#from mid calf to my toes. a rough few weeks there

[steampoweredskeleton]

.

Ignore

[buckleysjareau]

this has been living rent free in my head pls go crazy with it

eddie trying to patch up buck’s wounds after he’s slightly injured on a call and buck saying he can do it himself, maybe eddie saying “well i’m willing to take care of you, i want to�� at some point

unconditional, unadulterated / 1.8k  you did tell me to go crazy... 

It happens just as there’s a flashover. Buck just barely makes it out the front entrance of what used to be a two story home when the flashover happens and thanks to the adrenaline, there’s only a dull pain in his calf from landing on it rough during his escape. Even as Hen asks if he’s hurt anywhere, the ache— he wouldn’t even call it a pain— wasn’t even enough to mention. 

As the adrenaline wears off, though, he realizes that it’s a little more than just an ache. It starts to hurt a touch more even as it’s resting on top of his turnout coat placed on the floor of the truck. It sucks but it’s manageable, nothing he hasn’t dealt with before. He only has to finish out the last hour of his shift then he can go home and ice it. 

His optimism is dulled when the instant he puts pressure on it to walk he has to bite his tongue to keep from screaming at the pain that shoots up from his ankle to his knee. He swallows any more noises of discomfort as he tries not to noticeably limp to his gear rack, already knowing he’s not in the mood for Bobby to scold him for hiding an injury. 

Which he’s not. He doesn’t think there’s any reason to say anything because he wasn’t injured. He was told that he’d might have pain flare ups for the rest of his life, this wasn’t new to him. 

Except for the fact that it wasn’t a random flare up. He’d irritated an old injury by landing on it hard and there was a possibility, a small one, but still a possibility that it was injured. Finding even the thought of going to the hospital right now less than desirable is what’s keeping him from speaking up about the possibility. 

“You alright, man?” Eddie’s voice pulls him out his head and it’s only then he realizes just how rough his breathing is as he tries to toe off the other boot. 

He forces a smile that he hopes doesn’t resemble the grimace he thinks it does. “Yeah, never better. Tired though, that one took a lot out of me.” 

Luck must be on his side tonight because Eddie doesn’t push him. There’s a little bit of disbelief in his eyes but he doesn’t push it. 

Thankfully there’s no calls in the last hour of his shift and he didn’t have to move his leg until it was time to clock out. The desire to be home, in his bed, with his leg iced and elevated was almost immeasurable. He’d spent the last hour of his shift internalizing the worry that something could be hurt and if this shift alone wasn’t enough to fully drain him, the overthinking definitely helped. 

He looked around him to see if anyone was around to catch him letting his guard down enough to limp and breathed out a sigh of relief when the only two people down there were people coming in from B shift. As he gets dressed into his civvies, he takes advantage of the empty locker room to openly wince and hiss whenever he’d put pressure on his leg. 

He grits his teeth mid groan when Eddie walks in. 

Please don’t say anything please don’t say anything please don’t say anything

“Hey, do you wanna follow me back to my place? Christopher has been dying to show you his new video game.” Eddie pauses before he smirks. “Well, I think what he said was more along the lines of he’s dying to crush you at his new video game.”

He wants to say yes, more than anything, but he just didn’t have the energy to pretend his leg wasn’t on fire the rest of the night. 

Buck sighs. “Any other night I would, you know that, but I really think I just need my bed tonight.”

Something flashes in Eddie’s eyes but disappears quick enough for Buck to decipher it. “If there was something wrong, you’d tell me, right?” 

Buck tries to reason with the guilt that comes when he promises Eddie that he absolutely would tell him if there was something wrong because it wasn’t a lie. Nothing was wrong, he was just in a little bit of pain. Like he kept telling himself, it wasn’t anything he hasn’t dealt with before. 

The effort it took not to limp or cry out in pain as Eddie walked out with him was enough to drain him for the rest of the week. 

And even as he wants to just cut off his own leg at that point, he can’t stop his heart from fluttering or his cheeks from reddening when Eddie waves at him as he drives away. 

He focuses on the way Eddie makes him feel soft as he drives home instead of how bad it’s going to feel to walk up the stairs to his bed. It’s enough to get him home but by the time he’s unlocking his door, he’s out of breath from the walk from the elevator to his door. 

He’s four steps up when the pain just becomes too much and he yells out as he collapses on his stairs. 

As he squeezes his leg in hopes the pressure will help ease the pain he wishes he’d told someone he was hurt. He regrets not telling Bobby when he’d noticed it was more than an ache.

What if it’s another clot? It could very well be a blood clot, he’s been off of the blood thinners for a few months. Oh my God, Maddie is going to be so pissed. 

He vows to never hide an injury again if he lives through this. 

Then he realizes that the pain lessens just a little and he thinks maybe he can calm down because the pain that came with blood clots didn’t tend to simmer. Maybe he’s not dying and maybe the worst of the pain was over. 

He’s too focused on massaging the pain away to hear the door open or the footsteps that made their way to him. 

“I knew something wasn’t right.” 

Buck startles, head snapping up at the sound of his best friend’s voice. When did he get here?

“Eddie? Why are you here?”

The brunette shakes his head, paces twice, then kneels in front of Buck. “I knew you were acting weird after that call. I saw the way you landed on your leg.”

“I’m,” a painful jolt that shoots up his leg cuts him off. “I’m fine, Eds.” 

Eddie scoffs. “Yeah, you look real fine.” 

“Not fake fine?” He can’t help himself from replying, grinning at the exasperated look on Eddie’s face.

He rolls his eyes before he stands and grabs onto Buck’s elbow. “C’mon, up you go!” 

“No, no, Eddie… I can’t walk on it. Not like this.” 

“You don’t have to. You’re gonna lean on me, okay? I won’t let it touch the floor.” He holds out his pinkie and Buck can’t stop the blush rushing to his cheeks at the treatment. He braces himself as he uses his upper body strength and Eddie as leverage to stand. Eddie threw his arm over his shoulder and gripped his side to keep him upright. 

“Good?” 

“Good.”

The journey to get from the stairs to his couch is a bit rocky at first but Eddie keeps his promise to not let it touch the floor. 

“Now, do you have any pain medication you still take in case of flare ups?” 

“Uh, no, not anymore. I just use Tiger Balm usually but we’re shit out of luck there. I ran out the last time this happened.” 

Eddie’s expression softens, a grin adorning his face as he pulls something out of his jacket pocket. “Maybe not.” 

He holds up a thing of Tiger Balm and if Buck wasn’t already in love with Eddie Diaz, that sight alone would have done it. 

Eddie picks up on Buck’s expression before he can even ask the question. “Like I said, I knew something was off after the way you landed on that call so I stopped at the drugstore before I came here.”

Don’t tear up don’t tear up don’t tear up 

Instead of handing it to Buck like he expected him to, Eddie is careful as he sits on the couch next to him and motions for him to move his leg towards him. 

Buck scoots back and carefully moves his bad leg to rest on the couch instead of his coffee table. Eddie takes special care not to hurt him more than he was already hurting, whispering apologies whenever Buck winces. By the time he’s done maneuvering his leg it’s bent at the knee and the area where he feels the most pain is closest to Eddie. 

“Does this feel any worse?” 

Buck just shakes his head. 

Between the soft look on Eddie’s face, his tender touches, and being so attentively cared for, Buck is left speechless. 

“Eddie… you don’t have to do this. I can do this myself.” Buck has to stop himself from moaning when he massages a certain spot. “You should be home with Christopher.”

“I don’t have to, but I want to, okay?” 

The way he says it is so tender and Buck’s heart flutters in his chest. 

“Eds, that’s sweet, but you really don’t have to do this.”

Buck tenses when Eddie’s hand finds his and rubs a thumb over his knuckles that completely relaxes him. 

“Buck, I’m willing to take care of you. This isn’t a hardship for me, okay? I want to do this, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. You always take care of me and it’s about time I return the favor so… let me help you?” 

No amount of yelling at himself not to tear up stops the tears from blurring his vision. He’s so used to taking care of himself, he’s so used to dealing with the all encompassing pain alone and he never let himself feel the want of someone to care for him so he didn’t have to. Not until now, not until Eddie. 

Eddie abruptly stops rubbing his leg and Buck whines at the loss of contact. “Hey, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” 

Buck shakes his head. “No one’s ever cared for me like this before. No one but you.”

He doesn’t flinch when a hand cups his cheek using their thumb to wipe away Buck’s tears. 

“No one.” 

“Well you better get used to it, Buck, because I care about you. So much. You don’t have to suffer alone anymore, okay? Just say the word.” 

“I love you.” He blurts out. 

Even with his eyes screwed shut from embarrassment Buck can hear the sincerity in Eddie’s voice as he repeats the sentiment. 

His leg is long forgotten, the pain back to a dull ache. 

The only things Buck feels are Eddie’s lips on his and unconditional, unadulterated love.   

[sgtbradfords]

LOVE YOUR WRITING!♥️♥️♥️

I would love if you could write something with this phrase “I don’t want this.” but in a cute beautiful way maybe?🥺♥️ anyways, whatever you write will be perfect!

I hope you’re good with undercover!Chenford anon because that’s what you got! Enjoy my anonymous friend and thank you for the prompt!

Lucy Chen was going to be honest, she hated undercover operations. But, when Sergeant Grey had assigned her and Tim Bradford to go undercover, together, she bit her tongue and began mentally getting ready for the op. Lucy, now an official P2, and Tim officially the Sergeant for nightshift, had not worked together in months, only seeing each other coming and going, and the few times everyone was off at the same time.

Turns out Angela Lopez had specifically requested the two officers to assist, stating “They’re the only ones that will work.” And what six month pregnant Angela wanted she normally got. The operation was simple really, go to the park and people watch. Specifically, people watch for a major drug deal going down and not get caught. The meeting ended and both were redirected to their respective locker rooms, their undercover outfits already chosen for them.

“I don’t want this.” Lucy said, wrinkling her nose as she was handed a bag, pulling out the outfit Angela had likely chosen for her. The leggings were a soft dark blue tie-dye, reaching mid-calf, the sports bra she pulled out afterwards matching the leggings. “How do you even know my size?”

Angela shrugged. “I asked Jackson.”

Lucy changed, gesturing to the outfit that clung to her body. “And where am I supposed to hide a gun or cuffs in this?”

A small metal canister came flying at her. “Put this and your badge in your bra, your cuffs should fit in the key pocket in the back.”

Lucy grumbled as she began storing things in the places she could, lacing her tennis shoes before walking out the locker door.

Standing outside of the door was Tim, wearing a black muscle tee and navy athletic shorts.

“Not a word boot.” He glared. “Let’s go.”

They stepped out of the surveillance van thirty minutes later, five blocks from the park.

“I’ll move closer once you two get far enough away. Chase and Jones are on the basketball court, they’ll catch the person making the pick up, you two catch the drop. The deal is supposed to take place near the pavilion in an hour.” Angela told them as she pulled the door shut.

“So, what are we supposed to do, pretend like we’re exercising for the next hour?”

“Not today Chen, think of it as one of our morning runs with Kojo.” He told her as he stretched.

“But it’s already over 80 degrees out.” She complained, beginning to stretch.

“Would you rather it be over 100?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.

She huffed. “No. I just don’t see why they couldn’t have chosen an earlier time.”

Tim chortled. “Maybe because they’re criminals? Besides, crime goes up the first week the heat goes up.”

Lucy began doing sprints down the sidewalk, her hair falling out of its ponytail, bouncing in her face as she ran back and forth, becoming irritated she threw the long strands up in a high pony. “So what, we’re supposed to look like a couple out for their afternoon jog?”

“Pretty much.” Tim said as he jogged past her, waiting for her to catch up. “We wait until both parties have exchanged everything then we move in.”

They kept their strides even, though Lucy knew Tim could easily out pace her. Soon the park came into view, grass and trees vast and plenty, a large pond in the middle spewing water with a few children standing near, feeding the ducks, a basketball court and playground on the other side was just barely visible.

They entered the park, keeping a steady pace as they ran, making one and then two laps. On the third lap, Lucy found herself getting bored.

“Last one to that tree, has to buy beers.” She said pointing to a large tree near the pavilion before taking off in a run.

“Hey! Chen! Come on!” Tim yelled as he increased his speed, quickly catching up to her.

Lucy laughed manically as she thought she had the jump on her former training officer. Tim caught her easily, both tagging the tree at the same time.

“I won Bradford!” she gloated, her hands on her knees as she attempted to catch her breath.

“Not so fast Chen.” He glared, lifting the hem of his shirt, wiping away the sweat from his face. “We got here together.”

Lucy opened her mouth to argue when a soccer ball came flying at them, Tim stopping the ball with his foot.

“Sorry!” a girl, no more than eight years old apologized, stopping a few feet away.

“No problem.” Tim said as he kicked it back.

“Thank you!” she yelled, running back towards a group of other children.

Tim and Lucy began doing a series of cool down stretches under the shade of the tree before Tim sat down on the grass, his back against the bark as he stretched his feet out in front of him. Lucy moved next to him, changing her mind at the last second and resting her head on his thighs.

“Lucy…” he warned.

Lucy turned her head, looking up at him as she feigned innocence. “What?”

“What are you doing?”

“We’re supposed to be a couple so, I’m doing the coupley thing and resting my head in your lap.” She told him as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, turning her head back to look at the leaves and branches above them

“And how do you expect to see our suspect?”

Lucy sighed, sitting up. “Fine. Are you happy now?”

Tim grunted, as Lucy moved next to him, her back against the bark as she rested her head on his shoulder.

“Wanna play I-Spy?”

Tim rolled his eyes. “This is a stakeout boot, not Where’s Waldo.”

“Cop eyes Bradford. I’ll go first. I spy with my little eye something… green!”

Tim decided to humor her, looking around before guessing. “The grass?”

“Nope.”

“That tree?” he asked pointing.

“Nope.”

“That tree?” he asked pointing to a different one.

“Tim…” she whined.

“Fine, that kid in the green shirt?”

“Which one?”

“Lime green?”

“Yes. Now, your turn.”

“I spy something… orange.”

“That basketball?”

“No.”

“That lady’s shirt?”

“Yes.”

“Really!”

“No. Give up yet?”

“Never. Ok, what about… that orange traffic cone.”

“Yes.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, it’s the orange traffic cone.”

“Ok, I spy… wait, your three o’clock, isn’t that our suspect?” Lucy asked, turning her head, smiling at Tim flirtatiously.

Tim glanced out of the corner of his eye before turning his head to Lucy, pretending to smile at something she said. “Looks like he’s heading towards the picnic table to our left.”

“Shit.”

“Do you trust me?” he asked, propping his right elbow on his bent right leg.

“Always.”

Tim leaned in, “Then please forgive me.” He whispered as his eyes glanced at her lips, his right hand softly caressing her cheek. Lucy gave him a questioning look as his calloused hand touched her, his body leaning in as his lips brushed against hers. Her eyes fluttered closed, her body leaning in towards his as her left hand came up, fisting the shirt beneath her hand, pulling him closer. Lucy opened her mouth, his tongue taking advantage as it swept over hers, the hand on her cheek moving, finding it’s way to wrap itself around her brown locks, pulling. Her toes curled at the sensation, a low moan finding its way out of her as he pulled back, the lack of his rough lips on hers slowly bringing her back to her senses.

“Holy fuck.” She whispered, opening her eyes, her hand still fisting his shirt as she fought to catch her breath.

Tim smirked, his own breathing heavy as he forced his fingers to untangle themselves from her hair, looking over Lucy’s shoulder, clearing his throat. “He’s dropped the bag. Let’s go.”

Tim stood, extending his right hand for her to take, pulling her up to her feet before intertwining their fingers together as they followed behind their suspect.

“Stop acting so stiff.” Tim mumbled, faking a laugh.

“Sorry.” She grimaced, mentally chastising herself to loosen up as she plastered a giddy smile on her face. “You just… took me by surprise.”

“I gave you a heads up.”

Lucy rolled her eyes. “Asking if I trust you then asking me to forgive you, are very contradictory Bradford. I don’t by the way.”

Tim frowned, glancing over at her. “You don’t what?”

“Forgive you. You can’t just kiss me like that and and-“

“I’m sorry Lucy.”

“Yeah well, I’m not Tim.”

Their suspect stopped, his tail doing the same, looking around at his surroundings.

“We’ve been made.” Lucy said, turning her body towards his, her free hand landing on his shoulder.

“I don’t think so. Ten o’clock.” Tim told her, nodding his head to the shop on the curb.

“That ours?”

“I don’t think so, check the bike rack on the back.”

“Great, now he’s spooked.” She sighed, as their suspect began walking away again. “He’s going to run.”

“He’s not going to run.” Tim said as the man picked up speed.

“He’s going to-“ No sooner had the words began leaving her lips did he take off in a run.

Lucy yanked her hand out of Tim’s, taking off in a sprint, her small stature and lack of duty belt allowing her to gain speed as Tim quickly passed her, his long legs carrying him further.

“LAPD! Stop!” Lucy yelled reaching for the pepper spray in her bra, her voice echoing off the passing buildings and cars.

It might have been the criminals footing or just pure luck when their suspect tripped, falling to the ground, scrambling to get to his feet as Tim took the man out at his legs, tackling him to the ground as he quickly sat down on the man’s back.

“You got a gun?” breathed Lucy, jealously in her tone as looked at the gun in Tim’s right hand that was pressed into their suspects back. “All I got was pepper spray.”

“Cover me.” He said as he pulled the right leg of his shorts up, exposing the thigh holster as he re-secured his weapon. With her free hand Lucy reached around, digging for the cuffs in the back of her leggings, pulling them out and handing them over to her partner. Tim leaned over, reciting the suspects Miranda warning as he latched the cuff on the man’s left hand before pulling it around back, his other hand reaching for their suspects right, pulling it back to latch the other piece of metal on.

Tim pulled his bodyweight off the man. “Roll onto your back and sit up, we’ll help you to your feet.”

The man grunted, doing as instructed as another person joined them. “I didn’t do anything! It’s not my drugs.”

Tim raised an eyebrow as Lucy helped the man up. “Who said anything about drugs?”

“Well done Sergeant Bradford, Officer Chen.” Angela told the two as they walked the hundred feet towards the surveillance van. “It feels good to get out from behind the desk, right?”

“Better than staring at the mountain of paperwork sitting on my desk.”

“Tell me about it.” She agreed, rolling her eyes.

A shop pulled in, Jackson West smiling from behind the wheel. “Nice tackle their sir.”

“I’ll be paying for it later.” Grumbled Tim.

The suspect turned his head back, looking between the two officers that had followed his foot chase. “So, do you two get paid to make out like that or what?”

Lucy blushed as Tim coughed. “We didn’t- It’s not like that.”

Angela and Jackson gave each other a knowing look as they loaded the arrest into the shop.

Lucy cleared her throat. “What about the other guy, they get him?”

The other two officers decided to let it go, for now. “Yeah, Chase and Jones were able to apprehend our other suspect and get almost a million in drugs off the street.”

Tim let out a low whistle. “That’s way more than we anticipated.”

“It is. Thanks again for your assistance today by the way. You two go load up and we’ll get back to the station.”

The rest of the day passed by in the form of reports for Tim and a lone domestic dispute for Lucy. Not that either was complaining, still feeling the burn and stretch in their muscles from their workout earlier.

Lucy had just finished pouring herself a glass of wine when a knock sounded at her front door. She abandoned the glass, not expecting company as she opened the spare drawer next to the fridge, pulling the gun out as the knocking began again, her finger undoing the safety before moving onto the barrel as she looked through the peephole.

Lucy sighed, her shoulders dropping as she undone the locks on the door.

“Tim.” She acknowledged as she opened the door, leaving it open for him to come in as she flipped the safety back on and placed the weapon back in the drawer.

Her company walked in, shutting the door behind him as he watched her move about the kitchen.

“You turn the safety back on?” he asked her as he kicked his shoes off.

She raised an eyebrow at his actions. “Of course.” She said, taking the glass from the countertop, lifting it to her mouth, taking a sip. “You staying?”

Tim hesitantly nodded. “Please?”

Lucy shrugged, stirring what was cooking in the pan on the stove. “Sure. Jackson’s not in tonight so they’ll be leftovers. Red wine and honey baked chicken in the oven with risotto and broccoli.”

“Smells good.”

“Drink?” she offered.

He shook his head. “Anything I can help do?”

“Nope.” She said pulling the chicken out.

“About today…”

“Is that what this is about? You coming here, just so you can spare me my feelings? I’m just going to stop you right there-“

“Lucy, wait.”

“Let me finish. I’m a big girl Tim Bradford. No, scratch that, I’m a woman. And I will damn kiss who I want to, even under other pretenses. I don’t regret what happened today and if we’re being honest with each other, today was a long time coming. I’m not meaning you and me undercover we’ve done that numerous times, I’m meaning you apologizing before you kiss the ever-loving shit out of me which I happened to enjoy more than I probably should have considering you’re here to-“

She found her rant cut short, the feeling of a hand on her cheek turning her head in the blink of an eye as those same chapped lips that were assaulting hers less than twelve hours ago, began attacking hers once more. It all happened too fast for her liking, him pulling back before she got to get acquainted.

“You don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to do that Luce.” He whispered as he pulled back.

Lucy smiled, loosely wrapping her arms around his neck. “Then why did you stop.”

“You were on a roll.” He told her, shrugging, his hands finding her waist.

Lucy rolled her eyes as her nails began to scrape over the hairs at the base of his neck. “What was I saying again?”

Tim let out a low laugh. “Hell if I know.”

Lucy slapped him on the shoulder before pulling back, his hands staying on her waist. “Let’s eat and then we can talk, I’m starving.”

“Me too.” He said, smirking as he let go. “But not for food.”

“Sustenance first Tim,” she said fixing a plate of food. “some of us haven’t had anything to eat besides an old protein bar - which I found at the bottom of my duffle mind you - since this morning and my stomach is about to eat itself. I require food Tim.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“Maybe.” She shrugged handing him the now full plate of food. “But do I need to remind you what happened last time you had to face a hangry Lucy Chen.”

A look of horror came over his face. “N-no.”

“Good.” She said fixing her own plate. “Now, sit and enjoy because I’ve had this chicken on my mind the entire day-“

“The entire day?”

“Ok fine, I was momentarily distracted by a lapse in judgement but most of the day then.” She said as a matter of fact, cutting the meat into pieces.

“Lapse of Judgement?”

Lucy glared, pointing at him with her fork. “Stop or I’ll start psychoanalyzing you. So, it wasn’t a lapse in judgement more like a really really really good idea that I am completely onboard with.”

Tim laughed “You are so weird.” He told her, sticking a bite of food in his mouth.

“You like it.”

Tim swallowed, staring his last rookie in the eye. “Yeah, I do. And just so you know, I am onboard for this too.”

Lucy could not help the smile that overtook her face. Neither knew, in that moment where this new road would take them, the only thing they did know? Was that it was going to be one hell of a ride.

[elsanna-shenanigans]

February Contest Submission #15: The Old House

words: ca. 6000 setting: 20th Century. Real world (with a twist) lemon: No cw: Some angst. Mentions of parent death. Referenced/implied child abuse.

“It’s time to go.”

She saw through the mist a hand, reaching out for her. Large snowflakes swirled past them like a swarm of puffy hens. The hand could not hold her. It slipped away. She called her parents’ names, or so she thought.

They found her moribund little body in the snow the next morning.

ᚼᛅᛁᛘᛦ•ᛅᚱᚾᚬᛏᛅᛚᛦ

Anna woke up with a start, chest heaving.

It was dark in the hotel room. Her roommate— partner?— stirred groggily next to her.

“Anna? What’s wrong?” Her raspy voice asked. “Was it another nightmare.”

“No,” she lied. “I’m sorry. Y-you can go back to sleep.”

She could feel Elsa’s eyes on her.

“What do you need?” She asked. Her voice spread warmth across Anna’s chest.

“…I could really use a warm hug.”

Next thing she knew, a pair of arms were gathering her into an embrace. She tucked her head under Elsa’s chin and sighed.

It would be a long day, it seemed.

ᚼᛅᛁᛘᛦ•ᛅᚱᚾᚬᛏᛅᛚᛦ

Arendelle was a small town on an island north of Norway. It was born as a fishing town in the 1890s and never changed its trajectory. Only a few dozen houses, a fish-oil refinery, the docks, one church, one school, one hotel, and an administrative building uphill. The people of Arendelle were rustic and gloomy, much like the weather they were brought up in: hail twice a week, snow in winter, and rain the rest of the time. In short: Arendelle hadn’t changed one bit since Anna left.

Being at the foot of the mountain, Arendelle’s surroundings were prone to avalanches, and the most recent one had taken place only a week back. It missed them by a few miles, but it opened up a door for archaeologists from the University of Bergen, who came to study what had been uncovered by the snow.

Anna wasn’t an archaeologist; she was a girl on a mission. She left while her grandfather slept, hopping into a cargo ship to travel north. Her passage was worth weeks of work. She hadn’t expected the sight of the town in the distance to hurt her as it did, so she kept her mind busy, and spent her days searching. 

The day things began to go downhill, she was, as always, searching for her parents’ bodies. 

She climbed up the mountains with her wooden stick and stabbed the snow with it, searching for something harder than mud. Bones, hopefully, although she was terrified of finding frozen flesh sticking to their cheekbones. The sky grew dark and cold, and Elsa would kill her if she arrived one minute too late, so she decided to turn back. She followed her own tracks towards the dig (where they let her sit by the ever-burning campfire as long as she wasn’t too noisy). The skeletal tree-branches rattled above. The wind whistled and swooshed sharply, blowing rough snow that clawed at her reddened cheeks. Her hands were numb even inside her pockets. Anna’s only comfort was thinking about Elsa’s arms around her. Not even the sight of Arendelle downhill quelled the chill.

Anna might be a born-Arendellian, but she grew up in the south of Norway. She was ill-prepared for the hostile North. 

However, if Elsa had taught her anything, was that even under the dark frozen sky there were objects of wonder.

As Anna trudged across the snow-sea which reached her mid-calf, something caught her eye. A narrow stone-wall led deep into the forest. Only two feet tall and falling apart already. Frost covered its surface. 

Her heart leaped. She deviated from her path without a second thought, legs racing, pulse and breath quickening with emotion.

The picture-stone came into view after. It lied deeper into the woods. A bow-shaped slab. Abstract ships, stick-people, reindeer herds gathered on it in a violent array of reds. Waves, antlers, and swords, a story carved in stone. A sacrifice.

And in the center, she found her.

There was something else to Arendelle.

“The Queen,” The hotel-butler had explained.

“The Queen of Norway?” Anna had asked, much to his amusement.

“No, the real Queen.”

The Snow Queen, who with her reindeer-pulled chariot cast a shadow of frost over every corner of the North. Her arms rose towards the sky, where her snowflake curled like clouds, like the winds she sent south. The slab was thirteen-foot-tall and rose high above Anna, with its depiction of the nordic spirit. Below her, was an inscription.

As it usually did, time halted. Anna’s throat dried, her eyes widened. She covered her mouth. She could no longer hear the sharp branch-rattling or wind-whistling over the sound of her own warm blood pounding in her ears. She no longer felt cold. 

She reached forward, tracing with a fingertip the carvings. 

The finds couldn’t be younger than seven hundred years old. Had it truly been that long? Oh, Anna could nearly feel the sculptor’s trembling hands, their warm breath. She placed a hand where someone else’s hands had once been. 

She searched for her journal inside her coat and scribbled down the runes she saw, as well as the stone and the wall she’d seen before.

Anna was no archaeologist— she wasn’t nearly smart enough—, but she understood why someone may choose this path. When she gazed upon this stone, it was as if there was no distance at all. 

The icy wind pushed against her, pulling her out of her haze. Yes! She began to stroll downhill. She’d prove her usefulness! She’d alert the scholars of the new find.

ᚼᛅᛁᛘᛦ•ᛅᚱᚾᚬᛏᛅᛚᛦ

Anna and the archaeologists were two land mammals sharing the same habitat, only, while they searched with brushes and trowels, Anna searched with a wooden stick. As non-competitive species, they often shared the same space, considering they knew her story. Anna wasn’t sure why the scholars tolerated her, but maybe it was because she and Elsa were a package deal now.

As soon as she reached her destination, Elsa threw her arms around her shoulders, kissed her cheek, and asked:

“Are you alright?”

She pulled back, anxious eyes studied her from head to toe. Anna’s heart always swelled with adoration when she heard that voice.

“I am,” she soothed her. “Oh, Elsa, you won’t believe what I found!”

“Wait.” Elsa tugged her towards the campfire and caressed Anna’s cheek with the back of her hand. “You’re cold. Come here.”

Soon, they sat on a log before the magnificent dig. A farmstead, they’d said. Stone walls and a half-rotten roof still mostly standing, surrounded by icy farming grounds where lamb bones were found.

The more awe-inspiring part, of course, was that a family had lived there. The farmstead was someone’s home. Elsa had described the findings in length: a family of three. All of them Christians, and funnily enough, also sheepherders. Thirteenth century. The settlement of Árnadalr lied many kilometers south, but this family lived in solitude.

Anna now wore an extra coat, held a mug of cocoa in her hands, and had Elsa fussing over her like a mother hen.

“What took you so long? You could get lost out there! And you left your scarf behind again. Here, let me find it.”

“Well, aren’t you a protective one,” Anna teased her, sipping her drink. Elsa’s pale skin flushed.

“It’s my job, isn’t it?” she muttered.

Before Anna could snort and ask what that meant, Professor Mattias, who was in charge of the dig, intervened to ask about Anna’s findings in the woods. Her enthusiasm immediately reassured everyone that she brought good news, and while they couldn’t travel at night, they still celebrated in the hotel. They cheered with vodka at the charcoal-sketch of the picture-stone Anna had presented. Yes, she’d made herself useful.

As they congratulated her, Elsa remained silent.

The hotel was so old, half the lightbulbs didn’t work. There was only one phone, and a dozen residents lined up every day to make their thirty-minutes calls and clog up the narrow smelly corridor. Each curtain was half-eaten by moths; you’d be wise not to put your clothes in the closet. Three stories of dusty light, creaky stairways, and dirty cracked windows. You could hear every neighbor from three doors away, and the ice clawed down from the roof into a fang-curtain before every window. They offered only one blanket per bed, but Elsa had provided Anna with a woolen quilt on her first night. That had perhaps been the first step towards falling in love with her. Between paying for both of them and giving up her own warmth, Elsa had extended unconditional kindness towards Anna from day one. Maybe they’d been doomed from the start. 

“They’re out of single rooms,” she’d clarified upon Anna’s arrival. “And I’ve been paying for an empty bed for the past week. Please, I insist.”

It might have passed as simple pragmatism had Elsa not been Elsa. It wasn’t only about her treatment towards Anna, no, but about how she’d treat a stranger in need, that made Anna lose control of her heart. 

She asked her about her silence, in the light of their whale-oil lamp (their room’s electricity hadn’t worked since the ‘30s), as she tried to translate the runes with her journal and a book she’d grabbed from the local library.

“Is everything okay, Elsa?”

Elsa was sitting on her bed, silently combing her hair. She wore only her slip, which was quite distracting, but she didn’t have the intention of getting into bed, despite looking so tired.

At Anna’s words, she tilted her head.

“Why? Are you feeling poorly?”

Anna snorted.

“I’m okay. Are you?”

“It’s nothing.”

Anna sighed. She closed the book and stared at Elsa.

“You never let me pull off this whole.. avoiding the subject thing,” she protested, and then extended an arm towards her, begging to come closer. A new anxious question settled on her tongue. “Are you…? Do you feel…? I mean, do you feel safe with me, Elsa? Like you can trust me?”

Elsa’s eyes studied her for one agonizing moment. She stood up. Well, they did only meet a month back. Weren’t they moving too fast? Her grandfather would certainly disapprove. 

“It’s not that,” Elsa murmured as she approached Anna. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and nuzzled the top of her head. She planted a kiss there, and Anna’s heart skipped a beat. “I do trust you.”

Anna saw her pale fingers brush over the pages of her journal. Her uncertain translation read:

This stone was raised in memory of Agðar and Iðunn, who met their end in their travels. Their daughter carved this stone.

“You’re becoming quite a good translator,” Elsa commented, and placed another kiss on Anna’s hair. Heat crept up to the tips of her ears.

“T-thank you,” she replied, as she ripped off the page and stored it in her folder, alongside all other translations and sketches she’d scribbled since her arrival: small runestones, illustrations of archaeological finds, and multiple petroglyphs of the Queen, all of which she’d shared with the archaeologists. “You’re an excellent translator as well! I mean, I suppose you are. You work at the dig, after all.”

Elsa hummed.

“I’m not an archaeologist. I’m only a volunteer.” she argued. “In fact, I believe you’ve been more helpful than me.” She flipped over a page. “The Snow Queen?”

“Oh! Uh, yeah,” Anna stammered. “Kind of a passion project.”

“For the Snow Queen?” Elsa raised an eyebrow. “Should I be jealous?”

“Well, legend has it she was single, right? Oh! Thy Majesty! Pardon my manners, but I shoult say thy bosom looks exquisite. Are thee by any chance in need of a shieldmaiden?”

A hand snaked around her waist. Anna shrieked as Elsa’s fingers dug into the sensitive spot. Between laughter and screeching, she curled on herself and tried to swat her hand away. 

“Come on,” Elsa laughed. “It’s getting late. And keep working on your performance. That’s not how people spoke back in the day.”

She ruffled Anna’s hair and strode back towards her bed, and— alright, she saw swaying her hips on purpose. 

Anna pulled her knees to her chest, placing her heels on the edge of the seat and hugging her legs.

“You said you grew up here, right?”

“More or less, yes. Why?”

“Oh, I was just wondering. About the Snow Queen, you know.”

“What about her?”

“…That’s what I meant to ask.”

Elsa sighed. She rubbed her eyes.

“Just… some fairy tale,” she dismissed it, with a wave of her hand. “To make children behave. If you were nasty, a monster would feel your frozen heart and take you to her palace.”

“Was it a nice palace, at least?”

“I wouldn’t know. I was quite obedient growing up.”

“Oh, excuse me.”

Elsa chuckled, and Anna’s heart fluttered with affection.

“I was!” she insisted, giving Anna a mischievous look. “But no. I don’t think it was a nice place. In fact, they say everything about the Queen was cruel and horrible. She never seemed like girlfriend material to me.”

“You think?” Anna asked. “I don’t know. Maybe she was lonely.”

Elsa cast her eyes down, lips curling into a melancholic smile.

“Well, I doubt even she could resist your charms.”

With a delicate finger, she pulled Anna’s hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. Now the heat was in Anna’s stomach, in her chest, in the way Elsa gazed at her with such an unexpected adoration, she couldn’t help but to raise her head and kiss her lips. Elsa sighed contentedly, her hand cradling the back of Anna’s neck. Her mind spun around as their lips brushed together. 

Then Elsa pulled away, with a pensive expression. She bit her lip.

“Tell you what,” she said, grasping Anna’s hands. “Come with me tomorrow. I want to show you something.”

Anna grinned. That was good enough for her. She’d wait for Elsa to speak in her own terms and time. 

ᚼᛅᛁᛘᛦ•ᛅᚱᚾᚬᛏᛅᛚᛦ

“That’s the thing,” she remembered her grandfather say, when she was seven. “I doubt they got lost. We would have found the bodies by now. I bet the reason they’re gone is because they didn’t want to deal with the responsibility, so they thrusted it on me.”

Anna woke again. Her hands trembled.

That had been a lie. 

That had to be a lie. 

He had always lied, hadn’t he? Maybe he just despised her.

Yes, she’d find them and prove him wrong. 

They loved her. They were dead.

Thankfully, Elsa wasn’t disturbed by her pathetic dreams. Anna was surprised she still put up with her, but it was better not to take risks.

She grabbed her coat and got ready for the day.

ᚼᛅᛁᛘᛦ•ᛅᚱᚾᚬᛏᛅᛚᛦ

Elsa guided her through the lonely snow-sea of the mountains in the dark winter morning. The Queen seemed to have it against them, because she blew her snow all over and made them struggle to climb up the hills. 

“Um… Elsa? How much until we get there?” Anna asked, as she could no longer feel her toes.

“Not much,” Elsa absently replied. Her eyes drifted all over the hills. She grasped Anna’s hand and pulled her along. 

The cliffs overlooking Arendelle were a dark shadow in the distance, but they gained definition as both women approached. They didn’t draw a 90 degrees angle with the ground— rather, the earth elevated slowly, in bumps and rocky points, rising like a heavy breath towards the cliff’s foot. It was a rather secluded spot, where the snow didn’t hit as harshly. There they could rest until the time to search came again.

Yet Elsa had other plans. She toiled forward, along the cliff-wall, until the runestones came into view.

Blood-red lines coiled around the edges of a small stone plate, only half as tall as Anna herself. It protruded from near the foot of the cliff, high above. They exchanged a quick look.

“Can you read what it says?” Asked Elsa. Anna cringed thinking about her rune-reading skills.

“I can try?” She vacillated. Looking up, she read: “…Sif and Afvaldr erected this stone in memory of Nafni, son of Ulfarr, father of Afvaldr and husbandman of Sif, who met his end fighting the snow.”

Her heart skipped a beat. She saw Elsa grin from the corner of her eye.

“Anna,” she tugged at her hand. “Look.”

Anna followed the direction of Elsa’s finger, and saw extending into the distance a trail of stones with engravings on them. Small, big, at some points more spaced out than in others. They followed the length of the cliff-wall like a series of little stars, so tiny under the mountain’s shadow.

Anna’s throat tightened with emotion. 

She stepped towards the next stone. This one had a cross on it.

“Feykir and his daughter, Esja, had this stone raised in memory of Rjúpa, Feykir’s wife and Esja’s mother, who was taken by the wicked snow. May God help her spirit.”

This one was close enough to touch. Anna traced the edge of the cross with a finger. 

“How did you know this place?” She asked.

“Oh, you know.” Elsa shrugged. “This is my home.”

Many of the stones were cenotaphs, Elsa explained. No one was buried beneath this soil, but they might as well be, because each of these people, with names and loved ones, felt only a breath away.

“Bersa raised this stone in memory of Ilmr, her father’s sister. She was killed when trying to kill the snow.”

Anna’s breath grew heavier. She scrutinized these patterns, these strange writings, for several hours; they all dated to this wicked, living, killing snow.

Her heart vigorously pounded warm blood into her fingertips.

Then, she spotted a particular runestone. It was the greatest one of all, far away from the others, and it sported the same figure she’d seen only a day before; the Snow Queen with her arms towards the sky. Around her coiled a serpent with words on its skin.

In her blind excitement, Anna hastily climbed over rocks until she reached it. Elsa followed closely behind. 

“Do you know what it says?” Elsa asked when she reached her.

Anna squinted at the words. Its inscription was the longest she’d seen so far.

“It says… Agðar and Iðunn came from the south. It was with them that the snow came.” She stepped to the side, to read the following line. “It was their daughter that brought the evil, with which she could slay a hundred men in… Árnadalr? So… um… Crap. I don’t know what it says here.”

She turned around, expecting to find Elsa willing to lend a hand, but her expression was painted by an unexpected sadness.

Anna’s stomach sank a little.

“Elsa?”

Elsa lowered her head.

“It says they killed her,” she explained. Anna squinted.

“She was real?”

“So it seems.”

“The Snow Queen? No. That’s… too much even for Arendelle. Besides, vikings wrote a lot of weird stuff, right?”

“It’s what the stone tells.” Elsa pointed out. “I know I said it was only a tale last night, but…”

“Wait. Agðar and Iðunn?” Anna checked the names on the stone again. “Were they…? Oh, Elsa… She really was real. And her parents…”

“…Yes. Agðar and Iðunn were the names of the people who lived in the dig,” Elsa clarified.

“So, the Snow Queen… she…” Anna looked at the carvings in stone again. Despair seized her heart. “Oh, no, Elsa. She had a family. They… Oh, goodness…”

A family, yes, one the Snow Queen had missed very much, enough to raise a stone in their memory. To think about this loss, this pain that she thought she knew even if she wasn’t quite sure, tore her heart in half. 

Her eyes watered. 

“I don’t think she was a monster.”

There was… a long history of death and pain in that family, wasn’t it?.

She heard Elsa breathe behind her. 

“Anna, there’s…”

She dropped whatever it was she was about to say when she noticed the mist behind Anna’s eyes.

“I really hope I find my parents,” she murmured, then furiously rubbed her eyes. “D-did I ever tell you what happened to them?”

She could feel Elsa’s pain-stricken gaze on her.

“If that’s something you want to do, I’ll listen.”

Anna nodded. Her throat constricted. 

“There was a storm,” she recalled. “I don’t remember what happened very well. I-I can’t even remember their names, and my grandfather won’t tell me, and besides…”

“He won’t?”

“Yeah, so I think I got lost, because I couldn’t see them anywhere. Next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital. My grandfather adopted me afterwards.”

“But you’re the one searching for the bodies?”

“What can I say?” Anna shrugged and forced a crooked smile. “Guess he didn’t want to… unbury any painful memories.”

“He didn’t care to find his son?”

“…Or you could put it like that, too.” She wiped her eyes, looking down. “I think I’m beginning to understand him, though.”

Elsa squinted.

“How come?”

“Well…” She kicked the snow at her feet. “He told me once they’d left me in the snow. I like to think I actually got lucky, but I…” She shook her head. “I feel so selfish, Elsa. Like I want them to be dead, just so I can know they didn’t abandon me.”

“They didn’t,” Elsa blurted out with a thick voice. “Anna, your family loved you.”

“Then I shouldn’t be looking for them like this.”

Her voice sounded pathetic even to her.

She brought her hands together, and carefully leaned against Elsa.

“What are you going to do, then?”

She sucked in a ragged breath.

“I don’t know,” Anna admitted. “I don’t wanna go home. My grandfather…”

“Does he hurt you?”

“He’s never hit me.”

Elsa’s arm snaked around her waist.

“What will you do?” Anna then asked, trying to shift the attention from herself. “After the dig is over, I mean. You’ve lived your whole life here, right?”

“In a way.”

“Will you stay?”

That was a difficult question. Elsa could imply she’d leave her and neither of them would know, because Anna didn’t know what she’d do, either. Maybe she’d be the one to leave Elsa.

Elsa closed her eyes.

“I don’t know. Arendelle brings a lot of memories, doesn’t it?”

“It does.”

Then Elsa lowered her gaze. Screwed her eyes shut. She pulled away from Anna and wrapped both arms around herself.

“Let’s just go back,” she said curtly. Anna’s heart weighed heavily in her chest— from thinking of her family, from thinking about the Queen, from this sudden rejection—, but she respected Elsa’s space. Had she done something to scare her away? Oh, she surely must have.

They climbed down from the hills even though Anna’s toes were freezing. The mountains made her feel hopeless but so did the sight of Arendelle, and with Elsa walking several feet before her, not even glancing back, Anna felt as though there was no respite from this tired heaviness. She wanted nothing but to curl into a ball and sleep. 

Just before they entered the town, Elsa stopped.

“Anna… listen.” She began. Her tone made Anna’s shoulders droop. “I-I can’t keep doing this. We can’t.”

Anna’s heart quivered.

“W-what do you mean?”

“I mean… this has to end.” She raised her shoulders to her ears. Avoided Anna’s eyes. “I-I’m sorry. Goodbye, Anna.”

Her heart cracked open. Anna shook her head.

“What? W-why?” She shouldn’t feel this surprised. “Did… did I do something? I’m so sorry if I did. Just…”

The pain behind Elsa’s eyes was indescribable.

“No.” She interrupted. “It wasn’t you. Just… please. I can’t say it right now.”

Anna wanted to reply (to scream, cry, seize her hands and not let go), but words failed her as Elsa turned her back to her and entered Arendelle.

As simple as that, Anna was alone. 

She didn’t begin to cry until Elsa was out of sight, like a pathetic little child. 

ᚼᛅᛁᛘᛦ•ᛅᚱᚾᚬᛏᛅᛚᛦ

During her last night in Arendelle, Anna dreamed of her sister.

Yes, she’d had a sister, and even though she didn’t remember her name or face she remembered she’d loved her, once. She remembered holding her hand and running in the snow, building snowmen and drinking chocolate with her. The affection and tenderness lingered after, as if carved on stone.

ᚼᛅᛁᛘᛦ•ᛅᚱᚾᚬᛏᛅᛚᛦ

"Anna, wait.”

Her breath and heart came to a halt. Turning around, she found her standing there, in her blue dress and gripping a rucksack. Her expression was both serious and desperate; pained. She raised a hand as if to grasp Anna’s.

“Oh. Elsa,” Anna blurted. The need to cover her face nearly overpowered her. “Uh… Hello.”

Elsa took her acknowledgment as a cue to come closer. Two long steps and a stare, just for a moment; and Anna understood she didn’t know what she was doing, either. Did she intend to apologize for being brusque? Her approach seemed to indicate so. It wouldn’t be unlike her. Anna was willing to accept and move on if that was the case, but truth was, she didn’t deserve an apology when she’d been the one in the wrong.

However, Elsa looked anything but angry.

Rather, her blue eyes drifted over to the ship in port; the sea. Her throat bobbed up and down.

“I suppose we’ll be leaving in the same ship,” she pointed out with a lopsided smile. Anna tried to smile back. 

“Yep. So it seems.”

“Though I believe we’re early,” continued Elsa. “I was wondering if you cared for a walk in town.”

Anna looked to the side. 

“Elsa, I… don’t know.”

“There’s something I need to tell you,” she insisted. “I know. I know. Y-you don’t have to listen to me. But I promise I’ll explain everything, if you’ll have me.”

“Oh, Elsa, there’s nothing to explain,” Anna reassured her. “You just… don’t feel the same way I do. That’s normal. I’m not mad, you know.”

Elsa shook her head.

“That’s not it,” she insisted. “It's… more complicated than that. Actually, I’ve been meaning to tell you this ever since I found you.” She wrung her hands together and looked down. “I just hope you’ll believe me when I’m done.”

Regret and desperation were draped over her posture like a heavy cloak, dragging her down. Even when hurt, Elsa still made her heart skip a beat with every gesture of kindness, and this one was no exception. Both her lovestruck haze and her intellectual curiosity compelled her to give Elsa a chance. 

She picked up her bag and extended her arms to the sides.

“I’m all ears.”

Elsa’s grin reminded her of why she loved her. 

“Really?”

“Yep! One-hundred-per-cent. Now, hurry up!”

Elsa sighed in relief. She placed a hand on her chest.

“Alright. Come with me.”

She led her out of the port and into town. Despite having spent the last few months in Arendelle, Anna wasn’t eager to revisit it, but it was different when she knew that’d be the last time she’d see it. She spotted the playground where she and her sister had played (her big sis always hugged her from behind when they went down the slide, because it wasn’t fun going alone), and saw the place where they bought cod and salmon on the weekends. The little kindergarten she’d attended had closed down, but the building still stood. Most streets hadn’t been paved. Mud stuck to her boots. The sky was still white and cold, the houses dull, and the people as austere and uncaring as they’d always been. 

“When I was little,” Elsa began. “My family and I were hiding from a very dangerous man. Of course, I didn’t know that until I was much older. At the time it all felt like a game of hide and seek. We left the mainland, and when that wasn’t enough, we went even further.” She gulped. “We crossed a line that night, and someone else suffered the consequences.”

Anna bit her lip but didn’t interrupt. She feared any disturbance may break the spell and chase Elsa away.

“Anna, what do you remember from the dig?”

“There was a family. With a kid. The Snow Queen. And… her parents died.” Anna recounted. “Is that it? You were reminded of your family?”

“…I was, yes,” replied Elsa. “Anna…”

Was that it? Had it been a dumb case of miscommunication? Of course! She’d been so stupid. Neither of them had been in the right place back then, but now they were, and they could sort out the problem. Perhaps, Elsa didn’t hate her.

Only then Anna realized they were standing before the old house.

Her stomach sank. Her breath hitched and a shiver ran down her spine, mouth hanging ajar. She stepped back.

“Oh, no,” she heard Elsa mumble. 

The house was still made of wood, although it had lost its color. Two stories. A window was broken and so was one of the steps leading up to the entrance. From inside came the smell of dust and rust and rot.

“Anna?”

She looked at Elsa, and couldn’t find the words to beg or cry or scream, but she didn’t need to because Elsa didn’t ask questions. She held her reluctant gaze for a moment and then she nodded, stepped forward, and took Anna’s hand. 

She managed to hold her composure and lead Elsa inside. 

The house had been empty for thirteen years, and it had collected dust and spiderwebs over time. It still felt like home, though. A cold fireplace, where Mama often sang to them, or the rocking chair by the windows, where Papa sat to tell bedtime stories.

Anna’s ribcage unlocked with force. She exhaled shakily and blinked the blurriness away.

Elsa was dreadfully silent, but her thumb caressed Anna’s knuckles. This gave her the strength to climb up the stairs towards her old bedroom. The window was so dirty, you could barely see at all. Nearly all the furniture was gone, save for a pitiful nightstand.

“Anna?”

Anna placed both palms on the nightstand and screwed her eyes shut.

“W-would you tell me about your family? Please?”

She did not have a family to embrace her but perhaps she could bask in the comfort of someone else’s warmth.

“My father was a physicist. My mother was a historian,” continued Elsa. “A-and I had a little sister. Even then, I loved her with everything I was.”

The drawer was stuck. Anna struggled with it.

“W-we never meant to leave her behind.” Elsa’s breathing was laborious. “But there was a blizzard; a small avalanche. And she got lost. We tried to go back for her but it was too late. We’d already reached the other side.”

The wood made a horrible rattling noise, but it eventually gave in under Anna’s strength.

“To this day I still don’t understand how such a thing could happen. We spent thirteen years trying to go back, a-and my parents didn’t make it. The people in town saw something in me. They feared me, and I never knew why. I-I didn’t mean to scare them. My parents tried to find a way back, but they—they didn’t make it. I-I took care of them myself. Gave them a proper…” her voice cracked horribly. “T-they deserved to see her again, yet only three years later the very same window opened itself to me. I didn’t cross it. In fact, it crossed over me.”

Inside the drawer was a single photo frame. Anna picked it in her trembling hands.

“Elsa…”

“I was happy. I was back, after so long. And then I found my little sister, too. I can’t describe the way I felt when I saw her again, all grown up after thirteen years.”

Anna traced a finger around her sister’s childish face on the frame’s glass.

“Elsa, I…”

“But then, I began to feel… something else. I thought I was just… happy to have her back, even if I hadn’t dared to tell her the truth. But I was wrong. What I felt… scared me. I wanted to be with her all the time, but I couldn’t stand to look at her face. I felt disgusting. I-I still do.”

Anna put the frame down, and studied her sister from head to toe. The same blue eyes, snow-like hair. The same gentle features but also the same inner strength her broken little mind still remembered. Her thoughts were no longer made of words; she couldn’t hear them over the blood pounding in her ears— her heart would jump out of her chest at any moment. They had all come to a halt as her brain processed Elsa’s words. Her sister. Her sister, who had been away for so long, who was now back, who had taken care of their parents’ burial alone and who still made Anna feel like the most loved person in the world.

Her heart made up its mind. She threw her arms around Elsa’s neck.

“Oh, Elsa…” she breathed, and choked back a sob. “You’re not disgusting. Please, don’t ever say that. I love you.”

Her sister. She was back, from beyond time. She was the same girl who tucked Anna into bed back then. She’d taken care of baby sheep yet she saw herself through monstrous lenses. The Snow Queen, in love with her little sister, who one day vanished from her farmstead and was never seen again. Who raised a stone in memory of their parents, for people hundreds of years later to remember them. This girl with a quivering body, holding Anna in her arms.

A tear ran down Anna’s cheek.

“I realized that, regardless of how I felt, I would lose you again if I didn’t tell you,” Elsa whispered. “That’s all that matters. We can forget about whatever it is that I feel. That’s alright by me.”

Anna shook her head against her sister’s shoulder.

“Well, g-good thing it doesn’t have to come down to that, right?” Anna chuckled wetly. She slowly pulled back, and found her sister’s hands in hers.

“Even now that you know the truth?” Elsa closed her eyes. “No. It isn’t right.”

“What are you talking about? Elsa, can’t you see? I love you. I… will need some time to wrap my head around this, but… All these years, I thought I was alone, b-but I wasn’t! You and Mama and Papa were always out there. You were even searching for me! A-and now I have you back, and… Oh my Goodness, I got my sister back… A-and she’s in love with me.”

Anna hesitated for only one second. For some reason, she could believe her, almost without trying. Her sister, yes, it wasn’t normal, but after walking across time and back– after losing her for so long, normal was out the window for her. She wouldn’t lose her, in one way or the other.

“I’m sorry.” Elsa murmured.

“What? Elsa, have you met you?” Anna spluttered, then laughed. “Not everyone is lucky enough to say their sister loves them this much.” She stood on tip-toes and pressed her lips to Elsa’s— her sister’s— her family’s. The warmth that spread inside her body felt natural, and it did so even more when a hand cupped the back of her neck. She pulled back after a moment. “We have time to figure things out, Elsa,” she said. “Y-you’ll come with me, right? You’ll give me a chance?”

Her sister’s eyes brimmed with tears. Her hand tucked a strand of red hair behind Anna’s ear. 

“I’m scared, Anna,” she admitted. “I don’t know what I’m doing. But I’ll stay with you. I promise.”

Anna grinned like a lovestruck fool.

“We’ll figure it out together,” she reassured her. Then a siren came from the port, echoing through Arendelle. They exchanged a smile. Anna stole one more peck before Elsa could speak.

“Are you satisfied? Shall we go now?” Elsa giggled.

They made it outside the house, and once outside, the brightness blinded Anna for an instant. When she inhaled the fresh ocean air, she felt as if she could float. The damp, heavy odor of the house no longer clung to her lungs. 

She looked back. The house hadn’t changed. Its wood was still colorless and empty of life. It was completely empty.

“Anna?”

Her sister stood next to her, more beautiful than she remembered. She looked at her with all the love in the world.

The siren blared again.

Large snowflakes swirled past them like a swarm of puffy hens. 

Anna grasped her sister’s hand.

“Come on,” she said. “It’s time to go.”

[jiminspjm]

Save me + J. Jungkook

Slytherin!Jungkook x Ravenclaw!Reader

Genre- Slow Burn, Angst, Fluff, Smut (Hogwarts!au)

Warnings: Oral (Female) , Fingering, Spanking, Guks massive pp, The OC whines a lot, Rough sex, cock warming, a lot of cum oops, impregnation kink? Kinda, nipple play, bondage, dirty talk, name calling, very very brief hair pulling, did i mention spanking??, this is my first time writing smut pls be kind ;-; , is that all? For warnings? Also brief mention of injuries and brief peril

Word Count: 13.9k  (i am so sorry)

Early November air whipped around in gusts of wind on the castle grounds, and all through the corridors. You pulled up the blue and muted grey scarf tighter around your neck- your nose was turning red due to the harsh cold. Pulling your dry hands into the sleeves of your large grey jumper, you kicked a loose stone with your high top converse. The black and white shoes were an early gift from your parents. Chilly air poked through the holes in your jeans, as you walked down the steps towards Hagrid’s cabin. The messenger bag slung around your body slapped lightly against your hip as you jogged across the damp field of grass and through the familiar garden of the giant.

Bowing slightly to Buckbeak- the hippogriff in which you adored, you rapped your knuckles lightly against the large, wooden door. Hearing a few heavy footsteps, the door then swung open revealing a very overly dressed Hagrid- in an atrocious orange tie.

Holding back a giggle, you looked up at the man and smiled.

“Hello Hagrid,” you said in a quiet voice, rocking back and forth on the heels of your feet.

“Y/n! How are yer? Come in it’s freezin’,” He said in his deep voice as he opened the door wider to allow you to come in. Shuffling forward, you walked into the small hut; warmth immediately. Fang sat in the corner, a deep nasally snore coming from him.

“Aye sorry I can’t stay long, but I appreciate ye watching Fang while I am away fer the week.” Pulling the scarf away from your neck a bit you shrugged.

“You know you never need to ask Hagird. I am always happy to watch Fang, and besides this is important for Buckbeak, and you of course.” You said sitting in one of the large rocking chairs, feet barely touching the ground.

Nodding vigorously, “Ah- always so kind ye are, aye should be back in two days.”He stated grabbing his umbrella and various parchments. Nodding you smiled and gave a thumbs up. Closing the door, it was just you and silence.

Oh and well Fangs constant snoring of course.

The sound of Fang’s insensitive barking startles you to awaken. Jolting from your sleeping position on the large pillow by the fireplace, which was now dimmed and only auburn embers remained. Sitting up, the astrology book in which was in your lap fell with a soft thud, pushing your messy hair out of your face, you blinked a bit rubbing your eyes behind your large circular glasses. The lavender marble frames- in which you only wore alone- fell on the dip of your nose. Hastily pulling them off, you grabbed your wand and whipped your head over to fang.

“Fang!”, you whisper shouted, getting up of the floor, the array of blankets tangling in your feet as you struggled to get up. He continued to bark inquisitively at the closed door. Furrowing your brows you walked over the gripped the brass knob; holding the over sized mutt back a bit. Peeking your head out the door- the garden was dark, the sky lit only by the full moon and stars. Torches lit the castle grounds above the slope of the hill, which were a bit blurry due to your lack of glasses. The Whomping Willow was silent, branches moving with the slight breeze. Scanning the garden once more, something seemed off. 

Barely stepping out the door, Fang quickly took the opportunity and sprinted between your legs making you lose balance and fall forward onto the damp ground. 

“Oof,” was the sound that came out of your mouth as you fell face first on the dirt. Pain shot up your nose briefly, not having time to register the damage to your body you quickly rolled over and looked to see Fang running towards the Forest. Eyes widening you ran towards him in a jumble of limbs.

“Fang! Fang stop!”, shouting desperately at the dog as you unknowingly ran into the danger of the forest. 

Trees blurred past you, the dark mingled behind the wide trees as they casted a shadow over the moon. 

“Lumos!” you said as you ran forward more, and more until your lungs hurt, shouting the dogs name multiple times. After what felt like hours, you found Fang in an opening by a frozen lake. Coming to a stop and huffing a bit, puffs of the chilly night came out, pinching your cold cheeks.

“Fang thank good-,” You stopped, mid-sentence with your mouth wide open, multiple wolves surrounded him. The grimy, grey fur, slick with dirt and dew. There were about 7 of them, all teeth bared and growling at the other dog before them. Shaking a bit, you opened your mouth and thought nothing came out but oh boy you were wrong.

“Hey! You mutts!,” the growling stopped momentarily as they whipped their heads towards you, mouth pulled back once again into a snarl. Pulling a dung bomb from your pocket, thank god for Ron’s brothers; you held it in-front of you. “Come and get me.” 

Throwing the bomb onto the ground, it went off into an abyss of thick smoke, as you ran the diagonal through the smoke and around the pond. Snarls and whines emitted from the haze. Running pass the smoke with ease, you spotted Fang running the other way.

“Fang!” Immediately he stalled from his running and shot over to you, running beside him and halting for a second- breath ragged. 

“Fang! Go please! Go get help!” you pleaded with the dog then you continued to run deeper into the forest, the dog stalled and whimpered-but immediately retraced back sensing the distraction was clearing up and the wolves weren’t happy. 

Hearing his paws run the opposite direction, you continued to run and didn’t stop. The wolves weren’t too far behind you, hearing the leaves and rock being kicked up from the ground. Tears welled your vision, 

“Reducto!” You cried as a burst of white fell from the tip of your wand, blasting into a tree, turning back for a split second- the dead tree narrowly missed the wolves as they were still on your trail. 

Shutting your eyes briefly you willed your legs to go a bit faster, the back of your shoes nearly hitting your thighs as you ran to anywhere.

Please. You thought. 

Distracted by your thoughts, the wolf behind you took advantage of your distraught and pulled the back of your pant leg, biting in the skin of your calf. 

A scream ripped through your mouth as you fell forward onto the ground, your illuminated wand dropping in the process. Hands grabbing the earth beneath you, as the wolf held onto your leg and dragged you across the ground. Eyes welling with tears, you thrashed and kicked and screamed. The last bit of adrenaline hit you as you kicked the wolf in the face, his grip loosening as you launched forward and made a strangled grab for your wand. Vision going fuzzy, your hands barely grazed the cool wood before the wold pounced on your back. Screaming in agony you tried to push it off you but it snarled and bit at you. Flipping onto your back as you thrashed your head back and forth to avoid getting bitten, with the little strength you had you pushed the wolf of you- not before it got a clean slash against the smooth expanse of your cheekbone.

A sob ripped through your throat as you stumbled and pushed back on the heels of your shoes. The growling intensified as you looked up to see a jet black, figure jump above you- teeth bared and the matted fur was the last thing you saw as you held up your hands in front of your face. Eyes held shut for the second - feeling the dingy fur brush your hand for a split second, then it was gone.

“Stupefy!” a voice echoed through the abyss of the forest. A whine ripping through the air as the wolf fell off to the side of you. Multiple spells were being shot, but you kept your arms blocked in front of you. What felt like hours, eventually the snarling and the voice stopped.

Silence.

Breathing heavily, you removed your arms from your face, mouth parted as you looked at the carnage before you- wolves all laid on the damp forest floor. Scooting back a bit you felt dizzy all of a sudden- the adrenaline finally wearing off as you became fully aware of the dull ache in your calf. Eyes fluttering shut, your body began to submit to the spots darkening your vision. 

“Shit, y/n!” it was the voice again, shaking your head a bit, you felt a dull thud in the back of your skull. A few seconds passed and then large hands cupped your face, blinking through the pain you looked up at your savior.

“Jungkook?” You said with bewilderment in your voice, your words slightly slurred. You could somewhat make out the outline of his sharp jawline and smooth skin in the dark but other than that you only heard his voice. 

“Hey, y/n stay with me, c’mon,” he said, lifting you up into his embrace. Warmth immediately enveloped you. “C’mon love, you can make it,”

“Jeon.” You whispered.

Before the spots intermingled and made darkness. 

--

Slowly blinking, you began to open your eyes. The morning light blinded you a bit as it shone through the drapery-little flecks of dust falling slowly in the light. Blinking a few more times you woke up. Rubbing your eyes, you looked up at the rafters, the light oak cris-crossing. Confused you sat up but immediately regretted your decision, feeling lightheaded. 

You were in the infirmary, the smell of disinfectant welcomed you. Blinking a few times, you then recalled last nights events, sparking through your mind harshly. 

Fang.

Wolves.

Bite.

Jungkook.

Shuffling slightly between the thick, off-white sheets, you pulled the covers off your legs, wincing a bit as you looked at your calf. It was wrapped in thick, white, bandages, making it hard to move your leg. You peered down at it and wiggled your toes a bit. 

Well those still work at least. 

Looking around you, the privacy stands were up around you, even though it seemed as if you were the only student present. Looking at your bedside table, a glass of water was present. Grabbing the cool glass between your finger tips, you quickly drank it, the coolness settling in your throat. Pulling the cup away from your mouth you set it down on the table. Well almost.

The gods decided to fuck you over and of course you miss that inch off the table and the glass shatters on the floor. The sound resonated a bit loudly through the infirmary. Squinting a bit, you didn’t want too make a fuss and call for help, you got up carefully out of the bed. The morning air nipped a your bare legs, the blue hospital gown fell slightly off your shoulder, as the material went down below your knee. Hobbling on the uninjured foot- you bent down and began to pick up the shards of glass. Wishing you had your wand you knew this could be an easy fix but again, the gods hated you this day.

About to pick up the last shard, a quiet tug of the privacy stand doesn’t make way to you ears. The doe-eyed boy looks at you in amusement. Clearing his throat for a second, he grabs your attention.

You squeak and whip around, the glass falling from your palm. Your hands grip the table behind you, as you look at the young man who now stands in front of you. Your eyes are wide, as you take in his appearance.

Clean black and white converse, lead up to black slacks held up by a black belt. A green and silver turtle-neck sweater hugs his muscular figure well, which is under a white medic coat. Rings adorn his veiny hands, as it grips onto a clipboard. Looking up at him, his hair is black and wavy, slightly falling into his eyes. The circular glasses rest on his pert nose. 

Blinking again, you feel warmth creep up your cheeks. As you blink for what it feels like the millionth time. 

Jungkook grins his bunny looking smile at you. Cute. 

All of a sudden, you feel a stinging sensation on your cheekbone, flinching you bring your fingers up to it. What the-!

Footsteps stride to you quickly, looking up Jungkook grabs your hand and pulls you forward, yelping at the sudden intrusion, you lose footing on your bad leg and fall into him. His hand holding the clipboard drops it on the bed, as he makes haste to stabilize you. 

“Whoa,” he says a laugh bubbling in his throat, as his large palm grips your waist and lowers you on the bed. Blinking again, you look at him as he still holds your wrist in his hand.

Looking at you intently, he grazes his finger tips on your jawline as he turns your cheek; his bottom lip in between his teeth. You feel a warmth creep up your neck, as you cast your eyes down from his look. 

Sighing, he excuses him self for a moment. Confused you wait patiently as he returns with a swab and a bottle of some sort of oil. 

“Sorry love,” he mumbles dipping the swab in the minty smelling oil, “this is gonna sting a bit.” 

Nodding, you hold your breath from the nickname he says to you but as well as the quick pain that you are about to feel. He shuffles forward a bit and dabs the cool oil on the cut. Biting your lip as you whimper a bit, he mumbles a ‘sorry’ and hurries.

Looking up at him as he finishes, he smiles at you, heat fills your cheeks again. Geez woman get a grip. Clearing your throat, you speak for the first time. 

“Um t-thank you. For saving me.” You say shyly gripping the fabric of your hospital robe in between your fingers. Looking up at him, he nods and quirks a one sided smile. 

“You’re lucky I found you __. No, you’re lucky I was walking back from the train station and Fang found me.” He says as he scribbles notes on the clipboard. You look down at your hands as they clench the fabric. He continues, “You are also very fortunate you came out only with a week on crutches, and a scar on your cheek.”

Your hand reached up and touched the healing wound on your cheekbone. Scrunching your brows a bit- you look at him, “But can’t you just heal the injuries I-I,” he shakes his head, the silver hoops in his ears slightly swinging. 

“...these were werewolves, thank god; it wasn’t the last phase of the moon cycle, or you could have been transformed or worse-,” He breaths through his nose, and sighs. Head held low, you nod at his words.

“__, shit. I was worried okay? I know we don’t talk a lot, and that you’re very shy, and I just-,” The young man stumbles on his words. Looking up at him, you smile- a closed mouth one.

“I appreciate the sentiment, Jungkook. I am glad you came to my aide despite us not being close friends,” You say with sincerity. And you did mean it. You didn’t have many friends, considering the fact that you were quiet and sometimes shy. Hermione took a liking to you immediately due to your interests in academics, other than that though- you kept to yourself. 

Jungkook stared at you for a few moments, his bottom lip held in between his lips as if he wanted to say something, but all he did was give a simple nod. 

“Alright, I suppose. You’re free to go, Hermione should be bringing you your clothes.. yeah.” His words wandering off as he looked down at his clipboard. Internally sighing, you decide to bite your tongue wishing you could just admit you don’t mind being saved- as long as he is always there to catch you. 

The crutches that you had to use felt like they were becoming more and more of a hassle than help. Getting out of bed was less enjoyable than usual, and navigating around the castle grounds was impossible. You sighed as you laid in bed, rubbing the sleep away from your eyes. The midnight blue drapery moved a bit- the windows were open and sent a slight breeze into the room.

Yawning, you sat yourself up and hobbled over to the large window, sticking your head slightly out, something cold bopped your nose. Startled you blinked for a sec and used the back of your jumper sleeve to wipe at the sudden wetness.

“What the-,” you mumbled as you looked up, icicles littered the awning above you. The slick ice dripped down in a steady pattern, calm. Breathing, the cool air fell from your mouth in short breaths. Eyes wide you looked in front of you.

Thick, white snow was casted on the lake and train tracks, it traveled to the mountains, little spots of vegetation sticking out beneath it. Flecks of snow fell carefully as they stuck to the bricks of the castle. You laughed and breathed in the cool, clean air. Taking it in as long as you could, you then remembered today was the Hogsmead trip, but due to your injury you weren’t going to be able too attend. Sighing, as a sweltering disappointment built up in your chest- you decided to send Hermione an owl asking if she would pick you up some sweets and a new book.

Hobbling once again to your bed, you pushed on your abnormally large reading lenses and opened the chest at the end of your bed, looking for parchment and a quill. Scrawling down the letter quickly- you were about to send your own owl off when all of a sudden a screech came and something knocked into the window. Jumping a bit, you squinted and went over to the window. Cautiously you looked over to the side of the window - about a foot -- and there on the ledge was a hazel owl that was now sandwiched into the cobblestone of the wall. Blinking a few times the owl eventually regained it composure and looked at you, cocking its head to the side.

You noticed the parchment in its mouth, hesitating a bit you held your hand out to the owl and grabbed the letter. You looked at the bird for a second and then it hooted and left. Blinking once again you looked down at the square parchment in your hand. Opening it warmth immediate seeped into your cheeks, ----

Hey __!

I wanted to tell you, you should be able to come off those crutches today! And just try and walk on the boot :) Come by in a few days so I can look at how your leg is doing -- don’t forget to take the pain medicine.

xx, jk

The messy scrawl printed on the parchment plain and clear to you. You smiled a bit, a hoot brought you out of your thoughts. You turned around and looked at your black and white owl, her beedy eyes held a sense of amusement.

“No, that’s ridiculous, he couldn’t like me-- I mean have you seen that man, compared to me.  Absurd. Absolutely--,” your voice trailed off as you looked at the paper.

“Absurd,” you ended quietly.

After sending the letter to Hermione, you decided to go to the library and read for a bit -- due to Christmas break approaching the assignments were very minimal. You were still in your room, debating whether or not crutches were a good idea or not, despite what Jungkook said or not.

Knowing the grounds were going to be pretty much empty today, you decided it was as good as now to visit the library and check out some books that students normally have. Sighing, you hobbled over to your chest and looked for something to wear. It was exceptionally cold today so you pulled on a thick blue jumper, over a grey flannel, and some black jeans- struggling a bit to get the leg over your injury. Pulling on a new pair of white converse- courtesy of Hagrid who felt guilty about the whole incident. Having an internal battle with yourself- you decided to wear the bulky boot. Grudgingly pulling it over the bandage, and pulling at the velcro a bit.

Your unruly hair was stuffed under a grey beanie, as you slung your messenger bag over your shoulder. Huffing a bit with effort, you really were already regretting the choice of not using crutches today. But, you were determined to heal faster, after the skin healed- then you were able to walk fine- nodding to yourself with determination, you hobbled down to the library.

It was practically empty in the expanse of the large library. Shelves piled high with books- the spines littered with words and incantations. OWL’S were coming up soon and you wanted to get a head start on outlining. Potions were going to be a pain in the ass due to the fact that Snape absoutlety detested you- and your ability to make potions like it was nothing. You never particularly did anything wrong to him, in fact you never talked in that class, but due to you being a muggle born and one of the best in the year, he still despised you.

Groaning as you thought of the workload in which would be placed upon you in the upcoming weeks, you sucked it up and started looking for books.

A few minutes have passed and you already held three books in the small expanse of your arms- along with some scrolls, you needed one more but the world is a big, and cruel place, and you are on the smaller and shorter scale of that spectrum. Peering up at the shelf, you needed the burgundy spined book on astrology and constellations. You could use accio, but you forgot your wand in your bag back at the couch you were seated. Or you could use wandless magic, but last time that happened you got a bloody nose due to your pronunciation being wrong. Sighing, you were stubborn and injured and wanted to get the books in one go.

Pursing your lips, you decided to tiptoe it. Reaching up, you strained your arm as far as it would go, trying to keep as much weight as possible off your injured leg.

“Almost,” you huffed under your breath, you could feel goosebumps rise on your spine as your sweaters bunched forward with your reach. But the god’s decided to fuck you over this day, because you bumped the desk connected to the tall shelf a bit too hard and it vibrated into the shelf, which caused multiple books to tumble from their spots on the shelf.

“Watch out!” you didn’t even hear the footsteps approach you as you fell on your behind, dropping the books and scrolls in a heap on the dirtied wooden floor. You looked up, and saw Jungkook stalled in front of you bracing your body from the books that were about to fall on you.

Out of instinct, you held up your hand and did the thing you told yourself not to do.

“Impedimenta!” You said through panic, the books came to a slow until they rested on the ground. Breathing a bit heavily, you were a bit confused as you looked at your hand. Why the hell did that seem so intense? You thought to yourself. Slowly you looked up at Jungkook, whose hands were still caging you into the shelf behind you.

Warmth once again creeped up your cheeks as he looked down at you. A yellow button up under a black bomber jacket, hugged his form. Acid washed jeans, and his usual belt, encompassed muscular thighs, with rips on each knee, and his usual converse. He grinned and tilted his head at you, the small silver hoops dangled with his movements. His dark hair was parted on one side- little pieces of hair blocking his forehead. His circular glasses -- similar to yours but significantly smaller, were perched on his pert nose.

Realizing you were staring, the man above you cleared his throat.

“Soo, are you just gonna sit down there? Or come with me to Hogsmeade?”  his smooth voice said to you. Snapping your head up to him, your mouth was parted-- slightly resembling a dead fish.

“M-me?” you said still looking up at him, chuckling he smiled at you.

“No, Nearly Headless Nick. Yes you sweetheart,” Jungkook grinned at you, his nose slightly scrunching with the movement. You gaped at him for a second, heat flushing to the tips of your ears. Then you smiled, 

“Sound’s like fun.”

--

--

--

“This is not fun,” you mumbled under the thick wool of your scarf, as you and Jungkook walked along the cobblestone roads of Hogsmead. There was hustle and bustle all around, as shop keepers decorated for the holidays. Luckily the snow was a light drizzle, as the flecks stuck to the bangs of your hair. As much as you loved Christmas you usually spent it alone due to your parents being busy with their muggle jobs; traveling and whatnot. Sighing you pulled the sleeves of your jumper over your hands a bit, a habit that you did when you were nervous.

Jungkook was trailing slightly in-front of you, carrying a bag of sweets from Honey dukes in which he purchased for you as a thank you. You both just left from the Three Broomsticks, after enjoying a Butterbeer, and now were on your way back to the castle before the night settled in. 

As you were passing the shrieking shack, you noticed the strap of your boot came undone, stopping a second to lean down and re-attach it, you then felt something cold and wet hit the side of your face. Gasping a bit from the sudden intrusion, you looked up at whoever in Merlin’s beard threw a snowball at you. 

Jungkook stood a few yards away, his rosy lip held between his teeth trying to contain his laughter. He already had another snowball at the ready, stepping a bit forward advancing towards you. You inhaled through your open mouth, the breath present in front of you.

“Y-you did, not.” you gaped, looking up at him through your lashes. He winked at you. 

“Oh yes, I did sweetheart.” he said throwing another ball of death at you. Squealing you ducked and began to gather up some of the crystallized ice beneath your feet and whipping up quickly to hurl at his stupid, beautiful face. He laughed dropping the bag of sweets and his satchel, quickly ducking behind some bushes, as you hurled the snowball at him. 

Laughing as you bent down again to gather up more snow, it went quiet for a split second, confused you looked up in the direction of where Jungkook was supposedly hiding. Furrowing your brows, you stood up from your crouched position, the snowball numbing the tips of your fingers. 

“Jungkook?” you called into the brush, the only response you received though was the quiet whistle of the wind, making the tall evergreen trees bristle against one another. Taking a hesitant step forward, you drew your wand from your boot and pointed it at the brush. 

Stepping closer, you peered over the bush cautiously- about the drop the snow-!

“GOTCHA!” Jungkook jumped out of the bush, and tackled you onto the pillowed canvas.

A soft ‘oof’ left your mouth as you fell backwards, breathing a bit heavy you looked up at the grey sky- snow softly fell onto your flushed cheeks. Blinking you craned your neck up to look at the man baby on top of you. Jeon grinned at you, soft puffs of air escaped his mouth as he fought a grin. Blinking again, you were in quite a compromising position. His knees on either side of your waist, while one of his hands held your waist and the other cupping your back to break your fall. Both your hands at your side, one holding a snowball- the other your wand.

Grunting, “Your heavy, get off me fatty,” you whined kicking your feet, pouting at him. He laughed at you, tightening his grip on your waist. 

“Aw, but sweetheart, I quite like this position,” leaning a bit closer to you. Your breath hitched a bit as you felt his warm breath tickle your ear and his slightly chapped lips nibble at the shell.

“You look so pretty under me,” he whispered, biting the skin. You were positive your face was flushed, you parted your lips as a soft groan left your mouth as Jungkook continued to suck on the area behind your ear. Your hands loosened on your wand, and the snowball numbed your fingers by that point.

His lips left a warm trail down your neck as he then began to suck on the skin between your clavicle. Whining, you unintentionally lifted your hips, but Jungkook was quicker as his hand gripped your hips stopping them from moving. Pulling back a bit to trail up to your jaw he stopped at the corner of your lips,

“Stop moving love, don’t make me take you in the snow- especially if you’re still injured,” he rasped into skin. He moved back down to your neck, puckering a few kisses here and there, you groaned. Eyes fluttering here and there, pulling your hands from above you- you gripped Jungkook’s hair and pulled him up to you. Looking him in the eye, his lips were swollen and had a sheen. He was breathing sparsely, eyes dark as he dragged his lip between his teeth. 

“Kiss me,” you practically whined as he dug his fingers into the suppleness of your hips.

“With pleasure,” he practically growled as he dug his hips into yours, as a moan ripped from your mouth, but it was silenced as his warm mouth met yours.

He pulled you into him, his hand on your hips- dragging your hands from his hair he held your hands above your head as he continued his assault on your mouth. He tasted like raspberries from the sweets, and butterscotch. He kissed you deeply, holding you to his lips. Pulling your bottom lip back, he went back in sneaking his tongue into the seams of your lips. Breathing harshly you let him consume you, as you whined grounding your hips into his. You felt something hard poke at the inner part of your thigh.

“J-jung-,” not being able to form cohesive sentences, as his lips and tongue ravished you. Pecking your lips a few more times, he stopped and looked down at you. Your eyes fluttered open, as his face came into view. His jaw was clenched as his hands gripped your wrists a bit tighter. He leaned down close to you, so close your breaths intermingled. Licking his lips, he rested his forehead against you.

“You see what you do to me?” he rasped, bucking his hips to show his point. Moaning you tilted your head back lifting your hips to get something, anything. Jeon groaned, circling his hardness against you- rutting harder and harder. 

You whined into his neck, as he gritted his teeth Jungkook came to his senses and started to slow down.

“No, Jungkoo-,” he hushed you with his lips, puckering them against you. 

“Sweetheart, as much as I want to do ungodly things to you, I can’t- at least not now,” he spoke quietly into your mouth. You held a breath as he pulled away, and quirked a grin at you. Blinking a few times, you nodded at him as he pulled away. Well that was … something. He didn’t even help you up, you were confused. Did I do something wrong? You thought to yourself. 

As you pulled yourself up from the ground, you begin to pat the snow off you, Jungkook was holding the bag of sweets. He was kicking the snow, and looking down at his feet.

Twisting your hands in your scarf you held in a breath, “Hey, did I do something wrong? I am sorry if-,”

“We should get back before the school before it gets dark, yeah?” He said, a bit stern while looking down at his shoes still. You opened your mouth to speak again, but decided to not say anything. You two walked in silence back to the grounds, the only thing lingering was the howl of the wind and your shoes padding on the snow. 

--

--

Three weeks. It’s been three weeks since Jeon Jungkook has spoken to you. As soon as you got back from Hogsmeade, he handed you the bag of sweets and bid you a good night. As you walked back to your room that night, you couldn’t help but feel sad, this was the first time a boy has shown interest in you and a friendship.

The bag of sweets still remained unopened in the corner of your room.

You were sitting at breakfast, picking at your oatmeal which looked as sad as you. Lazily stirring the spoon in the lumpy liquid you looked up at Hermione sitting in front of you, a look of concern in her eye.

“__, you’ve been stirring that bloody spoon in that oatmeal for 10 minutes now, it’s gonna get cold.” She chastised you, with a teasing grin.

“How unfortunate,” you mumbled pushing the bowl away from you. An awkward silence passed, as you picked at your manicured nails. 

“__, it’ll-,” Suddenly the quidditch team came bursting in through the Great Hall. Your head whipped up to see a mesh of students dressed Emerald and Burgundy quidditch clothing. All rooting and cheering, tossing the leather ball around.

Among the bunch was none other than Jeon Jungkook. He smiled as his teammates punched him and ruffled his hair, a wide grin spread across his dimpled face. His raven hair was curly and almost went past his brow. 

“How is he so tan in the winter?” Hermione elbowed you. Grunting you chugged your butterbeer and shrugged.

“Dunno, don’t care, can I borrow the time-turner?” You said standing up, grabbing your satchel. Hermione eyed you for a moment. You held your hand out, she rolled her eyes and plucked the gold jewelry from under her shirt.

“Don’t lose it brat,” She said slapping it in your hand. You waved her off muttering a ‘yeah, yeah mom’ under your breath as you walked away.

“Don’t forget to come to the match today with me! You promised!” She shouted across the great hall as you exited.

Flipping her off, you turned the corner and headed to Divination.

Jeon can suck it. 

--

--

A few hours later, you were sitting in the RavenClaw common room, curled up on a chair reading about Tea leaves.

“Professor Trelawney I don’t know what in Merlin's beard you are on,” you said mumbling as you chewed on the pendant of the jewelry on your neck. Frustrated with the fact that you couldn’t figure concentrate on studying, you proceeded to slap your face into your textbook.

“What did that textbook do to you?” A flat voice said next to you. Groaning in the text book again, you flipped off your sarcastic neighbor.

“Shut your trap Min,” You hissed into the yellowed pages of the book.

“Good to see you too, short stuff.” Yoongi smirked as he stretched into the cushioned chair next to you. Pulling yourself up from the book, you glared at him.

“I am literally taller than you,” you protested. The blonde hushed you, and closed his eyes. Throwing your book at him, well trying, it landed on the carpet below his feet. Silence resonated between you two, besides the quiet talking in the common room.

“What are you doing here,” You sighed into your hand.

“How rude! Can’t a friend just come see you? And comfort you-,” He feigned hurt, placing his hand over his chest. Glaring at him, he snickered. 

“I’m just pulling your leg __,” he chuckled. You, didn’t think it was funny and stood up.

“Well, if that’s all you wanted then I will be on my way-,” you spoke gathering your things up before a large hand grabbed your wrist.

“Okay fine, fine. Hermione told me to get you, because quidditch is starting soon and she knows damn well you will do whatever it takes to not go.” You eyed, him. He blinked.

“I hate you both.” You deadpanned.

“Well I am a generator of hate, and that shit keeps going like a renewable resource.” He said patting your cheeks.

You blinked at him as he walked towards the boy dorms reminding you to dress warm.

Damn You Min Yoongi. 

--

--

Grumbling, you pulled on your cloak. As you sat in the stands with Hermione and Yoongi. You sighed and tapped your converse clad foot on the snow that gathered on the wood of the stands. It was cold and snowing as usual, the flecks of white stuck to your unruly hair and freckled cheeks.

“Damn it, it’s cold.” Hermione whined next to you. Pulling the sleeves of your grey sweater over your gloved hands, you looked at her.

“You’re the one who dragged me here,” you reminded her. She huffed and flicked your cold nose. Smacking her hand away you laughed and pulled your scarf tighter.

“You really are a Ravenclaw because you matched your gloves to your scarf,” Yoongi snickered next to you. You side eyed him, “Yes I did? So what, your Ravenclaw too ya know.”

“Hmmm yes, but you are wearing slate gray gloves, a scarf, and slacks. But black converse, and an oversized royal blue sweater with slate gray stripes. Therefore, you are wearing too much grey.” Yoongi finished pushing his glasses up his face.

You blinked once.

Twice.

Then jumped.

“YAH! MIN YOONGI,” you shouted as Hermione held onto your body so you didn’t gouge his eyes out.

“WHAT DOES MY OUTFIT CHOICES HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING YOU FAT HEAD!? I WILL SHOVE MY WAND SO FAR UP YOUR NOSE IT COMES OUT OF YOUR-,”

“Students of Hogwarts! I welcome you to the 246th annual quidditch match! I am your host, Cho Chang!” The stands roared with screams and shouts. 

“Today we have Slytherin versus Gryffindor, who are both neck and neck with wins thus far!” Cho said enthusiastically.

“Alrighty students, bundle up and give a warm, well frozen welcome, to Hogwarts Quidditch Players!” Cho finishes as brooms whoosh across the arena, emerald and burgundy mesh into your view as the players come out. You stop harassing Yoongi as you spot none other than Jeon, the golden boy broom sitting on his broom, waving. At you.

Startled, you look at him for a moment and give a small smile instead of a wave. He grins at you and proceeds to fly into position.

“___, and Jungkook sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g,” Yoongi sings next to you, your face heats up, even in the cold; you punch him in the stomach. A wheezing sound comes out.

“You owe me Hermione.” You say hiding your face in your gloves.

--

--

“Another Point for Gryffindor!” Cho says enthusiastically, “It is now Slytherin with 65 and Gryffindor with 70! A close game indeed.”

Your ass can’t bare to sit anymore, it’s frozen and your nervous. You have been watching Jungkook this whole time, his position is the Seeker. Their responsibility is to look for the Golden Snitch.

“You know, Harry’s decision to be captain but not play is bloody ridiculous.” Hermione shouts teetering on her feet and pulling flakes of snow out of her hair.

“I know, he would have done so good this year.” You shout back rubbing your hands together. Flitting your eyes back and forth between the game. All of a sudden, Gryffindor and Slytherin beaters are thrown off their brooms. Confused you squint into the snow to see, what the hell?

“Holy shit! Look!” Yoongi yanks on your cloak and points down. Looking down, you see a bludger bouncing up and down spastically trying to hit the Slytherin that fell of his broom. With the weather it's hard to see, but you can tell something is wrong with that ball.

“Ladies and Gentlemen please do not be- WHOA,” Cho practically throws herself down as the bludger comes toward her stand and it pierces through the wooden stand. “Students! Please keep your head down!” Cho shouts, as she watches for the ball.

The bludger is nowhere to be seen, but then two rows behind you the ball smashes through the wood rapidly causing students to fall forward towards your row.

It’s like it happens in slow motion, you lose your footing trying not to get smashed under the domino of students falling. But your cloak gets caught and you begin to fall off the stands.

“Hermione!” You scream grabbing for her, she makes a quick grab for your hand but, your hand slips out of the glove and you fall from the stands.

You don’t remember if you scream, but you feel the cold rush past you and everything is muffled, your hair whips past your head as you grab at nothing. The ground is getting closer and closer, you close your eyes and allow the cold to embrace you.

All of a sudden you hear a distance ‘whoosh’ from your left, Jeon Jungkook swoops under you with a dangerous dive of his broom and grabs you to his chest, but he’s too close to the ground to pull back up, so slowing down he crashes into the ground with you wrapped into his chest.

“Hold on!” he shouts, as you and him hit the snow covered ground. He holds you tightly, as you both roll simultaneously on the white ground. Jungkook never let go of you, and you never let go.

Your head hurt, and you were wet and cold. Were you dead? Were all your limbs intact?

“__?” A muffled voice said, “Sweetheart are you okay?”

Ugh. My head hurts, but at least I’m not dead. You thought. Well might as well make my presence known.

You slowly opened your eyes, snow stuck to your lashes. You looked up into the sky, an endless wave of snow fell slowly.  You blinked and suddenly Jungkook came into view. Your head was placed on his lap, and his cloak was wrapped around you, he looked down at you with concern.

“Sweetheart, are you okay?” Jungkook said, stroking your face with his hand. He was breathing heavily, his raven hair was wet and his skin flushed. You blinked, and nodded.

“Head hurts.” You said quietly. “But I’m okay,” You smiled up at him. Jungkook put his forehead to yours, you could feel his warm breath against your cold lips.

“Cmon, sweetheart let's take you to the hospital wing.” He said, pecking your nose then pulling you up into his arms. Despite the weather, warmth burned on your cheeks, as you gripped his uniform.

“I-I can w-walk you-,” Jungkook ignored you and hushed you.

“Not a chance, you took a nasty fall, plus you’re shivering.” He said sniffing.

You didn’t protest all the way to the infirmary.

--

--

You must have fallen asleep at some point, because it was dark and Jungkook was asleep on the chair next to your bed, with his head on the bed.

You sat up, and felt a weight in your hand. Looking down, you felt his hands wrapped around yours. Lips parted, once again you could feel your face heat up. But despite that you smiled. You looked around the dim infirmary, only lit by small lamps, and saw a note by your wand on the bedside table. Scrawled in neat handwriting:

You took a nasty fall there you nerd, glad to see you in one piece. Hermione is okay, just frazzled, they cancelled the game, but Jungkook hasn’t left your side all day. Whipped little bastard, talk to him. Work things out. 

M.Y.

You rolled your eyes and placed the note back. As you turned back around you felt Jungkook stir next to you, and begin to sit up. He rubbed his eyes, his hair in disarray. The sweater he had on, exposed his collarbone and you couldn’t help but stare.

“See something you like Sweetheart?” You whipped your head up to see Jungkook smirking at you, and leaning back in his chair. For the tenth time, warmth filled your cheeks up to your toes.

“No, definitely not.” you pouted, looking down at the off-white sheets. It was silent for a moment.

“You should drink some water,” Jungkook said, clearing his throat and handing you the glass. Looking up at him you took the glass, hands grazing one another, you nodded and chugged the glass. Once finished you handed it back to him and fiddled with the rings on your fingers. 

“Thank you for saving me.” quietly you said. Nervous? You haven’t spoken to him in two weeks, maybe more. Tears welled up in your eyes, “I was so scared. I didn’t think-,” you tried to talk, and you felt tears stream down your face. You sobbed quietly, realization setting in that if you Jungkook wasn’t there, you could have…

Jungkook sat there, staring at you, conflicted. He felt he somehow caused this. Chewing on his lip, he said fuck it. Leaning forward, he tilted your head up and pressed his lips to yours. Your eyes widened for a second, as his large hand held your chin and the other gripping the sheets, your eyes began to flutter shut and you kissed him back.

His lips were slightly cold, but soft. He tasted like rose petals, and you were drawn in. You pushed against him and he pushed harder. Jungkook sighed into your mouth, and he pushed you down on the bed, and inhaled you. Pulling back for a second, he looked down at you. Breathing heavily, pupils darker, lips swollen. 

“I was so fucking scared __.” Jungkook admitted. You breathed under him, looking at his face in the dim lighting. His jaw clenched, the vein in his neck sticking out.

“Jungkook..” you sighed, holding his face. Bringing his hand up to your face, he wiped at the dried tear trials on your face.

“I’m so sorry, that I ignored you. I-I was just scared. You’re such a good person, such a light in you.” He quietly spoke, caressing the scar on your cheek.

“Jungkook,” you said firmly, “You are an amazing person. You saved me.” He looked down at you with parted lips. 

Continuing, “You saved me from the forest from those wolves a month ago, and from those books falling on me, and now this. I-I don’t know how, I could ever repay you. You take good care of me, and others. You’re not like the other Slytherins. You care and you’re so warm and safe.” your voice got quieter as you spoke to him.

Jungkook, looked at you with such intensity. You could feel your toes, stomach, cheeks become warm. As the snow stuck to the windows, as the cold blew around in the night. Jungkook kept you warm, and safe. You started at each other, his eyes never leaving yours, as his lithe fingers stroked the spot that scarred a month ago. You closed your eyes and leaned your forehead against his, as your breaths intermingled. He smelled like mint and raspberries.

Sleep didn’t elude you that night.

--

--

Spring came. The cool air whistled through the school court yards. Pink petals littered the school grounds. So did the tears of students who didn’t excel in their OWLs or NEWTs. Unfortunately, you couldn't return home for the summer. Your parents were re-doing your home and were staying in a condo. They offered you to come, but you denied it and said you would figure something out. To be honest, you weren’t sure why you said no. Hermione on the other hand, was very insistent that you stay with her but alas, you said no each time. 

You had about a week before you left Hogwarts, and you still had yet to figure out where you were going to stay for the summer. At the moment you were standing in the astronomy tower taking pictures to add to your journal. Every year you kept a journal and documented your year at Hogwarts and oh boy, this one was sure unforgettable. 

You were basking in the warm afternoon air, as you looked over the water that surrounded the school. Your camera dangled strap dangled from around your neck, as you leaned against the railing and took it all in. 

“__?” a low voice called from behind you, startled you whipped around.

 “Jungkook-k! Hey, hey you! What a-are you doing here?” you said stuttering and laughing at the same time. Jungkook grinned at you, as you leaned over the railing trying to act “natural”.

“I was actually looking for you.” He said brushing his hand through his hair, and pushing up his glasses in the process. You blinked at him. He had a camera in his hand as well, but more like a video recording camera. You started at his simple white t-shirt and black jeans. His large hand gripped the camera, the veins in his hands led up to the assortment of rings on his fingers. His wavy, black hair looking ruffled and soft. How you wanted to run your fingers- 

“Um __, are you okay?” Jungkook asked slightly concerned. His voice snapped you out of your daze. Blinking for the umpteenth time, you shook your head.

“Yeah! Totally, ha. Uh why were you looking for me?” You said nervously whipping your hands on your cardigan. Jungkook smiled and shifted his footing, and walked closer to you. 

“Hermione told me that you aren’t going home for the summer, why?” He questioned now leaning against the railing next to you. Blowing out a breath, you leaned on one foot then the other. Looking down at your sandals, you said,

“I don’t really feel like staying crammed up in a condo while my parents house is being re-done. I was going to try and get a small apartment for myself, but it has proven to be a lot more difficult than a I thought.” You said laughing, it was silent for a moment before you looked at Jungkook.

“Why don’t you stay with me then?” he asked looking at you. You blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

“Are you on crack?” was the first thing that came out of your mouth. Jungkook grinned, unphased by your so called insult.

“Unfortunately I am not sweetheart, are you?” he joked back, winking at you. You felt your face heat up, as you punched him in the arm.

“Not funny.” you pouted. Jungkook rubbed his arm in false pain.

“I thought it was hilarious but considering the fact that you punched me, I will only forgive you if you stay with me. Or are friendship is terminated.” He said sticking his tongue at you.

“You are a brat Jeon,” you said as you walked away from him to leave.

“Wait,” he said grabbing your arm. You spun around to face him, he was holding up his camera to your face. You pouted at him.

“What?” you grinned at him, as he moved closer to your face.

“Where are you going, don’t leave me here alone!” he whined pulling on your hand. His hand engulfed yours, as he massaged the skin. You looked into the camera and made puckering noises, grabbing onto the lens you looked into it.

“Well if I am going to stay with you, I guess I need to finish packing right?” you teased as you walked away from his filming. Jungkook looked at you with bewilderment as you walked down the steps of the astronomy tower, your soft footsteps fading away as Jungkook did a silent fist bump in the air.

--

--

Well this was it, the week that students were leaving Hogwarts. You were a bit frantic as you made sure everything was packed up, and ready to go. Hermione and you were walking to the train station together, promising to write her every chance you got, and to call her on the telephone. Both of you being muggle born had it perks.

You and Hermione were walking in the train, trying to find an empty area to sit. She was telling you that Yoongi had asked for her number, and she didn’t know how to react.

“__! Hey!” you heard a voice call out to you as you turned around. Jungkook came running up to you, a black bucket hat covered most of his forehead, but his warm dark eyes shone at you. He shuffled through the groups of people in the tight walkway. His large black bag was snugly fit to his hip and it slapped against his grey sweats. Grinning, Hermione halted your conversation as she went inside the compartment. Leaning against the door, you held onto your shoulder bag and waved at Jungkook.

“Hey Jungkook!” you beamed at him. He smiled back, and put his hands in his pockets.

“Find somewhere to sit?” He asked, leaning close to you.

Nodding vigorously, “Y-yeah! Surprisingly, haha. Have you?” you curiously asked.

“Nope not yet, but I am sure I can sit with some of the-,” he was interrupted by Hermione sticking her head out of the compartment.

“Oh my gosh! __, I am so sorry, uh Yoongi asked me to sit with him! Isn’t that great, and it’s even more great because Jungkook here has nowhere to sit. So how about you two crazy kids, sit here and I will sit with Yoongi! It’s a win, win.” She said slapping your arm playfully. “Sooo, toddles!” she singsonged, walking past Jungkook and you, patting your arms simultaneously.

You were so lost at this point, you didn’t even care to protest. Rolling your eyes at your best friends antics, you looked up and smiled at Jungkook.

“Would you care to share a chocolate frog with me?” Jungkook asked, rubbing the back of his neck. You laughed and nodded,

“I would love too.”

--

You arrived at Jungkook’s home approximately 4 and a half hours later. After you exited the train, he informed you that his friend Namjoon brought his car for him. Seeing as Jungkook was a pureblood, you were surprised he owned a ‘muggle’ invention. Jungkook wasn’t from London actually, he was born in South Korea in Busan. He left South Korea after he was accepted to Hogwarts and as he got older he bought a home in Brighton.

You two were currently, moving your bags inside his two story home. It was a pretty cool day, but not too hot thankfully.

“Go on in sweetheart, I am going to check the mail real quick,” he said opening the back of his car. Nodding you picked up your trunk and satchel and walked up the cobblestone brick way and up the steps.

Taking the gold key, you opened the dark oak door and pushed the door open. The corridor was well lit by outside and the house smelt relatively new, with dark oak wood floors. Carrying your things, you set them by the foot of the spiral stairs and walked into the living area. The archway was painted a pale blue, and the room had a fireplace. The furniture was covered with cloth sheets and from what you could tell there were two couches and a loveseat, with a coffee table. Two bookshelves were placed on either side of the fireplace.

Walking toward the left of the fireplace, you noticed there were white curtains shut. Placing your hands on them, you pulled them apart and let the sun into the dark room. Coughing a bit, because of the dust, you awed at the large window, with a plush window seat below it. Placing your hands on the handles you pulled open the window, letting the fresh air in.

“I see you're enjoying this room.” Jungkook said walking in leaning against the furniture. Jumping a bit you turned around and smiled at him.

“Yes, its very nice. I can’t wait to read all those books,” you said eyeing the shelves. Jungkook laughed and walked over to you.

“Hmm, don’t know if you will have time if I have to keep you on your toes the whole time,” he winked poking your nose. Rolling your eyes you swatted his hand away.

“Yeah yeah, Jeon.” you said walking back to the foyer, “Are you going to give me a house tour or what?” you joked looking back at him. Jungkook eyed you, pulling his bucket hat off and chucking it on the couch.

“But of course, where are my manners,” he said in a terrible British accent and bowing.

“Are you making fun of my accent?” you pouted, crossing your arms like a toddler. He sauntered up to you, pinching your arm.

“Pshhh no that’s crazy,” he said walking back outside. “But I will if you don’t help me get the rest of your things you brat,” Jungkook teased. You pointed at him.

“Watch it bucko.” you said smiling. This man will be the death of you.

--

It was a few days later and you finally had everything unpacked, you had your own room which was right across from Jungkook’s ironically. As of right now, you were in the kitchen sitting on the counter and reading a book. Jungkook went on a run, and has been gone for about half an hour now. As you bit into your apple the front door opened.

“__?” a voice sounded from the front foyer.

“In here!” you shouted with a mouth full. Not even paying attention, you swung your legs back and forth keeping your eyes on your book, before taking another bite of your apple.

Not looking up you began to speak, “Hey is it okay if I lay out by the pool-,” you stopped mid sentence and looked up as Jungkook closed the refrigerator door. He was shirtless. Blinking a few times, you didn’t notice your mouth was open because the apple chunk in your mouth fell out onto your thigh. Jungkook seem to not have noticed due to the headphones that were covering his ears.

Gulping, you saw his back turned to you as he reached up into the cupboard. His back muscles were lean and defined as he stretched upward. You could see the slight sheen of sweat as he looked through the cabinets. The skin was more taut as you went to his lower back. His shoulder blades rippled together as he shut the cabinet door. He still didn’t notice you on the counter, as he bobbed his head to the music. Turning around, he finally noticed you and look surprised. Taking his headphones off he looked a bit concerned.

“Uh, __ I think you dropped something.” he said sticking his hand in the box of granola. Blinking once more at his abdominal muscles you finally registered he was talking to you. Looking down, there was a piece of apple on your romper and the saliva was already making it damp. Grimacing you picked up the apple chunk and threw it in the sink. Jumping off the counter you washed your hands and threw the rest of your apple away.

“So what were you asking sweetheart?” Guk said with a mouth full of granola, you laughed and hopped back on the counter.

“I was asking if I could lay by the pool since it's hot as heck,” you said flipping through the pages of the book. Jungkook swallowed his snack and placed his phone back down.

“I mean I don’t see why not,” he shrugged, walking over to you and standing in front of you. He placed his hands on either side of your body, leaning towards you.

“Excuse me sir, you stink.” grimacing you placed a hand on his damp chest and pushed him away. Before you could pull away, he held your wrist and pulled you closer.

“Hmm then maybe you should shower with me,” he teased with dark eyes, leaning closer to you.

“Sure.” you said. Looking shocked with wide eyes, his cheeks tinted pink, which was still noticeable even with his tan skin.

“I-I,” he stuttered. Smiling you pulled your wand out.

“Aguamenti,”  you spoke, pointing your wand in his direction. A burst of water shot from your wand, hitting Jungkook and drenching him. Jungkook stood there with a shocked look on his face, smiling you placed your wand down. Sighing, Jungkook flipped his hair back getting little droplets on your face.

“Thanks __.” he said dryly. Winking, you jumped off the counter, patting his wet stomach and walking off to change in your swimsuit. 

--

You were laying on the chair, by the pool. You aren’t sure how long you’ve been outside, but long enough the feel a pleasant warmth seep into your skin. You laid farthest away from the glass sliding door, not wanting Jungkook to see your body in the white bikini you decided to put on. You were reading on your tablet when all of a sudden you heard the glass sliding door open. Sitting up from your stomach you pulled your sunglasses down to see Jungkook, in sweat shorts and no shirt.

Pulling your cover up on you sat up placing the tablet on the towel on the chair.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” You said pulling your cover up tighter around you, looking up at him. You pulled your sunglasses up, seeing him more clearly. Not saying a word he crossed his arms and glared at you. Confused you stood up in front of him.

“What’s wrong did something happen?” you asked concerned. He shook his head.

“Go to my room and wait there for me. Now,” he said in a stern, cold voice. Confused you didn’t move.

“But why?” you asked. His glare deepened and his eyes got darker.

“Now __! I will not ask you again,” he said pointing to the house. Holding your hands up, you didn’t say another word as you walked towards the house and up to his room. God what is up with him? Was it because of earlier?

You thought as you sat down on his bed, twisting your cover up in your hands. You heard footsteps come up the stairs as you crossed your arms over your chest. The door opened, and Jungkook walked in a cold look in his usual warm eyes.

“Okay, what the hell is going on Jeon?” you questioned shooting up from the bed and looking at him. He slit his eyes at you, crossing his muscular arms over his chest. You noticed the veins that went from his hands to his forearms and up his biceps. Looking down a bit, his abdominals were taut and muscular. The toned area lead downwards to a light trail of hair that disappeared into his-

“Bend over.” Jungkook said in a dark tone. Your eyes widen and you gape at him.

“Excuse me?” you say not sure how to process what he said. Jungkook uncrosses his arms and steps closer to you.

“__, don’t make me bend you over myself, you will not like me.” he says with a growl in his tone. You feel warmth begin to pool in your stomach, but being defiant you look him dead in the eye matching his stare.

“No,” you say. In a split second Jungkook, picks you up and throws you over his shoulder, and walks over to the bed. You are about to protest when you feel his hand slap your ass leaving a sharp stinging sensation. Gasping out loud, you hit his back.

“Jeon Jungkook I don’t know what in Merlin’s beard you are doing but you better stop,” you don’t even finish your sentence when another slap lands on your ass, making arousal pool into your stomach once more.

“Sweetheart I haven’t even sat down to bend you over my knee yet, and you are already giving me attitude. Tsk, tsk.” he tuts at you sitting down on the bed. You try and squirm out of his grasp but he is stronger and pulls you down over his knee. ”We can make this easier or much, much harder.” he says stroking your back.

You stop moving for a moment, and relax in his hold breathing a bit sparsely.

“Good girl." Jungkook hums.

“Oh darn, this is in the way,” he says referring to your cover up. Before you can even offer to take it off, he rips it clean down the middle, the silk material falls of your body. You look down at the shreds on the dark flooring.

“Mmm, much better,” he says rubbing his large hand over your tanned skin. Your breath hitches as you feel him finger space under your swim bottoms, holding a breath as he pulls them down below your butt. You feel something hard begin to poke at your stomach as Jungkook kneads the bare skin of your ass.

“My, my sweetheart. You were hiding this under that cover-up?” he teases while lightly dragging his nails over the supple skin of your ass. You can feel yourself getting wet, the arousal pooling out of you.

“Okay, here’s what’s going to happen. You have been very naughty, that little water spell you did today didn’t make me happy princess, so now you must be punished.” he spoke into your ear, gripping your ass tightly. His warm breath tickled the shell of your ear, he gently bit down on the skin grazing his tongue against it. He pulled away, you could feel the warmth on your face as you breathed in the cotton smell of the sheets.

“Now, you are going to count how many times I spank your pretty bottom, and every time I don’t hear you I will keep spanking you until I do, is that understood.” he spoke firmly gripping your ass. You meekly nodded.

“Use your words princess,” he growled grabbing your ass tighter. You whimpered,

“Yes.” you whined into the sheets. It was silent for a brief moment before you felt his hand come down with such force you shifted forward on the bed. You whine again, and choke back a moan.

“1..1.” gripping the sheets tightly, you whined as Jungkook rubbed the sore spot on your ass. Breathing heavily, you felt a slight brush of air as his hand came down two more times.

“2...3,” you could feel tears sting in your eyes, but also a warmth spread in your core. Wiggling in Jungkook’s hold, he spanked you three more times.

“I can do this all day sweetheart, the more you move the more I will spank you.” Jungkook spoke smoothly, rubbing the suppleness of your ass.

“I-I am sorry, for what I did,” you mumbled into the sheets. Jungkook hummed running his finger down the curve of you back,  pinching at the skin around your hips. It was quiet, the hum of the air conditioner was the only thing you could hear. Jungkook began to rub his finger down the globe of your cheek and to your thighs. You could feel your arousal wetting your already sweaty thighs.

“Hmmm, sweetheart as much as you say you are sorry, this tells me otherwise,” he speaks softly. Gripping your hair he yanks your head up, making your back arch. Holding your upper body with your hands you blink as Jungkook brings his fingers into your view. They are slick with your arousal as he spreads them apart, it strings across the skin. Breathing quietly, he brings them up to your mouth spreading it around your mouth. Keeping your mouth closed, you disobey shaking your head. Jungkook growls releasing your hair roughly and holding your head on the sheets.

Jungkook becomes relentless, and spanks your ass with such force the bed shifts. Your moans are muffled in the sheets, and you lose count after 20.

“You are such a little cock slut, hmm? Enjoying this, getting wet over your punishment,” Jungkook tuts as his hand comes down, “Fuck.” Jungkook curses under his breath. He spanks you one more time for good measure. Pulling you off his lap, he doesn’t even pull your swim bottoms off as he tosses you onto the bed. Breathing heavily you look at the ceiling until he comes into your view.

“You think this is funny? Hmm?” he asks, caging you in. Your eyes widen as you hold your hands up in front of you.

“No! Jungkook, I said I am sorry, okay.” you sternly say, “Fuck, please Jungkook!-” your sentence is cut short when his hand comes down on your clit hard. Gasping you feel warmth clench in your core. Not even giving you a chance to recover, Jungkook shoves two of his fingers inside your wet hole.

“You don’t sound apologetic at all sweetheart, how disappointing. Your pussy is  practically drenching my fingers.” he whispers into your ear. You can feel his warm breath on your sweaty skin, as he sucks on the skin of your neck and continues to thrust his fingers inside you. You are practically panting at this point.

“Come on __, need you to cum so your nice and stretched out for my fat cock. Would you like that? My fat cock stuffed inside you, pushing my cum back in? Hmm?,” Jungkook teases you, as he slows the thrust of his fingers. Your mouth is open in a silent moan as Jungkook leans back to grip your hips.

“Cum.” Jungkook growls.

“Oh god, fuck! Nghh-,” whimpering you feel your core tighten and arousal leak onto Jungkook's hand. He continued to thrust his fingers out of your hole, then pulled them out. Breathing heavily, you sat up in your dazed state and looked at him. He was sucking your arousal off his fingers and looking you in the eye.

“Mmm, you taste wonderful sweetheart,” he coos getting up from the bed. You look at him, feeling your cheeks flush. Jungkook crosses the room to the walk in closet and comes back out with two scarves. Ironically they are Raven claw and Slytherin colors. He rounds to your side with both scarves. You look up at him, as he leans down and presses a soft kiss to your lips. His lips are warm and taste like green tea; the kiss was chaste and makes your chest swell. He pulls back, and leaned his forehead against yours.

“__, I am going to continue now, if you don’t want me to continue then tell me now.” he whispers against you. You shake your head and cup his cheek.

“I trust you Jeon,” you whisper. Jungkook nods. Standing up, his demeanor changes with a dark look in his eyes. You watch him as he takes one of your arms and ties it to the headboard, and does the same with the other arm. Your arms burn from the uncomfortable position, but you don’t care. Jungkook stands at the foot of the bed, looking at you. His lean chest is slick with sweat, and his sweatpants are low on his hips, exposing a sharp muscle leading downwards. You breath in as he comes onto the bed.

“Hmmm, has this been on the whole time,” he speaks mostly to himself, referring to your bikini top. You don’t even get a chance to answer, before he pulls the flimsy material off your chest. Throwing the material on the ground he hums in approval, the same treatment happens to your swim bottoms as well. Running his finger up your body to your breast. He comes forward encasing your nipple in the warmth of his mouth. Swirling it around his tongue, he nips at it with his teeth and pulls at it. Mewling, he pulls back rubbing both the pert buds with his thumbs.

“You like that sweetheart? Me pulling at your nipples hmm?” he teases rubbing more and more.

Head tilted back, you nod. Jungkook stops slapping your bare pussy.

“Look at me when I speak to you,” he says above you, pulling your chin up. Your eyes are glazed over with pleasure.

“Y-yes Jungkook,” you groan in his hold. Releasing you, you look at him as he begins to pull the strings of his pants. Sitting on his knees, he pulls down his pants and boxers. Your eyes widen as he pulls his weeping cock out of his pants. Your mouth waters as he grabs his cock. Pulling his lip between his teeth, he strokes himself.

Smirking at you, “..you like what you see sweetheart?” You nod below him. His dick is long and thick, smooth and pink. A vein runs under the length, the bulbous tip already wet with precum. Your mouth waters at the sight.

“Please Jungkook-,” you whine straining your hands against the restraints. “Please let me suck you.” you whine moving under him.

Jungkook hums, “Not today baby,” you whine at the pet name, “I need to make sure you are nice and stretched out when I stuff my fat cock into your weeping pussy,” he grunts, pulling at his dick. Leaning forward he rubs the tip of his penis on your pert nipples. You thrust upwards to nothing, as his smooth tip wets your nipples.

“Fuck.” Jungkook curses, leaning down to kiss you. He clashes his tongue against yours nipping at your lip. You groan into his mouth, as his hand pushes you down by your neck. The kiss is messy and wet. Pulling back, a string of saliva is present as your mouths part. Drawing attention back to his cock, he takes it and leans down to your pussy. He takes his length, and rubs it up and down your wetness. Pushing his fat tip against your clit and swirling it with his cum.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” you mewl, rutting your hips to his cock. You bite the inside of your cheek as Jungkook, swirls his tip up and down slicking his dick with your arousal. You can feel the knot tighten in you for the second time, as his hand comes up to your nipples once more rubbing it with his thumb.

“Come on sweetheart, cum on my cock.” Jungkook says running his hand down your stomach. His hand finds your engorged clit and rubs it hard. That’s all it takes for you to fall over the edge, as you wail in pleasure. Jungkook groans, continuing to rub his cock against you. Your climax coating his dick even more. You breath heavily, as he keeps going - over stimulating you.

“Nghh- Guk, please I-I can’t,” you whine, pulling at the restraints once more. He growls,

“You can and you will,” he says pulling his cock off you. You squeak when your flipped over onto your stomach aggressively, as he slaps your ass a few times. You hear shuffling behind you, as you breath into the sheets of the bed. You then feel a presence behind you, as Jungkook once more leans his body against yours. His hardened cock, against the crack of your ass.

“Cmon sweetheart, I know you want me to fill you with my seed until it spills out of your greedy hole. You want me to rub my fat cock over your wet pussy, like the little sock slut you are.” he whispers into your sweaty skin, pinching at your hips. “I will let you ride me, and sit on my cock, would you like that?” Jungkook whispers, kissing down your back. You felt his taut muscles on your back, as he breathed against you, waiting for an answer.

“Y-yes Jungkook, I want your cock. I have learned my lesson, please fill me up with your seed,” you whined, wiggling your sore ass into his cock. Jungkook got up leaving you in that position.

“Sit on your knees,” he said. Shifting up, with the restraints, you pulled yourself on your knees, with your head hung. Jungkook's soft footsteps went to the other side of the bed, moving to sit in front of you. Smiling, he kissed your clavicle, and began to lay under you. Looking down at him, his naked body was under yours, as your legs straddled his hips. He shimmed under you, looking up at you with his big brown eyes. Grinning at you, his raven hair was damp and ruffled.

“Sit on my face sweetheart, need you nice and wet for me cock, okay?” he said looking up at you. You nodded, shifting forward with shaky thighs. Gripping the headboard you lowered down onto his face, his large hands gripping your hips. You were moving too slow for his liking, so he pulled you down onto him in one swift movement. You groaned, as he immediately began to suck on your clit.

“Jungkook!” you threw your head back, trying to pull up. But Jungkook kept a firm grip on your thighs. You could feel yourself unraveling, as he began to grind your hips on his lips. You were gasping as you looked down at him, his eyes held a playful glint. He then stuck his tongue deep inside your hole. He held you down, as he forced the muscle in your tight hole. You felt so full, as he held you down. For the third time, you felt yourself unravel as arousal leaked out of your abused hole.

“Jungkook,” you whined, your body growing tired. The once lit room, was now basked in a warm orange glow as the sun began to set. You arms were growing tired, due to the restraints. Jungkook lifted you off him, as your eyes fluttered. Jungkook began to sit up, with your body resting on his strong thighs. You breathed heavily, as he stroked your sweaty back. Arms limping against his back with the slight pull of the scarves. You felt Jungkook's, hard length against your stomach.

“Sweetheart, can you give me one more,” he spoke against your hair, kissing your sweaty scalp. Nodding you blinked a few times as he lifted you, onto your stomach. He untied both of the scarves, and your sore arms fell limp, at your sides. Jungkook took your arms and massaged your wrists, kidding the taut skin.

“Be a good girl and take my cock into your tight little hole,” Jungkook said pulling your hips to his pelvis.

“Please, Jungkook-!” your sentence was cut short when Jungkook sheathed you with his fat cock, the stretch was delicious and hot, feeling the warmth tighten. Your arms gave out under you, and you rutted back towards him.

“Shit, don’t move sweetheart,” Jungkook groaned gripping your hips. He stilled his thrusts, holding you down. You stilled your body, as you felt Jungkook’s cock swell in you. You wanted to move, but you stayed still. After a few minutes you felt Jungkook shift behind you, pulling his hard cock all the way out of you, and rubbing your entrance with his fat tip. After gathering your arousal he stuffed his cock back inside you.

You groaned, clenching around him.

“I feel so, f-full,” you whined. Skin slapping skin, was the only thing that could be heard along with your panting and Jungkook’s grunting. You were so close, pulling back against him his dick shifted to a spongy spot inside you that made you keen.

“Fucking, shit!” you squealed, “..right there,” Jungkook positioned his hips faster against yours. His heavy ball sack hitting your ass with each thrust. Jungkook cursed, pulling his hand away from your body and finding your engorged clit. Rubbing rapid circles he rocked into you hitting the same spot over and over.

“Nghh, Jungkook please let me!” you wanted to cum so bad, as Jungkook quickened his pace.

“Cum for me __. Cum all over my cock,” Jungkook growled slapping your ass and digging his nails into the flesh. You practically screamed as you for the final time felt the knot tighten in your core, as you squeezed his dick and milking your orgasm. Soon after Jungkook came, and spilled inside you.

“Fuck.” his voice was hoarse as he pushed his seed inside you. Your body was exhausted, as your breathed heavily against the sheets. Jungkook didn’t pull out of you, as he leaned forward and flipped your tired body around.

Your eyes were shut, as your arms laid limp at your sides. Jungkook pressed kisses up and down your body, “You did so well sweetheart,” he mumbled against your slick skin. His dick was beginning to soften and he slowly pulled himself out. You whined at the loss, but he shushed you as he circled his tip where his arousal leaked out. You felt his bulbous tip circle your entrance and push his seed back in. Only the tip went in but you groaned at the intrusion.

“Jungkook,” you whined, “Stop,” he chuckled pulling back. You felt his seed spill out of your abused hole, and you sighed as your body went lax. Jungkook kissed your clavicle, and got up from the bed. Pulling on his boxers, Jungkook rounded the bed and picked up your sore body from the sheets.

“C’mon sweetheart, you need to go pee.” he gently said holding your naked body to his warm chest. Opening your eyes a bit you looked at the pale blue walls, and you shook your head slowly. Pinching his nipple you mumbled an ‘I don’t wanna’ you whined like a child, as he entered the master bathroom and setting you down on the sink. The cool tile made you squirm, stinging your sore ass. You were weary and not aware of what was happening. Jungkook laughed at your state, and kissed your cheek. Pulling a shirt over your head he told you to go pee once again, as he patted your thigh and kissed your eyelids. Finally doing as he said, you wobbled to the toilet and did your business. Washing your hands, and splashing some water on your face you walked back into the room. Rubbing your eyes, Jungkook was sitting on the edge of the bed typing on his phone. Looking up he saw you, and grinned. Tossing his phone on the sheets he walked up to you, pulling you to his chest.

“I ordered takeout, I bet your hungry,” he said looking down at you. You nodded meekly hiding your face in his bare chest. He chuckled at your shy state, taking your face into his hands he pulled you to look at him.

“Sweetheart are you okay?” he asked, stroking your lip with his thumb. You looked at him, his deep eyes held concern.

“I am sorry for what I did earlier,” you spoke softly, your lips turning into a soft pout. Jungkook rolled his eyes, pinching your cheeks.

“Hmmm, well. I am sure you can make it up to me by agreeing you be my girlfriend, then I might consider forgiving you. Also a kiss,” he spoke looking at the ceiling.

You giggled, pressing your fingers into his chest. “I might have to take you up on that,” you teased. Wrapping your arms around his neck. He hummed, snaking his hands down to your waist.

“Maybe you should put some underwear on first,” he teased slapping your bare ass and releasing you. Your cheeks flushed as you, glared at him.

“Tick, tock __. My offer won’t stand foreverrr,” he joked as he walked out the door. You groaned, beginning looking for your torn swim bottoms.

“Accio, swim bottoms.” Jungkook spoke by the door, you whipped around as Jungkook held your ruined swim bottoms by his finger. He wiggled his wand around pointing it at you.

“Come and get me,” he winked, skitting down the hall.

“Jeon!” 

--

Hi, hello, it is i, I am off hiatus!! Yay, okay so this fic I slaved over this for a good 2 weeks lol, it was supposed to be posted in December actually lol that didn’t happen … anywoosie, I really hope you all like it! It took so long to write and so much of my energy, please be kind to the smut HAHA its my first time writing it oof, anywoosie I have some other works in mind, so please don’t ask when those will be up, I am very busy this summer holiday so when I will write when I can ;-; I love you all! Thank u to all my mutuals who motivated me to finish this beast haha, xx ash

[anastiel]

Avalanche

Dean/Cas. 1.4k Post 12x10. (ao3)

It snows in Lebanon on the last weekend of January, a few days after Sam, Dean, and Cas return from their run-in with Isham. Cas notices the quiet first, a bone-chilling one, eerie, that breaks through the immovable Bunker walls around daybreak. He’s up early, unable to fall asleep these days due to his grace and persistent thoughts that cloud his mind. Instead he just rests, tries to faux-slumber for a few hours in his room until Sam or Dean get up and make the Bunker feel smaller, more homey again. Wearing one of Dean’s sweatshirts, and holding a mug of steaming coffee in his hand, he opens the front door and is met with glittering sunlight and a snowdrift covering his slipper-clad feet.

The wind whips at his hair, peppering his dark hair with white. He steps back away from the door, shaking his feet to get the snow off. Snow is colder than he remembers, and the wind-chill causes his body to ache, and his limbs to quiver.

He’s not supposed to feel the elements, he’s not supposed to feel anything, but he passed up being an automaton of an angelic soldier long ago. It’s not a mystery as to why things changed, he knows why, he’s always known.

Cas pushes the door shut, and heads back down towards his much warmer bedroom. Once inside his heated sanctuary, he kicks off his damp slippers, covering his bare red toes with a pair of wool socks he finds in his top drawer. He tugs one of the top blankets on the bed up around his shoulders, holding it tight beneath his chin, and urges his grace to make the shivers go away. The clock on his nightstand flashes 6:00 a.m. It’s still too early, Sam and Dean won’t be up for at least another hour. Cas glances from the clock to the framed picture next to it. The image is one of him and Dean, taken after Amara and God left. Dean’s smiling, one of those soft, special ones he reserves for family, and his arm is slung comfortably around Cas’ shoulder. He’s close, so close that his nose is almost brushing the side of Cas’ cheek. It was the only moment Cas had seen Dean genuinely happy during those weeks while Sam was missing. Mary had taken the picture while they were at a diner on the way back to the Bunker. Cas remembers he had said some lame joke, an attempt at humor and Dean laughed, one of those belly-aching sorts that causes tears to crawl down his cheeks. Cas moves his gaze from Dean to himself, and notices he’s smiling too, a gummy tooth smile. And he looks happy; really happy. He knows he only ever looks like this around Dean.

If we could finally be more than friends, Cas thinks, we would make each other so happy.

The room suddenly feels stifling and despite his angelic state, he feels like he can’t breathe. Cas rises from his seat on the corner of the bed, stealing one last glance at the image. He aches and aches and aches.

He slips on a pair of boots over his socks, stuffing his pajama pants inside, and heads out into the hallway towards the front door.

The snow covers his feet completely, pushing up close to mid-calf and he has to wade through it rather than walk normally. He stops walking fifty feet from the Bunker door, standing in the middle of the snow-covered path and stares out at the expanse of horizon in front of him. The sun is rising, bright orange; color stark against the white paleness of the surrounding world. He bends down, dipping his bare hands into the snow, and pats together a snowball. He throws it and it falls apart mid-throw into a cloud of white. Now his palms are red; fingers numb.

Human, he’s so human.

Cas stuff his hands into the pouch pocket of the sweatshirt, clasping his palms together to warm them, and watches the sun rise.

“Cas? What the hell are you doing out here?”

He turns at the sound of Dean’s voice, pitched up in concern. Dean’s standing in the doorway, squinting at Cas in the brightness, his bare arms wrapped tight around himself to fend off the chill.

“Watching the sunrise,” he answers, simply, with a small smile.

Dean’s face softens at his words, melting into something Cas thinks looks like adoration and disappears around the corner. When he returns, he’s bundled up in a winter coat, boots, gloves, and has a blue wool scarf in his hands.

“Man, I really hate this stuff,” Dean mutters, as he trudges out through the drifts to where Cas is standing. He stops a few inches from Cas, close enough for their shoulders to brush when Dean shifts his weight.

“Here,” Dean says, wrapping the scarf around Cas’ neck, “If you’re gonna be out here at least wear something warm.”

“Dean, I don’t get cold like you,” Cas says, though, he’s slowly learning as the days pass, the less true that statement is becoming.

“Yeah, well, just for my peace of mind keep it on okay?” Dean says.

“Okay,” Cas answers. He bends down, scooping up some snow into his hands again, but instead of forming it into a ball, this time he throws it up in the air, staring up as it comes down onto his and Dean’s heads. Dean sputters a little as some gets in his mouth and bumps into Cas’ shoulder with his own.

“It’s like you’ve never seen snow before.”

Cas chuckles, kicking his foot out and watching how the snow cascades off the sides of his boot.

“Well I haven’t, not like this.”

“What do you mean?” Dean asks.

“Things are different when you have a home; when you have people to share things with.”

Dean makes a sharp noise of surprise next to him, and Cas looks over at him, a soft smile on his face.

“Well,” Dean starts, voicing dropping its surprised tone, “The Bunker is pretty nice, it’s warm, has great water pressure and it’s safe from basically anything so – ”

“Dean,” Cas says, softly. Dean stops talking, eyes widening a little. “I don’t mean the Bunker. You and Sam are my home.”

Dean just stares at him and it takes a few seconds but then he nods, swallowing thickly and says, “Does that mean you’re gonna stay?”

“Dean, surely you should know by now that there’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” Cas says, taking a few steps forward, feeling courageous in the beauty around them. “I love you,” he says, then after a beat, “I love you both very much.”

“Cas,” Dean’s voice stutters a little on his name, and when Cas reaches down to take one of Dean’s gloved hands within his own, he finds them trembling.

“I love you too,” Dean whispers, as if he’s scared of the words coming out of his mouth and what they could do to him. His eyes are darting back and forth, watching Cas’ face; and it’s then in his moment of worry, his fear unknowing what kind of love Cas really means, that Cas kisses him.

The kiss is soft at first, just a slight press of his mouth against Dean’s. Cas deepens it, reaching up with his free hand to pull Dean into him more, and Dean gasps into his mouth. Cas pulls back when Dean does, smiling against Dean’s mouth, and presses their foreheads together, staring into the eyes of the man who altered his entire universe.

“I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” Cas says.

“How long?” Dean asks, voice rough with emotion.

“Years,” Cas answers, and that’s all of answer Dean needs before he’s closing in this time, pressing a delicate kiss against Cas’ mouth.

“Me too,” Dean admits, squeezing Cas’ hand.

The fact that Cas could’ve had Dean for years, if either of them had been smart enough to confront this thing between them is enough to cause tears to brim in his eyes. He could have held him every night, kissed him whenever he wanted to. Though thinking about the recent years, he supposes that sometimes to have the good things in life we have to wait for the time to be right.

“We’re kind of idiots aren’t we?” Cas says, lips twitching up into a smirk.

Dean grins, brilliantly like the sun around them and Cas feels his heart clench tight with love in his chest, “Yeah I guess we kind of are.”

[escapingreality1992]

Secret Pen Pals Ch. 7

Keira’s POV

The 11th

           The trip off to the beach had me ready to relax. My flight wasn’t too long, but long enough allowing me to indulge in a book. It was something I could to take the stress off, to relax. For an entire week. There would be no obligation to see my friends, no puppies to take care. Not that I’d be relieved to be away from my job; I loved it, but there was a point where it could become tiresome. I needed time for myself.

           Time away from the business of New York. Away from the noisy city could do my mind some good. I’d only miss one thing, one person, though. This trip meant I would be leaving Steve behind. It meant not writing to him for an entire week. I would have, but I wasn’t sure how to send it off from where I was staying. If I’d been brave enough, I would have told him. Told him where I’d be staying. Yes, I mentioned the trip, but I failed to give him the address to the house I rented in Oak Island.

           Instead, I have him a specific date to meet. In January; late January to be exact. Stupid. We could have planned this trip out together. But you don’t know if that was even possible. Could he have gotten the time off? I thought to myself. Why was I afraid to meet earlier? Perhaps it was because I thought once he got to see the real me, then maybe he wouldn’t like me. Perhaps, I was also afraid that he would, and we would fall more in love with each other.

           I should have invited Steve to Christmas dinner. I would have enjoyed his company. I could have started more of a deeper connection in our friendship. To bring it to something more. The other person, I could have invited to spend time with me was Natasha. Though, I hadn’t seen her since the night of the storm. No matter. I planned to have the best time I could have at the beach. Even if I longed to have Steve’s arms wrapped around me as we walked along the shore.

           The plane landed and I got off to collect my luggage at baggage claim. I made my way to the rental cars and found the one I had put on hold, getting in and driving down to the house I’d be staying at. It was a three bedroom and two bathrooms. Huge, I know but I figured it didn’t really matter. It was right on the beach, a walkway leading down from the house itself. If I wanted to take a walk, it would only take a minute to get down to the sand.

           I unpacked my belongings in the drawers and closet, placing a stack of books on the nightstand near the master bed. I brought six books in total. Maybe I should have brought more, I thought, shrugging my shoulders. If I had a need to run out and pick up more, I knew a used bookstore in Southport that I could go to. I proceeded to head down to a nearby grocery store to pick up supplies for the week, hot chocolate and tea top priority as well as food I could cook. When I got back to the house and had unloaded the groceries, I realized the only thing I could do around 8 p.m. was read well into the next morning’s light; I wrapped up in blankets and opened the first book of the week, doing just that after eating dinner.

 The 13th

           Most of the day on the 12th, I spent time reading, getting through two more books from the stack near the bed. Deciding to pace myself, I slipped on a sweater and jeans, paired with a scarf, a heavy, black trench coat, and boots; I went out for a walk on the beach, taking the walkway there. The house had come with a pool, but it was outdoors and closed for the season. Understandable for the middle of December. The trip was going well, I thought. I didn’t have a care in the world about other activities. My mind, however, frequently went to Steve and I found myself dreaming about him, only for some unknown reason, I kept seeing him as Captain America.

           Not that I had a crush on the Avenger, but Steve’s description of himself kind of resembled Captain America a little bit. Wouldn’t it be funny if he turned out to be the brave Avenger? Gloria did say he had signed up for the event. It would be my luck that I’d end up with him and didn’t even realize it was him.

           I smiled to myself, my lips stretching across my face as I imagined it. I stopped to face the ocean. To watch the waves crash, one after another; the water stretching along the coastline. Beautiful chaos, the foam receding back out to where it belonged. The wind blew my hair behind me, a few strands getting into my eyes; I tucked those behind my ears, still observing the beauty of nature before me. I bent down to take off my boots and socks, rolling up the bottom of jeans to mid-calf.

           I know this decision wasn’t a wise one; a horrible one really, but I wanted to feel the sand between my toes. To have the grittiness and roughness of it against my skin. I needed to submerge my feet in the salty water. I took a few steps in, yelping at the coldness of it, the December temperature opposite of the nice warm summer temperature it usually had. I looked around to see if anyone was giving me weird looks, but the beach was empty; an invitation to be myself, to leave all worries and thoughts behind. I stood still in the ocean, sinking in the sandbar as the water rushed onto the shore, over my feet.

           After a few minutes, a sound erupted from my throat. A laugh. One loud, genuine laugh. I’d made a decision for myself for once. I didn’t have my parents to tell me not to do something. I didn’t have my friends judging my actions. At this moment, I was free. No comments about being antisocial when all I want to do is read. No judgment about my job. No soul to bring me down. No one to make me as if I didn’t belong. I closed my eyes, my arms coming up to hug my body. I let out a breath of relaxation, letting the cool ocean breeze pour over me.

           For once, I let my mind wander to wherever it pleased. I let go of everything, the tension in my body releasing. I opened my eyes slow and wondered what Steve was doing while I was away, walking back to the comfort of the house.

   Steve’s POV

           Three days had passed. Three days of not having a letter from Keira. She had left on vacation and wouldn’t return until the 16th. Seven days without her. Seven days without who I thought could be my soulmate. I was restless. The workload I decided to throw upon myself overtook me and my thoughts of her. I wanted to try and distract myself from the fact that she wasn’t in New York. More training sessions, more missions to go on. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to stress myself out this much. Maybe I should have gone on a vacation as well. I worried about her. Not about if she’d meet someone else because I knew her heart only belonged to me.

           I worried about her safety. I wondered what she’d be doing on her trip. Would she be thinking of me? Would she be reading? Shopping? Today was another training session and the punching bag I practiced on took a major beating. Each punch would bring about another worry about Keira. More questions plagued my mind. Eventually, I found my mind going where it needn’t be going. Daydreaming about the beach and walking along the shore together, hand in hand. Flashes of imagination of her body underneath mine. Punch. Our lips locked in passion; fingers intertwined. Punch. Her sighs, moans; I imagined how soft her skin would be against mine. Punch.

           The last punch sent the bag off the chain and it flew across the room, hitting the wall with a loud THUD. I turned to see my fellow teammates had stopped what they were working on to glance at me. Bucky, who had started showing concern on the second day approached me, prompting the others to get back to training.

           “Everything alright? You’re not overdoing it are you?” he asked, gesturing to the destroyed punching bag lying in the floor. Another one annihilated by my repetitive thoughts. Though, they had never gone too far. Today, they did, and I felt ashamed, but also wondering if it could ever happen.

           “I’m fine. I guess, I still have a lot of pent up energy,” I said, tugging the bag out of the middle of the walkway.

           “You’re distracting yourself from her. You’ve gone on four missions in two days and today you’ve destroyed a punching bag. I’m worried Steve. Worried because I’m not I’ve ever seen you like this,” he continued.

           “On the contrary, my mind couldn’t get far enough away from Keira. Only this time instead of worrying if she’s safe, my mind went…never mind. I’m fine, I assure you,”

           “She’ll be back the 16th. Three days from now. It’s the 13th. You need to hold it together until the 16th and then write to her. Tell her what’s been going on,” he told me.

           “The 16th. Just need to get to the 16th. I’m restless. That’s all. Nothing to worry about,” I said.

           “Try to relax. Take your mind off her. Not always, but maybe don’t think about her too much. She’s fine. Trust me,” Bucky stated, patting my shoulder.

           “Relax. Right. Everyone can end training today. I need another couple of hours,” I said.

           “Steve…”

           “I’m fine. I just need to get all this energy out. I can’t write to her. I could, but I don’t want to wait too long to hear back from her. Please, Buck,” I said, dismissing the others. He sighed and walked out the room, leaving me to work out all the restlessness. I knew I had it bad for Keira. Especially, if my mind had jumped on the opportunity to go passionate lovemaking instead of the usual romantic scenarios I wanted to plan out. I held back from writing another letter to her, one because of the length of time I would have to wait to hear back from her. Two, because the next letter I would write would set a date to meet in January, plus it would be a care package for Christmas that I hoped she would enjoy.

           Two hours turned into three and out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Natasha descending the steps towards the training room.

           “Go shower. We’re going out tonight. You, me and Bucky. I’d invite Wanda, but she doesn’t know about Keira and I thought you might want to keep that secret a little longer. It might help to talk things out,” she said. I opened my mouth to protest, but she shook her head and pointed to the double doors. I sighed and did as she asked, meeting both of my close friends at the entrance of the compound. We went to a bar and let loose everything, both of them listening and offering advice about what to do.

 The Return – the 16th

           Today was the day Keira would return. She’d be back and I set my plan into motion. I had spilled my guts to Bucky and Nat, who advised me to go ahead and put together the care package to her. It would be filled with goodies for Christmas; hot chocolate, tea, marshmallows, a giant throw, the movie Wizard of Oz. I had even found a Sherlock Holmes book I thought she might like. I planned it out for her to have it before Christmas, so she could take it with her to North Carolina. I hoped it would arrive either on the 19th or the 20th.

           I arranged things into place and set out to write her another letter, detailing the items and other thoughts I had. I even slipped in other drawings I had doodled when the restlessness got to be too much for training. Placing it on top of the presents inside the box, I put on the lid, sealing it and writing her address on top of it. I set it to the side, meaning to send it out before the post office closed today, thinking about Keira and what she would be doing when she got back to New York. I thought about what her reaction would be when she received my package.

  Keira’s POV

           Anxious to get back to my apartment, I thought about the remaining days of my trip. A storm had prevented me going out on Saturday and I blazed through the final books, leaving nothing for Sunday. I had taken a final walk on the beach before picking up two more paperbacks to last me through the night after packing for the trip home.

           I needed to return home to finish Steve’s blanket, the last section needing to be completed. I also wanted to find a book to include in his gift. I’d return to the bookstore I had signed up for the event and pick up the first one that caught my eye. I wouldn’t have much time the rest of the week, work would take over and one night I’d have book club.

           As the plane landed, I almost bolted to baggage claim in order to acquire my things. I took a cab to my apartment, dropped off my luggage and immediately left to run my errands; groceries, final presents and a box large enough to stuff a blanket inside. Unloading the groceries and other purchases, I sat down on the couch to finish up the blanket, turning on my current T.V. show I was binging. I had gotten pretty far with the blanket during Thanksgiving, working on it for hours during both day and night. I ignored the pain in my hands, trying my best to have it done in time to send it off before going down to see my family for the holidays. I would take breaks, giving my hands time to rest before going back at it.

           I worked on it into the early morning, turning in at 3 a.m., knowing I had to get up at 10 to greet my client who would drop off their dog for the rest of the week. I’d be leaving the 23rd to my parents and hoped I could get out another letter to Steve, telling him about the trip and replying to his suggestion of the date we were to meet up.

 Present Day

           I had sent out my gift to Steve, fit with the book and the blanket, including the letter to him on the 17th. I hoped it would be enough time for him to receive it. Tonight, was book club and I’d be leaving Sasha, a cute black and white Aussie of one year behind for two hours. I took her out to potty before I left the apartment, book and purse in hand.

           The club was being hosted at my favorite bookstore; I was thrilled to meet new people outside of my normal social circle. I wanted to get away from the toxic environment created by my three friends. Before I could exit the building, the mailman walked in carrying a large box.

           “Keira MacPherson. You’ve become a regular of mine. I’m glad I caught you in time. Otherwise, I’d have to deliver this tomorrow. Maybe Monday, given that it’s Sunday tomorrow. Whoever this Steve guy is, he’s sent you a box full of stuff this time. Must be one hell of an admirer,” he greeted me. The mailman’s name was Sam and we had become friendly whenever I’d come down for the mail.

           “Yeah, I guess you could say that. Thanks, Sam. I’ll just run this up before I leave for a few hours. Book club tonight,” I said, turning back around to take the box upstairs. I’d open it when I got back, eager to see the contents inside.

             Though, I dropped off the package, I still managed to get to the bookstore 15 minutes early. It turned out I wasn’t the only one; a red head sat at one of the coffee tables in the café. I didn’t go directly over there, deciding to quench my thirst first. I ordered an iced mocha; yes, in the middle of December. What can I say? I love iced beverages, except for ices which set my teeth on edge.

           I walked over to the table and sat, prepared to introduce myself.

           “Hi. I’m Keira. Are you here for the book club? I…Natasha?” I said, the emerald of her green eyes instantly recognizable.

           “Hello Keira. How have you been?” she greeted me; the rasp of her voice familiar.

           “You’re hosting the club? I’m great. I just didn’t expect you to be here,” I said.

           “I thought it might be fun. I think you’re the only one to show up. I do have to be honest with you, though. I really wanted to go out and have drinks with other people. That’s why I put this club together,” she said.

           “Oh. That could potentially be a lot of fun. Do you still want to do that tonight or were we going to discuss the book?” I said.

           “We can have coffee here and talk. Maybe discuss the book every now and then. I want to know more about you. I’m sensing we could be very good friends,” We began a conversation, discussing the book very little. I opened up a bit more to her, not something I usually did with my friends. There was a vibe to Natasha that made me trust her with secrets.

           “You know, I signed up for a pen pal event here at this very bookstore. It sounded interesting and it let me someone new,” I said, the words rushing out my mouth before I could stop them. He eyebrows shot up and she leaned in to ask me a question.  

           “Oh? Did you meet a guy? Or was it not specified who you would get?”

           “It was assigned between girls and guys. Kind of old fashioned. I think we all need that every now and then. We hide ourselves online, but on paper I find I can be myself. Or maybe it’s the writer in me. I’ll tell you what though, most of the girls weren’t happy with their names,” I answered.

           “Why? Anyone special sign up?”

           “Apparently Captain America. I don’t know his true name though. I got Steve Rogers. He’s amazing. I think…no, I know that I’m falling in love with him,”

           “Through letters? How long have you two been corresponding?” she asked.

           “A few months. I know, I know. You’re going to tell me I haven’t seen his face, so I don’t know if I can really trust him. But something feels…I don’t know. It feels right, like I can tell him everything and he’ll listen. Or read it with no judgment,”

           “You don’t think you’ve got Captain America, do you? Do you know the Avengers? Would you be able to tell who the name belonged to?” she said.

           “I know of the Avengers. I don’t know them personally. Though, I’d like to. You should have seen these women, Natasha. They were fawning over him. But, when it came down to possibly the Winter Soldier or Stephen Strange signing up, they dismissed them. Something about the Winter Soldier being dangerous. Dismissed Strange because of his car accident. Cruelty at its finest,” I stated.

           “What do you think of them? Not just those two. Maybe the Avengers themselves. What if you got Captain America? You could be dating an Avenger,” I arched an eyebrow at her. Why was she asking all these questions? She doesn’t seem judgmental, though. Maybe she’s just trying to get my opinions on things, I thought.

           “I think they’re great. Caught up in wars they didn’t choose. Blamed for things others caused. They’re brave. The Winter Soldier doesn’t bother me. Like I said, I don’t know him. He could be sweet and kind and gentle. If I wasn’t already infatuated with Steve, I would date Stephen Strange. I love his scars. I think they’re beautiful,” I said.

           “And Captain America? If you got him, would you be excited to be dating an Avenger?” she pressed.

           “If I got him…hmm. I’d really want to date the man behind the mask. Get to know that man. Sure, he’s an Avenger, but I’m not the type of person who would boast to everyone that I’m dating an Avenger. I’d only be happy to be with him,” I told her.

           “Interesting. I like you. You’re intriguing. You look at things with different perspectives,” Natasha said, sitting back in her chair. We continued talking for another hour and traded numbers at the end of the meeting.

           “Text me when you want to hang out. Maybe we’ll grab a drink or something. You’re fun to hang out with,” Natasha said, before we parted ways. I returned to the apartment, took Sasha out to use the bathroom and I made dinner for us both. As I ate, the box – which sat on the end of my couch – caught my attention. I was eager to open it, waiting patiently as I ate to not choke on my food. I cleaned up and changed into pajamas, walking back into the living room. I stood in front of the box, hands on my hips, staring at it.

           I grabbed it and carried it into the bedroom, commanding Sasha to join me on the bed. I knelt in front of the box for a few seconds, before taking my scissors from my nightstand drawer and unsealing it. Lifting the lid off, I discovered the letter sitting on top of the other items in the box. I opened it first to read it.

             Keira,

           I’m restless. I’ve been restless ever since the 11th. I won’t be able to hear from you. I wanted to write to you earlier, to send a letter, but you’re not here. Most likely, you’ve got your mail on a temporary hold until you get back. The 16th. I’m writing to you on the 16th. The day you return. I held back. It wasn’t easy. A few punching bags got destroyed from my restlessness.

           You’re on my mind constantly these days. I was worried about you. Would you be safe at the beach? Which beach were you at? You didn’t tell me. Not that I expected you too. Why didn’t you? I could have met you down there.

              I’m afraid. I shouldn’t be. But I am, I thought. A small smile tugged my lips at his restlessness. Distance makes the heart grow fonder. I missed him that was for sure. He made my days brighter and warmer. I wanted him to come down to the beach but made the choice not to send him the address. Out of fear. All because I didn’t know if he’d really like me.

             I went on more assignments to try and distract myself from you. Only it didn’t work. It made things worse. Not worse. Damn it, you’re making me nervous even when I haven’t seen you yet. More scenarios entered my head. I want to plan them out so much. They’re romantic. Or they were, until the other day. My mind decided to go where it might have needed to stay away. I’m in love with you. This much is true.

           I know it now. My imagination went rogue. It had me imagining what it would be like to make love to you. Flashes of flesh against flesh entered my head. Your body underneath mine, your silky skin pressed against mine. Our hands intertwined; our lips locked in a fiery passion. In bed, silk sheets covering us. Your hair fanned out on the pillows. Each touch a memory we haven’t created yet.

           Are you sure you don’t want to plan to see each other earlier? Start this relationship soon? I know you wrote about maybe the middle of January. I was going to suggest the 18th. It seems so far away and I’m not sure I can wait any longer.

             The world stopped at Steve’s imagery of us. My breath became shallow as I read and re-read each of those words. A heat and wetness pooled at my center. He turned me on with simple writing. He was making me crave him. Why didn’t we plan to meet earlier? We could have already gone on a date, I thought.

             I’m not helping myself with these words. I keep going back to those images. They’re still in a cabin if you’re wondering. I don’t understand why they’re here already. Maybe it’s just the restlessness. I trained harder today, for more than I probably should have. Natasha whisked me away for an outing with Bucky. I talked things out with them, and they gave me some advice.

           Which is where this care package came from. Though, I had already planned on sending you something for Christmas anyway. Inside are an array of things.

             First, pull out the book. Sherlock Holmes and Phantom of the Opera combined. I figured you already liked classics with your love of Austen. But it’s a classic and your love of Phantom mixed together. Something to read either at your parents’ or on the way there.

             I pulled out the book and read the synopsis, drawn in by his explanation. He knew me already without having to think about it. It would be a great read for the holidays and had me planning to bring not only the book, but the movie as well.

             Second, a giant blanket. I didn’t know what color to get. The store had so many varieties of colors, but I went with a light blue one. I thought you might like to think of me when it’s wrapped around you. While you read your books or knit. Or maybe gaze out on the stars on a winter night. Maybe sit by a fire on Christmas Eve with tea or hot chocolate. Envision my arms around you with it around your body.

             Heat flushed my face as I pulled out the throw. It was plush and wide enough to wrap around me twice. Steve had put a lot of thought on what to gift me. No doubt I’d be thinking about him in North Carolina. I pulled off the ribbon and label, unfolding it to take out the cardboard people placed inside to keep it flat. I unfolded it fully and donned it over my shoulders, digging into the box to pull out two separate smaller boxes.

             Tea and hot chocolate. There should be marshmallows in there as well. Staples you might need during the holidays. I remembered you liked tea while you read. The hot chocolate is something that everyone loves to have. Maybe spice it up with Kahlua or Bailey’s to make it have a little kick. Put some marshmallows in it to drink while you enjoy yourself. If we were to spend the holidays together, I wouldn’t mind kissing the chocolate off your lips, tasting it on your tongue.

           There I go again. Imagining things that turn me on. Though, everything could arouse you as well. I apologize for that. Unless, you don’t mind. I won’t go into any more details. I want to save more dirty talk for when we are in the midst of doing such things.

           There’s nothing else in the box. Merry Christmas. I hope you like your gifts. I hope I got things you’re sure to love. I put thought into the gifts. I usually do. Oh, wait, I did include some other doodles. When training didn’t help, I let my fingers do the work. I hope you like them. Frame them for me and hang them up. Take photos of them, send them to me. Have a merry Christmas. Write to me soon. If you have a desire to push up our date, let me know.

Trying to be patient,

Steve

               I pulled out four sheets of paper from the box. He had drawn a cabin, I suspected one he had in mind for our adventures and coziness. Another one was two dogs in Christmas décor, Santa hats on their heads, tongues hanging out as if in a smile. They resembled labs, a wreath encompassing their bodies. The third was a picture of two people, laying on a bed. Both in sweaters, one with a book in their hand. It took me a second to realize it was supposed to resemble us. It reminded me of the letter in which he had wrote out a story involving us sitting on a couch.

           Except that one involved us kissing. This one had us reading together. A sweet drawing. The final drawing was of a man, maybe it was supposed to be him. The supposed drawing of Steve waved back at me, his sweater with an intricate Celtic pattern on it. The words Merry Christmas, my love over his form. My fingers brushed over his cheeks, over the outfit. I was trying to be patient to meet him, but the craving wanted to overwhelm me. I hoped whatever fate had in store for us would occur soon.

   Steve’s POV

           I paced the living room as I waited for the mail to come. I hoped Keira had written to me. I worried that work got to be busy for her and she didn’t have time to send anything. When nothing came on the 20th, I started to think it had been true. I almost wondered if I had been too forward with my words and maybe she had changed her mind about me.

           “If you continue to pace the floor, the floor might cave in,” a voice greeted me. I turned to see Natasha standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

           “Sorry. I’m still waiting for something from Keira. It’s almost been two weeks since I heard from her,” I said.

           “I saw her the other night. I meant to tell you that. I formed a book club to see her once more,”

           “Nat, I told you not to look into her anymore. Why would you do that?” I stated, a note of anger in my tone.

           “I’m not looking into her anymore. I wanted to get to know her more. Maybe hang out with her. She’s interesting. If she wasn’t in love with you, she’d be dating Strange. Of all people to date, she chose him. She likes us by the way. You probably know that already,”

           “Hang out with her. Wait, she’s in love with me. She confirmed it?” I said, realization hitting me in the face.

           “Yeah. She said she was in love with you. Infatuated. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about her boasting to anyone about dating Captain America. Apparently, she wants the man behind the mask,” I guess concern crossed my features because she held up a hand. “Don’t worry. She doesn’t know who I am or that you’re Captain America. I didn’t tell her anything. I wanted to see Keira’s reaction to some of the questions I asked. If you two weren’t already in love with each other, you will be,” Natasha continued.

           I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until it came whooshing out of me. She didn’t know the truth yet, but it didn’t matter. She’d choose Steve Rogers over the Avenger. An amazing woman with a different perspective on the world. A knock sounded at the door and I glanced to see the mailman holding a large box. I opened the door and took it from him and thanked him.

           “Who’s it from? Keira?” Nat asked. I nodded.

           “I wonder what she sent you,” I set it down and untied the ribbon to lift off the lid. A letter sat on top of a blanket and I pulled it out. I opened the envelope and her words appeared in front of my face.

             Steve,

           I’m back in town and the first thing I wanted to do was to write to you. I needed to finish your blanket first, but eventually I sat down and formed this letter. The blanket is your Christmas present. I got a little too carried away and well, it ended up being 13ft. With only three colors. Guess I’m overly ambitious.

           I suppose you’re wondering how the trip was. It was great. No one to bother me and I read seven books. There was no one to tell me otherwise. No person in my ear telling me I’m antisocial. No friends judging me for keeping my nose in a book. I missed you. I missed Natasha, though I haven’t seen her in some time. I missed you most of all.

             I pulled out the blanket and unfolded, the length to encompass someone three times. She had found a color that matched her eyes and her scent lingered on it. It was soft to the touch and cold from being on the delivery truck. My heart hammered in my chest when she mentioned that she missed me.

           “Keira missed me. I didn’t think I made that much of an impression on her,” Natasha said. She had peered over the letter to read with me and I let out a chuckle.

           “She likes you. She wrote that she’d love to be your friend. I think you made a great impression on her,” I told her.

           I didn’t do much at all. I went for a few walks on the beach. I found myself one day out there, wrapped up in warmth and relaxed. I made the decision to stick my feet in the water. It was cold but I didn’t care. I made it for myself. I let it wash over me, sinking in the sand. Felt the roughness in between my toes. I closed my eyes and let my thoughts roam free. Most of them went to you. The 18th. I want to meet the 18th of January. Though thinking about it, I wish we could meet earlier.

           Maybe you’re right. Maybe fate will bring us together earlier. I hope so. It’s not that I’m lonely, but I want to see your face, I want to hold your hands. I’m falling harder in love with you. I know it. I feel it. I’m not afraid anymore of falling. I wanted you here. I imagined your arms around me, holding my body to your chest.

           I should have invited you to Oak Island. I was afraid to send you the address. I’m afraid you won’t like me when you see me. It’s silly, I know. You’re already in love with my words. Why wouldn’t you like me? Why wouldn’t you love me? If I had invited you here, I could have had you over for Christmas dinner at my home. I want to start this relationship with you now. I want you. I’m craving you. I want to meet your friends. I’m tired of all the toxicity from mine.

           I’m thinking of calling them out on all the judgment. I’m growing in confidence for the first time in my life. I think you’ve helped with that. I’d like for you to meet my family. I want you to meet Newt. He would love you. Like I do.

             She’s in love with me. Keira’s confessed it now. She’s sure. She’s told Natasha, I thought. Everything was happening fast, and I couldn’t explain how things were fitting together. It was like we were meant to be. Maybe the universe decided to provide us both with someone to love. I may have helped her with her confidence, but I think she was finding it for herself. I was a small part of it. She’d allowed herself to break free.

             There was another storm. I sat in the house all day reading, blazing through the remainder of my books. It’s amazing how I can be on vacation and read as much as I do. I scare myself with it. I returned and rushed to put this together for you. I found a book you might enjoy. If We Were Villains. It’s a kind of murder mystery with Shakespeare involved. It’s very good. Kind of draws you in.

           I dreamt of you a few times on vacation. They always brought me back to the cabin. Back to us sitting by the fire, cuddled together. I want this to be a reality. Maybe it can be one of our dates. What do you think? I hope you have a Merry Christmas. I will write to you from my parents’ home. It’s been too long since I wrote you and I missed it too much. If we don’t run into each other on New Year’s, then I hope you have a good one too.

Patiently waiting for you (though hopefully for not much longer),

Keira

             “You really should meet before New Year’s. That would be wonderful. Celebrate it together. Too bad you’ve set a date to meet,” Natasha said.

           “Maybe we’ll run into each other before the set date. It could happen. We almost met at the gala. She was there the whole time and we never saw each other. Maybe it wasn’t our time. Maybe our time could happen before the 18th,” I stated. In my mind, I wanted it to. We were so close to have it happening. To finally seeing each other for the first time. To begin a new life with each other. I planned to write to her at Christmas time. I’d have her address in North Carolina when she decided to write to me, and I could send something back to her. Maybe a final letter to each other if destiny pulled us towards each other.

           All I knew is that I needed her, I wanted Keira. I wanted my future to be with her. I wanted her future to be with us, to be with me. I wanted to bring her to my world. I wanted to kiss her, to hold her, to love her with every fiber of my being.