#imagine you get a hot fish spirit and try to flirt with him

[greeniegaes]

My attempted water color of my JiuYuan fish au :)

[johannestevans]

trans male character ideas 2: electric boogaloo

feel free to use as a prompt or to give recommendations or to add your own

excitable gardener who refers to all the seedlings, shoots, and other plants in his nursery as his babies. many of his neighbours think him a father of dozens

beautiful angel who has a sword and undiagnosed rage issues

painfully lovestruck man who gets a job at a summer camp because a beautiful woman works there. she has to haul him out of the water when he almost drowns falling out of a canoe bc he forgets he can't swim

chocolatier who is widely renowned as an expert in his craft but hates all of his work and angrily asserts everything he's ever made is garbage but SOON, SOON he will create the PERFECT chocolate

very jolly old man with a white beard who works as a lollipop man and all of the children are convinced he's santa claus and make a big deal of ~not recognising him shhhhh~ when he does the Christmas grotto every year

bookbinder who lives in the little flat above his shop, which is nestled between an antique store and a rare book shop, so most of his trade is with his neighbours. he does not speak, and when he writes his prices and terms on card paper he has the most exquisite handwriting

your evil boss who you're fairly certain is somehow spying on you but you can never figure out how or why

cam boy who has more pairs of cat ears than you can or would want to imagine. his bubbly, sweet, innocent cam boy persona could not be more different than his venomous and cold real life one

charming asexual who owns a sex shop and calls everyone "dear", who will give you recommendations for eye-poppingly huge dildos or very effective pussy pumps without batting an eyelid or stammering once, but faints dead away if he gets a papercut and sees blood

extremely confident stunt man who keeps breaking bones and saying "it's fine, let me try the roll again!"

hot elf archer

very officious accountant who has no visible personality and speaks in a monotone, but somehow that only makes his rage more terrifying when he stands over your desk and points out you missed a decimal place. he wears little heels

mathematician who dresses in leather all the time and flirts with everyone he meets

recently turned werewolf who has a very carefully selected and expensive wardrobe and keeps ruining favourite outfits when the full moon hits and he hulks out of them

guy who keeps getting killed by the various enemies he keeps making and then getting up again and making an extremely lazy new identity. his last 10 names have been josh, guy, josh, jim, josh, guy, matt, tim, josh, and josh again. (he forgot he was josh last time)

car mechanic who's actually an alien and hides the fact that he knows nothing about human culture by being really openly obsessed with cars, which he always admired on his home planet

ex-medical student now full time DJ who hands out cards advising of safe and unsafe drug interactions at raves

witch who communes with the spirits of the wood, and cannot be found unless he wants to be. as of recent, he is (very graciously) permitting a hunter from a nearby village to court him with gifts and love letters, tho the hunter has never seen his face

village pellar who lives alone in a hut that the river runs right underneath, and when you're in his home you can hear it rushing by. the children say they've seen him sitting up to his waist in the water, and when fish swim into his lap, he tugs the hooks out of their cheeks

pickpocket with a nose ring who prides himself on returning people's wallets every time he steals them (albeit after alleviating them of their cash and payment cards)

[forasecondtherewedwon]

Guest Side Story

Fandom: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Sarah Wilson Rating: T Word Count: 3214

Summary: Sam told Bucky not to flirt with Sarah. But this is her house, so Bucky's pretty sure she makes the rules.

Bucky’s missed white lies. Ones that don’t hurt anybody.

“Is that cigarette smoke I smell on your coat, James Barnes?” “No, Ma. ’Course not.”

“And you’re sure this dame knows it’s my arm she’ll be on?” “Sure, Steve. She’s been after me to fix the two of you up for weeks.”

Stuff like that.

Past few years, Bucky’s either been transparent or a brick wall, all lies or all truth. Which one he loses more sleep over just depended on the day. The most human thing, he’s learning, is to work with a little of both: fact and fiction. Give something here, hold something back there. Lying doesn’t have to be mean-spirited and telling the truth doesn’t have to make him feel hollow and guilty. Maybe you can only realize this kinda thing when you find your way home, even if the home isn’t yours.

Bucky’s standing in the kitchen listening to Cass teach him how to fish. It’s purely theoretical, no gear involved, just the overexaggerated motion of Cass’s arm as he mimes casting. Laughing, Bucky lightly grabs the boy’s elbow before it can collide with the refrigerator on an especially big swing. Cass downsizes his demonstration without pausing the excited flow of his instructions.

AJ catches Bucky’s eye; from the look on his face, he’s beginning to suspect that Bucky might already know how to fish. While Cass is focused hard on his hands pretending to show how to fit live bait onto a hook, Bucky smiles at AJ over the smaller boy’s head and raises a finger to his lips. White lies. Let Cass believe he’s the expert.

When Cass is winding down, Bucky moves around him with a grin, carrying an empty plate to the sink.

“I got it!” AJ declares, whisking it from Bucky’s hand and pumping a squirt of dish soap in the center while his other hand runs the hot water.

Cass slotted the Pop-Tarts the plate lately held into the toaster for him (no better end-of-the-day snack, Bucky was told) and now AJ’s cleaning up. They’re a hospitable family, all day long. No phoniness, no insincere offers of help that they’re hoping Bucky won’t take them up on. He actually had to race the kids to the shed to store a toolbox earlier. On the boat, Bucky has room to put in the effort for the Wilsons, but inside the walls of their home he’s not allowed to do a damn thing because he’s a guest. Per square foot of property, he doesn’t think he’s ever been treated this well in someone else’s house.

“Fine,” Bucky concedes, “but I’m doing all the dishes tomorrow—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And don’t get up early to drink a glass of orange juice and try to wash it before I’m awake, ’cause I’ll be listening.”

The boys giggle and Bucky leans against the counter, hovering while AJ hands the plate off for Cass to wipe dry and pretending not to listen to Sam and Sarah talking in the next room.

…But there isn’t a full wall separating the kitchen from the living room and Sam knows Bucky’s hearing’s good, right? He doesn’t think they’re discussing anything that private and if Sam’s annoyed with him later for what he supposes Bucky might’ve heard, Bucky’ll just offer up another white lie and swear he couldn’t hear a thing. And Sarah… Sarah wouldn’t think any worse of him if she knew. Bucky imagines she’d have a lot of compassion for his frequent urge to give Sam a hard time just for the hell of it. He flicks a quick glance over his shoulder, just to see her, and concentrates on what they’re saying, giving himself vague permission because he overheard his name.

“This was your idea,” Sarah’s saying. “You brought the stray cat home, just like when we were kids.”

“Don’t compare him to something cute,” Sam complains. Bucky’s mouth tenses to keep his smile from spreading too far.

“He is a guest in my home, Sam, and he’s more than earned it after the work he’s been putting in with the boat.”

“And what about the work you’ve been putting in watching him do that work?”

“Sam. Grow up.” Sarah’s voice is playful and Bucky almost turns, wondering what her expression looks like.

“So you’ve just been appreciating his skill with a wrench and some sandpaper,” Sam says skeptically.

“If I’m also appreciating his shoulders in that shirt— if—” she emphasizes when Sam tries to interrupt, “—it’s nobody’s business but mine.”

“Ok, you definitely can’t have him sleeping on the couch.”

“What do you think I’m gonna do? Try to sneak him to my bedroom after lights out? With you listening, trying to catch us? Uh uh. Your sister is a grown woman with two children, a home, and a boat she couldn’t manage to sell, and she can lust where she damn well pleases.”

Bucky snorts out a laugh and AJ gives him a funny look. Kid’s too perceptive.

“He’s tricky,” Sam lectures. “You can’t see it, but I do. I’ve been around him a hell of a lot more. You think he smiles like that at everybody? If he smiles at me at all, I gotta assume he just looked up and saw a meteor hurtling towards where we’re standing and is only smiling because we’ve got seconds to live and I won’t be able to tell anybody.”

“You are hilarious.”

“No, I’m not.”

“You’re telling me your friend is charming. That’s what you’re describing. Don’t I deserve to be charmed? Where else is he gonna sleep, huh? With you? In one of the boys’ little beds while they share the other one? Because I know you’re not suggesting we skip the pretense and put him right in with me.”

Sam lets out a noise of obvious frustration.

“Time to intervene,” Bucky tells Cass and AJ, leaving them to swap confused shrugs in the kitchen as he saunters into the living room.

“Hey,” Sam greets stonily, arms crossed over his chest.

Just for fun, Bucky decides to be all the friendlier.

“It’s so great of you to put me up. Thanks, Sarah. This beats a hotel by a mile.”

“Our gourmet kitchen does offer an impressive range of sugary cereal,” she jokes. “I might even cook you boys a special breakfast tomorrow before you head back to the dock.”

Bucky’s grin widens.

“Oh yeah? I wouldn’t wanna—”

“No, it’s no trouble—”

“Well, that would be—”

“Both of you stop it,” Sam orders.

“Sam, go outside,” Sarah orders right back. “Play some tag with your nephews.”

“Sarah, I’m beat. We’ve been working on that boat all day.”

“Mhmm, you and the rest of the neighbourhood. You worked all day and you come home and there’s still two kids to entertain. But guess what?” She smiles deviously at her brother and throws a few fake punches at his stomach. “You’re Sam Wilson, the Falcon! Looks like you’re special after all. Me and Bucky here know you’ve still got some gas in the tank. Go on.”

Sam looks fairly planted to the spot as he glares from his sister to Bucky, but he eventually moves with a lurching step.

“I’m gonna be right outside,” he warns.

Bucky sidesteps out of his path and says nothing, though it’s hard to resist the instinct to egg him on.

“We’re gonna have a super-secret discussion about which towels he can use,” Sarah goads at her brother’s back.

Sam ignores her, corralling his nephews in the kitchen and guiding them out the door into the fading daylight with a hand on each of their narrow backs.

“Great kids,” Bucky observes.

Sarah nods, watching her family disappear, then turns to him.

“We’re not really gonna talk about towels.”

“No?”

Bucky’s eyebrows rise in surprise and delighted anticipation until Sarah grabs a folded blanket off the back of the couch and passes it to him.

“We’re making up the couch.”

“Oh.”

This is ok too. Actually, really nice, standing next to Sarah and unfolding the blanket as she stuffs a pillow into a clean case. Her eyes find his already on her and he swears he almost blushes; he’s been smoothing out the same crease in this blanket for a good thirty seconds with no result, just watching her easy movements, the way she flips her braids back when they fall forward over her shoulder.

“I hope you’re comfortable,” she says, lingering once they’re done.

“I woulda slept on the floor. A closet, even, like Harry Potter.”

“You read Harry Potter? Don’t tell the boys—they’ll be bugging you to play wizards with them.”

Bucky laughs and shakes his head.

“Nah, I just watched the movie.”

“Which one?”

“There’s more than one?”

“You really better not bring it up then,” Sarah advises. “They’d try to tell you everything at once.”

“Yeah, wouldn’t want to get in out of my depth.”

It feels like a significant look they exchange after his words. Bucky wants it to be—he thinks he does—but he feels awkward, romantically clumsy. Heartstrings tied together like shoelaces, waiting to trip him up. He’s been telling himself she’s only being kind, but after eavesdropping on her conversation with Sam, he knows she’s interested. In his shoulders at the very minimum. Was that right? His shoulders? Just in case, Bucky does his best to square them. Can’t hurt.

He’s fucking ecstatic when Sarah does glance down briefly, her gaze returning to his face with something flustered in it. Sure, she’s a mom and she runs a business, but it’s like she told Sam: she deserves to be charmed. Bucky’s not entirely sure he’s doing it right though.

“So,” she says, “Sam was just being a pain when he tried to convince me you can’t sleep on the couch because you’ve got a bad back, right?”

Bucky sighs but keeps smiling. It’s natural in her presence.

“I’d say that’s him making old-man jokes about me.”

“I apologize for my brother and his bad manners.”

“Ah, he’s not totally wrong,” he concedes, perching on the arm of the couch. “These last few birthdays have required more candles than you could fit on a cake.”

“Then you just have to get yourself a bigger cake.”

Bucky laughs.

“I guess optimism’s pretty much a family trait?”

“We work at it. They say you need to take the good with the bad, but they don’t tell you that means creating the good out of nothing a lot of the time, if you want any at all. The Wilsons worked that out some time ago, so we mostly do alright.”

“It’s a good feeling to be around,” he tells Sarah earnestly. Clearing his throat, he gets to his feet. “Feels good, being around you.”

“We’re… I’m happy you could stay with us.”

The light’s softened in the room and her voice has gone with it. Bucky shifts on his feet.

“It’s a pleasure to be here,” he assures her.

Sarah’s eyelashes flutter when she looks from his mouth to his eyes. Probably too try-hard to bite his lip now. God, Sam thinks Bucky’s so suave with Sarah, but it feels like he’s only got one move and it’s fucking smiling. Some Casanova he is. Sarah, meanwhile, is beautiful and authoritative and generous and moving closer to toss the pillow he’ll rest his head on tonight onto the couch.

“Anything else you need to be comfortable?” she asks, gaze slipping from one of his eyes to the other. “Another pillow? Pajamas?”

“I’ve got some, but…”

“But?”

Sarah gives him a questioning look and Bucky starts summoning the courage to make a move. He’ll touch her waist—no, take her hand. He’ll cup her sweet face so there’s no doubt what he means.

“But,” he picks up, “if I get cold in the night…”

There’s longing in her eyes, Bucky knows it, but Sam bangs in the screen door right then, one nephew squealing where he’s been slung over Sam’s shoulder.

“Well,” Sam announces loudly to the house at large, “that’s it! No more gas in the tank! Everybody get to bed!”

Sarah appears sorry as she steps back. Bucky almost reaches out to pull her in, to take another shot with another lousy line. Shit, he’s bad at this.

“There are more blankets in the hall closet,” she says, and slips away.

“Thank you,” he calls after her.

Sam walks past, Cass still dangling upside-down over his back while AJ runs ahead, and watches Bucky like a hawk (or some other bird of prey) as he digs through his overnight bag. What’s Sam expecting him to pull out? A strip of condoms? Bucky extracts a green toothbrush and holds it up with an expression of fake wonder. Sam rolls his eyes and heads off down the hall.

They are going to bed early, barely 9pm. That’s probably late for the kids though. Bucky’s pleasantly weary after a day outdoors, more working than talking, feeling like part of something as the Wilsons’ community came together to repair the boat. Seeing Sarah throughout. Flashing Bucky a smile while she spoke to a neighbour, grasping his outstretched hand to let him help her aboard so she could see their progress, checking Sam’s work like she’s his foreman while Bucky grinned and watched the siblings good-naturedly pick at each other. Sam was probably out like a light and Bucky should be too.

He’s not.

He can’t get to sleep right away, but it’s peaceful to lie here on the couch, on his back, while the house gets dark and darker. Sarah left the nearest window cracked for him and a gentle breeze washes in with the chirp of insects. Bucky’s already looking forward to being woken by the sun streaming through in the morning. It’d be good to get from now to daylight in a single stretch of sleep; that’s what he fantasizes about while he lies on his back: no nightmares. His head’s propped up by the pillow he tells himself smells like Sarah, though it probably just smells like her laundry soap.

It’s hard to put his finger on what’s missing, why he can’t fall asleep, until he hears the soft shuffle of footsteps on carpet. They’re too close together to be Sam’s—either hesitant or made by child-sized feet. Bucky cranes his neck around, expecting to see someone walk past on their way to the kitchen for a glass of water. His gaze roams over nothing for a minute, then he slumps back as the footsteps retreat. Maybe it was Sam after all, getting up to look in on his nephews or something. It’s the sorta thing Bucky would do if he were an uncle; he’d treasure the time with those kids, try to remember everything about his visit so he could hang on to it when he found himself half a world away, in Berlin or Riga or Madripoor.

He’s settling, trapping the blanket against his chest with a heavy hand, when he hears the footsteps approach again. Then back away seconds later. Slowly, Bucky starts to smile to himself. It’s Sarah. Can only be her. She’s either trying to psych herself up to come in here and talk to him and failing, or trying to resist venturing down the hall and succeeding.

On her next attempt, she gets closer, and Bucky sits up, kicking the blanket aside, and drops his feet to the floor in anticipation of her rounding the corner. He’s nervously gripping the couch cushion on either side of his knees when she does.

“You sneaking past Sam?” he asks quietly.

Sarah jumps, pressing a hand to her chest.

“You scared me. I wasn’t sure you’d be awake.”

Bucky shrugs, dreamily fixated on her smile. One of her neighbours turns on their porchlight and now Sarah can probably see his smile too.

“Couldn’t sleep,” he says.

“Shoot. Did you need something else?”

Kinda funny how she’s pretending she was coming out here for another reason and is just making a detour for him. He knows better, but he’s got enough remnants of being a gentleman not to call her out on it.

“Nah. It’s nothing to do with you.” Bucky stares at her a few seconds and changes his mind. “You know what? Actually, it is you.”

“What is?” Sarah asks with a hushed, confused laugh.

“The reason I can’t get to sleep. Sarah…”

But she smiles and does what he did to the boys earlier—holds a finger to her lips.

With the confidence of a woman at ease in her own home and her own body, she steps forward. She wore a yellow t-shirt today, but the one she wears now is pale pink. It’s loose and worn and reveals the strong, elegant curve of her shoulder when she moves and it slips. Gazing up at her, Bucky shifts until he feels the back of the couch. His hands hover in the air as Sarah digs one knee, then the other, into the cushion on either side of him. She lowers herself onto his thighs.

Moving slow like the hour, deep like the black sky, Bucky runs his hands up her back.

Sarah’s palms land on his shoulders and, smiling, she confesses to him, “I like these.”

He’s smirking when she ducks her head to kiss him.

Now that he has her here—on his lap, in his arms—Bucky forgets every way he wanted to touch her earlier. How he was gonna woo her with tender contact applied just right. Well, thank god for Sarah. She sets the pace of the kiss and, when his hands go still at her upper back, reaches around to bring one of them back down to her waist. He can feel that there’s no bra beneath her shirt.

“Rusty,” he breathes when their mouths slide apart.

“You were on that old boat all day,” she reminds him. “You know I’ve got patience for rusty.”

Still, Bucky wants to do a little better, prove that maybe he’s what she had in mind when she decided he was worth smiling at. He cradles Sarah closer, pulling her in, dipping his fingers into the valley of her spine when she arches into him. They kiss firmer, then faster. At her quick nod of encouragement, he moves his hands to her hips. Lower.

“Sarah?” Sam slurs sleepily from down the hall. “You outta bed?”

Sarah presses a hand to Bucky’s chest and pushes off his lap, other hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter. He chuckles too.

“As the Falcon, timing is one of his greatest strengths.”

“And as his sister,” Sarah counters, “it gets on my last nerve.”

“Well, I didn’t wanna say that, but…” Bucky grins.

“Sarah?” Sam calls out again.

She sighs.

“Is he trying to wake the boys?” She takes a step away from the couch, wearing a regretful smile. “I better go.”

Bucky catches himself before he can blurt out I’ll miss you. Overeager fool.

“See you in the morning?” Sarah checks, something shy about her now, but not in a bad way. Cautiously hopeful, Bucky thinks. He’s been feeling that way himself.

He gives her one more smile for the road.

“You bet.”

[ultraintrovertedgryffindor]

hiiiiii could you please do a will poulter imagine where the reader is in a broadway show and will comes to watch and instantly falls for them (could it be gender neutral as well if you can?) and keeps coming back to the show until he finally gets the courage to ask them out, but the reader is the one who makes the first move? i’d literally love u forever

Of course! What a cute idea 😊

Sorry it took awhile, had to juggle school and some drama, but here it it finally lol

~~~~~~~~~~

It wasn't often that Will got to go to a Broadway show.

After weeks and weeks of his best friend, Collar, going on and on about how amazing this play he recently discovered was, Will immediately jumped at the chance of seeing the show with him when he found out that they'd be in his hometown that week.

Will thought his ribs would be crushed from how tightly Collar hugged him. Will was lucky enough to get really good seats before they were sold out.

It was the first night that the show was in London, so they weren't surprised to see that the place was packed, but that definitely didn't lessen the excitement. "I'm so excited for this." Will expressed.

"Oh, you're gonna love it, mate." Collar replied.

Taking their seats, it was only a matter of minutes until the lights started to dim and a loud overhead voice explaining the show was about to begin and repeating how no photography or video was allowed and all that.

Will and Collar were pretty much beaming with excitement, the latter bouncing his leg up and down with anticipation.

The two friends were immediately entranced when the ensemble cast walked onstage and performed the first song, applauding along with the rest of the audience when it ended.

Main characters were quickly introduced, and Will was surprised at how much he was enjoying the show so far, but he should've known Collar had the best tastes.

A new character was introduced, and Will could not take his eyes off them. The voice that emitted from this person was almost otherworldly, he'd never thought someone could sing so well. Will could've easily said that they were beautiful as well. Maybe it was the way the spotlights shined on them, making their aura angelic in a way. They seemed to exude confidence, that in itself was so damn attractive to him.

Every time this person went onstage, Will naturally focused in on them, he didn't even realize until after the show. "I know that look," Collar smirked, "which one was it?"

Will blushed. "I don't know what you mean..."

"Mate, don't bullshit me." He laughed.

Will rolled his eyes, knowing he couldn't lie to his best friend. "The one who sang that solo, before the intermission."

Collar's eyes lit up in clarity. "Oh, yeah! They were awesome. The cast usually meets fans after the show in the lobby, you should try to meet them!"

Will quickly shook his head. "No, no, no, that's okay."

"Nah, come on!" Collar grabbed Will's wrist, dragging him to the lobby with a ridiculous amount of force.

Just as Collar said, the whole main cast was lined up behind a red velvety rope, all smiling, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. Will instantly spotted you, grinning widely while talking to a fan. You looked like the friendliest person on the planet. Obviously, Will didn't know if you were for sure, but he had a gut feeling.

You felt someone staring at you, well, hundreds of people have been staring at you every other night for the past two months now, but you were proved right when you caught the eye of a man across the room.

It took you a bit of recall, but you eventually recognized him as Will Poulter. You hadn't watched his recent stuff as you were so busy, but he was an actor you had respect and admiration for. He looked like he had taken an interest in you, which you never thought would be possible. You gave him a warm smile, and you could see his bashful gaze and blush.

"Dude, you gonna talk to them or?" Collar asked impatiently. "They just smiled at you, that's gotta be an invitation, man."

Will wanted to, so badly, but you looked busy enough as it was. "Not tonight, I'm pretty knackered if I'm being honest." Collar gave him an annoyed look, but he wasn't going to pressure him.

You saw Will leave the theatre from the corner of your eye, and you refrained from frowning. You really thought he'd come talk to you, but in a way you were thankful, you probably would've embarrassed yourself in some way. But still, you were a bit disappointed, but you still smiled when you met people who enjoyed the show.

Will pretty much slapped himself for not even trying to talk to you, so he did something rather impulsive; he bought another ticket to your show. "You haven't even met them, and you're already whipped!" Collar laughed loudly.

"Please, don't start." Will whined.

Seeing Will again at the show, in the orchestra seats, almost made you blush onstage. He was there again? Your gut told you he was there because of you, but your logic told you that you were being conceited. Maybe he just was so moved by the performances that he had to see the show again.

You felt his eyes trained on you the entire show.

After the show, you were in your dressing room, scrubbing off the caked on stage makeup that you had to wear every performance. Until your friend and co-worker barged in unannounced. "Knock, for the love of god, knock!" You snapped.

"I did!" Your friend replied, not very convincingly you might add. "Did you see that hot blonde eyeing you tonight?"

You furrowed your brows. "How'd you even see that?"

"I know when someone's eying MY friend!" They said, emphasizing the 'my'. "It's a superpower I have."

"Yeah, well, that guy was here yesterday. He must love the show a lot if he came back a second time in a row." You said while finishing taking off the makeup.

Your friend smirked. "Or maybe…he loved your performance?"

You rolled your eyes. "Stop, you'll get my hopes up."

"Well, I guess we'll see when you go out in the lobby."

You loved meeting people who enjoyed the show, especially your performances. Praise felt nice, but what felt even nicer was the fact you saw Will awkwardly making his way to the area were the cast was, shaking hands and congratulating your fellow performers.

Slowly but surely, he made his way to you with a grin. Damn, that grin could probably cure every illness in the universe, you thought. "Hello there, loved your performance!" He praised.

"Thanks! You were at the show last night too, weren't you? Or are my eyes just playing tricks on me?" You giggled.

Will scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Uh, yeah, actually I was." He chuckled.

"Dang, you must really love the show!" You chuckled when he couldn't come up with a reply. "I'm Y/N." You stretched your hand out to shake his.

"Will." He smiled.

"Oh, I know actually! I know some of your work."

Will blinked in shock, but smiled nervously. "Oh, wow, awesome! I'd imagine doing this type of thing, traveling, how would you even find the time to relax and watch films?"

"Oh, trust me, we barely even have time to relax much less watch movies. But I remember seeing you in Son of Rambow, you were a pretty cute kid." You smiled.

Will chuckled bashfully. "That's very kind. I'd hope I'm still as cute as I was when I was little."

"You definitely are." You didn't exactly mean to sound all seductive like, but it just came out that way. You found yourself liking the way it made all of Will's blood rush to his cheeks.

"Oh, thank you." He stuttered, looking around nervously. "Well, it seems like loads of people want to meet you so, I'll get going."

Your mouth opened and closed like a fish, willing yourself to tell him to stay, but all that came out was a strangled sigh. Damn it, you must've scared him off…

"They said that to you?!" Collar shouted, listening intently to Will about the encounter with you as soon as he got to his apartment. "They said you were cute. Mate, please, tell me you asked them out."

Will cringed, biting his lip and looking up to his friend in shame. "I got nervous…"

"That was your opening, man!"

"I know, I know. Just gonna have to have a go at it again…" He said, pulling out his phone with another sigh.

"Tell me your not." 

"Too late." Will showed his phone screen to reveal a newly purchased ticket to the show…again.

"You're burning a hole in your wallet."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." But he hopes it'll be worth it. "Third times a charm..."

Another night, another show, and you felt yourself having a little bit of low spirits, until your friend pulled you by the wrist to the side stage. "What're you…?"

"Look who's here, again!" Your friend whisper yelled, pulling aside the stage curtain to reveal a tiny bit of the audience waiting for the show to start. "Look there!" They pointed.

"No way…"

Will was there in the audience again!

"He must really want that ass!" Your friend guffawed, making you lightly slap their arm.

You couldn't help but blush, it was so sweet. But you thought back to the night before, he was so nervous and finicky. You realized you had to make the first move, no flirting or else he'd startle like a baby deer.

Oh boy, your nature was not able to NOT flirt. You might've thrown a couple winks to Will onstage, maybe thrown a couple smirks when you were able to. Yeah, the no flirting thing wasn't really working…

But you thought maybe it made him a bit more comfortable walking up to you easier after the show. "Damn, you have an obsession with theatre, huh?" You teased.

Will chuckled. "Yeah, I must."

"So, why are you actually coming here? Three times in a row must be hurting your bank account."

Will stayed silent for a moment, just staring into your eyes with a blush slowly rising to his cheeks. "I, uh…" He paused, "I just really love the show." He instantly cringed internally. "I should go."

"No!" You shouted accidently, startling him slightly. "Sorry, uh, why don't you stay? Our night ends in half an hour. If you don't mind, I'd love to talk to you."

Will instantly felt relieved, in a way. He nodded excitingly, causing you to grin.

"Great! I'll meet you out the front doors, okay?"

Quickly going to your dressing room, your friend hugged you tightly from behind you. "Dude, finally! I never thought I'd see the day you'd make a first move."

"Wasn't easy. Why can't extroverts act like extroverts?" You chuckled, looking over yourself in the mirror.

"You're generalizing."

"I gotta stop doing that. But anyway, I'll be back soon, hopefully he won't run off."

"Good luck." They blew a kiss.

Thankfully, Will was still waiting outside the theatre, sitting on the steps, scrolling through his phone. "Hey!" You greeted. "Sorry if I took awhile."

Will smiled, standing up from the steps. "It's totally fine."

"So, forgive me if I'm wrong, but I have a hard time believing you came here three times in a row, wasting money, just because you enjoyed the show a lot."

Will's smile dropped, looking to the ground. "Uh…you're not wrong."

"Last night, you left so quickly. Why?"

Will let out a sigh. "I got…scared, I guess." Well, he admitted that, why not admit more? "You just seem so confident, I was intimidated. But I did want to talk to you more, just didn't have the guts to, I suppose."

Another smile graced your face happily. "Well, the show is still in town for a few days, then our tour is over. I'd love to go out for a coffee or tea sometime, if you're available."

Will's eyes lit up, his grin coming back and letting out a thankful chuckle. "Yes! Yeah, I'd love to!"

"Here's my number, call me and we'll work out the details."

"Wow…" He smiled.

"What?" You asked with a giggle.

"That was a lot easier than I thought it would be."

~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you liked it, @poulterfilms , I hope it's what you had in mind🥺

[rolandtowen]

Dumbass Romantics, the first part of a series exploring the ways in which Sokka and Zuko falling in love after the War. 

Sokka and Zuko seem to keep “accidentally” flirting with each other with romantic gestures from their respective cultures. It takes a while for everyone else (and them!!) to catch on. Set a few months after the end of the war, featuring chronic pain and cultural flirting.

Read it under the cut!

The Fire Lord hated the cold. He supposed he should have commissioned a fur cloak before visiting Katara and Sokka, but where could his tailors find fur on such short notice? He couldn’t bring himself to slaughter dozens of squirrel-toads just for one coat. He had settled on a cloak woven with extra koala-sheep wool, but stepping out of his ship’s warmth now and into the crisp air of the Southern Water Tribe, Zuko knew he should have heeded Sokka’s advice to him to dress warm.

The cold was a bitch. But thankfully, he didn’t have to dwell on it long.

“Zuko!” Came Katara’s voice from somewhere below him. Zuko hurried down the rampart and came to meet his old friend. He went to bow formally, but she laughed and pulled him in for a hug. “Maybe save the bowing for when we have dinner with the old folks tonight.”

Zuko raised his eyebrow.

“Oh! It’s nothing big – just my Dad, Bato, Kanna, and Pakku. I do hope you’ve worked up an appetite for stewed sea prunes, that’s all my Dad can make without blowing the kitchen up – unless you’re allergic to sea prunes, of course, but I guess you wouldn’t know yet seeing as you’ve never tried them—”

“Katara,” Sokka’s voice startled Zuko a little bit, coming from his left side. Zuko shifted his head so he could hear him better. “You’re rambling again. Let the man breathe!” Zuko let out a low chuckle and turned to fully face Sokka.

“It’s good to see you too, Sokka.”

“And you, jerkbender! Spirits, aren’t you cold? I told you bring layers!”

The trio started to walk towards Katara and Sokka’s village. Zuko pondered what he should say: admit weakness and say he was, in fact, cold; or be miserable for the rest of his visit in silence?

“I’m okay, it’s just that the Fire Nation hasn’t ever had a need to make warm clothing. My tailors wouldn’t even know where to start on finding fur for a cloak.”

“Well then,” Sokka said, “it’s lucky for you that we have polar leopards!” And with that, Sokka unclipped the fur-lined cloak he was wearing and draped it over Zuko’s shoulders, fastening the metal clips with practiced ease. Zuko was shocked.

“Sokka, I can’t take your cloak!” He protested, stopping in his tracks.

“Relax, jerkbender, there’s more where that came from. When are you going to learn to dress up for your visits, dork?”

Katara chimed in. “The last time Zuko was here, his body temperature was elevated by his righteous search for the Avatar. I’m sure peace and love have probably cooled your hot head off quite a bit, huh?”

Zuko only hummed, looking down at the cloak that had been thrust upon him. It really was, quite warm. And quite intricate as well! He ran his fingers over the moon phases embroidered at the seams, a striking white against the deep blue of the cloak.

“Enjoying my handiwork?” Katara asked.

“Yeah, I am.” Zuko answered in a daze.

He wasn’t sure if he should tell them what it meant in Fire Nation culture, to place your own cloak on another’s shoulders, to literally and figuratively place another under your protection. Really, Zuko couldn’t remember the last time he had been given anything as a gift. Charity was not a concept Ozai was familiar with. Sokka couldn’t have possible known that what he just did was like the Fire Nation equivalent of a betrothal necklace. Still, it did leave Zuko touched that Sokka would so willingly give over such a valuable garment. He decided to leave the matter alone and revel in the warmth of the cloak.

“Sooooooooo, do you wanna go fishing together?”

Zuko sighed. He was a little bored. When they got back to the village, Katara had immediately ditched them to go help Kanna and Hakoda prep for the night’s family dinner. Leaving him and Sokka to do…. whatever until dinner time rolled around.

“Uh, I don’t really know how to fish—”

“That’s alright! I can teach you. Just grab your cloak!” Sokka leapt up and swept out the door. “You are coming, right?” Sokka called from afar.

“Yeah, I’m coming!” Zuko hollered back. He fiddled with the clasp on Sokka’s – er, his cloak—and stepped back into the cold.

Sokka was at the edge of the village, spears in hand. “You ever been on a kayak before?”

Zuko chuckled. “No, the ships I’ve been tend to carry more than one person, I don’t suppose you’ve got one of those?”

Sokka punched him in the shoulder. “We can’t use one of the warrior’s boats, we’ll scare the fish!” Oh. That made sense. “Now I get it, you really don’t know anything about fishing, do you? What have you got to say for yourself?”

“Two things: one, prince; two, fire nation. We much prefer Komodo sausage to seal jerky.”

“Well, your hotness, let me show you how it’s done.” Sokka hopped into one kayak, patting the one next him. “I assume you at least know how to use a paddle?”

Zuko laughed. “I may have been an adrift refugee once or twice. I think I can handle a paddle.”

“Good,” Sokka smiled at him as he climbed into the one-seater kayak. Zuko took a few moments to adjust to the shift in his center of gravity, then nodded at Sokka.

“Let’s catch some fish.”

It turns out, Zuko is not a natural at spear-fishing. He watched closely the first few times Sokka threw his spear, bringing up fish each time. “Go on, try it,” Sokka encouraged him. Zuko looked into the depths and tried to aim for the blurry shadows he took to be fish. His spear came up empty. “That’s okay! It took me a few fishing trips before I really go the hang of it.” Sokka analyzed his form. “Make sure you extend your arm a bit before your release the spear, then you can change your angle more easily.”

Zuko nodded, mirroring the way Sokka was holding his spear. They waited in silence, kayaks knocking gently into each other on the waves. A fresh school of fish appeared underneath them, and they released their spears at the same time. This time, even Zuko had caught a fish! Only one, compared to Sokka’s two, but it was his first fish! Sokka smiled widely at him. “I knew you could do it.”

“I guess I should call you Sifu Sokka now, my fishbending master.” Zuko quipped.

Sokka blushed and he hoped the gathering snow hid it from Zuko. “I think we should probably get back; you don’t want to miss Dad’s stewed sea prunes.

“Definitely not.” Zuko replied. “What, what does one do with a fish once they’ve caught it?”

“It depends – I think it being your first fish, we should celebrate it! What do you say to making some boiled fish dumplings?”

“I think that if you’re teaching me, it’ll be wonderful.”

If it was even humanly possible, Sokka blushed harder.

When they docked their kayaks, Zuko noticed that Sokka was favoring one of his arms over the other. Normally, it wouldn’t be strange to see a person favoring a side, but Zuko knew Sokka was ambidextrous. He didn’t say anything, so Zuko kept his observations to himself. Kanna met them outside her home, and positively beamed when Sokka told her that Zuko had caught his first fish.

“Well, better a late bloomer than never, eh?” Zuko laughed but still bowed his head in deference.

“It is very nice to finally meet you, Lady Kanna. Sokka has told me much about you in your letters.”

“Oh, he has, has he?” Kanna gave a mean side-eye to Sokka, who was suddenly very interested in the icy ground. “He’s told me about you as well. You have my gratitude – I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if you hadn’t gone to the Boiling Rock.”

“It was my pleasure, Lady Kanna.”

“Just Kanna, just Kanna, my dear. Well, come in! I see Sokka has leant you a cloak, but you still must be freezing! In, in!” Kanna shooed them inside. “I will take special care of your first fish, Zuko. Anything you had in mind?”

“Uh, dumplings?”

“Excellent choice, dear. Fish dumplings coming right up!” She disappeared into the kitchen of the home.

Sokka sat down on floor, covered by blue fabrics and pelts. Zuko noticed how gingerly he set himself down, now obviously favoring his right side. Sokka’s lips were drawn tightly as he rubbed circles into his left shin. Zuko could have almost swore he heard Sokka whimper. Almost.

“Sokka,” Zuko knelt down next to his friend. “Talk to me.”

“Mmph,” Sokka scowled.

“Words, Sokka.”

“It’s mostly my leg—you know how I broke it on the day of the Comet?”

Zuko grimaced. He did remember. Even in his lightening-induced fever, Zuko remembered. He heard his physicians set Sokka’s leg and pop his shoulder back in place. He wanted to forget those sounds of Sokka in pain, but he couldn’t.

“Well,” Sokka continued. “Ever since then, it still… it still hurts. Katara’s tried everything, but I’m probably stuck with it forever. My leg hurts the worst, but my shoulder’s the most inconvenient. I’m old enough to start putting braids in my wolf tail, but I just—can’t. I can’t lift my arm above shoulder-level. And I know I’m wallowing to the guy who literally got half his face burned off but—”

“But nothing, Sokka. You’re allowed to be in pain. Here, you know what, pull up your pant leg—”

“Geez, buy a guy dinner first will you?”

Zuko blushed but Sokka did as he was told, exposing his left shin and ankle. Zuko focused a little bit of heat into the palms of his hands. He placed one on Sokka’s ankle, scanning his face for any pain. When Sokka relaxed into the touch, Zuko placed his other hand on Sokka’s shin, applying the slightest bit of pressure.

“You know, with those hands you could almost be a healer like Katara.”

Zuko snorted. “And you need to learn to let people help you.” After a few minutes, he pulled his hands away, fearing that if he kept them there too long he’d burn his friend. “If you want, I can help you braid your hair. I won’t even tell Katara.”

Sokka smiled shyly at him. He guessed Zuko didn’t know the importance of braiding another’s hair in water tribe culture—reserved for family members and, well, lovers. But Zuko was kneeling in front of him, in a water tribe cloak, offering to help him with a warrior tradition. After everything they’d been through, Zuko was family—and maybe, he could be open to being something more?

“Okay,” Sokka nodded. He pulled two beads from his pocket, both striking shades of blue, one carved by Kanna and one by Katara. “You know how my Dad wears his beads? It’s the same idea.”

“I caught my first fish today, I’m pretty sure there’s nothing I can’t do now.” Zuko settled himself closer to Sokka’s face. “I’m going to let your hair down now, is that okay?” Sokka nodded again.

Zuko took out the hair tie and separated two sections of hair thick enough to support the beads. For lack of another set of hands, he resorted to holding the sections in his mouth while he carded the rest of Sokka’s back into place and tied it into the wolf’s tail again. Sokka was suddenly very aware of how close Zuko was to him—more specifically how he never wanted him to leave. He loved the warmth that radiated from him, but furthermore, he couldn’t remember the last time someone helped him with his hair. He hadn’t asked anyone since he got back from the war, and while they were on the run… he was focused on more important things than his hair. Sokka risked a look at Zuko’s face: he was rewarded with Zuko’s adorable concentration face. Wait, adorable? Where had that come from?

“How do you know how to braid, anyway? I didn’t see a whole lot of braids in the Fire Nation.”

“My mother used to let me braid her hair when I was feeling anxious or overwhelmed. You know, it’s calming, repetitive, doesn’t involve fire—perfect for mess of emotional issues like me.”

“Hey, you’re not a mess.”

Zuko laughed darkly.

“Well, not anymore than the rest of us. We all already had our own issues and then a war happened on top of that. You were just lecturing me on letting people help me. You don’t have to be alone in this.”

Zuko’s fingers trembled as he finished the second braid. “I know. I’m still getting used to having people I can actually trust.”

Kanna suddenly called from the kitchen. “Are you two done lounging around or are you going to help an old woman with this fish?”

They looked at each other and laughed. They did kind of forget about everyone except each other.

“Hey, Zuko,” Sokka started as Zuko stood up and held out a hand for him.

“Yeah?”

“You can braid my hair anytime you want.”

Zuko resisted simultaneous urges to bow and to hug Sokka. He smiled instead.

“I’d like that.”

Bonus:

Kanna had heard everything of course. But she couldn’t bear to interrupt them sooner. Tui and La, if those two didn’t end up together she’d have a riot. In the few months since Sokka had been home with her, he hadn’t opened up to anyone about his pain. And he certainly hadn’t asked anyone for help with his braids.

Spirits, those two were good for each other. Dumbasses in love.

[youreacowgirllikeme]

Just Friends?

note: this is for @jaketapperstan, I hope you like it :)

words: 3961 (sorry, I got carried away)

warnings: swearing, thoughts of cheating, smut

The knock on the office door pulled you out of the little nap you had treated yourself with after a nearly sleepless night.

„Come in.“you called out, and Jake appeared through the door, carrying two steaming cups of coffee, smiling at you.

 "Hey, you looked so tired back in the studio, so I thought I’d bring you a little caffeine boost. “

 "You’re an actual angel, Jake.” you exclaimed, jumped up from your office chair and basically tore the mug from his hands, sighting in bliss as you smelled how strong the beverage was. Perfect, he just knew how you liked your coffee.


“And sorry for the way I look, we can’t all be like you, Mr. Perfect.” You joked, and Jake just shot you a grin. There was always a bit of flirting going on between the two of you, but you were keeping it professional.

You were the head of the production team for CNNs The Lead, so Jake was basically your boss. But over the years that you’ve worked together, you grew pretty close.

Having Jake as a friend meant always having a shoulder to lean on, the perfect counterpart for heated political discussions and, of course, the best coffee delivery service in the whole city.

And it was because you valued your friendship with Jake so much, that you vigorously suppressed all thoughts of getting closer to him. And because of Tom, your boyfriend, of course.

Thinking of him made your stomach churn. You’ve gotten together about a year and a half ago, and a few months ago things started to go downhill. Last night has just been another one of many fights in recent time, he complained about you being at work so much and you had the feeling he wasn’t valuing what you were doing at all.

"Earth to Y/N. “Jake’s voice called, and you snapped back to attention.

 "Sorry, I zoned out. “

 "Rough Night? “Jake asked, worry evident on his face and in his voice.

 "Another fight. He doesn’t understand why I’m here all the time, he doesn’t see the things Trump says as “you made quotation marks into the air „that big a deal. Imagine that. “you said angrily.

"I’m really sorry, Y/N, and I’m obviously no expert on that stuff given my record but talking things through is always a good way to start. I really hope you can work this out. “ he patted your arm, and you suppressed the urge to just hug him. You needed comfort, and Jake was that for you.

During and after his pretty messy divorce little over a year ago you provided the emotional support he needed back then, and the amount of time you spent together had made emotions rise in you that you were now desperately trying to bottle up.

"Thank you so much, Jake, I will talk to him and hope he sees my point. I want to make this work. “ You really did, because Tom was still a pretty nice guy and you had many fond memories with him. 

You gave Jake a small smile and tried to ignore the butterflies and the feeling of guilt that came with them when he smiled back at you.

 "I’ll be heading home in 20 minutes, you should go as well. The job is done for today, get some sleep. “

Jake said, emptying his coffee cup.

 "That’s actually a good idea, I’ll meet you at the elevator in 20? We can ride down together. “

 

"Sure. I’ll see you there."

With that, Jake left your office and you quickly turned off your computer and started packing up your notes.

 

Twenty minutes later you met up with Jake to take the elevator down to the lobby. Even though you were the only two people in the cabin, you stood right next to each other, and you suppressed the urge to touch his hand that was so incredibly close to yours.


The thought of what it would feel like to be pressed against the wall of the elevator by Jakes strong body entered your mind without any warning, and you could feel a flush creeping over your face, the cabin was suddenly feeling extremely hot and narrow.

“Just let me out of here before I jump him.” You thought, and your prayers were answered when you arrived in the lobby seconds later.

The doors opened, and there stood Tom, carrying a bouquet of flowers. You approached him with a questioning look, Jake dragging along behind you.

„Hey. “Tom said, giving Jake a short, irritated glance and continued.

„I wanted to apologize for last night. “

Before you could reply anything, Jake pitched in.

"Uhm, folks, I forgot my car keys up in my office, I need to go back and get them, you two have a nice day. “he said quickly and hurried back to the elevator without waiting for an answer.

 

 

As the elevator doors closed behind him again, Jake let out a groan, burying his face in his hands. He could not do this anymore, seeing you with another guy felt like a punch in the gut every time.

He hadn’t actually forgot his keys, but he needed to escape the scenery. The urge to tear you away from him and pull you into his arms was too strong . He hung his head, at loss on how to continue this situation.

 

When you made your way to the office the next morning, you were in better spirits.

You had a decent evening with Tom, no further arguing for a change.

There hasn’t been any substantial talking either, but you had to appreciate what you had.

 

Jake approached you in the briefing room with another mug of coffee.

"Everything alright? “he asked quietly.

 

"Sure, I feel better already, let’s just not talk about it now.“ you said, not wanting to discuss your boyfriend with Jake any further.

 The morning meeting started and soon you were in full work mode, making finishing touches on today’s episode and briefing the team about the latest developments concerning the guests.

You didn’t notice the longing looks Jake was giving you from the other side of the room.

It was a couple of weeks later when you knocked on the door of Jakes office an hour after the Friday show. There were some papers you needed to talk with him about, and above all you just really wanted to see him.

You hadn’t had the opportunity to really talk to Jake in days, work was stressful and things with Tom were going downhill at a fast pace again, leaving you sad, exhausted and in need of a friend.

When nobody answered, you slowly opened the door. Jake was sitting on his desk, leaned back in his chair and obviously asleep.

You quietly closed the door and made your way over to him, stopping right next to his chair. He was breathing softly and actually looked relaxed, something that was extremely rare.

He still wore his glasses through, so you carefully reached out to remove them from the bridge of his nose. But he sensed your touch and woke with a soft gasp, looking around for a moment before realizing you were there.

“Hi.” You whispered. "I’m so sorry for bothering, I didn’t want to wake you up, I’m just dropping of some papers."

 

Jake let out a yawn and stretched his arms over his head, and you were unable not to stare at the way his light dress shirt stretched around his muscular arms and shoulders. You felt a light blush creeping across your face at the thoughts invading your mind. The things he could do to you with those arms…

 "Don’t worry. You never bother me. “

Jake replied softly, bringing your attention back to his face. 

His hair was bit tousled, and you wanted to run your hands through it so bad.

Jake gave you another questioning look, somehow sensing that something was wrong.

"Are you really just here because of the papers, Y/N? Or is there something else? You look exhausted. “

He was clearly worried, and a warm feeling fluttered in your chest at sending his concern.

"I just..." you tried, and to your horror, you felt tears welling up in your eyes, the stress of the last weeks flooding to the surface.

Jake saw your tears right away, jumping out of his chair and pulling you into a close hug. You could not deny yourself this, not today, so you wrapped your arms around him, burying your face in his chest and just cried. He stroked soothing circles across your back and you just stood there, letting the tears fall.

After a couple of minutes, you calmed down and told Jake about how work was killing you and your relationship was basically on the verge of collapsing.

He listened, holding your hand the whole time. It felt warm and comfortable, but also like your skin was almost burning where he touched you. Without realizing it, you had started stroking small circles across Jakes palm with your thumb, totally unaware that no one of you were speaking anymore and that Jake was staring at your joint hands instead.

The both of you were looking up, your eyes meeting. And in Jakes eyes, you could see it. They were dark, the pupils blown and staring right into your soul. You felt your own want reflected right back at you, and the intensity of the situation was almost too much.

"Jake. “you whispered, and his face took on an almost pained expression at hearing you say his name. You leaned closer, drawn to him like by an invisible string, until your faces were only inches apart.

Suddenly, the shrill sound of your mobile broke the spell between you. You hastily let go of his hand and fished your phone out of your pocket.

It was Tom.

"Yes?" You answered, bringing some distance between you and Jake, who just kept standing there like he was frozen.

Tom was annoyed, ranting on about how he would spend the upcoming weekend with his friends because you would not have any time anyway, and that you shouldn’t bother calling him for the next days.

After angrily replying something that was mainly curse words, you just hung up.

You were upset, and you did not want to pull Jake into this mess, especially not after what had just transpired between you.

"I am so sorry Jake, but I have to go now. I’ll see you on Monday." you said, quickly making your way to the door. 

He called your name after you, but you were already storming out into the hallway.

You needed to bring distance between the two of you, to clear your head.

Back in his office, Jake was still standing there, fists clenched at his sides.

He had you so close, almost able to finally kiss you, and yet you were so far away.

You were with someone else, and he just had to suck it up, no matter how intensely you had looked at him just minutes ago.

 

He let out a deep sight and started packing up for the weekend, his cold, lonely flat looking even more uninviting now. 

You made your way home to your apartment, feeling sad and empty inside. You had some dinner and settled down in front of the TV, unable to pay any attention to the movie you picked because your thoughts were revolving around your current situation.

You clearly weren’t happy with Tom, but what made you even more doubtful of your relationship was how indifferent and uncaring you felt at the thought of him spending the weekend apart from you. Your phone started ringing, Tom’s caller ID showing up on the screen. There was a small surge of disappointment because it wasn’t Jake, but maybe Tom wanted to actually apologize, so you picked up.

“Y/N. Wow, you’re not at work for a change?”

Tom was drunk, you could hear that from the way his words were slurred, there was loud music and the voices of what sounded like multiple people in the background.

“What is it?” you asked, starting to get annoyed.

“I just wanted to tell you that I have enough of your shit. You never make time for me, or for us, you’re just stuck at that stupid ass job of yours all day. Whatever there is between us, it’s over.”

You were quiet for a moment, your stomach clenching, then replied.

"You know what, fuck you, Tom. Good luck finding someone who puts up with your bullshit. “ with that, you hung up.

 

You felt a strange mixture of relief and incredible sadness because of his words. Tears started to fall and didn’t stop until you fell asleep.

When you woke up the next morning, you already felt better. Fuck Tom, you deserved more.

When you checked your phone, there was a new message on it. Surprisingly it was from Jake, and your heart did a funny little twist when you opened it.

 

Hi Y/N, I just wanted to check in with you after how upset you were yesterday. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. Jake

 

You thought back and forth about how to reply, feeling like some silly schoolgirl texting her crush. Telling yourself to get a grip, you typed a reply, hitting send before you could chicken out again.

Thanks for asking, means a lot. I’ve had better days, but it’s alright. Would you want to grab a drink somewhere this evening? some wise man said talking about things is always a good way to start ;)

You waited anxiously, but Jake texted back really quick, sending you a time and place to meet him.

When you got ready in the evening, you had to remind yourself that this was just a meeting between friends, and not a date. Jake was still your boss, and you didn’t want to jeopardize your friendship either.

The place he had picked out was nice, not too fancy but comfortable with many small booths providing privacy.
You had a good time chatting over drinks. To your relief, Jake didn’t pressure you into talking about what was going on, instead he offered to take an evening stroll together after you left the bar.

You walked the length of the national mall, admiring the lights in the reflection pool, and finally sat down on a bench near the Lincoln Memorial.

 

“We broke up.” You said, breaking the comfortable silence.

 

“I am really sorry, Y/N.” Jake said, and he was. Seeing you sad always hurt him as well. But inside him, there was a part that was full of glee about the fact that you were no longer with that guy.

“Don’t be, I’m actually glad it’s over. We weren’t good for each other, and he did not appreciate me.”

“Idiot.” Jake murmured under his breath.

“Apologizes.” He quickly added. “It’s just…what kind of fool would treat you like he did. You are absolutely amazing, and you deserve everything.” The last part was said more to himself than directed at you, and his view wandered over to where the Washington Monument was standing out against the dark sky. You tried to make out what kind of emotion lingered in his voice. It sounded a lot like longing, and your heart gave a small jump at the thought.

“Jake” you said quietly, taking his hand. Again, the air between you was buzzing with a strange kind of energy, and when Jake turned his head to meet your eyes, looking absolutely breathtaking illuminated by the lights surrounding you, you could not help yourself anymore. The magnitude of your feelings came crashing down on you, and you surged forward, pressing your lips to Jake’s.

He was onto you in the blink of an eye, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you closer. You gasped at the intensity with which he was kissing you back, as if he were starving and you were a feast laid out in front of him. His hands were grabbing your back while yours were around his neck, one buried in the hair on the back of his neck.

Kissing Jake felt like a firework went off inside of you, goosebumps were all over your body and the feeling of his tongue sneaking into your mouth made heat coil between your legs.

You broke the kiss, breathlessly looking at Jake. His hair was disheveled, and he was breathing heavily as well.

“Wow.” He chuckled, but still looked wary, like he wasn’t believing that this was actually happening.

“Jake.” You just said, “Please take me home with you.”

As he realized what you were implying, he ran his hand through his hair, looking torn.

“Are you sure this is what you want, Y/N? I don’t want to take advantage of how you are feeling right now.”

“Dead sure. I want this and I want you.” You stated, taking his hand again and squeezing it.

He just groaned and pulled you into another passionate kiss before standing up from the bench, tugging you along.

“We better not waste any time then.”

The taxi ride to Jakes apartment was short, but it still took everything in you not to climb into his lap in the back of the car. Jakes hand rested softly on your tight, but you could see that he was holding himself back as well by the way his other hand was clenched into a fist so tight that his knuckles turned white.

When the door of Jakes apartment finally closed behind you, he instantly pressed you against it, lips on yours in a bruising kiss. You moaned as his hands landed on your ass, squeezing it and pulling you flush against the hard bulge in his trousers.

“God, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.” He growled against your lips. “You were so close, but I couldn’t have you. It drove me insane, Y/N.”

“You can have me now, Jake, so take me, please.” You moaned, pulling him down into another kiss while simultaneously tugging his dress shirt out of his trousers.

His suit jacket was already on the floor, followed swiftly by your blouse and his shirt.

Then, with one quick move, Jake just picked you up and carried you through the hallway to his bedroom, carefully laying you down onto the bed.

 Lying there, you just stared up at him as he pulled his trousers down his legs, revealing his boxer briefs, already tented by his erection. Seeing him in that state of undress in front of you made your mouth water.

“Come here, please.” You whined, dying to finally feel his skin on yours.

He quickly got rid of his boxers and moved over to lie on top of you. He grabbed your breasts through bra, squeezing them and kissing your neck. Reaching behind you, he swiftly unclasped your bra and then leaned down to suck one of your nipples into his mouth. You groaned, tugging on his hair.

It felt like he was everywhere, touching, tasting, leaving a trail of fire with his tongue and his fingers, and when he finally pulled your underwear down, you were already so wet that he was able to effortlessly push two fingers inside you.

Jake groaned at feeling your arousal and warmth, slowly plunging his digits in and out of your pussy.

You were squirming under him, his fingers felt incredible, but you needed more.

“Please, Jake.” You whimpered, “Please, I need you inside me.”

He swore under his breath and withdrew his fingers before reaching over to the bedside drawer to fetch a condom. He quickly rolled the rubber over his hard cock and positioned himself at your entrance.

Jake locked eyes with you and your mouth opened in a silent cry as he slowly pushed into you. He let out a hiss as he bottomed out, his dark eyes never leaving yours. The pleasure was almost overwhelming, and as he started to move you could swear that you were seeing stars. Your hands clawed into his back and he buried his face into the crook of your neck, his heavy breath hot on your skin.

“Fuck, Y/N, I’ve waited so long for this, you feel so good, amazing, you are so beautiful.” Jake continued to whisper sweet nothings into your ear, how perfect you were, how soft your skin was, and every word made your heart soar and your arousal rise.

You moved in perfect unison and Jake gradually sped up the pace, deepening his thrusts until you were a whimpering mess beneath him, chanting his name over and over again.

You wrapped your legs around Jakes hips, creating a new angle that made both of you moan as he was thrusting into you relentlessly, his breath growing more erratic with every move.

A tingling sensation started to spread in your belly, a sign of your approaching climax.

“Jake, I’m close, please don’t stop.” You begged, clawing your nails into his back.

“Say my name when you come, please, Y/N.” Jake groaned, propping himself up on his arms to look at you. His hair was tousled, and his face was glistening with sweat. He looked amazing, and seeing him this unhinged while he was fucking you was the last push you needed.

You came, crying out Jakes name, head thrown back as the pleasure of your orgasm washed over you like a giant wave.

Feeling you clench around him and hearing his name fall from your lips did it for Jake, and with one snap of his hips he thrust his cock deep inside you and came as well, muffling his shout by burying his head in the crook of your neck.

He slowly rolled to the side and lay down next to you. You promptly snuggled up to him, caressing his face as he pressed a kiss to your hair. When your eyes met his, he smiled at you and you could feel your heart racing. You really just had sex with Jake Tapper, and you didn’t feel an ounce of regret. Now you could just hope that his sentiments were the same.

You lay in silence for a while, but your mind was working hard, so you spoke up. 

“Penny for your thoughts.” You whispered softly, looking up at Jake who was staring at the ceiling of the bedroom. 

He turned his head to face you, and you could immediately see the worry on his face.

“Hey, what’s wrong.?” You asked, cold fear in the pit of your stomach. Please don’t let him regret this.

 “This was amazing, Y/N. But I don’t want this to be a one-time thing, or just sex. Like I said, I have thought about this, about you, for so long now. But you just got out of a relationship, and I’m not sure- “

 “You’re not my rebound, Jake.” You interrupted him. “I’ve had feelings for you for so long now, and I was too scared to admit them, even to myself. But not anymore.” you said, trying your best to let your voice sound sure and steady.

 He just looked at you, speechless for a moment. Then he reached out, cupped your jaw and pulled you in for a kiss. You embraced him, responding enthusiastically. Kissing him was so wonderful, you could get used to it.

“So we’re doing this then?” Jake asked, after breaking the kiss, his voice still a bit unsure.

“Absolutely.” You smiled and pushed the worries about work and everything else to the back of your head as you pressed another kiss to Jakes smiling lips.

For now, you just wanted to be happy.

[argylemnwrites]

Romantic Dreams Must Die

Pairing: Drake Walker x MC (Riley Liu)

Book: The Royal Romance (Book 1, chapter 18)

Word Count: ~2100

Rating: PG-13 (language)

Summary: “So close to reaching that famous happy end. Almost believing this one’s not pretend.” ~So Close; written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz

Author’s Note: Written for the @choicesmonthlychallenge for August 5 - let go. Set during the dance between MC and either Hana, Maxwell, or Drake at the Coronation Ball. Inspired by the song “So Close” performed by Jon McLaughlin in the movie “Enchanted.”

Drake didn’t dance. Not since Savannah’s first few balls at least, when she’d begged him to not let her look like a loser by not having a partner. Back then, he’d grudgingly stumbled through a couple of dances with her leading him around, sure of all the steps while he tried not to let her down by tripping over his own feet. He hadn’t danced in over a decade, since they were both teenagers.

Hell, it had been years since anyone had really tried to get him to dance. Every so often, a crown chaser would approach him at the bar and fish for an invite, but most of them had done their research by this point and focused on trying to chat him up over a drink. It had certainly been a long time since Liam had attempted introducing him to daughters of diplomats or industry leaders at a ball or gala, and even Maxwell had stopped trying to force him onto the dance floor a few years back.

But here he was, dancing with Riley Liu. He’d dressed up in a frickin suit for her already tonight, so really this was just the next natural step in his journey into self-delusion. It was still unnerving. She shouldn’t have this sort of effect on him. For many reasons. Yet here he was, shuffling along as he tried not to make an even bigger fool of himself. He just couldn’t say no to her.

The trouble was, he realized, that she made it too easy to forget why she was here. When she sat on the floor, legs twisted like a pretzel in a pair of skin-tight jeans, an eyebrow raised in a silent challenge as he attempted to figure out whether to match her ante or fold during a late-night poker game, she didn’t seem like a future queen. When she swiped his flask and took a swig, giving him a middle finger as he protested, she also seemed like a total outsider at court. And now, with her body pressed gently against his, the scent of her peach perfume or lotion or whatever she used all he could smell, she didn’t seem like she was in love with Liam.

If only he could stay in a little bubble with just her, no one else, he could almost imagine a life with her. Where she was his, where he was… happy. But that wasn’t how the world worked. There was Liam and other nobles and a kingdom. And then there was him. And unlike him, she could fit in with all those other people. She had very nearly found a steady place among them already, and when Liam proposed to her tonight, her acceptance would be complete. No matter how much she insisted that wasn’t the case.

Her words were going to haunt him for the coming weeks. I promise, I’m still the same Riley. She made it so easy to believe that it was true. That she would still be a vision of snark and sarcasm who gave zero fucks. Hell, she probably thought that was the case. But Drake knew this place well enough to realize that he would have to be a damn fool to believe that was possible. Because when Liam got down on one knee, she was going to say yes. It would be nothing short of a foolish fantasy to imagine any other response.

Within months, she would be Queen of Cordonia. The wife of his best friend, living a fairy tale come to life. And he wasn’t going to have any part in it. Not in any way that mattered. Sure, he’d see her around. But she wasn’t going to find him in the lounge for drinks and poker. She wasn’t going to hold his hand as he told her about how much he missed Savannah. She certainly wasn’t going to hold him or kiss him again. And it was selfish for him to want to cling to those moments in between when she would be getting so much more. When he knew Liam and her could have a lifetime of happiness together.

Tonight was the end of any semblance of closeness between them, all of which was likely just a side effect of her initial confusion and irritation with the other members of court and her need to talk to the only other person around who understood her anger and frustration anyway. But he worried it would be the end of so many other things - her humor, her temper, her aggressively competitive spirit. Slowly but surely, all those things, everything that made her so fucking fantastic, would get shoved away, able to be a part of her less and less often. Diplomacy and negotiations, not sarcasm and fire, would be all she was allowed. And it would change her, maybe slowly at first. But years from now, she would look back and wonder how she had ever dropped an f-bomb in public, marvel at the fact that she ever told Olivia to shut her damn mouth.

It was just the way things would be, the inevitable future. And he needed to remember that. Not get swept up in this moment, not let himself believe things could ever work out. But he wasn’t ready to let go of Riley. This Riley, the way she was right now. So he held her as he tried to keep up with the steps of the waltz. Just for a moment letting himself feel like maybe, just maybe, this time, it would be different.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Drake didn’t dance. She’d learned this fact very early on. At first, she thought he was just being a fucking dick when he refused to teach her the Cordonian Waltz, but it became rapidly clear that Drake, in all his years hanging around the palace, had never picked up any ballroom dancing. And as the months ticked by, as she actually got to know him, befriended him, and felt drawn to him over and over again, she wondered how she had ever suspected that Drake would have been able to teach her any formal dancing. He wore denim to formal galas and events, for fuck’s sake. He might as well have tattooed “I hate all this shit” across his forehead - the message would have been the same.

But tonight… tonight he wore a suit. She didn’t know what it meant. He’d made it sound like Liam had basically demanded his presence, so she wasn’t sure why he’d bothered to dress up when he clearly didn’t actually want to be here. It was throwing her and everything she thought she knew. The fact that he looked damn handsome in his suit wasn’t helping matters either.

She knew her feelings for Drake were a problem. She finally had a chance at happiness with a prince who seemed straight out of a fairy tale, and she had to go and complicate everything by liking his best friend way too much, and in ways she definitely shouldn’t. The first time in years she’d let herself embrace anything more than something physical with a guy, and she found herself in some mad love triangle between best friends. 

Except for it wasn’t a love triangle. It was one guy who was the clear and obvious choice and one who had heartbreak and emotional unavailability written all over him. Being with Liam should make everyone happy, including her with her cargo load of baggage and abandonment issues. Being with Drake would probably cost her Maxwell’s friendship, Liam’s kindness, and her own sanity as Drake undoubtedly continued to run hot and cold with her. This shouldn’t even be a fucking choice.

This had to be her mantra. She needed to repeat it over and over to herself, somehow make herself believe it. She’d thought she was almost there, almost on board with a future with Liam, but then Drake wore a suit and told her he liked her just as she always had been. And it was making her question her decision all over again.

It felt like something out of a fairy tale or rom com, that one person who saw you exactly as you were, saw all your flaws, and who didn’t want to change a damn thing. And when he’d been trying to tell her something, she felt her hopes soaring all over again. When Hana and Maxwell had joined them, and the fragile moment crumbled to pieces in front of her, she was yanked back to reality yet again. But something about tonight felt different, something about Drake felt different tonight. Wanting to chase it, bring back that feeling of potential, that maybe all those nights filled with jokes and cards and whiskey actually had been building to something, she’d done the first thing she could think of to get him to herself again - she asked him to dance.

To her surprise, he’d taken her offered hand right away and only put up a token resistance before letting her tug him onto the dance floor without any grumbling or complaining. It was enough to send her heart soaring to foolish places. Sure, he was unsure and uncomfortable waltzing, but dancing with him at least felt natural. With everyone else, she always had to pretend to be more polite, more poised, more controlled. She would take her toes getting stepped on over having to put on her customer service personality every single time.

Sometimes, it felt like if she could get Drake alone, really and truly alone, without reminders of the court and the palace and Liam around every corner, that maybe things would be different. Maybe he wouldn’t shove her away anytime they got closer. It could be sarcasm and comfort and flirting all the time. But there was no way to erase everything, to feel like it was just the two of them with no one else that mattered.

Hell, he’d just reminded her tonight that fairy tales were best left for children. She knew she was being stupid here, setting herself up for devastation. She should be putting some distance between them and focusing on building a deeper connection with Liam. Indulging in fantasies when it came to Drake was only going to make it harder for her to feel something more than a crush with Liam.

She knew she needed to give that relationship a real chance, but it was hard to let go. How was she supposed to give up the one person here who she didn’t ever have to pretend around? How was it fair that when she finally found someone who could swap stories about neglectful mothers, it was with a guy she was attracted to that she shouldn’t be? It almost felt like a giant middle finger from the universe, to tease her with something that felt so right but that would end up being a mistake in the long run.

Maybe if Drake had really been the asshole he’d started off as, maybe then she would be happier. Because then she wouldn’t have to face the feeling that she was losing something special, this man that seemed to just get her, who she just got in return. She would just be blissfully ignorant, letting things with Liam, someone who was far too gentle and adoring for her judgemental, brash, broken self, progress without her mind and heart wandering to someone else far too often.

But that wasn’t the reality here, and she needed to accept that. It was time to move on from the potential of Drake she’d constructed in her mind. It was just hard to do that when his arm was wrapped around her, his hand resting on her back, holding her close. So for one song, she decided to indulge in the fantasy, that there was a man who wanted her, warts and all. One that really saw her and still somehow decided to stick around. She couldn’t keep pretending forever, but for just this moment, she let herself imagine a different future.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

The music changed. The moment was over. It was time to face the harsh truth. So Drake took a slow step back. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t ready for this all to end. Liam was going to propose to her. She wasn’t his. It was time to let her go.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

He slowly pulled away from her almost as soon as the song ended. The spell of the moment was broken. Riley didn’t know if she was ready for the rest of the night, but she didn’t have much of a choice, so she dropped his hand, plastering on a smile as he awkwardly thanked her for the dance before she threw a quip back about making a gentleman out of him. It was time to let him go.

Permatag: @choicesficwriterscreations @walkerswhiskeygirl   @riley--walker  @bebepac @ravenpuff02 @oofchoices @octobereighth @drakewalker04 @kimmiedoo5  @mfackenthal  @thequeenofcronuts  

The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir: @ao719 @mskaneko @katedrakeohd @jovialyouthmusic @marshmallowsandfire @axwalker @kingliam2019 @sirbeepsalot @texaskitten30 @princessleac1 @ladyangel70 @dcbbw @yaushie

Drake x MC: @no-one-u-know @drakeandcamilleofvaltoria  @iplaydrake @gibbles82 @drakewalkerisreal @notoriouscs  @drakesensworld @drake-colt-lover-99​

[missingartist]

The Witcher’s Mate Chapter 10

True to his word at first light the trio headed off into the unknown. Geralt's purse was overfilling with the coin. Jaskier gave an overdramatic declaration of love and devotion, that while touching neither seems to be taking very seriously. Griselda was already flirting with the next man before they had even left. Jaskier, on the other hand, seemed to take it harder, looking longingly into the distance while strumming melancholy tunes on his lute when they settled down to bed for the night. Adva had firmly believed that Jaskier was a roaming Lothario, but he generally seems to hold a particular sort of love for Griselda.

For the most part, Adva would miss Griselda; her cheeky attitude reminded her a lot of the girls in the Tavern at Brightwater. Their parting was short and sweet, Griselda lamented that she would not be able to give them the wedding present. A cottage on the borders of the village where the bride was carried over the threshold by the groom all the while being followed by the villagers clanking pots and pans to scare away evil spirits before spending three days and nights. Thankfully, their early departure meant that the plans where waylayed. Instead, the auburn-haired women thrust a package containing the lace nightdress from the clothing merchant she had seen the day earlier, with a blush Adva quickly shoved it into her bundled all the while trying to avoid the watchful eye of Geralt. The Witcher’s eyes never seemed to wander far away, much more vigilant of her since the incident with the drowners.

The three has travelled in silence for the best part of three days, for Geralt that was his normal stoic state but the other two had much on their minds to contemplate and didn’t seem to mind where Geralt was leading them. Geralt has been pensive. His face pursed in a thoughtful expression; on the brief moments, she could force herself to look at him; it was like watching an inner conflict battling inside of him. The ashen haired man had not told them where he was leading them, not that the other two had asked but with every town, they passed or saw the Witcher strolled past not even glancing around the noticed board in hopes of a job. Adva thought that was strange, the Witcher who seemed to little else but hunter not searching for work made her feel uncertain, not something that she liked the feeling.

As night gently descended, they made camp in a little clearing just off the road. Geralt had set the fire before going off in search of food, Jaskier trailing behind to collect more wood to last the though the chilly night. Adva sat kneeling by the flicker flames, staring at the cup of water, Jaskier has serviced her earlier.

Inhaling deeply, Adva watched as slowly water levitated from the cup and swirled in the air. Over the last three day, Adva tentatively tested her powers, a little here and there but quickly she found that they were stronger than before, much more robust. Before, she would move small objects and so a few simple spells, nothing beyond the skills of a simple village witch.  Since meeting Geralt, her powers had increased sevenfold. Flexing her had she forced the water to shift from shape to shape.

‘That is amazing! Can you do a fish?’ Jaskier gasped.

Adva in her shock at the shrill voice lost concentration and the water cascading to the floor, only to be caught by her at the last second.  Adva cursed herself, and her lack of awareness, the heavy sent of Geralt alone was enough to warn her of the approaching men, it was not like Jaskier was silence.  The irresistible scent of the Witcher hung over her, and the energy sizzled against her skin. Ever since their encounter the days previous the energy between then was constant not just when they touched and the smell, my god the smell, she was always aware of the addictive manly perfume.

Geralt threw the fishes he had caught onto the stone but the fire, their bodies still twitching. Kneeling in front of the fire he added more wood and gutted the three fish in a skilful flick of his wrist. Removing his gloves, he pushed the herbs he had to collect into the gasping bellies before tossing them onto the hot stone before looking up. Golden eyes watched silently as Jaskier watched in awe as Adva shifted the water into a frozen orb, a perfect globe of solid ice. The sphere sizzled and bubbled as it melted into a mass boiling water. It the short period he had seen go from someone who in panic used magically to someone forging a budding power, all on her own. The Witcher had been carefully pondering the events that unfolded with the drowners. There way she manipulated the water and the weather without even trying was sort of outstanding. Even, Yennefer and Triss, the most potent Mages he knew would struggle and strain themselves to yield that sort of power over an element. That in itself wasn’t the concerning this; Mages excelled in different areas. That leading cause of the pain that throbbed in her head and kept him awake at night was the drowners. At the first sniff of blood, the creatures that he hadn’t already displaced scurried to the surface. Geralt witness the drowners get within killing distance only to cower away. Never, it the many years he had been a monster hunter had he seen drowners flee. Not even when he came at them with a silver sword, they didn’t think so much as flinch. There was something about Adva that scared them; he just didn’t know what.

‘Impressive…’ Geralt purred from the fireside. ‘Let's see what you got.’ The Witcher gestured to the other side of the fire.

Blinking across at the man, she carefully replied. ‘You're going to teach me something?’

‘Hmmm’

‘Have you taught others before?’ Adva asked curiously as she settled down, the other side of the fire.

‘Course he has, he taught Ciri everything she knows.’ Jaskier answered as he eagerly sat on a fallen tree, watching them with anticipation.

‘Ciri?’

‘Geralt’s adopted, daughter. She is a Witcher now, well an apprentice. Best out there…apart from Geralt and Yennefer of course.’ Jaskier quickly added.

Many, many questions bloomed forth in her head. Since when do Witcher’s adopted daughter? Could a woman be a Witcher? Where was Ciri? Should his apprentice be travelling with him? Was Ciri with Yennefer? Who was Yennefer? A sister? A mage? A Witcher? Girlfriend? Wife?

The last two questions left a bad taste in her mouth, but she wasn’t about to ask the Witcher any of the burning questions if the look that Geralt threw Jaskier was anything to go by and Adva very much wanted to learn something.

Geralt started with breathing exercising and the explanation that magic was connected to emotions and the way to harness powers. ‘Harness the fire…In though the nose out through the mouth.’

They spent what seemed like hours around the fire, Jaskier has lot awe an hour ago and was dozing softly into his palm. For all the that it was worth Geralt remained patient and persistent which was more than Adva. Despite Geralt motivation, Adva was steadily losing her focus and her confidence.

‘Geralt maybe this isn’t working.’ Adva pleaded.

‘Shhhhhh just concentrate on my voice. Feel it inside you. Concentrate on the fire.’ Geralt soothed his eyes remained closes.

Adva tried, really tried to focus on the fire but nothing called to her. The water would sing to her; she could always sense when water was near even if it was miles under her feet, she could hear it. The sound of Geralt’s voice in her head was there, soft and barely audible but there just trying to breakthrough. The fire didn’t seem to want to call to her; however, there was something, something there in the shadows of her mind, calling her. Out of pure frustration, she gripped it. 

Out of nowhere, a brutal bolt of lightning shot out of a cloudless sky and struct the fire. Embers burst forth and scared around the ground, as Geralt and Jaskier were sent flying backwards with a savage force. Adva, for the most part, remained unmoved, sitting on a scrap of earth that cradled her in the middle of a crater. Eyes wide as the power oozed around her and linked them. Geralt felt her inside his head, just faintly, but there was a presence, frantic and scared, the feeling warmed him.

‘What the fuck was that? That was not normal.’ Jaskier screeched diving into a nearby bush

‘Impressive and powerful…never seen that before.’ Geralt’s voice crackled in her head, so faint she thought she imagined it.

‘I could have killed you... and Jaskier.’ Adva seethed. ‘I thought you were going to teach me something.’ 

Geralt stood and dusted himself off. Despite being thrown several meters in the air, he was relatively okay; a few scratched from the brambles and the bracken he had skimmed across. His hair wild and eyes burn orbs of disbelief. The Witcher cast his eyes over at her figure, eyes skilfully observing over her.  A rash of thoughts surged through his mind. Adva’s hands shook as she helped Jaskier up, tears swelled up in her eyes that never fell. For the most part, Jaskier, for didn’t seem to be injured or in trouble, simply stunned, swaying for side to side in a daze.

‘Pack up we are leaving...we are going to see an old friend.’ Geralt announced dousing the fire with water.

Geralt demolished the camp in a matter of minutes, a lifetime of practice having to move on quickly. Bags where packed and bundles shoved on top of Roach, while his two-companion stood bewildered and baffled. Lastly, he through their sleeping mat through the loops on his saddlebags before turning to face them. The crater still smouldered in front of him, it was deep, least a meter, a large enough for a full-grown man to bath in. The bolt was powerful enough carve its way through solid stone leaving nothing but a few small pieces of rubble. Jaskier was now coming to his senses and soothingly running a soothing hand over the woman shoulder all the while casting a look to Geralt.

‘Adva.’ Geralt called. ‘Adva…Look...’ Geralt slowly approached her, hands held open in surrender, but still as the Witcher moved the smaller woman flinched violently.

‘Shhh shhh, I’m not going to hurt you…I would never hurt you.’ Geralt pulled her closer to him by her shoulders and all but dragged her to his waiting horse. Hoisted her up onto his horse, he hurried up after her. ‘Everything is going to be alright. Shhhh Just got to see a friend first…’ Geralt whispered, holding her tight against him, letting her quietly sob herself to sleep.

Dun Dun Dunnnn! I am so excited! Things are going to start to speed up, and finally, I can see smut over the horizon! And hopefully some cute Geralt moments. 

My Poor Beta is very ill at the minute so I have tried to proofread my own stuff- so hopefully you can understand it.

How is everyone? More importantly, I hope everyone is safe and comfortable! The world seems to get crazier every day, went out to the shops yesterday and a woman was screaming at me because I parked three car parking space away from her. Apparently, that was not acceptable. She then proceeded to shout to everyone how dangerous I was while we lined up then follow me around the shop ramming into my trolley.  I am starting to go crazy as I don’t think I have seen or spoken to anyone properly in a month. So I am focusing all my crazy into my stories.

Please review/leave a comment! They mean so much to me! 

Ps- I am also thinking of holding a writers group chat to discuss stories/writing/fandoms doesn’t have to be Witcher related could be anything! If I don’t start talking to real people soon I will end up talking to my toaster hahaha. 

If anyone wants to be added to the taglist please pm me!!!

@luxyash​ @broco8​ @threepupsinapuddle​ @introvertedmouse​

[jadekitty777]

The Miraculous Tales of Luckybug and Qrow Noir

Anyone ready for an onslaught of fics from me for the next week? Because that’s what’s happening my friends.

(I apologize that my blog will also be running on super speed for the next week as I reblog stuff. I also apologize in advance that I won’t have time to read many, if any, fics. My own still need to be edited and finalized. Aaah lil’ stressed honestly).

Day 1: Flirting

Rating: K+

Pairing: Qrow/Clover

Word Count: 5600

Ao3 Link: The Miraculous Tales of Luckybug and Qrow Noir

Summary:  In the daytime, he was Clover Ebi. Just a normal college student, with a normal life. But there's something about him no one knows yet. Because he has a secret. A miraculous secret.

(AKA: The Miraculous Ladybug AU no one asked for)

~

“Voici, À Bientôt!”

“Merci beaucoup. Bonne journée!” Clover replied, taking the box from the smiling cashier.

As he stepped out of the bakery into the busy streets of Paris, he gave a sigh of relief. Though he’d been living in France for the past two months now for his Spring Abroad program, he couldn’t help but feel a little anxious every time he had to converse with the locale. His accent wasn’t the best and some words he just couldn’t remember the right inflection for.

Then again, as he got to Green Belt Park and took a seat on one of the empty benches, leaning back to enjoy the stunning view of the Eiffel Tower in the distance, he figured being in such a beautiful city was a good excuse to remain speechless.

He set his bookbag down beside him, opening the flap, and then the top of the box, revealing two small slices of cake. “Okay Ruby, you can come out. It’s safe.”

In a flash quicker than lightning, a red streak zipped from his bag and into the box. A moment later, the kwami looked up at him with starry silver eyes and asked, “You got me two?”

He tapped her on the head, right between her antennae. “The strawberry is for you. The other is…”

“For Qrow, right?” As she looked up at him, he decided that the paragon of heroism should not have such a shit-eating grin.

“It’s not-!” He knew his face was getting hot. “We have to work on the sociology project this evening so I thought he’d appreciate it.”

Not fooled for a second, Ruby said between bites of cake, “You should just tell him.”

“I don’t think I should be taking love advice from an immortal being that transcends time.” He craned his head back, watching the thin clouds above drift along the sky. “Besides, it’s not that easy. Qrow is, he’s just so-” He pictured the other man, all dark hair, captivating red eyes, and shy, personal smiles wrapped around a gruff voice that belayed layers of emotion. Clover sighed longingly, “Wonderful.”

Even without eyebrows, Ruby rose one. “Ah-huh. I can see how you’re having trouble.”

He cracked up. It was nice to have her sensible perspective around. He had to wonder how different his life would have been if he never picked up that little black box with the note ‘You’ve been chosen’ left underneath it.

Having come into his life around the same time Qrow had, she’d been privy to a behind-the-scenes look to how his relationship with the other man shifted from strangers to close friends. She was the only one who heard his secret thoughts as that bond grew into intense feelings.

“I really mean it though. It’s always best to be honest with your heart.” The kwami told him.

“I know you’re right. But is it what’s right for Qrow?” At her head tilt, he explained, “He’s got a crush of his own, remember? The one he’s so vague about?”

“Maybe he’s so vague because it’s you?”

He snorted. “Only if he knows I’m Luckybug. He’s got blue eyes, remember?” That was one of the only things he’d been able to pull out of him, besides the gender. Which, after a simple process of elimination, meant it was either Qrow’s best friend Taiyang or James, the leading RA in their dorms back home. Well, or rich and prissy Jacques, but he knew Qrow had better standards than that.

“He could be colorblind to green?” Ruby offered hopefully.

He gave her another pat on the head. “I don’t think it works that way, but thanks for trying to make me feel better.”

She made a soft noise, before floating up from her bed of crumbs to sit on his shoulder instead. “He hasn’t mentioned this person the entire trip though, right?”

Clover started in surprise. She was right, he hadn’t – which was a huge change from the near weekly aside he’d give about whatever his ‘prince charming’ was up to. “You think it’s fading away?”

“I’m not sure.” She said, looking towards the city’s prized monument. “But I think it might mean this trip could be an opportunity to tell him how you feel. What better place to do that then the city of love?”

He mulled that over. When he found out his university offered abroad studies during junior year, he had been so excited. He’d always wanted to travel, but the prospect of going alone was also nerve-wracking. Qrow, facing much the same enthusiasm and inhibitions, had struck a deal that they would go together. That also meant they had been spending an exorbitant amount of time together, living together in the shared home with a few other students. Shared a room, even.

How many nights had they spent together, just talking about nothing and everything? Mapping out plans over train and bus schedules to fit in as many big sights as they could on their free weekends of tourism? Walked along the Seine at night, the city lights reflecting off the water, where Clover would inadvertently get lost staring at how gorgeous Qrow looked in the casting glow?

Maybe… he could…

“Clover, the sky!”

The sudden alarm in Ruby’s voice had his head jerking upwards. To his horror, the space above the tower was turning black with red lightning streaking across. The telltale sign of Omen at work. But she couldn’t be here!

But sure enough, from the depths of the portal, a large, winged Grimm appeared. It looked like a giant raven, with terribly sharp claws and razor-tipped feathers.

His kwami looked to him, determined. “We need to transform.”

He nodded and grabbed his phone, sending a quick message to Qrow, before stuffing it and the bakery box in his bag. After a cursory glance around, he ducked into the shadow of a tree trunk. “Alright Ruby, charm on!”

The clover-shaped brooch on his chest glowed and Ruby collided with it, and in an instant, he felt his civilian clothes disappear, replaced by a skin-tight, red and polka-dot suit and a mask that covered his eyes. His hair lengthened, his normal, spiked quiff falling into a messier comb over, some of the bangs tickling against his forehead. As the magic of the transition faded, he plucked the yo-yo off his belt and went racing across the park, throwing it at a rooftop, feeling the end latch onto a chimney. With a pull, it retracted and he went flying through the air, landing at the top in one smooth motion. He paused only long enough to leave his bag behind before he went racing along the rooftops towards the emergency.

“I don’t understand. How is Omen here?” Clover asked to no one, feeling panic begin to rise. Did something happen to the team back home? The thought made him sick.

Maria had been very strict about how many miraculous he could put on the field in his absence, not wanting to have another fall into the wrong hands like the Pegasus miraculous had. So, he – or more specifically Luckybug – left Yang the Dragon with Tai and Sun the Monkey with Elm, giving both specific instructions to protect San Francisco in his absence. He’d only called for their assistance a few times before when things got really hectic, so he was hoping Noir would be able to balance the less experienced miraculous users out.

But to think Omen may have defeated all three? That was too awful to imagine.

He looked up at where the bird was circling the tower, dread settling into a hard knot in his gut.

How was he going to do this alone?

~

“Your stinky fish, madame.” Qrow presented the sardines with a flourish.

Blake lit up immediately, diving for the can and fishing one out for herself.

He left the rest of the can on the desk in easy reaching distance, before setting back into his chair where a very blank word document was staring back at him. He gave an agitated huff. He’d been hoping to at least come up with a few research topics for their paper before Clover got back from his lecture in International Affairs. Which was, Qrow mentally reminded with a fond eyeroll, not a required course for the program they were a part of. But Clover just couldn’t help himself, saying it might come in handy for his GPA score as he signed himself up for the class.

Tch, overachiever.

The distinct feeling of being watched sent a shudder down his spine, and he gave the spirit beside him a look.

The cat kwami stared back, unblinking.

“Blake you’re freaking me out again.”

Her ears twitched and she went to fetch another sardine. “I was just waiting for you to get that dreamy look on your face again.”

He flushed. “D-Dreamy?”

“Mmhmm. It kind of looks like,” She gave an exaggerated sigh, placing a paw against her cheek and fluttering her non-existent lashes.

“I never look like that.” He deadpanned.

“Whatever you say.”

“I don’t! And, anyways, what’s it to you?”

She didn’t reply, taking the time to munch into her fish instead.

He sighed, focusing back on his laptop, switching over to the internet to check on the feed from back home. No new reports of any attacks on any of the news blogs. It was like their enemy had decided to take a vacation at the same time he had.

When Qrow had first became Noir, Maria had told him to be very careful with what information he gave, even to other miraculous holders. He intended to vaguely tell Luckybug he would be out. So, it had really been a stroke of luck when Luckybug announced first on their last mission together that a family emergency was going to keep him out of commission for a while – but that he’d left Tatsu and Timber in the wings in case he needed help. So, he never shared his own intentions. Instead, he placed Kali in charge of Weiss the Bee until he returned, knowing that the power team Lucky had left behind would need a more versatile and calculating fighter in their midst.  

(The role he normally filled, he thought with a sense of pride).

He’d been checking on things back at the home front regularly, knowing it only took minutes before social media was trending any new crisis, but it had been unusually quiet. He was sure Lucky was doing the same, wherever he was.

His heart clenched up, thinking about him. They’d been fighting the good fight together for over a year now, and it hadn’t taken much for Qrow to become smitten with the mysterious, masked hero. He’d thought he was everything he ever wanted; strong, daring, ambitious, with a dazzling smile and a baritone voice that was to die for. He was certain their time apart would be torturous.

Yet, it hadn’t been.

They said distance made the heart grow fonder, but it was more like his heart had forgotten. He couldn’t pinpoint when it was exactly that he’d become so preoccupied by Clover. How he’d grown to appreciate his gentle gestures and thoughtful words, his hearty chuckles and sincere expressions. It was as if stepping out of the war woke him from a stupor and gave him a chance to see things he’d missed, even when they were right in front of him.

Qrow sighed, placing his chin in his hand.

“This is my favorite part.”

“Huh?” He looked down at Blake, recognizing that mischievous gleam in her yellow eyes.

“The best story I get to witness is when one of my hosts falls in love.”

“I-I’m not falling in love!” He said immediately. “I have a crush.”

“Really.” It was her turn to deadpan.

He shoved himself away from his desk, offense all over his tone as he echoed, “Yes, really. You know how I feel about Lucky.”

He paced the length of the room, coming to stand by the window, staring down at the busy streets below. A moment later, he felt her weight on his shoulder, almost nonexistent, but there.

Her whisker tickled his neck as she turned her head towards him. “What do you know about Luckybug, really?”

Qrow leaned his arm along the glass, meeting his own reflection’s eyes. “I know he’s smart and funny and he’s always willing to put everything on the line to do what’s right.”

“But what do you know of him specifically? What’s his favorite color? What’s his family like? Does he like anchovies on his pizza?”

He snorted at the last one. “He’s my romantic interest, not yours.” His smile slipped away. “I know what you’re getting at. Unless we reveal who we are to each other, this can’t go any further.” He sighed, shoulders slumping. “I know that. But it still feels wrong, somehow. Are… my feelings that fickle?”

“Not fickle.” She levitated, hovering by his face. “They just had no room to grow. These things have to be nurtured, but if there’s nothing there to care for it, they’re only bound to wither away.”

That had been way too scripted. He gave a laugh. “That’s it, I’m not downloading anymore trashy romance novels on my phone for you to read.”

Her ears flattened. “If you make me sit through your boring lectures, I’ll break the sprinkler above your head.”

“Alright, I fold.” He held up his hands in surrender. Though he was almost positive it was an empty threat, he didn’t want to tempt fate with the kwami of destruction.

She softened. “Anyways, I think with-” She abruptly cut herself off, suddenly darting against the window. “What’s that?!”

He jerked around, spotting where the sky was darkening on the horizon, turning a deep, inky black. He’d seen it so many times before, the magic was unmistakable.

“You don’t think…” Blake trailed off.

“Omen.” Qrow finished, features smoothing into one of rigid resolve. He turned to the kwami, her expression matching his own.

He lifted his hand, the jeweled ring glinting back at her. “Blake, luck off.”

~

Clover landed in the courtyard, shouting as he ran. “Everyone, clear out!” He desperately tried to remember whatever French he could. “Fuir! S’il vous plaît!”

“Chanceux!” One of the locals cried, desperately trying to find their phone.

“Non, fuir!” He repeated.

A screech from above made him cover his ears, looking up to see the giant bird climbing down the Eiffel Tower, the vertical walk down unnerving somehow. He backed up as the bird landed on concrete, its impressive height daunting him. His fingers clenched around his weapon, backing up as the bird lowered its head. Its beak was big enough to swallow him whole if it wanted.

It seemed that, at least, was enough to make the people around him finally start to flee.

“Well, well, well. What have we here?”

The voice had him looking higher, spotting the speaker mounted on the beast’s back like a queen in her bed of feathers. Omen walked forward until she stood on the bird’s crown, lowering her sunglasses just enough to reveal crimson red eyes as she stared over the tops of the rims at him.

“What are you doing here?” Clover asked, pulling the yo-yo’s line out as a warning.

She only smiled patronizingly, as if he were no more a threat than a child. “That’s none of your concern.” She pushed her glasses back up, flipping her raven-haired braid over her shoulder. It fell like a horse’s tail along her back, between the wings the Pegasus miraculous granted her.

He felt bad for the imprisoned kwami being forced to do her bidding.

“Tell me, where’s your cohort?” Omen asked, giving a cursory glance around as if Noir would just pop into existence.

“I think I’m more than enough for you.” He instantly realized that had been the wrong thing to say as she laughed.

“You’re alone.” Fuck. “Well, that makes this even easier.” She gestured to the bird she stood on. “But as I’m a fair opponent, I’ll give you a choice. You can hand over your miraculous now, or you can resist and my little Nevermore can have a bit of fun first before I take it.”

As answer, he only started to rotate the yo-yo at his side, the device whooshing audibly as it swung in fast, heavy arcs.

Omen’s dark wings stretched open. “The fun way it is.”

She shot up into the air – but he didn’t have time to worry about her as the Nevermore immediately struck forward, beak opening to snap him in half. He jumped backwards, throwing his weapon out with a yell. It nailed the bird right in its head, the creature giving a sharp cry before it shook it off and straightened up. It opened its wings, the span of them covering a third of the courtyard, and gave a few hard flaps.

It was like being blasted by hurricane winds. Clover yelped as he was thrown off his feet and went tumbling across the concrete. The Nevermore, able to make up the distance in one bound, was on him in an instant. The wind whooshed right out of his lungs as a taloned foot came down on top of him, pinning him to the ground. He grunted, bracing his right arm between him and the appendage trying to crush him while sticking his left arm between its toes.

The bird jerked its head down for another strike, the razor-pointed beak filling his vision like a guillotine.

He swung his left hand upward, the yo-yo flying high and it was by pure luck he got it right in the eye.

The Nevermore gave a pained cry, hopping back. Suddenly, Clover could breathe properly again. He jumped to his feet, slightly lightheaded, throwing his line out again in hopes of tying the creature up and bringing it down.

Instead, with exact precision, the bird caught the end of the yo-yo in its beak, pulling it taut, and then threw its body around, bringing what was on the end of the line with it. Before Clover could process it, his body was yanked forward and he went flying through the air. Everything around him blurred into a mesh of greens, blues, browns and whites, blending together into a sickening cacophony.

He braced himself for the impact.

It was softer, and warmer, then he expected.

“Not having a great day are you, lucky charm?”

He gathered his bearings, realizing who had caught him and jerked his head up in surprise. “Noir?!”

Noir grinned back roguishly, winking one green eye at him. “You know, if you wanted to fall into my arms, you just had to ask.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Clover pushed a hand against his face, rolling out of his grasp to stand on his own. He retracted his yo-yo and studied his surroundings, taking note that he’d been tossed so far, they were underneath the Eiffel Tower. “What are you doing here?”

His teammate didn’t get a chance to answer, the bird giving another of those deafening screeches as it tried to shove itself between the legs of the tower. They both jerked away, before twisting around and running the other way.

“Could ask you the same thing!” Noir shouted over the noise. “Where’s Omen?”

“Lost track of her.” Which meant she was playing her normal A-game: Exhaust them by making them fight her pet so that it would be child’s play to steal their miraculous. Their goal was to defeat it – because if he could purify the contaminated feather within the creature, it would act like a direct attack against Omen, usually enough to weaken her into fleeing.

“Alright let’s – Watch it!”

Both of them jumped back when the corvid was suddenly in the path of their escape route, its gigantic foot missing them by inches when it was thrust under the tower, claws raking over the ground.

That was no good. Clover looked around, before pointing towards the ceiling of beams above them. “Up.”

Noir gave a nod, reaching out to grasp him around his waist and taking out his quarterstaff. He tapped it to the ground, and within seconds it shot them upwards as it extended. When it was high enough, they leapt onto the first section of metalwork, protected in the shell of crisscrossing steel. Noir compacted the weapon back into baton length, turning to him, “Alright, now what?”

“Now we just-” He started to say, raising his yo-yo, when the whole tower rattled as the Nevermore clamped onto the side they were hiding in. It gave a few wild cries, slamming its beak between the spaces as it tried to get to them.

Noir watched it warily before he called, “We’re safe for now, do it!”

Not wasting a moment, Clover threw his weapon up in the air with a cry, “Lucky charm!” The end of the yo-yo began to glow with the magic of creation, until it held the brilliance of a star. Then, with a pop, an item materialized, falling back down into his waiting hands.

It was a fishing rod.

Noir gave it, and then him, a dull look.

Clover was grinning. “Well, looks like-”

“Don’t-!”

“I’m giving fly fishing a whole new meaning.”

His partner groaned audibly. “You are worse than Tatsu.”

“No one is worse than Tatsu.” He joked. Tai’s never-ending set of puns really did fit the bill for cartoon-y superhero though.

Another slam from their enemy had dirt raining down on them from above.

Getting serious again, Clover rose both the rod and the yo-yo, saying, “You knock it off, I tie it up, and we end this.”

“Got it.” Noir nodded, pointing his staff towards the bird. “On your signal.”

He threw both lines upwards, yanking himself to a higher vantage point, running along the metalwork. They were so high up, it was like he was running towards the sky. Just as he got to the end, he yelled, “Now!”

At the same moment he jumped, the pole extended, slamming into the Nevermore’s chest. It was thrown off with a cry and both of them flew parallel to one another. He wound both weapons back then swung forward, the hook of the fishing rod and the ball of the yo-yo twisting around either wing of the bird. Flightless, it plummeted with another screech to the concrete, slamming down hard enough to shake the earth.

Clover’s landing was much softer, falling onto its chest and using the momentum to leap off of it like a trampoline, landing again several meters past its head. He held both the lines fast, ensuring it couldn’t get free.

“Cataclysm!” Noir came soaring out of the tower next, the power of his own destructive magic having taken shape at the end of his baton, glimmering black like an obsidian gem and curved like a scythe. As he came down, he swung it around, impaling the sharp end in the center of the monster bird’s chest.

It gave one last croaking cry, the ends of its wings curling up before falling flat as its body turned to dust, leaving nothing behind but a single, black feather. Clover threw out his yo-yo for it, the ball end splitting open like the shell of a ladybug’s wings, before snapping it up. He pulled it back in, hand open to catch it.

An arrow struck the end, knocking it off course.

In quick succession, another two arrows were shot off as Omen bared down for them, swooping in like a Nevermore herself. Clover swung the fishing rod, deflecting the one coming his way. Noir did the same for the one aimed at him with a quick spin of his staff, before using one end of it to vault himself upwards and meet their enemy half way.

As they grappled in the air, Clover took the chance to yank on his weapon in. With a flit of his fingers along the yo-yo’s surface, it glowed white, purifying the feather.

Omen gave a pained cry, before slamming the limb of her bow against Noir’s head. Clover’s chest tightened in panic, rushing forward as his partner fell like a stone from the sky. He just barely made up the distance in time to catch him in his arms, relieved to find him still conscious. They both looked up as they heard a scoff.

“Tch. Eventually your luck is going to run out. Nothing will stop me from creating a new world.” Omen sneered. “Until next time, boys.”

She shot an arrow above her, another red and black portal opening up. With a flap of her wings, she flew into it, gone as quickly as she had come.

Clover sighed, looking down at his partner. “You alright?”

“Ugh, gonna be feeling that one tomorrow.” Noir grunted, pressing a hand to his head, one of his leather cat ears being pushed down. His injury didn’t seem to hinder his ability to realize their position, because that telltale smirk overtook his face. “Though, guess I’m the one falling for you now.”

“I’m not above dropping you.”

“Are you always this mean to invalids?”

He loosened his hold just a smidge.

Noir clung to him. “Okay, message received.”

Clover set him on his feet, seeing the people starting to trickle back in to investigate the scene.

Time to go.

~

Once they were safely hidden on the rooftops, hidden in the shadows of a chimney, Luckybug turned to him with that million-watt smile. “Thanks for the assist. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Qrow lent back against the brick. As he spoke, his normally rough voice came out even rougher around the edges; the way it always did when he was Noir. “I’m sure you woulda figured it out lucky charm.”

“I’m glad I didn’t have to.” He replied, averting his gaze down. He spun the white feather between his fingers, frowning in consternation. “I still don’t understand how she got here though. Her portals shouldn’t be able to reach this far.”

Any other time, he would have been eager to ponder over the details of this latest attack with him, but he knew his time was running short and something more important was on his mind. “Could say the same about you. You got family out here?”

The frown became more defined. “Noir, you know I can’t-”

“Tell me, I know.” He waved off the excuse. “But that could change, if you told me who you really are.”

Lucky sighed, placing a hand on his hip. “Okay, what brought this all on again?”

Qrow met that blue-eyed gaze he’d once fallen in love with, feeling like everything between them was as thin as the wire of the other’s yo-yo. Uncertain and easy to break. If he wanted to make it stronger, he needed something more.

Now or never.

“Look, all that flirting I do? It’s not for show.” He pushed off the wall, clearing the few steps of distance between them. His heart raced in his ears. “I like you. A lot. I want to get to know you, the real you. But, I need to know if I even got a shot.”

“Noir…” He knew the answer before the other even spoke. It was all over his face, etched in his sad smile and downturned brows. “I’m sorry, but my heart’s already with someone else.”

“Oh.” He turned away.

Funny, he thought it’d hurt more.

A tentative hand rested on his shoulder. “You gonna be okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I am.” Qrow replied, surprised that he meant it.

Before more could be said, both their miraculous started to beep in warning.

The hand slipped away. “Guess time’s up. I’ll… see you around?”

Qrow nodded, hearing Lucky retreat along the roof. Before he could leap away, he called, “Hey, that person of yours. Do they know?”

“I, uh.” Gravel crunched underfoot as his teammate shifted his weight anxiously. “Not yet.”

“You should tell ‘em.” He looked over his shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile. “Anyone would be lucky to have you.”

Lucky’s eyes widened, and then he was smiling back. “Thanks. Someone’s going to be really lucky to have you too, one day.”

Qrow reached for his staff, heading his own way. “Well, duh. I’m incredible.”

The other cast his line, flying away with a laugh. Qrow watched him go, before dropping down into the alleyway. He ducked down behind some boxes just in time, the leather bodysuit falling back into his normal wear.

Blake collapsed into his hair with a sigh. “I’m going to need about fifteen more sardines.”

“Glutton.” He got to his feet, knowing his nest of black hair would hide her just fine as he headed for the sidewalk.

“Qrow? Are you okay?”

Answering it the second time around wasn’t any harder then the first. “Yeah. I just needed to know for sure. Now I know it’s okay to let him go.”

She didn’t respond verbally, but he felt the way she nuzzled his head, though whether it was meant to be for comfort or encouragement was hard to say. Maybe both.

It took about fifteen minutes to get back to the share house he and a half-dozen other students were living in for the duration of the program. When he stepped inside, he found it oddly quiet, the only noise a slight shuffling in the kitchen. A glance revealed his twin sister was there, hunched over the counter, nursing a cup of tea in one hand as she pressed her forehead into the other.

Heh, maybe she felt him get clonked in the head earlier. “You alright?”

“Yeah.” She mumbled. “Just a migraine.”

He lowered his voice, “You the only one here?”

Not up for talking more, Raven merely nodded.

Strange, Clover should have been back by now. “Okay, I’ll make sure to tell everyone to be quiet when they get in. Feel better, sis.”

She offered him a weak smile. He ducked out of the kitchen, heading back for his room. As Blake floated down to her still open can of tiny fish for a much-needed recharge, Qrow snatched up his phone to send out the group message, only to find two missed messages from Clover.

The first one was from nearly an hour ago. Sorry, running late!

On my way now. You won’t believe what happened at the Eiffel Tower. That one was from just a few minutes ago.

Qrow quirked a smile. If Clover only knew…

He tapped back a reply. I know. I went out to try and get a view of it. Forgot my phone.

He could see the other was replying, but he switched to the group text in the meantime, sending out a warning to be quiet for his twin. He’d just hit send, when another string of texts came through, one right after the other:

How do you forget your phone? You’re supposed to get photographic evidence!

Anyways I’ll be there in a few.

Also, noted.

Qrow headed for his bed, flopping across the sheets with a groan. The aches of the day were starting to set in, and he felt ready for a shower and a nap. He buried his pounding head into his pillow, shutting his eyes.

He didn’t open them again until he heard the bedroom door click shut. He rose up on his elbows, scanning the room quickly. The sardine can was gone, as was Blake.

“Sorry, did I wake you?” Clover asked as he crossed the room, dropping his bag on his bed.

“Wasn’t asleep.” He ran a hand over his face, adding, “Much as I wanted to be.”

“You doing alright? You look pretty beat.”

Beat up was more like it.

“Been a long day.” He offered as explanation. It did little to wipe the concern from the other’s face. “I’m fine Cloves. We got that paper to work on.”

Clover ran a hand over the back of his neck. “Sure we do but we can take it easy for tonight. Can’t say I wouldn’t mind to turn in early myself.”

“You? Mr. Extra Credit?”

“Haha, very funny. I mean it. I have this terrible crick in my neck. Oh!” He dropped his hand so he could go digging into his bag. “But hey, I did bring you something that just might cheer you up.”

That got Qrow to finally sit up, trying not to seem too eager as the other procured a small, white box and held it out towards him. He reached across the space between their beds to take the gift. Once it was safely on his side, he pulled open the top.

“It probably got a little smooshed, but it’ll taste the same.” Clover was right about that – the cake had fallen on its side, and smears of icing clung to the top and sides of the box.

Qrow swiped a finger across one of them, gathering just enough to take a taste, and his eyes lit up. “Double German chocolate? You’re too good to me.”

“Nah, I can be better. Because I have… a fork!” Clover waved the plastic utensil around, winking his way. “What would you do without me?”

“Probably have less dorky interactions to deal with.” He replied, reaching out again.

Instead of grabbing the tines, he curled his fingers over where the other’s held onto the handle.

Qrow deliberately met his gaze, smiling as suavely as he could. “Thank you, Clover.”

Though his cheeks turned a little pink, Clover met him match for match with his own charming smile. “Anytime.”

As they both pulled back, they couldn’t help but think this was the start of something good.

Underneath their beds, unbeknownst to them both, Ruby and Blake shared knowing smiles.

[yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy]

Silk, Spices and Lies Part 2

At the end of this part, just imagine Hvitserk doing that^ That is THE CUTEST. omg. Tagging @waiting4inspiration​ and @inforapound​ who wanted to be tagged. 

Silk, Spices and Lies Part 2

It took a couple of days to get set up and settled in. In that time, King Harald made no less than seven stops to see if you needed anything and was your group’s first customer. Because your interpreters went out to ascertain the latest news and reports, they confirmed that he did indeed lose his wife, who had been pregnant with his child, and had died on the battlefield. And so you gifted him incense to soothe his spirit so that he could grieve her properly in your opinion and you used your interpreters to explain how to burn it and the next day, it seemed to work, because his spirit seemed much more at ease and he smelled of the incense and he confirmed that he was able to sleep very soundly the night before after burning it in his home and had nothing but good dreams, although he seemed a bit reluctant to share what they were about. 

“So now...do you look for a new queen?” You asked as you insisted on helping get him measured for another tunic, this one, you would make special, giving it a lining of silk and an outer shell of cashmere, a garment fit for any king as you got his measurements of his back while he had taken his shirt off so that you could get the proper measurements to fit him while in the back of your mind, your brain tormented you with thoughts of what else you’d like to be doing to his body as you marveled at all his tattoos and his battle hardened body. You could practically feel your essense drip down your thighs, this was ridiculous. 

Contrary to custom, you had laid with many men, usually to lure them to their deaths, but the thought of doing that to him did not sit well with you and it bothered you and you were so grateful you had not been sent here to do that, you’d be damned if something bad happened to him, especially while you were here. Your instincts screamed at you to take care of him. Even though you knew it was not your place to do so. But you did so in subtle ways anyway. Like giving him a deep discount on the very garment you were making him. You were giving him the fabric at what it cost the group to buy it from the textile place it came from and you were gifting your time in sewing it together. Usually there would be haggling involved but he did not haggle with you. He simply accepted the price you gave him. You were also going to add pockets and a belt for free because you could and you wanted to. 

“I do, I don’t suppose you’re available?” He returned and your jaw dropped as did your measuring line which made Kezia snicker a laugh at your reaction from behind him as she was writing down your measurements that you were making and watching the scene unfold with great interest. She had watched you shut down every other man’s attempts to flirt with you so to see one finally get somewhere was exciting and to see you react to him like he was the first man to flirt with you was incredibly entertaining. Usually you were really good at demanding the best prices for these fabrics so to see you give discounts and offer things you had not offered anyone, not even yourself when you looked through these fabrics for your own clothing, was telling. She could see that you liked him as easy as one sees the moon in the clear night sky. Being a lady of the Sultana meant that if you were released from her- you could potentially get any man you wanted but the fact that you were falling for a king, even a foreign one made sense. Even she was impressed that Harald was the kind of man he was and she respected that you would be drawn to him. By the accounts, he treated his queen well and she knew norse women had freedoms even she could only dream of. It would be a good match but she also knew that voicing such things would only make you withdraw from him and so she kept her mouth shut. For right now anyway. No sense in saying anything that would embarrass you in front of him at least. , 

“You are a King, you should marry a noble lady, one with a dowry fit for the kingdom you rule. All around the world, it is so. Royalty only marry nobility. I will probably die as common as I was born because my family is poor and I have no dowry.” You stated matter of factly as your face became downcast even though your heart leaped at the thought. Even though you were far from home and you seemed to be in a constant state of culture shock, the romantic notion of marrying a king from a far off land who would not hold you to the strict code of conduct you were raised with, seemed too good to be true. While it was not unheard of for your people to get married to norseman, it wasn’t terribly common either. And he was a warrior king, who knew how long he would live? Could you really sacrifice what you already had...for him? Especially not knowing if you’d be making such a sacrifice only for him to die shortly after and you’d be stuck and stranded in this cold, wet land. You didn’t know. Not yet anyway. 

“I am King, I can make whoever I choose whatever I want, I could grant you nobility and there is no need for a dowry, my kingdom is as rich as it needs to be.” He offered and you were struck by how generous he was being. You didn’t know if he was simply being flirtatious or if he was being serious, but still, that was one hell of a smooth line. For now though, you should be cautious. 

Should. 

“Although your offer is wonderful, I have a family back home who depend on me to serve the Sultan and Sultana the way I do. My family…” You tried to explain but couldn’t find the right words and the interpreters were thankfully far away because right now they’d be arguing with him over such a thing, themselves being eaten alive with jealousy. 

“Do they hold your family hostage until you get back?” He asked, his usually rough voice was surprisingly soft and...very soothing and comforting just now but you could sense just how sincere he was. He was genuinely worried about your family! Oh Allah! You were in so much trouble. 

“No, not that. My parents are poor people, with many daughters, no sons, being a lady to the Sultana, I earn enough to take care of them, since women usually are fobidden to work outside the home. But since I am one of the Sultana’s ladies in waiting- my life...surrounds her and I live to serve her, I have made a vow to her for life, only she can set me free from it. It was she who sent me here and it is she who will call me back and I will have to answer her. Everything I am and have is thanks to her. I owe her everything, my family owes her everything too. It is because she heard about the Great Heathen Army that she sent me here to see it with my own eyes since she is...stuck..or maybe... can not leave.. her palace. As her lady though, I’m allowed to leave, and I am her eyes and ears here, she lives through me while I am away from her and it is her that has paid for them to take care of me while on this tour of the north, otherwise I never could have dreamed of even traveling far enough to see the arabian sea on my own.  She will be happy to know that such a kind king is willing to offer so much to a woman he barely knows, simply because he wants to. You will be blessed for this, my heart tells me so.” You explained as Kezia’s eyebrows nearly went into her hairline, even to her, you concealed your heart, so to hear you say that to him was huge. there was enough sexual tension in this room between you and him that she feared the cloth would set on fire as you came around to his front to measure his arms that were currently outstretched at his sides and offered him an appreciative smile through your rather sheer veil you were wearing today. He could actually almost make out most of your face from this proximity and the gods were torturing him ever so sweetly because you were a goddess, your beauty was unparalleled, while it was true that you were not fair as his culture would consider a fair beauty, you were universally beautiful.  

“So how do you feel about being in such a strange place?” He asked, undeterred. Oh he was going to free you from whatever vow or whatever was keeping you from him. If he had to sail to the Ottoman Empire to see this Sultana himself, he would. He would find a way to claim you for himself. Come the fires of hell or the high waters of flood and if he had to pay your parents for you, he would. He’d try to offer your weight in furs or whatever they wanted. 

“The same way a fish feels when it’s pulled from the water. Where I come from, deserts surround us and any green, we have to work very hard to make it green. Here, there is green everywhere I look, it’s in all the trees, grass covers every step on the ground. There is so much water here it’s even in the air. Where I come from, we only get rain a few times a year, otherwise we have to get water from very, very deep wells. Here, just in the last month that I’ve been traveling, I have seen more rain than I have ever seen before in my life. When the sun shines, everything turns everything into a...hot...um...bathhouse, but when it does not, it turns colder than anything I’ve ever felt. I have spent more money on furs than anything else, I can not pile my bed high enough with them.” You chuckled as that seemed to give him ideas for what to get you although if he was honest, he knew exactly how he would love to warm your body up with his and wondered if you tasted as rich and spicy as you smelled. Your scent was filling his nose and making his mouth water. What he’d give just to be able to lift your skirts and taste your pussy would be obscene. 

When he left Kezia couldn't help but snicker a laugh as she looked at you with a knowing smirk. 

“What?” You asked her, your cheeks burning hotter than fiery coals as you put the fabrics he asked for aside before you picked out a few more that you wanted to make into different clothes for him, picking colors that would compliment his complexion best. 

“You could have been a Queen of Norway just now.” She gently teased. 

“He was flirting, he wasn’t serious.” You dismissed. 

“He seemed pretty serious to me. I thought he’d be putting either a little prince or a little princess in your belly if I turned around for too long.” She hinted and now your ears were burning and your chest was flushed at the thought.  

“Oh hush!” You shushed her which made her snicker more. 

“If I were you, I’d be taking him up on the offer. You told me that you had mentioned that you would not try to convert him and that he agreed to not convert you, yet norsewomen have freedoms even we could not hope for or even dream of. They do what they want and even though their cities are not as large or as nice as the ones you’re used to, they have potential for growth and from what I heard about his last queen, is she was a strong willed as he was and he liked her that way. I can see him following you back home just to at least try to buy you from the Sultana himself, and I don’t even need my crystal ball for that.” She shrugged. 

“Did you see his palms?” You questioned thoughtfully. 

“I did, he loves as strongly as he fights fiercely. There is wisdom in his age and experience and he would use all of it to care for you and please you well. He would keep you warm through the long hard winters and while you would rule Norway side by side, in the bedroom, you’d rule him.” She prophesied as your heart swooned. Fuck. 

“Tell no one...” You began. 

“Tell who what?” She returned, feigning ignorance before she pulled another few fabrics and cut a few yards of each and added them to your order for him as she finished making a rough pattern for his body. 

The following two weeks, you didn’t see him at all. Which was both bad because you worried where he went and what happened to him and if he was ok because you had began to look forward to seeing him at least twice a day yet good, because that meant you could get closer to the other sons of Ragnar. To Hvitserk especially. He showed promise as a possible match to your princess. He was royal in that he was technically a prince, he wasn’t necessarily as strong willed as Bjorn was and he seemed pretty easy to manipulate and his loyalty swayed, serving Ivar one moment, Bjorn the next. He was rather perfect for your princess. The poor bastard. You could almost feel sorry for him. 

However the look on Harald’s face when he walked into the long house, carrying in the butchered leg and rack of ribs of a reindeer when he saw you talking with Hvitserk he looked so...wounded and jealous, you realized as an afterthought.  

“Harald!” You exclaimed in relief at seeing him though and practically rushed to him, quickly running across the whole hall which was uncharastically empty which made his facial expression change before you seemed to stop just short of actually embracing him. 

“You’re safe?” You asked as you clutched your hand over your pounding heart, looking him over anxiously to see if any of the blood all over him was actually his. Although sense told you that you didn’t need to be worried for him, he was a mighty warrior, surely it would probably take something like a panther or a pack of wolves or a bear to take him down, not quite getting the right words but the look on his face told you he understood what you meant to say. 

“Yes, I’m safe and I’m ok.” He offered as you blew out a breath of relief. 

“So...not your blood?” You asked as you gestured to it. 

“No, not my blood, the kill’s blood,” he reassured you as you finally relaxed and nodded in understanding. 

“You went...hunting?” You asked as Hvitserk came over to take the carcass from him to take it to the kitchen. 

“She’s been searching the city looking for you and asking everyone for you since you left, I told her you went hunting, she’s been coming by every day to see when you’d be back.” Hvitserk informed Harald with a smirk and a hidden wink and it was Harald’s turn to look relieved and so very pleased. So the feelings and attraction was mutual. Good. 

“Yes, I went hunting, you said that you’ve been cold and you needed furs, I went hunting to get them for you, I wanted it to be a surprise, I didn’t mean to make you worry, I’m sorry, I should have told you.” He informed you and you burst into tears. He...went hunting...for you! He troubled himself with actually trying to provide you with...what you needed! He was so...damn it, he was perfect! Not for the Princess, but still. Perfect you were sure for a norseman. In talking with the others, his men deeply respected him and were loyal to him till death. He led by example and even though he had a relatively small kingdom, you were sure it would be great someday, hopefully in his lifetime. 

“My lord, I am...I am unworthy of such acts. You are a king, a king of Norway, a kingdom that...that has much honor that you are destined to see greatness in your lifetime. I am only a servant. A foreigner at that. You and your life are too precious to be risked for such a thing.” You began to weep as you knelt at his feet, feeling supremely humbled yourself before he reached out and pulled you up to your feet again before he framed your face in his hands. If anyone else dare do such a thing you’d be pressing a blade to their throats after cutting their hands off. 

But yet, here you stood, grasping his wrists gently feeling the strength in them and looking up at him with so much gratitude and adoration. Wanting, no, needing to kiss him as he mirrored your look, the softness in his eyes was something you never thought you’d see in any man’s eyes. It’s always been lust or ownership, which before had always made you feel sick, but now, you wanted to see those things in his eyes. He was unlike anyone you had ever known. 

“Then you are lucky. Because as a king, I can do whatever I want. And I wanted to do this for you. Honor me by accepting my gifts.” He insisted as you were nodding before you realized it before he wiped your tears from your eyes with his thumbs but made no move to remove your veil. Since in talking with Bjorn who had experience with Muslims knew that to remove a woman’s veil was forbidden. 

“Only if you will honor me by accepting a gift in return.” You managed to laugh through your tears, leaning into his touch before Hvertserk came back into the room but only for a heartbeat before he quickly left it again when he saw the scene before him which broke you and Harald out of the little trance you had put yourselves into before you reluctantly pulled away and regained your respectful distance, wiping the tears and smudging the eye makeup you put around your eyes. 

“Name it.” He replied as he simply grasped his own hands in front of him but stayed planted where he was. 

“I will make you a feast fit for the great king you are. It will take me about three days to prepare for it though. Can you be patient?” You asked him hopefully. 

“For you? I’d wait years.” He answered and you had to look away as your cheeks flushed again but you couldn’t help the bashful smile from blooming on your face which made him smile in return. You liked him back! Surely he thought maybe he was too old for you because he couldn’t tell how old you were so he assumed that you were younger than him. But clearly an adult and close enough. 

“Three days, don’t..go away or...get hurt between now and then,” you urged him before you put the package that had his clothes that you made for him into his hands. 

“I swear, I’m not going anywhere or will get hurt between now and then.” He repeated before you said goodbye and took your leave because if you stayed a moment longer you were going to lose all sense and actually try something that was likely to get you killed back home- like fucking him were he stood.  

But nothing was going to stop you from making him a feast greater and finer than any Sultan had ever eaten. Hopefully he would like it. 

“So? How’d it go?” Hvitserk asked giddily as he peeked into the room a few moments later after he witnessed you leaving a giddy and bashful smile on your face, his grin as cheeky as his ass. 

“How would you like to go to the Ottoman Empire with me to free her from her Sultana?” Harald asked him with a grin just as mischievous before he walked over to a nearby table to unwrap the parcel and marveled at your handiwork before he realized, you made him a few garments! There was a tunic that could be worn two ways, either inside out or right side in, one side had the silk. The other- the softest wool- you had called it cashmere, from a goat apparently on the other and both sides were decorated and a matching pair of pants! He didn’t remember you ever taking measurements for his legs but still. They were reversible too and the colors and designs of the fabrics, you had used pieces of both to trim the other so you could wear one- one way and match it by wearing the other- the other way. It was brilliantly done. His best garments he now owned before he realized he now had a few tunics, all made exceptionally well, with extra fabric at the seems so that it could be taken in or let out accordingly and it even had extras that he didn’t remember ever picking out but they were perfect. He knew you must have spent the entire time he was away making these for him and he was so touched. He would definitely be wearing these to the feast you were going to make him. Which that initself he could hardly wait for. 

“Sound’s fun to me.” Hvitserk nodded in agreement.

[girlafraidinacoma]

IN THE LAP OF THE GODS Ch.2:

Summary: What do you get when you mix a tight-knit art community, young, hot-blooded twenty-something university students and good old-fashioned British Rock & Roll? Probably the next best hope for art and music that generation has to offer. With her friends’ band skyrocketing to fame, what exactly does a girl do when she suddenly finds herself sitting in the lap of the gods? The answer: do the only thing she can do, rise to the occasion of course!

Pairing: Gwilym Lee!Brian May x Original Female Character [chill guys, this WILL be a Bri fic…eventually].

Warnings: swearing, a very dramatic Freddie, Rog has a bit of a moment with a pastry...

Words: 2.2k +

Author’s Note: Chapter 2, Baby! I hope you guys enjoy it, and pls feel free to comment, reblog or leave a like if ya feel like it!

Kind of AU, contains both elements from real life and the Bo Rhap universe, so imagine whoever you prefer whether they be the real thing or the Bo Rhap Boys–be free.

Link to the Ao3 fic!

Chapter Playlist:

Chapter Two - That One Time When Fred Went Out for Coffee Or, Why Being a Young Entrepreneur is Harder than You Think

Kensington, 1969.

Out of breath and flushed pink, a young woman strode inside a musty little stall in Kensington Market, the shop bell giving a faint sort of ding upon her entrance. Freddie, who was quietly cataloguing their inventory in a faded blue balance book, smiled when he looked up to greet his friend.

“Wyn Clemens! You’ve come to visit me.” Fred said, ecstatically skipping his way to her from behind the counter before hugging her shoulders.

The girl made quick work of untangling the woolen scarf she had wrapped several times around her neck and mouth, placing that and her coat on the hook by the door.

“I swear I’ve gone up and down the place twice and both times I’ve managed to miss you entirely! Blimey, I didn’t think it was this small.” Her eyes scanned the darkened interior.

Currently their stall was nondescript, tucked away in between a carpet wholesaler and a shoe repair place, hidden away amongst the plethora of other stalls just like it. Cozy was one word for it, cramped was another, more accurate descriptor. Really, it was more of a booth. There they sold various garments and accessories to clothe the young bohemians, rockers, mods, punks, hippies and everyone in between who seemed to frequent the market there. Their shop was manned and looked after by Freddie and his friend Roger, and only by them, which was why, while their inventory was not exactly vast, it did quite literally seem to swallow the entire place in velvet, faux fur, leather, and brocade.

“Hey!” someone yelled in indignation, “This is a very fine establishment we run here, I’ll have you know!” A blonde head emerged from the back of the shop, a little area sectioned off by a dark curtain. It hid a tall, narrow mirror and served as both their stock room and fitting room.

The girl raised her eyebrows, feeling slightly sheepish at having offended this new person. “Wyn, this is Roger, the friend of mine I’ve been telling you about. He runs this dismal dispensary with me.” He said, not looking behind him as he gestured his head towards the blonde’s general direction. “Rog, this lovely creature you see before you is my new friend, Wyn.”

“Ah, the Ealing bird. Well, I suppose I could let that slight go for your pretty face. The name’s Roger Taylor, very nice to meet you, love.” He gave her his hand to shake, his lips upturned in a smirk.

“Careful there, Rog.” Freddie reminded him, which earned him a mischievous look from the blonde.

“Wyn,” the girl announced, unfazed by Roger’s cheesy smile, “I’ve come bearing gifts!”

“Ooh! Gimme! Gimme!” Freddie cried happily, his hands making grabbing motions all the while.

Wyn tutted at his antics shortly before presenting him a brown paper bag. “I thought it would cheer you up, while you’re stuck here.”

Freddie opened the bag and what he found there nearly brought him to tears. The bag was filled with fresh pastries still warm to the touch as he poked his nose inside and took a long whiff. He placed it on the counter before examining the goodies one by one, a hungry Roger joining his side. “You do care, Wyn! It’s just like Christmas! And here I thought everyone had forgotten about me. It feels like I haven’t seen the sunlight in days.”

“Weeks, really,” Roger added mournfully, before stuffing his mouth full of pastry. They had both been cooped inside their store trying to peddle their wares since the weekend and it was now Tuesday afternoon.

Freddie had a dramatic faraway look in his eye, his mouth shaped in a forlorn ‘O’ before finally snapping out of it. God, Wyn thought, he really should have been in theatre.

“C’mon then Wyn, tell us about all the changes in the outside world,” Fred was prattling away again, ���Is dear old Liz still on the throne? How about Coronation Street, is it still playing? And what about tie-dye? Are people still wearing tie-dye?”

There was a quiet moan of “Oh Jesus, that’s the spot.” that came from Roger as he polished off an apricot danish.

Wyn gave the two of them a fond chuckle, trying to ignore the ridiculous sounds of ecstasy from the blonde as he delved into a croissant. “Let’s see,” the girl gave a pause for dramatic effect, “Yes, God forbid anyone else who’s set their eyes on that chair. Everybody knows Coronation Street is for ever. And it brings me to tears just thinking about it, but yes, unfortunately, the tie-dye lives on.”

“I knew it! It’s useless, Rog.” Freddie shouted, calling Roger’s attention. “Just bury me in these fur stoles. Even if they’re not real at least I’ll be kept warm and they haven’t assaulted anyone’s retinas.” He had trudged over to a rack of miscellaneous animal coats and stoles and buried his face in them. His further rant became muffled and unintelligible as he cried into the mass of faux fur.

“How long has he been like this?” The girl turned to the blonde with a worried look.

“On and off since Saturday,” he informed her, brushing stray crumbs from his mouth. “We’ve hardly sold anything.”

“This is no good, come on Fred. You just sit down, I’ll go out and grab us a couple of coffees and come straight back.”

Freddie perked up upon hearing this and was almost back to his usual spirits. “I have an idea, can I go get the coffees instead, darling? I want to go outside, I want to hear the birds chirping and smell that London smog. Maybe that old lady from the fruit and veg stall could yell at me, that would really get me going.”

“Alright Fred,” she said with a comforting smile, pouring into his open palm a handful of coins. “Happy hunting.”

Freddie had taken off so fast he had forgotten to bring his jacket which he left still hung up on the door.

“That’s probably the happiest I’ve seen him all weekend,” Roger said, wistful.

“If he’s happy, then I’ve done my job.”

Wyn had started to look the clothing racks, her fingers stroking the garments in fascination. She also took out two or three items she had liked, inspecting them fully before shaking her head and putting them away, Roger meanwhile stood beside her giving his opinion on them. Soon he was entertaining her by spinning little yarns about several pieces, how they acquired them, whom they were worn by, all made up but increasingly fantastic.

“You looking for anything in particular, love?”

“Not really, whatever catches my fancy, I suppose.”

“How about now,” he said as he had stood in front of her, hands on his waist and a twinkle in his eye, “Do I catch your fancy?”

“I’m in the market for clothes today, Roger, not a boyfriend.”

“Who said anything about a boyfriend?”

“Uh-huh. Maybe some other time, Taylor.”

“Alright, alright.” he said, pacifying her. “Something to wear then. Something that will work for your figure?”

“I’d never be opposed to looking good.”

Roger was still flirting with her, but he also appeared to have a clear focus now, he was a man on a mission to find her something she could be persuaded into buying. “Do you like wearing patterns?”

“I’d give it a go.”

“How about colour?”

“Love them.”

“Any you’re partial to?”

“Every colour of the rainbow!”

Roger scoffed playfully in exasperation, she really was no help, but he enjoyed her company. “I think I have just the thing for you,” Rog said with a snap of his fingers before darting behind their makeshift stock room/ fitting area. He came back about a minute later with a frock on a plastic hanger.

What he presented her with was a white and green houndstooth dress in the mod style which had a black peter-pan collar and a short mini-skirt. Wyn let out a pleased hum, “I like the way you think, Taylor.”

Roger barked a laugh though he seemed to glow in praise, “That might be the first time a woman has said that to me.” He reached into his pocket and fished out a packet of smokes and a lighter. “Go on, then. Try it on.” He urged her, pushing her behind the curtain and sticking a cigarette between his lips.

Roger sported a boyish charm, all buoyancy and pent-up energy. Wyn thought it was ironic the way that he was blessed with the looks of a cherub by Raphael, yet flirted like a devil. It was little wonder Freddie had warned her about him when the topic of his friends came into conversation. Before she could wrestle the corduroy off her legs Roger’s hand had slipped in between the partition, throwing a pair of shoes at her.

“Black gogos? Oh, you really must be out to get me. I’m going to freeze out there.”

“You’re just fitting them on!” The voice behind the curtain replied. “You don’t have to wear them out…You don’t have to wear anything at all.”

“Ha-ha.”

“Just saying.”

A couple of minutes later she stepped out from behind the curtains, smoothing down the dress where it wrinkled a bit in her midsection. “What do you think?” she asked, striking a pose.

Roger took another large puff from his half-finished cigarette before putting it down on the ashtray on the counter. He began to sing lowly as he drew near to her, “Is there anybody going to listen to my story, all about the girl who came to stay?” There was another cheesy grin on his face as he took Wyn’s hand abruptly and led her into an impromptu slow-dance. “She’s the kind of girl you want so much it makes you sorry. Still, you don’t regret a single day. Ah, girl,” he sung as he spun her.

Wyn smiled, “I’m going to take that answer as a ‘yes’, but I wouldn’t know how I’d wear it though, my hair…”

“You could wear it swept back, or up.” Roger suggested, now extremely close. He removed his left hand from her hip and used it to gather her thick hair up and away from her face, fingers grazing the back of her neck.

Wyn cleared her throat, her cheeks and neck heating. “You think Fred will let me have this for cheap if I asked nicely?”

“I think if you asked nicely, he’d let you have the whole shop.”

“It’s probably costing him more to run it at this point.”

“Us both.”

The two broke out into a fit of laughter, not even acknowledging the customer who had just walked into the shop.

“Okay, Rubber Soul. So these are the kinds of guerilla tactics you’d stoop to for a sale?” Blushing furiously, Wyn pushed away from him when they finished their dance, choosing to hoist herself up onto the counter next to her bag of sweets.

“Only the best service to our most important clientele.” he said through half-lidded eyes.

“How much for this?” a voice said from behind them.

Roger groaned in annoyance having forgotten the presence of this third person. It was a shame Fred still hadn’t come back, that way he could have dealt with this new nuisance while Roger turned his attention to the girl in front of him. Rog barely spared him a glance as the man held up the garment in question. “Seven pounds.”

Wyn watched the interaction with great amusement.

“Five quid.” the man tried to haggle.

“Seven.”

“This button’s loose, five and five pence.”

“Six if you leave here now.”

“You’re fleecing me.” the man whined handing Roger the money with reluctance.

“Actually, that’s crushed velvet.” said Roger with a cool, impassive grace, plucking his cigarette from the ashtray and taking a puff.

Slipping on his new jacket, the man set off grumbling, nearly bumping into Freddie who narrowly avoided him, carrying a tray of hot coffees in styro cups.

“Took you awhile Fred,” Roger called, leaning against the counter and smoking casually.

Freddie placed the coffees down on a bench by the window. “Roger,” he began slowly with a disgruntled look in his eye. “Was that man just now, wearing my coat?”

“Huh?” this alerted Roger somewhat, he had stopped what he was doing. His eyes grew large as he looked to Freddie and back down at the crumpled note and small coin in his palm.

“Rog, you absolute pillock, did you sell my coat?”

“...Fuck.”

As quick as a bolt Fred had crossed the room in two strides, snatched the money right out of Roger’s grasp and ran back out the door. Freddie ran after the man who bought his beloved jacket, shouting and swearing like a madman all the way.

At the end of the day, Wyn had felt so guilty she ended up paying for her things in full. She had no regrets though. Sure she was down a couple of pounds, but she had managed to get herself a great fitting dress, and a killer pair of boots, not to mention the favour of the infamous Roger Taylor -- a feat she hoped she had managed with all her dignity intact. Or at least she hoped.

[wolfjawswriter]

Le Gentilhomme Aimant Sans Pitié - Lockwood x Lucy 8 (FINAL)

“Mon Belle Dame” Lockwood x Lucy

Lockwood and Co. Series

Summary: What happened with La Belle Dame Sans Merci, but reverse.

Sequel: Fury's Act Finale

————Lockwood———— Outside the theatre, everything was still dark with night’s embrace. The fair was closed, everything dead-like. However, no member of the staff slept that night; they were all kept awake by the desolate bellowing that came from Charity’s caravan.

But once George and Kipps sealed the source in a silver net, everything went quiet outside: Charity stopped hollering, apologized for causing such a ruckus and asked to please be brought something to eat, and everyone knew we had captured the ghost.

Tufnell and more of the staff’s members entered the auditorium as we were putting off the fire I lighted in the stage on my little tete-a-ghost. Surprisingly, Mr Tufnell wasn’t all that bothered by the burnt stage, the rest of the staff was, or about me using the trapeze artist’s material in my hurry to the podium. In fact he was jollier than we’d ever seen him, even after Lucy explained how she had discovered how the source was brought into the theatre in the first place.

Turns out it had been Samuel Parkins, the stage manager, all along. He had been the one with the idea of the cubbyholes for more than business reasons, he even confessed it after Lucy accused him. However was it that Lucy found out, we didn’t knew, but that was a question for later.

Samuel was taken away to his caravan by the two strongest-looking trapeze artists, who then stayed there to guard him.

“I cannot believe it!” Mr Tufnell exclaimed once Samuel was taken away “Such an unthinkable act! Such a treason! Such a betrayal! I’ve always treated him like my own son!”

“It has nothing to do with you, Mr Tufnell” Lucy assured him after she came back. She had gone with Samuel to interrogate him, which didn’t took much time since he had been willing to confess “You said it; he had become too attached to Sandra, and he told me so himself. He had originally planned to set it free to get back at her for rejecting his advances, since she had been intent on flirting with Chase Blears. Samuel felt heartbroken, and wanted revenge. So, when he was cleaning the storerooms, he came across the relic of Le Gentilhomme- the turban he wore during The Sultan’s Revenge. After he died, it was kept on an iron box, which prevented the ghost from escaping. But Samuel took it without really knowing the ghost’s psychical power, and turned out to be much stronger than he thought it was, but he gave that little thought when he discovered the ghost’s particular interest in women. So he hid the turban inside the box and waited for progress. During weeks it was only witnessed by other guys; no one who could become a victim, but then, Charity was snared by him, but she wasn’t who Samuel wanted dead- that’s why he saved her. And just a day later, Sandra Morrison ran a different luck.”

“But why didn’t he removed the turban after Sandra’s death?” Kipps asked “Why risk anyone’s else life?”

“He said he simply didn’t found the time to take it away” Lucy shrugged “I personally think he was deceived by the feeling of power it gave him to know he had set this dangerous ghost free”

Inspector Barnes arrived soon after with more DEPRAC agents and Lucy had to retell the story for him. Many of the theatre’s staff crowded around them so to listen to the story again. Not that Lucy told it like Mr Tufnell probably would have- dramatic pauses, different timing, volume changes.

I discussed the prize of our work with Tufnell, which, I’ve been sure it would be reduced due to the damaged stage, but Mr Tufnell actually insisted on not counting that in the paycheck, since we saved his company from ruin. We also got Charity’s personal thanks for saving her from the ghost’s enchantment.

“That was a nice speech there” George prized me once we got a moment alone.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I’d reenact it, but I don’t have a ghost here to which to yell all those things you said” Oh, that thing “…I imagine you meant all you said, didn’t you?”

“Of course”

————

We stood by the fair’s doors, waiting for the night cabs to pick us up. We’d all been given some tea by a very nice bearded lady who very much seemed to have grown to really like Kipps.

I saw Lucy perched against the metal rail, looking out into the night while Holly talked with George and Kipps, so I decided to perch myself beside her.

“I know what you’re going to say” She said “Had I stayed home, this wouldn’t have happened”

“Yes, I called it” I said and took a sip of my tea“…but I was going to ask how’d you’d been doing”

“I’m fine” We stood in silence “By the way, thank you”

“Hmm?”

“I was told what you did” I shuddered at the memory “I can’t believe you swung down a bloody trapeze just to save me from him”

“Well, I did told you before” I replied “I’d die for you, Luce. But I was right; you and Holly should have stayed behind on this one job”

“He also tried to approach you, from what I heard” She countered.

“Yes, but he barely came to me. He just stood to the side while I thought about other things” Lucy looked at me with a certain sadness that told me she already knew what I’d been thinking about back then “He took advantage of my vulnerability, fed off it, but he didn’t tried to snare me too”

“Well, I’ll make sure to listen to you more next time, boss” We laughed together and then fell into a comfortable and companionable silence “Also, Lockwood…” Her eyes casted down on the asphalt, a small blush coming to her cheeks and ears “…are you really the only one who can smile charmingly at me?” My eyes widened and my mouth opened and closed like some sort of fish. At once, my face became the theatre’s stage from an hour ago; aflame, burning and hot.

“How di- George told you, didn’t he?” Oh how I was going to kill him!

“No, the skull did” Right. The skull. I forgot he had been somewhere inside the theatre during the whole affair, and of course, it would had been just close enough to have a good look and listen to what I did and said, only to gossip it to Lucy. She smiled, burying her face on her coat so that I wouldn’t notice her blush, but it was a little too late for that.

‘“She is mine! Mine! You hear me? Mine! Only I can smile charmingly at her! Only I can stun her! And anyone who dares try to lure her away from me will have me at full wrath!”’

My words ran inside my head. I hadn’t been thinking very rationally when I was upstage, battling the curse spirit of Le Gentilhomme. It had been like I had become pure instinct, pure feeling, pure action. There was no thought process, no wondering, no hesitation, just reactions. Like an animal who showed just how it feel, when it felt like it, how it felt and because it felt like it.

“Well…” I was at loss to what to say. Because, what was there to say? Even thought I had said that because I was being protective, I had basically imposed myself on her there, saying she was mine, like she was some sort of trophy to be won and displayed, and that was not what I felt for Lucy.

I didn’t wanted to tell Lucy to love me; I didn’t wanted to be possessive. I wanted her to choose me like I chose her, freely and for love.

“Because I’d rather no one else smile at me like that other than you” I looked at her in search for any kind of sign that told me she was lying. And I found signs, just not the ones I was looking for.

I found signs of honesty in her smile.

I found signs of timidity in her posture.

I found signs of compassion in her voice.

I found signs of devotion in her acts.

I found signs of caring in her blush.

I found signs of adoration in the way her eyebrows arched.

But most of all, I found signs of love in the profundity of her eyes.

“Well, I’d rather never smile to anyone else the way I smile at you” I took my hand our of my coat’s pocket and reached to hers, her tiny hand fitting completely inside my palm “I wouldn’t fly across a room in a trapeze bar for anyone else” A single tear rolled down Lucy’s cheek. I reached my other hand to her face, cupped her cheek with it and brushed the tear away with my thumb.

“I love you like Le Gentilhomme Aimant Sans Pitié loved his audience’s applause” Lucy said longingly.

“Let me be your Gentilhomme Aimant” I whispered caressing her face “Would you like be mon Belle Dame?”

She smiled widely “Always”

[charliebattinson]

BEST FRIENDS? | Best Friend! Shawn [BP] Part 1 | Shawn Mendes

A/N: Hello! I’m splitting this thing into two parts because it was so long haha. I just had so many ideas!! Honestly i’m such a sucker for the “best friends to lovers” trope it may be cliche as hell but it’s my fave. Part 2 has more of a storyline to it just in bullet point form! Also wanna thank @siennarossi, @innocent-before-mendes and @i-keep-craving-craving for advice and for helping me out! Hope you enjoy! Feedback is appreciated! Have a lovely day! ♡♡♡

☆ Read Part 2 here ☆

You moved to pickering when you were a kid and met Shawn when you were 4

He was your neighbor

Bedrooms facing each other

You always thought how stupid he looked trying to climb the tree that was impossible to climb at his age

Since you were new to town when you went to school you knew nobody

Playtime came and you saw shawn by the sandbox playing by himself

You walk to him and asked if you can play together

He was so shy "okay" red cheeks and all

Everything just hit off after that

You guys were attached to the hip

Walking to school holding hands or seating beside each other on the school bus

Some girls from school wanted to play with you and you were so happy to make more friends that you brought shawn with you but the girls said they don't play with boys

"But shawn goes with me wherever i go"

"I guess you can't play with us"

You ditch them for Shawn

“I’ll play your barbie dolls with you y/n”

Wouldn't it be cute to imagine when your parents open the door and look down to see kid shawn in his squeaky voice “Good afternoon Ms. y/l/n! Is y/n there?"

You guys loved watching barney together and singing the theme song

Role playing power rangers and pretending to be fighting each other

Till that one time you accidentally punched Shawn in the face and his nose bled

You always attend each other’s birthday parties and you always need each other by your side before blowing your birthday cake

You play husband wife sometimes

“y/n when were older im going to marry you”

“why shawn” “cause you’re my best friend”

Riding bikes together

Getting boo boos and helping each other out with the wound

“Here’s a bandaid Shawn it’s the barbie one”

Eating ice cream by the front porch

PLAYGROUND PLAYDATES

Giggling to each other while your both on the swings

Sometimes when there’s only one swing left Shawn would offer it to you and he’d start pushing your swing

Lots and lots of videos of you two when you were kids

Halloween time is always a fun time for the both of you because you guys to get to do matching costumes

One year would be you as Mario and Shawn as Luigi with the matching mustaches

“Hey how come you get to be Mario?” “Because I’m cooler Shawn”

another time would be Kim possible and Ron stoppable

another time as Spongebob and Patrick

then ferris and cameron from ferris bueller’s day off but no one ever really got who you were dressing up as that year

and that one time in school where you thought everyone was going to be wearing halloween costumes turns out only and shawn did

Horror movie marathons every halloween

You remember the time Shawn screamed like a girl

“Y/N please don’ tell anyone”

When its Christmas you would go out and make the weirdest looking snowman, snow angels, drinking hot cocoa, baking cookies for santa and opening presents while trying to stay up late and wait for Santa Claus to come out

“My father is the actual santa claus??” “You’re so dumb Shawn”

School plays together!!! Like little mermaid where you played a fish and shawn played a lobster

One of your school plays was also King Arthur

You were a local villager and shawn was the village idiot

Coloring coloring books together

Going to camp together during the summer

11 year old Shawn would be sporting braces and you would make fun of him when he got it

“HAHAHAHAHAHA LOOK AT YOUR METAL MOUTH”

“shawn close your mouth you’re blinding me”

You were a little bit taller than him at that age

You guys would constantly call each other names the kiddish kind

“TOE LICKER” “BUTT SNIFFER” “ONION BREATHE”

He would freak out when he sees your bra laying on the bed

But would also be there for you when you start to panic when you finally get your period

“you aren’t going to die y/n. please your making me scared what if you die, i’m gonna be all alone”

shawn gets so scared when you say a bad word by accident

“Y/n you know we’re not supposed to be saying bad words or we’ll go to hell”

You’re both appalled by kissing when your parents do it or when you’re watching a movie

“EWWWWWWWWWWW” “YUUCK”

“COOTIES EW”

“okay class! go and pick a partner”

🌚 🌝

Your whole family knows Shawn. Shawn’s whole family knows you

Uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents. THEY ALL KNOW SHAWN.

Your family is so familiar to having Shawn around the house so when he’s not there they ask “where’s Shawn?”

High school rolls in and you’re both invited to your first ever high school party

“Y/n do I wear a tux to these parties?” “Idiot”

He ended up wearing Capri shorts and his Birkenstocks

“Please tell me you aren’t wearing socks with your birkenstocks” “well…”

You play 7 minutes in heaven and shawn goes in with a girl

When he goes out, the girl looks so weirded out by shawn

“Well..what happened?”

“She was leaning for a kiss and I got nervous I just screamed at her”

you try alcohol for the first time together in your room; you raided wine in your parents collection

you both spit it out right after

“POISON!!!”

16 year old you is wondering how tall Shawn got over the summer because you have to tilt your head up to look at him

He’s also gotten cuter over the summer no more braces and thank god he stopped wearing those birkenstocks

he’s still wearing those baggy khaki pants

The insults have upgraded

“You stupid lanky dickhead” “fuck you y/n”

You both swear like sailors now

You’re by your lockers and he just salsa dances and sing songs  “look who got an A on chemistry byotch”

You’re both each other’s first kiss you rather have it be your best friend than be it someone else who won’t matter in a couple of years

Also for practice because Shawn ’s been pinning over some chick named Stephanie the whole freshman year

“Come on y/n so you can tell me if I suck or not”

He sucked

“YOU KISSED ME LIKE IM A CPR DUMMY”

Sleepovers at each other’s houses

passing notes in between classes, shawn wanting to play tic tac toe

Doing homework together

Copying each other’s homework

“Pssst shawn what’s the answer to no. 5?”

“I was gonna ask you that!”

“fuck”

Shawn going up your window late at night because he’s tall enough to finally climb the tree

but also the idiot tried doing a stunt and ended up bringing down one of your pipes down with him

you guys would meet each other by the window to say good night

sometimes when he knows you feel bad he would stare at your window and write down a note saying “are you okay?” or “feel better”

You attended junior prom together

“Look at you Shawn looking so fancy in that tux”

You see Shawn’s cheeks redden “thanks y/n you look pretty”

You try to pin his boutonnière and he keeps joking around that you pricked his skin

Till you actually pricked his skin cause he was moving around too much “idiot”

Ditched after a while cause it was getting boring, you both just headed out to the local diner and ordered milkshakes

For senior prom, you had to find a date because Shawn asked someone else; you were a little sad because you’re just used to you and Shawn doing everything together

Watching the schools football games together by the bleachers

They made shawn the school mascot

“it is a sauna inside here and i can’t fucking see anything”

always going together to high school parties

fist bumping to levels by avicii (beacause it was a bop at that time tbh)

asking each others approval when you find someone hot

constructing each other’s sentences before hitting send to your crush

there’s a girl that likes shawn and she’s very confident and flirting around with him and shawn just mumbles trying to talk to her “yeah ugh no yeah totally but ugh yeah no”

You’re just watching him trying your hardest not to laugh

“pathetic”

Giving each other tips on making a move

“I watched that movie hitch and they said that if a girl lingers by the front door it means she wants you to kiss her”

“Shawn you gotta stop screaming at a girl when they try to go near you”

You tell each other who you lost your virginity to and judging so hard

“WHY BECKY?” “Sleeping simon are you serious?”

Also being each other’s person to look for support and comfort whenver you’re feeling down

Shawn would get your favorite ice cream and listen to you on your bed cuddled up to him”

“Hey shawn i got your favorite muffins. Please tell me what’s wrong with you”

Shawn would tell you to leave him alone under the covers and you would just go under the covers

Being lab partners

Shawn making you laugh when he does an impersonation of professor fink with his lab coat and goggles

“Well according to my calculations..”

GRADUATION DAY

You would be cheering for each other when you both get on stage

“LETS GO Y/N LETS GO!!!”

“THAT’S MY BEST FRIEND RIGHT THERE”

Shawn would just blast “SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER” on his jeep on your way to your graduation party

He wore a fucking vest and a casual tie with converse to the party

“A vest shawn? Really?”

”yolo y/n yolo”

Booze is present and you both have had a bit too much

You see Shawn standing up on the table dancing to Daft Punk’s One More Time

You push Shawn into the pool but he’s quick to grab you leaving both of you underwater

Going to the park after and riding the swings just like when you were kids

Figuring out what colleges to apply to

both of you just staring at your acceptance letters

“Open yours first” “No! You open yours first”

“FINE I’LL READ YOURS, YOU READ MINE”

Jumping because you both got in

Luckily you both wanted to go to the same college with just different courses so the long distance friendship is off the books

You’re headed off to college to fix your dorm rooms

Shawn would be in such a school spirit he’s already wearing the college hat and hoodie

Shawn just starts playing “everybody lets go” song from dora the explorer in the car

“Here we go...”

☆ Read part 2 here ☆

[discord-of-laughter]

The OC challenge! - Phase 2 & 3

Phase 2 – Getting to know them

Who gets angry-drunk?

Cardia – don’t get her drunk or she will get fierce and you have to stop her from stumbling her way to revenge… also it would be underaged drinking!

Gabriele – actually turns into a reckless drunk but is super easy to anger – handle with care

Loreley – honestly just don’t, at first she’s just grumpy but give her more and she might strip and try to kill someone, preferably all men in the room

Lou – everything he hates about staying in control so much might bubble up but since his powers don’t subside just because of alcohol he becomes extremely dangerous + underaged drinking!

Phionee – you don’t want that. Will arm wrestle and just wrestle everybody and cause havoc also becomes very dominant and might just drag a poor soul to her quarter… that only happened twice and to the same “poor soul” but he looked pretty beaten up the next morning

Vanessa – it takes a while for her to get drunk… but then you better be ready to listen to her lashing out about injustice in the world and if someone is present who has done something bad she’d go and punch him/her… gets a bit better with age and when staying home with her partner but towards the end of the night of her wedding things were close to escalate

Who gets sad-drunk?

Bel – want to have a sobbing demon on your shoulder, get her drunk but be prepared to end up broke because of how much it takes to get her there

Damian – there’s only a short time window between him being drunk enough and passing out to unlock his sad past

Jennifer – that might correlate with the fact that she only gets drunk when someone died to begin with… once she’s done crying though she gets clingy and sweet and wants to slow dance, but will cry again if you don’t comply

Rachel – there has happened a lot to cry about in her life, be nice to her

Skadi – gets all delicate and honest and it is heart-breaking, but dude you can’t afford to get her drunk anyway

Mariana – has a lot of insecurity bottled up and will easily cry if given a reason for it… if not expect some dancing on the counter and less clothes because she feels hot

Who gets happy-drunk?

Allete – ever wanted to hear a femme fatal/female agent giggle, get her a bunch of drinks high in alcohol content and have fun

Jo – she gets totally mushy and easy-going, might want to cuddle though and if you don’t comply she’ll turn into a sad-drunk and wail about being lonely

Ophelia – turns into the sweetest girl imaginable when her defence mechanisms are down, super sweet and kind, a bit clingy though and falls asleep quickly

Kayleigh – thinks everything is funny when drunk – can hold more than one or two drinks though – loves the whole world and takes care of any sad-drunk in her proximity

Jason – best drunk to have at a party, becomes open, jovial, wants to sing and is in for pretty much everything that sounds like fun… becomes the heart of the party quickly and keeps it going

Cain – turns very sweet and soft for a very short while and then pukes his heart out – don’t feed the fish(boy)!

[Deicida doesn’t get drunk at all, she hasn’t the physical capacity for it… don’t give her alcohol though enough and she might just fall over + underaged drinking… kind of… well she looks the part.

Aquila just falls asleep when she gets drunk, so it is hard to tell.

Daniel is a wild card… depending on unknown factors it can be either and any of the above.]

How do they interact with a romantic partner?

For Allete flirting and seduction are part of the job and at first she would be the smoothest person in the world… until she notices that she really caught feelings and then everything gets difficult because all those gestures and tricks she always used suddenly seem bland and not enough. Hands shaking, lips quivering, she’s nervous like a little school girl and it would take a while to get her back to ease. After that she would be a surprisingly dotting girlfriend, but she needs reassurance once in a while that her partner can still stand her and her job and the danger.

Bel would be utterly confused by falling in love and therefore would avoid a potential romantic partner at first + is in need of a therapy session to get things cleared up. Love – that is such a human feeling and… and it makes you catch cooties, right? If said partner still wants her… it’ll take a long time to groom this queen of hell into a romantic partner to be taken seriously… and even then she’d be more like a terribly possessive friend.  

Cardia is the kind who would still blush once in a while after getting together and she’s rather shy around a partner only moving on and forward very slowly… emotionally. But she’s rather romantic deep down and would definitely try her best.  

Jo is not made for a relationship and would laugh off any attempts. She’s just not made for it, friends with benefits sure when she’s not on the road. But everything else… not so much. And she wouldn’t open up either, not because of trust issues just because… she can’t imagine any of this for herself… it scares her… much like being too happy does.

Damian would feel guilty for not having kept the person at arm’s length but he is also so happy that sometimes he just cries after his partner fell asleep. He’s completely shaken and torn but would even change his way if that’s what his partner asks for. In a way it’s puppy love because he wants to give them everything he can as long as he still has time for it. He would hate to make them sad by dying and ends up nervous and anxious about it once in a while… but when that isn’t the case he’s a sweet but teasing boyfriend with a thing for small romantic gestures… that don’t cost much… because he’s still broke, but he tries. 

Deicida would be a bit clingy. But mostly because she doesn’t really know what to do with herself… but she knows that being with this person feels good… after it took her ages to realise it. Because she would never think someone could be attracted to her… also there are the doubts if it’s okay and right… what would her bearer think… isn’t this meant to not work out? All of this while there are tons of conflicting feelings… she’d definitely be a mess, but a cute and blushing one. 

Gabriele wouldn’t want to catch the feelings… they make her weak but… it’s so hard to resist when you just want to cuddle up and let your guard down like her. She wants to be protected, she wants to hold hands… and throw terrible pick-up lines around. To flirt and feed each other ice cream and be sweetheart with some rough edges around her partner. But she can’t not now… maybe never… so in the end she’s out to break another heart.  

Jennifer… sweet forehead kisses, a soft hand on a shoulder, slow dancing… just being together in the same room. Inside jokes and anniversaries, she’d be a soft lover and ready to be swept of her feet too but not one for much public display of affection at all.

Ophelia – kiss her in the rain and she’s yours. No but really, she’d be the best worst girlfriend in the world. A criminal who can get utterly lost in love. She would have a hard time believing she makes the same mistake again but just goes with the flow… she knows she wants her partner before they do themself. She’d be the one to come back after a one-night stand, she wouldn’t beg not for someone to love her, but she really craves some affection, sleeping in someone’s arms again, knowing there is someone able to love her.  

The person who caught Aquila’s eye better is prepared to get swept off their feet and spoiled without being ask. She doesn’t fall in love easily, but she falls hard and turns into the perfect and attentive girlfriend or wife people dream about. If she has set her sight on a person her patience is endless and you can be sure… she’d even kill for you.

Kayleigh wouldn’t know what to do with herself. She can’t fall in love… not in her position and yet… here she is… sweet, maybe making jokes because she doesn’t know what else to do. She only knows love from stories but is open to her own version once she got over the initial doubts… but there are still things she even can’t tell a lover… things even a lover isn’t allowed to do. And Kayleigh would really hope they honour those things she can’t tell and those things she can’t let them do.

Loreley is mistrust issues incarnated. She longs to be in love, to be the world of someone… but she’s utterly afraid that things end up the same again. She couldn’t stand being left behind again, last time she killed others and tried to kill herself only to turn into a myth an mythical spirit in the end. She’d also be a kind of clingy person to a point, but really trying to make her romantic partner and herself happy.

Lou – the shyest and sweetest guy you can imagine. Utterly amazed someone actually wants to be with a time bomb like him but eternally thankful. Also master of shy flirting and then not believing it worked or that his target actually noticed it and picked up on it. Total gentleman too. His partner should be prepared to get a second family along with Lou’s love though.

Phionee is a secretive lover but expect passion behind closed doors. She’s also someone who’d turn down playful flirting, even when it’s coming from her romantic partner the very moment things get serious… she just really doesn’t want to blush or mix up private and public things/life.  

Rachel wouldn’t recognise she’s in love until it’s too late. She’d enjoy being close with someone but prefers a relationship with no strings attached. She’s grey-romantic and considering her life and what she considers her duty to be more important than being with someone… though things happen that make her doubt that mindset at least slightly.  

Human Daniel actually was very affectionate and devoted when in love. But the way he is now he’s more of the possessive kind, wanting to selfishly push through his unrequited feelings this time without actually really carrying for the feelings of his target… or targets… he likes to get what he wants now but it’s not quite clear if that would change if his feelings were answered… it would definitely throw him off at the very least though. [Not that he deserves it or could really be changed though.]

Skadi is aromantic and after an affair gone wrong and a divorce she doesn’t expect anything from this concept of love anymore. But with someone she is very close and who understands her pain she would be very considerate and sweet. Life has left her utterly sore though and all she is looking for is someone able to stand how broken she is. Someone who spends nights on the sofa in silence with her and leans on her shoulder, their existence alone a soothing reminder that life will go on. Someone who provides her with some warmth when sleeping next to her. The idea that she could find anything like love or the happiness that comes with it though seems like a ridiculous concept to her.

Mariana has high hopes in love and a deep-seated need to be loved. Her expectations might be a bit over the top considering the reality she lived in. And she also has a tendency to become slightly obsessed with love aka her romantic partner. She’d act like a very sweet romantic though when in a relationship so maybe slightly overbearing. But if you break up with her... you better be ready for consequences. 

Jason doesn’t like to think about romance too much because it makes him realise that he is kind of lonely. Also, he probably wouldn’t believe if anybody he knew would flirt with him, not in his line of work and such. But once someone gets him to believe it, expect him to blush at first before flirting back relentlessly and enjoying himself to no end. He’s not looking for love though.

Vanessa hasn’t been in love ever before. She wouldn’t know what to expect but would love to find someone who cares about her and wouldn’t mind doing the same. She’d be mostly looking for someone who’d be willing to try things out without making everything too awkward, just someone sweet she’d probably end up dotting on a bit.

Cain has the tendency to idealise the people he loves… and then being disappointed by them. He has a fear of being abandoned and rejection and that can lead to a quick mood swing. When in love he is generally difficult to handle, and he knows it. But the reason for it is mostly that he feels everything so very much and strongly. He also has a tendency to show his love with gestures he then plays down when he realises he might embarrass himself… but he knows some things aren’t right with him and he tries to work on all of it + he really means well.

What do they do for fun?

Allete – secretly likes to get high-class food and has a weakness for cheese, she also likes to sit in small, cozy cafés to read… and she is addicted to speed… not the drug, more like fast cars and such.

Bel – found out early on that she loved to lie to people, since then she has started to learn how to tell fortunes, she’s also surprisingly good at finding stuff of all kind and animals love her, so now she’s getting lost pets back… that and polishing her knives and playfully annoying Maze aka each other.

Cardia – likes to make paper flowers, to explore the surrounding area and card games.

Jo – travel, order strawberry milk shakes and get some souvenirs for the kids. Also, coming home and leaving.

Damian – singing and his music, going for a drink or a bunch… and there’s also the yoga course but shhhh don’t tell anybody.

Deicida – still isn’t quite sure what fun is, but she’s learning to “swim” lately and finds it really enjoyable.

Gabriele – she likes listening to music a lot, just watching some movies and tinkering with stuff. Or talking , eating sweets and having fun with her little makeshift family of kids having a hard time being a mutant and anger issues.

Jennifer – Hardly has time for fun since there is so much work to do. But she likes dressing up nicely and eating out, slow dancing... having a beer at a nice bar with someone she likes to talk to and... does falling asleep with her cat on her lap count as fun?

Ophelia – wrecking a little havoc, riding with the wind, training and just hanging out with people she likes or cares about.

Aquila – she likes singing [she seems to be a trained opera contralto], crossword puzzles and finds much joy in the art of photography.

Kayleigh – loves to play pranks to a certain someone, taking care of the artefacts and… pruning plants though that seems to creep out pretty much everyone who ever watched her.

Loreley – likes to go window shopping and generally to take care of her hair as well as getting into a bar in the middle of nowhere and flirting with the other customers.

Lou – he plays the violin [and actually wants to study music], browsing sweet shops for new sweets and generally staying out of trouble… he’s a trouble magnet though and it usually doesn’t work.

Phionee – surprisingly enough she actually likes plants and she also doesn’t mind a bit of action or a nice drink in a rundown bar on some planet.

Rachel – enjoys being on the road and sleeping while someone else is driving and she always enjoyed her job and figuring out new spells.

Daniel – a stiff drink, a few games with Rachel by his side, the wind in his face, he doesn’t ask for much, but he always liked to play silly computer games while Rachel figures out a new spell now his fun is more of the sadistic and torture kind… or tempting people to do the wrong thing.

Skadi – hunting, having warm tea with someone, ice skating, having someone with a nice voice read to her.

Mariana – dreaming and exploring the dreams of others, also hunting for the perfect cup of coffee.

Jason – training, having a beer after work, getting to know new jokes, there is not much time for fun stuff when he’s doing his job right though.

Vanessa – playing with her pet, trying her hand at baking and since she’s a half-muggle, watching movies.

Cain – training [forgetting all trouble by powering himself out], bathing or swimming aka just chilling in a lot of water, cooking.

Do they like/want kids?

Allete: maybe and not so much, but kids seem to like her.

Bel: hahaha no… and… well they are so gullible that’s nice.

Cardia: yes eventually and… but is kind of awkward around kids.

Jo: no… but wouldn’t say no if one was on the way because she actually adores kids.

Damian: isn’t entirely sure he doesn’t have one already… might want one and is actually absolutely brilliant with kids against what everybody might expect.

Deicida: is pretty sure kids are out of questions, doesn’t know how to deal with humans and kids are even worse than grown-ups or teenagers.

Gabriele: Not for now though she has nothing against kids per se.

Jennifer: Yes she likes kids, but is probably too old to have one of her own by now, wouldn’t have minded being a mother though… but her work seemed more important.

Ophelia: Doesn’t want to think about having kids but gets along just fine with them because they think she is interesting and a bit scary.

Aquila: With the right partner she might think about it… doesn’t get along too well with kids though and finds them mostly annoying.

Kayleigh: Want? Yes… but not biological kids… that seems like a bad idea but one day she might just go and open an orphanage for real, who knows.

Loreley: no… in the past maybe but not anymore and kids tend to not take her seriously and anger her.

Lou: Oh hell yes! Eventually though not right now. He has a big loving family and wants to carry on the tradition, besides kids totally adore him, he’s still working on the being a reasonable adult part though.

Phionee: She feels like she has a kid and she loves him very much even though she’s his adoptive mother at best, more like aunt Phionee, but that doesn’t matter… also there are others that are something like kids to her but only one is still alive… she considers him to be a second son.

Rachel: She’s not found of the though of having a kid for a bunch of different reasons. Besides kids are really annoying and she doesn’t know how to handle them.

Daniel: Before certain events he would have loved to have kids, two or more and was really enthusiastic and patient when interacting with them… but since then things have changed… he still wouldn’t mind having a heir for the Weston Family though.

Skadi: In a way she would want a family of her own… but she is afraid what mixing her race with humans could lead to… she wouldn’t dare, so instead she treats the two teenagers that more or less suddenly appeared in her life kind of motherly… or at least she – who didn’t have a mother she remembers – tries.

Mariana: Maybe… she was a teacher after all… but she also learned how bad the kids can turn out to be, so… maybe, an accident would be a happy accident though and she might end up finally having someone loving her as much as she thinks she deserves it.

Jason: He’s not sure… there just wasn’t a person he wanted to have kids with or raise some with, so he never really thought about it. And he doesn’t have much contact with kids in general either, so he really isn’t sure.

Vanessa: Maybe in the future and with the right person by her side… sure then she’d like to have two kids but that might change until she’s older + she’d need a husband who is good with kids because she isn’t exactly.

Cain: He’s a bit awkward around kids but usually they find him kind of interesting. He doesn’t really want some of his own… but if the right person begged him he’d probably give in and once the kid is there he’d definitely do everything to be a good father.

Do they own pets (if so, what kind?)

No: Cardia, Jo, Damian, Gabriele, Ophelia, Loreley, Lou, Phionee, Rachel, Mariana

Allete has a pretty ragdoll cat uncreatively called “Minette”.

Bel has… a lot of familiars of all kinds.

Deicida has two tiny fish in a huge bowl she adores very much, their names are “Diana & Steve”.

Jennifer has a huge, moody main coon cat called… I wish I was kidding “Lancelot”.

Aquila has gotten herself a parrot much to the dismay of everybody around her but “Shirly” is a really good girl.

Kayleigh has a pet since the magical realm animal incident… she has named the thing “FuFu” but it hates her… so it isn’t actually very much her pet but more or less Wong’s who is better at handling the little rascal.

Skadi did have three wolfhounds while she lived alone in the wilderness, but then S.H.I.E.L.D. showed up and she had to leave them behind… those three know how to make it though.

Jason actually has a turtle his neighbours take care of when he isn’t there. Its name is officially “James Lettuce III.” It’s also his first turtle as should be mentioned.

Vanessa has a pet snake she smuggled into the school, no one has found “Linda” so far, so all is good.

Cain has a bunch of water animals responding to his call that live in front of and under the former boat house he lives in. They aren’t really pets but on the pro side he doesn’t have to take much care of them either.

How do they handle pain/sadness?

Allete: With a blank mask of apparent indifference, but probably already plans to destroy or kill someone. But if she really trusts someone she might admit her pain/sadness.

Bel: Little pain/sadness is met with apathy all the way. Major pain/sadness on the other hand with over the top anger, tears out of rage and… someone will definitely end up dead, so that she can feel better about it.

Cardia: Tears. She knows it’s embarrassing but she probably wouldn’t be able to hold back tears. At least initially and as long as she’s alone or someone is present that she trusts. If only people that she doesn’t trust are around… she’d bit her lips bloody instead in an effort not to cry.

Jo: She’d flee. Just get away… just ignore it, leave it behind until she feels better and no longer like crying. Jo is the kind of person who’d cry in the car with the music at high volume and drive, drive, drive until she feels better.

Damian: He is used to it. There is no point in crying, so he wouldn’t and just shrugs it off. Damian is the type to only cry out of happiness and avoids things and people that hurt him or make him sad.

Deicida: With speechlessness. She can’t even grasp what was done to her or why in an extreme case silent tears stain her cheeks. She’d just be in a shock and probably later cursing Hephaestus name.  

Gabriele: You think you know what an ice queen would be like? You have no idea of how cold Gabriele could get if you hurt her… calculating, merciless and cruel she would be ready to rip someone’s heart out…no… to have someone do it for her watching without the slightest hint of guilt.

Jennifer: She would act like nothing happened… but the moment her job allows it, she orders pasta gorgonzola – her comfort food –, gets a bottle of whiskey all for herself and then cries into both.  

Ophelia: If you hurt her you better prepare to die on the spot. Because she will lash out with utter aggression… except when it is a person she loves… then she just falls silent and leaves for a short episode of crying and more silence and unspoken sadness.

Aquila: Becomes very quiet… and already has made up at least 10 ways to repay the person who hurt her. Torturing them either physically or psychologically. Once she is satisfied, she leaves and never looks back.

Kayleigh: Wide eyes, quivering lips, twitching hand. She loves life… sometimes even people… but if something was done to her she can’t just shrug off she won’t hesitate, a tiny moment of lost control and someone is dead, quickly, efficiently, without a second thought, even though she’ll probably regret it later.

Loreley: Loreley would leave… ponder her pain, turning it over in her mind over and over again and if it is bad enough, then until she breaks… again, seeming all nice and calm… until she leaves, a bloodbath lining her way. 

Lou: Fists clenched, gritting his teeth until his jaw starts trembling… lips pressed together hard… he does everything not to lose control again, everything to make his family proud. Knowing if he opens his mouth… everything he fought so hard for is over and lost. He just swallows whatever it is. Trying to tell himself, that no one is worth it. No one, no matter how much he wants to tell them to go and kill themself.  

Phionee: She would withdraw into herself. She doesn’t say much and there is an unspoken sadness in her eyes. But she wouldn’t do anything about it or tell anybody. In the worst case it would leave her as an empty shell without a purpose or a plan. But usually she would recover eventually and in the meantime, try to carry on like normal. [But thank you marvel for killing nearly everybody she cared about… so now I have to deal with the worst case scenario that is an empty shell with a death wish OC ._.]

Rachel: At first, she would bow her head and hope that it stops. And if that doesn’t work she would try to distract herself by acting reckless. Hoping the adrenalin helps. Last but not least suppression.

Daniel: A short burst of anger at first but with comparably little aggression. He would take some time to recover but generally handles stuff like that well + would busy himself by worrying that Rachel might suffer as well and that he should take care of her… formerly, now: he’ll make sure you regret being alive.

Skadi: She has been cold and merciless… but has become much more vulnerable over time. The pain or sadness eating away at her. But she wouldn’t raise her hand and only cry very few tears when she is alone… but she would have a hard time to just let go of it all.

Mariana: First tears, then unproductive anger and last but not least she would try to walk the high road and meet the matter with a terrible, defensive yet passive-aggressive arrogance.

Jason: For a second his mouth would twitch. But he knows better than to lash out. Secretly he needs reassurance now but a beer with the buddies should be enough to make him feel better and to put things behind him… but whoever caused this better is ready to be treated with spite from now on.

Vanessa: That depends a lot on who hurts her or makes her sad. But a small fit of anger – not very scary – would probably be normal. After that petty revenge and pranks would probably be her way to make herself feel better together with arrogance ~ still a Slytherin after all.

Cain: He’d back down and out. Probably leaves for a while, to recover and maybe even decides to close that door behind himself forever because he is actually rather sensitive and doesn’t handle being treated badly or being hurt very well… he just wants to avoid experiencing the same a second time…neither does he necessarily want to forgive.

What are their best traits?

Allete: passionate, intelligent, quick thinker

Bel: clever, charming, good with animals

Cardia: brave, ready to help, honest

Jo: adventurous, carefree, fun to be with

Damian: charming, loyal, caring

Deicida: brave, protective, kind-hearted  

Gabriele: independent, caring, brave

Jennifer: loyal, dependable, stays calm under pressure, compassionate

Ophelia: actually surprisingly kind under a rough shell, fair, lenient, has that weird talent that makes people sleep better when sleeping beside her

Aquila: cunning, intelligent, confident, perceptive

Kayleigh: humorous, witty, light-hearted, caring

Loreley: dependable, loyal, devoted

Lou: controlled, sweet, gives people a chance and brings out the best in them, honest

Phionee: brave, always doing her best, protective, outspoken

Rachel: smart, skilled, tough

Daniel: was protective, faithful bastion of calm, fighter… still a fighter, gets things done, devoted

Skadi: honest, intuitive, well-meaning, methodical, own moral code, loyal, intelligent, curious

Mariana: diligent, gentle, really wants to help others

Jason: tough, big heart he tries to hide, good listener, clever humour, natural leader

Vanessa: open minded aka candid, protective, curious, sly

Cain: outspoken, fighter, honest, attentive, affectionate, sense of justice, benevolent, dedicated

What are their worst traits?

Allete: manipulative, secretive, you never know if she is telling the truth, especially about her feelings

Bel: nicknamed Lord of Lies, short-tempered, vain when given the chance

Cardia: easy to anger, wary, sensitiv

Jo: restless, commitment issues, preference to run from problems

Damian: influenced by fear, hard time opening up, judgemental

Deicida: tough time to keep her emotions under control, secretly bloodthirsty, resentful

Gabriele: stubborn, out of touch with her feelings, when overwhelmed reacts cold and mean

Jennifer: it’s always head over heart, survivor’s guilt, drowns out her worries in coffee or scotch

Ophelia: moody, no faith in nothing loner despite wanting to be loved, gave up on trying to be good

Aquila: arrogant, manipulative, cold and calculating

Kayleigh: when angered… than devastating, tendency to take things too lightly, give and take mentality to a point

Loreley: vengeful, bitter, wary, emotional mess

Lou: trouble staying in control when angered or tired, attracts trouble, self-doubt, overthinking things

Phionee: too deeply hurt by tragedy, sensitive and troubled by what others think of her, only really cares about her group/family

Rachel: a tendency to come across hostile or heartless, cold, apparently lazy

Daniel: was too easy-going sometimes, willing to sacrifice himself, a bit curt… now possessive, aggressive, violent, mostly heartless

Skadi: quarrelsome, impulsive, stubborn, capricious, sharp-tongued, easily bored, sarcastic, sore

Mariana: trusts and loves too easily, seeks others’ approval a lot, easy to take advantage of

Jason: a bit reckless, hard time to push his emotions away, stubborn, doesn’t accept loss well, tendency to do what he thinks is right… for better or worse

Vanessa: sharp tongue, pranks people she doesn’t like, potentially arrogant attitude and aura, quick to anger

Cain: bears grudges, self-doubt and feeling of not belonging, argumentative, stubborn, tendency to be insensitive, always afraid to be abandoned, trouble with interpersonal relations, easy to anger

Foods: Are they a tea or coffee person? Do they eat meat or are they vegatarian? Spicy or mild? Sweet or sour?

Alette – Coffee, small doses but strong, with sugar. Rarely eats meat, not a vegetarian but just not very fond of meat in general. Mild with a touch of spicy… a very small touch. Neither to the extreme ~ she actually has high standards when it comes to food.

Bel – Liquor? So, none but she surprisingly loves smoothies a lot. Loves meat, could probably live on a meat only diet, if she didn’t like broccoli that much. Spicy, super spicy, the burns your tongue to hell and back spicy. Also, sour is cool. Everything that genuinely gives her other trouble than the ones she has for even a second. She especially likes super sour gum, even better if it’s also spicy.

Cardia – Tea – warming her hands, warming her heart, it comforts her but was hard to get on the Isle. Vegetarian… with the food on the Isle still the better choice. Mild and sweet, the sweeter the better, because she grew up rarely getting anything sweet… because there wasn’t much available and what they had on the Isle wasn’t necessarily affordable for her.

Jo – Strawberry milkshakes!!! But coffee is fine too, with a lot of flavours/syrup though. Jo isn’t a picky eater at all. If it gets her through the day, it’s fine. Would probably die for a homecooked meal though. More on the spicy side for a white woman, but aware that’s not much. Sweet… as you might have guessed already.

Damian – Coffee, black, a dash of sugar. That or the fancy Starbucks stuff – there is no in between. Yes, he does eat meat. He actually places value on being an omnivore though and sometimes feels like meat is everything in the world and sometimes like he never needs it again. Spicy makes him feel alive but his stomach doesn’t like it. And… bitter-sweet. He’d probably say with a wink, pulling a black coloured liquorice lollipop out of his mouth with a grin.

Deicida – Neither – both tastes terrible to her. She doesn’t really care about eating at all… but her body has proofed to accept vegan products more readily. Deicida doesn’t really need to eat though but she can taste and spicy stuff is not up her alley. She finds both sour and sweet interesting though.

Gabriele – Prefers hot chocolate but fruit tea is okay too. Yes, she does eat meat. Mild food, fond of sweet dishes and most kinds of porridge, mush or puree. Kind of sweet tooth, though more in the sweet dish and drinks way than actual sweets or candy. Would probably sell her soul for cheese.

Jennifer – Tea – black. What kind of question is that even. She does eat meat but prefers fish. Mild, she doesn’t care about the burning sensation. Sweet but not particular. She is the chips/crisps over chocolate kind of person. But sour is just not a kind of flavour she cares for at all.  

Ophelia – Tea, herbal, strong, sweet, hot. Doesn’t eat any meat except for chicken, turkey, mutton and goat meat. Doesn’t need meat with every meal though. She likes spicy things alright and has a secret sweet tooth she doesn’t want people to know about.

Aquila – Tea actually, black tea with milk and sugar. It doesn’t matter, as long as it’s cooked well and with the right amount of spices. Not a bad cook herself but loves when others do it for her. Not particularly into spicy food or against it as long as the spiciness doesn’t kill the taste. Sweet-sour actually like sour candies and such or some citrus fruits.

Kayleigh – Both actually. She loves hot drinks in general. She doesn’t eat meat and avoids eggs. Can tolerate traces of it but the whole thing makes her nauseas – it’s not an allergy though but something different. Likes milk a lot though. Minds neither. And sweet ~ amazed by all the sweet things humanity came up with and wants to try everything if possible. No holding back!

Loreley – Coffee with lots of milk but no sugar. Is from a time where only rich people did get to have meat and unlike with the coffee never accustomed. Probably won’t turn it down when offered though but probably wouldn’t go for a meat dish either. Mild – very mild. And obsessed with dark chocolate and ice cream.

Lou – Tries to avoid both. But aunt Isabella’s café de olla is hard to resist. Otherwise raspberry ice tea is his favourite. Overall, he’s not too picky with his food. Likes simple dishes and those with a hundred spices. What is spicy? Doesn’t really have a sense for that, could probably eat cayenne pepper and chilli powder by the spoonful with a shrug… he had worse when aunt Valentina cooked. Is super sensitive too sour stuff though and not particularly fond of overly sweet stuff either. Doesn’t like caramel for example but lollipops are fine. Ironically, would run into even the most obvious trap for pecan pie.  

Phionee – What is coffee… or tea? She’s from outer space, but she likes most kinds of milk. No, she doesn’t eat meat nor vegetables. Has found out supplements and a lot of water and ice work best for her. Needs a lot of salt though and could probably live of nutritious mud. Doesn’t care about spicy or mild, sweet or sour stuff, can’t even taste the latter pair. But she likes food with a bit of crunch. Would love plain cornflakes if she was introduced to them.  

Rachel – Coffee all kinds. But rather as a remedy for exhaustion and fatigue instead of for the pleasure or taste. She doesn’t see the point in avoiding any food as long as it meets her three criteria she’s in for it. 1.) dead – like not moving 2.) done – like fully cooked 3.) not rotten in any form or way… will make an exception for fermentation in many cases though. Mild is less trouble. Sweet promises more energy. Food is mostly fuel and remedies though… secretly really loves pancakes and fried eggs with sweet-chilli-sauce though.

Daniel – Coffee – lots of it and little sweetener. He enjoys the bitter taste and the warmth. Life is short, food is good. As long as it’s warm and good he only picks out mushrooms and olives and has Rachel eat them for him. Generally, eats what he feels like, as long as it isn’t too much. Is okay with spicy stuff, will order mild though when ask so that Rachel can try his food too. Would probably be tempted to sell his own mother for chocolate cake and dark chocolate brownies.

That was before… since then he has mostly stopped caring about food, as long as it keeps him going… also likes spicy and sour much more because they remind him of… something… feelings... ugh such a human and weak thing. 

Skadi – Tea mostly, anything except fruit tea. Also drinks it without sugar and  quite a bit of it, mostly during sleepless nights. She eats a lot of meat actually. And doesn’t like spices very much… maybe a dash of salt at best. But the closer to tasteless and plain food is, the better… has a really hard time with spices in general and tends to get sick from very well-seasoned food or cuisine that uses a lot of spices. Hates takeout because of that. Loves white rice, popcorn and white coloured food in general. Likes salty food best.

Mariana – Coffee. She LOVES coffee. Especially with a bit of hot cocoa mixed into it but generally all kinds of coffee. Mariana doesn’t mind meat and likes spicy food quite a bit. But she rarely has time to cook and relies a lot on take out and such even before the trouble with her mutation. And she also likes sweet things, especially in combination with fruits no matter if it’s sugar, honey, caramel or chocolate.  

Jason – Coffee… lots of sugar, kind of running on it in the morning. And he really enjoys meat and especially a good barbecue. He also likes sea food, and anything made from potatoes a lot. He tries to live a bit healthier than it sounds though and unfortunately isn’t much of a cook himself. He’s pretty good at preparing cold meals and provisions though. And he really likes spicy food even though he is not very good with it – it’s probably kind of a secret masochistic thing. Sweet-sour like in berries aka he likes all kinds of berries a lot.

Vanessa – Tea. Big mugs, with milk and a bit of sugar. She makes the best sandwiches you can imagine without having to try them first to know what ingredients go together well. That does neither exclude nor necessarily include meat. She’s doesn’t really like too spicy food and isn’t generally very good with it – so mild. And sweet, definitely sweet. She prefers baked goods over chocolate and other stuff though. Vanessa loves cherry Bakewell tarts the most, followed by Battenberg cake.

Cain – Tea, herbal is best, but cooled down already. Also iced tea, because he can’t really tolerate carbonated beverages. No, he eats fish and other sea food though. But meat doesn’t feel right in his mouth. Mild, he is kind of sensitive to spicy stuff but that is rarely a problem because he cooks a lot of his meals himself. Both – to a point. Sweet but not artificial sweetness. More like rip fruits or maybe honey. And sour goes well with a bunch of fish dishes… but he doesn’t like anything purely sour.

  <Insert your own questions and answers here!>

Their vice(s) and something they are really good in?

Allete: good food/pearls & going undercover

Bel: vanity/alcohol/lying & fighting, leading armies and dealing with animals

Cardia: sweets & telling stories/tending to flowers

Jo: cowardice/sex & tracking down people

Damian: alcohol/cigarettes/lying/caffeine & singing

Deicida: curiosity/recklessness & dancing

Gabriele: wrath/pride/lust? … hopefully never alcohol & repairing and constructing technical devices/videogames

Jennifer: alcohol/purses & gathering info/patching people up

Ophelia: anger/loss of faith/sweets & origami/taking people’s breath away

Aquila: lying/gambling/pride & poker/manipulating people

Kayleigh: gluttony when given the chance/keeping secrets & taking care of magical artefacts/keeping secrets

Loreley: vengeful/envy/indifference & singing/manipulating people

Lou: indifference/anger to a point but mostly because his anger is so dangerous & music, especially playing the violin

Phionee: according to her own people the words: emotions/lust/narcotics & keeping a place together/stealing/escaping

Rachel: despair/remorse/caffeine & finding cases/magic

Daniel: before: caffeine/pride mostly, now: acedia/wrath & fighting/self-sufficiency/driving

Skadi: pride/distraction/remorse & hunting/skiing/standing the cold

Mariana: jealousy/concealment of wrong doing/caffeine & sleeping/dreaming

Jason: pride/berries/cigarettes when nervos & billiard actually/barbecuing/alcohol tolerance

Vanessa: pranks/bears grudges/pride & making sandwiches/potions and herbology

Cain: anger/pride/fruits/in his eyes being of mixed race & swimming/cooking/healing

Do they have a superpower?

Allete: No. She speaks several languages though.

Bel: Kind of. As one of the kings of hell who only answer to Lucifer himself she has 50 legions of spirits under her command. She is also able to create familiars, is stronger than a normal human, well trained with knives and has a very long lifespan.

Cardia: Yes, but it’s magic. She can find ways and portal that connect places and use them to travel, much like it was common custom in Wonderland before things first went array and then changed forever.  

Jo: Yes – she is a mutant. Her eyes are special. She can determine the strength of everybody she meets due to the number she sees above their heads, has night vision, heat vision and can see far very far and more. She needs reading glasses though.

Damian: No – not exactly. Though the way he can charm and manipulate people might as well be a superpower in the end. But not in general.

Deicida: Yes? Blade legs, would be hard to kill due to her skin, doesn’t really age, long living… all since she has been forged not born. That and that she can draw the blood of gods + transforming between a blade and a more human form.

Gabriele: Yes – she is a mutant. Her power is technopathy. She can communicate with technical devices via her thoughts. Find out what is wrong to repair it later… or pushing them to give it their all one last time and work. Technical devices in general try to do her favours and she can ready electrical signals.  

Jennifer: No – not in the classical sense.

Ophelia: Yes – she is a metahuman and able to control wind and air. She has the potential to be rather powerful but isn’t willing to find out her limits. Also, locking her in a room with poor ventilation aka only air-condition can kill her.

Aquila: No, not really. She is extremely clever and cunning though and actually a book character brought to life by an old magic… too cunning though to have made that known to others and be sent back so far… even though the name she chose is a kind of obvious play on her real name… or so she likes to think. But staying close to the truth often makes it easier to deceive people.

Kayleigh: You could say that. She is kind of goddess and her power is a terrible one. But without her the world would be in trouble too. And despite currently staying on earth she still fulfils her duty and has her “weapon” with her… but even if it did fall into the hands of someone else, her power would wear of the “weapon” quickly and it would soon be just a plain old… of what it is.

Loreley: Yes – she is not a god but an old mythological figure. Like a spirit. She has less powers but still some. Like her voice being able to lure people – mostly men – into danger and death. She also doesn’t really age. The gods are still much more powerful, but she has her own tricks.

Lou: Yes – he is a metahuman. Able to control people with his voice and make them bide to his will. If he leaves they are soon freed from his “spell”. If he stays but doesn’t say anything further, it still takes a lot longer. Lou has to carefully watch what he says to not accidently hurt people by using his power. A power because of which people tend to expect that he just has to be a villain.

Phionee: No, she is an alien and therefore has a few other perks and problems than humans. Like only living about half as long and needing cool temperatures. But aside of that and a tail she doesn’t have any superpowers.

Rachel: Yes and no? Not superpowers but magic. Rachel is a very versed, usually good, witch. Powerful enough so that there are rumours that she surely has a covenant with a demon going. Well it’s not a covenant for sure, but she is still pretty talented.

Daniel: No, originally he was close to peak human condition at best. But now things are different and he has obtained all the powers of a demon… unfortunately by becoming one.

Skadi: Yes, she is a frost giant and the Asgardian goddess of winter, hunting and skiing. Her magical powers controlling ice, snow, blizzards and the like are rather powerful. And she has all the perks of Jotun but also all the trouble. But it’s still a powerful combination.

Mariana: Yes – she is a mutant. Able to dive into the dreams of others while sleeping, to jump between dreams and control them to a point. Marianna can also “store” sleep for later and if she doesn’t actively control it she emits an aura that makes others sleepy. Before things went down she was known to hold night classes at the Institute, gathering the students in a dream and teaching their subconscious directly. She only has access to people that are currently sleeping… but if she kills someone in a dream… they never wake up again.

Jason: No – he’s well trained and fit. But he doesn’t have any superpowers he knows of.

Vanessa: Magic? Like all students at Hogwarts she knows how to conjure a spell, mix a potion, stuff like that. But there is no super outstanding ability people would know of or she would admit to.

Cain: Yes, kind of. Due to his mixed heritage he is able to change between a more human form and that of a merman, scally tail, gills and all. The folk of his mother also seems to know some interesting to potent magic. He is not extremely versed in it though since he opted against dedicating his life to magic and magic alone from a young age on.

What do they really want?

Allete: Peace and prosperity – no matter what she has to do for it.

Bel: Appreciation and acceptance – without having to change completely and the beauty she would get back that way.

Cardia: For her mother to get her meds, the nice normal life the good kids got and traveling [without having to worry about her mum].

Jo: Finding a place and a person to stay without feeling trapped and to keep doing something with her life that feels meaningful.

Damian: Not to die… the love of a certain person… neither of which seems archivable + success as a singer and musician would be nice.

Deicida: To understand emotions and be happy – at least for a while before she has to return to be a sword again.

Gabriele: A place where people like her are save. No more mistreated mutant kid like her and the others… but she has stopped believing in tolerance… so a parallel society maybe? Actually that she could just be normal and have normal problems… not feeling the burden on her shoulders or trying to provide a safe haven for the others.

Jennifer: For everybody to survive… and Kingsman to keep fighting for the right things. Also to be able to act on certain feelings… but that is not an option.

Ophelia: To stop being bad… though she can’t believe in it any longer. Then just to survive and for the irredeemable criminals to die… and she definitely believes that those exist. Also killing the Joker.  

Aquila: To proof that she is better than… but also not to return to her book. She actually likes to be more than a character of a fictional story.

Kayleigh: For life to keep blooming and being able to indulge in all the energy of life. Aka for things never to end and humanity and nature to keep prospering. Also, just to enjoy her disguise as long as she can.  

Loreley: That her sweetheart didn’t cheat on her all those many, many years ago. That her heart could be unbroken and not shattered… but also the power back she once had, when her name was whispered only because men feared her power and woman were mesmerised and scared, of what she could do and did, at the same time.

Lou: To be accepted as “not a villain” would be a start… that people encourage him instead of being so sure he won’t be able to make it anyway. Or to get rid of the power, at least for a bit to be able to tell people to “go to hell” and “I wish you were dead.” Without there being serious consequences. 

Phionee: A place to call home and be accepted for who she is… she had that for a while. Now that her “son(s)” has his own kind of family and place to belong to and the death of an important person in her life all she wants is to die… go out with a bang before her time is up anyway.

Rachel: Have the old days back. Those when she and Daniel were just traveling around hunting things and it wasn’t the end of the world what felt like every second month. She never realised how good and easy it was when her biggest problem was some poltergeist.

Daniel: The tiny bit of humanity left in him might want the same as Rachel does… the rest of him though… a comfortable life, Rachel as his slave/lover and to not be bothered anymore by all this doing good and saving people stuff. Maybe the reign over a small city would be nice too.

Skadi: A place to belong to in a way… and just to heal, slowly, at her own pace. Which means she’s comparably content right now but always afraid that it will just be over as well.

Mariana: Someone to love to and who loves her. Being valued for who she is… also to be accepted back into society and if that doesn’t work to rule it with her fellow mutants. But more than anything she wants to be loved… it seems that easy.

Jason: He’s not so sure about that. For life to be nice and an adventure? To people making it out alive of their missions and others getting better? He doesn’t really ask for much. Just wants to do his best in this life and place, while not forgetting about living and being a human being.

Vanessa: World peace? No but really, she wants for people – including herself – to be able to live a comfortable life, free of fear and filled with tolerance. But for now… just getting done with school and finding a job she likes would be nice. Also, there might be someone she has a crush on… but that’s a different story.

Cain: For people to forget the other half. No matter where he is, they never fully trust him. He always feels like shut out. And the one person he wanted a deeper connection with declined that… staying “just friends” is hard when he never feels like people trust him or want him around. All while all he wants is feeling like he belongs.

Phase 3 - FREEFORM!

Write a story about them (Are they from different worlds; how would they interact if they met up?) Make aesthetic board(s) for one or many. Have a snippet of dialogue between them. Maybe quotes from each of them? Whatever you want!

I might write a story, but later when I have the inspiration and time for it. For now, please enjoy my OC aesthetics with quotes ~

And thank you to @cantankerousintrovertedpumpkin for tagging me in this. Sorry it took me forever but OCs is... kind of thing for me as you might notice and there are so many... and I just couldn’t make up my mind to only chose 5-10 SORRY!!!

[tonksiefea]

Welcome to Afterlife- Ch 1||Philinda

Summary: Specialist Melinda May is on a mission to track down and rescue a lost SHIELD team that was investigating a tribe of possible Powered People in the forests of China. She works alone, she's always been alone. Its better that way. Phil Coulson was raised in a home that admired and respected their Inhuman ancestors. At 20 he was given his birthright and became one of the healers for new Inhumans in Afterlife. When Specialist May gets put in Phil Coulson's care this change for both of them.

A/N: Sooo this is my new Prompt verse. Thank you to the always perfect and flawless @agentsphilinda for betaing cause she is perfect! This isn’t really plotted out so if you have any ideas or anything pm me I will see what I can do LOL! this part is mostly fluff with some Angst mixed in for flavor. Enjoy!

Ao3

Day One

Waking up that first night was torture. All Melinda could see around her was complete darkness. At first, she assumed she was blind. There was no light, no forms, nothing. She felt fear start to take over and took a deep breath. She needed to relax. Compartmentalize and focus on the problem at hand. She had to work through until she found a solution and then move to the next. Slowly, the darkness started to recede like water being drained from a fish tank. The blackness slowly moved down and let her see her surroundings. That didn’t help her calm down. The trees were all vivid, all the shadows between them doing nothing to obscure her vision. It was a dark night with no moon and no stars but it looked like midday to her.

That was the moment she noticed how her body felt. She felt empty, like a cold mist was swirling in her. The air felt warm even though it was a winter night and she should be freezing. She felt nauseous and wrong. She felt like she would take off flying at any moment and if she’d had anything in her stomach it would not be in there much longer. Her heart beat felt too fast but she couldn’t slow it down. It felt like the speed was normal now.

Every day since the night she’d first felt the husk take her, she had been running. She’d been fighting sleep. When she slept, she would wake up to demons that had taken her over, trying to choke the life from her. All of her guilt and her worst memories would haunt her in new, more inventive ways when she slept. Now she lived her life avoiding sleep so she could stay alive and more importantly protect others from the evil possessing her. She had never believed in curses before, they were just old Chinese fairy tales her mother told her to keep her in line. Now she did. Now she was cursed, and it was tearing her apart.

***

The last thing she remembered was that one of the men hunting her had found her. He trapped her in a room with white walls and no shadows to save her. She couldn’t move, couldn’t leave. Melinda’s eyes burned her as she prepared herself to fight but the light was making it hard to see as her eyes blurred from the white of the room. She was ready to take him out when a flash of lightning surrounded her and knocked her out.

Her eyes opened to a blurry face. A very bright blurry face. She hissed at the pain all over her body that centered most strongly in her eyes and head. “What did you do to me?” she growled through a sandpaper tongue as she blinked the face into focus. He was handsome. Bright blue eyes and dark hair. He was literally lighting up the night but unlike the sun or a bright light it didn’t burn her eyes or force her to squint or turn away. She tried to move to look around but couldn’t couldn’t. Needles were sticking out of her and she tensed, trying to get her body back. She fought the familiar panic trying to assess the best way to get out of this when the man smiled sweetly. He didn’t look like he was trying to kill her but she knew better than to trust appearances.

“Calm down, it’s okay.” He said petting her hair gently. He was so warm and soothing. Her body relaxed without her express permission. ‘60 beats per minute. Don’t let it out’ she chanted to herself mentally calming down. “You’re on a healing table. The needles will keep you paralyzed until your body can heal. You had a lot of time without treatment so there’s a lot of damage.” he explained gently. “Though you were only out for one day which is impressive.” He said almost sounding admiring like she'd managed something spectacular. She didn’t feel particularly spectacular though.

“Where am I?” She growled threateningly trying to make a plan of escape. She had to get out. She couldn’t stop for too long. Either the men would hunt her down or SHIELD would find her and she knew how people like her were treated. She wouldn’t mind indexing but she doubted they would just let her live a normal life or continue as a SHIELD agent when she could barely control her curse. Besides there was nothing to go back to now. She’d never had a team and they probably assumed she died anyway. They had for the rest of the poor SHIELD team she’d been supposed to rescue. They were now chunks of rock on the forest floor.

Phil smiled warmly at her. “This is Afterlife. Don’t worry, you’re safe.” he assured, pulling over a chair hoping that not towering over her would help her accept the situation.

“So I’m dead?” She asked simply. Well that was a bit of a relief. “This isn’t how I imagined hell but it’ll do.” She added. She supposed hell made sense.

He laughed “No! Not dead. It has to do with rebirth and the real name is Chinese, I can’t pronounce it.” He admitted. “We do need to get your body adjusted to your new state though! And we need to find out your gift.” He said smirking “It’ll be fun!” He promised. She didn’t have a gift but she knew exactly what her curse was.

Melinda turned her face away from him. “I don’t think I am what you think I am.” She said simply.

Phil smirked “I think we both know exactly what you are. Once I have you healed you can choose whether you accept that or not. For now, I’m going to let the needles do their work and maybe get you something to eat for when we take them out, okay?” He asked brightly standing up and walking away.

Day Three

The needles had been removed from Melinda shortly after she’d woken up. They hadn’t let her leave the room yet. Day two some random person had delivered her food and stared at her meditating for a few hours before leaving her alone. She figured they also had surveillance cameras on her or something but she was intent on ignoring her curse hoping that in time it’d disappear.

The sun was too bright and hot after what she’d been through, so she started trying to sleep during the day and stay awake at night but really sleeping at all was hard for her. Especially when she was trying to hide her curse. She has spent too many nights waking up to a shadow choking her. She couldn’t deal with that risk. Besides, the day long nap they had given her helped, she almost wasn’t exhausted anymore.

“I heard you didn’t behave very well while I was gone.” Phil teased walking in the door with some sort of to go food container in his hands.

“What do you mean?” Melinda asked honestly confused but oddly glad to see him back.

He smirked and sat down across from her at the tiny table. “You didn’t say a single thing to the person who came in yesterday.” He explained pointedly.

Melinda raised her eyebrows and shrugged. “He didn’t say anything to me either.” She pointed out taking a small bite of the salad. “And I did say thank you.” She added munching.

“Two words? That’s it? He said you kept glaring at him!” He teased shaking his head. He knew this would get them no where, she was terribly stubborn but she talked to him. He didn’t exactly know why she talked to him but he was grateful she did. He was starting to really enjoy that she did talk to him. So far she was interesting. A puzzle, and he loved puzzles. “Ready to tell us what your gift is yet?” He asked smirking eating his soup with her.

Melinda shook her head with a straight face and eyebrows raised. “I don’t have a gift. I’ve told you that.” She said simply. She intended to insist she had no gifts until they let it go or until she lost them, one of the two. It wasn’t a lie either. She didn’t have a gift. She had a curse.

“Everyone who has survived the mist has a gift.” he insisted smirking. “I’m positive that your must be pretty spectacular and keeping it inside could really cause a lot of damage. You need to stop fighting it Melinda.” he insisted and started fully checking her over.

“There’s a first for everything.” She countered stubbornly but let him check her over and take her vitals. He didn’t understand why she was being so frustrating! Not even just about not showing her gift! He wouldn’t mind so much if he was sure she wasn’t hurting herself to keep it in but he could tell she wasn’t sleeping. “What makes you think it will be great anyway? I could end up being a monster.” She pointed out.

“You won’t be a monster I’m sure of that. The only thing monstrous about you is how stubborn you are!” He insisted. She was insanely stubborn. “Speaking of, I can heal a lot of things with my gift but lack of sleep isn’t one of them. If you don’t sleep soon I’m going to have to use the needles again.” He explained. It wasn’t a threat, more like a warning label. ‘Caution contents may be hot.’ ‘Caution you hurt yourself I’m going to fix it.’ He wanted her healthy even if she didn’t want to be.

She rolled her eyes. “Yes Doctor.” She groaned with a hint of petulence. She was cute when he was annoying her.

“Good. And maybe if you behave you’ll get a treat.” He joked smirking at her. As soon as he said it his mind started thinking of possible things he could get her to lift her spirits. He had no idea how that sounded.

Melinda got a mischievous look and slowly raked her eyes over him. “I like treats. Are you the one giving them?” She flirted, the innuendo was clear. It was more to throw him off than anything. He was cute-- sexy really if she were honest, and she would absolutely take a ‘treat’ from him. It was a terrible idea though and if she had any intention of getting out of here and getting rid of this curse she couldn’t get attached to him.

Phil’s face went bright red and he sputtered a bit shocked by her forwardness and then huffed. “You just love messing with me don’t you?” he insisted firmly and she chuckled at him nodding. “Well fine then. Just for that I rescind my offer for teats. And they were going to be really good treats too! I was even thinking ice cream.” he pouted.

She smirked at him and shook her head. “That’s quite a loss.” She said sarcastically and just a little amused. God he was cute when he was flustered. She’d have to do that to him so much more often.

He nodded firmly. “It really is. Who doesn’t like ice cream?!” He flailed.  “Now if you want them you have to earn them back! In fact, if you haven’t slept in tomorrow I’m going to--” He thought for a moment and smirked “I’m going to slip you sleeping meds and Bongo and take pictures.” He threatened. He could picture it now. She would be adorable like that.

Melinda raised her eyebrows looking completely incredulous. “Bongo?” she asked flatly.

“Yep, he’s my stuffed kangaroo.” He said brightly. Everything about that sentence made her burst out laughing. He was so adorable, how did this man even exist? Not to mention he literally glowed in the dark. What was that?

“Of course he is.” She muttered under her breath and calmed down “I’ll try to sleep.” She assured shaking her head still chuckling slightly. She had a cute laugh. He really liked when she laughed and when she smiled. It was rare. It was another piece of that puzzle. “So are you going to send in the silent babysitter again when I finish lunch? I’m sure you have better things to do.” she said poking at the last leafs of her salad. Phil smirked and shook his head. “Nope, you’re stuck with me for the rest of the day. I thought we’d play board games. I have boggle!” he said brightly.

Melinda smiled genuinely for the first time in what felt like too long and shook her head. “You’re on.” She said utterly amused and enchanted, not that she’d let him see that. If he was honest with himself he didn’t want to leave her. Which could end very badly.

Day Eight

Melinda actually felt good today. She’d slept most of the night and hadn’t woken to a shadow trying to choke her or the now familiar feeling of overwhelming guilt. She was pretty sure Phil had slipped her sleeping pills without her knowing, she’d never thank him for it but it was a nice day. It was a rare blessing to wake up without fear or guilt. She was up doing Tai Chi when Phil stormed in. He did not seem nearly as happy with his day.

Phil tossed her lunch on the tiny table and huffed. “How have you officially scared away every healer in Afterlife except me?!” He asked incredulous and annoyed. She smirked at that. She liked him annoyed. He was cute when annoyed.

Melinda smiled just slightly moving through her motions. She stayed silent concentrating on breathing and keeping her heart rate down. She knew if she looked at him she’d probably break out laughing with how annoyed he looked. She’d seen his annoyed face when she kicked his ass in whatever board game they played, it was a daily thing for her. It was the same face she’d gotten when talking him out of Monopoly because that was a bad idea. It had ended as a good day though. They had shared stories about their lives, not big ones just little ones. He talked about his dad and the car they’d worked on. She’d told him about her ex husband and how annoying it was being married to a shrink.

“Seriously Melinda, it’s like you’ve gone out of your way to make it impossible for us to find someone that likes you that isn’t me!” He insisted. “At this rate we’ll never find a guide for you! Without a guide how will you learn to use your gift, huh? Insane stubbornness?” He ranted.

At that she did pop open an eye and look to him. “I told you, I don’t have a gift! I don’t need a guide and the sooner you believe me the sooner we can move on.” She pointed out simply and moved through the last motions ending her routine.

“Of course you have a gift Melinda.” He huffed exasperated by her. “I can see the affects on your body! Holding it back is hurting you!” He said frustrated “You get no sleep and push yourself too hard and you nearly overheated yesterday!” He growled

“It was a hot day yesterday.” she shrugged.

“It was Eighty Two degrees fahrenheit yesterday and in this room it was seventy two. For me that’s freezing! To an average human that’s at least cool!” He pointed out nearly as stubbornly as she usually was. “If you didn’t run so cold all the time I would think that your gift was just to be extremely frustrating and scare everyone to death!” He ranted some more running a hand through his short thinning hair.

Melinda scoffed “You’re right. That’s it. I’m the boogey man.” she said flatly. “Boo.” She added just for effect. His face was red and he was so upset and God he looked cute like that. All frustrated and flustered.

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I get it. You’re afraid of your gift.” he said gently. “I was too when I first got mine.” He offered gently.

She quired a disbelieving brow at him. “You can heal people by touching them and glowing a little.” How could he be afraid of something like that. It wasn’t like hers. It wasn’t evil.

He smirked “That took time and training.” He walked towards her and sat in his normal chair. “And a guide.” He added pointedly at her smirking a bit. “When I first came out of terragenesis I had blinding light and I was so hot I burned anyone I touched.” he said honestly looking up at her.

She thought for a moment wondering how the soft hearted and gentle man she knew could deal with ever hurting anyone. He had a hot temper at times and she could see he wasn’t harmless, but she had trouble seeing him as anything imposing. “I’m sorry.” She said putting her hand on his arm gently and ignoring how hot it was.

Normally his hands were pleasant but lately her body had been so warm it wasn’t nice to feel his heat but she needed to let him know she was there. She knew he didn’t care past being a healer but she had warmed to him since she met him, she trusted him. Trust was a rare commodity for her. Maybe it was the fact that he was so warm and seemed so honest and cared so deeply. He was her total opposite but he didn’t shy away from her.

He smirked “It’s ok. It was a long time ago at this point. I’ve worked to make up for that every day.” He added. “But hiding your gift won’t help you control it, it will just hurt you, like you’re doing right now!” He insisted wanting nothing more than to get her to accept who she was now. “Maybe not in front of me, but you can’t keep turning your gift in on yourself, it’s hurting you.” He insisted seriously. “And I hate seeing you hurt.” he added honestly. He was growing so close to her. How had it only been a week since she’d woken up? She frustrated the hell out of him but he felt balanced when he was around her. Maybe he was reading too much into it but it was like she reminded him where the ground was.

She smirked and nodded. “I’ll try.” She agreed and looked to her lunch in his arms. “Can we have lunch now?” She asked smirking just a slight tease.

Phil looked confused for a moment then realized he was still hoarding her lunch. He quickly pushed the bag over to her. “Sorry I forgot I’m your only source of food.” He paused and smirked remembering where the conversation had started. “Cause you chased off all the other ones. Is that why you keep me around? For my food?” He joked smirking. She wasn’t about to tell him that she got food from other people. They would leave breakfast and dinner at the door and a few days when he was running late they put down a lunch out too but she had ignored that, preferring to wait for him to bring it. He was the best part of her day. She wasn’t about to stop that.

Melinda shrugged smirking slightly “A girl’s gotta eat.” She said simply taking a bite of her cold soup. “I was thinking maybe we should play poker today. I bet you have a great poker face.” She smirked.

He laughed warmly. “You’re on! I’m going to rob you blind.” He challenged. He didn’t. They didn’t play for money. Even if they had she would have won by a landslide. She was tempted to play strip poker with him now, though.

Day Fourteen

Phil was utterly drained today. The entire day he’d dealt with fighting off people who thought that Melinda should be punished for going through the mist ahead of schedule. It was a big hubbub outside and had been from the start, but today was particularly awful. Someone had informed one of the parents of Afterlife that his son, who had been slotted for the next round of mist, had been postponed until Melinda was cared for and integrated properly. He was glad Melinda was safe in her room, he didn’t want to think of what some people would do if they got their hands on her. He didn’t like thinking about her ever getting truly hurt.

Talking to her every day was quickly becoming his favorite thing to do. He’d never connected with a patient quite this much, or worried about anyone quite this much. She was amazing. Incredibly strong, she could fight anything. She was also so horribly stubborn he wanted to beat his head against a wall sometimes but she was funny and could make him laugh like no one before ever could.

He didn’t know exactly what her gift was or how she’d done it but at one point she’d managed to sneak out of her room, and come back a few moments later in the same spot. After they’d seen that on film, they still had no clue what her gift was, except maybe invisibility or teleportation, but she had been cooler the next day and that was all he cared about. It’d happened a few times since then and while she still wasn’t sleeping he was glad to have her at least not overheating anymore.

She was meditating in a shadowed part of her room when he walked in, something he’d noticed she liked doing. When that happened he would usually sit at the table and wait until she was finished and finally noticed him. So he set down the veggie burgers he’d gotten for them and waited. His eyes roamed over her face as she meditated. “I can feel you staring.” She murmured with minimum movement.

He blushed being caught without her even opening her eyes. How did she even do that? It should be impossible, but then they lived in impossible. Or maybe it was just that she was impossible. “Sorry. You’re interesting.” He said and looked down at the table. She let out a huff of a laugh and went back to it. He’d look up every once in awhile but tried not to stare like he had been. It mostly worked.

Suddenly there was a huge thump against the wall of her room and a loud bang. Phil jumped up looking to her ready to defend her and she was gone. “Melinda?” He asked panicking. “Where are you? Melinda!” He shouted and she walked out of the shadows nearest him on the other side of the room from where she’d been. “Thank god!” He breathed and ran to her. “Are you alright?” He asked looking her over.

She nodded “I’m fine. What’s going on?” She asked pulling away from him. She was colder to the touch and he realised that was her power. So it was teleportation! She was amazing!

He shrugged. “I don’t know.” He admitted and they heard shouting from outside the room.

“SHE JUMPED THE LINE AND BECAUSE OF HER MY SON LOST HIS BIRTHRIGHT!” A male voice screamed. Well that wasn’t good. “THAT SHOULD BE MY SON IN THERE NOT SOME OUTSIDER! SHE ISN’T ONE OF US! SHE DOESN’T RESPECT THE TRADITIONS OF THE LINEAGE!” the voice raged. “SHE’S A THREAT TO ALL OF US!” The voice sounded again and few other voices resounded with an agreeing “Yeah!”.

Flashes of her life flooded Melinda’s mind. Dark times: leaving Andrew, killing her first mark, seeing the SHIELD team she’d been sent to save, inhuman-shaped pieces of husk. So many terrible things, all the worst things she’d done. Then there was Bahrain. The little girl with powers she had killed. She’d had to stay strong after it. She had no shoulder to cry on. That little girl’s face had invaded her mind and taken her over even after she’d put her down. Andrew had tried but there was nothing he could do. There wasn’t anything left of Melinda to save.

Phil watched her panic not sure what to do. He wanted to go outside and tell everyone to shut the fuck up about the woman he’d spent the last few days with. He couldn’t just leave her to her mind and her demons though. He stepped closer but the shadows around her seemed to be moving. They were becoming solid, growing and pulsing like they were alive and waiting to devour her. The darkness from where a wall was blocking the sun turned into a pitch black ooze swirling around her. “Melinda?” He asked gently trying to pull her out of whatever was going on.

Melinda opened her eyes trying to calm her breathing and keep herself stable but it wasn’t working. Her heartbeat was skyrocketing and she had nothing to channel her emotions into. She couldn’t use them, there was no enemy to fight but herself. She was freezing, her teeth were literally chattering as all of her body’s energy left to create the shadows attacking her.

Phil could feel the chill rolling off of Melinda and her shadows. It wasn’t that she could teleport, she could control the shadows, melt into them and move through them. She was his polar opposite. He was amazed and terrified watching the woman before him, someone who was usually so strong and tall, stand there so scared and alone and fragile. He didn’t know how to save her.

Out of the shadows stepped a figure. A small girl shape barely four foot tall with her hand reached out. Phil watched in horror as the figure walked towards Melinda and Melinda’s eyes went huge with recognition.

Melinda was terrified and shaking watching Katya walk towards her. The shadows didn’t make a sound but they didn’t have to. She could still hear the little girl’s voice in her mind saying Melinda would be her new mother and that she wanted pain. Pain. Melinda was now just like that little girl, she was a monster. She was a threat that needed to be taken out.

Both watched frozen in place as the small shadow child reached up and started to choke Melinda. She fell to her knees unable to fight her curse and her lips started to turn blue from the lack of oxygen and her body’s overuse of the curse she’d been pushing back so hard. This had been building and now that it was out it wasn’t letting her go.

“Melinda!” Phil shouted once she was on the ground. On instinct his hand shot out a beam of blinding white light at the shadow girl, disintegrating her. He ran over to Melinda and fell to his knees in front of her and pulling her into his arms petting her hair gently. “Shh, It’s ok. You’re safe now. I’m here.” He said gently opening his hand not in her hair and letting a light shine in the shadows making them soothe back into their places. The moving looked less intimidating now, more like a dance around them and less like a pulsing predator.

“I couldn’t save her. I couldn’t. It was her or us. I had to get them out. I couldn’t save her.” Melinda sobbed letting out all the guilt and pain she’d used just to keep functioning day by day for the past eight years.

Phil rubbed her back holding her. He didn’t understand a word she was saying, not really. He just knew he had to make it better so he said what he thought she needed to hear. “It’s okay. You need to let the girl go, Melinda.” He assured. “It’s time. Let the girl go.” He said gently into her hair. Holding her and rocking her. She was freezing but it felt good against his heated skin. They were hot and cold, light and shadow, perfect compliments to each other. His warmth stopped her shivering leaving only the silent tears and wracking sobs behind.

They sat there for minutes of silence, him holding her and rocking her. Her silently crying into his chest and desperately trying to calm down. He was almost certain she’d fallen asleep after a while. She was back to a normal temperature for her, which was pleasantly cool instead of an icy frozen like she had been when he’d first pulled her close.

He was about to pull away to take her to the bed when she broke the silence. “They’re right. I shouldn’t be here.” She said simply. That made him tense. There was still yelling outside of her room but it was much quieter now. He’d honestly stopped noticing for awhile, too concentrated on her to notice anything else.

The situation out there was being handled by guards and possibly Jiaying herself. Inside it was their own little world. Just the two of them.  The thought of her leaving that world shattered him. He’d only known her two weeks but he couldn’t imagine a day when he didn’t walk in and talk to her for hours. He hated the thought of her not being there to laugh at his history jokes and beat him at the boardgame of the day.

“No they’re not.” He said firmly holding her tighter. “You do belong here. You are one of us. So you weren’t raised as one, you belong here.” He said firmly.

“I don’t belong anywhere, Phil.” She said pulling away from his arms to look him in the eyes. “You’ve seen what I can do! I can’t control it. I don’t want to control it. I want it gone. I want to be an agent again! I want my life back.” She said firmly. “I want to be in control of myself and not have this--- whatever it is inside of me making me a danger to anyone around me!” She nearly shouted. She hadn’t had anything or anyone to fight in weeks. She hadn’t had anything to put her emotions into and she was bubbling. “I’ve killed people, while I was sleeping! I’m so dangerous I can’t even sleep without hurting someone! That’s how I got here.” She pushed.

Phil let her yell at him his hands loose around her waist and hers still on his biceps. He was keeping her warm. He wasn’t like the sun, he didn’t burn her or hurt her eyes. She didn’t hate his light. He was just warm, pleasantly so, and bright. She was keeping him cool, not burning or nippy like the night or winter, just cool. “You didn’t hurt me. You hurt yourself.” He pointed out. “Melinda you’re keeping this inside of you and thinking it’s a curse, like your life is over, it’s not!” He said gently. “It’s just starting. You can control it. You keep thinking of all the bad things you can do with this, but think of all the good.” He pointed out.

She scoffed. “What good?” She challenged looking him in the eyes looking utterly hopeless. He drew his hand from her arms to her cheek.

“You could bring much needed shade to people working in the sun when they get overheated. You could hide people from danger in the shadows. Who knows what all of your gift could be.” He said gently. “If you let me help you we can train it and you can help people. Our gifts fill a need in the people, ones we may not even know exist. Everyone has what they have for a reason.” He said gently stroking his thumb over her cheek. “Let me help you find yours.” He nearly begged at a whisper. He wanted to make her stay. He wanted to help her. He wanted to keep her with him always.

Melinda leaned into the heated touch and sighed thinking. Her cool hand come to loop over his wrist still not able to bring herself to hold someone’s hand. Especially since he was an Inhuman and she had Inhuman blood on her hands. “I won’t trust anyone but you.” She said firmly. If this was going to work she didn’t want a different guide. She wanted him, only him.

Melinda wasn’t ready to make friends, she’d never really had a friend before. She’d had boyfriends and teammates but she didn’t connect well. She had working relationships: People like Maria and Natasha and Bobbie who she admired and who admired her and they understood each other. She’d always been so quiet though and she’d never found someone to help her bridge the gap and make strong relationship bonds. It made her envy Natasha and Clint all the time, even Bobbie and Hunter, as messy as their relationship was. They always had each other. She thought maybe Phil could be that for her, he made her want to try.

“You won’t have to. The council already assumed I’d be your guide. I’ll help you through it. Especially now that we know I can help you keep control.” He assured “It’ll be you and me.” He assured and she nodded and moved quietly back into his arms and he felt like he could breathe again. She wasn’t leaving now. She was staying and this felt permanent, like he really wouldn’t lose her. “So… Shadows huh?” He asked amused.

“Yep.” She said simply smirking slightly at the playful tone in his voice.

“So we really are opposites?” He asked smiling at the tone she’d given back to him. This felt comfortable. This was what they had built over the last two weeks.

“I did say that.” She reminded.

“Well yeah but I didn’t think you meant with our gifts too. That would have been so much easier to figure out.” He insisted. “It’s so cool. You’re shadows are amazing!” He gushed. “You know until they try to kill you. But you can teleport with them!” He said like an excited kid.

“Only over short distances.” She explained trying to get him a little less excited. He was going to go overboard with this she could just feel it.

“Well yeah for now! But think of how cool this could be!  You can do so much with that! Think of the pranks alone you could pull!” He said smirking.

That perked Melinda’s attention. “Did you have something in mind?” She asked smirking. With him there, maybe hell wasn’t quite so bad. Not if she had him by her side. Light in the darkness sort of thing.

[voidchill]

Diner Date