely not help." There was a slightly nervous quality to her laugh that followed and Lorcan didn't miss it.

"Only complicated if you want them to be, sis. His feelings are pretty damn simple. You know I'm in your corner, whatever happens." Lorcan pulled her forward by her upper arms and kissed the middle of her forehead. "Now, I'm going to go hide the Jeep. I'll be right back." He lightly ruffled the side of her hair then headed out the front door. Time for getting all fucking sentimental later.

As Meeri heard the Jeep fire up, she went over and sat on the couch. Melba went with her and put her head in Meeri’s lap. As she waited for Lorcan to return or the others to show up, her fingers gently ran over the top of the dog's head. It was a gentle and repetitive motion that seemed to soothe both of them. The doberman might scare a lot of people, but having her sitting there on the couch with her actually made Meeri feel a lot safer and calmer.

The more she mulled over their conversation, the more Meeri knew Lorcan was right. Einar’s feelings towards her were straightforward. She'd known it for a long time but had feared acknowledging them or acting on her own. Her father was capricious on a good day and she couldn't risk losing the man she loved to him because he wasn't royalty, even if he was high born. Status only mattered to a point when it came to him. To her, it didn’t matter at all, but as in many things, what she wanted or thought didn’t matter at all to her father. In the end, her father had abandoned her where Einar hadn’t. That spoke loud and clear about who cared for and loved her more.

As Lorcan drove the Jeep back down the trail towards the turnout, he kept his eyes peeled for oncoming headlights. It was a full moon, so he’d killed the Jeep’s lights since he could see well enough to drive. Whether it was their three friends or soldiers hunting for Meeri, he wanted to give them as best a chance as he could of remaining hidden. He was well aware of the stakes at play. He and the other three men could bluff their way out of anyone who came along, but if Meeri was found she might not even survive to make it back to the city gates. There could be no mistakes.

[headfullofpresley]

Oceans Apart (Chapter 5)

Pairing: Elvis Presley x reader

Word count: 7,5K

Summary: With Red putting ideas in his head and you canceling on him for the holidays, Elvis flees Germany to see you. What he hopes to be a Christmas away from prying eyes, turns into so much more.

Warning(s): angsty, time jump, Red being an asshole, both Elvis and reader having a small breakdown, mentions of The Colonel, sweet talking The Colonel (guess that's a warning? despite us all hating him, I still want him to be human in this series), alcohol consumption, strong language, smut; oral (m. receiving), kissing after oral, fluff.

A/N: another emotional rollercoaster, leggoooo! enjoy bbys <3

Missed part 4? Read it here!

oceans apart playlist | masterlist

“I never thought a man could feel so small, you never look at me like I'm a liability; I bet you'd think I've never been at all. Little by little, inch by inch, we built a yard with a garden in the middle of it and it ain't much, but it's a start. You got me swaying right along to the song in your heart and a face to call home, a face to call home; you got a face to call home.”

“Sorry Elvis, I can’t make it. My boss really needs me this time of the year and my mother has something planned on Christmas day,”

Elvis’ fingers clenched viciously around the telephone cord at the sound of those words leaving your mouth, a heavy feeling settling in his chest.

You have been traveling from Amsterdam to Bad Nauheim for a year now and just like last year, your boyfriend wanted to spend the holidays with you. This would be the second Christmas he would have with you in a long time and since he would leave early next year, it would be the last one in a while. The two of you haven’t exactly spoken of what your relationship will be like once he’d go back to the States, but he wasn’t risking to lose another minute with you.

“B-But.. you have two Christmas days over there. Can’t you spend the second one with your parents?”

You had told him all about the differences of holidays between your country and his and while he thought the idea of having a second Christmas day over there was silly, he was grateful for it now. That meant you could visit both him and your parents… right?

His happiness wasn’t long lived, as you rained on his parade once more when you spoke into the phone.

“I wish, El, but I can’t. I’m so sorry..”

He sighed deeply, letting go of the cord as he put his hand up to his forehead, rubbing at it in frustration. He had to focus on his breathing for a few seconds to not aim that frustration at you, because even though he couldn’t understand why you weren’t doing everything in your might to spend Christmas with him, he really was not in the mood to fight with you over the phone.

“Okay,” he eventually mumbled, leaning his elbows on his knee as he planted his face in the palm of his hand. “I’ll call you again later, gotta go eat,”

“I love you, Elvis,”

“I love you too,” although he didn’t hesitate to say it back, the words tasted bitter on his tongue.

He loved you, but in this moment, he didn’t like you.

Red stood outside the door of Elvis’ bedroom, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. Elvis looked up, sighing softly. “She doesn’t seem to care much,”

“She does, she’s just busy,” Elvis barked at his friend, walking down the stairs, but Red didn’t give up easily and followed.

“Just give it up already, EP. We’re going back home soon, you really think she’ll follow you?”

Elvis rolled his eyes as he walked into the kitchen, ignoring the male behind him and kissing his grandmother on the cheek instead, taking the plate of food she handed to him. Dodger kept her ears perked, but her mouth closed.

“It’s none of your business,” he mumbled, trying not to let the frustration that was still tugging at his heart be too obvious. He didn’t want to show too much of his emotions, not to Red.

“You’re being unrealistic, Elvis, and you know it. It’ll never work between you and her,” Red called out after him, quickly following his friend into the dining room. “She’s probably screwing some guy as we speak,”

It rolled off Red’s tongue in a mumble, not meant to be heard by Elvis or anyone, but Elvis heard it. Oh, he heard it.

He nearly threw his plate on the table, spilling some food as it twirled around with a loud noise that startled his father and some other people who were sat at the table. “You know what, Red? I think it’s time for you to leave,”

“What?” Red scoffed in disbelief.

“Pack up your shit and get out of my house. I’ll make sure you can catch a flight home in the morning,”

“EP, you’re not serious,”

“Do I look like I’m joking?!” he yelled, spreading his arms as if it was not obvious he was furious by now.

Nobody at the table spoke a word, even Vernon was wise enough to keep quiet.

“You’re picking this bitch over me?”

Red realised the very wrong choice of his words and nobody was surprised when Elvis landed a punch across his friend’s jaw, making him stumble backwards a little. Elvis wanted to go in for more, but was held back by his father who grabbed onto his arms.

“Get out of my house or I swear I’ll fuckin’ kill you,”

Red grabbed onto his jaw, moving it side to side as he fixed his jacket and ran up the stairs to pack up his things and do as he was told.

Elvis’ appetite was completely gone and he left the dining room without a word, locking himself in his bedroom. Once more, he picked up the phone and dialed your number.

He knew you’d never cheat on him. You were as loyal as a dog, but Red put the thought in his head now and he couldn’t forget about it.

You loved him, you would never do anything to hurt him. You would never dare break his heart – not you, never you.

But then why didn’t you pick up?

 

Red left Germany whether he wanted to or not, but Elvis couldn’t forget about what happened. You still weren’t picking up and while he knew it was Christmas Eve and you were probably busy like you had said, he couldn’t sit around and pretend to spread Christmas joy among his friends and family.

“You’ll get in so much trouble when they find out you’re gone,” Charlie who had come over from his base in Butzbach for the holidays whispered, leaning his arm against the open car door. Elvis chuckled softly, adrenaline thick in his veins as he fastened his seatbelt.

He knew Charlie was right – it was nearing midnight and everyone inside were still in the middle of celebration. Elvis took his chance as he gradually saw his friends getting more and more intoxicated and when his father went upstairs to go to bed. Nobody but Charlie knew about the packed bag he had in his trunk and where he was going.

“Not if you won’t tell them,”

“I won’t, you know that, but you might not get your last leave in February,” Charlie reminded him, stepping away from the vehicle as Elvis closed the door. He rolled the window down and smiled at his nervous friend.

It wasn’t like he was running away from the army. After Christmas, he would be back and doing what was expected of him, but right now he just needed to get away from… here.

From this house and the people inside of it, from the screaming fans outside the gates every single day.

He loved the attention and support, he really did, but he needed to see you. He needed to see what was going on and if you had met someone else, he wanted to suckerpunch that asshole in the face.

He didn’t care about February right now, he just wanted to get through December and he wanted to do so with you by his side.

“You got the address, right?” Charlie asked as Elvis started the engine, nodding his head.

Charlie knew that anything he would say wouldn’t matter, because he couldn’t change Elvis’ mind. He was very aware of how strong his friend’s feelings were for you. While he had only met you a few times because he was stationed in another city, he felt like he had known you for years already because Elvis spoke so much and so fondly of you.

“If they ask you where I went, you don’t know anything. Got it?”

Charlie nodded his head, sighing deeply as he took a step away from the car and watched Elvis drive further and further away from the house, rounding the corner and disappearing out of sight completely.

 

The four hour drive to Amsterdam felt like forty instead because he was high on adrenaline and emotions but thanks to it being in the dead of the night, the city was nearly deserted of cars. He found your address with ease, parking his car in front of the building as he looked up out of the window. There were no lights on in any of the apartments, which meant you’d be either asleep or not home at all.

Taking the risk to wake you out of your slumber, he got out of his car and grabbed his bag, ringing the doorbell like a maniac after he walked up to the building.

You were sound asleep, sleep that you very much needed because you had been working your ass off these past few days just so you could have Christmas off and drive to Germany tomorrow to surprise Elvis.

Ofcourse you weren’t going to miss spending the holidays with your boyfriend, but you wanted it to be a surprise. Dodger and Vernon were the only ones who were in on the whole plan and you really thought you could pull this off.

You didn’t even think about Elvis showing up at your doorstep at 4 in the morning.

With your heart beating frantically, you stumbled out of your bed and to the front door, pressing the button to speak through the intercom.

“It’s me,” he immediately said as he heard your voice coming through.

You quickly buzzed him in, not wanting to keep him out there in the cold and wanting to know what the hell he was doing here.

Unlocking and opening your front door, you peeked your head outside and gasped as you saw him stepping out of the elevator and making his way to you.

“Elvis, what are you doing here?” you questioned in a whisper, pulling him inside your apartment before closing the door behind you.

He dropped his bag to the floor and grabbed your hand, pulling you into his chest as he wrapped his arms around you. Nuzzling his face in your neck, he rubbed your back through the material of your nightie. But as his shoulders jolted and he let out a sob against your skin, you frowned and immediately wrapped your arms around him.

He was an idiot. For coming here with the fear that he would catch you in the act with another guy. But it wasn’t the only reason why he was crying – it was the fight with Red, the loss of his mother, having to leave you behind again soon.

He was tired and he was scared, not knowing what his life will be like once he’d go back home.

People around him were trying to make him forget about you. Red, The Colonel…

He wanted to continue his career, ofcourse he did, but would it be worth anything if you wouldn’t be there?

“Hey, come here,” you cooed, walking him over to your couch. “Do you want to talk about it?”

You knew Elvis wasn’t the type to let out his emotions a lot and you also knew that pushing him to talk wouldn’t get you anywhere. The two of you were similar and you respected his boundaries just as much as he respected yours. But his chest was so tight that it was difficult to breathe and for once, he didn’t feel ashamed to cry.

For once, he wanted to let it all out.

And you let him.

You let him talk about his mother and about his fight with Red. About the worries he had about his career and the fact that his manager didn’t like him ‘fooling’ around with his ex-girlfriend. Elvis had no idea why he was so adamant, but The Colonel would get heated every time they spoke about it.

“I thought you were cheating on me,” he blurted out as he had cried most of his tears, his eyes red and puffy as he looked at you from his spot on the couch. You had turned on some lights in your home, making tea in the small open spaced kitchen.

“So much for trust,” you grinned at him, knowing that Red put the idea in his head because he just told you all about it. Elvis laughed softly, sniffing as he got up and walked into the kitchen. Putting his chin on your shoulder as he stood behind you, he kissed your cheek.

“I know you would never do that to me. I feel like an idiot for letting Red get in my head,”

“Red is the idiot here and you did good by sending him home,” you told him, not holding back anymore with your dislike toward his friend. You slowly turned around as you handed him a steaming mug, which he thanked you for by planting a soft kiss on your lips. “And you thought right – I’d never do that to you, Elvis. I love you,”

He smiled at your words. When he said it back this time, there was no bitterness on his tongue.

“Now, how much trouble will you be in when you get back?” you grinned at him, blowing into your tea.

He laughed softly, slipping one arm around your waist to hold you firmly against him. “A lot, but right now that doesn’t matter because all I want is to be here with you,”

You smiled as he put his mug on the counter, stealing yours to put it behind you as well. He wound his other arm around your waist, folding his hands together at the small of your back as he looked around at your apartment.

“Why don’t you have a tree?” he questioned as he noticed the lack of Christmas decorations, raising an eyebrow at you. You laughed and wrapped your arms around his neck.

“Because I wasn’t supposed to be here for Christmas, but someone ruined his surprise,”

“You should’ve known you can never fool me,” he grinned. If he wouldn’t be standing in your kitchen right now, he would feel more guilty about ruining your plan, but for him it worked out better in the end.

Last Christmas was fun, but the only alone time he’d have with you was when you’d be locked away with him in his bedroom. He was looking forward to this Christmas way more than he had last time – this time, it was going to be just you and him.

No one around to bother them, no need to be quiet.

This Christmas, he could love you without having to be quiet or nervous that someone would barge into the room without knocking.

“Let’s get a tree,” he said, letting go of you to walk back in the living area, pointing at an empty spot next to the TV. “One that fits right here,”

You picked up your mug, smiling lovingly at your boyfriend as he was standing there in your living room. A place you never dared picture him in.

But it made your heart skip a beat. It was a sight you never wanted to forget because it felt so normal.

Standing there with a small twinkle in his eyes, looking around your apartment as he was already imagining what the place would look like with decorations. You could see that the small breakdown he just had in your arms had lifted a weight off his shoulders and you wanted to keep him like this.

You wanted to keep him here, away from prying eyes that only looked his way because of the face he was blessed with. Away from the cruel, cold world.

“Fine by me,” you smiled, sending a wink his way. He laughed as he walked back over to you, attacking your face with kisses.

“Merry Christmas, baby,”

You smiled, grabbing his face to kiss him with a soft laugh. Both of you had forgotten about your tea once more, letting the drinks turn cold as you pulled him in your bedroom.

 

The next day, it seemed like you and Elvis weren’t the only ones doing last minute Christmas shopping. The stores and streets were busier than you expected, but you still made sure Elvis looked somewhat unrecognizable.

He wasn’t too happy about the sunglasses you made him wear in the middle of winter while the ground was covered with snow, but he could deal with the weird looks he got. Although, that wasn’t the reason why he was getting stares.

It was the headscarf you neatly tied around his head. Yup, definitely the scarf.

“I look like a fool,” he gritted through his teeth as you were paying for the tree, laughing at his misery.

“Well I’m sorry Elvis, I don’t feel like getting mobbed on the street,” you whispered back as you waved at the cashier, letting him haul the tree out of the store you bought it from. Every time you looked at him, you could see he was glaring at you from underneath the glasses and it only made you laugh harder.

Despite not being too fond of his disguise, he was fond of you and couldn’t help but laugh along. Still, he made sure to be quick as he dragged the tree to your apartment which was, thank God, a short walk from the stores.

Elvis got what he wanted as he placed the tree in the spot he discovered last night. He threw the glasses on the couch, tearing the scarf from his head and taking off his coat which he discarded on the couch as well. As if on automatic pilot, you picked up after him and hung both your coats by the front door, chuckling as he looked at you expectantly.

“The decorations are in my closet, somewhere on the top shelf,”

He nodded excitedly, kicking his shoes off as he wandered in your room. Because he felt so comfortable around you, he felt comfortable in your home as well, moving around the place as if he had been living here for as long as you had. As if he lived here in general.

The few days he had left here with you, he liked to pretend he did.

He opened the double doors of your closet, reaching for the first pair of stacked boxes. As he lowered them, they slipped out of his grip and tumbled onto the floor, the sound muffled by the carpet in your bedroom.

Sighing softly, he got through his knees and picked up the pair of heels that belonged to one of the boxes, placing them back in it before closing the lid. He shoved it aside and picked up the other box that was laying upside down, spilling the contents of it on the floor as he lifted it up.

He didn’t want to snoop through your things, but something in his brain was telling him to pick up the pictures scattered in front of him and look at them. He lacked self control, his curiosity getting the best of him as he grasped one of them up from the floor and turned it around to look at it.

Three people were in it, two that he recognized.

Your father Joseph and… his manager.

The Colonel.

His heartbeat picked up, thumping in his ears as he dropped the photo to the floor. He reached out for the others, looking through every single one of them and there it was.

The truth, laying in the palm of his hand.

You must’ve been about five or six in the picture, the surroundings indicating that this picture was taken in a zoo or park. He realised it didn’t matter, his fingers clenching around the photo as he looked at the face of the man who’s arm you were sitting on, your tiny head laying on his shoulder.

Not tainted by stress or worries, Elvis recognized the man’s face nonetheless. It was the same man he had been working with for the past few years, the man that promised him the world, the man he talked to over the phone every single day these last two years.

Unless Tom Parker had a twin, which Elvis very highly doubted, there was no question that this was actually him.

Before he had time to look at the newspaper cut outs and the envelope that were on the floor as well, you walked into the room to see what was taking him so long.

You noticed the boxes with Christmas decorations sitting in their spot in your wardrobe, Elvis on his knees with those pictures in his hands. Pictures and other things that nobody was supposed to see.

“Y/N, what is this?” he questioned, his voice coming out in a mere whisper as he looked up at you.

He didn’t stop you as you grasped the picture out of his hand and got on the floor to collect the things up from the floor, shoving them back in the box.

“It’s nothing, just old family pictures. Were you looking through my stuff?”

“N-No, I wasn’t.. I thought it were the decorations, they fell and I-“

“Well, they aren’t and I really don’t appreciate you looking through things that are private, Elvis,”

He didn’t like the way you spoke his name in this moment. As if he was a stranger, intruding in your home, in your life.

And he didn’t like the tension that lingered around you like a storm cloud, shaky hands picking up the envelope from the carpet to shove it to the bottom of the box.

As you picked up a few pictures, he stole one out of your hands with The Colonel in it. You looked at him, frowning as you tried to take it back but he pulled his arm backwards.

“What are you doing with these pictures of The Colonel? And why are you in them as well?”

Confusion washed over your face as you dropped some pictures in the box, the way he was looking at you making you nervous.

“The Colonel? El, that’s my uncle,”

As those words left your mouth, he froze. He thought back about the pictures Adam and Hanna showed him, of you sitting on Santa’s lap. He had now figured out why those eyes had looked so familiar to him and for a second, he didn’t know what to do with all of this information.

This must be the reason why his manager was so firm with him when it came to you. This must be the reason why Parker wanted him to break things off with you so badly.

Elvis sat there as he stared at you, lowering his arm as the picture fluttered to the floor.

“Y-Your uncle?” he stuttered, sitting with his back against the end of your bed now. You slowly reached forward to take the picture away from him, putting it in the box.

“Yes, my uncle. Andreas,” you nodded, looking down at the smiling faces of your family looking back at you. If only you could build a time machine and go back in time. If only things would’ve gone differently.

If only your uncle hadn’t made such a big mistake, if he even made one.

“His name is Tom,” Elvis looked at you, pulling his knees up to lean his arms on them. You shoved the box away from you and crawled closer to Elvis, sitting back as you looked at him.

“Tom Parker. He’s my.. he’s my manager, baby,”

“His name is Andreas van Kuijk,” you told him and Elvis realised you were telling the truth. Not only because he was aware of you having that same name, but he had just seen the pictures with his own two eyes.

You were trying to stay calm. Ofcourse Elvis told you about his manager before but he had never showed you any pictures or whatsoever, you had only heard stories about a man with a name that didn’t match that of your uncle’s. If what he was telling you was true, that would mean you were one step closer to coming in contact with your uncle.

You found your uncle.

“What is going on, Y/N? I don’t.. I don’t understand. Parker is from the States, just like I am. He served, for crying out loud,”

You sighed as you ran your hands through your hair. You had no idea how Andreas managed to build a live for himself in a different country, but you couldn’t tell him everything.

You couldn’t tell him that his manager was a possible murderer. It was something you did not want to believe yourself.

“There’s not much I can tell you,” you moved over to sit next to him, leaning your back against your bed as you stretched your legs in front of you. “Our family was always close. He never missed a birthday or holiday until one day he… he was just gone. Didn’t leave a note, didn’t call..”

While you were partly lying to Elvis right now, there was truth to your words as well. In your experience, Andreas up and left without a single word. He never called your father or aunt and he kind of just… disappeared.

Your family gave up on looking for him after a while, realising he was not coming back. At least, your father did. He never spoke about his brother anymore and would change the subject whenever you asked about him, because you’d ask questions that your father didn’t have the answers to.

That is what you had always thought. But now you were starting to think that perhaps your father did know the real reason for Andreas fleeing the country. Maybe you weren’t the only person who knew of the existence of the letter.

“I want to talk to him, Elvis,”

He turned his head to look at you, slowly wrapping an arm around your shoulder to push you into his side. He nodded as he kissed the top of your head before gently leaning his chin on it, his arm rubbing your upper arm soothingly.

Hell, Elvis wanted to talk to the man himself as well. Needed to talk to him. He had a million questions right now, ones that he didn’t know if he would get an answer to but he was going to ask them during his next phone call nonetheless.

He didn’t know how The Colonel would respond when he’d drop this news into his lap like a bomb, but he couldn’t keep quiet about this. It was too big, too serious, to be shoved under the rug.

Not only for himself, but for you. If the man had a good story for why he was living in another country under a false name, then perhaps Elvis could forgive and forget, but he wouldn’t forgive himself if he wouldn’t help you reunite with your family.

“Come with me,” he said, pulling his head back in his neck as he looked down at you. “In March, come with me. We’ll fly out together and you can talk to him.. face to face,”

You looked up at him, quickly wiping a tear that rolled down your cheek away. He smiled softly at you, pressing his forehead against yours.

“But my job and my house…”

“I can try and talk to your boss. You can keep your apartment, I’ll pay the rent every month so you can go back any time you’d like,”

Obviously, he hoped you wouldn’t want to go back at all once you’d set foot in Graceland but he couldn’t exactly force you to stay if you did not want to.

You knew this could either turn out to be a very bad idea, or a very good one. You could lose your job, having to start all over again in an industry that had the tendency to be ruthless. But this was Elvis that was asking you this, giving you the chance to meet your uncle again after so many years.

You missed Andreas and you had so many things to ask him. And the thought of being away from Elvis for God knows how long after you spend almost every weekend with him for the past two years had your heart clenching uncomfortably in your chest.

To find the answers you were looking for, you had to leave your life in The Netherlands behind and follow your boyfriend back to America.

“Okay,” you nodded, closing your eyes as he cupped your face. “I’ll go with you,”

This wasn’t the Christmas neither you or Elvis hoped it would be, but it sure was going to be one that would shape your entire future.

Not only the one that you hoped Elvis would be in, but the future of your family as well. The only thing you could do was hope it would be for the best.

 

Not wanting to let this Christmas go to a total waste, Elvis and you had decided to decorate the tree and celebrate the holiday like you usually would. You both loved Christmas and now that you had the chance to spend it with him alone, you weren’t going to take the time for granted.

“What is he like?” you asked him as you hung an ornament in the tree, the branches hiding your face from his view as he stood on the other side.

You felt awkward asking it.

He felt guilty answering it.

“A hard working man,” Elvis spread out some red sparkly garlands through the tree, stepping closer to you so the decoration would be placed evenly. “Like any Dutch person that I know,” his eyes met yours, small playful grin on his face. “he looks and acts tough, but I believe he has a small heart. Our personalities clash at times but I know he only wants best for me. I owe him a lot,”

You smiled softly, picking up another glass ball to hang it in the tree. “He does have a small heart. He used to buy me everything my father didn’t, spoiling me. Sometimes too much,” your smile widened at the memory, hoping you could swallow down the lump that was thickening in your throat. “He loved the holidays. He embodied the role of Santa every single year, wouldn’t take off the costume until my mother complained his fake beard was hanging in the food during dinner,”

Elvis laughed softly, thinking back about the picture’s he had seen of you and your uncle dressed as Santa. His manager was still very fond of the holidays and of the role of the man who spread cheer and gave out gifts.

Elvis always figured he just liked having the ladies sit on his lap.

“He still does,” your boyfriend told you. “But the girls on his lap are our size now,”

You laughed, but Elvis didn’t miss the way the melody of the sound he loved so much strained, tears stinging in your eyes. He immediately reached out to you, engulfing you in his embrace as he rubbed your back to comfort you.

“What if he doesn’t wanna see me?”

Elvis was conflicted for a second, not knowing what to say. He was sure The Colonel knew that you spend three years of your life living in Memphis, around the same time Elvis started working with him. Elvis had gushed about you plenty to his friends and everyone around him back then and although The Colonel hadn’t seen you face to face back then, Elvis was now positive that the man knew exactly who you were this whole time.

He had no idea what the reaction of his manager would be once you’d show up at his door, but he couldn’t think of a good reason for him not wanting to see you.

“Ofcourse he does,” he assured, placing his hands on your shoulders to create some distance so he could look at you. His hands moved to your face, thumbs repeatedly caressing your tears away. “He is your family, baby. I don’t know what his reason for leaving was, but you two are connected through blood. Whatever happened, I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you,”

Elvis’ words did calm you down a little, but you couldn’t help but overthink the whole thing. The thought of facing your uncle for the first time in years had nerves swimming in the pit of your stomach.

“I don’t want to do it alone. Seeing him again, I mean. I need you there,”

He smiled, nodding as he kissed your forehead before pulling you back into his chest, swaying you side to side.

“I will be there every step of the way,” another kiss was planted on the top of your head, a soft smile spreading across his face. “Now let’s put this little angel on top of the tree, get changed and cook dinner like the old married couple we’ll be someday,”

You laughed softly at his words, pulling back as you nodded and wiped some tears away with the sleeves of your sweater. He pecked your lips with a smile before taking the Christmas angel out of the box and handing it to you.

“Let’s do it together,” you smiled, grabbing his hand to put it on top of yours. You stood on your toes, reaching the top of the tree to put the ornament on it.

The tree wasn’t big or fancy since there weren’t much options left this last minute, but the fact that you and Elvis had decorated it together made it so much more special.

You’d pick this tree over any other overly decorated tree, no doubt about it.

 

Elvis had packed a suit in his hurry of sneaking out with the plan to come and see you. He wanted this Christmas to be special and despite the shocking news, he was still going to make sure it would be enjoyable.

He was already starting on dinner, sipping on the cheap store bought wine you got today and dancing around the kitchen to Frank Sinatra’s Christmas record while making sure he wouldn’t burn anything.

He had accompanied Dodger in the kitchen enough times to somewhat know what he was doing.

Despite the music filling up your small apartment, his ears still perked when your bedroom door opened and you stepped into the living room.

He had to do a double take, the wine glass nearly slipping from his fingertips as he halted the swaying of his body. He had seen you in a dress before, but never a dress like this.

“I think we should skip dinner,” he breathed out, letting his eyes wander down your curves which were more visible than usual because of the tight fitted piece of clothing.

The deep bordeaux color and the velvet material made him fantasize about how it’d feel underneath his fingertips, but it was the off shoulder style that showed off your skin that made him want to sink his teeth into your soft flesh. A gold butterfly pin rested just atop your left breast, a pair of black heels making your legs that were hidden underneath black tights seem like they would go on for miles.

Oh, he was losing his mind.

“Shut up,” you giggled as you walked into the kitchen, kissing his lips before stealing his drink out of his hand and taking a sip of it.

“If this is how you’ll grow old, I can’t wait,” he grinned as he slipped one arm around your waist, pressing his digits against the fabric of the dress.

It was as soft as he imagined it to be.

Taking the wine glass out of your hand, he put it on the counter and pressed his palm against yours, lacing your fingers together.

“You don’t look too bad yourself, runaway,”

He laughed at your words, giving you a playful roll of his eyes as he flattened his hand against the small of your back, pressing you against his chest.

“Any fool can look good in a suit,” he grinned, slowly swaying you out of the small space of your kitchen and into the living room. “But not everyone can pull off a dress like this,” his fingertips pressed a little firmer against your back and despite the thick material of your dress, it felt as if his hand was burning on your skin.

“I designed it myself,”

He smiled fondly at the proud grin on your face and leaned in closer to kiss it, nuzzling the tip of his nose against yours.

“My talented girl,”

You gave him a cocky wink, laughing as you played with the hair in his neck, not caring much about the products in his locks.

How could you care? How could you care about anything when your boyfriend was swaying you gently to the melodies of Frank’s White Christmas?

When he started singing along in a soft whisper, you had to hold onto him a little tighter because you’d be lying if you’d say it didn’t make your knees buckle.

The two of you were getting so lost in the moment that you hadn’t noticed the sizzling of meat getting more frantic and louder, until smoke started clouding above the stove. You gasped as you let go of Elvis, but he was faster and ran into the kitchen, taking the pan of the stove before turning it off.

The both of you looked at the now black steaks in the pan, his shoulders dropped, a grin settled on your face.

“I know you like ‘em well done, but I’m pretty sure this causes cancer,” he looked at you, pouting as you were falling into a fit of laughter at his failed accomplishment.

“Stop laughing, baby, I wanted this to be perfect,” he put the pan in the sink, sighing deeply as he leaned against the counter.

“Food doesn’t make this Christmas perfect, Elvis,” you smiled at him as you stepped closer, winding your arms around his neck. He didn’t hesitate to put his hands on your hips, looking at you with that pout still lingering on his face. “You are the one who makes it special. And… a lot of wine,”

He watched as you reached for the glass behind him, taking a big sip from the drink that was as red as your dress. His pout disappeared, turning into a broad smile.

“We still have mashed potatoes and green beans,” he raised his glass he took from the counter, the smile on his face replaced with a teasing grin. “And you as my dessert,”

He clinked the rim of his glass against yours, laughing as he saw the look on your face while taking a sip from the wine.

He was pretty sure he’d suffer from a terrible headache in the morning, but right now he didn’t care about anything else than being here with you and making you smile.

He succeeded in it, because your cheeks were aching. The worry of your uncle’s reaction upon seeing you again was pushed to the back of your mind, as well as the possibility of losing your job.

“What a marvelous idea,” you hummed, putting your glass down. “But then I want you as my appetizer,”

He quickly downed the rest of his drink, discarding his glass on the counter once more as he watched you bend through your knees in front of him. He’d be a fool to stop you and he most certainly didn’t as your hands moved quick when they flicked open the button of his slacks, tugging the material down his hips.

“It’s in the middle of winter, Elvis,” you joked at him when you noticed the lack of underwear, making him laugh as he looked down at you and shrugged.

“We’re inside, ain’t we?”

You giggled softly and returned your attention back to the semi hard-on of your boyfriend that was right in front of your face, wrapping your hand around it – with a gentle flick of your wrist, you pulled his foreskin back to expose the sensitive glans.

He quickly unbottoned his blazer and moved it aside so you’d have no interruptions and placed his hands on the edge of the counter, watching you collecting spit on your tongue before drizzling it on his cock.

The sight itself made him moan softly, lips parted as he grew in your hand when you softened the handjob you were giving him with your spit.

You were teasing him now, he knew it. You already got him to the point of being painfully hard but your mouth was nowhere near where he wanted it to be – instead your hand quickened its pace, thumb swirling around his tip and his hips were automatically following. The faster you went, the faster he rutted himself in your fist and as you squeezed his balls with his other hand, he let out a strangled moan, his head rolling into the back of his neck.

“Y/N.. baby.. s’good, so good,” his accent was thickening, his words coming out as a mumble as his eyes fluttered shut.

You took him by surprise by suddenly swirling your tongue around his tip and taking him completely into the warmth of your mouth. Now he was not foreign to the feeling, but it made him gasp as one of his hands flew to his dress shirt, crumbling it up in his hand.

At that exact moment, Frank Sinatra’s voice was replaced by his own – the multi-record stereo system your father gifted you a month ago having the function to play record after record, if there were any in, at least.

Elvis loved any type of sexual activity with music playing in the background, but he had never done anything with his own voice singing in the background nor was he planning on it.

But the fact that you, his precious girlfriend, owned his records and listened to them made his ego grow. And the fact that you currently were unable to speak because your mouth was full of him, made him be nearly consumed by that big ego that usually wouldn’t make such a prominent appearance.

God, he loved it. He loved every second of it.

You grinned up at him as you squeezed his balls a little firmer, bobbing your head to the rhythm of the first song and he couldn’t stop himself bucking his hips forward, trying with everything in his bones not to grab your face and fuck himself into your mouth to the rhythm of the music.

“You p-planned t-this.. didn’t you?” your movements slowed down as the second song started playing, a slower one. It was the same one he had danced with you to just minutes ago, but now the position was so much more sinful, and so much more exciting.

You fluttered your eyelashes at him as innocently as you could, shrugging once before taking him deeper into your mouth, running your nails up his bare thighs. He couldn’t speak another word even if he wanted to, a desperate moan escaping him as he shivered. You were aware his thighs were one of his most sensitive spots and his legs were shaking as you repeated the action over and over again while sucking him off sloppily, but determinedly.

Determined to get him to paint your tongue white and with the way your nails were tickling his skin, it didn’t take him very long to get there.

“Oh shit, oh shit, fuckfuckfuck,” his eyes were squeezed shut now, jaw nearly locking in place with how tight he was clenching it as he breathed harshly through his teeth.

His muscles in his lower abdomen tightened viciously, a low grunt escaping him as he squeezed the fabric of his shirt that was still bawled into his fist harshly, his other hand holding onto the counter for dear life.

You didn’t stop nor did you slow down your movements, your hand assisting your mouth until you felt warm spurts of his cum land on your tongue and at the back of your throat. You pulled off of him, not hesitating to swallow what he gave you and he shivered as one of your hands was still caressing his thigh as you showed him your tongue.

“You’re so evil,” he spoke softly, his voice sounding raspy and deep. He didn’t mean a word of it.

“You lasted 4 songs,” you grinned at him as you wiped the corner of your mouth when Blue Christmas started playing, rising back to your feet. “Pretty good,”

The songs were less than two minutes long. It wasn’t good at all – he could do better. That’s what he wanted to tell you, but he was unable to as you kissed him.

He allowed it, the taste of himself on your tongue making him eager to return the favor.

You grinned against his lips, pulling back as you felt his hands trying to creep their way underneath your dress. Grabbing onto his wrists to stop him, you took a step away to create distance.

“Uh-uh, I’m not the main course, baby,”

Slightly flabbergasted, he watched you pick up the dishes, leaving him behind in the kitchen with his pants still pooling around his ankles, and sit down at the table he set earlier.

He was wrong – he did mean it.

You were pure and pure evil.

[justcallmecj]

First Devildom Dream Hop

MASTERLIST ~~ PREVIOUS ~~ NEXT

       By far the best bedroom I could ever think of, and that means something because I've seen a lot of awesome looking bedrooms in my time.

        When Levi was done explaining his plan to me, a plan I refuse to think about right now, he was kind enough to leave his room and (while looking over his shoulder every 5 seconds) lead me to my room. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this.

        When I came through the door, I immediately noticed the tree sprouting from the middle of the room. Before even beginning to take in the rest of the room I ran up to the tree and put a hand on the rough bark. It was definitely living, not just some fake tree they modeled into the floor. Hanging from the branches and leafs were tiny little lanterns of varying styles and up hanging from a twisting vine that ran down were platforms that held candles.

        The stone walls were covered top to bottom in growing vines and leafs, setting a fantasy like setting to the room, something I actually quite love. I took a moment to sit on the edge of the bed to test it out and it's one of the most comfy beds I've ever felt. That mixed with the giant, fluffy pillows just tells me I'm going to have some great Dream Hopping experiences.

        Standing from the bed, I walk around the tree, finding a seating area with a decent sized table, multiple chairs, cabinets, a dresser, and some older looking art on the walls. In the dresser is all my clothing from my house and the shelves and cabinets hold my other belongings. Thankfully I live alone, or all my stuff going missing would make anyone I live with panic.

        Behind a door in the back was a bathroom just for me. After taking a shower and getting dressed into comfortable sleeping clothes, I made my way back to the bed and snuggled with the nearest pillows, wrapping the blanket around me tight. Staring at the ceiling, I finally noticed how the room had a slight tinge of purple to it. Glancing at the window, I could just barely make out the slight purple color that turned the moonlight into a purple beam. Such a calming color, perfect right before Dream Hopping.

        I felt as exhaustion pulled at my eyelids, tempting me to fall asleep. Soon, I felt the door that led to my Gate Realm. With no hesitation, I let sleep take over and close my eyes, reaching for the door and opening it.

        The door opened with no sound. I walked through and took in the familiar sight of my Gate Realm. In no time at all, my eyes adjust to the lighting of the realm. The white vastness that fades into a lilac ombre brings me comfort, finally, I'm somewhere I know. Slowly, the Gates start to appear.

        Mirror sized windows pop up around me, but none are close enough for me to see the scenes playing within. So, this will be new. I've never seen the dreams of so many demons. Lets check a few and see what happens. After deciding, I walk towards the closest Gate to where I stood. Looking in, I caught sight of a winged demon flying through a heavily wooded forest. His face was filled with pure excitement and carefree thoughts. Seeing it brought a smile to my face. I stepped away from the Gate, not feeling the need to interfere with the Dreamer.

        I decided to check out a few more Gates. Eventually, I'll find the ones belonging to the brothers and Diaviolo, and hopefully, the mystery Daydreamer. That was the plan, until I stumbled over when something pulled at my wrist.

        I whipped around after righting myself, but there was nothing there. No person or creature that could have pulled at me. But, when I payed attention again, I felt something wrapped around my wrist. Upon inspection, there was no string or anything there, but the feeling of something being tugged at pulled me forward again.

        This is the first time this has happened. Nothing has ever been able to enter my Gate Realm without me bringing it here myself, and I've only ever done that with Zir. I looked back at all the Gates. Nothing seemed to be wrong or out of the ordinary, nothing looking unstable either. But, if somethings here, I need to handle it now, before something happens. The invisible force tugged again. I'll just let it do what it wants. I'll find the source eventually if I follow it.

        So, I let the force pull. Now that I put up no resistance, the tugging was gentler, like it was just pulling in a wayward string. I walked with it for a while, passing by many Gates along the way. At some point, the amount of Gates decreased until they were gone as I continued walking. That in itself was strange. The Gate Realm was endless, one could walk for hours in any direction and not meet an end of the Gates, each belonging to a different Dreamer.

        I was lost on thought until ramming into a wall I never saw, knocking me back to reality. I tapped the air in front of me where I just ran my face into. My finger hit a wall of some kind, one I couldn't see but couldn't pass through. The tug on my wrist yanked me forward again, forcing my right arm through the wall. I yelped when one final tug pulled the rest of me through.

        I tumbled forward with nothing to stop my fall on the other side. I hit the floor face first unfortunately. When I manage to somewhat get myself together again, I stand up and realized I'm no longer in my Gate Realm.

        Instead, I find myself in a open space with a black surrounding with faint signs of purples and blues mixed in, kinda like a galaxy, and white doors throughout. Each of the doors had bright, shining blue strings wrapped around the handles. Now looking back at my wrist, I find one of those blue strings knotting around my hand, a little tangled from the fall. While I try and untangle the string from my hand, something catches my attention.

        "Ehem" someone from behind me fake coughed. Holy shit!! I whip around and stumble back, not knowing if I was ready to fight or run away from whoever it was. When I finally see the person, I realize it's a demon. The first thing I take in is the tail behind him that thrashed around. The curious part was that the tail, which was black, split into two at the end and faded into a bright teal color.

        He wore a nice black and gray undershirt with a black tailcoat that had gold buttons along the inside edges, a singular gold chain bringing to the two sides together at the bottom. The tailcoat flared out to a longer length that had a teal underside. His sleeves, which reached down to his white gloves, puffed with ruffles that also faded into that persistent teal color. Going further up, the neck of his clothes reach his chin and had a section that was ruffles that matched the sleeves.

        His dark green hair, which had an oddly longer bang on the side that was also teal and looked to be glowing in the darkness of the room, didn't cover the confusion and irritation in his slightly lighter green eyes. The horns on the sides of his head looked like the skeleton of a pair of wings, and they moved just enough for me to see them flinch when we met eyes.

        In his hands was what I assume was the other end of the blue string wrapped around my hand. So he was the one pulling on me. Guess that solves a few things, but it only raises more questions. I stand tall, trying to make it look like I wasn't thinking of thousands of things at once in the current moment.

        "Um, hi? I'm Y/N! Nice to meet you." Just be chill about this. Don't anger him until you know where you are and how to get back to the Gate Realm. I hold my hand out for him to shake. He hesitates, like he's just as confused as I am. But, within the blink of an eye, he makes his face go blank with only a clearly feigned politeness in his smile.

        "Yes, I know who you are." he says as his own hand reaches out and grips onto mine. His hold is gentle, but firm. We shake once and quickly let go. "I am Barbatos, butler to Lord Diavolo." Oh. I didn't meet him earlier when I first arrived. But where am I now? Did I somehow stumble into a Gate I couldn't see? I managed to catch it as Barbatos' eyes darkened.

        "Now, would you mind explaining how you got here?" he asked. Barbatos' hands tightened ever so slightly on the string held in his hands. I followed the string and found where it met a certain point in the black space around us. The blue glow of the string stopped along with the string, like it turned invisible at some point as it hit a wall, one I couldn't see. Is that where I came from? Where is this place, and why is it so close to my Gate realm?

        Another fake cough snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Barbatos staring at me expectantly. Did he ask me something? I can't remember. I felt the quite irritation from him increase slightly when I did nothing but stare at him.

        I rubbed the back of my neck, laughing nervously. "I'm sorry. Do you mind repeating for me? I accidentally spaced out." Barbatos kept the polite airiness to him but I managed to hear the quiet huff he made.

        "Yes. Would you mind explaining how you got here?" he repeated. I went silent. Honestly, I had no clue how I got here. I mean, I don't even know where "here" is!! Deciding that it would really be best to be truthful considering Barbatos is the one in control here, I did just that.

        "Well, I don't know. I don't even know where I am right now. Can you tell me what this place is?" I asked. Suddenly, I got a lot more comfortable. I spun around a bit to look at the doors and strings, trying to see what they led to and on what's on the other side. Unfortunately, the doors where blank white and showed nothing. Sorta like Dream Gates from a distance.

        Turning back to Barbatos, he looked like he was contemplating something. I felt the uncertainty roll off his body. He's not used to others being here, and it must be a secret to him and only him. Huh. I know the feeling.

        Finally, he sighed and looked me in the eyes. "This, Y/N, is a Time Space. I am a demon capable of seeing the past and future. These doors show possible future timelines." I turn to the nearest door. I wanted to open it, just to see what happens, but I felt Barbatos' eyes on me, watching my every move. I decided against it. Besides, the handle to the door was slightly transparent, like it wasn't tangible. I probably couldn't even if I wanted to.

        I bring my wondering attention back to Barbatos and the string he was still grasping. Following the line (I felt Barbatos do the same), I discovered that despite the fact that I had already been pulled through, more string still fed through to the other side of the invisible wall. As Barbatos walked towards it to further inspect it, I got the chance to think.

        Why would my Gate Realm and Barbatos' Time Space be so close to each other, enough to bring me through the barrier between the two? I thought back to what my mother taught me growing up, hoping that she had told me something that would answer my questions.

        I guess she did speak a lot about time in dreams being different from reality. Things may go quicker or slower than normal. But, is that enough to bring the Gate Realm and Time Space this close together? I guess it could be possible, if the Dream Hopper and Time Seer are strong enough.

        "-/N, can you hear me?" Barbatos' voice brought me back. I snapped my head towards him. He was standing by the invisible wall with the excess string wrapped around his hand. His tail swayed behind him, showing he was calm with only a slight bit of irritation. I walked over to him and took a bit of the string into my own hand.

        "Yeah, I heard you." I say with a smile pointed at him, he returns the gesture. I look back at the string. "Anyway, I came out of this...wall? If that's the case, then that's how I get back." Barbatos' horns jumped a bit at my words. Do they not have a lot of movement? Nope! Back on track, Y/N!!

        "Where exactly did you come from, Y/N? As far as I'm aware, you don't posses any magic, let alone the power to force your way into my Time Space." Barbatos' brows furrowed in thought, until I laughed that is.

        "Um, wasn't it you-" I jabbed a finger at him, "-who was pulling the string? So, really, it was you who forced me here." I stuck my tongue out at him. Was it the best choice to risk angering a demon? No. But, just on the other side of this wall, I could feel the Dream Gates waiting there, so I wasn't far from my Dream Realm.

        I had...maybe not the smartest thought come to mind, but my life is honestly full of dumb decisions, so whatever. "Well, Barbatos, would you like to come see where?" I smiled and held out a hand to him. Omg what are you doing? You've never had anyone in your Dream Realm, well, except for Zir, but still!!! Why are you inviting a demon you literally just met!!!!!

        Because I'm dumb, that's why.

        Barbatos looked hesitant, which is fair. He looked back at the string feeding through to the other side of the wall and, slowly, resolution settled onto his face and aura. Without looking away from the wall, he gently placed his hand in mine. Wow, this is oddly romantic, huh? STAY FOCUSED Y/N!!!

        So, taking this as permission, I harshly tugged him (payback for earlier with the string) and hoped my plan would work. Thankfully, when I rushed forward, I didn't face plant into a solid wall. Instead, I fell through, like it was an vertical facing pool of water, and Barbatos surprisingly let himself fall through as well.

        When we popped out the other side, I was met with the familiar sight of the vast, white expanse and the far off shapes of Dream Gates. I turned to look at Barbatos to see his reaction. He held his free hand over his eyes, trying to adjust from the dark Time Space to the bright Dream Realm. When he put his hand down I explained what was happening to him.

        "This, Barbatos, is my Dream Realm." Still not letting go of his hand (reaction from being here with Zir), I started making my way towards the Dream Gates in the distance. To my surprise, Barbatos made no effort to pull away or go in a different direction, he just followed right next to me. I felt the curiosity roll off of him. He wants to explore.

        So, while we stayed silent during the walk, I lead him closer to the Dream Gates. Finally, Barbatos spoke up. "You're not a normal human, are you, Y/N?" his words were clear, despite it being a question, it was more of a statement. I couldn't help but laugh.

        "Nope!" I answered with a pop to the 'p'. I looked at him, not faltering in my steps, and smiled again, but I didn't give him an answer. Instead, I continued with the walk and tried to hold back the chuckle when he sighed in frustration. Finally we reached a more dense cluster of Dream Gates. The Dream Gate to his left caught his eye. It showed a demon going on a romantic date with her partner.

        "If you don't mind me asking, what exactly are you? And, what are these...things around us?" His eyes flickered to another Dream Gate, this one showing the Dreamer lazying around in a tree until something in the distance spooked them and they fell out of their comfy napping spot.

        I turned to be able to face him, also watching the events going on in the dream. "Well, I'm a Dream Hopper." Barbatos pulled his eyes away from the dream and over to me. Even if I didn't look at him, I could see his face in my peripherals. He looked truly confused. Guess he's never heard of us.

        I decided to meet his eyes. I stopped for a moment to try and identify the emotions he was giving off. Confusion. Curiosity. Skepticism. All fair emotions to be having right now.

        "I'm still human, but I just have powers over dreams." I explained. He raised an eyebrow at me. Well, guess I'm gonna have to explain things now. [Sigh], here we go again. I spotted another Dream Gate further off, one with a familiar demon prince in it, and decided to drag Barbatos over to it.

        When we stopped in front of the Dream Gate, in which Barbatos ignored in favor of staring at me, I stopped him and started to explain Dream Hoppers to him. I explained that we are definitely human, just with a unique magic. We spend the time people are usually dreaming Dream Hopping through our own individual Dream Realms/Gate Realms and exploring.

        I offhandedly answered a few questions he flew at me, but most of my attention was on the Dream Gate right next to us. I watched as the man on the inside remembered little memories from his childhood, some were happy, some were sad. Some were of when he was young, some when he was a little older. I don't quite know what the dream looks like to him, but to me it looks like a montage of memories the main character has when the villain has them beat, right before their determination allows them to power up and beat the villain instead.

        I sensed when Barbatos figured out I was only have paying attention to him and followed my eyes to the Dream Gate. He froze when he saw the demon on the inside, specifically when a memory of said demon and Barbatos playing a game of tag when he was young. Barbatos watched the memory, and I felt as he fell into a state of nostalgia. It was sweet to think about, that Barbatos was reminiscing like a parent looking through an old photo album.

        I shuffled closer to him, which caused him to tense, and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

        "Wanna go in? Wanna see what dreams are like from the other side?" He tensed further, but then shifted into thinking. I made sure I used words that may interest him. Vague, but giving just enough to intrigue. After some time of thinking, Barbatos' hand finally left his chin and he faced me with a look in his eyes. There were no words said, but the answer was given.

        I grabbed Barbatos by the wrist, which he put up no resistance against, and tugged him through the Dream Gate. He yelped when a bright light flashed and he fell through.

        "So, what do you think, Barbatos?" I asked. My hands landed on my hips when I swung around to face the demon of time. I found him hunched over, out of breath and heaving to fill his lungs. Despite his current condition, he looked up at me and smiled, a smile with some genuine intent behind it.

        "It's...certainly different from what I'm used to." he admitted. It's been a while since we entered Diavolo's Dream Gate, and since, I've dragged Barbatos through about a dozen more. He finally caught his breath and stood straight. My attention was quickly brought to the gate we just exited. Inside was a women with pink and purple hair, in a cave surrounded my floating candles, watching all of them with a strange fascination. We didn't spend a lot of time in there.

        It was a whisper off in the distance that pulled at my attention. My head whipped around on instinct, leaving a slight pounding in my brain. That all to familiar itch returned, albeit different this time. The itch is usually when I sense a Dreamer when I'm awake. But, it usually disappears when I come to my Dream Realm. But this time, the itch returned, muffled and distant.

        I forced my eyes to sharpen, to be able to see farther into the crowd of Dream Gates. I distantly heard Barbatos call my name, but I ignored him. While scanning the Dream Gates, one very, very far off one caught my eyes. When I honed in on it, the itch got more violent, like I physically needed to scratch it lest it get worst. I think I may have actually put a hand to my head and scratched my scalp, but I may not have.

        Honestly, all thought left my brain. The only thing there was the whispered words of 'over here' and 'this way'. The voice, if it could even be called that, sounded like it was under water or behind a thick wooden door, I couldn't quite tell which. Whatever the conditions, it was being blocked behind something. And, while I could see the dreams of the neighboring gates, this one was fuzzy, unclear.

        Mindlessly, I grabbed Barbatos' hand again and intertwining our fingers. Then, I pulled him forward as I sped walked towards the strange gate.

        I don't know how long the walk actually was or how many times Barbatos tried to get my attention, but I just knew I had to get to that dream...to that Dreamer.

        Upon arrival, I found that the gate really was blurry and fuzzed out. I could see large splotches of color but no clear image. No sound came from the gate itself, like how some other dreams can leak sound into the Dream Realm if I try and listen. But, there was still that insistent voice ringing in my head, only now, it was louder. Barbatos' voice, which was already in the distance, was quickly flooded out as the voice kept repeating itself. 'In here'. 'Help'. I'm stuck'.

        My thoughts cleared just enough to try and think. Is it a nightmare? Why is the Gate blurry? Why can't I hear? What's going on in there? No probable answers came to mind. This has never happened before, I've never been not able to read a Dream Gate.

        My hand reached forward on it's own, trying to reach through the Dream Gate. When the tips of my fingers touched the surface of the liquid-like gate, a sharp, painful, terrifying zap jolted through my fingers into my hand and up my arm before it stopped right at the base of my neck.

        I yelped and frantically pulled my hand back where I cradled it against my chest. I lost my footing as the whispers in my head quieted down and the strange fog in my head which I didn't realized was there dissipated. Warm arms caught me and wrapped themselves around my back, stopping my inevitable fall. I looked up to see Barbatos' green eyes, filled with concern, staring back at me. He helped me straighten up again before taking my hand to examine it for injuries.

        "Are you hurt? What happened? Does your hand hurt." he flung question after question. My eyes went back to the offending Dream Gate but I answered. A head shake. A shrug. A head shake.

        Most of my attention was not on Barbatos and his questions, but on the fuzzy Dream Gate. Now the Gate was surrounded by sparkling, dark blue colored magic, powerful magic at that. I could literally feel the old, resounding power that the sparkles held. Upon further inspection, the sparkles created a barrier around the Dream Gate, blocking off anyone, whether they be from the outside...or inside.

        Barbatos tapped his fingers against my skull, pulling my attention back to him. His fretting had finally stopped, meaning now he just looked concerned, and like he was waiting for answers. Unfortunately, those are answers I don't know, questions I can't answer.

        Something about me, whether it be the hesitance in my stance, the confusion in my eyes or the incredulous expression on my face, it stopped Barbatos from asking me anything. Instead, resolution settled on his face and he gently took hold of my hand, the one that wasn't shocked by the magic, and started towing me back the way we came.

        I wasn't all there. Part of my mind was still staring at the sparkling blue magic around the Dream gate, another part was searching through countless memories of Dream Hopping and conversations with my mother, trying to find even the smallest explanation for what was going on, but it came up blank. The rest of my brain, a small part in full honesty, was walking along side Barbatos, past all the Dream Gates until the number of them around us became smaller and smaller. Back to the Time Space.

        Now that I'm paying a bit more attention, I can feel the tingles in my fingers. When that happens, it's time to start waking up. Time to go find the door back to the split second of actual sleep until I wake up for the day. I guess it is a good thing Barbatos decided it's time to cut things off. It may take me a while to find the door back to the Awoken Realm.

        When all of my brain decides to return to me, I found Barbatos and I coming up on the glowing blue string that we had apparently abandoned when we fell through the invisible wall. Speaking of which, the string was now tightly wrapped around a metal ring sticking out of the ground which wasn't there before. The string then led to where I assume the wall is, because it suddenly disappears at some point.

        I walked over and pulled at the string a little. It was pulled taunt and didn't budge an inch. Barbatos came and placed a soft hand on the string, following it all the way to the wall. He then turned to look at me, causing me to do the same.

        We shared a quite moment where we just smiled at each other. Barbatos seemed to have actually had a fun time tonight. I could tell when we first met that he's a guarded man, he keeps to himself and acts the role he was given when in front of anyone, which is a skill I can respect. But, I think practically forcing him to go on a bunch of strange adventures within the time span of a couple hours loosened him up a bit, let him bring down a few walls to see what's on the other side.

        "Well, I guess this is where we part, Barbatos." I said almost wistfully. I wanted to spend more time with him. Show him a few more things, you know? But, the tingling in my fingers is getting stronger and I need to go find the door.

        "I guess it is, Y/N. But, it was a lot of fun running around in the dreams. Thank you for inviting me." he finished with a slight bow, an action that embarrassed me a little. He placed the flat of his hand against the wall and it started melting around him, again like a pool of water.

        "If you ever want to go Dream Hooping with me again, just come through. I'll be able to tell if you enter. " He laughed a bit, which made me feel some sort of accomplishment. "But you may need to wait for me to find you." I added.

        He nodded silently and pushed his hand further into the wall until it was up to his shoulder. "I'll see you sometime soon, Y/N" he said. His tail swayed contently behind him and his horns flapped just a little bit more than they have this entire time.

        I waved him off and eventually, he was gone, returned back to his Time Space. I was left with a few minutes to myself after that.

        I hope I didn't throw off his sleep schedule. But, he is a demon, he may not need to sleep like humans do. Plus, he didn't look tired when he left.

        But the more pressing matter is that Dream Gate with the magic...I quickly decided not to tire myself with thinking, for my own sake. For now, I'll leave it as a matter for a different night. I felt a shockingly violent tingle travel from my fingers to my wrist. Fine, I'll start searching. I huffed a breath and went on my way.

        When I finally tracked down the door to Awoken Realm, a door that just loves to move around on it's own, I walked through and did what I could to forget the strange Dream Gate.

I hope you got a good picture for what Dream Hopping is like and how I'm gonna set up Y/N and Barbatos' relationship with each other. I just realized I never posted the last two chapters for this fic so I'm fixing that now. I will have one more chapter to post after this and then it's waiting for me to write the newest one.

[purposefully-lost]

The shelter was alive with noise. He heard it from the moment he opened the door; endless barks and howls accented by the sound of claws scratching against the kennel walls or scrabbling across a concrete floor. The receptionist was a bored middle-aged woman who hadn't paid him any mind as he passed through the lobby and pushed through the door that led to the dog kennels.

The volume of the noise immediately jumped in level. Alex grimaced, shoving his hands in his pockets as he started an uncomfortable walk down the aisle, passing by sweet old faces or whining puppies or sad-eyed things hiding in the back corners of their cells. If he'd been here just to adopt any old dog, he would've found it hard to choose, but he'd come here with one girl in mind. Part of him worried he wouldn't find her. This was the second shelter he'd tried and the only other in the area. Either Baby was here, or they'd gone through the trouble to take her even further out, or... he didn't want to imagine the other possibilities. He knew good and well that she could've gotten aggressive when the cops came to take her daddy away, and he wouldn't have been too shocked if someone told him she'd been euthanized for a bad bite or two. It still broke his heart, and he still tried to find her first. There was something like hope sparked in his chest when he heard a familiar baying from further down the line.

There was no guarantee it was her- but the moment he stepped into view, relief washed over him. Tension bled from his shoulders as he met the gaze of a droopy-eyed bloodhound. Baby's tail started to wag as hard as he'd ever seen it, and she let out another bay, this one happier, closer to the way she sounded when she sang for treats. For the first time in a few days, Alex laughed, and he stepped closer to the door to meet her. "Hey, babygirl," he started, reaching out to push his fingers through the bars enough to scratch at her muzzle, but then there was a yell from somewhere behind him.

"Hey- stop! Jesus, man, don't put your hand in the cage!"

Alex stopped, but he didn't pull any further away from her. He knew the man was just doing his job, but he wasn't leaving here without Baby. She was the only thing Rabbit had cared about. Poor girl was used to wide open spaces, endless privacy and no lack of things to smell or hunt. She'd rot in here as badly as Rabbit would in prison.

His heart squeezed. He inched a little closer to the kennel door. "Sorry. She looked fine."

"No, dude." The worker had finally reached him at a jog, his eyes wide as he looked between Baby and Alex. In a blink, the dog had tensed up again, a meaner look in her eyes than anything Alex had ever seen. "Didn't you see the sign? She bites."

He hadn't paid any attention to the paperwork zip-tied to the bars of her cage. They'd renamed her Honey, and the sign next to her new name listed off a few of her least favorable qualities; couldn't be in a home with small children or other pets, has yet to be house-trained. Alex furrowed his brows at that one. Baby was perfectly well house-trained. She was perfectly trained, period. She let out a soft warning growl as the worker tried to inch closer to where Alex stood, almost as if to force him to put some distance between himself and the dog. He glanced down at her, chewing on his cheek. "Down, girl," he said softly.

She didn't back off. Well, she'd always been stubborn, and she'd never listened to him quite as well as she'd listened to Rabbit. "Baby," he said carefully, "down," and she finally did take a step back from the kennel door and lose some of her tension. The worker seemed perplexed. Alex, relieved, turned to him. "I wanna take her."

"I- I don't know," the man said. He took a small step back. "She came from.. she's from a bad home. Doesn't really respond to anyone. She bit the guy who caught her."

Probably because they'd also been dragging Rabbit away. Alex frowned at him. "Just let me meet her, at least?"

He still hesitated, but finally he nodded. Alex figured he might just be happy to get the dog taken off their hands.

-------

Baby stayed glued to his side, sporting a new pretty red collar and a matching leash, as he signed the paperwork and handed over the adoption fee. She was wary and nervous and clearly didn't have any fondness for anyone else in the room, but she listened to him, at least. He thanked the woman at the reception desk and walled out.

They stopped only once he'd gotten to his car and pulled open the back door for her. She got in obediently enough and Alex stared down at her for a long moment, meeting sweet brown eyes. He reached down only to scratch her head, then found himself stooping to pull her into a tight hug. The good girl that she was, she complied.

"Missed you, girl," he told her, leaving a kiss against her muzzle before he pulled back. She nosed at him for more pets and he laughed quietly. "We're gonna find a way to tell your daddy that you're okay, alright?"

He'd been coming around long enough that she knew who that word referred to. The poor dog whined and seemed to perk up, like she was looking for him. Alex sighed and gave her one more kiss. "I know," he said quietly. "Me too."

[leighsartworks216]

The Viper (Part 11)

Jaskier x gn!reader

Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five - Part Six - Part Seven - Part Eight - Part Nine - Part Ten - Part Twelve

This fic is also on my ao3 if you'd prefer to read it there

Warnings: training with a sharp blade (no injuries), poorly written cockey(?) accent, mention of alcohol (for alchemy; not consumed), Witcher-universe info dump bc it's a hyperfixation and I couldn't resist lol

Word Count: 1585

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“Come at me.”

Your eyes gleamed with a burning fire, excitement and determination dancing behind the slits of your pupils. You stood with your legs slightly apart, knees bent just so. Despite wearing no armor, you stood wide open, arms to either side and hands empty.

Jaskier, who wielded one of your blades, was understandably hesitant to just stab right at you.

“Are you sure?” He dropped his own stance slightly. “I mean, I’m holding a very sharp and dangerous knife and you,” his eyes studied your clothes, lingering for a second on the bit of skin peeking out behind your black undershirt, “you’re… exposed.”

You scoffed. “You’re too afraid of hurting someone. Which, I suppose, is to be expected. But you can’t be.” You gestured for him to strike again. “Imagine I’m a bandit.”

“And what, exactly, would you be stealing?”

“I’m not going to stand around and play make-believe.”

“Oh, come on! I can’t imagine you as a bandit when you’ve got snake eyes and enough muscle to strangle a goat just by looking at it!”

“Ugh, fine.” You glanced over Jaskier for barely a second. Even while training he insisted on wearing one of his colorful doublets. “I’m going to steal your fancy clothes, for one thing. They’re probably worth a few crowns. And then I’m going to knab your lute and break it on a-”

He lunged forward, knife moving toward your heart. And then, he found himself empty-handed, stuck on the business end of your weapon. Even through his surprise, he looked affronted.

“You threatened to break my lute just to- to disarm me?!”

You huffed. “You insisted on playing pretend.” The knife flipped in your hand, handle facing him once more. “Now, do it again, slowly.”

“Why are you showing me how to disarm, anyway?” He pouted as he grabbed the blade back from you. “Shouldn’t you be teaching me how to, ya know, stab?”

“I’d rather you not kill anybody.” You adjusted his stance slightly, making sure he was safe and sturdy; ready to fight. “No offense, but the most action you will likely see as a bard is a bar brawl. And the best way to get out of those alive is-”

“To disarm a bunch of drunks from their tankards?” he teased.

“No.” You returned back to your spot in front of him. “It’s to find a corner so nobody can get you from behind, and avoid any actual fighting.”

His face scrunched in confusion. “Then why…?”

You sighed. “Because if you do get in a bar fight, it’s likely some of them will have weapons of some caliber and knowing how to gain the upper hand by taking their weapons is a good idea.” You got into your stance again, gesturing once more for him to attack you. “Now, again, but slower.”

-

People stared and whispered to each other as you guided Bayard through the town, searching for a stable. Jaskier seemed mostly unbothered by the… less than welcoming folk. He was rather busy trying to explain the on and off romance he had with the Countess de Stael.

Tretogor wasn’t really much to look at. A muddy, downtrodden town built on agriculture and animal husbandry. Wooden, rickety buildings lined the road. Uneven, split-rail fences blocked in yards that contained drying clothes and barking dogs. From the steps of one house, a voice called out.

“Oi! Witcher!”

You stopped sharpish, Jaskier almost bumping into you. The older, scraggly man faltered under your piercing stare. Still, he stepped forward to meet you in the middle of the road.

“‘Ave a request ta make of ye.” He glanced to the bard.

“What is it?” you urged.

“Ah, we been ‘avin’ some attacks ‘round ‘ere. First it were te cattle. But now some folk’ve gone missin’. Me an’ some ‘unters found a nest up te hill.” He pointed past one of the small buildings that populated the town. “Is in some ol’ ruins, by te graveyard.”

You turned from the hill back to the man. He flinched at the cold yellow. “What’d it look like?”

The man scratched his hand, looking away. “I don’ know, I neva seen it. But,” he perked back up again, pointing down the way, “Oskar might’ve. ‘Is son was taken by te beast.”

“How much?”

“Ah, ‘course.” He pulled out a small purse, but it was light. “I ‘ave 50 now, b-but I can get te boys ta pitch in.”

You nodded. “I’ll take care of it.”

The man lit up, hands clasping in prayer as he nearly fell to knees in relief. “Bless ye, Witcher!”

You simply nodded and continued walking, only glancing over your shoulder to make sure Jaskier was following.

His eyes followed the man for a bit further down the road. “What do you think it is?”

You sighed. Your entire body eased slightly, relaxed. Jaskier only saw you so tense and terse with the Reavers back on the mountain. He killed the rest of his thoughts of the mountain before they could fruit into self-loathing and disdain.

“It’s hard to say right now.” You looked toward the graveyard. “If its nest is in the ruins, it could be nocturnal, but that doesn’t narrow it down very far.”

You led Bayard into the stable by the tavern, removing his tack with ease and brushing down his side as you left. But, instead of going inside, you passed Jaskier your saddlebags and some coin.

“Ask for a room. I’ll go find Oskar.”

He nodded, fumbling with the bags to drape them over his shoulder as he’d seen you and Geralt do before. It didn’t look nearly as natural or cool, but it made you grin ever so slightly, so it was worth it.

-

“What is a cockatrice, exactly?”

You rummaged through your saddlebags, pulling out ingredients - plant seeds and flowers, a container with a fatty white substance, a bottle of alcohol, and another bottle that seemed to glow. As you began mixing different ingredients in bottles and grinding some in your mortar, you answered anything the bard was curious about.

“Well, it’s said to be the result of the egg of a rooster that was incubated by a toad.” Jaskier’s face morphed into a confused grimace. “They’re hard to find, and fighting one is tricky.”

“How come?”

“They usually try bludgeoning you with their wings and tail, and they’re ridiculously fast. So getting close enough to one to attack it without being beat up is,” you sighed, “interesting.”

His fingers rubbed together subconsciously, itching to write down all the info you were supplying him with. “What are you making?” He lifted the small container of fat and sniffed it, before scowling and immediately setting it back down. You huffed a laugh at his reaction.

“Draconid oil and Golden Oriole.” You hummed, shaking up a potion. “I should probably make some Blizzard, too, if I have the stuff for it.”

“Blizzard… That’s the one that makes everything feel slow, right?”

“You’re catching on.” He allowed himself a proud little smile.

“What do the others do?”

You dropped the finished bottle onto the bed. Jaskier picked it up and began turning it over and over to watch the ingredients inside float around. “What you’re holding now is the oil. Witchers apply specialized oils to their weapons to help take down monsters faster.” You scoffed, “Though I knew a fair few who absolutely refused to use them. They said it made the fights too easy, the idiots.

“Golden Oriole,” you poured some alcohol carefully into your tiny potion bottle, “is a sort of buffer. Cockatrices are poisonous, and using this will help so I’m not as easily affected by it.”

His eyes glanced from the potion in his hands to the bottles lined up at your hip. He nodded toward them. “How many can you take at a time?”

You hummed, thinking, as you mixed ground up flowers with a splash of the glowing bottle’s contents. “That’s a bit complicated.” Your eyes met his as you shook up all the ingredients. “Witcher potions are toxic to humans, but we’re not immune to that toxicity. If it builds up to a point we can’t stand it, the effects can be… unpleasant.”

His eyes looked over all the potions again. “How many will you be taking?”

Conjuring a small Igni flame in your hand, you began heating up the Golden Oriole so the contents would mix better. “Not enough to worry about, I assure you.”

He wasn’t very comforted by the dismissive answer, but he let his shoulders relax and didn’t press further. You would know best, anyway. You were a Witcher, after all. He was just a bard that tagged along.

You slipped the oil and Golden Oriole into the holder at your hip. You quickly checked your blades, running a thumb just along the edge to test they were sharp enough. After a moment’s pause, you took the sheath containing your steel dagger and handed it to Jaskier. “Try not to get into any fights while I’m gone, Dandelion.”

He smiled, a flicker of playful mischief in his eye. “No promises.”

Your lips held a grin as you tucked away everything back into your saddlebags and donned your cloak.

“Be careful.”

You caught his eye again, a hint of mischief sparkling within. “No promises,” you mimicked.

You turned and disappeared through the door into the night. He watched you through the window, following your cloaked figure as you walked off toward the hill.

---

Tag List:

@kmuir1

@writeawaythepain

@sleepyqueerenergy

@lex-caspartine

[jiyansthesis]

MICHAEL ☆ AFTON sfw HEADCANNONS !!

as my first post on here, I decided i'm gonna do some headcannons for michael !! this is also how i'm gonna write about michael for now. the rights i'd give up for him <3

high school, college, post scoop michael

high school

☆ honestly I feel like he'd either be a quiet, really composed teen, dropping the bully bad boy persona by the end of middle school

☆ or. . . he'd still be a bully, and probably one of those loners or he hangs out with the token delinquent group (and that's what I'm going to base these hcs on)

☆ biker michael holds my heart. he 100% owns a ducati

☆ he probably had no real dating experience before you, maybe only a few hookups and that one time he dated someone in kindergarten

☆ comes over to your house at the dead of night to talk to you whenever he doesn't want to deal with william

☆ he has a light british accent

☆ cusses in nearly every sentence

☆ emo and no one can tell me different

☆ just kidding, but I feel like he'd dress like billy from st lmfao

☆ HE HAS A MULLET AND THIS IS CANNON the way i'm barking rn

☆ listens to alternative rock and metal and maybe even indie rock

☆ knows how to play drums and electric guitar

☆ he probably took you to an arcade as the first date

☆ absolutely demolished your ass in every game until he decided to go easy on you

☆ knows how to skate

☆ because he skates so much and hangs out with the "bad boy group" , he probably has a lot of bandages

☆ you help him with his injuries sometimes, scolding him while he just grins at you

☆ sometimes you help him style his hair after he stays for the night

☆ totally has your parents whipped, they love him

☆ personally, I think he'd be really smart (especially since he knows so much about animatronics) but he might need some tutoring if it comes to math

☆ would leave his "friends" for you

☆ i know it's cringy but he is totally soft for you

☆ brings you roses when he meets up with you for a date

☆ already planning his life with you, moving out of utah and having a family with dogs and everything

☆ basically think of rodrick heffley for his personality

☆ probably smoked until you asked him to stop

☆ leans against his motorcycle when he picks you up for dates (barking rn)

college/post college (where fnaf basically doesn't happen)

☆ honestly, I think michael would help his dad out with the pizzeria while also doing college

☆ he'd probably think about dropping out but he's getting his degree in engineering so the two of you could have a stable life

☆ the two of you are living together in a little apartment

☆ probably in a small garage band that he's been in since around senior year of high school

☆ still has that mullet (BECAUSE I SAID SO AGAIN)

☆ the two of you went to a frat party once, and michael got really jealous and now the two of you never go to parties

☆ he'd help you study for exams while he slacks on studying his

☆ he'd bring you little snacks for you to take breaks

☆ the two of you are saving up money to buy a house

post scooping

☆ would be super hesitant on coming back

☆ it'd be a few weeks before he even gathers up the courage to come back into the neighborhood

☆ he would knock on the door, and he was expecting you to scream and close the door

☆ you only stood there in shock and said, "michael?"

☆ the two of you are still happily together

☆ he'd slowly open up to you about what happened and how his sister betrayed him, etc

☆ you buy him new hoodies all the time and giggle while finding wigs for him

☆ the two of you go on dates in the woods and have picnics

☆ when you do go out into public, it's at the dead of night

☆ he takes you for rides on his motorcycle still, but he's a bit rusty

☆ the two of you get that dog you've wanted for so long

[sukirichi]

total opposites

You and Toge swap bodies after encountering a fairytale curse, and similar to its origin, it also takes a fairytale method to break it.

REQUEST. body swap au + best friends to lovers

CONTENT/WARNINGS. slight crack fic, some cursing, implications of nsfw but nothing explicit, just Toge being a not-so closet pervert, usual best friend bickering, reader is fem bodied, unedited story (I should stop saying this, everyone knows I don’t edit my stuff)

NOTES. I enjoyed writing this, tysm for the request anon, this was really cute! definitely this is shooting up in one of my fav works ever (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

You stretched your arms overhead, feeling great after sleeping in. It wasn’t common of you to sleep this late, but you and Toge had gone stargazing the night before. A smile made its way to your face as you reminisced him reciting rice ball ingredients, signing that he was telling poetry to ‘match the mood’ until you’d both fallen asleep on the soft blanket atop a hill.

You don’t remember how you made it back to your room, but figured that Toge had carried you back home before the sun rose. Making a mental note to thank your best friend later, you yawned as you padded out to your room, hands rubbing in circles at your stomach.

Hopefully breakfast would be amazing today.

The door next to you opened, revealing your younger classmate, and you frowned, because wasn’t Kugisaki your next door neighbour? Well, whatever, he, Yuuji, and Kugisaki might’ve taken advantage of the rare, peaceful weekend that they probably had a movie marathon the night before.

“Morning, Megumi!” you greeted, coughing a bit when you sounded off, throat a little horse and itchy. At the sound of your voice, Megumi stilled in his tracks, eyes wide at you. His comical expression had you barking in laughter, shooting finger guns his way as you wiggled your eyebrows. “Ey, be a good dog and bark for me, will you?”

Semi-visible sonic waves drifted like waves after one another out your mouth. Megumi scowled before he froze the next second, ears perked up and backside wagging in replacement of a tail. “Woof woof!”

“What the hell?” you reeled back in slight disgust, your underclassman’s cheeks burning red. Then, your lips grazed against a soft cloth, making you look down.

You blinked back once. Twice. You were definitely...built different today. Curiously, you tugged at the zipper peaking out from your black collar, the familiar zhoop sound of the zipper burned into your memory after hearing your best friend do it countless times before.

In front of you, Megumi screeched – the most noise he’d made ever since you met him – his jaw dropped open while you – or rather Toge stood at the end of the hallway, his hands squeezing at your breasts that were still under last night’s pyjamas. You blinked back once. Then twice, steam pouring from your nose when Toge, in your body, pointed at his body. 

“Oh, oh!” your scream bounced off the hallways hard enough that Panda slammed his door open, about to tell everyone to shut up when your voice let out a high-pitched scream.

“What are you doing in my body?!”

Looking down at where Toge was pointing, you were greeted by the sight of his dark uniform and sock clad feet, your chest replaced with hard muscles instead of the soft flesh. You turned to Toge with a stupefied look that mirrored his, both of you falling on the ground with fists pounding on the hardwood floor.

“I’m a fucking girl!” he cried out, whether out of happiness or frustration, it was hard to tell.

Meanwhile, you zipped his collar back up, tugging at his off-white hair as you forced yourself to remember his limited vocabulary. “BONITO FLAKES!”

Now you understood Toge’s frustration of being a cursed speech user. 

“Bonito Flakes” definitely did not hold the same fury as “FUCK” did.

“You and I need to set down some boundaries,” you signed to him, brows pulled together. Toge seemed to be enjoying this sudden body swap a lot more than you did since he hadn’t stopped posing in the mirror the moment you pushed him back to your room, locking it shut to get some privacy. “You are not, under any circumstances, allowed to shower, do you understand?”

Toge scowled at your words, sassy as ever with his hands placed on his hips, buttocks jutted out. You hated, absolutely hated that he used your body this way because this time you couldn’t even laugh – not when seeing your body felt this awkward.

“You would really rather me stink?”

“You can’t undress too! Ever! Or if you will, your eyes better be closed. No peeking too!”

“Y/N, you and I grew up together. I’ve already seen everything,” he rolled his eyes, earning him a hard slap from the arm. Considering he was a lot more muscular than you were, your hit came a lot harder. “Ow!” he protested, rubbing the sore spot that ached, only to laugh at the sounds emitting from his lips. “Wow, I have to admit that this is really fun though. I’m actually talking,” he announced, “Hey, say salmon for me.”

“Bonito flakes!” you shook your head, “The moment Principal Yaga is back, we’re going to talk to him, okay? I don’t want to be stuck in your body any longer!”

“Please, you’re lucky you get to feel me up,” he winked at you, taking your (his) hands to flatten it on his stomach. “Come on, come on, feel my abs!” Whack. “Would you please stop slapping me? Your body is a lot more delicate than mine and my hands are – stop slapping me!”

Feeling bad for your friend and not wanting to abuse your body too much, you raised your hands in surrender with a roll of your eyes. “I can’t take you seriously with that voice. You’re too cute.”

“Complimenting ourselves now, aren’t we?” he scoffed, “Well, whatever, you are cute, especially when you’re angry. Such a shame I can’t see you do that right now because my handsome face is looking back at me.”

“I won’t hesitate to choke you, my friend.”

“You wouldn’t. You adore your body too much,” contrary to his words, Toge pulled a defensive stance. You threw a pillow at him, to which he easily dodged, clutching at the hem of your pyjamas afterwards. “Speaking of bodies, I really need to pee.”

“Hold it!”

“Are you insane? I’m not holding it, you’re going to kill us both!”

“Fine, I’ll take you to the rest room then,” you tugged at the hood of your shirt, pushing him inside the communal female restroom. Toge stood in the middle shock still, evidently flustered at the stalls and lack of urinals. You flicked a finger on his forehead, finger pointed to a stall. “Go pee. That’s my body – I need to make sure you’re not going to do anything weird with it.”

“I thought you trusted me, friend. Why would you think I’d touch you that way?”

You gave him an ‘are you serious?’ look. “You jack off every fucking night, Toge. I can hear you even from the next hallway. Plus, you’re a horny teenage male, who’s to say you wouldn’t be curious and try to see what female masturbation feels like?”

His eyes lit up at the idea, fist coming down to bounce at the palm of his hand as he nodded. “That’s actually a good idea—”

“Don’t you even dare.”

“What?!” you and Toge both exclaimed. He faced you with utter horror written on his face and you gasped, slapping both palms over your lips.

“It is true,” Principal Yaga affirmed with a grim look on his face. He’d recently got back to fetch your troublesome Gojo-Sensei who’d been caught starting a ruckus in Roponggi while women flocked around him, leading to your principal to haul his ass back to the school grounds. “Some curses are manifested through daily objects, and sometimes even through nature. That shooting star you saw was an example of that.”

“But is kissing really necessary?” Toge queried with a wary gaze sent your way.

“It’s a fairytale curse. It can only be broken through a true love’s kiss.”

“But sir, Toge and I have never dated anyone before. How can we miraculously fall in love with someone to break this curse overnight?”

“It doesn’t have to happen overnight. Sometimes, a simple crush will do,” Principal Yaga sighed, scratching his bald head with his face pulled deep in thought. “Y/N, you have a crush on Gojo-Sensei right? I’m going to kill him if he actually kisses you – and knowing that damn brat he might if you ask him – but I think a kiss on the cheek will suffice. For now, you both just have to...broaden your relationships. Maybe go out on dates.”

“I don’t mind that. In fact, I’m going to have the time of my life,” Toge cheered, his mood dampening once he saw you stiffen. “But my body is...”

Knowing full well that he’d get insecure over his lack of speech again, you glared at him hard enough that your best friend straightened up, lips puckered out in a pout as if you hadn’t just caught him talking badly about himself again when you’ve told him countless times he was perfectly fine the way he was.

It made you sigh, feeling slightly bad that until now he still couldn’t see himself the way you saw him – not that you’d ever vocalize this; Toge would never shut up (in the best way he could) if he had the slightest idea what went inside your head.

“You’re lucky you have a pretty face. Otherwise, it’s going to be impossible for anyone to like you,” you teased instead, somewhat flustered at your indirect compliment.

Toge merely scoffed at you, his gaze burning and hard, contrasting the teasing little shit grin he wore. “Oh, please, if I wasn’t the cursed speech user, I would’ve banged—”

“Kids!” Principal Yaga threw his dolls at you hard, the both of you clutching at your heads in pain. How were those dolls as heavy as rocks? “Take your bickering back to your rooms please. No more of this mess and noise. It’s late.”

You frowned at the old man, face pleading as you signed, “Principal Yaga, can’t we really do anything else? Aren’t there any techniques to undo this?”

You and Toge knew that combination so well – pitch black eyes, jaw clenched, lips pursed and palms interlaced under his chin – one that meant his words were final and irrevocable. None of you could argue or suggest more solutions the moment the words left his lips like an ultimate decree. “The technique is the kiss. Now leave.”

You and Toge tried, you both really did. 

But following Principal Yaga’s suggestion of dating others had turned out to be a complete fail – even with your normal body and Toge’s physical charisma. 

It simply didn’t work; not when Megumi ran away from you every time you tried to get him to kiss you with your arms wide open, and Toge wasn’t helping either by pushing Gojo-Sensei away from you every time the cheeky eyed teacher announced his willingness to help.

Eventually, you and your best friend had retired in his room, the scent of him coated all over his pillows and his shirt that you wore. That felt comforting, at least, and you buried yourself in the crook of your body’s neck, bodies tangled with one another.

Who knew dating could be so tiring?

A wave of irritation flashed over you from today’s events, knowing full well that this could’ve been avoided long ago. Scowling, you cuddled Toge closer, lightly flicking your fingers on your body’s chest. “This is your damn fault, Toge.”

“You were the one who asked me to stargaze with you.”

“You don’t always have to say no to everything I ask of you, you know.”

“You’re really dumber than I thought if you think I could easily say no to you,” he snorted above you, his chin resting atop your head. “I don’t have a lot of weakness because I’m a strong sorcerer—” another flick, a harsher one this time around. “Okay, okay, I’m just kidding! But I mean it though – you’re my best friend and my weakness. Of course I’d do anything to make you happy, even if it’s something as stupid as stargazing.”

“Hey!” you made a sound of protest in your throat, looking back at him with a frown. “It wasn’t stupid, it was romantic.”

Hell yeah, it was romantic indeed – your heart still skipped a beat every time you remembered Toge’s starry eyes matching the night sky’s beauty, the words salmon and mustard leaf surprisingly sexy every time it came from him. It was stupid – so fucking stupid – that you groaned into his chest to hide your flushed face.

“Yeah, I suppose it was.”

The room fell silent, your syncopated breathing soothing during this stressful times. Taking advantage of your voice, Toge began to hum, singing the songs you both had always listened to in the privacy of your room during lazy days. It brought a smile to your face as you clutched to him tighter, heart pounding in your chest as you gazed up at him, tapping his chin to get his attention. “Toge, can I say something weird?”

“Please, nothing you say surprises me anymore. Shoot.”

Your mouth began to dry as you cleared your throat in an attempt to hide your awkwardness, gaze pointedly averted from his prying ones. “You and I...we’ve known each other for a long time and we love each other. As best friends, of course.”

“Sheesh, friendzone much?”

“Would you please shut up and listen to me seriously for once?” you huffed, making him snicker, but nodded at you anyway to continue. “As I was saying – why don’t we kiss? It could be true love’s kiss.”

Toge didn’t speak for a good minute, the pregnant pause filling in the gap filled with tension. You taped his cheek, waving his hand in front of his eyes when he dazed out. When his gaze focussed back on you, Toge was surprisingly calm – although beneath that composed exterior, his mind had simply short-circuited. “If this is your way to get to make out with me, I’m going to sock you in the face.”

“Toge, I’m serious! Let’s kiss!”

“I don’t want to!” he shook his head indignantly, hiding his face by hugging you close to his chest instead.

“Why not? Don’t you want to swap back to your original body? Both of us haven’t showered in two days and I’m sick of the way you smell. You’re lucky I love you though, otherwise I’m going to cry. Come on, Toge, what’s holding you back?” you tried to fight back from his grip, but he’d surprised you both when he only squeezed you tighter, both your erratic heart rates matching the other.

“I said no.”

“Toge, it’s just a damn kiss, what’re you so afraid of?”

“I’m afraid that if we don’t swap back, then that means you don’t love me the way I love you!” he finally admitted, breathing hard before continuing. “Principal Yaga said it must be a kiss between lovers and not just platonic friends okay?” you attempted to scramble away from his arms again, and this time he let you, though he’d closed his eyes, cheek squished on the pillows as he murmured, “I don’t want you to reject me... even though I messed up already.”

“Wait,” you snapped your fingers to make him open his eyes, hesitant as you signed, “You...you love me that way?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why not?”

“Because my face is staring back at me and it’s fucking awkward – I wanted to see your face when I confessed!” he sat up with a frustrated groan, childishly kicking off the sheets of the bed as he clutched his head in his hands. “I had everything planned, okay? Nobara and Yuuji helped me think of everything because Megumi is shit when it comes to love. Listen, I was going to ask you on a candlelit date and then maybe kiss the life out of you – if you feel the same way—”

“Kiss me.” The body he possessed a victim of his own powers, Toge was left with no choice but to grab your face before his mouth pressed against yours, fingers entangled into the other’s hair. You were smiling into the kiss the whole time, barely able to recognize when Toge had shifted your bodies until you were under him, his hands running down your sides lovingly the whole time. 

Pulling away to get some air, you opened your eyes, unsurprised when Toge laid above you, his strong arms planted beside your head.

Both of you were breathing hard from the passionate kiss filled with so much sexual tension and longing, your tongue darting out to swipe at his taste on your lips. The laughter that bubbled out of you was pure, wholesome and swollen like your heart. “I love you too, idiot.”

“Salmon!” Toge peppered your cheeks with kisses, pulling out more gleeful laughter from you, his playful and loving attacks more of a gift than a punishment. Once you’d recovered from your happiness – although really, who could recover after that? – Toge unzipped his collar, his smile nothing but wicked when he commanded, “Kiss me again.”

[lonely-lost-soul]

Of Immortality and Nymphs

(Philza Minecraft x Reader)

Request 2: Just c!philza simping over reader!!

Requested by: Anonymous 

(Okay maybe I got a little carried away with this one...) 

~~~

     He met her for the first time when he was a young man, who barely understood the world around him. Messing with things he shouldn’t was his specialty so when he heard there used to be Nymphs in the nearby forests, he just had to find out if they were extinct or not. Phil flipped through his worn journal and tapped his quill on the paper, he wanted to document his journey to finding the supposedly mythical creature. After all, this was one of his first real adventures all by himself he wouldn’t accept any form of defeat. He popped the cork off the invisibility potion he had and downed it with one swig. Phil, now hidden, wandered into the forest of the last known location, of the last recorded Nymph. Not being visible to the creatures in the forest allowed Phil to take in the beauty of nature around him, he could get close to the animals and see them in their natural habitat. The forest was beautiful, sunlight peeking in through the leaves of the trees, it was magical. He placed his hand on the trees running his hand over the bark with a smile, Phil heard a soft twinkling in his ear, and his head shot up. Always trigger happy he put his hand on his sword, in the middle of a nearby clearing stood a beautiful woman with gorgeous (h/c) hair. Flowers and leaves seemed to be interwoven within the strands, her ears were elf-like in appearance adorned with gold piercings. Her dress flowed in the wind, it was a soft almost translucent green decorated with leaves, in her hand was a baby chick. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, it was clear she was the Nymph that the old stories were talking about, thank god for the invisibility potion. 

Pulling out his journal once more he began to sketch a picture of the elegant woman, he didn’t want to forget her face. The man looked up once more to finish up the sketch and the Nymph was gone, he frowned sadly, he did hope he could get to talk to her. 

     “What’re you drawing?” Phil snapped his notebook shut letting out a startled yelp, he turned to look at the figure beside him. The potion must’ve worn off when he wasn’t looking, however beside him was said Nymph. His jaw almost dropped open, did she have no self-preservation? “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you!” She stepped a few steps back and he held out his arm to stop her. 

     “No! No, you’re alright!” He put his hand to his heart, “I’m Phil. and you are?” 

     “(Y/n). Are you human?” 

     “Tragically,” Phil gave her a little smile as she tilted her head curiously. “Are you a Nymph?” You looked a little hesitant, he watched as your ears twitched in an undeniably cute way. He felt himself melt a little as you gave a nod, 

     “A Meliae if you want to get specific,” you smiled fondly giving him a teasing wink. Opening his notebook again he scribbled that down next to the figure drawing of you, you sat down in front of him watching in awe, “Is that your language’s written system?” Looking back up at her curious expression Phil once again felt his heartbeat speed up in his chest. 

     “It is. You’re very clever,” He hummed and was delighted in the way you flushed up to the tips of your ears. You waved him off, 

     “I’m not that clever. When you’ve been around as long as I have you pick up on certain things,” He watched you carefully as you sat down beside him resting on your knees. Curiously Phil tilted his head,

     “How long have you been around?”

     “Don’t you know it’s rude to ask a woman her age?” She shot back a grin on her features, oh Phil was in love. Nymphs did tend to have that effect on people, people fall hard and fast for them, but Phil didn’t care. 

     “My apologies, that was rude of me huh?”

     “Very.” She teased with a snicker, “I’ve honestly lost count at this point.” 

     “You’ve lost track? So you’re immortal then?” Phil’s entire face lit up the excitement prevalent on his features, “Tell me everything.” He pleaded, with a soft laugh you began to share your tale with the man in front of you. Phil was enamored she had lived more lifetimes than he could begin to comprehend, what he wouldn’t do to have that gift. The duo talked long into the evening and well into the next morning, Phil knew he had to head home soon. Not that he had anyone waiting for him back home, but he couldn’t stay with her forever as much as he wanted to. “When can I see you again?” He whispered taking your hands within his own, he couldn’t help but notice how soft they were for someone living in a forest. You hesitantly pressed your finger to his earring, 

     “They’ll start to glow whenever I’m near. So you can always find me,” You whispered cupping his cheek in your hand, he felt himself lean into it. “I’ll see you soon Phil,” You leaned forward pressing a tender kiss to his lips before disappearing in a flurry of flowers and leaves. Phil let out a shaky breath bringing his fingers to his lips a wild smile appearing across them. He opened his journal one last time adding ‘great kissers’ to his list of things about the Nymph of the forest. 

They met many more times after that, and with each meeting, Phil only fell more and more in love with her. He wanted to protect you and keep you safe especially after telling him that Nymphs were hunted for their tears that give immortality but now without the expense of the Nymph. Yet even with his pleading, you wouldn’t leave the forest you called home. You told him maybe one day you could, but you were the only Nymph protecting the forest and you had to stay to protect your home. Ever the gentleman Phil would drop the conversation and steer it into another direction said direction ended with a lot of kissing. 

As the years flew by Phil found himself growing older and you remaining the same and as beautiful as ever, he wanted to be immortal with you. He never wanted to lose you, so he made a deal with the God of undying, sacrificing his three lives for one immortal life so he could remain by your side forever. He’d also have to give up part of his humanity, he was bestowed giant black crow-like wings. But he’d do anything so long as he got to be by your side for the rest of eternity. Phil didn’t want to tell you at first, afraid you’d be mad but it was hard to hide giant black wings and the man could never stay far away from you. When he finally saw you again you knew what went down practically immediately. Surprisingly you took it much better than he originally thought, you seemed to flattered beyond belief but also pissed as hell. Desperately you tried to explain to him that immortality wasn’t a gift but a curse, seeing the world change around you while you stay young forever wasn’t as fun as it sounded. The man scoffed, shooting back a comment of his own about how he didn’t want to imagine a world without you by his side. You didn’t deserve to lose someone you loved just because they were mortal and he stood by that.

He watched your face scrunch up, cheeks turning pink at his sentiment. Mostly because you were melting around his words and he knew it too by the smirk evident on his features. Phil locked eyes with you and smiled endearingly, 

     “I love you.” 

     “I’m pregnant.” 

     “Fucking what-” He choked on his spit any argument that started before fizzled out the minute you had told you said those two words to him. He felt his features morphed in surprise before wrapping you in a tight suffocating hug. That only solidified his choices, he made the right decision, he needed to stay by you and your child’s side so long as the universe allowed him to. 

However, things weren’t all peaches and rainbows as the world changed to a dark and dismal place once more. Forests were being burned and destroyed and humans once again discovered the existence of Nymphs and wanted to hunt them down for sport. Things were dangerous, way too dangerous for you and the newborn son you shared with Phil. Reluctantly you and Phil came to a decision, to protect your baby you needed to leave, it was the only way to keep them safe. You held the baby close to your chest, tears swelling in your eyes as Phil kissed your cheeks trying to shush you softly. “It’s alright…” His voice was gentle, his big hand caressing the boy’s chocolate brown curls. 

     “It’s not alright. Phil...I don’t wanna leave you or Wilbur.” Your voice quivered and Phil’s heart shattered in pieces, “But his safety comes first.” You brought the baby up to your lips and kissed his forehead, he giggled sweetly trying to squish his mother’s cheeks. You laughed as he did so, “My sweet, lovely boy. I’ll have to leave you for a while, I don’t want to but you need to be kept safe. I…” Phil frowned watching as you choked up once more, “I’m not safe.” Even through your tears, Phil thought you were beautiful, “You can’t tell him about me…” 

     “(Y/n) I can’t- That’s just not fair-” You shushed him with a kiss to his lips, passing Wilbur off to him. 

     “If he’s anything like his father he’ll lose his mind searching for his mother. He needs to live his life.” You reached up holding Phil’s chin on your pointer finger, “He has to live life to its fullest, Nothing can hold him back. It has to stay this way until I can come back. Which I will...hopefully it won’t be too long.” You smiled up at him and Phil took in a shaky breath, 

     “What if I ruin him.” His voice was painfully tight holding his grip on Wilbur tightening as well, it made the baby squirm. You shushed him softly, pressing a kiss to his lips, his scruff tickling your chin. To him the kisses always felt electric, never devoid of passion and adoration, he leaned forward to chase those addicting lips as you pulled away. 

     “You won’t ruin him, you’re the most gentle and kind man I’ve ever met. You took care of me all these years, you’ll be amazing for Wilby.” Phil watched as you kissed Wilbur one last time before stepping away with a shaky breath. “Just be as good to him as you are to me,” You both heard the crunch of leaves, it caused you to jump a little looking around the forest frantically. 

     “Go. We’ll be fine. Just stay safe and come back to us okay?” You could only nod at him before disappearing in a gust of leaves and flowers. Phil felt his heartache and he jolted as Wilbur began to cry seemingly already missing the presence of his mother. “Oh Wilbur hush, hush for me please,” His father pleaded as he began to rock him gently this was going to be a lot harder than he would ever anticipate, but to keep you safe he’d give up the entire world. 

~~~

Decades went by, Phil had not only Wilbur to watch over but three more idiotic kids, others adopted of course. Wilbur had grown up into a strapping young man, got married, and had a son, you would be so proud of him. You’d spoil Fundy rotten, he just knew you would, he was sure you’d also spoil Tommy and Tubbo. Not to mention you’d force your motherly affection all over Technoblade and he wouldn’t have a choice but to open up to you. 

However, none of them even knew you existed, lies were told about who Wilbur’s mother was when any of them asked and it killed him on the inside to lie about you. Eventually, Wilbur just stopped asking, most likely assuming something bad happened that Phil never wanted to discuss with him. Something far too painful to even tell his son about,

 Which was half right he supposed. 

It started like any other day, Tommy and Wilbur were messing around with Dream, something about discs and war that Phil didn’t particularly care about. Wilbur had come over once again to plead with Phil for aid in the war, but once again he refused him. This time he even brought Fundy along thinking that seeing his grandson might change the older man’s mind. However, he still refused knowing it wasn’t going to end well in the long run even if Wilbur did win. Sometimes kids had to make their own mistakes to learn about the future. It’s not like he hadn’t told Wil it wouldn’t end well, he did multiple times, but the kid was just as stubborn as he was and wasn’t going to back down. 

“Dad, please. If you’d just join in we’d slay Dream and his team, all the fighting will come to an end. The nation I’m trying to create would finally be free and safe. Just help me.” Wilbur pleaded, a small whine slipping into his voice as he followed Phil and his son into the forest, “We can establish our new nation and be free from tyranny. No more war, isn’t that what you keep advocating for?” Wilbur continued to rant, not helping at all with his chores, his voice grew soft suddenly, and Fundy grabbed onto the sleeve of his jacket. 

     “What is it, kid?”

     “Your earring’s glowing pops.” Fundy pointed to his ear and Phil froze in place the wood that he collected falling out of his hands, scattering all over the forest floor.

     “Dad?” Wilbur repeated his voice growing louder in concern, Phil looked around the clearing frantically before bolting in a random direction. 

     “Grandpa!?” Fundy yelled chasing off after him, his tail puffing up anxiously, 

     “Fundy don’t just run off!” 

Phil didn’t stick around to hear them, you were around here somewhere the question was where. His heart was beating erratically in his chest, please, please god let him find you. He didn’t have to wait long, he’d recognize you anywhere you still looked the same. Standing in the middle of a flower field you looked over your shoulder, “(Y/n)! Darling!” He called out choking a little on his words, your (e/c) eyes blew wide and he heard you laugh. You ran up to him flowers growing in your wake, you launched himself at the man and he lifted you in his arms. He spun you around laughing in disbelief, using his wings you both floated in the air, he cradled the back of your head with his hand, “I can’t believe you’re here.” Phil whispered, pulling away to cup your cheeks with your hands, “you’re real.”

     “Of course I’m here silly goose. I told you I’d come back didn’t I?” You laughed fondly as he began to pepper your face in kisses, “Even if it is way later than I intended…” You trailed off with a small wince, 

     “Who cares. You’re here now and you’re safe.” He landed a kiss on your lips as you kissed him back. You tasted just as he remembered like fresh air and oranges, he wanted to swallow you whole. He never wanted to let you go again, and he never would if he had a say in the matter. 

      “Dad? What the fuck?” Wilbur blurted as Fundy and he came upon the clearing, you pulled away from Phil. Tears filling your eyes, your hands coming up to cover your mouth, Phil rested a hand on the small of your back. 

     “Wilby…” She whispered, stumbling towards the man reaching out towards him, he raised an eyebrow and flinched away from your touch. You pulled your hand back taking a little breath,

     “I’m sorry. How do you know my name?” From behind you, Phil flinched; he knew that’s what you wanted, for him not to remember you. But, fuck he felt guilty about it, he was about to feel even more guilty in a minute. 

     “She’s your mom Wilbur.” 

     “Fucking WHAT.” Wilbur sputtered taking a few steps back from the woman, “You told me my mom was a fridge!”

     “You told him what.” You turned towards Phil, eyes blazing with annoyance, he held his hands up in surrender. “Why would you tell him his mother was a fridge! I know I told you to lie but a fridge! Phil that’s not even physically possible!” You scolded the man crossing your arms over your chest, his face flushed a bright red. He even missed you yelling and scolding him, he was down bad. 

     “(Y/n) I panicked-” Phil started to explain and you cut him off with an eye roll. “I’m sorry okay, I love you.” 

Meanwhile, Wilbur and Fundy looked in between the two adults rapidly as they talked. Both equally shocked and at a loss for words, Wilbur took a step forward and grabbed your wrist. 

     “Please continue your explanation,” He commanded softly, “If you are my mom why did you leave? Why haven’t you been here?” Wilbur frowned as he watched you look away from him, 

     “How much do you know about Nymphs Wilbur?” Wilbur turned bright red and the color reached up onto the tips of his ears, “What?”

“My mom’s a Nymph.” Fundy spoke up in place of Wilbur, “her name’s Sally. I...I’m Wilbur’s son.” He watched your face melt and mouth a broken ‘son?’, Phil noticed and walked up to squeeze your hand. You had missed so much, you hoped you didn’t blame yourself, you and Phil lived too long to live with that many regrets. 

     “What happened to her?” You asked tenderly, 

     “Killed.” Wilbur said bluntly, “by hunters. Don’t worry, I made sure to dispose of them.” 

     “I-I’m so sorry.” You spoke and Wilbur couldn’t help but feel compelled into your arms. Something about you just made him want to melt into your body, he knew Phil was right in the end. You were his mother through and through, I mean the shared pointed ears said enough. 

     “Is that why you left?” Fundy asked walking over to stand beside Wilbur, Fundy’s ears pressing against his head. They both watched you nod and Phil tightened his grip on your arm, you took in another deep breath. His hand moved to wrap securely around your waist, he was here for you. He’d always be here for you.

     “When you were born, the hunters were far worse, there were much more of them. Greater numbers and they sniffed out Nymphs like hunting dogs to a rabbit. I couldn’t keep a newborn baby safe, especially one that was half Nymph...Which probably explains why Fundy’s part fox, he has more Nymph in him.” The fox hybrid seemed to light up at even the inclination that he was special in any way, shape, or form. “It was safer for me to be as far away from the both of you as possible, and I was right considering you grew up into a handsome young man with a family of his own.” You chuckled fondly leaning into Phil’s touch. “But I can understand if you don’t trust me or want to get to know me,” You smiled sadly at the man Fundy spoke up before Wilbur could. 

     “No! We want to get to know you grandma!” He blurted taking your hands in his own, you melted at the adorable way his eyes lit up. You glanced up at Wilbur who Phil totally wasn’t threatening with his eyes, 

     “I…” The man looked hesitant, but as he stared into your warm eyes once more he felt encapsulated within them. His longing for a motherly figure in his lips came back at full force and washed over him like a tidal wave. He had a mother and she was safe and here and willing to come back into his life if he was ready. 

Was he ready? Why did he feel ready?

     “Fuck that hesitance she’s grandma,” You let out a delighted laugh ruffling up Fundy’s hair, his tail wagging elatedly behind him. 

     “Don’t spoil him, love.”

     “Fuck you, I’m spoiling the hell out of my grandson. Gotta make it up to him somehow.” Fundy’s tail only wagged harder as he wrapped you in a tight hug, you hugged him back just as tightly. 

     “Hey, Hey move over champion. I get to hug my mom now.” Wilbur snapped defensively, as Fundy snickered only looking up at him mischievously hugging you tighter. You laughed in delight seeing Wilbur huff, Phil melted against you in relief. Wilbur’s face was scrunching up the exact way you do when you’re pissed, he smiled against the side of your head. Wilbur pushed his son to the side gently and wrapped his arms around you in a hug, he towered over you but couldn’t help but bury his face in your neck. You cooed softly and ran your fingers through his hair, he was gone the moment you did so, melting in your arms completely. 

Without you noticing Phil took a step away from the group just to admire the moment from an outsider’s perspective. For what felt like the hundredth time that hour Phil felt light, he felt like the weight of the world was off his shoulders. Everything was right in the universe again, you were finally holding your not-so-little boy in your arms again after all these years. Even if you did have a fox hanging off you as well, Phil let out a soft chuckle looking at the three with adoration. A long time ago he gave up his mortality and humanity for you, after you left he had pleaded to the gods once more, he swore he would give up anything for just one more day with you by his side. They had ignored his wishes, they knew without a doubt you’d be back in his arms again, and this time he wouldn’t have to give up a single thing. 

~~~

Okay but actually I had so much fun writing this??? Maybe even a Pt. II?