#he’s an oldest brother who didn’t get a chance to finish his own childhood.

[dontworryihaveyourblorbos]

I don’t really know how to say this in a better way so imma just say it

If you think John Dory is a bad character then respectfully, you have no idea what being an oldest sibling is like.

He didn’t abandon his brothers. He was pushed to a point of having to be responsible for four younger brothers, ranging from baby to teenager, trying to coordinate and pull off good if not perfect shows, trying to help Rosiepuff raise both them and himself while also dealing with trollstice and the troll tree while also struggling with an ever growing *need* to be perfect. It doesn’t matter how much you love your siblings- if you’re stressed enough, you’re going to snap and you’re going to snap at them. And you know what? He probably hated himself for that too. And for the fact that he couldn’t be perfect. Any oldest sibling knows the guilt of not being good enough and presumably tearing down their younger siblings in the process…it’s awful. No fuckin wonder he walked away, bro was what, 17?? 18??? He shouldn’t have had to do that. And he didn’t just abandon his brothers knowing what was gonna happen to Branch. From his perspective, he walked away knowing full well Spruce and Clay could step up, and that Rosiepuff would still be there. He had no way of knowing Branch would end up alone and gray, because if he did, he never would have left.

John Dory is not a bad character. He loves his brothers.

Edit: some people are saying he didn’t come back until he needed something. He came back to an empty troll tree- he thought his brothers were dead. He probably only left for a few months or so! He didn’t abandon them. He had every intention to come back and did. His family was just gone.

[no1frogfan]

Impending, part 2

Matsukawa Issei x afab reader

Word count: ~2.6k

Tags & warnings: SMUT-MINORS & AGELESS BLOGS DO NOT INTERACT, drugs (smokin a joint), semi-public sex (barely), fingering, p in v

Note: Vegeta fuckers rise up. (But for real everyone knows Android 18 is where it’s at.) I think this piece makes clear how big the Mattsun-shaped hole in my heart is. Thank you @prettyiwa for your keen editing eye :* And idk if you wanted to keep getting tagged in this series mica but in case you do @princesskazuya

part 1 | part 3

The first time he met you, Makki had invited him over to play games after school. It was only the second week of 4th grade, but they’d hit it off immediately. He was aware Makki had two siblings, and even though he was younger than Makki, Issei was still the oldest in his own family and the oldest among his cousins, so he was pretty sure his mature energy would garner your respect.

What he hadn’t anticipated was that…it didn’t.

Actually, you were the one who impressed him. You seemed to know all the things that middle schoolers knew and elementary schoolers didn’t, and right away he found himself on the back foot, wanting you to recognize him as an equal.

The second time he went to Makki’s house, he went prepared. This time, he was going to get more than a quick glance from you, so he picked out the coolest shirt he owned — dark gray, oversized, with Vegeta going Super Saiyan plastered across the front. When you opened the door and feigned a cough to hide your laugh, he realized he’d misfired again.

When he thinks back on his childhood memories of you, they were invariably like this — you out of reach and him just behind, you ahead and him in pursuit.

You were always polite to him, never mean, but never overly friendly either. And why would you be? He was the annoying friend of your annoying little brother. The two of them were constantly following you around trying to get you to take them to high school parties where they were sure they’d get their first sip of beer and their first kiss.

It’s just that somewhere along the way, he started hoping you would be his first kiss.

But the four-year age gap meant he didn’t get much of a chance. By the time he got to high school, you were away at college, and by the time he graduated college, well, you’d already started making headway with your career in Sendai, or so Makki said.

In that time, he’d graduated high school, college too, and now he’s pretty established in the family business. He still hangs out with Makki all the time, and he’s a fixture in the Hanamaki household, always making sure to visit your parents along with his own. It’s just that whenever he came over, you’d either just left, or were yet to arrive. The timing was never right.

The desire to impress you faded to near-nonexistence over the years. Near non-existence, because a tiny little part of him still keeps track of how long it’s been since he last saw you (until today: 11 years). So when Makki invited him over for a family barbecue and mentioned offhandedly that you were home visiting, well, that tiny little part of him may have decided to trade the usual basketball shorts and faded t-shirt for the shorts that hug his thighs and the shirt that shows off the physique he’s kept up even after volleyball.

He knew he’d have to endure some teasing, but he’s used to it at this point.

(Makki took one look at him in the doorway and doubled over laughing, “It’s never gonna happen, bro.”

Mattsun just shrugged. “Can’t blame me for wanting to shoot my shot.”

Makki did not like that turn of phrase.)

Anyway, he’s probably over you at this point. He’d almost convinced himself of that until the moment you appeared at the top of the basement steps.

Maybe there’s something about the basement. Back then, he was always playing games down here with Makki. The tv screen was much smaller at the time, and the basement wasn’t fully finished. The walls hadn’t been painted, the floor was just concrete, and the only furniture was a paint-stained coffee table, a lumpy old sofa, and a dirty bean bag chair. Your parents gave them their privacy though, and kept the old fridge downstairs stocked with soda, so to him, it was basically heaven.

You usually left him and Makki alone, but sometimes if you were really bored, or if it was too hot upstairs, or you were supposed to watch them while your parents were out, you’d hang out down here and play a round or two. Sometimes you’d complain about your friends or whoever you were dating at the time, and Makki would always take their side and he would always take yours, and afterward you’d jokingly berate your brother, Why can’t you be nice to me like Issei?

The way you called his name today with that pleased little lilt made his insides twist into familiar knots. When he chanced a peek…you looked stunning, even better than he remembered. Especially with a radiant glow from the afternoon sun, beads of sweat disappearing into your cleavage, and thighs spilling out of tiny denim shorts.

He felt nervous, hyperaware of you sitting behind them on the couch. So when Makki reached over to bat at his controller, he channeled that anxious energy into shoving back.

In retrospect, it was more than a little childish to think he could impress you by wrestling your brother. Wrestling? Really? What are they, ten years old? He regretted it as soon as Makki left and the adrenaline wore off. He’s a grown man now, with plenty of experience under his belt, so how come you’re still able to make him feel like this?

Mattsun tried to play it off while he figured out another tactic, but then… When you leaned in to take the controller out of his hands, he thought you hesitated, just for a second, like you were caught off guard.

And when he sat back against the couch, he thought you seemed fidgety, like maybe the couch was uncomfortable.

And then when he — let’s be honest — completely fucking panicked and just laid himself across your lap because he couldn’t keep his hands off you, and your voice got all throaty, like…he’s even not sure what.

When you shoved him off and retreated into the couch, when he saw the agitated rise and fall of your chest and the way your nipples poked through the thin fabric of your crop top, when you looked everywhere but at him—

That’s when it clicked. Maybe, just maybe, he finally had a chance.

He barely remembers the race, so dizzying was this revelation.

He ignored Makki’s curious look when he didn’t lie back down on the floor. He hoped you didn’t mind how sweaty his palm was when he pushed himself up next to you instead. You’d stiffened, keeping your gaze resolutely focused on your phone, even though you’d stopped scrolling.

Now that you’re within reach, he doesn’t want to let go of this chance. To ghost his lips on the skin of your neck. To make his desire plain to you. To know if you want him too.

When you look up, a reply on your lips…

Makki yawns. Your face drops.

Of course.

He’s an idiot.

He was so high on the barest glimmer of a chance with you that he forgot all about Makki. Of course you’d be worried about how your brother might feel. You have no idea that Makki is well aware of his crush on you.

So when you run off, leaving him behind yet again, he fights the urge to chase. That little inkling of interest had made him impatient. Can you blame him, though? He’s been chasing after you for as long as he can remember. He’s sure of what he wants. But, he reminds himself, this is all new for you.

So for the first time, he doesn’t pursue you.

Don’t rush.

Slow down.

He plays a few more rounds with Makki and waits.

He goes upstairs and helps with the cooking and waits.

He grabs another beer and talks to your parents and waits.

But his patience has limits. Eventually, he can’t quell the antsiness crawling up his body and sneaks off while Makki is waylaid by one of your uncles.

When he doesn’t see you inside, he slips out to the backyard. It’s cool outside now that the sun is just a sliver on the horizon, and quiet since everyone has retreated indoors. He walks around to the side of the house.

A lighter clicks in his periphery, and for a blink, it illuminates you, hidden in a corner between the plum tree and the stone fence.

Your head snaps up at the crunch of gravel under his shoes.

“Oh, it’s just you.”

He ducks under the branches, stopping a few feet away.

“Yup, just me.”

You bring a skinny joint up to your lips and take a deep drag, turning to blow the smoke away from him.

“Needed some air?” He keeps his tone light.

“Something like that.”

He’s slept around, he’s dated, might have even fallen in love once, but there’s something unshakeable about a first crush. Maybe it’s just you that’s unshakeable. He’d dismissed it as a teenage obsession, but the ember he believed had turned to ash has roared to life.

The uncertainty is clear in your posture, yet your gaze flits over him when you think he’s not looking — eyes, lips, shoulders, chest, eyes again — or maybe you just think the haze of dusk gives you some cover.

You hold the joint out with one hand. “Want some?”

He steps into the narrow gap between you and the fence and, bending down, lifts your (surprisingly pliant) hand to his mouth. He tries not to tower over you, but in this confined space it’s hard not to.

He purses his lips gingerly around the tips of your fingers and inhales.

Breathing out slowly, his eyes stay locked on yours.

Your face remains neutral, but he feels the quickening of your pulse under his fingers when he lets go.

You step back to lean against the trunk. Before you can take another puff, he plucks the joint from you.

“Hey, give it back!”

He holds it up out of your reach. “Didn’t think you of all people would smoke.”

You roll your eyes. “I could say the same for you.”

“I guess some things change. And some things don’t.”

“Suppose so,” you admit.

You stare at the joint slowly burning down in his hand.

“Makki knows, you know,” he assures, gauging your reaction.

You frown in confusion. “That I smoke?”

He laughs. “No. He knows that I’m interested.”

Your frown deepens, and he adds, “I didn’t ask for his blessing or anything, but he’s never had a problem, so I’m pretty sure he’s ok with it.”

At that, you meet his eyes — yeah, he might finally have a chance.

He takes a deep drag, and before you can react, he presses his lips to yours, blowing the smoke softly into your mouth. He follows it with his tongue, delicate and testing. You open for him, soft like velvet and just a bit bitter from the beer.

When you don’t reciprocate, he reluctantly pulls away.

You evaluate him thoughtfully before snatching the nub from him. Taking one last puff, you snuff it against the fence, pull him down by the front of his shirt, and smash your lips against his. He eagerly welcomes your tongue, groaning when your sharp incisors pinch his bottom lip.

Your hands run up the back of his neck, roam over his broad shoulders, slide down his toned arms. You lift his hands and settle them on your hips, and before he realizes, he’s picking you up off the ground, wrapping your legs around him, and pinning you against the fence.

You pant as he nestles his face in the curve of your neck, licking and nipping restlessly, careful not to leave any marks for Makki or the rest of your family to find.

His fingers glide up your stomach, sneak under your top, to trace the curve of your breast.

“Do you know how hard you made me earlier when I saw you weren’t wearing a bra?” He growls into your shoulder.

You shiver at his admission, nipples hardening in his palms.

“And then Makki came back and I had to sit there and pretend like I wasn’t just fantasizing about fucking you into the couch?”

He grinds his hips, making you squirm, chuckling when he pulls back and you chase after the friction. “Mmm— yeah? You want me to?”

“Yeah, I want you to,” you gasp, “want you to fuck me, Issei.”

As soon as he sets you down, you start tugging at your shorts and underwear, but before you can even get them to your knees, he’s twisted you around and bent you over against the stone.

He curses as he slips one finger into your soaking cunt, followed quickly by a second. You writhe against his hand, biting back moans as he works them against your slick walls.

“Fuck you’re so wet already. Want this cock that bad, huh?”

“Fuck off Issei,” you whine, “you’re the one who popped a boner w— fuuuck…”

He plunges a third finger inside.

“What was that?”

“Just fucking…shut up and fuck me.”

He tsks, “Was gonna prep you more, but…” But honestly, he’s this close to cumming in his pants. He frees his cock and lines himself up, swooning when it prods against your entrance.

He sinks in. Not in one thrust, because he doesn’t want to hurt you, and because he wants to savor this. But not slowly either, because his patience is worn down to nothing.

“Oh sh— Issei…you’re huge,” you grit out, all the while shoving your ass back to take him in faster.

As soon as you’ve sucked all of him in and his hips rest flush against your pussy, the last thread of his self-control snaps and he’s mindlessly rutting into you. He can’t bear to pull out more than a inch or two before slamming back in, hips snapping with loud claps that almost muffle the sloppy squelch of your cunt.

He pulls you up, needing to feel as much of you against him as possible. One arm circles your waist and the other hand wraps around to clutch at your chest.

Your lewd moans and the way your pussy clenches around his cock makes him lightheaded. He’s lost in your slick walls, soft heat, unable to slow down.

It’s too late to wonder if his fingers are digging into you a little too hard because he’s already about to—

He shoves a hand between your legs to fumble at your clit, it’s clumsy, but you’re just so— he’s praying you cum before he loses it.

The last thing he sees is you clapping a hand over your mouth.

He feels you start to spasm right as he pulls out, blindly reaching down to pump himself once, twice before his vision goes dark.

His chest is still heaving when he regains his senses. You’re panting beside him, clinging to the cold stone, gobs of cum splattering your back and the curve of your ass.

He reaches over to brush away the hair stuck to your forehead.

“I’ll go get some tissues,” he murmurs, tucking himself back into his shorts.

He jogs toward the house, straightening his clothes before slipping inside. Luckily, everyone seems to have migrated into the living room because he doesn’t pass a soul as he grabs some toilet paper from the nearest bathroom before returning.

He’s tender when he tidies you up, gently wiping off your back, swallowing your whimpers with a kiss as he cleans up your oversensitive cunt.

Dimly, something primal wells up in him. Is that weird? To feel elated to be wiping his cum off you?

To feel like, after all this time, he’s finally caught up.

[mlwritersguild]

Fireflies in a September Sky, by @chai-ki

AO3 link; No powers AU, Not set in Paris, Childhood friends, Adrien and Felix are siblings, Marinette and Chloe are best friends, enemies to friends, minor bullying, 6 year-old angst

Summary:

It's the first day of first grade and Adrien is super excited. This year he gets to be the 'big' buddy for the incoming kindergarten class, and he can't wait to find out who he's going to be paired with. Maybe it will be his brother or perhaps a new kid. He's determined not to let anything, or anyone ruin this day. Not even silly little Marinette.

But maybe, Marinette isn't as annoying as she seems?

—

There was no one who drove Adrien crazier than Marinette Dupain-Cheng did. Marinette, with her silly pigtails all wrapped up in large, pale-pink bows and matching sparkly cowboy boots that he swore she lived in. The girl was tiny and never could keep up. Being the oldest, he was always the one stuck helping her instead of keeping pace with his brother and Chloe.

By the time he’d be finished helping her climb some tree, or cross a creek, Felix had snagged the best role in whatever game they were playing. This of course left Adrien to be something he thought dumb. One time they’d made him be the dog of all things! He liked cats way more than he liked dogs, and they knew that. Marinette had only giggled and offered to be the cat herself, as if she’d orchestrated the entire thing. On top of all that, she was always around. Everywhere he looked she was right beside him, like a second shadow.

Marinette was never mean, and she hardly spoke, but he wanted to be able to have choices in the games his brother and Chloe played, and he couldn’t with the bug around. On the lucky chance she wasn’t around, he was getting scolded by his mom about leaving her behind and excluding her. Which he didn’t of course!

Sometimes he just got so involved in a game they were playing that he lost track of her. She was so impossibly small! Felix was almost a year younger than Marinette and he was already taller.  

The one thing Adrien had been looking forward to all summer was the first day of school. Sure, he loved summertime as much as any kid, swimming, exploring and riding horses was something he would never ever be tired of doing. But when school started, he would be free of the clingy bug, and he couldn’t wait. He just had to get through the rest of this morning, then he’d meet his buddy for the year and be blissfully Marinette-free. First grade was going to be awesome!

“Adrien! Felix! We need to head to the bus stop now, get your shoes on please.”

“Okay mama!” Adrien gleefully skipped into the mud room and slid on his brand-new light up shoes – complete with laces since he knew how to tie them now.

Felix burst into the room huffing. “I’m. Here. Ready. Mama.”

“Sweetheart, your shirt is on backwards. Here, let me help.”

Adrien giggled at his brother, always so chaotic. Felix stuck his tongue out at him in response.

“Now you two, be nice. Adrien, it’s your brother's first year at school and I need you to be your wonderful self and look out for him, okay?”

“I will!” He wrapped his arms around Felix, causing the younger boy to groan and stick out his tongue again in contempt. “We always got each other!”

“Mamaaaaa. I don’t need Adrien to watch me. Chloe will watch me just fine, she promised!”

Adrien watched as his mother shook her head with a smile on her face. Clearly knowing something he didn’t. “Of course, she will dear.”

“Plus, Adrien has to help Nette!”

“Moommm, do I have to?”

“Adrien, she’s your friend, isn’t she? It would be the kind thing to do.”

He simply huffed in response. Marinette, his friend? His mom had clearly gone crazy. But she expected him to be kind, so, as annoying as it was, he would help Marinette… a little. Once he was in his class with his friends though, she was on her own. She would have Felix anyways since they were in the same kindergarten class.

“Well, shall we? Sabine will be meeting us at the end of the driveway with the girls.”

They wasted no time bursting through the door and down the porch steps. Though it was nearly September, summer was trying to hang on and the morning was already heavy with heat. Their mother followed them both into the yard and the three began strolling up their long driveway that led to a dirt road which began at the end of a paved cul-de-sac. About halfway down the driveway, they could see Sabine, Chloe and Marinette. Felix took off running to meet them while Adrien remained behind to enjoy the peace with his mom. Moments like this were rare and he thoroughly enjoyed them.

“Good morning, Sabine, girls! Are you excited for your first day, Marinette?”

“Yes, m-iss Em-ile.”

Oh. He’d forgotten about that. Her stutter. She always stuttered and it drove him crazy!

“It’s going to be so fun! I’m happy you and Felix are in the same class this year.”

“M-me too. A-a-drien, a-are you exci-t-ted?”

“Mmhmm.”

He watched as she smiled, clearly pleased with his wordless answer.

“Alright kids, let's head on up to the mailboxes.” Sabine addressed them all before turning to Marinette. “That’s where the bus will pick you up and drop you off, remember Marinette?”

“Yes, m-ama.”

“Miss Sabine, will you pretty please remind my mama to meet me at the bus after school?” The hopeful look in Chloe’s eyes made Adrien sad. “She said she would try to leave work on time.”

“I absolutely will, sweetheart.”

The group began the rest of their walk towards the mailboxes. Felix and Chloe walked, hand in hand ahead of the group while he and Marinette remained next to their mothers who were happily chatting about something to do with the ranch and their dads.

Adrien was curious to find out who would be in his class this year. Last year he had made friends with a couple of the boys, Ivan and Nino, but he had hardly seen them over the summer. Nino’s family owned a large ranch on the other side of the county and while Ivan lived in-town, his family liked to travel during the summer. They were the three musketeers though and he really, really hoped at least one of them would be with him.

As they waited for the bus to arrive, Adrien watched a few birds hop around in the grass on the other side of the road, searching for a morning snack.

“I l-like you-r back-kk-pack.” Of course, she did. It looked like a cat, with ears and everything.

“Thank you.”

He took a moment to look at her for the first time that morning and was not at all surprised to see the light-pink, sparkly cowboy boots on her feet. How she wasn’t dying from being hot he had no idea. He supposed it was because she was wearing a dress. Her backpack was a ladybug and like his had cat ears, hers had antennae. Her whole getup was so her that he momentarily forgot she was super irritating, and he smiled in her direction. The moment she returned it he snapped back and looked away.

“Mooommmmm! Chloe said she isn’t sitting with me on the bus!”

“Felix, Chloe can sit wherever she likes. You aren’t her only friend.”

“But mommmm! Marinette can sit with Adrien!”

“Mari is my bestest friend, I’m sitting with her Felix!”

“But you promised me.” Tears began to pool in his brother’s eyes and Adrien had to hold back a giggle. He always did this when Chloe chose Marinette over him.

“I promised I was gonna play with you at recess! I promised Mari I was gonna sit with her on the bus, so she wasn’t scared.”

Felix sniffled and squeaked out a small “oh.”

Marinette for her part looked shaken. Neither she nor Adrien were strangers to the other two’s shenanigans, but this seemed to really bother her.

“I-I w-wil-l b-be ok-kay.” Marinette’s voice was a small whisper.

Both his mother and Sabine looked at a loss for words, unsure of how to handle the situation. Adrien wasn’t all too sure what to do either. The bus ride was supposed to be the beginning of his Marinette-free day! Still, he was a big kid now and big kids sometimes did what they didn’t want to do because it was the right thing, so he spoke up.

“I’ll sit with you Mar.”

“R-real-ly?”

He nodded.

“T-thank y-ou A-drien!” She came up and wrapped him in a hug, making him stiffen. He saw his mom smile and knew he had done a good thing even if it was annoying.

“Yay! Chloe, you can sit with me now!”

“Felix, you were mean. But I’m nice so I’ll forgive you. Plus, we’re birthday buddies so I don’t like to be mad at you.”

Felix beamed. Adrien rolled his big green eyes like he’d seen his mom do to his dad before. Marinette, thankfully, let go of him and went back to holding her mom’s hand. The bus arrived a few moments later and they were off.

Adrien decided to let Marinette have the window seat so she could wave goodbye to Sabine, and he sat near the edge, so he didn’t accidentally bump her. He tried to ignore her for most of the ride but found it hard to do as she kept fidgeting with the tabs on her backpack and it was driving him crazy.

“You don’t have to be scared. School is fun.”

She nodded.

“Kindergarten is really, really fun too. You have Mrs. Caline, right?”

Another nod.

“Chloe and I had her last year. She’s really nice. And you’re going to get a buddy from first grade who will help you. My buddy last year was named Max. He was really cool.”

“Max?”

“Yep! He is super smart. He sat with me at lunch and played with me at recess sometimes. He knew where everything was, so he showed me. Your buddy will do that with you too.”

She stopped fidgeting. Yay!

“T-thank you.”

“You're welcome, Mar.”

🖍️🖌️🖍️

Adrien couldn’t remember a time when his brother had ever been timid but when they arrived at the school the boy withdrew and for once, chose him over Chloe. Since Felix and Marinette had the same class, the older two led the younger pair to Mrs. Caline’s classroom.

“Okay Felix, here you are! You get to meet your buddy today, remember?”

“I remember, Adrien. But what if my buddy is mean?”

“Then they’ll have to deal with me!” Chloe stood tall, her fisted hands on her hips like a superhero. This seemed to pull Felix out of whatever funk he had been in.

“And me!” He hugged his brother. “We have to go to our class now. Stay by Marinette!”

“Okay. I will. By Adrien, bye Chloe!” Felix waved excitedly.

Marinette simply stood there, wide eyed and watching him retreat. She would be fine though, she had Felix and she’d get her buddy today too. Adrien was finally free to not worry about her and he was so excited that he practically skipped down the hall to his classroom. Chloe rushed up to him, having fallen behind from hugging Marinette.

“I’m worried about Mari. She’s so small. What if she has mean kids that pick on her like that stupid stinky Sharon from last year?”

Adrien was tired of hearing how Marinette might not do well. He wasn’t supposed to have to worry about her while at school!

“She will be fine.”

“But how do you know?”

“I just do Chloe. I can’t always be the one to help her, okay?!” Chloe froze and just stared at him for a moment.

“What?”

“You’re mean.”

“Am not.”

“Are too!” She stuck her tongue out for good measure.

He didn’t get to retort as they each reached their classes. This year they were separated and for once, he was happy about that. He didn’t spare her a second glance as he headed into the room.

“Adrien! Guess what!”

“IVAN!” Adrien practically ran through the classroom in excitement over seeing his friend in the same class.

“I went to a different country this summer!”

“Woah. That’s so cool!”

“I know! Look, I got you and Nino matching bracelets with this cool leaf on them!”

Ivan dug through his Batman themed backpack before procuring something. He then handed Adrien a squishy, flat bracelet that was mostly red with a small white square. Inside the white square was a red leaf.

“This is awesome! Thank you!”

“Buds! YES!”

Ivan and Adrien both whipped their heads towards the door to see Nino walking in their direction.

“Nino!” “I got you something!” Both Adrien and Ivan said in unison.

“The three musketeers together again!”

“Yeah!”

“Ninoooo! Look what I got us!” Ivan shoved the matching bracelet in Nino’s direction.

“This is awesome!” He slipped it on.

The three of them did their secret handshake before surveying the rest of the classroom. It seemed meanie Sharon wasn’t in his class so that was awesome. The teacher, Mr. Armand, had even placed him, Ivan and Nino at the same table. Adrien just knew that this was the start of what would be the best year ever!

---

The first part of the morning had been so much fun already. They had done letter tracing worksheets, a refresher from the year before, and then had gotten to draw a picture about their summer. Adrien had gotten better at writing short sentences over the summer, he had practiced of course, and he was really happy that he was able to tell the story of his summer in two or three of them. (Drawing was secretly his favorite part.) He had been so busy that the morning flew by, he and his best friends chatting about their summers while doing their work.

“Alright class, we will be going to meet your buddies just before recess, which is in about fifteen minutes. As first-graders I expect you to be good friends to your buddies, just like your buddies from last year were to you.”

Adrien was incredibly excited to meet his buddy. He just knew they were going to become the best of friends. Maybe Adrien could even teach him to use the monkey bars if he didn’t know how, just like Max had taught him last year.

“I am going to come by and give you a name tag with a color on it. Your buddy is going to be wearing the same color tag so that you will be able to find them when we head over to Mrs. Caline’s class.”

Mrs. Caline? Marinette’s class. Adrien had a hard time repressing a groan but he could be paired with anyone, she was just one person anyways! A very small, small person.

“Nino, your color is lime green.” Mr. Armand handed Nino a sticky name tag that had a big bright green circle colored on it.

“Cool!” Nino immediately peeled off the backing and slapped it to the center of his chest.

“Ivan, your color is gray.”

“Borringgg.” He copied Nino’s movements, though much less enthusiastically.

“And Adrien, your color is sky blue.”

Like Marinette’s eyes.

The thought momentarily stunned him, and he could only nod in response as he placed the tag on his shirt, just over his heart.

“I hope my buddy likes music!” Ivan mimicked drumming on his desk with his index fingers and rocked his head up and down.

“I hope mine likes to climb really high!”

“I hope mine likes to do the monkey bars so I can teach him like Max taught me!”

The three of them were definitely hyped.

“I hope our buddies like each other!”

“Me too.” And Adrien really hoped they did.

“Of course, they will! And if they don’t, then we can teach them how to be friends. We got our big buddies to be friends last year, remember?”

“You’re right, Nino!” Ivan stopped his drumming for a second to fist-bump Nino.

“Alright class, time to head out. Please line up at the door.”

Adrien and his friends stood next to each other in line, with himself standing last. This was something they started last year to be silly. Mrs. Caline liked to have her students stand in alphabetical order by last name, aside from the line leader, of course. So, the three of them would stand backwards just for fun whenever there wasn’t a rule about it.

While the rest of the class was excitedly chattering about their buddies and what they might be like, Adrien thought back to last year and how nervous he had been as a kindergartener. At least he’d had Chloe, who was equally terrified. He was for once thankful for Marinette because that meant that Felix wasn’t alone.

Everyone quickly quieted down as they made their way through the hall so as not to disturb the other classes. He saw Chloe’s class lined up outside of Ms. Olga’s room, a letter each written on the sticker they wore on their chests. Chloe saw him and waved. At least she didn’t seem to be mad at him anymore.

“Alright, let's head on in. Line up in the front of the classroom and Mrs. Caline and I will introduce you to your buddies for the year.”

This was it!

🖍️🖌️🖍️

Walking into the room, Adrien could see how nervous the younger kids were. He saw Felix sitting near the door and waved. Felix held out his shirt and pointed to the big gray circle on his tag. Adrien was super excited that he and Ivan would be paired together, now he really didn’t have to worry about his brother!

The kindergarten room had tables that were set up in a ‘U’ shape with kindergarteners themselves seated along the outside edges. Inside of the ‘U’ there were chairs that had been brought in especially for today (Adrien remembered from last year) where the older kids would sit opposite their buddy after being introduced.

He scanned the room a little more as he took his place in the front with his class attempting to try and find the student with the match to his tag. Unfortunately, he was only able to see a handful of them and none matched his. During his observation he noticed a lanky looking boy with dark hair and light eyes along with a girl who could rival Marinette in height or lack thereof. She had light yellow, very curly hair and dark eyes. Next to the small girl was Marinette. She kept her head down and hardly acknowledged his class though she stole a peek at him. He turned his head immediately when she caught his eye.

“Is everyone ready? Okay!” Mrs. Caline clapped her hands together. “First up, Felix! You will be buddies with Ivan, can you please stand-up Felix?”

Adrien watched as his brother stood with a huge grin on his face and waved at Ivan. Ivan returned the wave as he walked over to the empty chair in front of Felix. They both sat down and instantly began a quiet conversation.  

Mrs. Caline worked her way around the tables and as more and more of his classmates went to sit down without his name being called, Adrien began to worry. There were only four kids left. ‘Dark-haired boy’, ‘Light-haired curly girl’, another small-ish girl who sat on the other side of Marinette, and Marinette herself.

“Kim, please stand-up. Your buddy is going to be Nino.”

Nino was paired with ‘dark-haired boy’. Adrien wasn’t upset that he was going to be paired with a girl, he was friends with Chloe after all! He just wanted anyone but Marinette. Dejectedly, he watched as the last girl of his class was paired off with ‘light-haired curly girl’. As Marinette stood up, his heart began to thump harder in his chest. It was just him and a boy named Nathaniel left.

Adrien looked everywhere but at her, willing Mrs. Caline to call Nathaniel’s name. He couldn’t hear anything over the roar of his heartbeat and thus he didn’t hear his name being repeatedly called. It took a gentle tap on the shoulder from Nathaniel for him to come to his senses.

“Adrien, you are buddied up with Marinette, please come take your seat.”

🖍️🖌️🖍️

So much for the best year ever. How could he have gotten saddled with her again? Wasn’t it bad enough he babysat her when they were at home? Maybe he could request a change, though he didn’t know if he’d be allowed.

Marinette sat across from him and fiddled with the un-tied ribbon on her dress. She wouldn’t look up, as though she was nervous. They’d be leaving to go outside shortly and a small part of him actually felt bad for her. She was a quiet kid, he knew, but this seemed different.

“Mari?”

No reply.

“Why aren’t you talking?”

She shrugged her shoulders, eyes still downcast. He huffed.

Mr. Armand announced it was time for recess, effectively ending their conversation. They both stood and lined up next to each other to head out the door and he noticed she stood a little ways away from him which was even more strange because usually it was him that had to move. Marinette had never been scared of him before and the thought made him worry because his mom would surely be mad if she found out he had upset her somehow.

Adrien’s worries were quickly washed away as they all rushed onto the playground. Nino and Kim met right up with them along with Ivan and Felix. ‘Light-haired curly girl’ came up with his classmate Lucy to join their group and introduced herself as Mylène. The eight of them walked over to the jungle gym, Marinette trailing behind slightly.

“What should we play?” Ivan asked as he stared intently at Mylène with wide eyes.

“Nothing scary please. I don’t like scary.” Her voice was soft and hard to hear.

“I’m gonna climb higher than all of you, watch!” Kim immediately began climbing up the side of the gym.

“No way you can beat me!” Nino followed suit.

“Where’s Chloe? She promised to meet me!”

“She’s probably with her buddy, Felix.”

Adrien felt an incredibly soft tap on his arm.

“A-adr-rien-n. C-can you p-please t-teac-h me t-to do the mon-nkey bar-rs?”

He really didn’t want to but he didn’t want to hurt her feelings either and relented with a nod before following her over to them. Ivan, Felix, Mylène and Lucy began playing a game of some sort, one he wished he could have been included in, while Nino and Kim raced all over the play structure. Marinette stumbled up onto the platform and reached for the first bar. Her fingertips barely brushed the first one but she managed to catch it and grasped it with both hands. Adrien remained on the ground and slightly behind where she hung so he could watch her from below and help steady her if needed, at least he hoped he could, her legs were all he could reach. Marinette looked back to him for guidance.

“Okay, reach one hand forward and grab on, then bring your other hand to the same bar!”

She did as instructed and her arms were stretched as far as they’d go before she brought the second to meet the first. She repeated the process again and again squealing with glee as she made her way nearly to the middle. Adrien couldn’t help but smile up at her because she was doing something on her own without him!

“I see London! You see France! Adrien see’s Mari’s underpants!” A kid he knew as Tucker chanted. He was in Marinette’s class and must have remembered Adrien’s name from introductions.

Marinette lost her grip then and slammed into him, knocking them both onto the ground in a heap. Tucker ran off laughing with some other boys. Adrien pulled himself out from underneath Marinette and helped her stand up.

“S-sor-ry.” She looked like she might cry.

“I’m okay. Did you get hurt?”

She just shook her head to say no.

“Good. You can try again if you want?”

“N-no t-thank-k you-u.”

“Oh. Okay. Well what do you want to pla…” He was cut off by Felix’s voice.

“CHLOE! YOU’RE FINALLY HERE! Look! Adrien’s best friend is my buddy!” Said best friend was standing next to Felix along with the other two girls from earlier at the top-most part of the playground.

“Hi Felix! This is Sabrina, she’s my buddy for the year!” Chloe gestured to a red-headed girl with glasses who timidly waved.

“HI SABRINA!” Felix was really into yelling today.

Forgetting about Marinette for a moment, completely by accident, Adrien went over to introduce himself.

“Hi, I’m Adrien. My brother, Felix, is the loud one.”

“Nice to meet you, Adrien. Felix is funny. Chloe talks a lot about him.”

“Of course I do! He’s my birthday buddy. I’m going to marry him some day.”

Ivan, Mylène, Lucy and Sabrina all stilled at the comment, looking at Chloe like she was crazy.

“Yepp! And we’re gonna have five hundred cats and two-hundred dogs and a thousand horses!” All eyes snapped up to Felix who was now perched at the top of a slide getting ready to come down.

“That’s right!”

“You guys are crazy.” Mylène spoke up, louder than he’d heard her since meeting her.

“Right?” Ivan suggested. “They should have two-thousand horses!”

“He’s right Felix. We’re going to have two-thousand!”

“Okay!”

“Adrien, where is Marinette? Is she with her buddy?”

Oh no, Marinette! He quickly scanned the area and didn’t see her.

“Adrien is her buddy!” Felix, who had made his way down the slide, leapt off of it and landed next to Chloe.

Chloe narrowed her eyes at him and Adrien felt a chill run down his back. “Where is she?”

“I, uh… I don’t know? We were by the monkey bars and she disappeared when I came to say hi.”

“Ugh! I have to do everything for you!” Chloe threw her hands up in the air before stomping off, Sabrina hot on her tail.

All but his brother simply looked confused and went back to playing. Felix shrugged and joined Ivan leaving Adrien to follow Chloe. So much for having each other’s backs!

They searched the entire structure and didn’t see her.

“You lost her! She’s been scared about school and you lost her!”

“I didn’t lose her! If she had just…”

“W-what are y-ou guys-s yel-lin’ about-t?”

Adrien stilled.

“We were just worried about you Mari! I want you to meet Sabrina!”

“Hi.” Marinette gave a small wave.

“Hi Marinette!” Sabrina hugged her and Adrien watched Marinette stiffen.

“Where did you go Mari?”

“T-to look-k at t-the flowers-s.” She pointed to the field beyond the playground that was decorated in an array of white clover flowers.

“Those are pretty! Sabrina, we should make wildflower crowns next recess!”

“Yeah!”

Adrien groaned and thankfully the bell rang to go back inside. He and Marinette walked silently back to her classroom though she hung behind him just a bit. He found it odd but didn’t say anything about it. Soon enough it would be lunchtime and he’d have to do everything all over again and he was already exhausted from this first recess.

🖍️🖌️🖍️

The room was abuzz with the chatter of small yet impeccably loud voices. Everyone seemed to have a story to tell about who they’d been partnered with and no one wanted to wait their turn. Adrien was the only one who remained silent. There wasn’t anything to tell about Marinette that his friends didn’t already know.

“Get this! Kim climbed all the way over the top of the rail next to the tall slide and onto the other side!”

“Woah.” Ivan’s eyes were as big as saucers.

“He said he’s already broken his arm once!”

“That’s crazy!”

“He’s gonna break his leg soon I bet. He’s so much fun!”

“Who would want to break their leg?” Adrien was genuinely confused. Pain wasn’t exactly fun.

“KIM would! He isn’t afraid of anything. Plus then everyone gets to sign his cast. They all did that at his preschool last year.”

Seemed sketchy but who was Adrien to judge?

“Adrien, your brother is a lot of fun!”

“I wouldn’t know.” He grumbled mostly to himself.

“What do you mean? You’re brothers.” Nino apparently heard him.

“It’s nothing.”

Adrien folded his arms across his chest and slumped in his chair, a scowl on his face.

“You look mad.”

“Yeah.” Nino agreed. “Is it because you got paired with Marinette?”

He didn’t know if he should tell them how upset he was. They wouldn’t understand.

“She’s so super nice though! I bet she would go along with whatever we wanted to play!”

“Nino is right! Felix said she is really super fun.”

“Super fun? Marinette? No way.”

“But Felix said…”

“Felix gets to play with Chloe all the time. I’m the one who has to play with Marinette. She can’t keep up with them so she can’t keep up with us. It’s hopeless.” His shoulders sagged in defeat. He didn’t truly want to leave her out, he just wanted to not have to follow her everywhere or have her follow him.

Both Nino and Ivan pondered Adrien’s words for a bit as the three of them continued working on some addition problems together. Finally Nino spoke up.

“Why don’t you trade buddies or something for next recess?”

“Trade buddies?”

“Oh I think I know what he means! I’ll hang out with Marinette and you hang out with Felix.”

“Really?” He couldn’t help the hopefulness that entered his mind.

“Yeah! One sec, I wanna go ask Lucy something.”

Ivan got up and walked over to Lucy’s table, looking like he was asking for help on the worksheet.

“That’s a good idea, thank you, Nino.”

“Michelangelo, at your service!” He whipped his hands around pretending to swing a nunchaku, making Adrien laugh a little too loud. Mr. Armand gave them both a look before turning his attention back to the student he was currently helping.

“This is gonna be such a good plan!”

Ivan once again joined them.

“It is! Freedom will be so nice!”

“Yeah, that too.”

“Ivan, your cheeks are pink. Do you…” Nino gasped. “Do you like…” his voice dropped to a whisper “Lucy?”

“Nope! But she said she and Mylène would play with Marinette and I at recess.” His cheeks got pinker, and his smile got wider.

“Ooohhh.”

“I like her curly hair. It’s like my mommas.”

“Thank you, Ivan.”

“You’re welcome, Adrien! I’m excited and Marinette seems really nice. Plus I’m even taller than you so I can help her if she needs it.”

Adrien smiled in response. His only worry was that Marinette might be upset over the switch but then it occurred to him that she had been hanging back earlier. Maybe she would be happy to be away from him too? He supposed only time would tell.

🖍️🖌️🖍️

Lunch had come and gone in a flash, Adrien sat across from Marinette at the table and on either side of him were Nino and Ivan. She was sandwiched between Kim and Felix. They had explained the switch for recess to her and she had seemed excited. By the time recess had arrived, she was talking about the flower crowns Chloe was going to teach them to make. To his surprise, Felix had chosen to play a game with him instead of trying to hang around with Chloe.

They’d played pirates along with Nino, Kim, Nathaniel and the other small girl who he had learned was named Alix. The rest of the day was a lot of fun. They’d gone to the library as a group of two classes and Marinette had kept mostly to herself, not even asking for help reaching a book on the top shelf. She’d asked Ivan instead. Strangely, Adrien felt a little lost not helping her and he couldn’t make sense of it.

After the library, his class had an introduction party where they shared their pictures from the morning and told about their favorite part of the summer that year. Adrien’s had of course been riding the horses with his papa on the ranch. Nino’s had been going fishing with his brother and dad, and Ivan’s had been going to the cool country with the red leaf.

Finally it was time for their final recess and Adrien wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. On one hand, he wasn’t super upset that he had to go back to being Marinette’s buddy because he was grown up now and it was the grown-up thing to do. But on the other hand, he still wanted to play with the other kids and not have to worry about her being left behind because she couldn’t keep up. Maybe she would look to Ivan again for help now though?

They made their way to her class once more for the day before lining up to go outside. Marinette had taken her place right up next to him again and he grumbled internally. So much for Ivan then. When the doors opened the rest of the kids rushed outside while he hung behind just a bit. No need to rush when they weren’t going anywhere fast.

“So… what do you want to do?”

She shrugged before pointing to the flowers in the field.

“Flower crowns?”

“Y-yes p-please. Chloe sh-owed m-me.”

He sighed. “Okay.”

“You-u don’t-t have t-to.”

“You want to go make them by yourself? Are you sure?”

She smiled at him and nodded.

“But you’ll be alone.”

“T-that-ts ok-kay! G-go play w-with F-felix.” She hugged him quickly before running off to the field.

Adrien waited a moment, curious to see if she’d change her mind. When she didn’t he turned and ran off towards his brother who was already playing a game with the same group as last recess with the addition of Ivan and Mylène.

“What are you guys playing? Can I join?”

“Yeah!” Felix looked overjoyed to see him.

“We’re playing animal superheroes! I’m a bull!” Fitting for Ivan considering he was already tall and muscular at the young age of 6.

“I’m a goat. Because no one pushes them around, they do the pushing!”

“I’m a bunny because I’m cute!”

“Nino, you’re a turtle, aren’t you.”

“MICHELANGELO!!!!” He shouted. “Kim is a monkey!”

“What are you, Felix?” Adrien wasn’t sure what animal his brother wanted to be, though he had taken a liking to the wild turkeys that often frequented the ranch in the fall.

“Peacock. Because they have cooler colors than turkeys. How about you Adrien?”

“Cat, of course!”

Mylène squeaked. “But I’m a mouse, and cats chase mousies!”

“Not this one, I’m nice!”

She visibly relaxed and they all began playing. They had fun figuring out what powers they would have and showing them off. Nino of course was like a ninja, and Kim could climb anywhere. Mylène was super small and could get into any place by shrinking down. Ivan was strong, Nathaniel never lost a fight and Alix had super speed. For a girl with such tiny legs, she really was impressively fast. Adrien decided that his power would be destroying or breaking things since the cat that Marinette’s family owned seemed to like knocking things over to break them all the time.

They were just beginning to go on their first ‘mission’ when Chloe’s voice screeched behind him.

“Adrien! Where is Mari? Did you leave her?”

Uh o. He hadn’t thought about how angry Chloe would be for his not staying by Marinette.

“She wanted to go make flower crowns by herself.”

“But you promised to stay by her! I would have gone to be with her if I knew you would leave her alone!”

Chloe grabbed him by the arm and drug him away from the group who looked at him sadly before going back to their game. Sabrina came along with the two of them and Adrien was struck with a sense of deja-vu.

 “I didn’t leave her. She said she wanted to go alone Chloe.”

“You always do this Adrien! Say you will help Marinette and then go away. You’re so mean!”

“I didn’t go away Chloe! And I am not mean! Stop saying that! She wanted to be alone and I let her because I am always helping her and I wanted to play instead!”

“See, mean!”

“If anyone is mean it’s you and her and Felix! You guys always run away and leave me behind and she takes all of the fun parts to play.”

“We do not!”

“Yes you do!” Adrien was full blown yelling now.

“Nuh-uh!” Chloe was yelling right back.

“Yeah huh! Marinette always takes the cat and you guys let her. You know cats are my favorite. Marinette likes ladybugs because she is one! A small annoying bug!”

“You’re being mean Adrien!”

“Uh guys?”

“No I’m not!!”

“Guys?”

“Yes you are! She is our friend and you need to be nicer!”

“She’s your friend, not mine. I just get stuck with her all the time.”

“GUYS!” Sabrina finally shouted.

“WHAT?” He and Chloe yelled at the same time, still staring daggers at each other.

Sabrina pointed to where Marinette was standing about a few feet away from them, a woven clover bracelet in her hand and tears silently running down her face. The bracelet fell to the ground and she turned around and ran.

“I’m so mad at you!” Chloe shouted before booking it after her.

Sabrina spared him a small glance before following them. Adrien stood helpless and wondering what had just happened.

🖍️🖌️🖍️

Guilt ate him up inside. He hadn’t meant for Marinette to hear what he’d said, and he really didn’t mean it. Not completely anyways. He was tired of being the only one stuck helping her but when he really did think about it, he cared about her. Seeing her hurt was something he had never wanted, and being the one who caused it made the feeling a million times worse.

Absent-mindedly he twisted the clover flower bracelet on his wrist. He had picked it up after the girls had run off and eventually put it on the same arm as the bracelet from Ivan. The bell had rung not long after and not knowing where Marinette had gone, Adrien made his way over to her classroom to wait for her.

It didn’t take long for her to join him in the lineup that was forming but she kept her distance and wouldn’t look at him. He had heard her hiccuping the entire time they stood there and even as they made their way inside. Before his class was ushered back to their own classroom, Adrien took one last look at her and something about her tear-soaked eyes that briefly met his had broken him.

He didn’t know how to make it right and he wanted to. He’d help her climb as many trees as she wanted if she never looked like that again. His mama would know, she knew everything. And she was going to be so disappointed in him for how he had acted.

The day had started out with so much anticipation and now all he wanted to do was go home.

---

Waiting for the day to end was agony. Ivan and Nino had tried to help him and had even come up with ways he could make the situation better but nothing felt right. They were great friends though and he was so happy to have them, especially because they weren’t mad at him like Chloe was. Hopefully she would forgive him too though he doubted it. She had always been incredibly protective when it came to Marinette.

Finally, the bell rang, and he and his friends said goodbye before leaving the building. Ivan’s dad picked him up on the other side of the school and Nino’s bus was on the other end of the long pull off.

He made his way towards his bus, looking at his feet while he walked. He wondered if he should try and save Marinette a seat or if he should just let her be. Maybe Chloe wanted to sit by her and he would sit with Felix. Maybe Felix was mad at him now too. Suddenly Adrien felt a shove to his shoulder and he fell forward towards the concrete, catching himself with his palms.

The impact stung and he winced at the pain.

“Whoops! Didn’t see you there.”

Adrien remained still for a moment, confused as to what had happened.

“Heard you made a girl cry today. That’s not very nice.”

He turned his head to look up and saw a bigger kid, probably in third grade, towering over him. Next to the large kid was Tucker, who had teased him and Marinette that morning. He went to stand up only to be shoved back down again by the large kid's foot.

“What do you think, Tuck? Should we make him cry too?”

“Yes!”

Adrien felt himself being raised by the back part of his shirt that was visible above his backpack and scrambled to break free, though his efforts proved futile. Just as he was about halfway up a figure came into view. The first thing he noticed were sparkly pink boots.

“Leave him alone!”

“And what are you going to do about it, pip-squeak?”

“Put him down or else I’m gonna make you regret it.”

Adrien was stunned. He had NEVER heard Marinette talk without her stutter.

“Johhnnnnn!” Tucker whined at the bigger kid. “That’s the girl he made cry!”

Adrien felt himself drop, this time his elbows and forearms caught the fall.

“She’s the one you like?”

“Johnny! Be quiet!”

“Haha, my little brothers got a cruuu-uushhh!”

Adrien decided he would stay down just to play it safe, though he stole a look at Marinette and what he saw made his jaw drop slightly.

She stood with her hands on her hips looking completely confident. There was a fire in her eyes that he had never seen before, and boy was it an incredible sight. He truly didn’t know how he should feel in that moment because he had just seriously hurt her feelings and she still stood up for him, the feeling that Marinette’s friendship was not deserved washed over him in waves.

“You two should g-go.”

He didn’t hear them respond but the fading laughter of ‘Johnny’ let him know it was safe to try and get up. Marinette held out her hand for him to grab which he accepted gratefully. The sudden shift in their dynamic felt odd but welcome.

“Y-you okay?”

“Yeah. Thank you.”

“A-are y-your hands hurt-t?”

“I’ll be okay Mari. Let’s just head for the bus.” In truth, his hands and elbows stung quite painfully.

She turned and walked ahead of him, only glancing back to make sure he was still following her once. They boarded the bus and she took a seat next to Chloe. Adrien sat next to his brother who looked irritated.

“I don’t get to sit by Chloe because of you.” He grumbled towards the window.

“I’m sorry.”

Felix looked at him, a small amount of understanding in his enormous gray eyes. The rest of the ride home was silent, at least between them.

---

As promised, their mothers were waiting at the Mailbox for them, including Chloe’s mom, though she looked bored.

“Welcome home! How was your first day?”

“Momma, it was awesome! One of Adrien’s best friends is my buddy!”

“That’s wonderful, sweetheart.”

“Mother, I made a new friend today, her name is Sabrina!”

A small hum of acknowledgement was all Audrey offered in response and Adrien watched intently as Chloe visibly deflated in her excitement. Adrien really did not like Audrey.

“How was your first day, my little ladybug?”

“It was g-good momma!” Sabine looked temporarily shocked at Marinette’s lack of stutter.

“I’m so glad to hear it!”

“Chloe t-taught me how t-to make f-flower crowns-s.” Marinette grabbed Chloe's arm and looped it with hers, brightening the blonde girl's features a bit.

“That’s wonderful. You two are so sweet. I can’t wait to hear about this Sabrina!”

Adrien hoped they would skip over his day. He really didn’t want to talk about it. Thankfully his mom must have seen something in his eyes because she invited the group to start making their way towards his house since their three families were having a back-to-school barbeque.

Audrey hopped in her expensive-looking SUV and drove up while the rest of them walked down the driveway much in the same way they had that morning, with Chloe and Felix holding hands in front and Marinette by Sabine’s side. His mother slowed down bit by bit so that soon they were far enough away from everyone else to not be heard.

“What’s bothering you bub?”

“Nothing…”

“Hmm. Are you sure? You seem rather gloomy this afternoon.”

He didn’t want to tell her; she’d be so disappointed in him.

“Adrien.” He turned when he realized her voice was further away than expected and saw that she had stopped, crouching down to his height. “Come here love.”

He ran to her arms and the instant hers wrapped around him the tears he had been fighting spilled freely. His mom held him as he let it out, never once letting go until he pulled away from the hug himself, still she held his arms in her hands to keep him steady.

“I wasn’t a good friend. I’m sorry momma.”

“Oh baby. Tell me what happened.”

“I got paired with Mari and I was just upset because I always have to help her at home and I wasn’t supposed to have to at school. Then we got teased and she seemed fine but then she walked off when I went to say hi to Chloe and Chloe got mad.”

His mom listened intently, never interrupting.

“Then Nino and Ivan had a good idea to trade buddies for lunch and I got to play with Felix and it was so fun! But then Mari was back to being my buddy for last recess and she wanted to go make flower crowns and said she’d be okay by herself! I made sure to ask Momma, I did!”

She nodded in understanding.

“So I went to play with Felix and my friends because Mari said she was happy to be by herself and Chloe came and got really, really mad at me because I left Mari alone. I got mad back at Chloe and we yelled. A lot. I said not nice things about Mari and even said she wasn’t my friend. But that’s not true! She is my friend but I was mad and sad that I didn’t get to play how I wanted because I have to watch out for her. I hurt her feelings, Momma. I feel really bad.”

“I see. Have you talked to her?”

“No… I didn’t know how to. And there were some mean kids who pushed me down because I made her cry. But she came and stood up for me. You should have heard her, she didn’t even stutter!”

“I think you should find time to talk to her when we get home. Apologize and tell her how you really feel.”

“But what if she doesn’t want to be my friend anymore?”

“She might be upset for a while, hon. Her feelings were hurt and she’s allowed to feel that way. Marinette is a very kind and smart girl; I am certain she will listen to you if you ask her to talk. And you need to listen to her too.”

“Okay. I’ll try to.”

And try he did but Chloe was glued to Marinette’s hip the entire evening. Anytime he would approach Marinette, Chloe would stare daggers in his direction and drag her away. Felix largely remained with them but every now and again would check in on Adrien, who had finally decided to busy himself with a puzzle at the table out on the back porch.

The sun had finally dipped behind the mountains leaving everything bathed in a light purple glow. He only had a few pieces left of the puzzle to do when the back door opened and Marinette stepped out, alone. She briefly glanced at him before hopping down the stairs and walking over to the large cottonwood tree at the far side of the yard, sitting down at the base.

Her movements stirred up a few rare fireflies in the yard and he watched as they danced around each other, slowly moving through the air. Fireflies were always a treat to see in Wyoming, especially this late in the summer. Their lights eventually stopped flickering and he brought his attention back to Marinette, who hadn’t moved but had been watching the lightning bugs as intently as he had.

It was now or never, so Adrien abandoned the almost-finished puzzle and walked over to her. No more fireflies emerged.

“Hey, Mari. Can I sit with you for a moment?”

She nodded and he sat next to her, up against the wide trunk of the tree.

“I’m sorry for earlier. I said stuff I didn’t mean.”

“I k-know.”

“You… know?”

“Mmhmm. You w-wouldn’t-t help m-me s-so much if I w-wasn’t y-your friend.”

“Oh.”

“It st-till made m-me sad t-though.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I f-forgive y-you.”

“Really? Just like that?”

She looked over her shoulder at him. “Yep!”

“But why? I was mean.”

“B-because you aren’t-t always m-mean. I knew y-you didn’t-t want-t t-to watch m-me at-t school and I want-ted t-to b-be a b-b-big kid t-too.”

“I just… it's hard sometimes I guess. I wanna play with Chloe and Felix too but sometimes we can’t because…” He didn’t want to insult her again so he cut his sentence short.

“B-because I am small.”

“Yeah… because of that.”

“I’m s-sorry. I don’t-t t-try t-to make us s-slow.”

“I know you don’t.”

“I only p-play the k-kitty b-because you love our k-kitty s-so much. He m-makes you happy a-and I w-want t-to m-make you happy t-to say t-thank you f-for al-ways-s helping m-me.”

He had never even thought that she would have done that to make him happy but knowing Marinette, it made sense.

“I didn’t know that. I thought you were trying to take it from me.” He chuckled a little, now the idea seemed so silly.

“Nope. I w-would rather be a ladyb-bug or h-orsey.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t a good friend to you Mari. Can we maybe start over?”

“I’d l-like t-that.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder, relaxing against him and he rested his head against the tree. The fireflies from before began blinking and twirling around the yard again and he and Marinette remained there, enjoying the companionship and serenity that came with a true friendship.

There was no one who made Adrien happier than Marinette Dupain-Cheng, with her sparkly pink cowboy boots and pigtails adorned in matching bows. She was kind and smart and the best friend he could have ever asked for. He couldn’t wait to spend this year being her friend too.

[worminstuff]

The Balcony of the Treehouse pt. 4

sleepy bois x reader au

warnings: sad. sm sad.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Techno glanced down at Y/n his eyes wide. Y/n leaned forward away from his chest staring at the rug.

Techno stood, offering at hand down at Y/n and she sighed, taking his hand to let him pull her up. Techno watched as her shoulders sank.

“Do you regret it?” Techno asked, his face stonic.

“Regret what?” Y/n looked up at him.

“The kiss.” he slid one of his hands into his pocket.

Y/n looked to the doorway where Wilbur stood, she pictured his face and how he was hiding so many emotions at that moment she'd looked at him.

“I'm not sure.” she glanced at him for a second and watched a flash of hurt cross his face before she looked away again.

Techno watched her as she silently made her way out of the treehouse. He stood a moment longer processing what she said. He felt a surge of hurt pass through him at her words. He was still basking in the way her lips had felt on his and how she melted into him. 

What was she so unsure of? Yeah Wilbur had seen them but why should that matter?

He sighed and followed her.

Y/n walked in the house first finding Tommy standing near one of the chairs.

“Waiting on me?” Y/n smiled at tommy. Wilbur felt a burn in the pit of his stomach.

“Wanna sit next to you.” Tommy mumbled.

“Alright kiddo, pick one and I'll sit next to you.” she gestured towards the chairs.

Techno had walked in only moments after her, standing a bit behind watching the little interaction between her and his little brother.

“You don't want to sit next to me Tommy?” Techno said with his brows raised.

Tommy looked up at him for a moment, Tommy admired Techno greatly, but like the other two boys there was just something gravitational about Y/n to tommy.

Tommy climbed into a chair that was closest to him and patted the one next to him looking at Y/n.

Y/n laughed, “i guess that's a no huh?” she looked up at Techno, not laughing as much after she saw his face.��

He was staring down at her, his face emotionless but his eyes were boring holes straight in her heart. He gave her arm a small nudge, “go on. Stop staring.” he nodded over her shoulder to his little brother who was sitting looking over the back of the chair waiting for her semi patently.

Her breath hitched her throat as she quickly sat next to tommy. Y/n hadn't even realized Wilbur was sat diagonal to her.

Techno took a seat on the end of the table near Tommy and after placing food in front of everyone, Phil sat next to will.

Once everyone had filled their plates, conversation rolled in.

“Y/n are you staying tonight?” he looked to her, almost hopefully. Y/n glanced at Techno, he only stared for a moment before he gave her a subtle nod.

“Yeah, if that's alright. Parents aren't even home anyways so..” she looked back to Phil who nodded,

“Good! I've been having a hard time getting tommy to bed lately so maybe you can tuck him in tonight? Might help a bit.” Phil smiled at Tommy who was clearly busy shoving his face full of mashed potatoes.

“Sure!” Y/n shot him a smile before staring down at her plate.

She was desperately trying to decipher what Techno was thinking, and feeling. Wilbur too.

She would have never been able to guess what was going through his head though.

Wilbur was stealing small glances at her every once in a while. He couldn't get the sight of her laid back with her head to the side, Techno holding her so softly and kissing her even softer. Thinking of it again gave him chills. His first thought when seeing them was shock of course, but it slowly molded into anger and sadness and even guilt.

She was just flirting with him, and then she does that? Or was she never flirting in the first place? 

He had to be honest with himself, could she really even think to choose him over Techno? How could she? They're everything together. They've been the perfect pair since they were just little kids. 

Yet he held so much hope she may have still had that small inkling of something in her heart for him. He wanted to be the one to hold her and kiss her, he wanted to be the one always causing that cute bashful blush to cross her cheeks. He wanted her.

While Wilbur was getting emotional in his own head, Techno was staring at her leg. Y/n had this nervous habit, Techno was sure Wilbur didn't even know this existed, when Y/n gets nervous or anxious her leg starts to bounce. Sometimes ring her hands, or even try to grab his hand to have something to do with her hands to calm her down. 

Y/n actually had many habits he was well aware of. When she gets frustrated she scrunches her nose up like a bunny, when she's overwhelmed she shakes her hands as if she's trying to get water off them, and when she's tired and she doesn't want to tell him she'll grasp the edge of his shirt and just hold it. That ones his favorite. Techno would bet good money Wilbur had never even taken the time to notice these things.

And unknown to Techno, he'd lose that bet.

Wilbur was aware of these things,  but from his angle sitting across from her he couldn't see her legs.

Techno stared at her, her eyes were trained on the table cloth, while she moved the food on her plate around. He wanted her to look at him so he could try and read her and figure out if she was okay.

Y/n wasn't one for conflict, and he hated to say it but she has created a bit of a problem. 

“Pwetty!” Tommy exclaimed as he dropped his fork onto his plate.

“Tommy, don't talk with your mouth full.” Phil scolded.

Y/n looked at the blond boy standing up in his chair next to her, “what's pretty? Your cup?” Y/n pointed to the cup that sat beside his plate that had little music disks painted on it.

“Y/n/n!” he said as if it were obvious.

Y/n was a bit speechless, he'd even said her nickname. Tommy was really the only one who used it anymore, but it was still surprising. Wilbur and Phil's eyes had gone wide. Techno was confused.

“He's probably just-” Wilbur tried to buy in but Tommy had cut him off.

“Wilby said Y/n/n was pwetty.” he pointed at his oldest brother.

Wilber sighed, and closed his eyes.

Techno on the other hand, Techno could feel his ears growing red. When did he say that? To Tommy especially!

“O-oh. uhum, that's very sweet, t-tommy.” Y/n was visibly uncomfortable. She wasn't uncomfortable with the compliment itself, she just knew it wasn't particularly something she was supposed to hear. She was also sure Techno wasn't supposed to hear it.

“Y/n you're quite finished, do you wanna go get those things you need for the night?” Phil was trying to hand her a way out, for her, but also so he could talk to his boys.

“Right! Yes, I'll go do that and I will be right back!” she stood quickly, walking fast to the door with her head down.

Techno watched her leave, still sat in utter confusion and slight anger. 

Phil sighed, “what the hell happened? You three just made up and now she's all twitchy and uncomfortable and she barely ate! What did you do?” He pointed an accusing finger at Techno.

“Me?!” Techno exclaimed.

“He kissed her.” Wilbur said, looking beside him at phil.

“You what?!” Phil wasn't sure what to feel, angry? Proud?

Techno's shoulder sank as he slid a hand over his face.

“That's not anyone's business.” he mumbled.

“Oh i think it is!” Phil was now feeling the anger, how could that not be his business? After all that had happened in the past few days and Techno being Phil's son! This was very much his business.

“It was just..I-I don't know what it was, okay?” Techno looked at his father, the thought of Y/n looking at him and telling him she wasn't sure if she regretted kissing him or not, still fresh in his thoughts.

“You don't?” Wilbur sounded a little too hopeful. Maybe the kiss was nothing? He really did hope so.

“Oh shut up Wilbur!” Techno glared at Wilbur.

“Me shut up? How about you go slobber all over Y/n again like Tommy!” Wilbur spat back, his blood boiling.

Tommy was starting to get overwhelmed with all the anger. But this time around, he didn't get a nap that day.

Wilbur and Techno continued to bicker until Tommy decided to pick up his plate, and throw it to the floor.

All three looked at Tommy instantly, seeing his small face scrunched up and red. He was angry.

Meanwhile, Y/n had just managed to crack open the window to her bedroom. She hadn't gotten her key from her bag before she left, and she didn't want to walk back in awkwardly or chance that Techno was already back up at the treehouse, alone.

She wiggled her way into the room, and pulled the metal bead on her lamp causing a soft glow to emit in her room now. She grabbed a small bag and grabbed some of her overnight  things, throwing them in quickly.

Just as she was about to grab a pillow, she noticed the sweater sitting on her bed. She sat down on the bed next to it, picking it up gently.

It was the sweatshirt she'd slept in the night before.

She pulled it up to her face, feeling the fabric on her skin, smelling his cologne. 

Her eyes started to well up as she realized everything that had happened.

She clutched the sweatshirt tight as her emotions started to overtake a bit. She sobbed into the sweater as her shoulders shook and she heaved for air.

Wilbur liked her, very clearly, but she'd kissed Techno.

She liked it too.

She had kissed her best friend, and she liked it. 

She liked the way he was gentle and the way he was so careful but passionate.

But she also liked how Wilbur got nervous around her, how he gave her his sweater. He'd even tried to give  her flowers!

And Y/n had hurt both of them. 

She didn't mean to obviously, she loved them both. She just..didn't know how.

Techno is her best friend, her lanky, smart, sweet, cuddly, bookworm of a best friend. She loved his smile, his messy pink hair, his cheeky grin. She loved the way he always acted as if he were her protector, her knight in shining armor.

Wilbur, Wilbur was her childhood crush. She had the hugest crush on him as a little girl, all the way until she was 12! She gave up after a while, but she couldn't help  but feel a soft spot for him. He was always sweet to her in their few interactions, and he seemed to care so much for her.

She wasn't going to force herself to pick one of them now, or hopefully ever. Not only would that ruin her, but it might ruin their relationship a bit.

Y/n started to wonder if she should just stay home, sleep all day tomorrow too so she didn't have to see either of them at school.

It sounded like a good plan until she realized she promised Phil she would tuck Tommy into bed that night.

With a sniffle Y/n set the sweater back down next to her pillows and stood up. She took a deep breath, wiped her eyes and decided she would take a quick shower to give herself a bit to calm down before she headed back over.

Back with the boys, Phil managed to calm Tommy down after Wilbur and Techno stopped fighting. Wilbur had abruptly stood up and went to his bedroom, he was quite done listening to Techno.

Techno helped Phil clean up the table, and even held Tommy on his hip to keep him calm.

Tommy was clutching his shirt in his small hand as his head was rested on Techno.

“She's been a bit long don't you think?” Phil asked Techno from the sink.

“I guess..maybe she started nervous cleaning?” Techno said. That was another thing Y/n did often.

Just as Phil was going to say he should go check on her, the front door opened.

Techno leaned a bit to the side, to see the doorway from where he was standing. Y/n had just closed the front door and was making her way towards the kitchen. Upon seeing her, Tommy started to wiggle around in Techno's arms, wanting to get to Y/n.

Once she was close enough Techno handed him off. Tommy wrapped his arms around her neck and his legs around her middle, clinging to her.

Techno touched a strand of her wet hair, “you..showered?” he asked.

“I..yeah. Just wanted a moment to myself and all.” she only slightly lied.

Techno nodded, he knew she was hiding something that happened while she was gone.

“Wilby and Techno were bein mean wif out you.'' Tommy mumbled into Y/ns shoulder.

“Sorry?” Y/n asked, looking up at Techno. Phil made his way out of the kitchen, Techno shot him a harsh glance as he escaped.

“They were yelling.” Tommy said, picking his head up to look at her. She smoothed out some of his messy hair.

“They were? Why kiddo?” she looked at Techno towards the end of her sentence.

His face was soft, he loved to watch Y/n with tommy. He tried to snap himself out of his thoughts before Tommy could make anything worse.

“How about I tell you about that at the treehouse,” he said to Y/n placing a hand on her arm softly, “and we get you to bed, kid” he looked at tommy. Y/n nodded, agreeing with him.

Techno gave her a soft look, she really did look like a mess and he felt bad. He hated seeing her anything other than happy.

“I'll go up now, and you can come up once you've got him to sleep. He'd never fall asleep if i'm there.” he grabs her bag from the ground beside her, “and i'll set up a spot for..us?..” he was skeptical if they would sleep beside each other like normal or not. Y/n thought for a moment before nodding. 

“Yeah, i know there's a blanket up there but i grabbed a bigger one for the both of us so..” she said timidly.

You couldn't tell from the outside, but inside Techno was absolutely ecstatic at that. He didn't know if he'd be able to handle sleeping a few feet away knowing she'd had such a hard day.

Tommy grumpily shot Techno a glare from Y/ns arms and they both laughed.

“Jeez okay tommy I get it, you want her all to yourself that's fine” he raised both his hands in mock surrender, as he made his way out of the kitchen. Just as he was passing through the backdoor out of earshot he mumbled to himself, “we all do.”

Y/n carried Tommy to the bathroom down the hall so he could brush his teeth. But as she passed Wilbur's door, she heard the faint familiar strum of his old guitar.

She didn't stop to listen like she wanted to though. 

As Tommy and Y/n got to the bathroom she set him down so he could climb onto the small stool and sat in front of the sink for him. She helped him get his toothpaste on his toothbrush and stood in the doorway as she watched him lazily brush his teeth.

She couldn't help but focus on the unfamiliar tune Wilbur was strumming.

Wilbur was up against the wall, sitting on his bed. His guitar in his lap. He stared at his feet as he strummed a tune to a song he was making up as he went.

He felt helpless, he'd fallen so hard for a girl he couldn't have.

I think this time I'm dying.

His heart felt like stone as he pictured her rosy cheeks when he handed her his sweater only days ago.

I'm not melodramatic

He wouldn't let himself cry over her, he wouldn't

I'm just pragmatic beyond any

A tear slipped from the corner of his eye.

Reasoning for thinking I've

Wilbur clenched his teeth. She kissed his brother. She looked content in his arms.

Got fucking rabies or something.

She was the one making him think wildly, she was the one he was waking up excited to see every morning.

I think this time I'm dying.

He thought about how he longed to hold her the way he got to.

I think this time I'm dying.

Why was he so hurt? Why did it hurt so bad?

I think I've lost my mind

She made him feel so much and he couldn't stand it. It was her fault.

Wilbur dropped his head back, heaving in a deep breath. He looked to the floor, a pack of cigarettes next to his backpack. His body shook as tears flowed out of his eyes, his arms too heavy to wipe them. He was far too exhausted to move to get his lighter, or the cigarettes. He just wanted to feel something other than her.

Lucky for Y/n, Tommy had decided he was done with brushing his teeth just when Wilbur had started to sing. She figured it was better for her to not hear the words he was singing into his room. 

Tommy looked at her expectantly as he stepped down from the tiny toddler stool. She held her hand out for him, which he took.

Grabbing two of her fingers, she tugged him along to his bedroom to help him pick out some pjs to sleep in.

“Cars or superheroes?” Y/n held up to sleep shirts, referring to the patterns. Tommy pointed to a shirt on the floor by her foot. She glanced down at it, then picked it up taking a look at it.

“Is this...Techno’s?” she smiled softly looking at the small boy.

“Uh huh.” he said. 

“How'd you get it?” she asked. Techno wasn't really one for sharing his clothes.

Tommy shrugged and she nodded, bunching it up so he could slide it over his head. It looked huge on Tommy, it was almost past his feet. 

She pulled back the covers for Tommy and he crawled in, sitting up to look at her.

“Do you still have Wilbys?” he asked.

Y/n's heart dropped as she thought of the sweater sitting on her bed. “Uh..yeah. I do yeah.”

“I want one of your sweaters.” he said grumpily. 

Y/n laughed softly, “why's that?” she sat on the edge of his bed.

“Cause that will mean you like me. That's what Wilby said.” he said matter of factly.

Y/ns heart clenched. She sort of wished Tommy would go back to being quiet and angry. When did he get so aware?

“Right. You can have one of my sweaters, if you go to sleep and stay in bed tonight. No bugging ph-dad. Sounds like a deal?” she gave him a smile, he nodded quickly. Y/n helped Tommy lay back and pulled the covers up around him. She placed a small kiss on his forehead before saying a soft goodnight.

On her way out, she turned off his little lamp, and closed his door behind her softly.

She was almost out of the hallway when she passed Wilbur's door, her feet felt glued to the food.

Softly she pressed her ear up to the door hearing soft sniffles. He wasn't crying..was he?

Y/n took a deep breath, shaking her head. She was hearing things obviously.

 Quickly she walked to the backyard to go up the ladder on the tree to the treehouse.

Once she was up, she made her way in to see Techno on the floor, criss cross with a book in his lap. His rectangle glasses low on his nose as he looked up at her.

“Tommy's got one of your shirts you know.” she said as she sat in front of him, also criss cross.

“He does?” Techno said, taking off his glasses.

“Mhm.” she said, taking the glasses from his hands.

A soft smile graced Techno's lips, “How'd he manage that?”

“Not sure. He wouldn't tell.” she placed them on her face, holding her hand out to look at her blurry fingers.

Techno grinned at her.

“Of course he wouldn't. Those look nice on you.” he tilted his head fondly. He really loved moments like these.

“Too bad I can't see. How blind are you?” she looked in the general direction of his face.

He chuckled, “they're only for reading, idiot.” he grabbed them from her face softly.

Y/n rolled her eyes at him.

Techno set the glasses and book aside, “the sky is super clear tonight. We could go look at the stars if you want.”

Y/n grinned. They used to do that all the time as a kid. They would sit for hours, and Y/n would listen to Techno ramble on and on about certain constellations and stories behind them.

She nodded and he offered a hand as he stood. Pulling her up with him as she laid her hand on his.

Together they made their way onto the balcony, sitting on the edge, their legs dangling off the side and their arms resting on the railing.

They were facing the house, but looking upwards above it.

After a bit of comfortable silence, Techno glanced at Y/n. “Remember how you said..you weren't sure..if you uhm regretted..the kiss?” he spoke slowly, softly.

Y/n was silent a moment before she said, “I do. Why?”

“Well I want to know why you feel like that.” he said, eyes trained on the small glittery lights above them.

“Well..i don't know..on one hand i really don't.” she looked at him. “But on the other hand..i feel really guilty.”

Techno nodded, he did understand. But he didn't particularly like that answer.

“You shouldn't feel guilty. Especially if you..liked it.” he looked to her, seeing her already looking back at him. His hand slid over hers. “You're allowed to be selfish sometimes.”

She only stared at him.

“If you..if you like me. The way I think you do. He shouldn't be the one holding you back. Be selfish. You deserve to feel your own feelings.” Techno's voice was so soft, and he was sitting so close.

“Do you understand that?” his eyebrows were raised. He was leaning over her, she felt an immense heat radiating off of both of them.

She nodded.

“Words.” he demanded softly.

“I understand.” her face was so close to his. She felt like she was back sitting between his legs laid against him with his hands on her all over again.

He really sealed that image in her head by placing his soft hand against her cheek.

Wilbur had finally gained the strength to set his guitar aside, then slid his legs over the side of his bed.

With wobbly legs he stood, and picked up his lighter from his table and his cigarettes from the floor. He sat back on his bed, and as he was about to open his window, he glanced up at the treehouse that adorned his backyard.

His breath hitched in his throat, he watched as Techno placed his second hand on the base of Y/ns neck and pulled her in. placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

Wilbur choked on air, falling onto his side. The cigarettes and lighter in his hands fell. He curled up into a fetal position as his body shook. No tears were left for him to cry, but the heaves of air and choked sobs were a tell tale there would be tears if he had them.

How did he always manage to do everything, at the wrong time?

[theclockworkmonk]

Out of the Mouths of Babes — Chapter 2

Read on AO3

Read on FanFiction.net

Chapter 1 on Tumblr

Prompt: “Uncle Ron said something about Harry knocking Ginny up, but I don’t know what he means,” Teddy said.

************

"They can't be serious…." Harry muttered in disbelief as he stared down at the very official-looking letter.

"Who's serious about what?" asked Ginny, stepping into their living room.

Harry jumped and quickly tried to hide the letter behind his back. "Nothing!" he squeaked.

He should have known better. Ginny got a mischievous glint in her eye and darted around him, trying to get at the letter. They spent a minute chasing around each other, but eventually Ginny faked him out into tripping over the coffee table, and she quickly snatched the letter out of his hand with a triumphant laugh, making Harry once again wonder if she wouldn't be even better at Seeker.

"Ooooo," Ginny sang dramatically as she saw the emblem at the top of the parchment, "an official statement from the Wizengamot! Have they come up with a new award to bestow on you?"

"No, it's even worse," mumbled Harry.

"Oh, well now I'm very interested," Ginny teased, "am I worthy to take a peek at such official correspondence between such important people?"

"Well, it actually concerns you too, Missy," said Harry, crossing his arms, "so go ahead."

"Hold on, let's see if I can get the right tone." Ginny cleared her throat, pointed her nose in the air, and continued in her haughtiest tone,

"To the esteemed Harry James Potter,

After consideration of your actions to serve and protect the Wizarding World of Great Britain, as well as the recent discovery of your lineage to the Ancient and Noble House of Peverell, previously thought to be lost, it is with great honor and pleasure that we offer to restore your line to its former status by bestowing upon you one of the vacant Lordships!?"

Ginny dropped her character and her mouth gaped open in disbelief. "Along with the accompanying seat on the Wizengamot!" she finished quickly.

She looked up at him with wide eyes, and her face split into a wicked grin and Harry knew he would never hear the end of this.

Harry snatched the parchment back.

"Yeah, so in other words," he began before she could start getting her jokes in, "they're embarrassed by how many of their seats are still empty after half their members were thrown in prison or fled the country for being Death Eater collaborators, so they're once again trying to use me as their poster boy so they can look like they've turned over a new leaf. Except they clearly haven't, since they only deemed me 'worthy' after they found out which dead pure-bloods I'm descended from, so they're still the same navel-gazing, inbred aristocrats they've always been!"

By the time he was finished, he was shouting and he panted to catch his breath.

Ginny, however, still found the whole thing hilarious.

"Oh, it breaks my heart to see Lord Potter so displeased," she bowed low to him with a flourish of her hand. "Let me know if there's anything a lowly peasant like me can do to serve you."

"Yeah, yuck it up, Weasley," said Harry dryly, "Like I said, this affects you too."

She looked back up at him with a sardonic look. "How does your having to sit through long parliamentary bullshit have to do with me?"

"Well," said Harry, stepping toward her, "if I'm a Lord, that means that, if I ever get married one day—"

"Hypothetically speaking," said Ginny.

"Yes, then that hypothetical girl — whoever she might be — would become a Lady."

"Hmmm," hummed Ginny thoughtfully. She wrapped her hands around his neck and he snaked his arms around her waist. "So you think this is relevant to me because you're hoping to make me your Lady? That's mighty presumptive of you, Lord Potter."

"Well, I wouldn't say hoping," lied Harry. "It's just a logical possibility to consider, strictly because you're pure-blood, of course. But I'm still keeping my options open. After all, you know how much of a ladies man I am."

"Yes, of course. But you know…" said Ginny thoughtfully, tracing circles over Harry's chest with her finger, "'Lady Ginevra Potter….does have kind of a nice ring to it."

"Oh, but things would be expected of you, m'Lady," said Harry, "and you would definitely have to stop all that Quidditch nonsense. Such a vulgar and violent activity is beneath a woman of your standing."

"Oh, well, I guess that's settled, we have to break up," Ginny sighed, "We're just a part of two different worlds."

"I'll always remember you," said Harry romantically, "but alas, I must kiss you goodbye."

He bent down and gave her a kiss, then they broke apart as they cracked up into laughter.

"Come on, I'm not going to let anyone call me a Lord," said Harry, rolling his eyes, "and obviously I'm not actually going to sit on the bloody Wizengamot. Those seats are transferable, so I can give it to someone who will actually know what they're doing. My first instinct is your dad, but he probably won't want it either, and they'll do anything to get him off again. Andromeda would probably feel at home there, but could do some good. Or maybe McGonagall."

Ginny groaned. "You can be so boring sometimes, you know that? You have a chance to put Luna in a position of power, that would drive them insane! Oh, or how about Aberforth, that would be hilarious!"

Harry laughed. "We're not all agents of chaos like you, Gin. I swear, sometimes I think you're Eris in disguise."

"Oh, you think I'm a goddess?" Ginny flirted, "then I guess you better worship me."

"Hmmm," Harry kissed her again, but then sighed and pulled back. "Sadly, there's no time for that, we're already running late for dinner at the Burrow."

"Alright, should we go together or do you want to keep up the pretense that we're actually living in different flats?" she asked him pointedly.

He gave a weak, embarrassed smile. "I know it's ridiculous, and I might be a coward, I've just managed to escape your mother's disapproving stare so far in my life, I'd like to keep it that way as long as possible."

Ginny rolled her eyes but led him by the hand out the door of their flat, past the wards they had put up. Harry wrapped an arm around her waist, and turned on the spot, feeling the squeeze of Disapparition.

*********************

"Come on!" urged Ron, "I'm hungry!"

"What else is new?" laughed Hermione, as she finished a letter she needed to send and tied it to Pig. After she sent the little owl on his way, she turned around to see her fiance standing by the fireplace, bouncing on his feet like a child on Christmas morning.

"Honestly Ron," said Hermione, shaking her head, "one would think you haven't eaten in a week, and there's no way that your mother even has dinner ready yet."

"Yes, but her pre-dinner scones should be coming out of the oven right now!" said Ron cleverly, "And I might as well have not eaten in a week, don't pretend like I'm the only one who's sick of our sad attempts at cooking."

"Alright, alright!" said Hermione. She joined him by the fireplace, threw some floo powder into the grate, and together they stepped into the green flames.

"THE BURROW!" Ron shouted clearly, and after the spinning sensation and flashes of various fireplaces, they stumbled into the sitting room of Ron's childhood home.

Ron's excited smile faltered when they saw the sitting room completely empty, with no one there to greet them. He recognized the overlapping voices of his family instead coming from the kitchen, and with a rush of horror he feared that his precious scones were already being eaten by an army of Weasleys. He led Hermione by the hand across the room towards the kitchen, and he started to make out individual voices.

"I just don't understand why they haven't told us!" said his mother.

"He probably knows what we're likely to do to him," grumbled Charlie.

"You've been away too long, brother mine," chuckled George, "I guarantee you she's the one keeping it under wraps."

"In any case, we know that pushing the issue will do nothing but make things worse," said Ron's dad gently, "We just have to—"

"Scones ready?" asked Ron loudly as he and Hermione entered the kitchen, and Hermione had to resist the urge to swat him. The conversation he had interrupted seemed interesting, and her suspicions were confirmed (and her curiosity inflamed) when all talk instantly ceased the moment they walked into the room. Six heads snapped towards the arriving couple as Molly, Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Percy, and George widened their eyes in surprise and fear, like they were caught discussing something covert. Hermione also noticed how a few of them (mainly Ron's two oldest brothers) then narrowed their eyes venomously at her and her boyfriend.

While the kitchen of the Burrow was usually one of the warmest, most welcoming rooms in the world to Hermione, she noticed a distinctly cool, tense atmosphere this time. She looked sideways and saw that even Ron had clearly noticed, his eager smile slipping from his face.

There were several seconds of silence as the older family members' eyes all flittered between each other, holding a silent conversation that Ron and Hermione didn't know how to join. Then the loud ding of the kitchen timer made them all jerk suddenly.

"Wow, do I have great timing or what?" said Ron proudly, trying to ease some of the tension in the room, but some of his laughter died in his throat. His stomach didn't let him dwell on it, however, as Molly bent down to take the scones out of the oven, and the sweet, fresh smell filled the kitchen.

After she put the plate of scones on the table, Ron casually flicked a cooling charm over them before grabbing one greedily. The other Weasley men took their own, but they looked more like it was just something to do with their hands. While Ron hummed as he took a big bite, they chewed theirs thoughtfully.

"I should check on the washing," said Molly quietly, without looking at anyone. She grabbed a laundry basket and headed outside towards the clothesline.

"I'll help!" said Hermione cheerfully. She was always happy to help with the chores at the Burrow, but she also wanted to get one of the Weasleys alone to figure out what they had been talking about.

Molly didn't answer and continued outside with Hermione behind her.

"How have you and Arthur been?" asked Hermione pleasantly.

"Well, my days are still dreary, with no children left in the house," Molly sighed. "I knew that children don't stay children forever, but I certainly wasn't expecting my younger ones to hit so many milestones so quickly….and in the wrong order." She finished more quietly

Hermione frowned. Did Molly think she and Ron were getting married too soon? She had never expressed that before, she was overjoyed when they had announced their engagement.

"Er….well, Ron recently got promoted from Junior Auror," said Hermione uncertainly as she began helping Molly take garments off the clothesline and put them in the basket. "He'll be taking more serious cases now." So his career is well on track, if that's what you're worried about.

"I'm touched that you and Ron are willing to indulge that to me!" said Molly sharply

Hermione pursed her lips. Her patience was running out.

She stepped towards her soon-to-be mother-in-law and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Molly…"

For the first time, Molly turned to look at Hermione and the younger woman flinched back at the cold distrust and disapproval she saw in her eyes. Hermione felt a rush of deja vu, and after a short moment she realized where she had seen that look before: it was the same look she had received from Molly her fourth year, when the older witch had believed Rita Skeeter and was under the impression that Hermione was Harry's manipulative girlfriend, breaking his heart by messing around with Viktor.

"Mrs. Weasley...have I done something wrong?" asked Hermione weakly.

Seeing the hurt on Hermione's face, Molly's own harsh expression softened and was replaced with a wave of guilt. Her eyes got watery and her lip trembled, and before Hermione could say anything else she suddenly found herself being hugged tightly.

"No dear, you haven't done anything wrong," said Molly in a choked voice, as Hermione awkwardly patted her back, thoroughly confused. "I'm just being silly. I understand you're not choosing sides, you're just being a good friend."

Molly pulled back, and was smiling weakly at Hermione.

"Er...thank you," said Hermione, more bewildered than ever. "I don't mean to be rude, Molly, but I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh no, of course not," Molly winked dramatically, "There's nothing to tell, I'll drop it. Come on, dinner is just about ready."

Before Hermione could insist more strongly that Molly explain what the hell was going on, Molly picked up the now-full laundry basket and returned to the house, leaving Hermione blinking dumbly behind her.

******************************

As Hermione followed his mother outside, Ron continued to chew into the warm, buttery scone, barely looking at his surrounding family members, the earlier tension all but forgotten to him.

"So….little Ronnie doesn't come around for dinner as much as he used to," Bill pointed out.

"He and Harry have been burning the candle at both ends at the Ministry," said Percy.

"Hmm-hmm," Ron nodded, engrossed in his scone, not looking up to see the stern looks on his brothers' faces. "More than we need to be, honestly. But because of Harry's saving-people-thing, he's always sure that the next case will end in disaster if the dark wizard isn't caught right now, and of course he would be lost without me, so whenever he's working overtime I am too." He shrugged.

"Oh yes, I think we're all well aware how loyal you are to Harry," Charlie said darkly, "Even over other, older loyalties, as a matter of fact."

"Charlie…." began their dad warningly.

Ron looked back up, and grew uncomfortable again when he saw that all of his family members were looking directly at him. Earlier, he had assumed that the awkward tension in the room was because he and Hermione had interrupted an important conversation, but it seemed to go beyond that, like they were pissed directly at him for something he had done.

"What's going—"

He was interrupted by his mother re-entering the house, holding the laundry with one hand and wiping tears from her eyes with the other. Hermione followed in shortly behind her, and Ron looked pointedly at his mother and gave his fiance a quizzical look, but Hermione just returned a confused, helpless shrug.

"The roast should be almost done now," said Molly happily, and waved her want to send a flurry of plates and cutlery flying to settle in front of where each of the Weasley men were sitting.

"And I'm such a terrible mother, I neglected something," chuckled Molly, and bent down to kiss the crown of Ron's head. "We all missed you, dear."

"Mum…" Ron grumbled awkwardly, but he saw his brothers look at each other with slightly guilty expressions, and as they followed their mother's lead, the atmosphere of the room became friendlier.

Charlie drew in a deep breath and sighed. "I need a drink."

"Excellent idea!" pipped George. He waved his wand and summoned a large bottle of firewhiskey from the cabinet along with several glasses, which zoomed right past Molly's face, causing her to jump and shriek.

"For the last time, only the cook can summon in the kitchen!" Molly scolded him, "I won't have this room devolve in complete chaos of flying objects until someone gets a concussion!"

"And I know you don't always act like it, but you are all of age," said Arthur, raising his eyebrows at George pouring several glasses of whiskey, "so I see no reason why you can't bring your own drinking supplies instead of raiding mine."

Molly huffed. "Well maybe it will be best if we stopped keeping that poison in the house—"

She stopped abruptly as they heard a faint pop from outside, coming from down the pathway, and Ron knew that Harry and Ginny must have arrived. Instead of beaming and rushing out into the garden to greet her two favorite children, however, Ron saw his mother gasp and a bit of the color drain from her face. His family members all looked at each other with that same expression he first saw when he came into the room.

Charlie gave a low growl and picked up a glass. "Yup. Definitely need a drink."

[capituloperdido1]

ACOSAS

Chapter 1

Here is the first chapter, please let me know what you guys think! Warnings: Anxiety Attack, mentions of SA

There was not a night, in which the shadowsinger did not wake up sweating after his night terrors. It had become a routine for him, to see the flames in his dreams, to see the smiles and dark eyes of his so-called brothers while they laughed at his pain. At first, he would find ways to comfort himself, he would read, pray to the Mother, and even journal (a suggestion given to him by his blonde friend). However, after the years passed, and his nightmares did not disappear, he had come to realize that the nightmare was a punishment from the cauldron. The scars, the nightmares, the fact that he did not have a mate; it was all a punishment for the horrors that he had committed. So he accepted the nightmares, he accepted the scars, the accepted the loneliness, he accepted the punishment Azriel rolled over the bed, taking off the sheets that had covered his body; and sat at the edge of the bed. He took a couple of seconds to look around his room. Five... the grey walls, the black wooden desk, the leather chair in front of the fireplace, the basket of dirty clothes, and the book that the priestess had let him borrowed. Four... the satin sheets on his bed, the trim curls on his head, the fleece black pants he wore, and the wooden decorations that surrounded his bed. Three... the chirping of birds in the morning, faint music from Velaris, and the sound of trees moving with the wind. Two... whiskey and roses. One... the taste of the chocolate pudding the house had given him the night before. He exhaled as his mind acknowledged reality. Sometimes, when the nightmares were too real; he woke up afraid to be in that cell... prison that his childhood self had called home. He stood, looking for his fighting leaders as he got ready to go to the training ring. Maybe the day ahead was not going to be bad, maybe something good might happen. Maybe, a certain auburn-haired priestess would be there. -.-.-.-.- The sun was just rising, the cold autumn wind tickled his wings as he flew up the house of wind. As if she had guessed he wanted to see her this morning; Gywn moved with gracious velocity while she tried the new obstacle arrangement that was meant for that morning. Azriel smiled to himself, one thing that he admired of the priestess was her willingness to overcome any challenge. She had become known around Prythian, the priestess, and her Valkarie friends, as the fiercest women in their territory. Some feared the group of females, others wanted to become like them. After the Valkaryes had conquered the mountain, many more priestesses had come to train with them; even some Illyrian females, not more than a dozen, had decided to learn the ways of the warriors. Nesta, Emerie and Gwyn had to help him and his brother train the new recruits; so they had resolved that the hour after the normal training would be focused on the three of them. However, over the last few months, he had a few one on one training sessions with the priestess. Once her smell hit him, his shadows became restless; one mischievous shadow shooting towards Gwyn and flying around her. They always reacted to her that way, as if they were anticipating throughout days and nights when they would see her again. At first, Azriel had been mortified; he worried that being surrounded by his shadows would make her uneasy, afraid or even disgusted. But, as always, the priestess had surprised him by smiling and opening her hands every time she saw them; welcoming his shadows with eagerness, not fear. -I was wondering if you would come today- she said playing with his shadow. Stop, come back he said to the shadow; but again it ignored him and flew around her hair as if saying i'm not leaving until i want to. -I had a feeling you were going to fail the training course, i could not miss it- he said jokingly. -mhm, sure shadowsinger- she smiled, taking a sip of her water - we both know I'm faster and more agile than you ever were- He laughed and took his leather jacket off A moment passed, and he confessed,- i couldn't sleep- -me neither- she said smiling sadly. They had never talked

about it.

What kept them up at night, they didn't need to. They resorted to talking about books, trains and make snarky remarks to each other. He had to admit that her competitiveness matched his own; and in some way, it helped him forget about his nights. -well... how about you time me, and then i'll time you shadowsinger- she said. He smiled, he appreciated that she never pushed him; and in return, he never pushed her. He knew her terrors, he had been there to witness most of them. But unlike him, he prayed to whatever deity existed that she could overcome them. If there was one person in this world who did not deserve one bad dream was Gwyneth Berdara. -hmm... but let's make a bet priestess- he smirked. -you win, ill bring you the stash of chocolate brownies Nesta hides in the house. I win and you will let me look at more of your notes on mind-stilling-  The priestess had come one night with stashes of papers in her hands; she had dumped the papers in his lap and said - i have not finished it, don't judge the writing. But read it, and try some of the exercises, it has helped me with... you know- From that moment on, he read mind stilling exercises for his anxiety after a bad dream. Gwyn smiled, tying her long hair up in a ponytail. His shadows stilled for a moment, not in fear, but in admiration. -sounds like a deal shadowsinger- He dared to open his mind to his shadows, curious to hear what they were thinking; beauty, they said, autumn beauty. -.-.-.-.- Somehow, they ended up training until Nesta and Cassian came up the stairs. Neither of them had completed the course without busting their asses in the sand at least once. However, she was happy to convince him that even if there was no winner she would let him borrow another copy. Azriel knew that meant he would have to bargain with the house (who somehow held the brownies away from anyone) and exchange some smut books for at least one or two. His brother approached him smiling; after the Blood Rite and all the mess that had been the last couple of months, Cassian and Nesta were finally able to plan their mating ceremony. Azriel never pictured Cassian as the man who would talk for hours about how Magnolias and Lilies could not go together. But his brother was so happy, so excited to plan his ceremony; that he had been part of every decision made until that point. Nesta was more than happy to lay off the decisions of lighting and colors for their mountain ceremony; she was more focused on the guests. Cassian had insisted on inviting some of the high lords; to satisfy Rhys and make it somehow a place to prepare for Koschei. Nesta had refused and had threatened to poke Rhysands eyes out if someone other than Hellion, and Kallias arrived to their ceremony. -hey Az, you look like a whole building fell on your face man- said Cassian while tying a bun with a string of leather. -and you look like you need an ass-kicking, should I tell Nesta to humiliate you in the ring again?- he responded, smiling while he remembers the oldest Archeron sister kicking his brother out of the ring in their last hand to hand combat As the rest of their class arrived, Azriel took the chance to get near Gwyn. - Listen, I know I didn’t let you go back to your chambers. But... thank you, for ... you know being here - he said while scratching the back of his neck. She smiled. And his shadows danced happily looking at her dimples and red lips, beautifully matching her hair. -you know Azriel, I know I’ve never said it. But as your friend, I will be here whenever you need me. If you need to talk, fight, or read some smut... I’ll be here - Gwyn said. He nodded and attempted to show that her words had not just opened a light inside him that for five hundred years had disappeared. -thank you Gwyn-. -.-.-.-.-.- After the training, Azriel walked to his chamber when he heard the voice of his brother in his head. I need you, there is a mission that needs attending. Now. He sighed, he hated that Rhys sounded upset every time he talked to him; but after the mess during solstice, he had not been able to make

things right with him. With anyone for that matter; he had avoided Rhys and Elain, too scared to face the feelings that surged when he now thought of the seer. He flew to Rhys house, landing at the roof where his brother watched the bright morning of Velaris. - Azriel- his brother acknowledged him with a nod. After a couple of minutes, his high lord spoke. -how close are you with Gwyn, the priestess-. His eyebrows furrowed -why? Am I going to have to stay away from her too? - he said with an intentional bite in his tone. Rhys looked at him angrily -no. I need you and her for a new mission. One that requires trust, and your head on your brain, not your pants- -I would never think about her like that Rhys, not knowing what she had endured- he responded in a low voice. Rhys got close to him and put a hand on his shoulder - you’re right, I’m sorry. I know how much you respect and connect with her- -which is why I need you to take her to Helions library for a couple of weeks, I need her to do some research on the possibility of a fourth trove and how to help Vassa- It took Azriel a minute to process what his brother was asking of him... No, what he was asking of Gwyn. -no- he responded. Rhys grabbed his shoulder a little harder -what? What do you mean no?- -I mean that Gwyn will not leave the library under your orders. She is not ready for that- he said, his voice rising at the anger and protectiveness he felt in his chest. -how do you know that?- Rhys responded with the same tone. -because... because I know- Azriel answered -and you keep making decisions without regarding people’s feelings and fears, and that’s not okay Rhys- He knew that was unfair; his brother did what he did for the sake of the court, for the sake of the world. -Azriel that is not your call to make- his brother said in a softer voice. -neither is yours, especially because you don’t even acknowledge her existence. Or any of the Valkyries for that matter- he moved away from his brother. It took him a minute to look at Rhys, who had a pained look in his eyes. -you’re right, I can’t argue with that- he sighed-I’m sorry, I know I should’ve talked to her first; and now I will. However, if she says yes, I will task you to protect and help her. I can’t send Cass because he is ... mated now- Azriel laughed sarcastically. Of course, he thought, leave it to Rhys to make his cut bigger with a few words. -of course my lord- he said, and shot up to the sky without saying goodbye.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

At the library at the bottom of the house, things were usually quiet. That was one of the reasons why Gwyn had begun to train; the library offered no distraction to her mind, no way to still it if thoughts raced through her. She had been shelving books that Merril had given her for the past hour; thinking and avoiding the memory of last night's nightmare. The blood, the rough hands holding her down, the children screaming. It was all too much, it was all too real. She had gone up in the morning to the training pit. To avoid sleeping, yes, but also because she somehow knew that Azriel would be there. She hated that he had to go through what she went through, but she was grateful for his presence at the moments when she needed him the most. Steps sounded at the end of the hallway, and Gwyn stiffened. They sounded male, heavy, and loud. She knew it was not Azriel, his shadows always let her know that he was approaching. She looked up from her book nervously, ready to run away if needed.... But that was her high lord looking at her with a sweet smile on his face -hello Gwyn, Valkyrie, Carynthian warrior- he smiled. And she realized that out of the three brothers, Azriel had the best smell. She liked the smell of night-chilled mist and cedar, the others smelled too sweat and too flowery for her taste. -high lord- she courtesy nervously. -please, don’t do that, we are practically family right ?- he said while offering her a bag that she had not noticed he carried. -I’m bringing you the best chocolate croissants in the city, Feyre told me you and Nesta enjoy chocolate at the same rate. I hope you like them- he placed them in her cart, knowing she would not touch him. Another set of steps sounded at the distance, and her sister appeared walking with rapid-fire towards her. - I told you to wait Rhysand- Nesta said. -I...it’s okay Nesta, thank you High... Rhysand— Gwyn said, opening the bag and smelling it. Damn... that was dark chocolate in the croissants; her favorite. -what can I do for you guys?- she said while taking a bite of the soft, sweet bread. -we were wondering if you wanted to dine with us tonight, here in the House, only Az, Cass, Nesta, Feyre and me- The High Lord said. - we have a proposal for you, but we want to talk to you about it first-. She looked at Nesta, who was stealing some of her croissants. - su...sure... I’ll gladly accept. It would be an honor - she smiled. -.-.-.- After her shift with Merrill ended, she went to her chambers to bathe quickly. She should change, she knew they dined casually, she wanted to fit in with the group. So she bathed, braided her hair and decided to wear a flowery blue dress that showed the mid of her back; it had a tight bodice and a skirt that flowed until the top of her knees. It had been a gift from Nesta, she had told her to use it whenever she wanted to practice what she would do when she went to Velaris for the first time. As she climbed up the stairs, she imagined what life would be like if she was brave enough to leave the library. Gods she wanted to be in the city, wanted to try the food, hear the music, look at the people. But it all scared her too much. She was waiting for an opportunity, she said to herself, an opportunity to escape the library and be dragged to the real world. The smell of roasted potatoes, beef, and vegetables filled her nose; she thanked the Mother that the house cook. she approached the dining room and smiled at hearing Nesta laugh so hard, probably at something her mate had said. She was happy that her sister had found a man that grounded her, filled her (in every sense of the way) and that respected her. She was a bit jealous that she had found a mate though, she had studied the relationships of mates for months, and understood that they were rare but only rare among powerless faes. Which meant, that the possibility of finding hers was minimum... or as Merril liked to say an absolute zero. -you came!- said Nesta, smiling. Gwyn strode down the hall to sit beside Nesta; her eyes looking around the room to acknowledge everyone who was there.

-thank you for inviting me - she said, coming out as barely a whisper. Rhysand approached with a smiled that brightened the entire room, - thank you for coming, Gwyn, i know the effort it must have been but i appreciate it-.

She smiled -those chocolate croissants were really persuasive my lord-. Rhysand got even bigger -look at you, already teasing me as Cassian does-. The house placed food in front of her, adding extra vegetables. To which she frowned "i didn't know you cared for my vitamins". She ate silently, admiring how the dynamic between all of them was. She couldn't deny the jealousy that threatened to rise, she missed having a family. No, she missed being able to enjoy family without the fear of the outside world suffocating her. Minutes, hours passed and they all kept talking. Azriel had changed his seats to be in front of her, the shadowsinger looking deeply at her while she played with her water. She felt even more comforted now that he was near her. Rhysand stood and cleared his throat -well, i'm sure Gwyn has had enough of our voices; so let's get to the point-. He approached her slowly and passed her a paper she had not noticed he carried. -we want to officially invite you to be part of this court- he started. -Everyone that is here admits that there is no one more deserving and capable to be the official scholar of the Night court-. He laid the paper in front of her. A contract, offering an obscene amount of money. -you... want me to work for you?- she said -yes, if you are comfortable doing this of course- he responded. The contract asked her to inform, research,and educate the leaders of the court, on different matters she would be asked to. -Before you accept- Azriel spoke softly, looking at Rhysand, -you should hear what the first mission would ask from you-.

Rhysand nodded, -we are looking for the possibility of a fourth trove, and we can only do so in the biggest library of the country.... in the day court-.

Leaving the library, she would not only leave the library but also the night court.

Was she ready for that?

-Would i go by myself?- she asked him

-No, you would go with Azriel as your bodyguard, or assistant, whatever you need from him- Rhysand responded.

She smiled, looking at the shadowsinger. - And you accepted this?-

His mouth quirked upward -if i didn't we would have had Nesta to deal with-.

This was it, this was the push she had asked for.

-Rhysand, i would be honored to be the scholar of your court- she said, - and i thank all of you for trusting me, i will not let you down-.

She looked around the room to find every single one of the court's members looking at her with loving, proud eyes.

She would go to the Day Court, she would find a way to help her friends and her world.

Gwyneth Berdara looked at her future companion, the beautiful male with eyes of honey that she would daydream about.

Who knows? Maybe this mission would bring them closer. Maybe they would finally talk about their nightmares, their fears.

Maybe she would finally be able to show Azriel how she felt about him. And maybe this time, he would listen.

[redswanned]

Always Together pt 1; Porco x reader

Porco Galliard x reader

childhood friends to lovers, canonverse

word count: 2,510

no warnings, some minor swearing

omg this is my first aot fic ever ahhhh!! I didn’t mean for it to be this long haha but here we are. I hope you all like it! 

_________________________

A life without Porco Galliard was a life you couldn’t imagine living. Ever since the two of you were in diapers you’ve been the best of friends, which was a pleasant outcome considering both of your parents were close. Every Sunday night you and your family would have dinner with the Galliards. While you played with Porco and Marcel, both of your parents always talked about moving forward in life.

You realized early on that this meant both you and Porco’s parents shared the dream of becoming honorary Marleyens, which was common amongst Eldians. However, in order to achieve that goal, both of your parents as well as Porco’s signed you all up for the warrior program. They were too caught up in the dream of living a life where they were not oppressed, at the cost of their own children. 

          The training was brutal for mere children, and you felt like you were training harder than actual soldiers. Sometimes it was just too much. As hard as you tried, you noticed yourself falling behind the other kids in training. Hell, even Reiner was better than you by a long shot.

One day, you injured your ankle during the running exercise. Ironically, you weren’t crying from the pain of your swollen ankle. The thought of being ousted from the warrior program and disappointing your parents scared you more. Unlike Porco, you were an only child so your parents were depending on your successful completion of the program entirely to become honorary Marleyans. At this point, you didn’t even bother to reach the finish line. Instead, you wandered off to a more secluded part of the training grounds, an all too familiar tree stump inviting you to rest after a long day. Warm tears flowed down your flushed cheeks as you heard laughter amongst your fellow warrior candidates. 

“They’re probably happy that they’ll be selected for a Titan,” you thought sadly to yourself. You sighed as you realized they probably didn’t notice you were even there. As you tried to hold back sobs, you noticed the sound of running footsteps.

“Hey, Y/N, why didn’t you complete the race? Even that dumbass Reiner beat you!” Called out Porco.

Upon hearing his comment, you began to cry more which stopped him in his tracks. Sure what he said was kind of rude but he didn’t want to make you cry!

“Whoa, calm down! Why are you crying?” He yelled out of concern as he kneeled beside you.

“It’s nothing,” you replied as you wiped your tears.

Porco only stared at you frowning slightly. “Y/N, I’ve known you my whole life I know that something is up when you cry.”

Despite his concern, you didn’t feel like telling him the truth behind your tears. “When I was running I tripped and hurt my ankle,” you said as you sniffed back some tears.

Though he didn’t completely buy your reasoning, he did notice how inflamed your ankle was. He’d ask you about the true reason why you were upset later, his first priority was to get you some help. 

“Here,” said Porco as he reached his hand out to you, “let me help you get to the clinic.”

You took his hand and felt yourself blush as he wrapped it over his shoulder. “Don’t put pressure on that foot,” he warned as the two of you trudged towards the clinic. 

On the way there you saw your fellow warrior candidates conversing amongst themselves. 

“Y/N! Are you alright?” Asked Marcel as he and Pieck quickly ran up to the two of you. 

“Yeah, I just hurt my ankle back there,” you said sheepishly. 

“That doesn’t look too good Y/N, it’s already so swollen. Are you sure you’re okay?” Asked Pieck. 

“Um, yeah I’m fine!” You quickly replied through the pain. 

“If you were fine I think you would’ve crossed the finish line by then,” said Reiner, more concerned than anything.

However, Porco took this as Reiner insulting you. “You know damn well Y/N would’ve beat you on a normal day!” He spat back.

“Hey that’s enough Porco, go help Y/N to the clinic,” said Marcel trying to diffuse the situation.

Porco just frowned at the crowd and pulled you along. You knew he would always defend you, but lately, he’s been getting more mad at Reiner for even talking to you. 

“Porco it’s okay, I don’t think he meant it in a bad way,” you said as you cling to him since he started to pick up the pace after that incident.

“You never know these days Y/N. We’re all competing against each other. He probably feels lucky that you got hurt today since him beating you only boosted his score,” he said as he held the door open for you. 

You decided to let it go as you trudged towards the bed and sat down. The burning pain in your ankle wasn’t getting any better as you slipped off your shoes. Definitely sprained, broken at the worst. You sighed at your predicament, knowing that you’d never become an honorary Marleyan like your friends and their families. Porco ran off to tell commander Magath, who then told Zeke to deal with you since he had some experience patching up wounds and since he was the oldest candidate. 

“Hey Y/N, Porco told me you hurt your ankle?” Asked Zeke as he began to gather some bandages to wrap your injured ankle in. 

You simply nodded before Zeke examined your ankle. 

“Ouch!” You squeaked after he tried to move it sideways.

“Sorry, but I think it’s definitely a bad sprain at this point. It looks like you’ll have to use crutches for the next few weeks,” he said as he frowned slightly. He knew the selection of the candidates among the younger bunch was coming up soon, and this injury didn’t rule in your favor.

“Are you sure Zeke? Can’t you just wrap my foot back up and I can resume training?” You asked tearfully.

The older teen felt sorry for you as you were still determined to work hard for the selection. There was no way you could continue training like this, and your physical test grades weren’t even that high, to begin with. There was no doubt you would not be receiving a Titan. 

“That will only set you back, just focus on healing, okay? The Marleyan trainers were kind enough to give you a break from training to heal,” said Zeke as he finished wrapping your ankle and grabbing the crutches for you. 

You didn’t say anything after, the pain in your ankle was nothing compared to the disappointment and hopelessness you felt knowing you had no chance to improve your training scores. Zeke pat your head as almost a condolence and left the room. As you sat there contemplating your situation yet again, a familiar boy opened the door and took a seat next to you.

“I know you’re not okay and it’s not just about your ankle,” said Porco bluntly as he faced you. You didn’t dare look him in the eyes.

“Y/N, you could tell me. Please?” He said as his face softened. 

You might as well get it over with. “Porco, at this rate I am never going to be chosen for a Titan. You know this too. I’ve tried my hardest but I am nowhere on your level or anyone else’s! I’m pretty sure my marks are the lowest out of us. And I’m going to disappoint my parents by not inheriting a Titan! They will never become honorary Marleyans because of me,” you cried. 

Seeing you cry was difficult for Porco. He always had a soft spot for you and he immediately pulled into a hug. It was rare that he gave out hugs but you were an exception. 

“Hey, don’t cry Y/N, okay? You never know what could happen. You’re way stronger than you think and I mean that. You’re even stronger than that loser Reiner! Don’t give up just yet. You heard Zeke, you need to rest. An injury like that proves you’ve been working hard so maybe those in charge will notice that too,” said Porco as he tried to comfort you. A part of him knew that there was a chance you wouldn’t inherit a Titan, neither would Reiner since there were only five titans available to inherit. Still, you could always work your way up as a soldier and earn merit that way. It was rare though since Eldians are not allowed to order Marleyans. There had to be another way.

His words comforted you a little. It was nice to see someone have faith in you for once. Maybe he was right, there could be another way you become an honorary Marleyan. 

Several weeks passed by and the selection for inheriting Titans was revealed. It stung when you realized you were not selected a Titan, but you had prepared yourself for this revelation for the past few weeks. Your jaw dropped when you heard Porco was not chosen either. You stood with the rest of the group as Porco lashed out at Reiner, him yelling in disbelief that someone who he believed performed worse than him was chosen instead. Marcel pried his brother away from Reiner as Porco sobbed in defeat. The whole scene was heartbreaking to watch. You knew how hard Porco worked all these years, but you were also surprised that Reiner was able to get a Titan. That factor made you think that you had some of the necessary skills to inherit a Titan since you were not that far from Reiner. 

All of the other chosen candidates left the room for the festival and left you and a sobbing Porco. It was now your turn to comfort him. “Hey Porco, I know you tried your best out there. It’s okay though, you still get to be an honorary Marleyan because of Marcel!” you said trying to cheer him up.

“It’s not about that,” he sobbed, “I can’t believe I’m this weak! I thought I was so strong but clearly, I’m not!”

“Remember what you told me the day I hurt my ankle?” you asked and he looked up, “You told me that I am stronger than I think I am and I think that also applies to you. Don’t give up hope just yet, I think you should stay in the program. You have what it takes to inherit a Titan in the future!” 

He wiped his tears and simply nodded, listening to your words. Maybe they’ll hold some truth one day, but he will keep training to get stronger. This time, you brought him into a hug which he returned. “Thank you,” he whispered. 

“What are you going to do since you also weren’t chosen today?” asked Porco. 

“Be a disappointment to my parents,” you said sarcastically with a small chuckle. 

“Don’t think that way, Y/N. There’s always so much more than their opinion of you,” he said frowning.

“Oh I know, it’s just I’m prepared for the guilt I’m going to be feeling. But I’ll probably try studying to become a nurse. At least then I can be useful on the battlefield,” you replied.

Porco’s eyes lit up as you told him of your prospective plans, “I wouldn’t mind having you as my nurse one day,” he said as he blushed. 

“I hope for your sake that you aren’t my patient, because well, that would mean you got hurt,” you chuckled blushing as well. 

Unfortunately, that was one of the last conversations you had with Porco for a while. Since you didn’t have Marleyan citizenship, you were moved back to the internment zone which showed you how hard life was for your kind. Your parents didn’t help either, they seemed eternally disappointed in you since they relied on you for Marleyan citizenship. You spent your days working at a small restaurant, which was tough since the management was pretty rude. Not to mention that the pay wasn’t great either but it was more than nothing. However, the shunning you felt from your parents was unbearable. Every time you were in a room with them the overwhelming feeling of your failure haunted you. All you wanted to do was to see Porco, but he was too busy continuing training. 

Occasionally, on both of your rare days off, Porco would come to visit the internment zone where you caught up on life. You both confided in one another about being perceived as failures, which was not true at all. Without the other trainees around, you and Porco became much closer over the years. You’ve never been able to open up to anyone else and vice versa. 

          One day Porco came to you and tearfully informed you that Marcel had died early on in the mission to receive the founding Titan. It was one thing losing a friend, but you understood that Porco was suffering the most since Marcel was his one and only brother. Your arms became his safe haven as he sobbed away, missing his older brother and wondering why he had to leave this world so young. You cried with him, you had known Marcel since childhood too and he was suddenly gone. As much as Marcel’s death hurt both of you, it brought you two even closer. Recounting the good times you both had with Marcel was healing for both of you. And when Porco found out Reiner and Bertolt brought back the girl who had inadvertently killed him, Ymir, he knew that it would be his duty to consume her in order to obtain the Jaw Titan. You could not be happier for Porco in that aspect; his dream of inheriting a Titan was finally coming true. At the same time, this also meant he would have to leave you for military duties. As much as you hated that harsh reality, you were happy that his skills were put to use. The news broke out about the new war with the Mid-East Alliance, and you knew it would be a while before you saw him again. 

After his parents said their goodbyes to their only son left, you approached your best friend tearfully and embraced him. 

“I’m going to miss you Porco, please stay safe,” you cried into his chest. 

“I will don’t worry about me Y/N,” he said as he returned the embrace. 

You pulled away from him and he frowned at your tear-stained face. “Come on Y/N, you know I hate seeing you cry,” he said with a slight blush. 

“I can’t help it,” you giggled in between tears, “Promise to send each other letters?”

“Of course I will,” he said as he grabbed your hand and squeezed it comfortably. 

That was the last time you saw Porco Galliard for four years. You didn’t know it at the time you stood on the dock, but your life would change drastically in a way that would change you and Porco forever.

[zodiyack]

One Of Us

Requested by anon: Hi 💙 could you do a peaky blinders x brother reader where the brother feels left out and goes and does something stupid and the others have to save him but it ends with fluff?? I love your writing so much btw 💙💙

Pairing: Shelby Family & Gray Family + Brother!/Cousin!Male!Reader

Warnings: Swearing, (slight?)angst, fluff, me not proof-reading

Words: 1,937

Taglist: @matth1w​, @redspaceace​, @simonsbluee​, @peakysputain​, @fandom-puff​, @darling-i-read-it​

Masterlist | Peaky Blinders Masterlist

“Y/n- Y/n- Y/n! I don’t see why you have to do this-” Polly pleaded, attempting to block the door and prevent her nephew from leaving.

“Aunt Pol...They never include me. Think I’m not man enough probably, but I’ll prove them wrong.” He held his aunt’s hands. “I’m old enough. Man enough. I’m gonna show my big brothers that I can do it. I promise, I’ll be safe.”

“B-but... Tommy’ll kill me if I let you go. I would kill me if I let you go,” she chuckled, “I can’t just...”

“You’re right.” Y/n hugged his aunt before picking her up and turning around so she was on the opposite side of him and the door. “You can’t. But I can. Goodbye Pol.”

Only three hours ago Y/n and Polly were at the front door. Two hours ago, the boys returned. One hour ago, Tommy had found out. And now, they were discussing what to do or where Y/n even went.

“For fuck’s sake, Pol! All you had to do was watch him!”

Polly’s face, red with tears, showed a newfound rage. “You are not my parent, Thomas! I am your elder, I am your Aunt. Yes, I was supposed to watch him, but you- You will never boss me around like that. Especially when your brother is fucking missing.”

“How would you know if he’s missing or not.”

“Because. He told me that he was going to prove that he was man enough...whatever that means. Anyways, I happen to know that what he said indicates that he’s putting himself in danger.”

Tommy drank straight from the bottle in his hands, eyes wide as they scanned the room. He tried to focus on something else, to get drunk and distracted, but as much as he denied it; his aunt was right. “Get John and Ar-”

She slapped him, earning a bewildered look from her nephew. “I said not to tell me what to do.”

“Go. Get. John. And. Arthur.” Tom groaned and rested his face in his hands, “Trust me, you’re going to want to listen to me, Pol.” He didn’t even have to look up to know that she’d left the room; the door slamming shut and her heels clacking against the floor until they faded out.

The two brothers he’d instructed his aunt to get rushed into the room within about five minutes, panting for breath after running throughout Tommy’s home. He explained the situation to them, “So for whatever reason, our little brother had decided to do something. As for what he’s done... I haven’t a clue.”

“Maybe he went to a bar?”

“Polly said his last words to her before he left had something to do with ‘proving he was man enough.’”

“Man enough?” Arthur narrowed his eyes, “The fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“You reckon he went to go 'become a man’?” John cackled, elbowing his oldest brother and wiggling his brows. Tommy rolled his eyes as he walked over and flicked his younger brother in the ear. “Ouch! Fuck off, Tom!”

“Our younger brother’s sex-life is nothing of our business, and I highly doubt he’d do something like that to prove a point to us...” Tommy walked back to his chair and sat back down. He rested an elbow on his desk and his face upon his fist, thinking.

But that was it.

“Wait...”

“What is it Tommy?” Arthur and John were pulled from their own trances of thought with eagerness to hear what Thomas had to say.

“That’s it.” He stood up. “He wouldn’t do something like that to prove a point to us, but he’d do some other stuff...we just have to think like him.”

John’s head turned to Arthur, the older brother’s actions following his younger’s, as their eyes bulged with realization. “Remember that one time?” John started, catching both his brother’s attention. “At Ada’s party? Y/n was being pushed around by some of Ada’s friends, as well as Ada, so he ran off and hid?”

Arthur’s eyes lit up as he was pulled into the memory, “We all teamed up and thought about the last time he’d hidden and how he strategized.”

“And then we found him, in mother’s closet, huddled in a ball.” Tommy finished, a small smile gracing his features while he reminisced. “He always finds something comfortable and safe in his own opinion. And if he wants to prove something to us, he’ll stay in his comfort zone but step out of ours.”

The three of them held the silence, feeling lost in the childhood euphoria before Ada spoke up from the doorway, startling her brothers slightly. “Richmond.”

“What?”

“One of the people we’re going against with race bets. Felix Richmond. I remember Y/n telling me how, and I quote, ‘fucking stupid Richmond is if he thinks he can go against the Shelbys.’ Then he told me he could take on the man. I thought he was kidding but...“

Polly scoffed as she approached the door, stealing the cigarette from her niece’s fingers and placing it between her own lips. “You’ve got to teach that boy that we are not indestructible.”

“Nah, he’s right.”

“Right,” Ada snatched her cigarette back, ignoring the glare she received from her aunt, “and probably dead.”

“Key word, little sister. Probably.” Arthur winked teasingly as he shrugged his coat on, the other two Shelby brother’s doing the same. 

“What are you doing? Where are you going?”

“To rescue our idiot of a little brother.” Thomas walked to his aunt and grabbed her shoulders. “I promise you, aunt Pol, I’ll come back with him.”

“You better.”

They walked into the mansion, guided by two men with very large and very threatening guns. John couldn’t keep his hands to himself as he followed behind, resulting in him getting nudged by the end of one of the guns.

“Tommy! Arthur! John! My least favorite Shelbys! How are you? Wait- no, don’t answer that. Let me skip the crap, alright?” Felix cleared his throat, “Why the fuck are you here?”

“Our little brother. Really dumb, impulsive...young but acts even younger.”

“Younger?”

“Yeah, younger. Like a spoiled two year old bastard.”

“Ah!” Richmond cackled loudly, holding his stomach. “So all you Shelby boys?”

Almost as if he knew it would happen, Tommy’s arm came up, blocking Arthur from moving forward as a reaction to Richmond’s teasing. “He’s just trying to get to us, Arthur.”

“Well he’s doing a damn good job at it. Where’s our brother, you fucking bastard?”

“That wasn’t very nice.” His eyes moved to Thomas. “Tommy, do me a favor and get your ugly mutt to sit down and shut the hell up.”

Before any of the brothers could do anything about Richmond’s comment, the door behind him opened to reveal two heavily armed men carrying out Y/n, who squirmed and fought as hard as he could. His attempts managed to make him slip from their grasps, as well as give him a good shot at one of the men’s faces. He punched him, gifting him a not-so-pleasant-gift of a black eye before trying to dart down the stairs.

The man who hadn’t been hit grabbed Y/n’s collar, pulling him back harshly.

“You see, I have your brother, and I don’t think he deserves to get away from this without a punishment. He broke into my home, tried to kill me, and just assaulted one of my men.”

“Yes, and we apologize for our brother’s not so wise decisions. Now, please, let him go.” It took everything in Tommy to not pull out his gun and shoot blindly. He knew the odds were nowhere near in his favor; Richmond’s staff were heavily armed and greatly trained. Shooting even one bullet would be the dumbest decision known to man.

Felix thought for a second then scrunched his face with frustration. “Your brothers are here to retrieve you. I’m gonna give you one chance to get out of my home and never return. You got that, boy?” Y/n nodded, “Good. Don’t fuck it up.” He shoved Y/n towards his brothers and began turning and walking back through the doors, “Now get the fuck out of my house, you gypsy fucks.”

As Y/n approached his aunt and sister, his face held guilt and empathy. Polly was the first to walk up to him, her eyes glossy with tears. She didn’t speak, only started at him- checking for any injuries. Just as he was about to lean forward and hug her, she slapped him.

Y/n stumbled back, hand clasping his face as he looked back at his aunt. She furrowed her brows and began to cry before walking forward and hugging him.

Polly pulled away and allowed Ada to hug her younger brother. She shook her head and laughed, squeezing him tightly as she cried into his shoulder. “It’s okay, don’t cry Ada...you’re gonna be okay...”

“Shit, Y/n- I’m not crying because I’m sad, idiot! I’m crying because I’m happy you’re alright. I thought you went and got yourself killed!”

Y/n scratched the back of his neck nervously, Ada walking backwards to pull away from their hug. With a chuckle, he confessed the thoughts that’d been haunting him since they’d left Richmond’s mansion. “To be honest, I think I would’ve had these three not shown up.”

His aunt walked back over to them, handing each of the five a glass and filling it up. “The next time you even think of do something like that,” she paused, lifting the bottle upright and holding eye contact with Y/n, “I’ll gut you myself.”

The rest of the night went by in a blur, cheers and hugs passed around in celebration. But once again, Y/n felt left out. He knew the party was for him, but the smiles and cheery spirits...it just felt like he didn’t deserve them.

Sitting outside, he hid in plain sight while he nursed a bottle of gin. He was right next to the front doors, practically starring off into space as they world around him was flushed out. Well, as he tried to flush it out.

Tommy burst through the doors to light himself a cigarette and enjoy the fresh air, but his plans changed when he noticed his little brother and his state of absence. He chuckled, putting the unlit stick back into it’s box and walked over to the boy by the doors.

“Y/n?”

He smiled and shook his head as Y/n jumped slightly. “Y-yeah, Tommy?”

“I wanted to say...I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Y/n looked up at his brother.

“For making you feel like you didn’t belong. Like you didn’t quite fit in. Believe me, you fit in perfectly. It’s my fault you don’t feel like it though. I’m so caught up in keeping you as this little boy from before I went to war, but you’re not a little boy. You’re eighteen. Finn’s a little boy, but you’re not.”

Thomas groaned, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a bunched up cloth looking item, “It’s time I acknowledge that for once.” He smoothed it out, “So, how about we make a deal. You wear this and know you’re one of us,” he placed the infamous Peaky-cap on Y/n’s head, “or spend the rest of your life trying to prove something we all, including you, already know.”

He grabbed the gin from Y/n’s hand and walked to the door, stopping only for a second to deliver his younger brother a smile and a message; “You never need to prove it, but nevertheless, you’ve proved it today in more ways than one. You’ve got the Shelby spirit, brother. You’re one of us.”

[sapphirelass]

What family is all about - Weasley FamilyxWeasley!Sister

Hiiiiiii!!! It’s... been a while. Again. Let’s face it, I’ll never be able to post as often as I’d like. I just don’t like rushing stuff, or posting anything I’m not happy with, so...

Anyhow, I LOVED writing for the Weasley family, and I’ll most likely do it again soon. Bill and Charlie are both underrated characters in my opinion and I had a ton of fun letting them ‘shine’ (despite this being a sort of sad story, but that always seems to be where I end up... XD)

Also, I might have to edit this once more, but it’s late, I have not posted in about two weeks and I just want to go to sleep XD That being said, take it for what it is, and I’ll try to correct any grammatical errors later. Good night! <3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please note:

1: I don’t own any of the gifs used, nor any already established characters, so credit to the authors and original creators - You have done a phenomenal job :)

2: English is not my native language, as I was born and raised in Sweden. I have, however, studied English for almost a decade, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem, I just thought I’d let you know ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Word count: ≈ 2800 (they just keep getting longer, don’t they? XD)

Warnings: Light swearing, blood, angst

Enjoy! :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That’s what family is all about 

“How big did his tongue get?”

“It was four feet long before his parents would let me shrink it!”

The sound of laughter was heard from the kitchen as Elwira Weasley entered her childhood home. She worked as an arithmancer, and had been stationed at a research-facility in the northern parts of Sweden for the past few years. Her work took up most of her time, but she had just travelled home to go see the quidditch final with her dad, older brother Bill, twin brother Charlie and all their younger siblings.

“It isn’t funny”, her dad shouted. “That sort of behaviour seriously undermines wizard-muggle relations! I spend half my life campaigning against the mistreatment of muggles, and my own sons-”

“Are just a wee bit too daft to understand that!”

She walked through the door and found her entire family, plus two other people she didn’t know, all sitting or standing around the kitchen table.

“Ellie?!”

Her older brother and twin, with whom she had always been extremely close, both made their way across the room and pulled her into a hug so tight she could barely breathe.

“Blimey! ‘ello Bill, hey Charlie! Long time no see, huh?”

“Certainly!”, their mother exclaimed while pushing the two oldest sons to the side as she tried to get a good look at her grown-up daughter. “Not a single visit since Christmas, Elwira Weasley, we’ve had to do with owls for six months?!”

“Sorry, mum, there’s been a lot of work to do… I thought I’d stay for the rest of the summer though, if that’s okay with you?”

“Of course, dear! Have you eaten yet?”

“No, I’m famished!”

Mrs Weasley went off to get another plate, and Ellie, after greeting everyone and being introduced to Harry and Hermione, took a seat between her dad and youngest brother.

“So Ronald? Had a good term?”

“Err.. Sure? Nothing interesting except for the stuff I wrote to you about, though.”

“Well you’re going into your fourth year now - almost halfway through!” She paused for a moment and turned to her father. “You good dad? You seem a bit… tense?”

Arthur looked up from his plate and sent his daughter a kind smile.

“Don’t worry about it, darling. Hosting the world cup comes with a great deal of problems all with the need to be solved. Admittedly, it’s not really part of my job, but the entire ministry becomes quite chaotic when something like that is days away. I’m a bit stressed, that’s all. How are things up in Scandinavia?”

“They’re… somewhat slow to be honest. There’s so much work to do between like October and February, but in the summer it’s mostly filing and other boring bits of paperwork.”

“Elwira?”, Hermione asked. “Sorry, I’m just curious, what is it that you do? Ron’s never told us…”

“That’s probably cause Ron doesn’t understand what I’m doing”, she smirked, “but of course, I work with, and study, arithmancy which, as you might know, is part of what’s called ‘natural magic’.”

“Great!”, mumbled Ron quietly, making sure only his friends and older sister heard. “Hermione, there are four rules in this house, okay? One: Don’t ask Charlie about dragons, Two: Don’t ask Percy about anything, Three: Don’t ask dad about muggles, and Four: Don’t ask Ellie about her job. Break either and you’ll be stuck listening to a five hour lecture.”

 Hermione didn’t seem to be bored though, so Ellie ignored her brother’s comment and continued. 

“It’s the type of magic that has been studied and worshiped since ancient times and has a very strong connection with nature. The natural phenomena with the strongest affiliation with magic is, while they in themselves have what the muggles would call a ‘scientific explanation’, the northern lights. Meaning it’s only when they’re visible that we can make any significant progress.”

Ellie paused and glanced at the younger girl, trying to see whether she had caught on or not, and was happy when realizing that she had.

“And... “, questioned Hermione, “the northern lights are only visible north of the polar circle and b-”

“Between September and March, exactly… Meaning there’s sadly not that much advanced research that can be done during the rest of the year…”

“It’s still a fascinating subject though. I only started last year, but I love it.”

“I’m glad! At least some people appreciate the wonderful art that is arithmancy, Ronald!”

Ron looked up at the mention of his name and met his sister’s gaze. 

“I just don’t find it interesting”, he said.  

“Right, because you ha-”

Ellie didn’t get to finish her sentence before being interrupted by her twin brother.

“Hey, Ellie? Must have been fun watching the Nordic versus Germany, huh?”

“Oh shut up, Charlie!”, she groaned while putting her head in her hands. “Holy Merlin…” The Nordic National Quidditch team, of which she had become a huge supporter in the last few years, had suffered a HORRENDOUS loss against Germany, and it had certainly not been a fun night. 

Her brother, however, did not shut up, but instead burst out laughing.  

“Charlie, it’s not funny!! You should have been there though… You’d have done a much better job than the stand-in seeker we had.”

“What were the results again? 700-20?”

“... 520 actually”

“520 to??”, Bill said mockingly

“You’re idiots both of you… 520-0, happy now?”

Ellie hadn’t realized that everyone else around the table had been listening in on their conversation, but was made aware when Fred, George, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Arthur began laughing loudly.

“Why is this so funny to everyone? England lost badly too, and neither Romania nor Egypt even qualified to compete?!”

“Yeah...”, began Fred.

“But none of them lost with 520 points.”, finished George, earning himself a furious look from his older sister who stood up and shook her head.

“I’ll go see if mum needs any help…”

~~~~~~

Ellie loved her family, and therefore all her slightly annoying brothers, beyond everything, but being away from them for months and then meeting them all at the same time was TIRING! Having no desire to sleep through the world cup, she decided to go to bed early the night before, and she had barely closed her eyes before she fell asleep...

~~~~~~

“3, 2 ‘shhhh, quiet!”

Ellie took notice of the obnoxiously loud whispers, but it wasn’t enough to fully wake her up.

“We’ve got one more chance, 3, 2, 1, ELLIE!!!!”

She woke up instantly and sent a blast of blue sparks towards her older brother, barely missing him by an inch.

“What ‘ru doing, El? You can’t just go attacking people?!”

He tried to sound angry, but failed miserably, a heartwarming laugh escaping his mouth.

“You bloody idiots?! Why’d you scare me like that? You’re 21 and 23, not five?”

“Brings back memories, doesn’t it? Do you remember-”

“Yes, I do!”. She rubbed her eyes slowly, “‘85, look can you two please let me sleep?”

“Sorry, sis”, said Bill. “We’re leaving in half an hour. The kids and dad left ages ago.”

“Yeah, you don’t want to be late do you? Not when you can cheer for a team that might not loo-”

“Charlie, I swear!”

~~~~~~

The match was fantastic! Ellie would never admit it to her brothers, but it was nice to watch an even one for once. Watching and cheering with her family brought back fond memories of childhood games at the Burrow or Hogwarts, and she realized just how much she had missed actually playing. They stayed up late discussing players and tactics, but eventually their father ushered them all off to bed. 

~~~~~~

“Ellie?”

“Ellie??”

She stirred slightly and pulled the sleeping bag tighter around her.

“Ellie! Damn it, wake up!”

She opened her eyes slowly and saw her twin brother bent above her. The sight made her sigh.

“Charlie”, she mumbled. “We see each other once- or twice a year nowadays, do you really feel obligated to wake me up every time you get the chance?”

“Elwira, I’m serious! Get up!”

This caught her attention. Sure, the twins often used their full names when messing with each other, but it didn’t sound like Charlie was joking at all. She sat up, rubbed the sleep from her eyes and yawned loudly.

“What’s going on? Wha- Charlie? It’s still dark out? Why’d yo-”

“Ellie, c’mon. We have to help dad. Someone’s attacking the muggles.”

He threw his sister a jacket and pulled her out of the tent. Arthur, Bill and Percy were all waiting outside.

“Dad?”, she asked. “What’s happening? Charlie sai-”

“We’ve got to help the ministry!”, he said while frantically trying to count everyone and make sure they were there. “Fred, George, you make sure the others are safe. Go wait in the woods and I’ll come for you when the situation’s under control. Bill, Charlie, Percy, Ellie, let’s see if there’s something we can do.”

Nobody questioned Mr Weasley’s instructions, and immediately left in different directions. There were people everywhere though, and the two directions quickly became three, four, six. Spells and curses were fired left, right and centre and Ellie found herself disarming and stunning at least a few death eaters. There weren’t that many of them, roughly thirty or so, but the insane amount of witches and wizards fleeing the campsite made it difficult to fight back. She couldn’t risk hitting any random bloke.

While duelling a tall man in a black mask, Ellie suddenly stumbled forward, a particularly nasty curse having hit her straight in the back. Falling to the ground felt way more painful than it should have, and her wand landed well beyond her reach. She groaned as a burning pain spread through her lower back, but made an effort to get back up anyways. She did, however, not make it very far before the sharp end of a wand dug into her throat.

The death eater behind her sniggered and pulled her up by the collar of her shirt.

“Well, well, well… Why’re you trying to ruin our fun?”

He stood way too close for comfort and Ellie felt his breath on her neck. She tried to answer, but the curse that was shot at her must have hit its intended target, as all that came out when she opened her mouth was a strained cough and warm blood.

The bloke holding her let out a dark chuckle and threw her to the ground. She could barely keep her eyes open, and a thick, red liquid oozed from the wound in her back.

“Not so high-and-mighty now, are we?”

Ellie lacked the strength to fight back, and to the death eaters that seemed to take all the fun out of the situation. They set off back towards the campsite, leaving Ellie on the ground next to a few pines. She tried her very best to sit up, but ended up passing out…

~~~~~~

“Charlie?!”

Bill ran up to his younger brother and pulled him in for a quick, one-armed hug.

“Charlie, you okay? We’ve got to get back to the tent. Where’s El?”

“Wha-, I-I thought she was with you?!?”

“What? Last I saw her you were together?”

The brothers shared a lock of utter terror.

“Bill, we have to find her!”

“I know… Dad went to get the kids and Percy’s back in the tent waiting.”

“There’s no time to waste then. Let’s go”

~~~~~~

They had been running around the camping grounds for half an hour, and there was still not a trace of a living soul - let alone the special one they were searching for. At first, they had been shouting her name at the top of their lungs, but were now walking silently. That was, at least, until a shout made both of them turn around.

“Bill! Charlie! What are you doing? I told you to stay in the tent?”

Arthur Weasley came running towards them, with Harry, Ron and Hermione following close behind.

“Dad!”, Charlie shouted. “Have you seen El? We can’t find her?”

“What?”, asked Arthur. “But she was with you, wasn’t she?”

“Yes, at first, but we must have gotten separated… Dad, is that? You know?”

He threw a dark glance at the skull and snake decorating the night sky and said, “Yes. Yes it is. Look, I’ll take Ron, Hermione and Harry back to the tent, and I’ll meet you back here in ten minutes, okay? Don’t go too far. Come on kids!”

~~~~~~

Just as the brothers were about to give up, go back to the clearing, wait for their dad and hopefully find both their sisters safe and sound, Bill noticed something. A glimpse of red in the moonlight…

“Charlie? Get over here fast!”

The younger brother followed Bill’s gaze and immediately set off through the forest when his eyes found a mess of ginger hair sticking out from behind a rather large pine. Bill followed closely behind.

“ELLIE!!!?!!”

Charlie stumbled to his knees and turned his sister around, trying to get a better look at her. He pressed his hand to her wrist and breathed a sigh of relief when he found a pulse.

“She’s alive”, he mumbled. “Bill, she’s alive!”

“Good. I- Good.” Bill was lost for words too and mumbled a quick “Let me see”.

He pushed some hair out of her eyes and searched for any clues to what had hit her. He was a curse-breaker after all, but that usually meant working with curses placed on things or places, not people. 

“Charlie, I-I don’t know what that is… it’s not a curse I’m familiar with and I’m no healer… You want to carry her?”

“Of course”

Charlie brought his twin into his arms and picked her up, her bruised, limp body threatening to fall unless he held on tight enough. The brothers walked back to the clearing where they’d promised to meet their dad, but kept a close watch on their sister. They would apparate, though at the moment none of them felt like they had much time for ‘Deliberation’. It wasn’t very far anyways.

~~~~~~

“DAD!”, Bill shouted as soon as they noticed Arthur in the clearing where they were supposed to wait.

“Boys! Didn’t I tell you t-”

“We’ll take that later, Dad, you’ve got to help her!?”

Arthur Weasley was speechless, which had most likely never happened before, and Charlie felt so helpless. This was worse than his worst nightmares, and there was nothing he could do. Had it been a wounded dragon, sure, he knew loads about them, but this?

“Dad?”, asked Bill. “What can we do?”

“Right. Er… I suppose there’s no use trying to get you to wait here?”, he said while looking at Charlie who frantically shook his head. “Right, Bill could you go back to Percy and the kids? Fill them in on what happened? Then Charlie and I’ll take Ellie to St Mungos, okay?”

Bill didn’t look too happy with the idea, but nodded nonetheless.

---

“Charlie sit down!”

“Fred, he can’t”, said George. “Hey, I think you missed a spot over there, Charles”

“Shut it both of you! Honestly, why am I the only one that’s worried?”

Arthur stood up and put an arm around his son.

“Listen, we’re all worried, but walking back and forth isn’t helping anyone. Just sit for a moment, huh?”

“No, dad, you don’t understand! It’s my fault. We were supposed to stick together! I let her out of my sight...I-”

“Charlie, we all-”

“No, Bill, you don’t get it either, I should-”

“-let your sister sleep for once? That’d be greatly appreciated, thank you.”

The entire family turned at once, and found the oldest daughter struggling to sit up.

“EL!!”

Charlie stumbled over and put a hand on his sister’s back, trying to help her up, but unfortunately placing it right where the curse had hit her.

“Auch!”

She moved away from his touch and he pulled his hand back immediately.

“Blimey, Ellie I’m so s-”

“Charlie, it’s good. Don’t worry about it.”

Ellie pulled her brother into a hug, though he was now extremely careful, and she looked over his shoulder at the rest of her family. Her eyes met Bill’s and he sent her a kind smile. She gestured for him to come join them, and eventually the whole family found themselves in a loving group hug. Molly did her very best to wrap her arms around all her children, desperately trying to convince herself that they were all there - safe and sound and loved. 

Because if there was one thing the Weasleys had a lot of, it was love and that is, after all, precisely what family is all about.

~ L

Masterlist

[applepiry]

Karasuno University (Chap 1)

Chapter One - How you became the Boys College Volleyball Club’s Second Manager

“College AU - Karasuno University”

Short Fem!Reader x Will Have Multiple Partners

Contains: Jealously? Other parts will have other key words but this is just kind of a first meeting 

WC: 2.4k+

Y/N info: 

Freshman (18), 5’1 (154 cm), hair that can be put into styles (trying to be as non descriptive with it as i can be!), large chested (D and up), thick thighed, extremely quick for short bursts (can't jump or run for long distances though)

History Major with Art Minor; wants to be a teacher or museum director

Was Manager/Club Advisor for Art Club starting second year due to the dedication she showed the third and second years during first year

Has a mother, father, and two older brothers 

“L/N B#2” is in 3rd yr at Nekoma Uni (21) 

“L/N B#1” is already married with twin girls, he is a Associate Lawyer in Tokyo (27) 

(B#2 lives with him while Y/N lives with parents in Miyagi)

Parents own a bookstore with a small cafe “Cozy Nook” which belonged to grandparents but they needed help so YN and your parents moved back this year.

YN lives in the apartment above the store, and her parents live in the house behind it.

Childhood friends with Kiyoko Shimizu. Back in Middle School you were classmates with Tadashi Yamaguchi.

Moved from Miyagi to Tokyo, Nekoma High, during High School due to fathers job.

Other Notes: All the boys are at least 3-4 inches taller than they were during HS. 

I have a headcanon that Tanaka and Noya’s intense possessiveness quirk transferred over to Hinata haha (He was similar with Yachi after all)

Haikyu Masterlist 

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

How you met the Karasuno Universities Boy’s Volleyball Team… And became Manager in Training

Monday

Your first day at Karasuno University was going decently, going through your day without much interest until lunch when you ran into your childhood friend, Kiyoko Shimizu, who had basically been your big sister. You two had been from the same neighborhood as children, and she was friends with your second oldest brother. You had formed a quick attachment to her, since she was much nicer to you than your brother was. She had been the manager of the Boys Volleyball Club back in high school, and apparently was here at the University as well. 

She asked to catch up, and to meet her after practice had ended. You eagerly agreed, and knew you’d show up a little early to catch a glance at the surely hot volleyball boys. You hadn’t paid any attention back in high school aside from whether they won or lost, due to your own club activities, but you loved watching Volleyball. You actually weren’t too bad at it during PE, either. Surprisingly for someone so short, you were very quick when you wanted to be and were good at diving, since your plush chest and thighs often padded your slides.

After your last class, you went to the library to start on homework you’d already gotten. Once you had finished it, you looked at your phone and chewed on your lip as you noticed a text from Kiyoko, who let you know that practice would end around 7:00. Looking at the time, it was 6:00, and you figured it’d be a good time to head over. Packing up your stuff and slinging the bag across your shoulder, you head towards the boy volleyball’s practice gym. 

Sighing to yourself, you’re not really sure what to expect, having never met any of them. Sure, she had told you all about them over text and phone calls but you never had any faces to match up to the stories, then when she had graduated you hadn’t heard anything the last two years about the club. You had become the Manager for your own club, Art Club, second year, so unfortunately had been too busy to even entertain the idea of meeting any of them during high school. 

Plus, back then, you had hidden yourself behind glasses (whether you needed them or not), baggier clothing than needed and childish hairstyles, not wanting to draw attention to yourself. You had lacked the confidence to meet any boys, and honestly all boys did was pick on you. But, since then you had dedicated yourself to working on being so self conscious, learning to love your body and self after becoming Manager at the Art Club. Having so many people who depended on you and thought you were amazing was a really great confidence booster.

Getting to the gym at 6:40 due to your rather short legs and the gym being all the way across campus, you hear the rapid squeaking of tennis shoes from outside the door. Slowly, you open the door and crack it open, causing it to creak from the movement. Instantly, you feel eyes snap towards you, hearing a ball slap against the ground at the same time your eyes look up, seeing nearly the entire gym of boys staring at the door. At you. 

All of a sudden you see red, but not in the “im angry” way, your vision is literally filled with red-orange hair.

“Hi! Who are you?!” his happy voice fills your ears, causing you to snap out of your trance and stumble backwards.

“O-Oh, hello,” you stutter out and grasp at your bag, biting the inside of your lip. “I’m L/N, I’m here to see Kiyoko-nee-chan?” you say, trying to find her but the boy in front of you was tall enough to block your view. Not a shock, considering you’re likely the shortest college freshman ever. 

“Kiyoko?” he repeats, then turns and calls for her, “Kiyoko-senpai! There’s someone here to see you!”

Once he turns his shoulder, you can see nearly everyone in the gym, your eyes scanning over all the tall men. You nearly choke when you see most of them, well over a foot taller than you easily. Your eyes finally land on Kiyoko and you sprint towards her, across the gym in the blink of an eye. 

“Woah,” the red head murmurs from the door.

“Kiyoko-nee-chan!” you whine, grabbing onto her for dear life. You had not mentally prepared yourself for so many tall men. Sure, your brothers and dad were tall but there were only three of them. You had only met a handful of guys unrelated to you this large before, as you tended to just avoid men as a whole.

She smiles softly and gently pats your hair, “I told you I would text you when I was done,” she murmured softly.

“It’s getting dark outside,” you murmur to her.

“Woah, that was some dash you did!” said a man with a deep tenor voice. Kiyoko quickly introduced Daichi Sawamura, the Captain of the team. You bowed, thanking and apologizing to him for interrupting their practice and allowing it. He waved it off, saying it was nothing since Kiyoko had mentioned you’d likely be stopping by. This confused you, making you tilt your head. What had he meant by that?

“Wait, wait, who is this that knows our beautiful Kiyoko!?” one of the boys says and your eyes land on a buzzed headed boy who looked like a delinquent. 

“Yeah, yeah! Who?” says one of the shortest- no definitely the shortest- of the bunch with spiky hair, bouncing around just like the buzz-cut boy.

“Oh.. everyone, this is my childhood friend, F/N L/N-chan,” Kiyoko’s soft voice somehow fills the gymnasium and they all watch you with interest. “She’s back in town after having been in Tokyo for the last three years,” she added.

“Childhood friend?! What was in the water over there!?” the buzzed boy wonders loudly. 

“Right?!” says the short one, “She’s just as beautiful as our Kiyoko!” he adds as he nudges the boy beside him.

Your face gets hot, making you look down in embarrassment, “T-Thank you, s-senpai’s…” you murmur shyly to them both when you realize they’re complimenting you.

Both boys blink and stare at you for a moment before they suddenly begin screaming and running around the gym. “DID YOU HEAR THAT?!” “SHE CALLED ME SENPAI!” you hear the boys excitement in each statement, but you’re not quite sure why they’re so excited. You had only been being polite.

The orange haired boy is in front of you again with a large smile, holding out his hand. “I’m Shoyo Hinata!” he chirped happily. “Wait, did Kiyoko-senpai say you.. went to Tokyo for high school? Which one?” he wondered, tilting his head.

You glance at Kiyoko for a moment and she nods, encouraging you to make friends. You look back at the other, who is a good 20 cm taller than you, while most of the others easily hit 30-40 cm taller, aside from the other short one who perhaps was only 15 cm taller. You take his hand, noting how much larger it is than your own. 

“Nice to meet you… Yes, I did, I went to Nekoma...” you nearly whisper, looking into his big brown eyes. They flicker away from you when Daichi begins to speak. You realize you’re still holding Hinata’s hand, and he realizes as well as you both quickly pull away, both looking at the floor in embarrassment. He didn’t get a chance to reply before Daichi spoke.

“Hey team! Come meet L/N-chan!” Daichi said, surprising you. “Kiyoko wants to train her to be the next manager!” he told everyone. 

You blinked, looking up at Kiyoko, confused. She smiled her sweet small smile and nodded, “Want to?” she wondered quietly. “I know you know a lot about volleyball…” she added. She quickly explained that it was easier with two managers, and their other manager, Yachi-chan, had gone to Tokyo for college, which left them with an open spot.

You thought about it as the boys all gathered around to meet you. Finally, you nodded, a bit excited to try this out. Kiyoko smiled a bit wider than usual and hugged you tightly. You hugged her back, forgetting all the boys watching the pair of you. When she pulled away, you remembered, your face getting hot again as you fidgeted a bit. 

Turning to the team, you bowed, “I’m F/N L/N, pleased to meet all of you!” you do your best to be enthusiastic, keeping your head bowed for a moment before finally lifting your head.

Each of the boys introduces themselves, save from Daichi and Shoyo. Yu Nishinoya and Ryunosuke Tanaka getting rather close to you when they introduce themselves. Koshi Sugawara pulls them away and apologizes before introducing himself with a sweet smile.

You end up recognizing Tadashi Yamaguchi, as the two of you had been in the same class during middle school, and also had a few classes together this year as well. When meeting his giant of a friend, Kei Tsukishima, you nearly fell back just trying to look at his face. 

Asahi Azumane introduces himself rather shyly, while Chikara Ennoshita, Hisashi Kinoshita and Kazuhito Narita are all quick and kind. Chikara mentions he’s looking forward to working with you, which makes you fidget nervously with your nails. The last one to introduce himself comes up to you, his body movements stiff as he holds out his hand to you, saying his name was Tobio Kageyama. 

Tanaka and Nishinoya are dancing around like idiots, both of them excited to have another pretty girl around all the time. You let out a soft laugh when Hinata joined them, everyone staring at you in surprise for a moment. Your face heated up, shifting a bit as you got closer to Kiyoko. It was definitely going to be an adjustment getting used to the rowdy boys. 

Daichi got everyone to start cleaning up, while you, Kiyoko and Coach Ukai started talking about all the things that would go along with learning to be a manager. Since Kiyoko was still here, you’d have less responsibilities but they did expect you to help out whenever asked. You promised them both you’d do your best. 

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

“Hey, hey, LN, what was that crazy quick run before?! It was like Zoom!” Hinata said from behind you, causing you to turn to greet him. 

“Oh, yeah! I’ve only ever met Sho who was that fast! Like whoosh!” Nishinoya chimed in, appearing seemingly out of thin air.

“O-Oh, well, It’s only in short bursts and I.. erm, can’t do it much else…” you tell them with a soft nervous laugh. “I’m not that athletic, erm, but I do like Volleyball! I watch games all the time, and erm, I can toss a ball pretty okay!” you explain, tightening your hands into fists as you hyped yourself up, trying to push off those nervous jitters. Squeezing your hands close to your chest, you look up at the two before speaking again, “I’m going to do my best!” 

Nishinoya was biting his jersey, yanking at it as he nearly screamed, “You’re so cute!” his voice sounding strained.

Tanaka appeared behind Nishinoya and grinned, “She really is!” 

Hinata just looked away, but his bright red cheeks betrayed his thoughts. 

Daichi appeared next to you and gently placed a hand on your shoulder, “You’ll get used to them. They’re this way with Kiyoko too,” he said, his voice so gentle and yet so deep. 

You smiled sweetly at him and nodded, “Thank you for that, Sawamura-senpai.” 

“Daichi is fine, no need to be so formal,” he laughed. He gently pats your shoulder and leaves after that, the group gathering to go over the day's events since it was only their first practice this year together. 

They mentioned how it felt to have the old gang all back together, and how they couldn’t wait to get to the College Nationals. You were a bit surprised at how focused and intense all of them looked. However, it was quickly overtaken by pride for your new club.

Once the meeting was over, Kiyoko offered to drive you home, telling you she needed to get changed and she’d meet you back here. Standing near the gym, you lean against a pole and fidget with your phone as you wait for her.

“Hey, LN-chan!” you turned to see Tadashi, panting softly as he ran towards you. 

“Oh, hey, Yamaguchi!” you say happily, “I had totally forgotten you played Volleyball. I was surprised to see you,” you tell him.

“Same! I had no idea you knew Shimizu-senpai!” he said, nervously fidgeting with his bag. He seemed to be unsure what to say.

“Hey, should we exchange emails?” you ask, holding out your phone and opening it, ready to exchange information. His face lights up and he nods, tapping his phone against yours as the information transfers. Looking up, you see the tall blond behind him, staring at you, your eyes widening a bit, “Do.. you want to, too?” you wonder, tilting your head.

“Tch, no,” he snaps, his head quickly turning away as he begins to stride off.

“S-Sorry about Tsukki! Let’s h-hang out later,” Tadashi stutters out nervously before running off after his giant friend.

“What’s his problem?” you grumble. 

“He’ll need to warm up to you,” a deep voice you recognize as Kageyama, standing there near the door.

“Oh, hey Kageyama,” you say, blinking in surprise.

“Can I get your info, too?!” you hear, your eyes landing on Hinata as he pops out from behind Kageyama. Where had he come from? But, you smile and nod, tapping your phone against his as the information transfers and saves. “T-Thanks!” he says, his eyes sparkling and wide.

“M-Me too!” Kageyama says, his voice stiff and formal, even if you are the same age.

“Us too!” “Yeah don’t leave out your senpai!” Tanaka and Nishinoya come around the corner, the two of them holding out their phones as they jog towards you. 

After exchanging with them, Kiyoko comes back, and you finally make your leave with Kiyoko. With lots of waves and enthusiastic goodbyes. 

Once in her car, she tells you a bit more about the boys and what the team is striving for as she drives you home, and you take all of it in, excited and nervous for everything that this new opportunity would bring.

Next Part

[lambourngb]

he’s got a smart mouth but a good heart - Michael Guerin

It’s Day 2, celebrating characters, and much to my own surprise, at the end of season 2, Michael Guerin decided to move into my brain and take up residence. Obviously I still love Alex Manes (He lives first and foremost in my brain since 1x08), but there was something about how Michael buried his own pain about his mother to help everyone in season two that rang pretty true to my own life right now. I didn’t always like what he was doing in season 2 but I understood it.

Anyway, when I find a story that celebrates how complicated he is, I cheer and rejoice- so here’s a few of the stories that I have gone back to again and again.

Truck stop knives and other assessors of childhood @angsty-aliens (13,200) I can’t lie, I love a good trope story, and I especially love a good sci-fi trope story, so this story hits all of my buttons. It takes our two science nerds, Liz and Michael, mucking around, and accidentally creating a version of Michael- but not just any version, but the child who hitchhiked to Fosters ranch, completely over humans and desperate to find his family. The kid who was feral from neglect and abuse... he was the cutest thing and the most mortifying thing that ever happened to Michael to be displayed and shown. This story takes the de-aged trope and turns it on its head, and oh yeah, there’s a sweet backdrop to Michael and Alex getting together.

Implicit Memories of You by @ninswhimsy (3464) - So this is an amnesia story canon-divergent story set after 2x11 basically, where they use the mind erasing drug on Michael. I know, I’m reccing this about Michael characterization, but it’s so solidly him after all the memories are stripped away and he’s acting on instincts, locked in a room to torture Alex with before death. There’s so much going on in so few words, something that Nin is a master at, especially the ephemeral remembrances of his mother that Michael has- oof right in the feels.

Maybe this time (he’ll stay) by @hannah-writes​ (7700) This is a sequel to one of my favorite stories I recced last year, dealing in alternative timelines where in one world, Michael is lost and alone and has pushed Alex away, and in another world where Alex came home from Iraq in a flagged draped coffin. It answers the question, what about Mikey? Where’s his happy ending? The confirmation of the multiverse means there’s an Alex out there who needs him- and through trial and error, Michael finds him. The world building in both stories is top notch, because for every action, there’s a reaction and reason shaping Michael.

Constant as the northern star by celzmccelz (53,000) - don’t know the tumblr here - This is an Mpreg, and it starts solidly after 1x13 and goes AU from there. But what if in the 100 mile drive home from Caulfield, Michael and Alex share a grief-induced moment of insanity where they fall back into their oldest language- sex for comfort, and then Michael does everything he does in the finale, including turning toward Maria, what if there was a souvenir? Despite the trope of mpreg, this is just how I see Michael, deeply in love with Alex but unable to trust that Alex feels the same depth in return. The friendships in here are also top-notch, from Kyle being a baby-doctor, to Isobel having her own Max-related spiral unable to let go of her brother only to refocus on Michael, to Liz fucking off with Rosa for the first half of the story because she’s caught up in her own grief (which turned out to be canon!). And there’s a whole plot here! With Jesse Manes being the worst.

Leave the light on by @sabrinachill​ (36,900) - Confession time- I love fake dating as a trope, I know, shocked right? But I especially love it with RNM because Malex are exes by 1x03. Mattie nailed the dynamic of pining and the assumption of unrequited love so well in this story. Although the POV switches here a bit between chapters, (and Alex is fabulous) what I really really loved was how she wrote Michael, in love but convinced that he’s messed up too much for Alex. Aware of his faults but not in a sullen way, but an acknowledgment that he was in a bad place and Alex hasn’t always been the best remedy him in the past. It was a very mature take on the “give me another chance” trope in Malex reunion stories, where both sides had a share of blame. The plot was suspenseful and tight (how do people do that???) with a climax that honestly shocked me! I really enjoyed rereading it while I prepped my rec-sets, and I won’t be surprised if this story isn’t mentioned by everyone doing ‘Creators Week’. It’s worthy of all the love.

Temporary wounds by @prouvaireafterdark​ (7800) - How many times can I rec this story? Hopefully you’re not bored by my adoration of this Lynne.  So even though it’s set post-season 1 with the assumption that Michael/Maria will fizzle out while Alex/Forrest date- it’s actually perfectly set for season 3 (an author who is psychic??). As a rule, I hate jealousy as a trope, but this story has the only type of jealousy I want to see on screen- where Michael wonders what was missing inside of him that Alex didn’t want to be public during their long affair (even with the acknowledgment that Alex was too scared before)- like that type of sad pining is my catnip!

The first who ever did by nostalijinks (33,000) post season 1, but really it also stands pretty well after season 2.  There was an interview during season 1 I think that talked about how all Michael really wanted was to be a hero to Alex (the way he stepped in front of Jesse as a kid)  but he thinks he failed at it since Alex enlisted. That failure soured him in ways but he never stops trying, for Alex. This is a really well done 5 times plus 1 story, with an overreaching arc of reconciliation between Alex and Michael, starting as teenagers, then as adults while Michael is with Maria, then as friends, real friends, trying to support Alex as Alex dates. The whole emotional journey of maturity that Michael takes here is so well done, where there’s no real villains in the friend group. I just love it. I wish the author had written 100 more like this one, but as a standalone work it’s epic.

The person that you’d take a bullet for is behind the trigger by @iwontbeyourmedicine​ (25,000) Ly has a very large body of work, that you could spend days paging through on AO3 or tumblr, but this one hits two of my kinks hard- the amnesia story line and true love conquers all. So three fandoms ago I was huge into Steve/Bucky, that iconic moment in Cap 2 where Bucky breaks through the brainwashing has never left me. This story takes my love for that moment, and makes it Malex. Alex gets programmed by his family and set loose on his friends, on the aliens and it’s a shitshow bloodbath since he’s really fucking good at kicking ass. Michael is caught between keeping everyone safe and trying not to hurt Alex, and the tension is just top-notch. I love how it’s not an immediate fix either, the way they circle each other in the aftermath, wanting to come home, but home would be a totally new step for both of them. Just chef’s kiss good at joining action, angst, and romance together.

Into the palm of your hand by @haloud​ (5900) hal is a treasured friend, so I am admitting some bias here, but we both enjoy talking about how wonderful and sad Michael is and how desperately we enjoy poking at that softness and then wrapping him up with love again... so this story was written pre-shamegate (and if you know what that means, I’m sorry) but it matches my head canon of what the history of hiding does to someone. The internalization of believing maybe there’s a reason behind the hiding that has nothing to do with homophobic townies. Alex has an ex boyfriend come to town, and he doesn’t tell Michael. And omg the journey hal takes us on with Michael’s spiral and Brave Little Toaster act was so wonderful and painful and real. The communication between these two was top notch as they worked through a road bump from the past, and let’s face it, once we get our malex back, these things are going to happen, and it will either tear them apart or bring them closer together- I prefer to believe it will be closer together.

There is beauty in a failure by @jule1122​ (2400) There’s been a few Greg and Michael stories to pop up on my radar after 2x10, and this one was one of my favorites. This is a Greg who pulls no punches in exposing his brother’s past to Michael, but also gives Michael the space to work through what he wants. It’s an AU from 2x12, that allowed Michael to break up with Maria for basically the same reasons that Maria used on him in 2x13. The way Michael is able to what he wants and communicate it Alex in the end- so good! We can only hope to see something similar in season 3.

I don’t know what to think (but I think of supernovas) by @queersirius​ (3900) This story is a delight from start to finish- I mean frustrated cursing turns the console on into a hologram who then takes the most pleasing form to Michael’s eyes? SIGN ME UP for those shenanigans. I fucking loved how Isobel saw it first too. And then the comedy of Alex discovering it? And what happens afterwards? Oh it’s so delicious. Now of course, full disclosure, this light-hearted romp through the feels also inspired me  to think up a much much sadder version of Michael building an AI for companionship considering how isolated he ended up being at the end of Season 2 and we all know Michael needs friends, badly.

Innuendo by the Roswell anon (6000) written for @bisexualalienblast​  the roswell anon is my favorite treasure in this fandom, I could pretty much list all of their stories as examples of some very fine Michael Guerin characterization. This one was one of my favorite post-season 1 fix-it fics though, because it has some of the most real 28-30 year old guy dialogue I’ve come across- from the crude jokes, to the sharply self-deprecating observations- this is Alex and Michael stripped down, all edges but what’s left is fatigue and love. The resolution at the end, where Alex observes that yes, Michael has tried the last 10 years but this is their first chance to try together- to pull in the same direction? It just lays me flat on the ground with how true that is to canon.

Whenever You Want to Begin, Begin by @foramomentonly (3200) - this is a sequel, and the first story is dynamite- don’t get me wrong- but it moves from the hopeful side of an ending to legit Happily-Ever-After here, and I devoured every word. First of all, having Michael turn to photography as a way of self-improvement is fucking genius. Photographers are always at the center of every happy event, but never the focus, and that screams Michael to me, the way he lives on the outskirts of the 9-5 job and literal outskirts of town in his trailer. The other thing is photographers are revealed by their work, and that’s also something I head-canon with Michael just in the mundane- he’s good with his hands, he wants to leave a car better than he found. Anyway, this story is gorgeously written, moves a bit like a really good bottle of wine- heavy but soft, as you watch Michael become Alex’s friend, and even more importantly, Alex becomes Michael’s friend. Fantastic- I’ve read it about four times now since it was published.

[manatehispants]

Mystic Fourth

Fourth of July has always been a big deal for the little town of Mystic Falls. During the day there are parades, family togethers and large picnics. All the women put on their little red, white and blue sundresses. The men scramble to the stores making sure they are properly stocked up on beer and fireworks for the evening. Normally, Bonnie loved Fourth of July. She would spend the day with her grandma. The two would grill out. Her grandmother would tell stories of her childhood and stories that her mother had passed down to her. Many of the stories Bonnie had heard before and often times she questioned how true they were. But the truth of the stories and how often she had heard them mattered little. What mattered was that valuable family time she got to spend with her grandmother. After this came the time night of friendship and looking up at the sky as she would watch it explode into different arrangement of colors. Each explosion more beautiful than the last. However this year was different. For the first time in many years Bonnie wasn’t filled with a sense of joy as she awoken. She woke with a heavy heart. So much had changed for the young witch since only one year ago. Her grandmother had passed on to another life and her friends seemed to grow more and more distance from her every day. Caroline would occasionally make time for her, but she was often busy with her new boyfriend. And Elena? Well, trying to get that girl to pay her any mind felt like a more and more impossible task. Elena was constantly either run from or to some new vampire driven thing. It wasn’t all her fault, but it grew tiresome. Some days Bonnie wanted to be exactly what she was a human. Sure, she was a witch.

But, her whole world did not need to be that of the supernatural. This was something that Elena did not grasp or Bonnie did not think so. The way she disgustingly ran into the arms of Stefan at every turn made Bonnie’s skin crawl. Didn’t Elena understand that so much what they all have lost is because of beings like him? No. Not just beings like him…..STEFAN directly could be faulted for many of the horrors this town had been forced to endure. It felt like every time Bonnie pointed this out Elena stood up for Stefan. Elena never failed to have his back…..But who had Bonnie’s back these days? Nobody. This realization had come to the witch’s attention before, but today as she laid in bed staring up at her ceiling it was hitting her hard. It took almost an hour before the young woman found the needed will power to move herself from the small comfort which her bed was providing her with. This year there would be no dressing up for Bonnie she decided. Nope. She was going to treat this day as if it was any other day. Instead of getting a cute little themed sundress Bonnie had jean shorts. For a tops she wore a ruffled mustard colored off the shoulders tee shirt. The shirt showcased a small amount of flat toned stomach when she reached her arms up. Knowing her friends would be busy with their own families and boyfriends Bonnie took the time to really pamper herself. She painted her nails a gold along with her toes to match. Bonnie took the time really get her cat eyes down pack in shades of shimmering gold. The final touch was a deep red lipstick that had a hint of sparkle to it. Looking at herself in the mirror Bonnie smiled. These days she rarely liked what she saw looking back at her. She so often felt like she hardly knew the woman who stood before, but she saw what others so foolish ignored. A strong powerful woman with looks that could kill. Bonnie spent the rest of her day lounging around the house. Much to her dismay, but not to her shock…..Not once did anybody bother checking in on her. Too busy with their own lives and that was understandable. They should be enjoying today should they not? They all had families to spend time with and people to dot on. Still, it hurt to know that while they all had somebody she had nothing. She couldn’t help, but feel a bit bitter. Why did everyone else in the world get somebody and she got nothing? What had she possibly done so wrong in life that she should have to end up alone? She did not understand, and the more she tried the more hurt she felt. By the time the sun was starting to set Bonnie felt herself becoming far too wrapped in her own self pity. And she wouldn’t stand for that. Bonnie Bennett would never be the girl who sat around crying for herself. If she did not like the way her life was going she would take matters into her own hands and change it.

“Fuck it.”

Muttered Bonnie to herself. She dragged herself off the sofa where she had spent most of the day reading and watching chick flicks. Bonnie headed to the kitchen and grabbed her purse along with her keys off the counter. Her favorite part of Fourth of July had always been the fireworks. She hadn’t missed seeing them since she was ten years old. Even if she had to see them alone she now decided she was not going to miss out on them. No more brooding inside. It was time for her new begins to start. Strong women do not need others to have fun. They can make their own fun. That is what she told herself as she headed to her front door. She even had a confident smile on her lips by the time she got there that is until she opened her door. Her whole face dropped and her bright green eyes narrowed. Standing in her doorway was the one man she wanted to see least of all right now. Damon.

“Are you looking for a headache? Because you are about to get a Hell of one if you do not get off my porch right now.”

Damon let out a laugh and smirked at Bonnie. His ice blue eyes locked onto her and Bonnie felt a chill run down her spine. He was danger given human form. He was part of everything she hated right now. Part of everything that had put her into a place of being so isolated. Why was he here? What could he possibly want with her now?

“Aww. You’d do that to me before I have a chance to explain myself? And they call me hotheaded.”

Tilting her head to the side only a few degrees Bonnie smiled coldly at Damon. The oldest Salvatore brother was in the process of winking at her when it hit him. His brain felt as if it was on fire. Every nerve ending was screaming in pain. Falling to his knees he pressed his hand against his temples.

“OKAY! OKAY! Point made! STOP! I GIVE!”

It was tempting to keep going. Oh how wonderful it would have felt to let this place out. Bonnie could have done it too. She was powerful enough. She could have kept going till Damon was dead for good. But that isn’t the kind of person she is. Bonnie isn’t someone who can murder without it being a last resort. Bonnie ended Damon’s torment and with speed only possibly of the supernatural he was back on his feet.

 “I should snap your neck for that.”

“But you won’t. Why are you here?”

Damon scowled and ran a hand through his thick dark hair. She was right. He wasn’t going to kill her for it. Even if it wouldn’t piss everyone off and even if she did not have powers of her own he still wouldn’t kill her. Despite their disagreements he had respect for Bonnie. She was a woman who could stand her ground and did not take shit from anyone himself included. Bonnie was also witty and when she wasn’t being a total bitch to him she could be fun. He was drawn to her in a way he had never been drawn to someone before. Not Katherine or even Elena whom the town seemed to think his brother and him obsessed over. He’d never admit it, but he maybe…..Possibly liked Bonnie.

“Jeez. I was here to see if Elena stopped by. She wasn’t at her place and I assu—-“

Holding up a hand to stop Damon from finishing his sentence Bonnie walked by him and headed towards her car. She did not have time for this vampire shit. Not tonight. Tonight she wanted to be selfish for just once. Just once she wanted to do something for herself, and that something was seeing those damn fireworks. “Whatever you thought. You thought wrong. She said she was spending the day with family and then going to see the fireworks with Stefan. Try her cell and again, get off my porch.” Knitting his eyebrows together Damon frowned. In flash he was by Bonnie’s car and blocking her from getting to it. Bonnie was about ready to really fry his brain up.

“He never mentioned it to me.”

“I wonder why. Maybe he didn’t want you messing up his night. Move.”

There was that wit. This was part of what he both loved and hated about the lady. She wasn’t scared of him. Bonnie wasn’t like others. She didn’t say things only to hurt him and Bonnie never said things only to please him either. Bonnie told him things like they were. Out of all the people in his life she was the most openly honest with him. He never really thought about that until this moment. The thought made him frown for half a second before he put a cocky grin up. The same grin that constantly earned him an eye roll from the female standing before him.

“Why are you so anxious to leave? You got a hot date? Somebody finally took an interest in you instead of all your friends?”

Ouch. She hadn’t expect for it to hurt that but Damon’s words cut much deeper than anything else he had ever said to her. And the pain showed in Bonnie’s eyes. For the first time in many years it made Damon feel an emotion he thought he rid himself of. Guilt. He hadn’t meant to be cruel. Honestly! He had been joking. It was meant to mock the ones around her who were too stupid to realize what a stunning woman she was. Damon looked away from her.

“Not that it’s your business, but I am going to see the fireworks. And I don’t have and I do not need a damn date for that.”

Her tone was a mix of unexpected bitterness and a hint of sadness towards the end. Bonnie hated herself for sounding what she viewed as weak. She fully expected for Damon to jump on this and mock her. Why wouldn’t he? He loved getting under her skin and she had made a perfect opening. What happened next she never would have expected.

“You’re full of shit. You have a date.”

Both eyebrows jolted upwards expressing shock. What the Hell did he thinks she was hiding a date from him now!? Bonnie attached as Damon finally stepped aside only to appear at the other side of her car. She opened her mouth to argue with him, but before she could do so he grinned at her. The witched closed her mouth and waited to see what was so amusing to the elder Salvatore now.

“You got me.”

Oh this was too good. Bonnie bursted out laughing. Was he serious? She opened her car door now that he had moved and got in. Maybe if she started up the car he would go find someone else to bug. But, no…..He opened the car door on his side and got in.

“You’re kidding, right? Why?”

Shutting his door Damon put his seat belt showing that he was serious and shrugged over at her. She was right to question it. He was even questioning himself for once.

“Why not? Not like either of us have a date, right?"

Closing her own door Bonnie also buckled up and started her car. She should kick him out and drive a million miles away from Damon. He was the definition of bad idea, but she couldn’t get herself to do it. After all they had been through together. All the shit he had done to her, she should hate him. Had she been thinking all day about how vampires had helped to ruin her life? Still, looking over at him she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t make him leave. They weren’t as different as she pretended them to be. Both were alone in this world and both were constantly tossed aside in favor of others. He had been tossed aide by Katherine, Elena and even in his brother. She hated to think, but maybe this was okay. Maybe it was okay for two lonely souls to spend one night together. Not that they were doing THAT. They would ONLY be seeing fireworks. That is ALL! Her face softened.

“Fine. But this isn’t a date. Just two people watching fireworks together. That’s it. Try to make it into anything else and I will melt your brain right out your ears understood?”

Her comment brought a smile to his face. Damon leaned his seat back and kicked his feet up onto the dashboard. Lacing the fingers of his hands together he placed them behind his head.

“Sure. I got it. Your lose. I also got the perfect place for us to go.”

“Of course you do. Lay it on me.”

As she pulled out of her driveway Bonnie is shaking her head at Damon, but for the first time all day her heart feels light. She’s has a smile on her face that isn’t forced or the product of bitterness it’s one of excitement. Her tradition will live on. She will be seeing fireworks with someone she cares about tonight after all.

[shadowhuntertrash]

High Notes

Relationships:

Thomas Lightwood x Alastair Carstairs

James Herondale x Matthew Fairchild

Background Lucie Herondale x Jesse Blackthorn

Also obviously I own nothing but the plot. Characters are from Cassandra Clare

Chapter Two

It had been two days since the girls had told them about the tour and Thomas was freaking out. How was he supposed to one, go out in front of all those people every night, two, see Alastair practically every day for five months? Thomas had barely packed anything, he was currently standing in his room staring at his suitcase which so far held a pair of sweatpants and his “Move, I’m gay.” t-shirt his friends had gotten him when he came out.

   He hadn’t come out to anyone other than Matthew, James, Cordelia, Lucie, Christopher, and his sister Barbara. It wasn’t that he was scared to tell the rest of his family because they were very accepting of Matthew and James, but this voice in the back of his mind kept telling him that if he told his family they wouldn’t like it because it was their son.

   Their only son. The only person in his family who could carry on the name. Well there was always Christopher and Anna but no one in his immediate family besides himself. Thomas also had quite the fanbase and did not want to find out what their opinion was. He was scared they would turn on him which had happened to others before.

So when he told his friends they kept his secret. They respected his reasons for not telling anyone but it didn’t keep them from telling him he was an idiot for not believing them when they said his family wouldn’t care. 

   Thomas snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Matthew leaning against the door to Thomas’ room. Christopher and James were out with their families spending time with them before they left for the tour.  

   “Thomas, sweetheart, love, dear friend of mine, please stop stressing. You’re stressing over Alastair more than I ever did over Jamie and that’s really saying something.” Thomas feels a familiar heat rise up to his face. He was blushing like a grade school girl. Was he really that obvious?

   “No one can ever beat you in gay pining Matthew Fairchild.” Is what Thomas chose to say. Matthew threw his head back and laughed. “That may be but you sure are putting up a fight. I’m serious though Tom, the more you stress about it the worse it’ll be.” Matthew said flashing him a serious look. It looked out of place on Matthew’s face. It was a rare sight.

Thomas smiled slightly at him. Matthew had never liked Alastair much, something about childhood enemies, so it meant a lot that Matthew was being so chill about Thomas liking Alastair. “Thank you Matthew. I’m serious thank you.” Thomas says in a small voice smiling at Matthew crookedly. 

   Matthew rolls his eyes and smirks. “It would make me a bit of a hypocritical asshole to have judged you for that. I’ve done far worse things than loving Alastair Carstairs.” It hit Thomas then just how much Matthew saw through him. As if he was see through. That’s what always  made them so close. They were such total opposites that it was almost unbelievable  just how they read each other so well.

   Thomas smiled sincerely at Matthew and Matthew swatted his arm. “Okay enough seriousness I can only endure small doses at a time.” Thomas laughed and shook his head at his friend. Matthew laughed back. “Do you want some help packing? I’ve already finished.” 

Thomas smiled, that was such a Matthew thing. It was a common misconception that Matthew was a procrastinator. He was actually the opposite, he was one of those ungodly people who does things as soon as they are asked to.

   “Of course you have Matthew.” Thomas said exasperated. “If you could, I would greatly appreciate it. I always forget something important.” Matthew gave him a knowing look. “Don’t worry Tom. I won’t let you forget anything important.” Thomas nods and they spend the next three hours packing. With a brief intermission where they had a pillow fight after Thomas accidentally hit Matthew with his pillow. 

   At least he wasn’t as freaked out as he was before. 

-LiNe BrEaK-

Thomas, four days later, was standing in his parents living room laughing with a glass of wine in his hand. His mother was sitting on the sofa next to his father. 

   His father, Gideon, was a successful politician like his father had been before he went corrupt. Unlike Thomas’ grandfather, Gideon was well loved among the people. Thomas’ father and mother, Sophie, had one of those sickeningly sweet love stories that they people loved. 

   His father had gotten a maid when he was sixteen (spoiler, it was his Sophie). Gideon had been in love with her “from the moment he met her” and had done everything he could to see her. Including asking her to do just about anything and everything for him which his foolish teenage brain had thought was a brilliant idea. 

   It wasn’t and Sophie had grown up despising him until one day they had a fight over scones, Thomas had always found that part hilarious. Once Gideon had had a chance to explain why there was a pile of scones under his bed Sophie had allowed him to take her on a date. And the rest was, well, history.

Thomas had always loved that story. He had grown up wanting one just like it, his two sisters were in the same boat. His oldest sister Barbara had found that in her current boyfriend Oliver. They had that cute barista, coffee addiction story. Oliver had to write his number on Barbara’s cut four times before she finally called him. They had been sickeningly lovey dovey ever since. Thomas’ other sister Eugenia hadn’t found that yet and so they whispered about how disgusting Barbara and Oliver were when they came to family dinners.

   They were all sitting in the living room. Barbara was sitting in one of the lounge chairs next to Eugenia's chair.  Thomas was sitting on the floor with his back against Barbara’s legs. “It was hilarious I have never seen him so red!” Barbara exclaimed in hysterics, over some story about Oliver spilling coffee all over some scary looking man covered in tattoos.

   "What a Prince Charming." Thomas said tilting his head back so he could look up at his sister. Barbara smacked his face lightly and laughed. "Isn't he!" They all laugh again. Thomas looks back to his parents to see them both looking at him, sweet smiles on their faces. Thomas smiles back immediately. 

Tommy we're so proud of you." Sophie says in a soft voice. Thomas beams at her, it was no secret he was 100% a momma's boy. “Your music, your lyrics are who you are. We have always encouraged you to be your true self and you always are.” His father said affectionately. Thomas feels a ball of guilt tighten in his stomach. 

   It was true they did always tell him to be himself. He wished he could be. He really really did, but alas it wasn’t the time. He couldn’t really tell them and then take off for five months. So he holds it in and flashes them a carefree smile.

   “Thank you. I hope you know you’re all my inspiration. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.” I say looking around at all of them making a point to look at my sisters as well. Barbara smiles kindly at him. “As lovely as it is to hear your brother tell you you’re the inspiration to all his love songs, I do hope we’re not your only inspiration.” 

 I shove her and laugh. “Barb! Stop! Not at all what I meant! Way to ruin a moment!” Barbara and Eugenia laugh and Gideon and Sophie roll their eyes fondly. “Okay! Okay! Sorry but Genie and I were wondering who you write all those love songs about!” Barbara says wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. I freeze and force a laugh out looking down at my hands. I clear my throat but no words come out.

   “I think that’s quite enough girls.” Sophie said in her simultaneously kind and stern voice. The girls stop laughing and pout. “But-”

   “You’re mother’s quite right, girls. I think we should leave poor Thomas alone.” Gideon says backing Sophie up as he always did. Thomas felt a rush of affection for his parents, so loving, so kind. So unlike some of his other friends' parents. He feels a pang of sadness go through him as he thinks of Matthew with his nice but absentee parents and Cordelia and Alastair whose father abandoned them and whose mother died.

"I love you all. I’m going to miss you quite a deal more than I thought I would.” His sisters each squeeze one of his hands. “Oh darling, you say that as if we aren’t going to call every night!” Sophie says with a sparkle in her eyes. Thomas groans acting annoyed but his smile is a dead give away. 

   Gideon stands up and walks over to Thomas. “Thank you for coming and saying goodbye. We will miss you sorely, I wish I could stay longer but I have a pressing meeting I attend to.” Thomas smiles and stands up feeling his father’s arms around him. He holds on tightly. His father wasn’t the most affectionate person so it was nice when this happens. 

   He squeezes one more time before Gideon lets him go. “It’s quite alright Pops. I’m glad I get the chance to see you all one more time before I head off. I would stop by tomorrow but we are heading out at five and I’m afraid I won’t get the chance.” Sophie smiled kindly walking over to him to hug him goodbye. 

"That’s quite alright Tommy, but don’t you dare forget to call when you leave and arrive no matter the time.” Thomas nods leaning down to rest his chin on his mother’s head. Thomas was quite tall and affectionately called ‘Giant’ by his sisters quite frequently so his mother and her petite figure didn’t even come up to his chin. 

   Thomas pulls back and kisses his mother’s cheek. “I wouldn’t dream of it mum.” Sophie nods her approval and moves to let Eugenia hug him. “I hope you have fun, Tommy, but not too much.” she says, pulling away enough for him to see her wink before pulling him back in and whispering, “But remember protection, we don’t want any little feet running around just yet.” 

   Thomas pulls away abruptly sputtering. Eugenia laughed and pats his shoulder. “Genie!” He says betrayed. She laughs again before moving out of his way. “Now get out and go see the world brother!” Thomas shakes his head and waves to his mother, father, and sister once more before walking to the door with Barbara.

They stepped outside the door and Barbara closed it softly before turning to Thomas, it was then that Thomas noticed the tears in her eyes. He frowns and shakes his head. “Don’t you dare start crying Barb, you know it makes me cry.” Barbara let out a wet laugh before pulling him in close for a hug. He melts into it.

   Out of all his family he was closest to Barbara, mostly due to the fact that he didn’t have to hide anything with her. “I do suggest you keep me updated with Alastair. I mean it. Every detail. If he sneezes I want to know. She says tears started to slide down her face. Thomas feels the back of his throat and his nose start to burn.

   He clings to Barbara tighter. “Stop it. I’m crying now stop it!” He says pathetically, starting to shake slightly. Barbara hugs him tightly once more before pulling away and hastily wiping the tears off her face. “Sorry sorry don’t cry it’ll make me worse and it’ll be an endless cycle.” Thomas laughed and nodded, drying his own eyes.

Barbara smiled at Thomas through her wet eyes, she placed a hand on each of his shoulders. “I love you Tommy don’t forget that.” She pulled away and smiled wider. She reached up to her neck and unclasped her necklace. It was just a chain and Thomas wondered what it was for before she handed it to him and took her ring off her finger. It had footprints around the band. It was very pretty Thomas had to admit.

   Barbara handed it to him and flipped it so he could see the writing on the inside. He frowned and took it from her so he could hold it closer and read it. He felt tears building in his eyes as he read it. ‘Where we go, we go as one.’ It was something Barbara had been saying to him since he was five. Thomas felt the tears slide down his face and grabbed Barbara in a bone crushing hug. 

   She laughed but Thomas could hear the tears in her voice. “Thank you.” He whispered through the tears. Barbara sighed and patted his back before whispering a quiet, “Always.” and pulling away. 

   She shoved him away without bothering to wipe her tears. “Okay now go you big loof.” Thomas smiled and kissed her cheek before turning and walking back to his car. He missed them already.

[saiilorrose]

Roleswap AU!

—🌹—

So this time I’ll be describing the hashira in this AU. Things to note:

-Akaza/Hakuji is married to Koyuki in this AU

-Douma’s Enternal Paridise replaces the butterfly mansion

-Kokushibo was friends with Uta (will describe her next chapter ;>!)

-If I have (?) next to their role, it means I might change it

Will do design sketches later!

Ok time for descriptions!

—🌹—

Kokushibo: The Moon Hashira. As I said in the last description post, his real name is Michikatsu Tsugikuni and has a reason why he uses Kokushibo. So I picture it as him and his younger brother, Yoriichi, both passing the final selection and eventually becoming demon slayers. He met Uta in his childhood and she lived with Yoriichi. One day, they came across a powerful demon at the house and Yoriichi told him to run and he’ll take care of it. Koku actually ran and never saw him again. He felt ashamed of himself since he admired his younger brother so much that he changed his name so it wouldn’t be a burden to him anymore. I think that’s how he would have met Urokodaki when he was trying to find help and became friends with him. He created his own breathing technique along with his brother.

Douma: The Ice Pillar. He is pretty much kinda like Shinobu in this AU. He still uses his fans and they’re sharp enough to kill demons. Douma runs the Enternal Paradise still, which replaces the Butterfly Mansion in this AU. He plays off on having emotions, where in reality, he can’t really feel them and just tries to play them off. Nezuko spots this and explains why he’s lying about his emotions is because he was pushed to become a cult leader by his parents, since he had rainbow eyes, which they believed were special. Some time after he became a Hashira, he found Gyuutaro and Ume/Daki wandering together. Douma takes them in and offers them to become demon slayers and hopes they can become hashira. He tries being friends with Akaza, but he hates Douma.

Akaza/Hakuji: The Muscle Hashira(?). As I said earlier, he’s married to Koyuki! He became a demon slayer to protect the people he cared about, after he lost his father. He went on the streets and Keizo took him into his dojo, where Akaza(Hakuji at the time) met Koyuki. In the dojo next door, the person sent Koyuki out, which gave her an asthma attack. Hakuji came running towards her aid and brought her inside, saving her life. Eventually, they got engaged and married. Hakuji changed his name to Akaza and started his new life as a demon slayer and a husband. He promised to protect anyone and put others before himself. Nezuko admired his ability to protect others and asked a lot of questions in the train. Akaza despises Douma because of his personality and how he is always bothering woman (because of the cult thing). I think he uses clubs to beat up demons so they can’t regenerate fast enough.

Hantengu: The Emotion Pillar(?): So I struggled with him ;-;. I think his emotions are like his personalities and he’s switching between them left and right. He really only spends time with Gyokko, who always treats him like a friend. I think he lived a harsh life with people constantly taunting him of his personalities, which made him very worried all the time. Muzan came in and saved Hantengu and asked him if he was willing to become a demon slayer, which he accepted. I think his weapon would be a spear that’s able to distract demons and uses a dagger as a last line of defense (?). He his the oldest out of all the hashira. (Like I said, I had a hard time with him).

Nakime: The Music Hashira. She is pretty distant from the other hashira. Rarely interacting with the others and keeping to herself. I think I’ll have it where she’s probably only close with Ume since they’re the only girls. She still has her biwa and plays it during the hashira meetings whenever Muzan isn’t here yet XD. So for Nakime’s backstory, she had an incident with her eyes and his made her blind, so she hides her eyes with her hair. I think someone or one of her family members were jealous and scarred her eyes and made her blind. Muzan came in and took her in. Nakime plays her biwa against demons to make them confused and when her chance is right, she cuts their head off with a katana she has (she uses her senses to find her way around)(?).

Gyokko: The Fish Hashira. I also struggled with him ;—; (not as much as Hantengu tho). So he wears a mask that have mouths in front of them that covers his eyes. He does because he says it’s a work of art✨. He calls himself an artist and loves it when people give him inspiration. Maybe in Gyokko’s past, he was rejected for his art, and people called his work “ugly.” He ran away and took all of his art and had nowhere to go to, until Muzan showed up and helped him. He admired the Kamado siblings and their bond together that it gave him some inspiration to do art on them. He creates pots and paints on them. Gyokko is pretty close with Hantengu, as he admires Gyokko’s art and that it makes him calm.

Daki/Ume: The Ribbon Hashira. HONESTLY ONE OF MY FAVORITES SORRY! So Daki is Gyuutaro’s younger sister and she’s the youngest out of all the Hashira. In this AU, she’s 13 since in the wiki, it says she was canonically 13 when she became a demon, but in the Kimetsu Academy thing, it states she’s 16 (I NEED A CONFORMATION AGE-). Daki and Gyutaro were born in the lowest caste of the Red Light District. She took the them Ume to Daki because of her birth mother dying and she had the same name. She shared a close bond with her brother Gyutaro, who promised to watch over her. One day, Daki fought back and stabbed one of her customers in the eye and was getting ready to be thrown into a ditch to die. Luckily, Gyutaro came back in time and saved his sister by stabbing the man trying to drag her into the ditch. The two then began wandering all over, until they met Douma and he took both the siblings in. Daki looked up to Douma as a father-figure.

Gyutaro: The Blood Hashira. He’s Daki’s older brother. Gyutaro describes her as his “pride and joy” because Daki was the only one that he really cared about. He was called “ugly” around the district by people because of his birthmark and they way he looked. Eventually became a collector for Daki once she was in training to become an Orian. After he finished collecting, he witnessed Daki being dragged against her will to a ditch, where she would be burned. Gyutaro quickly rushed over to Daki and kocnked out the person dragged her. They both ran away together and Gyutaro cared Daki on his back all the time. Like I said with Daki, they met Douma and took them in to become demon slayers. He always thanked Douma for all he did, even if Douma didn’t know how to process it. Admires the Kamado sibling’s bond and was a little jealous at first because they lived a life that he wanted for him and his younger sister.

Kaigaku: The Thunder Hashira(?). So Kaigaku has Marechi in this AU because he tried to prove to everyone that Tanjiro couldn’t be trusted. He get irritated easily and is a bit of a hot-head. One of the newer Hashira. Kaigaku knew Zenitsu (who’s a demon in this AU) and pretty much trastee and bullied him like in the manga and anime. He became regretful of his past actions towards Zenitsu and hoped that he could meet him again and apologize for all the things he said. Zenitsu however, got turned into a demon by Shinobu and took the place of Upper Moon 6 during the infinity fortress arc. I want to try and make it where he meets Gyomei too but we’ll see.

—🌹—

Anyways, that’s all for now. Next descriptions are the Upper/Lower Moons and Kagaya

[404pennamenotfound]

A Real Thanksgiving

Your hands were balled into fists in your coat pockets, anxiety gnawing away in your gut as your boots cautiously stepped into the snowy path that lead to the front door. Chris’ arm was looped into yours as he walked beside you. His warmth pressed against your side as he chatted along, his breath coming out in puffs with every word he spoke. You tried to listen but were struggling. Thanksgiving was a bitter memory for you and you were anxious about being introduced to the entire family, all at once (save for the friendly younger brother, whom you met in LA a few months prior).

You had not had good experiences with your family during Thanksgiving. It always started out as joyful; the chance to see relatives you enjoyed, partake in a meal made by the loving hands of your mother, be enlightened by the festivities brought on by the holiday season. And every year it all came crashing down. It was more than meeting the Evans family that had you nervous. It was the hauntings of thanksgiving’s past that had your flight instincts kicking in.

Chris came to a sudden haunt before the front door. He brought his warm hands to your frozen cheeks in a loving grasp before looking into your eyes with his.

“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, love.” He spoke honestly, all week he’d asked if you were sure. He didn’t want you to feel pressured into anything. He knew the complications that went hand-in-hand with holidays growing up in your family. He knew every dirty secret; and not once had he judged you or your family over them. You were grateful for his understanding and thought off and on about bailing.

But not anymore. You thought to yourself. No, you were tired of running from the past. It was time to get past your insecurities and regrets and start anew.

“I want to.” You urged with a smile before taking a collective breath and forcing the door open. You kicked the loose snow off your boots before continuing inside, Chris trailing behind.

Chris called out to his mother as he removed his coat before helping you with yours. He had just turned to hang them on a nearby hook when 3 little heads came barreling into the entryway.

“Uncle Chris!” They cheered. You backed up to watch as they tackled him in a sea of hugs, begging to be picked up. His laugh rang clear over their begs as his arms circled all 3, pulling them into a hug. An older woman you recognized from pictures to be Lisa, his mother, joined the commotion in the small space. Her eyes reached yours and sparked in recognition. Her smile brightened as she sidestepped the 4 embracing and came to your side.

“Y/N, I’m so glad you joined us! It’s a pleasure to be hosting you dear. Oh my, Christopher, you were right about those eyes!” She gushed as she pulled you into an embrace. You were surprised by the action as well as the compliment. You eyed Chris over her shoulder. He was watching with a grin and sent a wink your way as he untangled the children’s limps from his large frame and rose to his feet. The children were called for and scrambled into the next room. You blushed before pulling back and watching as his mother turned to take in her oldest son.

“Like gemstones, indeed.” She finished before tugging him into a tight hug. He chuckled as his arms encircled her. She gave his back a light scratch as she pulled back slowly, taking in the slightly rugged sight before her.

Chris hadn’t shaved, his beard was full and neat; his hair messy from your fingers raking through it to tease him. You had begged him to grow it out like it had been for his movie, The Read Sea Diving Resort. He only rolled his eyes playfully in response. The lack of a haircut made you feel like you had won him over on the idea. The slightly long locks grazed at a cream sweater that clung to his muscular frame, leading your eyes down to his black dress pants that hugged his thighs just right and stopped in a straight leg to his winter boots. You looked back up from your ogling to see that both mother and son caught you staring. Your blush deepened to crimson.

“...brought an apple pie. I remembered you saying Y/N loved apple pie?” Lisa asked, looking to you to confirm. You smiled in return, touched she remembered.

“Yes, one of my favorites!” You chimed in. Lisa smiled triumphantly before leading the way into the living room. As you rounded the doorway you stopped suddenly at the amount of people in the space.

Men, women and children of all ages milled about. The game was on, appetizers littered the coffee table, men were bickering about the plays, women sat playing games and story telling whilst children zipped from one end of the room to the other. You were overwhelmed at the sight.

“Breathe, honey. Breathe.” Chris whispered in your ear as he took your hand in his and lead you through the clusters of family. He gave out a few greetings along the way, not stopping until he reached the kitchen. Your mind flashed back to your last holiday home. You hoped his family would be welcoming to a stranger.

Those thoughts soon left your mind as you entered the kitchen behind Chris. Your mouth watered at the scents and sights before you. Chris walked over to a platter of vegetables and plucked broccoli from it, popping it into his mouth as he reached for a carrot and turned to you.

“Half of them will be gone before we even get to dinner. They like mama’s television more than their own.” You laughed at the ridiculousness of the statement before selecting a slice of fruit from a nearby tray. “There should only be thirty, tops. I promise.” He assures you more seriously. You nod as you nibble lightly, not wanting to eat much on a still nervous stomach.

“Y/N, thank god. I need your assistance.” Scott’s voice calls as he enters the kitchen. He turns to the refrigerator and opens it, pulling out a large bowl and handing it off to you. He then took out a glass bowl out and slammed the door shut. You watch as he sets the glass bowl down on the countertop, turning to you with a grin.

“What am I assisting with?” You inquire, stepping forward as Lisa enters the room, rolling up her sleeves as she heads for the sink.

“We’re gonna make somethin’ saucy.” He winks. You laugh out loud at his insinuating tone, looking to Chris who is raiding a foil covered pan.

“Let’s do it.” You chirp, stepping beside him to get started. You hear Lisa yelling at Chris to help before he eats anymore. Just like that friendly chatter starts. Chris soon bails in favor of the game, but not before checking you’ll be alright. You encouraged him to go enjoy the game, you knew he loved football.

You found that his mother is a skilled cook, she taught you some new tricks about cooking whilst she inquired about you and your interests. You discovered you both enjoyed similar hobbies and soon felt at ease with her, like you’d known her for years.

What you thought was a joke turned out to be true; a few people did leave when they saw the game was headed in a disappointing direction. Those who remained gathered in the dining room, then set and ready for a feast. You sat between Chris and Shanna and fell into a comfortable flow of conversation and laughter. All anxiety melted away before dessert was even served. True to her word, Lisa brought out a pie baked by Carly. The apples were perfect; neither too soft nor too firm. The crust was perfectly flaky. It even had a caramel sauce. You were in love.

“Enjoying your pie?” Chris teased between bites of his own pumpkin pie. You moaned out in response before leaning over to whisper in his ear.

“This pie may be better than an orgasm.” You whispered teasingly as you licked caramel sauce from your bottom lip. Chris’ eyes followed the action before turning back to his plate. “Oh, sure.” He mumbleed disbelievingly. You giggled.

As you made your way back to Chris’ house later that night, you compared the welcoming environment you received to the memories of your childhood. You realized all the falsehoods in your thinking of what holidays and family meant. It’s not always hostility and judgement. It is possible for a family to have troubles and still enjoy their company. There can be joy and laughter. You can have the holiday spirit and look forward to this time of year. You finally felt you could let go and not worry.

“Mom really liked you. She wants to invite you for Christmas too.” Chris piped up from behind the wheel as he cautiously navigated the snowy Massachusetts streets. You let a pleased smile show.

“I’d love to.” You agreed before leaning over to place a kiss to his cheek.

“What was that for?” He asked, looking to you with a pleased grin.

“For sharing your family with me, and showing me what a real thanksgiving is.” You replied.

[syms-things-5]

Clear The Area - Chapter Two

Previous chapter HERE

Warning: Not explicit (yet); some mild language. 

Summary: 29-year-old nurse Sarah Bernette has worked hard to get where she is. Moving to Boston from a nowhere dump of a town, she’s studied hard and is grateful her stress is finally paying off. Despite being fostered repeatedly throughout her childhood, she’s since found some comfort in the form of her adopted parents, Jocelyn and Noah, and a pseudo-adoptive family of sorts in form of the Evans clan who have treated her as one of her own ever since she moved in with best friend, Shanna. Valuing them above all else, she appreciates their support even more when her long lost birth mother decides to reappear in her life after so many years, and is surprised to find out just how supportive Chris is in particular. As she struggles to maintain a firm grip on both her professional and private lives, she finds an ill-advised solace in her growing mutual attraction with him but how long before everything unravels and threatens to pull the rug out from underneath her?

Note: I apologise for my spelling/grammar errors. 

CHAPTER TWO

Sarah made very little effort to more that day. On occasion, and as often as she could, she preferred the relative safety of a self-made cocoon, with the excessive amount of pillows and duvet lying across her as she lounged on her bed, her wavy brunette locks in a messy bun. The alternative was a run followed by trash television (also one of her favourite guilty pleasures on a day like today) but both of those would have required her to get up and she didn’t feel like that just now. Even her phone telling her it was after one o’clock in the afternoon was enough to shame her into moving. The bedroom windows were as wide open as possible as was necessary for this time of year, and she slipped both feet out from under the covers to let the warm breeze caress her skin and envelope her space, calming her completely.

She must have fallen asleep quite early last night. Shan and Chris had left around 7p to head to their mom’s house, leaving Sarah to indulge in a much-needed shower before making her world-famous grilled cheese with as much as she could physically pack under the grill. She fell into a carb-induced come soon after.

When she woke, Shan had been making various noises around the flat, slamming a couple of drawers here and there before retiring to sleep. Sarah was too tired to check in on her to make sure everything was OK. Shan would no doubt fill her in when she saw her the next morning and they would inevitably catch up on each other’s gossip for the first time that week. Sarah had been working longer hours lately but as always, the first 20 minutes of the every morning was reserved for “Shan Time”; just listening to her vent for a little while. She never minded so much. It meant she didn’t have to pay attention to her own thoughts.

Today, though, she had a full 24 hours of freedom and was intending to make no effort whatsoever to move from her self-imposed exile. She had no plans; a rare treat for herself to do absolutely nothing.

Her laptop was open with numerous tabs keeping her entertained. She checked Facebook, spent 15 minutes on a Buzzfeed article about puppies, then read CNN. Always in that order on a day off. At some point, she’d stumbled upon a gossip article about Chris and Jenny and, against her better judgement, scanned the details. According to a “source”, it was lust at first sight. The pair of them hung out a lot at his apartment where he would hold his famous game nights - that detail she could 100% believe - and soon after she stopped her husband’s weekly visits to set. Her husband seemed quite nice actually, very non-threatening in his appearance, almost dorky, the complete opposite of Chris she realised which seemed a bit dubious. Indeed, Jenny herself appeared to be the complete opposite of who Chris usually pursued. She seemed nice enough, though, and an up-and-coming name in the comedy world. He mentioned her once or twice on the random weekends he would fly back to Boston for some down time during production. She was funny and outspoken. She was quirky too, both physically and intellectually. Sarah thought they might get along if they were to ever have the chance to meet in person. Nevertheless, she had picked up on a lot of insider knowledge thanks to knowing Chris over the years and could spot clickbait a mile away.

“I’m not so sure, y’know,” Sarah jumped as Shan climbed onto her bed behind her with a plate of toast and a fresh coffee in hand. She felt embarrassed to have been caught reading gossip about her brother but Shan seemed nonplussed. “About her. I reckon something happened and he’s burying his head in the sand about it.”

“Did he talk about her last night?”

“No, not really. Mom pushed it a few times and he got annoyed and left. Scott went after him, I think.” Shan seemed relatively blase about the whole thing as she sat cross-legged, munching on her toast. Sarah stole a mouthful of her coffee and closed the laptop, flinching at how sweet she liked it. “This is exactly what he does. He messes around and then doesn’t stick around long enough to deal with the consequences. He’s probably fucked up her relationship for good.”

“You don’t know that for sure.”

“Oh, believe me. It’s textbook for him. He just does whatever he wants to do.” She finished her toast and took her mug back from Sarah. “What was your letter about?”

Sarah’s attention was quickly drawn towards her dresser table and to the brown envelope she’d forgotten about, currently sitting there unopened. She couldn’t bring herself to read its contents last night with how tired she felt and she was good at ignoring things when she wanted to. It was an exceptional talent of hers. 

“I haven’t looked yet.” She admitted. “I just have this...feeling nothing good’s gonna come of it.”

“Shan’s heart pinched for her friend. “Do you think it’s that lady again?”

“i don’t know. Maybe. I thought she would have given up by now but maybe she’s gone via the courts. I was reading about it online and apparently, they can request legal assistance when tracking down a child. Regardless of what the child wants. Can you believe that?”

She could. Shanna had found herself in a similar predicament some years earlier. Indeed, when they first met, their mutual experiences had been something of a conversation point and there followed many, many late nights talking until the small hours, drinking wine and putting the world to rights. It was the first time in her life Sarah had reached some sense of resolution and understanding about the whole thing.

It wasn’t common knowledge but Shan’s birth mother had contacted her a couple of years earlier via some handwritten letters and a few photographs. Turns out her parents had been childhood sweethearts who fell pregnant and ultimately decided they couldn’t raise the child together. There was also an allusion to some religious reason as well but Shan wasn’t altogether interested by that point. She recognised how unbelievably lucky she had been and didn’t want to rock the boar for something that may or may not make her life extra complicated. Sarah also sensed Lisa was struggling a bit with the contact as well although, outwardly, she was supportive of whatever decision Shanna decided to make. Chris and Scott on the other hand? Well, they were not pulling any punches. Chris in particular took the view it was some pathetic attempt to absolve themselves of guilt.

“Do you want me to open it?” Shan offered bringing Sarah back into the room. In all honesty, Shan would have done a lot more. She would have called up the Adoption Agency herself pretending to be Sarah and telling them in no uncertain terms where to stick it if she’d asked her to. It was one of Sarah’s favourite things about her; her unwavering loyalty to the people she loved the most. Act first, ask questions later. When she’d first met Carly, the oldest Evans’ child, she’d pulled her to one side and said “You’re stuck now”. She hadn’t looked back since.

Sarah pondered the letter before getting out of bed and collecting it from the table. She looked it over once more before opening the seam. It felt thicker than yesterday and there was definitely some kind of booklet enclosed. Just as she was about to pull the contents out, however, the front door slammed shut.

“Oh fuck. Sorry. I got annoyed with Chris always ringing the goddamn doorbell all the time so I just gave him the spare key, “ she remembered, quickly sliding off her bed and dashing out of the room. Sarah was going to follow her, another few minutes wasn’t going to make much difference. Then, just as she pulled the letter out a few extra centimetres, curiosity got the better of her. There, in black and white, was the name of biological mother: Charlotte.

Charlotte.

It didn’t sound like an older woman’s name to her. You know how some names have connotations of responsibility and authority and wisdom, and ‘Charlotte’ didn’t seem like one of them. It wasn’t a ‘Joanne’ or a ‘Susan’ or even a ‘Lisa’ now thought about it. Those names provoked feelings of comfort and reassurance. ‘Charlotte’ was the name of a twenty-something pretty blonde who had thousands of followers on Instagram and zero obligations. ‘Charlotte’ drove a swanky soft-top her father bought for her 21st birthday.

She was probably being petulant while staving off thoughts of Charlotte having been a teenage mother who couldn’t face the pressure of raising a child at such a young age. What if she herself had lived a troubled life and something bad had happened to her and she suddenly found herself bereft with a new born baby girl clinging to life in her arms? Or, like Shan’s mother, had some overbearing ogre of a grandmother shadowing her and telling her she would go to hell for having sex out of wedlock? Maybe she had been forced in some way to give her up outside of her control. Suddenly, Charlotte seemed like she could do with her sympathy.

Shan reappeared in Sarah’s doorway and paused before speaking noticing Sarah had the letter open in her hands. She gave her a sympathetic smile.

“Um Chris is here with some beers and stuff. I think Scott is coming over to watch a movie. I haven’t said anything about... you know...” She nodded towards the letter. Sarah smiled back at her but didn’t want to give away much more.

“Sure. I could do with a drink.”

*

A few hours had passed and they had been lying around the flat drinking beers and shouting at Iron Chef, Shan’s favourite lazy day programme. Scott had arrived not long after Chris but dipped in and out to have phone arguments with his boyfriend, Zach. Zach was his first boyfriend in some time that was considerably younger than him but seemed to fit in well with the family. It was perhaps fair to say that Chris was slightly less tolerant of him and possibly wary of any new figure in their lives given how much more visible he had become now that he was a living and breathing embodiment of a superhero. That said, Zach seemed nice and cute and funny, and Scott was clearly crazy about him and had been since Day One.

“Trouble in paradise.” quipped Chris as he walked into the kitchen. The front door was slightly ajar with Scott on the outside of the apartment, pacing up and down the hallway. Sarah had been washing up and wiping down the surfaces following dinner. Chris leaned back against the countertop next to her. “I don’t know why they insist on arguing so much. It’s just flogging a dead horse at this point.”

“He likes him a lot. When you like someone, you make it work not matter how hard things get.” she shoved him to move over a little so she could grab the sponge from behind where he was stood.

“No, you don’t. You ignore their calls and texts until they get the message. If not, you leave the country.” He smirked. Sarah shook her head in disbelief, chuckling, wondering if perhaps he was only half kidding.

“Do you think they’re getting anywhere?” he asked. She knew he was concerned deep down. He couldn’t help himself.

“I’m not sure to be honest. I’ve heard “you’re not listening to me” about seven times.”

Chris winced, folding his arms. They were both now staring at the front door when Scott suddenly returned. Without thinking, they tried their best to look as though they hadn’t just been eaves-dropping on his conversation. Chris reached for the spray, almost performing a full circle in panic. “So, I should just wipe this and then we’re done?”

Scott threw up his arms. “Oh pur-lease you guys. You don’t have to pretend that you couldn’t hear that. I know how loud I was talking.” 

“We weren’t listening!” Chris protested, feighing astonishment.

“You’re holding cleaning products, bro. You’re normally about as useful around the house as a wooden frying pan.”

The kitchen fell quiet as soon as Scott has walked back into the living room. Sarah wished she could have snapped a picture of the stunned look on Chris’ face right at that moment as he stood holding the Jif. He turned to look at her, offended.

“I clean.” he objected.

“are you trying to convince me or yourself?” she avoided eye contact, giggling to herself. She could feel the mock annoyance radiating off him as he stood to the side of her eyeline waiting for her to move. They could be here for some time. He resorted to spraying her hair.

“Hey! That was uncalled for!”

“I’m gonna tell mom you’re bullying me again.” He put the spray down and flashed her an eyebrow raise. She didn’t know why but she felt a blush cover her skin in that moment as he whispered almost intimidatingly close to her ear, “You missed a spot by the way.”

“What?! Where?” She jumped and he laughed out loud. Realising he had been kidding, she threw him a glare and the dishcloth. “If you’re not going to help you can get out of my kitchen.”

“Oh my god that was too easy! Seriously, Sarah, lighten up. It’s only gonna get messy again in a few hours.” He playfully attempted to grab the sponge from her hand but she held it aloft to one side out of his reach. He enjoyed messing with her. It was something he did when there wasn’t a lot else going on and she recognised this, fearing this was going to be the new norm for her now he was practically living here. She’d have to put the lock back on the bathroom door for sure. “Do you think you’ll be retiring to you bachelor pad anytime soon? Some of us have to get up early in the morning.”

His face lost its boyish glee in that moment and she felt like she had kicked a puppy. He picked the dishcloth back up and proceeded to dry a few plates, placing them in a neat pile to one side. He peeked at her from the corner of his eye.

“How about I repay you with beer and household chores?”

*

Next Chapter HERE