#for HOURS (her very favorite activity) and she got to go in the yard and smell stuff (did NOT get to go by road. rude ass of me i know)

[july-19th-club]

How To Eat: by Abi

go to bowl (first time youve even looked at your food since approx. 10am)

get substantial mouthful of very large crunchy kibblies

start to chew, while bringing it across the room to houseguest, so you can show hir what you're eating (he's also eating)

this doesnt HAVE to be a hint that you want some of whats on hir plate. but it CAN be. if it's eggs you might have a shot. if it's spaghetti. forget it jack

finish mouthful, staring entire time. if he's not looking (perhaps bc he's typing a post, maybe this post) you can put a hand or two on hir leg. then your hot little chin. then maybe do a little whine

repeat until end of mealtime. then do it again during tv

[mandalorianfantasy]

Ch 1: Paths Crossed

Summary: This is the start of a slow burn story between our favorite mandalorian and a girl who crosses his path when they both show up looking for the same bounty. It’s written alongside the series and will eventually become your favorite sexually frustrating fic. But first, we build the story: 

“Where are you trying to go?” The raspy voice of an older orange alien. 

She was standing in a shipping yard watching the alien yell at droids about which crates go where in the cargo port. 

“Planet Arvala-7,” she said blatantly. 

She sees the alien raise an eyebrow. “And what kind of business could a young lady like you have on Arvala-7? I don’t know if you’ve heard but that planet is crawling with mercenaries now.”

“Look, I have a hefty bag of credits here.” She reached down to a bag that was attached to the speeder bike resting beside her. “I know it’s a bit out of your route, but I’ll make up the difference and then some. So long as you have room to store my speeder.” 

She threw the bag to the man. He proceeded to feel the weight of it and after a few moments turned to the cargo ship and waved her along over his shoulder. 

- - - -

It’s been so long since I’ve seen Quill, I wonder if he’s still on that dirty sand planet. 

- - - - 

She got dropped off a few hundred miles west of where she was headed. A Nikto encampment she heard had a very special bounty in their possession. A bounty she had been tracking for a few weeks, desperate to find before the empire. After riding her speeder for a few hours, she ditches the bike behind a sand dune and continues on foot. Coming up on the outskirts of the compound and nestling down to watch the hustle of activity around the camp. After watching for sometime and tracking every guards post, a loud uproar sparks.

- - - - 

What the fuck is going on down there… *squinting* oh no is that?

 …A damn IG unit.

- - - - 

Shooting, yelling, explosions erupt from the center of the compound. She uses this time to run the perimeter to the back buildings where she can sense the faintest influx of the force in that area of the building. Most the guards are being dispersed among the front, giving her the perfect opportunity to make her way around back and find a way in. 

Then quiet. Things have settled some. She follows her senses down hallways, sure that she’s about to find the being she’s been seeking. Light on her feet as not to make noise. She rounds a corner, blaster drawn. Just in time to see a mandalorian shoot the IG unit from earlier. Some of the best people she’s known have been mandalorian, but among some of the most ego driven as well.

“HANDS UP,” she gives a stern warning. 

The mandalorian doesn’t know this voice but he can tell it’s someone of confidence that won’t hesitate to get what they want. His hands slowly raise. “I have no intention of harming the child,” he responds to the threat of the blaster, which he sees out of the corner of his visor is aimed at a break in between his armor. She’s not playing games. If she pulled the trigger he’d be badly wounded.

“You should be happy I believe you,” she can sense no malicious intent coming from the man hidden behind the helm. She lowers her gun and approaches the little green alien sitting in his port. “I’ve traveled a long way to find you,” smiling at the infant. She turns back to the mandalorian, “If you truly don’t want the child harmed, then you should know what the empire plans to do with this bounty once they obtain him. First, I think we should get out of this compound while it’s still quiet.”

- Mando -

….There’s something about this woman I can’t exactly pin. I’ve heard Carga talk about a female bounty hunter who picks up all the hardest pucks. He’s said that she’s the only other hunter who keeps up with my return rate in the guild.��Trust should never be given over so soon into meeting someone, especially not if she’s the mercenary that Carga is talking about. But she has this aura about her…

- - - - - 

 When they get some distance from the camp, she retrieves her bike. Once she sees the mandalorian in the distance pulling a blurrg, she knows exactly whose help he had finding this compound.

“Are you planning on returning that to Kuiil?”

“You know Kuiil?” The mandalorian is caught off guard.

“Kuiil is an old friend of mine. When I heard the bounty was bringing me here, I wondered if his farm was still in the same place.” She found herself giving more information to the mandalorian than she usually would to a stranger.

“Our arrangement didn’t include the return of the animal, but I am going to use it to return to my ship. It is in the direction of his farm,” the mandalorian tied up her speeder bike to the blurrg. Motioning for her to sit on her bike, to be pulled alongside the animal.

After she takes a seat, he hikes himself up onto the blurrg, “brief me on the bounty?” 

“Well the empire has been hunting this kind of… being, for some time now. They want to experiment and extract any… information they can.” 

“How would they get information out of a child?” The Mandalorian asks.   

“By draining his blood,” she responded dryly and glanced over at the kids pramm following suit. The mandalorian fell silent so she spoke again.  “I can see you were excited for that beskar reward.” She raises an eyebrow at the one shiny plate covering his shoulder.  

“Mmmmm yeah,” he says lowly, clearly still pondering.   

“What if I had a proposition where you get the beskar and you help transport me and the child somewhere safe?” She says.

The mandalorian looks down in her direction, “you want to explain?”

“I’ll allow you to turn in the child for the beskar, if you help me almost immediately retrieve him,” she says it as if it wasn’t going to be an incredibly hard task. 

“That’s going to put a giant bounty over our heads.” The mandalorian doesn’t sound very enthused.

She shrugs her shoulders, “how badly do you want the beskar? It belongs back in the hands of the mandalorians doesn’t it? If you choose to accept, the child cannot be there for long. And I must have your word that you will transport us off the planet afterwards... including my speeder.”

The mandalorian is at first in disbelief of this absurd plan.

Silence again. They can see a razor crest ship in the distance. The mandalorian mutters a very agitated “no.” The sight of the ship is mangled. As they get closer and closer they can see just how much has been stripped. Hoping off the blurrg the mandalorian runs up to the ship, clearly distraught and heated.  

“It didn’t always look like this did it!?” She yells sarcastically as he’s inspecting the damage. 

 It happens fast but in a moment he’s running after the Jawas ship. Fighting to climb up. She unties her speeder from the blurrg and starts following behind. Watching the mandalorian disintegrate the Jawas is making her clench her jaw.                      She never liked seeing creatures of any kind harmed. Of course she wasn’t a saint. But the brutality she’s faced in her life left her having a low tolerance for violence. And when the mandalorian got jolted off that ship falling a good distance to the ground, she couldn’t help but smirk.     

“Got the wind knocked out of ya huh?” She said smugly looking down at the mandalorian from the speeder bike.

He grunts, laying stiffly in the sand.

“Let’s find Kuiil, if I can recall he has a knack for bargaining with Jawas,” she insisted. “Then we’ll get your ship fixed. I’m a rather capable mechanic.”

Kuiil is happy to reunite with the girl he once mentored. She was happy to see he was in good health. Kuiil explained to the Mandalorian that after he was released from the empire, he found mechanic work on a small planet. His temporary time there, building up enough money for the farm at hand, is when he met this very young girl. Ambitious to learn how to handle as much equipment as possible. This is where he mentored her on all things he knew. The girl glances at the mandalorians helmet while Kuiil is story telling, once again finding the details of her personal life being explained more to this mandalorian than anyone else in recent years of her life. 

After Kuiil speaks with the Jawas and conveys the message back to the mandalorian, he’s furious but left not much of a choice in getting back his ships parts. He must go face this creature they’re trying to describe and bring them back it’s egg. While the mandalorian is eager to get the job done to return his ship in working condition, she is rather neutral and observant with the affairs at hand. The mandalorian, the woman, and the child set off and come to the place mapped out by the Jawas.

“I will not harm this creature for its egg. I understand we need your ships parts but if the plan includes -“ she stops talking mid sentence. She watches the mandalorian march straight into the den. 

- - - - 

Oh. I guess there is… no plan at all.

*Roaring and shuffling. Then the mandalorian comes flying out of the den.*

Great. Reeeeaaalllll stealthy. Is there a fucking brain under that beskar? He’s about to get handled by this desert mama. There’s a faction of joy knowing he’s about to get a lesson beat into him. 

 ————  

A very agitated creature emerges from the den. A fight is inevitable. She must sit solid in her values, after all this creature did not deserve this threat they were bringing to its home. However, as the creature becomes more hostile with the mandalorian - sitting aside is getting harder and harder to do. Fear is welling up in her belly. Fear that the mandalorian may seriously be injured, or worse if she lets this go on any longer. That’s odd… this is really a complete stranger in front of her, why is she having these feelings well up? She knows she has to put a stop to it. The mandalorian is on his knees, ready for a last defense.

She lifts her hand as a mean to stop the situation… but she notices the animals mass lifting off the ground before she could do anything.

The woman and the mandalorian simultaneously look over to the child’s pramm. The small being was using the force to stop the creature and save the mandalorian. Falling asleep after his success. Shock and silence ensure. The mandalorian gathers himself, collects the egg, and returns to where she’s standing with the child. She’s stroking his head. 

“Is he okay?” The mandalorian asks.

“He’s okay. He’s just drained.” She responds.

“What… was that?”

“That was him saving your life,” she said gently.

[moonlight26posts-blog]

In Baltimore City, MD: Sweet, petite, and happy-go-lucky pup has now spent over an entire month in the shelter! - BARCS, Baltimore MD

- Long-termer in Need -

Vow- 2 years, altered female, 40lbs

Meet Vow! This petite lady is just barely 40 pounds and is as sweet and as cute as can be. Vow can be a little shy when she first meets you, but she warms up quickly and becomes a total snuggle bug and goofy playmate. Once outside, she likes going on walks, picking up sticks, and carrying them with her on the adventure. She is perfecting her "sit" (with the help of treats, of course) and is eager to learn more.

Vow recently spent some time in an office with two staff members here at the shelter and let her true personality shine! She absolutely loves toys and will joyfully chase after a ball in one of the play yards or entertain herself with a stuffed toy or Nylabone on her bed. She gets the zoomies and runs around, wanting to play with everyone and everything. She also enjoys cuddling, and will happily snuggle up in a lap after she settles down from playtime.

Recently, Vow has been very popular on "Dogs Day Out" adventures! She is described as friendly and inquisitive and that she is very good in the car. She went to the UMBC campus where she got to meet new people and enjoy treats! Her favorite activities are playing catch and going for car rides. She also enjoyed a hike with another volunteer where she got to show off her adventurous side and climbed on rocks and in the water!

When tested off-leash in the shelter's play yard, Vow was pretty uncomfortable and fearful around other dogs, so would prefer to be the only pup in a future home.

Despite how sweet, happy-go-lucky, and perfectly petite Vow is, she's now spent over an entire month in our shelter's care, and we truly can't believe it. She is definitely beyond ready to say goodbye to life in a kennel and finally get into a home!

Vow is available immediately for rescue pick-up.

Please let us know if your organization can help!

Thank you,

The BARCS Rescue Team

Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS) ​New Address! 2490 Giles Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225 rescue@barcs.org| (410) 396-4695

Rescue pick-up hours: Monday-Friday: 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m

Adoption hours: Monday-Friday: 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Inc. (BARCS) | 2490 Giles Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225

[andswarwrites]

Day 3

Growing up my parents moved every few years.  The first time we moved I was seven, and I was so upset about it that I told my Mom that I was going back to live in "my house".  Mom reminded me that strangers were living there now, and that wasn't as much of a deterrent to me as the fact that I would have to walk, and it was very far.  That first house I ever lived in was where I was born.  My mother gave birth to me in her bedroom.  I shared a room with my sister.  Dad took a picture of my mom and siblings all sitting on the floor of the living room with me, playing with a colorful activity toy they had just got for me.

I remember looking up at the book case looming over me, and fearing that it would fall over and topple on me.  I have no idea how old I was, but already a little bit of anxiety was creeping in.  I'd get up early enough to go and watch my father shave.  It was a quiet moment, everyone else was asleep, so I had him all to myself.  There was a window in the kitchen, so my mother could keep an eye on me while I played in our back yard.  I would pick fresh peas from the little garden, and open the pods to eat them.  I would also pick sorrel growing in the grass, and I'd play in the cedar hedge.  Not along the hedge, in the hedge.

When we moved we left a little development in a small town, where there were streets packed with neighbors and a nearby park, to a long country road with a long driveway to this stone house with dormers.  The property was lined with trees and the backyard had a pool.  My father had taught me to swim young; our whole family would get a membership to the public pool every year; you had to sew a little pass onto your bathing suit.  Anyway, what I'm getting at is having a pool made up for the fact that we had left my cherished home, and house number two became home too.

My dad built me a swing.  Since I was homeschooled, the education part of my day only took a few hours, and then I got to play outside until dinnertime, unless it was raining; then I could read indoors, or draw.  And every day I was allowed educational TV from PBS.  My favorites were Bill Nye and Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego.  My daughter and husband and I were just discussing our favorite childhood shows.  I was telling them that Cyranose from Sesame Street stressed me out.  When my daughter was very little she would watch Pocoyo and Puffin Rock and Yo Gabba Gabba.

Alright, moving on.  I was between eleven and twelve when we moved to the north shore of Quebec.  For my parents, it was a bit like coming home, because they had met in Forestville and had lived in Sept Iles and Port Cartier in their early marriage.  We lived in Baie Comeau.  Again, the transition was hard for me.  We went from a huge back yard with a driveway long enough for me to ride my bike around on, to a semi detached with a big patio but a little patch of grass.  My mom softened the blow by letting me help her pick out paint colors and wallpaper to decorate not only the living space and her bedroom, but my room as well.

I chose a design of galloping horses on a border of wallpaper, and the color green.  There was another color but it was nondescript.  I really loved that green.  And I loved my dog.  We'd had several dogs.  We'd had a black dog named Belle, and a beagle named Wendy, and also a puppy Labrador named Skip.  My best friend called him Skippy Peanut Butter.  But I never connected with those dogs (I know, heresy!).  It was Rascal, our rottweiler, who stirred deep affection in me.  I'd play with him in the pokey back yard.  In fact one time, he was excitedly circling me and I lost track of where he was, so I turned and tripped over him.

Pain shot through my elbow and I rose, and danced around, clutching my arm.  Rascal danced around with me.  I went into the house and told my mom I had hurt myself.  Now, I had gotten distracted from the task my Mom had assigned me, which was to sweep the patio, so she told me to go back out there and finish the job.  I tried to do it with both hands, but my arm was pulsing, so I swept the whole space with one hand.  In a few hours my arm was aching, I was writhing, and my mom decided to take me to the hospital.  She thought it was going to be a waste of time, but turns out my elbow was broken.  Poor Mom, she felt pretty bad.

So we lived in Baie Comeau for two years.  We moved to the region of Quebec City, and lived in Lac Beauport.  That was a brief sojourn.  My parents bought a house that was more in the Montreal area, and we would commute; stay in Lac Beauport during the week, so I could attend school and Dad could work, and then go to the house on the weekend.  I don't think that lasted more than a few months, and then my Dad retired and we moved permanently.  Well, not permanently, after a few years they divided their property into two, sold the place we'd lived in, and they built a house, a beautiful open concept home, which Dad finished in pine on floors, walls and ceiling.

That was the final house I lived in with my mom and dad.  By the time they built the house, I was eighteen, and a good friend and I were figuring out that we really liked each other.  That is another story for another time.  I moved out at nineteen, and Mom and Dad lived happily for a while in the house they had built, but Mom's health had deteriorated since living in a polluted environment for two years, and she and Dad wanted to find a place where she would feel better.  I was pregnant when they decided to move to Newfoundland.  I was due in July but N- decided to join us in May (I'll be telling that story too), on the very day my parents were scheduled to leave the province.  They literally took their stuff to Newfoundland, turned around and returned to the hospital to be with me, S- and N-.

When N- got out of the hospital, we brought her to the house Mom and Dad had built.  That was her first home.  We only lived there for a few years.  Mom and Dad lived in Newfoundland for less than a year, and then they found a home in New Brunswick.  We visit them every summer, and this past year, we visited in the winter too.  I remember setting foot in their house and looking around, and realizing this was the first house I'd ever seen my parents have that I have never lived in.  It was pretty neat to see all the touches my mom made; the curtains she chose, the paintings I'd watched her collect all my life, hanging on the walls, how she had arranged the furniture.  My parents have always, my whole life, made houses into homes.

[delphispoeticals]

EN GARDE

benedict bridgerton x fem!reader

warnings: regency courting etiquette, gender roles/sexism, use of ‘lady’ and ‘she/her’ and ‘woman’, flirting, benny being absolutely in love with you, improper smooching, few innuendos, a smidge of heavy petting.

word count: 5.6k

blurb: where you care too much about what your mother thinks, much to your siblings dismay, it almost guides all of your decisions. but when you rely on what you want... you find it to be rather rewarding — starting with a simple game of fencing. En Garde.

a/n: i’ve written so many drafts, but i think im really gonna post this one lol. i haven’t written goodies about men in a WHILE so forgive me if it’s bad you guys :((

.

.

“Mama is going to have more than a word with you when she finds out about this, Antoine.” 

“Wouldn’t you rather participate in an activity you’re actually good at, than just… Promenading around the yard?” He scoffed, using an overdone posh accent. 

The mama you shared was very particular when it came to the season of your debut. You happened to be the first daughter of the Sinclair Household, out of two, to debut into society. Which meant, all eyes were on you – technically. Coming from a well-renowned family, many people held many expectations for you. And, the Ton couldn’t wait to deliberate about someone who slightly strayed from tradition and normalcy. That could easily dampen the reputation your family built through years of networking.

It should also be mentioned that your father is the ultimate source for how the Ton perceives you – he’s a Marquess, anointed by the Queen. So, maybe it wasn’t only high society you had to look out for. 

It was the lovely lady who governed, her grace. 

Which makes this rendezvous, with your favorite suitor, all the more complicated. Antoine was very adamant about ensuring your happiness. As your brother, that was his job – so he claims. Antoine, is a very generous elder brother – honestly, better than most. Better than his own friends who happened to share the title. The season had only begun a month ago, but he’d noticed that you hadn’t caught the eyes of anyone in particular. Your family was high enough in society to at least attempt a love match – he knew you deserved that much.

So, he examined the pool of eligible men around him. Choosing to ignore their overbearing sexual history, since he himself was questionable in that department. His character was separate from his reputation with women – which wasn’t that thick of a book, by the way. Antoine was a good man who just so happened to love the company of beautiful women. He was simply a product of what society enabled – and there were more like him. 

He didn’t want to be biased, so he began with Mr. Lumley. He was an attractive young man whose record was clear. Mr. Lumley had already called for you, offering you flowers and such. But, you weren’t completely sold. You accompanied him to a ball hosted by the Abernathy’s, but no flutters were felt. And, you were determined to feel those flutters.

Next, he jumped to his closest friends – the Bridgerton’s. Whom of which you met on plenty of occasions. Antoine didn’t care to consider the Viscount, being that he was familiar with how he desired his future. His first consideration was Colin. He was kind and harbored that love for adventure that you did. However, he notice a subtle glance he gave to Penelope Featherington and decided not to tread on that territory. Finally, the artist of the family, Benedict. Antoine had noticed the two of you got on nicely – more than nicely. That’s when he began to plant his seeds of love – he calls it. 

When your brother found a trashed sketch of your face… He knew his meddling worked. 

Antoine is more than positive he’d helped you find your match. So it didn’t matter what your mama thought, or even the Ton. He was a genius.

In a little over forty-eight hours, Lady Bridgerton is planning to host a ball at Aubrey Hall. You were invited as a noble guest, being that you were being courted by her second eldest. And, there you were standing walking down the backyard steps of the manor with your brother – complaining. He had proposed a date to your potential lover. A date that isn’t very ladylike of you to participate in – even if you were fantastic at the art of it. Your mother had come a day later than the two of you, and she’ll be in Kent sometime this day. If she saw you… 

“This isn’t an activity for a future wife, Antoine.” You may have been quoting your mother, but her words often rang true. And, even if it wasn’t it’s not like you had the reigns, as a woman, to tempt fate. Spinster age was around the corner. 

Fencing. What a lovely sport. If only you could proudly proclaim your love for it. 

You were wearing the same beige frock you wore when playing with your siblings. It had long billowing sleeves, but the bodice was still firm to your bust. Stylishly laced at its edges. “Since when did you care what future wives did?” He grumbled, dressed in his white fencing attire, holding both of your swords. “You knew Benedict before your debut-”

“And he wasn’t interested until my debut!”

“That changes nothing, y/n. If he didn’t like you we wouldn’t be here now. And, we most certainly wouldn’t be walking across a field to go fencing behind bush-lining.” 

A nervous sigh fell from your lips, as you waddled across the grass. The pair of you were meeting Benedict and his brothers a little ways from the back of Aubrey Hall. “The one thing you can trust is my word, sister. I would never steer you wrong.” He patted your shoulder, sliding his arm along them to pull you closer. 

The sun was blinding your eyes as you approached the shaded area, fortunately, shaded. One of your arms slides around the middle of his back, leaning on him to gather your strength. You’ve never been the type to be insecure – maybe this season was messing with you. Not once have you ever been hesitant to show off your skills. The stress of being a debutante, even while officially courting, was changing you. Was this the path to becoming a woman – watering down your passions, or feeling bad if you didn’t? 

Smile.

“Lord and Lady Sinclair,” Anthony spoke, bowing his head shallowly, while the pair of you approached. The two other brothers do the same.

“Anthony,” Antoine boyishly grinned.

“Viscount Bridgerton,” You disconnected from your brother to dip coyly. “Mr. Bridgerton… Mr. Bridgerton.” Your eyes flickered from Colin to Benedict – the artist that held your heart between his hands. Antoine joked about with the boys, patting their shoulders playfully. 

Benedict leaned down to speak lowly near your ear. “How come you didn’t tell me you knew the art of fencing?” He raised an eyebrow. The sensation of his warm breath on the side of your neck and the shell of your earlobe. A dry giggle left your lips, looking up at the tallest brother. In truth, it was because of your mother’s nagging voice in your head. But, you couldn’t share that. Of course, not. 

“It simply never came up – slipped my mind, forgive me.” 

“No need to ask for forgiveness…” Benedict leaned closer to your ear once more. “I already knew. You can thank your brother for that.”  

In response, exhaled forcefully, glaring at the back of Antoine’s head. Thanks a lot, now I look like a liar. Rolled your eyes, stalking towards him with a bit more ferocity than you walked in with. Anthony nodded his head in your direction, causing him to turn around with an absent mind – looking directly above your head. “Antoine!” You sharply called. He immediately looked down, meeting your height. “Are we fencing or not – we do not have all day.” You pull the fencing sword from his hand, turning on your heels. 

“Ah, my bad, sister. We shall begin… Benedict.” Antoine looked at the man standing back behind you, a smirk curling on his lips. He prepared to step forth, but you held your hand out. Your palm hovering over his chest. 

“No, not yet. Antoine…” You pointed with your dulled sword. “You first.” Benedict’s eyes never leave your frame, watching as you command his attention. He takes a few steps back, wandering to sit on the bench along with the other Bridgertons. 

Antoine inhales, hanging his head briefly with a mischievous smirk. “Ah… There’s the y/n I like to see.” 

“En Garde, brother.”

You place your non-dominant hand on your hip, using the other towards your opponent. Your eyes were carefully trained on Antoine, squinting intimidatingly, positioning your feet. He readies, doing just the same. Your brother and you had been in this position plenty of times, and often they ended with him laying in the grass. Rarely ever you. “Antoine, remember, this is your sister – she is a lady. Take it easy on her.” Anthony teasingly called, glancing over towards you. 

A scoff fell from your lips as you lunged toward your brother, colliding his sword with yours. “Save the insults for when you’re on the end of my sword, Lord Bridgerton.” Antoine lunged toward you, but you jumped back avoiding the contact of the dull sword. You hummed, cockily swinging your weapon. The sound of the swords clashing filled the space, with little grunts from the both of you. Antoine managed to get two taps against your waist, and you managed to get one on his. However, as per, he ended up kissing the grass. 

You laughed in victory, bowing to the small audience. “Who’s next?”

Minutes flew by as you tackled both Anthony and Colin Bridgerton – successfully knocking them to the ground. You actually had to go against the eldest brother thrice before he completely gave up. Which only earned giggles from Benedict as he lounged on the bench. 

“Do not laugh yet, brother. Laugh when you prevail that storm of a woman – Lady y/n, I mean. My apologies.” 

“Your mistake was purposeful, Lord Bridgerton.” 

You responded, as your eyes followed Benedict as he positioned in front of you – sword in hand. A competitive twinkle glimmered in his blue eyes as he straightened his posture. “I do apologize for my brother’s — they’re not known for challenging their opponents.” 

“Lies! Lies, you tell!” Colin exclaimed, pointing at the artist.

With a chuckle, you circled that vertically gifted man. “And… You are?” You raised a single eyebrow, hitting his sword with your own. The trace of a smile being left on your lips, batting your eyelashes at him. “A gentleman shall never go back on his word. Are you going to challenge me, Mr. Bridgerton?” 

“Only if you wish, my love.” 

A beat. 

Your eyes widened, lips parting in awe. But, easily your eyebrows deepened in determination. He was playing dirty. Using his sparkling eyes and boyish smirk to dismantle your throne. “Charm — a devilish trick. Don’t let his advances disturb you, y/n.” Antoine supported, leaning on his knees intently. 

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” 

Benedict lunged, but you dodged. Your eyes were glued to his eyes. Honestly, if your families weren’t near — you’d probably toss the dull weapons to the side and pounce on the man. Benedict didn’t have to speak to charm you. A simple glance was all you needed. “Ouch.” He placed a hand on his chest, feigning pain. “I would hope that my charm disturbs you a little.” 

You raise your eyebrows, tapping your swords again. “Disturbs me or flatters me?” 

“Perhaps, both.” He pauses, as you lunge toward him. Barely grazing his arm with the thin blade. You curse under your breath, biting the inside of your mouth. “To leave you utterly enamored is, in fact, a goal of mine.” 

Hm. You hum, smiling with your bottom lip stuck between your teeth. Technically, he’s met that goal on many occasions — he just couldn’t know that for sure. “Is it, now? How’s that working out for you?” He lunges towards you, the sounds of your swords clashing multiple times. Your non-dominant hand gripped the skirts of your dress as you backed up into the treeline. 

Benedict shrugs, backing up and gathering his breath. “Fairly well, I believe.” 

“You think?” 

“I know-“ 

His voice was cut off by the pinched tone of a stressed mama. You immediately freeze, pivoting and holding the sword behind your back. There she was stomping across the grass, with your younger sister following behind, begrudgingly. “Mama,” You fought a frown with a smile. Benedict had slowly walked behind you, taking the sword from your hands. Thankfully, you sent him a smile. 

“Mama, you’ve arrived in Kent! Welcome.” Antoine tried, standing from the bench. 

“Marchioness Sinclair, it is truly a pleasure,” Anthony spoke, elbowing his brother to speak. “Truly.” Colin co-signed, bowing his head. 

Your mother was fuming, smoke was practically coming from her ears. “What is the meaning of this nonsense, y/n?” She questioned, deliberately. You adjusted how you stood, looking back at Antoine. He shrugs, trying to think of something on his feet that could save the both of you. 

Then, he stepped forward — Benedict, not your brother. “I asked her to join my brothers and I for a round…” He glanced down at you. “Or two. I heard she was quite a force to be reckoned with when it came to fencing, and I was only curious.” His eyes gleamed whenever they were set on you, examining your uncomfortable stature. 

She eased, sighing. Her scrutinizing eyes softened at the words of the young man. Even so, her presence spoke loudly for her. She was a Marchioness. “Is this true, y/n?” 

“Yes! Absolutely!” You may have answered too quickly. “Mr. Bridgerton graciously thought to include me, based on mere hearsay… Very polite of him.” You nodded, sharing a tight-lipped smile with your mother. She crossed her arms over her satin bodice, squinting her eyes — glancing from you to Antoine. 

“Hm. Very well.” A beat. 

Her eyes landed on each party, suspiciously. 

“I’ll be waiting to hear of your victories, y/n.” She turned around, gliding back towards the manor. Your sister hesitantly turns with her. She sent vibrant thumbs up, and a theatrical wink in her wake before then. Once she’d gotten to a legitimate distance, you groaned, stuffing your face in your hands. 

Antoine shut his eyes tightly, pinching his nose. “Mama has perfect timing. Absolutely perfect.” You nodded, running your hands down your face. 

“Absolutely perfect.” You mutter, allowing your arms to slap by your sides. Hesitantly, you turned towards Benedict, offering an energyless smile. “Thank you for stepping in…” 

He nodded, holding his hands behind his back gallantly. “Oh, I would do it a thousand more times if needed. Of course, Lady y/n.” His eyes glanced around the area seeing the damper her mother’s arrival placed on the group. Anthony scratched the back of his head, whispering to Colin. “Why don’t we resume our game later? I can see that your mama’s interruption has compromised the mood.” 

You chuckled, pushing a piece of your curls behind your ear. “Didn’t she… Yes, we may resume at a much later time. I might’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, to be honest.” 

“Appetite, you say? I’m beyond famished!” Colin began stalking past everyone, heading towards the house. You suppressed a laugh, holding your fingers over your lips. Anthony and Antoine followed after him, nearly forgetting about both you and the artist. 

Benedict offered his arm, sharing a charming smile. “How does cucumber sandwiches with classic English tea sound?” 

“Splendid, of course!” You marveled, sliding your arm through his. Adoringly holding his gaze, as you approached the large manor behind the boys. 

…

Julianne, your sister, sat in the room you shared flipping through the pages of the books Eloise lent her. “Ugh, can’t I have a love like Mr. Bingley and Jane…” She pouted, wiping fake tears from her cheeks. You snickered, taking the remaining pins from your hair, and placing them in the bowl on the vanity.

 Turning in the plushy seat, you leaned on the back of the chair. A wistful expression adorning your face. Julianne shuts the book as she couldn’t help but feel the emotions leaking from your pores. “What happens to be on your mind, sister?” She adjusts herself on the bed, where she turns her feet to where the pillows are. 

You shake your head, pursing your lips. “I’m not sure…” 

“Ah, well, that’s believable.” She remarks, kicking her feet back and forth. “You’re not sure what’s on your mind.” 

Abruptly, you stand from the chair, walking to the long window that serves a view of the grand backyard of the manor. “I am realizing, I think, that I am past merely liking Mr. Bridgerton.” You paused, blinking as you were slowly coming to terms with your unruly emotions. Sure, you’ve said before that he held your heart — but, he may really be holding your heart. Delicately, to add. He was a very gentle man. “I may be in love with him, Julianne.” 

She gasped, holding her hands intertwined under her chin. “He’s your Mr. Bingley!” Julianne cheered, swinging her legs off the bed. 

“Not literally. But, yes — if that makes me the prettiest Bennett sister, Jane.” 

“You…” She narrows her eyes, before slightly glancing out the window. Then, her eyes widened tremendously, pointing quickly at the figure wandering in the dark. You were still looking at her harboring a teasing grin, but her attention elsewhere caught your eye. “Oh, Blast! Is that Mr. Bridgerton just there?” 

He held a candle as light, but he slowly wandered the field and garden. Palming some of the bush fixtures. You gasp, pushing her to the side of the window, while you stumble to the other side — where you’re out of sight. “You must meet him down there.” 

“I mustn’t! If mama catches me-“ 

“y/n, you are about to be a married woman — who cares what mama thinks, good God.” 

You inhale, furrowing your eyebrows. The opinion of your mother has grown since your debut. Feeling as if you had to succumb to this unattainable role. Your sibling had more faith in your betrothal than you did — which was odd considering your situation. You pondered — should you really go down there? What were you going to say? “I will keep watch for you.” Julianne offered, with a spreading smile. “Just don’t do anything too scandalous.” 

Smiling, you grabbed the thin blue robe that went over your white nightgown. “No promises,”

That was a jest. Total jest. 

Grabbing a candlelight, you scurried down to the back. Managing to be as quiet as a mouse on your mild journey through the manors. Your eyes caught the sight of the back of his disheveled hair, slowly maneuvering around. Hesitantly, you stepped onto the low vibrant grass. Glancing over your shoulder for any prying eyes — praying your mother didn’t catch you in this position. You wanted to be married organically, when he asks your father for your hand. 

When you’d gotten closer enough to him, you called his name. “Mr. Bridgerton,” You stated, holding out the candlelight. “It’s quite late, is it not?” 

He slowly turned around, as if he was expecting you. A smile grew on his lips. “It is quite late… I just desired fresh air — nightly fresh air.”

“Ah, yes. Nightly fresh air — the best form of air on the market.” 

He was wearing loose-fitting clothes, just as you were since it was after hours. His eyes donned your frame, examining the length of your hair and how different it was compared to your daily looks. The effortlessness of your beauty rendered him shocked — enamored. Perhaps, even disturbed. “Turn down your light.” He spoke. 

Your eyebrows deepened, confused by his words. “Huh? It’s dark, Mr. Bridgerton.” 

“Would you want to risk your mama seeing you and me unchaperoned… At night?” 

Chewing on your bottom lip, you considered his words. That was the last thing you wanted. “Perhaps, not.” You took in a hefty breath, blowing out the candle with an innocent expression. Benedict chuckled, doing the same, then holding out his hand for you. The sound of your heart thumped in your ears, almost making you dizzy. And with a courageous inhale, you placed your hand in his. 

He could take you anywhere and you wouldn’t dare complain. But, you couldn’t help but question.

A toothy smile graced your lips, his hand gripping yours bare. For the first time without some sort of glove. “Where are you taking me?” His long legs were no match for yours. Long strides quickly pulling you to wherever the destination may have been.

He looked over his shoulder. “Do we not have a round to finish?” Your lips gaped open, your other hand reaching toward his arm. Halting your steps, you pulled him to a stop. The grin on your lips was impossible to wipe off. 

Breathily, you inhaled. “Did you plan this, Mr. Bridgerton?” The candlelight was being held by your pinky, aching from the weight. But, the contact of your hand against his firm arm was so comforting. He was so comforting. 

“I did not, My Lady. However, I did wish to see you tonight.”

His wishes came true. 

“And, I also wished for you not to be so formal with me. Please, call me Benedict.” His much larger hand, squeezed yours, pulling you closer to his tall frame. Your pointer finger tapped along his bicep, batting the long eyelashes your mother gave you — sincerely. 

You grinned, with your bottom lip stuck under your teeth. Trying to resist the size, but it was impossible. His light eyes glistened with something that was unfamiliar to you, but you failed to fully catch it. All you noticed was that his gaze gave you a bodily reaction. Your chest and cheeks grew hot, where his hand met yours, a sensation tingling from the contact. “Only if you call me y/n and nothing else.” 

Benedict chuckled, as your chests touched, looking down into your mind-controlling gaze. “And nothing else? So… My love happens to be off the table?” He raises his eyebrow, eyes glancing towards your lips. 

“If it isn’t true. But if it is — call me that however many times you please.” Your eyes glanced toward his lips, but you stepped back, glancing in the direction he was taking you. “I believe you were taking me somewhere…” 

His lips parted, but he quickly recovered. Nodding, and following through with his original plan — which was warping as time progressed. The pair of you had been attracted to each other since the moment you met. More so, Benedict than you. He just assumed that it would never happen, considering his closest friend was your brother. He didn’t expect Antoine to be so helpful to both of you. 

But, now, his attraction to you has skyrocketed. From being around you so much, studying your face, spending long nights thinking about your face… And body. Benedict is nearly spent. While he wasn’t trying to rush, he genuinely wanted you. All he needed was a few minutes alone—

“Did you really set all this up… All for hopes?” You inquired, seeing all the swords poked into a holder and gloves for the sport set beside them. 

“All for hopes… All for you. I mean a game is not finished until-“ 

“It is finished.” You mused, releasing his hand and approaching the weapons. With a giggle, you pulled the glove that was for your dominant hand on. Plucking the dull sword from the holder. “You are a thoughtful sort. I’ll say, you may have met your goal, Benedict.” You walked backward, watching as he gathered his gear. “Consider me utterly enamored.” 

You were fluttering. It was the flutter. 

He pulled his glove on, taking his sword and taking a few steps back. “As am I, my love. I only hope that doesn’t damper the competition.”

Benedict truly had you swooned. If you were willing to give in completely, the competition would be over. Or, at least you would've wanted it to have been over. You did have, unfortunately, one more man to defeat. “And risk my ultimate victory? Never!” You pointed your sword towards the man, smirking excitedly. Chest rising with anticipation. “En Garde, kind sir.” 

He tapped your sword with his twice, before lunging. The game between the pair of you had gone on longer than it had with the others. Sparing longing glances, causing either one of you to stumble. The both of you attempted to dismantle one another with flirtation, but you deemed yourself to be much stronger than expected — the both of you. It surely was torture, though. 

Then, all of a sudden, Benedict threw his sword to the ground. His chest heaving up and down — eyes stuck to you, unable to look away for even a second. You dropped your arm, letting it hit your hip still clenching your sword. The competitive sneer dropped from your lips, a look of expectation adorning your face. It seems he has reached his peak of keeping his distance from you. 

“You’re an insufferable opponent…” He muttered, but it was already so quiet. Something in particular leaking from his words. You were so stunned that you could only stand there — in utter shock. 

A breath flew from your lips. “Why’d you stop? You might’ve stolen my victory.” 

“I wouldn’t ever want to steal your victory.” He approached you, resorting you to backing up. Choosing your steps carefully. Your hand rose, the corner of your lips curling weakly. He stopped advancing, holding his hands near his head. “Go on… Take me, y/n.” 

Something in your gut told you his words had meant something else. His body language told you his words meant something else. Uncharted territory for you. The tip of your sword prodded at his abdomen. “I win.” You whisper, fluttering in places that have yet to be explored. He pushed the blade away with two fingers, resuming his approach. Remaining in your place, your arm drops, still holding the sword in your hand. 

He had entered your space, his hand drifting down your clothed arm. Leading to the gloved hand that held the dull weapon. Your breath hitching in your throat. Benedict pulled the handle from your fingers, keeping his striking gaze on you. He tossed it to the side carelessly, then pulled the leather glove from your hand. “You win.” He whispered, aligning your hand with his. 

This touch was different — more intimate than you ever experienced. It set your skin ablaze, it made you… It made you really want him. This feeling of want was different, nothing you’ve ever felt before. His other hand found solace at your waist, pulling you closer to him. You had no choice but to oblige, stumbling forward. “I must apologize,” He began, darting his eyes in an upside-down triangle. “y/n, I simply cannot contain myself anymore.” 

Neither can I. 

“You have convicted my soul. You have since the moment I laid eyes on you — that evening, only a year ago, where your brother introduced us.” Benedict enunciated, his thumb caressing your ribcage through your thin nightgown. You gasp, gripping the hand that was in yours. It couldn’t be true. Benedict Bridgerton pining after you before your debut. He was an adventurist – a rake, who also did art. You’ve heard whispers about him and his brothers… And your brother. How they wanted to push off marriage until they’ve made themselves useful, some more than others. 

Were you being bamboozled? How on God’s green earth were you getting this close to this… Unattainable man. Convicted. You have convicted his soul – sounds like the words of a true poet. 

“When Antoine and your father granted me the blessing in pursuing you wholly and completely…” He shook his head sincerely. “I have never felt so honored.” Wow. Your eyebrows furrowed, eyes watering – the experience seemed to be too real. And, he continues. “y/n, you have bewitched me. There has not been a day where you’ve been absent from my mind. Not a second.” 

“Benedict,” You spoke, your tone in utter surprise. He was sharing more characteristics with Mr. Darcy than with Mr. Bingley. He must’ve been doing this on purpose, he has indulged in the works of Jane Austen nearly as much as you. 

His hands caress up your arm, leaving your hand, finding comfort on your jaw. His thumb grazes your cheek lovingly. The artist struggles – tempted to just crash his lips against yours, but he couldn’t just yet. You blinked slow, wishing he’d lay himself upon you. It’s not like you could really formulate your words eloquently. You placed your hand on his elbow, leaning into his touch with need. It felt exhilarating to be touched by him – you wanted more. “Ben…” All you could do was repeat his name, dripping with unfathomed desire. You both breathed heavily, the sounds coming together as a union – nearly breathing each other’s air. His nose brushed yours, just before his lips plotted on the tip of it. A whine pulled from your throat in anticipation. 

“y/n,” He spoke your name like a prayer, wistful – snagged from his diaphragm. 

Slowly, he leaned down to her hovering his lips over yours. As if you’d done this before, your lips parted. The tip of your tongue grazing your bottom lip. You couldn’t help but hold your breath, breasts swelling from your loose bodice. 

Pulling you flush to him by your waist, he finally and gently, places his lips upon yours. You release air from your nose, sliding your hand around his neck, your fingertips touching the shorter curls of his hair. Flutter. Flutter. Flutter! He kissed you with no matter of haste, he was savoring your touch. His hand remains in the divot of your waist, barely threatening to leave that spot. 

Fireworks were exploding in the skies of your mind. Lips moving along with his, slowly drifting into a mode of passion. His grip intensified on your waist, wishing he could push you closer to him – as if you weren’t already touching. All it took was a hum to release between your lips for him to walk you back into a tree. When your back hit the bark, you yelped in surprise. Your attention is still completely on him, hands running through his dark shiny hair. Being overcome with impulse, you gripped his hair from the root – cousin a groan to erupt from his throat. 

Benedict pulled back, the ends of his lips curling. “You… You are something.”

“Come here,” You party whine and demand, tugging him back to your lips. 

He wouldn’t dare deny you, meeting your lips feverishly. His hands had grown to be more bold groping at your body. His intimate touch was beginning to make you heat up in nether places. Sounds erupting from your vocals that you have never heard in full. This would be quite the circumstance to be caught in – face-making with the man you are courting. Rather compromising. 

But, it felt so good. 

This is why it took a lot for you to pull away. 

Breathing heavily, placing your hand on his chest – desperately wanting to tear the loose shirt from his body. “This… This is improper.” You heaved, a coy smile stretched on your lips. Benedict breathed just the same, his thumb wiping the corner of your lips adoringly. 

“It is… But to hell with decorum.” 

You laughed, caressing the back of his neck – wanting nothing more than to be entangled with him for all eternity. “Mind your tongue, Benedict.” You playfully scolded, looking up at him through your thick eyelashes. The softness of his untamed strands comforted you, subsiding – not erasing – your unbearable coil of desire. 

“ I am minding my tongue…” He leaned forward, wanting to kiss you once more. 

“We should get some sleep. I’m sure we are going to need as much energy as possible to bare my mother.” Your hand feels the strength of his throat, accidentally running over her adam’s apple as you descended. “And without sleep, that is impossible, my heart.” The man paused, both of his hands on either side of your face, lightly squishing your cheeks. 

“My heart, is it?” Your face heated up, embarrassment flooding your hazy irises. You tried to flee his hands, but he wouldn’t let you. “I adore it. Just like I adore you… My love.” 

His words and gaze make it impossible for you to leave. Your sister had to have been awaiting you or is asleep by now. She reminded you not to be too scandalous – whatever that meant. “I must go, despite how difficult you make it.” Your eyes jested, bashfully. Hands gripping his forearms lightly, urging him off – yet, not desiring his lack of touch. “You make it very difficult, might I add.”

“As do you, but you are right.” He slides his hands from your face, down to your shoulders. “I have to put this equipment away, and get a good night’s rest for-”

“My mother.”

“Yes, your mother – and whatever the day will bring.”

You look down to the grass, chuckling. Taking one of his hands in yours, you draw little hearts with your thumb on the back of his hand. “Then, I will leave you to it. Good night, Benedict.” A part of you was sad as if you weren’t going to see him in the morning for breakfast. The hours were too long – you wished you could stay beside him all night. He leans down, to kiss the back of your hand. Holding his lips against your skin, savoringly. 

“Good night, y/n. I wish you heavenly dreams.”

You walk backward, slowly sliding your hand from his grasp. A beat passes, eye contact being the pair of yours’ main source of communication – so it seemed. “I love you, y/n Sinclair.”

Thump, thump, thump. A grin spreads on your lips, broad and silly, yet just as beautiful. “I love you, Benedict Bridgerton… Wholly and completely.”

[theveryworstthing]

So over on patreon Trevor asked for my take on the Addams Family and I grew up LOVING the Addams family movies so here we are. Instead of doing a straight up style interpretation, I decided to do a full on design challenge, using the characters as bases to make a black southern gothic Addams au. I actually drew the kids first, using the character bases of Wednesday and Pugsley to create some delightful kiddos I'm calling Sunday and Blanche. I of course then redesigned Gomez and Morticia into Carlisle and Mortesha.

The Addams have a very specific high aristocratic goth aesthetic (they've got a butler and nobody really works among other things) so in this re-imagining I wanted to go with vibes that run a little more middle class/upper middle class.  I thought it would be interesting to think about what would be considered weird and off-putting in an entirely different culture, and how being a big ol' goth is way less controversial than it used to be.

I tried to keep this short (HAHAHAHAHAHA) so I didn't spin off into an essay about villain coded families, black people in the horror genre, and normalcy as it pertains to social survival, but just...bits of that are in these designs and lore. Keep that in mind.

Also I made the kids twins because they've flip flopped in age so much in different media and also twins run in my family (i'm the daughter of one). And let's face it, I'm pulling a lot of their southern gothic traits from living as a southern goth so *shrug*.

10 thousand pounds of lore incoming loooooooooool.

The Parents

From the moment he saw her he knew that there was a 50/50 chance of him either never making it out of that swamp alive or marrying the figure that was creeping out from under the distant willow tree in a black cocktail dress. The third time she found him trussed up in one of her traps, he complimented her rope work and asked if she'd like to go out sometime after his head wound stopped bleeding.

Or while it was still bleeding.

If she was into that.

Some kids and a mysteriously burnt down Piggly Wiggly later, their love is still as strong and inescapable as a bear trap in a sink hole.

Carlisle Guillermo (now Addams through marriage but I wanted to give him two first names for a name since Gomez has two last names) makes a vaguely described living practicing ‘law’ around town. A loophole king, people come to him from miles around with contracts signed in blood, fights over chunks of hair buried in their rivals’ yard, dehydrated primate hands, memories that seemed like dreams until the evidence of their happenings became too real, and other regular Legal Items asking for counsel which he is all too happy to give. For a price. Sometimes that price is a homemade pie and sometimes it’s a million dollars, depends on who you are. Whatever you’re asked to pay it’s worth that price, and if you try to scam him out of work or he just plain doesn’t like you? Well. He knows how to twist a contract better than anything at the crossroads.

And he always gets his due.

He doesn’t just serve the local (living)humans though, there are many things that need proper legal representation in this day and age. You wouldn’t believe how many city councils try to build on sacred burial grounds even after he lets them know that his ghostly clients are totally gonna haunt the FUCK out of the ensuing shitty condos and curse their families for all eternity. At least 50% of his energy goes towards dealing with real estate bullshit.

Carl is an excitable and good natured(?) man who loves his family, cigars, dancing, and his many knife-based hobbies. People find him very charming once they get past the feeling that they’re talking to a sultry gator badly disguising itself as a human. I didn’t put a ton of deep thought into designing him, mostly I wanted to make a middle aged dude who looked like he would have been voted ‘most likely to smooch the literal devil’ in high school. Tbh he probably has, but no demonic ex’s can compare to his lovely wife~

Mortesha Addams(her name was already perfect so I just tweaked it)is a woman of many talents. A self proclaimed homemaker, she prides herself on a greenhouse full of Concerning Foliage, a beautiful wasp apiary, and a coop full of what are probably chickens that she keeps for what are probably eggs. She’s also an avid creator of the outsider art that can be seen around the estate. She has taken on the family business of selling her homemade goods in a little stall by the road just outside the swamp with her mom, and makes pretty good money doing so. A surprising amount of poison gets bought in quaint southern towns.

Speaking of poison, people who come out to the edge of the swamp to buy it are usually carrying a lot of secrets around, and Mortesha knows most of them. It’s not like she pries the truth out of people, it just so happens that many nervous hellos eventually turn into the tragic backstory power hour if she’s alone with a client for long enough. She supposes that’s just how people are. Despite the fact that the Addams are very active in the community (whether the community likes it or not) she especially, as a direct descendant of the first Addams matriarch, is seen as…Well not an outsider because the community feels A Certain Way about outsiders and despite it all the Addams are their people, but maybe something like an exception. They feel like whatever weirdness they’re hiding can’t be weirder than any given Addams, so they get a little loose with their words.

This is amusing to her, since Addams’ don’t naturally keep the kind dramatic secrets that their surface level prim and proper neighbors do. It’s much more fun to openly talk about those things.

Do they have a sadly decrepit yet terrifying grandma up in the attic? Yeah, like three. They got a tv, all the creepy porcelain dolls they could want, and they’re close to family. Where do you keep your gram-grams?

Any bodies buried on the property? Yeah some, but most are thrown to the gators.

Any creeping through the balmy summer night with ill intentions? Yeah dude, everyone loves a nice family stroll.

What about dangerous forbidden love? If an adult Addams isn’t incorporeal then they’re either queer or in a torrid romance with some person/thing mysteriously drawn to that awful swamp. Sometimes both at the same time. Most times actually.

Mortesha would know.

The current head of the Addams family is just as outgoing as her husband but a lot quieter and harder to read. She never really seems to get mad about much and always has a genteel smile for everyone whether they deserve it or not. A seven foot tall human shaped “Oh, bless your heart”. A perfectly composed Lady even when she’s, oh I dunno, burning down a Piggly Wiggly. You know. A regular southern mom. Chat her up at the hair salon for 50% off a jar of wasp honey with your next purchase of a mysterious but foreboding packet of herbs.

Designing her was pretty easy because I just drew a lankier Grace Jones and called it a day. I had some problems with her outfit simply because if we were going HARD southern gothic then she’d probably be wearing a white/cream dress with a fuller skirt but I thought keeping the silhouette and the black was more important. She’s supposed to be an anti southern gothic southern gothic character anyway. A woman who looks like she has a million secrets who is actually the most open person you could meet. For better or worse. The red hair came from a coloring error that I really ended up liking (my mom had red hair her whole childhood that only darkened up in high school so I can buy that an Addams can be naturally fire engine red) and the veil was to get more of that classic Morticia silhouette in there.

The Children

Sunday and Blanche are the twin children of Carlisle and Mortesha Addams. Some say the Addams clan got their cursed homestead when a wealthy local businessman made a deal with the devil and lost, leaving his grand mansion to his least favorite maid and cutting his losses once he realized that the swamp would do everything it could to drag the house into the water and take what was owed with its horrible curse. Others say that the family has just always squatted there and no one really cares because man, fuck that particular swamp. Have you been in there? Absolute horror show.

Anyway.

Blanche is the more outgoing sibling and quite the engineer/mad scientist in the making. He started going grey at 2 weeks old but considering he was also rocking some extra fingers, toes, and a tiny tail (he takes after his dad), his parents just put it on the 'not life threatening' pile and decided not to worry about it. He's the kind of smart that teachers find utterly infuriating, less a dog eagerly learning and obeying commands and more a hyena who keeps teaching itself how to pick locks. He has a few friends in his school's robotics club (which they honestly allowed him to make so the school could contain his... creations) but mostly hangs out with his sister exploring the swamp. They find all sorts of neat things in there! wedding rings, suspiciously lumpy garbage bags, cloaked cultists who can't read private property signs, it's an adventure every day!

Blanche is all about experimentation with his creations, his look, and his tether to this mortal coil. Is lipstick a cool thing to try? Let's find out. Can he get out of a strait jacket fast enough after being pushed into the depths of the swamp by his sister? let's find out. He's not dead yet and confused local doctors can attest to the fact that he's rarely attained more than a bad bruise so he's pretty set on continuing to kiss rattlesnakes on their cute little heads and have his sister practice her knife throwing at him until that fact changes.

Blanche is very much a country goth. Cowboy boots (customized by his mom), knife, and lighter are daily accessories. He likes to wear the crusty swamp jewelry they find (the rust adds a splash of color!) and despite appearances he does try to keep himself neat. He's just got  natural Grunge Colors and a tendency to wear clothes he likes until they fall apart. Pugsley always seemed the most modernly styled to me (which might just be because little boys clothes have been the same for a long time) so I wanted Blanche to be the most purposely fashionable Addams. Everyone else is goth by nature, but he's the only one truly familiar with goth as an alternative fashion.

I got really into designing Blanche because honestly, I find Pugsley to be the most boring member of the family. And he was hard to design! I had to mess with his vibe a lot to get him looking how I wanted. I know he's supposed to evoke an " 'evil' little boy next door who's parents never reign him in", but that's just goth Dennis The Menace.  I's 2020. We can at least go queer goth Calvin.

Sunday was much easier to design. Wednesday was my favorite as a child (of course) and I really wanted to keep the spirit of her look while adding things like billowy sleeves (it gets HOT down here), big poofy twists instead of braids, and a nice tie. She's a professional after all, been running the local pet cemetery since she was 6 and the previous groundskeeper met with an unfortunate accident after telling her that tarantulas don't have souls. Her specialty is creating beautiful naturalistic animal funerals similar to those that Maquenda (https://linktr.ee/artofmaquenda) makes, and she takes pride in creating miniature dioramas of her subjects after each burial which she uses as a kind of 3D catalog for future clients.

She really wants to try out her skills on humans one day. Well. Publicly try out her skills. Lotta random bodies float into the swamp. None of them have turned down her requests for diorama models so far. Most seem downright flattered. Plus, she usually figures out which graveyard/crime scene they floated over from and gets her parents to give them a lift back. She'll even help enact terrifying revenge from beyond the grave on whoever put them there if she's not, y'know, busy.

Besides arts, crafts, and pet based funerary arrangements, Sunday is an avid lover of archery (any ranged weapon really), books where little fantasy adventure animals die dramatic deaths, and history. She is That Kid who eagerly raises her hand when asked who Christopher Columbus was and ends up being sent out of class after 15 minutes for making 'a scene'. Her favorite party trick is just picking an item in the room and talking about how it relates to either some obscure historical figure with a buck wild life or a horrible disaster. At least one charity pancake breakfast ended with children in tears after her vivid description of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919.

Social-wise, while Wednesday is the girl that people ask to smile because they think she'd, "look so pretty", Sunday is rarely asked anything at all. People just kind of assume from her quiet nature (in between horrible history facts) that she's angry all the time and that she hates everyone. This is untrue. She hates some people but she's ambivalent to most everyone else and even downright friendly if you bother to talk to her like a person instead of a terrifying cryptid. Like, she IS a terrifying cryptid but she's also a little girl.  

That’s about it for now. One day I might do the other family members but for now I’m happy with the four I’ve redesigned. Making an au! Lurch in a family that doesn’t do butlers could be interesting. Over on patreon I put forth that he could just be Motesha’s mute little brother (similar bone structure) but Amy Crook had the nice idea of quote: “ a mysterious "cousin" that "helps around the house" whose origins are both long in the past and faintly unsettling. He's good for lifting heavy things, like that tank of propane you're about to throw into the burning Piggly Wiggly... “ which i now consider canon. Who's kid is he? How old is he? Not important. Anyone willing to commit arson with you is family.

Annnnyway.  This challenge was a lot of fun! I love indulging in AU’s.

[all-might-can-smash-me]

Dad/Family headconons

Masterlist

Aizawa, Taishiro, Toshinori, Sir Nighteye, and Hawks

Aizawa Shouta/Eraserhead

Despite him being that kind of nonchalant, I don’t give a shit about anything kind of person.....he’s a family guy

Loves kids

He just wants you to have a huge army of kids following alongside you hand in hand to visit him at work.

Looks forward to being able to relate to someone else with his quirk

Doesn’t care if they are all girls, all boys, a mixture of both, or even fostering or adopting, he’s for everything

Was kind of afraid to open up about that side of himself when you two got married, but you are all for it too

Feels that he can handle it with your help thanks to having some experience with dealing with his students

Is slapped in the face with shock when you two have your first 2 or 3 kids because infants are, you guessed it, nothing like teens who are all emotional about becoming a prohero

Guess he would be prepared for whenever they would get to their teenage years

Except for periods because he didn’t know anything about them but he’ll probably take the time to learn about it from you

Still happy over his growing army though

Still loves the chaos of it all, plus it’s good to have Aizawa to control their quirks when they start to develop

The chaos also reminds him of his own time in school with his few friends he had....they were always so vibrant and loud unlike him and he kind of envied it (secretly)

Yamada and Kayama (Present Mic and Midnight) loves to visit his little army and spoil them with toys and snacks even if Aizawa disapproved of it

You helped hand out the toys and snacks.....Aizawa could suck it up

Napping piles are normal in this household, so don’t be freaked when you see all of your children curled up or around Aizawa under a pillow fort in the living room.

It breaks his heart everytime though when his kids beg to take a stray cat home and he has to say no....but he’ll end up going back on patrol to feed it and then probably cave in and bring it home anyway

He’ll just shrug off his children’s accusations of him being a ‘hypocrite’ for saying no to their pleas earlier and say something like ‘Well I said you couldn’t do it, nothing about me though’

The tea parties are lit and he’ll crush anyone at a video game

Taishiro Toyomistu/Fatgum

Really never thought about having his own kids until meeting Kirishima and Tamaki

Life was changed FOREVER since meeting them, now he would like to have his own family

It was kind of confusing to finally have the talk of having kids a couple of years into your marriage, but your views on having kids were changed too after meeting the two UA students

He let you on thinking just one or two kids were great, but you didn’t know if you should have been surprised that you were in the hospital room pushing out your 5th child

It was kind of funny to see Taishiro freaking out even if it was his 5th time next to you in labor

Your kids were so use to it they just sat out in the hallway doing their schoolwork or playing games on their iPads as Kirishima and Tamaki watched over them (your labor would always catch them while they were out on patrol)

I picture that all his kids are girls

He uses the excuse “just one more kid, maybe this time it’ll be a boy”, It’s NEVER a boy

I feel that he’s the dad to sneak home McDonald’s fries or ice cream to his kids despite you not liking it

Will take the blame when you catch one of your daughters munching on fries on the way back to her room (daughters will also try to take the blame, but how the heck could girls 13 and younger sneak out all the way to McDonalds)

He’ll also get all his daughters together to bake a cake and also decorate it. The creativity shown by his daughters will always amaze him.

He and his daughters would even clean up the kitchen together...mostly so that you wouldn’t get mad upon seeing the kitchen as a disaster

Gets way into watching Barbie’s Life in the Dream House and secretly really loves our queen Raquelle

All Might/Toshinori Yagi

Just wants one little girl

To spoil her ROTTEN!

Seeing his friend David Sheild’s daughter Melissa grow up and look so happy always made him envious. Young Midoriya also played a huge role in his desire for at least one kid

One child was enough for the two of you and thankfully your first and only child was a girl

Gran Torino will also spoil her rotten along with Sir Nighteye

Will not be embarrassed to be caught sprawled out on the ground with your daughter playing with dolls

He’s actually quite proud of the fact that he doesn’t mind getting down and dirty when it comes to playing with ‘girly’ things with his young daughter unlike other dads

Loves to play Studio Ghibli movies for your daughter.....but Yagi is way more into it

I say this because Toshinori will try to hide his tears while watching My Neighbor Totoro as your daughter is fast asleep on his lap.

He will also sneak in a rated pg-13 hero movie from the United States in when your gone too....and then he’ll act surprise when your daughter would repeat the fowl language she heard in the movie

He would and WILL spend hours on YouTube to learn how to braid hair and put bows in and ribbons

He would bring her to work a lot too to see class 1A in action

Daughter will forever be his ‘baby’, so he HATES the thought of her starting to date and get married.

So when she admitted that the boy ‘Todoroki’ in his class was handsome while heading home one day from his work, he swore off boys....

He wasn’t surprised though, she was always managing to get Todoroki to hold her hand while Toshinori would have class 1A doing scenarios in teams and showing off her hair to him and asking if he noticed anything different.

Todoroki is a good sport, he held her hand and always complimented her hair...

Yeah she was mad at Toshinori and you made him unswear off boys, especially Todoroki

Brings your daughter to work just to brag about how he did her hair to EVERYONE

Mirai Sasaki/Sir Nighteye

Eh....he didn’t want kids, never had the desire tbh

Though something about UA students’ charming personalities making these heroes want families. Mirio got him thinking one kid couldn’t be so bad

You were shocked when he asked to have a kid, but you agreed....after discussing it for awhile to make sure he wanted this

I picture him having one cute, little shy boy

Like the cute little boy with glasses who wears those cute shorts with a bug related shirt that just wants to search for roly-poly in the dirt and grass in the back yard

Very quiet and a bit shy around new people, but is literally the most polite little boy in the WORLD

Nighteye will use his quirk on his son when out looking for bugs to just see if he missed something in the grass or dirt, but that’s as far as he’ll use it

The reason why Nighteye thinks he’s so funny is because your son (and you of course along with mirio) are the only ones who laugh at his jokes, especially your son

Your son finds ANYTHING his dad says or does hilarious. His dad made a gasp of excitement along side his son upon finding a millipede? Instant laughter will follow

Those bouts of laughter from his son is the best feeling in the world to him

Tried to make your son an expert on All Might, but gave up when he came to his conclusion that your son just wasn’t into it.

It was kind of weird at first to find out his son was just simply NOT into heroes, but now he just loves the fact that his son likes what he likes and doesn’t let himself get swayed by others, even his own mom and dad

If you can’t make his little boy, his pride and joy, laugh? Sorry, but don’t talk to Nighteye or his son ever again

He will sit and listen to his little boy go on and on and on and ON about anything and never get bored (or show it). He will sit and listen intently about the cool facts about the bug he found or a plant.

He’d even listen to the longest explanation about a tiny little squiggle on a piece of paper that he drew on if it was being told by his little boy.

Will even put a meeting on hold just to answer a FaceTime from his son from your phone just to listen to him talk about a leaf he made a pressing of....and will sit there with the volume all the way up on his phone too so the others in the room can hear as well.

Will spend all night pinning bugs to a board to frame and label just for your son

Keigo Takami/Hawks

He didn’t even want to date tbh

Though when he met you? The cliche ‘love at first sight’ happened and soon the two of you were married pretty quickly and boy was he a happy man

He didn’t really even want kids either. He just didn’t want to have kids and somehow they end up with a childhood like his that’s not the greatest or most normal, plus he was happy with the little domestic life with you.

But then IT happened. You know, when a mommy and daddy love each other very much and poof, a baby? Yeah....

He was TERRIFIED, but once your first child came into the world, a new sense of happiness sparked within him, like his own eyes opened for the first time to the world

This happened twice more, ending up with his happy family consisting of you, his two boys, and his little girl.

He’s the kind of dad to have his wallet FILLED with pictures of his kids and you. He will shamelessly show them off to fans while on patrol and also to Endeavor....even if he’s seen them a trillion times. Also his office is filled with framed pictures too

He also gets in trouble a lot along with his two boys for playing to rough and loudly within the house by you, especially for flying and being too competitive with video games and ANY activity he would take part in with them.

What can he say? His sons were like the best friends he was never able to have as a kid, he wanted to take in the beauties of having an energetic family

He doesn’t play favorites, but when it comes to his little girl? Sometimes he’ll catch a feeling of her feeling like she’s the odd one out when it comes to her two older brothers and he can relate to that feeling.

So he’ll set aside some dad and daughter time to do the things she likes, like read, color, and draw

He would even let her do his hair with tiny braids and color pieces of clip in hair and many butterfly clips. Keigo would also then wear it out proudly on patrol and check his reflection MULTIPLE times to make sure everything was in place.

He would then shout to the press and paparazzi that his daughter did his hair, showing it off in the process

When the picture would come out with the headliner ‘Hawks’ New Look Thanks to Daughter’ for the news the next day, the look of pride and awe on your daughters face upon looking at the front cover of the magazines and newspapers at the store you and his family would shop at would absolutely melt his heart melt

He’s the first one to pull back the covers to let his children climb in when scared by a thunderstorm or the spooky shadow in their room even if they may be getting ‘too old’ to be doing that...according to Endeavor however, so that information might be wrong

Bribes his kids not to tell you that he entered the house through the window and not the front door

[jaskiers-sweetkiss]

Coffee Shop Kisses

Pairing: Yelena Belova x Female!Reader

Word Count: 1.5K

Request: something soft with Yelena from @bright-molina

Summary: After moving back to her small Ohio hometown, the reader bumps into an old friend at her favorite coffee shop.

Warnings: none ?

A/N: Happy incredibly belated Birthday Bianca!!! Sorry this took so long for me to write but I really hope you like it!! This fic has everything: the gays, some light pinning, and chai lattes !

Masterlist

___

You couldn’t believe you were back in your small Ohio hometown. When you moved away after high school it was never your intention to come back but clearly, fate didn’t have the same plans as you drove through your childhood neighborhood.

It was nostalgic, driving through the familiar streets despite the changes in the neighborhood since your childhood. While the houses had mostly remained the same, you knew many of their occupants had changed. The Browns no longer lived in the house two doors down from yours, having retired to Florida not long after their children had moved out, and many other family’s you’d known growing up had followed suit. Others had downsized to smaller houses in other parts of the city, no longer needing the extra space. Now the neighborhood was filled with new families, young parents taking advantage of the location to raise their children.

Still, the atmosphere was largely the same, and if you let yourself you could almost imagine that the kids playing in the front yards and the street or biking through the neighborhood, calling out to friends as they passed, were the kids you’d grown up with.

It was strange, being back home. It felt stranger still to call it “home.”

It didn’t take long for you to fall back into a routine, despite the lingering nostalgia. You woke up every morning with just enough time to get ready and drive downtown to work, if you were lucky you’d end up with a few extra minutes to stop into your favorite coffee shop from your teenage years, which was conveniently located a couple doors down from your office. It was simple, sure, but it worked for you.

On the weekends you always made a point to walk to that downtown coffee shop with a book or some other activity, preferring the ambiance and the subtle noise of the building and its other patrons over the still silence of your house. Plus they had amazing drinks so you really couldn’t lose.

Normally you enjoyed taking in the hustle and bustle of the small town around you as people completed their weekly errands, but that day you were lost in your head as you walked along the sidewalk. It wasn’t as if you were thinking about anything in particular (when reflecting back later you’d merely blame it on having had a long week at work), but rather than enjoy the people watching as you normally would, you let them all pass you by without a single glance, all the way down the street and into the line at your coffee shop. You ordered your usual without much fanfare, still having the presence of mind to drop your change into the tip jar on the counter. It wasn’t until you had gotten your drink that you were thrust out of your thoughts, quite literally.

You had only just turned around from the counter, about to start scanning the cafe for a seat when you were knocked to the ground, your drink spilling in your hands.

“Oh my god, are you alright?” Disoriented and still in a haze, the thick Russian accent of the woman who had spoken caught your attention.

A hand reached down into your line of sight and you took it gratefully, managing to keep the pitiful drops of unspilled chai latte in your cup as you were pulled to your feet.

“Let me buy you a new drink,” she offered though you barely heard her.

Now that you were back on your feet you got a better look at the woman who had bumped into you. She was of average height and had her blonde hair pulled into a double ponytail. You didn’t know any Russians but you could’ve sworn you’d met before.

“Do I know you?” You blurted out before you could think and the other woman blinked at you in surprise, brows lifting slightly.

“Perhaps,” she shrugged, “I used to live around here when I was younger.”

You narrowed your eyes at that, certain you would’ve remembered growing up alongside a Russian family, everyone you remembered was as American as they come. It was a small town in Ohio, after all.

“So did I,” you spoke slowly, still trying to ponder it out in your head. “Over on Brown.”

Her eyes narrowed at that, now scrutinizing you as well.

“I grew up on State Street.”

That’s when it clicked for you. You remembered them; family of four, two daughters. Natasha used to ride her bike down your street all the time which meant the woman in front of you must be…

“Yelena?”

“You remember me?”

“Yeah, holy shit! Your sister rode her bike through my mom’s flowers one time by accident, pissed her off for the whole summer. Plus, we went to preschool together.”

“Wait, Y/N Y/L/N?”

“In the flesh,” you replied, spreading your arms out dramatically.

Yelena took that as an invitation to really study you then, eyes flitting up and down as she fully took you in.

“You grew up quite nicely,” she spoke, tone appreciative and you found yourself blushing.

“I- I could say the same thing about you,” you stumbled over your words, feeling flustered. “I don’t remember you being Russian.”

You mentally cursed yourself for once again blurting something out before you could even think about it.

Yelena laughed at that and you couldn’t help but find yourself smiling at the sound. She had a cute laugh. It was fitting.

“Yes, well, my ‘family' and I were actually part of a Russian spy organization, sent to infiltrate a nearby SHIELD facility for some information, so,” she shrugged and you laughed at first, assuming she was joking before you realized she wasn’t laughing along.

“Wait, seriously?”

“Why would I lie?”

You fumbled around with your words at that, unable to come up with a proper response but feeling as though you needed to say something anyway.

“How about I buy you a drink and you tell me about it?” You finally settled on saying and Yelena’s brows lifted again in surprise.

“Sure, but I’m buying the drinks. I owe you for spilling your first one.”

You nodded in agreement, somehow having forgotten all about your spilled drink in the excitement of reconnecting with an old friend. An old friend who was very attractive, if you were being fully honest with yourself.

With new drinks ordered and retrieved, the two of you made your way to a small table by the front window of the cafe. True to your agreement, Yelena explained to you that her “family” when she’d lived in Ohio wasn’t actually her family at all, the entire thing fabricated for their mission, and that after their success she continued to work for the organization before finally getting out as an adult. She skimmed on a lot of the details but you got the sense that the entire ordeal was traumatic for her so you didn’t press. Though, you were quite amazed that the woman across from you (and the tiny blonde girl you’d played dolls with as a kid) was a former spy and assassin. In comparison, your own life story was much less exciting, though you guessed it also held much less trauma as well. Still, Yelena asked and she listened intently as you explained how you’d wound up back in your hometown all these years later.

After that, the conversation seemed to flow seamlessly from one topic to another, and it was so nice to talk to a friend and catch up that you didn’t even realize how much time had passed until you went to take a sip from your long-forgotten chai and found it ice cold. You checked your phone and were surprised to see that nearly two hours had passed and while you were planning on spending much longer at the cafe anyway, it still caught you off guard.

“Oh, I’m sorry, am I keeping you from something?” Yelena asked, having noticed you checking the time.

“No!” You rushed to reassure her before flushing slightly at the knee-jerk reaction. “No, I just hadn’t realized how much time has passed. It’s been really nice to see you.”

“It’s been nice to see you too, perhaps we can do this again sometime?”

“I’d like that a lot.” You tried to fight the heat that you felt rushing to your cheeks once more. You weren’t sure if she meant it the same way you did.

“Me too,” she replied softly, ducking her head so that her face was out of view. “I actually do have to get going but maybe we can meet here again next week?”

“Absolutely!” You nodded, trying not to seem too eager and failing miserably. “It’s a date.”

Once again the words slipped out on their own accord and you were left scrambling to do damage control.

“I- I mean like, y’know-”

“A date is good,” Yelena cut you off with a smirk, though you could’ve sworn you could see your own nerves reflected in her eyes.

“A date then,” you agreed, flashing a nervous smile.

“Goodbye, Y/N.” She stood from her chair with a smile, pausing on her way to the door to press a quick peck to your cheek, and then she was gone.

You sat there, still as a statue, for quite some time afterward, your fingertips lightly grazing over where Yelena’s lips had been moments before. You really loved this coffee shop.

[postwarlevi]

Chaise

Content- You and Levi try to spend some time together during your busy days.

an- About 2500 words, don't know how. Is this okay? Don't feel like it's my best but I do like this idea of the chaise. :)

"Hey Captain!" You smile when you see Levi in the hall.

"Morning." He greets, stopping in front of you. "I'm sorry, I can't do breakfast, still behind with work." He's already grabbed a breakfast sandwich to eat in his office.

You frown. "Oh, that sucks." You've already rescheduled twice this week.

"Sorry." He says sincerely, kissing your cheek.

"It's not your fault." You reach for his hand and he gives yours a quick squeeze before saying he'll see you later, heading off.

You are always respectful and use his title in public even though you've been openly dating for a couple months now.

You'd spent the months before getting to know each other professionally and started gravitating towards one another outside work.

It started with things like small talk while eating in the mess hall, you two being the last ones to leave some days. There were times you didn't notice until after the fact that everyone else was gone.

It continued on the outside, sometimes with Levi offering to accompanying you on errands even on his off days, or seeking each other out during group events.

It was even noticeable to others how close you were getting before he finally decided to officially ask you out.

However now that you are exclusive it seems that lately you are actually seeing less of each other. You know it can't be helped but still miss one another.

"Hey!" Connie waves to you, patting the seat next to him. "Thought you were hanging with Captain this morning?" That is obviously not happening as you have a tray of food with you.

"Me too." You say, dejected.

"He bailed again?" Sasha asks.

Jean nudges her. "Sasha, he didn't bail." He knows not on purpose, at least.

"Work, you know."

"That thing that keeps keeping you apart." Sasha says matter-of-factly.

"Well, what are you doing today?" Connie asks.

"Nothing, for a while." You actually have some free time.

"Hang with us!" Sasha says excitedly.

"She doesn't want to hang with us!" Jean rolls his eyes.

"Yes I do." They're your friends.

"No, you want to hang with your boyfriend."

"Well, yeah, but that doesn't-" You get cut off.

"So go hang out with him!" Jean says, as if it's an option.

"He's working."

"He's doing stupid paperwork in his office. Just go sit with him." Jean is sure Levi won't mind you being there and then technically you'd be spending time together.

You think about it while eating and talking with the other three.

Soon they're off and Jean tells you again to go find Levi. He knows it's been hard for you two to find time together.

Now here you are, knocking on Levis office door, just wanting to see him and hoping he won't mind. You've been here before but not for personal reasons.

"Come in." He says automatically.

You step in and close the door behind you, waiting for him to look up.

"What do you..." Levi trails off when he sees who it is. "Is everything okay?" He's up out of his seat.

"Yeah, of course." You hurry and say. You aren't expecting his reaction but you almost smile at seeing the concern.

"So, what's going on?" He's confused to see you, as not that long ago he told you he was busy.

You feel a bit foolish and don't know what to say.

Levis features soften when he sees you struggle and he comes from behind his desk to lead you to sit with him on the chaise lounge. He had requested it a while back instead of a regular chair so he could cat nap during busy times.

"What's wrong?" He asks, hand on your back.

"I just, want to see you. I don't mean to be clingy. I know you're working but one of us is always working and I'm so very happy with were we're at but we haven't even really talked lately."

Now you're rambling on as he's trying to shush you.

"It's fine. You're not clingy. I miss you, too." Levi likes hearing that you want to be with him. He wants nothing more than to shove all the papers out the window and go sit outside with you.

You sigh and lean your head on his shoulder, making him smile. "I'm sorry I interrupted your work. Can I help with anything?" You offer, at least trying to be useful.

"No, no. I know you got up early, why don't you just rest? You can stay here. I don't mind." It's to the point that you're both so tired at the end of the day you barely see each other then, either. He knows you would still be sleeping if it wasn't for him.

"Is it okay? Can I get you anything at least?" You pull back to look at him and he brushes your cheek with his thumb.

"Of course it's okay. I have everything I need." He leaves a kiss on your forehead. How could this man that people were terrified of leave you with butterflies every time?

Levi goes back to his desk while you curl up on the lounge. It seems strange and it takes you half the morning to get comfortable.

Levi sees this but doesn't say anything. Every once in a while you catch each others eye, and you keep looking away, feeling like a distraction.

At some point you've fallen asleep and Levi is glad to see you're able to and eventually he gently shakes you awake.

"Hey, it's almost lunch time. Don't you have somewhere to be soon?" He asks when you open your eyes. He would've let you sleep otherwise.

"Oh!" You sit up suddenly, blinking a few times. "Yeah, sorry. Was I asleep?" You must have been more tired then you realized.

"You can sleep in here anytime." You were never a bother to him.

He pauses his work, wrist hurting from all the writing anyway, so he can walk with you to get a bite to eat.

After grabbing your trays you set them on a near table. You go to sit down but pause when Levi does not.

"I should go eat in my office. There's still so much to do."

"So I am a distraction?" You're partly playing.

"Never." He tells you, reaching out a hand to pat your head, making you smile at least.

"I can't stop thinking about what you said, and I know we haven't even had a decent conversation lately." He says.

"Oh, I didn't mean anything." You hadn't meant for that to come out.

"Well, I'm glad you said it, anyway. You're not wrong."

"I know it's just work."

"I hate that it's getting in our way. We have my favorites talks, I could do it for hours." In fact, you had, which was part of what you were missing. "When you're done, stop back by, okay? If you're not too tired. It's okay if it's late, I'm gonna try to get ahead on things."

If for now the only place you can meet is in the hallways or in his office then that's what you would take.

"I wouldn't miss it." You promise.

Before parting Levi pulls you in for a hug, and your arms wrap around him right there in the mess hall.

"You're the best type of distraction." This makes you chuckle.

You continue your day and it is late before you finish with everything and you take a quick shower before going to see if Levi is still active.

You knock and wait for an answer, pushing the door open and giving a light gasp.

Levi is sitting in his chair with a book, and you see he's been waiting for you.

The room is dark and both the lounge and desk have been pushed back so a blanket could be laid out on the floor with extra pillows set up. There's flowers at diagonal ends and tall candles across from them, a couple plates of petit fours in two spots and tea is set up for both of you on a tray in the middle.

"Hey." Levi greets, hoping you like the spontaneous late night date.

"Expecting someone?" You joke, but are very surprised and don't hide your smile.

He walks over and shuts the door behind you. "Actually, yes." Your eyes widen when his hand grips your neck and suddenly he's giving you your most tender kiss yet. Your fingers reach up to circle his wrist so it doesn't knock you off your feet.

Levi barely pulls away. "I've missed that."

You just hum, and Levi isn't sure if your cheeks are heating up or it's the candle light giving you this color, but you're attractive either way.

He sets you in your spot before sitting across from you, and you share tea and dessert until almost dawn.

The conversation is not littered with insignificant gossip but finally consists of thoughts and ideas, things you would like to do going forward, both in life and with each other. It's easy and neither of you hold back. You support each other, listen, ask questions, share any worries and even challenge one another, ending by making sure the other knows you fully accept them. This is exactly what you've both been wanting.

"To think, we were almost stuck in a rut already." You grin.

Levi smiles back. "Can't let that happen." This was now his absolute favorite night.

After cleaning up there's just enough time for maybe a couple hours sleep, one more sweet kiss before going to your rooms.

You're both still very busy, and you steal simple moments together in passing in crowded hallways or in the yard if Levi is going out on patrol. Even these small things confuse people, seeing Captain Levi being affectionate, but the ones that know you think it's pretty cute that you are happy together.

It's to the point that Levi has set up daily naptime for you on his chaise whenever you have some time. He wants you there and you want to be there. Reading, sleeping, just being near him. There's a blanket and extra pillow always ready, and he's even rearranged both the lounge and his desk to have you closer to him, making it easier for him to lean over for a quick kiss or shoulder rub.

It's true that you really do distract him when he notices how adorable you are when falling asleep or now that he takes a little longer lunch then before so he can talk with you. It's not as intimate as date night, but it's still nice. He assures you he works better now that you at least get to see each other some.

He manages a few minutes to doze off himself at times, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet up by yours. It's not the best position, but it does the trick. It makes your heart happy when you wake with his legs tangled with yours, trying not to disturb him with movement because you know he won't be asleep for long.

Some days you fall asleep waiting for Levi to come back from whatever assignment Erwin has given him or don't get any time at all together because Hange has requested you for longer than usual.

"It looks like we can get away tomorrow, for a little while at least." He tells you one day.

You groan. "I'm on duty with Sasha tomorrow."

This was getting almost laughable. Neither of you can believe your luck. You're starting to believe it'll be office interactions forever.

"We'll see about that." Levi has finally snapped and tells you to stay here while confronting Hange about your schedule, and Erwin about this own.

Though you both relish the part of your routine that gives you some quiet time together, he needs it to be outside this office.

"Erwin! I'm done, you understand me? No more damn paperwork, no patrol, you get someone else tomorrow." He's dead serious, bursting into the commanders office.

Erwin knows he's been giving his most trusted comrade a lot of tasks, but they need to be done and Levi always seems up to it.

"Okay Levi, that's fine, whatever you need." He now sees the toll it is taking and doesn't want it to get worse.

"Hange! Sasha is going to need another partner tomorrow!" Levi tells the one he's usually paired up with during missions after finding them.

"What? But, I need-" Hange doesn't get far.

"Better start looking!" He's already walking away.

You help Levi get the remaining paperwork in order and both call it an early night to prepare for a day out together.

The next morning you've slept a little later than usual since you have the whole day to yourselves. You put on the dress you had on the first time Levi asked you out. He brings you a box of your favorite cookies and gives you a good morning kiss.

"You look beautiful." This might be his favorite dress you own.

"You look pretty handsome yourself." You always think Levi looks quite dashing.

On your way to grab a quick breakfast you run into Jean.

"You owe me." He's offered to help Miche with anything Levi hasn't finished.

"I'll make it up to you." You give him a quick hug.

"Have fun today."

"Thanks! And, tell Connie thanks too, yeah?" You think Hange will regret putting him and Sasha together, but that's not your worry.

Levi nods to your friend as he puts his arm around you, leading you out.

Levi doesn't scare Jean as much as he used to now that you're with him.

"Kirstein!" Miche, however, is a different story.

Your day is full with a long trail walk and Levi rowing you around the lake in a kayak. He's set up outdoor picnic lunch and when you finish you lay together on a blanket and continue your intimate talk. A flock of ducks invades the area and you give them scraps before Levi starts shooing them away when there is no more and they start to make a mess. On the way back you stop for ice cream and watch a group of kids enjoying the park, getting on the swing set yourselves at one point.

Later, the pillow and blanket still stay on Levis office chaise for impromptu afternoon nap sessions, and he gets sad when you're too busy to stay. When you aren't too tired, there's more late night tea talks too.

Your outdoor adventures also continue, with your superiors making sure to give you days off together now.

a/n- This was not the original idea and I kept trying to fix it but kept straying further and just wanted an ending. Hopefully it turns out okay anyway and I'm just overthinking. Maybe we'll turn date day into a fic. Working on the original idea and something else I think will be A++

[susiron]

I've been roped into dogsitting my neighbor's beagles semi-regularly now and it is such an annoying experience

Every time I go over, I'm just letting her two beagles out into their side yard and then bringing them back in-- sometimes trying to see if they will eat dinner

Which SOUNDS easy, but her dogs are Neurotic Messes.

The one beagle, Ellie, is actually very sweet and we're becoming besties. She's SUPER anxious though and won't eat anything but treats when I'm over. She also pees in the house a little too easily when excited/nervous, and mostly just nervous wees on the patio and then hangs by the door outside, begging to go back in

The other dog, Huck. This dog.

Huck is a nightmare.

This dog spends the Entire visit barking at me. Just a nonstop chorus of beagle noise. He will just glare at me the entire time, barking. Barking. Barking.

Which wouldn't be so bad, if it weren't for the fact that he Refuses To Reenter The House.

The moment this dog is outside and on high alert, barking his ass off at me, he decides he wants nothing to do with the house. I can offer him his (supposedly) favorite treats, or ring the doorbell, or sit inside and wait for him, or so anything and this dog will stay outside barking. At most he might walk into the threshold, before immediately bolting back outside if I try to sneak back out

And to make matters worse, my neighbor has a camera on the roof over her side yard and actively uses it while I'm over there. So I'm trying to get her beagle inside, and she's texting me a laundry list of things I should do to get him in-- literally NONE of these things working. She keeps insisting he'll come for treats, but this dog has only shown an Inkling of interest in a treat if I've thrown it across the yard, far away from me.

The Only way I've been able to get him inside is to either physically HERD him to the door, or get their dog leash and loop it over his head. Which probably isn't helping Huck warm up to me, but after spending half an hour trying to get a beagle that will not stop barking at me inside his damn house, it's all I got.

They also have these bushes he hides behind which makes the act of trying to lasso him-- knowing they're probably watching on camera-- all the more embarrassing

I try to pet and calm him down once I've got him on the leash (he's actually pretty chill once it's on and walks easily), so I'm hoping he eventually will chill out around me

But dear god this dog.

Also, even once he's inside, Huck will try to bolt between my legs to get back out. He's tiny and it's VERY hard to close the door with him doing this. He like doesn't growl or show aggression to me (tho he HAS bitten my dad so I'm wary), but it's like he's just hyperfixated on being outside and it's the only thing he can rationalize the entire time

Ellie's a good girl tho.

[thiscrimsonsoul]

⭐️ - Who are some characters that remind you of yourself?

{out of paprikash} I assume by "characters" you mean muses, and not just... all characters everywhere. Because we all want to go to sleep sometimes this week and you don't want me reviewing all fictional characters I know for traits like mine haha. Although...

...I will tell a short story about a character who isn't a muse because this has always stuck with me and it is the first thing that came to mind about a character that reminds me of myself. I don't write this character, but she comes from my favorite movie of all time, Kaze no tani no Naushika, or Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Here's a weird little tale, heh... below the cut.

This movie was released in 1984, when I was four years old. At the time, I was unaware that it was a Japanese movie, didn't know who Hayao Miyazaki or Studio Ghibli was, and didn't speak/know any Japanese. My parents bought me a VHS tape of a movie called Warriors of the Wind. It quickly became my favorite movie. It's a very complex story but in a nutshell, a brave, nature-loving princess is kindof ping-ponged around between a militaristic country and an industrious country who are warring with each other over resources found in the "Toxic Jungle," lol, which I later found out is actually called the Sea of Corruption in the Japanese version.

It's a metaphor for like... overuse, squandering, and depletion of fossil fuels in real life, because the Sea is a forest in which everything is oversized (the insects are huge) and very toxic due to this world's equivalent of nuclear weapons causing the soil to be contaminated. But when these giant insects and things die, their bodies can be used as fuel and other resources, which is exactly how petroleum is made in reality, from the decomposing bodies of ancient creatures, but yeah. Anyway, this princess, her name is Nausicaa, is kindof held hostage by these countries in various ways to try and use her small kingdom as leverage in their war and to gain access to these resources. Meanwhile she loves the insects, visits the Sea often, and is studying how to detoxify the soil.

I didn't know any of this when I was little, because I only saw the Warriors of the Wind version which, aside from cutting the runtime down from over two hours to below 90 minutes, changed everyone's names (Nausicaa became Zondra? wtf?) and tried to slant the story more in an epic fantasy war fashion instead of the environmental and war activism piece that it actually is. They cut out so much from the the plot that I never even got to see.

Fast forward to when I'm in high school, I love Japanese language and culture and am studying the language in school. It's at this time that I discover Studio Ghibli and start watching other films like Mononoke Hime and Laputa.

I had grown up loving animals and insects. I played with the snails, slugs, and pill bugs in my back yard all the time. Pill bugs, incidentally, were the inspiration behind my favorite insects in Nausicaa, the Ohmu, which I didn't find out until I was much older:

I was often made fun of by other kids for liking bugs, and they would come and step on ones I was playing with and I would always cry. I hated to see anything killed. Beyond that, I loved science and knew I wanted to get involved with environmental science, and eventually, I did. When I graduated from high school, I went to college for environmental science, and my chosen area of research ended up being soil and water contamination and how to use bacteria to "eat" pollutants to clean them up. As a side project, I also studied how plants can be used to filter contaminants out of water and soil, and how symbiotic relationships between plants and bacteria can enhance the abilities of either to remediate contaminated soil and water.

It was around this time that I found out that my beloved Warriors of the Wind was actually a bastardized version of Kaze no tani no Naushika, and found out that my favorite movie is actually about a half hour longer than I thought it was. I was honestly horrified, and I needed to watch the full Japanese, un-dubbed version, so I did. And I was shocked by what I saw...

Zondra was actually Nausicaa, and she was a scientist:

Not only that, but what did she study? The soil and water of the Sea of Corruption. She found out that it isn't the plants that are toxic, it's something in the soil, and that growing the plants hydroponically (using only water, no soil) resulted in plants that were free of contamination. It was her hypothesis that the Sea could be remediated with the proper cultivation techniques. But... no one cared. No one believed her. So eventually... she shut off the water in her lab and let everything die out of a loss of hope. This is her slumped onto her desk in her lab after she's turned everything off, just grieving the fact that no one cares about such research:

Now... at the time i was watching this movie, things were happening in my country politically that caused funding for a lot of environmental projects to be shut down. I lost my research job, but continued doing my research for free for over a year at my university because I cared so much about it. Eventually... I had to stop, and the project was never re-funded. It broke my heart. And then I watched the full version of this movie I'd loved since I was four years old, only to discover that one of my idols when I was an impressionable child was also a soil/water environmental scientist who struggled with a lack of interest for her research about decontaminating soil and plants...

...and I honestly had a moment. I started crying as I watched it. I don't know why, I just... it was so weird that I had unknowingly followed the same path in life as this character without even knowing that was her path at all in the first place, and her struggles and emotions hit very close to home for me because I had cared about the same things and been ignored, patronized, and tossed aside too. It was honestly the most pointed case of me identifying with a fictional character that I've ever experienced in my life, and to this day it makes me emotional to think about it.

NOW... as far as MUSES that remind me of myself... Uhhhhhm. Hmm. Sadly, Freya. She got really screwed by love and so did I, and I just... I get her. I get that aspect of her. She was betrayed by her lover (or so she thought, I guess I should say), and I had a 17-year relationship with someone I thought I was going to spent my life with, only for him one day to turn around and say the most hurtful things and dump me really cruelly out of the blue. So I get it. I get being angry at love and losing that innocence and luster of believing in the magic of it. Romantic love now holds no beauty for me personally anymore and I just want to be single, so I get you, girl, I totally do. But also, like her, deep down, I still long for that? Like I still wish I could’ve had that idyllic love? I don’t believe in it anymore but I wish I could? Sometimes I cry when I see Zales or Kay commercials of these happy couples proposing and looking so happy because I’m like... didn’t I deserve that too? Freya’s final line at the end of Winter’s War always stabs me in the heart because I’m right there with her in that sentiment... when she sees Eric and Sara so in love as she’s laying there dying and she says, “How lucky you are.” Yeah. That’s... That’s some real shit right there. SORRY TO BE A DOWNER OMG. MOVING ON... XDDD

Channe is another muse who reminds me of myself, and she should, considering when she was first created in 2005, she was about 30-40% a self-insert OC to help me deal with some of my own trauma in life. I don’t write self-inserts, it’s just not something I do. She was the only one, so she stands out for that reason. Since then, she’s deviated a lot from me and become a lot more complex, but I always think of her as a creative child of mine for that reason, heh.

And finally, I would say AoU- and maybe a little CW-era Wanda reminds me of myself but for superficial reasons. Her hair, jewelry, clothing, and overall aesthetic is very much like mine, so she reminded me of myself on occasion with the many rings and necklaces, pulling her hands into her sleeves, wearing her dark brown hair long, painting her nails black... yeah that’s all me, heh.

That’s all I can think of at the moment. I tried, haha.

[on-maars]

The Castle Operation

Alright I posted it on AO3 like one hour ago and I’m already overwhelmed by the comments you guys are crazy but I’m so grateful. I was feeling very insecure about my writing and all the comments made me smile like an idiot.

Find it on AO3.

Christopher sighs as he chews on his pencil.

This Math exercise is hard and he’s been working on it for more than half an hour. It’s a long time, and if he gets stuck any longer then he won’t have time to play video games.

Buck is usually the one to help him with his homework. Especially Math. His father is very bad at Math and Buck is not very good at it either but they usually manage to get through it together, as a team.

You and I make a great team – that’s what Buck told him a few weeks ago and Christopher doesn’t understand why he’s not around anymore. He used to be there all the time after his dad got hurt. He used to make breakfast and drive him to school and help him with his homework and read him stories just before nighttime. But that was before.

He’s alone again with his dad now. And Christopher loves his dad. In fact, if you’d ask him he’d say he’s the best dad in the world, for sure. But he thought that maybe this time Buck would have stayed. He thought that maybe his dad would want him to stay.

But his dad never asked.

Christopher presses his small hands over his face and rubs his eyes. He’s tired and he wants to sit on the couch and play video games and talk with his friends but he’s stuck on this chair because of this stupid Math exercise. He doesn’t even like Math.

“What’s going on in there?” Carla asks after a few seconds. She sits down next to him and Christopher drops his pencil on the table.

“I don’t like Math.” Christopher only answers, shrugging his shoulders. He raises his eyes and sighs when he realizes it’s only 5pm. He still has to wait two hours for his dad to come back and maybe then he can ask him if Buck can come too, for a movie night.

“Why do I feel like there’s something more than that?” Carla asks, raising her eyebrows. Christopher doesn’t like it when she does that. She always knows when something is bothering him and he can never lie to her. He tried before but it never worked.

“I miss Bucky.” Christopher says, slowly.

“Oh honey I miss him too.” Carla answers. “But you know he’s not far, right?”

“I know.” Christopher whispers. “But he used to be around all the time. He used to be around all the time and now he’s gone.” Christopher adds, taking the pen to scribble on his notebook. “I don’t understand why Dad didn’t ask him to stay.”

“Did you want him to stay?” Carla asks, smiling.

“Of course I did.” Christopher frowns. “I want him to stay forever.” He clarifies. Because he thinks it’s important, for people to know that Buck belongs here with them. Not in his own flat. Not with anyone else. Here . With him and his dad. “And I know dad wants that, too. He didn’t ask him to stay but I know he wanted to. I’m not stupid. He’s always happy when he’s around. He smiles all the time and sometimes he looks at him the same way he used to look at Mom.”

“Oh, Christopher.” Carla says, wrapping her arms around his back. Christopher sniffles and hides his face on her chest, closing his eyes. “You’re too smart for your own good.”

“So you see it too, then?” Christopher moves away from Carla’s embrace and adjusts his glasses on his nose.

“I do.” Carla agrees. “Very much so.” She adds. “But maybe your dad hasn’t seen it yet.”

“But that’s not possible.” Christopher shakes his head. Surely, his dad has seen it, too. His dad notices everything. He always does.

“Maybe it’s easier for us to tell because we can see it from a distance.” Carla explains and Christopher frowns.

“What do you mean?”

“You remember the Lego castle you built with Buck?” Christopher nods and smiles. It was a very big castle and Buck and him had taken an entire afternoon to build it. It was very complicated and messy and his dad had even said they could take some snacks upstairs in his room so that they could be done before diner. But it was a long time ago and Christopher doesn’t understand what it has to do with anything.

“I do.” He says, looking down at his hands.

“And when you stand very close to it, you can’t really see everything all at once, can you?” She asks and Christopher nods again. It’s true – he thinks. He usually has to move his eyes a lot if he wants to see the whole thing. “Maybe you can see one of the windows very well, or even a tower or the drawbridge.” She continues. “But the only way to see it all, the only way to see the whole castle is if you stand a bit further.”

“But I don’t want Buck to go anywhere.” Christopher argues.

“And he’s not.” Carla reassures him, ruffling his hair. “He’s not going anywhere. He’s always gonna be there, Christopher. But maybe that’s why you can see it so clearly and your dad doesn’t.”

“Because I can see the whole castle.” Christopher smiles. “That’s okay, then.” He says.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” He nods. “Dad can only see the drawbridge.” He says. “But I’m gonna help him see the whole castle, too.”

                                                      ---

Christopher spends a lot of time thinking about it. Whether it be in his bed, on the couch, in the play-yard or even in his classroom. He knows he’s supposed to listen to what his teacher is saying but he just can’t help it.

It’s only for a few minutes though, and Buck told him the other day that sometimes it’s important to take small breaks in order to be more focused on the problem at hand afterwards. And that’s what he does, taking small breaks, thinking about something else than what the teacher is saying.

So really, he’d say it’s even a win-win situation. He gets to reflect on the Helping Dad to See the Whole Castle situation and he’s then more concentrated on his exercises.

It’s only two weeks after his conversation that he comes up with a plan. A very good plan – he thinks. He’s not exactly sure it’s going to work out but he owes it to his dad to at least try, right? His dad’s happiness is at stake so the least he can do is give him a little push in the right direction.

The plan comes to him one day when he’s seated at the table inside the fire station, drawing a picture for Buck. Hen and Chim are comfortably seated on the couch next to him and Uncle Bobby and Buck are in the kitchen, cooking mac and cheese for the whole team. Christopher can hear them talking but he’s much more focused on his dad.

Because his dad is leaning against the fridge and he’s looking at Buck again, with the same expression he used to look at his mom with. He’s smiling and his eyes are so bright Christopher honestly thinks the whole thing is ridiculous. Surely his dad must know he’s in love with Bucky.

And that’s when he hears them. Hen and Chim. They probably both think Christopher is too engrossed on his drawing to notice they’re talking but he can hear them loud and clear.

“When do you think he’ll finally realize?” Chim asks, his voice low, almost whispering.

“I have no idea.” Hen answers. “But it better be soon because you and I both know Buck’s never gonna make the first move.”

Christopher frowns. First move? But to do what? He thinks. From the way they’re talking in hushed voices, he knows it must be important and so he keeps on drawing and listens carefully to the rest of the conversation. They seem very serious. Which Christopher decides is weird. They’re usually always laughing and sharing jokes but this time he can feel it’s more important.

“You know for a while I really thought it was one-sided.” Chimney says.

“Well you know Eddie. He’s never been very vocal about these kind of things.”

“I mean does he need to?” Chim asks. “I mean, look at him!” He adds, louder this time.

Christopher turns his head until his eyes fall on his dad again. He’s still in the kitchen but this time he’s whispering something in Buck’s ear, his hand holding Buck’s arm. They’re both laughing, and that makes Christopher smile. No one makes his dad happier than Buck does. Except him, of course.

Then his dad taps Buck on the back of his neck with his hand and Buck only sticks his tongue out.

“Oh come on!” Hen exclaims and Christopher almost jumps in his seat. “I swear to god if they don’t come to their senses soon, I’m locking them in the closet downstairs.” She adds. “They’re literally acting like a married couple, Chim!”

And Christopher’s smile only gets a bit bigger at her words.

They see it too – he realizes.

They see the whole castle.

And maybe that’s what he needs to do. Maybe that’s what his dad needs.

And so he takes another piece of paper his dad brought with them and starts writing:

Castle operation:

Start telling people about it. But who?

My teacher.

The nice lady of the supermarket.

Uncle Bobby and Aunt Athena?

Abuela.

Find out if Bucky knows about the Castle.

Wait for dad to see it too.

                                                         ---

The first people Christopher tells are Uncle Bobby and Aunt Athena. He’s standing up on a stool and he’s helping Bobby making soup from scratch. Chicken soup. His dad’s favorite because they’re celebrating him coming back to active duty tonight and Christopher wants everything to be perfect.

He stirs the soup with the big spatula Bobby gave him a few minutes ago and smiles at the scent. It smells just like when his Abuela does it. That’s why Christopher knows it’s gonna be good.

“Where’s Bucky?” Christopher eventually asks after a few seconds. He usually always helps in the kitchen and he can’t see him anywhere.

“He’s talking to your dad in the garden.” Bobby answers, pointing at the glass window. “Look, right there.” He adds, making Christopher look up.

And here he is. Buck. He’s standing next to his dad but Christopher can instantly see that something is wrong. He seems sad. His dad seems sad, too. He’s running his hands through his hair and Christopher knows his dad always does that when he’s nervous about something. It doesn’t happen often but he always notices it.

Christopher tries to keep his eyes on the soup but his curiosity eventually gets the best of him. He darts his eyes towards his dad again and that’s when he sees it. His dad takes a few steps backwards but Buck catches his wrist before he has the chance to walk away.

Christopher squints and even from the kitchen, he knows what Buck is saying must be very important because he looks at his dad in the eye and the next second he wraps his arms around his shoulders and gives him a hug. He even kisses him on the hair and Christopher thinks that’s obviously something he needs to write down on his Castle Operation journal tonight.

“My dad and Bucky are in love.” He only says and doesn’t miss the smile Uncle Bobby shares with Aunt Athena who just joined them in the kitchen.

“You think so?” Uncle Bobby asks, tasting the soup with a spoon.

“I don’t think, I know.” Christopher clarifies. “They just don’t see it yet.” He adds. “But that’s okay. I’ll make sure they do.”

“You do that, kid.” Athena says with a laugh, ruffling his hair.

                                                     ---

Christopher is lost in the supermarket. It’s a big one and he can’t find Buck. They were doing groceries shopping in order to surprise his dad and cook him his favorite dessert and the next thing Christopher knew he was alone, looking for Buck.

It’s okay, though. Christopher is not scared. It’s not the first time he gets lost in here and it already happened a few times with his dad. He would usually roam around the shelves and look at his right, and then his left, until his eyes fall on Buck but this time, he decides to choose a more direct approach.

He thinks that’s a perfect opportunity to tell the nice lady about Buck. Him and his dad always go to her checkout because she’s always giving him a lollipop. He walks away from the refrigerated shelves and heads for the entrance of the store.

She’s here, at the checkout 6 as always and there’s no-one paying or placing their items on the conveyor belt.

“Christopher!” She exclaims with a smile. “You’re here with your dad again? Where is he?”

“I’m here with Bucky!” Christopher says excitedly. “He’s my second dad. We wanted to buy chocolate chips because we’re going to do a brownie for my dad. It’s his favorite dessert. But I lost Buck. I don’t know where he is.”

“Do you want me to call him with the loudspeaker?” She asks and Christopher nods vigorously. He thinks that’s en excellent idea. Like that, so many people will know that Buck is his dad. It doesn’t matter whether they know him or not. Christopher doesn’t care. In fact, he would happily scream it on the rooftops if it meant his dad would finally realize he’s in love with Buck.

“Christopher Diaz is waiting for his dad next to Checkout six.” She announces and Christopher smiles big at her words. “Alright Christopher, which one do you want today?” She asks, pointing at the bowl filled with lollipops.

“Cherry!”

“Cherry it is, then.” She says, handing it to him. He’s about to thank her when-

“Christopher!” Buck exclaims, rushing towards him, his eyes big, his face wrinkled in concern. “I looked everywhere for you, buddy.” He adds.

“That’s okay Bucky, I was right there.” Christopher says.

“Another lollipop?” He sighs, smiling at the nice lady. “God, you’ve already eaten at least six of these cookies this afternoon, your dad’s gonna kill me.”

“Well he doesn’t need to know… Does he?” Christopher asks cheekily and Buck laughs.

“You know what? You’re absolutely right. Let’s keep it a secret, yeah?” He asks. “Now come on, let’s find these chocolate chips, alright? We don’t wanna be late to surprise your dad.”

                                                          ---

“Goodnight, superman.” Buck whispers a few hours later, kissing him on his forehead.

It’s late and Christopher is tired but he knows his dad is in the shower and he’s pretty sure now is the best time to figure out if Buck is also seeing the Castle for what it really is. And so he just says it.

“Buck.” He calls him, waiting for him to sit back on his bed to continue. “Do you love my dad?” He asks and watches Buck as he opens his eyes wide, his mouth agape. He seems surprised. But Christopher doesn’t look away.

“Hum I- Of course I love him buddy, he’s my best-friend.” He says. “After you, of course.”

“That’s not what I mean.” Christopher insists, sitting up straight on his bed. He rubs his eyes with his hands and holds back a yawn. “I’m asking you if you’re in love with him.” He clarifies.

Buck doesn’t answer anything. He stays very quiet and for a few seconds Christopher thinks that maybe he didn’t hear him. He’s about to repeat the question but then Buck lets out a small laugh and looks down at his hands, like he’s scared.

“Would-would that be a problem?” Buck asks, meeting his gaze. “If I said that I was?” He asks. “In love with your dad, that is.” He adds. “Would that be okay?”

“Of course.” Christopher only answers, frowning. He doesn’t understand why Buck needs to ask him that question.

“Then I- yeah.” Buck admits. “I am. I’m in love with your dad.” He smiles. That makes Christopher smiles too and he nods as he wraps up warmly in his blanket.

“So you see the castle, too.” Christopher states, his eyes watching the lego set standing in the corner of his room.

“The castle?” Buck tilts his head with a confused smile on his face.

“You and dad.” Christopher explains, his voice tired. “You guys are the Castle.” He says. “Carla said I could see it because I was standing further away.” He adds. “She said my dad was too close and that’s why he couldn’t see it. But I don’t think she was right.”

“No?” Buck encourages him, running his hand through Christopher’s curls.

“No. I think he’s exactly in the right place.” He goes on. “He’s just too scared to see it.” His eyes are closed now. But he pushes through the fatigue and says the next few words anyway. He needs to stay awake. At least only for a few more minutes. Because this conversation is too important.

“And why do you think he’s scared to see it?” Buck asks, curious.

“Because he’s afraid it might break if he gets too close.” He says. “So he doesn’t look at it. He doesn’t touch it either. Maybe he pretends it isn’t there, too. Like that, he’s sure it can’t break.”

Christopher falls asleep. But he stills hears Buck’s answer.

“Or maybe he just thinks there’s no Castle to look at in the first place.”

There are two last thoughts crossing Christopher’s mind before he lets himself fall completely into Morpheus’ arms.

Buck definitely knows about the Castle. He’s just afraid his dad thinks it doesn’t exist.

Adults are too messy and complicated. Being a kid is easier.

                                                      ---

Christopher is at his Abuela's with his dad. He’s sitting on the carpet in the living-room, his Lego bricks scattered around him. He’s trying to build the fire station but it turns out to be much more complicated than he expected it to be.

His Abuela and his dad are in the kitchen and Christopher isn’t planning on eavesdropping because he knows it’s a bad thing but his name suddenly comes up in the conversation and if what they’re saying concerns him then it must mean he has the right to listen, right? It only makes sense.

“So, is Christopher excited about his summer camp?” His Abuela says.

“Yeah I think so.” His dad answers and Christopher nods vigorously even though they can’t see him. His dad is right. He is very excited. All his friends are going to be there and he knows he’s gonna have the best of time. He’s just afraid not to have the time to make his dad see the Castle before he goes. Because school ends in a week and then it’s only two days before the summer camp starts. It’s not much time and Christopher already tried to make a lot of allusions about the Buck situation in front of his dad but he’s afraid his dad might need a lot more help than he initially thought.

“It’s gonna be good for him.” His abuela answers.

“Who gave you flowers?” His dad asks, pointing at the stargazer bouquet placed on the table.

“Your boy brought them to me this morning.” She says and Christopher frowns. Your boy? Is she maybe talking about B-

“He’s not my-" His dad starts but marks a pause. “Buck brought you flowers?” He asks and Christopher’s smile only gets a bit bigger.

“He did. I needed to change a bulb on my bedroom ceiling light but I didn’t trust myself to do it.” She says and Christopher thinks it’s very nice of Buck to have come help his Abuela, like he does with him every day and like he did with his dad after he got hurt. He’s always taking good care of his family and if you’d ask Christopher, he would say that’s probably the reason why he loves him so much.

“So you called Buck?” His dad asks incredulously. “Why didn’t you call me? I would have come.”

“Oh I would you would have, Eddito.” She answers and pats his dad on the cheek a few times. “But you were already busy with Christopher’s medical appointment." She says. "Besides, Buck was already supposed to come so I could give him the tamales recipe.”

Chris opens his eyes wide and whirls his head around towards his Abuela, his Lego set long forgotten.

His Abuela was very secretive about her recipes. Especially the tamales one. Christopher knew her own dad taught her how to cook and she always refuses to share the recipes with anyone who wasn’t family. Even Miss Flores didn’t have the recipes privileges. This was very sacred. And if Buck could have them then it could only mean one thing: His Abuela definitely knows about the Castle too.

“You-” His dad says but stops mid-sentence. He seems very surprised, just as much as Christopher. “You shared that recipe with him?” He asks. “I thought- I thought it was only reserved f-”

“Only reserved for family?” His Abuela cuts in. “Eddie, are you really telling me this boy is not family? After everything he’s done for y-”

“No, no I know.” His dad says. “And he is.” He adds. “I just-”

“You just what?” His abuela asks. “You know, I never really understood why you wasted your time with that girl.” She continues. She’s talking about Miss Flores – Christopher thinks, sticking two Lego bricks together to pretend he’s still very engrossed in what he's doing – but really all his attention is focused on their discussion.

“Ana?” His dad asks, his eyebrows raised. “What about her? I thought you liked h-”

“I did.” His Abuela answers. Christopher did, too. She was very nice, and she was always helping him with his homework. But Buck was Buck. Nobody would ever measure up to him. Nobody could ever measure up to him “She was a very nice woman. But I knew it wouldn’t last. Not as long as Buck was there.”

“Abuela, I-”

“Edmundo, this boy is a ray of sunshine. Agradezco a Jesus que lo encontraste todos los dias.” She says. “Es perfecto para ti y sé que lo amas.”

“He’s too good for me, Abuela.” His dad admits and Christopher frowns.

“That’s not true.” He says in a whisper even if he knows his dad can’t hear him.

“You deserve nice things, Edmundo.” Abuela concludes, patting his dad on the cheek once again. “Don’t forget that.”

“I wish you could see the whole Castle.” Christopher tells him later when his dad tucks him in.

“The whole Castle?” His dad asks, his smile confused. “What do you mean, mijo?”

“I can’t tell you, yet.” Christopher says, closing his eyes. “You need to figure it out on your own."

                                                        ---

It’s the last day of school and Christopher is running out of time. Buck hasn’t spent a single night with them this week and his dad seems sadder than usual. Or maybe not sad – Christopher thinks, but distracted. He always has this faraway look in his eyes, like he’s thinking of something very important but he can’t make a decision.

Christopher wishes he could help but he knows his dad doesn’t really like to talk about himself and how he feels. And so he observes him quietly from afar, trying to find ways to make him feel better. That’s why he convinced his dad to invite Buck for a movie night after school. Because there’s no one who can cheer him up quite like the way Bucky does.

He’s seated on his chair and he’s drawing a picture of himself with Buck and his dad. He’s been drawing a lot of pictures just like this one for a few weeks because he will be away in that summer camp for Buck’s birthday and so he decided to do a drawing for each day he spends without him to make up for it.

“That’s a nice drawing you did there, Chris.” His teacher says, squatting down next to his table.

“That’s for my second dad.” Christopher nods. “For his birthday.”

“Oh so that’s the famous Buck I keep hearing about.” She says, pointing at the person standing next to his dad.

“Yes, that’s him.” Christopher nods excitedly. “He’s the best.”

“I’m sure he is.” His teacher agrees and turns her head when someone knocks on the door. “Oh, looks like your dad’s here.” She says. Christopher whirls his head around and smiles wildly at his dad who starts conversing with his teacher.

“Are you and your husband going to join us for the end of year picnic tomorrow?” She asks and Christopher smiles cheekily while putting his stuff back in his schoolbag.

“My- my husband?” His dad asks. He sounds very confused.

“Your partner?” His teacher corrects herself. “I’m sorry, from the way Chris talks about his Bucky, I assumed you guys were married.”

“Uh no we’re not- we’re not married. He’s… He’s just my f-” His dad starts but marks a pause. “We’re not married.” He says again.

“My apologies. But you should bring him anyway.” Ms. Walker says. “We’d love to meet him.”

“Uh yeah I- I’m sure he’d like that.” His dad says with a smile.

Christopher follows him out of the classroom and to the car. He fastens his seat-belt and takes the book about space Buck bought for him a few weeks ago. He’s still not done reading it and he really wants to finish it before summer camp so he can discuss it with him.

“Christopher.” His dad calls him from the driver seat. “Why does your teacher think Buck and I are married?” He asks. Christopher was scared his dad would be upset but he only sounds curious. Confused, too.

“Because I told her he was my second dad.” Christopher answers matter-of-factly.

“Why… Why did you do that?”

“Because he is.” Christopher sighs, pressing his hands over his face.

Christopher thinks his dad is going to say something else but he stays very quiet instead. The whole drive is silent until he parks the car on the driveway where Buck is already waiting for them in his truck. He waves at Christopher excitedly and engulfs him into a hug as soon as he’s out of the car.

“Buck!” Christopher exclaims, his smile big. “You’re here early.”

“It’s never too early for my favorite Diaz boy.” He answers, ruffling his hair.

Once inside the house, Christopher lets go of his school bag, takes off his shoes and sits at the table. Buck serves him cereals with milk, accompanied by a glass of orange juice. His dad is seated at the table but he’s still very quiet and for a few seconds Christopher is afraid he might have done something stupid but then Buck slides a second bowl filled with cereals and milk in front of him and his dad smiles softly at him and rolls his eyes.

“What?” Buck defends himself. “I know you’re a sucker for cereals when you’re all cranky.”

“I’m not cranky!”

“Right.” Buck answers, raising his eyebrows, unimpressed. “Eat your cereals, Diaz.”

“Yeah dad.” Christopher repeats. “Eat your cereals.”

Christopher spends the next half hour telling them about his school day and then Buck tells him all about a documentary he saw a few nights ago about the Egyptian Pyramids. Christopher thinks it’s fascinating and after making both his dads promise they would take him in the Egyptian Museum in San Jose, he sits down on the sofa and goes on reading his book about Space.

“Bucky.” He still says after a while.

“Yeah, buddy?”

“I have a drawing for you. Wait here.” Christopher answers. He stands up and opens his school bag, taking the drawing he did in class while he was waiting for his dad to pick him up. He wanted to give it to Buck just before leaving for his summer camp but he feels like maybe it needs to be given now. Maybe that’s the only way for his dad to see the Castle.

Because it is . A Castle. Chrstopher drew a big one at the center, with him, his dad and Buck standing next to it, all smiling.

Christopher gives it to him and he can instantly see a soft smile breaking in on Buck’s face. His dad is watching too over his shoulders, and when Buck looks up at him with a knowing look on his face, Christopher smiles too. He knew Buck would understand.

“It’s… It’s the Castle.” Buck says. Christopher can see that his eyes are filled with tears and so he wraps his small arms around Buck’s shoulders.

“You know about this?” His dad asks after a few seconds, his eyebrows raised in confusion. “You know about the Castle metaphors?” He add. “I mean he actually explained it to you?”

“Uh… Maybe?” Buck says, apologetically.

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“Well I’m not sure you’re quite there yet.” Buck answers and Christopher nods sadly.

“What do you mean I’m not quite there yet?” His dad asks, exasperated. “Can you both stop talking in riddle and tell me what’s going on?”

Christopher signs and looks down at his hands. Maybe this has gone off long enough – he thinks. Maybe it’s time to tell him directly. Maybe that’s what his dad needs, for Christopher and Buck to tell him that’s it’s okay, that no Castle is too big for him. And so he takes the sheet of paper and turns it the other way, revealing what’s written on the back.

“Me and my two dads.”

“That’s the castle, dad.” Christopher finally says. “You’re the castle. You and Bucky.”

“And you too.” Buck adds with a smile and Christopher just nods.

“Hum I- I still don’t get it.” His dad admits and Buck lets out a small laugh. But Christopher can see he’s scared too. He knows it because he doesn’t look at his dad in the eye. He looks down at his hands instead.

“Of course you don’t.” Buck still says with a smile.

“It’s our family.” Christopher clarifies. “And Buck is a part of it.”

“Of course he’s a part of it Chris, but what does it have to do with anyt- Oh.”

“Buck’s been inside the Castle for a very long time, dad.” Christopher explains. “I thought you knew it too. But then you started dating Miss Flores and it wasn’t fair to Bucky.” He adds. “I- I’ve never been mad at you for dating again, dad. I was mad at you because I thought that Bucky was the only one with the key to our Castle but then she was there and he was gone. I felt like you were replacing him and I didn’t like that.”

“Christopher, I-” His dad starts but marks a pause, letting his eyes fall on Buck for a few seconds. Buck is still very quiet and his eyes are bright with tears and they’re still fixed on the few words written on the back of the drawing. “Why didn’t you tell me?” His dad asks.

“I tried.” Christopher says with a small voice. “And Miss Flores was nice.” He adds. “She was nice and I liked her very much but she was-”

“She was never Buck.” His dad finishes for him and Buck whirls his head around to look at his dad in the eye. “What? He’s a smart kid.” His dad says.

“The smartest.” Buck chokes up and tears are rolling down his face. But that’s okay because his dad places both of his hands on his cheeks and wipes them with his thumbs.

“Buck was scared you thought there was no Castle to see.” Christopher explains but frowns when that only makes Bucky cry harder.

“Of course there’s a Castl- Dios.” His dad says, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers. “Buck.” He goes on. “Evan.” He adds, and Buck finally looks up at him. “Of course there’s a Castl- god, I’ve had enough with these Castle references.” He says, and Buck laughs through his tears. “Of course you’re a part of this family, Buck. You always have. Always will.”

“Always.” Christopher agrees, placing his small hand over Buck’s. “You should kiss him now, dad.”

“I should, right?” His dad says cheekily, cradling Buck’s chin with his right hand and pressing their lips together. Only for a few seconds, though. Otherwise that’s just too gross – Christopher thinks. His dad then whispers something along the line of Christopher was right and you do have the keys to my heart and Christopher doesn’t really understand what that means but Bucky throws his head backwards, laughing, so Christopher only guesses his dad must be doing something good.

“You didn’t just say that, Diaz.” Buck says. “That’s sappy as hell, even for you.” He adds and his dad taps him on the back of his neck again, still smiling.

Christopher eventually looks away though and focuses on his book about Space once again because his job here is done:

The Castle Operation is officially a success.

[pricetagofficial]

Warning Signs -WW

Warnings: Language, angst, fluff, reasons to yell at me

Pairing: Wally West x Reader

Part Two

Word Count: 2.6K

Tag List: @kishony-the-geek​ @idkmanicantenglish​ @unknowntoanyone​ @subtleappreciation​ @catxsnow​ @nightwcngs​ @screennamealreadyused​ @river-bottom-nightmare​ @woahjaybird​ @bikoncon​

A/N: Thank you to the anon who sent in this request! I hope this is something along the lines of what you wanted, and if no one is yelling at my after reading this are you even human?

Your romance with Wally was anything but slow, but that came with the territory of loving a speedster let alone the fastest person alive. You knew from the moment you met that he was going to be a part of the rest of your life, and you hoped that it would be in a good way. It was no secret that Wally West was famous with the ladies, he was as smooth as he was fast and his words had you stumbling for a response.

What was once just simple flirting, turned into tense training sessions filled to the brim with sexual tension. It got to the point that the rest of the Titans could see your obvious attraction to each other but Dick knew your past.

In fact, he was the only one who knew it.

You had a dark past, one that you weren’t proud of and was actively trying to leave it behind. Deadshot had made you a lethal weapon someone who could shoot a target from hundreds of yards away and hit your mark perfectly. That kind of skill got you noticed, and not in a good way. It was what led the Titans to you in the first place.

Deadshot had brought you along to make you see that the Titans were really just what he said, a bunch of kids who had no idea what they were doing. But to you, they were anything but. He had ordered you to take them out one by one, and that’s what you planned on doing before you were interrupted.

Your first bullet didn’t hit its intended mark, instead, it landed in the shoulder of The Flash because you were knocked over by a blur of blue and black. Nightwing had stopped you from killing his best friend that day, and The Flash never even knew about it.

The mask you wore hid your face from him, so he couldn’t see what you looked like but with one well-placed hit, he caught a glimpse of just how young you were. It stopped him in his tracks, Deadshot had brought a girl no younger than he was to murder them for him.

Nightwing had tried to make you see sense, convince you that Deadshot only had his intentions in mind and cared nothing about you. With how young and naïve you were, you refused to believe him until you were captured and he left you there to take the blame.

For someone you thought you trusted, it hurt when he disappeared from sight as you yelled for him to get you out.

Nightwing gave you an option, you could join them on the team or go to jail. Considering the better of the two options, you joined the team. Dick, as you had come to know him, gave you a new background that you needed to fool the rest of your team into thinking that you were who you said you were.

Now here you were months later passionately in love with the very same speedster that you had almost killed.

Looking over at him while he slept, you could count the freckles that decorated Wally’s face. His brilliant green eyes were hidden by his closed lids with his bright red hair spread out across your pillows. Your naked form was pressed into his side as he held you close to him in his sleep. You had never felt like this about anyone before and it scared you that you cared so much about him.

Deadshot was still out there, and he knew who you were. If you were to run into him again, there was no guarantee that he would not try to ruin the new life you had tried to build for yourself.

Wally rolled and pulled you on top of him with a groan, a soft smile on his lips. Slowly, you leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the not wanting to wake him. But it seemed that he already was.

Feeling your lips on his, Wally’s grip on your waist tightened as he cupped your face and fully kissed you. For someone who was dead asleep only moments ago, he seemed to be very awake with the way he was kissing you.

Your free hand tangled itself into his hair, tugging it every so often causing him to let out soft groans that you loved so much.

“Hey babe, what’s got you up at this hour?” he asked, his voice filled with sleep.

You giggled and looked down at him, your hair framing your face. “I could say the same about you handsome.” You teased, brushing his bangs back.

“I was dreaming about the most beautiful girl I know, only to realize that while I dreamt of her, she was pressed against me in reality. I couldn’t pass that up.” He grinned, holding your waist. “Now, what’s keeping you up beautiful?”

You blushed at his pet name for you. “Just thinking about when Dick-“ you didn’t even get the rest of the sentence out before Wally’s face changed to a dangerous smirk.

“You mean to tell me that you are in bed with me naked, and you are thinking about my best friend?” he asked sliding his hands up your sides.

You scoffed and hit his shoulder with a laugh. “Wallace West! If you let me finish you would know that it was about when Dick brought me here to meet all of you.” You giggled, watching Wally look you over as his hand ran over your bare body.

“I remember that day too, the moment you showed up I knew that I had to have you no matter what.” He started. “It’s weird though, Dick told me that I shouldn’t get involved with you but I couldn’t be gladder that I ignored him.”

Hearing his words, your mood dropped but you refused to let your smile change. Dick didn’t approve of your relationship? That was news to you, but if you were honest with yourself you weren’t surprised. Dick was the only one who knew of your true past, he just wanted to keep his best friend safe. But he had to have known that there was nothing you would ever do to hurt Wally.

Wally noticed that you were quiet for a long minute, and his eyes filled with concern. “Y/N, babe, you alright?” he asked as he forced himself to sit up with you still straddling his lap. His large hands held your hips as he looked you over to make sure that you were alright. “Are you bothered that Dick said that?”

Quickly you shook your head and placed a kiss on his forehead before leaning yours on his shoulder. “it’s not that, I’m just really glad that I met you, Wally.”

He wrapped his arms around you and held you close to comfort you. Laying back down, the two of you drifted off to sleep while you thought of confronting Dick about what he had said to Wally about staying away from you.

The confrontation with Dick didn’t happen for another few days. He was stuck in Blüdhaven working on a case and the day he got back was when there was a threat on Jump City. Within no time, you and the rest of the Titans were suited up and ready to go. Wally gave you one final kiss before he sped out the door to head off your adversary and you ran across the roofs with Dick and Roy. Donna flew above you with Garth taking the waves from the harbor with him.

Dick could tell that there was something off with you but it was placed on the back burner when he was bolts of lightning streak across the city as Wally fended off the city as he waited for the rest of his team.

“Hey Flash, any sign on who it is?” Nightwing asked.

“It’s our favorite sharpshooter here Rob, Deadshot is back in town and he seems pissed.” Flash’s voice sounded through the com system.

The look you and Nightwing shared didn’t ease your nerves at all. Deadshot was back in town, and he was most likely looking for you.

“What’s the plan Nightwing?” Donna asked as she flew above.

“Flash, Garth and Donna, you three distract him so Arsenal, Barrage, and I try and get in close to take him out. If we play this right, we can finally put him away after months of tracking him down.”

There was a murmur of agreement as Donna and Garth shot ahead to give Flash the assistance he needed It didn’t take long for you and the other two to arrive, but the second Deadshot saw you, you swore he smiled.

Pulling out a rifle of your own, you set up in a hidden location so you could try and get a good view and possibly a few good shots in at him. The man who made you a killer was not going to get away with it this time.

The battle raged on for what seemed like hours, but finally, with a combined effort of you, Nightwing and Flash Deadshot was finally down for the count. But that didn’t stop him from talking.

“Barrage you said your name was? You remind me an awful lot about my last partner Deadeye, the last time I saw her was here in this city. Any idea where I could find her?” he asked.

Before the others could ask, you punched him hard enough that his nose broke and a couple of his teeth chipped. Giving the others the signal that you were heading back early, you disappeared down the street leaving a very confused Wally and a frowning Dick.

The second you got back to the tower, you showered and grabbed a snack from the kitchen. Moments after you grabbed a bowl of food, you felt a rush of air beside you. Within seconds, Wally placed a kiss on your lips, took a bite of your food, and promised to “be back in a flash” before zooming off to the shower and dressed.

One by one the others filtered in with Dick being the last one. His gaze went to you immediately and you followed him to the training room. Dick shut the door and stood with his arms crossed as he watched you walk towards him.

“I know you have questions, but I have a few of my own bird brain. First of all, who the fuck gave you permission to tell Wally to stay away from me when I first got here? Isn’t that a choice to be made by us, not you? I would never hurt him like that, you of all people should know this!” you snapped at him, poking him in the chest.

“Yeah, I of all people also know where you really came from. What’s he going to think when he and the others find out that you were Deadeye and almost killed us only a few months ago? I’m thinking of more than just you; I’m thinking about the entire team.” he snapped.

“I left Deadeye behind before I ever fell for him! If I was going to hurt him, I would have done it already. But what about you? How are you going to tell your best friend that you lied to him about his girlfriend? I am not the only one at fault here and if I go down, I am dragging you with me, Richard Grayson.”

You were going to say more but you caught the expression on Dick’s face. He was staring at something behind you, and you had a bad feeling about what it was. Turning on your heel, you saw Wally standing there with a look of shock on his face with the apple he was eating long forgotten about.

“Y/N, Dick, what the hell is going on?” he asked slowly.

“Walls-“ Dick started towards him only for Wally to back away and shake his head.

“Don’t, I want the truth.” He said sternly. “The whole truth.”

You dropped your head and took a deep breath. “I haven’t been exactly honest with you about who I am. I wasn’t always Barrage; I was Deadeye Deadshot’s apprentice.” You said slowly.

Wally’s eyes shifted between you and Dick. “You knew, you both knew and kept it from me?” he asked.

The look on both yours and Dick’s faces said it all. The two people he loved most in the world lied to his face about who you were and it hurt him more than that bullet wound you had apparently given him.

Dick moved to step towards his friend once again only for Wally to shoot him a glare. “I want to hear what she has to say, not you.” He snapped, only for Dick to drop his head and leave the room for the two of you to try and talk things out.

The silence that fell over you was deafening and it seemed that the tension was choking you. You loved Wally, you loved him more than anything but the way he was looking at you broke your heart. He trusted you with everything, including his secret identity only to find out that you had tried to kill them only months before was a shock.

He was the first to break the silence, “How long have you been lying to me?” he asked. The lack of response only told him that it had been from the beginning.

“I wanted to tell you Red, I really did. But I knew that if I was honest about who I was, none of you would have trusted me. Floyd left me on that rooftop knowing what could have happened to me, and Dick decided that I deserved a second chance. So, with his help, I came up with a new past and joined the team.” You explained.

Wally stood there quietly and listened. “So, you thought that lying to a whole team who trusted you was a good idea?” he asked.

“Wally, would you have trusted me if I told the truth? Would we be what we are if I was honest?”

“Dick warned me about this.” He said softly, looking at the floor.

“About what?”

Wally’s green eyes finally met your own after almost ten minutes of avoiding your gaze and you could see the heartbreak hidden behind the traces of his anger and betrayal. “You.”

His words cut you deeply, Wally’s opinion of you was the only one you actually cared about and you could see it changing in front of your eyes.

“Red please,” you begged stepping closer to him. “We can work this out, I don’t want to lose you.”

Wally shook his head, pulling his hands away before you could take them in your own the term for endearment you had for him leaving a bad taste in his mouth. “You and I both know that you lost me the second you decided to lie to me and the rest of the team.” He turned around and quickly walked out of the training room avoiding his best friend that stood right outside the door.

The gravity of the situation was crushing you, what else were you supposed to do? Wally had just broken up with you and was likely going to tell the team that you and Dick had been lying to them. So, you did the only thing left for you to do.

Before Dick could ask questions or express the guilt he felt, you darted out of the training room and ran to yours and packed. Within half an hour your stuff was packed into two duffel bags and you dashed for the elevator.

The last thing you saw before the doors closed was the look on Wally’s face before you left Titans Tower, never wanting to come back.

[sxvxrxssnape]

severus' sixty-first birthday

- minerva sends severus a birthday card every year and though she doesn't sign it or return address it, he knows they're from her. they worked together for years, he recognizes her handwriting

- he's not entirely sure how she found his address but maybe owls are just that good at tracking people. still, she never asks to see him or mentions how the rest of the wizarding world has long thought he's dead

- at this point, he opens his kitchen window in the morning and watches the sun peaking over the horizon as it starts to rise, sipping on his coffee, as he waits for the letter to arrive

- he'll read through it, smiling softly (though he wonders about the part where she mentions a gift on the way. shes never sent anything more than a card) before tucking the card away with all the others. he'll get dressed then and then walk into town. it's a quiet place where he's chosen to live and he's made friendly with a number of people and sometimes he misses the vibrancy of the wizarding world and the comaderie of being a hogwarts professor but that atmosphere had long fizzled out and going back would never truly mean going back. he's moved on and he's fine with that

- he prefers early morning to get the shopping done. it's less crowded and the world feels untouched, pure and magical, at this hour. he'll stop at the local bakery, buy himself a pastry and another cup of coffee, savoring sweet almond and blueberry, before continuing to the grocery store and picking up the few things he needs for tonight's dinner

- its his 61st birthday today and though he doesn't want to make a big deal out of his birthday, he's learned that it's okay to celebrate your own existence and indulge in the things that make him happy

- as it stands, a well made shepherds pie with good bread and red wine would make him very happy today

- his grocery tote is charmed to keep cool and feather light, so after gathering what he needs he'll head to the bookshop. this is one of his favorite activities and absolutely not reserved for his birthday. his favorite bookshop is old and quaint, hosting strange books with mysterious origins. a lot of the locals think its all false but severus has a trained eye and can recognize magical tombs when he sees them. the first time he came, he cleared out any that could be considered dangerous to muggles. now he likes to browse through the remains and pick up a new read or two; they're not all magical but they are all interesting. the shopkeeper is a very old woman who looks very out of place in this millennium, but he supposes he does too some days

- she wishes him a happy birthday, eyeing his black coat with a certain kind of scrutiny he's gotten used to from her. he was never able to give up his long coats and now he wears them unbuttoned over black turtlenecks. it makes him look less imposing, he supposes, although enough people have asked what he teaches that it sets him on edge

- he doesn't remember when she learned his birthday, but he pays it no mind. a few of the people he's come across here have learned his birthday by now. its the reason he'll get a free scoop of ice cream on his way home. she always looks at him like he's familiar but just can't place how, and part of him worries she's going barmy and starting to forget he's been coming here for years

- as he's paying for the two new books he's found, she says something that feels like its meant to be a warning but feels more like a threat: the aurors are in town today

- "pardon?" he asks, but she just smiles sweetly and waves him off like nothing was amiss, as if his blood hadn't just turned to ice beneath his skin

- he leaves the shop numbly, thinking it over. she couldnt have meant anything serious by it, although now he's kicking himself for not realizing she was a witch (or perhaps a squib?) he kept up with the wizarding world fairly regularly when he'd first disappeared. he knew potter had cleared his name posthumously and that he was hailed a hero, so whatever the reason for the aurors being in town, it has nothing to do with him. he decides to carry on as normal; too many years have passed for him to be known by this new generation of aurors.

- he does get his free ice cream, a scoop of vanilla caramel with a drizzle of chocolate, and he's sitting in a wrought iron chair outside the shop, under a carefully cast warming charm to keep him comfortable in the january air but with a cooling charm cast over his frozen treat, when he sees them

- there's two of them, fairly young and most likely born during the second war. they're dressed in the muggle version of their uniform he's come to recognize and watches them from his peripheral as they head down the street and wonders what they could be in town for

- he doesn't notice the third, older auror watching him with widening eyes, no longer paranoid enough to check who's standing behind him, as he swirls his spoon through the remnants of melted ice cream and gets lost in his thoughts

- he heads home after that, lights a fire, and makes a tomato and cheese sandwich for lunch. he catches up on a few episodes of his current favorite show (a historical drama this time) and enjoys his quiet afternoon

- when its time to start on dinner, he'll put something on the record player (he's got a soft spot for the record player alright, he's aware of what spotify is, he just enjoys the nostalgia of vinyl), and get to work. he's got a glass of wine and he's singing along to pearl jam as he cuts carrots and potatoes

- he grows wild thyme and rosemary in the front yard, right next to the white chrysanthemums, so he puts his spoon down and goes to fetch some

- he doesn't expect to find potter standing just outside the gate with a pink bakery box in his hands looking simultaneously like a deer in the headlights and like he's just seen a ghost. which he supposes he has

- he ignores him in favor of picking the herbs. once he's done, he glances once in the direction of harry potter before returning inside. he leaves the door open and waits. it isn't until the herbs are washed and finely chopped, being stirred into the stew, that potter finally enters the kitchen. he holds the box tightly and blurts out "i thought you were dead"

- "evidently not." severus responds, spooning the mix into a baking dish and begins to top it with the mashed potatoes. "how did you find me?"

- he mutters some nonsense of working a case involving a local store selling magical wares to muggles (and severus frowns at this information, worried it might be imelda) and seeing him outside the ice cream shop. getting his address wasn't that hard and the cake he brought was simply a social nicety

- perhaps he hasn't been a professor for years now but he can still smell bullshit so he raises an eyebrow at the answer he's gotten. potter has grown in the years since he's seen him, no longer a strong-willed seventeen year old but now a tired looking auror of forty who's still just as bad at lying as he ever was. he thinks how he was around his age when they last spoke and that fact feels a little dizzying

- "you dont seem that surprised." severus muses, putting the pie in the oven and bringing down another glass. he has a feeling potter will be staying and the idea is already giving him headache. he thinks back to minervas letter and wonders if this is what she meant. perhaps its time to finally write back, he thinks, as he pours them each some wine; they have a lot to talk about it seems

[emf005]

Cramps

James Sirius Potter x Female! reader

Warnings: Puberty, James being the cutest thing ever, pain, couple cuss words for pizzaz(Maybe)

:readmore:

“Oi! Y/L/N!” You smiled as you saw the one and only James Sirius Potter strutting up the hallway with his band of trouble makers behind him. Most of them were his family, but a few were unrelated family members(Very Very close friends.)

“Oi! Potter!” You called back teasingly.

“Having a bad hair day today?” He smirked, looking you up and down. You rolled your eyes and touched your crappily put in braid. It may have looked like it, but you weren’t having a bad hair day. You were just crap at doing hair.

“Nope. Having a hard time coming up with insults? Am I too perfect for the James Potter to insult me?” You joked. You always took the teasing light heartedly. You listened to this song over the summer called Sarcasm. It was pretty good. But one of the lines that stood out to you were “Sticks and stones can break my bones but anything you say will only fuel my lungs”. It wasn't like you let him get to you before this, but you had only rarely hit him back with a come back. Now, you always threw one back.

“Ha! Perfect? You? Those two words shouldn’t be in a sentence together, Y/L/N.”

“You’re right,” you nodded, leaving him confused. You strode off down the hall with a swing in your hips. “Perfect is too dull of a word to describe me, Sweetheart!” You called over your shoulder with a wink. You disappeared behind the corner as you heard his friends laughing.

They knew you were light hearted about it. You were actually pretty close with a few of them. But James was competitive in everything. And for some reason he had chosen you to be his muse for picking on. You didn’t know why, nor did you actually care. You always liked a bit of banter, especially around this time of the month. And no, you weren;t a werewolf (Though you would gladly take that over having your period)

See, all periods come with their… side effects. Hormones bounce crazily off the walls and make some moody. Some get cramps. Some get both. Some break out and others(A very few minority) just have it without anything to think about. You had it worse than anyone.

Cramps. That may have been all you got, but they were so bad that walking, breathing, talking, or even moving could be impossible. You were once nearly paralyzed for a whole week and a half. You only moved to go to the bathroom. Your mom had to actually feed you. You were a very active person, you can only imagine how insane that made you.

Madame Pomfrey, your great Grandmother and god mother because that woman is a queen, always took care of you during these times and often threw things at you because you weren’t taking good enough care of yourself. You loved the woman dearly, but wow could she yell at you.

You watched James and his crew head down to the quidditch pitch for practice while you skipped down to Hagrid's. You loved to play quidditch but never wanted to play on the team. You knew you weren’t good enough for that and you would rather have just messed around with some friends.

“Hey Hagrid!” You said happily and plopped down by a pumpkin. He turned around from tending his garden and smiled at you.

“ ‘ello, Y/N. How ‘er you today?”

“Alright I guess. How about you? Any new creatures come crawling around?”

“Not yet. But I suspect they’ll show up soon.”

“Need any help?”

“You know where the tools are.” You hopped up, but not too fast because.. Well.. you know, and grabbed a pair of gloves and shoved them in your pocket in case he let you tend to the Biting thorns again. You had a knack for everything Herbology and Magical creates. You were Professor Longbottom and Hargrid’s favorite student, you knew it. I mean, you definitely were, no doubt.

About three hours later you started to get a stabbing pain in your lower stomach, losing your breath for a moment.

Shit

“Hey, Hagrid, I think I’m going to clean up before dinner. I only have a few minutes and I doubt anyone wants to be sitting next to my smelly butt.” You laughed, the stabbing getting worse.

“I’ll see ya there, Y/N! Thanks fer tha help!”

“Anytime!” You jogged away from him and a relaxing Fang so you could visit your great gran. Well, she wasn’t technically related to you. She was a close friend of your grandmother’s. They had gone to school together and been (And still were) closer than sisters. You grew up with her and she had become very over protective of you.

You waltzed into the hospital wing with a smile on your face. You were used to the stabbing pains. You had a very high pain tolerance, I mean, you had to.

“Gran!” You yelled out, not even flinching when you felt another annoying stab.

Madame Pomfrey came walking over to you with her arms crossed over her chest.

“You haven’t come to see me all week. Does this mean that you have finally come to your senses?”

“Oh, you make such a big deal out of everything. I barely have felt anything so far, and plus it's only Wednesday, perhaps I was just busy.” She gave you a knowing look. She always knew. You didn’t know how, but she always did. “Well, anyhow, I was helping Hagrid and the stabs were a bit worse than normal. Got anything that’ll just subside that?”

“I have the potion you should've been taking since the beginning of the week, young lady.”

“It's nothing major, Gran. Just something small. I don’t need the whole nine yards.” She sighed. You were the only person who she would give into.

“Fine, but don't come crying to me when you are hurting so badly that you can't move.” She was about to walk away when the doors banged open. You two looked over and saw James and his crew walking in. Madame Pomfrey sighed. “What is it now, Mr. Potter?”

“Don’t know I-”

“Fell off your broom and landed wrong while you were trying to do some wicked trick. I know. Set him on the table. I’ll be there in a-”

“I have to take a shower, Madame Pomfrey. I’ll come back later. Feel better, James! Hi guys!” You waved at them all and jogged off, ignoring your gran calling after you. Oh, yeah, another thing about you. You really didn’t like attention. You also didn’t like the fact that there was someone in more need of help than you and you were getting the help first. James needed more help than you did, you would just come back later… You thought you would.

You had planned to go back after dinner, but you didn’t. A friend asked you with help on the Divination homework. You decided to go the next day. Asked to help first years. Friday? No. Dueling club and extra studying. Before you knew it, it was Saturday and you were in so much pain. But you just kept going.

You were headed down to the quidditch pitch to watch Lysander and a few of his buddies play against Albus and Scorpius and a few of their friends. It was just a scrimmage, nothing major, but they all liked to have an audience. And since they all knew and liked you, they asked if you wanted to join. What you didn’t count on was James being there.

“Well well well. Look who we got here?” You looked over to see James, alone, walking over to you.

“Hey, James.” You said a bit weakly and short of breath.

“You alright?” You just nodded. He seemed to get more concerned. “Are you sure? You don’t look so good?” You laughed.

“Yeah well, I have my good days and my bad ones,” you joked, thinking he was teasing you again. He wasn't.

“Y/N. Stop for a second.” You did and turned to him.

“Are you sure you're alright? You look really pale and tired.”

“I’m fine. I promise.” You smiled and continued down to the pitch with him besides you. That's when the worst one you have had in a while hit you with full force, knock every ounce of wind out of you.

You collapsed and held your stomach, trying to take deep breaths like you had taught yourself to do.

“Y/N!” You felt a hand on your back and another on your arm.” What's wrong? What happened?”

“N-nothing. I’m-Ah!” You collapsed completely to your knees. The throbbing hurt so bad. It was like someone was digging a knife in you and just twirling it around.

“Obviously something. What can I do?”

“Take-take me to-to Gran. Please.”

“Gran, who's Gran?”

“Sorry. Madam Pomfrey.” He nodded and helped you up, putting an arm around you to keep you up.

“You're explaining that to me later.” You laughed, which only made it worse. “Can you walk faster? You're getting paler by the second.”

“This is… as fast… as I can… go.”

“Here,” he moved in front of you and bent down. “Get on my beck, it’ll be faster, alright?”

“James you really don’t have-”

“I want to. Come on.” You wrapped your arms around his neck and he, carefully, hoisted you up. He quickly walked to the hospital wing, being cautious as to not bump you around too much. “Madame Pomfrey!” He yelled when he banged the doors open like he always does. A dramatic entrance for a dramatic boy. You heard the oh so familiar sigh.

“What did you do this time, James?” She walked around the corner and saw you on James' back, her eyes widened in horror and she quickly moved into action. “Put her down here,” she opened up a section and he set you down carefully. She quickly ran away and started to gather stuff. James stood beside your bed and stared at you oddly.

“What?”

“What happened? You seemed fine the other day. Are you sick or-”

“I’m really fine, it's just.. Um… girl stuff?” His eyes widened in understanding (Not horror).

“OH! Oh Merlin, are you ok? What do you need, like literally anything?” You furrowed your eyebrows.

“It's just cramps,” you shrugged, confused by his reactions. Normally anything under the topic of puberty or periods boys were off running. Even your own brothers.

“Not just cramps, young lady.” Your gran scolded and walked in, holding a bottle of the potion you were supposed to be taking. It really didn’t do much. And it tasted horrible. “These are getting worse as you get older.” You glanced at James.

“Ok. You don’t have to be talking about this with him here. No offence.” He just shrugged.

“You have to start taking this seriously!”

“Gran, I do! I was just busy!”

"You came in and then you left without taking it, telling me you would be back!”

“I got side tracked! And James was in more pain than I was!” Your voice was horse and it was getting harder to talk and breathe. She handed you the potion and you chugged it.

“You left because of me?” James asked. You swallowed the rest of the foul tasting liquid.

“You needed her attention. And then someone needed help on homework and it just” you coughed, making your stomach knot again. “Got out of hand.”

“Thank you for bringing her up, Mr. Potter. You can leave.”

“But-”

“She needs her rest.”

“Tell the boys I’m sorry I missed the game.” He hesitated but nodded and left. Your Gran scolded you for a few moments before she left and told you to get some sleep, which you did.

The next day your friends visited you and you ignored the pains. They weren’t as bad as yesterday’s, but they were still pretty bad.

Soon they left and that just left you sitting hour after hour. You were still awake when it was one in the morning and you heard footsteps coming towards your bed. You figured it was your gran coming to check on you so you shut your eyes and pretended to be asleep.

They set something on the table and you opened your eyes seeing James.

“James?” He was startled and jumped a bit. He looked down at you with guilt on his face.

“Sorry,” He whispered. “Did I wake you?” You sat up slowly.

“No. I’ve been up. Kind of hard to sleep.” You moved over and motioned for him to sit, which he did.

“Cause of the…”

“Cramps?”

“Yes.”

“Yep. You know, you’re a lot cooler with this stuff than a lot of boys your age are.”

“I never understood that. I mean, it's something that happens. Why do guys have to be so weird about it? Plus my little sister goes through it so…”

“That's right! Your sister’s Lily.”

“Yeah. She gets pretty bad cramps too, but not as bad as you, I think.”

“No one gets them as bad as me, which I’m grateful for.”

“So the potion doesn't really work?”

“Takes a bit of the edge off, but other than that? No.”

“I’m sorry.” You just shrugged and shifted. “Is there anything I can do to help?” You smiled.

“You’re sweet, James. But, I’m afraid not.”

“Well, I do know one thing I can do.”

“What?” He grabbed whatever he had sat on the bedside table and set it on your lap. It was a basket full of chocolates. Your eyes lit up at the sight.

“Holy Merlin! Where did you get all this?”

“I have my ways. I remember Lily said chocolate always makes her feel better so I figured it would help you too.”

“Wow. James! Thank you! Can I…”

“No. Absolutely not. I just brought it down here so that it can stare you in the face. You aren’t allowed to eat one piece of it.” You smirked at him and didn;t reach for a piece, just to see what he would do. “Oh my go, I was joking.” You laughed.

“I know I know!” You grabbed two pieces and handed one to him. He looked at it and then back up at you before taking it. You opened your piece quickly and bit into it. “Eat! Come on, you are stayen for a bit aren’t ya?”

“Why would you want me to?”

“Because you're my friend.”

“Why would you consider me that?”

“Because you helped me out a lot and you gave me food. We also talk all the time. Why? You don’t want to be friends?”

“I figured you wouldn’t want to be mine.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve bullied you countless times.”

“That was just playful banter. I've seen you bully people. You were just teasing me.” He stared down at the candy.

“But still…”

“James, listen. I want to be your friend. If you don’t want to be mine I guess that's alright, but I've always wanted to be your friend.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You seem really cool. And you are really nice. I've seen you with your siblings and your friends and have always been kinda jealous. I've never really had that," you shrugged and took another bite from your chocolate bar.

"You have all sorts of friends, though."

"Yeah but I'm kind of the replaceable friend. And then my family is a bucket load of insane. So I guess I’m sort of jealous. Like this.” you motioned to the chocolate and at him. “I have been having this happen since first year and my friends come in once to check on me unless they need help on something. I guess it's kind of childish, but-”

“No.” You looked at him, a bit shocked at his tone. “That's not childish at all! How are they your friends if you’re in pain and they don’t come to see you unless they need something?”

“James, it's not that big of a deal. I have a high pain tolerance and plus I have gran worrying over me.”

“Oh please explain that to me. You're her granddaughter?”

“Well, sort of. Great granddaughter, and honorary. Her and my grandma were as close as sisters when they went to Hogwarts and stayed that way throughout life. And when I lost my great gran and both my nans, she stepped up. Very over protective of me.” He smirked and leaned on his legs.

“I’d say. ‘Get out, Potter. I appreciate you bringing her up but I don’t want you here.” he mimicked her voice, and not too terribly. You started to laugh, making your stomach knot in protest. You groaned and fell back on your bed. “Oh! Sorry. Do you need another pillow? More blankets? Chocolate?” You smiled gratefully at him.

“No. Just gotta wait it out. Thank you though.” You smiled at him gratefully and you two talked until you fell asleep. He smiled, finding it odd how much he actually liked you. Every “conversation” he had he always enjoyed. Always enjoyed your banter in the halls and in class, but he had never actually talked to you before.

He stood up and pulled the blanket over you more so that your shoulders and arms were covered. He put the chocolate on the bedside table and brushed the wrappers off of the bed so that it wasn’t a mess when you woke up in the morning.

He then snuck out of the infirmary and back into his dorm room. James was surprised to see that his last thought before falling asleep was of you and hoping you felt better. He really hadn’t realized how much fun you were.

You weren’t in classes that day. Madame Pomfrey seemed to be punishing you and kept you in bed, bringing you meals from the great hall while you survived on James’ chocolate. You were reading over your notes when someone cleared their throat. You looked up, chocolate half in your mouth, to see James standing with a plate and his school bag.

“Hi James! Back already?” He laughed and sat down where he had sat the other day.

“You weren’t in class or the great hall. Wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“That's sweet. Thank you. I’m feeling lots better, but Gran won’t let me go to classes yet. She wants to monitor me and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

He slid the plate of food and your face lit up. Sweets and meats, your favorite.

“Figured you would be hungry.”

“Starved! Yet again, thank you.”

“It's what friends do,” he said with a nod. You smiled happily. Friends. You had finally made it to friends with James Sirius Potter. “I also brought notes. In case you wanted to copy them.” He pulled his notes from his bag and handed them to you. You grabbed it and started to flip through the surprisingly clean and crisp notes. This boy took better notes than you do. That was unexpected.

“Thank you, James! I was a bit worried I was going to be overrun again.” He shrugged and stole a swipe of Mashed Potatoes off your plate. You smirked at him but didn’t say anything.

He sat and talked to you while you ate and then helped you with homework when you set your plate aside and started to work on notes.

“Here. Like this.” He moved next to you up by the head board and held your wrist, showing you the proper hand motions for DADA. You tried to focus on the correction and not your burning cheeks.

Damn hormones.

“There you go. Now try it without a helping hand.” You shoved him and laughed.

“That was terrible!” He smiled crookedly, fixing his glasses.

“Yeah, but you laughed.’ You bit your lip and shook your head.

“You, sir, are utterly ridiculous.”

“Oh, I’m sir now.” He joked, settling back by your feet. You kicked his leg lightly. “OW! OH MERLIN SHE KICKED ME! I THINK MY LEGS COMING OFF!” He fell to the ground dramatically causing you to burst out from laughter and your stomach to continue to knot up over and over, but you couldn’t stop. He was twitching dramatically on the ground like a dork.

Madam Pomfrey came over and tapped her foot agitatedly.

“This is no place for fooling around, Mr.Potter. Either stay and behave or leave.” She turned and cast you a glance before walking away. You two burst out laughing when you heard her door shut. He popped back up onto the bed.

“So, what have you been up to? I've caught you up on all you’ve missed.” You just shrugged.

“Studying. It's really all I can do. She won’t even let me stand up.”

“Well that's no fun. You haven’t even been outside?”

“Nope. Her one rule is stay in the bed. Not allowed to stand, unless it's to go to the bathroom, which has to be the one in this room.”

“Why so specific.”

“Second year I went to the restroom, on the fourth floor on the other side of the castle.” James chuckled and looked over his shoulder.

“Well, how about we make her get even more specific?”

“What did you have in mind?” He snuck over to where the wheel chairs were and rode it over. A wide grin spread across your face.

“Your carriage awaits.” You laughed and quickly hopped in. He then ran, pushing you in front of him. You two ran through the castle laughing like mad people.

“What's this?” Fred asked, a smirk on his face as he and Erinie Longbottom came out of the great hall.

“Never thought I’d see you two get along, let alone laughing.”

“Mischief is mischief.” James shrugged and stood up on the back of the wheelchair.

“Madame Pomfrey has forbidden me from walking.” You explained. “James just wanted to get me into some trouble.” Ernie looked at the wheel chair, a slow grin spreading on his face.

“Why don’t we all get into some trouble then.” He cast a spell on the wheels on the wheel chair before making three more appear. “Now, you can control it on your own and so can we.” He sat down in his and went zooming off. You, Fred, and James watched with smiles on your faces. They quickly sat into theirs and the three of you chased after Ernie. Who knew you would become such quick friends with James and that would leave you to get into a bit of mayhem with him.

You four raced down the halls but all stopped abruptly by a tapping of a foot. You all looked up to see Madame Pomfrey standing there with her arms folded across her chest. You swore under your breath.

“Madame Pomfrey!” Ernie squeaked and fell out of his chair. “Uh, we didn’t see you there?” You shook your head at the lame excuse.

“Madame Pomfrey I-”

“You, with me, now.” You sighed and rolled after her. Waving bye to the boys. They waved back and watched you go.

“So.” Fred said with a smirk on his face. “Finally come to your senses?”

“Shut up.” James muttered, feeling a bit guilty that you were the only one who got into trouble. It had been his idea after all.

“I told you that it wasn’t a smart idea to get out of your bed!” Your gran scolded as she wheeled you into the Hospital wing.

“Technically you said I wasn’t allowed to stand up unless it was to use the restroom. I was not standing up, I was sitting down. And what's the big deal? I’m fine! It's almost over anyhow!” She groaned in frustration. “Gran, I’m in 5th year. I think I can make decisions for myself now.” She looked at you for a moment before sighing.

“Alright. But, you have to promise me, when you start to get bad you will come straight-Oh!” You hugged her tight around the waist and she patted your head.

“Thank you, Gran.”

“Yes yes. And you should be careful around that Potter boy.”

“Which one?” You asked cheekily.

“Now don’t you get cheeky on my young lady. You know what I’m talking about. Don’t you go falling in love with him. I’ve actually had girls come in because they said that he broke their heart. Like his name sakes,” she shook her head and walked away leaving you thinking.

You wouldn’t get a crush on James, would you? I mean, sure he was tall and cute and a dork with an adorable personality that kind of made your heart flutter. But that didn’t mean you- You smacked your head.

“Dammit. How could I have let that happen?” You muttered to yourself. You silently cursed your gran. You had been blissfully unaware and now you were very much aware that you had a tiny crush on James Sirius Potter. This ought to go over well.

Xx

Over the years you had only grown closer to James and his friends. Mostly James though. It was rare not to see you two together. You both would jam pack your schedules so you would have each other in classes. You knew he did it because of your cramps and how you didn’t really discuss it with anybody or like to bring it up. So when they got too bad and you couldn’t go to classes he would bring you your notes and help you study, like you didn;t help each other study any how. But now, now it was all going to change. You had passed your last year at Hogwarts and were now lying on your couch in pain. You had taken the potion your gran had sent you but the potion had seemed to do less and less over the years while James had done more and more.

You had a pile of letters in the corner that he had sent you. You two had sent back and forth non-stop, both of you now having your own separate apartments that were, sadly, not very close to each other. Of course, you could just apparate to the others house but you wouldn’t really do that on a daily basis, sadly.

You had sent him a letter the other day and found it weird you hadn’t gotten one in response yet, but you weren;t the most important thing in his life, sadly. As you and James had grown more attached, your crush on him had grown and grown and grown. Being away from him for so long, This was your first month, and knowing that you weren’t going back on September first to see him and your other friends was killing you. How could people live without knowing if they would ever go back to Hogwarts? It may sound cheesy and a bit cliche, but it was and forever will be your home.

There was a knock on the door as another wave hit you and now you had to stand up and pretend you were alright. You looked at your empty chocolate bag, you really should’ve stocked up after the last time.

You opened the door and leaned heavily on it as you looked up into the familiar glass covered eyes.

“James!?” He beamed happily.

“Miss me that much? We’ve only been out of school for about a month.” You chuckled and shook your head.

“You’re such a dork. What are you doing here?” He held up a abox.

“Figured you would have forgotten to restock since Hogwarts, like you always do.”

“How do you remember these things? And why would you want to?” You opened the door and let him in. He strode in and looked around your apartment. He wasn’t familiar with it yet.He set it down on the kitchen counter and jumped up onto it to look around the place, nodding in approval.

“Nice place.”

“You say that everytime you come over.” You said sarcastically as you grabbed the jacket you had thrown on the floor after work. It caused your stomach to cramp and you were stuck for a second because you were trying to breathe.

“Ok, couch, now.” James said, grabbing your arms and leading you over to the couch, setting you down and taking your jacket.

“James, you really don’t have to-”

“Yeah I do. Stay.” He left your side and went to the box. “Did you take the potion?”

“Yeah. Did nothing as usual.” You whined, he sat back down and opened the box, pulling out two candy bars and handing you one, like he always did, and keeping one for himself.

“Sorry, kid.”

“I am like a week younger than you!”

“A month and a half,” he corrected. You glared and bit into your chocolate, making him laugh and look around your apartment until his eyes landed on a moving picture you had put up. It was from the first year you two became friends. He walked over to it and took it off the wall. “You still have this?” You smiled.

“Of course! That was the first Weasley Summer I had! It was the best summer of my life!” You laughed lightly smiling at the memory of James trying to get you on a broom. And then you had crashed into four trees until you semi-got the hang of that.

“Didn’t you get a concussion from that summer?”

“Don’t know, wouldn’t let anyone check.” You laughed, your stomach cramping again, but not as bad as usual. He smiled and hung it back on the wall. He sat back down next to you.

“How've you been, though? You always sound like you're doing great in your letters.”

“It's been alright. Adult life isn’t terrible and my job’s pretty fun. I've been thinking about getting a dog.”

“Really?” He asked excitedly.

“Yep, and I was going to name it Sirius.” His face turned disappointed.

“You know, I brought you chocolate, you can at least be a bit nicer to me.” you giggled.

“I’m joking, I'm joking. But yeah. I do want a dog.”

“Get lonely up here already?”

“Definitely. How are you? You seem like you are having a good time in your letters. Var hopping every weekend.”

“You can join us. We’d love to have you hang with us.” You shrugged.

“Well, definitely not this weekend.”

“No, definitely not. Though you look like you could use a bottle of fire whiskey.”

“I need two.” He laughed and put his arm around your shoulders, you rested your head on his shoulder.

“I felt ya there.”

The rest of the night, James hung out with you. Chocolate and talking and radio and, when you were feeling up to it, he made you dance with him because he’s the biggest jerk in the world.

It was now near midnight and you two were on the couch listening to old muggle records because why not. You were half asleep on James’ chest. He was playing with your hair and humming along to the song. It was a familiar position for you two. Madame Pomfrey had once caught you two like this, though James had been the only one awake. She had looked at him and then at you back in sixth year.

“Be careful there, Mr. Potter. I do not want her getting hurt.” And then she turned and left. He had planned on telling you that morning, but the thought that he would hurt you in any way had kept him from saying anything. But now… Now he couldn't help it. The smell of your shampoo and the way you smelt like chocolate and… and he couldn't help it. This had been the most fun he had had since Hogwarts had left out. All because he was with you.

“Y/N?” He whispered, just in case you were asleep. He knew how hard it was for you to actually fall asleep when you got these cramps.

You hummed in response. Half asleep, but not completely. He took a breath.

“Can I tell you a secret?”

You hummed again.

“I love you.” He didn’t get a response this time and thought you had fallen asleep. He was a bit relieved that you hadn’t heard. The other part was a bit disappointed.

“What?”

Shit.

“I-I love you.”

You sat up and looked him in the eye. He knew this look. You were trying to detect a lie, he let you look. And boy, did you take your time.

“You-You do?”

“I do. I get it if you don’t in return but I just had to-” You grabbed his collar and pressed his lips to your quickly. His eyes widened in surprise before he quickly kissed you back. You pulled apart and both of you were smiling messes.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.” You said, biting your lip.

“Seriously?” He pulled back from you with wide eyes. You nodded nervously. “How long?”

“The first time you helped me, I guess. And I wouldn’t have even realized it if Gran hadn’t said anything to me.”

“You’re joking.” You shook your head.” He kissed you again, taking you by surprise.

“Why? How long for you?”

“End of fifth. I was going to tell you in sixth but…”

��But what?” You looked at him. “James…”

“Your Gran scared me.”

“What did she do?” You sighed.

“Nothing!”

“James, I am too tired, what?”

“She just told me not to hurt you.” You frowned and looked at your hands.

“And you planned to?”

“No! No no no no.” He pulled your face up to his and smiled. “I was scared that I might. I got scared that I would be the reason you were in pain. I didn’t want that. I didn’t even want to think that I would be the reason for that. So, I thought it was better to not do anything but be there for you.” You stared at him for a moment and bit your lip, thinking over and being completely touched. And you believed him. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“I-I was scared.” You rested your head on his shoulder to hide your face, embarrassed that your feelings had been reciprocated this whole time.

“Of what?”

You muttered something that he didn’t catch.

“Come on, I spilled my heart out to you, your turn.”

“That I’d lose the best friend I've ever had.” You muttered a bit louder. He heard this and couldn’t help the soft smile that spread across his face. He pulled you onto him and leaned against the arm of the sofa so you were on top of him. You looked at him, confused. You head was on his chest again and your eyes were fluttering shut again.

“You’re not going to lose me, Y/N.” He said with a smile. You smiled into his chest and wanted to say something but your mind was already powering down. You felt his lips press against your hair. “You won’t ever lose me. Good night, Y/N.” You murmured an incoherent goodnight, but he got the point and smiled before falling himself.

You woke up in the morning to smell the most wonderful smell you ever had smelt before… Bacon.

You groaned and sat up, a bit confused as to why you were smelling bacon. You thought it was just your mind at first and your mind wandered back to the dream you had had of James. You wished it were true. The kiss seemed so real, so perfect. You pushed yourself off the couch and your foot hit a box. Your eyes widened immediately. You opened it and saw a group of empty chocolate wrappers.

Oh no…

You turned around quickly and saw James’ back in your kitchen over the stove. Then you heard the sizzle of food cooking on your unused stove, since you were a wreck in the kitchen. ANd then you heard James’ humming. That wasn;t an illusion.

“James?” He turned around and smiled.

“About time you woke up. I thought you were dead for a little while there.” You pushed yourself off the couch and stumbled into the kitchen. “Coffee in the cup.” You looked down to a steaming cup.

“I’m not so convinced yet.” He chuckled and slid the food onto two separate plates handing one to you. “I didn’t even know that worked.” You muttered looking at the stove.

“Figured. You can’t cook to save your life.”

You threw a piece of bacon at him, which he gladly ate.

“Did you stay all night?” You asked half way through breakfast.

“I figured we should talk this morning.” You nodded and bit your lip. So it did happen.

“Right so we… kissed.”

“Yep.”

“Yeah.” The silence turned awkward.

“Ok, I’m just going to say it, then. I don’t know how much you remember but everything I said, I meant. I really do like you, Y/N.” You bit your lip and smiled.

“I-I think I remember enough to know that I have told you the same. And I-I meant it to.”

“Really?”

“Really, James. I meant it all and I really do like you alot.” You smiled. And he let out a sigh and collapsed into his chair.

“That is a huge relief.”

“Tell me about it. So what do we do now? What happens?”

“I think I'll ask you out.”

“And I obviously would say yes.”

“And then we go to a… quidditch game?”

“And I’d buy the snacks after arguing with you about money.”

“Right. And then I would completely sweep you off your feet when I book the stadium for afterwards and teach you how to ride more.”

“Of course, unless I blow you away with my mad skills.” He beamed.

“Which is very possible with the way you ride.” You laughed.

“So when would this hypothetical date take place?”

“Saturday at six?”

“I think I could be there. If you were to ask me, of course.”

“Well maybe I’m getting there.”

“Maybe you should hurry up before we spend another three years without each other.”

“Y/N, would you go out with me?”

“Yes.” You said smiling. He returned your smile with a crooked one of his own.

“Then I’ll pick you up here, and I am buying the snacks.”

“James you are no-pop-James Potter you get back here!” You yelled to the open air laughing as your best friend-boyfriend- apperated from your apartment.

You bit your lip and leaned on your hand.

You got a date with the boy you loved. And who would’ve thought it would all be because of a terrible time dealing with cramps?

[shiningsagittarius]

Why The Shilo Scene Is The Most Emotionally Evocative Scene In TMBS (In My Humble Opinion) And Why It Resonated With Me So Damn Much

While watching episode 5 of TMBS (The Art of Conveyance and Round-Trippery), the scene involving Constance solving the riddle given to the group by Mr. Benedict (25:37-27:41) became my favorite scene in the book-to-screen adaptation, and continued to resonate with me after the first season was over. It took me a while to piece together exactly why this scene moved me more than any other, but I think I finally have a few thoughts put together, which I will now attempt to sort through here.

Expectations For The Show

I think the first and most vital thought I have regarding this scene involves how my overall expectations and hopes for this adaptation have shifted. If you had asked me a few years ago what my perfect book-to-screen adaptation would look like (for any book), I would have said “a beat-for-beat adaptation with no changes to the source material” bar none. As the years have passed, however, I became interested in following how a book-to-screen adaptation is made. From this, I have actually come to appreciate some of the changes made to tighten the script, portray the worldbuilding, and develop the characters in a new and exciting way which stem from creating a television or movie script. (Some. Not all. But that’s another essay for another day.) If my interest no longer lies in seeing a 100% faithful adaptation, then, what exactly am I expecting to experience when watching The Mysterious Benedict Society? I asked myself this question, and the answer ended up being “I want this show to make me feel nostalgic.” As much as I wanted the show to make me feel nostalgic towards the book in general, I also wanted this show to bring me back to when I was reading the books for the first time. How did I experience the world? What did I think and feel? Evidently, seeing Constance solving the puzzle made me think about that time in my life and the endless imagination I had:

I used to play in my yard with my sister and kids from my neighborhood for HOURS. I happen to live in a rather woodsy suburb near a lake, so the environment Constance is in immediately started ringing bells in my mind

A lot of my pretend play was based on espionage and adventure and puzzle solving, which is partially why I adored these books so much in the first place

Seeing Constance alone, alongside the song celebrating an imaginary friend, brought back the bittersweet feeling of playing by myself sometimes, but learning how to enjoy it and even becoming a fan of occasional solitude

As I said in my review of the episode, these are life or death stakes for Constance, but this scene ironically brought me back to the happier, more carefree moments of my childhood. Of course, this scene is poignant beyond the personal connections I found. It is also a turning point for the audience’s perception of Constance.

Constance’s Character Development

Before this scene, I don’t believe there were any moments where Constance is entirely alone (at least, none that the audience gets to see). Throughout the show, Constance struggles with being taken seriously by her friends. She knows she is strong and more than capable of aiding the mission, but time and time again, she is passed over entirely or given menial tasks as her contributions to the team. Of course, she doesn’t help her case by insulting her friends or acting obstinate. It’s quite… contrary- she wants to prove herself to the society and help stop the Emergency, but she also puts a wall between herself and the rest of the team. This is why having her first scene alone be her reaction to the copper waves is so emotionally powerful. There she is, completely dwarfed by the statue, all alone. She looks up in awe, murmurs “It’s beautiful”, and wipes away a tear. In my opinion, there’s two ways to interpret this reaction:

She truly thought the statue was ugly earlier, and needed some time to appreciate it, artist-to-artist

Or,

She was putting up a front earlier to avoid being perceived as “weak” by Kate

There’s certainly enough evidence for either conclusion, but I tend to lean towards the latter myself. This scene takes place about halfway through the first season, so it would make sense for a shift in how the audience perceives Constance’s characterization to occur at the midway point. We see her open up to her friends more in the last episode, but this moment sets the precedent for those bits of emotional honesty to occur. In fact, this scene also sets a nice precent for her solo mission in the next episode, where she once again proves herself to the society. However, this scene has something that her solo mission does not.

Shilo (by Neil Diamond)

The lyrics to this song are placed perfectly with each part of the scene, and I wouldn’t expect anything less. Let’s break it down a little bit:

Dreaming each dream on your own / When children play / Seems like you end up alone

Once again, this is the first scene where the audience has had a chance to see what Constance is like on her own. It highlights her sense of isolation from the rest of the team, and implies that this might not be as voluntary as she lets on. She even has to finish solving this puzzle alone, as the other society members seem to never truly consider her capabilities when deciding how to approach a problem (except Reynie on occasion)

So you turn to the only friend you can find / There in your mind

This lyric further displays Constance’s solitary nature, but also gives some subtle foreshadowing of her psychic powers

Got to go and I know that you’ll understand / I understand

She has come this close to solving the puzzle, and now effectively “understands” it. (I mean, just look at her face when the song says “I understand”) However, the song doesn’t stop here, as she continues to try and figure out how to activate the panel. So, she doesn’t understand as much as she thinks she does.

Overall, it’s a perfect song to drive this scene forward (and it’s very catchy, too).

TLDR;

This scene is emotionally impactful to me personally because I was able to make connections between this scene and my childhood. It is also emotionally impactful to a wider audience, as this is the first peek into Constance’s psyche. The music and environmental storytelling used to craft this moment is masterful. It fulfilled my desire for the show to make me feel nostalgic. Also, it’s a turning point for the show to start revealing more of Constance’s emotional vulnerability. (And it makes me tear up each time I watch it, so there.)