#left to fend for himself at a very young age ? bit of a ladies man ?
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aceofspades-sml · 11 months ago
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*stands on soapbox*
actually Alexander Hamilton was a son of Hermes and that's why they look alike now. you are welcome.
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favefandomimagines · 4 years ago
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Why? (t.h.)
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Summary: you and tom broke up at the young age of 21, after the success of Captain America: Civil War. now 3 years later, you run into him again with your three year old son
AN: more angst than fluff that’s for sure and here’s a twist: Evans!Reader (i’m also really bad a writing how toddlers sound so use your imagination)
When you imagined having a baby, you thought of the basic evolution of adulthood. Meet, marriage, then kids. Not meet, date for a year and a half, then baby. A baby who you were currently raising on your own. 
The breakup between you and Tom was the opposite of mutual. You didn’t want it. You wanted to be with him even before you got pregnant. But he wanted other things. 
He wanted other people. And that’s the part that broke your heart. 
“I don’t understand. You have never mentioned this before.” You said to him. “Y/N, it’s not you, okay? It’s just, we’re young. We’re 21 years old, our careers are just taking off. Don’t you want to be free?” Tom explained. 
“Free? You think I’m tying you down?” You questioned. “That’s not what I said.” Tom rebutted. “That’s exactly what you said! You think being in a relationship with me is tying you down. Well, fine Tom. If this is what you want, this is what you’ll get.” You snapped. 
You began to pack up everything you could fit in your small, weekender bag. “I’m going home and I never want to speak to you again.” You sneered. “No, Y/N, don’t do this. We can still be friends.” He told you. “No we can’t. Because I can’t be the friend who’s hopelessly in love with a guy who doesn’t love her back.” You said. 
“I do love you-” He started before you cut him off. “Don’t lie to make yourself feel better.” You sneered. You walked to the door of the hotel you were staying in and slammed it shut. 
You were a mess after the breakup. Physically ill is how you described it to people. You never left your room most days and when you did, you glued yourself to the couch. You lived off of Ben and Jerry’s and The Notebook.
Your friends tried to get you out of your apartment. But you didn’t feel like going out and facing the paparazzi. Especially when every time you stood up, you felt sick to your stomach. 
Even your older brother stayed with you most days. He didn’t want you to be alone. 
That’s when your friend suggested something. “When did you get your period?” She asked you. When she asked, you couldn’t remember when. You chalked it being late up to the stress you were feeling because of Tom and being cast in a new TV show. 
But, your friend bought you the test anyways. And it was positive. Your world was crumbling around you and now you had to fend for a baby. Tom told you he wasn’t going to leave you so you didn’t use a condom. And you couldn’t be on birth control because of underlying health issues you had. 
You were pregnant and you were going to have to raise a child by yourself. But your family was there through it all. Chris came to every doctor’s appointment with you, already earning the title of ‘world’s best uncle.’ 
You were about four months along when Kevin Feige called you about shooting an end credit scene for Spider-Man: Homecoming. How were you going to hide a baby bump from the cast and crew? But the only person you needed to keep it from was Tom. He didn’t want you so why should he be apart of the baby’s life? You would ask yourself that simply out of anger. There was no logical reasoning behind it. 
You shot the scene while pregnant and quickly left Atlanta before anyone began asking any questions. The main one being: who’s the dad? 
The night you gave birth, your entire family was at your side. Throughout the entire 20 hour labor before you welcomed a baby boy into the world. Theodore Evans-Holland was the newest member of the family. But Holland was only on the birth certificate. 
__
Three years had passed since you gave birth to Theo and when they said being a working mother was hard, they weren’t lying. Word spread that you got pregnant but the identity of the father unknown by the public. Including Tom. When asked about Theo in interviews you say it was a one night stand with a friend and that you weren’t together romantically. No one questioned a thing. 
On the set of Infinity War and Endgame, your mom brought Theo to visit often. He got to see his mom and his uncle Chris be superheroes.
“And cut! Let’s take a quick break! Y/N needs to go be a mom.” Anthony Russo joked. You smiled brightly at the three year old who was sitting on your makeup artist’s lap. 
You picked him and placed sloppy kisses all over his face, making the little boy laugh. “Are you having fun?” You asked him. “Yes!” He replied loudly. “Uncle Chwis!” Theo yelled, pointing to his uncle across the set. You couldn’t say no to him so you brought him to his uncle who was talking to Chris and Robert. 
Tom watched as you brought your child over to the three men. He didn’t know you moved on so quick. But he didn’t have a right to be mad. He broke up with you, not the other way around. Though a part of him couldn’t help but wish it was his son. 
You and Theo had decided to have a fun day since it was relatively nice in LA. You took him to the zoo and the aquarium before stopping at the Starbucks close to your house as a nice treat. 
Theo was a big fan of their frappucinos. 
You were holding him as he was beginning to get a little bit fussy after such a long day. 
“Y/N?” You heard from behind you. You turned around and saw Tom in the line behind you waiting for his name to be called. “Oh, uh, hi Tom.” You greeted him. “How are you?” He asked. “I’m fine. Just waiting on our order.” You answered. 
“Mommy, that’s spider-man.” Theo whispered to you. “Yes, baby, that is spider-man.” You spoke to him. “Hey little man.” Tom greeted the young boy. “You two have the cutest son. He looks just like his dad.” An older lady commented on the two of you. 
“No, he’s uh, not mine.” Tom quickly corrected her. The lady looked from you back to Tom before giving a pretty fake smile. “We, uh, we have to go. Theo needs a nap.” You said quickly, grabbing your drinks and making your way towards the exit. 
“Y/N, wait!” Tom called. You stopped a turned around to look at him. You and Tom looked at one another for a few moments before he looked at Theo. You could see he was doing the math in his head and analyzing Theo’s facial features. 
It was true though. He did look just like his dad. Same hair, same eyes, he had your nose though. 
“See you around, Tom.” You said breaking the silence before walking back towards your car. 
__
Later that evening, you were sitting on the couch with Theo watching Captain America. It was his favorite movie at the moment because he got to watch uncle Chris be a superhero. 
You were alerted by the sound of the doorbell and wondered who would be at your door at such an odd hour. “Stay here, buddy.” You told your son as you got up to answer the door. 
And when you did, you were very tempted to close it right in his face. Because Tom was standing on your doorstep looking completely distraught. 
“What are you doing here?” You asked. “He’s mine, isn’t he? Theo’s my son.” He said. You were quiet for a moment before you stepped out on to the porch so Theo wouldn’t hear. 
“Yes. Theo is your’s.” You answered quietly. “Why? Why didn’t you tell me?” Tom asked, the anger in his voice very evident. “Because, Tom, you didn’t want me anymore! A kid wasn’t going to change that! It would tie you down even more than I did.” You replied. “I had a right to know. I’m his father.” He said. 
You ran a hand through her hair as you squeezed your eyes shut trying to make the tears go away. 
“You didn’t want me, Tom. You didn’t want to be with me and a kid wasn’t going to magically fix that. Who’s to say you were going to want to be apart of his life if I told you? Like you said that night, we were 21, our careers taking off. I gave you the freedom you asked for.” You spoke. 
“I messed up, okay? I knew that the second I woke up the next morning and you weren’t there next to me. It was stupid of me to even think that. We could’ve been regular 21 year-olds together.” Tom said. “But at the time, you meant it.” You said. 
The silence that fell upon the two of you was awkward and uncomfortable. The only sound coming from the TV inside seeping through the cracked front door. 
“I need to know him. I know I hurt you and it was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. But I need to know my son, Y/N.” Tom begged. 
You looked at the man in front of you and didn’t see who you were in a relationship with three years ago. Maybe because he’s had to grow up faster than the usual person. Or maybe because you had to grow up faster and raise a child. 
“You can meet him. But we need to take this very slow. Theo is my entire world and I will not have him end up heartbroken like I was.” You finally spoke. 
Tom’s eyes lit up at your words and he rapidly nodded his head. You slowly let him into the house, Theo entirely unaware that anything was happening. 
“Hey, bud. There’s someone I want you to meet.” You said to the small boy. You sat down next to him, him taking the liberty of crawling onto your lap. 
He stared at Tom warily, wondering why a stranger was in his house. He knew. that he was spider-man but to him spider-man was a stranger. 
“Theo, you know how I told you that daddy was an astronaut exploring space?” You questioned. Theo nodded his head looking up at you. “Well, he’s back from space now. Theo, I want you to meet your dad.” You told him. 
The brunette boy looked from you up to Tom. “My daddy’s spider-man?” Theo questioned. “Yes, your daddy is spider-man.” You confirmed. “That’s why he was in outer space! Helping Iron Man!” Theo shouted. “That’s right bud. I was gone for a while, but I’m here now.” Tom finally spoke. 
Theo left your lap and launched himself at Tom. You didn’t know you would feel so emotional when Theo finally met Tom as his father. You just thought it wouldn’t be until he was older so you weren’t prepared for it. 
“Are you staying, daddy?” Theo asked the man. Tom felt like all of the oxygen was knocked out of his body when Theo called him that. 
He looked over at you and you reluctantly nodded your head. “Yeah, buddy. I’m staying.” He answered. Theo jumped up and down on the couch before you scolded him. 
“Hey, hey, we don’t jump on couches anymore, remember? Besides, it’s past your bedtime.” You told him. “I wanna show daddy my room.” Theo. “He can put you to bed. Now go get your PJs.” You said. 
Theo got off the couch and ran down the hallway towards his room. “He’s going to want to show you all of his Marvel stuff but only for five minutes. After that, tuck him in with his Black Panther stuffie. Then you have to read him a story or he’ll never fall asleep.” You explained to Tom as you stood up. 
“You did a really good job with him.” Tom commented. “I know.” You smiled fondly. “I don’t have to stay if you don’t want me too.” He said. “You’ll sleep in the spare room. He wants you in his life so you have to be here. And tomorrow, we’ll go get Tessa.” You told him. 
Tom smiled at you as you retreated to the kitchen to pick up a bit before bed. Tom walked down the hallway towards Theo’s room and found him all tucked in bed with various pieces fo Marvel collectibles. 
“Daddy, daddy! Come look at the things mommy and Uncle Chwis got for me!” He said to Tom. Tom happily obliged and sat on the edge of the bed as Theo began to explain what everything was. 
You leaned against the doorframe and observed the two together for a short while. You had a lot of healing to do with Tom but you couldn’t deny the fact that Theo needed his dad, despite Tom’s past mistakes. 
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oh-for-fic-sake · 4 years ago
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It’s A Match Chapter Two
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Masterlist
Summary: as you and henry become closer he lets his family know there may be a new woman on the scene. And you surprize him by moving a little quicker then he had thought. Not that he is against it. He is all to eager to move along to the next step.
Warnings: RPF, Swearing, Angst, Heated Discussions, Fluff.
A/N: here is chapter two, this will only be a short fic maybe there or four chapters but i hope you all like it. This is just me writing down my fluffy fantasy.
Taglist: In Reblogs.
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'Shes a big fluffy teddy bear, and loves hugs, even if Shes crushing me~' henry froze hands quivering nervously over the keyboard. You replied? You actually? Holy shit! He bit his lip sitting up straighter with a grin and smoothed his hair back. He wasn't sure why it made him so happy but? He had a reply, and actual reply from a person! A woman!
Now what?
He wracked his brain and frowned. What does he say? Does he ask questions or just talk about dogs? He didn't know all he did know is that he had messaged a complete stranger and she had messaged back.
'I can imagine moving her must be hard work if she's comfy'
'Yeah but on the plus side she's always warm~ a huge hot water bottle'
'A numb but warm set of legs then😂'
'Absolutely! That sounds like the talk of a man who's been there?'
'Yes I have an American Akita, a very snuggly boy that gives me atleast one dead leg a day😅'
'Aww I love Akita's, I was going to get one but them Amii sort of fell into my lap, and has stayed there ever since'
'Big or small a lap dog is a lap dog'
'Definitely😂' Henry paused. Shit what does he do now? Does he just ask questions? Explain a bit more about himself? Both seemed a little too juvenile... And it was scary... Awkward he wants a nice chat, for conversation to flow naturally. He didn't want to fuck up. There was another ping as you typed another message.
' I have to say I'm surprized I got a message on here, only been on here for a few days😅' henry was thankfull, you wasn't going to judge. You were both in the same boat. Both nervously talking to a stranger in the hopes of there being something more. It made replying a little easier, he hoped that things would get less awkward after breaking the ice.
'Really? I made mine today... not sure about all this new online stuff but will figure it out'
'Well I'd say your doing alright,  at least you had the courage to message someone, i made the profile then chickened out😅'
'I almost did, your the first profile that caught my eye'
'Was it Amii?'
'No, as cute as she is you lacked a duck face selfie, and you look very sweet and have kind eyes' henry froze after sending the message. Shit, shit! That was fucking cheese! Cringe and just a fuck up! He quickly wracked both hands through his hair and cursed trying to think of a way to get out of this but nothing came to mind... And then he saw it the tiny y/n is typing... At the bottom of the screen, he winced dreading the reply he was going to get. He bit his lip worried he hopes he hasn't tripped at the first hurdle.
'Thank you that's kind of you to say. And is a missing duck face that strange?🤔'
'Every woman has a duck face'
'Well I do not have a duck face'
'Really?🤨'
'Well not a good one 😅My duck face is sub par more a fish face, call me guppy😂' he chuckled, you did have a sense of humour which was good. He liked making people laugh and not having them take everything so seriously, it meant he could relax and let loose. To just have fun! He heaved a big sigh unconsiously petting Kal as he sat up and leant on his leg. He quickly began typing once more finding it easier chatting with a stranger with each message.
'🤣🤣 I got to admit I'm not sure what to talk about, this is my first time🤔'
'Well that makes us both online virgins😅lets start with the important things shall we?' Henry froze panicking. 'Oh god! Oh god! What ere you going to ask?!' He thought watching the little dots on the screen holding his breath dreading you'd ask for picture or something. He was put out of his misery with a tiny ping sound and your message popped up. He threw his head back and laughed outloud seeing the all important question.
'Who's your favourite superhero?' You were definitely a geek girl, just like he wanted. He bit his lip and typed without needing to think of the answer.
'Superman, afterall he is the grand daddy of all superheroes. You?'
'Oh your not gonna like this~ I love batman🤗' henry smiled at the screen and leant back wiping his mouth trying to massage the ache from his cheeks. He really was grinning ear to ear just from speaking to you so... Unguarded he was just being himself and it was freeing!
'Oh no!😱can I ask why?' He typed quickly not wanting you to think he was going to keep you on read? Was that what they called it nowadays?
'He proves that at 30 you can have a dramatic goth early midlife crisis and that regular assholes can be heroes too, all you need is money🤗🤗'
'🤣🤣 oh god! You know I never thought of it like that!' henry shook his head laughing out loud as he replied
'But you'll be happy to know supes is number three on my list'
'Well he makes the top three so that's salvageable😆'
'Yeah... Two is Captain America though'
'Rich goth with issues, man with an expensive tea tray, then supes got it 👌👍'
'Omg yes!😂that's sums it up beautifully🤣' after that the conversation moved on which he was a little thankful for. Not that he disliked geeking out but... it'd be easy for him to slip up on that subject. Luckily though he didn't have to think of a change of topic as you began chatting away casually about your day and he did in return before long the conversation was over too soon as you stated you really had to get on with filling out these payslips. So the chat drew to a close with promises of speaking tomorrow.
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And you kept your promise. For the next week you both spent your evenings chatting away at one another becoming fast friends. That was when he decided to let his family know in the new weekly face time zoom chats.
He looked to the screen fidgeting as his family spoke amongst themselves trying to find the right moment to break the news. But his mother had noticed and asked him out right, leaning closer to the screen watching him worriedly.
"Henry? Are you alright your looking nervous?" The others stopped speaking at the question and henry heaved a sigh nervously twisting his fingers.
"Yeah yeah I... I just have some news... Is all" he said swallowing trying to find the words. He was worried, it had been a while since he'd tried to introduce someone new into his life and his family. He didn't want to alarm them but... he wanted to forewarn them that he was on his way to hopefully sharing his life with someone.
"News? Oh its nothing bad is it?" His younger brother asked, but his oldest paused straightening up with a smile already guessing his brother had taken his advice.
"No nothing bad... Its really good actually... I'm sort of... well I'm speaking to someone online... A woman"  he stuttered rubbing the back of his neck and called Kal onto the sofa with him stroking his fur trying to calm himself and fend of the huge grin that seemed to spread across his face everytime he thought of you.
"You did it?" His eldest brother called out clapping his hands excitedly. A ripple of confusion washed over the others and they frowned looking to one another unsure what had happened between the two.
"Did what love?" His mother finally asked not understanding what her sons were talking about
"I made an online dating profile" he said plainly drawing gasps from everyone.
"Oh gosh love are you okay? Your not being hounded are you?" His mother jumped immediately concern etched deep in her features. His father looked uncomfortable-hell they all did! Each worrying over him. He wasn't surprized they had seen fans both love and hate on him and his partners.
"No mum its fine-better then fine I'm really carful... I've covered my ass and no one knows its me, she doesn't know" he said trying to placate his family but instead he was rewarded with disappointed faces, tutting and small, cringing hisses. Fuck.
"Oh god Henry you haven't made a fake profile? Tell me you didn't- please tell me your not lying to this poor woman" his father scolded sternly. His dad may not be up to speed with all this new age online dating shenanigans but he did know that it was wrong to lie to a potential partner. Just thinking that one of his boys were doing just that left a bad taste in his mouth. If he could he would clip his son around the ear!
"Well no not exactly- its me and I'm myself on there I just... changed my name to Hank... And crop my photos so she can see me but not recognise me that's all! I swear I'm not lying or-or anything!" he explained willing then to understand but with the deep sighs and unimpressed looks he got it would seem they didn't understand or approve.
"Are you sure about this? What will she think if things get serious and then this young lady finds out you've been lying?" he father spoke up again wanting to hash this out. Henry faltered for a moment, he worried about that too. He was frightened that you'd get angry and leave him without even giving him a chance!
"I'm not lying, I just? just omitting certain details about my life, I'm being me I'm showing her the real quirky geeky side of me- this is? Its my one shot! The only chance I'm going to get to have someone look at me, not what they can get out of me... I'm not going to blow it or hurt her... if we get to that point then I will explain things- she'd understand she's really thoughtful and is logical" henry pleaded trying to convince both himself and his family. He cant ignore it, he was worried and had been telling himself over and over you'd understand. But he also knew it could really shake you up. But what he was doing wasn't wrong! It couldn't be helped, he thought they would understand!
"Well I hope so because you could break her heart son... And I want you to understand that, this woman could fall for you. You could really upset her when she finds out" his father finally spoke drawing the issue to a close not wanting to argue, but he still wanted henry to know what ever happens was his own fault good or bad. Not everything ends with a happy ever after, but he didn't need to voice that out loud. Henry knew, they all did.
"I know dad, I've only been speaking to her just over a week anyway, for all i know she will ghost me or something" henry nodded calming a little not wanting to fight but still it was clear to everyone henry hadn't appreciated the lecture.
"Ghosting?" he mum perked up trying to diffuse the situation not wanting this to blow up. Tensions were high and no one needed a family spat at the moment.
"Its when someone stop talking to you and ignores you for no reason" his brother revealed explaining the term to his parents. They both ahh'd in realisation but were still a little tense. So his younger brother spoke up deciding to try and be more supportive to him. And henry was thankful.
"Well how about you tell us about her henry. What's you lady freind like? What does she do?" henry quickly grinned forgetting the irritation. His family watched the sudden change as henry got the chance to boast about the woman who had caught his fancy. It was sobering to see, he was glowing with pride and excitement, overjoyed from just thinking about this mystery girl.
"She's just? God where do I start? Shes amazing and funny and wholesome... She doesn't live too far away- Shes pretty much on my doorstep! Shes really funny and nice we talk everyday and have soo much in common its amazing we like the same music and tv and just- everything! Its like talking to a female version of myself! And Shes a fan too" his family all seemed to warm to the idea of this woman until his final remark. Everyone paused. And so did he, what was so wrong about her being a fan? Why was that a red flag for them and not him?
"A fan? Henry... are you sure she doesn't know? If she's a fan she might know and be... making her answers more favourable" henry bristled at that and visibly leaned back brows furrowed and eyes glowing, showing as much anger as he dared show his mother who had spoken out against you.
"What? No! No she doesn't mum she hasn't got a clue- Shes not a fan of mine per say but? She likes my work, she's a huge lover of DC and fantasy so has seen the Witcher and she loved it! Shes really just like me! Is that really hard to believe? That there are women like me? That enjoy the same things?" what had started as a panicked explination quickly became heated and sour. His words slowly becoming uncharacteristically venomous. But Marie Ann new it was just him getting defensive, he was frightened. He had this silly belief he was an abnormality, that his interests will make him forever alone. The thing that did stand out was just how defensive he was about you. A woman he'd probably not even met yet, someone he was only chatting to. It wasn't like henry to take to someone soo quickly. It made her hopeful, that he really had found someone, found his soulmate. But she was a mother and couldn't help worry over him, no matter how old or huge her boys got they were just that. Her boys. And she will always feel the need to look after them.
"Henry please don't get angry, I didn't mean to upset you but... I worry" she said slowly trying to calm him before he got himself into a tizzy. She could see much more then he wanted her too. And right now he was anxious, probably questioning himself over this woman and the way he was approaching her. She could only hope her son was right and had covered his ass and that this woman was as understanding as he said. Otherwise henry was about to get a wakeup call like never before. It wasn't everyday a well known actor fakes a dating profile. It'd be a media shitstorm that he may not recover from.
"I.. sorry I didn't mean to- y/n isn't like that I... I just know alright she isn't after anything" henry apologized smoothing back his hair taking a huge breath and leant back once more relaxing.
"So why don't you tell us a little more about her son? You've been speaking for a week so must know a little more then her name and were she lives?" she said moving on wanting to coax more information about the woman.
"Well she has her own successful business that caters to dogs, walking, grooming and rehoming and is a kc registered breeder. Shes thirty years old and... Absolutely stunning- and no she hasn't filtered any photos either...wait here! See?! Isn't she beautiful?" Henry gushed quickly bringing up your profile picture he had saved on his phone and holding the phone to the camera. He heard a few compliments but could still see the worry in his family. He understood but he just new. He new that you were real, that you were honest and everything you said you were. You were blunt and didn't have time for games, you said life's too short for that crap. And he agreed.
"You have a photo saved already?" henry faltered at the question that had followed a round of compliments and quickly pulled his phone back flushing embarrassed he hadn't even thought of how that would look
"I.. w-well yeah... I'm gonna ask for her number soon and want a photo for my phone... We decided to stick to messaging for a while first and" he tried desperately to dig himself out of the hole he'd just unceremoniously swan dived into. But his brothers burst into laughter making whipping motions making him flush and shrink further. They were definetly going to busting his balls for this. But with a quick shake of his head he continued to gush about you wanting to side step this whole premature photo saving incident.
"she doesn't have Instagram or snapchat... she's just... I can't explain it she's just funny and sweet and genuine... I really like her.. I could easily fall for her" silence reigned after his admission and everyone saw just how serious and devoted henry was to trying to make this relationship work. His mum nodded with a smile, this was just a watch and wait scenario. This woman would either make or break her son, and all she could do was hope to god it was the former.
"Okay then love. I'm happy for you henry just be careful okay?" she finally drew the curtain on the subject and everyone sighed in relief.
"I will, I promise but you have nothing to worry about, I just wanted to let you guys know that i might have someone for you to meet in a few months" henry said eagerly, like a small boy waiting on Christmas eve. He was full of life and enthusiasm. It was nice to see this side to him again, she'd dare say he was well on his way to being loved up! Smitten.
"And we look forward to it henry, but take your time. There's no rush just enjoy yourself" one of his brothers spoke up jumping in on the conversation wanting to make it clear they all had his back whether this ended good or bad. For now they were happy for him.
"I will, we decided were wont meet for a while and just see how things go for the time being but... I have a good feeling, she's everything I've been looking for I'm really excited" henry preened trying to pace himself, he didn't need to be daydreaming in a family face time. Luckily he was pulled from the edge of his own fantasies by another question.
"You said she had a company?"
"Yeah here I'll send you the link its called Puptown! She's actually handled Kal a few times, I send him there for his nails and teeth" henry said quickly sending the link to his brother. He wasn't stupid they were going to look you up, they were worried. He might aswell sent them the link. There was a tiny bio on there of you- the owner on the staff page that had all the staffs qualifications and roles on there.
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You moved through the groom room Amii was curled up under your desk fast asleep as you began taking a stock list. Recently you'd been getting more and more white dogs in for their groom so needed to top up on the bright white shampoo and it was tick season soon so had to double check you had all the tick removal forceps, and ear powder- lots of ear powder the poodle clients had doubled over lock down after all the new puppies bought in lockdown. Every dog deserves a professional groom. But poodles needed them.
"hey boss! You doing another check?" Mandy called as she hoisted a tiny black poem into the bath. Bella a regular and very few people could actually groom her out of the five staff only two of you dared to try. And you didn't blame them this dog was a tiny savage, but the trick was not to show fear.  
"yeah, trying to prepare for summer already, you know i think this will be our busiest yet especially with lord whiskey." you muttered nibbling the pen and moving a few bottles about. Flea treatment and some dry skin conditioner were quickly added to your growing list.
"lord whiskey?" Mandy asked louder over the sound of the shower instantly Bella began snarling like the hell demon she was. On walks and about the place she was a little soppy loving lap pup, but when it came to bath time? Different dog. You cant help thinking she had a bad experiance before she came here. You sighed and placed the pad and pen down standing along side the bathe and began petting the tiny dog.
"yeah they are the vet clinic for lower incomes... They want to set up a new clinic and have reached out" you explained you had to admit the request came out of the blue and you hadn't had chance to tell everyone yet. The staff meeting was on Friday.
"that would be good!" she said slowly wetting the snarling prom that was trying her absolute hardest to frighten you both off. But alas she was no great wolf, but a teeny cute little raging fluff nugget, and to her utter dispair neither you or Mandy found her scary at all. Even if she was trying to foam at the mouth.
"yeah that's what I thought, having a vet on site... We're still talking but if everything goes acording to plane we will have the mobile vet out front while setting up the small clinic... I was thinking in the old groom rooms? They had water and electricity already and its a littl out of the way so the unwell puppets can be separate from the healthy customers" you shrugged moving around Mandy to help tend to your most vocal customer.
"so business will be booming?" Mandy said moving to rinse underneath the small feral beast. You giggled and stood Bella on her back legs as she seethed but in between her savagery she was actually licking at you, showing a hint of the sweet girl she really was. You pet her praising her promising chicken treats and snuggles afterwards. You might even pop Amii in with the others in the small day care pen. Bella liked laying on her using the huge dog as a fluffy bed.
"yes hopefully, i mean were not taking anything for them, they are a charity but hopefully we will get a few visits in the shop? And the more people know about us the more likely they are to use us!" you said you had been weighing up the pros and cons about the new venture. More people visiting the premises, more footfall in the shop and hopefully you can draw enough people to have a little pet café. Your business was right on the edge of the huge woodland park you'd always wanted a small café that serves both animals and people you want a little empire to become a franchise company and give the little guys a chance.
"And how about you? Any luck on the online dating front?" she asked with a small smile. You sighed you half regretted telling her about it. Mandy has been with you since the beginning, she was your first employee and most trusted freind. And she has been hounding you about your love life for a while now. She wants you to take a step back from Puptown and find some time for yourself, and now that the business was established and ticking over nicely it was the time to do it.
"Ooo! Oh my god your blushing!? Bitch spill!" she squealed excited as you flushed and looked away not answering her. And by doing so answering her at the same time.
"I'm talking to someone~ Hank.. He is... Funny and charming we've been chatting each night for about a week" you revealed quietly making her beam at you. Thankfully Bella chose that moment to make a mad dive over your shoulder but you managed to catch her and pop her back into the tub.
"ooo yes get in girl, you have been pouring too much into this company! Its about damn time you focused on yourself" sandy began as she washed Bella lathering the pup with a rather expensive de-sheading anti tangle shampoo.
"Please don't start, I'm doing it now and that's what matters. He is... He messaged me first and things are going good and that's where I'm going to leave it okay? I will update you as we go... I promise" you said releasing the now wet pup as Mandy began rinsing her down. You stepped back to the shelves full of half empty bottles of product. needing to change the topic to avoid daydreaming and fucking up your orders. As great as the wholesaler was this was still expensive stuff and you didn't want to unbalance the books and get more then you needed.
"Oh Bella?~ baby girl its so bad isn't it? Being brushed and washed and massaged? Then getting yourself a blow out and having a nap in the nice cosy play room?" you called over your shoulder condescendingly at the pup who was still snarling out her displeasure. She really was a little brat in the bath.
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Another week passed and you were lazing around the house having a duvet day, snuggled in bed with Amii on your lap. Normally your days off were all housework and finalizing orders or paper work but this week was different. With lord whiskey agreeing to taking the old groom room you decided to finally get an extra set of hands in management to take care of paperwork. It was strange at first but worth it. You now hade someone else to rely on, not that you didn't have managers to help out before but now you had a full time employee that's whole role was to take care of the business side and alleviate the pressure. So instead of the normal made rushes and mountain of paperwork you were in bed chatting away with henry.
He had just finished his work out and was relaxing, having a cool down before having yet another painfully boring sounding meeting with his own bosses. You sympathised. Practical work was the bomb! But the theory and paperwork kicked everyones asses. Risk assessments can eat shit! I'm a person and can asses the risk and decided to do it, why answer to a tick box system? But then again everything needed a tick in a box nowadays. You shuffled about grunting as Amii played dead on your lap so you couldn't move her from the comfy slump she was in over your thighs pinning you down.
'Soo you said you game?'  was the message that changed the subject, thankfully choosing to move on from speaking about work.
'God yes, when I can'
'What do you play? Sims and stuff?'
'depends if I'm on pc or xbox I'm more into fantasy and historic rpgs, but if I'm on my switch its little farming sims sometimes I branch out to things like shooters but not often, I like the big immersive fantasies!'
'So you really do mix and match are you playing anything atm?'
'I'm doing a re-run of skyrim with a load of mods just to spice things up. And just restarted Witcher wild hunt again'
'You like Witcher?'
'I adore it, Witcher skyrim and dragon age are my all time favourites, do you? Sorry I realise I'm just takeing over, I just get excited, I never really talk about this stuff 😅😅'
'No, no its fine I'm the same, I never really get to geek out anymore with work and stuff. I'm happy to have the chance, and I do love the Witcher too fantasy is my thing😄' henry paused for a moment. Should he? I mean you just said you were replaying it... Would it be big headed? To ask what you thought of the show? Of his performance... I mean it'd be an unbiased view, you wasn't going to try and butter him up you still didn't know it was him.
'So you've watched the show on Netflix I presume?' he typed and pressed send quickly before he lost his nerve.
'Absolutly, I binge watched it a few times.😅'
'You liked it? I know a few people didn't' henry couldn't help but dig a little deeper, he desperately wanted you to have enjoyed it.
'I loved it, but I think it was easier for me to watch bc I new what was roughly going on before hand. Most people that struggled thought it was going to be an easy watch? Like got'
'Oh come on, there must be something you didn't like?🤔🤔'
'😞okay you got me, I was a tad disappointed with geralts eyes you can do the toxic eyes and cat eye potion at least give me a teeny cat eye just a smidge🤏🥺'
'Yes I see what you mean, their could have been a little frame of it but there are always sacrifices when going from books to the big screen 😅'
'But henry's portrayal more then made up for it! That man was on point! I was so happy when they anounced it was him playing Geralt there was no way he was going to fuck it up!' henry stopped breathing. You liked it? You actually like him playing Geralt? His heart swelled and he laughed out loud for some reason you enjoying his work just... It meant the world to him! He was over the moon. Quickly his attention was drawn to his tablet again as another message pinged on screen.
'And I have a little fan theory over the whole eye issue😏'
'Hit me with it I'm all ears'
'Geralt has complete control of his eyes right? And is a softy deep down so my idea was he is always holding his pupils open so he doesn't scare anyone'
'🧐that is brilliant! It makes so much sense! 🥰🥰 its also nice to know I have a little conspiracy fangirl on my hands😁'  henry frowned heart clenching as you went quiet, he waited and waited minuets seemed like hours. His mind immediately jump to conclusions terrified you had caught him, that you'd figured out just who you were speaking to. Sweat formed on his brow as he frowned praying he hadn't got a little to close to home and given himself away. Then the dots appeared. You were typing.
'So I was wondering I know we agreed not to at first but since we've chatting every night I thought we could maybe exchange numbers? Only if you want to! No pressure. I'm just excited' henry slumped, melting into his seat. Thank fuck for that! His relief quickly became excitement at the prospect of hearing you! Actually speaking to you properly having an actual phone call? Fuck yes!
'😊😊I was actually trying to find the time to mention it myself, i know its only been three weeks but it feels much longer.'
'Omg thank god! I thought you would think i was rushing you😅here xxx xxxx xxxx' henry was quick to pull out his phone and type the number in, not wasting any time in creating your contact info into his phone book. And whislt doing that also replied to you putting you at ease.
'No not at all, I'm excited I cant wait to hear you🥰'
'Oh god don't build your hopes to high I don't have the most attractive voice it may be the deal breaker😅'
'I doubt that anything could put me off you love, your gorgeous, smart, funny, kind everything I could of dreamed of and soo much more'
'I'm glad its not only me Hank, I have to say I was frightened by how quickly we have become friends, but I suppose it makes sense we are two peas in a pod' henry grinned reading the message and nodded to himself pressing the small green call button and held the phone to his ear feeling confident as he re-read your last message.
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You hummed nibbling your lip, chewing it nervously after giving out your number. You couldn't help your mind dredging up all the horror stories of Ted bundy-esque creepy ass psycho killers, luring in prey on the internet... Fuck you were a bigger girl so easy to sweet talk. You whined and snuggled into the massive furry lump on your lap, lacing your fingers into the dogs thick fur. Petting her as your over active imagination conjured scenario's that could end up with you in a eight foot hole in someone's basement ,being told to 'put the lotion in the basket'. Jesus Christ. But it was fine right? He wasn't weirded out or anything? He seemed happy. You were sensible, or at least you thought you were.
You yipped at your phone suddenly vibrated in your hand, you almost threw it across the room. The screen lit up with 'unknown number' you swallowed eyeing the device then nodded answering the call heart beat thundering in your chest your breath picked up you made to speak but couldn't quite make sounds, unable to force the words to roll off your tongue. There was a deep chuckle, gorgeas and rumbling even if it was quiet.
"You have no reason to be frightened darling I'm just as eager to move on" you gasped as the thick voice spoke in slow syllables, calling you by the nick name he had taken to calling you. You'd asked a few girls at work about it, worried things were going to fast. But they had calmed you down saying it was his way of avoiding being freind zoned. You had to admit the cute little names always made you grin and blush, but this? God this was better then anything! His low timber and slightly more eloquent accent uttering the name sent a shiver up your spine.
A surprizing reaction in all honesty, you'd never really thought about voices much, never had a voice kink or really thought anyone could have an attractive voice. Well not a real voice anyway, sometimes characters on tv with low raspy voices got you going Geralt and Alcide to name a few. He almost sounded like the former if you thought about it... Just more refined? A regal soft lilt.  It was definetly a voice you could listen to all day, this man could read you a bloody take away menu and you wouldn't even gruff at the extortionate prices. You wet your lips and dug your fingers into the warm dog in your lap breathing deep, filling your lungs with air trying to ease yourself and draw in some courage.
"O-oh your? Really there? Really.. real?" you stuttered slowly. You chided yourself for sounding so silly, so childish. But you couldn't help it you felt completely unprepared. Which irritated you because it was you who'd offered your number, what were you expecting him to do with it? Use carrier pigeon? Of course he was going to call you.
"I'm most definitely real love" he spoke again with a small chuckle, he was clearly amused by your flustered question. You blushed and squirmed on your seat trying to breath quietly, you didn't want him to hear just how on edge you were.
"Oh gosh that's.. wow I cant even, I don't know what to say" you huffed trying to think of something- anything else you could focus on rather then the absolute sex that was his voice, then he spoke once more
"Now, now don't be shy love, I want to hear you, your voice is just as I thought it'd be" henry tried encouraging you wanting to hear you and revel in your sweet voice, wanting to commit it to memory.
"Oh? And what's that then?" you asked trying to be playfull but in all honesty you wasn't hitting the mark, you were to nervous. You'd never really thought about your voice, was it attractive? Or too high? Deep? I mean you were normal, you spoke normal and if anything sounded common.
"Pure and delicate, playful and charming all in one just like the woman it belongs to" henry's breathing hitched as you giggled. The sweet tinkling laugher warmed his heart and made him huff out a chuckle himself. He was so happy he could have cried. It was just so overwhelming to hear you finally, to put a voice to the amazing woman he was slowly falling inlove with. He sometimes grew wary thinking you were too good to be true, that you were a catfish yourself. But here and now he knew. You were as real as him and all it did was solidify his resolve, he was doing the right thing. He was falling for a genuine woman. A real woman with no strings attached, and with any luck you were feeling the same.
"well I think I just found my mans flaw~" you giggled once more blushing under the weight of all the compliments. He was really smooth, smoother then you'd thought and that was saying something.
"really darling? Care to enlighten me?" he quipped playfully you usual banter and teasing between you both flowing just as effortlessly as it had when messaging each other.
"your clearly deaf! Well have no fear, i will talk a little louder and learn some sign language for you~" you laughed out loud he joined you low echoing chuckles that sounded as if they came from a deep wide chest. It was enough to drive you mad with lust, but that may be the new found voice kink brewing.
"well its nice to know you are so committed to your man and his disability love" suddenly you froze and trembled panic and anxiety washed over you clogging  your wind pipe at his words... Fuck!
"oh god- no I? Your not really deaf are you? I'm sorry I didn't mean to make fun-" you began apologizing not quite picking up on his sarcasm. Henry was quick to cut you off and stop your guilty rambling.
"No love I'm not deaf I was just pulling your leg" his voice was strained as if he was trying not to laugh at you, but you couldn't really say anything. You were the one nervously crack jokes then immediately trying to take them back. Stumbling your wat through the very first real conversation with a man you were crushing on. God you were such a dweeb!
"oh Jesus you scared the crap out of me" you heaved a sigh wanting to bury yourself into the covers and hide despite knowing he couldn't see your glowing face.
"I apologize darling, I have only the purest of intentions... Well maybe not that pure~ but I don't want to scare you" he grinned when you gasped at his little flirtatious comment. And he wasn't kidding, he found you incredibly attractive and wanted to do all manner of very filthy things with you. It didn't help when you were sending him photos of you drenched nipples hard and drawing him in like a moth to a flame. You probably hadn't even noticed that and he was thankfull for it because you wouldn't have sent it otherwise. It was his favourite photo, apparantly it had been a husky escape from the bath as you switched his lead to another hook.
"your fine, I'm just a little nervous is all" you huffed finally somehow managing to sort yourself out and think clearly overcoming your excitement and nerves.
"I understand but just remember its just me love. So have anything else planned for today?" henry hummed sweetly before giving you a chance to change the topic, you'd never know it was because he was barely holding himself together. He was almost bursting at the seams wanted to laugh and cry and shout all at once. He was completely overwhelmed with joy and relief and wanted to listen to you as much as he possibly could.
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Both you and henry then began the nightly ritual of phone calls and texted all day. He even had a new nick name. Puppy. And he couldn't be more thrilled you'd said it was because he made tiny cute puppy whines when you teased him. But he didn't care, he would happily be your puppy anyday!
The weeks became one month, then two and before you knew it you were one week shy of three months. And that was when it happened. Those fateful words left his mouth as he spoke to you just before bed. He had asked to meet, he was certain and confident he wanted to meet you and take this further, and he hadn't really planned to ask it just happened.
"So your really letting lord whiskey in your old groom space? That's incredible, I'm so proud of you for letting them in love. It says volumes for you and your business, that its not all profit driven" henry spoke down the phone as he stirred his tea getting ready to go up to bed.
"I mean it just seems right... No matter the income everyone should be able to get medical care for their animals. And I'd be lying if I didn't hope some people will come into the shop or realise that we are here and come back for our facilities." he smiled at that. You wasn't just trying to make a great profitable business, you cared and wanted to give everyone a reasonably priced alternative to pooch care. And he was right behind you, he loved that you were trying to give owners the chance to spoil their fur babies without breaking the bank. In slashing your prices you'd attracted more customers and been making a great profit, so much so that you could afford to just give away your old groom rooms to the charity for free.
"shop? You have a shop?" he pondered padding about the kitchen giving Kal his nightly biscuit treat and motioned for him to take it upstairs. Which he didn't need to do, Kal new the jig and was already carrying the treat to the stairs.
"yeah it opened last year? The year before maybe? Its small but here with food and treats a few toys and leads... I try to use smaller businesses the brands that you wont see in the bigger shops" you said slowly and he heard a small yawn and rustle of paper. You had said you were packing up and heading to bed for the night soon.
"I may have to pop over with the bear~" he teased coyly humming to himself as he sipped his tea.
"pop over? I.. Well you could I suppose?" you hummed quietly, henrys eyes almost popped out of his head were you inviting him to ask you out? He coughed quickly trying not to choke on the mouthful of tea and then rocked his head from side to side. I mean he could come over and see you.
"I'm only ten minuet's away darling, Kensington... I've actually used your grooming service once or twice getting the bears nails and teeth done"
"oh?! I didn't know that." you said trying to picture the owners of the akita you saw, but honestly? You had soo many customers now it was hard remembering everyone, that and you wasn't really front of house now, you had more and more to deal with back of house, even with the new manager.
"well you do now sweetheart... So? Do you want to meet up tomorrow?" he asked placing his tea down in favour of crossing his fingers hoping he had read your signals right.
"Yeah of course I'm covering for walking duty tomorrow... So I can't really do anything in the morning or early afternoon" henry fist pumped and grinned faking a silent shout of victory as he managed to wrangle a date.
"That's fantastic actually... I could meet you in the park? I'll bring the bear with me and we could walk the dogs and grab a coffee or something?" he said somehow managing to quell his excitement enough to arrange the date properly, placeing a hand on his heart as it beat wildly. The realisation that he could see you- meet you face to face!
"Yeah that sounds like a brilliant idea, will noon be alright? That's when we do a switch over and go back to feed the dogs in day care so I'll have an hour lunch break" you said stuttering a little when it began to sink in that this was happening!
"Its a date I will see you tomorrow at noon love" Henry anounced eagerly suddenly tomorrow couldn't come soon enough!
"See you then puppy, good night sweet dreams" you said needing to hang up and squeal into a pillow or something.
"sweet dreams love" as soon as he hung up he was already scrolling his phone selecting the number he was after and called in a tizzy.
"Piers?! Piers! I'm? Oh god- were meeting tomorrow and fuck- I'm freaking out already! What do I say? What should I wear- kal's coming too do I put his halti on or just his collar- fuck I don't know what to do!? Please help!" he yelped down the phone to the unsuspecting man drawing a deep sigh from him before he began talking him down.
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chronicbatfictioner · 3 years ago
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Exchanges and Compromises - Chapter 20
The dinner was just as Jason expected, bland, dull, a lot of formalities in which Bane was visibly struggling with and did not even bother to pretend to know the difference between steak or salad forks. Jason, Dick, and Tim managed to keep the conversation alive and light, somehow without offending the formality of the dinner. Good thing, Jason thought, that The League had taught him of formal dinner etiquette and whatnot, otherwise he would have been slurping the baiwang with the soup spoon instead of the Chinese soup spoon provided by Alfred - like Bane.
Dick, for all of his lack of etiquette education, won in the manners division - regardless of the fact that Tim was helping him by pointing out which cutlery should be used for what. At the very least, he was not beneath asking what he wasn't sure of. 
The day after was a little duller. Alfred merely informed them that the police were there along with the District Attorney, Harvey Dent, to arrest Bane on several counts of murder. Bane was arrested nearly without a fight - he had been purged of his venom strength and knew that he had no chance against some of the cops who were ready to taser him.
Jason was... frankly, a little disappointed.
"Would've been nice if there was a brawl or something," Dick voiced Jason's thought out loud just as he walked outside.
"Oh, goodness, I'm just glad this is over," Bruce commented, glaring apprehensively at Dick's back as the latter walked away with Damian. There was a good long silence before he added, "I presume now that Bane is out of this house, Damian will no longer need you two? I mean, he has me now - and his grandparents." he pointed out.
"I have vowed to guard Damian until he is an adult," Jason replied simply. Ignoring Bruce's sudden change of expression. "it is my order."
"Well, Talia... no offense. But Talia won't-- is no longer around to hold you accountable." Bruce argued.
"No, she's not. But Damian is." Jason looked at the child, sitting under one of the Manor's massive trees with a thick sketchbook before him. Dick, Jason knew, was on the tree. Even with Bane arrested, Oracle had warned that as long as he's not fully incarcerated in a maximum-security facility, he could still either get out and hurt the Waynes - including Damian. Therefore Jason asked Dick to remain with them for a little while longer. Thankfully, Dick didn't mind.
"He's a child. Children adapt well with changes of environments," Bruce said. "and if you're afraid that Bane would come back, I can hire some bodyguards for him."
Jason managed to hold back his smirk. People always thought that he was there to protect Damian; not realizing that he was protecting others from Damian's temper. Instead, he smarted, "like you protected your parents by sending them overseas."
"Oh, now, that's not fair." Bruce protested. "It was... we all thought that... at least mother and I..." he didn't finish his sentence as he exhaled exasperatedly. "His DNA check is back," he continued after a few moments of silence.
"Obviously, he hasn't a drop of Wayne blood in him," Jason suggested, a little dryly. "Something anyone with knowledge of the molecular structure of DNA would have known right away. You accepted Damian right away because you saw he has your mother's ears, in spite of his green eyes. Yet you doubted your father's denial in spite of the fact that there is nothing on Bane that resembled any of you - including about all of the portraits of your ancestors.
"And then there's something else I realized. Bane came with nothing; whereas Damian came with the Al Ghul wealth. You were more accepting because Damian would not equal splitting the Wayne wealth..."
"That is not true!" Bruce growled. "I would not have turned Damian away even if he was not Talia's child. He is my child, and I know that he is!"
"Then we're back to my initial point: You were unable to defend your parents because you did not have 100% faith in their virtues. The Al Ghuls are known leaders of the League of Assassins, to which the leadership shall now be Damian's. What will be your argument, when he decides to take over the League fully? 'Oh, I can't be associated with criminals, even if said crimes were just allegation and not a video recording of someone snapping off another person's neck'?" Jason sneered. "Now, Mister Wayne. I also would like to remind you, that I have Damian's legal custody. If you insist I should leave, I shall bring him along."
"You can't do that," Bruce scowled. "He's my biological child..."
"You have studied your country's laws, Mister Wayne. But you forgot the one crucial thing: Damian is not your country's boy by any means other than your claim." Jason mentally realized that he has placed one of his ace cards onto the table. But he honestly prefers this kind of conversation not to be had when Damian is present. And from the looks of it, he has packed his sketching materials and was making his way back indoors. "Do not try to deny Damian's access to me, or the League, Mr Wayne. He is not yours to manipulate," he added softly while Damian was still out of range.
"Hey guys, Damian and I are hungry," Dick announced as they went past the door. "Think Alfred would let us have cookies?"
"He's the one who is hungry, Todd," Damian told Jason. "I shall wait until tea time for the cookies. It is only a mere hour away."
"Why don't you scrub up a little? Tea should be ready by the time you're done." Bruce suggested.
Damian's scowl could have killed a cobra. "While I am planning on refreshing myself, father, it would be kind of you to cease directing me as if I am an imbecile," he stated, and for the second time in less than 10 minutes, Jason bit the inside of his cheek to stop a snicker.
Bruce, however, was not amused at Damian. "Well! That is not what a child should say to his father!" he admonished.
"Todd," Damian glared at Jason. "Did you not inform Mr Wayne here that I merely referred to him as 'father' due to common societal practices?" he asked with air quotes around the word 'father'.
"I have informed him that, Damian," Jason assured him.
"Do remind him on a daily basis that I am not obliged to remain here beyond what is demanded by his country's societal norms." Damian continued.
"I shall, Damian," Jason replied.
"Very well, I shall be in my quarters until tea time. You might consider feeding Grayson here, Todd," Damian said dismissively.
"I actually have some matters to discuss with you, Damian, if you don't mind. I think Grayson can fend for himself just fine," Jason told him.
"I don't mind. Let us, then." Damian said, leading the way back to his room.
Jason nodded politely to Bruce and motioned Dick to join him. "Mr Wayne, Grayson."
As they left Bruce, still standing in confusion - probably - Dick remarked, "ouch," softly.
"Go on and get your own cookies, Grayson," Jason remarked.
"I need to discuss something with you, too. You two, actually, somewhere safe." Dick said. Both Jason and Damian paused their steps. "Yeah, and we might need to call upon a certain bird for backup," Dick added, almost nonchalantly. It was not until then that Jason noticed the tenseness on his shoulders. He remembered that Dick, too, was trained to keep an eye out for danger.
"You go on ahead with Damian, I'll ask Alfred if he may have tea in his quarters." Jason decided. Damian nodded, realizing the urgency in Dick's posture, and stepped a little closer to Dick as Jason turned the other way.
Whatever it is Dick has to say, Jason could be certain now that besides himself, Dick would protect Damian fiercely. And/or protect other, possibly innocent people, from Damian's tempers.
He was just wondering why did it seem that Bruce Wayne was so intent on removing him.
And why Dr and Mrs Wayne would suddenly take a trip to Europe right after they were proverbially and literally freed from Bane.
Alfred, as usual, was in the kitchen preparing for tea time. In spite of being Americans, the Waynes seemed to like the habit of afternoon tea time.
Jason told Alfred of Damian's request, and Alfred nodded slowly. "Is Master Bruce still in the sun-room, then?" he asked.
"Last time I saw him, yeah."
"Ah, then... young Jason, may an old man request something from you and your vast knowledge of herbs?" Alfred's face was as impassive as ever when he said that, just a shade before he returned to his task of preparing some small sandwiches. But Jason was a little confused. Why would Alfred ask him for herbs? As far as Jason could tell, he was as healthy as... well, someone Jason's age, which has got to be at least a third of Alfred's; half at most. Jason didn't think that Alfred was any older than mid- to late-40s.
"Sure, how can I help?" he answered, anyway.
"Oh, I was wondering if there is any method you may suggest to... how do I put it... Chafe off surgical remains within oneself? I have had work done for my nose, you see, on a whim as a young lad; and I do not believe it looks becoming on me as I age. I feel as if it makes me look like another person is inhabiting my body, as Master Bruce was wont to say."
Jason blinked, and partially wished Dick was there to confirm his thoughts. In spite of being the exact same height as Jason, Alfred was bowing his head a little as he spoke; and Jason knew that there was a surveillance camera that would be able to record their conversation in the kitchen. His shoulders were tenser than the task of cutting bread would have required.
"Well, wow... okay. I'll need to actually search my books. You know some of the ladies back then would apply something to their skin for scars or bruises. But I'm not sure if it'll work on surgical stuff. I'll let you know?" Jason replied carefully.
"Thank you, Jason, for considering. While it shames me for being vain, it is... rather crucial." Alfred smiled at him.
"No problem, Alf," Jason patted him on the shoulder and made his way back to Damian's room - where each and every surveillance device has been disabled and/or misdirected by the combination of Tim, Barbara, and Damian's own skills.
Once Jason walked in and closed the doors of Damian's room behind him, he was greeted by both Damian and Dick's voices.
"That man is not my father, Todd! I believe my grandparents may still be in danger!" Damian exclaimed as Dick stormed over and announced 'There was an increase of drone activities outside, that's why I brought Damian in!' - followed by Damian and Dick glaring at each other, and Damian said, "Todd, we might need to acquire some new exit strategy!" at the same time as Dick saying, 'I've sent a text to Tim, but he hasn't answered. I've texted Babs, though!'
Jason cringed at them. "Whoa! Hold up! If this is how you two kids report, nobody would need surveillance equipment to hear you from Gotham Harbor!" he snarled. The two promptly stopped and glared at each other again, as if they both were hoping to have Superman's laser vision or something. "Okay, I've heard you both, and I'm upping the ante. Alfred just asked me practically for a method to dissolve foreign objects inside someone's body and allude that someone in the house is not who they seemed. And said someone might be Bruce."
Damian threw his fist to the air, stating, "I knew it!"
Dick's eyes were wide as saucers. "Okay... I would... I've wanted to say the same thing since we got in. But I was kinda scared I might be wrong. What makes you sure?"
"Alfred referred to Bruce in the past tense when talking to me," Jason said. "You? --wait, no, Damian first."
"He looked and behaved differently than the videos mother had shown me," Damian replied.
"I second Damian on this. Well, dude... we need to communicate better, don't we?" Dick said, telling the last bit toward Damian. "I've only met him once, way back when-- when my parents were... you know. But like I've told you, I remember everything from that day as if it has just happened. I remember Bruce Wayne was there with a blonde girl wearing chinchilla fur, a 50s hairdo, and an actual pearl pin. But when my parents... right after, I saw him directing traffic of people out of the tent calmly. His presence then was literally calming, like, everyone was looking at him for direction. This Bruce... generally, looked too nervous on everything; if that makes sense."
Jason thought a moment. Dick was really good at reading people's body language - even the most stoic Alfred. Before Bane was removed, Dick's assessment of Alfred was that he was uncomfortable with Bane, yet very welcoming of Damian. Thus his immediate trust in Alfred. However, since Bane was arrested and proven to not have been a Wayne; Jason hasn't got the chance to ask Dick to re-assess Alfred.
"Okay, I'll retrieve the video footage of your dad from 10 years ago from the League's servers. We'll cross-check. We'll tell the Birds once we're sure, yeah?" Jason suggested.
"Agreed," Damian nodded slowly.
"I'll have Tim keeping an eye on the Doc and Missus while we're at it, though. I mean, you know, precautions and all." Dick suggested.
"Okay, call Tim. If he doesn't answer, call Babs or his mom. I'd like this whole thing settled quickly before Bruce can do anything to harm Damian." Jason huffed a breath slowly, wondering what the hell is it with the Waynes that seemed to run on endless conspiracy theories, anyway.
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maxwell-grant · 4 years ago
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Vincenzo: The Gentleman Villain Reborn
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Long before there were loudmouth buff guys in spandex, there was the gentleman villain.
There once was a time when the gentleman villain, whether a gentleman thief in the Raffles or Lupin mold, or murderous arch-criminals like Fu Manchu and Fantomas, organizations like Les Vampires, and even in-between figures like Rocambole and Judex, was the coolest thing in the pop culture block. The figures right around the corner of Baker Street, when Nick Carter and Sexton Blake and any billion old serial detectives weren’t quite cutting it. Their time was not to last long in the spotlight, as the pulp heroes consolidated domain in the 30s and then the superheroes took over, but every now and then, they return in various forms, never fully gone. But I’d dare say I’d never seen a gentleman villain story quite so bold, so modern, so dynamic and so gloriously over-the-top in pride over it’s existence, until I began watching Vincenzo.
Vincenzo is BADASS and I don’t use the term lightly. Not just the titular character, but the show itself. It’s currently a couple episodes short of the finale and you should stop everything you’re doing or watching and go watch Vincenzo. It’s been an utterly glorious ride from beginning to end with no shortage of great characters, terrific writing, great relationships and jaw-dropping moments as every episode succeeds in topping each other in WOW HOLY SHIT factor. It’s a shot of adrenaline and storytelling excellence to the eyeballs and you don’t have anything better to be doing right now than watching this.
I mentioned a while ago that Black was a show that, besides being also terrific in quality, captured my interest as a Shadow fan specifically because I saw in Black what I believe is the heart of The Shadow as a character: an embodiment of evil, motivated and created and warped by social catastrophe and strife, set loose to punish true evil in order to protect humanity. In that regard, if Black is where I find the heart of The Shadow, Vincenzo is where I find the spirit of what I like about The Shadow as a series: Cathartic urban fairytales where an extraordinary agent of change, armed with incredible cunning, sleight-of-hand and combat skills, rises above a dark background to command a folk brigade of ordinary people who reveal themselves to be extraordinary through their newfound purpose, to right the wrongs of society’s predators, by being better at their tactics than they are and turning their tools against them. 
I’m gonna spoil it a bit under the cut but please go watch it. I cannot praise this show enough and I’ll do my best to try.
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Vincenzo centers around the titular character, Vincenzo Cassano, an Italian lawyer who works for the mafia as a consigliere, adopted by it’s Don at the age of eight. After the death of the Don and an attempted betrayal by his son, Vincenzo flees to Seoul and ends up taking residence at a ramshackle building called Geumga Plaza. Geumga Plaza is the hiding place of a gigantic stash of gold hidden by one of Vincenzo’s former clients, and he intends to retrieve it to rebuild his life somewhere else. Naturally, not only is the hidden room completely impenetrable, but the building is occupied. by residents who are being forced out of it by criminals working for the Babel corporation, which intends to take possession of the building. And thus, Vincenzo has to put his skills into working out progressively bigger problems, as his efforts to uncover the gold turn into a fight against Babel and it’s lawyers, as the problems take on bigger and bigger proportions. 
Vincenzo’s got a lot of what you’d expect from a k-drama at first glance. The leading man is a dashing young man, the leading lady is headstrong and stubborn, you see their romance coming a mile away and they take their damn time getting there, there’s emotional backstories that take a long time to be revealed, lots of wacky side characters and comedy interspersed with the darkest moments, a focus on corporate corruption, and so on. But it’s got an intrusion of elements brought by Vincenzo’s inclusion, such as mob drama, tonal and cultural imbalance, and the gentleman villain tropes that Vincenzo brings, as the catalyst of change whose antics backflip through action hero, romantic hero, super hero and super villain, cunning puppetmaster and gun-toting warrior alike, and start to have an effect on the world around him. His allies become stronger, more determined and effective, and the villains grow smarter and more horrid as they desperately try to avoid their own downfalls.
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On paper, Vincenzo is almost a textbook example of how to craft a villain protagonist. He’s a mysterious foreigner with a hidden past and incredible skills who shows up uninvited in “our” world, who starts terrorizing and manipulating people into doing his bidding. He’s got a hotheaded and foolish investigator chasing after his every move, and frequently employs misdirection and sleight-of-hand to fool the authorities. He commits crimes and employs underhanded methods in the service of stamping out people worse than himself. He never really makes any claim of being a hero and actively rejects the notion he’s fighting for justice, but instead states he’s doing it as a matter of principle. One of the characters early on even states he gives off the vibe of a movie villain, even Vincenzo himself tells Hong Cha-Young, the female lead, that he’s teaching her how to be a proper villain. In another series, Vincenzo would be the hypercompetent sidekick to the main villain, or secretly the main villain, the lone badass that the action hero would have a tough fight against before defeating and moving on. But Vincenzo does not allow himself to be dismissed so easily. 
On the first episode, when we’re introduced to him in Italy, he’s painted as the badass to end all badasses. But the minute he arrives in Seoul, he falls for a trick at the airport and is mugged by two cabbies, and has to walk around penniless and without dignity, shouting curses in Italian that nobody understands. He has to sleep in a broken down apartment, his “taking a steamy shower with classical music playing” fanservice scene keeps being interrupted because the shower doesn’t work, and a pigeon chattering outside his window keeps ruining his sleep. 
The tenants of the building are all introduced as varying levels of unsympathetic and useless, or downright creepy. The tailor screws up his favorite suit, the chef who claims to have studied in Italy is a total fraud, there’s tenants who scare us by passing as ghosts and zombies, and Hong Cha-Young is introduced as an unlikable stooge for Babel. Vincenzo is a villain protagonist who is forced out of his grand mafia epic film, where he conducts business around lavish manors while classical music plays, and stumbles onto a korean drama, a world that operates by different rules and where no one has any reason to take him seriously at first, and gradually finds out that the difference between both worlds is not as big as he’d imagined.
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It’s only at the very end of the first episode, when the neighborhood gangsters show up to terrorize the tenants, that Vincenzo starts to kick ass again, and he has not stopped so far. In fact, not just him, ALL of the tenants have gradually started kicking ass with him. Hong Cha-Young severs all connections to Babel and proves to be, as his main partner in crime, just as cunning, twice as driven, and three times as batshit and kooky. The tailor who ruined his suit turns out to be an ex-gang member capable of fending off groups of thugs with only his scissors. The creepy piano girl reveals herself a hacking genius, the zombie impersonators become incredible actors, the failed wrestler and badass wannabe becomes his most active field agent along with his equally strong wife, the chef improves his cooking and lends his restaurant as a meeting center, all of the characters, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM gradually become incredible, competent, resourceful people, really no different than they were before, it just took a little courage and pushing. 
The headstrong and foolish agent pursuing Vincenzo becomes 100% smitten with him and quickly becomes one of his greatest allies. Even the neighborhood gangsters, after being left to die by Babel and forced to start anew, quickly become some of his most loyal allies, and gradually redeem themselves in the eyes of the tenants to the point they become friends. In departing from his old family, Vincenzo forms a new one, even if never by his intention. They even all get matching suits.
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This incredibly potent, human core surrounding the antics of an extraordinary figure of action is part of what used to make the Agents of The Shadow such a special, meaningful and beloved part of the series, and something every adaptation since then has been 100% poorer for neglecting. But Vincenzo does it, and does it right. I could watch a billion adventures with these people and never get sick of them. 
Vincenzo is a slick, modern take on the gentleman villain that takes many of it’s oldest conventions and provides blueprints for making them work in modern times. His plans often take a performance art-edge as he employs tactics both old-fashioned and modern, like using social media to stage an event in front of the Plaza so the bulldozers set to demolish it won’t be able to pass, or copying files and passing them to his police contact while keeping the real ones when said police contact inevitably betrays him. The tenants put all of their skills to use, no matter how unusual or seemingly useless. Every episode lays the groundwork for a smashing finale where all of the threads come together and we bare witness to a grand tapestry of karmic retribution.
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The villains themselves are no slouch, and also have that modern edge that gradually ramps up. They stage discreet assassinations involving gas leaks and watches meant to burst into flames. They stack the deck impossibly against all characters. They employ masked goons by the dozens, armies of lawyers to smudge any connections between themselves and their actions, and every sector of society in covering them, from journalists publishing pro-Babel propaganda to police commissioners. The assistant of the main villain does zumba classes amidst ordering assassinations, and is often likened to a snake and a witch with her "Crystal Ball” (the name she uses for ordering assassin contacts by the phone), complete with a cowardly, scheming assistant she bullies at every turn. The CEO of Babel has a dual nature not out of place in a Jekyll & Hyde/Dorian Grey kind of story. 
The main villain is often painted as a slasher villain backed by massive corporate power, murdering people with hockey equipments and even outright named “Jason” at one point, with a tense string theme song accompanying his deeds. The show hides the villain at plain sight by using one of the most familiar set-ups of romantic dramas and the tension never stops even after he’s revealed. 
Mobster films tend to paint an idealized version of it’s protagonists, not necessarily because of a genuine love or interest with mobsters (I mean, it really goes without saying that real life mobsters are obviously not admirable figures), but out of a sense of displaying a “this is what it could be” fantasy, a fantasy where the mafioso is a dark hero who will still ultimately do the right thing and stick up for the little guy, in a similar way to how superheroes often function as police officers except, y’know, actually dedicated to protecting people. 
Vincenzo does go to great lengths to address the imbalance of putting such a dark figure as it’s hero, through showing how the situation can only be addressed by the intrusion of a figure such as Vincenzo. There’s a scene where Vincenzo and Hong proceed to explain extremely succintly to their cop ally why the “bad apples” argument is horseshit.  One of the show’s characters, someone who’s spent his entire life being the best person he could, and dedicating himself 110% percent to fighting evil even at the expense of connecting with his own family, someone who absolutely should be the hero to take down Babel, admits shortly before dying that it wasn’t enough, that it was never going to be enough, and that what the situation calls for isn’t a hero, but a monster. That monster being Vincenzo, who is not only powerful and monstrous, but commands the loyalty of people high and low class alike, criminals and law enforcement agents, to fight Babel. In his words, “the ultimate monster”, something even the world’s biggest badass cannot defeat by himself. 
On most other set-ups, Vincenzo would be pretty unmistakably the villain. But here, when he’s set up against a starkly realistic depiction of how corporations actually function in our world, depicts that Vincenzo’s ability to clear his way through goons John Wick-style is nowhere near enough, and to that end, he’s gonna have to fight impossible battles using his brains and his allies. And in the end, he defeats them, time and time again, and proves that they were not that impossible after all. 
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One can only hope he’s on to something.
Oh yeah and THE PIGEON BY HIS WINDOW ALSO KICKS ASS and I will not explain how, just watch the show, I can’t do it justice no matter how much I talk about it.
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petri808 · 3 years ago
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We’ll Take Back Heaven a Nalu Yakuza Au
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The moment Lucy left the room, Natsu simply turned and gave a silent look to his lieutenant Gray who nodded back in acknowledgment and left with one of the men. He sat back in his chair, fingers steepled below his chin in thought. Could it really be one of his own men? Some of the lower level guys didn’t always follow the rules, but it was rare for them to utterly disregard them! Oh! That really pissed him off, because they knew better then to test Natsu’s patience. There’s a damn good reason he was able to create such a lucrative gang in the heart of Tokyo when so many others would kill for it. By the age of 21, his father retired and left the position of Oyabun leader to Natsu. But, Natsu wasn’t satisfied with the old way of doing things. This was the 21st century and times must change.
It was well known that the Yakuza traversed a dangerous underworld full of illegalities. Drugs, prostitution, gambling, shake downs and extortion, theft, or in other words the seedier side of society. So that is where Natsu focused his attention. Some of the very first of the changes were to reign in unauthorized violence or any crimes that utilized it. Such a move sent a utter shockwave through the order and those that refused to let go of the old ways were swiftly eliminated to instill an image of power and fear that Natsu Dragneel was not to be messed with. His logic behind the move was simple. Do not do anything that brings attention to the gang and attacking someone on the street for a few yen is a quick way for the authorities to show up. So, in a way, Natsu was lucky it happened to be one of Lucy’s employees and not a random person, because they would have immediately called the police. Though it also brought up another question. Were there other crimes he just hadn’t heard of yet?
“Well, she’s still as feisty as ever, gihi.” Gajeel broke the silence of the room when he returned. “Could’ve cut the sexual tension with a sword.”
Natsu crossed his arms in feigned annoyance. If it were any other underling, they would have received a harsher response, but Gajeel was one of his oldest and trusted friends. “Pfft. I don’t know what you’re talking about. She’s a rival, that’s it. You know that.”
“Mmhmm.” Gajeel snickered. “So, now what?”
“Gray started working on finding who it was. I want you to call your contacts at police and see if they’ve had any reports of recent robberies in the area, and if there were, any details we can use to figure out who it might be.”
“Can do boss. Anything else?”
“You think it could one of our own?”
Gajeel looked up for a couple of minutes as if he were running their personnel through his mind. Finally, he rubbed his chin. “There’s a couple of newbies, a bit young and dumb that might be stupid enough to break the rules. I’ll call my contacts first before helping Gray press the men for info. Someone’s gotta know something.”
“Good. You do that and let me know as soon as you get a lead. I want this dealt with as quickly as possible.”
“Gotcha.”
Between Natsu’s two lieutenants and their best men, they interviewed all of the most likely suspects. Gajeel’s police informant let him know that there were a couple other robberies that sounded similar a few blocks away from where Lucy’s employee and client had been accosted. He also learned those two victims gave a similar description of the robber. With the new information, along with other snitches, they narrowed it down within a few days to a low-level street guy in the organization. But unlike Gajeel’s initial hunch, it wasn’t one of the newbies. Instead, the male had been with them for a couple of years now and never caused any problems. In fact, the guy fashioned himself as a smooth talking ladies’ man who supposedly disliked violence. So, it was a bit surprising it was one of the ones they’d least expected.
Gajeel and his men found the man named Bora Prominence laying low at his girlfriend’s apartment after he’d heard the gang was looking for him. Not the smartest move. The woman gave him up without a fight, fearing the Yakuza more than her boyfriend. So, once she’d let them inside, they quickly found Bora hiding in the bathroom and dragged him out.
“It wasn’t me!” Bora screamed as the men beat him to the floor. “You got no proof I did shit!”
Gajeel planted his foot into the small of the man’s back and held him down. “Two of the witnesses saw the tattoo on your face. That’s enough evidence for us.” He growled. “You knew the code and what would happen if you broke it, so stop being a bitch.”
But Bora continued to resist the four men, pushing off the floor with his arms unsuccessfully against Gajeel’s massive weight or fending off kicks from the others. They pummeled him with fists and kicks over and over until one clear blow finally knocked him unconscious long enough to be tied up. Despite a heavy beating bad enough to leave him bruised and bloodied, he continued to scream about his innocence. Back at headquarters, they dragged him into Natsu’s office with hands bound behind his back and forced him onto his knees.
The room held Natsu sitting at his desk, along with both lieutenants, four of their men keeping Bora restrained, and lastly Lucy with the victim to Natsu’s right side. He had contacted her as soon as he knew the suspect was being brought in. And thought they were pretty certain of guilt, the woman’s immediate reaction when they’d brought Bora in of cringing back and moving closer to her boss spoke volumes.
“Is that him?” Natsu questioned to gain a verbal confirmation.
“Y-Yeah,” the woman squeaked out. “He’s the one who pushed me down and robbed us.”
Natsu’s eyes stayed narrowed and glaring at Bora as he addressed the women. “Thank you, that’ll be all. Heartfilia you both can leave now I’ll handle things from here.”
“You’re a doll,” Lucy giggled and gave Natsu a quick teasing peck on the cheek before ushering her employee away. They’d done what they needed to do, now it was his job to finish it.
“Tch, so that’s what this is all about.” Bora sneered, spitting out a clot of blood. “Cause that bitch got you all worked up over a measly few bucks?”
“Watch it!” Natsu roared. “It ain’t a good idea to piss me off anymore then I already am!” There was a fire burning behind Natsu’s stare because when he looked at this man Bora, he doesn’t see the crimes themselves, but the disobedient threat he posed to their organization. How dare this selfish ignorant punk threaten everything they’ve worked hard to build! And to accuse him of weakness in doing Lucy’s bidding just sealed the man’s fate.
Bora snapped back defiantly, though the crack in his tone gave away the fear brewing beneath. “What does it matter, I know what awaits me.”
“You’re right.” Natsu relaxed back into his chair once he sensed the man’s inevitable compliance. “You knew the consequences for crossing me. What does it matter if my rival is also benefiting in this way? Because I know there are other victims. Dumbass, how do you think we linked you to all this? Those other victims reported it to the police! Which is exactly why I have the rules I have in place! You put all of us in jeopardy by pulling this kind of stupid low level bullshit!”
“Pfft, you act like we’re saints. If the cops really wanted to, they’d look into the other illegal shit we do regardless.”
“No, it’s you who fails to recognize there is a hierarchy to the kinds of crimes that bring heat on us. Drugs? Prostitution? The cops don’t care as much, but assault? Robbing people, murders, now those are things they will pay attention to, and I will not tolerate it!” Natsu sat forward with a malevolent grin. “Welcome to the modern Yakuza.”
Drugs and prostitution were a part of the gangs dealings, but the bigger scheme was in shaking down the local business owners for protection money. Thing is, Natsu’s gang actually did the protection part causing crimes in that area for customers or businesses to drop down to nearly zero. So, while the business owners weren’t thrilled to cut a portion of their profits, they also appreciated not having to worry about security. That and because of the gangs connections, they had pipelines of cheaper priced products which helped to keep their costs down. This more symbiotic relationship is why they didn’t go to the authorities and why the gang could hold such a control over the area. Making sure the areas streets were protected from violent crime is a testament to the gangs power and would insure that these businesses stayed compliant.
“Tch.” Bora retorted. “You’re just young and dumb. Eventually you’ll realize there’s a reason why things were done a certain way in the old days.”
“Maybe, maybe not, but your days of worrying about it are over.” Natsu motioned to Gajeel. “I’m done. Get him out of my face.”
Gajeel then motioned to his men to haul Bora to his feet and drag him away to an unknown destination never to be seen from again. Cliche as it may sound, even in killing off a problem like Bora, Natsu’s gang didn’t follow tradition. Bora would be held as a prisoner until his wounds healed then his death made to look like just another suicide statistic. In the seven years that Natsu has reigned, not one murder had been laid at their doorstep and he intended to keep it that way.
Now that the Bora business was over, Natsu closed his eyes and fully relaxed into his chair with a sigh. He didn’t exactly enjoy playing the tough guy bit and only did it out of necessity. This was a life his father groomed him for since birth, but he’d love nothing more than to just settle down with a wife and start a family of his own. Not that he couldn’t already do so, but that required finding the right woman to settle down with and no one other than his old flame has ever evoked I’m him more than a passing glance.
He didn’t know how long he’d been relaxing when there was a knock on his office door. “Yeah? Come in.”
“Sorry to disturb you,” the man spoke as he quietly entered the room. Invel Yura was Natsu’s Saiko-kamon, the top advisor and managed the administrative side of the organization. “I wanted to go over your schedule for tomorrow in case I need to make any changes.”
“It’s fine.” Natsu gestured to the chair fronting the desk. Invel had been the advisor to his father for the last few years of his tenure and he fully trusted the man’s diligence.
Invel sat down and opened up a calendar. “Tomorrow morning, we have a new shipment of prescription drugs coming in as well as some ecstasy, so you’ll need to appoint someone to oversee inventory processing.”
“Hmm, who should I have work on this?” Natsu asked for Invel’s opinion.
“Might I suggest Rajeel Ramal? He’s gruff but meticulous and has done a good job so far.”
“Is that so? Then that’s fine, let him continue. What’s next?”
“Okay,” Invel scribbled the orders in his book. “Next, the only other thing you have is a party to attend with one of our high end clients.”
“Which one?”
“The son of Yuuji Katsunuma of Katsunuma industries.”
“Ah yes, the one we supply with cocaine. Such a spoiled brat, but he spends a lot with us.”
Invel chuckled. “That’s the one. It starts at 8pm.”
“Okay. Thank you, Invel. Is that all for now?”
“Yes. If anything, else comes up I will let you know.”
“I’m sure you will. Oh. Have an appropriate suit pressed and ready for me for the occasion.”
“Very well, sir. Is there anything else you need from me?”
“No. You may go.”
Invel nodded and returned to his own office. He made a few typical phone calls such as to Natsu’s house staff regarding an evening outfit and the transporters bringing the morning inventory to make sure everything was on schedule. Aside from the Bora issue, the going’s-on of business continued as normal. The final call he placed before he’d leave for lunch was to Rajeel of a simple a five word instruction. Nothing more needed to be said, knowing that his associate would understand. Invel sat back in his chair with a smile. “It’s almost too easy…”
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janeykath318 · 4 years ago
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Once Upon A Time (WinterShock Fantasy AU)
Once upon a time there lived a happy, mischievous Princess named Darcy. Sadly orphaned at a young age, she was surrounded by loving caregivers, who taught her how to be a good, but kind ruler. 
When Princess Darcy was just twelve years old, the regent Lord Phillip noticed she showed signs of being gifted with magic, a rare ability in that land. 
After some consultation with Darcy’s other guardians, he decided she should learn how to use her gift and Darcy started magic classes. By the time she was sixteen, she had learned many useful spells and was becoming better at controlling her magic. 
In history class, she learned of the great wars between the evil practitioners of black magic known as Hydra and the wizards and knights of the kingdom. 
Hydra had been defeated, but at the cost of many lives, including those of the stouthearted Sir Steven Rogers and Sir James Barnes, whose great deeds lived on in story and song. Darcy passed by their portraits in the great hall and wished she could have known those great men. Sir James she found especially appealing with his mirth filled grey-blue eyes, well-shaped face and dark brown hair.
As her twenty-first birthday approached and she readied to take up the mantle of queen, many suitors sought her hand. Most of them didn’t make it past Lord Phillip, who carefully questioned them to gauge their character and intentions, and the few who did did not arouse Darcy’s interest. 
Then came the shocking revelation that Sir Steven had been found alive, having been encased in an enchanted block of ice for seventy years. He was brought to the castle and tended to by physicians and healers before Lord Phillip and Lord Nicholas questioned him. Finally, they were finished and allowed Darcy to have an audience with him. 
Excited to meet one of the heroic men of history, she perked up when Lord Phillip brought him into her reception room. 
He was tall, with a powerful physique, golden hair, and melancholy blue eyes. 
“Sir Steven!” She greeted, as he bowed before. 
“Your highness,” he replied politely. 
“We are glad to find you alive against all odds. How do you feel after your awakening?”
“Physically well, but I struggle to reconcile with the passage of time, your highness,” he answered with surprising honesty. Nearly all of my contemporaries are dead or nearly dead and I as yet do not know how to restart my life.”
“I can’t even begin to imagine,” Darcy said gently, heart aching for the man who’d given up everything for the kingdom. “But just know that if you need a friendly ear to talk to, I am happy to lend mine. Anything you need, just say the word and Phillip will see to it.” 
Over the next few months, Steven and Darcy made friends and he told her many stories of his adventures with Sir James, or Bucky, as Steven called him. 
Unfortunately, with six months to go before Darcy’s coronation as queen, Hydra began to make its presence known again with the reappearance of their legendary assassin, The Winter Soldier, who felled several wizards and was rumored to be sent after the princess herself. Alarmed, Phillip increased the number of Darcy’s bodyguards and brought in the renowned Lady Natasha for extra security and help planning against Hydra’s threats. 
Much as she liked Steven, Darcy chafed at having him everywhere. Her complaints fell on deaf ears, however. Lord Nicholas and Lord Phillip were on high alert and stood firm. 
One day, Darcy and Steven walked through the great hall together and he shared anecdotes of several of the royals depicted on its walls. When they reached Sir James’s portrait, Steven fell silent for several moments, grief so raw in his face that Darcy turned away out of respect.
“It must still seem fresh to you,” she said quietly. “I am sorry for your loss, Steven.” 
“Thank you, your highness,” he sighed. “Yes, to me it seems like it only happened a few days ago. We were ambushed on a treacherous mountain pass. I tried my hardest to reach him, but he lost his hold and…….fell.” 
He swallowed hard, struggling with the memory.
“I know he would have liked you,” he told the Princess. “Bucky appreciated your type of humor and wit. He also was fascinated with magic, albeit only mildly had a very small ability in that area.”
“Sir James had magic?” Darcy asked, even more intrigued.
“He did,” Steve confirmed with a faint smile. “Mostly used it to annoy me: make my armor turn weird colors, grow out my beard to an unnatural length, give my horse a purple tail.” 
Darcy chuckled. “What a rascal. Did I tell you how I gave Phillip a toupee once?”
Steve looked at her in amused disbelief. 
“No, but I must know now.”
For several weeks, the period of watchfulness continued, but nothing happened and Darcy began to hope that the danger wasn’t coming after all, then one night she was awakened abruptly by Natasha.
“Get up your highness. Your life is in danger.” 
“Wha-huh?” Darcy replied sleepily, brain struggling to come to. A pile of clothing was thrown onto her bed.
“Hydra. They nearly killed Lord Nicholas in a late raid. Put on the disguise and pack one bag. We need to get you out of here. Steven is waiting with the horses.”
Numbly, Darcy dressed in the plain gown and dark cloak Natasha had provided and quickly packed a few belongings, hoping desperately her friends were safe. 
Natasha led her out through the secret underground exit that led out behind the stables where Steven was waiting, armored and well armed. 
“What happened?” Darcy whispered as she mounted the horse behind Natasha. He was a good rider herself, but in the dark and under threat, she was more than happy to have the expert take the reins. 
“The Winter Soldier attacked,” Steve said grimly. “I fended him off, but he will likely be back. We are headed for the stronghold of Lord Anthony deep in the mountains. It’s the safest place for you right now.”
The journey was long and hard, taking almost the whole night. They were only a few miles away, when they were overtaken by a black knight on a black horse, covered head to toe in armor, the only mark on him a red star on his silver left arm. 
Steve muttered an oath.
“The Winter Soldier!” He muttered. “Get down!”
Darcy obeyed. She heard the sounds of swords clashing as Steve fought the intruder, then there was a ping! Sound and metal hit the ground and Steve cried out “Bucky!” In an anguished tone followed by a deeper voice saying “Who the hell is Bucky?” 
Now it was Natasha’s turn to swear, but she stuck close to Darcy. Peering up a bit, she could see the tall knight, his helmet now gone, revealing dark brown hair and finely shaped jaw. Her heart jumped into her throat. It was Sir James! He looked completely cold and menacing, but there was something so dead in his eyes, she knew there was something wildly amiss. 
Reaching out with her magic, she sensed the thick cloak of dark magic upon him and guessed Hydra had him under some spell. 
“What do you want?” She heard Steve ask.
“My mission is the Princess. Hand her over. They want her alive.”
“Over my dead body,” Steve growled. 
“Very well.” 
The swords clashed again and the struggle began again. This time, she could tell it was going badly for Steve. 
Darcy couldn’t stand it anymore. She stood up, brushing off Natasha’s restraining arm and walked over to the scene of the fight. Steve was now bleeding on the ground, still trying to get Bucky to remember him. James had his sword at Steve’s throat and was ready to plunge it in when Steve murmured, “I’m with you to the end of the line.”
This made The Soldier pause and the cold expression in his eyes was replaced with a flash of recognition followed by pure panic. 
Darcy stepped forward.
“Don’t kill him! I’ll surrender.”
James whirled around to face her, confusion written all over his face. 
“What are you doing, your highness?” She heard Steve hiss out, but Darcy had a plan and she needed to get closer. 
“You surrender?” James repeated dully.
“Yes,” Darcy said. “Do what you have to do.”
He stalked towards her with his knife drawn, and Darcy stood stock still, waiting for the right moment. She knew a spell she was pretty sure would work, but it would likely leave her exhausted. At this point, exhausted was preferable to dead and she had to try to help James. 
Summoning every ounce of magical strength she could, she cried out, “Restore!” and held out her hands.
Bolts of magical energy sparked from her fingertips and connected with James, wrapping around his head. The energy warred with the darkness and caused it to dissipate and vanish. 
James fell over unconscious.
“What did you do?” Steve asked, having dragged himself painfully over to his friend.
“A restoration spell. Hydra was controlling his mind. I cancelled it out,” Darcy sighed, suddenly exhausted. 
“Can we bring him to the stronghold? It might be some time before he wakes.”
Steve looked at his friend and nodded. 
“We will. I really hope you are right, your highness.”
Between the three of them, they managed to haul James to the gates of the stronghold. It took rather longer to convince Lord Anthony to let him in, but Darcy shamelessly pulled rank on the man and he finally relented. 
She was almost stumbling with exhaustion by the time they reached the keep and Natasha almost carried her off to the guest chamber provided.
“I want to be there when he wakes up!”’she protested.
“He may not wake up for some time,” Natasha answered. “Your spell is still working on him. Please rest, your highness. He won’t get away, I promise.”
So Darcy finally agreed and shortly fell into deep slumber. She awoke rather disoriented and very rumpled. 
“Ugh. I look like a hag, not a Princess!” She moaned, repulsed by her reflection in the mirror. She managed to get herself into a somewhat respectable state when Natasha came for her.
“Is he awake?” Darcy asked eagerly. 
“Yes. He awoke about an hour ago and seems to be himself again. He recognized Steve.”
“That is wonderful news! Please take me to him.”
Natasha obliged and showed Darcy into the room where a bandaged and rather battered looking Steve sat beside James. Darcy felt a pang of remorse for not trying a healing spell on him. 
Both men got to their feet as she entered, Steve rather shakily. 
“Bucky, this is her highness Princess Darcy. She is strong in good magic and wove the spell that freed you from Hydra. I trust you rested well, Your highness?”
“I did, but sit down, Steven, before you fall down. You need to see the healers.” 
“Just what I’ve been telling him….wait PRINCESS Darcy? You saved me?”
James’s voice was filled with awe and wonder as he looked at her, blue eyes now clear and sharp like in his portrait. Oh, heavens, he was incredibly handsome and for a moment she was speechless as they stared at each other. Finally, Bucky shook himself and knelt before her, bowing his head. 
“Where are my manners? Forgive me your highness. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done. I am your devoted servant henceforth.” 
“Sir James, I am very happy to see you in your own mind. I am so relieved that it worked,” Darcy assured him, holding out her hand to show him she accepted his thanks. He kissed it, looking reverently into her eyes and Darcy felt her heart skip a beat. She could feel the unspoken connection between them. 
“You and Steven will be honored as heroes,” she declared. 
“Steven is well deserving,” James agreed, a shadow falling over his face. “I do not know that I am deserving to hold the title of knight anymore. The things I have done would sicken you.”
“You mean the things Hydra forced you to do?” Darcy responded. “Hydra’s deeds do sicken me, but the reason you became their captive in the first place was because you were fighting to end their reign of terror. You will not be held liable for something you had no control over.”
“You are very gracious, your highness,” James said gratefully. 
Darcy turned to Steven next and gently scolded him for not getting his wounds tended to before using a healing spell on him.
Lord Anthony came in to check on his guests and give them an update on the situation at the Castle.
“Hydra had infiltrated some of the guard and it has been difficult to weed them out,” he informed them. “Jasper Sitwell and Lord Alexander are both Hydra and have vowed to take over the kingdom. I am sending reinforcements as soon as I can.”
Anger stirred in Darcy. 
“The traitors! I will kick their posteriors!!” 
Steve looked startled at her uncouth language, but Anthony grinned and James’s mouth twitched in amusement. 
“I like the spirit, your highness, but it’s safer for you to remain here. My stronghold has magical defenses and right now, you are Hydra’s number one target. There is a large bounty on your head.”
Darcy turned pale and gripped a nearby table for support. 
She was almost shaking with rage and fear, but told herself to calm down. She had to be strong for her country. 
“I can’t just sit back here while you all risk your lives. You know I can defend myself with my magic,” she reminded them. 
“You can, but the ratio of Hydra to loyal soldiers is much too high and we cannot risk losing you,” Natasha reminded her. “You’re the last of your family line.”
Darcy deflated at this painful reminder. She knew Natasha was right and she couldn’t endanger the throne by rushing headlong into danger, but she hated the thought of waiting all by herself. 
In the end, James volunteered to stay with her as protection duty, being a most powerful warrior. She couldn’t help but be pleased at his company, despite the circumstances. 
Before Anthony and the army departed, she took care to lay helpful enchantments upon Steve’s sword and Shield and Natasha’s knives and the archers’ bows. 
Satisfied at last, she saw them off with well wishes and turned back to James, who walked beside her back to the luxurious library that she’d picked out as the room to hole up in. 
“Come sit by me, James,” she requested. “You can be vigilant in comfort.”
“Thank you, your highness,” he responded, carefully seating himself beside her. Up close, she could see how well built he was and how strong his arms were. She had to stifle a sudden urge to feel his biceps: both the flesh and the metal one. 
“Did Hydra equip you with the metal arm?” she asked. 
“They did,” James confirmed. “I lost my arm in the fall that led to my capture. They designed it to be another weapon. I shudder to think of how much blood it has spilled.” 
He clenched and unclenched his metal fist, sad blue eyes looking reproachfully at it. 
“Maybe we can get you a new one once we’ve stomped them out once and for all,” she suggested. “I know Stark would love to upstage them and make a better one. He is very gifted in that area.”
“You are very thoughtful, your highness,” he said, giving her another grateful look that brought a lump to her throat. The poor man was clearly not used to being treated like a human and it hurt her to think of. 
“Please call me Darcy,” she requested. “There’s no one else around and it gets old hearing “your highness” all the time.”
“Darcy,” he repeated, saying her name reverently. “What a lovely name.” 
The next few days were trying ones for the Princess as she waited for news from the battle. James told her many stories of his and Steve’s adventures and she told him about her childhood and her mishaps while learning magic.
James admitted one of the reasons he’d stayed behind was because he feared Hydra would speak the words to him that would trigger his Winter Soldier persona.
“You mean you didn’t stay because of my captivating beauty and charm?” Darcy said teasingly. 
“Now, I didn’t say that, Princess,” he said, flushing a bit. You are very pleasant to be around. I just thought you should be made aware there still might be traces of the spell in me.”
“We’ll have you examined by our best wizards,” Darcy promised, anxious to reassure him. “Their knowledge is greater than mine and they will be able to rid you of any lingering effects.”
“I hope so,” James murmured. “I really hope so.”
He looked at her for a long moment with an expression that made her heartbeat quicken before he sighed and looked sad again, as if longing for something out of his reach. 
She saw that expression several more times over the next few days and wished she could comfort him. 
Five days later, a messenger returned to the stronghold to bring news both good and bad. The good news was that the Hydra uprising had been crushed and its members dead or in custody. The bad news: the chaos had stirred up a legendary dragon, who was headed straight for the palace. 
James thought Darcy should stay at the stronghold, but she overruled him.
“I appreciate your consideration, but I must return and oversee the investigation. I need to talk to the wizards about you as well. I cannot hide any longer. I will go mad.”
He’d sighed and gone to bring the horses around. 
The journey back was done as stealthily as possible, and Darcy watched James with interest as he skillfully and silently guided them along the journey, always on high alert. She felt safer with him than any of her bodyguards, good as they were. This knight had had his senses honed to a razor sharpness that was unlike anything she’d seen. She wondered if part of it was due to his latent magic powers and if he’d ever used them. But magic was not a topic he seemed willing to discuss, other than the moment he’d thanked her for rescuing him from it. 
They returned to a palace that was very chaotic, evidence of fighting all around it and grim faced guards everywhere.
Darcy went straight to Lord Phillip and Lord Nicholas who were in consultation with Lord Anthony, all three looking very somber. 
“I am relieved to see you safely returned, your highness,” said Lord Nicholas. “Thank you,” she told him. “I am also relieved to find you well. I heard you met up with the Winter Soldier.”
“I did and I broke the spell that held him a prisoner,” Darcy told them proudly. “Phillip, Nicholas, may I present Sir James Barnes? I assure you, he is no threat.”
The men looked shocked and wary, but Darcy made them talk to James and confirm that he was, indeed, an ally and in his right mind. 
“Where is Steven?” James asked nervously, looking around for his friend.
Phillip sighed. 
“He is in the infirmary. He suffered grievous injury fighting Hydra and had previous untreated injuries that led to his collapse.”
Darcy sighed and James groaned.
“Typical of the imbecile,” he muttered. “Never could take care of himself.” 
“What?” He said bluntly at the questioning looks the Lords were giving him.
“He just laid there and would have let me—the Soldier—kill him, if the Princess hadn’t intervened. The one time he decides to back down from a fight….” James sighed and shook his head.
“Yes, I have noticed that trend with him,” Lord Phillip admitted, almost smiling at James’s aggravation. “We enchanted the door of his room so that he cannot get out until the healers have finished with him.”
Darcy smiled her approval. 
“I knew I liked you for a reason, Phillip,” she said fondly. 
“Unfortunately, we will need him at his full strength sooner rather than later,” Lord Nicholas sighed. “The dragons are but a three days journey away.”
As soon as Steven was recovered, they began making plans for defending against the dragon horde, who were led by a large purple beast named Thanos. 
Thanos had obliterated many cities in neighboring realms with his terrible breath and destructive claws and he had fifty fearsome fellow dragons with him. It was going to be a very difficult fight. Darcy went around giving motivational speeches to the troops and leaders in between making sure the citizens were evacuated to the mountain strongholds. She stood on a balcony looking out over the city, hoping it wouldn’t be its last day of existence.
“The last of the refugees are about to depart for the mountains, your highness,” Steven reported, James standing beside him. “Are you certain we cannot persuade you to go with them?” 
“Very certain,” Darcy said firmly. “My place is here.” 
He nodded, then smiled. “I understand. I too, would chafe at being denied the chance to defend my country.”
James heaved a deep sigh. 
“There are two of them,” he muttered in a disgruntled tone that had Darcy and Steven chuckling. 
“You will get used to it, James,” Darcy said lightly, giving him a pat on the shoulder. 
The following day, Thanos and his dragon army arrived, blasting fire and roaring ferociously. The army was ready for them and put up a good fight, slaying quite a few, before they could get into the city. The tide soon turned against them, though, as Thanos’s power was unleashed and death and destruction rained down. Darcy was safely inside the tower and fretting about the increasingly grim reports coming in from the battlefield. 
“If we could just get Thanos, we would actually stand a chance!” She said, pacing in frustration. 
“Unfortunately, Thanos appears to be untouchable,” Nicholas reported, stress making his eyelid twitch rapidly. “He has a power far beyond anything we’ve faced before. Melts people before they get near him. Normal shields are ineffective.”
“What about magic?” She asked.
“The only spells that might work have to be within twenty paces,” Nicholas mused. “And all our wizards are either wounded, dead, or busy.” 
A plan began to take root in Darcy’s mind. It was crazy and might not even work, but at this point, what did she have left to lose?
“Phillip, would the enchantment on Steve’s shield stand up to Thanos’s breath?” She asked. 
“Yes, for a few minutes, but Steve does not have magic.”
“He doesn’t have to. I do,” she told them.
Phillip frowned. 
“What spell would they have taught you that would fell Thanos?”
Darcy smiled. 
They pleaded and argued and begged her not to, but Princess Darcy prevailed. 
“What kind of ruler will I be if I am not willing to give my life to protect my people?” She’d told them. 
Phillip had closed his eyes, but nodded, unable to dispute this. 
After giving a few quick orders, Darcy put on some armor and went out to face Thanos. It wasn’t hard to find him, bring huge and purple and all. He was even more fearsome up close, huge claws and fiery breath wreaking havoc upon the city and its people. Darcy swallowed. She had to stop him before he spilled any more blood. Searching for Steven, she found him finishing off a young red dragon. 
“Steven!”
He looked up, shocked to see her.
“What are you doing here?” He asked, panting heavily. 
“I think I know how to stop Thanos, but I need your help. Where’s James?”
“Over there,” Steve jerked his head to the left. “Do you need him, too?”
“Yes. For my plan to work we need all three of us.”
James was not pleased to see Darcy in battle and even less so when he heard her plan.
“Eight out of ten cases, that spell kills the caster, too! We can’t lose you, Princess. Surely, there’s some other way.” 
His blue eyes were desperate and pleading as he spoke, and Darcy’s own heart hurt a bit. She would have loved to agree and have the chance at deepening her friendship with him into something more, but if they all died due to a dragon, that wouldn’t happen anyway. She would hold out hope she could be in the two out of ten. 
Darcy smiled sadly. “The only other wizards that know this spell are incapacitated or dead. I’m so sorry, James. I have to protect my people.” 
For a brief moment, he looked as if she’d ripped out his heart and trampled it under foot, then the expressionless soldier’s mask returned and he simply nodded.
“Tell me what to do.”
“Steve will cover us with his shield so that I can get close enough to cast the spell, which will block his airway and allow James to stab him in his soft underbelly. Be quick about it so he doesn’t crash down on top of you,” she urged James. He didn’t look like he cared much about being crushed at this point, but he nodded. 
She shook both their hands, then took a deep breath. 
“Let’s go.”
Steve held up his magical shield over them as they approached Thanos. She could feel the intense heat around them, but the magic did its job and soon they were within range.
She held out her hands and began chanting, energy swirling through her as she summoned everything she had to hurl at the dragon. 
Thanos laughed evilly and blasted fire at them, which bounced off the shield. Knowing the protection would not last long and not wanting to get Steve and James killed, Darcy quickly spoke the rest of the spell, then flung the energy toward the dragon’s snout. It wrapped around and went down his nostrils, thickening up and causing him to sit up and choke and gasp for breath, clutching his nose.
James darted forward and the last thing Darcy heard as the life drained out of her was the terrible scream from Thanos as the knight’s sword plunged into him. 
She came back to consciousness in a plain white room, birds singing outside the window.
“Is this the afterlife or did I survive?” She wondered aloud. 
There was a gasp and James suddenly lifted his head from where he’d been resting it on the side of the bed.
“I assure you, you’re very much alive, Princess,” he told her, voice trembling with emotion. The usual very polished knight looked haggard and unkempt, eyes red and bloodshot. 
“I was one of the lucky two out of ten?” She asked, warmth spreading through her at how he was looking at her. 
“Not at first,” added another voice. Steven was beaming at her from the doorway, relief showing strongly in his amiable face. 
“What do you mean?” She asked curiously.
“When we finished off Thanos, I picked you up and there was no breath in you. No pulse. Nothing.” 
Steven looked pained at the memory and Darcy looked back at James, whose lips were quivering. 
“Bucky here insisted on carrying your…...body…...back to the palace,” Steve continued. “Somehow, you started breathing again on the way there. We really have no idea why. Maybe the healers can tell us.” 
“Wow,” Darcy breathed, a smile blossoming on her face. “So the dragon army was defeated?”
“Soundly,” Steven assured her. “The kingdom is saved. You’re a hero, Princess. They’re ready to crown you queen right now.”
“Well, they’ll have to wait,” Darcy said with feigned haughtiness. “I refuse to be crowned until I’m able to be fully fabulous again.”
Steve barked out a laugh and Bucky’s shoulders shook. Lifting his head, he looked at her through tear-filled eyes.
“Princess, you’re always fabulous,” he told her sincerely. 
A healer bustled in, interrupting the moment. Darcy was a little annoyed, but she let herself be examined with no fuss and took the opportunity to ask about why she had come back to life.
Healer Cho smiled. 
“We believe that the one who carried you in has the gift of Healing Touch, which in some cases, can revive a person. Sir James, you have some magic in you, right?” 
Bucky nodded, wide-eyed at the realization. 
“I couldn’t heal people before, and as the Winter Soldier, I was forced to use what magic I had solely for evil,” he said thoughtfully.  “I’ve never tried magic since.”
“Sometimes these gifts develop later, James. You may not have known it was there, but it was,” Helen told him gently. 
“As for you, your highness, a day or so of rest and you should be back on your feet again. Do you feel in need of food?”
Darcy nodded enthusiastically and Helen departed to get her a tray, looking very pleased. 
“Buck, You saved the Princess,” Steve commented proudly.
Bucky, who’d been staring at his hand in disbelief, looked into Darcy’s eyes as she grabbed the hand and kissed it.
“My hero!” she sighed, giving him a dopey smile that somehow tripped something in him to release the emotion he’d been trying to hold back. Steve thoughtfully shut the door and retreated to the corner again. Darcy kept holding James’s hand and whispered soothing words to him as he cried. The poor man had been through so much, and she was determined to help make his new life as happy as possible. 
“It killed me to see you lifeless,” he whispered, when he’d finally calmed. “I’ve become very attached to you in the short time I’ve known you. I know you probably wouldn’t want to be courted by a man like me, but if you did, well…..”
“Who says I wouldn’t want to court you?” Darcy retorted. “I would very much like to court you, James. “You’re brave, you’re selfless, you’re funny, you’re an awesome warrior, and you’re exceedingly handsome. Don’t think I haven’t been wanting to run my fingers through your glorious mane since the day we met.”
James blushed bright red. 
“However, no courting can happen if you don’t take care of yourself.”  She told him. “As your princess, I command you to eat, bathe, and sleep before you return. “You’re clearly exhausted. Steven will make sure this is carried out, won’t you, Sir Steven?” 
Darcy’s firm tone had Steven nodding quickly. 
“I will, your highness,” he declared, looking pointedly at James. “I attempted to previously, but he refused to leave your side, the stubborn mule.”
“You hypocrite,” James shot back, grinning at them both. “But I will happily follow your commands, Princess.”
Getting to his feet, he kissed her hand and gently released it.
“I will be back.” he promised. 
“You’d better!” she called after him. 
Falling back on the pillows, Darcy held the hand he’d kissed to her cheek, dreamily thinking about him kissing her on the lips. 
Five Months later
The coronation of Queen Darcy was a day of jubilation and partying, a national holiday having been decreed for the occasion. Throngs of people had arrived in the city to witness the grand event and the city, which had recovered  from the Hydra and the Dragon invasions, was decorated to within an inch of its life.
Darcy stood in the hall, dressed in a deep green formal gown and rich red robes, trying to calm her nerves. There were a lot of eyes on her today and she hoped she wouldn’t embarrass herself. 
Lord Phillip and Lord Nicholas were busily going over the schedule with Lady Natasha and the royal guards and Darcy was going over her speech once again in her head. 
There was a clanking of metal, and she saw her favorite knights approaching, both looking impeccable and stunning. 
“Hello, gentlemen,” she greeted warmly. “You’re looking magnificent.” 
They bowed gracefully.
“Thank you, your highness. So are you,” Steve replied.
“Absolutely breathtaking,” James said, giving her a look that made her blush. He was quite the master at those looks, as she’d learned during their courtship. There had been quite a stir when it was announced that the soon to be Queen was betrothed to the former Winter Soldier, but happily, the critics were vastly outnumbered by the supporters, as he was now seen as a hero after saving her life. Darcy had been highly  lauded herself and was still being swamped with gifts from her grateful subjects. 
“How are you feeling, Darcy?” He asked quietly.
“Nervous, but excited,” she said. “I’m going to be the best queen I can be.”
“I know you will,” James agreed, with one of his becoming smiles. “Save me a dance at the ball later?”
“Silly man,” she chuckled fondly. “You should know by now all of my dances are for you.” 
13 notes · View notes
spaceskam · 5 years ago
Text
Him. (the werewolf au)
warning: mild sexual content, guns, hunting, daddy issues
ao3
Alex Manes did not get along with other human beings. It was a simple fact.
He'd known he was different from a very young age because of this one little fact. It meant he got in fights at school. It meant he didn't listen. It meant he was deliberately rude. He didn't mean to come off so horrible, but he learned it was the only way to get people to leave him alone. If he was an asshole and perceived dangerous, they’d leave him alone.
Another one of those little things he did as a kid to make him unapproachable was spend his free time in the woods, usually with his grandmother who lived in a cabin deep in the trees. While normally, in any other place, that wouldn’t be a problem. Maybe that’d make him a person to bully, but here it just made him that much more of an obvious outcast that people didn’t even want to associate with negatively.
According to the hunters' legend, the wolves that populated the woods outside of Roswell weren’t quite... normal. They were larger than normal, more violent, more deadly. They were the wolves, yes, but also not. Whispers were spread from generation to generation about how everyone should be wary of people they didn’t know well enough; you never knew who wasn’t quite who they claimed to be. Alex thought it was funny to play right into that idea.
His grandmother, before she’d died, had been the only sane one. She’d learned to fend for herself, growing her own food and hunting deer and using every part of the animal to avoid going into town. She was completely self sufficient where she lived in the middle of the woods and not once had she ever had a negative encounter with those supposedly vicious wolves. She was more reliable than the hunters and their tall tales, Alex deduced, and had been living in her old cabin since he was 16.
It wasn’t that easy, though. His father was still the leader of the group of hunters that ran the town and made it their mission to go out into the woods once a month and try to kill one of those wolves. They usually succeeded. It was a carnal, horrific act that was meant to be applauded, parading these dead animals around after they’d killed them and insisting that they were in some way human and not caring. Alex hated it.
And yet he was still a Manes man. His brothers still came to him for deer meat and kept him up to date on town gossip. His father still stopped by and made it clear that people spoke negatively about him and that he should join the hunt. After all, he was skilled gunman, he’d be good at it. But Alex denied.
On the few occasions that he did go into town–whether it be for things like soap or just simply a man to warm his bed for the night–people stared. The Manes boy who went wrong, the Manes boy who was one of them, the Manes boy who had somehow made it to the age of 26 without caving under his father’s iron rule. He’d be lying if he said that didn’t make him feel powerful.
“Don’t you get lonely?” Forrest asked. He was nice and he was cute and he didn’t judge Alex, always being open to make the drive into the woods for a lengthy fuck in front of the fire. Alex wouldn’t even mind seeing him more than once every two weeks if he didn’t do things like ask that.
“No,” Alex said, shaking his head. He was in Forrest’s lap, both of them bare and comfortable being that way. Another benefit of living in the woods was that, as long as the hunt wasn’t happening, there was a very slim chance anyone would stop by without a warning. They could do whatever they wanted.
“I would,” he admitted, “If I lived out here, I would.”
“Good thing you don’t live out here then,” Alex said. Forrest wrinkled up his nose before giving a playful laugh, reaching a hand up to comb Alex’s long hair behind his ear. He couldn’t actually remember the last time he cut it, but it didn’t matter because it pissed off his dad and for that reason alone he would never cut it again.
“You ever think about moving back into town?” he wondered, craning his neck as Alex moved down to kiss his neck. He slowly kissed his way to his ear, taking it between his teeth gently.
“I’d rather put my dick in a blender,” Alex said as seductively as he could. He felt Forrest physically recoil at the thought, a groan coming from him as he leaned away. Alex smiled.
“Why do you say shit like that? Jesus,” Forrest breathed, shaking his head. Alex just grinned at him until he grinned right back. “I hate you.”
“Yeah, I believe that so much,” Alex said sarcastically, rolling his hips forward to get a little bit of a reaction from him. It worked far too easily. “Round two?”
“You expect me to say no to that?”
“No, I really don’t.”
Forrest left around two in the morning, needing a little coercion to make him realize staying over night wasn’t an option. Telling him he planned to be up early to do yoga didn’t work, but telling him he’d be forcing him to wake up at 5AM to join if he didn’t leave definitely did.
He didn’t really understand Forrest’s desire to be around him. Sure, he was probably the only person Alex had found since his grandmother that he could tolerate for more than thirty minutes, but that didn’t mean he wanted him around always. He liked space, he liked being alone. His brothers asked often when he would settle down and Forrest occasionally liked to see if he wanted something more, but apparently ‘I don’t want to’ wasn’t a valid answer. Apparently, it wasn’t right to enjoy being on your own.
Sometimes, on days that weren’t great, he’d consider it, though. He felt like this now, yes, but would he always? Wouldn’t he want someone eventually? And, when that time came, wouldn’t it be nice to have Forrest around, someone who he already knew he could tolerate? But then he remembered that’s just what society told him to feel.
If he found someone worth altering his life for, it wouldn’t be a question. He’d know it.
Bright and early the next morning, Gregory Manes, the middle Manes boy, showed up at the door with iced coffee. He was the least pushy of Alex’s brothers and was the only one who, while still going hunting every month, hadn’t killed any wolves. That was the only reason Alex tolerated his early morning visits.
“Wasn’t Flint supposed to come?” Alex asked, sipping the coffee as he led the way to the side door. It entered straight into the not-quite-outside room that Alex used to do all the fun stuff like skinning and packaging.
“Yeah, but I wanted to come talk to you,” Greg said. Alex raised an eyebrow as he opened the freezer, desensitized to the smell of blood and meat that filled the room as he continued to drink his coffee while simultaneously pulling out package deer meat to put in a bag. For a town full of hunters, they never seemed to be able to get any deer of their own.
“Why?”
“You need to steer clear of that Long boy. Or at least tell him to stop acting like you two are an item,” Greg said. Alex furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Since when had he ever taken being told what to do well? “I’m not judging you or trying to tell you what to do. I’m just saying he’s starting to outcast himself by association and he seems too nice to suffer like that.”
“He shouldn’t be telling anyone that we’re together anyway,” Alex said, slamming the freezer door shut, “We aren’t and he knows that.”
“Okay, well make sure he knows that. Mrs. Sibley, the lady who runs the coffee shop, refused him service this morning and I have to assume it’s because word is getting around that you two are together.”
That took Alex off guard as he looked at him with wide eyes. Even he had never been refused service. Maybe that was the fear, but still. 
“Seriously? Jesus, why do any of you stay in that town?”
“It’s not that easy to just get out.”
“For him it would be. He’s smart and friendly, he’d be able to get out easily,” Alex explained. Greg sighed.
“I don’t know, that’s not my call to make. All I’m sayin’ is he’s gonna suffer if something doesn’t change,” he said. Alex nodded and decided to be nice about it. He knew Forrest wouldn’t listen to him if he told him to stop, but it wouldn’t hurt Alex to distance himself from him for his own good. He didn’t need him like that.
“Okay.”
“Also,” Greg sighed, “I need you to drive into town later and pick up Isobel from work because I have to get ready for the hunt tonight.”
Alex froze and looked over at him, carefully pulling the coffee away from his lips. Greg was giving him that pleading little smile and Alex hated him for it. This is why he didn’t socialize. They did shit like this.
“So this is a bribery coffee?” he asked. Greg rolled his eyes.
“Please? Your the only guy that I trust around her anyway.”
“Then maybe get her to ask one of her friends? You know, women so she doesn’t have to be picked up from work by some guy she’s met once?” Alex explained. 
Greg gave him that look like he should know that wasn’t an option. Which, granted, it sort of wasn’t. All the women in the town usually got together on the night of the hunt to cook for all the men when they got back. It was all very sexist if Alex was concerned. But, still, Isobel already got judged because she wasn’t from around there. If she asked someone to go out of their way on the night of the hunt, it could make it worse.
“Fine,” he groaned, “But you owe me. That’s like a two hour round trip just to pick up your girlfriend.”
“I’ll pay for your gas and I’ll make sure dad doesn’t come around here for three months,” Greg offered. Alex eyed him.
“Deal.”
-
Alex spent his day compiling fire wood, checking his garden, and making sure the fence around his cabin was secure. His one rule was that, during hunts, if any of the fuckers even tried to enter or shoot around his property, he’d shoot them. They listened, but you could never be too cautious.
He combed and braided his hair before he left, even bothering to get dressed in something that wasn’t dirty. As much as he didn’t care to impress anyone, he also wasn’t too keen on alienating a girl who was already alienated enough. 
She was quiet when he picked her up from her work, saying her thanks and nothing more. He dropped her off and immediately started heading back home. The sun was starting to go down and he knew that as soon as it go dark, idiots would be in the woods. He was trying to avoid getting his tires blown by boys who got spooked by every little sound and mistook his truck for a wolf.
He was none too lucky though, navigating that dirt road that he specifically carved out for his truck as the siren rang throughout the town to signify the beginning of the hunt. He rolled his eyes and kept an eye out for people that were in the woods hunting, not really eager to hit anyone despite the fact that he could hear just how gun crazy they were. 
But then something dark was laying in the middle of the path. Alex slowed to a stop and turned on his brights. He felt all the air leave his lungs as he realized it was a wolf. Big as ever, but not in pieces every other time he’d seen one. Instead, this one was wounded and looking in the lights with scared eyes. 
Against all better judgement, Alex climbed out of his truck and slowly started walking towards it. It was hurt, but it wasn’t dead. Maybe he could help and then he could feel just a little bit better knowing he wasn’t as bad as the rest of his family.
“It’s okay,” he said softly, as he neared the animal. It’s fur was thick and a dark brown, eyes almost too human as they stared him down His stomach swooped in fear, but kept his hands where the animal could see and took slow steps. “I’m not gonna hurt you. I just wanna help, okay?”
The wolf whined, but didn’t bark or growl. Alex tried to remember all the tales of how vicious these creatures were and wondered if maybe, just maybe, they were only vicious because they were treated with venom first.
“Let’s see where you’re hurt, okay?” Alex cooed as he got close, crouching slowly. He held eye contact and slowly reached to pet the wolf’s head, promising that he wasn’t a threat. It didn’t bite his hand off, so that was a plus.
It only took a few seconds to see that there was a bullet graze in it’s front leg which was probably why it was in the middle of a path instead of hiding somewhere. However, it looked like something he could feasibly patch up. Alex frowned as he tried to figure out how the hell he was going to get the animal back to his cabin. Sure, he was strong, but strong enough to pick up a whole ass wolf?
A gunshot rang through the air and the wolf startled, whining and fearful. Alex had never felt so much compassion for anything in his entire life. Never had he ever felt as bad for a human as he did for this wolf. Which is probably what led him to deciding to carry it.
“Give me one second, okay? I’m gonna help. If you wanna bite my arm off, that’s cool too,” Alex said before running back to his truck. He dropped the tailgate and grabbed a blanket from the back seat before heading back to the wolf. “I got you.”
He laid out the blanket as fast as he could and, will a lot of struggling, he managed to get the wolf on it. He didn’t question why it was trusting him so much, he just went with it. His grandmother did always say he had an open soul. He always thought that was bullshit, but maybe he was just open to a different species.
He dragged the blanket with the wolf on it all the way to the back of the truck and winced when another shot echoed through the air. Alex said a few cursed under his breath before looking down at the wolf that was staring up at him, putting it’s life in his hands so willingly.
“This is probably gonna hurt, okay? I’m sorry,” he warned.
Alex gathered the ends of the blanket and wrapped them around his hands, trying to think of it as picking up a heavy log instead of a living being as he lifted it and tried to throw it in the back of the truck as gently as possible. That didn’t stop the pained yap the wolf made when it hit the bed of the truck and Alex instantly gave it another pet.
“I’m sorry,” he said, “Stay put, okay? It’s gonna be okay.”
He closed the tailgate and quickly got back into his truck, driving the rest of the way feeling like he had stepped into a different side of reality. This is why he didn’t go out during hunts. Now he had a stupid wolf to take care of.
When he got to his cabin, he moved fast to get the wolf from the bed of the truck and inside. It’d be safe there as long as no one actually saw him taking it in there. Alex had zero faith in his father to respect his privacy if there was a wolf involved.
“Alright, it’s okay,” Alex cooed, repeating himself over and over as he carefully got the wolf onto the ground. It was a lot easier to do that than it’d been to lift it, so that he was thankful for. 
He dragged the wolf on the blanket all the way through the front door and locked it behind him, letting out a huff of relief. He stood there for a moment to catch his breath as the wolf stared up at him, 
“You trust me, right?” Alex asked rhetorically, but the wolf rolled onto his side and gave him unbridled access to tend to the wound on his leg. Alex tilted his head to the side. “Oh, you really trust me. Guess I gotta make it worth your while, huh? Gimme one second.”
Alex flicked on the lights in the kitchen, not giving a shit if it obscured the men hunting. He was the one that rigged up the generator and he was going to use it regardless. He started searching for his first aid kit, a rag, and then got two separate bowls to fill with water (well water, he couldn’t take credit for that, that was his grandmother’s doing). 
He brought everything back to the wolf and sat on the ground beside him, opening the first aid kid.
“Here’s water if you need it,” Alex said, putting one of the bowls by the wolf’s head, “This might hurt a little... I say to an animal who literally can’t understand me.”
The wolf a soft huff of acknowledgement, ears flicking. Alex smiled and shook his head, scooting a little closer. He tried to be gentle as he looked at the wolf’s bleeding leg, dipping the rag into the other bowl of water to use to wipe it clean.
“It’s just a graze,” he murmured in confirmation, “Took a chunk of flesh, but I think it’s superficial. You’ll be okay.”
Still, he got a little gauze pad and wet it with hydrogen peroxide before cleaning it with that. The wolf let out another whine and Alex gave mindless words of encouragement, trying to move as quickly as possible. After that, he got neosporin and dabbed that over it as well before wrapping it up. He hoped it would be enough. He decided he’d just keep a close eye on it to make sure he would be okay. 
“You can stay here until you feel better,” Alex promised, petting the wolf’s stomach gently. He watched him lap up a bit of water before laying his head back down. “You look tired.”
Tired sounded nicer than in pain because surely that’s what he really felt. Nonetheless, Alex pet him a few more times before getting up to put the first aid kid away and discard the bloody rag and bloody water bowl.
The wolf stayed right there by the entrance of the kitchen on the blanket, watching Alex as he got up to make some semblance of dinner. He hummed to himself and to the wolf as gunshots continued. He didn’t want him to be scared.
He made himself deer sausage and a potato, keeping it plain and simple. On another plate, he put a slab or raw deer meat and went back to sitting on the floor.
“I don’t know if you’re hungry, but here,” Alex said as he placed the plate beside him. The wolf eyed him, but Alex kept to himself as he ate his own food. It seemed to be enough and he eventually started taking small, delicate bites. Alex grinned. “Not very wolf-like.”
The wolf gave a superficial growl and Alex smiled even wider.
They ate in silence for the most part, gunshots dying down as it got darker. Usually, by 10, the wolves were either in hiding or dead and the men retreated back into town. Alex stayed with his wolf until the siren signified the hunt was over at 11PM. 
“Okay, well, I’m gonna go get ready for bed,” Alex told him after cleaning their dishes and double checking the lock on the door, “I’ll leave your water there.”
Alex headed into his room after that, grabbing a pair of sweats, an old sweater, and fresh boxers before he stripped down. He could take a shower in the morning. 
Right as he dropped his pants to the ground, he heard uneven tapping against the wood floors. He looked over his shoulder to see the wolf in all his wounded glory limping his way to be near him.
“Excuse you,” Alex said, feigning modesty. The wolf just gave another soft whine and Alex shook his head with a laugh, pulling on his clean clothes. When he looked back again, the wolf had gotten onto the left side of his bed. “Oh, so now you can walk and jump? You really did just want me to carry you.” Another whine. “Kidding.”
Alex climbed into bed, careful to be mindful of his wounded bed partner. He wasn’t actually used to sharing a bed to actually sleep, but this felt like a valid exception to the rule. He pet the wolf beside him a few times and scratched behind his ear.
“Goodnight.”
-
The next few days went by with ease.
They’d get up early, eat breakfast, tend to the garden, eat lunch, hunt deer, get firewood, eat dinner, go to sleep, repeat. The wolf followed Alex around as much as he could and he got stronger each day. By the third day, he wasn’t even limping anymore.
“I have never seen something heal this fast,” Alex marveled as he cleaned up the wound that was now just a scratch after dinner, “That’s insane.”
He stood once he was done and headed into the kitchen to wash his hands again. It was strange. This was the first time since his grandmother died that he didn’t get annoyed by the constant companionship. Hell, even when she was around, he’d go get lost in the woods for a few hours to be in his own mind. But there was something comforting about having another being that didn’t talk back. There was no annoyance about him, just a presence to remind him that he wasn’t completely alone.
Alex was halfway through putting his hair in a bun when someone knocked on the door. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and the wolf stood in attention. No one had told him they were stopping by.
Still, he made his way to the door with the wolf hot on his heels.
“Go,” he whispered to him, shooing him away, “Go in there.”
It took a few seconds of staring him down, but eventually the wolf went into the living room. Alex closed his eyes and let out a heavy breath, hoping that Greg had kept his word and it wasn’t his father. If his dad found out he was harboring a wolf, well, they had bigger problems.
Alex opened the door and saw Forrest, the man smiling hesitantly.
“Um, hey,” Alex said, “What are you doing here?”
“You didn’t return any of my texts,” he said, “I was kinda worried.”
“You shouldn’t be, you know I don’t look at that thing,” Alex said. Forrest nodded, looking around as if trying to find a reason to stay. “Look, my brother told me about people acting rude towards you because of me. I think it’s best if we stopped.”
Forrest looked taken aback. “They’re rude because I’m gay.”
Alex gave a small smile and shook his head. “No. Well, maybe a little, but Mrs. Sibley wouldn’t refuse service to someone because they’re gay. Not saying she’s the most welcoming person in the world, but she takes her money very seriously. It’s because you’ve mentioned me to people.”
He bowed his head for a moment, thinking about it. Alex expected him to leave, but instead he just looked back up at him and shrugged.
“Fuck ‘em.”
“No,” Alex said, “No, I’m not about to be responsible for you.”
“Then I’ll say we broke up.”
“We aren’t dating.”
“Yeah, but clearly they think we are,” Forrest said, shaking his head, “Look, I don’t give a shit what we are. You’re the only guy in this town that is both not straight and not conformed to this town’s bullshit agenda. Can’t I fuck at least one person that isn’t a Republican?”
Alex snorted a laugh and felt himself caving. He did like having Forrest at his beck and call for the same reason that Forrest clearly liked having him. They were two of the only sane people.
“Fine,” Alex said, looking him up and down, “But you still came back here awfully soon.”
“What can I say? The hunt always makes me hate everyone around there a little more,” Forrest explain. Alex took that as a perfectly valid answer.
He pulled Forrest into his house and into a kiss, slamming the door behind him. Forrest grinned easily, wrapping his arms around his torso and pulling him in tight. Alex could feel how toned he was through his shirt which, honestly, he loved. Alex did yoga and lifted heavy shit, but he wasn’t all sculpted with abs and stuff. Forrest, on the other hand, was.
Their make-out was interrupted by a loud bark. Forrest nearly jumped out of his skin and Alex instantly looked over his shoulder to where the wolf was all but glaring at them.
He was growling low as he slowly stalked forward. Alex couldn’t be fucked to find it intimidating.
“Really? Relax,” Alex told the wolf. He just growled right back. Forrest hid behind him shamelessly.
“Since when did you get a fucking dog?” he asked. Alex didn’t really have an answer, so he just shrugged and then walked closer. He knelt down in front of the wolf despite his anger and looked him in his all too human eyes.
“Go to bed,” he said. The wolf’s angry demeanor dropped in favor of something close to a pout, a mournful whine coming from him. “Go.”
He slowly walked away, head bowed and tail all but tucked between his legs. Alex huffed and stood back up, turning to Forrest who seemed very confused still.
“What the hell was that?” he asked. Alex just shrugged and walked closer. He didn’t want to explain himself and he wasn’t about to. Forrest didn’t question him as he pulled him back into a kiss and started pulling him to the couch.
Alex tried, he really did, but it was hard to enjoy having sex when there was a wolf dramatically walking through the house and whining for attention. They got as far as Alex being shirtless and on his back on the couch and Forrest kissing down his chest to go down on him when they had to stop because the fucking wolf was just watching them like a disappointed parent who whined louder and louder by the second.
“Go to bed!” Alex told him. He just laid down on the floor right there as if that’s what Alex meant. “Oh my God,” he groaned, throwing his head back. Forrest chuckled against his stomach before sitting up.
“This is what you get for getting a dog.”
“Well, if I knew getting cock-blocked was a side effect of a pet, then I’d never have signed up.”
Forrest gave a small laugh and they both sat up, accepting that there was no way to continue without feeling awkward as hell. The wolf seemed awfully proud of himself.
“Why did you get a dog, anyway? I thought you said you weren’t lonely,” Forrest said.
“I’m not. And I didn’t really want him. I found him and he was hurt, so I’m letting him stay until he’s healed,” Alex explained. Forrest gave a teasing smile.
“You helped something in need? Aw, who knew you had it in you.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Alex laughed, reclining back against the couch, “I guess you can go now since we’re clearly not allowed to do anything.”
“Seriously?” Forrest asked. Alex just raised an eyebrow. He sighed, but clearly wasn’t too shocked. He probably would’ve been more shocked if Alex actually condoned in letting him stick around if they weren’t going to hook up. “Alright then.”
Alex walked him back to the door and they shared a kiss before Alex locked up after him. He glared at the wolf when he walked back into the living room, shaking his head.
“Can’t believe I’m just letting you tell me what to do in my own home,” Alex scolded as he dropped back on the couch. The wolf got up and came over, jumping up onto the couch and licked at his face. Alex tried to lean away, but the slobbery kisses kept on. “Haha, very funny.”
The licks stopped, but the wolf laid heavily on him. Alex just accepted it and relaxed into the couch, stroking his soft fur. Was it bad if he didn’t mind this over sleeping with Forrest? 
“Lets go to bed, I guess,” Alex sighed eventually, giving him one last scratch before they both got down from the couch.
It felt standard now to walk to his bedroom and change and get comfortable in bed with a huge ass wolf. He’d only been doing it for a few nights and yet it was like he couldn’t remember not being this way. He was almost sad at the prospect of sleeping alone again.
“You’re almost all healed,” Alex whispered into the darkness but he trusted the wolf understood every word. He stared at him with conviction like he always did and Alex no longer assumed he didn’t hear him. He did. “Are you gonna run off tomorrow?”
The wolf blinked once and then shifted closer, nudging his nose against Alex’s chin and laying his head on his chest. Alex huffed a laugh and shamelessly buried his face in his fur. 
“I’ll take that as I’ll at least see you around.”
-
Alex woke up the next morning, not to fur, but to skin.
When he opened his eyes, he was face to face with a man. Alex immediately jumped up and scrambled out of bed, his heart thudding in his chest. The man in his bed sat up, unabashedly naked as he sat criss-cross and blinked up at Alex. He tilted his head to the side in that distinctly animalistic way that made Alex’s heart stop.
“What the fuck?” Alex asked, raking his hands through his hair as he tried to make sense of this, “What the fuck?”
“I’m all healed now, see?” the man said, pointing to the faintest little scar on his arm. Alex’s mouth went dry at the confirmation. What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck.
“I-what? Oh my God, cover up, I can’t fucking think,” Alex said and the man just smiled at him, doing as he said. He had curly hair that almost reached his shoulders and stubble dotting his cheeks along with a hairy chest. His shoulders were broad and so was his smile, his skin tan in a way that complimented his muscles. He was hot. But he wasn’t fucking human. “I’m so confused.”
“Why?” he asked. Alex scoffed, eyes nearly bulging out of his head.
“What do you mean why? I went to sleep with a wolf in my bed and woke up to a fucking man,” Alex pointed out. He blinked innocently, those eyes identical to the ones he’d seen in the wolf. It was only more confirmation.
“You like men.”
“And I liked your smartass comments better when I couldn’t hear them,” he said. Again he just blinked and tilted his head. Alex rubbed his hands over his face. “I just... I know the legend, but... really? Is this really a thing? What the fuck?”
“I... I don’t know what you want me to say,” he said. Alex took a deep breath, trying to focus on his thoughts so he could ask the right questions. When he did, though, they came out all at once.
“How do you speak English so well? Why did you wait so long to show me that you’re human? Why did you show me at all? Are you human? What’s your name? How old are you? What the fuck?” Alex rambled. The not-wolf stared at him with wide, overwhelmed eyes. “Fuck.”
“I... I...” he stuttered out, furrowing his eyebrows, “You usually say less words.”
“Yeah, well, I usually don’t get confirmation of fucking mythical creatures,” Alex snapped. The not-wolf’s face slowly got more and more concerned, not longer any trace of that big smile. In fact, he looked scared. Alex sighed and rubbed his hands over his face again. He’d told that wolf four days ago that he was safe here and he meant it. Even if that meant he had just quickly adjust to this. “I’m sorry for freaking out. Look, just... I’ll lend you some clothes and then you can explain everything to me while we make breakfast. Okay?”
“Okay,” he agreed, nodding his head as he stood to his feet with complete disregard of his nudity. He stumbled a little as he did so, catching himself on the wall and laughing a little. “These feet are weird.”
“Yeah,” Alex breathed, looking away and hoping he had clothes that would fit him. He picked out the baggiest sweater and baggiest pair of sweats he owned, turning to give the pair to him. He took them with welcome hands.
Alex watched as he fumbled with them, sitting the sweats on the bed as he decided to focus on the sweater first. He twisted it and unfolded it, flipping it around in his hands a few times before finding the large opening at the bottom. He looked up at Alex for confirmation that he was doing it right. All it told Alex was that he was basically dealing with a fresh goddamn human.
He stuck his hands inside, stretching and moving wildly as he tried to make it work. Alex smiled at the childish nature of it and moved forward, helping him get his arms through the sleeves and his head through the collar. He flashed a smile when they made eye contact. 
“Can you get the pants or do you need help with that too?”
“I got it. You did it so many times.”
“Great, glad to know I could teach you something,” Alex huffed, shaking his head with a little laugh. Still, the not-wolf had to sit on the bed and focus harder than normal to get his legs through the pants. “Does your hand-eye coordination improve the longer you’re human or am I going to have to teach you how to function?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Like, do you get better at doing things?”
“Oh. Yes.”
“Got it.”
They made their way into the kitchen and the not-wolf stood too close to him, lingering over his shoulder as if his wolf boundaries were still acceptable in human form. They weren’t though, not really, and Alex shoved him away.
“Give me space,” he instructed. He agreed, moving a few feet away before eventually deciding to sit on the floor by his water bowl that was probably not helpful anymore. “Now, give me answers.”
Within the 15 minutes it took to cook eggs and deer sausage, Alex got the run down of all things mythical. He learned that it was extremely difficult to shift when they were hurt, meaning he couldn’t have let Alex know earlier if he tried (but they healed faster in wolf form anyway so it was pointless). He also learned that he spent most of his time as a wolf, but usually became human during hunts because his elders had taught him that was what he should do. That was how his English had gotten as good as it had.
“Wait, so why were you a wolf during this last hunt? What happened?” Alex asked. He shifted awkwardly, pulling on the sleeves of the sweater as he tried to find his words.
“Days are different out there, it’s hard to know exactly when the hunt will be. Usually, my sister comes to get me and gives me a place to go, but this time she didn’t. I-I don’t know why,” he said. Alex furrowed his eyebrows as he looked over at him.
“Your sister?”
“Yes. She spends most of her time human, she doesn’t like being outside like that.”
“Because of the hunt?”
“No,” he said, but then he paused for a moment, “Yes. I don’t know. It’s strange. She wants to be normal, so she goes. I like being that.”
“I get it,” Alex said easily. He dispersed the food onto two plates and walked over to him, sitting down on the floor with him. He handed him the plate and a fork, but he simply put the fork on the ground and used his hands. “So, do you have a name? Or do you spend so much time as a wolf that you don’t have one?”
“No, I have one,” he said, picking up a small section of scrambled egg with all five of his fingers. Alex smiled as he shoved it in his mouth in the messiest way possible. “It’s Michael.”
“Michael,” Alex repeated, “I’m Alex.”
“Alex,” he said, nodding his head as he shoved more egg into his mouth, “I never had this food, Alex, it’s good.”
“Yeah, you’re welcome.”
They ate in silence for a little while longer, Alex finding amusement in watching him make a mess and then eventually having to show him how to wash his hands. Instead of a morning workout or going immediately to his garden, they sat down on the couch to talk more. Michael sat too close, too eager to lay on him like he did when he was a wolf.
“Okay, you can’t do that,” Alex told him, pushing him away until they were firmly on other sides of the couch, “I don’t like that.”
“Like what?”
“The whole unnecessary touch thing.”
“That man that was here before did that,” Michael pointed out. Alex opened his mouth to explain, but then he realized that Michael had caused that whole scene and knew exactly what he was doing.
“Yeah, and you ran him off. Why would you do that?” Alex asked. Michael had no shame as he looked at him.
“Not fair.”
“What’s not fair?”
“He got all the petting and he was only here for a few minutes. I got none for that whole time,” Michael explained like it was obvious. Alex scoffed, but couldn’t help but laugh.
“You aren’t entitled to my attention, you know that right? I can pet whoever I want,” Alex said. Michael just shrugged, twisting to sit with his back against the arm of the couch and his legs criss-cross again. “But I was trying to have a sex and I think you knew that.”
Michael gave a guilty smile.
“What the fuck?” Alex said, giving another little laugh, “You’re such an ass.”
Michael laughed, so open and free that Alex nearly felt guilty for being cynical. But, still, this wasn’t a completely understood situation.
“So, what’s the plan? ‘Cause you can’t stay with me forever,” Alex told him. Michael pulled his leg up, resting his chin on his knee and giving him those sad puppy eyes that worked just as well as they did when he was an actual dog. “Oh no, you’re not guilting me into letting you stay here.”
“But I’m hurt.”
“You said it yourself, you’re all healed,” Alex pointed out. Slowly, that bottom lip popped out in a pout and Alex had to fight a smile. 
“But we’re friends.”
“Friends don’t cock-block each other.”
Still, that pout was still there. Alex shook his head, trying to hide his laugh before he got up. He was just going to have to think about this more. He felt bad just throwing him back out when he knew that his family was trigger happy, but he didn’t like the idea of having a whole ass person in his house. Maybe they could compromise. 
“Look, I’m gonna go take a shower, can I trust you to stay put?” Alex asked. Michael nodded. “Good.”
The rest of the day somehow carried on like normal. Michael sat on the bed like he always did to watch Alex braid his hair, staring like it was the most interesting thing in the world. They went to work on the garden together, this time with Michael working on his hand-eye coordination by trying to help. It was the same as they went to cut fire wood. Turns out there was a bonus to having someone around with werewolf strength--the dude could basically carry a whole ass tree.
For some reason, Alex didn’t hate it. He didn’t hate having him tag along and he didn’t hate having to explain things to him. He felt more patient than ever and that in itself was wild. He didn’t like people. But, then again, Michael wasn’t quite people.
“You need to go take a shower,” Alex told him that night. Michael just stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “Don’t look at me like that. If you’re gonna stay in human form, you have to act like one.”
With a little bit of persuasion, Alex showed him how the shower worked and what soap to use on his hair and what soap to use on his body. Alex waited outside of the bathroom for about five minutes until a large crash happened and not-so-manly whining followed it.
“What did you do?” Alex asked.
“My eyes,” Michael whined. Alex sighed and asked for permission to help him. It was granted without hesitation.
He walked into the tiny bathroom and pulled back the shower curtain, seeing him holding his palms to his eyes and yet barely any soap in his hair. Alex grabbed a rag and peeled his hands away from his eyes, holding his chin as he dabbed over his closed eyes.
“Now blink a lot,” Alex told him. He did as he was told for about a solid minute until it didn’t hurt as bad.
Alex decided to stay and showed him how to wash his hair, massaging his scalp and smiling at the way he seemed to purr at the sensation. He helped him rinse it out before deciding he could wash his body on his own. He left him with a warning that he needed to be completely dry with the towel before he came out. The instructions worked well enough despite Alex ending up drying his hair for him.
“So, I don’t know if you plan to stay human, but if you do, we can go to a thrift shop and get you some clothes of your own,” Alex offered as he gave him another pair of clothing. He would have to do laundry soon which was always a pain in the ass.
“I’d like to stay human for a little while,” Michael said, putting on the sweater with a little less trouble this time. 
“I thought you said you liked being a wolf.”
“Yes,” Michael said, “But I like being with you.”
Alex ignored the way his stomach clenched and he just made his way towards the bedside table, grabbing his brush before undoing his braid. He didn’t mind Michael, but the fact that he didn’t mind him was scary. It was scarier to know that Michael wanted to stay human to be around him. What exactly did that mean? Nothing, right? They hadn’t known each other long enough to be more than nothing.
The bed creaked as Michael crawled onto it and Alex eyed him.
“What are you doing? You’re sleeping on the couch,” Alex said. Michael made a wounded noise, looking up to him like Alex had just told him his dog died. “I told you. If you’re human, you have to act like it. Humans don’t share beds with strangers.”
Michael didn’t move, looking up at Alex like he was genuinely, deeply hurt by the idea that, not only could they not share a bed, but that he was a stranger. Alex held up his end for a total of thirty seconds before he caved. What the hell was this wolf-man doing to him? Since when was he this fucking nice?
“Fine,” Alex groaned. Michael instantly fell into bed and curled into the blankets, smiling all proud of himself. Alex shook his head, finishing brushing his hair before he climbed into bed too. 
Like the night before, only much different, Michael nuzzled his face under Alex’s chin. He snuggled close like that was okay and shifting and itching as he tried to get comfortable in not only his new skin, but new clothes. Alex thought about pointing out that unnecessary touching thing again, but he smelled good and he wasn’t actually that bothered. He didn’t instigate it by touching him more, but he definitely didn’t push him away.
“Alex?” he whispered, voice soft like it was a secret.
“What?” Alex whispered right back.
Michael didn’t give a verbal response, simply pressed in closer and pulled the blanket up to Alex’s chin which meant it was basically over his head. It had Alex wondering if he got cold without all the extra fur. Regardless, he still didn’t touch him.
But he’d be lying if he said he didn’t like it.
-
A week went by and it turns out living with a half-man, half-wolf wasn’t that bad.
Michael was actually quiet for the most part and he adjusted to human-living quite well. He picked up on how to make coffee very fast. He took showers regularly and wore clothes and helped in the garden. He was an effective hunting partner and wasn’t grossed out by the process of skinning the deer. He was still working on the boundaries part, but, hey, he was trying and Alex appreciated it. It had to be confusing to rationalize that it was okay to touch while they were in bed, but not when they weren’t unless he was a wolf.
It was all easy until they had to go into town to get him clothes and to refill gas cans.
“I don’t like stores.”
“Neither do I.”
“I hate them.”
“So do I.”
“Then why did we go?”
Alex sighed and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He hated going into public, he always had, and after moving into the woods, he hated it more. He hated talking to people and he hated the way the town looked at him and he hated having to perform social niceties that, to him, didn’t feel very nice. However, he hadn’t quite acknowledged that Michael had been even more isolated from it all. 
They’d been in the thrift store for a total of about thirty minutes and just barely made it to that point. People were staring and whispering and avoiding them like the plague, judging them openly. Alex was used to that. Michael, on the other hand, was not and he nearly had a breakdown in the middle of the store after four people deliberately speed-walked away from him and one lady loudly asked her friend why they thought it was okay to come during peak business hours. He couldn’t quite wrap his head around people not liking him on principal and it made him uncomfortable and, well, a wolf never really had to learn to contain emotions. So Alex sent him to the truck while he paid.
When he got to the truck, Michael was curled in a ball with his hands clasped over the back of his head.
“Look, I’m sorry, I should’ve warned you,” Alex said softly. He knew that the people who chose to be around him suffered consequences with the exception of his brothers and his father. And even then the only reason they didn’t was because they ran the fucking town. Alex was an outlier and everyone suspected he was one of them and that his father had sent him to the woods for that reason. The worst part was that Michael actually was.
“Can we go home now?” he asked, voice small as he stayed in the ball. Guilt filled Alex’s system and, for the first time since he was human, he reached out and initiated touch. He stroked his hair and then squeezed his shoulder, trying to comfort him.
“One more stop, but you can stay in the car for that, is that okay?”
Michael nodded.
Alex drove to the gas station while keeping one hand on Michael, hoping that that would be stabilizing enough. He left Michael in the car with a soft ‘I’ll be right back’ and went to go pay for his gas. He grabbed a coffee and sour candy while he was inside, deciding to give Michael some sort of prize for surviving a day amongst the humans of Roswell along with something to ground him, before heading to the counter.
“$50 on pump 7?” the cashier said without even looking up at him. Alex appreciated her lack of conversation mixed with the lack of judgement. She had the same distaste towards him as she did everyone else and she always had. Which is why this was the only gas station he went to.
“Yeah,” Alex answered, fishing out his wallet. There was something slightly annoying that all of his money still technically came from his father and brothers. Sure, they were buying meat off him for not only themselves, but for the big dinners on the night of the hunt, so it wasn’t like it was a handout. But still.
“Alex?” a familiar voice asked. Alex looked up to see his brother, Greg, walking inside. “Hey, I was just on my way out to your place.”
Alex gave a small shrug as he turned to him, coffee and candy in hand. He would never admit that he was a little scared that, if Greg saw Michael, he would know. They’d all been taught from a young age to question anyone who wasn’t from around there and, even if they were, to keep watch of all their differences. Greg was a little different and had been dating a girl who wasn’t from around there, but it still made him wary to let him follow him back to the truck.
“Need meat? Or just need a little brotherly companionship?” Alex asked. Greg huffed a laugh and rolled his eyes.
“Meat,” he said, “I told you, I’d keep dad from comin’ around there. I keep my word.”
“Right,” Alex sighed. He was thankful that he didn’t have to see his father, but, fuck, he didn’t want him meeting Michael. Not one bit. Especially not when Michael was having a bad time. He would like all of his brothers to not see him be nice to anyone. 
“Isobel’s with me,” Greg told him and then eyed him for a moment before looking towards the cashier and then looking back, “And I also noticed there’s a guy in your truck.” So much for keeping that to himself.
“Yeah,” Alex said simply, shrugging his shoulder. He could play it off.
“Moved on from Forrest already?”
“You’re the one who told me to leave him be,” Alex pointed out though he didn’t say that he’d sort of forgotten about Forrest over the last week. He’d sort of been distracted.
“Yeah, I did,” Greg said, nodding slowly. This was certifiably one of the weirdest conversations they’d ever had. That was saying something. “You usually don’t listen.”
“What can I say? We both have a thing for strangers, don’t we?” Alex said. Greg huffed a small laugh.
“I’ll see you at your cabin in a bit,” he said, clasping a hand on his shoulder as he walked past him.
Alex went to his truck, opening the driver’s seat and prodding Michael in his thigh with his middle finger. He peeked up at him through his curls and over his knees, eyes wide and cautious and obscenely gorgeous. Alex held out the coffee and the candy.
“Eat that, it’ll help you feel better,” Alex instructed. Michael nodded and grabbed the items with slightly shaky hands. 
As frustrating as it was to see Michael so distraught over a few rude people, there was also something fascinatingly pure about it. Hell, there was something fascinatingly pure about nearly everything this non-quite-man did. It had Alex’s mind filling with new questions each day. Was he born this way or had he been changed? Was he raised as a wolf? Was he given the option? Had he been in these woods with Alex their entire lives and somehow never crossed paths? 
Alex filled the gas cans in the back of his truck as quickly as possible, climbing back in once he was done and heading home. He was exhausted already and it was hardly noon. He rightfully blamed Michael.
“You good now?” he asked after they’d been shrouded by the trees on the path to the cabin for a good fifteen minutes. Michael had lifted his head entirely, sucking on the sour candy that made him make disgusted faces, but he kept on because Alex had told him to. He’d follow it up by taking sips of the coffee that caused an even more distressed face from the clashing tastes, but he persisted nonetheless. “‘Cause my brother is coming over and I need you to feel like a real person.”
“I am real,” Michael answered.
“Yeah, you can’t talk like that.”
“I…” Michael started, but he stopped himself and shifted, “Alright.”
When they pulled up to the cabin, Michael grabbed the bag of clothes they’d gotten, his trash, and went to help with the gas cans. Alex rationalized that that was a big reason why he didn’t mind having Michael around. He pulled his weight.
“Do you feel better?” Alex asked as they got settled in the outside area, filling a bag with frozen deer meat for Greg.
“Yes,” Michael said, but his eyes were still a little distanced. It only took a few seconds before he added, “But do you mind if I shift?”
Alex blinked in surprise, but he quickly shoved that away. “Yeah, of course, do whatever you need.”
Michael nodded and started heading inside to go do just that. Alex almost stopped him to wait until after Greg got here and left, but he figured he could say he dropped him off before coming home. Alex did have a lot of questions, more pooling in his mind that he supposed he could wait until he wanted to shift back. Maybe them healing faster in wolf form applied to emotional wounds as well.
A few minutes later, someone‒Greg‒knocked on the door. Alex brought the bag of deer meat into the house with him as he went to go open the door. Michael was nowhere to be seen.
“Oh, you really want me to leave as soon as I got here, don’t you?” Greg asked as Alex immediately handed the bag to him. He shrugged a dismissive shoulder. “You remember Isobel, right?”
Alex looked over towards the tall blonde that stood behind him. Her makeup was faint and her hair was down and her clothes were plain. It almost made Alex feel bad. When Greg had first met her, he’d excitedly showed Alex pictures of her since he was the only one he could go to about a girl who was from out of town. She looked lively and always dressed to the nines in every picture, regardless of how mundane the situation. That town had successfully forced her to conform. 
“Yeah,” Alex said, “I picked her up from work that day.”
“Yeah, I know, but you’re, well, Alex,” Greg said. He didn’t need to elaborate for Alex to get what he meant by that.
They barely had a second of silence pass between them before Isobel’s face suddenly lit up, looking much more like those pictures. Alex looked behind him at that and saw that Michael, fully wolfed-up, had made himself known. Alex stepped to the side and she took that as her invitation to go pet him.
Except it seemed a little more than that. Isobel dropped to her knees and Michael immediately jumped all over her, licking her face as she hugged him and pet him. Alex couldn’t help but feel extremely confused by that.
Clearly, so was Greg because he felt the need to say, “She really likes dogs.”
“I see that,” Alex noted. The two of them sat there on the ground even as Michael calmed down, just hugging each other. For a moment, Alex recalled Michael saying his sister much preferred living as a human. Was it possible that she… No. No, that’d be crazy.
“When, uh, when did you get a dog?” Greg asked, a little too much emphasis on the word ‘dog’. Alex licked his lips as he watched the two of them. Isobel seemed to be whispered into Michael’s fur, slowly but surely convincing him that maybe she was that sister he spoke about.
“He was hurt, took ‘em in,” Alex explained. Greg just nodded in a kind of stilted way. Alex looked between Isobel and Greg a few times, slowly but surely milling things over in his mind. Did Greg know? Was he also just harbouring one of them?
Oh, what would Daddy Manes say if he knew what his boys were up to?
“Iz,” Greg said after a moment, clearing his throat, “We gotta get back for dinner with my dad.”
Isobel looked over at him with sort of a neutral expression before she nodded. She kissed Michael’s fur and scratched behind his ear and he gave a little whine when she pulled away. Alex stared at her pretty intently as she stood back up and looked at him. She gave him a small smile.
“He’s a very nice dog,” Isobel said. Alex nodded.
“Yeah,” he agreed. They stared at each other for a while, longer than what Alex was taught was socially acceptable. Neither of them cared.
Greg cleared his throat.
“We’ll see you later, Alex,” Greg said, giving him a goodbye nod. Isobel reached for his hand and he took it, leading the way as they headed to his truck. Alex closed the door behind them and turned to the wolf that seemed to continue to take over his life.
“Was that your sister?” Alex asked him. Michael just stared up at him, his animalistic features making it difficult to receive confirmation. “Okay. Lunch?”
Michael stayed close, disregarding the boundaries they’d established when he was in human form. Honestly, Alex didn’t really mind. It was strange, but he was infinitely more comfortable with the wolf version of him snuggling up to his side, laying at his feet, rubbing up against him for pets than he was with the human man that breathed too heavy and still put his clothes on backwards.
After lunch, with not much to do, Alex laid on the couch and grabbed a book. Michael, in all his fluffy glory, sprawled across him. He got through maybe a chapter before the not-quite-wolf captured his attention. It was easy to just wrap his arms around him and hide his face in his fur. It was easy to focus on his steady breathing and the way he cuddled close despite his lack of human grip. Which, honestly, was what made it easy. People left and judged and spoke. Animals… There seemed to be an unspoken dedication that Alex could appreciate.
He could remember the last time he took a nap in the middle of the day before that.
-
Forrest: heard you got a new man. Feel like I shouldn't be surprised.
Alex rolled his eyes, throwing his phone back on the bed and grabbed his brush. Michael watched him with those intense eyes like always and still said nothing. Alex got to work braiding his hair.
It had taken a few days, but eventually Michael was ready to be human again. Alex woke up that morning with him snoring and naked, body cold from the lack of fur and basically burying himself into Alex to chase heat. It was clingy and annoying and so fucking hot that Alex wanted to kick him out. But he didn’t.
“More buzzing,” Michael noted as Forrest texted him again.
“Ignore it.”
“Okay.”
Alex pulled the braid over his shoulder to finish it, noticing it had reached his nipples now. A childish thought of how he could finally be a mermaid passed through his brain and he couldn’t help but smile. It was weird to think of how many years he’d wanted to be anything but himself and now he happened to befriend someone who had that choice.
“Hey, can I ask you something?” Alex asked as he thought about it, turning to Michael who was eager to give an answer, “Were you always like this? Like, able to shift? Or is, like, the legend a thing and you can be turned?”
Michael paused for a moment, thinking relatively hard as he tried to find the right words. Alex let him as he tied off the end of the braid. He sat back on the bed and Michael, the king of needing physical touch, made sure their thighs were touching. Alex didn’t mind.
“Both is true. I was born like this. My parents were both this,” Michael said, “But they died. Or left. Or something. I’m not sure.”
“What do you mean you’re not sure?”
Michael shrugged. “I don’t remember. They were gone when I was a baby. I was by myself a lot.” 
Alex felt an uncharacteristic pang of empathy and he reached out, rubbing his arm slightly.
“I’m sorry to hear that. That must’ve been scary.”
“A little. I got good at hiding during hunts and stuff and a few people fed me when they didn’t realize I was a wolf because I was small. But one of the elders, Aliya, she found me and took care of me. She taught me to go human during hunts for safety. She died too,” Michael said. He seemed very flippant about that word, like so many people he’d loved died. And most of them were probably at the hand of Alex’s family. Wasn’t that just horrifying?
“What about your sister‒that’s Isobel, right?” Alex clarified. Michael stared at him for a minute, almost like he was scared to confirm it. Alex just squeezed his bicep in comfort. (It was obscenely muscular and almost ruined the mood, but Alex was adult enough to cover that up.)
“She… Don’t tell her I said so,” Michael said quickly. Alex nodded. “Yes. But she isn’t my real sister, we just…”
“Take care of each other?” Alex filled in. Michael nodded in agreement. It had Alex wondering a little bit what had stopped her from going to get him on the night of the hunt. Maybe it had to do with Greg, but even that felt weird. The whole thing was weird. “I get that.”
“Humans can become like us, though,” Michael said, changing the subject. Alex didn’t mind. Whatever was going on with her really wasn’t his business. “We can bite right here.” Michael reached up and pressed his fingers to Alex’s neck.
“Just right there?”
“Yes, I think,” he said, nodding, “But it’s scary. You can die if it’s wrong.”
“Have you ever done it?” Alex asked, his hand moving from his arm to tuck a few loose curls behind his ear. Michael kept that intense look. 
“No, never,” he insisted, “I don’t think it’s good.”
“Not even if I asked?” Alex said. Michael’s eyes seemed to widen just a little bit more, trying to register his words as Alex continued to fiddle with the ends of his hair. He wasn’t quite sure what he was doing. “Kidding.”
Michael swallowed harshly and stared, leaning a bit closer. Alex wasn’t sure if he should move or not. But Michael didn’t cross any boundaries‒or, not really‒and instead did that thing he did when he wasn’t human. He nudged his nose into Alex’s cheek and then buried his face in the crook of his neck.
Alex leaned back against the pillows and moved his hand to the back of his head, letting him lay there for a moment. Michael had gotten dressed more for a desire to be warm than a desire to be clothed, so Alex wasn’t surprised when he moved his hand up and put it over Alex’s collarbone. His fingers slipped beneath his shirt. Alex still had no desire to push him away.
“Did you ever think about being human and moving into the town?” Alex asked, gently scratching his nails against his scalp.
“When Izzy did. I didn’t wanna be alone,” he whispered. 
“What stopped you?”
“I found Max,” Michael said. That was the first time he ever mentioned someone named Max. Alex didn’t know what to say to that, so he just kept scratching his head and waited. “He’s my brother.”
“Where’s he?”
“I got hurt,” Michael told him, voice softer than before. Alex wrapped his other arm around him. “I’m not sure where he is. We got split up and you found me, so he’s probably out there.”
“Do you miss him?” Michael nodded. It was the first time that Alex considered that Michael might actually leave for real. Why was that so much scarier than him staying? “Do you want to go back into the woods?”
“I want to find him,” Michael said instead, “So he knows I’m okay.”
Alex dragged his thumb over Michael’s jaw, staring up at where the wall met the ceiling. His great grandfather on his mother’s side had built this little cabin back in the late 40s when the Manes had changed the status quo from killing wolves for protection to killing wolves for glory, moving out into the woods to make a statement that it wasn’t dangerous. His great grandma and his grandma had lived in the town for awhile after that, though, and his grandma only moved out here after she’d had two kids and her husband died. 
Alex’s mother had been raised in this tiny cabin with her brother and her mother, fully living off the land like it should’ve been. To this day, he still never understood how exactly his mother met his father and why she liked him enough to have four children with him. It felt like a disconnect. Why would she choose that over this?
But it didn’t matter. This cabin, small and quaint as it was, was a statement of rebellion and family and change. Who would Alex be if he tried to make Michael stay? Even if he wanted him to?
“You can go, if you want.”
Michael sucked in a deep breath and nuzzled in a little closer. 
“And I could come back?”
“Always.”
They fell silent like they usually did, soft touches still being given. They didn’t really need to discuss the logistics. He would probably leave and he would probably come back. Alex had been alone for a long time before‒he liked being alone‒it wasn’t some dramatic thing. This was just a wolf person he’d housed for the last three weeks. It wouldn’t be a drastic change.
It was only when Michael tilted his head and pressed a kiss to the side of his neck that Alex realized he was beyond fucked.
-
“Stop talking.”
“Then you talk. C’mon, tell me how good I‒”
Alex coved Forrest’s mouth with his hand, chasing his release with each thrust of his hips and trying to get the man under him to stop fucking ruining it. 
It was perhaps Alex’s own fault, though. Michael had left to go find his brother four days prior and Alex, for the first time ever, felt lonely. It was weird sleeping alone and it was weird gardening alone and it was weird eating alone. He missed the annoying heavy breathing and the too much touching. Staring at the unused pile of clothes felt like they were taunting him. So he called Forrest up. It was dumb of Alex to think it was a valid replacement.
The man was still a little burned by Alex “moving on” and felt the need to show that by attempting to be bossy. It had Alex wondering how he even dealt with him in the first place. He liked the silence that came with living with a literal wolf much more than the ramblings of a man who claimed to be an animal in bed.
“Fuck,” Alex grunted as he finished, catching his breath for a second before pulling out and rolling onto the other side of the couch. Forrest seemed to be silenced by his own climax which, honestly, was a blessing.
A blessing that didn’t last nearly long enough.
“So, why’d you call? New guy not doing it for you?” Forrest asked. Alex rolled his eyes and groaned, wanting for him to just shut the fuck up for a few minutes. Forrest kicked his leg to get him to answer. 
“Why do you care? I made it clear we aren’t a thing,” Alex said.
“Yeah, but I at least deserve to know who else you’re fucking for my own safety. Like, when’s the last time you’ve been tested?”
“I’m not fucking anyone else,” Alex huffed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “And I got tested, like, last month. Which, again, haven’t fucked anyone else.”
“Well, then who’s that guy everyone saw you with? You know shit spreads fast in that town when it involves a Manes,” Forrest told him. Alex closed his eyes. “You’re known whether you want to be or not.”
“Oh my God, will you fuck off?” Alex asked, pushing himself to his feet, “It’s none of your business, nor is it anyone else’s. I’m out here for a reason.”
“Which I still don’t get. You’re a Manes, your family runs this town. Why aren’t you basking in that?” Forrest asked. Alex walked to the kitchen and grabbed a towel, wiping himself down and trying not to be irritated.
“Why would I want to? I fucking hate it,” Alex said, “The only reason I hooked up with you in the first place was because I thought you got that.”
“And I do, on some level. I don’t wanna be associated with my family either. But the difference is my family is a bunch of annoying bigots, your family runs a town.”
“A town full of idiotic, cold-hearted people who thrive off the glory of murdering innocent animals for generations,” Alex scoffed, “And you think I want that tacked onto my name?”
“No one fucks with you because of your name, Alex.”
“No, no one fucks with me because they think I’m some fucking creature of the night.”
“And you do nothing to dispute that, by the way.”
“Because I don’t give a shit! Let them think what they want.”
“Sometimes I think your dad was right,” Forrest said, his words making Alex freeze in place. He looked up slowly, seeing Forrest just standing there completely naked and with none of the charm that Michael’s nudity had. The power those words held, the ‘your dad was right’, hit Alex square in the chest. He hated it.
“What did you just say to me?” Alex asked. Forrest shifted under his gaze, his angry stance swaying just a little bit with the fear that came with being stared down by a man with the last name Manes. Alex felt he was the least scary of them all, but that didn’t mean he didn’t know what he was capable of. 
“After I first met you, your dad cornered me and told me to tell him if there was anything sketchy about you and he’d make sure I was safe in town. And there is something sketchy about you. This, this whole isolation thing and your weird indiviuality complex is fucking weird. You do know humans are social creatures, right? We’re supposed to feel more comfort being close, not being separated. Sometimes I think maybe you really are what the rumors say,” Forrest said. 
“So you were hooking up with me because my father told you to?” Alex clarified slowly, his body filling with anger and something akin to betrayal. It wasn’t like he’d ever really put anything into a relationship with Forrest, but, fuck, he did think they were at least friends on some level.
“No,” Forrest said quickly, shaking his head, “No, that was my choice. He just… took advantage of that. But still.”
“No, what the fuck have you told my dad?” Alex scoffed.
“I told him you self isolate and that’s probably a mental issue,” Forrest said, having the audacity to sound like he cared, “That isn’t normal, Alex.”
“Fuck you,” he said, shaking his head, “Seriously, fuck you. Why would I want to be normal? Why can’t I just do what I want? Why the fuck do you buy into bullshit standards that are set for us? You even said it yourself, everyone in that fucking town conforms to the same bullshit ideology. Why are you buying it?”
“I like you, Alex,” Forrest said softly, “But I’m worried about you. So’s your dad.”
“Oh my God,” Alex breathed, a small hysterical bout of laughter raking through his system. He felt so stupid. So stupid for thinking that someone else, someone human, would get it. “Get out.”
“Alex‒”
“No, get out. You don’t know shit about my dad if you think he’s worried about me. Get the fuck out of my house.”
It took a few minutes too long, but eventually Forrest was gone and Alex was left with more regrets than ever. How the hell did he let someone into his space? He’d known for his entire life that humans were shitty and thrived off their stupid hive-mind. Why did he think Forrest was any different? Was it the blue hair? The fact that he was intrigued by Alex’s way of life until he realized how in depth it was? Why?
 He missed Michael.
-
Gregory Manes showed up unannounced early one morning, no coffee in hand.
“I’ve come to expect coffee from you and now I’m disappointed,” Alex said flatly. 
“I know that you know,” Greg responded instead, voice a little on edge. It was how Alex noticed the way he was fidgeting. “But the hunt’s tonight and Isobel’s out there and you know the woods better than anyone else. Help me.”
Alex had to blink a few times to fully process what he was asking. He figured that Isobel had probably gone to fetch Michael before the hunt. He wanted to reassure him, to tell him they’d probably be fine, but Michael had been shot last time. And, honestly, he was a little eager to see him again. 
“Okay.”
Greg waited for him to get dressed and braid his hair. They filled their water bottles and stuffed a bag with two blankets in case they shifted and needed cover. Then they headed out into the woods to find their respective objects of affection. It was strange that they had this thing in common and both of them seemed very determined not to elaborate. Alex had no idea what Greg knew, Greg had no idea what Alex knew, and they were both aware of how dangerous it could be to share information. So they didn’t.
Alex didn’t really know where the wolves went when they were out and about. He rarely saw them and, when he did, they kept their distance. He never felt the need to bother them before. They shared space, it was free reign. That meant he really had no idea where the hell he was going. 
It was the definition of wandering. Neither of them spoke or tried to call out for the wolves they wanted to protect, deciding to keep it to themselves. Truly, it was more for Greg’s safety than Alex’s. If all the wolves were like Michael and Isobel, that meant they knew exactly who the Manes were. Alex didn’t hunt them, but Greg did. Maybe he didn’t shoot, but he was there. It had Alex wondering if Isobel suffered any judging from other wolves for being with him.
They walked for hours, going deeper into the woods than even Alex really hadn’t gone since he was an angry 13 year old who ran out of school and into the woods. His father had assembled a search party after six hours of him being gone only for his grandmother to find him in a clearing, eating berries she’d taught him were safe.
They reached that same clearing around noon after a solid five hours of walking and decided to take a small break.
“Dad’s gonna kill us when he finds out,” Greg sighed as they sat down on a log. Alex shook his head.
“Why are you going to tell him?” 
“Didn’t say I was. He’s just… Dad. He knows,” Greg said. He had a point. The worst part about his father was that he was one of the smartest men Alex had ever met. He had a military background and was a born leader who had studied human psychology to only boost that more. He could read body language too well. The idea that Greg even brought Isobel over to his house for dinner felt like bringing her into a trap.
“Why do you let Isobel around him?” Alex asked. Greg huffed a laugh.
“I tried not to. Even, even before I found out about all this. I didn’t want her influenced by him,” Greg said, giving a stupid little laugh, “But she has been, so…”
“Does she spend enough time out here? I think it makes a difference,” Alex said, keeping his words as vague as possible. He knew Michael handled things by shifting. It wasn’t even like he was trying to run away from the problems, it seemed to be more about things making more sense in the mind of a wolf. 
“I don’t think so,” Greg admitted softly. Alex nodded. He wasn’t very good with words and he didn’t know how he was supposed to comfort him in that moment. Was he supposed to say it gets better? That it’d be fine? That she wasn’t out here because she was mad at him? Because he didn’t know any of that.
“If you wanna, like… spend more time out at the cabin… It was your grandma’s too,” Alex said as if that was helpful. And it seemed to be because Greg smiled.
Maybe it would’ve been more heartwarming if a low growl didn’t come from behind them.
They both looked over to see a wolf, bigger than Michael, growling at them with his head bowed and eyes narrowed. It was a similar tactic to the one Michael had used in an attempt to run off Forrest, but this time Alex actually did find it intimidating. This wolf seemed out for blood.
The two of them jumped off the log as the wolf took a step closer.
“It’s okay,” Alex said softly, holding out his hands to show that he wasn’t a threat, “It’s okay, we’re not going to hurt you.”
It was stupid of him to think what worked with Michael would work with this wolf. Alex caught the moment the wolf lunged and immediately pushed his brother out of the way. Before the wolf could get to him though, another one tackled it out of the way.
Alex and Greg both fell to the ground as they watched the two fight with wide eyes. It was jarring and confusing and Alex only got more horrified when he realized one of them was Michael. But it wasn’t like they could do anything. They just had to wait.
Eventually, Isobel, barefoot in human form, appeared. Her hair was a mess and her clothes were thrown on like she’d shifted in the woods beside some hidden stash of clothes. She whistled loudly, efficiently breaking the two wolves up.
“Thanks,” Greg told her. She simply walked over and held her hand out to him, helping him to his feet. 
Before Alex could get to his, Michael came to him and instantly started to greet him with licks and nuzzles. Alex shamelessly accepted them, scratching behind his ears.
“Hi,” he said softly and Michael damn near purred in response. God, he missed him.
“We need to get out of the woods, they’re going to prepare for the hunt soon,” Isobel said sternly. It was more words than Alex had ever heard her actually speak and he sort of understood why. There was a comforting, yet commanding lilt to her voice. It was impossible not to obey.
“We can go to my cabin,” Alex offered despite the fact that part of him actively hated the idea of packing his house with that many bodies. However, he could suffer one night with it.
Besides, he could close the door and only focus on Michael being back in his bed.
“Let’s go.”
“I’m sorry for almost attacking you. I’ve never seen any Manes that weren’t a threat.”
“It’s alright.”
Alex didn’t say anything. He just let Greg accept the apology from Max and Max could just take the fact he let him in his house as enough of a compromise.
It was dark by the time they all got settled in the cabin and all in human form. Michael and Max had to shift back and Alex witnessed it for the first time. It looked ungodly painful and, according to the looks on their faces, it was. Their bodies were morphing in different ways and contorting unlike anything Alex had ever seen. But then they’d both stretched, bones cracking, and they were fine.
Michael put on his clothes, but Max was a little harder. He was taller and broader than Michael and Alex and it wasn’t like Greg had clothes in his truck. He had to just settle for pants that didn’t quite reach his ankles and a jacket.
“Coffee?” Michael whispered, his breath hot against the back of Alex’s neck. He was hovering and touchy, but Alex honestly didn’t mind. He had a bad taste in his mouth after the night before and he’d sort of missed the way he wanted to be close.
“It’s night time,” Alex pointed out. Michael hummed and pressed a kiss to his neck. Logically, Alex knew that meant nothing. Michael was a fucking wolf, he didn’t know what constituted as romantic and platonic affection. But, still, it was getting difficult to make sense of it.
But, then again, his brother was sleeping with a wolf, so it must be okay.
“Coffee,” Michael repeated. Alex huffed a laugh.
“Fine.”
They made coffee and joined the other three in the room. Max had sat on the floor and Isobel had chosen to sit in Greg’s lap on the couch. Alex took the other end of the couch and Michael placed himself at his feet. The siren signalling the beginning of the hunt rang through the air and it didn’t go unnoticed how all the wolves in the room got stiff with discomfort.
“It’s okay, they know not to come close,” Alex promised, hand mindlessly rubbing Michael’s shoulder as he sipped his coffee. 
“Dad’s gonna fucking kill me for skipping,” Greg noted.
“Kill him first,” Max suggested. Alex snorted and nodded in agreement. 
“I wish it was that easy. I don’t even know how to fix any of this at this point. How do we change a whole town’s mindset? Like, no matter what, they’ll be scared and they’ll want the hunt to continue,” Greg complained, making it a little too serious. No one really had a response because he was right. People have tried to make statements before, but they all got virtually shunned out of the town. 
“Well, it doesn’t help that they’re right,” Alex said. That got the wolves attention, but he wasn’t going to back down. “They’re scared of creatures that aren’t quite human, aren’t quite wolf. And they exist. Maybe it’s not the same way they think, but they do. And because of the hunt, the wolves are defensive. Like, Max wanting to attack us. That’s because of what the humans did first. There’s a lot more to stop before we just say no more hunting.”
“How many wolves are even left out there, do you know?” Greg asked. Isobel didn’t answer which made sense since she was in the woods the least.
“Not many,” Michael said.
“A lot left decades ago,” Max chimed in, “Like, at least eight different packs left decades ago. Most of the ones that were left were just stubborn. But, now, with the way things have been going, most of us that are still out there are alone or run in packs of two. Makes it hard to keep a head count.”
“But there are other places? Like, you won’t go extinct or anything?” Greg clarified. Isobel huffed a laugh and shook her head.
They sat up and talked through all the gunshots, trying to provide a distraction. Alex kept his hands on Michael the whole time and Michael did the same. It made it hard to focus entirely, but he did his best. 
Alex, deciding to be nice, offered to let them stay for the night. Greg and Isobel could take the couch and Max seemed content to take the floor. They just all agreed that they would find a better hide out in the morning. Then Alex and Michael went to bed.
Alex changed out of his day clothes into his night ones, deciding that he could force himself and Michael into the shower in the morning. He just wanted to get back into bed with him and maybe steal a more efficient night’s sleep. Maybe. Spending so long touching all casually had him feeling sort of restless. Still, Alex took out his braid and shook his hair out before heading to the bed that Michael had already made himself at home in.
“Can I ask you something?” Alex asked as they stared at each other in the darkness. Michael nodded like he always did. “Why’d you trust me so easily that night of the last hunt? Like Max said he could smell that we were Manes. Why’d you trust me?”
Michael furrowed his eyebrows like he was confused by the question. Alex just waited until he realized he actually wanted an answer.
“I’ve seen you, Alex,” he said simply. It was Alex’s turn to be confused. “I’ve seen you for years. We share space, we always have.”
“So, what, you just trusted me based on watching me?”
“The one who lived here before you fed me when I was small,” Michael explained, “If she trusts you, I trust you.”
Alex let out a heavy breath at that little revelation. He remembered Michael saying that he’d been fed by humans, but he hadn’t quite put it together that it was his grandmother. But, if she had, she had known full well he was a wolf no matter his size. Suddenly, her insistence that they were calm creatures made sense. She fucking fed them. She took care of them.
She took care of him.
“I’m sorry, should I not have said that?” Michael asked.
“I want to kiss you,” Alex said, all those pent up feelings from missing him and wanting him and touching him rushing to the surface. Michael didn’t give him a verbal response.
Instead, he moved forward and placed a soft little kiss on his lips. Alex felt like his whole world shifted into place at that moment. That’s what it was supposed to feel like. Not like getting a fix, but like he was finally fitting somewhere. He’d never felt so welcome and in a good way. There was no hiding. He was wanted because he was him.
Alex exhaled slowly as Michael ended the kiss, still sort of hovering a centimeter away. It really wasn’t enough. 
He dove back in to continue the kiss, making it a little deeper and deliberate than the one that preceded it. Michael laughed as Alex rolled him onto his back, placing himself firmly between his thighs and sliding his tongue past his lips. Michael held him close, kissing back just as feverishly and seeming to enjoy the closeness. Alex wondered if this is what he’d been chasing this whole time.
He didn’t want to stop. He never wanted to stop.
And, with Michael so eager, he didn’t see why he would ever have to.
-
Alex Manes was never one to sleep in, but apparently having sex with a not-quite-man could knock you out for hours.
He woke up to someone knocking on his bedroom door and, as much as he wanted to tell them to go away, he couldn’t. He gently pushed Michael off of him since he’d decided to lay on top of him all night and grabbed his pants off the floor, putting them on before he opened it. It would’ve been all nice and fun if he didn’t open it to his brother looking like a deer caught in headlights.
“Dad’s here,” he said. Alex suddenly felt a lot more awake.
“What?”
“Our father is here,” Greg said, voice hushed as he leaned a bit closer, “And we’re casually harbouring three fucking wolves.”
“Right. Just… right,” Alex said, looking around as he tried to stop feeling so fucking shaken up. He’d spent so many years no giving a shit what his father wanted anymore, but put a hot, naked wolf-man in his bed and suddenly he was fourteen and trying to explain how the first season of Queer as Folk got stashed under his pillow. “Um, let me get dressed. Stall him?”
“Hurry.”
Alex closed the door behind him and Michael lifted his head at the commotion. His curls were an absolute mess and his face was soft, everything about him making it hard to deny when he reached out towards him. Literally all Alex wanted to do was crawl back into bed with him.
Instead, he said, “Get up.”
Michael whined in protest, but Alex was just quickly throwing on clothes and tying his hair back in a bun as he tried to get him to put clothes on. He sat up in slow motion, a pout on his sweet mouth as he tried to listen. Alex grabbed his jaw, kissing him hard and quick in hopes that it would wake him up a bit more. It did, but he seemed to want to use that energy to pull him back into bed.
“No, look, get up, my dad’s here. Put clothes on, okay? Actually, you know what? Stay in here, don’t leave the room, okay?” Alex said. Michael fed off his fear and gave him a concerned look, nodding his head. “Okay.”
Alex pulled on his shoes and left the room, trying to act normal.
His father stood in the doorway of the cabin, face irritated as he spotted Alex over Greg’s shoulder. He was unsure of where Isobel and Max had gone, but he hoped they were somewhere safe. It felt weird to actually care about two people he hardly knew, but he knew Michael cared about them and that was pretty much all that mattered.
“Either of you care to explain to me what’s going on here?” he asked. Greg and Alex didn’t fork over an answer, but nor did they look at each other for one. They knew their father. They weren’t going to show any sign of guilt.
“Just hanging out with my brother,” Greg said.
“And you skipped the hunt for it? Do you know how bad that looks on me? It’s already bad enough that we have Alex hiding out in the woods and then parading around town with strange men all the time. Do neither of you have any ounce of respect for our family name?” he demanded. Alex searched for his confidence as he gave a cocky smile, hoping that it came off as genuine.
“Not really,” he said. Jesse shook his head in disgust.
“For God’s sake, Alex, you’ve really made it your mission to be a disgrace,” Jesse said. No matter how many walls he built up, that still hit him in his chest. He didn’t show it.
“Don’t talk to him like that,” Greg snapped.
“Don’t,” Alex said, shaking his head, “Not worth it.”
Jesse huffed a laugh, shaking his head. “I guess I should blame myself for this. I tried so hard to instill comradery in all four of you. Somehow it split into two groups, equally as hard to manage.”
“What do you need, Dad? I’m going hunting tomorrow, so maybe come back in a few days if you need deer,” Alex said. He shook his head.
“No, I had questions about that new friend of yours,” Jesse said, eying Alex. He tried his best not to react. “Forrest told me you had a dog and then you didn’t.”
“I had a dog for, like, two days. It was just one that was hurt and I patched up. He’s gone now,” Alex said, though he couldn’t help but feel a little betrayed. Then again, he knew his father was manipulative as hell. He was pretty sure Forrest had no idea of what his father might take from that little bit of information.
“And that man you were seen with. Where is he from?” Jesse prodded. Alex rolled his eyes.
“Seriously, Dad? You do get that the whole werewolf thing isn’t real, right? It’s a myth,” Alex said. Jesse didn’t buy it. Alex didn’t actually expect him to, but it was worth a shot.
“Both of you are playing with fire,” he said, looking between the two of them, “If I find out what I think I know is true… Both of you will suffer the consequences, do you hear me?”
And Alex heard him loud and clear. It was a simple threat. Stop or I’ll make you stop.
“Okay,” Alex said, “Goodbye.”
He slammed the door shut and locked it, both of them still unable to breathe properly until his truck was gone. It was nerve wracking.
“Alex,” Greg whispered, “I think we’ve dug ourselves into a hole we can’t get out of.”
Alex swallowed harshly and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm down. It was clear that the only alternative to stop or I’ll make you stop was to just leave. He either had to get rid of the wolves or get rid of the town.
And wasn’t that fucked. And, yet, it was simple.”
“I know a way out.”
-
“I feel bad.”
“Don’t.”
“I do.”
Alex held Michael from behind, pressing kisses to the back of his shoulder in an attempt to give him some kind of comfort. After Greg and Alex had talked for a while, they brought up the prospect of leaving the town to the wolves. They’d said it themselves, most of them left. Maybe it was time they did too.
“Maybe we could just go, just me and Izzy and Max. This is your home,” Michael said. Alex sighed and his chest ached at that. He didn’t really want to leave this cabin. It was his and had been passed down for generations. But now that he had confirmation of the beasts he’d been warned about his entire life, it didn’t seem right to stay.
Besides, what was this cabin standing for if not to inspire rebellion?
“I know that sounds like a good idea, but my dad knows we’re hiding something. Even if you leave, we’ve got a target on us,” Alex explained. It was, sadly, the complete truth.
“I’m sorry, Alex,” Michael whispered, that guilt so evident in his voice. Alex shook his head and craned his head over his shoulder to steal a kiss. Michael tried his best to reciprocate, but Alex knew he was hurting and it made it hard. “It’s all my fault.”
“No, it’s my dad’s fault for thinking genocide is a fun bonding activity,” Alex pointed out, “Besides, I promised I‘d keep you safe, right? Let me do that for you.”
Michael sniffled and nodded reluctantly. 
After speaking for the entire day after his father left, the plan was to pack everything up over the next two days and then get the fuck out of town. There was a tiny, woodsy tourist town a coupe states over that sounded appealing. They’d stay in a hotel for a few days until they found work and another cabin in the woods, hopefully one a little bigger so Alex could still keep his space. It would all work out. Probably.
It was funny to think that simply a month prior he never would’ve considered uprooting himself for someone else. But he guess he always did say that, when he found that person who was worth it, he’d know.
And he did know.
"Hey, look at me," Alex coerced and he opened his pretty eyes, "This isn't just because of you. This is right and wrong. He's wrong." 
"Yeah," Michael breathed, "Okay." 
"Let's get up and have breakfast and then we can start packing," Alex told him.
Michael was better once he got up and had Isobel and Max to talk to. He seemed to be reminded that their decision wasn't only about him. They both seemed to understand that, if their siblings hadn't been so directly involved, then maybe they would've decided against leaving. But it wasn't about their own safety, it was about the safety of the ones they loved.
Still, Alex itched for alone time and itched for things to go back to the way they were those three weeks where it was just him and Michael. It was calm and they fit. Now, though, Alex just had to deal with adjusting to socializing until he could find a new place to isolate.
He could do it. He did it for the first 16 years of his life.
Alex cooked for them, admittedly feeling a bit odd at Michael's lack of hovering. They'd only hooked up for the first time two nights ago, but Alex already felt more comfortable with him at his side when he was human. It had Alex wondering just how much of that was the wolf in him that made him addictive.
"I called a buddy of mine from out of town," Greg told him, hair slightly toussled from Isobel's hands more than it was sleep, "He said he could get us a job as farm hands out there for a little while. You think you can handle that?"
Alex nodded despite that being the last thing he wanted to do.
"We're looking for land too, right?" Alex clarified. He could take a little bit of working and living in close quarters, but he knew he'd be right back to being a pissy teenager if it was kept up too long. He needed to be alone.
"Yeah. How much do you have saved up? I was gonna go transfer my bank account so dad can't track us," he explained. Alex shrugged. 
"Few thousand. It's all in cash," he answered. Greg nodded as he absorbed that information.
"Okay. I'll see what I can do. It might take a little while to get self-sufficient," Greg said, "Property taxes 'n all."
The more Alex thought about it, the more he felt uncomfortable. He knew leaving was the right thing, he did. But he'd finally gotten to a good place.
"How about this," Alex said, "Once we get a cabin, I stay there and start a garden and hunt. You and Isobel can work since you like being around people." Greg gave him a stupid, older brother look. "Don't. I'll pull my weight and I'll work for awhile, but I can't do that forever or we're all fucked and you know it."
"Yes, but you're used to feeding yourself and maybe Michael. This is stepping up to five people."
"You seem to forget I fed the whole town every hunt. And Max prefers being a wolf, so he can feed himself," Alex pointed out. Greg sighed and nodded.
"I'll try to make it work, okay?" 
"Good."
Alex finished up and made all five plates, dispersing them. Michael took that as his opportunity to hover again and Alex loved it. He stood behind him, nuzzling his nose into Alex's jaw and giving his neck kissed in between bites. He felt so shameless and that was a wonderful feeling.
After they are, Greg, Isobel, and Max left to go pack up things from his house and deal with his bank account. It finally left Alex and Michael alone and Alex felt like he could finish fucking breathe again.
"I'm gonna miss this," Alex admitted as they walked into his bedroom, "Being alone with you all the time."
The plan was to pack, but Michael wrapped his arms around him and dragged him towards the bed. He didn't fight him, instead he just laughed and complied. Except it didn't turn into anything sexy. Michael picked up his brush and took it upon himself to brush Alex's hair before braiding it. Apparently all that intense watching wasn't mindless.
He tied the braid off and tugged him back a bit, pressing a kiss to his jaw. Alex turned into it, sealing the kiss easily. How had he gone all his life without those kisses?
“And you’re sure you won’t hate us for making you leave?” Michael clarified mid-kiss. Alex breathed him in.
“No. You’re just finally giving me an excuse to get away from my dad,” he admitted. Michael nodded and pulled him in for another kiss that quickly escalated into more.
Within the next two days, they found themselves all packed up and ready to go start anew. Alex’s heart broke a little knowing that he was leaving his cabin, but he told himself over and over that it was for the best. It was the only way to get away from his dad and all the shitty connotations that came with that town.
He was going to get away. He was going to breathe again.
He was finally free.
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blackbatsnwitchshats · 4 years ago
Text
New Opportunities
Chapter 5
Chapter Summary: Tomura's not quite sure where he and his Sensei stand now that their roles are somewhat reversed. Kurogiri's suggestion that Tomura should be the one to take him out for new clothes could either put him in a better standing or spell his doom.
________________
"Tomura, it's been a while since you've been outside."
"Yeah," Tomura muttered, briefly glancing up from his game.
He was on a winning streak. All he needed to beat the last level was one more point and he would finally beat it at one-hundred percent completion. Just one more point...
Kurogiri sighed, "Why don't you get some fresh air."
So close...
"After this last game. I can go to the mall and people watch for an hour or two."
"Alright."
Just a little more...
"On second thought, why don't you and Sensei go to the mall together?"
Tomura's character missed their jump and he cursed as all his hard work from the past two hours went down the drain. He glared at the game over screen before he turned the console off. Being the serial saver he was, not all of his progress was lost, but it was still a bummer.
"Okay, what was it you said just now?"
"You and Sensei should go to the mall together."
Tomura stared at Kurogiri for a few moments. "Why though?"
"Because Sensei hasn't seen the light of day in nearly three years and none of his old clothes fit him anymore. That, and you could honestly do with a new wardrobe as well. Two birds, one stone."
"Can't you do it though?"
"I could, but why would I when you already plan on going? There are things I need to get done around the bar."
"Like what?"
"Inventory. Last I checked, you weren't overly fond of that chore. What was the word you called it? Tedious? Or was it boring?"
"Alright, alright, I get it. I'll take Sensei with me to the mall. You don't have to harp on me."
"Uh-huh, sure I don't." Kurogiri hummed, "Just like I don't have to remind you to clean your room, right?"
"Okay! I'll grab Sensei and leave! Sheesh!"
________________
"Why do we have to hold hands again?"
"Because I'd rather not have to explain to Kurogiri that I lost you. It hasn't even been ten minutes, and you've already wondered off once, Sen-" Tomura quietly swore and corrected himself, "Ichidai. What the hell did your parents teach you about talking to strangers?"
"Nothing. They up and left my brother and I to fend for ourselves, Tomura."
That... explained a few things.
Tomura scratched at his neck with his free hand. "Sorry."
"Don't be," All For One shook his head. "You didn't know and it's no longer something that bothers me."
"If you say so..."
"I do."
All For One pulled Tomura along through the mall until they reached the cafeteria. There, they found a map displaying the layout of the mall and all the stores.
After a thorough investigation of the map, All For One turned to his successor. "I'll be relying mostly on you for this venture, Tomura. While I know you don't get out much, you're currently far more aware of what's popular right now than I am. It's been such a long time since I was a child that I have no idea where to even begin finding clothes to fit in. Any knowledge I do have on this subject is outdated and unreliable. The stores I remember have either moved, changed product lines, or simply no longer exist."
Tomura nodded as he listened, then looked back to the map. After a bit more observing, he asked, "What age do you think you are? Not mentally, I mean. Appearance-wise."
All For One thought for a short moment, judging his reflection in the glass covering the map. "I'd say... about ten or eleven, give or take a few months? Maybe?"
"Good enough." Tomura answered, once again taking his Sensei's hand .
This time, he was the one doing the pulling as All For One was forced to match his pace. For a while anyway. Halfway to the store he had in mind, Tomura glanced back and slowed down considerably.
The entire length of the mall wasn't all that large a distance to cross for Tomura, but puberty had blessed him with long legs. His Sensei didn't have that luxury anymore. Now, paused to catch his breath, his Sensei was flushed and panting just from trying to keep up.
Despite the drastic changes, it was so very easy for Tomura to forget his Sensei wasn't completely at the top of his game. Physically and mentally; he was better than ever, but in terms of strength, stamina and overall power? "Nerfed" really was a good way to put it.
Tomura shifted his stance akwardly as he waited. "Are you gonna be okay?"
All For One nodded stiffly, and though his face was hidden behind his hair, Tomura could tell he was frustrated. He'd seen that same defensive tension in his Sensei's hunched over shoulders plenty enough while the man -boy?- had been incapacitated to recognize it by now. He had only mere moments to prevent disaster.
Tomura inwardly panicked as his eyes roved over the shops around them, free hand once again scratching at his neck. 'How did Kurogiri deal with me? Uhhhh... he usually just let me wear myself out until I calmed down... I can't do let Sensei do that in public though! The attention would only make him more upset! Shit! What do I do?!'
Then his eyes finally landed on something that could work.
"Hey, Sen- er, Ichidai...," he started, "Have you, uh, eaten yet today?"
All For One seemed to startle before he looked up at him questioningly. "What?"
"Did you eat before we left?"
"No, I didn't. Why do you ask?"
"That's probably why you're so tired." Yeah, that's why. It totally wasn't because he was suffering a bout of "nerfed munchkin" right now. Nope. Not at all.
"You'd have more energy if you ate something, Sen- Ichidai."
"Well, what do you suggest?" All For One asked, "You're not saying that we should go back to the cafeteria after running all this way, are you?"
He shot a peeved look at Tomura, clearly unenthused about that idea. Though he probably meant for it to be disappointed or even threatening, he didn't quite achieve the desired affect. His puffed out cheeks and the pout on his face just made him look like a cranky hamster, and Tomura probably would have laughed at it if not for the imminent threat of a potential breakdown.
Instead, Tomura merely shook his head and pointed off to their far left.
It was a little cinnamon bun stand. Not exactly the best of breakfasts, but it was in the immediate vicinity and that was what mattered. Hopefully his Sensei would go for it.
However, the man-turned-boy seemed to hesitate as he eyed the sweet-smelling shop. "I shouldn't..."
"Why not?" Tomura looked down to him, confused. "You don't like cinnamon buns?"
"No. I do..."
"Then what's the matter? It's just cinnamon buns; one won't hurt. Or are you worried about Kurogiri? I won't tell him if you don't. Besides, it's your money, isn't it?"
Tomura watched his Sensei carefully. With each bit of convincing, whatever was holding him back seemed to crack and break. Though, ultimately, it was All For One's stomach that made his decision for him.
The low growl was just barely audible among the rest of the mall's noise, but Tomura heard it none the less. Upon realizing this, a flustered blush graced All For One's cheeks as he finally caved.
"Fine! I'll have one!" 
He began stomping his way over to the stand, and Tomura let out a quiet breath of relief that morphed into light snickers as he followed close behind. Judging by the increasingly incandescent flush on his Sensei's face, he didn't quite manage to hide them completely. Regardless, he supposed it wasn't all bad. His Sensei couldn't be too mad at him if the now-younger boy was still dragging him along by the hand. Crisis averted.
The young woman running the stand greeted them with a pleasant smile and asked what she could get them.
All For One stole a short moment to peruse the menu, then turned to Tomura after rattling something off. "Do you want one?"
Somewhat distracted by the sweet treats in front of him, it took a second for Tomura to realize what was being asked of him before he answered, "Sure. I'll have whatever you have..."
He tuned back in as their orders were put together. Thankfully, the prospect of food seemed to have put All For One in a better mood. A much better mood in fact.
It was almost surreal. His Sensei bouncing on the tips of his toes in excitement wasn't something Tomura ever thought he'd see. Granted, he wasn't dressed in his usual outfit -Kurogiri had done some digging and found some of Tomura's old clothes for him to wear for this trip, but it still felt strange.
It felt like he was seeing something no-one ever got to see, like he was seeing something private.
Tomura hurriedly turned his eyes back to the stand. The lady behind the counter finished making their snacks and chirped, "Thank you for coming! Have a good day!"
"You as well!" All For One chirped back as he snatched their plates.
They sat down at one of the tables in the stand's small dining area and began eating. Normally someone who preferred salty snacks, Tomura nearly gagged at how sweet the treat was upon his first bite. All For One had no such issue though.
While taking much smaller bites, Tomura gawked on. He could hardly believe his eyes. Their cinnamon buns were by no means small and covered in thick cream cheese frosting -with bonus strawberry biscuit sticks and rainbow sprinkles, because 'why not' apparently, but his Sensei was demolishing his own with an enthusiasm he'd expect from a second round with All Might.
Tomura pushed his half-eaten cinnamon bun aside. Resting his elbows on the table, he was perfectly content to keep an eye on everyone passing by while All For One finished his treat. Even if nobody knew who they were yet, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Especially with the state his Sensei was in right now.
"Tomura? Was there something wrong with yours?" All For One asked, a frown on his face as he eyed his own empty plate suspiciously.
Tomura shrugged. "Nah, it was alright. I'm just not much for sweet things."
"Here," he said as he nudged his plate towards All For One, "You can have the rest of mine if you're still hungry."
"You're sure?"
"Yeah. I ate earlier before we left; I'll be fine until we get back. You'll need it more than I will anyway."
All For One smiled at him and pulled the plate to himself. "Thank you, Tomura."
"No problem."
It'd be a few minutes longer before they could get to shopping, but Tomura found he didn't mind it. His Sensei rarely smiled so genuinely, so -in a way- receiving one was a treat in and of itself. It more than made up for the wait.
________________
Once they officially started shopping, Tomura was reminded of why he hated coming to the mall for anything other than his people watching.
Yeah, he knew it was their job to help and ask questions, but he could honestly do without the store employees getting all up in his business. If he needed help, he'd ask for it. Unfortunately, the lady attempting to help them just wasn't getting the memo. He'd tried everything everything short of telling her to "f' off," and she was still pressing. It was really starting to grind on his nerves at this point.
To make matters worse, Sensei seemed to be enjoying his suffering. Apparently he knew something about the woman that Tomura didn't. Either way, the way he was chuckling at him made Tomura want to wipe the smug grin off his face.
Screw that cute little smile from earlier, Sensei was a little shit.
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imagineclaireandjamie · 5 years ago
Note
Prompt: Cry me a river, I cried a river over you.
Part ONE:
The train northbound was packed, not unusual, but it made Claire feel exposed. She’d begun crying the moment she’d received the phone call and hadn’t stopped since. It was the reason she was using public transport in the first place and not driving - the last thing she needed was to be involved in a car accident because of her impaired vision.
Adorned with inappropriately large sunglasses on a dismal day, with her scarf wrapped tightly around her neck to hide as much of her face as possible, she had boarded at Oxford, her chest tight as it suddenly dawned on her that she was trailing all the way up to Glasgow and she wouldn’t be seeing Lamb alive.
“Christ…” she sighed under her breath, her eyes tingling once more as the tears began to build.
Her uncle, Quentin Lambert, had been settled in Scotland for some time - something quite odd for him, he was definitely more of the travelling sort. He’d started on a memoir that he’d meant to publish and had, on several occasions, asked for Claire’s companionship and assistance. Caught up in her own drama, she had declined and the guilt sat low in her belly making it almost impossible to eat or sleep.
A gentle Irish train guard pulled her from her dark thoughts and she quietly pulled her ticket from the small purse that sat open on the food tray in front of her before going back to staring out of the window.
Parents both dead by the tender age of twelve, Claire had been sent to live with Lamb. His life as a traveling archeologist was not suited to raising a child and he had tried to place Claire in a boarding school - though she had other ideas. Smiling, she thought back to the day she’d finally pushed the headmistress of the school too far causing uncle Lamb to have to cut short a sudden trip to India and return to England to fetch her. She remembered fondly throwing the stupid boater she’d been graced with as part of the uniform into a nearby hedge as they’d driven away down the long drive. Her formative years had been spent in the desert - surrounded by her uncles peers, graduates and students, she had learned to fend for herself.
Though she had good memories of her mother and father, it was Lamb who had raised her through her most difficult teenage years and at the end of his life, when he had so desperately wanted to involve her in his hobbies once more, she had forsaken him for silly follies.
Lost to her guilt and self-loathing, she completely lost track of time and it wasn’t until the young woman sat next to her rose from her seat that she realised the train had come to a grinding halt.
The battle through Glasgow Central train station gave her a moment to focus on something else, her heart racing and her hands clammy as she pulled her rather large suitcase through, nudging and shoving tourists and locals alike in order to make it out onto the street.
Her name shone in bright red ink, the sign hiding the face of the man who held it as she shook her head.
“I h-hadn’t called anyone?” She said, shocked that there was anyone here who would know her.
“Aye, ye did. The other day. I thought it would be easier for ye if someone was here to collect you rather than spend more time on yer own.”
“Oh.” She replied. The word stuck in her throat as she recalled the very short phone call she’d made to the funeral director a few mornings prior when she’d booked her train ticket. A simple nod to the man who’d been emailing her and organising as much as he could with her hundreds of miles away. “Are you with the funeral company then?” Claire found it odd that any of them would be worried enough to come out and collect her personally - but was grateful at the same time. Riding in the comfort of a car without having to hunt down a taxi, make inane conversation and then struggle to find her uncles address made the end of the journey just a little easier.
“Ah,” he replied, finally pulling the sign low enough that she could see the bright mop of red hair that sat proudly above a glowing set of blue eyes, “nah, I’m no’ with them. I’m Jamie,” he continued, holding out his free hand for her to shake. “Jamie Fraser. I was working on the book with yer uncle. I work with the publicist he’d hired. Did he tell ye?”
When she didn’t respond, he simply smiled and continued as if the small twitch of her lips was enough. “I’m a ghost writer. He was struggling to write himself, so he hired me to type whilst he spoke, told me all sorts of stories and I, in turn, edited it, re-worded it sometimes or just added it to the appropriate section of the book.”
Guilt reared its ugly head again, making Claire understand more fully why Lamb might have wanted her company so badly and she bit her lip to contain the tears. Repeating herself, she swallowed audibly and nodded, “oh…good.” Making it sound sincere, she smiled as much as she was able before allowing him to place his arm softly around her waist and guide her towards his waiting car.
The ride itself was quiet and uneventful. Claire needed the time to decompress the situation, her brain going from nought to one hundred in the short twenty minute car journey. They approached the quaint brownstone property on the outskirts of the city with little to no issue. It had its own private garage and Jamie flicked a switch on a small remote to open and close the large grey-brown door. Taking the stairs in a small passage way, they made their way up onto the first floor, Jamie opening and closing everything behind her as well as carrying her heavy case.
“So,” she spoke, her voice husky from her constant sobbing, “how long have you known my uncle?” Though she knew it must have been long enough for him to entrust the lad with a key to his home and his car.
“Nearly three years now, going on for four. We were…” stopping, he wiped his eyes on his sleeve clearly choked up by recent events himself, “well, we were so very close to finishing. Part of me thinks it should be me who writes the ending, ye ken, for his memory. But I dinna even know where to start.”
“Shit.” Cursing, she turned her back on Jamie and held her hand over her mouth. She wanted to scream, to cry, to punch something…mostly she wanted to turn back time and relive all of the times she’d said no to coming up here and turn them into a yes. Just once would have been enough, and she knew it. Just one time, she would have arrived and never left… “I should have been here.”
“He spoke of ye often. Yer in the manuscript, if you want to read it?” Avoiding her self flagellation completely, Jamie placed his hand on her shoulder and offered her an olive branch. Though he couldn’t deny her deprecating words, it wasn’t his place to say what she should or should not have done. He could see the guilt drawn plainly on her face, though he couldn’t see her eyes he knew that they’d be red rimmed and she seemed so incredibly tired that he couldn’t bring himself to add any more blame at her door.
“T-thank you, Jamie. For everything. For clearly being here for him when I wasn’t. I’m sure you were a dear friend.”
Knowing her uncles proclivities - even from a young age - she knew his interest in young men rather than ladies and part of her, in her grief, wondered whether he had become more than just a friend to Lamb. But her instincts told her now was not the time to pry.
“I would really love to read it.”
“We have a few days until the funeral, how about I email you the first draft. It’s open ended, mind, so dinna worry about the sudden stop.”
“Thank you.” She said again, taking his hand, bringing it to her mouth and kissing it softly as she turned to find her way upstairs. Halting at the door she assumed to lead her that way, she turned -removing her glasses as she did so. “I’m so rude, sorry, is there a guest bedroom here? Somewhere I’d be alright staying for a few weeks?”
“Of course! And dinna be daft, ye arena rude at all. Ye’ve just lost someone dear to ye. I’m all over the place too, so I canna imagine how you feel.”
Though she got the distinct feeling that he could.
“Can I ask how long ye intend to stay for Claire? If ye dinna mind?”
Having been a trust fund child living off the money gifted to her from her parents’ death, she’d had no worries in the years after her graduation. The estate had been in the family for hundreds of years, friends of the family the same, and she had finished both her BSc and her Masters in History before going on to complete a few of her own independent research papers whilst living off that inheritance. Oxford, although her home for many years, held little to return to and her heart almost stopped at the realisation as the dread crept along her veins.
“A month, maybe. Once the funeral is done I want to stay and finalise his estate. The lawyers have already been in touch but it might take a while to go through everything that was in his name, notify them and so on. Do you live here, Jamie?” She added her question quietly, as if the asking of it might infer something else.
“Ach, no. I moved in for the last few weeks. I think he kent it was nearing the end and wanted the book finished. He insisted that was the best, so that we could work day and night as we needed. But I have my own place across the city.”
‘I should have been here…’ the statement rattled around in her head once more, the ghost of it returning to haunt her. If she had, things might have been different.
“First on the right as you get to the top of the stairs,” he whispered, seeing her pupils dilate and her lips clench as she lost herself in thought. He could see that she desperately needed some time to herself, to cry and to deliberate on all the things left undone and unsaid between her and Lamb, “it’s got a double bed and an en-suite. He meant for ye to have that room and it’s all been made up for ye.”
Nodding, she held her purse tightly and rushed off up and away from him, leaving her suitcase there. Seeing the room, she let herself in, closed the door and flopped against it - her body feeling boneless as she slumped down and curled herself into a ball, crying as the words of the last song she’d heard on the radio, a Michael Bublè classic to add some irony to the situation, in the kitchen swirled around her crowded mind.
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crantzypants · 5 years ago
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Yes this is more Good Omens ideas. Come on up, take a seat! Extra thoughts in tags.
Now I’m not sure if the “take a DNA test and find out your family history/where your family came from” is big in the UK as it is in the states, but please think about Warlock and Adam taking them because OH BOY.
Adam, of course, takes it for fun because “What on earth are these scientists going to find?” and he, as well as the Them, just HAVE to know. Is it just going to come back with a letter saying it didn’t work? Will the Government come after them, and they can have a fun adventure out of it?
Of course it comes back, and not much to Adam’s shock, it comes back with the Young’s line. He had decided that his adopted parents were still his parents, that it didn’t matter because they have always been there for him and loved him, so of course it would come back matching. That’s what he believed it would really show, anyways.
But then you have Warlock, who probably had to do it for class, and his parents brushed it off. He just waits around, wondering why this craze interested people so much. All it did was confirm, in stone, who you are descended from. 
And then it comes back.
The test shows that he is from a “Young” family, not the Dowling line. His mother and father, of course, took a test themselves, and nothing about his results match. Warlock comes to his own conclusion that they must have adopted him, and did not realize that they should have told him. 
Mr. and Mrs. Dowling are terrified, because Mrs. Dowling REMEMBERS giving birth, which means there had to have been an accident in the hospital. Babies are swapped without realization every now and then, and this had to be the case here. While Mr. and Mrs. Dowling try to figure out what happened, Warlock finds the hospital he was born at and goes off on his own. Maybe he can find files or documents about his real birth parents, they could have been people that wanted to spend time with their child rather than pushing that duty off onto a Nanny, or the Gardner who had gone out of his way to spend time with the child.
Maybe they would have loved him more, and that feeling aches deeply in his chest.
Grabbing all the money from his room, and sneaking a healthy number of pounds out of Mr. Dowling’s wallet, Warlock takes off. 
It is a bit difficult, navigating his way to the correct bus station. He was never allowed out on his own, but he knows the trains and tube stops and buses. It just means he has to pay extra attention, and all of it would be worth it if he could find out where his birth parents are. 
It’s a long trip. He is able to navigate his way to the bus that leads to Tadfield. After shifting modes of transport all night, he finally can make it to the Hospital. It’ll be an early arrival, about 10 in the morning.
But when he gets there, it turns out it isn’t a hospital anymore. The nice manager says that there was a fire a bit after he was born, and destroyed every bit of paperwork. So of course now Warlock is left alone, at 11 in the morning in some small nowhere town with no easy way to get back home, so begins to just...walk. 
It’s a nice little town, the flowers aren’t nearly as well kept as the one’s at the Dowling residence, and most of the roads aren’t even paved. He steps out of the way of a group of children on their bikes, hooting and hollering about the Witch in Jasmine Cottage and what their palms had to say about their future. 
Warlock never really believed too hard in magic or the occult, but you know what? He had gone this far, and maybe this was a sign. A next step towards understanding where he came from. Where was the harm in hoping?
So he wanders around, looking for this witch, and sitting in a fork in the road is a house with a neat, beautifully written sign saying “Jasmine Cottage.” Sitting in front is a lovely bicycle, a Bentley, and a hellish vehicle called a Robin (he never understood the fascination for a car with three wheels). Warlock takes a breath, and decides to knock on the door. 
A nice lady opens the door, wearing something clearly not of this time period. But she also did not seem very witchy.
“Oh, hello! Are you one of Adam’s friends?” Oh, she was American! Living in a small town in England. Hearing the accent was mildly comforting, a small spot of familiarity to his current life.
“Well, no, actually, I had overheard that you were a witch? And that you did palm readings and I was wondering that...was hoping that you might read mine? That maybe you could tell me where I need to go next?”  
Anathema can’t just leave this kid out on the stoop, and she can only sense that he came from a good distance away. How did this American kid end up here? Was he from the army base? Can’t be, that’s too close. She invites him in, and reassures him it’s ok, she has tea made and guests over, and a phone if he has to call his parents. 
It’s a cozy place, and there are three people already sitting in the kitchen, a younger man stammering on about car maintenance, and two older looking men, one who is casually reading and sipping his tea, and the other who is trying to give the suggestion to just get a better car, honestly, please for the safety of everyone in England.
But of course Warlock INSTANTLY recognizes the older man with the sunglasses resting on his forehead. “Nanny?” he says, out of pure shock.
And his Nanny goes from mildly slumped to sitting straight up, turning around to see the young boy. “Warlock?” He can’t not try to hide from the child he helped raise. Warlock rushes directly into his Nanny and hugs him while starting to sob, unable to breath but needing so desperately to tell Nanny what had happened, and of course Crowley can’t NOT hold him back, gently cooing at his godson to calm down and breath, rubbing a small circle into his back. Anathema and Newt have No Idea what is happening, and Aziraphale has to try to explain quietly some of the details without giving his and Crowley’s whole “Some babies got swapped and we’re also not human” thing. 
Once Crowley is able to calm Warlock down enough, Warlock says everything that happened; the DNA test, learning that the Dowling’s weren’t his real birth parents, hoping that he could find his real ones, that maybe they still wanted him or that they loved him more than his adopted parents. Crowley’s heart breaks at seeing him so distressed, and begins to understand how the swapping ended up, after 13 years now. That the Young’s son was given to the Downlings, and that the Antichrist was given to the Youngs. He would figure out where the Dowling’s birth son was one day, but that wasn’t nearly important at the moment.
Newt, not reading the room terribly well, notes that Adam’s last name is Young. Everyone else gives a small look reading “Really? Right now? We cannot get this poor boy’s hopes up.” Warlock is so close to meeting his real parents. They are right here, in town, his Nanny and Gardner and this nice witch know them.
Warlock begs to see them, and while everyone is stammering to figure out the right way to approach this, Aziraphale suggests they all go over together. Like a support group for Warlock. To make sure he is ok, no matter what happens.
So they head over and Mr. and Mrs. Young are very confused at the appearance of this young boy. And after Warlock tells the story to the Young parents, before Anathema, Newt, Crowley, or Aziraphale can say anything, start even a fabrication to explain how the tests clearly show that Adam AND Warlock are their sons, Mr. Young begins talking.
“You know, there was something odd that night, when Adam was born. I wasn’t allowed to be there for his birth, but when I went in after, there were two babies. I had asked if we actually had twins and the Nun had reacted, well, looking back I would say rather odd. You don’t think...”
And Mrs. Young was in far too much pain and far too tired and on medicine to even recall the birthing process. “I mean...it’s possible. But why would they separate them? And then swap him for the son of an American Ambassador? They were a tad weird, those nuns, always up to something a bit satanic.”
And without anyone else trying, Mr. and Mrs. Young just accept that they had really had twins, and that the hospital was run by a weird cult posing as nuns who did some WEIRD things on the day Adam and Warlock were born. 
Warlock is so happy there was an answer to where he came from. That he has a whole brother to get to know, that after not seeing his Nanny or the Gardner from the age of Ten that he is able to see them again. His adopted parents had thought that having a Nanny for too long would harm his growth somehow, that he would not be able to fend for himself, and had let her go. And wherever his Nanny went, the Gardner went as well.
Mr. and Mrs. Young agree that Warlock should stay for dinner, but that they HAVE to contact the Dowling’s. No matter what happens later, at that moment, they are still Warlock’s legal guardians, and also members of the AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. The last thing anyone needs is for the U.S. to start busting down doors looking for a child that isn’t lost.
Warlock isn’t glad about it, but understands. And he just, asks questions. He wants to know everything, and the Young’s aren’t the most exciting people ever, but it starts getting late and Adam comes home and is mildly confused at first, because there are a lot of people in the house. But he’s a smart kid, he can catch on as to what is happening, knows that this other kid in the house must be the one that he had been switched out for.
Warlock is thrilled to meet his “brother,” so curious about his world, and Adam is smart enough to play along for the moment, just until he can ask the angel and demon the nitty-gritty details.
Mrs. Dowling pulls in a few hours after dinner, worried sick about him, because he UP and VANISHED without their knowing. Mrs. Dowling talks briefly with the Youngs, because there has to be all sorts of issues that this revelation would cause. As well as the fact that the child Dowling gave birth to is just somewhere in the world, with luck.
Before Mrs. Dowling takes Warlock back to their home, Warlock makes sure to get the Young’s number, as well as Crowley’s cellphone and Aziraphale’s shop number. Warlock needs people right now, needs to know that he can call for help, or to spend a weekend or holiday somewhere if his parents continue to prioritize work over him. He knows legally, he’ll be under the care of the Dowlings until he is old enough, but until then, he can at least start building a family that loves him
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melodyofgraves · 6 years ago
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A little secret (Chambers and Sinclaire friendship)
A/N: Hi, I’m not sure if anyone would even notice if I didn’t say that but I’m taking a little break again. Nothing to worry about, it’s just because my anxiety and stuff got kinda worse and I need a little break from everything. I saw I have a few asks to answer and a few new lovely fics to read and I will do it when I'm fully back.
In the meantime, I decided to post this fic before i’ll hate it so much that I’ll delete it. Also, I’ll probably finish and post the Fluff ABCs for Chanevi soon since it was the second thing some people voted for and writing stuff kinda helps me focus (no matter how bad it is) and I'm already halfway through it.
This is a fic inspired by my love for friendship fics, headcanon that Chambers loves sweets and this line:
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Anyway, I’m sorry if it’s stupid and I hope you still manage to enjoy reading!
Words: 1525
Tagging: (please tell me if i forgot anyone or added someone by accident. i have a terrible memory): @hellospunkiebrewster @queerchoicesblog @brightpinkpeppercorn @itsbrindleybinch @pixieferry @akrenich @thehonorarybeaumont
-
Mr Chambers was a rather well-mannered man. He wasn’t easy to provoke, usually fending off any snide remarks with a bright smile. He always tried to be polite and to act properly. He knew the rules of decorum, taught to him from a very young age and he did his best to follow them, no matter the occasion. However, he did have one weakness.
Sweets.
His love for anything sugary stuck with him from his childhood day to adulthood. It wasn’t too severe, whenever he was home he would just have a dessert here and there and it was perfectly fine. But when it came to parties or other social gatherings, where so much food was prepared for the expensive tastes of the gentry, he sometimes suddenly felt a strong urge to stuff his face with cake instead of socializing. And he usually did, when everyone was drunk enough to not even notice him sneaking piece after piece onto his plate. It was one of his favourite things to do at those events, alongside dancing.
So when the doctor suggested that it would be healthy for him if he limited the amount of sugar he ate to the minimum for a while, he knew it won’t be easy.
He asked Yusuf to help him with it, giving the permission to even yell at him if needed, and it was all going surprisingly well. Konevi was very supportive, never going as far as yelling, but he was exceptionally good at giving his partner stern looks whenever the man was doing something he shouldn’t. However, he did always try to make up for it by wrapping Bart in his arms after their meal and giving him a sweet kiss, which made this situation much more bearable.
But the real challenge came with social events. They were invited to the dinner party at Ledford, the first gathering there since Mr and Mrs Sinclaire came back from their honeymoon, and Bartholomew was just dying to ask Lucy all about their trip to Bath.
The evening was very lovely, as always when they visited Ledford Park, and very crowded since Mrs Sinclaire became quite well-liked among the gentry and seemed to have invited half the people she met in London. And that meant that not only Mr Chambers was forbidden from eating any of the delicious looking desserts served at the party, he also couldn’t count on much privacy with his lover.
However, that didn’t seem to stop the barrister to appear behind him every time he reached for the piece of the fruit cake he was eyeing all evening.
„Mr Chambers.” he heard a calm voice beside his ear. „Have you forgotten what the doctor said?”
„The doctor said I can have a biscuit or a little bit of cake from time to time.”
„And you asked me for help specifically because you knew this little bit of cake will quickly turn into a lot of cake, especially when you’re at a party.”
„Please…” Bart gave the man his best puppy look. Konevi looked like me might actually give in but quickly composed himself.
„No. I promised that I will help you and I want to keep this promise.” he moved closer, lowering his voice even more. „Maybe later we’ll manage to sneak away to one of the guest rooms for a moment? And I’ll make it up to you.” he wiggled his eyebrows a little, causing Chambers to chuckle.
„I’m afraid it won’t be as easy tonight with…” he was interrupted by a middle-aged man, who Bartholomew recognized as one of the barrister’s ex-clients, approaching them.
„Oh, Mr Konevi! How nice to see you here. May I have a word?”
„Of course, Mr Burk.” Yusuf nodded, walking towards the other side of the room.
Bart looked around and his eyes landed on the fruit cake again. He bit his lip, hesitating, but decided to take a chance. He moved a piece onto his plate, glancing at his partner who seemed to be deep in the conversation with the gentleman, and turned around to the hallway. He felt a little guilty for doing something behind Yusuf’s back, especially something so silly, but decided he’ll just tell him after the treat finds its way to his stomach.
He slipped into one of the rooms, that according to what Lady Lucy has told him after her wedding, weren’t really used anymore. His dear friend probably gave him this information as a hint that should he and his lover need a little privacy, they can always hide in one and nobody should bother them. He didn’t imagine he’d use this suggestion for such a silly reason though. He entered the room, expecting an empty space where he could eat his treat in peace.
-
What he didn’t expect was to find the master of the house, staring at him with eyes wide open and cheeks stuffed with the cake. They both stood there, frozen in place with plates in their hands, before Mr Sinclaire finally cleared his throat, composing himself.
„Mr Chambers.” he greeted, clearly embarrassed as he brushed some of the crumbs from his face with the back of his hand.
„I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Bart was still standing in the open doorway, completely caught off guard. „I’ll find another room…”
„No, please come in.” Ernest gestured towards the armchairs standing next to the window. „Just please shut the door behind you.”
Bartholomew slowly closed the door, careful not to make too much noise, and sat in one of them, joining Sinclaire. The room was dimly lit by only one candle place on the coffee table, where he also noticed a small tray with some more cake and a piece of a pie. He raised his eyebrows and looked at the man beside him with a puzzled look.
„I usually ask the cook to prepare a tray like this before big events. So I can enjoy it in peace.” Ernest explained, looking down at his shoes like a child caught doing something they shouldn’t do. „My wife teases me about it mercilessly.”
„Don’t worry, sir. Your secret is safe with me.” Chambers chuckled. „You know, you’ve never struck me as someone with a sweet tooth. Maybe because of that sour expression.” he ripped a piece of the treat, not even bothering with a fork, and stuffed it in his mouth with an amused smile.
Mr Sinclaire glared at him. „And what are you doing here? We’ve known each other for years and I can say with confidence that everyone knows about your fondness for desserts.” the gentleman took a big bite out of his own pastry.
Bart put more cake into his mouth and sighed before explaining the whole situation.
„I’m glad you also found someone who cares about you ” Ernest smiled at his friend. „And Mr Konevi is right. You even asked him to keep an eye on you yourself.”
„I know. And I hate doing anything behind his back, even something so stupid. I’ll tell him as soon as I can.”
„Good.”
The conversation ended. Bart knew Mr Sinclaire long enough to know that he wasn’t exactly fond of pointless ramblings, so they just sat there in comfortable silence for a few minutes, enjoying their food and listening to the faint sound of pianoforte from the other side of the house.
Bartholomew finished his dessert and reached for another piece from the tray but Sinclaire swiftly pulled it away. „Hey!”
„You said it yourself. Only a little cake from time to time.” he chuckled quietly at his friend pouting face. „ You know, I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for helping the woman I love. With the proposal and such.”
“Don’t mention it. I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for helping my friend. ” Chambers gave him a bright smile, visible even in the poor lighting of the room. “She looks so happy with you. And you look happy too. A very nice change after all those years.”
There was a moment of silence again and a soft smile found its way onto Ernest’s face, as he always when he thought about his darling wife.
“Thank you. You look happy too.” he gave his friend a nod. „It’s so good you and Konevi found each other.”
„Thank you. Truly.”
The sudden knock on the door interrupted their conversation and a very familiar face poked through it. The barrister gave Bart a stern look and he responded with an apologetic one but still felt the butterflies in his stomach, just like every time he saw him.
„I’m sorry, Mr Sinclaire, but I think Mr Chambers and I have some important matters to discuss.” he gestured for Bartholomew to join him in the hallway.
„Oh, please, come inside. I need to find my wife before she goes looking for me as well anyway.” Ernest grabbed the rest of his dessert and stuffed it into his mouth in a very ungentlemanly way. On his way out, the man looked over his shoulder, smiling at his friend, and left the couple alone in the room.
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shankss-magnificent-ass · 7 years ago
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Smithing While Smitten
Chapter one: An Unlikely Ally
Pairing: Thorin Oakenshield x Valar!Reader
Word Count: 1,772
warnings: Violence, ass holery, dubious use of magic, uncomfortable situation (I guess), injury
A/N: new series, let me know that you think! Also this is your holiday present from me.
   You were a lesser known member of the valar, living in Middle Earth in the blue mountains.  You disguised yourself as a human, making yourself less ethereal looking, and more normal, it helped you hide from the other valars, who wanted you to come back to Valinor. Recently you had heard something you had not heard of since the first age, a dragon had attacked a kingdom to the east. Erebor, you had been there in the infancy of the kingdom, when it was still just a mining colony. You had hid here for a number of years before moving on and during that time the Dwarves of Erebor had endeared themselves to you. But you had heard word that they were planning to move back into Dwarrowdelf (moria), but from the way people grimaced when they said the name, something was wrong.
     It was years later before you had heard anything about the Dwarves of Erebor again, those in the villages of men were unhappy with that. They feared the dwarves would take up all of the food, and jobs, and make prices go up. Three months later they were in the blue mountains, they had settled not even half a mile away from the cave you lived in. Every day you would go and watch them build shacks and huddle in the cold winds at night. You watched as many Dwarves sought work elsewhere to feed their families, and as children waited for their fathers to come back. Once a week you’d leave nearly a dozen large game animals for them to eat, so that way no one starved and so everyone had nice fur coats to keep warm, and fought off marauders and orc packs so they were safe.  They had no idea you even existed, but that didn’t matter, it didn’t even matter that they never repaid you, you just wanted them safe. One day, whilst in nearest man village you spotted one of your favorite Dwarves, Thorin. The thing that drew you to him initially was his eyes, they were the vividest blue eyes you had ever seen. But what won you over was his work ethic, his kindness, intelligence, strength, loyalty, honor, and his steadfast personality.
     Thorin was working at the blacksmiths shop, he was hammering away on a pot with a bent bottom. You watched for a bit, long enough to see the human Blacksmith who owned the shop attempting to sneak up on Thorin with a hot poker. Without really thinking you hurried into the forge, you thought that your presence would be enough to dissuade the man from his misdeed, but no. You eventually just grabbed the poker with your bare hand and stared the man down, but being one of the Valar the fire did not burn you.
    When the man had fled, Thorin looked aghast at the red wrought iron spike in your grip. You turned to him and asked, “Are you alright?”
    "Your hand it’s burning, you must let it go!“ he exclaimed trying to get you to open your hand. When you did, your hand was unharmed, which seemed to surprise him greatly. He stared at it for a good minute before looking up at you and the words just fell from his mouth, “What are you?”
   For some reason you felt you could trust Thorin with your secret, so you smiled at him and whispered, “I’ll show to later, but for now I need to deal with the blacksmith,” leaving him in the shop by himself. You hypnotized a good deal of the town into believing that they saw what you had seen the black smith attempt to do to Thorin. Only you had them believe one of the townspeople stepped in and fended off the blacksmith, not you.The blacksmith was arrested, and his shop license was given to his second in command, who wasn’t a raging sadist. The only one you left with the actual account was Thorin, and when you were done it was time for Thorin to head home to his people. You waited for him outside of town for him on the path he takes to and fro. When he showed up you called for him, he spun around and barked, “What did you do? This whole damn town thinks that some cobbler’s apprentice stopped him when he didn’t!”
     “I did what I thought would enable you to keep your job here, and bring that awful man to justice.” You replied, “Did I do the wrong thing?”
    "it isn’t justice if you had to put a spell on the town to achieve it.“ Thorin grumbled.
    You said, "I only made them believe that they saw what I saw, and that someone else stopped him. The judgments and conclusions that they came to they made on their own.”
     “It’s fine, but I feel guilty getting paid extra for lying.” He huffed, “That kid couldn’t hurt a fly, let alone the blacksmith, how come you didn’t modify my memory of the event?”
    "Your mind is a little harder to change, and you’re not nearly as suggestible as they are, perk of being a dwarf, I guess.“ You chuckled,"That and for some inexplicable reason I trust you.”
    "You don’t even know me.“ he grunted as he attempted to walk faster.
    You kept up with him and said, "I know you’re from Erebor, you lost your home and a good deal of your family, you came here to the blue mountains with your people and you take work in the villages of men to support your growing family.”
   Thorin stopped and snarled, “So you pity me! Is that why you bother me so?” His upper lip curling back to bare his teeth in indignation.
    You looked back at him and grumbled, “You do not have my pity Thorin, I can’t really explain what my feelings towards you are, but I do know I wish to keep helping you and your people.”
    He snapped, “Keep helping! No such help has been given to me or my people!”
     “Who do you think brings you those game animals and leaving them for you? And why do you think your people have not been attacked by orc or raiders since you came here? Who do you thinks leads your children back to the village when they get lost?” You asked.
    Thorin looked at you with wide eyes, he breathed, “That is you, who keeps doing those things? why do you help us so much?”
    "because once, a long time ago, I lived in Erebor, and your people were so very kind to me even when they did not have much to give, I only wish for your people to be safe and to return that kindness.“ you explained. 
    Thorin’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, he said, "How long ago did you live there, you couldn’t be older than I am.”
    "I am in fact older than you, when I lived in Erebor it was still just a mining colony back in the first age.“ You replied, "At this rate you’re not going to make it home until after supper, your sister is going to chew you out again if you miss dinner for a second time this week.”
    Thorin sheepishly mewed, “You know about that?”
    "Of course I know about that, you could hear her yelling from the other side of the mountain, she’s got quite a pair of lungs on her.“ You mused, as you two hiked up the mountain side.    After nearly an hour of walking Thorin stopped and said, "You never told me what you were, you said you’d tell me later, it’s later now.”
    You stopped and looked back at him for a second time that night, and sighed, “I suppose I did in fact promise to show you didn’t I? Alright, I will show you, but promise me you won’t freak out first.”
    After agreeing to not freak out, you let the transformation spell that kept you looking human fall, revealing your true form to him. Which was that of fire, lightening, and crystals, your being as a Valar. Thorin fell to his knees just looking at you, you were radiant in his eyes but yet he was terrified. You shifted your form to another, one that was more ethereal looking. You stood before him waiting hesitantly for a reaction, when he just sat there on the ground gawking at you, you said, “So…are you freaking out, or are you okay with this? What’s going on in that noggin of your’s?”
    It took him a second to collect his senses so he could speak, “What are you exactly, I know that you’re something ancient and powerful, but I cannot grasp it.” He was clearly attempting to be more formal, and to come off more dignified and kingly than in the past, he even stood up straight an held up his nose.
    You smiled at him being silly, and answered, “I’m one of the Valar, but one that you probably haven’t heard of before, in the grand scheme of things I’m not very important, I usually prefer to remain out of the limelight.”
   Thorin walked in silence beside you until you reached the edge of his village, where you stopped walking. Thorin looked at you and said, “What’s wrong?”
    "This is as far as I go Thorin, I just wanted to make sure you got home safely.“ You replied.
    He frowned, held out his hand and beckoned you, "Come have dinner with my family, please. I wish to introduce you.”
    "I don’t know Thorin,“ you mumbled, unsure of the best course of action. Thorin rolled his eyes, grabbed your hand, and dragged you to his house. You had to duck your head to get through the door, but you quickly started to pull your transformation spell back up so you looked normal. By the time Thorin was done taking off his coat he turned around and saw the ordinary young lady he met in the market place looking sheepish, and out of her element. It amused him to think a Valar would feel alien and uncertain in a house. When you noticed his look you chuckled, "it’s been a long time since I’ve been in a mortal made structure, at least 10,000 years or so.”
    "if not some castle where do you live?“ Thorin inquired , slightly concerned about your living arrangements.
    Before you could reply you suddenly both of you hear a voice call out, "Thorin is that you? Did you bring someone home, should I set out a bowl for them at the table?” and approaching foot steps. 
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A/N: The gif is not mine
TAG LIST: @fictionalquintessence @life-is-righteous@wowjustwow002 @17baldwinn@jumpingmanatee@savvythedork@savvym0use@imaginesreblogged  @lady-of-fandoms @jotink78 @enkelin@arabellaelliana @a-midwinter-night-dream-86 @nelswp@imagines-for-multiple-fandoms @fentah@evyiione​ @thegreyberet​ @whatthehellisacastiel​ @cd1242​ @dracsgirl​ @tschrist1​  @me-shipper-trash @aspiringtranslator​  
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runningwitches · 7 years ago
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Last Name (Batfam x Batsis!Reader)
Request?: Yep: Anonymous requested: “can I request #54 with batsis x batfam where the reader is the same age as Damian and when Bruce wants to take her in she refuses at first but then she meets the boys or something idk sorry if you don't want to haha thank youuuuuuuuu”
54: “I don't need your help.”
A/N: I absolutely loved writing this one, and I got a bit carried away, anyways, hope I got your prompt correct, and hope you enjoy!
Word Count: 2576
Warnings: Mugging, mentions of rape, mentions of kidnapping. 
Patrolling the streets of Gotham alone one night, Batman heard a quiet plea for help. As he made his way to the alley he heard the sound from, he noticed a small girl in the corner. She was staring at the crime taking place, wide eyed. A man had pulled a woman into the alley, and was forcing her to give him her purse.
He quietly observed from the rooftop as the girl grabbed the closest heavy object to her, which happened to be a wooden board, and slowly walked up to pair, completely unnoticed. The woman was shaking, handing over her purse, as the man was getting handsy, but before he could grab the purse from her hands, the girl lifted up the board and hit him over the head.
The woman was still shaking, as she slid to the ground, stuttering out a thank you. The little girl grabbed the purse from the ground, shoving it into the lady’s hands, and spoke.
“I suggest you call the police before he wakes up. And next time, you should be more careful.” Her head was up, confident, before she noticed the woman's eyes go wide at a site behind her. She ignored it at first and turned to leave when she saw what the woman had seen. Directly behind her was Batman. The Batman. The young girl coughed, and excused herself. Sidestepping the large man, she walked to the corner of the alley to grab her few belongings. When she turned around to leave, the thief was gone, and the woman was thanking Batman, as if he had done any of the work. The girl scoffed, rolling her eyes, and began to walk out of the alley when she was stopped by the bat himself.
“Miss, that was a good thing you did.”
“Obviously, I stopped a mugging and potentially a rape,” she stated, matter of factly, before looking at the woman, who now had another scared expression on her face, and saying sorry.
“Though it was good that you were there today, you need to get home. It's very late.”
She let out a strangled laugh, as if she was trying not to laugh but what he said was too funny. “I am home.” She held her arms out in a sort of ‘welcome to my humble abode’ gesture.
“And what do you mean by that? You live in this alley?”
“Not necessarily this one… just you know. The streets.”
“How old are you?”
“Sixteen. Why?”
“And you're living on the streets?”
“Foster families didn't care for me or my attitude, so I left.”
“What’s your name?”
“(Y/N).”
“Well, (Y/N). I think I know someone that can help you.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“I’m sure you don’t, but I know someone who would be willing to take you in. A roof over your head, food in your stomach.”
“Sorry, allow me to correct myself: I don’t want your help. I’m perfectly fine here on the streets. I’ve been here for two years now, I know how to survive on my own. Thank you, but no thank you, sir.” And she began to walk away.
“Will you at least meet him?”
“Pardon?”
“I can introduce you to him. Then you can make your decision. Even if you don’t want to stay with him, I’m certain he could find somewhere for you to stay.”
“Why do you care so much?” she asked, walking back towards the caped crusader. “You clearly saw that I can handle myself. Why don’t you send the ones who can’t fend for themselves to this guy?”
“The ones who can’t fend for themselves don’t tend to run away from the foster system,” he told her with a smirk.
“Fine.”
“Fine?”
“I’ll meet him. But I’m not saying I’ll stay. In fact, I probably won’t stay. But sure. I’ll meet him.”
So Batman called his Batmobile, and dropped her off at the Wayne Manor, with a quick knock on the door, an older gentleman opened the door almost immediately.
“Oh, Mas- ahem. Batman? I see you’ve brought another one for Master Wayne,” the man asked with a British accent that intrigued (Y/N).
“Another one?” she asked. “Does he tend to take in a lot of kids.”
“So far only four. Now five, I’d assume,” the butler said.
“I wouldn’t say that quite yet,” the bat added, true to his word that she wouldn’t be required to stay. “I have to head out. Tell Bruce ‘hi’ for me, Alfred.” And with that, he grappled away, while the old man, who now had a name, pulled you inside.
“Does he have a habit of picking up random kids from the street and dropping them here or…”
“I wouldn’t call it a habit, but it has happened multiple times,” Alfred told her with a smile. “Now, young miss, what was your name?” “I’m (Y/N).”
“Do you have a last name?” “Yeah, but I don’t make a habit of throwing it around. Too much information in the wrong hands, and you’re screwed. I still don’t know if I can trust you yet.”
“You are a very smart girl, (Y/N). Master Bruce will certainly like you.”
As if on cue, the man walked into the kitchen that Alfred had brought the girl into. As Alfred sat a plate of food in front of her, he began to introduce himself. She sat there and stared at the plate of food for a second as the wheels in her head began to turn.
‘Same stature, same voice inflection, he must use some sort of voice changer though. The dialect seems almost exact. He definitely has the money for it. The timing of his arrival. When Alfred opened the door he began to say ‘master’ until he noticed me. There’s no way it’s not him.’ As the thoughts ran through her head she realized he was talking to her. “I’m so sorry, what did you say?” she asked with a shake of her head to drag herself away from her thoughts.
“I asked your name.”
She stared at him with raised eyebrows as she studied his face. She concluded an answer subtle enough that she could back away from the accusation if she changed her mind, but still made sure to make her intention clear. “I’m sure you already know.”
The man in front of her contorted his face in an expression that was a mixture of surprise, confusion, and something saying he was impressed. In a voice slightly higher than the one he was using not even a minute ago, he asked, “Now why would you think that?” The change in octave made it apparent that he was caught in a lie.
“I don’t mean to overstep my boundaries, but I have overwhelming evidence that we’ve met before. Earlier tonight in fact.” She heard a noise from behind her and turned her head to see Alfred with a smile gracing his face.
“I told you Master Wayne, she’s a very smart girl. She wasn’t ignoring you, she was simply putting together the pieces of the puzzle. It seems you fell right into her trap.”
She smiled at the butler and returned her attention to the man who was still standing in front of her. “Now Mister Wayne, may I ask you why you wanted to take me in?”
“C’mon kid, finish your food, I’ll take you down to the cave.” She began to eat the food that had been placed in front of her. She looked protective, as if the meal was going to be taken from her at any moment, however, she didn’t scarf it down. She knew too well the necessity in savoring a meal. She complimented the cooking, and thanked them both. When she was halfway done, however, she set down her utensils and looked up at the two men. “Are you done?”
“I haven’t had a meal a quarter of this size in over two years. There’s no way in hell I’m going to be able to finish this plate.”
Alfred looked at her, clearly upset by the statement she just made, but grabbed the plate in front of her, and began to clean up. He soon became lost in his thoughts as the memory of the second boy Bruce had taken in resurfaced. Faced with a similar situation, Jason was caught attempting to steal a wheel from the Batmobile. He too had the same protective look in his eye when the butler served him his first meal in the manor. Unlike the new girl, however, Jason finished his food quickly, and didn’t give asking for seconds another thought. The butler hoped the two got along, knowing the man’s relationship with his youngest sibling wasn’t the best.
Speaking of the youngest sibling, Damian, he was the same age as the newest addition to the family (if she chose to stay). The butler hoped that having someone his age would humble him out. He knew there was a softie beneath the hard exterior he put off, and he hoped that seeing another person in the same situation he was in would allow him to open up.
Of course, when Bruce brought (Y/N) down to the cave, Damian was less than pleased.
“Who is this?” he had asked, with hostility in his voice.
“I’m (Y/N), pleasure to meet you,” she said, but she didn't give him the pleasure of holding her hand out to shake. It was a gesture that Damian would have ultimately denied in an attempt to show dominance, however, (Y/N) didn't realize that her lack of effort in the situation made Damian realize that his actions made others feel bad. Though he would have denied her handshake if she offered one, the thought that she didn’t care enough to want to shake his hand made him feel unimportant.
Returning to his confident and uncaring self, he simply asked, “And your last name?”
“As I kindly explained to your butler earlier, I don’t tell my last name to people I don’t trust. And I don’t see why I would trust you.”
“Well we kinda have a computer that could get a file on anyone in the world,” one of the other boys that was standing nearby mentioned.
“Yeah, I figured. Too bad I pretty much dropped off the face of the earth two years ago when I left the foster system. I don’t even know how many aliases I’ve gone through until this one.” If she was being honest, all rational thought left her brain when Batman asked for her name, and the one that she had gone by for 14 years slipped out. She wasn’t going to admit that though. “Though I’m sure if your…” she looked between the youngest of the four and Bruce again, “father truly intended to adopt me, he would have done his research.” The five of them looked towards the man, and when they were greeted with a sheepish smile, they all realized he hadn’t. “Well, anyways, I’m not planning on staying, so, if you’ll excuse me.” She turned on her heel, and began to make her way back to the staircase that would lead her to the manor.
Before she made it back, she heard a voice saying, “Aw man, I was really hoping we could keep her. She reminds me of Damian.”
“Exactly, Dick, we don’t need another demon running around the house!”
“Jason, don’t be so rude. I don’t think anything could be as bad as little Dami over here.”
“Drake, I’ll kick your ass!” this one was followed by the sound of shuffling, which she could only assume to be the scuffle now going on between the brothers. She allowed a fraction of a smile to hint on her face as she turned back to the staircase. She was met with the sight of Alfred descending the stairs.
“Ah, Miss (Y/N). Leaving so soon. I was truly hoping you would at least stay for breakfast.”
The scuffle had stopped at this point, the four boys now being quiet in an attempt to hear the new girl’s response. “Sorry Alfred, but you know how it is. Places to go, things to do.
“And what, may I ask must you busy yourself with tonight?”
“Well, my alley was getting a bit messy, I’m sure it’ll need some cleaning. Especially after the incident that happened today.”
“Ah, Master Bruce was telling me about that. A robbery, in your own alley?”
“Oh no,” she corrected him with a laugh. “Before that some guy came by and attempted to kidnap me. I had to teach him a lesson obviously, and, well, I might have drawn some blood. I had just set up my box in that alley too, it was quite unfortunate,” she told him, finishing with a lighthearted laugh. The boys were stunned. She was so casual about the fact that someone had attempted to kidnap her. And then about the fact that she literally kicked his ass. There wasn’t even a scratch on her! They all looked at each other and came to a silent agreement. They had to get her to stay.
Alfred had already taken a liking to her, however, and his attempts at convincing her were probably going to work better than that that of the boys. “Well, my dear, I could always stop by to help you clean up, but I’m sure I’d be of more use if you were to stay.”
“That’s very sweet of you, but I couldn’t. If I wasn’t out there, I’m not sure I could live with myself. These boys don’t stop every crime you know.” She heard a scoff from behind her, and resolved that it was one of the boys, offended by her statement. She rolled her eyes at the childishness, which caused Alfred to smile.
The oldest son looked to Bruce with pleading eyes, and the older man instantly knew what he was requesting. He gave it a few seconds of thought before nodding, causing the other three boys to look at each other with big smiles. “You know, (Y/N), you could always stay and come train with us. I’m sure you’d be able to help more people if you had the proper technology and equipment.  And, you have so much knowledge of the streets of Gotham, I’m sure you could help us improve,” he said, walking up to her. Holding out his hand for a shake, he added, “I’m Richard Grayson, but you can call me Dick.”
She looked the man up and down and then glanced to Bruce, who was standing behind him with his other three sons. The boys all had big smiles on their faces. Even the one she had already deemed an asshole. Bruce simply gave her a small nod.
“(Y/N), (Y/N) (Y/L/N),” she simply told him, without shaking his outstretched hand.
“Okay,” Dick said, turning to the others, “Jason was right, a bit too much like Damian.” Everyone in the room broke out into laughter, except the two sixteen year olds, but Damian walked up to her and introduced himself. “I’m Damian Wayne.” He pointed to the next youngest, “that one’s Tim Drake,” he then pointed to the one with the blonde streak, “and that’s Jason Todd. I’d stay away from both of them if I were you.”
She simply looked at him with a smile, “Thanks.”
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amwritingmeta · 7 years ago
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SNAPSHOT META: 1x01 - PILOT
I’m rewatching the entire series over the summer - not only because my memory bank is in dire need of refreshing, but because what else are we supposed to do during hellatus? Meet up with friends, go to the park, enjoy the sunshine? *snorts with derision* (okay I’ll be doing that too) (I’m not staying in all summer watching SPN and writing meta) (*shiftiest eyes*) I wanted to do this as part of this awesomeness and will attempt to catch up. If I can’t: *shrug* What can I say? Real Life and all that. Yes, friends in the park with sunshine. (be honest) I work. A lot. Of the hours.
But to make it up to you, I’ve planned THIS
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No, I’m not going to dress up as Marilyn Monroe and come to your house and shower you with champagne. (or am I?)  No, don’t be silly - I can’t do that! Instead, I’m going to encourage you all to drink! By introducing the Spectacular and Penultimate and so very Necessary Drinking Game. (*SPNDG for short) For those who do not partake of the alcohol or for those of you who are underage there will be soda pops involved. (considering how much I curse I sincerely hope each and every one of you are of age)
You with me here? AWESOME! This will be us come end of summer:
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Though possibly not quite so fishy... Either way, we’ll be ready for S13, peeps!
So, I had this ambition to do this Snapshot Commentary thing for each episode, getting through one or two a day. This post has taken me four days, the hours I’ve had to invest interspersed unevenly at best, and @margarittet was nice enough to do the maths - my ambition would take me over two years to fulfil at this pace. Yah. And as I lack a Time-Turner (god I wish I had one WHY JK ROWLING??) I may just have to watch the series as planned and write meta on the episodes that stand out as deeper narrative beats, both plot and character wise. Fuck. I already know there are so many of them. But I’m excited to get started! Writing this meta has been so much fun and I hope you’ll enjoy it.
I know I’m probably repeating stuff someone else has already said, but do you know what, I haven’t gotten to say it, so I’m saying it for myself now. Keep a lookout for them drinking prompts, because that means fun times up ahead, and don’t forget to drink responsibly. (remember nesnej) (oh god we’re all gonna get sloshed) (or very, very high on sugar)
Here we go!
Snapshot Commentary: 1x01 - PILOT
Mary and John are Good Parents
Sam is the cutest baby e.v.e.r
Young Dean worships his father already 
Flickering lights are always sinister
Baby monitors are always freaky
Guys standing ominously in shadow are super-disconcerting 
MARY, THAT WAS NOT JOHN!
Oh, the pain of that fiery death is just… no
And, of course, Dean is handed Sammy to look after and to save —- *ow*
“It’s okay, Sammy.” —- *ow*
Why did little baby Sammy have to see his mother burn on the ceiling?? —- *OW*
Jessica is a beautiful girl
Jessica needs to wear more clothes
I worry Jessica may catch cold 
Lightly Clad Female adulation: *Tequila Time
Sam is gorgeous
Sam doesn’t buy into Halloween
Sam is smart as all fuck
Sam isn’t close to his family
Jess is his family: she believes in him, encourages him, is proud of non-hunter him
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The character intro of Dean fucking Winchester: an Intruder Cloaked in Shadow (friend or foe, we don’t know - remind you of anyone?) 
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Them boys got them fighting skills down
*no. 1 - BEER
Jessica is a beautiful girl
Jessica needs to wear more clothes
I worry Jessica may catch cold
*no. 2 - Ladies Man Dean switching on the skeeze charm
There’s good reason to be afraid of the dark
Them boys hunt them things that there’s good reason to be afraid of
Them boys kill them things and save lives
Dean takes pride in this - Sam is trying to move on from it: root of brotherly conflict revealed and we are at minute 8:55, peeps
Dean: So what’re you gonna do? You just gonna live some normal, apple pie life, is that it?
Wait, what? Pie is synonymous with what?
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*no. 3 - PIE
Sam: No. Not normal - safe.
Dean manipulates Sam reaches out because he does not want to do this alone, even though Sam more or less just told him that all he wants to be is safe from all of it: dick move, Dean - but then, without it, there’d be no story
Sam gives in — brodependency already in full swing
Baby <3
*no. 4 - Impala Weapons Stash
Sam is incredulous that Dean got to go on a hunting trip alone, which tells us John was always an Overbearing Parent, but…
Dean points out he’s twenty-six - an adult, meaning John trusts him to take care of himself
Conversely: in the original pilot script “Jack” (John’s original name was Jack) (yeah, I know, right?) makes a distinct, but brief, difference between his two sons: Baby Sam can have Dean’s room if baby Sam sleeps through the night. This may be an innocent promise, but it’s still telling of what John’s relationship with his boys was always meant to be. Sam is more important and Dean is left to fend for Sam, and to fend for himself.
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Headcanon -> John was only overbearing for as long as Sam was still there. When Sam chose to leave, John started splitting up from Dean for longer and longer stints of time, leaving Dean to truly fend for himself. Dean is telling Sam the truth: he doesn’t want to do this alone anymore, he’s been completely alone from the day Sam left and Dean is a pack animal, someone for whom family is everything, it’s what’s been drilled into him since he was four years old and probably before then. Who is he if he’s not taking care of Sammy? For two years, no, for longer than that, he’s been trying to find out and he’s come up short. Bottom line? Dean Winchester is lonely and he misses his brother, misses the purpose he always gave him, craves that purpose like a drug. Without Sammy - Dean is lost, because all his life all he’s ever tried to be was John Winchester, so that he’d be strong enough to keep Sam safe, and keeping Sam safe meant that perhaps their dad would be proud of him, but without Sam, modelling himself on John loses its meaning, and if he’s not emulating John Winchester, then who is he supposed to be? He doesn’t know. And, quite possibly, the thought of finding out feels like a complete betrayal of everything his father ever taught him. Because you never give up on family, and that has always been a double-edged sword.
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Minute 12:53
Jericho, California
I can never go home…… *chills*
Jessica is a beautiful girl
Jessica needs to wear more clothes
I worry Jessica may catch cold
Hottest Woman in White ever - them victims never stood a damn chance - maybe if you didn’t throw yourself at men with wives and girlfriends, Hotness, they wouldn’t be tempted to cheat *eye roll* (female representation too often sucks)
Friendly Reminder: Lightly Clad Female adulation means fucking *Tequila Time, y’all
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Sidenote: as much as I love how this episode is resolved, I do find that there’s a big gaping logic hole in this antagonist’s motivation when the Woman in White is killing men because her husband was unfaithful, and yet she is clearly not averse to literally forcing her victims into a compromised position, in essence she’s raping them before killing them. She’s a vengeful spirit and she’s seeing red, meaning she can’t actually weigh the good and bad in her decisions, and I get that, but seriously? She’s killed ten men over twenty years. Why not more? Why not only target those that are up for it by their own volition then, if you’re going to be so damn picky? Meh. Whatever.
Minute 18:21
*No. 5 - Every time they say the word “agent” have a drink of water (I’m not a sadist) (well I am a little) (like Misha Collins) (so there’s a bit of goodness) (to my badness) (water is life) (and helps against massive hangovers) 
Dean doesn’t have a whole lotta respect for the lawmen 
(Jensen has the biggest, greenest eyes)
Sam is empathic - in touch with his emotions
Empathy makes Dean fidget - out of touch with his emotions or, you know, unwilling to touch them
Constance Welch - Hottest Woman in White Ever has a name, glory be!
Please hold for some Dialogue Deconstruction…
Here’s the Bridge Exchange between the brothers:
Sam: Dean, I told you, I’ve gotta get back by— Dean: Monday. Right. The interview. Sam: Yeah. Dean: You’re really serious about this, aren’t you? You think you’re just gonna become some lawyer? Marry a girl… Sam: Maybe. Why not? Dean: Does Jessica know the truth about you? I mean, does she know about the things you’ve done? Sam: No, and she’s not ever going to know. Dean: Well, that’s healthy. You can pretend all you want, Sammy, but sooner or later you’re going to have to face up to who you really are. Sam: And who’s that? Dean: You’re one of us. Sam: No. I’m not like you. This is not going to be my life. Dean: You have a responsibility. Sam: To dad? And his crusade? If it weren’t for pictures I wouldn’t even know what mom looks like. What difference would it make? Even if we were to find the thing that killed her, mom’s gone, and she’s not coming back. Dean: Don’t talk about her like that.
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This exchange tells us so much about these two men, their past, their present frame of mind, stating the conflict in their different points of views. Oh, my Kripke. *salivating*
Dean
thinks a normal life is a pipe dream
which is confirmed as the truth by Sam finding it necessary to lie to Jessica
leading to Dean calling Sam out on the unhealthiness of denying who you really are (!!!)
Now for the underlying conflict this exchange highlights: Dean needs his brother back in the family business. His face when he tries to throw the responsibility barb at Sam and Sam shakes it off - Dean looks hurt, he was speaking for himself here, not John and as we’ll learn, Dean practically raised Sam, so for Sam to find it so easy to leave him behind, to not even take him into account, it must hurt like all hell
Dean is protective of Mary’s memory: whether it’s out of loyalty to her or loyalty to John is hard to tell at this point, right? Mary’s memory has shaped Dean’s life, and of course he has his own memories of her, but is he protective of her as his mother or as the motor behind his entire existence, which Sam is more or less calling bullshit on here? Maybe it’s both. Maybe they’re irrevocably the same at this point. 
Dean is a foot soldier: he’s had his reason for existing drilled into him from when he was old enough to have it drilled into him that this is who he is and this is all there is to him, there is no questioning orders, there is no breaking away from it, there is nothing else out there more important than family
Dean is loyal and duty bound, displaying a softly selfish streak as he pulls Sam back into the life, as well as giving us hints of that deep insecurity when it comes to his own identity, an insecurity that we’ll get to know so well over the seasons (remind you of anyone?)
Lets’ look at the exchange again, this time from Sam’s POV:
Sam
that “maybe” denotes a hint of uncertainty 
that turns into defensiveness
because deep down he’s afraid that Dean’s right and there’s no “normal” to be had for him
and, as with most things, a twofold: we’re heading into dark territory with Sam and this uncertainty is subtle foreshadowing of how he’s always felt different and out of place
but as we’ll come to learn about Sam, once he stops beating against the hunter side of himself, he’ll find his MoL side, his Leader side, and that journey starts right here as well, in this subtle show of uncertainty, because what Sam truly needs ain’t ever going to be “normal”
it’s funny when Sam tells Dean he’s nothing like him, because the truth is: Sam beat Dean in that first scuffle, Sam found the name of the Woman in White, Sam picked the lock at the motel, Sam concluded John’s in trouble by examining the room, Sam got Dean out of jail by placing a prank call and, of course, Sam’s going to resolve the episode by taking action
so obviously Sam is a hunter to the bone - and he’s better at it than Dean
it’s lovely that Sam immediately ties John’s hunt for Mary’s killer to Christianity by dubbing it a “crusade” - very subtle foreshadowing here
Sam is so over all of it: he is all about free will and his right to exorcise it, not buying into the crap John is selling, not seeing the point, if there ever was one - it won’t bring their mother back, she’s gone, they need to move on with their lives
as he says to Dean in their earlier exchange: Mary wouldn’t have wanted this for them, and of course we know Sam’s right in this assumption
but that said, Sam also has loyalty and a sense of duty, rooted in love for his family, and though he knows who he wants to be, there’s a clear insecurity about who he can be 
he’s just not ready to sacrifice his sense of self for someone else’s idea of what is the right thing to do with his life
It’s the classic Hero’s Journey setup for Sam, of course: without resistance there’s no possibility for growth. If the Hero begins in a place where he’s comfortable with the journey he’s about to be launched onto then the necessity for him making the journey disappears and there’s no hook into the narrative. (remind you of anyone?)
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Minute 24:43
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Jump up on the railing, boys. The railing. THE RAILING, BOYS, THE CAR CAN’T GET TO YOU IF YOU’RE… oh, forget it.
Even covered in mud you are one hot cookie, Dean Winchester
John Winchester is a pro
John Winchester is detail oriented (MoL)
John Winchester is clever
John Winchester is in trouble (stakes raised)
Sam apologises for what he said about John and Mary and Dean deflects the sentiment with a “Hey, no chick flick moments” — *awww*
*No. 6 - whenever Dean DEFLECTS SENTIMENT we toast each other with a RAWR
*No. 7 - whenever Sam tries to get Dean to talk we toast the TV with a JERK! BITCH!
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On Dean Donning John’s Leather Jacket: I reblogged some gorgeous meta just the other day on this topic and couldn’t add my own thoughts because I simply didn’t have enough of an opinion. @dustydreamsanddirtyscars I still feel your meta was beautiful and that’s why I wanted it on my blog *head still bowed to you*, I also see how Dean is drowning in that jacket and all it symbolises, but I will agree with @elizabethrobertajones, who pointed out that the jacket is a visual metaphor for Dean shouldering responsibility for the family business, and I’d even like to delve a little deeper into what the jacket represents for me in this moment in time.
Firstly, I’d just like to point out how utterly downplayed this moment is in the pilot. If I hadn’t been aware of the jacket being John’s I wouldn’t even have registered how significant Dean sliding it on actually is, given how the episode plays out. We’re at minute 28:44 and the fact that there’s a ring of salt on the floor of John’s motel room has told the boys that John was worried, that he was trying to keep something out. The possibility of something truly bad having happened to their father is beginning to seem more and more likely to the brothers.
But, secondly, what is so interesting about Dean grabbing his father’s jacket is that he does it casually, without a second thought. It tells us John clearly wouldn’t mind Dean wearing his jacket, or Dean would have left it where it is. To me, this shows a bond. (As does the fact that John has given Dean his car, but that’s for later meta.) It shows a closeness between father and son because they’ve been united in their hunt for Mary’s killer and Dean has earned his father’s respect and trust, no matter how absent John is in Dean’s life. What Dean needs is his father’s love and acceptance and, of course, these he can’t ever have because Dean isn’t comfortable enough in himself to ever admit this is what he needs. And if he can’t admit it, then how can he ask for it?
So Dean dresses himself in his father’s clothes and steeps himself in his father’s image (down to driving his car and listening to his music) in order to connect with his father, because regular Dean has never been quite enough. And, furthermore, Dean emulates his father in order for Dean to do his duty, to be the responsible one, to look out for Sammy. It’s what he’s been doing for twenty-two years so donning his father’s jacket in this scene is casual because it’s what Dean does every day of his life, it’s who he already is - an extension of John Winchester.
It’s why the significance of this moment is downplayed, rather than acting as foreshadowing for what’s to happen to Jessica in ten minutes by underlining the fact that something bad must’ve happened to John - because this isn’t what this moment is there for, it’s simply an extremely subtle way of planting the visual information of how Dean is already a shadow of his father.
Note: they begin putting deeply emotional and key character moments entirely in visual subtext from day one. This is how they write this show and how they have always written this show. Because they are amazing writers and this is how amazing writers write shit down. A good screenplay needs to work on multiple levels and deliver on this type of thing in every scene, because each scene is meant to be a building block for the narrative and the foundation for the narrative is subtext.
Writing a good screenplay is not easy or straight forward, it takes a lot of consideration for what details actually matter to the narrative as a whole and that consideration is always based in knowledge of your character’s backstory and, preferably, at least some notion of their endgame. Though endgames change and aren’t an absolute necessity, I’d say it’s very difficult to steer a narrative without even a loose destination in mind.
And look at how the brother’s are set up in the pilot: this is the relationship we’re going to follow for the coming twelve years, and the core conflict is right there, in their first scene, enhanced in this exchange I’ve just briefly deconstructed. It is meticulously crafted writing. (I just cannot EVEN)
Minute 29:40
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Dean gets bent over the hood of a car and yeah, he likes it - there is no reason for him to like it that much, except for this actually being one of those downplayed visual character moments that would give the casual viewer insight into Dean enjoying being bent over things by men in uniform, if it wasn’t so ambiguous (we know though) (we know) (the foreshadowing for Dean’s bisexuality, and him being privately ok with it, too - look at that smile - is starting right here, guys) (IN THE PILOT)
So Dean previously dissed the cops for not having a clue
Now he’s their only clue to solving the murder
This leads Dean to the biggest clue he’s found in his John Winchester investigation
John Winchester’s JOURNAL (god that’s a great visual) (you can hear the weight of this revelation as the journal hits that table like a brick) (I wish I had a GIF)
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Thank you, @elizabethrobertajones!! 
(I wish I had a million dollars)
Now, Dean dissing the cops when he and Sam first arrive on the crime scene and actually  being proven wrong - because these cops clearly have eyes and ears on alert - is good, this tells us Dean’s not as slick as he thinks he is
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Sam being the empath again - gently interrogating Constance Welch’s husband
until he switches on the badass - because Sam is not beyond pushing for the truth and pushing buttons to get to it: logic and gut instinct stemming from emotional intelligence, I would argue, because Sam has always been honest with himself and tried his hardest to follow his heart
the fact that Dean so easily slips out of the station WITH THE JOURNAL reaffirms the fact that Dean is good at what he does - granted with assistance from Sam: this instils in us the confidence that Dean knows what he’s doing, getting himself out of the jam he got himself into (possibly this was an unintentionally planted soundbite, but the Getting Themselves Out of Jams They’ve Unintentionally Created For Themselves still hits a note that will echo through the entire series)
John’s left Jericho and he didn’t take his journal (the plot thickens)
SHIT THERE’S A GHOST LADY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD SAMMY!!
And now she’s IN THE CAR WITH YOU SAMMY!! (stakes raised sky high) (she gonna kill you!) (don’t say oh hell yes!) 
Ok, good, there’s that cleverness I’ve come to know and love, Sam, good boy for telling her no, but of course, it’ll make no difference whatsoever because this ghost will violently murder you for getting excited by her cleavage and her grinding against your groin (but it really is ridiculous, though) (isn’t it?) (she’s afraid to go home, guys) (that’s her weak spot) (the only reason she switches on the seductress and Sam suddenly having no say in the matter is that they wanted Dean to fire that shotgun) (they wanted to show that there is more ways than one to beat back the supernatural on this show) (“I can’t ever go home” makes logical Sam understand her fear) (so Constance realising what he’s going to do - that he’s going to take her home - could’ve made her fight back) (in the way she took control of the car on the bridge) (which would take us to the need to use that shotgun) (there’s no damn reason for her to try and coerce Sam into being unfaithful) (it just negates her entire backstory - her believable and emotional motivation) (I like my Hottest Women in White evers to be well-rounded characters) (thank you very much)
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(yes thank you) (this pilot has given insight) (with logic holes)
Again - I love this episode resolution: you go Sam! and then the water and, oh man —
— children in shadow at the top of stairs shot with a low angle are always creepy
Bye bye Constance (toilet flush noise) (hmm)
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“--I’ll kill you” = Baby Love
Blackwater Ridge, Colorado
Oh, disappointment from Dean: Sam’s still not coming with him to meet up with John and make sure he’s ok
AC/DC singing “I’m on a Highway to Hell” as Dean pulls up to Sam’s door to drop him off - holy shit this show really does choose its music with care
Helluva team *chills*
Oh, cookies
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Bookend to end all bookends
“We’ve got work to do.” *double-chills*
And what’s even more significant here is Sam’s character arc for this episode bookending as he’s spent the entire narrative beating against everything his father stands for to now - without hesitation, the love of his life having just died in the exact same way the love of his father’s life died - be stepping into the very shoes he’s always rejected, ready to walk that path of vengeance for Jessica’s sake.
Dean donned John’s jacket.
Sam, starting out stating how what he wants out of life is safety with/for the woman he loves, ends up picking up a shotgun.
Their fates and their choices are linked to and mirrored in John’s fate and his choices and the basis for all that’s to come is firmly in place by the end of this pilot episode. Isn’t it just marvellous?
Other Noteworthy Things:
Dean indulges in unhealthy food twice
Sam declines unhealthy food twice 
Dean says “house rules” about what goes on in the Impala and I have so many thoughts on what Baby symbolises, but “stability” and “home” are the foremost ones, so this brief line feels meaningful to me
A diner ->
A gas station ->
A motel ->
-> Settings we will become very familiar with
Cassette tapes (twelve years of cassette tapes)
Dean calls Sam out for being a control freak 
Let’s bask in the gorgeous irony Kripke establishes by making it clear that being a hunter means having to break the law and Sam’s ambition in life is to be a lawyer - it underscores the internal conflict so beautifully and underlines how Sam’s vision for his future truly is the absolute Opposite to how he’s been raised
Sam needing to distance himself from his family means he’s not welcome back
This was John’s decision
Headcanon: thinking how this most probably devastated Dean, but Sam figured Dean would stick by John without hesitation so he never bothered to contact Dean, while Dean, not hearing from Sam, figured Sam wouldn’t want him to bother him *slow tear*
And that is all from me on this gorgeous episode, peeps! Hope you found this informative!!
xx
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punkpoemprose · 8 years ago
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December 17th- The Body Guard
I’m still plugging along guys. It might help if I wasn’t so dead set on writing thousands of words per fic, but here I am, esentially attempting to write a novel’s worth of fanfic. Haha, well better late than never I suppose. Really enjoyed writing this one!
Oneshot Universe: Modern AU/ Modern Princess Anna AU Rating: T (Teen and Up) for a brief mention of sex Length: 3044 Words
           Kristoff could see Anna imploding before his very eyes, but he kept his distance. All eyes were on her and if he stepped in now there would be questions, and he couldn’t let that happen. Questions meant more eyes on them. Rumors had already been quashed once in the last six months and the last thing he needed was for them to come up again. No one knew his name yet, and he needed to keep it that way. He was just a body guard, she was the crown Princess of a whole nation.
           Although he knew he couldn’t do anything, he was just waiting for an excuse to step in. He hoped the way his eyes were burning through Hans’s head was enough of an indication to the smarmy royal bastard that he was not wanted in the room. However he was never wanted and it never stopped him. He was too smart to step out of line enough to get banned from the castle, and without any threat of violence on his part, he was untouchable.
           It was all he could do to hide his balled up, shaking fists behind his back, and keep Sven at his side as Hans kissed Anna’s hand. He saw his lips move to mutter something to the red head, and she coolly replied something he couldn’t hear. He had no doubt it was something snarky, especially with the side eye it earned her from her sister.
          “That’s my girl,” Kristoff muttered under his breath as he readjusted his grip on Sven’s leash and watched as Hans walked over to the Queen. He was part of Anna’s official detail, but he still paid attention to the way in which Hans acted towards the Queen. He took his position as a royal guardsman seriously, far more seriously than his ceremonial sword, shoulder fringe, and floofy hat made him appear.
          He was the only K-9 handling member of the Royal guard to ever be given an official guard position over the heir apparent. Additionally he had recently been given a silent promotion to the head of the Princess’s guard. It was the only thing keeping him in line, and he knew he had been given the position to keep him from flying off the handle like he wished he could.
          He had grown up at Anna and Elsa’s side, an orphan adopted unofficially by the crown and taken under the wing of the castle’s resident kennel master and while that was hardly public knowledge, it had a lot to do with the reason he was so close to her. They had played together as children in the castle halls, and even though it wasn’t strictly “proper” Anna would often sneak down to the stables to help Kristoff with tending to the horses and hounds. He still remembered the heartbroken look in her eyes when he left the castle at eighteen. She had only been fifteen at the time, and even though she understood why he felt he had to leave home, she had been angry with him for leaving.
          He had been shocked when Queen Elsa took the throne, and he had been given a position on the royal guard. Of course he had already been in Arendelle’s military from the age of eighteen and supposed he should have expected it to happen when he returned home and accidentally stumbled into Anna, recently separated from her fiancé, much to the uproar of the public. He was one of the first people she had told about his drinking problem, and his interest in her for her crown, rather than for her personality. He had been her shoulder to cry on when she felt she couldn’t face her sister, let alone the public.
          He wasn’t sure how much Elsa had known about their relationship then, the way Anna had kissed him, and the way he had held her, knowing that she shouldn’t be in his arms at all. The way she had begged him to stay home, cried into his shirt, and told him things about the three years he had been gone that left him shaking with anger. It had only been a few weeks after that he had been called to serve on Anna’s guard, so he supposed that she had known about at least some of their closeness. If she didn’t then, she did by the second month, when a royal watcher had caught her holding his hand while in the stables and damage control had to be run to ensure the rumors and photos related to the event never made it out to the public.
          As of two months after the event, he was made her guard captain with Sven as his unofficial second in charge. He was a trained fighter, but Anna’s treats were making him into a chubby, lazy palace pup. This was his first week in charge, and he was already dying to kill a man just for looking at Anna wrong.
          From her body language, he could only assume she wanted to do the same. He kept his eye on her, as she shook more hands on the receiving line. She could handle herself and he knew it. It was unlikely there were any threats more than conversational insults that would need to be fended off. Four sets of security and a manicured guest list made him comfortable with such an assumption, but his unique relationship with Anna meant his concerns went deeper than that.
          When he saw a change in her body language, her shifting back, body going limp, he surged forward to meet her, Sven at his side when he caught her against his chest.
          A few people gasped, and the duchess whose hand Anna had been about to shake looked as though she were about to have a heart attack. Anna, however despite breathlessness said simply, “I’m feeling a bit faint.”
          Kristoff knew she wasn’t actually ill, he had seen her do this when they were children, and if it weren’t for the sake of proper manners, something that had been beaten into him for the past half year, he would have chided her on the spot. She held onto his arm as he righted her once more, and he knew that in a moment he would be leading her from the ballroom to her chambers.
          “Oh dear, it’s these dresses, terribly tight and warm,” the elderly duchess said as she patted Anna’s hand maternally, recovering rather quickly from the shock.
          She looked about ready to pull out a fan and personally ‘save’ the princess as Anna spoke up, looking ruefully to the rest of the receiving line and then back to the duchess, “You’ll have to excuse me, I’ve been feeling ill today,” she said, looking then towards Elsa, who despite a mild look of annoyance that was only noticeable to Kristoff and Anna, seemed more than willing to go along with her sister’s feigned illness.
          “Perhaps you should lie down Anna,” the blonde spoke, glancing to Kristoff and giving him a look that said everything he needed to know.
          “I think I will, thank you,” Anna said, then turning her attention to the duchess and those behind her in line, “If you’ll forgive my rudeness, I must take my leave.”
          The remainder of the line bowed and curtsied appropriately and Kristoff waved off the rest of his charges as they approached to assist him in escorting the princess to her room. One of the two female guards on Anna’s detail did follow however to keep up appearances as Kristoff had asked previously, and when the three walked from the room, she looked to Kristoff for instruction.
          “The princess won’t need any medical attention, will you Princess Anna?” Kristoff said addressing both ladies in his presence as the woman a year his elder pulled a walkie from a belt hidden by her formal coat.
          Anna shook her head, “I just need sleep, Captain Bjorgman will see to my care. You may guard my door however, if it pleases you,” she said, directly addressing the young woman.
          She bowed in response, and Kristoff muttered orders to her surreptitiously, “You are to stand by the door and tell anyone with questions that the Princess was simply overly warm. However within the half hour you can leave and tell the rest of the detail that they have an early night off. The princess will not be leaving her room tonight, and unless there is an emergency I’ll be her night guard. Is that clear?”
          “Yes sir!” the young woman replied, keeping a respectable distance behind Anna, Kristoff, and Sven as they ascended the castle’s stairs to the royal wing. She knew, as the entirety of the royal guard did, that Kristoff was involved with Anna. However because discretion was their policy, they didn’t speak of it, unless of course they were in the barracks without Kristoff, another guard captain, or god forbid the Commander. Then they spoke freely about how they imagined the Captain was shagging the Princess, but only to one another.
          When Kristoff was fairly certain they were out of earshot, he squeezed Anna’s arm a little tighter and whispered into her ear, “You can’t just fake illness because you want to be alone with me.”
          “I can do what I like,” Anna said smiling, “Don’t forget I outrank you Captain.”
          “Don’t pull rank with me,” he said back, hating how much he enjoyed hearing her call him Captain when she was misbehaving, “And you know Elsa will back me up and she outranks us all.”
          She sighed, “Just like when we were kids, you two never let me get away with anything.”
          “Because we don’t want anything to happen to you,” he reminded, though he could point out any of the millions of things he had let her get away with in the last week alone. He had the worst time denying her anything if it was in his power to grant, and he even allowed her requests far out of his power if he could stretch himself thin enough to find a way. It was always worth it to see her smile.
          “I couldn’t take the way he was staring at me,” she said as they reached her door and he let them both in, usual procedure of security sweep and leave be damned.
          “I couldn’t take the way he was staring at you either,” he admitted as the door swung closed behind them and Sven ran off through a nearby open door to the dog bed Anna had requested for him in her office.
          As soon as they glanced around to be certain they were alone, Anna’s mouth was on his. He closed his eyes and gave in, wrapping his arms around her gently and running one hand up and down her back gently.
          She squeezed him tightly as tears began to form in her eyes and her mouth opened for his tongue.
          He kissed her fiercely, one hand moving to her hair to cradle her as they kissed. He let her hands wander across his chest, untucking his dress shirt from his trousers beneath his formal jacket just to feel the warmth of his skin on her fingertips. He knew it would be a manner of moments before he would be pulling pins from her hair, placing her tiara on a bedside table, and unlacing her overly ornate gown.
          “I wish we could just uninvite him from everything,” She said as their lips parted and he wiped away her tears with the side of his hand, not caring that the mascara that came away with it was darkening his skin.
          “He can’t touch you Anna. He can say what he likes and he can shake your hand, but that’s all he’ll ever be able to do.”
          Anna sniffled and sighed, kissing his cheek, “I know, but just that look on his face.”
          “That look might say that he had you once, but it’s nothing compared to the way he stares and knows he’ll never be able to have you again,” he interrupted pulling her in tighter than he had before, “He knows that you won, and no matter what he does he’ll die one day with the memory of how badly he lost to you.”
          “You make love sound like a battlefield,” she said softly, “with winners and losers and death.”
          He pressed a kiss to her forehead, “Maybe it is, but I’m just as soldier, so I guess I’ll never know.”
          With that she caught his lips with hers for another kiss and wriggled out of his touch in order to walk towards her bed, “The soldier that my sister is trying to promote high enough to be allowed to marry a Princess,” she said with a blush as she collapsed onto her mattress.
          “Marry?” he asked, cheeks red, suddenly embarrassed. The last time that they had spoken of marriage was when he left the castle at eighteen, when she had tried to talk him into staying, when she had offered him every royal title she could imagine, when she had begged him to become her husband if only to stay by her side.
          She hadn’t known much about love back then, but now that she did, throwing around a word like marriage meant a lot more.
          “Yeah,” Anna said, although she felt like she had already said too much, after all it had been a bit less than a half a year since he had come home, and even though they had been together since the first night, they weren’t even officially dating. She had never fallen out of love with him though, even when Hans had been her fiancé, she had never given up the dream she’d had since thirteen, to marry her childhood best friend even if it seemed impossible.
          “Is that… is that even possible?” he asked, mind racing almost as fast as his heart. He was a commoner, an orphan, his only title was from his association with the military, and through that the crown.
          “Yes,” Anna said, blushing crimson, “But only if you want to. Technically we could right now, even if you were just taking care of the horses and hounds like when we were kids. Royals can marry commoners, it’s been done. However there’d be a bit less of a fuss if you were a high ranking officer.”
          “You mean like the captain of the heir apparent’s guard,” he said, looking at her, hoping that she wasn’t confusing his shock for any kind of upsetness or rejection.
          “Exactly like that, though there’ll be some people being upset given you’ve been given a lot of access to me and my chambers without supervision. But it’s the twenty-first century and Elsa and I have agreed that they’ll just have to get over it. I’m not marrying for power ever again. I’ve been given express permission to marry for love.”
          They were both blushing when Kristoff came to sit beside her on her bed, his fingers moving to free her hair from the pins that held it up into a perfectly styled braids and bun combination.
          She sighed as his fingers pulled out the pins that made her head hurt. When he removed them all and set her tiara aside, she melted into him. He hadn’t said anything else about marriage, but she knew that he got quiet when he was thinking. She practically moaned when his fingers gently massaged her scalp, chasing away the last of the soreness she felt from her hair being tugged on.
          He unlaced the back of her dress as she unbuttoned his jacket and undershirt. Despite the years she had been Princess and the years he had spent in the military neither cared to be dressed in their formal clothes when they could help it. He was wearing a plain white t-shirt below the other layers he removed with her help, and when she slid off her gown she wore a camisole and a tight pair of shorts. Though they had seen each other naked, they more often preferred to lie together in her bed in their underclothes. Contrary to palace chatter, they had yet to sleep together, but neither had said that they were unwilling, it was more that they were happy to be together without adding that element to their relationship quite yet. Kristoff knew that a day would come where that would occur, but it hadn’t yet, and it wasn’t tonight.
          Laying back on the bed, unbuckling his belt, saber, gun, walkie talkie and all, he laid it on her nightstand beside her crown. She unbuttoned his pants and slid them off, tugging her dress off and letting it crumple onto the floor beside his layers. When she fell back into his arms with ease, he pulled them both into the center of the fluffy duvet and she put her head on his chest, ignoring the pillows that surrounded her.
          They reclined together and shared kisses and caresses in quiet as she calmed and melted into him, letting her body be surrounded by his.
          “You know I’d like that one day.”
          Anna smiled into his shirt and cuddled into his side, saying nothing. He already knew that she was thrilled, and yet unsurprised. Her eyes fell shut, her ear against his heart. She knew that he would take care of her for the night, and for the rest of their lives. She didn’t need to be married to him to know that he loved her. She had known that since he had kissed her the night before he left for basic training. The way he had asked her first, and the way he had almost stayed after seeing her cry.
          It all felt so long ago, but the way he held her told her that they had picked up where they had left off, and that one day soon, they were going to move even further forward.
          When she fell asleep in his arms, he let his eyes close too. He knew he should stay awake to watch over her, but anyone that wanted to get to her would have to get through him first, his body wrapped around hers, keeping her warm and safe.
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