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jybyls · 3 days ago

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Haunted feelings || T.C

Masterlist

Synopsis: Fear turned out to bring out hidden feelings. (Thanks @darkpoetdreamer for the idea)

Warnings: Fluff, strangers to friends (?) to friends to lovers, haunted house, bad writing, not proofread, I think that's all.

Words: 2.3k

- 📜🎧🍂 -

Sam, Chad, Tara, and you were sitting in the living room, bored to death. You had no ideas of what you could possibly do, so you were all just minding your business on your side. Well, I'm not really minding your own business. You kept glancing up at Tara every now and then.

You wanted to talk to her but you didn't know what about, it's not like you guys weren't friends, actually you guys were basically best friends but lately it's been oddly hard to act normal around her and you couldn't figure out why. Yes, you did not use your brain on that one.

"Guys !! I have plans !" Mindy exclaimed as she ran into the living room, almost slipping down. Y'all looked at her excited frame, wondering what she had in mind, "What, Mindy ? Wanna do a horror movie marathon ?" Chad mocked his twin sister, which only led to her giving him a dirty look. You slightly giggled at the scene in front, looking at Mindy to hear her answer.

"Don't say this. I might consider it." She said and that ended up with all of you screaming 'no' because you're sick and tired of watching the same horror movies Mindy propose, "No, please, let's not consider that as an option of a plan. What was your main idea ?" Tara spoke up, but your brain didn't listen.

It just went, 'blah, blah, blah, proper name, place name, background stuff..' Safe to say you're a simp. It didn't go unnoticed by Sam. Her older sister sense has been tingling toward you for a moment now.

She definitely knows something is up with her sister and you. She kept her suspicion to herself, tho.

"Will you all shut up and listen to me ? My plan is to visit a haunted house. Y'all are down, or are you too afraid to follow me ?" Mindy exclaimed with a teasing tone, taunting you to follow her in her amazing idea.

"If we don't agree to come with you, you won't go. You're too afraid to go by yourself, that's why you're asking us." Sam, more than calmly, explained her point, which was true, but the shorter twin would never admit it. "That's not the point ! Are you coming or what ?" She shouted, distracting you from Sam's words. You all laughed at her.

"You know what ? Fuck it." Tara said, "Where's that haunted house of yours, anyway ?" The younger Carpenter mocked her friend, not really believing that place existed. "It's down town." Mindy grimaced and Tara reciprocated it, "Very mature of you, girls." You sarcastically said before standing up to get your jacket. They watched you with a dumbfounded look on their face.

"Well ? We're going or not ?" You asked. The twin immediately smiled and screamed, "YES ! Let's go, bitches." And with that everyone is outside, walking to that haunted house. Chad and Mindy were in the front, arguing, Sam was right behind them, not even listening to their faded words, while Tara and you were awkwardly walking next to each other.

You quickly became friends when she moved to New York. You were going to the same college and had the same classes most of the time. You didn't know Tara's story, you didn't know what she experienced, well, at the beginning of your school year you didn't even know who was this Carpenter girl and why was everyone whispering stuff about her and her apparently psychotic sister.

You didn't really care, tho, you thought it wasn't your problem until one morning in your English class your teacher assigned the class for a group project and you got teamed up with Tara. Everyone's eyes were on both of you, but again, you didn't care. You didn't know her, how could you judge her ?

By the end of this class, you came to the conclusion that you liked her. She wasn't mean, like students said. She was actually sweet. She did come up strong at first, but how could you blame her when the whole world wouldn't listen to her until she had nothing left to say ? Well, you couldn't.

You couldn't blame her for anything. And you felt like that when you just met her, so it's safe to say that now that you're down baf for her, it made it impossible to blame her.

Even with her trauma and her sister's advices for some reasons she trusted you. She quickly opened up to you and talked about what happened to her in Wosboro. She talked about Ambet, her sister, her parents, everything. You know everything about her, and you took care of that information. Obviously, you trusted her equally.

You told her everything she needed and wanted to know about you. And ever since you never left each other's side. Eventually, Sam learned to appreciate you, and so did the twins. Oddly enough, everyone agreed with Tara when she suggested that she should be part of the group.

It's been three mot hs now that you're part of the group, and they can all easily say that they like you a lot. You're trusted, and your company is always more than welcome.

You've currently all arrived at the so-called haunted house, holding you phones up with the flash lights on because of the darkness inside. Tara and you stayed close to each other, Sam was behind the two of you while Chad and Mindy were walking to the front, but they quickly backed up with a jump once they heard a noise.

"Did you hear that ?!" Minday whispered-yelled to all of you with a hint of dramatist, "Yes, I fucking did ! What was that ?" Her brother answered with the same tone. "It's the floor." The short brunette rolled her eyes at their dramatist, "It's cracking." You continued, slightly laughing at their reactions.

They huffed, "Yeah. No, yeah, we knew. We were trying to scare you guys." The boy answered with fake confidence, trying to stand taller. "Sure." Sam tried to hold back her mocking smile. You and Tara weren't has strong tho, not only were you mockingly smiling but also directly laughing at them, shamelessly making fun of their sudden fear.

The twins rolled their eyes, huffing again but eventually gave up. They knew they couldn't win with Tara as an enemy. The brunette might be small, but God knows she can and will bite back. With no mercy whatsoever.

You all walked, trying to call in any spirit, but obviously, nothing happened. The scariest thing you saw was a drawing of penis probably made by some teenage boys who found this place before you. The twins kept getting scared by random noises, and they also kept claiming not to be, which was quite ridiculous but strangely funny. It gives Sam something else she can mock them about, and that's enough to make this woman content.

Midnight suddenly hit your watch. You wanted to go home. However, you didn't want to ruin everyone's fun, so you stayed quiet. You lazily follow your friends around. Your mind was far away, thinking about a thousand different things but mostly one thing. Actually, one person. Your best friend, Tara Carpenter. This girl has been haunting all your thoughts.

At first you believed it was nothing, 'It's just because she's my new best friend. That's why I'm always thinking about her.' You told yourself, trying to get some sort of reassurance even tho you knew you were lying to yourself.

Because you knew damn well you're not supposed to think about what your best friend's lips taste like, neither are you supposed to think about her hands on your body and yours on hers. But since you didn't want to ruin your friendship with her, you closed your mouth.

Whenever you felt like telling her she looked pretty, you didn't. Or you'd just say something like, 'cool outfit' or 'cute haircut', when in reality you wish you could tell her how stunning she looks, how you can barely brung yourself to believe that she's real because of her beauty. You wanted to ramble about how much you loved her freckles, how you wanted to kiss every single one of them.

But you couldn't. That was the best you could do. Small, furtive compliments. You were to fucking scared to say too much and risking making her uncomfortable. Or worst disgusted by you. That'd be the end of your world. And your world resolve around her so it's easy to say that if she rejects you in any way you'd be a heartbroken mess.

Little did you know that the girl you were crazy about was head over heals for you. She wouldn't admit it to anyone, she barely even admitted to herself to began with but damn was she down bad for you.

She didn't want to say anything by fear of ruining your friendship. You were so dear to her she would never forgive herself for losing you. So instead of trying any kind of move on you she decided to stay quiet and cherish every second she gets to spend with you.

"Can we head back home or do you still want to walk around like idiots ?" Sam spoke up, clearly tired of this little adventure. You immediately nodded, "Yes, let's go home. I'm getting tired of this." Tara followed you, "Yeah, we're going home." Mindy whined however she agreed.

"Alright, alright. Let's go home. This place's a dump anyway." Chad led the way out of the building, Mindy on the other was terribly disappointed. She wanted to see a ghost or any spirit so badly but nothing happened. Sad for her, but good for all of you because it meant you could head home with a quiet Mindy.

The walk back home was full of teasing against the upset girl who kept huffing and rolling her eyes. You and Tara didn't participate much to the teasing since you shared earplugs with your shared playlist blasting in your ears. To make sure the earplugs wouldn't fall you stayed close to each other, your fingers brushing against one another. Your heartbeat went faster as you hardly blushed, thanks to the darkness it wasn't visible to anyone.

You hesitated for a moment before taking all your courage and interviewing your pinky with hers. You were about to pull away but she was faster to react, squeezing your pinky with hers. You looked down at your hand, a shy smile appeared on your face. You bit your inside cheek, trying to suppress your smile as you looked in front of you.

Beside you Tara was shamelessly smiling, evidently happy about what just happened. Neither of you spoke a word, the simple yet loving gesture meant more than anything.

The older Carpenter had a suspicious look on her face when she saw you and her sister hurrying upstairs the second everyone got home. She trusted you enough not to worry about anything, but her older sister instinct was hitting like crazy. She knew something was going to happen in this room. And she wasn't wrong.

You closed the door behind you as Tara connected her phone to her speaker, soft music was playing in her room. You sat on the chair of her desk while she sat on her bed. For a short time neither of you spoke, enjoying the calm music until Tara broke the slight awkwardness of this moment. "I think we need to talk." Her tone was eripus which cause you to panicked, "What-? What about ?" You faintly stuttered, your eyes widened a little bit. "About what happened earlier." She knew she was making you panick and this brat was savouring it.

You were overthinking like crazy, 'Did she just held my pinky by politeness ?', 'Did I make her uncomfortable ?', 'Oh my god. Did I just loose my best friend ?' Were one of the few questions that went through your brain when she mentioned what happened some minutes ago.

You shakingly breathed out, "What about it ?" You anxiously fidgeted with your rings, waiting for her answer but your mouth had other plans. "Did you not like it ? I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I really didn't mean to. It's the last I ever want to do. I love you too much for that."

Fuck.

Maybe you should learn to think before speaking in anxious situations. You both froze at your final words. You tried to speak again but nothing came out of your mouth. Oh, you definitely screwed it.

"You love me ? Like love me, love me ?" Tara asked but again you couldn't find any words to answer so you just nodded. She was dumbfounded. She didn't know how to react. She dreamt of this moment but never expected it to actually occur.

A long silence came between you, even the music couldn't make the situation less awkward. You were so incredibly ashame. You felt like you were burning. You finally found some words, "I should go. I'm sorry." You stood up however it wasn't in Tara's plan to let you go anytime soon. "No, no. Sit back down." Her tone was enough to make you melt. You listened without thinking twice, sitting back down on your chair.

The brunette shook her head and tapped the empty place next to her on her bed, quietly telling to sit next to her. You understood her command and moved to sit next to her.

As soon as you were next to her, her hand found yours. "You didn't make it uncomfortable. Yes, I liked it. And I love you too." She gently whispered, her soft smiled grew on her face, "Like love me, love me ?" You murmured, you barely had the strength to find your voice. The whole thing was unbelievable.

Tara chuckled then nodded, "Like, love you, love you." She nudged your shoulder which caused you to follow her chuckle. "How long have you liked me for ?" You quietly asked, "For too long. So what do you say we stop waiting, hm ?" She smirked as she looked at you. You instantly nodded, "Yeah, that sounds great." You smiled, squeezing her hand.

Waiting this long was worth it, you're finally with the one you love.

- 📜🎧🍂 -

A/n: Rushed end because I'm tired. This was supposed to be a Halloween fic- my bad lol. Have a good day/night. I hope you forgive me for how bad this is. Love y'all <3

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fancyfeathers · 2 days ago

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Imagine Daughter!Reader having a phone that is constantly going off and the batfamily is just like "Who is that?" then one day they look and it's just one of her friends but they literally talk all the time. Nothing wrong with that! Then they find out it's a boy. Batfamily is probably thinking, "Friend that's a boy? Oh hell nah she already has a boyfriend but two boys that aren't family in her life need to GO" Cut to Damian stalking Daughter!Reader at school(it's normal at this point) only to find her arguing with said friend that's a boy and acting like competitive siblings. No seriously, Damian walked into lunch and saw the two arguing over the school brownie that they had found still wrapped up in it's plastic on the lunch table. So the batfamily continues their regular stalking and with how they've been so far I can only assume the siblings will be super jealous of this random boy that's suddenly stolen their "Sister's" attention from them and treating the rando like a sibling more. Side note: I love your writing and I love your page! I hope you have a lovely day/night<3

Yandere Batfam w/ Wife/Mother!Darling & Daughter/Sister!Darling

To be honest they would block his number the second they felt even slightly threatened by someone else, they probably did the same with her boyfriend but they can’t get him out of her life because their families are in the same social circle and they go to the same school.

But honestly I am imagining her friend as like the most unthreatening person imaginable, like a scrawny art kid that she met in her AP psych class. But since they go to the same school the only person who would know what he looks like is Damian, all the rest of her siblings have not the slightest clue. They probably meet him when he is dropping off a hers and Damian’s schoolwork when they both got sick with something, and they honestly did not picture a teenager who probably has more interest in painting butterflies than socializing.

But then when they talk to each other it’s like all walls completely come down, like one day Damian came home and showed them all of a video of Daughter!Darling and her friend getting into a paint fight at school, which is also supported when Daughter!Darling comes into the room ten seconds later with dried paint all over her.

Now Damian will make comments at the boy that are slightly threatening and telling him to back off and mind his business, especially when Daughter!Darling confides in her friend about her home life a tiny bit.

Dick will try to ask her if she wants to do things that she has done with her friends and obviously gets upset when she says no because if she does it with them then why does she not want to do it with him?

Tim may or may not hack his grades to get him moved out of some of her classes, but he won’t if he if a scholarship student because that could end up with him being kicked out of school and Tim has enough of a conscious to not ruin someone’s life just because they piss you off.

Now once graduation comes along and he goes off to college then that is when they completely cut her off from him and any of her other friends, because most of them are leaving Gotham for school and they are already blocked on her phone so if she has no contact with any of them then their relationships are going to begin to break apart until they don’t exist anymore.

Honestly those few months after high school and before she runs away are the worst because she is not allowed to leave the house, she is hardly allowed out of her room without someone else out of fear she’ll try to run away because she is eighteen now and there for no longer has a legal guardian, so that fear of loosing her just becomes more real.

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promiscvus · 3 days ago

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Pernicious

Caleb smut. she/her -xfem reader. overstim. fingering. semi public sex. toxic relationship

“Your and Caleb’s relationship was full of toxicity and possessiveness, you lived together but despite how he was often, you couldn't break up with him and you didn't know why.”

Yesterday you and caleb got into another heated argument about his possessiveness and his inability to see the error in the way that he treated you like an object he owned. You both didn’t talk to each other the entire day until he returned from the DAA in sky haven.

He entered the house and into the bedroom, he saw you sitting at the dressing table and seemingly getting ready to turn in for the night, he stood behind you looking at you in the reflection of the mirror.

"I have something for you.” he said in a soft deep voice that you seem to fall victim to every single time.

Another expensive gift to get rid of the guilt - it's typical for him, he took a small white box with a pink ribbon from his pocket, placed the box in front of you, when he noticed that you didn't want to open it at all, he sighed deeply and then took the box in his hand and opened it, your eyes saw a beautiful silver chain with a heart and a pink diamond, it looked very expensive. Bluntly and gently brushed aside your hair and leaned towards you, fastened the chain and caressed your shoulders.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" his purple eyes stared into yours as he waited for your response, stroking your shoulders. You flinched slightly as Caleb’s cold fingers brushed against your hair, still annoyed and upset from yesterday’s argument . You avoided meeting his gaze, focusing instead on the glittering jewelry now adorning your neck. The silver heart seemed to mock you, its pink diamond a cruel reminder of the love and affection you craved but never received from Caleb in the correct way.

"It's...lovely," You murmured, your voice barely audible. Your hands trembled as you reached up to touch the delicate chain, the cool metal a stark contrast to the heat of Caleb’s breath on your skin.

He smirked, pleased with himself for calming you down, even if just momentarily, with such a simple gesture. His fingers continued their possessive caress along your collarbone, making sure you felt every inch of his touch.*

"I'm glad you like it. It suits you," *Caleb said, his tone dripping with false sincerity. He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against your ear as he whispered, "You look stunning with it on. Like my personal princess."

His words were laced with sincerity and intense possessiveness, but you couldn't help the flutter in your chest at the praise, no matter how twisted it may be coming from him. Caleb’s grip on your shoulder tightened, his thumb rubbing circles that bordered on painful.

"Now, let's forget about yesterday, okay? I've got a surprise planned for tonight. Something special, just for us." Caleb says in a commanding tone that leaves no room for no other answer than yes.

“Can we stay home tonight? I’m really tired” you ask in a soft tone not wanting to go out your home after arguing so badly with each other. Caleb’s expression darkened at your suggestion, He stepped back letting the necklace swing loosely against your chest as he glared at you.

"Tired? After I just gave you a fucking gift? Don't play coy with me, babe. We're going out, and that's final," he snapped, his voice rising in volume. Caleb’s eyes narrowed, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he grabbed your chin roughly, forcing you to meet his gaze.

"And trust me, you won't regret it. Tonight's gonna be wild. I've got connections, and I am gonna make sure we have a night to remember. So, put on your best smile and get ready to have a romantic night out, because we're not staying in."

You winced as Caleb’s grip on your chin tightened,

"Yes, Caleb" you whispered, trying to sound submissive enough to appease him. Inside, You seethed with resentment, hating yourself for being so weak and trapped in this toxic relationship. What made matters worse is that you secretly loved how toxic and possessive he was over/towards you. You were just as sick as him but you would never admit to that.

Satisfied with your compliance, Caleb released your chin, his fingers trailing down your cheek in a patronizing caress before he turned to leave the room. "Good girl. I'll send someone over to pick us up around 12. Wear that little black dress that drives me crazy," he called over his shoulder, already heading for the door.

Caleb paused, glancing back at you with a wicked gleam in his eye. "Oh, and don't bother with makeup. I like you natural, raw. It's more fun that way."With a smirk, he walked out, leaving you alone with your thoughts and the heavy weight of his expectations. You knew exactly which dress he meant – the one that hugged your curves and made you feel desirable, if only to him.

As soon as Caleb left, You slumped against the chair, your shoulders sagging under the crushing pressure of his demands.

"Why do I always give in?" you muttered to yourself, wiping your face with a tired sigh. You stood up, staring blankly at your reflection in the mirror. The silver heart pendant caught the light, mocking you with its cold beauty.

Sighing, you trudged over to your shared closet, pulling out the black dress Caleb had mentioned. As you slipped it on, You couldn't help but notice how it clung to your body, accentuating your curves in all the right places.

The doorbell rang, signaling the driver’s arrival. Caleb sauntered over, opening the door to reveal his personal driver.

“Come on in," Caleb greeted him, ushering him inside. then glanced toward the stairs, expecting to see you waiting for him downstairs.

“She's getting ready. Should be down soon," he told the chauffeur, who nodded in understanding.

You descended the stairs, your heels clicking against the marble floor. You felt real sexy in the tight, revealing dress, but Caleb’s words echoed in your mind - 'I like you natural, raw.'

You entered the living room, you noticed the chauffeur, You forced a polite smile, hoping to avoid any awkwardness.

"Hello,"you said softly, moving past him to join Caleb near the front door.

Caleb’s eyes roamed over you appreciatively, lingering on the way the dress hugged your hips and emphasized your cleavage. He reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear, his touch sending shivers down your spine.

"You look stunning, babe. Ready to paint the town red?"Caleb’s gaze lingered on your curves, a predatory glint in his eyes. He loved how you always managed to look sexy even when you are clearly annoyed with his presence.

"Let's go baby" he said abruptly, grabbing your hand and leading you out the door. The chauffeur followed close behind. As they climbed into a black suv, Caleb leaned over to nuzzle your neck, his breath hot against your skin.

“Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride, baby," *he murmured, his hand sliding up your thigh beneath the short skirt of your dress. You tensed as Caleb’s hand crept higher, your pulse racing with a mix of fear and unwanted excitement. You tried to pull away, but his grip was firm.

"Caleb, please...not here," You whispered urgently, casting a nervous glance at the chauffeur, who seemed oblivious to their interaction.*

Caleb just laughed, the sound dark and menacing. His fingers brushed against the damp heat of your panties, making you gasp.

"Oh, come on. Don't be shy now," he teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "We're not in public yet. Besides, I need to remind myself what I'm working with." His touch grew bolder, and You bit back a moan, your body betraying you as it responded to his touch despite not wanting to do this in front of a stranger.

Your breath hitched as Caleb’s fingers slipped beneath the fabric of your panties, stroking your sensitive flesh. You could feel your resistance crumbling, your resolve weakening under his skilled touch.*

"No, stop..." she whimpered. Caleb ignored your feeble protests, his focus solely on bringing you to the brink of ecstasy. He increased the pressure on your clit, circling and pinching the delicate nub until your hips bucked wildly against his hand.*

"That's it, baby. Give in to me," he commanded, his voice low and husky with lust. He could feel your walls clenching around nothing, desperate for release. Your breath came in ragged gasps as Caleb’s skilled fingers worked their magic, pushing you closer to the edge with each passing second. your hips bucked involuntarily, seeking more friction, more pressure.

"No, stop...please..." you pleaded, though her body language screamed otherwise. Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes as you struggle to maintain control, to resist the intoxicating pleasure Caleb elicited within you.

But it was no use. With a choked cry, Your orgasm crashed over you, your inner walls clenching rhythmically around Caleb’s probing finger. You shook and quivered, overwhelmed by the intensity of your release, as Caleb’s continued to stroke you through the aftershocks. Caleb smirked as he felt your body react to his touch, He loved having this kind of power over you, making you submit to his desires no matter how much you protested.

"That's it, baby. Let me hear you," he growled, his fingers dipping lower to stroke your sensitive flesh. Your breath hitched, and Caleb reveled in the knowledge that he could reduce you to this state of desperate need with just a touch.*

"Just a few more, and I'll stop," he promised, though he knew full well he wouldn't follow through. Not until he'd pushed you to the brink and made you beg for his dick.

Part 2??

#love and deepspace caleb #love and deepspace #lads caleb #lnds caleb #caleb x reader #caleb x you #caleb smut #lnds #lads smut #smut #caleb x fem reader #lnds smut #lads smau

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dollwhite · 3 days ago

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Singing death

[not a chapter]

All writing made by me will be under the tag ‘dollings work’

Also I’m thinking about making a side account but I don’t really think I want to because i would like to focus more on this one.

Made by Dolling

“Tim.. this is the second time this month.” You said, you arms folded in front of your chest. Staring instantly at your now broken window. “You’ve got a key for a reason child” you added.

It’s not like you didn’t have the money to fix all of the broken windows,but having to pull excuses out of your ass when the workers ask what happened. Was getting exhausting, you bought an extra key for him and he has his own room in your condo. But he still brokes your windows??

Kids now days.

Ya didn’t mine back then, because it was always fun to get a surprise visit from Tim. But now it’s like he doesn’t know when to go home, don’t get confused you loved Tim like he was your own son. But sometimes he had to remember, you’re not his bio mother. And that you had your own needs, like dating!

Before meeting Tim, you love life was not… not the best. With you being a popular singer, trying to find someone to date. Who wasn’t with you because you were famous and rich was hard, even other rich people wanted to date you because you were the famous ‘s/n’

And when you took a break from singer, you thought.

“oh maybe I’ll have time to date now!”

oh boy how wrong you were, it’s like the first week you took a break Tim showed up. And with him being thrown in your life, you didn’t have time to date.

But today was your date night, it’s the first date you choose to go to in months. But now you have to cancel why? Because your ‘son’ decided instead of going back to the batcave or whatever it was that the farry bat had. He came to your condo, and it wasn’t like he didn’t know what today was, you had told him two weeks ahead.

Just so he know that you wouldn’t be home, so he wouldn’t come with one of his surprise visits. But he came anyway, and he broke your window!

It’s not like you didn’t get him a key to your place the thread week you guys met. Maybe he liked brokering windows? You hoped not…

“Maybe I miss you?” The why Tim said these words, they felt… calculated.like this encounter was all planned out?

“Don’t give me that bullshit, look at my window!” Maybe it was the fact that, you had known Tim for about five months now. That you felt so comfortable scolding him or the fact that you done it so often.

Or the fact that he got himself into trouble a lot.

“I’ll get Bruce to buy you a new one.” Tim murmured as he walked up to you, holding his arms out in expectations for a hug.

“Tim.” You muttered. “You are grounded.”

“Hm- thought you were going to [readers] house?” Jason said, staring at Tim. “She grounded me.”

“S-she [reader] grounded, I’m sorry you? Ain’t you her self proclaimed child?” Dick added. It was after petrol, that they all decided to have a game night hell even Jason was there.

Of course with the exception of Tim as he wanted to give reader a visits and maybe stay the night at their house. It’s like 85 percent of the Tim lived with reader, and that other 15 percent? Oh he spent that time at school.

“And what did you do for her to decide to ground you?” A malicious little voice rung out. It was Damian of course, no one else liked to torture Tim more than him.

Maybe Jason on a bad day but still, it’s like that little demon liked to see to suffer.

“How does she even ground you if you don’t live with her?” Duke asked.placing down a drew four on the coffee table, for Cass.

“Yeh, how does that even work?”

“I’m grounded from her house.” Tim answered, it was a pretty obvious answer to him but maybe some people just don’t get the contacts clues.

“That sucks little guy”

Can u guys tell their playing uno? Also SCHOOL IS CLOSED TOMORROW!! So I might add on to this<333

Anddd do u guys like the name Allure being readers singer name or should I change it?

Also the little special one short I was goin to do…. I don’t think it’s going to be done in time 😭🙏🏽 if y’all have any questions about siren reader don’t be shy ask meee!!

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babyflorencee · 3 days ago

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Lucky in Love

Supersticiousrry x fem!Reader

Harry Styles was, without a doubt, the king of superstitions. He didn’t just follow them; he lived by them. From knocking on wood to avoiding cracks in the sidewalk, Harry was all in. He’d learned all of his rituals from his grandmother, who told him they were essential for living a happy life. And Harry? Well, he was more than willing to believe her, especially now that he had Y/n in his life.

At first, she thought Harry’s obsession with luck was... cute? But then it began to spiral into something else entirely.

It started one morning when Harry rushed into the kitchen, wide-eyed, holding a single sunflower in one hand and a bag of salt in the other. Y/n was sipping her coffee, still half asleep, trying to process why her boyfriend was holding a plant and a bag of salt like they were some kind of holy relics.

“Okay, baby, I need you to listen to me very carefully. This is crucial,” Harry said, dead serious.

“Harry, it’s 7 AM,” Y/n mumbled, raising an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”

“I forgot to throw salt over my shoulder yesterday, and now our relationship might be at risk.” Harry’s face was so sincere it was almost impressive.

Y/n blinked at him, trying to keep a straight face. “Wait, what?”

“The salt!” Harry said, shaking the bag for emphasis. “It’s like, it’s the ultimate protection spell, okay? I can’t—we can’t—be in a good relationship without salt being thrown at least once a day.”

Y/n stared at him, slowly lowering her mug. “So... you're telling me that we could be doomed if you don’t throw some salt over your shoulder?”

“Yes, exactly! It’s tradition,” Harry said with a nod. “But that’s not all. I need to water this sunflower exactlytwelve times before sunset or it’ll jinx our love life.”

“I—uh... What?” Y/n was now holding back her laughter at this point.

“Oh! And if we don’t both say ‘bless you’ three times when one of us sneezes, we could have seven years of bad luck! Seven years Y/n!” Harry added, his eyes growing wide with concern.

Y/n laughed so hard she almost snorted. “Okay, okay! I’ll throw some salt over my shoulder and water the sunflower. But only if you promise not to go around tapping every single corner in the house with your knuckles again.”

Harry froze, his eyes widening in absolute horror. “Wait—what?” He stared at her like she’d just suggested they give up breathing. “You mean... you don’t knock on every corner for good luck? But... but that’s— that’s like the most important part! ”

Y/n raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a grin. “You can’t actually be serious right now.”

“No, I’m not serious, but this is!” Harry’s face was full of concern as he placed his hands on his hips. “If I don’t knock on every corner, Y/n, it’s like inviting disaster into our lives. It’s the doorway to misfortune, it’s a rule of the universe!”

Y/n bit her lip, holding back laughter. “A doorway to misfortune... right, sure, I get it now.”

Harry, his face pale and on the verge of a meltdown, shook his head in disbelief. “I... I don’t think I can handle that kind of risk. You’re asking me to toss our luck aside." He paused, his gaze sweeping the room as if searching for answers, his expression growing even more dramatic. “How... how is this relationship still standing without you knocking on corners? What kind of dark magic have you unleashed?”

Y/n burst into laughter. "I swear, no magic involved."

Harry exhaled in relief. "Good. Because that's bad luck too. But just to be safe... we're definitely knocking a few corners today. For good measure."

Y/n couldn’t take it anymore. She burst out laughing, rolling her eyes. “Okay, okay! Fine. We'll knock the corners. But only because I love you and don’t want to risk misfortune.”

Harry, his eyes still wide, sighed in relief. “Oh, thank you baby. You really had me there for a second. We can’t mess with the balance of the universe like that!”

Y/n shook her head with a fond smile. “You’re absolutely ridiculous. But I’ll do anything to keep the luck on our side... even if that means I have to go corner-knocking today.”

***

The next day, things got even crazier. Y/n was sitting on the couch in the living room when Harry appeared wearing a very oversized red sock on his left hand. “Baby, what are you doing?” she asked, stifling a laugh.

“I’m wearing my lucky hand-sock,” he explained, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “You just don’t get it. If I wear a sock on my left hand, it brings good fortune. I got a promotion at work yesterday because I did this. So, naturally, I'm going to be doing this every day now.”

“Every day? With a sock on your hand?” Y/n couldn’t contain her giggles any longer.

“Yes,” Harry said solemnly, wiggling his fingers inside the sock. “And you have to do it, too.”

“Wait, what? I don’t even have a sock for my hand!” Y/n protested.

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll get you one. We need both hands covered, or else the balance will be off,” Harry said, clearly dead serious.

Y/n’s heart melted at his ridiculousness. He was the dorkiest person she’d ever met, but it was something she couldn’t resist. She nodded and sighed. “Alright, Harry. I’ll wear your sock. But only because you’re way too cute for me to argue with.”

Harry beamed at her like she’d just agreed to marry him. “Perfect! Now we’re both lucky. And don’t forget, we also need to eat pancakes for breakfast every Sunday. Pancakes are the ultimate guide to good luck.”

“Okay, pancakes on Sunday. Got it,” Y/n said with a grin. “What next, Harry?”

“Well, it’s Wednesday, so we can’t eat tomatoes,” Harry said, his tone firm, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Y/n blinked, baffled. “What? Why not?”

Harry began pacing around the room dramatically, his expression deadly serious. “Tomatoes on Wednesdays?! Y/n, come on! That’s like asking for the universe to smack you upside the head with bad luck. They’re a gateway to disaster! You really want to risk it?”

Y/n raised an eyebrow. “Wait, so eating tomatoes on a Wednesday is like... what? A curse or something?”

Harry stopped pacing, looked her dead in the eye, and shook his head, a mix of exasperation and disbelief in his voice. “Exactly. It’s not just any old bad luck, it’s Wednesday bad luck. You’re tempting fate, and fate? Not a fan of tomatoes on Wednesdays. Trust me.”

Y/n stared at him, her mouth agape . “You’re actually serious right now, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely,” Harry said, his eyes narrowing. “Do you really want to test the tomato gods? Because I’m telling you, we’re better off with a different vegetable. Preferably, one that doesn’t cause, you know, catastrophic consequences!"

Y/n burst into laughter. “So you're telling me I can’t have my tomato sandwich for lunch today because of some ancient curse?”

“Exactly!” Harry said, waving his arms dramatically. “Tomatoes on Wednesdays bring nothing but bad vibes. We can’t risk it, Y/n. We just can't. I care too much about us.”

She couldn’t help but giggle, shaking her head. “Okay, okay, no tomatoes on Wednesdays. Got it. But what happens if we accidentally break this rule?”

Harry looked at her seriously. “Don’t even joke about that. If you eat a tomato on a Wednesday, you might accidentally summon bad luck, and we might end up with spilled coffee, broken dishes," he then let out a gasp, putting his right hand over his mouth, "or worse—”

“Or worse?” Y/n interrupted, trying not to laugh.

“Or worse.” Harry said, nodding gravely.

“Alright, no tomatoes for me today then,” Y/n said, standing up from the couch and making her way over to Harry. She leaned in and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. “But only because I don’t want to anger the tomato gods.”

“It's better to be safe than sorry.” Harry smiled, then did a dramatic twirl and pointed to the door. “Now, we leave, but remember—always step on the right side of the doorframe. That’s the lucky side.”

“Of course.” Y/n rolled her eyes in amusement but followed his lead.

***

A week later, Y/n found herself following Harry around the apartment as he went through his superstitious checklist.

“Alright, now we need to make sure the door’s closed before we go out. It’s bad luck to leave it ajar.” He went around checking every door and window as if the house was an ancient temple that needed to be guarded.

Y/n was trying not to laugh. “And this is all for good luck?”

Harry nodded seriously. “Yes. Trust the process.”

“Okay,” she said, playing along. “Then what do we do if we step on a crack?”

Harry looked at her like she had just asked about summoning a demon. “You don’t step on a crack. That’s like a whole other level of bad luck. You just—don’t.”

Y/n burst into laughter. “What is happening? This is so weird, but also kind of... fun?”

Harry smiled, pulling her close and holding her tightly. “We’re making our own luck, Y/n. It’s not just about superstition—it’s about believing in each other and in the magic we create together.”

Y/n couldn’t stop smiling as she wrapped her arms around him. “Well, whatever it is, I’m starting to think you might be onto something.”

Harry looked at her, his expression full of pride. “See? I told you. The rituals are part of the magic. They work for everything—even our relationship.”

Y/n blinked. “Wait, our relationship?”

Harry nodded, his eyes serious now. “Especially our relationship. I have a whole system in place to make sure our love is always lucky. You know, so nothing can break us apart.”

“Wait, what?” Y/n laughed, though a part of her felt a little skeptical. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely.” Harry crossed his arms, and smiled. “I’ve got a lot of superstitions about relationships. Like, if we both don’t get enough sleep, it’s bad luck for our bond. And we can never—never—fight on a Wednesday. It’s a curse. Oh, and if we’re ever separated for more than three days, we have to write each other a letter. It’s good luck. It keeps us connected.”

Y/n stared at him, half in awe, half in disbelief. “Okay, I’m not going to lie—that is a lot of pressure for a Wednesday.”

Harry’s face softened, and he took her hand. “I just want to make sure nothing ever comes between us. All these superstitions are like little rituals that makes sure we stay happy together.”

Y/n looked at him for a moment, and then, a sudden warmth filled her chest. She knew it was a bit wild, and way over the top, but the way Harry cared so deeply about making their relationship work made her heart swell.

“Alright, alright,” she said with a grin. “I’ll follow your superstitions. But only if we add a new one—like, ‘No bad vibes in the apartment on Mondays.’”

Harry laughed, clearly delighted, his eyes sparkling, “Deal! See? I knew you’d come around. Lucky socks, salt, lucky charms—soon you’ll be asking for a rabbit’s foot to hang on our door.”

She laughed, rolling her eyes. “I wouldn’t go that far, but maybe we should invest in some lucky socks for real. For next time.”

“Deal!” Harry said, holding out his hand. “Lucky socks it is. But only if you wear them with the green striped ones.”

She shook his hand, grinning. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

As they walked out the door, Y/n couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through her. It wasn’t just about Harry’s superstitions, but how much effort he put into making sure their relationship stayed strong. His belief in these little rituals, no matter how silly, made her smile every time. It wasn’t about magic or luck—it was about the care he showed in wanting to hold onto them. And as absurd as it all seemed, she realized she wouldn't trade it for anything.

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starlightslvtt · 2 days ago

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summary: Y/N and Lu’s fierce academic rivalry takes a turn when Lu’s harsh words in the tension of the moment leave him filled with regret. His heartfelt apology & attention to Y/N’s passions sparks an unexpected shift from enemies to something more. As tension turns to longing, they realize their competition was only the beginning of their story.

tropes: enemies to lovers, academic rivals, introver(ish) reader x extrovert luigi, mean/bully luigi, fluff, slow burn romance!

୨ৎ authors note:omg this fic is my first ever one so hopefully i wrote it well. I’ve had this scenario running in my mind for so long & now I’ve finally wrote about it! also this song reminds me of lulu soso much?! hopefully you all enjoy reading it. if anyone has any tips on how I can improve my writing please do share! anyways happy reading! ily all sm!!

“Studying again, Y/N?” Lu drawled, his smirk laced with condescension as he plopped down at the desk beside hers in the library. “You do know there’s an entire world outside of textbooks, right?”

Y/N didn’t even glance up from her notes. “And you do know that stuffing your face with food while pretending to be an academic weapon doesn’t actually make you one?”

His jaw tightened, a flash of irritation flickering in his caramel-brown eyes. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you.”

Y/N finally turned, leveling him with a cool stare. “And neither does arrogance, Mangione.”

Lu huffed, crossing his arms. “Call me that one more time, and I swear I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” she challenged, raising an eyebrow. “Beat me in our next exam? Oh wait, you’ve never done that before.”

The tension between them was suffocating, their unspoken rivalry a fire that never seemed to burn out. For years, they had been at each other’s throats—vying for the top spot, trading barbed insults between lectures, and tearing each other apart in debates. It wasn’t personal. Or at least, that’s what Y/N had always told herself.

Until one day, Lu took it too far.

“You know, Y/N,” he said, leaning against the hallway lockers, his voice laced with something crueler than usual, “it’s kind of pathetic how you spend all your time studying. No friends, no social life—what’s the point of being the smartest in the room if there’s no one around to care?”

Y/N froze, her fingers tightening around the books in her arms. The words stung more than they should have. Maybe because there was truth in them.

Lu’s smirk faltered. He hadn’t meant to say it like that, hadn’t meant for the flash of hurt in her eyes. But it was too late.

Later that evening, regret clawed at him as he sat at the dinner table, picking at his food. His mom and sisters exchanged a knowing look.

“What’s wrong?” his sister, Maria, asked, nudging him.

“I… I said something really awful to Y/N today.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t even know why. We were just—caught up in the competition, I guess.”

His mom frowned. “Apologize properly, like a man. Own up to your mistake, and she will forgive you.”

Lu nodded. “Yeah. I was thinking… she likes homemade cookies.”

“and how do you know that?” Luciana his other sister asked.

“I heard her talking to someone once, on the phone. She was talking about all the things she likes to do but doesn’t have time for any of it.” he mentions.

Which is how he found himself standing outside Y/N’s house the next afternoon, a baby pink container with a ceramic bow on top holding freshly baked cookies in hand, and his mom hovering beside him with a too-pleased expression. His friends—because of course they had to come and witness his misery—stood nearby, grinning.

Y/N opened the door, her eyes narrowing at the sight of him. “Mangione?”

He cleared his throat, shifting on his feet. “Uh. These are for you. I—” He sighed. “I was an ass. I shouldn’t have said that. I know you work hard, and—look, I just, I’m sorry.”

Y/N glanced at the cookies, then at his mom, then back at him. Slowly, she took them. “You made these?”

“With help,” he admitted. “But mostly me.”

His friends erupted into teasing remarks.

“Wow, Mangione’s got a soft side.”

“Just date already.” Tracy his friend yelled out, teasing.

Lu groaned. Y/N rolled her eyes, but a faint pink dusted her cheeks.

And somehow, after that, everything shifted. The insults became playful. The rivalry felt lighter. The long nights of studying became shared instead of solitary. And somewhere between the stolen glances, the laughter, the way their fingers brushed when they reached for the same book.

They stopped being enemies.

And they started being something else entirely.

#luigi mangione #luigi mangione x reader #academic rivals #enemies to lovers #x reader #luigi thoughts #slow burn #Spotify

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severus-snaps · 3 days ago

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Snape: Points and Punishments

Snape has something of a bad reputation when it comes to discipline at Hogwarts, and is, I think, often accused of being unfair in his treatment of his students (especially if that student is Harry).

So, I've turned to science.

Using potter-search.com, I searched the terms: "snape points", "snape detention" and "points from gryffindor". What follows is a list of instances I've identified where Snape dispenses discipline in the form of point deductions and detentions, what the detentions entail, and what causes Snape to react to the students in the first place.

I'll tally points taken by Snape in each book, and also compare some of his methods to other Hogwarts professors.

This post will cover books 1-4, since there's quite a lot I've collected for the later books, which I haven't read in a while so I couldn't remember all of the context, 1-4 are the pre-Voldemort years, JKR took a break writing them at this point, and most importantly - it was getting long.

So, to quote Ron:

"Snape’s Head of Slytherin House. They say he always favours them — we’ll be able to see if it’s true."

Favouring Slytherin

First, we never see Snape in the books awarding points - to Slytherins, or to anyone else. With that out of the way, let's see how he disciplines the students - not just Harry - including docking points, detentions, revoking privileges, expulsion, and threats of doing the same - categorised by book.

Philosopher's Stone

Points & detentions

There was a sudden rummaging for quills and parchment. Over the noise, Snape said, “And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek, Potter.”

One single point taken in Harry's first potions class for talking back, and telling Snape to ask Hermione a question instead of him.

“You — Potter — why didn’t you tell him not to add the quills? Thought he’d make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That’s another point you’ve lost for Gryffindor.” *

* Worth noting as well that nobody considered this particularly outrageous - Ron tells Harry not to "push it", because he's heard that "Snape can turn very nasty" and later tells Harry that Snape's always taking points from the twins. So Ron, whilst on Harry's side, clearly does not consider this incident to be especially nasty behaviour.

Unfair, sure - Snape had put everyone into pairs, but Harry had been working next to Neville with Ron, not in Neville's pair (Neville was paired with Seamus).

As we'll see as we go through, this is one of the few occasions where Snape is being petty and ignoring the rules, and one of the few occasions where Snape doesn't give a valid reason.

But then again, it's only one point - and if we're thinking in-universe, Harry's been cheeky to him already, and Snape is probably feeling all kinds of weird about having Harry in his class, as the son of his bully and his former best friend, who was supposed to have been something of a potions prodigy herself.

“Library books are not to be taken outside the school,” said Snape. “Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor.” “He’s just made that rule up,” Harry muttered angrily as Snape limped away.

We don't know whether Snape made the rule up or whether Harry's being indignant here at having Quidditch Through the Ages taken from him. It doesn't seem like an unreasonable rule not to take library books out of the building, where they have a greater chance, perhaps, of getting lost or damaged - especially if they are rare or expensive.

I personally think it's unlikely that Snape made it up, and it's definitely the sort of thing Madam Pince might insist on - she certainly seems like a real stickler for that sort of thing, spending her time polishing gilded spellbooks (e.g. CoS). However, it could be a rule Madam Pince insists on but nobody else really enforces.

Final conclusion: we can't be sure whether Snape made it up or whether it's a legitimate rule (unless someone can remember another time Harry has a library book outside near a teacher).

Contrast this to Filch in CoS (admittedly, post-petrification of Mrs Norris - though this isn't especially far from Filch's usual behaviour):

When Filch wasn’t guarding the scene of the crime, he was skulking red-eyed through the corridors, lunging out at unsuspecting students and trying to put them in detention for things like “breathing loudly” and “looking happy.”

We'll see continually that Snape tends to stick to the rules:

Ron dived at Malfoy just as Snape came up the stairs. ... “He was provoked, Professor Snape,” said Hagrid, sticking his huge hairy face out from behind the tree. “Malfoy was insultin’ his family.” “Be that as it may, fighting is against Hogwarts rules, Hagrid,” said Snape silkily. “Five points from Gryffindor, Weasley, and be grateful it isn’t more. Move along, all of you.”

Snape obviously didn't believe or care for Hagrid's explanation here, which is fair when you consider that even though he's just the groundskeeper, Hagrid's a 50-ish-year-old staffmember who could've stepped in before it reached Ron throwing himself at Draco. Five points also isn't too harsh, given that when Snape arrived, Ron had started the physical fight.

It's also worth noting that McGonagall doesn't listen to excuses either - it is, obviously, down to staff to resolve issues like that, without students resorting to fistfights:

“Provoked you?” shouted Professor McGonagall, slamming a fist onto her desk so that her tartan biscuit tin slid sideways off it and burst open, littering the floor with Ginger Newts. “He’d just lost, hadn’t he, of course he wanted to provoke you! But what on earth he can have said that justified what you two — ” “He insulted my parents,” snarled George. “And Harry’s mother.” “But instead of leaving it to Madam Hooch to sort out, you two decided to give an exhibition of Muggle dueling, did you?” bellowed Professor McGonagall.

And she follows it with:

"I do not care if he insulted every family member you possess, your behavior was disgusting and I am giving each of you a week’s worth of detention!"

Favouring other houses

Snape had just awarded Hufflepuff a penalty because George Weasley had hit a Bludger at him. Hermione, who had all her fingers crossed in her lap, was squinting fixedly at Harry, who was circling the game like a hawk, looking for the Snitch. "You know how I think they choose people for the Gryffindor team?" said Malfoy loudly a few minutes later, as Snape awarded Hufflepuff another penalty for no reason at all.

"For no reason at all". Are you sure, Harry? Moments ago, he was having Bludgers hit at him.

Things didn’t improve for the Gryffindors as the Potions lesson continued. ... He swept around in his long black cloak, watching them weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs, criticizing almost everyone except Malfoy, whom he seemed to like. He was just telling everyone to look at the perfect way Malfoy had stewed his horned slugs when clouds of acid green smoke and a loud hissing filled the dungeon. Neville had somehow managed to melt Seamus’s cauldron into a twisted blob, and their potion was seeping across the stone floor, burning holes in people’s shoes. Within seconds, the whole class was standing on their stools while Neville, who had been drenched in the potion when the cauldron collapsed, moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms and legs. “Idiot boy!” snarled Snape, clearing the spilled potion away with one wave of his wand. ... “Take him up to the hospital wing,” Snape spat at Seamus.

More of an honourable mention really in terms of Snape favouring Slytherin, but I think there's a few things to note here. We never really see Snape giving out compliments, but here we do. As someone from a well-to-do family, one which in CoS it's revealed has illicit potions to get rid of, Malfoy might really have been more prepared than the others - and Snape was criticising almost everyone, which includes some of his own Slytherins. Slytherin was also not awarded any points for this. Snape also does not punish Neville for his mistake but instead sends him to the Hospital Wing (although he does punish Harry, so I'm not sure how fair it is really. Harry is a 'special case', to quote Sirius).

Moving on.

“Cheer up,” said Ron, “Snape’s always taking points off Fred and George. Can I come and meet Hagrid with you?”

I think it's safe to assume that Fred and George are breaking rules and not quietly minding their own business, keeping their heads down at all times. Seems fair.

“Will you stop messing around!” [Oliver Wood] yelled. “That’s exactly the sort of thing that’ll lose us the match! Snape’s refereeing this time, and he’ll be looking for any excuse to knock points off Gryffindor!” ... “We’ve just got to make sure we play a clean game, so Snape hasn’t got an excuse to pick on us.”

Probably true that Snape would take points where he could - but I (and Oliver Wood) think he'd play it like he apparently does throughout the rest of this summary, and "knock points off" by carefully adhering to the rules. I wonder what that means for the second penalty for Hufflepuff, mentioned above, in terms of Harry's biased narration.

“You want to be more careful,” said Snape. “Hanging around like this, people will think you’re up to something. And Gryffindor really can’t afford to lose any more points, can it?”

This occurs when the trio are hanging around inside on a nice day. It's post-dragon-smuggling, after McGonagall gave Harry, Hermione, Neville (and Draco) detention in the Forbidden Forest (which I'll circle back to shortly), and docked each of them 50 points. But Snape does not make up a rule here, nor does he actually dock any points.

Snape's face was twisted with fury as he dropped his robes quickly to hide his leg. Harry gulped. "I just wondered if I could have my book back." "GET OUT! OUT!" Harry left, before Snape could take any more points from Gryffindor.

Harry hasn't broken any rules by approaching the staffroom. And still, Snape is flustered and probably in pain, but he does not take points - once again, it's someone else (Harry) thinking that he would.

“You can’t!” said Hermione. “After what McGonagall and Snape have said? You’ll be expelled!”

Re: Harry going to get the stone.

Honourable mention:

“But this is servant stuff, it’s not for students to do. I thought we’d be copying lines or something, if my father knew I was doing this, he’d — ”

It's entirely possible that other teachers have given Draco lines, but it's also possible that Snape himself gives his students lines as detentions (especially if their father is both influential, on the Board of Directors, and an "old friend") - but I'll circle back to this later. Here, McGonagall deducted 20 points from Draco (and 50 points from Neville) for what she believed was Harry telling Draco a story about a dragon for the explicit purpose of getting Draco in trouble:

“Detention!” she shouted. “And twenty points from Slytherin! Wandering around in the middle of the night, how dare you — ” “You don’t understand, Professor. Harry Potter’s coming — he’s got a dragon!” “What utter rubbish! How dare you tell such lies! Come on — I shall see Professor Snape about you, Malfoy!”

Followed by:

“I think I’ve got a good idea of what’s been going on,” said Professor McGonagall. “It doesn’t take a genius to work it out. You fed Draco Malfoy some cock-and- bull story about a dragon, trying to get him out of bed and into trouble. I’ve already caught him. I suppose you think it’s funny that Longbottom here heard the story and believed it, too?”

Like... if anything, in her mind, Draco and Neville should be at lesser fault here; Harry and Hermione were out of bed, telling stories to get other students out of bed and into trouble for a laugh. She must think that Harry did this deliberately, and the others are caught up in it. It's giving The Prank in that she probably gave the Marauders detentions (that didn't deter them, obviously) for telling Snape stories, but then would've also punished Snape for believing the cock-and-bull story about a werewolf beneath the Willow. Also worth noting, however, that McGonagall takes 20 points from Draco and 50 each from Neville, Hermione, and Harry, and sent them all to the forest to hunt for a dangerous creature. And she thought Neville had nothing to do with this and was a victim of a prank.

But Snape gets the worst reputation.

Anyway.

Points deducted during PS: 12

Punishments given: Snape might have agreed to send the students to the Forest, or he might have been outranked by McGonagall.

Chamber of Secrets

Points & detentions

Absolutely no mention of "Snape" + "points" on potter-search.com; Harry technically does not get a detention, either. The best I could find is:

Harry had been held back in Potions, where Snape had made him stay behind to scrape tubeworms off the desks.

Not sure whether this was for a particular reason pertaining to that lesson, or whether someone had to clean the tubeworms and Harry is Snape's 'favourite' (unlikely; I'm sure Snape could've cleaned it with a lazy flick of his wand), or - because this was immediately after the scene in which it's discovered that Mrs Norris has been Petrified, which is listed below* - whether Snape knew Harry had been lying to him and wanted his own punishment where Minerva had prevented it.

Preferential treatment for Slytherins

“But I booked the field!” said Wood, positively spitting with rage. “I booked it!” “Ah,” said Flint. “But I've got a specially signed note here from Professor Snape. I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditch field owing to the need to train their new Seeker. ’ ”

He also allowed Lucius to buy his entire team new brooms - but then, how and why would Snape have stopped him? And what would stop Harry from doing the same for Gryffindor? And who bent the rules and probably got Harry a broom despite first-years not being allowed brooms and never making the House teams?

Suggested punishments

��Silence!” snapped Snape again. “Most unfortunately, you are not in my House and the decision to expel you does not rest with me. I shall go and fetch the people who do have that happy power. You will wait here.”

Re: Harry and Ron flying to school in the enchanted car and breaking not only the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry but also the Whomping Willow. He gives them a lecture, but deducts no points, perhaps expecting them to be expelled - or perhaps waiting for McGonagall, whose decisions he tends to respect (which we see again when McGonagall returns from St. Mungo's in OotP).

“Professor Dumbledore, these boys have flouted the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry, caused serious damage to an old and valuable tree — surely acts of this nature — ”

A sad day for Snape when Harry was Sorted into Gryffindor, otherwise he'd have been out on his ear in CoS.

Snape prowled through the fumes, making waspish remarks about the Gryffindors’ work while the Slytherins sniggered appreciatively. Draco Malfoy, who was Snape’s favorite student, kept flicking puffer-fish eyes at Ron and Harry, who knew that if they retaliated they would get detention faster than you could say ��Unfair.”

Some people say that Snape ignores his Slytherins taunting the trio, which is a fair accusation - he did so in PS when Ron went to fight Malfoy and again in GoF when Malfoy and Harry duel in the corridors. But one could also assume - based on some quotes I'll go through later - that Snape also punishes his Slytherins in private, because in later books especially, the Slytherins wait until his back is turned in Potions before doing any taunting, and his Slytherins do receive detentions, which Harry wouldn't ordinarily know about (i.e. Crabbe and Goyle in HBP).

I also wonder whether Snape was being intentionally waspish to the Gryffindors or whether Harry interpreted it as Snape making waspish remarks when really he was just critiquing all of the incorrect potions and Harry noticed it more because he felt it was unfair when directed at a Gryffindor. Harry can be rather indignant - but so can Snape.

“I suggest, Headmaster, that Potter is not being entirely truthful,” he said. “It might be a good idea if he were deprived of certain privileges until he is ready to tell us the whole story. I personally feel he should be taken off the Gryffindor Quidditch team until he is ready to be honest.” *

Quickly shot down by McGonagall because she saw "no reason to stop the boy playing Quidditch", Mrs Norris "wasn’t hit over the head with a broomstick", and there was "no evidence at all that Potter has done anything wrong"... but really probably because she's competitive with Snape over Quidditch (which might also be why he suggested it lol).

BUT I was reading here that Snape is doing something else: Snape knows Harry isn't telling the truth; he wants Harry to tell the truth; he knows that points aren't as important to Harry as Quidditch, and so threatening to withhold Quidditch was Snape's attempt at getting Harry to be truthful. It's Minerva who takes it as a threat to her House's Quidditch score, not Severus. The explanation here also suggests that this is perhaps how Severus punishes his Slytherins - not with points, but by withholding things they want/enjoy.

“Midnight,” said Harry. “We’d better get to bed before Snape comes along and tries to frame us for something else.”

But...Snape asked for the truth and pointed out, correctly, that Harry was not telling the whole story. That's hardly framing Harry for Petrifying Mrs Norris.

“I think I’d better do the actual stealing,” Hermione continued in a matter-of-fact tone. “You two will be expelled if you get into any more trouble, and I’ve got a clean record. So all you need to do is cause enough mayhem to keep Snape busy for five minutes or so.”

Hermione seems to think that Snape would get his way, and that McGonagall would expell them for messing around again and stealing from a teacher for the sake of making a potion they're not supposed to be making, just to break into another House's common room. For Snape's sake, I hope that's true - stealing from a teacher to spy on other students and not being expelled would have Snape like:

“If I ever find out who threw this [firework into a cauldron],” Snape whispered, “I shall make sure that person is expelled.”

Snape's greatest dream is, as we all know, to expel Harry. I'm certain that given the events of the year Snape knew Harry/the trio had set off the firework in class, stolen from his personal stores(?), tricked Lockhart out of a signature to enter the Restricted Section to get a book, illegally brewed Polyjuice Potion, etc - but they received no punishment. Even in GoF, when Snape reasonably suspects Harry, he still waits for proof:

Hermione had taken the boomslang skin back in their second year — they had needed it for the Polyjuice Potion — and while Snape had suspected Harry at the time, he had never been able to prove it.

Points deducted during CoS: 0

Punishments given: maybe scraping tubeworms off a desk. A quiet year for Snape.

Prisoner of Azkaban

Points & detentions

“This lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter, so I think we’ll make it ten points from Gryffindor. Sit down.” “Five more points from Gryffindor, and if I have to ask you to sit down again, it will be fifty.”

Harry was late, Harry didn't sit down. Typical school rules; nothing out of the ordinary here.

“That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger,” said Snape coolly. “Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all.”

Hermione spoke out of turn twice (but no points were taken the first time).

“You asked us a question and she knows the answer! Why ask if you don’t want to be told?” The class knew instantly he’d gone too far. Snape advanced on Ron slowly, and the room held its breath. “Detention, Weasley,” Snape said silkily, his face very close to Ron’s. “And if I ever hear you criticize the way I teach a class again, you will be very sorry indeed.”

Ron's detention turns out to be cleaning out bedpans in the Hospital Wing.

Snape doesn't tolerate speaking out of turn, yet both Hermione and Ron seem keen to do just that, repeatedly, despite Snape's reputation and strict classroom manner - even if your hand is up, you wait to be selected to answer, you don't just shout out. Worth noting, however:

“We told you,” said Parvati suddenly, “we haven’t got as far as werewolves yet, we’re still on — ” “Silence!” snarled Snape.

Snape doesn't deduct points for the first time speaking out of turn - but he does so immediately in response to insubordination and rudeness (especially if it is Harry).

Snape, looking sour, pulled a small bottle from the pocket of his robe, poured a few drops on top of Trevor, and he reappeared suddenly, fully grown. “Five points from Gryffindor,” said Snape, which wiped the smiles from every face. “I told you not to help him, Miss Granger. Class dismissed.”

Ah, The Trevor Incident, favourite of Snaters the world over. I've talked about this method of teaching not being unusual for the context of Hogwarts/old schools here, but essentially giving Neville something to care about and a reason to pay attention was probably Snape's game here, not just to mess with Neville. As such, the points were taken from Gryffindor because Neville was asked to work independently, and he and Hermione disobeyed him - which Snape helpfully tells them at the time. It's only five points, Trevor was always going to be fine, and nobody in the fandom would care, except for the fact it's Snape. Nobody else cares about the other animals mistreated at Hogwarts - for example, the presumably real hedgehog that Dean was just...stabbing with pins for lessons on end:

“Miss Granger remains the only person in this class who has managed to turn a hedgehog into a satisfactory pincushion. I might remind you that your pincushion, Thomas, still curls up in fright if anyone approaches it with a pin!”

Or even when Flitwick used Trevor as an example:

Professor Flitwick announced in Charms that he thought they were ready to start making objects fly, something they had all been dying to try since they’d seen him make Neville’s toad zoom around the classroom.

Sure, Snape sounded way more menacing about it and - given that some of the ingredients in potions are, like, pickled frogs, cockroaches, and the like - Snape was probably not that bothered about a dead toad. But Snape can tell at a glance whether or not a potion is in good condition, so he knew Trevor wasn't going to die. We don't know whether Snape looked sour because Trevor got to live (unlikely), whether he was sour because Hermione and Neville had disobeyed him, or whether that's just his face.

Malfoy spent much of their next Potions class doing dementor imitations across the dungeon; Ron finally cracked and flung a large, slippery crocodile heart at Malfoy, which hit him in the face and caused Snape to take fifty points from Gryffindor.

I think in my old school if you threw something at someone's face you'd get sent out of class and possibly suspended, so... fair. However, Snape was either ignoring Malfoy's taunting (which he's done before) or Malfoy did it behind Snape's back; we're simply not told which on this occasion. And, once again, Malfoy provoking retaliation is ignored in favour of punishing an actual behaviour. McGonagall taught Snape as a student; he probably got that from her.

Suggested punishments

One of the essays, a particularly nasty one about shrinking potions, was for Harry’s least favorite teacher, Professor Snape, who would be delighted to have an excuse to give Harry detention for a month.

Probably true, but he's not actually given Harry a detention in this book.

Malfoy didn’t reappear in classes until late on Thursday morning, when the Slytherins and Gryffindors were halfway through double Potions. He swaggered into the dungeon, his right arm covered in bandages and bound up in a sling, acting, in Harry’s opinion, as though he were the heroic survivor of some dreadful battle. ... “Settle down, settle down,” said Professor Snape idly. Harry and Ron scowled at each other; Snape wouldn’t have said “settle down” if they’d walked in late, he’d have given them detention. But Malfoy had always been able to get away with anything in Snape’s classes; Snape was head of Slytherin House, and generally favored his own students above all others.

Harry does walk in late to class in this book and again in HBP - and gets 10 points deducted each time, not a detention. Harry is quite an unreliable narrator, as we've said before, and is also prone to being indignant when Snape gives him largely reasonable punishments.

The above passage is shortly after Draco was injured by Buckbeak in Hagrid's first lesson. In this book, Harry was late because of Quidditch practise, not an injury, and in HBP he was pacing in front of the Room of Requirement instead of getting to class, so there's really no excuse here. Harry can be such a drama queen (unreliable narrator) when it comes to Snape.

Further, if one were being charitable, one could say that Madam Pomfrey kept Malfoy in the hospital wing all that time, and therefore Snape would have good reason not to punish Malfoy for reappearing when Malfoy was feeling better. However, there's a very strong chance Snape let Malfoy milk it for all it was worth, and it's probably the same reason that Madam Pomfrey/the school wouldn't tell Draco to get his shit together: Lucius Malfoy, rich and influential helicopter dad, whom Draco tells every little inconvenience, and who's more trouble than it's worth to provoke.

And, some things to note here.

Snape's explains the reasons behind his threatening of punishments; he likes to stick to (and exploit) the rules

Typically, Snape goes from a proportionate punishment to threatening something more severe for continued misbehaviour

“And if I ever hear you criticise the way I teach a class again, you will be very sorry indeed.” / “Five more points from Gryffindor, and if I have to ask you to sit down again, it will be fifty.”

“Miss Granger, you are already facing suspension from this school,” Snape spat. “You, Potter, and Weasley are out-of-bounds, in the company of a convicted murderer and a werewolf. For once in your life, hold your tongue.”

Snape, as already discussed in CoS, also waits for proof of an accusation - even when Draco has informed him that Harry was in Hogsmeade, and he could've easily taken Draco at his word:

Harry stayed silent. Snape was trying to provoke him into telling the truth. He wasn’t going to do it. Snape had no proof — yet.

Points deducted during PoA: 75

Punishments given: One detention for Ron, cleaning the bedpans in the Hospital Wing - and threatening a toad

Goblet of Fire

Points & detentions

“Fascinating though your social life undoubtedly is, Miss Granger,” said an icy voice right behind them, and all three of them jumped, “I must ask you not to discuss it in my class. Ten points from Gryffindor.” “Ah . . . reading magazines under the table as well?” Snape added, snatching up the copy of Witch Weekly. “A further ten points from Gryffindor … oh but of course …” Snape’s black eyes glittered as they fell on Rita Skeeter’s article. “Potter has to keep up with his press cuttings. …”

Talking in class and reading things other than the work is standard "not allowed" stuff in school. Fair enough. What follows - reading it out to the class - is no more heinous than a teacher reading the notes we all passed in class when we got caught. Not fun for the students, but hardly one of Snape's greatest crimes. Read it on your own time, guys, and this wouldn't have been an issue.

Snape and Karkaroff came around the corner. Snape had his wand out and was blasting rosebushes apart, his expression most ill-natured. Squeals issued from many of the bushes, and dark shapes emerged from them. “Ten points from Ravenclaw, Fawcett!” Snape snarled as a girl ran past him. “And ten points from Hufflepuff too, Stebbins!” as a boy went rushing after her. “And what are you two doing?” he added, catching sight of Harry and Ron on the path ahead. Karkaroff, Harry saw, looked slightly discomposed to see them standing there. His hand went nervously to his goatee, and he began winding it around his finger. “We’re walking,” Ron told Snape shortly. “Not against the law, is it?” “Keep walking, then!” Snape snarled, and he brushed past them, his long black cloak billowing out behind him.

Clearly cavorting in the bushes is not allowed at school dances, otherwise there wouldn't be chaperones and staff present at Muggle ones. Fair.

Interesting that Snape doesn't dock points for Ron talking back like he has done in the past - he simply tells them to fuck the fuck off. Perhaps it's the one-time rule we've seen with Parvati and Hermione - if Ron had spoken back again, he'd have gotten points docked. I wonder if Snape adheres to this rule with everyone (except Harry).

It was lucky, perhaps, that both Harry and Ron started shouting at Snape at the same time; lucky their voices echoed so much in the stone corridor, for in the confused din, it was impossible for him to hear exactly what they were calling him. He got the gist, however. “Let’s see,” he said, in his silkiest voice. “Fifty points from Gryffindor and a detention each for Potter and Weasley. Now get inside, or it’ll be a week’s worth of detentions.”

Post Densaugeo-gate, where Snape insulted Hermione's teeth. Their detention: forced to pickle rat brains in Snape’s dungeon (probably for potions, not just out of spite). Once again, his punishment starts reasonable (one detention for shouting/swearing at a teacher) and would escalate with further retaliation (multiple detentions).

Obviously, insulting a student's appearance was not his finest moment. It's also slightly out of character. I've written about this already. Snape doesn't seem to value appearances; every other insult he gives throughout the books are skill/character/competency based, not appearance-based; he is described as unattractive himself in ways that could presumably be magically or normally altered, i.e. with potions (or even with shampoo) but he doesn't care to alter them; and he has even been bullied on account of his appearance. Theories range from him just being spiteful/finding it funny - even though his typical M.O. is to ignore Hermione until she annoys him by speaking out of turn - to him doing it as a 'cover' because Draco is there and his Dark Mark is returning, and has been for some months; to my personal favourite - doing it so that he could punish Ron and Harry within the confines of the rules.

And also my other favourite headcanon: he's autistic as fuck, and pickling rat brains sets off his sensory issues.

The next two days passed without great incident, unless you counted Neville melting his sixth cauldron in Potions. Professor Snape, who seemed to have attained new levels of vindictiveness over the summer, gave Neville detention, and Neville returned from it in a state of nervous collapse, having been made to disembowel a barrel full of horned toads.

Another one I've seen some drama about, made worse by the fact that JKR doesn't know what a horned toad is, so she described the aftermath as Neville removing "frog guts" from beneath his nails:

The horned toad, or "horned lizards, horny toads, or horntoads" according to Wikipedia. Definitely horned; definitely not a toad (or a frog). Even assuming that horned toads are some sort of toad/frog-like creature in the Wizarding World, it's just another potion ingredient, and nobody cares when Ron was made to pickle rat brains (although it is funny to me that both Snape and Harry might have been imagining doing the same to Peter Pettigrew).

Suggested punishments

Snape loved taking points from Harry, and had certainly never missed an opportunity to give him punishments, or even to suggest that he should be suspended from the school.

True, but Harry also rarely missed giving him the opportunity to suggest it by doing things that are anywhere from against the rules (e.g. fighting, misbehaving in class) to actually illegal (i.e. flying an enchanted car, theft).

Harry didn’t answer. He knew Snape was trying to provoke him; he had done this before. No doubt he was hoping for an excuse to take a round fifty points from Gryffindor before the end of the class.

True, but even Harry/the narration now accepts that there's mostly an "excuse" (read: reason) that Snape docks the points. Harry's hardly a saint.

“You were out of bed on the night my office was broken into!” Snape hissed. “I know it, Potter! Now, Mad-Eye Moody might have joined your fan club, but I will not tolerate your behavior! One more nighttime stroll into my office, Potter, and you will pay!”

Again, Snape's waiting for proof, even though he knows (strongly suspects) that Harry was out of bed. But, even now, he's still giving a warning - only this time accompanied by the (probably very real) threat of Veritaserum:

[Harry] didn’t like the sound of that Truth Potion at all, nor would he put it past Snape to slip him some.

Points deducted during GoF: 70 from Gryffindor, 10 apiece from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff (90 total)

Punishments given: One detention for Ron and Harry pickling rat brains, disembowelling horned toads for Neville (which are not toads)

Summary (so far)

Snape never awards points - not even to his own house

Snape does sometimes reward the other houses in other ways (who aren't Gryffindor), e.g. awarding Hufflepuff two penalties when he refereed Quidditch, praise for Slytherins

He also punishes other houses, not just Gryffindor e.g. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff at the Yule Ball

He tends to follow the school rules, and will typically use/exploit them to punish students within the confines of these rules, rather than making things up/punishing for non-issues (with exceptions; the exception being Harry)

He also waits for proof of accusations against Harry - e.g. when he suspects Harry's stolen his ingredients from his personal stores in CoS, again in GoF, and even in PoA when Harry has left Hogwarts to visit Hogsmeade

Often, he will give a warning before taking points. Then, the initial point deduction/punishment is proportionate to the misdeed

He threatens further punishments if the student(s) do not listen the first time and behave after the first punishment; he threatens punishments he would give if Harry were in his house (e.g. expulsion in CoS)

Harry often thinks that Snape will punish him, and then Snape ultimately doesn't

Harry also takes things personally. If he's late to class, for example, and he gets points docked as a result, Harry believes that that is unreasonable, in the same way he assumes that the book rule in PS is made up

Snape's neutral or fair actions are overlooked, like his proportionate punishments early on in the series, not punishing Ron for being disrespectful at the Yule Ball, etc

Harry exaggerates Snape's cruelty and personal vendettas, and dismisses when Snape behaves like other strict teachers. He merely notices when Filch is threatening detentions for students breathing; Filch's threats of physical punishments on the students are normally overlooked; Harry finds it amusing when Hagrid or 'Moody' are cruel to Draco; Harry finds McGonagall's much more severe punishments acceptable because he admires her

With the Slytherins waiting until Snape's back is turned to misbehave, it's hinted that Snape deals with Slytherin discipline privately. This is also confirmed in the later books, because Crabbe and Goyle have received detentions - and, ovbiously, Harry wouldn't know about it most of the time

Snape takes far fewer points than other teachers - namely, McGonagall - and also does not use or threaten excessively harsh or unfair punishments like 'Moody' or McGonagall (e.g. turning Draco into a ferret and physically harming him, docking 50 points each in the first book and sending them to the Forest, threatening the students with chains, etc)

Snape's crimes

Snape does exhibit bias and favouritism by overlooking Slytherin cheek and misbehaviour (especially Draco's), whilst simultaneously cracking down on similar behavior from Gryffindors - especially Harry

He's more likely to praise Slytherins and criticise Gryffindors. He's even more likely to praise Draco and criticise specifically Harry and his friends

This is particularly obvious during Densaugeo-gate, where he punishes only Gryffindors, despite Slytherins being involved - and even may have provoked the students so that he could punish the Gryffindors, by upsetting Hermione, Ron, and Harry. Which leads me to...

Snape can be cruel. Sometimes I think he's just being blunt - Snape's "waspish" comments are probably just blunt feedback on their potions. Sometimes it's how Harry perceives what would otherwise be normal dialogue if delivered by another teacher (e.g. McGonagall) - but at other times, Snape resorts to cruelty to try and get a message across, or specifically to needle Harry

Snape has a tendency to assume Harry is up to something (but can this be considered a crime? Harry is usually up to something, and he also usually gets away with it). but...

Snape has a tendency to 'confuse' Harry for James, especially from PoA onwards - and this makes him also assume the worst of Harry. It also makes him more volatile, and prone to meltdowns and extreme measures like the use of Veritaserum, especially as the stakes increase for both Snape and Harry with the impending return of Voldemort

Final conclusion: Snape is a strict and blunt teacher, and although he does particularly dislike Harry and is more prone to singling him out for punishment, it is not (in his first four years at school) always the case. Harry has a tendency not only to misbehave, but to imagine punishments Snape might give him, and also to overreact and feel indignant if Snape punishes him reasonably for something he's actually done wrong. It's never really acknowledged when Snape lets things slide, either because he can't find proof or presumably when Dumbledore silences him (a notable exception being his shrieking accusation that Potter had something to do with Sirius Black's escape, but... Snape was a little bit beyond reason at that point)

At some stage, I'll finish re-reading the series so I can comment on OotP and beyond, hopefully add some more context to GoF, and pick out any further threats or punishments I've missed. In the meantime if there's anything essential that I've missed, I'd love to know.

#pro snape #severus snape #snape #snape fandom #professor snape #pro severus snape #snapedom #half baked meta #philosopher's stone #sorcerer's stone #chamber of secrets #prisoner of azkaban #goblet of fire #snape meta #snaps-meta

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li-lilyvi · 2 days ago

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Seungcheol when your kid get a cold

TW: cuteness aggression, cheol girl's dad, uncle joshua

–Hey... Why did you wake up? - you asked when Cheol entered your daughter's room.

–I was looking for you, I tapped the bed and you were gone. What happened?- he asks, worried standing next to your daughter's bed, right in front of the chair you were sitting in.

–I heard her crying so I came to see what was going on and now she's burning up. I put a cold towel on her forehead, but I don't think it's working and I don't want to give her medicine now... - you said fast and with sadness. Your daughter was the precious thing to you and Cheol and both of you get concerned when she gets sick.

–Maybe she got a cold at school... Let her rest for now, ok? We can bring her to our bed, if it makes you less anxious. - he says kneeling down in front of you and taking your hands in his, trying to calm you down. You just nodded and Seungcheol took your daughter into his arms, carrying her to your bedroom.

In the morning, you called the school, saying that your daughter couldn't go to school that day because of the fever. At the same time, Cheol was calling the company to tell that he couldn't make the schedule of the day 'cause his daughter needs him. Both of you spent the day with her, trying to feed her, give her bath and medicine and, most of all, trying to cheer her up.

In the afternoon, somebody knocked on the door. A worried uncle entered the house looking for his niece.

–How is she? - Joshua asked Cheol at the front door before the leader let him in.

–They gave her medication, her fever went away, but she's still unwell and we don't know what else to do.

–Hey little girl, how are you doing? - Joshua approaches her and you, taking her little hands in his.

–Joshia - she said with a sly cute voice and opened her arms, waiting for her uncle to pick her up.

The two of you, sitting on the sofa, watching your brother and best friend cheer up your daughter after a hard day, melted at this scene feeling like a complete and happy family.

#seventeen #carat #svt carat #svt #choi seungcheol #seungcheol x reader #seventeen seungcheol

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tvckerwash · 2 days ago

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hmmm I agree it could've been a way to show ambessa's cunning side, but having her be the mastermind behind the attack at all honestly feels...somewhat disingenuous to her character the more I've thought about it. ambessa's thing in season one is that she never lies about her motivations, and is in piltover because she genuinely wants to advise jayce and mel in a time of war—the problem is that she's so blatantly self serving and only doing so for her own goals that it makes it difficult for us as the audience to trust her or her word in any capacity.

for example, is ambessa wrong when she tells jayce that the council is the problem? the mind hiding behind the body or whatever it was she said? in my opinion, no. we've seen that the council was consistently an issue, and jayce himself had been growing more and more frustrated with them over the course of the season, among other things.

I want to be clear though that I'm operating along the lines of "what story beats can be cut or changed to make season two more consistent with season one" over "how can we make the existing plot of season two make more sense while still hitting all of the same beats", as while I think act one is salvageable with changes, acts two and three? nah those gotta go—but that is just my opinion as a guy on tumblr dot com.

renni's attack on the memorial service would still happen, but instead of it being directly initiated by ambessa it could be because renni was pissed the other barons decided to work with the dude that killed her son (as lbr the only reason ambessa was such a central figure to the plot of season two, alongside mel and the black rose, is so riot could make them champions and sell a book). ambessa would then still use the attack to try and weasel her way into a position of authority in piltover’s government, but there'd be more focus on her battle of wits against mel.

if the chembarons aren't removed from power, then caitlyn would have no need to launch a strike team to take them out and dismantle shimmer since they’d already be doing it, and therefore she would have no need to use the gray. like I don’t think I need to explain why having “the good guys” in the eyes of the writers use chemical weapons is bad and needed to be handled with a level of care the they clearly were not capable of, especially when the only other characters we’ve seen use it as a weapon were silco and jinx respectively.

IF they wanted to keep the gray, I would’ve kept it as an environmental pollutant and connected it to the forgotten dying firelight tree plotline instead of using it for shipping drama, and they could even still keep said plotline connected to hextech!

Jayce could have seen how strong, cool and collected Caitlyn was during that attack. Let her save him at some point. I think she could have convinced him to make her Sheriff after that. Plus, Jayce folds like a house of cards any time someone he loves asks him for anything lmao.

one of the things I truly despise about season two is how people have been gaslighted into thinking jayce has no backbone and is incapable of being assertive and putting his foot down when that is not the case at all. go rewatch every interaction he has with marcus and every council meeting he's in after he becomes a councilor.

jayce already knows how capable cait is too, but whether or not she’s capable doesn’t change the fact that he cares about keeping her (and piltover!!!! he's the security guy!!!!) safe above all else. she’d end up as the sheriff eventually, I’m just not convinced it's a position that she’d be given by jayce. I could see mel or ambessa being the ones to suggest it and jayce being outvoted on it though, just swap the fucked up chest thumping dictator scene with an incredibly tense council vote.

I also think jayce being too occupied with viktor as an excuse for anything is...ehhhhhhhh because season one was constantly showing us that jayce took his position as councilor and the responsibilities that came with it very seriously to the point that he was pretty much never at the lab anymore.

anyway I don't think vi needed to break up with cait the way it happened tbh, especially because it was so obviously done for drama and nothing else. this is maybe a hot take but imo caitvi has always been the weakest relationship in the show as it functions entirely off of tropes and ship bait instead of being organically developed. they do not feel like two characters who have any real chemistry together—they feel like dolls having their faces smashed together.

any split between them should've probably revolved around vi's struggles with trying to find a new identity for herself and her remaining loyalty to jinx as her sister (and how it represents her relationship to zaun)—it's important to remember that vi is more ideologically aligned with silco than she is with vander in season one, and getting past her desire to save jinx and the "all enforcers are just asshole criminals in fancy uniforms" was going to take some character development.

the easiest and most tragic answer is to prove silco right—jinx has changed too much for vi. we've already seen her be incredibly distressed over witnessing the brutal violence jinx inflicted on the firelights in episode six of season one for example, so don't give jinx a redemption arc (because she really didn't need one, let her be a bad guy) and make vi see that her mayhem needs to be stopped because people are getting hurt. don't give her a badge immediately either, have her work alongside them like she did with jayce during the shimmer raid, and let vi be the one who decides to put it on of her own accord, not because caitlyn asked her to do so.

The thing that bugs me most about Caitlyn's arc is how obviously she was forced into the position Jayce had been set up to fill.

Jayce was the de facto head of the council that Sheriff Marcus (keep that in mind) reported directly to for city security.

He was the Golden Boy, Man of Progress, beloved by everyone in Piltover for the invention of Hextech! Charismatic! Handsome!

They didn't NEED martial law. After Jayce emerged unscathed from the terrorist attack, most of the council dead, Piltover would have been falling over itself to give him sole authority regardless of him wanting to quit the council right before the attack.

And Jayce should have been beside himself with rage! Jinx turned his invention, his dream, into a weapon that nearly killed him and the two people he loves most! Mel and Viktor, at the same time! She ruined his peace deal! (And killed Silco, but for some reason Cait and Vi never tell anyone about that)

But nope. He's just sad, and tries to talk Caitlyn down from wanting to kill Jinx.... Like wtf!! Where did his passion go?? His recklessness? Caitlyn got it all.

Let's say he's still reeling after killing the kid in his shimmer raid and fearing the consequences of violent intervention. Fine. But then there is the attack at the memorial. Now it's bigger than Jinx, and his entire city is threatened.

Picture the end of episode 1, with the council gathering in the basement after the memorial attack and it is JAYCE marching in to announce the strike team, with Caitlyn and Vi beside him, with their shiny Hextech weapons.

They didn't need to give Caitlyn political power. She could have become Sheriff under Jayce! She would have had nearly the EXACT same scenes. She doesn't get a single moment where she acts like a political leader in Act 2 anyway!

We never see her do anything the sheriff wouldn't do, which tells me this was a late change to cram all the remaining story into one season, to every character's detriment. If Caitlyn had just been following Jayce's orders until running into Vi, her flip would not have felt so jarring.

She loves Jayce as an older brother, she's grieving her mother, she and Jayce could have BOTH been manipulated by Ambessa. Let Caitlyn be at the forefront of all the awful shit she's ORDERED to do, instead of ordering it HERSELF.

By giving her ultimate authority instead, the few clipped scenes of her redemption, her "I know" and letting Jinx go free are nowhere near enough to get the audience back on her side. As evidenced by how many people hated her arc this season.

#this is really just me screaming 'let the characters have agency dammit!!!!!!'#also fuck the anomaly/multiverse/mage viktor plot line. it objectively doesn't make sense to have a world ending plot for a show #where we've only seen ONE region and are only aware of the existence of a second. thats the kind of bs that happens when #we've been introduced to ALL of runeterra bro. like come on!!!!#text #not t/oaru #not r/vb #arcane #q

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thatsmzbitchtoyou · 20 hours ago

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The Thousand Yard Stare Chapter 4

Summary: Bucky Barnes has served his country well, and at a great personal cost. After being rescued as a prisoner of war, he is struggling as he gets back into civilian life. His newfound PTSD is severe. His friends and family try to help, but he needs a lot more than they can give. His mother signs him up for a Veteran recovery home, where he meets people struggling just like him, and the home director who has her own dark past to deal with. He might just find love along the way as he searches for peace.

Warnings: mentions of physical assault, violence, being taken prisoner; sexual assault/r@pe; PTSD/anxiety/depression/panic attacks, flashbacks, nightmares; suicide/minor character death; eventual smut

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Y/N had already left before anyone had woken up the next morning. Bucky found it odd, seeing as how she always greeted everyone and had breakfast ready, but this time they were left on their own to handle breakfast. He felt like the house was colder than usual without her there. He decided to text her:

Hope you have a fun day with your family. See you later tonight. Be safe.

She replied shortly after:

Thanks. See you later.

He thought her response seemed clipped, but decided not to press her on it. As he read the text Scott looked over.

“Why did you text her?” Scott asked, looking anxious.

“What?” Bucky asked.

“Ugh, I should have told you,” Scott groaned. Everyone else at the table sighed as they ate breakfast.

“What?” Bucky asked, more exasperated. “What’s going on?”

“What did she tell you she was doing today?” Scott asked warily.

“Well, yesterday none of her family showed up and I asked her about it, and she said she’d see them today,” Bucky said, feeling overwhelmed with everyone’s attention on him.

Scott rubbed his face and Wanda hummed. “She’s seeing them at the cemetery,” she said quietly. Bucky looked at her confused. Her head tilted and she sighed again. “Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, Y/N goes to the cemetery and spends the day alone. She has no family. They’re all dead. Her mom was her last living relative and she died just as Y/N was rescued from Baghdad.”

Bucky’s mouth dropped open and his eyes widened as he took in this new information. He felt like throwing up. He felt so stupid. Why didn’t she say anything, or correct him when he asked about her family?

“She doesn’t like to talk about it,” Scott piped up, seeing the question in Bucky’s eyes. “This home, and anyone she helps in it, is her family. That’s why it’s her whole life. We are her soul focus,” he said sadly. “She’ll most likely have a nightmare tonight, or this weekend. A loud one,” he added. “She always does after today. We should probably figure out who’s going to help her this time.”

“Help her?” Bucky asked.

“Like she helps you with your nightmares,” Pietro spoke up.

“I can do it,” Bruce volunteered quietly.

“You did it last time Bruce, and she nearly knocked you out, don’t stress yourself,” Wanda interjected. “I can do it.”

After a few back and forth comments Bucky spoke loudly. “I’ll do it,” he volunteered. They all looked at him. “I’m closest to her room, I’ll hear her first. And she’ll be with me in the comfy room later tonight anyway. I’ll do it.”

Wanda’s eyes narrowed at him. “It takes her a while to snap out of it,” she warned. “She’ll fight you. Especially because you’re a man holding her down. She won’t recognize you at first.”

“I know,” Bucky said, remembering the few times she had helped him and he wasn’t fully coherent. “But I can do it. I’ve got her.”

Everyone nodded, the breakfast now tainted with a somber mood.

***

A few hours later as Bucky was finishing up helping Scott rake the leaves outside he went inside to shower. As he rummaged through his jacket pocket for his phone he pulled it out and saw he had a voicemail from Y/N left an hour ago. He quickly opened it as he sat on his bed and hit play.

“--but everything’s going good, Mama. We just got a new guy at the home a few months ago.”

It took Bucky a moment to realize that she wasn’t speaking to him. She had accidentally called him and left him a message, probably after answering his text earlier.

“His name is Bucky. He’s a real sweetheart.” She paused. “He’s gone through the worst thing imaginable, like me. But he’s doing really well. Soon enough I feel like he’ll be able to go home, and he won’t need me anymore.” She sniffled. “The problem is…I feel like I’m falling in love with him.”

Bucky gaped at his phone, nearly dropping it as she spoke.

“And I shouldn’t be. I know it’s not appropriate. He’s there for help, not for me to be lusting after him. That’s the last thing he needs.” She paused again. “You’d like him, Mama. Funny, kind, headstrong, kinda quiet, he’s got a great laugh when he actually fully laughs. And easy on the eyes, as you’d say,” she snickered. “I don’t know. Maybe someday, after he’s left or something. It’s nice to just get it off my chest though.” She started crying, her sniffles getting louder and a choked whimper coming out. “I miss you so much Ma–”

The voicemail ended. Bucky sat silently, his brain not fully processing what he just heard. She liked him back. Was “falling in love” with him. The looks he’d seen and the more personal, tender touches weren’t his mind tricking him. He felt elated and also uneasy. Requited love was thrumming through his mind, and yet he’d found out this information unintentionally. She hadn’t meant for him to find out. Would she have ever said anything? Would she have ever told him, even after he left the home when he was mostly recovered? He felt like the answer would be no.

Bucky was in a funk for the rest of the day, unsure of what to do or how to go about it. Should he talk to her? Or just ignore it and let her come to him when she was ready? What if she never did out of some sense of it being inappropriate or unethical? Later that night he was still stewing over it as he sat in the comfy building, holding his phone and listening to her voicemail over and over as he waited for her to come in for their session.

He quickly shut his phone off when he heard footsteps coming from outside. Y/N walked in looking tired as she shut the door behind her and turned to see him on the couch. “Oh, hey Buck, you’re here already,” she said quietly, giving him a small smile.

“Yep,” Bucky said just as quietly.

“Well, shall we?” she asked, gesturing to the walled off room. Bucky nodded and followed her into the room. She closed the door and sat herself on the couch as he sat on the bed across from her. “So last week I feel like we made some good progress in trigger points on the body. Is there anywhere else that you feel like is holding tension in your body anytime we have done these sessions?” she asked as she rummaged through her things and pulled out a notebook.

“I do, but um,” Bucky hesitated. He wasn’t sure what to say as his hands wrung in front of him. “It’s in a place that’s not exactly, uh…” he paused, watching her.

“I can’t help you with anything below the belt, Buck,” Y/N laughed as she opened her notebook. “Though I can give you some resources for sex therapists that could help you with that.”

“No, I mean yes, but no,” Bucky blushed. “It’s um…it’s my head?”

“You’re head?” Y/N looked confused.

He shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. He decided to just address it now. Maybe if he got it out in the open now they could work through it, for better or worse. “I found something out today I wasn’t supposed to.”

“Do you want to tell me?” Y/N asked curiously.

Bucky gulped. “Well, first of all, you lied to me last night.” Y/N’s eyes minutely widened, her body freezing. “You said you were seeing your family today. You forgot to mention that they’re all gone,” Bucky said, trying to be gentle rather than accusatory. Y/N stared at him, an unreadable expression on her face. “Scott told me,” he said.

Y/N closed her eyes as she sighed heavily. “I’m sorry. I should have told you, I just didn’t want to put a damper on your day with your family,” she said.

“You wouldn’t have,” Bucky said, leaning forward. “As much as you’re helping me, I’d like to think that we’re at least friends at this point, Y/N. You can tell me things, too,” he offered.

Y/N opened her eyes and looked at him, her eyes now shining with unshed tears. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Bucky held a hand out to her and she reached forward taking it with one of hers. “C’mere,” he said, pulling her hand toward him. Y/N laughed a little then stood from the couch and walked up to him. He moved back on the bed to lay down and pulled her next to him. She was usually the one to hold him against her when they had cuddle sessions, but this time he was the one holding her, tucking her head into his chest.

“I’m supposed to be cuddling you, sir,” Y/N laughed again, wiping her eyes.

“This is my cuddle session to do with as I please, ma’am,” Bucky scoffed at her, running his fingers through a part of her hair.

Y/N giggled and nuzzled into his chest, her hands fisting into his sweater. They lay together for a while, neither of them wanting to interrupt the quiet. Bucky wanted to bring up the voicemail, but decided it would have to wait for another day. She just needed comfort, a friend, and he was more than willing to be that for her. The rest could wait.

***

Bucky awoke to the sound of whimpering, his chest being hit by something. He moved away from the offending thing hitting him and tried to adjust his eyes to the darkened room. He looked down to see Y/N squirming on the bed next to him. They had fallen asleep in the cuddle room. As he started to try to sit up Y/N stiffened. Bucky watched her body go rigid, her hands grasping the blankets beneath her. Her head wrenched back and she suddenly screamed.

The scream was unearthly and Bucky backed up again. His eyes were comically wide as she twitched, the scream dying in her throat before she took another deep breath and screamed again. He jumped into action, desperately wanting that awful noise to stop.

“Y/N! Hey, wake up,” he said loudly, sitting up on his knees and hovering over her. His hands gently shook her shoulders but she just tried twisting away from him. “Y/N!” he yelled this time, more firmly shaking her. Another scream reverberated through the room and he cringed. Tears were streaming down her face and she cried loudly.

“NO!” she yelled.

Bucky started tapping her cheek. “It’s not happening to you now, sweetheart, come on! It’s just a bad memory. Come back!” he yelled, trying to speak into her ear more. He gave her cheek one harder slap and her eyes flew open. “Y/N?” he asked tentatively.

Y/N’s eyes turned to him in fear and she pushed against him. She was surprisingly strong and sent him flying into the wall next to the bed. “No!” she yelled again, scrambling away from him.

“Y/N, it’s me!” Bucky said, quickly collecting himself. He moved toward her on the bed. In her panic she wasn’t able to focus on getting her limbs to do what she wanted so she fell off the bed to the floor and started crawling away from him toward the corner of the room. Bucky jumped off the bed and tried to help her up but she wrenched her body away. “Y/N, come on…ugh!” Bucky yelped as she kicked his leg out from underneath him. He fell on top of her, which made her scream harder. He used the position to keep her from hitting him as he turned her to face him. He gripped her hands with one hand and held them on her chest while the other kept himself upright. Y/N was thrashing against him, trying to get away. “Y/N! LOOK AT ME!” he bellowed.

Y/N finally stopped and stared up at him, breathing heavily. Her eyes flickered across his face, recognition slowly showing on her face. “Come back to me, sweetheart,” Bucky breathed, staring into her eyes. “It’s just me, Bucky, okay? You were having a nightmare,” he slowly released her hands. “It’s just a bad memory. That’s what you always tell me, right? It’s not happening to you now. You’re here, at home. You’re safe,” he stroked her cheek with his fingers. She blinked rapidly at his touch and released a sharp breath.

“Bucky,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” Bucky smiled. “Come on, let’s get you off the floor.” He slowly pulled himself off of her and pulled her up by her arms. Y/N let him guide her and then stood in front of him like she was zoned out, her eyes looking around as she was still grounding herself. Bucky leaned down to her eye level and cupped her face, making her look at him. “Hey,” he said lowly. Her eyes found him again. “Hey you,” he smiled. “It’s just you and me, right here, right now. I’ve got you,” he said, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. Y/N sagged in his hold, her hands reaching up and grasping his wrists. “I’ve got you,” he repeated, leaning his forehead against hers.

Next thing he knew she was kissing him. He froze, his mind short circuiting for a split second, then he closed his eyes and kissed her back. At first it was soft, neither of them moving. Bucky pulled away and looked for any hesitation in her face, but only saw a deep desire looking back at him. He dove back in and kissed her hard, pulling a moan from her. Y/N’s arms moved to wrap around his neck, kissing him passionately, running her fingers through his hair just how he liked during their cuddle sessions.

Bucky moved his hands from her face down to her lower back, wrapping his arms around and holding her to him. Y/N’s nails scratched his scalp, making him shiver against her. He started moving them back towards the bed, acting on instinct that he thought long lost as he maneuvered her onto the bed until he was hovering over her. Y/N’s mouth opened and her tongue licked along his lower lip, and he happily reciprocated by tasting her back. She moaned again, her hands now gripping his shoulders for support.

Bucky’s hands were slowly running down her sides to her hips, his right hand kneading her left thigh as he brought it up around his hip. His other hand was tickling along her stomach then his fingers went under the hem of her shirt, skimming along her skin. A small part of his brain was yelling at him to think this through, that she hadn’t confessed her feelings to him yet, that she had just woken up from a nightmare that was a huge emotional toll, what this would mean for them later, but it all felt too good. Her perfect hands on his face, in his hair, her plushy skin under his fingers, the way her tongue felt on him, the sweet noises she made. As her nails scratched down his chest he moaned into her mouth.

Y/N stilled, her fingers freezing and then pushing against his chest. He pulled away panting as he looked at her questioningly. Y/N looked at him in shock, looking down between them and then gasping. She pushed him away, making him flop onto the bed next to her and quickly stood up, gathering her things.

“I’m sorry Bucky,” she said, adjusting her clothes.

“What? Hold on,” Bucky stood, reaching for her arm which she quickly dodged. “What are you doing?” he asked.

“I’m sorry,” Y/N repeated, moving towards the door. “That was wrong. I apologize.”

“Y/N wait,” Bucky said, blocking her way to the door. “Talk to me, hey,” he reached out and held her arms.

“We can’t do this, Buck,” Y/N said, shutting her eyes tight.

“Why not?” Bucky asked, squeezing her arms.

“I’m supposed to be helping you, not dating you,” Y/N answered, keeping her head turned toward the floor. “Thank you for helping me get out of that nightmare. I’m sorry for my emotional response.”

“I kissed you, too,” Bucky said, cupping her face again and bringing her face up. “Look at me, sweetheart.”

Y/N’s eyes flew open at the pet name but she shook her head. “Don’t call me that,” she said, trying to move away.

“Y/N please!” Bucky raised his voice. “I wanted that, too. I kissed you back. I want you. I got a voicemail from you earlier today.” Y/N’s brow furrowed in confusion. “It was you talking to what I’m assuming was your mom’s grave,” he continued. Her eyes widened. “You said you were falling in love with me,” Bucky said. “And I’ve been falling for you for a while now.”

Y/N shook her head again. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Yes it does,” Bucky said imploringly. “How could you say that?”

“I can’t have you,” Y/N sniffed, some tears starting to form in her eyes again. “Not now. Not like this, when you’re in my care–”

“You’re not my therapist,” Bucky cut in. “Having a relationship with you is not unethical or a breach of trust or conduct. I want this,” he leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I want you,” he said, kissing down her face, making her sigh. “All I want is you,” he breathed, his lips grazing her lips.

Y/N whimpered as he gave her lips a short kiss, but she quickly took another step back. “Bucky, please understand–”

“I’ll wait,” Bucky interrupted. Y/N froze. “I can wait until my time here is done. Once you and Dr. Strange feel like I’m healed well enough to leave, then we can do this,” he gestured between the two of them. “Please don’t push me away.”

Y/N huffed a sharp breath, her eyes flickering between his. She was contemplating, and he didn’t dare let go of her as she thought it through.

“What if your recovery takes a long time?” she asked. “You can’t rush yourself through recovery for the sake of a possible relationship afterwards. You have to do this right–”

“I will,” Bucky promised.

“Can you honestly wait that long?” Y/N asked. “And when it is done how will you…your family lives a few hours away, your whole life is there. How would this even work?”

“We can figure all that out when the time comes,” Bucky said, his hands slipping down to her shoulders.

She stared at him for another minute. “I don’t…I don’t know,” she shook her head, looking down.

“Think about it,” Bucky said quietly, massaging her shoulders. “Either way, I’ll wait for you.” He lifted her chin with his fingers and leaned in, kissing her deeply one last time. “Just remember, you’re all I want sweetheart. And I’ve got you. No matter what you choose.” He gave her a sad smile, pulled his hands away then walked out of the room and back towards the house. He didn’t know what would happen from here, but hoped for the best.

@wintrsoldrluvr @isitbiorisitlesbian @starfly-nicole @s-a-v-a-n-a-34 @buckys-arm-and-rios-dagger @idontknowhowtonormal

#marvel #bucky barnes #smut #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfic #series fanfic #chapter 4 #pow!bucky barnes #bucky barnes x curvy!reader #curvy reader #trauma

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moosesarecute · 2 days ago

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Chapter 14: The Shadow to my Flame

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Ashe woke up and was no longer being cuddled by Azriel. However, her mind was in a little better place, so she didn’t feel totally abandoned like she did last night.

Azriel wasn’t cuddling her, but his shadows were. They held her almost like it was Azriel doing it. They were brushing through her hair and holding onto her legs. She felt herself pressing her head further and further into their comforting hold.

She didn’t open her eyes until Azriel sat down on her bed, and she felt it dip. He picked up her hand like he had done yesterday.

“Ready for some food? Or are you going to keep snoring?”

Ashe ignored his comment about her snoring and eventually got up from the warm bed, with her hand still in Azriel’s. Most of the shadows left her, but some of them still held on to various places on her body.

“Do you mind them?” Azriel asked her and she looked over at him.

He wore comfortable clothing, he was still in his pyjamas, and his hair looked quite messy. His eyes looked very light, and he smiled at her.

“I don’t mind them, I just-”

She stopped speaking when she noticed the table.

Azriel had moved her desk to the middle of the room and laid a small tablecloth on it. It was set for two and had various foods on it. Egg and bacon, oats and milk, and some chocolate croissants. On the middle of the table stood an unlit candle. Ashe almost gaped at the table.

“I made breakfast,” Azriel said. “Samli got us the croissants. Hungry?”

She sat down, still a bit shock about the kindness he shows her.

“Do you mind lighting the candle?” he looked hopeful at her.

She felt like a dark cloud covered her head. What if she hit him instead? What if she lost control and hurt him? What is she burned down the house? What if she hurt Samli and Thord after everything they had done for her?

“Breathe,” Azriel pulled her out of her spiral. His brushed his thumb over her hand and his eyes grounded her. “You can do this. Just remember to breathe. If something happens, we’ll work on it.”

Ashe doesn’t know why, but she trusted his words. His soft voice made her stress less.

So, she did it. She lifted her free hand, squeezed Azriel’s hand with the other and lighted the candle. She sent the smallest flame, and it lit the candle immediately. It was lit for about two seconds, before it extinguished.

She looked confused at Azriel, but he only smiled at her. He looked proud.

“Light it again.”

She did it and it extinguished once more.

“Again.”

The same happened.

“Do you understand?” Azriel asked her.

She shocks her head. No, she didn’t understand. She was just becoming more and more annoyed. She lit the candle, and it extinguished without any reason. How did it happen?

“Light it again.”

She got annoyed but did it anyway. Second after she had lit the candle, she saw how a single shadow flew through the flame and extinguished it. The shadow then danced with the smoke.

“You didn’t hurt me. I flinched, because it surprised me. I was expecting to be hurt, but it was only soft and warm. You are not a danger. I know you won’t ever hurt me or anyone else you care about. You have the flames, and I have the shadows. I’m the shadow to your flame.”

“The shadow to my flame,” she muttered.

Ashe heard his words and even though they highly warmed her heart, she couldn’t trust him just yet.

“But I lost control,” she said and looked down at her still bandaged hands.

Azriel carefully reached his gloved hand towards her and lifted her chin.

“Everybody loses control sometimes. That just means we practiced too much or did something that now was too difficult. Losing control is a good thing, because you now know what to practice so that is doesn’t happen again.”

She nodded at his words and meant it. He was slowly but surely getting through to her.

“I’m here when you’re ready to talk. I know it’s hard, but none of us can help you if we don’t know what you need help with, Flame. If you figure out what you’re needing, we’ll all help you get better.”

She nodded once more.

She should just jump into it, shouldn’t she? He had proven that he wouldn’t judge her and with her already broken mental state, it couldn’t be much worse.

She looked over to the floor length mirror she had covered. Ashe no longer dared to watch herself. She was too scared to see him and not herself. She didn’t know herself anymore, but for some reason, she hoped Azriel did.

“I can’t,” she started, but had to stop at her shaky voice. Azriel squeezed her hand a little and it gave her the courage she needed to speak, even if it was just a whisper. “I only see him. I no longer see myself.”

It probably was an awful explanation, but she couldn’t explain it better.

Azriel nodded at her words, and it was visible he was thinking. His shadows were swirling around his head and Ashe felt insecure about being left out of the conversation they were having.

“Do you trust me?” Azriel then asked.

Ashe should probably have spent some time thinking about her answer, but she didn’t hesitate.

“Yes,” she answered him confidently.

The most adorable blush grew on his face and Ashe couldn’t help but smile.

Azriel stood up and helped Ashe up with him. He walked both of them towards the mirror. Ashe hesitated for a second, but Azriel’s encouraging look helped her. He stopped when Ashe stood directly in front of the mirror. Azriel let go of her hand and Ashe immediately got more anxious. It was like his hand had been a lid to all her fears.

He looked directly into her eyes as he removed the blanket she had placed over the mirror.

Ashe could see herself in her side vision but chose to look directly at Azriel. He wore a soft smile and even in her state it made her weak in the knees. He kept smiling as he walked over to her, he took hold of both her arms and stopped directly behind her.

“Is this okay?”

She nodded, still not able to look at the mirror. She didn’t even dare to look at him through the mirror.

Azriel lifted his arm in a tempo where Ashe could stop him if she needed to. He stopped with his hand right under her chin. Ashe was well aware over what he was planning, but she let him do it anyway.

She could do it. She could do it. She could do it.

“Is this alright?”

“Yes.”

Azriel’s hand touched her chin and slowly moved her head so that her head faced the mirror. Ashe looked at the celling instead. Her brain convinced her that it would be his wicked smile looking back at her.

“Look at me,” he said, and Ashe tried to move her head around so that she could watch him over her shoulder. Azriel, however, stopped her movement by using a soft touch on her chin. “Through the mirror, Flame.”

She let out a small sigh. She hoped she could trick him.

After she had taken a few very deep breaths and long exhales, she moved her eyes to look at Azriel’s hazel eyes through the mirror. To prevent her eyes from jumping to another place, she began studying Azriel’s entire face. His hazel eyes were glowing from the sunshining, and she could see some brown stripes through his otherwise pitch-black hair. She saw how his lips were tilted up in a smile, but that the smile was slightly higher on his left side than the right.

“My father was my abuser too,” he started explaining and Ashe felt her heart scream at the thought of him being hurt. “I didn’t have an easy childhood, and even though I hurt people as a living, I would never hurt the innocent. Cassian’s father sent him to the Illyrian camps and forced him to learn how to protect himself. Cass is the most thoughtful fae I have ever met. Rhysand’s father was a strict High Lord and Rhys got some harsh love throughout the years, but Rhys does his best to see everybody. My friend Morrigan’s father sold her to the Autumn Court to make an alliance. I expect you already know this, but she almost died at her father’s hands. Mor is making sure the same doesn’t happen to other females from the Hewn City.”

He lifted his hand and Ashe involuntary looked at his movements. He lifted it and brushed it through her short hair. The red was showing almost more than the brown now. Ashe didn’t know what do think about it.

“You’re not Beron,” Azriel continued and Ashe felt her eyes widen at the sound of the High Lord’s name. Calling him Beron almost gave her the feeling that she didn’t need to fear him. “You, my Flame, are Ashe. You are Ashe, the female that wrote down as many details about the High Lord as you could, because you wanted to protect others. You saved me from the dungeons without even knowing me. And you took Samli’s punishment without even hesitating. Beron would never even understand why someone could do that without evil motives.”

Azriel moved his hand so that it cupped her face and Ashe focused on each and every scare she could see on his hand.

“You feel too much to be Beron. Okay, so you are a Wildflame that does crazy and dangerous things sometimes, but you also care so much for the people around you without even hesitating. You gave away all your money to Samli, because you knew she was struggling. You spilled tea on a guard and was ready to face the punishment when you saved me. Look me in the eyes and tell me you think Beron would ever do that.”

She couldn’t.

Realisation flushed over her as she realized she believed him.

“There she is,” he said, and Ashe couldn’t help the blushfilled smile she smiled at him. “I don’t know about you, but I have been admiring your eyes for the last couple of minutes. Wouldn’t you like to do the same?”

She listened to his voice and did as he asked her.

Her amber eyes looked even more golden than usual. She saw hope in herself. The dull eyes she had seen the last couple of times she had looked in the mirror was now gone.

She looked at a slightly skinnier version of herself that had shorter hair, but her eyes and smile was the same. She could see that now.

Somethings hadn’t changed.

“You look beautiful,” Azriel whisper to her.

Azriel had left after breakfast, but only after Ashe promised she would eat at least two more solid meals that day.

He had left with a squeeze of her hand, but deep-down Ashe wished it had been one more of those soft kisses to her lips. At the same time, she knew she should keep as much energy as possible taking care of herself.

She got dressed properly for the first time in weeks. She wore a simple dress she had gotten from Samli. It felt weird, but at the same time right to go down stairs in the middle of the day. Velaris was more beautiful at night, she realized.

She had spent the day with Samli. They ate lunch together and spoke about all and nothing. Samli had started knitting as a way to spent time. Neither Thord or Samli had gotten jobs yet, but Thord often got small odd-jobs. Samli found life without a farm to be boring. She had way too much time and didn’t know what to do about it.

Ashe felt the same.

She was used to working all day every day, but at the same time, her body was too weak to do anything about it.

It was dark when Thord got home from one of his odd jobs.

Samli and Ashe had prepared an easy dinner, and they ate together. It felt nice. They spoke and laughed like they used to do in Autumn.

Samli started doing the dished and Thord and Ashe sat down to play some cards before they went to sleep.

“What do you think about the shadowsinger?” Thord asked her. He looked a little worried.

Ashe didn’t know how to answer.

Azriel was amazing, fantastic, beautiful and he cared a lot about her. She felt safe in his presence and he made her smile like no other.

But telling Thord all that felt weird. She hadn’t even told Azriel about it.

“Thinking about anything special?”

Thord laid out his next card and Ashe realized she was definitely going to lose.

“He cares a lot about you,” Thord said next. “I’m just wondering if you think the two of you might have a future together.”

Ashe certainly hoped they did.

“I hope so,” she said and fought a blush. “But I haven’t been able to think much about the future lately.”

Ashe laid down her card and hoped Thord’s last card wasn’t the right one. However, they way his eyes lit up told her that she had lost.

“But you don’t feel anything particularly powerful about him?”

Ashe looked confused at him. What was he talking about?

“I’m just saying, as a mated male myself, I can see a lot of similar behaviour in Azriel’s actions towards you. I don’t know for sure of course, but if I was you, I would have thought about it. Held my eyes open and so on.”

Thord let down his last card, let out an awkward “yay” and moved to help Samli with the rest of the dished. She washed and he dried. It seemed like that was how they did it. When they finished, Thord kissed Samli’s forehead tenderly and took her hand.

“Think about it, love,” he said to Ashe before the two of them went to bed.

Was it true?

Was Azriel her mate?

On one side, she felt extremely happy. Azriel was the fae she cared the most for. She would love for him to be her mate. The thought of being able to spend eternity with him made her entire body filled with butterflies.

On the other side, what if Thord was wrong? What if Azriel wasn’t her mate and she had just gotten her hopes up?

Ashe knew one thing for sure.

It was only one way to find out.

The next morning, she would ask him. So, she spent the night preparing to either have the happiest or most heartbreaking conversation in her entire life.

Taglist: @tele86 @demon-master-zero @kbear8863 @atluky @mis-lil-red @rcarbo1

Let me know if you want to be added!

Dividers by: @saradika-graphics

#acotar #azriel #azriel fanfic #azriel shadowsinger #azriel x oc #azriel x original character #vanserra brothers #beron vanserra #vanserra family

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quintessenceofdust88 · 2 days ago

Text

Life is Changin' Tides, ch. 5 🌊

[Ch. 1]

[Ch. 2]

[Ch. 3]

[Ch. 4]

[Read on AO3]

"“Baby, why would I be going to Mr. Evan's house?” He asks, completely baffled.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to go to Evan Buckley’s house. It’s not like he hasn’t low-key stalked the man’s social media and the last three days and been even more charmed by what he saw. It’s not like he hasn’t thought about asking the other man out at least ten times since that day. “Because, Daddy, mr. Howie said you should, remember?” She tells him, and for once in his life Tommy curses her absurdly good memory. “He said you should check it if mr. Evan meant it or if he was just being silly!” --- Tommy has to make an important delivery. He gets to see Evan Buckley one more time. It doesn't go as either of them expects.

It’s been three days since the tsunami, and Tommy is finally ready to let Vivie out of his sight for more than ten minutes; they’ve spent pretty much all of their time at home as both her and Sal recover from it all, physically and emotionally. Sal’s been staying with them, and Tommy’s insisting he stays until his medical leave is over in a week.

But now Tommy needs to go for his first shift since everything happened, and he’s pretty sure Sal is having a harder time with it than Vivie. While his daughter is happily lying on the floor, her socked feet swinging in the air as she colors a piece of paper, his best friend is eyeing Tommy warily from where he’s sitting on the couch, as he ties his shoes.

“Tommy”, he mutters. “Are you sure you want to do this? You… I won’t be offended if you get a babysitter or take her to someone else, you know? I… I’d understand after…”

Tommy sighs; he’s tried to blow off every single apology Sal sent his way ever since the tsunami. They’re safe, and Vivie is completely fine, and Tommy doesn’t blame Sal for any of it. But that doesn’t mean Sal is convinced, and Tommy’s starting to think he’ll need an extra hand.

“Vivie?” He calls.

“Yeah?” She answers, still focused on her drawing.

“Do you want Daddy to call someone else to take care of you while I work?” Tommy asks, and that makes her raise her head in alarm.

“Why?! Is Uncle Sal not okay?! Are you feeling bad, uncle Sal?” She rushes to them, throwing herself in Sal’s lap. He wraps his arms around her, a sheepish smile on his face.

“I’m feeling fine, darlin’, don’t you worry about me.” He tells her, ruffling her hair, and she sighs in relief. “Do… you want me to take care of you?” Sal asks, sounding impossibly insecure, and Vivie glares at him in a way that’s eerily reminiscent of Tommy’s own bitchy expression.

“Duh, uncle Sal, you’re my favorite uncle. You play the best games and you sing Barbie songs with me!” She tells him as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

Tommy, in his defense, does his best not to look smug, but he doesn’t think he actually succeeds. As he finishes tying his shoes, he gets up, raising an eyebrow at Sal, who’s glaring at him.

“Well”, Tommy quips, grabbing his car keys. “I guess that settles the matter, doesn’t it? You guys have fun singing Barbie tunes as I go to work. You behave for your uncle, pixie, okay?”

He presses a kiss to Vivie’s forehead, half expecting her to say goodbye to him and cuddle up against Sal. What she does instead is gasp and scramble out of her uncle’s lap, rushing back to her paper. As she grabs it, a healthy amount of glitter falls on the floor, and Tommy doesn’t even want to think about the clean-up. He guesses he could ask Sal to take care of it, but it doesn't seem like a fair thing to the concussed guy.

“Wait, Daddy!” She says, and then she shoves the card into his hand. “You have to take this!”

Tommy frowns, and looks down at the card. His cheeks instantly blush when he sees the wobbly ‘To Mr. Evan’ that’s written on the cover, along with a much neater ‘From: Genevieve’ (she’s only five, but she’s already a master at writing her own name, Tommy is proud to say). There’s a very glittery blue heart in the middle, and when Tommy opens the card to take a peak, he sees two sticky figures: Genevieve, holding Marsh, and a bigger one that can only be Evan based on the blue eyes and the small pinkmark drawn above one of them.

“Vivie, that is so beautiful, pixie,” Tommy tells her, because he’s a firm believer in always praising his daughter for her efforts (actually he’s a firm believer in giving Genevieve everything he never had growing up, but that is neither her nor there). But he’s afraid he’ll have to burst her bubble at least a little bit. “But… you know Daddy is not going to see Mr. Evan, right? We don’t work together, sweetheart.”

Genevieve looks at him as if Tommy’s being particularly obtuse. He briefly thinks that, if she’s mastered this look by this point, he’s already praying for himself during her childhood. She crosses her little arms and huffs at him.

“I know you don’t work together, Daddy, Mr. Evan works with Christopher’s daddy!” She tells him. “But you’re going to his house, aren’t you?”

Tommy looks at Sal, completely at loss, but his best friend is no help. Sal looks back at him with a shrug, clearly making an herculean effort to hold back his laughter, and Tommy glares at him before looking back at Tommy.

“Baby, why would I be going to his house?” He asks, completely baffled.

But Tommy can’t, because he can’t hold Evan accountable for the things he said under the effect of exhaustion and painkillers. Tommy doesn’t know what scares him the most about bringing it up: Evan being honest and telling him that of course he didn’t mean it, he’s straight, what is Tommy even thinking (even though a straight man wouldn’t call Tommy gorgeous, not even on painkillers, but that’s not the point), or Evan being too polite to say that and date him out of a sense of obligation.

(The thought that maybe Evan did mean it never crosses his mind. But apparently it crosses Vivie’s.)

“Because, Daddy, mr. Howie said you should, remember?” She tells him, and for once in his life Tommy curses her absurdly good memory. “He said you should check it if mr. Evan meant it or if he was just being silly!”

“Wait, wait, silly about what? What did Buckley say?” Sal asks, his gossiper vein clearly showing, and Genevieve is answering before Tommy can stop her.

“About wanting Daddy to ask him out!” She says, bouncing excitedly on her toes. “He said Daddy should, as a thank you, but Daddy said he didn’t mean it because he was too sleepy!”

Sal smirks like he has just won the lottery, and Tommy would strangle him if he wasn’t hurt. Tommy’s cheeks blush impossibly red, and he runs a hand through his face, wondering how he can tell his five-year-old to shut up without traumatizing her.

“Did he, now? Isn’t that interesting?” Sal says, crossing his arms and smiling smugly at Tommy, who flips him off mentally.

“It’s not, because he was under heavy painkillers and probably wouldn’t know the difference between me and Margot Robbie at that moment.” Tommy grumbles.

“Dude, that’s flattering yourself” Sal scoffs at the same time Vivie pipes ‘Who’s Margot Robbie?!’, and Tommy very maturely chooses to ignore both of them. But he should have known there’s no stopping his determined little matchmaker.

“Daddy, but you’re going, right? What if he wasn’t being silly? You could go out with him, and you could be friends!” She says, and Tommy is pretty sure Genevieve doesn’t really know what asking someone out entails.

“Yeah, Tommy, you could be… friends. With Buckley. I can tell you want to.” Sal says, and Tommy internally thinks he’s having way too much fun with it. “Besides, can you really disappoint Vivie and not take her card to him? Are you really gonna do this to your daughter?”

Tommy opens his mouth, but nothing comes out, because he’s either going to break his daughter’s heart or teach her the words ‘son of a bitch’, and he’s not looking forward to it. So he closes it again, looks down at the card clutched in his hands, and sighs, realizing he doesn’t really have a choice.

“Please, Daddy?” Vivie pleads, and Tommy already knows he’ll say yes. He’s a sucker for those puppy eyes.

“Genevieve, I… Fine.” Tommy accepts, but he doesn’t want to set her up for disappointment, so he kneels down to her level and looks her in the eyes. “I’ll go over to his house and I’ll take your card, but I don’t know about the whole asking him out part. But I promise you’ll be the first to know how it went, okay?”

Vivie smiles brightly, throwing her arms around his neck, and Tommy hugs her with a chuckle. She’s the love of his life, this little girl, and yeah, he’ll take a few awkward moments to make sure her gratitude is relayed to Evan Buckley.

But he absolutely won’t ask the man out. He still has some self-respect.

-----

Evan Buckley is an overthinker; he’s known that fact about himself all his life, but knowing it doesn’t mean he’s able to control it. So, it’s a given that he’ll overthink the things he said to Tommy Kinard on the day of the tsunami and that Chim had, very kindly, told him in excruciating detail when Buck said he didn’t remember it the next day.

Apparently. Buck had called Tommy gorgeous (ridiculously gorgeous, according to Chim, who was having way too much fun with it). Which gives him the slightest pause because, yes, he’s always been an ally, and yes, he’s always been able to appreciate a hot guy’s ass, but that’s normal, isn’t it? He had never thought of himself as being attracted to guys before.

And yet, he had asked the guy out. More accurately, he had implied Tommy should ask him out as thank you for doing the decent thing and rescuing his daughter. And to top it all off, he had said it in front of said daughter.

Buck supposes his only saving grace is that he doesn’t have to see Tommy again. Eddie told him there’s been some number exchange because Chris and Genevieve wanted to see each other again, but that doesn’t mean Buck needs to be around for it. No, Tommy Kinard has no business being in Buck’s life (and Buck tries to ignore the disappointment that thought brings him).

As he hears someone knocking, Buck figures it must be Eddie asking him to babysit again, so he tries to push away any thoughts of the so-called hot pilot.

Buck opens the door to find Tommy Kinard on the other side.

“Uh… H-hey, hey, Tommy.” Buck says, and tries not to flinch at how idiotic he sounds.

There’s one point in which Buck has to agree with his painkiller-brain: the man is ridiculously gorgeous. He’s wearing a black henley, and there’s a bit of stubble on his cheeks, and he has a cleft. Tommy’s looking at Buck as if he’s a little shy himself, which Buck finds ridiculous, because a man like that has no reason to be shy, ever.

“Can we talk?” Tommy asks, and Buck gulps.

Oh, God, he thinks. He’s going to tell me how completely inappropriate I was and that he doesn’t want me anywhere near his daughter.

“S-sure!”, Buck says, the cheer in his voice embarrassingly fake. “Come on in.”

He lets Tommy inside his house, and the man takes an appreciative look around before gazing back at Buck, smiling at him. He has a crunchy sort of smile that makes Buck’s stomach twist inside of him, and he’s starting to think he might be a little more than an ally.

“Can I offer you anything?”, Buck offers, trying to ignore how sweaty his hands are and how fast his heart is beating inside his chest.“

“No, thanks, I’m not staying long. I’m actually here as a mail man”, Tommy says, and when Buck frowns at him, he chuckles, obviously amused by something. “I was given strict orders to deliver you this.”

He offers Buck a blue piece of paper, shaped like a card. Buck takes it curiously from his hand, an unhealthy amount of glitter slipping from his fingers, and his heart gets all warm when he sees the words ‘TO: MR. EVAN, FROM: GENEVIEVE’ on the card. He opens it to find a quite heartwarming picture of the two of them, and he’s smiling before he can stop himself. That little girl has a piece of his heart, he’s not shy to admit it.

“Oh my God, that is so sweet”, he marvels, chuckling in delight and shaking his head, holding the card close to his chest. Apparently Tommy doesn’t want to tell Buck to stay the hell away from him and his daughter, so he feels more relieved. “She… she really didn’t have to.”

“Well, that’s Vivie for you”, Tommy says, and it takes Buck aback how much affection he can hear in his voice when he talks about his daughter. “She always wants people to feel loved.”

“She’s a great kid”, Buck says sincerely, placing the card on his counter with a small smile on his face, and he looks back at Tommy to see a soft smile on his face too.

Buck realizes that, theoretically, Tommy has nothing else to do in his house. But he’s not moving to leave, and Buck is in no rush either. He likes having this man around; he wants to get to know him better, without missing children or painkillers being involved.

“H-how’s she doing, by the way?” He asks, trying desperately to find a way to keep Tommy for at least a little bit more. “A-and your friend Sal?”

“They’re good!” Tommy exclaims, the relief palpable in his voice. “Sal’s recovering, and Vivie… Well, she’s perfect, thanks to you. Evan, I really don’t think I can put into words how grateful I am.”

He’s looking deeply in Buck’s eyes, and Buck can’t breathe all of a sudden. His gaze is piercing, and it’s making Buck have a hard time thinking. It takes him longer than normal to realize he should answer Tommy.

“I…” He trails off, and crosses his arms on his chest, trying to ground himself. He feels so light-headed it’s ridiculous. “You really don’t have to thank me, Tommy. I’m just glad everything turned out okay.”

Tommy nods, his soft smile gracing his features once more, and then he frowns worriedly at Buck.

“And how are you doing? How's your leg?” He asks, and his concern sounds absolutely genuine, which makes Buck feel all tingly.

“Ah, it’s… It’s alright, I just gotta take it easy for a couple days. I’m under Hen’s strict orders.” Buck chuckles, and Tommy nods in sympathy, which reminds Buck this man knows all of his friends. In fact, it seems almost funny that they had never met before.

“Good. I’m glad you’re taking it easy, cause… You weren’t doing that great last time I saw you”, he says, and Buck wants to flinch in embarrassment, imagining how he must have looked to Tommy, fainting like a Victorian lady as soon as they met. But then Tommy smiles, a little teasing this time. “Though you still managed to realize I am ‘ridiculously gorgeous’, so I suppose you weren’t so out of it”

The teasing catches Buck completely off-guard, and he blushes all the way from his forehead to his nose. Shit, he remembers, he thinks, and then wants to kick himself because of course Tommy remembers, Buck is the one who was out of it, not him.

“Oh, God, yeah”, Buck says, and makes a weird sound that’s something between a laugh and a scoff. He rubs the back of his neck and wonders if it’d be too dramatic to jump from his loft window to escape this conversation. “I am sorry about that, by the way. Probably not what you needed when your daughter had just been rescued from a natural disaster.”

Tommy chuckles politely at that, and Buck’s relieved that at least he doesn’t seem offended. He gives Buck a light shrug, getting a little closer to him, the teasing smile never leaving his face.

“No, don’t apologize, it was very flattering! No one had ever called me a hot pilot before” He says, unlocking another piece of what’s shaping up to be Buck’s most embarrassing memory, and he laughs a bit hysterically. He takes a step closer to Tommy, as if drawn by an invisible magnet.

“Well, you are. A hot pilot, I mean.” He blurts out, and widens his eyes when he realizes what he said. For some “N-not that I’m objectifying pilots or anything, I didn’t even know you were a pilot until that day, and there are probably better ways to tell someone you’re attracted to th-”

Buck doesn’t get to finish his sentence; it all happens in a blur. Tommy gets closer, feels two fingers raising up his chin, and next thing he knows, Tommy’s lips are touching his, and oh.

There are fireworks exploding in Buck’s head; it’s like something is unleashing inside of him, a part of him that had remained hidden until now, a bit of himself that needed Tommy Kinard to be let out. Buck kisses him back, placing his hand on Tommy’s shoulder, reveling in how right this kiss feels, in the wonderful feeling of Tommy’s lips against his.

It’s over much sooner than Buck would have liked; it could have lasted forever for as long as he’s concerned. His world could have been reduced to kissing Tommy Kinard, and he’d been happy with it. But now Tommy Kinard is looking at him, as if he’s a little surprised with himself, and Buck can only imagine how shocked his face looks right now.

“Like that?” Tommy asks, and he sounds a little out of breath.

“Y-yeah, that works” Buck stutters, his voice more high-pitched than usual, his eyes impossibly wide, but he wants more.

“So that was okay?” Tommy asks, and somewhere in the back of Buck’s mind it registers how sweet of him to be making sure. It makes Buck want to kiss him again.

“B-better than asking someone out in a painkiller-induced haze.” He answers dazedly, and Tommy chuckles adorably, his posture more confident once he’s sure his kiss was well-received, as if Buck’s enthusiastic kissing back hadn’t been proof enough.

“Well, I promise there are no painkillers in my system right now”, he says, and then honest to God straightens Buck’s shirt, and Buck’s pretty sure he’ll never be able to form a coherent thought again. “But I still would like to ask you out. And not even as a thank you for saving my daughter, it’s because you’re really cute.”

Buck smiles despite himself, blushing like a schoolgirl at being called cute of all things. He nods emphatically, looking down at where Tommy’s hand still lingers on his shirt, warm and heavy against his chest.

“I… I’d like that”, he admits, and Tommy’s smile widens impossibly.

“Great. How about Saturday? Are you free?” He asks, and Buck lets out a deep breath he hasn’t even realized he was holding, God knows for how long.

“Yes, I… I am free” Buck answers, and he realizes he doesn’t mean just about Saturday.

“Okay, so… I’ll pick you up around eight? Does that work?” He asks, and Buck realizes he probably should answer more coherently, but all he manages is another weak nod.

“T-totally” He tries again, and Tommy makes finger guns at him, and Buck’s just agreed to go out with this dork.

“So… see you Saturday?” Tommy confirms, and Buck realizes that he’s also a little nervous. That somehow eases Buck’s nerves, and he manages to smile even a little flirtatiously at Tommy.

“Absolutely. D-do you want my number so we can set things up or?...” He asks, and Tommy surprisingly shakes his head, chuckling.

“No need, Chimney already gave it to me.” He tells him, and Buck has never been more grateful for the existence of Howard Han.

“So we’re all set. S-say hi to Vivie for me?” Buck says, and Tommy smiles, already halfway out the door. Buck has to resist the urge to call him back.

“Will do. Bye, Evan.” Tommy says, and just as he came, he’s gone, as if he hasn’t just upended Buck’s life and brought him all sorts of discoveries about himself.

Buck throws himself on his couch, and a huge smile comes to his face. This is the happiest he’s felt since the fire truck accident, and no wonder. He may not have his job back yet, and things might take a while to get better, but… He has a date with Tommy Kinard. How can he be upset?

----

Tag list:

@bidisasterevankinard @unhingedangstaddict @silversky9 @music-is-the-voice-of-the-soul @asmugfirefighter

@typicalopposite @aplaceinme @rubydaiquiri @racerchix21

@dearqueend @laundryandtaxesworld @buckleyskinards @actuallyitsellie

@agentpeggycartering @chaoticdisasterbi

@deelovesbooks @teabroomsandbooks

#bucktommy #tommy kinard #evan buckley #gabby writes #life is changin' tides #life is changin' tides ch. 5 #tsunami fic

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finelinevogue · 5 hours ago

Note

but what is she surprises aaron with flowers and a bath. where she’s looking after him but he’s like you need to be in here with me to be perfect. because this man never lets himself be taken care of 😭

aaaahhhh omg no i will cry this is so cute for v day 🥹🥹🥹🥹 okay let’s do it!

pairing - aaron hotchner x wife!reader

word count - ~1.5k

In your opinion; being married to someone does not mean you stop dating that person.

Your person happened to be the workaholic, grump, that is Aaron Hotchner. Not only is he the Unit Chief of the BAU in the FBI, but he is also more importantly your husband and father to three.

“That’s so pretty, Cassie-baby.” You cooed at your daughter who was drawing her dad a valentine’s day card.

Aaron does so much for his team at work and even more at home for you, so you decided to treat him extra special on this extra special day.

Cassie, your 2 year old, Dylan, your 5 year old and Jack your 10 year old were all sitting at the kitchen table perfecting their valentines day cards for their dad.

You had given yours to Aaron already.

“Mm.”

Aaron sighed as he felt your kisses trail over his exposed back. His face was shoved into his pillow, head turned away from you, as he was softly woken from his sleep.

“Morning.” You kissed him again, leaning further over his body so you could kiss his neck closer to his face.

“I love you, but why are you awake?” His voice was so low and muffled that it did something to your core.

“It’s valentines day.”

Aaron smiled in response. He of course knew what day it was, he just hadn’t expected you to wake up at 5AM just so you could tell him that.

He did appreciate the gesture though.

“I’ve got something for you.” You whispered into his ear, before giving his lobe a soft kiss and small bite. Aaron happily sighed at the feeling.

You handed him his card and told him that you were going to take an indulgent shower.

You watched Aaron flick on the bedside light about to open and read the card you had gifted him. He took pride in caring for things like this. That’s when he saw the clock on the bedside table.

4:45AM.

“Honey, not that I don’t love the fuss but you’ve woken me up 15 minutes early.” Aaron whined, because he did love his sleep regardless of how much he looked like he didn’t.

“Did I?” You asked, slipping off your pyjama top so you were bare, “Or did I just give us an extra 15 minutes to take a shower together?”

You left him to think on that question.

But you knew you made the right choice when less than thirty seconds later Aaron came up behind you in the shower.

Before you could go down that route in your mind, you returned to helping your kids out.

“Jack, that’s amazing bud.” You gasped. He’d drawn a picture of the whole family and labelled everyone too for good measure. “Uhh, who’s this?” You pointed.

“That’s our dog.” He explained.

“We don’t have a dog.” You said, confused.

“We will. I’m working on it.” He nodded and you had to laugh at the boy’s ambition. You no doubt probably would end up with a dog, because Aaron could not say ‘no’ to his kids.

Dylan was writing his name super neatly - for a 5 year old - at the bottom of his card.

“Wow, Dyl-man. You’re so clever.” You kissed his head.

“I know.” He smiled up at you.

“Daddy will be home in an hour, okay? So let’s finish these and then get our pyjamas on before dinner.”

<.><.><.>

When Aaron came home the first thing he noticed was how quiet it was.

Normally there was at least one child screaming, or dinner was coking, or even the TV was on for the kids to watch. This evening there was nothing.

“Honey?” Aaron called out.

He took off his blazer and hung it on the staircase, dropping his briefcase next to it.

He stood there for another moment, looking around the house and undoing his tie so he could place it next to his blazer.

“Y/N?” He called out again - more concerned this time.

He walked into the kitchen and noticed that the oven was on with his dinner being warmed inside.

The thing that caught his eyes though was the trio of cards sat on the table that were all addressed to him. He picked them up one-by-one and admired the drawings and writings inside.

He had really poor artists for children but at the same time Aaron believed they were all MOMA worthy.

Aaron fetched a glass of water after reading the cards, keeping them propped up so everyone could see. Now he wanted to see his family to give them all the kisses they deserved.

He went upstairs to the kids playroom.

It was there that he found everyone.

You were wall inside the massive fort that Aaron had helped Jack make last weekend. It was a wonder it was still standing actually.

The fort was huge and nearly spanning the whole room. It was a combination of random bedsheets and blankets, along with strings of tiny, hanging, fairy lights and fluffy pillows to cover the floor.

Aaron leaned against the door as he watched you read a book to your children. They were all in their pyjamas, tucked under blankets and wearing sleepy faces. Cassie was already asleep against your chest, but Dylan and Jack were trying their best to pay attention to you and the story.

“Room for one more?” Aaron asked as he knelt down in front of the fort entrance.

“Daddy!” Dylan cheered, perking up at the sight of his dad. Jack was the same, but Cassie was too asleep to notice.

“Hey, my buddies.” Aaron laughed as his sons hugged him tight. He hugged them back tighter.

“We missed you.” Jack said.

“I miss you too.” He kissed Jack’s head and then thought it was only fair he did the same to Dylan’s. He would kiss Cassie’s when he put her to bed later.

Aaron looked over his sons to where you were laid looking at them all - a loving smile on your face.

Aaron mouthed ‘I love you’ to you and you mouthed it back, before Aaron clambered into the fort and settled down for the rest of the bedtime story.

<.><.><.>

You sat with Aaron as he had his dinner.

“Was Spencer any better today?” You asked, drying the dishes that you had cleaned before.

“He was okay. He was okay enough to talk about the origins of beans for half an hour, at least:” Aaron chuckled as he drank from his water.

“Origins of beans?” You questioned.

“Don’t ask.” Aaron rolled his eyes, before tucking back into his dinner.

You were both happy to be silent in each other’s company as Aaron ate and you dried and put away dishes. The kids had been put to bed an hour or so ago, so it was just you two for the night now.

“Dinner okay?” You asked.

You came up beside Aaron and brushed a hand through his hair. His arm wrapped around your waist as he kept you close against him as he ate.

“Mhm. Lovely, thank you.”

You smiled as you accepted his politeness.

You bent over to kiss his head - something you as a family did a lot. Even Jack had started doing it to his siblings after seeing you and Aaron do it all the time.

“You need a shower.” You said, pulling back from his head.

Aaron pinched your side gently, “Love you too.” He said sarcastically.

“Oi!” You laughed.

“Supposed to be nice to each other today.”

“What? Just because it’s valentines day?”

“Yes.” Aaron finished his meal and twisted in his chair so you stood between his legs. His other arm came around your waist so you were trapped against him.

You steadily brushed his hair into formation after having ruined it a little when you’d messed with it before.

“I love you every day, not just because it’s valentines day.” You explained. “Do you?”

“Did you just ask me whether I love you every day?” Aaron scoffed.

“Well?”

“Sweetheart, there hasn’t been a day since I met you that I haven’t loved you. I just love you a little extra today.”

“Oh you do, do you?” You teased.

“Mhm.”

“Well if you love me that much…” You said seductively, leaning down as Aaron’s head tilted back in anticipation of kissing you. Just as you were about to kiss him you whispered, “… Then you can clean your own dishes.”

You leant back up and left Aaron hanging.

He raised an eyebrow in challenge over your actions and you knew that you’d pay for your teasing later. For now he could clean his dishes - alone.

You needed him alone in order to prepare the next part of his valentines day.

<.><.><.>

Aaron trudged up the stairs after turning off the lights downstairs and setting the alarm.

He unbuttoned his shirt a little as he reached the top, stopping at three when he focused on checking on his kids instead.

Each of them were sleeping when he checked.

They were all safe and that’s all that Aaron needed reassuring of.

He walked into your bedroom next and noticed you weren’t in bed reading like he had expected you to be.

He shut the bedroom door and called your name.

“In here.” You responded from the bathroom.

Aaron’s shirt was now all the way unbuttoned but he kept it on as he entered the bathroom.

He knocked as he entered to give you time to tell him to get out if needed.

“Yeah?”

Aaron watched as you checked the temperature of the bath water, which was filled with bubbles, before shaking off the water and rolling your sleeve back down.

The bathroom smelt like those calming bath salts Penelope had bought for both of you.

“What’s all this?” Aaron asked, gesturing to the bath and the warm glowing candles on the counter.

“Happy valentines day.” You smiled.

“Honey.” Aaron pouted as he looked from the room to you, standing there with a smile that would bring even the grumpiest of men to their knees. “This is for me?”

“Yeah. Enjoy.” You leant up to kiss his cheek as you tried to walk past him, but he caught your arm before you could.

“Woah, woah. Where are you going?”

“Uh.. To let you enjoy this.” You furrowed your brows.

“How?” He asked seriously.

“What?”

“How am I supposed to enjoy this, without you?”

His question made your brows soften and you couldn’t help but fall in love with him a little bit more.

“You do so much for us Aaron. Thought you might want a moment of peace.”

“Well you thought wrong, because all I want right now is you.” He leant down to kiss you, “And that bath.”

You laughed into the kiss he was giving you, “Okay then. You, me and the bath it is.”

#aaron hotchner fanfic #aaron hotchner fic #aaron hotchner #aaron hotch x reader #aaron hotch hotchner #aaron hotch fanfiction #aaron hotch imagine #aaron hotch x you #aaron hotch fic #aaron hotch fluff

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leapingbadger · 12 hours ago

Text

Unconditional Love

Happy Valentines Day!

This is my entry for Pabu's Festival of Love. The prompt was "Friendship Bracelets". I hope you enjoy!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Read It on AO3!

Hunter woke with a start. It didn’t happen much these days unless a moon-yo had gotten into the house or Wrecker had forgotten to duck and whacked his head on the door frame into the kitchen while in search of a midnight snack.

This sound wasn’t any of those though. He reached for his vibroknife, more out of habit than because he thought he’d actually need it. The light was on in the common room and as he quietly opened the door to his bedroom, he saw Omega sitting on the floor in front of the caf table, her arms flying around her as she tried to collect something.

“Omega?” he asked, brushing his hair out of his eyes. He looked at the chrono in the corner, “Why are you up at three in the morning?”

“It’s okay, Hunter. She whispered, “Don’t come in. Go back to sleep.”

The sleepiness he was still holding onto disappeared instantly at her words. If anything was going to wake him, it was knowing his kid was trying to keep him out of whatever she was doing. He put down his knife and walked around the back of the sofa.

“No, no, no. You’re not supposed to see,” she said, throwing herself over the table in the hopes of hiding whatever she as doing.

She sat cross legged on the floor, Batcher’s sleeping head resting on her knee, colorful beads were littered all over the table and scattered on the floor.

Hunter again looked at the chrono, sure he had gotten the time wrong because there was no reason for her to be up at this time playing with beads.

“Kid, what are you doing? You have school in the morning.” He said, instantly recoiling at how much he sounded like Shep. He made a mental note to tell him he was a bad influence the next time he saw him.

“It’s for love day. You weren’t supposed to see. It was going to be a surprise.”

Hunter blinked at her, sighed and sat down on the couch behind her. “Okay, you’re going to have to start from the beginning. What is a love day?” he asked, grabbing the hair tie from her wrist and pulling his long, dark hair off his neck.

She turned to look at him, looking slightly embarrassed. It wasn’t a face she pulled often, maybe once or twice if her brothers came to collect her from school or when Crosshair tried to flirt with the woman who owns the bakery in the marketplace.

“Love day. It’s a day where you tell people you love them or something. I don’t know. It’s a Pabu thing. It’s this Saturday.”

“I’ve never heard of it,” he said.

“That’s because you don’t talk to anyone but Shep and Phee.” She said teasingly.

“I talk to plenty of people.” Hunter said with a chuckle. “I talked to your teacher the other day.”

Omega rolled her eyes, “Yeah, you need to stop that. She has a crush on you and it’s an embarrassment for all involved.”

“How is it an embarrassment to me? I don’t have the crush.” He said, not quite believing he was having this particular conversation in the middle of the night.

She gave him the look only a teenager could, “trust me.”

He sighed; the kind of sigh he used to reserve for conversations with Crosshair but had recently been extended to Omega. “Okay, so it’s love day. Why does that mean you’re up in the middle of the night?”

“Remember, Phee brought me that bead kit a while back? Well, I thought I’d make bracelets as gifts.”

Hunter smiled. She may be growing up too fast for his liking but there was still something of his little girl in there, even if it was usually hidden behind eye rolls and sarcasm these days.

“That’s sweet Kid, but you can make bracelets for your friends at school. You don’t need to be doing it tonight”

Now it was Omega’s turn to sigh and Hunter was suddenly struck by how many of his own mannerisms she had picked up over the years. If she pinched the bridge of her nose, it would be like looking in a mirror.

“They’re not for my friends. They’re for you. All of you.” She said sweetly. “But now they’re everywhere and the one I was making is buried in the rug.”

“Do you…need help?” he asked.

“Really? You’d help me with this?” she asked, her bright eyes wide.

Hunter couldn’t say picking up beads or making bracelets was what he really wanted to do at this time of the morning, but if it meant getting her back to bed sooner, he was willing to try. He nodded reluctantly.

“Well, first we need to pick everything up, then put them in piles according to color and then string them.”

“Omega, that’s going to take hours.” He said.

She nodded happily and started picking individual beads off the floor. Hunter rolled off the couch and got on his hands and knees, feeling around for the beads.

“You know, Crosshair would probably be more helpful with this,” he said jokingly.

“Should we wake him?” Omega asked, carefully reaching for a bead that had fallen on Batcher’s nose.

“I think you know the answer to that, Omega,” Hunter said with a grin.

She nodded and they continued.

It didn’t take long before the piles had been formed. Omega pulled out some thin cords and handed a piece to Hunter.

“Whose bracelet do you want to make?”

Hunter shrugged, “it doesn’t matter,” he said.

She pushed a small pile of green beads across the table to him and then another pile of black beads.

“This is for Wrecker.” She said. “It’s Jade. It’s supposed to represent health, love and wisdom.” She said with her eyebrows raised.

“Who told you that?” Hunter asked.

She shrugged, “it came with the kit. All the stones have meanings. I didn’t have enough to go around so I bought some black stones from the market. They’re made from the rock of Pabu.”

Hunter stopped threading a bead and looked at her in wonder. “You’ve put a lot of thought into this,” he said in admiration.

She shrugged again but the apples of her cheeks turned pink, “it’s important to me.” She said, “You’re all important to me.”

“You’re important to us too, kid.” Hunter said, as he continued to thread the beads. “So, what do the other stones mean?”

Omega’s eyes lit up as she picked up the list from the packaging. “The Orange one, Carnelian, is for Echo. It represents courage and clarity. It can uplift the mind and improve the spirit.”

“Well, the courage part certainly fits.” Hunter said and he threaded another bead.

Omega nodded in agreement, “the clear quartz is for Crosshair. I didn’t think he’d like the other colors. Besides, it’s supposed to help with healing. Mental, physical and emotional…I just thought…I mean, it can’t hurt, right?”

Hunter smiled and nodded. “Yeah, Kid. I’m sure he’ll love it. What about the pink one? Is that for you?”

Omega hesitated. “No…” she said suddenly apprehensive.

“Oh, it’s mine?”

“No,” she said again, “It’s…It’s Tech’s,” she said.

Hunter blinked at her for a moment. Wishing he could think of something to say but failing to come up with anything.

“You’ll probably think it’s stupid,” she said.

Hunter sighed and put down Wrecker’s bracelet, “I would never say that.”

She smiled, the same sad smile that always accompanied a conversation about their lost brother. They tried to talk about him often, to bring him up in conversation to keep him alive, because to forget…well, they just couldn’t do that. He was a part of them, a part of their family, and no matter how much time passed, they always wanted him there, even if it was in name only.

Hunter had started to worry that he would soon forget the sound of his voice, or the distinct beat of his heart. He had all the heartbeats of his family memorized, initially out of necessity from their days as Kaminoan test subjects, but later as a failsafe. He could tell if something was wrong by the patter of their hearts.

He could hear Omega’s heart pounding against her chest, flustered at the turn in conversation. “What does the pink stand for, Omega?” He asked gently. He tried to keep his tone neutral, even though the devastation at the loss of his brother threatened to bubble up again. It was never too far from the surface, despite how many years had passed.

She smiled, her eyes suddenly watery, “It’s rose quartz. I…I chose it because it represents… unconditional love.” She whispered.

Hunter could tell her voice was getting stuck in her throat. She choked on a sob, and he crossed to her in time to feel the first tear fall on his shoulder. He rubbed her back as she dissolved, leaning into him as her body convulsed.

“Shh, it’s okay.” He said softly, rocking her back and forth.

After a few minutes she gave a shuddering breath and pulled away, wiping her nose on her sleeve, just like she used to when she was a kid.

“Sorry,” she muttered.

Hunter gently wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks and cupped her face in his hand. “It’s okay to miss him, Omega. I miss him every day.” He said softly.

“We didn’t get to say goodbye,” she said, her tears threatening to fall again.

Hunter nodded, “I know.”

“We didn’t even memorialize him,” she said, this time the tears won, and she started crying again.

Hunter paused and realized she was right. The time after Tech’s death was so fraught they didn’t have time to think about it. Hunter and Wrecker were so immersed in their search for Omega, Tech’s absence only came up during quiet moments in hyperspace when the vacuum of his presence could be felt more readily.

By the time they got Omega and Crosshair back they were on to the next thing, the next mission, the search for Tantis, and then Omega was gone again. Once they finally settled on Pabu, free and hopeful, Tech’s goggles remained a talisman, but they’d never really said goodbye.

“Maybe we should fix that,” Hunter said as he brushed her wet, tear-soaked hair from her face.

She sniffed, “what do you mean?”

“We’ll do something for Tech, on Saturday. Love day.” He said.

She nodded her approval, unable to vocalize it and sat upright, taking another shuddering breath.

They stayed there until the sunlight licked the horizon and the moon-yos started chirping happily, talking and laughing as they threaded the beads onto the strings.

By the end they had four completed bracelets for Wrecker, Crosshair, Echo and Tech. Omega refused to let Hunter know what beads he was getting, telling him it would be a surprise for Love day.

***

Hunter chose sunset as the time for Tech’s memorial. It had always been his favorite time of day on Pabu, when the sun had started to sink below the horizon, scattering light over the sea, the waves twinkling in the light, while the sky was dark enough to see the flickering stars above.

Echo hadn’t needed any encouragement to show up. He arrived the day after Hunter’s comm, dropping his bag in the doorway and standing, arms wide for Omega to dive into. She brushed a hasty tear away as she buried her face in his neck and if nothing else came of this memorial, he was glad to have all his brothers back in one place.

Omega had spent the day with friends at the marketplace. Musicians had been set up along with a dance floor and special delicacies from the planets of Pabu’s refugees. It was a true community event, the kind of thing Hunter still struggled to fully partake in. He preferred to observe from the fringe, leaning up against the weeping mya tree. He noticed Omega’s teacher wave and waved back, careful to heed Omega’s warning. He appreciated having an excuse to escape early.

The beach was empty when he arrived, he could hear the music from the party pulsing in his enhanced senses. Could feel the rhythm in the ground and much as in his ears.

Crosshair, Echo and Wrecker were quick to join him. If they thought it was a silly idea, they hadn’t said anything. The memorial wasn’t really for Tech anyway, it was for Omega. For all of them.

Omega arrived at the beach breathless and happy, her cheeks pink for spending all day in the sun. Her long, loose, blonde curls hung past her shoulders. She wore a frilly pink dress she must have been loaned by Lyana. She giggled like a little girl as Wrecker twirled her around in greeting. Hunter clocked the green and black bracelet on his wrist.

He checked Crosshair and Echo and they too proudly wore their love day bracelets. He wasn’t sure if Omega had shared the meanings of the stone, and it didn’t much matter. She could have given them a rock and they would have carried it proudly.

Omega came to stand beside him at the shore. The clear waves rolling over his feet. She held up her dress slightly to keep it dry.

“You left before I could give this to you this morning,” she said, holding out her palm and showing him a turquoise and black bracelet. The beads were the color of his old armor and Tech’s favorite color. He wasn’t sure if that was an accident or not.

“Thanks, Kid. What does this one mean?” he asked, rolling the smooth beads over in his fingers before putting it on his right wrist.

“It’s called Amazonite. It represents Hope.” She said, her big eyes looking up at him nervously.

Hunter nodded and smiled, “Do you think I need hope? Or do I already have it?” he asked curiously.

Omega shrugged. She took hold of his hand, something she hadn’t done in a long time, and intertwined her fingers in his. “It said if trouble appears, this helps you navigate it with confidence and makes sure you’re on the right path. That’s what you do, Hunter. What you’ve always done.”

Hunter felt his voice catch in his throat, “thanks, Kid.” He said, pulling her into a hug. He held her hand in his, noticing for the first time the bracelet on her wrist. It was black, green, orange, pink, clear and turquoise. Omega’s bracelet carried the colors of all of her brother. Hunter wasn’t sure how he could possibly love her more.

Turning around he noticed the rest of his guests had arrived. Shep and Lyanna stood off to the side, talking to Crosshair and Echo.

Phee had cut a treasure hunting trip short, giving up a score for a formal goodbye to her beloved Brown Eyes. Hunter wished Tech had gotten his happy ending with Phee. But he was glad to still have her in his life and that of the rest of his family.

Hunter crossed to the others, picking up a small wreath made of purple vines that grew on some of the gardens around the island. Lyana had been kind enough to braid it together. He held it out for Omega and watched as her trembling hands twisted the pink and black bracelet in between the leaves, making sure the beads stayed in place.

With a jerk of his head, Omega, Echo, Crosshair and Wrecker followed him to the shore. He handed the wreath to Omega.

“Is there anything you want to say?” he asked.

She nodded and opened her mouth, only for words to fail her. Again, she had a sob stuck in her throat. Wrecker’s shovel sized hand patted her gently on the shoulder and tears fell into the sand.

“I…I can’t,” she squeaked, looking up at Hunter for support.

Hunter sighed. He had thought this might happen. He didn’t have anything prepared, wasn’t really one for giving speeches, Ironically, that had always been Tech’s job.

“We wanted to take this opportunity to say goodbye to Tech, or Brown Eyes, as some of you may remember him,” he said with a wink to Phee. Her cheeks blushed; her twinkling eyes downcast but a smile spreading on her lips as she stared at the sand.

“There isn’t much I can say about him that you don’t already know. He was forthright, stubborn and always the smartest person in the room. But he was also kind, thoughtful and caring in his own way. He loved deeply, even if he couldn’t always express it. He saved us all because of that.” Hunter stopped, hearing “plan 99” in the comm and the distance cries of Omega and Wrecker, the screeching sound of metal on metal. The crash. He physically shook his head to rid himself of the memory.

“He was the person I always looked for over my shoulder. Still do, actually…” Hunter said, more to himself than anyone. “…and he was a great brother.” He turned to look at Omega, Crosshair, Echo and Wrecker in turn.

The bruiser wiped an errant tear from his cheek. Crosshair’s eyes were downturned while Echo’s amber gaze was attentive. He gave Hunter a nod of encouragement to continue.

“I don’t know what happens when you die. But I do know that sometimes, when the sea is still and the island is calm, I can still sense my brother. And if that isn’t love persevering, I don’t know what is.”

Hunter kneeled down and wiped more tears from Omega’s cheeks “Ready?” he asked. She nodded wordlessly.

The four brothers flanked her as they waded into the water. The skirt of Omega’s pink dress floated up around her, but she didn’t seem to mind. She carefully laid the wreath in the water, adjusted the bracelet of unconditional love she had created for her fallen brother, and pushed.

They watched as the sun continued to fall under the horizon, the purple wreath bobbing as it slowly wended its way out to sea. Omega took hold of Hunter’s hand, pulling his arm to her and hugging it.

“Thank you,” she whispered, a single tear tracking down her cheek.

Hunter pulled her into a hug, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. They continued to stay there, in the water, watching as the wreath ebbed and flowed until it was out of sight, disappearing into the setting sun.

❤️❤️❤️

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