#i think you did well for a nighttime piece | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

dadsbongos · 8 months ago

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giving minimum wage clerk laios sloppy

3.1 k words / warnings - oral sex, hand jobs, public but it isn't focused on, you call laios 'good boy', not proofread

summary - you flirt with your coworker laios and suck him off in an alley outside

~~~

Laios slumps against the bag racks after returning the pharmacy key up front, prompting you to be nosey and ask,

“What’d he need?”

“Condoms.”

“Oh.”

“Right? I don’t get why they’re so shy about it,” Laios yawns, squeezing his eyes shut to revel in the sweet resulting burn, “It's worse to go in unprotected.”

“For sure,” you hadn’t meant oh as in oh, you’d meant oh as in oh because you don’t want Laios to talk about condoms. Him talking about condoms will make you think of him using one, which is only going to fluster you.

“He also wanted Plan B.”

“Crazy.”

He yawns again, then letting his head droop while bracing himself against the end of your lane. Arms pin straight and (mostly) visible, since all he’s wearing is a black Tee. Past the edges of his store apron is red vinyl, crackled from no doubt years of wear and wash. He’d shown up with a hoodie, which is strange because it’s the middle of summer, and no matter how hard you pray: the nighttime provides little relief. Either way, you’re glad to see he hasn’t snuck it on -- his arms look so much better bare.

“You tired?” a stupid question on your part.

Thankfully, Laios is your favorite coworker for a reason. He earnestly answers with a weary nod and quiet, “Yeah.”

“Poor thing,” you sit against the divot to your left, where your own set of bags rests and perch your chin in your hand, “How come? Usually you don’t get the sleepies until ten.”

And again, if it were anyone but Laios, you’d be mortified to have let that tidbit slip.

Laios perks up, scrambling for his phone as he speaks, “I was finishing that red dragon set.”

“Jeez,” you lean forward as he holds up a picture of the completed plastic array of knock off Legos; more affordable and just as dependable, “You did that all last night?”

“Took four hours, but it was worth it.”

“I thought you were gonna complete it on your weekend.”

“I was, but then, look!” he swipes over the screen before shoving it back into your face, “A winged lion!”

“Oh, cool,” when you feel that’s too bland, you add, “Isn’t that the final piece in your Griffin set?”

“Technically,” he grumbles, “I hate how they called it the Griffin set. Only one of them is a Griffin. This is just a hybrid, and the other one’s a Hippogriff. But it still looks super cool, and the instructions are way longer than any of the other ones.”

Laios looks up from where you were supposed to be staring at his screen, finding that you’re instead watching him with a stupid smile on your face. Your cheeks heat up at being caught. Just before you can stutter out an excuse, though, Laios is speaking again,

“Awesome, right?”

“Very,” you confirm with a nod.

“I’ll have to move some stuff so I can display it on my desk properly. I just have no idea where,” he pockets his phone, rolling his head onto his shoulder, “I’d have Marcille or Chil’ help but they’ll probably just tell me to trash it all.”

“Aw, I’m sure they wouldn’t! They're your friends.”

“Right. They just…”

“They tease a little too hard.”

“Exactly.”

“You can say something, you know?”

“It’s easier to just ignore,” he shrugs.

You open your mouth to retort, to encourage him to tell his friends off, but a demon beats you to it.

“Well, don’t you two look bored!” all warm fondness freezes in your chest the minute an approaching middle-aged man says that, “Break time’s over!”

Another reason Laios is your favorite is that he doesn’t find those jabs funny. You even heard that back when he first started, he’d reply to those remarks with stern sincerity. Now in his ancient wisdom, he just lets you blankly stare the man down. With clerks like Doni, you feel a pressure to at least feign a smile lest he overcompensate by actually fake-laughing.

You suffer down the interaction with as few words as you can get away with before bidding the man a goodnight.

“I hope he crashes,” you sneer, flipping open the silver cap of your change dispenser and confirming your coins can go a little longer before being filled.

Laios hums halfheartedly -- long now used to your aggro behavior towards customers you don’t like, and no longer prone to bouts of wide-eyed horror. His head is turned towards the doors, gaze lazily flicking over self-checkout to assess if anyone that way needs assistance.

You take the moment to assess him. Neck stretched and lashes beating his cheeks with every heavy blink. His lips are pressed firm, likely subconscious, and from the quirk in his hip you can tell he’s got a leg crossed over the other.

Breaking you from the study, Laios bellows another exhausted huff.

Before you can cast a cursory glance towards the clock on your screen, your supervisor is chirping from beside you, “Last break!”

So it must be nine.

God, two more hours of this? Laios sounds ready to collapse.

After signing off in order for Kabru to hop onto the register, you slip between the little gap where checkout lanes end and SCO begins. Opening one of the grab-n-go fridges with trepidation.

Does he even like energy drinks?

You’re almost certain you’ve seen him mull over them at least once… before ultimately deciding to not buy one…

He definitely doesn’t like coffee. You recall him telling Kabru the bitter taste was off-putting enough, never mind how it devastated his gut (which was entirely too much information, but it made you laugh).

Gatorade makes him think of his high school gym class, and you take that as a negative considering he nearly shivered upon just remembering the period.

Ugh. He needs the energy and there’s a three for five deal on the Monster anyway. You snatch three of the flavors that look most appealing from a Laios-point-of-view and rush to self-checkout.

“Plan on being up all night?” one of the attendants, Toshiro, warily approaches.

“No, uhm, it’s… It’s three for five! That’s like, 1.50 each!”

Mithrun, the other SCO cashier, is staring down a woman that frequently attempts walking out without paying, “I thought you didn’t like Monster.”

“The fruit punches are okay.”

“You didn’t buy fruit punch.”

“Go fuck yourself, Mithrun.”

He blinks at you slowly, “Okay.”

With an agitated scoff, you strut back to register six and saddle up by Laios, loudly clinking sweaty drinks against the faux wood surface. Kabru hurriedly checks the time, to which you interrupt,

“I’m not going to the break room, I’ll just sit here for ten minutes.”

Visibly restraining himself from pointing out you’re not supposed to do that, Kabru nods and clears his throat to greet a couple pulling in. His eye twitches with the urge to remind them loads of less than five items should go to self-checkout rather than a register. One day, you’re sure, he’ll crack -- and you desperately want to be there when he does.

“So,” you case your hands around the drinks so Laios doesn’t accidentally bag one for the couple, “Do you like Monsters?”

He frowns at you, lips flapping vapidly. Internally struggling between asking if you’re serious or if you’re being mean on purpose.

Picking up his turmoil, you blurt, “The drink! I know you like monsters. Do you like Monsters?”

“The fruit punch ones are good.”

You shouldn’t like his answer as much as you do, “I like them, too. But, uh, I didn’t get it…”

Kabru sighs as both of you go without greeting or thanking the customers before they leave.

“Oh, trying new ones?”

“No, not really. I got them for you? Kind of…”

Kabru’s icy stare pierces you, annoyance replaced with interest. You’re reminded of why he stays at this job despite hating it: drama.

“I thought, maybe, you’d want one since you’re super tired. And they were three for five, so I basically had to buy them.”

Laios silently looks at where your hands cage the cans, when you realize he’s waiting to see the flavors you pull away like you’ve been pinched. He leans on his elbows to better read each can, sleeves on his shirt riding up to expose more skin.

Laios likes orange juice so you got Ultra Sunrise. Laios likes cheesecake so you got Orange Creamsicle because they’re both sweets. And Laios supports his sister’s lesbian relationship, so you got Ultra Violet because that’s basically lavender.

His brows furrow down at the lineup before he reaches out and tips the middle one into his palm: Orange Creamsicle.

“You should have the other ones, I’d feel bad taking them too,” Laios admits, cracking open the drink, “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“Of course,” when you notice Kabru hasn’t blinked since the interaction started, you jerk your head towards him, “Want one, mister manager?”

“Assistant front end manager,” Kabru sours, judging how your eyes repeatedly fall to Ultra Sunrise before taking Violet, “I don’t even have real power.”

“You’re basically a real manager, I don’t see Yaad or Thistle out here. Like ever. Even Delgal doesn’t come out of the office!”

To avoid accepting flattery, he scrounges around the cabinet beneath your receipt printer for ‘PAID’ stickers to slap on each drink.

Laios, meanwhile, sinks into his own head. The distress he felt when you asked if he liked monsters was downright alarming. He wonders if he would’ve felt that level of despair if it were anyone else asking.

Logically, he knows it’d be more hurtful because you and him are friend-ish and talk often, naturally meaning you hear about his interests quite a bit. Deeper down, past a thudding chest and into his churning gut he can tell it's more than that.

And from how hypnotizing he finds the sight of your throat bobbing around swigs of carbonated caffeine, he’s certain there’s more to his feelings than that.

But in all his years as a trusted courtesy clerk at his local branch of a large corporation grocery store, he’s seen many people fall victim to the allure of workplace incest. Subsequently, he’s seen many people quit over those fallouts.

Laios sips from his drink, trying to distract from such thoughts by taming a cringe at its bubbly stabbing on his tongue.

How could he even assume you felt that way about him? He can’t be sure you’re available for mingling.

“Are you single?” he asks, without much thought. That’s a casual topic, right? Lots of people are concerned with dating at your shared age.

Kabru signs out of the register as your break comes to a close, stubbornly lingering right behind to hear your response.

“Why?” a nervous chuckle bubbles out, you beat yourself for it, “You interested?”

Laios drinks again, shooting Kabru a pointed look.

Kabru can read it perfectly well, it’s a glare that reads: GO AWAY, GO AWAY, GO AWAY. Instead of listening, he cheerfully asks, “Ready for your last break too, Laios?”

“Yeah, I’ll take it right here. You should go away.”

“Oh!”

You snort, fastening a hand over your entire jaw as if to physically repress the sound.

“Oh,” Kabru repeats, quieter, “Someone has to bag, though…”

Laios steps back with a solemn nod, wiping his clammy hands against his uniform apron. Despite picking up on the dejected tone of Kabru’s voice, Laios’ only curiosity is if you thought he looked cool being so blunt, or did he come off as some dickhead tool?

(much less some dickhead tool that speaks harshly with a very polite, very friendly supervisor)

Both you and Kabru watch as Laios snakes through the seasonal aisles toward the break room. Once he’s out of sight, Kabru’s eyes stab into you, lip twitching, “So?”

“So, what?”

Kabru’s beams at you silently.

“Ew, do not look at me like that.”

“How long?”

“You don’t need to know that.”

“I'm a supervisor! I’m supposed to know what’s going on with my fleet.”

Before you can properly lecture him on referring to his coworkers as a ‘fleet’, a pair of potential teenagers slam thirty packs of sour beer onto your conveyor belt. Excitement to card them floods you.

Thankfully, Laios’ break seems to blow by -- he’s soon muttering an apology to Kabru and replacing him at the head of your lane.

“Back already?”

Laios hums, starkly avoiding your eyes. His sudden, almost uncharacteristic, shyness compels you to take forward charge,

“I’m single, by the way.”

“Me too,” he keep looking at you, then away, then at you, then away. Over and over again until eventually you’re craning to be forced in his sight.

“You asked for a reason, right?” you click your tongue and wink in good humor, “You want me to clean your belt, huh?”

Really, you should’ve known better than to try playing coy because all Laios does is shrug with a polite yeah, sure before backing away for you to spray down his smaller conveyor.

Oh. Oh, you can’t just not suck his dick.

“No, Laios, I have a proposition.”

…

Despite no promise of getting the favor returned, you don’t know if you’ve ever been so excited to clock out before. Scurrying out as soon as your legs could carry, barely managing to bid Kabru farewell before rounding the side of the building.

Laios is leaning against the bumpy wall, hands laced at his hips and thumbs circling.

“Hey, pervert,” you coo.

His face flushes, eyes widening, “You’re a pervert, too.”

When it comes to him, you don’t mind being labeled crass. Or even nasty. It’s why you’re so pliant to crash onto your knees while yanking his jeans apart and down his thighs. He hisses, honey gaze sweeping up towards the empty road through the thin line of trees.

Noticing his distraction, you intentionally scrape nails against his flesh when wrangling his boxers.

A soft, warm palm hesitantly cups the side of your head -- his concern somewhere between pulling you to stand and keeping your attention where it is. Though, he remains conflicted on how embarrassed he should be, especially given the way you’re biting your lip.

“Already?” you coo, teasing a finger along the hot underside of his cock, “I haven’t done anything to you yet.”

“You’re just… so pretty,” Laios huffs, praying you can’t make out the glisten of sweat across his forehead.

“Aw, thanks, big guy,” you chastely kiss his flushed tip, giggling quietly when it twitches into your welcoming pucker, “Not so bad yourself.”

He whines, raising a brow at you almost expectantly, though respectfully restraining his hips from jumping towards you. Deciding to put the man out of his suspended misery, you lave him with your tongue in a broad stroke before sucking him in.

Velveteen cheeks clamping around him as you squeeze around him, tongue pressing against smooth skin. He has no particular taste beyond ‘man’, but you hum and slide him deeper as if he’s sugary sweet. Laios lets out a muted moan, biting the hand not leisurely splayed along the side of your face.

Curling fingers beneath the bone of your jaw, he feels out the bulge plumping your cheek -- heart throbbing between his ribs at the recurring thought its his fault.

Obsessively, he mulls that point over and over until he’s unthinkingly bucking into your sodden mouth. A lewd slurp from you makes his head swivel sharply, as if someone would await this point before calling the cops.

Wiry, trimmed though not kempt, flaxen pubes tickle your nose. Laios coaxes you to bury him deeper in the cinch of your throat, and you’re content to comply. Gags and sputters are lulled from you, saliva gushing through the seam on your lips and wetting his pelvis. Drool rolling down your chin and ruining the black shirt and apron you’d thrown on before leaving.

“Aw,” he pants above you, swiping away the slick with his thumb pad, “you’re gonna ruin your shirt. It’s my favorite one, too.”

Liking the way he babbles, you pull back to hawk twah into your hand and playing his balls before slipping off his cock completely,

“Yeah, baby? You like it?”

Rolling your tongue around his tip and teasing him against your cheek, fluttering wet lashes up at him.

“Uhhh…” he whimpers, “Your arms look good in it, and I can see your collar bones…” his breath hitches, adam’s apple springing with desire, “I love when you wear that shirt.”

Laios plops free, smearing spit and pre against your hot skin. Before you can obsess over the admission too long, you’re moving to bite his hips. Fully intent on bruising him. Your hand sweeps up from his nuts to stroke him, fist blurring along his cock with soaking click, click, clicks.

With a hiss, his hand flies to the crown of your head -- not pushing either way, only grasping firm and needy. You bite harder, latching to suck the flesh swollen as you flick your wrist while jerking him off. His hips thrust against your hand, absolutely mewling.

“Good boy,” you grin into his burning pelvis, “Fuck my fist, Laios. You wanna cum for me?” he nods, mouth only capable of leaking choked versions of your name, “Wanna cum in my mouth?”

He cannot hide his gasp, jerking in your grasp.

Your hand slows, much to his pathetic displeasure, “Speak then, Laios. Good boys speak.”

“Please!” he barks, entirely uncaring if anyone around the corner could hear, “I want to cum in your mouth, can I cum in your mouth? I want to bad.”

Resuming your previous speed, you nod (though not without a “Good boy, Laios, very good.”) before flattening your tongue beneath his weeping tip. Laios digs his shoulders against the wall, fervently pistoning his cock through the cramped hole of your first and toward your mouth. Sliding along the buds of your tongue. Pitchy moans and huffs overpower the drone of faraway cars.

With a hushed grunt and “fuck” from overhead, Laios is splattering -- drowning your palette. Warm and thick, you barely scrape the salty taste before shucking it down with an instinctual gulp.

“Ah!” Laios makes a quiet hack of protest, then sighs, “You didn’t have to,” breathlessly adding, “I know some people hate the taste.”

Weirdly, you didn’t. You’re unsure if that’s something you should share, however.

Rather, you stumble onto your feet, wiping the back of your hand over your mouth in case of any… spillage. Then follows the sudden wave of shame -- regardless of Laios being a full consenting adult, and your previously steadfast attitude, you do feel like a pervert. You feel like he’s going to look down on you. You feel like-

You’re nearly startled into the bushes when you look up, Laios’ eyes split open and gleaming in the moonlight with unsettling brightness. Fists clenched at his sides after what you’re sure is the world-record for pulling one’s pants back up.

“Can I kiss you?” he asks simply.

Or maybe he’s just as into you as you are him.

#laios x reader #laios touden x reader #delicious in dungeon x reader #dungeon meshi x reader #laios touden smut #laios smut #dungeon meshi smut #dunmeshi.🍈

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moonstruckme · 8 months ago

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okay, but now all I can think about is a roommate!Remus fic where he and reader are both quieter and find comfort in each other. Would you ever consider writing something like that?

Omg I love this dynamic (I am them)

roommate!Remus x fem!reader ♡ 567 words

When Remus comes inside, he exhales a big breath. You can still hear his friends out on the street, loud voices and louder laughter. Just hearing them makes you more confident in your decision to stay in tonight. You love hanging out with your own friends, and you can enjoy a lively evening, but there are times when you simply prefer the quiet of your little home. You and Remus are alike that way.

“Good night?” you ask him, looking up from your book.

“Long, but good,” he agrees. He toes off his shoes, setting them neatly by the door. As he straightens, his eyes snag on the plate in your lap. “Is that lasagna?”

You smile, tilting your chin towards the kitchen. “There’s some in the microwave for you if you’re hungry.”

“You’re a godsend.” Remus looses another exhale, though this one sounds more relieved than weary, reaching over to set his hand on the top of your head in thanks before going to get it. It’s a small touch, but it warms you down to your bones nonetheless.

Remus is a bit odd that way. Sometimes he reminds you of a cat in the ways he shows his affection; brief, kind touches and fond looks in lieu of words. Once you learned how to interpret his signals, they became impossible to ignore.

You go back to your book. A few pages later you distantly register Remus coming into the living room again, but you don’t look up until he sets a cup of tea on the coaster in front of you.

“Thanks,” you say, picking it up as he settles down beside you. His book is where he left it earlier, folded over the arm of the couch, and he holds it in one hand as he forks a piece of lasagna with the other.

“Thank you,” he says back, toasting you with the fork before putting it in his mouth.

“Course.” Your voice is soft, a result of both atmosphere and disposition. You start reading again, but it’s difficult to ignore the proximity of your roommate.

Both of your pages turn with little sound, nearly keeping pace with one another, and outside the ruckus of nighttime gives way to the tranquil chirping of crickets. As Remus reads, his weight lists towards the middle of the couch. You’re curled up on the opposite side, and his hip is nearly touching your bum. When he reaches over to set his empty plate on the coffee table, his elbow brushes your thigh.

You’re in the middle of a chapter when he says something.

You look over. “Sorry?”

Remus smiles. “Did you have a good night?”

“Oh, yeah, you know,” you hold up your book, shrugging, “quiet.”

To anyone else, you might be a tad embarrassed to admit this. But Remus, you know, will understand.

He nods, smile taking on a knowing twist. “I’m jealous,” he says. “I let James talk me into thinking I was in a mood to go out, but I’d rather have been here with you.”

Foolishly, the with you seeps into your insides, warm as your honeyed tea. He probably didn’t even think about saying it. He only means he’d rather have stayed in.

“Well, you’re here now,” you say lamely.

Remus only exhales again, a happy sigh, and sinks back against the couch. His hip presses to you. “And better for it.”

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malavera · 5 months ago

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Showing off the cutest yet sexiest nighttime outfit and lingerie set for Hugh and you tease him bc he's an old man and all but he still got it

let me do this one real quick... SMUT! MDNI. 18+ if you're underage pls scroll away.

"what ya got there, pretty girl?" the older man scanned your look from head to toe, a little smirk broke out on his face. his mouth fighting the urge to coat his bottom lip with his wet tongue, he couldn't wait to ravish you. meanwhile, you kept walking towards the large window overlooking the night sky and the bright city lights of New York. you couldn't help but also break out a smirk as you're satisfied consuming his reaction. the dark red two-piece-laced-fabric of a lingerie has got the big hollywood movie star, wrapped around your tiny finger. you strike out a pose, a hand on your left, and then your right hip, flexing the curves of your perfectly-sculptured-by-god body. the playfully bold confidence then fade away as you broke out a giggle before galloping towards him and gently jump onto his lap. "you like, baby?" you coo'ed, as Hugh clicked his tongue shaking his head in disbelief you just asked that question. "are you kidding? i love it." his calloused hands made a contact with your soft skin of your back, giving it a gentle caress. "do you think you can take this off of me...?" hugh seemed to be taken aback by your question, he assumed that you were mocking his ability for doing it with someone who is much more younger than him. he thinks you're mocking him because he's old enough to be your uncle, or even your dad. watching his taken aback reaction, you broke out another giggle. "are you seriously questioning, my ability if i could still fuck this pussy of yours without limping afterwards?" -- "well if you want to put it that way." you shrugged. and boy did you wished you didn't make fun of his age... five minutes later he has you moaning and whining out his name as he's bottoming inside you deep, swirling and thrusting his hips drilling his heavy cock inside your warm cunt. the room's filled with the squelching sound of his cock being milked by your velvety walls. hugh has his hand wrapped around your neck, his eyes bore deep into yours, watching you moan and cry pathetically for his cock as hugh chuckles sarcastically, "who's laughing now, pretty girl? look at you, all dumb and fucked out with my cock. you think i'm too old to make you cum? you think i'm too old to fuck you? no baby, look-- look who's fucking you so good? me. only with my cock you could get this crazy, fuck."

#Kira thots #anon #Hugh Jackman #Hugh Jackman smut #hugh jackman drabbles #hugh jackman smut drabbles #hugh jackman dirty drabbles #hugh jackman dirty imagine #hugh jackman imagine #hugh jackman fic #hugh jackman x reader #hugh jackman x female reader #hugh jackman x you

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thevoidstaredback · 7 months ago

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How To Balance Your Daytime and Nighttime Activities So That You Don't Burn Yourself Out More Than You Already Have

Tim was waiting for them at the door, sitting one the steps of the Manor's entrance, when they arrived. He grinned an jumped up when he saw the car, not quite running down to meet them. Danny nearly jumped out of the moving car to catch Tim.

"Hey, Danny!"

"Hey, Tim!"

Dick got out of the car after turning it off. He rolled his eyes at the two kids. "Hey, Dick." Tim and Danny snickered at him, ditching a handshake in favor of a high five. "You two have met in person once, why are you so close?"

"Occupational hazard," Danny answered.

"Why? Are you jealous?" Tim teased.

"I am not!" Dick protested, "I'm just curious."

The two didn't believe him for a second. "Yeah, sure."

"I'm not!"

The large oak doors to the Manor opened slowly, not creaking once, pulling the three's attention to the top of the stairs. Just inside of the open left door was an older gentleman in a pressed, three piece suit. "Master Dick," he smiled, "Welcome home."

Dick smiled up at him. "Hey, Alfred. It's good to see you."

"You as well," he stepped to the side, inviting the three inside. Dick walk in first, followed by Tim. Danny took up the rear.

Holding out his hand, Danny said, "You must be Alfred. I'm Danny. It's nice to meet you!"

Alfred closed the door before taking Danny's hand. "Likewise, Master Danny."

"Oh, please, none of that 'master' stuff."

"'Mister' it is, then."

Danny didn't like Bristol, Gotham, New Jersey. It was plastic and fake and reeked of money. The trees and lawns and bushes were all exactly alike, and each property was marked off by wrought iron fences nearly ten feet tall that stretched on forever in every direction.

Wayne Manor, though, had a different feel to it. It still smelled of old money, and the greenery was all perfectly plastic looking, but it felt warm. No. It was almost as cold as the other properties in the area, but there was an underlying warmth to it that was slowly being choked out. Like red dye in a glass of water.

Alfred, Danny decided, was not human. He was perfectly human in every way, but there was something about him that nudged at Danny. His posture was perfect, his clothing pressed and not touched by even a speck of dust. His shoes were shiny, his gloves whiter than snow, and his hair lay perfectly. Danny knew for a fact that Wayne Manor was this man's haunt, even if the man is still of the living. The building was perfectly cared for, and he was sure that Alfred knows where everyone and everything are as long as they're within the Manor property lines.

"Thank you for having me," Danny bowed his head slightly. Alfred's smile grew ever so slightly.

"Please," Alfred nodded, "I must thank you for taking care of Master Dick while I have been unable to.."

"It's not problem, really," he said, "I like helping people."

"Should we be worried about whatever..that is?" Tim whispered to Dick.

"I don't think so?" Dick whispered back.

"You don't sound so sure."

Alfred was the first to move, stepping naturally in front of the group to take the lead. "If you'll follow me to the drawing room, I will bring in refreshments while you all talk."

Dick laughed politely, "Don't be so stiff, Alfie! I'll come help you in the kitchen; leave those two to chat." He winked like he knew something neither Danny or Tim did. They ignored him.

"Very well," Alfred accepted, "I expect Master Tim to show Mister Danny the way."

"Yeah, sure," Tim nodded, "C'mon, Danny, it's this way."

The Manor was large on the outside and inside. The foyer was easily thirty feet tall, a crystal chandelier and white frosted wall scones brightening up the black marble floors and beige walls. A pristine, dark green rug ran up the stairs. On either side of the stairs, imbedded into the walls under the landing, were birch double doors. Dick and Alfred went through the ones on the left, presumably to the kitchen. Tim led Danny through the ones on the right.

The hallway Tim and Danny were no in was only ten feet tall. The floor had become dark oak planks covered by a long, dark red carpet. The walls were the same beige as the foyer, but these were decorated with pictures and paintings of landscapes and cityscapes. Potted plants on small tables and short benches were spaced along the walls. About fifteen feet from the birch doors was a dark wood archway leading into another room.

"This is the drawing room." Tim introduced.

The room followed a similar theme as the hallway. Dark wood floors and beige walls. There was an unlit, red brick fireplace directly opposite the archway, a TV a few inches over the mantel. Bookshelves that were obviously only decoration lined the right wall. A white, circle area rug covered most of the space, accompanied by dark blue and oak furniture, and scratchy white throw pillows. The decorations all matched the hallway, too.

It was all very impersonal.

"What's wrong?" Tim asked after a moment of Danny looking around.

"Nothing," he said, "it all just seems a bit.. manufactured?" He looked at Tim. "Don't take that the wrong way! It's a beautiful building! I'm just- I'm not used to this is all." A lie, but Tim didn't need to know that.

Tim laughed. "It's not my house, so don't worry about it."

Danny's head tilted to the side. "Oh? Then where do you live?"

"Why?" he smirked, "Gonna follow me home if I don't tell you?"

"Maybe." he shrugged back.

The single birch door on the left wall opened, letting Dick and Alfred into the room. They put two trays on the coffee table, one with different snack foods and the other with a few drinks. Alfred was quick to leave the room again.

"Welp," Dick clapped, "I'll leave you two in here to talk. I'm going to-" Danny leveled a glare at him. "-sit here and join your conversation."

Tim stared between the two for a second before laughing again. "Dude! You have to teach me how to do that!"

"Why? Think it'll work on Bruce-man?" That got both Tim and Dick laughing.

"Only one way to find out."

Danny laughed along with them for a few moments before sighing. "I hate to ruin the moment, but I did drag Dick here for a reason." He stepped back a few feet, motioning to Dick.

"Er- Right." Dick cleared his throat. "Tim, I'm sorry for yelling at you when you stopped by Bludhaven."

Tim blinked, giving Danny the impression that he was not used to apologies and the like. Hm. That'll have to change. "It's, um, okay?"

"Great-!"

"No it's not." Danny interrupted, "He yelled at you. You don't have to say it's okay."

"But it is?" Tim reasoned. "I'm used to it."

That's going to change, too.

Part 11 Part 13

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tadpolesonalgae · 7 months ago

Text

Nighttime

Rhysand x reader

For day 4 of @acotar-omegaverse-week — Getting Knotty: …you really didn't think we'd have omegaverse week without a whole day for knots, did you?

a/n: this is kind of short but I’m hoping also relatively sweet/soft 🧡💛

warnings: cockwarming; knots; edging…?; soft Rhys; fluff; sub reader

word count: 1,208

——————————————————————————————————————————————

You squirm in his lap, hips shifting faintly as you aim for some kind of stimulation.

Rhys grunts faintly from the movement, feeling you tighten around him as inner muscles flex to aid your positioning. “Darling,” he chastises, “keep still. You’ve a while left yet.”

“But Rhys…” You pull back far enough to peer up at him, trying to look as fuckable as possible to tempt him to give in. Sadly, he seems immune this particular evening, simply settling back in his chair and stroking his palm over the crown of your head. “Are you going to behave? Or should I put you over my lap?”

“I’ll behave,” you try to negotiate, “but I want…” You fumble over the finish, still getting too flustered to voice your needs. He’s been nothing but encouraging and comforting in the bedroom, and yet bashfulness keeps you quiet, glancing away with hot cheeks.

“Darling. What is it?” Deft fingers delicately push beneath your jaw, inclining your chin to meet his twinkling eyes, “Talk to me.” Your flush deepens, hips instinctively tilting before you still their motion, remembering you’re trying to be good. “I…you.”

“Me?” His mouth quirks. “I hope you’re not about to argue, darling. I’d hate to make you wait any longer. And just when you were reaching the end, too.”

“No! No, I just…” you look up at him pleadingly, begging for him to just go into your mind and read what you’re thinking from there, so you can be spared the humiliation of voicing your desires.

Rhys merely raises a brow, amusement clear in his handsome features as he watches you struggle and fumble.

“Can you…I want you to finish.” The words push from your tongue, Rhys swallowing down a groan as you tighten around him. “Or at least, get close to…climax,” you hasten to add, fingers playing nervously with the hem of his collar, pale linen folding beneath your digits. “Please, I just want to feel you a bit more.” You make the effort to look up at him, thighs faintly squeezing his waist with need. “I’ll feel better…comforted…if I can feel you like that.”

“Want to feel me locking you in place? Would that make you feel more secure?”

You’re unsure if he’s patronising you—he has a mean streak that occasionally surfaces in light-hearted ways—so you choose to take him at his word just in case, flushing as you nod your head. It’s been ages, and maybe it makes you needy but you want that reassurance. Just that little extra piece of intimacy to soothe the irrational mumblings of your mind.

Violet eyes twinkle, holding your gaze for what feels like minutes before his lips soften at their edges, his palm cupping your cheek. “Promise you’re not saying this to get out of your little predicament?”

“I promise.” Then after a moment follows a muffled ‘sorry…’

His smile fades a little, bringing you closer so he can press a kiss to your cheek. “You’ve nothing to apologise for. I’m happy you’re telling me,” he adds on when he sees your lips parting to argue for your imagined short-coming. “Let’s get you moving a bit, hm?” You manage a nod, tiptoes grazing the wooden floor of his office before finding your footing, softly bucking your hips as you mumble a ‘thank you’. It earns you another kiss to your cheek, having warmth sizzle throughout your body as butterflies flutter.

“Is this okay?” You mumble, palms splayed out across his chest, the pads of your fingers lightly digging into the sculpted muscle of his stomach. “Perfect,” Rhys whispers, hands trailing reverently up your arms until they’re cupping your shoulders, rubbing to keep you reassured. “You’re doing so well.”

“You’re just saying that.” You huff, too flustered to accept the praise, instinctively rejecting it. Rough hands grip your hips, pulling you to an abrupt stop, a whimper whining from your throat. Violet eyes pierce into you, “Would I lie to you?”

You fumble, trying to look away so you don’t have to answer. It doesn’t fly. His grip tightens but his tone remains soft; calming, “Darling, answer me. Would I lie to you?”

“…no, Rhys.”

“No, I wouldn’t. If I tell you you’re doing well, it’s because you’re doing well. If I say you’re perfect, it’s because you’re perfect. If I say you’re my good, sweet omega…?” He raises a brow in your direction, encouraging you. A flush creeps up your neck, but you answer. “It’s because I’m your good…sweet, omega.”

“There you go.” The chuckle is both pleased and pleasured, pride twinkling in his features and he once more presses a kiss to your cheek, then drops another to the tip of your nose for good measure.

“Now, I want you to keep moving until you’re happy.” You blink, glancing up at him for more guidance. When he gives none, leaving it up to you, you falter. “But what if I come?” You ask—that was the whole point of the scene, for you to be denied pleasure. You don’t want to disappoint him. But Rhys shrugs his shoulders, squeezing your hips, “if you come, you come. You lasted long enough.”

“But-”

“Don’t stress over it,” he smiles, raising his hand so his thumb can stroke back and forth over the crest of your cheek. “Make yourself feel good,” violet eyes meet your own, “okay?”

You want to kiss him. Want to pull him to your lips and pepper him with tiny kisses for making you feel so comfortable. For being such a safe space and remaining so open, even when you’re like this. He would never encourage the self-deprecating thoughts but it’s hard to come to terms with some of the more needy parts of yourself, the constant seeking of reassurance through touch or time or intimacy.

You manage a nod of your head, beginning to carefully rock your hips back and forth. Slowly getting him riled up until his knot is almost fully formed. You’d probably still be able to slip off if you tried but it would be a stretch. It’s as close as you want him to be, able to feel that swell of his cock lodged a little inside your cunt, pushing outwards to your walls and your squeeze him contentedly.

“This is good,” you murmur, leaning into the heat of his chest, greedily hauling down his warmth and basking in the sturdiness of his chest. “Can we stay like this for a bit?” You request, nosing at the skin the neckline of his shirt exposes, breathing in his scent that has tension seeping from your limbs, melting all over his lap. Powerful arms wrap around your back, tucking you closer as he sits back up in his seat, allowing you to remain there for a little longer while he goes back to his desk.

“Just start moving again whenever you want more.” The instruction is soft beside your ear, but it sends a shiver of need up your spine nonetheless. You want to press kisses all over his skin.

Instead you shimmy closer, laying your cheek to his chest, basking in the rightness of your unity. There’s no place you’d rather be.

——————————————————————————————————————————————

general taglist: @myheartfollower @tcris2020 @mali22 @slut4acotar @sfhsgrad-blog @needylilgal022 @hannzoaks @hnyclover @skyesayshi @nyotamalfoy @decomposing-writer @soph1644 @lilah-asteria @nighttimemoonlover @mrsjna

rhys taglist: @azrielshadows1nger

#rhysand x reader #acotaromegaverse2024 #nighttime #rhysand smut #rhysand x reader smut #rhysand fluff

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witchyafterdark · 4 months ago

Text

Consolidated HL Character Profile #2:

— Sebastian Sallow —

Note: Finally, here is Sebastian's version of the complete profile analysis I've done before! I actually started doing his profile before Ominis' but his character information and background became more difficult for me to understand. Nevertheless, I'm happy to post this one for all the Sebastian girlies — and fans in general! 💕

As always, tags and shoutouts are at the very end of this post.

This is a very, very long post. Pace yourself and take your time.

—---—---—---—---—

I. Possible Birth Place

NOTE: These are all speculated places backed with cross-referenced research, and other people’s headcanons. This was the most difficult part of this post, and I am open to other suggestions and ideas.

Before we begin to even tackle all the possible birthplaces of Sebastian (and Anne), there are a couple of important things that needed to be discussed. At the end of this segment, there will be options to choose from based on narrowed down (and specified) locations.

Firstly, we know that Sebastian’s parents were professors who unfortunately passed away before he and Anne developed their magical abilities. Therefore, majority of people in the HL community have an unspoken agreement that the Sallow family (except Solomon) used to live near Hogwarts—if Mr. and Mrs. Sallow were to fulfill their work as professors during the day, and come home to their children at night every single day. They had to live near their place of work because it was indicated that they spent nearly every waking moment in the cellar attending to their academic pursuits.

But wait… where exactly is Hogwarts located?

Scotland is a massive place with lots of towns and cities. In order to narrow down the possible locations of where Hogwarts is situated, I have referred to this source that had studied this whole topic with as much precision as possible that simultaneously pieced together book-canon mentions of the castle itself.

This map shown below is the route that the Hogwarts Express travels from London (at King’s Cross Station) to the castle that oversees Hogsmeade as well. According to the website linked above, standard Victorian steam-powered trains run for 80mph (or 128kph). But under route calculation and terrain consideration, the train would have had the speed of around 65mph if it is to comply with the fact that the students reach Hogwarts by nighttime. And since the entire magical community of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade (and the entire magical Scottish Highlands) are hidden from muggle view, the estimation of Hogwarts’ location is either the Galloway Hills or the West Highlands.

For the sake of congruency between book-canon information and the landscape of the game’s map, this post will settle on the West Highlands instead.

Fun Fact: It was said that Hogsmeade was founded by an Englishman named Hengist of Woodcroft. I noticed that places with the word “-croft” is predominant in Hogwarts Legacy. There’s the Undercroft and Feldcroft, and I think it wraps up nicely alongside the origins of the founder of Hogsmeade himself.

—

Now that Hogwarts’ location has been established, let’s move on with Sebastian’s possible birthplaces.

1. Aranshire

It has been such a long while ago, but I have asked permission from @hogwartslegacypics to reference the post she did before. (Thank you for allowing me to use your work for mine. All pictures used in this segment are credited to you).

There have been deleted voice lines that Sebastian would say or be triggered when you walk with him around this area using the Companion Mod. The quest in Aranshire would have the main character investigate what happened in the village becoming abandoned by its townspeople. This would lead to a house inhabited by Mary Portman, and she was responsible for breeding all sorts of spiders in the cellar of her house.

Furthermore, Sebastian would have a specific voice line once you get inside the cellar. I have tried to activate this dialogue with other NPC’s but it’s only him that says it. There is the possibility that this quest was supposed to be done with Sebastian as part of his questline.

In this video, with the timestamp 59:39, only Sebastian says this line:

“I suppose we know what happened to Mary Portman. She was breeding the spiders.”

It would be both economical and logical for the Sallow professors to have a house near their place of employment instead of boarding with the other professors in the Faculty Tower without a live-in sitter watching their two children. And even if they did hire someone to watch their children, we were never given any indication that the twins were left under someone else's care when Mr. and Mrs. Sallow were still alive. Plus, it would put quite a dent on their finances to rely on childcare services for the whole school year that they'd be at work.

Lastly, giving birth at home is the norm during Victorian times. According to the Victorian Web:

"... for much of the nineteenth century the safest place to be delivered, regardless of social class, was at home by a well-trained midwife. Until the widespread use of antisepsis in the 1880s, male practitioners were more likely to carry infection, using unclean instruments and moving as they did between different types of medical cases and post-mortems to deliveries."

And so, it would make perfect sense that Mrs. Sallow would give birth at the comfort and safety of their home—which would indicate that Sebastian and Anne's birthplace would be Aranshire, or at the very least, near Hogwarts.

2. St. Mungo’s Hospital, London

Another possible place where Sebastian and Anne might have been born is actually at St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.

I would like to believe that Wizarding medical practices have stark differences from their muggle counterparts, and that the use of magic may have provided the Wizarding world some medical advances long before muggle technological discoveries.

While all of this is just speculation, there is also the possibility of complications with giving birth to a set of twins. Given that most women of the Victorian age preferred home births due to the higher maternal mortality rate with hospital births, there could still be the possibility that Mrs. Sallow had Sebastian and Anne at the hospital.

Both of his parents are professors, and was said to be open-minded folks. It wouldn't be surprising if they are the type of new parents who had read every maternity book they could get their hands on, and may have chosen the option of having medical witches and wizards to aid the delivery of the twins—should any sort of complications arise in the midst of labor.

St. Mungo's Hospital is located in London, concealed in such a manner similar to that of Diagon Alley.

"To enter the premises, one might step through the window of what appeared to be a red-bricked, condemned department store called Purge and Dowse, Ltd. This acted as a magical gateway to the main building, much like the barrier at King's Cross Station to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Although the "department store" building housing the hospital might have been relatively small, this was not an indication of the true capacity of a magical building, the interior looked exactly as a hospital should. One way an individual could enter the building was speaking to an apparently inanimate dummy in the department store."

3. Fort William, Scotland

For Sebastian's last possible place of birth, I had to resort to looking at his wiki page. There was one little thing that I noticed written on his biographical information. There is chance that he is a half-blood.

Given that both his parents are professors, we don't actually have any actual confirmation or evidence that they taught at Hogwarts!

It could be feasible that one of Sebastian's parents was indeed a professor at Hogwarts, while the other one taught at a muggle school. If that's the case, then the Sallow family might have to settle somewhere in the "middle" of their place of work—one goes to the Wizarding community while the other goes to the nearest muggle town.

And according to the map below, the nearest muggle town that was actually the final stop before Hogwarts was Fort William.

Although, just because Sebastian and Anne were born here doesn't mean that they were raised here. It was still canonically stated that Sebastian grew up within the Wizarding community; which is around Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Aranshire, and other hamlets deep in the Scottish Highlands.

Nevertheless, if one really wants to pinpoint an actual location on the (muggle) map, then Fort William is the nearest and most likely place. And yes, the Hogwarts Express Train passes by this beautiful town.

—

End Results:

Sebastian (and Anne) was most likely born in Aranshire, given the amount of evidence we have in the game—alongside exclusive deleted voice lines from the character himself. Then again, the two other options listed above can be considered as well if we entertain the idea of expounding on the tidbits and hints of information we have about him (such as the possibility that he is a half-blood).

—---—---—---—---—

II. Possible Date of Birth

NOTE: If you're not interested in astrology, you can just skip this one, and go to Part 3, 4, and 5!

This section of the post is pure speculation, and no solid proof at all. But we do know that Sebastian should be born between September 1, 1874 and August 31, 1875 if he was to be eleven years-old during the start of his first year at Hogwarts. Therefore, all of the following information is gathered by astrological observations of his character.

(I have a personal tarot and astrology account, @tarotwitchy, if you guys are interested in knowing more about this type of content).

Based on character analysis, I believe that Sebastian is a Virgo Sun, Scorpio Moon, and Sagittarius Rising.

Now, what does that mean?

Let's break down his character one astrological placement at a time.

1. Virgo Sun

— A lot of people think he is a Scorpio Sun. But as one myself, he doesn't quite fit the bill. Instead, based on his actions throughout the game, he represents the hallmark traits of a Virgo Sun. A person with this placement is someone who gets things done. They have laser-sharp focus on things that matter to them, and they will stop at nothing until they've satisfied their own thirst for knowledge and understanding and experience of whichever captivated their whole attention.

— It's because of this "obsessive" behavior that he is tagged as a Scorpio. But in his case, obsession is a manifestation of an unhealthy Virgo; one that cannot admit defeat and accept their losses. It's like beating a dead horse. It's not actually obsession that took over Sebastian. It's his stubbornness. It's his refusal to acknowledge that he is, in fact, not correct in his methods, and disregards anyone else's advice and pleas for him to stop.

— Before the whole Scriptorium and Relic debacle, you get to know him as someone who has a great reputation around school. The professors and the librarian acknowledge that he is a bright boy, and a notable duellist. When done right, a person with Virgo Sun shines brightly in perfecting their crafts and honing their strengths. The best part is that they have no qualms about helping others reach their full potential as well (and this is evident with the way he helps the MC perform well in practicing spells and teaching them Confringo. He loves knowing beyond what the school is willing to teach. For him, knowledge is knowledge).

2. Scorpio Moon

— This is what most people think he is. But in astrology, the basest of our instincts and emotional fallback is not reflected by our Sun sign but by our Moon sign. Our Moon sign is our last line of defense when the going gets tough. We fall into the characteristics of this placement when our "public façade" has failed to mitigate whatever issue we're dealing with.

— As for Sebastian, his Scorpio Moon took hold of the reins during the time when he was running on fumes; mentally, emotionally, and physically. In Ominis' only note, he mentioned that Sebastian is not acting like himself. As much as he is severely influenced by the Relic, it is believed that Dark Magic amplifies the wizard's emotional status.

— With Sebastian, he was already emotionally worn out from the knawing hopelessness of his sister's condition and from the verbal assault he endures from his uncle. When you combine all these elements together, you get the unhealthiest version of a volatile Scorpio Moon.

3. Virgo Mercury

— People with their Mercury in Virgo are reservoirs of both knowledge and the ambition to understand more than what they already know. They aren't the type of people to stop searching for answers simply because they already found a half-baked solution to their problems. They go the extra mile, and then some more.

— And as we all know, Sebastian had turned the entire library upside down reading tome after tome on possible solutions for Anne's dilemma. A Slytherin main character would first encounter him pacing back and forth in the common room reading a huge book... on the first day of school.

— Majority of people with this astrological placement report that they just have that intellectual "itch" that needs to be scratched with more and more information, experimentation, research, and discovery. Until that hunger is satiated, they will not stop their quest to find out the truth they seek. We see Sebastian's downward spiral with this attribute. He was willing to go as far as casting the Cruciatus curse just to get his hands on Salazar Slytherin's spellbook.

4. Scorpio Venus

— Men with Scorpio Venuses are those who aren’t afraid with the nitty gritty of interpersonal and romantic relationships. Some people like to keep things on the surface level, not really bothering with really getting to know other people on an intimate level. And yet, Sebastian has shown to be yearning for more information about the people he’s involved with.

— In the game, when the main character was starting to understand their abilities with ancient magic, Sebastian was quick to ask, “what aren’t you telling me?” He’s the kind of person who goes beyond the hi’s and hello’s, and wants to understand his companion’s current situation. This is the hallmark trait of a person with their Venus in Scorpio. Furthermore, he also exhibits the mentality of wanting to always be in-the-loop of his loved ones’ lives, even if he’s dealing with his own problems at the same time. In his mind, your problem is also his problem, and he will not abandon you in your most trying times.

— This kind of closeness can sometimes be overwhelming for people who aren’t used to another person being very personal and up-close with their lives. But this is one of the way a Scorpio Venus shows their love, and this is very evident with how Sebastian is also helping the main character in their quest find out more about Ancient Magic in spite of drowning in his own research on Anne’s cure.

5. Leo Mars

— If Mars in Leo had a textbook example, Sebastian’s face would be on the cover. To name a few examples of how he exhibits some of the qualities this astrological placement has, let’s start with the fact that Mars is the planet responsible with body language. The way Sebastian was portrayed during his cutscenes and with his routine walks around the castle, he has a very confident gait and posture. He naturally carries himself with his own brand of masculinity; not aggressively so, but securely taking up appropriate space for himself.

— Another quality that people with Leo Mars has is that they are not afraid of being under the spotlight. They live up to people’s expectations of them, and they deliver a spectacular show of presence. In Sebastian’s case, he was one of the best duelists of Crossed Wands, and he doesn’t shy away from being the main character’s opponent during Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

— He is charismatic, ambitious, and playfully adventurous and competitive. Then again, Sebastian is shown to be stubborn, dramatic, and prone to anger. These are the characteristic manifestations of Mars in the sign of Leo.

(Not to mention that his favorite spells are fiery in nature!)

6. Sagittarius Rising

— A person’s ascendant has something to do with people’s first impressions of them. There are some astrological analysis of what Sebastian’s ascendant (or rising) sign would be. Majority of them are saying he has a Scorpio Rising. To have a Scorpio Rising, one has to have a demeanor of being unapproachable, have an air of enigma, and being quite intimidating. However, our first interaction and impression of Sebastian couldn’t be further from the truth. He is open, he is approachable, he is playful, and he is chatty. Ominis, on the other hand, has a Scorpio Rising for the same reasons I stated above for this sign.

— Therefore, Sebastian has a Sagittarius Rising. Traits of this sign include having a curious glint in their eyes, being quite effortlessly popular amongst his peers, charmingly clever, and has an intellectual brand of humor.

— Sagittarius is the sign of higher learning. If the main character was a Slytherin, the very first cutscene of Sebastian is with him pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace, with a massive book in his hand, and reading and learning what he can about his dilemma. That is a very obvious and blatant display of a first impression of a Sagittarius rising.

—

End Results:

Sebastian Sallow was born on September 15, 1874 at around 1:00PM, during the autumn season.

Of course, all of this is just my personal headcanon but I made sure to back them up with research and imbued them with my own astrological knowledge when it comes to matching his personality and his possible birth date.

—---—---—---—---—

III. Psychometric Analysis

NOTE: I will be linking the sites for these tests should you want to take them yourself! 😊 Have fun!

1. MBTI

— ENTP (Extrovert, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving)

"ENTP's are known for their rebellious streak. For this personality type, no belief is too sacred to be questioned, no idea is too fundamental to be scrutinized, and no rule is too important to be broken or at least thoroughly tested. This could make them seem overly cavalier or defiant, but at their core, their innate tendency to test boundaries has more to do with their desire for innovation and change."

Sebastian is, quite literally, the poster boy for ENTP. He embodies the trademark inquisitive nature of this type, and he has the signature charm to back it up as well. He isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty to understand a certain topic he zeroes in on, and he doesn’t shy away from topics that would be considered taboo. As a matter of fact, he thrives in the taboo. Sebastian doesn’t discriminate the information that comes his way; instead, he has his own mental compass and filter that systematizes the knowledge he comes to possess.

2. Enneagram

— Type 8 with wing 7; SX/SP (The Maverick)

“8w7 people are action-oriented and powerful people with a passion for pursuing new opportunities. They tend to be self-confident, sociable, pragmatic and comfortable with conflict. They’re ambitious and independent, preferring to follow their own path. They dream big and have the dedication to achieve their goals. They thrive in environments that encourage their idealism, while granting them the authority to make a difference. They don’t settle for anything; they always seek more. They are also strategic and tough if needed.”

True to the name of this particular Enneagram, Sebastian is known as a rebel and a maverick. He’s the kind of person that questions the rules and authority instead of following blindly. He has his own moral code that he abides to because he is secure in his ability to make the correct decisions, even if we know that he’s going down a dark path. As a rebel, he will stubbornly insist to everyone that his way is the right way because he has already examined the possible courses of action outside the constraints of authority.

This is why he ended up butting heads with Ominis (who thrives in his own systematic order). To Sebastian, no rule is too sacred to break. As long as he sees the alternative outcomes to a specific goal, he will march to the beat of his own drum.

3. Four Temperaments

— Choleric–Sanguine (The Executive)

"The Choleric-Sanguine has a natural drive to quickly get results. They are goal and bottom-line oriented, and can be very persuasive in promoting their ideas and goals. They are easily annoyed when others do not comply with their instructions or direction but it passes quickly; quickly aroused, easily calmed. They are not angry, although others may at times think they are furious. They are impatient and will push others to obtain results and be productive."

This is blend of Temperament fits Sebastian perfectly, especially towards the tail end of his plotline. It’s very evident is his voice lines that he isn’t afraid to push people to their limits and persuade others relentlessly. He jumps into the heat of the battle without much thought, and he expects people to follow suit. He doesn’t appreciate it when his close friends question his motives because that would be an insinuation that they don’t trust his judgments. He is quick on his feet and even quicker with executing alternate routes to get closer to his goals instead of wallowing in his failures.

—---—---—---—---—

IV. Corporeal Patronus

NOTE: An Animagus is a witch or wizard's animal representation of their basest instincts and behavior. A Patronus is an animal manifestation of what makes them happiest. While most people will have the same animal for their Animagus form and Patronus, it's not always the case. We know that a person's Patronus can change throughout their lifetime.

Majority of people in the community have an unspoken agreement that Sebastian’s Animagus is a fox. By extension, his Patronus must take the corporeal form of a fox as well. However, I personally disagree with the definitions that I find in most sources. Therefore, I researched every possible Patronus result in the Wizarding World official test, and painstakingly reviewed their meanings using multiple sources. I have also enlisted the help of my cousin, who also completed her gameplay as a proud Hufflepuff, to determine which amongst all the extensive Patronus possibilities suit Sebastian the best. And after two hours of combing and debating through it, we have decided on the Buffalo.

This source defined this patronus as such:

Few possess just the right strength of character for their patronus to take the form of a buffalo. Those that do are dedicated individuals who are fiercely protective of those close to them, and not in a general way, either. Anyone foolish enough to attempt to harm another under a buffalo’s care is unlikely to come out unscathed. They are fighters, and it’s not uncommon for a buffalo to have their own personal code or way of acting to which normal morality simply doesn’t apply, which can be dangerous even for the buffalo. When all is well, they are placid but often outgoing, with strong personalities and who like having fun with those they bond to. However, going too long without contact with friends or family can lead to a buffalo feeling anxious or sad, and they will usually be at their best when sharing time with others. They are steadfast friends that enjoy being helpful and lending a hand to complete a task, or just making someone feel better. The buffalo is full of many feelings, the strong stature of them showing through a person in this way. They try to appear stoic, but it often backfires and they wear their hearts on their sleeves. They are passionate about everything they do and headstrong. They make sure their opinions are known by all that they concern, because they want to show that they are not weak. They feel as though their emotion and lack of control over it does in a way give them weakness, and it angers them greatly. They have strong tempers that are easy to lose.

A witch or a wizards Patronus has been proven to change over the span of their lifetime, and is influenced by major milestones such as marriage, relationships, or simply being influenced by your parent’s Patronus. However, based on the game material itself, a Buffalo Patronus fits Sebastian the best. Yes, he can still emulate the trickster and cunning nature of having a Fox Animagus. But based on his emotional state throughout the game, this animal’s spirit and its subsequent meaning perfectly reflects why he did the things he has done. He bulldozes his way through things without much contemplation, and he does wear his heart on his sleeves. Sebastian is the type to also care about the problems of his friends and loved ones personally, and will be their pillar of strength when needed.

—---—---—---—---—

V. Wand Analysis

1. Wand Wood

Based on the physical characteristics of this wand and the meaning of the wood, it's highly possible that Sebastian's wand is made from Yew Wood.

According to the wand wood information:

"Yew wands are among the rarer kinds, and their ideal matches are likewise unusual, and occasionally notorious. The wand of yew is reputed to endow its possessor with the power of life and death, which might, of course, be said of all wands; and yet yew retains a particularly dark and fearsome reputation in the spheres of duelling and all curses. However, it is untrue to say (as those unlearned in wandlore often do) that those who use yew wands are more likely to be attracted to the Dark Arts than another. The witch or wizard best suited to a yew wand might equally prove a fierce protector of others. Wands hewn from these most long-lived trees have been found in the possession of heroes quite as often as of villains. Where wizards have been buried with wands of yew, the wand generally sprouts into a tree guarding the dead owner’s grave. What is certain, in my experience, is that the yew wand never chooses either a mediocre or a timid owner."

There have been a plethora of different wand woods that are actually suitable for Sebastian's magical disposition. Most people have hypothesized that his wand is made from Aspen due to its duelling nature. However, I have considered that Sebastian's duelling skills are not emphasized because of the wand he uses. It is through his innate magical skills and strength that made him an exceptional duellist.

I also do not see him joining a duelling club (Silver Spears) as a way to flaunt his wand and the exclusivity of what it entails. He was most likely recruited due to his consistent displays of sheer talent and capabilities in martial magic during classes. Sebastian doesn't seem to be the type to use a personal artifact to bolster his reputation. Rather, he utilizes everything he has with efficient resourcefulness to hone his abilities manually and with hard work. You can take his wand from him and provide him with another, and he'd still be formidable with it. That is the kind of witch or wizard Yew wands choose — just as it chose Tom Riddle and Ginny Weasley.

2. Wand Core

This one is easy to determine. Sebastian's wand is imbued with a core of Dragon Heartstring. According to Ollivander, this wand is powerful yet volatile at the wrong hands.

"As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental."

With how quickly Sebastian reads and practices a lot of things in such a short period of time (and simultaneously juggling his studies along with it), it's safe to say that he is a quick learner. He easily absorbs what he reads and witnesses without trouble, and he is able to put into immediate use what he discovers just moments ago. It makes sense that he is paired with a wand with this kind of core, as he needs a magical conduit that doesn't hinder his fast progress.

Furthermore, it is a matter of fact that he truly is drawn towards the Dark Arts, and he was able to cast all the Unforgivable Curses without any error nor did he fumble with them. It takes a great amount of skill a wizard possesses in order to execute these highly complex, powerful, and very dark magic. This is something that a Dragon Heartstring wand core looks for in its owner; the innate drive and relentless energy to fulfill advanced forms of magic. Sebastian just so happens to tick all of those boxes seamlessly.

3. Wand Flexibility and Length

According to the official source:

"Wand flexibility or rigidity denotes the degree of adaptability and willingness to change possessed by the wand-and-owner pair."

Because of that, his wand's flexibility is most likely Hard. This source had explained it perfectly:

"A wand of this flexibility is very difficult to work with and its loyalty is not won easily. Hard wands are great for complex and advanced levels of magic, so beginning wizards and witches may find extra difficulty with this wand when it doesn't perform well for simple magic. As such, this type of wand is best suited for wizards and witches who are gifted, stubborn, and never give up. Owners of this wand also have a tendency to view things in absolutes; black or white. Some people may find them intimidating or difficult to approach."

Majority of Sebastian's wand analysis categorizes it as Unyielding. And while that was the initial decision in this post, I ultimately decided otherwise. With this flexibility, it really puts emphasis on his natural affinity for difficult spells and his tenacity to see through what he started. This kind of wand is not for the timid witch or wizard but someone who is comfortable being challenged time and time again. And of course, Sebastian sees a challenge as a test of his magical progress and curiosities.

As for the length of it, a standard 12 and 3/4 inches suits him just fine. He isn't too cocky about his skills but he also has confidence in himself to get things done.

—

End Results:

Yew Wood, Dragon Heartstring Core, Hard Flexibility, and 12 3/4 inches long! (It isn't a mystery that Confringo is one of his favorite spells!)

—---—---—---—---—

Honestly, this is a difficult one to finish. There wasn’t much to go on with, and every information here was based on very limited information. And most of my posts took a back burner because I feel like I needed to finish this one first. And I had this post sitting in my drafts for more than a year now!

Nevertheless, I am happy with what I produced, and this was given the same amount of thought as the one I had with Ominis. This one’s for all the Sebastian lovers! I hope this is up to par with other character analysis we already have in the fandom.

Tags:

Just a shoutout to my cousin, Marsha, for helping me with this post! I had so much fun doing this at the crack of dawn while we FaceTimed. Without your help, this post won’t be published. Love you to bits, and I’ll see you in December!

@sunnyrealist: I promised, didn’t I? I’m sorry it took a year, though!

@pufflehuffing: I swear, our conversations will always be the highlight of my social media presence in this fandom. This one’s for you, too!

@ravenwind-75: I know you’re an Ominis girlie but I also promised to share this with you once I wrapped it up. Our chats have always been so nice, and I genuinely enjoy being a part of your community.

—

Look at the date when I first created this post. It's been rotting in my drafts for more than a year now... just like the rest of my other posts. 🥲

#hogwarts legacy #hogwarts legacy headcanons #hogwarts legacy headcanon #sebastian sallow #sebastian sallow headcanon #sebastian sallow headcanons #sebastian sallow imagine #sebastian sallow imagines #sebastian sallow x mc #sebastian sallow smut #yes i put this in the smut tags cuz i feel like this is an intellectual kind of smut where the information fucks you until your brain's mush #the brain rot is strong #the brain rot is real #the brainrot continues #but after this post... I'm going to lay low on the headcanons #i'm afraid this one did me in #my brain is fried #witchy speaks

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splatashahowlett · 7 months ago

Text

Nighttime frenzy

logan howlett x reader

part.2

you trusted charles with your life, everybody knew it. but sometimes he had the tendency of making the dumbest decisions known to mankind, at least from the outside. one of those senseless decisions was sending you and logan, the person that annoyed you the most in the whole world, on a mission on the other side of the country.

that's how you ended up in a trashy camping car in the middle of texas. what a great spring break! as if the smell of the vehicle or the broken ac wasn't enough, logan had decided to be even more irritating than usual. the begining of the trip could be summarized by unrelenting bickering; like logan tying you to your seat with the seatbelt after you threatened him to jump out of the window while he was driving.

you were conscious that you both acted like children, but you couldn't help it. you both seemed to awaken something in each other but couldn't quite put your finger on it. so you manifestly chose to hate each other. you accepted this mission for charles' sake and absolutely not cause something within you wanted to spend more time with logan.

"stop. it." logan fussed at you, who wouldn't stop pressing every single buttons before you: resulting in turning on the headlights, changing the radio channel, folding and unfolding the rear-view mirrors or activating the blinker. you knew you were getting insufferable but you had to occupy yourself during the trip right ?

"damn, you're so lame. you're the worst person to do a road trip with" you rolled your eyes, wishing it was ororo next to you. logan didn't answer, probably also wishing it was someone else next to him. so you kept going: "you're telling me charles has all those fancy cars and we're stuck with this piece of crap ? how is that even possible ?" logan, again stayed silent, but you knew he agreed on this one.

you both fell silent. the only thing you could hear was the occasional car driving by and honking at logan -considering the truck was going way too slow for everyone's liking- which would inspire logan's need to swear. each time he muttered a "fuck off" or honk in return you would let out a soft laugh, followed by a death stare from logan.

the heat was excruciating and you desperatly needed a shower. so you begged logan to make a stop for the night.

"logan, I know you want it too" you coaxed, giving him a pleading gaze. logan abrubtly stopped the truck almost sending you flying through the windshield if it wasn't for his arm suddenly coming infront of your stomach.

"fine" logan said firmly. you bit your lip, amused but also embarassed by being corrected like a child. "I'll go for a walk while you're showering" he continued, stepped out the truck and slammed the door with enough strength to shake the entirety of the vehicle, including you.

half an hour after your shower logan was still gone and you started to feel dumb for acting frivolous. was he really mad at you? did he get lost? it wasn't your problem anyway, if you could finish the mission alone it would be better for everyone.

so you climbed into the only bed, thinking logan was not going to sleep anwway. you didn't care nevertheless if he wanted to, you would get the bed.

you woke up in the middle of the night, crickets basically singing to death. it was still extremely hot which explained your choice of clothes: a light tank top with a small short. what couldn't be explained was the presence of a monstruous bear in your bed. well, logan had enough of walking you guessed. it's only when your eyes adjusted to the darkness that you noticed logan was bare chest, and even if you hated it, this made your heart flutter.

right as when you were falling asleep, logan started shifting franticly in his sleep. you tilted your head, confused as to what was happening until you heard him mutter somehing along the lines of "let me go". ororo had told you about logan's recuring nightmares and you figured this must be one of those. you didn't really know what to do, being woken up by someone you don't appreciate much must be even worse than having a nightmare and you also didn't want to end up with his claws in your guts. so you found nothing better than to fill an old bucket you found in a cupboard with water and to drown him with it.

logan woke up instantly, claws coming out his knuckles. this definitely wasn't the best idea but at least no one got hurt. logan looked at you, not an ounce of anger in his eyes but more of worry. he got up and seated himself on the stairs leading to the outside off the camping car.

ten minutes later you joined logan by leaning against the doorframe. you didn't love the guy to death, but you knew those kind of nightmares were merciless and left you reliving things you wanted to forget over and over again. you didn't have to get a degree in psychology to guess logan wasn't doing great right now, his arms were crossed over his knees and his eyes fixated on the ground.

"come on, I changed the sheets" you spoke softly, scared to disturb his thoughts more than they already were. logan didn't move at first so you assumed he needed more time. you were about to join the bed when you heard a gentle protest.

"I'm sorry" logan said. you stopped in your tracks, surprised at how logan was acting. this was the first time he showed a sign of weakness. this made your heart melt and you immediatly answered. "there's no need to be sorry logan, you didn't do anything wrong". logan looked up at you and you sweared you saw a glimpse of gratitude and maybe even more. he stood up and followed you in the bed. you were facing him, not wanting him to think you didn't mean what you just said if you turned your back to him. logan looked down, not wanting to show he felt miserable. you took his hand in yours and brushed your thumbs against the back of his hand in an attempt to bring him comfort. you guessed it worked cause when you looked back at him, he was looking straight into your eyes. usually you would find this interaction awkward and immediatly get out the bed, but if logan didn't take his hand back that must mean that he needs you to stay and show him that he is not alone. so you stayed.

"I'm sorry for throwing water at you" you muttered, almost inaudible. the corner of logan's lips twitched upwards and you couldn't help but smile. you scooted closer to him and hid your face in his chest. one of your hand left his and found its way on his back, hugging him. you could hear logan let out a sigh of relief before planting his chin on your head, keeping you close to him.

"thank you".

you would go back to hating each other tomorrow, right now you just wanted to hold each other as long as the moon was glowing.

#logan howlett fluff #wolverine x reader #logan howlett x reader #deadpool and wolverine #hugh jackman #xmen fanfiction

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beemo-clippin · 8 months ago

Text

A compilation of Etho reacting to his 2011 1k subscriber special.

Clipped from the 1 million sub special, "Etho Plays Minecraft - Episode 283: 1 Million!" (starting at 28:40)

Feedback:

This was my first time doing captioning so please do let me know if there’s anything that can be improved! Even if it’s style-wize bc I’m bad at that stuff.

And as always, let me know if I can improve my video descriptions or transcriptions :)

Video description and transcription below cut:

Video description:

Etho's first-person POV in his 2011 Minecraft Let's Play world. It is night and Etho is on a beach as he introduces the video as well as a celebratory tree sapling placed near the water. The video is a screen recording, and 2013 Etho commentates over it, but is unseen.

———

Cut to a new clip in the same setting. It is nighttime and Etho places a torch on a path of dirt blocks, lighting the area. The dirt blocks connect to the top of the tree, now grown, with a mob trap on top (a pressure plate surrounded by 4 doors). Etho walks through the trap and down some dirt steps. He walks around the dim-lit beach as older Etho laughs at him.

———

Cut to a new clip in the same setting. It is day now and Etho is on top of the tree, trying to lead a creeper into the mob trap. He breaks the door closest to the creeper, the creeper jumps and Etho backs away. The creeper explodes, bringing Etho to three and a half hearts, and destroying the top of the tree. As older Etho reacts in amusement, young Etho looks at the tree in shock, opens his inventory, drops a dirt block, and jumps down to the beach. A zombie floats in the water, and Etho tries to attack it with his sword, but is killed by the zombie.

———

Cut to a new clip in the same setting. It is day and Etho stands on the beach looking at the tree. The leaves have been reconstructed with wool and the entire thing is on fire. Etho jumps around as he watches the wool burn away. A piece of TNT is revealed in the center of the tree, and when lit by the fire, it explodes in a flurry of white and black particles, taking a chunk of the beach with it. Etho walks over and looks down at the destruction as older Etho pauses the video in amusement.

———

Transcription:

Young Etho: Hello everyone. Etho here again with episode nine of our Let's Play minecraft adventures

Etho: Ah, the voice is so different

Young Etho: And uh, before we can do anything this episode... I noticed, I just passed one thousand subscribers on YouTube

Etho: Oh, don't rub your nose

Young Etho: A thousand!

Etho: Woww

Young Etho: I'm blown away

Etho: Me too!

Young Etho: Over a thousand people willingly choose to watch me do crazy, stupid stuff in this game

Etho: *chuckles*

Young Etho: And I think that is just awesome

Etho: I don't know how you did it

Young Etho: So thanks to everybody who's- who is subscribing. And uh, please continue watching. We'll have lots of fun together.

Etho: Mhmm

Young Etho: And, uh, to celebrate the event, I planted this tree

Etho: *laughs*

Young Etho: to commoderate [commemorate] it

Etho: Alright

Young Etho: And...

Etho: Here it comes

Young Etho: It's gonna be a great tree ^-^

Etho: *laughs loudly* Needed a long pause there for emphasis

———

Etho: Yes! And a torch, he placed a torch! *laughs* I love how it's pitch black and you can't see anything.

Young Etho: Okay. So this is where the guest of honor's gonna sit.

Etho: And you've got an inventory full of torches and you're not using them. *laughs*

Young Etho: I really wish we got a better tree out of this, but whatever

Etho: I wish we could see

———

Etho: *laughs loudly* Aww special ruined. I- I was so, so sad. I didn't know what to do. What do I do now?

I- I'm not talking at all. It's just like... I failed. I failed. *laughs*

———

Young Etho: Awesome!!!

Etho: *laughs* Having the time of my life here. And a piece of TNT goes off. *laughs* And that was my special

Young Etho: Party's over, time to clean up

Etho: Aww, so good. *laughs* So good. How things have changed!

———

#ethoslab #ethoslaugh #ethoslab clips #hermitcraft clips #technically not hermitcraft? i dunno #I got a new computer and can do captions now :D #video description #transcription #transcribed #captioned

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yaksha-lover · 1 year ago

Text

As Lovers Go

Malleus Draconia x Reader

Summary: It may not be as grand as royalty is used to, but you do your best to plan a special night for Malleus on his birthday.

something short i scrambled together for my best boy, happy birthday malleus 🫶🫶

“Admittedly, it took some help from Trey to convince Riddle, but I like to think I did most of the work,” you say, leading Malleus by hand into the garden. “Okay, you can open your eyes.”

He blinks a couple times, but adjusts quickly to the nighttime lighting, surveying the scene. You’re in the Heartslabyul gardens, surrounded by red rose bushes on all sides. You’ve stopped in a small, clear area of grass where you’ve prepared for the night, a checkered blue picnic blanket laid out.

“Surprise! I know it’s not exactly a party, but hopefully my company will be enough to satisfy you…”

“When you’ve had over a hundred birthdays, parties begin to become monotonous. I much prefer your quiet company, tonight.”

You smile at Malleus. Even when the night’s about him, he always finds a way to make you feel special. “I hope you like the spot I chose. I know it must be hard being away from Briar Valley and your grandmother during the school year, so I thought I’d try to bring a little bit of home to you with the roses.”

“Thank you, truly.” Malleus turns to gaze around the garden, suddenly catching your hand in his own, running his thumb over your knuckles. “I do hope I’ll have a chance to show you my garden at home. I promise, nothing compares to the sight. Except for you, perhaps.”

“You’re too much, sometimes,” you giggle.

“If I am, do you not believe it is you who inspires such feelings in me?” Malleus teases.

The two of you take a seat on the blanket, talking and staring up at the stars as the night continues. The moonlight shines down on Malleus, making his dark hair shimmer and his skin glow. He’s never looked so beautiful.

“So, are you ready to open your gift now?”

He gives you a look. “I believe I mentioned no present was necessary. I only wanted your company.”

“I know, I know, but I wanted to do something.”

“You’re far too gentle with me. I suppose I’ll have to indulge you then.”

You grin and pull a gift bag out of your tote, handing it over to him. He settles it in front of him, pulling purple tissue paper out of the bag until his gift is revealed.

Malleus pulls out a white knit hat. He shifts to turn it around in his hands, smoothing over the fabric until his fingers run into a hole, popping out the other side.

“Oh yeah, it has holes. Y’know, for your horns.”

He stares at you in wide-eyed silence for a few moments. You break eye contact when it finally begins to feel a bit awkward.

“I know it’s not much, sorry.” You look down at your feet. “It’s just, Crowley only gives Grim and I enough for groceries and essentials. And Lilia only told me your birthday was coming up a couple weeks ago, so I begged Azul to let me pick up some shifts at the lounge, and long story short, I really only earned enough to buy some yarn. It’s super nice though, I promise! I made sure to pick yarn that-”

You’re cut off when you’re suddenly pulled firmly into a strong chest, arms squeezing you tightly.

“I will treasure it as I have treasured nothing else. Thank you.”

You smile, despite the fact that you can’t breathe well in his intense grip. You pat on his arms gently so Malleus will loosen up a bit.

“I’m glad you like it.” When he pulls away, you turn toward the cooler you’d set out with all the treats you’d prepared for him. “Now, what would you like to try first? I got Trey’s help with preparing the frozen desserts, since I thought you might like to have a variety. Oh, maybe cake first? You haven’t made a wish yet and the clock is ticking!”

“If it pleases you, then I will try the cake.”

“Great, it’s ice cream cake.”

You take it out of the box, laying it in front of Malleus and removing the container’s lid.

“May I inquire as to why a piece is missing?”

“Well…you said you hate entire cakes, so I took out a piece. Now it’s not an entire cake. Hopefully you’re in the mood to share a bit more with me tonight? I find even the sweetest things are best enjoyed with company,” you wink at him.

“Are you sure you won’t become too spoiled with all these indulgences I allow you?” He picks up a fork and takes a bit of cake, but he doesn’t taste it as you expect.

“No, but feel free to keep trying,” you mumble through the mouthful of cake Malleus feeds you. “Wait, I have candles. You have to make your birthday wish before we have anymore.”

You set three candles in the centre of the cake. It would be ridiculous to have a hundred, as much as you wish to be accurate to his age. You light them with a lighter, insisting on singing ‘happy birthday’ to Malleus before finally allowing him to make his wish.

“Blowing out fire with my breath instead of creating it with my breath. How amusing, you’ll have to teach me even more of these human customs.”

“What did you wish for?”

He tilts his head. “Am I mistaken in believing humans have customs that suggest it’s bad luck to ask?”

“No, but I’m nosy, so tell me anyway.” You tug gently on his sleeve.

“I only wished for things to continue as they are.”

“That’s all? You don’t want anything new?”

“What do I have to wish for? Everything I’ve always wanted, the thing I used to wish for each year - is already in front of me.”

The two of you talk until the sun comes up, upon which Malleus carries your snoring form home to Ramshackle, a smile lingering on his face from the previous night.

#i hustled to get this done for his bday so ignore any typos-#twst x reader #twisted wonderland x reader #malleus x reader #malleus draconia x reader #malleus draconia #twst #twisted wonderland

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dilatorywriting · 2 years ago

Text

Pity Party

Gender Neutral Reader x Malleus Draconia Word Count: 3.3k

Summary: 'I'm going to do it,' you thought triumphantly. 'I'm going to invite Malleus Draconia to the next Unbirthday Party as my date.' And naturally, the Universe in all its infinite omnipotence, went 'lol bet.'

A/N: A very fun commission for the lovely @toast-tales

“Heartslaybul is having another one of their Unbirthday Parties this Friday,” you said, a bit stilted but enthusiastic nevertheless. “And I was thinking—well, it was just a thought! But! Maybe it’d be nice if we, y’know, went together?” You finished, looking up from beneath your lashes at the looming figure before you.

The Gargoyle, naturally, did not respond. A sound rejection if ever there was one.

But! That attempt had sounded really good, hadn’t it? Totally natural and everything! Not a single stutter, fainting episode, or bought of nervous vomiting to be seen!

“Okay,” you muttered, pacing back and forth as you diligently fought the urge to ring your hands. “Okay, okay, okay. I can do this. It’s just, like, two sentences—Three? Was that three?—Doesn’t matter! Focus! It’s not that hard!”

You circled and circled around the alcove. It was a familiar little corner, for all that you’d only ever seen it in the dark of the evening. This was where you’d meet up with Malleus for your nighttime rendezvous. Normally you didn’t bother popping by for at least another hour, but you needed all the practice you could get. And while, yes, the stone carvings overhead were hardly the best conversational partners, it was easier to practice your totally smooth pickup skills on their emotionless faces than, like, Grim. Or God forbid, Ace and Deuce.

It was only Malleus, you reassured yourself yet again—your kindly, awkward, fey friend with the social awareness of a two-centuries-old potato. It was one thing to know, or at least assume, that he’d be sweet enough to take your offer in stride. It was another entirely to imagine the Briar Prince’s blank ass face saying something genuinely well-intentioned but harsh like ‘that doesn’t sound like a particularly riveting way to spend my afternoon,’ and immediately crushing your soul into itty bitty bite-sized pieces. It was an all too easy scene to picture, as you’d done at least a hundred times since your heart had set itself on its intentions.

You just—maybe just a bit more time. Yes. One more round of practice (perhaps two), and then you’d be ready. Like the Overblots, or whatever. Those hardly phased you at all anymore! It only took repetitive, mind rending, exposure therapy. That would do it. You just needed the teeniest bit more time to—

“Ah—Child of Man. I wasn’t expecting to see you here so earl—”

You jolted back with a truly heinous squawk and wheeled gracelessly into the stone pillar at your rear. You weren’t exactly a force of nature or anything, but the column hadn’t looked all that stable to begin with. So your frantic flailing took its toll, and the great, rock, beam creaked and fell. The Gargoyle perched atop it (the very one you’d been propositioning for the past half hour or so) crashed to the ground with an echoing BOOM and a cloud of debris fit to choke an elephant.

The poor thing lay in the dirt in pieces, its regal countenance split right down the middle. And Malleus Draconia, noted aficionado of all things carved from stone, looked two steps away from having an actual aneurism. So you hurriedly buried your invitation back in the depths of your brain and quickly went about carrying out the inanimate-object-equivalent of CPR.

“I think I have some super glue back in Ramshackle,” you offered. Even though you knew well enough that he could probably wave his hand and undo the entire thing. But it was the thought that counted, right?

“Supered Glue?” Malleus parroted, his neon eyes darting back and forth between you and the shattered gargoyle like you’d just offered him some mystical panacea. You nodded along and scuttled off in the direction of your dilapidated dorm.

‘Tomorrow,’ you promised yourself, as you rifled through your miscellaneous utilities drawer, tossing around rolls of tape and wads of too-thin elastic bands. ‘Tomorrow I’ll ask him.’

The next morning, you sat in Potion’s Class with the tacky remnants of last night’s nonsense dried along your fingertips. You sneezed and something ground unpleasantly behind your ear. You reached up to pluck a stray bit of gravel from your hair and flicked it aside.

Normally you tried to give Crewel’s lectures the entirety of your focus, primarily because you respected the man and wanted him to like you. And also, y’know, from the very rational standpoint of not wanting to lose your eyebrows or dignity when an incorrectly brewed potion exploded in your face. But today you were stuck in the clouds, replaying scenario after scenario and wondering what your next step in the whole ‘Ask The Crowned Prince of An Entire Nation Out to Lunch’ situation should be.

Your neck was itching again, and you scrubbed around mindlessly before pulling out another bit of gargoyle debris and tossing it. It bounced harmlessly off Jack’s shoulder.

“Did you get all that?” Your beastman friend asked, beginning the tedious process of organizing your group workstation for the day.

“Oh? Yes. Of course,” you nodded, not having heard a single word of what was going on. You grabbed your little instructions pamphlet for the day and made your way towards your own stool.

Jack turned and narrowed his yellow eyes at you in a way that clearly let you know that that superhuman schnoz of his had sniffed out your bullshit a mile away, but you generally had a better track record than the rest of the first years, so thankfully he let it slide.

Without further ado, you went about heating, and mixing, and tempering. And by the end, the pair of you had a lovely, silver, concoction that popped and fizzled like cola. Professor Crewel paused in his rounds of the rows to stare into your cauldron with an impassive sort of look that could have meant anything from ‘Content’ to ‘Outright Murder.’ Your eyes hastily flickered around the room, but everyone else’s potions looked liked Mercury Sprite too, so you couldn’t have been in too much trouble. You dipped the testing spoon into one of the bubbliest bits and brought it to your mouth to take a teeny sip. It tasted alright, and you smacked your lips as you tried to identify the flavor.

“Well?” The professor droned, crossing his arms over his chest in a fashion that looked entirely unimpressed. “How is it?”

You opened your mouth to reply and nothing came out but static. Literal static. Like you were some overloaded, old, plug—spitting sparks and whiny, high-pitched, nonsense that was most definitely an indication of some sort of fire risk.

Crewel hummed in that self-satisfied sort of way of his—the sort that was only mastered by those who were in the habit of being proven right during every, single, catastrophe.

“The Tickled Tongue recipe is fairly straightforward, you see,” he explained, stepping closer with a languid swishswish of his large overcoat. “It’s difficult to alter without any remarkable change or err. However,” he droned, “it is incredibly similar to the Stone Tongued Elixir. Do you know what the one, unique, ingredient in that brew is in comparison to our assigned project today, Prefect?”

You sighed fuzz.

“Stone,” he said, reaching out to pluck another bit of gravel from your hair.

Crewel brushed his hands against his vest and you debated if it’d be worth it to try jumping out of the window and escape while you still had at least some face.

“I’ve been kind enough to look the other way when you break curfew so that you may continue your… nightly excursions with a certain upperclassman,” he droned, and that open window was looking even more tempting. “But please at least give me the courtesy of cleaning up the evidence before attending my class in the mornings, yes?”

“Yes, sir,” you tried to say, but it just sounded like a busted landline.

“Hello, Child of Man,” Malleus beamed, his lips curling pleasantly at the corners. His usual trio were flanking his hind, all watching with varying degrees of interest that ranged from sharp curiosity (Lilia) to outright hostility (Sebek). “Would you care to accompany me for lunch?”

You opened your mouth and all that came out was the fucking AOL dial tone.

Lilia doubled over laughing and Malleus tilted his head at you like a dog listening to a whistle tone.

“Pardon?” He blinked.

“BZZZZZZ,” you said, miserable, and Lilia just laughed harder.

‘Two days left,’ you reminded yourself miserably. You had just under forty-eight wretched hours to not only complete your initial Date Objective, but also somehow do that whole thing while making up for the ego-crushing failures of your first two failures.

There was a Spelldrive match after classes today—another attempt for Leona to try and get one up on Malleus’s ‘Hall of Fame Worthy’ record before the pair of them aged out of the competition. And maybe that would be perfect! That was always sort of a Thing in teen movies, right? The big, heart wrenching, confession delivered on the field of whatever sport was in season. The fated couple lit all prettily beneath the glaring overhead lights and artfully drenched in a very timely shower of rain. This whole situation was practically writing itself.

So you tucked yourself into a warm, cozy, sweater fit for the breezy day and inevitable aesthetic downpour, and went to sit out in the stands. Which was your first mistake, because the match was being held on Savanaclaw’s practice field. So immediately you could feel sweat pooling along your lower back and along your brow as the magical, overhead, sunshine did its best to seer the flesh right off your bones. Malleus moved to step out onto the field and you went to wave at him enthusiastically, only to catch sight of the giant pit stains steeped into your stupid sweater. The dark spots opened up like the gaping maw on a beast, determined to derive its entire sustenance from your embarrassment alone. You clamped your arms back down to your sides and immediately began questioning the universe at large. Were you a murderer in a past life? Someone who scammed old ladies out of their pensions? What other reason could there be for the entire fucking cosmos to just perpetually go ‘hey, how about we make things worse.’

The game was probably going well or something, but you were swimming in so much swampy body heat at this point that you were starting to get dizzy.

With a sigh, you pulled the cute, wool, deathtrap over your head and tossed it aside—ruffling your sweat sticky hair for good measure to try and get some airflow going. It wasn’t the most dignified look or whatever, sitting there in only the thin cotton undershirt of your uniform and half drowned in your own secretions, but at least you weren’t in imminent danger of dying of heat stroke anymore. You leaned back on your elbows with another much more contented sigh and gave yourself a moment to let the last of that hot nausea settle.

“Oi! You horned bastard! Watch where you’re—”

There was a swirl of spitting green sparks and you looked back out onto the field just in time to get absolutely decimated by a Spelldrive disc to the face.

“He really didn’t mean it,” Lilia said, but he was laughing so hard into his fist that it was hard to make out anything beyond merry gurgling. “In fact, he’s really very upset about the whole thing.”

You stared blankly at the off-white walls of the infirmary, wondering how it was possible for one person’s luck to be this bad.

“Where is he?” you asked. Your tongue felt thick and sluggish.

“I don’t think he would appreciate me saying that he was off hiding—pouting, even,” the fey tutted, floating up to sit cross-legged at your eyelevel. “But I don’t believe there’s a much more accurate way of putting it.”

“Why would he be hiding?” you trudged forward again, mouth still entirely uncooperative. “I wanted to ask him something,” you admitted, chronically dejected and acutely brain damaged.

“Did you now?” Lilia grinned, something mischievous and far too knowing lighting his wine-red eyes.

You nodded. You could feel the tug of the bandages around your forehead.

“Well, I’ll ask that you be patient with him,” he sighed fondly, reaching out to pat your cheek. “For all his years, our Prince is still a bit stunted.”

“Oh, please! He’s six and a half feet tall!” you complained.

Lilia laughed again, doubling over in the air and doing a full roll about—like a pill bug.

“Oh, dear,” he snickered, wiping a tear from his eye as he straightened back out to lounge upside down by one of the rafters. “You do deserve each other.”

This was it. The final countdown. Friday.

The Unbirthday Party was this afternoon, and with God and the Heavens as your witness, you would be dragging Malleus Draconia there with you if it was the last thing you did.

‘The hardest part is supposed to be the rejection,’ you thought bitterly. ‘Not that crap leading up to it. This is bullshit. I want a refund.’

But no, if the Universe was going to be so cruel to you, then you were just going to have to be needlessly paranoid and prepared in advance. You set aside two spare sets of clothing and an umbrella. You packed an entire feast’s worth of provisions in case a fucking hole decided to open up in the ground or something and trap you in a cave for a week. You scribbled a little ‘Would you please go with me to the Unbirthday Party today’ on not one, or two, but three separate notes. Each in a different pocket. And laminated. And, perhaps most daring of all, you walked up to Ace and Deuce that morning with a stiff upper lip and an even stiffer spine.

“I’m going to ask Tsunotarou to come to the Unbirthday Party today,” you told them, fighting the urge to twist your hands into your jacket sleeves.

“What?” Ace choked, just as Deuce stepped in to clobber him over the back of the head and tell you very sweetly that he was sure that the House Warden would appreciate that very much.

“You must like him a lot,” your blue haired friend said, polite but clearly also at least a little unnerved.

“Yeah,” you sighed miserably, thinking of each and every horrible failure as the world at large fought your stupid affections at every turn. “I guess I do.”

So you went about your day like a soldier trudging through a warzone—always at the ready for something unknowable to fuck you over yet again. You looked twice around every corner, always let someone else walk through a doorway first, immediately spritzed Azul in the face with a spray bottle when he tried to start a conversation. It wasn’t paranoia when you knew the universe was out to get you.

The school day was coming to an end and so far you’d managed to avoid any catastrophes. When you caught sight Malleus off in the distance, you had to fight down the sudden swell of dueling panic and hope that blocked off your throat. You made eye contact with the fey prince from across the near empty corridor and he seemed to straighten. You took a deep breath and took one step forward, then another.

“Tsunotarou!” you called cheerfully. “I was wondering if you—”

“FIRE!” Crowley wailed, careening around the corner with all the urgency of someone who very much genuinely cared about the safety of their school and all its inhabitants. Which was outright ridiculous. His glowing, golden, eyes locked on you like you’d been the target of this caterwauling all along, and you wanted to scream. “Ah! My most darling and favorite of Prefects! You have to help! There’s a fire in—”

“No,” you snarled, like some great monster of old. And you watched the Headmaster pale beneath his bird mask. You reached out to pat his shoulder with a pleasantly threatening thump. thump. thump. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to sort it out on your own, sir. Have a lovely afternoon!”

And before you could chicken out, or something else could happen—like a tornado ripping the entire school up at its base and flinging you into Oz—you rushed forward and latched onto Malleus’s sleeve with a wide, panicked, sort of look in your eyes. Hisown eyes went round and wide, but he didn’t pull away, so step one complete.

“Please come to Heartslaybul’s Unbirthday Party with me!” You entreated. “As my date! With me! Together!” you word vomited, clutching at his sleeve even tighter.

“Oh,” Malleus breathed—those sharp, reptilian, pupils of his jumping into something soft and huge that swallowed the green of his irises in a sea of black. A pale, rose, pink crept along the tips of his pointed ears and you could feel your own cheeks blazing like a bonfire.

“Yup,” you nodded lamely, realizing you were still clutching his hand like a starving leper.

“Lilia had mentioned that you might…” he trailed off, gaze sliding to your fingers tangled beside his. “I hadn’t thought that—well…” He cleared his throat and stood to his full height with a puff that almost looked prideful. “Nevertheless,” he grinned, almost shy, and offered you his arm. “Shall we?”

You were going to die. Keel over. That would be the cosmos’s final strike against you. But though your heart beat like a rapid drum in your chest, you didn’t actually collapse in cardiac arrest. Your blood felt warm, but not with fever. It was… You’d actually done it!

You fought the urge to squeal and instead ducked excitedly against Malleus’s side with a secret little fist bump. His arm wound snuggly through yours and you were still too high on the thrill of victory to even consider being embarrassed about it.

“It may surprise you to know,” he said as you walked together towards the Queen of Heart’s Dormitory. “That I actually was attempting to ask something similar of you for this past week as well.”

“Really?” you gaped.

He nodded. “But it seemed as though fate itself was conspiring against me. The first evening went poorly, and then the next day you’d been cursed into silence. And you even ended up injured during one of my attempts.”

“The Spelldrive disc?” you blinked.

“Unfortunately,” Malleus sighed, leading you towards the familiar rose gardens. Which were lovely as always, and perfectly well painted for the afternoon’s festivities, and—

And… also on fire.

“Well what do you know…” you mumbled as you watched a furious Riddle chase a screeching Ace through the flaming fields. Trey had his head in his hands. Cater was filming the whole thing with an artful smear of ash drawn across his cheek.

Malleus made a low rumble of discontentment and you immediately swung the pair of you around to start heading back towards the Mirror Chamber.

“Not to worry!” you beamed, pointedly jostling the full picnic lunch in your bag. Sure, it hadn’t ended up being a gaping hole that had dragged you straight into the bowels of the abyss, but hey. Hellfire was hellfire. “I came prepared.”

“So did I,” Malleus smirked, the points of his canines peaking out of his lower lip. He twisted his fingers and the pair of you were surrounded in puffs of floating, sparkling, green lights.

And despite the Universe technically, yet again, having come out on top and flipped you and your date the proverbial middle finger, you couldn’t find it in yourself to be too upset at all.

#twisted wonderland imagines #twisted wonderland #twst x reader #Malleus Draconia x Reader #Malleus x Reader #Malleus Draconia #Malleus x Yuu #My Writing #Commission #Pity Party

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worldofkuro · 9 months ago

Text

Painted Smile

Painted Smile XXVI

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Summary: You couldn't wait to meet new friends. What you didn't expect was this smiling little boy, only one year older than you, that would take such a big place in your life.

Notes: I feel like I've been gone forever.... But well, writing Alastor's point of view are always the hardest. Once again, a little trip inside our favorite psychopath's mind. It's almost 16K long, enjoy it. Surprisingly, I don't think there is any warming...?

“ Don’t ever leave me.”

He whispered to your sleeping form, moving your locks from your face. It was still nighttime, maybe 3 am, it was normal for him to be awake at this time of the night. He was used to it and in a way he enjoyed being awake when you were sleeping. It was once more, a proof of how vulnerable you could be with him. How you trusted him.

He stared at you until it was time for him to get up and prepare breakfast. He kissed your forehead before sitting on the edge of the bed, inhaling with a wicked smile. Killing, going to work, having you by his side… What a life.

“ No, don’t go yet…”

His smile turned soft when he felt you hug him from behind, kissing his cheek. You were adorable, did you know that?

He was becoming more and more popular in town. He was narrating stories, making small talks and then he talked about the incident in the hotel, the fire. He couldn’t contain his smile when he talked about the people who got killed in the fire. Larry and his butler, the one two victims.

The couple who was sleeping in the next room have been arrested, thanks to you putting Larry’s eye on their room. The police, mostly John, were very invested in this case. They said they found bloodied clothes in the closet, Larry’s eye and so on. He couldn’t help but laugh when he heard the news about the couple's arrest. Everything was going smoothly, no one was suspecting you or him.

He even got to have dinner with Alyzée’s father, the mayor. He talked with him about John, saying you saw him trespassing on his property without a warrant, furthermore, the bear trap he left. The mayor seemed very confused but he was drinking his words like water. It was so easy… He asked the mayor to stop his father’s disappearance’s case. He wanted to marry you as soon as possible. They could go back to the case after.

The mayor accepted easily, saying he was going to take John off the case because he didn’t follow the law but because of his family’s name, he couldn’t fire him from the police. Alastor didn’t mind, he just wanted John off the case and to marry you. You still weren’t aware of it, he wanted to surprise you.

“ I need to leave earlier, today.” He kissed your nose but he let you tug him back into bed. He stroked your naked back, loving the feeling of your skin against his hands. He chuckled when he heard you saying you couldn’t wait to be married to him. Oh, only if you knew…

He kissed you once more, tickling you. Your voice was so smoothing he couldn’t help but wanting to hear more of it. But it wasn’t the right place.

He knew your father wouldn’t like to see him in your bedroom, you were supposed to be a virgin until the wedding. He almost scoffed each time your father said you both needed to wait until the wedding until you could sleep together. You have been together since childhood, your bond was more than just some sexual intercourse. He enjoyed your body, naked like today, because it was so pretty. Your hips would move sensually, the bones showing against the skin… You were beautiful. You were a piece of art. Sometimes, if you were feeling in the mood, you would play with him, building up tension but you never went further than that in your bedroom. Usually, he would just admire you while you were reading or sleeping on your bed.

You asked him if you could take a shower with him which he accepted. He was looking at you as you played with his hair, he didn’t know why you enjoyed his curls so much but if you were smiling, it was all that mattered. You were blushing, were you really finding him attractive?

He knew he was good looking, men or women would try to hit up on him, but they only saw his mask. You, you were seeing him as he was and yet, you find him pretty, attractive. How crazy of you.

“ Don’t we look amazing?” you laughed.

“ Always.” he kissed your forehead with a soft smile.

He cleaned your body, being gentle with your skin. When you asked him if you could do the same, he stayed silent for a minute. You were looking at him with those shining eyes, with so much trust… He nodded.

You cleaned him, being so mindful of your touch. You sometimes kissed his scars, making him smile. You were so cute.

You both left the bathtub, and he let you do your hair. He closed one eye as you let one curl on his forehead, smiling brightly. He used to slicked his hair back when he was working but if you wanted this hairstyle on him, who was he to say no?

He smirked when you looked for his watch and used your powers to throw it at him. His shadow took it, making you pout and of course it went toward you, poking you until you gave it attention.

“ I shall come back tonight with a surprise. Be nice.” He kissed the top of your head before leaving to work.

He entered into his workplace, Victor sprinting toward him with a big smile, telling him about the new records his podcast did last time. He smirked, of course, he was Alastor Sanglar, he was the best. He went into his office, closed his door and began his usual podcast. He played jazz and blues, talking about what was going on in New Orleans.

But then, he heard loud footsteps coming toward his door. He squinted his eyes, looking toward the noise, still talking into his microphone. He smirked when John bashed his door open. Just as planned.

“ Alastor, you bastard!” shouted John as he walked toward him, Victor behind him, trying to stop him from coming closer to him. He held his hand in front of him, telling Victor to back off with his hand.

“ Well, ladies and gentlemen, please, welcome John Felleur, an officer from the police of New Orleans. Let the lad take place.” He said, amused. John’s face was red from anger, he already knew why the man had come to him: the mayor should have told him the big news! “ Well, what can I do for you, officier?”

“ I have been taken away from the case because of you! You knew I would find dirt on you.” Alastor almost laughed out loud, what a poor fool… He pushed a button which made an “ Oouh” sounds, like a crowd was here, watching the spectacle. He was going to have so much fun, John was already digging his own grave.

“ Oh yes. You must have heard it, folks, but my father has gone missing. The one on the case was no one but the successful John Felleur. The man has been on my back since then, slavery is abolished you know?” He chuckled, leaning back against his chair.

“ Because I know you have something to do with it. Just like last week’s fire, I’m sure I saw you there. You, fucker, have been manipulating everyone around you and now you wished to get married? You even took her away while I could be–”

Ah, he shouldn't talk about you.

“ Ooh.. Is John insecure, pursuing allure? Fitting between my father’s case and the hotel’s one, is nothing working?”

“ You–!”

“ Every day, he’s got a new failure!”

“ You’re looking at justice! He is the one behind all of it!”

“ Is John as strong as he purports? Or is it based on his support? He’d be powerless without his family’s name. And here’s the sugar on the cream. He asked my fiancée to be his wife.”

“ Hold on!”

“ She said no, and now he’s pissy, that’s the tea!” Alastor’s laughter echoed into the room. How fun it was!

“ Alastor !” you heard John shout. “ I’m not weak. You can’t kill me!”

“ I’ll make you wish I would, my dear friend.” Alastor laughed.

“ I don’t bend to no one.” he spat.

“ Be careful, what doesn’t bend usually breaks.” Alastor hummed. “ Well, folks. I shall leave you, as you can see, I’ll need to have a little chat with our rude friend. It will be fun.” he chuckled before standing up, letting Victor handle his broadcast.

He left his office, and stood before John, with two policemen by his side. Was John trying to intimidate him? He almost scoffed. He let the men speak in front of him, crossing his arms against his torso. He listened to John, who was warning him to stop getting closer to the mayor or other high positioned people.

He turned his eyes to his side, he felt like something warm was touching his hand. He looked at his hand and then looked back at the men speaking to him. He asked the men to leave before going back to his office. He sat on his chair and sighed.

“ Those fuckers…” He passed his hands on his face before looking back at his note. Now, he needed to make some changes. He wrote in his notebook before jerking up when his paper sheet went into the air. He looked around him, his eyes becoming red. He could see some kind of form in front of him…

He watched as your name appeared as the paper folded itself. He blinked. For a second, he felt his heart stop. You couldn’t be dead right? You wouldn’t do this to him. You were to be alive next to him even after death. You couldn’t be dead. You couldn’t. You couldn’t. You couldn’t.

“ Darling?”

He could see the paper folded itself with a yes. His body relaxed, he couldn’t feel a bad energy as the paper moved around happily. You weren’t dead. You just..project your spirit away from your body. How amazing…

“ This is really impressive.” He smirked, looking at the direction he knew you would be. You always were moving around when you were in an excited mood, always bouncing around him, it was cute.

He felt a warm sensation against his cheek and looked at his side.“ Your hand is next to my face right? Your energy has always been warm…” he sighed with a soft smile. “ Why are you here, dearest? Have you heard our dear John coming to my show? What a performance, right?” he laughed , imaginating you grinning next to you.

He watched as the paper flew enthusiastically around him. He crossed his arms on his torso with a smirk on his face. He knew you were at Alice, she must have told you his surprise. He already knew the mayor talked to Alyzée, who gossiped with Alice who couldn’t keep her mouth shut. She couldn’t keep a secret, huh? Was it karma because he used her secret against her ? Was that karma because he took a picture of Alyzée and Alice kissing and sended to Larry?

…. Maybe he didn’t care.

“ Darling, you should go back. As soon as I’m finished, I’ll come to you so we can talk about the wedding ceremony…” he took the paper from your invisible hand with a soft smile. He felt a warmth sensation on his lips before it was tugged away from him.

He went back on his chair, chuckling before laughing out loud.

You were amazing, a strength that needed to be veneered. You were his, his wife, his, his, his hishishishishis.

He stopped laughing, his smile dropping. He should write notes for his next broadcast, he would have to go to your house so he could tell the good news to your father and mother about your wedding.

He started writing, but jerked up his head when he heard commotion outside of his office. He stood up and opened his door and smiled when he saw the mayor walking toward him with a huge smile of his face.

“ Alastor! I have big news for you, young man!”

He tried so hard to contain his satisfied smile when the mayor told him he could marry you in two weeks. In two weeks, you will be his in front of your friends and your family. In human terms, you were about to be bound together forever.

He shook the mayor’s hand after having a little chat and then took his stuff before going toward your parent’s home. Oh, so many good news was to be shared today. He smirked as his shadow moved around his feet, as happy as he felt.

He almost bought flowers on his way, but was too eager to share the big news with you. He knocked on your parent’s home’s door and smiled at your father when he let him enter. He shook his hand as he heard you walk down the stairs. He could recognize your footsteps in the middle of a dance party.

He smiled when you hugged him, nuzzling against his chest. He knew your father didn’t like when you both were too close, but he couldn’t refuse a hug from his soon-to-be wife, right?

“ Well, I came here to give you some happy news. I talked with the mayor, he is ready to hold our wedding in two weeks.”

He smirked when he saw his mother hug you but his attention quickly turned to your father. He seemed confused, after all, your wedding was supposed to be held after his father’s disappearance’s case was solved. Which would never be.

After half-lying to your father, he flinched when your dad slapped his shoulder. Well, manipulating someone was getting easier and easier, it was almost boring. But, oh, well you were there, happy, smiling at him, seeming as eager as him to finally prove your affection for each other.

He bantered with Alice and finally she went home. You were always saying Alice and him liked each other but he couldn’t care less about Alice. She was just a tool, he didn’t feel anything else, she was like a pen he needed to write a letter. He would be annoyed if the pen broke, but he could just take another.

“ Where should our honeymoon be?” you turned toward Alastor.

“ Mhn… Somewhere near the ocean maybe? I’ve never been there.” he smiled at you. He knew you didn’t know how to swim, and he needed to take care of that. It was dangerous for you to have such weakness.

“ If you are afraid of drowning, do not be afraid my dear, I’ll be by your side.” He kissed the back of your hand. You smiled softly at him.

“ I did want to go somewhere warm.”

He looked at you, warmer than here? He looked at you, imagining you in your wedding dress, staring at him and only him.

“ Who should we invite ?”

“ Well, Alice will be the maid of honor,” you smiled as he rolled his eyes. He was amused, it was cute how you were friends with Alice. ” My family will come, so I shall invite Alyzée and some other friends but not too many.”

“ Mhn.. I guess I need to bring some people too. Well, I guess Mimzy could come, maybe Victor, if he isn’t too noisy about it.” He thought out loud. “ I don’t have any family left but my mother, which is enough.”

“ On our honeymoon, I think I will be able to do the spell.” he looked at you with a fond smile. He read everything he could find on this spell; he talked with Kalfu, everything was going to be perfect. “ I can’t wait.”

You grasped his face and kissed him fiercely. You took a step back before he could kiss back, jumping on the grass with a big grin.

He couldn’t contain his smile. That was what he wanted. You were smiling thanks to him. Being happy to be caged with him forever and ever. He looked as you laid down on the grass, you were so beautiful… You always seemed so out of reach and yet, here you were, giving yourself to him without being afraid of what he was.

“ What do we need for.. the ritual?”

“ Well, we need another powerful spirit.” He sat next to you, taking away the leaves from your hair. “ I will try to invoke him this weekend.”

“ Can I be there?” You looked at him.

“ Well, I can’t say no to you.” He kissed your forehead with a smirk. “ We’ll need enough offerings…”

“ Now that you mention it, I need to give him an offering..”

“ Yes, what happened back then?”

“ My soul left my body,” you said proudly, “ so I could come see you.”

“ It was really impressive,” he said, looking at you with pride. He was really impressed, he didn’t even know such things were possible. You would always surprise him, how fun. You chuckled as you explained to Alastor how you managed to do that and that his shadow was being able to see you when you were in that state. “ I see… Don’t do it somewhere when you aren’t safe. I don’t know what could happen if you were to be forced out of your trance.”

You nodded, placing your head against his shoulder. Soon, you would be wed, chained to hil without any ways of escaping.

—----

He was confident.

He was handling everything well, the preparation for the wedding, for the honeymoon and with the rituals. Everything needed to be perfect, it was something that needed to be perfect. What was irritating was that he couldn't see you as often as he wished he would. He would always try to come at night, like a shadow, never being seen.

Alastor placed a cup of black coffee on a table with a cigar and wrote symbols with chalk on the walls. He was excited to meet this spirit, the spirit who rules over death: Baron Samedi. This spirit was invoked to contact and communicate with the dead, he determines whether they could come visit or not. He may be asked to remove bothersome ghosts and invoked to ward off death. He is a powerful healer. Baron Samedi rules the cemetery: no one can die until he gives permission for their grave to be dug.

He looked at you, you seemed to be nervous but he reassured you easily. You didn't have to be here if you didn't want to. He would get the work done. Furthermore, he wasn’t really enjoying the fact that you were in a situation where he didn’t have full control. But when did a situation escape him? He would control anyone to achieve his goals. Spirits, Gods, Humans or Demons.

He kissed you deeply before walking in front of the table and began his incantation. He closed his eyes, feeling coldness seeping into his bones, into his blood faster than usual. He held his head as a freezing pain smashed into his head.

What was going on?

“ Alastor…”

“ Are you okay, dearest?” He grabbed your hand when he saw you stumbling toward him. Did he mess up his incantation?

“ Aren’t you adorable?”

He turned his head toward the voice and squinted his eyes. There was a man smoking the cigar he had put on the table, a moment ago, staring at you with an amused smile. The gentleman looked like an older, dark-skinned man in formal attire, dressed completely in black. He was wearing a black top hat, black suit and impenetrable black sunglasses which were missing a lens. He had read that the missing lens was showing the eyes that could see in the underworld.

“ You asked for me?” he smirked before sitting on a chair, taking the cup of coffee. “ Well, I already know why. It’s not everyday I see Papa Legba and Kalfu in the same room. How are you doing, my good fellows?”

He turned his head toward a presence he wasn’t used to feeling. And for the first time, he saw him. The spirit he first tried to approach, the spirit which worked his mother to protect him.

Papa Legba.

He looked like a tall old black man, with a strangely warm expression. He was smoking a long pipe while staring at you, his back against the door. He looked oddly human if not for the wisdom in his eyes that seemed so deep, an entire life wouldn’t be enough to hear all about his knowledge.

“ Must be nice to finally meet me, right, little missy?”

You turned your eyes toward the voice and yelped when you saw a man crouching next to you, his red eyes staring at you with a mocking smile. He almost rolled his eyes as Kalfu enjoyed your scared expression.

“ Well, it’s nice to finally meet all of you, gentlemen.” Alastor spoke with his usual confidence. Those three spirits weren’t as impressive as he thought. “ I didn’t expect to have all of you with us today, but it might be for the best.” He beamed at the spirits as he took a chair to sit down.

“ You truly have beautiful eyes.” you turned around as you felt your hair being touched. You looked at The Baron Samedi who was looking at you, still seeming amused. Alastor could feel his blood boiling. How dared he touch you? You took a step back before being tugged on Alastor’s laps. You looked down and smiled softly at his shadow which was frowning, keeping its hand around your waist.

“ You really didn’t change, Alastor !” Baron Samedi laughed before sitting on the table, smoking his cigar. “ I used to heal you when you were unconscious after your father was done punishing you, your Mother was always asking for my help, what a caring woman.”

He tensed as he remembered his father’s assault. He always wondered how he never died under his father’s fists, how his body always was he aling quickly and easily. You stroked his hand while staring at the three spirits in front of you. “ Well, it’s not for being healed that I called you.”

“ ‘I’ ? Boy, you didn't call me all alone. Your darling is also in it.”

“ Nonsense. She didn’t prepare anything to summon you.” Said Alastor, his smile twitching. He was sure of it. Not a single drop of your blood or any other things coming from you was used to summon them. You weren’t bound with this summoning. He made sure of it.

“ Why? Am I connected to Alastor in some way?”

“ Well, little lady, of course. If not, why would you be able to see me, summon me or even work with spirits?” Papa Legba asked you with his calming voice.

“ Alastor already created some kind of bond between the two of you, but you already saw it, right little missy?” Kalfu smirked at you, making Alastor grimaced. Seemed like Kalfu enjoyed scaring you.

“ What are you talking about?” You asked, squeezing Alastor’s hand.

“ When you asked for your soul to leave your body to see Alastor. Didn’t you see a red thread linking you to him?”

Alastor looked at you, stroking your thigh in a soothing manner. He was curious, did you really see something like that?

“ But… It was so.. weak?”

“ Of course!” Laughed Baron Samedi. “ Alastor bound you the first time he tried to summon our dear Papa Legba, he had a tissue with your blood on it. Blood is really important here. That’s why when Alastor summoned Legba, he went toward you because the first thing he felt was your blood.”

“ And then, I came in, because I wanted to work with Alastor. This boy has a lot of potential.” Kalfu smirked. “ It’s in his blood.”

Alastor was conflicted. The air he felt when he first tried to summon Papa Legba was the spirit itself…? He had managed to summon two powerful spirits in less than one hour. They were saying he had potential. Well, he wasn’t surprised, but he wanted more. But for now, he needed to understand before acting.

“ Then, how did the bound apparead when I didn’t do anything to make it happen?” Asked Alastor, looking at the spirits.

“ Well, like Kalfu told you, you have huge potential. You could have created the bond, you already had summoned me and him. You made the first step but stopped when you made a deal with Kalfu for power. That is why, right now, your bond is half-made.” Legba said, inhaling smoke from his pipe. “ But now, your other half is working with me, which makes you, in a twisted way, work with me.”

“ But you told me you would cut our deal if I were to work with..Kalfu?” you asked. “ Alastor is working with him, and yet..?”

“ Of course, little lady. Even if your control on your spirit is impressive, it’s not in your blood. You can do all that because Alastor ‘tainted’ it. If he were at his most powerful, and your bond were created, you would have maybe half of his abilities. Your body wouldn’t be able to take more.” He said to you with a sad smile. “ You would lose yourself to the spirits and end up mad.”

“ Or dead with me!” said Baron Samedi with a laugh which echoed in the basement. “ I’m joking, Alastor.” he smirked when he saw Alastor’s hand clenching on your waist. He didn’t like any of those outcomes, if he had to stop you from using spirits, he would stop you, no matter how.

“When you will be powerful enough, trust me, Legba’s protégée won’t be able to do anything against you. You could just use the shadow to bring her to you.” Kalfu smirked, staring at Legba with a competitive glint in his eyes.

Now… that was interesting. Frist of all, Kalfu was referring to you as Legba’s protégée. It was a heavy title he didn’t necessarily want you to hold. Being the protégée of a spirit, even more for the powerful one, was honorable. Kalfu had chosen Alastor as his protégé, that was what the spirit told him. It meant some kind of protection…

Second of all, he was going to be so powerful he was going to be able to bend you at his will. He smirked when he saw your face, you seemed to enjoy the thought of being at his mercy. You were just like him…

But you surprised him once more, asking Baron Samedi for his healing power. You were insane, wanting to protect him at all cost. You were insane, mad,crazy, just like him. It was oddly comforting.

“ So, you would want to work with me, for my healing capacity? You know, it’s different from working with Legba? You are asking a skill of mine. Papa Legba just gives access to a spirit to work with you, the spirit chooses when to go back, if Legba allows it, unless you ask him to leave. You’re asking for a power that belongs to no small spirits, the price will hurt.”

“ Then, she doesn’t need it.” said Alastor, forcing you to look at him. “ I won’t need this power, who could hurt me?” He asked you with his usual charming and confident smile. A healing power could be very useful, indeed, but if it meant you would get hurt, he didn’t need this power. His priority was you. You, you, you, you.

But, you managed to hold this power, making a deal with Baron Samedi. You would be able to heal him and yourself, what a power… You were beautiful, your red eyes having a purples hues. You fell asleep quickly after that, letting him and the spirits talk about the real deal they were supposed to make.

He would have to take Eamon to create a material bound, the spirits would then possess the both of you before doing their things. He almost winced when Kalfu said that it was going to hurt you. He didn’t care if it would hurt him, he could take it. You… You, he didn’t want you to feel anything pain that wasn’t created by him.

After some time, he knew all he needed to know about this ritual. Once the spirits vanished, he walked toward you and smiled fondly when he saw your sleeping expression. How could you be so vulnerable? Since you’ve been children you have always been vulnerable with him even if you were now just like him. A cold blooded killer.

“ Darling, open your eyes.”

“ Did I fall asleep?”

“ I’m afraid you did, dearest.” He kissed your forehead with a soft gaze. “ We should sleep.”

You looked at his face, he knew you could see the fatigue on his face. You nodded and stood up, walking out of the basement, walking toward his bedroom. You took Eamon in your arms, signing in bliss. After all those years, this plushie was here.

“ Undress, dear.”

You whined but undressed quickly, throwing your dress on his chair with the rest of your clothes. You bury yourself under the cover, trying to stay awake. He undressed himself, putting his pajama on before sliding behind you, wrapping his arms around you.

“ Is everything ready for the ritual..?” you asked, yawning.

“ Yes, you don’t have to do anything.” He kissed your naked shoulder. “ You just have to think about the wedding.”

—--------

“ Oh my baby, you look so handsome.”

Alastor turned his gaze toward his mother with a soft smile. Marie was already having tears in her eyes just because she was seeing him in his suit.

Today was the day he was to be wed to you.

He let his mother kiss his forehead, bending toward her. She took his face between her hands, staring at him with a proud smile. He tilted his head, it was strange. He thought he would have seen this expression on his mother’s face when he had killed his father with your help. And yet, it was on his wedding day that she was beaming the most. How strange…

She was kissing his cheeks while walking around him, praising him again and again.

He looked at himself in the mirror with his mother by his side.

“ I’m so happy, I’ve always wished for your happiness.” She whispered, leaning her hand against his shoulder. His mother was getting older, she seemed smaller than she used to be. He looked down at her, as she grinned at him.

He turned his head toward the door when he heard someone knocking. His mother went to open the door and greeted your father who stepped in. Alastor shook his hand, smiling at the man who seemed… nervous?

“ Well, Alastor, you look splendid.” he said as he held his hand between his. Alastor nodded, staring at his soon to be father-in-law. He could already see that the man wanted to talk with him. His mother must have sensed it because she left the two men together.

“ You wanted to talk to me, sir ?” Alastor asked, his usual smile. Your father seemed surprised but he couldn't help but laugh.

“ As observant as always, Alastor.”

He almost rolled his eyes. No need to be observant, most of the time, when someone knocked on someone else's door, it was usually to talk. Furthermore, your father was a policeman, he wouldn’t be surprised if the man wanted to talk with him about you, or his father’s death.

“ I’m here… I wanted to talk about my daughter.”

Bingo.

“ I just… You have nothing to do with your father’s disappearance, right?”

All of them were so easy to read. Now, he just needed to give your father some kind of informations that would make him less… threatening.

“ I won’t lie to you. My main goal right now is to marry your daughter. My father is still haunting my thoughts but I need to be strong for your daughter, right? What I’m asking of you, if you ever find him, please do tell me before he goes home.”

“ Of course, Alastor. I’ll find him, you’ll meet him again, I promised.” Your father frowned.

He wanted to laugh out loud. If you were next to him right now, would you bite your lips to contain your laughter or would you giggle behind your hand.

“ But… Please, do take care of my daughter.”

“ I’ll protect her with my life.”

Alastor looked at your father, his gaze was set on him. Your father was giving you away to him. A monster, disguised as a human being. How funny. But you loved him, the human being and the monster. Was he half-human? Half-monster? A monster? A Human? What was the difference?

He watched as your father relaxed. He tapped his shoulder two times before leaving him alone. He looked in the mirror and he laughed out loud, almost crying from laughing.They were all stupid people, dear, you would have laughed with him so hard if you were here.

He beamed at his reflection, arranging his tie once more. It was time for him to wait for you at the aisle. He looked as his mother entered the room once more, telling him it was time to go. He watched his reflection once more, smiling widely before going into the ceremony’s room with his mother.

He waited at the aisle, listening to Victor and Mimzy. He couldn’t wait to see you in your wedding dress.

After a while, everyone went to sit down and the mayor invited Alastor to place himself. He asked him if he was nervous but he shook his head. He wasn’t nervous,he was… excited? He turned his head toward the big door once the music started and he freezed.

You were breathtaking, walking toward him, holding on to your father’s arm. Your face was covered by a white veil, which almost made him grin. This shield you put against others was going to be taken down by him, and him alone.

He held his hand toward you, wanting to smooth the itch that was bothering him. He needed to feel you. He took off your veil, and relaxed when he saw your face. How beautiful. You truly looked like an angel.

“ Who blessed me with you, I wonder…”

And he wondered who cursed you with him.

In a twisted way, he was so elated to be the one to ruin you. Since you first met, you always choose him until, even if you wanted to, you wouldn’t be able to run away. You were all pure and you accepted to be tainted by him, from your morals, to your blood and soon your soul. He couldn’t tear his eyes off from you but he still listened to Alyzée’s father talking. You were watching the mayor but he could see all your attention was on his fingers stroking your hands.

He turned completely toward you once it was time to say your vows. You were adorable, you were already ready to cry. How cute you could be, from crying because you were emotional to you tearing an eye off. How lucky he was!

“ I shall begin. We all know she is the most emotional between the two of us.” he smirked when the crowd laughed fondly. “ Dearest…”

You sniffed. Well, let’s share what he felt for you in front of everyone.

“ I don’t think I can recall a day where you weren’t at my side. Your voice is the best melody I can remember, your touch healed much more than any doctors could have achieved. You are the first who showed me genuine emotions, you never hide yourself from me and the most important… I never felt the need to hide myself from you.”

He wondered if you knew how comfortable he felt with you. How every time your eyes would lock, he would feel shiver in his whole body?

“ You waited, dearest, you waited for me to open myself to you, which is admirable in a lot of ways. But what was more important for me is that you didn't run away. You accepted me.” he kissed the back of your hand, keeping his eyes on yours. “ You decided to put your trust in me even though what we share isn’t what you used to believe in, right?” he chucked as you nodded with a shaky laugh.

All those romance books you read while he couldn’t grasp the meaning behind those fancy words. He remembered how you would gush about the prince charming who was saving the princess while the prince didn’t even know the princess.

Was your meeting like a fairytale? No. If it was a fairytale he would be the dragon keeping you inside a tall tower, killing every person that would approach you. But he couldn’t help but think you wouldn’t not enjoy that.

“ What I’m willing to give you is much more than what you have ever read, ever seen, ever experimented with. Death itself couldn’t tear us apart, I swear it , my love.”

Your relationship through all those years was like evidence. In his mind, he couldn’t see himself without you. He still did not know if his affection was like the love you wished for when you were younger, but from your tears, maybe you would still accept it. He looked as Alice came to you to give you a tissue to wipe your eyes.

You looked at Alastor who stared at you, caressing your cheek.

“ I shall love you in the way you accepted. In sickness, in health, poor, rich, I do not care. As long as you are by my side, this life is worth living.”

Your smile and your eyes were beautiful. It was the first thing that caught his attention since the beginning. Your eyes would always shine bright, with any emotions you would feel. As you grew older, you stopped showing your emotions to anyone which made it even more special when you would just show your bare feelings to him.

He didn’t expect to feel so much during your speech. You were confirming everything he questioned in his mind. You were as obsessed as him, you both would die in your madness bound to each other.

He smiled during your speech but couldn’t hold himself when you said your last sentence.

“ I love you so much, it might cost me my sanity, my love.”

He tugged you against his torso, caging you in his arms. You would lose your sanity for him, he almost chuckled. He felt like he never had sanity from the beginning and you were the one being his moral compass, sometimes..

He stepped back and waited for the ring before putting the jewel on your finger. He could feel a shiver running through his whole body. He could almost see a chain around your neck where his necklace was. Finally, in front of the law, you were his, completely his.

“ I declare you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride.”

Who was he to say those words?

You smiled as Alastor tugged you toward him, kissing you like tomorrow wouldn’t exist.

Finally.

You broke the kiss, staying near him as the crowd was shouting and clapping.

“ I love you, Alastor.. I love you, I love you..” you whispered against his lips. He almost melted at your words. He didn't know those kind of words, which he couldn’t truly understand, was making him feel so weak and strong at the same time.

“ I love you, dearest, in a way that no human would dare to love.” he whispered back, making you kiss him one more time. Even the devil would be afraid to love you like he was doing right now.

You walked out of the town hall, holding on to your husband’s arms. You stayed on the stairs as journalists took pictures of you and Alastor. He would already hear Victor’s yapping about how great you both looked.

You laughed when the women were asking you to throw the bouquet. You turned your back to the crowd, closed your eyes and threw it. He kind of wished Mimzy would catch it, she didn’t want to get married, that would be fun to watch her face if she happened to catch the bouquet.

“ Oh my gosh!”

Even better.

You turned around and screamed in glee when you saw Alice with the bouquet. She walked toward you and hugged you, sniffing. He turned his eyes toward the mayor who said that the car was ready for you to use. He smirked before thanking him, shaking his hand once more. Alastor took your hand and guided you toward the vehicle before opening the door for you.

“ Is it our car..?”

“ A gift from Alyzée’s father.” he winked at you before you entered the car, Alastor closing the door behind you. He settled behind the steering wheel and began to drive until his destination.

“ I feel like I’m dreaming…” you sighed in bliss.

“ I don’t think I ever felt this… happy.” you looked at Alastor who almost seemed confused. He wasn’t very surprised to feel this much emotion when you were by his side, but it was still surprising when he knew killing was the second next thing that could grant him so much euphoria. “ Even killing my father didn’t bring me this much joy. You really are something, my love.” he smirked as he parked in the hotel’s parking lot.

Once everyone has arrived you all went into the banquet hall. You looked at all the tables and the band that was on stage, preparing themselves. You sat next to Alastor as Alice walked toward you with a piece of paper. She did a speech, an emotional sarcastic speech which brought you and her to tears.

He laughed when Mimzy did her speech. She would make inside jokes that would make him smirk but she didn’t tell too much which he appreciated. Victor was next, he told everyone about how Alastor was the definition of dedicated and so on. Victor was a good fella, he kept him at his side to feed his ego when needed.

His back straightened up when his mother walked with the microphone. He knew she was going to make a speech, but he didn’t know if he was ready to hear it.

She didn’t talk about the bad thing, but through her eyes he was telling everything he needed to know. She, who looked so small in his dressing room before the wedding, was looking so tall right now. He almost felt like a little boy. The little boy who just wanted his mother to tell him they were safe now.

He always wondered how his mother perceived him. When he was torturing animals when he was younger, when he went hunting, being captivated by death, when his soul began to rot. What did she think about it?

Was his soul already rotten when she gave birth to him?

Well, he didn’t really care now, he was satisfied with himself.

“Mon bébé… Not everything has been easy, I’m well aware. You always asked me what you could do to make me smile, to make me happy. Well, mon coeur, by being happy, you make me the happiest mother on earth. Je t’aime, quoi qu’il puisse arriver, tu seras toujours mon fils que j’aime.”

He wondered why his eyes got teary. Maybe his inner child was waiting for this moment? He stood up, letting your hand go before hugging his mother, harder than he expected. Everyone was clapping around them but he didn’t care. She whispered in his ears that she loved him, no matter what could happen. His face was hidden in his mother’s shoulder, hiding the boyish smile that was on his lips. He stepped back, kissing his mother on the cheek, wiping one tear from her cheek before walking back toward you.

Was his mother letting him go? Was she telling him that she did her job, protecting you as she could, until he could leave living his life with you? He hoped she knew, he would always go back to her, she was his mother.

You looked as Alice’s father walked toward you. Well, he didn’t expect a speech from her dad, but he did see you grow up.

“ Well, I do not know Alastor, but I know a woman, who has always been by my daughter's side. No matter what was going on, she would take my daughter’s side. As a thank you, for being yourself, Mr and Mrs Sanglar, please accept as a wedding gift the house we wanted to sell.”

His eyebrows shoot up. Well, he wanted to buy the property but he did not expect it to be given to you like this.

“ Well, now, we shall see the married one dance! Band, some music, please!”

Alastor guided you toward the dancefloor as a soft song began to be played. You danced with Alastor, never breaking eye contact with him. He was moving you against him until he made a gesture to the band who began to change the music, they were now playing jazz.

You smiled widely at Alastor as you both began to dance, twirling, being lifted in the air, under everyone’s eyes. No one could detach their gaze from you.

After a while, everyone danced with everybody. He danced with her mother, being careful as she laughed, seeming the happiest she ever was. He even danced with Alice to make you happy.

He walked toward a balcony to breathe some fresh air and he smirked when he saw you outside. You were outside the hotel, being beautiful. He sended his shadow to you, you never know what could happen.

He frowned a little but kept his smile when he saw John approached you. He looked at the scene, drinking from his glass as Mimzy chatted next to him about the good looking men that were present on the dance floor. He told her to go back dancing, keeping his eyes on you.

When John left you, he came back inside and took another glass of whiskey, talking with the guests, listening to the drunk confessions. Everything could be used, and the mayor was really talkative with Alice’s father.

After a while, he saw you and Alice drunkenly walked toward the balcony. He excused himself before following you. He wanted to be with his wife now.

“ So~ Can’t wait for the honeymoon~?” he heard Alice ask.

“ I don’t even know how I managed to not jump on him.” you giggled drunkenly with Alice. How cute you were…

“ Who are we talking about?”

You smiled as you turned around and saw a smiling Alastor.

“ We are talking about my husband.”

God, he loved hearing those words coming from your mouth.

“ What a lucky fella! May I know what he looks like?” he smiled as Alice winked at you before leaving.

“ He looks… like sin.” you whispered as you stared at him. “ You shouldn’t be this close to me, you don’t want to meet his wrath.”

“ I’ll try my luck.” He kissed you, making you grab his shoulder as you moaned his name. “ You’re finally my wife.” He looked at your ring.

“ You’re finally my husband.” you kissed his lips one more time as you both stared at each other with so much passion, tenderness, obsession, lust and love, it would almost make you faint.

“ I love you.”

—-------

You were singing in the car with the biggest smile you had on your face. Alastor was behind the wheel, smiling, humming the same tune as your voice. He always was satisfied when you were singing.

He has been driving for almost two hours, enjoying the salty air and your voice. Sometimes you would hold your hand toward his mouth so he would sing, which he gladly did. When his voice was mixed with yours, you both were singing the most beautiful songs.

You fell asleep in the car, waking up when Alastor kissed your lips. You blinked slowly before smiling at him. He stroked your cheeks before going to take the luggages. He knew Paulette was near the house. He easily carried the luggages, greeted Paulette before entering the house. It wasn’t his type of decoration but well… As long as it didn’t bother you.

“ What do you want to do first?” He crossed his arms on his chest, looking patiently at you as you thought out loud about all the possibilities. You moved your hands toward the luggages and telekinesied them toward the bedroom. Seeing you using your power always made him feel something dark inside him.

“ I want to see the city ! No, the beach!” you clapped your hands as your eyes returned to their usual color. He smiled before stretching his hand toward you which you immediately took before leaving the house.

You let Alastor guide you and you smiled even more when you saw the beach. It really was close to the house Alastor rented, he knew you always wanted to go to the beach. You took off your shoes, Alastor already holding them for you. He looked as you innocently walked barefoot on the warm sand.

“ Come with me!”

As if he could do anything else.

He watched as you walked toward the water, stopping in front of the tide. Alastor knew you still were afraid of water, since the lake accident. He needed to teach you how to swim, he didn’t want something bad to happen to you.

He hugged you from behind, teasing you as always, his body relaxing at your usual banters. He took your attention from the water by giving you a seashell that looked like he had been painted by all the colors. You quickly decided to find others so you could give them to him.

He looked at the waves and the sun. It was a strange emotion to feel at peace. He felt like the world stopped to make you savor this moment.

“ Dear husband ?”

“ Dear wife?” He asked, still looking at the water, trying to find a way for you to not be afraid of it anymore. He heard you walk closer to him and he felt his shadow move but it didn't say anything to him. When he decided to look down at it, you threw sand at him.

“ Oh, are we already playing?” he said as he slowly lifted his head, looking at you.

“ Don’t we always?” you grinned before taking off. You laughed as you heard him running after you. It was a little difficult as you weren’t used to running on sand but a few seconds after you screamed as Alastor tackled you on the floor. You laughed as he tickled you with a mocking smile. “ It’s because you forget rule number one!” you shouted as you trashed underneath him.

He smirked, you still remembered these three rules he had teached you when he was younger. It was almost touching.

You then decided it was time to go home. He said he was going to prepare something to eat and you should take a shower which you gladly did. He was cutting the meat with a smirk, looking at the blade while it disappeared inside the meat.

He knew you were behind him but he didn’t expect you to use your power to make the knife fly out of his hand. Alastor turned toward you, with an annoyed smirk when he saw you.

“ I’m trying to cook, dear.”

“ I don’t see what is stopping you.” you smiled sweetly at him. He walked toward you, sliding his hand on your shoulder until he touched your hand where you were holding the knife.

“ We both know we like it more when I’m the one with the knife, right?” he smirked when he leaned toward you, taking the knife from your hand. “ right?”

“ Right.”

“ Good.” he purred before going back to cooking with a satisfied smile. He asked you to dress up the table when you told him you wanted to help him. But you played with him, with the knife, so he was going to have his fun too.

You easily opened the cupboard with your telekinesis but frowned when you saw Alastor’s shadow trying to keep the plates inside the cupboard.

“ Come on now, bad boy, let go !” you said as you force on your power, the shadow mocking you as he kept the plates in its grapes. You heard Alastor chuckling which made you even more agitated to have those damn plates.

“ Having some trouble, darling?” he sneered at you.

“ No!” You could feel power getting stronger in your eyes but then the shadow smirked at you before letting the plate go. You gasped before crouching, avoiding the plate that flew toward you. You bit your lips as you heard the crash against the wall behind you. You lifted your head toward Alastor who was trying to suppress his laughter. He didn’t expect you to use so much strength but it was funnier than he anticipated.

“ Well?”

You turned around and winced when you saw the plates in pieces on the floor. You pouted as Alastor took the pieces in his hands, laughing. He winced when a sharp piece of plate cut his finger. He already knew it was a deeper cut that it was letting on.

“ Do we have bandages ?” you asked as you took his finger to see the blood pouring out the cut.

“ No need, darling. It’s going to stop soon.” he smiled at you, ready to move on.

But you grabbed his hand and licked his wound. Your tongue was moving around his finger, licking his blood like it was the best thing you ever had. He could feel his eyes flash red, staring at you. He tugged you against him when you realized what you were doing, already ready to panic.

“, I’m sorry ! I didn’t–!”

“ Well done, my love, you healed me.”

You looked at his finger and freezed when you saw his hand was as good as new. You winced when you felt a little pain on your finger and looked at your hand. Alastor and you looked as you saw your finger being cut, just like Alastor a moment before, without any weapon around.

“ I see… You can heal me because you took the injury yourself.” he mumbled, not happy with the news. He wasn’t the kind to get injured often. But he knew that you would want to heal him, even if it was a scratch.

You stared at the cut and a few seconds after, the cut disappeared. You looked at Alastor with a smile.

“ I think the injury stayed on me the same time it has stayed on you. Which means, if you ever have a serious injury, I need to heal you as quickly as possible, if I don’t want to keep the injury for too long.”

That was even more problematic. If he was injured, he needed to make a choice if it was better to be treated by you or a hospital and the choice has to be quick because you would keep the injury as long as he himself had kept it. He needed to get stronger so he could get a hold of this power and you wouldn't have to get hurt.

“ I see… Well, I just have to not get injured, right?” he smirked at you as he kissed the place where the cut moment before. “ You are pretty in purple, but I like them better in red.”

You tried to find a mirror and once you did you find that your eyes had a purple hue.

“ Well, darling, would you please set the table?” you rolled your eyes at Alastor's cunning voice.

You both ate and then you talked about John. You came back with an envelope which held 1,000 dollars. He didn’t expect the Felleur’s family to give so much money to the man who insulted their son on the radio. He smirked as he imagined John’s face when his parents had told him to give you this from them.

“ Let’s take a walk.” he chuckled at your words.

“ Going outside, at night, in an unknown town? Are you looking for trouble?”

“ Aren’t we the trouble?” you smirked at him.

He groaned as he tugged you toward him and kissed you feverishly, how he adored you. You smiled as you put your shoes on after clearing the table. You went out with Alastor, holding upon his arm. You decided to follow a trail that seemed to go away from the city, feeling adventurous, you begged Alastor to follow it. He sighed but accepted your supplications. Once you reached the top you looked down the hills and saw the ocean, you weren’t too high but you still gulped.

Well, it seemed like you needed a little push to move out from your fear. Mostly when he was next to you, you did not need to fear anything.

Alastor jumped off the hill, falling into the water. It felt good to be underneath water, the water was cool against his warm skin. He swam back to the surface, throwing his head back so his hair wouldn’t get in his eyes.

“ Stay here, I’m going to take the trail to–”

“ Jump!” he shouted.

He saw you freeze but he needed you to do this. Were you remembering your first meeting when he had asked you to jump off the swing? That day, you listened to him, you went out of your comfort zone for him. He needed you to do the same today, he wanted to see your trust in him.

He wanted to see the little girl that changed his life so much.

“ I’ll catch you” Always.

He grinned when he saw you jumping off the cliff. It was the same as that day, you looked like an angel, your hair moving into the air, your dress making it seem like you had wings. You were an angel, turning your back on anyone, to be with him. You chose to fall in hell with him, for him.

You felt Alastor’s arms as you hitted the water. You wrapped your arms around his body before he swam the both of you toward the surface. You gasped for air and looked around before laughing as you stared at your husband with a wide laugh.

“Wow! Did you see that Alastor ! I did it ! Haha ! That was super amazing !” You looked at him with a wide smile.

You looked as Alastor hand cupped your face before kissing you. You closed your eyes as you kissed him back. He was proud of you, he would never let you be alone in those moments, he would be your protector if you needed to. But he knew he needed to be sure you could hold yourself, you were partners, husband and wife, child friends and so on..

—----

The next day, you both went into town. You watched what kind of furniture you would buy for your future home. He was looking at some desk that he would be able to put into his office… Your new house was big, bigger than he was used to but he knew you would fill every room with warmth.

You kept walking, looking for things for your new home or for yourself. You find new clothes, a new hat for Alastor and some souvenirs for your family and friends. You ate lunch in a small restaurant that you found delicious. Alastor didn’t like it much but he couldn’t help but smile when you said you could help him finish.

You walked back home, still full of energy. You looked at the full moon as Alastor was taking a shower. He came back to you, cleaning his glasses with a tissue.

“ Are you ready, my love?”

“ Mhn?”

“ Well, to bond yourself to me.”

You moved so quickly he feared you would lose your balance. You both went into the bedroom where he had written symbols on papers with ink.

“ I have everything we need.” He said with a confident smile. He walked back toward you with a blade. “ First, I need a place to mark you, if you don’t mind, dearest, I’ll choose your heart. I already carved an ‘A’ here, but you know I’m greedy. I’ll place my runes here…”

“ You have a rune for yourself ?” you asked him, curiously.

“ I created one, yes.” He tilted his head as you took off your dress, baring yourself at him. He walked toward you and cut you between your breasts. The ‘ A’ he once had carved wasn’t there anymore but it didn’t matter, something much more meaningful was going to be here.

“ Every time your heart beats, it is for me. This life is mine… “ He whispered against your skin. “Now,dear, unfortunately, you can’t carve rune but you still have energy. Where do you want to place yourself on me.” he smiled at you with a teasing expression, watching you as you put your night dress on. “ My heart already belongs to you–”

“ Your forehead.”

“ Pardon?”

“ Well, we both know you always stay inside your mind for hours sometimes. I want to be the one who owns every single one of your thoughts.” You said confidently. You advanced toward him, feeling power inside you. You kissed his forehead, closing your eyes. “ This twisted brain of yours will never work if my heart isn’t beating for you.”

Well, he knew for a fact that if you were no longer by his side, which would never happen, he would lose the rest of his sanity.

“ This is really cute, I don’t remember the last time I performed this curse!” you looked at Baron Samedi who was smoking his cigar.

“ Let’s finish this.” you heard Papa Legba. “ You need something that would be the material bond in the human world. “

You looked as Alastor took something of his luggages.

“ Eamon!” you shouted in surprise.

“ Of course, dear. What is better to represent our bond than our fawn?”

“ He is a deer!”

“ Fawn. Now! Let’s begin.” he placed Eamon on the floor between the two of you. He felt Kalfu entering his body, taking it as his own vessel. He could feel his lips moving into a smile so big he almost felt like the corner of his lips were bleeding.

He watched as Kalfu cut his wrist, making the blood drip onto Eamon. He stared at the fawn which seemed to be infused with energy. The symbols on the paper were detaching themselves from it.

He then felt a horrible pain in his head. It felt like his brain had been shot, he wanted to tear his hair off so it may lessen the pain he was feeling. The pain was moving from his head to any parts of his body, it was like his blood was poisonous and was contaminating all his being.

Baron Samedi wrote something in front of him, he couldn’t understand anything nor the voice that was chanting around him. He fell on his knees, holding his head as Kalfu left his body. He didn’t really listen to the spirits talking, his head was pounding, like someone was using a hammer and kept punching his head with it.

You were talking to him, he always loved your voice but now he needed to lessen the pain. Maybe if he took a cold shower it would help… He groaned when you forced him to lift his head to watch you. “ What? Are you not okay?”

He freezed when he heard your voice, but inside his mind. You having been talking, you were speaking inside his mind and from the look of it you could also hear his thoughts.

His smile widened before he rushed toward you and hugged you. He spun you around, laughing happily. You stared at him, lost but happy. He put you down and took Eamon with a smirk.

“ I don’t believe it. There aren’t a lot of archives about this spell but I sure didn’t know we could share our thoughts that way.” He put Eamon with care on the bed. “ My love, now Eamon is the material bound between us, nothing must happen to him, it could weaken what is linking us.”

He laughed like a mad man, that should scare you but you just smiled softly, looking fondly at your husband.

“ Oh my love, curse of my sanity, I can’t wait to kill while hearing all of your thoughts!” he laughed, bending his body backwards, his hand hiding his eyes. “ I have a list of new victims, it only needs us to erase them from earth!” He laughed as you giggled next to him.

What a good day !

You walked toward him as he lifted you up in the air. You laughed as you both danced in the small bedroom while laughing. You stopped when you saw something.

“ Alastor…”

“ Yes?”

“ My shadow…”

He looked as your shadow was now similar to his. It held the same hideous smile while it played with his shadow. It seemed like the ritual had more secrets than he initially thought. He couldn’t wait to discover it with you.

“ Oh, this will be fun.”

—-------

“ Once again, the police have found a body, the right eye missing and a smile carved into the victim’s flesh. This had been going on for years, yet, the police, led by John Felleur, still haven't found a single clue about the serial killer that haunts New Orleans’s streets. The killer seems to attack men only, so my dear fellow gentlemen, you should stay vigilant!” He spoke into his microphone with a big smile.

It’s been three years since his wedding and what a journey it has been. He was the most popular radio host of all Louisiana, he was well respected, having connections with people he never would have thought to meet. And thanks to that, he could easily find new targets.

The police were trying to find a serial killer, which was of course, him and his darling wife. You didn’t give up your little hobbit, always going with him when it was time to slay. He always finds a new way of torturing his victims, sometimes wondering if he was affraying you, but when he would turn around, you would just look at him fondly.

How lucky he was.

His powers were becoming more stable and he had more stamina now. He didn’t necessarily use his power when he was killing someone, he didn’t think they were worth it. He would use it during the track, finding information about how vile the pig was. And he was getting better and better, never injuring himself.

Which created an argument between the both of you. He didn’t want you to use your healing capacity but you always have been a brat, so you would injure yourself so you could train. The first day he saw you doing that, he thought he lost any sanity left in his body. He had you pinned on the floor, asking many times what you were doing.

After hearing your pleas, he agreed to hurt himself so you would learn from him. He didn’t want you to heal serious injuries, he didn’t know if you could die from an injury you healed before it killed him.

Alice was the one who would help him find filthy pigs that he didn’t know they existed. She could still be of use after all those years, who would have thought?

He said his goodbye to his audience before leaving his workplace and took his car to drive back home. He was sure Alice was at your home, he didn’t really care.

He entered the front door and smiled when he saw you, your head already turned toward him.

“ How do you always know when he is coming home! Each time, it’s a different hour!” asked Alice, always shocked when you could tell when Alastor was coming home.

“ Good evening, Alice. What an unhappy expecting surprise to you here.” said Alastor with a mocking smile.

“ Even after all those years, you are still not a gentleman.”

Only with my wife, right, my love?

It was a new power you both acquired when you bond your souls togethers. You could talk in each other’s mind which created funny and interesting moments. He looked as you went into the kitchen to cook dinner. He wanted to keep painting the room but well, he couldn’t let your guest unattended.

“ Unfortunately, I think I can’t stay with you for dinner.”

“ What? But I was going to make your favorite dish!” you shouted, going back into the living room with a pan in your hand. “ Did Alastor say something?”

“ Honey…” he sighed with a smirk.

“ Do you think he could make me change my opinion?” she raised an eyebrow.

“ Right, so why? Are you still feeling unwell?”

“No… It’s just…” She sat on the sofa, sighing. You sat next to her, taking her hands while Alastor was looking at her with his usual smile. “ I am pregnant.”

….

“ What?” you said in unison with Alastor.

Alastor watched as you asked Alice for precision, your eyes flashing red. Alice never asked you anything about it even though he was sure she saw your eyes changing colors. Was she lying to herself or was she trying not to be noisy?

Alice was pregnant even though she told you her husband never forced himself on her. Alastor was surprised, Alice never really talked about wanting to be pregnant so if he needed to kill the husband, you would have to be very careful.

“ Do you need us to kill him?” asked Alastor calmly. He didn’t really feel anything but maybe anger about not controlling the situation. Trey Felleur was a catholic man he thought was boring, just a tasteless man that was doing his job, talking about politics… Nothing worth his time.

“ Calm down, the both of you. He didn’t force himself on me. I wanted a child, so this has to happen. He asked me multiple times if this is what I wanted, I said yes. He didn’t do anything bad.” she stood up, taking your hands in hers. “ But there is something worrying me. I think Alyzée is being stalked by someone… She says she feels like she is being watched.”

Well, well, well… Another stalker’s story? Last time was when you were teenagers, and you never found him. It was mostly not a stalker, he kept watching when you both were out and he never felt eyes on him. But someone following Alyzée, now that was interesting and possible.

He stood up when you took Alice to the front door. He listened as he leaned against the door.

“ Nothing will hurt your family.” you said to her. Alice looked at you, taking your hand in yours.

“ You know, you are part of my family as well.” she whispered to you. “ Even Alastor, but never let him know that.”

“ I heard you.”

“ Fuck off!” she shouted before looking at you. “ Please, be careful. If you need anything, ask me.”

He watched as she took a cab and went back to town.

You both went into the kitchen, preparing your dinner. If someone were to see the both of you, they would mostly think they were dreaming. You were moving everything you needed in the air with your power, the plates placing themselves on the tables, the vegetables being cut while Alastor was boiling the water.

You smiled when you saw Alastor’s shadow begin, once more, to tease yours. They were fighting each other, you could see them on the wall. Sometimes he wondered if both of your shadows had your childhood’s personality…

“ Alastor, should we finish painting the last bedroom?” you asked, taking off your apron. “ I’m not hungry yet.”

He nodded before following you. You both painted and of course you decided you wanted to play. He smirked when you threw paint at him, your laughter echoing in the room. You yelped when you felt the shadow held you while Alastor was painting your cheeks, smirking at you. You laughed, trying to escape from the shadow. Yours was jumping on Alastor’s, taking it away from you. He looked as both shadows were happily fighting each other. You quickly took paint and threw it at Alastor as he shielded himself with his arms.

After winning the war, you both went to take a shower and then went back to the kitchen before sitting on the table and eating.

“ How should we find Alyzée’s stalker ? Should we send our shadow?” you asked as Alastor made you eat from his fork.

“ Oh, my love, no. Do we really need to waste our power for this?” he laughed, waving his hand in the air. “ We need to kill John, remember?”

John was becoming a pressing matter. He was still in the police and he was setting on finding the serial killer that was terrorizing New Orleans. He was far too blinded by you to think you were the one behind the killing with him, but he knew John was still thinking he was the one being the cause of his father’s disappearance. But he needed to find the right moment…

“ How could I forget? But right now, he isn’t a threat. The stalker could be, what if he found out about Alice’s relationship?” you asked as he wiped the sauce from your lips.

“ If this is what you wish for, we shall take care of Alyzée’s stalker. It shouldn’t take long, nor be difficult.” he said as he leaned against his chair. You smiled at him, making him raise an eyebrow at you. “ What?”

“ You are so sure of yourself, I admire that.”

“ Because no one could make me doubt my abilities,” he said before kissing your forehead. “ You should stay with Alyzée, try to see if you feel something when you are with her.”

You both agreed before going to bed. The next morning, he felt a little off but after a quick breakfast he felt better and he drove you to town, kissing you before going to work. Victor came 5 minutes after him, already telling him the news about his last broadcast.

He was writing on a paper when he felt something. He lifted up his head. He finished his emission 10 minutes ago, which let him write for his next broadcast… But right now, he didn’t like what he was feeling… He stood up quickly, asking Victor to handle the rest before leaving his workplace.

He could feel your bound, so he just had to follow it then he would find you. He freezed when he saw you walking alongside John, bruised.

He wondered how John would scream if he were to open the policeman’s chest and eat his heart right in front of him. He was sure it would be less painful than seeing you bruised in front of him.

Did he do that? Tell me, I’ll kill him right now.

You stopped walking when you lifted up your head, Alastor was in front of you, it seemed like he had just finished working.

“ Mr. Felleur, please tell me why my wife is injured, next to you?” he said as he smiled like usual even if you could see anger swirling in his eyes. “ Please, answer me quickly.”

“ Mr.Sanglar, your wife has been attacked by a man, I happened to be there to save her life.” John said as you ran into Alastor’s side.

“ Well, Officier Felleur, thank you for bringing my wife to me. I shall take it from here.”

“ I need her to write if she happens to see his face. It could be the serial killer I’m after.”

You tried to hide your smile while Alastor laughed out loud. This poor fool wouldn’t be able to catch him red-handed as long as the sun kept rising up.

“ Oh right, but I think she would have told you if she saw something, right? But this is not the case. So, if you allow us, we shall go.” He wrapped one arm around your waist before walking away from John who just stared at you.

Alastor walked you back to your car, opened the door for you before settling behind the steering wheel. You waited for him to drive but he stayed silent. He was trying to keep the anger inside of him which was difficult because he could felt his body being warmer because of the fury inside him.

“ Alastor, my love ?”

You flinched when you saw him punch the steering wheel, grinding his teeth.

“ I’m okay, darling. I just… didn’t expect to see you hurt.” He said before driving toward your home.

“ Alastor no! Alice and Alyzée are maybe in danger!”

“ Does it look like I care, my love? You are hurt.” he said, his eyes never leaving the road. If you think he cared about anyone but you right now? You were injured, your body had marks that haven’t been made by him, someone dared touch you.

“ Alastor, stop the car!” you shouted.

Alastor stopped the car on a deserted road, the one you always used to go home. He looked at you, his smile twitching, could you be a good girl right now and let him drive you home? Your eyes were red and so was his.

“ Alastor, Alice is pregnant, Alyzée doesn’t know how to fight, they need us! What if the man is already there?”

“ Love of my life, curse of my sanity, Alice's family is the RicheMont. They have maids, butlers, their houses are on the richest quartier of New Orleans. Do you really think a mere human could walk in like that?” he asked you, his grip tightening on the wheel. “ They are safe there, my shadow is watching.”

He saw your body relaxed but then you explained you used your power against the man. He didn’t like it, he hoped the man hadn't seen you use your telekinesis, he always told you: If you were to use your power, make sure the person was dead right after.

His smile came back when he saw how upset because you let your prey run away. How cute, he felt like he was watching a small animal trying to hunt on a bigger animal. But well, he knew you were a professional killer now… Well, it didn't mean he couldn’t be protective of you.

Alastor started back the car, driving you home. He went to prepare dinner but then he stopped when he felt you use your healing abilities. The atmosphere was always colder when you were using it…

You saw Alastor watching you through the mirror, his arms crossed on his chest. You tilted your head as he walked toward you. He kissed your bare back, kissing each place a bruise has been made before you healed yourself.

He kissed your face, his eyes looking at you.

“ Don’t let others injure you my dear. This is my privilege, isn’t it?” he tilted his head, his eyes never leaving your face.

That night, he played with your body, cutting you with his teeth, his nails and his blade. You were like a sacrifice made for him. An angel offered as a sacrifice to calm the wrath of the vengeful spirit that was haunting New Orleans.

Hearing you moaning his name although he was sliding the blade against your skin was making him ligheaded. You both were crazy and you both enjoyed that. Your blood was dripping so pretty on the table, the red so mermazing.

He kissed every single one of his cuts and smiled when you told him you didn't want to heal them yet. You wanted to feel them.

When you went to bed, he watched you sleeping before going into the living room. He needed to write his next podcast, maybe he could talk about his sixth murder? No… He coughed a little, hiding his mouth behind his fist. What could be tomorrow's next topic?

He stood up and went into the kitchen to make some coffee, still thinking. Maybe he could tell the story of your first murders, his father’s death.. Mh, it could be interesting. What name should he choose… Maybe he could ask the audience what the name of the character could be.

He walked back into the living room and felt a sudden dizziness that made him drop his mug on the floor. He almost swore but he just sighed.

“ Alastor, are you hurt ?” you watched as he lifted his head up to you with a warm smile. He stood up and walked toward you before kissing your forehead.

“ I’m okay, love. It seems like I was still upset about what happened to you with the stalker, my hand was shaking.” he sighed, whispering his words softly against the skin of your forehead.

“ Why don’t you come back to bed..? It’s three in the morning…” you whined against him.

Alastor looked at you for a minute before nodding. He cleaned his mess before going back to the bedroom with you, turning off the light. You slid into the covers, opening your arms for him. He smiled softly at you before going into bed, placing his head on your chest, above your beating heart.

“ Do you want to talk about it, my love?” you asked softly as your fingers were running through his curly hair. He hummed but didn’t say anything. He didn’t know why, he was so tired… Well, he was use to sleep three hours or more if he was lucky, if he were listening to your beating heart…

When he opened his eyes the next day, he almost freaked out for a minute. He was alone in the bed. He sat up, feeling you downstairs. He sighed, placing his head against the palm of his hand. He was still sleepy, what an odd and unusual feeling… He walked toward the kitchen and looked at you.

“ I made your coffee.” You said before kissing his cheeks. He wrapped his arms against you, kissing your forehead, thanking you in his deep sleepy voice. You smiled at him, placing the pastries in front of him. “ Did you sleep well?”

“ Mhn… I slept deeply, this doesn’t happen occasionally.” he held his chin with his left hand, looking at the ceiling, perplexed. You tilted your head as he winked at you. “ Don’t get used to it.”

You went to wash up after Alastor then you went into the living room, sitting on the sofa. You tied up his tie for him, you always liked doing that so, he would let you do it, always watching you with a fond smile. You stared at him, stroking his cheeks.

“ You don’t have to meet with Alyzée today, my shadow keeps watch.” he said.

“ Nu-uh, I’m going. Take back your shadow, I don’t want you to be tired.” You kissed his nose with a fond smile.

“ It’s not taking an ounce of my energy and with what happened with the stalker, I’m not taking any chances.” he cupped your head in his hands, staring at you.

You nodded and then he took you to town. When he went into his office, he let himself fall on his chair, massaging his head, running his finger into his hair. Why was he so tired and why was he feeling so hot? This summer was really warmer than last year? Dear god…

Victor came to him seeming worried. Alastor told him to just do his work as his program was going to begin. He would go through it, just like he always did. He focused his thoughts in his notes, never losing his flow, his humor and his answer with the audience. Today seemed like it wasn’t going to end.

He, sometimes, was holding his head while a listener was talking. There was so much noise… and it was god damn too hot !

Thank God, he managed until the end. He took a bottle of water and drank all of it, closing his eyes as the cold liquid ran inside his throat. He lifted up his head when he heard a knock and told the person to enter. He could already feel your presence behind the door.

He stood up from his seat. He walked toward you as Victor left his office. You smiled at him, kissing him softly as he hummed against your lips. “ What is my darling wife doing here?”

“ I wanted to see my husband.” you chuckled when you felt his lips kissing your neck before sitting back on his chair. “ This is the first time I come here… With my body.”

“ Last time, it was your soul, you’re right.” He leaned on his chair, crossing his arms against his torso. You seemed to be observing him, he almost laughed. He always enjoyed when you were “copying” him.

You took a tissue from your bag and wiped his forehead as he closed his eyes. You touched his forehead with your hand and frowned a little.

“ You’re warmer than usual.”

“ Well, it is summer and my office gets hot with all my materials.”

You pouted, trying to fan him with a piece of paper which made him laugh. He stood up, kissed your forehead and said it was time to go home. He took some paper with him and you both left his workplace, and drove to your home. He needed to finish this and maybe he would be able to breathe a little.

But before he could enter your home, you took his hand and brought him to the lake. He looked at you as you took off your shoes and lifted up your dress before taking a step into the water. You turned around to look at him. holding your hand toward him with a soft smile. He stared at you before taking off his shoes and socks and walked in the water, toward you.

“ You aren’t scared?”

“ I’m with you, so, no, I’m not.”

He smiled, his body relaxing with your answer. Even if his body was doing nothing it was told, you would still put your life in his hands, like right now.

Alastor dived into the water with his clothes on. You smiled when you saw him emerge out of the water, his hair sticking in on his forehead. He closed his eyes as he swam, never going too far from you. In case you wanted to go into the water.

He looked as you went back home before closing his eyes, floating on the surface. The water was cool enough for him to feel his body get colder… But it was still not enough. He took off his shirt, before going back into the water.

He swam toward the edge of the lake when he felt you come back. He looked at you and smirked when he saw you staring at him, your mouth wide open.You gulped as he left the water and walked toward you.

“ You’re red, darling.” He touched your chin, making you close your mouth you didn’t even realize was open. You shoved the sandwiches in his hands, looking away as he laughed. You laid down on the grass, looking at him. He leaned toward you, kissing your lips with a soft smile.

“ Did you know Alice wanted me to be her child’s godmother?” you whispered against his lips.

“ I guessed it.” He whispered before kissing you once more.

You smiled against his lips, wrapping your arms around his shoulders. You pushed your lips against his as he tried to get away, wrapping your legs around his waist. You tried to suppress your laugh as he was groaning when you didn’t move your lips away from his.

He stood up easily even if you were still clinging to him. He walked toward the lake, before entering the water, speaking , his voice muffled against your lips.

“ Darling… Let go…”

You shook your head, keeping your lips against him. You chuckled as he sighed before swimming in the water. You nipped at his lips, looking at him playfully. He went into the water with you, kissing you properly before diving into the water.

You closed your eyes, he could feel your hair moving against his skin, Alastor kissing you fondly. You felt him poking your cheek with his finger. You opened your eyes slowly, and Alastor looked as he saw your eyes. You both stared at each other before he swam to the surface.

You broke the kiss, smiling sweetly at him. He felt more relaxed than when you saw him at work. He swam to the lake’s edge, and you both ate what was left of sandwiches, looking as the sun was setting down. You played with Alastor’s curls until it was time to go home.

You fell asleep easily which made it easy for him to go downstairs to work once more. He needed to find that stalker, to find another pig to kill, put John out of the picture. He pulled on his hair, biting his lips.

This headache didn’t want to stop!

He wrote down on his notes, trying to ignore it but it was getting harder and harder to think about anything else but the pain in his head. He turned his head toward the door when he felt your presence, surprised.

“ Darling?”

You squinted your eyes at him and walked toward him, observing him. You touched his forehead and gasped when you felt how hot he was.

“ Alastor, I think you might be sick.” you said, already ready to go take the medicine you kept in your drawers.

“ Darling, I’m not. It’s hot, remember ?” He tilted his head, looking at you, amused.

You shook your head, crossing your arms on your chest. When you saw him going back to his notes, you took his hands, begging him with your eyes. How cruel of you…

“ Then, please, at least, go to bed.”

He looked at you before sighing and nodding. He couldn’t refuse anything and he was sick of this headache. Maybe laying down would help him in any way? He laid on your chest and before he knew it, he was asleep.

He woke up, and he almost swore when he saw the time. He was going to be late, what was going on? He stood up, took a rapid shower which didn’t stop the warmth in his body to stop getting hotter. He hitted the living room’s table with his hips, making him wince, as he was taking his notes.

“ Damn it…!”

“ Alastor, stay here, I’m calling Victor to tell him you won’t go to work.”

Alastor turned his head toward you, surprised to see you. Did he not feel your presence ? What was going on with his body? He didn't remember even getting sick since he had killed his father. You walked toward the telephone but Alastor stopped you with his usual charming smile.

“ My love… I’m going to work, there is no need to worry. It’s just a little fever, nothing more.”

But he knew you would be a brat. You threatened him to use your healing capacity on him if he wanted to go to bed. You were diabolic. He loved it. He felt like he was going to throw up…

You dialed Alastor’s workplace and sighed in relief when you heard Victor’s voice. You told him Alastor couldn’t go to work because he was sick.

“ Alastor? Sick?”

“ My wife is holding me hostage, Victor.”

You shushed your husband before telling Victor you would call him later. You looked at Alastor who was trying to keep his smile but, even if this was against you, he hated losing.

You pushed him into the bedroom, forcing him to change before going into the kitchen, preparing a meal for him. He felt like he was burning, the ceiling was moving even though he was laying down. He couldn’t see well, his senses were confused.

Where were you..?

He flinched when he felt a hand touch his forehead, smacking it immediately. Damn it, he was vulnerable and someone was there to witness it.

“ Don’t touch me..” he whispered. He wanted to have his usual smile but he couldn’t. Moving was exhausting, even smiling was asking too much of him.

“ I’m sorry, I just wanted to cool down the fever.” he heard someone say. The fever? He was sweating so much it was horrible. Was he in hell? If he was in hell, where were you?

“ Do you want to drink something ?”

“ Hot chocolate….” he whispered, closing his eyes. If you still weren’t in hell, he would have to wait for you.

“ But you don’t like it…Why?”

“It tastes…like my wife…” he said, opening his eyes slightly, looking at you. “ She…is sweet…” He slowly blinked and then he was given a hot chocolate. He sat up with difficulties, his head spinning. He drank a bit of the drink and couldn’t help but cringe. How could you drink that…?

He then was given a glass of water he drank completely. He laid down once again and then felt a soft weight on his chest. He looked and smirked a little when he saw the plushie.

“ Eamon…” He took the plushie with a small smirk. He stroked the fur of the plushie before looking at you. “ You shouldn’t touch it, lady…” You asked him why, tilting your head. “ I cursed… my wife with it. We are bound… forever..” he gave you a boyish smile before falling asleep, Eamon in his hand.

He didn’t know how long he was out cold, but when he woke up he saw your hands moving toward him with your eyes and their purples hues, showing him you wanted to heal him.

“ Darling, don’t…”

You freezed when you saw Alastor’s gaze on you. His eyes were focused, conscious and he had his usual smile on his lips. He sat up slowly and you quickly helped him.

“ Alastor, do you recognize me ..?”

He nodded, kissing the back of the hand. He didn’t want you to be ill just because he kissed you.

“ I’m feeling better… Just tired and cold, but you don’t need to heal me…”

He smiled at you, reassuring you until your whole body relaxed. You kept taking care of Alastor until the next day, he was feeling way better.

The next morning, he smiled at you before going to work while you decided to stay at home to clean out the sheet and every tissue. He went to work, avoiding Victor’s questions and sat in his office. He looked around before concentrating on his shadow who was still guarding Alyzée. He looked around but nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.

He freezed when he felt your presence not too far from the two women. He forced his shadow to look around, he knew soul was somewhere near. His shadow’s eyes fell toward a warm feeling, Alastor knew your soul was here. He wondered why you were here… His shadow then looked at a man who seemed to be looking at no one, but his stare was focused.

He was focused where he could feel your soul.

Tag List: @lukneetoonz @martinys-world @littlepoetnova @sirens-and-moonflowers @eris-norwega @tiredflame132 @mo-0-o @vvollerie @sodavizz @boogiemansbitch @tessemerick @slytherin4ever @kammsinn @alastorssimp @t0xic1vi @diamond-almond @fangirlbitch02 @saccharine-nectarine @thenorthnightingale @bibliophile-yomna @itzjustj-1000 @mothraantics @yourdoorisunlocked @phamtasic @karmakillz @holographicage @sarcastic-sourwolf @akuraluna2468 @everwolf-20 @thesunandmoons-blog @songbrita @noraunor @fandomsbookclub @hokkaido97 @catticora @gasiacos

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d0youc0py · 2 years ago

Note

Can I you do the 141+Konig (or whoever you’d like) realizing that reader feels safe with them?

Love your work!!!!

To outside eyes it was something so simple- but to him it was the highest form of a compliment.

The group was sprawled out all over the living room preparing for the weekly movie night and somewhere between Gaz and Soap arguing who’s turn it was to pick the movie- you had fallen asleep.

Not just that- you had fallen asleep on him. His arm had been draped over the back of the couch and when you could no longer fight back sleep, his side was the perfect pillow. He knew you probably didn’t mean too, but just the fact your bodies natural instinct was to fall in his direction was enough to send a warm buzz through his body.

Sleep had always been a touchy subject for Ghost and Simon. He was lucky if he slept more than four hours a night. Being a light sleeper and falling victim of night terrors made nighttime his least favorite time. He disliked the vulnerability of it.

So the fact that you trusted him in your most vulnerable state was rather precious.

And a mission he wouldn’t take lightly.

Your skin had been crawling for the last fifteen minutes. You’d hope that by ignoring his unspoken advancements he would take a hint, but you were wrong. You peaked at him from the corner of your eyes. He wasn’t unattractive. He had nice features- chiseled but still approachable. Yet something about him just twisted your stomach. Maybe it was the way his eyes were glued to your ass.

Could you handle it yourself- absolutely. Did you feel like having to prove yourself in a bar full of people that you could take care of it yourself- not really. Especially not when you had a Big Bad Captain who could handle it with just a glare. You quickly excused yourself from the rest of the 141, heading over to where Captain Price and Laswell were gossiping.

“Sorry if this is confidential, but a guy over there is giving me the creeps.” You explained.

“The one in the blue jacket?” Price smirked. You went wide eyed and nodded your head wondering how he knew. “Been eyeing you since we walked in. I’ve been keeping an eye on him.” He held out his arm for you and you quickly linked arms with him. The simple action was enough to cause the man to sneer and grumble something to himself. You shot Price a smile and he shot you back a wink.

“That’s why I come to you when I’m scared.” You complimented. You didn’t know it but that comment was the ego boost of a lifetime for him.

Your vision was starting to turn foggy. Buildings became less sharp, people became blurry figures and the ground was looking mighty comfortable. You hands gripped your abdomen the other pressed against the wall.

Your eyes scanned the area, hoping to come across a familiar mohawk. You thought the best route would be to follow the sound of explosions, but that was just bringing you closer to the action.

“Y/N?!” Johnny boomed from behind you. You sighed in relief your back hitting the wall. He caught you before you could sink down completely. “Steamin Jesus.” He grumbled. He worked quick, tearing off a piece of his sleeve and holding it tightly against you wound. He called for an evac. “Why didn’t you call for help?” He scolded. You rested your forehead against his.

“I wanted you.” You mumbled. His hardened face softened- a smile almost ghosting his features. You were sure if you weren’t bleeding out he would’ve made some snarky comment, but neither of you had the energy.

“I’ve got you.” He whispered, letting you rest against him.

You don’t know why you agreed to this. Well technically you all voted and you lost but you probably could’ve put up a bigger fight. You hated horror movies. You’d think they wouldn’t bother you given your line of work but you were wrong. You had your sweater pulled up to your forehead trying to block out the urge to take a peak at the TV.

You eventually caved and peaked just in time for a jump scare. You heard a stifled chuckle come from the couch across from you. Kyle was biting back a smile, mouthing a ‘you good.’ You nodded feeling determined to not let the movie get the best of you. That plan was sort lived as a scene so brutal even Ghost had to look away, crossed the screen.

“Don’t be babies!” Soap yelled. You had had enough. While the others were engrossed in the movie you quietly crept over to Kyle’s side of the couch.

“Can I sit with you?” You mumbled. He quickly nodded his head expecting you to sit near him- not press yourself against his side. He chuckled softly, removing his arm from the back of the couch resting it around you.

“You know, performing an exorcism has always been on my bucket list. You’d be in good hands.” He’s always so cheeky.

“Not nice.” You grumbled, sending him a glare. He put his feet up on the coffee table and relaxed against the couch. The calmness in his body started to spread to yours, and pretty soon you had fallen asleep. He was absolutely going to tease you about this later- but for now he was enjoying the prideful bubble in his chest. You had chosen him.

Price tried to take a picture of you two but his flash went off causing everyone to scream.

“Colonel.” You hummed, knocking at the door. His eyes shot it away from his IPad trying to adjust to the darkness of the room.

“What’s wrong?” He questioned, beginning to stand up. You shook your hands.

“Nothing.” You lied. You had a nightmare. One so bad your body was still trembling.

“It’s three in the morning. What’s wrong?” He pressed. He stood up, cracking his back. His eyes had finally adjusted enough to see your tear stained face and shaking shoulders. Suddenly he realized. He had woken up enough times like that himself. He walked around his desk and grabbed a spare blanket from underneath the couch. “Come here.”

You did as you were told, smiling softly as he wrapped the fluffy blanket around your body. “You can sleep in here. I have to pull an all-nighter anyways.” He grumbled that last part to himself.

“I won’t bother you?”

“No.” He assured, grabbing a pillow from under the couch. “You’re not the only one who could benefit from some company right now.” You could hear the smile in his voice. You snuggled into the couch and he trudged back over to his desk.

“Thanks Konig.” You mumbled before you finally fell back asleep. He took a moment to stare at your sleeping form. There had been many times he wished someone was there for him in moments of weakness. He was honored you had chosen him to be that person for you.

Thank you for your kind words!

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writeforfandoms · 2 years ago

Text

Howlin’ For You

Find my CoD masterlist

Wolf shifter!Soap gets himself lost on a run one night and runs into you. The problem? You think he's a dog and take him home to try and find his people. Naturally, Soap falls head over heels.

Johnny “Soap” MacTavish x f!reader

Warnings: Swearing, shifter lore, world building, I just kinda throw y’all in the deep end, Price is pack dad.

Word count: 8k

Alright. So maybe the nighttime run had been a bad idea. Maybe. And maybe Soap shouldn’t have shifted on his own. And maaaaaybe he should have paid more attention to where he was going.

But he wasn’t lost! He’d never been lost in his life, and he wasn’t about to start now.

He just… had to find the right road back to base. That was all.

He briefly debated shifting back, but he didn’t fancy having to explain why he was running around naked. Price would kill him for that. And then Ghost would probably kill him, too.

So he huffed and continued trotting along. Fortunately the wound in his shoulder had healed enough not to bother him at this easy pace, though he was careful to monitor it. Despite what medical said, he didn’t like being benched for injuries.

Which was why he’d gone on a night run in the first place. Couldn’t sleep, pack was gone on a mission, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

…Yeah this had definitely been a bad idea.

Soap huffed again, pausing to shake himself off. He’d slid down a hill earlier, which hadn’t hurt him, but it had half-covered him in mud. He did not approve. He would much rather be clean.

And he’d get to clean off just as soon as he got back to base.

Lifting his nose, he sniffed around for any hint he could pick up. But there was nothing special here - hints of deer and rabbits, old car smell, and tiny whiffs of human. But not a particular human, not like he was close to infringing on anyone’s property.

Which meant he was pretty well in the middle of nowhere.

Gaz was never going to let him live this down.

His ears pricked and he turned his head as he heard a car coming down the road, slowly getting louder. He trotted a couple steps off to the side, just in case, and watched as the car rounded the bend, headlights even brighter in the relative dark to his eyes. The car slowed and the hazard lights turned on, flashing orange in the dark, even as the car slowed to a stop on the shoulder.

The driver’s door opened and Soap tensed a little, watching carefully. But it was just a woman - she smelled good. Human, absolutely, but good. His nose twitched in interest.

“Hey pup,” she greeted, getting out of her car and crouching down. “You okay over there? Where are your people?”

Oh. She thought he was a dog. Well, he supposed she could be forgiven for that - it was dark, and he was muddy, and okay yeah he did kind of look like a dog. Gaz liked to tease him about it sometimes.

“I’ve got some goodies here,” she continued, moving slowly, pulling a bag out of her car. The crinkle caused his ears to perk, and he sniffed hopefully. Smelled like jerky. Mmm. “You want some? C’mere, I’ve got plenty.” She tossed a piece about half-way across the road, and he trotted forward to gobble it up.

Really, she was nowhere near a threat, even with him on four legs. He could get himself out of trouble easily enough.

“Good pup,” she crooned, keeping her voice gentle. “You want more?” She held out a piece to him.

Soap paused to consider this. On the one hand, free food. On the other, she was clearly trying to get him close enough to check for a collar, which she wouldn’t find.

Well. If nothing else, she’d get him back to civilization, and from there he could figure out how to get back to base. He’d be fine.

So he stepped forward to take the jerky from her, making sure to be very gentle. He didn’t even flinch as her free hand checked for a collar.

“Looks like you escaped from someone’s yard,” she mused softly, gaze sweeping over him. “Alright. Do you wanna come in the car? Go on a little car ride? I’ll give you more jerky.”

Soap just wagged his tail at her, waiting patiently as she opened the back door before he hopped in. At least she didn’t try to buckle him in, he hated that. She did give him another piece of jerky, as promised, before she slid back into the driver’s seat.

This was going to be interesting.

–

You couldn’t help glancing back at the dog in the backseat. Partially to make sure he was okay, partially because you were nervous, and partially because you were trying to figure out if you’d seen him before. He was a big dog, but very well behaved. Hopefully you’d be able to get the mud off of him to get a better look at him.

The vet was undoubtedly closed by now, so you wouldn’t be able to get him checked for a microchip until morning.

But you couldn’t regret bringing him home. You just didn’t have it in you to leave a dog on the side of the road, especially one so obviously a beloved pet.

You parked in front of your tiny house, getting out and gathering up your things before letting the dog out. You had another piece of jerky in hand, hoping that would entice him to cooperate.

“This way,” you murmured to the dog, watching him hop down out of your car. “C’mon, let’s go inside and get cleaned up. And maybe have some dinner, hmm?”

The dog wagged his tail again and trotted right up to the front door, like he expected to be let in. You laughed softly but let him in, giving him the piece of jerky and then giving him a minute to sniff around.

“Alright, if you’re a pet, you should know better than to potty in the house,” you said, setting your things down. “Shower first, I think. For you.” You eyed the muddy pawprints left on the floor and decided that was now a tomorrow problem. “Okay. C’mon pup.” You tapped the side of your thigh, and the dog followed you back to your bathroom.

He didn’t even protest getting in the shower, thankfully. Just stood under the spray calmly.

The problems started when you got out the shampoo. (Which, honestly, you were amazed you still had any under your sink, you’d bought it for a friend’s dog ages ago.)

Then he boofed softly, circling in the shower and refusing to hold still for more than a second at a time. He kept pulling his paws away from you.

“Stubborn,” you grumbled at the dog, though you couldn’t help but laugh when he kept walking under your hand, inadvertently spreading the shampoo. “Well, I guess this is one way to do it.”

Rinsing off was another exercise in patience - the dog didn’t want to hold still, and ended up shaking muddy soap suds all over the shower, and your clothes. You just sighed deeply.

“Don’t make me regret being nice to you,” you grumbled, finally washing off the last of the soap. “Alright, guess it’s time to dry off.”

The dog bounded out of the shower and bounced around the tiny bathroom. Seriously bounced. Water got everywhere, and you just stared for a moment in absolute dismay.

“Definitely regretting all my life choices.” But you grabbed a towel and started working on drying him off.

It took two towels before you released him into the rest of the house and changed out of your dirty clothes.

The dog, of course, acted like nothing was wrong and sat patiently in the kitchen, tail wagging.

“You’re a menace,” you told the dog, although you started gathering up ingredients anyway. “It’s probably super late for your dinner, but oh well. This is when I normally eat.” You paused. “Shit, you can’t eat some things, right? Hang on.” You whipped out your phone to do a bit of frantic googling.

The dog boofed again, walked two circles around you, and then laid down with the biggest sigh. You looked away from your phone and right into big gorgeous blue puppy dog eyes… and you caved, crouching down to scratch his ears.

“You’re just too cute,” you grumbled. “I can’t be mad at you.” You stroked your hand down the dog’s back. “You’re a handsome boy too, aren’t you?” He really was, mostly red with a white stripe down his nose, white socks, and a little white blotch at his shoulders. You’d lay even odds that he was part husky.

He stayed where he was as you cooked, humming a little to yourself, big eyes following your every move. But at least he wasn’t underfoot.

“Tomorrow I’ll take you to the vet, see if you’ve got a microchip,” you told him, leaning back against the counter to let everything cook a bit. “And if not, I’ll put up signs. You can’t have traveled too far.”

The dog just sat up when you plated food, leaving a bowl on the ground for him. You’d checked all the ingredients and just had to hope it wouldn’t upset his stomach.

After throwing the dishes in the sink and taking him out for a potty break, you were more than ready for bed.

Apparently, so was the dog, as he immediately hopped up on your bed.

“Hey!” You frowned. “What do you think you’re doing?”

The dog wagged his tail at you and then circled the end of the bed before laying down, curled into an almost perfect circle.

“Oh my god.” You threw your hands up and turned to get ready for bed. “Fine, but don’t complain if I kick you in the middle of the night.”

But if you were being honest with yourself, when you laid down to sleep, the soft breathing and the warmth of the dog was… soothing. He made you feel less alone, less isolated.

You reminded yourself firmly to not get attached, because he wasn’t staying.

So, of course, he wasn’t microchipped.

“Nope,” the vet tech confirmed the following morning. “No microchip. I don’t recognize him, either.”

“Well, it was worth a try,” you said on a sigh, patting the dog’s head. “Thanks for checking for me.”

“Sure thing!”

“Guess I need to make some posters,” you said, looking down at the dog. He boofed at you, tail wagging.

You had a feeling it was going to be a long day.

–

Soap actually hadn’t meant to stay this long. He really hadn’t. But, well, you were pretty and lonely. It wasn’t hard for him to smell it on you, although it was less pervasive when he stuck near you.

And the team wasn’t supposed to be back for a few more days, so it wasn’t a problem to stay for a little longer.

(He could also admit, if only to himself, that he also needed more time to orient himself. He had no idea where the fuck he had ended up.)

Maybe it was a bad idea, but he was making it work. And he wasn’t stupid, he knew he wouldn’t be able to stay long. Tonight, probably, he’d have to leave. Now that he knew where he was and where he needed to go.

Hell, he knew that if Price found out, he’d have Soap’s head. Staying with an uninitiated human was risky, even though he had excellent control of his shifts. And it wasn’t just a risk to himself, but to his whole team.

Bad decisions seemed to be the theme of his forced downtime, though.

He’d just have to leave tonight and sneak back onto base. No big deal. Nobody would know, he wouldn’t get in trouble, everything would be fine.

He did feel a bit bad when he hopped down lightly from your bed. Hopefully you wouldn’t spend too much time looking for him.

Making sure to leave the back door cracked open a few inches to show how he’d gotten out, Soap trotted off back towards base. It would be tight, getting back in before sunrise, but he’d always enjoyed a good challenge.

He didn’t enjoy being wrong.

Which he very much was.

Price stood outside the barracks, arms crossed, staring down at him. Soap gulped, ears flattening to his head, tail tucked.

“Inside,” Price growled, opening the door for him. Soap slunk through the door, obediently following Price down the hall and to his room.

By now, the lot of them had no shame around each other. Hard to be body-shy when they’d all shifted together, many times, and shared sometimes tight sleeping quarters. So Soap just waited until the door was closed to shift back to human.

“Explain.” Price leaned back against the door, arms crossed over his chest again.

“Didn’t think ye’d be back so soon,” Soap muttered, grabbing a shirt first.

Price didn’t say anything, just stared Soap down, even and outwardly calm as only he could be.

“Just went for a run,” Soap said, shrugging, even as he grabbed more clean clothes to pull on. “No’ a big thing.”

“Must have been a long run.”

“Aye.” Soap swallowed. “Might’ve gone farther than I wanted.”

Price nodded once. “Any trouble?”

Soap shook his head. “Nah. I was careful.”

Finally, Price’s shoulders relaxed. “Good. And your shoulder?”

“Almost healed.” Soap relaxed too, grinning briefly. “I’m careful ‘bout it!”

Price snorted his disbelief of that. “Then you can go running with Ghost. 0600.”

Soap didn’t groan, because that wouldn’t help his case. He tried not to pout, because this was absolutely a punishment, and they both knew it. “Yes, sir.”

Price nodded once and let himself out, the door clicking shut softly after him. Soap flopped face-first onto his bed and groaned into his pillow.

–

You tried hard not to be heartbroken when you found the back door open a little, cold morning air wafting in. The dog was gone.

Hopefully he’d find his way back home on his own.

You spent the next three days keeping your eyes open any time you went anywhere, just in case. If he was still lost, well, at least he knew you. You could always make more dog-friendly food.

And when you didn’t see the dog for a week, you figured that was it. He’d found his way back home. That was okay. It was much better for him to be at home. You wouldn’t wish losing a dog on anyone. At least, not anyone who took such good care of their dog.

You parked in front of your house and slumped forward, forehead resting on the steering wheel. You were tired. Exhausted, really. The kind of exhausted that came from too little sleep and stress and probably a little bit of touch starvation.

You might have stayed right there for longer, trying to find the energy to move, except there was a woof, and then the car shook a little as a dog stood on its hind legs to look in the window. The dog.

“What the hell?” You blinked at the dog and then grabbed your things, opening the door. “What are you doing here?”

The dog wagged happily at you, boofing at you and running up to the front door. When you didn’t move fast enough, he ran back to you, tail still wagging.

“I thought you went home.” You blinked again but moved slowly to the door, opening the door. The dog pushed past you to head inside, trotting right along. He looked good - no mud this time, at least. His coat looked good, and he didn’t look like he’d lost any weight. So he was being taken care of.

Even if he had escaped yet again.

“You’re going to give your people a heart attack,” you scolded gently, locking the door behind you before putting your things down. “How did you even get back here?”

He whined a little, excited, tail still going a mile a minute as he tried to wait patiently for you in the kitchen. You dropped a hand to pat the top of his head, opening your fridge to look inside.

Not that there was much to see. You hadn’t been shopping, and it showed.

“Um.” You frowned, glancing down at the dog. “Hm. Well, I can probably whip up something.”

The dog watched you, sitting just at the edge of your space so he was barely not in the way, eyes bright and ears perked. He was pretty big for a husky, even though the coloring matched. He was probably a mutt of some kind, but you were a bit surprised at his size.

“Here you go, big boy.” You set a bowl down for him again and took your own plate to the tiny table.

Where you sat and stared at it, stomach turning. You needed to eat. You knew you needed to eat.

You just… didn’t want to.

The dog rested his head on your thigh, whining softly. But he was looking up at you, not at your plate.

“It’s okay, pup,” you immediately murmured, one hand dropping to scratch between his ears. “You still hungry? I’ll give you more in a little bit, have to make sure that settles okay first.” You gently rubbed your thumb over his furry forehead and between his eyes in slow, soothing strokes. His eyes closed with a big sigh.

You weren’t sure exactly how long you sat there, curiously blank, stroking this dog. Long enough that your food had gone cold. Finally, you gave up on it and put a bit more into the dog’s bowl before putting the rest away for another day.

Your bedtime routine was barely disturbed by the dog, and he once again hopped up onto your bed. This time, you didn’t protest, just let him get comfortable.

And when his head landed on your thigh, his warmth stretched out next to your legs, you just sighed softly and closed your eyes.

You weren’t sure if you were surprised or not when you woke to an empty bed and chilly morning air.

It took a while to drag yourself through your routine, getting ready for work by rote, brain definitely not engaged yet. Why bother?

But you still stopped, blinking owlishly at the sight of the dog sitting in the middle of the kitchen, tail wagging, jaws parted in a doggy grin.

“Oh. You’re still here.” You felt dumb saying it out loud, admitting to what you’d assumed. That he was gone again. And then you felt even more stupid because he couldn’t reply and didn’t even know what you’d said. “Well. I guess you’ll want breakfast, then.”

You reheated the leftovers from last night for him and set them down before getting your own things ready. You still had a few minutes before you had to leave for work, which you spent pondering what to do with the dog.

You couldn’t leave him locked inside. It wasn’t fair to him, and you didn’t want to come home to a ruined house.

He solved your dilemma by walking to the front door and sitting calmly, looking back at you. You huffed out something close to a laugh.

“Well, I guess you know your way home by now,” you agreed, gathering up your things and opening the front door for him. “Be careful, there are always idiots on the road.”

The dog boofed at you once before trotting off again, tail held high.

You got in your car and went to work.

–

Soap wasn’t an idiot. He knew this was a bad idea. He knew he should put you out of his mind and move on, because you didn’t know and couldn’t know about his nature.

But something about you just… pulled at him. Maybe it was how uncomplicated things were with you. Maybe it was the way you smiled for him. Maybe it was that he could help you feel better.

Maybe it was that his wolf loved the way you smelled and wanted to just bury himself in your blankets.

Whatever it was, Soap ended up sneaking away to you just about every chance he got. Any time the team had downtime, he was off. He couldn’t go during the full moon, because the pack always ran that night together, but he still managed to make time to go visit you.

“If you keep running off, Cap’s gonna follow you one day,” Gaz said as he dropped down next to Soap.

Soap huffed. “He hasn’t yet,” he pointed out, mostly just to be contrary.

“Ghost will, then.”

Soap had no retaliation for that because LT absolutely would. Actually, he was a little surprised that Ghost hadn’t already.

“Might be better to just come clean about wherever it is you run off to,” Gaz continued, slanting a look at the Scot even as he pushed food around his plate.

Soap huffed. Gaz was… not exactly wrong. But it still wasn’t a good idea. Not even close. He needed to figure out how to tell Price without the captain flipping.

“Don’t suppose you’re offering t’ help,” he grumbled, side-eyeing the other sergeant.

Gaz perked up a little, taking a moment to think as he chewed. “Might be,” he mumbled. “For an interesting enough reason.”

This was a bad idea. This was a very bad idea.

But Gaz was right - this was going to blow up in his face sooner or later. He could mitigate the damage with a bit of help and a fair bit of luck.

“Swear you won’t tell.” Soap held his gaze, drawing himself up a little straighter.

Gaz looked briefly taken aback before he nodded, slow and serious. “I swear.”

Soap nodded, took a deep breath, and started from the beginning. (Well. Not the beginning, because he still refused to admit that he’d been… temporarily discombobulated.)

After the expected razzing (and only a bit of shoving), Gaz stood to clear his place, Soap scrambling a little after him. A quick look around and the two went back to Gaz’s bunk to talk quietly.

“Right,” Gaz muttered, gaze darting around as he plotted. “I want to meet her.”

Soap puffed up, eyes narrowing. “Why?”

“To see what she’s like for myself.” Gaz shoved him a bit with a little huff. “No offense, mate, but you’re a bit smitten.”

Soap opened his mouth to protest… and then shut it again. Because. Well. He couldn’t, in fact, protest that. He swallowed.

“This is not a good idea,” Gaz muttered. “Got a couple days off coming up, yeah?”

“Aye,” Soap agreed slowly.

“We’ll both go.”

Soap blinked at that. “Shifted?”

“Well, you said she takes you in, thinks you’re a dog.” Gaz shrugged. “Probably won’t think any different of me.”

This was truly a terrible idea. Part of Soap rebelled at the idea for no good reason, too - you were his, and he didn’t want to share you. But he’d have to. Especially if he ever wanted more with you than the stolen moments as a wolf.

“Right.” Soap breathed in deep. “We’ll try it.”

–

You almost didn’t even bother to get out of bed. But it was after noon, and you needed to drink something at least. Even if the very thought of food made you nauseous. So you shoved yourself out of bed, hands shaking only a little as you put the kettle on.

A soft woof at the back door nearly made you drop your mug, and you fumbled for a few moments before you saved it and put it on the counter instead.

There was a dog at your door. No, scratch that. The dog was at your door. With a friend.

“What the fuck.” You stared at the two dogs, blinking stupidly. The second dog was just as big, medium gray with the classic black saddle and tail tip. His snout was black too. Almost like a German shepherd, but in gray instead of tan.

Your dog, the red and white one, woofed again, tail wagging. Almost on autopilot, you opened the door for him.

“What the fuck,” you said again, watching as the second dog came in too, just as easy and confident as your dog. “Damn I wish you could talk. Is this your buddy? Do you live together? Have you both escaped the same yard? Or did you steal someone else’s dog?” You rubbed a hand over your eyes.

The kettle started whistling, and you trudged over to it to pour hot water for tea. Your dog kept pace with you, sniffing your legs and then your belly and whining softly at you.

“I dunno what you want,” you said, one hand drifting down to his head, rubbing a soft ear between your fingers. “It’s not dinner time. …I think.” You frowned, squinting at your phone. “No. Too early.”

The other dog kept a little more distance but did sniff your hand and accepted a couple gentle head pats. Tea helped you feel more steady, and your dog hopped up on the couch to curl up next to you.

“You can relax,” you told the other dog quietly, eyelids already drooping again. “You’re safe here. I’ll make dinner for you later.”

The other dog laid down on the floor a couple feet from the two of you, head resting on his paws, eyes open and trained on you. You didn’t take it personally, just huffing a soft laugh and closing your eyes the rest of the way.

“It’s too bad you have to go,” you muttered, hand resting on your dog’s head, which was pillowed on your thigh. “Nice to have some company.”

Your dog sighed, warm even through your clothes, and wiggled even closer to you. An afternoon nap was definitely in order today.

You woke to the sound of grumbling. Not quite a growl but not exactly a happy sound either. You blinked a few times, lifting your head (ow) to try to figure out what was going on.

Your dog was perched over you, head low, grumbling a little at the other dog. Who huffed right back at him, ears flicking forward and back.

“No fighting,” you mumbled, almost reflexively. “Or take it outside or something.”

Both dogs paused, looking at you, and your dog sniffed your face before licking your nose. You blew out a breath that was almost a laugh.

“C’mon, get off. I’ll cook.” You pushed the dog, more or less gently, until he hopped off the couch.

Cooking didn’t make you nauseous, at least. Even if you still had very little interest in eating anything.

The two dogs seemed to have given up on whatever spat woke you up, for which you were grateful. Your house was not at all dog proofed, and you were amazed nothing had been broken yet.

You forced yourself to shower, because you needed to and it was easier to motivate yourself to do something with the dog around. Then you sat up for a little while reading, your dog curled up on your bed with his head resting on your stomach, the other dog laying on the floor near the foot of the bed.

You were honestly surprised when you woke up and they were both still there, two heads popping up as soon as you sat up.

You finally felt better this morning. You’d slept better, too. You actually ate after you cooked and spent a bit of time outside, watching the two tear around the yard chasing each other.

But when your dog stopped next to you just as the sun began to sink, you knew.

“Time to go back home?” you asked him, smoothing down his fur from his playtime. He whined softly, wiggling closer to you and resting his head on your knee to look up at you with those big blue puppy eyes. “Well. You be careful.” You gently smoothed your fingers over the top of his head, smiling a little even though it hurt. “I don’t wanna hear about any dogs getting run over, okay?”

He huffed out through his nose, his eyes closing as he leaned his weight into your legs. You chuckled, patting his head before removing your hand entirely.

“Okay. Go on, before it gets dark.”

He looked up at you, almost pleading, before a soft bark from the other dog got his attention. His ears half-lowered, and he licked your hand once before he backed off and then darted off to join his friend.

The two of them were gone from your sight in moments.

You didn’t move until the cold forced you to go back inside.

–

“You,” Gaz started once they were both back in human skin, “are so fucked.”

Soap slumped. “Donnae remind me,” he groaned.

“So fucked,” Gaz continued as if he hadn’t heard. “Pretty sure your wolf has all but actually claimed her.”

Soap rubbed a hand over his face, because Gaz wasn’t wrong. But you had no idea he was a shifter, and he couldn’t tell you without Price’s permission. Which meant he also couldn’t pursue anything with you until you knew. It was… a situation. Definitely.

“Lucky for you, I have an idea.”

Soap perked up at that, hopeful. “Aye?”

Gaz had already grabbed his phone, typing quickly. “We can’t tell her,” he said, gaze focused on his phone. “But we can give her a nudge in the right direction.”

Soap leaned over, trying to see what Gaz was doing. “Gaz,” he said slowly, confused. “Why are ye texting yer mum?”

“Trust me.” Gaz flashed him a grin that was mostly teeth. “She had to woo Dad. She can help.”

This was probably a terrible idea. But. It was better than anything he’d come up with. So Soap shrugged, letting it happen.

“Now, for the other part of this plan.” Gaz grinned as he dug through Soap’s things, ignoring the Scot’s grumbling, until he found the collar. (Soap had drawn the short stick and had been stuck for an op. The collar had been to make him look less threatening. Fortunately for everyone involved, it had been a short op.)

“No.” Soap crossed his arms over his chest, glowering.

“Just wait,” Gaz soothed, grinning like the looney he clearly was. “I have a plan.”

Soap groaned. This was going to end terribly. For him.

–

There was a box on your front porch. You blinked at it, confused. You hadn’t ordered anything. And yet your name was written on top of the box, with no shipping address or return address.

You brought the box inside. Foolish, maybe, but it was too cold outside to stand out there and go through the box.

A handful of books filled the box most of the way, with a letter on top. Letting your curiosity get the better of you, you opened the letter first.

Keep an open mind while you read the books. There’s some very good information here. Things will make sense sooner or later.

It was unsigned, of course. You huffed. If this was a prank, it was pretty elaborate.

So you pulled out the books, examining them one at a time. The first one looked hand-written, with no information on the title page. The second book was labeled, simply, Etiquette. The other two books were no better, giving you very little information.

It took a good five pages for you to figure out the handwritten book was about werewolves. Or wolf-shifters? The terminology became confusing very quickly.

It felt like a prank. You were sure someone was going to pop up and prank you, maybe record your reaction. Who, you didn’t know, but still. The feeling persisted.

Because this? This was crazy. This was an entire secret society, a subset of the population that lived an entire secret life. It was impossible.

And yet you kept reading.

But you forced yourself to stop and walk away after you finished that book, having barely moved. You needed to eat. You needed to drink something. You needed a damn reality check.

Even so… Even so, you came back to the books after a meal and a walk. The little pile taunted you until you swore and swiped up the next book.

Which was all on shifter-people etiquette. Apparently. How they interacted with each other, how they interacted with humans.

Even if this did turn out to be a prank of some kind, it was an incredibly elaborate one.

One you couldn’t get out of your head.

It took a few days to read through all the books in between work, but you did. And then you went back and took a few notes, because some things were just… too interesting. Too unique.

You did keep the books in your bedroom. Not that you had a lot of company (or any), but it felt… wrong. To leave them out on display. So you hid them away.

You couldn’t explain why, but it felt like the right thing to do.

Now if only you could figure out why.

It was another three weeks until the dog came back, once again arriving at your house at almost the same time you did. He looked the same as always, tail wagging, jaws parted in a canine grin.

Except he was wearing a collar.

“Oh so your person does have a collar for you,” you grumbled, opening the front door for him. “Look at that, it’s practically a miracle.”

He boofed softly at you before running around to sniff everything, clearly trying to get caught up on whatever he’d missed. Which was… not much. A spill of take-out one night, a few naps on the couch, and late dinners after work.

Typical for you.

“Alright, c’mere pup.” You tapped your thigh, pulling your phone out. “Let me call your person to come get you.”

The dog drooped a little but obediently walked back to you, sitting patiently while you dialed the number you found on his tag. “Soap,” you mumbled, examining the tag. “Who the hell names their dog Soap?”

“Yes?” The man who answered the phone sounded brusque, borderline rude. You blinked, caught off guard.

“Um, hi. I have your dog? He’s been wandering over to my place recently and, um, I figured you might want to come get him?” Your eyes slammed shut. You hadn’t meant to make that a question. Really. Your people skills were seriously awful.

There was silence, then a sigh. “Soap?” he asked, dry with a hint of humor.

“Yeah.” You looked down at the dog, absently petting the top of his head.

“Right. I’ll be there soon. What’s the address?”

You hesitated for a moment before rattling it off. Well. He probably wasn’t secretly an axe murderer with such a sweet dog.

There was a soft grunt as he confirmed the address. “It’ll be about an hour,” he said. And hung up.

“Well,” you muttered, looking down at your phone, “rude.”

Soap whined at you softly, pawing at you gently until you resumed petting him.

“Guess we’ve got an hour, buddy.” You stretched and stepped around Soap into the kitchen. “I need food or I’m gonna be hangry when your person gets here, and nobody wants that.” You slanted a look at him. “I assume you want food?”

Soap’s tail started wagging, even though he sat patiently in his normal spot out of the way.

“Yeah, okay.” You huffed a little laugh and started pulling out ingredients. “You were gone for a while, buddy. I was worried about you.” You didn’t expect any kind of reaction from the dog.

Which is why you startled when he pressed his nose to your thigh with another soft whine. You looked down to find those big blue eyes focused on you, ears half-down, tail wagging slowly.

“Aw, I’m not mad at you,” you murmured, leaning over a bit to scratch under his chin. “You’re okay, cutie.”

His tail thumped faster against the ground, and you had to spend a minute petting him before you could wash your hands and continue with dinner prep.

Somehow, the knock on your door still caught you off-guard, enough that your fork clattered back to your dish. You looked at Soap, who looked back at you, ears up. Then you nodded once and stood, heading to the door.

You opened the door and blinked up at the man on the other side. Muttonchops, floppy hat, stern-set mouth. Big. Broad.

Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea.

“You called about Soap,” he said, voice brusque, though his tone gentled a little. He also didn’t make a move towards you, which helped a bit.

“I did.” You pulled the door open further, turning to call Soap. Only to find him already right behind you. “Here he is.”

“You’re in trouble,” he said, gaze focused on Soap. “Come on.”

But Soap took two steps forward until he could press against your legs, and stopped there. Leaning a good bit of his weight onto you.

The man blinked once, one eyebrow raising as he looked between you and the dog slowly, something almost calculating in his gaze.

“What are you doing?” you asked Soap, exasperated. “This is your person, you’re supposed to go home with him. Silly pup.”

“He’s stubborn when he gets an idea in his head.” The man planted his hands on his hips, looking down at Soap. “How long has he been runnin’ up here?”

“Oh, a few months.” Something about his tone made you nervous, made you shift your weight. But with Soap still leaning against you, the move ended up almost sending you falling over, and only a quick grab of the doorframe saved you any dignity at all.

The man sighed, shaking his head briefly. “Stubborn,” he muttered again. “Should get Simon out here.”

Curiosity burned at you, but you kept your mouth shut. Instead you nudged Soap, trying to get him to leave your side.

“Go on,” you encouraged him. “Don’t you wanna go home?”

The man’s eyes sharpened suddenly. “What did you say?”

You blinked at him, caught off guard. “Don’t you wanna go home?” You repeated, only a little squeaky.

Soap pressed harder into your legs, shoving his head under your free hand. And then the man sighed noisily.

“Right,” he grunted. “Can I come in?”

“Why?” You stiffened, hand gripping the doorframe tighter.

“We need to have a conversation and I’d rather not do it out the door.”

You narrowed your eyes at him, suspicious. This was weird. This was definitely weird. You looked down at Soap, who was still pressed up against you, and back to the man. A little lightbulb went off finally.

“Is this about those books?”

“Books?” He frowned and then shook his head. “We should discuss this inside.”

A little reluctantly, you let him inside. Soap stayed right next to you, going so far as to hop up onto the couch next to you.

“Right,” the man muttered, rubbing a hand briefly over his chin. “What books are you talking about?”

“I got these books, they were in a box on my porch. I thought it was a hoax at first, but…” You stood and jogged back to your room, grabbing the first book, the handwritten one. “I’m not so sure about that anymore.”

He took the book and flipped through the first few pages before he lifted his gaze to Soap. “Did you have something to do with this?”

Soap huffed and rested his head across your lap as soon as you sat down again.

That, more than anything, solidified things in your mind. Soap wasn’t just a dog. Soap was a shifter, of some kind. And undoubtedly this other person was as well.

“Huh.” You looked down at Soap, examining him more carefully. “Guess that’s why you kept finding your way back here, even when you shouldn’t have been able to.”

He just blinked up at you, wiggling a little closer and pushing his nose under your hand.

“What do you know?”

You pulled your gaze back to the man across from you, chewing on your lip for a moment. “Honestly? Just what’s in the books. And like I said, I thought they were a hoax at first. I’m still…” You trailed off, not sure exactly how to express what you were feeling.

He nodded, looking pensively between you and Soap. “Normally, we don’t tell others.” He paused to let that sink in, and you grimaced. “But this one found a way around that.”

Soap’s tail thumped against the couch. Clearly, he was totally unrepentant.

“So.” The man leaned forward, elbows braced on his thighs. “Let’s start from the beginning.”

It took hours to cover it all. Price, as you finally learned his name, was more or less patient with you. Less so with Soap.

The two finally left, with promises to bring you to base tomorrow. (Because, that’s right, Soap was apparently military, something you never would have guessed. And apparently Soap deciding you were his person got you some benefits? Honestly you were very unsure about all of this but Soap had given you such big imploring eyes that you’d caved.)

You would have expected that you’d be up for hours longer, pacing, working through everything in your head. Honestly, though, you just had energy for a shower, and then collapsed into bed and slept hard. Clearly, you already had too much on your mind.

You were still scrambling when the knock came at your door in the morning. “Hang on!” you shouted, hopping on one foot to shove your other shoe on, grabbing your purse and making sure you had everything you needed.

Not that you really knew what you’d need, but. You had the basics, at least.

Finally, you yanked the door open to an amused Price standing on your doorstep. Thankfully, he didn’t comment, just raised an eyebrow at you.

The drive was silent. Price kept his gaze on the road, sparing you only the occasional glance. For your part, you were too nervous to try talking.

When Price turned down a long drive to a fenced area, you swallowed hard.

“Nervous?” He couldn’t keep the amusement out of his voice.

“A bit,” you admitted, knee bouncing so at least you had some kind of outlet for your nerves.

“Relax.” He slanted a look at you as he slowed near the gate guard. “You’ll be fine.”

You swallowed again, knee bouncing as the guard lifted the gate and let the two of you through. Price continued down the road and pulled into a parking spot, cutting the engine.

You’d known, sort of, that this base was here. People talked about it - that base out of town. Sometimes military men came through to the store or the bar, although you weren’t the closest town to the base.

But being here was something else entirely. You had no idea it was so big - lots of land, all enclosed. Multiple buildings spread out around the area, and you could see a group of runners off in the distance.

“This way,” Price grunted, jerking you from your thoughts. You turned and hurried to follow him inside, fingers twisting around each other, nearly jogging to keep up with his longer strides. He stopped in front of a door, pushing it open and stepping inside. A little more slowly, you followed.

Another man was standing in the middle of the room, mohawk mussed like he’d been running his hands through it, shoulders tense. You almost asked… but you met his gaze, eyes wide.

“Oh.” You couldn’t help but smile, still holding his gaze, those beautiful blue eyes fixed on you. “Your eyes really don’t change at all, do they?”

“Nah.” He smiled slowly, taking a step closer to you.

“Still want me to call you Soap?” You smiled, tipping your chin.

“Or Johnny.” His teeth flashed in a grin. “Ye can call me anythin’ ye want, lovely.”

You warmed at the easy affection, but you didn’t drop his gaze. “Can I…?” You lifted one hand slowly, a little cautious.

Apparently that was all he needed, though, because he stepped straight into your space and wrapped himself around you. You blinked and then snorted, your hand settling at the back of his head to rub against the hairs there.

“Personal space optional?” you teased, though you made absolutely no move away from him.

“What’s yours is mine,” he quipped, squeezing you affectionately.

“Sergeant.” Price sounded exasperated, and you pulled back enough to peek at him, suddenly worried again.

“This is why he didn’t let me drive to get you,” Soap said, unrepentant, shifting his grip on you enough to smooth one hand up and down your back. “Didnae think ah’d come back.”

“No,” Price said, rolling his eyes. “I didn’t think you’d come back until tomorrow.”

You couldn’t help the little laugh that escaped you at that, and you relaxed again. “So, what now?”

Price huffed something akin to a laugh. “You get to meet the other two, then we do some paperwork.”

“Speakin’ of.” Soap nodded to the door, grinning. Price heaved a sigh but walked over and pulled the door open.

“Gaz.” He stepped aside to let the other young man in, and you blinked at him. He gave you a quick smile and a little wave, though he gave you a bit of space. Something about him seemed… familiar.

“Did you come with Johnny one day?” You blinked, putting the pieces together. He kept the same bit of distance the other dog had, the same kind of reserved politeness.

Gaz blinked twice, lips parting in surprise. “How’d you guess?”

“I mean, it’s not that big of a leap.” You shrugged, ignoring Soap chuckling.

“We’ll talk about that later,” Price grumbled, shooting Gaz a look. Whoops.

Another man slipped into the room, almost as big as Price, wearing a skull mask. You blinked, a little intimidated.

“LT is a big softie,” Soap whispered in your ear, swaying the two of you side to side just a little.

“Johnny.” The big one sounded vaguely amused but also disapproving.

“This is Ghost,” Price said, since clearly he was the only one in the room with manners.

You twisted in Soap’s arms to look at him, lifting your hand in a little wave. You almost felt awkward with Soap still hanging off of you, but you were also comfortable. Sure, he wasn’t a dog, but still. This felt normal.

“Couldn’t keep your mouth shut, eh, Johnny?” Ghost sounded more amused than anything, though.

“I only told Gaz,” Soap defended, squeezing you a little tighter.

“Yes, about that.” Price raised one eyebrow at Gaz. Who immediately buckled and spilled the whole plot - the two of them going to visit you, and then Gaz writing his mum.

“So those books were from your mum?” You’d all settled into chairs or the couch. (You’d had to swat Soap a few times when he tried to pull you down to sit in his lap.)

“Must be.” He shrugged. “You still have ‘em, yeah?”

“Of course, they’re at home. I’ll bring them next time.”

He shrugged. “No rush. We’ve got time.”

And you did, you realized with a blink. With Soap crowded up against your side, the other three ranged around the room, you realized you had plenty of time. Now that you weren’t just waiting on a surprise visit from a dog. You smiled to yourself and leaned into Soap.

Yeah. You could get used to this.

#shifter au #johnny soap mactavish x reader #johnny soap mactavish x you #f!reader

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