#especially an upcoming chapter with both of these two in the rain

[jillsandwhichs]

RE Character x Reader Smutshot Collection , Chap 6 , Time crunch

Masterlist

Pairing: F!reader x Ada Wong

Summary: Ada is about to leave from the extraction point in 10 minutes. That gives you just enough time to say goodbye

Status of your guy's relationship in this one shot: Partners in crime

WC: 2.1k

Type: NSFW

Warnings: This is very vanilla, sorry y'all. Hookup, making out, slight dirty talk & oral sex (You receive)

A/n: Hi! Hope you all enjoy. Please check out my masterlist, there's a lot of stuff there. You can get to know me, you can see the rules of my blog and then you can see all of my fanfictions. You'll be able to find the previous chapters to this fic and upcoming ones. You'll also be able to find my Wattpad & AO3. Comments, reblogs & likes are appreciated. Thank you

Silence.

It felt awkward.

The two of you just shared a very steamy kiss.

Yes, the two of you have fucked before, but never on the job, you kept it strictly professional when working, it was just a code you both lived by.

But knowing she'll be gone for awhile after these final ten minutes, neither of you can hold yourselves back, especially yourself. Ada, despite her many flaws, means a lot to you. You've both formed a bond due to your similar interests in life and work, even sexual interests. Ada is a mysterious lady, but that hasn't stopped her from allowing you to at least explore her body, in which you've done quite a bit.

You've been working together for a year now, exactly a year one month ago. Ever since, you two have always chosen each other for missions. You're both reliable and make sure the other escapes, even if your guy's selfishness begins to interfere. Ada has had to save your ass more than you have had to hers but either way, you both are there for each other. Ada was much more hardened when you first met, she's softened up somewhat now.

"How long?" "How long what?" "How long will you be gone for, Ada?" You wondered, crossing your arms and walking back and forth. You'd be alone from now on. Where was she even going and why? "Just a couple of months. I have some unfinished business to attend down in China, you understand?" Ada hummed to you. Ada was leaning against the brick wall, her thin arms at her slender sides. You do understand. She has work, and sometimes work requires you to travel.

Gazing at her, you thought about the kiss you two had just exchanged. It was hot. It was erotic. Kissing for you two is the ultimate form of intimacy. You two tend to get very touchy whenever you kiss or make out, you can't help yourselves. "I hate to say it, but, It'll be difficult without you." You admitted, your tone very low, almost as if you didn't want her to catch onto what you said. "I understand. If it makes you feel better, this won't be the last time you see me. I plan to even remain in contact with you while I am overseas." Ada also admitted something.

Her words meant a lot.

It's not like she owes you that though. You two aren't in a relationship. You two hookup, it feels good, it's nice, that's it, it isn't anything more. But, it almost seems hard to avoid one another. Ada is a drug, morphine to you. You need that woman in your system at least once within the day. Just being around her causes arousal to stir up inside of you. Every single time you both finish a mission, you guys meet up and fuck. It's a ritual at this point.

You stood there, your head tilted down, your eyes glancing at the muddy ground. It had rained not to long ago. You and Ada were slightly wet from it, but it's dried up for the most part - In some places... You looked back up at Ada, she was gazing at you with a soft look. You began to amble closer to her, your heart thumping repeatedly in your chest as you did. Oddly enough, you felt nervous this singular time when approaching her. "I want you... For one last time." You whispered, your front finally pressed up against hers.

"You may have me for one final time." Ada bit her lower lip, it was tinted a darker shade of red, her lipstick was always an attraction.

You cupped her face in your hands, aggressively, yet passionately, pressing your lips against hers. Your lips moved in sync, it was rather beautiful actually. Ada's miniscule hands encased around your back, making sure you weren't going nowhere. She held you, her hands stroking your entire time. Her touch felt like a thousand suns. You'd miss it so very much. You are sure it won't be the last time you feel her - It can't be the last time.

Ada licked your lower lip, desperately wanting to taste you. She couldn't live without kissing you, kissing you with her tongue. Your mouth is a safe haven for her. Your mouth went slightly agape, and her tongue slipped into your mouth, an honest moan coming from her when she pushed it in. "Fuck." You grunted, your bodies flipping so that you were now against the cold, hard, red brick wall. Both of you are switches at the end of the day.

"I wanna taste you." Ada mumbled, her lips finally detaching from yours. You were panting, trying to catch your breath. Her seductive tone was enough to have your panties soaked and your pussy wanting her even more. Ada has a way with words.

You smiled at her, your head diving into the crook of her neck. Your lips found her sweet spot, and you took advantage of that. You pecked all along her neck, your breath sharp as you breathed in. Her scent was lovely too, she smelt like Vanilla and that was very sexy to you. Maybe she knew that because anytime you hookup, its what she smells like. It drives you crazy. "You want to taste me?" You cooed on her throat. "You know I do, honey." Ada responded truthfully.

That just made you drip more.

Adas eyes locked with yours as she moderately lowered her body until her face was at an alignment with your core, a look of need was on her face. Disbanding the eye contact, she gandered at your jeans and the buttons on them as she began to undo them, wanting you terribly now. "We have to be quick." "I know." You replied. It seriously sucks that she'll be going away for some time. You'll miss the way her firm tongue feels on your pussy.

Her lean fingers pulled your pants down with haste, your damp panties directly in her face. "I can already smell you." She sighed softly, breathing it all in. You moaned softly. You didn't know where to set your hands, she hasn't eaten you out in this position before. "My shoulders baby." She cooed, as if she could read your mind. Obliging, you placed your hands on her slender, boney shoulders; The stability will come into use later.

With your hands on her shoulders, her hands went to your panties, tearing them off of you as quickly as she could. Your soaked cunt was revealed to her alas. The cold, windy air hit you like a bullet, causing you to shiver. "I'll warm you up." She teased right before she buried her face in your cunt, her tongue profusely lapping at your wet folds. "Oh." You whimpered in surprise, shocked that she so soonly began to eat you out like it was the last time she ever would.

Maybe it is.

Your head leaned back against the wall, your hair already becoming a mess. The brick wall was cold on your rear, the texture of it wasn't the best either but you'd endure it just for this. "Fucking hell..." You panted, her tongue was going mad on you. Adas eyes were closed. It seemed as though she was channeling everything inside of her to make you feel good, which was clearly worked. Your legs already felt wobbly. You felt like you could fall at any second, you held onto her tighter.

The lewd noises that were being made only enhanced the sexual pleasure Ada was making you feel. That extraordinary pit in your stomach - The one that lets you know your orgasm is about to rush over you, was slowly yet surely taking over.

As she continued, Ada began to adjust your legs to be sat on her shoulders. You helped, shifting them and blowing out deeply as you felt the comfortability of it. It felt way better this way. You began to moan much more loudly, Adas tongue causing your muscles to tighten inside of you. It was hard not to, but you began to practically ride her face. You grinded your pussy up against her mouth. She didn't seem to mind, if anything, she reveled in it.

"Faster." She spat out, her nails digging into your plump thighs. Another thing about Ada is that she worships your body, especially your thighs. She'll stare at you and get horny. There is just something about you that does that to her.

Listening, you began to ride her face quicker. Your movements were sloppy but you didn't care, just as long as she was licking you, tasting you and making you feel pleased. "Oh Ada..." You let out a sharp breath. Your hands ran through her jet black hair, it was soft, healthy, easy to tug on - Which you did. "Right there, that's it." You whined. Her tonuge on your clit was exactly what you needed. The sensitive bud needed to be focused on.

She suctioned your clit between her lips, slurping on it. You slammed your head back, your back arching too, you were going to cum on her tonuge.

"Oh..."

Your orgasm flew over you. Suddenly, the crisp air made your nipples hard and your body to shake slightly, that was due to it mixing with your climax. You rode her face for a few more seconds and then you pulled away, pushing yourself up against the wall. You were still dripping, your wetness with the mixture of your squirt dripped onto the ground. Ada stood up, maintaining her gaze on you as she did.

Wiping her mouth as well, Ada spoke up.

"You tasted amazing." She said softly, stumbling over to you. You just giggled, your vision still felt hazy, you were a bit out of it, that's for sure. You stared at her for a moment. You wish you two could have more time together, you wonder if you have enough time to at least eat her out as well. Probably not. She's a very coordinated lady, she'll want to get out of her the second the correct time strikes the clock.

You pulled your panties up and then your pants, you rebuttoned them up too. You didn't want to look like a mess when it is time to go, your boss will be concerned. "Do you think we'll have time to-" "No. Two minutes until I must leave." Ada interrupted you. She just didn't want you to get your hopes up for disappointment. For some reason, you're upset. You don't care for Ada a whole lot as a person, you guys are simply forced to team up. That doesn't mean you don't care at all. A part of you is going to miss her.

As Ada was letting her eyes roam around as she waited patiently, you grabbed onto her, pouncing your lips onto hers. She gasped but quickly melted at the gesture. She swathed her arms around your neck, her fingers messing with your tied back hair. "This is my goodbye to you." You hummed, your tongue slithering along hers; The texture of it turned you on once again. "This is a good farewell then." She smiled into the kiss. Not your average smile though, very small and barely noticeable.

You slid your hands down her back and onto her ass, holding it in both hands. You squeezed her, a sigh coming from her. "I won't be gone too long." "A couple months is long, Ada." You stated. You found it to be too damn long. No one will suffice like Ada does. "You'll be fine." She cupped your face, her thumbs caressing both sides of your cheeks before she finally had to pull away, her watch buzzing.

"Gotta go."

Her hands were in yours. You wanted to homd onto her as long as possible but she backed and backed away slowly til eventually, your hand dropped from hers.

"So long, beautiful." She winked as she tilted her head before she randomly used her grappling hook to sail away. You could hear what seemed to be a helicopter in the distance, most likely her getaway vehicle. You stood there in silence, all that could be heard was that motor and your soft, calm breathing. All you can think about is how much things will be different. You'll either be alone or with a new partner, both options don't sound pleasant whatsoever.

You blew out a deep breath, collecting yourself.

"Time to go home." You whispered before you began to run off, the events of tonight on repeat in your head.

[anotherbluesunday]

✨WIP Tag Game✨

I’m definitely checking you’re fic out @michiganstray because you got me hooked! Thank you for tagging me too! I’m super excited to share this teaser with everyone. 💜💜💜

Alrighty, first Tag Game of the new year and y’all picked a good time because I’m writing the epic close to my ficlet Myth. Like I’ve said before, this story was inspired by a string of prompts, the rain, and a song. The final chapter name “Myth” captures all the more intense lyrics of the Beach House song, namely these six lines: “If you built yourself a myth, you’d know just what to give?”, “Can’t keep hanging on, to what is dead and gone.”, and “Materialize, or let the ashes fly!” I don’t want to give away too much. I want this final chapter to be emotionally and mentally cathartic for all who read it because the goal is to make you feel. What that means to you is up to you and your heart. But I want it to be something that leaves you all feeling your humanness pulsing through you like a current.

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Now, here’s the snippet.

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I didn't want to remember but I would and this alone felt like a death sentence.

So I kept it to myself. Fell in this spiral that was less like a swan dive and more like the aftermath of a mid-air collision. I gave Wednesday bits here and there to keep her floating in calm waters because she had no place navigating this wasteland with me. It was dishonest especially considering how we had promised to always tell each other when something was wrong. But this was where I drew the line. If what I thought had happened was what had actually happened to me then there wasn't any way I could tell her. Not entirely. And even if entirely, not right now. Not while she had millions of other things stacking up on her plate that was already full.

Staring at the wall a moment longer, I could almost make out the form of another. The shape of my tormentor. My accuser. My devil in white. I distinctly remember the color and it being draped in some way on them because it made their red hair stand out. Red hair and red nails. Slowly, this creature was coming out from the shadowed rafters like a reaper and I was lying there in wait as if I were set to die that afternoon. But it wouldn't come and drag me by the throat to my grave just yet. There was too much of this show left for it to do that.

Another minute turned into two turned into thirty until I made myself get up.

Stomach growling and skin and bones feeling particularly exposed to this crippling sense of humanness, I washed up first. Begrudgingly stood under the hot water and rinsed off the perfect combination of Wednesday's sweat and faint traces of her rose body oil. My therapist was quick to warn me of the road this relationship could travel down during our session yesterday. Said that for now it sounded healthy and supportive but that it could devolve into a codependency if we weren't careful. And I understood where Dr. Kinbott was coming from. Could see where there may be mild concern with a watchful eye waiting for the first signs of smoke. But Wednesday and I were conscious of this too.

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Okay, I’m tagging both writers and artists because I want to see some gifsets that are WIP’s or hear what ideas they got for upcoming ones so yeah. lol.

I’m tagging @tastethesetears @remusjohnslupin @mistressvera @wednesdayandherhyde @michiganstray (in the words of Kylo Ren, MORE!) @darling-gemini @broken-everlark @gardenoblues @thelovelybookworm (because I also need more of what you’re cooking)

Happy writing/giffing and tag away!

[j-graysonlibrary]

The Xiang Chronicles: Book One Chapter 30

Title: The Xiang Chronicles: Book One

Author: Jay Grayson

Word Count: 83k

Genres: Fantasy, adventure, drama, LGBT+

Available on: my website

Synopsis: Every few centuries a hero is born—one chosen by the God Tiandi to carry out his will in the mortal realm. The Xiang. Whether it is to quell a war instigated by the forces of shadow—of Shakti herself—or whether it is the miasma that poisons the world, the Xiang is born to bring the world back into balance.

Shu Pangu Min knows what his purpose is and he does his best to fulfill it even if he doesn’t fully understand all of the details. He must travel from city to city—lord to lord—to clear out the miasma. Along the way, he is to enlist the aid of four disciples. Each is to be of a different country and each must have high resonance and deep faith.

The holy men who raised him have great confidence in his future successes and they leave him to begin his journey on his own. But, can Pangu live up to the expectations of those around him? Can he really save the land like all other Xiang before him or will his unconventional methods doom them all?

Full chapter 30 under the cut

Chapter XXX

Silence permeated the trip to the cave outside of the city. Even through breakfast, there was minimal talking and many awkward glances around the table. Oli noticed his cousin’s strange behavior and inquired about it but was told, kindly, that everything was fine and he should stop asking.

Kira wondered what had happened as well—especially since both Pangu and Lord Viren seemed the most uncomfortable. He had been outside almost the entirety of the night so he hadn’t heard anything. Perhaps they had decided to have a conversation after their initial meeting was over and it didn’t go well.

But that did not quite line up with the Xiang’s behavior. Kira had known him for a while now and he recognized some of his movements as signs that he was embarrassed. He wished there was time to talk to Pangu but they had to make haste to the source of miasma instead.

After, he cemented in his mind, they would sit down and talk. Maybe he could also ask Baiya why he looked so depressed.

Raine had noticed something was off as well but his senses weren’t as keen as Kira’s. He could just tell something had happened while he was away from the palace. When he looked at Baiya he was reminded of the man’s restless nature the last they spoke and he wondered if that had anything to do with the mood he was sensing now.

It was almost funny, Raine thought, usually he was the one that ended up bringing the mood down. By comparison, he was having a much better morning than over half of the group.

Pangu tried to keep his mind on the upcoming task but, every time he looked at Viren, he remembered what happened. The tingling sensation returned to his body and he could almost feel the pressure against his lips. But, of course, every time he made eye contact with the man, he would look away.

That just made Baiya’s imagination run wild. What all had really happened in that room? He knew he did not have the right to know but he also wished he could dig deep and find the courage to at least ask Pangu about it. His eyes settled on Viren who walked ahead of everyone with his head down, almost as if he was ashamed of something.

Perhaps the two of them did get close but it ended badly. Baiya tried not to speculate as it would either lead him to absurd conclusions or flat out make him morose. Though he did not have much else to do but speculate since he had no actual role in the upcoming mission.

His gaze shifted to Raine. He wondered if he could talk to the man about this. He knew Kira would simply tease him over his “crush” but perhaps Raine would take it more seriously. Then again, Raine could also just decide to tell Pangu so he wasn’t sure if it was really a safe choice.

“How much farther?” Pangu asked, receiving a look from Viren for the first time since the start of their trek.

“A few minutes still,” the Lord said and then pointed to some rocks in the close distance, “The cave opens up there but we will have to go in for a while.”

“How deep is this cave, exactly?” Kira followed up with.

“It takes around ten minutes to walk all the way to the back,” Viren answered, keeping eye contact with him for much longer.

Pangu glanced to Kira who met his eyes quickly. He wanted, badly, to tell his friend what had happened but he knew it needed to wait until later. The last thing he needed was his troubles on his mind while he absorbed an unknown amount of miasma.

He could fill him in while he recovered, Pangu decided. And he could ask for his advice since he knew he was more knowledgeable on these matters.

The group entered the cave and Baiya lit up a torch to help them see as the sun was slowly blocked out of view. He did end up having to walk close by Viren in order to make the most of his torch but he kept his head down. If he stared at the Lord too much he feared his intentions would be felt somehow.

Only the sound of their footfalls and the occasional rock falling out of place could be heard until they reached their target.

Baiya set the torch in a holster that was built into the rock face, conveniently above the lock on the miasma source. He took a few steps back to stand closer to Raine.

“Here it is,” Viren said with nerves clear in his voice.

Pangu and Kira looked at the lock and both could feel the sheer amount of miasma pushing forward—trying to escape. They looked at each other next and shared a worried glance.

“You might all want to step back just a little bit,” Kira warned.

The only one who didn’t move was Pangu but he needed to be closer to be able to see the lock in order to properly break it open. He glanced to Kira again. “Are you prepared?”

His second disciple answered him with a curt nod.

Pangu took a deep breath and ripped the stone contraption off of the hole. He only had time to take a short, sharp inhale before his lungs were assaulted with miasma.

Most of it did flow into Kira but it was more than even he could have prepared for. The rest shot into Pangu’s body, sending him to the ground. Raine and Baiya both rushed over while Kira slowly crumpled to his knees.

Kira tried to choke down all of the poison but it was simply too much. He could not move his own limbs nor could he think clearly. His eyelids flickered and he fell to the side, unable to keep upright any longer.

Both he and Pangu saw their surroundings change. Instead of their small group in the cave, they were surrounded by white mist and ancient trees. The sky appeared a light lilac though it bled into the white ground under their feet.

It was the spirit realm, Pangu recognized, but it felt very different. It felt empty.

Kira saw Pangu across from him and noticed, immediately that the Xiang had his hair loose and it was longer. He was also covered in bruises and there were spots of blood on his face and clothes. Likewise, Pangu saw that Kira was beaten up with blood covering most of his body. He was also extremely pale and had dark circles under his eyes that almost looked completely black. He was nearly unrecognizable.

They both rose to their feet and drew closer but as much as they were trying to call out to one another, their mouths weren’t working. They were prisoners in their own bodies.

Both of them raised their arms out in front of them and exerted a lot of energy. A blast of fire came from Pangu while straight miasma poured forth from Kira’s hands. The black and purple mist met the flames in the middle but neither gained much ground over the other.

Pangu nor Kira were aware of why they were fighting but all they could do was watch.

The energies multiplied in intensity and the meeting point of the miasma and fire started to waver—sometimes drawing close to Kira and sometimes pushing further to Pangu’s side.

It was only with one final push that the bursts of energy met their targets. The fire and the miasma bypassed one another and hit Kira and Pangu respectively.

Square in the chest, Pangu had miasma eating away at him and melting through his torso. On the other side, Kira was on fire, trying in vain to put it out.

The scene was gruesome but it quickly faded to black.

“They’re both unconscious,” Raine stated, now at Kira’s side. He brushed the man’s hair back and felt for a fever. Thankfully there wasn’t any so it was possible he was not suffering from any miasma poisoning but had simply passed out from the sheer amount.

“Can you both carry them?” Viren asked.

“We can,” Baiya answered quickly and picked up Pangu in his arms.

“Alright, I will lead you back to the palace and I will have nurses tend to them as soon as possible.” The Lord rushed out of the cave, occasionally checking behind him to see where Raine and Baiya were.

He really did not have to look. Both men were carrying several pounds of weight in their arms but they were able to keep up with Viren with no problem.

Viren hailed a carriage that was actually large enough for all of them to sit inside. He paid the man behind the horse a hefty tip to make sure that he sped as quickly as he could to the palace.

Rushing up the stairs in front of the palace while carrying dead weight was the largest challenge for the men but they were running purely on adrenaline anyway so they conquered the steps quickly.

The Lord rang the bell at the door as he passed through it. “Oli!”

His little cousin met him within seconds. “What is it?” he asked and then spotted the unconscious men. “What happened?”

“Have the nurses meet us in Kira’s room, alright? Quickly now.”

Once Oli was off, Viren continued to lead the charge all the way up to Kira’s room. He didn’t have to give any more orders as Raine and Baiya silently moved to rest Pangu and Kira down on the bed. It was large enough for both of them to lie comfortably.

Raine did not move from Kira’s side and kept checking the temperature of his skin. He placed the back of his hand against his forehead, against his cheeks, and against his neck. He did feel slightly clammy but, otherwise, he seemed okay.

“I did not think there would be that much,” Viren said and covered his mouth. “I am terribly sorry.”

“It needed to be cleansed no matter what,” Raine responded, “It is not like the amount lies on your shoulders.”

“True,” Baiya mentioned as he turned to look at the man. “Miasma sources can produce a large amount of the stuff even if there are not particularly bad things happening in the area.”

“But war and negative emotions can make it worse,” Raine added, “You said many people had come here, fleeing Sun-Shi? They could have brought resentment with them.”

“You mean to say that this could be partly my uncle’s doing?” Viren asked, confused.

“He certainly is not helping his territory with the way he is acting,” Baiya said, “If the Xiang was allowed to be political, I would recommend we do something about him.”

“Pangu’s position may not be a political one but politics is playing a part in the spread of miasma,” Viren replied and started to pace around the room. “If I were to have his blessing then I might be able to unify this territory—maybe even Feng as well. A unified Terra would be more peaceful and would be less likely to fall prey to infighting. At least for a time…”

“You would have to discuss that with Pangu,” Raine said, “Even if you are a kind Lord, that is a big decision for him to make.”

“I understand.” he responded and stopped to look over at the two unconscious men. “First and foremost, they must get better.”

Almost on cue, a small troop of nurses rushed into the room with their hands full of supplies. One had to practically drag Raine away from Kira so she could check his vitals. The man reluctantly walked to where Baiya was standing and watched the nurses from a distance.

“You think they will be okay?” Baiya asked, looking to Raine.

“I believe so. Though Kira did take a lot in…”

“Why is it that so much seemed to go into him?” Viren asked, reminding them both that he was still in the room.

They exchanged a look, silently trying to come to an agreement on what they should say. The Lord had seen how the miasma reacted with his own eyes. If he was as smart as he seemed, he would likely figure it out on his own anyway.

“Kira has the abilities of the Chaaya,” Raine said quietly.

Viren’s eyes went wide. “…What?”

“He is on our side,” Baiya cemented his statement, leaving no room for argument, “But he has been absorbing the miasma in Pangu’s place.”

The Lord looked back to them on the bed. “So he doesn’t get poisoned?”

“Yes,” Raine answered. “The miasma is far harsher on Pangu than it is on Kira. Still…this was a large amount and both of them were hit.”

Viren shook his head. “I would be happy to house you all until they have recovered. This was my fault anyway. If I had not blocked that miasma source then it might have just enveloped the city naturally and not been so potent.”

Baiya sighed. He might not have completely liked Viren, and for petty reasons, but he also didn’t want to see the man so down on himself. “You didn’t know.”

He smiled a little. “Thank you but…I have a lot I need to think about now.”

After he left the room, the nurses shortly followed. They gave Raine and Baiya some tips on caring for Pangu and Kira but there was not much they could do except for wait.

[not-poignant]

The chemistry between Gwyn and the Raven Prince though! Those two talking back and forth, it even started to rhyme. It felt like the beginning of flyting or sth similar. Does the Raven Prince even like Gwyn? I feel like he does! But I never know what to think.

Omg the flyting reference dslkafjsda okay well they weren’t exactly insulting each other, but man, so, okay, Gwyn has this habit of like...falling into really oldschool patterns of speech with certain fae. You see him do this in book 1 of The Ice Plague with Gille Dubh, where their talking becomes ritualistic, and Gwyn begins to talk in verse:

(Actually I’m going to put this under a Read More because this is a long-ish excerpt sorry!)

‘Your loch is beautiful as always,’ Gwyn said. ‘I see you are in something of a quandary. You want to welcome me, but you cannot think of how to welcome such a traitor, can you?’

‘So it is,’ Gille Dubh said.

‘I do not wish to sour your relations to your Market, and it is not rudeness for you to forego the usual greetings in these circumstances, is it? I ask for only a couple of hours, and then we shall be on our way. It is, at least on my part, good to see you again.’ Gwyn turned to Luridan and nodded. ‘And you.’

‘Aye! My old battle companion of days gone by.’ Luridan pressed a fist to his chest and shook his head slowly. ‘And then, evil like, you turned out to be an Unseelie galoot now! It’s enough to break a brownie’s heart.’

‘The trows speak finely of you,’ Gille Dubh said. ‘On both sides.’

‘Yet I keep them in silver, and they’d speak finely of anyone who did such a thing.’

‘The stars still shine on you,’ Gille Dubh said, a strange intonation in his voice, as though it was a ritual that Eran wasn’t familiar with. ‘In all skies.’

‘Yet they shine on everyone, equally, and in that – everyone is of the stars, Gille Dubh. Even you.’

Eran was mesmerised. He’d never heard Gwyn speak softly like that. He couldn’t feel any increased dra’ocht in the air, so Gwyn wasn’t working his glamour to create a moment. But this held something in it that he wasn’t familiar with, and he couldn’t look away.

‘The beating of my heart tells me that you betrayed us, Gwyn ap Nudd, and yet I betray myself, for I still wish you were our King.’

A pause then, Gwyn looked down at the ground. When he looked up, Eran couldn’t see his expression, but he could see Gille Dubh’s, earnest and wistful at once.

‘Yet beneath that, deeper still, is the beating of a heart that tells you that you’ve never needed a King, and never will.’

‘So it is,’ Gille Dubh said, nodding once.

***

So Gwyn rhymes Gille Dubh / you, and still / will, and is basically gracefully engaging in Gille Dubh’s grief and sense of betrayal, re: Gwyn himself. Gwyn takes pains to offer a kind of...peace to Gille Dubh, reminding him of his own inner royalty, his own connection to the earth and the stars.

The Raven Prince is another figure that Gwyn is often inspired to do this with. Gwyn doesn’t think of himself as a wordsmith, he would never call himself an orator, but he is one and he can speak very finely - in his own way - when he wants to. He is far more formal a speaker than Augus, Ash, Gulvi or Fenwrel, and he’s had a lifetime of giving speeches on the battleground, working to negotiate, or in the field of diplomacy.

So in book 2 you have him beginning to enter into a similar ritualistic exchange, which the Raven Prince is frankly delighted to be a part of. Gwyn, too, I really think is enjoying himself here. It’s less obvious, because Gwyn doesn’t really trust the Raven Prince at all, and he doesn’t want to like him. But I don’t think Gwyn would do this so easily or stay as long, or be as willing to engage in this kind of conversation, if he didn’t feel something around the Raven Prince:

‘You are something of an orator too, aren’t you?’ the Raven Prince said, as Gwyn brushed away the Raven Prince’s arm. ‘How did you end up the way that you are, raised by those worms?’

‘You have grown so used to valuing only the things that look like you, act like you, that you have forgotten there is value in the rest of it too,’ Gwyn said, and Mosk caught a hint of the Raven Prince’s smile.

‘That, I allow, is true. But, Gwyn ap Nudd, even poisonous birds have value.’

‘And so you’re here at my will, not imprisoned nor dead,’ Gwyn said. ‘Keep yourself safe during the storm.’

***

You have a rhyming scheme set up here via simple words like: too / you / value / true. They engage in it three lines in a row, in a give and take, and it ends with the Raven Prince beginning to smile because of it.

I think the Raven Prince is really curious about Gwyn. The Raven Prince certainly finds him more intelligent and more fascinating than he’d been led to expect, and of course Gwyn is Unseelie, on the throne, and well-respected by the fae around him, and this is perplexing to him. It’s not often the Raven Prince can’t understand exactly why something has gone the way it’s gone, but Gwyn confounds him, and the Raven Prince wants to understand him better.

There’s also...Gwyn sort of represents the way things should have been, in a way. The Raven Prince feels like he’s constantly gazing upon someone who should have been his apprentice, who should have even loved him the way an apprentice can love their mentor. Additionally, Gwyn ‘landed’ Augus as a consort. The Raven Prince tried to do this himself and failed in A Broken Feather Straightened:

Augus came back to himself slowly, for a moment wondering if he’d forgotten his own name again, relieved he hadn’t. He looked up when he realised what had happened. He felt no hand on his chest, but one in his hair now, instead. The Raven Prince was looking down at him, considering.

‘You would never be a consort, would you?’ he said.

‘No,’ Augus said, a bitter flavour moving through his mouth.

So there’s also an element ‘what does Gwyn have that I don’t?’ Because the Raven Prince is still definitely attached enough to Augus in his own complex way that he found the Mantissa, flew across the ocean, and hasn’t yet left the ship. So that’s...a whole complicated thing too. They share Augus in common, but Gwyn is in the present and the Raven Prince in many respects is still stuck in the past.

I think the Raven Prince finds Gwyn very entertaining, as well as surprisingly accommodating and obliging. Gwyn is both exactly like, and completely the opposite of, what he expected from a martial King. The Raven Prince enjoys cognitive dissonance, and so he likes the conundrum that Gwyn represents, but he wants to solve it too.

Also true story, but when I finished writing that scene between them I went to my beta and just wrote ‘holy shit the Raven Prince’s and Gwyn’s chemistry though????’ and left it at that lmao. I don’t mean like, sexual chemistry. Just...they spark off each other really well. Every time they start talking to each other I want to just sit there and listen to them for ages, lol, but sadly they are just a little too antagonistic for that to work right now.

Oh god. Longest reply post ever, I’m sorry! I got very excited that you mentioned flyting, even though I’m not nearly clever enough to do something like that.

[cherrykindness]

let's make babies |

pairing: Harry Styles x Actress!Reader

summary: you and harry are doing a live on instagram, you've drunk a lot of wine and now the world knows that the future Mrs. Styles is ready to make babies.

warnings: mostly cute, but the title tells you what you need to know 🤪

"What is your favorite song from the Fine Line album?" Y/N read aloud, twirling in her right hand the second glass of wine of the evening, the one already halfway through. "Adore You and Watermelon Sugar, of course."

Harry giggled, rolling his eyes upon hearing his fiancée's statement.

"Y/N will always choose Adore You because it was obviously written for her." He accused. "She wouldn't give that answer under different circumstances."

The comments climbed up the screen continuously, most fans gushing about how cute Harry Styles and YN/LN could be while the other part was concerned with wringing even more information out of the slightly inebriated couple who had decided to do a surprise live one early Sunday morning.

As expected after being away for some time to begin filming Don't Worry, Darling in Southern California, Harry enjoyed a lazy weekend in the house he shared with his fiancée and her pets. The days were filled with late naps and relentless Netflix marathons, sublime and ethereal evenings, marked mostly by unexpected declarations and rounds of sex that used to last until the beams of light were shyly coming through the linen curtains. They were not a monotonous couple, so this order could easily be changed.

"Watermelon Sugar is nothing more than about my love for watermelons, don't get too creative." Harry replied to a fan while sporting a corner smile, the message standing out among the rest for its dozens of emojis and large print, questioning the singer about erotic content behind the lyrics of his latest hit. "I really don't know what you guys are talking about."

Y/N laughed, shaking her head before leaning it against her fiancé's chest, propped up on the soft white pillows that were spread practically all over the bed. The air conditioner was on at a minimal temperature and a light rain whipped on the panes of glass camouflaged by the cream-colored curtain, that being the projection of Y/N's favorite nights.

"You can tell them, I'm not shy." She joked, nudging her fiancé's waist.

"You know what it was written about and who it was written for." Harry replied, raising one of his eyebrows. "That's what matters."

It went without saying that much of Harry's newest album, as well as some of his earlier work, had been done in exclusive dedication to his future wife. Y/N had been the muse for a vast repertoire of romantic songs, and even though the singer preferred to keep the story behind his more explicit compositions a "secret", the relationship the two had shared for more than three years was already solid and known enough for the media and fans to distinguish hidden messages in small details.

"It's a song about what usually comes before the act of making babies." Y/N laughed as he pointed at the display. "Honestly, you guys are impossible."

"No, we make babies every day." Harry joked, making a funny motion with his eyebrows. "I would spend my entire career writing just about that."

"Harry!" The actress exclaimed incredulously, slapping her fiancé weakly on the chest. "Children might be watching this."

"You don't want to have babies with me?" He asked falsely offended, accepting the cup that Y/N offered him. "Because I want some babies with you."

Y/N laughed, rolling her eyes as she watched the internet freak out at the dialogue that had suddenly emerged. Since the beginning of the quarantine, it was kind of inevitable that the couple of artists would not become the darlings of all social media; they were fervently active with photos, videos, and lives that depicted step by step daily life in isolation, gaining more and more followers and making the media more and more fascinated by the relationship they both shared.

The wedding was scheduled for the summer of next year and it was perhaps the most anticipated event in the tabloids. Bets about what the model of Y/N's dress would be and lists presuming who would be selected for the short list of guests stood out among countless news stories about the famous people influencing pop culture today.

The possible arrival of a Styles baby was an inevitable topic in interviews. Harry and Niall were the only members of the ex-boyband that had not become fathers yet, and because they had maintained a solid relationship and were seen as one of the most enviable couples during the last four years, Y/N and Harry had gotten used to all this openly asked questions. They didn't mind, they even had fun with the montages and all the anxiety that dominated the whole internet, often mentioning the fandoms' efforts to represent them as such "cool" parents in perfectly edited pictures.

"No, guys, I'm not pregnant." Y/N amusingly clarified the doubt of dozens of new comments. "Please don't believe so many controversial news stories that appear out there. I was on twitter last week and saw several people theorizing about a possible pregnancy, most of the arguments based on a website that used photos from the set of How to Get Away with Murder in the season where I was actually playing a pregnant woman as Laurel." She laughed. "It's so funny! I know you guys love to guess these things, but we won't hide something so special when it actually happen, I promise."

"Especially because Y/N can hide absolutely nothing from anyone." Harry accused, leaving his drink on the corner table before settling into a comfortable position for the two of them. "Anyone who's a Marvel fan knows that. That's one of her most characteristic quirks."

"They gave me a fake script for the last two movies." Y/N agreed, shaking his head. "For me and Tom."

"We agreed to keep the engagement a secret for a while. The plan was to travel to Holmes Chapel to break the news to my family in person, but guess who got a call at ten o'clock at night from an angry Anne because she learned of her son's engagement from an interview Y/N gave the next day?"

Y/N gave a guilty smile, winking gracefully at the camera. "It was all James' fault! I'm sure he already suspected something, those questions were very suspicious."

"Of course the questions were suspicious, babe. You literally said you had a secret that involved both of us but that you couldn't tell because it was important that our families knew first."

"I thought he would think about a pregnancy or something!" The actress defended herself, feeling very convincing in her intonation bordering on obviousness. "That's a mania I can't get rid of, it's in my genes."

"Did you all hear that? Further proof that you guys don't have to worry about guessing when Y/N's pregnancy will be, I'm sure our baby will make sure to tell you everything while still in the womb, mom's genes will make sure of that."

"You are so funny, Harry Styles." Y/N sarcastically stated, holding back a giggle as countless messages with laughing emojis were frantically up. "Yeah, I know I talk a lot and all, but you have annoying quirks too."

It was obvious that live would be news the next day. Although they were completely open about matters concerning their relationship, nothing seemed better than receiving so much exclusive information from a Harry and S/N drunk on expensive wine.

"You wake up in a bad mood and you're dangerously sexy, that should be illegal."

Harry laughed, holding his fiancée's waist a little tighter as he felt her tumble a little further to the side, getting closer and closer to the edge of the bed. Y/N was dangerously weak for drinks, and the singer knew that the actress' body was already near its limit.

"You're the only sexy person here, love." He declared with a corner smile, evidently finding the whole situation funny. "Do you want to go to sleep now?"

"No." Y/N shook her head. "Can we watch some movie? Can we watch Sweet Home?"

"Of course, love." He murmured, giving the woman a quick kiss on the forehead.

Even though Harry knew that his fiancée was unlikely to make it past the five-minute mark of the episode, he made sure to restart the korean series at exactly the scene where she had stopped, the first chapter still halfway through after Y/N realized that it would be impossible to watch such a macabre work without a drop of alcohol in her blood.

She had been so excited by the taste of Argentinian wine and the idea of updating her fans after a few weeks away, that she had forgotten the main purpose of the live. Harry and Y/N had been apart for a few days due to the new movie the Brit was shooting in North America, all happening in an unrestrictedly careful manner due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic.

He was slowly migrating towards acting and the future Mrs. Styles couldn't be prouder. Y/N had felt on cloud nine when Harry had given her the news of his upcoming job, but her only pronouncement on the subject had been a succinct post on instagram. Just a photo of the couple on a trip to Germany with a simple heart emoji didn't seem enough for the actress' exhibitionist soul, and coming to that conclusion was the main reason she decided to invite him, already relatively changed, for a live appearance. Y/N wanted to go on and on about how much she loved that man and work on that whole honeyed speech that would bring her (once again) the title of "cutest bride of all time," but of course Harry had to come home from his trip with his favorite red wine and poison her with those sweet caresses that took her out of orbit, turning the degree of alcohol content into the least of her problems.

"You're going to kiss Florence." Y/N exclaimed suddenly, as if only now realizing that her fiancé would share the screen with Florence Pugh, one of her closest friends in that industry. "Kiss on the mouth."

The MacBook was still open and hundreds of new comments were going up every second, but Harry didn't bother one bit to warn her about the possibility of her becoming a meme the next day. He was having too much fun with the situation to worry.

"Are you jealous?"

"Yes." She stated with a pout. "I am jealous, I just don't know if I'm more jealous of her or of you."

"But you kiss me every day, babe." Harry laughed. "And you've been kissing other people's men for almost ten years." He joked.

"But I only think about you, I already told you that."

Harry shook his head negatively at the camera, knowing he was sharing with the fans the funniest side of his fiancée.

"I know that, honey." He assured, lightly stroking the actress' back. "I think we'd better turn off the TV and go to sleep now, I'm sure you'll have a terrible headache tomorrow."

The brit planned to bid his audience goodbye and put an end to that recording, but Y/N was drunk and her sense of right and wrong had already gone to space. Harry should have been quicker, however, because his fiancée's speech would be cause for new tags and the only subject for the interviewers for at least the next few months.

"I don't want to sleep, how about we make babies?"

That's what Watermelon Sugar was all about, after all.

[levi-my-beloved]

Blue Flowers, Red Silk (Part One)

Levi Ackerman Oneshot

Pairing: Modern!Levi x F!Reader

Summary: Your boss has you working down to the bone trying to strike a deal with a famous author to publish their new upcoming series. Levi hates seeing you so overworked, so when you finally have the evening to yourselves, he decides to show you how proud he is.

Word Count: 6.1K

Warnings: Reader’s boss being an asshole, oral (m receiving), light teasing, dacryphilia, just a WHOLE LOTTA FLUFF

A/N: this... this wasn’t even supposed to exist... part one was never supposed to happen there was only supposed to be one part.. pls blame @cant-spell-slay-without-lay​ for this part one fuken putting ideas in my head that i can’t get rid of :( (totally kidding ily bb :3)

yes i know i said the next writing upload will be BoaF chapter six pls forgive me ;^;

ANYWAY! there shall be a part two of what i originally planned, but this is almost pure fluff with some smut sprinkled in because i was feeling cosy. enjoy lovelies!

MINORS DNI 18+

“You know, I sometimes wish murder was legal.”

Well that certainly wasn’t how Levi expected to be greeted when you came through the door, soaking wet from the torrential rain outside. You stood there in the doorway of your flat, dripping on the doormat. Your sodden hair clinging to your forehead, acting like a raincloud as water fell from your now darkened locks. Levi poked his head from the kitchen archway, stifling a laugh as he took in your comically miserable state.

“You look like a drowned rat,”

“Oh, thanks very much!” you replied sarcastically, shaking out your broken umbrella deliberately over the freshly mopped floors, throwing him a sickly sweet smile as you did. Levi rolled his eyes at your petulance, coming to lean against the wall, cocking a brow in disdain as his arms folded over his chest.

“You’re cleaning that up,”

“Kiss my ass.”

“Have a shower first, you're soaking,” it was your turn to throw your eyes skyward, peeling off your dark, woolen coat to hang on the rack to dry. It was midwinter, and the weather forecast had predicted snowfall. You made a note to flip off the reporter the next time you saw their stupid face on the screen. Thankful you’d worn waterproof makeup today, you kicked your shoes off, feet soaking thanks to the open top heels of your dress code.

You loved your job, Production Manager for a rather large book publishing company, but currently your boss had decided you were a human punching bag, sending you email after email about the current deal you were trying to strike with an extremely well known author. It wasn’t exactly going smoothly, the stubborn bastard wanting 36% of all sales whilst you were trying to cut it down to, at most, 24%, which was still a shit ton. You understood Niles was stressed, but fo fuck sakes, you wish he’d cut you some slack.

A sigh escaped your lips as you watched Levi disappear into your utility room just as you started to peel off your top layer of waterlogged clothing, tossing it into the basket, leaving you in just your blouse and your underwear. You really need him right now. Just to hold you and whisper sweet nothings into your ear. You really wanted to snuggle up in bed, caged in his secure arms, but you knew that wasn’t going to happen. Unfortunately, your work doesn’t stay at work. You had mountains of paperwork to get through. Book covers to approve, edits to look through, printing companies to email. Fuck, everything was just too much right now. It wasn’t that you were the bread-earner out of the two of you. You both had incredibly well paying jobs, but Levi had much less paperwork as a Pediatrician.

“Why do you wish murder was legal, hm?” you’d been too wrapped up in your mental rant to notice your fiancé return to you, a large bath towel bundled up under his arm. You glanced over your shoulder just as he draped the towel over your head and shoulders. The freshly laundered scent greeted your nose and you realised he must have put it in the tumble dryer especially for you before you got home.

“I don’t. Not really. Just my fucking boss giving me shit for something I can’t control. He knows full well I’m trying my fucking best to cut this deal. It isn’t even my fucking department! I’m doing him a goddamn favour,” you muttered spitefully as Levi gently guided you into his arms, letting you ramble about your day just to get it off your chest. He listened silently, offering occasional hums of agreement whilst softly caressing your arm with his thumb.

“And on top of everything else, it started fucking raining as I was walking home. The fucking weatherwoman said it was going to fucking snow and it fucking rained. Fuck.” Levi snorted a laugh as you pouted, knowing you were just complaining to add things to your list of things that made you miserable today.

“Well, maybe we can just have a quiet evening? Stick on a movie, maybe order a Chinese takeout or something? I can put the ratatouille in the fridge for tomorrow instead of having it tonight,” you hated having to say no. It was so rare Levi was willing to actually suggest something like this. Though you knew he loved those evenings just as much as you did, he often rolled his eyes and grumbled about not doing something ‘productive’ enough.

“I’m sorry Vi, I can’t. Niles has me working on this godforsaken deal round the clock, which means I have a huge backlog of work I need to catch up on,” Levi’s lips drew a thin line of annoyance as you shifted to look at him. He wasn’t annoyed at you. This wasn’t your fault.

Well, it was kind of your fault for offering to help, but he wouldn’t be mad at you for being you.

No, he was utterly livid at your boss. For the past few nights you’d gotten little to no sleep, staring at your bright laptop screen until the sun rose, trying your fucking best to slog through the swamp of work, wading through countless emails.

You felt guilty. It had been almost a week since you actually spent time with Levi. You hated knowing you always came home and almost immediately disappeared into your office, never to be seen until the next morning. He could sometimes hear your phone calls through the walls, listening to your tired, broken voice utter short sentences, presumably the only words you could get in through your boss's tyrades.

“Tch, don’t be sorry, idiot. ‘Not your fault,” Levi huffed, guiding your head back into his shoulder. If he could hold you tonight, he supposed he would just have to stand here with you in his arms for as long as he could. He missed you. Dearly. He missed hearing your soft breaths as you fell asleep, listening to your heartbeat. He missed your high pitched gasps and breathy whimpers as he slowly filled you, those desperate moans as his fingers circled your swollen clit. He missed making you scream his name as you reached your upteenth high, convulsing and shaking as his tongue continued to lap at your cunt, drinking in your essence. Ever since you two started dating, he’d had difficulty getting off by himself, becoming so used to your supple hands or scorching mouth massaging all the sensitive spots he wasn’t even aware he had, knowing how to pull long strings of groans and mewls from his throat. He missed your walls clamping around his cock to the point where he could hardly move, feeling you cream around his length, knowing it wouldn’t take much longer before he was spilling into your tight hole, pumping you full of his seed. Eyes crossed and head thrown back.

Fuck, he missed you.

“It’s almost over, I know it. We’re down to 29% of all sales now, so just a little more negotiating and that’ll be it, I promise. I mean, with any luck, this shit will be dealt with by tomorrow afternoon,” you murmured tiredly against his neck. Levi nodded, glad you were blissfully unaware of his filthy train of thought. He knew you wouldn’t mind him thinking about you in such a lewd manner, but he hated the thought of making you feel guilty for not helping his sexual frustration. Well, more guilty than you already felt. He sighed through his nose, planting a kiss on your toweled head.

“C’mon you, let’s eat something. Relax for a bit before having to start on your work again. Oh, your blankets are in the dryer as well.”

“Marry me.”

“I already am, beautiful.”

“Marry me faster,” you swore you felt the clinging cold dissipate as he laughed against your head, the sound instantly warming you heart and soul as he spun you in his arms, steering you back into the kitchen to remove the dish currently keeping warm in the oven.

“Oh? Next month's too far away?” he teasingly asked, letting go of you only to pull his pair of black oven gloves over his hands. You nodded, hopping up to sit on the counter, the warm towel falling to sit around your shoulders. “When would you prefer?” he asked, going along with the topic of conversation with a slight smile.

“Mmmmm… tomorrow.” Levi looked at you from where he’d crouched to the oven door, a brow raised in mock intrigue. He turned his attention briefly back to the vegetable meal, dragging it from the heated confines and placing it on the stovetop.

“Tomorrow? Not sure what your father would say about that,” he replied, hanging the gloves back on the oven door handle, leaving the ratatouille to cool for a bit as he made his way back over to you, chuckling away on the countertop.

“Oh please, I changed his mind about you, didn’t I?”

“Pretty sure I did that on my own,” Levi smirked at your feigned offended scoff. But it was true. Your fiancé and your father really didn’t get along to start with. Having been from two entirely different backgrounds, their values often collided. It wasn’t until the subject of you came up in conversation one long family dinner did they finally see eye to eye. You’d left to help your mother put your baby sister to sleep, leaving your fiancé and your father at the table. You’d half expected to come back to the dining room in utter anarchy. You definitely didn’t expect them to be sharing a toast in your name.

It almost brought a tear to your eye.

“You certainly did,” your beaming grin turned soft at the man standing between your thighs, currently holding his palm against the side of your face. “(Y/N) Ackerman. Has a ring to it, doesn’t it?” Levi didn’t think he’d heard anything sound so sweet, so perfect in his life. His heart swelled with adoration as he traced your eyebrow with his thumb.

“It certainly does, sweetheart,” He tilted your head up, closing the miniscule distance between you, his lips easily grazing against yours in a teasing kiss. Levi chuckled softly as you immediately grew pouty at the ghost-like touch, before snaking your hands up his shirt clad chest to wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him into your passionate embrace. Your lips melded against each other, finding a slow yet heated rhythm. Fuck you had missed him just as much as he’d missed you. A small whine bled from your chest as he sucked your bottom lip into his mouth, teeth gently sinking into the soft flesh. You gladly opened your mouth, appreciating his own soft growl as your tongues began to dance a hot tango, both fighting for dominance.

Levi trailed his hands down your front, palms briefly massaging your clothed breasts before tickling your waist and finally settling on your hips. He squeezed your upper thigh, pulling you further towards the edge of the counter and encouraging you to wrap your legs around his hips. The mixed sensation of his growing length grinding against your dampening cunt, and your fingers threading through his hair, nails scratching his undercut drew a low groan from the back of his throat, his chest inflating as you tensed your calves, deliberately rolling your hips into him. You were driving him absolutely wild.

“How long before the ratatouille is ready to eat?” you whispered breathlessly, before his lips crashed against yours, as if he would suffocate without feeling you in his mouth.

“Ready now– f-fuck...” he could only manage short sentences, his hips bucking involuntarily into yours, his nails digging crescents into the flesh of your bare thighs as he found a rhythm that matched the battle of your tongues.

“Okay, new question, how- mmph– how long before it– get’s cold?” you asked between increasingly feverish presses of his lips. You understood why. You’d both gone from fucking regularly to not at all in a very short amount of time, the fierce tension in the room now taut enough to snap completely. You were just as frustrated as he was, finding yourself dripping at the mere thought of his hard, leaking cock. The image made you grind your hips mercilessly, fingers roaming down his navel to his belt, nimbly fiddling with the buckle. Your breath hitched at the prominent outline of his erect length pressed against his slacks, shivering as he pulled back to breathe a needy whine into your ear.

“Six minutes maybe,” Levi panted, gritting his teeth to stop himself from cursing as his belt snapped from around his waist. He reluctantly stepped back when you gently pushed against his chest, giving you room to hop down off the countertop. His question was caught in his throat as you spun him around, pushing him back against the counter you were just seated on.

“Perfect… gives me time to suck your dick,” your grin was borderline feral as you briefly latched onto his neck to suck a deep bruise against his pulse point, as well as a high-pitched mewl from his throat, before sinking to your knees in front of him. You didn’t have time to slowly rid him of his shirt, unravel his composure bit by bit. You want to feel his pulsing length against your tongue, want to listen to his carnal cries as you brutally milk him dry.

The metallic tang of his zipper spread across your taste buds as you dragged it down, dropping his slack to pool around his ankles, borderline drooling at the sight of his tented crotch. You leaned forward, sucking against the darkened patch where his precum had dampened his briefs.

Levi’s hands flew to the countertop behind him in order to steady himself, mind reeling at the torment you were delivering with your mouth. He didn’t realise just how sensitive he would be, whimpering and groaning uncontrollably before you’d even properly touched his leaking dick.

“P-please (Y/N). N-need your m-mouth b-baby, please,” he begged, stuttering through his pleading as you finally freed his throbbing length from the cloth prison. You smirked as his cock bobbed slightly, flushed a deep crimson and and just aching to be touched.

But, you had a whole six minutes. Given how needy he was, you had three minutes to tease him, confident you’d have him cumming down your throat in the remaining three. Just as Levi thought you were going to be merciful on him, you dodged his erection, opting to flutter kisses against the inside of his thighs. His pitiful whine almost made you feel sorry for him as you sank your teeth into the supple flesh, decorating his inner thigh with the most beautiful hickeys, specks of red flecking to the surface of his skin as you smoothed your tongue over the small hurts.

Moving to his other thigh, you threw him a devilish simper when your hot breath against his tip caused his whole body to tense, which gave you an idea.

“Undo your shirt for me. I like watching your body respond to my touch,” you voice was husky, full of a domineering presence Levi hadn’t heard in far too long. Fuck he loved your dominant side, possibly more than when you’re all submissive for him. Then again… the image of you on your back, tears sliding from the corner of your eyes as he fucked you into oblivion, a vibe buzzing against your clit has to be one of the Wonders of the World. Screw the Temple of Artemis. Your body was the only temple he fucking cared about.

He made a hazy mental note to use that cheesy pickup line on you later, knowing how much you loved them before all thought was wiped from his mind as you delivered yet another sucking kiss to his inner thigh. He somehow remembered he was supposed to be unbuttoning his shirt, hands trembling as he popped open the fabric, exposing his sculpted chest to you.

“Hmm, good boy,” Levi keened at the praise, knuckles draining white as he held the countertop edge in a deathgrip. You were surprised the marble didn’t crumble in his fist as you looked up at him through your dark lashes. But your attention on his gorgeous hands was brief, caught again by the precum now seeping freely from his slit. Deciding he’s waited long enough, you poked your tongue out between your lips, delivering small kitten licks to the bulging head of his cock.

“Hng– sh-shit…!” he exhaled, before inhaling sharply as the tip of your tongue circled the tip of his dick. You were curious to see if you could get him off with such small movements, but you really wanted to reward him for being so patient with you. Levi’s stuttering wail was well worth the wait as your hand fisted his shaft, slowly pumping along his length, your tongue still lapping at the precum gathering at his tip.

“Ah-ahh– haah, f-fucking– shit!” you giggled at his string of profanities as your lips puckered around his head, gently sucking gently against the raging organ. Levi’s hips bucked into your mouth, whining profusely at the electric sensation frying his brain, becoming nothing but the network of nerves between his thighs. Your hands gripped his bruised thighs, sending delicious bolts of pained pleasure through his system as your thumbs pressed against those purple blossoms. Your tongue swept the slick bleeding from his slit, smearing it all over your taste buds and his dick.

If Levi could form a coherent thought, he would have acknowledged how fucking hot you looked right now. Blouse hanging off your shoulder, brows furrowed in concentration as you vigorously made out with his cock. It wasn’t until your eyes slid up to meet his lidded orbs did he realise he was staring, but he couldn’t look away. That was until you engulfed half his length into your mouth, fist gripping the base of his cock tightly as your tongue flicked against the vein along the underside of his shaft.

“(Y/N)! F-fuck baby– nngh, y-yes oh fuck oh fuckohfuck… A-HAAH!” Levi threw his head back, his hand fisting his own hair through his desperate sobs. You watched his chest rise and fall rapidly, his abs contracting and relaxing with each bob of your head. You pulled back a little to flick your tongue against his frenulum, squeezing the base of his shaft again. Levi knew exactly what you were doing to prevent him from releasing too early, but couldn’t deny he was loving every moment of this torturous euphoria.

Your other, currently unused hand began massaging circles against his hip, encouraging him to relax his muscles. You stilled on his cock, thumb mirroring your other as you began the same treatment against his length, pulling off his mouth to allow him to recover for a second.

“The ratatouille’s going to get cold,” you mused, admiring the way his tip glistened with a mixture of your saliva and his slick.

“I don’t care,” he hissed through his teeth, his head dropping back down to look at you with blown pupils. “Thank you. For this. I really needed it,” your heart warmed at the sincerity, knowing Levi always found admitting these things rather difficult. You rewarded his efforts with a rough jerk of his length, watching his mouth fall open in pleasure.

“I know, and you’re very welcome,” Levi noted the mischievous innocence in your eyes, but before he had time to question it, you removed your hand from his cock and swallowed him down your throat.

“NNGH– AA-HA-AH, sh-shit your mouth feels so– HNNG, MMN– so FUCKING good... !” you gripped his hips to stop them from writhing, tears pricking the corners of your eyes as you fought your gag reflex, nose pressed up against the well kept, coarse patch of hair on his naval. You held him in your throat, your own arousal dripping down your thighs as he squirmed in delicious ecstasy, hands now tangled in your locks to ground himself. You swallowed again, moaning around his length as his thighs trembled at the feeling of your vibrating throat closing around his tip, admiring the way his face scrunched in lascivious bliss.

“Please baby…! F-fuck you’re s-so good at this. C-can’t get there without you. Need your– aah– ‘need your touch baby, p-please,” it had been far too long since you’d heard him beg like this and fuck you could cum just listening to him. Your clit throbbed with each choked sob, looking up through wet lashes only to see tears of bliss gathering at the corners of his own eyes. There was nothing hotter than Levi when he was vocal. Whether he was growling against your ear, whimpering beneath you or sobbing into your mouth, there was something so thrilling about him completely losing, or willingly giving up, his control. You swore his voice was some sort of aphrodisiac.

Your desire to listen to him completely fall apart prompted you to move, hollowing your cheeks as you began to bob up and down on his cock in earnest. The various sounds of you sucking and gagging sloppily on his dick pierced the air around you, intertwining with the downright pornographic moans of your fiancé dancing in the air around you.

“I-I’m so– haah– so close baby…! Fuck, shitohshitohfuckohshit FUCK… haah– haah– haah– d-don’t… don’t stop… ‘m so– SO fuck-ing close... !” Levi’s mind reeled as he rocketed towards his high, unable to stop his hips from rhythmically thrusting down your throat. Stars began to flicker in his vision, the shattering pleasure of your mouth pushing him ever higher into Elysium. “Gonna– gonna cum…! Fu– nnghaah– g-gonna fucking cum… p-please baby– AA-HAAH– please–  please– please– o-oh fu-uck (Y/N)...!” Levi was metaphorically on his knees, begging for you to let him cum in down your throat. Shoving his hips back against the cupboards behind him, you held him there as you sucked long and hard against his cock, hand coming round to rapidly play with his balls.

It was all Levi needed to find his release.

“FuckfuckFUCK A-HAAAH-AH FUCK (Y/N)!”

Hips stuttering against your hold, you looked up to watch his orgasm course through his nerves, spreading like wildfire throughout his body. His eyes crossed, rolling up into his skull as he threw his head back, mouth held open in a silent roar as ropes and ropes of white seed painted the back of your throat.

A long, satisfied whine slipped past his lips through gasps for breath. His thighs shook, the muscles in his torso tensing as you continued to milk him, tears leaking from his eyes as euphoria clouded his mind, unable to feel nothing but your tongue continuing to lap up his seed.

You slowed the ministrations of your mouth, breathless pants and needy moans of your name dragged from his throat, hips still bucking with the aftershocks of his high into your heated cavern. Another swallow pulled another high-pitched, overstimulated whimper from the man above you, cleaning up his mess before you pulled off his length, lips frosted with his cum.

“Better?” you teased, grinning with pride up at your fiancé. It had taken a little longer than three minutes, but mainly because you wanted to drag it out. He’d been so good to you recently, you didn’t want to just suck him off and be done with it. You wanted to take your time.

Levi cracked open an eye, and he was sure he could cum again at the sight of your slick coated chin. A lazy, tired smile pulled at his lips as he slowly removed his hands from your hair to gently tilt your head up from your jaw.

“Much,” was all he could manage to respond as you tenderly tucked him back into his pants and slacks. He gently swiped his thumb across your swollen lips, pulling you into a tender kiss as you rose back up to your feet, tasting himself on your tongue. “You didn’t cum,” he murmured in concern, hands on your shoulders to pull you back a little, gazing into your (E/C) irises. But your reassuring smile put him at ease.

“I’m saving myself for when you can fuck me properly,” Levi chuckled at your blunt, cheeky response, resting his forehead against yours and closing his eyes contently. He couldn’t fucking wait to marry you.

“C’mon. Let’s finally have dinner.”

“I’ve had mine.” you grinned impishly, turning away from him, only to be pulled back into his arms, his nose nuzzling into your neck.

“Don’t give me that, I worked hard on this.”

“Yeah? Well I worked hard on that.” you bucked your hips back against him, earning yourself a playful nip at your shoulder.

“You’re appalling,” Levi smirked as you both crossed the kitchen to the now lukewarm ratatouille sitting, foregotton on the stovetop.

“It’ll need reheating in the microwave,” you helpfully observed, watching the ravenette’s expression fall into contemplation.

“Can’t. It’ll just dry out,” he responded flatly.

“There’s a sauce with it, Ramsey,” you jabbed teasingly, holding his arms against you as he gently squeezed your waist, securing you to his front.

“It’ll suck the moisture out of the courgettes.”

“I know how it feels.”

Levi snorted in amusement. He loved your sense of humour, matching so well with his own. A perfect blend of witty quips and sarcastic comments.

“Be serious,” he chuckled, resting his chin on your shoulder.

“You salted the courgettes beforehand though, right?” you raised a brow, looking at his side profile through the corner of your eye.

“Tch, obviously,” you rolled your eyes at his tone, turning your head to give him a flat stare.

“Soooo… there’s no moisture in them anyway,” the weight of your observation came in the form of a heavy silence. You couldn’t help the smug smirk that pulled at your lips, Levi refusing to meet your glinting eye.

“Shut up smartass, I can’t think right now,” you snickered, removing your hands from his arm to pick up the dish you’d both been scrutinising for the last sixty seconds. Levi clung to you like a limpet as you slid the dish into the microwave, setting the timer for two minutes. You assumed some heat would still be retained as you rested your head against his on your shoulder, the low hum of the microwave filling the comfortable silence.

“Blue flowers,” you randomly stated, after what felt like years of the two of you standing in your kitchen watching the dish slowly spinning behind the tinted microwave door.

“Hmm?”

“Blue flowers. At the wedding. We need blue flowers,” you raised your head off of his, allowing him to look at you with that handsomely quizzical expression.

“Any particular reason?” he asked, tone softening along with the topic of conversation. The thought of your wedding day next month always made him gooey. The day where he’d finally be able to call you his. You owned every part of each other already, but it would be official next month. Levi shifted himself so he was no longer against your back, but rather pulling you into his chest, cradling your face in his hands.

“Because they’ll highlight the blue in your eyes,” you responded as if it was the most obvious answer in the world, before continuing with your train of thought. “I can have a bouquet of Delphiniums and Irises or something. Ooo! Maybe you could have a Blue Orchid on your jacket, since, you know, that’s your favourite flower! And we could have an arch of Hydrangeas and–” Levi cut you off by gently capturing you in a deep, loving kiss. Your eyelids fluttered shut as you all but melted into those arms encasing you to his body.

“Have I ever told you I love you?” you giggled at his question, peering at him through star-struck eyes.

“Once or twice,” you mused with a smile, swaying slightly in his arms.

“I love you, (Y/N), and I cannot wait for the day I say I do,” slivers of silver lined your lashes at his heartfelt words, your smile broadening into a teary-eyed beam.

“Tomorrow, right?” you called back to your earlier joke, diamonds of pure serenity trailblazing down your cheeks as you regarded your husband-to-be, eyes flitting over his carved features. Levi brought you into a tight hug, tucking your head under his chin and against his neck, your breaths fluttering against his skin. Warmth spread within his chest from the simple comfort of feeling you close to him. But you both knew this moment couldn’t last forever, despite how much you wanted it to. So when the harsh beeps of the microwave shattered the moment, you sighed heavily, knowing this was probably the last time you’d see him until tomorrow night. The heavy weight of work lay upon your mind as you stepped out of his embrace, offering him a sad smile that broke his heart.

“Hey, once you’ve managed to strike this deal and it’s all over, how about we go out for dinner? I had a quick look at the menu for that new Turkish restaurant downtown on my way home. It looked pretty good, and maybe we could celebrate?” Levi raised a brow to you as you removed your food from the microwave, turning to look at him with an excited gleam in your eye. Once again, Levi suggesting such a thing was usually saved for special occasions and it made you smile to no end.

You nodded your head eagerly, hair falling in front of your eyes. You made a mental note to quickly wash it before you settled down in front of your desk this evening.

“Something to look forward to,” you sighed in relief, setting the dish on the countertop as your fiancé placed two plates next to it before delivering a gentle kiss to the back of your head as he passed to set the cutlery on the table. You set your elbows on the breakfast bar, leaning your chin on the heel of your palm, a soft smile playing on your lips as you watched him, admiring how even the smallest, most basic things make your heart sing.

“What?” you hadn’t noticed him looking back to you over his shoulder, half way through setting down a fork.

“Nothing. I just love how domestic you look,” you giggled, knowing how ridiculous it sounded. You’d been living together for the best part of four years now, and you still couldn’t get over how handsome he looked when doing the most menial of tasks. Levi rolled his eyes, hiding his amusement by continuing to set the table.

“Tch, you should be used to it by now, we’ve been living together for the last four years,” he responded dryly, smoothing down the tablecloth before crossing back over to you, leaning over the other side of the breakfast bar, mirroring your stance so his face was inches from yours.

“I think you mean three years, ten months, twenty seven days, ten hours and…” –you looked at the leather strap watch on your wrist, suspending the moment until the little minute hand ticked over the twelve– “forty-two minutes,” you grinned as Levi raised his brow.

“You made that last bit up,” it was your turn to mirror him, cocking a brow of intrigue as you purse your lips to avoid breaking your façade.

“Oh? You know that for a fact do you?” you asked, voice laced with high pitched cockiness as you started dividing up the ratatouille into meal portions. The tomato aroma caused your stomach to rumble as you did your best to keep your attention on the food and not on Levi’s face. Which was always difficult.

“(Y/N), you hardly remember to eat lunch…” he didn’t need to finish his sentence, knowing you’d already finished it in your head for him by the roll of your eyes.

“That was literally one time, let it go man,” you teased, handing him both plates to set on the table before crossing to put the dish back in the fridge. You’d section out the portions into tupperware later, perfect for your lunches.

“It was three times,” Levi muttered, sitting at the table to wait for you. You looked so cute, still dressed in nothing but a blouse and underwear, toned thighs flexing as you walked, soft skin so perfect for suckling sweet little lavender blossoms onto.

“I’ll start charging rent if your eyes linger any longer,” Levi blinked, not realising he’d done exactly what you were doing earlier, getting completely lost in how much he fucking loved you by just looking at you. You leaned against the wall, arms folded across your chest, your mouth pulled in a sly smirk.

“Let me stay for free, I'm your fiancé,” you chuckled at his pout, swaying your hips a little to deliberately draw his attention back.

“Maybe if you’re nice to me,”

“I’m always nice to you.”

“Levi Ackerman you are such a liar!”

“Okay, name five times when I haven’t been nice to you.”

“You know, most people would ask me to name one.”

“That’s too easy, I’m trying to challenge you.”

“Too easy because you’re mean to me all the time?”

“Tch, no.”

“Okay fine, you called me a rat when I walked in.”

“That wasn’t me being mean, that was me making an observation.”

The conversation continued along a similar line, teasing each other back and forth between mouthfuls of food. You adored the way you were one of the only people who Levi would relax with. You knew he wasn’t immune to you, and couldn’t always mask his emotions when you were around. You especially loved that little smirk he had whenever he made another teasing comment that had you feigning disbelief, gasping theatrically in your chair.

Another moment you wanted to last forever, but you knew it couldn’t. You felt your heart break just a little as you started to clean up, before Levi took the dirty plates from your hands with a small peck to your forehead.

“Go shower, I’ll clean up and make tea,” he muttered against your skin, looking down to meet your grateful eyes. You wish you could convey just how much these small gestures meant to you, but you found yourself overwhelmed.

“Thank you,” – you whispered, turning to head to your bathroom– “I love you!” Levi chuckled to himself as you called back to him.

“Love you too, brat,” he muttered, before a seed of an idea planted in his head. You’ve been working ridiculously hard lately. It was definitely time he showed you just how proud he was.

Basic cleaning never took that long for him. Usually he’d spend a little more time disinfecting the table, or scrubbing the plates until his own reflection shined back at him. But he was excited. Too excited to deep clean right now. As soon as he’d pressed Start on the dishwasher he almost ran to his laptop, punching in the password before the screen highlighted his face.

There were a few online stores you two had purchased toys from, and he wasn’t ashamed to say he had them bookmarked. His eyes adjusted from the lighter coloured glare of his search engine, to the darker themes of this specific website. Before he’d even chosen anything, he’d already ticked next-day delivery, remembering how you’d said this whole deal thing might be over by tomorrow evening. If he could book a table at that restaurant and bring a little gift with him, then tomorrow would be perfect.

Levi’s excitement continued to simmer, so much so that he almost accidentally ignored you as you came out of the shower, dressed in the comfiest clothes you could find in preparation for the long night, the garments consisting of his own hoodie and a pair of his joggers. You regarded him with a suspicious eye, clearly noting his subtle change of demeanor.

“So suspicious,” you muttered with a grin, before disappearing into your office for the night.

Levi didn’t know if he could stop himself.  Not that he wanted to. He didn’t care if this was about to empty his bank account. He was so fucking proud of you, and he wanted to show it. He ended up buying seven different items, adding up to an amount he’d rather not look at if he was being honest. You deserved it though. You deserved the world.

And Levi would be damned if he had to wait for his wedding day to give it to you.

[watchtower-feed]

Steph’s Promposals TM

Disclaimer: This fic was inspired by Chapter 35 of Tamen De Gushi by Tan Jiu and Tim Drake’s vigilante life ruining his school life in Robin: Wanted. This was supposed to be last week’s fic but it’s wordy... Words: 2,587

     When Tim comes home from one of Wayne Industry’s covert labs, he finds his whole family in his room. They have rummaged through the suits in his closet which are now laid out for viewing on his king-sized mattress. Before he can ponder whether he should ask or just leave, Dick spots him.

     “Tim!” Dick holds up two suits, “All-black dinner suit or grey summer suit?”

     All eyes are on him now and Tim wonders if the family’s invited to the Gazette’s upcoming charity gala next month. But they never prepared for those things, asking for recommendations on suits or dressing each other. Unless it’s for a mission, they never prepare at all.

     “Wouldn’t a white-polo black jacket dinner suit be more appropriate for a gala?” Tim has moved toward his desk to empty the contents of his bag, while his family turned to each other with raised brows.

     Suddenly, Damian scoffs loudly and ceremoniously punches Jason in the arm.

     “Ow!”

     “I told you Drake didn’t know. Pay up.”

     “Tim,” Bruce says softly, “aren’t you going to your prom?”

     Tim’s hand slips from the table. He stays stunned in midair as he repeats Bruce’s question in his head. His last prom is the day after tomorrow but he’s never gone to a single one. So why are they concerned about it now?

     Tim slowly turns around and is almost insulted by the pitying looks his family is giving him. Dick looks like he’s about to cry and Cass smiles at him with sad eyes. Alfred is pressing down the non-existent creases of his jacket. The ends of Jason’s lips are pulled down. Damian’s smirking. And even though Bruce is trying to hold in his reaction, Tim can see the slightest furrow of his usually-apathetic brows. They’re staring at him like he’s dying but he doesn’t know it yet.

     “Why would you assume I’m going?” he asks warily.

     His question only made his family’s expressions graver. Finally, Bruce gives him the deepest sigh Tim has ever heard.

     “Father,” Damian steps forward with a grin on his face. “Allow me.” He takes out a small red automatic umbrella from behind him. “Grayson asked if he could borrow your umbrella this morning and you threw him this.” Damian tosses it to Tim.

     Tim holds it in his hands and vaguely remembers what happened before he left the manor this morning. He’s seen the umbrella before but never used it. He sort of remembers it being a gift from a good friend last year, who also started ignoring him out of the blue.

     “Open it.”

     Tim doesn’t want to take orders from Damian but no one else in his family is speaking up and at this point, Alfred has sat down to brace himself while peering at Tim through folded hands.

     “No. Open it as if it’s raining. At the ceiling. So we can see your reaction.”

     Damian is being especially specific and Jason’s frown has slowly been replaced by an eager smirk. There seem to be some theatrics planned and Tim hasn’t figured out where this is going so he decides to play along.

     He points the umbrella toward the ceiling and pushes the button. There, on the inside of the umbrella, written in black bold letters is the question: Will you go to prom with me?

     Tim’s jaw drops. His wide eyes are punctuating each letter as he reads the message over and over again. No matter how many times he repeats it in his head it’s not changing.

     A flash hits Tim in the face and he glares at Jason who’s laughing silently with his mouth open.

     “Todd, you were moving too much. I should’ve taken it.”

     “No, Dames-- haha-- I got it alright.”

     “Sons. Please.”

     Bruce’s voice drops as he closes his eyes while massaging his temples, unsure which boy he’s most disappointed in at the moment. At this point, Dick has made his way to Tim and clutches his shoulders, fingers pressing desperately, “At least say you remember who it’s from.”

✧ ✧ ✧ 

     It’s the day before prom and just like last year, you don’t have a date. It’s no big deal, really. You had fun with your friends last time. But it’s just that, this time of the year is bringing back awful memories. Maybe you shouldn’t go to school?

     You sigh. There’s still school the next day.

     You get up, get ready, and drag your feet all the way to the front of your school. Your friends greet you near the steps and suddenly thoughts of last year have been forgotten. It’s not like you talk to him anymore. You’ve done a good job of avoiding him and he never made a move to apologize or patch things up with you so… really. It’s no big deal.

     “Isn’t that--”

     “Tim Drake?”

     You didn’t want to look. You weren’t planning to. But you have been staring at him since you walked into the school because Timothy Drake is waiting by your locker. Holding the red umbrella.

     He sees you and it’s too late to turn back. Your friends all know about the failed umbrella and they’re already marching up to him.

     “The audacity.”

     “You’ve got some nerve, rich prick.”

     “Woah,” Tim quickly holds up his hands. Suddenly realizing he’s way over his head. He should’ve accepted Dick’s advice when he offered it last night instead of slamming his door shut on his family. He was embarrassed. But now, he would take Jason’s help with your friends, even if he’ll just end up being a soundboard for their insults.

     “I can explain.”

     Your friends scoff as you slowly walk behind them where you can only see glimpses of Tim’s face.

     “Explain then.”

     “I…” Tim stutters. Then he bows his head slightly and his free hand travels to the back of his neck as he sucks in through his teeth. He sneaks you a crooked smile while his eyebrows try to meet at the center. “I only opened it yesterday…”

     Silence. Incredulous eyes and held breaths. Then a collective groan and one of your friends slaps their forehead.

     Tim nervously chuckles to try lessen the tension, “Actually it was my brother--”

     “Okay. Stop right there,” You’re blushing furiously and you are furious. You rush forward and cover Tim’s mouth with both of your hands. “Please stop.”

     Tim peeks at you and your cheeks heat up at the sudden proximity. You quickly pull back your hand and nudge your head toward the end of the hall. Tim follows you, still clutching the red umbrella in his hand.

     You stop and quickly snatch it from him. When you reach the corner, you wring the umbrella with your hands and refuse to look at him.

     On his part, he doesn’t know what to say. He knows he should apologize but is that enough? It’s been a year. You’ve been mad at him this whole time and he was too clueless to even know why.

     “Clueless is an understatement,” you say.

     Tim gulps as he realizes he’s been speaking his mind. His tendency to mutter his thoughts has always been a nuisance to Jason and he always complains about it. But then again it’s Jason. He thought his brother was just making something up to annoy him about.

     “Is oblivious more accurate?” he teases.

     You turn to him then. Glaring.

     “Not the time. Sorry!” Yeah. Second greatest detective my ass! Tim swallows. Where’s Steph when you need her?

     You sigh. It sounds a lot like Bruce’s from last night. “Tim, we should get to class.”

     “Okay. Okay,” he says in a rush. “I really am sorry. I was an idiot-- am an idiot.” You tap your foot on the tiled floor, not really wanting an apology. All you wanted was his answer. A rejection would’ve been better than this. “So I was wondering if I can make it up to you by taking you to prom this year?” he asks sheepishly.

     The hair on the ends of your skin stand up. It’s not goosebumps or nerves. It’s pure rage. You stomp your foot at Tim, making him jump. “How dare yo-- NO.” You quickly turn and start to walk away but Tim grabs your hand.

     “Y/N, wait--”

     You snap at him, imitating his tone, “ ‘Make it up to you by taking you to prom’ God, Tim! I cannot believe you right now! You don’t ask a girl to prom like it’s some sort of favor!”

     “How…” Tim hesitates, eyes narrows below furrowed brows, “How do I ask a girl to prom?”

     You realize then that Tim isn’t just oblivious. He’s worse than a newborn calf. You slowly brush off his hand. The two of you stand awkwardly in the hallway.

     You sigh for a long time with your hands running down your patience. “Look, Tim,” you start, “I’m not mad.” You stop, puzzled that it’s not a lie. You sigh again, softer this time. “Really. I’m actually a little relieved now that I finally know why you never answered me--”

     “I--”

     You hold up your hand, “So many reasons I came up with on my own. All bad ones. And I was imagining how I would give you such a hard time when you finally apologize.”

     Tim tries to speak again but your gaze has softened and he suddenly doesn’t feel the need to explain. You understand. You’ve always understood him better than anyone. But he hurt your feelings, despite not knowing, and you deserve to be mad at him.

     The bell rings and you wait until the halls have cleared before you continue, “But you know, after a year of not talking, I realized something.” Tim gulps when you look him in the eye. A light blush coats your cheeks. “I miss my friend.”

     Tim stares at you before his lips slowly curl into a small smile.

     You chuckle away the sudden nerves, “I miss my dumb oblivious friend who doesn’t know anything but academics and video games.”

     His voice comes out low and breathless, “Yeah?”

     You finally return his smile. “Yeah.”

✧ ✧ ✧ 

     Steph’s laughter booms loudly over the gunshots on the rooftop. She’s wheezing and Tim is glaring into the distance, but not missing a beat when he sidesteps a thug and slams the barrel of his rifle against his nose.

     “You’re an idiot.”

     “Thank you, Dames. I didn’t just get that from Steph’s obnoxious snorting.”

     “So that’s a yes, right? You’re going to prom?” Dick asks through the comms.

     “Yeah, I guess so.”

     Steph stops abruptly. Cass looms on a gargoyle perched above Tim and Steph, checking for any more movement. When she finds that they’ve subdued every single one, she joins Steph in staring at Tim. There’s a sudden eerie silence throughout all comms, as if the boys have instinctively picked up on the tension. It’s Babs who breaks it. “Steph, do the honor--”

     “How in the holy hell do you figure she said yes to being your prom date? Come on, Timmy. Enlighten us. Please.”

     Tim gulps and suddenly he couldn’t even hear his brothers breathing through the comms. His voice is low when he answers. “She said she missed me--”

     “Because you haven’t hung out for a year!” Steph cuts him off then crosses her arms with a huff. She rapidly taps her feet, daring Tim to answer.     “... She was avoiding me--”

     “Because you didn’t even have the decency to use the umbrella she gave you! Ugh--!” Steph throws her hands up and kicks the ground. “Everyday this past year, I can’t believe my greatest promposal idea was soiled by your cluelessness.”

     Tim’s eyes widens and he shouts indignantly at Steph, “It was your idea? Then why didn’t you just tell me!?”

     “We had a bet going,” Babs interferes. “Nightwing party of three on your left. Robin en route to assist from overhead.”

     “He’s coming in from the ceiling?!”

     “Wait,” Tim cuts in, “Who else knew?” Cass raises her hand when Tim turns to her.

     “Might I remind everyone,” Bruce cuts in through all comms, “that we are on a high stakes mission tonight?”

     “Yes. Best postpone this discussion until tomorrow. Can someone please find out where Red Hood has been taken to?”

     Cass immediately leaps off of her vantage point and leaves Tim and Steph on the rooftop.

     Tim sighs under his breath, “... but prom is tomorrow.”

     Steph comes up behind him and drapes her arm over his shoulders. “You’re so lucky you have me.”

✧ ✧ ✧ 

     You make it through the school day just like any other. It’s even better now that you’re friends with Tim again. You took your shot and you crashed and burned. But at least now you can salvage your friendship.

     Except that prom is tonight. Despite the awful memories, you still want your last prom to be unforgettable. More than half the school already ditched during lunch period. Now you only have a few hours left to get ready.

     “Okay,” Steph whispers into her comms and Cass nods from beside her. “She’s leaving the classroom. Red, make it rain.”

     From the roof, Jason quickly releases the folded firehouse in his grasp and aims it at the sky. The water splits as it comes down and blankets the small entrance of the school with fake rain. Jason grins as he watches high school kids scramble about in search for quick cover.

     You’re watching from the top of the steps, looking down at the people running from the sudden rain. Strange, you think. It’s so bright out.

     “Red 1, did you take Y/N’s umbrella?”

     “Affirmative.”

     Steph watches you rummage through your bag. “Okay. Red 1, go.”

     Dick comes up from behind you, wearing an oversized coat to disguise himself, and opens his red umbrella halfway down the steps. You were going to ask if you could walk with him to the bus stop but the writing on his umbrella suddenly caught your eye. It has your name on it.

     While you watch him walk away, Steph speaks into her comms again. “Red 2, go.”

     Damian clicks his tongue at his codename. He only agreed to assist in this scheme because Steph let him write the next line.

     A child too young to be in high school is also wearing an oversized coat and holding a red umbrella. He opens it at the foot of the steps and stays there. Waiting for you to read what’s written in angry bold letters on his umbrella: I’m sorry I’m a clueless idiot.

     You blink at the words. Stunned. “What’s happening…” you mutter.

     Steph turns to Cass, “Ready, Red 3.” Cass nods and the two of them come up from behind you. Cass opens her red umbrella first: It’s our last prom but my first one...

     “Steph?” you call out.

     Steph gives you a wink before she opens her own red umbrella: … and I want to spend it with you.

     Steph and Cass count to two before they start walking away into the cover of the fake rain over your school.

     You’re about to run after them when Tim suddenly shows up next to you. You’re staring at him with wide eyes that immediately turn to the red umbrella he’s holding in front of you. He unclasps it and opens it over your heads.

     You look up. Inside it says: If you want to.

     Tim takes in a breath before he speaks, “Do you want me?” His voice is low and shaky. “As your date I mean.”

      ✧ Watchtower Masterlist ✧  

[aiorevelations]

A Name, Not a Number: Part 8!

It’s double feature Monday! (At least this Monday. Lol) Hope you all enjoy! @btv-grace @theannecordeliashirley

Chapter 8: Gathering Clouds

Three months before:

Milena stared down at her father’s coffin in the ground, tears streaming down her cheeks and holding a handkerchief to her mouth as she struggled to hold back her sobs. She stood there frozen, completely enveloped in grief, almost unaware of the people gathered to mourn Norvan and the commital service being delivered by the pastor. Lorenzo’s arm was around her as he tried to give her whatever comfort he could provide, wishing he could do anything to take away just a fraction of the pain she was experiencing. 

The afternoon sky was cloudy overhead and as time passed the clouds darkened, threatening to rain. The service ended and Norvan’s friends and acquaintances came over to Milena to offer their condolences. Milena could make out their lips moving yet couldn’t discern their words as she was still caught in a daze. Soon everyone had left the cemetery leaving Milena and Lorenzo alone by Norvan’s grave. Milena walked closer to the grave pit and knelt along the edge.

“Oh Daddy. I really wish you were here with me right now” she sobbed. “Why? Why did you have to leave me too.” She lowered her head and wept. Lorenzo knelt down beside her and wrapped her in his arms. Milena held onto his arm and leaned her head on his chest. They stayed there for a moment and then she loosened her grip on Lorenzo. She sniffed, “Thank you, Loren. If you don’t mind I’d like to be alone, just for a minute to say goodbye.” 

“Of course. You can have as much time as you need Lena. I’ll be waiting by the car.”

Milena nodded her head. Lorenzo stood up and began walking to the car. She gently wiped her tears and stood up from the ground. She took a deep breath and spoke. “You taught me a lot Daddy...we had wonderful memories that I’ll treasure forever. Thank you for believing in me and for being by my side. No matter what you could always make me feel better” she sniffed and looked away to the side at the rose bushes in the distance. “Roses. I remember when you told me how they were Mom’s favorite flower and how every Friday you would give her a bouquet of red roses. Out of all them, she loved red the most since they represented love.” Her voice quivered and she took another breath to steady herself. “And you...you taught me what all the colors represented just like she taught you. Yellow for joy. Pink for admiration. Orange for desire. Burgundy for beauty within. Green for peace. Lavender for enchantment...peach for appreciation. Blue for the impossible…” she wept. “And your favorite...white.” She looked down at the single white rose she was clutching to her heart. “You said you loved it because it stood for innocence and eternal loyalty and love. And that’s all you wanted for me…” she sniffed. “But you never told me that it also stood for the beauty and frailty of life...death.” She wiped her eyes again “And now I’m trying to accept that you’re not here anymore...and I don’t if can or if I’ll ever will. What I do know is that I’ll never forget your love or how you made me feel. I love you...Goodbye Daddy.”

Milena brought the rose to her lips and kissed it. She then dropped it over the grave pit and it landed softly on top of the mahogany coffin. Milena took one last glance at her father’s final resting place and then walked away. Her thoughts drifted over the overwhelming events and images of the last week. The sight of her father’s lifeless and burned body lying on a metal table in the morgue was constantly etched in her mind. Try as she might to get that nightmarish sight out of her mind she couldn’t forget it. Her hours were filled with nothing but pure sadness and anger. She couldn’t imagine who would murder her father but she was determined someway, somehow to find out who was behind it. In all of this, she was grateful to have Lorenzo by her side. He was her only sense of comfort in her darkest moment, her only support. It shouldn’t be that way. Liana should be here with me burying our father. Instead, I’m here carrying this burden alone.

Milena reached Lorenzo who was holding open the rear right passenger door for her. She entered the car and he shut the door. He climbed in the other back passenger seat and their chauffeur started off for the Blagueur-Ohanyan estate. 

About a hundred feet or so behind where Milena’s car had been parked a woman stood behind a tree watching the Aston Martin speed off in the distance. Once the car was out of view the woman quickly walked up to Norvan’s grave and removed her sunglasses. “Well, it’s been a while. Can’t say I’m surprised this is your fate. You always did find a way to hurt and betray those closest to you. Especially me.” She cried. “Everything you put me through. How you never saw me for me. How you constantly belittled me. How you blamed me for mom’s death. How you abused me both physically and emotionally” her voice rose with every passing second. “How you saw me as nothing! That I could take!” she screamed. “But when you—“ she sobbed. “When you took the one joy in my life. That I couldn’t take! That I could never forgive.” She looked down at her feet “And I’m sorry it had to be this way but you left me with no other choice.” Liana put her sunglasses back on and left her father’s grave. Seeing her Dad’s resting place had given her a sense of finality. In a way, it captured her past and her future. For better or for worse there was no going back now.

 …..

Present-day

After the rally had ended Jason and Tasha began walking back to the entrance of the Izmirlian Square. All around them they were surrounded by throngs of people, most of them discussing and agreeing with Tarek’s words.

 “That definitely was enlightening. I didn’t realize that Dalmar had so many followers,” Jason remarked, his mind still focused on the scene he and Tasha had witnessed just minutes earlier.

“Neither did I. The files we read described the KLF more or less as a small radical faction, not a well-known, large, and extremely organized political party” Tasha sighed.

 “I can see why you always make it a priority to go ‘sightseeing’ on these trips.” 

 “You can never be too prepared in this line of work” Tasha replied as she spotted a young boy, no older than twelve, handing out flyers for Dalmar’s upcoming meeting by a stone fountain near the middle of the plaza.

 “Come to the Bulin Meeting hall tonight at 8 o’clock. Come to hear the truth. No longer silenced, freedom for Krudia!” he shouted. The boy spotted Tasha coming towards him. “Hello ma’am would you like a flyer?” he asked.

 “Yes, I would.”

 He handed her a flyer “Here you are. Have a nice day.”

 “Thank you. You too” Tasha responded as she walked back to Jason.

 “Collecting more evidence.”

 “You can never have enough.” Tasha held out the flyer in front of her and Jason. ��By the looks of this pamphlet, Dalmar presents himself as a benevolent and understanding candidate. A man of the people. Unbelievable” she rolled her eyes as she stuffed the paper in her purse.

 “It definitely doesn’t help that a good deal of the population believes this crap,” Jason muttered.

 “No, it certainly doesn’t.”

 “Well, I don’t know about you but I’m starving, so how about the two of us grab some brunch at The Ledbury. Assuming it actually exits. It does exist right?”

 “It does. But what happened to that room service you were so keen on earlier” Tasha teased.

 “I’m sure the kitchen staff could use a break, what with all the people staying at the hotel,” 

 “Mmm-hmm.” Tasha gave a teasing smirk.

 “Oh come on you know you want to.”

 “All right. I’ll have brunch with you at The Ledbury.”

 “Okay, great” Jason replied.

 “But you’re picking up the tab” she coyly smiled.

 Jason lightly chuckled,  “You drive a hard bargain.”

 “Why make it easy,” Tasha responded.

 “Okay, okay you win. I surrender.” Jason playfully responded as he put his hands in the air, causing Tasha to laugh.

 The two of them walked to the street corner. Once there Jason signaled a cab and they headed for The Ledbury. Almost ten minutes passed and the cab pulled in front of the restaurant. The exterior of The Ledbury was covered in exposed brick and dotted with large glass windows. The window frames and entrance door were made of black iron. Parts of the exterior brick were covered with passion vines that hung from trellises. Tasha and Jason exited the cab and walked into the restaurant. They were greeted by a maître d' who escorted them to a table for two by the window. The floor was marble and in all the corners of the restaurant, stone columns stood. The interior walls were covered with various works of surrealism. Swarovski Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and roman candles decorated every table.

“Here are some menus” the maître d' handed one to Tasha and then to Jason. “I’ll give you some time to decide what you’d like and I’ll be right over to take your orders.” The maître d' went to attend to other patrons, leaving Tasha and Jason alone.

Jason and Tasha scanned the menu for a few minutes, looking over the descriptions of the vast assortment of delicious dishes the restaurant served.

  “So what are you thinking of ordering?” Jason asked. 

 “Everything looks quite delicious but I think I’ll take the shrimp risotto.” 

 “That sounds mouthwatering.”

 “Thank you. So what about you?” 

 “I think I’ll go with a seared steak with asparagus and roasted potatoes.”

 “That sounds wonderful as well.”

 “Thanks.”

 Tasha and Jason smiled. The maître d' then returned with glasses of water. “Here you are,” he said as he placed the glasses on the table.

 “Thank you” Tasha replied.

 “Thanks” Jason added.

 “My pleasure. So are you both ready to order?” he asked.

 “We are actually” Jason replied.

 “Wonderful,” he retrieved a notepad and pen from his vest pocket. “What would you like to order.”

 “After you,” Jason told Tasha.

 “Thank you. I’ll take your shrimp risotto with a Caprese salad please.”

 “And I’ll have a seared steak with asparagus and roasted potatoes. Thank you.”

 “Of course. Your order should be ready in about twenty minutes. If there’s anything else I can do for you please let me know.” he replied as he took the menus from Jason and Tasha.

 “Thank you.” 

 “Thanks” Jason replied.

 “No problem.” The maître d' responded before he walked away to the kitchen to put in Tasha and Jason’s order.

…..

“Black Hawk. Any more updates on their position.” a woman’s voice came through the car speaker system.

The man reached for the microphone located in the car. “Negative Red Sparrow. The targets are still inside The Ledbury. The waiter just left with their orders.”

“Understood. If there’s any change in their position or any significant updates. Contact me immediately.”

“Affirmative.”

…..

Professor Zilmer stared nervously at the ground unable to find the courage to look his employer in the eyes. His assistant and wife Francine stood nervously by his side. “Professor Zimler, I must say, I am quite disappointed in you and your wife. I expected your work to have been completed by now.” Dalmar said, taking a puff from his cigar. 

“I know Dalmar but so far it has proven difficult to locate this mineral you tasked us to find. We’ve discovered and analyzed several elements but none have been the particular compound that you want. The latest mineral we tested we discovered has a molecular structure and formula is very to the desired mineral. Unfortunately, its differing molecular structure renders it useless to be used in the way you want. However, I think you could perhaps find it to be very useful in other ways and even very valuable.” He picked up a tube containing that certain mineral from off the lab table and held it out to Dalmar.

Dalmar took the vial and threw it to the ground. The tube shattered sending its contents all over the concrete floor. “I don’t care about this darn mineral! I want the one I demanded!” Dalmar uttered a string of profanities under his breath.

Professor Zilmer took a step back from Dalmar. Francine spoke, “If we could just have a bit more time I’m certain that we would be able—”

“That won’t be necessary. Your services are no longer needed.” Dalmar interrupted, a cold calculating look in his eyes. 

Professor Zilmer swallowed hard and locked eyes with Francine who then stepped forward toward Dalmar. “Please, Dalmar give us time. I’m sure we will be able to meet your requirements.” 

“I’m afraid that I cannot do. I’ve already given you more than enough time and I can’t afford any… loose ends” Dalmar callously replied. “Adrian, Raphael. Please take care of Professor Zilmar and his wife” he ordered as he exited the room. Adrian and Raphael walked towards the two of them from the corners of the lab where they had previously been standing. 

“Please don’t do this!” Francine cried.

“No! No! NO!!!” Professor Zilmer shouted.

No response came from either Raphael or Adrian’s lips. Raphael pulled Professor Zilmer’s arms behind his back and held them securely while Adrian grabbed Francine violently by the arm, which caused her to cry out in pain. Hearing his wife’s desperate screams Professor Zilmer gathered all his strength and broke away from Raphael’s grasp. He punched him firmly in the jaw causing Raphael to lose his balance. He fell backward hitting the side of his head against the metal lab table causing him to lose consciousness. 

“I need backup! I’m in the bunker. Lab room!” Adrian shouted in his shoulder microphone as Professor Zilmer charged at him. Adrian attempted to grab his gun but before he could remove it from his holster, Zilmer’s fist collided with his face causing him to let go of Francine who scrambled to the side of the room. 

“Run Francine! Run!” Professor Zilmer cried as he tried to hold back Adrian. Francine desperately scrambled for the door. Just as she reached the exit a gunshot rang out. Francine could feel blood pouring from her abdomen and quickly placed her hand against the wound. She felt her knees buckle and collapsed to the floor.

“NO!!!!!!!” Professor Zilmer shouted as he saw two more security officers next to the door, one of them still holding his gun out, standing by Francine’s lifeless body. Zilmer wrestled himself from Adrian’s grasp and rushed to Francine’s side. Just as he reached her body he heard another gunshot from behind him, followed almost immediately by the feeling of a bullet ripping through his body. Zilmer staggered forward for a few moments and then fell to the ground beside his wife. 

[skzsauce01]

In Fair Verona︱Chapter 3

Synopsis: Jisung knows he is the Romeo to your Juliet. He could wax poetry about you all throughout rehearsal and even a little after. Except Hwang Hyunjin is the one playing Romeo in the school play, not him. Jisung is just another tech crew member that you don’t know, but he’s determined to win your heart... by any means necessary.

Warning: none... yet

Word Count: 1.7k

Pairing: fem!reader x Jisung; fem!reader x Hyunjin

updates every Wednesday and Sunday @ 11 PM PST︱chapter list

Give me my Romeo. And when I shall die,

Take him and cut him out in little stars,

And he will make the face of heaven so fine

That all the world will be in love with night

And pay no worship to the garish sun.

There’s an issue with the soundboard, so the third rehearsal is delayed. While the girl playing Nurse whispers her lines to herself, you and Hyunjin sit on the apron, comparing ear piercings. Hyunjin isn't even in the upcoming scene.

Jisung scrolls through his phone while observing the two of you. Hyunjin takes out his silver bar earring and lets you look at it. Your mouth forms a perfect ‘o’ as you turn it around and hold it up to the light like a gem appraiser. He says something to you, and you break out into laughter.

Never has Jisung wanted to trade places with another person so badly.

Hyunjin rests his hand on your knee, and Jisung feels something inside him burst into flames. He abruptly gets up, knocking his chair into Changbin’s leg and earning an “Ow!” He doesn’t even apologize, just leaves the auditorium and goes down the school hallway. Without meaning to, he ends up in front of the restroom door.

There’s no one else inside, thank goodness. He splashes water on his face and watches as the droplets drip down his chin in the mirror. He has piercings, too. In fact, he has a silver bar just like Hyunjin’s at home. He tugs on the hoop in his right ear, wishing it would magically change. He allows himself to wallow in his self-pity for a minute. After drying his face with the hem of his shirt, he reluctantly heads back to the auditorium.

The soundboard appears to be fixed, judging by the tech director and Chan’s cheering. As expected, “Actors! To your places!” comes over on the intercom, and there’s a commotion as you scramble into position and Hyunjin disappears into the wings. He hopes Hyunjin trips on a cable, but alas, the cables on the floor are actually organized for once. The rest of the crew puts their headsets back and gets ready as well. The lights dim, and rehearsal finally begins.

You start the scene, and Jisung is surprised and proud of how quickly you are able to transition from yourself to Juliet. The spotlight shines upon you, and there is nothing else he can focus on. You look to the sky and describe the beauty of your lover.

“And he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun,” you recite.

Jisung disagrees with all those statements. Still, he can’t help but be moved by your love, even though it’s about Hyunjin.

Whenever you play lovesick Juliet, there’s always a small smile playing on your lips. This time it’s so tender that he unintentionally mirrors it when looking at you. Nurse stands by his side, waiting for her cue, so when Nurse enters the scene, you smile in his general direction, and it’s like it’s for him. His ears feel like they’ve been doused in sriracha, and he thanks the heavens that he’s wearing a headset, so no one can see how delighted he is. His day immediately brightens, and he almost forgets about the interaction between you and Hyunjin. News of Romeo’s banishment from Verona only increases his happiness. It might be strange to feel so strongly about a fictional character, but not to him.

Scene two is completed quickly. The lights go out, and the stage crew on the other side of the stage bring out the set pieces for scene three. At the same time, other actors rush on stage, trying to get into position before the blackout ends. While you walk back backstage, you attempt to take out the large pin in your hair.

“Can someone help me?” you whisper.

Jisung is about to step towards you, but the girl in charge of costumes, Ryujin, beats him to it. You lower yourself, so she can reach the crown of your head. You notice Jisung watching, and the corner of your mouth quirks up.

“I’m normally better at costume changes than this,” you tell him. The pin finally comes free, and you thank the girl for helping.

“Do you wanna change now or later?” She holds up a looser dress from the rack.

“Now. I might forget and then it’ll turn into a quick change,” you joke.

It doesn’t hit Jisung until a few seconds later. You are going to change, right here, right now, in the wings of the stage, not in the dressing room, in front of him, and a few other crew members who are not girls. He turns bright red, matching the color of the main curtain. He’s not the only way he’s flustered at this new prospect; the props guy, Yugyeom, who overheard the entire conversation, is also in a panic.

You begin unzipping the side of your dress, and Jisung and Yugyeom quickly face the wall, striking up a conversation about how great the weather has been. Jisung babbles on about the possibility of rain even though the sky has been clear for the past three days, while Yugyeom frantically nods. He wonders how Changbin and the fly rail guy are unfazed by this.

“I’m decent now.” They both hesitate and continue staring at the wall, so you add, “Seriously. You can stop pretending to be meteorologists.”

Jisung takes one for the two-person team and breathes a sigh of relief when he sees that you’re fluffing your hair out from the collar of your newly-donned dress. You look amused by the trouble you caused.

“I wear a tank top and shorts under all my Juliet costumes, so don’t worry,” you explain, “but I appreciate the courtesy.”

“Got it,” he weakly replies. Yugyeom, on his way out of the stage, echoes his sentiment.

There’s no way he can just ignore you changing in front of him; he’s going to run and hide every time, especially now that he sees the aftermath of your change. Your hair is slightly unkempt, and your previous costume pools around your feet, reminding him —

Reminding him that now is not the time for impure thoughts.

“Stage crew, start getting ready,” Felix calls over the comms. “Jisung, at you in particular.”

“I didn’t come here to be attacked,” he grumbles as he meets Changbin at the edge of the stage and picks up the other end of the table.

“Lights and stage crew, get ready.”

The lights go out, and Jisung and Changbin bring the table out and align it with the glow-in-the-dark tape on the floor. Then they run back before Jeongin turns the lights back on. Changbin and Felix congratulate him on a job well done, and he rolls his eyes in response. He goes back to his previous position near the costume rack.

“I never realized how fast you guys set the stage,” you remark. “And you have to come back here as well. Is it nerve wracking?”

“You get used to it after a while,” he replies. “You have to get on stage fast, too.”

“Yeah, but it’s a one-way trip. And I don’t have to carry stuff.”

“It’s still impressive.”

You look up at him. “I think yours is more so.”

He is so grateful for the headset; his ears are burning, and he’s sure his cheeks will be soon. He awkwardly mumbles, “Thanks,” while focusing slightly to the right of you. The conversation dies, and you start talking to Nurse about the upcoming scene. Jisung internally slaps himself for not saying more, but he couldn’t think of anything witty after your compliment. His mind is still not working, and based on the comms, the soundboard might be having the same issue.

The last scene of Act III begins, and there are indeed problems with sound. Despite that, the actors and the rest of the tech crew power through, though the actors struggle to do the same.

Rehearsal is paused while the sound issue gets solved. Jisung decides to go to the classroom and wait out the situation in the more comfortable chairs there. As expected, it’s crowded, but he manages to nab a seat in the middle of the room. He spies you on the next table and waves hello. You light up and make your way over with Hyunjin in tow.

“Hey, Jisung!” you greet. “Hyunjin, he’s the one who thought you and I were the perfect Romeo and Juliet. Jisung, he doesn’t believe me. Tell him I’m not lying.”

Jisung feels small in his seat, looking up at Hyunjin. He’s already shorter than him, but sitting down really emphasizes the difference. His raised eyebrows combined with his slight grin make him seem like a condescending prick.

“She’s not lying,” Jisung shrugs.

“See?” you say to Hyunjin. “You’re doing great, so don’t worry.”

Hyunjin smiles softly at you, and you turn a pretty shade of pink. “Thanks. And, uh, you too, Jisung.”

“No problem,” he manages to get out. He can’t decide whether he wants to Hyunjin down a flight of stairs or to kiss you. Maybe both are possible. “Always glad to be of help.”

“Do you wanna run the lines for the balcony scene again?” Hyunjin asks you. “I don’t think Ms. Park likes it right now.”

“Oh, sure!” you eagerly reply. “See you later,” you say to Jisung before following Hyunjin back over to the next table.

“See you,” he whispers too late.

Ten minutes later, Mr. Gi announces that there is going to be an adjustment to rehearsal today because the soundboard is still on the fritz, and a proper tech rehearsal is near impossible.

Despite their best efforts, rehearsal ends up being cut short. Everyone seems relatively happy about this, and Jeongin wonders out loud if anyone wants to get frozen yogurt with him. Jisung declines, citing that he has homework to catch up on, and while that’s true, he would rather go with you. Unfortunately for him, you and Hyunjin are working on the balcony scene with Ms. Park, and it doesn’t look like the drama rehearsals are ending early.

He gets frozen yogurt with Jeongin, Chan, and Felix after all. He’s disappointed that you aren’t a part of it, but it’s fine. He’ll go get some with you on your first date.

Just you, him, and a cup of strawberry cheesecake froyo to share.

~ ad.gray

[pebblysand]

[SEPTEMBER ‘21] - THE LIFE/WRITING UPDATE NO ONE ASKED FOR (AND SOME QUICK LINKS)

well, hello hello, welcome, it is september first and hogwarts is back in session, haha! where’s your letter, did you get it? i hope so!

in true gryffindor fashion, i’m a summer person. i like parties, the beach and hot weather, so i’m currently working hard, trying to delay the inevitable return of autumn and the dreaded back-to-school mood by staying in sunny southern france for a few more days. i’ll be back in dublin on saturday where, as per usual, rain has been scheduled to occur upon my return lol.

Anyway, before diving into more life/writing updates, here are some quick links to different blog pages you might not see on mobile :

to read my fics [updated]

to read my original work

fic recs

to read my tumblr rants about stuff

[NOTE: i am currently not accepting prompts. i already have a backlog, folks.]

Castles (chap 9) ETA: optimistic? 19 September. realistic? october.

links extended a/n-s: chapter v ; chapter vi & vii ; chapter viii

[more life/writing updates under the cut]

what i’m reading:

i’m actually quite happy with my book reading this month. i read a friend’s short-ish (27k) story, as well as two full books, and started a third. i wanted my holidays to be a time of catching up with missed reading opportunities, and it definitely was.

first, i read three rooms by jo hamya. i picked this one up because it was recommended by my bookshop, was written by a BAME author, marketed as a ‘millenial’ literary fiction novel which i’m always a sucker for, and the cover looked intriguing. the story is that of an unnamed narrator in her early/mid-twenties, navigating the end of her masters degree and her first job in london. to be honest, as i previously said in another post, i don’t particularly fancy myself as a book critic so i don’t really like to say negative things about the books i read. as an author, i know how hard things can hurt when people are talking about your writing sort-of behind your back and i’m always paranoid that the author might one day see what i’ve written, lol. this being said, what i will say about this book is that while not bad, it wasn’t really a fit for me. the writing is very good, crisp and quick just the way i like it (though if you get irritated by the current trend of not using quotation marks for dialogue, you might get irritated by this), but i just found it hard to relate to the characters. i think you will like this if you like books that are more about their setting and their world rather than plot or character. the author is really good at describing current britain, life in london, the book is brilliant at describing the millennial ‘world’ of social media, politics, etc. but its main character seems to just aimlessly float through her life without any sense of self or purpose, which i personally found very frustrating. the book addresses issues of class, poverty, temp contracts, housing prices, discrimination but it feels very much like a matter-of-fact statement rather than an actual argument to change things. the other characters are mildly more purposeful but very single-purpose and while the novel is interesting but it didn’t really make me feel anything beyond an intense desire to grab the narrator by the shoulders and scream: do something! three stars.

then, i read incendiary by chris cleave. full review here. this book is just unreal and the best fiction i’ve read in close to a year. if i could give ten stars i would.

i’ve now started an american marriage by tayari jones. unless you’ve been living under a rock, this has probably been recommended to you a billion times already, but what can i say, i’m always late lol. i’m only about 100 pages in but seems promising.

in terms of fanfic, i honestly haven’t read much bar this one fantastic spooks au of which i really wish there was more of. i have trolled all of livejournal and dreamwidth to find the rest and came up empty. tragic.

what i’m writing:

funny how the girl on a writing break still managed to put out circ. 9,000 words in a month, lol. granted, pick me choose me love me was written in july, but still.

this being said, i do feel like i took time off and i do feel way better than i did back in july. looking back, i was exhausted and burnt out and felt like i was mostly writing to fulfill people’s expectations, rather than to make me happy. i’m now feeling much more confident with my words. the story that i did write this month was a self-indulgent bit of fun because it was written for a fandom no one cares about, and rather liberating, if i’m honest. i think i needed to write something for me and my audience of three again, and it was great. i genuinely love that story. i do think that if you want to give it a try, it might be one of those that can be read without having watched the show in question because it’s about a side character so a lot of what’s in there is original rather than show-related. if you do want to read it, it’s here: listening to that angel choir.

in terms of upcoming projects, i’m happy to announce that i’m actually excited to get back to castles, which is exactly what i wanted this break to achieve. i’m waiting until i get back to dublin to get back to work but i’m ready to dive back in and honestly can’t wait. as i said above the cut, i would love to put it on the 19th September but i’m not sure that i’ll manage to whip out next chapter this quickly. it’s not unheard of, so we shall see. also, castles is turning a year old on 16 sep, which is absolutely fucking insane. i certainly did not think it would be this massive of a project when i undertook it, lol. the numbers on it both in terms of wordcount and appreciation/hits give me vertigo so i try not to look at them but honestly, i can’t thank you all enough. i know i always say this but i come from very small audiences and fandoms and the amount of love i’ve been getting this past year thanks to all of you has meant the world. thank you.

in terms of one shots, i’ll be mostly focusing on castles this month, so i probably won’t write anything else. this being said, for those of your on tumblr, just be aware that you might see me repost some of the tumblr ficlets that i posted on tumblr these past few months on ao3 soon-ish. i initially decided to keep them on tumblr alone because they were too short but i’ve been having anxiety about tumblr collapsing and these things disappearing into the ether. so, don’t be alarmed, they should be the same, just reposted.

what i’m doing:

honestly, this month has been amazing, especially the past three weeks. i’ve been able to relax, see family & friends, went hiking, had my birthday, hired a boat - it’s been fab. as alluded to before, i’ve also been having fun rewatching spooks, which is definitely a series worth watching, even ten years after it ended. i find it even more fascinating in light of what is going on in afghanistan at the moment, and of course the presence in the show of rupert penry-jones whom i think every straight woman with a pulse fancies, is an added bonus.

anyway, i hope you’re all doing well. see you next month for pumpkin spice lattes (yeah, look, i’m a basic white girl) and the beginning of my seasonal depression.

lots of love,

pebblysand.

[stillchaoticlogic]

Stumbling Chapter 2:

Pairing: Raihan X Reader X Leon

Your life hadn’t gone exactly as you planned…

Which is why when an old rival walks into the coffee shop you work at he gives you an offer you just can’t refuse. Finally, a chance at the League. Suddenly you are thrust into the spot light and a world you thought you had left behind. Dreams aren’t always what they are cracked up to be though, especially when you find yourself the tangled up with the champion and a certain gym leader.

Has all your dreams come true?

Or is this your worst nightmare?

Read the First Chapter Here!

I’m Going on an Adventure!

You heave a sigh as you gaze out the window of the coffee shop.

“(NAME)! Are you paying attention?!” You jump before you glance up at your boss. You notice the cup on the counter, picking it up you read the order and get to work making it. The days since Leon graced your with his presence one rainy afternoon have been difficult ones. You’ve gone back and forth on your decision and often wonder if turning it down was such a good idea. Thus, all you have been doing is daydreaming and getting yelled at. You hand off the drink to the customer with a robotic smile.

“Look (Name), I’m going to take a lunch, then you can go when I come back… Just pay attention… I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately, but I’m worried…”

You fix your boss with a puzzled gaze before you send him a reassuring smile, “I’ll be fine… Just some thoughts…”

He nods in understanding and turns to head into his office for his lunch. He’s a good guy with a sweet family. He’s done a lot for you over the years and you’re grateful to him, but you can’t help but feel trapped. You feel trapped in a life you never wanted and didn’t ask for. You’re bored and you need a challenge. Regret hits you like a freight train and you push the tears back as feelings of hopelessness and fear attack you. All you wanted was an out and you threw it away…

Snapping out of your thoughts you push them away and start to condense the pastries to make room for fresh ones. With the morning rush over you are just biding your time for your own lunch. When your boss, Mr. O’Malley, comes back he hands you an envelope.

“Here… this is addressed to you,” he says with confusion lacing his voice. You’ve never gotten mail here before.

With a furrowed brow you take it from him with a quiet thank you, and open it up. Inside is a letter of endorsement for the League signed by Leon himself.

“You didn’t tell me you know the champion,” says O’Malley as he reads the letter over your shoulder. You whip around to face him and hold the letter to yourself.

“We’re old school mates…”

“I see…”

“Yeah…” you mutter as you avoid his eyes.

“Are you going to go?”

“What?! Go where?”

“The League?”

“NO! Of course not… I have far too much to do… to be responsible for…”

“Will you stop making excuses?” he cuts you off sounding exhasperated.

“Huh?”

“You are wasted here, not that I don’t appreciate you. I do! You’re my best employee… But you and I both know you are destined for something much greater than coffee…”

Gazing at the man in front of you, you feel your eyes well up with tears.

“Hey now… None of that…” he mutters and you just nod before you wipe your eyes. Gazing down at the letter you read over it and feel your chest tighten.

“I have to get ready… I have to leave today if I’m going to make it to the opening ceremony!”

“Go on then!”

You feel your heart swell for the first time in a long time.

“I’m going on an adventure…” You whisper more to yourself, before you untie your apron and rush out the door yelling your thanks as you do.

Your running is cut short by the stitch in your side as you slow to a light jog then a walk.

“Well…. (Name).... You’re not getting to the station if you die first…” you pant as you hold your side.

Yep… definitely not fourteen anymore…. You grumble to yourself as you make your way to your apartment.

Serenity is in front of you in a moment gazing up at you in slight wonder.

“Were going on an adventure,” you say with a smile gazing down at her.

Her eyes filled with happiness as she leaps up into the air before crashing into your arms. You laugh as you hold her before you plop her onto your head and she latches on.

“Come on! We need to get ready! The ceremony is tomorrow!” you rush into your room and start throwing things into your bag. Before you know it your bag is bulging and your not even able to lift it from the ground.

“Maybe… I’ve over packed…”

Serenity just nods her tiny head and gazes up at you from the bed.

“Okay…” you sigh before you start pulling things from your bag and throwing it onto your bed. She lets out a squeak of indignation when you take out one of you dresses and replace it with a raincoat.

“I know! But what if it rains! You know how unpredictable the weather can! And it’s going to be cold at night! I need a blanket! Oh dear… I need a tent! Where the hell am I going to fit a tent into this thing? HOW AM I GOING TO FIT A TENT IN THIS THING?! That’s it… I’m not going…”

Serenity jumps up and twacks you on the head and sends you a tiny glare.

“Right well! Best figure out what I don’t need… No no! The blanket stays you will appreciate me later trust me!”

After battling with yourself and your Hatenna you have finally come to a balanced things to pack ratio.

“There best be a washing machine in the Pokemon center or the world will burn…” you grumble to yourself as you set off on your way to the train station just as the sun sets on the horizon.

You’ve been walking for a couple of hours when you check your watch. The last train leaves in about an hour and despite the fact that you are making good time you aren’t sure if you are going to make it in time at the pace you’re going. Suddenly you hear a low rumble from the bushes next to you. A pair of eyes gleam in the faint moonlight and a moment later out steps a Meowth and then another and then another.

“Oh… Shit…”

Without waiting for an invitation you turn tails and start running, just to get away from the hoard of Meowth now chasing you. You can pretty much hear them cackle behind you as about fifteen of them chase after you down the dirt pathway. Despite your shortness of breath and your racing heart you just keep going. Suddenly, the Pokeball on your hip opens and out pops Serenity with a hard expression on her face. As if your tiny baby is going to take a stand.

“NOPE!” you yelp as you scoop her up from the ground and hike her up on your shoulder. She squeaks in surprise when she sees the sheer amount of Meowth hot on your tail. She suddenly opens her tiny mouth and lets out a shrill cry causing the Meowth to scatter momentarily before renewing their chase.

“OH! What was that?! Do it again!” you cry as you plop her on your head facing her towards her opponents. She continues to hit them with the attack and you notice that some of them have fainted or seem to be turning around. Apparently, when you’re the one getting attacked the chase isn’t as much fun. A moment later, you see the tower of the train station in sight and you heave a sigh of relief when you collapse into a chair in the station.

“It was a hoard of Meowth…” You say to the patrons looking at you as if you are crazy. At your explanation they just nod in abject understanding and go back to their business.

“All aboard the last train to Motostoke station!”

You quickly collect yourself and your exhausted but proud pokemon and rush to the ticket counter. They hurry through the transaction and you rush onto the train. You make it through the doors just as they shut and you heave a sigh of relief as you make your way to a vacant seat.

Serenity plops onto the seat next to you and gazes up at you happily.

“You did amazing out there! How about a treat?” She nods her little head enthusiastically. Pulling out your phone you open up your stats for Serenity.

“Hmmm… Looks like you learned Disarming Voice. That’s amazing! It’s also going to be super helpful in upcoming battles!” She just chirps happily at you before showing you a picture of a piece of cake sitting on the table.

“Of course, first we'll eat cake for dinner!” She thrills happily and ends up bouncing around in her seat

When the train staff comes by to take your order you end up with about three different slices of cake and a couple of pastries. The two of you happily stuff your faces with the cakes and wrap the pastries up for later. Gazing out the window watching the scenery go by in the pale moonlight you feel at peace for the first time in many years.

The next morning it’s the sound of the train whistle that wakes you from your slumber. You fell asleep slumped over in the booth you had claimed last night. Serenity also jumps to attention before relaxing and letting out a long yawn as she gazes around her surroundings.

“Right. Well… Let’s go!”

You gather your things and Serenity jumps up onto the top of your head, her little hat like antenna picking up everything around her. You’re a little surprised she isn’t overwhelmed since she doesn’t like crowds. Then again the amount of people getting off of the overnight train is not nearly as many as it would be during the day. Since it’s so early in the morning you decide to go ahead and register then find a hotel to clean yourself up for the opening ceremony. Walking in the direction of the arena you find it easily enough. It’s just the large centerpiece of the city, you know you can’t miss it. With a deep breath you walk up the stairs and into the stadium. Walking up to the counter you see a young man sorting through some papers before he looks up and greets you.

“How can I help you Ma’am?”

You can’t say your eye didn’t twitch at ‘ma’am’ but you put the thought aside and present your letter. “I’m here to register.”

He looks down at the letter and squints.

“The...Champion is endorsing you?”

You can tell he doesn’t believe you.

“Yes… He is.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to check on some...things… hold on one moment please.”

“Oh dear…” you grumble to yourself and pull out the pastry from last night and take a bite. You pull off a piece and hand it to Serenity who is still scouting the area from your head. She happily takes the offered piece and begins to munch on it. You pull a napkin from your bag and go to wipe the crumbs away when you notice numbers written on it.

“Oh… you cheeky little bugger..” you say as you glance up at the Hatenna on your head.

“So sneaky… but so smart…” you mumble to yourself before you pull out your phone and dial the number.

“Ma’am I’m afraid until the Champion gets here for us to confirm the validity, we cannot accept this as proof of-” You hold up your hand and indicate the phone in your hand.

A moment later a sleepy voice answers the phone.

“Hello? Who is this?”

“Leon! It’s (Name), I’ve run into a bit of a problem… Registration doesn’t seem to want to accept the letter.”

“What? Why?” he asks in sleepy confusion, but the declaration seems to have woken him up a little bit more.

“They don’t believe it’s real…” you grumble with a sigh.

Serenity pats your arm and indicates the uneaten pastry in your hand. You take one more bite before you hand the rest of it to her.

“Don’t worry… I’ll take care of it, just head to the Budew Drop Inn. I’ll call ahead and make sure they have a room for you.”

“Thanks Leon! I owe you one!” you chirp before you turn to the flabbergasted League employee behind the counter. You send him a Cheshire grin and wave before you turn away from the counter.

You hear Leon’s signature laugh, “You sure do! Just make sure that you make it to the finals, that’ll be my payment okay?”

“You got it!”

“Hey (NickName)...”

“Uhh… yeah?” you ask stopping at his tone of voice and the name you haven’t heard in years.

“I’m just really happy that you decided to compete. I know you’re going to do great things.”

You feel tears well up in your eyes and you blink them away, “Me too…” you whisper back before you bid him goodbye and head out the door into the morning sunlight. It doesn’t take you long to find your way to the inn and when you get there you notice the employees seem to be scrambling for something.

“You must be (Name)! Champion Leon called and stated there has been a hold up with your League entrance paperwork, but he’s working on it. Until then, we’ve been instructed to make sure you have a room so you can get freshened up for the opening ceremony.”

“Thank you,” you say with a grateful smile.

“Of course! Follow me!” you follow along after the staff member through the hallways until you get to a room. She hands you the key and you let yourself in thanking her again in the process.

You throw yourself down on the bed and look up at the ceiling.

“I can’t believe this is happening…”

Serenity chirps at you before she too flopped back onto the bed.

“I know… This is just the beginning and we’re going to be amazing.”

After a few minutes of rest you haul yourself up from the bed and head into the shower. Once you are clean you put on some clean clothes and start sorting out your hair and makeup. You’re almost done putting the finishing touches on your hair when there is a knock on your door. You rush over to see who it is then open up the door. Leon is standing on the other side.

“Getting ready?” he asks as you move to the side for him to come in.

“Yeah I’m almost done.”

“Good good… I’ve got everything squared away with your entrance paperwork. Here, this is for you!” He hands over the necessary things you’ll need for the league.

“Thanks,” you say as you begin sorting through all the necessary paperwork and badge holder.

“Also! Hand me your phone and I’ll get your dex set up for you.”

“You know how to do that?”

“Sonia told me how, she says she’ll catch up with you soon though. She misses you.”

You look up into his eyes, “Well I can’t wait to see her again, it’s been far too long. How is she?”

“She’s helping her gran out with research, so she’s been pretty busy lately.”

“Oh, I bet it makes it hard for you two to see each other huh? With you both being so busy?”

“I mean yeah… but that’s life I guess?” He says with a shrug as he concentrates on the device in his hand. He pulls out his own phone and pulls up a code that he enters before the Pokedex springs to life on your own phone. He gives a nod before he hands it back to you.

“Thanks… you know… for everything… I wasn’t the nicest to you that day…”

“Well… You’ve never really been the nicest to me…”

You look up in shock, “Oh hush!” you say as you go to smack his arm, he lets out a loud laugh and dodges you.

“You’ll have to be faster than that to beat the champion!” he exclaims as he ducks down, barely dodging the pillow you are now trying to assault him with.

“I’ll show you ‘not nice!’” you exclaim.

He grabs one of the other pillows and the two of you end up duking it out via fluffy madness, Serenity jumping about on the bed chirping happily at the two of you. After a few minutes, you both collapsed onto the bed in laughter throwing the pillows to the side.

“I needed that…” you wheeze out in between breaths.

“You’re going to do great…”

“What if I don’t?” you ask in a small voice.

He lifts himself up onto one arm so he can look down into your eyes.

“You’re way stronger than you think you are…”

You just nod unable to speak before you grasp the pillow and bury your face in it. He pulls you into a hug as you attempt to roll away from him.

“No Leon! If you hug me it will only make it worse!”

“Why?”

“Because I’ll just want to cry more!”

He lets out a laugh but lets go of you, “At some point you’re going to have to stop crying every time you see me…”

“Shut up! It’s your fault! Plus I’m dealing with a whole decade of buried emotions it’s a lot, okay? Being a woman is a lot!”

You both just end up laughing at your outburst, once you’ve calmed down you go to fix your hair and make up again. You’re a little surprised when Leon just continues to lounge on your bed and play with Serenity.

“I don’t remember you having a Hatenna when we were younger… What happened to…”

“She’s with Mom and Dad… I didn’t really have the space to keep her and now she just enjoys lounging around.”

“I see…”

“Have you thought about your team?”

You look at him through the mirror as you fix your hair.

“I have a few thoughts…”

“None that you’re willing to share?” He asks with a sly smile.

You just shrug in reply, “I can’t reveal all my secrets…”

“Of course not…”

“Not even one?”

“Don’t you have official League things to do?”

“Bothering my sponsor is my official League thing right now.”

“You’re impossible…”

“I’m The Unbeatable Champion!”

“So now you’re The Impossible Champion!” you chirp with sarcastic happiness.

You see him slowly go to reach for the pillow again and, “Don’t you dare! I do NOT have time to redo my hair...AGAIN.”

He sends you an innocent smile as he holds up his hands in mock surrender. You just send him a look and go back to fixing your makeup.

When you are finished the two of you head out of the inn and back to the stadium. Now, especially with Leon by your side, the amount of people looking at you and acknowledging you is overwhelming.

“Oh! You need a uniform! I’ll be right back!” you watch as he jogs off without waiting for a reply. A moment later you are approached by a reporter and cameraman.

“Excuse me… Do you have a moment to answer a few questions?”

“Umm… not at the moment… I need to get ready for the ceremony.”

A look of surprise crosses her features, “Oh? You’re a competitor? Are you the sponsor that Champion Leon is endorsing?”

“Yes, I am… and I’m afraid I have much to do before the ceremony… If you’ll excuse me…”

You practically run away from the reporter and practically into Leon. He steadies you before he hands you the uniform.

“Whoa! Slow down! Here take this and head to the locker room! I have to go take my place, I’ll see you afterwards though?”

You just nod in bewilderment and take the offered uniform. You know this is something you’re going to have to get used to, especially if you are going to be at all associated with Leon. Vaguely you wonder to yourself if you’ve made the right decision after all… especially with the way that reporter is eyeing you like her next meal.

Notes:

Hey everyone! I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has reviewed and subscribed! I'm excited about this and I'm hoping to have the next chapter out soon! Raihan will be in that one! Who is ready for Dragon Boy? Me tooooo! I hope you enjoyed your Leon moment! Please review and tell me your thoughts!

[pressedinthepages]

Chapter 14: Tranquility

Summary: Spring brings new journeys and a returning warning.

Series Masterlist

Words: 1996

(There is a link on my page where you can be added to my taglist :D)

Warnings: mild language, meditation

    When the thaw comes, it is simultaneously too soon and not soon enough. Your feet yearn to get back on the Path, not used to an entire season of rest. But your mind still reels back and forth, caught up in everything that has happened in the span of only a few months. Part of you wishes to stay in Kaer Morhen, finally having found somewhat of a sanctuary, especially with Eskel at your side. However, a much more stubborn part of you still feels the urge to run away from the man that makes your heart ache every time he just looks at you, or whose heartbeat you find yourself listening to without even thinking about it. 

    It’s not as if you have much of a choice whether or not you leave the secluded castle. Blinding rays of spring sunshine appear brighter every day, bringing a gentle heat to coax the ice and snow to melt into the earth. Crocuses burst through the ground, stubborn and resilient, much like the residents of the castle that seems to refuse to crumble. Your feet crunch across the courtyard towards the gate, the final fragile remnants of winter cracking with every step that you take. 

    Lady follows dutifully behind you, laden with supplies for the upcoming journey. Her dark coat is still thick with fluff, just begging you to run your fingers through it. When you had brushed her down earlier you had indulged, feeling the immensely soft fur under your fingers. You sat there for a bit longer than necessary, just petting and scratching along Lady’s flank. 

    Now though, you feel rushed, knowing that Eskel is waiting at the gate so that the two of you may begin to follow the trail down the mountain. The sun barely peeks over the summits as you cross the bridge leading away from Kaer Morhen, and your breath still comes out with little visible puffs before disappearing into nothingness. 

    Eskel stands at the bottom of the hill with the other Witchers, Scorpion at his side and a bulge in his jerkin betraying the location of Lil’ Bleater. As you approach, you can almost hear Lambert roll his eyes at his brother.

    “Eskel, you spoil that damn goat.”

    “She keeps me company, and she’s a damn sight better to look at than your ugly mug.” Eskel bites back a smile before twisting quickly, catching the younger Witcher by surprise. Eskel holds Lambert in a gentle headlock as he ruffles his hair, ruining how Lambert had slicked it back earlier in the morning. 

    Geralt stands off to the side with Vesemir, murmuring quietly and looking at a map. As you approach the group they all shift, Eskel moving to Geralt’s side. He quickly embraces his brother, clasping him on the shoulder as they break apart. 

    “So,” Lambert says, crossing his arms in front of his chest, “you coming back next winter, or do we have to wait fifty years this time?” You roll your eyes as Eskel smacks him on the back of the head.

    “Shut it you, or else you won’t be getting any berry cake next winter.” Lambert balks at your threat, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

    “Oh, no, that won’t be necessary...you know if you would just tell me the recipe, I could just make it myse-”

    “I think the fuck not, I’m keeping that one for myself. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll give it to you when I die.”

    “And how in the seven hells is that supposed to work if you’re dead? Gods, if you’re going to make me summon your ghost just for a fucking cake recipe I’m going to lose my mind.”

    You smile, pulling him into a brief hug before patting his cheek. “Oh hon, you can’t lose what you never had.”

    “Nice, I may have to use that one someday…” Lambert smiles, backing up to help get the horses settled. Geralt comes to stand by your side, his eyes unreadable as he looks over the sprawling valley just below. 

    “Please do me one favor.” He grumbles, quiet enough so that you’re the only one able to hear.

    You nod, watching as Geralt turns his head to look you in the eyes. 

    “Don’t be an idiot.” You turn around, startled that Vesemir had chosen that precise moment to say the exact same thing to Eskel. The older man has his hand clasped on Eskel’s shoulder and his finger wagging in Eskel’s face. 

    You turn back to Geralt, remembering your conversation from earlier in the winter. He knows exactly how you feel for Eskel, probably even better than you do. You take a deep breath, glancing down at the valley before looking back at Geralt. 

    “I’ll do my best,” you murmur, pulling him close for a hug. Geralt only hums in response, but it seems to be a good hum, so you’re satisfied. 

    “Ready to go?” Eskel asks, climbing into Scorpion’s saddle. Li’l Bleater shuffles around with the sudden change in position, her head butting Eskel’s as she readjusts. You stifle your laughter, mounting Lady’s saddle and looking back to the others. You have finally realized that these people, the last remaining people on the Continent who know exactly what you have gone through, because they have gone through the same, they are your pack. And just like the creatures that roam through the forest, your wolves found you, brought you back to them, brought you home. 

    You smile, looking back at Eskel, giving yourself half of a heartbeat to admire how the rising sun shines over his features, caressing and bringing to light the true beauty that he keeps hidden below the surface.

    “Let’s go.”

    …

    “Alright, ready?” The two of you have been traveling for two days now, almost halfway to the bottom of the mountain. The sun has set, letting a gentle spring rain shower the newly exposed earth, nourishing the land back to life. You and Eskel have taken shelter in a rocky overhang with barely enough room for you all, along with a little fire. 

    Eskel has decided to take the opportunity to help you practice meditation. You both kneel, the cold stone floor hard under your knees. You face each other, the only light coming from your fire, burnt down to embers. 

    You nod, closing your eyes and relaxing your hands to rest on your knees. 

    “Good,” Eskel speaks quietly, his voice a low rumble that tethers you to reality. “Now, we’ll just start with breathing. Start with a deep breath in through your nose, focusing only on the act of inhaling. Not the smells, not the other sounds you can hear. Only your breath, and my voice.”

    “And now exhale, letting all of the air out of your lungs. Then just keep doing that for a moment, just focusing on your breathing, in and out.”

    You do, roping your mind back in when it starts to wander, letting yourself focus only on inhaling and exhaling. Occasionally your fingers will twitch on your legs, or your nose will tingle, but you don’t follow it, just keeping your attention only on keeping your mind blank. 

    “Okay, you’re doing great,” Eskel whispers, and you feel your lip turn upward a bit at the praise. “Now, start at the top of your head. Slowly and deliberately, bring your attention to the surface of your skin, one inch at a time. See if you can feel your scalp, your ears, your eyelids, and your nose. Continue like this, moving across the face, over the ears, down the neck and shoulders, and all the way down to your toes. Just imagine that you cracked an egg over the top of your head, and you can feel it drip over you, slowly bringing attention to each new part of your body.”

    As you reach your toes, you can feel your consciousness slipping from your grasp, but you finally let it go. You drift between worlds, held to reality only by the insistent sound of Eskel’s heart beating in his chest, slow and steady in the night. However, even that falls away, leaving only an empty, soothing chasm of tranquility.

…

    “You know, I had hoped that I wouldn’t have to visit you again. And yet, here we are.”

    You open your eyes, finding yourself in a sunny clearing surrounded by dandelions. Instead of Eskel sitting across from you, Jaskier sits there, his legs crossed under him and his hair fluttering in the slight breeze. 

    You are once again frozen in time, but this time you can feel control over it. You feel no fear, no anxiety in the man’s presence. Only a bit of annoyance.

    “What is it, Jaskier? Why do you keep showing up?”

    “Oh, my dear, you really are just as blind as I feared.” Jaskier holds his chin in his hand, resting his elbow on his knee. “I even had those other friends of yours help me, trying so desperately to get the two of you to get your heads out of your asses and figure it out.”

    “What did you do to them? Don’t you dare hurt them, they haven’t done anything to you.”

    “Yet. They haven’t done anything to me yet.” You remember the first scene on the mountain when you met before, with Geralt and a much worse for wear Jaskier.

    “Worry not, though. I only placed suggestions of how to push you in the right direction, I didn’t even show myself to them.” Jaskier smiles, it would have been warm and comforting if you didn’t know better. 

    You blink, still not letting your mind wander past the fuzzy edges of this conversation. “I’m not sure what you want from me, Jaskier. We just weren’t built for this.”

    “Nonsense.” His voice is cold, calculating. “They may have tried to take your ability to feel, but we both know that they were unsuccessful. You need to face the truth. You can, and do, love Eskel. There’s really nothing you can do about it. But you can either accept it, living out the rest of your days happy and together with him, or you can deny it, watching as he slips away again, leaving you to find him only enough time to hold him as he dies in your arms.”

    You shake your head, closing your eyes, seeing that horror unfold once more. His blood stains your hands, his ragged breathing echoing in your ears as you try to push away the memory. 

    You take a deep breath in through your nose, smothering the vision, forcing yourself to focus on your breathing, on your body, letting anything and anyone else fall away.

    But you hear, almost too quietly and far too close to your ear, “You had better heed my warnings, or else you’ll find yourself past the point of no return.”

    Your ears pick up the crackling of embers once more, the smell of smoke and orange soap filling your nose. You slowly blink open your eyes, finding yourself back under the overhang, Eskel watching as you stretch your fingers away from your legs. Sunlight warms the air around you, hours having passed by from under your feet. 

    “Welcome back,” Eskel crookedly smiles, “You did wonderfully.”

    Your mind still feels a bit mushy, but it’s so much easier now to leave that meditative state. You’re not sure how often you really want to do that though, not wanting further harassment from Jaskier, whoever he actually is.

    But, you think as Eskel stands and stretches, padding over to the horses to get them ready for the day, maybe he has a point. I apparently know how this will end, why should I keep trying to avoid it?

    But you’re not sure if you really believe it. What if he rejects you, pushes you away? What then? 

    For now, though, you take Eskel’s hand when he offers it, helping you rise to your feet before continuing on down the Path. 

[anneshirlxy]

AWAE Fic Recs- Full List

Hi! Here is the full list of all the fics I recommend. I will post a more organized way to look at it later tonight, but for now, here are all the fics! On here you can find the author, rating, length (word count and chapter) and a summary directly from ao3. These fics are in no particular order, and everything in italics is my dumb comments! Also, I am hopefully going to keep updating this so please send me fic recs!

Rating Key- G: General Audience, T: Teen and up, M: Mature 

1. Still He Offers the Sea Shell  By: Chash (@ponyregrets) Rating: T Length: 5.1k- 1/1

Summary: Gilbert Blythe is back from his semester abroad, and he wants to meet this Anne Shirley he's heard so much about.

First fic I ever read. A classic modern au (book verse) 

2.Strangely Are Our Souls Constructed  By: Fandom_freakout, vocallywritten Rating: G Length: 8k-2/2

Summary: In a desperate attempt to get Charlie Sloane to leave her alone, Anne posts a notice of her own. Or,Anne and Gilbert abuse the Take Notice board, much to the amusement, and frustration of the people around them.

Best take notice fic ever! Anne and Gilbert get into a take notice board battle and at first, it’s snarky and sarcastic, but then they start complementing each other and it’s beautiful.

3.say my name, don't ever stop  By: anbethmarie Rating: G Length: 13.5k-5/5

Summary: The gossip in Avonlea is insidious, making Gilbert think it's a good idea to initiate a fake courtship of Anne. Anne makes him promise it won't affect their relationship (because, obviously, they're just friends).Plot twist: it affects their relationship.

Also has a sequel you can read it Here

4.Mistletoe Madness By: avonleaace Rating: G Length: 3k- 1/1

Summary: To bring a bit of fun to the classroom on Christmas Eve, Miss Stacey hangs up some mistletoe. Anne and Gilbert have a bet that Gilbert can make it through the day without getting kissed. Will he succeed? cuteness ensues

5.The Secret of Distance  By: Lil_Readhead (@royalcordelia) Rating: T Length: 26k- 7/?

Summary: Anne and Gilbert embark on their journeys, but stay close to each other at heart. Courting across 1000 miles isn't easy, but they're more than willing to step up to the task. (A post s3 story).

I consider this fic canon. This is season 4. 

6.Avonlea's Summer of 1880 Great Game of Capture the Flag! By: christah88 (@christah88) Rating: G Length: 14k- 1/1

Summary: Moody Spurgeon has gathered all the boys in Avonlea between 12 and 18 at the softball diamond for a game of capture the flag. Subterfuge, reconnaissance, undercover missions, and just a dash of chicken-coop-climbing combine to make this a game they will not soon forget. Why? Because Anne Shirley-Cuthbert wants to play, of course, and she demands that the rest of the girls be allowed to play, too.

This one reads like it could be a part of the show. There is also a prequel that you can read Here

7.Limerence By: Ephemeral_Joy (@lydias--stiles) Rating: G Length: 12k- 2/2

Summary: Limerence (n) - The state of being infatuated with another person. Gilbert and Anne featuring paint, photography, mutual staring, glitter and a very supportive Diana Barry

8.truth or dare  By: thearkdelinquents Rating: NR Length: 7k-1/1

Summary: “Anne, truth or dare?” Josie smirked at Anne, a devious glint in her eye. Lifting her chin and looking Josie in the eye, Anne chose, “Dare.” She could take whatever Josie had to throw at her.The smirk on Josie’s face grew larger and Anne was sure she had picked the wrong thing. Without breaking eye contact or even taking a second the think about it, Josie said, “I dare you to go behind that door and kiss Gilbert Blythe. On the lips.”

I love the show New Girl with all my heart so I had to put this one.

9.When the Sun Begins to Fall By: megs368 (@onedayiwillflyfree) Rating: G Length: 76k- 13/14

Summary: "Long time no see Carrots."After nine months of studying at The Sorbonne, Gilbert Blythe felt that he was ready for his upcoming graduation and wedding. That is until his brother arrives, informing him his childhood best friend is gravely ill.

this fic hurts you 

10.wishful thinking (mindless dreaming)By: bruadarxch  (@rootedbutfl0wing) Rating: G Length: 12k- 5/5

Summary: “She didn’t mean to, but a comment led to a friend of a friend’s profile and then she sees it. She sees him. Gilbert Blythe. Her old archnemesis turned friend turned... nothing.” Anne is bored for the first time in her life and falls down the Instagram rabbit hole. She finds a familiar face.

Anne finds Gilbert’s Instagram and they end up reconnecting at college and then drama ensues. It’s really cute then it gets kinda sad and angsty and then it’s really cute again. I love it.

11.wonderstruck By: bruadarxch ( @rootedbutfl0wing) Rating: G Length: 14k-4/4

Summary: Delphine Lacroix raves about Miss Shirley and her crazy lessons. Her uncle Gilbert thinks his niece surely has an overactive imagination, but one day he has to pick her up from school and a certain redhead covered in paint from head to toe crashes into him. OR: Gilbert Blythe puts his foot in it when he meets Anne in every universe. Luckily for him, she didn't have any heavy objects around in this one.

Modern au where Anne is Dellies teacher and Gilbert fall head over heels in love with her. Soooo cute, I love. Also, cue Diana berry being the best roommate ever. 

12.Imagining Something Worthwhile By: remylebae (@remylebub) Rating: T Length: 148k-3l/36

Summary: “Because when you are imagining, you might as well imagine something worthwhile”- Anne of Green Gables. 

Anne is struggling through her mid-twenties, living with her two best friends from high school and starting a new job as an eighth grade English teacher. Just as she's starting to figure this whole teaching thing out, she finds an unexpected someone thrust back into her life.

This is the boy I spent 7 hours reading. It’s a modern au where Anne is a struggling teacher and Gilbert is a struggling med student and they fall back in love. Honestly, the best part of the fic is the best friend relationship between Cole, Anne, and Diana. It’s some pretty wholesome and domestic stuff.

13.You're such a big mess (And I love you) By: gayrefrain (@gayrefrain) Rating: T Length: 6k-1/1

Summary: Anne and Jerry get arrested.

This is one of the first fics I ever read and I loved it so much I read it 2 more times. Modern au where Anne and Jerry get arrested, they bicker like siblings and Gilbert is so worried for her!!! It’s a pre-established relationship and it’s so fluffy and cute ahh. An all-time fave.

14.five days of Christmas  By: thearkdelinquents Rating: N/R Length: 4k-1/1

Summary: SHIRBERT SECRET SANTA!!!!

15.Drive Me Crazy By: serendipitous_rambles(@carrotsofavonlea) Rating: G 

Length: 18k-15/15

Summary: Anne Shirley Cuthbert and Gilbert Blythe are next door neighbours, but they despise each other. It didn't used to always be this way, in fact at one time they were best friends. But things change following a personal tragedy for Gilbert, and by high school the two are practically strangers. Anne's life seemed to be going well: she was in charge of organising the school Centennial dance, she was accepted into college, and she was dating one of the most handsome boys in school: Roy Gardner. Only he breaks up with her mere weeks before the dance. When Gilbert's girlfriend Winifred also breaks up with him, Anne comes up with a crazy scheme to get their ex's back: pretend to date to make them jealous. Simple right? If only they don't kill each other first...

The modern fake dating au of your dreams. Includes an iconic scene from 10 things I hate about you. 

16.ours are the moments I play in the dark / wild and fluorescent / come home to my heart By: anbethmarie Rating: T Length: 8k-3/3

Summary: Avonlea, August 1914 – England declares war on Germany. Anne Shirley shows up rain-drenched on Gilbert Blythe’s doorstep and learns her fiancé is due to leave for the Western front in a week’s time.All Anne wanted was to have the memory of a few quiet moments alone with Gilbert. The fact that she would get wet through on the way to his house and have to wear his shirt while waiting for her clothes to dry did not enter into her calculations.

This one is basically an episode of a drama tv show and I’m not complaining.  Anne ends up pregnant with Gilbert’s baby and then he goes to war and they lose touch and he doesn’t know he has a child. It’s a whole thing. It’s mostly angst but reunions are chef's kiss (especially ones when they find out their father). 

17.Trippingly, on the tongue By: meals Rating:G Length: 8k-1/1

Summary: Gilbert goes to Paris, Anne goes to Queens, and years later they both return to Avonlea and meet again. They should be older and wiser, but when neither of ever admits to their mistakes and misunderstandings, will they ever sort themselves out?

Such a good season three “what if” fic. I’ve read it so many times and I can’t get tired of it. 

18.shy daydreams & stardust By: Lil_Redhead (@royalcordelia) Rating: G Length: 16k-3/3

Summary: She can't help how he makes her magic spiral out of control whenever he's around, but maybe she can help him when his own abilities bloom out of nowhere like a lily pad in a teacup. Magic AU!

Anne and Gilbert are both magic and she teaches him about his powers. Very cute!

19.The Post-Exam Ritual of Merriment and Ridiculousness By: wanderinginthewoods  Rating: G Length: 2k-1/1

Summary: Anne, still slightly tipsy, tries to focus as she runs after Gilbert to give him a piece of her mind--but that's not the easiest thing to do when she can barely get her own thoughts in order.

The characterization of Anne drunk is so good and the funniest thing

20.I Belong to You  By: hoddypeak (@shirbertndisney) Rating: T Length: 30k-12/?

Summary: Arranged marriage AU. Anne always wanted to have her own love story, but not one that's decided for her. She doesn't want to fall in love with Gilbert, but after being thrown into many awkward situations with him, the walls around her begin to tumble down. It certainly isn't an easy ride for either of them.

21.Little White Lies… By: writingshirbert Rating: G Length: 16k-10/?

Summary: When Anne agrees to doing Gilbert a favor, she has no idea what she's getting herself into...

A modern fake dating au where Anne and Gilbert are best friends and college roommates that have to pretend to date. Mostly angst so far, but well written. Also, Gilbert seems like a bit of a douche but we will look past that. 

22.All my stumbling phrases never amounted to anything worth this feeling By: moonlightconstellations (@leiaslightsaber) Rating: T Length: 3k-1/1

Summary: Anne realizes she's in love with Gilbert. In typical Anne fashion, she reacts by yelling.

I just really love Anne yelling at Gilbert

 23.Anne of Hogwarts By: serendipitous_rambles (@carrotsofavonlea) Rating: G Length: 24k- 14/14

Summary: Muggleborn Anne couldn't believe her luck when at 11 she is adopted by the Cuthberts, who introduce her to the world of magic and Hogwarts.Her wild imagination gets her into trouble more often than not, but she doesn't let that stop her. She sparks up an academic rivalry with classmate Gilbert Blythe, and finds a kindred spirit in Diana Barry.However it's not all smooth sailing, with trials and tribulations throughout the years as Anne seeks to discover everything Hogwarts has to offer. It may not always be easy, but life at Hogwarts becomes the greatest adventure of Anne's life.

As a potterhead I am required to put one of the best Harry Potter x AWAE fics on here. Also the only one that (in my opinion) gets the sorting right (gryffindor!Anne, Hufflepuff!Gilbert). 

24.This Home is Vast By: Lil_Redhead (@royalcordeila) Rating: G Length: 6k-1/1

Summary: Delphine Lacroix wants to write a tale of adventure and romance, so naturally she writes the story of how Uncle Gil and Aunt Anne fell in love.

This one is so creative! Fics starring Dellie? Sign me up 

25.i picture it, soft, and i ache By: boos (@boosfic) Rating: G Length: 12k-1/1

Summary: Anne and Gilbert accidentally end up snowed in at Green Gables

Pure and perfect fluff 

26.the world is brighter than the sun (now that you're here) By: blujamas (@kyleslei) Rating: G Length: 12k-1/1

Summary:  Long-lost family offers Anne Shirley-Cuthbert a chance at education in a prestigious university across the sea. Before she can go, however, there is one last loose end to tie up: Gilbert Blythe.

27.more myself than I am (whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same) By: anbethmarie Rating: G Length: 6k- 2/2

Summary: Anne and Gilbert have not seen each other since the fateful night of the Queen's entrance exams. She assumes he must by now be engaged to Winifred. He still assumes her drunken babbling meant she doesn't care. A chance encounter forces them to revise the truth of these assumptions.

28.a ridge of lighted heath By: peterstank (@peter-stank) Rating: T Length: 3k-1/1

Summary: He’d overheard her talking once with Diana Barry. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop but it couldn’t be helped given their proximity. He’d heard it, the bride of adventure, the wife of nature. And how fitting is it that she who has chosen nature as her most fitting suitor is more beautiful than any earthly thing he’s ever known? The freckles on her face are fit to rival all the stars in the sky. Her eyes are oceans overflowing, they are rippling streams and shining waters. She could torch him with her hair and he would happily turn to ashes, to be the Earth, to be loved by her just once.

29.One Iced Green Tea Latte for Ann  By: rosesonraindrops Rating: G Length: 6k-2/2 

Summary: Anne Shirley Cuthbert lives for three things: her family, Diana Barry, and Iced Green Tea Lattes. However, Gilbert Blythe, the barista at Anne and Diana's favorite coffee shop, never seems to spell her name correctly, no matter how many times she's told him the right way to spell it. Or, Diana and Anne get coffee, and Gilbert tries his very best to charm Anne with his latte-making skills.

30,but when he walks in i am loved - i am loved By: nosecoffee (@nose-coffee) Rating: T Length: 24k- 1/1

Summary:“Marry me.” Anne drops a plate. She barely reacts to that - Marilla can berate her later, for now Anne has a very good reason to have broken her expensive china. She whirls on him. Gilbert’s not kneeling or anything. He's just standing there, in her kitchen doorway, with a painfully earnest look on his face. “Are you kidding?” She says, laughing nervously. He shakes his head. 

Fun story: I once spent hours looking for this fic and almost started crying when I didn’t think I could find it. So you know it’s good. 

31. from friends to this (you're the one i want) By: cressisaqueen (@cressisaqueen) Rating: T Length: 4k- 1/1

Summary: new message from 1 (489) 5987 - 2351 

1 (489) 5987 - 2351 [3:29 pm]: hey, it's gilbert blythe from professor stacy's class 

GiLbErT bLyThE [3:30 pm]: when should we meet up to work on the project?

A fic told entirely through text messages! Really creative and good. Paper Rings is my favorite Taylor Swift song, so that also helps. It also has a sequel where Anne and Gilbert get married that you can read Here 

32.Anne of Nova Scotia By: coffee666 (@frappuccinio) Rating: G Length: 32k- 5/?

Summary: In an alternate life, neither Anne nor Gilbert were orphaned. Yet, they still found their way to one another.

I’ve never seen a tag better than “I’m not claiming to know how boats work” 

33.If the Sea Should Part  By: Lil_Redhead (@royalcordelia) Rating: G Length: 35k-6/6

Summary: Anne finds herself caught up in whirl of romance and adventure after rescuing Dr. Gilbert Blythe from the sea during a storm. She should let him go, but when she finds out Billy Andrews is plotting to take Gilbert's life and estate, she realizes there's nothing that can keep her from protecting him.

34.charity (who is helping who?) By: antspaul Rating: T Length: 10k- 1/1 

Summary: AU in which Anne is a little more poor but just as vivacious while Gilbert is a lot more wealthy and a little more cowardly. 

Kind of a sugar daddy au, but not really. Told through letters which is really cool.

35.i found my voice (in her sweet melodies) By: Lil_Redhead (@royalcordelia) Rating: G Length: 2k- 1/1 

Summary: Christmas with Gilbert has never been traditional, but it always manages to steal Anne's breath away.

36.Welcome to Toronto By: simonsjumpers Rating: G Length: 13k- 4/4   

Summary: Anne visits Toronto, buys trousers, charms everyone she meets and engages in a book-duel with Gilbert... And Gilbert can't help but, kind-of, accidentally, propose.

A very good awae after season 3 continuation fic. Anne is a complete badass and Gilbert is hopelessly in love with her. 

37.it goes on and on  By: morebooksplease Rating: G  Length: 3k- 1/1 

Summary: in which Gilbert lists all the reasons he loves Anne.

38.bless the broken road (that led me straight to you) By: cornerinthepouringrain Rating: G Length: 3k- 1/1 

Summary: She said she’s never been to the coast, and he volunteered to take her, because he’s an idiot with no filter and because he selfishly, despicably, wants (needs) all of her firsts to be with him. Or Gilbert Blythe decides to take Anne Shirley on a road trip, and hates himself for it.

ON GOD I love this one shot so much!! It’s just Anne and Gilbert on a road trip. It’s Gilbert POV and my man is whipped. After I read this I immediately read it again I love it! 

39.your glow (against the burning embers of my fiery soul) By: abigaylefayth (@pterparkcr) Rating: T Length: 13k- 2/2 

Summary: the enemies to lovers fake dating shirbert au nobody asked for  

Another really good modern fake dating au!!! This author also wrote one of the best awae twitter aus, that you can read Here 

40.Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same By: Ephemeral_Joy (@lydias--stiles) Rating: T Length: 1k- 1/1 

Summary: Look, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert wasn't heartbroken. She was, for like a day, but then she had mustered all the power a Marilla glare could contain and got over it. Did she still love Gilbert? Sure. But alas, she was a summer storm, and he a winter sun. In which Anne tries to move on, but a certain hazel eyed boy won't let her.

41.the road not taken By: melissa13 (@annesurelyblythe) Rating: G Length: 2k-1/1

Summary: Years after the events of Season 3, a chance encounter in a bookstore brings Gilbert face-to-face with an old flame causing him to reflect on his new marriage. Features Anne and Gilbert being adorable newlyweds.

Winnies a darling and Gilbert is such a proud husband. When Winfred says “love looks good on you Blythe” l lose my mind 

42.Maybe The Universe Has Other Plans By: Cones_McMurphy Rating: G Length: 2k- 1/1 

Summary: Four times Gilbert Blythe tries to propose to Anne Shirley and fails, and the one time he doesn't try and succeed

This one is actually green gables fables which is a modern au told through vlogs and social media that you can watch on YouTube right now! Anyway, even though it’s not Anne with an e it’s just Gilbert trying to propose to Anne and it’s very cute! 

43.be still my foolish heart (don't ruin this on me)  By: theatrythms (@fairrobb, @smearclouds) Rating: G Length: 5k- 1/1

Summary: (The idea was always, always, always a bad one, but it sounded so romantical, so whimsical; to throw a stunt for all of her friends and get to spend time with Gilbert in the process.) Or; fake-dating, and the aftermath.

44.one look in your eyes and i found my favourite colour  By:  simonsjumper  Rating: G Length: 5k- 3/? 

Summary: au where everyone can only see in black and white until a moment between them and their soulmate triggers colour gradually appearing into both of their worlds (and yes, it happens during dance practice)

45.Of Tongue and Pen By: piperholmes Rating: G Length: 5k- 2/2 

Summary: When Gilbert returns Anne’s pen, he is reminded of what’s important and what it means to live a passionate life. He finally understands he needs to ask the right questions. Now featuring an epilogue!

46.this, and my heart beside By: fruitwhirl (@ametroepya) Rating: G Length: 6k- 1/2 

Summary: It’s three months in Toronto before she runs into him. Or rather, he runs into her. Well, okay, there is very little running involved at all.

Gilbert and Anne becoming friends in Toronto together!

47.Those With Wit and Learning Will Always Find Their Kind(red spirits)

By: WideScopeofImagination Rating: G Length: 126k- 5/7 

Summary: Anne Shirley thinks its a dream beyond her wildest imagination come true when she learns she's a witch and can attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.There are still challenges, of course.Or: How Anne has to keep solving magical disasters with muggle common sense, and finds her kindred spirits along the way

48.all of the dreams that get harder, all of the things that I offer you By: anbethmarie Rating: G Length: 7k-3/3 

Summary: Anne receives proposals of marriage from various and undesirable quarters. Gilbert Blythe naturally happens to stumble upon her immediately afterwards every time.

49.Time and Tide  By: jacksparrow589 (@js589) Rating: G-M Length: 35k- 8 works 

Summary: The Modern AU that nobody wanted and nobody asked for that just keeps on spawning new tales.

This is a series of 8 works (all fantastic) so i just put the entire thing here. Modern au set in college. Check the author's recommended reading order! 

50.a rose amongst thorns  By: not_so_weary_pilgrim Rating: G Length: 7k-3/3 

Summary: Anne swallows, so hard that it hurts. His head is bent over her hand, and she suddenly realizes that with all the growing he’s done in the past year or so the top of his head is an uncommon sight for her. In fact, the last time she saw those dark curls from this vantage point was when he bowed after their dance practice at school.She nearly flinches away from memories of that golden afternoon, when Gilbert’s eyes never left hers, when she was only vaguely aware of anyone else being in the room, when he pulled her closer than the dance required but it still wasn’t close enough.

Anne gets hit on the face and doctor gilbert in action!!!! He is way too worried about her but it’s very cute and well written. 

51.doctor's visit  By: seashel  Rating: G  Length: 1k-1/1 

Summary: turns out, gilbert isn't the only one afraid of needles.

Short modern au where Gilbert takes Anne to the doctors. High key the main reason this fic is on here is because he calls her baby. 

52.Takes the Cake By: bookwormforalways (@bookwormforalways) Rating: T Length: 2k-1/1

Summary: Anne and Gilbert, finally happily married, bake a cake to celebrate two months of being married.

53.to look in somebody's eyes, to light up the skies (to open the world and send it reeling)  By: lovishq Rating: G Length: 3k-1/1 

Summary: Anne Shirley's imaginary friends, fanciful names and women carved out of magic and fairytales are remnants of past lives, and they are all drawn to every Gilbert Blythe like moth to a flame. 

Ok, this one is like really cool. It’s this whole idea where Anne and Gilbert keep falling in love in different lifetimes but it’s always tragic until it isn’t. It’s really well written and just cool.

54.I don't have a choice (but I'd still choose you)  By: writergirl8 Rating: T  Length: 6k-1/1 

Summary: Anne knows now what it feels like to have someone looking at you like you are the most beautiful thing in the world.

I had to shorten the summary because its just so long, but basically this is a beautifully written fic that's just shirbert being fluff after season 3

55.everything you wanted, everything you don't  By: theystayalive Rating: G  Length: 2k-1/1  

Summary: And finally, when everything in his life quieted for just a moment, his heart molded his million thoughts into one word: Anne. In which Gilbert finds his way home.

56.that's the kindof love (i've been dreaming of) By: metsuryuogi (@natsujpg) Rating: G Length: 12k-1/1 

Summary: In which Anne and Gilbert spend their first year together, and apart. 

A really cute post season three fic! It also has a sequel that you can read Here

57.A Very Tragic, Romantical Secret (Understanding of a Pre-) Engagement  By: christah8 Rating: G Length: 5k, 1/1 

Summary: Post 3x08 AU where Gilbert avoids Anne for the summer and attends Queens College in the fall.

It's got a scavenger hunt and they are just so cute!

58.A Christmas gift By: writingshirbert Rating: G Length: 2k-1/1  

Summary: Gilbert comes home for Christmas. Set after season 3.

59.The reality of baking Christmas cookies  By: writingshirbert Rating: G Length: 3k-1/1 

Summary: Anne really wants to win the neighbourhood competition over who has the best Christmas decorations, however her neighbour is making it really hard for her to do so. 

60.the one person who makes me feel like i can take a fucking breath ( i can't have without completely destroying you ) By: softmullen Rating: NR Length: 5k-1/1 

Summary: IF THERE WAS ONE thing you needed to know about the cuthbert-baynard family, it was that the two and only children did not get along. and it wasn't the 'not getting along' like constantly arguing, no, they just didn't speak. it was like they absolutely hated each other and no one quite knew why. especially gilbert blythe, who had been best friends with jerry since before he could remember. it's always just been the two of them, until jerry's father remarried, moving them three streets down in a rather large house.

An “Edge of 17” au. Anne and Jerry being siblings- 10/10

61,you're already home where you feel loved By: c19 Rating: G Length: 11k-1/1 

Summary: Soulmate marks were only for special people, everyone kept telling them, but Anne and Gilbert both felt decidedly unspecial. Soulmate AU where the soulmate part isn't all that important.

62.The Language of My Unwavering Heart  By: bravebatgirl (@bravebatgorl) Rating: T Length: 70k- 7/15 

Summary:Anne Shirley-Cuthbert is attending college, exploring the excitement of entering womanhood beside her friends, and has even achieved a not-so-tragical romance. Everything is finally settling into place for the bride of adventure, but there are others still in dire straits. How is it that so much pain can be caused in a world about to turn a new century? 

63.I'll See You in the Orchard By: wanderinginthewoods Rating: T Length: 20k-3/3 

Summary: An alternate final, where Gilbert has to leave for Toronto later on, and doesn't bump into Diana. Meanwhile Anne--after meeting Winifred--finds herself on a spontaneous journey to Avonlea to confront him for not telling her about his lack of engagement--amongst other things. 

64.The Many Faces of Gilbert Blythe By: Purple_Slippers_18  Rating: T  Length: 50k-10/10 

Summary: Anne was looking forward to meeting Avonlea's new schoolmaster, and if she could only stop herself from being distracted by the memory of a tall, dark, handsome stranger that she knows she'll never meet again, she was sure she would make an excellent impression on the new teacher, no matter what Minnie May had to say

65.Into the Sun By: goldinavonlea (@goldinavonlea) Rating: T  Length: 5k-1/1  

Summary: Summer had arrived in Avonlea. In all truth, summer had arrived in Avonlea several weeks earlier, but the inclement internal weather of Anne’s life of late had rendered the view rather cloudy from her window for a while there, and so perhaps it was better to say that summer had arrived—finally—in Anne. And what a summer it was. Or, Anne and Gilbert spend 5000 words ignoring all rules of Victorian propriety in favour of becoming the human embodiments of warm syrup.

Pure fluff, and written so well!

66.life is momentous, indeed  By: bruadarxch (@rootedbutfl0wing)  Rating: G Length: 2k-1/1 

Summary: "She turns around trying to wipe off her tears and there he is, galloping down Lovers’ Lane in his horse, like a brooding hero in a romance novel. Bastard."Anne mopes and Gilbert finally does what he has to do.

67.something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue By: lxstdreams Rating: NR  Length: 1k-1/1 

Summary: how to propose to someone the moody spurgeon style(ruby x moody) 

One of the very few not shirbert centric fics, but sooo cute! 

68.oh i swear to you (i'll be there for you) By: cornerinthepouringrain Rating: T Length: 9k- 1/1 

Summary: They sort of become a family, her and Jerry and Ruby and Gilbert (after she forgave him for the thing they don’t speak about), and they were annoying little shits who ate all her food and trashed her apartment, but... she was happy. It was a slow realization, one that didn’t really strike her until she was sitting on the floor in her pajamas, watching Ruby smack Jerry repeatedly after catching the boy stealing her Monopoly money as Gilbert rolled around in tears clutching his stomach. 

Friends Au! I just love it so much

69.you don't have to say nothing - you don't have to say you're mine By: goddessbeltane Rating: M (warning: rape/non-con) Length: 27k-1/1 

Summary: I hate this asshole. Asshole! The nerve! Anne rose from her chair abruptly, striding over to the counter to meet an obviously frightened Gilbert – though she couldn’t blame him for being scared, the last time she looked at him like that was about five seconds before he was violently doused - before folding her arms across her chest. “And just what would you know about soulmates, Blythe?”

The Office Au! If you can't tell, I love sitcom aus. Mentions of rape (not graphic)  

70.If You're Wondering If I Want You To  By: teal_always Rating: T Length: 16k-1/1 

Summary:  Princess Cordelia cordially invites Princess Delphine to join her on the playground to witness Sir Gilbert's courting of Princess Cordelia's mother, Queen Anne. Or Gilbert Blythe will piss off Anne Shirley-Cuthbert upon meeting her in any and all universes.

Single parent au! Just so good!

71.A Little Crazy By: YumKiwiDelicious Rating: NR Length: 3k-1/1

Summary: They’re eight and she’s got the knobbiest knees Gilbert has ever seen. || 5 times Anne tells Gilbert she loves him +1 time he actually takes her seriously||

72. we can leave the christmas lights up till januaryBy: Alice_Prongs Rating: T Length: 17k-3/3

Summary: the boys are throwing a christmas party before they leave for the holidays. that's fine. it's fine, really. all anne needs to do is stay sober throughout it and nothing will go wrong. like, you know, blurting out all of her feelings for gilbert blythe in front of him.

Modern + Christmas + Angst = a fantastic fic! (also sequel Here)

73.silence is the blood whose flesh is singing By: ashleykay Rating: NR Length: 4k-1/1  

Summary: Anne Shirley does not believe in soulmates. And she will not be swayed otherwise. She believes only in love freely given. Soulmate AU. Timers.

74.The 10 Rules of Anne and Gilbert's Fake Relationship By: anexistence Rating: G Length: 18k-4/11 

Summary: She’s kissing Gilbert Blythe, who is surprisingly eagerly kissing her back. Ew, she’s kissing Gilbert Blythe. Anne pulls away, and masks her horror by smiling sweetly up at him. He has that warm yet bemused look on his face. “Hey, there” he smirks, and Anne wishes she could just wipe the smirk away. “A favour for a favour,” she whispers. “You owe me some brownies, Carrots.”

75.thin ice  By: antspaul Rating: T (warning- eating disorder)  Length: 30k-7/7  

Summary: "She still has a long way to go. Frustration builds in her throat and she wishes she could eat what she wanted and still stay slim and beautiful and perfect like Anne or Ruby. But things are the way things are. Nothing can be done about that. Diana will be beautiful. She just has to stay in control." When her world seems to be falling apart at the seams, Diana Barry finds power in the strict regulation of food. At the same time, her friendship with the Cuthbert's farm boy grows into more than she could have expected. And so she spirals.

The other not shirbert centric fic (but they are mentioned). Whether or not you like Diana x Jerry it's still really interesting to see a fic from Diana's perspective. Mentions of eating disorders are VERY graphic. Stay safe kids. There's also an (uncompleted) sequel Here

76.All This Time, I Was Waiting For You  By: MeggieB Rating: M Length: 2k-1/1 

Summary: Five Times Gilbert Blythe says "Carrots"

Pure fluff! Includes young shirbert and married shirbert! 

77.Dream a Little Dream of Me  By: PhoebeDillard (@gilbvrtblythe) Rating: G Length: 8k-1/1  

Summary: Anne Shirley had been fascinated by the very idea of a dream her entire life. So imagine her surprise when she finally has hers and in it appears a prince that looks suspiciously similar to Gilbert Blythe. A Soulmate AU where everyone has one dream their entire life, and in it they see the face of their true love.

78.real or not real By: thearkdelinquents Rating: NR Length: 11k-1/1 

Summary: a fake dating fic but it's basically just a shirbert To All The Boys I Loved Before au.

79.Flowers in His Heart By:  Ephemeral_Joy (@lydias--stiles) Rating: G Length: 1k-1/1

Summary: ‘Don’t be,’ he said, shaking him head, ‘I was dreaming.’ Anne carefully smiled, placing her chin on her palm. ‘About?’ Gilbert paused for a moment. How could he reply to that? (“I dreamt about pinning you against the grass and kissing you”, wasn’t exactly an acceptable answer.) Or, he weighed the option, he could work with it. (or: Gilbert and Anne hang out and they definitely do not like each other. At all.)

80.Strawberry Tarts By: carrotsblythe Rating: G Length: 3k-1/1

Summary: Anne refuses to take part in another game of Spin the Bottle. And naturally, so does Gilbert.

81.Pretty Injuries  By: novahainn Rating: G (warning: PTSD, child abuse) Length: 5k-1/1 

Summary: Gilbert spent his childhood covered in flowers. Anne spent her childhood covered in some injury or other. Their meeting involves both. Soulmate AU where flowers appear on a person's soulmate when the person is injured.

82.From Red to Green With Love Between By: PhoebeDillard (@gilbvrtblythe) Rating: G Length: 7k-1/1

Summary: Gilbert Blythe was born with a tuft of red hair sticking out from amidst his unruly dark curls... until the day it turned green. A Soulmate AU where everyone has a streak of hair that matches the color of their true love.

 83.you belong somewhere close to me By: georgiestauffenberg Rating: G (warning: mentions of child abuse)  Length: 20k-1/1

Summary: “I know, son. I know. But if you feel what your soulmate feels, it is likely that she feels what you feel.” He raised his eyebrows. “Do you understand? If you are happy, she will be happy, too. Do you think you can be happy for her?” He nodded. “Yes.” He would think happy thoughts every possible moment if he must. AU. Gilbert is one of those rare, lucky souls who has a soulmate.

84. Shirbert One Shot + Drabble Collection By: Lil_Redhead (@royalcordeila) Rating: G-T Length: 43k’

I could have individually put every single fic on this list, but I thought it would be better to put the entire collection. You can find everything you're looking for here. I recommend them all but here are my personal favorites 

In the Blue Haze, The Peace, The Storm, She Has Brains Enough for Two , A Sweet Heart Won, Take Notice, Here is the Echo of a Sound I Wanted, things that fall (i, for you), Lifemate,when the sun goes to sleep

85. Time Turns to Amber By: Lil_Redhead (@royalcordeila) Rating: T Length: 42k-7/?

Summary: The line between universes is blurred when Anne Shirley of Green Gables suddenly switches lives with Ann Cuthbert, a university student living in the contemporary world. Suddenly Anne must learn how to navigate the modern world, one which contains a boyfriend, a part time job, and another year of university. Meanwhile, Ann struggles to tackle corsets, farming, and a world without electricity. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, but most people can't tell the difference between the redhead they know and the girl who replaced her. Anne (and Ann) have to learn to live as the other and try to find a way back to their own homes.

[ikenbar]

Mr. Love: Ike’s Choice CH4 PT2

Warnings: tips for the swear jar, fluff, and angst. like a lot of it. from almost all the boys. Lucien’s out. Sorry Lucy stans. also cliffhangers. not as epic as the Chapter three but cliffhangers nonetheless

(Chapter Four (Victor and Gavin) Prologue, and part one, and part three coming soon!)

Please read the author’s note (and the beginning of the story) on chapter one part one if you’re new here :D

Chapter four:

Part two:

“Hello?” Kiro’s agent, Savin, answered in a business-like tone.

“Hey Savin. It’s… uh… Super Stranger.” I cringed, avoiding eye contact with the curious Adri.

“Say no more.” Savin’s smile shone through the phone. Music played as he put the call on hold. Savin held on to Kiro’s phone when he was filming. I prayed I wasn’t interrupting anything, but I also couldn’t wait to hear Kiro’s voice again. 

After a few long and agonizing seconds, the call was picked up again.

“Hello?” Kiro’s voice sounded both panicked and expectant. I kept Adri in my peripherals as took a deep breath.

“Hey Kiro. It’s me.” 

Adri’s head snapped to attention.

“Super Stranger!?” Kiro exclaimed happily over the phone, “Oh thank goodness you’re alright! Are you ok? You weren’t hurt were you?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.” I reassured, “Just... a slight cough. From the smoke.” Kiro sighed deeply.

“I’m so glad.” His voice was devoid of the obvious tenseness that it had before. I cringed and tapped my leg nervously.

 “I’m sorry I worried you.”

“Don’t be. I’m just relieved to hear you’re doing alright.” Kiro sounded earnest. I felt the tension in my shoulders ease slightly. “Where are you? Let me come visit you!” Kiro giddly added. My heart jumped. The tension was back.

“A-aren’t you in the middle of a shoot? Wouldn’t Savin get mad that you’re leaving?”

“I’m sure Savin would understand if I cut a little early to visit you! Especially if I use my patented Kiro puppy dog eyes!”

“I would hate for you to get into trouble because of me.” I cringed slightly. I had raised my voice and the burning in my throat returned. I cleared my throat softly and continued, “Besides, I need to keep my secret identity, right?”

“I think there is an exception when it comes to explosions.” Kiro laughed but I could tell it was forced, “...Stranger, I want to make sure you’re ok. Can I please come see you?” My stomach turned. Who could say no to that man?

...

 I could.

“You will see me. In two weeks.” I said in my usual tactless tone. “As much as I want you here, it’s just not safe. People will find you and end up causing a riot at the hospital. We could be putting the lives of the patients here at risk. I’m sorry, Kiro, but my answer is no.” After a moment of silence Kiro sighed again.

“There you go again. Thinking of others’ well being before your own.” Kiro sounded as if he were smiling but his tone made it obvious that he was disappointed in my response, “Alright. I’ll stay. But you need to promise me you will call me everyday you’re in the hospital. And then everyday after that!!” I sighed, relaxing my shoulders once again.

“Ok. You have my word.”

“Good! Then I will be a faithful sidekick and answer!” There was some distant noise on Kiro’s end of the phone, “My break’s over so I’ll have to talk to you later. Make sure you call me, ok?” 

“Alright. Talk to you soon.”

“Drink lots of fluids and stay down, ok?”

“I will!” I rolled my eyes. Those words were getting old, “Goodbye, Kiro.”

“Bye, Super Stranger!”

I put the phone back onto the keypad and cleared my throat. I needed some water... 

After a moment of stalling, I finally looked over to Adri. Her eyes were huge and her mouth hung open. “Close your mouth please, Adri, we are not a codfish.” I casually returned my voice to whisper as I plucked the cup from her hands and took a drink.

“YOU KNOW KIRO?!” Adri shouted. I winced.

“Not so loud!” I hissed, covering her mouth and looking at the door. She pulled my hand from her face and spoke in a quieter tone.

“When?! How?! Where?! Wait, why didn’t you want him to come here? Is it because I’m here because I can leave as long as you take pictures-”

“Adri,” I held my hand up, cutting her off, “I met him a few weeks ago. I saved him from a car accident so he agreed to play a role in one of my upcoming shows as compensation. We are meeting in a couple of weeks to start filming. As for the reason why I don’t want him here, it isn’t because of you.” I avoided continuing the topic as I reached for the phone again. Adri stopped me.

“Then why?” She pressed. I paused.

“... He doesn’t know I was the one who saved him.” I said, looking down at my cup and avoiding Adri’s eyes, “In the office, I'm ruthless. I treat my employees with a little more harshness then Bart because that’s how I receive good results. But, because of that, it has tarnished my reputation as a person. People outside of the office think I am some sort of soul sucking tyrant. Hell, Victor thought I was a man at first. When I saved Kiro, I had my motorcycle helmet on. It masked my face and thus, my identity. If Kiro knew it was me, he no doubt would have refused my offer to have him on the show…" I paused a moment, thinking over that day, "... He called me his hero. I would do anything to keep that title.” 

Silence fell between Adri and me. I cleared my throat and reached for the phone again, but, before I could life it, I was stopped once again by Adri. I looked eyes with her. Her expression was soft and earnest.

“I don’t think you’re a soul sucking tyrant.” She said honestly. "And I'm sure if Kiro gave you the time then he will see it too. In fact, I'm sure that he will see you are the same hero that saved him that day. Even through your steel exterior, you can't hide that you're a good person." My heart skipped, stalling all of my movements momentarily.

“...You know,” I said, tilting my head slightly, “I have spent my whole life waiting to hear those words. Who knew it would come from some bratty teenager?”

"Hey!" Adri slapped my arm. I smirked and reached over to her, patting her head softly.

"Thanks, kid." I said earnestly, "It means a lot."

"Yeah, well, I mean it." Adri said, pulling my hand from her head, "You can talk to me about anything you know! Like, boys, your job, the reason why your company fucking exploded-"

"Woah! Swear jar, young lady!" I exclaimed, causing my throat to burn.

"I'll listen. After all, that’s what sisters do, right?"

I paused, "... you know, I've had tons of sisters before you but none of them have been so cool."

"Yeah, well," Adri leaned back in her chair, "I'm a rare breed."

I rolled my eyes and grinned. She sure was a keeper. Before I could be stopped a third time, I picked up the phone again and dialed the number I had dialed so many times before. I held the phone up to my ear, but didn't have to wait long as the line was picked up almost immediately.

“How is she?” Gavin’s voice was serious and resolute. He sounded as if he didn’t pick up the phone for small talk.

“...is this a bad time?” I asked warily, “I can call back later.”

“... I’m on my way.” And with that, Gavin hung up. I sat in shock for a moment, unable to fully grasp what had just happened. Nonetheless, I put the phone back down on the pad.

“He sounds like a hoot.” Adri said, her sarcastic tone returning. I hummed in mutual sarcasm and picked the phone up one last time. I dialed the number I had seen play on my screen numerous times in the rain. I prepared for a dial tone but was instead immediately met with the sharp voice of a machine. 

“I’m sorry but the person you have dialed has their phone off. Please leave a message and try again later.”

Lucien must be in a meeting. I moved to hang up...

 But I paused. 

I moved the phone back up to my ear and waited for the machine to finish it’s instructions. Once a sharp beep played, I spoke again, “Hey Lucien. It’s Ike. I don't know what you’ve heard but Ike ‘n Bar Productions… burned down. I’m fine. Bart’s fine. The company is ok. I’m just calling to let you know I’m-we are ok. I’m in the hospital but not for long. I know you would be telling me to rest and drink lots of fluids... but if you could give me some advice to speed up my time here, I’m all ears. You’re probably very busy with your trip so I won’t call you again until you call me. Goodbye.” I hung up the phone and sighed, then I grimaced and clutched my neck. My throat felt like it was going to catch flame.

“You should stop talking and rest.” Adri said, her voice noticeably softer than before as she handed me the cup, “But when you wake up, I expect more details on Kiro and the other boy you just called.” I smirked and nodded. Taking a drink, I layed down and closed my eyes. I didn’t sleep though. Thousands of thoughts plagued my mind. Ones on my employees and their well being, my company and where to go next, my family and how they’d be effected, Minor and the last I had seen him, Gavin’s serious tone, Lucien’s absence, Kiro’s disappointed voice,... Victor’s worried brow...

I must have been lost in my thoughts for quite a while before a knock came to the door. I opened my eyes and sat up. I opened my mouth to speak but was cut off by Adri. “Come in!” She called.  I flashed a frown at her, but she was quick to combat it with a snarky smirk. 

The door opened and a heavily armored police officer walked through it. He supported a bullet proof vest with various tools attached to the front of it. One of which being a radio playing the sound of static and an unfamiliar voice. The officer turned his radio off and approached my bed. His helmet blocked his face and made the sense of danger that he radiated even more intense. 

“Officer,”  I straightened myself in the bed, “How may I help you?” The officer froze. After a moment, he seemed to realize something then took off his helmet. I coughed slightly as I gasped, “Holy crud, Birdcop!? I almost didn’t recognize you!” 

Gavin looked around the room then locked eyes with Adri. Her face suddenly burned a bright red. “Would you mind giving us a second?” He asked Adri seriously. Adri swallowed and nodded quickly as she stood up.

“I sh-should r-refill her water anyway.” Adri chuckled nervously. She looked over to me, eyes wide and lips thin, “I’ll be outside if you need me.” Adri took my cup and walked briskly out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

“Woah,” I grinned slightly, “That is the first time I’ve seen her that flustered! You must have a way with teenage girls.” Gavin stalled by the end of my bed. I looked up, locking onto his eyes. He cleared his throat and took a pad and pencil from one of the pockets in his vest. He walked around the bed and took a seat in Adri’s chair. Gavin started writing something down, avoiding my eyes. For some reason, I had felt a strange presence from him. The same presence I would feel in an interrogation room. But, for some reason I felt like the suspect instead of the victim. 

“You look pretty heavily suited up for a hospital visit.’’ I joked, trying to lighten the tense air.

“I was in the middle of a mission when you called.” Gavin deadpanned, eyes still on the paper.

“Oh,” Guilt crushed my chest, “I’m sorry. If you need to leave-”

“What can you tell me about the bombing?” Gavin interrupted, finally looking up and locking eyes with me. His tone was serious, making me feel even more uneasy.

“Which one?” I teased, fidgeting under his stare.

“Both.” Gavin squinted his eyes slightly. My stomach dropped. Gavin studied my face for a moment, then continued, “Back at the warehouse, in the room where the bomb was hidden, there was something there, wasn’t there? Something that you’re keeping from me.” My body tensed and my expression fell. Gavin’s stare deepened.

“Why are you bringing up the warehouse now?” I asked, voice deeper then I intended. My throat burned slightly, “I’m in the hospital for a different reason.”

“You were in two explosions within the span of a week.” Gavin snapped, “That is no coincidence.”

I hurriedly searched for excuses. “The one in the warehouse was a demolition bomb. The bomb that hit me a couple of days ago was an incendiary bomb.”

“That doesn’t change a thing.” Gavin was getting impatient.

“On the contrary.” I adjusted myself in the bed confidently, “The incendiary bomb was thrown into my office. Whoever threw it had to know it was my office.”

“Yeah, and?”

“I fired a man a couple of weeks ago. He threatened me just before he left.”

“What?! Why didn’t you say anything to me about this?”

“Because, genius, a couple of weeks ago I hated you. In fact, it was that very day that we ran into Hickman.”

“Where are you going with this?”

“The man I fired couldn’t have known that I would fire him weeks prior to setting up the attack with Hickman. Not even I knew I was going to fire him then. They aren’t connected but my old employee has motive to throw a ‘fire’ bomb at my office. Because I ‘fired’ him.” Gavin’s expression didn’t change. I pushed further, “And besides, how was the man who made the bomb in the warehouse supposed to know that I was the one who was going to find that hidden room first?”

“There could have been a camera.” Gavin finally said.

“Why would he have a camera if he was planning to blow the place up anyway?” I retorted. Gavin thought for a moment longer, then sighed.

I was trapped.

“All of those points are purely speculation unless you can find proof for it. But you still haven’t answered my question.” Gavin leaned closer to me, “What was behind that wall, Ikamara?” Gavin’s eyes had locked on to mine. There was no way he would let the question slide this time. 

“...Pictures.” I almost couldn’t get the words out.

“Pictures?” Gavin pried, clicking his pen in preparation.

“Pictures of… evolvers. Taken in precarious places as if the photographer was unwilling to be seen.”

“Was there anything else?” Gavin returned his eyes to his notepad, scribbling a few notes and making it easy for me to twist the truth even farther.

“There was a map of Loveland… and… something else.” I sighed and tapped at my leg, “The words, ‘Operation Montu’ were hung on a banner on top of the wall. As if to say whomever had put all that stuff there has more planned.” Gavin finished writing and looked up to me, the once serious face now held anger.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this before?”

I looked back and forth between his eyes, holding back my tongue. Gavin’s expression shifted slightly. Eventually, I just sighed resignedly and pulled my eyes away from him.

“... there were pictures of me on the wall. I didn’t want to tell you and then be taken off of the case. You risked your life at The Wall when evolvers’ lives were put on the line. You left without me having a say in anything.. I know what it’s like to not want to be talked down from something. I just… didn’t want you to do it again on your own.” 

A pregnant pause weighed heavily on the room. I clenched my fists in response and tried to calm my beating heart enough to stop Gavin from hearing it.

“... I didn’t put my life at risk for the sake of evolvers at that night.” Gavin’s voice was gentle. I looked up at him. His expression had dramatically softened. His shoulders also looked as if they had relaxed and he seemed to have gotten a little closer to me. 

His eyes immediately locked onto mine, causing my heart to skip a beat and for me to involuntarily avert my eyes from his and back onto my bed. After slight movement from next to me, Gavin reached over and tugged at my face. His fingers were warm from being in his gloves for so long. The warmth made me lean into his movements and bring my eyes back onto his, settling like they had before.

“Ike,” His voice had become an octave lower, “I’m a cop. I put my life at risk everyday for the sake of the city. But that night… you were the only one I was thinking about.” My heart leaped to my throat. Gavin looked me seriously in the eyes. Much too seriously. 

“You’re going to get yourself killed by doing that.” I smirked slightly and pulled his hand from my face. Gavin chuckled and slid his fingers into the palm of my hand.

“It would have been worth it.” He said, squeezing his hand in mine. My smile raised slightly as I directed my eyes back down to our hands. I could feel the warmth of Gavin’s calloused fingers tingle through my hand and up my arm… 

I had missed that warmth.

The last time I had felt it was-...

 An image of Gavin’s lifeless body flashed in my mind. Suddenly the hand in mine felt foregin. 

“Welp,” I cleared my throat and straightened myself, letting go of Gavin’s fingers, “I don’t want to hold you from your work any longer.” Gavin cleared his throat as well and nodded.

“Right.” He said, standing up, “I’ll let you know when I am back so we can discuss this case further.” 

“Right.” I leaned back onto the bed, lost in thought, “Thanks.”

“No problem. And don’t worry about being kicked from the case.” Gavin said reassuringly, “As long as it wasn’t just your picture on the wall, you’ll be ok.”

“Cool.” I said, avoiding his eyes and nodding, “Good to know.” Gavin popped opened back up the pouch for his notepad... then paused.

“...One more thing.” Gavin sat back down and pulled my arm towards him. He reached into his pouch and pulled something from it. Before I could get a good look at it, he set it in my hand. In the middle of my palm was a silver chain with a small dove sitting on it. Memories of when I was thirteen came flooding back to me. Memories of sitting at the park, bandaging my new scars and shoving away tears from my eyes. A flourish of wind and flower pedals greeted my face as a group of beautiful doves flew in front of me, beautifully…  freely…

“Ike,” Gavin broke the memory I found myself lost in, “Are you ok?”

I slowly nodded and pulled my gaze back to him, “Why are you giving me this?”

“I put a tracker in it.” Gavin took back the bracelet, “The next time you are in danger, I’ll be able to respond instantly.”

“Next time?” I asked as he wrapped the bracelet around my wrist, “Are you making plans that I should know about?” Gavin flashed me a raised eyebrow and a smirk as he messed with the clasp. After a bit of fumbling, he finished clipping on the bracelet, allowing it to dangle from my wrist nicely. I pulled it closer to me, touching the charm delicately.

“It’s beautiful.” I found myself saying without realizing it.

“I’m glad you like it.” I looked up and caught Gavin staring at me. His eyes were just as gentle as they were before. I held on to them a moment longer before pulling myself from them.

Gavin stood back up. “I should get going.” I hummed in response, admiring the charm once more. Gavin walked to the door.

As Gavin watched Ike struggle to maintain her tough image, memories from before flashed in his mind. It was hard to think that just a little while ago, they were at each other’s throats. But now, 

“Be safe.” I said quietly. Gavin stopped in his steps. Realizing what I had just said, I added, “Or don’t. You know. Do whatever you want. It’s your life. Don’t listen to me...” My voice trailed off. I shoved my hands together as my face burned. 

>

“I will.” Gavin reassured, redirecting my attention to him, “I promise.” A soft smile rose on my lips. I moved to cover it up but it was too late. Gavin’s ears burned as his smile grew as well. What had happened to us? We went from anger, to bickering, to teasing, to...

He hadn’t remembered the last time he had felt this drawn to someone.

>

“You’re one to talk, Mr. Two-Meters-Too-Thick-Vest!” I scoffed.

Gavin cleared his throat and turned back to the door. “That hospital gown makes you look fat by the way.” My smile dropped.

And we are back to teasing.

“I’m just saying that you should try to get out of it as soon as you can!” Gavin held his hands up as he opened the door, “I’ll let your sister back in.”

“Thanks,” I rolled my eyes then paused a moment, “...hey.” I called to him. Gavin paused at the door, “...Your vest doesn’t really make you look fat.” Gavin turned back to me, his eyebrow raise handsomely. “You do a good enough job of that on your own.” I added. Gavin’s smile fell as mine raised. He sighed and rolled his eyes as he left the room,  closing the door behind him.

That man… 

Footsteps came from the door. I looked over and watched as Adri walked into the room, red faced and holding my newly refilled water carefully.

 “What’s with the face?” I asked, knowing full well what the answer was. Adri dazily looked up to me, eyes dreamy and smile soft.

“Who was that?” She asked, dazed.

“My neighbor, Gavin." I said, struggling to suppress an ever increasing grin, "He’s the police officer working my bombing case. Why?” 

“If you don’t invite him over for dinner, I will.” Adri sat back in her seat and held her face in the palm of her hand.

“Oh really?” I finally released a grin and folded my arms, “I’ll tell him you said that.”

“Don’t!!” Adri lunged at me to stop me from picking the phone up.

>>>

It had gotten dark outside by the time Maria had come to pick up Adri. I was left alone in the hospital room with nothing but the tv to keep me company. Even then, I wasn’t paying attention to it. My mind was still all over the place. More specifically, it was on the black mask with a green scarab. 

Montu’s mask. 

Something about it was familiar. Why was it familiar? Where had I seen that before? And the name Montu. Where was that from? Where had I heard that name?

"The Ike 'n Bar company's fire has finally gone out."

Hearing my name come from the tv, I snapped out of my thoughts and focused my eyes on the screen. It was a news story about my company's building. I cringed as they showed the footage from what had happened before. I grabbed the remote to turn off the channel when my eyes locked onto a figure behind the reporter. He was tall and in a black suit… and strangely familiar. He seemed to be running around, helping people in the street. I squinted at the screen, trying to make out the face from the bed I was bound to. Before I could finally focus on him, his attention snapped to the front of the burning building. An aerial shot revealed a blooded, soot covered, feminine figure coming from the building. She stumbled and leaned on the front door for support. The man moved to her but the footage seemed to glitch as he was suddenly by her side, helping her up and off of the ground.  The man scooped up the woman and carried her away. Not to an ambulance or to a police officer but to a nearby car. 

I furrowed my eyebrows and kept my eyes on the screen, unsure of what to make of what I had just seen. From the blood stains on the girl’s shirt and the matted brown hair, it could have only really been one person. And from the suit to the raven colored hair...

“Penny for your thoughts?” A voice snapped me back to the attention of the room. I looked over to the door.

(Next)

[writing-the-end]

WS Chapter 52- Dragon’s Nest

Previous Chapter

Masterpost

Yinz better be seeing this around 2015 wednesday, lets hope this whole scheduling thing, cause I aint pullin out my laptop in the middle of an AJR concert we’re already planning weird ass shit for our car.One more cute chapter before endgame! I’m so excited for you all to finally see what we’ve been hinting at for months!

Also can you tell that i really like thunderstorms and associate dragons with lightning?

Red belongs to @theguardiansofredland​

Ecto belongs to @cooler-cactus-block

“Avon, Jessie caught a silverfish again.” Ecto holds the dragonet up, limbs dangling in the air as she snaps her ivory dagger teeth into the bug. They’ve set up a small camp, more permanent than any of their other night encampments. A little home sheltering them from the elements, mostly built by Red. He’s a good builder, the home including a small flower garden and layered roofing. He had limited materials, but it’s still rustic and cute.

“I thought she grew out of chasing those when I showed her how to swim?” Red questions, trying to pull the spiky bug out of the baby’s mouth. But before he can grab it, Jessie swallows. 

“Once she gets big enough, she’ll stop chasing them.” Avon waves it off, plucking Jessie free. She clambers onto Avon’s shoulder, small claws gripping into the leather pauldron to hold on. “Jessie, wouldn’t you rather have some rabbit?” 

The baby chirps and flaps her wings, but never truly attempts to take off. She wiggles her tail, ears pricking up and listening to the forest around her. Listening for food. Ecto tugs on Jessie’s wing, the thin black membrane still soft and new. “When will she learn to fly? I thought she’d learn by now.” 

“We should teach her!” Red picks a flower, offering the poppy to Jessie. The dragonet snaps at the flower, before lightly pawing the petals. She takes a delicate hold of the gift from Red, curling up on Avon’s shoulder and watching the flower between her paws. “How...how do you teach a dragon to fly?”

“For me, it was years of trial and error. And jumping off roofs.” Avon shivers as she remembers her tumbles. 

“Isn’t being underwater just like flying?” Ecto questions. 

“That’s space, and no.” Avon picks up sticks, crafting a campfire to make their lunch. They’ve been working hard on setting up defenses, figuring out a plan. First, they’ll prepare the grounds for the upcoming final fight. Mapping out bottlenecks, traps, and places where the wanderer’s affinities can shine through. After, they’ll gather their army. “Maybe I can take her flying with me on patrol one day.” 

“Or I can stack up a cactus pillar, and she can jump and learn to glide!” Ecto’s eyes glimmer at the chance to build another monolith. 

“We can focus on teaching her after we survive this. We need to get back to work- it’s going to storm later.” Avon tosses cooked porkchops to her friends. “How’re the sand traps going, Ecto?” 

“It feels good to have grains stuck under my nails again.” She grins, pulling off her boot and dumping half the desert out of her shoe. 

“Couldn’t you just use a shovel?” Red questions, tilting his head. Wouldn’t it take longer for Ecto to use her hands, even with the time spent making shovels. 

“Why would I waste time on a shovel when my hands work just as well?” Ecto laughs, biting into her meal. Red and Avon chuckle, shaking their heads. Of course, what an Ecto response. Ecto’s logic is sound, if a bit strange. But they love her weird, wacky, wonderful ideas. “I’ve been collecting cacti to put at the bottom of the pitfalls. If the hellspawns survive the drop, the cactus will definitely take care of them.”

Avon nods, giving a bite of the cooked meat to the snappy mouth at her neck, feeling Jessie’s wings flutter in her hair. But Red is less excited about the news. She knows that the hellspawns won’t hesitate to kill them. That they’d show no mercy. But Red just isn’t the killing type. She’s not a fighter like Ecto and Avon. They tried talking to them, and their kindness was only met with violence. 

But maybe actions speak louder than words? “Do we have to kill them? Can’t we just...I dunno, stop them?” 

Avon grimaces, setting Jessie on the ground. “We talked about this before, Red…” 

“I know,” Red turns his head away, watching the rolling storm clouds build over the ocean in the distance. “I just want everyone to be happy. You don’t think there’s any way we can show them that being open and accepting would change their mind?”

“I don’t think they can be shown that. They're too far gone.” Ecto sets her hand on Red’s shoulder, trying to comfort the crestfallen kipling. “They’re our enemies.” 

“You and Avon were enemies. You two always tussled when we first met. What changed that?” Avon and Ecto look at each other, jaws slack. “You two got to know each other. Opened up, and were kind. Can’t we at least try to show them that? Maybe not with words, but maybe...if we don’t kill them, just defeat them and show them how great difference is, we can make things better for everyone.” 

Red watches both their faces. Avon bites her lip, the twinge of revenge still in her eyes. She wants to get justice for Jeane’s death. But Red’s point was compelling. Ecto was stern in her gaze, but she spoke up first. “Why don’t we compromise… we’ll try to defeat them, try to show them kindness. I won’t make the traps deadly- if they choose not to fight, if they see sense and find kindness like you hope, we can help them. But… some may be beyond talking to. They won’t agree no matter what.” 

“That… I think that’s a good idea.” Red nods. He’s taking the unusual path this time, that Ecto usually takes. But he’s too empathetic. Maybe scaring the hellspawns, beating them and then opening up to them like Ecto and Avon did will lead to decreased tensions. He saw doubt in Nova’s eyes, pause in Endo’s voice. There is a chance to redeem them. But he knows that an endless cycle of battle, like the tides berating the shore, will only follow all out war. 

The wanderers go back to work, despite the angry storm clouds creeping up on them. Pools of water appear across the landscape, small chests full of food, potions, and armor hidden among the grass, and simple traps are set up by Ecto and Red. Avon hovers above, taking notes on a map between her work digging trenches and barriers. 

Each wanderer takes turns caring for Jessie. If there’s one thing the three have discovered, it’s that Jessie inherited her mother’s proclivity towards blankets. Stealing sheets from their beds, Avon’s cloak while it’s tossed aside, or even Ecto’s scarves from right off her neck, Jessie will drag the massive fabric between her legs, hobbling into a little nest built in the corner of the cabin and burying herself until it’s just chitters and chirps and a peek of glowing purple eyes to find the infant. Her wings flap and flutter, never truly taking her off the ground. But sometimes she gets close, especially when Ecto tosses her in the air, only to catch her on the way down, or while mimicking Avon’s wings. 

Jessie may not have Jeane, but she does have the wanderers. Red, and all his cooking and babysitting skills. Ecto, wild one that is intent on seeing Jessie fly and teach her survival. And Avon, the closest thing to another dragon she has. Sometimes, her chitters almost sound like draconic words. But it’s still baby talk. She busies herself playing with just about anything, whether it’s hunting rabbits and silverfish, or swimming in the pools that Red has constructed. 

The work, preparing the field and babysitting the rambunctious dragonet, is only interrupted by the storm. A heavy downpour of rain sends the wanderers and baby dragon under the safety of the awning before the cabin. Red sits, quite proud of his work keeping them dry. Jessie curls up beside Avon, watching her first rainshower with pricked ears and curious eyes. Her wings flutter, spreading out as a few drops fall on her wings. 

Lightning streaks across the sky, tendrils of energy reaching out, before sky connects to ground and a flashing channel of light careens from the roiling clouds to the field below. Before the lightning has dissipated, the thunder sweeps across the terrain. A loud snapping crash, of air suddenly expanding and contracting at the heat of the lightning. Colliding and crushing, sweeping into the empty air with the scent of fresh ozone.

Even for the wanderers, who enjoy nature's light show, the thunder rocks their bodies. But it’s Jessie’s first storm, her first thunder clap. Her ears flatten against her head, eyes wide and staring in the direction of the bolt. She scrabbles back, hiding beneath the safety of Avon's wing. 

She's shaking. Red presses his lips together, before scooting to Avon’s side. Ecto offers a hand, luring Jessie from her hiding spot. Jessie settles into Ecto’s lap, shaking like a leaf as Red attempts to calm her down. "I know, storms can be scary. They're so strong, so wild. I used to be afraid of storms too. I hated how loud they were.

"But when I met Selene, she told me how incredible lightning really is." Red leans close to Jessie, and all of them settle in for another story woven by him. "She showed me how to see the beauty in the danger, respect the strength. Nature's own fireworks. We'd sit and watch the storms together, and I learned to love the sound of thunder. Bringing energy to the world."

Avon smiles, leaning back. Watching another forking stretch claw along the sky. It doesn't find ground, and fades to a soft rumble. "There was a book I read once, from the stronghold. Alchemists and sorcerers believe that lightning is the key to life. The spark that started all this. A catalyst to every living thing, ever villager and dragon, cactus and guardian."

"So lightning is like our mother." Ecto breathes, eyes following the flash channel. "Everything started with one lightning bolt."

Thunder crashes, rumbling against their bones and shaking the trees. But Jessie isn't scared this time. She crawls out of Ecto's lap, away from the pets and comfort. Grey wings stay tucked close, far from being caught by the wild wind. Her tail drags against the grass, looping around her as she sits. With a tilt of the head, Jessie gazes at the lightning storm. Watches with curious, nervous eyes as lightning ignites a tree. The rain extinguished it. 

And when the thunder rolls along, Jessie feels the excitement of life that the wanderers share.

[searchingwardrobes]

The Convenient Groom: 1/?

Okay, I know what ya’ll are all thinking, and I agree: I don’t need another WIP! However, I woke up this morning with this idea, and I just had to write it. What’s more, I was looking for the perfect gift for @spartanguard​. You see, I missed her birthday last year. I got on tumblr, saw all these birthday wishes for her, and my heart sank. For some reason, I didn’t have her birthday on my list! I hated it because not only is she one of my favorite writers, but she is also an incredibly kind person who I have come to know as a wonderful fandom friend. So, @spartanguard​, I know it isn’t your birthday, but this fic is for you!

This fic has two inspirations: one, the Barenaked Ladies song “Alternative Girlfriend,” but mostly it’s a book I read called The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter. I normally avoid book aus because it feels way too close to plagiarism, but a Hallmark movie was made from the book and it was a HUGE disappointment. They made it an engagement of convenience instead of a marriage and basically got rid of all the steamy moments. It’s been forever since I read it, anyway, and this first chapter that came to me this morning has vast differences already. Anyhoo, I hope you like it @spartanguard​ !

Summary: (Is one even necessary? Haha!) Killian Jones just happens to be there when Emma Swan gets the phone call that changes everything: her fiance is leaving her at the altar. The thing is, it also could mean the end of her career. Convenient that Killian has nothing better to do that day. Convenient that he’s secretly in love with her. Not that Emma has to know that.

Rating: M

Words: 2,000 and some change in this chapter

Also on Ao3

Tagging the usuals: @snowbellewells​ @kmomof4​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​ @distant-rose​ @welllpthisishappening​ @optomisticgirl​ @ohmakemeahercules​ @teamhook​ @bethacaciakay​ @xhookswenchx​ @winterbaby89​ @delirious-latenight-laughs​ @resident-of-storybrooke​ @vvbooklady1256​ @thislassishooked​ @hollyethecurious​ @nikkiemms​ @jennjenn615​ @stahlop​ @snidgetsafan​ @scientificapricot​ @shireness-says​ @spartanguard​  @wellhellotragic​ @tiganasummertree​ @branlovestowrite​ @let-it-raines​ @carpedzem​ @profdanglaisstuff​

Killian Jones would never forget the first day he met Emma Swan. He’d been focused intently on the rocking chair that the Nolans had ordered for their new baby, and AC/DC’s “Back in Black” was booming throughout his workshop. He always worked to classic rock; it put him in the best creative zone.

Suddenly, the shop was plunged into silence, and he straightened in surprise. Standing there, with the cord to his portable speakers dangling from her hand, was a veritable goddess with anger sparking from her light green eyes. She was dressed in a simple pair of dark wash jeans topped with a cream blouse, yet her trim figure still drew his eyes. He’d never had a thing for blondes, but her golden hair had him re-thinking that. She had caught him so completely off guard, he stood there gaping like a mere boy.

“I’ve got a client upstairs trying to pour her damn heart out, but I can barely hear myself think with this noise rattling the walls.”

Ah, so this was the new tenant in the office upstairs. Killian smirked and sauntered into her personal space. “Well, love, I’ve been told I’m rather good at rattling the walls.”

He hardly knew what had possessed him to say such a thing. Before Milah, he was well known for his charms, but that had been years ago.

The blonde narrowed her eyes at his innuendo, though the blush upon her cheeks sent a far different message. “Not your love, buddy.” She tossed the cords at his chest, and one of them slapped him in the jaw. “Get yourself some damn earbuds.”

She strode towards the door, her high heeled boots tapping loudly on the concrete floor. “It’s Killian Jones, by the way,” he called out after her, “Ms . . . “

“Emma Swan,” she tossed over her shoulder, “and it’s doctor.”

He saw her often after that. It was difficult not to. Storybrooke was a small town, and they shared office space, after all. Their building on Main was also right across the street from Granny’s diner, the only place for a decent cup of coffee and a cheeseburger. Or grilled cheese and onion rings in Swan’s case. They’d crossed paths during their lunch break often enough for him to know her regular order. Yet to say Emma Swan had walls was an understatement, and just casual conversation was a challenge. One he had a rather enjoyable time tackling, honestly.

Yet she never came into his wood shop again. Until one day six months ago, to put in an order. She had stood there in his lobby where he met with clients and rough sketched their custom orders looking uncharacteristically nervous, her hands twisting at her waist. He had noticed the diamond sparkling on her left ring finger early on, and she fiddled with it now. He had never met the man who had given it to her, which he had always thought was odd. Especially considering how passionate Emma was about her career. Even stranger, Mary Margaret had never met him either, and Emma rented the loft from her and David. No one even knew the man’s name. Something was off about that, if you asked Killian. Not that anyone would.

“Can you make a wedding chuppa?” she blurted out.

“Aye,” he said as he leaned against the front counter, “I made one for Marco and Granny when they wed last fall.”

“Good,” Emma breathed out, but then her forehead creased with worry. “Marco’s Jewish, isn’t he? Is it okay to use a chuppa if you aren’t Jewish?”

“Hmmm,” Killian contemplated, rubbing at his chin, “is your fiance Jewish?”

“No,” Emma said with a shake of her head, “but we’re getting married outside, and I wanted some sort of focal point, you know?”

“Well, then,” he told her honestly, “I do think a chuppa has religious significance, so maybe an arbor or archway would be more appropriate? I’ve done those as well . . . “

He had come around the counter then and led her to the sitting area where he brainstormed with clients. He had shown her photos of an arbor he had made for his friends Eric and Ariel’s beach wedding, and several other options online. He found out many things that day: the location of the wedding (the gardens behind the old mansion on the outskirts of town), the flowers (middlemist roses), the color scheme (pale pink and wine red), and the date of the nuptials (late June). Yet he still didn’t know who this mysterious fiance was. Odd.

“He doesn’t like the attention from my career,” Emma had attempted to explain, twisting her engagement ring around her finger, “and I get it. There would be a lot of scrutiny on him and our relationship.”

Killian nodded. Everyone knew about Dr. Swan’s bestseller Seriously, Ladies? which supposedly guided any woman on how to avoid disastrous relationships. Women swore by it, and Emma also had a blog and a podcast. The media was salivating over her upcoming marriage, including the identity of Mr. Right himself.

“And I need your discretion on this,” Emma continued. “The media doesn’t know the wedding date yet, and I -”

Killian placed his hand on hers. “You can trust me, Emma. I won’t tell a soul about this order, much less when or where it will be delivered.”

He had worried that his word wouldn’t be enough, yet Emma had deflated with relief. “Thank you. I know this is a weird situation.”

“You deserve happiness, Swan.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “How do you know that? You know nothing about me.”

Killian had shrugged. “You’re somewhat of an open book, love.”

It was true. Despite her confidence, he could recognize another wounded heart when he saw one. Whoever this fiance was, he wasn’t doing a very good job of healing it, either, at least in Killian’s opinion. Otherwise her eyes wouldn’t still hold that haunted look.

The order meant, for both good and bad, that Killian saw Emma Swan more often. It was good in that he got to know her better, saw her smile, heard her laugh. It was bad for one horrible, terrible reason. For him, at least. Six months was long enough for him to fall in love with her - the woman he was making a wedding arbor for.

Killian sighed, his heart twisting painfully, as he covered the gorgeous arbor of carved mahogany with a moving blanket. Today was the day. For him, it felt more like the day of a funeral than a wedding. This man, whoever he was, better love her the way she deserved. It was all he could hope for now.

“Killian, what the hell do you think you’re doing!” He whirled from the arbor to see Emma marching angrily across his workshop. The scowl on her face was identical to the one almost a year ago when he first met her. “Why did you send the moving crew away empty handed? Please tell me you finished it.”

“Of course I finished it, Swan,” he retorted, unable to keep the bite out of his voice. Wasn’t she supposed to be giddy, flushed with eagerness, floating on air? Instead, she looked so stressed he feared she might give herself a heart attack.

“Then why didn’t you send it to the mansion? Are you being difficult on purpose?”

Killian tilted his head and grinned saucily at her. He couldn’t help it, teasing her was just too much fun. “Though getting you riled up is rather fun, I wouldn’t do that to you on your special day. I just didn’t trust anyone but myself to deliver it.”

“Oh,” she said lamely, biting on her lower lip.

“I was just about to load it up, actually. Want to see it?”

“If it’s not too much trouble . . .”

“Of course not.”

He pulled the moving blanket off, revealing the dark wood with intricate carvings of flowers, vines, and swans. Though the occasion it celebrated tore at his heart, he had never put so much work into a piece. He poured the beauty of the woman it represented into every detail. Emma’s eyes lit up as she ran her hands over the woodwork. The caramel stain brought out the natural beauty of the wood, but it would also make the delicate blush of the roses pop once the florist draped the arbor with them.

“It’s beautiful, Killian,” she told him softly, “exactly what I told you I wanted. More, actually.”

“Thank you,” he managed to tell her around the sudden lump in his throat.

The moment was broken by the ringing of Emma’s phone. She fished it out of her jeans pocket and pressed it to her ear. Killian busied himself covering the arbor and preparing it for transport while Emma paced across his workshop.

“Walsh, are you insane?” he heard her snap, “Our wedding is only six hours away!”

Killian tried not to eavesdrop, but as he glanced Emma’s way, he saw her face grow pale.

“Seriously? You’re doing this to me now?” Though her voice was harsh, her body trembled as she sank to an empty crate next to the table saw.

Killian frowned. He didn’t like how this sounded.

“These are all things you could have told me yesterday!” Emma’s voice rose. “Or better yet, last week, last month.”

She glanced over at Killian, and her face turned bright red. She shifted so that her back was to him. She lowered her voice as she spoke into her phone, but Killian still heard her.

“Is there someone else?”

Killian’s jaw clenched as he saw her shoulders fall and then begin to shake. The bastard.

Her voice was broken as she choked out her next words. “Well I hope you’re very happy together.”

She hung up and dropped her cell phone. Killian winced as it hit the cement floor. She covered her face with both hands and wept silently. He crossed the room and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

“I’m so sorry.”

“What am I going to do?” she wept. “Oh, God! What am I going to do?” She turned to Killian, her eyes wide and frantic as she clutched at the front of his shirt. “We invited the media to the wedding! It was the only way to keep them from hounding us during our engagement. Now they’ll get an even better story - relationship guru Dr. Emma Swan gets jilted at the altar. I’m ruined! My career is over!”

She was on her feet, pacing the floor, tugging at the ends of her hair. He wanted to tell her she was overreacting, but he couldn’t lie. In this day and age of cancel culture and internet trolls, she would be ruined.

“You’re going to think I’m an opportunist,” she continued, “but my wedding day was also going to be the kick off for my next book. Tomorrow they’re announcing it’s release.”

“I’m not judging you, Swan,” he assured her. “What’s the new book?”

“Ladies, It’s More Than a Wedding,” Emma said sheepishly, “about how to plan for your marriage and not just the wedding.”

Emma groaned and dropped her head against the nearest wall. Killian was silent for a long moment, rolling an idea around in his head. She might shoot him down, call him crazy, but it was worth a shot.

“No one knows who your fiance is, right?”

She looked at him curiously. “No.”

“So . . . couldn’t anyone stand in for him?”

Emma’s mouth dropped open. “Are you crazy? Once the media knew it was a farce, things would be even worse. I have interviews lined up already. A promotion tour for the book. It’s about more than just the wedding.” She barked out a laugh. “Isn’t that ironic?”

Killian leveled her with a steady gaze. “What if it wasn’t a farce?”

She blinked. “You mean . . . like, actually marry someone else? Today?”

“That’s exactly what I mean.”

Emma let out another sarcastic chuckle. “Who the hell would agree to that?”

Killian wet his lips nervously. “I would.”

Emma shook her head in surprise. “You?”

He shrugged. “Well, I’m here, and I have nothing better to do today.”

“We’re talking about getting married, Killian. You know, commitment? Till death do us part?”

“Well,” Killian said slowly, shoving his hands in his jean pockets, “you need to stay married to promote your book, right? What are we talking? Six months? A year, at most?”

Emma’s brow furrowed as if she were contemplating it. But then she shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m even considering this! It would never work! How would it look if I got divorced in a year?”

“Or an annulment. You could blame it on me. I cheated on you or something. Make me out to be the bad guy.” He chuckled sardonically. “You might even get another best seller out of it. Dump His Cheating Ass, Ladies.”

He managed to get a real laugh out of her at that, and he smiled. Her mirth was short-lived, however. “But why would you do that? Tie yourself to me for a year, let your own reputation be damaged? What’s in it for you?”

I’m in love with you.

“I could use your help. With my family. Professional help.”

Emma narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “Okaaay. How so?”

“My brother and his wife. Their marriage is a little rocky.” LIe. Liam and Elsa were relationship goals if he ever saw it. “I think it’s because her sister Anna and her husband Kristoff had to move in with them.” Another lie. They had moved in, but no two sisters were closer than Anna and Elsa.

“So why don’t they just make an appointment?”

“They, uh, have this thing about therapy. They think it’s a sign of weakness. Or an embarrassment. Anyway, but if you were around, you could casually help them out. I think you and Elsa would hit it off.”

“So you want to marry me in exchange for free counseling for your brother and his wife?”

She sounded skeptical, and naturally so. He tried to play it off. “My brother means everything to me. He’s all the family I have left. Plus, my niece and nephew deserve a steady home life, unlike what we had as kids.”

Emma and Killian just stood there looking intently at one another. He held his breath, fully expecting her to call him crazy and walk out the door. Her gaze darted to the arbor, now ready to be loaded onto the trunk.

“It would be a shame not to use that beautiful piece you made.”

Killian tried to hold back his smile and failed. “Consider it my wedding gift to my bride.”

“Okay, groom,” she told him with her hand outstretched for him to shake, “it’s a deal.”