#hes a forest fire and hes in the valley watching it because he cant fucking admit hes the problem so he just makes more of them because its–

[tojigasm]

Oh.

[xgryffinwhore]

september nights

request:  i was wondering if you could write another soft bill smut? i don’t really have a specific plot in mind, we’re just really lacking content on tumblr rn :( in some really precarious place where they don’t want to get caught

warnings: soft smut, like i mean very soft.

word count: 2118

before your lips met bill denbrough’s, love was always, to say the least, a conundrum. lets be real for second, boys wasted your time, and you let them. only the cute ones of course. you are a hopeless romantic, drunk off of molly ringwald and john travolta films. you wanted any relationship you had to be just like the movies.

through your heart breaks, your best friends stood by you, your losers. eddie, richie, bev, stan, ben, and bill. for each tear you shed a punch was thrown to the man who caused it, they were protective over you. bill the most though, he always got so defensive when you were in the mix. all throughout middle & high school, bill has had to deal with every guy who even dares to think about breaking your heart.

“its not fair bill” you wailed into your pillow. he stroked your back and hushed you, his eyes welling with tears. “im never fucking good enough for any guy and its so fucking sad!” your complaints being cut off mid sentence by a choked out cry. “y-y/n. all of y-your boyfriend are i-idiots. anyone w-who would d-d-do this to you isnt w-worth your t-time. anyone w-would be the luckiest in the w-world to have y-you in their life” you picked your head up and looked at him with swollen lips and blood shot eyes “there no one out there for me bill, no one.” 

he bit his lip, fighting back any tears dripping from his eyes “they j-just dont see how p-pretty you are. how g-gentle and caring and s-s-sweet, and h-how your face c-can light up any room. theyre f-fucking idiots, and you d-deserve m-more.” you clearly thought he was being nice, because you could take a MOTHER FUCKING GOD DAMN hint, so you replied “i wish there was someone out there like you, for me, that thinks of me the way you do.” 

he furrowed his brows, tossing his head back and running his fingers furiously through his hair. “d-dammit y/n!” he cursed “cant you s-see what ive b-been trying to say? w-w-what ive been t-trying to say f-for the last f-five years!?!” your expression was bewildered, your brain was going a mile a minute trying to figure out what he meant. his frustration got the best of him, he got up and stormed out the door,  feeling embarrassed and stupid for trying to make you understand how he felt.

he was half way out your front door, fuming for his keys lodged deep into his front pocket; when suddenly:

“bill!”

his head turned at the call of his name, “y-y/n please i d-”

smack.

your lips locked with his, he rain pouring heavily outside. bills lips stilled at the contact, but this lasted briefly, he deepened this kiss by pulling you in to his abdomen by your mid back. your bunched the front of his base ball t shirt with your fists, and he did the same but with your hair.

the rest is basically history.

now six months later, and you couldnt have been happier. bill knew how to treat you, nights out twice a week (you always wanted to pay but bill insisted,) holding your hand to and from classes, he let you borrow have his varsity baseball jacket, which smelt just like him and was a little too big for you. 

when he would drop you off and your classes, he would always grab your hand and transfer a tiny piece of paper into your palm. when you got into class to unfold it, it was always a cute little message about his love for you. 

bill had it bad for you, everyone knew that, and you loved every minute of it. he met every and any standard you had, and exceeded your expectations. 

it was september, still warm enough in derry to wear shorts, so you and your friends thought of a last hurrah for the ending of the summery weather.

“camp out, its nearly perfect” Richie exclaimed. eddie rolled his eyes “like youve ever been near anything perfect toizer, do you even know what perfect means?” richie shoved eddie “yeah eddie i actually have. have you seen amanda’s tits?”

 you tuned out richie and eddies bickering as you’re boyfriend cleared his throat. “you g-gonna go?” he said into your ear, “only if you promise to wear bug spray bill, you know how bad-” he cut you off with a kiss, his mouth forming a small smile at how cute you were. “get a room, honestly” stan poked, pda wasn’t his favorite... “at least i h-have something to k-kiss aye s-stannie”

you arrived at the edge of the forest, parking your car at the last parking ish space. you walked toward the sounds of ben and richie fighting, and came to see that richie really went all out. three tents, sticks for a fire, and more snacks than anyone needed. 

you all spent the remanence of the daylight dancing in the light sky, sharing stories, and eating waaaay too many chips. it was dark now, you all huddled in a circle near the fire; making small talk and trying not to admit you were all very tired.

“ok folks, im off to bed” richie yawned “me stan eddie n’ mike will take the green tent, bev and ben in the red.” richie paused and smirked over at you and bill, you were tangled in his limbs, golfed in his navy blue pull over. “and uh- heh- billy boy and y/n in the yellow tent eh?” you could practically feel bills eye roll, god richie was so immature.

“w-we dont have to s-sleep in the s-s-same tent, i c-can ask ben if he’d s-switch” you look up at bill and reassure him “bill no- its not a big deal, right?” he tucks your hair behind your ear and kisses the side of your temple “c-course not.”

you both went into the tent, bill began to unroll the blankets you both had packed tightly into your bags. You both set up your makeshift bed, bill leaned against a pile of pillows while you hugged his side, your face buried in his neck. his smell was absolutely intoxicating; his skin had remanence of his milk and honey body wash, but it was slightly overpowered by wintergreen, clove, and his bourbon cologne. 

you were like this for around an hour, the orange crank-powered lantern being the only source of light. you switch positions though, you now laid your head on his lap, reading a magazine you stole from the hair salon. he watched your eyes scan every letter, when you read something funny you’d huff to yourself, and when something was intresting you stuck your tongue out from between your teeth. he adored you.

“d-dont stay up t-too late” he stroked your hair off your shoulder “we have t-to have you w-well r-r-rested.” you sat up from beside him, as he adjusted the pillows and took off his pull over, then his pants. he got under the covers and waited for you.

“nice donut boxers” you laughed. “s-shut up” he blushed and regreted not changing them when he had the chance. you turned around took off your shirt, you were shy about how you looked, but it was just bill. it was just bill. you heard his breath hitch, his eagerness radiating off his body onto yours. the air became tense as you unzipped your pants and threw them to the corner. you turned around, bills pupils growing until you were completely facing him.

“yeah i know. mine are boring” you laugh nervously, brushing your hair behind your ear and getting under the covers next to him. he didnt respond, he couldnt take his eyes off of you.you began to sit up again “i can go put back on-” “n-no!” he interrupts, his blush taking up his entire face.

“i j-j-just cant b-believe i g-get to see something s-so special” he gulped “s-so b-b-b-beautiful.”

you grabbed him by his shoulders and kissed him, hard. youve been with boys before, i mean youve dated plenty of people. but no one ever called your body special. hot, yeah. nice, yeah. beautiful, sure. but no one ever thought that it was special. 

bill was a kind boy, the most you two have ever done is get each other off with your hands, always clothed. bill never asked to see more, he felt lucky enough just to make you feel good, and that was enough for him. so when you felt the heat of his hands hovering over your body but not touching it, you new you’d have to call the shots tonight.

“bill,” you laid down “just touch me everywhere, please.” he crawled in between your legs, kneeling so that he could lean over your face “m-my pleasure.”

he traced your collar, leaving small, delicate, kisses to make up for what his fingers left behind as they trailed. he kissed the valley between your breasts, licking slow striped down your skin. he picked up your upper back a little and cocked his head to the side, you nodded and he unclipped your bra. he sat their with his mouth open, taking in the view. you blushed and muttered “hey, keep that mouth to good use.” he dipped down and sucked on your nipples, his mouth felt so good against your skin grazed with goosebumps. he was gingerly with his tongue, it was sexy, it was romantic. he kissed down your stomach, his fingers sweeping down your sides. you could see his member pressing against his boxers, the pressure made him wince every once in a while. his fingers met your panties and he hooked them. again, he looked up for permission, you nodded once again. 

he brought your underwear down your legs and off, looking back to see what he had relieved. he licked his lips, getting ready to please you more than he already did. but you felt bad, bill always gave gave and gave. “its ok, im ready right now.” bill looked up at you in shock, he wasnt expecting you’d want to go all the way. “y/n, y-youre sure?” you lean up and kiss his lips, swiping your tongue against his bottom lip “please.”

he pulled down his boxers eagerly, his member sprung out to hit his stomach. he lined up with you, checking once more that it was ok. then he pushed in, bottoming out. he felt bigger than you thought, of course he was well endowed, but he filled you up so well. you mewled, the pain and pleasure making a delicious feeling that made your toes curl.

he waited, but began slowly moving after a bit. he grunted, feeling you wrapped around him was something he’d never be able to get out of his head he thought to himself. he grunted “f-fuck this feels g-good’ he grunted, his breath becoming heavy and full of lust. with every stroke, you felt yourself get more and more lost in the bliss he made you feel. “youre making me feel so good  bill” you moan, the sound of his name coming out of your mouth driving him absolutely crazy. he speeds up, loving the view of your face contorting in pleasure and your body moving with his. 

he couldnt help but feel admiration to you, your hair formed a halo around your head, and the sweat that coated your skin made you glisten in the orange light. “im t-the luckiest in the world” he husks, holding your cheek. 

you felt the knot in your core coming undone, “bill im close” you strain, trying not to be too loud so you dont wake your friends. he moved your leg up to his shoulder, hitting you from a different, deeper angle. his fingers went to your clit, making you bite your had to stop you from screaming. “you l-look so p-pretty y/n, t-taking me s-so well. making y-you feel so good.” “so good bill” you repeat, drunken off his cock and fingers. 

without warning, you came came, your legs spazzing as you moaned “fuck bill” he followed, his hips stuttering, as he cried out into your shoulder. he pulled out and laid next to you, both of you breathing heavily and coming off your highs. 

“y/n” he looked at you “t-that was really j-just wow- thank y-you.” you kissed him, chaste and sweet “that was great yeah?” “it w-was perfect babe. t-thank you f-for t-that. i love you y-y/n.”

“i love you too bill.”

he sat up, his fingers dancing on your inner thigh.

“y/n?”

“yeah?”

“c-can we p-please do t-that again?”

[ramblesofajester]

whispers of a witch (chap1/?

this is just a self indulgent fic for me to write when I feel like shit and yes it will have nsfw

info: they/them, curvy body, glasses, anxiety.

The cool wind sweep past your cheek as you squat down, fingers numbing and turning blue from the constant foraging across the forest floor to fine the herbs you require, its late winter and you have just run out of several herbs you use quite frequently for personal use and when healing the villagers. of course as always there is a catch when you need to get something done. one, you where delivering a baby a good portion of the day, then doing your normal round with the villagers, so soon night is to fall, two the Lycians have been testing there luck with the village borders as of resent, three the only place those herbs are left growing are near Heisenberg's land due to you harvesting all the more accessible ones previously. and just to top it all of duke wouldn't be able to gather a shipment until the next new moon, that being two weeks away so here you are right before dusk cut plants with frozen fingers outside of a missive chain-link fence in the middle of the woods. Gazing around, you are in a small clearing, the village is about a mile, mile and a half to the south west of here. the factory's smoke stacks just visible over the tree line. Sighing you focus on the task at hand, slowly griping the base of the plant you say thanks to the earth and pull it up root and all, listening to the birds as there song slowly drifted thru the trees. standing up you, make your way over to the next bushel of plants emerging from the thin coat of snow. suddenly all the brides stop singing setting off of several alarms in your brain knowing its wasn't you who disturbed them wiping around, franticly looking you hear and see movement all around you just out of sight in the brush you cant tell what it is. assuming it to be Lycians or and angry bear or even a stray ghoul from the castle grounds. garbing the dagger from your boot you crouch down to an defensive position slowly making your way toward the path you came from. as you take a step back slowly a few Lycian emerge from the tree line teeth bared eyes holding a burning hunger. a soft gasp leaves your lips if there are this many you know more are soon to follow

"well shit, I couldn't just go and have an easy day now could I?" you ask the Lycians sarcastically not really expecting a reply. a deep chuckle caught you off guard and in your shock you hear the swift shifting of metal. the feeling of cold steel on your ankle stealing your attention from the fast change of gravity as you are hoisted into the air, dangling like a prized fish. attempting to regain your bearings. you look around seeing the Lycian pack now completely surrounding you.

"well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in," standing clear in the path arm outstretched to hold the chain around you feet taking a step further with every word.

"a lost little bunny, who is hoping around where they should not be..." he says in a little tune with mirth in his step. finally stopping right in front of you raising you so your face is level with his shoulders you reach out attempting to swipe at him with you dagger, as soon as you weapon is revealed is ripped from your grasp and now spinning around you and the lord. a large gloved hand grips your face forcing you to look at lord Heisenberg.

"now I cant tell if that was stupidity, or bravery little bunny but I'm guessing you dont know who I am." he speaks with amusement as he examines your face and, forces you to look at him. you stop squirming long enough to stare at the round shades perched on his nose. this being the first time you have seen the lord this close ,its usually only in passing or from the shadows as to not be noticed, but now you have to admit the stubble and scars, the cocky smile, the smell of oil, pine, smoke, and Tabaco is actually not that bad.

"No I know who you are, just really dont care cause I'm a little busy" you immediately wiggle from his grasp and start reaching for the chain around your ankles. a boisterous laughter is released from behind you and suddenly your falling about a meter, back connecting with the ground a large "oof" emanating from you. Rushing to get the chain from around you ankles it fly from your hands. jumping to your feet you face Heisenberg head held high

"oh... you do know me, so it must be stupidity, that must explain why your on my land as well" Heisenberg ponders aloud." so you must either be lost or have a death wish" he says with a chuckle

"nope not lost, just need some of the herbs here and if you live in this village and haven't runaway or offed yourself you have a death wish" you reply flatly brushing the dirt of of yourself as you stand to gather your things. "now" you say turning back to him "my dragger if you'd please" extending you hand cautiously with and expectants look.

"wow, you've got some balls on you" puffing on his cigar "you better watch that attituded bunny" you are suddenly painfully aware of the small pack of hunger Lycian circling you both "and remember who the man in control is" hand still outstretched you snap back with

"listen hear 'lord Heisenbitch' I am sorry for trespassing on you land but I need 7 different herbs and at least 5oz of each, I need them before tomorrow evening, some of them for mother Miranda, as well as a women who just gave birth in the village. Now unless you wish to explain to Miranda why her healer is missing, and her people dead due to illnesses I would like my dagger back and you and your fine fuzzy companions to kindly fuck of." you knew your words where dangerous but at this point in the evening you really didn't give a fling fuck and the shock on Heisenberg's face when he recognizes you almost made it worth it.

"Wait your Miranda's prized witch, oh man this is great, how have you lasted so long, your so small bunny" this just pissed you off more you want your dagger back but he's just so infuriating. your dont have time for this

"Fine, just keep the dagger" you say shoving past him. Growling at the Lycians blocking the path they stay there ground and growl back, only to glance behind you whimper, and slowly back away clearing the path. A chain roughly wraps around you waist spinning you around and pulling you flush against Heisenberg before returning to his trench coat pocket. blowing his smoke in your face he drawls

"wow wow wow, slow you roll peter cotton tail I ain't being stingy, I just wanna talk a little" as he says this he wraps his arm around you waist slipping your dagger back into its sheath leaving his hand to rest on the dip of your hip, the other griping your chin forcing you to look up at him

"Let. Me. Go!" you hiss out never braking your gaze of his glasses

"now what would Miranda think of this, her pet of the leash, not respecting or listening to your lord" he teases not lessening his grip at all

"I dont give a scraggly rats ass, just let me go you bastard!" you spit at him, resaving a chuckle as a reply .

"ohhh I like you bunny, you've got fight not a lot of that left hear any more. but I need something from you darling, so we are gonna take a little walk back to your place, your gonna help me, then ill help you with your little situation how does that sound there bunny?" spinning you around arm still securely on your waist, he starts to walk still puffing on his cigar, quickly you realize you have no choice in the matter. the Lycians slow start to follow you keeping there distance at about 3 meters back this continues for a wile and it might have even been pleasant having company for once on the walk, you if you ignore the hungry Lycians and the fear Heisenberg will get angry or be done with his little game. slowly the forest edge and the village come in to the distances well as a small well worn foot path leading into a thick pine forest near the base of the Benevento valley

"so bunny, which way is it" Heisenberg ask moving his arm up to rest on your shoulders using the other to jester at the path ways.

"This way" you mumble out, gesturing to the pine foot path. now moving forward on you own accord tiered of being user around like a lost child. you dont make it very far seeing as soon as you start to move away he tightens his grip

"ohh come on bunny, no need to get cold feet. your getting something good out of this too, you just chill a little there thumper" he says smirk never leaving his face.

"well it sure as hell dont feel like it, this feels more like a kidnaping only we are headed to my own dwelling" you watch as the pine trees grow thicker with every passing second drawing closer to your burrow. soon a large moon gate covered in rosemary and lavender comes into a view just beyond it several greenhouses small and large soft light emanating from a few

"Now hold up thumper if you have all of these, what were you doing traipsing around by my factory? you weren't trying to get my attention were you?" he jabs at you obviously trying to get a rise out of you.

"What I was looking for I do not grow because it is local and I had a store of some, but it a since been exhausted, lots of sick ones this season." you replied tiredly seeing as dusk has passed a wile ago and you had been called out well before day brake. now you where just too tired to deal with his shenanigans. continuing forward you approach the door and tap the center of the door with the old iron key handing from your neck three times then you insert it into the keyhole and twist it three times to the right and it slowly creeks open. rushing forwards in an attempt to put some distance between the two of you you start to tend to the fire stroking the coals and adding a few logs. while your bussing your self Heisenberg makes himself at home pulling out a chair and throwing his feet on top of the table and popping a new cigar between his lips . Turning to grab your tea pot you see this unfold waltzing over to him and slapping his feet of the table

"That is mahogany" as you say this he goes to protest " no 'lord' Heisenberg you in my domain now no feet on the table" you snatch the cigar from between his lip and toss it into the fireplace "and no smoking in the main room."

"alright, alright," he says holding his arms in the air "one you could have just put it out and handed it back thumper, and second of all watch who your talking to darlin" to this you quickly respond with

"Still dont care" he gives you grunt as a response

"third of all I still have yet to disclose the nature of my visit I need you to look at something for me" and with that he stands up his chest now centimeters from your nose he reaches for his hat and sunglasses setting them on the table, tossing his trench coat on to the chair. your face quickly turning a shade of red dark enough to rival the radishes out in garden as you realize just what he is doing. pulling of his shirt with a wince. Holding his shirt in his hands, you try not to make your gaze obvious, he slowly turns to reveal a large, deep laceration very poorly bandages and clearly in the throes of a terrible infection. you immediately push all other thoughts aside concern taking its place, you recognized this wound, you where present when he resaved it .

flashback

"you stupid man child, you know nothing you should just leave the talking to the adults like a good little boy"

"shut your dame hole you bitch"

they have been going at it for 37 minutes and counting Alcina said something Karl disagrees and so the back and forth begins about 5 minutes ago Karl brought out his hammer and been waving it out in the open. tensions have been rising and your a little worried it is about to get violent. Anggie who had been watching the argument from you lap starts to vibrate with joy sensing the approaching violence.

"ooooooooohhh its aaboutttttt tooo get goooooodddddd!!!" she sings while hoping off your lap to sit closer on donnas lap seeing as you are perched by the back wall behind Miranda. and just as you both had predicted disaster struck.

"you insolent fool." Alcina suddenly cry's, swiping her hand forward as Karl turns his back to her slashing from shoulder to hip. you immediately rush forward, only to be stopped by mother Miranda holding her arm in your path.

"ENOUGH, stop the foolishness NOW!" Miranda's voice ringing out clear through the entire hall "Heisenberg my son, stand," she demands. he slowly makes his way to his feet now facing mother Miranda "your actions have been stupid and reckless as punishment, I shall leave you with this burden to care for. maybe it will teach you how much effort it takes heal rather than destroy. and what if feels like to live with ones mistakes." you hand covers your mouth as you bite your tongue. you may not like Karl that much but he still is not as bad as they say.

end scene

"BY THE GODS, how has this not healed yet!? have you been rubbing dirt in it? I knew this was a stupid lesson. I knew I should have gone against that two faced, false goddess, pretensive ass, bitch and marched my happy ass to that factor. THAT WAS TWO WEEKS AGO, this should have been gone ages ago!!!" you shout while carefully examining the laceration. quickly you pull out the char he was previously siting on out, so he could sit on it with his back to the fire and lean on the back of the chair. grabbing Heisenberg's shoulders you gently shove him into the chair. rushing around you grab several herbs hanging from the ceiling in bundles. then over to the counter you produce a mortar and pestle along with several oils and extracts

"woooow, thumper slow down, slow down," he chides calmly garbing your shoulders, your arms still packed full of items. slowly he starts to set the items on the table. "now I didn't rub dirt in it, but there might be some oil, its not healed because I have no idea how to treat a wound this large. and what's this about Miranda being a bitch and ignoring orders?" as he says this you realized just how bad you have fucked up.

"OH MY GODS, I didn't mean a word of it lord Heisenberg I meant no disrespect please I am so sorry dont tell mother Miran-" you franticly bow keeping your eyes to the floor hoping he would ether spare you make you death quick. while he clearly doesn't like Miranda or her family he was still a part of it.

"hay hay hay thumper calm down your alright. I'm not gonna go all psycho on you, and your secret is safe with me, your not the only one with unsavory views on that bitch Miranda." your slowly look up at him in shock it is widely know that he disagree with the other lords but this is a first. you gingerly make your way over to the table and start to mix together several herbs and flowers. "and thumper just call me Karl" he says with a flirtatious grin, you blush but grinding the herbs into a powder

"only if you stop calling me thumper." slowly adding some drops of oils to the mixture making a thick green salve.

"well I gotta have something to call you bunny" he say grin stretching across his face as you blush even more now

"well my name is (Y/N) ok, now stop" you say while puffing up you cheek in a pout. rushing behind him so he can no longer see your face and you can apply the salve" this is going to sting" not give him tome to proses any thing you said you rip off the bandages and start to carefully apply the salve. a shout bubbles up in his throat the second the salve touches his shoulder

"SON OF A Bitch..." he snarls" maybe a little more warning next time y/n" as soon as he growls out your name you short circuit you hand no simply resting next to his wound "y/n... y/n" he waits a couple of seconds before trying again. "y/n!" jumping a little you come back to reality " you all good back there" Karl questions

"almost done just need to finish this up, then I will apply bandages, and all you need to do is rest for a day or two" as you Finnish saying this you reach for he bandages and gently begin to properly wrap the wound "this is how you properly wrap a wound Karl" you make sure to say first his name. "go all the way around and over and around the shoulder" slowly and carefully placing the bandages showing him the movements and positions. you move around to the front of lightly wrapping his shoulder "dont go to tight when bandaging joints, it increases mobility but not lose enough to move" as you speak solely focused on you task at hand you dont see Karl staring at your face, a look of adoration on his face which he is quick to drop once you turn to him. gently patting his shoulder "now all you need is a lot of rest and a hot meal" smiling you slowly make your way over to the fire removing the teapot and hanging a medium sized cauldron over the fire. turning kettle in hand you see Karl putting on his hat and going to pull his coat on having already put his shirt on

"well thumper its been wonderful but I have to get back to my-" you cut him off taking his coat and hanging it by the door.

"oh no you don't, you need rest and real food, and not to make any assumptions but I doubt you'll get any of those in your factory" as you say this you put the chair back in its normal position swiftly going to a small spare room on the side. grabbing a thick blanket you walk to the table, and drape it over the back of the chair. patting it flat you open your arms and jester to the chair "now please have a seat food will be done shortly" you say with a smile as he just stand there slack jawed at you attempting to boss him around. slowly he take a seat and just watches as you prepare a cup of tea for you both "hear this should help with the pain" you say handing him a large mug that still looked too small in his hand. you turn and head back to the counter and start dicing us vegetables and some fish to put the cauldron.

"thank you" he mumbles quietly watching you dance about the kitchen a soft smile on his face. "so what's your story? you obviously dont like Miranda so why stay and be her little pet healer on her beck and call." Karl jests wanting to know more about you now that he has the chance with out his stupid family there

"well a long time ago I has someone I had to look out for, they needed help I could not provide it, Miranda could. So I made a deal, help her, and ill do as wish. So I comply to keep her safe and happy, if it went for her, I would have sent that false deity to her flaming grave decades ago." you finished cutting the veggies and meat depositing it in the pot, you make your way opposite of Karl at the table and take a seat. slowly sipping your tea. "now I just tend to the villagers for Miranda and visit my belladonna"

"wait who is belladonna" he askes a look of confusion overtaking his features

"my apologies, I mean donna, before Miranda adopted her and gave her her gift she was a sad and lonely child with parents too ill to save, so after her parents passing, I watched over her and loved her as my own" you say a soft smile on your face looking around the room I was the only one she let touch Anggie, she was such a kind child asking so many questions behind closed doors and always eager to learn new skills" you reminisce the old days setting your now empty cup on the table. "but now she's grown and well, and happy, so that is all that matters" you say curtly standing and heading over the the bubbling pot of stew and giving it a stir.

"so wait your telling me you the witch who raised Benevento," Karl spouts astonishment clear in his voice. "One how are you not dead yet? Two that's why you spend so much time in that spooky ass house, and three how come you aren't an old hag you dont look a day over 25?" even in shock this man some how still manages to throw in a flirt. you give a small chuckle.

"well when I struck my deal with Miranda," you make you way over to a tall cabinet and withdraw two wooden bowls and a large ladle ." donna was just become a young adult, so she new what excepting Miranda's gift would entitle, including the prolonged life." returning to the stew and scooping a hefty serving into Karl's bowl and only filling your half way. "after her parents suicided she couldn't handle the loss another parental figure, her words not mine, she refused the treatment unless Miranda changed me as well." hanging the ladle on the wall and carefully turning back to Karl and making your way to him. "I had already had my go at life and helped as many as I could so I agreed not expecting to come out alive," you say calmly sitting down in the seat acres from Karl. "unfortunately my will was to strong so hear I am now, a fail experiment serving out my end of the deal" you give a sarcastic smile and do a little jazz hands as your story comes to a close. Karl is still for moment then burst into a deep laughter, but still alarmed at your willingness to except death.

"I'm sorry bunny I dont mean to be insensitive," he attempts to suppress his chuckles. "you are really the one that raised donna?"

"yes I am I know its a little hard to believe, but yes." you say solemnly feeling a little weird everyone who knew you too be donnas nanny have long since passed.

"no no no, there ain't nothing wrong with that darlin! In fact you did fucking awesome, out of all of us monsters she has the best manners and turned out the best." he says in a panicked tone, afraid he has said something wrong.

"Karl none of you are monsters, and your ok you didn't say anything wrong" you say quickly adding " none of you are monsters! you and the other were forced into the experiments, unlike donna and I. your only a monster when you subject an enter village to a false religion just to slaughter them for her experiments under the name of a sick false family she has not love for!" you say venom and hate for that hag dripping from each word. a stern but caring look on your face as you look rights in his eyes as you say this "you aren't a monster. you where a kid with out a choice, and now you are a man surviving and your doing amazing in your situation." you cautiously grab his hand resting in the table " you are not a monster no mater who has told you that including your self" He pulls back lightly but does not remove your hand from his., allowing you to rub his knuckles.

"but I-" he starts but you dont let him continue

"nope you cant convince me other wise, I'm the village crazy witch I am all knowing and wise." you say in a cherry tone, garbing his hand with both of yours. using one to tap out a small tune on the back of his hand. that nice deep laughter made an appearance again you have to admit its nice to hear him laugh instead of ague with everyone.

"well dame bunny, can't argue with that logic now can I " A large toothy grin takes over his face little crinkles show at the corners of his eyes. shaking his head he gives a chuckle then picks up the bowl of stew and finishing what was left in the bowl in a few gulps. setting the bowl down he asks "shit that hit the spot, can I just take you home with me and have you cook for me every night that some dame good stew" he jokes. laughing a little you finish your bowl, garbing his you stand and bring them to a bucket at the end of the sink.

"no I cant come home with you every day" rinsing the plates before setting them in the bucket you continue. "but you can come over when ever the lantern on the porch is light, if its not I am either in the village with a patient, or visiting donna or Miranda, or foraging. I am a busy witch Karl, just a warning." he chuckles

"ill make a note of that expect me often that shits good." he says pointing at the pot hanging over the small flames.

"well in that case ill put some in jars so you can take it with you when you leave tomorrow" you say off handedly while making your way over to the pot fishing the leftovers out, and putting it in two large mason jars. out of the corner of your eye you see him deflate a little when you when you mention his departure tomorrow. moving over to a wall of cupboard you store the two jars "to night you can take my bed or the cot in the guest room, though I dont know if you'll fit" you say walking over to said door and opening it reveling a small room with a vanity in the back left corner to the left of the door was a small sink and counter with a basin next to it. opposite to that was a small cabinet and in the back right corner a small wooden cot about half the side of the man now standing directly behind you in the doorway. so close, when he took a deep breath you could feel his shirt brush your, and his warm breath fans across your neck. now with bright red face you make you hastily make you way to the cabinet to the right of the door and start to grab a large quilt and a pillow or two. Karl enters the room looking around taking in the new environment and casually making his way over to the cot and taking a seat. you head over to him staring at the blanket hoping that he would not see your face

"thank you, y/n you really could've just sent my packing I really appreciate it I do" he says with a soft smile resting on his scared face, 'it suites him,' you think to your self 'he should smile more.'

"well hear you go this should be think enough it gets pretty chilly in hear and I haven't fixed the heater yet so if you need more there are some in the cabinet you say gesturing to the cabinet with your head. holding the blanket and pillow out for him to take he reaches hands grazing against yours as he takes them from your hands pulling them closer"

"thanks bunny I re-" he is abruptly cut short by a sharp wine of wood under duress followed quickly by a loud snap of the cot braking a the loud thud of Karl's ass hitting the floor. "OH FUCK" Karl was now the one looking up at you. slapping a hand over your mouth to suppress the laughter about to burst from you.

"OH by the gods, are you ok" you say still trying to hold back the onslaught of giggles offering a hand for him to take

"so this is what the weather is like down here" he says jokingly as you hoist him off the ground carful of his shoulder and back. gently slapping his chest

"I'm only a little shorter than you, ya know" you say "but in light of me needing to purchase a new cot from duke, I guess you'll be sleeping in my bed tonight." he gives you a flirty look

"dame thumper if you wanted me in your bed that bad all you had to do was ask not buries my ass first" he says with a deep chuckle.

"I am not tying to get you in my bed" you say panicked face exploding with red. "I wont even be in it with you, and secondly it wasn't that far of a drop so the only thing damage was you ego and my cot obviously. now come follow me please." you say now attempting to lead him out of the room. Karl looks at you as if he was trying to figure something but soon trailing behind you like a lost puppy. you lead him through the main room down a hallway with three doors heading to the furthest down you push open the heavy wooden door. letting Karl enter first you make your way to the bed garbing your favorite pillow and a thick blanket off the bed spread "well she's all yours" you say jokingly waving your arm over the bed as a invitation dont lay on your back or shoulder" you say making your way back to the door arms now full "sleep well." and with at you turn to leave only to be stopped by a hand on your shoulder.

"wait if I'm sleeping here and I just demolished your spare bed where will you be sleeping" he ask concern lacing his voice a he turn you around to face him

"well ill go clean up the old cot and then ill just use some spare blankets as a mattress for the night." you say with out a second thought.

"no no no, I will not let you do that you have done enough for me. I'll just go back to my factory and be out of your hair." your face scrunches up.

"you say that as if I am annoyed by you, but I can assure you, you do not annoy me. next I wont let you leave this hut you need to rest and I need to change those bandages as soon as you wake." you say no room for argument evident in your voice. "and if you have such an issue using my bed but I apologies its the only one, and I wont let you sleep on the floor with that wound." you with finality.

"then I guess well just have too share it. cues I will just jump through a window to go back home" he say with a laugh. you have no idea if he was joking or not. still, gazing up at his face the smirk remained "so" he asks "which will it be will you join me or and I gonna have to practice my long distance sprint." you sigh growing tired with every passing second your long day finally catching up too you. no longer having any energy to argue.

"fine" you huff out walking over to the bed where Karl was I like the right side" climbing in you take a body pillow from the back of the bed putting it in the middle " you better stay on your half of the bed old man" you say climbing back down from the bed and heading a dresser under a large window. you produce a pair of sleep thin pants and a large think white long sleeved shirt. "I need to change so ether steep out or just dont look." to tired to care at this point you look over your shoulder and see him turned away from you sitting on the left side of the bed. replacing your dirty clothe with fresh sleep pants and a oversized top. garbing a spare pair of large sleep pants and shirt before making your way back to the bed, flopping onto it comically ,while tossing the change of clothing on his side of the bed "hear you go, this should fit" he looks down at the articles of clothing.

"well thank you bunny," undoing his belt and changing his pant, completely ignoring the new shirt. "but uhhh I dont think that shirt is gonna work though" he says smirk evident in his voice.

"and why would that be-" you ask confusion clear on you face as you roll over to face him without thinking. face exploding in color as you freeze up, now staring at his bare chest brain loosing any train of thought.

"my eyes are up hear now bunny," he says with a deep chuckle "but please dont let me interrupt your staring. as for why I never sleep with one its confining" smirk never leaving his face, as he lays down on his half of the mattress. quickly you roll over

"I wasn't staring, I zoned out. Just toss the shirt on to the top of the dresser" he gives another chuckle but says nothing. pulling the thick comforter up to you chin due to the chill, reaching over you turn the knob on the lantern smothering the flame. "good night Karl sleep well" you say without a second thought closing your eyes slowly, reality fading out as you hear Karl

"goodnight thumper sleep well" a gentleness to his tone that sends the rest of the way to sleep.

word count: 5884

ps: please forgive my horrid grammar

[midnigtartist]

6. The super long kiss that wasn’t intended

He knows he should be watching the treeline. Sat beside Nott at the front of the cart, Molly knows that he ought to be scanning the tree line for any potential threats to their merry band as they weave their way through the valley. But he just can’t seem to get himself to focus on the slow passing trees as Nein marches southward. His gaze keeps slipping from the road, as he glanced over his shoulder at the wizard curled up in the back of the cart.

As to be expected, he’s got a book propped up in his lap. One of the spellbook he keeps strapped to his side, Molly notes, as he carefully and meticulously sifts through their recent spoils. The faint hum of arcane energy hangs in the air around him. It pricks at the back of Molly’s neck, making the hair there stand on edge and that’s why he’s been so distracted, and certainly not because Caleb looks so darling and content with his task, a small smile curling at the corner of his lips.

No, Molly thinks wryly to himself, it’s certainly nothing to do with that. Not at all.

He swings his legs over the side of the cart bench, earning and disgruntled yelp from Nott as she’s jostled by the movement. Molly ignores this, instead watching Caleb’s, dare he says, giddy smile as the pearl clasped tight in his hand dulls, and he picks up the bracelet he’s been inspecting. Sliding off the bench, Mollymauk seats himself cross legged at the perimeter of Caleb’s pile of spoils, resting his cheek to his fist.

“Anything interesting?”

Caleb starters, but only a little, his head jolting up and eyes blinking as he takes in the new addition to his ring of shiny things. Molly offers him a curling, close mouth smile in lue of a proper greeting.

Caleb nods, pulling at his beard. “Ja, this-” he gestured vaguely over the lot of stuff, a crooked grin on his face. “This ist gut. There is a lot a usefully things here.”

“Almost finished then?” Molly asks.

“Oh yah, I just have to look over these rings for Jester, you know, and then that will be all of it but ahhhh- you have come over here? Is- is there something you need?” the thrill the magic gives him, seems to bear wearing off and Molly can see Caleb slowly receding back into his shell. And that simply won’t do.

He shrugs “Not particularly. This is fascinating, by the way.”

Caleb lowers his gaze to his spellbook. He twiddles and twists the pearl between his fingers and Molly tracks the movement because that’s fascinating too. Caleb’s long fingers rolling the small bead between them is truly something and he can feel the slight flush crawling up his neck.

“You have seen me identify objects before,,,” Caleb mutters.

“And I find it thrilling every time!” he says. He leans forward so his elbows are pressed into his knees. “I think it’s just wonderful, that. How you can learn all of that stuff just from looking at it for a few minutes. It’s very impressive!”

Caleb shrugs, but Molly spies a phantom of a smile touching the corner of his mouth and he finds himself beaming all the wider for it.

“Well you know, there is a bit more to it then that but it is ahhh,, nerd shit.”

“What I’ve learned from traveling with the lot of you terrible people is that nerd shit tends to be the shit that keeps us alive. It’s very useful shit. Don’t sell your shit short Caleb, it’s very good shit! Quality, even.” he says. Somewhere to the right of him, he can hear Jester cackling. He keeps his eyes and his smile trained on Caleb, who’s actually turned a bit to face him.

“Ha ha.” it’s not a laugh, not really. It more just the noise, but it’s so endearing that Molly’s insides squirm with delight at the sound. “I suppose you are right- about that at least.”

“You’d be surprised by how much I’m right about, actually.” Molly says.

This time Caleb does laugh, even if all it is a huff of air. “Mister Mollymauk.”

“Mister Caleb”

The pearl rolls between his thumb and forefinger. “Would you like learn a magic trick? I, you know, I have tried teaching Jester before, and umm, Beauregard but, they don’t, well, they really do not have the patience for this sort of thing.”

He cocks his head to the side. “And you think I do?”

“I have seen you mend your coat.” Caleb says, actually leveling his clear blue gaze on Molly, effectively pinning him in place. “That embroidery is your handy work, hmm? Something like that takes a lot of time.”

Molly draws back so that he’s sitting up straight. “Well as flattering as it is to know you keep eye on me.” Caleb flushes. “-I don’t think I’m quite clever enough to do what it is you do dear.”

Magic, at least, the magic Caleb does, seems to require a lot of reading, and reading has never really agreed with Mollymauk Tealeaf. It makes his eyes hurt and his whole brain revolt against him, can even give him a terrible headache if he forces himself to work at it for too long.

Caleb’s brows draw together, forming deep creases between his eyes. “It is not that hard.” he says.

Molly flashes him a tight smile. “Yes, but I’m not that smart.”

The wizard shuts his spellbook with a forceful snap that makes Molly’s tail jump and curl up behind him. “Come here, Mollymauk.” Caleb says, commands really, Molly thinks with a shiver. “I will not force you, if you do not wish, but do not withhold just because you think that you might not be clever enough. I will be the judge of that.”

“Well when you put it so nicely,,,” Molly says, praying to the Weaver that he sound relatively unaffected by whatever that was. He slides over so that he’s sitting next to Caleb, instead of across from him. “So, what will I be learning then?”

Caleb hesitates, but only for a moment before he opens his book back up, and shuffles over so that Molly can see the pages, balancing it on his knee.

“Something simple, I think.”

“Oh goody.”

Even the creak of the branches in the wind sounds ominous, which Molly thinks is rather ridiculous and painfully cliche. His blade, glowing with a warm, white light, is wrapped up in the tails of his coat to dull it’s radiance as Molly creeps along low in the brush. The Nein had decided, against Molly’s better judgement, decided to travel a few hours past sunset.

“The next town isn’t that far, guys.” Jester had told them, brandishing the map with the same ferocity with which she handles her sickle. “We’ve been on the road for daaaaaaaaaaays and my feet are getting all tired and gross from walking so much and I just want to sleep in a bed and not in the grass and wake up with like, bugs in my hair and stuff.”

So they’d marched on, and now they’re paying the price because not only is it a good couple of hour past sunset, but they’d been assaulted by some ruffians. Taking advantage of the exhausted state of the party, they’d managed to stop them, rob them, and make off with Jester’s haversack of holding. With so much of their valuable shit in that bag, they’d decided to give chase, and had gotten spread pretty thin in the processes. Which, isn’t such a bad thing, Molly’d been able to pick off a few of the bandits, spread thin themselves, quickly and quietly. But he’s worried about everyone else. If they were unlucky enough to run into more of the bastards then they could handle alone, with Jester possible very, very far away. That could make things a bit more sticky.

Of course, they’re all pretty capable, decently strong. And yet,,, Molly’s worried about some, specifically squishy members of their party.

He’ll- they’ll be fine.

He marches on deeper into the woods.

A bit of time later, the sound of muffled voices hit Molly’s ears. Not long after does he spy the flicker of firelight through the leaves, painting speckled shadows along forest floor.

Molly pauses a moment, tucking himself against a rotting old tree trunk. Peeking over the top of it he can just barely make out a group of darkened figured, hooting and hollering like idiots around a makeshift camp. Why do petty thieves always do that? Make a whole fucking ton of noise that gives away their position. Every single band of thieves he’s ever run into does it. It’s just not smart. Though, if they were smart enough to understand that they probably wouldn’t be out here robbing well seasoned mercenary groups, he thinks. He counts the shadows, or at least he tries to. The back lighting from the fire is fucking up his night vision but he thinks he sees four or five distinct individuals. Too many to take out alone.

Reaching into his pocket with his free hand, he pulls out a little piece of wire. Its difficult, harder with only one hand, but he manages to wrap the bit of copper around his finger and brings it up to his lips. He points out into the woods in the general direction he thinks he saw people running. “Found a group of them. Looks like five maybe? North. Just past that one rock that looks remarkably like a penis. Oh ! and you can reply to this message” he whispers into his fist.

Molly does this eight more time, hoping that if he casts a wide enough net he’ll be able to get in touch with at least some of the Nein. Between not knowing exactly where everyone is and the, frankly concerning, fizzle of the spell against his lips he not sure how many of them got the message. On the fourth time, he hears Jester’s cackling rattling around in his skull. It’s a horrible bizarre feeling that makes his skin tingle,and not even in the fun way.  On the sixth one he hears Beau’s exasperated “real fucking mature, man” and has to stifle a chuckle. On the last one, it’s Caleb’s voice ringing around in his skull.

“I see the rock you are talking about. oh- ja it does look like a dick.” He says. “I am making my way over to you now.”

Molly waits, one eye on the trees around him, one on the group of bandits, watching for any strange movement. Maybe one of them will come over here to take a piss. He could take them out nice and quite, and that would be one less shit head to deal with.

The bushes to his right rustle and Molly tightens his grip on his sword. Caleb comes sprinting out of the underbrush towards him, crouched low to the ground to avoid being spotted. Molly can’t even even get a word of greeting out before Caleb is suddenly upon him, hands reaching to curl around the lapel of his coat.

The wizard is positively beaming at him, his face cracked with a wide smile Molly has only ever seen him give Nott. His eyes are practically glowing, wide and excited and full of pride. He’s on Molly in an instant huddled against the rotten log alongside him and Molly is stunned.

“You cast message!” Caleb says, barely able to keep his voice to a stage whisper for the excitement. His hands come up, cupping Molly’s face between them and immediately the teifling feels himself start to color. Thumbs rub over his cheeks, Caleb squishing his face between his calloused palms “You cast the spell, you did the thing that I showed you! Oh! I am so proud! I am so proud of you! You are brilliant Mollymauk. I could kiss you!”

Well, that makes Molly’s heart do all sorts of ill advised and complicated gymnastics in his chest.

He puts a shaking hand on Caleb’s knee. “Don’t say thing you don’t intent to follow through on, Mister Caleb.”

Brain seeming to have caught up with his mouth, Caleb pales, then flushes a deep scarlet. His hand stay cupped around Molly’s cheeks, though they do lessen they’re squeezing a bit. His gaze falls past Molly’s right shoulder. “I ahh- right. I was- well I got a little excited I suppose,,,”

“Happens to the best of us.” he gives Caleb leg a friendly jiggle “Your secret’s safe with me”

Caleb chuckles.

They don’t move. They’re still dreadfully, painfully close. Annoyingly, not close enough. He watches as Caleb’s gaze flickers back over to his face. Watches the way his sharp, ever curious blue eyes trace the curve of his palm where it’s pressed into Molly cheek, all the way down to the corner of his mouth. He leans in.

The center of gravity suddenly shifts and Mollymauk Tealeaf finds himself crashing against Caleb’s warm mouth. Its quick, but it’s everything.

Caleb presses his lips firmly to Mollymauk’s for a brief moment, pulling him in with the fingers still curved around his jaw. Molly gasps, fingers tightening around the fabric of Caleb’s pant leg. He lets his eyes flutter shut. And then the warmth is gone and Molly opens his eyes to see the wizard staring at him, wide eyed and flushed. Still his hands don’t move from Molly’s face.

“I should not have done that. I-”

Molly brings his other hand up to the back of Caleb’s neck and pulls him forward. Their lips meet again and Molly can taste the crackle of arcane power that lingers on them. It shoots a thrill down his spine. The hand on Caleb’s knee tangles into the coarse fur lining of his coat and Molly sigh, deep and wanting against the other man’s mouth.

To his glorious surprise, Caleb responds in kind. His hands begin to move, one sliding down his face to rest at the juncture of his neck and shoulder, those long, scholarly fingers spanning across his throat, making Molly shiver. The other tangles into the short curls at the back of his neck, drawing Molly even closer.

Molly breaths through the kiss, eyes shut tight as he focuses on the feeling. Of dry and ragged ruined lips against his own. On the slight scratch of stubble against his chin and the rough pads of Caleb’s fingers on his skin. He feels exactly like he looks, coarse and rough around the edges. Nothing like the soft, sweet smelling hired company that Molly’s used to. He finds he likes this much better. The earthy smell that clings to weather battered skin, mixed in with faint hints of whatever spell components line Caleb’s pockets. Licorice and molasses.

Caleb sighs against him, tilting his head for a better angle.  Molly puts all other thoughts out of his head. Forgets about the bandits at his back, and his friends stomping through the underbrush. Even forgets about their stole bag of good. He put his facilities to better use, memorizing the shape and heat of Caleb’s lips against his own

Molly parts his lips and prods at Caleb’s lower lip with the twin prongs of his forked tongue, makes a soft sound of pleasure as Caleb’s fingers tighten in his hair. Caleb jumps under his hands, pulling away. He desperately wants to follow, but Molly let him go, keeping fingers folded against the lapels of his coat, half  to keep himself grounded, half to keep Caleb from bolting before he can find his voice again.

“Don’t you dare apologize for that.” He crooks out after a moment.

Caleb stares at him with blown out blue eyes. He swallows, runs a hand across his jaw. His fingers linger against his lips. “Ja- okay,,, That was ahhh-”

“That was good.” Molly assures him, stroking fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck.

Caleb nods, looking a little unsure. “Gut, ja. You know, uhh maybe we should- should, you know- maybe we could do that again, sometime. But I think we should probably take care of those bandits first.”

A smile splits Molly’s face. “Think we can take them, just the two of us?

“No.” Caleb hands come back around to cup his cheeks, then slip down, coming  to rest against the front of Molly’s coat “We are pretty tough, but you said that there were at least five of them. I do not want us taking any unnecessary risks.” he starts fidgeting with Molly’s coat, adjusting it on his shoulder and smoothing out the silk with his hands. “Clever boy.” Molly says, fondness laced into his words.

Caleb doesn’t meet his gaze, but he does smile.

The sound of twigs snapping catch their attention and moments later Beau comes slinking out of the bushes, a new bruise swelling up over her eye. Caleb hands fall away. Molly keeps fingers pressed lightly against the side of his knee.

“That’s a good look on you.” he says, once Beau is close enough.

“Thanks asshole.” Beau wedges her way between the two of them, elbowing Molly in the stomach as she does.  

He whizzes out a pained laugh.

[red-5]

You and Me, Hale (Pt. 3)

Summary: The pack digs for answers in the aftermath of the mysterious attack.

Pairings: Derek x OC

Warnings: 

Shara’s body was limp as Derek placed her on the forgotten air mattress, head lolling back into the pillows and limbs dangling over the edge. She whimpered softly as he repositioned her, tucking the blanket up around her shoulders and smoothing the hair back from where it clung to the sweat across her forehead. As he predicted, she slipped into unconsciousness soon after she returned to herself, and his heart clenched as her face twisted in discomfort even as she slept. They had truly left her no haven to retreat to in escape from the horrors they had inflicted on her.

He stood reluctantly, fighting the urge to thread his fingers through hers. Given the chance, he would stay by her side for as long as it took, hold her hand as exhaustion took hold of her body, cradle her to his chest when the tears came, guide her through her remissions until they no longer haunted her waking mind, but now, he needed answers. Answers that could be the only key to her recovery. Striding from the room before he gave himself the opportunity to change his mind, he beelined for Deaton’s office, gripping the handle and pulling the door open with a whoosh.

The five pairs of panic-stricken eyes that snapped to him as he stepped through the threshold halted him in his tracks. He didn’t speak, offered no words of consolation that the ordeal was, in fact, over, he simply stared back with tired eyes until the tension drained from the room.

“How is she?” Scott rasped, looking every bit as worn down as he felt.

Derek didn’t take his eyes off Deaton as he responded.

“Unconscious,” he monotoned, folding his arms across his chest. “You said you knew what those things were.”

It wasn’t a question, it was a statement spoken in a border-line accusatory tone as he fought to keep his exhaustion from melting into agitation. The druid sighed in response, fingers twitching at the edge of the yellowed pages of the leather-bound book that sat open in front of him.

“I said I had an idea.”

The whisper of fear in his voice did not go unnoticed by Derek.

“You want to share with the rest of the class?” Stiles drawled from his position slumped against the wall, not at all bothering to hide his weariness as he half-heartedly dodged the smack Lydia aimed at the side of his head.

“Fine.” Derek ground out, unable to keep the irritation from his voice. “What do you think they were?”

Deaton stared back at him, face a mask of stone as the seconds dragged on. Finally, he took a breath, steeling himself as he pushed the book forward.

Green eyes dropped to the open page, dancing across the ancient text that accompanied a drawing of a sinister, hooded figure. A chill ran up his spine, whether from the image or the new-found familiarity it brought with it, he wasn’t sure.

“What am I looking at?”

The inquiry was met with more tense silence, but the angry quip died in his throat as he watched Deaton struggle.

“That,” the vet choked in a thick voice, “is a wraith.”

Derek looked at him in shock, ignoring Peter’s exaggerated eye-roll.

“A wraith?”

“A myth, you mean.” Peter interjected though a disbelieving laugh.

Derek shot him a withering look as Stiles leapt to his feet, a fresh fire burning in his eyes.

“Were you not in that room?” He shouted, gesturing wildly. “Did you not see what the rest of us saw? After everything that’s happened, I’m willing to go out on a little faith here.”

The way the scrawny teenager held the werewolves’ hard glare was admirable, but not enough to keep Derek’s last bit of patience from dissolving.

“Enough!” He snapped, eyes passing between the two before settling on the pages sprawled out on the desk in front of him. “If this thing is what you say it is, wh…what exactly do- “

“They were human, once.” Deaton cut him off when he saw where the inquiry was headed. “Witches, warlocks, sorcerers, twisted and corrupted by dark magic. Now they are shells of their former selves. Figments of smoke and shadow, trapped in a realm of eternal darkness.”

A far away looked passed over his eyes as he spoke, and he suddenly looked much older than he was.

“And…the lights?” Scott prodded gently when a beat of silence stretched into seconds, snapping him out of his trance.

“It acts as a doorway, a portal from their world to ours allowing them to cross over and take shape. Think of it like your shadow. It is only able to materialize in the presence of light.”

“Okay, but you killed them…right? With that…supernatural…hand grenade…thing…that you did…” Stiles trailed with a grimace.

“No,” Deaton said solemnly. “They are no longer living and therefore can’t be killed. That was a ward- “

“What kind of ward?” Derek pressed.

Deaton’s eyes snapped back to him.

“Pteridium Aquilinum,” he said simply. “Commonly known as ‘Bracken.’”

“A houseplant?”

“Peter…” Derek warned, eyeing him warily.

“No.” Peter spat firmly. “You’re telling us that we’re being hunted by a myth that can’t be killed and our only defense is a fucking plant- “

“A Scottish fern, actually.” Deaton corrected, unaffected by the daggers Peter glared in his direction. “Used in abundance across the Highlands- “

“As a pest repellant- “

“That was cultivated by ancient Druids and has been accepted as payment by Scottish landlords for hundreds of years. What is it that you think there were trying to keep out?”

Peter’s mouth snapped shut, eyes still gleaming menacingly.

“The Highlands are steeped in superstition. Some that I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss if I were you.”

A tense silence once again fell over the group as the weight of his words sunk in.

“So, what do we do?” Scott asked after a moment, and Derek vaguely wondered if his eternal optimism ever got as exhausting as he thought it would.

“We find who summoned them.”

“Wait, what?” Stiles asked in a strained voice. “Summoned?”

“Yes.” Deaton sighed. “As terrifying as they are, they are only puppets. They can’t manifest unless they are being controlled.”

“Oh. Great.”

Stiles slumped back against the wall, sliding down until his backside connected with the cold tile.

“I had a contact in Edinburgh, an… informant. An ear to the ground, so to speak. Six months ago, he mentioned something about ‘dead earth.’ Forests, valleys, entire ecosystems being… drained overnight. The CDC has been chasing their tails trying to find a parasite.”

Derek raised an impatient eyebrow.

“And?”

“And,” Deaton returned, making his displeasure at the interruption plain. “Dark magic, true dark magic, requires life energy to feed on to gain power.”

“Life that a forest full of trees, plants, and animals can provide.” Derek added as he nodded in understanding.

“I never had any reason to suspect… until now.”

“We can call him -”

“He’s dead. Murdered, a month later.”

Derek blinked.

“Do you know who killed him?”

“I did.”

All attention turned to the small voice in the doorway.

“Shara?”

Her lithe frame seemed so fragile slumped in the doorway, the massive sweater she wore swallowing her up and sliding off one shoulder as she fidgeted. She shied away when Derek reached for her, and he fought against the pang of hurt that shot through his chest.

“You remember?”

“I- “

Her voice cracked as she drew in a shuddering breath, wringing her hands together.

“I don’t remember much… about the people who… I’ve tried… “

She trailed off, blinking the redness from her eyes as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

“But, the one thing… whenever they… whenever they assigned me a mark, it was like… an obsession. Their scent, their image, it was all I could think about until… “

She sniffed, angrily wiping her nose on her sleeve before continuing.

“It was efficient. But… “

A single stray tear trailed down her face as she found Derek’s eyes.

“I remember... all of them. But it’s… It’s not enough…”

“Starshine…”

“No, Derek, I’m tired of hiding. I can’t do this anymore, I cant- I can’t- “

Her hands flew to her hair, fisting in the tangled strands as her face screwed together.

“I can’t remember…”

“Shara… “ He stepped forward, gently taking hold of her wrists to detangle her fingers from their attempt to pull her hair out. “We’ll figure this out, you’re not alone.”

“How?” She didn’t fight him, but her eyes held defiance. “How, Derek? You saw what they’re capable of, and I’ve brought them right to you. I need to go, I’m putting all of your lives in danger- “

“Shara.” Derek said firmly, tightening his grip in her wrists. “I’m… We’re here because we want to be here. We’re not going anywhere.”

Nods and affirmations filled the room, but the turmoil remained behind her eyes.

“Then what do you propose we do?”

His eyes softened as he dropped his gaze to her hands, rough and calloused and not at all the hands he remembered. He felt what little energy he had left drain from his body as his voiced dropped to a whisper.

“I don’t know.”

The hard lines on her face faded as she allowed her fingers to relax against his. He felt all the eyes in the room on him, but as fiercely as he wanted to reassure her, speak the words that would put all their minds at ease even for a short while, his mind remained blank. Peter took a casual step forward with his hands on his hips.

“There is one thing we can try.”

Scott tried his best not to look as terrified as he felt when the werewolf turned his gaze to him.

“You’re sure about this?” Derek asked in a strained voice as Shara settled down into the chair placed in the center of the back room.

“Yes,” she stressed for the thousandth time, shedding her oversized grey zip-up.

Scott appeared beside her, face hesitant but shoulders set firmly. Derek eyed him before giving him a nod, turning his attention back to her.

“I’ll be right outside.”

“Go,” she insisted.

With a deep breath and one last nod, he conceded, standing to turn swiftly on his heel.

“Derek.” He looked over his shoulder as she called out to him. “Don’t come back in here until it’s done. No matter what you hear.”

Every fiber of his being called out for him to object, but the hard look she gave him silenced any protest before it formed. His eyes darted back and forth between her and Scott’s apologetic face before he wordlessly turned to exit the room, closing the door behind him and begrudgingly taking his place beside Deaton behind the glass. She had outright refused to allow any more people in the room than those that were absolutely necessary.

“Are we sure this is a good…” Stiles trailed off at the glare Derek pointed at him.

“It’s the only one we have.” Despite the doubt bubbling in his stomach, his voice was strong and steady.

Scott huffed a steadying breath, raising his hand to ghost his fingertips along the back of her neck.

“Ready?”

She gave a firm nod, straightening in her seat and setting her shoulders.

“This… is going to hurt. “ He warned tentatively.

She stared ahead, bloodshot caramel eyes unblinking as she answered.

“No. It won’t”

Derek watched the young Alpha struggle for a moment, meeting his gaze for a fleeting moment before he turned back to the task at hand.

“Okay. Here we go.”

With a flex of his wrist, his claws extended, digging deep into her flesh as blood seeped out of the fresh wounds. She hissed, teeth clenched, and eyes screwed shut as Scott gasped, eyes rolling back into his head. Derek felt every muscle in his body tense, fingernails digging painfully into his palms to resist the urge to break through the glass.

His back was against the wall, thrashing arms held by three separate pairs of hands before it registered that the blood curdling scream came from Scott’s mouth, not hers.

He broke free of their bruising grip as Scott flailed away from her as if he had been burned, bursting into the room as she slumped over her knees to retch onto the floor.

“Shara?”

Her body shook violently as he steadied her, flesh hot and blazing under his hands.

“I don’t want- “

She fought through several breaths before she was able to continue.

“I can’t do that again.”

“No.”

Derek’s eyes snapped to Scott’s at the sound of his strangled voice as if he had forgotten there was anyone else in the room. His face had been completely drained of color, beads of sweat trickling down his neck, leaning heavily on Stiles and Deaton as he gulped down mouthfuls of oxygen in a desperate attempt to gain control of his breathing.

“We never have to do that again.”

Through everything the misfit pack had been through, every attack mounted on Beacon Hills, every new enemy they faced, the one thing he always admired about the young werewolf was his unshakable spirit. He barely recognized the terrified boy currently unable to stand on his own after the mere seconds he spent in Shara’s head.

“Scott,” he strained, hating the sound of his own voice as he tightened his grip on the trembling woman in his arms. “What did you see?”

Scott didn’t look at him, didn’t acknowledge his presence, eyes locked with Shara’s as his eyes flooded with unshed tears. His mouth gaped open as he searched for the strength to speak.

“I’m so sorry.”

[sabraeal]

Suzuri and obiyuki modern double date. ;w; maybe a gaming night and wine with dinner at obiyukis home, or Suzuris. :D

Shirayuki smooths the gauzy layer of her skirt, her palms sticking unpleasantly with her sweat. Her heart flits in her chest, beating triple-time, threatening to flutter right through the gaps in her ribs if she lets it.

Obi buzzes the box before laying an arm on the wall and staring at her. “You look nervous,” he observes, the corner of his mouth canting fondly.

“I–I am,” she admits, shuffling her feet on the stoop. “I’ve never done this. A–a double date, I mean.”

He lets out one of those sly chuckles, the kind that rumble in his chest and make her toes curl in anticipation. “Yeah, I didn’t think you meant a foursome or anything, Doc.”

“Obi,” she whines, twisting in anxious agony. “Don’t tease me.”

“Okay.” His smile fades from his lips, but not his eyes. “What’s the problem? What do you think is going to go wrong?”

“I don’t know.” Even just telling him make her heart return to it regular rhythm, though it doesn’t help how her stomach twists. “I just don’t know how to…act I guess?”

He blinks. “Around Yuzuri and Suzu?”

“No, like…” She huffs out a sigh, hating the way she can be so smart and still lose her entire vocabulary. “I know how to be around Suzu and Yuzuri, but I don’t know how to act when I’m being…” She flicks a glance up at him, before telling her feet, “When I’m being Shirayuki and Obi, and they’re being Suzu and Yuzuri.”

“You’re worried it’s going to be different?” It’s not judgemental, the way he asks, just curious.

“I just don’t know what the expectations are,” she says, wrapping her arms around her shoulders. “Should I be – flirty? Or, am I – am I allowed to kiss you? Do I sit in your lap? I don’t – I don’t know how to do…this. Be a girlfriend in front of people.”

“Shirayuki,” he breathes, and there’s something in his voice that makes her look up, makes her look into those gold eyes that made her knees weak right in front of her dorm so many years ago. His palm cups her cheek, thumb rubbing along her cheekbone. “I think just being you is enough.”

“Obi.” Her voice is stronger than it’s been anytime in the past half hour. “Can you kiss me now?”

His fingers are brushing just over her belly, mouth open and wanting against hers, when the door clicks open.

“Really?” Yuzuri says, incredulous. “Right here, on my doorstep? This is where you two want to make out?” She blows out a breath. “No wonder you two didn’t come up for air for a whole weekend.”

Obi, to her surprise, goes a shade darker. He’s blushing. “Well, next time open the door faster,” he grumbles, slouching past.

Shirayuki hovers awkwardly on the stoop, watching as Obi disappears inside.

Yuzuri whistles. “Dang, girl,” she says, impressed, “if someone kissed me like that, I wouldn’t kiss and tell either.”

“Ughhh,” she sighs, covering her face with her hands. “Don’t start.”

“Settlers of Catan?” Suzu hisses, incredulous. “That’s the only board game you’ve ever played?”

“And Monopoly.” Shirayuki mulls the question over. “Actually, I was really good at Sorry as a kid too.”

Yuzuri slings an arm around her. “You poor, poor little forest nymph.”

Suzu pinches the bridge of his nose with a groan. “Okay, that’s it. I’m getting out Tales of Arabian Nights. I just – wow.”

Obi grins, leaning over to whisper in her ear. “Don’t tell him I’ve only played chess.”

“So there’s no difference who I pick?” Obi asks, strangely uncertain.

“It’s just aesthetics,” Yuzuri assures him, “you literally just pick your skills out of a bag.”

He hums,  eyes darting between the figured in each hand.

“Aladdin is very you, man,” Suzu ventures. “You know, the scrappy street-rat thing. I bet Aladdin can throw a punch, you know?” He thinks about it for a moment longer. “And he gets Jasmine, so like, total plus.”

“Yeah, but Ali Baba is a master thief,” Obi argues, no heat in his voice. “He has forty thieves, Suzu. Forty. Thieves.”

“Oh man.” Suzu sits back. “That is a good point.”

Yuzuri stares, uncomprehending. “I did mention this is all aesthetic, right?”

“Okay,” Suzu starts. “You’re encountering a –” his fingers run down the matrix – “an evil sorcerer.”

“I seduce him,” Yuzuri says, no hesitation.

“What?” He stares at her. “The evil sorcerer?”

“I have been lost for four fucking turns,” Yuzuri snaps, finger tapping the board. “There is no wizard dick I will not suck to get out of this.”

Obi flips through the book, stopping when he reaches the right paragraph. “Do you have magic?”

“No.” Yuzuri leans over, trying to peek. “I have appearance though.”

Obi hums, non committal. “The evil wizard is offended by the offer of your powerless form, and he – oh, oops. You’re cursed.”

“What?” Yuzuri grabs for the book. “No way. I AM SUCKING THIS WIZARD’S DICK, AND HE IS GOING TO TAKE ME TO BAGHDAD.”

Obi shrugs, letter her take it from him. “Looks like this wizards doesn’t like getting his dick sucked.”

“Okay, babe,” Obi says, staring down at the matrix. “You run into a…lonely efreeteh.”

Shirayuki traces the name on her board shyly. “What’s an efreeteh?”

“It’s like an efreet, but female,” Suzu offers.

Yuzuri rolls her eyes. “Yeah, real helpful.”

“It’s a fire spirit,” he amends. “Like a genie, but no wishes.”

She stares at the figure of Scheherazade, and wonders what a storyteller would do. “I, um…help her?”

Suzu flips through the book. “Okay, so the efreeteh had some curse on her, yadda yadda yadda, you have – storytelling? – so you tell her a story and –” He blinks. “Her misery is lifted, and she wants to marry you.”

“Oh.” She pictures, for a brief moment, Kiki made of fire. “Sure, okay, I guess.”

“I mean you can’t actually,” Suzu tells her, and for no real reason, her heart sinks. It’s not like Kiki-efreeteh actually exists, but…

“What?” Yuzuri frowns. “Why not? The efreeteh asked!”

“B-because she’s a girl.” Suzu takes one look at her face and flails for the rule book. “It’s a rule.”

“It’s a stupid rule,” Yuzuri snaps, folding her arms under her chest. “We shouldn’t use it. If Shirayuki wants to marry her hot fire babe, let her marry her hot fire babe.”

Suzu hesitates, thoughtful. “Yeah. Okay. That is a stupid rule, never mind.” He turns to her, smiling his wide goofy smile. “So how about it, wanna marry a fire babe?”

“This is bullshit,” Yuzuri shrills, hands posed over the board like she would like to scuttle the whole thing, just like her ship last turn. “I have been riding every last sweet wizard dick, trying to get out of this hell hole that is –what, Australia? Am I in Australia? – but you go on a ship once, and now you’re fucking married to a mermaid princess?” Her hands tense into claws. “This game is sexist, man.”

“Because you’re not winning?” Obi asks, giving Shirayuki a sideways glance. She smothers a laugh in his shoulder, letting his arm curl around her.

“Exactly.”

Suzu frowns. “But I’m not even winning. Shirayuki’s got the most points.”

Yuzuri throws her hands up in the air. “YOU MARRIED A MERMAID.”

“Being married to a mermaid is such a drag man,” Suzu says after his ship to Indonesia is scuttled by yet another storm at sea. “I mean it’s bad enough that you have to travel back to visit them after you reach a city, but I gotta keep traveling back to the ocean, you know?”

“Oh my god.” Yuzuri rolls her eyes. “You are in the Valley of Diamonds, cleaning fucking house. I am curse, maimed and grief-stricken, and somehow you dragging your ass back to see your wife is some hardship?”

“She’s in the middle of nowhere though,” he protests. “It’s inconvenient.”

“If I was not maimed, I would be sending Zumurrud to come kick your ass I swear to god.”

Shirayuki’s efreeteh wife is based more centrally, but she can’t disagree with Suzu’s assessment that it is a total hassle. Especially since she’s supposed to be eating cuisine in cities, so after every meal she is hiking it back to Mecca, hoping that her children come out beautiful.

“Wow, how terrible,” Yuzuri drawls. “Here I am, sex-changed, possessed, and insane, but you’re right, having sex with your fire babe is way worse.”

The turn after Suzu is named Vizier of Spain, Obi very quietly marries a princess who allows him a chance at the Palace of a Thousand Doors. He gets a pile of gold for his trouble, and a wife.

“Suzu, piety is fucking cheating and we all know it,” Yuzuri snaps, a few turns later, when he ends up inside the Leviathan. “You prayed to Allah and you found a ship with a crew inside a whale.”

“Listen, your strategy was to seduce wizard dicks, mine was to pray to Allah for all my problems.” He shrugs. “Both valid ways to play.”

She lets their bickering fade into background noise when Obi’s turn comes around, leaning into his side and giving his thigh a squeeze. “Where are you going?”

“Well,” he starts, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I just left a city, so…back to my wife.”

“Oh no,” she laughs, “that’s a pain.”

He shrugs. “Nah, I don’t mind. It’s better than the game letting you just ignore your family.”

She considers the point, thinking about how he’s been to at least three cities in a the past few turns, silently and happily heading back to Cairo each time. “Yeah,” she says, pressing closer. “I guess you’re right.”

Suzu scores enough points to win the same turn as she does, and it’s a mad dash back to Baghdad to claim victory. She thinks she’s going to lose – she’s all the way in Korea, and he’s in Italy, but at the last second his piety fails him.

“What do you mean I need appearance for Allah to save me!” Suzu shrieks, leaping up from his seat.

“HA!” Yuzuri’s grin is feral. “Where’s your god now, Suzu?”

Shirayuki shuffles Scheherazade’s pawn the two spaces she needs for victory and grins.

“You know,” she says, staring at Yuzuri and Suzu’s dismayed faces, “I’d always win Settlers of Catan too.”

Obi chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. “That’s my girl.”