#larkin family fluff

[more-sonorous]

gmybw 2- feelings, feelings, feelings

continuation of the little oneshot i wrote last night bc we've built a whole universe around it and i MUST do that universe justice by bringing it onto the page (screen)

if i write enough of this universe i WILL transfer it to the archive

.....

Medda Larkin firmly believed that the difficult, frustrating intricacies of the foster system needed to be spoken about more often.

She had to endure the longest three months of her life as she and Hannah waited on permission to become foster parents, and they were sorely unprepared. Becoming foster certified wasn't the issue-- sure, there were countless classes and home safety checks, too many interviews and loopholes to count-- but that was easy, run of the mill stuff. All of the difficulties came from the actual process of transferring Jack from one miserable foster family to her own (hopefully better) house. The system refused to budge, and through it all, Medda watched Jack Kelly fall apart bit by bit. She felt sort of like she was falling apart, too. Every new bruise and scrape he wore created another fracture in her heart, and she wanted nothing more than to save this kid. 

Of course, Medda did what she could and provided Jack with a place to escape to. He was always welcome in her theater or her townhouse and he knew as much, but it was a rare occurrence for him to actually turn up on her doorstep. Still, there’d been three or four nights when Jack Kelly spontaneously graced her humble home, and she and Hannah acted accordingly. Medda also found herself picking up meals for Jack during her lunch breaks and offering them to him during rehearsals, where he’d developed a habit of sitting in the house next to her and doodling on an old sketchpad she’d given to him. Medda adored the kid. He was real rough around the edges but he loved hard, passionate and talented and brimming with emotion and potential. Jack Kelly was a sweet kid, if not a little misguided, and he’d wormed his way into her heart with his easy smiles and his hidden depths. 

Summer was ending and that meant Jack would be starting high school, still trapped under the oppressive fist of a foster parent Medda knew frustratingly little about. She’d done her research on Mr. Alexander Snyder and found little to nothing incriminating about the man– just the fact that he worked as the lead campaign manager for the state’s current governor. That little tidbit of information had led Medda to wonder just how many CPS calls directed towards this man had conveniently slipped under the radar, and a protective fury lit like a bonfire within her.

Every second of every day when Jack wasn’t under her care made her more and more anxious, dreading the newest bruise on his young face or badly concealed limp in his step. Time couldn't have passed more slowly.

Then mid-August hit, and suddenly the Larkins were state-certified foster parents. Medda Larkin looked at Jack Kelly and said, ‘I have got to see that child safe and happy’. Once her intentions were made clear, a mess that would haunt her for the rest of her life kicked into action. Snyder didn’t want to give Jack up. He was furious. Started spewing lies to the case worker about how close they’d become and how good Jack was doing under his care. Medda was fighting tooth and nail for Jack, who didn’t seem very excited about the whole situation, and mid-August showed Medda a new, furious side of Jack Kelly.

He cooperated with her, with his caseworker too, but he was sharp and snappy and moody. Brimming with a rage she just couldn’t understand– a rage that was sometimes directed towards her.

Jack still visited the theater with Racer, oftentimes covered in new bruises and cuts and swamped in one of the three hoodies he owned, but he was a glowering, brooding mess of a boy that was prone to snapping. The glimpse of the funny, sweet kid she’d seen before was stamped out by a miserable, obviously terrified child, and Medda didn’t know what to do. She could only hope that getting him away from Alex Snyder would fix things. 

Still, within all of the bad moments, there were glimmering bits of goodness.

During the month before Medda began her custody attempts, Jack grew more at ease within the theater during every passing day. Everyone seemed to take a liking to him. He could be bright and charismatic when he wanted to be, and Medda watched countless others find themselves tugged into his orbit. One of those was one Spot Conlon, Medda’s lead set designer.

Sinead (nicknamed Spot because of the countless freckles covering every inch of her skin) had been working with Medda since she was a child, moving set pieces and operating power drills better than any of the boys her age— and she did all of that with a stoic, all-business expression. Medda watched the girl grow up and perfect her craft, and was proud to see Spot gearing up to start freshman year of community college as a welder. She was strong, independent, and smart as hell, and Medda loved her like one of her own. Spot was, coincidentally, the mastermind behind their Sound of Music set, and she took an instant liking to Jack. They had a rough and tumble sarcastic sort of relationship, but Spot was good for Jack. She was down to earth, grounded, and no-nonsense. He needed someone that would shut down his stubbornness as bluntly as Spot could.

Spot did exactly that on a muggy August day, when Jack was refusing to speak to Medda. He looked an awful mess, hood tugged down over his brow and arms crossed over his chest. A nasty cut sliced open the bridge of his nose, and he’d refused to let Medda bandage it in a fit of stubborn false independence. Medda had to drop the argument, fearing that she was being too pushy towards the kid because of her slow-growing frustration. He was obviously struggling and he was thinner than ever, nothing but a twig of a fourteen year old boy who might not’ve been getting fed at all at home. 

Jack was sitting silently in one of the plush audience seats, an empty chair between him and Medda. Spot strolled up to them, arms crossed, and stopped in her tracks in front of Jack. She raised one eyebrow, radiating a strange mix of confidence and judgement. “Jack Kelly, you look like a mess.”

“Shut the fuck up, Spot.” He muttered, tucking his nose further into the fabric of his hoodie.

Spot only smiled one of those scary smiles of hers (she rarely ever smiled, and she only had two smiles– a close-lipped, terrifying one, and an even rarer full-teeth, bright and happy, genuine one) and propped her foot up on the arm of Jack’s chair. He glanced at her paint-splotched work boot and Medda barely resisted the urge to laugh at his expression of textbook teenage petulance. “Let me do your hair.”

“What?” 

“I wanna redo your cornrows.” Spot said simply, reaching out and tugging his hood off. He growled in frustration and tried to bat her hand away, but she was four years his elder and much stronger, so she rubbed her palm over his hair with ease. He was due for a rebraid, little frizzy curls escaping from the already messily done hairdo. Medda could tell he’d braided it himself— his cornrows were uneven and they were different sizes, inexpert and rushed.  “C’mon, Kelly, we gotta get you fixed up.”

“You really think my foster dad is payin’ for a barber?” He sneered, trying to sound rude and accusatory but coming across as hurt instead.

Spot only raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. “What, and you think I can afford a hairdresser? I’m poor as shit, Jack. I do my own damn hair. You ain’t seen me lookin’ a mess one time, either. I’m offerin’ to do yours for free, so why don’t you just man the fuck up and let me?”

“You’re the worst, Conlon.” Jack muttered, though he seemed more annoyed at her insistence than offended. That wasn’t a no.

A toothy grin took over Spot’s freckled face and she patted Jack’s cheek, whipping around to face Medda with the same smile turning her eyes into crescent moons. “Medda, can we go to yours?”

“Absolutely. What d’you kids want for dinner?”

Spot looked at Jack, eyebrows raised up to her impeccably styled edges, and he almost sheepishly met Medda’s eyes. “I guess if you don’t mind making lasagna…”

“I don’t mind at all, honey.” She rose to her feet and carefully brushed her hands off on her trousers, gently patting Jack’s bony shoulder. Medda didn’t miss how he leaned into the contact for a split second despite his still-stormy expression. “Can you handle some garlic bread too, or am I pushing it?”

Jack smiled a lopsided little smile, dimpling his right cheek as he rolled his eyes almost fondly. That was what Medda wanted to see. Comfort. Ease. A version of Jack Kelly that felt like he could smile. If things went how she wanted them to go, Medda hoped to see this smiling kid without all of the cuts and bruises. 

Four hours later, Medda was pulling a steaming pan of lasagna out of the oven while Hannah tossed a salad in the ridiculously pretentious salad bowl they’d received as a wedding gift. The kitchen smelled lovely and Medda was honestly glad to have a reprieve from the constant anxiety she’d been feeling all summer. Jack was in the upstairs bathroom, safe and happy with Spot. Their conversation was an unintelligible murmur from downstairs, but the point was that he was safe in the house with Medda and away from that sickeningly evil man.

Hannah’s snort of laughter pulled her from her daze, and Medda turned to her wife with curiosity written all over her face. “What?”

“I just can’t believe Mr. Pulitzer gave us this. It wasn’t even on the registry.” She snorted, holding up the salad bowl to examine the less-than-tasteful designs on the porcelain. This conversation came up every single damn time they used the bowl, and it never made them laugh any less. Medda could feel herself snickering already at the memory of how shocked they’d been when they unboxed the gift, two twenty-eight year old newlyweds with eyes nearly bugging out of their skulls at the sight of the strangest salad bowl they'd ever seen. “He’s one of the richest goddamn men in this city and he got us this salad bowl I’d find in my Minnesotan grandma’s house!” 

Soon they were devolving into laughter, and Medda had to move away from the burning hot lasagna in order to keep her skin safe. “Oh, God, I can still remember the look on your face when you saw it!”

“He couldn’t have gotten us a coffee-maker? Or even a nice set of china?”

“Hey, baby, at least it has matching salad servers!” Medda just barely managed to crow through her own laughter, which made Hannah burst into a round of cackling as she held up the aforementioned matching forks. 

As Hannah held on to the sauce-covered salad servers, laughing so hard that tears were beading in her pale-blue eyes, Medda grabbed onto the counter for stability and experienced a brief flash of adoration so extreme that she felt breathless for a moment. There was no one in the world she’d rather raise Jack with. Hannah was her person. Her rock in an incredibly turbulent sea. Medda had no idea what she’d do without this incredible spitfire of a woman, wo'd been by her side for months, researching loopholes to try and get their boy home faster.

Her wife’s laughter died and their eyes met for a second. Hannah’s expression softened for just a moment before her brazen personality returned full-force with a grin. “You getting sappy on me?”

“No, no.” Medda chuckled despite herself, because she most certainly was. “Just admiring the view…”

“Well, admire it another time. Why don’t you go tell those kiddos it’s time to eat before I devour this whole damn pan by myself?” Hannah pecked Medda’s cheek in a soft, appreciative kiss as she brought the salad to the dinner table. It was one of those kisses that conveyed just how much she loved Medda and all her sappiness, and Medda Larkin was reminded of just how excited she was to spend the rest of her life with this woman.

Still, Hannah was onto something. Medda was hungry. She made her way up the stairs and gently rapped her knuckles against the wood of the bathroom door before cracking it open and smiling at the sight of the two teenagers. The room smelled sweetly of hair-care products. Jack, sitting cross-legged in front of the toilet, looked very much at ease. Spot was perched on the toilet itself with a comb balanced between her lips, a look of concentration furrowing her brows. Medda noted, with fond amusement, that she was making the same face she always made when she worked on a particularly challenging set piece. Her fingers moved nimbly, twisting Jack’s dark hair with expert precision.

Jack smiled at Medda, and her heart swelled with fondness at the sight of him, hair nice and clean and nose bandaged. “Food smells good, Mrs. Medda.”

“I sure hope it’ll taste good, too.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the door, all of the love in her chest making it hard to do anything but look at her kiddos. “You two getting along in here?”

“Yes ma’am.” He responded carefully, not even wincing when Spot tugged the little curls at the nape of his neck into the braid she was finishing up. She’d almost finished his entire head, and Jack’s scalp was decorated with precise, even cornrows that had been braided into a nice design. Medda knew there was nothing like the happiness one felt after getting their hair redone, and she was sure it felt ten times better for a kid like Jack who hadn’t had the luxury in years, maybe.

She felt an uncomfortable clench of anger as she thought about the bastard who was supposed to be ‘caring’ for Jack, who hadn’t even attempted to send the poor boy to a barber in two damn years. Jack probably had to do his own hair, which was surely a difficult and time-consuming task for a kid who might not've been taught how. Medda tried to push those thoughts to the wayside; she was just happy to see him smiling on her bathroom floor.

Spot chuckled, swiveling the comb in her mouth to rest between her teeth. “Good thing Jack ain’t tender-headed.”

“If I was you’d prob’ly be pulling harder.” Jack joked easily, cheeks dimpled. 

“Yeah, you're prob'ly right.”

They shared a giggle– or rather, Jack giggled and Spot exhaled harshly in amusement, because that was about as close as she got to giggling. Medda watched her fingers twist and dart about, finishing the last cornrow up at the nape of Jack’s neck. She’d done an impeccable job. It was the neatest Medda had seen Jack in the three months she’d known him. Maybe even the happiest, too. 

“Alright, shithead, I’m done.” Despite Spot’s words, the older girl’s tone was brimming with affection as she gently slapped the back of Jack’s head and stood from her wide-legged perch. Spot brushed her palms off on the thighs of her classic work overalls as Jack clambered to his feet, making his way over to the mirror.

There was something about the way his face changed that tugged at Medda’s heartstrings. The tiniest smile seemed to blossom on his lips as those dark eyes flicked across his own expression, and he looked happy. Medda could tell Spot was having some big feelings too with the way she was looking at Jack, uncharacteristically soft, comb clenched in loose fingers.

The moment was sweet as honey, and Medda let it linger until Jack finally broke the illusion by carefully, almost reverently running his hand over his hair. He grinned, toothy and dimpled and ridiculously bright. “I like it, Spot.”

“Good, ‘cause my fingers are killing me.” She teased, unable to take a compliment, and lightly shoved his shoulder on her way to wash her hands. Jack continued to grin at his own reflection as Spot rinsed product off of her fingers, rolling her eyes at the loveable bastard squeezed into the space next to her. “Don’t get a big ego, casanova.”

“I’m not.” He shoved back, obviously unable to stop his smiling. “You’re the one with a big ego.”

“Yeah? Well I got every right to it.” Spot smirked at her own reflection and flexed both arms in the mirror, her rolled up sleeves highlighting the impressive muscles in her forearms. Jack gave a massive eye roll and ducked under one of her arms, headed straight towards Medda instead.

“How’d you put up with her for twelve whole years?” He asked, running a hand over his hair once more as if he couldn’t quite believe how neat and clean it felt. 

Spot fell into step right behind him. “‘Cause Medda Larkin is an angel. She puts up with your sorry ass, too.” Jack laughed, loud and unabashed, as he left the bathroom and jogged down the stairs. Spot stopped right next to Medda, uncharacteristically smiley. “I’ll clean your bathroom up after dinner, Medda.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She smiled and carefully took Spot’s hand, squeezing gently. “You did a good thing tonight, sweetheart.”

“Yeah, guess I did.” She shrugged noncommittally, brushing a stray curl behind her ear. Spot’s pretty natural hair was half-up in a bun and half down, hanging around her shoulders in lovely curls. She was still paint-streaked from the theater, but she radiated a confident, grown-up ease that Medda often saw in young adults when they hit this age. Adding to that was the happiness that came from helping out a good, wayward kid like Jack Kelly. Spot was almost smiling. Almost.

As she headed downstairs, Medda thought, warmly, that they would have looked like siblings to the untrained eye. 

The next week was rough. The custody change was close to becoming official and because of that, Snyder cracked down hard on Jack, who disappeared entirely for five painstakingly long days. Medda was almost beside herself with anxiety, constantly annoying Jack’s case worker with her pleas to just transfer his goddamn custody already. They’d completed all of the necessary steps, but Snyder was fighting hard against the system. Or maybe the system was with him and Medda and Jack’s caseworker were the ones fighting, but either way, it was taking too damn long to get that baby somewhere safe.

The caseworker, an elderly man that Medda knew only as Mr. Kloppman, meant well. He was just too damn strict about the laws and rules, always wearing a suit and refusing to consider any loopholes. He seemed to care about Jack and his safety, but then he’d say things like, ‘Jack’s got a violent history– are you sure?’ and, ‘he’s been in and out of foster homes for a while. Just be sure to make an educated decision’, and Medda would see red. What was so damn hard about putting this child somewhere he wouldn’t be hurt? She didn't care about his past. If she never learned Jack's backstory, so be it, as long as he was happy.

Just when she’d started to really and truly worry for Jack’s safety, she received a call from Kloppman. The relief hit her so hard that she nearly cried, because Jack Kelly was going to be fostered by the Larkins, and she’d won a three month long battle against a crooked man and his government ties.

The next day, Jack stumbled out of Kloppman’s beat up Honda Civic holding one singular duffle bag, looking more miserable than Medda had ever seen him. Kloppman even looked more tired than usual, his typically lanky body almost slumped with exhaustion. His suit was rumpled and his circular glasses sat slightly askew. 

Jack was tense with anger and covered with enough bruises and cuts to make Medda feel properly nauseous. She remembered holding Hannah’s hand like a lifeline as the impossibly broken, small child made his way up to the townhouse’s stairs and wordlessly stopped in front of them. Jack was furious. His anger felt like waiting for a thunderstorm to begin, when the energy seemed to buzz and hum in the air, and the clouds filled everyone with a constant sense of foreboding. It was palpable, tainting the air between them as Kloppman stood a few inches behind Jack and read off some useless reminders that only Hannah would listen to.

Medda desperately searched Jack’s face for anything but anger and was disheartened to see fear in his wild, dark eyes, badly masked beneath his furrowed brow. She didn’t understand, but she knew at that very moment that they were about to embark on a difficult journey, and she’d have to be a sturdy pillar of love and understanding for this child that’d lacked both of those things for far too long. 

“Well, Jack?” Kloppman said, with an awkward sort of tenderness that was meant to be reassuring but came across as tired. “You got everything from the car?”

“Yeah.” Jack bit out, voice gruff and low as he wrapped his arms around himself. 

The older man hummed, obviously sensing tension, and even more obviously unaware of what to do about it. He sighed a long-suffering sigh and awkwardly patted Jack’s shoulder. “Well, be good, kiddo. Call if you need anything.”

Jack said nothing in response, eyes flickering between Hannah and Medda as his case worker made his way back to the car. The engine spluttered to life on the sidewalk across from them as Hannah carefully opened the front door, giving Jack one last look of intrigue before carefully squeezing her wife’s shoulder.

“You wanna head inside, Jack?” Medda asked, making her voice as warm and loving as humanly possible. “I can patch you up, honey.”

He only seemed to tense up even further, that terrified anger practically rolling off of him in waves. Medda was at a loss, so she just decided to head inside and prayed that Jack would follow. After a moment of quiet contemplation, he did, lugging his duffel up the stairs with him. He paused at the threshold of the doorway, glancing back anxiously at Mr. Kloppman’s retreating car. It sputtered off into the distance, and Jack seemed to grow tenser with every second that the car grew smaller. Once it rounded the corner and disappeared, Jack stared at the interior of the townhome he’d been inside of countless times before, clutching the strap of his duffle like a lifeline. 

Medda couldn’t begin to understand what was racing through his troubled mind. To be fourteen years old and to have suffered so much was inconceivable to her. Sure, she’d had her own struggles, growing up with a single mother and being a black woman in a country that was nothing if not unkind and unfair, but Jack had been through so much more and he was less than half her age. Just seeing him standing there in his too-big clothes, injured and angry and broken, made Medda break as well.

He was looking at her, and there was genuine fear in his eyes. Her words lodged themselves in her throat and she could do nothing but stand, still and open, and pray that he’d remember to trust her.

Eventually Jack stepped inside, looking between the two women like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. It took a moment for Medda’s brain to work again, but she eventually remembered common sense and took a step forward, smiling softly at the boy she’d grown so fond of. “You want anything specific for lunch?”

“No.” He ground out, fingers flexing and tightening further. 

Medda nodded, feeling nothing but patience and confusion. “Alright. Hannah was thinking we’d do grilled cheese and tomato soup. How’s that? Then we can fix up those cuts."

He nodded, eyes boring into hers with a strange, scary intensity.

She smiled, because despite her lack of understanding, she was still happy. Relieved, too. "I’m glad you’re here, Jack.”

Jack blinked at her, brow furrowing imperceptibly. She watched anger twist his mouth into a frown and barely registered his noncommittal shrug before he was storming past her, a flurry of unrestrained adolescent emotions manifesting in loud footsteps on the stairs and the echoing slam of the guest bedroom door. The house seemed to shake with the force of his anger, and Medda realized that she’d only won a small battle when she finally got custody.

There was a war to fight, and God damn it all, she was going to fight that war with so much patience and love. She was going to give Jack Kelly the life he deserved, even if it took him ages to see that he really did deserve it. 

[swissboyhisch]

MASTERLIST

JAMIE DRYSDALE

Last Call Inspired by "Last Call" by Will Linley.

NIKITA ZADOROV

My Jersey After a little rain comes sun... And thunder. Thunder in the form of a six-foot five Russian defenseman.

That Scar Hurt By The Way In a world where everyone has a soulmate link, you happened to luck out with a pain link.

NATHAN MACKINNON

Lost In Japan Inspired by "Lost In Japan" by Shawn Mendes.

TYLER SEGUIN

Picasso The perfect family... Mum. Dad. And three dogs. With a touch of fluff and uninformed comment.

DYLAN LARKIN

You know I love you right? After bad game, what more could you ask for? Maybe just chinese, Netflix and some good old cuddling.

CONNOR MCDAVID

I’m Your Favourite, Eh? An All-Star Competition and a married couple with a kiddo. What more could you ask for?

I Brought Too Many Sorry Female issues are always a fun time of month. Even worse... running out of pads in a time of need. Luckily someone comes to the rescue, a little too well.

MATTHEW TKACHUK

Surprise Cheerleader Surprises from one party to another during a big Volleyball game.

All-Star Love The NHL All Star weekend is always fun. But bring in a romance… Then that's when it becomes interesting.

GUSTAV NYQUIST

Hey There Delilah Inspired by "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's.

NICO HISCHIER

Thanks For The 20 Kiddos Hosting hockey players was normal. Guys that would become brothers. Until him.

Cupid Cousin First game against his old team for your cousin and he wants you there. Luckily some of his ex-teammates are cute.

The Aussie BBQ Experience You finally got to take Nico home to Australia. He got the true experience of an Aussie BBQ.

The Aussie Easter Experience Nico gets to experience an Aussie Easter after being not making the playoffs.

The Aussie Snack Experience As a marketing idea, you get to feature in a video with Nico trying snacks from your home country.

The Aussie Chrissie Experience Since Nico is injured just before Christmas, you head back to Australia for Nico to experience an Aussie Chrissie.

Sorry But I Really Like Her You head to Newark to see your parents new place after avoiding it like the plague. Maybe this time, something with make you want to come back.

We're Not Naked You just wanted some time alone with your partner. Sadly, your brothers are clingy.

Hughes Siblings Acquired (Part 1) Somehow, the New Jersey Devils acquire a player who will fit in well on the team.

Welcome to New Jersey (Part 2) Quinn arrives to New Jersey and has his first training with his brothers and new team.

The Sugar Fix After opening your cafe and bar, a familiar hockey player comes in opening day. Seems like he remembers you too.

JACK HUGHES

Prom Queen Inspired by "Prom Queen" by Molly Kate Kestner.

LUKE HUGHES

Don't Want to Lose You (Part 1) You notice something is wrong with your body. A wrong diagnosis then something you never wanna hear.

Will You Be There When I Wake Up? (Part 2) Two weeks pass and it's time for surgery.

I'd Marry You Tomorrow (Part 3) As a precautionary measure, you follow through with the doctor suggestion to collect eggs. It wasn't as an easy process as you thought.

MACKENZIE BLACKWOOD

Home Inspired by "Home" by Phillip Phillips.

MAT BARZAL

Opening Night For once Mat is your pretty accessory for your big night. Instead of the other way round.

Drunken Mistakes (Part 1) After receiving some bad news, you just wanted to not be alone. After a couple drinks, what most likely is a bad decision, starts to sound too good to miss.

New York Luck (Part 2) After a lovely holiday, your partner breaks up with you and so you turn to your only friend in the city.

CARTER HART

Something In The Orange Inspired by the song "Something In The Orange" by Zach Bryan. Little Miss Klutz Despite you hating your pain link to your soulmate, he had a tendency to look on the brighter side.

BRAYDEN POINT

You’re Not Useless Broken bones and being bed bound can affect you more than physically. Fighting words are thrown between the pair.

STEVEN STAMKOS

WAG Meetings After it's confirmed that the boys will go to playoffs for another season, the WAGs have a meeting to discuss the most exciting part. WAG Jackets.

AUSTON MATTHEWS

My Family A pair of friends reunite with a surprise in store for one of them. Oops, it's a baby.

Bad Day = Cuddles After the worst day you have had in a long time, your boyfriend at home was ready to take care of you.

You're My Favouite A visit to your family goes wrong when Auston meets your Aunt.

MATTHEW KNIES

Halloween Surprise The team's Halloween party seemed like the perfect time to reveal to everyone who you were dating.

MITCH MARNER

God, You’re Amazing A championship game ends up being the best day for multiple people's lives.

Stop Flirting With Marner! A few Leafs spy a figure skater practicing on the ice of the All-Star Arena. After persistent bugging from his friends, one finds himself embarrassing himself to try score a date.

WILLIAM NYLANDER

Flirt With Her Tomorrow A day spent at a stable as a team bonding exercise turns out to be a great place to meet people for some.

Never Letting You Go Again Bumping into exes are always fun. But with a little meddling from a sweet cafe owner who's missed her favourite regulars, some truths are revealed.

ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER

Baking Antics A rainy day means baking and dancing in the kitchen.

Kick Ass Your first time back in a competition and your luck charm definitely helped.

QUINN HUGHES

Support My Girl The final dance concert comes around and you're lucky to have such a supportive family.

SOCIAL MEDIA FIC MASTERLIST

ALL WRITING AND GRAPHICS USED ON THIS POST IS MINE. I CREATED THE VISUALS FOR THIS ON CANVA.

UPDATED: 9/11/23

[beloved-daydreams]

Folktober2023 Prompt: "Horror movie marathon" 🎬📺 Friday 13th October

An attempt by

Hosted by @jurdannet and @jurdannetrevels

📘1 500+ words

😎Characters: Jude, Cardan, Vivi, Taryn and Oak.

✒️Tags: Jurdan, fluff, wholesome, quality time, familial bonds, implied TarynXThe Ghost/Larkin

Was made in a hurry so it might have some errors but you’ll deal with it 💖

✏️✏️✏️

Last week, Vivi came to visit completely unannounced. A movie marathon for Halloween! She said. It'll be fun! She assured us. Taryn tried to turn her down at first, being 7 months into her pregnancy, she understandably found the idea risky. But Vivi being Vivi, she would not give up. And frankly, Taryn did need some family time and support. With no parents, no siblings and no husband by her side, although she doesn’t want to admit it, it must surely be difficult.

Meanwhile, Cardan immediately agreed despite our status. The High Queen and High King going to the mortal world only to watch movies? It’s a rather shameless behavior to display so soon, but Vivi said it makes us audacious for some reason that I didn't quite understand. The audacity! Or whatever.

Though to be completely honest, I'm pretty sure Cardan only wants to go for the caramel popcorn and to see Oak again. Oak who's now the only member of his "lineage" that he more or less appreciates. I'm worried. Nephew and uncle are maybe starting to get along too much. When Vivi found out Oak had punched a kid at school, instead of feeling sorry or ashamed Oak said "Someone who doesn’t respect others shouldn't complain about getting payback." Cardan said it wasn't his fault and it sounded more like something I would say. I beg to differ but he likes my begging so I just agreed and moved on. Vivi noted that he’s turning out to be a sassy child.

Now, we're lying down on the carpet while Taryn and Oak are on the sofa, Vivi is making the popcorn. She still isn't entirely back to being together-together with Heather. Should've figured, if she were I don't think she would've invited us. I hope things turn out well for them.

"Who wants it with caramel!?" Vivi asks from the kitchen, her head tilted to the side from the doorway so she can see us.

Cardan and Taryn lazily raise their hands.

"Who wants it salted?"

Oak and I raise our hands. Cardan looks at Oak like he’s incredibly brave for that, I roll my eyes. Salt only reduces or stops a fae’s ability to use magic for a limited amount of time, it’s not that big of a deal. I swear Cardan loves to overreact and exaggerate the dumbest things. The other day, I came back dragging the head of a traitor behind me to show the folk they can trust me to protect them. Meanwhile, Cardan said, "You know I love you but please think about the smell it’ll leave on the carpets." Well, Cardan dear, we’re King and Queen, we can get new carpets anytime if the smell doesn’t wear off. Also, Taryn is terrific at home decor anyway, I bet she enjoys decorating and redecorating our halls.

Oak puts his small hand on Taryn’s belly, then his ear against it. He’s excited at the idea of becoming an "unkie" to his future niece like Cardan is to him.

As soon as Vivi’s back with the popcorn, the movie starts. The good thing about watching movies at home is that you won’t be done with the popcorn before the commercials end. And although she’s the one who invited us, she keeps talking over the movie’s beginning, asking us how we’re doing and what stuff has been going on in our "fairytale hellhole." Then it quickly goes to the uncomfortable questions.

"So. Rynryn, I heard that a half-fae dude has the hots for you. How’s that going?"

Taryn cringes.

"Oh please, Larkin is ridiculous. Trying to court a widowed woman who’s still pregnant with the child of her late husband? He has no delicacy."

Cardan raises an eyebrow.

"The husband who died by the hands of his wife, you mean." I hit him on the shoulder and he utters a fake sounding ow. Oak is right there, I widen my eyes at him to make him understand but what’s done is done. Oak turns to Taryn once again.

"Why did you kill your husband?" Oak asks curiously with no discernible malice in his gaze or voice. Taryn smiles politely.

"He didn’t bear for me the kind of love that satisfied me nor did he treat my opinions and feelings with enough respect. And you know what that means?"

"People with no respect deserve payback!"

Taryn smiles and puts her hand on Oak’s horned head to praise him. Cardan and I look at each other a bit astonished. So that behavior partly came from Taryn, huh. I’m afraid that at this rate, he’ll become an amalgamation of all of our personalities. No matter. Vivi presses a bit further, putting Taryn back on track which only results in complaints from Taryn’s part.

"I swear he only ever wears plain and boring outfits, even for revels and casual occasions. Not to mention he has no common sense, poor table manners and his attempts at flirting are horrid, frustrating and awkward. How is he supposed to be a spy and assassin if he can’t even put two and two together? No way can he gain the trust of any of his targets that way." She suspiciously over-explains everything wrong with Larkin. Vivi smiles at her knowingly.

"Hmm. I don’t know, to me it sounds like he already caught his target." Vivi says.

"Why are you paying so much attention to him?" Oak chimes in with more accusations.

Taryn shifts her attention back to the TV, a furrow forming on her eyebrows. She tells us we should focus on the movie instead of whatever she thinks of Larkin. Which is none of our business, by the way. And so we do, we watch. Cardan seems to display no particular difficulty in understanding the images and plot but he’s much more entertained by the popcorn. That is until it runs out and he lets himself get swept away. His tail stands up straight like a cat’s every time he’s surprised by the sudden sounds or imagery, namely the jumpscares. It’s cute how his face doesn’t show his fear at all, he seems to be completely unphased if you ignore the tail. I suppose it must’ve been why he hid it all those years. It puts his emotions on display. Making his feelings obvious.

Near the middle, Oak is too tired to continue watching. Vivi puts him to bed. Near the end, Vivi and Taryn somehow manage to fall asleep on the couch. Vivi most likely because she’s not scared of horror movies in the first place, and Taryn because our presence hopefully calmed her down. In the end, this was mainly for us to get together again. Vivi may be clumsy with her words sometimes, but she’s still the same older sister who hugged us when we got into trouble or scraped our knees while falling on the concrete grounds of our neighborhood. I sigh.

While trying to get up, Cardan stops me. He whispers.

"Let’s sleep here."

I widen my eyes at him.

"On the floor?"

"On the carpet, dear."

I roll my eyes.

"I’m sure Vivi won’t mind if we borrow her bed for the night, as long as…" I don’t finish but Cardan gives me a sly smile nonetheless which makes me hit his shoulder lightly.

We get up and I properly tuck Vivi and Taryn in, leaving them to sleep comfortably on the sofa. Then we go to Vivi’s room and make the bed together. Well. "Make" is a big word, we’re both embarrassingly inept at tidying things up since our attendants do it for us. We just cover the bed with a cover we’ll sleep on, tucked in under another new cover so we don’t have to truly "get" into her bed.

As we lay there about to fall asleep, Cardan attempts to talk to me before I manage to make my way into dreamland, as he often does.

"Don’t you miss such things? Movies, popcorn, late night talks with your siblings? We could do that more often."

I smile and grab his tail, pulling it to my front so I can play with the tuft to fall asleep faster. It relaxes me. Cardan has enough only with hugging me, his arms just under my chest, and if his hands wander around to go higher when I’m too tired, I hit them away and he gets the hint.

"It’s fine. I believe it’s better for me to slowly move away from that, eventually we could try meeting in Faerie all together. There won’t be movies anymore, but the food can be brought here."

I’m not sure what face Cardan is making right now, but I think he didn’t like that answer judging by how his tail is flailing around.

"Don’t give up on that. I wish I always had that." He pauses then squeezes me tighter in his arms. "Or is it because of…"

I want my body to stay strong and healthy. My case is arguably completely different from other humans since I’m the Queen, but I’m not willing to risk it. When I reach my mid thirties or so, I’m thinking of stopping my trips to the human world. I hold onto Cardan’s tail in confirmation. And as I start to believe this might be the end of the conversation, he says one last thing before we fall asleep.

"We could try to install electricity in Faerie…"

I smile.

✏️✏️✏️

Please consider leaving comments and/or tags! Love you 🫵🫶

(And before you ask, yes I made the silly banner myself because I wanna look cool and semi-pro 😤) Tell me it’s working lmao

[ao3feed-newsies]

Forever and Always

by, Oceanic_Cherries by Oceanic_Cherries “She's beautiful.” Race whispered, brushing her head gently. “Ain't she Albie?” All Albert got out was a few stutters. He was too mesmerised to speak. Their baby was actually here and in his arms. Just over a year ago, Race and Albert decided they were ready to have a baby. Obviously, neither of them were biologically capable of having a baby, so they asked around if anybody would be willing to be a surrogate. Sarah, David's twin sister, looked into it and ended up agreeing to it, starting what would be the journey that led them here.   Or Race and Albert have a baby, chaos ensues over the coming years. Words: 696, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: Newsies!: the Musical - Fierstein/Menken, Newsies - All Media Types, Newsies: The Broadway Musical! (2017) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/F, F/M, M/M Characters: Racetrack Higgins, Albert DaSilva (Newsies), Spot Conlon, Elmer (Newsies), Sarah Jacobs (Newsies), Jack Kelly (Newsies), David Jacobs, Buttons (Newsies), Crutchie (Newsies), Specs (Newsies), Mike (Newsies), Ike (Newsies), Tommy Boy (Newsies), Splasher (Newsies), Finch (Newsies), Stray (Newsies), Splint (Newsies), Medda Larkson | Medda Larkin, Katherine Plumber Pulitzer Relationships: Albert DaSilva/Racetrack Higgins, Sarah Jacobs/Katherine Plumber Pulitzer, David Jacobs/Jack Kelly Additional Tags: Parenthood, Children, Racetrack Higgins Has ADHD, Dancer Racetrack Higgins, Autistic Albert DaSilva, Hard of Hearing Albert Da Silva, Modern Era, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Based on a Tumblr Post, Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Family Fluff, Aged-Up Character(s), Smalls real name is Charlotte, Race and Albert are Smalls parents, This might be the strangest headcanon I've written a fic for, but screw it, Ralbert fluff, Spot Conlon and Elmer are siblings read : https://ift.tt/lt6iEpL - February 25, 2024 at 08:12AM

[beeirifulmer]

Christmas in Elfhame Pt.1

Part 2 will be posted probably later tonight <33 but here's a little fluff in apologies for the pain I have caused

//warning: this contains all book spoilers

"Momma!"

"Give me a minute!" Jude finished taping yet another present, smiling to herself as she looked at the finished look.

"Momma!" This time, the call for Jude was dragged out and bored. It was safe to say, over the five years of being Eva and Tamani's mother, she developed a soft spot. She had developed one over her months of falling in love with King Cardan, but having her children just created an even larger one.

But she was still a terrifying badass the moment she left her house.

Jude opened her bedroom door, smiling like a dork as she watched her daughter get pulled by her brother. Eva created the most dramatic grab to Jude's ankle as if she was being taken away by sea monsters.

Cardan came up behind Tamani, keeping silent so he didn't bring attention to himself. Eva giggled as Tamani continued to drag her, they both continued down the hall until Cardan grabbed Tamani. The boy shrieked in delight as he was hoisted into the air by his father.

"Cardan don't give him brain damage right before Taryn's family gets here." Jude leaned against the door, looking around her house.

Even though they lived in the faerie world still, Cardan was obsessed with the idea of having a Christmas, bring a family he never had together. Jude's family obviously complied, only having a few Christmas' themselves when they were kids.

"Momma when's Aunt Taryn getting here?" Eva groaned as she laid on the floor in defeat, Tamani now resting on Cardan's shoulders.

"She will be here soon, as will the rest of our family." Cardan smiled at Jude's words. Our family. He never heard that term to which he was a part of that. He never thought he would be here, married to Jude with twins of his own. He always assumed his path was simple as being married to Nicasia, maybe having a lucky kid, and having a loveless marriage.

"Uncle Larkin's coming right?!" Tamani bounced on his fathers shoulders. Jude and Cardan's brain processed who Tamani meant before they both nodded. The Ghost. After the battle years ago, he trusted them with his name, not that they didn't already know it. He insisted they used it as if it was a regular to call him Larkin.

There became a few knocks on the door and Tamani arched backwards to slide down Cardan's back. Both of the parents reached for the boy in a panic, but Eva caught him and ran down the stairs in a fit of giggles.

"They're like two siamese cats." Cardan took his wife's hand with a smile upon his face.

"They're like twins. Taryn and I were almost the exact same." Jude smiled as she walked hand-in-hand with Cardan.

The servent opened the door as Taryn walked in with a smile on her face. Thankfully over the years, the twins created a new bond, especially now that Madoc wasn't around.

"I see the King and Queen still can't open a door," Taryn teased as she hugged her sister.

"Still lazy, you're correct. Not like I single-handedly killed my husband think he was forever dead." Jude kissed Taryn's cheeks, looking down and smiling even brighter at the sight of her nephew.

Taryn's son looked more like his father, yet Jude never found a time where she had to pause because he acted like him. Lysander Duarte. Hair as bright as the burning sun, eyes a lenient and feline as a fox, but his ears were just like his cousins.

"Good morning, Aunt Jude." Lysander smiled up at the girl. Again, nothing like Locke.

"Good morning, Sander. How was your morning?" The boy tried to answer before he was dragged away by Eva and Tamani, Eva's tail latched around his wrist to lock him in.

"Good morning, your highnesses." Jude and Cardan turned to Larkin, who bowed his head. The couple bowed theirs in return, Larkin took Jude's hand and kissed the back of it gently. "The Queen and the Serpent," he smiled as he shook Cardan's hand.

Cardan earned his own Court of Shadows code name after the battle. They all remembered it well with smiles on their faces.

Cardan finished getting dressed after his shower, Jude helping him as he stretched. As much as Jude was clinging to Cardan, he understood she was just afraid - although the whole land knew she wouldn't dare admit it.

A few knocks rapped on the door, and Jude grabbed Nightfell, aiming for the door. "Who is it!"

"Jude put down the damn sword," the Roach walked in without even needing to see the wife with her sword in hand. "Its just us three." The other two members of the court walked in.

Cardan smiled slightly at the three, and Jude let down her sword. "You startled me." Jude glared as Cardan wrapped his arm around her waist. Needless to say, Cardan also clung to Jude.

"We've talked. And we just wanted to say we figured out your name."

"Let me guess, the King." Cardan winked with his dumb grin, Jude rolling her eyes.

"No," the Ghost chuckled. "The Serpent." The Bomb and the Roach smiled softly at one another, only then did Jude noticed their hands intertwined with one another.

"I think it suits you," Jude nudged Cardan, who shook his head and looked down to try and hide his grin.

"Could Vivi make it?" Taryn looked to Jude.

"She said she would make it with Heather and Oak later." Jude nodded as the two couples started walking toward the main room.

"That's good. It was very nice of you two to host," Taryn sat down on the couch, Larkin sitting beside her and laying his hand upon her knee. "I know the kids especially appreciate it."

"Cardan was obsessed with the idea when I informed him," Jude smiled, sitting on her chair while Cardan sat on the arm of it. "Are you going to sit in a chair?"

"What? No, I wanna be beside my Queen." Cardan held Jude's hand. The four looked up at the tree in the room, odd ornaments hanging from the branches. Of course it was real, the King and Queen grew it together.

"No I wanna do it!" Eva's squeaky voice came out in the void of the hallway.

"Larkin told me Aunt Jude and mother faught, but I never knew it could travel down generations."

"Aunt Taryn told me about how her and Momma got into a violent fight over their ex-lover." Jude turned to her sister with a dropped jaw while her son exposed his aunt.

"I didn't tell him a biased story!"

"Wasn't that Locke?" Eva's voice make the sisters hesitate. "I heard he was a bad guy and hurt Momma and Aunt Taryn."

"Lysander, isn't Locke your dad?"

Silence.

Nothing but silence. Not even a breath from the couples. But everyone heard the kids come closer and Lysander sigh.

"By blood, indeed. But Larkin's my true father, I never met Locke. But hearing how Uncle Cardan speaks of him, I doubt he was a good man." Taryn looked to Larkin, who had a ghost of a smile on his face.

"You speak funny." The couple bursted out in laughter at Eva's only response. Then they laughed harder as Eva mocked Lysander's proper talking.

"Momma!" Jude didn't even have time to respond before Tamani jumped ontop of her. Cardan was distracted by the two as Eva jumped on her father. Lysander just simply walked to his mom, Taryn pulling him to her lap with a kiss to his temple.

[iliveiloveiwrite]

Paging Healer Malfoy // Chapter Four - Aftermath and Acceptance (D.M.)

A/N: CHAPTER FOUR! I struggled writing this, that’s why it’s so late and so short, I’m really sorry!! However, I do hope you enjoy!

Summary: Draco has something important to ask (Y/N), but will he work up the nerve to ask her?

Warnings: talk of grief and loss, mutual pining, swearing, mentions of food but no descriptive eating scenes, mentions of injuries, brief description of injuries, injured child BUT THERE IS FLUFF.

Word count: 3.7k

Prologue // Chapter One // Chapter Two // Chapter Three 

Draco wakes to the smell of coffee and toast. He finds himself laid, curled up on his couch with a blanket covering him. He blinks once, twice – his eyes are crusty from the tears shed last night.

With a loaded sigh, Draco sits up, rubbing his face and wrapping the blanket around his shoulders. He finds (Y/N) in the kitchen; her back to him as she butters the toast and makes two mugs of instant coffee.

Silently, she pushes Draco’s coffee towards him before taking a sip of her own. She watches him as he drinks; her keen eyes focused over the rim of her mug as she waits for him to break down again.

“I’m okay,” He whispers hoarsely.

Her eyes narrow; she doesn’t believe him, and he thinks that she’s probably right to not believe him. He shifts his gaze from her to the mug in his hands; staring down at the bitter liquid he relies so heavily on, “Really. I’m not going to break down again.”

(Y/N)’s mug clinks delicately as she places it back down on the counter, “Are you sure?”

Draco nods, “I’m sure.”

She sighs through her nose, “I’ve never seen you like that, Draco.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

She shakes her head, “Don’t be sorry, I’m just concerned.”

“It won’t happen again; yesterday took me by surprise.”

“I believe you.”

Draco meets her gaze; his blue eyes bright, “Thank you for staying.”

(Y/N) smiles, “You know I’m here for you.”

“I know,” Draco whispers; smiling smally at her.

Cold toast and lukewarm coffee is breakfast for them both; tired eyes crinkling in the corners as shy smiles are shared. Last night changed something between them, and they’re both aware of it. However, neither truly know how to approach it.

Draco finishes his piece of toast before asking, “Where did you sleep last night?”

(Y/N)’s face heats; something Draco hasn’t seen for a while; it took a lot to elicit such a reaction from her. She finishes chewing before replying, “You fell asleep on me. I ended up sleeping underneath you.”

Draco blushes from his neck to his hairline; he opens his mouth to apologise, but (Y/N) beats him to it, “Don’t apologise; I didn’t mind – you make quite the lovely blanket.”

Draco ducks his head; pleased to know that she didn’t mind sleeping with him.

(Y/N)’s eyes glance towards the clock, “Are you on today?”

Draco nods. (Y/N)’s eyes narrow once again, “Are you sure that’s wise?”

He sighs, “What happened last night won’t happen again. I need to work, (Y/N). Life doesn’t just stop.”

She frowns, “You’ll come get me though; if you need someone?”

Draco nods, “I promise.”

(Y/N) smiles, picking up her almost empty coffee cup, “We better head off soon.”

He sighs; he had hoped for more time with her, “Give me ten minutes to get dressed and we can go.”

---------

The break room is empty when they arrive at work meaning that they can pull on their lab coats and share a few minutes of silence before entering the fray, getting safely distracted for the rest of the day.

“Remember your promise,” (Y/N) reminds him, squeezing his hand.

He squeezes back, “I will. Are we meeting for lunch?”

She raises an eyebrow, “Are you buying?”

“I think I can manage that.”

She laughs; letting his hand drop. Draco feels suddenly cold. Her eyes shine with mischief as she answers, “I’ll come find you when I’m free.”

“I look forward to it.”

Draco gives himself a moment after (Y/N) leaves the break; he lets himself have a quiet moment to himself where he takes a few deep breaths and listens to the tinny sound of the now ancient television set in the corner of the room. Closing his eyes, Draco lets the monotonous tone of the muggle news anchor wash over him, calming his mind and his heart.

Readying himself for the pitying looks and the busy emergency room, Draco heads to the admit desk.

Vera greets Draco with a raised eyebrow and a question falling from her tongue, “Was that you and (Y/N) I saw walking in together?”

Draco rolls his eyes, “Yes, just like most shifts we share together.”

“You looked particularly cosy… and I couldn’t help but notice she was in the same clothes as yesterday.”

Draco meets Vera’s eyes, “She stayed over last night. I wasn’t in any place to be alone after what happened.”

Vera’s eyes fill with sympathy and sadness; she wraps Draco in a hug that has him fighting back tears for the pure fact that it reminds him of his mother’s hugs. Vera pats his back twice then letting him go; she wipes her eyes quickly before grabbing a chart from the side, “35 year old female; fainted in Diagon Alley.”

Draco takes the chart from her gratefully, “Let’s get started then, shall we?”

--------

He manages to keep himself distracted; he doesn’t overload on patients like he did yesterday, but he takes on a fair few that he knows he can handle with all the experience under his belt.

It keeps his body busy and his mind occupied; he cannot focus on grief if he is trying to figure out the cause of an otherwise healthy female’s loss of consciousness whilst out shopping with her mother-in-law. Draco has his suspicions that it’s down to the overbearing nature of said mother-in-law but at the pleading look in his patient’s eyes, he keeps her in for further observation �� if only to give her a break.

He flits about from patient to patient; ordering tests and then handing out prescriptions. It’s days like this, when the load is heavy but manageable, that Draco is reminded of why he became a Healer in the first place. He loves to help people; it’s at the very centre of his being, but for so long, it was hidden by his teenaged cockiness and the insurmountable pressure from his family.

It’s days like these when Draco is reminded if the fact that he is a good Healer; that he is talented at what does and that is because of the Healers that trained him, but also of the staff he works with. Draco knows that he could only get so far without the help and support of those he works with, and it’s on days like this when he is forever grateful for the nurses that kick him up the arse when needs must.

-------

James Shannon approaches Draco as he sits at the admit desk, making the last few chart notes on patients discharged yesterday – something he chose to neglect due to his sour mood. James interrupts Draco’s reading with a cough, “Healer Malfoy?”

“James,” Draco greets, turning to face the trainee, “How can I help?”

James looks almost anxious as he asks, “What happened yesterday… with Violet, does it happen often?”

Draco sighs; expecting the question from at least one of the trainees, “No, it doesn’t happen often.”

James continues to watch him; hoping for a longer explanation. Draco huffs, “Through your career as a Healer, you are going to meet patients who come into the emergency room frequently. Take for example Mrs. Larkin who I’m sure you’ve met already,” At James’ nod, he carries on, “Mrs. Larkin very rarely needs medical treatment, James; she’s a lonely widow who needs company that she doesn’t get from the rest of her family. So we let her sit in an exam room; check her over and yes, over her multiple visits, a friendship develops.”

“Is that what happened with Violet?”

Draco frowns, “I was Violet’s primary physician and the one who diagnosed her kidney failure. When her fiancée was at work, I would sit with her through her dialysis for as long as I could. It was more a friendship of convenience, but a friendship nonetheless”

James nods, “I know that you’re my boss and I’m only a trainee, but I want to tell you this if I may?”

Draco raises an eyebrow; he can’t help but be sceptical as he murmurs, “Okay.”

James sighs, “It wasn’t your fault… what happened to her. Violet’s death wasn’t your fault and I know you feel guilty about it but there was nothing you could do, and I know Healer Thomas would have tried his hardest to bring her back. And I know what it feels like to feel guilt for someone else’s death – I lost my older sister when I was six.”

Guilt pools in Draco’s stomach for a second; it seems that he misjudged James due to the attention he gathered from (Y/N), but also of his status within the wizarding world. Draco berates himself internally; he should have known better; he knows full well what it’s like to be judged before your character is truly known by those around you. Draco looks over the young trainee and it becomes clear to Draco as to why James chose Healing as a profession; he would never be able to save his own sister, but maybe – just maybe, James might be able to save someone else’s.

Draco eventually nods; he stands, patting James on his shoulder, “Thank you, James. I think I needed to hear that.”

A small smile breaks across James’ face; he nods twice, happy to have helped his superior in anyway. He turns away, but pauses at the sound of Draco’s voice, “James?” James turns to face his boss who’s smiling at him, “I think you’re going to be a fine Healer.”

------

“Draco!” (Y/N) shouts; lab coat flying out behind her as she runs to his side.

Hastily, he turns to her. “What? What’s happened?” He asks, his voice laced with worry and concern; mind running through all possible scenarios for the reason as to why she’s shouting his name and running.

She pants slightly, sidling up next to him, “I heard it was paediatric.”

Draco nods; casting his gaze back out across the bay, counting down in his head for when the emergency transport should arrive. “What did they say?” (Y/N) asks; her focus sharpening.

“Six year old girl; bitten by a werewolf.”

(Y/N) lurches back in shock, gloves halfway on her hands, “What?”

Draco nods; confirming, “We get at least one around the full moon, you know that.”

Her eyebrows furrow, “Did they say how bad?”

Draco shakes his head, “They couldn’t tell us a lot other than it was bleeding a lot.”

(Y/N) sighs, “We need to keep this quiet, Draco. They’re lobbying a new decree in the ministry this week about lycanthropy.”

Draco doesn’t remove his gaze from the emergency bay; veins already thrumming with adrenaline, “Let’s treat the patient first. We’ll worry about politics later.”

-------

Six year old Ailsa is quiet as she is wheeled into the emergency room. Her eyes are wide as they take in the new environment, and she answers questions with the tiniest of sobs. Her mother follows behind; tears streaming down her face as she recites Ailsa’s allergies and any worries she has.

Ailsa flinches as the wound is cleaned. Draco realises upon examination that the bite isn’t too deep meaning that the chance of transmission has significantly lowered since Ailsa first arrived at St. Mungo’s.

(Y/N) arrives at Draco’s side immediately; the bottle of wolfsbane potion already uncorked and ready to be given to the patient. With a sorrowful smile, Draco says, “Ailsa, I’m going to need you to drink this. Now, it isn’t going to taste very nice, but, I happen to know that if you drink all of this, you can have some of the chocolate milk hidden away in the staff room.”

Ailsa’s nose crinkles. “Do I have to drink all of it?” She asks in a small voice; watching the vapour rise from the potion.

Draco chuckles, holding the potion out for her to drink, “If you want the chocolate milk, I’m afraid you have to.”

Fierce determination settles on Ailsa’s face as she takes the potion from Draco; she would get the promised chocolate milk and enjoy every drop. At her mother’s encouraging smile, Ailsa drinks down the potion, frowning heavily at the taste.

She holds up the empty bottle with a victorious grin, “Finished.”

Draco laughs, “Looks like we owe you chocolate milk, Ailsa.”

Ailsa nods happily; handing the empty bottle back to Draco. He takes a step back, “Good job, Ailsa. I’m going to go make a phone call and I’ll be right back with your chocolate milk. How does that sound?”

She nods once again; distracted by her mother wrapping her up in a hug. Draco smiles at the scene before leaving. (Y/N) follows him, waiting until they’re of earshot of the family before saying, “She’s going to be okay, isn’t she? We both saw the bite.”

Draco shrugs, “Truthfully, I don’t know,” He looks towards trauma one, “I really don’t know.”

(Y/N) sighs, “Well I hope so.”

Leaving (Y/N) to manage her own patients, Draco goes in search for a phone and Ailsa’s chocolate milk; happy to find the one in the break room free.

He rifles around in his wallet for the card handed to him by Harry not so long back; an idea forming in his mind. Balancing the phone between his shoulder and ear, Draco punches in the number, relieved to hear the dial tone. It rings four times before a weary voice answers, “Hello?”

“Hello. Is that Professor Lupin?” Draco asks; mind flickering back to his father’s treatment of the werewolf.

A slow chuckle answers, “I haven’t been a professor in over ten years. Who is this?”

“Draco Malfoy, sir.”

The line falls silent; Draco thinks that he’s hung up which is understandable really. Draco had been surprised when Harry, Ron and Hermione had forgiven him; he wouldn’t be surprised however, if Remus Lupin drops the line.

Minutes pass before Remus speaks up, “Draco Malfoy? I never thought I would hear from you. How did you get my number?”

Draco chuckles; half embarrassed, “Harry gave it to me, sir.”

“You don’t need to call me ‘sir’, Draco. Remus will do just fine.”

“Thank you, Remus. I was calling for your help with a patient.”

“A patient?” Remus asks; shock lacing his voice.

“Yes, I’m an attending in the emergency room at St. Mungo’s now,” Draco answers; unable to help the strong tone of pride in his voice – he would always be proud of his job and all that he has achieved so far through it.

Draco hears the surprised intake of breath by Remus, “That isn’t something I expected to hear.”

Draco shakes his head though Remus can’t see him, “I surprise everyone when they hear about my career choice.”

“Nevertheless,” Remus’ gravelly voice says over the line, “It’s an incredibly noble profession, Draco, and one I can only assume you excel at.”

“Thank you, Remus,” Draco says quietly; overcome by the kindness shown by one he treated so poorly.

“Now, you rang me for a reason. How can I help?”

Draco startles; remembering as to why he was on the phone to his old professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind speaking to a patient and her family. Harry gave me your card not long back and said that you offered advice to families who found themselves struggling with lycanthropy.”

Draco hears another surprised intake of breath, “What happened?”

“A six year old girl was bitten; her mother is worried that she’ll turn.”

“When was she bitten?” Remus asks urgently; voice serious.

Draco checks his chart, “Her mother says this morning; the werewolf broke in and got spooked by her daughter waking up to use the bathroom.”

Remus makes a sad noise on the end of the phone, “So similar to my own attack.”

Sadness washes over Draco; he had known the story of Remus’ bite – there were few in his parent’s social circle who didn’t know considering they all knew the werewolf who had turned him. Remus brings Draco back to the present, “The full moon waned last night; we were at our weakest last night so the bite should amount to nothing.”

Draco grips the receiver tighter in his hands; hope beginning to flicker in his chest, “And you’re sure of that?”

Remus sighs, “I’m not 100%, but we are always most vulnerable as the moon wanes and the bite so rarely takes when we’re weak.”

“What would recommend? I’ve already administered wolfsbane potion which the poor girl didn’t appreciate. I had to promise her chocolate milk to get through it.”

Remus chuckles, “No, I can’t imagine she did. You’ve covered yourselves with the wolfsbane potion; that’s good thinking, Draco. Other than that, it’s a waiting game.”

Draco sighs into the phone, “You’re certain she won’t turn this full moon if the bite has been successful?”

“She won’t turn now. The moon has left its apex; I can feel its strength leaving me as we speak.”

Draco huffs out a breath of relief; he won’t have a child werewolf running around his emergency room then. He has to ask, “What about next month?”

“That’s what we have to wait for.”

Draco nods then remembers that Remus can’t see him, “So I just need to tell the mother that it’s now a waiting game.”

“That’s right. However, if you have a spare wolfsbane potion, give it to the mother. That way, should her child turn, the potion will make her docile and less dangerous.”

Draco makes a note to do so on the girl’s chart. He holds the receiver close to his ear, “Remus, would you mind if I passed on your details to the mother? That way she can ring for advice should anything happen with the next moon.”

Draco can hear the sad smile in Remus’ voice, “Of course you can, Draco. Pass on my well wishes to the family, please.”

“Thank you, Remus. You’ve been a massive help.”

Remus’ voice is gentle as he says, “Anything I can do, Draco.”

Draco hangs up on his ex-professor; feeling hatred towards his younger self for being so naïve to believe his family’s prejudices towards those markedly different to them. Shame washes over him as he thinks of the things he had said about the well-mannered man, knowing he was within hearing distance. Grabbing a bottle of chocolate milk from the fridge, he makes a mental note to send a letter of apology with Harry the next time he was to visit his godson.

With the information from Remus, Draco asks Vera to grab another wolfsbane potion from the potion lock up. As she does that, Draco writes up the prescription and advice for Ailsa’s mother.

Wolfsbane potion in one hand and chocolate milk in the other, Draco returns to trauma one where Ailsa and her mother sit, chatting quietly. From looking at her, you wouldn’t have though that Ailsa had been bitten by anything larger than a small dog. Her attitude towards it had been entirely blasé and Draco couldn’t decide whether it was shock or simply Ailsa’s resilience making an appearance.

Draco smiles reassuring at Ailsa’s mother who stands when she notices Draco entering the room. He hands the chocolate milk to the child; her face lighting up at a promise fulfilled.

“I’m fairly confident that she will not turn into a werewolf. After examination, the wound was quite shallow. The issue is, we cannot be fully certain, so whilst Ailsa may not turn with this full moon – she could with the next. So, here is a wolfsbane potion to be given to her at the start of the week of the full moon. If Ailsa turns, the potion will keep her docile and make her less dangerous. However, I’d also like to give you the contact details of someone who can help should you have any worries.”

Ailsa’s mothers eyes shine with fresh tears as she whispers, “That would be so helpful. Thank you, Healer Malfoy.”

Draco nods; rifling for the small rectangular card in his pocket. “His name is Remus Lupin; he used to teach at Hogwarts, but now helps those come through the moon with as little damage as possible. This is his card, I’ve already rung ahead, he’s expecting your call should you have any worries. He also passes on his well wishes.”

Ailsa’s mother lets her tears fall as she takes the card from Draco. She reads over the fine print for a second before tucking it in her pocket, “And he’s good, you say?”

“He’s the best.”

--------

It takes Draco twelve hours to work up the nerve to ask (Y/N) to dinner. He thought about asking her at his flat, but tensions were high, and should she say no, it would make for an awkward commute to work. He felt there were opportunities all through their shared shift; as he poured their first coffees, at lunch when she kept stealing chips from his plate, as she consulted on a patient for him. He had countless opportunities, but he doesn’t grab at them; he just waits.

At the end of every shift they share, they always head home together, living on the same tube line. Their fingers brush every now and then; sending jolts of electricity through Draco’s veins. It takes every inch of his restraint not to pull her into a kiss as they walk to the tube station; everything about her drives him mad. She’s just finished working a twelve hour shift and yet, she’s as beautiful as she was this morning, sliding him a coffee over his breakfast counter.

Draco realises that he wants to wake to her making coffee for the rest of his life if she’ll have him.

The tube station looms in front of them. It’s now or never, Draco thinks to himself as he looks up to the timetable where it announces its three minutes until the next train.

“Do you want to grab dinner some time?” He asks suddenly, swivelling on the spot to face her, “With me, alone, outside of the hospital,” He adds on for awkward clarification.

“Don’t ask me to dinner because of your grief, Malfoy,” She warns; voice filling with emotion.

Draco shakes his head; a small smile gracing his lips, “It isn’t that. I’m asking you to dinner because I want to date you.”

(Y/N)’s eyebrows raise in surprise, “Oh.”

“So… not out of grief, not out of thanks – out of the fact that I like you, a lot, would you like to get dinner with me?”

(Y/N) beams at him; the sight of him leaving him breathless, “Yes, I would like to get dinner with you.”

*******

Paging Healer Malfoy taglist: @sycathorn-slush @obsessedwithrandomthings @kpopgirlbtssvt @kalimagik @brycelahelalover @fallinallinmendes @mischi3f-manag3d @remmysrecs @willowbleedsonpaper @nao-cchi @haphazardhufflepuff @soundsquid27 @mytreec @maydillydally @chaoticgirl04 @pregnant-piggy @rhyxn @acciotwinz @birdie-writes @reaganwonders @chanelwonders @izzytheninja @ravenclawbitch426 @ohissandhalasta @missmulti @nebulablakemurphy @pointlesscoconut @cherrylita @harpersmariano @slytherinlovesgryffindor @falconfeather23435 @namoreno 

Draco Malfoy taglist: @the--queen-of-hell @obxmxybxnk @obx-beach @sycathorn-slush @dracomalfoyswifey @kashishwrites @justmesadgirl @detroitobsessed @reaganwonders @sophia-gwendolyn @ravenclawbitch426​

**if your username is in bold, I was unable to tag you.

[oh2e]

I love seeing the different trends in fanfic in different fandoms.

For example, MCR/bandom is off the shits entirely. Lots of high school AUs but you really can’t predict what you’re going to find next at all.

White Collar has a lot of slave fics and Batman crossovers which I honestly do not understand. Why do you all keep hurting Neal? The poor soul.

With Chuck expect Bryce Larkin and Neal Caffrey to both be mentioned, either as the same person, twins or simply lookalikes.

Justified isn’t big on AUs but there’s a fair few post apocalyptic ones out there. Mostly it’s just ‘yeah Raylan and Boyd are in love’ or ‘we have taken this character who deserved more screen time and given him a nice boyfriend’. Or maybe those are just the ones I enjoyed the most. (Dear people writing Tim as straight - he’s gay okay? G A Y.)

Penny Dreadful scares me. There are too many straight™ fans. Also the prevalence of incest that isn’t actually incest. That too. But I did find some nice sweet ones there too. Not many AUs but lots of fix-it fics. (*sobs*)

The Witcher and/or Geralt x Jaskier has pretty much everything. It’s got torture, it’s got smut, it’s got sex magic, it’s got fluff, it’s got polyamory, it’s got slave fics, it’s got the modern AUs. You name it. Fantastic fandom.

Sense8 doesn’t have much tbh but maybe that’s because we were given all the gay and found family in canon so there’s not as much outrage and so a lot of fluffy fics instead. All the top relationship tags are canon. We love to see it.

Atlantis I don’t dabble in much because I don’t ship Jason and Pythagoras which is the biggest ship, and after a bit Icarus/Pythagoras can get a bit much. Some fantastic triangle jokes though, lads keep ‘em coming.

Lot of fluff in Good Omens and many happily married for decades fics which are good for the soul. Love the additions of Polari in some of those fics - gay auntie Aziraphale is my jam. Speaking of Good Omens - there are some fantastic crossover fics with Black Books. [clenches fist] it’s the bookshop owner who hates customers and selling books.

Stranger Things, now I can’t speak for the whole fandom but the Steve/Nancy/Jonathan corner of ao3 has a large selection of getting together fics which are always enjoyable but sadly do get a bit boring if you’re on a binge (until next time when you’re looking for more of exactly what you’ve been reading but different).

[violetwolfraven]

Peace and Joy

@spot-king-of-brooklyn I’m your secret Santa! @newsies-secretsanta

You said your favorite ships are sprace and/or javid and you’re good with pretty much anything so I’m gonna write two separate vaguely holiday-related oneshots in the reincarnation AU. Don’t worry though nothing heavy, just fluff. No COVID because I’ve had enough of that dude and I say so. Enjoy! Happy Holidays!

Tw: referenced past period-typical homophobia.

...

Spot couldn’t remember being this happy... ever. Not in the early 1900s or in the early 2000s.

Well, the closest he could think of was 1902, when he and Race moved on from being newsies and from being leaders of their respective boroughs and rented that old apartment in Brooklyn together. But that had been muted by the need to be careful. They couldn’t be normal young people in love because they always had to hide.

And that was fine at the time because it was expected. It was them doing whatever it took to be together not knowing they’d ever get the chance to do it another way.

Now, in the bright, beautiful, forward-thinking 21st century, they could be safe. They could be in love without fear of the consequences. They could go out Christmas shopping together, and Spot didn’t know if that counted as a date, but it kind of felt like one as he watched his boyfriend bop a little to Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You as he looked around.

He ended up having to look away before he started blushing too hard. Even if he wasn’t the King of Brooklyn this time, he still had a bit of a reputation as a stone cold badass. For all he knew, one or more of their more mischievous friends could be spying on them right now. And besides, this thrift store probably had stuff he could get the few Brooklyn kids who’d come back, too.

He was still deciding if Hotshot would think it was funny if he got him a tank top that said ‘hot stuff’ on it. The others would find it funny, but Spot honestly wasn’t sure if it would make his former second uncomfortable.

“Hey, Spottie, ya think my little brother would like this?”

Spot turned back to see Race holding up a bright purple worm on a string, but a giant version of one. One that was big enough to be a scarf.

“Knowin’ your family,” he admitted, “I think any of ‘em would be happy to get one of those.”

It was true. Honestly, the most sensible Larkin brother was the second-oldest, Crutchie, but Spot could still see him proudly wearing a worm-on-a-string-scarf to school after winter break ended.

Besides him, Medda, Race’s mom, tended to embrace whatever unique fashion choice she could find. And Jack, of course, didn’t let being the oldest of four stop him from being a theatrical little shit who liked drawing attention to himself.

And Romeo was somehow even more eccentric than Race, so he would definitely like that thing.

Race grinned, “I’m gonna get Ro a worm scarf for Christmas.”

“Your family is ridiculous.”

“Thank you. So, what’re ya gettin’ for Denton?”

Oh, shit. Spot had completely forgotten about getting anything for Denton.

He really should get something for him. After all, the teacher hadn’t even known Spot when Jack asked if he could stay with him. All he’d needed to know was that Spot needed a place to hide from his terrible parents and couldn’t stay with the Larkins, mostly because Medda had a strict rule about her boys’ partners sleeping over unless it was absolutely necessary. (it was also because Spot couldn’t think of anyone he’d want to live with less than Jack Kelly, but Denton didn’t really need to know that, did he?)

So far, Spot’s parents hadn’t shown any signs of missing him, and Spot couldn’t decide if that hurt or not, but it barely mattered anymore.

Because Denton didn’t really have any rules beyond ‘do your homework’, ‘take a shower occassionally’, and ‘if you leave the house, let me know where you’re going.’ He helped Spot pick out a Halloween costume, let him spend Thanksgiving with Race, and gave him money for Christmas shopping. He was fine with Spot being gay and having a boyfriend, even if there was an added rule with that of ‘you can’t have the door closed if you’re alone in your room with Race.’

He gave Spot space, but also made it clear that he could come to him for anything he needed help with. He never hit him, never pushed when Spot wanted to be alone, never even raised his voice unless they were in an already-loud room and he needed to get his attention.

In short, in only a few months, he’d become the best adult Spot had ever had in his life. He wasn’t his father, but he was closest thing Spot had ever gotten to a dad.

The Denton they’d known in their last life had been kind of like that, too. He’d helped as best he could whenever one of the newsies got into trouble, always being there for anyone who needed him since Kath first introduced her new reporter friend to her newsie friends. Of course, Spot hadn’t been living with Denton then, so he’d never really thought about it.

“What do you even get a middle-aged man for Christmas?”

Race shrugged, “Power tools?”

The idea of getting Denton power tools was so ridiculous that they both laughed.

“Uh... he’s a writer,” Race pointed out, “So... fancy pens?”

“Fancy pens? We’re at a thrift store, Racer.”

“Well we don’t gotta stay here forever. There’s a Barnes and Noble across the street.”

He wasn’t wrong about that, but Spot wasn’t sure about the whole ‘fancy pen’ thing. It seemed a little generic.

“Yooooo! Spot, check this out for Jack!”

He was holding up a bright blue sketchbook that said ‘Sketchy Bitch’ on the cover.

“Oh yeah, ya definitely have to get that for Cowboy.”

Spotting (no pun intended) something else on the shelf behind him, Spot grinned.

He had the perfect thing to get for the man who’d taken him in.

...

“This is gonna be so fuckin’ awesome.”

Davey snorted, “You’re way too excited ‘bout this, Jackie.”

He loved his boyfriend, but he had a tendency to get overenthusiastic about things.

Well, he loved that about Jack, too. And he loved being able to call him his boyfriend, now. That they didn’t need to hide this time.

He and Sarah had both been a little worried about their parents’ reaction, but it had turned out to be for nothing. They’d each gotten a t-shirt with their respective pride flag for the first night of Hanukkah, and Jack and Kath were always welcome to come over as long as at least one parent was home.

Davey loved Jack just as much in this lifetime as he had in his first, but it was different, not having to hide it. It was good different, but definitely different. Being able to be who they were and be in love and knowing that it was generally frowned upon to be homophobic now, at least where they lived.

And being able to do random shit that was romantic and fun as hell, but not something would even occur to most people to do.

After a sleepy conversation once Crutchie, Race, and Romeo had fallen asleep watching White Christmas (which Davey appreciated for the choreography in the dance numbers) one time about how there weren’t really any Hanukkah movies, Jack had collaborated with Kath to write a lesbian Hanukkah musical romcom to post to YouTube.

Objectively, it wasn’t that great. It was good for a movie made by a bunch of high school juniors, but they couldn’t afford good cameras or microphones or anything. Plus, it was appealing to a very niche audience, so Davey doubted this movie would get more than twenty views.

Still, it meant a lot that Jack was so excited about it, that he was working so hard on props and editing in the lighting and music for it so Kath and Saz could play Jewish lesbians fake-dating at a holiday party who fall in love. It was cute.

“It ain’t gonna win any awards,” Jack admitted, “But I think we’s got somethin’ good here!”

“We do,” Davey agreed.

Was he actually talking about the romcom starring his sister and her girlfriend? Partially. It was a pretty good movie for something produced by teenagers.

But they had something good there that wasn’t on the screen of Jack’s laptop, too.

Jack seemed to share those thoughts, with the way he was smiling.

“What’s with the look, mi amor?”

Davey rolled his eyes as the other boy put his arm around his waist.

“Like you don’t know, love,” he chuckled, “Remember the last time we did somethin’ like this? And by ‘we’ I mean ‘you.’”

“Shh,” Jack shook his head, “Nope. We don’t talk about the latkes incident.”

“You mean when you almost burned down our tiny little kitchen trying to—“

“We don’t talk about it!”

Davey laughed. It was funny, how Jack couldn’t, in any lifetime, cook anything more complicated than like... chili or stew. While he could make something edible, he couldn’t make anything that was really considered good.

“Davey, love, luz de mi vida, it was literally over a hundred years ago, so stop. Bringin’. Up. The. Latkes. Incident!”

He punctuated the sentence by hitting Davey with one of his mom’s throw pillows.

“Okay, Jackie, I get it! Stop hitting me!”

“Fine,” Jack grinned, “I ain’t almost burned down a kitchen in over a century, babe. I thinks that’s a good record to have.”

“Most people never almost burn down a kitchen,” Davey pointed out, “I know I—wait, did you just call me ‘babe’?”

Jack was definitely not meeting his eyes to try to hide how he was blushing, “Uh... is that okay?”

Davey smirked. Jack didn’t get flustered that often, but it was adorable when he did.

And even if he had almost burned down their apartment, it had been cute back then, how he’d tried so hard to try to do something nice for Davey for the holiday season. It was cute now, too.

That was one thing that hadn’t changed through the decades, he guessed.

“It’s definitely okay, babe.”

...

“Spot, is this a... ‘Best Dad In The World’ mug?”

“...if you cry, I’m outta here.”

[bobasheebaby]

Phoenix Found: Interviewing the Heir [Fluffy ABC’s]- Cordonian Ruby

Pairing: Ruby Rys x Beau Larkin; Ana DeLuca

Word count: 3,493

Warnings: pure mushy sweetness that will rot your teeth it’s all fluff

Summary: Ruby and Beau are interviewed by Ana.

A/N: Based off of @pixelburied’s fluffy ABC’s. Modeling after @blackcatkita’s Ana DeLuca interviews. With the entire country thinking the heir dead and her returning with a spouse I thought the best way to really introduce them to the public would be a sweet fluffy Ana DeLuca interview.

A/N2: A major thanks @sirbeepsalot for all your graping and prereading. I love you boo! Thank you to my snippet readers @loveellamae and @burnsoslow​ who screamed appropriately.

A/N3: I know this is so incredibly late and I have no excuse other than I’ve been in a crazy funk and even just pushing ‘post’ was far too much for me.

Series warnings: character death, blood, surgical procedures done by non medical personnel, may go NSFW in the future. May contain gun violence, knife violence, threats, not sure how dark this will go. By requesting to be tagged you acknowledge you are at least 18 years of age.

Let me know if you want to be added or removed from the taglist.

Disclaimer: I own Ruby, Galen, Lovett, and Beau, I’m borrowing Bastien and Olivia from PB.

A – Anger (What was their first fight about? Any big or recurring arguments?)

Ana DeLuca smiled as she sat, smoothing out her charcoal pencil skirt.

When she had first received the call from the blocked number she was positive it was nothing more than a cruel prank. By the end of that call she was one of few trusted with a secret that would change everything in Cordonia.

She stared at Ruby seated across from her, her blonde hair pulled back in a perfect braided chignon, hands folded neared in her lap. She was truly an understated vision in ivory lace shift dress.

Ana was blown away with the grace and dignity she portrayed at twenty one years of age. The way she’d greeted her and politely objected to any use of titles for both herself and her husband was impressive, looking at her now she could almost believe she had been raised in the palace instead of on the run.

Beau, Ruby’s husband and true prince regent sat next to her looking slightly less comfortable than Ruby. He didn’t look out of place per say, but the slight grimace in his smile wasn’t lost to Ana. She looked down at her tablet, quickly reading over her encrypted and password protected notes taking note they’d come from Texas; it was likely that Beau was new to the world he was thrown into. She didn’t doubt that Liam’s daughter hadn’t be able to find someone who could adapt quickly to the new life and media circus that came with it.

“Your Ma— Ruby, Beau, I’d like to once again extend my gratitude to your willingness to speak to me and allow the readers and country get a glimpse into your life.”

“Please Ms DeLuca, don’t mention it. We are honored that the same woman who interviewed my parents would be interviewing us, and traveling outside of Cordonia to do it to boot.”

Ana nodded, making a note that the country’s true queen was as modest and kind as her father and mother had been. “Please tell our readers what your first fight was about, do you have any big or recurring arguments?”

Ruby smiled, glancing at Beau, “we don’t really argue, mostly it’s just small disagreements over things that really don’t matter.

It’s usually just silly things that are easily resolved and soon forgotten.”

B – Best (What would they say is the other’s best trait?)

“What would you say is the best trait your partner possesses.” Ana queried.

“Her selflessness,” Beau said, taking her hand into his, “she was ready to break up with me so I wouldn’t have to leave my family behind.

She doesn’t like to cause anyone else pain, unless it’s on the mat, she would endure every ounce of pain so others wouldn’t have to if she could.”

“His kind and understanding heart. He listens without judgement. I don’t think there is anything I haven’t been able to tell him over five years together.”

C – Camera (How do they document their relationships? Who likes to take pictures? Or videos?)

“How do you document your relationship? Who takes the most pictures?” Ana asked.

“Beau for sure, I have a few selfies of us on my phone, a shot or two of just him. Mama and Papa didn’t really take a lot of pictures when I was growing up.”

“My parents took all the pictures and RuRu sometimes yells at me that I’m taking too many pictures.”

D – Dates (What are their dates like?)

“What do your dates look like?”

“They are pretty laid back, a picnic here and there, stargazing, he took me shooting a few times, we’ll do movie dates …”

“Movie dates at home, I learned the hard way you can’t take her to the movies.”

“Oh,” Ana arched one perfectly sculpted eyebrow, “why is that?”

Beau’s cheeks turned beet red as he realized her assumption, “nothing like that. She talks during movies, a lot, to the point we got kicked out.”

E – Early (What was the first month of dating like?)

“Please tell our readers what your first month of dating was like.” Ana requested.

“Oh god, it was awkward, at least to me.” Ruby replied, fighting the urge to bury her face in her hands.

“I was sixteen and Beau was seventeen, our first date he took me shooting on his grandparents farm.

I was tempted to downplay my skill but I didn’t.”

“She not only outshot me, she was better than my cousin’s too.

When I praised her ability she tried to deflect, something that she only did with me.”

“He called me out on it, told me I could be proud of what I could do. After that it got a little easier, but it was still nerve wracking for me.

Beau was my very first date. I was nervous as hell, but Beau was just so sweet and comforting that eventually I was dreading the day my parents would decide we needed to move and leave him behind.”

F – Friends (How is their relationship with each other’s group of friends?)

“What is your relationship with your partners friends? Do you get along with one another, or are you at odds with each other?” Ana questioned.

“I was still the new girl at school mostly sticking to myself when I met Beau. The other girls couldn’t understand why I’d purposely get sweaty so it was easier to stick to making friends at the dojo.”

“My friends were quickly won over. I think they were more afraid of Ruby kicking their ass than me if they didn’t.

But they get along well, they teased us both equally for marrying so quickly.

Thomas, my best friend, feigned being hurt that she never gave him a chance to steal her away.”

G – Gifts (Do they like giving each other gifts? What kind?)

“Do you enjoy giving each other unexpected gifts? If so what kind of things do you give each other?” Ana inquired.

“Beau gives me wildflowers out of the blue, just a few blooms, but every time I press them in a book to preserve them. I have enough that I could have used the pressed flowers for my wedding bouquet.”

“Wait, you saved them all?”

“Mmhmm, only my parents knew so when I saw that your mom incorporated pressed wildflowers into the place cards I was surprised at first.

Your mom also asked for all the ones I saved and said she’s going to use them for our wedding album.”

“I can’t believe you saved them all.”

Ruby shrugged, “they were gifts from you and I couldn’t bear to see them wither and die. Now they will live forever in our wedding album.”

H – Hugs (All things involving hugs)

Ana tapped her Stylus against her tablet as she looked at the next question. “Affection, how often do you hug one another?”

“Ruby is more of a cuddler than a hugger.”

“You are just so cozy. Beau tends to hug me from behind and rest his head on mine.”

“We aren’t overly affectionate, at least not in public, when we are at one of our houses though we are almost always touching in some way.”

I – Inside Jokes (Do they have any?)

“Do the two of you share any inside jokes?” Ana questioned.

“The only one that comes to mind includes Papa.

Beau accidentally cracked two of my ribs when we were doing duel training. So occasionally when Papa will hear Beau telling jokes he will say ‘jokes better be the only thing you’re cracking’ it’s so stupid but also funny because Beau felt so horrible after that he offered to allow me to crack his ribs.

I just brushed the injury off, if I could continue to compete with a broken nose and a bloody gi I could handle a few cracked ribs.”

J – Jealousy (Who gets jealous easier? How do they show their jealousy?)

“Who gets jealous the most often and how do you show it?” Ana asked.

Beau and Ruby shared a quick look. “I don’t think either of us has ever been jealous before.

I believe part of loving someone is trusting them. I love Beau more than anything and trust him with my life.

I truly feel if either of us ever did get jealous it would just mark the beginning of the end of us.”

K – Kiss (How do they kiss? Who usually initiates?)

“Next question, who is the one to initiate kisses more often?”

“I’d probably say Beau. He likes to kiss the top of my head, my forehead, just little reminders he loves me.”

L – Love (How do they first say those three words?)

“Love, please tell us, how did you tell the other and who said it first?” Ana requested.

“Beau did, we were stargazing in the back of his pickup truck and when he said it, I was surprised. Not because he loved me, but how nervous he was.

His palms were all sweaty and he probably was terrified I wouldn’t feel the same way, we were young, he was eighteen and I was still only seventeen.

When I said it back, he just stared at me stunned.

I don’t know why he was so shocked, he’s just this sweet, amazing guy.” Ruby tucked a stray blonde curl behind her ear. “It’s one of my favorite memories actually.”

M – Movies (What kinds of movies do they watch together? Is it a regular Netflix ritual?)

“What kind of movies do you enjoy together? Is Netflix a ritual for you?” Ana inquired.

“Beau hates watching movies with me. I’ve taken taekwondo since I was five years old and developed a passion for the martial art. I even wanted to be a stuntwoman when I was younger. I always point out any inaccuracies in the fighting scenes and it can be a lot sometimes.”

“Don’t hate watching movies with you, at least anymore. I certainly had to get used to how animated you get during action scenes, now I just think it’s cute.

Ruby likes action packed movies, I love thrillers or anything scary really. One time my younger sister AnnaBeth somehow convinced Ruby to watch some sappy chick flick, Ruby’s words, and it didn’t go well.

Mostly we just pick something that we can both enjoy and avoid the rom coms.”

N – Nicknames (Things they call each other)

“Do you have any nicknames for each other?” Ana asked.

“I call Ruby RuRu, she hates it. I only use it when she’s in her head or worrying it always makes her stop and laugh.”

“I don’t really have a nickname for him.”

“You called me honey bun.”

“Once and as a joke. I was hoping it would make him stop calling me RuRu, it didn’t.”

“You know you secretly love it RuRu.”

“I’m not dignifying that with an answer.”

O – One (Tell us about the moment they realized they were with the one.)

“Could you tell our readers the moment when you realized that your partner was the one?” Ana questioned.

“When I proposed to Ruby I told her that if I had to pinpoint exactly when she stole my heart it would probably be our first date.

When I actually realized it was much later. I actually think I realized how much I cared for her when I struck her too hard with the practice sword. She barely blinked even though you could tell it hurt like hell. I was so upset that I offered to let her injure me back.

I’m pretty sure it was then that I realized I would do anything for her, we’d only been together for a little over a year and were still young so I didn’t think about it too hard, but I just knew she would be the only woman I’d ever love.”

“I realized I loved you the same day.

You were so upset you hurt me, frantic and begging me to hit you back, I remember looking at you and just thinking that I couldn’t ever cause you harm, even accidental.

The way you worried and cared about me, I just knew I wouldn’t find anyone else I’d love the way I love you.”

P – Pizza (What is their favorite food to eat together?)

“That is just adorable.” Ana said, “what is your favorite food to eat together?”

“Ruby will eat just about anything. She’s never afraid to try something new.”

“Beau is more of a creature of habit, he will try new things but prefers his favorites. Pizza is something we share a lot, although he’s particular about his toppings.”

“Pineapple is not a pizza topping!”

“It is and it’s delicious.”

Q – Quit (Do they break up? Almost break up? What happened?)

“Was there ever a time when you broke up, or nearly broke up? What happened to make you question your relationship together?” Ana inquired.

“While I thought we would have to break up, we never did.

My parents moved us around a lot, Texas was the longest we ever stayed in one place. We moved there when I was fifteen and a half and we didn’t leave again until we came here.

My parents saw how happy Beau made me and decided that we were safe enough to stay.”

“You keep talking about moving around, how often did you do that?”

“Every two to three years or so.

When I was younger I found it exciting though I didn’t understand why we always had to move, now I know it was just to keep me hidden and safe.”

R – Rainy Days (How do they comfort each other on dark days?)

“How do you comfort each other on a dark and rainy day?” Ana asked.

“We just started living together since we left Texas. Mostly it would be little texts or if one of us was really down Beau would stop by.

We started keeping a pillow and blanket in the downstairs hall closet for when he stayed over. Sometimes I’d be in such a crappy mood that we’d fall asleep with him holding me, usually on the couch, sometimes in my bed.”

S – Soft (Something one of them did that turned the other into absolute mush)

“What is something your partner has done for you that turned you into mush?” Ana requested.

“Ruby very rarely turns to mush.”

“I really don’t,” Ruby nodded in agreement, “I’m not overly sentimental, with the exception of keeping all the wildflowers.

Your proposal, the way you refused to see my title as the end of us when all I could think about was that I couldn’t take you from your family, that turned me to mush.”

T – Texting (Do they text each other a lot? What do they usually talk about over the phone?)

“When you are apart how do you stay in touch, do you text or talk on the phone more often?”

“We started dating when we were still in high school so we spent a lot of time apart.”

“We’d send texts between classes if we couldn’t walk to the next class together.”

“We also sent a text at night if we couldn’t call.”

U – Unique (Tell us about some of their odd habits that surprised one another.)

“Do either of you have any unusual habits that may have caught the other off guard?” Ana questioned with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, we met in high school, most of the girls were all boy crazy and obsessed with the latest fashion. Ruby didn’t really care about what the other kids thought, she wore what she found comfortable, I’m pretty sure most of the time she had her hair up in a messy bun with zero makeup on and still blew all the other girls out of the water.

It was the way she didn’t allow all of the high school bullshit to change who she was that really surprised me.”

V – Vanity (Something they’re proud of in themselves and their partner)

“What is something that you are proud of in yourself and your partner?”

“The way Ruby will change her entire life just to help others.”

“Beau …”

“What? No one expected you to save an entire country, but you took on the problem without a second thought, you just care so much about people even those you haven’t met, I love that about you.”

W – Wedding (Tell us about your wedding head canon if they’ve gotten that far. Or if not, have they talked about it?)

“We know you got married before returning home, could you tell us a little about the ceremony?” Ana asked.

“It was small, very simple.”

“We held it on Beau’s grandparents farm. We were married outside under an arch of wildflowers. Only close friends and family.”

“My mom planned it.”

Ana’s piercing blue eyes widened in surprise. “You didn’t plan it together?”

“No, Mama Jo has been supportive of us going to Cordonia from the beginning, the only thing she wanted was for us to get married before we left. She knew that Beau and I would be busy trying to find any weakness to exploit so she offered to plan the wedding for us.

She took such care in weaving both of us into a laid back farm wedding — you could really see that she put all her love into planning our wedding for us.”

“Do you feel like you missed out by allowing Beau’s mother to plan it for you?”

“Absolutely not. She planned that wedding in a month, I never could have done that myself. Plus it was even more special, she really took in account both of our likes and wove them into this beautiful wedding.”

X – X (Something they hate about the other)

“Is there anything that bothers you about the other?” Ana questioned, poised to jot down the answer.

Ruby pursed her lips in thought, “Beau’s a little messy.”

“I’m not messy, you just like everything perfect and precise and I’m more casual in my cleaning.”

“I’ve seen your room! You have clothes all over the place!”

“I just forgot to put them away.”

“Oh so is that why our room in the suite looks like a hurricane came through on your side?”

“Okay, fine I’m messy. But you have to admit you are super organized and get upset if something picked something up and didn’t put it back exactly right.”

“You’re actually neater than Galen, if I can live with him living with you will be a cakewalk.”

Y – Youtube (What are they like online? Do they post about their relationship constantly?)

“You are both rather young, what is your online presence like? Do you post a lot about your relationship?”

“Ohmygod no. You would think that maybe having parents who constantly make sure your safe would make you rebel and go against them but I’m really a very private person.”

“Ruby doesn’t have any social media account. I have a private Instagram account that I barely use.”

Z – Zoo (Are they into animals? Do they want pets? What kind?)

“Okay, last question, what are your feelings on pets? Do you have any? Want pets? What kind of animal would be the perfect pet for you?”

“Ruby hates animals—”

“I don’t hate animals, I just don’t want a pet. Your golden retriever Sampson would be my only exception.

Mama and Papa never let us have any pets as children, and it never bothered me. I would probably go crazy with all the shedding.”

“Does that mean that the future princes or princesses will forgo pets?”

Ruby felt annoyance bubble up at the roundabout way Ana asked about having heirs. “We are still young, and while we do want to have a family some day we aren’t worried about it at the moment.

Personally I think the pressure put on all newly married or engaged couples to immediately have children to be ridiculous. The pressure put on royal couples is that much worse, everyone watching and waiting for that telltale bump, claiming the stability of the country is counting on a child.

My parents are proof that an heir doesn’t secure your country, they were killed because an egotistical tyrant who held a centuries old grudge couldn’t handle hearing ‘no’.

To answer your question about having pets, I would be perfectly content not having any, but I could probably be swayed to consider having one.”

“Thank you, it was wonderful to learn more about Cordonia’s heir and her husband. I’m sure our readers will love getting to know the long lost heir and her husband in such an intimate light.” Ana stated, gathering her things up to leave. She glanced down at her encrypted notes, in a few days time she would be releasing the story of the century ...

A/N: I would love to say the next chapter will be next week but I’ve been in a funk where I can’t be bothered to read or write so I can’t make any promises. I have finally been making some progress on the next chapter this past week and I hope it continues but no promises of when I’ll be posting.

Feedback fuels me, please like, comment reblog or send an ask. Feel free to scream, I promise I can take it.

Masterlist can be found in my bio.

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[thebiasrekkers]

Breathe: For The Reunion | PJM

For the @bangtanscenery​ - April Showers Bring May Flowers Project in celebration of the Spring Season!

Plot: Jimin’s curse is broken, allowing him to return to his own time. But there is a sense of emptiness that lingers inside of him as he readjusts to his former life. Just as things start to make sense again, he’s greeted by a face he’s longed to see once more.

Rating: PG-13 // SFW

Genre: time-slip!au | modern fantasy!au | angst | romance | drama | fluff

Pairing: Park Jimin x Female OC (Brianna Larkins)

Warnings: Mild language, mental health issues, implication of curses/magic

Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || Admin E’s AO3 || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]

Word Count: 8.2K

AN: Well, we finally made it here guys. We made it and now I'm sad that it's over. But I'm also happy I made it this far. I never imagined I would write a story like this and now that I have, I want to incorporate time-slip themes every chance I get. LOL. Thank you all for who has followed and loved this story. And thank you to those who will stumble across this in the future. You're awesome and you are loved.

© thebiasrekkers (Admin E). All rights reserved. Reposting/modifying our work is prohibited. Translations are not allowed. Plagiarism/stealing is not tolerated by any means. Legal action will be taken in instances of theft.

“Yo, Jimin! Stop spacing out and come on!”

Rolling his eyes, Jimin followed behind the others as they made their way up a large, grassy hill. Spring was in full force and his allergies were acting up. He didn’t want to come out there in the first place. The countryside was nice, but only when he had the time to spare to enjoy it. Assignments were piling up now that he was about to finish Grad School. His friends were insistent that he take a break before he burnt himself out. Jimin didn’t mind the burn out. It meant he was putting his whole heart into something.

Trekking up the mountain, however, felt like a colossal waste of his time.

“Jimin Hyung, you’re too slow!” yelled Taehyung as he motioned for him to hurry up.

Jimin scoffed as he stuffed his hands into his pockets, clambering up the hill. Out of the seven of them, he was lagging behind. Mostly because he was in no real hurry to get to their destination. He wasn’t the superstitious type, but he indulged his friends every once in a while.

Hence why they were making this trip up the mountain in the first place.

“The house isn’t going anywhere, Taehyung-ah,” he called back, adjusting his sunglasses, “and neither is the old woman, I’m sure.”

He finally made it to the top of the hill where the others were taking a break to hydrate themselves. Even though they started their journey up the mountain in the morning, it was already nearing midday. The heat was slowly intensifying and Jimin could only wipe at the sweat on his neck and brow with his handkerchief.

Jungkook tossed a bottle of water over to him as he made his to the others. Yoongi and Namjoon were busy looking at a map while Hoseok fussed over Taehyung for not putting on enough sunscreen. Seokjin rifled through his pack to hand out granola bars for everyone. Jimin sighed, admiring the image while worrying about his mid-term assignments in the back of his mind.

“How much further, Hyung?” Jimin asked as he sipped from the bottle.

“Honestly? I’d say another mile.” Yoongi scratched at the back of his neck as he pushed the map off to a confused Namjoon. “If we follow Namjoon’s directions, we’ll stumble across the gateway to the Underworld.”

Namjoon scoffed as he clicked his tongue behind his teeth. “Not true, but okay, Hyung.”

Seokjin waved his hands back and forth in an attempt to chase away the tension. “Now, now,” he said, handing off the granola bars, “stop being so uptight. You guys clearly need an energy boost.”

Jungkook crushed the wrapper and shoved it into his pocket after having devoured his snack in two bites. He was still chewing. “Not that I have anything against it, but I can’t believe we’re going to a witch’s house.”

“Hey,” Taehyung said, sucking air through his teeth, “she’s not a witch! She’s a powerful shaman.”

Jimin rolled his eyes. “Oh geez…”

“I can’t believe I was dragged out of bed to hike up a mountain for half the day,” muttered Yoongi as he bit into the granola bar, “I’m already behind on my work.”

“You can work anytime,” said Namjoon as he bumped shoulders with him, “you need some sun.”

Hoseok smirked as he handed Yoongi a water bottle. “It’s true, Hyung. You can’t stay trapped in your basement all day.”

Yoongi frowned. “It’s my studio, guys.” 

Suddenly, Jungkook threw himself onto Yoongi’s back in a playful hug. “Aw, c’mon, Hyung! You’re starting to sound like Jimin Hyung, obsessed with work all the time!”

“I’m still in school, you dummy,” Jimin snapped as he reached out to poke Jungkook’s cheek, “and so are you. You should take it more seriously.”

He watched his friend pout, still clinging to Yoongi. “After college, that’s it. I’m never going back to school again!”

Jimin smirked as he shook his head. Jungkook had a plan, albeit a simple one, and if his parents hadn’t forced him to go to college in the first place, he’d already be joining the workforce like an adult. Having a college education didn’t make things better, but it would be nice if the world didn’t treat him like the simpleton he always portrayed himself to be. Thankfully, Hoseok and Seokjin helped him with his studies. Taehyung worked full-time and only gave himself time off to poke at Jimin since, out of the two of them, Jimin was the one who decided to attend Grad School.

Taehyung peered over Namjoon’s shoulder at the map, then looked over where another hill crested off just to the North. “Uh, shouldn’t it be just over that hill up there?”

Jimin watched Yoongi’s chest swell with pride. “You mean the one a mile off?”

“Yeah.”

A low groan came from Namjoon. Without saying a word, Yoongi held his hand out and Namjoon placed some bills into his palm. When had a wager been made?

“Well, let’s go,” said Seokjin, readjusting his pack into a more comfortable position, “the sooner we get there, the sooner we can get our fortunes read and head back down the mountain.”

“Agreed,” mused Jimin, already starting off toward the hill, “I have a paper due next week and I need to get started on it.”

Taehyung sidled up next to him and nudged his side with his elbow, causing Jimin to side-step to the left. “You’re telling me it’s not the first draft? I find that hard to believe.”

Jimin shrugged as they all started off toward the hill. “I had to help Grandma with her rice cake shop while she was going through treatment.”

He watched Taehyung’s playful demeanor deflate immediately. “Oh, I’m sorry. Why didn’t you tell me? I could have swung by.”

“It’s fine,” he said, reaching out to pat Taehyung’s head like he was a child. Jimin laughed at the way his friend pouted, his cheeks puffing out in defiance. “She’s a lot better now. Just routine stuff and to get her prescription. You know how Granny likes to overwork herself.”

“Even so,” muttered Taehyung, “next time, just freakin’ call me, dude.”

“I will. I will.”

The trek up the hill wasn’t bad. In fact, it didn’t even feel like it was a mile at all. Everyone was talking all at once about different things. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but Jimin really had missed his friends. They all grew up together in the roughneck parts of Seoul, but they’d grown up to be pretty decent human beings.

Maybe it was because they had each other. Or maybe because they feared getting beat into the next century by their families. Either way, they all managed to walk the path they felt was best suited for them.

Namjoon reached the top of the hill first, determined to salvage some of his dignity from having lost his bet with Yoongi. He pointed to the house just further up the hill, surrounded by wildflowers and canvassed by a small cluster of trees near the back of the house. They all stopped, blinking slightly at the stark contrast of the house’s architectural design. Last they checked, they were definitely still in South Korea and while it wasn’t uncommon for structures to have a western look to it, it seemed a little farfetched to have one this far out in the countryside.

On the outside, it looked like a Tudor cottage with natural brick and molding. Everything else was white or a soft yellow color for the trimming, the roof tiles a rich cobalt blue. No one said anything, but it was clear that all they could do was silently marvel at the house’s appearance. Jimin had to wonder if the person residing in this house was, in fact, a witch, and not a shaman like Taehyung claimed.

“See? I told you it was a witch’s house!” exclaimed Jungkook, giving voice to what all of them were clearly thinking.

Taehyung cleared his throat. “Who said that the shaman was Korean?”

“Give it a rest, you two,” said Hoseok in mid-sigh. He peered at Yoongi who was visibly battling with something internally. “Everything alright, Hyung?”

Yoongi bit his thumbnail, a telltale sign that he was uncomfortable. “...I think we should leave.”

Seokjin blinked as he managed to grunt out a noise in confusion. “Huh? Wha-already?”

Again, Jimin wasn’t the superstitious sort. But he learned to trust Yoongi’s hunches over the years. If their friend said they needed to leave, then they should have been hightailing it down the mountain. But even he couldn’t hide his own curiosity. Nothing was even happening yet. Why was he already wanting to leave?

“I feel like something is going to happen.”

“Like what?” Jungkook tilted his head slightly. “Something bad?”

“No,” Yoongi replied slowly, his line of sight shifting to look back at the house, “just...something different than what we’re probably expecting.”

Taehyung raspberried and then laughed. “Oh, come on, Hyung. You make it sound so ominous. We came up here to get our fortunes read, so let’s just do that and then we can leave.”

In that sense, Jimin couldn’t really argue with him there. They came all this way. Superstitious or not, he didn’t want to leave without having something to show for it.

Suddenly, the door to the house opened and out stepped a woman. She looked to be in her mid to late thirties. Her dark auburn hair fell across her shoulders and back in thick ringlets. She wore a garland of flowers on her head like a crown and her clothing made her appear to have stepped out of the Victorian Era - a long and flowing black gown with a white corset cinched tightly around her waist. The sleeves belled out at the elbows, covering her hands, and there was a golden sash draped across her chest - a black crest of a one-winged dragon emblazoned along it.

She took measured steps from the front porch of the house, her dress a point of reference against all the natural colors surrounding her. Her eyes were closed, but it was clear that she had no problem seeing if anyone were to assume she was blind. Turning her face slowly to look in the direction of the sun, Jimin couldn’t help wondering if the woman had seen them at all.

“I just finished making a pot of tea,” she said, and Jimin could feel everyone’s shoulders stiffen from the tension, including his own. The woman turned her head to face them, but her eyes were still closed. She smiled. “Would you all care to join me?”

They all began crowding Yoongi and speaking at once.

“What are we gonna do?”

“Do we go in? Yes? No?”

“She looks really pretty. I bet she is a witch!”

“I mean, we came all this way, right?”

“Dammit, I told you she was a shaman!”

“Since when are Westerners considered shamans?”

Yoongi angrily huffed air from his nostrils. “Shut-up!” he snapped, glaring at all of them, “I can’t fuckin’ think!”

“You came to have your fortunes read, did you not?” They all looked back up at the woman who gestured with one of her bell sleeves to the door. “Then please, come inside and make yourselves comfortable.”

There was a bit of reticence sparking inside of Jimin. But he resigned himself to do whatever his friends wanted, since that was the reason he allowed himself to be dragged out there in the first place. He couldn’t deny his curiosity, but he was just as much a skeptic as any other.

Taehyung, not waiting for them to decide, strode up the hill. Jungkook quickly followed suit until the others were left with no choice but to do the same. The fragrant smell of tea and something sweet seemed to linger from the doorway and the aroma eased whatever trepidation they may have had. Maybe this wouldn’t have been as bad as they were imagining it to be.

Upon entering the house, they were all stunned near the entrance. Everything inside the interior of the house was white. The walls. The ceiling. The floor. There wasn’t a single pigment adorning anything on the surface level. However, everything was decorated with flowers of various shades and sizes. The smell nearly overwhelmed Jimin and he quickly covered his mouth to keep an oncoming migraine at bay.

A small calico cat meowed at the appearance of guests intruding on its home. Jungkook and Taehyung immediately attempted to pet the cat, but it danced just out of reach. Instead, it strode to the far corner of the main living room area, sitting down to observe them from afar. It may have been a trick of the light, but Jimin swore the cat was looking directly at him more than the others.

“Don’t mind her,” said the woman as she closed the door, “she’s always been finicky around strangers.”

The woman gestured for them to have a seat wherever they liked just as the kettle whistled with life. The sound of dishes clinking showed that she was busying herself with preparations. The sweet smell of something freshly baked was even more powerful now that they were inside. Jungkook made a comment about it, to which the woman laughed but said nothing more.

It went without saying that the house, itself, was strange. The woman in question was even stranger. No one said anything about it. At least not yet. Jimin could see Yoongi across the room, rifling with what to speak out about in regards to their current situation.

“How did you even find out about this place, Namjoon?” Seokjin asked suddenly. Yoongi looked at him as if he’d read his mind.

Namjoon shrugged as he peered at a large fern hanging from the wall. “I read about it in some magazine article.”

Hoseok blinked. “A magazine article? Really?” He craned his neck to look at the woman as she started pouring tea. “Did you have an interview, Miss?”

“No,” she replied simply, “I haven’t been interviewed by anyone. I rarely get visitors as it is.”

“I see,” Jimin said slowly as he shot Namjoon a dubious look, “makes me wonder what magazine you were nosing through.”

He watched Namjoon’s expression change to one clearly offended. “You make it sound like I was reading porn.” He folded his arms across his chest. “It was just some magazine a friend gave to me while we were hanging out. Figured it would be a cool place to go check out.”

“So you dragged us out here on a whim?” Yoongi arched a brow. “Because of a magazine article, Namjoon-ah?”

“Come now. There’s no need for such hostility.” The woman approached them, carrying a large tray with tea and small butter cookies. “As I said, I rarely get visitors and your energy really livens up the place.”

Jungkook took the tray from her and bowed his head, even though she still had her eyes closed. “We’re sorry to intrude.”

She gestured to the large table off to the right. While the others sat in the chairs, he shook his head some. He didn’t remember the table being there earlier. Or had his mind been playing tricks on him while he was focused on something else?

The woman waited for them all to take a seat before slowly sitting down at the head of the table. With a wide flourish, she lifted her right arm up. As the bell of her sleeve slid down, revealing her pale skin, there was a large deck of cards clasped between her fingers. Some of his friends gasped in delightful surprise and even Taehyung clapped. Seokjin flashed an open-mouthed grin as he lifted the cup to his lips. Hoseok blinked curiously, his eyes full of wonder as to what would happen next. Jimin merely folded his arms across his chest, not really impressed but not dismissive either.

“I do not read fortunes so much as I read futures.” She placed the deck on the table, spreading the large cards out in a semi-circle in front of her. “Are any of you familiar with Tarot?”

As far as Jimin knew, none of them were really into the occult. Things regarding fortunes were often told through talismans and rice or even bowls of water. Cards weren’t really used and talismans were only brought out for exorcisms. These were all things that Jimin didn’t believe in to begin with. Superstitious practices were coupled with customs that all Koreans performed out of habit and from being raised in certain household environments that kept true to the old ways.

Again, Jimin just didn’t buy into that sort of nonsense.

The woman smiled warmly when a few replied that they did not, in fact, know about Tarot. “Wonderful,” she said as she gently clapped her hands together, “then you’re all in for a treat. Can I ask that you all please choose a card from the pile?”

Each of them looked to the other, before shrugging. Jungkook was the first to grab a card, followed by Taehyung. One by one, they all picked a card, with Jimin being the last to pull from the deck.

“Now, I want you all to place your card face up on the table.”

They each did as they were asked. The woman waited, her eyes closed, but it seemed like she was able to see regardless. She made little noises, nodding her head a few times, and then paused when she looked in Jimin’s direction. He didn’t know what card he was looking at, but it must have been something interesting enough to cause the woman to not say anything. Instead, she placed a finger on her chin and tapped it a few times. Her full lips formed into a small ‘O’ before shifting into a smirk.

“Well, well,” she finally said, folding her hands in her lap, “it seems that all of you have pretty good luck.” She turned her head to face Jimin, her elegant smile still present. “All except you. You have the worst luck of them all.”

His friends all turned to face him and his cheeks instantly grew hot, both from embarrassment and outrage. How could she determine something like that from a simple card draw?!

Not willing to accept her words at face value, Jimin scoffed loudly. “What makes you say that?”

She picked up his card and held it up so he could see it. “This is The Tower. It signifies a sudden change that is to occur, one that is completely outside of your control.”

He arched a single brow. “So?”

Again, the woman’s smile remained. “It means that you, a man who takes pride in your level of control, is about to have that control stolen from you.” Her smile widened a small measure. “And that pride of yours will be shattered as well.”

Jimin rolled his eyes. “That’s insane.”

“Is it?” She gave a slight tilt of her head. “As someone as practical and rational as yourself, are you certain that you would not break if such a thing were to occur?” The woman placed the card among the pile, grabbing for the others, and then shuffled them in a wide circle. She gestured to Jimin, then to the pile. “Draw again, please.”

“Whatever,” he said, reaching for the pile and picking up a card. When he looked at it, his eyes widened. “What the hell is this?” Jimin stared at the woman, watching her smile grow a fraction more. It was like she already knew what he’d drawn.

He drew The Tower once more.

“See? I told you that you have the worst luck of them all.” Jimin was too flabbergasted to come up with a decent rebuttal. Instead, he could only watch the woman take the card back and place it back into the pile. Her hands shuffled the cards once more. She picked up a card and turned it face up on the table. “The Wheel of Fortune is what you fear. You fear change because change means having to adjust your current way of thinking; your current outlook on life. You also take many things for granted, but most people do.” She turned to face him again. “You fool yourself into believing that you don’t, smothering your selfish desires down in the hopes of keeping them hidden from those closest to you.”

Jimin balked, unable to process everything this woman was saying. Who did she think she was? She didn’t know him! She didn’t know how he thought or of the struggles he had to endure in order to get this far in his life. He was young and still had more things to experience; to learn. But that didn’t mean he was some bump on a log. He knew that due diligence and perseverance mattered when achieving a goal. Focusing on those goals was what led to dreams being reality.

Nothing came from simply sitting around idly and doing nothing. And in that case, Jimin didn’t believe in luck either.

He didn’t even bother stifling the laugh that burst out of him. It startled his friends, because they knew that laugh. It wasn’t a joyous sound. No.

It was an angry one.

“You’ve got some nerve, Lady,” he said, narrowing his eyes, “you don’t even know me. And what? You think flipping over a few cards means you can tell me all about my life? Like you’ve been there to see any of it? Don’t fucking kid yourself!”

“J-Jimin-ah,” called Hoseok gently, trying to get Jimin to calm down a little.

But it was too late. Jimin was furious.

Because what right did this woman have to expose him like that in front of his friends? His struggles were his own. His merits were his own. No one had a right to them because Jimin worked hard to get where he was. He was still working hard to maintain it. Winding up purposeless and with no drive was a nightmare he wouldn’t even dream of suffering through.

At the end of the day, who gave a damn about smelling the roses? Enjoying the little things in life didn’t erase the reality that he had to face. Small indulgences like being with his friends was more for them than for him. Because, in the end, he would have to deal with his problems by himself. No one else would be able to help him and, as such, he ultimately couldn’t rely on anyone but himself.

For the first time since they arrived, the woman’s smile fell. She even looked a little disappointed. “It truly is a shame you feel that way.” Shaking her head, she picked up another card and held it up to show Jimin. “And because of that, because of your lack of trust in others, as well as your own guarded selfishness, this is your fate.”

He glared at the words on the card, only to realize that she was holding it upside down. He quickly deciphered the backwards writing, then blinked in confusion.

It was The Hermit.

“You have lost your way, Jimin Park. You have deluded yourself into believing you have a purpose when, in fact, you do not understand your true purpose at all.”

Jimin’s gaze met the woman’s, causing him to shift back harshly in the chair. The legs scraped loudly on the floor, the noise sending an unpleasant chill to spread throughout his entire body. It wasn’t the fact that she knew his name, even though it wasn’t given in its entirety. That wasn’t what startled him.

It was her eyes.

Her eyes were finally open, revealing swirls of purple and blue the likes of which he’d never seen before. The house began to shake violently, causing the tea cups to rattle off the table and crash to the floor. When he looked around, he realized that his friends were gone. Only he was alone with the woman and he stood up quickly, forcing the chair to fall to the floor. The woman, however, remained seated. She seemed unaffected by what was happening and all Jimin could do was look around helplessly as he yelled for his friends who, for all intents and purposes, vanished into thin air.

“And until you are able to truly understand who you are, you will never be able to become who you are meant to be.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?!” he snarled at her. “And what did you do with my friends?!”

“You will be alone. Isolated. For as long as it takes.” Her eyes narrowed. “Until you recognize your mistakes. Until you can see beyond your own desires. The world that you’ve never bothered to give a second glance will now ignore you in return.”

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut. He didn’t fully understand what that meant, but Jimin had an idea and he didn’t like it. He didn’t like it one bit.

“And the day that it finally looks back at you, that will be the moment when you will have to make a choice. You will have to choose between the world...or yourself.”

And before Jimin could question what she meant by those ominous words, an array of colors burst forth from around her, nearly blinding him. He shielded his eyes, crying out into the void, before being swallowed up into a swirling galaxy of stars and nebulas. A place where he knew, in his heart of hearts, that he would be alone.

That he would be alone for a very long time.

Pain.

Hurt.

Everything hurt.

Jimin could feel himself fighting with it, struggling to climb to the surface of his consciousness. He was at the precipice of it. He knew he was so close to reaching that moment where he would be able to process everything. Most likely it would hit him all at once, but it was better than drowning in the darkness. So deeply submerged that there was little chance of him escaping.

There was warmth. And sound. A steady, rhythmic beat that seemed to rest along his skin. It was muffled at first, until it became clearer with each passing second.

It was a beeping sound.

His brows furrowed and a low groan escaped his throat. Rustling noises came from both sides and he finally managed to open his eyes. Everything came into focus all at once, including the bright light that nearly blinded him. Jimin squinted and lifted one arm to shield his face from the intruding brightness. 

“Jimin!”

“Jimin-ah!”

“Hyung!”

As he continued to shield his face, Jimin wrestled with the familiar voices. He was in pain, but it wasn’t in the way that he could remember it. Shouldn’t his shoulder have been hurting more than it was? And he remembered drifting off somewhere. Was he sleeping? Had it all been a dream?

“Don’t go!” shouted Bree as she tried to jump and reach for him, but he was too far away.

Was this really the end?

“I love you!” Jimin yelled suddenly, causing Bree to stop her attempts to pull him back.

She blinked up at him. “J-Jimin…”

A sad smile formed on his lips. This was inevitable. There was nothing they could do to stop this. He was going back to his own time now; to his own world.

“I love you so much…”

Bree gasped, covering her mouth. But when it seemed he would pass through the ceiling, she lowered her hands and flashed the same sad smile back up to him.

“…I love you too.”

Gasping, Jimin bolted upright and clawed at the air. His eyes, wide and full of tears, burned as colors flooded his vision. “BREE!”

Hands gripped at his shoulders, attempting to push him back down onto the plush surface he was resting on. Jimin struggled against them, his shoulders jerking in either direction as he yelled and bucked his hips off the mattress. Everyone called his name, trying to get him to calm down, but this made him rage against them further. He could feel the vein bulging near his neck as his eyes strained from the pressure building up behind them.

His eyes focused on those around him; familiar faces. His friends. They were all clearly worried about him, some even a little apprehensive about his response after just waking up. But the image of Bree wouldn’t leave the forefront of his mind. 

“L-Let go of me!” he shouted, lunging his upper body forward. “LET ME GO!”

A nurse swiftly pushed through his friends, pulling out a needle and injecting it into his IV. It didn’t take long for the sedative to work, Jimin’s vision growing cloudy. But he could tell it wasn’t meant to knock him out. His thundering heartbeat settled slowly and a heavy weight forced him to push his body back into the plush cushions. After the nurse whispered something to Seokjin, the others quickly surrounded him but made sure not to crowd him too much.

Jungkook sat on the edge of the bed slowly, his shoulders tense as he wrangled with what to say. “...Hyung?”

He blinked slowly as he rolled his neck to look at him. “J-Jungkook-ah?” Jimin shifted his gaze to Taehyung. “What’s going on?”

“You passed out,” Taehyung murmured, draping a hand along the back of his neck, “so we took you to the hospital.”

Jimin licked his lips as he rubbed at one of his eyes. “How long have I been out?”

“A couple of hours,” Namjoon answered, causing Jimin to jump slightly, “not too long.”

He’d only been out for a few hours? That couldn’t have been right. Years went by as he traveled through all those different places! It didn’t seem feasible that he’d only been knocked out for mere hours.

Again, he tried to sit up. This time, Hoseok helped him so he could get more comfortable. “What about that woman?” His gaze met Hoseok’s and he noted the confusion etched on his friend’s face. “What happened?”

Hoseok tilted his head slightly. “What woman?” Jimin frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“That witch-shaman-fortune teller lady!” Jimin looked between all of his friends and they looked just as puzzled as Hoseok. What was going on?! “We went to the mountains to get our fortunes read, and--”

“No,” stressed Yoongi as he folded his arms across his chest, “we were about to board the train for Gwangju and you passed out at the terminal.”

Jimin’s heart skipped, a bead of sweat forming on his temple. “W-What?” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “The train?”

Jungkook’s brows furrowed as he nodded. “Yeah. We were going to Gwangju for a few days to start off Summer Break, remember?”

Pain hummed behind Jimin’s eyes. He pressed the heel of his palm to his forehead in an attempt to settle his nerves. They hadn’t gone to the mountains. They hadn’t met that woman who cursed him, trapping him in that house and sending him into an unexpected journey. They never even left Seoul!

So, it’s really broken, he thought, his hand moving to cover his mouth while staring at the bed sheets, I’m really back.

Bree’s smiling face flashed in his mind as she held Juno in her arms. What happened to them? Were they stuck in the house in his place? Had he condemned them to his fate once his curse was lifted?

An overwhelming sense of guilt exploded across his chest, causing Jimin to cover his face with his hands as he openly sobbed into them. He felt his brothers’ comforting embraces holding him as he cried. He knew they were probably thinking that Jimin was just confused and disoriented and, in truth, he was. 

But the true pain that seeped throughout his entire body was the thought of leaving Bree to suffer what was once his fate...alone.

Days bled into weeks. It was one giant blur for Jimin. After getting over his disorientation, he was able to regain some functionality in his daily life. His friends insisted they cancel their trip to Gwangju and just stay in Seoul, but Jimin said there wasn’t a need. He didn’t want to ruin their holiday because of his dysfunctionalism and he probably needed the break himself. After so many years of not working, studying, and even doing anything remotely productive during his travels, Jimin wasn’t sure if he was ready to get back into the swing of things.

After they returned from their trip, he contacted his advisors and professors to let them know he would be taking the semester off after he turned in his assignments. He was barely able to struggle through his paper and he couldn’t even remember what his term paper was initially about anymore. Sure, he’d left himself notes and even written an outline, but his head was jumbled with too many other concerns to focus on school.

His parents were extremely disappointed with his decision to withdraw from school, but Jimin couldn’t bring himself to change his mind. If it was still taking him over a month to remember what year it was, he knew he would just stress himself out in the middle of his classes. He needed a break. He needed something else to focus his attention on while also allowing himself to feel productive in the meantime. Jimin wasn’t giving up on school completely, but he knew that it just wasn’t for him right now.

He moved back to Busan to be closer to his family and to also help his grandmother with her rice cake shop. She was beyond ecstatic for the company and this allowed her time to pay more attention to her own health. Kneading dough and the smell of rice powder brought a sense of calm to Jimin’s routine. Meeting and interacting with customers, as well as doing research to help bolster sales, allowed him to momentarily forget the loneliness he felt.

But at night, everything always came back full circle. Jimin often had night terrors filled with visions of Bree blaming him for abandoning her; for leaving her behind in that perpetually never ending cycle. Jimin may have gotten used to it, but the inability to escape his prison, a prison he’d brought upon himself, was a concept he was sure would drive anyone mad.

If I left her there like that…

He could never finish the thought that followed swiftly after waking up from a nightmare. Jimin was too afraid to finish it. Because giving it a voice, even a silent one, would mean that there was a chance it would come true.

Every day and every night, Jimin thought about looking for Bree. But he honestly didn’t know where to start his search. Looking for her by name was one thing, but he couldn’t imagine how many “Brianna Larkins” would turn up. He didn’t have much money so hiring a private investigator was almost out of the question. It wasn’t like he lived in the new millennium where the internet and smartphones were regular things. This was the only thing that granted him a bit of solace, knowing he returned to only a decade after her time.

But who was to say that Bree was actually a person of the 80s? Just because her friends happened to have an 80's radio? For all he knew, they could have just been a bunch of trendy hipsters who wanted to seem eclectic by having an old-fashioned portable radio. Jimin traveled enough through the past and future to know that a person couldn’t always judge everything at face value.

What if she wasn’t even born yet?

These, and many other anxieties, haunted Jimin at almost every turn. Taehyung often visited him when he had the chance, as did the others, but nothing could chase away the panic-induced terror that threatened to suffocate him each and every single night.

His grandmother finally suggested that he see a therapist. Mental health wasn’t a strongly advocated subject at the time, but anything was better than falling into a tailspin of depression he wouldn’t be able to escape from. There were specialists in Busan, but the best psychiatrists were in Seoul. Taehyung supported his need for some kind of medical attention, even if it meant just sitting down and talking to someone unrelated to him. 

Jimin set his first appointment for the following week.

He didn’t think he’d be this nervous. 

After filling out all the paperwork, Jimin found himself wringing his hands together as he waited for someone to call him to the back. Taehyung and Yoongi both recommended this particular clinic because of the well-known specialists who hailed from different parts of the world and practiced medicine internationally. He wasn’t one to knock something until he tried it. Or at least that was how he felt he was now . Jimin was pretty confident his old self would never have entertained the idea of seeing a psychiatrist.

There was a first time for everything. Even this.

He fiddled with some magazines until he was called. Something to keep his hands busy. Part of him wanted to bolt out of the door and never look back. There was an old part of him that lingered in the deep recesses of his mind. About how this was just all in his head and he would just need some time to get over it. 

But he’d spent years in isolation. Regardless of whether it was in his own head or not wasn’t the point. Those moments were real to him and the mind was a powerful thing. The pain he felt was real to him. The feelings he experienced were real to him.

In essence, that was all that mattered.

I can’t keep running from this, he thought as he clenched his fists together, running is what got me into trouble in the first place.

“Park Jimin-ssi?” He lifted his head to see the receptionist waving at him. “The doctor will see you now.”

Standing, Jimin moved to the door as it opened and the receptionist smiled as she held a clipboard to her chest. She gestured for him to follow behind her and they walked down a small corridor. She opened the door before he could see the name on the outside, ushering him to go inside.

“The doctor will be with you shortly,” she said, bowing her head slightly, “would you like some tea?”

Jimin bowed his head awkwardly in return. “Uh, yes, please. Thank you.”

She bowed again. “Of course. I’ll be right back. Please, make yourself comfortable.”

She closed the door gently behind her and Jimin slowly sat down on the couch in front of a large glass and metal desk. It was littered with various books, mostly fairy tales and some self-help books. Others were reference materials and even subjects alluding to science fiction. Jimin couldn’t help the smile that pulled at the corners of his mouth. It reminded him of the months he spent with Bree, studying various texts to get even a vague idea of what his circumstances entailed. 

She’d been so selfless in wanting to help him. There was nothing to gain from doing so. All she wanted was for him to be able to return to his family; to his own world.

Again, the phantom ache of guilt pounded against his chest, causing Jimin to absentmindedly rub at it. He was here so he could put a voice to the remorse that ripped through him. Letting it eat away and fester inside wasn’t going to help things. There was no way to get back to Bree, but he wanted to believe that she hadn’t met the same fate.

Wanting to find something to distract his thoughts, he peered at the walls of the room and admired some of the paintings that decorated the doctor’s office. Some were simple ones - replicas of Monet’s work and some of Dali. But what gave Jimin pause was the silver-framed picture sitting on the doctor’s desk. 

It was a picture of a calico cat playing around in the flowers. The letters monogrammed on the lower half of the frame had Jimin’s jaw dropping.

JUNO

Suddenly, the door opened and Jimin jumped to his feet. His eyes focused on the person now in the room, but their back was to him. Her attire was simple, comfortable, but she still carried an air of professionalism. Her thick auburn curls were pulled into a low ponytail and silver hoops dangled from her ears. The door latch catching sounded like muffled cannon fire in his ears. 

“Sorry for the wait, Mr. Jimin Park,” she said, her voice laced with amusement; a voice he could never forget, “I like your name. I’m Doctor Brianna Larkins.” She turned around, a smile still on her face, but it fell instantly when her eyes locked with his.

Jimin could hardly believe what he was seeing. Even the loud clatter of her clipboard hitting the ground wasn’t enough to rattle his thoughts. Bree continued to stand by the door as Jimin remained where he was near the couch. 

For a while, neither of them moved. Jimin was too scared. He was afraid of what would happen the very moment he took a step forward. Would everything fizzle into smoke before his eyes? Would he lose her again?

And just like the last time, Bree was the one to speak first. 

“J-Jimin…”

Her eyes were full of unshed tears and Jimin’s own vision began to wobble. “B-Bree?”

He watched her tears fall and he felt like the universe was being created at that moment, her smile so radiant that he couldn’t believe that he was the reason for it. Not even for a second. 

Jimin soaked in her presence. She was older now. Of course she was. Even though he was the older one when they’d first met, it was clear that time hadn’t frozen for her. She was there with him, in his own time. Bree wasn’t trapped in his prison, made to suffer for his own transgressions.

He didn’t care about the why or the how. Jimin only cared that she was there with him and not traveling through space and time alone. She was free. They were free.

Rushing forward, Jimin closed the distance between them. His chest slammed up against hers and he wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to him. They both let out a sob at the same time and he could feel her fingers digging into the meat of his shoulder blades. Their bodies shook from the emotions overwhelming them until their legs could no longer hold them up. Sinking to the floor, Jimin cradled the back of her head in his hand as they cried their hearts out in each other’s arms.

“27. And you?”

“32.” She laughed while shaking her head. “Goddamn, I’m old.”

“You’re not old.” He brushed a stray curl back and tucked it behind her ear. “You still look the same, even now.”

Bree rolled her eyes. “Whatever, you’re crazy.” She was still smiling.

Jimin squeezed her hand as they sat on the couch together. He was too afraid of letting her hand go, worried that she might disappear when he did. She must have felt the same, because she didn’t try to pull away from him. Not even once.

After they’d calmed down a bit, Bree suggested that they at least look like they were having a session. The last thing she wanted was for the receptionist to come in and see them both hysterical messes on the floor. When she collected the clipboard and placed it on her desk, the receptionist brought Jimin his tea and swiftly left the room. 

He cupped her cheek with his palm, turning her face toward him. It was true. To him, she hadn’t aged a single bit. She still had the same healthy brown tint to her skin, her former dark curls were dyed a deep shade of red that he liked, and her eyes held a hint of the hazel glow he remembered. Her cheeks were tinted a soft pink, probably because he was staring so intently at her but he couldn’t help himself. Jimin pinched his forearm to make sure he wasn’t actually dreaming and Bree smacked his hand, forcing him to pout.

“Hey!”

She frowned. “Stop that. You’re going to give yourself bruises.”

He huffed. “It doesn’t matter.” Jimin twirled his fingers through the lower half of her curls. “...I still can’t believe it.”

“Neither can I,” Bree whispered, wrapping her fingers around his wrist, “I was beginning to think I’d dreamed the whole thing.”

“I don’t blame you.” Jimin’s brows furrowed as he leaned in a little closer. “For me, it’s only been a few months. But for you, it’s been years.”

She lifted her eyes to meet his. “Fourteen, to be exact.”

Jimin pressed his forehead against hers, cradling her face in his hands as he closed his eyes. “God, I am so sorry, Bree…”

Bree lightly patted his cheek, pulling back a bit to look at him. “Sorry for what? In what way was any of that your fault?” She shook her head before flashing him a reassuring smile. “I’m just glad that you were able to get back to your own time.”

He nodded in agreement, albeit reluctantly. “So, why psychiatry?’ 

“Truthfully? I did it for myself. After everything that happened, I was a little worried I’d gone mental or something.” Bree laughed, as if she’d just flubbed up the colors in a coloring book. “But as time went on, I wanted to believe that I’d see you again. And if you were half as messed up as I was, then you were going to need someone to help you through it.”

It felt like a lead weight collapsed into his stomach. Even after everything, she was still looking out for him. Bree hadn’t given up on the idea that they would reunite. Whatever her dreams and goals were prior to their meeting, she shifted gears and changed her life, hoping that chance would bring them just a little bit closer.

Jimin laughed, covering his face with his hand. “You don’t know the half of it,” he said, his shoulders trembling, “it’s been absolute hell trying to readjust.” He lowered his hand and looked at her. “Though, I guess a good portion of my nightmares will stop now that I’ve seen you again.”

Bree nodded, brushing some of the fringe from his forehead. “The other half will just take some time.” She grinned cheekily at him. “And now that I’m a licensed professional, you’re guaranteed to get better.”

Rolling his eyes, he pulled Bree a little closer until their noses were barely touching. “I can’t wait for you to tell me everything that’s happened. Fourteen years is a long time.” 

“It is. And Juno is going to give you a stern talking to.” 

He raised his brows. “I can’t believe she’s still around.”

Bree shrugged. “She’s stubborn. That and I think it took some time for her body to get back in sync with the whole aging process.” She smirked. “That’s just my best educated guess though. I’m no scientist.”

Leaning forward, Jimin gently pressed an open-mouthed kiss to her full lips. He heard her gasp, felt her taking in a sharp breath, and then moved his mouth to brush over her cheeks and nose. Her hand grasped for his wrist, giving it a gentle squeeze. He paused at her forehead, his lips barely touching her skin there. Even after all this time, she still smelled the same. Her lips tasted the same.

Like cherries. 

“I missed you,” Jimin whispered, his voice shaking a measure, “I missed you so much.”

“Me too.” She leaned her head back to peer at his face, his vision of her blurring slightly from the tears collecting in his eyes. “I missed you too, Jimin.”

“I live in Busan now.” His smile fell a bit. “But...but I can come to Seoul any time.”

She grinned. “And I’m a therapist, Jimin. I can move my practice anywhere.”

Jimin sighed, shaking his head but his smile returned. “I run a rice cake shop with my grandmother. I kinda like it. I think you might like it too.”

“I can’t wait to see it.”

Taking a breath, Jimin sealed his lips over hers and pressed his body across her own. She fell back against the couch and he wrapped one arm around her waist, practically pulling her into his lap. Her hands fell along his shoulders as he took every single moment given to him to nip, pull, and lavish his affections on her lips. They would be swollen from his attention, but he didn’t care. No matter how many years would pass by after that moment, he would never get tired of the taste of her mouth; of cherry lip balm.

Breaking the kiss, he quickly wiped at the tears on Bree’s face. She laughed, using the sleeve of her coat to do the same for him. He gave her little pecks to the mouth before pulling her into his arms once more - the steady cadence of her beating heart matching his own.

Craning his neck, he buried his face into her hair as she held him just as tightly against her. “...now that we have the time.”

Time that would never be taken advantage of ever again.

[living-dead-parker]

Fisherman's Wharf - H.H

Summary: Part 2 to The MoMA. Harry meets up with the pretty girl from the museum.

Warnings: some cuss words, probably accidental pov inconsistencies, fLUFF

Word Count: 2.7k

A/n: It's 1 am and I'm tired and have to babysit 6 kids in the morning but I really wanted to write and post this, so I'm sorry for all mistakes. I'm an impatient ass bitch. Anyways, this is lowkey inspired by my time at Fisherman's Wharf, I just wish I had a boyfriend named Harry Holland to explore FW with but oh well. Also the Franciscan Crab restaurant is such a great place if you're in SF, I 100% recommend it. It's pricy if you're on a budget but worth it.

___________________________________

"Let's get going, Harry man." Tom says excitedly.

Tom had never seen his brother as excited to meet and talk to a girl as he is now. Harry wasn't the type to actively look for a relationship or talk to anyone since he's too focused on his work. Everybody praises him for being so headstrong about it, so determined to focus on himself. Harry wouldn't admit this, but sometimes it does get lonely. He'll see everybody has their person and Harry doesn't.

Yeah, he has Sam. That's his twin. But Sam has his girlfriend. Tom has Haz and Z. His parents have each other and Paddy even has someone. Obviously it's just a childish crush who likes him back but he still has someone. Even if not all those relationships may be romantic, they all have that someone else for them? And Harry? Sure he has friends who care but that someone who cares just as much, maybe more for him than he does himself?

The idea of talking to a girl who seemed just as excited about a lot of similar things seemed so obscure. Obviously there's a lake of people who are just like him. However, the fact that he just happened to meet one of them at a museum who just so happened to be a really cute girl? Obscure yet fortunate.

"Do you think she'll really be there?" Harry asks, throwing on a random black fitted T-shirt. The boy looks down at his attire- black shirt, grey joggers, and Chuck Taylors- feeling satisfied in the casual clothing. It's not a date or anything.

"Why wouldn't she be? Come here," Sam interjects, taking in the sight of his younger Twin. "Why would she tell you she'll be there if she's not gonna be there? It was obviously an invitation." Sam adds as his brother walks up to him. Sam ruffles up the boys curls and hands the boy his glasses.

"Sam," Harry whines through chuckles as the older of the two messes with the boy's curls. "Stop it!" Harry says through a laugh.

"Come on, she'll definitely dig the curls and the glasses." Sam says, grabbing Harry's arm. The boy is quick to leads his younger twin out of the room, Tom and Haz following behind.

"Calm down, Sam. Why are you so excited for me to meet up with her?" Harry asks. Sam doesn't answer, he just keeps rushing towards the hotel elevators.

Deep down, he wants the boys to like her. He wants them to enjoy her presence as well so keeping her around would be so much easier. Admittedly, Harry is a family man, and although his family's opinions don't make the final choice, they play a big role in it.

Upon stepping out of the elevator, Sam is quick to pull Harry once more by the arm. He just wants his brother to be happy, who can blame him? Sam has always been the one to try to get Harry to date or even just mess around. He felt everyone could love in some way but he knows deep down Harry has the biggest heart and he knows Harry wants someone to share it with. So when Sam saw how Harry and y/n hit it off and how they just seemed to click right away, he saw she was the one for his twin.

Tom and Haz try to keep up with the twins. Well, more like Sam who's just dragging Harry towards the car at this point. Within minutes, they're standing in front of the rental car as Tom begins to unlock it. Haz sits in passenger while Sam sits behind Tom and Harry behind Haz.

"Wait, what if she really doesn't show up? Like what if something came up an-"

"Shut it, Harry. She'll be there and you'll be there and it'll be great." Tom snaps in an assuring matter.

The drive continues with all the boys hyping Harry up. Bringing up how he's smart and handsome. Mentioning that he can definitely get you. They tell him how she'll be a fool to let him slip away and how great everything will be. Through all of the hype, Harry lost track of time and before they knew it, they had arrived at Ghirardelli Square.

"Alright Harry, you're on your own from here while we find parking. Good luck mate, text us if anything." Tom says. Harry's eyes widen, his head instinctively shaking in panic. Would they really just ditch him now?

"What? No! N-"

"Come on Harry. Explore the place. It's 3:55. She'll be here in five minutes. Go on." Sam says. Harry just stares at his brother, concern lacing every feature. They're dead serious.

"You assholes, I swear she better like me back or else I'll be so pissed off at you guys." Harry mutters as he unbuckles his seatbelt and opens the car door. He opens the door and steps out, waving at the boys a final time before descending down North Point towards Larkin street.

Harry didn't really know his way, so he had a Google Map search up, helping him around as he walks randomly. He heads down Larkin street towards Beach street and after that he lost track of the street names. He wound up walk down the same way for a couple blocks until he found an It'Sugar candy store. Deciding Candy's a good choice of gift, he steps in.

Automatically, the first thing he notices is the huge '2 for 20' boxes of candy. Bigger than his his head in size. He walks past the display and towards the other cool candy. He sees all sorts of obscure and absurd candy. Gummy dicks, enormous gummy bears, GayBar chocolates and so much more.

"I don't think Lorraine would appreciate a box of gummy dicks," a familiar voice says. Harry is quick to turn from where he heard the voice. "So let's get it for her!" the voice quips as Harry's eyes land on the familiar frame. A smile spreads across his face as he takes a step towards the girl. He notices her friends go wide eyed in excitement, causing the girl to turn.

"Hey, so glad to see you here." Harry says in a quiet murmur. Too mesmerized with the moment to speak.

"I'm glad to see you here too. I see you decided to come." the familiar girl responds in a similar murmur. Also mesmerized by the moment. He's really here.

"Hey y/n, we'll see you back here when you're done." her friend says softly. Y/n turn to the girl and nods.

"Yeah I'll see you guys." she says to her friend. As the exchange happens, Harry can't help but take in the sight of the girl. She's changed into more comfortable clothing; denim jeans, rose-patched black tank top with a black cardigan, and black hi-top vans. She still looks just as good as she did at the museum.

"Wanna maybe walk around and explore together?" Harry asks. Y/n nods eagerly, immediately going heart-eyes as the boy allows her to lead the way.

++

After half an hour of walking, the two ended up at some ferry ride line. They bought tickets in a daze, not sure why they did. The two were lost in conversation they accidentally walked into a ticket line. Too embarrassed to leave with nothing, they bought tickets and now they're in line.

"I've never been on a boat, if I'm being honest. And I'm so terrified." Y/n admits with a nervous laugh. Harry's eyes widen, the realization of being on a boat truly and finally dawning on him.

"I've never been on one either. Holy shit." Harry says quietly. Y/n notices as his smile falls into a slight frown. His breathing getting harder at the thought.

"Hey, we'll be fine. It'll be bumpy but it'll be fine. We'll get through it together." y/n says. Deep down, she's freaking out too. Again, she's never been on a fucking boat, of course she's nervous and filled with all sorts of anxiety. What if she throws up? In front of Harry. What if it hits something and sinks? What if after what if. On both their ends.

Suddenly the line is being addressed and being let in. The line becoming shorter as they reach the entrance. A photographer stands at the entrance taking everyone's pictures. Y/n takes hers alone and Harry takes his alone as well. They enter the ferry and grab a headset and radio.

"So, lower floor or upper floor?" Y/n asks as she holds on to the rails and tables. The ferry sways as the waves crash into the ferry.

"Inside upper floor?" Harry asks. Y/n nods, leading the way. They cling onto the rails of the stairs, clutching so tight their knuckles turn white as the ferry sways side to side steadily. It's not too hard of a sway but enough for two klutzy people to fall. Fortunately, that's not the case today as they successfully make it up and to a free table.

The ferry ride lasts an hour. They occasionally listen in on the history being told but for the most part, they couldn't be bothered to. Yeah, it was interesting to know the landmarks and their history, but they found each other more interesting. Getting to talk more about each other. However, as they reached closer towards the Golden Gate Bridge, they completely disregarded their radio.

"As we approach and turn under the Golden Gate Bridge, hold on tight as the current is strong and can rock the boat roughly." the woman's voice warns.

Soon, the boat approaches the Golden Gate Bridge, the boat swaying much more than before. It feels like death to the two as y/n slips in her seat and winds up pressed to Harry's side. His reflexes jump into action and hold her closer in place as the boat turns. After a minute, the boat is steady again and the pair find themselves blushing as they pull away.

"Sorry." y/n mumbles quietly as she looks down with a deep blush tinting her cheeks.

"Don't worry about it, darling." Harry says. The two look around and before they know it, the hour ride is over and as they get out of the ferry, they find their legs feel weird as they haven't quite gotten their land legs back.

After they exit, they head towards a board with all sorts of pictures from other passengers. Y/n finds hers, Harry's next to it. They pay for their pictures and put them in a bag before walking off towards their left.

"Would you care for some early dinner with me?" Harry asks y/n. She smiles, giving the boy an eager nod.

"I'm starving." y/n says. She leads the way to a restaurant called Franciscan Crab.

The entrance has a nice checkered staircase, the walls lined with pictures of all sorts of famous people. The restaurant has a fancy yet laid back vibe. As they descend further into the restaurant, they see a stand in the front with a waiter behind it. He greets the two with a friendly smile.

"Table for two, please." Harry says. The man nods and grabs two menus. He leads the way to a small table with small booths. Harry sit s in one side as y/n sits in the other.

"Can I get you started with some bread and water?" he asks. Y/n nods, giving a simple 'yes, please' in response. "I'll be back with that." he says. He walks off and Harry looks back at y/n. She's already looking through the menu, so he follows suit.

"I can guess your favorite color." Harry quips suddenly. Y/n smirks as she leans back, settings the menu down.

"Oh really? What is it?" she asks. Harry takes a look at her outfit for a clue but ultimately decides to wing it.

"F/c" he says as it's the first to come up. It strikes him as her type of color. Her eyes widen excitedly.

"Yeah, actually." she says, shock obviously in her tone.

"If you guess mine, I'll pay for your meal." Harry proposes. Y/n shakes her head.

"If I get it right, nothing happens and I just get the satisfaction of getting it right." she responds quickly. Harry shakes his head.

"If you get it right, consider it a date that I invited you to, so I pay." Harry continues. A blush appears on y/n's face. A date?

"Fine. Hmm..." she says. Her hum elongates for a second longer before she just quiets down. Her index finger taps at her chin. "Green?" she asks.

"Yeah! It is green!" Harry says excitedly. If he's being honest, green isn't his favorite color. He doesn't hate the color, he just doesn't prefer it. But now he does. Green suddenly becoming his favorite color.

"Really?" Y/n asks, excitement in her tone.

"Yeah, green is my favorite color!" Harry says with just the same amount of excitement.

"Sorry about the wait. May I take your orders or do you need more time?" The waiter asks. Y/n nods at Harry to silently ask if he's ready. He nods back and gestures for you to order first.

"I'll take the Fish and Chips." she says. The waiters takes it down along with her drink.

"And I'll take the calamari platter." Harry says adding his drink as well. The banter continued after the waiter left. Harry would occasionally get texts from Tom or Sam, y/n would get occasional texts as well. When suddenly the food is being placed in front of them. Harry eyes y/n's food curiously.

"That's what they consider fish and chips? You should really try some good 'ol England fish and chips." Harry jokes as he eyes the food. Y/n playfully rolls her eyes at his remark. It did look fancier and much more extra than it needed to be.

Before they know it, dinner is over and it's suddenly seven o'clock. Y/n texts her friends to meet up by Ghirardelli Square as the two head that way with Harry. After a 10 minute walk, they catch Tom's rental pull up by the sidewalk they're on.

"Are your friends near?" Harry asks. Y/n looks around and spots the girls pulling up as well. She nods, pointing towards the incoming car.

"Thank you for today, Harry. It was really fun and I'm glad you actually came." y/n says. Harry smiles down at her as he nods.

"No, thank you for inviting me. I had tons of fun today, darling." Harry says. A blush spreads across y/n's face as she shrugs.

"Well, it was nice meeting you. We should definitely keep in touch." y/n says softly.

"After our date, I sure hope we do. Be careful, yeah?" he says. He leans down and plants a kiss on her cheek. He turns around but stops as he hears y/n let out a loud 'wait'.

"I forgot my picture." she says pointing to the bag in Harry's hand. He nods and walks back over to her, opening the bag. He grabs the picture without looking at it, handing it to her.

"Sorry bout that, darling. Hope to hear from you soon." he says. Y/n nods as he turns and heads to Tom's car.

++

"Yeah and we went on a ferry ride-" Harry rambles. Suddenly, his phone goes off with notification sounds. He checks his phone, seeing someone followed him as well as DM'ed him on Instagram. He opens the notifications, seeing it's all from the beautiful girl.

'Looks like I got the wrong one 🤔🤣'

Attached was the picture of Harry from the Ferry ride. Harry jumps up suddenly, catching his brothers and Haz off guard. They were so enthralled with the story. The boys all watch as Harry runs around the room to the bag containing the picture and opens it. He pulls the picture out and chuckles as he looks at it.

"What is it, man?" Haz asks. Harry holds the picture up through giggles.

"I gave her the wrong one. Now she has my picture and I have hers. Too bad she left already." Harry says. His tone becoming sad at the end.

"Now you really have a reason to talk to her more." Sam jokes as he smiles at the love-struck boy.

Maybe seeking a relationship isn't so bad to Harry now. Maybe she could be the one.

[hey-its-ellice]

List of all requests. Requests still open

(in order from the bottom of my message box to top) The ones that are bolded and in italics I already have started an outline for. I will be opening a poll for which one y’all want next. Figured Y’all should know which requests each player has. Updated 5-24-18

Jimmy vesey-  Hi could you do one with jimmy vesey that’s cute maybe even kids involved

Josh Anderson-  Ooooh love your writing! Can i request a cute imagine of Josh Anderson become a dad and wanting to cuddle his wife and baby together when he's home.

William Nylander-  Hello!! Can you write a one shot where the reader braids Williams (Nylander) hair for practice or something, and everyone teases him! Thank you!!

Andre Burakovsky- Can you write something with andre burakovsky? Where the reader is married to him and they know each other better than they know themselves. Thank you.

Josh Anderson-  Hi can I ask for a Josh Anderson one where he doesn't know that you dated Dylan Larkin. It ended on good terms and you were friends but Josh got upset because he saw Dylan talking to you (set in Columbus) and wasn't aware of it. So he ends up slighly hurting D near the end of the 3rd period and when he looks for you he doesnt see you and someone at the end of the game tells him they saw you going to check up on D. And it just wraps up with him apologizing and evryone parts in good terms. Please!

Nolan Patrick- can you please write a nolan patrick imagine thing where you guys go on a vacation to like italy or something? i’ll leave it up to you! thank you!

Andre Burakovsky- Can I request something about dating Andre and hanging out with him and Djoos like 24/7?

Jimmy Vesey-   Jimmy vesey fluff request?

Jimmy Vesey-  Meeting jimmy vesey's family request

Gabe Landeskog-  Celebrating playoff win with gabe landeskog

Freddie Andersen-  hi! I saw you re-opened your requests! Can I request a Freddie Andersen one? Maybe about the girl being younger than him and still in college and something cute? And maybe the team teases them for being cute? please and thank you! xx

Andre Burakovsky-  Can you do a vacation imagine with Andre Burakovsky?

Carter Hart-  Ooh since your requests are open could you please write a fluffy “Hi, I’m sorry to bother you but that creepy guy has been following me for the past four blocks and the closest public space is half a mile away and I’m a strong independent woman who doesn’t need saving but I’m so scared right now and you’re the first person I saw so please play along” imagine with PLD from Columbus or Carter Hart?

Noah Hanifin-  If requests are open could you please do a Noah Hanifin or Jack Eichel imagine (your choice!) where you’re also from Boston but your accent is a lot stronger and they find it amusing?

[davidcarner]

Reassigned Ch 8, A New Cover

A/N: Apparently I got so excited to get this out, I posted it too soon. So, go back, read Chapter 7 if you haven't because HUGE things happened there, and, muh bad. I'm sorry.

A/N 2: I was gonna post this last night, but Steampunk . Chuckster updated Dive and I got to reading. I thought I could write fluff, but you want fluff? GO READ DIVE! SC you're the best.

A/N 3: Everyone okay, did I lose anyone after last chapter? No one ODed on the diabetes? Good…I give you Reassigned, Ch. 8, A New Cover

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, and I truly need to know, is Bryce's final punishment too much?

Sarah and Carina stood off to the side of the room. Carina was expecting tension in the room, but Sarah was surprisingly calm. Maybe Chuck was better for Sarah than Carina realized. Chuck had gone to the rest room, again, he said it was nerves, and Sarah hopped he wasn't in there throwing up over them. Carina leaned over, determined to confirm her suspicions.

"So was I right?" she asked. Sarah turned to her, not sure what she was talking about. "Actual-father-to-my-child-but-not-baby-daddy?" Sarah smirked, turned back to watch the door, and gave the barest of nods. Carina grinned. "The poor guy looked exhausted, I mean he didn't seem to know where he was when you threw that knife." Sarah's smirk grew. "I mean I've heard through the grapevine that he's starting his own business and everything."

"He has been working a LOT," Sarah stressed.

"A lot of late nights like last night?" Carina asked. Sarah's smirk grew into a grin.

"No, it was actually the first," Sarah replied.

"Of many?"

"One can only hope," Sarah said, her grin turning cheeky.

"I'm not stupid. I realize you two are talking about Sarah and the dork mixing their peanut butter and chocolate," Casey said, not looking at them.

"Sounds delicious, and I hear the preferred term is nerd," Carina said, winking. Sarah laughed just as Chuck walked back into the room. The three all turned to him. Casey looked a little queasy.

"You know an arrogant or paranoid man would think you three are talking about him," Chuck said. Sarah came over and laid a kiss on him. She turned to Carina as Chuck rebooted.

"You really are missing out," Sarah said seriously to her friend. Carina shrugged.

"I get my kicks, you get yours," she said. "You ready, Chuckles?" Chuck shrugged.

"How does one get ready for the guy who got him kicked out of college and slept with his ex-girlfriend?"

"Buttering his ex-girlfriend's biscuit is a good start," Casey said. Everyone just stared at him. "What? It's obvious by the lady feeling that's what's going on." Chuck turned to Sarah.

"I'm sorry for letting my lady feelings get out of control," Chuck said, winking.

"You let them get out of control anytime you want to, Sweetie," she said.

"Sweetie?" he mouthed, and smiled until his nose crinkled. He turned and saw the look on Casey's face and the smile fell.

"Christ, Walker you used to be a perfectly good spy," he said. She shrugged. "And I wasn't talking about Bartowski's lady feeling," he added, leading Chuck out of the room.

"Thanks, I think," Chuck said. Sarah turned to Carina and bounced a shoulder.

"Chuck Bartowski gives me all sorts of lady feelings," she said. Carina's mouth dropped.

"I don't know of when I've not wanted to hear about details, but I don't want to hear any details," she said. They watched Chuck go in and Casey came back in the room with them. "Casey," she began.

"He's safe, Sarah," Casey said. Sarah looked at him. He never called anyone by their first name. "I've shot your baby daddy once, I'll gladly do it again." Sarah nodded.

"Thank you," she said, paused and turned toward him. "And can we not call him my baby daddy?"

"Sperm donor?" he asked. Sarah shuddered. She watched Chuck through the glass. He was obviously nervous, and she wanted to be in there with him, but she knew she shouldn't. Bryce didn't know she knew he was alive, knew he was in Burbank, but more importantly, pregnant with his child, and right now wasn't the best time to tell him.

"Come closer, Chuck," Bryce said.

"Nope," Chuck said, sitting in a chair nowhere close to Bryce. Bryce rolled his eyes.

"Really, you always were stubborn about things. Sorry to have to do this," Bryce said. "Sandwall." Chuck just stared at him.

"Mudfloor," he replied. "Paperroof," he added. Bryce looked at him like he was crazy.

"You didn't open it?" he asked.

"Oh, you mean that crazy Zork game you sent me, I didn't know the next line," Chuck said. Bryce closed his eyes.

"This is not good," Bryce said. "We need that file. You were supposed to have that file!"

"Well, I can't open it," Chuck replied.

"Help me, Buddy," Bryce said. Chuck studied him.

"The same way you helped me?" he asked. "The same way you got me kicked out of Stanford and slept with my ex-girlfriend?"

"I can explain," Bryce replied. "You don't understand."

"Nope, sure don't and don't care," Chuck replied. He got up to leave.

"If you stay in here, I'll give them the code to unlock it," Bryce said. Casey looked to Sarah. Sarah knew Chuck knew the code, but if she let Bryce unlock it, Chuck was off the hook. She didn't like it, but it was probably the safest play. She nodded. Casey knocked on the glass, walked to the door, and let Chuck out. They all met in the observation room.

"I need to talk to Chuck alone," she said. "Go get the computer." Casey nodded and left. Carina watched the door.

"Play dumb, Chuckles," Carina said. Chuck looked at Sarah.

"She's on our side, Chuck, and she's right," Sarah said. "I don't care if you know the code or not, type in what Bryce says to." Chuck nodded. Casey rolled the computer in the room, put it in front of Bryce, just out of reach, sneered at him, and left. Chuck came back inside and sat back at his chair.

"Need you over here to type," Bryce said.

"No, I think we need to talk first," Chuck replied. Bryce shook his head.

"I don't have time for this," Bryce said and used the knife left on the table to free himself. Chuck assumed the Morgan. Bryce gave him a look of pity. "Really?"

"You're a CIA Agent with a knife in your hand," Chuck replied, watching Bryce type one handed. "You're pretty good at that," he said smirking. Bryce paused and shook his head.

"I've got a woman that would blow your mind," Bryce said, back to typing. He shook his head again and smirked. "If you only knew."

"I know a lot more than you think," Chuck said quite confidently. Bryce looked up. He didn't recognize that look on Chuck's face. The Chuck he knew was never that confident, unless it was an academic subject. Suddenly Chuck saw light coming from the computer and Bryce's eyes were flickering. Chuck looked away, thinking that looked a little familiar and he shouldn't see it. The light show ended and Chuck looked back over. Bryce was slumped against the table he was strapped to. Casey burst in, and checked Bryce's pulse.

"Damn it, what does it take to kill this guy," he muttered. Sarah followed behind Casey and grabbed Chuck.

"That could have been me on my birthday," Chuck said softly. "Thank you, Sarah." She smiled at him.

"You're welcome," she said, and leaned in to his ear. "For the record, you know much more than he does." Chuck didn't know if there was a way to get the grin off of his face.

-ooooo-

"Would someone like to tell me why I am here?" Chuck asked. He was below the Weinerlicious, with Casey, Carina, and Sarah.

"Mr. Bartowski, you have been somewhat involved with this project every step of the way it seems," Beckman said.

"Who are you again?" Chuck asked. Sarah lost a fight to an amused smile.

"That's General Beckman, Numbnuts," Casey said. "Respect her."

"I have no problem with her, Meathead," Chuck replied. Casey growled. "I had no idea who she is or better yet why am I talking to her, I have nothing to do with this."

"Major Casey, enough!" Beckman said. Chuck waggled his eyebrows and Casey growled. They both turned and faced forward. "Mr. Bartowski, you were sent a secret government program."

"The Intersect, I read everything Sarah asked me to, General, I'm caught up on the what it is and how it works. What I am asking, again, is the why am I here?" Chuck asked. Beckman took off her glasses.

"We are assembling a team, Mr. Bartowski, don't worry Miss Walker, neither you or Mr. Bartowski are part of it," Beckman said, seeing Sarah start to react and beating her to the punch. "However, you both have history with Mr. Larkin." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "God help me, I need you to help establish a cover. You were once friends, Mr. Bartowski, and if I'm not mistaken that is his child you carry Miss Walker."

"I'm beginning to think it's time for me to completely retire," Sarah said, crossing her arms. Chuck turned to Sarah, grinning. "What? He and I are done, I told you, it's you and me now, Curls, deal with it." Chuck turned back to the monitor.

"Miss Walker, I don't want to suggest any cover anything with him, except one thing," Beckman said. Chuck braced for the explosion. "I need you to help him establish a life in Burbank."

"Why would Bryce Larkin come to Burbank, General?" Casey asked.

"Because Bryce has no family," Chuck replied. "And after he washed out as an accountant he came back to the two people he was probably closest too?"

"I assumed he would return because he is about to have a child," Beckman replied.

"Are we talking about the same Bryce Larkin Chuck and I know?" Sarah asked. Beckman's eyes got wide, there was apparently quite a bit not in his file. "He doesn't even know he's about to be a father, which, I will be the one to tell him, and I'm not even sure if he wants to be associated with the child. Besides, maybe he's not the father," she said, shrugging. Chuck turned slowly to her. She looked at him, and saw the grin on his face. She returned it.

"Get it, Girl," Carina said softly.

"So, failed accountant Bryce Larkin, returns to Burbank because he has a new job," Chuck said. Chuck turned to Sarah. "Does anyone else besides me know anything else about Bryce?" Beckman double checked his records.

"No," she said, curious where this was going.

"Stay with me, this is all kind of crazy, right? I mean a computer in your head," he said, looking around. Everyone nodded. "Sounds like a comic book plot." Sarah grinned at him. "So, let's do the whole twin thing that Bryce didn't know about, Bruce Larkin, a nerdier Bryce."

"Why?" Casey asked.

"Because we can hide him in plain sight," Chuck replied. "At the Buy More as the assistant manager," he said. with an evil grin on his face. Beckman studied him for a moment.

"That's so crazy it just might work," Beckman said. Casey turned to Chuck.

"I thought you were a good guy?" Casey said.

"Casey, sometimes the nerd gets the girl, and revenge," he said with a smile on his face.

-ooooo-

Chuck sat in the car, very quiet.

"Bryce is the only possible father," Sarah said. He turned to her. "I said that because maybe I don't want his name on the birth certificate given what he's going to have to do. I need to think of the safety of the baby, and if he's going to be running around with that thing in his head…it's something I have to consider, especially if he's not going to be in the baby's life."

"Oh, I mean good, about him being the only possible father, but it really isn't none of my business," he said. She reached over and took his hand. "I guess you're wondering what I'm thinking about?" She nodded. "You and Bryce had a relationship, and you say you're over him, but how do you know ours won't turn out the same?"

"I don't," Sarah admitted. "But I know I love you, I didn't love Bryce, because at the time I didn't know what love was, and with you, I do. You have helped me change, Chuck. You have let me embrace parts of me I wasn't allowed to as a spy, that I was encouraged to bury, and with you, it's all bubbled to the top. So, I don't, but I'm willing to fight for us, and the only fighting I want to do with Bryce is kick his ass for trying to get you stuck with that computer." She paused. "One more thing, Chuck, if this is going to work, I need you to fight for me." Chuck nodded.

"I know, and it's not that I wasn't fighting for you before, it was I wanted to make sure you wanted this, that I was best for you. I'm scared, Sarah," Chuck said. "This isn't going to be easy." She took his hand.

"Nothing worth having is," she said.

-ooooo-

"What is she doing?" Sarah asked, watching Ellie. She hadn't noticed Chuck and Sarah and they were waiting on the edge of the courtyard. Ellie was carrying stuff from her apartment over to Sarah's.

"I think she's moving me out," Chuck said.

"Oh," Sarah said, looking at him quickly. "And apparently in with me."

"I told you giving her a key was a bad idea," he replied, trying to figure out what had gotten in to Ellie. Sarah shrugged and took a deep breath.

"So, I guess you're moving in?" Sarah asked. Chuck looked at her.

"Uh, I mean I guess I don't have a lot of choice," he replied. The look on her face told him that was the wrong answer. "Sarah, do you want me to move in with you?"

"Yes," she said. "Chuck, I need to be around you. I don't have nightmares of my past acts when you're around, I feel safe, I feel loved, so the question isn't do I want you to, the question is do you want to?"

"I don't want to rush you," Chuck said. Sarah stared at him. "And apparently I'm not?"

"Chuuuuckkkk," she said, exasperated.

"Sarah Walker, I really want to move in with you," he said.

"Really?" she said, excitedly and then giggled. "Look at what you made me do, Chuck, I giggled. I never giggle." She shook her head, grinning. "Now, go talk to your sister." She kissed him soundly, causing him to stumble a bit as he headed over toward Ellie.

"Ellie" he began.

"CHUCK!" she said, nearly squealing. "I'm kicking you out, Baby Brother."

"Uh, Ellie, have I done something wrong?" he asked. She gave him that mother/sister look of adoration, and he was being stupid.

"Chuck, you need to learn to fly again," Ellie said.

"Did you just quote Mr. Mister to me?" Chuck asked. Ellie looked a little ashamed. "How does Morgan feel about this?"

"It was actually his idea," Ellie said.

"WHAA?" Chuck asked, in shock. He then thought. "That does explain the Mr. Mister quote."

"We all know you are being cautious," Ellie replied. "Even Morgan says you need to be pushed out of the nest. Chuck, you both love each other, and she needs you. She's about to have a baby. She can do it on her own, we both know that, but Chuck, why should she? You love her, she loves you."

"Yeah, we do," Chuck said with a goofy smile on his face.

"I'm just glad you're finally together," Ellie said, about to squeal.

"How do you know we're together?" Chuck asked. She gave him a look.

"Everyone knows, Chuck," she said like he was an idiot. His face got tense, and he swallowed. How loud were they last night? "Chuck, you okay?" There was definite concern on her face

"Ellie," he began, but paused. How badly did he want to know? Ellie's eyes got huge, as it dawned on her what he thought.

"NO!" she said. "That's not how I know, it's the two of you glowing. Plus I heard part of your conversation last night in the courtyard." Chuck turned red. "I appreciate you not having her come get me," she said, grinning. Chuck turned redder. "It's okay, little brother, and I get why you waited, and I'm proud of you for telling her the truth, regardless of how ashamed you are of it. You're human, Chuck, but I have a feeling there will be a day, you don't think about Bryce at all when it comes to her or that baby." Chuck swallowed. He hated this, but he had to.

"Hey, Ellie, apparently Bryce had a twin brother, Bruce," Chuck began. "And he's moving to Burbank. He's going to take that empty apartment unit with another new employee at the Buy More."

"Wow, a Larkin at the Buy More?" Ellie asked. "Did you know Bryce had a brother?" Chuck shook his head.

"Never heard of him," Chuck said, honestly. "Really resembles him though, a little nerdier. He doesn't have anyone so," Chuck hesitated.

"He's coming to Thanksgiving, along with the other new employee," Ellie said. "Anyone else?"

"Sarah's friend is in town, Carina," Chuck said. Ellie's eyes got big.

"Oh, she MUST come," Ellie said.

"How do you know her?" Chuck asked. Ellie looked at him. "You know what she does?" Ellie nodded. Chuck was beginning to get very nervous. "Hmm, you know she's going to work at the Weinerlicious?"

"That's probably a cover job," Ellie said, looking at him. Chuck looked down.

"Ellie, be gentle, he was doing what he was told," Sarah said, grinning. Chuck turned around to see her behind him. "Chuck, I told her, she knows."

"Oh, thank God!" he said.

"Really, Chuck, you think I'd of bought some lame cover story like that?" Ellie asked. "I mean you'll fool at the Buy More bunch, but really, Chuck, really?"

"I'm sorry, Ellie," Chuck said, honestly.

"I'm proud of you, taking care of him," Ellie said honestly. Sarah came and slipped an arm around him. "And you," she said, pointing at Sarah. "You better take care of him."

"I will, and next time, let me ask him before you throw his stuff out," Sarah said. Ellie raised an eyebrow, and Sarah felt a cold shiver down her spine. Ellie Bartowski scared her and no one had ever scared her. "Not that there will be a next time," she added quickly. "You know what I mean." Ellie smiled at them, and hugged them both at the same time, putting herself between them.

"You are both crazy about each other but needed a kick in the pants," Ellie said. "Besides you spend the night together every night anyway."

"Now I have no choice," Chuck said. Sarah looked at him and shook her head.

"I love you, but you're an idiot. Like you really ever had a choice," she said, and headed back toward the apartment. Chuck looked at Ellie.

"She's right," Ellie said.

-ooooo-

Chuck came inside the bedroom and saw a Sarah Walker in his button up shirt, her bare legs distracting him, hanging his Tron poster on the wall. He tried to sneak up behind her, and wrap his arms around him.

"Would it kill the mood to tell you I heard you coming?" she asked.

"Not only would it not kill it, but it would make it more awesome," Chuck said. "I am dating an elusive spy, and she loves me." She spun around and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Yes she does," Sarah said, grinning. She wasn't sure when she had last felt so happy. She wasn't sure if she ever had, if she was honest.

"Sarah, about Bryce," Chuck began.

"Chuck," she said.

"Wait, wait, hear me out," Chuck said. "You need to tell him, and it needs to be soon. Not only that, he needs to know about the problem of it being his child. I really don't think the Bruce trick will fool the bad guys too much, but maybe he'll see it your way and not want his name on the certificate."

"It is ultimately my decision, not his," she said. Chuck nodded, knowing she was right. "However I should talk to him. Soon." Chuck nodded, and grinned. "What?"

"Oh, I'm just happy I'm heading into work," Chuck said, beaming.

"Because it's your last day?" Sarah asked.

"And because I get to see John Casey and Bruce Larkin work at the Buy More," he said. Sarah laughed.

-ooooo-

"Bartowksi, please stay, I'll give you whatever you want," Big Mike begged.

"I want to make 100 thousand dollars a year and only work two days a week," Chuck said.

"I'll miss you, Bartowski," Big Mike said, walking off. Chuck was grinning when he felt a hand on his back.

"It's time you and I had a man to man talk," Morgan said, seriously. Chuck settled in. He knew this was going to be good. "You're about to go out there," Morgan said, slowly extending his arm and sweeping it. "There's many dangers out there I've tried to protect you from, but it's time, Chuck." Morgan paused, made a fist and pressed it against his lips. "You need to take these broken wing and learn to fly again and learn to live so free."

"Again, that is Mr. Mister," Chuck said, grinning. Morgan hugged his shoulders.

"And you know the words. I proud of you buddy. I'm proud." Morgan clapped Chuck on the shoulders, and with tears in his eyes, walked off.

"Wow," Chuck said.

"Huh, the bearded troll didn't make a fool out of himself," Casey said, from behind him. Chuck turned around, and saw Bryce over Casey's shoulder in his assistant manager getup. Casey leaned against the nerd herd desk and followed his gaze. He chuckled. "You enjoying this, Bartowski?"

"More than I should," Chuck admitted. "Who is he looking at?" They both turned and saw Sarah had come into the Buy More. She was showing, but Chuck thought she looked radiant. She was wearing a track suit, the top unzipped with an orange tank top on. The track suit was a very light blue, almost white, and she was on her tip toes of her orange chucks looking for someone. She saw Chuck, grinned, and winked at him. She walked toward him and Chuck swore there was a wind machine or something the way her hair seemed to blow. She walked right up to him, making sure Bryce could see them, reached up, grabbed his tie, gave him her version of the Bartowski eyebrow dance, and pulled him down, stopping an inch from his lips.

"I love you, Chuck," she said, and gently kissed him. It turned into a serious kiss rather quickly.

"You two do know we're in public, right?" Casey asked. Sarah released Chuck and turned toward Casey.

"I am well aware of where I am," she said smirking. She turned back to Chuck. "Will you come with me, to talk to Bryce."

"I will, but is this a conversation you two need to have, without me?" Chuck asked.

"No, I need you there," she said. "Besides, he's walking up to us right now."

"Sarah?" Bryce asked.

"Hi, BRUCE," she stressed. Bryce swallowed and looked at her. "I think we need to talk about your brother. Is there someplace the three of us can go?"

"Three?" Bryce said.

"I don't keep things from my boyfriend," she said. Bryce blanched. "He and I are living together now."

"There is a special place we could all go," Chuck said, grinning. Bryce looked stunned. How did Chuck know about Castle? They all headed toward the back, and slipped into the secret entrance to Castle. Chuck took a deep breath and hoped no one, specifically him, lost the cool during this conversation.

A/N: Sooooo remember when I said this chapter everything else happens? Uh…we still didn't make it (see what happens when I actually make notes of what to do?!) Next chapter, Giving Thanks, Bryce/Bruce comes to Thanksgiving at the Bartowski household. Bryce/Bruce, Sarah, and Chuck have a conversation. Also, Sarah talks to Bryce/Bruce about the birth certificate, what could go wrong? (I swear I'm gonna write all of that in one chapter if it takes 40k words!) …Til next time! Reviews and PMs are always welcomed!

DC

[ao3feed-newsies]

but with everybody watching us our every move.

by, fangirlhehe_3021 by fangirlhehe_3021 a rumor starts floating around and it reaches Davey's parents. Words: 13956, Chapters: 8/8, Language: English Series: Part 2 of I Love You So (Newsies) Fandoms: Newsies!: the Musical - Fierstein/Menken, Newsies - All Media Types, Newsies (1992), Newsies: The Broadway Musical! (2017) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: F/F, M/M Characters: Les Jacobs, The Newsies (Newsies), Medda Larkson | Medda Larkin, The Jacobs Parents Relationships: David Jacobs/Jack Kelly, Spot Conlon/Racetrack Higgins, Sarah Jacobs/Katherine Plumber Pulitzer Additional Tags: Period-Typical Homophobia, RE-UPLOAD I GOT A NEW ACCOUNT, Fluff and Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, they're so tragic I love them, David Jacobs Needs A Hug, Secret Relationship, Kinda?, found family trope is something I completely lean into so buckle up, Davey and Sarah being the best sibling duo, written with the livesies cast in mind, except for spot, I think of him as 92sies, the Jacobs siblings against the world, homophobic parents, Jack Kelly is absolutely suicidal, no beta we die like this fandom would have without tumblr, making out?, I've never made out with anybody so take that as you will, child abuse?, it's nothing super graphic don't worry read : https://ift.tt/Vx6iEKa - July 17, 2024 at 04:03PM

[polytrichumstrictum]

okay I made a quick list of some fics I liked! it was hard to find any without there being a ship so I apologize for that!

* There Jack Stayed by Claycastles

(jack x davey - modern AU but Jack is a ghost!!

- warnings: talks of shooting/murder on chapter 4 but it's small)

* I'm Finding Inspiration in the Strangest of Places by murderousCroww

(jack x davey, spot x albert x race - modern AU - mild sexual jokes but no nsfw)

* The Stars and Moon by NotWhoYouThink

(spot x race - canon era - no warnings. just fluff)

* We'll Stay Young Forever by InSpiteOfAllTheHeartaches

(jack x katherine - canon era but old age AU - no warnings. just fluff)

* no big believer in romance by pinkkboii

(jack x davey - modern AU - they break up but then they make up so not much angst!!)

* Larkin Family Fluff - Of Panic Attacks and Flour Wars universe series by The_things_we_do_today

(modern AU - crutchie & jack are brothers - crutchie is aroace - jack x davey but later on - davey is greyace)

thank you!

[mj-irl]

Black Coffee and Beginnings (17229 words) by Mjazilem Chapters: 11/11 Fandom: Newsies!: the Musical - Fierstein/Menken, Newsies - All Media Types Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Crutchie/Jack Kelly Characters: Crutchie | Crutchy (Newsies), Jack Kelly, Racetrack Higgins, Medda Larkin, Katherine Plumber Pulitzer, David Jacobs Additional Tags: Modern AU, College AU, Angst, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Family, Drama, Canon Disabled Character, meetings, Reunions, Crushes, PTSD Series: Part 2 of Cherry Coke and Coffee Summary:

“You can pull in here, I think this is about as close a parking spot as we'll get.” Crutchie grabs hold of his crutches and hopes the snow isn't piled up too bad on the curb. Crutchie opens the car door and Jack holds it open for him as he gets out. Suddenly voice coming from behind startles Jack. “Look at you Jack Kelly, a gentleman and a scholar.”

or Jack drives Crutchie home after they meet for the first time and is a little overwhelmed by everything. Everyone has an opinion on why and what he should do about it. And then they all get coffee