#how dare his family want to talk to him sometimes ugh so annoying :(

[headkiss]

could you write steve fake sleeping on the couch to get the kids to leave him and his girlfriend alone?

hi lovely!!! sorry it took so long but thank u for the request and i hope u like it! | 1.1k words and fluff <3

Steve loves the kids, really, he does. It’s just, sometimes he wants you all to himself, that’s all.

He loves the way you treat them, the way they look up to you. He loves your sisterly bond with Max, your eagerness to hear Dustin’s new theories, the way that Will trusts you with things he doesn’t tell anyone else.

He loves that you show up to every single one of Lucas’ games without fail, that you’re there to cheer him on even when nobody else is.

He really doesn’t love it when they hog your attention, though. He’s the one you’re dating, after all.

You woke him up this morning with kisses all over his face, eager to get the day started with him. He cuddled you, so comfortably that you both fell asleep for a couple more hours.

The next time he woke up you were gone, and he found you in the kitchen making breakfast, a beaming smile on your face when you turned around to see him. He felt his heart swell every time you smiled at him like that, a ray of sunshine bathing him in its glow.

He swore he loved you more every single day, if it was even possible. You’d grown together over time, now sharing a place, sharing a life.

Today was a day he wanted to spend with just you, one to snuggle and watch movies and drink tea, to do the morning’s crossword and hear you giggle at his cheeky answers.

He was a clingy lover. One that loved to have his hands on you and your attention on him.

As you sat with him eating your breakfast and drinking your coffee, still sleepy eyes peeking at each other between bites, you reminded him that you’d be hosting today.

“Y’know the kids are coming tonight, right?”

“What? Why?”

“‘Cause it’s pizza night, Stevie! It happens every week.”

“But, why here, baby?”

You rolled your eyes at his questioning, knowing he already knew the reason and just wanted it to change. You also knew that as much as he complained, he loved spending time with the kids, even when he won’t admit it.

“It’s our turn to host. It’s only a couple hours.”

“But I just wanna be with you.. Can’t we reschedule?”

“Oh stop, you love that messy bunch. And no, they have D&D tomorrow.”

“Ugh, fine. But don’t you dare ditch me.”

You simply shook your head, not wanting to enable his plans to get you away from the group. He never really tried too hard, though, because he adored seeing you be with all of them. He adored being there, too.

He couldn’t help but think of your future together and how you’d treat your own children. You’d be perfect, he thinks. You already are.

The day swept by, you and Steve not in any hurry to get ready until about an hour before the kids showed up. Even then, you were distracted by each other, sneaking kisses between hair routines, making faces in the mirror. The little things you don’t think you could never live without.

When the group finally arrived, pizza boxes in hand, Steve was less whiny about it, considering you spent the whole day cuddling and talking and simply loving each other.

Dustin was the first to walk in, knocking but still opening the door himself because that’s just what he did. Steve would complain about it every time, and you think the only reason Dustin kept doing it was to annoy him.

The rest followed and then, pizza night was in motion.

As always, it was full of laughs and teasing. Smiles that could only be brought out when you all came together, a family no matter the DNA.

Hours passed and it was getting late for Steve’s taste, wanting to be able to hold you in bed while you read to him like you usually would at this time. While he enjoyed having people around, he couldn’t always handle it for too long. His social battery running out and only rechargeable by being alone with you.

When everyone was distracted Steve pulled you over to the couch, laying down and tugging you so that you were forced to lay with him.

“Stevie, what are you doing?”

“Mmm, tired. Wanna go to bed with you.”

“You’re cute, and I love you, but there’s still people here.”

“I love you. I have a plan, okay? I’m asleep.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of your head that rested against his chest after hearing your giggle, soft and loving as always. His eyes were closed now as he held you, tight enough that you couldn’t leave his embrace. It wasn’t like you wanted to, anyway.

It was about five minutes before the noisy bunch noticed yours and Steve’s disappearance from the conversation, having been too focused on whatever discussion they were having.

“Aww, it looks like they’re sleeping,” Max spoke as she spotted you two on the couch, her head on Lucas’ shoulder.

“So gross,” Dustin faked a gag, even though inside he really did think it was sweet. He was so happy for Steve, happy to see his big brother figure in love. Happy that he found you and introduced you to the group.

“It’s cute!” El was defensive because all the movies she watched made her a romantic. She couldn’t help but smile.

They all started to gather their stuff while Dustin walked over to you both, poking Steve’s forehead to check if he was really asleep.

“Dude!”

“I knew you weren’t asleep. You wanna get rid of us that bad?”

You sat up and ruffled the boy's hair, “‘Course not, Dusty.”

“I’m sleeping, Dustin.”

“No, you’re not.”

Steve loved the kid, he really did, but he truly was tired and all he wanted to do was wrap himself up in your shared bed with you by his side. He didn’t care if it was cheesy or gross, it was true. He supposed being in love made him sort of cheesy.

“Come on, it’s late. Don’t you have a curfew? And you owe me because I rented you a movie for free yesterday. Free!”

“Oh my gosh, fine. You sap.”

Steve went back to fake sleeping while you walked Dustin and the others to the door, bidding them a goodnight and telling them to get home safe. You really did worry like they were your siblings.

Your boyfriend got up when he heard the door close, walking over to you and wrapping his arms around your waist, hugging you from behind. His lips kissing your neck gently, trailing up to your cheek.

“Bed time?”

“Yeah, Stevie. Is it okay if I read for a bit? Don’t wanna bother you with the light on.”

He rested his chin on your shoulder, arms squeezing around you because he wanted you as close as possible. His serenity and relaxation the most effective with your body tight to his.

“Only if you read to me.”

[hallelujahmeatgod]

"Do you want to talk about it?"

KEN "DRAKEN" RYUGUJI X READER

+word count: 1580

+warning/s: cursing

+genre: kinda fluff, kinda comedic

"He's in his room and he haven't left that damn room since he arrived"

"He didn't even spare a glance around like he'd usually do, he just went straight to his room. He'd usually help around first before disappearing in there"

You nodded in understanding, looking around the brothel which just opened a few minutes ago.

The people at the brothel called you out of concern for Draken, saying he's been moody and not his usual self. They asked you if you know as to why he's acting the way he is but you haven't got a clue yourself. Quite frankly, you haven't seen Draken yourself for a few days since you've been taking care of family matters.

They asked you to come by since you haven't been in the brothel for quite a while, also to talk to Draken since none of them wanted to deal with him.

"I honestly don't have a clue, but I'll try talking to him. I tried asking Mikey about it but that kid isn’t any help either" You replied, giving them a soft smile for reassurance.

You asked Mikey about Draken before you went to the brothel but that kid just gave you a petty answer, so you're convinced that they're not the bestest of friends right now.

"Honestly, what would we do without you? Anyway, go and talk to his moody ass cause he's getting a little annoying for our liking. Then when you guys are done come out here and let's catch up and eat the snacks you bought!"

You nodded and made your way to his room. Thankfully he didn't lock his door so you were able to just enter. You were expecting to see him splayed on his bed or be working out but he's nowhere to be seen.

"Ken" You called out softly. No reply.

You set your school bag on the ground and walked further into his room. Just when you're about to walk past the bathroom you hear water gently splashing a bit inside.

You slowly opened the door and there he was in the tub, head resting back on the tub facing the ceiling, with his eyes closed. You can tell he's not relaxed at all because of the tensed muscles on his arm and his furrowed brows.

"That tub looks relaxing yet there you are still looking like you're about to fight someone" You said to get his attention. You leaned on the door frame as his eyes shot open.

"Y-Y/n" He said, looking a bit surprised, sitting up straight from the tub.

"Ken" You gave him a small smile.

"What are you doing here?"

"Am I not allowed here anymore?" You asked not too seriously.

"You are. You always are. It's just that you seem busy these days" He looked down at the water.

"I'm sorry for not being around, Ken" You gave him an apologetic look.

He shook his head lightly, still looking down at the water. "No need, I understand"

You stayed silent and just observed him. How he's looking intensely at the water, that you swear he could probably boil that water right now just by staring at it. How he's muscles are still nowhere near relaxed. How his breathing isn't steady. How his brows are still furrowed. And how his lips pout a little bit.

You pushed yourself from the door frame, walked up to him and crouched down beside the tub so that you're eye level with him.

"Ken, what's troubling you?" You asked, putting your hand on his nape and caressing it.

He slowly looked at you, looking vulnerable. A sight no one often gets to see, even you. It honestly pains you a little to see such a look from such a strong, stern man who's always got his composure.

He sighs, leaned over the tub and drops his head on your shoulder. "I-I... I'm just not that okay nowadays. I don’t even know anymore.” He admitted.

You hummed in understanding, caressing his nape all the way to his hair, pulling his hair tie to let his hair loose. You ran your hand through his hair, untangling some knots, and for the first time since you saw him he relaxed. You saw his shoulders drop slowly as he let out a breath.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"There's just so many things bugging my mind. Life here in the brothel, the gang, and other things. It's just one of those phases wherein everything dawns upon you" He sighs, lifting his head just to hide it on the crook of your neck.

"I texted Mikey before going here and he just gave me a petty reply. That also bothering you?" You asked, massaging water on his head to hopefully help him cool down.

"Yeah, we ended up arguing cause he’s not in a good mood and so am I. It's all just chaos in my head right now really" He groans, lifting his arms from the tub and wrapping them around you. You're a little soaked now but you didn't mind, all that matters is him.

He hugged you tighter and tighter until you guys were literally flushed against each other, soaking you more.

"I'm sorry, it's just that I badly wanted to just go to you, to seek refuge in you and just to lay and hold you like this, to calm my mind. But I knew you were dealing with family stuff and that it means a lot to you, so I just bottled it all in."

"It's okay" You pulled away just enough to see his face. You held his face in your hand and caressed his cheeks. "I'm sorry I wasn't around. But now I'm here, you don't have to go through such tough times on your own. It’s okay to feel sad sometimes, just take your time, I’ll wait for you'' You smiled, making him smile. You kissed the corner of his mouth making him roll his eyes. He pulled you on a proper kiss, sighing against your lips.

"Thank you" He said when you pulled away. "Thank you for always being by my side and showing me affection even though I tend to suck at it and sharing my feelings. Just how would I repay you"

"Repay me by relaxing properly, dropping the attitude towards other people, and reconciling with Mikey" He groaned at the last part which made you chuckle.

"What? You'd be doing the gang a favor if you take the initiative, Ken. We all know Mikey wouldn't dare do it, and the longer you guys aren't besties the more agonizing it'll be for the rest of the gang. Imagine the captain and the vice captain being petty, ugh, I already feel bad for all of them" You said humorously, making him pull away completely and sit back on the tub as he pouts.

"I'm always doing it." He pouted even more.

You chuckled, ruffling his hair. "You know Mikey can be an extreme kid when he's not beating up someone."

"Why do I always have to be the bigger person?" He said under his breath.

"I mean you are 6'1 and Mikey's only 5'3"

"You're lame" He immediately countered before laughing lightly, making you laugh too. If being lame means you'll get to hear this giant laugh, well maybe being lame isn’t too bad.

"IS THAT THE GIANT'S LAUGH THAT I HEAR?!" You heard someone say from the outside. Suddenly the door burst open revealing Remi.

Draken rolled his eyes, flipping her off and she flipped him off too.

"Now that the giant doesn't seem like an asshole anymore Y/n let's go and catch up!" She grinned, pulling you up and out of the bathroom, not giving you time to reply.

"Hey! You can't just take her away!" Draken protested, standing up from the tub quickly wrapping his towel around his waist.

He grabbed your wrist and pulled you, restricting Remi from pulling you away. He and Remi immediately looked at each other with daggers as they kept on pulling you. At this point they could definitely cut your body in half.

"Well I already am, what are you gonna do about it?" Remi spat.

"Umm….Pull her away from you? You midget" Draken spat back but more calmly, which is honestly annoying. It's always the most annoying when people talk back in a calm manner...or is that just me?

"At least I'm not as moody as you. You act way worse than a woman on her period or a pregnant lady!"

They went back and forth with you still in between them. For every comeback they kept on pulling you.

"OKAY! Kindly shut the fuck up you two?" You smiled sarcastically at both of them, pulling your arms from them. They both pouted and huffed like little kids, turning away from each other.

"I'll go with Remi now since it has been a while since I saw them." You said, making Remi light up and Draken give you an offended look.

"WHAT--" Draken was about to protest but Remi burst into laughter pulling you to the door. You shrugged at Draken as he gave you a narrowed look and mouthed "traitor"

"Oh-- and when you're done, change the bulb in the lounge room, jerk!" She stuck her tongue out.

"Seriously, when will I ever catch a break-- you know what? Just get out you two!" He groaned, making you and Remi laugh.

[ashthemadwriter-archived]

Hi! Just came across your account, and when I checked the bio, I noticed we have a lot in common! I also LOVED your atsushi's twin sis x Ryu fics, they were so funny!

Alright, my request is a rather different one, I guess, but I've always felt this way for him. Ryunosuke with a younger sister (he already has one, yes, but we don't get to see them often), like, how's their relationship? Is he protective? etc etc

It's okay if you don't wish to do this one :) please let me know though

Have a good day/night!

Akutagawa with Reader who's his younger sister

Fandom:Bungou Stray Dogs

Pairings:Akutagawa x fem!Reader

Genre:Fluff,Comedy

Format:HeadCanons

Warnings:None

A/n:Awww tysm honey!ofc ill do it!but since he already has a sweet,shy younger sister i wrote about him with a younger sister whos kinda bratty and carefree

@miss-akutagawa

◆youre not in the mafia,which makes him have different feelings.

◆on one hand,his relieved that youre not dealing with dangerous stuff and crimes,

◆but on the other hand,you not in the mafia means that hes not able to see you 24/7! then whos gonna protect you?

◆thats why everytime he gets home from work,he starts teaching you some self-defense.at first it was fun,but after a while it became boring.

◆"Ugh,Ni-san! just leave me alone! i dont need to know these stuff cause im not dealing with anything dangerous!" "shut up and do what im telling you to!"

◆hes not sharp with you.youre his little sister and only family after all,but sometimes you just drive him crazy.

◆always gives you money when you ask him.doesnt really care what you buy as long as its harmless to your health or body

◆never smoke in front of him.or dont do it at all.

◆i mean the boy has some breathing-issues,he doesnt want you to catch the same illness.

◆he respects your privacy,cause he loves his privacy and he knows its important for anyone

◆so when you start dating others,he tries to be cool with it

◆but he cant

◆"what if that son of a bitch hurt my sister one day?i cant let that happen!"

◆so he asks your bf to meet him in a dark alley,and tries not to be too much harsh

◆"dont you dare make my sister upset! i will haunt you down and make you wish you were dead!" "i-i-i understand! "

◆poor boy peed himself LOL

◆hes not allowed to tell you that your brother threatend him,cause Aku doesnt want you to feel like you cant take care of yourself.

◆you appreciate his concern.he is tough and thats annoying sometimes,but you know how important you are to him.

◆youre not a really big fan of Dazai.you liked him so much,but that was before when he left the mafia and left your brother behind.

◆Akutagawa didnt say anything about it,but he was broken,and you know it.you hate how hard he tries to gain Dazais acknowledgement. you hate how he always outs himself in danger because of that man.

◆and yet he thinks youre careless.

◆you really want to dislike Atsushi because of Akutagawas feelings toward him,but seriously,who can hate that cute,charming little kitty? T^T

◆Akutagawa doesnt eat breakfast,but he makes sure that you eat properly.

◆he wants you to know how much you mean to him,but as we all know,Akutagawa isnt the best when it comes to talking about feeling

◆so,he tries to show you this by his actions

◆please take care of your brother.he doesnt really care about his health...

i hope this is ok baby,and hope you have nice day/night too!

-Ash

[spxllcxstxr]

Teaching a Moderately Old Dog New Tricks • S.B

(Gif not mine)

Request: could you do a older sirius x younger (tonks' age) reader, maybe he's in denial about liking her because he thinks he's too old but she doesn't think that way. — @msmb

Summary: The man you fancy has been avoiding you. Tonks gives you an idea.

Warnings: alcohol consumption, mention of cigarettes, kissing, older man/younger woman (but reader is Tonks’ age), light mention of remadora (does that need a warning?), Sirius is a bit self deprecating, heated make out, Moody’s all seeing eye

Word Count: 1.6k

A.N: Inspiration hit at 1am. Uhhh Kissing can either be well written or extremely cringe. I can’t tell what category my kissing is in, so possibly sorry in advance? OotP Sirius is so hot and I will love him forever. Hope you guys enjoy. Love you all❤️

****

“So how’re you and Sirius?” Tonks asks, her hair a violent shade of violet as she swings her legs over the arm of the couch at Grimmauld Place. She takes a sip of her daisyroot draught, excited for any news.

“I don’t know.” You respond, swirling your own goblet in your hand. “How’re you and Remus?”

You smirk as she almost chokes at the mention of the man of her dreams.

“I asked you first.” She shoots back after her coughing fit goes away.

“You’re annoying.” You take another sip.

“Cry about it.” Tonks huffs. “But don’t change the subject.”

“Merlin, I wish I had an answer for you.” Groaning, you run a hand through your hair. “He seems to be pulling away from me, yet again.”

“Ugh, men.” Tonks mimes a fake gag.

“I mean, he pulls me into a broom closet for a quick snog and now he won’t even stay in the same room as me!” You cry out.

The draught is sweet in your mouth as you down the rest of your goblet. “‘Ugh, men’ is right. I will never understand them.”

“At least you get a snog.” Tonks retorts. “Remus barely grazes my fingertips passing me a piece of parchment and suddenly he’s all pink and avoiding me for weeks.”

“Are they that daft, or are we just shit at flirting?” You pour yourself some more daisyroot draught.

The murky pink of the draught bubbles and sizzles near the top of the cup.

Grimmauld Place is mostly quiet, the kids were all asleep and someone paces in the room above. There’s faint laughing coming from the kitchen, but that could be one of the Black family portraits, so it’s no concern of yours.

“It can’t possibly be the latter because if I remember correctly, flirting was our specialty back in school.” Tonks winks from her stretched out position.

“Oh yeah.” You muse sarcastically. “All those people we managed to seduce at Hogwarts...”

“Hey! I snogged Penny Haywood seventh year!” She declares.

“It was a game of truth or dare! We all snogged Penny Haywood!” You exclaim, almost spilling your drink all over your robes.

“My point still stands.”

The house groans and creaks in your comfortable silence, Kreature’s dragging gait echoes through the corridor.

“Sirius has nice lips.” You sigh dreamily, your thoughts once again preoccupied by him. “Would love to snog him again.”

“You should.” Your friend replies. “At least one of us needs a proper love life.”

“But he won’t talk to me...” You childishly whine. Pouting, you drink from your goblet.

“Well maybe you should be the one that pulls him into the cupboard next time.” Tonks shrugs, waving her wand to fill her goblet once more.

“You’re brilliant, y’know that?” You perk up at her idea.

“I’ve been trying to tell you that since we were eleven, (Y/n). Can’t believe you’re just now admitting it.”

The night gets cut short after that, mostly because the two of you have work in the morning and the Ministry of Magic was already unbearable sober. Hungover at the office meant a lot more suffering than usual.

You’ve never been more thankful for Molly’s desire to put the gaggle of kids to work around the house.

Even when you get back from the Ministry the the next night, they’re all still galavanting with doxycide upstairs, letting the exhausted adults have a moment to relax.

That’s when you decide to strike.

There’s an extremely convenient and mostly empty broom closet on the ground floor close to the kitchen that is just ripe with opportunity.

Tonks gives you a thumbs up and shoots you a wink as she passes you and strides into the kitchen. You’re leaning against the doorframe, pretending to be preoccupied with checking your nails, but in reality, you’re watching and waiting for Sirius to come a little closer.

His black curls with the occasional strand of grey rest on his shoulders. His velvet burgundy blazer stands out against the dark wood and blue theme Grimmauld Place seems to really enjoy and embrace. You watch his gold pocket watch glimmer in the flickering orange candlelight and how he twists the rings on his fingers.

Your heart flutters at the mere sight of him.

He finally breaks away from his conversation with Remus before turning around and making his way towards you.

He struts closer, heels clicking against the floorboards and your hands jitter in excitement. You’ve never been one to initiate these types of things before.

“Alright, (Y/n)—“ Sirius starts, reluctantly nodding his head in greeting.

But since he’s within arm’s reach, you grab his soft lapels and pull him into the broom closet.

With a flick of your wand the door shuts and you’re plunged into even dimmer lighting.

Your hands are still tightly grasping at his lapels and you have to admit, you’re a little breathless as you fervently press your lips to his.

Your eyes flutter shut and you press your chest to his own, effectively pushing him harder against the wall. You moan, feeling him kiss back. He tastes distinctly of firewhiskey and cigarettes and you’re loving every second of it. His lips are addicting as they move in tandem to yours. Sirius’ hands trail up to the back of your skull, pulling you closer to him, something you enjoy and gleefully let happen. The closer to him you are, the better.

The heatedly deep kiss sends a thrill throughout your body. Here you are, snogging the man you’ve fancied since the day you met him, in a broom closet of headquarters. Instinctively, your heart skips a beat.

One of Sirius’ hands detaches itself from your hair and instead, trails its way down your body to rest on your lower back. A jolt of excitement sparks and flares up inside. Goosebumps erupt underneath his warm hand. He squeezes your body tighter, quickly taking control of the situation.

Unfortunately, air becomes something that you’re losing fairly quickly and when you reluctantly spilt apart, you’re extremely aware of his swollen red lips. They stand out between the dark hair of his beard.

You’re panting as you cling on to his blazer for stability. The moment your lips touched, your knees practically gave out.

“What was that for, poppet?” Sirius pants as well, grey eyes looking into yours.

“Merlin, Sirius, do I really have to spell it out for you?” You smirk, still breathless. “I fancy you.”

“You what?” His eyebrows dart up in surprise.

“I fancy you? Like I want to go out for a drink sometime. Or I guess, stay in for a drink since—“ You ramble.

“You can’t fancy me, (Y/n).” He interjects, hands slipping away from you.

You carefully remove your hands from his figure in return. “Oh.” Awkwardly, you stuff your hands into your pockets. “And why’s that, then?”

Anxiously, he begins to twist the ruby ring around his thumb. The broom closet feels a lot smaller than before and the burn of embarrassment feels even harsher.

“I think you know why.” Sirius evades the question.

Your brows knit together in both confusion and annoyance. “No, I really don’t know why, Sirius, so please enlighten me.”

“Godric, (Y/n)!” He cries out. “I’m an old ex-convict with a fuck ton of issues! You don’t want that kind of baggage!”

Sirius scowls, not at you, but at himself.

“You’re in your thirties, Sirius. If that’s old than Mad-Eye’s ancient.” You try your best to joke and make light of the situation.

However, you see that your attempt doesn’t work.

“Hey, I don’t care that you’re older than me. I like you because you’re this handsomely charming and charismatic guy that shares my issues with authority.” Hesitantly, you bring your hand up to his neck. He leans into your warm touch. “And I really like you.”

“I’d be more of a burden than a boyfriend.” He mutters.

“You’re no burden. Not to me.” You reply, stroking his beard. “Never to me.”

“I’m a bit rusty.” Sirius confides. “Haven’t had a partner since the seventies. And I’m not the same person I used to be.”

“Neither am I.” You shrug. “Mostly because back then I was a wriggling little lump.”

Sirius snorts.

“Is that why you’ve been avoiding me?” You question, tucking a few strands of stray hair behind your ear.

“I felt bad.” Sirius confesses, straightening out his blazer. “Felt like I was manipulating you by leading you on so I was trying to get you to hate me. Trying to convince myself to get over you.”

“I’m guessing you didn’t succeed in that endeavor?” You tease your bottom lip with your teeth, innocently looking at the man in front of you.

His grey eyes are kind and soft gazing into yours even after years and years of torture and misery.

He’s someone to admire.

“Getting over you is probably the hardest thing I’ve attempted.” Sirius laughs. “And I escaped Azkaban.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere, Sirius.” You muse, rubbing the back on your neck in embarrassment.

“Flattery will get me everywhere, poppet.” He winks in return, amused by your gesture.

“So can we give it a shot?” You ask, praying to Merlin he agrees.

“Sure poppet, why not?” He grins, his white teeth poking out from the intense red.

In a swift movement he has you flipped, your back now pressed to the wall as he passionately places his lips back on yours.

You hands tangle themselves in his wild hair, his sneaking around your waist. You tug at the locks and he hums in approval.

Suddenly there’s a large bang against the door causing it to shake on its hinges.

“Oi!” Tonks’ voice rings out.

Sadly, Sirius pulls away just enough to rest his forehead on your own. His breath hot on your face.

“Mad-Eye says that if any clothes come off he’s barging in there, so wrap it up!”

Your mutter out a curse as you attempt to untangle yourself from Sirius.

“Also (Y/n),” Tonks yells again. “knew you had it in ya.”

•

Sirius Black Taglist: @fific7 @quindolyn @msmb @lunalovecroft

All Character Taglist: @aspiringsloth20 @amourtentiaa @cherie-draco

[levisgirll]

Hey! :] can I request erwin or levi having a younger sister who dates armin, Eren, Jean, Connie, Hange?? Headcanons pls!! :)) pls take ur time<8

𝙇𝙚𝙫𝙞 𝘼𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣'𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙎𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙨 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙣𝙨

text: Hi there! Thanks for sending me a request🥺 ♥♥♥ This is such a cute idea and I love it! I decided to go with Levi having a younger sister instead if that's alright c: (if you want another one with Erwin, please let me know!) I also hope you have a nice day <3

synopsis: Levi Ackerman is a guy who would worry a lot about his little sister, and actually get scared for her whenever she is reckless, or gets herself hurt either emotionally or physically and if someone did that to her, consider them dead- but he would be just a good big brother to her and a bit an overprotector cause of the past they have shared and he wants to make sure there is no harm to her. So, when she decides to date one of the scouts, this is where he gets worried and concerned, he starts to watch every move of the person she is dating and will interrogate them, he won't care if its someone he knows, he will make sure they have no bad intentions with his little sister and he would give them his cold and strict glare 24/7 (also he would tease her a lot while she is dating them-).

fluff, comedy, aot world, headcanons ♡ —

𝗘𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿

When Levi found out his little sister was dating Eren, he was quite shocked to be honest and he had to go find her and actually confirm and hear it from her. “Are you actually dating that Kid? Fucking Yeager really?” He would say as he crossed his arms and was giving his little sister one of his looks, where it was him wanting answers from her now.

“W-What about it?” She said nervously, and looked away. ‘Shit, how did he find out?’ She would wonder as she looked around to find an escape route. She would always do that when she knows her big brother is going to give her one of those long lectures. “You are not going anywhere young lady. You are gonna stay here and tell me how the fuck you both started to date.” Now she is trapped.

When Eren found out that the person he was dating is Levi’s little sister, he was scared as fuck. He was worried that Levi would appear out of nowhere and beat him since he is dating his little sister. “Oh my god, Is your big brother going to kill me cause I am dating you?!” He would say and as he held on both of your shoulders and his eyes would wide, he was actually nervous and scared. “No, Don't worry. As long as you are with me, you are fine! He wont dare lay a finger on you.”

Then Levi appeared out of nowhere, “Oh hell yea I will if you mess with my sister, and make a one meter distance from her shithead. I don't want her to catch your germs.”

His little sister then would turn at him and give him a glare, “Levi, stop it.” She would say and give out a long sigh. 

Whenever his little sister comes back from a date with Eren, she would go see her big brother Levi to see how he is doing and he would say to her with a glare. “You were with him, Hm? You’re filthy now, go shower.” His sister would give out a long sigh and tsk at him while leaving his office, she knows Levi says that on purpose cause he started to tease her more ever since she started dating Eren!

Levi would watch and look after his little sister even more when she started dating Eren, because he found him a bit fishy. “Hey, you sure about this?” He would say one evening as they were drinking tea and he sounded serious, Levi would then give her a big brother/sibling talk.

Eren would always wait for you either when you are cleaning, training or in a meeting and Levi would think he was stalking you and following you at first. “What do u think u are doing following MY little sister? You are so fucked kid.” Levi would say approaching Eren, and he was ready to beat him up again. “LEVI WAIT- that’s the guy I am dating now!” Levi would suddenly stop, and turn around with a surprised expression looking at his little sister “Seriously...”

Once, just once, Eren made Levi’s little sister tear up and Levi did not leave him at all that day and was looking for him. He ruined his life that day. Levi’s little sister teared up cause she got ready to go out with Eren, but Eren somehow forgot and stood her out!  Would be scared to make her cry again, cause he doesn’t want to get beaten up by Levi.

She would tease Eren sometimes. Like, “Hey Eren can you do this for me now?”. “No I need to train, not now!”  he would say and he was approaching the training area, “Hmm…okay I’ll go ask Levi instead” Eren stopped from his tracks, and turned around quickly towards her. “W-WAIT! Actually I can make some time.” This would always make her giggle.

Levi would actually find Eren annoying once Eren started to date Levi’s little sister. “I think he has a thing towards us.” Levi would say to his sister as they both looked outside from his office window and looking at Eren who was searching for Levi and his little sister. “He chases around me, and is dating you, why can’t he just leave us alone...Ugh”.

𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗶 𝗭𝗼𝗲

They know Levi worries a lot about his little sister, as she is the only one left who is family to him. So Hanji would update Levi about his little sister from time to time, especially after a date. “Heyyy Levi! Just letting you know that she is doing well and finished her work early today!” Hanji would say cheerfully, and Levi just knows that they had just seen his little sister. But, this gives him a relief to know at least that she is doing well as he is quite busy sometimes to check on her.

Would help his little sister to convince her brother with things. “Don’t worry, I can talk to Levi for you babe!”. Hanji would say with a big smile and a light blush would appear in their cheeks, they want her to depend on Hanji.

“Oi, Don’t send Hanji to me again. I cant even shut them up now ever since you are going out with them.” Levi would say as he gave out a long sigh, defeated by Hanji as he let them win with whatever they were trying to convince him. Hanji would not give up and wants to impress his little sister!

Hanji would be good at lying to help Levi’s little sister out just incase she tried to skip something such as cleaning or some training lessons, and Levi would actually fall for it sometimes.

His little sister and Hanji are loud and squeal a lot, it would Levi go mad and yell out at the both of them to shut up, but Hanji would think he is joining their squeals. “Oh my god....Levi finally joined us!” But, his little sister would go to Hanji and whisper to them “Um…I think he’s mad.”

Literally anything his little sister asks Hanji to do something, they get so happy and hyped up. And Levi sees that and actually finds them both cute, he would also appreciate how Hanji is willing to do anything for her and that makes him glad.

If he sees his little sister really down one day, he would see Hanji trying their best to boost her energy up, and Levi would really admire that about Hanji, making his lil sis happy <3

𝗝𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻

Levi would definitely intimidate Jean, just to test him (He lowkey thought Jean was a fuckboy) and this would piss his pants.

Whenever Levi passes by his little sister and Jean. Jean would salute to him quickly like an idiot. And to just rub it on his face so Levi can scare him more, Levi would say “Jean, You are not causing trouble to my little sister right?”.

Jean: “N-No Captain!!”

Levi: “Hm, better be.”

“Yo....Your brother is scary. Does he hate me?!” Jean would say, full of concern in his tone as they both looked at Levi who was giving out orders for everyone. “Um...You kinda annoy him to be honest.” She would say as Jean looked down with a sad look. “B-But don't worry! He’s just like that in the beginning.”

Jean can’t believe the sweet, cool and lovely girl he is dating is related to Levi. He had to even make sure and see if their last names matched!

“I-Is your brother here today??” Jean would say to her as he looked around, making sure he wasn't near as they were both alone in the stable. He wanted to give a kiss to her cheeks but he was scared as hell if Levi appeared out of nowhere. “It’s either now or never Kirstein.” 

Jean would try to do more tasks and try and to impress Levi just a bit. He would show him his ODM gear skills, and the only thing he got from Levi is saying “You’re an idiot.” and he would give him a stoic expression and walk away. “Huh..” Jean said as he was left all alone in the training area. Although, Levi did appreciate his hard work.

Levi would seem to like Jean later on as he was observing how he was treating his little sister and it would be with respect, love and even respecting her boundaries and Levi found the guy good, but won’t admit it.

Finds it amusing how he gets a small gift for Levi’s little sister every time whenever he went out to town, “Okay, he got taste.”

He also likes Jean because he found out he is hygienic and clean, and how he always presents himself clean and tidy, with a nice outfit every time he goes on a date with his sister during the weekend. “She’s in her bedroom, she will come for you soon.” Levi would say as he opened the door for Jean to enter their small house and Jean would stand like a stickman, too afraid to do anything that would upset Levi. “Hey brat, are you alright?”. It lowkey made Levi chuckle, and Jean thought this was it for him when he heard his small laugh.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿

Levi got now, two idiots to deal with. His sister and Connie, who would always bother him with stuff and their stupid games they keep telling Levi to join.

They actually do a lot of pranks on Levi, most of it is Connie’s idea and Levi’s little sister would agree with them and try to do it. But if they get caught, Connie would take the blame and when he does that and Levi sees how he would never bring his sister involved he would just let it slide.

Levi actually likes him, because he makes his little sister laugh a lot with his jokes, and Connie always tries his best to make sure he does that at least once everyday. He would say the most random things and she would laugh and Levi would look at her and think ‘That was not even funny...But, at least she is laughing.’ 

She would get in trouble sometimes with Connie, and if Levi found out, Connie would immediately defend you and just babble about things that did not even make sense. This would make Levi be so confused and even get lost in track to what he was even saying at the beginning. His little sister would try and hold back her laughter. Levi would just sit there, give up with the conversation and say “You know what, Forget it. You both are dismissed.” After they left, Connie would say with a big smile “See! I told you I could convince him!” “Connie...You weren’t even- Nevermind.”

When Levi walks in the hallway and hears someone laughing, he would know it’s Connie making his sister laugh and he actually smiles about it. He would later come in after they finished laughing and talking (giving them some time) and Levi would say “Oi, idiots. Focus on your work.”

𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁

Such a mature boy when he dates Levi’s little sister, and to be honest Levi would have no problem with him dating his little sister.

He’s also a softie and always makes sure he gives what his girl wants, and Levi appreciates that how he is willing to do his best for his little sister only.

Levi can tell before they were dating how Armin would always look at Levi’s little sister, admiring her beauty and character and Levi would think to himself ‘This kid is so lovestruck’

Levi would go to his sister later on and let her know that someone is interested in her, “Who is it!” She would say blushing and looking at Levi, waiting for a response. “Hm...You will find out soon. I think he will ask you out.” Levi would say as he flipped through the papers he had. “Oh come on tell me big bro!!!” Levi liked teasing his sister and he would then say “Okay...I will tell you if you bring me some tea.” And, even after she does that Levi wouldn’t say it and she would want to beat him up.

During missions, he trusts Armin to be with his little sister since he knows he will protect her and have her back while he is away.

Armin wants to prove to Levi that he is capable of taking care of his little sister too! And he would risk his life for her, Levi knowing that would go up to Armin and say “That’s nice and all, but use your brain and don’t die. Besides...that would make my little sister sad and I wont forgive you if you do that.” That was the only time Levi was real and showed his way of trust to Armin, and that made him happy.

When Levi goes to the library, he would spot his little sister with Armin being all lovey dovey as he wanted to go and grab a book. “Tch, what do you think you both are doing?” Levi had no idea that they were actually on a date and both of them were blushing and were shy. But, he lowkey found that adorable. Later on, his sister would yell at him at how he ruined her date and he would say “Yeah yeah....Sorry.”

Armin would ask Levi sometimes what his little sister likes such as food, her favorite jewelry, or literally anything and Levi would say while raising his eyebrows, “Ask her yourself brat.”

For special occasions he would go for Levi to ask what would he do to make his little sister super happy and Levi appreciates the thought. So, he somehow ends up telling him some ideas and it was a secret plan between them to surprise her.

Armin would ask Levi to train him to be stronger after he starts dating Levi’s little sister, so he can be strong and protect her. “You will never reach my level, but sure.” Levi would say teasing Armin and after every training session, Armin is knocked out, laying on the ground. “Levi!!! What did you do now?” His little sister would yell out running towards Armin who was on the ground, “What? The brat said he wanted me to train him.”

this was such a nice and fun idea and I liked how I made hc’s for other aot characters so thanks for the request anon!! let me know if you liked it and if anyone else did let me know by leaving a like or a reblog! Have a great day and I hope this somehow cheered anyone up! <3

[blueskrugs]

Mary’s Song | Tyson Jost

happy friday! we’ve got josty this week! even better, this one’s longer and has minimal angst. I hope y’all like it, thanks again to @broadstbroskis​ for being my beta, and I’ll see you next week with the first song from Fearless!

length: 2.7k words

I looked at you like the stars that shined in the sky, the pretty lights And our daddies used to joke about the the two of us, growing up and falling in love

You’d known Tyson Jost for as long as you could remember . You had been neighbors when you were little, had gone to the same preschool and everything. Your moms said you’d been inseparable from the start. 

Well, really, Tyson had offered you some of his snack, and you’d declared that you were best friends. It had kinda just stuck.

You heard your moms laughing sometimes, and they would say that you looked at Tyson like he’d hung the stars in the sky, though you didn’t understand what it meant at the time. You just knew that Tyson was your favorite person, and that you wanted to be friends with him forever.

Take me back when our world was one block wide I dared you to kiss me, and ran when you tried

Tyson got into hockey when you were still little. He was head over heels from the start, though from the one time you had tagged along with Laura and a toddling Kacey to practice, it seemed like there was more falling than playing hockey.

“I bet I could teach you how to ice skate,” Tyson said one day after school. 

You laughed, because he knew that you were scared of falling, but Tyson was looking at you earnestly, all messy hair and bright brown eyes. You were seven, and Tyson was starting to show some talent on the ice, you knew he loved it, but you would like to keep your feet on solid ground, thank you very much.

“Aw, come on,” Tyson begged. 

“No way, Tys,” you said, but Tyson kept pushing, literally, shoving up into your space and leaning on you.

“It’ll be fun!” he tried. You just shook your head at him. “Alright, fine. Tyson’s eyes turned mischievous, and you knew then that this wasn’t going to end well for you. “What about a bet? If I win, I get to teach you how to ice skate.”

He had you there. You were nothing if not competitive, and Tyson knew that better than anyone. And when Tyson with you and competition, you would stop at nothing to win. 

“Ugh, fine,” you said, crossing your arms. “But a bet’s cheating, and you know it.” 

Tyson just grinned at you. You thought for a minute. Tyson was bigger than you, just a little, but still enough that he wasn’t above tackling you into a snowbank to get the upper hand. You knew because he had done it just last week. 

You had an idea.

“Bet you can’t catch me,” you said, and Tyson opened his mouth to complain. But you pressed a kiss to his cheek before scrambling off the steps you were sitting on, and Tyson was left staring after you, mouth still open.

You’d overheard the other boys in your class talking about cooties and teasing Tyson about being best friends with you just the other day. He’d been blushy and weird about it for a couple days before deciding that he could, in fact, be best friends with a girl, cooties or not.

You laughed, loud in the quiet of your neighborhood, as you heard Tyson shout, “Hey!” and collect himself enough to race after you. 

He did end up catching you, because you were too busy laughing to keep running. You’d never admit it to Tyson, either, but letting him teach you how to skate was fun.

Well, I was 16 when suddenly I wasn’t that little girl you used to see They never believed we’d really fall in love

In another few years, hockey went from something for Tyson to everything, and he was heading off to B.C. You didn’t let Tyson see you cry when he left you behind, but it was hard, only 12 years old and watching your best friend get on a plane for 800 miles away. You didn’t want him to forget about you.

Tyson always came home, though, and when he was too far away, he would always call, always answer the phone for you. Before you knew it, you weren’t kids anymore, and Tyson was getting drafted. You were there with his mom and Kacey when Colorado called his name. You were so happy for him, but as you watched him pull that jersey over his head, you couldn’t help but feel like you were losing your best friend again. You weren’t sure you’d get him back this time.

Except in the middle of the madness that was the draft party back home later that week, Tyson grabbed you by the arm and dragged you outside. He was still wearing an Avs hat, but it was crooked, and his cheeks were flushed.

“I’m proud of you,” you told him. You felt like you’d been saying that a lot lately, but you still meant it every time. Tyson just shrugged at you, ducking his head. 

“I wanna talk to you about something,” he said. Up close like this, Tyson seemed nervous.

“Tys. What’s wrong?”

“I’m gonna miss you,” he admitted, but there was still something he wasn’t saying. He’d left you before, that wasn’t anything new.

“I’m gonna miss you, too, Tys, but-”

“I think I’m in love with you,” Tyson blurted, cutting you off.

You froze. Tyson looked unsure, curls askew under that stupid hat, and, yeah, he was just your best friend, but you’d probably been a little bit in love with him for years, too.

You didn’t quite know how to say that, so you stood up on your toes and pressed a kiss to Tyson’s lips. When you pulled back, hands still on Tyson’s shoulders, he was grinning down at you.

“So.” Tyson’s hands found your hips. “Guess you love me, too?”

“I take it back.” Tyson was going to be annoying about this, you could already.

“Nope,” Tyson said. He kissed you again, because he could. “Too late.”

Not much changed after that. You and Tyson still spent all of your time together, except there was a lot more kissing. Tyson had always been a tactile person, always looking for an excuse to be close to you, to be touching you in some way, and now he didn’t need an excuse. You couldn’t turn around without Tyson being there, a kiss pressed to your cheek, your temple, your lips. 

You rolled your eyes at him every time, but you didn’t really mind. 

You saw your moms smiling knowingly at you two sometimes, when they saw you curled up on the couch watching a movie, and you remembered the way they used to say you looked at Tyson like he’d hung the stars. You knew what that meant now, and they might’ve been on to something all those years ago. 

You asked Tyson about it one night late that first summer together, underneath those very stars, on your backs in the grass. 

“How’d you know?” Tyson turned his head to look at you. “That you were in love with me?” You were still young, but with Tyson it just seemed right.

Tyson laughed, rolling to his side and propping himself up on one elbow.

“I think I’ve always been in love with you,” he admitted. He was blushing a little. 

You leaned up to kiss him, and when you pulled back, he was blushing harder. “Me too.” 

You weren’t able to be there the night Tyson made his debut, but he called you after the game, all bright eyes and flushed cheeks and messy curls that you loved so much. 

“I love you,” he said quietly, like he still didn’t quite believe any of this was happening.

You wished you could be there to hug him, tell him again how proud you were of him. 

Take me back to the time we had our very first fight, the slamming of doors instead of kissing goodnight You stayed outside ‘til the morning light

The distance never did get easier, especially on the days Tyson struggled with his hockey, and you wondered if there would ever come a day where Tyson would have to decide which he loved more: you or hockey.

But there were always summers together, and long weekends and spring break. You made it work. Or, you thought you did. 

“Have you ever thought about transferring schools?” Tyson asked one day out of the blue. He’d only been home a couple of weeks after the Avs had been knocked out by San Jose.  You were sitting on the front porch swing after dinner, Tyson’s arm around your shoulders, but you tensed and pulled away from him.

“Why would I switch schools?” You had stayed close to home, and you were on pace to graduate early. Most importantly, you were happy.

Tyson shrugged, but his nonchalance seemed fake. “You could come down to Denver,” he said. He was looking over your shoulder at the sunset.

You raised your eyebrows at him. You hadn’t followed Tyson to UND, and you weren’t about to uproot your life to follow him to Denver. He’d been okay with that. You’d thought he’d been, at least.

“I’m not switching schools, Tys,” you said. You couldn’t decide if you were really angry or just hurt. This wasn’t Tyson asking you to move to Denver with him; it was him asking you to give up the life you were building and planning to be his girlfriend.

You stopped yourself from reminding Tyson that he couldn’t even stay in the lineup again this season, because he knew that already.

“Why not?” Tyson looked like he really didn’t get it. “You do want to come to Denver, one day, right?”

And, yeah, of course you did. There wasn’t a future in your head that didn’t have Tyson by your side. But you were supposed to graduate first, be able to start a life of your own out in Colorado, not just follow Tyson there.

“What if I don’t?” came out of your mouth instead. Tyson's face fell. He’d hurt you, and now you’d hurt him, too. “Tyson, my friends and family are all here, how am I just supposed to leave everyone behind?” You would, one day. You just weren’t ready yet.

“I did it.” Tyson’s voice was small. 

He had, and you’d been one of the ones he’d left behind, over and over.

“And what if you change your mind about me, about us?” 

Tyson recoiled as if you had slapped him. You supposed you had, in a way.

“I won’t,” Tyson said lowly. He looked like he wanted to grab your hand. “I would never.”

You believed him, but you couldn’t do this anymore tonight.

“Good night, Tyson,” you said, standing up and heading inside. You didn’t look over your shoulder to see Tyson’s face as the screen door shut behind you. 

You woke up the next morning to find Tyson passed out on your living room couch. He was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. 

“Sweetheart,” your mom said carefully as you walked into the kitchen. “Why did I find Tyson asleep on the porch swing when I went out for the paper this morning?”

You giggled a little in spite of yourself. Like a lot of things, last night’s fight felt a little stupid in the daylight. That also explained how Tyson was currently drooling on one of your mom’s throw pillows.

“We got in a little bit of a fight last night,” you told her. “I should probably wake him, eh?” He didn’t look very comfortable, but you didn’t imagine he’d slept very well outside, either.

Your mom just smiled into her coffee.

You watched Tyson sleep for a moment before poking him to wake up. He pressed his face deeper into the pillow for a second before blinking disgruntledly up at you.

“Hey.”

“You’re an idiot,” you told him, but it just came out fond. Tyson grinned up at you. He had pillow creases on his face.

You ended up going out for breakfast, after taking Tyson home to change into not-stale clothes. You both apologized over waffles, but you didn’t talk about it. It was fine, you were fine. The future was scary. 

Tyson didn’t bring it up again that summer. Not until you were on FaceTime one late night after the season started, when you were both tired and defenses were down. It was easier to talk about the future that way, for some reason, making plans while you were both half asleep. You dreamed of mountains that night.

Denver could wait, and Tyson would always be there waiting for you, too. 

A few years had gone and come around, we were sitting at our favorite spot in town And you looked at me, got down on one knee

Years passed. You graduated college. Moved to Denver, moved in with Tyson. You loved Denver, and you loved Tyson. And on late nights when you couldn’t sleep, you could just reach across the bed instead of reaching for the phone.

It happened back home in Alberta, though, because Tyson was sentimental like that, and home was where it all began.

You were next to Tyson on porch swing after dinner, just like you had so many times before, except tonight Tyson seemed nervous. He was clutching your hand tightly, and he was rambling, some story about JT you were pretty sure you’d heard before. When he paused to take a breath, you nudged him with your clasped hands. 

“What’s up, babe?” you asked. Tyson’s ears turned red the way they always did when you called him “babe.”

Tyson squeezed your hand, then brought it up to his mouth to press a quick kiss to the back of it. 

“Do you remember all the days we used to spend out here when we were kids?”

You did. You’d do your homework out on the porch swing on nice days, and when there wasn’t homework, you’d find some other reason to be outside. It had always been both of yours favorite spot. 

“I always hoped we’d end up back here like this one day, y’know?” 

You did know, but Tyson was letting go of your hand and sliding off the swing, down on one knee next to you, before you could respond.

“Tyson,” you breathed out instead.

There was a ring in Tyson’s hands, and he kept turning it over nervously as he continued talking. You had a half thought to hope he didn’t drop it.

“In my head, I was gonna have this great speech, and it was gonna be all romantic and shit, but now I can’t think of any words to say.”

You giggled and reached out to run your fingers through Tyson’s hair before cupping his cheek. He leaned into the touch. The sun was setting behind him, bright pinks and yellows across the sky, and it was just like every other time you’d sat right here together. 

“I love you,” you said, because it seemed important. 

“You’ve been in my life for as long as I can remember, and I can’t think of anyone else I want to spend the rest of my life with. Because that’s all I want, to be with you forever.” Tyson paused, took a deep breath. “Y/N, will you marry me?” he asked, looking up at you with big brown eyes.

“Yes, Tyson, of course,” you said, laughing. You might’ve been crying, too;  it was a little hard to tell. 

After all this time, you and I…

Alberta was home, but so was Denver. Tyson had been by your side for as long as you could remember, and he’d be there for as long as you could imagine.

You’d been lucky to fall in love with your best friend, but you’d probably always been a little bit in love with him, so maybe luck had nothing to do with it.

When you bought a new home together, Tyson insisted that you had to have a porch swing. Not that you would have objected.

“D’you think our kids will be like us one day?” he asked you once. There was a ring to match yours on his finger, now.

“What?” All those years, and sometimes you still didn’t understand half of what came out of Tyson’s mouth. 

“Like, cute, fall in love with the kid next door stuff,” Tyson said. 

You just laughed. 

[jeo9n]

Majesty Pt 3 || JJK

Pairing : Jeon Jungkook x Reader

Genre : Slow burn,Angst,fluff,King JK

Warnings : Angst,future smut,virgin reader, TW: sexual assault??, reader is still shy around JK

Wordcount : 2k

previous | next

When I woke up the next morning, I still couldn’t really believe all of this actually happened. This all didn’t feel like it was real. 

I started questioning a lot of things, do I actually want this though? Do i want to get married to the King? Would I be a good wife for him? Would his family except me? Would the people in the village and everyone else except me? Would my mom be happy for me?... Would I even be happy?

As I was deep in thought, I was interrupted by someone knocking on my door. "Yes?" I answered.

"Goodmorning, miss. Your breakfast is ready." Said the old woman that showed me to my room yesterday. "Oh, okay, I’ll be right there, let me just get ready real quick." I answered her as i sat up. "Of course." was all she said before closing the door and leaving me all by myself again.

As I made myself downstairs, the woman, which I later found out her name was Maria, waited for my by the stairs to bring me to the dining room. As i didn’t know where it was.

The King was already sitting in his chair as we arrived at the dining room. He was sitting at the centre of the table on a beautiful gold chair. "Goodmorning morning, your highness." I said, while sitting down, choosing a chair rather far away from him.

"Why are you sitting so far away from me?" He asked, "Come and sit next me, I won’t bite you."

"Okay" I said quietly while standing up so I could go and sit next him. Feeling his eyes on me the whole time as I was walking towards him. He kept on looking at me even as I was sat beside him. There was this awkward tension in the room and it made me really uncomfortable. Thankfully though, Maria came in a few seconds later and brought us our food.

We ate our food in complete silence, until he started talking. "How’d you sleep?" He asked, while looking at me once again. "I slept pretty good, your highness." I told him, without looking at him, "And you, your highness?"

"I slept fantastic, knowing I have a pretty lady like you sleeping in my castle." He said with a smirk.

His words made me blush.

He looked at my red cheeks and smiled. "Are you always that nervous around men?" He asked.

"Depends." I answered him. "Depends on what? Y/n." He asked me once again, with a amused look on his face.

"I-I don’t know... depends on the men I guess." I told him while chewing on my lower lip. Well, you see, the truth was, I only get nervous around men I’m attracted to, but he didn’t had to know that.

"I like the way you look when you’re blushing." He said, with a smirk on his face before he continued eating. Once he was finished with his food, he excused himself saying he was busy. Before he stood up and left the room.

I finished my food, grabbed our plates and made my way to the kitchen, where I saw Maria cleaning. She turned around as soon as she heard movement behind her. "Oh dear, you didn’t have to bring me those. You should’ve called for me to get them" She said, once she saw me. Walking towards me trying to take the dishes from me.

"But why? You don’t have to clean up for me." I told her, "I can clean up for myself, don’t worry about it."

"That’s really nice of you. But, it’s my job to do those things for you." She giggles, holding her hands out to me, asking for the plates.

"Fine. But please let me help you clean up, I don’t know what else I should do." I told her, while handing her the plates. "Miss, you really don’t have to help me." She said, causing you to sigh. "Okay."

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

I decided to walk around the palace and explore it a bit. I walked through many hallways, walked many stairs up and down, passed by many closed doors. Before I eventually found the King‘s bedroom at the end of a long hallway. He had double doors that were made out of pure gold. They looked heavy and expensive. As I was admiring the doors, they suddenly opened. "Oh, Y/n - I wasn’t expecting to see you here." The King said, a little out of breath as he opened the door.

He was leaning against the door shirtless, looking me up and down before his eyes stopped at mine. "Is there anything you need?"

"No, not really. I was just walking around." I murmured. "You were walking around and found yourself in from of my room?" he smirks, "what a coincidence."

"Uh, yeah" I giggled nervously.

Suddenly A woman appeared behind him, wearing a pink silk robe that hung loosely off of her right shoulder. "Jungkookie, where is my glass of water?" She asked, with a fake pout on her lips while wrapping her arms around his waist and letting her head rest on his shoulder.

She was pretty. She had long dark brown hair and her eyes were ocean blue. But, why was she in his room? Dressed like that?

He turned around and looked at her with a smile on his lips. "Ah, sorry. I got interrupted." He told her while looking at me.

"I see, is that your wife to be?" She asked, as she looked at me with a disgusted look her face.

"Yes." He told her, giving her a peck on the lips.

As I looked at them, I noticed the way they both looked. Both of their hair looked a mess, her makeup was smeared and she barley had any clothes on. The King looked sweaty, and there were a few hickeys on his neck and on his chest which i didn’t notice before. And I wasn’t dumb. I knew they had sex, It was obvious.

They stood their looking at each other lovingly. And I felt like I was interrupting something.

"Uhm, I should probably go." Was all I said before I turned around and left. Hearing her laugh before the door closed. Well, that was awkward.

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

Later that day I found myself back in the kitchen with Maria. She prepared dinner as watched her, I wanted to help her but she insisted that she doesn’t need any help.

"Does the King have a girlfriend?" I asked her, out of curiosity. The room went silent for a moment before she answered. "Why do you ask my dear?" She asked back.

"I saw him with a woman earlier today - they looked like a couple to me." I murmured.

"Well, I wouldn’t call it a girlfriend. They just do some... stuff together." She tells, while wiping her hands on her apron.

"What kind of stuff?" Silence filled the room and I could tell she was looking for words to explain. "They just let go off some steam together, I guess you could say." A sigh passed my lips. I knew what she meant by that but I didn’t understand. If he already has a woman by his side, then why did he go look for a wife?

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

Maria finished cooking dinner and I helped set up the table. Not taking no as an answer as I was asking to help her this time.

The King arrived right as we were done setting up the table. He took a seat on his usual spot, before he asked me to sit too. Next to him, of course.

I took a sip of my water, before we both started eating.

"How was your day?" He asked, while taking a sip of his wine. "My day was good, thank you - and yours, your highness?" I asked back.

"My day was wonderful. - you don’t drink alcohol?" He asked me, while looking at my glass of water.

"No I don’t, I don’t drink alcohol, your highness."

"And why is that?" He asked, with a curious look on his face. "I haven’t had any good experiences with alcohol." I told him.

A confused look crossed his face. "What you you mean by that?"

He looked at me, clearly waiting for an answer.

"It makes people go crazy, it makes people do a lot of bad things, it changes them. I’ve seen what it does to people. So I refuse to drink it."

Now he was curious. "Has anyone ever done bad things to you while drunk?"

I didn’t answer right away. I didn’t know how I should tell him this.

"Uh, some men would sometimes touch me inappropriately while they were drunk." I told him, avoiding eye contact. Suddenly feeling uncomfortable. "But don’t worry about it, it’s fine."

"What are their names?" Was all he said.

"I-I don’t know their names, your highness." I whispered.

"Don’t lie to me, Y/n." He told me, in a strict tone, While looking me directly in the eyes.

Fuck, he was angry.

Well, the truth was, I knew their names. But I didn’t dare tell him. I didn’t want him to punish them, I didn’t want those man to suffer because of me, because I knew they didn’t mean to touch me. They were drunk. They didn’t know what they were doing.

"I really don’t know their names, your highness. It was a long time ago, if I knew their names, I would’ve probably forgotten by now."

He just looked at me. He knew I was lying, he could tell. And he was frustrated by that. "You don’t know? Or you don’t want to tell me?"

"I really don’t know." I told him, trying to sound convincing. He pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly annoyed by my answer. But he didn’t question me any further about it.

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

We finished our food and I helped Maria clean up. "You should go take a rest." She told me once we put all the dishes away. "you look tired."

"Yeah i probably should." I said, stretching my body, "you should take a rest too." I gave a smile. "Don’t worry about me dear, I still have a lot of stuff that I need to get done before I can rest." She told me with a smile on her face. A smile that she seems to have on her lips 24/7.

"Well, than let me help you. Getting things done goes by faster if someone is helping you." I told her. "I help my mom out all the time, I’m used to it." I assured her, walking towards her. Trying to help her out once again. But she stopped me. "I appreciate it but I don’t need your help." She told me while she cleaned the dishes. "Go to bed, it’s late."

"Ugh, fine." Turning around to leave. "Goodnight, Maria." I told her while I made my way out of the room.

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

As I was walking up the stairs I could hear a noise coming from the hallway. It sounded like someone was in pain. I followed the sound all the way down the hallway, until it led me to the Kings bedroom once again. I could hear the sounds more clearly now that I was standing in front of his door. I could hear a girl moaning.

"Jungkook!" She cries. "Fuck!"

I gasped loudly before covering my mouth. Quickly realizing what was going on. There wasn’t someone moaning out in pain, she was moaning out in pleasure.

I was shocked. I left quickly after that.

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

Back in my room I took a shower. Quickly washing away what i just heard. I felt ashamed for standing outside his door and listening to them. I felt like a creep.

Once i was done with my shower, I changed into a nightgown, that the King had prepared for me, and went straight to bed. Trying to forget what just happened.

I tossed around in bed for what felt like hours. Before I eventually fell asleep.

__________

taglist : @fangirl125reader @min-nicoleee @yzkyzkuniverse @safi4x

[danijimenezv]

His Biggest Fan

Summary: A little rewrite of the vending machine scene from OH1 Ch1. This was inspired by the replay for the Open Heart Book Club.

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x MC (Jillian Valentine).

Word Count: 2216 words.

A/N: I followed a lot of the game script but also added a little. I merged a few choices because I'm an indecisive little shit that loved both options 😂 And I also hated that Landrat kept Ethan's autograph, so I fixed it. As always, feedback is much appreciated! (please, I crave it)

“Wait! It’s you, isn’t it?”

“What?” Jillian furrowed his eyebrows at the other intern’s exclamation, deeply confused. On the outside, her face was a perfect mask of calm, but on the inside, she started to feel a wave of anxiousness threatening to suffocate her by the thought of being recognized.

“You’re the intern who did the thoracotomy with him this morning?”

“Yeah.” she shook her head, letting out the breath she had been holding, “And he ripped me a new one in front of everyone. It was so unbelievably-”

“Lucky!” Landry exclaimed, earning a puzzled look from her, “Ethan Ramsey actually talked to you! Ugh, this is what I get for getting to work an hour early. If I saw him in person, I’d probably just…”

As much as Jillian admired the man, she really couldn’t understand how Landry could describe her humiliation as a moment of luck. She was many things, proud being one of them, so she only felt indignant about what had happened that morning, nowhere near as happy as Landry.

“It was intimidating.” she shrugged, but raised an eyebrow when Landry froze up, staring wide-eyed in panic, “Landry? You okay?” he pointed past her, and as she turned around, she saw him there, talking to a nurse down the hall, the one and only Doctor Ethan Ramsey, “Crap, he’s coming this way. Hide me.”

“Hide you?! Hide me!” Landry squeaked.

“Jillian, stop.” she ordered herself, gathering her pride and dignity, “What am I doing? I can’t let my first day go like this. Okay, I’m… I’m gonna go talk to him.”

“The man once tore apart the research of the A.M.A.’s president… during the president’s keynote address! Are you sure about this?” Landry gasped.

“Landry, sometimes you just gotta… risk it.” Jillian grinned, “I’m always sure about what I do. It might not be the brightest idea, but at least I’m sure. I’m doing this. Would you let me borrow your copy of his book?”

Landry only nodded, still shocked in place. After taking Landry’s copy of Diagnostic Principles, Jillian marched down the hall toward Doctor Ramsey, who had stopped by an elderly patient’s room. Even from the hall, she could hear the patient hollering.

“I’m not going to ask you again, Barb.” Ramsey said tiredly.

“Forget about it, Doctor Ramsey. I’m busting outta this joint. I’ll tie the bedsheets together and rappel out of the window.” the older woman threatened.

“Don’t wait up on my account. In fact, I might break out of here with you.” for the first time, Jillian saw Ethan smiling, which surprised her and dazzled her in equal parts.

“I mean it! I don’t have my favorite armchair, and I’m bored without my puzzles.”

“And I’m bored of your excuses, Barb. Whine all you want, I’m not going anywhere until you take your medication.”

Ethan muttered to himself as he walked away from the entrance of the room and headed to a vending machine in the hall. He slid a dollar bill into the machine, but just stood there with his arms folded, not selecting anything.

“Hi, Doctor Ramsey.” Jillian approached with the most charming smile she could muster.

He glanced up at her for a split second with bemusement, before looking back at the machine, “Rookie. Back there, were you… hiding from me?”

“No, I don’t hide.” she stated confidently, showing the book, “I was actually hoping you might sign this book.”

“Autographs? Don’t you have work to be doing? Or at least other attendings to irritate?”

“Nope, just you.” she grinned, knowing it would only push his buttons.

“Interns.” he sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose, “I should have guessed. Well, if you have something else to say, then say it.”

“I just wanted to tell you I’m your biggest fan.”

Jillian hated to admit that; after all, it irritated her immensely when people said that about her parents or older siblings. She knew idolatry was pointless and frankly annoying, but for some reason, she wanted, needed, Ethan to know just how much she admired him and how much he had played part in the decision of becoming a doctor. She shared the same love, intrigue and aptitude for medicine as her family, but after much research, she knew becoming a doctor, a human one, was her calling. And the formidable Ethan Ramsey had inspired her enough to stand up to her family and choose her own path.

He still didn’t look away from the vending machine, half-listening, “My biggest fan? Is that right?”

“I’ve read all your papers: systemic amyloidosis, Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome, spinocerebellar ataxia…” at that, he turned to look at her directly, and Jillian straightened her posture slightly, refusing to back down, and instead held his sharp blue gaze, “You inspired me to go to medical school.”

“That ataxia paper was my undergrad thesis. That medical journal isn’t even published anymore. You tracked that down?” he seemed impressed.

“I can give you my copy… if you’d like.”

The way her voice had dropped to a sultry tone made it seem like she was offering something far less innocent and far more appealing than a simple copy of one of his papers. He tilted his head, intrigued for a moment, and then turned back to the machine.

“That won’t be necessary.” Ethan cleared his throat, and glanced back at the snacks display, “But I don’t think that’s what you came here to tell me.”

It was Jillian’s time to look intrigued. Over the years, she had perfected the art of hiding her thoughts and concealing her emotions with polite smiles and bored looks. She knew how to play the manipulation game with closed eyes, even if she didn’t do it frequently. But what had thrown her off base was that, somehow, Ethan could see right through her. The way he read her wasn’t something she was used to, and she still wasn’t sure if she liked it or not.

“Okay, I also came to assure you that I won’t let you down again.” she conceded.

He didn't even bother to look at her this time, “You can see the future? If so, you’ll make a remarkable physician.”

“Of course not. I just meant–”

“You will let me down again, Rookie. What’s more, you’ll let yourself down. Over and over.” he interrupted her and Jillian looked away, starting to regret even trying to talk to the man, but at last, Doctor Ramsey turned to stare directly at her, his blue eyes connecting with her honey-colored ones, “But what matters is that you get back on your feet each and every time, and push yourself to be better.”

Jillian was rendered speechless. She hadn’t expected him to give motivational and helpful advice, but here he was, proving her he wasn’t just another heartless, arrogant, know-it-all doctor as she had first gathered. Though she took his advice to heart and imprinted it in her brain, she didn’t dare say anything in return. After a few seconds in silence, she noticed how his eyes kept flicking to the chocolate bar in the top corner of the vending machine.

“I was always a salty snacks kind of girl myself, you know, popcorn, chips, that stuff.”

“That’s truly fascinating, but I’m not-”

“I know you’re not getting something for yourself.” Jill interrupted him, “You’re trying to pick something to cheer up Barbara in there, right?”

“How’d you figure that?”

“Just paying attention.” she mused with a soft smile, “You know, I bet I could pick out just the thing.”

“I doubt it. Barbara’s even more stubborn than you. She’s refused to take her pills for two days. But be my guest, it’s a hopeless endeavor.”

He didn’t think she could do it. In fact, he was looking at her like he was expecting her to fail, and not specifically in Barbara’s case. Jillian straightened her back at the challenge and scanned the contents of the vending machine. Her honey-colored eyes glinted in delight as soon as she spotted the hot cocoa. It was, after all, a comforting classic, and one of her personal favorites. Without a second to waste, she pressed the numbers for the chocolate. The machine whirred and the cocoa powder pack plunked out into the tray.

“Hot chocolate?” Doctor Ramsey looked down at her with condescendence, wanting to scoff at her cliché choice.

Jillian filled up a mug with hot water from the machine at the nurses’ station, and stirred in the cocoa. Once she made sure the drink was ready, she handed it to Ethan.

“How exactly is this supposed to-?”

“Come on, Doctor Ramsey, it’s hot chocolate. It’s bound to work, especially if she’s feeling restless and homesick.”

“That’s a big guess you’re taking there.”

“Don’t be so stubborn.” Jillian chastised him, “Look, just give it to her, okay? Trust me.”

“I don’t trust you.” he muttered.

“Well, you could always keep trying your way, but you don’t seem to be too successful at that either.”

He narrowed his eyes at her, but still took the mug and headed back into Barbara’s room. Jillian rested against the wall for a few minutes while she waited for him to be back. He soon returned with a perplexed look on his face.

“That got her to take the pills. I can’t believe it.” his mouth fell open in shock and he blinked a few times, “So, are you gonna tell me how you worked that one out?”

“Nope.”

“No?”

“A girl’s gotta have some secrets.”

Because if she had read him right, and she definitely thought she had, Ethan Ramsey was the kind of man who liked being in control of the situation and having answers to everything, down to the minimum detail. Why make it easier for him? She could keep him as frustrated as he made her feel. It was only fair.

“You’re really going to hold out on me?”

“I’m going for an air of mystery.” she flirted, “Is it working?”

“Mildly.”

Despite his best efforts, Ethan couldn’t help the smile that broke out into his face. It was hard not to respond in some way to the joyful expression on her face that made her eyes sparkle and turned her cheeks a lovely shade of soft pink. He caught himself after a few seconds, and looked away to compose the direction of his thoughts.

Jillian hadn’t noticed any of this, too occupied staring at the machine to avoid focusing on the handsome attending in front of her. It was then that she saw there were still 50 cents left over from Ethan’s dollar. She turned and pressed the numbers in the machine, and took the chocolate bar he was previously eyeing from the tray.

“And who is that for?”

“You.” Jillian tossed him the chocolate bar. He grabbed it with ease, but with raised eyebrows and a confused expression on his face, “I saw you kept staring at it earlier. You know, it’s okay to treat yourself sometimes.” He looked down at the chocolate in his hands with surprise, not having expected her to be that considerate with him.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Jill turned to walk away, “See you around, Doctor Ramsey.”

“Wait.” he stopped her and motioned for the book, “Give it here.”

He took Landry’s copy of Diagnostic Principles and turned to the nurses’ station to look for a pen to sign it. However, Jillian wasn’t the only observant person in the room. With just one look at the condition of the book, Ethan knew it wasn’t hers. He didn’t know her personally, but Jillian looked like the kind of perfectionist who would never highlight or write in a book, the kind of person who would take care of a book as if it was the most valuable possession and have it in perfect condition. That book in his hands had a lot of markers and scribbles, some pages were folded, and part of the cover was peeled off. It definitely didn’t look like her book. So, he signed the first page of the book, but additionally took a post-it from the nurses’ station and scrawled a quick message on it for her, before he returned and tossed the book back to her.

“Now get back to work, Valentine.”

That made her stop in her tracks, her honey-colored eyes wide in shock, “You remembered my name?”

“Just paying attention.” he threw back at her with a smirk before walking off.

Jillian opened the book in curiosity and read Ethan’s inscription on the post-it.

‘For my biggest fan. Don’t let me down. ~Dr. Ethan Ramsey.’

A bright smile lit up her whole face, and she quickly took the post-it and put it in her pocket, before returning to Landry and showing him the book.

“You’re still alive!” he shrieked in surprise, “And… I can’t believe it, you got my copy signed! I absolutely love it.”

Landry charged forward and squeezed Jillian in an awkward hug, causing her to flinch in discomfort and pat his back a couple of times before pulling away.

“Okay, yeah, you’re welcome…” she tried to smile politely and make up an excuse, “Come on. I’m getting paged and, I don’t know about you, but I’m still completely lost…”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Tags: @jamespotterthefirst, @missflashgeek, @openheart12, @takeharryandgo, @aestheticartsx, @choicesfanaf, @fireycookie, @the-pale-goddess, @drariellevalentine, @trappedinfanfiction, @tsrookie, @perriewinklenerdie, @genevievemd, @drethanramslay, @openheartthot, @lucy-268, @writinghereandthere, @rookie-ramsey, @missmiimiie, @ramseyandrys, @ruinedbypixels, @queencarb, @lovingramsey, @gryffindordaughterofathena, @ohchoices, @anntoldst0ries, @bluebellot, @schnitzelbutterfingers, @mysticaurathings, @iemcpbchoices, @itsjustamesshonestly, @shanzay44, @lsdw-blog, @liaromancewriter, @heauxplesslydevoted

[scarlettroubles]

Say Goodbye to My Heart Tonight

Mc’s mentioned in this story are Jules Farrier and Will Scarborough @cursebreakerfarrier​, Morgana Canigula @lgvalenzuela​ , and Septimus Crowe @brothergrimm71​. Finnegan Bradigan, Eliza Ryder, Augustus Hawthorne and Mathias and Matteo Alabaster belong to me.

As Eileen made her way to the library as instructed by Headmaster Dumbledore, she couldn't help but smile in anticipation and from the fluttering feeling in her stomach as she made her way to see the final surprise laid out by her boyfriend.

Boyfriend the very word made Eileen lightheaded and made her want to swoon. She found it very annoying. She wished it would stop.

But then she remembered the antics her and Will got into these past few days. How they had both heard the exact same announcement from Dumbledore that there was to be a Valentine's day Ball and the rush of excitement that flew through her veins in that moment.

She remembers how she had instinctively turned to look at Will from where he sat in the great hall with the rest of his housemates from Slytherin like Augustus who was just napping, Jules who had a far away look in her eyes. Probably thinking about her boyfriend Bill, Barnaby who was bursting at the seams with joy at the prospect of getting to dance with Morgana again, and Merula who although was sneering at the idea of some silly love fest with Ismelda Murke and the rest of her school clique, Eileen couldn’t help but notice the way her eyes darted off towards the Gryffindor table and on to Septimus Crowe, who was his usually broody self this morning but whom Eileen knew was hiding a drinking flask underneath the huge table. At most days Eileen would  have scolded him for drinking on a school day but seeing as how her sister Eliza and Jae Kim were currently sitting near him and talking his ear off and just being plain pain in the asses, she would let it slide for now.

She remembered the electric shock that passed through her when she found Will looking right at her from across the room too, and how they had both blushed madly when they had realized that they had been staring at the other like love struck teens. Penny and Finn had squealed at how adorable they found it while Diego and Chiara just gave her a knowing look. Tonks on the other hand  went as far as guffawing very loudly and had to have a hand smacked across her mouth before the entire teaching staff could silently scold them with their eyes. She remembers feeling her cheeks heat up with embarrassment and how badly she wanted to disappear in that moment because dammit she had a reputation to uphold-

But then it was announced that Madam Pince of all people would be planning the ball and suddenly the entire mood of the great hall dropped dead faster than a demiguise could disappear right before your eyes.

God they really were idiots. Not only idiots but idiots in love, how fucking cheesy was that? How fucking cheesy was it that they had BOTH immediately thought of saving the Ball for the other. How Will teamed up with Augustus (who had apparently only joined in with the promise of free snacks from Matteo) the Alabaster twins, Eliza and even dragging poor Septimus who looked absolutely done with everything  into the mix to try and convince Madam Pince in making the Ball into something everyone would enjoy and not the classical and so very lonely event she had had planned. While Eileen teamed up with Merula, Finn, and Jules to give Argus Filch of all people a makeover in order to get him to woo and convince Madam Pince to change the Ball into a classical woodland fairytale.

When she looked back at it now she really should have paid more attention to the poorly concealed smiles and giggles her friends were throwing at her every time the boys passed them by in a hurry.

With Mathias blushing from the tip of his ears every time he spared a glance at his boyfriend Finn, to her own boyfriend nearly crashing into every damn column or wall that was around him if he so much as passed by her and probably would have had a concussion by now if not for her sister Eliza grabbing him by the scruff of his shirt just at the nick of time and throwing her a questioning look, seemingly judging her taste in a romantic partner when Eileen herself felt like she had no right to judge seeing as how piss poor her sister’s own love life was.

It was funny to think that she and Will had gotten together just a few months after the start of 6th year. Those first few months were bliss compared to what had been going on now.

It was hard. It was really, really hard not to think about Rowan. Eileen wanted nothing more for her best friend to be here with her, She was the first person to have picked up on her feelings for him long before she had realized it herself. She should be enjoying the Ball with them and teasing her with the rest of her friends on how adorable she was with Will. She should have been laughing with Ben and her as they danced badly to whatever song the band played next.

She should be here, here in Hogwarts, alive and not buried 6 feet below the ground. Here laughing that unrestrained laugh of hers that never failed to make her smile and look at her with so much love. Talking off Eileen's ear about the many historical romances and fairy tales she knew as they went on their daring quest to save the Ball for everyone at Hogwarts. The rich scent of parchment, ink and fresh-sawn lumber following right behind her. With that stupid scarf she loved so much hanging off of her gangly shoulders and fluttering in the breeze.

Sometimes Eileen swears she can hear her voice ringing down the halls. But she knows she is dead and gone from the physical world. She is but a muted colored ghost of regret and guilt in her mind but a dear friend and loved one in her heart. And Eileen tries her best not to let the heavy chains of guilt that she struggled so hard to snap off wrap themselves on her wrists once again.

She really shouldn't linger on such thoughts unless she wanted to dampen the mood. Rowan wouldn't have wanted that for her. She would have wanted her to be happy. A sad smile that slowly turned into a bright one graced Eileen's face as she remembered just how her friends had found out she was dating Will.

Will had given her his old Slytherin sweater a month after his confession to her by the black lake. She hadn't worn the sweater at all during those first few weeks after receiving it, wanting to keep their new relationship on the down low for now. And, albeit being the tiniest bit embarrassed at owning a piece of her boyfriend's clothing and what others might scandalously think happened between them if they caught her wearing it.

But after another disappointing encounter with her brother and an upsetting talk with her father that had involved a bank statement from Gringotts meant for him, followed by her breaking into the Gryffindor dorm rooms just to get an old friend of hers to take her to the Ryder family Manor in order to investigate said bank statement had left Eileen feeling drained and in desperate need of comfort. And so in a moment of weakness, she had finally put on the sweater and slept in it only to wake up the next day to be met with wide eyes staring right at her groggy form wearing a Slytherin sweater that definitely didn’t belong to her.

The girls had all screamed their heads off upon learning that yes, her and Will did finally get together. While Chiara, Rowan and Penny all gave her a group hug and immediately started swamping her with questions, Tonks, in her usual fashion, went and started screaming at everyone in the Hufflepuff dorm room that “THE SHIP HAS SAILED EVERYONE! IT'S FUCKING SAILED! WILL AND EILEEN HAVE FINALLY DONE IT HAHAHAHAHAH- OW!” 

Before she got bonked in the head for being too loud and for cursing with first years around by Diego . It wasn't long until the the entire school found out about it and both her and Will were receiving congratulations from their classmates. In fact, Eileen could have sworn seeing Snape grumpily give Professor Mcgonagall a small pouch of money at the teachers table that morning during breakfast and for some reason, seemed to be glaring at her as if it was her fault for him losing some kind of bet but also seemed to look at her like he was...relieved…? Ugh, the very memory of such a strange encounter left her mind buzzing.

And so it was with a heavy heart Eileen buried down the guilt and pain that still lingered deep within her and focused on the present.

It was Valentine's day after all and she had a date. This was no time for sorrow and regret. This was a day of love and there was only one path for her at the moment and that path was leading her towards the Hogwarts Library.

Snapping back to the present, Eileen found herself right in front of the library door. She felt her palms start to sweat and her heart speed up. Whether from apprehension or excitement she could not say.

She placed her hand on the door knob and took a deep breath before giving it a twist…..And found herself walking straight into a fairytale.

The library had been completely transformed. Fairies that she recognized from the forbidden forest were flying about, buzzing softly and casting the entire room in a warm, soft glow. The books and tables in the library had been transformed into stairs and a platform to walk on. Above the platform even more books had been transformed into heart shaped archways and at the bottom of those archways lined scented candles that filled the library with the smell of lavender and lighted a path to somewhere deep in the library. Where the path led to she could not see but was excited to explore.

She took another step forward to investigate and saw that underneath the platforms were blue construction paper that seemed to have been enchanted to mimic the movement and flow of a running river.

Eileen couldn't help but cover her mouth in awe. She couldn't be blamed for it, because this…This was incredible and as Eileen stood there still struggling to take it all in, behind her came a familiar voice.

"Happy Valentine's, day my love." Will spoke softly as he emerged from his hiding spot. Carrying with him a brilliant red rose.

The smile on his girlfriend's face was so intoxicating Will couldn't help but smile back and think that he wouldn't mind getting drunk on it.

He was snapped out of his thoughts though as Eileen was suddenly running to meet him halfway and accidentally got a little too excited and ended up colliding straight into her tall-as-a-fucking-building of a boyfriend and hurriedly moved to wrap her arms around his shoulders and Will just laughed at his girlfriend's enthusiasm as he too, mirrored the gesture and wrapped his arms around his lovers waist and twirled her while also trying to not let the rose still in his hand get crushed in-between them as they both laughed.

Eileen drew back a bit to look at Will. He was taller than her and although Eileen had finally gotten that growth spurt of her’s these recent years and stood at a whopping 6’1 feet, she still had to crane her head to look him in the eye. Something he always liked to tease her for, only for him to be lightly punched by his girlfriend in the shoulder good naturedly.

"How in the world did you pull this off? This is- this is absolutely gorgeous Will! If it weren't for the musk of old books I would have thought I was transported somewhere entirely new." Eileen exclaimed to her lover with a smile.

Will just laughed softly, pleased at how much she liked it.

"I had a little help…" he explained rather cryptidly.

Eileen gave him a confused look when she suddenly heard a familiar chirp followed by a buzz behind her.

She twisted her neck to see where the noise was coming from and felt her jaw drop as she saw a familiar branch of bowtruckles behind her, it was the bowtruckles from the Care of Magical Creatures classroom but among them was also her bowtruckle companion, Barnaby Jr. And Tinkerbell, a fairy she had helped rehabilitate after having found her at the end of a nasty storm and whom she had named after some fairy from a muggle film Finnegan had shown her once, all up on a bookshelf.

Junior, noticing they had managed to get her attention, let out another happy chirp before quickly making his way down the bookshelf followed by Tinkerbell and the rest of the army of bowtruckles and Eileen could only watch in amusement as the tiny creatures raced towards her. She let out another laugh and bent down so she could scoop up Barnaby junior and let out a gasp as upon further inspection, noticed the tiny bowtie the little bowtruckle had on him. She turned to look at Tinkerbell and found her to be also sporting a beautiful blue ribbon tied into her hair as well as tiny rose bracelets on her wrist. Actually, all the other  bowtruckles had  accessories that fitted them all so perfectly. It was clear whoever gave them the outfits made them with utmost care.

"Oh Merlin, look at how stunning you two look with those accessories! They suit you both so well! You didn't just give Junior and Tinkerbell outfits though, you even gave accessories to Francis,and Ottie,and Rosie and- oh holy Hufflepuff look at all of you! You all look so lovely! Oh Will I think I'm gonna cry-" Eileen squealed happily as she did her best to cradle all the little creatures she had been caring for for years near her face and Will just smiled so lovingly at her as Junior and Tinkerbell, and the entire army of bowtruckles all let out happy chirps and buzzes at the attention they were getting from their caretaker and Mummy.

"I told them I wanted to do something special for their mummy. And as soon as they heard that I immediately had their attention. When I started to explain the plan they started jumping up and down, climbed down their Wiggentree, and made a beeline for the library. It was really funny and touching to watch them all clamoring to impress their mum." Will rubbed his neck in embarrassment.

"Junior found Tinkerbell fluttering around and must have explained to her the plan because the next thing I know, I'm putting some of the charms up to make the paper river and suddenly there's this group of fairies demanding they help out too!"

By the end of Will's recount, they were both laughing as the little creatures began to pat themselves on the back in a job well done and puffing out their chests, obviously liking the amount of praise they were all getting.

"Did Pince really let you use her precious library just for this or have you somehow managed to bribe our friends and the teaching staff to keep Hogwarts favorite librarian busy as we enjoyed our date?" Eileen asked playfully but with the slightest bit of worry in her voice. She didn't exactly want her date with Will ruined with an angry librarian and caretaker barging in the middle of it and having their date end with them sentenced to serve detention by helping Pitts out in the kitchens. It would have been worth it sure, but it would still be annoying and a wickedly bad damper on their special night.

"Actually yes, as long as we promise to tidy it all up afterwards and leave the place exactly as it was."

"Madam Pince has been left in such a good mood from her own romantic fairytale date with Filch that our friends and beloved teaching staff may or may not have set up for them that she has agreed for me to use the library for this very special occasion just this once." He finished with a flirtatious wink.

"The entire teaching staff? Even Snape?" Eileen asked, not quite willing to believe it.

"After being pressured into it by Professor Mcgonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore? Yes, even grumpy ol' Snape joined in on it."

The picture of the ill-tempered, greasy haired bat of the dungeons grumpily setting up a date for his two fellow co-workers left the two love birds cringe just the slightest bit at such a disturbing image.

"Now that that's out of the way, shall we?" Will said as he extended a hand to Eileen while still holding on to the rose from earlier and his face immediately lightened up as soon as the rough yet warm hand of his lover joined his open one. He led Eileen down the heart shaped archways and the path of scented candles while behind them, followed the crowd of bowtruckles and fairies. Letting out soft chirps and buzzing noises as they too went under the romantic shaped archways.

Will suddenly stopped and turned to Eileen to give her the red rose and she graciously accepted it with a soft smile that left Will's cheeks feeling warm. He quickly grabbed for the wand in his pocket and with a flick of his wrist, some string instruments cleverly placed in the corner of the room started to play a soft yet sweet ballad. Eileen gave Will a disbelieving look at the ridiculous amount of effort he put into this whole thing and Will just ducked his head and chuckled in embarrassment before grabbing for her hand again and moving on.

"So uh, this isn't too much is it? I-I know you're not the biggest fan of grand  gestures or anything but, I… I know these past few months haven't been easy on you and I just- I wanted to do something special for you. I wanted to give you the storybook romance you deserved. And yes, I know technically storybook romances although ideal are not realistic, but…."

Will raised his hand, gesturing to something ahead of them and Eileen let her eyes follow to where they were pointed to before letting out a sharp gasp.

Soft, pale pink light emanated from the floating fairies like the faint embers of a candle. It cast the room in a rosy hue, highlighting the platform she saw ahead of her. It was one of the strangest displays she'd ever seen. And yet, somehow it fit.

The platform was composed entirely of books bound together by enchantments. Stacks of curving tomes that resembled the half moons flanked its edge, conjoining in a heart in the middle. Candles flickered along the edge, creating a kaleidoscope of pastel pinky, peachy colour throughout the library. It was a scene that would make Pince lose her mind. It was a scene that melted Eileen's heart.

Will once again gave his wand another precise flick and suddenly there was a silver dining platter floating gently to the ground. As soon as the platter touched the floor, almost all the small creatures in the room started to crowd around it. When the lid slid open, the plate was revealed to be filled with creature feed which started to float a few inches off the plate before swiftly distributing itself to the eager hands of fairies and bowtruckle alike. The creatures making pleased noises as they ate their meals.

“They deserve a reward for helping me out with this. They're er, they're eating it so I'm going to assume I got the right feed for them? I know you explained to me their diets in the past and I even asked Hagrid and Barnaby to make sure I grabbed the right one but even then I was still scared I went and mucked it up. S-sorry I'm just blabbering now aren't I? ” Will laughed nervously as he struggled to keep his composure relaxed.

Eileen just looked at him adoringly though. She was touched to know that Will had listened to what she said about bowtruckles and fairy diets. Hell, he even remembered the whole damn conversation and went as far as double checking with Hagrid to make sure he got it right!

God, she could feel how sore her cheeks were getting from how wide she was smiling right now. But she could complain about how stupidly cheesy this all was later on, in the privacy of her dorm room with her face maybe buried in her pillow as she replayed the night's events all over again on loop.

Right now, right now she was stupidly in love with her boyfriend because she's an idiot and her  heart felt like bursting from joy. And right now she would very much like to kiss her boyfriend stupid.

Will looked at Eileen only to find her looking at him with those golden eyes he grew to love so much. Eyes that reminded him of the sun that, at times felt like they were gonna scorch him alive with that intense stare of hers but right now, felt more like a warm caress upon his skin and for all his charm and skillful words, he could not help but grow bashful at the knowledge that a girl like her was looking at him with so much love. And if his heart started beating faster and his cheeks grew flush then that was his secret to keep.

He grabbed for her hand once more and she let him guide her up the stairs of this strange platform. And in the faint darkness of the library, Eileen ludicrously wondered to herself if Will could see the faint red glow of her own cheeks as she felt his sweaty fractal covered palm against her calloused one.

As the two made their way towards the middle of the floor, Will took both of Eileen's hands in his and held them firmly as he gave her a small smile that told her a thousand secrets.

"You made this Valentine's ball perfect for everyone, even for the likes of grumpy old Filch and pinched-faced Pince."Will started off until Eileen decided to speak up in typical smartass fashion.

"Technically you could say we both did seeing as how we cheesily went behind the others back to save the Ball in an attempt to give the other the best night of their lives but please, continue."

Will gave her a disbelieving look at her interruption in which Eileen just laughed as her lover struggled to fight down a smile and keep their already sweaty palms clasped to one another.

"As I was saying, you made this night perfect for everyone, even when no one asked you to. And I wanted to do something for you in return. Can't have my own girlfriend outdoing me anyway."

"Outdoing you? Will Scarborough, are you saying this was a contest between us?" Eileen asked, exasperated.

"Of course not, because if it was then I would have obviously won and you would have obviously lost. Which you hate and today is a day of love. I mean, c'mon Elly I built you a whole damn classic fairytale romance with nothing but books and paper in a library that is guarded by a crazy librarian who hates people using her library with the help of the creatures you love so much. Without another person's assistance might I add! And no, Headmaster Dumbledore does not count because he merely stalled you so I could do the finishing touches, but I digress."

Will finished as Eileen fought to contain her laughter at his mini rant.

"Okay okay, we need to be serious right now. This is my serious face."

"I thought that was your dork face-

"Merlin's beard Elly, will you let a man speak? If you interrupted me this much when I first confessed to you at the shore of the black lake we would have been caught by the teaching staff before I could get a word out!"

And it was then that Eileen finally bursted out laughing and clutched her stomach as Will smiled down at her on how silly she was being.

He couldn't help but feel a wave of pride to know he was one of the few that could make her laugh like this.

Eileen let out a new guffaw of laughter as Will grasped her by the shoulders. Trying to steady her and make her stop laughing. 

"Just- hold still. I'm being very serious right now. I am about to be a huge romantic so we are going to be serious. What I am about to say is serious" Will said as he craned Eileen's face to look at him as she finally ceased giggling. Sensing Will's sudden change of mood.

"These past few months have not been easy for you. They haven't been easy for me either because they weren't easy for you. And it hurts me to know you are hurting and all I can do is to hold you and hope you can feel my love. That you know that my love for you is always there. And that you are free to take it just as I am free to take yours. That you can trust in me like a lifelong friend just as I trust you, and have faith in me that I will come back like a sailor at sea does to his family and his wife after every little row we have no matter how silly or bad it was."

"I am grateful that you trust me enough to hand me your heart and have faith I will not break it or wander off with it as I hand mine to you and hope for the same thing. I am grateful I can make you laugh like no one else can and you are comfortable enough to be vulnerable around me just as much as I  can be vulnerable around you."

"I thought I knew what love was but then I met you. I am so, so glad I met you Eileen, my love. My beloved. My trusted friend. And I know sometimes you question if you are worthy of being loved, if you are worthy of my love, and sometimes I wonder if I am worthy of yours as well. But I think- I think we should stop questioning if we are good enough for the other and just focus on being enough for each other instead. Love isn’t built on doubt after all, it’s built on trust and faith. Because at the end of the day that is what I want. To be with you and to continue to grow as a person because of you. And at the end of all that, I say- Happy Valentine's day, my love."

Will finished with tears in his eyes he was desperately trying to hold back his own tears only to find Eileen holding back tears of her own. He moved his hand to wipe them away, not wanting to see her sad but she merely grabbed his palm and pulled him into a kiss. And as Eileen claimed his lips she could only hope he got the message loud and clear.

I love you too.

When they both finally pulled apart for air, they pressed their foreheads together and smiled sweetly as tears of joy streamed down both their cheeks and held each other close. Tucked safely away from the prying eyes of all save for the small creatures that still hung around the room but were smart enough to give them their privacy.

When they finally opened their eyes to look at the other, green eyes met gold ones that were filled with such love and understanding that only they would truly know.

"Before we end the night, I have one more surprise up my sleeve."

"Another one? Haven't we had enough surprises in one night Will?"

"Trust me, I think you'll like this one." He said confidently and Eileen took his word for it.

" As you may or may not know, we are most definitely the best power couple in this school. And don't you think Hogwarts best power couple deserve to have their own love story written down for the ages? So why not have our own storybook?"

Will  brought out his wand and with a wordless spell, a book suddenly materialized right between them.

It was a leatherbound book and was expertly crafted. It was a gorgeous shade of teal with various roses of pinks and reds decorating the edges of the cover and two interconnected golden hearts in the middle with what looked like an actual key hole in the space where the two hearts met at their feet. With a golden chained necklace wrapped around the book with a heart shaped key on the end of it.

"It's beautiful Will." Eileen breathed out softly. Still mesmerized at how well crafted the book was.

"Only the best for my lady." He said as he gave her his most charming smile which only made the smile on Eileen's face grow even bigger as she let out a small chuckle.

"So, what's it about? Wait no, let me guess… It's about a curse breaking witch who had a strong connection with animals and made a living by breaking curses who one day meets this charming sorcerer.

They don't get along at first but they keep running into each other over and over again and eventually team up to stop some ancient evil."

"And have a classic romance story along the way." Will added with a smirk.

"And end up becoming each other's future despite everything that was thrown their way. Because they knew the moment they met each other a second time, that it was fate." Eileen finished with a smile.

"I think that's a story I can read over and over again." Eileen said as she cradled the book gently and caressed the cover. Feeling the soft leather beneath her fingers and admiring just how much love was put into its pages.

"With you being a bookworm and a sappy romantic? Definitely. The key will allow you to open it so that way you can read it whenever you want. You can even wear the key like a necklace so that way the story will always be with you."

"Tch, and you call me the sappy romantic when you went and did all of this?"  Eileen said teasingly.

Will just gave her a pouty face which made her laugh and to which he quickly joined in.

"It's perfect, this entire night has been perfect. Thank you Will."

"What do you say we end this night with a dance?" Will said as he offered her his hand one final time.

She felt herself smirk and grabbed his hand without hesitation.

"I couldn't think of a better way Mr. Scarborough."

As Will led them both to the middle of the library floor, this time it was Eileen who brought out her wand and with a gesture of her hand the instruments at the corner of the room started playing a song for slow dancing and the couple both positioned their hands on their partner's body and proceeded to dance. The bowtruckles and fairies, seeing the humans swaying softly to the music decided to follow them as well and all partnered up. Doing their best to copy Will and Eileen as they danced the night away.

And as Eileen rested her head against her boyfriend's chest and listened to the soft beating of his heart.  For the first time in forever, Eileen looked forward to the future and hoped that Will was included in every step of the way. Because there was no one else she'd want by her side to take on the world than Will Scarborough.

And just for the night, the universe was merciful on Eileen Ryder and her lover Will Scarborough. And she smiled.

For even if it was just one night. No matter how short their love story would be. Eileen knew she would rather love Will no matter how short of a period of time that would be, than not love him at all.

And just for this night.

It was enough.

[kayoticworld]

Just like you...

Genshin Impact

WARNINGS: None?

Be nice, English is not my native language and this is basically just a little test to see if people like it. If yes, I'll upload more

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

"Diluc! I'm not here to boss you around! I want to help! Why don't you get that?!"

A young woman with long purple hair stood in front of the tavern owner. Tears made her flaming pink eyes sparkling, but not a single drop had left them yet. She held back her emotions with all affordable strength, yet the air around that woman seemed to be charged with pure electric energy.

"And I told you, that I don't need any help. Why don't you get that, Akali?", he answered with his arms crossed.

Diluc was always distant, nevertheless she tried to be close to him. Ever since they were little, she tried her best, but now Akali wondered why she even tried.

"Fine."

No more words were spoken. She bit her lip, so there wouldn't be any words she'd regret. Only the bitter sweet taste of her own blood.

With all the strength left in her bones, Akali walked out of the room, her head up high and not looking back. Only so could she remain her dignity.

By all the Archons, she wished that he would shout after her, stop her, call her name, but he never did.

He never would. It just wasn't Diluc's way.

It's been years since they last saw each other. Many things had changed, but Diluc didn't. He remained as stubborn and cold as she left him.

Why couldn't he just accept her help?

Akali passed some guests of the tavern when she stormed out of the backroom. It was hard to keep her mind focused on all the anger and thoughts, when there was so much joy all round. All of the people were having lively conversations while hovering infront of their glasses.

She couldn't take the atmosphere right now. It made her sick.

All those noisy people engaged in their happy conversations, drinking expensive wine on wooden chairs in Dilucs tavern. What in earth was she thinking? That he'd change? That he'd accept help just this once?

His honor came before everything, even their friendship. Ugh! There are people's life on the line and Diluc kept on playing the hero who didn't need help, when he actually did.

Who else could he ask for help? Or maybe who else could she ask?

But just before Akali could leave the stuffy air of Diluc's tavern behind, the door opened and it was none other than her other childhood best friend.

"Kaeya?"

It didn't took her long to recognize him. He stood out by everything he wore, his eyepatch, the long dark blue hair and his eyes. They had the most beautiful icy color, Akali had ever seen and she had seen many.

But apparently not only she did recognize the one in front of her.

"Kali! What are you doing here? Having a glass of wine without me?", he grinned.

Of course he noticed the tears in her eyes, the way her face had turned all red when she was angry and the static in the air, but most importantly he noticed Diluc, who had just now returned to his spot behind the counter and was keeping an eye on them.

Something must have happened, it always did.

"I'm staying in Mondstadt for a few days and I thought I... visit someone.", she bitterly admitted.

"Well then, would you fancy having a drink together? Telling me about your adventures, perhaps? Or if you'd prefer, we could go somewhere else."

"No! No... It's okay. We can stay... I would gladly spend some time with you."

Under the strict eyes of the tavern owner the two of them sat down in a corner at the back of the establishment, away from all the noise, the bard's music and happenings.

Kaeya had aged really well, Akali thought to herself. He had indeed become very attractive. She even dared to think that he looked fancy.

Something about him had always been kind of exotic... Maybe that was why he stood out. But on her journey Akali had learned to sort of like the things that stood out.

"So tell me, what have you been doing all these years?", the blue haired asked.

"Traveled the world. I've just wanted to see as much as possible. I worked for different people, helped most of them too. And now I'm here for sometime. It's really not that special."

Kaeya leaned back in his chair. Blue eyes still focused on her silhouette.

The three of them, Akali, Diluc and him were childhood friends. They spend many years of training together. They were like family, one could have even said.

Together they had been through so much fun and trouble... Memories of better times, that layed way to long in the past.

For now Kaeya could only remember how much he wanted the little purple haired girl to be happy. Or maybe he always tried to make that happen.

A long time had passed since she left and now instead of the cute, friendly girl, that picked on him and made him laugh, a young, beautiful woman was sitting right next to him.

"I think it is very interesting indeed. You need to tell me more."

A grin formed on both their lips, as she looked up from the table and directly into his ice blue eyes.

"Well, I guess I can tell you some stories, but what about you? Are you a knight of the order? Or just..."

"Just what?"

"I don't know. Just independent, like others...", she said slightly teasingly, with a slick eye roll.

"I'm a knight. Cavalary Captain of the Knights of Favonius, to be exact."

"Wow, sounds like alot of responsibility."

"It is. Although the grandmaster took all the Cavalary and now there is none for me to captain.", he nodded with a soft simile on his lips.

"But tell me, for how long have you been in Mondstadt?"

A short silence settled in between the two. Not long enough to make it awkward, but also not short enough to go unnoticed.

It was a moment of thinking.

"I arrived two days ago. But-", Akali couldn't finish her explanation about how she wanted to go see him after some things were sorted out, as a waitress interrupted the talk.

"H-Hello, d-do you know what you'd like to order yet?", the woman asked nervously.

Kaeya knew her. Donna, a shy, mousy girl, although very friendly, but she had a crush on Diluc, for literally all the wrong reasons. Hm, not that that was something new.

"The usual, for the both of us this time.", he quickly responded.

"O-okay."

Quickly Donna left. Her cheeks had the color of wild raspberries by the moment she could finally leave their table and over her, one could only see Diluc's flaming red eyes darting towards the two, but none of them actually cared.

"So... the usual, huh?"

"Oh don't worry. It's called "Death by Afternoon", which is sparkling wine with three parts dandelion wine. You'll like it. Trust me."

Of course she trusted him.

They both shared a moment. Of course, Kaeya forgot that Kali didn't drink. Surprisingly enough that the usually confident woman didn't intervine.

"What about your non-drinking attitude?", he winked.

"Let's say that that changed over the years. I wouldn't want to be caught dead with a glass of grape juice in my hands, now would I?"

Of course she nagged Diluc over his favorite drink, just like Kaeya usually did.

"Some people are just unromantic."

They shared a laughter together, that felt like it had been the first time in forever. So that is what both of them missed.

"Maybe you're right. But I hope you didn't order anything bitter. You know, I'm not really into that."

"Don't worry. Death by afternoon is a Mondstadt speciality. Dandelion wine makes the bitterness of the sparkling wine disappear completely. You'll like it, I'm sure of that."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"You got good taste."

The adventure and the knight engaged in a lively talk about their work, their experiences and even their childhood.

It's been too many years since Akali had last visited Mondstadt. Everything seemed to be new, but from outside it nothing seemed to ever really change.

Diluc gave them another glare.

What else could he do? Kaeya was a charming as one could be and Akali was falling for it. He didn't mind it going on for an hour, at least Diluc tried to talk himself into thinking that, but the more they drank, the closer they got.

A little gesture here. A small touch there. They were friends, but this behavior annoyed him.

Usually he was the one, who had this... thing going on with the electric user. They had this sort of connection, where he didn't mind her being close to him. But her being close with Kaeya? It made him angry.

Was that... jealousy, he felt?

Quickly he shook his head, trying his best to keep a straight face.

"Wait! You really started that ruin guard just to prove your point?", Kali giggled.

"Well, let's just say, no one will ever question my authority again."

Fascinated by her beauty, Kaeya watched her laugh at his story. The feeling of a close friend from the past at his side... He couldn't even remember when he last felt that familiarity.

"That's enough."

Rough, like a hot wind hitting a wall of ice, Diluc stood in front of their table.

Theratingly he had his arms crossed infront of him.

The other two just shared a look of slight amusement.

"What have we done this time?"

"We pissed him off, that's what it is, Kaeya."

"You are both drunk."

Both laughed. They did drink some glasses, maybe one or two over their usual limit, but neither Kaeya nor Akali were drunk.

"No, we're not.", the knight wanted to explain, but he got interrupted by his friend.

"Seems like we're not welcome here anymore, Kaeya. Let's pay and go somewhere else. Maybe somewhere where we are more welcome."

Diluc instantly tried to correct this statement, but he couldn't go on about is explanation.

"That's not what I meant."

"You never mean anything, Diluc. See ya."

Kali grabbed her companion's upper arm and dragged him out of the tavern, but not without giving Diluc a last sarcastic wave.

Other guests noticed the scene, but most of them didn't. A great part of the customers had already left, that is how late it had gotten.

Cursing Kaeya, himself and even Akali in his head Diluc had watched them leave in silence.

He scoffed.

Well, he ruined it. Great. Was that the only thing he managed to do?

[letusmeetagain]

First i wanna say i really like all your analysis and theories because you put so much effort into them and im really gratful we have someone like you who like i said again have wonderful theories that make so much sense so please i have a question for you regarding a certain well...very dragged topic so if you wouldnt like to awswer i will totally understand it just i wanted to hear YOUR opinion because i really do appreciate your analysis of snk anyway my question is regarding erehisu...not i dislike it but its just im so tired can isayama make em or eh canon already so this clownery end...BUT i really do believe eremika will be the endgame because of all the proof that we have in the manga but people tend to make it as if its a crack ship ugh...what do you think hisu's final role will be? What do you think eren awswered her? Though i dont believe hisu's question meant any romantic undertones what do you make out of her question to eren?

Hi anon!!

Thank you for your kind words T.T

Well... the question focuses on my opinion on which ship has more chances to become canon, right?

I’ve spent some time thinking about my answer to this question, how I could go direct to the point while giving enough arguments to defend my opinion. Prepare yourself because I couldn’t and this will be very long. Sorry...

1. Eren’s characterization + romance

First of all, there is a very important point about Eren that shipers (even me sometimes) forget. A friend that loves and understand Eren the most pointed this many times when I was starting to forget about it... I dare to say that nobody surpasses her understanding of his characterization.

Eren isn’t a romantic person. We all have to keep in mind that his priorities aren’t the priorities a normal person would have. He is like Rick from Casablanca. There’s the duty and then dreams and then, maybe, romantic love (If we take for granted that he knows what it is). Erwin loved Marie but he had a priority. (There’s me finding more similarities between Erwin and Eren). Eren’s current development is more about his mission than a romantic one. Although he plays with romance, he does it while being blatantly blind about it.

Eren got caught in the middle of his normal development from a child that gets annoyed by romance and has some kind of allergy against cheesy moments (for ex. in ch. 3 with Franz and Hannah) to a teenager that blooms to feel romantic love as something important and unavoidable. It’s normal for kids. But Eren hasn’t a normal life. There was always something more important than learning how to love, be loved and express it openly. It’s not that he isn’t able to love, more likely the opposite. He knows how to love and he has his own ways to do it... but the way the world is restricted his possibilities to live a different life. Even in the way EMA never got to communicate properly most of the times. Communication runs sometimes as a question, a statement and no back question (for ex. ch. 3). Eren asked about Mikasa’s reasons to follow him, about Armin’s reasons, where he threw that line about his death being meaningless. Nobody said anything, neither Mikasa nor Eren reacted stating the opposite. They usually don’t have the time nor oportunity to talk or even think about essential topics as feelings of love or labeling their feelings.

Given Eren’s lack of experience and maturity that we could see until Marley arc. Is it even possible that he developed a carnal relationship with Historia before going to Marley? No. No, because it would contradict somehow his characterization. Eren is depicted exactly as someone that took this decision because he lost every single deep bond that would have stopped him. This lack of understanding brought him to this point. The lack of value he places on life and a comfortable life with friends and family.

2. The baby

The whole baby plot point is from my perspective just about the curse and a new generation (maybe) free from being SoY but just normal human beings.

Historia choosing this way was also the safest way to oppose her destiny... strategically speaking. She could trick everyone without being called openly a traitor. So I’m agree with you. Her question wasn’t romantic.

3. The father and his meaning

The father is, as I pointed out once in my Twitter acc., the farmer. My reasons are that there is a meaning behind his existence. He was a boy that dared Historia to break the rules and stop being submissive. He is aligned with Historia’s current role as someone who stopped being the good girl that follows stupid and detrimental rules in disregard of her own life. He is also a man that decided to redeem himself by helping her with the orphanage without trying to get her attention at all. Being a normal person who enjoys a normal life and also redemption. I’m not saying necessarily that it’s about love, but he isn’t just a nobody. He holds a deep, positive meaning for the story. Isayama pairs usually a sinner and an “innocent”: Annie and Armin, Eren and Mikasa, Erwin and Levi, Ymir and Krista, Historia and the Farmer. Eren and Historia are the current sinners on the matter that both chose the rumbling... let’s say.

Why this kind of pairing? Because one has to contribute to the improvement of the other. Two sinners (with the same crime and perspective) can’t help each other. It’s opposition what will bring them to overcome their weaknesses.

4. Development of the couples

That being said, Eren and Mikasa as pair are in the focus. Isayama went through 10 years of development of most of the pairs to build up a support for EreMika. He build parallels with YumiHisu and Falbi and gave us hints to understand EM better. The vow he made to her was probably one of those moments when he started to be romantic without noticing.

5. Eren and Historia: their moments

EH interactions are, conversely, of other nature. Both feel related about the point of carrying a big burden. While Eren has to save humanity fighting, Historia has the role of a founder who has to assure humanity’s survival by having children and keeping the royal family alive. Both want to be free from that burden and end up being “partners in crime” by betraying everyone. I’m missing the romantic interactions to be very honest. It’s because Eren is so self-focused that he anchors here when someone who is alone and having the same problems and feelings appears. But... where did the fandom start to see something between them?

Two moments. The moment when he said “she is admirable” and the moment when he insisted to spare her life. That obsession that is so tricky to even be explained.

The first one made a difference between how Eren acknowledges Historia’s attributes and disregards Mikasa’s. The fandom uses this to point out that Eren likes Historia more. Well, no. His relationship towards Mikasa was characterized by jealousy. He won’t admit anything.

Regarding his “obsession” to save her... this started when he knew the existence of Eren Krüger, his thoughts and the whole story about Dina. It wasn’t before that. We must also admit that Historia’s safety was related to more characters than just Eren. Since the very beginning, her safety was conveniently displayed by Frieda, Ymir and Reiner, what makes me believe that her destiny was to give birth to this baby (aka. plot armor). Her role is to avoid becoming a titan by her own choice, that’s her arc. With Krüger we also knew the importance of a royal: they can give birth to more convenient instruments for war. Knowing that he was devoted to the mission, I believe that Eren is being influenced by him (I want to highlight the word “influenced” as something different to manipulated). So this is all related to the mission and the final outcome about Ymir, the curse, the power and the baby. Eren partly wants to grant her the chance to choose, but he also pushes her to do so based on part of her desires because of the mission as he did with Grisha.

Add here the fact that Historia was prepared to sacrifice his life at the cave if it was needed. That shows her priorities.

A lot of EH shippers claim that she saved him. Regarding her role as savior, I’m more objective and skeptical. She spared his life, but emotionally speaking, she didn’t really save him. The proof is that he was still low, thinking that he was a nobody. Carla’s words were the message with enough impact to relieve him and make him open himself to Armin and Mikasa and tell them about his sorrows. This shows the difference on the impact on him when it comes to Historia and when it comes to Carla... this happens again in ch. 131. He thinks about his mother instead of Historia who was the one reproving his plan. To me, Historia is his friend and inspired him to fight just for his sake against the system and rebel those who are over him and oppressing him. But his soft side is related to Carla, Armin and Mikasa: his family and those, who appreciate his life over his fate and urge of freedom and to be acknowledged.

Bonus: when Eren told Historia that she saved him was more like “You chose this path once and I’m sorry. I’ll be starting the rumbling and you contributed”. Historia’s face to that looks like this: “Oh no...I fucked up”. It doesn’t look like “Oh no... I don’t regret saving you because I love you and I can’t live without you”. On the contrary, that’s when she realizes that she was part of this since the beginning and that by saving him, she chose to let the rumbling happen once in the past. Then she goes along with the plan for her own reasons and because she hasn’t better options to choose either.

Summary:

Eren didn’t develop as a romantic person yet nor prioritized romantic love over his mission. It goes against a previous explicit development of EH before the trip to Marley. The farmer has a positive meaning as the father. EM is more developed and shows romantic undertones and common tropes. EH hasn’t romantic undertones and it’s more related to the mission to save the eldians.

So... that was it. Sorry again for the length and thank you for the ask!

[snowdice]

Road Trips and Missing Persons (Part 16)

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Relationships: Patton & Virgil, Virgil & Deceit, Logan & Patton, Emile & Remy, Roman & Remus & Janus

Characters: Patton, Virgil, Deceit, Remus, Roman, Logan, Emile, Remy

Summary: Patton was just getting groceries. The next thing he knew, there was a knife at his throat and he was an unwilling uber driver. Virgil’s on the run after the murder of his dad, and it’s not just his paranoia that’s telling him he’s being chased down. He has to get somewhere safe, somewhere he can trust, and all he has is a couple of stories from his dad and a name: “Green Bellow Foods and Dispensary.”

Notes: Secret Agents AU, knives, carjacking, kidnapping, murder mentioned, guns mentioned, pepper spray, blood mentioned, drugs mentioned, explosions, car crashes (more to be added)

This is a fic I’ve been writing on study breaks that you have probably all already seen at this point. I’ve affectionately named it the Goblin Brain Fic because it’s helping my brain actually get motivated for studying. I’ve slightly edited it for wording and grammar, but not for content from my previous posts. Feel free to send in asks to direct it because I’m not 100% sure where this is going and you can help decide if you feel so inclined! You can see the process I went through to build this at this link.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 My Master Post

Remy met the beady little eyes outside the car window with a glare. The cow gazed back at him, a challenge in its eyes. “What are you looking at, future minced meat?” Remy asked.

“They’re dairy cows,” Emile said, head on the steering wheel.

“How the hell would you know?” Remy asked.

Emile looked up at him. “The crashed truck says, ‘Robinson’s Family Dairy.’”

Remy pursed his lips. “That doesn’t mean anything.”

Emile gave him a droll look.

“Maybe they’re the rejects!” Remy turned back to the cow. “I bet you’re too stupid to make milk, huh?”

The cow let out a breath that fogged the window between them.

“Bastard,” Remy grumbled at it.

“You are talking to a cow,” Emile reminded him.

“Oh, like you don’t talk to stuffed animals,” Remy shot back.

“At least I don’t make enemies with them and insult them.”

“She deserves it!”

“She’s just standing there. You’re taking out your frustrations on a farm animal.”

Remy looked back at the cow, his eyes narrowed. Its eyes peered back at him and they did not need to share a language to understand each other in that moment. “I’ll show you a coward,” Remy growled, taking off his seatbelt.

“No, Remy,” Emile hissed. “Don’t you dare.”

Remy ignored him and opened the door to climb out of the car.

“We are on the interstate!”

“Now, you listen here,” Remy said, staring the cow down. “You’ve already caused enough problems for me today. The least you can do is not stare me down in my own…or well my brother’s own car. You feel me?”

The cow stared at him blankly and made a mooing sound.

“Are you understanding the words that are coming out of my mouth right now?”

“I promise you, she isn’t,” Emile offered from the car.

Remy continued to stare the cow down. Finally, after a moment of staring, the cow turned away.

“Ha!” Remy said. “I win.”

“Get back in the car before you get trampled by a herd of cows,” Emile said.

“I’m not going to get trampled,” Remy insisted. “If anything, I’m establishing myself as their ruler.”

“Is this a productive use of your time?” Emile asked.

“Oh, what?” Remy said turning back to him. “And sitting in the car doing nothing is such a better use of my time? Thank you for your input, doctor.”

“Remington, please.��

“Oh, stop with the full name, bullshit,” he turned to cow nearest to him, “no offence intended,” he assured it before turning back to Emile. “You’re not our mother!”

There was a pause. “Remy,” Emile said calmly. “I know you’re upset about Virgil, but...”

“In fact,” Remy talked over him. “I’m older than you! Do you remember who put you through college so you could get that fancy degree you keep using on me tonight? Because it certainly wasn’t our mother because she was already fucking dead! Don’t act like you’re my parent because here’s the thing, I raised you by myself for three years. So, if I’m a shitty dad, you’re definitely fucked up somewhere under that shining topcoat of head doctor crap.”

“I never at any point said-” Emile started, but Remy cut him off.

“Oh, but we both know you’re thinking it!”

“Don’t put words in my mouth, Remy.”

“No, no,” Remy said. “I know exactly what’s going through your head. I never should have been a parent, and I proved that with you when you were a teenager, but I still managed to knock up literally the worst person I could. I’m constantly making horrible parenting decisions and even when I try to be responsible, I mess it up. Virgil’s third word was a curse word and I’m lucky he never developed scurvy because I let him eat whatever he wants. He’s currently on a cross-country road trip with god knows who because I fucked up a covert mission I had no business being on and now he’s being tracked down by the woman who shot me with a poisoned bullet. I’m a horrible person and a worse dad. That’s what you’re thinking.”

There was a second where his brother looked at him with his stupid annoying face. “Have you considered that you’re projecting.”

“Ugh!” Remy threw up his hands and turned to walk away.

“Remy where are you going?” Emile called after him.

“I’m walking to base to go get my kid!” Remy called back.

“It’s over 70 miles away!”

He turned around and spread out his arms. “Then I’ll ride a bloody cow! It’ll be faster at this rate!”

“They’ll be cleared up in a few minutes Remy, come back here!” Emile said. Remy flipped him off. “I am not following you on foot!”

“Good!”

Remy turned back around and strutted off down the interstate, skirting cows and police officers the whole way. He grumbled to himself and refused to turn back even when he was pretty sure by the flow of traffic that the accident must have been cleared 15 minutes later.

This was so stupid. Why was he so stupid and useless? Emile was probably glad he ran off like a petulant toddler so he wouldn’t have to deal with him. He’d probably be more effective finding Virgil without Remy messing it all up anyway. He kept walking.

After a couple minutes a car slowed and stopped next to him on the side of the road. Remy looked up to meet Emile’s eyes through the rolled down window.

“Get,” Emile said firmly, “in the damned car.”

Remy blinked in surprise and then hurried to do so.

Emile didn’t speak again until the car was back at a normal speed. “His first word was ‘dad,’” he said, “and he’s happy. I’m not a parent, but from what I’ve observed, parents are allowed to mess up. As long as they do their best and their kid knows they’re loved, they’re a pretty good parent. If you ask me, you’re a good dad.”

“Yeah, well his second word was ‘pizza,’ so I don’t know if it makes me that special,” Remy grumbled.

Emile glanced at him.

“I mean,” Remy continued. “Thank you and sorry.”

“Apology accepted,” Emile said. “You know I love you right?”

“Oh, god don’t get all mushy on me.”

“I’m serious,” Emile said. “I’ve been angry at you this entire trip because if you’d died today, I don’t know how I would have handled it. You were reckless, and it could have easily gotten you killed.”

“Don’t you think I know I’m stupid.”

“Stop that,” Emile snapped. “That’s not what I said.”

“Well then, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying, why, Remy?” Emile said. “Are you bored? Do you want to go back in the field?”

“No,” Remy said quietly.

“Are you sure?” Emile asked. Remy didn’t answer. “If you do, that’s fine.”

“It’s not though.”

“You’re the one who made that decision and it was 15 years ago,” Emile reminded. “If you want to change your mind, that’s fine, but if you’re going to do it, you can’t just go do it. You have to talk to Logan first, to me, to your kid. Your actions affect other people.”

“I know that.”

“I know you know that, but you just…You get so involved in your head sometimes and forget to think about the consequences. Or worse you ignore them because they’re too hard to think about.”

Remy reached forward and turned on the radio.

“Really?!” Emile asked.

“Chill,” Remy said, turning the volume down, “I just don’t want to have another cow disaster.”

Emile nodded and seemed content to wait for him a few minutes so he could gather his thoughts.

“I’m trying, Em,” Remy said. “Bless their souls, but I’m trying to not be our parents. It’s like walking a tightrope. Go too far one way, you’re an asshole, go too far the other your kid’s running from his mother’s hired guns and throwing out the tracking device you put on him because he thinks you’re dead.”

“It should have to feel like that for you.”

“Yeah?” Remy asked. “And how do you propose I stop it?” Emile looked over at him and opened his mouth. “Yeah, yeah, see a therapist. Do you have any suggestions that don’t require me to bare my soul and talk about my daddy issues to some random person?”

“No.”

“Rats.” Emile chuckled at him.

“If it’s any consolation, they would have hated how you turned out. I mean they 100% would have still loved you and would have adored Virgil, but you’d get so many side-eyes over the dinner table. I mean, a child out of wedlock, Remy?”

“They’d have tried to get me to marry her,” Remy said. “Then I would have introduced them to her, and they would’ve said ‘fuck that.’ Do you think I could have gotten dad to say, ‘fuck that’?”

Emile giggled. “That would have been weird.”

Remy hummed in agreement. Then they petered off into silence. “I love you too Em.”

Want to read more? Click below!

Part 17

[hanacantwrite]

❀ 𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨: “𝙞'𝙢 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙭𝙪𝙖𝙡. 𝙞'𝙢 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙮.”

—[𝘺/𝘯] 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘴’ 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷. 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘴𝘣𝘺 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘫𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘥𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘺.

“𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨?” 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘴𝘬. 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘣𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴. 𝘴𝘩𝘦, 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘺.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

𝘮.𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 ─ 𝘰𝘯𝘦 ─ 𝘵𝘸𝘰 ─ three ─ four ─ five

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

𝙈𝘼𝙔𝘽𝙀 𝙄𝙏 𝙒𝘼𝙎 𝘼 𝘽𝘼𝘿 𝙄𝘿𝙀𝘼 𝙏𝙊 𝙇𝙀𝙏 𝘽𝙊𝙆𝙐𝙏𝙊 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙃𝙄𝙉𝘼𝙏𝘼 𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙀 𝙐𝙋 𝙒𝙄𝙏𝙃 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝙒𝙀𝙀𝙆𝙀𝙉𝘿𝙎 𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙉𝙎.

Ever since college, it has been a tradition for everyone in the house to take part in a weekend trip or activity that someone picked out. 

They varied from doing things such as simply going out to eat to sometimes laser tag and then getting kicked out of laser tag leading to breaking into private property to cleaning up (which was also prompted by Sakusa).

It was a fun thing to do and it was something almost everyone enjoyed. 

Of course, Sakusa was really the only one that wasn't the biggest fan of it but he would still go along with it though it was clear as day that he wasn't haven't the best time as he was dragged around without a moment's rest. 

You let out a deep sigh as you leaned back into your seat. 

All you could do was smile nervously to yourself as you tried to tune out the conversation going on outside, the closed windows could barely mute their yelling. 

By "their", you, of course, meant Atsumu, Hinata, and Bokuto. 

Why weren't you ever surprised that it was them?

For some reason, it always seemed to be the three of them that was the source of everything whenever you were feeling stressed out. 

They were an absolute headache. 

It was a miracle that you were still alive to still suffer on through with life as you dealt with living with them. 

When Bokuto and Hinata came up with the idea of a camping trip it seemed to be a good idea, it was something that you've done multiple times but haven't been able to do due to your hectic schedule. 

It was a regular thing that you used to do as a kid so when they brought up plans of camping you were more than excited about it. 

You really should've thought about it more thoroughly before you agreed to the idea.

For once in a long time, you agreed with Sakusa's stance on the weekly activities that you guys took part in. 

Agreeing to go camping with them was probably the biggest mistake that you've ever made, well, at least this month so far and that was saying quite a bit. 

You were a lot more of an idiot than you thought you were. 

Maybe the lack of brain cells that Atsumu, Bokuto, and Hinata had was starting to rub off on you and make you lose all of your brain cells. 

They did a lot of stupid things but you weren't expecting to have the car break down, have almost none of the supplies that you were supposed to have and then come back to see that all of the food that you did have was stolen by a bunch of animals. 

Plus, the animal... waste that was left on the car floor didn't really help much, Sakusa didn't even bother trying to help. 

Of course, he almost never helped with anything like that but the fact that it was animal waste didn't really encourage him to do anything. 

Burying your face in your hands, you let out a deep groan, not bothering to even pay attention to the very people you came to the campsite with. 

If you were being honest you would probably drive off without them if the car was even working in the first place. 

Why did you have to take up the job of an assistant coach for probably the sport with the most annoying players?

Maybe it would've been better if you just stayed in Miyabi or just went back home to Nara, sure, your family was a bit annoying with how nosy they were but it would've been better than dealing with getting lost in the middle of a forest with nothing that could help you get out of said situation. 

Taking a deep breath, you slapped your cheeks, ignoring the stinging you were feeling as you kicked the door open and made your way out. 

"So we can't even start a fire now?" Hinata asked as he looked up at the older male. "It's getting pretty dark, if we can't make it back to the front then we have to at least to start a fire, right?"

All Shugo could do was look away nervously as he grabbed the back of his head. "Of course," he said in an attempt to try and reassure the younger man. 

He was trying his best to try and sound like he knew what he was supposed to be doing and it seemed as if being the captain of the MSBY Black Jackals helped him to sound like he was a mature adult. 

Though, considering the person he was talking to was Hinata that didn't really say much about how mature he came off as.

You were sure that Hinata would be impressed by a dog walking on their hind legs so him getting impressed by Shugo of all people wasn't all that surprising.

Not wanting to try and talk to them you tried to walk back to the car slowly until you were unfortunately caught by the dark-haired captain finding you from the corner of his eye. 

"[Y/N]!"

Ugh, you could already feel your lifespan lose a good few years. 

With much reluctance, you turned, looking over your shoulder as you gave the older man a look that could only be described as annoyed and tired. 

"Just what is it now?"

He shrank at your words. "Do you really need to sound like that?"

"Yes?"

Of course, it would be surprising if you weren't so blunt with your words. "Would it really hurt to be a bit nicer with the way you speak sometimes?"

Letting out a deep sigh you turned around, letting your hand rest on your hip. "It would be extremely difficult to soften my words, in fact, it might actually be impossible to be nicer. I might actually be a lot ruder now that you pointed it out."

"I-"

"Anyway," you said, cutting him off, ignoring the shocked look on his face as you went on. "What exactly do you need help with now?"

He didn't even bother to look at you, looking away to the side with a nervous look dressing his face. 

You felt your eye twitch at his action. 

Everything was already making you feel annoyed and the fact that he came up with you asking a question but refused to explain anything was making you even more annoyed. 

You tilted your head to the side. "Are you going to say anything or not?"

Taking a deep breath, he turned back to you with his eyes squeezed shut. "Can you please try and start a fire, I can't do it and Atsumu's trying and I'm scared he's going to burn himself or blow something up?"

Of course. 

Maybe it wasn't too late to try and back out from your responsibilities and go back to Miyabi or even go back home to Asuka and get a boring job where you could have a normal life. 

Anything would be better than having to deal with them 24/7, you've only lived with all of them for less than a year but it has already been too much you. 

You let out a deep sigh as you dropped your head, watching your life flash before eyes as you questioned whether or not you could commit not alive from your location. 

"I'll help him," you sighed out. "After all, I'm sure if I don't do something heal probably break something or blow something up."

You didn't even bother to say anything to him as you crouched down beside and just grabbed everything in Atsumu's hands. You didn't even bother to say anything to him as you ignored his shock and complaints. 

Maybe if you ignored him and pretended like he wasn't there he would annoy you as much as he has been in the past five seconds. 

It didn't work. 

Not in the slightest, it most definitely had to do with the fact that he kept looking at you, turning away immediately after you look at him from the corner of his eye. 

It was as if he didn't realize that you already saw him and if he did he was just looking away as he badly pretended like he was looking at you. 

Closing your eyes for a few seconds, you let out a deep sigh and turned to face him with a blank stare. 

If you couldn't have a decent time even starting a fire then he couldn't have one either, it was a good thing that you have a stare that is a bit more on the intimidating side. 

Atsumu could only look away nervously to the ground as you continued to stare at him blankly, not even daring to say anything as you got the fire started with ease even if you didn't even bother to glance at the fireplace. 

"Can you say something already?!"

The silence was starting to kill him, sure, it wasn't anything new but you were a bit more quiet than usual and it was starting to freak him out a lot quicker than usual. 

He watched in shock as you simply blinked slowly, not saying a word and probably not even breathing as you slowly looked away with him. 

All you did was leave him with no answers and even more questions.

You continued to ignore him as you felt your shoulders stiffen, his staring was really starting to get to you. You held back a groan at the feeling. 

If he continued to do that for a few more minutes then you were sure you would definitely break in front of him, it was essentially a competition now and you couldn't let him win. 

Oh.

You felt your shoulders drop. 

Ugh, was he right after all?

Maybe Osamu had a point when he said Atsumu was slowly starting to make you lose your brain cells with how much time you spent with him. 

You let out a sigh. 

Might as well just say something already, not really any point in ignoring him any longer.

His staring was really starting to get annoying, I mean, it was already annoying but it was getting even more annoying as the seconds passed. 

"You know Osamu could start a fire."

Atsumu's eye twitched at your words. 

You didn't even look at him long enough to let him say anything as you quickly turned away with a nervous look on your face. 

"Why do you always have to say things like that?!"

"It's 'cause Osamu is the superior twin and I need you to know that."

"Wha-"

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Extra:

"Couldn't you have just asked Sakusa to help you? I'm sure he knows how to do something like that?" Atsumu asked as he took a seat next to you. 

You tilted your head. 

"Sakusa?" You asked as you looked over to the dark-haired male sitting opposite to the two of you next to Bokuto and Hinata, though it looked more like he was being forced to stay there.

You immediately turned your head to face Atsumu, staring up at him with stars in your eyes.  

"It's because if I made Sakusa do it, he would've just stayed in the car for the rest of the day and he looks really cool next to the fire, it'd be a total waste!"

Ugh...

It was nice to know that you weren't nearly as mature as you made yourself out to be, even if it only came with him having to deal with all of the... interesting things that you'd say. 

"Y'know, it's really hard to believe that Coach [Y/N] and you are the same person with the way that you act sometimes."

"Huh?"

"Ugh, nevermind."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

[Y/N] is originally from the Kansai region but started speaking with Kyoto-ben after her favourite actor spoke with the dialect in a movie and she thought it made her sound mature, though as of recently she speaks with Kyoto-ben rather than Kansai-ben because everybody tells her that her accent is too thick to understand.

[bl597]

Hello! Can I get a ship? Both the eras please, or whichever suits me better. I am a ravenclaw girl. I'm pretty shy and introverted. I'm a chaotic mom friend. I have a dark sense of humour tho I've a miss lil sunshine vibe around me. My head is always filled with plans for pranks but I seldom execute them. I love reading, writing, baking, and swimming. I am an affectionate person (no one could have guessed that). I have brown eyes, black hair, and golden natural skin. Thank you💕 ilysfm💖

Hey love!! Of course, hope you like it 🥰❤

warnings: hm none I guess?, just fluff!!!!!!, english is not my first language, so I'm sorry for any mistakes!!

my masterlist ♡ join my sleepover!

I ship you with... Cedric Diggory!

you two met during a Hogsmead trip

sure, you always heard about the famous Diggory, the Hufflepuff's seeker and one of the most handsome guys in Hogwarts

it was almost impossible not to know who was Cedric Diggory

but you only officially met during your fift year

you were with your friends hanging out around Hogsmead's shops

when you saw a book that you've been wanting for a while and you just needed to buy it!!

so you told them that you'd be back in a sec and left

you entered the shop and your eyes just lit up at the many magic products

and you just felt like you were in heaven

you were excitedly walking around the shop, looking for your dear book

when you hit something

at first you thought it was the wall, but you heard someone saying a small "ouch" and you looked up

realising it was a person, a very handsome hufflepuff boy

you immediately started apologizing to him and helped him get the stuff that fell when you bumped into him

he just gave you a charming smile and said it was nothing, and then introduced himself

and you were shooked™

because you had just bumped into none other than Cedric Fucking Diggory!!

you introduced yourself too because you didn't want to look like an idiot

then he gave you a last charming smile before leaving the shop

leaving you a blushing mess

you weren't the type to blush so easily, especially because of someone you just met! what had just happened?

okay

after that day you started noticing Cedric around the castle

and you realised you two actually shared a lot of classes????? how come you never noticed this boy before???

and you two started talking and you realised you two actually had a lot in common

you two became friends :D

after a few months, baby boy finally got the courage to ask you out you said yes ofc

you two went to Hogsmead and visited that shop where you two first met

he's such a gentleman and treats you like the princess you are

if someone ever dares to say some shit about you, he won't hesitate to lose Hufflepuff some points to defend his baby

don't worry, he gets more points later!

he always buys small gifts and candies, no matter how many times you tell him he doesn't have to do it

and when he found out you write oMg this boy is like your number 1 supporter!!!

he always asks you to read the things you wrote because he loves it

but if you feel uncomfortable or insecure with showing someone else your works

he would definitely understand and will never press you to do anything you don't want to

he loves studying and baking with you!!!

I mean, he isn't really the best at cooking or baking but he tries

because the smile you give him when he does something right is the bestest thing he's ever seen

and he would do anything to put a smile on your face

he just loves you so much ugh

he's the best boyfriend ever

~

I ship you with... Sirius Black!

you two actually already knew each other ever since you were kids because you lived in the same neighborhood as his family

so you always played together

and you were the absolute bestest friends ever

he would always go to your house and you would always go to his

so when you received your Hogwarts letters and oh boi

you were so excited to finally meet Hogwarts and see with your own curious eyes how marvelous it was

you always heard about Hogwarts from your parents and cousins and you couldn't wait to have your own memories there

you and Sirius bought your materials together

and he was always joking around with you

anywaYs

you sat together at the train and he introduced you to a boy he just met, James Potter, and you three talked for the whole ride

you got sorted into Ravenclaw and Sirius into Gryffindor

you both were a little sad about being in different houses and being 'apart' from each other

but you promised to keep talking to each other

and you did :D

you felt a little upset that he was spending more time with James than with you but you understood

I mean, they were from the same house and liked the same things, so it's natural for them to be friends right?

anyways

you still hang out with Sirius sometimes

but spent more time with you Ravenclaw friends

and he spent more time with the oh so famous Marauders, as his small group was called

you sometimes went on small dates

as FriEndS of course

at least that's what you always told yourselves bc you didn't want to feed that annoying tiny hope that your feelings for each other maybe were mutual

haha

in one of your "friends" date with him you were in the Three Broomsticks

and when you were ordering your butterbear, madam Rosmerta approached you two with a sweet smile and asked

"what will such a sweet couple want today?"

and you were like

*awkward small laughs*

you opened your mouth to deny it and say that you unfortunately were just friends but Sirius was faster than you

"we would like two butterbeers, please"

he replied with a polite smile as she nodded and left, wishing you two a lovely date

and you were like ???sirius what was that

and he would just shrug and give you a smirk

he didn't say anything about that anymore for the rest of the date

which made you feel so fUcking nervous and anxious bc???????? come on sirius is your best friend why would he say that you were a couple???

you definitely did not want to wait any longer bc omg

you just nEEDED answers

so before heading to your common rooms, you stopped him and he looked at you with a mix of curiosity and nervousness

"yes, love?" he asked when you called him and you felt your knees go weak

i mean, he always calls you by names like this, but it just felt different now

"why didn't you deny it when madam Rosmerta said we were a couple?"

you nervously asked, already feeling the butterflies tickle your stomach while you waited for his answer

"i don't know" he shrugged, though you could see a hint of hesitation in his eyes "maybe i want us to be a couple"

and he just lEft

and you were like ???????bRO

you quickly came back to normal and realised what had just happened

and you couldn't leave it like that, not after what he just said

so you just ran towards him, not caring about the weird stares from a few people there

and when you finally reached him

you grabbed his hand and pulled him towards you, pulling him into a kiss

he was surprised at first, of course, but returned the kiss, resting his hands on your waist and pulling you closer

you pulled away a few minutes later, gasping for air

"Kash, what was that?" he asked, eyes flicking from your now plump and swollen lips to your beautiful and warm brown eyes

"maybe i want it too" you replied before quickly running to your common room

a wide smile on both your faces

let's just say that yeah, you two were a couple now *wink*

~

taglist ♡

@afilmbypeterp @fific7 @iamak20 @msmimimerton @grierpilots @idontknowwhatthisisfam @imseeinggred @kashishwrites @tsuukichan @mischiefsemimanaged @just-a-dreamer23 @ryeryemilani @pillowjj @witchglow

[rainbowserenity]

1. “Do you want me to leave?” - Hopurai

royal!AU tag

my intention with this AU was for it to be a bunch of oneshots that could be read separately….but this is the installment that makes me wish I’d had the foresight to just make it into a multichapter fic 8D;if you don’t want to go in blindly, I would HIGHLY recommend (re?)reading at least the previous installment before the this one. all the fics are in the above linked tag, or they’re in a collection on AO3 here

sorry for being so ridiculous lmao

*****

Therewas such a strange disconnect from staring outside the windows of thepalace as opposed to when she’d had to stare out of a hole in theceiling back when she’d been living in the slums. Back then, she’d belooking up into the smog-covered sky, trying against all odds to seethe stars that the fal'cie would bring at night.

Now,sitting in her office, she could literally look down on so much ofEden since the palace towered over pretty much everything except thefal'cie Phoenix itself. It was weird, to say the least.

Well,she supposed it was no stranger than Lightning Farron, former soldierand resident of the slums, being discovered as Eden’s long-lostprincess.

Lightningfrowned slightly as she watched people go about their daily business.From up here, they looked like ants. It was hard to believe that somecould be struggling or confused or going through heartbreak…

Notthat she’d know anything about heartbreak. At all. Nope.

“Hey,you finished yet?”

Witha sigh, Lightning pulled her gaze away from the window and stared atSazh, who was officially her adviser, but really played the role of ababysitter. It was insulting if she thought about it too much. “Doesit look like I’ve finished?”

“True.”Sazh waltzed up to her desk and pointedly stared at the pile ofpapers. “'Cause if you had finishedthis incredibly easy task, I bet you would’ve found me already andclaimed that poor ol’ Sazh was overworked and needed a vacation - ”

“Itried to give you a vacation after the ball,” Lightning pointedout, raising an eyebrow. “You told me I’d probably set the palaceon fire if you left for a day.”

“AndI’m probably right!”

“Doubtful.”Lightning rolled her eyes and tapped her pen against the papers infront of her a few times. “I’m fairly sure that I, a grown adultwho’s been taking care of herself since she was a teenager, couldeasily manage without you for a few days.”

“Keeptellin’ yourself that.” Sazh picked up one of the papers. “Whichone are you working on?”

“Theletter to Vanille.” DiaVanille had been an important guest at Lightning’s introduction balla few days ago. It was a gathering that had officially presented heras Eden’s princess, which, in turn, would hopefully open up newrelations. Now she was supposed to be writing letters of intent toget people on her side with whatever she planned to do as regent.

Despitefinding the whole practice completely ridiculous, Lightning actuallyhad gotten along fairly well with the Duchess of Luxerion, Vanille.She had to wonder if this was partially because her bodyguard wasfriends with the Duchess and that made it easier to like her.

Or…formerbodyguard, she supposed.

“Keepit short and sweet,” Sazh advised. “Vanille’s not much for longletters.”

“Andyou think I am?”

“Justlet me dream a little, geez. Kids these days.”

Lightningrolled her eyes again, her mind wandering to the ball. Chatting withVanille and her girlfriend Fang, the Princess of Oerba…dancing in adress that glittered with an obnoxious amount of diamonds…steppingonto the balcony with -

Ugh,okay, definitely not goingthere.

Aftera pause where she wrote a few words, Lightning glanced up. Sazh wasscribbling something in a book – probably grading her on heretiquette, hmph. “Was there something else you needed?”

“Yes,as a matter of fact.” Sazh stopped writing and plopped into a chairwithout any grace. If she’d done the same, he would’ve recoiled inhorror. “We didn’t really get a chance to talk after the ball.Gotta say, I’m impressed with how you handled things.”

“Itwas a glorified dance. Not too difficult.”

Thatwas a lie and they both knew it. Lightning had grown up in a suburbof Eden and then spent her teenage years in the slums – she’d neverbeen to any sort of dance, never mind a ball of the caliber that’dbeen held in her honor. Beingparaded around like a doll had been one of the most difficult thingsshe’d ever done. Luckily, she’d met Vanille and Fang very early onduring the night and their new-foundfriendship had made goingthrough the motions much easier.

Therewas someone else who’d helped out, but she preferred not to think toohard about that.

“Yeah,yeah.” Sazh waved a hand. “Keep tellin’ yourself that. And tellme your thoughts –anybody there you think we could strengthen an alliance with? Or formone? Technically, Eden’s always been on good terms with the otherkingdoms since Phoenix is the most important fal'cie, but there’salways room for improvement. See any of that? Or…” He raised aneyebrow. “Any potential suitors?”

Lightningducked her head, hoping against everything that the heat she feltsimmering under her skin was from a…hot flash or something. Yeah,that totally made sense. She wasn’t about to blush atthe thought of a certain personal bodyguard taking her to see astar-filled sky and light-studded city. There was definitely nothought of his hands on her, his lips caressing hers…

“Nosuitors,” she finally said, clearing her throat and daring to lookup. At least her face felt normal. “Serah seemed to like the Patronof Yusnaan, though.” She frowned.

“What,you got a problem with him?” Sazh looked faintly amused. “I knowhe’s just a kid, but then again, so are you.”

“Hejust seemed…” Lightning shook her head. There were only a fewwords she could think of to describe Snow Villiers, and none of themwere all that flattering. “But we’ve been on particularly goodterms with Yusnaan, so it doesn’t really matter. Fang seemed to likeme, so maybe we can strengthen ties with Oerba.”

“Thatgirl’s an odd one.” Sazh leaned back in his chair, looking lost inthought. “I’m pretty sure all she really gives a damn about isVanille. For awhile, it was lookin’ like Oerba and Luxerion wouldofficially join forces, possibly to try and topple Eden and take overPhoenix.”

Lightningraised her eyebrows. “Could they do that?”

“Probably.Ain’t like the fal'cie care that much.”

Shehad no idea if that was true. Lightning had yet to see Phoenix inperson since being found as the princess of Eden. “Do you thinkFang was trying to get on my good side, then? And then betray me whenleast expected?”

“Nahhh.If Vanille liked you, then Fang’s sure as hell not gonna mess withyou or anybody in Eden. And trust me, Vanille is as genuine as theycome. Kinda hard to believe she’s royalty sometimes.” Sazh sighedin exasperation. “I’ve worked with so many of you kids over theyears that I wonder if you all share the same stick up your ass.”

Insteadof biting back with a retort, Sazh’s comment made Lightning asksomething she’d been wondering for awhile. “That’s right – bothFang and Vanille said that they knew you. You were an adviser forsome members of the old family, too.”

“Gladto see you pay attention when I talk.”

“Thatdoesn’t make much sense, though,” Lightning continued, ignoringSazh’s comment. “You’re not even twice my age. You said you’ve beenserving the old family for years, but if you served Fang and Vanilletoo…”

“Inever told you?” Now Sazh looked confused, but also a littleconcerned. It was very strange to see him with an expression towardsher that wasn’t exasperation. “Huh, guess I wouldn’t have at thebeginning. And things have been so crazy with the ball andeverything…”

“Toldme what?”

Sazhundid the top two buttons of his shirt and tugged it down a bit. Itwas still hidden under some fabric, but there were a bunch oftelltale lines and intersecting arrows that made Lightning sit ramrodstraight in her chair, eyes widening a bit. She knew what it meantbefore Sazh even said the words.

“I’ma l'cie.”

Thestories had spread among the slums – scary children’s tales thatwould send Serah crying into her arms in fear. L'cie were warriorschosen by fal'cie and sent to fight their battles, using magic farmore powerful and horrifying than the average person was capable of.They would live forever until the fal'cie grew tired of them andended their misery with agony, only to gather new warriors and repeatthe cycle anew.

Sincethere hadn’t been a real war in centuries, l'cie were just terriblestories. Even though Lightning knew they were likely just that –stories – nobody she knew had ever met or been one, so itwas hard to say what was the truth or not.

Itwas true, however – recorded in history books and all –that l'cie were branded when they were made. The lines intersectingon Sazh’s skin perfectly matched what Lightning knew.

“You’re– how - ”

“Ohc'mon, you know damn well I’m not some war machine. I hear thosestories. Most of ‘em are totally untrue. Probably made up by somefanatic or anti-war group back in the day.” Sazh shrugged andbuttoned his shirt, hiding the brand from sight.

“Thenwhat is true?”

“One,we don’t live forever. But it does stretch things out a bit.” Hechuckled. “You pretty much stop physically aging once you’rebranded. Good thing, or I’d have half a century’s worth of gray hairfrom all you kids stressin’ me out.”

Lightningdid not laugh. She still felt something akin to horror, though Sazh’snonchalant attitude and her own logic were calming her down a bit.“But why were you branded? I’ve always heard that l'cie werejust tools for war.”

“LikeI said, stories.” Sazh waved a hand. “Yeah, sure, some were madefor war, but most l'cie are branded to carry out a certain purpose,whether for war or whatever else.”

“Andlet me guess,” Lightning said, her head starting to clear, “yourpurpose is to annoy me?”

“Close.”He chuckled again. “Nah, the old queen’s mother put in a good wordfor me with Phoenix. I kinda fell into the adviser role and the royalfamily was damn impressed. They asked if I wanted to do it forlonger, and well…” He shrugged. “Here I am. ‘Course, I’d go outto ally kingdoms or whatnot. In Duchess Vanille’s case, her parentsdied when she was barely a kid, so I kept an eye on her. I only knowPrincess Fang through her, though.”

“Isee.” And she did, actually. The initial shock had finally wornoff. Honestly, she couldn’t see why someone would want to live foryears and years doing the sort of thing Sazh did, but now she knewhow he was so good at his job…literal years of practice. “And I’mguessing this is common knowledge among the other royals?”

“Well,yeah. I’m everywhere, you know.” He tapped the side of his head.“Can’t do much to hide that.”

“Isuppose not.” Of course she was the last to know…but then again,she always seemed to be the last to know things lately, sowhat did one more thing matter?

“Onthat note, I’ve got some other things I need to do.” The tone inSazh’s voice had gone so serious that it made Lightning glance upfrom her letter and frown in confusion.

“Whatthings?”

“Geez,so nosy.” He shook his head. “Don’t you worry about it. Finishyour letters and I’ll have one of the assistants come in andproofread them.”

Sherolled her eyes. “Sure.”

Hewas already halfway out the door, but still called out as thought heactually had eyes in the back of his head. “I saw that!”

Lightningshook her head and stared back down at her letter to Vanille, tappingher pen against the paper a few times. Even though it’d been quitesome time since she’d been found as Eden’s princess, the formalityand unspoken rules still baffled her. Ever since meeting a bunch ofthem at her introduction ball, however, she’d seen that many of themfound some of the rules and etiquette archaic as well.

Sowhy did they have to do it?

Shesighed heavily and slumped in her chair – a posture that Sazh wouldfrown upon, but for once, she was blessedly alone. Not even a maidwas to be seen, although she could hear people puttering in thehallways outside her office. It was so rare these days she couldactually be by herself. Usually she at least had her personalbodyguard with her…

“No,”she muttered, chiding herself. She would not think about him.She would not wonder where he’d gone after running from her atthe ball, and she would certainly not replay the images oftheir kiss in her mind.

Nope.Not her.

Lightningheaved another sigh and shoved the papers aside, going back tostaring out the window. Concentration was clearly useless, at leastfor now. She may as well take advantage of Sazh not being around todemand her to do stuff.

–

Itwas only a few days later when she got the news.

Shewas in the sitting area of her suite, talking to Serah on the phone –an encrypted, ridiculously secure line, of course. Actually beingable to see her sister would’ve been better, but Serah wascompletely swamped with work at the university and couldn’t get away.

Therewas always, however, time for a phone call.

“Ijust don’t get what you see in him,” Lightning muttered, scribblingin the margins of her scrap paper. She was still working on thoseletters and had been trying to think of good things to say SnowVilliers, Patron of Yusnaan. It was exceedingly difficult.

Forher, anyway.

“He’sso sweet!” Serah basically swooned over the phone. “And don’t youthink he’s handsome? I wonder if he’ll wear the same outfit at myintroduction ball.”

Lightningfrowned. “He’s a big lug that kept stepping on my feet.”

“Notto mention that you can tell he really cares about his people.”Serah kept going on like her sister had said nothing. “Maybe it’sbecause he was elected? I mean, I know you care about everyone in thekingdom, but some of the other royals who have lived it since theywere born….it’s different for them. Don’t you think so?”

Unconsciously,Lightning’s grip on her phone tightened. He’d said that to her morethan once.

Youknow what it’s like on the other side. You’ll be able to bring realchange.

Herstomach fluttered and she willed the door to knock – something,anything to let her know that her personal bodyguard wascoming back.

Knock-knock.

Shestared at the door. Could it be…?

“YourHighness?”

Hershoulders drooped so quickly that she nearly dropped the phone. Sherecognized the quiet voice of Yeul, one of her maids. With a heavysigh, she called out, “Just a moment!”

“Sis?Do you want me to leave?”

“Sorry,Serah.” Lightning heaved another sigh. “I have to go. I’ll callyou back tonight, okay?”

“Okay!I should probably get back to all this homework.” Her tone grewteasing. “You think they’d let a princess catch a break.”

“Ifyou’d wanted to catch any breaks, you wouldn’t have applied to themost prestigious university in the world,” Lightning teased back.“I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay.Love you!”

“Youtoo.”

Anotherquiet knock sounded at the door. This time, Lightning stood, herposture automatically straight as she smoothed down her clothes. Asthere hadn’t been anything urgent on her schedule for the day, she’dopted for comfortable slacks and a thin cashmere sweater – clothingshe’d take over diamond-studded ball gowns any day.

“Comein.”

Yeulentered the room, dropping into a curtsy. All of the servantscontinued to be ridiculously formal around her, despite herinsistence otherwise. It was sort of why she appreciated Sazh naggingher all the time, though hell would freeze over before she’d admitit.

Andspeak of the devil…

“Mr.Katzroy requests that you join him in the conference room, YourHighness.”

Lightningfrowned, the request immediately striking her as odd. Usually Sazhsought her out himself when he needed something, or at least wouldbring her to whatever room he needed. Especially since this palacewas ridiculously huge and she still didn’t always know her wayaround.

“Conferenceroom?”

“Yes.”Yeul bowed her head. “Allow me to escort you.”

“Sure.”Lightning was all too happy to leave her papers and thoughts ofwriting to Snow behind…although surely whatever Sazh had plannedfor her would be just as annoying.

Itturned out she wasn’t too far off.

Yeulmurmured something into a speaker that was attached to the earpieceshe was wearing, presumably telling her coworkers where she was. Therest of the walk was fairly quiet, which was fine with her. Lightningwas more than okay with staring at the paintings and pricelessartifacts that adorned the walls. A lot of them were portraits of herextremely distant ancestors. Apparently she and Serah would have tosit for portraits at some point and then they’d be on the wallsforever. It was a very weird thought.

Whenthe finally reached the conference room, Yeul curtsied again beforeopening one of the wide doors. “Her Highness, Princess Lightning,has arrived,” she called, her soft voice echoing into the emptyroom.

“Thanks,”Lightning said, nodding at Yeul before she stepped inside. There wasa weird flash of gold that struck Yeul’s eyes, but it was probablyjust glare from all the artifacts around them. Weird.

Theconference room was huge, with tons of folded seats and what lookedlike a stage and podium. It reminded her a bit of a theater withoutthe screen. “Sazh?”

“Overhere.” He was off to the side, where there was a table and somechairs covered with papers. She hurried over to him. “Always makin’an old man wait, huh?”

“Yeah,yeah.” It felt weird to comment on that since now she had a roughidea of just how old Sazh really was. “How come you calledme here?”

“Nobodyever uses this room and I wanted to inform you of something inprivate.”

Instantly,Lightning’s heart began to pound. For whatever reason, her firstthought was of the night of the ball. Had someone seen them out onthe balcony? Was there some protocol about a princess and herbodyguard sharing a kiss?

“It’sabout your coronation.”

Shelet out a huge breath she hadn’t even known she’d been holding,slumping in her seat a bit. She ignored the evil eye Sazh gave her.“What about it?”

“Asyou know, the old family kept their power tightly reigned.” Themore he spoke, the more serious Sazh became. It was weirdlyoff-putting. “All of the descendants have been, more or less,direct from the first king. Kinda a cut and dry family tree, evenwith all the marriages and what have you.”

“Right.”Lightning vaguely recalled this when she’d been forced to study theold family. The crown almost always went to the firstborn son ordaughter, which wasn’t so unusual for royalty, she supposed, but thefamily tree was streamlined to the point where many of thefirstborn’s siblings rarely got married or had children of their own.It was why she and Serah being a part of all of this was basicallyunprecedented.

Veryweird.

“LikeI told you, I’ve had some dealings with the old family. And I’m notthat old to remember the first king, but there’s a reason theykept the family as it was.”

“Sazh,please.” Lightning was rapidly running out of patience. She wasn’treally sure why, but something in her just wanted to hear thenews already. “Get to the point.”

“Soimpatient,” he muttered. “Okay, fine – long story short – thecoronation and ruling status are only valid with approval fromPhoenix.”

Itfelt like a block of ice had suddenly dropped in her stomach,although it took her a moment to rationalize why. “Approval?”“Yes.”The serious tone in Sazh’s voice grew. “You meet with the fal'ciein a special one-on-one ceremony. Phoenix will brand you as the nextruler of Eden. Not like a l'cie,” he added hastily, whenLightning’s gaze focused on the spot where his brand was hidden.“There’s no permanent mark, although it lasts 'til you’reofficially crowned. Then you’re free to rule as you please.”

Theice turned to lead in her gut. “Okay, so I meet with Phoenix andit…approves of me.” She frowned. “Why tell me this in secrecy?This is probably common knowledge among the royals, right?”

“Yeah.Some of the others brand their rulers like this too, but Phoenix isthe most important because, well…obvious reasons and all.”

“Isee.” The perfect placeholder reply, because this whole thing madeher feel…uneasy. Phoenix was arguably the most importantfal'cie in the world. Without the sun and life it provided, therewould be no world. The fal'cie from other kingdoms couldeasily be replaced with hard work and effort from humanity.

Butthe sun? There was no replacement for that.

Theenormity of her role in the world suddenly hit her like a train. Itdidn’t matter if her sister or the other royals or certain personalbodyguards believed in her. She’d never been very good at followingrules and had always thought of herself as very independent. The factthat she was to be in charge of everything under somethingelse’s power made her want to take a sword to Phoenix just to rid theworld of it, so humanity could try to thrive on its own.

Notthat she would – or could – ever admit this out loud.

“There’sone other thing,” Sazh added when she said nothing more.

Lightningrolled her eyes a little, mostly out of habit. “What?”

Hedidn’t comment on her rudeness. “I know for a fact thatyou’re part of the royal bloodline. Ol’ Sazh did his research. Youdon’t even want to know what dusty old books and old familyrecords I had to look up to find you and your sister.”

“You’vementioned this.” She raised an eyebrow. “Many times, in fact.”

“'Causeit’s true.” There was a pause before his voice went grave.“However, if Phoenix doesn’t approve of you for whatever reason ordecides you’re not worthy of the power to rule…”

Lightningwaited a moment for him to finish, but she knew what he meant when hetrailed off. This, maybe, was the source of her instant uneasinesswhen he’d started talking. It was everything she hadn’t known she wasdreading since coming into the conference room.

“…Phoenixwill kill me.” She met his eyes. “Won’t it?”

“There’snot much of a chance it’ll disapprove of you,” Sazh repliedquickly. She wondered who he was trying to convince. “Like I said,I did my research and you’re a part of the bloodline. I’ve heardthat’s all it really cares about. It’s not like the fal'cie reallygive a damn about human affairs, y'know?”

“Right.”She ignored the unsaid words – there was still that chance Phoenixwould cast her aside and everything would be for nothing.

Betterme than Serah.

Thatwas what it always came down to, the first thought her instinct wentto. Serah was the one who deserved a comfortable life withresponsibilities chosen by her and not some rule or bloodline. It wasbecause of her sister that Lightning had worked her ass off when theywere still in the slums, doing everything she could to give Serahever opportunity possible.

Shenever thought there was the possibility it could lead to her death.

Butwhat about her role now? Though she hadn’t asked for any of this, shewas slowly finding herself eager to make changes around the kingdomof Eden and make things better for people who weren’t long-lostmembers of the royal family.

“You’veseen both sides. I think that’ll eventually come to be your biggeststrength.”

Eventhough she kept trying not to think about a certain personalbodyguard, his words from the ball popped into her head. She’d alwaystaken his reassurance to heart, but now it had a thousand times moremeaning.

Thoughshe would never deny that Serah had also suffered in the past,Lightning had always watched out for her and sacrificed somuch to ensure that her needs were met. Their experiences weredifferent because of that.

Nobodyhad ever looked out for Lightning until now.

Andbecause of that, she was the only one who could truly changethings.

Shewas quiet for another moment as though contemplating, but short ofrunning away, there was really only one answer. There had only everbeen one answer.

Lightningsucked in a breath and met Sazh’s eyes, trying to steel herself withdetermination.

“Whatdo I need to do before meeting with Phoenix?”

–

Aswith practically everything related to this princess business, thepre-ceremony rituals were completely over the top and ridiculous.Someday she’d realize that nobody around here ever did things simply.

Overthe next couple of days, she rehearsed the ancient words that wouldsummon Phoenix to an audience with her. A handful of older maids –ones that had been tasked with all of the ritual business with theold family – helped her with cleansing baths and created theceremonial outfit. They were all sworn to secrecy.

Shefigured that made sense. If she was killed by Phoenix, it’d beeasier in the long run to play it off as some kind of accident ratherthan the most important fal'cie in the world rejecting her.

Butshe tried not to think about that. Besides the maids – and Sazh, ofcourse – the only other person who knew about the upcoming ceremonywas Serah, and that was simply because there was no way shewas keeping this a secret from her sister.

Lightningdidn’t mention the risks, though. Some things were better kept quiet.

“Snowtalks to Pandaemonium sometimes,” Serah mused over the phone. Itwas the night before Lightning’s meeting with Phoenix and she decidedshe’d needed the distraction. “Maybe he could give you advice!”

“Idon’t want any advice from that big lug.” She rolled her eyes, notwanting to admit she was curious, but… “…Talks to it how?”

Serah’svoice was a little knowing, but she didn’t tease. “He told me it’snot so much words. It’s not like conversing with a person – thefal'cie send images and they get clearer the more you have a mutualunderstanding.” She hummed a little. “Maybe it’s easy for himbecause he was elected the Patron.”

“Ormaybe his head’s so empty that the images come easier because there’snothing in the way.”

“Sis.”Serah huffed in exasperation. “Be nice.”

“I’dbe nicer if you were less interested in him.”

“Buthe’s so sweet!”

“Hmph.”This was what she wanted to worry about – who was goodenough for her sister and ridiculous things like that…not if thefal'cie who basically sustained the world was going to kill her.

Shecouldn’t let herself think about it.

Luckily,Serah was eager to keep chatting – mostly about Snow, toLightning’s disgust – and her nerves settled somewhat. Her sisterwas the one person who could distract her from this whole princessthing.

Well,her and another person, but she didn’t want to think about him,either.

Thenight passed quickly and soon Lightning was too tired to even hold upthe phone. She fell asleep quickly without having time to dwell onthe ceremony the next day. Just as planned.

Ironically,the sun woke her gently the following morning, which was a nicechange from her alarm going off or someone knocking on her door. Infact, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d woken up so calmly.

Ifonly it was enough to make up for what was about to happen.

Thecalm was unfortunately short-lived, because about thirty secondsafter she’d stood up and stretched, someone knocked at her door.

“YourHighness?”

Lightningsighed heavily, immediately recognizing the voice of the oldest ofthese in-the-know maids. “Come in.”

Therewere three of them and they filed in slowly, their hands clasped infront as they walked. She realized this was an incredibly serious andformal situation, but the realness of it smacked her in the face atthe sight of the maids looking so grave. That lead block that’dformed in her gut when Sazh initially told her about all of hisreturned in full force.

“Thisway.” One of the maids gestured to her ensuite bathroom, whereanother maid was already running the water. Lightning could see heradding special oils and herbs to the tub, apparently part of thewhole cleansing ritual.

Shewas already long used to shedding her modesty in front of otherpeople since this whole princess thing had become a part of her life,but she’d never hated it more than she had at this second. Undressingand slipping into the tub in front of the others just made this wholething feel weird and awkward and way more serious than she wanted itto be. It didn’t help that she knew arguing was useless; the oldestmaid had a glare that could probably take down Sazh – a trait she’dlove to learn, to be honest. Maybe she’d ask for lessons later.

Providedshe survived Phoenix’s judgment, of course.

Withthat thrilling thought in mind, Lightning allowed herself to be driedafter the bath and wrapped in a robe. She had to admit that whateverhad been added to the bath made her skin feel like new. There’d neverbeen any time or money to bother with girly lotions and potionsbefore Sazh had found them, but maybe there was some merit in it.

Onceshe was sufficiently dry, she was led into her enormous walk-inwardrobe, where the ceremonial gown was waiting for her. It wasactually quite a beautiful dress – a flowing garment in shades ofgold, white, and blue. There was a cape with a long train attached tothe back, maybe just to add to the ridiculousness. Phoenix’s brandwas embroidered along the edges in gold.

Themaids helped her into the gown and simple gold shoes. One of themclasped a gold bracelet with multicolored stones around her wrist.

“What’sthis?” Lightning asked, lifting her arm to inspect the bracelet. Anumber of jewels were kept in her wardrobe and a lot were in storage,but she was fairly sure she’d never seen this one before. It wasweirdly flashy and simple at once.

“Agift from Phoenix, Your Highness,” the youngest of the maidsanswered (although 'young’ in this case was about eighty years old).“It’s said that that fal'cie itself put it on the wrist of thefirst king. Ever since then, it’s been a tradition to wear it to theMeeting.”

Lightningsuddenly lost all interest in the bracelet and dropped her arm. “Oh.”

Thefinal part of her outfit was a headpiece that fit snugly in her hair.Long lines of gold extended from the band in varying lengths, thelongest about a foot. It formed a semicircle around her head – madeto resemble rays of the sun, she realized as she looked in a mirror.

“Whenyou’re ready, we’ll escort you,” the oldest maid said after apause.

“…Right.”Lightning let out a breath. “Let’s get this over with.”

Ifany of them found her comment weird, they made no mention. Instead,they simply ushered her out of her suite. The hallway – whichusually had people milling about cleaning and whatnot – was emptyexcept for them. Two of the maids stood on either side and one was infront to lead the way.

Theywalked like that the whole time in silence, the only sound being thewhoosh of her cape flowing over the floor. Usually Lightning reveledin quiet, but this silence felt way too heavy. It carried foreboding.

Doom.

Still,all she did was recite her summoning words in her mind, hoping shewouldn’t forget them. She’d never been one to crack under pressure,but this was a whole different level.

Itseemed like they’d walked for miles before they finally stopped infront of an enormous door. Lightning realized she’d actually passedthis area a handful of times, but the door was nondescript and tuckedaway, so she’d never given thought to what could be behind it.

Themaid in front slowly pulled the door open. Sunlight poured in and shetried not to squint at the glare.

“Wecan go no further,” the maid said. “Please head forward for yourceremony.”

“Thanks.”

Theyall curtsied in unison as she stepped into the light, not risinguntil the door slowly creaked shut behind her. Forget the lead in hergut; her stomach was doing cartwheels by now.

“Thatyou?”

Lightningnever thought she’d be so damn grateful to hear Sazh’s voice. She letout a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding and hurried over –as much as she could in this outfit, anyway – and even though hestill looked grave and serious, it was still a relief to be aroundsomeone normal.

Well,normal to her, anyway.

“Ididn’t think you’d be here,” she said, trying to sound composed. “Ithought it might be against the rules or whatever.”

Despitethe serious expression on his face, Sazh smirked a little. “Whathave I been tellin’ you? There’s no getting rid of me. Besides, youhave any idea what you’re doing right now?”

Lightninglooked around the room for the first time. It was weirdly bright andwhite, though she could vaguely make out ornate designs on the wallsin gold. Ahead of her was more brightness and – was that fog?

Yeah,she was totally lost.

“Thoughtso,” was all Sazh replied at the look on her face. “All right,lemme lead you through it. Ask your questions or forever hold yourpeace.”

“Justtell me how to get to Phoenix,” she replied. “I want to get thisover with.”

“Fairenough.” He shook his head in exasperation and then gestured to theweirdly bright, foggy area in front of them. “Head forward untilyou see a crystal. It’ll be floating in midair, so try not to freak.”

“I’veseen freakier things.”

“Yeah,yeah.” He rolled his eyes, which was oddly comforting. “Once youget to the crystal, hold cup your hands around it.” Sazh held uphis own hands to demonstrate. “Then recite the summons you’veundoubtedly memorized. That should take you right to Phoenix.”

Lightningheld up her hands in the same way Sazh had. “Crystal, hands,recite. I think I’ve got it.”

“Youdo.” He stared at her a moment and then sighed, bowing his head abit before nodding. “You really do. You’ve got this.”

Ifthat was his way of saying he was sure she’d survive…the confidenceactually worked somewhat. Much to her annoyance, Sazh really did knowa lot and she trusted him. It was not guarantee, but at leastit was something.

“Right,”she murmured, squaring her shoulders. “I’ll be back.”

“We’llbe waiting.”

Asshe headed into the fog, Lightning could’ve sworn she heard somefootsteps echoing behind her, but she did not dare to look over hershoulder. Eyes front. If she lost her nerve now, she’d never be ableto do this again.

Timelost all meaning as she walked through the light and fog. There wasno comfort in it, but oddly enough, she had no fear, either. MaybeSazh’s confidence in her had actually worked. Maybe it was becauseshe had to survive for Serah.

Maybeit was because, according to a certain personal bodyguard, she couldbring about real change.

Shehad no idea how long she’d walked before the crystal appeared infront of her. It was shaped a bit like a diamond and reflectedrainbows into the whiteness around her. Just as she was supposed to,she hovered her hands around it and closed her eyes, bowing her headas she spoke.

“OMighty fal'cie Phoenix, I seek you so that I may govern in yourblessed name. Guide me to your knowing light so that I may humblygaze upon you.”

Shefelt stupid chanting the words, especially since she wasn’t quitesure how much she believed in them. Apparently belief didn’t matter,though, because the crystal suddenly blinded her – even though hereyes were still closed – and she had the sensation of movement. Itfelt like falling, but she was still upright. Lightning didn’t dareopen her eyes in case it broke some kind of spell. Sazh hadn’tmentioned any of this! She was definitely going to rant at himwhen she got back.

Ifshe got back.

Whenthings finally stilled, Lightning took a moment to breathe, her eyesstill closed. It was extremely unusual for her to just stand aroundand put herself in any sort of vulnerable position, but what wasn’tunusual about all of this?Surely a breather wasn’t out of line.

Therewas about ten second of silence before an unfamiliar rumbling noiseand a flash of head made her finally open her eyes. She could notcontain the gasp that ripped through her at what was before her.

“Phoenix.”

Thefal'cie was long and skinny on both ends, with smaller pieces of itsbody – was that a body? - extending from it. Whether theseparts were something otherworldly, nature, machine – she had noidea. In the middle it was round, filled with a light so bright thatshe couldn’t stare for long.

Itwas nothing like she had ever seen or imagined.

Ofcourse she had seen fal'cie before. Most everyone had. There weresmaller ones that worked in separate jurisdictions in Eden, doingvarious tasks like providing electricity or things for export. Notall of them in other kingdoms made themselves hidden, either. Theywere just a part of the landscape and a part of life thatnobody really took notice of them.

Nowshe understood why Phoenix was hidden away.

Itwas impossible not to take notice.

Lightningstepped forward unconsciously, not sure if she wanted to run towardsit or away. She felt dazed, which was not a sensation she wasa fan of, but what else could she do?

Therewas noise coming from the fal'cie, but she wasn’t sure if it wastrying to speak or if that was just how it sounded naturally. Surelysomething so massive and powerful couldn’t be completely silent.

Thesounds were like screams and whispers all at once, having thestrength to ruffle her gown and cape, but somehow not loud enough tohear. Something about it made her want to take a sword to the massivebeing in front of her, but who was she to deny the world of this?

Andthen it happened.

Phoenixcried out and a beam of light shot right towards her, too quickly toavoid. It scorched her chest, painful yet not. She could feel theswirls and intricacies of Phoenix’s brand, letting it become a partof her and she now was of it.

Blurry,hurried images flooded into her mind. Lightning vaguely recalledSerah mentioning Snow’s experience with his fal'cie, that the imagesbecame clearer with mutual understanding.

Butshe and Phoenix had no understanding. She still couldn’t tellwhether she hated it or wanted to give thanks. There was anunderlying buzz of Phoenix not knowing what to make of her, either –just that she was of the bloodline and she could ruleunscathed.

Theimages she saw were most of people she only vaguely recognized fromthe portraits in the palace – memories of her extremely distantancestors. Some were of the stars and moon, extensions of the fal'ciefrom even farther away than this. One image would come, only to beimmediately replaced by another, and she could make no real sense ofthem.

Untilthat moment.

“Hope?!”

Everythingwas still so fast, but now Lightning willed her mind to slow,anything so that she could sort out why Phoenix was showingher images of her personal bodyguard.

Shesaw Hope, handsome as ever, talking to a group of people in a glassbuilding that gleamed with perfection.

Anotherof him in a white and yellow outfit that seemed strangely familiar –but it wasn’t the garb he wore as her bodyguard.

Himtalking to a shorter woman who, again, seemed oddly familiar.

Hiseyes sliding to look at Phoenix.

Hishands working on something that could have been otherworldly, nature,or machine.

Hisgaze on her for a thousand different reasons, most worthy of asecret.

Hisshame as he ran off from her at ball.

Inthat instant, something clicked in Lightning’s mind, though her heartwas pounding and her breath was coming too fast to really sort itout. The images abruptly stopped and the brand on her chest cooled.

“Howdo you expect me to - ”

Shedidn’t get to finish her sentence before there was that sensation offalling again. Phoenix had dismissed her?! She’d survived itsjudgment, but for what?

Therewas no making sense of it. Time had no meaning.

Whenshe stopped falling, Lightning opened her eyes in a daze and emergedfrom the light, a bit surprised to see Sazh, but also -

“Hope,”she whispered, her heart pounding again. It was too much for her bodyand mind. Her knees shook and she pitched forward.

Butlike any good personal bodyguard, Hope raced to her, his eyes widewith panic as he caught her. She settled into his arms so easily –too easily.

“Light,”he said, her name hardly a gasp. His eyes darted to Phoenix’s brand,which was on the left side of her chest, impossible to miss againsther pale skin. “Light, why? Whydid you do it?”

She stared up at him, a thousandimages replaying in her mind in an instant. How could she possiblyput them together in a way that made sense?

But maybe shealready had.

Her hand reached up to shakily brushsome of his bangs from his worried face. Worried for who, shewondered?

“You’re not a bodyguard,” shemurmured.

Theneverything went black.

[sekisandoesnotwritefanfic]

Prince Oikawa AU

You weren’t a very important individual, per se, your family has always worked for the royal family. You have been in the castle ever since you can remember. You inherited the job as a servant from your parents who have raised you to be one, it wasn’t a bad job. You enjoyed taking care of people and you were respected within the bonds of the castle. Of course, until you were assigned to be in prince Oikawa’s servant team. He was an extremely picky and honestly obnoxious prince. Oikawa was more of an egotistical royal member, unlike his more humble father. As a servant of the prince, his every desire was your job and that was an extremely hard task due to his nature. He wouldn’t think twice of waking you up in the middle of the night to make him tea and in a job for the royal family ‘no’ wasn’t allowed. At least Oikawa has gotten a little more sensible in his adult years. He was an extreme pain as a child and your mother can tell you all about it, you have seen parts but not enough to form an opinion. “Y/N, I am craving some milk bread. Bring me some.” Oikawa said as his chocolate eyes were focused on the window, it was honestly such a beautiful day. “Of course.” You replied as you didn’t waste any time walking to the castle kitchen. The grand chandeliers were always such a sight even though you have seen them a billion times but now. “Prince Oikawa wants milk bread.” Milk bread was Oikawa’s favorite food so everyone so extremely stocked on it, the prince couldn’t go a day without it. As the kitchen gave the silver platter with the dish, decorated with beautiful lilies and blueberries; just the way the prince likes it. You handed the platter to the prince as you moved back next to his door, watching the male sit graciously on the table as a smile appeared on his face. You couldn’t help but smile back at his purity, he looked ‘normal’ when eating his favorite food. “Is there anything more you would like?” You bowed as you asked for his approval to leave, anything you did in your day to day life was because of him. Your only job and purpose were to serve him and the royal family. “No, but you can stay. I am kind of bored.” even though you envied his lifestyle more than anything his boredom was becoming apparent, he has not worked a day in his life. What was the purpose of just sitting in a castle watching out the window, reading books, or just simply annoying your servants. “How would you like me to entertain you?” You were confused as if he was asking for something or just stating his feelings anyways you must always oblige to anything he says. “Hmmm, I don’t know. Ugh…” the male threw his head back and whined as he looked up to the ceiling, his brown eyes bored to death. Picking back his head as his stare turned toward you. “Let’s go take a walk in the garden.” Oikawa jumped off his chair and walked over to you, slightly tapping your shoulder. “As you wish, prince Oikawa.” You simply replied as you left his astounding room and began strolling toward the castle garden. 

Tall trees blocking the sunlight as you were casually walking along the path, the beauty of the garden still amazes you. The perfection of every bush and flower how much care the gardeners put into this. You almost forget you are walking next to the prince until he talks. “So Y/N, I see you are enjoying the view. I know I look amazing today.” Your eyes widen as you turned your face toward him, he was much taller than you and you were practically looking up. “Yes, you do.” You quietly giggled at his usual cockiness but today he seemed in a more casual mood. “What are you laughing at, I am like the prettiest prince to ever exist.” Oikawa chuckled near you as he continued teasing you with his cockiness. “Prince Oikawa, you really are the best looking prince ever.” You giggled feeding into his ego, you couldn’t really talk against him so all you can do is agree. “Y/N, you can speak freely. I hate the whole rule of not speaking against me, why can’t the servants have an opinion and joke around sometimes.” You were simply astounded by the words he said, of course, you were taken back by that since it was a rule ever since you can remember. “I can speak freely if you desire me to.” Even your choice of words was burnt your brain. “Yes do that. I just want to have a conversation.” Oikawa responded allowing you to talk as you wish which was something you can only do with your family and friends, not the prince. You were afraid of offending him and losing your job but he seemed so bored and dulled out by this life. You nodded at his request as an awkward silence hit both of you, maybe he was waiting for you to speak but the fear of getting kicked out was in the back of your head. “Wow, did I do something wrong?” He stopped chuckling at your voice as you flushed at his sudden stop in tracks. “You can never prince Oikawa.” Your tone was sarcastic and joking as you tried to relax, you didn’t take him as one who would harm your job. Oikawa smirked as he put his hands on his hips, towering over you as he joked back. “Oh, how dare the servant speak in such a tone to her prince. Off with her head!” Oikawa laughed pretty loud as he pointed up with his finger ‘his mannerisms were so cute’ you thought to yourself as you watched him laugh. You joined in on the fun as you spoke back. “Oh no, please don’t! I have been set up by the prince himself.” You both were sent into an honest laugher as he placed a palm on your shoulder softly looked at your face. “Yes, prince Oikawa.” You smirked so playfully as you tilted your head meeting his eyes. “Thank you.” He patted your shoulder as you were taken back by those words in the 20 years you have known him you have never heard those words leave his mouth. “Anything for you prince.” You smiled back as you both continued walking on the stone path through the white roses.