#ignore the fact i forgot to post this for 11 hours :) thank you | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

getsojaded · 4 years ago

Text

chemistry || calum hood

word count: 3.8k+

warnings: mentions of weed, swear words, mention of injury, food & the slightest bit of sex talk

a/n: hey twt moots ;)) anyways, this is inspired by this post! i hope u all enjoy <3

It was about 11 pm, and I had just finished taking an unnecessarily large amount of notes for chemistry class. With a sore, shaky hand and a vision that was starting to go blurry, I had finally finished ten pages. Who knew that there was so much information about 5 organic compounds?

I yawned in my seat, stretching my arms out and removing my glasses. I was more than thankful that I can call it a night, and walked towards my bathroom to get ready for bed, which took a good 30 minutes. It usually doesn’t take me that long, but fuck, I was exhausted this whole day. After all my skincare was completed, I walked back to my bedroom and hopped into my bed, prepared for a well deserved rest. After slouching for a good three and a half hours, comforter and pillows had never felt so good against my body.

Just as I was about to fall asleep, I heard a loud ding! from my phone and I opened my heavy eyes, which immediately annoyed me. I ignored the first one and tried to go back to sleep, but one ding turned into six and I couldn’t take it anymore. I angrily ripped the covers off my body, sitting up right after reaching for my phone on the nightstand beside my bed.

6 New Text Messages from: calum hood

hey wyd rn

can you do me a favour

i need your help

im at this party right now and i’m about to get high as fuck but i forgot about our homework for tomorrow and i was wondering if you could do them for me

you don’t even need to make them look pretty like how you do it just take down the important shit

please

“What the fuck?” I whsipered to myself as I looked at my phone. “Who does this bitch think he is?”

to: calum hood

are you fucking serious right now

from: calum hood

please i’m really sorry LOL i completely forgot about it

i know your smarty pants finished it the second you got home please

i’ll literally buy you starbucks tomorrow morning

As much as I hated to admit it, his last text message kind of convinced me. I was a sucker for coffee, and could really stop spending money on it every morning. But was I really about to lose some more sleep just to do the party boy’s notes? I barely know this kid anyways. How’d this guy even get into college?

to: calum hood

is it gonna be a venti

from: calum hood:

if that’s what you want, sure

I knew I was going to regret this decision, but I threw on my glasses and put my hair up once again, walking towards my desk. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I sighed out, opening my laptop and gathering my supplies together. I unlocked my phone, seeing that the time was 12 am. Am I doing this for coffee or am I doing this because he’s attractive and I couldn’t really say no to him? I groaned and leaned my head on my desk, texting him back.

to: calum hood

i hate you so much

get me a venti iced white mocha no whip and an extra espresso shot

actually no make that two extra espresso shots cause bc of your dumbass im staying up

from: calum hood

i gotchu angel

thank you so much, see you tomorrow :)

“Fuck off with the petname and the smiley face,” I angrily cursed at my phone, picking up my pencil and beginning to write another ten pages of notes.

“I hate this bitch,” I said, throwing my pencil onto my desk and slamming my laptop shut. The time was now 3:45 am and tired was an understatement for me. I crawled into bed, falling asleep almost immediatly, hoping that these 5 hours of sleep will give me enough energy to get through class tomorrow.

“You have got to be fucking joking me,” I mumbled, reaching over for my phone to turn off the alarm. I was definitely not a morning person, and the fact that I didn’t get at least 7 hours of sleep meant that I was not going to be in a good mood today.

I slowly crawled out of bed and began trudging towards my bathroom, seeing I had gotten a text meesage from the man himself. I rolled my eyes seeing his name pop up, opening the conversation between him and I.

from: calum hood

goodmorning!

to: calum hood

fuck off

I set my phone aside, getting ready for bed in the slowest way possible. I honestly could care less about what I looked like today, so I decided on a hoodie and sweatpants. I went back into my room and packed my bag with everything I needed, including Calum’s stupid study notes. I threw it over my shoulder, putting on my shoes and walking out the front door, into my car. Thankfully my college was not too far from my apartment, so it didn’t matter if I was running a couple of minutes late.

Parking my car and walking towards class, more and more annoyance filled my body, hoping that nobody would say a word to me, or even better, look in my direction. As I walked into the classroom, I walked towards the empty seats in the very back, choosing the one closest to the wall. I got settled into my seat, leaning the side of my head against the wall, hoping that I’d get the tiniest bit of extra rest.

“The last text message you sent to me wasn’t very nice.” I heard a voice beside me say. I opened my eyes and looked up, seeing the stupid Calum Hood. He was holding two cups of coffee - one for me, and one for him I’m assuming - and was wearing a maroon hoodie, which he actually looked really good in.

“I don’t think you deserve to have a nice goodmorning text, because you are the reason I’m in a pissy mood today, thank you very much.” I responded, taking my coffee from his hand and placing it on my desk. I reached into my bag and took the study notes I wrote for him, slapping it onto the desk beside me.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered as our professor began to speak up, indicating that class had begun. “What can I do in order for you not to be mad at me?” I turned to look at him. He had the biggest pouty face I had ever seen, which was absolutely adorable. But I’d never tell him that.

“Just shut up.” I sighed, turning back towards the board, opening my notebook and beginning to take notes.

Not even ten minutes later, a green sticky note caught my eye as I was writing. My eyes gazed towards the sticky note, scoffing at what was written on it.

Pls forgive me :(

I turned towards Calum, who was currently well focused on the board in front of us. I lightly chuckled, knowing he was more than pretending to actually pay attention in this class.

I thought I told you to shut up, I wrote underneath his writing and stuck it back onto his desk, and continued from where I left off. I got maybe 5 words in before I saw the neon green appear back onto my desk. I can’t shut up if I’m not talking.

I rolled my eyes before crumbling the paper in my hand, looking at Calum once again. “You’re distracting me. What do you want?” I asked him, the brunette boy turning his head to me once again.

“For you not to be mad at me.” He responded. “What can I do for you to at least smile at me? Besides telling me to shut up.”

I stared at him with the bitchiest face I could put on, then rolled my eyes and began to take down more notes in my book. First, he makes me write ten pages for him and now he’s distracting me in class. Can he leave me alone for at least five minutes?

“And now you’re not gonna talk to me. Fine, be that way.” He grunted. The two of went back to what to we were doing for the remainder of class.

“That’s all for today folks, I hope you have a good rest of your day and don’t forget to read pages thirty to thirty-five and finish questions one to twenty-seven.” Our professor said to all of the class, which resulted in me grabbing my bag and standing up immediately, wanting nothing more than to just get the fuck out of this place.

Please don’t talk to me please don’t talk to me please don’t talk to me-

“Hey wait,” Calum said and grabbed my hand.

Fuck

“Yes?” I asked him, turning my body towards him as he let go of my hand.

“What’re you doing the rest of the day?”

“Nothing, why..?”

I saw that Calum had the cheekiest grin on his face after I gave him my answer. “As an apology for making you write down my notes, thank you very much by the way, along with making you angry this whole morning, how about we go get breakfast on me, and we can do our homework together, except I will do all the work, and you just copy my answers? How does that sound?”

I thought about it. One part of me just wanted to flip him off, go back home and get the sleep I missed out on last night. The other part of me was actually kind of down for that idea. Free food, free homework answers and I get to hang out with pretty boy? I wasn’t really losing anything here, huh?

“I mean, I would say yes, but I took my car here and also I’m dressed terribly right now, the last thing I need is for more people to see me looking like this..” I trailed off, looking down at my current outfit and laughing lightly. “Babe, you don’t even look bad whatsoever right now. However, if you insist, you can go home and change and I can come get you when you’re ready. Is that a plan?” He asked in response. First angel, now babe? What is this guy doing?

“I mean.. I could do that...but-” “Pleeaaasee?” Calum cut me off, pressing his hands together, acting as if he was praying.

“Ugh, fine, I’ll go with you! I’ll go home and get ready, and I’ll text you when I’m done.” I responded as the both of us walked out of the classroom, towards the parking lot.

“Pinky promise you won’t cancel on me last minute?” Calum asked, extending his arm and putting his pinky in front of me as we reached my car. I hadn’t even noticed that he walked me to my car, which honestly made my heart flutter when I realized.

“Are you kidding me?” I laughed lightly, taking my pinky and sticking it out with his, interlocking it. “Pinky promises mean everything, sweetheart. I’ll see you later.” He responded, winking at me then walking away. Getting into my car, I hit my steering wheel, squealing while I repeatedly hit my head against my wheel. “Fuckin’ angel, babe and sweetheart?! What’s next?” I asked myself, driving back to my place to get ready for this little study.. session? Hang out? Date?

I never noticed how nervous I was to hang out with Calum until four different outfits were placed on my bed, with no ability to choose which one looked best. “Fuck, these are all terrible.” I groaned, flopping onto my bed and closing my eyes. I was interrupted by my phone ringing, seeing that Calum was calling.

“I know you pinky promised that you wouldn’t cancel on me, but angel what is taking so long?” He asked, laughing into his question. “I’m so sorry,” I groaned, getting back up and looking at the outfits I planned on my bed. “I’m having a little wardrobe crisis. I have zero idea what to wear.”

“You could’ve showed up in the hoodie and sweatpants and I’d still find you gorgeous,” He responded, making my heart flutter for what felt like the hundreth time today. This man throws small compliments left and right and it’s kind of driving me crazy. “But lemme see what you got planned out. I’ll make it easier for you.” I responded with an okay, quickly snapping a photo of the clothes that were currently on my bed.

“Okay first off, none of these are bad at all. I think you could’ve chose any of these and rocked all of ‘em. Second, little shirt big pants is always the way to go. I say the second one.” He told me, choosing a white long sleeved shirt and the baggiest light wash jeans I had in my closet. It might’ve been basic, but Calum was right - you really can’t go wrong with a little shirt big pants combination.

“Okay, thank you.” I sighed in relief, taking the clothes into my hands and walking into the washroom to change. “You can come now, I’ll text you my address. I’ll probably be done by the time you get here.”

“Now was that so hard?” He asked in response, causing the both of us to laugh. “I’ll see you in a bit. Bye bye!”

“Bye Calum, see you later.” And with that the call ended. I quickly changed into my clothes, put my laptop in my bag - along with everything else I needed - and slipped my shoes on. Once I finished doing so, I heard a loud honk outside, indicating that he was outside.

Walking out of my house I saw Calum exiting his seat, walking over to the other side and opening the door for me. “Wow, what a gentleman.” I laughed as he closed my door and got into the drivers’ side once again. “You look great.” He told me, his eyes focused on my outfit. “All thanks to you.” I said nervously, as he started the car. “Where are we going again?” I asked him.

“You can never go wrong with IHOP,” He said proudly, with a wide grin on his face. “How’d you know I loved going there?” I asked him, gaining a chuckle from him in response. “Not sure if you knew this, but I’m a mindreader.” He joked, causing me to roll my eyes and laugh in response.

Arriving at the place and ordering our food, Calum and I began to have a little conversation. It started off with an are you still mad at me? which resulted into talks about other classes, finals and parties.

“You’re telling me you’ve never been to a party?” He asked in shock, me shaking my head as I took a sip of the water that was given to me. “Are you kidding me? We’ve been in college for what, two years, and you’ve never been to one?!”

“Yeah, in case you didn’t notice, I go to school to learn and not to party. I don’t ask people to take ten pages of notes for me so I could blaze up, unlike somebody I know,” I responded, Calum looking at me in disbelief. “I cannot believe you just called me out like that. I said I was sorry!”

“Yeah yeah, I know. You’re making up for it with free food and free homework answers, so I decided to get over it.” I responded, laughing. “Also, when are we gonna start doing the questions?” I asked as the waiter came with both of our plates of food, thanking them as we began to eat.

“I mean, we could go back to my place and work on it, if that’s alright with you.” Calum said, his mouth full of pancakes. “Is that your way of trying to get in my pants?” I asked jokingly.

“You’re a fiesty one aren’t you?” He asked, with a simple nod from me in response. “Well to answer your question, no that is not my way of doing such a thing, I’d be much more smooth about it.”

“Oh, so you think you’re slick or something?” “Nah babe, I know I’m slick.” There’s the cocky party boy that I was much more familiar with. I rolled my eyes in response.

“I’m gonna ignore what you just said.. Anyways, I am fine with working on it at your place.” I told him, getting a nod in response. Throughout the whole breakfast, we got to know each other quite well. I learned that he played soccer in highschool, but due to a torn ACL he had to quit. But because of that, he got into music and started playing the guitar. I told him that if there’s enough free time when we finished, he should play me something. He happily agreed to it, saying that I will fall in love with him after I hear his singing. I just roll my eyes at his cocky compliments about himself.

I also got to hear his totally wild college parties that he goes to, telling me about this one time one of his friends’ houses got shut down due to the various noise complaints from neighbours down the block. “you should come join me in one”, He offers, with a “fuck no” in response from me.

“C’mon, they’re not that bad. They’re actually really fun, and everybody’s always so nice.”

“I literally can’t tell you the last time I got high, and the last time I got drunk it was not pretty, I’m retired from that shit.” I said, as he paid for our food and began walking back to his car.

“Oh, so you used to be rowdy?” He asked, the two of us laughing in unison. “High school me was a different story, we don’t talk about that.” I responded. “The things I would do to see that side of you. You gotta go to at least one before you get outta this place. They take a lot of stress off your shoulders for the night.” He told me as we walked towards the front door to his place, which made me laugh at the fact that he tried to make parties seem like a really good thing. A simple Maybe, was all I responded with as we got settled into his apartment, which was fairly clean to my surprise.

We were currently sitting across each other at his dining table, the both of us reading over the textbook and him answering the questions after every section. He worked effeciently, which also took me by surprise. I underestimated this guy a lot, didn’t I?

A good two hours later, Calum had finished all the questions for homework and I had finished copying them down, thanking him for doing such a thing.

“It’s no problem. I had no idea that the notes were ten fucking pages long, you deserve a break after that- wait, you wear glasses?” He asked me, analyzing them.

“Yeah, only at home though. I don’t really like how they look on me,” I replied, taking them off and rubbing my eyes. He took them in his hands and put them back on me, smiling. “They look really cute on you, I like them.” He said, causing me to blush. “What’re you so flirty for?” I asked. Keep these compliments up and I might just fall in love with you before you even sing, I thought to myself.

“Well, with somebody as pretty as you, I gotta slip in a flirty remark every chance I get, eh?” He smirked, taking my hand, and taking the both of upstairs. “Don’t take this the wrong way, my guitars in my room.” He reassured me as we walked inside his room. He took the guitar from the side of his room, and sat on the edge of his bed, gesturing me to sit down next to him.

“Ready to fall in love with me?”

“Try me, Hood.”

He chuckled, playing the intro to Sam Smith’s Leave Your Lover. “Holy shit, I love this song,” I whispered, watching his hands strum the guitar.

He began to sing, immediately amazed by his voice. It was so soft and raspy, I literally could listen to it all day. I closed my eyes, leaning my head on his shoulder. He laughed softly when he noticed, continuing on with the song.

He finished playing the outro, which caused me to open my eyes and look up at him. “So, how was that?”

“It was beautiful, your voice is so pretty.” I responded, smiling at him. “You should drop outta this whole college thing and just become famous.”

“Oh man I wish, but I think it’s too late for that.” He told me, now leaning on my shoulder, which made me want to scream and kiss him. “Did you fall in love with me yet?”

I patted his cheek with my hand lightly. “Not yet Cal, not yet. Stil kinda angry about that whole ten pages of notes thing.”

“You’re never gonna let that go, are you?”

“Nah.”

He laughed, then took my hand and intertwined it with his, rubbing circles on it with his thumb. “What if I told you I’d be down to do this again, minus the whole ‘let me do this for you today as an apology’ thing?” He questioned, lifting his head from my shoulder and looking at me.

“What do you mean, ‘this again’?”

“I mean picking you up with a coffee before class, bothering you the whole time, getting breakfast with you afterwards, studying together, and then playing a song for you once we get too lazy to finish our assignments.” He replied with a soft smile that made my heart warm and my cheeks red.

“And what if I told you that I’d be down to do those things aswell?”

“Well then my love, I will pick you up on Wednesday at 8:15 with a venti iced white mocha with only one extra shot of espresso, because I won’t keep you up to write more notes. After class, I’ll take us to any place you wanna go. Denny’s? IHOP? Waffle House? You name it. Then, we can go back to my place, study our asses off and then I can play you as many songs as you’d like. How does that sound?” He offered, the biggest smile appearing on my face.

“That sounds perfect.”

“Now if we’re going to be doing this... does this mean I can finally take you to a damn party?”

“Fuck off, Hood.”

#calum hood #luke hemmings #michael clifford #ashton irwin #5sos #5 seconds of summer #calum hood imagine #luke hemmings imagine #michael clifford imagine #ashton irwin imagine

120 notes · View notes

tundrainafrica · 4 years ago

Text

Title: A Tale of Two Slaves (2/17)

Summary: “Soulmates don’t exist. Fate doesn’t exist. Everything is a choice. At that moment, Levi could only watch as she made the choice for him.“

Reincarnation AU. Levi remembers everything from their past life. Hange doesn’t.

Note: As always, feedback is very much appreciated.

Link to cross-postings: AO3

Other Chapters: 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

"Hey! Are you alive?"

Levi's body was on fire. Another type of pain, added to the list that only grew longer and longer the more mornings he woke up to.

It was new. In the grand scheme of things though, it was routine. When Levi woke up, the pain was already fading into a distant memory. He knew it could be easily soothed with a Tylenol and a few more minutes in bed. He had to press his face harder into the pillow, focusing on the feeling of cloth and cotton on his face to get a grip on his reality. He wanted to hear that voice again but at the same time he wanted to escape that pain.

That voice was familiar. Levi was sure when he showed up for training she would be there, and he could listen to her again. He ended up adding salt to the wounds though as he remembered the last few things he had said to her the night before.

It could have been from the stress of the whole ordeal or the embarrassment of having blurted out a bunch of nonsense.

Who the hell are we escaping from? Levi had scrambled for an answer then. What came out were a string of words he wished he had never said.

“Nothing.”

“Hey, I’ve spent a lot of time talking, I wanna learn something about you too.”

“My life is none of your business.”

She had kept quiet soon after. As Levi recalled how she had offered to take him home, he only buried his face further into the pillow. A part of him thought that maybe if he deprived himself of oxygen enough, he could forget the conversation between them.

“How far is your house from here? I’ll take you home. It’s my fault you got injured anyway.”

“It’s fine.”

“You sure you’ll get home safe?”

“Why do you care? We just met. I couldn’t care less either if you got home safe or not.”

We just met. Obviously I wouldn’t care too much about her. His meager justification did nothing to placate the guilt that had taken over him, leaving him unable to move.

He remembered the face she had made before he turned away and limped home. He had thought to himself then that maybe she just wore her heart on her sleeve. Most people probably would have thought the same thing as they saw the way she bit her lip and looked away. She could have been about to cry. Levi could not help but think though that she wouldn’t. Her mental resilience is stronger than that. Levi just knew.

Either way, Levi still regretted his actions that night. He spent the next few minutes in bed gathering himself up mentally for his morning training. As he pushed himself into a sitting position and planted his feet on the floor next to his bed, he felt his knees protest at the weight. At that moment, the dull pain on his palms also made themselves known.

Of course it wouldn’t heal. How long has it been 12 hours? When injured, most of his teammates could easily skip training with little to no consequences, as long as they sent a text. Most of his teammates still showed up anyway to watch. Feeling a little guilty for having skipped training just yesterday, Levi decided to show up anyway.

It was a force of habit more than anything for Levi to throw his jacket and shorts on, grab his gym bag and hurry to the track as soon as he saw the first signs of the sun about to rise. In fact, he only realized how completely useless it was to be thirty minutes early when he was already sitting alone in the empty clubroom, entertaining himself by looking for patterns in the stains and discolored blots on the ceiling.

He considered going back to the dorm and just informing his coach on his recent injury. He had already exited the clubroom when he decided otherwise.

The track stretched out in front of him, illuminated by the dim light from the sunrise. The morning was notably cooler and Levi remembered that summer was ending soon, if it hadn’t ended yet. The days would only get colder and classes were starting next week. How long would he be able to enjoy a morning walk without having to wear an extra layer or without considering how he could fit in a shower before his next class?

Levi ignored resistance of the stitches on his knees and the stinging pain of sweat and bandages rubbing against his palms, allowing himself a slow jog around the oval. He promised himself instead to sit out the rest of the training. His coach would probably stop him anyway when he sees the state of Levi’s hands and knees.

“Levi!”

It turned out Levi was right. Time had gone faster as Levi focused on the rhythm of his breathing, the cool wind that brushed past him and the scenery that blurred past him. Also, his coach had stopped him as soon as he arrived.

“What happened to you?” Greg gave Levi a onceover before shaking his head.

“I fell while jumping on the hurdles.”

“Get that checked. I’m not allowing you to join training until you see a doctor.”

Levi looked down to see blood seeping from the white of the bandages. His stitches split open. He could barely give his coach a nod, too disappointed by being forced out of training, a little angry at Hange for indirectly causing that energy, too conflicted by his own feelings. He grabbed his phone which he had left on the table next to the track and walked away from the track.

He had to grab the gym bag he left in the club room. He made sure to take the long way back, the scenic route with more trees than people. Having just been told off by his coach, having been barred from training, Levi felt like he was taking a walk of shame and he preferred not to run into anyone else.

He checked his phone. It was six in the morning. The university clinic opened at eight. He could kill those two hours quickly in the empty clubroom while everyone was training. By the time they finished morning training, he would be on his way to the clinic.

He had plans of just lying on the bench for the next two hours, exhausting all the content in all of his social media timelines and maybe getting into some other Wikipedia or article black hole. On his way to the clubroom, he set his alarm for 7:45 that morning.

As he arrived in the clubroom though, he found himself occupied by something else.

Everyone in the club always put their stuff away in the cubbyholes to the side. There was more than enough space for everyone. Yet somehow, even with three cubby holes open, someone had decided to leave their bag half open on the floor with what looked like half its contents spilling out.

Levi gathered what had spilled out. He had the option of just dropping it into the bag leaving the problem of organizing it to the owner. His fastidiousness took over though and Levi found himself spreading out the contents of the bag and putting it into the bag in a way that would have made it take the least space in the cubby.

“Sorry. I forgot my phone in my bag.”

Levi heard footsteps and voices just outside the clubroom and it was only then was he become aware of the fact that he had invaded someone’s privacy. He hurriedly pushed the contents of the bag into the nearest cubbyhole.

His hands though were not at their strongest, still sore from the accident last night. It was at the moment the door opened did the bag fall again on the floor, its contents spilling out, more haphazardly and messily than he had found it.

He looked up at the door to see Hange and behind her, another student.

"Levi…" Hange’s mouth was turned up in a smile but her eyes were expressing otherwise.

Levi wondered what he looked like crouched down next to her bag, with its contents spread out all over the room. From the way Hange was staring at him, he guessed he could have even looked like a criminal. "I made a rule here. All bags go in the cubbyhole," Levi tried to keep an authoritative tone as he said it, maybe it could make up for the compromising position they had found him in, somehow.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry." Hange rushed beside him, carelessly gathering things into one bundle.

Levi noticed she kept herself a polite distance from him, purposefully pushing her bag into one of the cubbyholes farther away from where her bag had fallen.

"Just don't mess up the clubroom again."

Levi lay back on the bench as soon as the door closed behind him and propped his phone on his face. He could not even bring himself to even turn it on and lazily scroll through some timeline. As he listened to the footsteps get further away, Levi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The rush of incomprehensible emotions had left him cold as he lost one of the few opportunities he did have to talk to her.

Why? Why couldn't I chase after her?

A part of him wanted to run after her, apologize then maybe thank her for last night.

A part of him was also just as pissed off with the chain of events. He was injured. He couldn't train. The club room was a mess. Hange had something to do with all of it.

His four years living in his own tiny island with only training and studies keeping him company had left him unable to process the strong emotions that came with human interaction.

Why does she make me so angry?

He was aware that he was abrasive and sometimes too frank. It had never bothered him then. He had always believed that it was also the other party's responsibility to handle their emotions well. Hange had handled it better than many other people in similar positions yet...

Why do I care that it hurt her? How the hell did I say something so offensive so wrong? In fact despite his inability to express a lot of feelings, Levi did care enough about people to check on injured teammates and help grandmas cross the street.

He turned his phone on, deciding to occupy himself with Twitter for the next two hours. Watching people fight online was oddly calming.

A Tale of Two Slaves

By the time Levi made it to the university clinic, the bandages on his knees were bloody. The red buds had bloomed into adult flowers. Underneath, the stitches had to be redone, and Levi was prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection.

One of the nurses offered to go out of campus to buy it for him. Levi hid under the covers of one of the vacant beds in the nurse's office while waiting. The clinic was empty save for one nurse and one doctor with not many students living on campus just yet.

Levi found himself going through his timeline first, then articles on dreams.

By the time the doctor had checked on him, to ask him if he had plans to at least take a late lunch, Levi was in a black hole with 50 tabs open. They weren't about dreams or were they from random links he had found on his timeline.

They were all about Hange Zoe, pages worth of articles with pictures of her at varying ages. The awards varied, some were in the form of certificates, others as trophies. The girl behind them all was the same chestnut haired girl with that same overenthusiastic glint in her eyes.

Kid whiz Hange Zoe bags gold in the city wide

Governor congratulates the representative to the national Science symposium.

7 year old genius has big plans for the future.

Hange Zoe talks about future plans. "I want to test the physical limitations of the human body."

I wanna see how far we can throw, how fast we can run, how high we can jump, how high we can fly.

"Fucking stupid. Humans can't fly." Levi muttered to himself. He sat up in bed and checked the time at the corner of his phone.

3:00pm.

Afternoon training would generally start at five. He had time for a late lunch. Or dinner.

Nothing in the university was open though and the raw stitches on his knees continued to ache. Levi found himself staying in the club room two hours before training was to start, having Mcdonalds delivered instead at the doorway of the clubroom.

A few times he had heard footsteps by the door, he stood up the first two times, just to check who it had been. The clubrooms were lined up near the athletics area. All the sports teams hung around that area, he should not have been too surprised to realize that none of the foot traffic in that hour were from anyone in his team. In fact, he should not have expected that any of them would have been Hange.

Why the hell am I looking for her anyway?

Levi shifted to his side. The bench did not give him much room to roll completely and Levi found himself having to grasp at the sides to stay on the bench and avoid falling painfully on the ground and further aggravating his stitches.

With his two hands occupied, it became a choice. Either his knees or his phone was to take the impact of the ground beneath him. He chose to sacrifice his phone.

As Levi reached out to grab his phone from under the bench a few seconds later, he came across a small trinket on the floor. It was a ring was covered with purple cloth, the middle of the ring covered with some sort of web. The borders were lined with feathers, soft to his touch. Levi wondered whether the feathers were real or not.

Levi sat back on the bench and brought the keychain closer to his eyes. It turned out the ring was not covered in cloth. It was covered in threads so pressed closely to each other, from afar it had looked like one surface. He carefully traced the dark green strings that were interwoven so tightly around the purple cloth, no pattern was the same, no hole was of the same size or shape. It could have been homemade.

Who the hell left this here? Levi took a picture with his phone and sent it to the team chat.

Lost and Found.

Most had denied owning it. For a while Levi suspected that they could have been scared he would get mad. He knew he had a reputation when it came to cleaning and clutter. He was considering adding that he wasn’t angry eventually deciding against it. Would they believe him anyway?

One of the med students probs.

So it’s Hange’s? It was an excuse to message her at least. Before Levi could even process what he did, he had searched Hange’s name on Facebook.

No account. He would have at least expected to find a profile with one or two mutual friends. They went to the same school after all. He checked the school supergroup to find that no one there was named Hange Zoe.

So she doesn’t have an account?

He looked through other groups built for their team. He looked for a medical students group, looking one by one at the profiles for a familiar face. One of the profiles had the face of the blond man who was behind Hange when they had found him that morning.

Levi had a habit of forgetting faces. The awkwardness and the embarrassment he had gone through had only made that memory more vivid in his mind. That vividness at least was the reason why he had found a lead to Hange.

Moblit Berner.

He clicked add friend and sent a picture of the keychain through chat.

Found this in the clubroom. Might be one of your friends?

It’s Hange’s.

Probably fell when her stuff got scattered on the floor.

Okay, will give it to you when you get here.

As Levi soon found out, the students were all out of campus and had no plans to visit training that afternoon at all. The main reason why they had showed up in the morning instead.

Levi scolded himself for not even bothering to learn their schedule. Maybe it could have alleviated his disappointment even a bit. Seeing no reason to be there in the clubroom anymore. Levi dropped a message in the chat, mentioning something about injuries and rest.

He wasn’t lying. His stitches were fresh. His palms hurt. More importantly. He was recovering from a painful bout of disappointment.

We’ll be there tomorrow morning though.

Ok see you there.

Levi had plans of making it up to his coach the next morning by being extra early anyway.

A Tale of Two Slaves

I wonder what types of titans we'll get to meet today...

It was a beautiful morning. Or possibly, it was just a relatively beautiful morning when compared to all the others where Levi had to lie in bed for an hour or so just to forget the pain and the shock of dreams he could not even remember to function.

That morning he had awoken with a burst of energy and a motivation that followed suit.

I wanna talk to Hange.

The only stopping him then was the awareness of how stupid and rash it would be to make friends just because he had such a vivid dream about them.

Section Leader Hange Zoe.

Special Squad Captain Levi .

They worked too closely in his dreams. She was constantly happy, constantly annoying. She was comfortable. She had made him feel excited, calm, annoyed, an incomprehensible and tumultuous storm of emotions. The dreams were too lifelike, realistic and vivid to have just been dreams.

Was she the reason for the painful mornings? Was she the reason Levi found himself so particularly confused around her? So abrasive? So conflicted?

Levi quickly changed into his clothes, grabbed his gym bag and rushed to the track. He did not bother to check his phone for the time anyway. The sun was rising and Moblit had said the night before. They’ll be there.

He used the walk to the track to process further the emotions that had been running through him since he remembered the dreams.

His name was Levi Ackerman. He was a soldier. They fought these giant zombie creatures. Hange managed another team but they were stationed close and that was how they had gotten close in the first place.

It felt like some sort of roleplay Levi could just easily put into words and post online. He wondered if that’s what it felt like to be a writer. Do stories come to writers and artists in dreams just like that? Levi had considered writing it all out, completely disowning that thought after he remembered he was shitty with words.

He probably would never channel those emotions into words or to art. Regardless, the determination to make sense of it was unwavering. Despite his awareness of the amount of stress he had caused her the past few days, the nagging self consciousness of having exposed that many facets of personality to someone, Levi was sure he wanted to talk to her. It was too strong. She must have felt it too. Maybe that’s why she was too friendly? Too touchy?

As Levi soon found out, she was touchy with a lot of other people. If Levi had checked his phone that morning, he would have seen that training was starting soon. With autumn coming, the nights were long and the sun was rising later.

Hange was there, by the side of the track, her arms around Elijah, one of his other teammates and fellow seniors. From where he stood, Levi could not tell if she was joking or not, but he could not help but note, he had never been the object of that playful smile she gave Moblit who stood next to her with a clipboard in hand.

“Hey Four Eyes.” Levi did not need to muster up any courage to approach her. The irritation he felt at seeing her arm around someone else, that playful smile directed at Moblit provoked him enough.

Hange’s face quickly fell as she made eye contact with him. Levi’s stomach followed suit, suddenly painfully aware of the shit he had put her through the past few days.

“Oh yeah, Levi found your dream catcher in the clubroom.”

The keychain! Levi had completely forgotten to bring it with him.

“Sorry about leaving it there. I shouldn’t have been too careless.” Hange’s smile was careful and rehearsed, a far cry from the one she gave Moblit only a while ago.

“I don’t have it with me now though since I had to rush here.” Levi was sure the excuse was understandable. A lot of his teammates were already warming up in the middle of track. “I could bring it later this afternoon?”

“Actually, we probably won’t be going back here for a while. We gotta prepare with classes starting soon and we got all the information we need anyway.” Moblit explained. “So we’re gonna invite some athletes out for an interview then work closely with them.”

“About the keychain...” Yes, the keychain. I need to meet Hange again and give it to her.

“You can give it to Elijah here.” Hange suggested. “Or maybe...Moblit? If you’re okay working with him.”

Why Moblit? My teammate, Elijah? “Wait why?” Levi’s mind was racing with questions. The shock and confusion had left him a little disconnected from his surroundings. He almost did not notice the way Hange had pulled him to the side of the track. Suddenly, it was just the two of them, on the corner, out of earshot from everyone else.

“This is probably the last time we’re gonna meet so I’ll be honest with you.” Hange took a deep breath. “I really wanted to work with you for my thesis but yeah I guess… with what happened the past few days I kinda realize maybe we just aren’t compatible and we might just end up driving each other crazy.” Hange added a small laugh to that cold and rehearsed smile she was giving him. It only added salt to the wounds she was already opening up with her speech. “And I guess I should have noticed this before but you really don’t like me do you? I’m sorry if I couldn’t give the best first impression.”

No… I really like you. You gave a great first impression. Like always, even when Levi had wanted to say it, the words had gotten lost somewhere in its journey from mind to mouth.

#levihan #levi ackerman #hange zoe #levi x hange

46 notes · View notes

frostsinth · 4 years ago

Text

Royal Flush - Pt. 11

Part 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10 - MasterList - Art - Art - Art - Art - Art - Art - Art - Art - ... Art (can’t stop me… #obsessed)

Ok, so this is a very long update, but I didn’t want to cut ANY of it. But I really hope you will enjoy. Also, I think there will be 13/14 parts. Not 12. The boys are apparently not done with me yet!! And Morgana MAY have highjacked herself another chapter.

Also, also... I’m sorry about the end.

Comments and Reblogs give me life! The next part is already mostly written out, so if I have enjoy interest I’ll post it early. Want to commission your own piece? DM me for details! Check out my Masterlist above for more of my inane/insane ramblings, and please feel free to BuyMeACoffee while you are there!

I have an Alternative 10 page Part 11 that Immediately follows the events of last chapter available for purchase on BuyMeACoffee (which you can access through my Masterlist). There are only 10 copies available right now, so get them before they are gone. OH! And did I mention its NSFW? That piece is set in an alternative timeline, where Grier and Nikostratus.... well, I guess you’d just have to buy it to see. However, it is not a canon part of this story. Just an alternative spin the story could have taken.

All the best!

“Niko, Niko, Niko, NIKO!” Morgan half-sang, half shouted, punctuating each repetition of my name with a bounce on the bed. “Niko! NIKO!”

I sighed groggily, cracking open an eye and looking over at her. She reached across the bed, placing both hands on my shoulder and giving me a solid shake.

“Niko! The sun’s finally up!” She declared, then crawled closer to better shake me. “It’s morning! I slept! Can I go explore the castle now?” I started to yawn, and she bounced up and down impatiently. “Come ON, Niko! Get up!! Get up!”

“Alright, alright, little chickadee. I’m up.” I yawned again. “I’m up.”

I rubbed a hand across my face, slowly tugging myself into a sitting position. My whole body felt heavy and drained, as if I had spent the previous day climbing a mountain. It took me longer than usual to shake the grogginess from my head, and I lingered with my fingers pinching the bridge of my nose. The sun’s rays were slowly filtering in through the large windows beside the bed. Reaching sparkling tendrils of light towards us. Seeing that I was officially awake, Morgana bounded from the bed and skittered barefoot across the floor over to the clear glass. I swore she was almost vibrating with excitement, and pressed her face against it to peer out.

“Can we go outside? Are goblins awake during the day, or are they only up at night? Are there a lot of goblins?” She gushed, dancing from foot to foot before running back to the bed.

I ran my hand over the back of my head, then down to my neck, stretching my sore muscles, nodding slowly. “We can go outside, I’m sure. Goblins sleep at night too. And yes, there’s a lot of them.”

She tugged at my wrist as I swung my legs out of the bed, and I stood at her insistence. “What do you do all day? Do you run the city? Do you hold audiences?”

“I train with the General in the mornings.” I told her, stretching again now that I was standing. “And the King has been letting me shadow him, so I can learn more about the Kingdom. And I’ve been learning goblinese.” I tugged a fresh tunic over my head.

“Goblinese??”

I nodded, noticing a trunk in the foyer and guessing that some of the attendants must have brought it in last night while we were distracted. I padded my way over and started picking through her clothes before tossing her a fresh dress.

“That’s what goblins speak. Not all of them know Common.”

“Can I learn goblinese?” She asked eagerly.

I shrugged. “I don’t see why not. Wash up and get dressed.”

There was a knock as I directed her to the bathing room. I closed the door behind her, leaving it propped a tiny crack, before I headed back to the foyer to the one leading out to the hall. My heart skipped as a memory of soft green lips came unbidden to my mind. I quickly reminded myself that Grier would never be up this early, unless he had simply never gone to bed the day before. And cool beads of dread dripped down the back of my neck as I remembered what he had said…. “But I would like to speak more about… …. About everything.” Everything. What was... everything? I swallowed hard, brushing the notion from my head as best I could.

Still, my hand shook a little as I tugged the door open. I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or disappointed that Seoc stood in the hall instead. He offered me a quick bow.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Good morning, Seoc,” I replied cordially, nodding to him and hiding my nervousness well, “I hope everything is alright?”

He smiled up at me. “Of course, Your Highness. My apologies for the intrusion.” He dipped his head lightly again. “General Damjan sent word. He is curious if you will still be joining him his morning.”

I considered that, glancing over as the door to the bathing room opened. Morgana scuttled over, freshly dressed and eyes curious, quickly tucking herself at my side and peeking around the door. Seoc’s own eyes dropped to her, and he gave a friendly smile, bowing lightly.

“Princess.” He greeted her cheerily.

She looked between me and him, then tugged on my shirt subtly. I supposed she might be surprised. Wondering who Seoc was to be speaking to her without having first been spoken to. Not that she minded, I knew. Likely she was estatic. She just didn’t know how to react to it. I was again reminded how different customs were between the two kingdoms. I instinctually dropped a hand to her shoulder, reassuring her as she shifted from foot to foot.

“I assume the King is not up yet?” I asked him, trying to sound as matter-of-fact as possible.

He hid a small smirk, as if amused by the thought of the King being up at any decent morning hour. “Not yet, Your Highness.” He cocked his head to the side and his big ears flopped. I saw Morgana’s eyes widen with delight. “Would you like me to have breakfast brought up for you?”

“What do you think then, Princess?” I mused, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Would you like to go to the training grounds with me? Or are you hungry?”

She looked between me and Seoc again for another quiet moment, her eyes still wide with wonder. “... I could go with you?” She asked timidly, her voice softer than usual, “Do you fight with the goblins?”

“Of course, you can. And we spar; only for training and exercise purposes.” I assured her. Then nodded to Seoc. “Perhaps the General would be willing to show the Princess and I around the grounds? In lieu of our usual match.”

“I can send word, Your Highness, if you would give me a moment.” He replied. “Then I can escort you down if you wish.” The goblin tilted his head to the side. “I am certain the King would enjoy sharing breakfast with you as well. Shall I let Lord Hibik know to inform us when he wakes?”

I stiffened a little, then gave a curt nod. “That is an excellent suggestion, Seoc... Let me fetch my boots while you send word, yes?”

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

A few minutes later we were off to meet Damjan. Morgana shyly hid in my shadow, tugging on my sleeve and whispering things to me. Despite that, and the innate joy I felt just to have her at my side, I couldn’t help but linger on what came later on after our tour…

….

Seoc bowed as he opened the door for us, stepping to the side to allow us to enter. Morgana kept a step behind me, alternating between peeking around my legs and hiding herself there. I knew it must be strange for her; she had been taught to stifle her curiosity and told to sit still for as long as she could remember, save with me. Surrounded by statues, and not allowed to ask questions or speak. Ignored, for the most part, as most children at Court were. But here, everyone smiled at her. Everyone greeted her, and when she forgot herself for a moment and asked a question, they were always eager to answer. She had never perfected her composure and mask as I had; but I still saw her struggle a little, as she tried to determine what was expected of her. It made my heart ache to see, and I was glad to have taken her as far away from that place as I could.

The small sitting room we entered was well lit, with a small crackling fire before the couch and armchairs sat before the knee-high dark wood table. I saw Morgana’s eyes skitter about, considering the cluttered décor and bright colors. My eyes settled much more quickly on the room’s occupants.

Grier sat on one end of the couch, shuffling grumpily through a few papers Hibik offered him. Perhaps it was my imagination, but I felt that he looked a fair bit more tired than usual, with dark circles around his eyes. At the sound of the door, his gaze flicked up. Meeting mine. My heart skipped and I resisted the urge swallow. Especially as those thin lips split into a small, wry smile.

“Ah, my favorite pair of royal siblings.” He exclaimed, glancing back at the papers once more before passing them to Hibik with a nod. “I trust you slept well?”

Morgana peeked around my leg curiously, and he offered her a smile. As he seemed to be speaking directly to her, she bowed her head lightly. “Good morning, Your Majesty. Thank you for your inquiry.” She replied formally.

Grier cocked one brow, standing slowly and waving Hibik out the door. “My, but the family resemblance is strong.” He replied dourly, tilting his head to the side. “There’s no need for that, Princess. You may always speak freely around me.”

Morgana glanced up at me, surprised and a little curious. I pushed her hair back out of her face, the corners of my mouth twitching. But I gave her a small nod, and she looked back at the King.

“... I can still call you ‘Grier’?” She asked shyly.

His smile returned. “Of course! I hope I can still call you ‘Morgana’, yes? And you can still ask me questions.” He beckoned us both deeper into the room. “Perhaps you can even help me convince Nikostratus to do so as well.” He told her with a wink.

A tiny smile lit her own lips as a flush prickled my cheeks at his words, and she glanced at me only once more before walking around to sit in one of the armchairs beside the table. I followed behind, pretending not to notice the goblin’s eyes following me as I did. I settled on the couch, and tried not to stiffen as he settled back in the seat at the opposite end. The couch was not nearly so long; his knees could almost brush mine when he turned to the side, as he did now. He reached out, flipping a cup and pouring some coffee into it. I peeked at him through my lashes as he offered it to me. Forcing myself not to quiver as our fingers brushed together when I took it from him.

“Please, help yourselves.” He told us, though his eyes never left mine. “I am sure you are hungry.”

“Thank you.” I replied softly, my voice barely above a murmur. I ran my thumb along the edge of my drink, but then raised it to take a slow sip. I wondered what he was thinking. I tried to look at him from the corners of my eyes, wondering if he would want to talk immediately. Or if I would have to suffer the dread of waiting even longer. It had been all I could think about for the previous few hours. I couldn’t fathom having whatever pending conversation he had planned in front of my sister, but couldn’t tell if he would take her presence in to consideration either.

“There are no forks!” Morgana exclaimed after a moment, bringing me back to the present. I turned to find her looking over the spread, and saw her glance up nervously.

“No, I suppose there are not.” Grier replied, amused, leaning back with his own cup.

She tilted her head to the side, slowly coming out of her shell again. “... How do you eat?”

The goblin smirked, taking a sip. “With our hands.” He tilted his head back to the side. “Do humans eat with their feet?”

Her smile grew a little at his teasing. “No. But, we don’t touch food.” She looked over at me. “...We’re not supposed to touch the food. It gets our hands messy.”

The King ‘hmm’ed softly at that. “Goblin food is meant to be eaten with your hands.” Grier told her. “I suppose it must not be as messy as yours.”

She looked back over the spread. Then back to me.

“Go ahead.” I encouraged her. “Try some. I think you’ll like it.”

She gingerly picked up a pastry, bringing it to her mouth to sniff. After the first bite, she was hooked, and I almost smiled as she quickly scarfed down the rest and went for another. She cast another nervous glance at both of us, but whenever neither of us looked particularly upset at her manners, she took another handful. I saw her little shoulders relax a little. The goblin picked up a morsel for himself, taking a solid bite and chewing thoughtfully for a moment.

“Would you like some tea?” He offered her, gesturing to the pot. “How did you find the castle this morning? I hope you got the chance to explore a little.”

“No, thank you.” She said politely, swallowing another mouthful. “We saw the training cliffs.” She glanced at him through her lashes, and he gave her an encouraging nod. Her smile started to spread wider across her lips. “You can see the mountains from there! It’s very cold... Is it always cold here? Do goblins get cold? Do you wear fur hats?”

Grier chewed thoughtfully. “I suppose it usually is quite cold, but inside the mountain we keep it nice and toasty so we don’t notice. And of course we get cold! We aren’t dragons.” He grinned at her. “And I have a few fur hats.”

She giggled, plucking up a new item to try, sniffing at it experimentally. Her hazel eyes flicked to me as she did.

“You need to eat too, Niko.” She reminded me, before looking over at Grier. “Niko doesn’t eat much.” She explained to him. “I think he forgets he’s hungry. It’s not good for him though! He’ll make himself sick.”

I blushed slightly, starting to open my mouth to reply. To my surprise, Grier chuckled.

“I’ve noticed that.” His scarlet eyes flicked to me at their corners. “He won’t eat if he’s nervous… or flustered.” I felt my blush deepen as the goblin leaned forward, calling my sister’s attention to a tray of pastries in the center. “Do you see these? We call these uyapik. There’s different types for every meal. But each bite is like a whole plate of food in one.” He picked one up, holding it out to her. “It has vegetables, and meat, and often cheese. All in one neat little package.”

Her eyes filled with wonder as she took it from him. She took a bite, then nodded excitedly. “Oh, this is perfect! It’s so yummy!”

Grier grinned. “Even Nikostratus can usually manage to eat one or two of these. A single uyapi should have just about everything he needs.” My eyes widened slightly with the sudden realization of why the goblin pastry had become such a prominent feature through the duration of my stay. The King’s grin turned a little coy at the corners.

“Here, Niko,” She exclaimed, popping out of her seat and grabbing one in each hand, “These are yours.”

I fumbled with my cup to make space for them in my own hands before they fell on my lap. “Chickadee, I-”

“Do you always eat with him?” She asked Grier, ignoring me. “Do you goblins have lunch and dinner too?” She drew in a sharp breath, suddenly looking a little concerned. “Do you have desert??”

Grier nodded. “I try to eat with him for every meal. And yes, we have a midday meal and an evening meal.” His grin grew. “And of course we have desert. Nothing more important than that!”

Morgana giggled, leaning against my knees behind her and looking over the table again. She picked up something that looked like a hardboiled egg, though it was freckled with green spots. She seemed to think about that for a moment. “... Do goblins have weddings, too? When are you going to get married?”

I started to sputter something, and Grier chuckled again. “Our ceremonies are different than yours, but we do have ‘weddings’, so to speak.” His scarlet eyes flicked to me, and I nearly froze in place. “And I hope soon, though we still have to plan it.”

“Can I help? Will Niko be a King afterwards? Do goblins share rooms when they are married?” She tilted her head to the side. “Will you move in with him, or will he move in with you? Is your bed big enough? Niko is very tall.”

“N-now, hold on a second, chickadee,” I started, my face hotter than a furnace, “You can’t just-”

“Niko doesn’t like talking about this stuff.” She told Grier, ignoring me, leaving me sputtering and flushing darker. “This one time, I asked him about kissing, and he-”

I clapped my free hand over her mouth, shaking my head fervently as I felt my ears catch fire from embarrassment. “I-I think that that’s quite e-enough of that.” I mumbled, reaching out to place the remaining uyapi on the table and wrap my arm about her waist to hoist her to the side. As if hiding her from his view would assure the goblin forgot her words.

Grier laughed, which only served to make my flush spread down the back of my neck. “Well, I do believe she’s asked some very good questions, my young Prince.” He teased. “Very practical, your little bird is.”

I dropped my hand with a soft shout of disgust as she licked her tongue across my palm. Before I could catch her again, she darted around the other side of the table. Giggling excitedly. I wiped my hand on my pant leg and shot her a small scowl. Which only had the goblin laughing again. I stiffened at the sound.

“I-I apologize,” I started to stammer, working hard to find some semblance of my composure once more.

The King waved it away. “No apologies necessary.” He grinned at me. “I like seeing you like this.”

“Like what?” Asked Morgana curiously, darting a little closer to his side of the table.

His grin grew. “More relaxed. And of course, flustered.” I dropped my eyes to the floor quickly, unable to meet his. “I think it makes him look very cute.”

Morgana giggled again, sneaking around the other side of the couch. She had to practically jump over the back, but managed to wrap her arms around my shoulders with her feet dangling off the ground. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye suspiciously.

“Niko! He thinks you’re cute!” She whispered conspiratorially in my ear. “You should say something nice back!”

I would have stood and attempted some excuse to bolt from the room had my sister not been currently so precariously wrapped about me. I stammered uselessly for a minute, which just made Grier laugh again and my ears burn. Could he hear her?

“Come on, Niko!” She urged. “... I know! Tell him you like his hair.”

“N-now, se-see here, you two.” I mumbled weakly, shaking my head. “Th-this… this is… Ah…”

“Perhaps we should let your brother be for a minute, yes?” Grier offered, his smirk still coyly twisted about his lips. “Elsewise he might just catch the couch on fire. Or forget how to breathe.” I felt Morgana’s arms loosen at his words, and wrung my hands nervously in front of me. “... Would you like to meet your potential Lady in Waiting now?” Grier continued, easily changing the subject. “I have a few noble ladies come to call to meet you.”

“Goblin ladies?” Morgana asked eagerly, slipping back around to the front of the couch. Her previous motives already forgotten in light of this new information.

The King chuckled. “Yes, of course. As I do believe the current population of humans in our Court is limited to this room at the moment.” He shifted in his seat. “You can meet them all, and if you like any of them, they can be your Lady.”

My sister picked up a uyapi, quickly finishing it off in two bites before picking up another pastry and stuffing that into her still chewing mouth as well. She turned back to me as she swallowed it.

“See, Niko? I ate! Can we go meet the goblins now?”

I tried to relax, swallowing hard and attempting to wrangle my swirling thoughts into some semblance of order.

“Actually, Morgana,” Grier interrupted before I could voice whatever I had managed to compile, “Perhaps Hibik can take you to meet the young ladies.” I stiffened again, looking over at him. “They are just down the hall, and I’m not sure Nikostratus has eaten very much himself yet.” He cocked his head to the side. “Would that be alright?”

She nodded eagerly. “Oh, yeah. You’re right.” She turned back to me, pointing one scolding finger at my nose. My eyebrows shot up a little. “You need to eat. And you’d better have before I get back.” She warned.

“I beg your pardon-”

To my surprise, she then skipped in between us, picking up my hand and Grier’s. And pressed them together until they folded over each other. My mouth flapped uselessly as my face blazed.

“There.” She proclaimed, putting her hands on her hips and looking out our now entwined fingers. “That’s better.” She turned to Grier who looked a little surprised himself. “Make sure he eats, ok?”

As if on cue, Hibik opened the door with a knock, arms full of paperwork and a greeting on his lips. Morgana skipped around the couch to him.

“Lord Hibik, Grier says you’re to take me to see the goblin ladies,” She told him, and then started to dart out the door around him. “Let’s go!”

“Morgana-” I began exasperatedly, moving to stand, then froze as the King’s fingers suddenly tightened around mine.

“Hibik, if you would be so kind.” Grier instructed him, waving his free hand lightly.

His secretary looked between us, wide eyed, then quickly scrambled to close the door and follow after my sister. A few papers fluttered to the ground in his wake, forgotten in his haste.

My heart thudded in my chest and I stared numbly at the door for a long moment. Torn between Morgana no longer being in my sight and the heat slowly spreading down my neck as Grier kept our fingers firmly and stubbornly latched together. After a moment, I chanced a glance at our hands on the couch between us where she had left them.

“You know,” He finally said after an extended moment of silence, “I was originally under the impression that you were the primary caretaker for Morgana.” I straightened slightly at his words, and I could hear the grin lacing his next. “But now, I’m not entirely so sure it’s not the other way around.”

“Ah… She’s…” I mumbled, face still flaming. “She can be a bit… pushy.”

He chortled lightly. “She cares a lot about you. And I think she does an excellent job watching out for you. For a nine year old.” His voice became a little more somber suddenly. “... We spoke about you for a time, yesterday. Before you happened upon us.” I noticed him shift a little closer, and my legs tingled to stand. “... I’m afraid she might have told me a few secrets of yours after all.”

I swallowed hard, shifting in my seat. Trying to pretend I didn’t have any idea what he was talking about and still unable to meet his gaze. “O-oh?”

His thumb moved across my knuckles. “She gave me a little glimpse into your life before… all this…” The goblin slid even closer, and his other hand came up to cap ours. “... I didn’t get the impression it was a particularly happy life.”

“It’s unfortunate that she gave you that impression,” I replied after a breath, shrouding myself in a flat formality that was belittled by my unwillingness to meet his eyes, “However, I can assure you that…” I dropped off, “... That… umm…” I felt a strange numbness tingling through me, and realized I hadn’t the will to fabricate that particular lie. Especially to Grier. I glanced off to the side. “... It had its moments.”

“Most of them focused around your little bird, I would assume.”

I slipped my hand from his grasp, bringing it to clasp my other in my lap. I stared down at them for a moment. “... I-I… I am sure it is unimportant.”

“.... I was about Morgana’s age when my father died.” He told me quietly. “One day he was there and the next…” I peeked at him through my lashes, and saw him looking off at some distant spot. “... My mother ruled in his stead, and she made sure I had the freedom to… well, to be a child. To go on little adventures, and play, and have fun. She let me make friends with whomever I wanted... She didn’t hold me to adult standards of self control and etiquette. I didn’t have to make tough decisions that impacted the entire Kingdom, or be faced with those responsibilities. I didn’t even really know about them. She didn’t ask me to be a King or even a royal while I was still a kid…”

I looked at him, and my brow furrowed angrily. “I do not hold Morgana to adult standards.” I argued, my voice becoming terse. “I do not demand she sit still or quiet, nor do I lay any royal responsibilities on her shoulders-”

“I know.” He interrupted me before I could get too heated.

As he dropped off, I tried to wrap my head around why then he had told me about his own childhood. What point he had been trying to make... And suddenly I knew it wasn’t Morgana he was talking about. A cold chill swept through me at the realization. I blinked at him stupidly, then shook my head. Looking away once more. A tense silence stretched between us for a long moment. Finally, I cleared my throat, shaking my head. Moving to speak. But nothing came out.

“I don’t mean to pry. It was just something I realized while I was speaking with your sister.” He continued, when I still hadn’t spoken. Then he sighed, and I saw his hand come up, pushing his hair back out of his face. “I’m… not sure if you would want to talk about it… but I’m here if you do.”

I chewed on my tongue for a moment, glancing over at the door. “... Talk about what, exactly?” I asked, and winced at the bitterness in my voice. “Talk about the King? Talk about... ‘all this seriousness’?” I felt a numbness spreading through my chest, and my eyes became unseeing. “...Talk about my mother? … What good would it do? Talking?” I sounded distant, even to my own ears, and painfully flat. “What does it change?” I shook my head once more, the sensation deadened by the numbness. “... I-I don’t… I don’t want to talk about it.”

He nodded quickly. “Ok…. That’s fine. I understand.” The goblin patted my knee gently. “It was callous of me to bring up… I apologize.”

Grier moved to stand, starting to withdraw his hand. I grabbed it suddenly, then winced. Releasing it almost as soon as I had, embarrassed. But he froze for a breath, before dropping back down. Sitting beside me once more. Slowly, he reached out, slipping his hand into mine. I didn’t move as he did, and stared at his fingers as he wiggled them between my own. Watched them curl around mine in my lap, felt his warmth seep into my palm. I hesitated, then slowly closed my own fingers.

“... I don’t want to talk about it... but…” I told him, my voice weak, and frayed. I hated the sound of it, and closed my mouth to trap it once more. I glanced down at our hands, and felt mine twitch in his grasp.

“I can stay.” He murmured softly, and his thumb ran back and forth over my own. “We can talk about something else…” The goblin hesitated, and I glanced at him. “... Morgana also said you went away for a while, but she didn’t know where. Only that you were… different when you came back.”

Instantly I stiffened. Remembering exactly what she had said regarding that time. My heart throbbed painfully in my chest. I started to pull my hand from his. Then… I stopped myself. Hesitating. Glancing back at our entwined fingers. My tongue felt too large for my mouth again. I felt him give my hand another gentle squeeze. I tried to take courage from it.

“... I went to the front lines.” I said, so quietly he had to lean forward to hear me.

He seemed to sense I didn’t particularly want to talk about that either. And thankfully let it be. Instead, we sat in silence for a moment, and he brought his free hand to trace small circles on the inside of my wrist. I slowly calmed my racing heart, and felt my breath become more steady.

“... Morgana will need a tutor.” I told him finally, my voice still quiet. Straying back into safer waters. “I-I am not sure how long she will be able to stay with us, but-”

“It’s not a problem.” He assured me, stroking my hand gently. “She can stay as long as she likes.” He chuckled lightly. “Which I hope is for a very long time... What did your brother mean though? ‘When it’s safe’?” He frowned. “Safe from what?”

I scowled, my heart rate jumping again. “... The King, in his wisdom, spoke of his plans to…” A bitter taste settled on my tongue, and I shook my head angrily. “... Valerianus and I feared for her welfare.”

Grier mirrored my scowl, and made a soft, disgusted noise. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to forcibly remove him from the throne?” He asked bitterly. “I would be only too happy to do so.” I shook my head distractedly, then stopped, a sinking feeling filling my throat. I glanced sidelong at the goblin, and he caught the look. “... What is it?”

“If…” I hesitated, stopping myself and staring down at our hands. A sudden fear filled me, a dread for the answer that I felt was forthcoming. It was the question I had been avoiding for almost the entire duration of my stay. My eyes darted to the door, as if we might be interrupted at any moment. “I-if I had not…” I took a steadying breath. “If I had not agreed to this…” I stopped again, my palms feeling clammy. I started to pull my hand out of his.

To my surprise, he latched on tightly to it. “I would never have accepted Morgana in your place.” He told me bluntly, and I winced at his words. The goblin, of course, had seen right through me. “I can’t even think of a child as...” His voice sounded disgusted even as he dropped off. Red eyes reached between us, and I met them nervously. “I wanted you. I’ve always wanted you.”

My heart lodged in my throat. “But you couldn’t have known I would-” I started to argue.

“I hoped.” He returned, cutting me off. “... And you forget…” I saw his slender eyebrows twitch. “I was winning the war… I didn’t need this peace.”

My eyes must have flashed with my anger, because I saw his expression quickly recoil from his teasing. “...And had I not agreed to marry you, you would have done... what exactly?” I asked tersely. “Finished the war? Destroyed our Kingdom?” I tried to pull my hand from his. “Would you have had my family and I beheaded or just banished?” My tone was mocking and sharp. “... Or would you have imprisoned me instead?”

“No! No, of course not!” He grabbed at my wrist as I wriggled my fingers free of his. “I just meant I wasn’t forced to take a partner. I could have waited.”

“So you forced my hand instead.” My voice was becoming colder by the minute. “We needed the peace. Our people were dying. Were suffering.” I used my opposite hand to tear his off my wrist. “This was all a game to you… It’s always just...” My voice broke a little, but I quickly scowled to conceal it. “You might have been able to wait. I did not have that luxury.”

I wasn’t sure why I bit so hard back at him. Maybe because he had picked at a scab I had tried to keep hidden away. Maybe because I felt vulnerable, with him prying at my childhood, and longed to find some sort of foothold. And found a strange strength and familiarity in the anger. But when I glanced up at his face, and saw the pain there… I winced. Suddenly feeling uncertain, and more vulnerable than before. I shook my head, giving into my urge to flee the turmoil raging inside me and standing quickly. I only took a few steps away though, and stood with my back to him. Facing the fireplace.

“I didn’t mean to… to force you into this…” He finally managed after a few tense breaths. “I tried to give you opportunities to change your mind… to choose a different path... to… to wait, as I could have...” The King’s voice was melancholy and soft, and I focused on the flickering flames in an attempt to block it from my heart. “But it seems… as per usual… I didn’t quite think things through. I didn’t fully realize how much you needed the Treaty. How willing you were to sacrifice yourself for the sake of your people…”

I heard the soft creak of the cushions as he stood, and stiffened slightly. My neck itched to turn and look. To see what he was doing. To know what shape his thin lips took then, or what shade of red his eyes were. Would they be dark with his regret? Or would they flash with his pain? His slender knit eyebrows, would he have them scrunched up towards the top of his nose? Crushing together his heavy brow, piling each on top of the other; the way they did when he was mad. Or would his face be soft, with his brows almost drooping off the sides of his face, making his eyes big? Was his chin tilted up to look for my face, making his hair fall down his back? Or would he be staring at the floor, unable to find the courage to meet my gaze, and have the messy locks framing his sharp jaw and prickling his long ears? It bothered me more than I cared to admit that I didn’t know, and was left with only the memory of his face in my mind’s eye. Yet my pride, and my fear, would not allow me to turn to him. Even though having nothing but the hollow shadow of his face set a deep ache in my chest.

“... As Royals, I suppose our method is rather backwards…” He finally sought to fill the silence, and his voice placed him somewhere at my back, still close to the couch. “We marry first, and have our courtship after… We have to just hope the person we picked is a good match...” I heard him shuffle a step closer. “... I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound like I’m making excuses… But I didn’t need to wait… I didn’t want to wait… because… because...”

I jumped as his hands suddenly came around my waist, then slid to my front until his arms were wrapped as far around me as they could go. I felt him bury his face into my back, and wasn’t sure whether to stiffen at his touch or shiver. I froze, halfway through a breath. Confused by his proximity, and the heat of him bleeding through the fabric of my clothes.

“I saw you, Nikostratus, and I knew I wanted you… Knew I needed you… From the very first moment I laid eyes on you… I was lost.” His voice was muffled, but each word still stabbed at my heart. “I-I guess… I guess I just hoped that you would feel the same.” I felt him shake his head. “But you don’t need to. I know I’m… I know that maybe I move too fast for you… I beg that you can forgive me… because when it comes to you, at the very least, I am… weak...”

I let out a shaky breath, and my hand moved of its own accord to lightly brush against his arms around my waist. My mind spun, and again I had a hard time finding my voice. I was glad he couldn’t see my mouth flap like a fish.

“... Grier…”

He shook his head against me a second time. “It’s ok. I’ve already forced you into enough. You don’t have to say or do anything-”

“Can I just-” I snapped, then sucked in a tight breath, stilling myself. Trying to calm the soft lingering smolder of my anger. Trying to pull something more cohesive from the swirl of emotions in my chest. “... The past is the past... and we can’t go back and change it now.” I hesitated, then rested my hand on his arm. “... Maybe we should leave it there.”

Before he could respond, there was a loud clattering crash from beyond the door, and a few girlish shrieks. I heaved a hefty sigh, reaching up and pinching at the bridge of my nose. The King’s arms loosened a bit, as I sensed him turning towards the hall.

“I’ve left her alone too long.” I mumbled. “... I should go see what trouble she’s gotten up to now.”

As I slowly turned, he released me, keeping his eyes low. I could see him clearly now... His face was in the shape of pain; his brow knitted, his mouth small and downturned. I couldn’t see his eyes, and his wild hair fell in a frame around his face. My heart throbbed against my ribcage. I watched him nod slowly, and swallowed hard at the sight.

“... We can…” I hesitated again. “... We can talk more… later. Yes?”

He glanced up at me through his lashes. “I’d like that.”

I didn’t bother with a further farewell. Instead turning and breezing out the door. Following the sounds of growing chaos to locate Morgana.

...

The trouble with the goblin noble ladies had been more or less quickly sorted. It simply appeared to have been a small misunderstanding regarding an over extended elbow and a supposedly priceless vase. Apparently the ladies had not expected such a rambunctious human princess. But they had all seemed rather nice. Most were only a few years younger than myself, though none came past my waist. They giggled and ogled at me from behind fans, shy and formal with fluttering, oversized lashes (the latest goblin trend, I learned). However, they gushed over Morgana, and seemed to truly enjoy her spirit. After we wished them a farewell and Hibik had escorted them out, she asked me if she could have all of them be her Lady.

I didn’t have the strength to return to the room Grier might still be, so we explored the halls while she debated the qualities of each. Trying unsuccessfully to pick one from the gaggle. I let her speak, following her about with a torch in one hand. I didn’t mind. It was nice to hear her voice, and see her so excited.

So I ambled along the hall quietly, my eyes downcast as my sister sprinted around me to explore every nook and cranny as we walked. Of which there were a lot. My face was set into its usual mask of ‘seriousness’. But internally, my mind was buzzing like a thousand angry insects. At first I tried to orchestrate my thoughts; to corral them into one pattern. Soon the effort started to give me a headache, so I allowed my mind to do as it would. Barely comprehending each thought or emotion before it ricocheted off the side of my skull and another took its place.

Grier, of course, was at the forefront of my thoughts. What he had said about not needing this Treaty… but instead needing me? Gods, I just couldn’t understand his thinking. It had only been a few weeks, and the goblin was obsessed with me. I wondered if that’s how it was with goblins. Once they decided on a partner, they fixated on them. Unable to think of anyone or anything else. And he had decided on me the minute he saw me walk into the throne room. No thought, no debate. No getting to know me, or wondering if he should or shouldn’t. A part of me envied his quick and confident decision. I couldn’t think of a time I hadn’t agonized over a choice, even tiny ones. Another part of me, a smaller, quieter part… understood it. Not in the same way, albeit. The first time I had met Grier, I had been on edge. Almost terrified of him and what he represented for my people and my future. But now…

He had always been gentle with me, if a little callous at times. He had always sought to understand me, and make me as comfortable as he was able. He had fawned over me, and constantly went out of his way to speak his mind and heart to me. Which… I supposed… was part of the problem. I had never had anyone be so… And to be faced so boldly with such powerful emotions... ones that I had never been allowed to express or understand… it was unnerving. Though I found the more he did it… the less it shocked me. And I couldn’t entirely deny how much I found I enjoyed his company myself. Nor could I ignore the pleasantness of the warm feeling he elicited in my chest...

“Hey, Niko?”

I came back to the present with a few slow blinks, and turned to consider my sister as she ducked beneath my elbow. “Yes, little chickadee?”

“You ok?” Her little hands came up to wrap around my arm, and she gave it a gentle tug. “You seem… not here.”

My cheeks tinted a shade darker, and I cleared my throat lightly. “Ah, sorry, chickadee… I was just… thinking.”

“I like it here.” She told me, beaming. “It's big, and pretty, and everyone smiles a lot…” She skipped over to the nearest bobble, making funny faces in its reflective surface. “And it’s so colorful!” She looked over her shoulder at me. “... Do you like it here, Niko?”

I sighed quietly, glancing around. Considering it for a moment. “... I think I’m starting to.”

“It’s kind of messy for your tastes, isn’t it?” Morgana smiled, darting back over to scoop up my hand and pull me further down the hall. “What about the goblins? Do you like them?” She dropped my hand to run over to another strange item, poking it carefully with one finger. “I think they are nice. And I like their ears.”

I smiled a little at that, glancing around. “They are a very kind people.” I agreed.

“Grier doesn’t really look much like a goblin.” She mused aloud, and my spine stiffened at his name. As if maybe she had been reading my thoughts earlier. “He’s taller than me. And his ears are smaller than other goblins’.” She shrugged, turning and leading the way to another intersection. “He is green though, and he dresses funny. I think that’s enough.”

“Chickadee, you shouldn’t-”

“What’s it like to be married, Niko?” She asked curiously, looking back over her shoulder at me.

I stammered uselessly for a second. “I-I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for that...”

She scoffed. “Not yet, anyway.” She turned her attention to the left, and skipped to the edges of the torchlight before waiting for me to catch up. “But I think you’ll like it.”

“I’ll let you know.” I replied dryly, and she giggled.

“This way.” She told me, pointing down another hallway. I followed along behind her obediently. “Do you think I’ll get married someday?”

My lips pursed, and I shook my head. “Absolutely not. I forbid it.”

“Niiikoo!”

“Nope. I’m sorry. You’re not allowed to grow up.” I told her as she charged at me to plow face first into my torso. “And only grownups get married. Ergo, you are never getting married.”

She laughed, wrapping her arms about my middle. “But I am growing up, Niko!”

“I have already forbidden it. So you cannot grow anymore.” I patted her head. “I hope you like being this tall.”

Morgana swatted my hand away, then shoved at me playfully. “You can’t keep me from growing up! You’re just a brother! Brothers can’t do that.”

“But we can do this.” I hooked my arm around her waist as she dove at me again, and simply hoisted her off the ground. Carrying her in the crook of my elbow. She screeched and kicked, alternating between laughing and yelling at me. I smirked, turning to make our way back down the hall.

“Not that way, Niko!!” She cried, punching the back of my leg. “Your rooms are the other way!”

I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Well, at least one of us has a good sense of direction.” I commended her, and turned to the correct hallway.

We were greeted by a few amused smiles as I toted her down the hallway. But despite a slight tinge to my cheeks, I found I didn’t much mind the audience. A vastly different experience than at our own castle. The goblin attendants were polite, stepping out of our way with small bows. Smiling and chuckling to themselves as we passed. I nodded to each appreciatively, formally, pretending I didn’t have a wriggling, squealing child tucked under one arm.

By the time we reached my rooms, she was laughing so hard she had gone limp in my grip. I shouldered open the door, extinguishing the torch and finally placing her back on her feet. She shoved at me again, as if to knock me off my feet. She did manage to rock me back a step, but I simply scooped her up again and dropped her over my shoulder until she relented and begged to be put down once more.

She huffed and puffed for a moment, her face flushed, and I smirked at her again. “That’s not fair! You’re bigger than me!”

I fluffed her soft hair. “Well, like I said. You’d better get used to being this size.”

“Would I be tall for a goblin?” Morgana asked me, swatting my hand away again. “Do goblin babies come from eggs? Are they very small?”

“Certainly not eggs, chickadee,” I replied, shaking my head, “And I would imagine they are quite small, yes. If you were a goblin, I suppose you would be tall… And also green.”

She giggled at my teasing, leading the way with a skipping step to the bedroom. I saw her eyes dart about, considering my chambers again. “Why are your rooms so empty, Niko? Where’s all your stuff??”

I stood behind the couch, following her eyes around. “Well… I don’t have much “stuff” here.”

“Why not?”

“... I haven’t been here very long.”

“Where does stuff even come from,” She mused, walking over to the empty sitting room. I followed a few paces behind her. “I just remember having stuff. I don’t remember getting it.”

“It depends on what it is.” I replied softly. “Some things you need, so you make sure you get them. Other things are gifts. Or perhaps tokens or remembrances. And those you collect as you go.”

She led us out to the balcony, leaning carefully over the edge. I wandered closer nervously, eyeing the long drop. And I made sure to stay within grabbing distance. Just in case.

“Ok. I’ll just have to get you gifts then.” She assured me, hanging off the railing by her arms to curl back to look at me. “That way your rooms won’t be so empty anymore.” Her head tilted to the side. “Though I guess you’ll be moving in with Grier soon. Is that where all your stuff is now?”

I stiffened and my face fell. She must have noticed, because she straightened herself out and leaned against the balcony again. We looked quietly out over the mountain range for a few minutes, and my thoughts swirled about dangerously.

“Are you excited to get married, Niko?” She asked me after a little.

I winced at the word, then glanced at her sidelong. “It’s… complicated, chickadee.”

“Why?”

I resisted the urge to sigh. “Well… I… I need to get married, to keep our people safe… I don’t really get a say in that... and whether or not I’m excited for it, I didn’t really get to choose it.”

She seemed to think about that for a second. “Yeah, but… the goblins are nice. And Grier is fun. And you’ll get to be a King, right?” She bounced a little, coming off the railing to wander over and draw circles on the cold glass of the window. “It’s like how sometimes you tell me ‘how do you know you don’t like it if you don’t try it’ whenever you want me to eat something yucky or wear something ugly.”

“It’s not quite-”

“And then sometimes, I try it, and I do like it.” She continued, ignoring me. “Valerianus says that since we’re Princes and Princesses, we don’t always get to do everything we want. And Grier said the same thing about being King. Some things we have to do. But…” She turned back to me. “That doesn’t mean we can’t like it too. Even if we didn’t get to pick it.” Her head tilted to the side. “Sometimes we think we want one thing, but really, it's not very good for us. Or it's only good for a little while. Like desert!” She danced from foot to foot as she spoke. “And then, the thing we have to do is actually really good for us… Like broccoli.” She grinned. “...Grier’s even green too.”

I raised a brow at her. “... Did you just compare my fiancé to broccoli?”

She giggled. “I just think that you always say green things are good for us… And Grier’s green too… So that means he’s probably good for us.”

I laughed loudly at that, shaking my head. “Chickadee, you are a wonder.”

Her reply was cut off by a knock from inside. Before I could even think to say anything, she had darted back through the rooms and opened the door.

“Good afternoon, Princess,” Came Seoc’s voice as I made my way more slowly to the foyer, “You are just the royal I was hoping to see.”

“I am?” She asked excitedly, bouncing on her toes. She glanced over her shoulder at me as I slowly approached.

Seoc offered me a bow, and I returned a nod before he turned back to Morgana. “Yes, Your Highness. Your rooms are ready, and we have staff on hand to-”

She squealed so loudly the goblin nearly toppled over in shock. “My very own rooms in a goblin castle!” She cried, bouncing up and down. Morgana spun, grabbing my hand. “ Come on Niko! Let’s go see!”

I sputtered an apology to Seoc, who only grinned knowingly and led the way down the hall. Morgana was practically floating beside me, she bounced so much. And when we reached the soft pine doors, she broke away to sprint in and dart from room to room. Pointing out this or that feature, marveling at the mirrors... Greeting the startled goblin decorators who waited for instruction there.

I spent the rest of the day watching my sister decorate her quarters to her heart’s content. Asking for more curtains, more blankets, more pillows. I wasn’t sure where the goblin attendants managed to find the things she asked for, but each more ludicrous item she described they seemed to manage to procure out of thin air. By the time the sun had set, she was, for once, exhausted. Though still giggling with excitement. They brought us a light supper in her newly decorated chambers, and she regaled me with a retelling of a story she had read while I was away. Her new Lady wouldn’t be able to start until the following day (Morgana finally picked the one named Safa and sent word earlier), so Seoc was more than pleased to attend to us both for the time being. Hibik even stopped by once to see that everything was progressing smoothly. I wondered briefly about another goblin, but pushed that worrying thought from my mind.

I couldn’t remember the last time I had been able to spend so much time with Morgana without being constantly guarded or interrupted by other things. I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen her smile so much either. It left me in a pleasant mood, with the echo of a smile on my lips. Though I could feel the lingering buzz of my unattended thoughts permanently at the back of my mind throughout the afternoon.

When Morgana finally settled for the evening, I wished her a goodnight, and made my way out. Heading back to my own chambers down the hall, a walk so easy even I could manage it without assistance. Poor Seoc had been exhausted by my sister’s antics, and I had told him to retire early. I had a feeling tomorrow would be a busy day as well for him. My mind was heavy with the weight of my thoughts, and now without my sister to distract me, they flooded my consciousness again. I strode numbly down the hall, hardly paying attention to my surroundings.

So when I approached the door of my rooms and saw the goblin King leaning there against the wall, I nearly jumped out of my skin. I blinked at him stupidly.

“... I thought maybe we could talk more?” He proposed softly. “I didn’t like how we left things and... and I wanted to… maybe explain myself… again...”

I almost sighed, considering him, but couldn’t help my lingering good mood. “... How long has it been since your last confession?” I asked almost timidly, my voice dry. “Surely you must be filled to bursting since this morning…”

He gave me a toothy smile at my quiet teasing. I flicked my eyes away and rubbed at the back of my neck shyly.

“I do have a tendency to do that, don’t I?”

I nodded, then glanced at my door. Swallowing another sigh. “...D-do you… do you want to come in?”

The goblin’s grin turned sheepish. “...If it’s not too much trouble.”

I led the way into my chambers, hesitating in the foyer briefly before moving to the bedroom, seeing as there was nowhere else to sit. It was the first time I regretted my lack of furniture since moving in. Grier slowly sat on one side of the couch there, but as soon as I sat down too he quickly slid closer. I tried not to stiffen, even as my heart raced.

“... Are you still mad at me?” He asked, breaking the silence that had blanketed us.

I did sigh then, shaking my head. My mouth opened, then I slowly closed it again.

“I never meant to force you into this marriage,” He started to gush, “I never wanted-”

I held up my hand, silencing him. “I-I… I just need a moment…” I mumbled. “... To sort through…”

I jumped a little as he reached up and took my hand in his. But I let him slowly entwine his fingers between mine once more, and our hands fell onto the couch between us. I swallowed hard, my heart skipping in my chest. His touch had my thoughts swirling, and I struggled to try and sort through them. The King waited as patiently as he was able, yet with each passing breath I felt more and more anxious as I struggled to find what I wanted to say. Which simply made it more difficult to do so.

“... I-I… I’m not…” I shook my head again, then cleared my throat quietly. “We… I-I mean… you… or more rather… I…”

He glanced at me, lips twitching. His amusement made me even more flustered. I mumbled something incoherent and swallowed hard again. I started as he brought my fingers to his lips, resting a gentle kiss on my knuckles. I assumed he meant it to be a comforting gesture. It seemed to have the opposite effect on me. My face flushed, and I stammered something else before clamping my mouth shut. Letting the silence settle about us once more. I stared down at our hands now between us once more, uncertain what else to do in that moment.

“... I am sorry to have… perhaps pressed too hard for this moment,” Grier began, finally breaking the silence, “But… I have been dying to speak to you since…”

I didn’t answer, chasing a nervous breath down my throat with a quiet swallow. Still staring at our hands. I wasn’t sure how to answer. How to say anything at all. It was as though my tongue had completely forgotten the purpose for which it was originally designed… at the moment it was hopelessly lost in the memory of the taste of his.

“Can we perhaps… speak bluntly for a moment?” He asked, his voice soft with a foreign somberness to it. “... I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

I adjusted my tongue in my mouth, glancing over at the door. Remembering that morning with a wince. “I-I… I apologize for… f-for…”

He shook his head, and I stiffened as he slid a little closer. Lifting our clasped hands up to rest on his knee between us. I swallowed again, my eyes darting about in an effort to find some measure of distraction. No matter how small.

“You don’t have anything to apologize for,” He reassured me quietly, tilting his head in an effort to try and catch my eye, “I just... Wanted to say a few things. And to ask a few things, if you are willing…”

I looked down at our hands, then back over to the door. Shifting nervously. “B-but… ah… Morgana…” I dropped off, my excuse sounding weak even to my own ears.

He chuckled lightly. “She’ll be fine for the night now, surely… I just…” He sighed, brushing his hair out of his face with his free hand, “This… this is hard for me… “

My heart suddenly plummeted into the pits of my stomach, leaving my head spinning. Hard for him? What was hard for him? My mind raced with a thousand possibilities, each one worse than the last. My outburst that morning had made him realize we wanted different things. Or perhaps he had been insulted that I did not return his affection. Perhaps he had come to his senses finally. Realized he didn’t like me as much as he thought. Or maybe he wanted to ask permission to take a lover. Or maybe something about… I raked my brain. What had happened yesterday? What had he seen? Was it my father? Was he worried about him? Or perhaps something to do with Morgana-

“I miss you.”

I jerked my head up, staring at him, absolutely flabbergasted. He shuffled, and now it was his turn to avoid my eyes. My mouth opened, then I closed it again. What in the gods’ names did he mean?? I had hardly been away from the man for more than two weeks. And during that time I had been dragged through emotional upheaval after emotional upheaval, been forced to face the most hated parts of myself, forced to face my father’s disownment, forced to… to feel this warmth. To wonder at the lighter-than-air feeling his company left me with. Forced to endure a heart that couldn’t decide whether it should race or freeze in my breast. All because of this man. All because I had hardly left his side. And yet, now he said he missed me? … Had I changed? Had I regressed to my previous self, all hard walls and blunted edges? Or perhaps my outburst from the morning had left him thinking I was an angry and bitter person. I ached with each thought, wondering what he could possibly mean.

He didn’t leave me waiting long. “It sounds silly, I know, but it’s the best way I can think to describe it…” His scarlet eyes drifted to our hands, and he slowly turned mine over. “I miss you. I miss you constantly. You’re… you’re all I can think about.” He ran his thumb across the palm of my hand. “And.. it’s hard, because… I don’t want to scare you, or rush you… But I just… I always want to be touching you. I always want to be near you. I think about the taste of your mouth, and the feel of your body against mine… and…” He smirked sadly, “And then I miss you.”

I stayed frozen, stuck in place. A haze around my head, a tingling in my fingers even as he ran his back and forth over them. My heart thudded so loudly in my breast I was certain he would be able to hear it, and I sought to quell its thunder. I wanted to speak, to say something back to him. But my thoughts were a swirling mess, and I couldn’t pull more than a word or two from the thicket. And nothing I pulled felt right.

“I… I was very angry at the castle yesterday…I could barely control it… ” He told me softly, “When I saw that… To think that he…” His jaw clenched, and he shook his head, “I hurt for you. I thought more than once about barging back into the chambers and just…” He sighed, “And now I…” Another sigh, and he shook his head. “... But then, I’m selfish... I’m selfish, and needy, and desperate for your attention…” He was still refusing to meet my eyes, staring down at our hands. “I want to be the one to make you happy. I want to be the one to have the secret of your smile. I want to know all your little intimate, hidden parts you keep tucked away. I… I want you to be mine. Completely mine. And I don’t want to share you with anyone else…”

I didn’t entirely feel like I was sitting there at all. I felt as though I was floating above us, listening to Grier’s confessional. But I was filled with that strange warmth, one becoming more and more familiar each time it flushed my frame from head to toe. I peeked at his face shyly from beneath my dark lashes, and noted that he was still avoiding looking at mine.

“I’m trying to be patient… Trying to stay in your comfort zone… But ah…” I thought he looked a little more green than normal, and a sad smile played at the corners of his thin lips. “But I wanted to keep you abreast of my thinking… so if you ever wanted to… to take some initiative, or ask for something… I wanted you to know that you’ll never overstep your bounds, or make me uncomfortable, or unhappy… or anything like that… Not that you have to,” He added quickly “… If this is all you ever want, I’m happy to give that to you too… ” He squeezed my hand gently. “You could ask me for the sun, and I would be content spending the rest of my life in darkness to give it to you…” Grier gave a soft laugh, shaking his head. “Aah, I didn’t… I didn’t mean to gush quite so much… especially after this morning…” He rubbed at the back of his neck with his free hand. “You must think me an absolute-”

I liked the taste of his voice in my mouth as I suddenly caught his against it. I liked the way he drew in a sharp breath, then quickly recovered to reach out with his free hand and catch the back of my head so eagerly. I liked the way he slid closer, until our thighs brushed together, stretching to the farthest extent of his reach. Lacing our lips as deeply against each other as he could. I shivered as his fingers ran along my hair, and his thumb traced just below my ear.

A wave of shyness washed over me after a shuttering beat of my heart, and I pulled back. Blinking and blushing profusely. He lingered nearby, our faces nearly touching, his hand still at the back of my neck. I opened my mouth, breathing shallowly for a moment, trying to will the words to my lips. I saw his scarlet eyes watching me quietly, filled with something I had no name for which left my heart skipping sporadically.

“...I’m…” I started, my voice barely beyond a whisper, “I-I’m… I’m not good at this…” My words felt smushed and mumbled, and I wasn’t sure he’d be able to understand me. But I had to try. I wanted to try... I stared down at our hands, still clasped on his knee. “I… don’t… I d-don’t… I don’t always know… what I’m…” I dropped off, swallowing hard. “What I’m… feeling…” I scoffed at myself softly. “I never know… And… A-and I don’t trust myself… with this…” I chanced a glance up at him. “... With you.”

His hand slid down, cupping my cheek. “... Can I help? … Am I rushing you?”

I hesitated, bringing up my hand to lay over his. Hooking my fingers around it as if I was going to pull it away. But then, I closed my eyes, and let myself lean into it instead.

“You do help.” I breathed against his wrist, and I felt him squeeze our other hands together. “And… I need… I think I need you to…. Push me… j-just a little.” My eyes half opened, and I stared off at nothing, still tucked into his palm. “Because… b-because I’m… I’m scared.”

“... Of me?” His voice was equally soft.

I shook my head, then hesitated again. I finally took his hand from my cheek, looking down at it still wrapped in my own. A dull ache formed inside me, and I felt my brow furrow. Felt lines crease into the edges of my eyes as I tried to find the words to describe whatever was pulsing through me. Whatever sensation this was… whatever emotion. But I couldn’t think of the words. Couldn’t find how to tell him… Then I brought his hand to my chest, and flattened his palm against it, pressing my hand lightly on top.

“... Of this…” I squeezed my eyes shut, shaking my head slightly. Wondering if he could feel my heart sputtering beneath his fingertips. “I-I don’t… I don’t trust it… I don’t understand it…”

I felt his weight shift beside me, felt the brush of his breath against my cheek. Then the heat of his lips there, as faint as the air had been a moment before. He released my hand on his knee, bringing it up to hold my face steady, as he planted a gentle kiss on each of my eyelids. I shivered beneath his touch, and felt his fingers curl beneath mine against my chest. I didn’t dare move, afraid of breaking the moment. Afraid of losing the warmth curling through me.

“... After what I saw yesterday…” Grier murmured softly, his hand gently caressing my cheek, “I can’t imagine that you were ever allowed to have emotions… let alone express them… But… I see you, Nikostratus,” He pressed his hand a little tighter to my chest, “... I see how much you’ve changed, just in the short time you’ve been here…” He stopped, and I opened my eyes to find him kneeling on the couch, his legs behind him, perched slightly above me with scarlet eyes vibrant. I looked away from them shyly. “... Change is the wrong word… Especially with Morgana here…” I winced, and he leaned closer at that, resting his forehead against mine. “I’d like to think you two are more alike than perhaps you may first appear…” He sighed softly, his breath spilling across my face, and I drew it in deeply, greedily. “... It makes me wonder what it would’ve been like if…” He dropped off.

I started to shake my head, but he stilled me with his hand. “... I don’t want this for her…” I told him quietly, my voice thin. “I don’t want her to… to end up like me…”

“You act like that would be such a bad thing.” He replied, running his thumb along my cheek.

“... Is it not?” It was a question, but one that echoed with the sad solidity of a declaration.

“I like you. I like everything about you.” He pressed. “I think she would be lucky to end up like you.” He stilled me again as I tried to shake my head once more. “I think you fail to see what a good person you are. You are smart, and loyal, and kind. You are selfless, and honorable.” A smirk slipped across his lips. “And undeniably handsome.”

“S-stop… S-stop that…” I finally managed to shake my head, starting to pull away from him, suddenly sensitive to his touch. “I-I am… I am timid, and hesitant… I-I prefer being alone … I-I have a temper… and I don’t know h-how to… to explain myself… I don’t…” I stopped, glancing at him out the corner of my eye, “... I never take…”

“And I am an arrogant ass, who throws a fit when he’s not the center of attention.” Grier returned even as my voice petered out, catching his fingers in my vest and giving it a gentle tug. “I’m pushy, and demanding, and emotional. I’m impatient. I never think things through.” I let him pull me a little closer, and he ran his thumb over the buttons running down my front. “And I’m selfish, for wanting someone as wonderful as you…”

“You’re not…” I blushed, then averted my eyes. “Ah… y-you’re not… that much of an ass…” He laughed at my shy teasing, and my lips twitched at the corners, feeling a little bolder. “... You’re a good King… and you’re thoughtful… a-and amiable… and… a-ah…” I dropped off, my face growing even hotter. “A-and… gentle... And nice …” I stared down at my lap, running my thumb hesitantly across his knuckles still latched around my vest.

The fingers of his free hand came back to my chin, tilting my head. Just in time to meet his lips as they came to bear against mine. I let out a fluttering breath, hitched and fearful, but couldn’t help melting into his mouth. Leaning close. Feeling my head spin and that strange yet wonderful warmth filling me. He kissed me deeply, his fingers skipping back up my jaw to cup the base of my skull. His fist balled in my vest, pulling me closer to him. My free hand smoothed across his knee where he had left it. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to relax. Forcing myself not to think about anything else, and to just enjoy that moment… that moment of bliss, and the taste of his tongue as he slipped it between my lips. The heat of his hand on my neck. The insistent tug of his fist at my breast.

By the time he finally broke away, he was practically on my lap. Half kneeling over me, half sitting, so that for once I had to tilt my head back to look up at him. Which I did, shyly, and he smiled. Baring those sharp, pointy teeth at me.

“I love the taste of you,” He murmured, stroking his fingers back and forth across my neck, “You always taste sweet, and you smell sweet too. I’m obsessed with the way you smell.” He leaned down, nudging his nose against the tip of mine. “I love the color of your eyes, and I’m haunted by that ghost of a smile you keep trapped at the edges of your lips.” His hand traced lower down my neck, slipping idly beneath my collar. “And your voice… I could listen to your voice all night…”

I didn’t know how to respond. I tried to find words, tried to ease the heat currently burning my ears. But the warmth was in my chest now, and though I longed to say something back, I just… couldn’t seem to make the sounds come out. So I opted for an alternative answer… and I brushed our lips together again, as gentle as a feather. Hoping that action would relay my meaning to him. I felt him leaning after me as I drew away. My eyes flicked to the side, hiding away from him even as he tilted his head to try and catch them once more. He seemed to consider this for a moment as my face flushed and my heart raced.

“Everyone has their faults, Nikostratus,” He told me, running his fingers along the bare skin at the top of my spine, “Only a statue can strive to be perfect.” Grier dipped, falling back into my line of sight and locking our eyes together. “But something made of stone can never live. And to be alive means taking the bad,” He snuck in closer, until his lips brushed against mine as he spoke his next words, “With the good.”

I let myself give in to the temptation of his breath on my lips. Closing the gap and kissing him again. And again. And again. I felt him ease himself closer, sliding his arm around my neck, slipping his hand at my front between the stealthily unbuttoned layers of fabric. The heat of him was intoxicating, and my own hands reached for his waist. I wasn’t sure if I pulled him there, or if he slid across himself, but suddenly I found him on my lap. His bottom resting on my thighs, his knees on either side of my hips. He curled over me, bending my head back with the passion of his kisses until it scraped the back of the couch. He kept one arm wrapped around my neck, the other was wiggling its way further under my vest.

He seemed unable to sit still, like a wave cresting and falling, crashing slowly against my body. It sent a hot gush of emotions through me, and burned my core like fire. My hands slid around his waist, stacking one arm on top of the other to crush him to me, one palm pressed between his shoulder blades. To feel the life of him with each breath that pressed our chests together. To feel the passion as his hips slowly ground against mine. I would have groaned, had he allowed a single molecule of air to pass between my mouth and his. Instead I shuddered, quivering beneath his touch. Lost in the storm of his kisses. The taste of his mouth, the feeling of his tongue swirling around mine.

The goblin pulled back suddenly, and I found myself gulping in deep breaths of air that felt cold compared to the heat of his lips. My eyes fluttered open, and I stared up at him, my jaw a little slack.

“Not yet…” He breathed against me, and I wasn’t sure if it was for my benefit or his, considering the hunger in his eyes. “... I can do better than this.”

I almost laughed, my gaze flickering down to his lips. “Better?”

“Special.” He crooned, dripping closer to me, and my breath shuddered from my own lips. “You said you wanted it to be special.”

I was distracted by the way the candlelight danced in his eyes, and didn’t respond for a moment. “... Did I?” I mumbled, belatedly.

He chuckled, and I could feel his breath against my cheeks again. “You did.” His teeth pricked my bottom lip lightly. “...And I live to please.”

“A-ah…” I stammered, then blinked earnestly, trying to clear the swirling heat in my head. “...R-right…”

His eyes traced around the edge of my face, and he settled on my lap carefully. My face burned as I became vividly aware of his growing “interest” in me as he did. And I could definitely feel my own blood rushing through more than just my face. My breath tasted different, and I itched to feel more of him. Burned to return to our previous pursuit... My heart raced and skipped, and my thoughts became a useless swirl again.

“Perhaps I should go,” He mused, though his voice sounded leery of the thought, “Let you… sleep. It’s late.”

He started to shift, and my arms suddenly tightened around him. My own eyes widened in shock of my own daringness. And I felt a shiver of anxiousness ripple through me as he looked back at me in what I supposed was surprise.

“O-or… Or you… y-you could…” I swallowed the fast forming lump in my throat, and wondered if my mouth had always been this dry. “A-ah… You could… s-stay.”

“Stay?” he echoed, and I nodded sheepishly, instantly dropping my eyes bashfully away from his. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t hear his grin in his voice with his next words. “... Well, I suppose I could… though your bed is smaller than mine.”

His teasing left my ears hot, and I suddenly recalled the fact that he was still sitting on my lap. And was likely just as aware of the bulge between my own legs. I quickly loosened my hold on him, rubbing at the back of my neck with one hand and trying to look around as if the empty bedchambers were far more interesting than the goblin perched on my person. He chuckled softly again, and I noticed him look over my shoulder for a minute. Chewing over the offer.

“I-it’s ok.” I quickly gushed. “You don’t have-”

“I want to.” He cut me off, then his hand came up, turning me to face him. “Just to sleep though… If you’ll have me.”

I nodded again, stealing quick glances at him periodically before darting my eyes away. I jumped slightly as he leaned back over me to kiss me again. Tenderly, as if I might dissolve into smoke should he be too rough. For half a second, I thought I had...

He broke away and slid off my lap, catching my hands up in his as he did. Tugging me lightly to my feet. And leading me over to the bed. My heart skipped and pounded in my breast, leaping about wildly. He released my hands to pull off his boots and stockings, and to untuck his tunic. I watched him for as long as I dared, then turned my back on him with the pretense of taking off my own boots to place in their usual place. I stood them neatly, folding my stockings and placing them alongside the rest. I tried not to think too much about the soft creak of the mattress as I heard him settling onto the bed behind me. Carefully, I removed my vest, brushing it down quietly and folding it. Then, a little more hesitantly, I removed my tunic. Folding that as well and placing it with the rest. I pretended not to notice the goblin watching me as I turned back. I noticed his shirt discarded on the ground and picked it up. Folding it neatly and laying it over the back of the couch. I even straightened his boots, placing them next to mine. Delaying my return to the bed further to walk around and put out the candles. Carefully, so as to not drip wax.

I heard his soft chortle, and glanced at him over my shoulder. He reached out a hand, as if to pull me in by it, and I nearly swooned for the sight of him. Stretched across my bed, propped up on one elbow. Reaching out to me while bathed in moonlight… I wished I could go splash myself with cold water. To make sure I wasn’t dreaming and for… other pressing reasons.

Timidly, I walked around the end of the mattress, to the empty side closer to the window. Climbing slowly in beside him. It was warm enough to lay with our torsos above the blankets, but he spread them lightly about our legs as we settled into them. I watched quietly, laying on my back with my head turned towards him. Stiff as a board.

“Would it make you feel better if I didn’t face you?” He teased gently, seeming amused. He rolled onto his side, facing the couch. I traced my eyes over the fine muscles of his back and shoulders. Studied the delicate drape of his long, wild hair.

Hesitantly, I dared slide closer. I let a few breaths pass before I turned onto my side, and reached towards him. My fingers faltered, and my hand shook. But after a few more heartbeats, I braved slipping my palm over his shoulder. His hand came up, brushing his fingertips along my knuckles. His touch soothed me a little more, and I slid closer. Until I could feel the heat wafting off his back. Before I could fully work up my courage, the goblin scooched towards me, closing the last of the gap between us and tucking himself into my chest. I tensed for a moment, then relaxed as the soft and spicy scent of him filled my nose. I slowly wound my arm around him, resting my head on the pillow, my chin and nose brushing his hair. It was soft, like satin, and thicker than I would have thought. Messy, certainly, but without knots or tangles. I tried to calm the heat racing through my veins.

Grier traced his fingers lazily up and down my arm wrapped about his middle. As he did, I felt myself loosen a little more. And more with each passing minute. I let out a breath I didn’t know I had been holding in a quiet sigh.

“Can I ask you something?” He murmured after a few quiet moments. I hesitated, then nodded against the top of his head. “... Would you want to move to my rooms? After we get married, I mean. Permanently.”

I tried not to stiffen again. Tried to let myself stay in that comfortable shape, curled around him. I swallowed hard, turning it over for a second.

“... I-I don’t… I don’t know…” I mumbled back. “I’d never really… considered... ummm…”

“What about kids?” He asked. “Last we spoke about them, you said you’d ‘never really thought about it’. Have you thought about it more yet?”

“O-oh…” I shifted, suddenly uncertain. “No… not really…”

“... Have you thought about our future at all?”

I swallowed hard again. “N-no…” I confessed. “B-but it’s only been… ah…”

He scoffed lightly, his fingers slowing their movement. “Well, I suppose it’s not like we need to rush… but I think about those kinds of things a lot…”

I said nothing for a long time. He lay still in my arms, and I didn’t relax again until his fingers restarted their movement. I sighed against his hair, blinking the tiredness from my eyes.

“I-I… I haven’t… I can’t seem t-to…” I stammered. His hand paused, squeezing my forearm wrapped around him reassuringly. I adjusted my tongue in my mouth. “I’m just… uncertain… and perhaps a bit… umm… wary…”

To my surprise, he nodded. “You’ve got a lot of walls, Nikostratus. And… I assume you put them in place to keep yourself safe. To keep yourself from getting hurt.” He squeezed again. “But if you’ll let me, I’d like to help you bring them down… At least around me.”

“I don’t know… I just…” I slowly wound my arm a little tighter around him, pulling him deeper into my chest. “I-I… I’ve never been… been asked before and… I just… don’t know...” I buried my face in his hair for a moment, then turned my head to the side once my lungs were filled with his scent. “I don’t know how… how I feel… or… Or what I want…”

I hesitated, and must have drawn in sharp enough a breath that he felt it. “You can tell me,” He told me softly, and I wondered what his face looked like at that moment, “It’s alright. Be honest.”

I shifted again. “I’m not sure yet if… If I really like you… or if…” Again I hesitated, and he squeezed my arm gently once more. “... Or if I am just… just finally letting myself… like someone…” I closed my eyes in denial of their burning edges. “I need more time… I-I need to know before…”

He didn’t say anything to that, and part of me longed to see his face again. To see what he was thinking, as I knew it would be plainly written across his features. Another part of me didn’t. I wasn’t sure what I would do if I saw the ache echoing there that I felt in my chest. It was better this way, I reassured myself. Better that I didn’t let him get his hopes up, just to crush them later. Better that he knows now… I told myself that… but it didn’t feel better.

“... I’m marrying you,” I whispered, and tried to keep my voice from quivering, tried to keep from stumbling over the strangeness of that notion slipping through my lips, “I will never go back on my promise for that… but…” I thought I felt him wince at the word, and I instinctively pulled him a little tighter to me. “... But I… I just… I just don’t know.” I sighed, trying to fight the burning in my eyes even harder. “... I like this… I like… umm… th-this…” I turned my face into his hair again, trying to draw strength from the smell of it. “... I think I like this…” Now it was my turn to wince. “... I-I’m sorry…”

He ran his hand up and down my arm again. “Don’t be. I asked you to be honest with me. To always feel free to speak your mind.” I felt him nod, and it made me pull him even closer, curling myself completely around his smaller body. “This is your truth right now. Your emotions are always true, no matter how they make anyone else feel. I would not hold them against you…. And I can wait. Until you know…” His voice dropped off, “... One way or the other…” He scooped up my hand around his middle, bringing it up to his lips to place a gentle kiss over the knuckles. Belittling the sad tinge to his voice. “And I’ll enjoy this. All of this. Because I already know my heart.” He kissed them again, then tucked it against his cheek and settled down to sleep. “I can wait until you know yours...”

....

There was an exasperated cry, and the sound of a door hitting a wall. My only warning before I was jarred fully awake by the added weight suddenly bouncing next to me.

“Niko! NikoNikoNikoNikoNIKO!”

I sat bolt upright, flailing a moment, then feeling the blood rush so thickly through my face I thought my head might explode. Morgana bounced on me, grinning like a fool. She clambered to her feet and continued to jump up and down on the mattress. Leaping back and forth in my bed with a long string of my name punctuating each pounce. My eyes went wide, and then darted to a flabbergasted Seoc and Hibik who now stood at the foot of the bed. Both babbling over the other incoherently. Beside me, Grier gave a grumpy moan, rolling deeper into the pillows. Somehow unperturbed by the ruckus around him. His sound however, had me nearly squeaking in embarrassment.

“Niko! Hibik says I have to ask you if I can go to the gardens. Are there lots of flowers? Can I go? Is it very cold?” She bounced over my knees, barely dodging landing on Grier’s legs, as her words came out so fast I could barely distinguish one from another. “Oh!” She tilted her head to the side. “Did you know Grier is here too?? Is he still asleep? But the sun’s up already!”

“My apologies, Your Highness!” Seoc finally managed, and he seemed to be panting, his slicked back hair disheveled. “Sh-she was very insistent! I tried to stop her!”

The goblins were hastily shifting and moving back and forth, only adding to the overall chaos as Morgana jumped around. Hibik was speaking rapidly to Seoc in goblinese, who seemed to be trying to skitter from side to side as if to predict which part of the bed the Princess would be closest to when he got there.

“They said you were sleeping! But it’s dawn! You never sleep past dawn!” She told me as she bounced, grinning from ear to ear as she ignored their frantic attempts to coax her down. “And I tried to tell them that-”

“Ch-Chickadee!” I stammered, reaching up to catch her hand. “That’s enough… C-come here.”

She dropped to her bottom, plopping down onto the bed beside me with her legs dangling off the side. The pair of goblins darted over, sputtering apologies in a mixture of Common and goblinese and bowing repeatedly. My face was so hot it hurt, and I struggled to get my mouth and mind to work in coordination. I tried to shake my head, made some attempts to soothe their rushed words. But couldn’t seem to work up the volume to get a word in edgewise.

“Get. OUT. You fools.” Grier growled from somewhere behind me, his voice coarse with sleep. “Now!”

I jumped at the King’s angry snap, even muffled as it was by the sheets and pillows. I almost didn’t recognize it as his. Both of the goblin attendants squeaked, nearly running over each other in their haste to obey the King. Obviously not wishing to suffer his wrath should they be seen hesitating. I was pretty sure I heard the soft thud of one of them tripping over their own feet before I heard the click of the door. Morgana spared the King a glance, but seemed otherwise unbothered.

“Niko, I was talking to Hibik, and he said that the kitchen is really big, so I was thinking-”

“Chickadee,” I breathed, struggling to get enough air through my constricted chest, “Please, I-I need a few minutes-”

“To get Grier up? It’s ok, he can come to the kitchen too. Or is he too busy?” She tilted her head to the side. “What do Kings even do all day?”

“Chickad-” I tried to start again.

“Why IS Grier here?” She asked, tilting her head to the other side. “Did you two sleep together?” I did squeak now, my entire body stiffening at her words. “I thought you would sleep in his room, because that’s where all your stuff must be-”

“Morgana!” I snapped, my voice suddenly tight. She started slightly at that, finally looking up at me and falling still. Instantly I regretted my harshness, and swallowed nervously. “... Look, Chickadee…” I amended gently. “... Why don’t you go with Hibik to the gardens? Or Seoc? Explore for a bit? I-I’ll…. I’ll catch up as soon as I can.”

She watched me for a second, seeming to think this over. I saw her hazel eyes dart over to Grier, still mostly buried in the blankets behind me. I winced, feeling the heat pounding through my head again. But tried very hard to pretend the goblin wasn’t actually there.

“Ok, I like that idea.” She finally agreed, nodding, and bounding from the bed. “Sorry I woke you, Niko.” She leaned over my lap, forearms on my knees. “Sorry Grier!”

His muffled grunt had me stiffening anew, and I blinked rapidly, swinging my legs out of the bed as if in denial that we were in the same one. Morgana’s small body, draped across them, came along with me, and she giggled. Leaping up to wrap her arms around my neck and give me a hug. I tried to release my tension with a sigh, but it only seemed to fan the flames under the balls of my cheeks.

“Listen, Chickadee,” I told her softly, “We’ll… We’ll need to talk about this later…” She leaned back, looking up at me curiously. I fumbled, my lips becoming like butter. Then shook my head. “But go explore for now.” I scooped the back of her head with my hand as she moved to run off. “And listen to Seoc and Hibik. Ok?”

“Ok, Niko.” She replied exasperatedly, pulling my hand away and skipping off to the foyer.

As soon as she darted out the door (and obliviously left it slightly ajar behind her) I groaned. Dropping my face into my hands and releasing a breath so deep it made my shoulders quiver. My blood was still rushing in my ears, and I felt dizzy and lightheaded.

I nearly jumped out of my skin as a pair of warm green hands slowly slid across my shoulders. I lifted myself from my palms a little, enough to peek nervously at the King out the corner of my eye. My heart skittered and raced at his touch. Grier rested his chin on my shoulder, draping lazily over me. Giving a toothy yawn and blinking sleepily.

“That was certainly a wake up call.” He mused, sounding both tickled and groggy, still a little hoarse.

“... I think I’m going to be sick.” I moaned softly, and he laughed quietly at that.

I jumped again as his hot lips pressed to the soft skin of my neck. “Best thing for an upset stomach is rest…” Another light kiss. “...Come back to bed.”

I hesitated, fidgeting in place. Unable to reconcile the memory of the previous evening with the events of the morning. I glanced nervously towards the slightly ajar door.

“A-aah… B-but Morgana-”

“Can wait.” He trailed a kiss down my neck again, sliding his hot arms even further around me. “Come sleep some more.” When I cast him another peeking look over my shoulder, he grinned sleepily, his eyes still half-lidded. “Selfish, remember?” Another kiss. “I want you-” and another “-all for myself.”

I weakly gestured towards the crack of light snaking out into the hall beyond. “S-she ah… left the door-”

Grier murmured something against my skin I didn’t understand, and flicked his fingers towards the foyer. And the door slammed shut forcefully. I heard the deadlock fall into place with a thud that echoed in the silence following. I swallowed hard.

“It’s too early.” He moaned letting up the press of his lips against my throat to sigh deeply and rest his cheek in the crook of my neck instead. I hadn’t realized how flushed I was until I felt his own heat popping beads of sweat across my skin. “I don’t know how you stand it. And all this sunlight-” He blinked at the window, scowling “-I miss my dark room.”

“... You could go back.” I mumbled dryly, and he chortled.

“Not without you.” He returned in a soft purr. The goblin trailed his fingers lazily up my sternum, sending a shiver down my spine. “...Come to bed?”

I glanced down at my bare feet, shaking my head again shyly. “I-I’m too awake now.”

He gave me a gentle tug. “Then be awake. I’ll sleep for the both of us.”

I shook my head once more. “...Y-you and Morgana must be in a competition to see who is more incorrigible.”

He laughed a final time, laying a final kiss against the side of my neck. I couldn’t help curling away bashfully. The King hummed a soft sound at that, reaching up and turning my head to the side. Then planted a proper, if sloppy, hot kiss on my lips.

“Well, I’m going back to sleep.” He declared weakly as he drew away, considering me through half-lidded eyes. “I’ve already been awake far too long for my liking.”

He flopped back into the sheets, and I looked over at him, surprised. As I watched, he burrowed deeper into them and gave a hefty sigh… I wondered quite how he managed that so easily. I felt a pang of jealousy, but quickly brushed it away. Standing and heading over to my trunk to pull out a fresh tunic and vest. I chanced a glance back over at him as I pulled it over my head and tucked it into my trousers, only to find his breathing had already deepened. I pretended I wasn’t checking on him after every other button as I fastened my vest, and that it was absolute coincidence that I ended up next to the bed a few moments later. Though of course, since I was already there…

I reached out timidly, daring to brush my fingertips along his wild bangs. I drew in a sharp breath, looking around. As if someone might pop out and demand to know exactly what I thought I was doing. No one did though, and I returned my attention to his sleeping face, half submerged in the soft blankets. I dared trail a little closer, bending over him. I decided he was either a very good actor, or already in a very deep sleep. Still, I felt emboldened by his stillness, and placed a shy, almost curious kiss on his temple.

I drew in a sharp breath, withdrawing in surprise, my brow furrowing. I forgot myself, and cupped my hand along his jaw, then slid it up to his forehead. Confirming what my lips had already deduced. The goblin stirred beneath my palm.

“Grier, you’re hot…” I told him, trying to keep the nervousness from my voice.

He shifted sleepily, but a wry smile played across his thin lips. “You’re not so bad yourself…” He mumbled groggily.

“No, I-I…” I stammered exasperatedly, “I mean… You’re burning up…” I couldn’t help but cup my hand around the back of his head. “D-do, do you feel alright?”

He groaned, weakly trying to push my hand away. “I’m just tired. Join me, or leave me be.”

“I’m getting Hibik.”

“Nooo, gods, I’m… I’m fine…” He grumbled, but seemed to be struggling to open his eyes again. “Don’t get that old… that old…”

I didn’t linger a moment longer, spinning and practically running to the hall. The door wasn’t even fully open before I was shouting for the older goblin…

...

UPDATE: Part Twelve HERE

#Royal Flush #goblin king #goblin lover #goblin husband #monster lover #monster husband #monster x male #mlm #male x male #terato #exophilia #monster romance #monster royalty #royal marriage #royal engagement #slow burn #angst

57 notes · View notes

anothertimdrakestan · 4 years ago

Note

i looooooooooooooooove your account and was wondering if you have favourite accounts? Like daaaaaaaaaaang any account you love must be jaw-dropping. Top ten?

I HAVE SO MANY AND IM SO DUMB SO IM SCARED I FORGOT BUTTTT HERES MY FAVS!

also this is in no particular order cuz it literally changes every hour but i included links to some of my fav things written by each acc and a little description!

- @huyandere best art i've ever seen i want every single timkon or core 4 piece permanently tattooed on my body and when i die i want their art on my tombstone lmao if u go to their acc u can probably find me thirsting after or agressively stanning tim drake in their comments THEYRE SO TALENTED 11/10 some of my fav pieces: here here here

- @silverdecepticon93 WHAT A BLOG they have like a million posts that will make you laugh out loud like an idiot and their blog is perfection for villains i didn't think klarion or the riddler were hot until i read this blog and i'm forever changed for the better! they write shorts that make me snort like an idiot and fics that make me cry like a baby for the entire dc universe so so good! some of my favs: here & here

- @business-as-usual-bats write hilarious incorrect quotes/shorts but why i'm OBSESSED is they reblog literally THE BEST content and they post so often and make the funniest meme things i 10/10 recommend to get into funny batfam shit and see what the majority of the fandom is stanning

- @catxsnow this blog is one of my biggest inspirations i've probably ready every fic on her masterlist twice and i LIVE for her headcanons omg so great, if you're looking for constantly amazing reads and hilarious laugh i definitely recommend!

- @kimberly-spirits13 this blog fueled my bart allen addiction and i swear i didn't sleep until i'd read ever single post and they were all *chefs kiss* their humor is so similar to mine and im constantly laughing when i'm reading their fics some of my favs: here & here

- @birdy-bat-writes ofc my soulmate! she's everything i do well and more and she's starting to really start posting a ton more and i love her content!!!

- @detectivedamian DROP WHAT YOURE DOING AND GO READ THEIR LASTEST DAMIJON FIC OKAY? link HERE i'm so emotionally invested it's starting to get unhealthy but i also recommend oragami birds another AMAZING read! so many ups and downs man get ready

- @cdelphiki the dramaaaaa i live breath and die for their posts especially the fix-it fics they give me like unmeasurable releases of serotonin before i remember bruce still beats his kids in canon :( if you're looking to invest your heart in a fic i 10/10 recommend just get a glass of water before you start because once you start trust me you're not getting up until your done

- @cryptocism their art makes my insides warm and fuzzy ESPECIALLY the way they draw bart allen just has me uwu 24/7 i go to their blog for a scroll whenever i'm sad and it always puts a smile on my face here are some of my favs: here & here

- i don't wanna do a tenth because that makes the list look final and it's not because i follow like 300+ amazing blogs that give me joy and laughter every single day these are just the once that flowed to my head immidiently and in no way am i ranking them or ignoring another amazing blog! in fact i'd love if y'all would message me w some @ of your favorite blogs so i can get a good deep dive into their pages!

this was such a fun ask thank you! and to everyone in this list thank you for inspiring me beyond words! i've learned so much from reading your blogs thank you for posting all the time truly i know how hard it is and i appriciate you!

love you!

#batfamily #batfam #batboys #dc fandom #dc fanfic #batfam fanfic #batfam fandom #tim drake #jason todd #damian wayne #dick grayson #bruce wayne #young justice #young justice fanart #elles shitposts

95 notes · View notes

horansqueen · 5 years ago

Text

You & Me : chapter 45

A Niall Horan fanfiction ; rated MA

Sequel to AM CONVERSATIONS

CHAPTER 1 || CHAPTER 2 || CHAPTER 3 || CHAPTER 4 || CHAPTER 5 || CHAPTER 6 || CHAPTER 7 || CHAPTER 8 || CHAPTER 9 || CHAPTER 10 || CHAPTER 11 || CHAPTER 12 || CHAPTER 13 || CHAPTER 14 || CHAPTER 15 || CHAPTER 16 || CHAPTER 17 || CHAPTER 18 || CHAPTER 19 || CHAPTER 20 || CHAPTER 21 || CHAPTER 22 || CHAPTER 23 || CHAPTER 24 || CHAPTER 25 || CHAPTER 26 || CHAPTER 27 || CHAPTER 28 || CHAPTER 29 || CHAPTER 30 || CHAPTER 31 || CHAPTER 32 || CHAPTER 33 || CHAPTER 34 || CHAPTER 35 || CHAPTER 36 || CHAPTER 37 || CHAPTER 38 || CHAPTER 39 || CHAPTER 40 || CHAPTER 41 || CHAPTER 42 || CHAPTER 43 || CHAPTER 44

NOTES:

-one chapter is her pov, the next is his -4k -im sorry, i never proofread, i hate it. -there WILL be smut. but not only smut. -this is a romance, comedy, smut story. -for the summary, check my MASTERLIST.

READ AM CONVERSATIONS AGAIN ON WATTPAD HERE

- notes: please take note that this is mostly a filler chapter, just like chapter 46 and 47 will be. I have everything planned for 48, 49 and 50 tho. and then the story will be over :( if you want anything added to the filler chapters, please message me. tbh i would love you so so much lol! so yea, im super stressed about ending this story, i cant even explain. ALSO: time will pass quicker in the last few chapters so check the dates!

if you want to be on the list of blogs i notify when this is updated, just message me :)

requests! : the 2 requests added will be posted at the bottom of this post to avoid spoilers!!!

TAKE A LOOK AT THE CHARACTERS HERE

Chapter 45 : His chapter

NIALL

August 16th, 2018

I didn't know exactly what woke me up but I just turned around in bed, wrapping my arm around Liv's body and moving a bit closer before trying to fall back asleep. Unfortunately, my phone started vibrating on my bedside table and I groaned when I realized I forgot to put it on mute before falling asleep. I couldn't remember how long how making love session had lasted and I couldn't even remember when I actually fell asleep.

I grimaced and sighed before turning around and reaching out for my phone, searching for it with my eyes closed. My fingers finally gripped it and I decided to sit up, rubbing my eyes as I tried to read the message I had received. I noticed Louis' face next to the message and I frowned. It's not that Louis never texted me but I was still surprised to see that notification, especially so early in the morning.

'Had fun last night? 😏' was all he had sent me along with a link.

I turned to look at Olivia who was still deeply asleep, laying on her stomach, with the covers just over her butt and I finally got out of bed slowly and gently, making sure I wouldn't wake her up. I walked to the kitchen, letting out a yawn as I passed my hand in my messy hair, and decided to make coffee as I clicked on the link.

I frowned when I recognize my living room and I saw myself get up from the couch, suddenly realizing it was my instagram live from the night before. i frowned more, wondering why Louis would send me the link since I couldn't remember saying or doing anything remotely bad but when Olivia's legs appeared in the screen, I realized my mistake. I had probably not stopped the live properly and my heart jumped in my chest, trying to remember what exactly we had said and done right after.

I heard my girlfriend tell me I was a good person and groaned low again when I heard myself ask her if it turned her on. No one could see us kiss since the laptop was placed on the coffee table and we were standing up but even if I was whispering, the words "I'm gonna miss you so much." could easily be heard before she replied that she was going to miss me more.

"Fucking hell..." I whispered as I blinked a few times, staring at the screen where we could clearly see me leading Liv in the hall as she stepped back, our lips attached to each other's as we made out.

She hit the wall and we both laughed as I let out a 'clumsy ass!' the way I always did before an 'I love you' escaped my lips. I felt my heart jump in my chest knowing so many people had actually witnessed something so personal and I swallowed before sighed and passing my hand in my hair again. We disappeared from the screen as the sound of a door being closed could be heard and I realized the video lasted 4 more minutes where nothing could be heard or seen. It had probably been about an hour since I started the livestream which was why it finally cut and I put my phone away and closed my eyes, wondering what exactly would be the repercussion of this video. I didn't want to go on twitter to read what people were saying but I knew that I would at least have to tell Liv about it.

I poured myself a cup of coffee and my lips curled slightly when I heard my girlfriend yelled from the bedroom.

"HOLY FUCKING SHIT!"

"Okay, she already knows." I whispered to myself, taking a sip from my hot drink and leaning against the counter.

It took her only a few seconds but I saw her appear in front of me, her hair even messier than mine and wearing only my shirt. I wanted to be stressed by all this but when I saw her, my lips curled in a fond smile.

"Did Louis send it to you too?" was the first thing that got out of her mouth and I just nodded before turning around and grabbing a mug to pour her some coffee too. "That's it? That's all I get? A nod?"

I took the time to add sugar and cream in her coffee and finally turned around again to hand it to her. She stared at me for a few seconds before her eyes fell on the mug and she sighed, taking it from my hands.

"Is there anything else to say?" I just asked, shrugging a shoulder. "I mean it's on the internet probably forever and honestly, we've been lucky, especially thinking about all the times we actually just fucked on the couch I mean, this video could be so much worse."

She looked away and her eyebrows raised before she grimaced. "Yea, I guess that's some way to see it." she let out before taking a sip. "I just... Gosh I don't know, I feel violated."

"I'm sorry. Honestly, I feel like shit too. It's my mistake and it's a very bad one." I admitted, raising my nose up. "I'm sorry, petal."

Her eyes met mine and she took a step closer, tilting her chin up to keep her gaze locked with mine. I stared at her back as she blinked a few times and her thin lips curled into a fond smile.

"You're forgiven."

I let my eyes roamed on her face, knowing it was a big thing to be so easily forgiven for something like that, especially that we were both aware she would get a lot of hate because of it. I bent down slightly and let my lips brush against hers before closing my eyes and bringing my hands up to her cheeks to deepen the kiss. When we stopped, she kept hers lips pressed against mine and sighed low.

"I'm gonna turn off my notifications on twitter for a while."

I raised my nose up in a grimace and groaned. "Me too." I kissed her lips again. "We can just ignore the comments together. I promise we'll be fine."

"I know." she whispered, her lips brushing against mine. "I trust you."

I felt something stir in my heart at her words, knowing I had lost her trust last year and I had worked hard to get it back. Still, despite my efforts, she didn't have to give it back to me again, but she had, and I couldn't explain how much it meant to me.

"Thank you, pet."

---

August 17th, 2018

I woke up around 10am, knowing I should have been up before. I had a concert on the same night and even if it was barely a two hours ride, we had to get there early to rehearse and make sure everything was in place. I was surprised to realize my girlfriend was not in bed anymore as I reached my arm on the mattress, my hand only meeting the cold sheets of the bed.

Quickly, I opened my eyes, blinking a few times, and stretched before getting up and dressing up. I walked to the kitchen only to see Liv and her lips curled when she saw me. I frowned, still surprised that she was already up, and took the mug she was handing me. I liked this habit that we had to prepare coffee if we were the first one to wake up. We had never talked about it but we just did it naturally and it was one of the many small things that made this whole relationship stronger.

"You're up early." I just pointed out before taking a sip.

"Will you miss me?" she asked quickly, ignoring my comment and making me frown.

"You know I will, petal, why are you asking?" I chuckled, taking a step closer and raising my eyebrows.

The truth was, I didn't want to leave without her but at the same time, I didn't want to force her to come with me. I knew following me on tour was not as fun as it may sound and I also knew she was busy. Of course, the fact that she was done with the season of her show gave her more free time, but the Olivia I discovered after being away from her for over a year was more independent than the Olivia I broke the heart to. She had also been right the last time we had a discussion about being away from each other. She had said it would bring us even closer and stronger together, and it had. We had spent a lot of time texting, facetiming and talking on the phone and I couldn't hide that I had missed her like crazy, but when we finally got to see each other again, it was intense. Besides, nothing would ever stop me from seeing her if at some point, it became too hard to be apart.

"How bad are you going to miss me?" she asked, once again ignoring my question.

"Pet, if I could, I'd put you in my bags and bring you with me."

This answer seemed to satisfy her as her lips curled more and she licked them before putting her mug away. I took a sip in mine but quickly, she grabbed it too and put it next to hers before taking my hand and pulling me with her.

"Are you bringing me in bed for a good fuck or something?"

This time, she laughed and the sound of it made me smile. She brought me to the hall and my lips parted when I saw her luggage in the lobby, laying near the door. I turned to her after a few seconds and she raised her eyebrows.

"If you don't want me to come with you, I'll definitely understand." she just said, shaking her head. "But I've had enough to be away from you. I miss you too much. What do you say?"

I felt my heart jump in my chest and let out a low chuckle before bending down slightly and wrapping my arms right under her butt to lift her up. She let out a short scream and a laugh, making my smile grow.

"Fuck yes!"

"Niall! Put me down! You're gonna hurt yourself!"

I did as she asked and as soon as she was back on her feet, I pushed her against the wall and looked down at her with a smile. She looked up and licked her lips before nibbling on her bottom one, her eyes never leaving mine and a smile still spread on her face.

"I didn't want to force you into coming with me, but fuck, I wanted to ask you to follow me again." I whispered, bending down slightly to brush my nose against hers. "Thank you for coming with me. It makes me so happy, darling."

"I was not sure if you still wanted me to come. I don't want to be annoying, or dependent. I just want to be with you."

My happy smile turned into a fond one. I didn't want her to ever believe she bothered or annoyed me. I was not the kid I used to be when I broke up with her, I didn't see things the same way, and I had learned.

"I always want to be with you. Your presence is a gift for me, I want you to always remember that, okay?" I murmured, feeling my lips brush against hers as I talked. "Don't ever try to be someone else. I love you best when you're just yourself."

She chuckled. "Did you just quote your own song?"

I sent her a smirk and shrugged, my body still pressed on hers. "It's my words, I can use them whenever I want. Besides, I wrote it for you, so."

"Okay but, can I really show you my heart? You promise you won't break it again?"

I rubbed my nose gently and slowly against hers again, making her eyelids flutter slightly.

"I swear." I breathed. "You're everything I want."

---

September 12th, 2018

When I walked back in the hotel room after the show, my lips curled when I noticed Liv coming out of the bathroom, her body wrapped in a fluffy white towel. She looked surprised for half a second and finally sent me a smile while tilting her head. I took a few steps closer and placed my hands on her hips but she quickly took a step back and shook her head.

"Nooo, nop!" she let out, making me raise her eyebrows. "You're all sweaty and shit. Take a shower first!"

"I thought seeing me all sweaty made you horny." I argued, my lips curling into a smirk.

"Watching you all wet turns me on too." she admitted, pressing her lips together. "Go shower and I promise to stay naked, deal?"

This time, I smirked even more and waggling my eyebrows, making her laugh. "Can I get a glimpse?" I asked, pulling gently on the top of the towel and letting my gaze drop in her cleavage.

"No!" she argued, slapping my hand slightly and chuckling. "Hurry!"

I groaned and rushed to the bathroom, getting quickly undressed and starting the shower. I let out a sigh as I tilted my chin, feeling the warm water fall in my face and wet my hair. The past months had been exhausting, mentally and physically, but I could actually say that I was in the exact place I wanted to be. I didn't feel this hole inside my chest anymore. Somehow, it was filled with something that I desperately needed without really realizing it. It was not only the love we had for each other that mattered, it was also the friendship, the history, the trust, the hope and the need we felt toward the other... all of this filled everything that needed to be filled. She was my home, and I was hers. I had never felt like that for anyone else in my life.

I quickly got out of the shower and dried my body and hair before wrapping the towel around my waist. When I walked back in the room, my lips parted slightly and I stopped dead in my track. She was laying in bed, on her stomach, her headphones on as she seemed to read something (a book or a magazine, perhaps?), still completely naked. I stared for a few seconds at the back of her head before my eyes moved down to her ass. I didn't know if she did that just to turn me on but it definitely worked. I took the towel off and let it fall next to me before grabbing my cock in my hand and stroking it gently.

She started humming a song low and I was so focused on her naked form that it took me half a minute to realize it was one of mine. It made the left corner of my lips raise up and I let my free hand run down to my balls as I got harder.

Being able to have sex with her every time I came back to the hotel room was one of the perks of having her on tour, along with many others, of course. I normally prefer to be alone but when it came to Olivia, everything seemed different. I didn't feel stuck in this relationship, or smothered by it. I still wanted us to be private and couldn't wait until people would stop mentioning that video or us after my livestream but at the same time, It didn't bother me the way it would have before. After all, I was dating her, and for the very first time in my life, I wanted it to last forever. Just that thought seemed crazy to me and my heart skipped a beat.

I took a step closer to her and without thinking, I straddled her quickly and stared down as I pushed my cock inside her. She tensed and I felt her walls press around the tip of my cock, making me groan.

"Don't move, baby." I whispered before realizing she probably couldn't hear me.

I kept looking down as I slowly pushed myself more inside her until I was balls deep and moaned low. She felt amazing, as she always did, and my whole body started throbbing. I leaned closer to her, holding myself with my hands near her shoulders, and moved my hips back before thrusting in her again.

"F-Fuck."

The way she whimpered made me smile and with one hand, I took her headphones off and it fell off the bed, making a soft sound as it hit the carpet. I bent down slightly and brushed my lips on her ear.

"I don't think what you're reading is as interesting as what I'm doing to you, is it, petal?"

I watched her eyes flutter closed and her lips part before laying on top of her and slipping one of my arms around her. My hand reached for her neck and I pressed my fingers on her throat as I tried to hold myself with the elbow of my other arm, making sure I didn't crush her or hurt her.

"Is it?" I asked again, a little louder this time.

"Mm, nothing is better than what you're doing to me." she admitted in a whisper, making me smile more.

"How much do you like my cock inside your pretty little cunt, pet?"

She moved her ass up to feel me deeper and I breathed through my teeth at the amazing sensation, remaining motionless for a few seconds. She started wiggling a bit and my grip tightened around her neck.

"So.. so much." she whimpered again, gripping the sheets of the bed with both hands.

"You're so fucking impatient." I whispered with a chuckle, letting go of her throat and sitting back on her legs. "Didn't think I'd find you laying on the bed naked like that, just waiting for me. You have no idea how hard that made me."

I stared down at my cock moving slowly in and out of her as I moved and enjoyed the moans coming out of her mouth every single time I was completely inside her.

"Fuck, Niall, please."

I looked up and grabbed her hair, pulling on it a bit as she let out a louder whimper.

"Fuck, you're so wet." I whispered, gripping her hair tighter. "I want to cum inside you, petal."

I watched her move a bit, her body twisting as she slipped one of her arms under her body to reach for her clit. She rubbed the tip of her fingers on my balls, making me groan, and finally started touching herself, making her ass grind up. I started fucking her harder and faster, in motion with her ass moving up and it only took a minute or two until she started shaking beneath me. The sight was amazing and I groaned as I came too, pushing her hard despite myself in the mattress.

"Jesus Christ." I whispered before going limp on top of her.

I heard her chuckle and my lips curled too as I brushed them on her shoulder. She shivered and I smiled even more when goosebumps appeared on her now damp skin.

"I love having sex with you." she admitted, making me laugh lightly.

"Oh darling, I love having sex with you, too."

I trailed kisses on her neck and shoulder and after a while, I moved next to her, laying on my back and staring at the ceiling. We were on the wrong side of the bed and I felt my heels lean against one of the pillows.

"And I love spending time with you. I love being close to you. I love that you followed me here. I love that you're still my best friend after all this time. I love that we get along so well, that we grew up together, that we're even closer than we used to be." I confessed slowly in a soft tone. "I love that you love me. I love that I love you. I love the team we make. I love you, Olivia."

I turned my head her way and she was staring at her. She seemed on the verge on tears but I knew they were happy tears and I sent her a fond smile before moving on my side to see her better. I brought one of my hands to her cheek and pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"The truth is, I can't wait to marry you, to start a family with you, to grow old with you."

Her eyes roamed on my face and she swallowed hard. We both remained silent for a while and she pressed her lips together. It was so endearing that I smiled more and let my fingertips run on her shoulder and down her sides, until her waist.

"You..." she started, stopping herself again for a few seconds before her eyes met mine. "The first time we dated, it was everything that scared you about our couple. That's why you broke up with me, remember?"

I held my head with my hand, my arm on the mattress, and she moved closer, licking her lips and waiting for my answer. Of course I remembered, how could I not?

"I know." I replied, nodding lightly. "I was a fuckin' idiot. I mean, I still am." I shrugged with a chuckle. "But I'm an idiot who will never make that mistake again. I don't want to be with anyone else. And I don't want to be away from you."

"For someone who supposedly suck at expressing his feelings, you're doing quite well." she pointed out with a big smile.

I laughed too and shrugged again. "I've been thinking about what I was going to say for days." I admitted, glancing away before looking back at her. "I almost wrote a song instead."

"You could have," she whispered, reaching for my hand and squeezing my fingers. "I love hearing you sing."

I smiled again and pulled her closer to me to feel her body against mine. I lied down on my back again and she cuddled my side quickly. We stayed quiet for a while and every time she'd tilt her chin up to kiss mine, it would make me smile. It made me realize I had everything I needed, everything I wanted... I had everything I didn't even know I needed, and didn't even know I wanted.

"Do you still want to elope?" I asked randomly after a while.

"It's still a dream of mine, yea." she replied in a gentle tone. "But I know you'd prefer a normal wedding with our families and friends. I'm okay with that."

"I'm sure we can make a compromise."

She moved her head up to look in my eyes and frowned a bit. "This is... hypothetical, right?"

I let my eyes roam again on her face and something stirred inside me. I had no idea it was possible to love someone so bad. I didn't know it was possible to love someone so much you that you'd be ready to change your life plans for them. But here I was, staring at the only woman I ever fell in love with, knowing that I'd do anything for her, and that I would never stop loving her.

"Of course, we're just talking." I lied, my lips curling more. "So we'd elope and get married in Vegas, and then make a big party with our friends and family. And then what?"

"Honeymoon? If we're not too busy..."

"We'll make time." I replied firmly. "Bali or Bora Bora?"

She laughed and turned to lay on her back, my arm still behind her neck, and she finally shook her head. "I don't care where we go, Niall. As long as I'm with you."

the requests

#niall horan #niall horan fluff #niall horan smut #niall horan fanfiction #niall horan fan fiction #niall horan fanfic #niall horan fan fic #niall horan story #niall horan writing #1dff #my fanfics #yam

56 notes · View notes

just-like-playing-tag · 5 years ago

Text

A totally self indulgent compilation of my favorite works on this blog of the year June 13, 2019 - June 13, 2020

I wanted to do this for the blog's first anniversary but then completely forgot about it lol.

The following lists are all in chronological order according to the date each post was first published.

Top 10 panel edits:

#1: Don and Gilda - Chapter 138: Demon serch (1)

Date: Jun 14th, 2019

Time: ~ 1:30 h

My very first redraw from my very first edit posted here, so it deserves an honorable mention. Back then I was young and inexperienced, I didn't even apply a gray filter (lmao I was so unskilled I even unintentionally scratched the picture, I hadn't realized until today). I'm actually very happy my first redraw was of Don, boy deserves all the love.

#2: Emma and Ray - Chapter 140: I’m Here!

Date: Jun 28th, 2019

Time: ~ 1 h

Back then this looked like so much work to me!!! And to this day, I think it turned out pretty well. I'm particularly proud of how the bow turned out. This is one I was really proud of right after having finished it; it gave me the confidence to try redrawing bigger areas. Also, the edit were I first applied the opacity of layer / opacity of brush for the gray filter that would have stuck with me.

#3: Krone's birthday edit

Date: Jul 15th, 2019

Time: 15 mins

I don't know I just really like how Krone's hair vanish to a more sketch-like style here– and consequently, how I managed to replicate such effect. I think Krone's beautiful.

#4: Emma, Norman and Ray - Chapter 153: Coward

Date: Oct 4th, 2019

Time: 4:07 h (and 67 layers lmao)

Probably the single panel redraw I'm the most proud of. That Norman panel was beautiful and very poignant at the end of a chapter I adored, so I believe it deserved all the time I've spent working on it. It's far from being perfect - the back of his head is too plain, and the difference between my brushes and the original brushes is pretty visible - but I still like it very much and am extremely attached to it. The horn looks kinda big but I honestly believe it to be more of an issue with the original than with what I had redrawn lol. Funny enough, the whole picture didn't make it to the final edit and had to be trimmed.

#5: Full Score Trio - Chapter 154: A Breakthrough

Date: Oct 11th, 2019

Time: 29 mins

I don't have a particular reason for this I just think Emma's hair turned out amazing. It took just half an hour and I didn't even use references like. Wow. @Redrawing skills where did you go please come back

#6: Mujika and Queen Legravalima - Chapter 158: The Reason I Was Born

Date: Nov 17th, 2019

Time: 2:09 h

Sis I love this so freaking much. The shift from redrawing almost exclusively people and clothes to redrawing this mess was so fun and refreshing. Even though it's a mess I think it turned out very clean and overall it looks beautiful? I remember after finishing this I felt so powerful, like now that I had redrawn this thing I would have been able to redraw anything I set my mind on lol.

#7: Emma - Chapter 161: Never Be Alone

Date: Dec 13th, 2019

Time: 57 mins

Again no particular reason except this is a very cute Emma and I think the redraw turned out pretty well. There's this big lock on the left that doesn't make a lot of sense but overall I really like it. Cute Emma is cute, and I love her determination.

#8: Emma - Chapter 166: Going Back Home

Date: Mar 9th, 2020

Time: 3:45 h

I'M SO FREAKING PROUD OF THAT RIFFLE I have not the slightlest idea why this took so damn long BUT I'M SO PROUD OF IT

#9: Norman's birthday edit

Date: Mar 21st, 2020

Time: 1:04 h

This is cool! I didn't know I could manage to draw this, but I did it! The feathers were particularly hard to clean but I think they turned out fine.

#10: Full Score Trio - Chapter 174: A New World (part 1)

Date: Apr 6th, 2020

Time: 2:11 h

I just think they're very pretty? I can't understand if I like Ray's face a lot, or not at all, but I think overall there was a lot to redraw and it turned out pretty cute! Sorry Gillian.

(Also insert pretty much every panel from the chapter 177 Isabella edit– I've spent so many hours on basically every panel there's no way I could choose only one).

Top 5 edits as whole:

#1: Emma and Ray - Chapter 140: I’m Here!

Date: Jun 29th, 2019

Complessive time: 2:57+ h

The very first edit I'm actually proud of; I'm really attached to it. It's the first edit I had put all of my effort into, and I remember feeling anxious people would have left it without notes. It kinda feels weird to think about it now, because I really don't care about notes anymore; yet, it somehow makes me happy to think that past-me wasn't let down. Thank you @neverlandstrio for your support, you may not remember but it really meant a lot to me back then! And it still makes me smile. You're the best!!!!!!

#2: Mujika and Queen Legravalima - Chapter 158: The Reason I Was Born

Date: Nov 20th, 2019

Complessive time: 7:12+ hours

This whole edit was an hella wild ride. It's midnight before a school day, when I think: "Mh, it's been a while since I last made an edit, why not make one about Musica and the queen from the last chapter?" And seven hours after this was born. I'm particularly proud of the queen's redraws on the 3rd, 7th and 9th picture (ofc), the areas which have been redrawn are pretty huge yet I think the difference with the original is almost impossible to notice?? @Redrawing skills where did you go please come back (part 2)

#3: Emma - Chapter 174: A New World (part 1)

Date: Apr 12th, 2020

Complessive time: 6:53+ h

I think the panels that were selected work very well together, especially considering the close-up / full body alternation. I love Emma, and I've always been kinda sad noticing that edits that focus one her take the less notes... She deserves all the love. Also, fun fact: for the last but one panel, I had redrawn Emma's whole left ear before remembering she doesn't have one, so I had to redraw the panel from the start. Besides from the error with the ear, the reason why this (and all the others after) took so long is because official panel take way longer to clean.

#4: Isabella and her children - Chapter 177: Mother

Date: May 22nd, 2020

Complessive time: 13:41+ h (ahah.)

Lmao tbh I can't understand how this has so few notes it's like. Technically speaking, probably the best edit I've ever done. I don't even like Isabella that much, I haven't got the slightlest idea why I decided to spend so many hours on this. Anyway, I find the composition (full body on the left / headshots on the right) really good looking in this as well! And I think the redraws turned out fine, especially Isabella's.

#5: The Promised Neverland manga ending countdown→ 1/7 chapters: chapter 1 - Grace Field House

Date: Jun 9th, 2020

Complessive time: 1:59+ h

I don't know how I came up with that idea for the composition but I find it really beautiful??? I think it does a pretty good job conveying the sudden, terrific shift of atmosphere from the first chapter, and I think that sharp bridge is very nice. I'm very, very proud of this.

Honorable mention #1: Full Score Trio - Chapter 154: A Breakthrough

Date: Oct 13th, 2019

Complessive time: 3:44+ h (+ 1:13 h of working on a panel that ultimately didn't make it to the final edit)

A very good chapter, and the edit turned out surprisingly amazing??? All the redraws look great and make it almost impossible to distinguish them from the original; honestly I feel like I'll never be able to redraw so neatly again lol.

Honorable mention #2: Don and Gilda (+ Norman) - Chapter 160: Shackles

Date: Dec 11th, 2019

Complessive time: 3:14+ h

That one is really one of my favorite scenes; I'm telling you peoples, Gilda and Don are a blessing to the earth. I think I've never mentioned it, but Gilda's hair is a nightmare to redraw??? More specifically, it takes me h o u r s to fill the texture without making it look too weird, it's the worst.

Honorable mention #3: Norman and Ray - Chapter 179: Compensation

Date: Jun 6th, 2020

Complessive time: 4:16+ h

I was so glad to finally be able to make a Norman / Ray edit, and it turned out it was just in time before the series' finale. I like how it turned out and I'm pretty satisfied with the redraws (even though my sister helped me with the lineart of some panels - it was exams time and I really couldn't afford to spend more time on it), too bad we didn't have more chapters that focused on the boys. Ray sweetie one day I'll fix your ear it's just today's not that day.

Btw, I justed realized I have never done an Emma / Norman centered edit? I'll have to make one eventually. I remember considering focusing on them alone for the chapter 154 one, but then I thought "even if the manga is gonna ignore Ray, I will chose to do not" lol.

Top 5 long posts:

#1: Reconstruction of how the Grace Field children were settled in the three bedrooms

Date: Aug 28th, 2019

I just had really a lot of fun doing it. I love putting all the little things to their own place, it's so calming to do and that's why I love making this kind of things. Also, loved how @temporoom contributed to the post! It was so nice of them to add what they had noticed to come up with more exact conclusions, that's one of the things I love the most about the internet.

#2: A study of how many times the characters of The Promised Neverland call each other through the first season of the anime

Date: Sep 10th, 2019

I REALLY LOVE IT! I mean it *was* kinda stressing to note everything, but it was very also very satisfying to see everything methodically divided and organized! And it's not just that– it's also the fact that it looks good. That's one post I have fun rereading because it's actually pretty! Also, even though it can be very stressing to learn to use new programs and sites, it's always very satisfying to look at the final result. Again, I really adore compiling these tiny little details! I would love to make more posts of that kind if i had the time.

#3: The Promised Neverland musicals headcanons

Date: Oct 27th, 2019

I mean it's literally. Putting my two favorite fandoms together how could I not love it. This is another one I really enjoy rereading, I find all the musical / character associations so fitting! I really want to make a second part, I hope to find some time to do it.

#4: Considerations on the reward / eventual series' finales (and Emma's sacrifice)

Date: May 7th, 2020

It's always nice to put down all your thoughts regarding a particular matter. It can take a lot of time (at least for me it does because... I need time to think about things), but it's so satisfying to see all of them there once you're done. Bonus points when, like in this case, it was something asked by someone else because “Wow! Somebody wants to hear my opinion on this subject! I'm flattered (◍•ᴗ•◍)”

#5: Some other considerations on the series' finale and Emma sacrificing herself

Date: Jun 13th, 2020

Pretty much the same as above. It's like some kind of clarity when the post is done and signed. Another fun fact, I had to censore the post a lot; the first version was extremely sharp and harsh, but I believe it's right to express your opinions calmly and politely.

Bonus: A thread of what the tpn characters would wear at the Oscars

Date: Feb 9th, 2020

Imagining all the children in those pretty dresses makes me so incredibly happy (╥﹏╥) I go back to look at that post a lot. I really love red carpets, I love looking at pretty dresses!!!!!

Lmao it's so funny how the post of mine I like the most are also the ones with the less notes

Anyway this was just a personal report! You don't have to read it all (or any of it actually). But it was indeed fun making it! Here's to many more months in the fandom!!!

#This was supposed to be posted on July 13th as one year and one month since I made the blog #but Tumblr decided to be a jerk and deleted all of it 😊#So here we are #tpn #tpn manga spoilers #long post #Again this is just a personal report don't stress over reading all of it #But it was fun to make!#To the people I tagged: sorry for tagging you in this long post but also it would have felt weird not to do so? I hope you don't mind #It felt like... Giving credits foe something you've done y'know

40 notes · View notes

andersssandrew · 5 years ago

Text

Fanfic meme (or my opinions about some fanfic tropes)

Thanks to @flo-nelja, I lost like one hour and half to do this post, you know my weakness for long ass meme. ❤️ on you, it was pretty entertaining.

So...let’s go

1. Slowburn or Love at First Sight: I’m never satisfied with the slow burn I read (or write, for what it's worth). Theorically I prefer slow burn, but it’s never slow enough, or BURN enough. I mean, for me, the slow burn involves some pining/longing, like they are accointances, then friends, then PINING/LONGING happens, then lovers. Probably the reason I love one sided love, because the feelings have time to grow, there is the pining/longing, with a pinch of angst ?

aNyWaY I love a Love at first sight too, I don’t like it in rom-com, because it’s often without any background, but in fanfic, when you know the characters, you have implicitely the background, so it feels like fate they will be together, because you went to read this fic for your OTP, so it feels right they fall in love at first sight, because you know they are good together (even if they don’t know it yet in the fanfiction). Again, it’s the reason I love soulmate au.

2. Fake Dating or Secretly Dating: It’s the last one I answered because it needs lof of thinking. Fake or secretly dating ? Hmmmm. I’m not often interested by the “dating” part, and more in the “feelings realization” and all the “confession part”. So Fake dating, I guess ? Like, they start dating and fall in love after ? And it can be funny, like quiproquo and clumsiness ?

3. Enemies to Lovers or Best Friends to Lovers: love shipping rivals and antagonistic relationships

4. “Oh no, there’s Only One Bed” or Long Distance Correspondence: I’m a pure victorian bitch

5. Hurt/Comfort or Amnesia

6. Fantasy AU or Modern AU

7. Mutual Pining or Domestic Bliss: Domestic is boring to me

8. Smut or Fluff: Not a big fan of fluff. I like some cheesy tropes (like Love at First Sight) but I’m tired really quick of fluff, so it needs to be a fic with other elements. And not tooth-rooting fluff.

9. Canon-Compliant/Missing Scenes or Fix-It

10. Alternate Universe or Future Fic: love the AUs. ALL THE FUCKING SUPER WEIRD AUs !!!

11. One Shot or Multi-chapter: It’s very rare a fic manages to stay good (like , interesting and/or coherent with the canon) during a long time, so if the fanfic is 34 chapters, for me, it’s a repellant, because it probably means the chapters are meaningless or the author loses themselves in their universe and forgot totally the canon. In my opinion, a good fanfic (I mean, ideally) has like 3 or 4 chapters, 1000 words at least for each one. So, I love one shot, it’s less risky to be disappointed.

12. Kid Fic or Road trip Fic: I deeply hate kid fic, omg, I hate it with my guts, for me it’s the incarnation of the patriarcal and heterocentric injonctions

13. Reincarnation or Character Death: Again, I hate character death (I mean, major character death - except if it’s canon ?)

14. Arranged Marriage or Accidental Marriage or NEITHER: Hmmmmm I didn’t read a lot of “accidental marriage”. I’m not really fan of “arranged marriage” neither.

In fact, I recently read a Reddie fanfic (1000 nights), it was in Las Vegas, Richie and Eddie were...plastered and Eddie pushed Richie in the chapel of a casino and they got married by a drag queen priest. Does it still count like an Accidental Marriage ? Because it was pretty funny.

15. High School Romance or Middle-Aged Romance: I feel so old when I read High School Romance fanfiction lol but even when I was 16 I didn’t like it. I like the characters in their own age, so SOMETIMES they are in high school but...hmmm it’s rare I read fanfiction taking place IN a school, it feels weird and more, it feels boring, because school is almost the same for everyone, I mean it’s a totes cliché genre. Also I don’t really like to imagine these fantasy characters becoming boring teenagers with boring occupations, sorry not sorry (but it’s the same with College AU, guys, I will kill someone if I see another art student pining for the annoying fratboy)

(I still read highschool BL mangas btw)

16. Time Travel or Isolated Together: Time travel give me headache. OH GOD I HAVE ONE RIGHT NOW !

17. Neighbours or Roommates

18. Sci Fi AU or Magic AU: aaaah a good supernatural au, like vampire au, werewolves au, demon/angel au, fairy tale au, hpverse au, incubus au or any other ideas. I love how it’s creative, I love how it can be super original, I love the potential in these idea, because magic AUs are very rich in themes, you can play on the medieval fantasy genre, the urban fantasy, the alternative timeline or the past (like victorian vampire AU 👌)

19. Body swap or Gender change: I don’t like Gender change anymore because first, gender is a spectrum, these fanfics are about binary genders, it’s a little bit cringy (but it’s not the real factor I don’t like it), second, (the real reason), it’s often male characters becoming female, and it often to make it “femslash”, so the femslash tags are FULL of gender bending stuffs about male characters, and not actual real femslash with the female characters, it...erases femslash and even if I’m not a reader of femslash, I think it’s sad, because it deserves its own space in the fandom, not everything has to be about the male characters (even the ones I love a lot).

You can say it’s more a choice driven by my opinions and not my preferences, but it’s kinda the same thing isn’t it ?

20. Angst or Crack: Dude, it’s not a hard choice because I don’t really like crack in fanfic. I like it in fanarts, but you take more times to read a fanfic, and I don’t like crack during a long time. Crack is more a thing you enjoy quickly, it’s something who make you smile for a second then you scroll (or share it if it’s really funny or inventive). But crack in fanfic, it’s like a too long joke.

I don’t talk about crack ships, because crack ships can be interesting. Sometimes, I don’t see WHY you ship it (like Gavin x RK900 in Detroit: become human, or Lestrade x Mycroft in Sherlock BBC), sometimes I TOTALLY see it, but it still fun to see the explanations to put them together, the meta, the fan theories...

In the other hand, about angst...I like the drama, I like the horror genre (if you know my blog, you know I’m currently in the IT fandom, you know, the eating-kids clown thing), I like tears and blood, but...when it’s too much, it’s too much. I don’t like...I don’t know explain it : sometimes, you feel like the author had to get out some dark things they feel, it’s therapeutic for them but you feel kinda uneasy to read it, because it’s so DARK, man, it’s not even about the canon, it’s all about the writer’s feelings, and really, it’s okay, myself, I happen to cope like that. But as a reader, I don’t like it.

So I like some angst, when i’m in the mood, but it needs to have positive things in it too. Or to be short.

21. Apocalyptic or Mundane: At first, I chose Mundane, but now I ask myself. I like the post apo genre, but I don’t like angst too much, like I said in the previous question.. But I still like it a little so...hmmmm it’s tricky. What is meaning mundane, by the way ? Mundane Lord of the Rings fanfiction, what is it ? What is MUNDANE in kids learning to fight with their quirks in a superheroes school ?

I will chose Apocalyptic because I love a good survival (and they have to cuddle to stay warm and save each other and cry by thinking the other is dead but in fact they are not and find a way to cure the zombie plague/find a safe place/kill the aliens XD)

Now, the tagging part (sorry if you were tagged by someone else, and of course feel free to ignore it if you are not interested : @calimera62, @wilwywaylan aaaaand....I don’t know fucking people on this hellsite anymore. Maybe @sleeping-potatoe ?

#meme

7 notes · View notes

lockdownuk · 4 years ago

Text

Lockdown Diary Part 6

A personal account during the lockdown in the UK due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

23/03/2020 8:30pm Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, gives a live address to the nation to, effectively, put the country on lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus strain, Covid-19.

Many of us have been self-isolating for days but this latest development within the UK in reaction to the pandemic feels very serious and very scary. I decided to keep a simple diary and where better but online.

Day 151: Great hour or so last night around Foggy’s. When I got home I watched World War Z and some stand up by Nate Bargatze and drank and smoked loads. Today, I got up just before 2pm and felt soooo unmotivated. I was going to have a day of doing fuck all but had a change of heart around 7pm so did my stair climb then walked for over an hour (7km) and got home at 9:30pm!

Day 152: Typing on day 153. I popped up and saw Foggy last night. One of the reasons was I wanted to take him a beer to say thanks for looking over my mitigation statement for my impending court hearing for speeding. He liked what i wrote but has given me some key amendments. Basically free solictor advice and I am very grateful. While there he hit me with the news that Ham’s sister, Preeya, has died (last Friday 14th August) from Covid 19. To say i was gobsmacked is an understatement. She was 49. The family could only talk to her over a loud speaker and had to say good bye that way as her life support was swithced off. Fucking hell, it’s terrible. And, what makes it worse, is how complacent I have become about the disease while it’s causing so much tragedy. As I said to Foggy, it’s important to renew our efforts in combatting this disease so that Preeya’s death at least means we learn. I also feel guilty for not realising that many people have passed like this - just because I (sort of) knew Preeya doesn’t mean I shouldn’t feel any less sorry for the dozens of people dying and many more affected everyday. My emotions are in turmoil and yet I’m not directly affected.

Day 153: Typing this on day 154. Gone midday before I woke up. Beers in the evening and watched Den of Thieves. Great film.

Day 154: Woke up at 2:37 pm FFS. Just done a walk and I feel like shit (booze induced).

Day 155: Went to bed at about 4am yesterday but was up at 10am today so, usual Monday correction of sleep patterns. Two long walks today plus a little housekeeping on photos, sharing to the Oundle chatter group, so, quite constructive. Hoir chat with dad plus a chat with a recruitment agemt about a helpdesk manager role in Peterborough.

Day 156: Typing on Day 157. I saw Karen sitting with TTP (and two others I couldn’t make out) at the T&K on my second walk. Why does that piss me off so much? I am being like Jack in Midnight Run. I need to let go.

I am also getting wound up with Tumblr - I can only make entries on this diary blog on the PC - when I try on the Android or Apple apps, they pop up with ‘post too long’. Trying getting info from Tumblr’s online help on that though - fucking not happening. I think I might move this to a Google Blog...it’s not like anyone else reads it. I’m not sure I’d want that - it’s far more a private diary now rather than the cute ‘blog’ idea it started out as. It is now a disciplinary exercise more than anything.

Day 158: Feeling less sorry for myself now. It’s 10pm and I am having a midweek beer as I wait for tea to cook.

Day 159: Decided I will split this diary into 30 day sections to appease Tumblr. My second walk today was at 8pm ‘cos it was pissing down from about 4pm ‘til 7:30pm...very dark and so wet. Home by 9.15pm.

Day 160: I went shopping in Corby (Tesco and Asda) - I only really went so I could get blue eggs. £75 on booze! I was going up to Fog’s tonight but at around 6pm it started to piss down. So, I shall drink at home. It’s 9.15pm, I think it’s going to get messy.

Day 161: Not sure when I wnet to bed last night but I didn’t get up until 2pm. Nice long walk (9km) in the rain!

Banners and Sam G went to London to have a few with Andy P. I’m a little flabbergasted, it’s like there’s no Covid19 all a sudden.

Day 162: Bank holiday Sunday so I am having a beer or two. Tea’s cooking, gonna watch The Accountant on BBC1 at 10.30pm. Today I got up at 1.55pm and managed to have a shower and be downstairs to see the start of the Belgian GP. Hamilton won, pretty easily. I then did my stair climb and a 9.8km (6 mile) walk.

Last night I watched a rather quirky, entertaining comic horror film called Ready or Not and then Ricky Gervais - Fame. That’s the tour I saw him live after seeing Henman’s final tennis match at the Davis Cup at Wimbledon. Bloody funny - the recording could even be the show Karen and I were at. Bed at around 5am, hence not egtting up ‘til way past midday!

Day 163: Bank Holiday Monday, just like a Sunday. I am making this entry on my phone as I'm now able to due to breaking up the diary blog into 30 day sections.

Molly's Game, a film I've tried to rewatch several times but it's never been free, is on BBC2 tonight. I'm recording it right now but actually watching Seinfeld from the start on All4. The first couple of episodes are a bit ropey if truth be told. Luckily, I know it improves.

Day 164: Managed to get hold of Michelle via her daughter Daisy to place a nice big order for C. Just as well ‘cos Tim’s ignoring me!

Rang and spoke with Barry Haddon today to check he’s OK.

Day 165: Picked up C from Michelle’s in Yarwell. While there I was mauled by her over friendly Staffordshirebull terrier getting bit on the thigh. Twice in six months I’ve been bitten by dogs.

Karen WhatsApp’d to see if I’d seen Miley Cyrus on the Live Lounge!

Day 166: Forgot to say that yesterday, I also bumped into and chatted with Pete Gilder. We mainly talked about (getting caught) speeding.

Today I did over 22k steps and I am fucked.

I replied to an email from Shirley at work HR. After the furloughed staff call on Thursday, which I didn’t attend, they want us to cash in some (more) hoilday, which is fine by me, but I have also asked if we are any clearer as to what happens on 1st October, when the rentention scheme ends. I await her reply.

Day 167: Another 20k stpes today. Just 24k needed to have completed 1m steps since the start of July.

It’s Friday, about 9.45pm. I’m going to watch Molly’s Game and have a few beers.

Day 168: Got up at just before 2pm. It’s now 10.15pm and I am just having my first beer, Today was a lazyish day, completed 12k steps.

Day 169: Completed the 1m steps with 24 days to spare. Woohoo. Now, I am unsure whether to reduce the walking I have got so used to doing? I think I might keep up an average of 11k steps a day which is all I would have needed to accomplish to reack 1m in 3 months.

I’m pleased I did it today since I :went to bed a nearly 5am this morning!

Day 170: Actually typing this on day 171. Feels weird having done the 1m steps, almost like I’ve nothing to do. However, I am of course going to keep walking but not quite as hard/much. I did feel liek I was walking myself into the ground all in the name of finishiong the task ASAP. So, today I only had one walk, did 11,5k.

Yesterday’s Italian GP was a cracker. Hamilton had a penalty and ikt ended up with Gasly winning. Full of incident including a red flag so the race ‘restarted’.

I completely forgot ot make this entry on the correct day?

Day 171: I have decided to press on with the walking - not quite so urgently as before - to see what I can achieve steps-wise in 3 months. So, today, an unusually hot day for September, I did 18k steps plus cleaned the bathroom, hoovered my room and stairs and hallway. I am fucked!

Today I have bought a set of smart scales and a new pair of Skechers. The Skechers were almost free (£69 reduced to £30ish which I had in Paypal) and the scales were £20. Still, I shouldn’t. I don’t know what will happen at the end of October when the CJRS ends plus I don’t know what punsihment will be dished out, any day now, for the speeding offence! Fuck it!

Day 172: An eventful day. Boris has restricted gatherings to no more than 6 people and will use ‘Covid Marshalls’ to police this. It’s causing a stir amongst the online community. I have set up accounts with Gurushots and Picfair to showcase my snaps. The latter offers the opportunity to sell them. I watched Anchorman 2. It was pretty good. I also postd on the Oundle chatter group about walking in front of a car the other day - the driver, a yound lady, was enchanting the way she just smiled and let me pass - I used it as an opportunity to ask about George Higgins saving a child from near death at the hands of a lorry, the post about which has disappeared.

Day 173: Lots have seen my post re: my car incident but the bait hasn’t been taken.

Sarah Haines made a nice comment about my photo posts on the Oundle Chatter group also saying that she doesn’t know me but, it turns out she does. She is James Watson’s ex from when I first moved to Oundle so we caught up on Messenger.

Rachel Harris posted a meme slating Boris about the fact we were all encouraged to go out and about (inclding the Eat Out to Help Out scheme) and now we are being sent back to ‘our room’. Some of the comments continue to slate the government. I couldn’t resist commenting that, had the royal ‘we’ maintined social distancing and remembered there’s a fucking pandemic, perhaps we might not be under impending severe lockdown, as it now looks like. I also mentioned photos I have seen (one posted by Rach herslf) whereby you could be mistaken for thinking that there isn’t a pandemic. I have finished the comment with a line about we can only blame ourselves, not the hapless government! I wonder what reaction that will get!

Day 174: Scales were delivered today. If they are accurate I am a little over 11 stones, from 12st 7lbs before lockdown. Can’t quite believe it. I have a yearly diabetic review with Lynne in October so i can check then. If the scales are wrong, I’ll be livid on 2 scores!

Friday night beers as I type. Been looking forward to them since last Saturday!

Day 175: I do not trust the new scales. I get a different reading each time I step on them and by 10-12 lbs. Fucking things. Boots arrived today - they’re going back as well. Footy season started today. Posh lost away to Acrrington Stanley. “Who are they?”

Day 176: The GP was reflagged again today (a new track at Tuscany. A red flag two races on the trot is most unusual. Hamilton won.

Day 177: I managed to get the scales working. I’m pretty much the same weight I was prior to ld (about 12.5 st). This leads me to believe that if I wasn’t doing all the walking I am, I would be as fat as a fucking house. On that note, Google Fit is playing up. It loses the step and heart point count for each walk (although the workouts retain the route map info) Wtf?

I think K and TTP might be a thing from a post I saw on FB whereby some chap (who I don’t know) commented on TTP’s post that it was nice to see him and K. Kinda gutted if it is true but I shouldn’t be. That’s all I will say on here.

Day 178: Jim contacted me today to let me know he’s leaving RCI. He was quite secretive about why and what’s going on but, there it is. He went on to say that HR will be contacting me shortly to call me back from furlough. Sueanne is taking over as team leader but that’s temporary. and that they will most likely promote from within. I struggling to think what it would be like if Mark was boss! The way RCI are and how disjointed it is with Jim as boss, I shan’t take it as read until HR do contact me. Also, I dunno how I feel about it...I have got so used to not working. But, and it’s a big but, I doubt I’ll have a job after the retention scheme finishes so, if this does pan out, it’s good. I’ll be back to job hunting while in a job, as per before the pandemic.

Also, I received an email letting me know the punishment for my speeding offence was 6 points and a £233 fine, plus costs (£90) and victim support (£34), £357 in total. More than I expected. But, no ban, so I’ll suck it up.

Day 179: Having midweek beers. I'm in that sort of mood.

Day 180: I WhatsApp’d Jim to let him know HR haven’t contacted me. His garbled response went from telling to give them a shout and let them know he is leaving, to which I asked ‘don’t they know?’, he then said hold fire (on Sueanne’s instruction) and she has said for me to sit tight and then, finally, that HR will contact me! Fuck knows what’s going on! I had a diabetic review with Lynne today. When you go to the surgery you have to let in, which I was by Keren. It was nice to see and chat with her. She is back with Ronnie which was news to me. Then Lynne came and got me. It was nice to see and chat with her also. She weighed me and I’m 12st 3lb. Apparently in Jan last year I was over 13st!

#diary #Tumblr diary #lockdown #covid19 #lockdownuk

1 note · View note

hollenka99 · 5 years ago

Text

The Glitch Who Stole Christmas

Summary: After Jack loses a game of hide and seek, his friends and neighbours lose a lot more.

Warnings: Possession, arson

Since I was still going through a ‘copy and paste? never heard of her’ kinda phase last year, I thought I’d post this fic properly now. Even a year on, this is still a fic I feel pleased with how it came out.

I would like to thank @just-silly-liv-things and @marsupials-of-mars again for letting me use their This Christmas and Hide and Seek videos as inspiration. Please go check out their content because it’s pretty cool.

Jack gazed out from his recording room's window. A couple of his neighbours stood on the island in the middle of their cul-de-sac. Probably ensuring the tree was secure for the night. Every December they would stick an unstably large evergreen on that island. Most towns and cities had gatherings to switch lights on. His neighbourhood had a tree. The one last year nearly collapsed on someone's car.

He used to enjoy the holiday. Back when he was a kid, he would rush down on December 25th to see if Father Christmas had visited. As the youngest, he'd always been the most excitable. His parents and siblings used to tease him about it. However, it was all in good humour.

His neighbours had a habit of asking him if his loved ones had bought him cheap clothes again. That didn't feel like it was quite as innocent. Sure, the first time, he'd rolled his eyes. The first Christmas after moving here, his mother had sent over a jumper that had unfortunately ripped within a few uses. The joke got old quick. It soon became an inside joke that he was expected to be a part of despite not wanting to participate. It didn't help that they tended to boast about their own gifts from friends and family.

Forget that, he was still friends with them. It was only one joke that rubbed him the wrong way. They were decent guys during the other 11 months of the year. The whole reason he moved to this cul-de-sac in the first place was to make it easier to hang out with them. He just wished he could get them to stop the K-Mart gag without being told he 'couldn't take a joke'. Besides, K-Mart didn't even exist in Ireland.

He left the window. Why worry about others when there was The Grinch? He could snuggle up with Signe and do Christmas his way. Except no, she left to do some last minute shopping an hour ago. Never mind, he could still watch a film without her.

Jack's doorbell rings as he scans the shelves for a DVD. He's surprised anyone would want to visit him after dark, especially on Christmas Eve. Signe never forgot her key, door-to-door salesmen wouldn't bother at this time and his neighbourhood didn't get many carollers. He glances at the window to check.

A pair of green eyes glow on the over side of the glass. Not as if a light source has caught the eyes of an animal. No, these eyes were generating their own light. They shared the same eye line as his too. In fact, if Jack dared to study the figure closer, he'd likely notice slight glitching affecting their body.

Nothing about this was good. What was Anti doing here? Not only that, what was Anti doing in December? Jack and his group of egos would spend the entirety of October on edge because of the demon. October, particularly Halloween, was at Anti's mercy. They all had to navigate the tenth month's perils to survive the glitch's antics. At least they knew to expect it.

He presses against the front door. His body is pretty weak as far as physical defences go. He can't hold off intruders with only himself. A query appears. If he runs to find a chair to act as a wedge, would the demon take advantage of his absence to break the door down? Perhaps if that plan miraculously went in his favour, he could warn his girlfriend not to come home. God knows she doesn't deserve to be caught up in this mess.

"I know you can hear me. Open up the door." Anti spoke with a melodic tone. "Fuck off, fuck off, fuck off." He begs under his breath. The door sounds again. "You can't keep me waiting." Was that nails scraping against wood?

It turns out his deliberating costs him a chance to act. In seconds, green light builds to the point it illuminates the entire living room. The glass audibly cracks, shards presumably scattering across the floor with soft clinks. The glitch doesn't need to harass his front door now. The window can be his entry point. Jack has to get as far away as possible. Their eyes lock. Anti stays standing right outside the house. Could he not glitch through the wall? Wait, no. Glitching through walls would be terrible.

The thing with the egos was that they weren't completely corporeal, not the way that Jack himself was. At one point, he had total control over them. That was fine, those were the good old days. Their relationships were mutually respectful. Jack allowed them to develop their personalities until they were able to practise independence. They were still tied to him whether fully developed or not. Their connection to him could never be tampered with.

Unlike the others, Anti could get away with being wayward. He was the most different in terms of creation to Marvin. Whereas the magician had come to exist through a video the subscribers enjoyed, Anti was their product. Jack had built Anti using aspects of their image. The undeniable tie was frayed between himself and the glitchy demon. If he wished to murder Jack, the consequences wouldn't affect him as much as the other four.

Who would he want here instead? If it was Henrik, that would be nearly as unnerving as Anti. He was supposed celebrating with his family tonight. Heiliger Abend, was that what he'd called it? He had no business here. Neither did Marvin and Jameson, really. Marvin's had some holiday special he's performing and Jack doesn't know Jameson well enough for surprise visits. Then there was Chase. Jack could deal with Chase. Him drunkenly showing up to ask if he could crash over the holidays? That would be slightly problematic but not completely unexpected.

Jack can't let Anti harm him once more. If he sustained irreversible damage, who knows how badly the other egos would be affected. Chase and Henrik collapsing suddenly in front of their families wasn't something to be desired. Until Jameson's arrival a few weeks ago, Marvin had lived alone. He'd hate for the apartment to be devoid of life again.

He's freaking out. There's no way the demon can't tell. It in no way helps that Anti has begun climbing through the broken window. Jack stops standing in the corridor, peeping frequently at his living room by the doorframe. He's been watching Anti this way for the past minute.

The layout of the ground floor is odd. The kitchen is connected to not only the corridor but to the living room also. He considers himself a little lucky that he can trick Anti. If he can get the demon to follow him into the kitchen, he'll hopefully be able to sneak back to the living room while he's still out of his eyeline.

Like an idiot, he falters as he bursts into the living room from his kitchen. He simply cannot allow the glitch to spot him, not even a glimpse. He finds himself wedging his body between an armchair and the wall. It's uncomfortable, too small for him to fit unless his legs are practically pressing into his ribcage and possibly the worst place for him to hide. He swears Anti is right behind him, leaning over the armchair. While he wants to dismiss it as paranoia, he can't risk staying in one spot.

"It's already too late for you to try and run away." That damned, unmistakable giggle travels through the air. "Here I come to find you. Hurry up and run."

He doesn't need to be told twice. Getting out from behind the chair is awkward and honestly, it may be a Christmas miracle Anti doesn't become alerted. Or perhaps he has been but is allowing Jack to get a head start. He sprints upstairs to the first room he can enter. It's his bedroom. Jack instinctively attempts to lock the door, only to find it futile. It's not even lockable as such. There's no chain like the front door or something he can turn like in his old apartment. It will only buy him the few seconds it takes to turn the handle and push.

He needs to find himself a better safe place within the house. There must be a room somewhere with a lock. One of theses days he should get a bomb shelter or panic room. Somewhere with guaranteed security where he can stay indefinitely until threats like Anti leave him be. If he could set up his recording equipment so the glitch never had access to the subscribers again, even better.

The best place to keep him safe right now though is likely his closet. There's more space than under the bed. Not to mention less dusty. Jack's never noticed just how full of clothes it is. When he uses it previously, he didn't stop to imagine how he'd one day be ignoring a jacket sleeve tickle his ear while he sat on stacked jumpers and hoodies.

It doesn't matter. What's more important is controlling his breathing. It's too sharp. He may be imagining it as louder than reality out of panic. However, the less sound he made, the better his chances of getting out of this alive were.

"I can hear your footsteps. You're not very good at hiding, are you? You can't hide from me. I'm coming."

Anti has the audacity to knock. As if that will somehow excuse the breaking in, window destruction and general terrorising he's committed while in this house. What's worse is that Anti is clearly taunting him. The asshole wants Jack as terrified as he can make him.

It's fine. It was only a glitching demon hunting him down in his own home. He should focus on slow and silent breathing. He should certainly ignore Anti eliminating the bed from potential places Jack was hiding.

"You're not here. I wonder, could you be inside your closet?"

No. No no no. Oh God, no. Fuck, he's trapped in here. There's absolutely no way he can just race past Anti as soon as those doors are opened. Now would be a great time for Narnia to not only magically come into existence but do so in this very wardrobe. He could beg Mr Tumnus to hide him. Except, doesn't Tumnus get killed or something along those lines after helping the kids? He's probably only seen the film once, that time years ago when he was bored and there was nothing better to watch.

Anti swings open the closet doors, looming over Jack with the widest grin he's ever seen Anti wear. He fools himself into thinking he could bolt to the kitchen before the glitch caught him. All it took was some superior reflexes and agility to catch him unawares. Except, it's already too late.

Anti's won the 'game'.

Same as ever, things begin numbing. Jack can't remember the last time he blinked as he maintains eye contact with Anti. The merge is fluid despite his efforts to fight it. Anti's taken control enough times for Jack to know his senses will cease being dulled by green haze at any second. And there it is. He can't scream out as his own neck severs in a straight bloodied line.

Jack's officially not himself as he steps out the closet.

"Better luck next time." Anti mocks. There's still people outside. "How about... we sew their lips clear shut with fear?" What the hell? No! It's one bad joke. I don't care that much. "Don't you?" He's heading to the kitchen now. No. Why do you care anyways? It has nothing to do with you. "Because October is great. You're all looking for the next scare. I'm able to do whatever I want, have as much fun as I can in 31 days. They don't even care. They love it." He's searching through the knife rack, inspecting every one. "Then it's o͢͠ve̴r̡͟. Then you all focus on the next holiday. You all stop paying attention. There's just... So. Many. Distractions."

The glitch strides into the living room. It lifts up the snow globe that was brought out with Jack and Signe's Christmas decorations.

"But this Christmas, everything will change."

Jack is helpless as the demon tosses the snow globe in the direction of their fireplace. He doubts the glass will burn but the tiny house and tree inside will. The glass certainly shatters from the impact. How is he going explain this to Signe? She gave him that snow globe for their first Christmas together. It was one of his favourite holiday decorations. Now it was gone forever.

The malicious entity sat on Jack's bed, conniving. Tonight would be the best night for the job. After all, it was Christmas Eve. By tomorrow, the level of celebrations would be at its peak. They wouldn't care about anything other than their presents and food by then. However, if they had no gifts to get joy from, their attention would free to go elsewhere.

There was some commotion outside, attracting the demon's attention. A crowd had gathered outside Mark's house. Oh, was it already time for his obnoxiously bright lights to come on? Jack could never work out why Mark and Amy bothered to invite the entire neighbourhood for a five second activity. There was all the hype, he supposed. At least they only turned their light on the evening of the 24th. It was meant to 'show Santa where he could land'. God knows the damned things kept him up the entire night, twinkling away. Why did he have to live opposite Mark again?

He spotted Signe mingling with Ethan. Jack wasn't surprised to see her here. After all, it was Signe who usually tried and failed to convince him to attend Mark's light party. He tended to argue they could watch the dumb lights be turned on from their bedroom, sparing themselves the cold.

Anti didn't appear to find dressing as Santa Claus too difficult. Jack couldn't even recall when he'd bought the outfit. He had certainly worn it for the charity stream earlier this month. Regardless, the red jacket and trousers with white frills slipped on easily. He questioned the inclusion of black gloves but it wasn't his revenge plot so... whatever. He was only coming along for the ride because he was physically forced to.

Mark's party lasted longer than he'd expected. It was well past midnight before everyone in the cul-de-sac was sound asleep. Ethan's was the first home the demon targeted. His friend was completely oblivious to the theft when they left. He had even stolen some gasoline from Ethan, stating he would 'need it for later'.

With every house, Anti gathered every last present from under the tree into the Bag-For-Life he had stolen from Jack's home. Yeah, the demon wasn't too pleased by its 'sack'. But who actually had a sack like Santa's simply lying around the house? On the rooftop, he would chuck the contents of the bag towards the cul-de-sac's island. How he was able to haul all those fir trees up chimneys was beyond Jack's understanding. Thanks to all the chimney travel, the costume was filthy by the time Robin became a victim.

Once again, the demon took an interest in something other than a present. Robin's box of matches were confiscated with the repeated excuse of their later use. Moments later, he is rummaging through his presents.

I don't have any Yuletide grudge against Robin. Could you at least leave him alone? "I'm not leaving any spares." Look, Robin is my editor. You want to be noticed year-round? I can ask him to add stuff into videos that will help with that. I doubt he'll be too co-operative if I steal from him though. So what do you say? "I say... we'll show them what true misery feels like. Tonight, e͘vȩr̢̕y̵͞t̨͟h̴͢͏ing̸͡ ̢b̡̕u͢r̵n̵͞s̶̢."

"Jack?"

He notices Robin himself cowering at the demon's outburst. He is clearly traumatised by the sight of his possessed friend. Jack wants nothing more than to reassure him it will be okay, that this isn't really him performing criminal acts and his regular self will be back before long. Then again, he doesn't even know if he'll ever come back. Jack hasn't had the best experiences with Anti possessing him. He's been saved by Henrik before, even if it was touch and go. If it happens to him again, how will his friends react? What on earth is Signe going to think? She must have returned from the party to find him missing without any explanation, broken glass everywhere. Not to mention tomorrow when people discover Jack re-enacted The Grinch Who Stole Christmas before dropping dead out of nowhere.

"Don't be stupid." The demon scolds him as they escape through Robin's chimney. "You won't die unless I kill you. Keep telling me what to do. Maybe more than presents will burn."

When every house had been hit, Anti got to work. For the rest of the night, he piled presents upon presents and the occasional tree until they all precariously lay in one giant heap, circling the community's tree. Jack is sure Anti would climb to the peak to pour the gasoline everywhere. Instead, so as to avoid ruining half the night's work, the demon splashed the flammable liquid as high as he could fling it. The flames could work their way up to the top.

"Hey everyone, look outside your window! I have a s̡u͢r͜p͢r͜͏͏is҉e͢͠ for you!"

God knows how many presents were in that pile. And was Jack really counting 16 trees? They definitely hadn't stolen from 16 houses. Which asshole had multiple full-sized fir trees in their home?

Jack feels the disbelieving stares from numerous windows all direct themselves at him and the heap. Anti strikes a single match from Robin's box. With little wind, all it takes is for him to let go and the tiny flame meets flammable liquid. The gasoline gives it a boost. However, it can only race so high. That doesn't stop the fire from climbing, albeit at a reduced pace. It refuses to stop until there is physically nothing else to burn.

Externally, it seems as if he's loving the sight of colourful paper, boxes and what was once part of a natural landscape become blackened. Internally, he is mortified by how mesmerising he found the flames. Why did fire have to be so charming?

"I'm not ending this game. This is only the beginning." Anti announced to everyone. He continued to mock the neighbourhood. "What's that? Christmas is ruined? Isn't that a crying shame."

This is too much. Anti is just standing there, revelling in the destructive heat of the fire. A few residents have ventured out into the cold to witness the events unfolding.

Congratulations, you've ruined everyone's fun. You must be so pleased with yourself. "And you'll get all the blame. After all, who's the one with the matches?" You. You are. And you need to go. Right now. "Weren't we having fun? Visiting your friends, playing hide and seek... Maybe next time you can try harder to hide." Stop taunting me. Jesus, can't you just fucking leave already? "Sure. We can do this all over again at Easter." Jack collapses onto his hands and knees as the demon departs.

"Jack!"

Shit, that was Signe launching herself into a sprint towards him. What would she think of him, after all that Anti's made him do? He's sure she must have been worried this whole time. Before he knows it, her arms are encompassing him. He wants to be comforted but he can't yet. Instead, tears start to leak.

"That wasn't me. I swear, that wasn't me. I didn't-" "Jack, it's okay. You're fine now. It's okay." She mutters in his ear. "No, it's not." Still sitting on his legs, he announces his plans to fix this. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'll buy everything you've lost. You can get it back." It's not an impossible task. It will involve a lot of contacting people and asking what they got his friends. Though inevitably time consuming, it could be done. He can rectify Anti's actions tonight. He only hopes none of the presents in that fire were hand-made or had sentimental value. There is some muttering and nodding amongst his neighbours. If they can think of a better solution, he'll take it.

"Come on, let's get you inside."

He doesn't argue as she ushers him back home. He refuses to admit to anyone, least of all himself, it's much warmer by this massive bonfire than what their central heating could provide. He sits uneasily in the armchair he'd hidden behind hours beforehand. The glass in the living room is all gone. She must have swept it up.

"I'm-" "Sorry, I know. You weren't in control. Nobody is going to blame you for what happened." "They should." It finally comes to his attention that her eyes are bloodshot. Although, she doesn't appear to have been crying recently. "Are you alright? I know I disappeared without warning." "Yeah, I've been up for most of the night. It's fine. At first, I thought this was all Jackieboyman's doing. I was prepared to have a talk with you about him. I figured I might as well ask Marvin and Chase to keep an eye out for you. We all know you have a tendency to be reckless when you wear that suit. Then I found his costume was still here. And your Father Christmas outfit was missing instead. You would have told me if you were out cheering people up. Plus, that didn't explain why our window was smashed. The three of us have been looking for you around town." "And I was here the whole time." "I'm guessing this was Anti." "Yeah." "I can warn the others for you, if you want." She picks up her phone. "There's no point." The flames are still going strong. Phil from three doors down is running with a bucket, shortly followed by his roommate Dan who's carrying a cooking pot. It will be a while before their method of haphazardly throwing water at the bonfire will yield major results. "He's already got what he came for. I'll just have to be better prepared for him next time."

#jacksepticeye #antisepticeye #writersofjack #my writing #christmas #liv me entertain u #marsupials of mars

5 notes · View notes

lula1991 · 5 years ago

Text

My Jewel

Summary

An ancient spell causes a millenary young lady to weaken, it is up to Larry and her friends to help her find the key to return her to normal while a stranger pretends, along with three already known individuals, to take over a captive jewel somewhere in Egypt with the in order to proclaim it “yours.” (The shock of all the chaos in her).

Objective? The guard and the exhibits must prevent it from falling into the wrong hands while between Ahkmenrah and the girl, a romance will slowly emerge that will bear fruit over time.

Genre: Adventure, comedy, romance, fantasy

Warnings: None, for now. But, I can assure you that if you continue to give it a chance, I promise you that later there will be smut of the good, which you love so much in at least two chapters. If you want me to tag you to receive notifications to follow the story closely, don't hesitate to ask me 💕

Chapter 2

The time for the treasures of the British museum was extended for a good period, thanks to how captivating the English exhibitions turned out to be for the visiting public. And although with the reopening of the Hayden Planetarium, the establishment of New York has not undergone many modifications that we say, only some sculptures, vases and figures have been replaced. Well, there was a change but from the heart, since the aforementioned Larempteh has aroused the sudden love interest of Pharaoh Ahkmenrah..

Teddy: Young Ahkmenrah? — Mr. Roosevelt made the king jump a little because of his distraction.

Ahkmenrah: Mr. Roosevelt, what happens? — his strained smile missed him.

Teddy: What are you doing, son?

Ahkmenrah: Ah, I was going around a few times. I know it wasn't a pharaoh's routine to do it but I wanted to make sure everything was under control. — he didn't believe that lie.

Teddy: It's almost dawn, son.— his voice was kind but he was still a little surprised.

Ahkmenrah: Oh yes, just one more look.. — and he sneakily saw among the plants that decorated the African room as his beloved secret Larempteh moved his hips delicately enjoying the moment by putting on a smile that illuminated the place while some of the mammals they moved around her but did not harm her, her dancing was very fine, since the tradition in Ancient Egypt was for young women to go from small to dance classes among other royal subjects to fulfill their role as wives and please their Kings. Ahk sighed and then realized that Teddy was still there. — Ready, there is no one. — he smiled and ran away.

Sometimes Ahkmenrah could behave like a small baby despite having already had 18 years and with a fulfilled mandate under his hands post mortem. Maybe love put it that way..

But one thing should be noted, 4000 Egyptian years had passed and he was still such a handsome young man..

Teddy denied twice by putting on a bright smile since he knew the reason for his behavior..

That day in Larry's apartment ..

Nick: A new exhibition? Was there a new exhibition and you didn't tell me anything, Dad? — the young man reproached him.

Larry: Nicky, your college studies are more important than distracting yourself with this.

Nick: Dad, I left college. At least another year. I want to focus more on being the best known DJ in Ibiza.

Larry: Do we agree that your mother and I don't agree?

Nick: You're still angry at the last party, right?

Larry: I just want you to focus on your future and take advantage of the early hours, not for parties. You must resume college, son.

Nick: I'm already a man, dad. and Larry gave him a dissatisfied look. — I'm about to turn 18.

Larry: We'll talk about this tomorrow. Team Daley, you will go to college and I will go to work..

The night program was a thing of almost every night since the museum opened it and how it was expected there would be a new function to captivate its visitors..

Many reviewed their respective attire, colonial women accommodated their hats, those of the civil war rehearsed their steps, Sac enlisted what was already prepared, Rexy and Trixy were waxed, Attila and his Huns sharpened their weapons, Mr. Roosevelt combed his mustache, she had already checked the fire manual with the primitives and Dexy had accommodated his funny bun..

And of course, how could we put aside our king who was very comfortable talking with the beautiful girl..

Ahkmenrah: Good luck today, friend. — he followed in her footsteps, improving the appearance of her crown.

Larempteh: Thank you. Being never exhibited at night I hope to please the public by appearing to be technical magic for those who do not know that we are true.. — she winked and both laughed. "And make my ancestors look good in the Planetarium.

Ahkmenrah: Of course. — he assumed in a sweet whisper. — Oh, I almost forgot, an old friend will come to see us, his name is Larry Daley, the Brooklyn Guardian as I like to name him.

Larempteh: Brooklyn Guardian? You are a funny king, very witty and original.. — the genuine came out of her lips as she arranged her little cape.

Ahkmenrah: It is in honor of why he has helped me many times and I am in eternal gratitude with him, you know? He is a great person. When you meet him you will notice.

Larempteh: I trust your words. — she smiled at him kindly.

Sacajewea: Guys! Ah Larempteh, thanks to my ancestors that I find you. You act in five minutes, sweetie. — she informed him with a warm smile.

Larempteh: Thank you Sac..

Sacajewea: Hey Larem, I need you to come, I want you to corroborate if what you say here is correct.. — in your concern, the Native American showed the tablet to the girl with her personal information.

Larempteh: Yes, yes, it's perfect data.. — she once said close to the beautiful woman and they were walking together to the planetarium.

That night, Larry was welcomed with open arms by the young pharaoh..

Ahkmenrah: Good thing you could come..

Larry: Yes, my students behaved and I could finish class before..

Ahkmenrah: Okay. It will be a great night.. — this one escaped a fabulous smile of anxiety and that night guard could not go unnoticed how radiant the pharaoh was, his gaze shone in a way he had not seen before. As if that glare owned.

Larry: Is there something that I have not heard? — he wanted to get information but the king preferred to ignore him.

Ahkmenrah: What?

Larry: Ahkmenrah, you are a great king but keeping things a secret you are terrible. — he assumed what the young man gave him by his side, giving him the reason with a funny head tilt. — It's about Larempteh, right? It's that girl who has you so distracted, right? — and the king was discovered, smiled.

Ahkmenrah: You discovered me but you'll see why I'm like this..

Each exhibition had already made its exhibition and now it was the turn of the Egyptian queen, Larempteh, the poor woman was scared to death but Sac was there to give her confidence..

Sacajewea: You'll do well. — she smiled.

Larempteh: Thanks again, Sac. — she sighed, relaxing her tense muscles with nervousness, filled herself with courage and climbed the steps that led her to the stage.

The audience was considerable in the Planetarium but she was so excited that she didn't care about the number of spectators, she wanted to look her best and hopefully she would make it. Of course, visitors were still convinced that those figures were animated only by special effects although Larempteh how a kind of girl conveyed the magic of her authentically perfect world..

Larempteh: During remote times and even further away, Egypt has always been the focus of attention preferred by many. He has given what to speak as a place where too many people have been captivated with their infinite unsolved mysteries, stories that go from one to the other and return to the same place, their myths and beliefs, legends, riches, writings, dances, important adversaries, rituals, pharaohs, palaces, festivities and other wonders; since I was a little girl of 11 years I have also been and not for being Egyptian but for the fact that it is my home, which fits my immense pride, and will be a part of the planet worshiped by hundreds of individual beings for thousands of add more. My parents have blessed me with the name of Larempteh, it means the sacred light of the Sun. I was born in Waset about 4000 years ago..

Everyone was captivated listening to the young woman climb to a marble platform illuminated by a spotlight that made her more beautiful in the eyes of the young Ahkmenrah who from a corner watched her with devotion and heard her relate as a professional..

Larry: I know it's hard for you to stop seeing her, but hide a little, Ahkmenrah.. — he put a friendly whisper in his joke and in wasting it because of the way he looked at the girl, he was hypnotized.

Ahkmenrah: With her beauty, she opaque to Karnak's temple. Larry looked at him. — I exaggerated? — he made a funny face and his friend laughed willingly knowing why he was so anxious.

Not at all, she was very precious..

Larempteh: And then there, I've lived some time. Surrounded by both natural and material beauty, but what mattered most to me was to be loved at heart. I was respected, adored and even treated as a deity too. I keep the most important piece where a queen stands out, the crown, which I wear from the moment it was my royal coronation that took place in my 14 years. An element of utmost excellence in my time and a majestic weight that must be known to be sustained from the moment you were conceived life; If you wore one, well, you could do what you wanted, of course my parents had to deal with my multiple rebellions.. — she said and even laughter arose. — But that's something on the sidelines. Now to close this beautiful evening, I would like to share that if you have the opportunity to travel to my ancient world, do not hesitate for a second to delight in such magnificent delicacies, one by one, that in my case and in my belief, Ra has created For any human eye that knows how to appreciate beauty. Thank you and you have been very kind. — she smiled and loud applause erupted in that room, she was fired very warmly.

She went down the last step and received with congratulations all Larry's friends and even himself..

Sacajewea: Wow! That was incredible! My prayers to my spiritual ancestors bore fruit.

Octavio: Wonderful!

Jed: Unsurpassed!

Larempteh: I think I even overcame my scenic panic..

Larry: Even more. It was great, congratulations Queen Larempteh.

Larempteh: Thank you! You must be the famous Brooklyn Guardian. — the young woman bowed her head in greeting. — King Ahkmenrah has told me about you.

Larry: Yes, I'm not that fabulous..

Larempteh: Do not be modest Mr. Daley, each and every one of us is special in some sense.. — she was interrupted by colonial exhibitions and had to be educated in attending to her compliments.

Colonial girl: You are amazing! From now on you will be my hero. Take, it's for you.. — the girl gave her a wild flower while the young queen knelt on one leg to be at her height and receive the flower with tenderness.

Larempteh: Oh, thank you, beautiful..

Larry: Now I understand why you were so happy. She is amazing.

Ahkmenrah: It is, isn't it ..?

Larry: I think it's your type and you should ask her to marry you. — he whispered convinced walking slowly to the exit of the place and the king felt a soft blush flooded his cheeks.

Ahkmenrah was smiling nervously until she felt peace when she mentally thanked her for not having heard that comment when some colonial people among other historical figures continued to surround her to congratulate her..

Ahkmenrah: Are you crazy? I'm not going to do that or ask her to commit to me. I just met her..

Larry: Hey Ahk, it is customary at this time for men to flatter girls with roses as compliments or as a method to invite them out, so.. — he chose a rose that decorated a vase and gave it to the king by assigning a mission.

Ahkmenrah: But I don't know how that is done, I'm from another era and we didn't conquer in the same way. Also if I wanted to go out with her, I could not because we are museum exhibits, do you forget..?

Larry: You know, tell her how beautiful she was, how well she expresses herself, how intelligent and beautiful she is.. You don't need to leave here for a date, what can you lose, boy? Nothing is impossible. Do not live in the past, after all they are two young real conservations of flesh and blood..

Ahkmenrah: But, I.. — this one was pushed by the guard.

Larry: Good luck, boy. He encouraged him by giving him one last push to leave him out of the Planetarium and close enough to her. And so, Larry and the other boys left the kings alone.

Larempteh perceived the king a couple of centimeters behind her in that long, beautifully lit corridor, tilted her body a little confirming her intuition and knew of her intentions when she smiled since seeing him with a rare flower in her hands meant a moment alone..

Larempteh: Can you excuse me for a moment? Thank you.. — she asked with fine manners and those figures bowed out of respect.

She said goodbye to the friendly exhibits to pay attention to the handsome pharaoh walking a few steps to the entrance of the Planetarium..

Larempteh: Hi.. — It was an audible whisper.

Ahkmenrah: You're all a star. — he said and once Larem was face to face, he looked at her groggy, spreading the rose on the advice of his friend.

Larempteh: Thank you. — she accepted his gift by being affable when her eyes met his that shone with the same intensity.

Ahkmenrah: And now, I have to go.. — he excused himself by swirling on his shaft swirling his distinguished clothes and with a lot of tension he walked to some corner of the museum while his gold-colored cape flamed elegantly.

Larempteh contained a soft laugh at the young man's not very carefree attitude..

On the next night..

The new classical conservation (Larempteh) walked through the diagram room accompanied by Jed and Octavio on each of his shoulders..

Jed: Then the boy and you.. — the cowboy thought and the beautiful hazelnut-eyed girl laughed softly.

Larempteh: No Jed, Ahkmenrah and I are still nothing. In fact we met in this life and how I remember some things about my past, I can not say whether or not he was promised to me or if it was and we could not. — she sighed and did not know why. — Well, as far as I know, my father wanted to force me to marry a king if he chose someone to marry me before he died. Ahk is, but I'm not sure he is the one because I only knew him very recently. — a thought ran around his head, shook him internally. — It was typical that in Ancient Egypt the sovereigns of different lands arranged commitments with their respective children to maintain the royal blood between the families. The opinion did not count on the unknown spouses or even perhaps relatives, it did not matter if these young people would agree or the opposite, had to marry whether they like it or not. That is why in my belief that it is still a difficult situation to handle. Because what if Ahkmenrah is my brother; well, at that time it was not so bad to marry among relatives, it is more common but now it would be shocking and terrible. Many malformations were conceived by such incest. — she closed her eyes trying to forget that thought. — I told my father, but he refused to hear me by telling him that if at that time I got married, I wanted it to be out of love, not obligation or divine whim. — she explained and the two little men jumped to the back of a sidewalk.

Jed: And you still think about that idea? — the cowboy inquired and the beautiful Egyptian thought it a bit.

Larempteh: Seeing how I am analyzing it, I have no other way out. You will see Jed, from the moment I arrived in the world in the year 1104 BC possessed total abundance, I had everything, I was heir to the throne, a secured crown, I came to command an entire town when I was young, I reigned, I had the better comforts, in the palace where I was born they were all at my disposal and I did what I could but I never got to make my marriage and I fear that I am in a great fault with my parents for that and I would like to give them back the love they gave me. That is, seeing them happy fulfilling that dream pending that a king would take me from his hand to the altar and that tomorrow they would leave in peace knowing that a good man took care of me. But I left before them and it was tragic..

Octavio: How did you get to your bed, sovereign?

She sighed deeply..

Larempteh: A spider stung me and I died. The years in Cambridge I could learn more about my story, Octavio. Every day I listened to the guide mention in the many tours that a daily occurrence occurred near my residence in Waset, baptized by the Greeks as Thebes..

**** Flash ****

Guide: And finally, this is the temple of Queen Larempteh and in that sarcophagus, there is the queen. And hanging on the wall behind her, her most precious possession. The Jewel of Larempteh. 24 karat gold, worth a real fortune, a lot of luxury. Any questions? — the man in a shirt and jeans with sneakers asked the group of schoolchildren, who many raised their hands eager to know more about the ruler.

— Yes, there is much speculation since its outcome itself was a complete mystery. Does anyone really know what happened to her? — a teenage girl let go of her curiosity by holding a notebook and pencil how to take notes.

Guide: There are many theories but one is the possible causality. It is said that he died from a spider bite..

We are within the thread of past experiences..

It was a beautiful day in Waset, the Egyptians work on their routine tasks, the farmers reaped wheat among other rich foods, some built beautiful works, the women collected water and washed the clothes on the Nile, and young and young were running around that fertile land..

A happy Larempteh, between smiles and laughter escaped from her friends who were running it, must be a game. The young woman suddenly tripped and rolled around being a bundle of tangled clothes, dust and laughter when she turned on her back with her legs sunk in the fresh and crystalline oasis..

—I used to hang out on the banks of the Nile where the torrid days in that place became good when fresh water flooded my feet, that relaxed me a lot, it was very exquisite, almost considered a luxury for the travelers who accessed it. That way I lost track of time sleeping among the green palm trees and reeds while the Sun was tanning my skin and listening to my friends babble remembering the above falling into a deep sleep..

Without her noticing, a arachnid about the size of a fist of purple and black colors wandered around, perhaps searching for its prey and its target was located..

— I felt a strong pain in my right wrist that made me wake up crying, alerting the boys who called desperate to come and help me..

— Queen!

— Your Majesty! — Shouted a young woman with golden skin taking the affected wrist to the young woman when she vanished. — Help! Please help! The queen suffered an accident!

A crowd of former members of Egyptian royalty surrounded their sovereign to help her..

— The last thing I remember is that they took me in my arms and placed me on top of a bed where the high priest examined me. — Despite being in a confused state I listened, I looked blurry and I felt forced; his voice informed my parents that only a miracle by the gods would save me, since the poison of that creature was so deadly that I could kill a person in just a matter of seconds and that total had spread through me body in less period. They couldn't do much for me, I agonized 1 day and never woke up. My whole family cried my end, my parents, my brothers and sisters, each member of our lineage carefully selected by my father and from that period 18 days of mourning and 18 days of feast in honor of me were decreed to go beyond..18 because it was the age at which I began to live with the gods..

Guide: What if she did her job well in ancient times? For some yes, for others it is debatable. But his generosity was seen out of focus in that Era. Being a young girl of only 18 years, her sudden death has been of great occultism over time. It was always known what it entailed to have the weight of a responsibility as great as it was to command an entire reign in Egypt and at that age, Larempteh was considered the only genuine threat to the nearby Empires. Although there are papyrus records from which they mark data about the event, there is still no exact information about the culprit. It is rumored that perhaps she was killed by some enemy whose nothing is known or how she achieved such evil because it is not common for the arachnid community to live in that Egyptian area.

— And it is true, I am an enigma and will continue to be for ever and ever. To date, the hypotheses are still being opened, but it was never known exactly about the one who caused my death and I don't want to find out. The first time I woke up 61 years ago, I was in gloom in a sarcophagus, wrapped in linen and bandages..

Maybe something magical was close to her that made her relive but she didn't know what, that something that forced her to wake up from her lethargy for some reason and that why she still didn't have certain answers..

She detailed herself sitting on her sarcophagus, she analyzed herself, she looked at how to memorize from zero..

It was confusing at the beginning until she left her ornate coffin and walked through the great hall dimly lit by spotlights that she supposed would be her home but that minutes later she discovered her sad truth..

—That exhibition was not what was called home, but the walls recreated to my Era welcomed me and brought me closer to him. I had to conform..

She approached the walls that with melancholy stroked the hieroglyphs, those exquisite writings that completely covered the four ends of her room, delineating some and sighing others, realizing that this idea of being in her true house was very far away..

**** End of Flash ****

Larempteh: I know I lived in Waset. Born under the protection of Amun. My steps were consolidated in a beautiful, huge and colorful house surrounded by great respect for almost every Egyptian inhabitant. My death occurred in 1098 BC as it marks the exact date on my discovery plate, they watched over me in the Valley of the Queens as the protocol dictated, so I was able to collect the lessons heard. Decades passed until I was discovered and exhumed near the pyramids of Giza where they baptized the expedition with my name, in that same period they exhibited me at the University of Cambridge where I therefore spent 18 years as a historical piece of my time; since I came to New York I felt that something essential is missing from this necklace while my stay lasts in this museum and it was a little less than a month, I knew that here I came back to life thanks to Ahkmenrah's table, since he told me about her effective power and what she causes by explaining that she gives us the chance to live again no matter what our outcome has been and gives us even the opportunities to choose what we believe is right. And if so, if I could not complete subjects in life, how about.. — and she was absent for a few seconds.

Jed: It only takes one gentleman.. — he completed with ingenuity.

Larempteh: And how it didn't happen, I guess so. Hey Jed, do you think there is any pharaoh besides Ahk in the museum?

Jed: I fear not, little one. — and in that answer, the girl showed her faint and confused grief.

Octavio: Can we help you with something, damsel? — before that question the girl was thoughtful.

Close to there..

Ahkmenrah: I don't know, Mr. Roosevelt.. — he looked dazed walking down the hall and looking forward keeping his head up following the man riding his Texas steed.

Teddy: If you have an Ace up your sleeve, everything is possible, boy. — he encouraged it with momentum.

Ahkmenrah: Yes, well, I, I don't know.. — his words tripped nervously.

Teddy: Stop babbling! — he ordered and the king opened his eyes in fright. — Will you do it yes or no?! — and the boy nodded. — Young Ahkmenrah, good luck. — he said willingly continuing on his way.

The king could hear that melodious voice coming from the exhibition of the miniatures, it was not far, so the steps that Ahkmenrah had to take were short and when he could see the girl, he kept hiding letting see his exotic profile right where a smile from trust escaped from the lips of our pharaoh..

Larempteh: Sorry guys. But in this case they can't do anything. — she said regretfully while maintaining a sweet smile.

Ahkmenrah: Larempteh.. — her voice rumbled in the room, calling the girl's attention. — I've been looking for you. — he was heading towards her while his cloak flamed thinly as he walked.

Larempteh: Well, here I am.. — she smiled and in that Jed and Octavio looked at each other with gracious complicity regarding the two young men.

Ahkmenrah: Can I talk to you? I have to tell you something.. — he detailed it carefully as if nothing else existed in the museum.

Larempteh: Sure, what happens, Ahkmenrah? — she looked at him in the same way although the young woman hid her feelings quite well, the boy did not, the boy was very obvious while the two little men covered their mouths so as not to let their laughter escape.

Ahkmenrah: I.. — he was going to talk but Jed's laugh and Octavio interrupted him. — Do you care, guys?

Jed: You should have seen your face..

Octavio: And how he looked at the damsel. — at that comment Larempteh sighed a laugh.

Ahkmenrah: Jed, Octavio, I want to be with her.. — he mentioned in a certain tone.

Jed: Of course you want to be with her.. — and upon hearing this Larempteh raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Ahkmenrah: Alone.. — the king's voice made his intention clear.

Jed: Okay, we understood, we understood.. — and got off the bench followed by the Roman. — We'll leave the turtles alone.

The two little men followed another path leaving the kings personal space..

Larempteh: Well, I think there will be no more interruptions. — she whispered letting out a pretty laugh and he melted every time that grimace was repeated on his face. — And, I guess what you want to tell me is important.. — she clasped her hands over her long, beautiful one-piece skirt.

Ahkmenrah: Sure. Ah, I, I brought you some gifts. — He commented and she formed a beautiful smile at the expectation.

Larempteh: Gifts? How sweet you are. — she murmured beautifully.

Ahkmenrah: Take. It's for you. — he pulled a blue lotus out of his cloak.

Larempteh: My favorite. — she sucked her scent even in Ahk's hands. That flower was preferred by the Egyptians, they regularly had one of that type that smelled with adoration. She in particular loved her.

Ahkmenrah: May I decorate your noble face, your Majesty? — he graciously addressed her by taking her cloak with one hand maneuvering a slight bow and the girl laughed at the gesture.

Larempteh: Of course, Your Highness. — she granted him the request and he politely placed the flower next to his hair, it was beautiful.

Ahkmenrah: How beautiful you look. — he took her chin as she flattered her with a velvety voice as she squinted her eyes admiring her with love, let her fingers caress that part of her face once she gave him a warm smile. — And here my second gift..

And then he handed her sweetly a golden beetle, lapis lazuli and turquoise, the girl opened her hands receiving the second present that was worth more than a fortune..

Larempteh: Ahkmenrah, it's very beautiful but I can't accept it.. — she felt a whirlwind in her being.

From somewhere very close to there..

Jed: What does he say? — he wanted to know but it was impossible to hear from where they were.

Octavio: Octavio does not know how to speak Egyptian.

Jed: Come closer, Kimosabi.

Octavio: No, come closer..

Jed: No, you..

Octavio: No, I'm the oldest for two thousand years, so I order it to you..

And returning with the two young people..

Ahkmenrah: Please, I don't accept a no as an answer. — in that he approached the girl as much as he could. He wanted to memorize every line of his body because it didn't often happen that a purity beauty adorned this earth. That flower lost prominence in the case of that Egyptian cutie, it was so perfect for its reasoning, as if the gods had carved it by hand for him.

The girl did not imagine how great was the devotion that the boy had him..

Larempteh: For Ra! I really don't know what to say.. — due to the surprise, she brought a hand to her chest and laughed with a mixture of emotions in response to such a sweet courtship.

Ahkmenrah: I would love you to keep it.. — he joined his hands with hers to close them protecting the gift and the beautiful Egyptian detailed it, discovering the beauty of it, in every way.

Larempteh: You're cool, Ahk. I mean it. — and at that she gave him a kiss on the right cheek, the young pharaoh received his bemused gesture, so that she would then give him a tender smile and go towards the route that led to another room.

He saw her walking with steps worthy of a true queen, elegant..

Larempteh walked without going to a special corner in the museum, without thinking she came to the lobby where Teddy was waiting for her with a bright smile and she frowned as a sign of confusion..

Larempteh: Why so smiling, Mr. Roosevelt? — she said finally smiling and warm.

Teddy: Oh, my girl, I'm happy for you. — he patted her shoulder.

Larempteh: Why? I haven't done anything out of the ordinary. — she waved her hand to her dress to clean an imaginary fluff.

Teddy: I admire the love of youth and I can't say happy enough that I feel for you.. — he argued leaving the girl even more lost.

Larempteh: What are you saying, Teddy?

Teddy: Ahkmenrah and you. — at that moment she could hear her heart move and echoing in her ears. — At first I wasn't sure, but once I noticed the way he looks at you and his eyes shine when he mentions you, it had to be how I introduced him. He is in love with you. — and upon hearing, she formed a tender smile.

Larempteh: He's such a sweet boy. — she looked down, caressing that precious gift. — He's very special to me too. — she was very frank, her tone was pure honey when her pupils dilated in love?

Teddy: What a joy, little girl. — Mr. Roosevelt smiled brightly.

Ahkmenrah let out a crooked sigh, he didn't look like a serious king, he looked more like a fool with a real title on his head, received with scholarships and all-inclusive, anyone who saw him would say he wasn't worthy of wearing his ornate dress and a high headdress. but who would blame him, that girl was too sublime. He stayed like that for several seconds until something took him out of focus..

He directed his way to a sector where the voices of the little men could be heard continuing with his discussion, he stood up to interrupt everything..

Jed: No, come closer..

Octavio: Octavio orders you to be you.. — he stopped speaking when the king adjusted his voice loudly. — My Sir..

Ahkmenrah: I was listening to them from the other side.. — and smiled discovering them.

Octavio: I told you we should talk like that.. — he lowered his voice when Jed stepped on his foot. — Auch! It was not necessary.

Jed: Yes it was. It also didn't hurt. Hey, how was everything, champion? — he adjusted his hat.

Octavio: We saw that everything is growing like the Roman Empire, my Lord. — he addressed him with respect.

Ahkmenrah: Yes, it is growing but she and I.. — he sighed with endless seconds of mystery.

Octavio: What? — he inquired with scandalous pressure.

Ahkmenrah: It's complicated to explain, Octavio. Before I died I was obliged to marry a queen if I decided to choose one to marry her and I doubt she is Larempteh, I don't know her enough to say that she is the one but that didn't serve as an excuse when the real inheritance was in danger..

Jed: So you and the girl have the same problem. — the cowboy deduced by remembering the conversation he had with Larempteh a while ago.

Ahkmenrah: That's right, unfortunately. Only a miracle on Ra's part would relieve me. — he entrusted himself looking at the ceiling asking for a sign.

Jedd: Calm down, these things always happen. Maybe tomorrow you and the girl will be together, get married and have hundreds of little Egyptians running around the museum or in the other museum. — and Ahk laughed willingly.

Ahkmenrah: Or rather in the next life.. — he was interrupted by himself. — Wait to?

Jed: You make such a beautiful couple and you don't even know it ..

Ahkmenrah: Love? Do you think she and I..?

Jed: Even that mustache rider realized, Ahk..

Ahkmenrah: Marry Larempteh? Yes, it would be great.. — he smiled hopefully.

Jed: Or are you going to deny me that you don't make eyes at him from afar? — and Ahkmenrah swallowed thickly remembering an event about it.

**** Flash of Memories ****

Larempteh was talking animatedly with Sacajewea in the lobby but something distracted the beautiful queen, it was Ahk leaning on the desk and making eyes with killing smiles. Ahkmenrah had his thing, despite being a sweet and attentive king, he also resorted to romance tactics when it came to young girls. The young woman's eyes came and went, without deciding who to pay attention to. He did what he could but the looks on his body were impossible to avoid, the young queen smiled shyly..

**** End of Flash ****

Octavio: You must master very well the real flirtations, my Lord. — pharaoh felt an unbearable heat rising in his face.

Jed: You already looked at her, champion! Admit it, you're dead for her.

Octavio: Besides, he has hypnotic blue eyes. — and the king strangely processed that praise. — her eyes are the color of beauty.

Ahkmenrah: You guys are weird..

#ahkmenrah #rami malek #night at the museum #natm

16 notes · View notes

ellana-ravenwood · 6 years ago

Text

Professor Wayne - Bruce Wayne x Reader Part 2/4

FINISHED SERIES : PART 1, PART 2.5, PART 3, PART 4

Well. Here’s part 2. Hope you will like this little AU of mine, and all that. As usual, feedbacks are VERY welcome (I still can’t believe all the response part 1 had <3 thanks so much for that) and...Boom. Oh, and please, leave a comment down below to tell me what you thought of it ? Thanks in advance. Bam :

Warning : Also, this is really fucking long, sorry. But I decided to make it a four part series no more sooooo...Ugh. Also, I love that panel of Bruce ordering coffee too much not to reuse it here even though I literally made a post about it right before this one. This panel deserves to appear twice (or more) on my blog, because it really is everything.

_________________________________________________

************

You don’t really know what’s gotten into you.

Stress maybe ? The “too much shit happening at the same time” terrible day you had ? Paired with this last blow of seeing the guy you had a massive crush on with another (gorgeous) woman ?

Oh it was so ridiculous !! That “man” was quite older than you, way out of your league and, oh right....Also your goddamn teacher !

You had no chance whatsoever. So, you really don’t know what got into you.

Why you acted like that.

“Miss (Y/N/L) ?”

He says, clearly surprised to see you there at such an hour, but with a large smile slowly appearing on his face.

And you ? Ugh. You act as if you didn’t hear anything. As if you didn't know him. You smile of this non-genuine smile you oh so often give clients and :

“What can I do for you Ma’am ?”

You ask, turning to his date first as you would have done with any other customer (even if he was everything but a regular customer). Ladies first.

She smiles at you in a charming way. You’re pretty sure she actually didn’t hear Professor Wayne talk to you as she was busy looking at the cakes a bit further. The fact that she doesn’t make any comment whatsoever about it enforce your suspicion (or maybe she just doesn’t care). She says :

“I’d love a cappuccino to go. Without sugar please, darling.”

She has such a kind smile, a soft voice, an aura about her that makes you instantly admire her while you really didn’t want to and she seems so polite and friendly...It’s hard to hate her. You forget the thought that crossed your mind about spitting in her coffee. It’s not your style anyway.

You refrain a sigh as you realize you’re incapable of even truly being jealous because, man this woman is out of this world and you’re just...you.

What was the point of feeling bummed out about it all anyway ?

You saw Selina Kyle with him a few times before (though there were rumors they weren’t together anymore..) and knew instantly you couldn’t match her. That she very obviously didn’t play in the same sandbox than you.

She was damn hot AND nice !

Plus, she was his age and not his student. That could like, play a part in it all.

You turn to him, and brace yourself.

It’s just wishful thinking, that made you think you saw him searching your eyes, trying to make eye contact with you, as if the fact that you were acting like you never saw him before actually bothered him.

“And for you sir ?”

You ask him in your most monotone yet client-friendly voice. That tone you perfected over your months as a barista, that makes you look nice and polite, but really you’re only doing it because it’s your job.

He looks at you without answering, searching your face. It feels weird, and you wonder why he’s not saying anything. Did you actually vexe him ? Fuck...

But then Selina says :

“Oh my God Bruce, you always take the same thing ! Stop acting as if you’re thinking about it, just give her your convoluted coffee order and let’s go !”

She turns to you :

“Sorry about that honey. And sorry in advance for his ridiculous order, hope it won’t bring you too much trouble, he’s really fussy about his coffee.”

She says, winking at you and wow, thanks Miss Kyle to rub yet again in your face that she was so much more charming that little plain ol’ you, with her damn cute yet sexy wink and appealing smile !

Her words seem to take Professor Wayne out of whatever thoughts he was in (you guessed that coffee must indeed be very important to him), as he says :

“Um...An espresso, please. Black. No sugar.”

...What ? You could literally not order something more regular than a black espresso. It was the most basic coffee order out of all the coffee orders.

What was Selina on about with her “convoluted coffee order” and all ? A bit confused, you turn away to go make their coffee, but just before that, you can catch a glimpse of Selina’s surprised look to him.

“Since when do you take espressos ? I thought you hated black coffee because...”

You unfortunately can’t hear the rest of their conversation as you start to foam the milk for Miss Kyle’s cappuccino.

************

It felt like a punch in the guts to Bruce, that you gave him the cold shoulder. And it really shouldn’t. What was he expecting anyway ? You were his student, and this wasn’t class. You had no obligation to give him special treatment.

Besides, it didn’t even matter.

Why would it ? You were his student.

He usually disliked meeting his student when he was off work. Because they always ended up asking questions about his lesson, and outside of his tutoring hours...Well he just wanted to be left alone (the worst thing that ever happened was when goddamn Fryer followed him in the toilet to ask him questions...he really never liked that guy.)

It was a surprise to see you in his favorite cafe (aka “it’s the closest one to his office”), but he never actually came late at night or in the evening so, he guessed you just had those shifts. And...Eh, it didn’t really matter.

Yes. It was actually a good thing, that you acted as if you never saw him before.

It would avoid the awkwardness of getting too personal. Or of you asking questions about class while he’s with Selina (though he was convinced it wasn’t your style to do such a thing).

Yes. Yes. Yes. It really didn’t matter...Then why did it brush him the wrong way like that ? Why did he felt like calling your name again so you’d look at him and HAVE to answer ?

You gave him the fakest smile he ever saw you harbor, and he wonders if you’re mad about the assignment he gave you ? Could be...

Eh. It really doesn’t matter. But why are you here so late ? He realized, as he absentmindedly listen to you take Selina’s order, that the fact you were working here, at 11 pm, was probably one of the reason you were so tired lately.

And suddenly, he felt guilty while he shouldn’t.

You weren’t the only one amongst his students to be tired. Not the only one who struggled. Plus he gave you his notes AND an easy assignment so really there’s no reason for you to be mad at him ! He should have never even given you his own notes !

You were in the wrong, falling asleep TWICE in his class !! ...Ugh ? What ? But it didn’t matter, wether you were mad or not. He made the right decision. You were slacking off and it’s his policy to “punish” students who do so. For their own good. So it won’t happen again, and it usually doesn’t.

So why was he feeling this mix of guilt and annoyance about it all ?

He felt annoyed that you were ignoring him, and was thrown back to kindergarten when he realized he wasn’t the center of attention there, as he was with his parents. But he felt guilty because he added some work to your already busy life.

He felt annoyed because there really wasn’t any reason for you to be mad at him ! So why were you not saying even a “hello Professor Wayne” ? But he also felt guilty because he could see now that you worked hard to pay for your study...

A strange turmoil was happening in his head, as you and Selina look at him curiously. He was lost in his thoughts, wondering why he cared so much while he shouldn’t, when Selina’s slightly pushing him brought him back to reality :

“Sorry about that honey. And sorry in advance for his ridiculous order, hope it won’t bring you too much trouble, he’s really fussy about his coffee.”

She says, and he realizes that you already took her order and was now waiting for him. Damn. He barely registered what Selina was saying, but he knew she was talking about his ridiculous coffee order. She always mocked him (with reason) about that.

But today...today he can’t seem to resolve himself to ask you this complicated coffee he always asks. And,to his own surprise, he hears himself say :

“Um...An espresso, please. Black. No sugar.”

You look at both of them and you’re clearly a bit confused. You back away and with a last fake smile (he hates it, he hates that smile) you go to prepare their order.

Selina turns to you, and eyebrow raise and says :

“Since when do you take espressos ? I thought you hated black coffee because it made you too jumpy and all ?”

His mind works fast as he tries to find an excuse. He can’t possibly tell her that he didn’t want to bother you with extra work, she’d surely think he’s being weirdly sweet to a stranger and would question him and...Selina always had a knack to make people talk.

He turns to her and put on a (fake) mischievous smile on his face, saying :

“Well, I just felt like I needed a bit more energy tonight, that’s all. To apologize for dragging you out there just to fetch things I forgot...”

He winks at her and...did she fell for it ? Or did she see through his fakeness ? Selina was an incredibly perceptive woman, which is why he liked her in the first place. She looks at his face for a bit, and then smiles and shakes her head, wrapping an arm around his waist and saying sarcastically :

“So romantic.”

Phew. She did fell for it. Unsubtle innuendos always worked. Or maybe she just didn’t feel like digging for more infos tonight. After all, if she answered his call, it meant she needed to take her mind off of things too...

Her arm around his waist makes him a bit uncomfortable though, and for a moment he isn’t sure why.

It’s only when his eyes shoot in your direction, making sure you’re back is to them so you don’t see Selina snuggling against him, that he realizes why he wants her to let go of him.

He doesn’t want you to get the wrong idea.

Selina and him ? They’re not a thing. Not anymore.

They did try, a while back, and dated pretty seriously but...it just didn’t work out. They weren’t made to be together. But they were still good friends, who just happened to, sometimes, sleep together.

Not a big deal.

He just didn’t want you, for some reasons, to think they were dating. They really are just best friends (with benefit when they need). That’s it. And so before he can think further about it all, he tears away her arm from him and say, a soft smile on his lips :

“Selina, many of my students come here. Let’s not make a scene.”

She rolls her eyes but let go. She knows he doesn’t like to share any of his private life with his students, and it’s already quite something he’s with her right now in a cafe that is on campus.

But apparently, he really loves the coffee here so...Which makes it even weirder he decided to go with a simple “espresso”. Uh.

She eyes him suspiciously, but decides to let it go for now. She knows there’s always a reason for him to call her.

She doesn’t mind though, she does the same thing.

When either of them needs to forget about something shitty happening to them, they’d call each other and have sex. It was a good way to take their minds off of it, besides friends were there to help right ?

She still makes a mental note about it all though, there’s something fishy about this situation but she can’t quite pinpoint it just yet...

Because since when did Bruce Wayne drink espressos ?

************

You’re coming back now, with a huge coffee stain on your shirt. You give them an apologetic look and say :

“Sorry it took me so long to sort you guys out, I um...had an accident.”

Selina smiles at you :

“Don’t worry honey, you didn't take that long. Thank you.”

She says, while grabbing her cup.

You then hand Professor Wayne’s espresso and he seems to be so damn out of it right now. He takes the cup clumsily, and his fingers brush against yours...You snap your hand away quickly, not wanting to have too much contact with him. Just in case. Your heart is already beating too fast...

You tell them the price and he hands you a twenty dollars bills, muttering something you understood as “keep the change” before he starts to walk away with Selina and, boom. The end of that awkward episode that you wish never happened. And you got a freaking nice tip at that. Phew.

His date is already half-outside, but as you lift your head you can see he hesitates a little bit, almost taking another step forward before turning back to you and saying :

“About that assignment...It’s alright. You don’t need to do it.”

You crease your brow as he hurriedly follows after Miss Kyle.

What now ? Why would he tell you you don’t need to do the assignment he gave you as punishment ? After you gave him the cold shoulder at that !

Is he...Oh no. Is he pitying you ? Like he saw you were tired and busy and too fucking clumsy as you spilled coffee all over you and also you must look like shit with the bag under your eyes and your lack of make-up and...

Wait. Does that motherfucker actually pity you ?!

For some reason, it angers you, that Professor Wayne seem to think you’re not capable of doing his assignment plus everything else. You would usually not care about such things, but coming from him...

It made you strangely furious to think he thought you weren’t strong enough. You’ve been going on like this for a year now ! And sure lately you weren’t quite on point with everything, what with falling asleep in class and all...but didn’t you prove countless times that you were still up for any tasks ?!

Didn’t you work hard enough to prove that you were able to balance everything ?! And sure things were pretty unstable in your life right now, but fuck, you really were trying hard !

Wasn’t it enough ?! Why did he just decide to take this assignment off ?

Would he have done that with any other person in his class ? Probably not. Because no one else in his class was pathetic enough to fall asleep during lectures, or to make coffee for people as a living, or even to be that mad right now.

It made you both angry and sad, to think that this was his idea of you.

Oh so he thought you wouldn’t be able to finish that assignment ugh ? Well you’re gonna show him to never underestimate you !

You finish your shift that night, getting worked up way too much about something you completely misunderstood.

He was trying to be nice, he felt guilty..and you took it as him feeling pity for you, which was a pet peeve of yours.

You closed the cafe that night, fuming. And of course, it started to fucking rain, because that awful day could only get worst and worst right ?!

You lived at the literal other side of the campus, so you ran to your dorm room. When you finally got there, you took out a piece of paper (your computer broke that very same morning;..) and started to write aggressively an essay for that fucking Professor Wayne, still in your soaking wet clothes.

What ? He thought you couldn’t write that assignment ? And why was it so easy anyway ? Did he give you something easy on purpose cause he thought you weren’t good enough ?

The morning light slowly shone in your face as you were putting a finishing note to your essay. This took you all night, and now that the anger was dying down, and your fatigue caught up, you kinda wanted to cry...

Were you mad he took pity on you ? Or were you just being a sour bitch that couldn’t handle the fact that he was dating a literal goddess ?

Sighing, you went to take a shower and get ready to go back to class right after. No sleep for you tonight either...

And were those tears, or just the water running down your face ?

************

He’s moving above Selina, but his heart and mind aren’t really into it that night. He acts more like a robot than his usual self, thrusting in and out like a machine.

He’s usually always so passionate and thinks about her first, when they’re having sex...But his mind is too preoccupied that night.

He can’t stop thinking about how endearing he found it that you were so clumsy, and how cute your “I’m sorry” face was when you brought them the coffee. The same you had when you came to apologize for falling asleep during his lecture...Wait no. That was wrong. It was wrong of him to think you were cute. He already liked your smile way too much...damn he was acting like a disgusting pig. Even worst as he was having sex with another woman !

What was he even thinking right now ? Ridiculous. Ugh.

But he also can’t shake away the way you flinched and snapped your hand away when you handed him his coffee and his fingers brushed yours.

Did you think he was being a creep ? Like giving you his notes, and being a bit too friendly maybe ? Or were you really that mad about the assignment ? So mad that you couldn’t even bear his presence ?

It didn’t really feel like something you would do but...

You shouldn’t be mad anymore anyway, he told you you didn’t have to do it.

Oh god, why did he tell you that ?! The look on your face as he left...confusion and surprise. Surely now you were going to wonder what the hell was wrong with him. Or maybe not ? Maybe you just wouldn’t think about it much, because you just got free of his assignment.

And why did it matter so much anyway ? It really shouldn’t. You were just another student, and in a moment of weakness, feeling sorry for you, he helped you out.

He gave you his own notes, he didn’t punish you further for falling asleep in his class...It was fine. You had it tough. And though it was his personal ethic to treat all students the same, even him had to recognize sometimes it wasn’t possible.

Your essays always touched him. You had a really nice writing style, and really poured your heart in everything you wrote, wether it was about gruesome crimes or criminal psychology.

You were clearly passionate about your studies and motivated to become a profiler (you said that, the first day of his class, in your presentation), and this passion reminded him of himself and why he was doing this job.

So even if he didn’t want to play favorites, he knew he always had that one student he liked more than the others. In every single class he taught.

Just like there was that one student he just couldn’t stand. He wanted to help you out just as much as he wanted to punch William Fryer in the face...

Yes. Yes that was it. You were just another one of his favorite student. From day one he knew you were special, and the fact that lately you just seemed tired and out of it is just triggering his “protective professor” side.

Now of course, before, he never mixed his personal and professional life. He never got too friendly, and certainly never said “you can forget about this assignment” in a cafe before, but...but it was because he could see your potential.

Yes. You were such a promising student. You were going to achieve great thing for Gotham, he knew it. No doubt in his mind.

He was just helping you out. Professionally. And it didn’t even matter if you ignored him at that cafe, or if you were mad at him.

He was your teacher. He was doing this for your own good, relieving you of some stress...Wait, wasn’t giving you the assignment for your own good ? His mind was mixing everything up, he just couldn’t...Selina moaning below him takes him out of his reverie.

Right. He was in his bed. Home. Private life. Having sex with his long time best friend with benefit. And thinking about you right now was just so inappropriate.

He buries his face in Selina’s neck now, sure that the way she mewled under him would help him think of something else.

Usually, when he was in her arms, he could forget most of his worries because she’s that good, but tonight...

Why ?

Why did you ignore him ?

************

It’s 8 am and of course your first class gotta be with Professor Wayne.

You calmed down now, you’re not really angry anymore. But it doesn’t mean you’re not going to be ultra-petty and hand him over that assignment that took you all night to write.

You enter the classroom, and he’s there, at his desk, looking at his notes and writing a few things on the black board behind him.

You gather up some nerve, and walk towards his desk.

“Professor Wayne.”

He turns around, and...is it just you or does “surprise” often writes itself on his face whenever you meet him ? It seems like he never expects you to talk to him.

“Miss (Y/N/L).”

He says sternly, but with a half-smile still. At least it doesn’t look like he’s mad at you for ignoring him last night. Why would he be anyway ? ... You slowly put your essay on his desk, and he eyes it curiously.

Ok. Here we go. You rehearsed this all night. Now is your moment :

“Never underestimate me.”

You say, as you walk off to your seat. You tried really hard to sound cool, and to turn around gracefully but...Well, your voice sounded shaky, and when you turned around you almost tripped on your own feet and fell.

But at least you told him. And you handed that essay. Boom. In his face !

************

Bruce had resolved to be cold again with you. To take some distance. To stop this nonsense about you occupying way too much of his thoughts.

You were in there only because you were a brilliant person. And brilliant minds always attracted him...Ugh what was he talking about attraction again ? This wasn’t it.

He just thought you were cute...eeerm, you were smart. This is why he went easy on you all those times. That’s it. And the way you were tired lately only reminded him of himself at your age, when he was working hard. That’s it.

It triggered something in his mind that made him want to help you. But it was over now. He did that, he helped, by not giving you that assignment in the end and by...

“Professor Wayne.”

Why is your voice making him shiver like this ? Why ?!

He turns around, and he’s sure he looks stupid, with his “deer caught in car lights” look, surprised to see you there.

“Miss (Y/L/N).”

He says, trying to muster all his “strictness” and “professorness”. You don’t say anything else for a bit, as you slide a few pieces of papers towards him.

He looks at it and...What is it ? And then you say :

“Never underestimate me.”

With a somewhat trembling voice, and you walk away, almost falling face first on the floor and...What ?

What just happened ?

Are you ok ? Did you hurt yourself almost tripping down like that ?

Oh he had to regain his composure, class was about to start. His eyes fall down on what you just gave him and...He can’t help the smile slowly growing on his face.

A smile that could be translated as him saying : “Mm...Interesting”.

The assignment you weren’t suppose to do. That’s what you just gave him. Handwritten at that, must have taken you ages. And three days in advance.

Once again, you went out of your way and exceeded his expectations. He really thought you just wouldn’t do it but...”Never underestimate me”.

Mm. It seems you completely misunderstood his intention. But he couldn’t help feeling excited about the prospect of reading your essay, knowing that you must have poured your soul into it since you thought he was underestimating you.

It was a relief, in away, that you misunderstood why he told you not to worry about this assignment. And...Damn, you were a surprising person.

He looked up from your essay to where you were sitting, and there you were, half-grinning smugly at him. Giving him a : “No really, do never underestimate me again please” look.

Fuck. That was...that was...hot...

He had to look away right now, because his heart was racing faster than he could handle, pumping blood in all the wrong places.

He started his lecture as if nothing, but he just couldn’t wait. Out of the blue, he found the excuse to give his class a “surprised pop quizz”, and under all of their groans, after telling him the questions of the quizz...he started to read your essay.

************

Not gonna lie. You immediately regretted what you did as you sat down...What was he gonna think now ? Daring to tell the most famous and loved and competent teacher in the entire school to never underestimate you ?

But then he looked down at your paper, and up at you again, with an interested look (or you hoped it was interested) on his face, and you couldn’t help but grin at him in the most exasperating way you could...And damn the way he looked away like that.

You didn’t imagine it right ? His cheeks were a bit rosy right ?

Uh. Indeed, interesting.

While you were writing your answers to his ridiculously difficult “surprised pop quizz”, you saw him read your essay. Your heart skipped way to many beats at that, and you had to really focus to go back working on your quizz.

************

The bell rung. End of class. You didn’t have time to finish the quizz, but you were pretty sure so did most of your classmates. Given the fact that they all looked grumpy and defeated, yup. No doubt.

This damn quizz broke all of you. None of you were ready for it, and it was so difficult ! With a sigh you were putting your stuffs away when Professor Wayne said :

“Miss (Y/N/L), could you please gather your classmates quizz and bring it to me please ?”

You don’t know why you felt weird as he said those words. He always asked a “random” student to bring him the pop quizzes as people left his class to go to their next lesson. It was easier for him to organize papers like that, he said, rather than let them put down their papers on his desk in a mess.

For some reasons though, you felt like he didn’t just choose you randomly that day...Heart beating way too fast, you gathered everything and went to give it to him. As you were about to leave...

“Wait a second, miss (Y/N/L).”

You turn to him and...what ? Could you just jump him right now and make out ? ...Wait no. What the fuck ? Why would you think that ? He was probably gonna scold you for being so insolent and telling him the things you said earlier...

He has your essay in his hand, and shows it to you. With a smile he says :

“That’s good. That’s really good. Also, more than I asked for...”

“Um...yes, sorry, I just kinda got carried away and...”

“Oh no, don’t apologize please. It’s great. I always appreciate students going beyond my assignments. I actually wanted to ask you if I use some of it in my next book on criminology. Of course, I would properly credit you.”

...What ? What ? WHAT ?! You were frankly panicking right now. Ugh. Where did this came from, like this, out of the blue ?

You can’t even remember what you wrote in that essay, as your anger made you black out on most of what you thought at the time. So you say :

“I wrote this last night while half-asleep, it’s total garbage.”

Yup. That’s the way to go. Self-deprication. It’s totally going to convince him it’s bad. You really just wrote this out of spite...He chuckles (it is really a nice sound) and says :

“Well if this is you writing garbage, I can’t wait for you to write a masterpiece then.”

Wow there heart, calm down. But he has such a nice smile...you can’t help smile back and you say :

“Um...thanks. You can use it in your book. Just don’t forget to credit me, or people will wonder why there’s that weird shit passage in it all !”

You wonder if you’re going to far with the familiarities. Maybe you shouldn’t have said “shit”. But he makes you feel like you can relax, even if you always thought of him as a stern and strict figure.

And there it is again, a chuckle and sweet smile before he says :

“Promise. Let’s hope I keep my promises better than you, right miss (Y/N/L) ?”

Oh wow, sneaky. Reminding you like that of that time you promised not to sleep during his class again and then proceeded to do exactly that the next week.

You smile apologetically (the smile he was seeking), and gesture for the door while saying :

“Yes ugh, well, I’m going to class. Thanks again...Sir...”

You don’t really know what to say. This all feels like one of your fantasies with him, where you just imagine him praising you and all. If it is indeed one of your daydream, right now, he’s about to kiss you and....nope, he smiles one more time, says “Right, see you tomorrow Miss (Y/N/L)” and turns back to his desk, already forgetting about your presence.

Oh Well. He did praise you at least. Feeling heat rising in your cheeks, you run outside.

************

Bruce facepalms himself. Hard. What was that about being cold towards you again ? Ugh. What got into him ? Why did he act like that ?

He just couldn’t help it. What with you thinking you weren’t good and yet telling him things like “never underestimate me”. Writing incredible things in the span of a night, just out of spite.

You were too...Brilliant. Special. He couldn’t act with you like he was acting with other students, because you were like none other he ever had.

There was just something about you...

************

This something about you is probably how he found himself, a week later, in front of the cafe you were working at, at 10 pm.

He was about to go home after staying late to finish grading some papers, but suddenly crave the beignets you were making in this cafe. But also, you were working right now and..

Oh it didn’t matter. This past week, he had been extra good at treating you like any other students. At not being too easy on you, or giving you any special treatment.

Probably because you didn’t fall back asleep and just acted normally again...Though he couldn’t help but see you were still tired.

Bruce shakes his head, and enters the cafe. He wants a beignet, and he’ll get a beignet. And then will go straight home. As easy as that.

In and out, bam the end.

“Miss (Y/L/N).”

He says, as he goes to the counter where you’re already waiting for him. And this time you answer :

“Professor Wayne, what can I get for you tonight ?”

It’s as if the fact you wrote this assignment and gave it to him erased that awkward experience of him being here with Selina. As if that day never happened.

Of course, the reason you gave him the cold shoulder that night was because Selina was there, and your brain just kinda..short circuited. You couldn’t think normally and acted like you did without really knowing why. Probably just trying to protect yourself from it all...

But he thought it was because you were mad at him. Because of the assignment. So when you ended up giving it to him..It just fixed everything apparently. It really did.

In your brain it did because he praised your work and it fixed this “him having pity on you thing". Sure you were still bummed out he had a girlfriend but...you couldn’t really act as if he didn’t exist forever, could you ? Just because he was dating someone ? Besides, tonight he was alone...Which really was the only thing that actually fixed it all.

Tonight, it was just him. No Selina.

“Um, just a beignet please.”

He asks, and you nod going to get one from the pastry shelf while saying :

“To have here or to go ?”

To go. Come on Bruce. Say it. To go. You’re going home right now. So you’re taking that beignet home with you. It’s the beignet you were craving for. The beignet. To go.

“To have here, please”.

He hears himself say, and he mentally slaps himself again. Why ? That wasn’t the plan. He didn’t want to stay here, he wanted to go home.

And yet he said “to have here”. You settle the beignet on a plate and give it to him, and he goes to sit at a table not too close, but not too far either from the counter.

Where he can see you work. It seems like you’re studying behind the counter, when there isn’t any clients...

************

“You don’t like espressos very much, do you ?”

You ask, as you clean up his plate and bring him yet another beignet (he must have eaten four by now..You guess he really likes beignets). In the meantime of him being in the cafe, he also order a few espressos.

You saw him drink them and making a face every time he did...You don’t know what prompted you to talk more, to ask him this kinda personal question. You just do. Naturally.

He looks at you and...are his cheeks turning a bit rosy ? He says :

“No...Not really. But I still have a few things to do tonight and they do help me stay awake. My usual order doesn’t.”

He answers your question with a bit more details, completely making it up.

The truth is, he was suppose to go home. Sleep. He definitely didn’t plan on eating four beignets and drinking two disgusting espressos. But he was in too deep now.

He had to explain himself a bit. You seemed to take his explanation about having to stay awake as granted, and you nod.

“I can relate to that. What’s your usual order though ? I can make you one, on the house. To get those espressos down.”

You smile and he melts a little. Why do you have such a sweet smile ?

He was actually about to leave. He had been here for over an hour, and was acting as if he was working on his computer while really he finished all his work for the day...Was he a creep ?

Staying just because he wanted to talk to you and for no other reason ? He had to go. But he found himself saying :

“Half-caf/decaf peaberry non-fat latte, steamed to 145 degrees. Not too much foam, light cinnamon, shot of butterscotch. Please.”

You stare at him for a second, and he can see the confusion on your face. You were taking care of the cafe at night, most people coming in that late just asked for “black coffee” to stay awake, you rarely had long orders. So, you’re not sure you can actually achieve this one.

“Um...Could you repeat please ?”

He does, and this time you write everything down, which amuses him. You then go to the coffee machine and he shakes his head for the hundredth time that night.

He was suppose to go home.

To get one beignet for the road, and go home. And here he was, four beignets and two espressos later, bothering you with his stupid usual drink. It didn’t really fazed him much to ask your colleague this special order during the day, but he really didn’t want to bothe...oh here he went again.

No. This was good.

He asked for what he wanted, even if he was about to leave. He did say he wouldn’t go easy on you anymore. This should include his coffee order. He was a client. He shouldn’t take something he didn’t like just so it was easier for you...Though now, as his eyes went back by themselves towards you, and as he saw you scratch your head in front of the coffee machine, he felt a little bad.

A little. Because you looked really cute, when clueless.

************

Half-caf/decaf peaberry non-fat latte, steamed to 145 degrees. Not too much foam, light cinnamon, shot of butterscotch.

Ok. First, what the fuck was a peaberry ? Second, how did you know you were steaming shit to 145 degrees ? Lastly, did you guys even have butterscotch ?

You shuffled around the coffee bags when you finally found one marked “peaberry”. Oh. It was a type of ground from Spain. Ok. Well you learn things everyday. Then you started to foam non-fat milk, but trying to not make too much foam at the same time...You really weren’t good at that.

Weren’t used to. You never really had this kind of order.

Somehow, you managed to make it and brought it to him. He thanked you and since he didn’t complain, you guessed it was alright ?

************

It was probably the worst coffee he ever drank, and yet, the best one.

It tasted horrible, you clearly forgot to put decaf, the foam was weird, you put too much butterscotch and cinnamon, and he could tell you didn’t follow the 145 degrees rule.

But it also tasted great because you clearly took some effort doing it for him and though it was your actual job, to make coffee for people, he felt good about this.

It was stupid. And yet, he ordered another one.

This time it wasn’t as gross, and he was sure that with practice, you’d just make the perfect half-caf/decaf peaberry non-fat latte, steamed to 145 degrees. Not too much foam, light cinnamon, shot of butterscotch.

He’d just have to come around more often...

************

The following weeks, Bruce found himself a lot in the cafe while you were working there.

He took the habit to go grade papers there, instead of staying in his office as usual. Which meant some of his students went to bother him while he was doing it, to ask him questions about his lectures. After all, the cafe you were working at was the campus’ one.

But Bruce got over the mild annoyance of having some of them coming up to him to ask question. It was fine. Besides, it made him feel better to help them out while out of his tutoring hours because...because he started to talk to you too much.

Usually, he stayed in his office to not be bothered. But now that he was still a bit too nice to you and all, he had to change a bit his way of doing things.

So if he had to be bothered sometimes by stressed students running on too much caffeine ? It was fine.

Yes. Him coming regularly to the cafe you worked had was actually beneficial. It made him feel less guilty. Because sure, he talked to you a lot, while you gave him his orders and such. And sure sometimes somehow, without a warning, either you or him would say something personal about you...but he also helped all those other students out.

So it evened things out, right ?

He wasn’t just giving you special treatment. He was giving everyone special treatment now. Which took more time off of his “off hours”, but he didn’t mind much.

************

For some reason, professor Wayne got the habit to come get his ridiculous coffee and beignets every night, while working on his lessons and grading papers.

You thought it was a bit odd. Surely, it had to be annoying to often be stopped during his work by students who misunderstood concepts and were asking him for help ? Or maybe it was a new teaching technique he was developing ?

You didn’t really care. Because in the end, it gave you the opportunity to talk to him. Gave you an excuse to make a few personal comments sometimes. Because here, in this cafe, he wasn’t your teacher. He was a client.

...You weren’t sure it really was an improvement but, eh.

************

Of course, Bruce knew he should stop coming to this cafe, stop talking to you, stop letting through some personal things about him.

He always made sure to keep his private life OUT of his professional life. Always made sure his students just knew what was public about him (the tragedy of his past and such). Never talked about anything else.

But it was nice and relaxing, to come to this cafe and talk with you when you had time. Talk about anything. About his next book, about class, about your work, about how you were both doing, about coffee, about this annoying fucker that was Fryer, about how funny this film was...

Just normal friendly interactions.

Of course, Bruce knew he should stop doing this but...In the first time in a long time, he felt fine. He didn’t feel the need to call Selina. And it was all just harmless talk, right ?

************

It’s after a few months of this “extra-scholar relationship” that it happened.

Bruce was in his office, and felt grumpy.

First, the director of the school board annoyed him today because he wanted him to speak at a conference in San Francisco, but Bruce had absolutely no intention of going. He hated conferences, it was always full of people that got on his nerves. Officials and sons of rich people thinking they knew what it was to be a cop in Gotham, but never understanding.

And damn the director really wanted him to go at that one, as it could raise some money for Gotham university...

Second, his car broke down and he had to take public transport. He hated to take public transport. Too much noise. Too dirty.

Third, it was day where neither of his class had you in it.

Finally, it was also your day off at the cafe, so what was the point of going there right ?

It was just an annoying day...He was drinking some overbrewed tea (Alfred would disowned him if he saw him leave the leaves that long in the water) while looking out of the window of his office when it happened.

It was a normal night. He was about to go home after this annoying day, as he just finished grading some important papers (yours was in it, and it was fantastic...as usual).

11:30 pm. Pretty early still.

He wondered if you were in the library right now, studying some more while you probably should rest as you had a day off...And then he saw you.

You were walking on the foot path, probably going back to your dorm. Your bag was slung around your shoulders, and you were listening to some music.

Bruce had to fight the urge to “accidentally run into you while going home”. He would have to run down to be able to catch up with you and you’d probably think it’s weird that he’d just appear, out of breath, just like that...Too bad. Maybe you and him could have gone to the cafe to...

What? What was he saying ? This would have been impossible. Too suspicious for him to ask you if you wanted to go get coffee at the CAMPUS CAFE. Besides you’d surely think he was being weird.

This little shatter while you were working, it was just...Friendly. Nice. Totally normal. He was known to be an approachable teacher (he was lying to himself trying to convince himself he acted that way with everyone).

Yes. He wasn’t going to run out to meet with you “coincidentally”. That would be ridiculous. And creepy...right ? Also, acting like a teenage infatuated boy and...He was definitely NOT infatuated with a student.

Nope. On the contrary. Usually it was his students that were infatuated with him. He had his lot of female and male students just throwing themselves at him and him refusing because it was not ethical. So. Yes. What was he thinking about again ?

He just looked at you longingly as you were walking back to your dorm...When a guy stopped you.

A painful pang (of jealousy ?) rang in Bruce’s chest, but it quickly turned into something else.

When the guy grabbed your bag. When you resisted. When you got punched right in the face, and pushed to the floor...

That little jealousy he felt as he thought you were being stopped by someone about to flirt with you turned into a panic, as he saw you fall hard on the ground, and not moving.

Without thinking twice, he ran out of his office.

************

You opened your eyes, and looked at the sky.

Well. That was just great.

You really didn’t feel like getting up right now. Laying there, on the cold ground, was definitely a mood.

You lived all your life in Gotham, coming from one of its worst neighborhood...and the first time you get mugged, it’s on the campus that is known to be a safe place.

Amazing. You’re such a lucky woman.

So yeah, you just stay there, on the floor, looking up at the stars.

You don’t even care if anyone passing by might think you’re weird, just laying there. You don’t want to move. A guy just punched you in the face and stole your shit. You think you’re allowed to give up for a few minutes and just...Lay there.

Well, the good thing about all that is that this thief is going to be sorely disappointed when he opens your bag, and only finds notes about your classes, a broken computer and like, 85 cents. You’re so glad none of your 200+ dollars school books were in that bag that day...

Maybe you were a little lucky. Your loss wasn’t the end of the world. Your computer already didn’t work, you just hung on on it just in case by some miracle it decided it would again (it was stupid). Your school notes weren’t irreplaceable. It would be annoying to get it back, but it was only a few days worth so it’d be fine.

But man that punch hurt. And it was still such a bummer.

Yeah. You were just gonna stay down there and...Rushed footsteps coming towards you make you flinch, and you sit up by instinct.

“Professor Wayne ?”

************

It’s a relief, to see you sit up. He really thought that guy knocked you out or worst ! In his long career as a detective, he saw people drop dead for way less than that...

You insist you don’t need to go to the hospital, that you’re fine. You don’t want to call the police either, it’ll be more trouble than anything and they’ll never find that thief again...You just don’t feel like going through having to explain what happened.

He asks you a hundred time if you’re alright, and you really are. His hands on your shoulders are so comforting.

You refuse to go to the infirmary too, and settle for following him to his office where he has what is needed to clean up your small wound on your brow. You didn’t even notice until then, but you’re bleeding slightly.

And he’s so convincing, like the guy has no intention of letting you go home like that. Plus, your wound do need to be looked at...you’re just too shy and embarrassed to tell him that you don’t want to go to the infirmary because this cheap ass school makes you pay for anything you use over there, and you’re broke af. So, you follow him.

Bruce knows he should just get you to the campus infirmary, that is open 24/7, but in his fear stricken state, he can’t think straight. Thinking back to it, he probably just have left you there yes...But, he didn’t.

************

He’s pressing a cold cloth soaked in water on your brow now, washing away the blood. You’re sitting on a chair in his office, and you can’t help but be a bit fidgety.

So many of your fantasies started that way...it’s weird.

“Stop moving, I can’t get all the blood off of you if you keep wiggling like that. I know it hurts but bear with me a second.”

His warm and deep voice says, and man aren’t you glad he completely misunderstood why you couldn’t keep still ? Your wound doesn’t really hurt. Stings a bit sure, but he’s so gentle in cleaning it that it’s fine.

It’s the first time in so long that someone takes such good care of you. You can’t even recall the last time someone actually did...and before you realize it, tears are welling up in your eyes.

One of his hand is under your chin, angling your head in the light so he can see where he needs to clean your wound up, while the other does just that and...he notices. A small tear slowly falling on your cheek.

He stops patting your wound for a bit, and looks at you. You don’t say anything, and he’s not sure what he’s suppose to say. He just knows that he doesn’t like to see you cry, and he needs to comfort you. He doesn’t even care, right now, wether it’s appropriate for a teacher and a student to be there, in that position.

You wipe a tear away and shake your head, before saying :

“I’m...I’m sorry. It’s just...I...You’re so nice and I...”

You don’t know why, but you can’t seem to stop sobbing. It must be all those pent up emotions you ignored those past months. All those shitty things happening to you, piling up as you ignored your feelings, all of a sudden bursting out because you just got fucking punched and someone stole your stuffs.

And so you cry, softly, and the way you’re trying to hide it breaks Bruce’s heart. When was the last time someone reassured you and told you things would be all right ? Probably ages ago, given your reaction when he does just that.

It’s like a reflex, something he has to do and cannot control. He takes you in his arms and pats your back gently, whispering soothing words like “It’s ok, it’s ok it’s over now”, or “you’re safe now”, and it makes you cry even more for a moment.

Because it feels nice to finally let go of everything. To have someone you can rely on, even if just for a few moments. It really has been so long since anyone was there to support you.

And it makes sense to you, that it just so happened to be Professor Wayne. You know he’s your teacher and nothing can ever happen between the two of you, but you always saw him as a...reassuring figure.

Slowly, he calms you down. His soft pats on your back turns into him slowly caressing your hair. And it doesn’t feel weird. It feels natural, actually.

It’s not a weird moment of a man kinda taking advantage of a moment of weakness, no. It’s just pure support. Him being there for you, and making you feel safe and warm.

After a while, you finally calm down, and pull away from him. You wipe one of your eyes with a frustrated fist...you really didn’t wanna crack like that.

But you didn’t cry since so long. And Professor Wayne was being so gentle and nice. He patched you up, and stayed with you while you ugly cried. He listened, too.

You pull away from him, and you see a huge wet patch on his white dress shirt. You look up at him apologetically and say :

“Sorry about that..”

Pointing to his shirt, brushing the tip of your fingers against it.

“Don’t worry, it’s alright. Are you feeling ok ?”

“Yes, yes sir. I’m fine. I think I can go home now.”

“Are you sure ?”

“Yes. Thank you. Thank you very much. For everything.”

“It’s...normal. I would have done this for any of my students. I know things can be tough around your age so...”

Outch. Of course he would have done that with any of his other students...He backs away from you, leaving you some air.

You look up at him, and he return your gaze.

“I’ll finish patching you up now, if that’s ok ?”

He’s careful with you, he doesn’t want you to relapse of course. He makes sure you’re ok with him “touching” you again. You nod, and one of his hand goes back under your chin so he can finish what he was doing before you started to cry.

He puts a bandaid on your brow, slowly smoothing it over your skin with his thumb, and that’s it. The end. You’re patched up.

But he doesn’t move away. His hand falls from your brow to brush away one last tear, and you can’t help yourself, you catch his hand in yours and he’s cupping your cheek now, with your hand above his.

You gaze up at him once more, hoping he can see in your eyes how grateful you are for him and his help....and just like that, his lips are on yours.

************

He didn’t mean to. He really didn’t.

He didn’t mean to take care of you like that. He just wanted to patch you up and send you on your way. But then you started to cry, and it broke his heart, the way you clearly lacked support in your life.

He had flashback of himself when he was younger, struggling to deal with things...and always having Alfred to have his back.

From what he understood of those few personal comments you let slip through during your conversation at the cafe, your parents weren’t around either. And you didn’t had any family left in Gotham. It must be hard, to be all alone.

He understood why you suddenly cracked, and as a teacher and mentor, he had to be there to help you. To be the one to support you.

Right ?

It felt nice, to take care of you. To hold you through your fit of tears. To reassure you that things do get better.

It felt nice and natural, and for the first time he didn’t feel guilty to treat you in a special way. Because sure he just told you he would have done that for any other students...but that was a terrible lies.

You were special. Always been special.

And when you pulled away, calming yourself down finally, he missed your warmth against him already.

He finishes patching you up, when he sees a stranded tears on your cheek.

Your last tear.

He can’t help himself, he goes to collect it and...You trap his hand on your cheek with yours. He looks down at you.

Your gaze is so intense. And your hand so soft.

He didn’t meant to. He really didn’t. But against his better judgement, his head slowly close the distant with yours, and he brushes his lips against yours.

Softly. Tenderly. Sweetly. Carefully.

You kiss back. And he feels utterly disgusted with himself all of a sudden. He pulls away, and your head follows his a little.

He feels like he’s taking advantage of you in this moment of weakness and so he pulls away quickly, surprising you.

This was a mistake. In the heat of the moment.

He had always been attracted to special people, and you were oh so special. You didn’t even know you were brilliant. And you were so alone out there, having to work harder than most to achieve things...He was so impressed with you and everything you did.

He couldn’t resist but to comfort you, but that kiss ? That kiss was way out of line. He felt awful. He was your teacher. Someone in a position of trust, and he was abusing this trust right now.

And sure you kissed back, but only because he has this position of trust. Because he’s that older guy whom you admire and...it’s just wrong.

It’s just wrong.

So wrong.

So why is he letting you coming closer now ? Why is he letting you stare at him like that, mere centimeters from his face ?

It’s wrong. He shouldn’t. You’re his student. A special one, yes, but still his student.

Those months of talking in the cafe, it was just friendly banter. Making things easier for you, just a way of encouraging you to never give up (right ?).

Taking care of you tonight, was only his way of supporting you. Because you needed it. You always seemed so lonely, and at times lost...Sometimes he’d look at you working in the cafe, and you’d have moments of absence, thinking, daydreaming...and looking so utterly sad and alone...

He wanted to be there for you. But it was wrong.

So why is he letting you lay one of your hand on his cheek. And why are his own hands cupping yours ? Why does he let you lay your forehead on his like that ?

It’s wrong. So wrong. You’re his...student...

You’re the one that kiss him this time. And you do it slowly. Leaving him time to pull away if he wants to.

It seems like you understood why he pulled away only mere seconds ago. You are a perceptive one. And now...now you want him to know that you want this too.

That you know what you’re doing. And to be honest, even if you don’t, what’s the big deal ? It’s just a kiss.

Between two people who have been attracted to each other for a long time, but pulled up barriers between each others because.

It’s wrong. Is it really though ?

You’re both consenting adults. You’re making it clear now, that you’re ok with this, and that you’re over your moment of weakness.

And before Bruce can think about it further...Your lips on his erase anything from his mind, and he’s kissing you back. Fiercely.

To be continued...

____________________________________

I wrote this while having a bad motherfucking cold. Like I was feverish all along, but felt too inspired to stop so eh. Here it is. Hope you liked it, next part “soon”. As usual, feedbacks are da best.

Edit : Now that I finished writing that and posted it, I’m cringing a bit hard. For multiple reasons I won’t state because it’ll just sound like I’m bashing my work again...Just, hoping you’re not disappointed or anything of the like :/. Comment down below to tell me what you think ? Please.

700 notes · View notes