#i'll leave our door and window propped open just in case.

[mushroompollution]

nevermind, someone just fell down the stairs.

[askaceattorney]

Christmas Chicken

It is the day before Christmas and Larry wants to buy Edgeworth chicken from KFC. Hopefully, this year's Christmas will be better than it was 16 years ago.

Today would be the last day before Christmas break when Phoenix would be off work for two days. Last Christmas was the exception because of Edgeworth, but this year he would finally have his days off. It wasn't as if there weren't other lawyers willing to take cases. Usually, trials would not take place on Christmas unless they were big ones, especially ones that involved those who worked in law. After last year, Phoenix wanted this year to celebrate Christmas with Maya, Pearl and-

The door burst open with Larry storming in urgency. Oh no.

“NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK! We gotta hurry before it's too late!” Larry cried excitedly.

“Before what is too late? Larry, what do you want?” Phoenix asked.

“Chicken, dude! It's the Holidays and we still haven't got our chicken for Edgey!”

“Wait, what are you talking about?” Phoenix asked, now seemingly more confused. Sure, California followed the tradition of eating chicken for Christmas instead of turkey or ham, but he couldn't recall him and Larry agreeing to buy chicken for Edgeworth. Not that he wouldn't want to.

“Don't you remember? How could you forget about our promise?” Larry asked his eyes in tears.

“Promise?” Phoenix questioned, rubbing his chin to figure out what it was that Larry was talking about. Christmas. Chicken. Edgeworth. “Hold it! Are you talking about that time you dragged to go to KFC to buy chicken for Edgeworth for Christmas?”

“YES! I knew you wouldn't forget!” Larry smirked, hands on his hips, before crying again. “But, Edgey and Pops weren't home that day!”

“And left me out in the cold rain for hours while the chicken grew cold,” Phoenix reminded Larry, already feeling his buckets of sweat pouring.

“And ruined our beloved chicken,” Larry finished, still in tears.

Actually, the chicken wasn't ruined. It had just turned cold and Larry left Phoenix by himself in the rain with the chicken still in the box, trying to keep it from sogging in the rain. It was recalling that memory that Phoenix remembered how much trouble he got for being out in the rain and catching the flu. This was also the last day he ever saw Edgeworth and the last Christmas they had before DL-6.

Sighing, Phoenix agreed, “I'll go, if it makes you feel any better.”

“Awesome Nick. I knew I could count on you!” Larry grinned happily, showing his teeth. He then showed his smirk again. “I checked the weather too. There should be no rain this time.”

“That's... good I guess,” Phoenix replied, still wanting to bring an umbrella just in case. “There should be a KFC just a few blocks away.”

“Let's go, then!”

Phoenix and Larry went outside, hopping on their bikes and riding along. However, Phoenix made sure to put up a 'Closed for the Holidays' sign before leaving. Maya was already shopping for chicken for her and Pearl, so why couldn't he? It was very cool today with the entire city of L.A. decorating for the holidays with their bright lights on the buildings and trees that sparkled green, yellow and red. Christmas trees were propped up with decorative lights and snowflakes were planted on the windows and doors. Advertisements were everywhere of Christmas cakes, chicken, chocolates, coffee and sodas. Lines were piling up to get their holiday meals.

“No worries, I already made a reservation, so we should have our chicken hot and ready!” Larry assured excitedly.

“Did you reserve a whole chicken?” Phoenix asked, being that 16 years ago Larry had only got the chicken bucket since he didn't know that the whole chicken had to be reserved. “How much did it cost?”

“Don't worry, it's only forty bucks. I figured you'd be able to pay for it. It beats using Edgey's lunch money,” Larry said as Phoenix shot him a glare. “I'm kidding, man!”

“Of course, you are because, at the time, you had to beg your sister for money while combining it with my pocket change I got from mowing lawns,” Phoenix reminded Larry.

“Hey, you remembered! Man, my sis was so mean! I had to clean her room for the entire week just so she could give me ten dollars. Between the two of us, we were able to reach enough to afford a big chicken bucket,” Larry said blissfully.

“Don't you get paid for that Santa gig or wherever you're working at now?” Phoenix asked.

“Yeah! You want us to split like 16 years ago? I can cough up twenty.”

“Yes! I still need to save some for Maya and Pearls! I'm not spending Forty bucks for a bird you ordered!”

“Fine. Fine. We'll split the cost. Geez, that's all you had to say.”

-----

Phoenix was now remembering that last Christmas with Edgeworth so clearly, now that he was helping Larry. He never realized how much this meant to his childhood friend. He still remembered, that after buying the chicken bucket, he and Larry were searching for Edgeworth. It was almost Christmas Eve and had realized that the Edgeworths were not home. They didn't realize that Gregory had taken him and Miles to have Christmas with his colleague, Raymond Shields. Worst of all, it began pouring rain.

“Great, now our Christmas Present is ruined!” Larry whined as Nick protected the chicken bucket with his body and the edge of the roof of the apartment where the Edgeworths lived. “Let's go home, Nick.”

“No! The chicken is fine! We can still give it to Miles,” Young Nick exclaimed, feeling the pour of water from the rain pouring from the roof and onto his back. He was determined to protect the chicken bucket.

“Forget it. He's not home. We're already in trouble as it is,” Larry sighed, walking mopily back home. “Merry Christmas.”

“Larry,” Nick muttered, hearing the thunder from the rain and feeling stupid for not bringing an umbrella like his mom always told him to. He stared down at the bucket of chicken with determination in his furrowed eyebrows. “Miles will come home. He has to.” He looked up at the dark clouds of the sky as his entire back began to drench in water, his body shaking from the cold water. Thankfully, it rarely ever got cold in L.A.

-----

“We're here!” Larry cried excitedly, Phoenix was now back to reality as the two of them parked their bikes at the bike rack, remembering to lock their bikes with the bike lock. “Hurry!” Larry took his best friend by the sleeve of his blue suit, then dragged him to the back of the line inside KFC.

There was an aroma of cooked chicken and fried foods. It was enough to make anyone who entered go hungry, even after eating. It was mostly clean with a sizable line and people at the tables talking among themselves. The sounds of beeping could be heard from behind the cash registers all lined up along the long counter where the crew workers were cooking the food, taking orders from the drive-thru and preparing.

Larry excitedly stared at the screen menu, grinning, “I've already ordered ahead of time, so they should be ready with the chicken to pick up.”

“Did you really order a whole chicken?” Phoenix asked in an amazed tone.

“Sure did! I wasn't going to ruin the chicken this time,” Larry smirked braggingly.

“The chicken wasn't ruined last time either. It just got cold,” Phoenix reminded his friend once more, sighing.

“It was still ruined. We never even got to eat it together,” Larry cried sadly as Phoenix shook his head.

“Because you left so soon.”

“The chicken was ruined!” Larry cried with such heartbreak that Phoenix felt bad, but also...

“Larry, we...” Phoenix tried to explain before they made it to the clerk.

“What can I get for you?” The Clerk asked politely.

“Oh yes, we ordered a whole chicken earlier this month. Larry Butz,” Larry said, his tears now gone and replaced with his usual cocky expression.

“Ah yes! Mr. Butz. Let me check,” The Clerk replied checking the orders to find a whole chicken.

“Thank you!” Larry cried out.

“Larry, listen, about the chicken,” Phoenix said, taking his friend by the shoulder.

“I know, right!? I can't wait until we get a bite of that!”

“No, I mean when we were kids. After you left, I waited with that chicken bucket for hours until the Edgeworths got home.”

“I know, Nick. The chicken was cold and you caught the flu because I always ruin everything,” Larry sighed sadly.

“Larry, that's not wha-” Phoenix tried to say, but was interrupted.

“Don't try to make me feel better, Nick. I know I'm trouble. That's why they call me the Butz. 'When something smells, it's always the Butz.' I just wanna do something right for once, alright. I always mess everything up, even my relationships.”

“Larry...” Phoenix said gently before the clerk came with the bag with the whole grilled chicken inside. The white bag showed the face of Colonial Sanders on the front.

“That will be 41.23,” The Clerk said as both Phoenix and Larry opened their wallets.

“Wait, I checked the price and it said $40!” Larry exclaimed.

“That's before tax, Larry,” Phoenix explained, feeling like facepalming right now. “It's fine, I'll pay the extra dollar and cents.”

“Thanks, Buddy,” Larry cried joyfully before he and Phoenix split the pay of the chicken, with Phoenix paying an extra dollar and twenty-three cents more.

Larry and Phoenix tied the bag before making their way to their bikes. Larry dropped the chicken in Phoenix's front bike basket. The two of them made their way, peddling to Edgeworth's apartment. Larry seemed so excited that everything was going his way for once. However, the one thing he seemed to underestimate was how long it was going to take to get to the apartment and to check the sky. Phoenix knew and was thankful he always knew to bring an umbrella. It was just like 16 years ago.

The first few drops landed on Larry's face before he screamed, “SERIOUSLY!?! It's raining!” He stopped peddling as Phoenix paused his, opening his umbrella.

“I've got an umbrella and the bag is tied tightly. The rain isn't going to ruin the chicken if we hurry,” Phoenix promised before the few drops turned into a downpour.

“Why does the world hate me!?” Larry cried dramatically, Phoenix keeping his umbrella above the chicken to keep it dry.

“Larry...”

“I just want this Christmas to go right for once! I even checked the weather to make sure it wouldn't rain and they said it wouldn't!”

“Larry!”

“This is not fair! Christmas is ruined and I-”

“LARRY BUTZ WILL YOU LISTEN TO ME FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!?!” Phoenix screamed at Larry, making him stop his dramatics and stare directly at his friend, who was using his umbrella to protect the chicken. “You are a butz and always cause trouble, but you were the one that brought us together!” Larry stared at his best friend dumbfounded, his eyes still blinking in shock as Phoenix continued, “You stole Edgeworth's lunch money and while that might've resulted in me getting thrown under the bus by my classmates, that action showed me who my real friends were. You were the one that introduced me to Cow Tipping.”

“Yeah, before almost getting killed by a bull,” Larry muttered.

“But, we weren't and do you know why?”

“Because Edgey got us out?” Larry replied with a question.

“That's right. In the end, getting me to Cow Tip is what brought Edgeworth into the cattle pin and got us Detention. We were the only ones in the Detention Room. We were together.”

“...”

“Our Christmas was ruined that day, but not because of the chicken. It was because you weren't there,” Phoenix said as Larry's face began changing to that of a look that had been hit by a bulldozer. “So, don't leave this time when you don't even know how Christmas will turn out. Just because it didn't go the way we wanted, that doesn't mean it's all for naught. Look at the chicken.”

Larry looked at the chicken, seeing that it was still tied shut without a drop of rain on it. Even so “The chicken will get cold,” he said.

“It will. So, don't leave us this time. Let's have Christmas together,” Phoenix said as Larry nodded solemnly.

“Let's have Christmas together... rain or no rain,” Larry decided, getting back on his bike. “I won't leave this time.”

Phoenix smiled warmly before the two of them peddled down the rainy path. They were almost to Edgeworth's apartment anyhow. While riding his bike, Phoenix made sure that the chicken stayed as dry as it could with his umbrella. He was just as determined to save the chicken as he was those years ago. At the time, he never realized how much that day meant to Larry or his wanting to make that Christmas without causing trouble. Phoenix always assumed that Larry just never thought much of all the times he caused trouble for others. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that, in Larry's shoes, he'd feel dejected.

That Christmas was the last holiday Phoenix and Larry had with Edgeworth before DL-6 which would take place only three days later. Larry just wanted to make things right with Edgeworth, knowing Christmas was probably the worst holiday for him as a reminder of the worst day of his life. However, what Larry never knew was what had happened that day after he left.

-----

Nick waited at the Edgeworths' apartment for hours and minutes he couldn't count. It was already black outside and had been freezing from the rain pouring and trying to keep the food dry. His arms went stiff at this point, his breaths panting before taking notice of the headlights from the car. Nick blinked, focusing on his breathing without noticing someone approaching.

“Nick, is that you? What are you doing here so late at night?” Gregory asked as Nick turned, not realizing his face was in tears.

“Larry and I got Miles some chicken a-and now it's...” Nick sobbed before sneezing.

“You're an idiot! Where is Larry!?” Miles asked, sounding angry as Nick turned his face down sadly, his body shaking again before feeling a brown coat over his body.

“Come here,” Gregory cooed, holding Nick in his arms. “Miles, bring the chicken inside. Hurry!”

“Yes, Father!” Miles replied, hurriedly taking the bucket of chicken and bringing it inside the apartment.

“B-B-But the chicken's probably co-oh AH-CHOO!” Nick trembled before sneezing.

“We can heat it up and eat it. Come on, now. I'll go warm you up some hot tea,” Gregory said, bringing Nick inside to provide him with warm clothes and to warm up the chicken.

-----

Larry and Phoenix finally made it to Edgeworth's apartment, the sky already dark with its black clouds and thunder. Grabbing a hold of the bag of chicken, Phoenix dashed the doors of the stairwell, making their way to the front door of Edgeworth's apartment. At least the rain couldn't touch the chicken, now that it was dry. Larry pressed the doorbell.

“Hey Edgey! It's Nick and your old pal!” Larry called as Phoenix's body began shaking. He turned, taking notice. “Hurry up man, Nick is shaking! It's pouring out there and we brought you some chicken!”

The door opened, only to meet a familiar face that Phoenix did NOT want to meet, but it seemed Larry thought the opposite. He grinned, “And, who are you supposed to- EEK!” An oncoming whip made his way from the trigger-happy prosecutor.

“What is the meaning of this!? Phoenix Wright, you better explain yourself before I-” Franziska demanded before Phoenix began to sneeze.

“Sorry,” Phoenix moaned, feeling the sniffles.

“Honestly Wright, after all of these years, I'd think you'd have learned about going along with Larry's ideas!” Edgeworth rebuked with a voice filled with annoyance.

“You know this foolish man?” Franziska asked dumbfoundedly, glaring at Larry who got up.

“Sure do. Edgey and I go way back. So... are you Edgey's girlfriend? I didn't think he would ever get a date,” Larry grinned as Edgeworth glared at him.

“For your information, she is my mentor's daughter and like a sister to me!” Edgeworth glared.

“Oh, a sister. Why didn't you say so?” Larry said, not erasing his grin.

“S-So um... can I go inside. The chicken's already cold and I- AH-CHOO!” Phoenix sneezed.

“It went cold again?” Larry asked, saddened. “It's just like 16 years ago. I always ruined everything, even chicken.”

“What are you blabbering about?” Edgeworth asked, seemingly confused.

“H-H-He's talking about that time when we bought that KFC chicken bucket and AH-CHOO!” Phoenix explained before sneezing again.

“Ah yes, my last Christmas with you. You really did miss out, didn't you?” Edgeworth smirked slightly, showing a much softer smile.

“Huh?” Larry asked with blinking, surprised eyes.

“Father took Wright in and got him a new change of clothes while heating the chicken he brought in the oven. We ate while spending Christmas Eve together. It was the very first ever sleepover I had and Father was grateful that I made a friend,” Edgeworth explained while Larry sat there, hearing everything that he had missed out on. “I always knew you were foolish, but leaving your friend out in the rain by himself and missing out on the happiest Christmas of my life was the most foolish out of all of them. Honestly.”

It hit Larry over the head in his realization of just how stupid he had been. He felt so angry and upset with himself at the time that he just gave up. Phoenix never gave up, even when all the rain was pouring down on him. This was the last and happiest time Edgeworth ever had with his father and Larry missed out on it. He got himself up, not even noticing Franziska folding her arms and thinking.

“I'm... very sorry, Edgey. I'm sorry for not being there and I'm sorry for leaving you out in the rain, Nick,” Larry apologized.

Phoenix sniffed, replying, “Y-You're always trouble. AH-CHOO but... I told you didn't I? You brought Edgeworth and I together.”

“Maybe, but you're the one that is keeping us together. You still sought Edgey when I gave up on him after he left. Don't sell yourself short,” Larry said, showing a warm smile.

“O-Only if you d-d-d- AH-CHOO don't,” Phoenix sniffed as Edgeworth humphed.

“Honestly, get inside. You're freezing to death, Wright! I've got a pair of extra clothes your size,” Edgeworth offered, guiding Phoenix inside as Franziska took the bag of chicken.

“Hmph, it seems you fools were able to keep this dry. I'll see to it that it's heated up properly, but it will have to be eaten now,” Franziska stated factually as Larry followed her.

-----

After eating the bucket of chicken that had been warmed up by Gregory, Nick and Miles slept in their sleeping bags with night clothes on. Gregory made sure to call Nick's mother to inform her where he was and ask if he could sleep over. Nick knew that his mom was going to get onto him for staying out in the rain and catching a cold. He felt his nose stuff up, making it hard to breathe in though his nose. He blew his nose, but his nose still felt stuffed.

“You are the most stupid individual I've ever met in my life,” Miles rebuked.

“Sorry,” Nick apologized, huddling into his sleeping bag. “I had a great time tonight.”

“I did too,” Miles replied, smiling softly. “Thank you. I never had friends over for Christmas. Can we do this every Christmas?”

“Mhm,” Phoenix promised. “We'll spend every Christmas together.”

“Make sure to bring Larry this time. I won't forgive you, if you let him ditch you again,” Miles stated as Phoenix nodded. “I mean it. Larry is trouble, but that's because he only sees what's in front of him, not what's beyond. You need to remind him that there's always something beyond his sight. I know he's more capable than he thinks. If he only just tried and never gave up, he can reach the stars beyond my reach.”

“You really think so?” Nick asked.

“I believe the both of you can. Larry just never tries, while you try too much,” Miles said, sighing before closing his eyes to go to sleep.

“Heh,” Nick responded, staring up at the ceiling as he began feeling sleep taking over, perhaps from the cold medicine he was given earlier. “Merry Christmas.”

[andiinaraethtash]

Chapter 26: When There’s Madness (When There’s Poison in Your Head)

Notes:

.... hi. Sorry. I know it's been--what, two months? Three? Yeah. I sorta got sucked into a bunch of other wips and lost my train of thought, so to speak, with this fic. But! I found it again. I'll try to update again within the next month--feel free to send a comment or an ask on tumblr my way if I forget (https://www.tumblr.com/blog/andiinaraethtash if anyone is interested) TW: aftermath of possession/torture, suicidal ideation. Stay safe everyone! Chapter title from In the Name of Love by Bebe Rexha and Martin Garrix

Sausage is more than sure that the whole, releasing-the-elf-who-used-to-be-a-demon is a bad idea, but Scott had seemed so desperate he hadn’t had it in him to say no. As it is, him and Katherine are in fWhip’s room, watching as a healer props fWhip up on a series of pillows. He’s holding his head upright, at least, which is… progress (and isn’t that depressing. He’s got only half the mobility a baby would, and they don’t know if he’ll ever get better).

Sausage glances out the window, toward the hill he’d seen the ritual be done. He hadn’t seen the second ritual, so he’s pretty sure things went… well, if there is a version of this where things ended well.

Katherine notices him looking, though, and swats his arm. “Hey. Can you focus? Remember, they’ve got each other, they’ll be fine. Pearl and Gem will look after each other.”

It’s entirely unfair how well Katherine reads him, and he turns to her, doing his best not to pout (and probably failing miserably). “I just… what if something goes wrong?”

With the hand that’s not caressing Koda’s fur, she takes his and squeezes it. “Then they’ll take care of it. We’ll make it okay.”

A shocked exclamation from the bed has them both turning, and to their surprise, the healer, who has a bowl of soup in one hand and a spoon in the other, is staring at fWhip, whose head has turned away ever so slightly.

“Did he just…?” Katherine asks, and Sausage scrambles around the bed to sit right in front of fWhip’s line of sight, though his eyes are unfocused and he can’t tell if he can actually see him.

“fWhip? Hey, can you hear us?”

No response. Sausage isn’t exactly one to give up, though, so he reaches out and grabs his hand, hoping, hoping… Nothing. No response.

Katherine sighs and takes the bowl from the healer. “Thank you, Bramble. Can you give us some privacy, please?”

Bramble nods and leaves, though Sausage barely notices. He’s too busy focusing on his friend—his brother—to note what’s going on around him, until Katherine nudges him aside with her hip and settles on the bed next to fWhip.

“Here,” she says, scooping up a small spoonful of broth. “fWhip, you need to eat something, even if it’s just a little.”

fWhip jerks his head away ever so slightly, and Sausage shares a grin with Katherine, because that’s more life than he’s shown in a couple of weeks, even if it means he’s not cooperating. She tries again, with the same result, and she gives him a fond but exasperated look. “fWhip…”

“fWhip, hey, you need to eat,” Sausage tries. “Please? You’re worrying me.”

He’s not sure, but he thinks fWhip sighs. It could be his imagination, of course, but whatever the case, the next time Katherine tries to get him to take a bite, he lets her pour it into his mouth and swallows, before letting his head fall back against the pillows and closing his eyes.

Sausage squeezes his hand before turning to Katherine, who smiles and shakes her head. “Stubborn man,” she breathes, a laugh in her voice, and Sausage grins.

“This is great, Katherine! He’s getting better! i knew he would, but this is—this is—!”

He’s cut off by a door down the hall opening and voices spilling out, familiar voices. He gives Katherine a look, and she nods, settling into the bed so that Sausage can go see what’s going on. Before he can get up, though, there’s a change in pressure in his hand, and he looks down to see that fWhip’s hand has twitched, and he knows he can’t go anywhere.

“I think you’d better go see if they need help,” Sausage says in one of his more serious tones, and she nods again, gathering her skirts and standing before giving fWhip’s shoulder a squeeze and leaving. Sausage hears Gem’s and Lizzie’s voices as the door swings open, but he focuses on fWhip instead of what may or may not have happened out there. fWhip needs him right now.

______

Gem looks up, startled, as Katherine enters the hall outside the bedrooms. Immediately, she straightens, trying to keep her face neutral, but she’s sure she’s failing, because she really does not want Xornoth here. Scott, Lizzie, Shrub, and even Pearl all argued that it was closest, and secure, and not likely to freak as many people out as if they took him to Rivendell, where they actually might recognize him. She’d argued that the people of the Grimlands didn’t need any more reminders of what they’d been put through, either, but she had been outvoted.

So here they were, mere yards away from the door that hid her brother from the world, and they were discussing meaningless things such as who should be on the watch to make sure the elf isn’t alone when he wakes up, instead of how to keep everyone safe when he does. Just because he’d tried to kill himself as a first resort doesn’t mean he won’t resort to hurting others to get… whatever it is he wants.

It’s just that all the things she thinks she knows for certain about Xornoth are being called into question, just by his one minute of conscious action an hour ago. So while she’s still dead set against him being here, she also knows none of her arguments are really solid. There’s just too much unknown.

Katherine looks curious as she approaches. “I’m assuming everything went okay?” She asks, and Gem and Scott both grimace, though for different reasons.

“The first spell worked, and the second wasn’t necessary,” Gem sums up, and Scott sighs.

“Xornoth tried to kill himself.”

Katherine’s eyebrows shoot up. “Why?”

Scott shrugs, though his eyes look pained, and Gem remembers why she agreed to this in the first place. Regardless of their choices moving forward, they were doing the right thing, though whether or not they’re doing it in the right way… Well, only time will tell.

“I knocked him out before he could explain himself—or actually go through with it,” Pearl says, reaching over and putting a hand on Scott’s shoulder, though she’s shrugged off pretty quickly.

Katherine looks sympathetic. “I’m sorry.” At Scott’s nod of acceptance, she turns to Gem. “Good news, though! fWhip reacted a little bit!”

Gem jerks her head over, meeting Katherine’s eyes with disbelief. “He did?”

“Yeah, Sausage and I were trying to get him to eat and he kept moving his head away slightly!”

Pearl lets out a whoop and grabs Gem in a hug, spinning them around. Gem lets her. She’s too frozen in shock to react otherwise.

It’s a lot to process. After so long with him not getting better, to suddenly have him react to anything the moment she steps away feels like a punch in the gut. But at the same time, she’s so relieved she almost feels sick, because it’s been so long since her brother was his normal self and they’re inching back toward that with agonising slowness.

A hand on her shoulder snaps her out of her shock, and she glances behind her to see Scott giving her a small smile. “Go,” he says. “He needs you. We’ll let you know when Xornoth wakes up.”

She nods, grateful, and lets Pearl drag her away. As she does, she hears Katherine ask where Joey is, and she calls over her shoulder, “He went to tell the others what happened!”

“Thanks!” Katherine chirps, then the door to fWhip’s room opens and closes, and she’s with her closest friends and family, and slowly everything is starting to go right again.

_______

When he comes to, it’s with a pounding headache and a certainty that everything around him was wrong.

He’s not uncomfortable enough, not achy enough, and certainly not warm enough. He can hear a fire crackling in the background, and the blankets lying on top of him aren’t exactly cold, but nevertheless, he’s having to repress the urge to shiver.

There’s a matress underneath him, sunlight hitting his face, and someone else in the room, flipping pages and breathing softly. Actually, he notes, there are two people in the room; the one reading is closer, while the other is standing near the windows, their shadow occasionally blocking the sunlight.

There’s a quiet sigh from the closer person and the sound of a book closing. “I know you’re awake.” Male, Elvish accent. Xornoth cracks open an eyelid, and sure enough, there’s a pale elf with cyan hair—and Xornoth chokes on his breath. He looks so much like…

The other person comes around the bed he’s lying on and rests a hand on the elf’s shoulder. She’s a dark-haired woman—a fae, he realises, and dimly he recognizes her from his corrupted memories. Gods, but those are so tangled up and gnarled it’s hard for him to remember anything clearly.

“I’ll go get Gem and Pearl,” the fae is saying, and Xornoth takes the opportunity to look around.

Dark panelled walls, thin windows, and a faint smell of gunpowder tell him he’s not in Rivendell. The Grimlands, maybe? He vaguely recalls something about the Grimlands and gunpowder. It’s possible.

He goes to sit up but is stopped short by a firm tug on his wrists, and immediately he panics, starts tugging at the cloth restraints, because, no, no, he refuses to be at anyone’s mercy, he refuses to—

He refuses to put anyone else in danger. He needs—he needs to stop himself.

Maybe the restraints are a good idea.

On the other hand, it’s too temporary. If anything happens, if he loses control again, then there’s every possibility that he’ll wreak havoc and kill everyone. He needs to make that impossible.

He turns slightly to the elf, and isn’t surprised to find that the fae woman has left the room, but he is surprised to see the look of concern on the other elf’s face. He honestly looks scared of Xornoth, and really, he doesn’t blame him.

“Why am I here?” Xornoth asks, hating how weak his voice is.

The elf tilts his head. “Well, we weren’t exactly about to leave you out on the plains. Besides, here we can keep an eye on you.”

“You can keep an eye on me in the dungeons, too.”

A raised eyebrow, and the other elf starts asking, “Why would we—”

The door is thrown open, and in strides a woman with long dark blond hair and a sunny smile. “Xornoth! So glad you’re finally awake.”

He flinches at the sound of his name, and the person behind the sunny woman—a tall red-head with a taller purple hat and an amethyst-tipped staff, who must be a wizard from the Crystal Cliffs—nudges her out of the way. “Pearl, can you give us some space? Go… guard the door or something. We need to have a little chat with our guest.”

The sunny woman—Pearl, he assumes, which means the other woman is Gem—nods, her smile dimming slightly, and goes to the door, leaning against it as if to keep anyone else out. The woman-who-must-be-Gem sighs and sits on a chair next to the elf’s, propping her staff up behind it, still within easy reach.

A chill runs through him. Not a literal one, those he’s being wracked with, but this one is of fear. They know who he is. They know, and they’re wary. Part of him wants to lunge at them, make them kill him in self-defense, but he knows they’ll probably just knock him out again or start torturing him or something. And while he wants to end it, he would rather avoid more pain than Exor’s possession caused him.

So instead he sits up as much as he can, watching them carefully. He’s wary, afraid, but he also is so apathetic as to what comes next he really doesn’t know why he’s scared.

“Now,” Gem says. “I suppose you know who we are.”

“For the most part,” Xornoth mutters, but nods when she arches an eyebrow.

The elf looks over at Gem, pursing his lips. “Do you think we can remove the restraints?”

Gem shakes her head. “Not yet. Not till we know if there’s still any danger.”

“I won’t hurt you,” Xornoth says, his voice too tired and broken to be a lie. It’s not, and he hopes the others know it.

“It’s not us we’re worried about,” Pearl says from the door. “It’s you.”

He frowns. Why would they be worried about him? They know who he is, they know what kind of monster he is. Why would they worry about him being in danger?

Unless they want to protect him from the people of the Grimlands, if that is where he is. Give them the illusion that he’s secured and they’re safe from him, so they can mete out whatever punishment they see fit. That’s the only scenario that makes any kind of sense.

But even then, why wouldn’t they put him in the dungeon, if they’re so worried about the image they’re projecting? He takes it back, none of this makes any kind of sense.

Apparently, Gem decides his silence is a good opportunity to get on with the interrogation. “Alright. First off, I know we all have bad memories associated with the name Xornoth. Is there any other name you’d be okay with us calling you?”

Xornoth stares. He’s tempted, oh so tempted, to ask why she cares, to tell her to call him literally anything but his given name, but he can’t. His name is one of the few things he has left of his parents. He’s loathe to wash his hands of it.

Eventually, he shakes his head. “No. There’s nothing.”

“Oookay,” Gem pulls out a book and quill, jotting down a note on a blank page. “So. Xornoth. I’m sure you have some questions, but we have some too, ones we have to get out of the way before we answer any of yours. Got it?”

Her tone is less forgiving than her words, and he flinches away from her sharpness. “I understand.”

She stares for a moment, glances at the other elf, than straightens, taking a deep breath before launching into it. “Are you actively planning on hurting anyone—and yes, that includes yourself.”

He hesitates. None of them. Never any of them. None of the innocents, none of the people put in place to protect to them.

No, the only person he’s planning on hurting is the person whose hands are stained with the blood of hundreds of thousands. He wants—no, he needs to take himself out of the equation, to keep everyone else safe.

After all, what does he have to live for?

Apparently his silence is answer enough, and Pearl’s hand lands on the pommel of her sword.

“None of you,” He hastens to say. “I don’t… I don’t want anyone else to go through what I put so many through.”

To his surprise, the elf leans forward and puts a hand on the bed, close to where Xornoth’s are tied down. “It wasn’t you, Xornoth. It was Exor. We all—” he sends an acerbic look at Gem, who huffs “—know that. And trust me, if we don’t, then you shouldn’t blame yourself.”

Xornoth looks at him wearily. “Are all the people in agreement? Are the rulers?”

“All the rulers who aren’t basically comatose from what Exor put them through, yeah,” Pearl says, and now it’s Gem’s turn to send an acerbic look.

“Keep him out of it.”

Xornoth tilts his head, dimly intrigued. Someone she’s protective of, if he had to guess. His people skills are… lacking, to say the least. After all, he hasn’t properly socialised with anyone since he was… sixteen? Seventeen? No, eighteen. He remembers the preparations for the ceremony that would officially make him the Crown Prince. After that, it’s foggy.

Foggy, until that terrible night that still is seared into his memory, even after all these centuries. That night he stole into his parents’ room, slit his father’s throat, and stabbed his mother in the heart when she screamed to sound the alarm. That night he looked down on his little brother, and saw fear reflected in his eyes.

Even now, that’s how Xornoth remembers Scott. That look of fear, of terror, of confusion because his brother would never hurt their parents, would never hurt him, would never stab him again and again and again and—

“Hey!” A loud voice pierces the shroud of memory that he’s surrounded himself in. He blinks, and realises he’s making a keening sound in the back of his throat, he’s crying, and his fists are clenched around the sheets so tightly he’s starting to lose feeling in his fingers.

Shuddering, he takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, then opens them when he’s sure the tears have subsided. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. “The memories… I wish they weren’t there, but I can’t seem to make them disappear.”

The elf purses his lips. “No one can. Well, unless they receive a very big knock on the head.”

He smiles, fondly, like he’s reliving a distant memory, and Xornoth wants to smile with him, but he’s too busy remembering the time Scott knocked him over the head during sword practice and he’d pretended not to recognise him when he’d come to. Scott had, understandably, panicked, and Xornoth had felt so bad he’d immediately dropped the act and wrapped his little brother in his arms.

From the doorway, Pearl coughs slightly, and Xornoth looks over at her, remembering what she’d been saying when he’d gotten lost in thought. “You’re sure the rulers are all…?”

Pearl nods. “Considering we’re them, yeah, we’re sure.”

He jerks his head up without meaning to. Oh. Oh. No wonder these three are here. They’re the ones whose people he has threatened and killed, whose lands he’s desecrated and corrupted.

Whose friends he’s tortured and broken.

“I’m sorry,” he blurts. “Aeor, I’m so sorry, I hurt so many people, I killed even more, it’s all my fault—”

Gem harrumphs and closes her book firmly. “That has yet to be decided. How many of them do you remember?”

A red-haired man he tortured to the point of breaking. Twisting people—a dark-haired, scarred man, a blond emperor (Joey? He doesn’t quite remember)—until they gladly served Exor. No, served him. Small people—gnomes, his mind supplies—fleeing in terror as their friends tore each other apart. His parents. His brother.

Countless wars, countless murders. He doesn’t know the exact number, but he knows this: he doesn’t deserve any mercy. He’s done terrible things, and even without Exor clouding and twisting his thoughts, he knows he’ll snap and do it again.

“Too many,” he whispers, and Gem and the elf exchange a look he doesn’t understand. “If you’re planning on offering me mercy, I wouldn’t bother. I don’t deserve it, and you’ll be safer with me out of the way anyway.”

The elf and Pearl both flinch, and he wonders who they are that they’re so dismayed by his honesty. Pearl seems to be the ruler of that province of Mythland—Gilded something or another, he never can remember—so maybe she’s more merciful than any of the others, but the elf? Xornoth killed the last royal family, so unless this person was hoping that he would be able to take the throne, he should at least be wary of him.

Gem leans forward. “Are you planning on hurting anyone?” She asks again, and he shakes his head, looking away from her.

“Never,” he says softly, “but Exor—”

“Exor is dead,” she says, and he whips his head around to look at her, eyes wide and disbelief flooding through him.

“He’s—what? How can you be sure?”

The elf straightens. “Because Aeor killed him, and in doing so killed himself.”

Right. The prophecy. He supposes it makes sense that it applies to the two gods, rather than the champions they choose. After all, he hadn’t died when he killed Scott.

(But oh, how he wishes he had.)

With a slow nod, Xornoth sinks back into the pillows, closing his eyes. “Thank Aeor,” he breathes, then opens his eyes and twists his mouth into a wry grimace. “Literally, I guess.”

As the elf and Pearl both snort in amusement, Gem leans forward, frowning. “So how much exactly do you remember of your time possessed? You didn’t really answer earlier.”

Before he answers, he takes a deep breath, and even then he doesn’t feel ready, but they want to know, so he’ll tell them. They’re the ones in a position of power. They’re the ones he has to convince to do the right thing.

“I… it’s vague, mostly, I just remember blood and smoke and screams. The occasional face. I know I killed so many people. It’s probably impossible to count how many. It’s been… millenia under his control—”

“Nearly three centuries,” the elf corrects, and Xornoth does a double take.

Three centuries? Only? That—that can’t be right, he knows he lasted too long under Exor’s torture, before he broke, for that to be possible. He can’t have broken so quickly that it only took three centuries for this part of the cycle to end. It just can’t be.

“Three…?” He breathes, not really fully trusting his voice. “Only?” At the elf’s nod, he chokes, looks down at his hands, and tries to wrench them free. He can’t—he can’t stay here, near people, if three centuries was all it took to crush him and have him wreak havoc across the lands.

Gem’s staff is in her hands before he can blink and is pointed at him with unerring accuracy, but he doesn’t stop thrashing. He needs to get out, he needs to—the others won’t understand. They won’t feel the heartbreak and self-loathing that is driving him, they won’t know why he has to end this. The cycle may be broken, but its remnants remain, and he cannot be allowed to start it up again.

“Let me out! Let me out let me out let me out—” He says frantically, and suddenly Pearl’s arms are holding him down, while another set of hands are tightening the restraints, which had just been coming loose, damnit, why didn’t they understand he needs to be put down like the sick animal he is, and he bucks and thrashes as he tries to get free.

Finally, he manages to knee Pearl in the chest, knocking her aside and yanking one of the restraints off the bedpost, barely managing to untie the other before Pearl and Gem are on him again. He catches a glimpse of the elf, back against the wall, watching with wide eyes, before he manages to yank Gem’s staff out of her hands and sweep Pearl’s legs out from under her.

He points the staff at Gem, who’s produced a netherite sword—custom work, he can tell, but he doesn’t recognize it for all that he recognizes the style. They stand there for a moment pointing weapons at each other before Pearl climbs to her feet, putting a hand on Gem’s arm and getting her to lower the sword.

“Easy, Gem,” she murmurs, then leans closer to whisper something in her ear, something that makes her slump slightly.

“Alright,” she says, sheathing her sword. “But if he blows something up, it’s not my fault.”

Pearl forces a laugh. “It’s never your fault when someone blows something up, is it?”

Gem flinches, and Xornoth files that away for later. He doesn’t drop the staff, or lower it, but he does loosen his posture a bit. They’re not… even when he’s got a weapon in his hands, they’re not threatening him, or attacking him, or using any kind of force in self-defense.

It’s then that it hits him. They don’t intend to kill him. Of course not, they don’t know what all he’s done—he doesn’t even know what all he’s done—and they’ve got this misguided idea that just because they’re the good guys they have to save him. Like he deserves it. The’re not going to do what it takes to give justice to all those he killed and tortured and destroyed.

“Xornoth,” the elf says gently—too gently. He of all people should know what he’s done, what he was going to do, but he’s extending his hand, offering mercy when Xornoth is a killer, when he doesn’t deserve it, when he, in fact, deserves the exact opposite.

“We want to help you,” the elf is saying, ignorant of Xornoth’s thoughts. “You were a good man once; we can help you be that man again.”

Xornoth scoffs tiredly. “With all due respect, that’s not possible. That person died before he really was a man. I was just a boy, a boy who killed everyone in his family.”

The elf tilts his head, confusion and hurt on his face, but Xornoth’s attention is drawn to Gem and Pearl, who flash a quick series of silent words across their faces before Pearl nods and takes the elf by his arm, leading him out of the room.

Confused, Xornoth lowers the staff and starts to ask, “What’s—”

“I think you should sit,” Gem says, talking over him, and he reluctantly does, letting the staff slip through his fingers. Gem winces as it hits the ground, and she quickly scoops it up, inspecting it for damage.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, “for however I hurt you. I know I did, I’ve hurt everyone, and I know no apology will make up for it, but I really, truly am. I’d give anything to go back and make sure none of this happened, but that’s not possible. It’s not—I can’t. I just can’t.”

Gem tilts her head, looking at him with sharp eyes and pursed lips. “Can’t what, Xornoth? What can’t you do?”

“I can’t fix this!” He cries, tears springing to his eyes as he tries desperately not to choke on his words. “I can’t change anything that happened. I can’t bring those I killed back, all I can do is apologise and beg you to give them all justice.”

Gem slowly shakes her head. “Wow. You’re really messed up.”

Xornoth huffs a tired laugh. “What, did you think I’d be perfectly normal after centuries of being Exor’s puppet?”

Gem sighs heavily, standing. “Stay here. I’ll send someone in to keep an eye on you. Don’t try anything.”

It’s hardly a threat. After all, what is she going to do if he disobeys? Kill him? Imprison him? That’s what he wants, that’s no punishment. The only thing he could think of that would actually be a punishment would be to turn him over to the people whose friends and families he’s killed. He wouldn’t be able to take the guilt and shame.

_______

Gem is pacing, going back and forth between the window and the fireplace as she tries to figure out how to explain this to the rest of the rulers, all of whom are waiting for her to break the silence. It’s strange, as she’s pretty sure only she and Pearl really understand the situation, and Pearl is currently guarding the very, very messed up elf in the spare room.

Finally, Sausage breaks the silence. “Okay, what happened?” Gem sends him a quick glare, and he spreads his hands. “Something happened. You can’t deny that. But we’re all worried that it might be bad news.”

“Well, it’s not good news,” she grumbles, then straightens. “Okay, so. Xornoth is definitely not corrupted anymore. That’s the good part. The bad part is that he is very, very messed up right now. He doesn’t remember everything, just bits and pieces, but one thing he remembers very clearly is that he killed his family.” She fixes her eyes on Scott. “All of his family.”

Jimmy looks aghast. “But then…”

Scott nods slowly. “He didn’t recognize me. I don’t know why, he called me by my name plenty of times while Exor had him—”

“Because Exor had him,” Gem says, trying hard to push aside the memories of her time imprisoned in the Nether, with Exor’s words spilled out of fWhip’s mouth. ‘I’m afraid that got a little… lost in translation,’ echoes in her ears. “Exor manipulated, maybe even erased his memories. He did the same to fWhip.”

There’s an almost collective flinch. It’s not something any of them want to think about, Gem least of all, but it’s the truth; they can’t even guarantee that fWhip will even have any memories intact if and when he improves.

It’s Shrub who breaks the silence. “So what, do we tell him?”

Gem opens her mouth to answer, but Scott beats her to it. “No. We wait and try to slowly reintroduce information.”

“Scott!” Katherine sounds aghast. “You can’t just let him go around thinking he’s a murderer!”

“First off, he is a murderer,” Joel says bluntly. “And second off, I think that’s Scott’s choice, isn’t it? I mean, it is his brother.”

“Yeah, it’s his brother! That’s why he should tell him, would you want to go around thinking you killed Jimmy?” Katherine returns, and Gem isn’t sure why she sounds so… desperate. Her voice is almost breaking.

Gem sighs. “Katherine. Take a deep breath, then tell us what’s got you so upset.”

Katherine takes an almost exaggerated breath. “Okay. It’s just. I don’t have any family, right? And I can’t imagine what any of you three are going through—”

“Three?” Lizzie asks, and Katherine purses her lips.

“Yeah. Scott, Xornoth, and Gem. Anyway, I can’t imagine going through what you’re going through, but Gem, wouldn’t you rather tell fWhip that he didn’t kill you, that you still love him despite what he was forced to do?”

She has a point. Gem can’t really argue with that, but she can make a different point. “I’m not Scott, though. And fWhip isn’t Xornoth. What might be best for fWhip probably isn’t good for Xornoth. He needs to acclimate to the way things are; we should probably try to jog his memory, too, see if it comes back on its own—”

“I’m taking him back to Rivendell as soon as he’s more stable,” Scott says, and Gem nearly chokes on her words.

Lizzie doesn’t seem happy about it, either—well, none of them do, but she’s the one who responds. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

Scott nods firmly. “That’s where his earliest memories are, so he’ll remember it best. If he sees the differences, maybe he’ll remember seeing it while he was possessed.”

The others all exchange looks, and Pix sighs. “Alright. But if that doesn’t work, we might need to rethink this. Taking him around the empires might help jog his memories of what he’s done.”

There’s a collective nod before the others turn to Scott. “Does that sound okay?” Gem asks, and Scott nods.

“That’ll work.”

[jungshookz]

teeny tidbits: emma comes home past curfew & y/n's not happy about it

➺ genre; kindergartenteacher!taehyungiverse!! honk honk humour!! sixteen year old emma reminds y/n of herself and she doesn't know if that's a bad thing or a good thing

➺ wordcount; 1.5k

➺ p.s. this takes place far faR off into the future!! i just thought it'd be nice to see emma as a spunky teenager :'))

(unfortunately i wasn’t able to track down the original maker of this gif but this is where i sourced it from! all credits go to the original creator of course :-))

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .

the sound of the front door rattling at four in the morning would usually be something that would terrify pretty much anybody, but for you-

"oh, come on!"

it's really just another day in the life.

"em's home," taehyung reaches over slowly to pat your stomach and wake you up (as if you haven't been up waiting for the past four hours), his voice laced with sleep as he rolls to the side, "i'll go open the-"

"nope." you reach over to turn the lamp on before flicking the covers off and stepping out of bed, adjusting the strap of your tank top before pointing a finger at taehyung, "you're not opening anything."

"okay, well-" taehyung pauses before propping himself up a little to frown at you, "wait, what?"

"you know, i cannot believe her-" you snap, pulling your hair up into a bun as you hurry over to the window, "it's like she likes to be grounded! i told her she could go out with her friends as long as she came back before curfew, but no-"

"well, it's not that late, is it?" taehyung tosses the pillow he's hugging to his chest aside before turning to look at the clock sitting on his bedside table, "it's only- oh. it's 4:18."

you unlock the latch on the window before digging your fingers underneath it and pulling it up with a snap, watching as emma rushes out from the front porch at the sudden noise

"why, good morning, miss kim!" you call out, leaning down against the edge of the open window with a bright smile, "now i can rest well knowing you weren't murdered tonight."

"the door's broken or something!" emma strategically ignores your snarky comment, placing a hand on her hip before sticking her hand up in the air to flash you her keys with a jingle, "my keys aren't working!"

"oh, your keys are fine, sweetheart." you let out a sigh before scrunching your nose, "i triple-locked the doors. better to be safe than to be sorry, right?"

"okay, well-" emma pauses, scratching the back of her neck before gesturing towards the door, "are you gonna open the door for me or what? i really have to pee-"

"you could always take a squat and pee in the bushes." you point out, emma's jaw dropping slightly before she lets out a scoff

"are you serious? i'm not taking a piss in the bushes-"

"well, i guess you should've thought of that before coming home four hours past curfew!" your tone changes as soon as you get to the point and even from here you're able to make out the slight twitch of panic that runs through emma's body

"don't be ridiculous, i'm not four hours past curfew-" emma grumbles, turning to pull her phone out of her purse and glancing at it before pausing for a second and then looking back up at you, "i'm... four hours and twenty minutes past curfew. so take that!"

"you know, i was just being nice and i rounded down, but if you wanna say you were four hours and twenty minutes late, we can definitely say you were four hours and twenty minutes late-"

"mom!" emma whines, stomping her foot down on the ground as she shoves her phone back into her (your!!) purse hastily, "you can't just- are you seriously not going to let me into the house?! you're gonna make me sleep out on the front porch?! i can't- what if the coyotes get me?! if the coyotes get me, you're gonna regret this decision so bad-"

"the only thing that's going to attack you in this neighbourhood are the little girl scouts who won't leave you alone until you buy, like, ten boxes of cookies from them-"

"i'm sixteen, mother!" emma cuts you off with another whine and you can't help but roll your eyes at the sight of your daughter throwing a tantrum on the front lawn, "i'm grown! i should be allowed to go out with my friends and come home whenever i want!"

you thought you were 'grown' at sixteen too

(spoiler alert: that was not the case at all.)

obviously you love your daughter more than anything in the world but you hate that she inherited one of the traits that you're not fond too of: your stubbornness

and look, of course you know that she's getting older and that she should be allowed to go and have (safe) fun with her friends but this isn't the first time she's broken the rules and knowing her, it certainly won't be the last time

and it doesn't help that taehyung always gets to play good cop and you have to be the bad one!!!

like last time when the two of you caught emma climbing into the house through one of the windows and she ended up getting stuck - instead of reprimanding her for coming home late again, taehyung just laughed and immediately went over to help her out

sure, the sight of your daughter flailing around trapped in a small window was hilarious, but someone had to be the serious one in the situation (1) she lied to you about just having a chill night with her friends because you're pretty sure a chill night doesn't involve body glitter and the faint smell of vodka on her breath! 2) she climbed up the side of the house like a maniac and could've gotten seriously injured????) and of course the responsibility to do that fell onto your lap

taehyung's also just not very good at disciplining which is why you usually gently push him aside and take the lead and it looks like it's time for you to turn on your i'm not mad, i'm just very disappointed in you act once again

"you're going to wake your brother up if you keep screaming like that, and you know how fussy he gets when he doesn't get a good night's sleep-"

"he's the world's sleepiest baby, i could blow up fireworks in his room and he'd be fine- dad!" emma's eyes immediately light up when a sleepy taehyung suddenly pops up next to you and you raise a brow when he nudges you aside gently, "oh my god, thank god- mom's literally being insane right now, you have to let me in-"

"what time did you say you'd be home?" taehyung interrupts, "because i think we agreed on midnight when i dropped you off at hope's apartment..."

"i-" emma presses her lips together before letting out a little scoff and rolling her eyes, "okay, yes, we- i said i would be home by midnight, yes." she sighs before suddenly perking up again, "it's not my fault, though! no one goes home before midnight, it's so lame- hope's dad lets her stay out as long as she texts-"

"ah, texts! let's talk about that! didn't you say you'd text us to let us know where you were if you weren't home by midnight?" taehyung points out, crossing his arms over his chest before reaching up to stroke at his chin to feign deep thought, "because my phone hasn't gone off all night... has yours, darling?" he hums, turning to glance at you

"nope!" you chime in with a helpless little shrug and you nearly crack a smile when you see emma reach up to pinch the bridge of her nose in frustration, "my phone has been dead silent. no texts. not even an emoji!"

"you hear that, emma? not even an emoji." taehyung tsks, shaking his head in disappointment, "you know what this means, don't you?"

"i'm grounded for two weeks, i know-"

"two weeks?? oh, you're grounded for a month." taehyung pauses for a second before looking down at her again, "and! and you have to change all of your brother's diapers the whole time you're grounded. also, i just want to let you know that he had sweet potatoes for dinner and you know how gassy he gets after a helping of sweet potatoes-"

"a month?!" emma roars and your eye twitches at how high her voice goes, "you can't ground me for a month, lucas is throwing this huge party next weekend and i have to be there! are you kidding m-"

taehyung slides the window back down before emma gets to say anything else and he turns to face you with a grin before opening his arms slightly, "well?? what did you think??"

"i think... that was probably one of the sexiest things you've ever done for me." you laugh lightly, happily giving him a quick kiss when he leans in for one

"duly noted." taehyung beams before letting out a quick sigh and then turning on his heels to head to the door, "okay, i'm going to go let our daughter into the house now because i don't think my hydrangeas are going to survive being peed on-"

🎙️give emma some diaper changing tips (talk to my characters/send in a message!)

✨why don’t you explore the rest of the library while you’re here? (full fics!)

💫or perhaps you want something shorter to read? (drabbles! mini series!)

🌟or something even shorter? (teeny tidbits like this one!)

[yourlocalfictionalenthusiast]

IN LIFE, IN DEATH...

PART TEN

:Masterlist:

A/N: And that’s a wrap! Ahh, writing this series has been so fun and I’m so glad that so many of you have liked it so much. Thank you guys for staying until the end and hopefully for upcoming stuff 👀 I hope you enjoy the finale of In Life, In Death... <3

(Also the song mentioned in part six and this part is ‘She Is Love’ by Parachute) <3

-

December 1994

Luke groaned as he woke up, squinting hard to try and adjust his eyes to the amount of light in the room.

Even before he could see clearly, he knew he must've fallen asleep in the studio judging by the soreness in his back and neck that he always got when he slept on the old couch. It couldn't have been more than six in the morning, and Luke could still feel the tiredness in his bones. So he tried to turn away from the light and hopefully fall back asleep, but there was something keeping him firmly in place.

His heart skipped when he looked down and saw that you were laying right next to him with your head on his chest and an arm thrown across his stomach. When he realized that his own arms were wrapped around you, his heart broke out into a full-on tap dance.

Waves of confusion ran through his still-foggy brain until he saw his guitar case propped up against the piano and his backpack on the floor with his clothes spilling out of it.

Then the events of last night quickly came back to him.

How he had gotten home late from rehearsal and his mom was waiting in the kitchen with his latest report card and her signature lecture at the ready. One minute he was standing there yelling, packing all he could fit into his bag, and the next, he was halfway to the studio with the rain soaking him head to toe.

He had expected it to be empty when he finally got there, but he was flooded with relief when he saw you. All the frustration slowly melted out of him the longer he laid there with you, leaving him feeling exhausted and shivering despite how warm he felt.

The last thing he wanted to do was talk about any of it, but when you asked, the words came out of his mouth before he could stop them.

He remembered rambling and crying again, the sound of your voice and the feeling of your fingers in his hair warming him up even more. Then finally, he remembered falling asleep with his chin tucked on top of your head, the smell of your shampoo filling his senses.

Without thinking, Luke reached down and carefully pushed a piece of hair away from your face, tucking it behind your ear and smiling to himself when you shifted into his touch. Then taking in a sharp breath as the realization ran through him all the way down to his toes.

You were his best friend.

The person he wanted to see at the end of a long day. Whenever he was full of anger or lost in confusion, all he had to do was look at you and everything suddenly made sense again. With your pretty smile and laugh, and your way of flipping that little switch inside him that made his head all fuzzy and the ground start spinning under his feet.

You were his best friend, and he was in love with you.

-

2020

All you felt was a mixture of anxiety and nausea as you stood on the Orpheum's street corner, biting the tips of your fingernails.

The entire plan hinged on Willie and Teddy getting everything done in time, and considering that they had betrayed you all before, you couldn’t help but expect the worst.

“Look, don’t worry. Willie said he’ll get us on that marquee.” Alex said nervously as he kicked pebbles across the sidewalk.

“This is going to work, right?” Reggie asked.

“It has to.” Luke mumbled, wincing seconds later when another shock hit them.

Two sharp pops cut through the air behind you and you all whipped around to see Willie and Teddy standing just a few feet away. Willie was watching you all carefully with concern written all over his face, his eyes lingering on Alex longer than anyone else. Teddy stood at the edge of the group, practically burning a hole in your face with his guilty stare.

“Are you guys okay?” Willie asked.

“Yeah, nothing we haven’t felt before.” Alex laughed awkwardly. “How’d it go?”

“Well, when the opening band wakes up, they’ll find their bus two hundred miles out of Vegas.” Willie said with a proud smile as he did a spin, showing off his stolen jacket with the band’s name across the back.

“With absolutely no chance of getting back in time.” Teddy added.

Luke gave Willie a fistbump and pointed up to the office above the Orpheum. “That means there’s probably a promoter up there freaking out right now.”

Willie grinned, sarcasm laced in his tone. “Nah, man. This is Hollywood. I’m sure he’s being very professional.”

You laughed and then Alex slowly inched forward, clearly struggling for the right words to say to Willie. You gave his arm a quick squeeze before following Reggie and Luke down the street to give them space. Before you even got halfway down the sidewalk, Teddy poofed next to you.

“You know, If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you don’t want to talk to me.” He joked.

“Teddy-”

"I just-I didn't want to leave things the way we did." He rambled. "I'm sorry, I should've told you everything that night in the diner-"

"Teddy, It's okay." You said. "You told me before Caleb could put the stamp on me, and you didn't know the details about the plan until after it was too late to help my friends. Plus, I know how much you're risking helping us now."

As soon as the words left your mouth, you felt some of the weight fall off your shoulders. You weren't sure why since the situation was still a little painful and awkward. But being around Teddy always made you feel a little like that kid who started working at the diner with Cece all those years ago. Besides, they were so alike that you found it hard to stay mad at him.

You held out your hand for Teddy to shake. "Despite everything, I'm glad we met."

“Likewise, Gorgeous,” Teddy said with a relieved smile as he grasped your hand. With a subtle wink, he nodded over towards where Luke was standing at the end of the street. “He’s a lucky guy.”

"What? How did you?-" You sputtered as he stepped away. You never told Teddy about Luke, or at least you didn't think you did.

Teddy just smirked in response before disappearing into the air. At the same time, you saw Willie skate away out of the corner of your eye, leaving Alex alone on the sidewalk.

You all phased next to him and Luke squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "You okay, man?"

"Yeah. I'm good." Alex smiled slyly as he gestured to the office. "Looks like this show needs a new opening act though."

You grinned. "Let's go see if we can help with that."

-

When you got back to the studio, you found Julie pacing back and forth in the middle of the room as she wrung her hands together.

When you all poofed in, she immediately jumped into a load of questions, losing her breath halfway through and flailing her arms around.

"Whoa, just sit down," You laughed excitedly. "We'll tell you everything."

Julie took a gasping breath and plopped backwards onto the couch then stared at you all with expectant eyes. "Well?"

"It worked!" You announced. "Everything's fine."

"You should be getting the call...now!" Alex pointed to Julie’s phone on the table just as it started buzzing. You all cheered and Julie shushed you as she answered the call.

You heard a woman's voice say something through the phone and Julie gave a thumbs-up as she started jumping on the couch. You watched in amusement and mild horror as Luke and Reggie lifted Alex up into the air and spun him around.

Once he was back on the ground, Luke and Reggie made a beeline for you, each of them grabbed one of your arms and flipped you upside down over their shoulders.

You all spent the next twenty minutes laughing and screaming and Alex even got a little teary-eyed but you pretended not to notice. Then Julie called Flynn and ran off excitedly to decide her outfit for the night, leaving the four of you alone to plan out the setlist.

“Okay, so I’m thinking we start with Stand Tall.” Luke said excitedly as he wrote the words down in his songbook.

“Sounds good.” Reggie said, suddenly quiet.

“’Sounds good’? Guys, I wanna hear ‘That sounds awesome!” Luke reached out and nudged Reggie’s shoulder. “I know this isn’t the way we imagined any of this. But we need to be all in tonight. This is our second chance to play the Orpheum!”

“I get it.” Reggie sputtered. “But it’s hard. Do we even know what’s on the other side when we cross over? Do we still get to hang out together?”

You shifted your weight as the happy little bubble surrounding you popped. You had been so wrapped up in the excitement of finally playing the Orpheum that you almost forgot what tonight was really about.

“You guys are the only family I have.” Reggie’s eyes were glued to the piano as he played with his fingers. You reached out and locked his arm with yours in an attempt to comfort him.

“I don’t know what’s gonna happen either. But it’s not like we have a choice.” Alex said.

Suddenly, Reggie’s arm fell out of yours as all three boys fell back, clutching their sides.

“I’m pretty sure we do.” Reggie groaned. “And it rhymes with ‘Hollywood Ghost Club’.”

The garage doors creaked open and Julie appeared with a bright smile and a blue garment bag in her hand. When she saw your expressions, her smile fell. “What’s wrong?”

“We just got hit pretty hard by one of those jolts.” Alex said. “But we’re fine.”

“Oh, good.” She nodded, though she still looked on edge. “I’m nervous.”

“That makes two of us.” You said. “But we made it this far for a reason. We got this.”

“Can you ride there with me? I'm gonna need more pep-talk material for the drive there cause I still think I might puke.” Julie tucked her hair behind her ears.

“Of course, and don't worry, we’ll leave the windows open.” You joked, making everyone laugh.

The sound of a car horn cut through the air and Julie looked outside. "That's my dad. Are you ready, (Y/n)?"

You nodded. "Yeah, uh, give me a second. I'll meet you in the car."

As Julie disappeared behind the doors, you turned to the boys and sighed as you tried to soak up this moment. For all you knew, this could be the last little window of time you had alone with them before tonight.

Julie was a huge part of the band of course, but these were your boys. The ones who you started this all with, who had been by your side for everything.

From the look on all their faces, you could see that they were thinking the same thing.

Without saying a word, you launched yourself at Alex. He made a surprised noise but recovered quickly, throwing his arms around you and holding you tight.

"And I'm the emotional one?" He jokingly muttered in your ear and you pinched his side, making him jump back. "Rude."

As soon as your arms were open, Reggie stepped forward and hugged you so tightly that you were thankful to not need oxygen anymore because he was definitely crushing several vital organs.

You laughed and gave him one last squeeze before pulling away, locking eyes with Luke instantly.

Alex cleared his throat awkwardly and grabbed Reggie's shoulder, steering him over to Luke's songbook to 'check out the setlist again'.

"And then there were two." Luke joked.

You laughed and stepped into his waiting arms, making him laugh. You soaked up the feeling of comfort and familiarity for a minute before pulling away.

"This, uh, is for you," Luke said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. You knitted your eyebrows together in confusion as he handed it over. "I wanted you to have it in case...well, you know. If tonight doesn't work."

"It will." You said, trying to ignore the fact that it very well could happen. "You're not getting rid of me that easily, Patterson."

"I wouldn't dream of it." He quipped back, his voice sounding softer and less teasing than you would've expected. You pulled back from him and because you didn't know if you would ever get another chance, you stood on your tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek.

You moved away too fast to see his reaction but the gesture made the other two boys smirk at you as you dashed out of the doors, making a beeline for the car pulling out of the driveway.

-

The back rooms of the Orpheum were a maze.

You had left for a few minutes to walk around the venue and clear your head, trying to wring out the last of your nerves.

By the time you found your way back, you expected to find the rest of the band rushing to get ready in the dressing room. But all you saw was Julie anxiously pacing as she had been earlier, a habit she seemed to have inherited from both you and Alex.

“You okay?”

She snapped her head up towards you and sighed. “Yeah, just a little worried. The guys aren’t here yet.”

You looked around the room and then at the clock, frowning. The show was in less than half an hour and that was already cutting it close. Part of you wanted to go check on them but Julie seemed to need you more at the moment.

“Okay, well, give them another ten minutes. I'm sure they'll be here. They wouldn’t miss this…again.”

You ran your palm across the front of your pocket, feeling Luke's note next to your parent’s photo, and hoped you were right.

But then more and more time passed until the stage manager came to escort Julie to the stage.

"Just a second!" She calls out and then turns to you. "(Y/n), something's wrong. They were getting those jolts pretty hard before we left. They must've run out of time."

You shut your eyes tight as the words sunk in. All you could bring yourself now was, ‘This isn't what was supposed to happen.’

The world fell out from under your feet and you had trouble even standing up straight as you imagined what must've happened to them. Your best friends, your brothers, your family was gone and there wasn't anything you could do about it.

The guy knocked again, this time a little harder and with a nervous tone. Julie chewed her lip as she looked between you and the door and you could almost see the cloud of grief settling over her.

As hard as it was, you tried your best to shove your feelings down and marched up to Julie. There would be time to fall apart later, but you knew that this what they would want you to do. "Let's go do this for them, okay?"

She took a deep, shaky breath before hesitantly nodding. You followed closely behind her as she walked out the door though the halls until she reached the stage. You waited beside Flynn in the wing as Julie settled behind her microphone and addressed the crowd.

There were scattered claps from around the venue and then she took a deep breath before singing the opening.

After the first few lines, you took your cue and materialized at the center of the stage. The crowd gasped and cheered the way they always did, but you kept your eyes shut tight and focused on the music.

Just as the song started picking up, you heard a familiar pop in the air and then the sound of drumming. You whirled around to see Alex mounted onto a drum set at the back of the stage, twirling his drumsticks around and smiling like he had never been gone at all.

Once you got over the initial shock, you wanted to cry with relief. They were okay, they were here. Alex winked at you goofily, and you ran towards Julie’s keyboard.

She had started bouncing on the balls of her feet, both of you finally getting into the song now that they were coming back. You followed suit, dancing around the base of the drum set as yours and Julie’s voices came together.

Then Reggie appeared on the other side of Julie and you ran to his side. You bumped his shoulder with yours and he grinned, moving to stand back to back.

The song was ramping up to the chorus when a staticky noise cut through the air, not loud enough for the crowd to hear but enough to make you all look over to the other end of the stage.

You could see Luke's form fading in and out, a look of anguish on his face, and the pit in your stomach opened up again. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as Alex's drumming paused and Luke finally materialized to sing the opening of the chorus.

You didn't even know you were moving until you suddenly found yourself across the stage next to Luke, unable to stop smiling as you sang.

Julie joined you, throwing her arms up in the air happily and jumping around. Reggie appeared by her side, flashing the crowd a winning smile.

Alex stood up and gripped his mic as he sang this solo. You looked back at him and flashed him a proud smile, then whooping loudly when Reggie sang his lines.

You all went down the line hitting your notes until the chorus kicked in again and your heart felt so full you almost couldn't stand it. This was what you were so close to achieving before you died, it was all you had wanted for years, and you knew that if you hadn't died, that night would've changed your life. But this night was something even more special. Because you were all here, all together.

Even if it was just for one last song.

Julie caught your attention and nodded towards the platform that spread out into the crowd. You followed her to the center and stood back to back as everyone cheered.

The guys joined in on either side of you, Alex grabbing one of your hands and Luke holding the other. You all bowed to the audience before taking your cue and vanishing, leaving only Julie on stage.

You landed in the wing, feeling a little lightheaded and overwhelmed from all the emotions you had experienced in the last five minutes. The elated smile fading from your face when all three boys poofed by your side only to fall to the floor instantly.

“It didn’t work.” You said miserably as Julie emerged into the backstage area. She grabbed Flynn and whispered something to her, pointing in the direction of her family. Flynn nodded and disappeared into the crowd while Julie ran to your side.

You hauled Alex onto his feet, letting him lean on you to stay upright while Luke and Reggie trailed behind Julie as she led the group back to the dressing room. Once everyone was inside, they collapsed on the couch or the floor, loudly groaning in pain.

“What happened? Why didn’t it work?” Julie asked tearfully.

“I guess playing here wasn’t our unfinished business.” Alex said hollowly.

“Point Caleb.” Reggie muttered as he clung to the side of an armchair.

You stood frozen next to Julie as panic spread through your whole body, both of you flinching in sympathy as the shocks continued.

“You have to save yourselves right now.” Julie begged. “Join Caleb’s club. It’s better than not existing at all!”

“She’s right.” You managed to say, your voice shaky and almost giving out. Your stomach flipped at the thought of them having to work for an evil club owner forever, but the alternative was worse. “You guys need to go now! For me. For us.”

“We’re not going back there.” Reggie shook his head.

Luke pulled himself up and stumbled forward a little so that he was right in front of you. “No music is worth making if we’re not all making it together.”

You sighed sadly, thinking back to your conversation yesterday. “So no more regrets?”

Luke let out a deep sigh and then reached up and cupped your cheek with his right hand. “Just one.”

You furrowed your eyebrows in response and Luke blinked hard as if he was trying to find the words. "I never told you why I left that night."

"Luke, don't." You gave him a weak smile. "I get it."

"You do?" He asked.

You struggled to get the words out. "Yeah, I mean it was bound to happen eventually. We just got too close and it was weird for you. I understand t-”

"What?" Luke asked, cutting you off with a confused look. "No, no, that's not it at all. Read the-"

Before he could finish, you heard Julie gasp loudly from a few feet away. You looked over to see her stepping back from Alex with an awestruck look on her face as she gripped his forearms.

Wait, what?

Before you could even begin to process what you were seeing, Reggie was reaching out to Julie, who grabbed his wrist and hauled him up to his feet. The three of them stared at each other for a few seconds before Julie turned to you and Luke.

“Guys, come here.”

Alex reached out and pulled you into his side while Luke threw an arm around Reggie’s back and Julie brought you all in closer to her. At first, nothing happened. But then there was a faint buzzing sound and the boys lifted their wrist towards the ceiling and you all watched in awe as the stamp floated away in the blink of an eye.

“Whoa.” Reggie said, his eyes still glued to the ceiling. “I don’t feel as weak anymore.”

“Yeah, me neither.” Alex agreed. “Not that I ever was that weak in the first place.”

You rolled your eyes and let your head fall over on his shoulder. “What do you think that means?”

Luke smiled. “I think it means the band is back.”

It was quiet for a second before Alex looked at you all shyly. “You guys think we can try that hug thing again?”

You laughed as you huddled together again, sniffling and laughing. Then Julie yelled out that you had played the Orpheum and then you were all jumping around, still tangled in each other’s arms.

Eventually, you all broke apart and while the boys started chasing each other around, you turned to Julie. She looked into your eyes and immediately flew into your arms, muttering into your shoulder, “I always wanted a big sister.”

The words warmed your heart and you squeezed her extra hard, grateful that you actually could now. “Well, I’m honored.”

“My family's probably looking for me so..." Julie stepped back from your arms with the biggest smile you’d ever seen on her face, you jokingly bowed to her and she copied the gesture before disappearing behind the door.

You wiped the last of your tears out of your eyes and turned around to find Alex and Reggie were talking in whispers and wearing knowing smiles. When Alex saw you looking, he cleared his throat and nudged Reggie’s shoulder.

“Hey, Reg.” Alex said cheekily, not taking his eyes off of you for even a second. “I was going to check out the next band. You wanna come with me?”

“Sure!” Reggie started strolling towards the door, stopping only for a second to nudge your shoulder and whisper ‘don't do anything I wouldn’t do’ in your ear.

Alex fixed Luke with a pointed look over his shoulder and Reggie gave him a dorky wink before they poofed away. You smiled fondly at the space where they were just standing and awkwardly turned towards Luke.

“Hi.” You said, laughing awkwardly.

“Hi.” Luke muttered back as he stepped forward until he was close enough to grab your hand. “About what I was saying earlier…”

You opened your mouth to say something but he shook his head and pointed to your pocket. “Read it. Please.”

You tugged the note he had given you earlier out of your pocket and carefully folded it open to see that it wasn’t a note at all. It was the love song that Julie had found that day in the garage, the one that he didn’t want anyone to see. You struggled a little trying to decipher Luke's handwriting. The ink was a little smudged and the song was clearly unfinished but it was the most beautiful thing you had ever read. And he had written it for you.

"I didn't leave because we got too close," He said. "It was the opposite, (Y/n), I left because I was scared to lose you, and I know that doesn't make sense because I kind of did w-"

You carefully tucked the paper back in your pocket with one hand and grabbed the back of his neck with the other, pulling him down and closing the last bit of space between you.

Luke's brain short-circuited for a second before he started kissing back, grabbing your waist with enough force to nearly knock you both backwards. It was dizzying and a little desperate, yet weirdly familiar, as if you'd been kissing him your whole life.

Most moments with Luke felt like they were happening in slow motion, but this time it was like a high-speed movie montage of your whole lives. The stolen crayons, the time capsule, the pre performance pep talks, the smell of cinnamon, the ferris wheel, his jacket, the movie nights and songwriting sessions. All of it had led up to this moment.

"I love you." Luke said immediately after you pulled away. "God, I love you so much. I'm such an idiot. I'm sorry."

“Hey, it’s okay.” You laughed, blinking another wave of tears out of your eyes. “I should’ve told you forever ago instead of skirting around it.”

“And what is it that you should’ve told me?” He said teasingly and you rolled your eyes. You had gotten so used to Luke being so shut down or nervous around you that you almost forgot how much of a little shit he could be.

“That I love you too.” You said, unable to stop smiling.

Luke leaned down and captured your lips in another kiss, this time threading his fingers through your hair as he cupped your cheeks in his hands. “I’m never gonna get tired of hearing that.”

You bit your lip to keep another laugh from bubbling up as you looked up at him, feeling completely overwhelmed in the best way possible. "So...what now?"

"I don't know." Luke admitted. "But I know one thing."

"What's that?"

"That no matter where we go, or what we do," He pushed a piece of hair behind your ear. "In life, in death... I'm yours. Always."

-

The End

-

In Life, In Death Taglist:

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Let me know if you want to be added!

[ilove-cedricdiggory]

'M not going anywhere.

Remus x Reader

Requested? - It's part 3!

Summary - After leaving Remus, you found yourself with family in the horribly hot state of Texas. What can come of you now? With friends with worries the size of the state and a heart almost as broken as they come, what on earth can you do with yourself with the man shows up - only, in his werewolf state?

Trigger Warning - cursing, mentions of abortion

Guide - (y/m/n) - Your middle name

This one has a lot of backstory in it, fair warning! It's not super action filled, but the next chapter will be up soon!

When you met Remus, you were in school with him. You had known all about the infamous Maurauders and their love for trouble, but didn't really see much of them. Well, you thought you hadn't. You had seen each of them separately, James was in potions with you, Sirius had been in Care of Magical Creatures with you, Peter in Transfiguration, but Remus, well, you didn't think you had him in anything until 4th year. Separately, you thought they were all good people, kind to you in classes, funny when the lesson was droning on, and calm enough to let you get your notes finished within reasonable time.

By fourth year, you had gotten used to each of the three boys separately. When you met Remus in Charms, hanging out with him as a Prefect while walking through the hallways, then outside of your duties together and with the rest of your friends, it came as a surprise at how different he acted with the three boys.

He was always so incredibly kind, so beautiful with his words to you, so when your feelings for him grew substantially, it didn't seem to surprise you. But, when he actually asked you out in fifth year, with the major confirmation of his friends that, yes, Moony, she's crazy for you! Everyone besides you can see it! Just ask her!, You found yourself speechless.

The Remus Lupin liked you back, and was asking you to your own date this Saturday. Then another one in the Astronomy tower on Tuesday night while everyone else was at dinner. Then Friday at the quidditch game, he asked if you'd sit next to him during the game where he actually held your hand.

Date after date after date had you grinning from ear to ear when he finally asked you to be his girlfriend. Kiss after kiss after kiss had you falling in love with him a little bit more each time you pulled apart and opened your eyes just a second before he did, seeing his face in pure bliss.

When you both finally did admit your love for each other was the day you admitted you had known about Moony long before he told you - which had been on your fourth date on the quidditch pitch, laying on a blanket under the stars.

"I love the stars. Something so far away can still shine that bright." You mumbled, cuddling closer to his warm frame. He was always so warm.

"I don't care much for the night." He admitted, his voice a mumble.

"Remus John Lupin, why on earth do you not like the night? It's so peaceful and breathtaking. The night gives you unlimited possibilities." You had now turned to your side, your elbow propping your head up as you tangled your legs with his.

"You wanna know the truth?" he asked you, which had honestly surprised you. Of course you wanted to know the truth. "Well, why would I want you to lie to me, Rem? Especially about something that you don't care for." Your right hand lifted to run through his hair, fluffing it and leaving it sticking up slightly.

"I don't like the moon." You nodded, showing you were listening to him. "It controls me." He whispered, closing his eyes.

"How does the moon control you?" You knew the answer to your own question, having put two and two together in your fourth year, the night he had swapped prefect duties with the Ravenclaw boy he was just telling you he didn't trust the week before. When you had arrived back in your room, feeling a little hurt at his actions, you looked out your window to see the full moon shining down on the earth, it's glow filling up a bit of the forbidden forest enough for you to see a few creatures running along the sides. A stag, a dog, and a rat? Then you heard it, the long howl filling the quiet. Somehow, you're not sure exactly how, but it all clicked in you faster than you could have blinked.

Prongs - A stag. Padfoot - A dog. Wormtail - A rat. And most importantly, Moony - A werewolf.

You didn't ever bring it up, but with each month, pieces fell right into place. Now, you laid with the man himself, holding his deepest secret in your heart without him even knowing you held it.

"Y/n, as much as I wish I didn't have to tell you this, if I want our relationship to get anywhere, I know I have to." He sighed, his eyes staying closed, refusing to see your reaction. "I'm a werewolf." You let out a fake gasp, your hand leaving his hair to trace one of the scars on his forehead.

"I- I'm sorry." You whispered, your eyes staying on his. "You're sorry you don't wanna date me anymore?" He quizzed you, finally opening his eyes to face you. This caused you to let out a small chuckle, shaking your head. "Rem, why on earth would I not wanna date you anymore?" Your hand moved back to his hair, your nails scratching softly at his scalp. "I could hurt you, y/n." He spoke, his voice soft and full of fear.

"Remus, you've known me for a year now. You could have hurt me any other full moon, what would us dating change? It's not like I'm going to follow you out into the woods when you shift. It's not like I'm going to go out searching for you when you are out in your wolf form. It means I'd get to kiss each wound when you come back. It means I'd get to hold you in my arms and read to you every once in a while. It means I'd get to go on cute dates and make you bake with me in the kitchens. You being a wolf doesn't change anything." You shrugged nonchalantly, smiling up at him.

That night, Remus kissed you. He kissed you almost a thousand times. He kissed you so much that, when you woke up the next morning, your lips were still swollen.

After you and Remus had really been a couple for a while, you had realized how much he loved to sniff you. You didn't know if it was the Remus in him, or the Moony in him, but it didn't really bother you. You loved smelling him, why would it be so weird if he smelled you? If you were cuddling, his nose would burry in your hair, or your neck, or your chest, and he'd slowly inhale your scent to calm himself down.

If you were walking down the hallways, he bring your intertwined hands to lay a soft kiss on it before inhaling your scent, kissing it once more, then bringing them back down to sway as you walked.

If he had a horrible day, a bad full moon, or just felt off, he'd search the entire grounds until he found you, look your right in your eyes as he walked right to you, grab you by your waist, and pull you into him to hug you as tightly as he could, inhaling your intoxicating scent for himself.

This had caused you to start leaving a piece of your clothing in the bag they took with them when he turned, so he'd have something with him he could smell that reminded him of you. You were never sure if it helped or not, you never asked him and he never brought it up, but it gave you a sense of comfort each full moon.

But now, standing in front of the wolf himself, watching as his snout lifted into the air and took a deep inhale, well, it didn't exactly comfort you.

Which is why, with your eyes set on him, you reached down and into your boot, gripping onto the end of your wand, before pulling up and sending out two purple balls of light, each of them shooting into both of the houses around you.

This hadn't fazed him, for his eyes were still set on you, as he took a step closer. Before you had time to react, a dog had shot infront of you, growling at the creature before you. Right as he stepped, Moony bent down and growled at Sirius, but his a tone deeper and dripping with a warning.

It must have surprised Sirius, for he whimpered and stepped backwards, closer to your frame, which didn't help his case for Moony then snapped at him, stepping closer to him.

"Sirius, get behind Y/n." Your grandfather had stepped out his face door in a rush, his eyes taking in the scene before him. "Sirius, get behind Y/n and get into the house." Sirius whined at the older man, not wanting to leave you alone.

"Lily is in labor." You called to the man, watching him nod. "Sirius, if you run six blocks east, there is a small cottage. It's blue with white shutters on the left side. That's the healer closest to us. She'll come." This got Sirius to move, quickly rushing out of the gated yards.

"Now, y/n, he's not going to hurt you. I've only ever seen this once, but he recognizes your scent and the scent of your kids. It's kinda like he's sensing a mate with you because of your kids. Just stay calm. I'm surprised he hasn't already tackled you to the ground. Just, slowly sit down and let him come to you."

The last thing you expected of this night was the situation at hand, but now, you were sitting on the cold rocks, slightly shivering, your best friend in labor in the house behind you, watching your financé (?) slowly walk towards you, almost like Moony was afraid to frighten you.

He leaned down on all fours before he lowered his head into your lap, inhaling your scent deeply before letting it rest fully on your legs. His nose rested right at your belly bump, rubbing it slightly on your clothed stomach before letting out a sigh of relief.

You looked up at your grandfather, seeing him watching you intently. "Don't move, not that he'll let you. I will bring out a few pillows and a blanket for you. I'll make sure the healer helps Lily." You nodded, your eyes now moving to look down at Moony.

You hadn't ever seen him in his wolf state, but he somehow still looked handsome. His eyes were now closed, his body relaxed as he soaked in your scent.

"What do you mean, you're not joining the Order?" Remus yelled at you, his face red with fury. There were very few times Remus was this angry with you, usually when you had been neglecting yourself of necessities. But, this time, he was raging in fury with your absolute denial to join the war.

"Remus, I'm just saying I'm not going to go out and fight! Molly doesn't! I'm going to stay back and help where I'm needed. There are tons of you going to fight, I'm staying back to take care of everyone that doesn't go on the missions! What do you want from me?! I wasn't good at defensive spells, I wasn't good at duels! Do you want me to go out there and fucking die?" This caused him to quiet down, your fury having grown substantially.

The two of you sat in silence for a few moments, allowing you both to calm down. "I don't want you to die. I would kill myself if you ended up dying on one of the missions." Remus' voice was soft and full of fear now. "Then why do you want me to go out there and fight, Rem? You are the one that saw me up past midnight trying to learn the defensive spells so often. You're the one I made duel with me night after night to try to improve. You of all people know that I couldn't properly protect myself or anyone else if I went."

He nodded, hating to admit that you were right. He had even told you, seventh year, "Baby, I love you, but you're definitely not getting your excellent mark on this. You'll pass, but barely." You had been much more skilled in potions and herbology, not in the defensive skills.

"I just, I can't stand the idea of you being back home if the order gets attacked. I know that's stupid, I know that's irrational, it's much more dangerous to actually be out there, I'm just scared." It hurt your heart to hear him admit how scared he was, but, you all were scared. You were growing up in a war that shouldn't be yours to fight.

"Remus, while I stink at my defensive skills, have you seen Molly Weasley? The woman survives on defensive skills, all her kids figuring out how to moderately work their magic. I think I'm safer with her than with you." This caused him to break into a small smile, but wrap you up tightly in his arms. "You're not safer with anyone else but me. I'd murder Voldemort himself before he touched you." You gasped at the use of his name, turning to eye the love of your life. "You said his name." You whispered, your eyes wide. "Well, I'd use his name to his face if it kept you out of harm's way."

You had dozed off a bit, your head laying back on the pillow Sirius had brought you, having gawked at the wolf fast asleep in your hold. "We always knew your scent calmed him, it always did when you gave him some of your clothes, but this? I'd never thought I'd live to see the day Moony didn't try to attack whoever was in front of him."

You had only been awoken by James, tapping on your shoulder. You jerked awake, seeing Moony still asleep in your hold. "Lily had the baby, a girl. They're both up in our room, but she wanted me to come tell you and check up on you." He eyed Moony warily, fear still evident in his body, worried the wolf would awake and tear you to shreds. "I'm so glad. Did everything go okay?" Your voice was a whisper, not wanting to wake the wolf either.

"Yeah, the healer said she did great. Hardly needed the help." James sat down beside you, but scooted a foot away from you when Moony growled in his sleep, the foreign scent mixing with yours. "It's weird, seeing him like this. All the nights we were out there with him, trying to keep him from tearing into Hogwarts and keep him away from you when it's apparently all he needed." James shook his head, attempting to remove the shock from his head.

"I don't think he needs me anymore." You whispered. While it hurt you to say, you honestly believed it. The man let you leave without a sliver of doubt. He watched you walk out of the home you built together, taking his kids with you.

"Y/n, he searched the world until he found you, of course he needs you." James didn't say anything about you needing to forgive him, about you needing to hear him out, because he didn't think Remus deserved that. He just knew that Remus did need you. "He should be shifting back soon. I brought out some of his clothes I found in your stuff." He gestured to the pile of clothes beside the both of you before standing up.

"When you guys get inside, Lily would love for you to come in and meet her." You smiled at that, nodding. "It would be my honor."

You laid back down, listening to the morning sounds slowly begin, until you felt the movement under you, watching for your own eyes as Remus shifted back into himself. He groaned, the pain filling his frame once more within 12 hours, the sounds of his groans bringing tears to your eyes.

Once he was fully to himself, his eyes opened and met yours, widening. "What?" He asked softly, his gaze not leaving yours. You reached over, grabbing the clothes brought out for him before dropping them on his chest. He sat up without another word, removing his body from yours and beginning to get dressed.

He stood, pulling the boxers and pants on as you stood yourself. You grabbed the pillows and blankets, waiting until he began to pull on the sweater before rushing inside, hoping to escape the looming conversation.

You set the things down in the living room before slowly creeping up the stairs and towards the room with Lily and James, hearing a soft and small cry emitting from it. You knocked softly, hearing the "come in" before you creaked open the door. "Hey you four." You whispered, seeing Harry fast asleep on James' chest.

"Y/n, thank Merlin." Lily spoke, her eyes welling with tears at the sight of you. "I was so worried. I didn't know what happened." You smiled, walking closer to the woman. "It's all okay, it's a long story, but it's all okay." You walked closer until you were at the edge of the bed, looking down at Lily and the beautiful baby girl.

"Take her." Lily whispered, looking up at you. "What?" you asked, your eyes wide. "You're gonna need the practice, take her." You nodded, slowly grabbing the baby from Lily, coddling her to your chest.

"Y/n!" You heard Remus call before turning into the room, staring at you holding the baby. "You had her?" Remus now asked Lily, smiling widely. "Mhm, last night. Looks like two people decided to make an entrance." Lily laughed, smiling at you.

"She's beautiful." You whispered, your eyes having stayed on the baby in yours arms. "What's her name?" You looked down at Lily, now seeing James awake and looking at you. "Well, we wanted to confirm with you, but we wanted to name her Harley y/m/n Potter." You gasped softly, looking down at the two parents.

"Are you sure?" They both nodded before you finished speaking, "More than sure." Your tears fell freely as you looked down at the baby, seeing her now asleep in your warm hold. "I'd be honored."

Remus had now walked to you, standing behind you as he looked down, his eyes set on you holding the baby girl, pregnant with his own kids. His gaze moved to the ceiling, holding in tears before he glanced at the bed, seeing James glaring daggers into his frame.

"Here, I'm gonna go freshen up. She's absolutely beautiful, guys." You carefully handed Harley back to her mom before quickly walking out of their room, but stopping a few steps away to hear James speak.

"Fucking prat, there the fuck you are! Where have you been?!" His voice was harsh, angry at his best mate. "Looking for her, what else! The second she left Molly's, I've been looking!" Remus' voice was scratchy like it was every morning after a turn.

"Yeah, well, you're a dick." Lily spoke up, still looking down at her baby girl. "I still think Sirius should have punched you harder." Remus nodded, looking at the floor.

"I can't believe I said that to her, guys. What the fuck kind of person am I?" His voice was growing rougher, his eyes swelling with tears. "Don't go on about this with us, mate. You're in the same house as her, go tell her." That caused you to walk off quickly, moving to your room, shutting the door and leaning against it.

Your hands wrapped around your belly, bringing you back to the day you apparated out of Molly's living room, having held your stomach the same way, protecting your children. What on earth do you say to him? What did you want from him?

You weren't sure what the answer was to either of those questions, which is why you quickly left your room and slipped into the bathroom. He couldn't talk to you if you were in the shower. You confirmed you had your bathroom items before jumping into the shower, taking the longest shower you had ever taken in your life.

While you stood, shampoo in your hair, you thought.

What if he still doesn't want them? I'd have to stay here. I'd move in fully and live in Texas. Texas, really? It's so fucking hot and I'd miss snow. Then I'd move in with Molly. Nope, no way, there are already 7 kids there, she does not need two more. Then, James and Lily? Nope. She just had another newborn, there was no way you'd bug them with this. Sirius. That's where you'd go. He had tons of space and you're sure he'd be more than okay with you there.

But, what if he changed his mind? What if he did want them? How could you trust that? How could you possibly believe he'd want them after immediately suggesting they be gotten rid of?

As you applied the conditioner, you wished you could just go back to the easier things. The happier things. The things that had you almost thinking you lived in a world not plagued with pending war.

Five years after graduation. You were sitting in Remus' lap at James and Lily's place, still getting used to Peter not being around. Harry now being two had you all more than happy, listening to his vocabulary grow.

The football game was on, the muggle TV playing as Lily still attempted to explain it to Sirius and James. Remus had his arms around you, his gaze no longer on the TV, but on Harry as he played on the floor with his stuffed dragon. "I can't believe you got him a muggle toy." He laughed in your ear, the smile evident on his face. "Well, he loves Dragons! I couldn't not buy it." You smiled at your boyfriend, kissing his nose softly. The night carried on, the five of you playing a few games of sharades, but you exiting the room to grab the next plate of sliders to bring into the room.

As you sat back down, Harry walked up to you, sat in your lap, and grabbed your face. "Mawwy me." He giggled softly, your eyebrows furrowing as Lily quickly yanked him from your lap, nervously chuckling. "Hah, sorry, don't know where that came from" You looked around the room, all four faces refusing to look at you, all of them nervously laughing along with Lily.

"Did Harry just ask me to marry him?" You watched as they glanced around nervously before breaking out, talking over each other. "What, psh, no way." "Where would he have learned how to do that?" "I didn't hear that, did you hear that?" "No, but I did." All talked stopped, everyone looking at Remus. "What did you just say?"

Remus took a deep breath, moving off the couch and turning to look at you, before bending down onto one knee. "I've been talking to them a lot about how I was going to ask you, but seeing as how Harry beat me to the punch, let's do it right now. Y/n, right in front of our friends and a little boy who doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut." James tickled Harry, causing him to giggle as you all smiled. "I'm asking the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my entire life, the girl who showed me that being something you can't control doesn't make you a monster, the girl who makes me smile with just a single giggle, to marry me. You have shown me a happiness I thought everyone was faking, a love that I didn't think existed outside of James and Lily and Molly and Arthur, and a kindness I thought had left the world.

"So, in the living room of our best friends, surrounded by food I think Harry might have stuck his fingers in, I ask you to marry me. Make me the happiest man in the world and marry me."

You thought his proposal had been so incredibly beautiful, better than any you ever could have imagined. As you rinsed off the extra shaving cream from your legs, you sighed deeply. How did your love life come to this?

Eventually, you had exited the shower, tying the bathrobe around your bump before opening the bathroom door, walking out and jumping at the sight of Remus sitting on your bed.

"Fuck, you scared me." You clutched your belly, looking at the man. "Oh, shoot, sorry." You pulled the robe tighter, seeing his eyes flutter down to his legs. It hurt your heart to think you needed to cover up from him, but you attempted to cover the large bump behind the robe.

"Let me, uh, let me change really quick." You grabbed your underwear from your dresser before rushing into the closet, shutting the door and dressing in a shirt and a baggier set of overalls, hoping it didn't show your belly too much. When you walked out, Remus was now pacing the floor, his hands gripping his hair tightly.

"Rem, stop, it's fine." you quickly walked to him, pulling his hands from his hair. "I'm glad you're okay." You mumbled the words, taking a step back from him. He inhaled deeply, his eyes shutting.

"I can still smell the change in your scent. Really, Moony can, but I can still tell." You nodded, stepping back once more.

"Y/n, we need to talk." You laughed bitterly, a mix of anger and sadness filling your body. "You think we need to talk, Remus? You think so? You think we should talk about the fact that, the second you got back from being on a mission you could have died on, you yelled at me for something I couldn't control? You think we should talk about the fact that you basically told me to abort our kids? You think we should talk about the fact that you let me walk out of our home without trying to stop me? You think we should talk about that?"

Your hands were shaking in anger, your eyes swelling up with tears. Damn, how much can one person cry? Your hands gripped your own hair now, pulling it in anger. "How can I cry this much? How does this happen?" You shouted in anger, now at yourself. "Fucking hormones!" Your hands fell to your sides, your eyes squeezed shut before your felt yourself in the hold of him.

His scent filled you, filled you up until your body relaxed involuntarily. "'S okay, I'm right here. I'm right here." One hand went up to smooth the hair that you yanked, the other firmly holding you to him. Your hands wrapped around him, grasping onto the fabric of his shirt at his back. "I'm so fucking mad at you, Remus. So fucking mad." Your tears slowed, your eyes closing as you finally felt safe.

He had been your safe place for so long and going without him for this long had kept your body weak. Now, relaxed in his hold, your body begged for decent sleep. You allowed yourself to go limp in his hold, feeling him pick you up bridal style and walk to both to the bed, curling up with you in his arms. "'M right here, love. Right here and I'm not going anywhere." You drifted to sleep, holding him with as much strength as you could as you slept.

~

Tag list -

@gog0juice @isabellamur @tae-v-val @missmulti @brod16 @justmesadgirl @little-bit-of-randomness @emptyporsche @pan-pride-12 @zabrynaskylar @introverted-gal @girl22334 @lilacskiesandpolaroids @crowleysqueenofhell @tb-ctn @y0urlocallos3r @voidmalfoy @chickeebabe @sadieswanson @fredweasleysbitchh @rachaelluvil @thelastwildangel @dan-knee-03 @dive-the-frogger @delaneychamberlain @mahleigham

[kaiparker-avengerssmut]

Our Doll 13//Rumlow

B.Barnes x S.Rogers, B.Barnes x Stark!Reader, S.Rogers x Stark!Reader

Series Synopsis | After the events of the horrific past, y/n Stark, Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes have finally admitted their feelings for each other. But is life as an avenger whilst dating two super soldiers any easier than anything y/n’s experienced in the past?

sequel Series to Their Doll

Series Warnings | smut, violence, torture, swearing, threesomes, drug usage/substance abuse

Chapter Summary | Peter comes up with a plan to get y/n to safety. Steve attempts to find the man controlling her

Warnings | swearing maybe? Slight violence

A/n | This is a sequel book/series to my fic Their Doll! This book loosely follows the mcu timeline, starting in CAWS in book one and starting just before AOU in this book. Bucky had been recovered and is safe, and Peter was taken under Tony's wing when he was much younger.

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

The plan was simple.

Get in, get her out.

Peter, to his credit, had thought through the plan in such detail that Bucky was strained to find a fault. Even a small one.

The boy had recruited Bucky and Wanda to reenact his scheme, the two being the only people he knew would be one hundred percent on board.

Other than Steve, who was on a 'very important mission' and wouldn't tell anyone about it. All they knew was that he'd taken a strike team with him and didn't know when he would be back.

He'd thought through everything: how to avoid triggering any alarms, which doors to use, who would do what to make everything seem less suspicious. He'd even considered the physics of anyone being able to spot them running from any of the rooms around the back of the compound, from any angle.

Just in case someone was angsty and couldn't sleep, he'd informed Bucky and Wanda.

Peter was currently hanging from the side of the glassy building, webs holding strong as he leant his weight back into them and waited for the signal.

Bucky was down in the cell with y/n, under the pretence of checking on her as Wanda used her powers to break into the security system. The aim was to retrieve y/n without making a sound, or alert the others.

A flash of red. The quiet click of a door shutting.

Peter took his cue.

The boy swung down, quickly webbing the heavy, metal door shut when the flutter of ginger had followed Bucky and y/n out the back of the compound.

Door sealed and little chance of a break-in, Peter goaded the three Avengers past the tree line as he swung from branch to creaky branch.

"Go, go, go!" His voice was coming out as a hoarse whisper as Bucky's legs worked mechanically - y/n's sleeping frame locked tightly against his chest as Wanda followed closely behind.

The girl's head kept turning, checking behind them to see if anyone was following. But no one was ever there, only the crisscrossed leaves and shrubs covering their tracks with such accuracy that the scarlet witch could hardly believe it.

Bucky broke through the clearing just after Peter, the young boy already holding the car door open for Bucky to slide his girl onto the backseat.

The car was run-down and shabby - looking just old enough to blend in but not too obvious as if to scream 'were trying to be inconspicuous'.

The car door shut as slowly as Bucky could make it before he was running around to the front - bionic arm yanking the driver's side door open before he hopped in himself.

"Are you going to be alright?" Wanda asked, only a hint of her accent left to grace her voice now. Bucky nodded, nimble fingers twisting the keys in the ignition until the car roared to life.

She wiggled her fingers, a movement Bucky struggled not to find funny, and a little stream of glowing crimson flowed from them. It curled under y/n's nose, the sleeping girl instantly groaning with protest as she begun to stir.

"Tell Steve I'm sorry, but this was the only way." Bucky gritted out, throat dry and sticky as the words crawled into his mouth. Wanda nodded, ready to walk away when Bucky's hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"And give him this - but only when he starts to look for us." Bucky proclaimed, taking a ruffled envelope from one of his pockets; the paper was crinkled and creased, had clearly been stuffed into his pocket for a while now.

Wanda took the letter between her fingers, a small tear pricking at her eye when she read the name scribbled over the back in rushed - yet somehow neat - handwriting:

My greatest love...

"I will, he'll get it." Wanda nodded, folding the envelope and pushing it into her back pocket. "I promise."

"Thank you." With his last words spoken, Bucky gave a thankful nod to Peter - who had hung back awkwardly behind Wanda until now - before rolling his window up and pressing his foot on the accelerator.

Steve's foot stung as it crashed through the door, yet the super soldier ignored it as he paced past the now-splintered wood with little care.

"Where is he?!" Steve spat, the words like a venom in his mouth as he crowded a cowering man in black tack gear. His strike team followed closely behind, guns raised in a defensive position just in case there were unexpected hostiles in the room.

"I-I don't know! I swear!" The man stuttered, teeth clashing together as he stumbled blindly backwards towards a wall. He squeaked when he made contact with the bricks, sucking in a breath as Steve held his shield against the man's neck.

"I don't believe you." Steve grated through bared teeth, the vein popping out in his forehead as he flushed red with anger. "Tell me."

"Okay! Okay, I'll tell you." The man whimpered as Steve pressed the shield harsher against his oesophagus, his shaking hands raised in hopeless surrender. "He's in a safe house, a few miles from here - he recently came back for supplies then left. He said he'd never be coming back."

Steve pulled away as the man cowered, a shout of annoyance ripping from his throat as he threw the shield against the wall.

Steve grunted as he caught the vibranium, looking over to his team.

"We need to find him! I won't have my girlfriend controlled by some- some monster!" Steve barked. A chorus of 'yes, Captain's echoed from the men. Someone was already on comms and Steve was careering back across the room.

"Captain, we may have a location." One of his men spoke up sheepishly after a moment, pulling away from their laptop.

"And?" Steve prompted, brow raised.

"It's only a few miles north - we could be there within minutes and they'd never see us coming." Steve sprung into action at the words; he pushed off the table he'd been leant against and made his way outside the building they'd just breached.

"Find a car with keys in - our vans are too obvious and can be spotted from a mile away." Steve directed.

"Yes, Captain." One of his team said, and they were quickly followed by two others as they went in search for a car.

"We need to be quick and inconspicuous - turn off the comms, they may be able to detect the link. I want all out - if we fail, y/n could never be back to full control again. Got it?" Steve finished his instruction as he turned around to face the rest of his team and they all nodded. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, captain!" They all agreed.

"Then get to it."

So much for a simple plan.

...

"B-bucky? Where am I?" Y/n's voice was saturated with sleep, drowsy and dopey as she propped her frame up on her elbow. "Where are we?"

"We're going somewhere safe, Doll. You're going to be safe now." Bucky promised, blue eyes flitting to meet y/n's in the mirror as he kept his hands on the steering wheel in a firm grip.

"Where's Steve?" Bucky felt his heart drop at the words. This was the only downfall of Peter's plan - they'd have to leave Steve.

"He's on a mission." Bucky answered simply.

"He's not coming with us, is he?" Y/n affirmed, eyes glinting with a hue of guilt.

"No."

"What- I had some dreams...I think." Y/n mumbled, pressing her hand to her forehead as she felt a dull ache forming.

"Were they good?" Bucky asked, making a left at a junction. Y/n took a moment to assemble her words.

"The best. It was- it was our life, Bucky. But it was..." she trailed off, pieces of her story shattering away from her memory.

"In the 40s?" Bucky finished for her and y/n's eyes widened.

"Yes. How did you know?" Y/n demanded with squinted eyes and Bucky chuckled lightly.

"They weren't dreams, doll. Wanda made a new reality in your mind. Someone was getting in so we had to keep them out. Now put your seatbelt on." Bucky explained and y/n have him a glare.

"So who, uh, how was it possible?" Y/n queried as she sat up properly. The soft click of her buckle filled the space of the small car until Bucky answered.

"Wanda. She's been so helpful, that Parker boy too." Bucky commented and y/n quirked a brow.

"Peter?"

"Yeah, this whole plan to get you out was his idea. Smart boy." Bucky commended.

"Huh." The girl considered. "Do you know who was - what did you say? - 'getting into' my mind?" Bucky sucked in a breath. Y/n frowned and nudged his shoulder with the tips of her fingers. "Tell me."

"Rumlow."

Bucky Barnes Series/mini Series | @buckysgirl101 @quxxnxfhxll @marvelhoesworld @macylawz @zaphdekota @theoldermanswhore @addriaenne @thegirlwiththeimpala @turkish276 @lilpopizzle @gooseyhouse @ohmy-fandoms @harrysthiccthighss @partiesandblurrypolaroids @prettysbliss @the-surviving-revolutionist @white-wolf1940 @dpaccione @tenaciousperfectionunknown @loveyou5everr @vallerydevora @multihoee @supraveng @cap-n-ce @sebbyxlover @jeremyrennermakesmesmile @veronicapaula @ravenmoore14 @frickin-bats @itstaylorcale @sunflowerbunny2 @spookyparadisesheep

[onmykneesforhotdilfs]

☆ For better or worse ☆

Author's note: Another sparxshipping, yeah, no surprise here. WHY AM I SUDDENLY OBSESSED WITH VILLAN/HERO PAIRING??? Anyways... in this story Bloom didn't destroy Valtor(obviously because I'm a trash and a sucker for happy ending, probably because there are so little of those in real life) and the story kicks off in season 4 and continues through the very same season.

Summary: leaving him alive proves to be the worst decision she's ever made... until it turns to be the best

Warnings: LEMON, SMUT, however the fuck you choose to call it, anyways, SEX

For better or worse

Fuck.

Bloom cursed in her head. Why the fuck did she think leaving him alive would be a good idea.

"Because you're a stupid bitch and apparently a masochist as well." The voice inside her head, that Bloom recognized as her own, spoke mockingly. Sure, leaving Valtor alive seemed like a pretty good idea at the moment she should have been the one to pull the metaphorical trigger. But right now, as the said wizard sat in front of her in her living room in Alfea drinking fucking tea while waiting for headmistress Faragonda, it seemed like it could take the cake in her imaginary competition of Bloom's worst decisions.

She sighed. Valtor looked at her. And then he had the audacity to smirk at her like he fucking knew she was regretting her stupid moral compass. And if fighting him for almost a year now has thought her anything, it was thet he probably did know that. Just why couldn't she be more like Icy or maybe Valtor himself? She sure as hell wouldn't be in this position right now if she were. She buried her head in her hands that rested on her knees. "Stupid."

Her train of thoughts was brought to an abrupt stop as the door to her room opened and headmistress strolled in, Grizzelda hot on her tail. Faragonda looked at Bloom before turning her gaze to the man that currently occupied the sofa, still not paying attention to anything in particular, while sipping his tea that Flora generously offered him. Faragonda frowned. Bloom face palmed and elbowed Valtor in his ribs causing him to almost spill the tea all over himself and her in the process.

Valtor, in exchange, shot her a nasty look while attempting not to choke with a surprisingly delicious tea that the fairy of nature gave him. When he was satisfied with amount of glaring he projected at Bloom, he turned to the old bat. He sat his teacup on the table and then promptly swung his arms so they rested at the back of the sofa while he propped his boot clad feet on the coffee table. He saw Bloom narrow her eyes at him in his peripheral vision and he let smirk grace his face once again. She was so easy to rile up. The old bat, however, chose not to respond to his seemingly lack of manners (because she knew he had impeccable manners, and because she also knew he was doing this to simply rise an emotional response from lesser beings) and instead she cleared her throat and began with a speech that will for sure give Valtor's ears good reason to bleed. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes so hard they might get stuck.

"I understand this was a somehow... sudden decision." She was looking at Bloom while she was saying that and the said girl lowered her gaze to the floor, seemingly regretting it now. "However, I'm willing to compromise this one time. If, of course, Valtor proves himself worthy of such decision." Her gaze switched to him as she spoke and this time he did roll his eyes, albeit not too hard.

"And what, pray tell," his blue eyes met Faragonda's, "is that supposed to mean?"

The girls, Winx (whom decided to join the conversation, Valtor noted) and Bloom gave him the look that said 'shut up before she sends you back to Omega or does something worse'. Valtor's eyes rolled to the back of his head. Apparently that will become a part of his routine since he will be staying with these girls that were no older than 20. That made Valtor a bit self concious, he was after all, old. Now he looked good, he knew that much. His body was still in top physical shape, broad shoulders, muscular chest, abdomen and thighs, high cheekbones... the Trix seemed all too fond of his looks, so he knew he looked damn good. Still, being in a presence of very young, vital, good looking women didn't help his case. Faragonda halted that train of thoughts when she spoke again.

"It means, my dear Valtor, that you will be under the watchful eye of an entire magical council and the Winx and myself." Her eyes were smiling as she said this and Valtor had to suppress a groan and instead opted for a glare. She didn't flinch. "Do I make myself perfectly clear?" The girls nodded and Valtor, though reluctantly, nodded as well. Seemingly satisfied with everything, Faragonda gave a nod of approval then turned on her heel and marched out of the room, Grizzelda once again on her tail. Valtor let out a breath he was unaware he was holding and lowered his feet form the coffee table. He turned to Bloom that was looking at him with a guarded look in her eyes.

The rest of the Winx club was looking between the two keepers of the dragon flame unsure whether to interrupt their starring contest or not. Without breaking eye contact, the fiery fairy snapped her fingers and levitated pillow and a blanked that she sat between her and Valtor on the couch. He raised an eyebrow.

"So I'm assuming I'll be the one to take the couch." It was more of a statement rather than a question. The fairy gave him a nod and then without looking back rose from the couch and headed to her room, the rest of the Winx following suit, not without leaving Valtor with a 'watch what you're doing' glare. The fairy of nature was the last to leave the room, but not before giving his shoulder a squeeze. He was surprised but shook it off never the less. The Lymphea fairy seemed like the friendliest of them all anyway. He made his 'bed' and then crawled in between the sheets, not before shedding his clothes and leaving them on a nearby chair, and then promptly passed out from exhaustion.

Morning came too soon for Valtor. He always had a problem sleeping in a room where it wasn't completely dark, and since this was his luck, girl's room was full of fucking windows and facing East. As soon as the first specks of light hit those windows, Valtor's sleep was lost. He groaned, a sound low in his throat, as he shifted on the uncomfortable couch, turning on the other side and slamming a pillow over his face. And when he said uncomfortable he meant uncomfortable. "Seriously, how can anyone sleep on this shit?" When he realized there was no going back to sleep, he finally opened his eyes and sat up while the joints in his neck and back protested, loudly.

Little miss perfect apparently took more out of him that he'd anticipated in the first place. Everything was hurting, every bone, every muscle and every joint. But he felt lighter than he'd ever felt in his entire life. Probably because there was no demon resting inside of him, Bloom took care of that, oh, and his connection with the Ancestral witches was, as of yesterday, nonexisting as well. Fairy dust can work miracles. He rolled his neck from side to side, feeling and hearing his joints creak and mentally cringed at the noise. "What a horrendous sound." He stood up and raised his arms above his head thankfully not hearing anything break or snap. He was about to take his clothes and use the bathroom when the door to one of the dorms opened and half asleep redheaded fairy stepped out of it. She was rubbing her eyes, quite adorably Valtor noted, but she stopped the moment her gaze landed on him. Her cheeks turned as red as her hair and Valtor rised an eyebrow.

"What?" He asked, not maliciously but genuinely curious.

The fairy rolled her eyes and gestured to him with her arms. He looked at himself and only then realized he was clad in his boxers that left almost nothing to the imagination. He managed to stop himself from turning as red as Bloom, but light pink still crossed his cheekbones.

"Why are you almost naked in our living room?" She asked with raised eyebrows, her blush still quite evident on her cheeks.

Valtor smirked. "Don't tell me you've never seen a man naked Bloom. And if you haven't, well then, I would be happy to provide a reference." A pillow slammed in his face and he staggered a bit, loosing his balance form an unexpected impact.

Princess of Domino sent him a grin, while Valtor had to physically restrain himself from using magic. Harming his saviour won't do him any good. Instead he dropped the pillow on the floor and stalked towards Bloom that stood leaning on the door was still sporting that grin. He saw her breath catch in her throat when she saw him striding towards him and he smirked. He only brushed passed her however, and entered the bathroom. He locked the door, slid the last remaining article of clothing to the floor and then stepped into the shower, letting warm water soothe his aching muscles and joints. He didn't linger long, opting to quickly wash his hair and then shut the water and get out. He brushed his teeth and then brushed his hair as well, stupid thing was prone to tangles, and then looked in the mirror. Dark circles still rested underneath his eyes but they were less noticeable. Sleep helped. He felt refreshed and better than he'd felt in a long time. He looked at his clothes. "This won't do." He snapped his fingers and his traditional clothes was exchanged for something lighter and more practical. He ditched his coat and vest, leaving only white shirt (without ruffles this time, and more modern looking for sure) and black slacks instead of his signature purple, while his boots became nice looking shoes while still maintaining comfort. He dressed and starred in the mirror. The person starring back looked like Valtor but it didn't feel like Valtor.

Gone was the power hungry megalomaniac and in his place stood just a normal wizard. He dried his hair using magic because he had no time nor patience to do so with a blow dryer. A knock on the door brought him back to the earth. He opened the door and before stood him a fiery fairy twisted in an unnatural position with her legs crossed and squeezed together. She was glaring at him.

"Took your sweet time, haven't you?" He raised an eyebrow at her tone. It somehow managed to be both teasing and bitter at the same time. How she did that, he had no idea.

"I would have let you do your business if you had told me you had to go." She seemed surprised but she brushed past him and Valtor closed the door on his way out. He was, after all, a gentleman. He heard the shower start and made his way to the kitchen. Might as well make himself useful. Or he would have, if he knew what girls preferred for breakfast. He rolled his eyes and debated asking Bloom about it. He shrugged and took off towards bathroom again. "What the hell." Its not as if he wasn't bored. He knocked on the door and when he heard a muffled 'who is it' he opened the door while putting his hand over his eyes. He heard a scream and Bloom shrieked at him. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING GET OUT!!!"

"Relax princess. I'm only here to as you if I should start making breakfast and coffee." He rolled his eyes behind his hand.

"AND YOU COULDN'T HAVE WAITED UNTIL I GOT OUT OF THE SHOWER???" She was still screaming, how she had energy this early in the morning was beyond him.

He shrugged. "I was bored."

He heard her sigh. When she spoke her voice was back to normal. "An omelet should be fine. Coffee is in the upper cupboards." He nodded and said his thanks, then promptly turned and closed the door on his way out.

When Bloom got out of the shower she was greeted with the weirdest sight she has ever seen. Valtor stood in their kitchen clad in different type of outfit than she was accustomed to seeing on him and he was making breakfast. Just a sight of a crazy megalomaniac standing in her kitchen making food for her and her friends was enough to crack her up and she doubled over in laughter. She had to support herself with a hand pressed to a wall to stop herself from falling over. Her loud cackles woke the rest of the club up and one by one they made their way out of their rooms. Fairy of shining sun, Stella, wasn't too happy that she was woken up so early. But she too lighten up when she saw coffee and breakfast on the table. She rushed over to Valtor, who was still sending a nasty glare towards a redhead, and took coffee mug out of his hands and then proceeded to swallow every last drop in a few gulps. At that sight Bloom lost it once again, or it might have been a stupid face expression Valtor was for sure sporting. A girl he was enemy with until yesterday approaches and then proceeds to take the mug he was drinking from and the promptly gulp down it's content, was surprising to say the least. Blond fairy turned towards him, surprise written all over her face.

"You made this?" She asked with eyes wide as dinner plates. Valtor nodded. She squealed, squealed, and then threw her arms around him i a hug he was definitely not prepared for. "You are making coffee form now on. Sorry Bloom, you're fired."

The girl in question was supported by her roommate, the fairy of nature, as she was still struggling to control her giggles. She wiped a tear from her eye and let out a few more giggles before finally composing herself. She looked at Valtor.

"I'm sorry, that just took me by surprise." She said with a smile on her face and Valtor couldn't bring himself to hold this against her.

"What, your prince or Eraklyon doesn't know how to make breakfast?" He inquired mockingly but the girl only smiled.

"I doubt any of them know how to make breakfast." It was a musical fairy, Musa if he remembered correctly, that provided an answer.

Valtor shook his head and gestured at the table. Six girls eagerly sat down while Valtor put plates with omelet and mugs of coffee in front of them. He took a seat as well. He was seated between Bloom and princess of Andros, Leyla. Leyla was shooting him looks every now and then, but that was normal, he deduced. He was, after all, responsible for everything that happened on her home planet. He made a mental note to apologize later. They ate in comfortable silence that was occasionally broken by the Solarian fairy. After breakfast Bloom offered to take care of the dishes until Valtor took the plates out of her hands.

She was surprised, and if judging by the looks the rest of the Winx were giving him, so were they. He shrugged. "I'm bored."

Bloom rolled her eyes but let the wizard have his way anyway.

In between next few months they all spent together, a bond formed. They would take turns making meals, event thought it was Valtor that was responsible for majority of them. Faragonda became more trusting because she gave him permission to use the school library as long as he doesn't steal any spells. He stuck to his promise, because he liked the access he had to everything but at the same time he didn't feel the need to steal anything. He was slowly rebuilding his powers, the only exception being the dark magic because he didn't possesse any if that anymore.

And so the time to resurrect Domino came. Valtor was surprised that Bloom found a way to do such thing. He himself thought it would be impossible to save his home planet. The one he destroyed with his own hands. They fought the battle against three witches, the very same he thought he would never had to come into contact with again. But they managed to save the day, or planet. Valtor still cringes at the memory of meeting Miriam and Oritel after 17 years. The look that crossed their faces when they saw him was... priceless and disturbing at the same time. It took some time, but the managed to 'forgive' him for everything that he's done. And by that, he meant they were willing to tolerate him for the sake of their younger daughter that formed a special sort of friendship with the wizard. Plus, even though he hated to admit it, Faragonda helped too. She was the one that convinced Miriam and Oritel he was no longer power thirsty wizard and that three Ancient witches had no control over him for quite some time. And in a meeting between Valtor and Faragonda, that included a lot of eye rolling on Valtor's part, he thanked her.

Valtor still remembers the day he saw Bloom coming down those stairs dressed in a beautiful blue ball gown that looked amazing on her. She was accompanied by her mother, and it was only then that Valtor saw incredible resemblance the two shared. It was then the first time he actually remembers feeling something for the redheaded princess, only then he couldn't, or more accurately wouldn't, put a finger on the emotion.

Months flew by and Winx girls found themselves back in Alfea, this time as teachers rather than students. Valtor himself was offered a teaching position, which was something that raised a lot of eyebrows, but to everyone's surprise, Valtor took it. He usually thought defences classes and mostly first year students, but he was a good teacher that possessed a lot of patience (he worked with Trix in close proximity for a year, he had to have patience), and soon enough he became one of the favourite professors on the whole campus.

In the meantime, Bloom broke up with Sky. It was something that also raised a lot of eyebrows mainly among the Winx girls. Bloom didn't talk about it, but it was Valtor that knew the whole story because he found her in lying in a ball on the couch (the same couch he slept on from the beginning) sobbing into his pillow.

It was a stressful day. He returned to their room (it still felt weird referring to Winx's room as his own) stiff as a board from hours spent sitting in an uncomfortable chair, toed off his shoes and made his way to the living room. It was the test season, as it was almost time for the 'winter' break. He didn't expect anyone to be there so it came to as a surprise when he saw a ball of blue and red lying on the couch, face swallowed by a pillow, shoulders shaking with sobs. He approached carefully, like he would to a scared animal, as if not to startle her. He laid his hand on her shoulder and she recoiled almost blending her body into the couch she was lying on. Her sobs became more audible. He sat next to her on the couch, rubbing comforting circles on her back (or at least he hoped they were comforting). She turned around so fast Valtor started fearing for his life but she only straddled his legs and propped herself in his lap before shoving her face in his neck and coiling her arms around him. He sat there motionless for a few seconds before his brain finally kicked in and he hugged her back, while rubbing her back and shushing her. She rocked back and forth on his lap, and Valtor had to physically stop himself from reacting in a way that would be pretty obvious to both of them. "Think puppies, kittens, Faragonda in underwear." That seemed to do the trick and he made a face at the mental picture of headmistress in lacy number.

He didn't notice that Bloom had stopped shaking and was now just hugging him. He pulled her back and run a hand through her tangled hair, something completely out of character for him. Her blue eyes were red an puffy a sure sigh she had been crying for a long time.

"What happened?" He asked after a few minutes of just starring at her and her starring back at him, while still untangling her hair with his fingers.

Her lower lip wobbled before she bit it with her teeth to stop the motion. "Sky cheated." She confessed in a small voice and Valtor wanted nothing more than to teleport himself to Eraklyon and murder the blonde prince. He stopped himself. "Whoa where did thar come from?" He thought, "Since when do you care about how Bloom feels?" He wanted to slap himself. "Good job idiot. You fall in love with a girl that will never love you. How come you always do that? First Griffin, now Bloom. What's next? Leyla maybe?" He shook his head to get rid of these thought. Now's not the time.

"He doesn't deserve you." He found himself saying. His eyes widened. "Great, you've also lost your brain to mouth filter. You've been hanging out with Stella bit too much." Bloom, poor thing, seemed surprised with this statement as well. His hand found it's way to her neck and it pulled her head to rest where his neck met his shoulders. He rubbed her back and just sat with her for a while. In the meantime he considered his thoughts. Was he in love with Bloom?

He couldn't deny that the redhead was beautiful. She had pale flawless skin that contrasted beautifully against her vibrant red hair, beautiful big blue eyes and had legs that went for days, especially in that Enchantix dress he would rather die than admit he liked how it looked on her. She wasn't just looks, she had brain and brawn to match. She was a spitfire for sure. She was funny and naive and she sometimes laughed so hard she snorted and - oh great dragon, you're in love with her. Valtor let his head fall to the back of the couch. This was not good.

Bloom ended almost all contact with Sky after that and she and Valtor became even closer. Trips to Domino became more frequent and Valtor accompanied her on most of them. They brought the Winx with them of a few occasions as well. Even Marion and Oritel seemed to warm up at the idea of Valtor being close to their daughter. They joked and laughed and even got drunk together few times. Well, Bloom got drunk, he got tipsy. Seriously, the amount of alcohol he'd have to consume to get drunk would be enough to kill a dragon, or an African elephant (Earth's equivalent). They shared stories about Trix, and he even told her about the role he played in the war that raged on Domino. She listened, but she didn't seem angry. She even laughed at a few stories he told her about the Ancestral witches.

Girls generally became more physically comfortable around him, squeezing his shoulders, hitting his arms when he made a joke and even hugging him. He liked the contact. After spending so many years in ice and then one more year focusing on getting revenge on those who wronged him, he didn't exactly have time to focus on physical contact of any kind. He was ashamed to admit it had be over 18 years since he last took woman to bed. Maybe that's why he developed this attraction to Bloom. Lack of release that accumulated over the years. Not even masturbation. He didn't have time, plus it would be kind of awkward jacking off in a bathroom that girls occupied as well. So he just gave up on that after doing it and then feeling somehow guilty.

But then again, that still wouldn't explain his attraction to Bloom. If the lack of sex was to blame he would have a boner for every girl in this room, and yet, nothing. It was time to face the music. He was in love with bloom, and that was that. Nothing would change that. The fact that she was also single didn't help either. He found himself watching her more closely and more often and he tried to stop doing that as often. Key word, tried.

A few days before ending of a school year, wizards of the black circle attacked. Winx were almost powerless against them in their Enchantix form. He was essentially the only one that had power over them, and so he was left to fight the wizards by himself. He heard about them. The fairy hunters. Earth was once a magical powerhouse until four wizards came and defeated queen of Earth faeries, stole their wings and locked them away. What they were doing here, he had no idea. His heart leaped to his throat when the vortex sucked Bloom in but it dropped back down when it spat her out just as quickly. And then in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

Valtor managed to deal a good amount of damage to the wizards but he was alone and there were four of them. Flora essentially suffered the most and was taken to the infirmary while Valtor took care for the rest of the Winx. He watched Bloom closely, making sure no lasting damage was inflicted. He caught Faragonda's eyes while he was fussing over the redhead and she nodded at him. He nodded back. This was one of the things Faragonda couldn't keep from them. Tomorrow she would explain everything.

They returned to their dorm and the girls went straight to bed. Bloom offered to keep him company, however he refused and sent her pouting ass to bed. He couldn't sleep that night.

The next morning he joined Faragonda in explaining everything that happened and how to stop the wizards. It was decided that the girls will leave for Earth to find the last Earth fairy. Valtor will accompany them. Bloom was in charge of everything because she's the one that knew Gardenia the best having grown up there. The tree of life provided more than enough help with narrowing down their search from an entire planet to a single city. Girls and Valtor packed their things and they were on their way to California. It was clear to Valtor that Mike and Vanessa were surprised at the sudden appearance of her daughter and her friends and an unfamiliar guy. While girls unpacked their things Bloom took a chance to introduce him to her parents. They seemed like decent human beings to Valtor and he was pulled aside by Mike for some bonding over beer and football, or is it soccer? While the guys watched football, Vanessa and Bloom chatted about girl stuff.

They spent a few days in their house and while Valtor tried not to be a nuisance, the girls were a different story. They weren't trying to be rude, but heir behaviour was a story for itself. They weren't doing anything different from what they would normally do in Alfea but Stella's constant intergalactic phone calls in the bathroom and Flora's obsession with plants kinda disrupted the calm life Mike and Vanessa were used to having. Valtor sighed. Time to take matters into his own hands.

While Mike and Vanessa were at work, he sat the girls down. "Ok. Now I understand that you all have a specific routines, however, you all need to be aware that we are in someone else's home. And while I am aware you are trying not to intrude, you are shit at it. Ok?" The girls looked at each other and lowered their gaze.

Musa was the one that spoke. "Shouldn't Bloom be telling us that? It's her house after all."

The girls looked at Bloom who was avoiding their eyes. "Well the truth is... Mike and Vanessa aren't too happy about this. They love me, and they adore you guys, but it's a small house." She smiled sheepishly.

"I found us a job." That earned him six surprised stares. "The payment is not too much, but we have to start looking for a place to stay." The girls nodded.

The next day, girls were in charge of clearing out the storage room full of plush toys, but somehow they turned the bunch of plush toys into a real life magical animals. Valtor, who stayed at home, cleaning the house (how very domestic of him) got a biggest shock of his life when he came from the bathroom and the living room was full of flying animals. He face palmed. Those girls just can't stay out of trouble.

The Winx found him sitting on a sofa, Mike and Vanessa in the kitchen, surrounded by sleeping animals that took the liberty to snuggle next to him. Bloom snorted and quickly covered her mouth with her hand, but it was too late. He heard her and he leveled her with a meanest glare he could produce at the moment. The rest of the girls scrambled to get the animals away from a fuming wizard while Bloom just stood leaning on doorway and busied herself with giving him coy looks. When the girls dissapeared, she plopped herself next to Valtor and swung her legs over his lap. He raised an amused eyebrow and she sent him an innocent look that proved she was anything but innocent. Without taking his eyes off of her, he took off her shoes and started massaging her feet. Her eyes fluttered closed and she tipped her head back while letting out the most erotic moan Valtor has ever heard. His fingers stilled for a second and he gulped, shifting her feet so they weren't resting on his crotch. There was no time to stop the images that assaulted him. He could only hope his physical reaction won't be so obvious. His prayers weren't answered, of course, and he found himself in a very compromising position, his obsession's legs hiding an obvious tent in his trousers while Mike and Vanessa chose that moment to reenter the living room. Bloom went to take her legs off his lap but he caught her by the ankles and stilled them. She looked at him and went red at he look he was giving her. His pupils were blown wide, making his irises appear dark blue, his chest area was moving rapidly and she could see veins straining in his neck. She had an idea what caused his reaction and as she brought her foot to scratch her calf, she ran it over a very hard bulge, his breath caught in his throat and his fingers tightened on her ankles. Bloom went bright red. Luckily Mike and Vanessa seemed too focused on the story they were telling, they didn't notice their reaction.

Half an hour later, and a whole hell lot of mental images of very unpleasant things, Valtor was able to calm himself. His breathing returned to normal and his dick now only created a faint outline rather than a tent. That's when he felt comfortable enough to excuse himself and go splash some cold water on his face. When he returned Bloom was the only one left and Valtor cursed his luck. He sat next to her on the couch and bit his lip. She avoided his eyes while she fidgeted with the hem of her shorts. The air around them was awkward.

"So um..." she began, painfully aware if the tension in the air, "are you, um... ok?"

Valtor squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed bile that was threatening to rise. "I-I don't know." He stuttered. Stuttered. Him. The big bad wizard. This was bad. He took a deep breath and turned towards her. "Look I'll be honest with you. I haven't had sex in over 18 years. In fact the last person I bedded was your sister." Bloom's eyes widened at that and Valtor wanted to punch himself really hard. Why in the ever loving fuck would he say that to Bloom? Oh hell it was too late already so he might as well try to save his ass. "The reaction I had was not something I'm proud of, but I'm not going to run away from the fact that I am a man and this thing happens from time to time." He was breathing heavily by the time he finished his rant.

"Y-You slept with Daphne?" Valtor rolled his eyes.

"Really? Out of everything that I just told you, that's the part that intrigues you the most?" The princess shrugged. He sighed. "Yes I slept with Daphne. We were... drunk. It was at a party that your parents threw in honor of your birth. That's all I'm going to say." Light pink was visible on his cheeks and Bloom found herself giggling at this. He looked at her like she was a shit at the bottom of his shoe and she sobered up pretty quickly.

"Sorry. It's just that I'm so unused to seeing you blush." He wetted his lips. "Yeah, well, don't get used to it." She sighed and the tension seemed to disappear. "Don't you guys take care of that? I mean..." she looked him up and down her gaze lingering at his crotch, something which didn't go unnoticed by Valtor. "Doesn't work for me. Besides, I'm living with young women, and jacking off seems kind of wrong." Bloom went bright red at the profanity, but she couldn't deny it made her feel hot, especially if Valtor was the one saying them. "I um, I think I'll go to bed." Valtor nodded and she stood up. "Goodnight princess." She smiled. "Goodnight Valtor."

Between taking care of the 'Love and Pet' shop, finding the last earth fairy, fighting the wizards, getting Believix, specialist's arrival, meeting Roxy, freeing the Earth faries and then fighting them for the sake of humans, there was no time for anything, let alone romance or fantasizing about anything. Jumping between different destinations would take toll on anyone, let alone fairies that fought bunch of vengeful earth fairies in order to stop their vengeance on humans. In between all that ruckus, Ogron and his minions decided to surrender themselves in order to have a 'trial' which was something that didn't sit with Valtor very well. Why would these wizards suddenly decide to surrender themselves and ask for forgiveness? It didn't make any sense. Sybila, one of the nicest earth fairies took them in until their 'sick' friend was safe to travel. Which, of course, didn't happen. Ogron and his remaining two buddies opened a portal meant to suck in the very last fairy from earth and Valtor together with Winx and specialists tried to stop them, however, it was Nabu, previously known as Ophir that paid the ultimate price. And while the final gift of destiny could have brought him back to life, Ogron took it before once again proving to be cruelest being Valtor has ever had displeasure of meeting.

But apparently, that wasn't enough drama. Because, as luck would have it, Leyla, in order to avenge her fiancee, joined Nebula and helped them overthrow Morgana, imprisoning her in a fucking mirror non the less. Valtor felt the beginning of a really terrible headache. What else is universe going to throw at them?

He spoke too soon. He really should learn to keep his thoughts in check. Because of course, Morgana has a daughter, and her fucking daughter is Roxy, and a lot of this shit could have been avoided if only they knew that tiny piece of information. He groaned. This was turning into a real soap opera. The wizards ran into the fucking Omega, because universe apparently hates him so. So here he was now, in Omega, helping specialists take Morgan's fairies to safety. He turned towards Bloom that was about to take off deeper into the Omega and grabbed her hand. She looked at him with eyes that were so full of determination. She pulled him by the lapels of his jacket (a different one, because he ditched his coat a long time ago) and gave him a brief kiss on the lips. When they parted, both the Winx and specialists were looking at them with eyes that were as wide as dinner plates.

"This is our fight." She said, "We need to get Leyla back."

He nodded and pulled her close once again. The kiss he gave her this time was brief but it didn't lack passion. They parted and she took off. Valtor spared one last glance at the cave entrance that was beginning to crumble, he shook off his worry and pulled the idiotic specialists out in the safety. He could feel someone's eyes burning holes in his person and he had a pretty good idea to whom they belonged. But for now he didn't care in the slightest.

A few minutes passed, but to Valtor it felt like hours. He could feel massive amounts of energy radiating from the ground meaning the fight continues on. And the suddenly there was nothing. Silence. Valtor didn't know if that was a good or a bad sign. Suddenly the ground lurched and the Winx, minus Bloom flew out. Valtor's heart stopped beating for a second, but it kicked back into gear as soon as he saw her dragging Nebula behind her. Roars and cheers were echoing through the kingdom of Tin Nan Og, greeting the new queen, as Morgana is coming back to Earth to be with her family. Leyla departed soon after that, saying she needed to bring the flower Ogron gave her back to Andros. Valtor stood on the side admiring the view. For the first time in Dragon knows how long, it was peaceful. His eyes met sapphire blue. Bloom stood surrounded by her friends but she obviously wasn't paying attention to what Stella was saying because she was looking at him. Stella stopped talking long enough to push Bloom towards Valtor, and she stumbled, obviously not expecting that. She turned to glare at her friend, but Stella simply shooed her away. She turned and made her way towards him. The closer she got the faster she seemed to walk. Until a hand grabbed her.

"Bloom, can we talk?" Valtor heard Sky say but she shook his hand off and quickly added, "Not mow Sky."

She once again quickened her pace and when she was in arms reach she flew into Valtor's open arms. She buried her head into his neck, breathing in his scent, while one of his hands supported her and the other went through her hair, detangling it. They stood there, just hugging and feeling each other for a minute or two before finaly parting. Valtor cupped her face in his large hands and sealed their lips together. The roar of pure happiness could be heard and Valtor subconsciously registered Stella saying to someone they owed her money. But nothing at that moment mattered more than the fact that he was holding, touching and kissing Bloom.

Her lips were soft as velvet and as she sighed happily into the kiss, Valtor took the opportunity to slip his tongue in, making the redhead moan and clutch onto him even tighter. Her arms coiled around his neck and brought him even closer, deepening the kiss even more. Valtor broke the kiss, but not before taking her lower lip between his teeth and tugging on it, making the redhead whine, before soothing the ache with his tongue. One kiss was not enough for him, or her for that matter as she connected their lips once again. Valtor's brain shut down the moment his lips touched Bloom's. He forgot where he was, who he was with and why they were here. He only cared about Bloom. Which could be the reason his hands began to wonder, slipping from her waist to her lower back, cupping her ass and back of her thighs before bending down slightly to get a good grip on her legs and lifting them up so she could wrap them around his waist. Everything was quiet up until that point, when Stella of all people began complaining about them 'getting a room' and 'being sweet enough to give cavities'.

He remembered then who he was and that they were in public, surrounded by her friends, bunch of fairies he didn't know the name of and specialists. Bloom looked at him, his eyes mirroring his in appearance with pupils blown wide and their breaths coming in quick and short bursts. She blushed when she realized in what position they were. Her with her legs warped around his middle and her arms coiled around his neck, while his arms were holding and squeezing her ass, in front of everybody. She cleared her throat and he bent down so her feet could touch the ground while she returned her arms back to her side. She stood straight up, blush still evident on her cheeks and looked at Valtor. He looked a bit dishevelled and his hair was a bit messed up, but aside from that, he looked perfectly normal, no trace of blush on his cheeks and a cocky grin on his lips. He slipped his hand into hers and intertwined their fingers. And she smiled too.

When they returned to Gardenia and left Roxy with her mother and father, they all hit Fruit Music bar to celebrate. They choose a table and ordered the drinks before siting down. Since no table had enough chairs, most of the girls were sitting in their boyfriends laps. What surprised Valtor, however, was when Bloom decided to sit on his lap. Even when she was involved with Sky, Valtor knew she avoided public display of affection, but he seemed to be an exception to most rules, because she kissed him in front of bunch of strangers today, and now she decided to sit in his lap as well. He wasn't about to complain. He loved the feeling of her lithe body pressed up against his own. She didn't seem too interested in her drink, she was playing with her straw more than she was drinking from it. Valtor was running his arm across her back and his face was buried in her hair. The hand that was rubbing her back dissapeared and it reappeared moment later when it pushed her long red curls from her neck and she felt hot kisses being pressed there. She shuddered. It would appear Valtor wasn't interested in drinking tonight either. She locked eyes with him and a silent understanding passed between them.

She got up first, startling everyone in the process, but when Valtor stood up behind her and took her hand, a nod of approval form Stella seemed to send everyone the message they shouldn't ask questions. They were almost at the exit when Stella's voice broke through.

"Should we even come home tonight?!" She yelled from across the bad. Bloom turned red while Valtor merely smirked and yelled back. "You can, it might be a little loud for you! No one will be getting any sleep!" Bloom staggered and she would have fallen over had Valtor not been there and supported her. Stella's laughter could be heard from the next block. They walked fast, Bloom took off her heels so she could walk faster. When they finaly reached the shop, Bloom wasted no time unlocking and opening the door and then locking it again.

As soon as they were inside, Valtor pushed Bloom against the door and kissed her passionately. She opened her mouth almost instantly to his wandering tongue and she moaned when two tongues met in a dance. He pressed her up against the door even harder and wasted no time hauling her up so she could warp those legs around him. Still kissing her, her staggered blindly towards the stair case stopping every few seconds to press Bloom against the was so he could focus on kissing her. He couldn't stop. Even the sheer thought of stopping brought him pain. He waited her for so long, thinking she could never be his, and now that she is, he's never letting her go.

When they reached her bedroom, Valtor single handedly opened the door while he used the other to support her ass. He closed the door and spun around pressing her into it, making her gasp and arch her back. Never breaking the kiss, he slipped his hands into her crop top, running his hands over her ribs until he reached her breasts and gave them a squeeze. He was pleasantly surprised to find she wasn't wearing a bra. He pushed the shirt up and she raised her arms so he could take it off completely. As soon as the shirt was discarded he turned his attention to her nipples that were shaped into tiny peaks hard enough to cut glass. He hauled her up even higher and took one nipple in his mouth, circling it with his tongue first before completely enveloping it in his mouth.

Bloom arched her back and let out a delicious moan at his ministrations. She tugged at his shirt, desperate to get it off so she could feel her skin pressed up against his. He chuckled, a dark and seductive sound, coming somewhere deep from his throat. She wasn't even aware he moved them until she was being lowered and her back being pressed against cool set of sheets and Valtor disappeared from her arms. She whined but was quickly pacified when he returned, this time lacking both shirt and trousers. She could feel his naked torso pressing against her hard nipples, his chest hair tickling her, his naked legs intertwining with her own and something hard and thick pressing against her clit. She shuddered. She rolled her hips into it desperate for more friction, while Valtor chuckled at her impatience and pinned her hips down. She struggled against his hold, but with no use, he was too strong. He trailed kisses from her neck over her breasts all the way to her navel where he licked a long stripe over her underwear line before taking hold of her skirt and panties before yanking them down her legs. He chucked them across the room and settled himself between her thighs making her blush and spread her legs to accommodate his wide shoulders. The look in his eyes could best be describes as predatory as his gaze caught her eyes and stayed there while his tongue licked a long stripe from her opening to her clit. Bloom threw her head back and let out a long moan, while her hand, seemingly on her own accord, shot across the bed and her fingers tangled themselves in his long reddish blond hair. He continued his ministrations, focusing most of his attention to her clit. Her hips strained against her fingers, pushing her closer to his mouth and evidently, closer to her orgasm. She was shaking, panting and almost sobbing mess underneath him as she climbed towards the peak. She pulled on his hair directing him where and how she wanted him. He let go of her hips and clutched at her thighs that were spread out to accommodate him. She let out a long moan and stilled against him before dissolving into a shaking mess and twitching hips as she was dropped from her high. He licked one last stripe across her pussy and planted a kiss on her clit, making her shudder from overstimulation,before propping himself up in his elbows and crawling towards her. As soon as he was close enough she captured his mouth in a kiss. He opened his mouth and she gladly took his invitation, tasting herself.

She broke the kiss and panted heavily against his neck while her hands traveled from his shoulders to his nipples, where she pinched them, enjoying his response. Her legs once again circled his waist and pulled him close. His cock, long and thick, laid erect on her stomach. She could feel the size and shape even through the boxers he was still wearing. Her hands traveled lower until they reached the elastic band that was holding them on his hips and her fingers pulled on it, going underneath it and cupping his rock hard ass. His hips grinded against her in response and she smiled. She kissed him once again as she lowered his boxers low enough so her feet could take that job, sliding them across his long muscular legs and then chucking them across the room to join the rest of their clothes. Her hands slid to the front and took hold of his erection carefully spreading precum from the leaking tip to his long and thick shaft. If this were anyone else but Valtor, she would have feared for her nonexisting virginity. Funnily enough, two years ago if you had told her she would be spread out underneath the man that was responsible for destruction of her home planet, she would have laughed in your face and then proceeded to blast you with her dragon fury. But right now, she couldn't imagine anyone else in this position.

He shuddered against her and she aligned his cock with her entrance, kissing him gently in permission. He slid into her with little difficulty,her previous orgasm making her wetter and tighter. He exhaled against her neck when he bottomed out and gave her a few moments to adjust to his size and girth. She moaned and grinded her hips against him almost making him loose his mind. He lowered his entire body so it covered hers then pulled his hips back until only the tip remained inside her and then slid back in faster. She clutched and scratched at his back while his kisses swallowed her moans. He set a fast pace, having realized neither of them will last long enough for slow tender love making right now. He rose himself on his elbows and looked at the beauty spread out on the bed. She was panting and sweating, trying and failing to suppress her moans as he slammed into her in now short but powerful thrusts. Her legs enveloping his waist, her heels pressing against his ass, forcing him deeper into her. He could feel his orgasm approaching fast, but he refused to come before her, his male pride not letting him. He brought his hand in between them and found her clit, stroking it in tandem with his thrusts. She flew over the edge, almost screaming her release, pulling him into the abyss as well. He slowed down do ride out both of their orgasms and then completely stilled before leaning down to capture her waiting mouth. She winced as he slid out of her but turned on her side to face him and to snuggle with him non the less. She laid there, pressed against his torso, his left arm supporting her head while his right drew patterns on her back, both of them fighting to get their breathing back to normal.

She looked into his eyes and at that moment she couldn't help but to think, that yes, leaving him alive was the best decision she's ever made.

He locked eyes with her and leaned to kiss her, the kiss quickly escalating, while he once again, pinned her to bed.

Oh yes. Best decision indeed.

The end.

[n-ctarinenga]

Flower Boy [ boxer!calum ]

flower boy series | pt.1 | word count: 5,659 | masterlist

"Thank you so much! I'll have these to you as soon as possible. Goodbye!"

Talia grins, as she farewells the family whos portraits she had just finished shooting.

As much as she loves photography, there were only so many matching outfits and unhappy children a person could handle in a day, and with the family that had just left her studio, Talia had reached her limit.

Draining days were something she had gotten used to, business booming lately thanks to the kind words of a handful of past clients. With doors only opening just under a year ago, Valentine Studios didn't exactly have the longest history in town, but Talia liked to believe her dedication and skill made up for lack of experience.

Her mother hadn't really approved of the move, her ideals for her daughter being stuck a few decades in the past.

With the thought of her mother flashing through her mind, Talia couldn't help but sigh as she moved to pack up her camera for the night.

After the great disbandment of the Alisley family, it was nearly impossible for either of the Alisley children to communicate with their mother, but that didn't stop Yvonne from making her annual call to her kids, mostly about the percentage paid out to them every couple weeks from their father's estate royalties, which in Talia's case, was this morning.

From that point onward, it felt like the universe had decided to torment Talia today.

Starting off with the phone call, and most recently manifesting as a set of twins who refused to do any form of posing with their parents, Talia couldn't wait to go home and sleep so she could start the next day fresh and away from the negative vibes of the current day.

Once her backdrops had been rolled up,  and her camera was safely stored in its bag, Talia finally had time to let down her dark brown hair, the two bright streaks of red framing her face. She took great pleasure in turning all the lights off, and locking the door of the studio behind her.

Taking a second to relax in her car, Talia looks at her phone, scrolling through til she reaches the contact of her brother, Brandon.

The Alisley family were estranged from each other these days, but that didn't mean that Talia and Brandon had stopped being lifelong best friends.

The two had always been close, only a couple years between the siblings. Growing up in a world surrounded by adults until they themselves were well into their teens, they were practically a package deal until they had both moved into their own apartments a few years ago.

As of late, while Talia was diving head first into Valentine, Brandon was knee deep in The Vault, the gym he had started not long before Talia opened her own business.

Sitting in her car, Talia contemplated calling him for a moment, her finger hovering over the call button as she thought.

With both of them being so busy, they had barely had time to catch up over the last couple months, and after the day she had had today, Talia needed a bit of chill time with the only other person in the world who could understand her situation.

Their father always joked they could communicate telepathically, and after not seeing him for so long, Talia missed speaking her native tongue.

Deciding to make her way over to the gym, Brandon always telling her he was there any Friday night she would try to make plans with him lately, Talia constructed a plan for what she would do once she finally had convinced her brother to stop throwing himself into his work every Friday night.

With The Vault situated downtown, it was a bit of a drive in Los Angeles traffic, but with the thought of the Thai food just up the street from the gym in her mind, Talia couldn't find it in herself to care about the lengthy journey.

The radio softly played one of the many playlists made on Talia's phone as she drove along, windows down and the breeze lightly whipping her hair around as she did her best to relax while she had the chance.

While most people were finishing their work week, Talia, being the head photographer at Valentine, was still one day away from her own weekend, working every Saturday since the studio opened. This made it easier for families to get together for their shoots, not having to worry about getting back to work and getting the kids back to school, and Talia could tell her clients appreciated it, which made the extra day of work worth it to her.

Propping her head up, with her left elbow resting on the top of the door, Talia can't help the frown that flashes onto her face as she approaches the gym.

Expecting to see only Brandon's car and maybe another employee's, the full parking lot beside the building confuses her. How many people would be at a gym after hours?

The confused frown on Talia's face lingers as she parks her car next one she definitely recognised as Brandon's, climbing out and locking it before pocketing her keys and approaching a man who looked slightly familiar, noticing he was one of Brandon's employees as she got closer.

"Johnny," Talia smiles politely, the man turning to her with wide eyes as he recognizes her, "what's happening here?" She asks.

Johnny stutters for a moment, looking around like he rather be anywhere else in the world at this exact moment.

"Oh, here? Just some regulars here for a get together. Your brother left a few hours back though." He says quickly, tripping over his words slightly, almost like he was making a story up as he went along.

Suspicion courses through Talia at the deflective words of the man much taller than she is, and if she didn't already know him, she probably would have been intimidated by his size alone.

"I just parked next to his car though, and it's kinda odd for Brandon to leave the gym open." Talia laughs awkwardly, not trusting of the excuse she was being given when she knew her brother better than to leave not only his business open, but also his car unlocked outside it.

"I think I'll just check things out for myself thanks Johnny." Talia states, before taking a step forward towards the entrance.

Sensing her disbelief, and his face turning to one of panic, Johnny takes a step sideways, blocking the door from Talia's path.

"Brandon said that you were banned from Friday nights. I'm sorry Talia." He finally says, and Talia can't help the look of surprise that covers her face.

"Me? Banned from the Vault? I hardly think so mate." She laughs, taking advantage of the height difference between them to duck under Johnny's arm, easily pushing the door open into the gym.

Immediately, Talia is met with a wall of noise.

A crowd, some seated, some not, surround the central boxing ring at the center of the building. The usual smell of cleaning supplies and sweat is amplified by the stench of beer radiating through the whole building, but even then, the thing that grabs Talia's attention isn't the crowd or their behavior, but instead, what they're watching.

In the center of the ring, two large, well built men circle each other. Talia watches on in horror for only a moment before one man launches his fist forward towards the others stomach, and it's in this moment she realizes that the men aren't wearing gloves, but thin bloodied wraps.

The crowd roar with a wave of life as the punch connects, the second man doubling over and leaving himself exposed to an onslaught the first delivers without hesitation.

Even with the presence of Johnny behind her, the only thing Talia can see is the pure violence playing out in front of her, realization growing by the second as her eyes finally break away from the ring to where her brother stands at the back of the crowd.

She can't help but think her father might have been right about the telepathy, because almost as if he could sense her eyes on him, Brandon's own find her.

All of the colour drains from Brandon's face as he excuses himself from the black haired man he's talking to, running around the outside of the crowd to reach his sister, who stands frozen in place.

He says nothing as he grabs Talia's hand, pulling her sideways into the office room to the right of the building, easily tugging her past the back of the crowd that still stare focused into the ring.

The clinical white lights above them come to life as Brandon flicks the switch beside the door, shutting it behind him quickly before he turns back to Talia.

"What are you doing here?" He asks quickly, inspecting her as if she was a wounded animal ready to pounce.

Fighting her disbelief at the situation and his question, Talia's eyes go wide as a wave of anger washes over her at his question.

"What am I doing here? What the fuck is that shit, Brandon?!" She throws back at him, her voice louder and stronger than she expected it to come out of her.

Waving his hands panicked, trying to get her to lower her voice, Brandon tries to shush her, which only makes her more ticked off.

"Look you weren't supposed to see that-"

"Answer my fucking question or I'll start screamin' it." She threatens, cutting him off mid sentence.

An angry and frustrated expression settles on his face as Brandon let's out a huff, not knowing how to word his explanation and remaining silent while he tries to find the right words.

"Is this why you've been blowing me off for months? You got some fucking fight club bullshit going on here instead?" She questions further, her voice breaking slightly with stress.

"I can't tell you all the fucking details in one breath, Talia. I wasn't exactly expecting you to find out like this."

Brandon argues, throwing his hand up in annoyance, which only confuses her more.

"What makes you think you have the right to be angry at me when you're the one that has the explaining to do?"

"Fuck! Alright! I get it!" He whisper yells harshly, face twisting in anger and making the siblings look even more alike than usual, Talia taking a step back at his sudden outburst, "look, the money is gonna get cut off one day, I'm thinking about my future, OUR futures here. That's what this shit is about."

"And what exactly is this shit, Brandon?" Talia asks, aggressively pointing towards the door that barely separated them from the crowd.

"It's boxing. Same shit you see on TV, just, not as commercial."

"This isn't the same shit as on TV! Those guys aren't even wearing gloves!" She argues, smacking the back of her hand as she speaks.

"Bare knuckle and wraps get better bets, the guys make their own decisions on if they do it or not." Brandon defends as he crosses his arms.

Talia shakes her head in annoyance, her face twisting. Everything was happening so quickly, meaning she barely had enough time to process all the information being thrown at her.

"You're scared of mommy cutting off the royalties so this is what you do instead?" She asks.

"The money is gonna get cut off and it's gonna be sooner rather than later. Do you expect me to suck up forever? To hide Sam til she dies too? Mom hates both of us now and you know it just as well as I do."

Talia feels her throat tighten at his words. Her stomach felt like it was close to emptying its content as the gut punch of his words hit her at a hundred miles per hour.

"Shut the fuck up. You know I love Sam and you know I don't want to do it just as much as you don't want to. But you're right, it will be sooner if she finds out about this." She spits back.

Taking a step towards him, arms crossed, Talia holds steady eye contact as she looks up to her brother.

"You're not the only one she can fuck over. When she finds out and cuts me off too, what the fuck are we gonna do, huh?" She whispers harshly as the crowd outside the room bursts into life again, the next round starting.

Brandon breaks the eye contact between them as he stares at the ground, fists clenched at his sides as the obvious stress of the situation flashes across his face.

"She won't, not yet."

Talia rolls her eyes as her arms uncross, leaning back against his desk.

"Mom always finds out."

"She won't this ti-"

Brandon is interrupted by the office door swinging open, a tall man with blonde hair and a panicked look on his face ignoring Talia to address Brandon the second his eyes land on him.

"Hood's broken Knight's nose." He says in a rush, causing Brandon to groan, following the man out the door before turning back to Talia.

"Don't leave this office, I'll be back soon."

Talia throws her brother a sarcastic thumbs up before he rushes off, the door clicking shut behind him.

Talia felt like her mind was in the worst spin she'd ever experienced. Finally the late nights, the astronomical bills being excused as gym costs, the secrets, they all made sense.

As angry as she was with her brother, she was more worried about him than anything.

Seeing the crowd, the action in the ring, it was more than just the sparring she would see from time to time as she made the rounds to check in on things. These people were out for blood, and would throw as much money as they needed at it to make it happen. This wasn't the kind of thing she ever expected Brandon to be involved in, and it shocked her that he's involved in that world obviously as more than just a spectator.

Sitting down in the office chair, Talia rests her elbows on the desk in front of her, covering her face with her hands as she tries to take a deep breath to calm her nerves, but jumping as the crowd outside roars again.

This wasn't something she was familiar with, and the uncharted territory this laid out in front of her felt like a minefield. Both her brother's lies, and the violence they were hiding.

With her anxiety peaking as she sits deep in her thoughts, she nearly yelps as the office door flies open, a tall man coming in and looking around for someone, before their eyes finally land on Talia.

If the sharp jawline, dark eyes and deadly look on his face didn't take her breath away, the ripped and bruised skin under his eye sure did.

A seemingly permanent scowl was set on the man's face, and his height and all black outfit just added to the intimidating stance he has as he lets the door swing shut behind him.

Talia couldn't help but notice that the man is attractive, even with blood dripping down his face, noticing his hair closely cropped to his head, apart from the wild bleached curls that fell onto his forehead.

For a brief moment, the angry look on the man's face softens upon seeing the smaller woman sitting behind his boss's desk, but it's instantly replaced by a look of confusion.

"Who the fuck are you?" He asks, his voice deeper than she expected with an unfamiliar accent laced into his words.

Slightly taken back, Talia frowns, withdrawing from the desk and standing up behind it, her defensive nature quickly taking over.

"I'm Talia Alisley, who the fuck are you?"

This time it's the man that's taken back, his eyebrows shooting up as he scoffs, arrogance in spades and tension building by the second as Talia crosses her arms in front of herself.

"I'm Calum Hood," He says, and Talia freezes.

Hood. Was he the Hood that the blonde man was talking about? The one who apparently had broken the nose of the guy Brandon was checking on?

"and I'm guessing you're the precious little sister." He comments, and this time it's Talia that raises her eyebrow. Did Brandon mention her to these guys?

"Too right I am, so don't fuck with me and we should be fine. Brandon said he'd be back soon." She replies, sitting back down with her arms still crossed and the scowl on her face settling in while in his presence.

Deep down, Talia knew it was probably a bad idea to piss off the guy who was not only bleeding, but the cause of a broke nose two rooms over, but her pride and defensive nature was far more powerful than the anxiety swirling in her stomach.

"No need to worry about that, princess." Calum rolls his eyes in annoyance. If Brandon was gonna send him to his office, he could at least show up instead of wasting his time, and give him a warning.

Talia was thankful in that moment for the low light of the room on account of the desk lamp being off, hiding the blush that made her ears burn. Yeah, he might be a dickhead, but he was still an attractive dickhead.

Slumping down into the chair opposite Talia with a huff, Calum shakes his head, while Talia stays stone faced across from him.

"You alright?" She asks after a moment, referring to where blood still sits on his cheekbone.

Calum frowns at her attitude change, not aware of the injury that he sustained from Knight's ringed hand landing a right hook before Calum landed his own.

In his defense, Knight should have known better than to touch his gear.

With the confused look flashing across his face for a longer period this time, Talia can't help but roll her eyes.

"You're bleeding under your eye, bro." She points out.

As Calum reaches up to touch his cheek, the door opens, the blonde man from before walking in with Brandon in toe as Talia thanks her lucky stars.

"Not gonna lie I thought you would have left by now." Brandon says, looking at Talia first while her eyes stay on the actions of the blonde man opening a medical kit on the desk.

"Oh don't worry, I want to." She comments.

"So do I, can I go now?" Calum directs towards Brandon as the blonde man touches an alcohol wipe to his cheek, making his aggressive expression falter slightly.

"Once Luke says you're okay and once I've dealt with you, yes." He sighs, rubbing a hand over his face.

"Look," Talia says, standing up and holding her hands up in surrender, "obviously you've got a lot of shit going on here right now so we'll deal with this tomorrow." She gestures between them, walking around the desk and past the three men.

Letting out a sigh, Brandon sends her a look of appreciation.

"Thanks T, text me when you get home." He replies, to which she sends him a short nod.

"Luke, can you walk her out?" He asks, turning to the man getting up from kneeling in front of Calum.

"Yeah, no worries." He smiles, taking his gloves off and throwing them in the bin.

Walking out the door with Luke, Talia winces at the loudness of the crowd, thankful for the taller, now calm, man standing between them and herself.

"I'm Luke, by the way." He smiles kindly, holding his hand out for Talia to shake as they make it to the door.

"Talia. Gotta be honest, I wish this was under better circumstances." She smiles tightly back at him, shaking his hand.

"Yeah," he laughs, "me too."

As they make it outside, Talia leads Luke around the building to where her car sits, right next to Brandon's.

"Well, this is me."  She says, signalling to her car with the keys in her hand. "Thanks for walking me past all of that."

"No problem. Drive safe." Luke says with a small wave to her, and she gives him an appreciative smile.

"You too. See you 'round, Luke."

Climbing into her car, Talia sighs, relaxing only slightly in the familiar surroundings.

As she pulls away from the curb, Luke sends her a final wave before walking back into the gym.

Driving away, the adrenaline of the situation starts to wear off, and the reality of the situation starts to sink in.

"God, I'm gonna fucking kill him." Talia mutters to herself, turning the radio up and going over the night's events in her head as she drives back to her apartment.

The next morning, Talia awakes with a rock of dread weighing down her stomach.

Her mind immediately flashes back to the events of the night before, and as she showers, gets dressed and locks her apartment door, it almost felt like she wore the dread of the impending conversation she needed to have with her brother as a scarf tied too tightly around her neck.

Instead of heading straight to the studio and editing the photos of the last few days as usual, Talia instead took a deep breath as she started heading back towards Vault, having a couple hours to hopefully get answers before her first clients for the day were set to arrive at eleven.

The parking lot beside Vault sat a lot emptier today. Only a handful of cars sprinkled around, and just like last night, Talia pulls into the space beside Brandon's car.

Taking a moment before walking in, Talia leans back in her seat, closing her eyes.

She was scared. Of Brandon's explanation, of possibly having to accept whatever the fuck she had witnessed last night, of walking out more confused than she was about to walk in.

Her and Brandon had grown up play fighting, and catching an odd round or two when their dad decided to watch Friday Fight Night, but violence had never really been part of their lives in a physical form. Apart from a questionable wrestling phase when she was 14, Talia couldn't even remember the last time she saw two people in a ring together that wasn't casual sparring when she would frequent the gym in its early days.

None of it compared to what she saw last night.

With what happened still fresh in her mind, Talia climbs out of her car, pushing the door shut behind her.

Johnny doesn't stand by the entrance this morning, meaning Talia easily walks into the gym, the door squeaking slightly in protest as she pushes it open.

It's almost like nothing had even happened. All the equipment that was pushed against a wall last night now sits in its normal place, the shelves of alcohol behind the check in desk now stocked with protein powders like less than twelve hours ago the counter wasn't a very convincing bar.

Hearing her come in the door, a couple people look up from what they're doing, sending Talia a polite smile before returning to their work.

Calum Hood is not one of these people.

Almost like the universe had put a glowing neon sign over his head, Talia's eyes instantly wander towards where Calum stands next to the black haired man she recognized as the same person Brandon was talking to last night when she arrived.

Noticing her too, Calum’s encouragement of his best friend is interrupted by his eyes catching a flash of blue hair in his peripheral vision.

While he knew any animosity towards the woman who could probably have him fired with a few fake tears was a bad idea to hold onto, he couldn't help but feel annoyed upon seeing her in what he thought of as his domain.

Face settling into a frown as she looks across the room to the man who easily got on her nerves last night, Talia almost doesn't notice Brandon coming up behind her.

"Hey." He greets quietly, holding a takeaway cup of coffee out to his sister. "Time for that talk, huh?"

"Yeah. Think so." She takes the coffee with a nod of thanks, and hesitantly follows him to his office.

Talia couldn't tell if Brandon was trying to suck up to her with free coffee, but after sitting down at the chair in front of his desk and taking a sip, tasting vanilla latte, she knows he is.

"So, where should we start?" He asks, settling into his seat with a heavy sigh.

Talia scoffs lightly, raising her eyebrow.

"The beginning would be good."

Brandon nods, looking down at his desk to avoid meeting her eyes.

"The fights started around one, maybe two months after we opened, so we've been hosting them for about fourteen months now."

Talia's eyes go wide, disbelief covering her face as she places her cup on his desk forcefully.

"You're telling me you've been hiding this shit for over a year?" She asks, anger already starting to build.

"Yeah, and if you haven't fucking noticed, it's not been the easiest thing to do." He snaps, before holding his hands up, taking a deep breath and rolling his seat back slightly to calm himself, too much tension already in the air.

Talia bites her tongue, looking down at her hands before she signals to him to continue.

"A friend of mine, Ashton, he was part of an illegal boxing league running out of a rundown place up in Hollywood. I saw him fight there a couple times, saw the conditions myself. The guy running the show was a complete asshole to his guys, but they all needed the money, so they stuck around." He explains, voice quieter than before.

"One night we got to talking. I asked Ash if  he thought we might be able to make our own ring, give people a safer place to earn their money. Then we figured out how much we could earn from it, and with shit going so wrong with mom, I figured that if she pulled the rug out from under me, I could use the league as a safety net."

Piecing together the timeline in her head, and doing the best to absorb the information given to her, Talia remains silent and slowly nods along when needed.

"Him and I have built this thing from the ground up, and it's working for us. I manage the books, he manages the guys, and we take care of the admin together. With my connections to the rich assholes who have more money than they know what to do with, and with Ashton's connection to the guys who need that money and want to do it, we're doing really, really well, Talia."

This time it's Talia who avoids eye contact, looking down to her shoes as she curses the logical side of her brain for seeing sense in his story.

"How many people do you have fighting for you?" She asks.

Brandon let's out a heavy breath, waving his hand slightly.

"Around twenty, twenty five. We keep the doors open for the more occasional guy who needs the cash that week."

"And how often are the nights like last night happening?"

"Weekly. Every Friday, normally."

Seeing the hesitation on her face, bottom lip pulled between her teeth, Brandon sits forward to bring her attention to him, her eyes flicking up to meet his.

"I know this is a lot, and I don't expect you to be okay with it, but I do want you to know I'm being smart about this."

Talia sighs, taking a sip of her drink before speaking.

"I know you, so I don't doubt it. It's just so dangerous, Brandon. You can't expect me not to be worried about you."

Brandon laughs lightly, trying to lift the mood slightly.

"I would never expect you not to worry. It's not in your nature."

A small smile tugs at the corners of Talia's lips, and it's enough to ease his mind.

"Anything you want to know about the ring, the business, any of it, I'll answer as best as I can. I trust you more than anyone and I want to do everything I can to make you feel okay with this, and make up for holding it from you."

Talia hazards a look to her brother, seeing on his face that he's been open and honest with her.

"You know I always ask too many questions." She smiles, joking lightly as she referenced something she would hear almost daily from her mother growing up.

Brandon shakes his head as he laughs, taking a sip of his own drink.

"If you get too much for me, I'll just pass you on to Ashton. It's what normally happens around here." He shrugs slightly, before tilting his head.

"Actually, do you want to meet him? He should be around out there." He asks, and Talia mulls the idea over for a moment before agreeing. After all, it would probably be best to know who she would castrate if something happened to Brandon.

"Sure, might as well." She agrees, downing the last of her drink and tossing her cup into the small recycling bin under his desk.

Standing up and following Brandon out of his office, Talia can feel her nerves already starting to act up, and does her best to shove them down as she follows him towards the bench press where the black haired man who she now assumed was Ashton, and Calum stood.

"Hey, guys. I got someone for you to meet." Brandon says, catching their attention as they approach.

Ashton sends her a warm smile as she steps out from behind Brandon, which is a nice contrast from the cold glare Calum sends her way, which she ignores to return the smile instead.

"Ashton, Calum, this is my sister, Talia. Talia, this is the demon on my shoulder Ash, and my blue rock em sock em man Calum."

"We've met." Calum says bluntly, while Ashton raises his eyebrow.

"And we haven't. Nice to meet you, I assure you Brandon's told us nothing but good things." Ashton grins, holding his hand out for her to shake.

Talia takes his hand and can't help but notice how strong his grip is without what looks like any effort, and laughs lightly.

"I'd hope so, but I can't promise my staff have heard the same about him. It's nice to meet you too." She returns, letting her hand drop to her side before she acknowledges the man beside him.

"And yeah, charmed." Talia prods lightly, seeing Calum trying to hide the roll of his eyes from Brandon.

"Talia is gonna be spending more time around, getting to know the workings when she can. I said if she annoys me too much I'm gonna pass her on to you, so fair warning." Brandon informs them, tapping Ashton's arm as he directs his sentence to him.

"Fantastic." Talia hears Calum mutter, not loud enough for the other two to hear it, but just enough that she does.

This time, it's Talia that rolls her eyes at Calum.

As conversation is made, Calum can't help but feel hyper aware of Talia, and the sun shining in from the high windows casting sunbeams through the few red hairs that fell out of her bun and framed her face delicately. He would admit that Talia was pretty, beautiful even, but not audibly, especially not in front of the girl who felt no hesitation in sending him a death glare every few minutes.

The small group spend ten or so minutes talking with each other before Talia's phone rings, letting her know she should start making her way to the studio.

"Looks like I should be getting to work." Talia says, slipping her phone back into her pocket.

"What do you do, if you don't mind me asking?" Ashton inquiries, genuine interest in his tone, making her see why Brandon was such a fan of him.

Talia believed she could read people well, and from her first impression of Ashton, she got nothing but good vibes.

"I'm a photographer, I own my own studio called Valentine." She smiles proudly, and Ashton nods his head in approval.

"My girlfriend works just down the road from you I think! It's not far from Dominion Books, right?"

Pleasant surprise spreads across Talia's face as she nods, happy to have found a common link.

"Yeah! I think I might have seen you there in passing now I think about it." She smiles.

Brandon watches on with joy as he sees both Talia and Ashton getting along, so happy about it in fact that he didn't even notice Calum looking like he would rather be anywhere else in the world.

Talia says her goodbyes to the men before turning to leave, her attention being called back before she makes it too far.

"If you ever need a fill in hunk for a photo shoot, you know who to call." Ashton jokes, sending a wink in her direction.

"Yeah, you can get your brother to pass you my number any time." Calum says sarcastically, surprising her but also making her scoff as she takes a few steps backwards before turning around.

"In your dreams, darlin'." She calls over her shoulder.

As the door swings shut behind her, Calum feels like his feet are glued to the floor, the eyes of his best friend burning into him as Brandon excuses himself to mock throw up against the wall.

"What's that all about between you two?" Ashton asks Calum quietly, picking up his water bottle as Calum picks up his own, holding it up and speaking casually before taking a sip.

"No idea what you're talking about mate."

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[slayingallthesewomenwithmypeen]

[Title in the Works] - 01

;hey guys! this is for a story I'm writing, and it's something I've had in mind for almost a year now, so I've decided to share the first chapter! i hope you enjoy. if you have any title suggestions please don't hesitate to share.

thank you all!

-Daisy💕

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️

This chapter includes violent themes and driving while intoxicated.

--------------------------

April 12th, 1987

__________

If you were to ask where people usually are on a Sunday night in Boston, they'd almost all unanimously reply with watching the Bruins.

If not then they likely had something better to do.

But based on the rumbling and roaring of the crowd in the small pub downtown Boston, that didn't seem to be the case.

Cheering ran throughout the large room as a hockey game played on four different T.Vs, with men and women gathering around them to cheer for their boys in yellow and boo at Montreal aggressively.

Granted about half the crowd was completely wasted.

Waitresses walked around the establishment with tray-fulls of cheap beer to hand out to the customers as they continued to yell at the game, some getting mad as the people on the screen didn't do what they had yelled at them for the past half hour to do.

Eyeing one of the waitresses from the bar was Kate, the one with the more blonde in her hair, and her skin bearing a fairer complexion compared to her friend.

A cat-like look danced in her eyes as she scanned the crowd, then at the Bruins who weren't doing so hot.

She chuckled to herself.

Next to her, paying no mind to the waitresses (or let alone the game) like her friend was Phoebe.

She instead idly stirred her mixed drink with the tiny black straw that came with it.

Phoebe had noticeably tanner, freckled skin, sporting ginger hair and grey eyes.

Sitting next to Kate, the two did not at all seem like friends if one were to guess.

Kate twirled around on her barstool and faced her friend, smiling, "I knew the Bruins were gonna lose. Now that fat guy in the Hawaiian shirt over there owes me $50."

Phoebe didn't seem to have any reaction towards her friend's statement, continuing to stir the drink and staring blankly at it.

Her friend raised a brow, clearly understanding how out of character her ginger pal was and reached over to pluck the straw from her hand.

"I think the Alabama Slammer's mixed enough dude." Kate commented.

Phoebe looked up at her, seeming to snap out of the trance, "Sorry..." she apologized quickly, "I guess I'm just not feeling it tonight."

Kate leaned on her hand as she looked at her friend, "Feels weird being back here, huh?"

The ginger nodded, "Little bit." she said silently as she sipped her drink, "At least I haven't bumped into them yet."

"What, your parents?" Kate asked, scrunching her brows as she glanced around the bar, "Your blue-collared folks in this shithole?"

She shrugged, "You never know."

"Yeah, but from what you've told me about them they wouldn't even piss in the toilets in a place like this." Kate replied, a swig of her beer following her words, "So I wouldn't worry."

"I wouldn't really say I'm worried," Phoebe replied, "It's just weird."

The blonde sighed, "Just relax man. S'not like they're forming some kind of witch hunt for you still even after all this time."

Phoebe stayed silent for a moment, letting the cries of the hockey fans drown out her unspoken reply.

Kate rolled her eyes and nudged her shoulder, "C'mon, I'm gonna get my 50 first from the Pillsbury dough-boy over there and then we can bounce. Just go wait in the car."

Kate tossed the keys at Phoebe, who caught them with her two hands and nodded in reply.

She got up and walked out of the bar, the parking lot surprisingly enough being barren despite the large crowd of people inside.

Phoebe got to their 1978 Ford Mustang and unlocked the car.

She got into the front seat, slamming the door next to her shut, and threw the keys onto the dashboard.

Though she tried, she just couldn't shake the awkward feeling of being home back so easily as Kate had tried to.

Her parents may not enjoy places like these as she may, but that doesn't mean the people here don't talk to one another.

Especially since Phoebe's father was a pastor of one of the largest churches in the city.

The thought of that by itself made her head cloud from the embarrassment.

Nothing would make a juicy story for every ear in this drunken city like hearing the pastor's daughter running around town making a fool of herself.

'Great.' she muttered in her head, 'As if me ditching hadn't made things worse before.'

Interrupting her silent scolding was laughter, and footsteps that sounded like running towards the car.

Phoebe turned around and looked out of the back window of the car to see Kate with a handful of cash and a wild grin plastered onto her face as the man in the Hawaiian shirt chased after her along with a buddy of his.

The second man, based on what she could get a glimpse of in the dark, had such a shiny bald head she wouldn't have been surprise if he had a marble where a skull would've been.

The fat man's mouth was covered in blood, his expression was one of pure anger.

His pace- while still fast- wasn't fast enough for Kate as she made it to the car in time, and quickly got into the driver's seat.

She threw the cash onto the dash, grabbing the keys and starting the car, her laughter subsiding as she caught her breath.

Phoebe hadn't had the time to even ask what had happened yet as Kate whipped out of the parking lot with a sharp turn and hit the gas.

The mens yelling and cursing in the background faded when they started going farther down the road.

Phoebe glanced at Kate, who looked at her as if she had just experienced a glorious high.

"Dickhead over there said he knew your dad," she explained, a pit in Phoebe's stomach already forming from the guilt, "He said he'd tell him he saw our plate unless I gave him a little something. Told him no, he tried to grab me, and so I broke his tooth and took whatever was in his wallet."

Kate had described the whole ordeal in a tone where she acts as this happens to her on a daily.

Which frankly, Kate getting into fights wasn't something out of the ordinary for the two of them to go through.

Phoebe chuckled nervously, her anxiety worsening, "Shit, he saw our plates?"

"Don't worry," Kate assured nonchalantly with a giggle, "We can always switch em."

Phoebe could feel her organs sinking into a pit, "How did he even recognize me?"

"Hell if I know."

The ginger turned to Kate, looking at her overall demeanor as her friend swerved a little on the road.

"Kate..." Phoebe reached over and put her hand on the wheel to guide the car in a safer way, "Dude you're drunk off your ass. Let me drive."

Kate blew a raspberry, "I'm not drunk'" she objected, smacking Phoebe's hand away, "I can drive just fine, don't be such a worry-wart."

Phoebe was just about to object when her eyes darted over towards the road for a second and saw a person crossing the street.

"Kate- KATE-" she cried as the car drew closer to the person, "Pump the breaks someone is crossing!"

Kate squinted at the road, her head nodding a little shakily, "I don't see anyone-"

"STOP THE CAR KATE STOP THE CAR-"

Phoebe pushed herself over towards the drivers' side and slammed her foot onto the break.

The tires squealed on the road, twisting and turning as Kate drunkenly tried to hold the wheel still.

Which was about as beneficial as a duck doing taxes.

Phoebe yelped as she felt the car stop, a loud thud from the front following after.

Her eyes were shut closed, shaking as she still stood with her feet on the brake pedal.

"Holy shit." Kate murmured, her feet sliding off of the gas and staring ahead from the window.

Phoebe slowly opened her eyes, her breathing quickened as she quickly got out of the car from the shotgun's side and made her way towards the front.

Her eyes widened in horror, her hands reached up to clamp over her mouth as she rushed over to the body.

A young man laid before the car, his dark brown hair held down with a bit of blood and sweat.

He wore a grey shirt and a blue jacket, both of which were covered in some leaves and mud.

She knelt down towards him, freezing for a second as she wasn't sure on what to do, but then immediately checked his neck for a pulse.

"Is he breathing?"

Kate called as she got out of the car, looking over at Phoebe and the body.

"Oh my god."

"What?"

"He's still alive!"

"What?" Kate asked, surprised by him not kicking the bucket due to getting hit by a car, "No way...props to him."

"We gotta take him to the hospital," Phoebe said hurriedly, "He needs an ambulance- call 911!"

"Yeah, you try explaining to the doctors that you hit some homeless guy with your car."

Phoebe glared at her, "It's not my car! It's yours! You drove!"

"I could've been drunk and you would've had to drive me home. Don't lie and say you can't smell the whiskey on me."

Phoebe was absolutely appalled.

"Why can't we just tell the truth for once?!" she demanded, their current situation making her more stressed than ever, "Damn it, Kate, he could be dying!"

"Okay, one," Kate responded, definitely much calmer than Phoebe, "You think that me driving drunk is gonna make this situation better for the cops? You really want your parents to find out after all this time ignoring them, you got arrested for attempted murder?"

Phoebe didn't answer, she didn't even look at Kate, she just continued to have her hand on his pulse as reassurance that he's okay.

"...Two," she continued, "He'll be fine. Let's just go back to our motel. We'll put him on ice, I'll call a guy, we let him rest so we can avoid this whole mess."

"And what if he doesn't get better?" Phoebe shot a glare at her friend, questioning her morals.

Kate shrugged, "I got a shovel in the back."

Her eyes grew big, "Jesus Christ, Kate!"

"He'll get better!" she said a little louder, pinching the bridge of her nose, "Fuck sake, just help me get him into the backseat."