#hallway console table ideas

[waverlyrowan]

Modern Entry - Hall Mid-sized minimalist light wood floor entryway photo with gray walls

[voidspacer]

Hall in Baltimore Large eclectic dark wood floor entryway photo with gray walls and a dark wood front door

[chronologynut]

Dallas Mudroom Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless dark wood floor entry hall remodel with gray walls

[disneyprincemuke]

midnights * mv1

since your breakup, max hadn’t thought of you. until he stumbled home by himself in the middle of the night.

pairings: max verstappen x fem!reader

warnings: honestly just heartbreak all around

notes: i started writing this when i found out my ex-boyfriend was dating someone new, and now here i am 💀 and i fear i am on my phone once more; i will credit the gif in the morning when i get to school

(next)

the lock clicks as max turns his key, the sound echoing in the eerily empty hallway behind him. he turns the knob and was greeted by his empty apartment.

max hasn’t been home in almost 2 weeks. the races and his media commitments, topped by other projects just made it so rare to find the time to come home. but that’s not the only reason he’s avoiding the confinements of these four walls.

he flips the switch in the entryway, slipping his shoes off. immediately, he notices the vast difference in the way his apartment looks — how strangely lifeless it feels.

he can’t exactly pinpoint what it is and it takes him a second to realise.

you’d emptied his apartment of your belongings.

the breakup happened in the 2 weeks he was away from home. it actually took place a night before his race. he’d grown tired of it too, the neverending misunderstandings and the fights.

so he let you walk away; you hopped on a flight back home.

he hasn’t exactly had the time to think about you since then. you’d only texted him once: two days ago to tell him that victoria will be the one with the cats until he comes back. he’d only replied with a simple ‘okay, thank you’.

he didn’t really know what to say either. he stared at your text message for 5 minutes before daniel called him over to start filming a promotional shoot. that was all he could come up with.

max walks further into the apartment you’d once shared. his eyes are darting all over the place, taking mental notes of spots that look different from the way he had left it.

the framed picture of you with the cats is gone, your magazines on the coffee table, the bowl of your collection of scrunchies as a ‘conversation-starter’ centrepiece — it’s all gone.

his apartment didn’t even feel like home. all of the things that made it feel like home just isn’t in here anymore.

max turns his body, taking a glance at the entryway. even your house slippers aren’t where they usually are. it’s as if you were never even here.

he takes a walk further in, glancing at the sofa. it seems so lifeless now without the teddy bear you brought in, and the blanket that you insisted was only for the living room.

he admits he misses the teddy bear. though, he was opposed to the idea at first, claiming that it’s taking up precious space that you could both be maximising together. it proved a lot more useful when he found himself hugging it when he’s on the sofa watching a show with you.

the remotes for all the appliances are no longer scattered over the furniture mysteriously. they are all lined up neatly on the edge of the coffee table, grouped accordingly. you hated arranging the console remotes for the simple fact that you were too lazy to reach forward an inch to start playing.

and it finally hits him, that in the moment of pride, and simply protecting his peace at the moment, he has now lost you.

for good, it seems.

max drops himself on the couch. he’s still looking around, desperately wishing that this was some cruel dream he’s in. he will wake up with you by his side, your hair in his face with his arm draped lazily around your body. he will wake up and you are still his, and he is yours.

he can only sigh. audbily, at the predicament he has found himself in. at the time, it didn’t occur to him to fight for you; to ask you to stay. he didn’t have it in him to ask you to find reason within yourself to change your mind.

then he hears a soft meow, followed by sounds of pitter patter against the floor of the apartment. before he knew it, the couch dips ever so slightly and then there’s jimmy climbing onto his lap to greet him.

then he hears actual footsteps, slippers dragging against the floor. he turns his head slightly, his one hand patting the feline’s head, and meets victoria’s eyes.

“max?”

“victoria.”

a set of lights by the windows are turned on, granting him a look at his younger sister. she’s standing by the door of the guest bedroom with a jacket hanging loosely around her shoulders.

she has a frown on her face, and a look that screamed she didn’t know what to say to him.

and then his heart breaks. instead of walking through those apartment doors hand in hand with you, giggling from the high you’d get from the bar in his private jet, he is sitting her all by himself. met by his younger sister, who would be gone by morning to go back to her family.

max can only smile sadly at her. he shrugs. “we broke up.”

“i know,” she answers softly, nodding understandingly. she approaches him cautiously with her arms slightly held up. “i’m sorry.”

“me too.”

max scrambles from his position and gladly takes in the hug that she’s offered him. he suddenly feels so small, his heart aching in his chest and his throat closing up. he feels the tears in his eyes as he hugs his younger sister slightly tighter.

she rubs her back up and down, hugging him even tighter when she feels his chest stagger slightly. now he’s sniffling and hands are moving up to his face to wipe the tears falling from his eyes.

“give it time,” victoria whispers, swaying slightly in an attempt to comfort the driver. “i promise everything will fall back into place. slowly, but surely.”

max sighs deeply. “i don’t know why i didn’t stop her from walking away.”

she pulls away from the hug, then tugs his hands towards the couch when he chases her embrace. she leans back, pulling max in for a tighter — and slightly more comfortable — hug.

“i know it sucks now,” she rests her cheek on the top of his head, squeezing his shoulder empathetically. “but let things sort itself out. it will be okay.”

there, in his sister’s arms, he cried for the first time since your breakup. he had been so busy that he hadn’t been able to process the whole situation at all.

the way you had shot daggers at him through your eyes that night, how he snapped at you when he noticed and how the fight had erupted from something barely of significance.

it was just over a cup of coffee — how you had made it with 2 sugars instead of 3.

from there, the topics of contention had evolved into something bigger. in the haze of both of your anger, past arguments were brought up and new ones were created just in that night.

then both of you grew tired. you ended up next to him on the couch of his driver’s room in silence. and you said, “i can’t do this anymore, max.”

and he had said to you, “i’m tired.”

but what he should’ve said was: “i’m sure we can find a way through this.”

but that’s not what he said to you. he stayed silent when you brought it up: “i think we need to break up.”

frankly, he didn’t really know what to say. at first, he was dumbfounded at what you said. never did he think, that when you first start dating, that a breakup would ever present itself.

max told himself, about 4 months into the relationship that there’s absolutely no way he’d end up with anybody else except you.

now, it seems he’s going to have to go through all of this by himself. start the whole thing all over again, unless something changes.

[inmyloveworld]

through the storm (jake "hangman" seresin x reader

word count: ~0.7k

synposis: hangman's partner has gone mia, and he's prepared to tally whatever's weighing them down.

warnings: vague allusions to depression?

a/n: this is very barely proofread or edited. i haven't had any writing inspo and lost the singular request i got months ago, but i've also been going THROUGH IT. so this is yet another result of my self-indulgence (where hangman is taking the reins!) enjoy :D

Grey skies weren't common in California. The bright sunlight always broke between the clouds cresting overhead. Today, though, the thicket of white above turned the world monochromatic. Jake sighed as he drove, knowing it would only hinder his efforts.

He pulled into the quaint cul-de-sac and parked. One hand swept up the few bags cluttering the passenger seat floor while the other fumbled for his keys and phone. A last ditch effort was made to check his notifications, another soft sigh leaving him as only your picture filled the screen.

Jake swiftly exited his truck. His feet felt light as air trailing the way to your front door. The key you'd given him lifted to unlock it, and was promptly tossed onto the small console table.

"Babe?" he tried calling. The warm timbre of his voice rumbled down the hallway. It muffled against your shut bedroom door, not creaked open as it normally was.

The aviator stopped off in the kitchen to settle the bags and refrigerate the few items that needed it. His heavy footsteps groaned into the hardwood floors, continuing to alert you of his presence. You did nothing to warn him of your own. Jake's frown grew in further realization.

He lifted a wavering hand to the doorknob. Privacy was a value of yours, he knew; part of the reason you had insisted to keep your own place until your rental agreement was to expire. But he also knew when that same valued privacy was a cover for your hyper-independence.

Jake settled on one last warning call, a soft rapping of his knuckles against the wood. "Babe, I'm coming in now."

A thought froze him: he had no idea what he was walking into. He had seen his partner in all kinds of vocal states, overexcitement and fury and even deep despair. The sudden quiet terrified him. How could he soothe a numbness, a void?

He would have to learn on the fly, as it was. No way in hell was he going to let you down now.

Another breath and Jake crossed the threshold of your room. Fern eyes flitted over the dark space to observe its state. The curtains were drawn closed, blocking out the little amount of light the clouds permitted. Everything was in its right place and tidied away, as if you'd spent hours decluttering to try and do the same with your mind.

The only thing in disarray was your queen bed, where you laid in a comforter strewn lump in the center of the mattress. Your breaths were silent, yet rose the bedding up enough to settle the worst of Jake's fears. He shut the door behind him as to not shock you any more than he intended to. Every step he took toward you was careful, still uncertain whether you were aware of him.

Sinking down onto the bed was a gamble Jake took hesitantly. Your face was still hidden beneath the blue fabric, your hair fanning out in messy strands. "Darlin'?" His voice was barely above a hum, but it was enough. You slowly peeked your eyes above the comforter to meet his. Jake greeted you with an award-winning smile, one that always turned your insides to putty. "I've been looking all over for you, darlin'. Really know how to run your cowboy ragged."

Tears lined your eyes at his words, guilt flooding you. "I'm sorry," you croaked. Jake's face immediately fell.

He leaned down to lay at your side, facing you and reaching up to cup your cheeks. "No, no, baby; don't you apologize, okay?" It ached his heart to see you feeling so small. Your vibrancy changed the colors of his life for the better. At present, they were all muddled and shirked away from your own view. Even if Jake couldn't bring those hues back to you himself, he would do everything he could for you while you awaited their return.

Jake thumbed away the few tears that started to roll down your cheeks. "C'mere," he cooed with an arm outstretched. You shuffled towards him in your mess of blankets for him to slide beneath. One arm snaked around your torso, drowning in one of his old tees, while the other cradled your head to his chest.

"There we are," he hummed as your bodies settled into one another. Jake pressed a kiss to your forehead as he felt the damp spots soak into his shirt. "I've got ya now, darlin'. I'll always hold you through the storms." After all, they were much easier to weather together than alone.

🏷️: @avengersfan25, @roosterforme

[sopiao]

i’ve had writers block for the longest fuckn time and i just thought if an idea that i think is cute :3 (i wrote this with the 141 + könig)

So, imagine having glasses, and losing them during a mission or breaking them in your sleep. So, now you have to go throughout the day, week, month, however long it takes to get fixed with out them.

Constantly squinting and having a permanent confused face when you can’t see the board that Price is mapping out the plan for the next mission.

“What happened to yer glasses?” Soap leans a little to the side, still trying to look like he’s still paying attention, he’s been thinking whether Price is bald or not for the past 20 minutes.

“They broke” You shrug, acting like you don’t really need it that much, but right now you could be declared legally blind with how much your vision sucks right now.

“What— How?” Facing you now, not caring whether he looks like he cares about the briefing or not.

“I.. br-mmm” You mumble, too embarrassed to tell him how it broke.

“Huh?”

“I bro-mmmm, sleep”

“Wut?”

“I broke it in my sleep” Everyone gets up now that Price’s done. Mumbling quietly so no one else hears, although now you brought more attention to yourself with how Soap can barely contain his snickering.

“I can try to fix em for you” He follows you to your barracks where you pull them out of a drawer. Literally snapped in half, one lense has a crack across it, and one of the arms is broken off. It’s all in three pieces.

Soap is literally shaking, clenching his fist as he tries not to burst out laughing. Literally his vision goes as blurry as yours as he tries not to let any of his tears slip.

“H— H—How.. did this.. happen?” He gets cut off every time by his own wheezing, having to suck in to keep himself together. Looking at how broken your glasses are, it’s like you were twisting like an alligator in your sleep.

—

“What, the fuck, are you doing?” Ghost walks into your room to see you face down in a book, at first he through you passed out asleep until he saw you move your face across the page to see the next sentence.

“I don’t have my glasses” Seeing your 3 pieces of glasses by your desk, he has to take a deep breath to compose himself and shut the door to keep himself from laughing in front of you.

—

“WHAT THE FUCK” You yell, storming into the common room for the fifth time, more pissed this time as you stomp around, looking around, under, and in everything you can.

Huffing as you finally give up and sit on the couch next to Gaz and Soao who’s slouched on a bean bag. Seeing your obvious outburst, Gaz sets down his comic book on his lap.

“You okay, buddy?” He asked, laying his arm behind you on the edge of the couch. Trying to console you like a child.

“I lost my notebook again, I wasted an hour of my free time trying to look for it” You slink in further into the couch, arms crossed, blowing a piece of hair out of your face that still ends up landing on your nose.

“Oh..” Gaz said, looking between you and the very obvious bright red notebook on the table that’s literally right in front of you.

“I- I’m sure it’ll turn up” He shrugs, not knowing whether he should point it out or just let you figure it out.

“You think it’s just gonna show up out of the blue—“ You sit up, immediately cutting yourself off.

“WHAT THE—“ (hopefully y’all got the reference)

—

Ghost and Price both perk up and look at you when you knock and poke your head through the crack of the door.

“Have you guys seen König anywhere?” They both look at you, each other, then at König who’s literally right behind you. He’s holding a finger to his lips, to tell them to not tell you. They look back at each other then shake their head at you.

“Damn.. Thanks anyway” Standing in the hallway with your hands on you hips as you bite on your bottom lip.

He’s been following you for the last 15 minutes doing this. You asked Soap about him when you were in the kitchen, König was standing beside you. Following you around the base the entire time you searched for him.

Asking newer recruits where he was, they played along as well. Too intimidating by the man behind you to deny his request to keep quiet.

—

“Here. I fixed it for you” Price hands you a cloth which had your glasses wrapped in. It made your heart warm that he took time out of his work to fix it for you.

Unwrapping the white handkerchief. Your glasses are being held together by white medical tape. Surprisingly sturdy. Putting them on your face, you feel reborn now that you can actually see.

“These actually suck. But thank you” Smiling up at him, thankful that he actually did something to help. You started doing little favors for him for a couple weeks to try and repay him :3

[reveluving]

drown in your body ; rick flag x reader (ft benny miller)

summary: Benny knows he can only appreciate you from afar for so long, and despite his biggest threats, specifically, your husband and Benny’s own questionable morals, he can’t help but take a quick peek.

warnings: smut (minors DNI!), possessive af!Rick vs pervy af!Benny (whew)

a/n: everyone say tq to drown by Baekhyun because I was able to conclude the year by choosing violence and write this piece about Rick blowing your back, from the pov our fav menace <3 don’t forget to leave some sugar! ᐠ( ᐛ )���

» j.k. m.list (series under 'rick flag vs the triple frontier boys'), or check out my full m.list!

» smut includes; unprotected & kinda rough sex, spanking, voyeurism, dirty talking, possessive & kinky Rick vs pervy & kinky Benny 🧎🏻‍♀️, kinda dark but not really?? they just really kinky fr fr

'Then again, what's the harm in just a quick peek and run, right?' ;

Benny knew he had reached a different kind of low just by doing this.

He didn't mean to, at first.

All he tried to do was pass you the mail that had been mistakenly sent to their house. The package looked pretty important, judging by the sheer size of it, so he thought to give it to you directly rather than leaving it on your porch.

He knocked, and knocked, and knocked, but no one answered. Not you, not Rick, not even the cat that loves to visit your house every other day. He had no reason to try and turn the doorknob, but he definitely wasn't expecting it to be unlocked. Whether his reason for trespassing had anything to do with stubbornness or worry, the latter because he feared something had happened to you, was uncertain, but the package in his hands was no longer his priority at the moment.

No, it was the distant moan coming from upstairs.

It should've been his cue to scram, to pray that you or Rick had forgotten about whether or not one of you brought the mail in, to control his sick curiousity and avoid getting killed.

Literally.

But, oh, those noises were so tempting, so melodious, so needy. He only realized his feet were moving on their own when he reached the bottom of the stairs. He didn't move for a hot minute, mentally arguing with his inner demons for being so depraved for you the way he is. Or maybe, it was the fact that he could hear Rick's grunts in between your yelps.

Will would have his head for this.

But, who's to say Santi and Frankie wouldn't do the same either?

Then again, what's the harm in just a quick peek and run, right?

Well, everything. He could be dead on the spot.

He's seen the displays of affection you two have for each other, Rick doing so to spite the group as well but as much as Benny hated to admit it, he could see the true love both of you shared. He was grateful you found happiness just as he was disheartened that that happiness wasn't him.

But, as long as your husband was treating you well, then why should he complain? And judging by the sounds you're making upstairs, he definitely was.

He sighed, knowing he was a lost cause when he slowly ascended the stairs, testing any parts of the thread that could give him away with unnecessary creaks. He even held onto the handrails like a lifeline, but

The sight in the hallway brought him to a halt— eyeing the dress that lay on the floor slowly filled him with anticipation. Rick's suit jacket was barely hanging on the console table but what caught his eyes was the flimsy material peeking out of the pocket.

Your lacey panties.

Oh, Benny knew he was done for.

He quickly tried to navigate the room before he could even think about the idea of snatching for future use, his only guide was the noises coming from the bedroom, which was at the other end of the floor. Benny had no one to blame but himself, giving in to his curiousity and investigating like an airheaded character in a horror movie.

The closer he got to the door, the smaller his steps became, fearing that one bold movie would give his position away and have his funeral right then and there. And yet, his possible fate didn't steer him from his goal, his cock growing harder since his less-than-welcomed arrival.

And lo and behold, he reached the jackpot. His heart was racing faster than he thought was healthy, but just as he was thinking with his dick, he peeked. Despite the pep talks he gave himself, he could've given himself away when he nearly choked at the sight he was blessed with.

With your face nuzzling the blankets and ass up, Rick relentlessly thrust his hips into yours. He threw his head back, sliding his hand up and down the perfect curve of your spine before smacking your pretty ass. Hard. Each spank he presented drew little yelps out of you, the man above towering over you chuckling darkly every time you did.

Oh, what he wouldn't do to have you underneath him.

The dazed look on your face as you bite into the sheets was hypnotizing. Those sweet red lips that he wants to both kiss and see wrapped around his cock. Just as Benny began palming his cock over his sweatpants, he then noticed your bounded hands, the silky royal blue material was likely Rick's tie. He patted himself on the back, his speculation of you and Rick celebrating what was likely your anniversary was brief when his attention reverted back to your fists, flexing helplessly as Rick picked up the pace.

And to think he once found you intimidating. But just like the first time he met you all those years ago, he still found you very, very hot.

"Rick..!" His name and whatever incoherent nonsense you were trying to tell him were all you could say, as if your brain had into mush, which, frankly, it had. He cooed almost condescendingly dipping his head next to yours. Though his wet hair gave Benny little to know information about what he was whispering about but judging by your little whimpers, it was probably just as obscene as the sounds of his hips slamming against yours.

"Fuck," He growled, snapping his hips when you bucked yours, "You know exactly what you're doing to me, clenching on my cock like that. Dirty girl, aren't ya?"

"I-I am!" You whined, releasing the sheets out of your lips with the lewdest expression Benny's ever seen, "Y-Your dirty girl!"

Fuck.

To have you react in such a way, to be the one to pull himself back just enough to surprise you when he trusts back into you, feeling those tight walls flex around him.

That wet pussy of yours was practically calling him in like a siren.

He could imagine how soaked you were. He’d go as far as licking the sheets if he had to. All for just a taste. Fucker probably gets to taste you every day, Benny thought with great displeasure, and who was he kidding, he probably did.

Benny bit down on the collar of his shirt at the same time your pitch grew higher. He wanted to scream—he couldn’t groan in your ears the way he wanted to, he couldn’t cum all over your beautiful body the way he needed, and he most certainly couldn’t have you the way he yearned for. He couldn’t get too lost in the moment and yet, he was glued to the spot. You were close, and so was Benny, and he knew he couldn’t stay for long. No, it was too risky to stay till the very end.

Just as he questioned his chances yet again, something, or rather, someone threw all of his thoughts out of the window.

“Ain’t she a sight for sore eyes?”

Benny stilled, the heartbeat in his ears was suddenly the loudest it's ever been. He should’ve just run, but being the typical stubborn man he was, he slowly looked back, seeing not just Rick, but you look up at the half-opened door. Through your tears of pleasure, you stared back at the man with wide eyes, but your husband, on the other hand, looked like he was ready to commit a murder, like a bull seeing red and wanted nothing more than to hunt the poor fuckers down. You gasped, teeth grazing the sensitive part of your shoulder before angling his thrusts, effortlessly hitting your sweet spot.

"Better close the door on your way out, kid."

˚ · . f i n . · ˚

» gorgeous rose divider by the amazing @firefly-graphics ♡

[theladyofmanyfandomsfanfiction]

Usual Trouble

Characters: Reader x Jason Todd (platonic)

Warnings: Language

Summary: You come back home to a wrecked mansion and an injured Robin.

You pushed the wide, heavy manor doors and wondered why Bruce hadn’t parked his car under the trees like agreed. Then you remembered that the man was off in Metropolis helping Clark and wouldn’t be back for a few days. Tossing the keys onto the hallway table, you smiled - the manor was yours.

Once you had brought in all the groceries, you locked up and then carried the bags to the kitchen. You unloaded the items that needed the cool temperature of the refrigerator but took a tub of the Neapolitan ice-cream. Packing it in another bag, you grabbed two spoons and walked towards Bruce’s study. On the way, you noticed the Ducati laying on its side by the stairs that led to the cellar and fresh set of scratches on its paint and the wall.

Leave it to Jason to stunt his way through the house while you were out running errands. Opening the secret entrance behind the grandfather clock, you made your way down to the Batcave, elevator doors sliding open.

“You know, Bruce asked me to have a chat with you about the Ducati in the house.” You told Jason as you walked. “But I stopped listening when he started listing why.”

You had almost reached the console when you noticed the dark-haired boy leaning against a pillar dressed in his vigilante costume, bloodied, bruised and exhausted. You quickly set the bag down and jogged over to find out what had happened.

“Shit - Jason, what have you done?” You whispered and began the process to assess the damage. He wasn’t supposed to be out in the field unless you or Bruce were informed. The fact that he didn’t listen pissed you off. “What were you thinking?”

Jason chuckled and then winced. “I thought I handled him well.”

You glared at him for a second before pulling a chair for him to sit on. “You’re broken in about four places.” Lifting his hair gently, you shook your head. “And probably concussed. Who did this?”

Averting his eyes to the floor, Jason made his confession. “The Riddler.” But when he saw your eyes widen, he rushed to explain himself. “He almost broke out of Arkham so I shoved his riddling ass back inside. I saved people I should be fucking thanked.”

Sighing, you glanced at the Batcave console. “Wait here.” You instructed and briefly left his side to retrieve the first aid kit. When you returned, you pulled up a second chair and sat opposite him, looking at his injuries again. “Okay, one thing at a time.”

Carefully, you nursed the young Robin back to health and tended to the open wounds. It had gotten awfully quiet for a long time until Jason finally asked the question that was plaguing his mind.

“Are you mad?”

It asked so gently that you wondered if the same hot-headed boy was sitting before you. Shaking your head, you set the tweezers down on the metal tray after extracting the bullet.

“No.”

“Then why did you freak out?” Jason asked defensively.

“Because I worry every time you go out on your own.”

“Why - because you think that I’m weak? That I can’t handle myself out there?” The young boy started to yell and you saw his temper flare up. 

In moments like these, you stayed silent until he simmered down in his own time. It didn’t take long for Jason to realise that his tone was out of line and his muscles relaxed, breathing evening out. He didn’t apologise and you didn’t expect one, letting him steer the conversation elsewhere.

“I heard Bruce yelling at you yesterday.” He resumed softly. “After you mentioned my idea to visit Dick in San Francisco.”

You picked up a cloth bandage and began unwrapping it. “He’s always pissed about something.”

“Why back me up? You know every reason why I shouldn’t go.”

You looked up. Despite being beaten by one of Gotham’s most cruel, Jason’s eyes still shone with something special. Placing a hand on his cheek, you tilted your head and sent him a small smile.

“The way that I see it is, if Robin is always out there defending the city then who’s defending Jason?” You questioned.

You were just speaking your truth when, quite suddenly, the young Robin leaned forward and wrapped his arms around your waist, engulfing you in a hug that only got tighter by the second.

Jason gripped the back of your jacket. “All I do is fuck things up.” He said, voice on the verge of tears.

You hugged him a little bit tighter. “In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t care.”

Masterlist here

[zablife]

Tachipen (Part 4)

Tommy x female reader

Summary: With the flip of a coin, Tommy makes a deal to bring a 20 year old gypsy girl into the Shelby clan. Considering her too young to marry, he employs her as a nanny. When tragedy strikes, he’s forced to confront the truth he has always known. 

Author’s Note: This was requested by @honey-im-hotdog who asked for a fic about Charlie’s nanny. I decided to turn it into a series. The story will be told through flashbacks, but I will note the year. Tommy meets y/n in 1919 and the story goes thru present time which is the year of the vendetta, 1925. 

Warnings: language, ethnic slur, violence, childbirth

1924, Tommy’s wedding day

A broken side window and a smell of petrol. Nothing left, but smoke and ash. You tried to put the disturbing thoughts out of your mind, but it was all you could think of as you sat at the long banquet table adorned with tapered candles and silver trays of food. Across the table, John laughed at his own joke, an expensive cigar in one hand and a glass of Irish whisky in the other. Isaiah clapped him on the back as he joined in and you wondered if they held a shred of remorse for what they had done.

“Y/n, is everything alright?” Ada asked, noticing the far off look in your eye.

“I need some fresh air,” you lied. Pushing your chair away from the table, you threw your napkin on the table and turned from the rowdy men as they called after you, feeling nothing but disgust. Finding the front of the house occupied by Grace’s family, you attempted to escape the sea of red uniforms with the rest of the staff below stairs. As you paced the darkened hallway outside the kitchens, you heard someone clear their throat and you looked up to find Arthur standing before you, hands in his pockets as he watched you carefully.

Unable to hold it in any longer you demanded to know, “I’m not allowed a man on my arm?”

Adopting the tone of a weary older brother reluctant to enforce his authority he began softly, “It’s about your choice of man. You know the rules.” You turned from him and he lay a hand on your shoulder attempting to console you, “Come upstairs and enjoy the party, love.”

You faced him, wiping a tear away with your sleeve. “Pretend we’re all a happy family, is that what you’d like?” you asked, failing to contain your spite.

“Aren’t you happy for Tommy?” Arthur asked, confused by your words. As he pulled away from you to study you with concern, Michael passed through with a girl on his arm. Motioning for her to go on without him, he stopped to speak to you.

“Everything alright?” he asked, the hazy, cocaine induced grin fading from his face. 

“You know it isn’t! You know why he didn’t come, don’t you?” you asked bitterly, placing your hands on your hips to stare him down.

“Who? You mean the wop?” he said scrunching his nose as though the very idea was repugnant. You could tell by his reaction he held no concern for Angel Changretta’s plight and that made you angrier than before.

“His name is Angel Changretta and his restaurant was burned to the ground to stop him coming tonight!” you corrected as you charged Michael, unable to believe his callousness.

Arthur stepped between you and Michael, placing a hand on your shoulder as he said in a calm voice, “Now, y/n, we tried to tell you. Angel Changretta weren’t good for ya. He’s a dangerous man. He’s had five different names in the last six years, and he’s got connections with the Naples boys.”

“How could you be that bloody stupid? The order was simple! No fraternizing with foreigners!” Michael spat at you from over Arthur’s shoulder.

You shook free from Arthur’s grasp, a wild look in your eye at the thought of being told what to do by the youngest member of the family. “You have no right to choose who I see in my own time!” you shouted at him. Micheal only returned an icy stare as you shook your head at him in disbelief.

Then you added more quietly, “Maybe I was stupid…to have told John that Angel showed me kindness.” Looking down at your shoes you said to more to yourself than to the men surrounding you, “Angel didn’t deserve this for being with me. I wasn’t even serious about him. Just passin’ the time cause I can’t be with the man I want.”

“Be glad it was only a warning then. Sometimes killing is a kindness and the Peaky Blinders do that very well,” Michael threatened, holding your gaze a moment before stalking off to find his girl.

You gulped as you watched him go, feeling chilled to your core. Your anger soon returned as you picked up a nearby vase and threw it as far as you could, letting out a scream of frustration. You slid down the wall, watching water drip down the subway tiles across from you. Arthur surveyed the damage, before shuffling toward you.

“It goes for all of us. We all have our orders,” he said as he extended a hand to you.

You ignored it as you picked up a crushed flower at your side, “But you have someone so you couldn’t possibly understand,” you answered sadly. Pulling your knees into your chest and pressing your cheek to your forearms you muttered, “Go back to Linda, Arthur, and leave me alone.”

Arthur slipped away quietly. As he passed Tommy on the stairs, Tommy asked, “Where’s y/n?”

“Downstairs, but she wants to be alone,” Arthur said as he stood in his way.

Tommy cocked his head and squinted at Arthur. “Have you said something about the order given last night? She wasn’t to know, Arthur.”

“She already knows, Tommy. I tried to explain it to her, but fucking Michael was high on snow. Made it worse,” he said running his hand through his hair.

Tommy punched the wall beside him in a fit of rage. He had only tried to keep you safe. He hadn’t intended to hurt you. 

From somewhere deep within the house calls for the groom could be heard and Arthur shifted uncomfortably. “We need to go back up, brother. Let’s go see your lovely bride,” Arthur suggested, but he could tell that wasn’t what consumed Tommy’s thoughts.

Tommy hesitated on the stairs as he took one final glance around. Massaging his sore knuckles, he murmured to himself, “I will make this right.”

—————————————————-

1919 

It was far too late for you to be awake, but you couldn’t sleep. Some nights you still dreamt of home. It was difficult not to think of your sisters at times, wondering what they were doing, and if they ached for you the way you ached for them. As you sat at the kitchen table, drinking a cup of tea, Tommy descended the stairs. He looked exhausted, braces hanging from his shoulders and hair tousled as though he had tried to sleep and failed.

“What are you doing awake, ey? Thought the kids would have worn you out,” he said, voice raspy from the late hour and too many cigarettes. He lit another as you thought of an answer.

“Why are you awake?” you countered, looking him in the eye. You wanted to show him you weren’t afraid of him, hoping to put the unpleasantness behind you and start anew.

Tommy sat back in the chair across from you, blowing smoke into the air. “I asked you first,” he said with a raised eyebrow.

“Alright, I was thinking of my family. What they’d say now,” you confessed, swallowing harshly.

Tommy nodded thoughtfully, then leaned forward, digging into his pocket. He placed a bullet in front of you, standing it on end and left it there for you to consider. “That’s what they’ve said. Go on, have a look,” he said, taking another lazy drag.

You watched his eyes as your fingers reached for the cool metal, rolling it over in your hand before reading his name etched on the side. You knew what it meant. His death had been ordered. You knew it wasn’t your father, he wouldn’t have bothered. Your sister would be married by now though to one of the men Tommy and his brothers had cut the day you had left so this could only have come from one family.

Nodding thoughtfully you replied, “This came from the Lees?”

“That’s right, love,” he said seemingly unbothered by the fact that men were trying to kill him.

“What are you going to do?” you asked, eyes darting to his for some sign he understood the severity of the threat.

“Nothing,” he replied simply.

“But…the bullet has been written, Tommy. They will kill you,” you stressed to him.

Tommy shook his head and a small smile crept onto his face as he leaned forward, “No, I don’t think they will. And do you know why?”

You shook your head, fearing what he might say next.

“Because you know everything that went on in that camp. So I need some information from you to implement a plan for my business. Do you understand?” he asked snatching the bullet up and holding it in front of you.

You nodded fiercely. “Yes, what do you need?”

“You can start by telling me what you know of the racetracks,” he said with a grin. 

————————————————————————-

“Are we going to see Daddy?” the children asked excitedly. 

“Yes, we are. We’re going to surprise him today,” you said with a big grin, swinging hands with Clara along the way. The sun was setting over Small Heath at the end of a long day and the golden light made everything look softer somehow. 

“I want to see Uncle Tommy!” William shouted.

“He’s not there now. He and Aunt Polly have gone away on business,” you explained as everyone began talking at once. 

As you came upon the front door, you noticed a Lee boy sneaking inside. Your stomach turned, knowing something wasn’t right. “Katie, why don’t you wait outside for me while I fetch your dad?” you suggested. She shrugged, taking Henry from your arms and you carefully ventured inside. 

The moment you crossed the threshold, hands clamped over your shoulders and the front door slammed shut. Before you could scream, the man holding you clapped a filthy hand over your mouth and pulled you into his sweaty body. You inhaled a sharp breath as a knife came to your throat. “So you’re still here, y/n,” a familiar voice hissed in your ear. The knife pressed against your skin as he tightened his grip on your waist. “Like being Tommy Shelby’s whore do you?” You attempted to shake your head, but thought better of it, replying through clenched teeth, “What do you want Erasmus?”

“Just taking back what’s ours, sweetheart. Every last dime you helped Tommy Shelby steal at Cheltenham” he spat. “And more because I know he’s got it,” he sneered. Angered by his words you fought with all your might, feeling the sleeves of your dress tear and nails drag across your skin as you pulled away. You jabbed and clawed your way free until you could sink one hand to your boot to retrieve the knife Esmerelda had given you to defend yourself. Unsheathing it quickly, you raised up cutting Erasums from his chin to his forehead. He reared back with a roar of pain, holding his face as blood gushed forth in bright red spurts.

As you tried to run through Polly’s house you were met with the sight of Ada, asking what was wrong. You gasped for breath as you replied, “We’ve been done over. Run, Ada!” But the warning came too late, as one of the Lee boys barged into the parlor with a gun pointed at you.

“You’re not going anywhere. Sit the fuck down,” he said and you did as he said, watching as the men who accompanied him, mostly kin, overturned the shop. They broke everything in sight and stole what money and valuables they could find, four cash boxes in total. When they were satisfied they had what they wanted, Erasmus came in to see you, jerking you up from your chair by your elbow. 

“You give Tommy a message from me,” he said, holding you harshly by the jaw.

“What’s that?” you asked defiantly. 

“Tell him we want our cut or there'll be more of this,” he said, striking a blow to your cheek that knocked you to the ground. Ada screamed, rushing to you as you fell. The men ran out as quickly as they had arrived and you were left alone in the disheveled house. Only then did you hear the children calling to you, grateful that they hadn't witnessed any of it.

You called them in, hugging them tightly to you. You rocked Henry until he stopped crying and checking everyone over to be sure they weren’t harmed. William shouted out in protest. “Y/n, you’re hurting me, let me go!” Soon your attention was stolen by Ada’s whimpers then a shout.

“Holy shit. Water!” Ada said, looking down at the puddle at her feet.

“What does that mean?” Katie asked.

“Means the baby’s comin’,” you explained. “Take your brother to the neighbors’,” you said trying to keep the fear out of your voice as you pushed Henry into her arms. Of all days for Polly to be away, you thought. 

“Alright, let’s get you comfortable,” you said to Ada, praying you’d be able to do just that, but knowing you were in for a long evening. As the night wore on, John eventually came looking for you and the children and was met with Ada’s screams. 

He’d obviously been drinking because he didn’t seem to notice the state of the betting shop or understand what was happening with his sister asking, “What’s going on in here? Someone strangling a cat?”

“I’m going to strangle you if you don’t get the fuck out, John Shelby!” Ada yelled at him before lurching forward to push once more.

“Keep going. That’s right. Push,” you encouraged her, trying to ignore John. Ada screamed out in obvious pain once more and you looked up to see the note of recognition wash over John. You shook your head at him as you felt her stomach, prodding at the top of her bump and then the bottom. He eyed you suspiciously, your look of concern sobering him instantly.

“The baby’s the wrong way round,” you proclaimed, feeling sick to your stomach.

“How do you know?” John asked.

“I’ve attended three other girls before in camp. One was like this,” you said, biting your lip and trying to think.

“What do we do?” John asked removing his coat and hat, rolling up his sleeves to show he was ready to help. Ada threw her sweat soaked head back against the pillows, too tired to care who was in the room now.

“There’s something else to try. Lean her forward,” you instructed and John helped you move Ada onto all fours. 

“It’s not long to go now,” you cooed in her ear, rubbing along her back, then helped her count “one, two, three. Push.” Ada groaned out a miserable sounding whine as she forced herself to push harder through the pain before trying to collapse onto her elbows.

“Ada, if you stay strong, I’ll fetch Freddie soon and he can see his son,” John said, and that gave Ada the motivation she needed. In two more pushes, her son Karl was born, wailing to the heavens.

“It’s a beautiful, baby boy,” you said as you cleaned and swaddled the child to hand to his mother. You helped Ada move into the rocking chair by the crackling fire just as Freddie burst through the door, tears glistening in his eyes at the sight of his wife and newborn son.

As you washed your hands clean of blood in the porcelain basin, your heart swelled at the sight of Ada leaning her head onto Freddie’s shoulder as he cradled their child and whispered to him softly. Sneaking out the back as quietly as possible so as not to disturb them, you collided with John who was waiting for you in the alley.

“You did well, tonight, love,” John said, moving toward you with a warm smile. 

“I couldn’t have done it all by myself,” you said, shyly. Then jerking your chin across the street you asked, “Do the children know you they have a cousin?” 

John nodded and added, “Yeah, but then they went back to sleep. They’re gonna stay with Mrs. Andrews tonight. Tommy just got back so I sent a blinder to tell him the news….how should we celebrate, ey?” he asked, placing a rough hand to your cheek. Your breath hitched as he leaned down to ghost his lips over yours, pressing against you gently until you were moving in perfect sync with him. The pad of his thumb caressed you softly as his tongue pushed your lips apart, seeking more of your warmth and you let out a quiet moan against him, feeling him smirk against you. 

Suddenly you heard someone in the darkness clear their throat and then you saw Polly’s figure come into view in the doorway, her curls outlined by the lamplight. “John, I would’ve thought you’d be at the Garrison by now wetting the baby’s head.”

John pulled away from you slowly, hand dropping to your shoulder as though unwilling to let you go as he replied, “Aunt Pol, when did you get back?”

Polly motioned to you as she offered, “Y/n, I’m sure you’d like a nice, hot bath after the day you’ve had.”

You realized what a state you must be in, moving to smooth your hair before ducking under John’s arm. “Thank you, Polly.”

She nodded, glancing back at John who still stood frozen in place, one hand against the brick wall. 

After you’d gone, Polly lit a cigarette, walking toward her nephew in slow, measured steps as she considered him. Standing at his back, she turned her head and blew smoke into the night air. “John, she’s only just found her footing here. She’s young and the last thing she needs is heartbreak,” She placed a hand on John’s shoulder, thinking of the many affairs he’d had since he returned home from the war. “Find someone else to put your fires out,” she warned.

John only nodded in reply and headed back toward the Garrison to join his brothers in celebrating their new nephew. As he opened the door of the snug, Tommy and Arthur greeted him. He stepped inside, removing his cap and glancing to the corner as he took in another familiar face, kind and beautiful. “Hello, John,” she said brightly.

------------------------

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[dodorimo]

WIP Wednesday

Thank you for tagging me @tellmeallaboutit <3

If you have been tagged before I'm sorry @sorrowfultales @djmorn @adevilyoudo

WIP - Do not call Raphael old (or maybe do that)

Eirin adjusted the hood around her head, looking both ways before crossing the street. Failure to pay attention in a place like this meant she would end up with a lighter purse and a knife to her throat. It was a rainy, ugly night. The kind that would make the average person stay at home with the windows well closed and the doors safely locked.

Her latest deal with Raphael involved trading a magicked skull for an item that increases one’s vitality. The idea of keeping secrets from her party didn’t make her proud, but guaranteeing their survival took priority. They would forgive her, eventually. If it was any consolation, she never intended to give Raphael his much-coveted crown, even though she wasn’t above dealing with him on more agreeable terms. She prepared herself for the worse, but he was all too happy to oblige. Perhaps a little too happy.

Raphael was sitting in the far corner of the bar, with Korilla at his side, when she entered the room. It took only a second to recognize them, standing out from the crowd like a flower among thorns. Quite an unglamorous place he chose this time, she noted with a cursory glance. Not his usual scene, she’d wager, but it served its purpose.

The discreet bag was unceremoniously dropped onto the table with a thud. She went through quite a deal of trouble at Lady Jannath's estate to acquire that skull, and quite some more to keep it under control. Part of her was beginning to think the reward wasn't on par with the effort.

Raphael donned a black-and-red doublet that night, every inch of him a prince. Looking at the devil always brought a mix of fascination and uneasiness. His teeth were too white, his hair so shiny it could as well have been polished with varnish. But she supposed there was a purpose to it, all part of his meticulously crafted appeal.

“If you would be so kind, Korilla dear.” Raphael’s velvety baritone cut through the silence.

“As you wish, boss.”

The dwarven woman didn’t give her time to dwell on her thoughts. She gave her a look of disapproval, frowned, then stood up from her seat and took the bag with her down a dark hallway. If Raphael noticed the waves of jealousy radiating from his esteemed help, he didn’t comment on it.

“Tav, Tav, Tav. How can I be of further assistance? Can I interest you in a good wine to wash the palate?” He waved to the barkeep, and the man filled her a glass and slid it across the counter in record time. “This one is twelve years in the making, half your age, if I recall correctly.”

“That depends,” she answered, ignoring his prattle. “Do you have anything else in store for me?”

“So quick to change the subject.” He gave his best winning smile. Destined to warm hearts and make tongues wag. She was almost ashamed to admit she wasn’t exactly unaffected by it. “You know what they say.” He lowered his voice conspiratorially. “After business comes pleasure.”

A manicured brow went up to her hairline. “Not for me. I work around the clock.”

“What would convince you, then? To partake in a singular moment of bliss?” he said, placing a hand on her knee under the table.

Eirin flinched but didn't move. To an unassuming witness, the touch was no more than friendly banter, his fingers barely touching her skin, but she knew better.

His bold proposal didn't come out of nowhere. She wasn't ignorant of the way his eyes followed her around the room, the slew of backhanded compliments, and the double entendres he slipped in here and there. The question was why here and why now.

She chose silence instead of answering, swirling the liquid in the glass, before giving it a good try. Bold, with a note of sweetness. Must be his favorite.

“No disrespect to the good vintages, they have their uses, but I prefer something a little… fresher?”

That did the trick. He reclined back in his seat with his arms by his side, all mirth and warmth vanishing from his face. “Is that so?”

The wine must have made her more daring or she just liked the way his face turned sour a little too much, because suddenly, she couldn't shut up. “You fiends are all talk. I’d rather try my luck with the town drunk.”

[toasttt11]

deal

December 8, 2021

Gabe had come home with Willa and Ryan after their hockey practice, Ryan driving the three of them home.

They immediately dropped their bags off by the door and headed to the basement to start playing some videos games.

Willa hoped onto the couch turning the console on as Ryan hoped onto her right side and Gabe sat on her left side. She handed them both a controller and they started playing.

Ryan had gone up the stairs to the kitchen after they played a few rounds and grabbed a few different type of snacks that all were definitely not part of their diet.

Ryan went back down stairs and dumped all the snacks onto the coffee table before hoping back onto his spot next to Willa.

Willa could feel herself heating up as both Gabe and Ryan kept getting closer to her and touching her and it was making her lose focus, she cleared her throat, “I’ll be back.” Willa went down the hallway and locked the bathroom door shut behind her immediately splashing her face with freezing cold water.

Willa had needed to excuse herself because it was getting difficult sitting between the two on the couch and the confusing feelings she got around the both of them.

Before she moved to Michigan she knew she had a crush on Ryan, she was positive and then she met Gabe and everything she felt she was questioning, she still felt everything for Ryan but also for Gabe too and they confused her. How could she possibly have a crush on too people at once.

Ryan set down the controller and looked over at Gabe seeing him completely focused on the screen and his curls falling into his eyes, Ryan shook his head ignoring the urge to push the curl out of Gabe’s face.

“You like Smitty.” Ryan blunty stated watching as he caught Gabe off guard. Ryan had been waiting to talk about this with Gabe for awhile now but they have only started getting closer and he didn’t know if he should say anything before.

Gabe dropped the controller and turned his head at Ryan, “So do you.” Gabe blunty replied not missing the glances Ryan gave Willa and the possessiveness he had towards Willa.

Gabe also knew that either Willa hadn’t noticed that Ryan acted that way towards it and thought he was just acting platonic towards her or she was comfortable with it and knew what Ryan’s intentions are.

“Whoever she wants the other steps away.” Ryan raised an eyebrow holding out his hand, he was confident that Willa would choose him as they have been best friends for a long while and he trusted that Gabe would back away, he shook away the thought that didn’t like the idea of Gabe backing away.

Ryan also didn’t want to deal with someone else messing with his relationship when he finally got his girl and would rather make sure that Gabe will back off when the time comes.

“Deal.” Gabe grabbed Ryan’s hand shaking on it, Gabe knew that Ryan was confident Willa would choose him because they have known each other the longest but Willa still haven’t confessed anything to Ryan even though they do know each other the longest. Gabe also didn’t think about the part of him that didn’t like the idea of Ryan stepping away.

Gabe knew that Willa was to special of a girl to not try and fight for, he could admit he wouldn’t be happy stepping back but if Willa was happy he would.

The two didn’t even notice they were still holding onto each others hand as they stopped shaking their hands and they looked at each other in the eyes, Willa walked into the living room raising an eyebrow at the scene in front of her, a part of her really liked it.

Willa made a sound as she walked into the living room making the two spring apart like they burned each other and completely avoided each other’s eyes.

Willa sat back on the couch between the two and felt them both scoot closer to her and she close her eyes trying not to throw her head back qns groan hating how much them just touching her effected her.

Willa took a deep breath opening her eyes trying to ignore the tingling she felt from both of their touch as she picked up her controller.

Ryan and Gabe both picked up their controllers as well and started playing another round.

A few more hours had passed of them just sitting on the couch together playing video games, Gabe had stopped playing the last round and curled up into a little ball on the couch trying not to fall asleep.

Willa felt a weight hit her lap and she looked down to see Gabe fast asleep and using her lap as a pillow, she smiled softly and blushed slightly seeing Gabe peacefully sleeing on her.

Willa looked over at Ryan with a smile and a blush on her face.

Ryan was staring at the two with a soft look and didn’t feel any jealousy like he thought he would if he saw the two together. If anything he really liked looking at the two together.

Ryan fondly smiled seeing Willa yawning and could see her eyes dropping. Ryan knew from experience that Willa loves naps and could fall asleep anywhere and on anything.

Ryan opened his arm up towards Willa like he has many times before and she happily put the controller down onto the coffee table and happily laid her head against his chest like she had down many times in the past but now it felt better with Gabe being there, more complete.

Ryan watched as she fell asleep against his chest and he could feel his heart squeeze in fondness for her and his eyes flickered to Gabe’s peaceful and soft face and Ryan felt his heart soften more.

[luimagines]

That Dragon AU

I can’t believe I’m doing this. But I’m doing it XD

Masterlist

Written once again for @cafecourage and for myself. It will be self explanatory as we go on this adventure. Remember that one commission with Dragon Warrior with the headband and the party? That was based off of this. But now I get to share it with all of you!

This is their side of the story. I’m sure they will post my side on their blog soon enough XD

This is definably going to be longer than the last one. I hope you’re all excited for this. Forewarning: It’s is incredibly self indulgent. But honestly, those are the best kind of fics.

Content under the cut!

Chapter 1: Silent Claims

Enno hated parties.

They didn’t even want to be here to begin with. Their only consolation was that Warrior didn’t seem too thrilled either despite the fact this was his world. 

They patted down their clothes and adjusted their headband. Warrior gave it to them. He said that it would look good with the color they were wearing. Enno wasn’t sure if that was true or not, but what did they know? Warrior always seemed to know what he was doing.

They were by themself for the time being. The boys had all split up to not cause any trouble and Warrior was being forced to mingle with the Lords and Ladies of the land. This was fine. From beyond the dance floor, Enno could see Pinky and a few of the others by the food table. Maybe they could stick with them and ignore the rest of what’s happening. This was a bit much.

An enraged shriek causes the ball room to fall entirely silent.

Enno freezes on the spot, hesitating to turn around and look at the scene that no doubt is about to be caused.

“You!” Cia cries out. “What are you doing with my headband?!”

Enno freezes even more, going over the escape route in their head. The door is too far away.

Next thing they knew, Cia was in front of them screaming, grabbing their arm and trying to pull the headband off of their head. Not wanting to be near the yelling, Enno punches her and tries to create distance. Their fight or flight was kicking in. It only makes it worse

“Get off of me!” They scream.

“Cia!” Warrior pushes the sorceress away, blocking Enno with his body. He’s panting. He was running. Something dark and primal growls. There’s a fury in his eyes that the nobles of the land have only seen on a rare occasion. “Don’t touch them.”

Within moments the room erupts into whispers and gossip. Link this and Link that. Cia was certain and Cia was wrong. Who’s this and who’s the new person. All questions and theories to who Enno is and why they’re next to their hero and why Cia seems to be as angry as she is.. 

Enno wants none of it.

Cia gulps and begins to shake, pointing a finger at Link. “You can’t- Link, you know better than anyone what that means. Them? You’ve chosen them?”

Warrior takes Enno’s hand. “This way.”

They run.

Cia screams like a banshee but doesn’t seem to follow them.

Warrior leads them out of the ball room and through the hallways of the castle. When he stops, Enno needs to catch their breath. The castle is still as elegantly decorated as the rest of what they’ve seen but between all the twists and turns that they’ve taken, they are utterly lost. They have no idea where they are. At least they can still hear the party music from where they are. They must have fixed whatever scene was caused to get the party started again.

A curse falls past their lips. “She’s crazier than I thought. What the hell?”

Warrior pivots, putting his hands on their shoulders. “Are you ok?”

Smaller curses fall silently under his breath. He’s panting and out of breath just as much as Enno is. Warrior is suddenly all over them. Brushing down their clothes, adjusting the headband, running his hands over their hair and looking over where Cia had grabbed them.

Enno is still reeling from the rush of adrenaline. “Ma-maybe… I don’t know yet.”

“I’m so sorry.” He buckles slightly. “I should have known she would have tried something. I just didn’t think… I’m sorry. I take full responsibility for this.”

“No? No. She’s an adult. She can take responsibility for her own actions.” Enno feels like they’re missing something. “This has nothing to do with you.”

Warrior doesn’t seem too convinced. He plucks and adjusts small wrinkles on their clothes, thinking about what happened no doubt. But the silence makes Enno feel awkward. They also begin to feel a little guilty. “Warrior- Link-”

“You look good in this. Zelda chose well.” He smiles bitterly. An awkward laugh follows and he steps back a bit. “Is it too late to ask for a dance?”

"No... but do I want to know about what that was about back there?"

Warrior flushes a bit and he scratches the back of his head. "... What... Do you mean?"

"Uh, Cia and like half of the population of Hyrule has been either glaring or staring at me." Enno was still having trouble coming to grips with the events but they still took his hands for an impromptu dance. "Should I ask why?"

Warrior takes their hands gently, leading them to the beat of the faint music. He doesn’t respond right away. He doesn’t want to say the wrong thing and make matters worse. It was already a tough enough inner battle to give them the headband, let alone tell them anything else.

"Possibly because you're absolutely stunning." Warrior replies easily. "And we walked in together. They're assuming things My Dear. That tends to happen when I'm involved I'm afraid. Don't pay too much mind to it."

Enno blushes genuinely at the compliment. It might have been the first time he was able to get that reaction out of them. And not because they feel flustered or feel embarrassed or annoyed. Certainly not that. "So you just ran? That's gotta be a bad idea. Isn't Zelda or Impa going to kill you for making a scene?"

"Hey. Cia started it." Warrior leads them effortlessly. It's a waltz.

"That should be enough to be my freebie. We did nothing wrong." Warrior pulls them a little closer. "Besides, you looked like you wanted to be somewhere else anyway. And if you had similar desires, who was I to deny you?"

Enno let him do as he pleased. They had never danced before so they weren’t sure if they were doing it correctly. "She got angry over a headband. I’m still confused over that part." 

They were tempted to dip him before he dipped them but with how things are they didn't think that was a good idea. "And you’re right. I hate big parties. So... thank you..."

"Cia is just mad I never gave her anything." Warrior huffs before he leans close. "And I'll let you know a little secret~"

He leans close to their ear with a smirk. "I hate them too. So you're welcome."

"That was a lot of commotion just for that-" Enno leaned back trying to ignore the shivers they felt. 

"Sir-  I will bop you on the head." They said, not wanting him to know their weaknesses.

Warrior snickers against their ear, leaning away. "As you wish."

"This is preferable to the party though." Warrior smiles charmingly, spinning them before pulling them close to his chest again. "I only hope that we didn't worry our companions too much."

"I think they are probably thinking about fighting Cia, probably." Enno’s eyes darted around the hallways, trying to look at anything but him right now, "...I prefer this too..."

"Good." Warrior let's a breath out, seeming to relax with it. "I'd also like to apologize about Cia. She hasn't really.....for all her reform effort she still struggles with past tendencies. I had hoped she would be on her best behavior tonight. I suppose I did you no favors, Sweetheart. I'm sorry."

"You....really like using such endearing nicknames." Enno brought their arm up and around his neck giving a slight hug "It’s fine though, don’t worry about it. I'm just more confused than anything else. It just seems like it was out of left field."

"Do the nicknames bother you?" Warrior bites his lip. His hands rest on their hips, dropping the waltz and just slowly swaying back and forth with them. "And Cia.... yeah, it was. I'll have to talk to her later."

"You don't have to! I just don't know what to think about anything she said." Enno blurts. They try to clear up any possible misunderstanding before it gets out of hand. They wanted to make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble. 

"I don't mind the nicknames. Just be careful your fangirls might get jealous." They teased. "Unless you already call them that."

Warrior blushes a pleasant rosy color. His voice goes a bit soft and he smiles. "Occasionally, but that's just to lessen some tension. They get a bit... rowdy, at times. And no one really knows what to do to keep them away so I have learned to deal with it. You on the other hand, get to have it 100% genuine. You don't expect anything from me. So I don't have to worry about you misunderstanding when I call you Darling or Sweetheart."

He spins them around some more, leading them into the middle of the hallway. "I'll talk to Cia anyway. She's been getting on my nerves. This is just something I can't turn a blind eye to."

Enno stops still holding his hand, wanting and waiting to see if he pulls them back. "Darlin'? What are you, Twilight?" 

They laugh, teasing him, swaying the arms between them. "Please don't be too harsh when it comes to what happened tonight. I'm not mad."

Warrior hums. "You may not be. But I am."

He sighs and absolutely pulls them close once more. "It's a bit complicated and I know you don't have all the context. But I'll explain it to you. Eventually. Tonight let's just unwind for a bit, yeah?"

He spins them again, his chin gently nudging the side of their head. "And how the Rancher has a monopoly on that one? That doesn't seem very fair."

They sighed, bonking him on the shoulder in response to being not told anything. "He has that country boy charm. You, sir, radiate noble boy. It gives a different vibe."

Warrior snorts and wraps his arms around them. "Should I lean into it, Your Grace? How about Jewel? If not, would Amore suffice? What do you suggest, My Sweet? I have plenty."

“Careful there Hot Shot, suggest any more and people might start to think we’re an item.” Enno laughs, trying to play off his flirting behavior. “I don’t care about the nickname, do what your heart so desires.”

Warrior hums, pleased. "That works for me, Honey."

He grins and simply sways back and forth with them again. The dance has long been lost but neither of them seem to mind. "At least tell me you tried the food?"

“A bit.” Enno sighed into him, getting comfortable, hiding their blush against his body. “There were a lot of eyes on me. It felt weird just to keep eating and not dance or socialize.” 

The warmth of the moment makes them smile. “Though if we stay like this I might fall for you, soldier boy.”  

They are100% joking and teasing him.

Warrior breathes in deeply. "I can't say I'm against the thought of that."

His head gently rests against theirs. "I'm afraid that might just bring more eyes on you though."

A hand rises up to card through their hair, tenderly playing with it. "It's not very ideal.... being associated with me."

“I’ll just be a cryptid. Always talked about, barely seen.” Enno laughs at his talk, leaning into his touch. “Though shall I take this as an official declaration? Or do I have to wait until that talk that’s needed later.”

"Um!" Warrior tenses. His eyes pop open and he stops his movements. "Some.... more time would be... appreciated."

He laughs awkwardly. But he hugs them tighter and rubs his head against theirs like before. "Sorry, I-...I'm not actually very good at this.... I'd also hate to see anything happen to you because of me. There's a lot that I have to do... If you're willing, that is."

He takes a deep breath and it's suddenly very warm behind their head. "I just wanted you to have a good time tonight. That's all."

Enno waits until he finishes talking to actually hug him back. The sensation of a fireplace on their back was strange but not enough for them to question it outright. “I did. Thank you.” 

They let him just hold onto them. It was weird. He felt warmer somehow or… was he always this warm? “Though I would love to head back to a bedroom and just cuddle. I’m tired.”

It’s even stranger to be so close to him, almost physically feeling Warrior preen at their words. They could have sworn on it.

He pulls back a bit and looks at them, his gaze soft. "We can do that. Would you rather go to the one you were supposed to share with Pinky or to mine? Mine's closer but obviously the other has all your stuff in it."

They laugh at his reaction, covering their mouth to stifle it. “I’ll just steal your clothing, it’s fine.” Enno gestures for him to lead the way. “Pinky can figure out where I am.”

Warrior grins, stepping away to bow jokingly. "This way, Your Grace."

He extends his elbow for them to walk arm in arm as he guides them once more through the castle and towards his room.

Enno’s arm slips into his as they hold back from rolling their eyes. “You’re something else.”

Enno continues to take in the castle as he leads them to his room. There’s many gold accents and large tapestries that adorn the walls. There’s also many stained glass windows with forged stories of the royals and heroes before them. As soon as they got in the room, Enno was already ready to steal more comfortable clothing.

Warrior opens the door to his room, revealing that it looks fit for royalty. He ushers his companion inside and lights the lamps, closing the door with a soft click.

"Hold on a second, I think I have something that'll fit you." He scrambles around the room, going through his clothes. Enno looks around, trying to be as subtle as possible. They notice that he's only going through 3 drawers. In a dresser of 7.

He takes out a small pile and tosses half of them on the bed. Then he pauses.

"I have a connected bath." He looks up at them. "Do you want to bathe before or just change into your clothes?"

Enno looked around, being more obvious this time around. This is not a normal room, “So uh… when we teased you about being a noble city boy…” 

They picked up the clothing. Despite Warrior being a twink, his clothes were still big for them.

“I’ll take a quick bath, hold on.” Enno said, awkwardly rushing into the bathroom with the clothing.

"Do you need help to turn it on or can you figure it out?" Warrior calls after them with a small laugh.

“NO!” They squeaked out, turning on the bath to see which was the hot water. They wanted to get in and out as fast as possible. It took them quicker to figure it out than they thought it would. Within 8-10 minutes, they were already relaxing in the water. Once they were finished, they got up from the bath and hit their foot against the tub’s rim, almost falling over. 

“AHH!!” Enno scrambled back to regain balance. They take a moment to breathe before getting the towel.

He hears their yell and he perks to attention. "You ok?"

When he hears no response, his face falls a little bit. But he doesn’t want to make them feel more uncomfortable than they were no doubt feeling already.

"Knock twice if you're dead." He yells out playfully. He's in the middle of changing his clothes.

“I’m not dead. You heard nothing.” They say, drying up fully. Putting on the new clothes, they take extra care to fold the fancy clothing. They take the headband with them and place the stack of clothing in the hamper. 

Warrior laughs and puts on his pants, putting his fancy clothes away.

“Hey do you want this back? I’m not gonna wear it really unless I’m going somewhere fancy.” Enno comes into the room holding up the headband.

He hears them call and looks their way, shirtless and disheveled. He doesn't seem to care.

His eyes lock onto the headband in their hand and he gulps a bit. "No. That's yours. To keep. If you want it."

Enno’s brain stopped in its tracks to process what they were seeing. “I- uh…” 

They cough into their hand, suddenly getting super flustered, not wanting to look at him any more. 

“Thank you.” They turn around to give him some sort of privacy “I can go back in the bathroom, and give you some room.”

Warrior's eyes scan over their body, taking it in completely. He wasn't expecting Enno to look as perfect as they do in his clothes but he forces himself to look away. 

He tosses on a plain shirt, ignoring the thoughts in his head and the blush on his face. He stands. "No need. I'm good now."

Enno relaxed and instantly flops onto the bed. 

“Thank god.” They look another way, still blushing from seeing him.TheyI didn’t want to think about him being shirtless. But there he was… in their mind’s eye.

Warrior doesn't hesitate to follow their example and jumps into his bed. He lands next to them. "You ok?"

“Define ok.” They turn back to face him, a bit shy. “You’re very handsome. Kinda took me out a bit. Sorry. I didn’t mean to stare at you.” 

Enno’s eyes dip into the space between them. They don’t want to invade his personal space despite asking for cuddles earlier. They didn’t think about how quickly he agreed to it. They were simply minding their distance, hoping they didn’t ruin everything.

Warrior takes a moment to process their words before he realizes what they were talking about. His ears turned a bit pink and he bit his lip at the thought. "Oh."

"Well..." Warrior tilts his head, looking at the ceiling as he says this. "For what's it worth, you were too stunning for me to finish fast enough. I would have been properly made up otherwise."

He looks back at you. "I don’t particularly mind the staring if it's you. You're not like every stuck up, hosehead that was in that party. I trust you."

Enno reaches over, taking his hand. They’re not convinced. They’re still worried that he might make a connection between them and Cia. The thought terrifies them.. “I am happy you do.” 

They play with his hand, fiddling with them. “Truly…” They sigh but smile “Now I was promised cuddles?”

Warrior grins and scoots himself closer to their body. He's quick to wrap his arms around them, nuzzling his head gently into theirs and intertwining their legs together. "You were indeed."

He adjusts himself a bit so that he's not on top of Enno or crushing them. A hand of his comes up and plays with their hair, lifting it and letting it fall. "I can get used to this."

He yawns.

Enno wraps their arms around him, nuzzling into his shoulders. 

“I hope you know that I won’t sleep, even with cuddling.” They poke his cheek.

"Hm... and why not?" He says by their ear. "....You know there's a lot of things I can say here that would probably end up with me getting smacked."

He chuckles and pokes his nose against their cheek. "Just relax and stay here until morning. It'll be alright."

He still gets smacked gently, “Shut up you.” 

Enno also adjusts themself so that they’re holding him better and playing with his hair instead. “You need your beauty sleep so you can’t claim we were doing anything.”

Warrior laughs a bit louder and holds them tighter as a result. He leans into their touch and sighs contentedly. His eyes flutter close and he smiles blissfully. "I wouldn't have dreamed of it."

Enno doesn’t respond as they start to think about his adventure and their situation again. They were brushing his hair as a mild distraction. It was hard to control their thoughts from going down that line but at least it kept him from looking up to seeing a far off look on their face. The less questions he asked the better. Enno hoped that he would sleep soon. They suddenly didn’t feel safe with Cia around in the castle but they didn’t want him to know that.

Warrior frowns and his eyes open a bit. "Are you sure you're ok?"

He nuzzles them closer. "No one can get in here unless I let them. So you don't have to worry about anyone seeing this. It's just you and me. Not even Cia would break down that door or the windows. I made sure of it."

“That’s- I don’t think she can’t be beaten with just a lock on the door or window.” They sighed into his hair. 

Warrior huffs and turns to murmurs into their hair. "The lock is magic. Cia tried to get in once because I overslept for a meeting. She couldn't get in. It’s ok. Is that what you’re worried about?"

“I’m…fine…” They don’t sound confident enough in their own words. “It’s just….”They pull away a bit to look Warrior in the eye. “Has Pinky told you how we know about all of your adventures?”

He takes a deep breath, the silence falling over the two of you like a blanket.

"Oh...Yeah" Warrior stretches. "Pinky said a lot. Like moving pictures with sound for story telling."

He yawns again, snuggling into their shoulder. "She said you knew all our stories."

"So..." They pause, slowly going back to brush his hair "You’re ok with this? With us? I don't want to lose the trust you have in me."

"You haven't done anything to lose it." Warrior mumbled, not even moving his lips to speak. He was being pulled under by their touch and soon his breaths even out and he falls asleep.

"Go to sleep." They adjust him so he is laying on top with his head on their chest and continue to brush his hair. Enno waits for him to fully fall asleep. They weren’t that tired to begin with.

Warrior had fully passed out beside them. The stress from the event, from Cia's and company's reactions and the overall attitudes from the nobles have worn him out. He has to keep a face for all of them but he lets go entirely in their presence.

Enno feels him relax deeper and lean into their touch despite his unconscious state.

If they looked close enough, they would be able to see him smile in his sleep.

If only things would have been just as easy as before they arrived at the castle.

Next Part

[luvlanadr]

maybe a fluff that’s something along the lines of y/n comes home from a bad day out / at work and finds evan and their child preparing a surprise for us because they know we had a bad day?

sorry if that’s weird btw this is my first req!! 😭

no this isn't weird at all, i absolutely love this idea so hope i can attempt top do it justice!!

cw: not proof read so if you see any spelling or grammar mistakes i'm sorry oo and just a slight innuendo at the end

𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

i took a deep breath in attempt to console myself, work had been absolutely horrendous today, from my co-workers constantly pestering me, to just simplistic things. i attempted to calm myself down, i wouldn't want to let my mood affect evan or our son, so i sat in my car bracing myself.

i finally shook it off deciding i was prepared, i knew just seeing the both of them would fill my heart and help dissipate any stress i currently felt.

i sighed slightly opening the door, before i heard a pair of footsteps bolt to the door, i opened the door to mine and evan's child and evan quickly following behind them, 'wow you're home earlier than we expected, i know this is irritating but just wait one second, we're um..yeah,' he laughed apprehensively, rubbing the back of his neck nervously attempting to come up with an excuse.' yeah, a boys chat!'

i laughed slightly, feeling at ease just by the sight of the two people i loved and cherished the most, 'it's fine i'll wait, don't worry.'

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·..·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·..·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·..·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

evan rushed around trying to get together everything that him and his little boy had prepared for your arrival home. evan had figured you may have struggled today, he could sense there was something was off this morning, so he was certain that he had to have a few surprises to try and cheer you up even in the slightest.

your son had created you a drawing, a picture that depicted you, him and evan all together happy as can be, not to mention this masterpiece was drowning in glitter glue and sparkles. he had done this all on his own behalf after evan mentioned 'you must be extra well-behaved tonight because mommy is a little stressed.'

evan also took the initiative after detecting that today may not have been the best for you, which he was excited to reveal to you, to see if he could get a glance of happiness and try and to relieve the stress of the day.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·..·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·..·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·..·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

i remained in the hallway as the pair got up to who knows what, until evan returned, our son settled on his hip 'ok, you can come in now,' he chuckled.

evan guided me into the living room, the boys both shouted 'surprise!'

and was i suprised, on the coffee table, evan had created a hamper containing all of my favourite things ranging from my favourite snacks to hair and face masks, alongside copies of books from my favourite author which i was dying to read. i felt so emotional, which was only amped up by seeing the drawing our son had created. tears began to well in my eyes, i was so grateful for the fact they cared so much about me.

evan rushed over to me engulfing me in a tight embrace, 'shh, shh it's okay i've got you,' i wept softly overwhelmed by the stress of the day, but ,mainly overjoyed at the sweet, significant surprise i arrived home to, 'i hope you like it, this morning you seemed distant so i suspected it was one of those days,' he rubbed my back comfortingly, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead, lifting my chin and giving me a quick but passionate kiss on my lips.

i smiled softly, as evan released from the embrace , 'one more little surprise,' he took my hand and led me into the kitchen where he was mid preparing my favourite dinner , 'i'm glad you got home earlier so i get to see you, but sadly it's not all done yet, soo if you'll follow me upstairs ,madam' he chuckled, leading me to the bathroom situated upstairs were i was being run a nice, warm bath,

here our son was occupied choosing a bath bomb, before plopping it in the water watching it contently as it caused bubbles to form and the colour of the water to shift. he quickly scattered a few rose petals before i caught his attention.

'did you like the picture i drew, it's you, me and daddy?' i kneeled down giving him a kiss on the cheek.

'i absoloutely loved it, it was beautiful, thank you.' i cooed,causing a bright smile to become extremely prominent on her face, as it lit up.

evan ruffled his hair,' hey, let's go downstairs and watch cartoons and let mommy relax, ok?' to which our song eagerly nodded his hair practically sprinting down stairs, causing both me and evan to chuckle.

'i'll call you down when dinner's finished, but for now just unwind and relax my love,' kissing me more roughly this time, before whispering seductively in my ear 'and later tonight i'll give you a final surprise that's sure to relieve any stress.' he winked before leaving me to attend to the business downstairs. his last comment had my cheeks feeling hot, and all i could think of was what he had planned.

[abellalu]

Adventures on a Foreign Planet | Chapter 2

Summary: After narrowly escaping Thanos, Loki is given a chance for a new life. The Avengers allow Loki to live in New Asgard with his brother, Thor. However, The Avengers are not quick to put their trust into Loki. SHIELD Director Nick Fury recruits an Agent who was once said to be one of the most promising SHIELD Agents, to follow Loki and ensure that he has no plans to harm Earth. Pairing: Loki Laufeyson x Reader Word Count: 2.6k A/N: Hello again! Our hero and heroine finally encounter during this chapter. Hope you enjoy and let me know any hopes for this series. [ Previous Part | Masterlist | AO3 ]

You are qualified for this, hopefully.

As you pack up your apartment - most of it going to storage and the rest being tightly packed into two suitcases - you try to remember when you last had a mission this complex or important. Certainly not since SHIELD “collapsed” and reformed in secret. Since then, you’ve only been doing work that the newbies used to do. 

All you've had to deal with lately is misbehaving teens and wannabe mad scientists around New York. Now you are on your way to Norway, to meet up with a supernatural being that you have no idea what the extent of their powers are. Maybe that would be a good way to start a conversation with Loki. Though you question if talking to him is even a good idea.

You’ve been wanting a true mission again. But as you think about your past missions, nothing seems to compare to this one. Yes, past missions have been both physically and emotionally demanding, but how do you ensure a God does not try to take over the Earth again? 

You also never felt so alone on a mission before. You used to have friends, well fellow agents, at SHIELD. 

But it doesn’t matter. You’ve done plenty of work on your work. You can handle this, you just have to. Today you are leaving for New Asgard.

Fury will be upset that you're running late - you told yourself you would start packing early, but waited till the last minute as usual - but it doesn’t matter. You are taking a jet the Avengers have, and, besides the pilot, it will only be you and Fury on the flight. Fury can wait a couple of extra hours, and maybe he will feel the pilot deserves a raise. 

Being late is the nice thing to do in this situation.

There is still daylight by the time you arrive at the Avengers Compound. You’ve only been there once or twice before while getting some Stark technology for a few missions. During those visits, you barely even got to enter the building. You were simply handed off the supplies and told to leave. 

It’s far larger than most buildings in New York. As you walk through the hallways while escorted by a compound worker, you are amazed by the tall ceilings with windows that cover entire walls letting the sunshine make the inside of the compound seem like it's glowing. 

Despite assuming that Tony Stark has an entire workshop for himself, you seem to find his projects everywhere. Plenty of them are still in the development stage with exposed wires all looping around each other.  If I touch them will they explode or offer to bring me coffee?

Eventually, you are led into a room that much more resembles a typical family living room with large couches and chairs, a TV and gaming console, and plenty of books gathered on the coffee table. There is a hallway that leads to a kitchen and dining room, and doors that you assume lead to the Avenger's bedrooms. 

You are told that Fury will be with you soon and as the compound worker walks away, you immediately collapse onto one of the couches. You curse at yourself for getting so out of shape, but then again, you packed as much as you could into your suitcases. 

Lying on the couch, you stare up at the ceiling daydreaming about what Norway might be like. Maybe you’ll get back into shape by training in the forests like an ancient warrior. Maybe you’ll catch up on your reading by the docks. Maybe you’ll finally get that cat you wanted.

Eventually, you hear footsteps coming into the room.

“Well glad you are finally ready to go, Fury,” you joke, your eyes still staring up at the ceiling, “I’ve been waiting on your ass all day.”

“Very funny, Agent,” Fury flatly says, “Get up it isn’t nap time, you can sleep on the jet.”

“Oh but this couch is very comfortable and I-” You turn your head towards Fury and realize he is not alone.

Loki is here.

There, right there, standing behind Fury is Loki. 

He doesn’t look exactly as you expected. You imagined he always wore his dark armor with the gold-horned helmet. Maybe his eyes would glow and dark clouds would follow them. 

But as you stare at him, you realize he looks like a normal human. 

Well, maybe not entirely normal as even without his golden helmet, he towers over Fury. But he isn’t wearing his armor, instead, a dark gray lapel neck coat with slacks. His dark hair curls as it reaches his neck. When you finally look into his blue-green eyes, you realize there is an utter lack of emotion on his face.

He doesn’t seem to care at all that you are making eye contact with him. Loki just stares back.  

You clear your throat, then look away from Loki and back towards Fury, “I thought it would just be the two of us. I assumed, uh, Loki was already in New Asgard?” 

You felt slightly worried that saying his name out loud would cause a curse to be placed upon you, but a glance shows that he doesn’t seem to care at all that you mentioned him.

“You assumed wrong," Fury says "About both things Agent. Loki is clearly not already in Asgard and I'm not coming with you."

You are staring out the small window in the jet while Loki sits across from you, his long legs are crossed. Your hand holding your face covering it slightly from Loki’s view.

Loki knows you weren’t expecting to meet him so soon. You tried to convince Fury to join the flight to New Asgard, but he just kept on reminding you that this was your job. 

You are being forced to be with him. 

Well, Loki didn’t have much of a choice either. Only two days ago, he was told he could join his brother in New Asgard. However, there was a catch. The Avengers apparently asked Fury to find someone to keep an eye on him. 

“Why? Thor will be there. I assure you if he feels I am being too malicious, he will tell you,” Loki started to feel more uncomfortable in his seat. 

Clint leans back in his chair, crossing his arms “Listen, Thor is already busy. He’s helping Valkyrie run New Asgard and he also has some business with the Guardians.”

“I’m assuming you and the rest of your Avengers are too busy too. So I am still a prisoner, but just in New Asgard.”

“You’re not going to be a prisoner Loki, you are going to have more freedom, more than you might deserve,” Loki tenses “The agent is just ensuring that you are going to try and do good. They are very qualified” 

Qualified. That’s all he got to learn about you. Loki had to meet you - the person who will now follow him around like a lost puppy - with almost no expectations. You got an entire report from Fury and the Avengers all about him, or at least what they want you to know about him. That he is dangerous and can not be trusted. 

But now he is looking at you, while you try to avoid him. Before, you assumed that you could watch him from a distance and mostly keep to yourself. But now, you realize how silly of an idea that was. It is inevitable that you will be spending most of your time for the foreseeable future with the dark god. 

This is your mission, and you will take it seriously. While it might be off to a rough start, it will improve. Or at least it needs to if you ever want to get back on the field doing legitimate work. There are some things you don't miss about being a more active SHIELD agent, things that are too hard to think about. But you miss feeling valuable far more. 

Out of the corner of your eye, you notice Loki looking away from you and is now staring out towards his window. 

When you were younger, you loved flying on planes. Being among the clouds was like no other experience. The fact that humans discovered a way to fly like birds made you feel powerful. Seeing how small even mountains were below you made you realize how much of the universe, and new perspectives there are to see. You wonder what being on a jet is like for Loki; surely none of this is interesting to him. But you can’t really judge someone who has seen multiple realms for not being impressed by human aircraft.

But it doesn’t matter what Loki thinks. You finally look directly towards him. It is time to break the ice and make it clear to Loki that you are in charge.

“We have about an hour left of our flight,” you said. “When we land, Thor will be there to meet us and show us the residence we’ll be staying at.”

“So I've heard,” Loki said, glancing at you for a second, then looking back towards the window. It's the first time you’ve truly gotten to hear his voice, low and smooth like silk. But his voice signals to you that he is disinterested. 

“Yes, well I just wanted to ensure that you were aware of the plans. I want everything to go smoothly,” you said while trying to sit up a little straighter. 

He laughs sardonically, “People don't usually come to me when they want their plans to go  smoothly.”  

“Nonetheless, I need you to cooperate with me. If you stay out of trouble in New Asgard and report to me about your actions, then I shall not bother you.” 

“What else would you like?” Loki turns back towards you and leans forward. “Would you like to have a leash on me? Have a camera in my room, or do I even have the honor of having my own room? Should I consult you on everything I wish to say before I say it? Whisper it into your ear and get your approval.”

You feel yourself wanting to shiver. You try to appear stoic in front of Loki, but ultimately your body just becomes tense and stiff.

“I do not plan on treating you like a wild beast, I am here to do my job,” you said sternly. “Whether or not you like it, I am here to stay and you will respect it.”

“You think you should have my respect,” Loki laughs again “And why should a Prince bow down to you, Agent?”

“Because I’m the one here actually trying to keep my planet and people safe,  Prince.  Do us both a favor and stay out of trouble.”

You stare at each other before Loki eventually rests back in his seat, crossing his arms, and you let out a sigh. 

God, how will we not kill each other before we even arrive in New Asgard.

Being in New Asgard is odd.

These are the people Loki has spent his entire life around, the people who made him miserable. For years, they would laugh at him and never care to listen to him. It only got worse when Asgard learned of his true heritage and his actions on Midgard. They could justify Loki being the villain in their stories.

After Ragnarok, they don't view him as much of a threat anymore, but there is still a distrust there. A lingering dislike for him. Maybe if I saved our home, and didn't allow so many of us to die, they could accept me.

It didn’t help that his brother Thor was the clear golden hero of Asgard. It didn’t take long for Thor to become beloved by anyone he met. He just had to show them his wide smile and make them laugh, and anyone would become willing to follow him.

Loki saw that it was the same for you. As the two of you exited the jet, Thor was there to greet you like you said.

“My Lady is a pleasure to have you here, I hope you will enjoy yourself. It’s quite beautiful here, though I do admit the smell of fish from the docks can linger.”

You giggle, “Thank you, Thor, I’m sure I will get used to the smell, I’ve worked in worse places before.”

Afterward, Thor led you both to what is now their new home. On the side of a small mountain, is a wooden house surrounded by green grass and blooming flowers. It is the house where Thor and Valkyrie, the new King of Asgard, stay along with any guests they accumulate

For the first time in hours, Loki can feel somewhat alone again as he sits down on his bed. He can hear the wind blowing outside his window, the only interruption to his thoughts. But Loki knows he is not entirely alone as your bedroom is right across from his and Thor’s is just down the hallway.

You are so peculiar to him, a puzzle he can not solve. He doesn’t understand your intention for being here. Maybe you simply hate him and and to torture him while he is here. Be a pebble in his shoe while he is trying to rebuild his life here.

Loki then hears a knock at his door followed by Thor walking into his room.

“Of course, Thor. Come right in.” Loki rolls his eyes. 

“Excuse me brother for the intrusion, but I wanted to see you. I felt as though we hadn’t been able to talk much since you arrived.” Thor closes the door behind him and walks towards Loki.

“Ah yes, well I believe our lovely Agent wanted to investigate your home as soon as possible to ensure there is no way for me to sneak past her watch.”  Norns, there is truly no way I’ll be able to avoid her.

“This is now your home too Loki. The Agent just wants to do a thorough job, certainly you can respect that. She doesn’t rush through tasks like me.” Thor smiles, and Loki feels the corner of his mouth rise ever so slightly. “She is a nice Lady, and I have to say she is pretty.”

“Brother don’t you have a beloved, that Midgardian scientist?” 

“It’s…complicated.” Thor looks away, becoming visibly uncomfortable.

“Well then maybe you should court the Agent instead,” Loki said. It could be a good distraction to keep you away from him, Loki thinks to himself.

“No, I don’t think so brother,” Thor pauses. “I really am happy that you are here Loki. I know you want to be good. I’ve seen it myself. We can work together, I always believed we could conquer the nine realms together,” Thor laughs to himself.

Loki doesn’t know how to respond. That’s the whole reason he came here, isn’t it? To be good? To be a hero with Thor? But now, he is not so sure that is possible. He is the  God of Mischief.  Is it truly possible for someone like him to change and be better? 

“Thank you, brother,” Loki said without being able to look up at his brother. 

Thor wishes him a good night and then leaves him.

Soon he will be all alone again, forever, to do whatever he wants. Deciding what to do… well that will be a challenge for another day.

[c-e-d-dreamer]

Wonderland: Part Seven

A/N: And we're back to pain, pain, and more pain! At least this will be the last part full of pain? Small consolations? Also, we get to see some nice Nezriel brotp aka my ultimate brotp. Hope everyone enjoys! :)

Chapter Masterlist // Previous Part // Next Part

Nesta wakes to an empty bed, not a sight or a sound other than the rays of light spilling in through the window. She slides her hand along the sheets, but they’re cool to the touch, not even a bit rumbled to suggest that Cassian ever made it to bed last night. Nesta tries not to let it bother her, but there’s no denying the cool darkness that creeps between her ribs and settles like ice there, the way her heart squeezes just that little bit tighter. She can’t deny the prickle pressing behind her eyes and echoing the sting in her chest.

She supposes that perhaps this was the disastrous end they were always tumbling headfirst toward. Despite their late night talks, finally getting to know and understand one another in a way they never had the opportunity to before. Despite the bridge finally broaching that yawning void between them, unsteady and new as it is. Despite the feelings Nesta can no longer deny that have buried their roots and bloomed deep within her, bond or no bond.

It’s all gone up in flames.

At least, there are still two days remaining from Nesta’s original plan of staying for a week. Two days before someone will come to take her back to Velaris. Perhaps, she and Cassian can properly talk, can get back to a place where there’s peace between them again.

Perhaps, they can get to a place where Nesta can stay.

It’s certainly an idea she’s been toying with for a few days now, the idea of staying here in Illyria. Staying in this cabin. Staying with Cassian. There’s just something between their two souls, something Nesta can’t quite put her finger on, and she knows it’s more than just that golden thread tying them together. It’s when the fog clears in Cassian’s eyes, and he sees her, knows her, the way no one else ever has, maybe ever will. It’s the way they’re both so battered and bruised, and yet they share so many of the same scars. The way that though their pieces are shattered and jagged, they still fit together.

With a soft sigh, Nesta pulls herself out of the bed. She changes and braids her hair back before padding out of the room and down the hallway. When she steps into the front room, she finds Cassian sitting at the table. There’s a mug clutched between his hands, but it doesn’t appear to be steaming anymore, seems to have long gone cold. He doesn’t look up when Nesta enters, his shoulders hunched up and head hung slightly.

“Good morning,” Nesta greets tentatively, quietly.

“I wrote to Azriel,” Cassian says, his voice hoarse. “He should be here soon to take you back to Velaris. And then from there you can go home.”

The words spear straight through Nesta, and she blinks a few times before they fully register, before she realizes exactly what he’s saying, what this means. She swallows hard, but the word still grates against her throat when she finally speaks.

“What?”

Whatever it is that Cassian hears in her tone, Nesta doesn’t miss the way he flinches, the way his fingers tighten around his mug until his knuckles go white. A muscle ticks in his jaw, and when he finally turns his head and his attention to Nesta, it’s like she’s back on that very first day she arrived at this cabin. His guard is up high again, hazel eyes cold and hard even under the morning light that streams in through the kitchen windows.

“It’s for the best,” Cassian tells her, dropping his gaze again.

Nesta scoffs, crossing her arms across her chest. “So, that’s it then? You’re kicking me out?”

“I can’t do this, Nesta.”

“You’re just going to discard me? Toss me aside, after everything that’s happened this week?”

“Dammit, don’t you get it?” Cassian exclaims, standing up so abruptly that the chair topples back against the floor. “Having you this close… Every part of my body is screaming at me to touch you, to have you, and I can’t. You don’t want that, don’t want me. You broke the bond for fuck’s sake, and I’m trying to be respectful of that, but gods, every day, every second that you’re here… it’s worse than any madness.”

Nesta takes a tentative step toward him, her arm outstretched between them. “Cassian—”

“Don’t,” Cassian cuts her off, his voice little more than a broken whisper. “I won’t let you break my heart again, Nesta Archeron. I won’t let you fool me into thinking that this, here, is something that we both know it isn’t.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Is it not? Then what are we doing here?”

Nesta opens her mouth to respond, but any words die quickly on her tongue. What can she even say to that? How can she answer? It’s a question that’s been haunting her recently, plaguing her thoughts when she’s left alone with them. What she and Cassian are doing, what they are now. Even with every step forward the two of them have taken this past week, every prickly knot they’ve carefully untangled. With every ray of sunlight that may now be peaking through, it’s still a road full of brambles stretched out before them, full of every part of them shattered across the floor just like their mating bond.

“I don’t know,” Nesta finally whispers.

“Exactly,” Cassian scoffs, shaking his head. “It’d be better for us both if you just went back home.”

Nesta swallows hard, but before she can say anything more, she catches movement out of the corner of her eye. She glances out the front window of the cabin to see shadows gathering along the ground, signaling Azriel’s arrival. Just the sight of them has Nesta’s heart twisting in her chest, and she half expects to look down and find a knife buried to the hilt there. It’s nowhere near the normal elation she feels at seeing the Shadowsinger.

Lips pressed together thinly, Nesta nods her head slowly. “I’ll go pack my things.”

It doesn’t take long for Nesta to gather up her dresses and books, tucking them all neatly into a bag. She carries the bag out of the room, Cassian having returned to his seat at the table. He doesn’t get up, and it seems that after his last visit to the cabin, Azriel has elected to keep a safe distance, Nesta spotting him patiently waiting for her outside.

“Tell Vidar I said goodbye then,” Nesta requests, making her way toward the door.

She grabs her cloak from the hook, sliding it over her shoulders. She reaches forward for the door handle, but pauses, glancing over her shoulder at Cassian one last time. He doesn’t even look up at her, doesn’t meet her gaze, but his whole body is tense, bracing, his wings tucked in tight and his siphons seeming to flicker as if readying for a defense.

A final scoff and Nesta yanks open the door, stepping outside into the crisp air. She makes her way over to Azriel, keeping her head held high, her spine straight, even if the mask feels more forced than usual. Even if every step away feels hollow and heavy. Even if she feels like somehow, someway, there’s a piece of her that’s been chipped away and is being left behind.

Thankfully, if Azriel notices with that cutting gaze of his, he doesn’t comment or ask. He merely holds out his hand toward Nesta. “Ready?”

Nesta isn’t quite sure how to answer that, but she slides her palm into Azriel’s anyways. “Let’s just go.”

Azriel dips his head in a nod, and shadows slide up Nesta’s legs and around her arms, blurring the Illyrian landscape, the cabin, until it all fades fully, the air around her squeezing. The pressure releases a moment later, and Nesta finds herself standing in front of the River House in Velaris. She swallows down a sigh and makes her way through the front gates and up the steps to the door. She reaches out for the door handle, but before she can make contact, the front door is pulled open, Feyre standing on the other side with Nyx balanced on her hip.

“Nesta, you’re back,” Feyre greets, stepping back to allow Nesta and Azriel inside. “How was it? How was… how’s Cassian?”

“I fear I made things worse not better unfortunately,” Nesta admits quietly.

Feyre reaches forward, giving Nesta’s hand a squeeze. “It’s not your fault. It’s just a… a difficult situation.”

Nesta knows that Feyre’s words are meant to comfort, and she offers her sister a small smile and nod, but she can’t help but disagree. She can’t help but wonder. What if she had never broken the bond between them? What if she had never gone to Cassian’s cabin? Is she not to blame for those choices? They’re thoughts that weigh heavy on her, dragging her down as she makes her way deeper into the house.

But more than the guilt that sinks its claws into Nesta’s mind, it’s the disappointment that tears through her chest until it’s aching and bleeding. Disappointment at everything that happened with Cassian, the way it ended between them. Again. Disappointment at being back in Velaris, just when she had begun to get comfortable being in Illyria, had gotten comfortable with the quiet, the snow, curling up and reading by the fire with Vidar.

It’s a feeling that Nesta buries deep down while she spends the rest of the day with her sisters and nephew, a feeling that she doesn’t allow herself to reexamine until she’s alone in the guest room that’s become her own. She stares up at the canopy that hangs between the four posters of the bed and finds that she misses the wooden beams and the chips in them, misses the heat of a body pressed beside her, of a wing curled protectively around her.

Tentatively, Nesta reaches a hand within herself, finding that golden thread that’s bloomed back to life, finding where it’s coiled tightly around her ribs, digging into her heart. She runs a finger along it, testing its strength, the way it shimmers lowly, just barely an ember. She holds her breath as she curls that finger, giving the bond a gentle tug.

She waits.

And waits.

But nothing happens.

With a huff of frustration, Nesta pulls herself up and out of bed. She quickly slips on a robe and pads out of her bedroom, intent on going down to the kitchen to get a glass of water. As she passes by the library, though, she notices a light spilling out from beneath the door. She pushes the doors open, finding a fire burning low in the fireplace, Azriel perched in one of the large armchairs opposite.

“Am I interrupting your nightly brooding?” Nesta asks, stepping fully inside and closing the door behind her with a soft snick.

Azriel snorts quietly, raising a glass of amber liquid to his lips and taking a sip. “Who says I’m brooding?”

“So, what do you call this then?” Nesta shoots back, biting back a smirk as she settles into the other armchair beside him.

“I call it being unable to sleep,” Azriel explains, quirking an eyebrow at her. “A concept it would seem you’re familiar with.”

Nesta bristles at the underlying accusation, but she doesn’t disagree. She tucks her legs up under herself on the armchair, reaching forward and plucking Azriel’s glass away from him. She takes a long drag of his drink, the liquid burning slightly before it settles in her stomach. Rather than comment, Azriel merely pours another glass from the decanter on the small side table between them, raising it in a silent toast.

They sit in quiet together, watching as the flames in the fireplace die down to just flickering embers, casting the whole library in long shadows that seem to dance through the moonlight that spills in through the large windows. Nesta’s hand rubs at her chest almost absently, pressing against that empty, silent hollowness. She considers daring to tug at that thread again, to see if she’ll get a response back this time, but a shadow twists around her wrist, drawing her attention. She glances over toward Azriel, the male already watching her, his hazel gaze accessing.

“I don’t know if you remember,” Azriel begins, setting his glass down. “But when we first met, when we visited your manor in the human lands, you and Elain made Cassian and I share one of your guest rooms.”

“Better to contain you,” Nesta explains with a shrug. “I didn’t trust any of you for a second back then.”

“A fair assessment probably, but what you don’t know is that as soon as Cassian and I were in our room, he wouldn’t stop talking about you. He ranted and raved, sure, said you absolutely infuriated him, but I saw through it in an instant. I knew right then how much you would mean to him, recognized how much he already cared… even suspected what the two of you might be.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“The two of you are certainly evenly matched,” Azriel continues as if Nesta hadn’t spoken. “The Mother certainly paired you well… You’re both incredibly and equally stubborn. And you both are deeply caring, willing to risk it all to help others, including risking yourselves.” Azriel pauses, meeting Nesta’s gaze head-on, his hazel eyes full of a knowing that has Nesta’s skin prickling. “I know that’s why you did it.”

The comment cuts deeper than Nesta expects it to, slicing straight through her chest to her already bruised heart. She turns her head away and hugs her knees tighter to her chest, swallowing around the emotions threatening to clog her throat. It does little to help the heaviness settled between her ribs, to ease the ache left throbbing beside that still silent bond.

“I’ve been there before, felt that darkness, thought that I was undeserving,” Azriel tells her, reaching a hand out and curling it around Nesta’s wrist. “I know that’s why you originally broke it. I know that at the time, the only one you thought you’d be hurting was yourself, and you were willing to do just that. But I hope you know he’s doing the exact same thing now. The two of you really are equals in every sense.”

“And what would you have me do?” Nesta asks, finally turning her head to meet Azriel’s gaze again.

“I’m not trying to tell you what to do, Nesta. It’s always been your choice, and it always will be. Feyre will happily get you a boat ticket and you can go back to the continent tomorrow if that is what you want.”

“How do I really know what I want?” Nesta dares to question. It’s a thought that’s been whispering in the back of her mind since that first flare returned between her ribs. “What if what I think I want is merely what the bond wants?”

“Mating bonds don’t create feelings. You may feel the pull toward him, the tug, but it’s merely instinct and nothing more. Anything that you might feel toward him, and him toward you, that isn’t the bond.”

Nesta isn’t sure what to say to that. If she thought Azriel’s earlier words cut too closely, these leave her bleeding across the library floor. There’s a part of Nesta, a part buried deep within her, clinging to the back of her mind, that already knew that. A part of her that remembers reading something similar when she had researched the mating bond and how to break it. A part of her she’d pointedly ignored back then, too scared and too unwillingly to consider what she had seen shining in Cassian’s eyes ever since their first meeting, what she had felt taking up home in her own heart.

It’s still a hard truth to swallow hearing it from Azriel, though. It shatters that denial, that protective shield she’s been hiding behind to avoid what’s been right in front of her face for days now. For years now. It forces her to face the hope, the care for Cassian, the happiness that has bloomed so thoroughly that there’s no uprooting those vines.

“It’s quite late,” Nesta says instead, standing up from the armchair. “I think I should try and get what sleep I can. Goodnight, Azriel.”

“I’m sorry if I upset you,” Azriel calls after her, causing her to pause right before the library doors.

“You didn’t,” Nesta assures him, turning over her shoulder to smile at him. “You always were my favorite bat.”

“We both know I was always only second favorite.”

Nesta pads back down the hall to her bedroom, but despite what she said to Azriel, sleep still evades her as she lays curled up beneath the blankets. She tries not to let her thoughts drift to Cassian, to Azriel’s words, but that just has her thoughts drifting back to the continent, the life she’s built there. A life where she was content but never truly happy, a place that was truly her own but never felt like home.

Only one place ever really felt like home.

—

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[beckandthebois]

Morning Trip

I'm excited and happy that I finished the intro to a really long fic idea I have, so here's a wip from the soulmates AU I have

Warriors walks out of the kitchen with his travel mug of coffee. Today he was tasked by Malon to get donuts for breakfast. Which means he has to get up earlier then usual, without any breakfast, and go pick out donuts that morning.

He sets his coffee down on the hallway console table. Careful to not ruin the table cloth with a coffee ring. 

Warriors bends down in the darkly shaded room, the sun barely peeking over the horizon to light it. He finds his shoes right where he set them last night. Between Time and Twilight’s. He picks the pair of shoes up. Only to also lift Time and Twilights, along with them, via the shoe laces. Warriors sets the shoes down and his eyes follow the line of laces and ties along all 9 pairs of shoes that sit at the door. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Warriors whisper yells. He starts with his own pair, untying the little bow. At least they're not double knotted. He thinks. 

He pulls his own shoes out of the mess, freed from the others. Then he undoes Malon’s and Time’s. He leaves the rest so that the perpetrated can still have a little fun. 

Warriors takes a seat on the hallway chair, ment for easy access to put on and take off shoes. He puts on his oxford dress shoes. Picking up his coffee mug, he heads out the door locking the house on his way out. 

 Warriors never thought his life would turn out this way. Spending a weekend on a ranch with his soulmates. Going to grab donuts for such a large group that’s become his family. 

He never really thought about having soulmates so much younger than him, but all the little things they do brighten his day and his life. Warriors would wake up every morning with his shoes tied together if it meant his little brothers were around.