#i imagined leo looking at you while kissing your hand and i just blacked out

[luckycharms1701]

inspired by this post

head bonks: @yorshie @avery73

Leo’s arms tighten around you as he lands on your roof. You nuzzle into his shoulder to let him know that yes, you survived the journey warm and content in his embrace, he can quit worrying.

The two of you have not been dating long, but you had quickly figured out that the leader in blue was actually just a worried mother hen. It is honestly one of the things you lo-like most about him. No one had ever cared for you the way he does.

His beak brushes against your hair as he carefully sets you down, making sure his bulk shields you from the cold wind as much as possible. You look up into fond blue eyes. “Thank you for the wonderful time, Leo!” Your hands linger on his plastron, fingers tracing his scutes before you reluctantly step away.

“Anytime,” he says with a warm smile, sending a shiver down your spine. Then he hesitates, a small frown stealing over his face. You tilt your head at him curiously, keeping your posture open and inviting. If you give him patience and openness, you’ve found, he’ll let you know what he’s thinking.

He searches your face, then makes his decision. Leo takes a half step forward, reaches down, and grasps your hand. You watch, eyes wide, as he bends down slowly. His eyes never leave yours as he presses his lips to your hand.

You stop breathing.

The image of Leo, proud and courageous, offering you this respect, this obeisance, makes your heart pound. You swallow heavily at the implications of what he is offering you. Your hand trembles between his own hand and his lips.

The corners of Leo’s eyes crinkle in amusement at whatever your face is doing. He lingers over your hand for a moment longer before he slowly rises. His hand is still holding yours. He rumbles quietly, “Breathe, sweetheart.”

You take a gasping breath as heat floods your cheeks. Leo smirks down at you and squeezes your hand. “Sleep well,” and then he’s gone.

[thisismeracing]

Timeless | CL16

⸺ the one where you dream about a guy you’ve never met before as your fiancée. ✓ kind of soulmates!au; fem!reader (she/her). 0.7k words

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Your bare feet clapped against the cold hardwood floor as you sleepily walked into the dark house. It was too foggy, you weren’t even sure you were looking for something –or rather someone until you saw his broad form lying on the couch. The TV was on lighting the living room space, and he was in an awkward position, one leg up on the back of the sofa, one arm hanging off to the ground where a small golden dog lay. You smiled.

He looked soft.

He looked comfortable, even though the position seemed nothing like it.

Your legs moved at his own pace to his side, bending just enough to pet the dachshund and sitting in the small space beside the man. He stirred. He was a light sleeper.

Your fingers found their way to his bare chest, dancing the path to his jaw and then his chocolate hair.

You kissed the rosy skin of his face just like the sun did a couple of days ago. He burned so easily, yet his skin always got a perfect amount of golden mixed with the few burn spots.

“Amour?” He whispered, eyes still closed.

“Oui,” you tried the words and loved how they tasted in your tongue. Just how he taught you during sleepless nights. “I missed you in bed,” was your confession.

“Leo was scratching the door for a snack break, I came down to feed him and ended up falling asleep while waiting for him to finish,” he explained, sitting up just enough to face the dog peacefully snoring on the ground. “Let's go to bed,” he called, kissing your exposed shoulder and getting up.

He laced your fingers together and you walked hand in hand to your bedroom. There was a candle lit near the bathroom door – he liked candles and you liked to have a bit of light when you needed to pee in the middle of the night. The sheets were messy but still warm. It smelled like the two of you.

He lay down, grabbing your sides and propping slightly on top of him. His warm lips found your temple, and your mouth searched for his like a prayer begging to be said. His fingers dug into your soft flesh, and you sighed before pecking his jawline and closing your eyes so that sleep could find you again.

Your alarm blarred in your room making you jump from the covers. It took you a second to realize you were alone. And not alone in the sense that someone once was there, but alone in the sense that the spot beside you in bed was never previously occupied in the first place. You had no dog. No warm lover. It was all just a dream.

Something weird ached in your chest, but you tried brushing it off and going on with your morning. Mornings turned into days, days into weeks, and still something felt off. You kept feeling the warmth you felt in that dream. Kept imagining the same guy whose face was now starting to blur. Did he have green or blueish eyes? Was his hair brown or black? Did he had dimples? Did he speak French all the time or just small bits?

He plagued your mind.

You tried your best to forget - even if by doing so part of you felt guilty, for what you were not sure. Yet, you kept going, kept reading new books, watching new shows, and going to your spot in the park to watch the leaves and ducks.

It was a Tuesday when it happened. You were lying on a picnic blanket with a book. The weather was slightly cold, but not enough to bother you. There weren't many people around, and that is why you frowned when you felt something sniff your hair, right after someone called out “Leo!!! Viens ici!” 

*come here!

The French accent lit your body giving you warmth even with the cold wind. There it was the small dog, the golden dog, the one he left bed to feed. And there he was, greenish eyes, chocolate hair, dimples when he smiled, and the most beautiful accent you’ve ever heard.

“I’m so sorry for him,” he apologized once you were face to face, but you dismissed it with a headshake still too stunned to speak. “I’m Charles, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise, Charles. I’m Yn.”

He smiled when his palm found yours, and just like in the vision, everything felt warm and cozy.

He was real. And something told you that part of your dream was too.

────── ⋆🪩 VOICEMAIL: Hi, besties! A couple nights ago I had a weird dream just like in this small blurb, I tried but I still can't put into words how it felt - besides magic. I dreamed of a guy whose features I started to forget since I woke up, he was warm and soft, I don't remember his voice but I was pretty sure he loved me, maybe he never said it to me like in this blurb, but I felt it. Anyways, not gonna overshare, but yet I needed to get a bit of it out of my chest cuz I dunno how to feel. Hope you guys like this very self-indulgent piece. *mwah* if you do, make sure to reblog and send it to a friend.

If you liked this piece and want early access to new ones and exclusive access to others, subscribe to my patreon!💘

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[waitingonher]

hi there!! congrats on 100 followers,, could you do prompt 17 for leo valdez? i love ur writing so so much you write characters just how i imagined them

EMMY'S 100 EVENT CELEBRATION

leo valdez + this reminded me of you.

content warning: nothing

authors note: HI THANK YOU SO SOSOSOSO MUCH!!! that really means a lot to me <33 thank youuu

your only regret about joining camp-half blood—besides the lethal quests issued every once in a while—are the monthly cabin check-ups. why chiron had to implement this incredibly useful, yet incredibly stupid system? you wish you knew. well, you do suppose it’s come in handy against your siblings who’d prefer to live in a complete pigsty. but other than that, it’s proven to become everyone’s least favorite day. a day full of cleaning, very irritable campers, and the overpowering scent of every detergent on the market isn’t exactly what someone would want to wake up to.

but here you are, unfortunately put on laundry duty. damn your terribly cruel siblings. they get assigned the fun things like sweeping, and dusting! well actually, those still aren’t very fun but it’s way, way better than doing laundry. the process of separating, washing, drying, and then folding isn’t your ideal way of spending your afternoon. but, the only benefit of laundry duty is that you’re basically completely alone, which also means no one’s there to pester you about your quality of work. yay to no one screaming in your ear about better sweeping techniques!

that’s why you find yourself half-assing the color sorting. you absentmindedly toss somebody’s light pink hoodie into the colored laundry basket. light pink and black? basically the same thing. but your focus comes back as you realize that you’re onto the last basket that requires sorting. you really have to fight yourself from doing a victory dance. 

while your focus does come back, it doesn’t necessarily go back to the clothes though as you hear the door of the laundry room slam open. a sweaty, disheveled-looking boy enters, a grin plastered on his face that makes it seem as if he’s relieved to have found you. and he just so happens to be your boyfriend, “babe, i’m here to rescue you from laundry duty.” 

“thank the gods,” you toss the sock in your hand into a random basket and make your way to leo. he chuckles at your carelessness before pulling you in for a kiss. you really needed that, “now tell me, how do you plan to rescue me from laundry duty?” 

leo makes a face that tells you he hasn’t really thought that far, “um. well, i brought you temporary relief,” he responds, fishing something out of his jean pocket. and out comes a tiny red satin pouch. 

“oh?” your head tilts out of curiosity, “did you find and steal something while cleaning?” the thought of leo doing something like that wasn’t totally out of the question. so that’s why you’re a little more confused when he simply shakes his head and offers you the bag in silence. 

with the pouch in your hand, your boyfriend makes a motion for you to open it, “okay, i might’ve hyped it up a little too much,” leo gives you a sheepish smile as you pull out two absolutely adorable matching cat keychains, “but they reminded me of you, so i bought them. plus, i also thought they’d make a good gift of encouragement for today.” 

“oh leo, these are so cute!” you put the cats side by side and you almost scream, once connected, they form a heart! all of a sudden your hatred for laundry duty and everything else bad in the world washes away. who knew two little cat keychains could have this effect on you? apparently leo did, “thank you so, so much babe,” you kiss him on the cheek, “i swear, as soon as i’m done here,” a smooch on the other cheek, “i’m putting my half on my bag,” finally, one for his lips. 

leo’s features form a lopsided, lovesick smile, “wow. if i knew two little keychains would earn me this many kisses, then i would’ve just bought you two real cats,” he says, a teasing tone laced within his words. 

you laugh at the idea of leo walking into the laundry room carrying two random cats. as much as you’d love to see that come to fruition, cat hair and clothes do not mix well. you pocket your keychain and hand the other to leo, “you should probably go, chiron would lose his shit if he saw you here with me.” 

“wait, more kisses, then i’ll leave,” your boyfriend’s lips begin to turn comically downwards as his brows raise, and you realize what he’s doing: his stupid puppy dog eyes, “you can’t resist this can you?” 

you quirk your brow, “oh, i can,” but the way he looks so incredibly dumb and desperate makes you give in, “fine. let’s make it quick.”

[echobx]

The Hay Maze - Leo Grecco × fem!reader

summary: y/n and Leo dress up as Ghostface and Casey, but her outfit is too much for Leo and he can't keep it together for long [fic belongs to this series but can be read by itself]

word count: 2k

warnings: smut, edging, making out, p in v (unprotected), heavy pda, creampie, backshots

author's note: I could've written more but it didn't really go anywhere so I cut it off and kept it short

kinktober masterlist ✘ One Chance masterlist

   “Hmm, and how am I supposed to walk around with a raging boner all day?” Leo gnaws at his lip while looking at you. Your costume is basically just underwear and a Ghostface mask. The black lace bodysuit corset with the tiniest excuse of a black dress under it so you won't be completely naked, as well as fishnet tights and your black leather boots. 

   “You will have to manage,” you say and stick your tongue out at him. He’s in blue jeans and a cream-white sweater that you had cut in and sprinkled with some fake blood. 

   “I really don't think I will. And what will the school say? Dress code, you know?” He walks over to you, pulling you into his arms and leaning down, his lips ghosting yours in a daring smile. 

   “Oh, the school that doesn't dare to call me out because they are scared I could open my mouth about how fucking misogynistic everybody is?” you smirk, and he kisses you, biting your lip and pressing his boner against your hip. 

   “See what you're doing to me?” he pouts, and you brush a few strands of hair from his forehead, returning his pouty smile.

   “And if we weren't late already, I would take care of it.” 

   “Woah,” Jack gasps as the two of you walk up to your lockers, he's dressed up in a pilot's jumpsuit. 

   “Thank you very much,” you smile, twirling while taking another step before landing right in front of your locker. “Top Gun?” you ask and he nods. 

   “You guys do know that it doesn't make a lot of sense to have Stu and Ghostface there, Stu was Ghostface too,” Jack argues your costume. 

   “I'm Casey,” Leo rolls his eyes at his friend. 

   “Sure you are,” Jack laughs. 

   “You want me to hit you with this thing?” Leo asks, a little bit annoyed, holding up the old phone you had found in one of your dad's boxes from forever ago. 

   “Gender swap Scream?” Sean asks while walking up to the three of you, his suit and hat leave a lot to the imagination, but you know him enough by now to guess the costume on the first try. 

   “Yes. Oppenheimer?” you say and he nods. 

   “Can we go?” Leo pulls at your hand, but you stay planted in your spot. “Please.” 

   “Tough day for you, buddy,” Jack snorts, clapping Leo on the shoulder and walking off, Sean following suit with a simple nod in your direction. 

   You're practically slammed into the lockers behind you when Leo forces a steamy kiss on you, pressing his knee between your legs and his thigh into your growing heat. 

   “Leo,” you gasp, trying to push him off a bit, but all he does is shift his attention to your neck, while his hand comes up to cup your breast. You're flushed and breathing a little heavier when you turn your head to look down the hallway, eyes crossing with a few classmates who can't seem to take their eyes off the scene until your quick glance turns into a harsh glare. 

   “Look somewhere else!” you bark at them, and they start to scurry.

   “Please,” Leo whispers into your ear, completely drunk on you. “I need you, baby.” 

   “We have class,” you remind him, threading your fingers through his hair and pulling his head back. 

   “Let's just skip,” he hushes, pecking your lips between each word. 

   “If you keep it together until later, I might sit on your face,” you tell him while rubbing your palms over his chest. 

   “That's bribery,” he sighs but takes a step back. 

   “Sometimes there's no other choice,” you shrug and start walking towards your classroom. 

   The whole day at school he is squirmy and inattentive when it comes to class, his eyes are pinned on you, amazed by how beautiful you are and how grateful he is to have you. 

   “I need to fuck you,” he rasps into your ear at lunch, and you gulp, licking your lips and trying to not let him win. 

   “I don't want to get suspended,” you tell him, trying to plead with him, but he doesn't seem to mind. 

   “We can just spend even more time-” he starts, and you place your hand on his mouth. 

   “Later. I promise,” you whisper, pulling your hand away to give him a chaste kiss. 

   “Guys, I signed us up for the hay maze on the football field later,” Tony yells as he comes running and Leo drops his head onto the table. “We gotta do something, Coach said this one is the easiest, we just gotta guide people through it.” 

   “Do we get a test run? Or better yet, a map?” you ask, running your hand through Leo’s hair in the hopes it'll calm him down.

   “I didn't ask,” the boy in the Spider-Man outfit shrugged. 

   “All right. Is it built yet?” you ask, an idea forming in your mind. 

   “I think they are finishing up,” he nods, and you jump to stand. 

   “Well then we better go help them,” you take your bag and the mask, pulling it over head before walking out of the cafeteria, but Leo isn't behind you, he is still sitting there, head lying on the table as you turn around to look at him. 

   “Casey!” you yell, and he lifts his head, so you tilt yours. “You comin’?” 

   “Wohoo, dangerous, Ms. y/l/n,” the Coach laughs as you walk up, taking the mask off and storing it in your bag, Leo trotting behind you.

   “The pleasure is all mine,” you smile. 

   “Grecco, stand up straight,” the man barks and Leo fixes his posture quickly. 

   “Tony said he put us down for this? To help out?” he asks the coach, who nods. 

   “Yeah, just gotta hide some candy in there and later you gotta scare a few kids, which won't be a problem here,” he gestures at your outfit. 

   “I can scare kids without looking like this,” you scoff, heading for the pile of candy bags. And when you bend down you can hear a suppressed moan from Leo, trying to hide how much he actually needs you after being teased all day long. 

   “That looks heavy, let me,” a guy says from in front of you, a guy you've never seen in your life, but before you can politely decline Leo is standing by your side, taking the bag from your hand and swinging it over his shoulder. 

   “Fuck off, Tyler,” he hisses, pulling you into the maze and out of Tyler's sight. 

   “Who was that?” you ask and Leo tugs you with him a bit harsher. 

   “Tyler Brown, he just switched from- doesn't matter. He's an ass. If he ever tries to get close to you, I will rip his head off,” Leo tells you through gritted teeth. 

   “You're cute,” you lean up to kiss his cheek, before dropping some candy on the ground and keep on walking. 

   “But not cute enough so that you would let me fuck you on school property?” 

   “Not in the building during classes, no,” you smile. 

   “We're not in the building anymore,” Leo points out, and you take a left turn, smirking. 

   “No we are not.”

   After running around for a short while you finally find a hidden corner that you don't think anyone will stumble into by accident. 

   “Still wanna fuck me?” You bite your lip while looking up at him. His bulge has been straining against his jeans for almost the whole day, and you can only imagine how painfully hard he must be. 

   “So you're okay with getting caught here?” he laughs, but pulls you closer. His hand finds the clasp between your legs and opens the body to roll it up over your stomach. “Maybe I'm not even gonna be mad that you won't sit on my face after this,” he mumbles into a kiss, his tongue gracing over your lips before you let him in. Your fingers open his belt and unbutton his jeans as if your life depends on it. 

   Giggling you pull away, tugging his jeans down and kneeling in front of him for a moment. “I'm sorry for making you wait,” you pout and kiss his hard cock a single time before standing back up. 

   “Do that again, and I'll come on your face,” he threatens, and you take the bait. Initially you only wanted to go back down to take your shoes off, so you can remove the tights and slip, but now he has you thinking about other things. As soon as you bend down again to pick up your slip, you take him into your mouth, delivering three deep strokes to his length and letting him hit the back of your throat before pulling out and stroking him. 

   “What are you gonna do to me now? Huh?” you give him a daring grin, and he pulls you up and spins you around. His hard cock is pressing against the soft flesh of your ass, and you can't help but wiggle your butt against him. 

   “You’re gonna be the death of me, baby,” he rasps, kicking your legs apart and forcing your back down. You stumble forward, face first against the stack of hay, but luckily it holds up. 

   “Oh yeah?” you taunt him, turning your head to look at him, his eyes are trained on his dick running through your slick folds, and if you weren't so occupied with staring at him, you would almost give into the tiny bit of pleasure that jolts through your body when his tip grazes your clit. 

   “You wanna fuck me or just stand there,” you huff and his eyes flicker up at you, and with a single hard thrust he's balls deep inside you. His hand clasping over your mouth before your surprised scream could leave you. 

   “I love you so much,” Leo grunts into your ear, his body bent over your own while his hips keep snapping against your ass and his balls hit your clit in a delicious pattern. 

   “Feels so good,” you huff quietly. Trying to stay quiet isn’t your strong suit, but you have to manage. 

   Leo stands back up, his hand on your lower back moves away, and you glance back at him. The hem of the sweater between his teeth while his eyes are focused on how perfectly your cunt is swallowing him whole. The picture of him like that will forever be embedded in your brain, and at that moment it triggered your release so hard that you almost bite your own arm to stay quiet. Clenching hard around him Leo completely loses his composure, his thrusts are getting sloppier and faster until he halts inside you, groaning loudly while pumping you full of his hot seed. 

   A guttural laugh erupts from you when he hugs you from behind for a moment before pulling out. “Way better than a quickie before school,” you pant, rubbing the sweaty strands of hair from your forehead and hoping that you don't look too fucked out. 

   “You can't wear this and not let me fuck you over and over again,” he whispers in your ear and you nod. 

   “Noted. But we have to get back now.” 

   Leo lets go off you and you both can get dressed, you quickly pull your slip back on without taking your boots off again and clasping the body over it, hoping to not leak too much before you can find a restroom. 

   “Baby, wait,” Leo pulls you back before you can take another corner, and pulls a few pieces of hay from your hair. 

   “Please tell me I don't look like I just had sex,” you whisper, gazing up at him. Luckily, Leo doesn't have many issues there, he always looks pretty much the same unless you are in charge. 

   “Okay, you don't,” Leo smirks. 

   “So, it's a lie,” you purse your lips. 

   “You look hot, no one's gonna notice,” he whispers and kisses you sweetly. 

please don't copy and/or post my work onto other platforms! ~e©ho

taglist: @redhead1180 @spideysimpossiblegirl @drwstarkeyy @princessmaybank @kys4-20 @immyowndefender @julczimozart @m2m2m2 @mochimms @itsme-again @maybankslover @th3eternalersi

[ashtheketchum]

ROTTMNT X Cosplayer Reader

A/N: Because I didn't want the title to be too long, I'll explain it here. How would the turtles react if their s/o cosplayed their childhood crushes? I choose one character for each turtle. (Pic from Pinterest!)

Warnings: GN.Reader, fluff

____________________________________

Leonardo:

For Leo, I can imagine Kim Possible as a childhood crush

If you cosplayed her, Leo would probably fall in love with you all over again

Whether you cosplay the male version or the female version, he loves it

He would definitely whistle and grin mischievously

"Can you move like Mrs. Possible?"

He tries to get you to wear her clothes more often, even if it's just the pants

He would brag to his brothers about what a great partner he has and how good you look

Always has one hand around your waist to feel your exposed skin

He would also play with the wig (or with your hair if you have long, ginger hair<3)

If you perform acrobatic moves or fight, Leo will cheer you on as if he were a fangirl

Raphael:

Raph would have had a crush on Astrid

He likes her stubbornness and how she also takes on the role of leader well

So if you cosplay her, he would be very happy (again, It doesn´t matter, if male or female<3)

"How did you come to the conclusion that I like Astrid?"

Leo told you-

If you then behave exactly like Astrid, he will kneel at your feet

But he sometimes tries to act as a leader himself

Raph would also work with you on your cosplay. He would get you an axe, help you sew and also help you choose your wig

He doesn't really brag about how great you are, but he subconsciously mentions it sometimes about how good you look in that cosplay

When you were doing throwing exercises with your axe, he was watching you the whole time (in case you got hurt)

Donatello:

Even though he wasn't so proud of it as a child, he had an incredibly bad crush on Shego back then (Besides Atomic Girl ofc-)

He liked her design and also her personality, even if she was a villain

He was actually working when you went to see him in the Shego cosplay, but when he saw you he dropped everything (again, doesn´t matter if male or female version)

His mouth was wide open, which only made you giggle

"Y/N, why are you dressed up as Shedo?"

He didn't understand for a moment that you wanted to do him a favor, but when he did, he turned bright red and looked at you several times

When he was a kid, he defintely argued with Leo about who was better. Shego or Kim

If you kiss him with those black lips, he will turn bright red and hope that an imprint remains

He could no longer concentrate on his technique, his entire focus is on you<3

If you still knew the fighting style, he would stare at you with wide eyes and probably stop breathing for a moment

Michelangelo:

Mikey had a crush on Rapunzel then and would still have a crush on Rapunzel

No matter whether you have long or short hair, he finds her incredibly great and pretty

So if you cosplayed her, he would scream super loud and wave his arms wildly

Even though your wig was shorter than in the film, he thought you were incredibly wonderful

"Babe, you look amazing, oh my god!"

He would definitely take selfies with you

He would watch the entire movie with you and act out scenes with you (he would be Flynn of course)

He would smile at you all the time and hug you all the time

When the frying pan scene occurred, Mikey looked at you anxiously and pleadingly while you pretended to consider reenacting that scene as well

You didn't reenact it, but you did the wedding scene<3

[staticl0ve]

The Pig and the Fox - Ch. 4 - Connor/AFAB!Reader

Pairings: Connor/AFAB!Reader (no pronouns used) Rating: Mature/Explicit/NSFW 18+ Link (AO3): Read it Here Chapters: [ Ch. 1 ] [ Ch. 2 ] [ Ch. 3 * ] [Chap 4] [ Ch. 5 * ] / 6 Words: 4.1k Warnings: implied drug use (supporting character), so much swearing, reader does wear feminine attire Summary: When a thief meets a cop, they’re on the opposite sides of the law, two flips of a coin. However, there’s more to life than things being black and white. In a post android revolution, not much has changed for the common citizen. The rich get richer and the poor, well, they work. They adapt. They sacrifice. You straddled that fine line, one toe in the light and one in the dark. So does Connor, but you don’t quite see that yet.

Chapter Four - Gravity

Connor knew everything about you, from your head to toe. He knew the shampoo that wafted from your hair, the lotion that covered your skin, the exact combination of ingredients that colored your lips. There was nothing your body could hide from his state of the art scanners and yet the data was too shallow to properly bring justice to the sight before him.

A pair of brown eyes followed your mouth as it glistened while you scowled. He was mesmerized by the sticking and pulling of your lips as your mouth parted. All it took was one car ride and your skin had semi healed. It had his mind racing. How long could a bite last? If he suckled your neck until it bruised, would he still see it by the end of the night?

Your tongue slipped out to wet your upper lip—just enough room for a thumb to push past and press into your teeth. How much force would Connor need for your jaw to open up for him? He could see you submitting to the pressure, jaw going slack to let him go as deep as he wished. You were stubborn, difficult to shape, maybe your jaw would snap shut like a bear trap. As if you could see what he was imagining, he caught you shifting in your chair, eyes sharp and cheeks warm.

“Do you know why you’re here?” Connor asked calmly.

You scoffed and pressed backwards into the steel chair until it tilted enough for your feet to lift off the ground. The walls were cold and gray, which did not come as any surprise, as interrogation rooms often had an oppressive, panopticon look to them. You played with your hair while checking yourself out in the two way mirror, blowing a kiss at whichever officer might be behind the glass.

Connor had thought this through, there was no one behind the glass. The door locks to the room were all pulsing a bright red, locking out other officers. And had you paid closer attention, you may have realized that while the cameras still had their active red light on, the feed had been looping since you sat down.

You were unpredictable. The RK800 had to take some precautions into his own hands.

“I’ll ask again. Do you know why you’re here?”

“You should know. Why don’t you tell me, officer?” you replied with your attention mostly set on examining your nails instead of the android with his arm crossed and eyes narrowed like you were a stain on his perfect white shirt.

Instead of taking the empty seat across from you, Connor was leaning against the door he came in through. The color of his jacket blended with the deep gray metal, almost as if he took a paint swatch to the tailor. His LED flickered as his head dipped, earthy brown eyes casting downward.

“It’s detective.”

You rolled your eyes. “Same color, same smell.”

“Leo Manfred is missing and you were the last person to see him. I know you’ve been working together. Have you heard from him?” Connor continued.

You refused to meet his gaze directly, choosing to stare at his reflection.

“What do you want with him?”

“I’m asking the questions,” he replied sternly, turning your chair with little effort. It lifted onto one metal leg, screeching as he spun you to meet his eyes. You were temporarily thrown off balance, arms uncrossing to grip the chair. He suddenly came into your field of view, one palm flattening on the table as his head lowered, nose lined up with yours. “Your phone. It rang when we were at the gallery. Was that him?”

“No,” you answered, bored, mouth overly exaggerating the round shape of the word.

You had been in an especially prickly mood since he threw you into the back of a patrol car. He knew you had a squeaky clean reputation and truthfully, he didn’t really wish to unmask the identity of Fox. That discovery was for him alone. So when you panicked slightly about being caught, kicking and screaming through the bar, he was considerate enough to gauge your reaction as non-threatening and did not use the sedate function on your cuffs. Once you quieted down in the back of the car, he offered you the opportunity to come in uncuffed, as long as you behaved. For any inquiring officers, he declared you were here to discuss a missing persons case in privacy.

“Who was it then—” he tried.

“It’s none of your business,” you hissed. “You can’t help me.”

Your mouth snapped shut, fists clenching around your knees. You let on more than you meant to. He sighed and his hand covered yours and for once, you didn’t pull away in disgust.

“I’d like to try,” he said as earnestly as he could. “What Markus said about me is true. I’ve worked hard to be trusted again. My wish really is to help you.”

A slew of words caught onto your tongue, you snapped, angry at something greater than him. “How? How? When has anyone in your position been helpful?”

He saw your movement, predicted the outcome long before you pushed off your feet, and allowed you to come close to him.

“Cops only show up after the fact,” you said, pressing a finger to his chest.

The synthetic swirl in your irises filled and you summoned enough energy to push hard enough for Connor to stumble backwards into the metal door. You covered him, one arm raised to his neck and pressed your chest to his. Leaning onto the balls of your feet, you craned your head up at him. “You’re just there to bag and tag a body. You don’t prevent bad things from happening.“

His jaw clenched. Clearly, you had missed the point he was trying to make. He was trying to do exactly what you said he wouldn’t be doing. By his current calculations, Leo was still alive and there was still time—assuming you’d be willing to work together.

Your arm, in its feeble attempt to pin him to the door, still glowed with blue lines. He flinched, eyes blinking rapidly from a sudden onslaught of information. Briefly, he saw data unrelated to his diagnostics, content he usually saw from a scan…but as the numbers scrolled on by, he realized they belonged to you.

Oh. He had to contain a chuckle, putting considerable processing powers towards remaining stoic. Connor knew now what went wrong with the interface on that rainy evening. But first, he had to calm you down. Slowly and quietly, he spoke.

“I am just one man.”

You raised a brow, slowly meeting his eyes.

“When I was a deviant hunter, I chased a woman protecting a child. They were androids, deviants. I pursued them to a busy highway where I had the choice to let them go or give chase. My partner didn’t want me to risk my life, but at the time, I thought I wasn’t alive. I had orders to bring the deviants in.”

Connor raised one hand, palm open, fingers flexing so you could see where he intended on moving it. Carefully, he pried your arm off his neck to bully his fingers between yours. The gesture confused you as your face twisted to show you were running out of patience.

“I let them go,” he added.

“And? That’s supposed to make you—what—a good person or something?” you scoffed.

“Cyberlife designed me to be a detective model. Statistically, I was unlikely to return to my former profession.”

“So you did. Are you expecting a medal?” you challenged.

“I can never right the wrongs I have committed, but everyday I have the opportunity to do something good.”

You thought he was being naive, foolish even, to be delivering a cliché speech expected of a rookie. It was always the same: I can change the system from the inside. The little voice in the back of your head whispered back, implying that if anyone could do it, it’d be him. Dear brain: who’s side were you on?

At this point, your aggression had ebbed but you couldn’t pull back with him holding your hand. He persisted, shifting the texture of his hand from human like to plastic, smooth and cool. Without your input, your hand reacted to his touch, glowing blue along with his.

Images flooded your mind, scenes of his past as a deviant hunter and of the work he did upon returning to the force. Community outreach, picking up abandoned cold cases, and deprioritizing petty, small crimes—Connor did it all. Immediately, you ripped away from him, taking a few steps back.

You see, while cybernetics were advanced as they were, what with their ability to allow humans to interface with machines, they couldn’t allow the direct transfer of thoughts and memories. At least, not in the same way that androids experienced it. As North once told you, Markus had seen her whole life as if he lived every moment and she his. So while seeing images on a HUD was par for the course, it was how you saw them that made you panic briefly.

Connor’s memories should not have felt so vibrant, not to the point where you could smell flowers or feel the small embrace of a child thanking him. Goosebumps broke across your skin and you crossed your arms as a reflex. Every backdrop lined up with what you saw in your dreams. Between your breaths quickening into heavy pants and your glowing fingers twitching, you stared at the ground, knees locked and feet barely holding you up.

This…connection should have been impossible. They were just dreams, coincidences. Then…why did you remember being the instigator in your fantasies? In a blink, you slammed the lid of Pandora’s Box shut, determined to believe today was a fluke, another mind game of his.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway and Connor knew exactly who they belonged to.

“As I have said…I want to help you find Leo,” he offered. “One of our detectives confirmed with us this evening that Leo was working as an informant for him. Were you aware of this?” 

The fog cleared and you glared at him, the energy in your hand dimming as you dropped it to your side. You wanted nothing more than to snub Connor off but you caught another flicker of rainy, grassy fields covered in stone slabs.

“No,” you answered. “He managed to keep that from me.”

“We found his tooth.” A bag was placed on the table and it flashed a steady pulse of blue light at you.

“His what?”

Connor cleared his throat. “The tooth was a used as a wire. We think the drug lord we’re after is the one behind Leo’s disappearance. Do you know anything about this person? Perhaps he may have mentioned them?”

You sighed, shaking your head.

“The caller from last night. I thought it was a prank call. A woman’s voice asked for ‘Leo’s babysitter’ and money. Look—“ You gripped your temples, massaging them as you spoke. “Leo goes to these parties where it’s common to throw phones in a bowl and fetch them at the end. I get dumb prank calls that my software filters out. One finally got through, I was snippy and the call ended. The call log’s still on my phone. I’ll bet I could track the fucker…”

A fist pounded on the metal behind Connor’s head and his lips twitched as the lock shifted green.

“It’s open, Hank.”

The door clicked open as Connor stepped aside and a tall, bulky and grey haired man stepped in. Unlike the younger detective, Hank was more comfortable in loose and fun patterned buttoned shirts and equally loose dark jeans. His posture was slouched, eyes panning over the clock that hung on the wall and you could see Hank scrutinizing how late it was.

“This the friend you said you were meeting?” Hank asked, with a sheepish grin. “Weird location choice, son.”

At once you and Connor both spoke up. 

“He’s not my—“ that was you. 

Followed by Connor, “Yes, we met at Markus’ art show and I was asked to help locate a missing friend…who happens to be Leo.”

Hank glanced at you. “Small world. You know Leo?”

“I know his family, but they’re busy. I’m the most…available…out of Leo’s limited pool of friends and…” you paused, hoping Connor had a better cover story.

“I needed a cybernetic expert to crack the encryption on the wire,” Connor added.

“My day job,” you elaborated, cutting Connor off. “I do this stuff all the time.”

“So you’ll help us?” Hank asked.

“Y-yeah.”

“And here I thought androids could do everything.” Hank teased Connor. The younger man looked to you to provide more context.

“Connor would need weeks to crack it on his own and he’s the only one of his model with this kind of software. I’ve got extra programs that can help speed things up.”

“Great. We’ll start from there,” Hank replied and waved his hand, rolling his wrist in a dismissive gesture. From the glazed over look on his face, you figured everything you said went straight through his ears. Connor confirmed your suspicions with a wink as Hank turned to face the clock. “It’s late as fuck. We’ll get this ball rolling in the morning.” 

Bright and bushy tailed as ever, Connor was the only one with a sparkling smile in the room.

“Of course, Lieutenant.”

It was just a second, but Connor’s attention was on Hank, who drew him over to the door and mumbled something out of hearing range, giving you enough time to swipe the bag off the table. Hank left with a curt nod, leaving you in the middle of the ever shrinking walls of an interrogation room. Wordlessly, you made a beeline for the exit and Connor was hot on your tail. For each step you took, there was an echo that followed. Once the cold air hit your face, you whirled around, coat billowing in the icy breeze.

“You really don’t have to follow me home like a lost puppy.”

You prepared yourself for his doe eyed pleading face but Connor looked dead serious. His lips were pressed in a firm line, eyes stern. He cocked his head to the side, giving you a view of a blue halo spinning gold.

“The numbers are not in your favor. You’re statistically likely to pursue this mystery caller once you’re out of my sight.”

“And?”

“It would be a reckless decision. We agreed to work together.”

“I—” you pointed at finger at your chest, “I have agreed to nothing.”

His mouth remained closed but you heard an instant playback of Hank’s voice asking if you’d help and your voice distinctly answering: “y-yeah.”

You groaned, too tired to fight. Your exhaustion coincided with the arrival of a cab you didn’t call and you immediately suspected it was Connor’s doing.

“Your place or mine?” he joked, smile broad and sickly sweet.

You couldn’t spare him one last brain cell of thought, turning around and wirelessly engaging the car. The doors popped open slowly, welcoming you both with bright, warm light. As you squeezed into the cab, shuffling as far as you could go to one side of the car, Connor gracefully took his seat. The doors slid shut and the interior lighting dimmed to better suit the nighttime atmosphere of the ride. With the bounce lighting of a few interface displays adding a splash of blue and pink to his face, you couldn’t help but detach—if only a smidge—away from the interior wall of the vehicle.

You hoped you wouldn’t regret this decision. One quick interface and the cab adjusted its display with a route to your condo.

“My place. So my dog can chew you to bits if you misbehave.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied.

Connor’s dainty features, by default, were clearly designed to placate hostile enemies. Knowing full well that you shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of security, you couldn’t stop the slight parting of your lips as curiosity plucked at your mind. Streetlights passed by, distant orbs of gold stretching and fading across his cheekbones like falling stars over freckled constellations. His restful posture was infectious, shoulders relaxed and long legs splayed out comfortably. Your back sunk into plush cushions and a sigh eased past your lips. You weren’t so unlike a stray asteroid caught in an orbit, close to, but never touching the object it was bound to. In moments like these, when everything slowed…if that floating rock wasn’t careful, it might find its way crashing down.

When Connor caught you staring, his head turned and every fuzzy shadow on his soft face found its hard edge as he smirked.

“Do you need anything from me?”

With a scoff, you tore your eyes off of him, deciding to fixate on the map for the rest of the ride. It was quiet, he had interfaced with the car to find a playlist of chill beats. Your eyelids began to droop. A few drowsy blinks became one last glimpse of the lit up city. Music faded and you were certain your cheek met a glass window before everything drifted off into space.

You woke up to a different surface. One which was a firm…warm…chest—

“Shit. Sorry,” you mumbled, pulling your weight to the opposite side of the body you’ve found yourself snuggled up to.

Connor only shook his head with a soft smile, silently communicating how absolutely okay he was with the circumstances. His hand pushed the car door ajar.

“We’re here.”

When you found yourself, crammed into another small mechanical box—an elevator, this time—to say that the tension between you and Connor was thicker than a block of ice was a nice way distracting you from the heat scorching your skin. The embarrassment from your rude awakening was persistent, mounting as you cycled frustrated internal monologues about “how could that have even happened” and “what the fuck am I doing?”

A week ago, you would have schemed a dozen ways to trick him, abandon him and lose him in some alley or hack the cab to lock him in and send him on his merry way. You didn’t, and you didn’t really want to ask yourself why anymore. When your palm met the keypad of your condo you gave Connor a list of demands.

“First things first: do not touch my things. If you start snooping around, I’ll know. Got it?”

“Got it.”

You hesitated, not making motions to connect with the pad just yet. “And no smalltalk, we’re not…this isn’t a hangout. We’re not friends, chilling in a condo, okay?”

“Understood.”

“Okay. Good. Fine,” you huffed, tone sour but a portion of that frustration was directed inward.

The panel beeped, switching from red to a few pulsing gold blips and finally, settled on green. When the door slid open, a large, black beast greeted you with a little howl and some enthusiastic face licks.

“Hey baby girl, did ya miss me?”

A pair of icy blue eyes snapped at Connor and your canine companion let out a low growl.

“It’s okay Nyx, he’s…uh…he’s welcome here,” you reassured with a sweet voice before icing Connor out. “For now.”

Your pet was more a rescued android wolf than dog, but seriously, with eyes as adorable as hers, how were you to say no to housing her when the android zoos closed?

You slipped off your shoes, motioning for Connor to do the same. “I’m going to shower. The living room’s that way.”

There was a spare bedroom for guests. But Connor was not a guest. He got the message, nodding and making his way through your home.

“Would you like to join me, Nyx?” Connor asked. Nyx’s LED spun in sync with his and she cheerfully pranced around him, bumping the top of her head into his hand. He pet her gently and she dramatically rolled onto her belly, eyes large with her tongue peeking out of her mouth.

Some guard dog.

“Traitor,” you said humorously.

The shower was the perfect opportunity to do some research on your target in pure, absolute privacy. You didn’t care that Connor was right: you’d do this alone if you could. Things worked just fine when you were solo and that wasn’t about to change now.

You scanned the wire in the bag, noticing that Connor had already disabled its record and tracking functions. The encryption was a joke to you and likely an excuse Connor made up for Hank. You had your suspicions that the android already traced the voice and needed you for her location. Stored in the tooth were chat logs and you confirmed the voice match. You heard Leo’s too, nervous and quivering as he spoke.

This was it, the tooth’s last recording.

You winced, cutting off the auto play as it became obvious that the recording caught his agony when the tooth was located.

Your palm had a holo projection flickering through the gentle stream of the shower. After many queries of parsing your call logs, your search settled on a woman’s face with olive skin, glowing cybernetic eyes, and lips painted in neon colored lipstick. Her hair was equally as bright, cut into a neat bob. She was about Hank’s age, but tall and lean, a fem fatale type.

She went by Georgia, for the state she was from. It rung a bell, brought up memories of a past hit, but you couldn’t be sure. Besides messing with the ultra rich, occasionally, you played a dangerous game of poking the really messed up criminals. Drug lords hoarded their cash like dragons, killing any who dared swipe a coin. They didn’t add anything to the community, flooding the streets with toxins. They took and took, their influence reaching friends and family, leaving you with names and faces lost in wooden boxes. Enraged, you decided to take something of theirs.

You knew where to find her. Georgia was a big name in Detroit. Anyone would be if they invented a drug harder than Red Ice. It was new; a flashy white heart candy stamped with a red skull. A few people had already died from overdoses but for many addicts, that was advertising for a drug offering the next best high.

When you went to dry off, you made extra clattering sounds so Connor didn’t think you slipped and died in the shower. You discovered a voicemail you missed from earlier in the day, one from an unknown caller that your phone rejected. Android hearing was sharp, you didn’t want to run the risk of Connor walking by and hearing the audio, so you sent it to your implants and a familiar woman’s voice filled your ears.

“Hello, Fox. We have your friend.”

Your fingers gripped your robe tighter as a scowl worked its way across your face. The rest of the voicemail shared the same format of any ransom request: money, where to leave it, or else. Chances were, this was a trap. Leo’s family was more than well off enough to provide a sizable ransom.

Oh yeah, this was definitely some revenge plot.

The living room was eerily quiet when you walked out and you wondered if Connor had changed his mind and left. You peeked your head out from the hallway and relaxed slightly. He was resting, eyes closed, LED spinning a calm blue as Nyx cuddled into his lap. You glimpsed between him and the door, repeating the motion until your fatigue became more than just from decision making. There was a chance his sensors were set to trip should you even cough on the door.

Fine. You needed sleep anyways.

Androids were hardy machines. Most could survive extreme heat and cold, fall from great heights, and bear the brunt impact of a car. As you switched the lights off, a diffused blue glow drew you towards the couch. Connor’s idle pose was surprisingly human like. His back slouched, head fallen slightly over to one side with his curl dangling away from his forehead. Your eyes followed the line of his arm to his hand idling in Nyx’s back and the smile you were resisting tore its way across your face.

Moving on auto, already forgetting he was not a guest, you found a blanket and gingerly draped it over his shoulders. Preoccupied with not disturbing him, you didn’t catch the flash of gold by his temple.

Your condo was sandwiched between a few other buildings, their twinkling lights adding a brilliant shimmer to Connor’s skin. As you took in his resting features, a corner of the blanket had shifted. You caught it before it fell off his shoulders and covered him once again, tucking the ends into his folded arms. Your lips tugged into another smile, immediately falling once you realized what was happening.

An ache stirred in your chest and you swallowed it down. You couldn’t stop, couldn’t chance what your mind might conjure and so, you turned to your bedroom and kept moving.

A reflection of the crescent moon bounced off your condo windows. Much of the stars were obscured by the glow of a sleepless city. Planes carrying passengers, blipping red and green, were the only bright lights in the darkness. There was a late night flight soaring over your condo with most of its window shades drawn down, save for one. A child, overly excited for adventure, had their large eyes cast up beyond the clouds. Their mouth parted in awe and their parents did not stir from the noise. And what was it that the child saw?

A wishing rock, falling, burning a bright white beam across a nearly starless sky.

[shadowqueen402]

Canine Cat-astrophe: Chapter 2

The smoke cleared to reveal two animals in Balan's and Lance's places. One was a fluffy dog that sported white and teal fur. It was, however, wearing an oh-so-familiar top hat on its head.

The other animal was a small cat that lay in a loaf position. The top half of its face was purple while the rest of its body was white. On its head and back were small, but familiar black tentacles. The same pointy elf-like ears that Lance had were on the feline.

Emma and Leo gazed at the two animals before they put two and two together and gasped. "Balan!? Lance!?" Emma cried. "But…how did this happen!?"

"The ingredient that I thought was salt must have done this," Leo guessed. "If only I had read the label, maybe this wouldn't have happened… I'm so sorry, Balan and Lance."

Balan just panted as he looked up at Leo before he decided to knock Leo down and attack him…with puppy kisses. "Gah!" The blonde-haired boy was surprised at Balan's response. Meanwhile, Emma just giggled before she felt something softly bat her leg. She looked down and saw Lance batting her leg while purring up a storm.

"Aww, hello." Emma smiled and gently pet Lance's back, earning more purrs from the elf-kitty. "You look so cute as a kitty. Though, you'll have to be turned back to your original self."

"Leo? Emma?" Mei's voice called out. "Have you guys seen Balan and Lance? Kaylo and the others haven't heard from them in a while. Are they okay?" She entered the dining room and stopped when she saw the dog and the cat. "Uh, where did those animals come from?"

"Don't freak out but, these animals are Balan and Lance." Emma sweatdropped, feeling Lance headbutt her cheek gently. His whiskers ticked Emma's skin, making her almost giggle. "They were turned into a dog and a cat."

"H-Huh!?" Mei was shook upon hearing the news. Balan and Lance were transformed into animals!? How did this happen!? Since they were in Wonderworld, odds are, something magic-related happened to them. But what? "This isn't good, especially since…Aria's highly allergic to dogs…"

"What do we do, Mei?" Leo asked. He still felt Balan's tongue brush up against him.

"Let's talk to the others first." Mei motioned for Leo and Emma to follow.

(At the Isle of Tims)

Kaylo, Aria, Rebecca, Trisha Jane, and the twelve Inhabitants gazed in shock at the dog and the cat that followed Leo and Emma to the place. Aria, however, couldn't stay shocked for long as her eyes began to water, her vision getting blurry.

"Oh no… My allergies are acting up…" Aria groaned, feeling the urge to sneeze. "H-Has anyone seen my purse? My allergy medicine is in there…"

"I didn't know that you were allergic to dogs," Iben said, handing Aria her purse.

"Highly allergic." Aria took some of the allergy medicine with water. "If a dog sheds fur, I have a sneezing fit. But if I'm unfortunate enough to get licked by one, that's when I get hives…"

Iben flinched, already imagining how painful it sounded.

"So how did Balan and Lance get turned into a dog and a cat?" Cal asked, tapping a finger to his chin.

"I accidentally added an ingredient inside the soup that Emma and I made for them," Leo confessed. "It looked exactly like salt, but after they took a bite out of it, I soon realized that it wasn't salt."

"Is the ingredient still in the kitchen?" Sana asked. She gently scratched Balan's ear, earning happy pants from him.

"It should be." Leo nodded. "I only remember putting it back on the shelf after I used it. I didn't take it with me. It was in a glass jar with a red lid."

"We have to find a way to bring Balan and Lance back to normal," Attilio said. "But we also have to make sure that they're watched so that way they won't wander off."

"I have an idea," Jose said. "We'll have to split into three groups. One group shall head to the library so we can look through the books and see what that ingredient was that they consumed. Another group will take care of Lance and the third group will take care of Balan."

"I love kitties!" Cass said. "So I'll watch Lance. And besides, I've been taking good care of Daisy. So I know what I'm doing."

"I'll stick with Cass in watching Lance," Aria said. "If I'm around Balan for too long, my allergies will act up again. I'm not allergic to cats, fortunately. Also, I'm a cat person too."

"Sana, want to watch Balan with me?" Eis asked.

"I'm in!" Sana said.

"So are we!" Kaylo and Trisha Jane said in unison.

Soon, the three groups were formed. Balan's group consisted of Jose, Fiona, Sana, Eis, Kaylo, Trisha Jane, and Leo.

Lance's group consisted of Emma, Yuri, Cass, Iben, Aria, Rebecca, and Bruce.

All the last group that would try to search for a way to bring Balan and Lance back to normal consisted of Mei, Haoyu, Cal, Attilio, and Lucy.

"Alright, darlings!" Lucy cried. "Let's get to work!"

Kaylo belongs to @kayssweetdreams

Mei belongs to @sundove88

Trisha Jane belongs to @lovelyteng

Rebecca belongs to @thehyperrequiem

Aria belongs to me.

[alongtherubyford]

reunion - jeyna

Jason Grace has waited for this moment for months.

He’s waited since the moment he remembered her, since the moment he told Piper that whatever was going on between them was never going to happen.

He’s standing at the edge of the Argo, tall and proud like a true Roman. He’s looking for her and she’s still nowhere to be-

There.

He sucks in a breath because she’s still as gorgeous as he last remembers. Her hair swinging in a loose braid, paces behind Hazel and two other kids. He can’t see her eyes but he imagines them dark, maybe shining with mischief when she pokes Dakota in the ribs.

Gods, I love her, he thinks.

Leo stops the ship and throws a rope ladder over the side. Jason wastes no time in being the first one down.

He’s looking over the heads of people while he waits for the others, trying to find her or at least someone he knows.

Annabeth brushes by and he follows because Reyna is just up ahead.

Annabeth stops in front of Hazel and two other kids, one with wind-swept black hair that she can’t keep her eyes off. The guy is wearing a toga. 

The crowds part and there she is. Walking tall and strong, her chin up and shoulders back, just like Lupa taught. Her eyes are dark, just as Jason thought, when she looks at him. He sees her lips quirk.

“Jason Grace, my former colleague,” Reyna says. Her voice is deep but airy. She’s amused. “I welcome you home. And these, your friends-”

“Cut the shit, Reyna,” Jason snaps and someone from Camp Jupiter snorts. 

She raises a brow. “Oh?”

Jason rolls his eyes and walks so he’s just in front of her. He dips his head, eyes still open. The tension is thick, it could be gone with one more dip of his head-

But it’s his turn to tease. “Aren’t you gonna kiss me hello?”

“Shut up, Grace,” she mutters before grabbing the back of his neck to join their lips together.

The kiss isn’t slow or lazy; it’s fast and rushed and his eyes are shut tight and Jason’s hands are buried in her hair and hers grip his shirt. He tugs her head back, tongue dipping into her mouth and Reyna makes a noise of surprise.

“Holy shit,” Leo whispers.

“Jason,” she whispers when their lips separate for a moment but he doesn’t want to talk. Not yet.

He dives back into her, harsher than before when his teeth catch on her bottom lip. He can feel her jerk back in shock before catching his lips again.

“Jason.” It’s Annabeth.

He growls and breaks away from Reyna just enough to turn his head and say, “What?”

Annabeth and Leo smirk at him and Piper looks at her feet.

“I think introductions are in order,” Reyna calls out. She pushes back from Jason, hands slipping from his chest but he catches them. He brings them to his lips to press a kiss and smiles when he sees a small nose scrunch from Reyna.

“Fine, Annabeth, Leo, Piper, this is my girlfriend Reyna, Reyna, these are my crewmates,” he rushes and tries to kiss her again but she dodges with a laugh.

“Not so fast, Grace,” she teases, “take me on a date first.”

Jason grins. “Right now? Let’s go.”

He tugs her away from everyone and Gwen and Dakota are laughing, along with everyone from the Fifth.

“Tell the spirits to bring food, Michael, we’ll be back shortly,” she shouts and Jason starts to run.

Run away from the life of a demigod, at least for this moment, and toward the life he’ll have with Reyna.

[chasingpj]

HONEYYYYY I JUST READ THE MOST DISGUSTING (IN AN ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE WAY) PERCABETH COLLEGE AU ONE-SHOT and now I'm JEALOUS and in desperate need for just some short headcanons of going to new rome with Percy 😭 pretty pls?

LMFAO OH NO SJFJDJD BYE CAUSE THIS IS SO ME. but don't worry, I got you, babe, <333

𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

paring: percy jackson x gn reader

warning: drinking, partying

category: headcanons, college au

a/n: i was gonna answer this when i got it last night but i went a little overboard 😭 i hope you like it!

first off, the road trip you guys took to get there was so chaotic

a part of you isn't sure how you, Percy, and Grover made it to California alive

the number of times where you've swerved off a lane while singing your favorite songs with Percy was too many

this usually made him paranoid, and it's the reason why he insisted on driving most of the way (you definitely didn't mind that)

you guys stopped at every state sign you came across and took a cute group picture

you and Percy had mapped out all the tourist stuff and the good places to eat in each state, so you guys stopped a lot

there were lots of sleepy nights at hotel rooms where you guys crashed the moment you guys got comfortable in each other's arms

the road trip was so memorable, and it set the tone for the next four years of your lives 🥺

those polaroids you took with Percy and Grover would be on the walls of your apartment for so long

for the first few months in new rome, you and Percy were just in a honeymoon bubble

you guys went out every weekend to restaurants and spent mornings studying in the cafes and libraries

living with Percy was just how you imagined it, and even better, you didn't even mind that he is a little messy 😭

you guys found out in your first year that morning classes were not the best choice because Percy was way too good at convincing you to skip your lectures to cuddle with him

it's the reason why most of your classes are in the afternoon because the two of you love to sleep in and get breakfast together before starting your days

but yeah, the first few months was a lot of exploring places and the things to do and establishing newfound independence and routine together <3

Percy, I know, is an introvert, but he's popular regardless because, you know, being a hero and all

I'd like to think that Percy is elected, to his dismay, as the official greek representative now that there will be more greeks attending New Rome and stuff

you find it hilarious cause 1) he wears a toga and 2) he knows all the tea of the council and will spill everything to you like teenage girls in a locker room 3) he complains about it all the time 😭

because he has a title and is popular, he gets invited to parties a lot, and every other weekend, you guys will stop by

one of your favorite memories is Percy accidentally drinking the jungle juice, thinking it's regular juice, and getting plastered 😭

I'd like to think Percy is indifferent about drinking like personally, he's not interested, but he wouldn't judge you for it

but yeah, Percy gets plastered, and you had to get him back home

his arm was wrapped around your shoulders, and the entire time he's just slurring things like, "you're so beautiful. why are you so beautiful?" "I love you. do you love me?" "you're like the best thing that's ever happened to me."

there's no way Percy isn't an affectionate drunk! he'd ask for a lot of kisses, will get offended if you deny one kiss

even if you've given him 10 kisses right before your rejection

the entire time you couldn't stop laughing cause you'd never seen him like this

it was a sticky summer night, and he's heavy, so your face was a little shiny from sweat

he proceeded to call you "his little glazed donut" 😭😭and tell you how cute you looked

you were laughing too hard to even be offended

the following day you had to nurse him through his hangover, but the best part was showing him the videos of him and hearing his groans of embarrassment

he got his chance to make fun of you though

you have a very faint memory of Pollux teaching you how to shotgun a beer

and then you swore you blacked out

Percy literally had to carry you on his back to get home

you were like a big giggly baby; he had to change your clothes and wipe off your makeup for you

Percy was so amused as your hands were a little too grabby that night

it took a while for you to settle down, but when you did, you cuddled into his side and told him "i love you" for the 100th time before you were out like a light

Annabeth and Grover are literally at your place all the time

you and Percy have woken up to them making breakfast in the kitchen or sitting on your couch and eating all the snacks in the house

they barge into your apartment so often that Percy lowkey regrets giving them the spare keys LMFAO

it's not just Annabeth and Grover either

Percy's place is where all your friends and his friends go to hang out, so you and Percy have had a lot of practice being the hosts of small get-togethers

you, Annabeth, and Piper would have sleepovers sometimes and kick Percy out, LMFAO

he had to sleep in Grover's dorm on those nights because you three demanded that there were no s/o's allowed 😤

every December, you guys throw a secret Santa party for you and your friends

you have the cutest picture of you, Percy, and your friends all squished up on your couch on new years eve, and all of you guys wore silly hats and glasses

Leo was laid across everyone's lap with big glasses, pointing a finger gun at the camera. The Stoll brothers were standing behind the couch. Connor puts two fingers behind Annabeth's head, giving her bunny ears, while Travis does the same to Piper, who's still on her right. On Annabeth's left are Rachel and Nico. Nico's face is all scrunched as Rachel pinches his cheeks; the boy has a look on his face as if he's trying to hide his smile. Hazel and Frank are sitting on the floor side by side, smiling into the camera. you and Percy are huddled in the corner, you on his lap as you guys squish your cheeks together with happy smiles while Grover is standing behind you guys, halfway biting into a can of soda

it's your favorite picture of all time, and it's always in a frame on display

sometimes Percy gets homesick, so, often for the holidays and the summers, you two head out to new york to see his family for a little

sometimes Estelle heads back with you guys to Cali to spend a couple weeks with her big brother

that's always fun because everyone adores Estelle, and you guys are always going out and making sure she has fun

it's always so cute when they part, Percy promising and comforting a whining Estelle that she can come back next summer or in the spring

for graduation, you guys make matching caps 🥺

graduation was really sentimental for you guys because it was another chapter in your lives that was coming to end

you and Percy have been through so much together, and everything from stressing about finals together to the crazy nights of adventure was so much fun

it felt like for the first time, it sunk in how long you've been together and how sure it was that you'd be in each other's futures :(((

and the two of you were so looking forward to the rest of your lives together, especially since Percy proposed to you at your graduation party <333

[trappedinmy9to5]

i saw a writing prompt for a moment between two characters to show what theyre like when no ones around. i thought this would be perfect to introduce two of my ocs.

meet dakota and leon :)

"please for the love of god turn this off dakota" leon begged. they were currently squished onto the shared couch of the band watching game of thrones (obviosuly to dakotas request). " would you shut the fuck up? its getting to my favorite part!" he replied back wasting no time in putting his hand over his boyfriends mouth.

"i really do wonder if those two even like each other" kye says as he watches yet another strange interaction between the two. " yeah kota, do you even love me?" leon laughs as he looks up to dakota with the most obnoxious puppy eyes you could imagine.

"obviosuly-not" he replies back and leon wastes no time in punching him. dakota laughs and puts his arm lazily around leons shoulder and kisses his head quickly. making sure to ruffle his long blonde hair in the process.

"confusing fuckers...its weirdly cute how you do nothing but insult each other..." Tae says as he adjusts the signature black bandana tied around his head and everyone turned their attention back to the tv.

a few hours had passed and everyone slowly lost attention to the show. Kye and Zoya were being all lovey on the corner of the couch, Tae was ranting about how their new song didnt have enough bass or whatever. because honestly dakota was no longer listening. in fact he hadnt been listening for a while.

instead all of his attention was directed at the boy asleep on his shoulder. wavy blonde hair falling in his face, lips slightly parted with a hand placed over dakotas chest. he stirred lightly and gripped dakotas shirt. "m'cold baby" he slurred out grogily.

instantly everyone was suddenly paying attention to the two in disbelief at the pet name that had slipped the boys mouth. unlike the rest of them dakota didnt bat an eye. instead he simply stood up and easily lifted leon into his arms like it was nothing.

"night" he stated simply as he carried leon up the stairs towards their bedroom, leaving the rest of them staring in their direction.

he pushed open the bedroom door lightly and placed leon on his side of their shared bed. he only stirred when he was hit with one of dakotas hoodies. "what was that for' he mumbled. "you said you were cold. stop being a weirdo and put it on" dakota replied as he stripped his shirt and jeans replacing them with a pair of shorts and slid into bed next to the now warm leon.

although now leon wasnt sleeping. no he was far from it. he was staring at dakota shamelessly. he took in the way his curls fell just onto his forehead, the way his dark roots were peeking through the grey dye. how his long eyelashes framed his dark eyes perfectly. and how- "why are you staring at me like that?" dakota questioned sarcastically.

"because youre so pretty" he whispered out truthully. "shut up" dakota mumbled, he would never admit it but leon saw the bright blush creep onto his dark skin. "no i mean it kota. prettiest boy ive ever seen." he continued.

hhe shook his head and didnt try to hide the bright smile on his face. "i love you leo" he responded sleepily as he pulled his boyfriend into his chest. leon tilted his head up to place a soft kissed on dakotas lips that was a response in itself. as he laid back into his chest and felt his hands carding through his hair he couldnt help but feel warmth throughout his own chest.

he often thought about how much he loved where he was. hes been dating dakota since they were in high school. and while he absolutly cant stand him and wants to punch the sarcasm out of him 24/7. he also knows that there is no where hed rather be.

there is no one other than his asshole of a boyfriend that he would want to be annoyed by. no one other than him that could calm him down from one of his many pre show anxiety attacks. no one other than him that he wants to hear talk his ear off about game of thrones because he loves the way his australian accent sounds when he talks about shit leon couldnt care less about.

long story short? there was no one more perfect for leon than dakota. and no one more perfect for dakota than the weird kid he met in high school.

"goodnight my leo."

[neesieiumz]

No one else F. Vermillion

Summary: You and your love struggled through a lot, haven't you?

A/N: God this is so late! This is for a collab with the ever so lovely, @vs-redemption. It was for her 1k Captains collab and I got so busy with packing and moving in for college that this completely slipped my mind. So please, just enjoy this! I worked as much as I could!

Word count: 1.8k

The sun was out and about, the heat beating down against your body. Although the wind blew around you, there was no coolness to it, only throwing around hot air. You raised your hands in the air, taking in a deep breath as you crossed your right hand behind your left. Purple light surrounded your grimoire as the same color lightning sparked and surrounded you. Slowly you opened your eyes, eyes locked on the target before you. Cupping your hands together, the purple lighting surrounded you became attracted to the growing force within your hands, raging and buzzing around it.

“Lightning Magic: Glimmer Spada.”

Holding out the ball of concentrated lightning out, a bright purple beam blasted out of it. It took up the shape of a sword, and made a clean vertical cut clean through the target, through the trees, and even the rest of the forest. It left a thick black smoke behind, and the bark of the target and tree were charred. You let a breath of contentment, a smile curling up on your face. You released your hands, stretching them out as you went to the pile of things you brought. Behind down to pick up your towel, along with your bottle of water, you heard a rustle of leaves near you. Eye perked up, your body was alert as a body pushed itself through the leaves and the trees.

Wild, red hair, and a long red cape to match. You relax as Meroleona found herself in your little training area. You placed your water down as she eyed her, her familiar wild smirk landing on you.

“Lady L/n, I’ve been looking for you!” Her haughty gruff voice rang out through the forest.

You smiled, wiping your face with the towel, “Mero, how long has it been?”

The last time you saw Mero was when she took the Crimson Lions to Ultime-Volcano Mountain Trail. You didn’t go, unfortunately, wanting to stay back with your fiance during his coma. So, it was nice seeing your future-in-law after so long. You knew she came back when Fuegoleon woke up and the two of them went back to Ultime but you were busy training your younger cousins. Despite the sweat dripping down your body, she came up towards you, wrapping her arm around your shoulder and pulling you close.

“It’s been too long, how about we catch up? What say we spar?”

You froze mid-sip, your eyes slowly moving to look at the smiling woman beside you. Despite all your training, you knew that you didn’t hold a candle to her power and abilities. She was a different breed. Knowing this, she just snickered and began to guide you out of the forest.

“Nevermind, let’s do lunch.”

---

After you took a shower, you changed into an all-red outfit, the color similar to the Crimson of the Vermillion Family. You wore a cropped coaster top with thick straps, a matching blazer, and dress pants. You wore dark boots before moving your ring from its chain to your finger. You pulled your hair from a messy bun to a low ponytail.

You followed behind the older woman into the private restaurant, leading up to the hostess who immediately greeted the two o you.

“Lady Vermillion, Lady L/n! Oh es, your table is this way!”

Mereoleona said nothing while you thanked her as she took your menus to a booth. She placed them down and immediately left the two of you alone, closing the door behind her as she walked off. You sighed taking the scenery as you took a seat. The stone walls and wooden floors were rustic, reminding you of your grandmother’s old cabin back when you were younger. You smiled, taking a breath before grabbing the menu before you.

“So, how has my bone-headed brother been treating you?”

You glanced up at Mereo, eyes looking away from a meat special they were having. You smiled at the thought of Fuegoleon, the love of your life. Currently, he was doing another training expedition with some of the Crimson Lions. So you were by yourself in the Vermillion Residence for the most part, save when Mimosa would come to visit. Although you were still a member of the Crimson Lions, you mostly stayed behind for home defense just in case something happened. So it wasn’t out of the ordinary for Fuegoleon to be gone for hours or days at a time. Although he wasn’t home for a lot of the time, when he was, everything was such perfection.

“He’s treating me just fine, don’t worry Mereo.” You smiled down at your menu, before choosing one of the things on the menu.

“How’s the wedding planning?”

“We’ve been taking our tome, he’s been busy with everything that’s going on. Things with the Spade Kingdom and what-not.”

She hummed, before looking down at her menu. The waitress came back with a bottle of wine and two glasses, placing each of them down before you two. Mereroleona took the bottle, uncorking it with her bare hands before pouring the two of you a glass. You smiled, thanking her before taking yours and taking a sip. The smooth fruity taste of the win hit your tastebuds in the right way as you gave another smile towards Mereo.

“I see…”

From there, the two of you talked, about anything really. The new spell you were training, her own training, (which is basically all she does), and little quips about her brother/your fiance tat made you both giggle and snicker.

--

You sighed, leaning against the window, staring out at the group of Crimson Lions training in the field. Although your eyes stared at them, your mind was far away.

“Fuegoleon!”

Eye teared up, burning with pain, you rushed up to your finance. He was currently laying across the bed, blankets pulled over him. You let out a shaky breath as you slowly reached out to him, the only sign of him being alive was his shallow breathing. That’s when you glanced over to his right, before eyes widening at the lack of his right arm. You must have been rocking back and forth, because you felt a hand rest at the small of your back, staying you. Your hands crumpled at your dress as you pulled the skirt up, allowing you to sit comfortably by his side. Your hands raked through his red hair, still dirty from the fight he just partook in.

Lips trembling, you shuffled your body to lay next to him, “my Fuegoleon.”

“.../n…. Y/n… Y/n!”

You gasped, jumping up slightly as you heard your name. Turning around, you found Fuegoleon standing not too far from you, eyes shining with concern. Oh, he was back already? You must have not seen him return, despite your eyes staying near the entrance once you came back from lunch with Mereo. The light from his arm caught your eye once more, the makeshift arm moving up and down as your soon-to-be husband walked towards you. Using his regular arm, he reached out towards you, cupping your face.

“Dear, what’s wrong?”

You just shook your head, turning away from him. He, however, didn’t take that, grabbing you by the arm before turning your around once again.

“Speak to me, please?” You could hear a soft pleading in his voice.

You sighed in resignation, before opening your eyes to look at him. His arm went from your own to your waist, pulling you closer. You felt a sudden heat, a force softly grabbing at you by the chin, before making you look at him.

“I just, I guess I’m just… I’m just remembering, back when you were in a coma.”

His grip around both your waist and ace loosened, and the slight drop in pressure allowed for you to escape his hold. You turned back towards the window, leaning against the windowsill. You could hear Feugoleon sigh, before walking up behind you. His two arms came up and rested themselves upon your shoulders, pulling you back towards him. He wrapped his arms around your waist and bent down, resting his head on top of your shoulder.

“I knew that must have been so difficult for you.”

You chuckled, all though there was no humor behind it, “you were the one in the coma.”

“It still must have been difficult for you, seeing me passed out with no way to talk to me. No idea if I’d ever wake up.”

“What do you mean?”

The doctor sighed, staring at you and the rest of the family, “Captian Vermillion was gravely injured, with the loss of his arm. There’s no way to say if he’ll ever wake up.”

You could felt your ears pop, and then you were on the floor. Right before you could hit it, Leopold caught you, holland you up by the shoulders. The rest of your family only gasped, whispering amongst themselves about the recovery of the current head of the Vermillion family. You ignored them all, you couldn’t even hear Leo’s calls for you. Your head buzzed around, you couldn’t think, you couldn’t speak. Fuegoleon.. your fiance? The love of your life? He could... Never recover? You may never see him again?

“We’ll monitor him, but the more time he takes, the less of a recovery chance he has.”

You only sighed, snuggling into his hold even more.

“We dealt with it though, and look, you recovered well. You even got one of the four elemental spirits,” you mumbled.

“That doesn’t mean the journey wasn’t difficult.”

“Y/n, you have to eat something. You’ll lose your strength.”

You could only shake your head, the friction of the bed rubbing against your head. It had been a week and some days since the doctor told you about Fuegoleon’s condition, a whole three weeks since he had been in a coma. You hadn’t left his side, hadn’t changed your clothes or anything, keeping yourself right by his side. Hoping to be there when he wakes up.

“Y/n please, you know he wouldn’t like to hear you are not eating, not taking care of yourself.”

You shook your head again. If your love couldn’t eat, you wouldn’t either.

“But, you’re right, I did recover, and I gained power even more than I could imagine.”

You smiled at that, sighing at the small kiss and nips he left on your cheek and neck.

“And now look at us, preparing for both a war and a wedding. Who other than you, could ever become part of the Vermillion family?”

You couldn’t hold back the giggle that came out of your mouth, squealing as he scooped you up into his arms. He carried you out of the room, mumbling something about having a walk in the family gardens.

[siriusmydeer]

For the Thank You Next can you do Imagine with James Potter?

thank you, next.

james potter x slytherin!fem!reader

summary: you go through the stages of love till you find your person.

word count: 2.3k

warnings: mutual pinning, over use of sarcasm it’s so bad, SWEARING, kissing, mentions of kissing, mentions of an arm falling off, mentions of injury

—0:00

‘Thought I'd end up with Sean

But he wasn't a match

Wrote some songs about Ricky

Now I listen and laugh

Even almost got married

And for Pete, I'm so thankful

Wish I could say "thank you" to Malcolm

'Cause he was an angel’

one day, when you’re young, your mother tells you, ‘there’s lots of fish in the sea, but you have to wait for the right catch’ or maybe that was just your deranged mother. normally, you thought all of that was bullshit. a slytherin princess should never be mistreated, someone whomst you honour and adore with all in your beating heart; turns out slytherin boys didn’t get the fucking memo.

the only person who did understand was the one and only, regulus arcturus black. but you unfortunately lacked sexual attraction to him so therefore you couldn’t date him, so that was a feigning issue. evan rosier was fit, top of his classes and a quite nice mop of blonde on his head, he was a quidditch player and a pureblood slytherin; so etiquette is to be clearly expected. too other schoolmates, especially the fawning girls of almost every house, he was probably the full package, one of the alpha males that roamed the hallways at hogwarts; oh were those girls the biggest knob heads to exist.

turns out he was just the biggest fucking dick to ever walk the planes of the earth, he ran around with idiots like lucius malfoy— another mistake of the century, and little severus snape; thank merlin, and salazar slytherin themselves you never resorted to him.

‘One taught me love

One taught me patience

And one taught me pain

Now, I'm so amazing

Say I've loved and I've lost

But that's not what I see

So, look what I got

Look at what you taught me

And for that, I say’

normally your first couple of boyfriends should teach you something out of the relationship, maybe what you needed to strengthen for the next time you were in an intimate relationship, like trust, communication, maybe even sexual intimacy.

all these absolute dunces taught you was to pick your boyfriends better, and to stay away from every slytherin male that had ever entered hogwarts. evan— oh, he only taught you that everyone and everything was a priority over you, always the ‘talk to you later.’ and the casual, ‘blowjob?’ comments; absolutely fucking arse. lucius, couldn’t forget his moto in your mind even if you jammed it in your strongly-witted brain that money was power and money over any atom to every exist.

regulus understood, strict pureblood parents but he still understood how to treat a partner. i guess it was nice not picking up every habit of walburger and onion— sorry, walburga and orion, noble heirs of the house of black. yeah, did i mention they were second cousins?

‘Thank you, next (next)

Thank you, next (next)

Thank you, next

I'm so grateful for my ex

Thank you, next (next)

Thank you, next (next)

Thank you, next (next)’

“you could always hang out with my brothers mates, i see them not casually oogling you.” oh regulus, sometimes you did lack the slytherin wit and ambition. he was sprawled on the malachite coloured couch, a pearly white quill fumbled between his slender digits as he started aimlessly into oblivion at the dying out fire in the midst of the frigid common room.

“yeah, let me go hang out with my best friends brothers friends, slytherin haters! such a good idea, reg. maybe they should’ve put you in ravenclaw from that amazing idea!” if you were sarcastic before, there aren’t a non-vulgar amount of words in the universe to describe the tremendous mockery in your tone; as you intensely stared into the crevices of the ceiling while laying on the opposite viridescent sofa.

“merlin, tone down the sarcasm a bit? i was just offering, it’s not like your a pureblood, or a prat.” regulus offered, looking at your form, your elbow now covering your eyes and making recurring heavy sighs every few minutes. “being a half-blood is enough for hatred, regulus, m’dear.” you sighed again, in defeat. hopeless romantic and hated by many, fantastic, am i right?

‘Spend more time with my friends

I ain't worried 'bout nothin'

Plus, I met someone else

We're havin' better discussions

I know they say I move on too fast

But this one gon' last

'Cause her name is Ari

And I'm so good with that (so good with that)’

don’t think, breath and just do what your heart tells you to. fuck that— panic, cry, scream, whatever, be scared. you were gaping at the red mass and overdue of shades, it wasn’t ugly but definitely not the prettiest colour to exist; mixed with mustard yellow. gryffindor students absolutely covered in both. well students, no, james potter, yes.

he happen to be your victim, well friend of sirius; regulus did say after all they oogled you, whatever that meant. you both played quidditch, pretty decent grades, both had good humour, your more so, i mean c’mon you couldn’t find that wit just anywhere, and well you could be best friends. well friends, acquaintances, maybe one, possibly. if only you had the confidence of a leo male, all you needed was to strut over to the damn quidditch field and say something, literally anything.

so that’s exactly what you did, your shoes crunching against the no-longer damp grass, dry after morning dew showers. your bag hanging off of your left arm, your head preoccupied with ways on how to greet someone because slytherin etiquette right now was not the way to go; it would only cause assumptions and stereotypes. i mean who the actual fuck says, ‘how do you do?’ anymore.

‘She taught me love (love)

She taught me patience (patience)

She handles pain (pain)

That amazing (yeah, she's amazing)

I've loved and I've lost (yeah, yeah)

But that's not what I see (yeah, yeah)

'Cause look what I've found (yeah, yeah)

Ain't no need for searching

And for that, I say’

enemies, nope. acquaintances, don’t think so. friends, getting there. close friends, i would say. if someone ever said they saw james fleamont potter hanging around a slytherin they would’ve assumed that someone was knocked upside the head with the biggest beaters bar you could find, but the green and red weren’t that bad of a mix after all.

henceforth, here you were giggling like school girls with james fucking potter right by the black lake. “james, respectfully, stop carrying that stupid snitch everywhere. doesn’t it weigh down your pockets?” you queried the boy who was fumbling with the golden snitch for the past three minutes, flipping his hair so he could knock the brunette tendrils from his eyes while he gaped at you.

you were glowing— the sun at its highest peek, he could’ve been on his knees thanking albus dumbledore in his office for free period; knowing james we would’ve offered to comb his beard and maybe even a shampoo and condition it while he was at it.

your eyes glittered as you chortled at him for dropping that stupid ball for the third time, your hair dancing in the wind like it was a routine, a perfect routine, your teeth glinting at the suns ethereal rays that hit you just right. imagine if james’ foolish cocky mask instead would’ve rejected your offer of friendship that one humid day on the quidditch pitch— he would’ve been the biggest git to ever stride the planet.

‘Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next (thank you)

I'm so grateful for my ex

Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next (said thank you, next)

Thank you, next (next)

I'm so grateful for my ex

Thank you, next

Thank you, next

Thank you, next’

friends, that’s what it was suppose to be. pals, mates, schoolmates, whatever the fuck you called it. it wasn’t suppose to be frenemies, to friends to lovers! you weren’t suppose to notice the navy blue flecks of colour in his cerulean eyes, the way his lips curled in a smile after he caught that silly snitch that blazed the thick sure after a hefty match, the way he brushed the tresses of hair behind your ears when the wind was assaulting your face and you were basically swallowing your hair.

now sitting with him in the library you were mentally stabbing your stygian heart, why men. why do they do things, why do men sometimes have the decency to show sympathy, and partiality with their friends. he hugged you, he kissed your forehead when you felt dejected, james potter went through the slytherin common room to bring you chocolates on your period. which fucking gryffindor would do that, huh? definitely not frank longbottom or fabian prewett.

his hand scathed yours as he pointed at how to make a draught of peace potion, his hand was warm and smooth but only from what you touched— you could see slight callouses forming on the pads of pads palm from broom handling, and the small cracks in his knuckles from the lacking use of lotion. you felt the rapid rate of your heart merely increasing at the minute from the slight touch, a rush of rose clouded your cheeks. this was so embarrassing.

‘One day I'll walk down the aisle

Holding hands with my mama

I'll be thanking my dad

'Cause she grew from the drama

Only wanna do it once, real bad

Gon' make that last

God forbid something happens

Least this song is a smash (song is a smash)’

you were mid flight, smashing a bludger in the direction of the vermillion colours. even when you were immensely sweaty, intensely panting, abundantly tired, and your arm looked like it wanted to fall off he wanted to kiss the energy back into you. james loved winning against slytherin, it might’ve been his favourite thing at hogwarts; but he would murder a pack of death eaters if it meant he got to see your smile when your emerald-clad seeker clutched that small golden ball.

both teams landed, a handshake due for the game to be over after almost two continuous hours of playing and that stubborn ball blazing the air. he meant to walk over there, a hug overdue in his prideful way of saying congratulations but he did not think that he would’ve strided over to your panting figure and clasped your soft cushion lips with his own parched ones from the continuous heaving in his breath.

your lips tasted of peach, hints of mango. your lips dried of chapstick but still smooth— feeling the grooves in your lips, they were puffy and swollen probably from the tremendous amount of times you had bitten your lips in anxiety. your lips disconnected for a moment, suddenly realizing that you had an audience of your fellow slytherins, your enemy gryffindors and not one but two shocked crowds of hufflepuffs and ravenclaws suddenly watching the private scene unfold.

james cleared his throat, looking at your grinning face that was encased between his palms, your face was significantly flushed, your chest moving every millisecond at the loss of breath in your lungs. “good, uh, good game james.”

‘I've got so much love (love)

Got so much patience (patience)

I've learned from the pain (pain)

I turned out amazing (turned out amazing)

I've loved and I've lost (yeah, yeah)

But that's not what I see (yeah, yeah)

'Cause look what I've found (yeah, yeah)

Ain't no need for searching

And for that, I'll say’

cocky, quidditch captain, school prankster, pureblood gryffindor, and head boy. that to the peering eyes of hogwarts was james potter, but he was so much more than that. he was like an onion, gross comparison but for the sake of it you’ll use it, he had layers but everyday it’s like you cried a little less and you peeled just a bit more.

he was benevolent, he guided first years to common rooms and sometimes he studied with fourth year hufflepuffs. he was sensible, sometimes, he helped out madame pomfrey in the healers wing when remus had been injured from a full moon along with any remaining students in the ward from previous incidents, not to mention, you did uncover remus’ ‘furry secret’ and swore to secrecy. and most of all, james was cherishing, he actually did give a fuck when you had a bad day, he stroked your back and hummed you stupid baby lullabies.

i mean could you imagine lucius malfoy and evan rosier humming a girl lullabies when they were upset? celebratory kisses after quidditch, bringing you snacks while you were overwhelmed in school work and actually made an effort in the relationship? they would’ve bought you a pair of red bottoms and called it a day.

‘Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next

I'm so grateful for my ex

Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next (said thank you, next)

Thank you, next (next)

I'm so grateful for my ex

Thank you, next

Thank you, next

Thank you, next

Yeah’

there was infact one thing that your past relationships taught you;

never date a man to ever be put in the slytherin house ever again.

taglist: @kittykylax @ronbrokemyheart @aspiringsloth20 @maddoxsmythologicalmind @amourtentiaa @msmb @five-cups-of-coffee @emmaev @serenitywilderness @spencerfuckingreidswhore @artemis1orion @famdomhideout @hufflepogue @dear-luna @luvvninaz @miraclesoflove @black-like-my-soul @sirius-animagus

[moonofthenight]

Covered in Rainbow

Happy Pride Month to all the lovely people out there, this is a safe space for all of you and this is our month to celebrate who we are!

*

Credits for O’Knutzy goes to @lumosinlove

*

CW conversation of not being out

Leo woke up to a missing Logan and a sleepy Finn pressed to his side. The blonde glanced at the clock, 7:30am, they still had a few hours until they needed to be at the rink. 

It wasn’t Leo’s first pride game he will see but it will be the first he will actually play in and he was nervous. He didn’t exactly know why, it’s not like he will come out to the public or announce his relationship today, there wasn’t enough confidence there yet, but still, it felt special. 

“Mhh where’s Lo?”, mumbled Finn, face pressed into the pillows. 

Just as Leo was about to answer, the door opened and Logan padded into their bedroom, a package in his hand. His hair was everywhere and the left side of his face was still a bit red from the good night of sleep. It made Leo chuckle.

“Who the fuck decided that the mailman should work this early today? I don’t approve,” Logan grumbled as he crawled back between Finn and Leo, who wrapped his arm around Logan’s shoulder almost immidiatly while Finn cuddled back into the side of his brown-haired boyfriend.

“Let’s see what this is,” Leo said, ripping the package open with Logan’s help.

He pulled out three new jerseys, their numbers on the back in rainbow colours. The ones they would wear today are identical but probably already in the locker room. Normally, they don’t get another pair send to them but they specifically asked Arthur for three extras, just for them to keep and to remember.

Leo didn’t realise that he had just stared at his for a while now until a warm hand on his leg snapped him out of his thoughts.

“Hey, you okay sweetheart?”

“What? Oh, yeah, yeah. I’m just a bit nervous, I guess and maybe a bit sad that we can’t really, you know, be out and celebrate like Cap and Loops can.”

“We still can. We know, the team knows, our families know and one day everyone else will too but until then, we can enjoy the privacy while we show full support for Cap and Remus,” Finn said, now definitely a bit more awake.

---

They arrived at the rink a few hours later. They expected a bit of decoration, yes, but what they were welcomed with wasn’t just a little bit. Different pride flags hung on every wall, Lion’s stickers with the pride colours layed on the tables in the entrance hall for the fans to take and to Leo’s surprise, Nat was sitting at another table in the foyer, several brushes and paint in front of her. 

“Nat? What are you doing here?”, said Leo while he walked towards her, pulling her into a hug, Logan and Finn giving her a quick wave, already half way around the corner.

“I will paint a few faces today. Kase told me about the idea and I said I would to it. You wanna be my first?”

Leo looked at her, then at the paint and back at her. Maybe…

“Could you- can you put pride flags on my cheeks?”

She gave him a soft smile, “Of course I can, sit down.”

She prepared the colours and grabbed Leo’s chin to keep him in place.

“So, how is life?”

“Good, good,” Natalie answered, waiting patiently for Leo to spill his thoughts while she countinued to paint his face.

“I feel like I’m letting them down.”

There it is.

“They deserve what Sirius and Remus have and I can’t give that to them yet. It’s pride month, we should be able to go on the streets to celebrate ourselves, for fucks sake, this is just so unfair.”

Leo exhaled sharply, looking directly into Nat’s eyes. She let go of his face, set down the brush, giving him her full attention.

“You are not letting them down Leo, not ever. I don’t think they care, they love you and that is enough for them. Of course it’s unfair and you are right, you should be able to be out. But you can’t, I can’t, Kase and Alex can’t and we hate it as much as you do. But we will one day. Now, love, let me finish my work of art.”

That made Leo smile again and his heart a bit lighter. This is what he liked about Natalie so much, he always was so reasonable and reminded him that they weren’t alone.

A few minutes in silence passed before Nat ruffled his hair, “All done.”

“Thank you, really.”

“You’re welcome. Now go and kiss your boys.”

“Will do,” said Leo with a smile, making his way over towards the locker room.

He was greeted with loud chatter and laughter.

“Knutty! Nice face paint!”

“Your girlfriend is an artist, Bliz!”

Leo threw his bag into his stall, searching for his two lovers.

“You look gorgeous,” a voice said behind him, two strong arms wrapped around his waist. 

He leaned into Finn’s warmth.

“I wasn’t sure if I should do it. Where’s Lo?”

“I’m here, sorry, Olli wanted to show me something. Oh, nice face paint you got there, sweetheart.”

Logan wrapped his arms around Leo too, over Finn’s, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I love you three, now give me a kiss too,” Finn said, moving, so he could grab Leo’s face properly. The kiss was so incredibly soft and filled with love, it made Leo’s knees go weak. 

They parted and Finn gave Logan a kiss too, Leo still being a bit out of it.

“Harzy, I have some rainbow tape for you,” said Remus suddenly, from the other side of the room.

The three of them looked over and couldn’t hold back a smile. Sirius’ head was hidden in the crock of Remus’ neck, his arms around his waist, the legs thrown over his lap.

“It’s in the bag in front of you. I can’t really move right now,” Remus smiled, pressing a kiss on the black hair.

Most of the team already taped their sticks with it so the three of them made quick work out of it and soon enough their sticks had rainbow tape on them too. 

Leo suddenly felt a big wave of appreciation as he changed. He couldn’t wish for a better team, a better family. He didn’t know what he would do without them, he didn’t even want to imagine what would be if they weren’t so supportive…

“Peanut, let’s go.”

Leo’s head snapped up as Logan grabbed his hand, pulling him forward, kissing it before letting go again.

Leo’s steps faltered when he got closer to the rink; he was blown away. 

The stadium was covered in pride flags, covered.

He took off his goalie mask, letting his gaze wander over the stands. This was insane.

There were a lot of younger fans, he noticed. Most of them looked like something between 16 and 19 but he couldn’t say for sure. He tried to read a few signs, squinting his eyes together.

Thank you for encouraging me

Love is Love

Best Captain Ever

He was in complete awe; This was better than he could have ever imagined it; He was standing on the ice, he was able to see it.

The Penguins on the other side of the rink smiled at them, occasionally stopping to chat with them and he noticed the same tape as his on their sticks. He smiled, brightly.

Leo touched his bracelet; one day. They didn’t know know but they know he supports it and that's enough. For now.

[fitzfangirl]

Imagine being jealous of Simmons

Fitz x Reader

Takes place during Season 3 Episode 18 “The Singularity,” but has some canon divergence

The door was ajar so you snuck in his room unannounced. He was sporting a black suit and white shirt, fastening his black tie in the full length mirror. Simple yet dapper. You missed his usual garb. Your favorite was the polka-dotted button-up shirt with matching tie, topped with a cardigan sweater. Lately, he opted for a blazer atop a neutral-colored shirt, much to your chagrin. “Is it hot in here or is it me?”

The saucy comment startled Fitz. He turned around, pleasantly surprised to see you. “Oh, y/n.” He revealed a dampened smile, trying to maintain his focus on his upcoming mission.

Your eyes widened. “Holy sexy glasses, Batman! Wow, Leo, just wow.” You were at a loss for words to express how alluring he looked.

“Oh, you like them?” he inquired, oblivious to the innuendo. “They have a camera so Mack can see everything I see, plus there’s multi-spectral imaging to scan for cybernetic body parts on the guests.”

You shivered at the thought. “Those glasses, they do something for me, babe.” You slowly ran your hands up his shoulders and down his chest. Fitz averted his gaze.

“Y/n, not now. This is serious.”

“I’m sorry. Just do me a favor,” you pleaded.

“What?” he wondered, intrigued.

“Keep them on when you get back. I’ve got plans for you.”

“You know they have a camera, y/n?”

“I’m not complaining,” you winked. “So, tell me again why you have to go all the way to Romania with Simmons?”

“I told you, before, we’re posing as top-level geneticists looking to make a sale.” He motioned toward the silver case containing the cybernetic eye while wrapping his arms around your waist.

“Still, I’m sure someone else—”

“Simmons and I know the science. We know how to get through to Doctor Radcliffe.” You frowned. “What is it?”

You avoided his blue eyes, embarrassed by the words about to leave your mouth. “You never dress up for me.”

He removed your hands from his chest and pulled them to his lips. “You’re the one who never wants to go anywhere nice.”

“Well, maybe I changed my mind.”

He heard the clicking of heels. “We’ll talk about this when I get back.” He kissed your knuckles one last time.

Simmons entered and you scowled, annoyed at the intrusion. She was always stealing Fitz away from you. You looked over and were shocked. “Jemma, you look stunning.”

“I feel a bit weird all dressed up like this,” your modest teammate confessed. “Do I look weird?”

“Not at all,” you assured her. “The jacket and red lipstick are perfect on you. I envy you.”

With that boost of confidence, Jemma approached her partner. “Well, Fitz, shall we?”

You took one last look at your boyfriend before he left arm-in-arm with the last person you’d want him to be alone with. “Fitz-Simmons!”

They let go of each other and spun around. “Yes,” they replied, simultaneously.

“Don’t be too convincing,” you glowered. “Remember, those glasses have a camera.”

…

Fitz-Simmons returned and were debriefed by Coulson. When the Director was through with the pair, you met your boyfriend in his room.

“So, how’d it go? I see you made it back in one piece.”

“Exactly as planned.” Fitz was pleased with his success. “We start working with Doctor Radcliffe tomorrow. Now we’re one step closer to stopping Hive.”

“How’d those glasses work out?

“Well, I designed them, so…”

“Easy with the ego, Turbo,” using Mack’s nickname for the genius engineer. You gave him a hug, but embraced him a bit too long and he felt you fidgeting.

“Y/n, what are you doing?”

“Checking for lipstick,” you admitted, matter-of-factly. You inspected his neck and white collar for stains while sniffing for the slightest hint of perfume.

“Why?”

“I have to be sure nothing happened between you and Simmons.”

“Never even held her hand. Would you prefer to watch the camera footage?”

You let him go. “Hey, I’m allowed to be jealous. Do you ever get jealous?”

“Well, before we were together, I was green with envy when you became close with Hunter. That is, until he convinced me you were just friends. There was that one time you and Daisy dragged Jemma and I to that bar—against our will I might add—and I had to watch you flirt with other men. The way they looked at you—.” He cut himself off, angered by the memory.

“Part of me wanted you to be jealous. That’s why I kept looking over to you all night, to see if you gave a damn.”

“Oh I gave a damn alright. I couldn’t take my eyes off you while you were dancing.” He thought you were super sexy at the bar and couldn’t help but pleasure himself to those images later that night.

“But what about now? Now that we’re together?”

“Well, not really. You’re always showing me how much you care and stroking my ego.”

“That’s not the only thing I love to stroke,” you divulged.

He rolled his eyes at your bawdy comment. “However, I do get jealous of men you find intelligent. When you show them the same attention you showed me when we met. Asking too many questions, looking up to them.”

“You know I love to learn. I can’t help it if they fascinate me. You should know by now that I consider you the most intelligent person I’ve ever encountered. And the sweetest and hottest,” you droned on. “No one comes close to you, Leo.” Your eyes scanned the room. “Now where are those glasses? I want that sexy agent back here to scan my body for cybernetic parts.” He went to grab them, excited about the role-playing that was to come.

“Where are you going?”

“To get my red lipstick. I want to mark my territory.”

[lumosinlove]

Sweater Weather

part xxi

[see tags for tw]

Regulus liked the cubs. Finn was a little out there maybe, but Logan, off of the ice at least, was steady and put together.

Leo had snorted when he’d told him what he thought. “Interesting take.”

They didn’t seem to mind having him around, although there wasn’t much time lately when Regulus didn’t feel like an intruder on something. Living in his brother’s house when he probably wanted to be alone with Remus. Leo inviting him over to nights that would probably feel and go differently if he wasn’t there.

But he didn’t feel unwelcome. Just out of place. Which was surprising, given the fact that he was a Snake. Had been. He still felt like he was one, anyway. A Snake. An intruder. Out of place.

And now the Lupins were here to stay and Regulus was self-aware enough to realize that he was seeing for the first time what was probably the most loving family in the entire world.

“Julian, sweetheart, you have to let Sirius rest. He’s got some big days coming up, as you well know.”

Julian looked up at his mother.

Regulus wasn’t sure if Julian liked him all that much yet. Although, he didn’t really blame the kid. When you were little, the rivalries seemed like a full-blown military crises. That was how the Lions had seemed to him, at least. A real beast, with sharp teeth. He imagined that, for Julian, he had venom and a tail that rattled.

“But—” Julian looked up at Sirius, who was playing goalie in one of the make-shift nets that he had set up in the living room.

“It’s okay, Hope,” Sirius said. “We’ll go another half hour.”

“You’ll go until dinner, which is in ten minutes,” Hope said.

“Well, it that case, bud, we should go help set the table, non?” Sirius stood straight from his goalie-crouch. “We can play more later.”

“Really?” Julian said, clutching his hockey stick.

“Mais, oui. Allez, let’s go help your dad and Re.”

It left Regulus alone with Hope in Sirius’ large living room. Hope was a mother. Regulus didn’t know how to put her smile and that role together yet. He watched her put her hands on her hips and look around. Even Regulus had to admit that the living room was mostly empty and bland. Sirius clearly didn’t know what to do with a house besides sleep and eat there.

“Well,” Hope said, and then smiled at Regulus. “Needs some brightening, huh?”

“Probably.”

Hope nodded. “Probably. Come on, let’s eat.”

Regulus followed her through to the dining room where Lyall was setting plates of salmon and rice down, along with a large salad. As Sirius sat down, Julian all but climbed over Remus to get the chair beside him. Remus’ eyes found Regulus’, maybe by accident, but he smiled, and Regulus did, too, a little. Regulus gestured to his own chair, on Sirius’ other side, and moved across the table instead. He sort of wanted to sit beside Hope, anyway. He wasn’t sure why.

“Here you go, sweetheart,” Hope said, passing him a glass of water and a bread roll.

“Thank you.”

Family dinners had not been like this. He found Sirius’ eyes, and the thought seemed to pass between them.

Really, the place was crawling with families. Not Sirius’ house, but Gryffindor. Hogwarts Arena. Regulus had watched Logan be practically tackled by someone who could only have been Leo’s mother, with her bright blond hair. Leo’s father, also blond, had walked right up to Pascal, shaking his hand. He had a sharpie in his back pocket and a wide smile. Finn also looked just like his mother. Haley O’Hara and her dark red hair, cropped in a pixie cut, shared her sons’ easy smiles, but her startling blue eyes were her own. Ramsey O’Hara was dark haired and brown eyed, and always video taping. Alex had been wearing a Heart-throb-O’Hara t-shirt. Marius and Iva Tremblay were quieter, but Iva looked just like her son, and kept pulling Logan into her arms, her eyes almost relieved when they looked at her son’s smile. The Tremblay sisters were anything but quiet.

Regulus, while surrounded, had tended to keep close to one wall. The quiet kindness of the Lupins was welcomed.

Regulus also kept to himself during dinner, listening to the conversation and taking seconds—and thirds—of the food.

“Hungry teenage hockey player,” Lyall laughed, raising his wine glass towards Regulus. “That’s something I remember, eh, Remus?”

Remus smiled and glanced at Sirius. “I don’t think the hungry part stops after teenage years, dad.”

Sirius glanced up, mouth full. “No, it doesn’t.”

Regulus smiled, watching as Julian seemed to be trying to time his own bites with Sirius’. He remembered being that obsessed only, back then, it was just a little brother thing, not a Captain Sirius Black thing.

“So,” Hope said, leaning on her elbows and lacing her fingers. “For the dinner tomorrow. Re, why don’t you and Sirius go get the food?”

“Please let me go with,” Julian said. “Please, please, mom.”

“You’re on house duty with me. Plus, Remus and Sirius will be going right from morning skate, so—”

“He can come to morning skate with us,” Sirius said.

Remus nodded. “Yeah, mom, it’s no problem.”

“You’ll both be working, who would—”

“I don’t need to be watched, mom,” Julian begged. “Please let me go.”

“Julian, it’s not a babysitter, it’s just that—”

“I can…” Regulus glanced around. “Not watch him, but…we can hang out.”

The table went a little quiet. Regulus felt a little dizzy, like someone was going to swing at him. He knew that wasn’t true.

“I’ll probably go to the rink and watch, anyways,” Regulus continued into the quiet, looking at Julian, then Hope. “I’m going out with Leo after, so.”

“Leo Knut?” Hope said and then smiled. “Oh, I’m so glad you two are friends.”

Everyone kept saying that.

“Well, Jules?” Hope said. “Alright?”

“Okay,” Julian said hesitantly, eyes on Regulus. Regulus flashed him a tight smile and then looked back down to his plate.

He volunteered for clean up duty, just so he didn’t have to make conversation. It wasn’t awkward, but he wasn’t used to these laughter filled living rooms. He wasn’t used to Sirius’ laugh. It threw him off guard.

“Regulus?”

Regulus looked up from the sink to see Remus behind him in the kitchen window’s reflection. He was all shades of night, until Regulus turned around and he was warm again. Remus looked almost nervous, leaning back against the refrigerator.

“What’s up?” Regulus said.

“I just,” Remus glanced down the hallway, then shrugged. “I know Julian’s…not exactly warmed up to you. Thank you for offering anyway.”

Regulus turned back around to the soapy water. “Don’t worry about that. I get it. I’d probably be the same.”

“It’s just that, it isn’t you. It’s—”

“Remus, I know what it’s like to be brought up in a hockey household. There’s a whole lot of loyalty. And sometimes loyalty doesn’t change easily,” Regulus glanced back once more. “Don’t worry. I understand. I’m a Snake right now. He’s a Lion. I’m someone who betrayed their brother, and he’s someone who loves his brother more than anything.”

He could feel Remus’ eyes on his back.

“I understand,” he said again, and turned the water back on.

“Well, thank you again. I think you guys will like each other a lot.”

Regulus nodded. “I hope so.”

~

It was the Lions’ last practice before they would get on a plane for game one against the Snakes. Regulus knew he would be taking a risk, traveling with the team there. But he wanted to show that he wasn’t afraid. Part of him even hoped that he ran into Snape, or Riddle, or Malfoy, or any of them. Just to show that he was better off. The other part of him didn’t want to care what they thought.

Regulus could picture the stadium and the entire, green crowd that hissed and cheered. With the drums of the music, a single spot-light would appeared on the ice, and with each successive beat, one of three very familiar words. The Snakes’ motto.

ALWAYS

PURE

HOCKEY

Toujours pur, Regulus could remember his father saying to them growing up, accompanied by the slap of pucks against the boards, and endless drills. Toujours pur, toujours pur—

Someone tapped his arm, and Regulus looked up to meet Leo’s gaze. He was lacing his skates.

“Ça va?” he said, which made Logan look up.

“Oui,” Logan said, then noticed Leo looking at Regulus, not him. “Oh. Ça va?”

“I hope you beat them,” Regulus said. “That’s all.”

“Well, yeah,” Logan laughed, wrapping tape around his socks tightly. “Me too.”

“Regulus,” Julian came up to them. He was in a Tremblay jersey today and Logan wrestled him into a gentle headlock, making him laugh before looking back up at Regulus. “Sirius is going out to warm up can we please go watch?”

Leo smiled. “Take him out.”

Regulus couldn’t help but smile a little, too. “All right. Allez.”

Sirius was doing shooting drills, rubbing absentmindedly at his healed ribs. It was nice to be around the sounds of the ice again. Sirius’ basement didn’t count.

Remus was on the bench, sitting on the boards with his feet dangling near the ice. Every once in a while, Sirius would swoop by for a kiss, or to say something that made Remus laugh. The other boys were filing out slowly. Finn and Logan were passing a puck back and forth while Leo dropped into the splits, stretching and talking to them. Evgeni and Jackson were ramming each other into the boards and laughing. The atmosphere would change once Coach came out, but Regulus now knew that it wasn’t like in Slytherin. There was never any silence. The laughter never went away, not even when they were working hard.

“Why did you leave?” Julian asked suddenly. He was standing nearly pressed against the glass, watching. They made eye contact in the slight reflection from the lights. He looked just like his older brother, something people always said to Regulus, too.

“I…” Regulus took a breath. “I wanted to leave.”

“Why?”

“I wanted better for myself,” Regulus said carefully. “I think we should always want the best for ourselves, non?”

“What if you can’t have the best? My brother wanted to play hockey.”

Regulus glanced over at Remus, laughing as Kasey squirted him with his water bottle, and thought of the right words.

“What’s best isn’t always attached to a thing or a person?” he tried. “Sometimes it’s a good attitude. What I meant was, I thought I was stuck. Then, my brother showed me I wasn’t.”

“So, Sirius is the best for you?”

“Sirius showed me that I could be the best for me. But, oui, Sirius is pretty great. So is your brother.”

“I know that,” Julian said, and rested his forehead against the glass again. He was quiet, and then, “You said bad things about Sirius. I saw it on youtube.”

Regulus chewed on his cheek. “Yeah.”

“But then you said good things.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you say sorry?”

Regulus swallowed. “Yeah.”

“That’s good.”

Sirius skated up fast and hard and stopped in front of the glass, knocking his helmet over where Julian had his forehead. Julian laughed and knocked gently back.

“Ça va?” Sirius asked, glancing at Regulus.

“Oui,” Julian replied and Regulus nodded.

“Hey Jules,” Sirius said, loudly to be heard over the noises of practice. “Tell Reg to make you un sandwich de la rondelle in the kitchen.”

He skated away with a grin at Regulus, who couldn’t help but smile back. The words brought back a memory that he hadn’t thought about in a long time. It left Julian looking half expectant and half skeptical.

“Allez,” Regulus sighed as he pushed himself up from his seat. “I’ll let you in on a Sirius Black tradition.”

“Okay,” Julian grinned.

The Lions kitchen was a strange sense of déjà-vu. It was the Snakes’, only awash in brighter colors.

“What’s a sandwich…sandwich ron…”

“Sandwich de la rondelle,” Regulus repeated, opening cupboards until he found bread and peanut butter, and swiping a banana from the counter.

“It’s a peanut butter and banana sandwich,” Julian said.

“Oui, sort of. But—Les bananes,” Regulus held up the fruit. “Sirius use to fry them in cinnamon and honey and then they would become darker because they’re caramelized. They would look like little hockey pucks, or la rondelle.”

“I want one,” Julian said. “Please.”

Regulus laughed. “I thought you might.”

~

Sirius watched from the bed as Remus pulled on a long sleeved white shirt. The cotton clung to his strong shoulders and he shook the sleeve out over his watch. Sirius could see his star necklace through the thin fabric. Remus pushed his sandy hair off of his forehead and looked up at the shelves again, patted his dark jeans, and then turned the closet light off. He stopped when he stepped out and raised an eyebrow.

“That’s not exactly what I call dressed for guests who are showing up in—” he looked at his watch. “ten minutes.”

Sirius stretched out against the bed. “You look good, Loup.”

“I’m wearing jeans and a shirt.”

“I said you look good, I don’t care what you’re wearing.”

Remus smiled and knelt on the mattress. “Then in that case, you look good, too.”

“I’m naked.”

“Then what’s that on your face?”

Sirius groaned. “It’s tradition.” He touched the dark beard on his cheeks and chin. He was keeping it short and neat, rather than letting it grow wild like some of the other guys, but he still felt a little self-conscious. “It isn’t that bad…”

Remus crawled forward until he was poised over Sirius’ body. “You know you look good.” He leaned down to brush a kiss over Sirius’ cheek, feeling the coarse stubble against his lips. “But this place is going to be filled with families in two seconds.”

“Hm,” Sirius leaned up to kiss Remus’ throat, and Remus felt the scratch there, too.

“Parents,” Remus warned.

Sirius kissed along Remus’ jaw.

“Dumo.”

Sirius sighed. “We should get dressed.”

Sirius, forced into a pair of tight jeans and a button down by Remus, opened the front door to see Pascal standing there with Katie on his shoulders.

“Bonsoir,” Pascal said. “I come bearing hungry children and the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Sirius laughed and Celeste slapped Pascal’s chest. “Well, there’s a Leo Knut cooking with a Hope Lupin so I think we’ll be able to help with that.”

“Is Logan here?” Adele said, pushing her way past her family.

“Yeah, living room. What, don’t care about me anymore?”

She rolled her eyes and gave him a hard hug before disappearing into the house.

Celeste gave Sirius a smile, looking after Adele. “We are still missing Logan being just downstairs. You were a hard loss, too, you know.”

“Tremzy,” Katie said and pointed forward.

Logan appeared with Adele under his arm and Pascal ducked down so Logan could take Katie into his arms.

“Salut, Katie,” Logan pressed kisses to her cheeks until she laughed.

Sirius watched them wander off towards the kitchen and then looked back at Celeste. “I think it goes both ways.”

“I am going to see if the chefs need any help,” Celeste said, and followed Logan and her daughters towards the kitchen.

Sirius watched them for a moment, and then turned back to Pascal. “Where are Louis and Marc?”

“Sleepover,” Pascal laughed and stepped inside, handing Sirius a bottle of wine. “I guess playoffs aren’t that cool anymore. Katie seems to like hockey the best.”

“She’d make a killer center.”

Pascal scoffed. “Killer, eh? Been hanging out with Remus.”

Sirius smiled. “Of course.”

“What about your younger one?”

Sirius closed the door and the warmth of the house picked up again. “With the younger Lupin down at the rink.”

“Oh? They are friends now?”

“I was surprised, too.”

Pascal patted Sirius’ back as they came through to the kitchen. “Kids are quick to forgive.”

“Blow on the spoon first,” Leo was saying to Katie. “So you don’t burn your tongue, and then tell me what you think.”

Logan laughed softly, kissing Katie’s cheek again. “Our entire dinner is riding on you, mon coeur.”

Sirius watched as Katie blew very carefully on the waiting bolognese sauce, and then let Leo feed her the spoon while she held onto Logan’s neck. His eyes found Finn next, who had a look on his face that Sirius knew well. Sirius looked at Remus, holding a glass of wine and talking to Eloise Knut and Hope.

Sirius could get used to this.

“Where are your parents, Dumo?” Sirius asked.

“I’ll fly them out when we win,” Pascal smiled, knocked on Sirius’ head, and then put a hand on his shoulder. “You know… Sometimes I want to shove you back in my basement and never let you out. But then I remember you’re not the same boy you were.”

One corner of Sirius’ mouth lifted. “That would be threatening, coming from someone else.”

“Yes, but you know what I mean.”

“Ouais,” Sirius said, and put his hand over Pascals. “I know.”

“This has been a hard season. Your team is going to work hard for you.”

“Pascal,” Sirius said softly.

“Dumasha,” Sergei’s gruff voice called, and he appeared beside them, clapping Pascal on the back. “Come play bubble hockey with me. I’m beating all the kids. Omg.”

“No, he’s not,” Thomas yelled.

“I’ll win,” Pascal warned.

“We’ll see, you lumberjack,” Sergei patted Pascal’s thick beard before retreating back towards the living room.

Pascal tussled Sirius’ hair once before following, and Sirius watched him go. His memories of living with the Dumais’ felt at once distant and like yesterday. The earliest ones were covered with ice. He had been terrified of his own family and his new one. The later ones went from ice to slowly melting frost to new, spring soil. Pascal had done that. And Celeste and the kids. And Arthur, and the team.

Remus.

Sirius walked over to where he was standing with the two women.

“Well, if it isn’t Sirius Black,” Eloise smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “Hi, honey.”

Sirius, a little surprised, laughed. “Hi, Mrs. Knut. Hope.”

“Hello, sweetheart,” Hope said. “Nice party we have here.”

“Thanks to you and Remus.”

“Oh,” Hope laughed and rubbed Sirius’ shoulder. “You have a beautiful house, it should be filled with your loved ones. A truly beautiful house…”

“Mom,” Remus laughed. “You can stop telling Sirius his house is beautiful.”

“Then I’ll tell him he’s beautiful. And probably so will your father. Sirius, my husband loves you.”

“Tell me about it,” Eloise said. “Wyatt’s walking around with a sharpie, so if you see him be ready.”

Sirius huffed out a laugh. “I’m ready.”

“He loves you. Not as much as Jules, of course,” Hope said.

Remus gestured to himself. “Um.”

“Of course, not as much as Remus,” Hope and Eloise smiled at each other. “I’ll leave you two. I’m going to find that Potter baby.”

Eloise hummed. “I’m gonna go convince Leo’s boys to move home with him for the summer.”

Remus smiled. “I don’t think you’ll have too hard a time.”

“Oh, I know I won’t.”

Sirius pulled Remus against his side, leaning back against the wall to look out at the scene that the kitchen was. Remus settled against him.

“You know,” Remus began, and then cut off.

“Quoi?” Sirius asked. He looked down at Remus’ thoughtful smile.

“Whether or not things…happen…”

Sirius laughed, knowing that this was Remus’ way of getting around setting him off in a round of superstition.

Remus looked up at him. “We’re doing pretty great.”

“I was just thinking that.”

“Good.”

Remus tilted his chin up, obviously wanting a kiss, and Sirius complied.

“I can’t believe we’re getting on a plane tomorrow,” Sirius sighed.

“Is Regulus still coming?”

Sirius nodded grudgingly. “No matter how many times I tell him it might be a bad idea. Even Minnie says—”

“He lost his rookie season,” Remus said. “I think he needs to be a part of this.”

“He’ll get—harassed by reporters.”

“So will you, and you’re still going.”

Sirius smiled and pulled Remus in closer, wine glass pressed carefully against the small of his back as he looped his arms around him. “That’s different.”

Remus wrinkled his nose. “Is it?”

“I’m the Captain. I’m just worried.”

“A true Captain’s job,” Logan said as he passed them, Timmy and Olli in tow.

“I am,” Sirius said after them, and when he looked back down it was to be kissed by Remus.

“Dinner!” Leo shouted, Hope beside him putting a stack of plates out. “Y’all come get it.”

“I’m gonna die,” Finn sighed, stopping beside them. “The accent is so here right now and I’m just—I’m gonna die.”

“Harzy, are you talking to us?” Remus asked.

Alex looked up from where he was standing with Kasey and Natalie. “Just ignore him, he’s a fucking puppy.”

“I’m pep-talking myself,” Finn took a long sip of his drink. “For life.”

Alex patted his back. “Okay, Fish, get it together.”

“Stop yelling at me.”

“I’m not yelling at you.”

“You’re yelling. I’m telling mom.”

Alex scoffed as they walked towards the food. “You can’t tell mom.”

Sirius snorted and pulled Remus away towards the plates to serve themselves.

~

Game one was rough and fast and disappointing. When Sirius had first skated out, the hisses had been deafening. Remus had watched from the bench with his nails digging into his palms. The Snakes had won 3-0. Close, but not enough. Kasey had made forty saves. Elias Cook had taken a puck to the knee and Remus knew even before evaluating him that he might be out for the run. Snape had been vicious. But so had Sirius. The locker room had been crowded, the families wonderful but adding pressure, and Remus was more than happy to watch Sirius collapse on their hotel bed. He was still in his game suit, but it was rumpled. The steely color had faded as the adrenaline did, and he looked tired.

“Fuck,” Sirius sighed, and raised his chin to look at Remus. “Why are you standing over there? C’mere.”

Remus laughed and chucked his bag down before falling beside Sirius onto the bed.

“Hell of a game,” Remus said. “It’s just one game.”

“Yeah,” Sirius replied, and then was quiet. “Riddle’s a good goalie.”

“So is Kasey.”

“No, I know, I just… we really couldn’t get a single shot in. I’m just happy we weren’t at home. God, Kasey’s probably just…kicking himself right now.”

“Nat’s here. And his family. She’ll talk some sense into him.” Remus said. After a moment, he groaned and sat up again. “Speaking of home, we should pack for the flight back tomorrow.”

Sirius groaned. “Come back.”

Remus laughed. “We have to be out the door at six tomorrow, and I know you won’t want to get up early to do it then. Just put your suit away, that’s all you brought anyway.”

“I just played an entire hockey game.”

Remus suppressed a smile as he took one of Sirius’ ankles and pulled off his shoe. “The world doesn’t know you’re like this.”

“Non.”

“I could tell them, you know.”

Sirius laughed. “That you undress me?”

Remus smiled. When both shoes had clunked to the floor, he straddled Sirius’ hips, hands going to his belt. “You’re right, maybe not.”

Sirius smiled and let his head fall back with a groan. “Fuck.” Remus let Sirius pull him down against his chest. “You’re so hot, but I’m so tired.”

“Oh, no way we were not about to have sex. You are waking up at six in the morning and you’re playing the game of your life the next night.”

Sirius let out a content sigh. “Hm.”

Remus pressed a kiss to his neck and then reached for the buttons of his shirt.

“I think we have to go to the net harder,” Sirius said thoughtfully as Remus pulled him into a sitting position.

“I think we need to get a handle on our power play,” Remus said, pushing Sirius’ shirt over his broad shoulders. He kissed those, too. “I think Coach should put Finn back on it. He’s ruthless when he wants to be.”

Sirius hummed. “Yeah. Him and James do well together, too. Will you murder me if I watch some tape?”

“You’re going to sleep.”

“I just want to see that second period play. You know—”

“Tremz was off-side and, no, Carrow didn’t push him,” Remus smiled when Sirius made a face. “Believe me, it happened right in front of me.”

“We were going to score.”

“I know,” Remus bent to kiss the scar on Sirius’ cheek, then the one on his lip. “But that’s hockey.”

Sirius kicked his pants off once Remus stood to go to his own suitcase. “I wish we had come out of the gate strong, that’s all.”

Remus snorted, tugging off his shirt. “Nice media lingo, there.”

Sirius rolled onto his stomach with a groan, then pushed himself into a standing position. A moment later, Remus felt his chest against his bare back, their skin warm against each other.

Sirius’ hands stroked over Remus’ sides, dipping into the muscle that cut along his hips. “You haven’t even asked me how my ribs are,” Sirius said against Remus’ temple. Remus could hear the smile in his voice. “You always ask.”

“I know you’re better,” Remus leaned against him, tilting his head to the side when Sirius began to kiss his neck gently. He put his hands over Sirius’. “I know we didn’t win, but you were amazing tonight.” He turned in Sirius’ arms and wound his fingers in his dark hair. "You see everything out there, huh?”

“I try,” Sirius said softly.

“You do,” Remus kissed him, then again and again. “Don’t get in your head, baby. You’re good.”

Sirius let out a breath, lips against Remus’ cheek. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Remus wrapped his arms around Sirius’ waist and held him there.

“Just tape for, like, ten—“

Remus pressed in closer. “Nope.”

Sirius’ laugh rumbled against his cheek. “Come to bed with me, then.”

~

It was better to be back in Gryffindor. Remus didn’t want to admit how much of a weight it was off of his chest to be away. To have the team away, and Regulus. It had been fine. Regulus hadn’t been bothered. Not yet, at least. They would be on a plane back to Slytherin tomorrow, win or lose.

“Shitter-McFucks,” Thomas said loudly. “We gotta win this game.”

“Where do you come up with these things?” Sergei sighed.

“I don’t know,” Thomas said, and he looked thoughtful. “They come to me. Makes sense though, right?”

Sergei made a barely affirmative sound and returned to taping his stick.

“T,” Remus said, smiling a little at the conversation. He held out Thomas’ shoulder pads. “Fixed it.”

Thomas took it and clutched it to his chest. “Sick, thanks, Loops. I love you.”

Remus smiled and turned to the room. “Does anyone need anything?”

There were a few murmurs of no, and Remus let out a breath. “Okay.”

Remus glanced at his watch. Twenty minutes until they had to be out for warm ups. Sometimes it was strange, thinking about the Snakes in this very building, doing the same thing they were. Taping sticks, getting dressed, stretching. Remus’ eyes found Regulus, who was sitting in Sirius’ stall while Sirius stretched out on the floor. They were talking intently, no doubt about the game. Regulus seemed to be drawing plays out on his palm, Sirius nodding along, then pointing, as if to correct something. Remus smiled at the sight, then walked over and crouched by Sirius’ shoulder.

Sirius looked up, hands around his ankles stretched in front of him. “Hi.”

“Hi,” Remus replied, and glanced at the door.

Sirius blinked. “Oh.”

“And I’m out,” Regulus sighed and stood.

Sirius stood, too, adjusting his snapback and catching Remus’ fingers. “Yes, yes, now?”

“I thought you could use a pick-me-up.”

Sirius cursed under his breath, grinning. “Re…”

He already looked flushed with it—with just the thought—and Remus wanted him. Badly.

Sirius was on his heels until they got to the PT room, looking carefully out into the hallway before shutting the door and turning the lock. He was still smiling when he turned, gently taking hold of Remus’ hips and backing him against the exam table.

“I love you,” he said into his first kiss, and then, into the second, “how do you want me?”

Remus hooked his fingers into the band of Sirius’ spandex and turned them so that his back was against the table, cushioned by the padding. Sirius leaned down to kiss along Remus’ neck.

Remus reached down to cup Sirius’ cock through the thin material of his spandex. “Just like this.”

“Jesus,” Sirius breathed. “Fuck, we—how much time?”

“We have time.”

Remus knelt on one knee, then the other. He pulled the spandex away to reveal Sirius’ cock, half hard but twitching as it filled. Remus’ heart beat faster, his own cock beginning to press out against his thigh.

Sirius’ hand was gentle against the back of Remus’ head as he took him into his mouth, sucking on the damp head.

Sirius half laughed, half moaned, brows drawn together a little as Remus took him down further. He was fattening up to full now, slick and heavy in Remus’ mouth.

“Ah—” Remus looked up to see Sirius’ head fall back. The tension fell out of his shoulders. His back arched a little, defined abs flexing through the thin material of his black undershirt. “Yeah—”

Remus sucked harder, keeping a hand wrapped around the base of his cock, stroking softly in the way he knew Sirius liked. Sirius was already spilling thinly over his tongue, bitter and warm. Remus pulled off to the head again, pressing his tongue to the slit hard and making Sirius jolt.

“God, Remus—” Sirius choked the words out, cock slicking itself more as Remus reached down to cup his balls and stroke behind them. Sirius widened his stance, welcoming the touch. “Ouais—yes.”

Remus stilled and pressed his hands behind Sirius’ hips, coaxing them forward gently. Sirius blinked down at him blearily. “You—you want me…”

Remus pushed Sirius’ hips forward more insistently and looked up. Sirius’ fingers tightened in Remus’ hair.

“Merde,” his hips fucked forward, almost on their own. “Re.”

And Sirius complied, fucking himself into Remus’ hot mouth in slow strokes. Remus was hot and aching in his own pants, and he reached down to push them under his balls. He moaned at the first touch, and Sirius picked up his pace. Remus’ breathed in through his nose, smelling Sirius’ slight sweat, and fucked his fist in time to Sirius’ hips. He was heavy on his tongue. Sirius’ breathing was heavy, eyes dark and hair curling out form under his hat. He was gorgeous, and strong, and Remus didn’t care if they won a silver cup when he had those silver eyes.

Sirius’ mouth was open, eyes tight with pleasure as he watched his cock sink in and out of Remus’ mouth, watched Remus’ hips move at the same time. Remus moaned as he pressed his palm against his own head, fingers tight around his shaft.

“Mon—I’m gonna—”

Remus felt flushed and turned on by Sirius standing there, half dressed before a game with his swollen cock looking like that. It was only a few more strokes before Remus felt Sirius begin to come in his mouth. Sirius’ hips stilled, abs flexing in, and Remus bobbed his head, sucking him through it.

“Yes, yes,” Sirius whispered, head dropped back again. He stopped breathing and grit his teeth. He pushed his cock into Remus’ mouth once, twice. “Ah.”

Remus pulled off when Sirius made a soft, sensitive sound. Sirius took one look at him, chest heaving, and dropped to his knees, too.

“Baby,” Remus’ voice shook, fist quick on his own cock. He needed to come so bad.

Sirius just pushed at his shoulders, laying him back until he was against the carpet and Sirius had him fully in his mouth. He worked Remus with his mouth quickly, groaning around him, and Remus’ hips arched off the ground towards the heat. He came hard, forcing his eyes to stay open so he could watch Sirius.

They lay there for a moment, Sirius panting with his cheek against Remus’ hip, before he pushed himself up and positively beamed at Remus.

“Nice and clean,” he said, and surged up and kissed Remus. “I fucking love you.”

Remus wrapped his arms around Sirius’ neck and licked into his mouth. “I love you, I love you. You’re going to play so well.”

Sirius smiled into their next kiss, biting at Remus’ lower lip. “I am now.”

Sirius pulled back with a questioning noise when Remus started laughing into their next kiss.

“I’m sorry,” Remus laughed through the words, stroking his hands over Sirius’ cheeks. “It’s like an entire new experience kissing you with this thing.”

Sirius grinned and rubbed their cheeks together. “You like it a little bit, I know you do.”

Remus smiled into the kiss, but didn’t answer, instead carefully tucking Sirius back into his spandex and patting his butt. “See you out there, Captain.”

It was Sirius’ first home game back and playing. Instead of the normal pump up songs, the Lions’ had a special pre-game video on the jumbotron. When the lights went down, it played the first notes of Back in Black. At first the song’s notes were spaced out, remixed. It was hard to tell what the song was, echoing through the stadium. As soon as the crowd figured it out though, they went wild, and then an image of the back of Sirius’ jersey, slow-motioned, played of him walking down the darkened tunnel to the ice, his last name shining in glossy letters.

Dum.

Fast clips of Sirius’ tricky, skating feet.

Dum-da-dum.

A goal from the season, beautiful and impossible—until Sirius did it. Remus’ heart pounded.

Dum-a-dum.

The crowd recognized the song. Hogwarts roared.

Dum-a-dum-dum.

Remus laughed on the bench, popping a piece of gum in his mouth.

“Marlene’s a genius,” he shouted over the noise to Moody.

“She is,” he laughed gruffly.

The video continued with the rest of the team, highlights from the season and snippets of interviews. Finn and Logan crashing together after a goal. Leo’s bright blue eyes, focused from behind his mask. We’re ready, his accented voice said. We feel ready. James and Sirius’ famous one-two plays. Evgeni, mountainous and bear-like. Pascal and Logan. The French Canadian father and son, came Frank’s voice, and then the clip cut, bleeding together into a whole. Pascal and Sergei, helmets pressed together. Thomas, proud and tall, flipping a puck right between a goalies legs. Walkie-Talkie, walking the walk!

A waving rainbow flag being waved by numerous fans.

Remus felt tears building in the back of his throat. He wished he could see Sirius right then.

Frank’s voice over the speakers. Lions fans. Welcome to the Stanley Cup Finals.

He drew out the next words in the way he always did. Your Gryffin-dor Li-ons!

The Snakes skated out for warm-ups when the Lions did, insignificant and dark in their black away uniforms. When the lights came up, the Lions were out, Kasey raking up his crease and the others doing a lap on their side of the rink. Remus saw Snape’s eyes flick over from behind his visor, but that was all.

Arthur was bent over his calling card with some of the assistant coaches, motioning to various players.

“How does it feel?” Remus asked Kasey when he skated over to the bench for some water while Leo warmed up in goal, too.

“It feels good,” Kasey said. “It—”

James skated up fast and stopped hard. “Blue.”

Remus raised an eyebrow at him. “James, you ask me this ever game, I really don’t know how…” Remus trailed off and crossed his arms. “This is a superstitious thing. Isn’t it.”

James, looking only a little guilty, smiled. “Blue?”

Remus handed it to him. “You are all insane.”

“Bliz,” Leo said, opening the bench door. “You’re back in.”

Kasey tapped his butt with his blocker and skated back out.

“Is he okay?”

Remus looked back at James. He had his contacts in, adjusting one with a knuckle. “What?” Remus asked. “Who?”

James looked over to center ice where Sirius was tracing the Lions’ logo with a puck. Remus could see fans filming him—or maybe it was Kuny, down on the ice with his legs in the air, stretching.

“You know how Cap gets,” James said. “How much did he beat himself up over the last few nights?”

Remus sighed. “Oh, he tried to watch tape.”

James snorted. “Of course.”

“Didn’t let him, though. I all but wrestled him into bed—no.”

James’ face was already lit up.

“Not like that, Pots.”

James laughed loudly, reaching with his stick for a puck to take back out with him. “Sure, Loops, sure.”

Logan and Finn were standing near middle ice together, waiting for the wrap-around shoot. Logan was laughing at something Finn was saying. He took his helmet off and put it back on again, like he did with his hat.

“Cute, huh?” Leo said, and when Remus looked over at him, he grinned.

Remus laughed. “Proud of yourself?”

“Very.”

Remus found Sirius again. He was at the far side of the rink, pushing a stick over the glass for a little kid.

“Yeah. Yeah, me too.”

The horn went to signal the end of warm ups, and the team skated back towards the bench so that the ice crew could get rid of the shaved up ice.

Sirius jumped the boards in front of Remus, and Remus could already see the game taking over his expression. He was chewing the inside of his cheek, tapping various teammates and talking fast directions to them. Go hard here, ease off this, cover Malfoy on the power play…

When the lights went down for the national anthem, it felt sudden. Remus’ heart jumped in his chest. Sirius glanced at Remus as he pulled his twelve necklace out from within his jersey, smiling before bowing his head and holding the pendant to his lips. Finn had his hand on Logan’s shoulder, Logan was holding his necklace, Leo was behind both of them, close and shuffling from skate to skate.

Remus looked over to the Snake’s bench. They were still. Their eyes were ahead. He thought about Regulus, up in the Lions box with the other families, looking down at the red and green. He wondered, not for this first time, if Sirius’ parents were here. He hadn’t asked. He didn’t want Sirius looking for them, even subconsciously.

Things didn’t get interesting until halfway through the second period. The Snakes were mirroring Sirius’ line, calling Snape’s out whenever Sirius jumped the boards. Malfoy was on him like a magnet, hammering him into the boards and getting penalties called on himself for slashing.

“What kind of fucking strategy is this?” Finn said before climbing back out onto the ice for their fourth power play of the period. Sirius was circling with one of the refs, talking with his hands, his mouthguard in one of his palms.

“Alright, boys!” James yelled. “Alright, alright, here we go!”

Not single goal had yet to be scored and the crowd was anxious for one, shouting at every moment a Lion was close to Riddle’s net.

Sirius, seemingly giving up on the referee, set up across center ice from Snape. He spat something that made Severus sneer and Remus—Remus couldn’t deny that it sent a new wave of heat through him. Sirius was all hockey now, and his eyes were on the Cup. The Stanley Cup wasn’t in the building yet, it was too soon, but it would be. Remus’ throat got tight when he thought about it. He’d never been this close. He never thought he’d ever be this close.

The puck dropped. Sirius scooped it back to Finn and darted into the Snakes’ zone, wrestling against Malfoy still. He shouted for James but Snape intercepted the pass, sudden and sloppy in his strokes, and carried it back to the center zone. Malfoy, though, was too busy with Sirius. The puck went careening towards the boards, momentarily alone, before Finn was there, catching it and carrying it towards Riddle. He faked once, weight on his toes, twice, and then shot it above Riddle’s left shoulder. The goal horn blared in red lights. His hands went up and so did Sirius’. Logan shouted from beside Remus on the bench.

“Fuck, Harzy,” he said, and Leo and him shared a smile.

Remus clapped with Hogwarts, glancing up at the jumbotron to see the score change from 0-0 to 1-0. Finn jumped the boards and Logan pressed their helmets together in the split moment that they met while leaving and getting onto the ice. Finn was sweaty and grinning.

“That’s what we’re doing,” Thomas shouted. “That’s what we’re doing.”

Sirius stayed out and Remus smiled. He wanted a goal, Remus could tell. He and James circled each other as they talked, heads close together so the others couldn’t hear or read their lips.

Remus patted Finn’s shoulder. “Good getting us going, Harz.”

“I’m good at getting boys going, Loops.”

Remus snorted and Leo shoved him.

Riddle was making a slow lap around the crease, eyes on Finn on their bench, then moving over, all the way across the ice, to Kasey, re-setting, too.

Remus looked between them, and when he returned to Riddle, he saw that he was spitting words at Snape and pointing to Kasey.

The lights changed, calling a TV break.

“Mon loup, c’est bon?” Sirius said. He put a foot up on the boards, stretching.

Remus hesitated, then nodded. “I—yeah. Your ankle? Is it stiff?”

“Non, just stretching,” Sirius smiled. “Worrier.”

“Hey,” Remus tried to smile back, but he was watching Kasey approach the bench. “Hey, Kase—”

“I saw it, too, Loops,” Kasey said, squirting some water into his mouth and glancing over at Riddle. “Believe me. That guy’s eyes practically glow like the ones on his mask.”

“Just watch out for any bad plays,” Coach said. “That goes for everyone.”

“I mean,” Kasey shrugged. “If he tries to get a goal by ramming into me, it’ll be no goal.”

“I’m not worried about the goal, Bliz,” Coach said. “I’m worried about you.”

One corner of Kasey’s mouth lifted in a smile. “Well, shucks, Coach.”

“Alright,” Coach nodded. “Let’s be careful and play hard.”

There was a chorus of yes, coach, and Pascal’s line went out for the face-off.

“What exactly did you see Snape and Riddle do?” Sirius asked, back in the locker room. He was smiling and wearing the Lions hat token that Logan had given to him after Sirius scored two goals in the third. They had won game two 4-2. The series was tied for now.

“Nothing really,” Remus was bent beside him by James, taping up a sore calf. “It was a look but…”

“But that’s all it really takes with Riddle,” James said. “Thanks Loops, that feels better.”

“Go easy on it, no running on the plane.”

“I don’t do that!”

“Yes, you really do.”

“Well, I am a responsible father now.”

“I didn’t see them try anything,” Sirius said, glancing over at Kasey. “But I’m not sure that makes me feel better.”

Remus sighed, running a hand over Sirius’ knee and using it to push himself up. “Me neither. But, hey.”

Sirius looked up at him, and Remus tilted the brim of the hat back so he could lean down for a quick kiss. “We won.”

“Lupin love,” Thomas shouted.

Remus laughed. “Do you need something, Walker?”

“Sirius!”

Remus didn’t have time to look behind him before Julian was barreling into his back, arms around his waist and gazing at Sirius.

“Those goals were so good.”

Sirius smiled. “Thanks, Jules. Wanna wear the hat?”

“Really?”

James leaned in. “Be warned of the countless sweaty heads that has adorned. We can’t wash it.”

“I wanna wear it!”

Sirius placed the hat on Julian’s head while the other families filed in. Remus saw Alex give his brother a tight hug, Leo’s dad going up to clap Logan on the back. Kris’ daughter went running to him, and he scooped her up with kisses. Julian had become fast friends with Regulus and was running to show him his hat where he was standing with Leo.

Sirius rose, locking his hands around Remus’ lower back. “Want to come cool down with me?”

Remus smiled, palms on his chest. “Oh, we’ll cool down, will we?”

“Yeah,” Sirius pressed a kiss to Remus’ cheek, beard dragging against his skin. “You know. Relax all of our tense muscles.”

Remus wound his fingers in Sirius’ sweaty hair. “I love you. Go shower.”

Sirius pressed a last, soft kiss to Remus’ mouth. “Don’t leave without me.”

“Never.”

Sirius’ house was warm and quiet when Hope unlocked the door.

Hope turned to Sirius once they were inside. “I made some spaghetti for you, Sirius, I thought you might be hungry.”

Sirius laughed. “Hope, tu es un ange.”

“He said you’re an angel,” Remus smiled. “And he’s right.”

“Remus makes the best post-game sandwiches,” Sirius pulled him close. “I guess I have you to thank for that.”

“Oh, no, that’d be Lyall,” Hope smiled, pulling a covered dish out of the refrigerator and turning to the microwave. “Lyall and Remus always made sandwiches together after his games.”

“And me,” Julian said, sliding into a chair at the kitchen table. “Right dad?”

“Every game,” Lyall smiled. “Best part of my day, bud.”

“Can I go skate, mom?”

“Julian Lupin, you are going right to bed. Do you know what time it is? I’ll let you miss school for this, and your bedtime, but there is a line, darling.”

“But we’re having spaghetti.”

Hope raised an eyebrow. “Did you just play a full game of hockey?”

Julian sighed. “No.”

“Okay then,” Hope stroked Julian’s hair. “Go get ready for bed, okay? Take dad with you.”

“C’mon, J, we’ll watch some of the post-game.”

Remus watched Julian and his dad trudge upstairs then turned to Hope. “Mom, let me do that. We have a long flight tomorrow again. Why don’t you go rest up, too?”

Hope looked between them and laughed, understanding. “Well, if you insist. I’ll just leave you two alone then. My son the chef, that’s new!”

Remus snorted. “It was new, like, four years ago!”

Hope smiled and kissed Remus on the cheek, then Sirius. “See you two tomorrow.”

When the microwave beeped, they shared the bowl with two forks, ankles tangled below the table.

“Are you really worried?” Sirius said after a few beats of silence. He twirled his fork in the noodles and held it out to Remus. “About Kasey. About Snape.”

Remus took Sirius’ fork gently into his mouth. “I don’t know. I know he’s worried. He’s nervous about his thigh. I can tell. It’s like you, early on with your ankle. Timid.”

Sirius nodded slowly. “Do you think I should talk to him?”

Remus shrugged. “It couldn’t hurt. Kasey’s strong, but it’s always good to hear you’re good.”

Sirius’ smile was sly, if not a little sleepy. “So I learned today.”

Remus smiled. “Eat so we can sleep. You frickin sweetheart.”

Sirius laughed and pulled the bowl towards him to scrape the last of the noodles towards him and into his mouth. After putting it in the sink, he bent over the back of Remus’ chair, arms across Remus’ chest.

“Bed?”

Remus tilted his head back for a kiss. “Bed.”

~

Slytherin was cold and the Snakes were vicious. Remus looked up at the second period clock running down as he prodded at Sirius’ left shoulder. Sirius was breathing heavily, Moody holding cotton to his bleeding nose.

Malfoy was in a similar state, being led to the the penalty box.

“Finally got tired of him being all over you, eh?” Remus said, then, more firmly, and loudly to be heard over the Slytherin crowd, “Do you have to go back to the locker room with me?”

“Non,” Sirius yelled, batting Moody’s hand away and swiping his own across his nose. The bleeding had stopped. “I’m good, allez.”

Remus nodded, replacing Sirius’ shoulder pad and pulling his jersey back down over his shoulder and arm. “All right, go.”

“Love you,” Sirius breathed, and then hopped the boards to go to the penalty box. Remus couldn’t help but smile a little as he watched him and Malfoy spit words at each other through the glass.

Coach leaned in. “He okay?”

Remus nodded. “He’s fine.” He looked back over at the penalty box, at Malfoy inside. “Blondie’s really not gonna leave him alone this whole series, huh?”

“That’s their way,” Coach grumbled. “Stick on you like leeches. Sirius knows how to handle it.”

Evgeni and Jackson made their way back onto the bench.

“Just take your time, the word will come to you,” Jackson was saying. “Kuns, you can’t get frustrated like that.”

Evgeni grumbled something in Russian and Jackson just nodded along.

“Nado, score goal,” he ended with.

“I’m trying.”

They were down three nothing, and Remus looked back at Kasey. He was tense, in his own head. Remus would give anything to be able to talk to him.

The puck dropped, Logan on the face-off. They were four-on-four, Sirius leaning forward in the box, probably hoping for a jack-in-the-box goal. Snape carried the puck in easily, past Olli, deking around Pascal only to be crushed to the boards by Timmy. He lost it for a second, but Logan flubbed a pass and then it was on Carrow’s stick.

“Shit,” Remus swore under his breath.

Carrow was a ruthless, fast skater. He pushed towards Kasey, closer and closer.

Despite everything, Remus wasn’t expecting him to ram into Kasey, disregarding the puck entirely, and knocking them both into the net.

The goal horn blared and Carrow didn’t even look up as he skated off the ice and down the tunnel. He knew he was too dirty to be allowed back in the game. Some of his team members patted him on the back. Remus felt sick.

Remus leaped up—and Kasey stayed down. The ref was blowing the whistle hard.

“Fucking interference!” James shouted, voice breaking with how much he had been at it. “Fuck!”

Kasey hit the ice with his stick as he rose, slowly. So slowly.

Sure enough, the referee skated out, hands in a cross, signaling that there was no goal.

Just as suddenly, the crowd started to sing. At least, at first Remus thought it was singing. Then, he recognized the sound.

“Winter,” the crowd was saying in a long, drawn out drone. It was haunting. It was over and over again.

Winter, Winter.

They were taunting him. Kasey was lapping his goal. He was favoring one leg. He was keeping his head down.

“Coach,” Remus said quietly. “Coach, he’s hurt.”

“Let’s see what he does,” Coach said. “Let’s see, Kasey’s not reckless.”

“He might be if the entire crowd is taunting him into it.”

“We have ten seconds left. He can last ten seconds.”

“We’ll keep it away from him,” Thomas said. His eyes were dark. “Jesus, Kase.”

The ten seconds went, and the end of the second period rang out.

Kasey was down on one knee in his crease, head bowed. Then, he lifted his gaze and looked right at Remus. Remus could only just make out his brown eyes through his mask. Kasey gave a slight shake of his head.

Walking back down the tunnel was a blur. Sirius was holding his hand until they had to part ways. Remus looked up at a TV as he passed and stopped when he saw himself. It was the moment from earlier. He had his hands up Sirius’ jersey, checking his shoulder, while Sirius had his head turned close to him, mid-sentence, blood dripping down his face.

“Black and Lupin, close on the bench this game,” the show host was saying and Remus scoffed. “And what looked like a bad hit on Lions starting goalie, Kasey Winter, by the Snakes tonight. Lucky for the Lions, they don’t have too bad a rookie. Nineteen year old Leo Knut, Louisiana born…”

Remus kept walking, pushing open the door to the quiet room where Kasey was waiting for him on his back on the exam table. He had his bad leg stretched out.

“Hi Kase,” Remus said softly.

Kasey had an arm over his eyes, and he pulled it away slowly. “Hi, Loops.”

“You okay? Can I get you some water or a bar or something?”

Kasey shook his head. “No. Let’s just—let’s get this over with. Just tell me.”

Remus bit his lip, but nodded. “Okay. I’m gonna take your shorts off, alright?”

Kasey nodded, and Remus worked quietly until he was stripped to his underarmour and Remus could feel his strong muscles and tendons. Remus was gentle and quick. Kasey wasn’t a player who liked things sugar coated.

“Well?” Kasey asked in a rough voice.

“It—it has a light tear, I think,” Remus said softly, and Kasey closed his eyes. “I need you to rest Kase. Don’t think I haven’t seen you pushing yourself. I know it’s frustrating.”

“Barely,” Kasey grit out. “I’ve been barely pushing myself. It’s—it’s just not—”

There was a knock at the door, making them both look up.

Natalie poked her head in, and the moment Kasey saw her he pressed a palm over his eyes and sucked in a sharp breath of tears.

“Kase,” Natalie was rushing forward, the door falling shut behind her. She rubbed a palm over his chest, the other in his hair. “Hey, baby, you’re all right.” She kissed his forehead. “You’re all right.”

“I’ll give you two a second,” Remus said quietly, and she nodded.

“Thanks, Re.”

Remus felt overly hot and heavy when the door closed behind him. The hallway looked busy and loud with staff members.

“Remus.”

Remus turned at Arthur’s voice, meeting worried, stern eyes.

“Tell me,” Arthur said.

“These injuries are tricky,” Remus managed. “They’re easily aggravated and…”

“And I should get Knut warmed up?”

“Yes,” Remus said, even though it hurt. “Yes.”

Arthur pressed his lips together and they stood there for a moment, the chaos around them.

“I’m going to go see Bliz,” Arthur said. “Tell him he’s good.”

“Natalie’s in there. I think you should give him a minute.”

Arthur nodded. “Okay. Go see the boys. I’m coming back in five to go over strategy.”

“Okay,” Remus managed a tight smile, and headed for the locker room.

Sirius was on him in a moment, sweaty and stripped down to his pads and socks.

“No, it isn’t good,” Remus said before he could ask. “Where is Leo?”

“Warming up,” Sirius said. “Fuck. Re—”

“Loops?”

It was Evgeni.

“Blizzard is okay?” he asked. The rest of the locker room quieted to listen.

Remus shook his head. “He’s okay but he’s done for the season.”

Remus turned to Sirius and took his hand. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” Sirius said. “Are you?”

“I feel horrible,” Remus said. “I should have watched him closer, I should have—I knew how hard he was being on himself, I’ve been there.”

“Re, this isn’t your fault. Did you see that hit? Carrow’s out of the game and he’s gonna get a suspension for that. It was completely insane.”

“They’ll just replace him with Bones. You know they will, that’s their whole strategy. They don’t care how hard the hit is—”

“They don’t care about their players,” Regulus cut in. He was standing with Pascal and offered a humorless smile. “Whatever makes the game easier.”

“And yet their motto is always pure hockey,” Pascal shook his head.

“I need to find Leo.”

“He’s with Finn and Logan by the bikes,” Regulus said.

Remus nodded, pressed a palm to Sirius’ cheek, and then turned away.

Leo was stretched out on the floor in his spandex, Logan and Finn talking with him as they kept their muscles warm on the bikes. They looked up when Remus entered.

“Is Nut in?” Finn asked.

“Yes.”

Leo sat up. “Is Kasey…” but he trailed off at Remus’ expression. “Fuck.”

“Bliz,” Logan sighed, raking his fingers through his sweaty hair before hanging his head, elbows on the bike handlebars and feet slow. It had been Logan’s missed pass.

“It isn’t your fault, Tremz. We just have to hope for the best. But get warm, Leo, okay? You can see him after.”

Leo nodded. “Okay. Not my first play off game or anything. No pressure. At least my family is here.” Leo let out a long breath and touched his forehead to his knees. “My mama would cry if she missed this.”

Remus looked to Finn and Logan. “You guys good?”

Finn nodded. “Yeah, Loops, we’re good.”

Remus pushed back into the hallway, hoping to go back to Kasey, only to be met by Alice. He tried to duck out, but she walked with him.

“Coach says he’s in,” she said, gesturing to the door closing on the cubs. “He told me to come to you for news on Kasey.”

“Slight tear in the adductor longus,” Remus said as they walked down the hall. When Alice just gave him a look, Remus sighed. “Inner thigh.”

“So, his repeating injury.”

“Yes, but,” Remus stopped, hand on her shoulder. They were at the locker room. “Do me a favor, and don’t put that in the press statement. I don’t want him hearing that right now.”

Alice’s expression softened. “You’re good to them, Lupin.”

Remus was already pushing open the door. “They’re good to me.”

Out on the ice, Leo was met by hisses and jeering. Finn and Logan kept close to his side while he marked him his crease, circling and tapping his posts.

Moody chuckled from beside Remus. “Not superstitious, eh?”

Remus patted Sirius’ shoulder. “That can only last so long when you’re around this one twenty-four seven.”

Sirius turned. “Quoi?”

“Nothing,” Remus said, and shared a knowing look with Moody.

“Where’s Bliz?” James asked.

“Watching with Natalie and his family in the recovery room,” Remus said. “He’ll be okay, you guys focus. Win this game for him.”

Remus looked out at Leo, at Pascal on the face-off.

The referee dropped the puck, and the third period of game three began.

[skylarmoon71]

Leonardo x Reader- Oneshot (TMNT 2014/2016)

So in honor of black history month, I decided to write this Fanfiction. 

As a black woman, it is important to recognize and be proud of who I am. And to all the beautiful black women out there, be proud and thankful for all we’ve achieved. I hope my readers will enjoy this little fiction as much as I liked writing it. There is also a little information about my hometown in this.

Enjoy!! 

"Hey Leo did I leave my.."

"Right here."

Leo was holding your pack of hair ties in his hand. He smiled, and you flushed, taking it with a small thanks.

"You saved my life, I always lose these. Just bought them too." You were so excited for the movie night yesterday that you came right from the store with everything that you shop for that evening. So of course when you got home and couldn't find them, you assumed you left it with the turtles.

"Alright guys quit flirting." Raph buzzed passed, and at that moment you were thankful for your dark skin, because it would be that more embarrassing if Leo could see you blush. Leo brushed off the comment, just shrugging his brother off.

"Don't mind him, he's just mad cause Mikey beat him again in Mario Kart." you giggle, following Leo to the living room.

Easy days like this were nice. Saturdays were what you looked forward to. Friday nights you'd all get together and watch a movie, and Saturdays were reserved for pure relaxation. You moved over taking a seat next to Mikey, and his grin grew wide as he looked at you. You smiled, despite your slight confusion. "Do I have something on my face?" you chuckle.

"Nah brah, it's just your hair." your eyes widened, and you reached over wondering if maybe it was getting unruly again. "Oh crap is it crazy!" you asked, self consciously. You had it loose today, curls falling at the sides. It was puffy and curly at the same time. Almost like a kinky afro. Generally you'd pull your hair back in a high bun, or even a side one. But you couldn't find your ties earlier, and you were really not feeling it to comb through it today.

"Are you kidding! Your hair is amazing, everytime you come it's like in a different style." This time, you were surely blushing. "O-Oh..thank you..." It was no secret that you had untamed hair. You loved it though. Growing up there were people that made you feel a bit insecure about it. Most of the kids at your school had such tamed and straight hair, while you had curly kinky locks. At times it was a challenge styling it, and it did take a while on most days just to get it under control, but it's what made you, you. Your hair was your heritage, your strength.

Leo was watching you from his spot, and he couldn't help but agree with Mikey. It wasn't just your hair that was different, it was everything. He remembered the first time he asked Master Splinter about the differences in humans. He was a kid, probably nine or ten. He didn't know much but what he'd seen Donnie show him when they'd sneak to the surface to peek through the drains.

Looking back he realized just how everyone varied. Hair, skin, eyes. It was so fascinating to him. He loved it all. The diversity, to him it was incredible. As sad as humanity was sometimes, there were occasions that they would surprise him. The world was far from perfect, but there were moments where unity just inspired him to fight harder for the citizens.

You were a clear example of that. Meeting you was not just eye opening but also educational. He'd forever be willing to learn new cultures. So whenever you gave him or his brothers a small history lesson when they questioned something you did or said, he found that he was that more intrigued by you. They'd known you for just a few months, yet it felt like years of friendship. They were still learning more about you, everyday. Now that he thought about it, you weren't born in New York.

"(Y/N), you said you were born in the Caribbean right?"

The way your face spark to life never fails to make his heart pick up.

"That's right, I'm surprised you remembered that. Think I told Mikey the second time we met. He wanted to know why I talked so funny."

"Yeah, what was the name of your country again." Raph questioned from across the room. He was presently doing pull ups on the metal bar.

"Trinidad and Tobago. That's where I was raised, I moved here with my parents four years ago."

"Dude say that thing you did last time." Mikey called excitedly. You rolled your eyes.

"What thing?" Leo asked curiously.

"The way they say what's up is so cool. (Y/N) says it's english but it sounds completely different."

Now Leo really wanted to hear. His sapphire gaze turned on you, and you nibbled on your lip.

"I-It's isn't anything great it's just a greeting."

"I'd like to hear, if you don't mind of course."

You didn't mind at all. Leo was your weakness.

"Wais de scene."

"Seee!! You can't tell me that's english!"

Mikey was jumping up off the chair laughing and now so were you.

"You sounded different too." Leo notes. Your accent was different from the New York drawl he used too. It was nice.

"Can you tell us more." He really did love to learn, and maybe just between him, he kind of liked your native tongue.

~~~~~~

The boys were on patrol, so you figured you'd have more time to yourself. You opted for taking a shower. You'd gotten out a few minutes ago and now you were spraying your hair with olive oil as you ran your fingers through the curls. Your hand shifted to the small container of hair food, dipping in and placing it on your scalp, making sure to get it through the roots. You were glad Leo placed this mirror in his room. You had no idea why though. He didn't seem like the self absorbed type.

"I knew it would come in handy." His voice startled you a little. He closed the door on entry, and you dropped your hands. "H-Hey, I'm sorry I didn't think you guys would be back yet. I wasnt messing with your stuff or anything I just need to use the mirror and yours is so big so I thought why not and I-"

"You don't have to explain yourself, I asked Donnie to set it up here for you." you raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Really?"

"Yeah, you're here a lot, and I know girls like styling their hair. I was hoping I'd finally get to see you actually doing it. I've always been curious about how you get it to look so beautiful."

He really did know what to say to make your heart flutter.

Damn that smooth talker.

"Gosh, are you guys on a mission to embarrass me today, you've been complimenting me since this morning and it isn't even my birthday. " you pulled your hair up into a high bun, reaching for a hair tie to keep it in place.

"Wait!" you froze, looking at him.

"S-Sorry I just...I like the way it looks when you leave it down. It's so puffy, kind of cute..." his words trailed off, and you slowly dropped your hand.

"W-Well I guess if you like it then I don't mind. " you couldn't maintain eye contact, so you turned to the items in front of you. Closing the lids of both hair products, you shift over to the sink you wash your hands from the oily substance. When you were done, you reached for the hand cloth, before you could grab it, Leo was behind you, and his hand rested gently over your palm. Your body stilled, pulse increasing.

"Leo.." it was said with so much uncertainty. You weren't sure how things got to this, heck, you weren't expecting it, but you weren't complaining. His hands ran down your arms slowly. With your back still facing him, there wasn't much you could do but hope your breathing wasn't too labored. You'd spent so long trying to keep your feelings for him under wraps. If nothing but to ensure you didn't risk your friendship. Right now though, friendship was far from your thoughts.

"I wasn't being completely forward earlier, it isn't just your hair that's beautiful. " Your heart gave a thump, and when he urged you around slowly, you couldn't bring yourself to look away from him. "Your hair, skin, eyes, lips.." the last word was said longingly, and you swallowed the lump in your throat. "It's a challenge for me sometimes, I envy Mikey's ability to just say what's on his mind. I can barely look at you for too long, otherwise I'm afraid how much harder it'll be for me to hold back." So he was holding back too, geez, and here you thought this attraction was purely one sided.

"What if I..don't want you to hold back Leo.." His blue eyes glimmered, and you swore your knees would buckle just from the intensity of his stare. His hand raised to your cheek, and you released a sigh. How many times did you imagine this scenario in your head. Hundreds? Maybe thousands.

"Then I won't." he closed the space with those three words, and you leaned into it. Leo's arms were secured around your waist as his soft lips covered your own. Your hands gripped at his shoulders, and you tried to keep them from venturing. If they strayed, you weren't sure you'd be able to trust yourself not to grope every inch of his taunt muscular body. The kiss started off slow, innocent even. It was your first one together. You were both trying to savor it. Having longed for this, it felt like a dream.

After a few moments, that tentative demeanor changed to one of dominance and hunger, one that needed to be satisfied. Leo backed you up, not breaking the kiss for even a mere second. Leo's hand around your waist moved to the small of your back, and you gasped when it landed on your butt. He heard the sound, pulling back.

"Should..I..stop.." he forced out between pants. You shook your head, diving back in. Leo groaned, giving your cheek an appreciative squeeze. The action made you open your mouth, and his tongue slipped in. You moaned, and Leo took another step forward, this time he turned, and you let out a soft sound when he fell back in the bed, pulling you with him. He barely seemed affected, taken by the sensations.

You straddled his body, parting to admire his hazed look. Your chest was still heaving, and you wanted nothing more than to join your lips again, but you just liked looking at him. Those azure orbs that were almost penetrating you. His hand ran up your thigh, and he smirked at the way you bit down on your lip.

"Did I mention that I like chocolate?"

You giggle, "I sort of figured it out hotshot." you snark back. You squeaked when he suddenly switched positions. You were now bound to the bed, literally. He pinned both your wrists, that confident smile never leaving.

"I also like being in control." That comment did wild things to your body. You didn't mind at all. He pressed into you, and you whimpered needy. "L-Leo.." you wanted him, needed him now.

"Don't worry, I'd never leave you all hot and bothered, no matter how arousing it is to watch."

"Stop talking and kiss me!"

"So bossy." He taunted.

"Leo!"

He leaned down, giving your neck a soft kiss.

"Save your voice, you're gonna need it."

You gulped, and Leo took your breath away before you could fully think about it.

You were in store for a very...busy night.