#but seeing pond being so gentle with hana

[therethatstar]

no to be dramatic or anything but these photos heal something in me

[mikauzoran]

Marigami (and Adrien and Kagami): Lens (One-Shot)

@dancinglifeboat asked for Marigami. Have a side order of Adrien and Kagami friendship too because it’s a beautiful thing. ^.^

Summary: Kagami and Marinette hit the town to find backdrops suitable for Kagami to take pictures of Marinette with Kagami’s new camera. It turns into a date.

Read it on AO3: Marigami (and Adrien and Kagami): Lens

Kagami blinked at the present Adrien had given her. “It’s…a camera?”

He nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! I thought photography might be fun for you to try. At the very least, you could take pictures of things you want to sketch later, but…”

He shifted nervously as he confessed with a self-conscious smile, “Well, Luka has been teaching me about doing photography with my phone, and Chloé has been showing me how to do selfies, and…”

He bit his lip. “I don’t know. It’s been kind of freeing in a way, taking control of the camera. I know you don’t have, like, a thing like I do about being photographed, but…I think maybe you can relate to not having a lot of control, so…maybe being the one to take the pictures and having a say about the subjects and the lighting and everything will be fun for you.”

She nodded slowly, turning the camera over in her hands and considering it. “Perhaps.”

He shrugged. “At the very least, you can take pictures of pretty things.”

She turned the camera on and raised it, pointing it at him. “May I?”

Adrien winked, sticking out his tongue and making a peace sign.

“Gorgeous,” she snickered, pressing the button to snap the picture.

 Marinette tipped her head to the side. “You want to take pictures of me? Why?”

Kagami pursed her lips.

Somehow, saying, “You’re the first pretty thing I thought of” didn’t feel like a good answer. It was the truth, but it certainly wasn’t a normal thing to say.

“You’re pretty. I thought you would make a good model,” she replied instead, aiming to sound pragmatic.

Marinette chuckled, a wide smile spreading across her lips like a flower bursting into bloom. “Why, thank you. I’m especially honored considering we’re friends with two actual models.”

Kagami winced. “I’m pretty sure Rose would break me over her knee if I asked to take photos of her girlfriend.”

“Oh.” Marinette cringed. “Yeah. That…might not be a good idea. Rose is a little territorial when it comes to Juleka. There’s still Adrien, though.”

Kagami shook her head. “He has a bit of a complex about being photographed since the fallout of his father’s arrest. I don’t think he’d agree to be my model.”

“Oh,” Marinette breathed softly. “I can understand that. …Still. I’m happy to be your third-choice model.”

“You weren’t,” Kagami hurriedly assured. “You were my first choice.”

Marinette blinked in astonishment. “I was?”

Kagami nodded. “You were the first person I thought of.”

A warm smile settled onto Marinette’s lips. “Thank you, Kagami.”

A gentle heat started to swell in Kagami’s chest. “You’re welcome. Shall we…maybe go out and see if we can find some good backdrops for the photos?”

Marinette’s eyes glittered. “I know just the place.”

 They set off for the Tuileries, and Kagami got several worthy shots of Marinette among the flowers and foliage. Marinette sniffing the tulips. Marinette crouching by the edge of the pond to get a better look at the ducklings swimming after their mother. Marinette in profile as she looked up at the lush green trees shaped into rectangles. Marinette posing in front of the glass pyramid in the Louvre’s courtyard as if she were holding the pyramid up by its tip.

They headed to Angelina’s tearoom on the north side of the garden where they each got a cup of the house’s hot chocolate and shared a mont blanc and one of the large macarons.

Kagami snapped a picture of Marinette looking alluring with a hot chocolate mustache.

They then walked to Junkudo, a Japanese bookstore not far from the Tuileries, so that Kagami could pick up the newest edition of Hana to Yume while they were in the area.

Marinette browsed the shoujo manga section while Kagami picked out a few volumes for Adrien.

Kagami got an excellent picture of Marinette grinning as she flipped through an old volume of Kitchen Princess.

“If I buy this, will you read it to me?” Marinette looked up through her eyelashes, making Kagami’s stomach flip.

Kagami grabbed the entire series off the shelf. “I’ll buy it for you, and we can read it together.”

Marinette’s face lit up. “Really? Are you sure it’s okay? I know you’re busy.”

Kagami averted her gaze as her cheeks began to glow like embers. “It’s fine. I can always make time for a friend.”

 With their purchases in tow, they next hit up Aki Bakery a few blocks away.

Kagami arched an eyebrow skeptically. “You want more sweets? Who are you? Adrien Agreste?”

“Hush,” Marinette giggled, swatting at Kagami’s arm. “In the words of sugar addicts everywhere, ‘You can never have too much dessert’. Besides, Angelina’s was, like, almost an hour ago, and I want a matcha éclair.”

“As you wish,” Kagami sighed with a shrug.

She abruptly changed her opinion about getting more sweets as she watched Marinette gush over the pastries in the case.

“They’re so cute!” Marinette trilled as she indicated the matcha donuts shaped like teddy bear faces.

Kagami got several pictures of Marinette’s excitement over the pastries as well as one of Marinette nearly swooning as she took a bite of her éclair.

Kagami was going to save that one and treasure it forever.

The thought occurred to her that she owed Adrien for this, for the entire day with Marinette which had come into being on the pretext of taking pictures.

 “Can I take a picture of you with the camera?” Marinette inquired as they made their way back to Tom and Sabine’s.

Kagami balked at the suggestion. “I don’t know why you would want to.”

Marinette’s head tipped to the side. “Don’t you want a picture of yourself?”

“Hardly,” Kagami scoffed. “That camera is for capturing objects of great beauty. I don’t think I qualify.”

Marinette stopped walking. “I do.”

Kagami rolled her eyes. “Of course you qualify. That’s a given.”

“No,” Marinette insisted, reaching out to cup Kagami’s face in her hand. “Kagami…I think you’re very beautiful.”

Tentatively, she leaned in and pressed a feather-light kiss to Kagami’s cheek.

Kagami’s eyes went wide as her heart began to flutter wildly inside her ribcage.

“Oh,” she whispered.

Marinette pulled back so that her face was a hand-span away from Kagami’s and smiled nervously, waiting for Kagami’s reaction.

“I think…” Kagami swallowed. “Marinette, I think you’re very beautiful too. On the inside and out.”

Summoning her courage, Kagami closed the distance between them, meeting Marinette’s lips with her own.

They both pulled back grinning and laughing giddily.

“Want to take a picture together?” Marinette suggested. “To mark the occasion?”

“Yes,” Kagami replied, face glowing. “Let’s.”

[sdr2lovemail]

Heyyaa! I absolutely ADORED the Grillby fic that you wrote for me 🥺♥♡💕♡💕♡💕♡💕♡💗♡💗♡💗💗💗💕♡♥♥♡ i would be more than happy to request from you again 💗♥💗♥💗♥♥💗💗♥♥💗♥💗♥💗♡💗♡💗

How about Undyne x fem!reader, and about the plot, it would be when the reader asks Undyne to help her become stronger, cause she admired her for so long and wants to be stronger and taugher so she could protect her in case the danger (or even human) tries to attack her?

I love her so much she deserves so much love and its sad that there is not much fics about her </3 thank you!! 💗💕💗💕💗💕💗💕💗💕💗💕

I WROTE SOMETHING! Huzzah! Had to write something nice for my digital sister! Happy to hear you enjoyed my Grillby fic!

Undyne is my favorite Undertale character! I think it's my duty as a lesbian. So I am happy to write any and everything about her!

I hope you enjoy this Hana!

Time to get SWOLE with Undyne! (There's no actual getting swole in this fic just the before)

Another Human fell down.

Another Soul has been retrieved.

The King only needed one more to break the barrier. Just one more and you would all finally be free.

That Human thought they could turn you all to dust, didn’t they? They just don't know when to quit.

If it weren’t for Undyne’s quick work, who knows what they would’ve done. She was so strong and brave. The Underground is lucky to have her.

Speaking of the captain, the two of you sit near a small pond in Waterfall. Cool, soft lighting glows all around you, gently illuminating your girlfriend’s scales. The sounds of rushing water was calming, though is mostly drowned out by Undyne’s loud retelling of her fight.

“You should've seen me out there, babe! That Human stood no chance against me! Who even brings a notebook to a spear fight?” The arm not draped around you wildly gestures. “I knew those humans were messed up, but using children as weapons…pathetic.”

You gaze into one of the many bodies of water around you. Undyne was so strong, she had such an amazing spirit. The way she wants to protect everyone in the Underground! The way she fights with such a passion! You wanted to be strong just like her!

“-and then I…! Hey punk! Are you even listening?” Using her free hand, she grips the top of your head and gives it a gentle shake. Though, Undyne’s gentleness is still pretty rough. It takes you a minute to recover, the world spinning.

Once you’ve come to, you lean more into her chest. From your position you can’t see the hue of red, almost purple, on Undyne’s face. “You’re just so cool, Undyne. I was wondering if you could train me? Not like the royal guards, just some basic stuff. Then I’ll be able to help protect you and everyone in the Underground. I wanna be strong just like you.”

Undyne zips up from the ground, nearly knocking you into the pond you reside by. She has the widest grin on her face. Her fins twitching with excitement. “You mean it?! Ohoho! I’m going to plan the most extreme workout for you babe! Those Humans won’t stand a chance against us!”

“Wait, hold on. Don’t go too crazy! Maybe we could just jog or something?” You try to reason.

She wasn’t listening, too lost in joy. “If my super hot girlfriend wants to train, I’m gonna put my all into this regimen!” In a flash, Undyne starts sprinting through Waterfall. She turns back and waves at you. “I’ll see you in the morning babe! We’re starting first thing tomorrow!”

What did you just get into?

You’re awoken by the sound of shattering glass, followed by your bedroom door being swung open. It’s your fishy girlfriend! Already full of energy for the day. In her hand was a shopping bag. She was true to her word about starting first thing the next day. It was so early that if you lived on the Surface, the Sun wouldn’t even be up yet.

“Hey babe!” Undyne picks you up with one hand and throws you over her shoulder. “Sorry about your window…again. I’ll get you a new one!” She walks down to your bathroom, kicking the door open which nearly rips it off the hinges. After turning on the light she sets you down onto the counter.

“Didn’t I give you a key to my house, Dyne? So you wouldn’t have to come in through the window.” Undyne had a thing for coming in through anything but the door.

“Yes, you did babe! But I lost it. Never put a key in your armor pocket!!!”

“Why didn’t you just knock. I would’ve let you in.”

“...............Anyways!” Undyne begins to rummage through the shopping bag she brought. “I know you like that sappy couple junk. So, I bought us these!”

From the bag, Undyne pulls out two sets of workout clothes. One is a bright red much like her hair, the other was in your favorite color.

“The red one’s yours! You know!!! So we’ll be wearing the other's favorite color!!! You like stuff like this right!!! We’ll be the strongest girlfriends out there!!!”

You smile and hop off the counter. Your arms go around Undyne’s strong waist. She’s quick to set the clothes down to hug you back. The force of her hug pops your back. “I love them, Undyne! We will be the strongest, and best dressed, girlfriends in the Underground!”

Her fins twitch as she leans down to give you a strong kiss. “YEAH WE WILL!!!” Letting you go, she grabs her workout clothes and walks into the hallway. “I’ll be waiting for you outside, babe! We’ll begin with stretches and go from there!” She shuts the door, the clunky thud of her boots getting fainter.

You begin to change, not wanting to keep her waiting.

You were going to get stronger. You were going to be able to protect everyone. Just like Undyne!

[alj4890]

All Through the Night

A/N I am so sorry this took so long to post. Life has thrown a number of curveballs my way recently. I'm behind on everything, including posting and responding, and reading many of my favs on here. I hope things begin to calm down soon so I can finally get my act together.

@gkittylove99 @krsnlove @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 @yourmajesty09 @mom2000aggie @ofpixelsandscribbles @twinkleallnight @lodberg @amandablink @neotericthemis @mm2305 @sfb123 @iufilms @tessa-liam @busywoman @nestledonthaveone @angelasscribbles

song inspiration: Magic by Kylie Minogue

Masterlist

Part 7

There was nothing more peaceful to Riley than sitting out by a body of water. It didn't matter if it was an ocean, the Hudson River, or even one of the ponds in Central Park. Something about sitting there, watching the ripples or waves, allowed her a chance to comb through the tangled mess that was often her thoughts.

When she first had the plan for her and Hana's channel, she went to the little stretch of beach she'd always loved back in New York. Focusing on the gentle sound of the waves meeting the shore calmed her mind to the point of making step by step plans.

Slipping quietly outside of the beach house in Cordonia, she took a thick quilt to find the perfect spot to sit and watch the sunrise over the ocean. After everything that happened on her date with Liam, she desperately needed a moment alone to wade through the revelations.

When Liam told her what he was, Riley somehow remained calm. She listened closely to his explanations of the history of his family and what that meant for them as a couple.

She didn't know which was harder for her mind to accept, the fact he was a vampire or that she was his chosen mate.

Riley tugged the quilt more snuggly around her while she focused on what that meant for her. First off, she was overwhelmed with the fact that her theory of there being any truth to many of the myths and legends was correct. There really was another world out there in the shadows.

And she just so happened to meet a prince from it.

A smile played about her lips as she thought of their relationship. Now that she knew more about why she felt so strongly towards him after such a brief acquaintance, she didn't feel as scared as she might be if he was just some random, ordinary human.

One can't fight magic like that.

And honestly...she didn't want to.

It was almost thrilling to know that she was the one his heart had been waiting for. The way he held and cared for her made sense now. He couldn't fight against them being meant to be any more than she could.

If he was so willing and happy to accept it, shouldn't she do the same? After all, she had always dreamed of finding her prince charming. Liam certainly appeared to be all she'd ever wanted from a partner.

But...and this was a big one to consider...should she become a vampire herself?

Liam did not demand she do so. In fact, he told her whatever she wanted to do was what he wanted too. All he wanted, was for her to be happy in a life shared with him.

Heat rushed throughout her body, nearly curling her toes with memories of what happened after he explained everything. She became lost in the kisses they shared, yearning for even more. The warmth of his skin under her hands. The feel of his lips caressing hers.

She sighed. Even now she felt the loss of his presence deeply though he had only been gone an hour.

"I don't know what to do." She whispered aloud to the lavendar tinted sky. "The only thing I do know is that I want to be with Liam forever."

The sun began to peek over the horizon. The air was still cool, yet she knew that within a few hours she would not need the blanket. The warmth of the sun upon her skin, could she easily give that up? Seeing the world in all its glorious colors was why she filmed so much. From the driest desert to the frozen tundra, she loved seeing what nature had created.

To live in eternal darkness for the rest of her life, even though she thought moonlight was gorgeous upon the distant lands she traveled, was something she never considered.

She wished Liam could experience it all in the sunlight.

Her lips curved with the memory of his face when she didn't react the way he expected over his revealed secret.

*************

The night before...

"You're a vampire." Riley repeated calmly. "The Dark Prince from the story I read about?"

Liam gently set her down. His hands lingered on her waist as if afraid she would bolt away from him as soon as he released her.

"I am." He swallowed, lowering his eyes. "I realize I should have told you sooner, but I hoped you would..." He shifted somewhat before lifting his eyes back to hers. "I hoped you would come to care for me before you found out."

"Care for you?"

Riley's heart was nearly beating out of her chest. Just looking at him in the moonlight made her long to be his in every single possible way.

She didn't want to fight against any part of her destiny.

"I know it is too soon for you to feel anything other than a possible attraction." Liam took her hands in his, raising them to his lips for a kiss. "But I have been hoping to find you my entire life."

He closed his eyes when she cupped his cheeks. He pressed his hands over hers, memorizing the feel of her skin against his.

"I do care." She said softly. "I have ever since we first met." With a shrug and laugh she continued. "I'm not sure if it is because of the magic or what, all I do know is that whatever is developing between us is what I want." Her smile turned tender. "I've been waiting my whole life for a man like you to come along."

Within an instant, Liam had her in his embrace, kissing her with all the love he felt for her.

"You'll stay?" He asked. "With me?"

"I, well, there are things I have to take care of." She tried to catch her breath. "I mean I have an apartment and," her eyes widened. "Hana! What do I tell her? Our partnership and channel...what becomes of it?! Should I-"

Liam's smile made her pause.

"Perhaps it is time I reveal a few more secrets." He told her about Rashad and Sherry.

Riley had to sit down. Hearing that even more legends were true and that her best friend was meant for a shape shifting dragon nearly blew her mind. Who knew that Cordonia was going to upend their lives so quickly?

"So...Hana is probably going to end up staying too?" She mumbled. "Does she know about all of you?"

"I don't think so." Liam sat down across from her. "I don't know when Rashad plans on revealing that aspect of his life."

Riley looked about her, expecting some other revelation to pop out of the darkness.

"I, if you would like to that is, want to take you to meet my father." He said once silence fell between them.

"You do?" She blinked. "Right now?"

"Well," his eyes drifted over her figure, "perhaps not now. Maybe in a week or so?"

"I did come here with the intention of seeing the Dark Kingdom." She told him with a laugh. "I'd love to see your home and meet your father."

"You don't know how much that means to me." Liam leaned forward to kiss her. "Thank you, my love."

*******************

Those butterflies she felt when they first met were nothing compared to how they were remembering those moments by the waterfall. The whole night felt like something out of a dream. Actually, Liam himself, seemed too good to be true.

Yet in her heart she knew that her future really was intertwined somehow with his.

Riley was going to have to stay here and see what happened.

********************

A couple of weeks later, Domvallier...

"You told her?" Rashad paced in front of his desk. "How did she react?"

"Better than I could have hoped for." Liam explained. "She accepted it as if I was simply telling her I was from Cordonia."

Sherry poked her head in the study. "I'm on my way out to--Liam! I didn't know you were coming over."

"He told Riley everything." Rashad muttered.

"You did?" Sherry noticed how happy Liam appeared and couldn't stop her whoop of joy. "Wonderful! I knew everything would work out."

While his cousin and Liam discussed when to introduce Riley to the Dark Kingdom, Rashad frowned over his own secret being kept from Hana.

He'd spent the last few weeks simply trying to sweep her off her feet with little romantic gestures. He'd set up a daily delivery of flowers to be delivered around the time she told him she usually woke up. He then had a variety of pastries delivered in the afternoons for her to enjoy after working on her shots for her channel.

Then in the evenings, he would take her out for a romantic dinner. Each evening he found himself simply lost in her beauty as she described her latest discovery of Cordonia. Her sweet voice soothed his nerves after a hectic day of work. Everything about their time together made each day better than the one before.

He couldn't chance her freaking out and leaving. He'd never force her to stay here, no matter how much he needed her to.

I've been single before. It's nothing new.

That argument really didn't work anymore.

But it is. I've never found the one I was meant for. To lose Hana might actually destroy me.

This really is a curse. Why did our family have to be dragons?

"I better be going." Liam said as the sun set. "I promised Riley I'd be at the beach house at dusk."

"I'll tag along." Sherry looped her arm through his. "I'm meeting Maxwell in town for dinner." Her smile dimmed when she noticed her cousin's crestfallen countenance. "Aren't you taking Hana out tonight?"

"No." He checked the time. "She is actually coming here for dinner."

Liam and Sherry shared a glance.

"Look," Rashad ran his hands down his face, "if the moment is right, then I will tell her."

"I told Riley that Hana is your mate." Liam admitted. "She-"

"You did what?"

"She was worried about her partnership with Hana." Liam quickly explained.

Smoke was rising from Rashad's body. Flames flickered within his clinched fists. He couldn't believe that Liam would do something like this to him. Had Liam not said he would wait to tell Riley? That had given Rashad a reprieve to find out just how to tell Hana. Now it was all for nothing.

"Easy." Sherry walked over and placed a hand on her cousin's shoulder. "You don't want to burn up the furniture with Hana on the way."

"She's going to tell Hana." Rashad's voice rumbled with its dragon tone. "She'll then run away, and I'll never have a chance to explain anything to her."

"Hana won't run away." Sherry insisted. "Maxwell-"

"Maxwell tried to fight it for over a year!" Rashad snapped. "He couldn't leave Cordonia because of his family legacy. You didn't have to do anything but wait on him to accept you."

Sherry's eyes glowed brightly with her own temper. "I know how horrible it feels to have the one you are meant for deny it. How much it hurts to see them, want them, and they continuously push you away."

Rashad's temper turned to guilt. Within a flash, the smoke and fire disappeared. He knew how severely Sherry had suffered being destined with a hunter. He remembered walking into her bedroom many times, only to see her curled up in bed, sobbing into her pillow. It broke his heart to see her in such a state.

How could he possibly face something like that? He had responsibilities that he couldn't ignore to wallow in misery the moment Hana refuses him.

He didn't know how to tell her without causing her to leave him.

****************

Along the road to Domvallier...

"Hello?" Hana squinted through the fog creeping.

"Hello, dear." Her mother greeted. "How are you enjoying your stay?"

"Cordonia is amazing!" Hana exclaimed. "It is just as beautiful as you said it was."

Lorelei chuckled. "I knew if you ever went that you would like it."

"I love it here." Hana slowed her speed as the fog grew thicker. "Riley does too. In fact, she suggested we think about relocating here."

"What?!"

"Well, we do travel mostly to Europe. It makes sense to move our base of operations here."

"Then move to London. Paris. Madrid. Anywhere that has a large populace." Lorelei insisted.

"Mother, I like that Cordonia's capital isn't as hectic as the larger cities we've visited. It is peaceful and--"

"Hana, Cordonia is not the best place to live." Lorelei searched for a reason to dissuade her daughter. "You'll become bored. You'll never meet the right kind of man there. In fact, your father met with some men recently that might be just the one for you."

Hana could feel the old resentment and rebelliousness rise up within her. Her mother had been after her for years to visit Cordonia. Now that Hana had done so on her own, Lorelei was trying to ruin it for her.

"I'm not bored." Hana snapped. "And I have met the right sort of man!"

Lorelei forze. "You've met someone? Who is he?"

"He is someone who both you and father will like." Hana couldn't believe she had managed to find someone she not only could picture a future with but also one her parents would have handpicked for her.

"Who?" Lorelei's voice cracked in fear.

"Rashad is so kind and attentive." Hana's voice took on a dreamy quality. "I've never felt anything like this before over someone." She sighed. "He is the Duke of Domvallier and a partner in Sloan Industries."

She waited to finally hear her parent be proud of her.

"Listen to me, young lady!" Lorelei nearly screeched. "You pack your things and come home this instant!"

Hana's jaw dropped. "Mother, did you not hear me? Rashad is--"

"I know exactly who he is!" Lorelei shouted. "He is not for you. No one associated with him is!"

"What are you talking about?" Hana was more confused than she'd ever been in her life. "What is wrong with Rashad?"

Lorelei knew it was inevitable. The only way to get her stubborn daughter to obey was to tell her the truth about Cordonia.

"Hana, there is something I need to tell you about my homeland..."

**************

Domvallier...

Rashad checked his phone once more as he paced. Hana was nearly an hour late. She had not answered her phone when he called to check on her. She did text him though.

Sorry. Will be there as soon as I can.

He wondered if it was just his worry over Riley telling Hana everything about him or if he should trust his senses that something was wrong. It wasn't unusual for Hana to be running late. There had been a few nights where time got away from her reviewing footage.

Something about her message though alarmed him.

Her typical texts reflected her sweet disposition. There was a type of openness in her messages that left him relieved at how easy she made being with her. He never had to guess or assume anything.

This one lacked a Hana-esque touch.

He wished he knew where she was. He'd go there and see for himself if something was truly wrong. Rashad was tempted to use his dragon powers to try and track her down. He'd never used such a tactic before, yet he knew it was the only way Sherry had been able to find Maxwell during that wretched year of waiting.

Perhaps he--

"Lady Hana Lee, your grace." His butler announced.

Rashad spun around with a relieved smile.

It quickly disappeared.

Hana looked absolutely furious.

"What's wrong?"

She glared at him. "I shouldn't have come here." Taking a deep breath, she tried to call down. "I'm in a wretched mood and I know I'm going to ruin our evening together."

Rashad's brow furrowed. "You could never ruin anything."

Her frown eased somewhat. "You are so sweet." Shaking her head, she began to pace. "I don't deserve any of it, considering the thoughts I am having."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Rashad intercepted her when she turned to pace across the room. "I might not be able to fix it, but I can listen."

Hana felt herself melt even more. Rashad's doubt in his abilities touched her heart. She was so used to men overruling anything she said and insisting they knew best, especially in her life. The fact that he was willing to listen to her rants made everything her mother said seem even more ridiculous.

Even if there was a shred of evidence that the legends are true, Rashad is no monster.

Hana shook her head over that thought. Why was she even entertaining the possibility that the Dark Kingdom was real? It was nothing but a Cordonian fairytale, passed down through the centuries from one generation to the next. Surely, they had been written as a warning for young girls to be decent and not run off with strange men in the night.

Looking at the man before her, gently taking her within his warm embrace, it couldn't be true.

Her mother just wanted to ruin something wonderful in her life.

Hana looped her arms around his neck. "Forgive me for coming over like this. I..." She sighed. If he was going to be a permanent part of her life, then he would need to see the strained relationship she had with her parents. "I had a phone call from my mother."

"Is something wrong at home?" He asked.

"No." Her lips twisted in a bitter smile. "More that my mother is determined to take over my life."

"How?"

"Goodness, where do I start?" Hana slipped out of his arms. She ran her fingers through her hair as she launched into the different ways her mother fought for control. "...and most recently, she was suggesting I give up my career and marry one of the men she deems proper."

Rashad sat down next to her. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, lovingly trailing his fingers down her cheek. "Was she happy that you attended a ball at the royal palace?" He softly smiled at her. "From what I've heard, there are many highly eligible noblemen in Cordonia."

Hana chuckled bitterly. "I thought that along with meeting you would please her." Her eyes narrowed in thought. "Instead, she...I'm ashamed to even mention what she said."

Before Rashad could reassure her that she had nothing to be ashamed over, she began to voice her frustration in a rapid fashion.

"...to then go so far as to claim that all those stories were real! That you were tied to that fictional kingdom in the Blackspire Mountains! Saying you are some mythical monster is beyond insulting. I've never been so angry!" Hana huffed. "It doesn't matter who I arrive home with, my mother won't approve of anyone unless she handpicks him."

During her rant, Rashad became unnaturally still. He'd never considered her mother being the one to reveal his secret.

Hana finally focused on him once she was through. Her frustration grew at seeing the worry upon his face.

"I'm so sorry." She reached out and gently cupped his cheek. Her fingers brushed along his beard. "I shouldn't have burdened you with my family problems."

Rashad turned toward her hand and pressed a tender kiss against her palm. He lifted his eyes to hers and she noticed that they glowed.

"Anything that matters to you, matters to me." He swallowed nervously. "You...you mean everything to me, Hana."

"I--I do?"

He nodded.

Hana felt her heartbeat pick up its pace. She knew deep down that she felt the same way about him. Yet, she shouldn't after barely a month of knowing each other. It simply wasn't how relationships worked.

But she couldn't let him think he was the only one falling in love.

"I feel the same way about you." She scooted closer to him. "I know it is too soon, but I can't seem to help myself." She pressed a kiss to his lips. "You are too hard to resist."

Rashad softly cursed as his lips captured hers in another heated kiss. He knew why she couldn't resist him or what they had between them. He also knew that he would have to tell her everything she'd heard was true.

"Hana..." His voice was raspy as he pulled away from her. "There's something I have to tell you."

She looked up at him as he got to his feet. "What is it?"

"Everything your mother told you, well, maybe not everything..." He curled his fingers within his palms, trying to prepare himself for her reaction.

Sparks shot out from his fists, causing Hana to jump.

Rashad didn't bother to temper his next curse word at having scared her with the accidental flames. He knew there was no easy way to break this to her, other than showing her the truth.

Hana's eyes widened over the fire forming in his hand. "Rashad!"

"It's true." He cleared the emotion out of his throat. "Your mother told you the truth about me and Cordonia." He met her shocked gaze. "I am a dragon, and you are my destined mate."

Hana shook her head, whether to clear it or to deny what was happening was something he was unsure of.

He snuffed the fire in his hand while waiting on Hana to say something.

"It can't be true." She whispered. "Those were made up stories. There's no such thing as monsters."

Rashad's head dropped forward in frustration. "Come with me, please."

He opened up a set of French doors that led to the back gardens of his estate. Without saying anything, he stripped down to his underwear.

Hana's jaw dropped over his casual disrobing.

"Rashad, what are you--" she fell back with a scream when he transformed into a dragon.

She could barely believe her eyes. Pressing her hand to her mouth to muffle another scream, she looked upon the giant, winged creature staring down at her. Smoke curled in wisps from his nose, blending in with the heavy fog that made this situation seem even more mystical.

Hana hesitantly got to her feet. Meeting the large brown eyes staring intently at her, she took a few steps forward with her hand outstretched toward him.

Rashad lowered his head, eyes closing when she touched his side. Hana could feel the dragon heartbeat thumping through the thick scaly hide. Her fingers brushed along the ridge of his wings that felt like the softest leather on earth.

In a flash, he was once more in his human form, quickly scooping up his pants to put on. In his haste, he tumbled into a rose bush, slicing his cheek open on a thorn.

"You're hurt!" Hana's fear and uncertainty vanished at seeing him injured.

Rashad scrambled out of it, cutting himself in a couple more places.

Hana pulled him back inside. She called for his butler to retrieve the items she needed to treat his wounds. She then insisted he sit down while she tended to him.

He didn't make a sound as she hummed her worry with each dab of alcohol. His dark eyes remained fixated upon her face.

A blush formed on her cheeks under his steady regard.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

She stilled. "For what?"

"For being a monster." He swallowed. "If I wasn't one, you wouldn't feel as strongly as you do for me and then you could walk away."

"I doubt that." Hana stepped closer to him. "I don't think I could ever easily walk away from you even if you did take the magic out of why I feel like I do."

"It's true." He argued. "I saw it happen with each woman I dated. When we broke things off, there was no lingering emotions for either of us."

She continued to clean the gash along his cheek. Her lips pursed in response to his past pain.

"I think even if there was no magic involved that I would have fallen for you." He continued, wrapping his arms around her hips when she stepped even closer. "You are everything I ever hoped to find in a significant other. I just wish you had a choice in the matter."

Hana paused her ministrations. Her face softened as she looked into his vulnerable eyes. "You think you are taking my choice away?"

He nodded. "I know I am."

"If I decided that I wanted to return to New York and never come back to Cordonia," Hana tipped his face up to hers, "what would you do?"

She watched as his features were flooded with sorrow.

"I would let you go." He replied in an anguished tone. "All I want is to see you happy, Hana."

Her smile took his breath away from the sheer joy it revealed.

"Then I will stay here with you." She sat down in his lap while placing gentle kisses along his jaw line. "Because all I want is to see you happy too." She leaned back to smile at him. "I think that means we are stuck together."

Rashad was struck speechless once again over her acceptance of being his. "You're certain?"

"I am." She pressed her lips to his in a lingering kiss. "I've never been more certain of anything before."

"Hana." He crushed her to him. "I don't know why I am so lucky to be destined with you." His lips met hers in a deep kiss. "All I do know is that I can't live without you."

"Then I guess now would be a good time to mention that Riley suggested we move our company here." Hana rested her head on his shoulder. "I think she has fallen for Liam."

"About that," Rashad softly chuckled, "I should probably explain more about Liam and Sherry."

********************

Fydelia, weeks later...

"I got your message." Leo whispered as he climbed up to Madeleine's balcony. "What is it?"

Madeleine beamed at him. "I did it."

He studied her excited expression in the light of a half moon. A smile curved his lips. "You deciphered the ancient text?"

"Not only did I decipher it," she boasted, "There are some spells written that I think will give you what you need to take back your kingdom."

"Spells for me?" He searched her eyes. "Spells to make me different from humans?"

She nodded. "That and a few to weaken a vampire."

Leo swept her up in his arms with a muffled whoop, twirling her around. Her laughter drifted on a breeze.

"When do we start?" he asked.

"These spells and potions take time to prepare." She whispered. "But we can start testing some within the next week or so."

"So soon." He held her close within his embrace. "It won't be long before you and I take our rightful places on the throne."

[darksidechick823]

The Abstract Carrot

Summary: Hans’ efforts to spend an afternoon alone get thwarted when he’s discovered in the south gardens.  

Post first film canon AU. Good Guy Hans.

Prince Hans took in a deep breath as a gentle breeze brushed across his face. The weather was pleasant today, and he was determined to enjoy as much of it as possible. Anna and Elsa were both busy with their own appointments either in the castle or around the village, and so he was left alone to fend for himself. It didn’t bother him in the slightest. He knew exactly how he wanted to spend his personal day.

One thing he used to do in the Southern Isles was take his horse up through the grounds. There was a special tree he always sat underneath where he would either sketch, read books, or even take naps. Hans had yet to find such a meaningful place in the short time since moving to Arendelle, but for now, the south gardens served him well. Anna had taken him here several times when they wanted some quality time to themselves. There was a small pond here, and Anna always enjoyed laying in the grass and playing with the ducklings.

Today, the garden made a great muse for him. It was a beautiful summer day; the sun shining and flowers all in bloom. This was the perfect time to lounge on the metal bench with his sketchbook, or in this case, an easel and canvas to paint some of the scenery before him.

Hans had just put the finishing touch on one smaller piece and set it aside to dry when he heard the garden entrance open and close. Assuming the newcomer was Anna, he waited until the footsteps came closer before speaking out. With his primary focus on setting up a new canvas and readying his brushes, he didn’t notice how the footsteps were much too light to be Anna or even Elsa.

“Hey, you’re back! How was the meeting?” He called out casually.

“Oooh, Hi Hans!!”

The prince immediately stiffened, and he had to catch himself before he dropped the paint-covered brush into his lap. It had been several months since his and Anna’s wedding and truly being a resident in the kingdom. One of these days, the shock of a talking, magical snowman would wear off.

“Hello, Olaf.” He said politely with a small smile.

“Whatcha doin’ all by yourself?” Olaf asked as he came up to stand beside Hans. “How come you’re not out with Anna or Elsa?”

“Oh, you know, the ladies are busy with their duties and can handle everything quite well on their own. They don’t really need me hanging around.” He replied. “And besides—it’s a gorgeous day. I don’t want to stay cooped up in the castle.”

“It is really nice out!” Olaf agreed, “Oh, I just love summer! The sunshine, the friendly bees and pretty flowers; even the little ducklings swimming around!” He hopped up and down excitedly. “It’s my favorite season out of the whole year!”

“Is that so?” Hana asked and briefly set his brush and wooden palette aside on the bench. “It never ceases to amaze me how you’re completely unlike how a typical snowman should be.”

That is… if magical living snowmen were typical in the first place….

Olaf giggled. “Anna says it’s because I’m special.”

“She’s certainly not wrong. You’re quite unique.” When there was a brief period of silence between them, Hans retrieved his tools and started working on his new canvas.

“Oooh! You’re painting!”

“That’s right.” Hans said, “It’s my hobby. Drawing, sketching, painting; it was something I learned to do by myself growing up. I’d take Sitron up somewhere quite and just immerse myself in nature.” After a few more brush strokes, he glanced to his right. Olaf was watching him work with large orbed eyes.

“Wow!” the snowman said softly with an awestruck expression. “What’s that you’re making?”

Hans adjusted his hold on the brush to point across the garden to one of the castle walls. “Do you see the wisteria coming off that balcony there?”

“The what?”

“The purple flowers—”

“Ooh! Yes.”

Hans smiled to the snowman. “That balcony there is where Anna and I spent a good portion of our time on the day we met. I thought this would bring back some wonderful memories.”

“So, you’re giving it as a gift?”

“Mmhm.”

“But her birthday was last week!”

Hans chuckled softly, “It’s not a birthday gift, Olaf; just a mere token of affection,” he explained and started mixing another color on his palette. “Anna does so much for this family and for her kingdom. Sometimes I feel it often goes unnoticed.”

“I love Anna so much!” Olaf said cheerfully. “Did you know she’s been teaching me how to read??”

“I didn’t.” Hans replied, “How is that coming along?”

Olaf smiled wide. “I just finished with the alpha… alpoo…” he frowned and struggled to come up with the right word.

“Alphabet?”

“Yeah!” He waved his arms, “and I can write my own name, too!”

“That’s very good, Olaf.”

There was another long pause before the snowman waddled a bit closer and spoke up quietly. “do… do you think you could show me how to paint?” he asked almost nervously. “Maybe I could make something to give to Anna, too?”

Hans couldn’t help but smile. He knew how inquisitive Olaf was about just about everything. Were it anyone else, he might have felt a bit put out for losing his personal time. But this was Olaf, and Anna was always suggesting that he and the snowman should spend more time together. Perhaps in getting to know Olaf better, he wouldn’t tense up every time walking snow entered his line of sight.

…if it weren’t for that near-death experience from that snow monster, I wouldn’t be terrified of a two-foot-tall creature who only wants hugs….

“Sure, you can.” Hans set his palette down and reached into his supply case for a smaller canvas and spare brush.

Olaf watched curiously as Hans laid out the supplies for him on the grass just to the right of his workspace so there would be plenty of room to spread out. “What do you think Anna would like?”

“Anna loves you. I’m sure she would treasure anything you decided to create.”

“Hmm…” Olaf picked up the brush and tapped it against the side of his head, “What do you like to draw?”

Hans shrugged, “It depends on my mood, I suppose. Sometimes its an object right in front of me or even a distant memory—something that’s meaningful or important to me.”

“Hmm….”

While Olaf deliberated, Hans went back to his painting. Soon, the only sounds between them were Olaf’s cheerful hums as he dabbed his brush into orange paint. As soft popping noise caught Hans’ attention not long after, and when he glanced down to see his companion’s progress, he was surprised to find that Olaf had pulled off his nose and set it down in the grass in front of him. He watched silently, curiously, as Olaf attempted to recreate his beloved nose on paper. Of all things he thought Olaf might choose, the carrot was not one of them.

He was at a decent stopping point, so he set down his brush and palette and decided to watch Olaf for a while. The small canvas contained large splatters of orange that he was trying to shape into something resembling a carrot. The corners of his mouth twisted upwards as Olaf cleaned off his brush and switched to green, then blue, to make up a basic grass and sky background.

“There! It’s perfect!” He said with glee and jumped to his feet and waved his twiggy arms into the air.

Hans knelt beside Olaf and admired his work. “That’s incredibly good for your first try, Olaf! May I ask why you chose your nose?”

“Because it’s special!” Olaf grinned and stuck the carrot back into its proper place on his face. “When we first met, Anna picked this carrot just for me! And Sven always loves to kiss my nose, too! A-And for impressions and charades night…” he pushed on the tip of the carrot until most of it was shoved back inside his head. Only a few inches of the carrot remained visible. “I’m a little baby unicorn!”

Hans couldn’t resist chuckling. Of course, he knew the nose-kisses were really the reindeer’s attempts at eating the carrot. But to Olaf, the gesture meant all the love in the world. His eyes then fell back to the canvas, and he got an idea. “You know… it’s almost perfect.”

Olaf tilted his head curiously, “almost?”

“It’s your first official artwork. And all paintings deserve a proper signature.” He reached into his case for a pen.

“What’s a signature?” Olaf asked.

“Your name.” Hans replied and handed off the pen, “This way everyone knows that this is your masterpiece. Do you think you can write your name nice and small in the corner?”

Olaf nodded enthusiastically and scribbled his name down as instructed. “Ooh, I love it! Now it’s definitely perfect!” He admired his work, then smiled hopefully to Hans. “Can we do this again?? This was fun!”

“Of course,” Hans said with a wide smile of his own. It surprised him how much he actually enjoyed Olaf’s company. In fact, he found Olaf far more a relaxing companion than Elsa.

“Hooray!”  

“In fact, why don’t we do this again tomorrow. And tell you what—we’ll even paint one together.”

Olaf gasped with joy and immediately latched onto Hans for a warm hug. And for the first time, Hans hugged him back.

[from-etihad]

Store Piger Græder Ikke

Hana Yasmin and Estefania went into the inn right after Fay Areli handed her a letter addressed to her. Finn greeted them both, and neither woman noticed that he looked them oddly when they both went up stairs together, as he probably wondered if they knew each other. 

Once they were sitting by the little table in the room she was staying in, Hana opened the letter and read it out loud to Estefania. Hana’s heart raced as she read that plans had changed entirely, that Eamonn had chosen to live away from his families, and planned to change his name entirely. But, he still wanted her with him, and that he was planning to stay in a location for a short while, so she had to opportunity to go with him, and start anew. He offered her a clean slate, under different names, and while they could be in constant danger, they’d be together for good. 

The letter ended with Eamonn stating that he understood if she declined, but that he would always love her, and hoped for the best.

Then, in rather tiny lettering, there was the name of the place he was staying, with an urgency to destroy the letter once she read it.

Hana stared at the letter, and she could feel Estefania’s eyes on her. 

“... It’s certainly a tempting offer,” Estefania said before giving a weak smile, “It’s definitely a chance to start over--”

“He always does this.” Hana cut in quietly, “I thought our plan was to stay here. We spoke about it, we planned it together.”

Hana folded the letter and put it on the table, placing her left hand over it while she covered her eyes with her other hand. She could already feel the tears of frustration begin to well up in her eyes.

“I’m not going to pretend I know the man,” Estefania stated flatly, “But, from what I’ve seen happen here, he seems like he’s a man who does what he wants without consulting anyone before making a decision.”

Then, she let out a short sight, “And, it seems you’re not an exception to that.”

Hana ran her hand down her face, wiping her eyes before any tears fell. Even while she was no longer a Queen, she refused to show vulnerability in public. But, she felt such a heaviness, she couldn’t help but look downhearted. She thought they were on the same page. They had been in each other arms, making plans about living in Wexford together as his parents had, how many children they wanted... they had even declared themselves married. In fact, on her voyage to Wexford, and while talking to Finn there, she had referred to Eamonn as her husband. But, it was as if he had pulled the rug from under her, and she didn’t know what was going on, what had happened to make him change the plans.

Most of all, she was surprised at her own reaction. She felt angry, frustrated, troubled... there was no happiness, joy, or excitement. 

“I love him Stef,” Hana replied finally, looking aimlessly at the table, “I really do. But this...”

“Hana,” Stef reached out and put her hand over hers on the table, “I’m not going to speak to you as a councilwoman or your right hand, as I’m no longer those things. I’m going to speak to you as a friend: For years, you’ve done what was best for your family, for your kingdoms, for him -- but what about you want?”

Hana raised her eyes to look at Stef, who was frowning with worry, “Me?”

“Yes. You.” Stef emphasized, “There is no doubt you love him. I know you’ve been involved with him for quite a while now. But, if there’s something I learned in my time here, it’s that your wants and needs are important too. If you don’t stay true to yourself, nothing will work.”

Hana was quiet, unable to say anything. Stef stood up, and walked over, putting a hand on her shoulder. Hana looked up at her and Stef smiled, despite still having a worried look in her green eyes.

“Hana, after giving up so many years of ruling, putting others before yourself, it’s only fair for you to finally start doing what you want. Live your life your way. I’d be sad to see you go, but if this is what you want, I’ll support you as your close friend. But, you should rest on it, don’t make any impulsive decisions.”

Hana took her hand and nodded. Stef smiled once more and left her room.

----

For two nights, she thought about it. She didn’t eat anything and she didn’t speak to anyone. The more she thought about it, however, the more clouded her mind got. There was a heaviness in her heart that she could not shake since reading the letter, and it made her restless.

On the second day, she finally slept for a while, and she dreamt of him. She and he had made a home in Wexford together. He was chopping wood as she stepped outside their house, that to her knowledge, he had built for them. As soon as he saw her, he gave her that beautiful smile she adored, that was once elusive, but in that reality, it was something she saw constantly. She smiled back as he dropped his axe, and wrapped his arms around her once she walked over. They kissed long and hard, and she could feel her heart swell with joy. The sound of children made her break the kiss, and she could see from afar two children playing by a small pond. He leaned his head against hers as she looked on and then Hana woke up, alone on her bed. She laid there for a second, but then got up, got some parchment, and began to write.

It was in the middle of the night when she finally emerged from her room. In her hands was the letter sent for her, and the letter she was sending out. She went down the stairs, and the inn was quiet. Most of the patrons had either left, or retreated to their own rooms. Finn’s aunt Helka was there, and looked like she was about to call it a night. Hana managed to call her over and asked if she could have her letter sent out in the morning. Helka took the letter and agreed, wishing her a good night before retreating to the back.

Hana went up to the fireplace by the tables and tossed Eamonn’s letter in fire, destroying it just as he had asked her to. Then, she sat down by one of the tables, put her arms on the surface, and put her head down on them.

She looked up when she heard someone clear their throat. There stood Finn, who had his brows raised in concern.

“Are you alright?” He asked curiously.

 She didn’t know what it was, but she felt like she needed to tell him the truth.

“The ‘husband’ I told you about? He’s Eamonn Sargenis.” Hana told him plainly.

Finn looked surprised. Then, he looked uncomfortable, and rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh... well ... I had no idea. I mean -- I hope you didn’t take offense to what I said earlier.”

“You won’t have to worry about that. He’s not coming here,” Hana’s eyes went downcast, “He’s not coming here. He wrote to me, and asked me to go with him.”

“Oh.” Finn replied, still sounding uncomfortable, “...So, did you want a refund to your room? Or do you plan to stay as long as you paid before you go?”

Hana then felt unable to contain what she was holding back, as if a dam inside her finally began to break, letting what was behind it flow through. She began to fell herself shake. She shook her head as she could embarassingly feel hot tears roll down her face.

“I... I think I just divorced him.” Hana said looking up at him, before she finally felt overwhelmed.

The anxiety suddenly rushed through her body and she closed her eyes, trying to control her breathing as Rama Malik had instructed her when such attacks would occur.  But, her chest began to ache badly, and as she began to hyperventilate, she felt an urgency to go outside. She suddenly got up, and ran past Finn, outside into the cold night. She stood by the side of the inn, once again trying to control her breathing. She felt like crying, but she fought back every feeling to weep, blinking wildly while looking up towards the starry sky to prevent any tears from appearing.

She heard the inn door open, and soon, Finn appeared with something in his hand, which he extended to her. When Hana looked, she saw it was a cup.

“It’s water. You should drink it.” Finn told her with concern. 

Hana was breathing deep breathing through her nose, her entire body shaking, but she took the cup and slowly began to drink it, feeling eased by the cool water. She handed him back the cup, and he set on the ground.

“I didn’t want it to end this way...but I couldn’t go. I just couldn’t.” Hana said breathlessly as Finn stood next to her while she leaned on the outer wall of the inn.

“I’m divorced myself, and I know how difficult it is” Finn replied softly, “Especially when it’s a decision you were forced to make.”

“God... I’m breaking his heart, but I feel as though I’ve completely shattered my own,” Hana said, her voice quavering, and tears still stinging her eyes, “I’m sorry, I didn’t not mean to just run out like that--”

“Hana, there’s no one else here but you and I. Don’t worry about what I think, that’s not important.” Finn replied.

He then turned to her, and looked at her as if inspecting her. Then, Finn took her arm and pulled her to him. She gasped as he put a hand behind her head, and he pushed her head on his shoulder. 

“You look like someone who’s held back quite a bit. When you’ve worked at the inn for as long as I have, you can just tell sometimes. I don’t know how long you’ve been holding things in, but maybe it’s time to let it out.” He said with a gentleness that surprised her,  “There’s no one else here. Go ahead and cry. I won’t look.”

It was the strangest thing. Finnegan was an intimidating, angry looking man. Althought she found him kind, in an awkward way, she still knew, by the way people treated him, that he was not a man to mess with. Yet, there he was, holding her, and telling her it was alright to cry. 

It was as if something in her finally heard the right words needed to break through. The tears finally fell, and she began to cry. Soon, she was sobbing and heaving, as pain, guilt, and grief finally began to seize her entire being. She was so overtaken, she would have dropped to the ground if it wasn’t for Finn wrapping his arm around her waist to keep her up.

“It’s alright, I got you.” He reassured her. “I won’t leave until you’ve released it all.”

Hana Yasmin wept for what seemed to be like hours, and Finnegan kept his word, and stayed there holding her up as she did.

[ Title was inspired by this song because it’s super fitting.]

[iplaydrake]

FULL CIRCLE - CHAPTER 6 - THE RIGHT AND WRONG (AND RIGHT AGAIN) WAY TO BE A STUNNER - PART 3

Catch Up Here :

CHAPTER 6 - THE RIGHT AND WRONG (AND RIGHT AGAIN) WAY TO BE A STUNNER - PART 2

Author’s Note : Positive feedback, constructive criticism, and reblogging are always welcome. I own nothing except the storyline of my MC. Everything else belongs to Pixelberry.

Pairing : Drake x MC

Tag List : @likethetailofacomet @carabeth @rhymesmenagerie @speedyoperarascalparty @butindeed @wannabemc2 @client-327 @jovialyouthmusic @be-still-my-aching-heart @riseandshinelittleblossom @lodberg @drakesensworld @alj4890 @rainbowsinthestorm @ao719 @andy-loves-corgis @drakewalkerisreal @whenyourheartskipsabeat @furiousherringoperatortoad @silentcoyotesong @choicesmacmakes @ladyangel70 @lady-alex-keith @notoriouscs @lynne1993 @qammh-blog @gnatbrain @sirbeepsalot

 *** FLASHBACK - 1 MONTH BEFORE SWEET 16 ***

“I don't even feel like I connect with her anymore; if I ever even did... I mean, what could she possibly see in a guy like me?” She immediately grabbed the piece of his hair she was playing with, yanking it back so he would look up at her. “Ow, Duck!”

“OK, first of all, I told you to stop talking about yourself like that and second, you are the most amazing man I've ever met, Drake. Any girl would be lucky to have a chance to even talk to you. If she can't see that, then that's her loss. God, I just don't understand why you... You know what? Nevermind...”

“What?”

“Nothing... Forget I said anything...”

He sat up from her lap and turned to face her. “Come on, Rem. What were you gonna say?”

She knew better than to think he'd let it go; he never did with her, always saying that the fact that she was so honest and open with him about what she was thinking was how he knew she was more real than any other noble at court. “Why you care so much about someone who treats you like shit.”

“You don't get it, Duck... You don't know what it's like for someone like me to be around people like them... No one treats me or sees me as anything but a commoner... And Kiara may not treat me good all the time but-”

She was suddenly tired of hiding her feelings from him and mad at the same time that after 3 months of spending time together he hadn't noticed them himself. She cut him off before he could continue. “Stop saying no one sees you! I'm here, Drake. I'm right here in front of you and I do! How can you sit there day in and day out and not realize it?... Can you honestly look me in the eye and tell me that you don't think about us? That you've never wondered what it would be like for us to be together?” He was silent for longer than she would have liked and before she could feel anymore embarrassed than she already was, she wiped at the imaginary dust on her pants and stood up. “I guess this is all in my head then... Listen, I'm gonna go, I'll see you... Whenever, I guess.”

As she turned to walk away, he quickly stood and reached out, grabbing her hand. “Rem, no! Please don’t leave!” She paused but didn't turn around. “Look, I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it... Probably more than I should... I mean, after these last few months, how could I not?” She turned to face him waiting for him to continue. "And you're right, you do see me. You are the only one who makes me feel like I'm worth a damn, the only one who takes the time to get to know the real me and I care about you; so much more than I ever thought possible... But Rem, you're only 16. It can't happen for us...” She knew it was the truth but it didn't hurt any less hearing it from him and she dropped her head, feeling the tears start to fall at his rejection. He immediately moved his hand to her cheek to get her to meet his eyes as he continued with a smile. “At least not right now... Listen, I'll make you a deal. We'll keep doing what we're doing, spending time, getting to know each other and we'll see where it takes us. I’ll even promise that if no other guy is lucky enough to experience what it's like to kiss you, it’ll be me... The minute you turn 18, I'll be your first.”

“What exactly are you saying, Drake?”

“I’m saying that if, in 2 years, you still think you want me, we'll be together... For real.”

She shook her head at him, unable to contain her smile. "There's no question in my mind that you're still going to be the one I want... I'm gonna marry you someday, Drake Walker."

*** END OF FLASHBACK ***

When she'd left home almost 6 years ago, she closed herself off to everyone, no longer trusting people's intentions and in turn, never allowing anyone close enough to hurt her. Any memories she had of the place that had caused her so much pain were buried deep down inside of her as she struggled to move on. But as hard as she tried, being home brought them to the surface faster than she'd expected and she could feel her guard dropping at the same speed. As she was packing her bag to head to Lythikos with her brothers and Savannah, she briefly wondered why she was going through these motions. In her mind, she had no intention of staying in Cordonia permanently, knowing there was no way she could stomach seeing, let alone interacting with, anyone who hurt her.

But it was the thought of getting close to Drake again or closer than she already was to Liam, that scared her more than anything. Between the look on Drake's face each time he begged her to believe him and the kiss she shared with each of them the day before, she knew that it was just a matter of time until she gave in to her feelings, knowing exactly where her heart would lie when it happened. Her kiss with Liam had been what she'd expected; sweet and gentle, the kind of kiss only a prince could give. But just like she knew it would, Drake's kiss left her breathless and wanting more. It was Drake... It would always be Drake.

So she did the only thing she could think of... She planned in her head how she was going to avoid him, knowing that after last night, staying away from him was the only chance she'd have if she wanted to make it back to New York with her heart intact. She walked out to the waiting limo, finishing the emails to her teachers and her boss, letting them all know that she wasn't coming back just yet, as she heard Maxwell call out to her.

“Rem, come on! We gotta go!”

“I'm coming, I'm co-” she froze as she looked up and saw him, leaning against the waiting limo. “Uh, Maxwell can I talk to you for a minute, please?”

“Remington, honestly, we do not have time for this.” She ignored Bertrand's call from inside as she gave Maxwell a look that said she wasn't asking. She grabbed his arm and yanked him far enough away where she hoped they wouldn't be overheard.

“Um, what the hell, Maxwell? What's he doing here?”

“What?” Maxwell asked, feigning ignorance. “He asked if he could catch a ride with us... He was supposed to go with Liam but he slept in, something about having a headache... What was I supposed to say?!”

She looked over at Drake, who was smirking at her. “Ugh, I should have hit him harder.”

“What?”

“Nothing... Let's just go...” She ignored the look Maxwell gave her as they walked back towards the limo and he slid in first, as she stopped in front of Drake. He motioned for her to get in, still smirking, and she shook her head, unable hide her own smile as he sat next to her, close enough that their knees were touching. She knew she was in big trouble as he looked down at her and winked, discretely locking his pinky finger with hers. A part of her knew she should pull her hand away, not wanting to give him the wrong idea, but another part was comforted by the simplicity of the gesture. That part won out as they stayed like that the whole way to Lythikos.

*****

“Come on, kid! Skate with me!” Maxwell didn't wait for her response as he grabbed her hand and dragged her out towards Hana. She couldn't help but laugh as the two of them literally skated circles around her. It had been forever since she'd been on the ice and it showed as she struggled to keep her balance and avoid running into anyone. As she made her way around the pond, she caught Drake's eyes as he watched her with a smile. She didn't notice the little blonde girl that was skating, both of them completely unaware that they were about to skate right into each other. By the time either realized, it was too late. The little girl couldn't stop herself as she flew right into Remi, knocking her down, Remi doing her best to take the brunt of the fall. She helped the little girl sit up slowly as Drake rushed out onto the ice, seeing Remi fall and everyone else huddled around them to make sure they were alright. “Whoa, are you ok, sweetie?” She looked around scared, almost as if she was going to be in trouble and as the crowd grew, so did the fear on her face. A woman Remi assumed was her mom hurried over apologizing, “I'm so sorry, Lady Remington! Are you ok?”

Remi immediately waved her off. “I'm perfectly fine! Is she? I tried asking her myself, but she wouldn't answer me.”

Her mother smiled sadly and Remi watched as she signed to her daughter, asking if she was alright. Remi put her hands up, stopping her. She took off her gloves, shifting the little girl's attention to herself to sign. “I'm so sorry I wasn't watching where I was going. Are you ok?” 

The little girl, realizing Remi could sign, smiled for the first time, excited to finally be able to talk to someone else. She signed back excitedly, tell Remi she was fine and they continued their conversation as everyone watched, stunned. Drake and Liam both smiled to themselves as they watched the interaction and after a few minutes, the little girl threw her arms around Remi, hugging her tightly. Her mom reached out for her hand and she waved back to Remi as they walked away. As the crowd slowly dissipated, Drake moved behind her, putting his hands under her arms to help her stand up. Hana, clearly impressed, was the first to speak up. “Wow, Remi! I had no idea you knew sign language.”

“It's not a big deal. I took some classes in school.” She met Drake's eyes and tried to hide her blush as everyone noticed the look he gave her.

“Come on, Rem. Let's head in for a little bit.” Maxwell said as he led her towards the estate. He turned back, catching Drake's attention, and made a slicing motion across his throat, hoping Drake got his message loud and clear.

*****

After dinner, everyone moved to the sitting room to continue their conversations. Remi couldn't help but notice Drake as he continuously looked down at his watch. 

“What's the matter, Walker? Got a hot date you can't be late for?” 

He didn't answer, instead holding out his hand for her to take. “Come with me? I wanna show you something.” She slid her hand in his, allowing him to interlock their fingers together as he led her out into the cold, stopping them when they reached a clearing not far from the estate. He stood in front of her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “Ok, so don't be mad...”

“Why would I be-” Before she could finish her sentence, he gave her a soft shove, catching her off guard, and she fell backwards into the snow.

“Heyyy!”

“What? I told you not to be mad...” He said as he let himself fall beside her.

“Seriously, Drake? What the-”

“Shhh... Watch!” He pointed up, making her shift her focus as a meteor shower lit up the night sky.

“Wow... This is amazing.” She looked over at him with a smile to see he was  already staring at her. She slowly slid her hand into his, both of them once again feeling the same spark from so long ago. “Thank you for sharing this with me.” she whispered. 

“I want to share everything with you, Rem.” He leaned over, pulling her into a long kiss before he felt her shiver underneath him. “You're freezing... Let's go in.” He stood first and helped her to her feet, and she slid her hand in his again, this time on instinct. They barely made it through the doorway before his mouth was on hers again, rushed and frantic, the build up of what they'd both waited for for so long now taking over, both knowing exactly where they wanted this to go. Before all logic could go out the window, Remi did her best to get his attention; there was something she knew she needed to tell him before things went any further.

"Drake... Drake, I...” 

“What, Baby?” He didn't stop, instead speaking through his kisses.

“I'm… I've never… been WITH anyone... Like this…" She said, trying catch her breath. He pulled away to look at her and she suddenly felt insecure under his surprised stare.

"I just... I mean before I left, anyway... I always thought me and you… That you would be my..." She fumbled with her words feeling more and more self-conscious by the minute. "I just... I wanted to be honest." She looked down, afraid to meet his eyes.

He brought his hands up, lifting her face and stared at her as if he was trying to remember this moment forever, before slowly leaning in to kiss her again. "I'll never know what I did to deserve you…” He kissed her once more before he held out his hand to her. “Come on, come with me.” She grabbed it, holding it tight in both of hers as he led her down the hall to his room.

Want to continue? Click below for the next chapter :

CHAPTER 7 : I’VE GOT YOU DOWN TO A TEE

[aggresivelyfriendly]

Chapter 3- Hana No Ami

Thanks for the reads, interest, and love! All of it!! Thanks to the tripod, @bleedinglove4h & @dirtystyles it would not happen without you. or would be shit and barely English, and definitely lack Japanese!

And a big special thanks for Harry, for proving me psychic at times, for giving me so much fodder, and for being a god damn Greek Muse!

"God dammit!" Ada seethed. She wanted to scream, but she had been making nice with Harry on set, and when she did that, she was able to get a few decent takes out of him.

Fine, they were more than decent. They were magic. 

But, a few decent takes out of so many, and only one to two stellar ones was making her so frustrated she wanted to scream.  It was there, it, whatever that was but it was buried under foot thick nerves, that got thicker if she was clearly frustrated. So she whispered it while she watched him look like he'd never been in love in his life.

She'd listened to his album, once, when she agreed to do the movie, so she knew him a little better.

And a couple more times, not so begrudgingly, because she liked it.

If she went by that, he had been in love. Ada supposed she should ask him, but all of her niceties were expended on set with him. That seemed like and after hours question. When he tried to talk to her after hours, she was short with him, and left no quarter for small talk. He was too nice.

So nice, he was exhausting her. He was so good when he was good, but it took very broad shoulders on her part to get him there.

Harry was really great before the camera turned on, everyday. When they first met for the day. He was enthusiastic and bright. His ideas were good. Those first few minutes were a glimmer of an oasis on the horizon. Somewhere midway through the conversation he would drift off, ah, a mirage then, again. The he would be that balloon slowly floating away until she found some way to grab his string. She was beginning to think he may need Ritalin. She may have to look up her roommate from college, Ada thought she lived here. Katie, Yeah, Katie usually had a hook up.

He needed something, or she needed a helper. She felt a little like elvis' colonel, able to pull the performance out of this modern day musical king. Maybe with a prescription. That was wrong, even to think, and she couldn't. She was able get the goods out of him without director's little helpers. But it was such a chore.

He would talk well, then get a little drifty. She'd have to cut take after take, and he'd get more and more insecure. She'd watched him on stage, and before takes. He wasn't insecure, hell sometimes he was cocky, she could use some of that. The shades of it she saw in interviews. Maybe it was the hair cut? The longer his hair the bigger his dick energy?

Well, his hair wasn't growing fast enough!

"Go again! Keep rolling!" Ada felt like there was no time to stop. They had a section of Ueno Park to themselves, stunningly. Almost as amazing as the blossoming surroundings.

The city government had been more than generous, they had gotten access to so many open spaces. Her dream spaces. Well, she supposed it was Harry's or the scriptwriter's dreams. But they were magic. And getting to film in them was a gift. Like all gifts though, this pass had limitations. The city wasn't willing to shut down entirely for whole days. So they got specific times and areas to use for filming.

The areas were still open to the public in a limited manner. Ada loved that, and the curious locals looked good on film. The park looked dreamy to her eyes and on the dailies, and the people added to it. Sakura season was nearing its end, but the blossoms were hearty this year and were full in most spots, but still dropping like snow.  Heavy and magic, casting pink light on the already beautiful setting.

It was a perfect set up.

Ada needed Harry to twirl in them in wonder. It wasn't in the script, but it was on her plan now. Because of him. He needed to twirl, just as he had been when they arrived.

She wasn't even sure he knew she was watching. His wardrobe was wondrous, and the setting, perfect, and she had no nerves at all for a few minutes. The unscripted moment was better than the plan. Today was gonna be different.

Ada was sure this was a turning point. Today was the day she got more that Harry's magic, but singular moments.

Maybe she should throw the boy a bone and sit down for the drinks he inquired about several times. If he did better, her irritation would go away enough for it. She liked him, it might help. Maybe they just needed to establish a better rapport. She'd turned him down several times. She was just recovering from her killer jet lag and, well, he was proving to be a pain in the ass. She didn't want to see him when she didn't have to.

But that was before, now she was even sadder to be wrong after all that hope, maybe even a bath in her future when they got home early. Instead.

Today looked like another long one, and she wasn't sure if she had enough novacaine to inject him with, or caffeine for herself. And she knew she didn't have enough time.

He'd continued his batting average. Either Harry whiffed at air, hit nothing, or knocked it out of the park.

She was hoping he'd be first time lucky earlier, when things had been set up and he'd walked out of his trailer, in the street clothes Akio had styled for Henry at the Harajuku shop. Nothing crazy or too bright. It was perfect actually, he was rockabillied out. A poof of hair in front, white y shirt - she refused to call them wife beaters, a leather jacket cocked off his shoulders- a large black belt and black straight pants with a high cuff, combat boots. He'd had a comb in his hand and Ada dug it. She'd have to high five wardrobe. He was a daydream. And it looked like it fit. Harry Presley indeed.

She watched him walk into set and stand in the middle of a blossom fall. His cheeks had lifted and his eyes shone. Big coin spot dimples daring anybody to try their pin ball luck. He looked pretty dreamy. If he could keep that up, there'd be no trouble believing Akio would fall, maybe even try for a kiss, but be interrupted and have to make a run for it just as the scene called for.

"Just like that, Harry." She'd walked up to him. "That's exactly how you should look in this scene. It's pretty irresistible." She'd smiled at him, all the hope and good feelings of her early morning workout and real, delicious matcha running through her veins. It wasn't even too cold for such an early morning. The scene was perfect. He looked perfect, like a hip Tokyo boy dressed him up, and the weather even cooperated.

His confidence looked high as well, along with the color in his cheeks.

"Yeah, this is pretty magic." He said and looked around and a petal fell upon his cheekbone. They pressed against his skin when he looked up, soft, but sharp enough to hold the side of the petal.

Ada wished she was already rolling, and she doubted the petal would stay. They needed another flower to float on down and stick to his cheeks. It wouldn't. But they could create movie magic.

How'd you do that, she had asked her first mentor?

Well, you cheated of course. She'd have makeup use a trick.

Ada reached up to brush the petal off and Harry turned his cheek at the same time. His cheek was warm and smooth, like her lakebed in the summer. She awkwardly realized that she was basically cupping his face for a long moment, and was about to yank her hand away when he blinked his eyes slowly closed and left them gentle there. She nearly ran her thumb over the sharp cheekbone.

"Makeup!" She flinched her hand off of him and went back to her seat when she realized what she was doing.

She had such a good feeling about this morning, but after their flower moment, he was a mess. He almost fell in the pond when he and Yuki decided to play around in the scene and walk on the railings like overgrown kids. It could have worked. She let them because she was desperate, they had about two minutes of usable stuff for their time.

What happened? He was ready to go just a little while ago. She was sure of it.

Harry was shaking. He had been for a while. Yuki was looking at him like he was crazy. "You ok Hari?"

"Yeah, Yeah, man, maybe my blood sugar is low?" So he'd had a pressed juice. This was after his near fall. A place to put clumsy blame. It helped a little. Mostly, it gave him a chance to get himself together. He was a little better when they started rolling, but he was off again. He was unbelievably frustrated. He'd had a good feeling about today. That he would "act good" like Jeffrey suggested. But he knew he was not doing his best, right now. Dunkirk had not been like this. But it was so physically taxing and mostly just a matter of reacting to the things around him.

And he was not the focus, dammit. That was wonderful, actually. To have the focus broadened, shared. Truly divided. Even in the band, he felt zoomed in on. Sometimes like a bug pinned down under a microscope. Dunkirk had given him a break.

So that when he was ready to be in the spotlight again, he felt ready, like it was on his terms.

Harry had decided these terms too. He wanted this movie. He was the force behind it. But now he felt like he was under the microscope again.

He was squirming especially because of Ada. He'd been happy to see her loose and open when she'd come onto set. The smudges under her eyes, the ones that worried him so, were lighter, almost gone. He could feel the dimples from that. And he'd seen hers! He'd only caught those in pictures before.

Plus, he was so excited about this day. He had never gotten to be in Tokyo, in Japan, during cherry blossom season.

His breath caught when he walked from his trailer to the bridge. Harry had given himself a talking to, and had agreed with himself that he was gonna loosen up, and he'd only ask Ada to have a drink with him one more time.

Just once more, he wanted to talk to her. He was sure he  could charm her then. If he could just calm down. Since the shoes hadn't worked, he could finally give her a satisfactory apology. Which was probably just for him at this point, he needed to purge. Also, he wasn't sure she knew how sorry he was, how embarrassed. It was messing him up, his performance up. That the lack of resolution was affecting him.

She was affecting him. The way he felt when he talked to her, looked at her.  It wasn't like a lightening strike, it was like......ichariba chode, she felt like home. But more, not just like his mom with hot tea, but those moments he'd had so rarely, with Grimmy and Camille a time or two. When he would come home and they'd be waiting for him, their arms outstretched with warm kisses, warm food, hot embraces, lazy lie ins.

Like a lover, a family of his own creation. He had a crush before he met her. But it was more now. Growing. He loved watching her on set. She was the boss, in such a way that she didn't need to be bossy. But she could be. God it was sexy.

Another thing he couldn't ignore. He was gonna have to. It was not mutual. That was jarring.

And distracting. He was so distracted today, he'd been on it, had absolute confidence that today he was turning a corner. All the elements had combined to make a great day. How could do it, and her confidence at the beginning of the day felt like closure. He didn't know what happened.

That was a lie.

Truth was, he knew exactly what was going on. Ada had touched him, again. And every time she did his stomach flipped like when Gemma forced him to go on the zipper at a carnival when he was eight.

He never learned to like rollercoasters.

Ada made him feel like he was upside down and inside out when she touched his shoulder while she gave him a talking-to. He could see she was really frustrated with him, but she was gentle and he wanted to please her.

And he should have known he was a bit fucked when she touched his cheek. He'd maybe never felt that good, maybe when Irving first told him he could be a legend. That was a similar feeling, but he didn't want to fall into Irving. Or kiss him.

That was when he knew he would need an intervention. Like every day. But he wasn't sure it could be her, she was definitely the problem today. If he was honest, like most other days. Though she intervened then too. She was the problem and the cure.

She was intervening earlier and earlier. He wasn't sure if she had figured out that she could appeal to his need to impress her and he would perform. Harry hated that he required so much work, he was supposed to be the leader on the film. He wanted to be the leader on set, be an example. But he seemed to require handholding.

"Cut!" Ada yelled while he was on his penitent Road, whipping away at himself mentally.  Shit, head in the game Styles.

"You ok, Harry? Yuki?"  They both nodded.  "How can we make this better, get this shot before the city Insists we get the hell off of this bridge for the day?"

"What if Harry makes the move, maybe it's the set up he's uncomfortable with? Me kissing him?"

"I'm not uncomfortable!" Harry exclaimed while Ada was saying "I don't think he's uncomfortable with the affection, or dynamic."

Yuki looked confused. Harry laughed. "Mate, I'd hold your hand all day, on camera," he pointed to the fans nearby. "Don't really care about that so much, cats nearly out of the bag. I'm just...."

"Distracted." Ada filled in, She was good at reading him. Harry loved that. When he didn't have to talk. That would be so nice to come home to. Stop it! Those thoughts were not helping.

"Yeah!" Harry pinched his lip between his fingers, he did it often, it had been known, because it centered him. It had caught him so off guard, effected him so, when Ada touched his cheek, took him out of this scene of supposed natural affection. He looked at her and his cheek tingled. His eyes fell closed on the two hours old memory, still. He touched his cheek and opened his eyes and looked at Ada. A spark fired then and they talked over each again.

"You should touch his face!" Ada said.

"You should take a blossom off my face!" Harry basically yelled into Ada's ear.

She rubbed it for a second, but his "Sorry" was said on the sharp corners of his smile.

And Ada was the car, her lips curved like a Porsche on their collaboration. They could corner like they were on rails right now.

"Yuki-" She beckoned him over, and waved her hand at wardrobe.  To the girl with the palettes in hand she said, "can you make his face sticky, so if I drop these," she pointed to the baby pink petals above, "they'll stick?"

"Yeah, I can use gloss, light will catch on it too!" The girl was thinking out loud,. "I'm afraid it will shine. Look out for that. Hold on."  She disappeared and Ada turned to a waiting Yuki.

"So, I want you to come up behind him, and I'll have petals dropped on him." Ada pointed at her star, Harry was nodding too. "When he turns, it should look pretty dreamy, you should look like it is anyway. Like really compelling. Smitten, do you know this word?"

Yuki was laughing, and Ada felt like there was a conversation going on she didn't know about. Both boys were looking at her, Yuki back and forth between her and Harry.

"Yeah, I know what look you want. I can imagine it." He looked at Harry and cracked up. "We have a way to say - koi no yokan - a future at love, a vision." He looked at Harry, brow high. Like Harry knew what he was talking about. Could explain it.

Ada focused on him too, like he had an example in he and Ada's common language for it.

Harry's attention refocused on his costar, tore I His eyes off ada. "I don't know. I'm just learning Japanese. Trying." He supposed he felt that's little when he fell into Ada's cleavage, before he puked on her. After too he supposed. It just felt more hopeful before. He guessed he knew smitten, and a premonition of love.

"Oh, I think you know." And Yuki was laughing again. Ada was excited, and she was engaged, with her actors, but they were still pressed for time. And they needed this shot. She knew it was gonna be good, could feel the energy.

"You smitten, Harry?" She laughed at him, and Harry could feel his eyes get really big, but her attention shifted and she was walking back to her chair.

"Ok, let's do it! Roll tape!" She watched the make up girl come back to wipe Harry's cheek, apply lip gloss, and somebody throw flower petals at his face, which seemed both highly fitting and like something he was used to.

He barely blinked.

And then, the shot was perfect, they got it so easily.

"Yuki, almost kiss him! Closer!" Ada shouted, that wasn't in the script, but it felt perfect.  Harry was lookin at her over his partner's shoulder and she could feel him lean in to Akio's space. Like a magnet. Magnetic, wow.

It only took one take, it was perfect. Ada jumped out of her chair and was running to start tearing down, so they could do some make up shots. Her excitement made Harry smile. Good, he had finally done something right.

"You could tell her." Yuki said over his shoulder.

Harry turned back to him. "Tell who what?" He missed that train when it pulled out of the thought station.

"The lady director, Hari!" He raised his eyebrows in a gesture Harry had never seen a Japanese person make.

"Ada? Tell her what?"

"Tell her you like her!"

"What do you mean? What's not to like? Course I like her, she's so talented, and she's our boss."Harry felt naked in the middle of Ueno Park.

"You like her. Koi no yokan. You look like Akio looks at Henry with the petal on his cheek - like you want to be the petal."

"I don't." Harry shook his head. Was he that obvious? What a mess, he knew she barely tolerated him. Never took him up on his invitations. To dinner, or tea, or the Gucci store. "I don't!" He protested too much. He shook his head like he had water in his ears, this was more uncomfortable than the cold Atlantic.

"Ok, ok, you don't like her. But you could invite her to the thing tonight?"

Harry just shook his head. It would ruin it. He did well in that scene, finally, surprised her. She had been happy. And he was so pleased that the rest of the day went well.  He wasn't going to invite her to the bar where Konichi's band was playing.

Only because she had blown off all his other invitations.

But she was smiling so much at the end of the day, when he had accidentally on purpose passed her, he couldn't help it.

"Hey, Ada, if you have recovered from your jet lag and well, everything, we're all going to see my friend's band play. Want to come?" He doubted she would, he should have had Jeff invite her, she liked Jeff better. Harry worried his bottom lip.

Ada thought it over for a second. It might be good to bond with the cast. She hadn't been to anything they had done as a group. At first because she was tired, and then because the days often felt like she was pulling teeth, slow pitching Harry so he could hit his grand slams, leaving her mentally exhausted.

At least a few times it was because Harry had asked. She wasn't sure if it would be just the two of them. He hadn't mentioned the shoes she returned without tempting herself by looking at them. She was hoping to avoid that discomfort all together. Alone meant she'd have to flat out say no. She would, but would rather avoid it all together.

This was everyone though. She could go. If she could get herself out of her hotel room and out of the joggers and band tees that were her uniform. Though the zeppelin shirt she had on would look good with jeans and heels.  She guessed she was going, if she was already planning outfits.

Her black lace red bottoms crossed her mind, definitely going out shoes.

"I'll try."

God, he really loved her smile. It was pretty much perfect, and he felt like he knew great smiles, his was praised so often. He hoped she came.

The night was winding down, for Harry at least, and he had reconciled himself to Ada not coming.

He wasn't drunk per say, not like the night before he made Ada hate him.

But he was warm, and had another shot to get over her no show.

It was just enough to get him on stage. After urging all night. It wasn't his band. He missed his band, performing too, apparently. This was fun!

He was really warmed up by the time Smells Like Teen Spirit came on.

"Gambarimasu!" Was the first word Ada heard once she had talked herself into coming in. She'd dilly dallied and found herself starving, she'd ducked into one of the little yakitori places. But dining alone was a drag. She needed to make friends, which is what finally pushed her through the door. She was gonna enjoy her already bonded cast and crew. Find her place.

"That sounds just like Nirvana!" She looked down at the shirt she'd changed to last minute. Funny coincidence. The voice at least, the instruments were great too, but not quiet as electrifying as the voice.

Which belonged to her star.

"Well, damn!" She heard herself say, and saw Yuki chuckling at her side.

[mxadrian779]

Zutarian Except (#2):

           “Mai broke up with me,” said Zuko one day during a healing session.

Katara let the water fall from her hands and looked at him. “Oh,” she said finally, furrowing her brows as she processed his unsolicited statement. “I'm sorry.” She pulled the water back over her hands and continued. She focused her mind on the pulsing water, hovering it over Zuko's chest as it began to glow with healing energy. “Aang and I broke up last week,” Katara offered in response as she moved the water over him.

“How did that go?”

She resisted a shrug as she pressed the healing water onto his wounds. “Okay, I guess.” Katara bent the element against his skin, running the energy through his wounds and letting it loosen his chi. “I mean, what can you say about a relationship that felt like it lasted a lifetime? Somehow you thought you were supposed to be together, it doesn't work out, and you're not sure what to feel.”

Zuko groaned as the water hit a sore spot. “Empty?” he suggested. “Like you're suddenly missing half of yourself?”

“Maybe,” she murmured absently. Katara was silent as she pressed her hands gently against his skin. Zuko sucked in a breath, but relaxed as the soothing energy circulated throughout his body. Katara watched the sapphire glow absorbing into and rejuvenating his skin. She smiled when she saw the last of the bruises finally lift, and Zuko's pained expression loosened. “Is that it?” he asked after a time.

“For now,” she replied, helping him sit upright. “There's still a bit of internal damage. I can feel some blockages.”

“So can I,” said the firebender, grunting on cue and gripping his abdomen. “It's like there's a spiked knot in there whenever I move.”

“Sorry about that. There's nothing else I can do right now,” Katara said with a shrug. “We'll have to wait until the full moon. I'll try to unblock the rest of your chi with bloodbending.”

He eyed her. “Is that going to hurt?”

“Probably,” she responded, stifling a grin.

             Katara watched him as he shifted uncomfortably on the lounge, trying to find a sitting position that didn't give him a bolt of pain. She searched her mind for something to lighten the mood. “You know, Aang actually was convinced that you and I were—”

“An item?” Zuko guessed.

“Yeah.” Katara started to laugh, recalling its absurdity. “Can you believe that?”

The Fire Lord shared her laughter. “Really? Wow.” He smirked as he added, “It took me this long just to get you to stop hating me. Remember when you wanted to kill me?”

Katara gasped emphatically as heat flooded her face. “I never wanted to kill you!” she replied. After a thought, she added sheepishly, “I just wanted to scare you a little bit.”

He chuckled lightheartedly, perhaps taking joy in her embarrassment. “Good times.”

             “Any news on the attackers?” Katara asked, switching the topic.

The jovial look left his scarred face. “No,” Zuko replied, seemingly embarrassed. “My agents couldn't find anything or anyone. It's like the group just vanished into thin air.”

“They'll be back,” the waterbender said darkly.

Zuko stared into the distance. “Tell me about this Hana.”

“Hama,” Katara corrected. “She was a waterbender from the Southern Water Tribe. Many years ago, she and a bunch of other Southern benders were captured and imprisoned.” She paused, watching for Zuko's response. “But she later escaped.”

Surprise flickered across his face. “How? Fire Nation prisons are impenetrable.”

“Bloodbending.” Katara shivered at the thought. “She, uh...she figured out how to bend the liquid—the blood—in the elephant-rats in the prison and manipulate them. Then she used that on the guards.” She swallowed against the lump that was forming in her throat. Her memories of that wicked waterbender were fresh in her mind, even nearly three years later. Katara's heart dropped like a stone as she recalled the destructive devices of her element. She gritted her teeth, detesting Hama for corrupting the art of waterbending. “I learned how to bloodbend from her. I thought it was a great resource at first, but after experiencing it for myself...” Katara paused, suddenly feeling a little nauseous at the memory. How she wished she could erase that part of her history, and wished she'd have never learned that corrupted art. “I swore that I would never use it. Fighting people is one thing, but to actually control them like that, to have that kind of power...”

  ===

             Zuko watched helplessly as Katara grappled with her memories. It was deeply unsettling to see the valiant waterbender in such distress as she recounted the past, and Zuko longed to be able to comfort her. He easily remembered his own near-fatal bloodbending encounter a few weeks back, and remembered watching in horror as Katara bloodbent the murderous Yon Rha some years ago. Katara was a fierce but gentle spirit, and Zuko knew the dark art of bloodbending went against everything she believed. He could see now the trauma it created in her, could see how much she hated and feared having that power, and he desperately wished he knew how to take away that pain.

             “You know,” he said, leaning forward and eyeing the fresh sunlight pouring through the window, “I've been going stir-crazy the last few weeks. Would you want to join me out in the garden?” He looked at her and waited for an answer. Katara met his gaze, but there was a faraway look in her eyes, like her mind was still stuck in her memories. “I think the turtle-ducks are hungry,” said Zuko with a smile.

Katara blinked as she returned to reality. After taking a moment to absorb what Zuko had said, she to smiled. “Yeah, okay. That sounds like a good idea.”

             It was a beautiful early afternoon. Sunlight splashed onto the puffy clouds smudged against the sapphire sky as the colourful blossoms set the garden aglow. Zuko delighted in hearing the breaths that escaped Katara's lips as she took in the scene. “Beautiful, huh?” he prodded.

“It's gorgeous,” the waterbender said in awe.

He staggered to the far side of the garden, towards the private park. The front of the gardens were manicured and were the site of many public dealings, but farther behind the palace was a quieter and more natural setting. It was where the Fire Lords and their sages meditated, and where Zuko used to feed the turtle-ducks with his mother and sister (when she was a little less insane). Zuko seldom liked to visit this place because of its history. He hated thinking of his mother and the fate she suffered at the hands of his own father. He hated being his father's son, growing up in the shadow of a tyrant. Zuko often found himself lost in his moments of self-loathing, especially while recuperating from his most recent injuries.

“Zuko, you're not your father,” Katara would assure him. “Ozai was a treacherous coward, but you are brave and strong and kind. In spite of everything, you found your own path, you helped end the war, and you're rebuilding an entire nation. And you've made a lot of people proud. You've made me proud.”

             Katara followed him to the pond and helped him to the ground. Soon she knelt beside him and waited. Slowly a small family of turtle-ducks paddled out, squawking as they ran right up to Zuko. He withdrew a small pouch from his pocket and opened it to reveal a mix of seeds and specially baked bread rolls. He held them out to Katara and offered the first pick. She took a roll, broke off a piece, and gingerly held it out towards the pond. She clicked her tongue to draw the attention of the turtle-ducks, but they were more attracted to Zuko and his mother lode of bread. He spotted a flicker of disappointment in Katara's face, so he broke off a piece of bread and tossed it in front of her.

“What—?” Her question was cut off as a swarm of ducklings rushed her. She was stunned for a second, then burst into laughter as the little creatures gobbled up the bread Zuko had thrown and begged Katara for more. The waterbender surrendered her bread roll, letting it fall from her hand and watching as the ducklings dashed for it.

Zuko smiled to himself as he watched, savoring the sound of Katara's laugh, and the way her face crinkled when she smiled, and the joyous glimmer in her sapphire eyes...

             Something within him stirred, and in this moment he realised how truly fond of Katara he had become. Of course, Zuko admired her immensely and was grateful for her aid, but there was something much greater at work. He found himself craving her presence, and when she wasn't near he didn't feel quite the same. They'd spent a great amount of time together lately, talking and reconnecting and filling in what their previously strained acquaintanceship forbade. They shared all of their deepest feelings, regrets, fears, and traumas, shared all the darkest things which had never before been unveiled to another. Katara listened patiently and openly as Zuko unraveled his entire history before her, and he in turn heard her difficulties and griefs. Each was quietly in awe of the other's resolve and their ability to overcome their adversity, and each gained a new respect for the other.

             Zuko looked on as Katara played with the turtle-ducks, and he realised how content he was. He had managed to save some good moments from his childhood and thought about them often. But now it occurred to him that he was never as happy, genuinely happy, as he was in this moment. Observing the glee in Katara's face, the delicate way she handled the turtle-ducks, her melodic laughter—

And the way she seemed to glow as the sunlight hit her, highlighting the gloss of her chestnut-coloured hair and illuminating her blue Water Tribe dress against the dark red backdrop of the Fire Nation palace—

It all looked perfectly natural, perfectly in place, almost as if this was where she belonged.

[your-least-favorite-space-son]

hana-HANKi

 "there's just one thing that we have in common. Neither of us will be missed. A saint Bernard sits at the top of the driveway, you always say how you love dogs.”

 A quiet spring morning, full of birds chirping in the old willow tee outside the window, belting out their songs for everyone to hear, as they joyfully heralded the coming of a new day. As if it was something to celebrate. The sun’s golden rays were just peeping over the horizon, painting the sky a million different shades of pinks and yellows, a watercolour that someone had spilt water on, spoiling all the colours, making them too bright and garish to any eyes unaccustomed to the views out in the edges of the city. Normally Connor would be outside at the first allusion of light, ready to film every sunrise and sunset, saving them to his database so he could peruse them during his missions, but today, there was no such thing as appreciating the gentle nuances of the light as it reflected off the pond, or the beauteous tree silhouettes cast against the ground. No, today there was just wheezing breaths, and the scent of a coffee that will never be drunk permeating the house. Stuttering breaths that barely managed to flutter the sweat soaked grey hairs spread across the pillow, stopping and starting in swells as Hank lay in bed, staring at the wall. His blinking was slow and purposeful, as if everything he was doing was a calculated effort, and was sapping all his energy stores, as he quietly huffed air in and out. His lungs forcefully expelled air almost before they could fill, and his under oxygenated limbs were aching more than normal, the usual dull throbbing having ramped itself up to a stabbing pain, reminding him constantly that he wasn’t gonna last. One of these days, he was gonna sit down, and never get up again. That day seemed to be getting closer, as he huffed once more, a feathery feeling rising up his throat as the air rushed out in gasp of wasted potential, before another blood-soaked lily fell out of his mouth, adding to the small pile in front of the bedside table, from where they’d been falling out, getting gradually more frequent, for the past few hours. He barely had the energy to lift his head at the sound of Connor softly walking in, before grunting and letting his leaden head fall back to the balled-up pillow he’d been resting on. “Lieu-Hank?” Connor asked quietly, trying to keep his voice down, out of respect for the pounding headache he could see Hank was nursing. “you are at 97% respiratory constriction, and your bronchus has almost completely been overtaken by longiflorum-Asiatic. For your health, I recommend be rest, and health dose of contact with loved ones.” he diagnosed, taking a few careful steps towards the bed, with a concerned expression. HIs LED started spinning yellow as he noticed the pile of whole, pink and orange flowers by Hank’s side of the bed, and the red-rimmed eyes fluttering shut in exhaustion. A tiny trickle of blood was running out of Hank’s mouth, all too red and all too reminiscent of mortality ended suddenly in gory battles for possession of something that never belonged to humanity anyway. For a second, Connor had to turn his face away, unable to see the one he loved in such pain, and such vulnerability, but, with one impossibly frail hand, blue with oxygen loss, Hank turned his chin back, with a weak smile. He tried to speak, his hand falling back to his side as he choked, his tearful eyes staring at Connor with what seemed to be an apologetic look, another flower forcing its way up his throat, and tumbling out of his mouth. It had been months since Hank had said his last word, nearly a year since he last drank alcohol, but, with a mirthless smile, Connor reminded himself that was what he wanted, right? For Hank to shut his mouth and review his drinking habits? Connor, the only person that cared enough about him to check on his wellbeing, didn’t expected this flower disease to suddenly take him, confining the Lieutenant's usually self-punishing adventures to the house, first, then the bed, as he lost mobility. Nobody else at the precinct had noticed when he fell ill, until he stopped turning up to work, and got fired on the spot. Then they all came around to offer their condolences, and they all realised that, hey, maybe Hank isn’t all that okay. Didn’t stop Gavin insulting either of them, or the other detectives joking around that they had both been hit with Cupid’s arrow, since Connor had moved in to help care for Hank in his final hours, though anyone could tell their hearts weren't really into it, just trying to maintain reality in the face of death. As Hank struggled for just one more breath, a quiet whining could be heard from the other side of the closed window , followed by a faint scrabbling, as if Sumo could feel the finality in the air, and wanted in to wish his owner a last goodbye. But, with all his fur and slobber going everywhere, it would just bring Hank ever closer to his inevitable deathbed, which, selfish and human as it was, Connor didn't want to come. He just wanted one last serene, quiet moment with his love before everything ended and they had to start planning the funeral. Sumo, fed up of being ignored, huffed a breath up against the window, fogging a little patch of it up, and skulked off, instead deciding to lie in front of Hank's car, which had been languishing in the middle of the driveway for months, resting his shaggy head on his paws as he watched the neighbour's cat across the road. With a sigh, Connor pushed up from where he had been perched on the side of Hank's bed, and drew the curtains, unable to bear the cheerful light shining in from the sunrise, casting strange shadows across Hank's gaunt, blue-tinged face. Or maybe he just did it so that he wasn't sat around being unhelpful. His breaths had shallowed, and sped up, his desperate quest to get more oxygen into his aching lungs pulling him half out of the bed, and Connor was sure, even if he did manage to achieve his futile quest, it would only preserve him for a few seconds longer. The darkness of the room masked the photo frames around the room, plunging the memories of a different life, when he was happy, and healthy, into pitch black nothingness, like obscurity. Without the pictures, it seemed as if Hank was no more than a being in that very moment, with no past, and no future. Nobody but a dog and an android to remember him. He coughed again, weaker this time, as a few petals fluttered to the ground besides the bed. spattering blood across the white pained furniture, all too scarlet and wet to be anything but real, as he groaned softly, his head dropping to the pillow as if he didn't even have the energy to support it himself anymore. It was coming. "lieu-Hank?" Connor asked, to fill the tense silence, though he didn't have any words to follow up his question, his entire sophisticated vocabulary deserting him, as all sounds of breathing halted for a few seconds, before resuming, inaudible to the human ear. He didn't have much time, so, surging forward in a sickeningly rapid movement, Connor collapsed to the floor, on top of the flowers, not caring as they crunched under his knees, the blood seeping through his pants to the synthetic skin below. One of Hank's ghost-pale hands lay only a little way away, so, with a gentle hand, Connor took it between his own, studying all the liver-spots and scars that crisscrossed it, memorising the pattern, just to avoid having to see his love's face. "Oh, Hank. Is this what it means to be human? To love and lose so immensely? To give yourself entirely away to another being, and trust that they'll keep it safe, just as you care for their heart, that they've gifted you? To feel everything, as if your stomach is alive with a thousand butterflies, with every smile you are lucky enough to witness? Human beings fascinate me, and abhor me, but if I meant I got to have you for one more day, hour, minute...well...I'd live a thousand lives as a human. Just please, don't do this. Don't go. Don't leave me alone. Please." Connor begged, feeling his tear ducts activate partway through, choking his voice to no more than a whisper. Hank's eyes had fallen shut, and his chest was only just rising, infinitesimal movements every few seconds, but, with a gasp, he murmured "too late." under his breath, his chest stuttering for a second, before falling completely still, his lips curled into a small sort of smile, as his hand went completely limp in Connor's. He was gone. And, on the other side of the curtain, the sun had finished rising, shining on the first day in a long line of days without Lieutenant Hank Anderson in them.

[scrapbook-imagines]

Mermaid!Reader x McCree

Despite the calmness of the seas, Hana was absolutely insistent that she could not handle being in the boat for much longer. “What d'ya mean, darlin’? You’re the one who asked for my help with the sails.” The brunette Korean sluggishly turned her head to catch a glimpse of the tan man gripping the wheel of the boat. While his brown eyes were full of compassion and empathy, hers were not so forgiving.

“You didn’t tell me it was going to make me this dizzy!” She accused, fighting back a gag reflex.

“The water ain’t even bad, Hana.”

The girl didn’t seem to be listening anymore, glumly pressing her chin against the metal railing of the small boat as she peered down the glittery water.

“Listen, if you really feel that bad then you should probably go lie down and try to catch some shut eye; ya can’t be bothered by the rocking if you aren’t aware o’ it.”

Hana let out a few incoherent grumbles, and before Jesse could ask her to repeat herself, the girl suppressed a gag. McCree went to her aid, taking a knee as he gripped her shoulder, “Up and at ‘em,” He heaved the Korean gamer to her feet. She wobbled.

“Steady now.”

Jesse couldn’t help the tiny grin forming on his face. Sure, he felt guilty for not taking note of her discomfort earlier (even though that was impossible, as she hadn’t shown any symptoms until now) but he also thought the display was a little adorable. Just a little.

“Hey Lúcio!” Jesse hollered as he helped the girl down the steps. There sat the Brazilian man, bobbing his head to the sound of the music that was playing in his headphones. The two young adults had asked Jesse for his assistance in managing the boat, as it seemed he knew a lot more about how to care for the engine as well as how to steer. While Lúcio had been insistent that a simply explanation would suffice, the kind Southern man wouldn’t allow them anywhere near a boat without him. So, it was decided that the beach blonde would be keeping an eye on the youngsters. Seeing the ripples of the waves proved to engaging.. for the first thirty minutes. After a while, the musician grew bored with the repetitive view and decided to reside in the aft cabin until his mood changed.

“Yeah?” Lúcio removed his headphones, placing them around his neck in order to give the lifeguard his full attention, but as he caught glimpse of the woozy girl that was practically limping towards him, he was quick to realize the situation. “The waves aren’t even rough, Hana,” his laughter was soft as he helped her to lie down on one of the beds. She gave a low whine in response, which only earned a toothy grin from the latino. His gaze shifted over to Jesse, “I’ll see what sort beats I can make to make her feel better.”

Jesse nodded in agreement as Lúcio quickly made his way to the equipment he brought, the beach blonde lifted the brim of the straw hat with his index finger, “You do that. I’ll be up there try'na turn this boat ‘round, so give me a shout if you need anything.” The Brazilian gave a nod in response as he began concentration on creating something that would soothe Hana’s sea sickness.

As the gunslinger made his way back to the deck and directed the boat back on track to shore, his sharp brown eyes were quick to notice the iridescent shine of a (t/c) tail at the end of the boat. He watched how it lifted up in the air before presumably going back into the water - the end of the boat cutting off his view of what he thought was a rather giant fish. The sound of the splashing definitely indicated that whatever was submerging itself into the sea was larger than a regular pond fish. Curious, Jesse made his way to the edge of the boat and leaned against the warm metal railing. He searched for the creature that seemed startled by the sudden movement of the boat, but there seemed to be nothing.

Jesse’s eyes narrowed as he caught sight of a humanoid figure approaching, their (s/c) skin becoming more apparent as they grew closer. You poked your head out of the water, (h/l) (h/c) absolutely drenched. A few droplets of water returned back to the sea beneath you, as you stared with curious (e/c) at the beach blonde man in front of you. You tilted your head; his rugged appearance rather intriguing, if you did say so yourself. McCree, however, was not as calm as you seemed to be. His brown eyes were wide with confusion; how were you this far away from shore? Did you need help? You didn’t seem like you were drowning but the distance from the beach was definitely great. As he parted his lips to offer you a ride back to shore, a playful grin curved on your (l/c) lips.

Diving back into the water, you made sure to raise your tail and splash as much water on the man in front of you. Jesse quickly spit out as much water as he caught in his mouth, instinctively shutting his eyes as he wiped the salt water off of his face.

“What in the hell?!”

When he opened his eyes, you were gone. He peered over the railing once more but there was nothing beneath the water. Splashing could be heard behind him, meaning that you must have swam beneath the boat to reach the other side.

“Guys,” Jesse called out as he slowly crept to the other side of the boat, “You should come up here and see this; there’s a mermaid 'round here!” McCree could faintly make out the sound of Hana groaning. Hell, he could even picture her rolling her eyes at him.

“That’s nice, but I think we’re a little busy,” Lúcio responded back, the level of concentration he was putting in to help the girl evident in the tone of his voice.

As Jesse lunged the remaining few feet to reach the metal handles, he found you there, smiling cheekily up at him. Grasping the railing, you lifted yourself slightly and raised your (t/c) tail, booping him on the head with your fin. You must have miscalculated your strength - after all, the sea was heavier than the open air - because Jesse let out a hiss of pain as he pressed his hand over his scalp. Frightened by your actions, you were quick to dive back into the water. Presumably to the opposite side of the boat again.

“God damn it, I’m not lyin’ 'bout this!”

Of course, it was Jesse’s fault for crying wolf on so many other occasions. Besides knowing how to run a boat, he knew how to trick people into believing the craziest stories; his charisma and confidence made them all the more believable. However, after being fooled enough times, Lúcio and Hana were weary now when it came to Jesse’s claims.

There was silence in response to his annoyed outburst. He clicked his tongue, muttering out a curse as he made his way to the other side of the boat again. He sat on the deck, flash grenade in hand as he patiently waited for his target. Chewing on the wooden popsicle stick in his mouth (he finished the cherry flavored treat around half an hour ago), he rolled the device between his fingers, only straightening up his posture when the sound of moving water became more erratic.

There was a pause, a few more splashes following afterward as you tried to catch the American’s attention once more. He wasn’t falling for any of it this time, though. Wondering what he could possibly be preoccupied with, you lift yourself onto the boat, your slick scales pushing you further onto the deck. When you caught sight of the burly man, your face lit up and you let out a pleased sound.

Since the two of you were level with each other, he was able to examine your features more thoroughly.

“We’ll I’ll be damned. You’re quite the looker, for being half a fish.”

You tilted your head, clearly unaware of what his words meant. Never breaking his gaze with you, he tilted his head slightly to the direction of the aft cabin, “Hey guys, come on up here for a second!”

Your (e/c) widened. While you didn’t understand what he was saying, his body language was enough for you to piece together what he was planning to do. Using your arms to back away, he threw the flash bang at you. The device immediately left you frozen in place, pupils dilated from the bright light and ears ringing.

This was great, Jesse was going to prove that there really was a mermaid and that he wasn’t lying to them for the sake of a prank.

“What’s up?” Lúcio asked from the room below, allowing an eager Jesse to part his lips.

“Just come up he-” In his excitement, he failed to realized the fearful look on your face. Suddenly, he realized how selfishly he was acting and the guilt washed over him like heavy waves.

Creatures like you were supposed to be a myth; something that people could dream about. While he was confident that’s Lúcio would be content just seeing you, Hana might not have been so considerate. Her life revolved around image and social media, meaning she would flash a selfie with you one way or another. Not wanting to show any favoritism, he let out a sigh of defeat.

“Never mind.”

The bronze man placed his hands under your armpits, lifting you up. Your tail seemed determined to remain on the ground, so he used his leg to raise it, awkwardly moving about until it was over the railing. Slowly, he lowered you to the water until your hips were submerged. The effects of the flash bang hadn’t seemed to have worn off yet, so he held you as he waited patiently.

“Sorry 'bout that; wasn’t very kind of me,” He murmured, despite the fact you didn’t grasp any of it.  

“This lil’ game off tag here was fun but I gotta get these kids back to shore,” his tone was soft, almost melancholy and you found yourself tilting your head once more; curious as to why there was a tinge of sorrow in his voice.

A honey-coated chuckle filled the air, “Looks like you got the feelin’ of your body back. Good,” as he slowly pulled his hands back to let you return to sea, you gripped the edge of the boat to keep yourself at his height. Before Jesse could express his confusion, you placed a gentle kiss on his sunburnt nose. With that, you pushed yourself away from the boat and returned back into the seawater.

Jesse gave out a low whistle, “Hm, what a little minx.” With that he returned back to his post.

 After a few minutes, Hana emerged from the aft cabin, sporting a few fly-always as she grumbled about feeling a little better. Lúcio followed soon after, asking how much longer it would take to reach shore.

“I reckon it shouldn’t be more than 20 min-”

“Who’s that?”

“Who?” The Brazil inquired. Jesse, being a nosy man, turned his head to look at the Korean girl. She pointed at the (s/c) skinned figure that was further in the sea, staring at the boat.

(e/c) eyes met brown ones, a soft grin forming on Jesse’s expression. You must have caught it, as you were quick to mirror him and add a little wave of your hand in a final goodbye, diving back into the deep sea - but not before flashing your tail once more.

“O.M.G! Did you see that?!”

“Hey, weren’t you talking about a mermaid earlier..?”

“Yep,” Jesse hummed smugly as he returned his gaze back to the direction of shore.

“You weren’t lying this time?!”

“Nope,” The gunslinger made sure to really pop the 'p’.

“Hana, I think they’re gone,” Lúcio laughed as the girl frantically took out her smartphone.

“Maybe they’ll pop up again!”

“Don’t think they will, darlin’.”

Hana let out a frustrated screech, the sound making the two men laugh.

Maybe Jesse would come back later. He needed to pay you back for the kiss, no?

[emma-trevelyan]

Daichi Rare Pair Week Day 2: Modern Fantasy

Pairing: Sawamura Daichi/Azumane Asahi Prompt: Stars/Memes/Modern Fantasy AU Rating: G Ao3

Daichi had only been an official dragon tamer and breeder for about five or six years, but he grew up around dragons. Sawamura dragons were bred to be champions, companions, athletes, and hunters, depending on the customer’s desires, almost since the era of Tokugawa. He’d continued that fine tradition after college, and now he was sought after. It filled him with a  sense of pride when he’d get an email from an old customer about a dragon of his taking Best in Show, or winning an athletic competition, or being successfully integrated into a loving family.

Of course, not all of them could be success stories. Cupcake, named by his very young niece, had been born small. Most baby dragons displayed breath weapons and limb control as hatchlings, but Cupcake didn’t. The mother didn’t want anything to do with him, and if it had been the wild, Cupcake would have been left for dead. But Daichi, ever the softie, had refused to leave him behind. He’d hand-raised Cupcake, raising him essentially as his own. It was hard, but Daichi didn’t regret it for a minute. For one, Cupcake--though maybe on the touched side--was a great dragon: loyal, trustworthy, silly, and sweet. He was goofy and mischievous, and very high-maintenance, but in the end, he was Daichi’s most favorite of companions.

Well, that and Cupcake’s medical needs meant he got to see the cute vet in town at least once a month.

Azumane’s Magical Creature Clinic was by far one of the better animal hospitals around. Daichi’s best friend, Suga, didn’t trust his prized champion unicorns to just anyone, and he swore by Azumane’s. Daichi had started going to him early in his career, and he never once regretted it. Dr. Azumane was attentive, sweet, gentle, and caring. Even some of Daichi’s most difficult cases had rolled over and showed their belly for the man. Daichi had always thought he was cute, in that Jesus Jones, punk-rock-in-a-pink-sweater sort of a way. But the frequency of his visits for Cupcake had caused something new and totally foreign to bloom in Daichi’s chest.

A crush.

After months of flirting back and forth, pathetic pining, and half-hearted “what-ifs,” by some miracle, Asahi asked Daichi out to coffee. He’d been so tentative and sweet… how could he not be weak? How could he say no?

The first coffee date had been alright… the second had been better. For the third? Asahi actually invited Daichi to his house, which was terrifying. He even invited Cupcake to come with, and Daichi took him up, if only because Cupcake made a hell of a buffer. Daichi agonized over what to wear (even if it was just a stay-at-home date) and cried internally because his whole truck smelled like dragon breath, but there wasn’t much he could do about that.

Asahi’s house was… not what Daichi had expected. It wasn’t so much the traditional structure in a somewhat rural area about 20 minutes outside of town--that wasn’t anything unexpected--but the land. It was mostly dominated by a huge pasture, a small herd of unicorns sunning themselves in the grass. A herd of pegasi were splashing around in a small pond, while a pair of hippogriffs observed and judged from the shade. A small group of dire wolves watched him and Cupcake come up the walkway, but didn’t move from their spot under a gorgeous sakura tree--it must have been enchanted, if it was still bright pink in the early fall. Cupcake took it all in, happily bounding around Daichi’s feet at all the new friends he could make, until the unicorns decided to stampede to the fence at the edge of the walkway to investigate. Then he froze. Daichi laughed, nudging Cupcake’s rear end with his foot.

“I am not carrying you; you have to learn to walk past the unicorns,” he chuckled. “Come on, you big chicken.”

“I actually think dragons are descended from lizards and wyrms, not chickens, but what do I know?”

Daichi froze at the voice behind him; he hadn’t expected Asahi to meet him outside, sweaty from whatever work he was doing. Daichi was used to his work clothes with his dorky lab coat; he wasn’t used to the thin t-shirt with the sleeves rolled, or the battered jeans splattered with mud. He also wasn’t used to the easy grin on his handsome face. Daichi felt his stomach do somersaults at the sight.

“Is he still afraid of the unicorns?” Asahi asked, reaching down to scratch Cupcake at the fleshy part behind his horns.

“He’s weird,” Daichi responded. “And a big chicken.”

“He’s not weird, he’s special,” Asahi cooed, getting Cupcake’s attention to scratch him under the jaw. “And it’s natural--unicorns and small dragons like him are natural enemies in the wild.”

“I still think he’s weird,” Daichi deadpanned. “But he’s my weirdo, so what can you do but love them?”

“Man after my own heart,” Asahi teased.

Daichi didn’t have time to be embarrassed or flustered by the statement, because suddenly and out of nowhere, Duchess appeared. Duchess was Asahi’s blink cat--a perfectly normal housecat whose ink-black fur glowed with a constantly moving pattern of stars and constellations that just happened to be able to teleport at will--and she and Cupcake had met at Asahi’s office. They had become instant frenemies, as Cupcake loved to chase her and Duchess loved to tease him. She reached up with her little, round paw, papped Cupcake right on the nose, and bounded gracefully across the unicorn pasture. Cupcake, his previous fear forgotten, took off after her like a bat out of hell, all gangly limbs and excitedly-waving tail.

“Are they going to be alright?” Daichi asked, trying to contain his laughter as he watched his dragon try (and fail) to capture the furry menace.

Asahi was laughing hard--a full-blown belly laugh that sent tingles to Daichi’s toes--as he watched the shenanigans unfold; “They should be fine. I have wards in place, and everyone here is pretty gentle. Want to come inside for a drink?”

Daichi grinned, nodding and following Asahi into his house. If the outside was totally populated by magical animals, the inside was almost overwhelmed with magical plants. Daichi couldn't even name any of them, except the Creeper Vine, which greeted Asahi by rubbing lovingly against his hand. A group of white flowers jingled like real bells when they entered the kitchen, and a pink blossom larger than his head opened wide and tilted towards him when he opened the fridge to pull out a bottle of barley tea.

“Do you take care of plants, too?” Daichi asked, peering into a cage and grinning at a songbird that sounded like a flute when it greeted him.

“No, animals are more my forte. The plants are Ushijima’s,” Asahi replied, pouring drinks into tall glasses of ice. Daichi’s question must have been on his face, because Asahi just smiled indulgently. “My roommate. He’s an alchemist and herbalist.”

“Ah,” Daichi said. “So is he… here? Can we expect him back any time soon?”

“No,” Asahi answered, sitting across from Daichi with his drinks and snacks. Daichi immediately grabbed the glass of tea, if only for something to do with his hands. “I told him I was having my...person over, and he went to his girlfriend’s house for the weekend. Oh, wait, he proposed last week… Hana’s his fiancee now.”

“Person?” Daichi asked, trying not to sound too disappointed. “Is that what I am to you?”

Asahi sighed, running his hand through his hair; “Honestly, I’m not sure what you are to me. You’re really special to me, Daichi, and I really like you. It’s just…”

Daichi swallowed hard, trying to remember how to breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Right; “Just… what?”

“I had a really good time with you last week,” Asahi said in a smile voice… heartbreakingly small. “But I haven’t dated in a long time. And I’ve never liked anyone like I like you, Daichi. You’re special to me. And if you just want to be friends, I get it. But I want… I want something more out of this than just your friendship.”

Daichi tried to stem the flow of giddy happiness--he felt like a schoolboy, and he was certainly flushed like one, but he didn’t care. All he wanted to do was smile from ear to ear; “I want that too.”

“Really?” Asahi asked, looking up from his hands with such hope in his eyes, it almost ached. His smile was so sweet and tentative and rosy it knocked Daichi for a bit of a loop. “You mean that?”

“Asahi, I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it,” Daichi replied, reaching across the table to take Asahi’s hand. He didn’t pull away, so Daichi responded by tightening his grip. “I really like you. A lot. I think you’re gorgeous and interesting and sweet… I’d like to be… well, whatever you want me to be, but I’m hoping ‘boyfriend’ is on the list of possibilities?”

Asahi grinned back, intertwining their fingers; “I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.”

“Then will you be my boyfriend, Azumane Asahi?”

Daichi almost cringed--it sounded so formal and stiff, but Asahi’s sunny smile was enough to stave off the embarrassment; “Yeah. Most definitely.”

Daichi would really like to have kissed Asahi in that moment. And he would have. But sadly, Cupcake and Duchess chose that moment to come barrelling into the kitchen, skidding on the hardwood and nearly crashing into the table. Duchess teleported somewhere, leaving Cupcake tangled in chairs and making pathetic howling noises from under the table.

“It serves you right for ruining the moment, you big goof,” Daichi growled, nudging Cupcake with his foot.

“He didn’t mean it, Daichi,” Asahi said softly, pressing a kiss to Daichi’s knuckle. “And another moment will come. Maybe sooner than you think.”

[alj4890]

A Friendly Game? ~ Fluffy Friday

(Maxwell Beaumont x Nadia Park) (Thomas Hunt x oc*Amanda) (Drake Walker x Olivia Nevarkis)

Mixing characters from Choices: The Royal Romance, Red Carpet Diaries, and Perfect Match. Taken from my “And Then I Met You” series.

Fluffy Friday Masterlist

@walkerinfolkvangr @alleksa16 @penguininapinktuxedo @blackcoffee85 @stopforamoment @fullbeaumonty @cocomaxley @darley1101 @hopefulmoonobject   @krsnlove @littleblossom357   @annekebbphotography @gibbles82   @bella-ca  @zaffrenotes

"This makes my birthday a billion times better, little blossom!" Maxwell picked up his petite wife and gave her a long passionate kiss. Nadia wrapped her arms around his neck and felt her heartbeat race.

"Um, hello? Could you two stop so we can actually begin this?" Drake swung his putter and hit Maxwell in the back of the leg.

He and Nadia frowned at the two couples watching them. Amanda cleared her throat. "How about just moving a few steps to the left so that we can start the game?"

"Or we could easily be persuaded to call it a night, if you would rather be alone." Thomas suggested.

Amanda, Drake, and Maxwell stared at him in shock. "Thomas, this is minature golf!"

"I'm well aware of that, Amanda." He wondered what was wrong with her.

Drake shook his head. "This is why I said years ago that we do not add new players to the game."

Amanda pointed her putter menacingly at Drake as her eyes narrowed. "He is my husband! And don't think I didn't notice you brought a Nevarkis with you."

Olivia widened her eyes in surprise at Amanda's words and tone. "Hey!"

Amanda looked at her friend and let out a frustrated breath. "You know I love you but all sentimentality leaves the moment we start."

Maxwell nodded as he set Nadia down. "No butter when you putter."

Thomas, Olivia, and even Nadia (who usually understood the crazy phrases he would say every once in a while) stared in confusion at that statement and were shocked when Drake and Amanda immediately agreed.

"What does that even mean?" Thomas asked.

"No butter? Buttery goodness." Maxwell explained. He rolled his eyes when the three newcomers didn't get it. "What does butter do? Makes everything taste great. No butter equals no goodness. No being sweet once the putter hits the ball. That's the MAD way."

"Mad way?" Olivia snorted.

"It's our initials in order of birth." Drake replied. "The MAD way of playing is anything goes and you will either win or do all you can to take down someone with you."

Nadia's eyes widened. "But, when you talked about playing, you made it sound like the best time ever."

"It is!" Amanda exclaimed. "You'll see." She turned to her husband and pushed him forward. "We always start oldest to youngest." Thomas stared at the woman he had married and wondered how he missed this competitive streak in her. The ball was dropped and he lined up his shot. He hit it and watched as it went through one of the holes in a windmill. He started to follow it to continue when three voices told him not to move.

"All balls must be hit before you take another turn." Maxwell explained. Thomas simply stared and went back over beside Amanda. He placed his hand on the small of her back and was about to ask her a question when Maxwell glared. "Hey! No butter! No exceptions to the rule." He glanced apologetically at Nadia. "You too, babe."

She sighed and sat down on a bench beside Olivia. They all watched as Maxwell, Drake, and Amanda had their turns. Olivia and Nadia rounded up the last and all moved to where their balls were.

Thomas frowned when he saw some were blocking his path to the hole. His green ball was blocked by Amanda's blue and Olivia's red. "How are we to do this if there are others in the way?"

"You play it the MAD way!" Three different voices yelled out.

"Thanks. That cleared it up." He muttered. He hit the ball and sent Amanda's and Olivia's going off in two different directions.

"Wow." Amanda said a bit breathlessly, impressed at seeing him ruthlessly cause upsets for two of his opponets.

"Butter!" Drake and Maxwell glared at her. She narrowed her eyes at them. "It's not butter when you acknowledge an opponent taking out multiple enemies in one swing!" They begrudgingly agreed and continued the first hole.

The next few holes were used more as a way to assess each other's strengths and weaknesses. Well, at least for the MAD three. They soon realized that their suppositions were correct. The spouses had nowhere near the level of skill that they possessed. The loves of their lives also did not have a devious bone. What a shame.

By the eighth hole, the MAD's were in their element. Thomas, Olivia, and Nadia watched in amazement as acts of sabotage began to be performed. Drake held his putter out and made it move like a pendulum as Maxwell tried to make a tricky shot. Maxwell in turn would tell jokes the entire time Amanda was near to making a par two on her turns, causing her to shake with silent laughter and mess up her shot. Her sabotage was more subtle with deep, lingering apprehension by pointing out how upset their wives were being ignored for a child's golf game.

As Amanda lined up to putt on the 18th hole, Drake looked over her shoulder where Thomas was standing. "I still can't get over how many beautiful women come up to him for an autograph. He's not even an actor."

She quickly turned to see who was with her husband and accidentally tapped the ball sending it in a different direction than intended. Once she saw that not only was her husband standing by himself but Drake's evil smirk form, she knew the time had come to enact something her two friends could never truly prove. Was she really clumsy or not?

Amanda began to walk next to the side she knew he would aim for. Maxwell was squatting down, studying the terrain. His putter was casually sticking out to the side. Just as Drake's ball was on a path of possibly being a hole-in-one, she tripped over Maxwell's putter and fell across the green, knocking Drake's ball over onto the sidewalk.

Thomas ran over to her, worried she had seriously injured herself. Drake nearly bent his putter in anger as he yelled at her. "What the hell was that? You know the rules! NO standing on the green!"

Thomas helped her up and his temper snapped. Everyone froze. None had ever witnessed his temper set free. By the time he was done setting Drake straight on how to speak to his wife, everyone's mouth was parted in shock. Thomas had her sit on a bench while he left to get some water to clean her cuts.

As Drake tried his shot again, slightly unnerved by Hunt's incredible tirade, Amanda taunted him quietly. "Anything goes."

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her and hit the ball. Olivia and Nadia took their turns and Thomas came back. He knelt down and gently cleaned her knees and palms. Maxwell tapped his putter against the ground in irritation. "Come on Thomas! It's your turn. She can finish clea--" He coughed nervously when Thomas stood up and silently glared at him. After making sure no one would dare say another word, he leaned down and spoke softly to her. Her fierce expression gentled as she pressed a kiss to his lips.

"BUTTER!" Drake and Maxwell yelled at the same time. "It was a lot eaiser to maintain order before we found significant others." Maxwell muttered. Drake grunted in agreement.

Thomas still held an aura of danger, which had to be the reason that they took a cautious step back. He looked at the positions of the balls and an evil gleam came into his eyes.

"Uh oh." Maxwell breathed. "What did you unleash, Drake?" They watched as somehow Thomas not only sent Drake's ball flying off toward the parking lot, but also managed to send Maxwell's in the oppsite direction. It landed with a small splash into a pond.

Amanda's smile was nearly blinding with her pride in his devastating blow to the two she was trying to beat. He causally slung his putter over his shoulder as he faced Drake and Maxwell. "Sorry, boys. I guess I was a little too MAD." He sauntered back to his wife and grinned when she jumped up and kissed him.

Nadia and Olivia stood up and grabbed their husbands' arms. "Can we please go back to normal now?" Nadia asked. Maxwell sighed and slung his arm around her. She linked hers around him and kissed his cheek. He grinned and walked off with her.

"How come Liam and Riley didn't join us? Or Hana and Rashad?" She asked.

Maxwell colored a little. "We tried to play with Liam and Rashad, but...um..."

Nadia grinned. "Not MAD enough?"

He stopped and kissed her for understanding. "Exactly."

Olivia looked around and admitted something. "I'm actually a little impressed." Drake smirked at that. Then he glared when she elaborated how impressive Thomas was with his revenge. Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she nudged him. "You could probably learn a thing or two from him."

He grunted and dragged her off to return their putters. She then told him the different sabotages he had performed that she thought were brilliant. He smiled and led her to their car.

Thomas wrapped his arm around his wife and slowly walked with her. A hint of a smile played about his lips. "Remind me to call Rick when we return to California."

"Rick? The stunt coordinator?" She asked.

Thomas opened the car door for her and leaned down to kiss her. "Yes. I think it's time you had some proper training to know how to fake a fall without hurting yourself."