#everyone's certainly been giving me daily laughs looking at the submissions

[crapbirdphotography]

i saw a post today about how surprises for kids are usually good things like watching a movie in class and how surprises for adults are usually bad things like car troubles and how adults also need fun good surprises for their mental health and how we need more Whimsy in our lives and i just wanted to say seeing these posts is sometimes like a surprise round of i spy/where's waldo so thank you for the Whimsy

We are so pleased to roll a daily whimsy pumpkin stuffed with terrible bird photos into your enclosure

[renaerys]

Prompt 50. But Berserk & Boomer😔👉👈💕

50. “I thought you left.”

We’re calling this one Unfortunately, She Impressed Him. This is a pair of characters I love with all my heart in any flavor of relationship and can’t wait to write more of in my ongoing multi-chapter fic Trinity House over on AO3.

This fic is part of a prompt challenge that is now closed to new requests, but you can read all the completed submissions here. Reminder that the challenge is to make everything SFW, so we’re getting creative here.

xxx

Boomer was halfway across the deserted lobby of Faust Keating Rogers, LLP when he realized he’d forgotten his keys at his desk. He groaned aloud because it was 8 p.m. and no one was around to hear him because they had all gone home to their families hours ago like normal people. Boomer didn’t have two to three kids and a house in the suburbs, though, and neither did his boss. The three hour lull reserved for dinner, baths, and bedtimes before the evening work-from-home grind offered him no alternative but to power through. He fully planned to grab take out on his way home and enjoy an episode of whatever was on HBOMax before getting back to the tedious work of reviewing the draft prospectus statement his boss had sent him to proof by tomorrow morning.

Except, his keys were forty floors up and he now had to risk running into her again when he’d managed to slip away so neatly. He’d even removed his tie on the elevator ride down, and now he rubbed his exposed neck, flushed with anxiety over what might happen if she saw him and asked him to stick around to finish the work here.

“Nice going, dumbass,” he lamented as he stepped onto the elevator and hit the button for the fortieth floor.

It wasn’t that Boomer disliked his job. In fact, he didn’t mind it at all. It was better than slinging drinks or waiting tables. He had health insurance, a steady paycheck, and a resumé that could proudly display the name of one of the most elite accounting firms in the country. He could pivot his career if he wanted to, as Brick would say. Boomer wasn’t thinking about his next job right now, though. Right now, he was thinking about this one and how his boss was a hard-ass and a workaholic even if she was brilliant, and how there was a one hundred percent chance she would detect him coming back to his desk (which was annoyingly set up right in front of her office so that he could answer her calls, manage her meetings, and deal with whoever passed close enough to her event horizon to get suckered into the latest heinous audit in need of staffing).

There were his traitorous keys sitting on the desk next to the framed picture of his brothers. He glared at them, as if they were a forgotten household item that had developed a supernatural grudge like in those old Japanese folktales he liked to read online. He half expected them to jingle and alert his boss to his presence, just to spite him.

They didn’t, and he slipped them into his pocket as quietly as could be. He released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding and took a beat. It was quiet. Most of the offices were dark, save for a few poor souls in the large conference room stuck on the ongoing year-end audit for one of the firm’s most important clients: Unicorn, Inc. His boss’s office was also lit up behind her closed door, but she hadn’t called out to him like she would during the day when he got back from his lunch break hoping for a few minutes to catch up on emails in peace before she dumped more work on him.

This, of course, was odd. The small legion of assistants who had come before Boomer were notorious for their short-term employment working this specific desk. The work was demanding and so was the boss, but there was something else that set her apart from other senior associates in the International Tax Services division, something that seemed to intimidate away any support the higher ups sent her way. Denise a couple desks down had warned Boomer not to bring too many personal effects to the office; chances were he wasn’t going to last long. Boomer had smiled thinly and thanked Denise for her advice, and brought the picture of his brothers in the next morning because he had his pride and Brick told him it was healthy to indulge that once in a while. Brick would certainly know.

So here he was, uncertain. Anxiety over having to sit here for another two hours finishing work and having tepid Doordash delivered pulled him toward the elevator and escape, while that annoying, rare pride demanded he check on his boss and make sure she knew he was here to support her, lest she get the idea that he needed to be fired.

The longer he stood there, indecisive, the greater his curiosity grew. What was she doing in there? It was quiet, even when he strained his Super hearing. He could hear Dean Matheson pouring whiskey a few offices down (that guy had a drinking problem and everyone knew they only kept him around because he had the Unicorn, Inc. account), Adebayo Hansou on a conference call with Dubai that was escalating to profanity, Shelly Kim with her head down and typing away at an Excel spreadsheet like a pro. Their assistants were long gone for the night, but here was Boomer, loitering and indecisive and what is she doing in there not yelling at me when she definitely knows I’m here?

He couldn’t take it anymore. He knocked on the closed door—rap, rap, rap—and called out softly, “Berserk?”

A beat, then: “Come in.”

Finding his boss in upward facing dog while still in her pencil skirt was not a sight Boomer was prepared for. Berserk had her eyes closed as she stretched at a near ninety degree angle and listened to music on her Airpods. Boomer had never seen her with her heels off and her mane of red hair thrown together in a messy bun; it was so casual that it was almost obscene.

“You’re staring.”

Fuck, he was staring and now she was looking right at him down her nose, even though she was the one on the floor. He stood up straighter, unable to help himself when she took that tone that reminded him so much of Brick’s when he was about to criticize, but he didn’t avert his gaze. “Sorry.”

She breathed in deeply through her nose and hoisted herself up into downward dog position. “Why are you here?”

Forgot my keys seemed like a really lame excuse that she’d probably laugh at him for, but he also was not in the habit of making shit up on the spot if he hoped to make people believe him. “I forgot my keys.” He took them from his pocket to show her, as if she might not know what keys are, as a concept.

“Smart locks.” Berserk exhaled and slowly walked her hands back on the yoga mat until she reached her feet and began to swing slowly left and right.

Huh? he almost said like an idiot, until he caught himself. “Don’t think my landlord would approve of me installing that.” Also, those things were like $200 a pop, which was not worth the occasional inconvenience and shame of forgetting his keys and then catching his boss doing yoga in her office after hours.

Berserk made some noncommittal sound like whatever, peasant and slowly uncurled upward one vertebra at a time. Boomer realized he was back to staring again, literally lingering in her door watching her and trying to equate this subdued, casual version of Berserk with the terse, no-nonsense businesswoman he was used to dealing with on a daily basis.

When she finally achieved her full height, she popped her neck. The hair that was too short for her bun fell in around her narrow face in a stylish, athleisure sort of way. The top buttons on her blouse were undone. She wore a small, golden necklace he’d never noticed before because he wasn’t in the habit of checking out his boss. “I thought you left.”

The accusatory nature of her words were totally at odds with her flat tone, only the barest hint of curiosity dangling there at the end, like she expected him to respond.

Oh, she expected him to respond.

Boomer took another step into her office because he was full of poor judgment today. “I forgot my keys.”

At which point he showed her his keys again and also had a mild stroke, because what the fuck are you doing, mate?

Berserk smiled. “Yeah, I got that part.”

Was she laughing at him? He had never heard her laugh before, unless it was at Dean Matheson, that comb-over in denial who, in addition to being a high functioning alcoholic, also had a reputation for throwing associates under the bus when a client wasn’t happy.

Boomer smiled back, because that was what he did when people smiled at him, and ‘people’ now included Berserk, apparently.

“Well, since you’re here,” she said as she padded around to her desk.

Crap, there was the work he was afraid of soliciting from her by remaining in the building. He debated an excuse to give her: picking up dry cleaning? Plausible, but transparent. Meeting up with his brothers? No, she’d probably make him stay all night for the chance to ruin Brick’s plans.

“Thai or Mexican?”

Boomer stared dumbly. He was becoming quite good at that (10,000 hours and you can become an expert at anything, they say). “Huh?”

The yoga must have put Berserk in an exceedingly gracious mood, because she actually repeated her question without getting that look on her face like she was picturing him getting trampled by stampeding monsters. “Thai or Mexican? I don’t have a preference.”

Oh.

Oh.

Boomer’s stomach picked that time to snarl at him—8 p.m. and still no dinner, the fiend.

Berserk snorted in laughter and fanned herself with her phone. “Jesus. Mexican it is.”

Which was how Boomer found himself on the small sofa tucked in the corner of Berserk’s office, shoes off and belt loosened, with enough tacos, tamales, and rice and beans to feed a small family. He even had a beer from the mini fridge Berserk kept under her desk.

She hadn’t stayed late to work. Well, she had, but only because she didn’t have a reason to go home.

“I just hate getting home to a dark apartment sometimes,” she said in between bites of food. She had her legs tucked up under her on the sofa close enough to brush Boomer’s thigh if he reached to grab the salsa.

“I thought you lived with your sister?”

“Brute got her own place a few months ago. The arrangement was only temporary while she was in between jobs.”

It was weird knowing so little about a person whose whole family had been in Boomer’s inner orbit since childhood. As far as he knew, Berserk wasn’t close to any of her cousins, not even Blossom. Boomer himself had never been more eager to leave a room than when Brat walked into it. Only Butch, Brute, and Buttercup had ever found common ground among each other once the sworn rivalries and blood feuds of their youth gave way to teenage rebellion against their respective overlord fathers and then the slog of adulthood that was inescapable even for a bunch of Supers flying high on Chemical X.

The fact that Boomer had gotten this job surprised him more than anyone. After drifting from restaurant jobs to office temp placements over the last six years, he’d never thought he would dust off his economics degree and land a temp-to-permanent position that seemed way above his qualifications. And he never thought it would be working for a woman he’d most definitely electrocuted in battle at least a dozen times before puberty.

“What?”

Boomer blinked. He’d been staring again, Jesus Christ. “Sorry, I was just thinking… I didn't know that. I’ve been working here for five months and I don’t actually know much about you at all.”

“Hm.”

Her magenta eyes were wine-dark against the murky sky beyond the window forty stories up. Boomer did avert his gaze this time to reach for the salsa, but he didn’t use it.

“I don’t even know why you invited me to stay for dinner in the office if we’re not going to do any work.”

“Why did you stay?”

“For the free food.”

Berserk grinned—the third time she had smiled at him tonight (or ever). He needed to stop counting; he’d be disappointed when it stopped happening tomorrow.

“Don’t get used to it. Much as I appreciate the company now and again, there’s no need for both of us to be stuck here while Matheson’s breathing down the associates’ necks. Can’t have him poaching you out from under me.”

“Well, I don’t work for him; I work for you.”

“It’s sweet how you don’t understand office politics.” She ate a lone slice of avocado with a fork. “He landed Unicorn back when they were early stage, and back when he was still putting in the work to earn his reputation. But since they IPO’d three years ago and make up twenty percent of our revenue now, he’s just another big name coasting by on associate work. You know he regularly schedules client calls and just doesn’t bother to show up? He forgets half the time, and the other half he’s busy playing golf or buying a yacht or whatever the fuck rich, white Boomers do.”

“Well, as a Boomer myself, I can say I’ve spent exactly zero hours buying yachts.”

She chuckled. Fourth time. “Oh, really.”

“Never even thought of yachts. As far as I’m concerned, they’re not even real.”

“Thanks for your expert opinion.”

“Any time.” Boomer turned his body to face her and draped his arm over the back of the sofa. With only the soft light from the floor lamp in the corner, he imagined himself adrift in the darkness, the sky scraper lights nearby stars. It was a lonely thought, one made romantic in the knowledge that she was here too, and he wasn’t actually alone.

“Matheson almost did poach you, you know.”

“What do you mean?” Boomer couldn’t recall exchanging more than a few words with the man.

“When we were filling support positions. Someone recognized you from the news a few years back, when the Cyclops Monster attacked the marina district and you and your brothers took it out. Matheson got it in his head that you’d be able to work at Super speed and help lower his billables.”

“Wow. Maybe you should’ve let him. What do you think the net savings would be in yacht units of measurement?”

Berserk rolled her eyes, but she was smiling again. “I claimed you before he could get the paperwork in.”

Boomer hyper-focused on that word: claimed. He also pointedly ignored it entirely, much in the same way he ignored the new count of five smiles tonight. “Showed him your bending powers, did you?”

Berserk’s Corona bottle turned frosty under her hand in a totally unnecessary, big dick energy display of said powers, and she took another sip. “No. Sharon from HR likes me. And I promised her I wouldn’t fire you after three months like your predecessors.”

Flattered was not how Boomer would describe the feeling of being claimed by Berserk and eluding Matheson’s vampiric clutches. But he was a bit tickled all the same. This was the woman Butch had once described as essentially Brick, if he were constipated all the time.

And then he realized what she was doing. “Hey, you’re sharing things about yourself.”

She clinked her bottle to his, and Boomer shivered at the frosty chill she transferred on contact. “Aw, you figured it out all by yourself.”

“Ha ha.”

She didn’t quite smile, but she did look kind of serene then, content even, as she lay back against the arm of the sofa and yawned. Her gold necklace—just a simple disk with an engraving Boomer could not make out—reflected the lamp light when she moved. It rested just beneath her collarbone, which had suddenly become the single-most interesting part of Berserk, and oh no, was he interested—

“You’re staring again.”

Son of a bitch.

“Sorry,” he said automatically. “I didn’t mean to.”

Hard no. He was not allowed to be any percent attracted to Berserk. First, she was his boss, and there was a cliché here that, while subverted on the gender role spectrum, was still very risky for both of them. Second, she was Berserk, a fellow Super, cousin to his best friend Bubbles and a shrewd, stiletto bitch in Brick’s estimation, which sounded bad. Not that she was bad, or even evil, unless you counted helping rich corporations accurately report their taxes while taking advantage of the many egregious loopholes in the Internal Revenue Code. Which, okay, point taken, but he also worked here and anyway, people should not be deemed good or evil so much as their choices ought to be—

“Are you thinking about fucking me?”

You shrewd, stiletto bitch!

She was smiling again, and Boomer pathetically logged that as the sixth time, although he wasn’t sure he should count it given the overt malice behind it.

Unfortunately, Boomer was, as had been previously established, very bad at making shit up on the fly. So he miserably said, “Yeah.”

“Hm.”

She sipped her beer slowly, and of course he watched. If it was out in the open, as fleeting a bout of insanity as it may have been, at least he could wallow in it without worrying about appearances.

It was the yoga. That fucking upward facing dog, Jesus Christ.

It was more than that too. Over the last few months, he had worked closely with her, watched her navigate the cutthroat halls full of piranhas like Matheson and other account managers, getting herself work on the best clients while managing her juniors with efficiency and professionalism. She was excellent and sharp, and she demanded excellency and sharpness in kind. After years of going it alone or temping for bosses who didn’t care enough even to learn his name, much less provide him with guidance and mentorship, it was an unspeakable relief to work under someone who knew how to rally the troops. Someone who knew how to lead, how to motivate, and how to reward loyalty with loyalty in return. It didn’t hurt that she looked amazing in her daily stilettos, either.

Unfortunately, she impressed him.

“I have some work to get done tonight.” Berserk stood up and smoothed her skirt.

Boomer scrambled to his feet. “Of course! Um.” He began closing food containers and repackaging them in the bags they’d come in, because he was panicking. “I’ll get rid of the trash. Do you want the leftovers in the fridge?”

“You take them. Otherwise my office will smell like a burrito for a week.”

“Okay.” Numbly, Boomer finished packing everything up, while Berserk made her way back to her desk and logged into her computer to check her emails.

Boomer lingered at the door. “I’ll have the prospectus back to you later tonight.”

“Thanks.”

Wow, way to go, stud.

He turned to leave, but her voice stopped him.

“Boomer?”

“Yeah?”

“Friday is good.”

He stared back at her in expert mode. “Huh?”

Berserk poked her head around the side of her large, external monitor. She was smiling again. Lucky number seven. “For fucking.”

“Okay,” Boomer said.

Okay?!

She pulled back behind her monitor. “I was going to get a cat, but you’ll do much better.”

Because she didn’t like going home to a dark, empty apartment alone. With no one to fuck.

“That was a joke.”

“Yeah, I got that,” he croaked.

Friday is for fucking, he thought, which was delightful alliteration and also completely insane and one hundred percent something he was getting more on board with by the nanosecond.

“See you tomorrow,” she said.

Boomer clutched the leftover Mexican food in his fist. “Okay. Goodnight.”

It took him the time to fly home and put the food away in his small fridge to realize that he had a sort-of date with Berserk lined up for two days from now.

He Y-posed at the window and whooped, “Hell yes!!”

Loud pounding in the floor followed by old Mrs. Cruikshank’s muffled Keep it down! couldn’t bring down his mood.

Boomer leaped onto his threadbare, living room sofa with his work laptop and took to the prospectus with alacrity. He’d send over superior work product and make Berserk’s job just that much easier tomorrow morning.

xxx

If you enjoy my writing, check out more of my fics on AO3, link in my profile. I’m currently updating Trinity House (which has a lot more Berserk and Boomer content, btw!) and The Alchemy of Us. Thanks for reading!

[nerdywriter36]

To Help the Helpless

AO3

FFN

erik sees himself in all the sick, injured, and abandoned pets he sees in animal shelters and is determined to give them the love and comfort that they deserve in their time of need when he wasn't granted the same as a human being. christine and their friends could not be happier to help.

this concept was born out of a discussion about erik and his pets with @ofserien, so thank you to her for helping to bring this idea to life :) it's been so long so I've posted on here because of my hiatus, but the first oneshot I've written since officially returning to tumblr. i really hope you all enjoy it! likes and reblogs are always appreciated <3

~

"You brought in another one, Erik? Isn't your house full enough already?"

Erik simply rolled his eyes and turned to look back at Nadir, who was glancing at the variety of dogs and cats residing in their crates throughout his living room. "There is never too many rescues, Nadir, especially not when I'm taking them away from people who will put them down simply because they aren't getting adopted," he replied.

"And what's wrong with this one?" Nadir queried, gesturing to the puppy that his friend was carrying rather like a football - tucked against his side and laying along his forearm. "It looks fine to me."

"He had an old injury that was never fixed before he was turned in, so he doesn't look as perfect as people want," Erik said as he held the puppy up so Nadir could see his bowed front leg. "Otherwise, he is completely happy, energetic, and healthy, but people don't care. Looks are everything in this world."

His voice broke a bit, he noticed, and he knew that Nadir had heard it too. Every day was a different story when it came to how emotional he would get when it came to explaining why the animals had been abandoned and why their little lives were at risk. He hated that it still happened; he had been rescuing shelter animals for the better part of two years, not to mention the fact that most of his own struggles because of his appearance were behind him, but some days were simply harder than others.

He really was fortunate for all that he had to make his life as "normal" as possible, even with his physical differences. A prosthetic nose saved him far more grief than he believed people could understand and the mask he wore was so realistic and close to his skin tone, as remarkably pale as it may have been, that he hardly got rude stares anymore when he was out and about. It made quite the difference in his professional life as well; no one at the Paris Opera House wanted to accept compositions from a deformed freak, no matter their talent. His heterochromatic eyes were enough to put people off sometimes.

"I know, Erik, I'm sorry," Nadir piped up as he shot him a sympathetic smile. "I think what you're doing is great, you know that, I just worry about your stress levels. Not having to worry about you financially, but you're a composer making consistent contributions to the Paris Opera, you run an animal rescue, and now you have a girlfriend. That's a lot for one person!"

"Nadir, I'm fine," Erik replied, passing the puppy he held to his friend and smirking as it eagerly started to wiggle and lick at Nadir's neck and chin. "I'm managing it all, and having a girlfriend doesn't change much."

"Right, you say that now." Nadir turned his head away from the eager puppy, wiping his chin on his shoulder. "What is this thing anyway?"

"Australian shepherd, hence the energy." Making his way around the room, Erik checked the status of every food and water dish, but a buzz from his cell phone made him pause. As he pulled it out of his pocket, he couldn't help but smile when he saw a message from the new light in his life: Christine.

He still wasn’t exactly sure how he had gotten so fortunate as to have Christine in his life. After all, their first introduction had been at the Paris Opera House when he had nearly run her right over in his eager rush to leave the very same building. As intricate and realistic as his mask may have looked, he never enjoyed being out in public, and he knew that everything about him was under harsh scrutiny when it came to the committee of men taking his submissions and suggestions for the music at the Opera. He wouldn’t have become a successful composer, having his music played at one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, without them, but with the way they stared at him whenever he walked in, it certainly wasn’t easy to face them.

“Is that the new light of your life?” Nadir asked with a smirk, watching the lovesick smile growing on his friend’s face. “What did she say?”

“Just ‘hi’,” Erik replied, his unmasked cheek already flushed pink as he replied to the message.

Nadir scoffed and set the puppy down in a small pen filled with blankets off to the side. “You are in deep, my friend. How long have you been dating, three months? And just ‘hi’ still manages to make you blush? Does she not make more flirtatious comments than just that?”

“Oh, like you were any different when you and Kheya first got together,” Erik retorted.

“Hey, now, that...that is not a fair comparison.”

It was his friend’s turn to blush and Erik laughed at the sight. Mockery aside, though, he genuinely was happy for Nadir; he had been through a rough patch before meeting Rookheeya one year before, his father's death hanging the heaviest over him and stealing so much of the joy that Erik knew was in him. Once he met her though, everything seemed to fall into place; Erik still remembered the moment Nadir practically choked on his drink when he first noticed her from across the room at a small gathering at the Garnier. She was a beautiful young woman who shared his faith, many of his interests and balanced out his almost painfully realistic views with the necessary imagination and optimism that he needed. A match made in heaven, if Erik were to pair a phrase to their relationship.

“Sure it is,” Erik replied, smirking when he caught a glimpse of Nadir’s lock screen as he pulled out his phone: a photo of the happy couple themselves, both smiling wide. “You’ve practically wanted to marry her since the moment you met, you’re lovesick.”

“Okay, I love my girlfriend, so sue me,” Nadir retorted. “And I will have you know that I plan on proposing in the next few days.”

“Well, it’s about time!” Erik said with a laugh, patting him on the back as the pair walked into the kitchen. “Congrats, Nadir, that’s amazing.”

“Thank you,” Nadir chuckled, crouching down to scratch the elderly golden retriever lounging under the kitchen table. “You and Christine have to catch up now.”

“No, no, this is no race. We are taking our time, I refuse to mess this up.”

“You aren’t going to mess it up, Erik.”

“I could. You remember how things ended with Lucy,” Erik said in a soft voice as he leaned over his countertop and scribbled on a notepad.

“That wasn’t your fault,” Nadir sighed. “She was a toxic mess, the end of your relationship was no fault of yours.”

Erik shrugged ever so slightly. “She ran off with some other guy and slept with him when we hadn’t even taken that step. I clearly did something wrong or she wouldn’t have left.” That breakup had hung over him like a dark, heavy cloud for weeks and still did at times. That said, the very same bout of depression and dejection had pushed him into the world of animal rescue that he still found himself in two years later, so for that he was thankful. Now, though, Luciana hardly ever crossed his mind; he had found someone to get him out and keep him out of that world of darkness.

“You didn’t, but anyhow, it doesn’t matter anymore. You have a girl that you love and who loves you, an amazing career, and an animal shelter in your living room. You’re doing alright for yourself,” Nadir pointed out. “Speaking of that, has Christie been over here yet? To meet the pack and all?”

“No, not yet. Believe me, it is on the list of things to do,” Erik replied, still scribbling away on his notepad as they spoke.

“That along with two hydrotherapy sessions, settling the new puppy in, getting groceries, working on your new composition, and going to see if you can pick up two tuxedo kittens. When do you have time to breathe, Erik?”

“In between everything. I manage just fine and I will slot Christine meeting everyone in. It’s a delicate process with some of these guys, you know that.”

Nadir scoffed. “Yes, I remember how slow it all was when you first introduced me,” he said, putting a hand up when his friend opened his mouth. “I know why it was slow, but that doesn't make it more enjoyable.”

“Right, well, unlike you, Christine is very patient, so it’ll be fine,” Erik replied. “She’s coming with me tomorrow to pick up those kittens, so I’ll probably ask her over after and try to introduce me.”

“Let’s hope it goes well. We wouldn't want you to have to choose between your lady friend and your pets. I don't know if you’d survive that.”

"Thank you for helping me today, Christine," Erik said, smiling over at his sweetheart, who sat beside him in the front seat of his car with two tuxedo kittens on her towel-covered lap (she had insisted on the towel, even though his car was covered with fur on practically a daily basis). "These two seem like a very sweet little pair. I doubt I'll have trouble finding them homes."

"Why weren't they getting adopted just at the shelter?" Christine inquired, an inquisitive frown on her face as she turned to him for an answer.

Which he did not really have, so he simply shrugged. "They don't let enough time pass to give people a chance, frankly. Not to mention that this would mean adopting two kittens at once, what with how closely bonded they are, and not everyone is willing to take on that kind of commitment."

"It doesn't seem like too much trouble." Christine looked back down at the kittens, her sweet giggle escaping her as one of them mewed and set its paws on her chest to get closer to her, almost inspecting her. "Hello there. You're not trouble, are you? You're just a sweet little baby."

Erik couldn't help but chuckle when he heard the voice she put on to talk to the animal - a light tone, using grammatically incorrect sentences, almost as if she were speaking to a baby. Which she was, in a sense.

"You'll have to help me name them. I name so many animals that I end up running out of options after a while."

"One of them - the boy, that is - should be...Sylvester. Like from Looney Tunes! He looks just like him, it's too good to pass it up!"

"A very good choice, I think," Erik nodded as he began the drive towards his home. "I'm not sure about the girl yet. Perhaps I'll call her Christine."

His girlfriend scoffed and glanced over at him. "Erik, you can't suggest naming any and every female animal you bring into your house after me."

"Why not? I like your name."

"I know you do, but once you get to Christine the Eighth or whatnot, there's a problem."

He couldn't help but laugh; her sense of humour and mild sarcasm had been part of what had endeared her to him in the first place. "I suppose there might be. I do like your name, though, I wouldn't mind it too much."

"Yes, I know that, and if we ever had a daughter, she would be Christine Junior, I know how much you like my name." She giggled again, and he noticed her look over at him in his periphery; he was just glad that he had his mask on so she wouldn't notice him blushing at the thought of sharing a child with her. "You need some new options."

He tried to shrug nonchalantly. "I...I just think it's a nice name. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman," he said softly.

The comment must have been the right one, as he was rewarded with a quick peck on the cheek. "You're very sweet," Christine replied as she turned back to the kittens and stroked their backs as they cuddled together on the towel. "So once we drop these little ones off, I suppose you'll just take me home? I'm sure you'll have lots to do."

There it was - his opportunity to make the offer to her to finally come over so he could truly introduce her to his life in its entirety rather than trying to hide parts of it. A glance over at her was enough to tell him that she was disappointed at the idea of having to go home, as she so often was, and he hated to upset her, so he would do his best to fix it as best he could at that moment.

"Actually, I was thinking...would you like to come in today?" he asked, looking at her briefly again and smiling a bit when she looked back at him, wide-eyed and shocked at the question. "I'll have to settle these two in, but I would love to-"

"Yes," she replied, cutting him off rather abruptly. "Yes, I would love to. Do I have to do anything? Not do anything? Can I help with anything, wh-what can I do?"

"Just be yourself," Erik said, unable to stop a quiet laugh from escaping him at seeing how enthusiastic she was. "Your sweet, gentle, caring self, my dear. That is all that I can ask of you when it comes to meeting the little pack that I have at home."

"That much I can do," Christine said with a firm nod, clearly very dedicated to her mission. "Thank you, Erik."

He frowned. "What for?"

"For trusting me with this, with meeting them. I know that their health and security means a lot to you, so knowing that you trust me to come in and make myself a new part of that arrangement that you have really means a lot to me."

"Of course I trust you, my darling. I...I love you." The phrase still felt foreign in his mouth after not using it for so long after losing Lucy, but he was making an effort to use it as often as he possibly could with Christine; she meant more to him than anyone ever had before and she deserved to hear that from him.

"I love you too," Christine said with a warm smile on her face. "Come on, then, drive! I have puppies to meet!"

~

"Are you ready, Christine?" Erik asked from where he stood at the end of the hallway, having just collected a young bulldog puppy from her kennel and was presently walking towards the bedroom, of all places, where his sweetheart was waiting. An unconventional setting, yes, but there was a purpose to it.

"Of course I'm ready!" he heard her call back, her excitement practically dripping from her voice. "There's a puppy involved, how could I not be ready?"

"Alright, alright," he said with a quiet laugh as he stepped into the room, the puppy starting to squirm in his arms at the sight of the new person and the sound of Christine's giddy squeal. "This is Lily."

Christine gasped, a hand to her chest. "Lily, oh, how precious," she said with a giggle. "Can I hold her? Or would you prefer that I didn't?"

"No, you can hold her. She's generally good with people," Erik nodded, sitting next to his girlfriend beside his bed and setting the puppy on her lap. "Just watch her back legs."

"What's wrong with her?" Christine asked softly, looking at the puppy's legs that splayed out behind her rather than tucking beneath her to hold her body up.

"It's called swimmer's syndrome. They can't really say what causes it; some people think it's hereditary, others think it's because their environment as newborns kept them from getting around a lot, even others say it was because of defects before they were born, so I'm not entirely sure," Erik explained. "Still, as bad as it looks, it's treatable, which is why we are here in my room."

Scooping the puppy up again, he stood and walked a few steps away to a sling apparatus set up against the wall and slipped the puppy into it so she hung with her paws just above the ground. "She'll sit in the sling for about 20 minutes every day, and I'll just massage her legs and try to mimic walking motions with her. I do this a few times a day."

He carefully began to act on the same procedure he had just described, smiling as Christine stepped over to join him while he carefully rubbed the puppy's legs and helped her to move them the way she would if she were walking as she should. He knew that there was always a risk that the therapy he tried to do for the animals that were struggling wouldn't work, but he was going to try his best. Very few people had ever tried to help him throughout his life, so he thought he would allow the animals to have that, whether they knew they had it or not.

"How many others do you do this kind of thing for?" Christine softly asked a few minutes into the therapy session.

"A few. Whether it's for little ones like this who have defects of some sort or for older animals who struggle with arthritis and different things like that, therapy does a lot. I do this kind of thing, as well as hydrotherapy, which entails me getting very wet," Erik replied with a chuckle. "But it's worth it when I see the results. True, it doesn't always happen, and they end up turning into hospice cases more than anything, but if I can try and get them back on their feet, as happy and healthy as can be so they can go to a good home, then I'll do what I have to do to make that happen." He turned towards her and smiled just as she cupped his face in her hands and drew him into a gentle kiss, distracting him from his therapy session momentarily. "You are one of the most kind-hearted people I know. You know that, right?"

"You tell me that enough, so I suppose it carries some truth. It's never occurred to me much otherwise, though."

"Well, you had better believe it because it could not be more true," Christine said with a grin.

Erik couldn't help but chuckle as he gave her another quick peck on the lips. "If you are trying to earn yourself brownie points or extra kisses or something, I admire your effort, it just might work out in your favour," he replied, returning his attention to the puppy.

"Fantastic," she giggled, leaning her head on his shoulder and watching while he worked. "Did you have any other plans for the day for us? Dinner, perhaps?"

"Yes, I was hoping you would help me with dinner," Erik nodded, letting the offer hang for a moment before he added, "For the dogs and cats, that is."

"Ah yes, how romantic, exactly what I had in mind," Christine said with a laugh. "Filling food bowls. I can't wait."

Ever since Erik had given her the go-ahead to come over and spend time with himself and his little pack of rescue animals, Christine had taken full advantage of it. Whenever she could manage it, she was at his house, helping him with feeding and bathing all of the little pets in his care, keeping him company while he was cleaning, and even learning how to do hydrotherapy on a few of the dogs that happened to need it. A couple of months had already passed since that day, unbelievably, but she had cherished every second that she had gotten to spend with both Erik and all the animals in his care. She found herself getting close to every single one of them, and she could see how happy it made her sweetheart; Erik smiled even wider than he normally did when she was around, a photo of the two of them with one of his eldest dogs - a golden retriever named Buddy - had become the photo on the lock screen of his phone while others had been printed and framed on his wall. She knew that he had had little joy in his life, but if she could contribute to that happiness along with allowing him to pursue one of his passions, then she would happily support it.

Getting to play with cute puppies and kittens while she was at his house was a nice perk too.

A short while into the arrangement - about a month after Christine herself had been introduced, - she had convinced Erik to let Meg have a gentle introduction of her own to all the animals he cared for. Her roommate had just about lost her mind when she had found out that she had finally gotten to meet all of her boyfriend's pets and hadn't stopped begging her to get Erik's permission for her to meet them until she had finally agreed to give it a shot.

Erik had been hesitant at first, that much was for certain, but she promised him that Meg knew how to keep calm and quiet when she had to be. Eventually, with a slightly skeptical expression on his face, he had agreed to allow her over to meet some of the animals, much to Meg's delight.

As Christine had predicted, the introductions had gone perfectly fine and Meg was quickly scooped up into the little pack Erik seemed to be steadily building. Their visits brought them closer to the animals, to Erik, as well as to Nadir and Rookheya, Erik's best friend and his fiancée. There was something endearing about seeing her sweetheart interacting with someone other than just herself; she knew that he did it for work and all, but watching him so at ease and laughing with his closest friend warmed her heart, even if Nadir didn't seem completely at ease around the animals in the house. For a while, their little group was complete and happy, enjoying every moment they had.

But not every joyful moment could last, unfortunately.

It was the middle of the night when she got the first phone call. Her ringer was quiet, true, but it lulled Christine out of her sleep, though she didn't bother to look at the screen to see who was calling. 'Whatever scam caller it is can just leave a message for me to delete,' she thought to herself as she rolled over onto her side and buried her face in her pillow to attempt to fall back to sleep.

Her phone fell silent for just a moment, but within moments, it had started ringing again.

With a huff, Christine sat up and grabbed her phone, squinting at the brightness of the screen, and saw her boyfriend's name and picture on her screen, which made her frown. It was just past two in the morning, why would he be calling her? Her heart was already racing a bit as she pressed the green 'Answer' button and held her phone to her ear.

"Hello? Erik, what's going on?"

Hiccuping breaths were what she heard first, which only serve to worry her more. "C-Christine, come over," Erik finally managed to say, his voice choked with tears. "Buddy is...something's wrong, please come over."

"Okay, it's okay. I'll be right there and I'll bring Meg with me," she replied, trying to keep her voice as calm as possible despite her own worry about the dog that she'd become so close with. "Have you called Nadir?"

"He's here already. Rookheya too," Erik said, sniffling quietly. "Just please come over, Christine, please."

"Okay, okay, I'm coming. I'll be there as soon as I can. I love you."

Not hearing a response from Erik told her how distracted and worried he was - he always returned her affections, and she wasn't even offended by the lack of reciprocation; she was only worried.

Christine quickly climbed out of bed, deciding not to bother changing out of her pyjamas given how warm it was outside and only grabbing a pair of socks to quickly slip on. Throwing open her bedroom door, she hurried next door to Meg's room, walked inside and over to her bed to shake her gently. "Meg. Meg, get up, come on."

She rolled her eyes when her friend simply moaned sleepily and pulled her covers over her head. "Meg, please get up. Erik just called me, something's wrong, we have to go over there."

That was enough to make Meg's eyes open rather quickly and she moved the blankets to look up at her friend. "What's happening?" she asked.

"I don't know, all I know is that it's Buddy and Erik is crying, so it's bad," Christine replied with a sigh. "Please get up so we can go."

"Okay, I'm up. Go get your shoes on, I'll be down in a sec," Meg said, clambering out of bed and shuffling past her friend to get dressed.

Within minutes, the two of them were in Christine's car driving towards Erik's house, the open roads with that time at night helping their travel immensely. Not knowing what was wrong was driving Christine half-mad, though she was drawing some unfortunate conclusions, considering the animal that was involved. If she was right, it made sense why Erik had sounded so upset; she knew how much he loved that dog.

"Nadir just texted you," Meg said softly, looking at her friend's phone while she couldn't do so herself. "Asking if we're going to be there soon."

"Just tell him that we will be. That I'm driving as fast as I can without risking getting arrested in the process," Christine said, managing a quiet laugh.

She saw her friend nod as she typed away, the clicking of the keys the only sound in the car. A moment later: "He says, 'As long as you hurry. Get here before'..." Meg trailed off at that, making Christine turn to look at her.

"Before what? What did he say?"

"'Before we lose him.'"

Christine's heart seemed to leap into her throat and, without a word, pushed her foot down ever so slightly harder on the gas pedal, just praying they'd arrive in time.

~

The two young women burst through the house's front door as soon as they arrived, Christine making use of her spare key. She didn't even need to wonder where everyone else would be; she knew that Erik kept that golden retriever by his bedside every night so that he could monitor him. Nothing had ever happened before that had warranted any action, but something had obviously changed that night. Drastically.

Bolting up the stairs with Meg right behind her, she quickly arrived at her boyfriend's room, which was completely dark save for his bedside lamp, and her heart sank when she saw him in the middle of the floor holding Buddy in his arms, Nadir and Rookheya close by.

"Erik, I'm here," she whispered as she moved to sit beside him and wrapped an arm around his waist. "I came as fast as I could, what's happening?"

"I don't know," Erik replied with a sniffle, stroking the dog's fur as he spoke. "They said he had more time. Not much, but more than this, I don't understand."

His words were drowned out by his tears as he leaned forward and buried his face in the retriever's fur, so Christine simply hushed him and rubbed his back. "I know, I'm sorry," she said with a quiet sigh. "You've done so much for him and for all the animals you take care of, Erik, you have to remember that. Whatever happens tonight is not a result of what you've done, you have done everything possible for him."

"Not enough, though. This wouldn't be happening if I had done enough," Erik managed to say through his tears, a sob slipping out of him.

Christine's own throat tightened up hearing the heartbreak spilling over through his words, so she was fortunate that Nadir shuffled over, set a hand on his friend's back and took on the role of the comforter from her; she couldn't trust herself not to cry, so she simply focused on trying to give the elderly dog as much love as she could possibly convey.

"Erik, you know it isn't your fault," Nadir said softly. "He's ill and I know that you've known that for a while now; you always knew he was going to be a hospice case from the beginning. You have to keep that in mind because if you don't, I know that you will blame it on yourself and you can't do that. He's had a wonderful life with you."

"He's right, Erik, you've given him so much," Christine said, finding it in her to dry a few stray tears and contribute to the conversation again. "He's had a beautiful life here with you, he knows that you love him."

Erik's only response was a nod as he lifted his head enough to gently kiss the top of the dog's head. "I love you, Buddy. We all do," he whispered, trying to force a smile as the dog turned his head to glance up at him, and Christine noticed Erik move his hand to rest over the dog's chest, clearly to feel for his heartbeat and wait for when it inevitably ceased. Not knowing exactly what else to say, she simply set her hand over her sweetheart's resting her head on his shoulder as everyone simply waited for the inevitable.

It didn't take long, in the end, and Erik didn't say a word; the way he muffled a sob and leaned over the dog to hold him to his chest told everyone what they needed to know. Christine hadn't quite expected to get as emotional as she did. She knew that she was attached to all of Erik's animals and that even the thought of her love in pain made her heart ache, but there had been something different this time. Erik had loved Buddy probably more than any of his other rescues, and she had a strong feeling that that love had been mutual.

It turned out that she wasn't the only one getting emotional; she had expected to see a few tears from Meg, and there they were, but looking over at Erik's other friends, she found Rookheya with her face tucked in the crook of Nadir's neck, the slight shake of her shoulders the only clue that she was emotional, while even Nadir - Nadir 'I don't like pets much' Khan - had tears in his eyes. Whether it was Buddy's death or Erik's reaction that had made him cry, she couldn't tell, but the show of empathy for what his friend was going through was something that she appreciated and knew that Erik would too.

Quickly drying her cheeks, she leaned over and gently kissed Erik's cheek. "I'm so sorry," she whispered as she reached up and gently wiped his tears away. "But you gave him such a beautiful life, just like you're doing for all the others you're caring for. They needed someone and you were there to rescue them. I'm so proud of you for that, and Buddy was proud too."

Erik managed a weak smile as he turned to look at her, leaning forward just enough to press his forehead to hers. "Do you think so?" he croaked.

"I know so, my darling. I have no doubt of it."

[stxvercgersslut]

Apologise

Description: Jake’s been ignoring Y/n for weeks and only spending time with his friends over his own girlfriend. But after while she had finally had enough. One day she decides to confront him.

A/n: I just had to write this😂 after rewatching the film a few days ago how could I resist? It just needed to be written 😂 (I also made it modern time btw just so it was easier to write for 😂) yeah I know that this is extremely angsty but I promise that there’s a whole lot a fluff at the end so the angsty part is definitely worth it 🥺💞 Jake is one of my ultimate loves that definitely needs some more loving then he got 🥺I didn’t plan on making this a fucking novel but here we are 😂

A/n: and okay yeah this is once again another submission for @stargazingfangirl18 and @navybrat817 writing challenge how could I not? 😂

Prompts: 2. “Can you just not right now?”and 14. “Did I...fall asleep on you??”

Warnings: Mentions of smut (nothing too descriptive), argument, being ignored, language, mentions of parents dying, mentions of weight loss, just a whole lot of angst, mentions of being poor and small bit of fluff at the end.

Temporary tag list: @jtargaryen18 & @et-lesailes

For weeks Jake has been neglecting you. Much rathering to play football with Reggie Ray and Austin then even hang out with you, his girlfriend of literally almost 1 year. How the hell did that even make sense? You were his girlfriend! Surely you were more important then some football game right? Well wrong! Apparently football was his only love. You’d always come in second to all of that.

Over the course of those insanely long 8 weeks that he’d been pushing you aside you had managed to keep your calm, just ignoring it. Thinking maybe he’d just been having a tough time studying for finals and training for football season. But as time continued to pass, still no texts, calls or even a FaceTime, you began to fear that your once loving relationship with Jake was steadily coming to a almighty close. Something that really did scare the life out of you. You loved Jake with all your heart and to lose him over the fact that he’d rather play football with his friends then hangout with you would send your heart into meltdown. No way could you let this happen to the both of you.

The pair of you were pretty much inseparable during the early stages of your relationship, always opting to spend time over at his house in the warmth then be at home where not even your heater worked. Obviously his sister still trying to fuck him was a huge problem for you, usually making you uncomfortable whenever you were ther but Jake had assured you that nothing was going on between them. Besides, he was just as uncomfortable (if more so) as you were with the immeture and disgusting way Catherin was acting around her BROTHER!

You came from a much poorer family then Jake did. But, surprisingly to you, Jake hadn’t actually seemed to care that you didn’t have any money. In fact he actually much preferred it sometimes since he had gotten to spoil you rotten with peculiar gifts and meals at fancy restaurants that almost 100% of the time just weren’t your style. Yeah he was a asshole sometimes but that didn’t mean that you didn’t love him. Most days you even struggled to pay your rent in your lonely one bedroom apartment that you’d moved into once your parents had past away last year. But no matter how many times Jake had attempted to lend you some of his inheritance in order to help pay rent, you never wanted to take it. Too afraid you’d have to pay it back somehow. There was even a time where Jake had offered for you to move in with him, not that his parents would have agreed with that, yet he didn’t seem to care. Food was hard to come by when you were at home, so whenever Jake had been able to, He’d make sure that you ate or at least tried to eat since he knew that you struggled a lost due to the fact that before you’d started dating him it was hard to get food. You mattered way more to him at the beginning. But right now it didn’t seem like he really seemed to care even a little. No more being at his house for warmth, no daily check ups, no food payed for and no offers to help pay for rent. It was like he’d retracted back to his old self. This wasn’t the Jake you had fallen in love him. He’d changed.

But nonetheless, the tenderness between the pair of you was irreplaceable. So of course you couldn’t just let this come between what the two of you had. But this was going to be a tough one to crack! Especially since you literally hadn’t talked to Jake for 8 WHOLE WEEKS!!! That’s right two months with barely any contact apart from when you were sitting at lunch listening to him blabber on about football or some damn movie he’s watching with his mates. Come on y/n think! It can’t be that hard to figure something out can it?

❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅

There it was again! That unnecessary tension rearing it’s ugly head once again at your usual table in the cafeteria. Jake, being the popular dick he was right now, had made himself comfortable next to you. Slowly taking one quick glance at you before once again completely ignoring you without a second thought. 8 weeks of this bullshit! It was a Miracle that you hadn’t murdered him already for neglecting you the way that he had been doing for 2 whole fucking months! So of course it was understandable that you snapped. Just listening to his smug laugh as he laughed and joked with Austin about the new hot chic was enough to set your entire body on fire.

With a stern look on your face you finally began to talk. Worth a shot right? “So I was won—“ you began as you attempted begin a normal conversation with you boyfriend, not really giving two shits about the fact that you were interrupting his dirty minded talk with Austin since you didn’t really care for the blonde. But before you could even get 10 words out Jake had already stopped you “y/n I’m in the middle of talking with my friend.” He cockily spoke with a shit eating grub appearing on his face for a millisecond before he turned back to his mates in hopes of continuing his ‘innocent’ conversation. Oh but that was not at all what happened. “Oh my bad! Didn’t realise that me literally about to invite you over for sex was me interrupting you. Silly me. I’m only your girlfriend!” You bit back, your glare completely fixed on Jake, not even caring that Austin, Reggie Ray and Malik all now has their mouths wide open in shock like they were having a fly collecting contest. You were half expecting Jake to nervously laugh it off and practically beg for you to forgive him, resulting in a quickie in the janitors closest. But that wasn’t what happened at all. In fact no amount of overthinking could prepare you for Jakes next choice of words.

“Can you just not right now?” The raven haired boy pressed with a insanely serious look on his face now. All thoughts that he might have just been joking had left your head completely. Hearing those words coming from Jakes mouth were like daggers pressing into your head and twisting Infinitely. Not only had it been a shock to you but it had also been a shock to everyone on the table. Jake Wyler, the most popular jock, refusing sex? Most importantly refusing you? What the hell was wrong with him? Oh you intended to find out. But for now you just stood up, shooting one more hurt glare towards your boyfriend before turning on your feet and leaving your spot at the table. Instead seating yourself on a table further away from them so that you didn’t risk another hurtful comment. Now this really was getting out of control.

❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅

Currently, for some unknown reason, YOU were sitting on the large length couch at some unknown douchbags house as you sipped from your red cup. Eyes scanning the room eagerly in an attempt to spot your dick head of a boyfriend. Even if you hadn’t Necessarily been accomanied by Jake to the party you knew for sure that he was a party animal. So why on earth would he miss this? Especially since the place was filled with doubly intoxicated high school students who most certainly were underage drinking. But then again so were you.

However, as you say there waiting for your raven haired beauty of a boyfriend to walk through those doors and unintentionally avoid you once again, you continued to run over your incredibly thought out plan in your head. Knowing with every bone in your body that this plan was most certainly going to get his attention, if not make him throw you over his shoulder, take you back to his place and fuck you until you can’t walk for at least a week. Yeah maybe you were secretly hoping for that second one.

6 drinks in Jake finally arrived at the party, accompanied by Reggie Ray and that stupid smug looking blonde ashole who you had conveniently forgotten the name of at this point. Only this time your raven haired boyfriend actually acknowledged that you were even there by letting his eyes scan over your perfectly curvy body. Which tonight was barely even covered by that incredibly revealing outfit that consisted of: a risky white vest like short with a very thin material that let your light pink bra peak out underneath the fabric, paired with a nude coloured leather skirt that barely covered your ass and some beautiful black boots to accompany the rest of your outfit. Of course this particular get up just so happened to be the only sexy outfit that you owned due to the fact that Jake had bought this for your birthday when you had only just started dating. You could definitely still remember him insisting that you wore this exact outfit to any party he took you to. So why waste it? After all it was just hanging up in your closet.

Even from 5 feet away from him you could still hear the cogs working away in his brain as your outfit caught his attention instantly. And in a matter of moments he was already sauntering over to you. Step one: Grab his attention complete. Oh but he wasn’t going to win that easy. No way was that going to happen! You hadn’t just come to this party wearing such a risky choice of clothing that was so out of your comfort zone to just let him win so easily.

“Hey baby, you wanna dance?” Jake asked with a slight smirk on his face, almost as if he was pretending like all of that god awful neglect hadn’t happened. Which you weren’t going to forget about. But this was operation get Jake jealous after all so you really did have to forget about what he’d been doing, at least for a few hours so that you could continue on with your plan.

Step two: dance with another hot jock who wasn’t Jake. After careful consideration you finally picked your target. Austin. Why? Because you knew for a fact that you dancing with Jakes asshole teenage playboy of a best friend was definitely going to make him jealous. “Sure” you teased, pausing for just the perfect amount of time for Jake to walk closer to you and almost grab your hand before you continued on “just not with you” there it was! Almost a millisecond after the last syllable had left your mouth! That gorgeous face of Jakes contorting into a look of pure jealousy just from those four simple words. “Not with me huh? If I’m not mistake I’m your boyfriend, so why won’t you dance with me?” Jake questioned whilst he still continued to attempt to grab at your waist, failing miserably every single time since you dodged him.

Those words in themselves were enough to light the fire in the pit of your stomach. Reminding you exactly why you had come up with this devious plan in the first place. Jake needed to learn a lesson and he needed to learn it now! Or else you’d most likely end up breaking up with him. “Because I don’t want to dance with my neglectful boyfriend.” You spat back before sauntering over to where Austin was standing, grabbing onto his hand and with no word of warning pulling him onto the makeshift dance floor.

Fiftheen minuets had dragged on by as Jakes eyes remained glued to your figure. Red hot anger coursing through him every time he watched your ass grind up against his friends crotch. Was this pay back for him treating you like your were worthless for 2 months? Because if it was then this was some carefully planned out payback that was not going to be working out in your favour later. “What the fuck!” Jake seethed. The sight of you now grinding against Austin’s very noticeable buldge was the fine straw! Causing him to leap out of his chair, rush over to the dance floor, throw you over his shoulder and walked out of the room with you kicking and screaming for him to put you down. Finally putting an end to your hideous plan all together. This most certainly hadn’t been how you had expected this to go but boy oh boy were you excited to see what happened next.

It wasn’t until Jake practically threw you onto a king sized bed and began yelling at you that you realised that this wasn’t going to end in sex. Or at least for the time being it wasn’t “Austin?? Of all fucking people you could have grinded up against you chose that bastard? What the fuck y/n?!” Jake spoke, anger clear in his tone as he fists clenched together in the dark room. “Do you really think that was the greatest of ideas huh? Embarrassing me infront of almost everyone? You really are a fucking bitch sometimes!” Oh how he wished he could turn back time and retract those words. Jake regretted those words as soon as they had left his mouth.

But unfortunately it was too late, he’d already hit a nerve inside of you that had been so desperate to appear this entire time! “You’re really asking me what the fuck all of that was about? Seriously Jake you don’t know? You don’t know that you’ve been ignoring me for the past 2 months for no fucking reason and doing god knows what?” Oh you were beyond finished at this point. “Embarrassing you? I embarrassed you? Really? That’s rich coming from the man who embarrassed me infront of our entire high school in the cafetière by practically telling me to shut up infront of everyone when I was actually going to invite you over for sex? You don’t need to know why I did what I did. But I deserve a ducking explanation as to why you’ve been neglecting me for two months and ignoring me any chance that you get! I’m the one that should be asking what the fuck! Have you fallen out of love with me Jake? Are you cheating on me? What is it? Why are you ignoring me whenever I try to talk to you? I’m your girlfriend don’t you think I deserve a explanation?” And with that the tears began to fall from your eyes. Oh no you’d released a damn. This definitely wasn’t going away anytime soon. Shit. Every single word that has been said was unfortunately true. Now all that was left to do was wait for Jakes reaction.

Every single one of your words were like tiny daggers sticking into his chest. But every tear that fell from your eyes was poison strong enough to kill him. How had he let this go on for so long? How had he not seen how disgusting he was being around you? How had he not realised he’d stopped treating you like his girlfriend and more like a slut? He really had destroyed the only perfect girl in his life and what for? Some stupid football game and some boring study sessions with his private tutor that his parents had provided? This wasn’t right! None of this was right. Oh god how could he fix this?

“Baby....I—“ the Raven haired boy began, swallowing thickly as he took large steps towards you. Once again scooping you into his arms. But this time once you were in his arms he laid back down with you. Ignoring your weak struggles to get out of his grin before you finally calmed down and relaxed into his touch. Still sniffling due to all of the tears that had been falling from your eyes.

For the rest of the party Jake made it his mission to give you bet might of your life. Ignoring his friends and instead focusing all of his attention onto you without a doubt trying to make it up to you. Of course every so often he’d whisper a apology in your ear or kiss you deeply in an attempt to mend his guilty conscience once and for all. But nothing seemed to help at all.

❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅

By the time you woke up at exactly 12:04pm the next day, you’d found yourself wrapped up in Jakes arms as he began placing gentle kisses against the back of your neck and shoulder. Something he’d been doing for the last several minutes. “Morning beautiful” he mumbled upon noticing you were awake. “Hmmmm...morning Jake..” you hummed back blissfully as you turned round in his arms. Happily staring him in his beautoful baby blue eyes before kissing him deeply just enjoying the moment.

After a very tired Make out session your eyes seemed to widen in horror as you looked down at your almost completely nude body, a little confused as to why you weren’t completely naked or even wearing Jakes shirt. That just didn’t seem right. “Did....I fall asleep on you?” The words in itself causing you to cringe. But you never did receive a actual answer. Instead you were answered with a loud laugh before your boyfriends lips were back on yours. Instantly getting on top of you to finish what you had started the night before.

[writefasttalkevenfaster]

Arranged Chapter I (Poe Dameron x Reader)

Pairing: Poe Dameron x F!Reader (no Y/N)

Rating: None for this chapter (series: E) 

Word Count: 4,004

Summary: Prince and Princess of your respective planets you both agree to wed, not for love, but for advantage and the public cannot know. But there’s only one problem -- the two have never met, not until your wedding day. 

A/N: so this has been several months in progress. I’ll be tagging folks who liked my original post (if you don’t want to be tagged, just shoot me a message!). there’s a lot of set up in this chapter, but i promise it will pay off. I hope you give this series a read b/c its really something special to me. Special shoutouts to @laneygthememequeen, @bucky-of-the-opera, and @mrsrafaelbarba for all the support!!! 

"Come on Poe, you cannot have seriously agreed to this," Poe Dameron did not bother to look from the mirror, eyes concentrated on delicately tucking the wide end into the knot before pulling it down into a nearly perfect loop. But why then, why did it feel like he was tying the noose around his neck before his long walk to the gallows? The dread his stomach certainly sat like it - twisting his guts into a kriffing useless knot, much like the one around his neck. 

"I already agreed to it, Finn," the knot hung a little crooked - well perfect enough - just as his life was, "long time ago." 

Was it that long? It was an instant. An instant that he went from sitting in his mother’s lap in her x-wing, listening to her hum, as she flipped switches and steered the ship across the sky over the Queen’s palace. The quiet buzz of the engine lulled him sleep, until she would rouse him as they swooped in for a soft landing after the daily patrol of the perimeter. The oranges of the sky now inky black, nothing but a glittering scattering of stars and distant planets he knew nothing of. 

And now, he was stuffed in a stranger’s all too stuffy suit, tying a tie, and his feet cramping in tight shoes - and as he stared at himself in the mirror - he barely recognized himself. Probably because he definitely didn’t choose these clothes. A tradition - the bride’s family chooses the groom’s clothes. As he resisted the urge to squirm in his aching feet in his shoes, he wondered if they were hoping he couldn’t run with blue and purple feet. 

“Two weeks isn’t that long ago,” But two weeks wasn’t when he decided. Two weeks ago was when he confirmed it - confirmed that he would do anything to please his Queen, the person who took him in when he had no one - when he had lost everyone. And this - this wasn’t a loss - it was a gain. A gain, of another at his side. 

Finn shook his head, heaving a sigh,  “Just tell me, tell me you’re not just doing this for the agreement.” 

Was it the agreement why he was doing this? Yes, the troops the neighboring planet of Shar could give could end the war, the relief from supplies could stop millions from starving, and the bloodshed, the one that had stained his hands for all too long, could stop. He could finally stop — stop waking up in cold sweats from the images of broken children haunting him, the ghosts of families poking and prodding at his subconscious, until he begged for mercy. It could stop. 

An offer like this didn't come around twice. Except that it did — and she had said no. 

His Queen. 

Queen Leia Organa, his mother by all intents and circumstances, received an offer for an alliance a long time ago, and all that was needed was a hand in marriage - and since Ben's hand was already promised - it only left him. It was considered and mulled over and examined time and time again. The Queen couldn't deny the offer was favorable — especially with forces stirring, plotting, scheming in the background. But in the foreground was her son. Barely old enough to read, much less decide on an offer of marriage. She said no, because at that time, she had the choice. 

But this time, she didn’t. And neither did he. 

“I’m not just doing it for the agreement,” he intoned, mustering up a small smile, “Even if I am, as my advisor, shouldn’t you be trying to make sure I go through it?” 

He saw Finn frown at him in the mirror,  “As your advisor, I’m trying to assure you aren’t making a rash decision,” he paused, before adding, “and as your friend, I’m trying to make sure you’re not being a kriffing idiot.” 

“According to you and Rey, aren’t I always?” he laughs, but it echoes hollowly in his chest, and for a moment he allows himself to feel the weight of his decision - he would spend his life with a stranger. Would they grow used to each other? Would they hate each other? Or worst of all, would they mean nothing to each other? And then the counterbalance weighed in - the war, the shortages, and his mother. He turns to face Finn, “I know it’s the right decision.” 

“How do you know?” 

He only smiles, “Because Queen Organa wouldn’t have agreed to it otherwise.” And he hopes that’s true, hopes it’s enough. 

“We should get going,” Finn says, but his words don’t register. Not really. Instead, Poe stares out the window, and nearly just out of sight, the very tip of the pavement of the landing strip peeked through, the end of an x-wing barely visible. It would be so easy. Too easy to sneak out of here, feet pounding down the pavement, slipping past every guard, until it was too late to stop him. His head against the rest of the pilot’s seat, thrum of the engine buzzing in his ears, and he would be gone. He would fly somewhere, anywhere he did not have to be responsible for the lives of so many people, somewhere he did not have to follow his duty — somewhere he just could take care of himself. Instead of everyone else. 

Finn claps him on his shoulder, and he's ejected from his fantasy, “Hey, you okay?" And a small voice nags at the back of his head, after the war, after the war, after the war. Maybe things could be different - maybe he could be free. Things change. People too. As do commitments to treaties. Alliances fall and rise with only the flick of a royal’s finger, and why couldn’t his life too? “We can’t be late, it’s your wedding after all.” 

Then why, he thought as he steeled himself, pushing himself to take one step after the other, why did it feel like my funeral? 

~~~~

The march from his quarters to the hall was a lengthy one. One in which every doubt rears its unwelcome ugly head again, whatever seemingly committed front he had put up to Finn shattered in its wake. Now his eyes just looked for exits. Whatever instilled duty and steadiness he had long abandoned him as he left his room, now leaving only with traitorous thoughts and antsiness in his fingers. But eyes — eyes were watching him. Even now as he walked towards where the procession was waiting for his arrival, he felt the gazes of every guard he passed, every servant, every nobleman fall upon him with smiles and well wishes. And imagine what those smiles would be if they could hear his actual thoughts? How quickly those smiles would turn to scorn at his own selfishness? How fast those well wishes would turn to hissed sneers? The math was simple. A single hand to save many. A choice with only one right option. But why did he want the wrong one? 

But why was it wrong? Why was it wrong to want to want to have a choice? Why was it so wrong to want to choose who to love? 

It wasn’t wrong, he swallowed the lump in his throat as he spotted the procession standing at attention, the colors of the Resistance in full thrust, he just didn’t have a choice. 

Or rather he did. His family and his planet or a chance at an unknowable future. 

He gave Finn a nod, before facing the procession, striding forward to take his place. And he would choose his people - every time. 

~~~

“Add more color to her lips,” The Empress of Shar ordered sharply, smoothing her tone over with a saccharine smile that only assured you that this servant would be fired by the end of day, “We want her husband to be completely enraptured by her — anything less will not be tolerated.” Or perhaps, it would be something worse than a simple dismissal.

Instead, your eyes remained concentrated on the delicate designs that had been drawn on the backs of your hand, patterns of vines and leaves intertwined around each other, bound in the same fate. These same hands that saw battle, bruised and battered and bloodied, were now dressed up in rings and bracelets, drawing eyes to the designs that adorned your skin. And while these tattoos were ephemeral, the passage of time scrubbing them from your hands, the ceremony they represented were not. 

That knowledge weighed on you, heavier than the weight of your wedding clothes against your body. Your mother had you dressed before dawn had broken, and even your muscles nearly buckled under the weight, the clothes embroidered to the point of absurdity. And now in the sunlight, you could see it clearly, ornate designs painstakingly stitched into shimmering waves and complicated lattices upon the ivory fabric. You resisted the urge to finger the designs, knowing your mother would lose her mind if even a single bead was out of place. 

The fingers of the servants tugged and pulled on the strands of your hair into an intricate braid, weaving ribbons, golden thread, and flowers into the complicated knots. You bit your tongue as they yanked particularly hard. Complaining would only incite the Empress’s wrath - and you didn’t wish that upon even your worst enemies. 

The Empress of Shar left no enemies behind. And those she did, she left with their heads on a pike. It was in the name of duty. That's what she told you, anyway. 

"Duty first, mercy second," and you learned quite quickly that mercy often didn't come. If ever. Mercy was reserved for only those situations where the Empress had something to gain — and was assured she had nothing to lose. And your wedding was one of them. It would have been all too simple to storm the planet of D’qar, beaten into submission after attack upon attack by their enemies. All it would have taken was one unit — the im’petis —  the force users and their army would have been razed to the ground. But war is messy. War never ends. Even when all said and done, the seeds of revenge fester in the crevices and cracks of a broken kingdom, until blooming into swathes of rebellion. Too many warm bodies lost. Too much wasted time. 

No, it was better - better to forge an alliance, quell any hint of impropriety, instead two planets become one kingdom. And D’qar and the Resistance gain the support of Shar’s vast resources, while Shar’s gains the aid of their technology. The only cost? Your freedom. 

Or your hand in marriage. All the same to you. 

You couldn’t run. You couldn’t escape. It was a choice of your family or your life. 

And you choose your family. Always. 

“Now, it is time for you to meet your husband,” The Empress waves the servants away, and as quickly as they came, they disappear through the double doors, “We will bring you out. The ceremony will be performed separately at first, and then you will be brought before each other as husband and wife,” her lips curl into a smile, “and darling, this must go well, for both our sakes.” 

“Yes, I understand,” she raises a brow, “my Empress.” 

She nods, “Your ladies in waiting will escort you to the procession, and then you and Poe will live on this planet for a time, before returning to Shar. I expect to hear from you, at the end of every month. Especially before your return to Shar."

You would spend a few months on D'qar, here, as the kingdom prepares for the transfer of power from Queen Organa to Prince Ben." 

“Yes,” your throat tight, you give another nod, “I understand.” 

“I imagine you will have little trouble. The prince is flighty - weak minded and eager, in both romantic and unromantic pursuits,” she stops in front of you, staring, and you wonder if she can see the weakness in your heart, every thought in your mind telling you to run now, to refuse. But she says nothing, only winding a curl framing your face around her finger, tugging on it harshly, a thread of pain running through your head, “but may I remind of the stakes of this. All of Shar is relying on you, as is your mother. Do not forget your place.” 

She lets go and the curl bounces back into place, as she turns to leave, her hand pausing on the door handle, “And don’t forget,” she smiles at you warmly, which only makes your blood run colder, “you two fell in love on a diplomatic mission, and now are being wed,” a ploy - to garner support from the public - it was far better in the eyes of the simple folk to marry for love rather than power. Love sells after all, “So don’t forget to smile at your betrothed - you are in love with him after all.” 

The door closes with a click. Yes. Love. Of course. 

No tears well in your eyes nor do you scream. You sit there, staring at your luggage. You had been flown to D’qar night before last. The air was lighter here —  less humid, somehow sweeter than the aridity on Shar. But now, it felt strangling. You rose, bracelets clanging against your wrists, lifting your skirt as you strided forward. You unzipped one of the bags, stuffed with gowns and dress shirts alike, the material heavy as your arm waded through the sea of silk, until your fingers found the false bottom to the bag. Your fingers snaked through the opening, until they closed around what you sought. You pulled the lightsaber from the bag, staring at the intricate design of the hilt, its weight a comfort in your hands. Only days ago you had spent cutting down Shar’s enemies, and now - you would do it again. 

Only this time — there was a knock at the door, and you buried the saber as quickly as you could in the luggage — the deaths would not be on the battlefield, they would be in a palace. 

~~~~

Poe’s stomach twisted. He did not like this. 

A thousand eyes watched him atop the platform set up by both the people of D’qar and Shar alike. All of whom were watching him now as he sat - trying not to fidget in his throne. Drapes of colors of both kingdoms hung - some separately and others in unison, representing the merging of the two planets and of this union. And they hung all around the stage as well, a barrier from the public’s eyes - but only barely - as he could spot their eager eyes between the parting of the banners. 

He did not like this at all. 

A lone soul, his stomach lurching as he waited for the ceremony to begin. A million eyes on him, and not a soul he knew beside him. He wished Finn or Rey - someone could have joined him. He resisted the urge to squeeze his eyes shut - at least the Queen. But they were following Shar's traditions, down to the dotted line - part of the agreement. 

A neutral expression would suffice instead of a smile, hoping he appeared to be an anxious groom rather than a miserable prince. The officiant would be joining him soon enough, but it did not make him feel any less lonely by himself. Usually, the men of the bride and groom would join the soon to be husband, but - his stomach twisted again - neither of them were around were they? The one thing he knew that he shared with you - the lack of a father, or perhaps the fleeting memory of one. More a ghost than anything now. 

The corners of his eyes stinged, nails digging into his palms, the nagging thought in the back of his head wrenched to the forefront: what would he think of his son? Marrying a stranger he had never met. Would he be proud of his dedication to the kingdom he had lost his life for? Or would he want something more for him? Something like he and his mom had. 

The chatter outside grew, and he readied himself for the officiant. But did it even matter? He was alone in the end - in life and in marriage. 

“You look quite sad for a man on his wedding day,” his head snapped to attention, as he moved to get up, but his Queen waved him off, “It is your wedding day, you need not rise for me.” 

“But don’t I always anyway, Your Majesty?” he gave a weak smile, rising to his feet as she sat, wrinkling her nose at his formality, but holding her tongue (knowing he would use her title anyway), “How many Sharians heads’ did you have to bite off to allow you to be here?” 

The corner of her mouth twitched, “Only one. And I did not bite anyone’s head off - I only had to ask, and made it clear to the Empress I was only going to ask once to be at my son’s side during his wedding.” 

Son, his throat tightened, swallowing the feelings that rose with that word - the word that wasn’t a word, but so much more - it was the very reason he had agreed to this. More than the scorn, the hatred he would engender, maybe even the crushing guilt of the lives lost - or maybe he couldn’t — but he knew only for certain: that he couldn’t bear the thought of his mother being disappointed in him. 

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” he says quietly, and she looks over, lips curled in a smile now. 

She raises a brow, “No remarks to be made?” 

Poe looked to the audience as all rose for the approaching officiant, and he knew he wouldn’t run - not because he couldn’t - but because he could live with marrying someone he didn’t know, but he couldn’t live without his home. 

~~~

You didn’t want to have this ceremony. You liked the beauty of it all, the elegance, but only from an outsider’s perspective. Not when you were the one sitting like a shyyyo bird in a cage. You hated all the eyes on you — dressed in bright plumage to draw their gazes, as they watched you take part in this forced mating ritual. 

Maker, it was your wedding day and all you want to do is take a nap. Especially as the officiant's droning voice led you through the vows, you felt your mind wane, though you kept the outer mask of a bride carefully stitched into your features. Even so, you doubted they could see your face through the thick veil of flowers tied around your head, the string digging into your skull. Even through the thick perfume of flowers, sweet and heady, you could smell the distant aroma of dinner - savory and ambrosial - stewing in pots and warming until this ceremony was over. You almost didn’t care if your stomach growled - after fourteen hours in this outfit and being poked and prodded and watched - you were ready to eat. 

And it would be soon enough - as the vows came to an end, with only a word of affirmation needed from the groom and from you. A comlink hooked up to project sound throughout the building - as one was offered to you and most assuredly to him, as so everyone could hear you affirm your love for one another. And it occurred to you, this would be the first time you heard his voice. Curiosity edged in at the corners of your mind - what would his voice be like? Would it be gruff and low? Would it be smooth and dulcet? Would it be pompous and orotund? 

It was one Sharian phrase, but you repeated the word over and over in your head - knowing that a second of hesitation (or Maker forbid a mispronunciation) would look suspicious. 

You hear the officiant ask, “Hal’e turbi hayatak bihah?” Do you bind your life to hers? 

“Nam 'uqad hayati,” Yes, I bind my life to hers. The Shar words rolled off his tongue with clumsy vowels and exaggerated consonants. You had no expectations, and yet his voice was different than you expected. It was neither gruff nor pompous, you supposed it could be smooth or dulcet, but it was still something more than that - and you realized, it was the conviction in his tone. 

For Sharians, arranged marriages were second nature - a tried and true practice that made for marriages that would last a lifetime, most by choice, but others by obligation. You thought nothing of it - it was the same risk anyone took when marrying for love, and the same traps that anyone could fall into in a bad marriage. But for D’qar? Their people have married for love almost as long as they have existed. Even Prince Ben, whose hand had been promised to another, it was because he had fallen for another. So for the precious prince, it couldn’t have been easy to agree to this. And yet, he seemed sure - that it gave you pause - when was the last time you had been so sure of anything? 

You weren’t even sure when you had agreed to this - though it wasn’t like you were given much of a choice. You were perfect after all - the perfect stand in for the princess, one that didn’t exist. There was never a choice that was yours after you agreed to join the Sharian Guard - and even that was a choice between certain death and indentured servitude. 

“Hal’e turbi hayatak biha?” 

You swallow the lump in your throat, all hope of running dissipating, as you feel the Empress’s gaze on you, “Nam 'uqad hayati.” 

The crowd cheers in time with the band, the low notes a quiet boom in the background, as you and your groom rise from your chairs and are led down the steps of your individual stages — you by the Empress and him by his mother. Other instruments join in with each delicate step you take, building to an inevitable crescendo when the two of you finally see each other for the first time. 

The first time. 

Your throat is dry, and swallowing does nothing to soothe the very much throbbing heart tangled in your vocal cords. You realize that he’s before you when the Empress’s guiding hand stops, drifting away from your shoulder. Thousands of eyes pierce you from every side, your knees threatening to knock together, but you will them to be still. Princesses of Shar did not shake — but of course, you thought mournfully, you were not one. 

“Please lift the veil and allow your eyes to meet your betrothed,” the officiant orders. 

Gentle fingers part your flowered veil, lifting it over your head. You blink. 

Brown. That’s the first thing you notice when you see them. They were a softer brown than expected. You had heard the rumors about the prince — about his thrill seeking as a pilot and his disregard for the rules (authorizing an attack the Queen had explicitly objected to). You expected more fire, more darkness, and it was there — but there was something more you couldn't place. His eyes blinked as he saw you too, his lips parting, a gentle gaze caressing your face, instead of raking down its sides. His brow only ruffled for a moment, before he smiled  Lips pulled wide into a smile and that's when you remembered — oh yes. You were supposed to be in love. 

You match him in time, chiseling your expression into a shy gaze, a smile tugging at your lips. And his hand found yours easily, his fingers intertwining with his to face the crowd. Even as your stomach stuck to the soles of your feet, why was it that, even with a thousand eyes piercing you, you couldn't help but stare at him? 

~~~

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[halothenthehorns]

PADFOOT RETURNS

Favorite chapter of this book! I don't care you still don't need to know this.

HPHPHPHPHP

Sirius, who clearly still had that last task stuck in his craw, grumbled at Harry, "Well this does prove I was right about Krum, and Cedric. Anyone who leaves those other kids down in that lake are to be avoided by you at all costs."

Lily was frowning down at the little infant in her arms sadly, but still tried for some good, "I don't know Sirius, maybe we were being too harsh on them. Cedric at least, after all, before I heard about Harry's first year it never would have crossed my mind Dumbledore wouldn't put some contingency in place to make sure the unrescued kids came back to the surface. Cedric hasn't had the same bad feelings about Dumbledore recently as we had, I'm sure he just had faith enough not to take that song literally."

Sirius rolled his eyes, clearly not in all agreement, but Remus had a happy smile in place, clearly liking to the idea. "You gave me an interesting idea about Krum as well, what if he saw Dumbledore talking to those merpeople, and pieced the whole thing together from there."

"I can see that," Lily instantly agreed, "he's been staying out on the lake, any Durmstrang student could have seen Dumbledore discussing the task with them, or even more realistically, I'll bet Karkaroff told Krum as soon as he knew that he only had to worry about his one hostage."

"I wouldn't be surprised if Karkaroff did know the others would drown and told Krum to leave them down there anyways," Sirius rolled his eyes at the two of them." *

Harry and James exchanged a look, clearly realizing Sirius was looking to pick a fight, while everyone else just wanted to move on away from that task, so Harry leaned over to Sirius and gently restrained, "I'm positive I'll take your advice as seriously after the task as I did before."

Sirius was instantly derailed, turning back to Harry with a brilliant smile as he declared, "Well how else would you take advice from me?"

Lily and Remus rolled their eyes at him and looked pleadingly at James to go while he had the chance.

James still had a stupid happy smile stuck in place, hoping beyond all measure that Harry would just breeze through the last task and that until that had to arrive they'd spend the rest of his school year hearing of nothing more than homework and actual fun things to laugh about.

One highlight of the aftermath of this task, was Ron getting far more attention than Harry for once.

"Why?" Sirius couldn't help but ask, some nasty memories resurfacing of the last time Ron had been in the limelight, that hadn't been pleasant for Sirius. "Ron was asleep the whole time."

"Everyone saw Fleur kiss him along with Harry," Remus reminded, "and I can all to easily picture Harry shoving Ron in the way when anyone asked why."

  People were clamoring to hear his time down in the lake, and at first Ron seemed to be telling the truth. How the teachers had collected them, promised their safety, and he'd awaken when he reached the surface. A week later however, his tale had been embellished to include a fight for his life against a dozen merpeople, single handedly defending all of the women as they forced him under.

"I like the second story better," James beamed. "Its sounds like a thrilling tale."

"Ron's always been the best at those," Sirius snickered in agreement.

He made sure to assure Padma, who'd been much more taken with Ron since all this started, that he'd had the situation under control that whole time.

"Of course," Lily huffed with disgust at such a flighty girl. Ron acting like this was giving her some annoying flashbacks to James as well, so she wasn't going to pretend to enjoy any of this.

Hermione was not as pleased with his little stunts. She'd been snappish lately with all the people mocking her for being Viktor's missing person, and whenever she caught Ron she'd snap all he could do was snore them to submission.

"Teasing might not affect Hermione," James couldn't help a sympathetic smile for her, "but it certainly gets to her."

"Notes for the future," Harry said simply.

Ron blanched in surprise at her quip, and quickly went back to the real version afterwards.

"Least Hermione keeps him in place," Lily approved.

March came with drier weather, but cruel winds skinned their hands and faces every time they went out onto the grounds.

"I miss Quidditch," James sighed.

Owl post was getting delayed slightly by the buffeting winds, but Sirius' brown owl still managed to make a landing the Friday before Hogsmeade. It took off the moment Harry untied the note, clearly not up for making a return trip.

Harry was the only one who gave a laugh, the others were to on edge for the reply. Sirius' last note had not been promising.

This letter was almost as short as the previous one, simply requesting Harry meet him at an old stile in the back of Hogsmeade at two tomorrow, and to bring food.

They all sat there in a bit of dumbfounded silence for a moment.

Lily cracked first, saying with the most sincerity than she ever had in her life, "I am going to strangle you."

"Bring food?" James demanded, his voice cracking on the last word so that he couldn't have continued if he'd wanted to. James felt like an idiot, he'd made the joke himself that Sirius would probably have to steal a cake, but how much was he eating on the run?

Sirius had a torn look on his face, somewhere between he wanted to laugh them all off for thinking he was in danger like his usual idiotic self, and the rest was curiosity. He somehow managed to ask as if for the weather, "wonder what I'm up to."

"Would you please, for just a moment, pretend like this is dangerous," Remus sighed.

Sirius clucked his tongue at him in agitation, stating, "Never stopped me before. I'm just curious what I finally couldn't put in a letter, or maybe I'm just sick of owl post and want to see my Godson."

The baby in Lily's lap had been growing increasingly fussy, so Lily excused herself to put him down for a nap while still muttering about murder.

James fidgeted with the pages until she got back, honestly debating holding him down for her the whole time, but in the end he reminded himself it wouldn't be fair to murder Sirius just for mouthing off in here. In fact James was almost getting his wish, at least Harry and Sirius having a conversation face to face should be some modicum of fun, his best friend was probably right and just wanted to check in on Harry and no one should be looking for him in Hogsmeade, this should turn out fine.

Harry and Hermione were incredulous he'd really come back, but Ron brushed them off and said he'd been away from dementors this long, he obviously knew what he was doing.

"Thank you Ron," Sirius said a little extra loudly, still with an insufferably cocky look in place that no one was going to catch him.

As Harry tucked away his letter, he was surprised that he honestly felt better with the idea of seeing Sirius again.

"Ha!" Sirius barked in triumph, while Harry was in such a good mood with the most recent task finally being over he couldn't do anything but roll his eyes back.

So he headed down to his Potions class in a much better mood than normal.

Of course that was ruined the moment he saw the standard group of Slytherins all standing in a group, snickering over something.

"Well this never starts well," Lily grumbled, clearly the only one clinging to her unease over Sirius. She was equally annoyed at her boys trying to brush this off as a spot of fun, and just as unwilling to argue it otherwise. She relinquished Sirius had been out long enough it wasn't one hundred percent suicidal to come back, more like seventy five.

Pansy caught sight of them first, gesturing wildly at them to get the others attention.

"I'm with Lily," Remus groaned, "prepare to be annoyed just by that."

Harry saw a magazine in her hands, Witch Weekly.

"Guess that's better than the Daily Prophet," Sirius narrowed his eyes shrewdly.

"Not by much," James grumbled.

Then Pansy gave the paper a toss to Hermione, telling her she should have a good read of it. At that moment Snape opened the door, and they all had to file in.

"Of course this had to happen inside there," Sirius snapped, "at least when this stuff comes up in Care of Creatures you know Hagrid'll back you up."

"I'm sure they planned it this way just for that," Lily sniffed.

The three friends set up their cauldrons in the back of the room like always, but instead of pulling out their ingredients they all leaned over Hermione's magazine as she riffled through it.

The piece wasn't hard to find, another photo of Harry was spotted over the title Harry Potter's Secret Heartache. The article starts by reminding everyone that Harry had grown up without love while being deprived of his parents,

Lily and James flushed in hatred already for this, did that have to keep coming up!

was at least equaled out with the love he'd seemed to find in his school life was Hermione Granger.

"Didn't this already come up?" Sirius scoffed, "Skeeter must be running out of material if she's rehashing your love life."

"Let's hope she just runs out altogether soon," Harry sighed.

Sadly for Harry, he may not even be aware of his own suffering. Miss Granger, a plain but ambitious girl,

"She needs to keep her own story straight," Remus reminded, "she keeps changing her own description of just how pretty she thinks Hermione is."

"We've well established her facts change to fit her story," Lily huffed.

had recently been seen in more company of Viktor Krum. Clearly the girl had a love of famed Quidditch players, though it was clear neither boy knew of the other. Krum himself had been heard saying he'd never felt this way about another girl, even inviting her to his country over the summer.

The real crux was, it most likely wasn't Miss Granger's charm the cause of this.

Skeeter had interviewed a few students to get the real story, and Pansy Parkinson had happily stepped up in the story to report how intelligent Hermione was, it was more than possible Hermione was using Love Potions on these boys.

Love Potions were banned at Hogwarts of course, and this reporter only hoped the matter would be looked into soon before someone's heart was broken forever.

"That's all there is," James finished with a disappointed shake in his head, "thankfully. I'm relieved, I was fixing to start laughing at how ridiculous that was."

"I can still see why Skeeter tried to go that way for Hermione," Lily shook her head furiously, "that really would be traumatizing for some girls to have that printed about them."

"Hopefully Hermione'll take this as she did the other one," Remus said.

Ron was furious for Hermione, even as he couldn't stop an I told you so for her. Skeeter had gone and printed this about Hermione, turning her into a scarlet woman.

"Well he's not wrong," Lily couldn't resist a smile for Ron.

Hermione stopped looking down at the paper and began to laugh at Ron's choice of words, now shaking with giggles.

"I'm sure that's the exact reaction Skeeter was hoping Hermione would have," James beamed with pride.

"Laughing in the face of it all," Sirius agreed at once, "best way to face life."

"You're still not off the hook mister," Lily told him at once. "If you get yourself caught and killed for being an idiot, I'm going to kill you."

"And just what's it to you?" Sirius demanded with an impetuous smirk, clearly all at ease with digging his own grave.

"It means a great deal to me," Remus sniffed back, his mind scrambling to play this off and blast away the worry really eating at them. "As I take great comfort in knowing it'll be my hand that'll be the death of you one day."

Sirius most likely would have kept going, for some deranged reason he seemed to feel the way to make them feel better was throwing out more jokes at this, but James was in no way amused and kept reading loudly around them.

Ron said that's what his mum called them.

Hermione was not impressed, saying if that was the best Skeeter could do, she'd lost her touch.

"As if she ever had one," Lily scoffed, "so far all of her stories have been nothing but dribble."

The Slytherins were watching her expectantly for a reaction, but Hermione simply waved pleasantly at them.

"Never let it be said Hermione doesn't know how to play a situation," James smiled happily at the girl.

The three finally began on their potion for today, a Wit-Sharpening Potion.

Only a few minutes in though, Hermione began how odd it was

"That Snape's never used that Wit-Sharpening Potion on himself," Remus offered with wide eyed innocence.

about Skeeter knowing...

When she trailed off, Ron quickly yelped in surprise if she had been making Love Potions?

"That was his first thought?" James snorted.

"Not that I believe she'd do it," Lily shrugged, "but I'd be the last person to be surprised that she could. Ron would know the same thing."

Hermione snapped at him for being stupid, no what she was surprised was how Skeeter knew about Krum inviting her to Bulgaria.

"I thought that was just more made up stuff," Sirius said in surprise.

She was blushing in embarrassment by the end of admitting to this.

Ron dropped his pestle in shock as he looked at her.

Hermione tried to ignore this and quickly got the whole thing out, telling out he'd asked her just after he'd pulled her out of the lake.

Ron demanded what her answer was, now trying to grind up his desk more than his ingredients.

All four of them were snickering now, though at least trying to hide it at Harry's bewildered stare. He wasn't sure if they were laughing at Ron or something else altogether like he was thinking, but did not want to discuss it.

Hermione tried to ignore him, unsuccessfully by going all the more red, as she agreed he'd been quoted saying he'd never felt this way about another girl.

"I cannot believe she's actually admitting this to them," Remus shook his head.

"This is why Hermione needs some friends who are girls," Lily sighed for the poor thing. She knew full well how that could feel.

That didn't explain how Skeeter knew this, she hadn't been around when Krum had said that, no one had. Perhaps she'd had an Invisibility Cloak on and was sneaking around?

"Would not put it past her," James grumbled.

Ron repeatedly demanded what her answer to Krum had been, knocking the desk so hard with his pestle he put a dent in it.

"I'm thinking Ron wants an answer to that," Sirius raised a brow.

"What on earth gave you that idea?" James kept trying to repress giggles while continuing.

Hermione began to admit that she hadn't a chance to answer before Harry appeared- but was cut off by Snape saying from behind them that he was docking ten points from Gryffindor for discussing their business in his class.

Amusement instantly gone and snatched away because of that insect, no one had the heat to snap at him this time, it went without saying at this point.

The whole class turned as Snape hovered over the three of them, Harry getting another wave of POTTER STINKS badges from Malfoy.

"Might as well glue that to his arse, or his forehead, same thing at this point," Sirius huffed.

Snape caught sight of the magazine, docking another ten points for having this in class, then finding the article and even reading the title out loud.

Lily was gnashing her teeth furiously to hold back the abundance of things she'd like to throw in his face for all the petty comments. It was sick how he was living his dream come true, being able to humiliate her son at every opportunity, when most likely he was really looking down on James in all these moments.

The dungeon rang with the Slytherins' laughter, and an unpleasant smile curled Snape's thin mouth. Going one step further, Snape then began to read the article aloud.

"I-He!" Remus spluttered, sure he must have heard that one wrong.

"There's logic for you," James lip curled, "he took their points away for reading it, and then reads it. Remind me again why I never got around to blowing this one to Norway?"

"Don't ask me mate," Sirius was glaring at nothing and not even pretending it was a joke, "I suggested at least once a week we hogtie him and leave him to the Forest, but no one would let me do it."

"Next time you get the opportunity," Remus told him sincerely, "I'll run interference while you get the rope."

They snarked on long enough at the injustice of this, but James forced himself to reread that bilge through Snape.

The whole thing came across ten times worse in Snape's cruel tones.

When he was done, Snape came to the conclusion it was time to split these three up to keep them on their work. He made Ron stay where he was, moved Hermione to sit by Pansy,

"Please tell me Hermione's brilliant enough to make that blow up without her noticing," Lily pleaded of nothing.

and put Harry in the table in front of his desk.

"I'll pause for the miracle he didn't put him beside Malfoy," James groaned, an honest toss up of which would have been worse, Harry next to him or continued interaction with Snape!

Harry furiously obeyed, dragging his cauldron to the front and slamming into his new seat to continue his potion.

Snape retook his seat but Harry refused to look up at him, determined not to give Snape the satisfaction of seeing how angry he was as he began smashing his own scarab beetles, imagining each one as Snape's face.

"You know what, I like Harry's idea better," Sirius nodded along. "It'd be much more personal and fun to turn him into a potion ingredient."

"Won't deny loving the irony of that," James agreed.

Snape began whispering for Harry's ears alone how all of this press attention was inflating his already large head.

Harry denied response, he knew Snape was trying to provoke him, he'd done so before.

"When did Snape provoke you before?" Lily cast her mind back. "He seems much more fond of humiliating the life out of you and then docking points."

"When he found out I had the Map," Harry reminded, "tried to get me into admitting I'd been visiting Hogsmeade."

"Oh yeah," she rolled her eyes at that resurfacing memory of him taking potshots at James. The incident with Remus afterwards had burned that away a bit.

No doubt Snape was hoping to take a whole fifty points from Gryffindor before class was up.

"The day is just wasted if you haven't," Sirius scowled.

Snape persisted in saying that Harry may be delusional enough to think the whole world was in love with him, ignoring the fact that Harry had long since turned his beetles into a fine powder, but Snape knew better. He didn't care how many times Harry was in the papers,

"Really?" Harry mock outraged with as much sarcasm as he could muster. "Because I've been putting in so much hard work to garner his approval!"

"It's too bad you can't say things like that to him without risking detention," Remus sighed.

"The detention would be worth it," Sirius huffed.

Potter would always be a nasty little boy who gave no consideration to the rules.

Harry finally gave his powder to his potion and turned on his roots instead, his hand shaking so bad the cuts weren't nearly as precise as they should be. Still he refused to respond and give Snape the satisfaction.

"I'm glad you're taking Hermione's path at least," Lily sighed, "he'll get less satisfaction if you act like he's not getting to you."

"Much more self-satisfying to get him back later, when he's lesser expecting it," James mock agreed with his wife, though she wasn't going to argue with him.

Snape promised this warning, if he ever caught Harry breaking into his office one more time-

"He's never broken into your office period," Remus said like speaking to an idiotic child.

"Technically," Sirius added on with a faint smile, "and Snape can't prove otherwise."

"That was two years ago though," James cocked his head to the side, "or is he really blaming Harry for, well whatever that mess with Crouch was."

"He blames everything on me," Harry reminded.

"I'm sure he's tried to get you expelled for every instance that went on at school, and at some point Dumbledore just stopped opening the door for him," James said wistfully, thinking about slamming a door in his face as well, or more on his face.

Harry snapped at that, saying he'd never been in Snape's office.

Snape's black eyes glowed with hatred as he hissed back all of his missing supplies, the Boomslang skin and Gillyweed, all from his private cupboards.

"Wait, now I'm confused," Lily made a rewind motion. "Dobby took the Gillyweed, but what's this about the Boomslang skin? Again, that happened years ago, I'm blasted he's really connecting the events."

"Again," Remus pointed out, "he clearly blames Harry for everything that goes wrong in his life, and I'm not really surprised if he's been in waiting to throw this at him since he found out."

"But it is rather odd," James had his head cocked to the side, "he's talking like this happened when Crouch was in his office, but he can't have stolen either of those, it doesn't add up."

"With what?" Sirius demanded of him. "We never even found out why he was there in the first place."

"What are the odds Crouch happened to steal the exact ingredient Harry had need of, and something he also stole two years ago," Lily said back.

Sirius had no reply, none of them did. This was such an inane mystery no one even had a clue how to begin to puzzle it out.

Harry stared back with a blank face, refusing to acknowledge this. It was in fact Hermione and Dobby who Snape should really be looking to, but Harry wasn't going to be saying that. Instead he lied, stating he had no clue about anything.

Snape hissed back he knew Harry was out of bed that night his office had been ransacked.

"While he's technically not wrong about that," Remus rolled his eyes.

"He still has no proof it was Harry," Sirius finished for him. "There are three other champions that egg could have belonged to, but of course he's still convinced, without proof, it was Harry."

Lily wanted to scold him this time it was good enough evidence, the map and the egg together wouldn't leave an idiot stumped, but that wasn't Sirius' point and she knew it.

Snape had no clue why Moody had joined Potter's fan club,

"Oh, do we finally have proof that exists," James asked mildly. "What did Colin and Ginny name it anyways?"

"Potter Doesn't Really Stink," Sirius offered to Harry's trying to ignore them both, about as successfully as he'd been ignoring Snape.

but even he couldn't save Harry from Snape when he caught him.

"About as thoroughly as he has in the past," Remus stated with a winning smile, making them all give a hearty laugh in appreciation for that; because Harry hadn't ever technically been in trouble for any of this.

Harry mildly agreed he'd keep that in mind if ever he had a wish to go for Snape's office.

"You just know it's on his top ten list," Sirius nodded along.

"Right up there with going back into the Forest, going to another Death Day party, and going back to the Chamber," Remus agreed.

Snape's eyes flashed, his hand tucked inside his robes, and for an actual moment Harry was sure Snape was about to curse him.

"I'll skin him alive," Lily said dangerously, wishing now more than ever she could leave these walls for the simple use of acting on that.

Instead he pulled out a clear bottle that looked like it held water. Snape asked if Harry knew what this was.

This time, completely honestly, Harry said no.

"Not that it's ever stopped you before," James said.

Snape explained it was Veritaserum, a Truth Potion so powerful just three drops and Harry would spill every secret he'd ever had.

"And illegal to use on the unwitting," Lily hissed.

Harry ruffled his brows at her, casting his mind back to a not at all pleasant conversation where he'd try to offer ideas to prove Sirius' innocence. This potion had come up, and he asked, "If you can't use it on people on trial because they're expecting it, and you can't use it on someone who isn't expecting it, what's it used for?"

"Nothing," Lily deflated a bit at talking to her son, though venom was still clear in her tone even not directed at him. "It's basically illegal to even own any amount unless you have specific license to study under a few fields. Snape would be allowed to have some I suppose, being a potion's teacher and all, but that doesn't give him the right to use it on anyone!" She finished, trying to force herself not to shout there at the end.

"Dumbledore wouldn't let him use it," Remus offered without any real hope.

"Dumbledore should be stopping a lot of things that keep happening," Sirius snapped back bitterly.

Snape conceded there were many restrictions placed on the use of this potion, but one day Snape's hand may just slip over Potter's evening drink.

"And ironically," Lily put her hands up in exasperation, "Snape still wouldn't get his end results."

"Though a few worse things would come out than breaking into a teacher's office," James muttered, keeping a careful eye on his best friend.

Harry turned away with false indifference, ignoring how uncomfortable that potion made him feel. Snape may not get the confession he'd be wanting, but Harry knew how much trouble not only his friends would be in, but also far worse things could happen. Like his admission to being in contact with Sirius, and his crush on Cho.

Sirius couldn't help it, he broke all tension in the room by snorting with laughter, and not stopping there by doubling over and still holding his sides with amusement.

Harry was bright scarlet already, trying in vain to get James to keep going who was paying him no attention, clearly just as amused as Padfoot that Harry's embarrassment over that crush ranked right up there with the fear of his Godfather getting caught. Good to know where Harry's priorities were at least.

It took Sirius quite some time to settle back down, rubbing happily at his chest and ignoring the exasperated looks of the others at such an overreaction. "Thanks pup, I needed that."

"You are not welcome," Harry grumbled back.

He put his roots into his potion and began stirring, his mind on Moody's idea to start drinking out of his own hip flask for a while.

"While I wouldn't blame you if you did," Remus shook his head with amusement, "I more recommend just asking the house-elves to special make you meals. Gives you a much less paranoid vibe."

"I'll keep that in mind," Harry did manage a smile for him.

A knock on the door stopped either from saying anything else as Snape called for entrance in a more normal voice.

"So, dark and creepy," James nodded along.

Karkaroff came in.

"Well, well," Sirius raised a brow. "Evil plotting in front of the kiddies now? Poor form on their part."

"I will strangle you," Lily promised, still unable to grasp how he could make light of Death Eaters around Harry.

"What?" Sirius defend himself at once. "They're not actually going to do anything to Harry in that classroom, but Harry might pick up on something else they could be up to."

Remus wanted to remind him they most likely had already done something to Harry, they were their number one suspects on who'd entered Harry into this tournament, but he wasn't going to argue with Sirius now and begged Lily not to bother while James ignored them all.

Everyone watched as he came up to Snape's desk, clearly trying to be as quiet as possible as he whispered they needed to talk.

"Then he should have done this after the fact," James rolled his eyes, "in Snape's oh so important office."

"Be happy intelligence is failing them," Sirius waved him off.

Harry still pretended he wasn't listening as he kept at his ingredients, but still clearly heard Snape's hissing response to deal with this after class.

Karkaroff refused, saying he was tired of Snape slipping away and avoiding him.

"I would too," Remus quipped, but was watching the book curiously now, all of them wondering what they could be squabbling about.

Snape repeated they would talk after the lesson.

While Harry raised his measuring cup full of armadillo bile up to the light to check the correct measurement,

"Subtleness you were excelling at I'm sure," Remus smirked.

"You ever wonder how they get some of these ingredients?" Sirius muttered to Harry.

"Detention from Snape I'm sure," Harry said back, thinking it would be just that kind of punishment for Snape to make armadillos appear just to have them vomiting their bile for the students to collect.

Harry peaked at the pair. Karkaroff looked worried, Snape angry.

Karkaroff stayed hovering over Snape's desk for the rest of class, and determined to know what they were talking about, Harry knocked over the rest of his armadillo bile with a minute to go before class let out and quickly bent down to mop it up while the rest of the class fled the room.

"That was brilliant," James praised.

"Absolute credit for sneakiness with an excuse," Sirius agreed.

Snape demanded what Karkaroff thought was so urgent? Karkaroff declared this!

Harry peeked around his cauldron to see Karkaroff had pulled up his left sleeve to show Snape something Harry couldn't see.

Remus cocked his head to the side with a calculating look in place. "Wasn't that the same arm Snape grabbed when Moody made a crack at him about marks?"

"You think him and Karkaroff got matching tattoos?" Sirius asked in disbelief.

"I think it's strange something's clearly bothering both of these Death Eater's," Lily agreed mildly even if she did think the arm thing was a slim attachment.

Of course, they all knew something was stirring, Voldemort was trying to make a return and even if Harry hadn't been having any more dreams about it, and thank Merlin for that and it not happening any time soon, it was still the most unsettling thing to happen thus far. Could these two be talking about that? It really was hard to come up with anything else this could be about, but what would something on their arms be about?

Karkaroff insisted it was clearer than ever, it hadn't been like this since-

Snape snapped at him to put that away, turning a nastier face on Harry and demanding to know what he was still doing in here?

Harry showed his sodden rag he was cleaning with,

"I'm so sure he appreciates your cleanliness," James scowled, his mind still flagging in frustration he couldn't put this together. This could be something really important, and they were all clearly missing something.

but Snape snapped at him to get lost. Harry quickly vacated the room to tell Ron and Hermione what he'd seen.

"Which was what exactly?" Lily groaned in frustration.

Next day they left for Hogsmeade, the weather finally slowing enough that it was actually a beautiful day.

This wasn't making anyone's mood feel any better. Despite the Snape distraction, no one could get over how worrisome it felt to have Sirius back in the picture like this. Danger kept screaming at every corner of their mind, and yet at the same time none of them would selfishly admit it would be good just to hear about him again not on the run or as a convict. Just Padfoot trying to spend some time with Harry for a day.

The food Sirius had asked for was tucked in Harry's bag, a dozen chicken legs, a loaf of bread, and a jug of pumpkin juice.

Sirius still fidgeted uneasily a bit at such an odd request from himself, he wasn't liking where this was headed right off the bat.

First they headed for a shop to get Dobby those promised socks, enjoying themselves by picking out the most outlandish ones they could find, including ones that screamed at you if you didn't wash them regularly enough.

"Not a bad start," James nodded along, "but you've got about three hundred more pairs to go to get to that every day of the year promise."

"I decided I'd build up to it," Harry grinned, "I need to get him future gifts after all, no sense in doing it all at once." He finished with an almost vacant look at the end, his innards squirming a warning he'd better get Dobby those socks while he had a chance.

"That's cheating," Sirius wagged his finger at the half finished return to keep Harry's attention, but agreed with a smile, "I'm so proud."

As the time came, they made their way to the stile. Harry had never been this far into Hogsmeade before,

All three boys made choking noises of disbelief at that declaration, it still blew their mind Harry didn't know the grounds of that place like they did.

and the place looked far more deserted with a long winding road and being right at the base of a mountain.

A small gate closed off the borders of the village, and leaning on said gate with large paws and a shaggy coat was a familiar dog.

Harry happily greeted Sirius.

Lily was shaking her head fondly, like she'd still been futilely hoping this whole time Sirius wouldn't be stupid enough to come, and even more pleased he had.

Harry couldn't help but compare that lean, wild looking animal to the happy pooch he'd seen in this living room days ago, trying to comfort him in his fear of what would happen to Sirius. The contrast between the same dog was as vivid as the cocky, self-assured Godfather sitting at his side, ready to joke his way to the end, and the gaunt faced criminal Harry only had memory of seeing smile once.

The black dog sniffed Harry's bag eagerly, wagged his tail once, then turned and began to trot away from them across the scrubby patch of ground that rose to meet the rocky foot of the mountain.

"Wait a minute," Remus said slowly, "you're not really..." he trailed off in disbelief as he kept watching Sirius.

"Don't know how regularly," Sirius shrugged, "but I'm even more pleased if so. It'll be much more fun to talk to Harry rather than just following him around."

"I don't understand," Lily was frowning, looking from Sirius to his two friends suspiciously.

"That mountain's got all sorts of caves and hiding spots," James told her and Harry. "We explored them all the time, even kept a stash of stuff up there when we didn't want to get caught with it. When we found Sirius wasn't staying in the Shack, I honestly thought this was where he was spending his time last year."

Lily gnawed on her lip a bit, but decided this was actually fairly out of the way of the school, and if the Marauders said they'd explored this place than that meant they knew it better than the surrounding villagers. Plus, if Dumbledore even knew Sirius was staying there, and warned people to stay away from the area, well this was honestly looking like almost a good idea. Then she realized what she was thinking, and chose not to say anything aloud, still not wanting to give that idiot the impression she approved of him being in the country at all.

The three followed him up the steep path, having to climb over boulders and struggling to keep up with the more assured four legged one, as they sweated under the sun and the straps of Harry's bag cut into his shoulders.

"If I'd known there'd be a hike, I'd have left the jug behind," Harry winced and rubbed at his shoulders in remembrance.

"I honestly forget what it's like to try on two legs," Sirius answered honestly, and with a bit of pity. "We didn't really go all through these places until we changed."

Finally the dog vanished into a crevice, and the three wiggled inside to see a spacious cave with Buckbeak tied to a corner.

"So you did actually keep him," Remus chuckled. "I never again want to hear you mock me for bringing home strays."

"Not happening Moony," Sirius shot back at once. "This beast saved my life, the least I can do is keep him around. You dragging in all manner of destruction into our flat with your creature of the month have yet to do the same."

Remus opened his mouth, to argue the point or give another sarcastic response James didn't want to listen to for once, he was too anxious to hear how Sirius was doing in person. That food comment was still lingering badly at the edge of his mind.

All three bowed to the hippogriff, who obliged back, and while Hermione rushed forward to pat him in greeting, Harry turned eyes on his godfather. Sirius was wearing the same ragged garb he'd had on the night he escaped Azkaban,

They all winced, that wasn't a great start, though no real surprise as it probably would have been a chore at best to steal anything better. Most likely if he wasn't on Buckbeak he was Padfoot, so it wasn't even the largest of deals in the grand scheme, but even something as little as this struck deep.

his hair was a long tangle mess again, and he looked extremely thin.

Lily made a noise she knew she wouldn't deny even if she'd been called out on. All her blustering and scolding aside, she was as distraught as the boys at the idea of what Sirius had really been living through.

James and Remus looked like they'd swallowed a lemon at the idea, not even being subtle as they kept a steady eye on their Sirius, here and now looking grumpy but still his usual self. He didn't even seem to realize he kept running his hand through his hair, as if to keep himself in check this wasn't some nasty new form of a mirror being put on him.

He was sitting on the ground, spitting a few newspapers out of his mouth he'd been carrying this whole time, and turned to Harry asking about the chicken he smelled.

'Missed you to Sirius,' Harry thought to himself, not looking to meet anyone's eyes. He still felt responsible for Sirius being in these conditions, and the fact that his Godfathers first request had been for food rather than an actual greeting spoke every level of how horrible it had been.

Harry handed over the bag, and Sirius began digging in at once, while thanking for the food, admitting he'd actually been living on rats.

James hardly got that out before revulsion hit and his throat retched.

"There's some kind of irony in that I'm sure," Sirius said with pure viciousness in his voice as he took in all the disgusted faces around him.

"Sirius-" Remus began weakly, but Sirius cut him off snappishly.

"What? You lot going to sit around and tell me how sorry you are for me? Like that's going to help? Let it go will you, it's my decision."

While true, this didn't make what they were hearing any better, so still fighting down the impulse to run to the kitchen and get Sirius a snack while he had to listen to this, James forced himself to keep going.

He admitted he couldn't be stealing too much food from Hogsmeade, he didn't want to draw attention to himself.

Lily kept a watchful eye on him, waiting for him to start up his bragging that of course he was smart enough to think ahead like this, clearly waiting for someone to mock him to the contrary, but when no one did he instead intensified his glare at all of them so that he actually looked pretty scary. It was clear he was growing sick of their trying to baby him, but none of them were going to be able to shake it off any time soon.

He gave Harry a grin, who only reluctantly returned it.

Harry demanded why Sirius was even here, and Sirius said back he was doing his job as godfather, while gnawing on the chicken bone in a very doglike way.

"Least some things don't change," James shook his head fondly, Sirius had done that long before he'd been an animagus, though he'd admitted he'd donned the habit more in protest of his mother's precious table manners than anything.

Sirius looked pleased enough at the comment, at least his best friend wasn't all doom and gloom.

Sirius told Harry not to worry about it, everyone around here found him a lovable stray. He kept grinning, but when the anxiety didn't leave Harry's face, he kept going seriously

Sirius released a bark of triumphant laughter, clearly never growing tired of when Harry did this the most, before turning to his pup and stating, "no need for the clarification, I say everything Seriously."

"You're right Prongs," Remus groaned, "but sometimes I wish that joke would change."

"Not happening," Sirius stated proudly.

that Harry's last letter had left him uneasy. The papers weren't helping anything, clearly something was getting fishy around here.

He nodded at the yellowing newspapers, which Ron went to investigate.

Harry kept watching Sirius, asking what would happen if someone spotted him.

Sirius waved that off, saying the three of them and Dumbledore were the only ones who knew he was here and that he was an Animagus, still tearing off large pieces of chicken between every word.

Ron got Harry's attention by showing him the headlines, one of which covered the mystery of Crouch's disease,

"One of the symptoms being night time wanderings," Sirius rolled his eyes, still finding this much more fun to think about than himself.

and the other still over the missing Ministry Employee, and that the Minister himself was now looking into it.

"I'm honestly impressed," Lily arched a brow. "Why's she getting so much attention? People have gone missing before."

"Most likely, after ah, this time," Remus wasn't quite sure how to phrase that and since they got the gist he quickly moved past, "I'm sure if it did happen, at least someone could offer up some sort of explanation. As far as we know, she's gone without a single trace. That is media worthy."

"I'd almost rather not have the answer to this one," Sirius shivered for the poor thing.

Harry read the Crouch one first, looking up when he was done about how they made it seem like he was dying.

Ron told Sirius about how Percy was Crouch's underlying, and he just wrote it all off as being overworked.

Harry disagreed, saying how bad he'd looked that night of the Goblet.

Hermione just said it was his own comeuppance for how he'd treated Winky.

"I'm thinking this might be a bit more than that," James shook his head fondly

"Hermione'll just take any excuse to change the subject to house-elves," Sirius snorted.

Saying how she was sure he was regretting his harsh actions now.

Ron informed Sirius about Hermione's house-elf obsession, but rather than exasperated like Ron, Sirius looked intrigued as he asked about Crouch sacking his elf.

"That would be news to me," Sirius agreed, he still found the instance odd, and he'd already heard about it.

Harry recounted the whole Dark Mark event for him.

Sirius pulled yet more chicken out as he made sure he got the whole thing cleared up, clearly being the most interested in Crouch not even appearing at the event of the Cup.

Harry agreed he'd stated he was too busy to come at the time.

Sirius got to his feet as he sucked on the marrow, muttering to himself for a moment before asking Harry if he'd checked his pockets for his wand before he'd left the Top Box?

"Why would you ask?" Remus asked slowly.

"Not really sure," Sirius was frowning at nothing as he tried to guess at his own train of thought...no matter how odd that was.

Harry thought back and admitted he hadn't checked until he'd needed it later, then asking of Sirius if he really thought the caster of the Mark had been in the Top Box?

"Even Sirius wouldn't make such a suicidal leap," Lily dissed the idea.

"If the Malfoy's hadn't been confirmed in with the other Death Eaters, I might argue the point," Remus said fairly.

"But there's no one else up there who could have done it," James agreed.

"Unless Winky stole it for someone," Sirius offered, his brow still ruffled as he tried to put it together.

James scoffed at the idea, saying, "Unless Crouch told her to, I don't buy that. She was clearly all loyal to him, that sounds like a Dobby stunt."

Sirius ran out of ideas, it really didn't make much sense, but something had happened in between it being in Harry's possession and it casting the Mark, they just had not a single clue of what. Harry wasn't helping anyone, arms crossed in a huffy manner as he was well aware the answer was somewhere in Sirius' line of thinking.

Sirius agreed there was a good chance, and Hermione at once snapped it hadn't been Winky!

Sirius agreed she hadn't been the only one up there, asking for a list of everyone.

When Harry recounted the Malfoy's name, Ron suddenly got the idea that it could have been Lucius all along.

Sirius didn't seem to think so, as he asked for anyone else present.

"Well you clearly don't think much of the idea," Remus pointed out.

"Which is a bit off from you," Lily shook her head.

"If Harry explained the whole thing, including Draco telling of his parents being in the Death Eater crowd," Sirius shrugged them off.

"They still seem the most likely," James sighed, then his eyes brightened with understanding, but not pleasure as he offered, "what if it was a handoff. Who wants to put money Karkaroff could have been at that game, supporting his number one student."

They all swallowed that for a moment, but Harry shook his head first, saying very slowly so as not to agitate himself, "I don't think, I mean, I like to think I'd have recognized the voice, and I still haven't heard it since that night."

It was thin, someone shouting a curse could still manage to sound different enough from just casual speaking, but if Harry was disagreeing with an idea, it was best not to argue the point.

When Harry finished, Hermione also pointed out Bagman in the end.

Sirius kept up his pacing and stated all he knew of him was that he was an old Beater.

The four of them felt themselves sink just that little bit lower, again. First the dragons, now this, had Azkaban taken everything away from Sirius? Something of his old Quidditch love and idol of a player should have sparked a life in him at the mention of that name, not just that.

Sirius asked if they'd had any more contact with him, and Harry admitted Bagman had been trying to help Harry out with the Tournament, said he'd taken a liking to Harry.

Hermione pointed out they'd seen him just before the Mark was cast and he disapparated, but Ron said it was ludicrous to think Bagman had done this.

"I can't really buy that," Lily shook her head. "He's been a bit of an idiot, one too many bludgers honestly, but I don't think he's Death Eater material."

Something buzzed in the back of Harry's skull, and for some odd reason his mind flickered to Skeeter, and something she'd said about Bagman...

Hermione stubbornly said back she thought Bagman was still more likely than Winky.

"That I'll give her," James snorted.

Ron looking imploringly at Sirius as he repeated Hermione's obsession with elves.

Sirius though waved Ron silent.

"I'm impressed he listened," Remus couldn't help a little smirk at Sirius. "Looks like you've gotten marginally more menacing to stop someone."

"Wish it would work on you," Sirius grumbled at him.

Sirius instead turned back to Harry and asked what Crouch had done after his elf had been discovered under it.

Harry told how he'd gone through the bushes looking for someone else, and found no one.

Harry still felt like someone had snapped a rubber band on his nose, something in there was a lie, but all he got for it was rubbing in agitation at his temple and ignoring the moment.

Sirius agreed that was in line, Crouch would want to pin this on anyone else but his elf.

Hermione instantly agreed, saying he'd been wrong to sack his elf just for running from that stampeding crowd.

Ron snapped at her to give those elves a rest!

"I can see Ron's point," James said around twitching lips, "I'm sure he's heard this a million times by now, and Sirius has much more important things to be asking than house-elves."

Sirius seemed to be on Hermione's side though, telling Ron that she had a better idea of how Crouch was than Ron. If you wanted to know what a man was like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.

Lily couldn't stop a violent, and rather vindictive, snort as she looked disbelievingly at him for that one. "You did not just say that with a straight face? After the way you've gone on about elves, I thought you'd be cheering Ron on."

Sirius had a little sneer in place for her benefit as he corrected, "I hate my elf, with good reason. That doesn't mean I'm not going to think less of someone doing the same to theirs if it hasn't done anything wrong. That's sound advice woman, you should be thanking me for bestowing that on your son."

Lily raked her hand through her hair instead of slapping Sirius for the pompous attitude, she found him being a hypocrite more in that moment than wise like he clearly thought himself, but truth be told he wasn't wrong either. Sirius had every right to hate his house-elf in particular at least, but from what she'd gathered he'd clearly treated the ones at Hogwarts with at least as much respect as the rest of the staff, if not more for the free food, which was saying something.

He ran a hand over his unshaven face, evidently thinking hard.

Sirius waited impatiently for a sarcastic comment from anybody asking how hard that was, a witty retort already in place, and was all the more frustrated when it didn't come. Couldn't these guys chill for just one second? They had no problems taking the mickey out of him in here, but clearly none of them were going to be mocking his future self...which still hurt his brain to think about so he let it go.

He was still stuck on the idea of Crouch, saying all of these absences of his from events he'd had such a huge hand in putting together wasn't like him at all. If he'd ever missed a day of work because he was sick, Sirius would eat Buckbeak.

"Best way you could have put that, past the lovely sentiment," Lily crinkled her nose at him.

Harry was surprised that Sirius seemed to know Crouch personally.

Sirius' face darkened so much, that between the menacing scowl and the dark lighting, he looked truly like the murderer Harry had once believed him to be.

Five faces lost every last drop of color at that sentiment, one question on all of their lips, what had Crouch done to Sirius? 

He whispered for their benefit that he only knew Crouch as the man who'd put him in Azkaban without a trial.

Sirius' mouth flopped open in shock, mingled disbelief and hatred suddenly burning away any trace of his joking bravado nature. It was now all too clear to Harry that was indeed an expression of one who could actually go and kill someone, and Sirius had just been given a motive.

"He what?" Lily hissed, the fire blazing in her green eyes matched only by her hair. "They couldn't really, there's no way they-"

"I'm going to kill him," James vowed on the spot. He didn't remember getting to his feet, but he was suddenly pacing all around the room, his wand tapping furiously on his hip and clearly hoping to use it on the first available target. He spat in the fireplace as he passed it but that relieved nothing, he could not get this out of his head!

Remus' lower lip was trembling, it was unclear whether he was fixing to cry or scream. Mostly he just looked diminished. He couldn't help his mind scattering to the first person that he would have called to for help with this, but Dumbledore had actually allowed this to happen! He was Supreme Mugwump, Crouch may have held off the trial but he would have had to pass it by Dumbledore to be skipped, which had never been passed in their history! Even someone brought in as a confirmed and known Death Eater was granted a trial, but Sirius hadn't even been given that! What the bloody hell was the matter with this! It only marginally explained their earlier plights and complaints that Sirius shouldn't have been sent there at all, one moment in front of an actual person should have proven Sirius' innocence, now they all realized he' never even been allowed that chance!

While Harry knew he was just as angry as the rest of them, he tried to keep some perspective. While outraged on behalf of Sirius for this slight, Harry just knew there was something important about this conversation, something Sirius was going to tell him that would make all the difference to this year. He really didn't want to be the one to call attention to himself, any of them were likely to spring into deadly action at a moment's notice now, but it spoke volumes of Harry's time here when he cleared his throat and hardly winced at all eyes falling on him. "I am begging you guys to remember this hasn't technically happened yet," he gestured vaguely to his still fuming godfather. "Crouch'll never get the chance to do this to him," he promised with much more conviction than he felt.

No one looked appeased enough to move past this, James was still pacing manically around the room and looked as likely to kiss Snape as pretend this wasn't going to weigh on him whether it had technically happened yet or not. Sirius should never have been in Azkaban to begin with, that thought had never once left his mind since he'd heard about this, and yet somehow the level of bad got worse at this news. He didn't know how to go back to simply reading a book after this kind of news, he was entirely certain he couldn't get the words out anyways through his red vision.

The book had been left in James's vacant seat, and Harry uneasily reached for it like it was the Monster Book of Monsters, ready to bite his hand the moment he touched the cover. No one made to stop him, though a few throats vibrated a warning growl that promised screaming would resume at a moment's notice. Harry's fingers fumbled across several pages, possibly earning a few paper cuts as he found his place, but that Gryffindor bravery, or thickness he was sure Ron would say, shone through as he forced himself to go on in this atmosphere.

The three of them gasped in surprise, while Harry demanded to know if he was kidding, but Sirius simply said he wasn't while taking another bite of food.

Harry paused hopefully, though in vain. He'd been hoping at least Sirius, who'd laughed off plenty of terrible things before, would at least make a crack he could discuss anything over food, but clearly it was not to be forthcoming.

Crouch had been head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the time.

"He won't be holding that position long when I get a hold of him," Lily snarled. She'd put up with his horrid ways for long enough because he'd been using them against Death Eaters, proven Death Eaters! This was, unprecedented!

He'd even been tipped for the next Minister of Magic. Crouch was a powerful wizard,

"Bet you nearly bit your tongue off getting that out," Remus sighed, his voice still coming out so quiet no one was really sure what he'd said and didn't ask for a repeat.

and power hungry. He caught the look on Harry's face and quickly corrected he was no Voldemort supporter, Crouch was the opposite. Then again, a lot of people against the Dark, but he trailed himself off saying they were too young to understand.

"Hurtful," Harry yelped at once.

Sirius gave him an even look, but finally that face was starting to wobble. It was clear he could have held it for hours yet if left to stew, but he'd never want Harry to really see him like this, so even if it didn't really work he tried to force something resembling his more normal self as he said, "well, hopefully I get over the delusion that you're fourteen. Obviously you're much older and I just need my eyes checked."

While it was clear he was going for a joke and apology all at the same time, Harry still grumbled mutinously for a bit, wondering if Sirius would reach the same conclusion in his own time.

Ron said in protest that's what his dad had told him, why wouldn't Sirius give them a try?

A grin flashed across Sirius' thin face.

"That's why you need to keep Ron around, it's good to know he can still get to me." Sirius sighed, losing the fight to keep himself tensed for a fight and instead slumping back in his seat, now just looking defeated. It was almost as bad as his anger, like he'd accepted this was his fate to come and he may as well enjoy himself in the meantime.

Everyone else refused to believe that, whatever self-punishment Sirius clearly still felt towards himself had not gone away no matter the farce he put up, but around a dry throat all James could do was what he'd always fall back on. Pick on his best friend. "Oh, now you agree with me, after the fact. Typical of you."

Sirius listlessly stuck his tongue out at him, the gesture more pouting than admitting a point like normal.

He agreed he'd give them a try, pacing back and forth a few more times before beginning.

Remus couldn't stop just the smallest of smiles gracing his features. James and Sirius were so alike sometimes, about things they didn't even realize. Only one instance being that they both tended to pace when they were upset or thinking hard, like the motion helped generate better ideas for them.

He began by recounting how it had felt to the rest of the world for Voldemort to be all powerful, no one to trust and no one to turn to. People did terrible things and no one could stop them.

"Don't have to think too hard to imagine that," Sirius muttered at Harry's side, going slightly cross eyed at himself saying this in past tense. It probably still felt like days ago to an after Azkaban Sirius, where time didn't mean much in that prison except endless torture.

You were scared for yourself, your family, everyone you cared about. Every time you turned around there was more news of death, disappearances, and even torture. The Ministry was not keeping a handle on anything, and Muggles were dying left and right.

There was nothing but panic in everyone.

"You do a lovely painting, I thought James was the artist," Remus quipped at Sirius loudly enough to be heard this time.

Sirius gave him a pleased enough smile, he'd heard that hint of longing in Remus' voice for this to be a past rather than present. James didn't find it nearly as funny, giving him a light swat on his next pass through, but at least he'd tucked his wand away.

Times like that brought out the best in some, and the worst in others.

"Clearly some people shouldn't be in this at all," Lily said flatly.

Crouch had been a rising star from the beginning, a voice for the Ministry that they weren't going to let this stand. He dealt out the harshest punishments on anyone slightly associated with Voldemort, granted powers to Aurors for people to be killed rather than captured. Sirius hadn't been the only one to get sent away without a trial.

Harry couldn't get that out without stuttering a bit, knowing it was foolish to fear for his life from them but it still wasn't passing easily through their ears without inciting more violent outbursts; made all the worse at the realization Sirius wasn't the only one treated like this. Yet more innocent people had likely died in this place because of Crouch!

Crouch fought violence with violence, and authorized the use of the Unforgivable Curses against suspects.

Lily blanched in horror. Talk of that was being passed along now, clearly it had gone through. She had been talking to her boys about this just last week, it was the root of all their snide comments about Crouch following whatever rules he saw fit.

Crouch became as ruthless as those he was fighting. Most seemed to agree with his methods and were begging him to take the top spot. When Voldemort vanished, it seemed obvious Crouch would get just that.

Remus opened his mouth to ask how on earth Sirius would know a thing like that, he'd been in prison by the time that came about, but not only did no one here know the answer, it would only be a sharp reminder in an already ugly room.

Then it all changed when Crouch's own son was brought in with a group of Death Eaters.

Harry got a zing tracing from the peak of his scar, marking all the way down to his toes. That was it, that was the bit of crucial information he was so sure he learned from Sirius. What on earth significant could that hold?

"Crouch has a son?" James asked in surprise, his steps finally faltering as his murderous thoughts were derailed and he was successfully pulled fully back into the story.

"I've never heard that," Lily said in shock. "I mean, sure I don't know the family members of everyone in my department, but I usually at least know who does and doesn't have kids. He's never mentioned it."

"Didn't you hear the rest of that?" Remus asked with disgust. "I can understand why if he's been hanging around Death Eaters, I wouldn't go parading that around in that sort of job."

Maybe before they'd have felt bad for Crouch, none of them could imagine what it would feel like for Harry to turn to Voldemort's side, but now that they knew what Crouch would indubitably do, all they felt was more hatred for the guy. He was clearly making examples out of others to show distance from his child, most likely why he'd never even mentioned him. That fallout had landed on Sirius for one.

Hermione was shocked to hear Crouch has a son?

Sirius agreed, while throwing himself back into the dirt. He tossed all his leftover bones to Buckbeak, while he continued saying it had come as a nasty shock for Crouch's own family to be pushed into the spotlight like that. It was probably his own fault, he should have gone home early for once and spent time with his own kid.

He then found the loaf of bread and began wolfing that down.

"I don't think I eat like Moony?" Sirius told Harry innocently, now receiving a slap from James as he passed him next. Sirius didn't regret it, as the lame joke finally ceased his best friend's incessant tread and he slammed back down on Harry's other side mutinously.

"Oh give that back," he grumbled, offering his hand out while Harry watched him uneasily. "I might need it to crack his head open next."

Harry gave it back, a little too willingly in Sirius' heads opinion, and James forced himself to continue reading. He still wasn't happy about it, but wearing out the carpet wasn't helping him, at least this way he could read past Sirius' insistent jokes rather than letting Harry laugh at them like he was prone to do.

Harry asked if his son really was a Death Eater?

For some reason Harry wanted to laugh at the question from himself, something in him clamoring to say that was obvious, of course he was, but the feeling subsided instantly and Harry was instead left listening to the blistering tones of James forcing himself to read about Crouch's personal life rather than him being burned alive.

Sirius said he had no clue if he'd really been, while stuffing himself with bread.

"You're going to make yourself sick," Lily couldn't help but scold maternally. "You've gone from hardly eating a thing to a lot of greasy and heavy foods. What good's that going to do you?"

"Yes mum," Sirius rolled his eyes at her, trying to hide his flashing smile.

He was in Azkaban when the guy was brought in,

James could not ever get that out without some interesting colorful tones threatening violence and death for that having to be a thing.

this was all stuff he'd found out after he'd escaped.

Remus still wanted to ask where that could have been from, even vaguely hoping it could have been from himself though unlikely as he didn't particularly keep up with politics, but then again Remus like to think he'd have at least kept an eye on Crouch; the man who did this to Sirius. Was that giving himself too much credit, since he clearly hadn't cared a lick for Sirius during this time? Great, now he was depressing himself as much as he was over Sirius.

The boy was certainly caught in the company Sirius would bet his life were Death Eaters, but it could have been wrong place, wrong time like the elf.

"Surprised you used a house-elf over yourself in that instance," Lily whispered softly.

Sirius watched her steadily for a moment, his expression hard to read as he told, "I got caught because I didn't run Lily, that's hardly wrong time and place."

His face spasmed, showing the deep regret and hate he had for himself, letting himself get caught, this stupid situation still falling on him though that rat had set everything in motion. He controlled himself quick enough, that cocky mask back in place as he added on to egg her on, "thought that would have given me some brownie points from you? I just compared myself to a lowly house-elf."

She shook her head fondly at him, she wasn't going to rise to Sirius' bait.

Hermione asked how hard Crouch had tried to get his son off?

Sirius let out a sharp bark of laughter.

"Always a warning of trouble," Remus muttered.

Sirius grinned and gave Harry a wink, he'd never thought to describe his type of laugh like that, but he loved Harry putting it like that for him.

Telling her he'd thought she realized better.

"I would have thought he'd think more of his child than his elf," Lily squeaked. She hadn't gained back any of her normal color tone, the fresh news of Sirius' incarceration still heavy on everyone, but still she somehow managed to look all the worse at this news.

"I'm not even going to pretend to be surprised," James muttered lowly, he now knew he'd never put anything past Crouch after what he'd just had further evidence of.

Crouch's fatherly affection stretched just far enough to give his son a trial,

"Oh well hallelujah he gives someone one!" Remus snapped instantly, his spine threatening to crack in half he jerked so hard at that statement.

and the whole show had been so everyone could see how much he hated the boy before he was given to the dementors.

Sirius read the shock on Harry's face and nodded along, not looking remotely amused as he told how they'd brought him right past his own bars.

James made a sound like a kicked puppy, the image swimming before his eyes of Sirius' wasted face having to look through bars and watch all of this, hearing the screams of this guy shouting all this. He shook himself so hard to shake that off he nearly tossed his glasses across the room and forced himself to keep going, anything to focus on rather than that.

He'd couldn't have been more than nineteen, screaming for his mother to help him, but he'd gone quiet by nightfall, most of them did. Except the ones who continued even in their sleep.

Sirius couldn't pretend anymore. He'd been trying to force this off since he'd found out what Crouch had done to him, but everything in him was crumbling at the dead way James was reading that. He started shaking so violently the couch trembled with him, his fingers digging into the cushion to anchor him to this life right here, and they'd have to wrench it away from his limp fingers before he wound up like that.

Harry didn't even think about it this time as he wormed up to Sirius, pulling him into a hug for protection, but words failed him. He still held a deep sense of regret whenever he thought too hard about comforting Sirius, something in Harry telling him his godfather was doomed which wasn't a pleasant thing at all to be considering in light of this.

Lily reacted much better, scrambling to her feet and perching on the arm of the sofa, running her nails gently through his hair and promising, "It's alright Padfoot, that's not happening."

The oddity of Lily calling him that managed to win out, his movements going from violent shaking, to jerking, and finally stilling. He remained hunched in on himself, hardly speaking loud enough, "I don't want to end up like that."

"You won't," Remus croaked, even that had been hard to force out past his tight chest, but it was worth it when Sirius glanced up at him. His dark gray eyes were at war, he wanted to believe him but the image had trapped him better than any Devil's Snare.

Remus sighed, he knew he would regret what he was fixing to do, but at this point he'd suffer for it just to take that look off of his friends face. He gave James a steady look as he sated, "I'm serious."

James reacted almost instantly, some things really never died as he remarked, "Nope, he is," giving Sirius a winning smile.

Sirius blinked spastically at the pair of them before tackling both of them with a hug, then laughing his arse of as he declared, "you haven't done that since first year!" It was mostly for show, but Sirius would rather pet a dragon than let his friends get away with doing this.

"That joke wore off after Christmas, you were the only one who wouldn't let it go after the fact," Remus reminded.

Still not completely able to hide swimming eyes, Sirius forced himself back to his seat and caught Lily before she could sneak away. "Thanks sis," without a hint of mocking.

She met his eyes steadily, while flicking his nose like scolding a dog and saying, "you're welcome love."

Sirius rubbed absently at his nose, but knew he'd take that over the wallop he knew she owed him.

James watched Sirius steadily for a few moments longer, but he considered it mission accomplished when his best friend turned back to him expectantly, waving his hand theatrically for James to continue. James knew a farce when he saw one, Sirius was still on the verge of a real panic attack again at his life heading towards that prison, but James would be remiss if he just sat here and let Sirius wallow in that instead of finding something else to do.

For a moment, the deadened look in Sirius' eyes became more pronounced than ever, as though shutters had closed behind them.

No one in here needed to picture that, they'd just gotten the live version, and hoped to never see it again. That fact that he was all alone in there, with no one to really turn that light back on, caused the room to feel as if it had been iced over already with a dementors presence.

Harry asked if he was still in Azkaban, and Sirius corrected he was dead. Died less than a year after he'd been brought in.

At their surprise, Sirius bitterly agreed most who went mad in there, stopped eating soon enough.

Sirius suddenly wasn't Sirius anymore, but instead had poofed into Padfoot for no clear reason other than to bark in Harry's ear, lunge across his lap and lick obstinately at James' ear, and then start running around the room, only pausing to occasionally bite at his tail. The others weren't sure whether to laugh or call for a Mediwizard, whether it would have worked or not, as they wondered if he'd really just snapped, but then he froze, fur bristling at James. James more than anyone was used to figuring out silent language, and the intent was clear, 'get on with it.'

He couldn't believe himself when he actually managed a weak chuckle, but he supposed the logic was sound. Sirius had survived that place as Padfoot for twelve years, he clearly felt he was only going to get through the rest of this mess in the same state.

Most lost the will to live, and you could always tell when a death was coming, it was when the dementors got the most excited.

Remus had never wished to be Moony in his life, but he suddenly envied Sirius. He still understood what they were saying, as he kept his tail high in the air and sniffed at Remus' boots most likely out of sheer something else to do with himself, but it was in a more simplistic nature filtered through those ears. He could still process everything being said and yet not have to face a reaction, something they all were wishing for by this time.

Crouch's boy had looked sick enough being brought in. His father's position being what it was, Crouch and his wife had been allowed a visit to the deathbed. That was the last time Crouch saw his son, half carrying his dead wife past Sirius' own cell.

If Harry hadn't been so distracted watching Padfoot suddenly leap onto his lap, which he was far too big for, Harry knew he would have considered much more carefully the significance of that.

James reached over absently and gave Sirius a mock pat on the head, a silent promise this was all almost over.

Mrs. Crouch had died not long after, grief most likely. Crouch had never come again for his son's body, and the dementors had buried it just outside the prison, Sirius had watched them do it.

James was entirely sure that was bile slicking over his tongue, his hand suddenly trembling in the fur. The distraction of the wet tongue lapping at his fingers, and then Sirius leaping cleanly over the table to start chasing his tail again the only thing that saved another vomiting session appearing. James was sorely tempted by this point to pass the book to Harry and join him as Prongs, on his life he'd never forced himself to read anything as painful as Sirius recounting his time in Azkaban.

Harry had no want to ask about Azkaban when it had been such a horrid topic for Sirius, but the question had lingered in the back of his mind so he figured he could ask now, which seemed fairer than later when he'd have to see Sirius' face again. "If only prisoners and Dementors are in Azkaban, how does that work? How do the prisoners get fed, and like go to the bathroom and stuff?"

"There's bathrooms in the cells, and the food's shipped in," Lily sighed heavily, building up a mental rant in her head she was going to save for Sirius' human ears about him tearing around her carpet with those huge feet that had unclipped claws on the end. If he tore stitches out of her rug, she was going to make him repair that without magic.

Harry did not press for more, knowing he'd pushed his luck for now when James kept going without waiting to see if Harry was done for once.

Sirius didn't bother finishing what was left of his bread, throwing that to Buckbeak as well as he went for the pumpkin juice and draining half of it in one long gulp.

Wiping the rest off his lips, he continued explaining that Crouch had lost all his popularity in that one move. Going from the hero, to the town gossip. People judged him for what had become of his son, thinking if he'd spent more time with him he wouldn't have turned out like that.

"I believe that," Remus said at once, he couldn't wrap his mind around Crouch caring about anything ever again. Not after all this.

So now Fudge had the job, and Crouch was shunted to another department.

Silence beat through the cave after all that. Harry felt he finally understood Crouch's overreaction to finding Winky under the Dark Mark.

"Makes a twisted amount of sense," Lily sighed in agreement.

He'd probably been having flashbacks to a time when his own son had been accused of the same Dark Arts.

Harry told Sirius about how Moody thought Crouch was obsessed with catching Dark wizards.

Sirius nodded along, saying that didn't surprise him. Sirius guessed Crouch was under the delusion if he caught just one more Death Eater, his name would be popular again.

"Let's hope it's a real one, and not just a name," James murmured to himself, keeping an eye on the dog that was finally pretending like he was going to settle, stretching out in front of the fire and closing his eyes, but keeping his ears perked and listening. The message was clear, he'd change back when the chapter was over, he wasn't risking anything else until otherwise.

Ron finished with triumph that was the reason he'd gone into Snape's office.

"Triumphantly?" Remus tore his own protective eyes away from Padfoot to look curiously at James and the book. "What did Ron just latch onto?"

"You're clearly not following along anymore," Lily snorted at him. "Ron's as convinced as we are Snape's a Death Eater, and I can't say I'll be displeased if Crouch does put him away for it," she finished nastily.

"I got that," he waved her off, "but was anyone disagreeing for him to be throwing that around?"

Lily shrugged without response for that.

Sirius shook his head and said that didn't make any sense.

"Apparently Sirius is," Harry noted, looking to his godfather in surprise, who was still pretending he was asleep, clearly not even up to defending himself and still content to let the book do it.

Ron tried to argue back, but Sirius waved him down, pointing out if Crouch wanted to spy on Snape he'd have the perfect opportunity by coming to all these Hogwarts events.

A sharp breath of air was released from the wet slit nostrils, if a dog could be quietly yet smugly triumphant Padfoot was doing it.

"Oh hush you," James sighed without looking up, "if you were thinking it, you should have said it."

Harry asked if Sirius thought Snape was up to anything?

Hermione pointed out Dumbledore clearly trusted Snape,

"And that means nothing to us," Lily said bitterly, her temper flaring at the mention of his name as well as Crouch's.

but Ron cut her off by saying as brilliant as Dumbledore was, it didn't mean a Dark wizard couldn't pull one over on him.

She shot back why had Snape saved Harry's life in first year then?

"Things change," James snapped sourly, "Voldemort hadn't been on the verge of a comeback then. Clearly his priorities went from hating me yet still heeding being a teacher, to appeasing Riddle."

One sharp bark of a laughter came from Padfoot, his tail wagging from side to side a bit at that.

"I remember agreeing to call him that," Remus smirked at James as well. "I'm glad you didn't let us forget."

Harry cut off their argument by asking Sirius' opinion, which shut the other two up.

Lily pressed her fingers to her lips to hide her smile, she wasn't going to let Sirius see how amusing she found it Sirius had managed to stop those kids picking at each other, when Sirius was the source of nearly every fight going on in here.

Sirius admitted they both had a good point. He'd been blasted to find out Snape was working at Hogwarts, he'd always been fascinated by the Dark Arts even as a slimy little kid.

"He just hit the tip of the iceberg," Remus shook his head fondly. "I've heard worse things from him on his good days about Snape." Clearly Sirius was still as lost in his own thoughts in that time to have used such mild insults.

Snape had known more curses coming into that school than some seventh years, and his gang of Slytherin friends had all turned into Death Eaters.

Lily bit at the inside of her cheek, pain welling up inside her chest as she fought to try and say otherwise. Even though she knew the truth, it still hurt that had ended up being so true.

He began ticking off those old names, Rosier and Wilkes who were killed by Aurors after Voldemort fell,

"Wicked," the three Order members suddenly perked up at that information, any failed Death Eaters was good news for them, especially in light of the fact they'd yet to come across a single member of their own group who'd survived past Voldemort's downfall as well.

the Lestranges who were a married couple in Azkaban,

Sirius made a 'humph' noise from his spot on the hearth, and Harry didn't need a translator to realize Sirius was adamantly saying they more than deserved it.

Avery, who'd talked himself out of a cell by saying he'd been under the Imperius curse.

"Something else that will be fixed," Lily's eyes flashed in outrage at hearing of this happening, again.

Yet Snape had never even been accused. This didn't mean much, plenty of them were never even suspected, and Snape was clever enough to keep himself out.

"That's got to be the nicest thing he's ever said about him," James shook his head in disgust.

"We never underestimated him," Remus reminded, "you were the one who near constantly reminded us to keep our checks up for him, he was the quickest to grow wise to when we were up to something. That falls under clever, to keep up with us."

"You boys fascinate me, with the amount of arrogance you hold. How the castle held your fat heads I'll never know," Lily pleasantly informed them while James smirked and Sirius' shoulders shook in silent laughter.

Ron pointed out how Snape and Karkaroff knew each other, but were trying to keep that quiet.

Harry told Sirius what he'd seen yesterday, about how they were upset about something on Karkaroff's arm.

Sirius seemed bewildered about the arm comment,

"Darn," James sighed, "Sirius has actually been a wealth of information so far," most of it something none of them would ever want to hear again, they all mentally agreed, "yet you couldn't answer that one."

It wasn't physically possible for a dog to actually 'stick' its tongue out at anyone, but the pink muscle lolling out of the side of his mouth was point enough.

but said that if Karkaroff was running to Snape for answers, that couldn't be good. He lapsed into a frustrated silence for a moment before continuing that if Dumbledore trusted Snape, than they had to trust Dumbledore for now. Sirius just couldn't see Dumbledore hiring anyone who once worked for Voldemort.

That spiked some different feelings in everyone. Remus threw Sirius a grateful look, unbelievably happy that at least someone other than him was at least still trying to hold out hope Dumbledore wasn't completely this thing putting them through hell.

James and Lily weren't entirely sure they agreed with that assessment, they were absolutely convinced Snape had been a Death Eater at some point, and for Dumbledore not to know was not possible. Yet the headmaster must have some profound reasoning then for keeping Snape an employee. What those reasons were though, they still weren't getting an answer.

Sirius shifted his weight around, his dark gray eyes reflecting back the firelight and causing some dancing shadows to pattern back on the walls in a rather eerie fashion. Harry's mind flashed back to when he'd feared this sight, and knew this would have at one point caused him heart failure to see the Grim so casually watching this room. Now Harry instead forced his mind to get away from that question he was sure he had an answer to, and instead wondered what it must feel like for a tongue to be scraping so harshly over canines and if that hurt while his large body panted next to the heat.

Ron insisted there must be a reason Crouch and Moody were going through Snape's office.

"Got to give him credit," James shook his head fondly, "I give anyone points who fights back with Sirius."

"You're giving yourself too much credit," Lily snipped back, "he's hardly the mastermind you seem to think."

Sirius made a yip noise of protest, but Lily just glared back at him. The message was clear, she wasn't taking it back unless he changed back.

He stood up, spun in a circle, and plopped back down with his back to them instead like a pouting child.

"I was actually speaking of you dear," James told his wife while watching Padfoot with worry growing eyes. They'd moved past the Azkaban talk, and James was really starting to want his best friend back. "I've never met anyone so willing to verbally spar with him."

"Flatterer," she scolded with a quirk of her lips.

Sirius agreed Moody wasn't something to underestimate, but he'd always been fair. Hauled in anyone he could get away with and tried not to resort to violence. Crouch though, that was a different story. If he wasn't ill, what was he playing at? What's he been doing rather than attending the schools event?

"He just managed to ask every question we have been this whole time," Remus rolled his eyes in exasperation.

They all stayed silent for a time after that, the only noise Buckbeak snooping around for any bones he'd missed.

Sirius was the first to break the silence, turning to Ron and asking about Percy, wondering if Ron could send a message to him asking about any news from Crouch?

"I'd think he's already been asked that a dozen times over," Lily scoffed. "If he's in charge of the department, he would have told someone by now if he'd actually seen his boss."

"Maybe he might mention something to Ron though," Remus shrugged in Sirius' defense.

Ron agreed he'd try.

Sirius also suggested dropping a question about Bertha, see if there was any more recent news on her.

Harry told about Bagman telling him more recently there wasn't.

Sirius said he wasn't going to take Bagman at word, he'd been quoted saying how bad he thought of Bertha's memory. Sirius though had known her differently, she'd been in school at the same time as him, and she'd had an excellent use of her memory by dishing out the school's gossip.

Harry remembered back to Bertha being mentioned in the same light in here, and Harry had a feeling it wasn't Sirius' memories or Bertha that was different. It was most likely in fact, something very important about her memories that got her into so much trouble...

He could easily picture her being a liability to the Ministry, which is why it may have taken them so long to go looking for her.

He cut himself off with a weary shake of his head, asking what time it was?

Hermione told it was half past three, and Sirius told them to get back to school. Then he gave Harry a particularly hard look,

Harry tried to look innocent of whatever he was sure Sirius was fixing to tell him, which wasn't fooling anyone, not even the canine who managed another huffing laugh with his back still turned to the lot of them.

as he told them not to come back out here unless Sirius said to. Just keep sending notes, he still wanted to hear if anything else odd was happening. They were not to go wandering around out here though, it would be too easy for them to be attacked.

"I love paranoid Sirius," Lily said sincerely, starting to feel some worry herself, she wasn't used to not hearing Sirius speak for so long. "He actually gives good advice."

Sirius gave her a happy little wag of his tail for that.

Harry shot back the only danger he'd been in this year was from a dragon and a grindylow.

Sirius scowled at Harry, telling him not to get lax. He wasn't going to be breathing easily until this was over in June. Then he added on not to go calling him by name in public, and instead they should use Snuffles.

Three collective snorts of laughter appeared for that, Sirius was even so distracted he rolled over to watch them laugh at this.

"I think I get it," Lily said with a small smile. "Sirius told Harry to call him that because he and Remus are the only ones who would understand who that's referring to."

Remus was frowning in consternation, thinking over in his head what all Sirius and Harry had and could be writing to each other over, and grudgingly saying, "yeah, I guess, and if he's thinking of hiding it from a certain someone," he got out through only slightly gritted teeth, "I guess it would make sense not to go with Padfoot."

James wasn't nearly as amused at the reminder for the secrecy, and in all honesty he was entirely certain that rat could pick up on Sirius' handwriting if anything so it still wasn't much use in hiding it from him if he was trying to intercept their letters, but he wasn't going to knock his best friend's paranoia either.

He gave Harry back his bag and said he'd walk with them back to Hogsmeade, try to find another newspaper.

He turned back into the black dog and led the way back down to the stile. He waited patiently as they each gave him a pat on the head, before he vanished back into the shadows.

Harry felt something very heavy sinking down into the pit of him. Somehow, he just knew the next time he saw his godfather wasn't going to be a good thing...

The others weren't feeling much better, each wanting to rub it in that they'd been right all along, Sirius coming back around had been more terrible than anything, though ironically the worst on the man himself.

Padfoot was stretching leisurely and getting back to his feet, shaking himself off as he watched James fingering the last page of this chapter.

The three of them headed back to Hogwarts, Ron asking if Percy knew all that stuff about Crouch?

"I really wouldn't think so," Lily frowned to herself, "I can't help thinking that isn't common knowledge. Crouch would want to keep that as hushed up as possible, and if he didn't talk about his family much before, I wouldn't think he would afterwards."

Then answering himself that he probably wouldn't care, he'd just admire Crouch more for it.

"That's disgusting," Remus yelped in shock. "Ron can't really mean that," his mind had instantly flashed back to the panicky older brother, sobbing and dragging his kid brother out of an icy lake after thinking something had happened to him.

"Yeah, I think Ron's exaggerating on this one," James agreed sadly. "Even Percy's not that bad."

Harry felt a bone deep shiver that he in no way wanted to pretend to process. Surely he was just getting a chill from sitting still so long...Percy would never turn his back on his family like that...

Hermione was shocked at him, telling him Percy would never hand over his family to dementors.

Ron shrugged her off, saying he just might if they stood in the way of his career.

"Oh please stop," Lily whispered as Padfoot froze in place. It was clear he'd been fixing to change back to a person, but at one last mention of those dementors, he released a high pitched keening noise and roughly shook his head as if to scare off a gnat.

They walked back to the smells of dinner starting, and Ron told Harry how much he should appreciate poor Snuffles, living off of rats just to be around.

"That's the least awful thing I've heard about myself recently," Sirius grumbled as he stumbled slightly on his two feet, before going over to James and taking the book away.

HPHPHPHP

I promise Padfoot popping up like that won't become a regular occurrence, no matter how much I loved writing like that, but I can't say he won't ever come back either...

*That whole conversation happened between me and nahte123456.

[missjosie27]

Better Luck Next Time

My submission for the @hphmbang2020! It was definitely intense to write. So @nikyiscreepy I really hope you like it!

Fair warning, this gets pretty violent. 

Penny Haywood considered herself a fairly happy person- upbeat, engaging, and always ready to lend a hug or helping hand when someone required it. “A bright little ball of sunshine you are” her dad would often say. While some would suggest it was disingenuous (“No one’s that happy,” Merula would often sass behind her back) the thirteen year old Hufflepuff had come to be proud of the fact she embodied the traits of her house: hard work, loyalty, and above all, kindness.

Though only in third year, it was no secret to anyone how well liked she was. Adventuring with David Grant certainly played a factor in that equation. Though the sibling of an ex-student once thought to be mad, the bravery displayed earned the mutual respect and liking of the student body. But her accomplishments stood out in her own right. Among other things she was a brilliant potioneer, so talented in the subject that even the perpetually miserable Professor Snape tolerated her presence. The kindly demeanor exhibited daily created a sense of trust among her peers that they could tell her anything. So while she enjoyed gossip, none of it carried any malicious intent. Another factor was involved, one unspoken of mostly but certainly whispered by many of the boys in her year: Penny Haywood was extraordinarily beautiful, the radiant personally only matched by soft, shiny blonde hair and bright blue eyes that sparkled like sapphires in a fountain. To the untrained eye or those who did not know her, the young Hufflepuff was the envy of just about everyone in Hogwarts.

However, even the brightest angels have inner demons. Some unexpected.

It happened rather suddenly at the end of a standard Herbology class. It was a lovely September day, the kind one aches for during the harsh winter of the Scottish Highlands, and Professor Sprout was instructing the class on Valerian root. Though not always the best at managing plants as many of her house peers were, this class held particular interest to Penny as Valerian was a common ingredient in many potions. As head of Hufflepuff, the young teen hoped that Sprout might allow her to take home some spare leaves, something that had often occurred in the past. As a result, she remained on her best behavior.

“Gather round, everyone!” Sprout called out. “Too much water on the Valerian root will kill it within moments. I will demonstrate the proper amount to use. Miss Haywood, will you fetch me that pail on the shelf?”

Practically bouncing with joy, the Hufflepuff did as told with gusto. Approaching the closet where the pails were kept she could overhear Tonks discussing a possible prank with David on Madam Pince, the latter of whom seemed skeptical.

“Which of these plants do you think would work best for bothering a certain, irritable librarian?”

“Tonks, just how many detentions do you plan on getting this year?”

Those two, she thought with a silent laugh while simultaneously opening the closet door.

From out of the wild blue an enormous, shaggy beast popped out and began roaring with vicious snarls. Penny recognized right away what it was and it practically paralyzed her with fear: a werewolf.

No sooner than this happened she unleashed a blood curdling scream causing everyone to look in her general direction. The situation might have turned into absolute bedlam were it not for the cool, timely intervention of Professor Sprout.

“Everyone remain calm!” she ordered. “There is nothing to fear. Please stand back, Miss Haywood.”

She didn’t need to be told twice, diving under the table and didn’t move, barely registering the command ‘Riddikulus’ issued from her head of house or the muffled voices above. It wasn’t until Professor Sprout peered underneath the table Penny came back to her senses.

“Miss Haywood, you may come out now. You do not need to be afraid any longer.”

She did so, but trembled so badly it was a wonder she was able to stand at all.

“Oh, you poor, dear. I think a trip to Madam Pomfrey might be in order just to be safe.”

“I’ll take her,” her roommate Chiara Lobosca immediately volunteered. “I have some experience helping in the Hospital Wing. It’s the least I can do.”

The platinum blonde Hufflepuff hooked her arm into hers, placing a soothing hand on her shoulder, though Penny was still traumatized to the point of being shell shocked.

“That is very kind of you Miss Lobosca,” Professor Sprout nodded. “I think we’ve all had enough for one day. I will also be forced to report this to the Headmaster; to my knowledge this is the first time a boggart has ever been seen inside the greenhouses. Class dismissed.”

She allowed herself to be led away by Chiara, vaguely remembering the concern etched on the faces of David and Tonks. But that was not the worst part of this horrifying debacle. No for Penny Haywood, the scars ran much deeper.

-------------------------------------------------------------

The domain of Madam Pomfrey was about as safe it could get for any student that roamed the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry especially given the fact that unexpected danger was a constant at the institution. However, Penny could not have felt any less secure at the moment.

She was given a calming draught and a bar of Honeydukes chocolate to soothe her nerves, but the delicious treat had no appeal at the moment and so remained untouched. Something far more sinister lay at the heart of her fear.

‘It was only a boggart, dear. Not the real thing. You were never in real danger.’

But for Penny, it was small comfort. As far as she was concerned, any werewolf, real or fake, was a monster...a cancerous disease and certainly something to be afraid of. That Chiara showcased the classic virtues of Hufflepuff and assisted her also caused a source of conflict. Tossing to the side of the soft hospital bed, a surge of horrible guilt threatened to engulf her, nearly erupting into tears.

Chiara’s your friend...she’d never….you know she’s not….

Chastising herself for even entertaining the thought of her dorm mate even being remotely dangerous, she had to summon a reminder that Chiara fought against Fenrir Greyback in their first year. Though discovering her secret by accident, the young teenage girl eventually came around to see Chiara as a kindred soul rather than an enemy. The two were friends. So why the anger? Why the fear?

Cursing her own prejudice, images of David popped into her mind.

‘Chiara isn’t a killer. She’s nothing like Greyback or any of the other werewolves that try to hurt people.’

This statement led to Penny explaining the full story of what happened in the past. Unpleasant as it was, the memories came flooding back as though an old dam finally broke through. Much as the happy go lucky girl had tried to bury them...they were very much alive.

Flashback

A warm summer’s night in June was one of Penny’s most favorite times of the year. She simply loved the warmth and all the splendor that came with it. Most of the time in England one had to wear a jumper, trousers, or stockings during soggy, wet, and cold cloudy months on the island every Briton called home. But for a few measley months of the year, better weather could be found.

It was all the more important for the young girl to witness some kind of sunshine and freedom. The world was a very dangerous place as her mother kept reminding her. ‘You Know Who’ may have been gone but those who served him were still everywhere and not at all favorable to those they deemed inferior to them. It was an unfortunate reality for the thirteen year old who had many friends within the area of their vacation home directly north of London. Being on holiday might have caused some to relax but not the Haywoods. Her mother was muggle born and had also married a ‘muggle’, deeming their daughter a half blood, a controversial status in the magical world.

“Penny, sweetheart. Please don’t venture too far. There’s so much you don’t understand just yet, but we live in an unforgiving society and I cannot afford to lose you or your sister. Listen to daddy and mummy whenever possible and do not stray too far.”

By and large, the blonde girl obeyed her parents, whom she knew loved her and her little sister Beatrice. By the same token no child can stand being locked up for too long and it wasn’t long until she practically begged to be let outside.

“Please, mummy! I wanna go outside!”

“Penny, don’t argue with me right now…”

“But it’s so light outside and it’s not even eight o’clock yet. Why can’t I see Scarlet?”

“You know the reasons why. I’ve explained many times.”

“You Know Who is dead isn’t he? What do we have to be afraid of? Please, mummy I can’t stay inside all summer. I’ll go positively mad before I go back to Hogwarts.”

The blonde woman, so alike in appearance to her daughter sighed and finally relented.

“Alright, Penny. But be back before the sun sets. Promise me.”

But the thirteen year old barely acknowledged her mother’s words, too excited to pay them much mind.

“Yes, mum. I’ll be back soon.”

Tying on her favorite sneakers and adjusting her favorite yellow top, she practically sprinted out the door and into the street where it didn’t take long for her best friend to greet her.

Scarlet Wilson was a long time friend since childhood, a vivacious long haired brunette who wore a red head band, with an adventurous streak that rivaled even David Grant and his inner circle. Had she been born with the gift of magic, Penny was almost certain she’d have been sorted into Gryffindor which almost brought a streak of irony into their relationship: despite being best friends, she was forbidden from telling her anything about the magical world or the prospective status of being a witch. That being said, her wand stayed in her back pocket just in case.

“There you are!” Scarlet exclaimed excitedly, giving her a huge hug.

“I’m sorry it took me so long. Convincing mum is always annoying.”

“I don’t get why she’s always so skittish. It’s the best time of year to go outside and do something.”

Scarlet was wearing a light orange dress, with a white collar, ankle socks, and Mary Janes. She liked to dress up even more than Penny did, though her spirit still retained its tomboyishness.

“She’s just weird like that,” Penny tried to dismiss casually. “What do you want to do tonight?”

“I found this cool forest down the road. Doesn’t look like anyone’s been inside it for years but I already went in today and it’s great. Let’s go!”

“Brilliant!”

And so the girls locked pinky to pinky, something they did since they were eight, and skipped down the sidewalk to the left until they reached the end of concrete gravel which marked the beginning of a sloping, downhill path taking them past several remote more rural homes.

“Scarlet just so you know, I have to be back before sundown.”

“Aww, come on Penny. We have plenty of time.”

“I know but she made me promise and I can’t break that rule. She’s already making Bea stay inside.”

“Your sister is also seven,” Scarlet laughed. “We’re thirteen. We can handle being out this late.”

Penny allowed herself a degree of carefree excitement as she realized her friend was right. There was no use worrying over danger that wasn’t going to happen. She was older after all...though part of her still felt guilty over not being able to tell Scarlet the true nature of the powers she possessed, that was quickly set aside as they came upon the forest, it’s trees tall and bushes thick with greenery with an old forgotten path at the center.

“See? I told you it was cool!” Scarlet said excitedly while they traversed along the narrow way.

Both girls giggled as they began chatting and telling each other stories. Who said boys were the only ones who could enjoy physical activity? The feeling of adventuring was as exhilarating as anything in the world; the light breeze blowing her plaits, the touch of warmth that brought great comfort to her soul, the fact that the sun didn’t set until past nine thirty...it was truly a perfect day to a perfect start of summer. Of course, no summer day, no matter how long lasts forever and soon enough the track of time was lost.

“Come on let’s keep exploring!” Scarlet pushed as Penny began to grow weary. By now the sun had melted behind the backdrop of the underbrush which consisted of numerous trees and bushes. In fact the light was rapidly giving away to darkness.

“Scarlet...it’s getting a bit late.”

“Your mum said be back after sundown. We still have some time left!”

“But…”

It was too late, however. Scarlet had already run further into the brush. Penny was ready to relent to the enthusiasm of her best friend until the crack of a twig in the distance caught her attention.

Peering a little closer, Penny took one cautious step to see what was the matter though her thought process was interrupted by Scarlet.

“Hey, Penny! You gotta see this!”

“What?” she called ahead.

There was nothing to indicate something was off. The tall trees were silent as the grave and gave no indication of hidden evils within. Just...a normal summer’s night with normal undergrowth and vegetation.

But that turned out not to be the case. Penny caught up to her friend and about ten or fifteen feet away was a creature that to the untrained eye resembled a cross between a gray wolf and an emaciated bear. But the young witch knew better. It was a werewolf. Apparently the sun had set and the full moon already rising. Given her ignorance of the danger, Scarlet appeared fascinated.

“Isn’t it cool? I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“Scarlet…” Penny tried to warn in a whisper. “We need to go.”

But she was interrupted again by her friend’s fearlessness.

“Come on, let’s check it out. Maybe we can report it to the local paper!”

This particular werewolf, an extreme danger to humans in most situations, appeared to be quite meek and so retreated into the bushes at the sight of the two newcomers with Scarlet heading towards it. For her part, Penny knew that was beyond a bad idea but was so paralyzed with fear herself she suddenly froze as her body did not allow itself to go any further. What was she to do? Risk both of their lives? Draw her wand despite being prohibited from using magic outside of Hogwarts? Her mind was racing so badly and yet there was no will to move or act.

‘Take out your wand. Take it out now!’ her instincts told her, yet she did not. A tiny fraction of her psyche hesitated still despite the warning signs. Palms became sweaty and her heart practically pounded out of her chest.

And then it all came to a head so fast, Penny barely had time to process it. A growl issued forth followed by the snapping of jaws, ripping of flesh and a high pitched scream.

“Scarlet!”

It was too late. By the time she reached their location, the wolf was standing over her friend, its muzzle dipped in blood, Scarlet’s unmoving body prone on the ground.

“NO!!!” Penny screeched. All sense of hiding her abilities finally dropped. Rushing forward, wand in hand, she sent the most lethal spell she knew of to get the beast away from her friend.

‘Diffindo!’

The spell hit the werewolf on the back, causing a nasty wound to appear and a howl of pain. Penny didn’t stop there and sent two more cutting hexes, one of which gashed the wolf over the shoulder and down across its chest.

That did the trick in bringing its attention away from Scarlet but it created a new problem in that its vicious sights were now set on her. Gulping, the blonde was suddenly paralyzed by fear and froze for want of a new solution.

‘Come on, you have to get to Scarlet somehow!’

But she barely had time to think as the wolf bull rushed her, bloody sharp teeth brought to bear in an image of gore and horror. Thankfully, Penny was able to jump out of the way just in time and was thus spared lycanthropy or worse. But counting on a lucky maneuver a second time would have been foolish reasoning. Scarlet was likely seriously injured and they both were all alone in the countryside of England.

What she did next was purely instinctual and memory of what she was taught during the first British Civil War. Though a tricky spell for young witches and wizards, the blonde had been shown how to produce red sparks in the event of an emergency.

Raising her wand, Penny issued the sparks at least thirty feet in the air which had a simultaneous effect. Within seconds, her mother had apparated to the scene while the werewolf became spooked by animal instinct. Though it tried to run away, it did not stop Mrs. Haywood from sending a bone breaking curse, partially crippling the beast in a yelp of immense pain, though it continued to limp away.

“Penny, stay behind me!”

But she was no longer preoccupied with the werewolf or even her mother. The only thought on her mind was Scarlet and getting to her in time.

‘We can get her to St. Mungo’s! They treat muggles in emergency situations. It’ll be okay….’

But upon reaching her best friend she found her attempt too little too late. The sight was nothing short of horrific: Scarlet had been scratched across the face, bitten on her right arm, left leg, and torso. But as Penny tried to lift her up she discovered the worst injury of all, a deep seated bite mark around her side near the hip. Placing a hand there, she withdrew it to see it soaked in blood which formed a pool on the ground.

Gazing into the face of her best friend, the final blow was hammered home. Pupils were no longer seeing, the whites glazed over completely. She was dead.

“N-no! Scarlet! Wake up! Please….w-wake up!”

Her stammering pleas drowned out all other sounds. Penny barely felt her mother trying to pull her away from the carnage or the *pops of numerous Aurors arriving on the scene. She didn’t want to leave her best friend. And amidst the full moon hovering in the sky, tears mixed with blood that marked the grass on a tragic summer’s night.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

“Are you alright, Miss Haywood?”

Madam Pomfrey’s kindly tone interrupted her flashback causing the Hufflepuff teen to crash back to earth.

“Oh uh...yes. I’m sorry.”

The nurse did not at all look convinced, cocking an eyebrow at the distractedness of her patient.

“Miss Haywood, though it was only a boggart, seeing a werewolf that realistic would be enough to frighten anyone out of their wits. I would prefer you to stay longer but in this case I will leave the decision up to you.”

Penny didn’t think twice.

“I’d like to go to lunch, please.”

“My dear I don’t know that-”

“If it’s my choice, I’d like to leave.”

Oftentimes it wasn’t a student’s choice to leave, not if Madam Pomfrey insisted. But given the circumstances, the hospital warden relented.

“Alright, Miss Haywood you are free to go. But promise me you will eat that entire bar of chocolate, before anything else.”

“Yes ma’am.”

The blonde hopped down from her bed, grabbed her bag and thanked Madam Pomfrey once more. But she couldn’t have exited the premises fast enough for once doing so, the emotional tidal wave barely held back earlier unleashed in a torrent of tears. Throwing her back against the wall, Penny wept as silently as she could wishing dearly for her friend back.

Wishing she could have acted sooner.

Wishing it wasn’t her fault.

Wishing she could somehow forget the unbearable pain.

Wondering why luck had favored her to live but Scarlet to die.

Better luck next time.

[kittysukagasterfics]

Devils In Disguise

Note: I know you just said Yandere!Sam but, I just couldn’t resist adding their yandere skeleton boyfriend. Also, this isn’t canon to the regular storyline. Anyway, onto the fic!

Handplates belongs to: @zarla-s

Requested by: @randomstuff7739

Summary: What’s equally as good as a yandere skeleton? A yandere cinnamon roll! What’s a typical day for these two yandere lovers like?

    Sam knew their relationship was based on nothing more than obsession and an empty void that needed to be filled. They could honestly care less though. The Human was more than happy to be submissive to their boyfriend’s demands, no matter how ridiculous the request may be.

     For example, Sam had been playing on their phone, minding their own business, when Gaster suddenly came up to them. He seemed calm but his voice was practically laced with anger as he demanded that Sam hand over their phone so he could, ‘make sure they weren’t talking to anyone else’. That demand alone had been ridiculous since they had no reason to have a contact other than his. However, Sam just handed over their device, no questions asked.

     But Sam wasn’t exactly innocent themselves. Everyday when the scientist came home from work, they would be impatiently waiting there, pouting about how he was late for their daily cuddle session. After Gaster explained that Alphys wanted to hang out after work, the Human had suggested that next time he should just ignore his co-worker when this happened. The skeleton actually chuckled when they told him this and  started to tease them about being so jealous about something like that. He did eventually assure them that he already knew about Alphys’ feelings for him but he would never feel the same way about her. Hearing the skeleton say that managed to calm the Human down.

     To Sam, that was all they needed in life now. Nothing else mattered. Nobody except their new family mattered. Of course, just because the two lovers thought it was normal, didn’t mean that others thought it was too. The brothers were always concerned about their dad and parental unit’s behavior and even Toby could that the relationship was a bit unhinged. But whenever they tried to question any of the two, the little skeletons would either get dismissed or given some generic excuse.

    “um, parental unit? are you and dad ok? you two are acting weird...”

    “*You tell him that you and Gaster are perfectly fine.~ You also say that it not always nice to be nosy about other peoples’ business.~”

     That response from Sam was bad enough, but his brother had been basically scolded when he asked Gaster about it.

    “WHY DO YOU ALWAYS BOSS PARENTAL UNIT AROUND? ARE THEY IN TROUBLE?”

“No, Sam would never cause me any trouble.~ Also, never ask me nonsense like that again.~ It’s rude.~”

     After multiple conversations like that, the brothers just gave up trying to make sense of it. They still found it weird and unusual but were careful not to say that in front of the two adults. Toby on the other hand, was not giving up so easily. The little pup soon made it his personal mission to get Sam away from the skeleton for as long as possible, thinking that maybe it would snap the albino out of whatever was wrong with them.

     That turned out to be an extremely bad idea as Sam was determined to never be more than one second away from their lover. They would scold Toby once they figured out what he was trying to do and shoo him away. Any attempts to gain their attention again would result in Gaster literally throwing him out of the room they were currently in and slamming the door. The poor dog had no choice but to walk away, whimpering with his tail between his legs. Neither of the two lovers ever seemed to care though.

     To them, a day was only perfect when they could be alone, cuddling tightly against one another on Gaster’s office couch. Usually they would talk about how much they loved each other and how far they would go to prove it. To add to the creepiness in the two’s conversations, Gaster had once joked to Sam by suggesting that he take them into the Underground and let the Human charm their way to every monsters’ heart, gaining their trust and friendship only to be tricked into being alone with the Human and having the scientist kill said monster without hesitation. Sam thought he was being serious though and tried to convince him to go through with the plan. The skeleton was quick to shoot down the idea though.

    “Sam, you know that would raise too much suspicion.~ Besides, with your low HP, you could easily be killed.~ Very weak.~”

    “*You huff and tell Gaster that you’re not weak.~” ‘*He shushes you by placing a bony finger against your mouth...~’

    “Now let’s not argue and get so angry, Sam.~ I managed to get the day off today so we can both just rela-”

     Before Gaster could finish his sentence, his phone that was sitting on his desk began ringing. Sam and Gaster exchanged annoyed looks as the scientist untangled himself from the small human and walked over to answer it. Sam could hear him talking, probably to Alphys. They could tell that he was trying to keep as calm as possible and not get angry with his co-worker. From what they could gather from the conversation, the lizard monster wanted the skeleton to come in and help her with an invention. The Human could feel their blood practically boil at this. After a few more minutes of talking, Gaster hung up and with an agitated sigh, picked up his bag and walked over to the door.

    “Alphys needs me to help immediately and she wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.~”

    “*You tell him that Alphys is starting to get on your nerves.~” ‘*Gaster chuckles and plants a kiss on your forehead.’

    “I know, Sam, but don’t worry.~ I’ll be sure to bring you back a present for being good, alright?~”

     The Human perked up when they heard this. Gaster spoiling them with little gifts and sweets was nothing new, but the way he talked about the present made it sound really special. Sam started asking about what the present was but the scientist was very vague in his answer and left a frustrated Sam behind in the Lab. He knew that he would soon get many phone calls and text messages from his lover throughout his workday, but Gaster didn’t mind. That just meant that Sam was concerned about him. Like they were suppose to be.

(Later that day)

     Sam sniffed as they wiped away the tears from their eyes. Gaster had been gone for at least three hours now and they were starting to worry. It was already bad enough that they had to get up from their sobbing session on the office’s couch to make lunch for everyone, but now there was the possibility that Alphys had taken their boyfriend away from them. Their Senpai, cruelly ripped away from them, and any attempts to desperately text the skeleton for answers just lead to him not responding. There was no point in living if that was the case. If Gaster couldn’t love them, no one could.

    ‘*You start to get up from the couch when the door suddenly swings open.~’

     When the Human looked up, they let out a gasp. Gaster was standing there, deranged look on his face and holding a medium-sized gift box. Sam immediately jumped up and ran over to him, wrapping their arms tightly around his waist. The skeleton nearly fell over from the force of the hug but soon started chuckling as he ruffled the Human’s snow-white hair. Picking them up with his magic, Gaster walked over to the couch and sat down before placing his lover in his lap and handed them the gift.

    “I hope you enjoy your present, my love.~ It took a while to get it, lots of struggling and a lot of hassle.~”

     Sam excitedly took the present, carefully unwrapping it. It was a gift from their beloved, so extra caution was always needed. As soon as they got the box opened, the Human looked inside, only to see nothing but a large pile of a white and powdery substance. Sam gave Gaster a very confused look, but the scientist just kept the smile on his face, as if waiting for realization to hit.

     It only took a couple of minutes for Sam to realize what the pile was. Tears of joy began to fall down their cheeks as they hugged and kissed him. They thanked Gaster what felt like millions of time. When Sam told him that he didn’t have to do this for them, Gaster laughed and pulled his small lover into a deep kiss. After breaking away, he continue to keep a tight hold on Sam, smiling.

    “Anything for you, Sam.~ You know I would do anything for you.~”

    “*You tell him that you know, and you love it.~”

Note: Wonder what that white stuff is. I certainly don’t know. Anyway, thank you to @randomstuff7739 for the prompt and sorry if this wasn’t exactly what you were asking for. But I hope you all enjoyed reading! I love all of you! Requests are always welcomed! Stay tuned for more.

[angewrites]

Finding A Home

Title: Finding A Home

Anime: Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V

Words: 6,589

Summary: Shinji and the Whirlwind Brigade were making their rounds one rainy night when they run across an unusual swarm of Sector Security combing through the area. At first, Shinji thought it to be a simple rescue operation, but he ends up finding what he's been longing for.

Notes: *BREAKS DOWN DOOR* IT’S STILL @guardianweek TECHNICALLY SO!!! I so badly wanted to do a whole lot for this week, but this last week just kicked my ass so I wasn’t able to write a whole lot for it. So I made sure this fic made up for it (hence the word count dlakfjsaklf).

So this is my submission for the Food, First Meeting, + Family prompts :D Just in time for Father’s Day lmao.

Also, some of y’all might be wondering “Wait. This fic has a similar vibe to another fic . . .” and you’re right ldafsdkaljf. This is basically a retelling of The Whirlwind Brigade but from Shinji’s perspective b/c my mind would just not leave that concept alone, so here we are. 

Let me know what y’all think 👏👏👏 I had fun writing this one and I hope y’all enjoy reading it!!

[AO3] [FFN]

                                           Commons – Section B64

How Shinji could see in the torrential downpour and in the dark was still a mystery to him, and he was more than grateful that his outfit was, more or less, waterproof. He still wished, though, the Whirlwind Brigade had picked another night to do random patrols through the streets, hunting for Sector Security.

“Oi, Damon,” Shinji shouted over his shoulder to his fellow D-Wheel rider on his left. “Would it have killed you to look at the forecast beforehand?”

Damon laughed as he made his way next to Shinji on his D-Wheel. “The newspaper said clear skies, Shinji. I don’t know what else to tell you.”

“Tch. Fine, whatever. Everyone, be careful. I’m not fixing any D-Wheels that skid,” Shinji announced. His three other companions laughed as they rode along the cracked and empty streets, something that Shinji was grateful for. The people of Commons generally liked to stay off the streets after about 7 p.m. or so because that was when Sector Security liked to do their daily rounds. For the most part, 7 p.m. was prime time to get off the streets unless you wanted to be arrested for no reason.

As Shinji and his crew rode along, however, they heard an inordinate amount of Sector Security D-Wheels and cars, and Shinji, being most familiar with all the sections of Commons, instantly recognized Sector Security’s direction: they were heading towards the A block of Commons. If he remembered correctly, most of Sector Security’s arrests involved people living in that area.

That meant someone there was in trouble, and Shinji felt his stomach grow knots.

“Should we chase after them?” a raucous voice inquired, whom Shinji instantly recognized as Mihael’s, one of his friends from his Facility days, along with Frederik, who was also part of the brigade. He was the one, in fact, who suggested the creation of the Whirlwind Brigade, a gang devoted to the protection of Commons from Tops and Sector Security, in the first place.

Shinji smirked to himself. “We sure should,” he answered. “And it looks like whoever’s on their radar really needs our help.”

“But, Shinji, “Damon spoke up, “what if it’s actually a dangerous criminal they’re after? What then?”

The appointed leader of the Whirlwind Brigade sighed. It wasn’t the first time Damon had brought that up, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last either. While the man understood Damon’s concern, especially since none of them could take any dangerous criminal on in a fist fight, one criminal isn’t the same as an oppressive system designed to tear you down.

“You gotta give our fellow Commons the benefit of the doubt, Damon,” he replied. “If it’s a dangerous criminal they’re after, we’ll back off. But how many of those are in Commons? Believe in our comrades.”

“Yes, Shinji!”  

                                           Commons – Section A???

Shinji, Damon, Mihael, and Frederik rode into Section A of the Commons area, their ears greeted by the blasts of sirens coming from the Sector Security D-Wheels and cars. Shinji raised an arm as a signal and the four of them split into different directions. Taking this opportunity, he assessed the situation as best he could in the downpour. Tens of D-Wheels, one Sector Security officer holding a megaphone. But Shinji still couldn’t see who the unfortunate victim of Sector Security’s bias was. Not that he wanted to be too close unless he wanted to risk blowing the entire operation. So, he drove onward slowly, inching closer and closer to the excitement of the night for Section A.

At last, his eyes caught sight of Sector Security’s unfortunate victim of the night: a young man who appeared to be slightly younger than he was with orange hair that reminded him of fire and a face marred and tattooed with several criminal markers. Shinji couldn’t stop his mouth from hanging open. How many times had this guy gone to the Detention Centre? And what on Earth for to get all those marks on his face? Maybe Damon was right. Maybe this guy was out of their league for their rescue operation, even if he did look to be shorter than Mihael, who’s the shortest of the four of them.

Shinji was about to turn around and call off the patrol for the night when he looked at the heavily marked man again. He hadn’t seen the first time, but he could then see the man was gripping a small child close to his body, as if his life depended on it, while being down on one knee. Shinji’s initial emotion was sympathy for them, as in a “well, that sucks, but nothing I can do” kind of way, but, the more Shinji looked at the two of them, the more his heart burned. It wasn’t sympathy he was feeling.

No. It’s.

It’s jealousy.

And it’s eating him from the inside out, from his heart to his stomach.

Family units were extremely rare in Commons, so whenever Shinji saw one or a few, it also gave him immense distress. He could make all the friends he wanted. That wasn’t hard for him. But, in the end, he couldn’t consider any of them family. The emotional commitment was something he had been afraid to take on, and yet, that relationship, that closeness, that bond was something he had always desired, deep down. So, seeing a man with this child – it was a hard sight for Shinji to stomach. Here was someone who possibly had something he’d always wanted.

That man . . . he wasn’t a criminal who was going to harm him or his friends. He deserved to be safe and free from Sector Security’s clutches as the rest of them. If not even more so.

And Shinji wanted what he had. He gripped the bars of his D-Wheel tighter as he made his way toward the commotion of the Sector Security officers closing in on their targets. Hopefully, the other three would be able to hear him over all the rain.

“That’s as far as you go!” Shinji shouted, catching the attention of all the officers as well as the man holding the small child.  He maneuvered his D-Wheel to topple Sector Security D-Wheels to the side, distracting them. The whoosh of arrows could be heard, followed by the yells of other officers behind him. Good. His pals had heard him. He needed the distraction if he was going to get the man and the kid to safety. But, the man had to trust him first.

Shinji took off his helmet and placed it on his D-Wheel and made his way over, the man watching him carefully all the while. He had a feeling this wasn’t going to be an easy operation, but it was the right thing to do, regardless.

“Security after you?” he asked, immediately regretting the question. That was stupid. Of course they were.

“Ye-Yeah,” the man muttered loudly enough that Shinji could barely hear him as he readjusted his hold on the child with him who, Shinji now realized, was either passed out or fast asleep. Well, at least he gave the question the dignity of an answer.

“We can’t stick around. My buddies’ll take care of Sector Security while you, the kid, and I escape and take you to where you live,” Shinji explained. Then, glancing in front and to the sides of the man, he inquired, “Got a D-Wheel with you?”

“No . . . I left it,” was the reply.

Oh boy, Shinji thought. Yeah, this definitely wasn’t going to be easy. He could only smirk. He had a feeling he knew the answer to his next question– especially considering that the man knelt to the ground as if he had an intense injury – but he asked anyway, “Well, can you at least walk?”

The other nodded no, and Shinji couldn’t help but laugh. He knew it.

“Didn’t bring a D-Wheel, can’t walk. Amazing Security didn’t catch you already!” Shinji exclaimed, being unable to contain his laughter. Unfortunately, the man didn’t seem to be in any mood for joking around by the frown on his face. Not that Shinji could blame him, but it would help if he lightened up a bit.

“You gonna help me or not?” the man retorted, causing Shinji to stifle the rest of his laughter. “I got to get this little squirt home. And two other kids are waiting for me.” At the mention of the other kids, Shinji’s urge to laugh dissipated completely. Not just one kid, but he’s taking care of three? Most families Shinji knew of only had one kid, and they had trouble taking care of the one as it was. But, here this man was, saying he had three kids to take care of as if it was no problem.

Shinji wanted to know more about him, about how he lived and took care of the three kids. It was just mindboggling. But, they had to get away from the commotion. First thing’s first, though.

“Only after you tell me your name.”

There was a period of silence between the two of them, with the pouring rain and the screams of Sector Security officers being attacked by Shinji’s comrades’ Duel Monsters being the only sources of noise.

“Crow Hogan,” the man replied.

“Shinji Weber. Let’s get goin’ before Security gets us.” Shinji started to make his way toward his D-Wheel, but he noticed the man not moving, and, instead, glancing at him, at the kid he was carrying, and then back to him.

“But, there’s only room for one person,” he said. “How’s this gonna work?”

Shinji smirked as he put on his helmet and mounted his D-Wheel. “You’re Commons, aren’t you? You figure it out.”

Crow looked at the D-Wheel again and sighed. Adjusting the small boy and bringing him closer to his chest, he slowly got up and walked – or rather, shuffled - cautiously towards the insect-shaped motorcycle. Then, leaning on Shinji for support, his bicep firmly against the middle of Shinji’s back, he sat sideways.

“You better drive carefully and get us back or you’ll regret it,” he hissed. Shinji could only laugh. This was a going to be a long, but real fun night.

 After asking Crow rapid-fire questions about where he was staying, Shinji finally managed to get him and the child to their place of residence right as the downpour worsened. He couldn’t see that well in the rain, but it looked like a moderately sized house, with a deck and all that jazz. Considering that most of Commons either lived on the streets, underground, or in shacks, this place seemed like a castle in comparison to all of that.

“This is it, right?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Crow replied. He didn’t move. Taking a deep breath, he turned his head to the side. “Sorry, Shinji, but can you carry Tanner in? My leg’s not gonna let me walk and carry a child at the same time.”

Tanner, huh? So that’s the boy’s name. The corners of Shinji’s mouth formed into a smile as he dismounted his D-Wheel. So, Crow was more injured than he initially let on, huh? “Sure thing. Where does he go?”

The other made a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a cough. “The couch, for now. Just as you walk in, to the right. He might get a craving for tuna and wake up and go to his room. That’s what I’m hoping for, anyway.”

Shinji raised his right eyebrow. Even though he lived in such a nice place? “Tuna?”

“Yeah. It’s the only thing I can afford to get these kids to eat. And bread too on occasion, if I’m lucky,” he replied, placing the small boy in Shinji’s arms. Instinctively, Shinji brought the boy against his chest, and, without another word, carried the boy inside the house. After being outside in the rain for so long, he felt relaxed with a roof over his head.

Glancing to the right, Shinji found the couch in question but realized that just as he had been outside in the rain, so had the boy he was carrying. And it would be disastrous if he caught a cold, especially since Shinji wasn’t sure if Crow had anything for colds. At that moment, finding a towel to dry him off with was priority. Still carrying the boy and being incredibly thankful that he was such a deep sleeper, Shinji made his way around the house in search for towels. Much to his surprise, he only found one towel in what he guessed was the common bathroom area that hadn’t been used recently – the other three were either sopping wet or were drying still. He sighed and made it a point to advise Crow to get more towels. There should at least be two for each person, for crying out loud.

Taking the towel, Shinji gently wiped Tanner with it, making sure he was as dry as possible. Then, walking back to the gathering area, he gently placed the boy on the couch, double checking that there was enough support – torn up pillows and all – for his body if he did decide to sleep there for the night.  

“Mission accomplish –“ Shinji almost said out loud, but he remembered what Crow had said earlier.

“And two other kids are waiting for me.”

There were two other little ones Crow was looking after. And since Crow’s having issues with his ankle, he couldn’t exactly check up on them before he had to turn in for the night. So, Shinji felt compelled to check on them too. He remembered passing by what looked like a bedroom in searching for the towels, so he made his way back in that direction. Peering in, he saw one mattress, and, stepping fully inside the room, he saw two children, one girl with curly red hair and a boy with what looked like green hair, who looked a few years older than Tanner, fast asleep, holding hands. Shinji, smiling, quietly made his way back to the front door and to the outside, where Crow was still waiting on Shinji’s D-Wheel.

“Okay, Tanner’s on the cou—” he started to say, but Crow unexpectedly cut him off.

“Whatever you stole, you better put it back,” he hissed, causing Shinji to take half a step back. The other then blinked a couple of times and put a hand to his head, unsure as to why Crow was so upset all of a sudden.

“Huh?!” Shinji reacted, trying to keep his voice down as to not wake the kids.

“There’s no way you couldn’t have seen the couch. It’s right as you walk in. So, what took you so long, huh? Don’t play dumb with me.” Crow accused, also trying to control his volume, Shinji noticed. “You definitely stole something.”

The other let the accusation sink in, letting a period of silence rest between them, save for the rain. Then, he laughed, and it turned into a belly laugh. How ironic, Shinji thought. Damon thought he was a dangerous criminal, Shinji certainly had second thoughts about rescuing him from Security just because of his criminal markers, and now, he was getting that distrust back double fold. Served him right. Feeling particularly gutsy, Shinji placed a hand on Crow’s shoulder, with Crow staring at his hand, saying, “I don’t take advantage of folks and then steal. That’s not my thing. Look,” he took a step back, raised his arms, and turned his back to him while looking behind him, “even if it was, I don’t have any way to carry anything. Not even the D-Wheel you’re sitting on has any room. You gotta trust me on this.”

Crow jerked at the mention of his D-Wheel, but, then he quickly regained his composure. “Sounds sorta convincing, but that still doesn’t explain why it took you so long,” was the reply. “I could have you punished for trespassing.”

Trespassing, holy crap. This guy sure isn’t messing around. Shinji swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat. But, it’s understandable why he was so on edge. After all, who wants a stranger they didn’t completely trust being around their loved ones? That’s a lot of risk. It really was a good thing that Shinji was the one who found him.

“Well . . .” Shinji sighed and shrugged, “You did mention you had two kids waiting for you, so, after I put Tanner on the couch, I looked for them and made sure they were alright. I figured with your leg injury and all, you wouldn’t be able to do it yourself. By the way, they’re fast asleep.”

Crow looked to the ground.

“And, also,” he continued, “I had to dry off Tanner so that he wouldn’t catch a cold, so I was also looking for towels. You really to invest in more of them.”

The other huffed and crossed his arms. “You didn’t have to do that. They’re my responsibility,” he retorted. “And, just so you know, I can walk just fine on my own –“ he jumped down from Shinji’s D-Wheel, but, as soon as his feet touched the ground, Crow went down, wincing and holding his ankle. “Ow.”

Shinji laughed at the sight. Stubborn through and through. But, he couldn’t just leave Crow like that, outside in the rain. He could probably move by himself, but that would cause more damage to his ankle. So, Shinji gave a half-joking, half-serious suggestion.

“You want me to take you in too?”

Yeah, right. was Shinji’s immediate thought. He was on thin ice with Crow as it was, so there’s no way he’d say ye-

“Yeah, sure,” Crow cut his train of thought off, and Shinji jolted in response. Well, there’s some way he’d say yes, apparently. On cue, he walked over to the injured party and scooped him up by the legs, one arm supporting them while the other supported Crow’s back. Crow, as if out of reflex, wrapped an arm around his neck.

“Huh. You’re lighter than I thought you’d be,” Shinji muttered.

“Shut up,” Crow snapped, but Shinji could see, even in the rain, that his face was flushed. The other laughed as he carried him inside, back to the dryness, and, with Crow’s directions, to his room. It was a space to the side, with a window full of cracks and a bed that for sure had been home to ants and who knows what other kind of creatures. After gently laying the injured party on the bed, Shinji took a step back.

“And my work here’s done,” he announced.

The other glared at him before gingerly taking his boots off. “Then leave. I appreciate the help tonight, but don’t come back here.”

He’s one of those guys, huh? Shinji sighed. So, Crow still didn’t entirely trust him, even after all of that. But, why did that matter to him? The objective of the Whirlwind Brigade was to help the Commons in immediate trouble, and, once that was accomplished, they shouldn’t have anything to do with that person unless they find themselves in trouble again. He only had to help Crow and that boy – Tanner  – escape from Sector Security. Nothing more.

Nothing . . . more.

But, that was the dilemma. Shinji just couldn’t leave things as they were. Not when those kids’ only caretaker had a severe ankle injury that limited his movement. Who was going to find food and other necessities for survival? Who was going to make sure they were safe at night? And not only that. Shinji didn’t know what it was, but there was something about the family unit that made him want to stay. He was jealous of the tight-knit group, after all. And he wanted – no, needed to know more about it, about them.

Rather than risking the immediate wrath of the injured guardian, though, Shinji shrugged his shoulders and tiredly smiled. “I’ll be making my way out then. You won’t be seeing me around again, promise,” he lied, hopefully for the last time, as he made his way through the door. Taking one last look at Crow, who had curled himself up in a woolen blanket, Shinji couldn’t help but stare longer than he needed to. Catching himself, he quietly closed the door.

                                               ~The Next Day~

                          Commons - Section A45 (Hogan Residence)

Carrying a large paper bag of loaves and some spare butter packets he found, the blue and purple haired man cautiously made his way inside the house. First, he looked over at the couch where he had laid Tanner and noticed the couch only had the pillows and the blanket. A quiet laugh escaped; Crow was right. Shinji didn’t know when the kids or Crow woke up, and he doubted that the man he rescued would remember his threat to him the night before, but, just in case, he had to be careful.

Remembering the kitchen area from his roaming around the night before, he went straight there and set the bag on the table. His initial plan was to just set the bag down and leave, but then he thought better of it. Yeah, Shinji. Just leave a bag of normally expensive loaves and butter here. They’re not going to find that suspicious at all. So Shinji decided he would stick around and explain it to at least the kids. After that, he would leave.

“Oh man, what did I get myself into?” he laughed, sitting down at the table. No sooner had he done that, the sound of one . . . two? No, three pairs of footsteps filled the humble abode’s atmosphere as well as the sound of chattering.

“You think Crow’s awake?” whispered one of the kids with a light, high-pitched voice. That must be the girl Shinji saw last night.

“He better be!” replied another. The voice was slightly deeper, so Shinji imagined it was the older boy of the group. “And I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind for making us worry!”

“Ah come on, Frank, don’t be like that,” the girl replied. “If it weren’t for Tanner falling behind, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“No fair, Amanda!” cried a voice that was a higher pitched than the girl’s. That must be Tanner’s voice. “You guys were moving too fast!”

“Either way, Crow’s gonna get it, and you’re not gonna change my mind,” Frank announced.

Shinji covered his mouth to contain his laughter so as to not get caught. It’s clear that Crow’s raising these kids. They sounded just like him. But, that wasn’t necessarily good news for him in the “making the kids trust him” operation. If they had as many trust issues with strangers as Crow did, it’s going to be a long, long morning.  

And Shinji was just about to find out how long the morning was exactly going to be. The three kids made their way to the kitchen area where he was comfortably sitting, and, upon seeing Shinji, Amanda and Tanner took a step back while Frank put out a protective arm over the two of them. The expected reaction to a stranger in their home. Shinji got up from his chair, and the three kids stepped back even further.

“Listen, I –“ Shinji started to say, but Frank interrupted him.

“Who are you? What did you do with Crow?” interrogated the oldest boy a little loudly, his voice trembling. They were afraid of him, Shinji realized.

“Keep it down. Crow’s asleep,” he replied, trying to make his voice sound as convincing as possible.

“So you came in last night and knocked him out?” Amanda spoke up, her voice also wavering. Shinji also noticed her eyes were incredibly puffy.

Oh boy. “What? No, no. I didn’t do anything to him, I promise,” Shinji waved his arms in protest. “If you would just listen –“

“We’re listening,” Frank interrupted, bringing his protective arm closer to Amanda and Tanner.

Shinji looked at Tanner and sighed, causing Tanner to raise an eyebrow in confusion.

“I . . . I saw Crow and you, Tanner, in trouble with Sector Security last night,” Shinji explained. “While my buddies took care of Security, I took the both of them and brought them back here, since Crow didn’t have his D-Wheel with him. And his ankle’s no good, so he asked me to bring in Tanner for him, which I did.”

Tanner nodded slowly, and then gasped as if he realized something. “Wait, so that’s why I was on the couch.”

“You got it,” Shinji flashed a thumbs up. “And I brought Crow in too, since he’s got ankle issues.”

The older two kids looked at each other and snickered. On the one hand, Shinji was relieved that the kids were finally comfortable just enough with him, but, on the other, he didn’t understand what was so funny.

“What?”

“So, how’d you carry him in?” Frank asked.

“Yeah! Did you carry him in bridal style?” Amanda chimed in, her voice a little too eager for Shinji’s liking in asking that question. Shinji’s left eyebrow twitched.

“I carried him in. That’s all I’m saying,” Shinji protested. “I just met the guy last night, okay?”

“So that’s a yes,” Frank nodded.

“No, I –”

“It’s okay, we won’t tell Crow you told us,” Amanda winked, and Shinji could feel all of his defenses crumble. The relationship assumption aside, he didn’t expect the kids to accept his explanation of last night’s events just like that, and he certainly didn’t expect them to think that something was going on between their guardian and him, which there wasn’t. Sighing, he sat back down in his chair.

“So, you guys trust me now?” he asked.

“Depends. What’s in the bag?” replied Tanner, who looked intently at the large paper brown bag with the loaves. On cue, Shinji grabbed the bag from behind him.

“Ah, this? Well, Crow had mentioned that all you guys get to eat around here usually is tuna, so I managed to snag some not-tuna on the way here,” he said quite proudly. “I got a really good deal on this bread and butter, so I thought I’d bring it here for you guys.”

The three kids looked at Shinji – or rather, the food in his arms – with sparkling eyes, all three simultaneously making a gulping sound.

“We. We can have this? Are you sure?” Frank asked, trying to keep his drool from traveling too far out of his mouth. Shinji laughed as he shook the bag.

“I got it for you guys. Of course you can have it,” Shinji smiled. “Make sure to leave some for you-know-who, though.”

“You-know-who….?” asked Tanner, looking upwards and putting a hand to his head.

“He means Crow,” Amanda answered, and Tanner, making an “oh!” sound, pounded a fist into his hand, which meant, Shinji guessed, he finally understood.

Shinji gestured to the kids for them to help themselves, which they did. He helped them divide the loaves in portions that would fill them up for the next couple of hours. After they devoured their fill (and after Shinji and Amanda made sure to leave part of a loaf for Crow), Shinji stood up and said, “Okay, so who wants to go with me to town to get more food?”

“Me, me!” Frank and Tanner both said at the same time, and Shinji laughed at their enthusiasm to do the most basic of chores. No wonder Crow kept them around. Their eagerness surely kept things light-hearted. Shinji noticed Amanda was unusually quiet at the suggestion.

“Amanda? What about you?” he asked. Amanda nodded her head in the negative.

“I’ll stay behind. In case Crow wakes up before you three get back,” replied Amanda.

“Be sure to tell him we’ll be right back if he does!” Frank instructed, to which Amanda nodded.

Shinji smiled. What an unexpected turn of events. It’d been less than 24 hours, but the three had already treated him as one of their own, as if he was a part of their family. All because he brought Crow and Tanner back to them. And, even though he told Crow last night he’d stay away, he really did hope, deep down, that things would stay as they were, if not better.

“And we’re off!” Shinji announced, although not too loudly.

                                 Commons Marketplace - Section E

Shinji glanced at Frank and Tanner, who were constantly readjusting their grips on their plastic bags filled with tuna, fruit, applesauce and whatever else they could find . . . and that Shinji could afford.

“You guys okay? I could carry another bag –“ he started to say, but Frank and Tanner shook their heads furiously.

“Nah, we’re good,” Frank replied. “Crow didn’t raise no quitters.”

“We’ve gone through worse. We can manage,” the younger of the two, the one Shinji rescued the night before, reassured – or tried to, Shinji guessed – his and Frank’s companion, although the statement did anything but what he intended.

Shinji’s face fell, just wondering how those two, Amanda, and Crow even survived before he, quite frankly, barged into their lives unannounced. Then again, he knew next to nothing about their day-to-day or what the kids liked or even how Crow acted when he didn’t have to worry about strangers, so, for all he knew, they had a system that worked. There was still some time before they got back to the house – they had just passed the fruit stand that’s a few blocks from Section A – so Shinji spoke up, “This might sound like a weird question, but just what kind of guy is Crow anyway?”

Frank and Tanner both looked at the sky with pensive faces, as if trying to figure out how to possibly answer such a sudden question. After what seemed like an eternity, the two smiled and looked straight ahead.

“He’s a little rough around the edges –“ Frank started.

Shinji scoffed underneath his breath. “No kidding.”

“- and he yells at us if we do something we’re not supposed to do, but he gives the best hugs though,” finished Tanner, his eyes gleaming.

“And he always makes sure we’re fed every night,” the older boy continued. “Even if . . .” Frank frowned and stared at the ground as the trio continued to walk, “even if that means he doesn’t get to eat every now and then. He doesn’t think us kids notice, especially since he tries to hide it, but we do.”

“No kidding?” Shinji chimed in, making no effort to hide the surprise in his voice. Crow was willing to go that far, was willing to go some days without eating, just for the kids?

“And he gave us a nice place and lets us sleep there when no one else would,” said the younger boy, fumbling with his grocery bag.  

“Yeah. We really lucked out with him,” Frank agreed.

Shinji, listening to the boys go on and on excitedly their guardian, was cut to the heart. The more he knew about Crow, the more he realized he judged him wrongly without knowing anything about him. Underneath the tough, “back off or else” exterior was someone willing to risk it all for the most vulnerable, even at the cost of his own life. The toughness was probably a defense, built by many years of hardship and hatred that surrounded the Commons every day, and to protect the kids he cared for.

And Shinji thought he had it rough. And he lived by himself.

Crow really was incredible, and those kids really were lucky.

Shinji suddenly laughed for a good minute, with Frank and Tanner looking at him like he had gone mad. He shook his head, saying, “Sorry. I’m laughing at myself, not you guys. Come on, we’re almost there.”

                        Commons - Section A45 (Hogan Residence)

Shinji, Frank, and Tanner entered the house and dropped their grocery loot on the dining table. Frank and Tanner both collapsed on the kitchen floor, exhausted.

“Finally . . .” Frank muttered.

Shinji snickered at the sight. “I tried to help you, but you guys didn’t want it.”

“We know . . .” Tanner said slowly, closing his eyes. Shinji smiled and decided he’d deal with that later, but first, he needed to let Amanda know they came back

“We’re back!” Shinji announced.

“Welcome back, Frank, Tanner, Shinji!” Amanda appeared from Crow’s room and ran towards Shinji, wrapping her arms around his waist, and catching him off guard. Shinji glanced at his two shopping companions who only grinned.

They trusted him. They really trusted him.

He hesitantly put a hand to the top of Amanda’s head and rubbed it gently. The young girl only tightened her hold, and Shinji took that to mean the gesture was okay. After a few seconds, Amanda let go.

“How was the shopping trip?” Amanda asked, but, looking at Frank and Tanner lying on the ground, she laughed. “It certainly looks like it was a trip.”

“Oh, can it, Amanda,” retorted Frank. “I didn’t think the bags would be that heavy. That’s all.”

“Suuuuuuure,” was the sing-song reply. Shinji could only laugh at this exchange, even though maybe he should’ve intervened. But, he decided to let it go.

“So, how’s the patient?” he asked, smirking in the direction of Crow’s room.

Amanda laughed and shrugged. “He’s awake, and he took the water just fine, but not the bread,” she replied. “And after we made sure to save it for him too . . .”

The kids trusted him, but Crow still didn’t. Seemed about right. Shinji sighed as he made his way towards Crow’s room, saying, “Frank, Tanner, help Amanda put away the groceries. I’m gonna have a talk with the patient.”

“Okaaaaaaaay, Shinji . . .” Frank and Tanner moaned in unison, still laying on the floor.

Shinji slowly opened the door. The tension in the room was thick enough that Shinji could cut it with a knife, especially with the way Crow glared at him. He looked at him, then at the uneaten loaf next to his feet, and then back to Crow.

“Come on, that’s some really good bread!” Shinji exclaimed, trying to ignore his nerves. “I got a good bargain for it. I didn’t poison it, promise.”

“Shinji, what’s the meaning of this?”

Shinji gulped. The kids might trust him, but Crow still seemed far from ready to accept him. So, to try and diffuse the situation, he decided to play the dumb act. “What are you talking about?”

Crow’s eyes narrowed. “The food – if you really didn’t poison it. The kids knowing who you are, this patient business . . . What gives? I thought I told you to leave us alone.”

He did remember after all, much to Shinji’s disappointment. But, Shinji wasn’t entirely disheartened. After all, the kids trusted him. Putting his hands on his waist, Shinji sighed.

“Think about this. Your ankle’s no good, the kids can only do so much for you, and there’s barely food here. If you think I’m just going to ignore all that, well, sorry to break it to you. That’s not gonna happen.”

Shinji expected a rebuttal, but, for the first time in the past 24 hours, the other didn’t have one. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Shinji took the opportunity to continue.

“As far as the kids knowing who I am, I told them about last night. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have trusted me.”

Crow nodded slowly, as if trying to process the latest batch of events that occurred while he was out cold. After a pause, he asked, “But, why, Shinji? Why go out of your way to do all this just for some guy, some former criminal, you just met last night? If it’s out of pity, then I don’t need it, so you can just go ahead and leave –”

Shinji interrupted him by waving an arm, not just because he was wrong, but he didn’t want to hear anymore. He realized why Crow was so stubborn in accepting him. Shinji wasn’t the first to offer Crow and the kids help, it seemed. But, with those other times, they’ve been taken advantage of. And Crow was sick and tired of it, so, rather than accept the help, he turned people away.

And it hurt Shinji to realize that. He couldn’t imagine where he’d be if he didn’t get the help he needed from his friends or if he had been taken advantage of. But, Crow had to live like that. And yet . . . that jealousy for the life he lived with those kids remained.

“It’s . . . It’s not out of pity, believe me,” he said. “Actually,” he laughed, “it’s the opposite really.”

The orange-haired man raised an eyebrow. “The . . . opposite?”

Shinji put a hand to his face, combing through his hair with his fingers. A nervous habit he developed. Even if Crow wasn’t going to accept what he was about to say, he still needed to say it.

“When I saw you and Tanner that night, I was jealous. You don’t see very many family units in Commons, and I didn’t have any family growing up.” Shinji paused to laugh. “I want what you have, Crow. And that’s why my pals and I helped you and Tanner then and why I’m helping you now.”

Shinji noticed Crow’s shoulders relax and his eyes soften, the most docile he’s seen him in the past 24 hours. “Shinji . . .”

“But, I get it. You don’t want a stranger intruding, and you’re concerned about the kids’ safety,” he inhaled and exhaled slowly. “I still want to help you out, though. Help you with those kids. At least until you can walk properly again. After that, I’ll leave you alone. I mean it this time.”

And he did. Even if he wanted what Crow had, it’s no use trying to barge in where he wasn’t wanted.

Crow stared at him, but the stare wasn’t as intense as before.

“I’ll be around, so if you need anything in the meantime, let me know,” Shinji turned his back to him. “See you around.”

Shinji had reached for the hole in the door that he assumed had once been a doorknob and his fingers had wrapped around the opening when he heard a desperate voice call out, “W-Wait!” He froze, not turning around.

“What is it now? You gonna file a restraining order?” Shinji laughed nervously. He heard Crow clear his throat.

“No, no, nothing like that,” was the reply. “It’s . . . It’s nothing, but . . . really. Thank you for everything, Shinji. And . . . just know you can come back here any time, even when-no, especially when my ankle’s better. The kids and I wouldn’t mind.”

It took all of Shinji’s willpower to not let his jaw drop, not believing at all what he just heard. He turned to stare at Crow, whose face, for whatever reason, was extremely flushed. This was the same guy who threatened to have him punished for trespassing last night and was giving him a hard time? The same guy who wouldn’t let total strangers near his kids for their safety?

He was letting Shinji into his and his kids’ lives and letting Shinji be a part of a family, like he always wanted? Just like that?

Not believing what he just heard, he asked, “You’re-You’re not cracking one of your bad jokes, are you? Frank had said you were prone to doing tha—”

“Who said I was cracking jokes?” the other interrupted, waving a hand as if to push Shinji out the door. “Get out of here before I change my mind.”

Shinji laughed. Crow’s certainly rough around the edges, but, since Shinji finally knew why, it’s almost adorable really. He was looking forward to visiting again.

“I’ll be back then.”

[losille2000]

Christmas Balls, Part II

TITLE: Christmas Balls CHAPTER NUMBER: 3/? AUTHOR: Losille2000 WHICH TOM/CHARACTER: Actor!Tom GENRE: Romance/Fluff/Humor FIC SUMMARY: There comes a time in every dog owner’s life where he must consider neutering his companion. Tom doesn’t want more puppies running around, anyway, so the decision is simple. Bobby, on the other hand, can’t seem to understand why his dad would be so cruel to him. Nobody took hisbollocks, did they? How is that fair? Maybe he can convince the nice veterinarian lady to give his dad a taste of his own medicine… RATING: M (let’s be real, there will probably be sexytimes) WARNINGS:  Nothing. AUTHORS NOTES: I know dogs don’t see a lot of color, but I had to add some to illustrate the scene. Make believe with me? Thanks for reading!

Previous Chapters: Prologue - Part I - Also on AO3!!

Part II

 Upon fully comprehending the extent of his father’s treachery, Bobby vowed henceforth never to go down without a fight. Unless there were a tasty treat offered, or some really good belly rubs. But most of the time his dad clicked that stupid thing at him, trying to force him to follow his commands, but Bobby decided to sit his butt on the frozen grass and look up at his dad like he was an idiot.

The problem was that neither of them were idiots, nor did they lack obstinate spirits, so they stared at each other, locked in a never-ending battle of wills, much to the amusement of the people passing by them on the path in the park they’d come to for their daily training walk. Bobby could see the irritated tick in his dad’s jaw, the tension in his shoulders, but he felt unmoved. Bobby yawned at him, bent his head to sniff the ground, and then plopped down on the grass. He was done for the day.

 “Bobby!” his dad exclaimed, heated anger singeing the edges of his exasperated sigh. “You weren’t like this the other day. The stuff you had down pat you refuse to do. Why now?”

 Bobby turned his head and drew his tongue along the shaved portion of his leg where the annoying plastic tube thing had been stuck at the vet’s office. Then he cleaned a paw and looked back at his father. What did he expect anyway? After the indignity Bobby had suffered, forcing him to wear the Cone of Shame?

 This walk was the first time he’d been let out of the thing, two days after the initial mortification of realizing his dangly bits had been removed while he slept. He wasn’t about to ruin the freedom of being cone-less on doing what his dad commanded him to do. Even if he hadn’t vowed to give his dad an easy go of it, anyway.

 “Look, Bob,” his dad said. This time, he sounded as though he were resigned to the fate of having a lawless canine companion. “The girls are meeting us here in like five minutes, and you’re being a little shit. We have to be on our best behavior.”

 Bobby lifted his eyebrows at him. The girls? Who were ‘the girls’? He’d never heard of them before, except that his dad had said something about them yesterday while they had dinner. Something about how they’d have to move his feeding station to a larger area outside of the kitchen when ‘the girls’ came to the house. He didn’t understand it, and frankly didn’t care, buried nose-deep in his bowl of delicious, meaty kibble. Now he wondered if he shouldn’t have paid more attention to the conversation, given that it was going to affect his future meals.

 Bobby stood up again, but refused to make any more movement into a position that might alert his father to the fact that he was paying attention to him again. Not that he was—for his attention on the man was immediately deserted when he caught a flash of something out of the corner of his eye. Thinking it was some kind of ground rodent, he stiffened, his hackles rising in preparation for a fight.

 But all the bluster was for naught when he zeroed in on the interlopers. Cresting the hill in the near distance was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen: golden hair glittering in the afternoon sun and blowing fetchingly in the slight breeze created by her run, big brown eyes that sucked all the air out of his little body, and legs for freaking days. Before now, anyone larger than him had given him cause for concern, but this beauty—for she was perfection in every physical attribute—was different. Even his dad knew it; his dad straightened his back and adjusted his clothes.

 The beauty slowed down to a walk, her tongue lolling out the side of her mouth as she caught her breath and cooled herself from her exercise. That was when Bobby realized she was attached to a lead, too, and the other end of the lead ended in the gloved hands of the nice lady from two days ago. The one with the nice smile and soft, warm cuddles. Ivy… that was her name. He didn’t even care that she was complicit in his father’s treachery; she had brought to him a worthy remuneration in the form of the Amazonian angel standing in front of him.

 Bobby inched forward, his head lowered, sniffing the ground in front of him, but his dad tugged his lead again, bringing him back to his side. Bobby sat on the ground and tried to control the vibration deep in his body. He mustn’t show that he was too excited to meet her; he didn’t want to seem overly eager, after all. There was a level of propriety he had to maintain, according to his dad. Whatever propriety was. Bobby was pretty sure it meant not running and jumping on strangers. Nor licking them or getting in their face.

 Hi, Bobby said.

The golden beauty ignored him.

 I said hello, he repeated.

 Finally, she turned, blinking her soft brown eyes at him, fluttering her long, thick lashes at him. Are you Bobby? Mummy told me about you. I’m Lulu.

He sighed. Lulu. Perfect for her. It seemed to fit the type of dame who wore sparkling stones on her collar and bows on her triangle ears.

 Lulu looked up at Ivy for confirmation and sat beside her feet without any words or a tug on the leash. Bobby was confused. Didn’t she need to be told what to do, like him? Or was she already a good girl? She looked up at Ivy like Ivy was her entire world and would do anything for her. Certainly, she wasn’t one to fight back after any sort of treachery from her mum.

 Bobby dropped all the way to the ground and rolled over onto his back, beckoning Lulu to come forward and sniff him. All of him. She probably wanted to check out the other end, but he felt compelled to show he meant her no harm. Immediately. So she would be comfortable around him.

 “What are you doing, Bobby?” his dad asked. “First the barking at her, now the roll?”

 Ivy laughed at them both. “That’s a submissive pose. He’s showing the newcomer he means no harm. I hope you didn’t intend him to be a guard dog of any type.”

 His dad scoffed. “Are you calling my dog a pussy?”

 “No,” she replied. “He’s simply a lover, not a fighter. Which is completely okay with me.”

 “Do we need to do what you said when we talked? Walk around with them?” his dad asked.

 Ivy shook her head. “I think they’ve already got it. Every dog is different, sometimes they just click. Why don’t we go sit down on the bench over there and let them sniff it out?”

 His dad shrugged and all four of them walked together to the wooden bench nearby. Lulu stepped closer to him, finally, sniffing at his head, his ears, then twisted to reach his rear end. In response, she gracefully placed both paws in front of her stretching her big, long body out until she was laying on the ground and at his height. Bobby took it as his opportunity to sniff her, and realized he liked her scent very much.

 She was all lady.

 “They’re really doing remarkably well,” Ivy said. “Usually puppies are all over the place.”

 “He knows a pretty girl when he sees one,” his dad said.

 Ivy laughed again. “Good thing he came in when he did, then.”

 “He still hasn’t forgiven me.”

 “Dogs don’t typically realize what happened,” she replied. “He’s probably more upset you left him at the vet than that he was fixed. But you want to know the best news?”

 “What?”

 Ivy grinned. “They don’t hold grudges.”

 Bobby huffed. Speak for yourself, doctor lady!      

Everyone fell silent for a long time, enjoying the late day sun. Bobby found a place beside Lulu and sat, enjoying the mutual warmth the close proximity afforded.  After a while longer, Ivy drew in a deep breath and turned to his dad.

 “Are you sure about this, Tom?” she asked, her nose scrunching up as she glanced at him.

 “Surer than I’ve been about a lot of things recently,” he answered. “Honestly, Ivy, it’ll be more of a help to me than I am being to you, letting you move in. With you there, you can watch Bobby when I must be away. It’ll be so much nicer than having to kennel him or get him to a friend’s place. And then with Christmas—”

 “What about Christmas?” she asked.

 His dad sighed and ran a hand through his curly hair. “I was volun-told that since I haven’t had any involvement in the planning or implementation of Christmas plans for many years now, that it was finally my turn. So, I have to do the whole host thing. The whole family will be up, staying at the house. Christmas decorations and dinner and presents, you know how it goes.”

 “Are you sure you want me there?” she said. “You could probably use the extra room.”

 “We’ll make it work,” he replied. “And what I’m saying is that I’d like the help, if you’re up for it. I haven’t ever hosted Christmas, I don’t know the first thing about doing it, and my sisters and mother have abdicated their roles to force me to learn. I don’t know how to cook a fucking turkey!”

 Ivy laughed. “What makes you think I do?”

 “You’re a woman. You know these things.”

 “Wow,” she said, rolling her eyes. “That’s really sexist for you.”

 His dad shook his head. “You know what I mean. I don’t even know if a turkey will fit in my oven.”

 Ivy shrugged. “You might have to invest in a separate roaster.”

 “See? This is what I mean,” he said. “You already know more than I do.”

 “You’ve never helped make dinner before? Or are you one of those guys that just takes it for granted that the food ends up on your plate perfectly cooked?”

 “My job is the washing up,” he replied.

 Ivy shifted in her seat and withdrew a rectangular thing out of the pocket on her puffy vest.  She bit the pointer finger on her right glove and pulled it off with her teeth to press at the rectangle thing. “I have to go. Mum and Da leave in an hour and I’m meant to ferry them to the airport.”

 His dad sighed heavily. “Please, Ivy. Move in with me, at least for a trial run. They say if you can get through the holidays with someone, you’ve got it made the rest of the year.”

 Ivy stood up and Lulu did so as well, displacing Bobby. Bobby fumbled to stand, yawning in his blissed-out relaxation. “I’ll do it if you do something else for me.”

 “Name it.”

 “I have an extra ticket to a charity gala next week,” Ivy replied. “And I need a date.”

 “Like a date date?” his dad asked.

 Ivy shook her head, then nodded, scrunching her face again. “Yes and no. What I need is someone to convince others that we’re dating.”

 “Why?”

 “To keep drunk old men away,” she said, “and also to piss off my ex who’s coming down for the party.”

 His dad frowned. “Are we still teenagers?”

 Ivy smacked his arm with her handless glove. “Either agree to it or I’m not moving in. Aren’t you supposed to be some kind of actor, anyway? I thought you would make it convincing. And… it would really get his goat because, well, you’re you.”

 Dad stood and stepped closer to Ivy, much too close, Bobby thought, for human personal space requirements. Most humans stood a few feet apart. If his dad moved another inch they’d be touching. As it was, Ivy had to crane her neck up to meet his dad’s serious eyes.

 “Yes, but can you act the part?” he asked.

 Ivy’s face darkened like the color of her long-sleeved shirt. Her lips parted and it seemed like she was having trouble breathing; her puffs of air were raspy and shallow. “I think I could do a credible job.”

 “Just a warning that you might have to deal with tabloids if we do our parts too credibly,” he said, his eyes searching her face, landing on her lips again for a fraction too long before darting back to her wide eyes.

 “All I care about is rubbing Hugh’s nose in the fact that he can’t have me.”

 His dad shrunk away, easing the erectness of his spine and the dominance of his position standing so close to Ivy. Bobby had never seen his father act in such a way with another person. It boggled his little mind. But from what it sounded like, it meant ‘the girls’ would be staying at their house anyway. And Bobby liked that thought very much.

 “Deal,” his dad said, offering his hand to her.

 Ivy hesitated, looking at his hand, but eventually slipped hers into his.  They shook. “Deal.”

 “Well, I guess I better let you get back to your parents’ house,” he said. “Give them my love.”

 Ivy nodded. “I will. When should I bring my stuff?”

 Dad pursed his lips, thinking for a minute. Bobby wondered why they were still holding hands, now no longer shaking. “In the morning? Say ten?”

 “I’ll be there,” she replied. “You need to let go of my hand.”

 His dad looked between them, but did the opposite of dropping Ivy’s hand. Instead, he squeezed tighter and tugged her forward. If Bobby had blinked, he would have missed what happened next, but he was enraptured with their little conversation.

 Lulu seemed to be so, as well, sitting beside him.

 As Ivy stepped to catch her balance, his dad swooped down and pressed his lips to her cheek in a gentle kiss that shocked Ivy into stillness. She slowly stepped back with wider eyes. “What the hell was that?”

 “I’m getting into character,” he remarked.

 “I don’t think you need to do much research,” she replied sourly.

 He laughed. “Nuh-uh. I’m turning in a full Olivier-worthy performance. And that comes with rehearsal.”

 “Right.” Ivy’s word was terse as she jerked back from him and shook off his hand—the one that still held hers like he didn’t want to let go of her.

 Lulu’s nose twitched. Do they smell different to you?

 Bobby looked at his new friend. You noticed, too?

My mummy’s acting strangely.

My da’s always strange.

Lulu huffed and bent to lick his head. Humans are always strange, pup. But this is curious.

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Tom,” Ivy said.

 His dad grinned. “Can’t wait.”

 She pulled on the lead in her hands, leading Lulu back the way they had come. Lulu turned her head. Bye-bye, Bobby!

 Bobby’s tongue was too tied to respond, so he looked up at his father, realizing all his attention was on Ivy’s tail-less rear. Curiouser and curiouser, that. He didn’t think humans liked sniffing tails, but now he wasn’t so sure.

 “Let’s head home, Bobby,” he said, turning around in the opposite direction. “We need to get ready for tomorrow morning.”

 Bobby agreed with him. Yes, they did. Bobby had to pick out his favorite toys, so he would have them ready to show Lulu.

 Much to his dad’s delight, Bobby walked home perfectly, doing exactly what he was supposed to do without prompt. Bobby didn’t much care, though. He had other things on his mind…

 Like long legs and big doe eyes.

[odderancyart]

The Cherry Chronicles pt. 5

AO3

First Last Next

Warnings: Past abuse, PTSD, Self-hatred

Summary: Another Sans appears in Underfell. The only problem, except getting him home, is that this one’s showing signs of abuse, and is terrified of Papyrus. 

The two familiar faces were staring at him. Frowning.  Eye sockets dark. Not that terrifying blankness, lifelessness, but dark. Cherry shook, and he felt sweat drip down his face. His mind was in shambles. He hadn’t even been able to focus on the food out of pure nervousness and fear of what was to come. His breathing was short, it coming in gasps. He clawed on the floor, trying to find something to hold onto. The carpet. Gathering it in his claws he focused on the texture. It was soft. Much softer than the carpet at home. That carpet was covered in blood – mostly his, but others’ as well, like that bunny kid – and had stiffened a long time ago.

“e-everythin’?” he managed to ask, almost proud he only stuttered a little. Cherry bowed his head and stared on his legs. That way he only had to feel the gazes on him, not see them. It was a little better. There was a short silence. Then:

“NO,” Boss said, almost carefully. “YOU CAN START WITH TELLING US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR PAPYRUS.”

Cherry’s dim eyelights glowed a little brighter. He smiled slightly, despite the trembles wracking his body at the mention of his Boss. He took in a winded breath and forced himself to look up at the native brothers.

“Boss i-is th’ coolest,” he began. Strangely enough Sans exhaled at that. He seemed relieved. “th’ li-lieutenant of th’ royal g-g-guard, ‘n’ a favourite o’ ‘is majesty. undyne's g-got nothin’ on ‘im. th’ only reason she’s not d-dust and Boss isn’t th’ c-captain is that Boss respects her. c-completely ruthless and merciless. th' st-strongest, ‘cept for ‘is majesty, o’ course.”

His breathing had calmed and his soul was no longer trying to beat its way out of his chest. Talking about how awesome Boss was he could do all day. If he didn’t have to mention himself. Just thinking about having to talk about how pathetic he was made Cherry start to sweat again. Everyone knew it, he couldn’t understand why they kept making him say it.

“AND WHAT DOES YOUR BROTHER THINK ABOUT YOU?”

Sans listened as Cherry spoke about his brother. He grinned, recognizing himself in it. The comment about Undyne was almost a little worrying, and so was the ‘merciless’-thing, but in the end, it could be chalked up to their world. It seemed crueller than theirs. Otherwise, it was so familiar it almost wasn’t funny.

He felt shame travel through his spine, and he shivered. Tears formed in his eye sockets and he had to fight to keep them back. He was such a crybaby. Boss hated when he cried. Unless it was during punishment, during those he seemed to appreciate tears. Boss once said that covered in bruises and tears and blood were the only times Cherry wasn’t disgusting to look at. Ever since, he had almost wanted to be punished. Just to please Boss. Almost.

He swallowed. Cherry closed his eye sockets for a short moment. Just to buy himself some time before he had to tell this version of Boss and himself how revolting he was.

“m-m-me?” He let out laugh and hunched his shoulders. “i-i-i’m a b-bother, a-a l-loathsome waste o’ sp-space. o-only good as a p-p-punchin’ b-bag ‘n’ ‘a-ardly even th-that. w-weak, ‘n’ annoyin’ ‘n’ u-ugly t’ l-look at. th' only r-r-reason 'm n-n-not e-exp is B-Boss’ s-se-sentimentality. he's told me that enough times for it t’ be clear.”

As he spoke, the others two monsters’ expressions grew more and more horrified. That was the only word Cherry had to describe them, and it didn’t fit at all. It wasn’t logical. Why would they look horrified? It was only the truth. He forced himself to take deep breaths. He flinched and whimpered as both of them suddenly were in front of him. Way too close. Only decimetres away. He wanted to recoil, but that would certainly anger them even more. Cherry felt a tear drop down his cheek, and furiously wiped it off with his sleeve. Why did he have to be such an embarrassment?

“hey, yer no…” Sans began to say, only to be interrupted by a loud knocking on the door. Cherry jumped high at it, and whimpered again. Boss swore loudly.

“THE DOGI. THEY’RE HERE TO LEAVE THEIR WEEKLY REPORT,” he stated. His brows furrowed and his mouth was a tight, edgy line. He trembled more at that, Boss seemed mad. “I COMPLETELY FORGOT. SANS, GET CHERRY INTO YOUR ROOM OR SOMETHING, THEY CAN’T SEE HIM. BE BACK AFTER.”

Cherry flinched as hand quickly grabbed him, and he felt himself getting dragged into the Void. It did not feel good. Taking shortcuts were one thing, but being a passenger was truly awful. Within seconds he was sitting on the floor of a familiar room. Except his one was dirty in a way his hadn’t been for years. Boss detested how he let his room get messy.

He didn’t anymore.

“stay ‘ere, be quiet,” Sans ordered him before leaving him behind. Cherry nodded, despite the other’s back being turned to him, and curled into a ball on the dirty rug.

“y-yes, sir.”

Don’t move and stay silent. That was the only order he managed to follow most of the times. Not always though. Sometimes he was in so much pain or his nightmares got so bad that he simply couldn’t. He wasn’t even able to always follow such a simple command.

He was so repulsive.

Sans’ frame shook as he closed the door behind him. This was all kinds of wrong. He didn’t want to believe what this was implying. He didn’t… A Papyrus couldn’t be so terrible. Not toward his Sans. Yet…

Was there another conclusion to draw here?

To hear and see someone who looked so much like himself filled with so much self-hatred was horrendous. He wasn’t the most self-loving monster Underground, but this kind of disgust for oneself was something new entirely. Not even growing up in New Home he had seen something like it. And he had seen all kinds of things there. Sans took a couple deep breaths to steady himself. His hands were trembling. He quickly shoved them into his pockets. The dogs were here. He couldn’t break down now.

He put back the lazy, threatening grin on his face and went downstairs.  Acting confident when not feeling like it was the first thing they had been taught as babybones. Their key to survival.

The dogs yipped in greeting as they saw him. They lowered their heads in submission but wagged their tails to show they were glad to see him. Sans chuckled, petting Lesser’s head as he walked by. They were good dogs, despite the climate of their world. Sans’ hand froze for a moment as he wondered how the Dogi was in Cherry’s ‘verse. He had been terrified of them as well. Lesser threw him a questioning, almost worried, gaze. Shaking his head slightly Sans smirked back. No worries. Lesser licked his hand.

“WELL,” boss said as they all had taken their usual seats. The dogs saluted. “REPORT.” Dogaressa, as the leader of the unit, immediately stood. She began to go through everything that had happened in Snowdin the last week. Most of it was things they knew already. Sans yawned, but his brother nodded as she spoke. Ever the dutiful soldier. The food transport had come safely – duh. Some criminals from Hotland had tried to rob the shop and had been dusted.  A brawl had broken out on Grillby’s. Sans had been there, encouraged the whole thing. He grinned at the memory. It had been hilarious to watch Grillby throw them out and give them a month’s ban from the bar.

As soon as she had finished and Boss had nodded his permission, she sat down again. The dogs sniffed the air, looking slightly disturbed.

“Is other Sans okay?” Dogamy asked. His ears were pressed closely to his head.

“This place smells of fear.” Doggo added, lifting his nose into the air for good measure. The brothers glanced at each other, unsure what to say. Eventually Papyrus crossed his arms, staring at the dogs.

“THAT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS,” he declared, and they winced and immediately showed of their throats again. At that, the look on Papyrus’ face softened. Just a tad, just enough for Sans to see it. “BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW, HE’S HAVING A BAD TIME. YOU NEED NOT WORRY THOUGH. I AM SURE WE WILL BE ABLE TO FIX IT WITH ENOUGH TIME.”

“(We want to help!)” Dogaressa quickly said, and Greater Dog panted in agreement. Papyrus petted her head once, and she smiled.

“GOOD DOG.” A happy gasp. “BUT AS IT IS, WE WILL HANDLE IT. I WILL TELL YOU IF WE REQUIRE ASSISTANCE. AND THAT IS MY FINAL DESCISION.”

“Lieutentant!” The dogs all saluted at that, accepting what Papyrus told them. Sans supressed a smile. It was kind of funny how loyal they’d gotten to them, seeing how they fought them when they first came to Snowdin. Although, he guessed it wasn’t too weird. Papyrus was probably the first officer they had who treated them fairly, just like he treated everyone fairly. From what he had heard, basically every officer in the Royal Guard were complete assholes except for boss and Undyne. The only ones with any kind of morals and sense for earning respect instead of immediately commanding it.

He plucked a cigarette out of his inventory and lightened it. Inhaling, he sighed in relief. It wasn’t long-lived though.

“SANS!” Papyrus complained. He frowned and glared at him. “I’VE TOLD YOU NOT TO SMOKE IN THE FUCKING HOUSE. I DON’T WANT THAT DISGUSTING SMELL INSIDE. GO OUT IF YOU NECESSARILY HAVE TO DO IT.”

“sure thing, boss,” he sighed and stood up. He wasn’t going to put out a brand-new cigarette. Well out on the porch he watched the denizens of their little town go on with their daily business. Everyone was glaring at everyone, warning them to get closer. Except the kids. Sans almost smiled as the children played on the streets, unbothered by the hostility around them. The only ones safe around here. Even if it hadn’t been illegal, boss would’ve flipped his shit if anyone had killed someone still in stripes.

As one of the bears looked up at him, though, he immediately stopped. Instead he changed it into a cocky smirk, and lifted the cigarette in greeting. Exhaled the smoke. The bear averted his eyes after a few moments.

Sans let out another relieved sigh as he felt the cold wind hit his face. This was so much better than being caught inside with either the frankly worrying Cherry or the dogs talking about stuff he didn’t care about one bit.

Perhaps he’d go to Grillby’s tonight again. Alone this time. Get drunk of his ass and not have to think about the possibility that Cherry had been abused by his Papyrus. The possibility he almost couldn’t deny after what he had heard.

Yeah. That sounded like a really fucking good idea.

Cherry wailed quietly as he heard steps. He hadn’t moved. He was being good. He had almost not made a single sound. There was no reason he would be punished, right? They hadn’t punished him yet even when he had messed up.  

They were probably just biding their time. Waiting until he felt safe before striking. That had happened one too many times. Both with Boss and with others, such as Grillby.

These steps didn’t sound like they came from anyone his size, which was strange. They were far too quiet and quick. Suddenly something soft pressed again his hand. Cherry swallowed, and looked down. It was that cat again. Doomfanger purred, and licked his hand. He let out a giggle. It tickled. Those amber eyes stared at him. But they were soft. There was nothing threatening in that body language as Doomfanger buffed his hand again.

Hesitantly, Cherry lifted his hand. He held his breath as he put it on the cat’s head. He had done this before, but both Boss and Sans had been there then. Nothing happened. The spinning only got louder. He almost smiled as he slowly stroked the cat’s back. He froze as the cat let out a meow. When nothing else happened, he moved his hand again. The fur was so soft. The softest thing he had ever felt. His shoulders fell and his breathing level out as he felt tension disappear.

He continued to pet the cat, who eventually climbed into his lap and lied down. Like he had done to Boss before. It was… nice. Yeah. Nice. Cherry’s eyelids dropped and he yawned. He was getting sleepy. He hadn’t felt this relaxed in he didn’t know how long. Doomfanger licked his hand again, and purred even louder. Huh. He wondered how loud the cat could be. He yawned again.

The next thing he knew, he was curled up on the mattress – which was much softer than his own – and covered in a blanket. Doomfanger was still there, resting on his head. Cherry hadn’t had a blanket for years. Boss took once when the temperature got lower than normal; he deserved it, Cherry did not. He hadn’t been able to argue with that, and afterward he simply hadn’t gotten it back. He frowned slightly at the restricting feeling. Still. It was warm. Pleasant. This was so weird.

As he began to move slightly, Doomfanger woke up. He licked Cherry’s cheek and then disappeared out through the slightly open door. Cherry stayed, thinking about whether it would be acceptable to just stay in bed for a while. Normally the answer would be a clear no, but someone had even tucked him in, so perhaps.

After a few minutes, the door opened slowly, and Boss was standing there, the cat by his feet. He just gave Cherry a short glance, but it didn’t look hostile, before putting down the tray he held in his hands next to the shorter.

On it a steaming cup of coffee and a plate with pancakes stood. Cherry stared at it, wondering if that was for him. The last two days’ happenings did make him believe it was quite likely, yet… breakfast in the bed? With luxuries like coffee? Whoa.

“IT IS FOR YOU, YES,” Boss said like he had read his mind. “EAT UP, BUT DO TAKE YOUR TIME. ONCE YOU’RE FINISHED I’D APPRECIATE IF YOU CAME DOWNSTAIRS.”

“o-o’ course, Boss,” he stammered, almost wondering if he had heard right. Why was Boss so polite to him? The only monsters Boss had ever bothered being polite with was Undyne and the King – and of course his officers when he had others than Undyne. Boss winced slightly.

“ABOUT THAT. WOULD IT BE OKAY IF YOU CALLED ME PAPYRUS INSTEAD? BOSS IS WHAT SANS CALLS ME, AND THE IMPLICATIONS WHEN YOU DO IT IS NOT VERY COMFORTABLE. I WON’T FORCE YOU, BUT I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.”

Cherry gaped at that. He got permission to use his Boss’ first name? He hadn’t done that since they were babybones.

“’c-c-course Bo… papyrus. whatever ya wish.”

[subconfessions]

Day 9

As of today it’s been 11 days and 688 edges since my last orgasm. I’m getting very desperate and today I have 111 edges to finish catching up.

Over the weekend I took another trip back home with a friend for her 21st birthday. We went up north and got an air bnb and had a really great time. But sadly that meant I wasn’t really able to complete tasks or my daily 50 edges. Thankfully Daddy was willing to let me finish my edges after the weekend, even though the first night I managed to get through 37 of them before I accidentally fell asleep.

Daddy also tried to get my friend and I to go skinny dipping haha, I really wanted to, it’s just something I feel like everyone has to do once in their life, but my friend wasn’t super comfortable doing it in a place that was so open and anyone could walk up on us at anytime, so we didn’t. But sometime I’ll convince one of my friends to do it with me hehe

Even though she wouldn’t go skinny dipping with me I managed to convince her to play the game padiddle with me in the car at Daddy’s suggestion. I was really happy she agreed hehe I missed being able to play the way I did on my last drive home. But I was determined to win, I already was at a clothing disadvantage 🙄. Haha but thankfully speed games are usually my thing and I was honestly just paying more attention 😂

So I got my friend the first time, and so she lost one item and after that Daddy made a x2 clothing rule so each time we saw a car with lights out two pieces got removed.

Again I got my friend 😜 so her tities we’re out and I can admit I was getting a bit cocky and pompous about winning so far, so Daddy had me take my shirt off. Hmmph. And now every time she took of an item I had to take one off. We were both having a lot of fun laughing and joking with each other though, always looking when we saw the rare car on the road. And then at last without ten minutes to spare I saw the final car and boom. Both naked.

Haha it was a good time, even funnier watching my friend scramble to get dressed once we got to her house hehe and then me trying to duck down and hide myself while she got her stuff outta my car.

Finally home I was so happy to check my mail and grab the collar I had ordered so long ago 😋 I was so excited to open the package, ever since I got the email over the weekend that said it had finally been delivered.

Since it was late I quickly got into my bedtime things and sent daddy a picture of my new collar which got put in the box right afterwards right next to toothless for safekeeping. I can’t even tell you how hard it was to not put my collar on right away, it was almost impossible to shut it in the box and just leave it.

The next day I woke up after daddy, I had set alarms but I was really sleepy so I just kept snoozing them and once I got daddy’s good morning message I quickly tried to wake myself enough to respond 😅 I’m always supposed to wake up before daddy, because there’s no reason not to when I’m three hours ahead.

I took off my rope and took out my plug - which was a bit uncomfy after so many days not using it. But thankfully I got coffee pretty quickly because I didn’t wake up before daddy. Then I was off on my day with some errands to run.

Daddy finally came up with a way to torment me, this time instead of doing my workout with my small plug in, I was to do it with my large plug in, and at first I figured this would probably make my ass pretty sore, all the movement with my large plug stretching me out. No. Not at all. In fact I ended up edging three times during my workout, I was pretty shocked the first time, I had to stop the exercise I was doing because I was getting so worked up. It felt so good though, and my whole workout was just a mix of pleasure and the good strain and burn all over.

After I finished my 30 minutes, I hopped into the bath to wash up and ended up sending daddy a few naughty pictures 😋 and getting out afterwards to say bye to my family.

Once they left I decided it was probably a good idea to start tackling my edges, and it was the perfect opportunity to Skype with daddy without being worried about people being around.

I started edging and I was already super horny, having not really touched my pussy the last few days had me pretty sensitive to any touch. And daddy was quick to point out how desperate I was already 🤤 that was when daddy told me he had a nice surprise for me, and boy was this a nice surprise. He told me I was able to get my collar and put it on without completing any extra tasks 🥰 now I won’t get into that too much now because I have a blog post assigned that’s specifically about my collar which I’m excited to write.

I will say though I was so damn happy to put it on 🥰🥰🥰

I started edging again and daddy was coming up with another new thing for me to do. He had me go get my rubber bands and I got a little nervous cause I’d never tried them before, but went and grabbed them cause I was excited to try something new.

Daddy showed me how to snap the rubber band the right way, and did a test snap on my thigh. Ouch did that sting, and I was incredibly surprised to see the nice pink line that it had already left from one snap on my leg. I expected it to fade pretty quickly but it was sticking around.

After that daddy had me do five on each tit, I did it right above the nipple so that way it would be easier to hide. Ouch ouch ouch, the first two didn’t sting so bad, but the last three bit in a bit. But I’m not gonna lie the marks that we’re forming were a huge turn on. I’ve always liked getting bruised from getting spanked, but this was a whole nother level compared to that.

Fifteen later and my tits had some real nice bruises on them, and Daddy decided that we’d wait to see how long it took for them to fade before adding to them or adding more, I was thankful, but I still really like being able to look down and see the little reminders 😋 makes me feel very submissive. Daddy had me do five on my labia, and one big one on my clit before setting the rubber bands aside. The five on my labia certainly hurt more than my tits, but the one on my clit holy shit it was like all of them combined. And it took me some nerve to finally release the rubber band on that one 😅 I jumped so hard when it snapped, it stung so much.

The rest of the night I spent pretty much trying desperately to catch up with my edges, by the end of the night I’d managed 156 of them, only taking a little break in between and during the break daddy had me tie a nice tight crotch rope to keep myself sensitive. I think I was so sensitive that night due to being able to wear my new collar and probably also that rubber band snap to my clit 😳 probably really upped my sensitivity after that, and also just constantly being able to feel my collar on my wrist just gives me that constant submissive and little feeling 😋 which only helps me edge.

At the end of my edges for the night daddy gave me one last task. He was gonna have me sleep on the floor in my bathroom, and I wasn’t allowed to leave until he told me I could in the morning. At first I was a little shocked and sad, because usually only naughty girls sleep on the floor, and I had been really good all day, but I also really loved the idea of having to stay in the bathroom all night and morning for who knows how long. Not being able to just leave whenever I want to. Certainly reminded me of the little fantasy daddy had shared with me earlier when I was edging - something about chaining me by my neck to the floor, just being left for hours. Super hot to lose so much control of the situation 😍

So I happily made my way into the bathroom, I was super excited because I was gonna be allowed to snuggle toothless all night 😋 and I brought my clamps and my switch in with me too, and made myself a little bed on the floor, sent my goodnight video and surprisingly fell asleep very easily feeling nice and subby☺️

Till next time 😋

[romanticatheart-posts]

Trust

This story spans over two days: The day before and the day of the wedding. Some of it is from Liam's perspective but it all comes together at the end. It's a bit long but I hope you enjoy it! Feel free to re-blog or comment. I appreciate constructive criticism or suggestions. Thanks for reading!

Pairings: Liam x MC (Catherine)

Warnings: NSFW Disclaimer: Pixelberry owns all characters.

Master List 

Trust definition - A firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something. 

That is not a word most of us think about in our daily lives but to one, it is particularly important. To him, it is the very foundation of life… his. 

For Liam, trust was not absolute. It was more of a principle by which he used to decipher the intentions and motives of those around him. And unbeknownst to him at the time, would later prove to be his salvation. Being born and raised a prince, he was exposed to many underhanded, corrupt and downright malicious people. He learned at an early age that life as a royal was challenging at best, especially when choosing friends. He was introduced to many noble children as a youngster and it was expected they would be included in his circle, but to Liam, most were just as pretentious and insecure as the adults who were raising them.

The Wedding Day

At the palace --

Liam sits at his desk reading the morning newspaper with coffee in hand. This was not his usual routine since being crowned the king, but this was not a typical morning by any means. His thoughts drift back to a time in life that helped in shaping his future… 

He was particularly close to his brother, but they certainly had their fair share of conflicts too. There was often tension between them, especially when Leo’s boisterous personality was at a specific peak. But Liam learned to overcome his own submission against this overactive display of brotherhood, by way of retaliation. Many times, they would be marched into the private quarters of some courtly function they were forced to attend and then reprimanded for their improper behavior. After the scolding, they would scurry back into the crowd as if they’d never left. There was never any real discipline delivered… Not that Liam needed much to begin with. 

Almost a year ago to the day, Liam learned that he would be next in line for the title of king, when the time came. “Little brother, I finally know what I want in life and it does not include being a Crown Prince or anything associated with it.” “What are you saying exactly?” “The crown is yours Liam. I am officially announcing my abdication at breakfast in the morning.” Liam’s expression turns to shock as he tries to absorb the magnitude of Leo’s words. Liam never really placed much faith in his status as royalty, but at least with Leo being the Crown Prince, he’d never have to worry about fulfilling familial expectations of becoming the king… but now things were different. “What made you decide to denounce the throne?” Leo smiles, “For the first time in my life, I know what is most important… I fell in love Liam… I’ve always known I wasn’t suited for this lifestyle, but meeting Katy was the deciding factor for me and I plan to ask for her hand in marriage as soon as this is final.” “Do you know that she’ll say yes?” “That’s the beauty of it little brother, I don’t. But it’s a risk I’m willing to take because life itself has no guarantees and sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and trust your own instincts.” Liam considers these words for a moment, happy that Leo has found his true love but at the same time, torn by fear and the weight of his own impending future. Leo watches Liam’s expressions and sees the conflicts working in his mind. “It’s only befitting that you should take my place as the Crown Prince. I know it’s a lot to drop on you all at once, but I know in my heart that you were always the most suited for the role. I would have been a terrible king, trust me.” “But I’m not sure this is what I want… I certainly never expected it to be an option… Of course, I’m happy that you found someone to share your life with, but there are so many things I have to consider now.” “I know it won’t be easy… but for what it’s worth, I’ll stand behind you no matter what decision you make. That, you can count on.” Leo claps Liam on the shoulder with brotherly affection as they say their goodbyes. Liam stays behind to try and put things in perspective and grasp the significance of his uncertain future. He walks around the square for hours, touching the old stone walls, his eyes filter through every detail in the city and finally he stops in front of a clock that sits high atop a tower… 

As Liam takes another sip of coffee he reads the last excerpt from the front-page article about the ‘Royal Wedding of His Majesty, King Liam and the beloved Duchess Catherine Beckham of Valtoria’. This time tomorrow he will be on his honeymoon, waking up to the love of his life for the first time as a married couple. Seeing her sleepy smile as he cuddles her in his arms… the tousled hair falling around her face… framing her natural beauty like a silhouette… He can’t help but smile, wondering what is going through her mind at this very moment. 

As your maid of honor, Hana had arranged a sleepover for all the ladies at Valtoria the night before. In keeping with tradition, she felt it best that you be away from the palace after the rehearsal dinner in case there was an accidental meeting of the bride and groom the next day… or a not so accidental one either… 

Liam still sits in his office awaiting the flurry of activity to begin when he hears a knock on the door. “Come in.” Drake pokes his head in and looks around to make sure Liam is alone. “Hey, you got a minute?” “For my oldest and dearest friend, always. Come in.” Liam gets up from his chair and walks around to the front of the desk sitting partially on the corner. “What’s on your mind Drake?” “Well, I know you’ve got a lot on your plate today with the wedding and all, but I wondered if you could spare a minute and have a drink? For old times’ sake?” “It’s a little early for whiskey, but I won’t object if you do.” “I figured you’d say that, so I brought a fresh pot of coffee.” “Good choice.” He goes out the door and into the hallway retrieving a pot and two cups, sitting them on the desk. Drake pours the coffee, handing one cup to Liam and picks up the other and sits in the chair in front of the desk. “Thank you.” “Yeah, I know how you like coffee in the morning and I’ve kinda developed a taste for it myself. It helps with a hangover.” “So, is there something you wanted to talk about?” “Well, I’ve been meaning to give you a wedding gift, but with the tour and all, it just never seemed like the best time.” “That’s not necessary Drake. Your friendship is gift enough.” “Yeah but I think you’ll really like it.” “I’m sure I will. What is it?” “Hold your horses, I gotta lead into it. It’s kind of a funny story actually.” Liam’s expression becomes quizzical, but he patiently waits for Drake to continue. “When we were in New York this last time, Beckham tried to help me find you the perfect gift. Hell, I was in furniture stores, pet stores, hardware stores… none of which she approved of by the way.” Liam chuckles. “I started to think it was a lost cause and we finally took a beat and sat down on a bench outside a bunch of shops. I was getting pretty frustrated over a lost afternoon and still no gift, but out of nowhere an object was reflecting in one of the store windows and caught my eye.” “So, what gift were you hoping to find in a furniture store?” “Never mind that.” “Heh. I bet it was one of those reclining chairs… or maybe a table with a secret compartment.” “Ha, ha, very funny. It doesn’t matter anyway because it’s not the gift I ended up with.” “So, what did you end up with?” “I got this.” Drake reaches in his pocket and pulls out the antique compass and hands it proudly to Liam. He takes it and looks at it carefully and then opens the dial. “Drake this is a wonderful gift, but I have to ask, what can I use it for?” “Well, since you’re king and all, your life will be going in a lot of different directions and with everything your dad did to you and Beckham, I thought it might serve as a reminder to never lose your way like he did.” “Drake… I don’t know what to say… it’s a wonderful sentiment, and a perfect gift.” “Yeah, well I thought you might like it and I figured you’d get your share of useless stuff, so I wanted to give you a gift that meant something.” “It does. I really do appreciate this Drake, more than you know.” “Well, you are my best friend after all.” “I know you don’t do the whole hugging thing, but would you settle for a handshake instead?” Liam reaches out his hand to Drake. “Yeah, nothin’ unmanly about a good old hand shake.” Drake shakes Liam’s hand as Liam turns back to look at the compass. Maxwell walks by the door and stops when he sees Liam and Drake. “Hey guys. Bertrand is looking for you Liam and he said it was important.” Liam sighs. “Everything is important with Bertrand.” Maxwell laughs. “Yeah, I know. I remember one time when we went to a concert and…” Liam interrupts Maxwell midsentence. “Ahem… Maxwell, I don’t mean to cut this short, but I should probably go see what he wants.” “Oh, right. He’s in the boutique.” Liam excuses himself looking back at Drake with an impish grin. Before Maxwell can start his story again Drake heads toward the door. “Uh…I’ve gotta see a man about a horse. Later Maxwell.” “But I didn’t get to finish my story…” Drake says nothing and exits the office as Maxwell calls out to him. “Hey wait. The stables are that way…” 

The Day Before

At the palace --

After the rehearsal, everyone heads back to the palace. A line forms to enter the elaborately decorated ballroom where dinner is going to be served. Normally there are not so many invited to a dinner following a wedding rehearsal, but this was no ordinary wedding. You and Liam stand near the back and he takes your hand leaning over to whisper in your ear. “Would you sneak away with me? From the looks of things, it will be at least an hour before we’d be missed.” “You read my mind.” You both smile as a twinge of heat passes between you. Once the coast is clear, Liam takes your hand and guides you down a hallway and to another set of stairs that leads to the second floor. He stops long enough to plant a passionate kiss on your lips, leaving you breathless. “Wow… I hope there’s more where that came from.” “Much more my love…” 

Upon reaching an empty bedroom Liam ushers you in and closes the door, locking it and then reaches for you. He pulls you close, your lips crashing together, and the clothes start dropping around the room as you inch your way to the bed. You lay down and he follows, bathing you with wet, hot kisses down your neck and lower. His mouth grazing your nipple as he takes it in gently sucking and then draws sensual circles with his tongue, caressing the curve with his hand. “Oh Liam…” Your hands in his hair as he continues to lavish your breasts with his lips and his hand. “Mmmm… you are so beautiful…”  Your hands move from his hair to his arms and then to his back, digging your nails in from the intense yearning welling up inside you. He kisses slowly back up to the curve of your neck and then finds your lips again...his hand exploring down your body and dips in between your inner thighs. “Catherine…” He moans feverishly as his hand reaches your wet folds, stroking ever so gently until your hips writhe in his hand. He looks into your eyes as his fingers slowly penetrate, causing a moan of undeniable pleasure.  “Liam…” You reach up with your hand against his cheek and he closes his eyes for a moment, leaning into your touch kissing your hand. He looks at you, searching your soul and drawing you farther into his realm of passion. You close your eyes, sinking your head deeper into the pillow, your breaths become shallow. “Mmmm… Liam.” “Catherine...I need you…” You reach down, taking him in your hand… stroking his erection and he moans as you feel him harden even further as if he might burst at any moment. “Catherine…” “Like that?” “Oh God… yes…” He kisses you deep and then his lips slide down your body… with your hand still grasping his length, he delves between your legs kissing and tasting every inch of you… you turn over with your legs on each side of his head, pulling his legs toward your upper body, he moves the rest of the way. While stroking, you begin kissing his tip and then slowly taking him in your mouth… you feel his hot breath quicken between your legs and he penetrates you with his tongue as his fingers caress your clit. You both move together as the intensity grows from each kiss and every touch… Liam moves around with your body between his legs and he is now towering over you. His muscular body glistening in the light and gazes into your eyes with a hunger. You reach for him pulling him into a kiss so passionate, powerful waves of energy flow to your swollen vortex of heat as he gently slides inside you… his body lifting you off the bed with each commanding thrust… you soon match his pace as he pushes deeper, harder… he slows the pace for a moment when he feels the intense vibrations from deep inside you. “Oh Liam!” Immersed in the force of emotion between you, he picks up the tempo kissing you deep and hard and with clenched teeth his resistance gives way to release. “Oh Catherine…” 

With both of you sweating and breathless, you lay in each other’s arms until the trembling subsides. “I…love you…Liam.” “I love… you too…Catherine.” 

When he finally catches his breath, Liam rolls over on his back pulling you close. With your leg draped over his, you lay your head on his chest. Content and satisfied you sigh. “I can’t wait to marry you Liam.” He kisses into your hair. “I feel the same way. I’ve ever been more excited over a royal event as I am about our wedding.” “I’m glad we had this time together. After dinner tonight, Hana is kidnapping me, and I won’t see you again until the wedding tomorrow.” “Even though it’s only one night, it will feel like an eternity.” You both lay in silence, fulfilled by the warmth of your bodies against each other. 

“Do you think anyone’s missed us yet?” “Perhaps, but at this point I doubt anyone cares.” “I’m glad we had this time together, but we should get back to our guests.” Liam sighs. “You’re right as always, but I wouldn’t have missed this time with you for anything.” Reluctantly he gets out of bed and holds his hand out for you. Upon reaching the bathroom, you both get cleaned up and then gather your scattered clothes and get dressed.  You both return to the dinner, blending back into the crowd… 

After the meal has concluded, you and Liam stand at the exit to thank the well-wishers for coming and give them a few moments with their king and future queen. Once the last guest has been properly acknowledged and the doors to the palace have closed, you both breathe a sigh of relief. “It’s good to know that so many people will be attending our wedding, but I’m exhausted.” “Tell me about it. Entertaining a few hundred nobles at once can certainly take its toll.” “I have a few more things to pack before Hana takes me away... would you keep me company while I finish?” “I’d be happy to.”  He flings his arm around your shoulders as you wrap yours around his waist, walking slowly up the stairs and into your bedroom. Liam has a perplexed look on his face that you can’t help but notice. “Something on your mind?” “Catherine, talking about entertainment has got me thinking.” “What about?” “About this sleepover tonight with the girls… will there be any… entertainment at this little soiree?” “I don’t think so but why would you ask that?” “I’m just making sure that I will have no competition vying for my soon to be wife’s affections.” “It’s not a bachelorette party Liam. As a matter of fact, we’re going to watch a movie and I’ll be going to bed right after.” “I suppose it was a ridiculous question… but it never hurts to be sure.” You smile and pull him in for a kiss. “Why would I ever look at anyone else when I’ve got the most handsome and loving man standing right here in front of me? You have nothing to worry about.” He smiles and pulls you closer. “That’s good to know. And I’ll take the flattery.” You lean in and whisper in his ear. “You’ll get more than just flattery come this time tomorrow night.” “Mmmm… if you keep talking like that I might have to kidnap you myself.” “Oh? And what are you going to do to keep me from escaping?” He places his hand on your cheek and looks lovingly into your eyes. “I’m hoping after a night with me, you wouldn’t want to.” “I’m not going anywhere Liam.” “Good.” He presses his lips to yours and you melt into the embrace. “I might sneak away during the movie and call you if that’s okay.” Liam smiles. “I’d like that.” “Okay, it’s settled then. I guess I should finish packing. Will you open that bag?” “Of course.” You smile at him and trot off to the bathroom as Hana steps in. 

“Hi Liam. Is Catherine ready?” “Yes… she is finishing up now.” You come out with both hands full and place the items in the bag and then close it. “Hey Hana.” “Are you ready to go?” “Yes, I think so.” Hana looks down at your suitcases sitting on the floor. “Do you need some help with those?” Liam turns to you. “I’ll take them down for you.” “Oh, okay.” “Then if you’re ready everyone is waiting.” You reach for the bags on your bed and Liam turns to Hana. “Hana would you give us a moment?” “Oh, of course.” She turns around to leave and then stops. “Oh! I forgot to mention that Olivia has decided to join us tonight. And… she’s a bit agitated already.” “That’s no surprise. Tell her I lost an earring or something.” “That might work.” She smiles, and waves then leaves the room. Liam takes you in his arms once again as you wrap yours around his neck. He leans in and kisses you passionately and pulls back looking deep into your eyes. “I can’t wait to marry you Catherine Beckham.” “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” He kisses you again and then sighs. “I suppose we should get you downstairs.” “Right. We don’t want Olivia having a meltdown.” Liam smiles and reluctantly releases you and then reaches for your bags, looking around the room. “Catherine, where is your wedding dress? I don’t see it anywhere.” “Oh, Hana had it delivered to Valtoria this afternoon. She wanted to keep it under ‘wraps’ until the big day tomorrow.” “Oh, that’s good. You are going to be beautiful.” “Aww… you are so sweet. I can’t wait to see what you’ll be wearing.” “I suppose we’re both in for a surprise.” After loading your bags, he walks around the vehicle and opens the door for you. “Good evening ladies.” Everyone says hello and then you turn back to him, kissing him one last time. He smiles tenderly as you step into the vehicle and Liam closes the door. You roll down the window, leaning out and waving as you watch his silhouette become smaller and smaller until finally he is out of sight. “What took you so long? And what’s with the love-sick school girl act? You’ll have him forever after tomorrow.” “Well Olivia, if you must know… I’m going to miss him.” “Well I hope in the future you’ll be able to restrain yourself from such ridiculous behavior. It’s embarrassing.” “Leaving like this reminded me of that night at the Coronation.” Hana chimes in. “That was a bad night for all of us but think about at all the good things that’s happened since then. I mean look at all of us, we’re finally friends.” “Must you always find the good in every situation? Honestly, it’s exhausting.” “It’s just who I am Olivia.” “Don’t you ever find it degrading to be so polite all the time?” “Olivia, being aggressive works for you but I’m just not like that. I accept that sometimes you’re overbearing and outspoken, but not everyone can pull it off as well as you do.” Olivia continues as if she didn’t hear the sarcasm nor the giggling between Kiara and Penelope at the frankness of Hana’s words. “Those are traits well served by a Nevrakis and I’m not ready to just forget my lineage, but… I suppose the nice act does have its advantages.” 

At Valtoria --

When you arrive at Valtoria, a few staff are waiting to take the bags to your respective rooms. Kiara is the first one out of the vehicle, followed by Penelope and her poodles. “Magnifique Catherine.” “Thank you, Kiara.” Penelope looks around at the massive estate in awe. “Catherine, this place is so nice. Merly and Mora will have so much fun. Didn’t you bring Chance?” “No, Maxwell insisted on keeping him tonight.” “Oh, that’s too bad. Merly and Mora was looking forward to seeing him.” Penelope bends down to pat Merlin and Morgana with a sad expression. “I’m sorry you two, but Chance won’t be joining us tonight.” They look at her inquisitively but is soon forgotten when she stands up leading them to the grass. Olivia steps out of the car and looks around the estate with a less than enthusiastic expression. “I suppose these accommodations are sufficient, but Lythikos would have been a much better choice in my opinion.” You respond. “I’m glad you agreed to join us Olivia. I hope it won’t be too hard for you to spend a night under such paltry conditions.” “I’ll certainly try, but I’m not making any promises.” Hana is already at the front door and motions for you all to join her. Once inside, she leads everyone up to their respective rooms to get settled in. 

Before long you and your friends are seated around a big screen and waiting for the movie to begin. “I personally loathe romantic comedies. Can’t we watch something a bit more realistic?” Hana pours everyone a glass of wine and passes around the hors d’ oeuvres. “Romance is real Olivia, but I guess it’s not for everyone.” “Hmph, I’m not buying into the whole romantic, lovey dovey crap. If you ask me, marriage is more like a symbol. It represents a purpose.” “Mon ami, marriage is about sharing, no?” “Yeah, like sharing trivial nonsense.” Hana chimes in. “Olivia, when you find someone whose happiness means more to you than your own, you’ll understand.” Olivia sips her wine and nervously adjusts herself in the chair. “I’m just saying that there is more to a marriage than just a simple fairytale description.” You reach for an hors d’ oeuvres. “Of course it’s more than that. Marriage is a representation of unity between two people who share common interests and where love is the foundation. What Liam and I share is beyond fairytale status. We don’t always agree, but we respect each other’s opinions and beliefs and I think that in itself is the perfect formula for a successful partnership.” Penelope speaks up. “I agree with Catherine. Love is the foundation of any relationship, whether a marriage or a courtship.” Olivia snips, “We’ve all seen how you moon over Kiara’s brother. I guess that makes you an expert on this subject.” Penelope smiles sheepishly. “No. I’m no expert, but I think I can relate to what Catherine is saying.” “This whole conversation is relatively boring. Can we just watch this ridiculous movie, so I can get some beauty sleep?” Hana grabs the remote, pressing the button and the movie begins… 

Halfway through it you excuse yourself. “Should I pause it until you get back?” “No Hana, I won’t be long.” Olivia smirks. “Tell Liam we said hello.” You look at her not really surprised by such a candid remark. “Well, I did promise to call, and I don’t want to keep him up too late.” “Don’t let us keep you then.” Olivia says sarcastically. You say nothing and keep walking up the stairs. When she thinks you’re out of ear shot, she comments to the others, “Can’t those two be apart for even one night? Honestly, it’s as nauseating as this movie... pass me the wine!” 

You walk into your room, grabbing the phone and lay down propping up on a few pillows. You dial the number and Liam answers immediately. “Hello my angel. I’ve been waiting for your call.” “Hey sweetheart. I miss you.” “I miss you too… How is everything going over there?” “Oh just hanging out watching a movie but I don’t want to talk about that. I want to talk about us.” “Okay my love… Are you nervous about tomorrow?” “Not at all. I’m more impatient than anything else.” “I know exactly what you mean. The anticipation is almost more than I can bear.” “This is your last night as a single man… any doubts I should know about?” “Catherine… there has never been any doubt about my love for you and starting tomorrow I plan to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much… What about you though? Do you have any concerns you’d like to share?” “Not even one. There is no one that could ever make me as happy as you do.” “Your happiness means everything to me Catherine… I hope you know that.” 

There is a slight pause in the conversation as tears of joy begin to well up in your eyes. 

“I do but… we should talk about something less emotional. I’m already weepy… I can only imagine the tears when I see you standing at the alter tomorrow…” “Catherine... I’m not certain that I’ll be able to contain my joy when I finally see you walking down the aisle.” “I guess we’ll both be a mess then… maybe we should just elope and forget all this pageantry.” Liam laughs heartily as you laugh in return. “Your laughter is just one of the things I love about you Liam…” “Catherine… there are so many things I love about you… it’s impossible to think of just one.” “Just give me the highlights then…” Liam chuckles and then pauses in thought... “Well, what comes to mind at this moment is...” His words come softer and more intense. “…I love how you smile right before our lips meet, and the way your eyes sparkle when we touch… I especially love how it feels when I hold you in my arms…” “Oh Liam, I wish you were here right now…” “So do I Catherine… so do I.” 

You each feel the strain of this brief separation but knowing it is only for tonight, Liam sighs in resolve. 

“It’s only for tonight, but it’s definitely going to be a long one to say the least.” “I know. All I can think about is you, and I still have a movie to finish watching.” “You should probably get back to the others then…I don’t want to keep you any longer.” “Yeah, I guess you’re right but I’m glad I could hear your voice and say good night at least.” “Until tomorrow, My Queen. And I know you are going to be the most beautiful bride Cordonia has ever seen.” “I’m glad you think so. Good night Liam.” “Good night my love.” 

You hang up heavy hearted and slowly head back downstairs only to find everyone else has gone to bed except Hana. She is cleaning up when you walk in. “Where is everyone? Is the movie over?” “Yeah, it ended a few minutes ago.” “Here, let me help you.” When the glasses and dishes have all been cleared away you both plop down on the couch and Hana turns to you. “Are you excited about tomorrow?” “I’m more than excited… I’m finally going to be married to the love of my life.” “It’s hard not to see how much in love you two are. And it’s going to be a beautiful wedding, I just know it.” “Thanks’ to you! What would I have done without my best friend?” “I’m happy to be a part of it. After all, you’re my best friend too.” “I don’t mean just the wedding… You’ve been there through everything, even when things were tough and for that I am thankful.” “Aww Catherine, that really means a lot. But truth be told, I think you would have been just fine without me.” “Well, I’m glad we’ll never know for sure.” You both sit in silence for a moment when inspiration suddenly strikes you. “Hey Hana?” “Yes?” “Why don’t we do the pillow fort thing like we did back in Shanghai?” Hana thinks for a moment and a smile comes across her face. “Well, we won’t have any movies to watch but we can still talk and paint each other’s nails… I say we do it.” “Good. Come on.” You both head upstairs giddy with laughter and into your room. After several hours of talking, laughing and nail polishing, you both fall fast asleep. 

The Wedding Day

At Valtoria --

The next morning, you are awakened by a knock on the door. It’s Penelope and Kiara. “Catherine, breakfast is being served and everyone’s waiting.” “Oh! What time is it? Did I oversleep?” “Pas vraiment. It’s only seven, but we do have a surprise downstairs.” You stretch and yawn and request a few minutes to get dressed as they walk away happily down the hallway. You look over only to see that Hana has already left. (“I wonder what they’re up to?”) You hurriedly change clothes and head downstairs. When you reach the bottom of the stairs Hana is waiting with a smile. “We have a little surprise for you Catherine… right this way.” She leads you to the sitting room where the other girls are sitting in a circle of chairs and Olivia smiles. “You take forever sometimes.” You smile and look around at everyone curiously. “What is all this?” Hana beams as she leads you to one of the empty chairs and then sits in the one beside you. “It was impossible to give you a wedding shower with the tour and all… but before the chaos begins, we wanted to give you our gifts.” “Well in that case, I suppose I should give you yours as well.” You get up and walk to a tall chest pulling out several small bags and then pass them out to each one of your friends. “I wanted to give you a token to symbolize our friendship, but most of all to thank you for your dedication and sacrifice. Each of you have played an important part in uniting Cordonia and as your future queen we may not have moments like this often, but I want you to always remember the bond we share.” They each open their gift and gasp joyously. A gold necklace, with individual charms symbolic of your friendship to each of them and one larger than the rest which is the Cordonian crest. Hana is the first to speak. “This is a perfect gift Catherine and I will cherish it and our friendship always.” “Mon ami, this is très chic, no.” Penelope tries to fight back tears. “Catherine… this is so beautiful… and thoughtful.” Olivia sits looking at the charms on her necklace. “I certainly wasn’t expecting such a lovely gift from you Catherine, but I suppose there’s still hope for you yet.” “I’ll take that as a compliment.” “Well it was meant to be.” After admiring each other’s necklaces, Hana indicates it’s time for you to open yours. “We didn’t think you’d be needing traditional gifts, so we focused on something else… lingerie!” 

At the palace --

Liam is standing in the boutique being fitted one last time before leaving the palace. Bertrand and the seamstress are discussing a decoration be added to his military uniform. “His Majesty has requested this last embellishment so how soon can we expect it to be completed?” The seamstress thinks a moment and then replies. “I’ll have it ready by noon.” “Very good. We’ll have ample time for another fitting before departing to the church.” Liam looks at Bertrand. “I’ll change and come back later then.” “Very well Your Majesty.” Liam goes into one of the changing rooms and once dressed he comes out handing the uniform to Bertrand who bows and then gives it to the seamstress. “I’ll see you two at noon.” Liam says as he walks out of the boutique. As he walks down the hall Bastien meets him from the other direction and bows. “Your Majesty.” “Good morning Bastien. Were you looking for me?” “Yes. Your presence has been requested in the dining room.” “Thank you Bastien.” 

At Valtoria --

After the lingerie ‘party’, you and the other’s head to the dining room for breakfast. With the conversation being about their favorite and which you should choose for the honeymoon, Olivia doesn’t utter a word. You interrupt not really wanting to continue the topic anyway. “Since you guys brought up the subject, I thought I would mention that Liam and I won’t be leaving for the honeymoon until tomorrow and we’ll be staying at the palace tonight.” Hana responds. “I completely forgot about that. We’ll make sure no one disturbs you two tonight Catherine.” “Well after this wedding, I’ll be heading back to Lythikos, so I certainly won’t be guarding the door.” You look at Olivia and notice a twinge of pain across her usually tough persona... “Olivia, if you wouldn’t mind I’d like to have you help me decide on something while I’m getting ready.” Olivia rolls her eyes and snips. “Like what? Which color lipstick goes with Liam’s eyes?” You ignore her sarcasm. “No. I can’t decide on which hairstyle would work with the veil and you have such good taste, so I was hoping you might have a suggestion.” Olivia carefully considers your request and her expression softens somewhat. “Well, it’s only fitting that you would ask for my advice. After all, I am the only one here with any sense of style...And I certainly can’t let you make Liam look bad… I suppose I might have a few suggestions.” “Good.” Everyone finishes breakfast and goes upstairs to get packed and ready for the trip to the church. 

At the palace --

Things are busy at the palace. Liam has been fitted for the final time after a last-minute addition to his military uniform. After that it’s time to head to the church where Liam and his groomsmen will get ready and the Archbishop will visit for the official blessing before the wedding ceremony starts. Maxwell, Drake and Bertrand rush to the awaiting limo which will follow behind the motorcade. On their way to The Archbasilica of St. Martin, the streets are lined with the official Cordonian flag and banners signifying that a wedding is about to take place. And people have already started gathering to watch the traditional procession back to the palace immediately following the nuptials. They wave frantically as the motorcade goes by. Crews are setting up with their camera’s and security is circulating throughout the town and at the church. Once arriving, Liam is ushered inside and into a holding room, along with the others, to get ready for the wedding of the century. Maxwell is the first to speak. “Man did you guys see all those people lined up on our way over?” Bertrand responds. “This is considered to be one of the most widely anticipated events in the history of Cordonia. I’m not the least bit surprised by the display of public participation.” “Yeah, it’s kind of scary.” Bertrand senses that the king needs a peaceful moment. “Maxwell, I need your help with a few last-minute details.” Bertrand walks toward the door. “You want my help?” “Well you can at least watch and learn. Come along.” Maxwell follows Bertrand, leaving Drake and Liam alone. Drake walks over beside Liam and looks out the window where Liam stands deep in thought. “Hey, how are you holding up?” “Better than expected actually.” “Yeah. Well, I know it’s been tough getting here, but this is what you’ve been waiting for.” “Yes. It almost seems too good to be true.” “What does that mean?” “I just hope I can live up to Catherine’s expectations Drake… her happiness means more to me than anything else.” “Well I’ve seen how Beckham looks at you and I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Hell, I wish I had someone that loved me half as much as she loves you.” “How can you be so sure?” “Do you really have to ask? Anyone that’s seen you two knows you belong together. She wouldn’t have come all this way and went through the hell this court dished on her if she wasn’t.” Liam smiles and then pats Drake on the shoulder. “Thank you, Drake.” “For what?” “For keeping me grounded and for always having my back.” “Hey, you’ve always been there for me and I don’t forget that easy.” “I know, and I appreciate it.” Suddenly, the door swings open and Maxwell rushes in breathless. “Catherine’s here! I don’t know what she did, but man she looks gorgeous! You’re a lucky man Liam.” Liam smiles. “I already knew that Maxwell.” “Then it’s show time, let’s do this!” Drake looks over at Maxwell curiously. “What’s that on your face?” “What?” Drake points at his cheek. “Oh!” Maxwell rubs at the spot Drake pointed. “I bet she did that on purpose…” 

At Valtoria –

While sitting in your room thinking about the wedding, you are startled by a sudden knock on the door. You open it to find Olivia on the other side. “Hey Olivia.” She walks in smiling. “So, I’ve been thinking about what we can possible do with that unkempt hair of yours and I can’t decide until I see the veil. Where is it?” You walk over to the bureau and open the box sitting on top. Olivia looks in and examines it carefully, then takes it out for a closer inspection. “Hmm… it’s not as exquisite as I had imagined but I think it fits you perfectly.” “Olivia, can we just cut the sarcasm? It’s just you and me in this room right now and you don’t have to keep up the façade.” “What do you mean façade?” “I know you’re not as vicious and cruel as you want everyone to believe. And deep down there is a kinder and gentler version of yourself… why do you continue to hide it?” “Uh…what? I’m not hiding anything. What you see is what you get. And besides, I am a Nevrakis… it’s expected.” “You know, with the stigma you claim is attached to your lineage, why would you want to hold onto the negative aspects of it? Only you have the power to change those expectations of what being a Nevrakis means. You’re not being true to yourself…” Olivia’s expression begins to soften as she carefully considers your words and suddenly she bursts into tears. “Why do you even care? It’s not like you’d get some medal for piecing together my wretched life… I know I’m a terrible person… and even if I wanted to change, it’s not that easy for me. I have a reputation to…” You reach and pull her into a comforting hug where she tenses at first and then softens into the embrace. “Olivia, you’re not a terrible person. I think you are just misunderstood. If people could see what I do, they’d know what a warm and generous person you are.” Olivia backs up and looks at you questioningly. “How would you know all that?” “I guess you could call it a gift, but I’m good at reading people. And pretty accurate most of the time.” “Well… I suppose you’re not completely wrong about me, but I just don’t know how to be any different. I don’t know how to be a… friend I guess.” “Well, you’re doing a pretty good job right now. I mean you did agree to come help me with my hair and only a friend would be so generous.” She looks at you with an arched brow and the hint of a smile. “So, this was all a ploy to have me bear my soul… so I’d be in your little circle?” You smile. “Well… maybe. But it worked didn’t it?” Olivia looks down, toying with her fingernails and then looks back up to you. “I guess that’s still up for debate but…” Olivia grabs a tissue and dries her eyes and then gestures for you to sit at the vanity. She takes a brush in hand... “I have an idea about how we can do your hair that will simply look marvelous with that exquisite veil. You are going to be the most beautiful bride Cordonia has ever seen.” You smile and sit down as Olivia begins… 

After your hair is done and everyone has praised Olivia for how beautiful it looks, it’s time for makeup and then off to the church. Upon arrival you see Maxwell in the hall before you step into the holding room and he comes running up to you. “Catherine! Wow!” “I take it you like?” “You could say that… damn you look good!” You laugh. “Do you think Liam will approve?” “He won’t be able to take his eyes off you. Hell, I can’t take mine off you…” “Well you’ll have to because I need to get out of this hallway in case Liam happens to come out here. And besides I have to finish getting ready. You know, the dress?” “Oh yeah… right. Well, I guess I’ll see you at the wedding then.” You reach up and kiss him on the cheek, smiling mischievously and then head into the room where the others are waiting to help you get dressed. Maxwell scurries down the hall and into the men’s holding room. 

At the church –

Once the blessing has been completed, the men exit leaving Liam alone. He stands by the window again but this time with a gentle confidence and peaceful thoughts about the woman he will soon marry. He has never been as happy as he is in this moment and he smiles knowing that in a matter of moments, he’ll be standing beside the woman of his dreams vowing his love to her for an eternity. “Catherine, My love… Since I was old enough to understand my purpose in life, I had only dreamed about the kind of woman I could spend the rest of my life with. I had many ideas about her… She would be kind, generous and inspirational… She would be courageous, determined and strong willed… She would be cheerful and sincere, keeping true to herself and her beliefs regardless of the expectations placed before her… And most of all, she would never allow anything to alter her character. From the moment we first met, there was no doubt that you were this woman…the one I had dreamed of. Your presence has brought so much to my life and I only hope that I can give you half of what you have given me. All that I am and all that I have, I offer to you in love and joy. From this day and until my last breath, I will comfort and protect you, hold you close in my heart, embrace you above all others and remain faithful to you… Beyond all these things, I give you my everlasting love… in sickness and in health. With everything that I am, I give myself to you for an eternity.” 

Bertrand knocks and then opens the door to tell Liam it’s time. “I’m ready.” Liam follows Bertrand through the hallway and into the basilica where a live orchestra sits in the nave. The musical sounds reverberating off the walls lending a pleasant atmosphere. Liam steps in and walks to the alter where his groomsmen are already waiting. He stands with his arms in front, one hand crossing the other, quietly waiting with anticipation to see his bride. 

After the traditional blessing, it’s almost time for everyone to take their places. Once you have put on your dress and all the adjustments are made, the ladies leave you for a moment of solitude before the ceremony begins. The veil pulled over your face creating silhouettes of light as you stand by the window… you reflect about your life and where you are at this moment… but mostly you think about Liam and how much you love him and the happy life you’re about to begin with the man of your dreams. 

You take a moment to rehearse your vows. “Liam, I never really understood what love at first sight meant, but when our eyes met, it became so clear to me... You were the one I had been searching for, the one I believed only existed in my dreams. When you came into my life I realized that what I always thought was happiness was nothing more than a delusion. Nothing compares to the joy that loving you has brought me. You give me hope and peace, joy and laughter, but most of all you give me love… A love so pure and true. You are a part of everything I think, do and feel. With you I know anything is possible. You are and always will be the love of my life…. My soul mate. Today I give myself to you with every ounce of my being. I will love you without reservation, cherish you and hold you with the highest regard... I will support you and comfort you through life’s joys and sorrows. I will encourage and inspire you… be honest and faithful to you. I will stand by you in sickness and in health. All these things I promise to you for as long as I live and breathe. I love you now... and I will love you forever.” 

You can already hear the music playing and your heart is beating wildly. Hana steps in the room. “It’s time Catherine. Are you ready?” “Yes. I’m ready Hana.” You smile as Hana grabs the train of the dress and you walk assuredly down the hall and to the right, stopping in front of the closed double doors. Bertrand is there to walk you down the aisle and the children stand with baskets of rose petals to drop ahead of you during the procession. “How are you feeling my dear?” “Happy… more than I ever thought possible Bertrand. And thank you for everything.” “There is no need to thank me. You are a Beaumont after all… and you look positively radiant.” You smile as he takes your hand. 

Soon the double doors open and the journey down the aisle begins. “Just keep your chin up and smile.” You lift your head and take a deep breath. “I can do that.” As the procession slowly moves forward, you see Liam standing at the alter and your heart skips a beat. “Oh God!” Bertrand continues to smile but whispers… “Breathe my dear, just breathe.” You can feel the tears stinging your eyes but manage to compose yourself when you see the smile on Liam’s face. It is warm and loving… it’s as if there is no one else in the room but the two of you… 

Liam turns facing the doors when they open, he gasps as he sees you walking slowly to him. His heart pounding in his chest, and he smiles as tears come to his eyes. He takes a deep breath trying to remain poised…to him, your beauty is undeniable, even under the veil. He sees only you as everyone else seems to fade away…

[healthspiritbody]

An X-Plan Could Save Your Teens Life

Educator and Inspirational Speaker, Bert Fulks, spends an hour each week with a group of young people going through an addiction recovery program.

“I’m always humbled and honored to get this time with these beautiful young souls that have been so incredibly assaulted by a world they have yet to understand. This also comes with the bittersweet knowledge that these kids have a fighting chance while several of my friends have already had to bury their own children,” Fulks said.

As part of the program, Fulks asked each participant one simple question:

“How many of you have found yourself in situations where things started happening that you weren’t comfortable with, but you stick around, mainly because you felt like you didn’t have a way out?”

Every single hand shot up in the air as if the teens were begging for him to know they don’t want to be in the position that they’re in. The path to getting here wasn’t entirely their fault.

Fulks declared,“in the spirit of transparency, I get it.”

He explains that he’s still in touch with the boy he once was, feeling stuck in unexpected teenage experiences, even thru his mid-forties.

“I can’t count the times sex, drugs and alcohol came rushing into my young world; I wasn’t ready for any of it, but I didn’t know how to escape and, at the same time, not castrate myself socially.  I still recall my first time drinking beer at a friend’s house in junior high school—I hated it, but I felt cornered.  As an adult, that now seems silly, but it was my reality at the time.  “Peer pressure” was a frivolous term for an often silent, but very real thing; I certainly couldn’t call my parents and ask them to rescue me.  I wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place.  As a teen, forcing down alcohol seemed a whole lot easier than offering myself up for punishment, endless nagging and interrogation, and the potential end of freedom as I knew it.”

X-Plan

It is for those reasons that Fulks developed the “X-plan” for his own family, a simple but powerful tool that his kids are free to use anytime.

This is how it works:

Fulks describes a scenario in which he’s dropping his son, Danny, off at a pool party with friends. In the event that anything made him uncomfortable during the party, all Danny needs to do is text the letter “X” to anyone in their family —  mother, father, siblings. The one who receives the text follows a basic script when calling Danny’s phone. The conversation goes like this:

“Hello?”

“Danny, something’s come up and I have to come get you right now.”

“What happened?”

“I’ll tell you when I get there.  Be ready to leave in five minutes.  I’m on my way.”

This is when Danny tells his friends that someone is coming to get him because something has happened at home and he needs to leave.

This plan allows Danny to know he has a way out, yet at the same time, there’s no pressure put on him or risk for social ridicule. He is given the resource to protect himself while still continuing to learn and grow as a young adult trying to navigate his way through the world.

“This is one of the most loving things we’ve ever given him, and it offers him a sense of security and confidence in a world that tends to beat our young people into submission,” said Fulks.

There is, however, one critical element in the X-plan: Once he’s been removed from the situation, Danny knows that he is free to explain as much or as little as he feels comfortable with. This is completely up to him. An agreement in the X-plan states that no one will pass judgment or ask questions. This can be difficult for some parents, but Fulks believes that this might not only save them but go a long way in building a trusting relationship between parent and child.

According to Fulks, “one caveat here is that Danny knows if someone is in danger, he has a moral obligation to speak up for their protection, no matter what it may cost him personally.  That’s part of the lesson we try to teach our kids—we are our brother’s keeper, and sometimes we have to stand for those too weak to stand for themselves.  Beyond that, he doesn’t have to say a word to us.  Ever.”

As parents, we try to monitor just how much we allow technology to infiltrate our relationships with our children. Sitting down to dinner to have everyone staring at their phones is not exactly quality time spent together. However, the reality is that cell phones aren’t going away, which is why we need to find ways to use the technology to benefit our children in every way possible.

Fulks says he’s seen an incredible amount of discussion surrounding the pros and cons to this X-plan. Here are some of these questions and the answers Fulks provided:

Does X-Plan encourage dishonesty?

“Absolutely not. It actually presents an opportunity for you as a parent to teach your kids that they can be honest (something DID come up, and they DO have to leave), while learning that it’s okay to be guarded in what they reveal to others. They don’t owe anyone an explanation the next day, and if asked can give the honest answer, “It’s private and I don’t want to talk about it.” Boom! Another chance for a social skill life-lesson from Mom and Dad.”

Does this cripple a kid socially instead of teaching them to stand up to others?

“I know plenty of adults who struggle to stand up to others. This simply gives your kid a safe way out as you continue to nurture that valuable skill.”

What if this becomes habitual?

“If you’re regularly rescuing your kid, hopefully, your family is having some conversations about that.”

If you don’t talk about it or ask questions, how do they learn?

“If you’re building a relationship of trust with your kids, they’ll probably be the ones to start the conversation. More importantly, most of these conversations need to take place on the FRONT-side of events. Ever taken a cruise? They all make you go through the safety briefing in case the boat sinks. They don’t wait until the ship’s on fire to start telling you about the lifeboats. Talk with them. Let your kids ask questions and give them frank answers.”

If they’re not where they’re supposed to be, shouldn’t there be consequences?

“Let’s be honest. A kid in fear of punishment is a lot less likely to reach out for help when the world comes at them. Admitting that they’re in over their heads is a pretty big life-lesson all by itself. However, don’t get so caught up in all of the details. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all scheme. Every parent, every kid, and every situation is unique. What it might look like in your family could be totally different from mine—and that’s okay.”

Fulks urges families to implement some form of the X-plan, as your kids will eventually thank you for it. Something as simple as this plan could make a big difference between having a child who is laughing and happy at the dinner table with their family, or spending six months or more in a recovery center.

The most important thing is for parents to have an open and honest discussion with their kids to ensure you are fostering and continuing to build a relationship based on trust. The world has changed so much with technology and kids face things daily that can be detrimental to their health and well being. As a mother of two children, ages 11 and 12, wellness advocate, Amy Jones, plans on implementing the X-plan in her home. “It’s so simple, and it gives my kids something to think about”, Amy said, “Not only do I hope it makes them feel safe, but that the idea creates an awareness in their minds about situations that could arise where they may no longer feel comfortable in that space”.

Our children are out there daily, experiencing things, meeting people, and it’s a wonderful, yet dangerous world.

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  Source: huffingtonpost.com / excerpted from bertfulks.com

An X-Plan Could Save Your Teens Life was originally published on Health Spirit Body