#madame midnight fic author

[madamemidnight]

Chapter 87: It's Always Felt Better than It Should

We see what the other immortal has been up to.

[avalynlestrange]

Bigger than the Whole Sky

Fred Weasley x Muggleborn!Reader

Reader: Muggleborn, Orphan, She/Her Pronouns, Able to get pregnant

Warnings: This could be triggering, Death, mourning, depression, pregnancy, religion, implied smut (I don’t write smut yet), cravings, make yourself sad hours

Category: One-Shot, Songfic, Angst, Major Character Death

Summary: In which you deal with the loss of the love of your life and the gain of new ones.

Author’s Note: It took me awhile to write this one. I usually like to believe the fact that Fred was just playing an ill-timed prank. I wrote it in bits and pieces so it might seem clunky. The idea was sad and the execution miserable. It does seem fitting to post on Weasley Wednesday though. I'll make up for the sadness I swear!

Word Count: 3021

To The Library (fic masterlist) To The Kitchen (WIPs) To Midnights Anthology

To more Fred Weasley

No words appear before you in the aftermath.

As you held Fred’s lifeless body, you scream. Agony seeps out your pores. It burns traitorously on your skin. The tears pouring down your face is the kerosine that intensifies the fires of pain.

You know life isn’t fair but you feel cheated. For his family. For George. For yourself. He is meant to live a full life full of jokes and love like how he brings them to yours. How his eyes twinkles every time he would explain an elaborate scheme or every time, he would gaze upon you. How cold and glassy they are now. 

You couldn’t save him. You can’t save him.

Amongst the chaos of the battle you were separated. That should’ve been the sign that something was afoot. But the spells whizzed all around. You didn’t find him until the victory. But you still lost. 

Your body lays next to him. The whole hall quietly suffering. Most are looking at the rubble around them vacantly.  Salt streams out your eyes and into your ears. Cause it’s all over now. All out to sea.

The door opens and you hear Hermione cry out. Hermione runs towards you. You had no energy to even turn towards her. You fixate on the ceiling that once reflected the skies and comforted you. 

When Hermione realisesyou’re not one of the lost souls, she places a hand on your arm. You can hear Ron sobbing on the other side of his brother. 

“Oh sweetie…” She tries to pick you up but you resist. Instead you curl up against Fred’s familiar form without his warmth. Your head resting on his chest without his beat. Hands around his waist without him mirroring the action.

Hermione and Harry peel you away from your heart. It’s heavy and being dragged across wreckage. However, it was already broken to begin with. They sit you down on a bench.

“You need to rest and be checked.” Hermione insists, “This has already been exhausting.”

When she hears no reply, she walks over to Madam Pomfrey and they both tend to your wounds. You didn’t even notice how many you had. Madam Pomfrey dabs on one of your deep cuts. You grit your teeth as nothing beats the excruciating stab of losing the one you love dearly. 

You let both physical and emotional pain numb you, as you sit there staring blankly at that one piece of pebble amongst the larger rocks. It was flat and perfect to skip stones with. Fred would like that.

Fred would have liked that.

A few hours go by, Mrs Weasley offers for you to stay with them at the Burrow but you couldn’t bear to relive memories that would haunt you in every nook of that house.

⳾*⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*⳾

The night before Bill and Fleur’s wedding you snuck into Fred’s bedroom. The windows were closed so he bewitched the ceiling to show you the twinkling stars. He would do anything to make you happy and distract you, even for a moment, about what was to come.

“I love you, you know that?” Fred whispered. His arms enveloped you in a warm embrace. Your ear pressed against his body. His heartbeat was hypnotising. It calmed your worried state.

“I love you too.” You squeezed him. He had been trying all night to relax you. You hadn’t slept properly for days. Nightmares visited you every evening preventing you from getting the slumber you desperately needed. All scenes felt realistic. They replayed the same scene of losing Fred in the war. Then Fred would wake you up as you tossed and cried in your sleep.

You didn’t tell him about what your dreams were about. When he pressed you say it was you.

You think to yourself now that maybe if you did, he would still be here.

⳾*⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*⳾

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye. He was bigger than the whole sky. Now there he lies in a box. Forever encased. There were so many words left unsaid. You are grateful for all the times you had spent together. Yet spiteful of the future you were robbed. You leave wildflowers atop his grave.

‘Please Apparate and tell us this is all one elaborate prank,’ you thought to yourself and it reminds you of the day you met Fred. It was on the first day of school when you heard commotion in the compartment next to yours. Two ginger haired boys coming into your chamber and telling you to act normal. That’s when your life took a welcomed turn. 

You were inseparable ever since. Always seen around playing pranks and joking about. You realised you fell for him when he asked Angelina to ball and he realised he loved you when you arrived with another guy. 

The two of you didn’t start dating until they left Hogwarts and you graduated. Even though you hadn’t been a couple for a long time, he was more than just a short time. You both knew it when he first asked you out that this relationship was forever. But it was severed short and now you’ve got a lot to pine about. You’ve got a lot to live without. You’re never going to meet what could have been. What should have been him.

You arrive at your shared apartment. You walk over to the side table and drop your keys. Taking in all the empty space; It all still feels surreal. There is no music. No crackling sounds of brewing experiments. No laughter. No Fred coming out a corner to jump scare you at any time like he occasionally did.

‘Gotta keep you on your toes babe,’ his voice echoes in your mind as you head over to the bedroom. 

You settle in bed and cover yourself with the duvet. The darkness is a barrier to the real world. 

Day turns to night turns to day turns to night. You are a robot. Programmed to cry and sleep. Food taste bland, so you barely ate. The colours look dull, so you rarely go outside. Before you know it, the evening comes and you cry yourself to sleep once again.

You jolt waking from a strange dream. Rubber ducks, arenas, and pudding. It was very weird, and you are compelled to tell Fred before you forget the details. But as you reach for him on his side of the bed you’re met with the pillows you strategically placed as a pathetic replacement.

Did some bird flap its wings over in Asia?

Your muggle parents used to always talk to you of a higher power. How they prayed every night for protection and everything they were grateful for. You weren’t sure you believed the same, especially when this higher power took them when you were young but now you think to yourself, ‘Did some force take them because you didn't pray?’

You move and drop to your knees by the side of your bed. 

Every single thing to come has turned into ashes. There is no reason to go on. You plead to whoever is listening that you’ll snap out of this by the morning, and this is just another nightmare.

No amount of weeping and pleading can undo the damage caused by second wizarding war. You know this. Even if you could, you know Fred wouldn’t approve you risking everything for him.  

Hermione and Ginny find you the next morning frozen in prayer. They rush to your side. You lean on Hermione’s kneeling frame as you beg them. Your voice was coarse and brittle. Each word broken apart by sobs and inhales.

“Please… e-erase… him… from… m-my… memories… I… I… can’t… go… o-on… with… my… life… without… him...”

Ginny goes and comes back with a cup of water. She brings it up to your lips and tilts it slightly. The liquid feels stuck at intervals, but you take in more gulps. Trying to drown the emotions that haven’t truly dulled down cause it's all over, it's not meant to be. So you say words you don’t believe.

“I don’t want to remember him. I don’t want to remember us. Please.” You reach for your wand and thrust it to Ginny. She places it on the windowsill behind you. They embrace your stiff figure. Patting your back like a mother comforting her hurting child.

“You know we won’t do that.” Hermione swallows. “You know you don’t mean that.”

Ginny picks you up. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

⳾*⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*⳾

“Do you think we’ll win?”

‘Do you think we’ll survive this?’ Is what you wanted to ask. Having already lost so many loved ones, it’s hard to imagine that you were going to survive. You barely paid attention in lessons. Too fixated on your other pursuits.

None of which you regretted. All of which involved Fred. Thank Merlin for DA and the order. 

You were looking out of the window of his Aunt Muriel’s house. The moon was full and high. You had sneaked into the room Fred had shared with George, who was downstairs packing up orders to send off for their business. He insisted it couldn’t wait until the morning, however you know the reason is that he can’t sleep at night and packs with the radio on.

Fred didn’t reply to your question, so you turned and looked him in the eyes. Lovingly, he stroked your hair. Despite all the happenings, he never failed to make you feel safe in his arms. 

“I think we should find a place near a lake. Then we can have picnic beside it every day.” He set the scene. “You can grow those flowers you love in the garden. Our kids would play about on open fields.”

You tried not to imagine it, but the picture was too sweet. It would be lucky to have a peaceful life like how Fred envisioned.

“I would love that very much.” You caressed his cheeks and he leaned into your hand. You both narrowed the gap between you on the bed. 

He grabbed the fabric at your back and held you like there was no tomorrow. His lips feverishly played with yours as your bodies beautifully intertwined. As you relished in each other’s touch, you hoped that this wasn’t your last.

Your silent wishes that night weren’t granted.

⳾*⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*⳾

Another day in front of the toilet bowl. Vomiting and nauseous nearly every morning, you decide to make a doctor’s appointment for later today. You’re always so exhausted but that’s probably because you were crying yourself to sleep nightly. 

You wash your hands and walk to the kitchen for some water. Gargling a few times, you make yourself the only breakfast that didn’t remind you of Fred. Music isn’t played and books aren’t read to ensure you don’t get triggered by the ghost of him. His items are now packed away neat in a storage cupboard you never open. 

You don’t check on the everyone as often as you know you should. It feels selfish but you barely had any motivation to get out of bed except for needing to pee a lot.

Angelina managed to bring you out of the bedroom for a few hours to work on your resumes and post them out via her family owl. You received an invitation for an interview at St. Mungo’s. The interview is tomorrow, and your initial choice was to decline but Angelina gave you a long pep talk that you can’t back out now.

You take a taxi to your muggle doctor and the wait isn’t too long. Dr Garcia asks you what you’re there for and you tell her your symptoms. She asks you to pee in a cup. It confuses you but you comply. You want to be back in bed as soon as possible.

She then asks you to wait outside her office. When she calls you back, her demeanour is different.

“You have some news. I don’t know if it’s good news or bad news for you.” She starts.

You don’t brace yourself. Nothing could be worse than what you’ve already gone through - are going through.

“You’re pregnant.”

The words reverberate in your mind. Your heart starts to race, and the world starts spinning. You reach in your pocket and find a feather.

⳾*⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*⳾

“I swear he’s got it in for us,” you muttered quietly to Fred, when Professor Snape leaves the classroom.

“Of course he does! I mean we pull pranks on him a lot,” George replied. He motioned for you to pass him the spare rag in your hands.

“It wasn’t even me! I didn’t even do anything!” You sneered at the group of Slytherins that moved tables due to a particular loud explosion and mess on their side of your shared table. Cassius Warrington and his posse had blamed you for the incident and of course their Head of House believed their side of the story. You and the twins were given afternoon detention for the week and the task to clean up the goo that is all over your part of the classroom.

“I think it’s Snape’s turn for a trick this evening. What say you, George?” Fred turned to you and asked you the same question.

You smirked at him. “It’s like you can read my mind Freddie!”

Later that day, Professor Snape had dismissed you after your punishment.

“So I’ve told the team to cover for us so if anyone asks we are at Quidditch practice.” Fred informed you both as you sneek through secret passageways into Snape’s classroom.

You gathered all the cauldrons in the room and placed a stink bomb in each one. George then casted a spell to reduce their size. One by one you levitate the objects and hang them on the classroom lights.

“They should set off once the lights turn on tomorrow. Now let’s go!” George lead the way out.

You, however, was mesmerised by feather in a jar on Snape’s desk. The feather shimmered with cloud-like patterns. The hue of the colours shift from gold to electric blue to silver. It was quite beautiful.

“That must have been hard to comeby.” You state to Fred and told him that it must have originated from a thunderbird and shipped all the way from North America.

Fred had noticed and walked towards it. He unscrews the jar lid with ease and takes it out to give to you. He then makes the jar disappear.

“Here.” He placed the feather in your hands. “If he annoys you again just hold this and remember that I will always have your back and will always be with you… and that you have Professor Snape’s expensive thunderbird feather!”

You stroke the soft bristles, and it calms you. Fred was always by your side and will live on through your child.

⳾*⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*⳾

Months go by. You slowly develop a routine. A 9-5 job at St. Mungo’s. You and girls take turns to check up on each other and they bring you to the doctors. Weekly Friday family night dinners at the burrow.

Fred’s possessions and photos are back where they belong all over the apartment. 

You no longer ask the sky to wake up from this new reality. You know there is no use. No magic or higher being can undo the past. Instead of begging for a rewind, you now pray nightly that Fred is in a happy place watching over you and your unborn child. 

“I think he should be named after me. After all I’m the fun Uncle.” George passes you the bowl of roast potatoes. You’d been craving potatoes in all forms during your third trimester. Mrs Weasley had happily indulged them. Cooking potato pancakes for breakfast, potato salad for lunch and now roasted potatoes. 

You had accepted her invitation to stay since Mrs Weasley would not accept a no for an answer. When the Weasleys found out you were with Fred’s child they were ecstatic. Your due date was soon. You had a lot to pine about. You have a lot to live without. But your family and friends have shown you that you have so much to live for. They have been your roots keeping you steady. 

“We don’t even know if it’s a boy or a girl!” Angelina snickers.

“Then she can be Georgina or Georgia!”

Every one chimes in and state reasons why your child should be named after them. You roll your eyes at their comments and walk towards the refrigerator. Reaching for the juice, you smile as you see Ginny with baby Teddy in her arms.

“I want one!” She pouts.

“You’re too young Ginerva Weasley! You need to finish Hogwarts first young lady!” Mrs Weasley shouts all the way from the dining room. You hear Mrs Tonks agree.

You feel so blessed being surrounded by your family. All is well until a sudden pain courses through your body. The plastic jug in your hand drops and you feel liquid drip below.

“The baby is coming!” Ginny yells.

⳾*⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*⳾

Years go by and you watch as your daughters splash in a paddling pool by your cottage. Their ginger hair moves with the wind and their freckles clear in the sun. They remind you of the man you loved and still love. 

“Look at them Freddie. They’re just like you.” You whisper to the wind, hoping they carry the message to him.

The twins are living up to their dad and uncle’s mischievous legacy. As they run towards you with water balloons. You giggle and join their fun.

It was evening and it was time for bed.

“Come on Frederica.  It’s time for bed!” You call your darling.

“But I’m not Frederica! I’m Georgina!” She sprints and jumps into bed. But an eyebrow raise and a smirk from you, and she buckles confessing, “Only kidding Mum! I am Frederica.”

Her sister passes you a book for you to read them for bedtime. When you notice their breathing slow, you bring the duvet up to their shoulders and kiss them on their foreheads.

“What was Dad like?” Georgina asks, her eyes still closed.

“Oh honey, he was bigger than the whole sky.”

[cantstayawaycani]

Can’t Stay Away’s Fic Rec Friday #1 (04.14.23) - The Milaje (Series) by @formyloveoflove

Title: The Milaje (Series) (ao3) | Let Our Eyes Do the Talking (Tumblr)

Author(s): formyloveoflove (ao3  |  @formyloveoflove (Tumblr)

Fandom(s): Black Panther Wakanda Forever

Pairing/Ship(s): Attoye (Okoye x Attuma)

Type: Normal AU

Rating: Explicit

Status: Unfinished Series w/ Complete Oneshots

Updated: 03.20.23

Summary: Lights, baby. Music, baby, and the baddest honeys this side of the Mississippi - The Milaje is where dreams come true, where the thirsty come to drink, and big ballers come to spend. Veteran and Crowd Favorite Okoye Thee Midnight Angel has learned how to fly, and newly-hired Security Guard Attuma may be the only one who can get her head out of the clouds!

Why I Love It: One of things I absolutely adore about Attoye fic writers is how inventive they are with the pairing. "Normal" Alternate Universe fics are honestly, some of my favorite type of fiction because it usually relies more on the writer's own world building, outside of the foundation the original creators of the IP laid for the story and characters. One of my favorite types of OTP AUs is “stripper fantasy”. I am a “Player’s Club” type chic, deep down (though I believe this was actually inspired by the P-Valley series). And while we don’t get into any real toxicity here (as you will find in that particular film), what you do get is the flavor of hood girl making money, and her man chasing after her and protecting her from fuckboys, bad customers, and the Madame’s (Ramonda) wrath.

This is the first set of fics I’ve read from the author. It’s sexy, sweet, domestic, funny and there are already three parts to the series. Hopefully there will be more, but do yourself a favor and read these.

Not all of their work is on ao3 (please correct me if I’m wrong), so follow their Tumblr here for updates.

Let Our Eyes Do The Talking

[sugarbubbleslove]

Staring into Flames (Garreth x Fem!OC)

Title: Staring into the Flames

Characters: Annabelle Winters, Garreth Weasley

Pairings: Pre-Annabelle/Garreth,

Rating: Teen

Disclaimer: I do not own anyone/anything from the forum Hogwarts Legacy. WB owns Hogwarts Legacy and its characters. There is no copyright infringement intended. I do not make any profit/money or take any credit.

Summary: Her mind was whirling around, and she found her thoughts kept going back to one person.

Garreth Weasley.

Timeline: Hogwarts Legacy, AU for Gryffindor MC, Fifth Year

Warning: Gryffindor MC, Seer MC, angst, orphan background, child abuse (nothing explicit), flirting, Fifth Year

Author's Notes: Annabelle isn't the main MC (No ancient magic). She's been at Hogwarts since her third year. This will run alongside my other stories that I am working on, but it is not a necessity to read them (once they are up)

This is the backbone for a longer fic I'm working on for Annabelle/Garreth.

Series: You Make Loving Fun

(And this was meant to be a sweet and fluffy and cheerful one-shot…it didn't stay that way)

AO3 Link

Staring into the Flames

Annabelle Winters found herself staring up at the canopy of her bed, surrounded in red and gold and sighed deeply.

A clock chimed softly in the room, telling her time. Near midnight and she still wasn't sleeping.

Her mind was whirling around, and she found her thoughts kept going back to one person.

Garreth Weasley.

She kept falling back into her memories of her first day at Hogwarts. Sitting on the stool with the hat on her head, the whispers that filled her mind as it sorted through her memories, lingering on certain ones, asking her questions, the butterflies in her stomach then it shouted out her house where she was promised that she would find a new family, a new home.

A home away from hell.

Garreth made a space for her when the hat called out Gryffindor, alerting her to the cheers the table made for her. He shot a brilliant smile as she sat down next to him, flushing under everyone's curious looks.

Garreth had taken it upon himself to show her around Hogwarts on her first day. Cheerful and warm and welcoming and it had overwhelmed her.

She wasn't used to people treating her kindly, being warm and friendly. Treating her like she was a friend, instead of a burden that they didn't want to deal with.

Garreth had shown her Hogwarts. Showed her all the hidden places if she ever wanted to escape. The library and being chased out by Madam Scribner when he had laughed a little too loudly.

The Lake, which had caught her breath as she stared out at it. She barely remembered what it was like the night before, too caught up on how breathtaking Hogwarts had looked that seeing the sun sparkle upon the waves was mesmerizing.

She later snuck out that night too, just to see how it looked with the moonlight and she found that she couldn't decide what scene she liked better.

She had turned to look at Garreth only to find him staring at her with a smile she didn't recognise before he tugged on her wrist, telling her that there were more places to see.

Annabelle laughed as she followed him.

He was so kind. Always going out of his way to help people, to cheer them up whenever they were down. He would offer an ear to those who wanted to talk and help them take their mind off whatever it was for a short time.

Maybe it was because he was more confident this year. Summer had been good for him. He had always been taller than her – or was it that she was shorter than the others – but he seemed to have gotten a bit of a growth spurt and filled out more in the chest and shoulders.

(She had heard other girls talking about it earlier on, giggling and whispering to each other as they compared the boys. She was pretty sure she heard Sebastian mentioned at one point before he was dismissed as he barely saw the girls flirting with him…although she is pretty sure that she saw that the new fifth-year Ravenclaw might have gotten his attention…not that she was noticing these things).

He seemed to have a confident step to his walk, in the way he talked. He held himself differently, his smile more charming, the green in his eyes sparkling as he spoke. His laughter seems to fill the room, warming her.

Or maybe it's because Cressida Blume, her best friend, had been complaining about him non-stop since they came back to Hogwarts. Maybe that's what it was. Cressida had been complaining about Garreth was annoying her, acting cocky, and distracting everyone by blowing up his potions.

Briefly, she had entertained the idea of Cressida having a crush on Garreth but quickly lost that train of thought when she had to physically stop Cressida from trying to stab Garreth with her fork after the boy had knocked over a goblet of water, spilling it over Cressida's notes, sending the girl into a vicious rant as Garreth just gaped at her.

She knew then that Cressida did indeed not harbour a crush on Garreth Weasley but the urge to smack him silly into the Black Lake.

She knew that Garreth could rub people up the wrong way, especially with his potions – experiments, really – but she found that she liked the way he worked on his potions or whenever he got a new idea.

His eyes would light up, his hands gesturing, and he would rattle off a list of ingredients that he would be using in his potion, even asking her if she would be able to help him get them.

Oh…maybe it was the way his green eyes would be looking at her, pleading with a hopeful expression. The way his lips would curl up into that smile that made her want to do anything for him.

(And anything she did, she lost count of the times she procured some ingredients for his latest experiments).

Or maybe it was the late-night talks they would have when they couldn't sleep, bringing them to a world of their own, where no one else existed, where they were the centre of each other's world just for a short time.

Or maybe she was just being stupid.

Annabelle rolled her eyes with a soft groan and pushed the comforter off as she sat up, grabbing her robe and slipping it over her nightgown, slipping her feet into her slippers and she slowly made her way out of her room, careful not to wake up her roommates.

Especially Cressida, who was currently mumbling spells under her breath. A fond smile came to Annabelle's lips as she paused to watch her best friend then she shook her head. She was just glad that Cressida's spells didn't work in her sleep, having removed the wand far away from the other girl.

She had learned her lesson about letting Cressida keep her wand close by the hard way.

Annabelle slowly made her way down the stairs, her hand gliding over the bannister when an unfamiliar scent filled her senses, a sweet scent…flowers and honey.

Then the visions came, too fast, too brief, too much just as her hand tightened on the bannister as her knees weakened and she rested against the wall, breathing heavily.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and let the emotions bleed out from her, centring herself before she exhaled slowly, a tear slipping free.

The visions featured the new girl.

Dark blue Ravens fluttered in the air above her. White and light blue magic swirled protectively around her.

Her dark blue eyes filled with tears. Her smile…so blinding, yet so broken.

And cupped in her hands was a heart, shattered and full of pain.

Annabelle wanted to scream, she wanted to rage, she wanted to slide down the wall and cry, to hide away from the world and the pain it wanted to inflict on everyone in its wake.

She hated her visions with a passion. So much hurt and fear and anger came because of them. She remembered the stones that would be thrown in her direction, the names she would be called because of what she said.

The terror whenever she would get one and would be forced to decide what she needed to do. Tell or keep her mouth shut.

The reactions when she did tell someone.

Witch. They called her. She should be burned at the stake. They threatened her.

Until it happened and fear would be shown in her direction. The terror was almost palpable and they'd keep their distance until they seem to forget, and the circle would start up again.

Witch.

How they were so right yet so wrong at the same time.

She made her way into the Gryffindor common room, drawn to the large couch next to the fire, which was still burning, and removed her robes as she sat down, curling up and drawing her robes around her like a blanket.

She stared into the fireplace, wishing she could clear her mind. Sometimes, the fire would warm her, soothe her. Listening to the pop and crackle of the wood burning beneath the flame, letting it carry her away to a world far from here.

Other times…it came with the smell of smoke, the screams of terror, the wind rushing around her as the flame flickered at her fingertips, reminding her…

"Annabelle."

Annabelle jumped at the sound of his voice, drawing her robes tighter around her frame as she looked up at the edge of the couch to see him standing there.

"Garreth!"

The concern gave way to a sheepish expression as he held up his hands in surrender.

"Sorry." His voice was low. His red curls were mussed, his robes thrown haphazardly over his sleepwear, and she frowned.

"What are you doing up?" she found herself asking.

Garreth stared at her for a long moment before he frowned.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

Annabelle shook her head, confused when Garreth sighed. "May I sit?" He gestured to the seat where her feet were. "It's a little awkward standing and talking to you."

Annabelle just stared at him, unblinking, for a moment before it dawned on her, and she felt her cheeks heat up.

"I'm sorry." She pulled her feet closer to her. "Of course, have a seat." She fumbled with the robe, wrapping it around her a little tighter as Garreth sat down on the space left for him and he sighed heavily.

She watched him carefully,

"So, why are you up?" he looked at her.

"I asked you first."

That got a ghost of a smile from him as he tilted his head, narrowing his eyes at her. She merely stared back at him.

"Home sickness," he slowly admitted. "The beginning of the term usually has me feeling a little…unconnected from my family. As weird as it sounds." He gave her a self-conscious chuckle.

"You miss your family, that isn't weird." She sighed deeply. "They must miss you too."

"My younger sister hates it when I must leave to go to Hogwarts. She always wants to sneak into my bag so I can bring her here." Annabelle smiled at the image.

"How old is she?"

"Six. She will be turning Seven in October and she already has asked for her present. For us to come back home for her birthday. Including our older brother and sister."

"Yes, I have met them, briefly. Frederick, who is in Seventh Year and Gwendolyn, in sixth year. Both are Gryffindor because that's what Weasley does."

"Fred and Gwen, yes." He raised his index finger into the air. "And don't call them by their full name unless you would like them to pull rank," he warned her. "That's right only belongs to our mother." She smiled.

"I think I remember someone calling Gwen by her full name and got a leg-locking curse in return." Garreth chuckled at the memory as he nodded.

"Some Slytherin fifth year at the time. I think he tried to make a move on her. She was not highly receptive to his…attention if I remember correctly."

"Are you close to your younger sister?" she asked, lifting her arm to rest her elbow on the armrest and cupping her chin with her hand as she watched him.

"She's the baby. I was the first one to see her after she was born. She was so small, so loud." He grinned, clearly lost in his memories that it made her heart pang. She wondered what it was like to have a family, a sibling, to have someone to care about, someone who was a part of you.

"What's her name?" she found herself asking.

"Chloe." The love was clear in his voice.

"That's a beautiful name. It stands for a green shoot on a plant or flower. It's a symbol for blooming."

"You know your names." Garreth looked at her and she blinked as she came out of her thoughts then gave him a sheepish grin.

"I like finding out the meaning of names. It's always interesting to know if the person reflects their name."

Garreth let out a low hum as he nodded before he looked at her.

"My turn. Why are you up?"

"I couldn't sleep." She sighed heavily. "It's always like this when I come back to Hogwarts. It takes…a little adjustment."

"Noise?" he questioned, and she laughed, softly. He had no idea how close he was. She shook her head.

"Coming from a non-magical household to a magical castle," she explained, giving a truth as close as she could without giving anything away.

Only Cressida and the Professors knew she lived in an orphanage. Professor Fig suspected what went on in the orphanage, but he never asked her, and she never told him.

Cressida knew more.

Garreth made a noise at the back of his throat, and she glanced back up at him again. "It can take a little adjustment getting used to all the magical things around me."

"You never speak of your home."

"It's not an interesting conversation." She gave him a small smile, returning her gaze to the fire.

"I don't know. Seems like you are an interesting person." That made her cheeks heat up as she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye to see him tilting his head before she returned to the fire.

She couldn't let him get too close. She tried hard to keep her distance from her housemate. Cressida managed to squeeze her way past Annabelle's walls before she could fully get them up, but she couldn't let Garreth gets too close, no matter how tempting it was.

"I can assure you that I am not interesting." Silence descended between the two of them, the only noise was the sound of the fire crackling when Garreth broke the silence.

"You know, it's a shame you never took Care of Magical Creature in our third year."

What? Annabelle blinked at the fire as she mulled over Garreth's words then glanced at him, even more confused when she saw the grin on his face.

"I was more concerned about controlling my magic." She gave him a suspicious look. "Adding in magical creatures didn't quite seem like a good idea at the time."

"I'm just saying you missed out on a really good class."

That made Annabelle curious about what he was talking about, and he smiled. "Especially since I know you like Diricawls."

That surprised her, and it must have shown because he smirked. "I saw those drawings. Those were good, by the way." She felt her cheeks heat up. She never knew that he had seen her drawings.

Clearing her throat, she refocused her attention on Garreth.

"Alright, tell me."

"So, it was our first class and Professor Howin was introducing us all to the wonderful creatures that we would be learning and caring for." He was grinning and being dramatic that she bit her lower lip to stop the smile from crossing her lips.

It only served to encourage him, flashing her a brilliant smile that made her cheeks heat up and her chest flutter.

"She said that diricawls were the creatures we were going to learn about as they are a harmless creatures. So, the class was going along great until one of the diricawls decided it didn't want to go back into its pen and hopped up onto Professor Howin's desk…and gave this look to Leander."

"Oh, that look." She knew the look. It was a defiant look, the challenge, the dare to come and capture it.

She always liked seeing that look. Sometimes she wished she could mimic that look.

"So, Leander, being Leander," that made a giggle slip out before she caught herself, cupping a hand over her mouth. He brightened, "Decided that he would be the one to capture the diricawl."

"Oh…no." She had a feeling where this story is going.

"Snuck up behind it, all stealth-like – commenting he was like a cat." She covered her eyes, "And he pounced, swift like toward the diricawl…which disappeared."

Annabelle tried her hardest not to let the laugher slip free, her hand dropping from her eyes to her mouth, meeting his dancing green eyes.

"So, he fell, face first into the mud – of course," that made Annabelle smile at the image, "Then the diricawl reappeared on his back and let out this bloodcurdling scream, Leander started screaming then the whole class is in an uproar, screaming and yelling that Professor Howin was trying her hardest to calm everyone down. Didn't work so well as the other diricawls thought it was a good idea to join in the screaming."

Annabelle pulled up her robes and buried her face into the fabric, muffling her laughter at the image of their classmates flailing around. Poor Professor Howin. The professor had her hands full with Poppy Sweeting and her love for the creatures, never mind the entire class acting up.

She could only imagine the expression on Professor Howin's face at the sight, could imagine Poppy's expression and she, briefly, wished she had been there for the class.

It took a moment before Annabelle managed to calm herself down, she pulled her robes down from her face to see Garreth's pleased smile and shook her head, fondly, at him.

"We eventually got the diricawls back into their pen. It did take Poppy calming them down and bribing them with food. They weren't too happy with the rest of us." Garreth chuckled as Annabelle wiped away the tears from her cheeks.

"And Leander?" She managed to ask.

"Oh, he hates the things. Refuses to have anything to do with them." He grinned and Annabelle burst into fresh laughter, dropping her head back into her robes.

It took a moment to control her laughter, to get her breath back and she pulled away from the robes, meeting Garreth's happy expression.

"I shouldn't have laughed. Poor Leander," she admitted with a sheepish smile.

"I am sure he would be happy to hear that," Garreth grinned. "He does have a hard time living it down. As a certain Slytherin likes to remind him occasionally."

"Is that the one who tends to…flirt with him? Cassie?" she asked, cautiously and he shrugged.

"Who knows when it comes to them. They are either flirting or fighting. Sometimes it's both at the same time."

That made Annabelle smile as she thought back on seeing Leander and Cassiopeia Black. The two of them have always been at each other's throats since her third year – although Cressida told her that it had been their thing ever since they first met each other in their first year.

Prewett and Black don't get along, Cressida had told her. It was a family thing, especially considering that the Black were of pure blood superiority. But she had never seen the attitude with Cassie.

The Slytherin girl was…aloof. If she was in the company of someone, it was Sebastian Sallow and Ominis Gaunt, her fellow Slytherins but Annabelle always saw her on her own, keeping to herself.

Annabelle found herself admiring Cassie. The way she held herself, the way she walked, talked. Nothing fazed Cassie. If anything happened, she would just look at it with thinly veiled interest before she would move on.

She had seen people attempting to surprise Cassie, play tricks and pranks only for Cassie to deflect it quite masterfully and walk on.

However, when it came to Leander, there was something about the tall redhead that made Cassie stop in her tracks, stand to her full height and fire back insults, a fire to her spirit, to her eyes, even her lips.

Even Leander was different when it came to Cassie, not backing down. He was usually a sweet boy, stumbling over his words and unconfident in himself when she spoke to him but with Cassie, there was nothing of that boy.

"Sometimes it takes the right person to bring you out of your shell," she found herself saying, glancing up at Garreth. "She…seems to come alive when she's around him." She frowned and shook her head. "I am probably not making any sense-"

"You're right," Garreth gently interrupted, and she met his eyes curiously. "I got to know her through our potion classes. She's not as closed off as one would think considering the way she acts. But when Leander is around, it's like he just…"

"Draws a spark from her," she finished, and he nodded with a grin.

"Thought he would totally kill me in my sleep if he ever heard me saying this." She grinned. "I mean it, I can see my headstone now, 'smothered in sleep for gossiping'." That made her laugh again.

"He's not that mean." She protested.

"It sure feels like it sometimes," Garreth muttered under his breath, drawing an eye roll from her then she nudged at his thigh with her bare feet when Garreth wrapped his hand around it, drawing it onto his lap.

"You know how Leander is." Her eyes followed his movement, wiggling her toes when his fingers trailed over the tip of them then she met his green eyes. "He comes off as brash, but he does care for you. And he won't smother you in your sleep for gossiping about him." She smiled. "More likely to drop something in your drink."

That made Garreth laugh, ducking his head forward, causing his curls to fall and she watched, mesmerised by him. She had always been drawn to the fiery red curls, and how they would shine in the sunlight.

But here, against the glow of the fire, he seemed to radiate warmth, his hair taking on a golden glow that she found it hard to take her eyes off him.

"But when he's around her…" Garreth trailed off.

"He's more confident in himself. It is like she makes him forget what it's like to be nervous. He acts like the man you know he could be if he wasn't so unconfident."

"We are so dead in the morning." Garreth mused with a nod. "He's not even going to bury the bodies."

Annabelle laughed as she pushed her foot into his hand, enjoying the way he ran his fingers over the top of her foot. She wiggled her toes, drawing a smile from him as he tapped the tip of her big toe and glanced up at her.

"Can I ask a question?"

"You already did." She smiled at the look he was giving her. "But you're welcome to ask another one."

"Feisty." He had an amused smile playing on his lips and she rolled her eyes.

"You don't know everything about me, Garreth Weasley."

"I can see that." He chuckled as he shook his head before he tugged on her toe. "You never mention old friends." She licked her bottom lip. "You joined us in our third year, and you took to Cressida quickly."

"I think you will find it was actually the opposite," she corrected him, "She took to me quite quickly. Actually, now I think about it," she brought a finger to her chin thoughtfully, "She pretty much declared me as her best friend."

Garreth was laughing as she smiled, enjoying his laughter. She loved-liked! Liked his laughter. It always made her smile, feel warm, safe – if a laugh could do that, it would be Garreth's – and not so alone.

Like she would be. Cold. Alone. Shunned.

Witch.

"I was just wondering about your old school, the one you went to before you came to Hogwarts."

You should burn.

"Was it like Hogwarts? A big school?

Or maybe you should drown.

"No." She came out of her dark thoughts, her memories.

She would never have to go back there. She was in a new place, a new school, with new people.

But come the summer…heat wasn't the only hell.

"My school was small. Nothing fancy like Hogwarts. We'd get to leave when school was finished. We never stayed there."

Garreth made a noise of wonderment. She knew that the students of Hogwarts didn't know much of the non-magical world. How things were different there than it was here.

How people couldn't protect themselves with magic in the non-magical world. Even so…those who did have magic still couldn't protect themselves.

Not if they wanted to bring down the wrath of the Ministry for daring to break their rules. Rules that non-magical did not know.

"And the students? Did you make friends?"

Stones thrown.

Curses.

Taunting.

It was hard to look back at the memories. Hard to see the faces. They'd blur together, morphing into one.

"No." She shook her head. "People didn't want to be friends with someone who could make weird things happen just by being there." She swallowed nervously.

That was the wrong thing to say as Garreth frowned and her nerves flared.

"Weird things? I thought your magic didn't manifest until before our third year?"

"Not…exactly," she murmured as she looked away from him toward the fire and maybe that was the wrong thing to do as it brought back even more memories.

The flames licked the fabric, rushing up and surrounding the windows.

The screams as they fought against the door, the lock clicking defiantly. The pounding of fists against the wood

And her…just staring at the flames.

"My magic would flare up. Mostly when I was," Tormented, "Upset. Once I knew what was happening, or at least understood that I was the reason, I found a way to…control it."

The implication was clear in the silence before his breath hitched and she looked at him to see the horror in his expressive green eyes.

"You…supressed your magic?" he sounded incredulously, and she slowly nodded.

"I know."

"You could have…" he trailed off.

"I know." She sighed, giving him a look. "Professor Fig told me everything. After he gave me into trouble for supressing my magic. But there is something you need to understand. Not everyone in the non-magical world is…ready for what we can do. And not everyone is accepting of it."

She fell silent as she picked at her nails, frowning as she tried to push back her memories of the orphanage. Now wasn't the time to be thinking about it, not while she was too close to him.

He was easy to talk to, easy to confide in. She felt he could understand her, that he wouldn't judge her so it would be so easy to tell him the truth.

However, she knew from experience that no one is who they seem. And no matter how much she wanted to, it was safer – for both of them – for her to keep her secret deep within herself.

"It must have been weird when someone showed up to say you were a witch."

"It was your aunt." She smiled sadly at the memory.

"Aunt Matilda?" he asked, surprised and she nodded.

"She had been the one task to track me down. She took me to a little park down the way and explained the situation to me. Said it was unusual for a student to be found later in the years of Hogwarts – although I think the new Ravenclaw might have me beat there."

"But I thought Professor Fig was the one to meet you? Aunt Matilda never said anything when I saw her that summer."

"She suggested Professor Fig after we had our conversation. Professor Fig was in a better position to explain the situation. It took some time, but it eventually was resolved, and I was able to come to Hogwarts. He was the one to take me to Diagon Alley to get my wand and things and I stayed with him and his wife until it was time to come Hogwarts. Mostly because they had to teach me two years' worth of classes."

"And your home? Did they understand?"

"In a way."

There was nothing she could say that would describe how they had reacted, how they had treated her.

Knowing that she was going to Hogwarts, knowing that she would be away from the orphanage for a year was the hope that she clung to, shining brightly amongst the darkness and the pain.

She knew Garreth wanted to ask her more questions. She could see it on his face. He had the most expressive face she had ever seen. He was never good at lying. Something Leander like to exploit whenever Garreth had gotten up to something and was trying to hide it from his best friend.

Both sat in silence for a long moment when the clock chimed softly, and she looked up before she sighed heavily.

"We should go to bed. Even though it is the weekend, no doubt our friends will want us up bright and early to get a start on the day."

Garreth groaned at the thought, and she couldn't help but laugh at the sound. It was a break in the mood that had descended over them.

"At least Cressida will be nice to you in the morning. Leander, on the other hand, will probably drag me out of my bed by my ankle."

"I don't know about Cressida," Annabelle hummed under her breath, "She has been working on her spells and I'm pretty sure she might have perfected her aguamenti charm." She pulled a face. "I think she is trying to add flavour to it now so she can sneak drinks in the library."

Garreth gaped at her, and she smiled. "Cressida hasn't quite learned her lesson about annoying the Librarian. I do wonder how Madam Scribner survives both Cressida's spell work and Sebastian's frequent attempts to break into the Restricted Section."

"I am surprised that the Librarian came back this year after the trouble she had last year," Garreth grumbled.

"Maybe it only made her more determined to protect the library."

"Then good luck to her. O. and N.E. on the line, and with our year having the exams…well, we all know how hectic our year can be."

"Not to mention you and your affinity for potions." She glanced at him from under her eyelashes with a smile.

"And you and your affinity for flying. I thought Madam Kogawa was going to turn you upside down for that stunt you pulled."

That made her laugh aloud, bringing up her robes to muffle her laughter as she shook her head. "You also gave Professor Black some grey hair if I remember correctly. I think I heard him mumbling about needing a mirror."

That made her laugh harder at the image as she reached out one hand to slap Garreth on the shoulder as he chuckled.

"It wasn't that bad of a stunt," she protested as she pulled her robes away, giving a hiccup that made Garreth laugh harder, and she rolled her eyes at him.

"I don't know. Cressida was certainly upset with you afterwards," Garreth remarked as he grinned, amusement dancing in his eyes as she held her breath, trying to get rid of her hiccups.

"Don't. I think I still have the scars from her lecture," she breathed out slowly, testing herself.

"Not literal ones I hope." Garreth's eyes scanned her, and she scoffed, fighting down the blush that threatened to fill her cheeks under his gaze.

"She's not that bad. Despite your best attempt to rile her up."

"Me?" His hand went to his chest in mock despair. "I do not know what you are talking about my dear lady."

"Oh no, don't you try and charm your way out of this." He arched an eyebrow at her, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"You think I'm charming?"

"And you're deflecting the conversation." She nudged at his hand again with her foot before pulling her foot away before he could grasp it. "And we really should go to bed before your aunt comes in because someone decided to blab." She glanced at the portraits around them and Garreth blanched.

"Good idea." He stood up first, stretching his arms over his head and her eyes locked onto the bare skin of his stomach that was revealed when his nightshirt rose with his movements.

She bit her bottom lip when she noticed a trail of dark red hair dipping beneath his night trousers before swiping her tongue over her bottom lip and clearing her throat when his shirt dropped back into place, darting her eyes off to the side to pretend she hadn't been watching him.

A hand came into view, and she stared at it for a moment before lifting her eyes to meet his green ones then slipped her hand into his, letting Garreth pull her up from the couch, her feet sliding into her slippers, his other hand catching her robe as it slid down her body.

Her breath caught in her chest when Garreth slowly straightened to his full height, and she found herself staring into his eyes.

"Here," his voice sounded hoarse, "I'll help you put this on." He opened the robe and she swallowed nervously, acutely aware that she only was wearing a thin nightgown that tugged tight in places.

Annabelle slowly turned around and slipped her arms through the sleeves, sighing when he pulled the robes over her shoulder then slowly slid his hands down her arms as he leaned in.

She closed her eyes when his scent washed over her then his fingers gently tugged at her hair, pulling it free from the robes then lightly glided down her back.

"There we are." She swallowed nervously before she turned around, tugging her robes close and gave him a small smile.

"Thank you." She leaned in. "Such a gentleman," she teased, trying to break the tension between them and he smile.

"Anytime." With that, they made their way up the stairs, reaching the landing that split them up to the fifth years' rooms and they turned to face each other, and Annabelle found herself unwilling to pull away from him.

Garreth seemed to be feeling the same way as her as he looked down at her with a look on his face that she couldn't quite describe but she knew they needed to make the parting quickly. Every moment spent lingering was a moment closer to being caught.

"Hey." She drew his attention and gave him a smile. "Thank you. For telling me about your first day in Care of Magical Creatures." She shrugged softly. "It was nice to take my mind off things. And I promise not to tell Leander what you told me."

That got a sheepish smile in return.

"Thank you, for sharing with me a little bit of your history." His smile turned softer, genuine. "I won't tell anyone, even my aunt."

"Thank you." Gathering her courage, she pushed herself on tiptoes and pressed her lips against his cheek, feeling the start of a stubble and it sent shivers down her spine before she pulled away, dropping back onto her heels, glancing up to see Garreth was looking at her lips before he raised his eyes to meet hers.

"Goodnight," Her voice was low, almost hushed and he swallowed.

"Goodnight."

Annabelle pulled away from him, drawing her hand from his as she stepped up the stairs, never taking her eyes off him.

"I will see you soon."

That got a smile from him as he watched her.

"I'll hold you to that."

With a smile, Annabelle turned around and made her way into her room, softly closing the door behind her so she didn't wake up her roommates and with a small twirl, making way over to her bed, her cheeks hurting from smiling and she placed her hands over them, feeling how warm they were.

She was as giddy as a lovesick girl, but she found that she didn't care. She had spent another night talking to Garreth, getting to know him better and opening a little more to him and she wondered if it was a possibility for them, in the future…

Cressida's sleepy voice, commanding spells, brought her out of her daydream and her smile faded as the reality of her situation dawned on her.

This wasn't a good idea.

He was the nephew of the deputy headmistress, who was keeping a close eye on both him and her.

She was an orphan, who was a freak growing up for her ability to see the future, tormented by those who were supposed to protect her.

Her heart heavy, sinking deep into her chest she let out a sigh as she reached her bed.

No. She couldn't give herself hope like that. She pulled back the covers, kicked off her slippers and removed her robes, hanging it over the nearby chair and climbed into her bed, pulling the covers over as she turned onto her side.

She knew what she needed to do, despite what she wanted to do, no matter how tempting it was.

Annabelle will do what she did best. Shove her feelings down deep. Keep up her walls and survive.

She could only be friends with Garreth Weasley, nothing more.

Pushing down the lump that formed in her throat, she turned her face into her pillow and allowed a tear to slip free.

It was better, for all of them.

The End

[age-of-greta]

The Lovers

The Lovers represent relationships and choices. Its appearance in a spread indicates some decision about an existing relationship, a temptation of the heart, or a choice of potential partners. Often an aspect of the querent's life will have to be sacrificed; a bachelor's lifestyle may be sacrificed and a relationship gaine, or one potential partner may be chosen while another is turned down. Whatever the choice, it should not be made lightly, as the ramifications will be lasting.

Author’s note: hi again! As always this fic has two parts, then and today. I proofread, but typos happen. Next chapter will be out next Wednesday at midnight! Thanks to all the regulars who read and interact, I see you and appreciate you :) enjoy!!

Pairings: Jake x reader & Sam x reader

Warnings: cursing, alcohol consumption, adult content, oral, angst

Word count: 5.8k

PART 9:

THEN:

It wasn’t long until the other two had found out about you and Jake, but I’ll get to that part in a minute. A few months had passed and the guys wanted to sit down and place some roots away from home. Jake had been the one to suggest Nashville, it was only a few hours from Atlanta. He pitched it as a great city for music, which it was, but you had an inkling he had other motives with the move. They had all collectively bought a house together. Nice rooms for everyone and of course a studio space. Their first album was in full production after their massive EP success. You were now about to go to their home in Nashville for the first time. They had just moved in last week, but you couldn’t get away from work to help them unpack. Josh had been extremely trustworthy with your secret. He never pressed you or made you feel weird about what he knew. You weren’t sure if he and Jake had talked about it. You were weirdly nervous since that conversation with Josh. You had wanted to go ahead and tell Sam- and Danny, but couldn’t find the right time. Jake had also begun to be a lot more bold with you. Jake often acted like you two were in a relationship, but you brushed it off as general flirting. You had decided to drive to Nashville, as you didn’t feel like dealing with an airport right now. You were nervous but also excited as you pulled up outside of their house. Sam was outside waiting for you. He practically ran and hugged you as soon as you opened your door.

“I’m so happy you made it! I can’t wait to show you around.” Sam says, opening your trunk and grabbing your bags.

Jake was standing in the doorway with a smirk on his face. You smile back at him and follow Sam in with your bags. Jake embraces you in a tight hug.

“I missed you.” Jake says in your ear.

Josh and Danny are next to hug you and it’s a nice little reunion.

“Wow guys look at this place! It’s so nice.” You say looking around.

Sam drops your bags in the living room and grabs your hand. “Come on, I'll give you the grand tour!”

Sam takes you around the whole house and beams with pride as he explains every room to you. When he finishes he takes you back into the living room and tells you to sit while he makes you a drink.

You plop down next to Jake who immediately throws his arm over you. This is the most PDA you have shown in front of everyone. You look at Jake with a slight confused look and he raises his brows at you.

“Here you go madame.” Sam says handing you a pink drink with strawberries in it.

You raise up, slightly brushing Jake’s arm off. “Thank you Sammy. This looks yummy.”

“It’s a strawberry mint margarita. I wanted to learn this recipe to show you that mint in drinks can actually be good.” Sam says through a chuckle.

“Oh Sammy, always broadening my horizons.” You say jokingly.

“Always. I’ll take these to my room.” Sam says motioning towards your bags.

You nod your head.

“No need.” Jake says, seemingly out of nowhere.

You’re taken aback and you look over at him with wide eyes.

“Huh?” Sam asks.

“I said no need. I’ll take them to my room.” Jake says calmly.

Sam pinches his brows together. “Why?”

“Jake.” You say quietly.

“Because she’s staying with me.” Jake says, putting his arm around you.

Josh coughs loudly.

“Why would she…? Wait what?” Sam says with a bizarre look on his face.

“Oh shit. Are you two are like together?” Danny asks in an amused tone.

“Yes.” Jake says.

You can’t believe what is happening. It feels like Jake just blindsided you.

“Not like that.” You say softly as your cheeks flush.

Sam has a scowl on his face that looks like it may never leave. “How long?”

“Few months now.” Jake replies nonchalantly.

“You know I could say I’m surprised but I’m not. That explains why Jake had lost interest in other girls.” Danny says with a laugh.

That comment makes you feel warm inside, but you shove it to the side. Now is not the time.

“Mhm yeah.” Josh says, trying to play along.

Sam is still standing there with a scowl. He sucks in his cheeks and lets out a breath.

“I need a minute.” Sam says walking off towards outside.

You’re still dumbfounded.

“Jake, can I talk to you?” You turn your head and say to him.

“Sure. I’ll grab your bags.” Jake says getting up.

When you climb the stairs and make it to his room you close the door.

“What the fuck?” You say crossing your arms.

“What?” Jake replies.

You scoff. “Don’t do that. Why would you say that without talking to me? Now Sam is pissed.”

“We have been talking about it for a while now. And did you ever think why Sam is pissed?” Jake replies.

“Probably because one of his best friends has been fucking his brother behind his back?” You say with an attitude.

Jake lets out a laugh. “Yeah that’s why.”

“Jake, this isn’t funny. This could have been handled better.” You say sulking.

Jake sighs. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I just wanted to get it over with and out in the open so we could enjoy our weekend. No more sneaking around. I mean it was hot at first and fun, but it stresses you out and I don’t like that.”

You huff and think for a minute before responding. “Okay, I get it. I really need to go talk to Sam though.”

“Yeah yeah. I’m glad you’re here and I’m glad you’re going to help me christen this bed tonight.” Jake says, stepping closer to you with a smirk.

You roll your eyes at him, but kiss him back when his lips meet yours.

“Okay I’m going to find Sam now.” You say, breaking the kisses that have turned into a brief make out.

“Be gentle with him, lover.” Jake says in a patronizing voice.

“Lover huh?” You question.

“Where’s the lie?” Jake says, smirking at you.

You huff out a laugh and head back downstairs. Danny and Josh are still on the couch, they smile at you but are aware of the weirdness that just unfolded.

You finally find Sam sitting outside by the pool. His feet are dangling in and he has a drink he’s nursing.

“Hi.” You say as you sit down next to him.

“Hi.” He responds in an almost sorrowful tone.

You sigh. “Sam, I'm sorry. I should have told you. I just didn’t know what to say. He and I aren’t dating or anything like that.”

Sam doesn’t avert his gaze towards you, instead staring at the pool, but he nods.

“I don’t know, I just thought it would be awkward if I out right said…” You pause before finishing that sentence, trying to find the least vulgar words.

“That you’re fucking my brother.” Sam says flatly.

Your cheeks burn pink. “Um, yes.”

Sam still stares off into the pool, he looks like he’s in a trance.

“I felt bad about not telling you, but it’s always been a lowkey situation.” You say.

“Doesn’t seem that way to Jake.” Sam spits out. “Did Josh know?”

“Yes.” You start. “But I swear I didn’t tell him. It’s some weird twin telepathy shit and he just knew.”

“Yeah I figured as much by his reaction.” Sam says.

“Sammy I’m sorry. I don’t want this to change anything between us, you’re my best friend and still my number one Kiszka.” You say giving him a big smile.

He softens at that and turns towards you. “It won’t. I still adore you, it’s just going to take some getting used to.” Sam looks directly in your eyes and makes a more serious face. “But I do want to tell you to be careful. Jake doesn’t have the best track record with women. I would hate to see you hurt over his dumb ass.”

Your stomach sinks. Sam is giving you a gentle warning. You know you will never allow yourself to get hurt by Jake, that comment just sealed the deal. You push that sinking feeling aside and lightly smile at Sam.

“Noted.” You say. “But enough about Jake. Tonight will be about you and I. Let’s go out! Jake can sulk by himself at home.”

Sam cracks a genuine smile at you. “Now we’re talking.”

**

Jake was pissed that you were going out with just Sam. You didn’t care. You told him this is what he got for doing it like that, you needed to make it up to Sam. He was even more pissed when he saw your outfit. You were in a pink tank latex bodycon dress with clear heels. You straightened your hair and did a full face. Josh had called you Barbie before you left, which definitely further irritated Jake. You wanted him to know that you didn’t belong to him. The other three were staying at home as far as you knew. You were happy to have a night out with Sam. He wore black pants and a vintage patterned button up. You had to admit that you two cleaned up nicely. Your first stop was a bar in Nashville away from the crazy strip. You and Sam had decided to drink and do shots there. As the both of you got more tipsy you had decided this bar was not the environment. You two ended up at a club, not typically your scene but tonight it was. The music was blaring pop and sweaty bodies filled the room. Sam was having too much fun to even complain about the music, and that says a lot. You both grabbed drinks and you dragged him out on the dance floor. Just then “Doses and Mimosas” started playing and you and Sam were hyped. You were drunkly slurring the words to one another and dancing on one another. This was a perfect party song in your opinion and it was obviously for Sam too. The alcohol made you feel warm and open. Sam had a hold of your hand spinning you all across the dance floor.

“Look at those moves!” Sam yelled out with glee.

You giggled at him. “Learned it all from Dirty Dancing.”

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner!” Sam continues to yell over the music. “Go over there and run and I’ll catch you in the air!”

You belly laugh at this. “Absolutely not Sammy.”

“Why? Don’t trust me?” Sam says close to your ear giving you a huge smile.

“You? I wholeheartedly trust you. I don’t trust myself.” You say back.

When the song ends you both make your way back to the bar and get one of the special shots of the hour. It’s a blowjob shot, so you suck your mouth around the glass and shoot it with no hands as Sam watches you in awe.

“Fuck.” Is all he says while staring at you.

You huff out a laugh. “Come on now. Your turn!” You say as you present him with his shot.

He gives you a look before attempting it. He gets most of it, but some spills out all over him. You’re wildly laughing at the sight. You take your fingers and wipe some of the whipped cream off of his mouth.

“You’re so messy Sammy.” You say playfully.

He smirks at you. “You have no idea.”

Then you feel a tap on your back. To turn around and are greeted by a bouncer. You give him a confused look.

“You both have been invited to VIP upstairs. Follow me.” He says.

You look back at Sam and cackle. “Oh my god. Is someone recognizing you? Sammy, you're famous!”

Sam grabs the small of your back and laughs while escorting you up the stairs. But when you’re taken to the VIP area your face drops. There sits a very amused Jake, as well as Josh and Danny.

“Ah so glad you could join us.” Jake says giving you two a smirk.

“You fuckers had to come crash the party huh?” Sam says, playfully but there’s a hint of sincerity behind it.

Josh senses the tension, so he grabs Sam’s hand and tells him to come try some drink.

You walk over to Jake and give him a look. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m just out on the town. A mutual friend called us when he saw Sam come in, asking if we were here. Said he could get us VIP. Who was I to refuse that? How was your shot by the way?” Jake says looking down at you.

In a way it turns you on that Jake is a little jealous and bruised that you’re out without him. But you can’t let him know that. “It was good. I think we might go back down to the general population. I liked that vibe better.”

Jake grabs your hand. “Come on now lover don’t be like that. I’m already here, let’s have a good time.”

“Tonight was supposed to be about Sam.” You spit back.

“He’s had you for long enough. I can’t stay away from you when you look like that.” Jake says in a sultry voice.

It was hard to pretend to be irritated with him, especially when he complimented you.

You sighed. “Fine, okay. But I’m not totally ditching him.”

Jake throws his hands around your waist. “Okay. Let’s get a round of drinks.”

**

Drinks continued to flow and you were still having a great time. Jake was sitting on the couch with Danny while you, Sam, and Josh were up dancing.

“I’m going to order more drinks!” Josh says, pulling away from you and Sam.

“I have to pee!” You yell over the music to Sam.

“Want me to come with?” Sam asks.

“No it’s okay. I’ll be back in a minute.” You say heading off as well.

Jake gives you a look as you walk away but you motion towards the bathroom. Once in the bathroom you pee and then wash your hands before staring at yourself in the mirror. The VIP bathrooms were just three different single bathrooms not gendered. You were blotting your face when someone started knocking on the door.

“Someone’s in here!” You yell.

The knocking still proceeds. You huff and head over to the door ready to yell at whoever is on the other side. But when you open the door Jake is there and he steps in and shuts it behind you.

“Hi lover. Are you enjoying yourself?” Jake says, stepping towards you.

“Hi Jake I am. I’m ready to get back to the party.” You say teasingly.

Jake takes his hands and wraps them around you and dives in to kiss your neck. “Are you sure?”

You laugh a little. “Maybe I could spare a few minutes.”

Jake backs you up and slides his hand up your dress. “You look so fucking hot tonight.”

You cock your head to the side and Jake begins to suck and lightly bite your neck. You’re enjoying the attention, but you want to do something for Jake. You move your face to his and start kissing his lips. Jake’s hands are roaming your body and you feel electric. You flip Jake around and pin him to the wall before sinking down to your knees. You make quick work of undoing his pants. Jake stares at you in complete awe as you take his length in your hand. You flick your eyes up at him and take the tip in your mouth. You spit twice, then start slow. “Fuck baby. Fuck.” Is all Jake says as he slowly laces his fingers in your hair.

You start bobbing up and down, swirling your tongue around and pumping your hand. Jake is quickly becoming undone. You take him all the way as your eyes begin to water. You look up at Jake and he’s still staring down at you with a filthy look on his face. Damn. You will save this mental image forever. Jake tilts his head back and tightens his grip in your hair. You can tell he’s close. You push through and speed up your pace.

“Baby I’m so close fuck angel.” Jake moans out.

Then you feel him release in the back of your throat. You gag slightly but swallow before pulling back. You wipe your mouth and look up at Jake who is breathing slightly hard. You both clean yourselves up before you head towards the door.

“Not so fast angel.” Jake says as he grabs your arm. “It’s your turn. I’m not going to ever let you go without.”

He pulls you back towards him and engulfs you in kisses while sitting you up on the counter. The next few minutes are full of even more obscene sounds.

**

After your bathroom escapades you and Jake returned back out to your section. You tried to be nonchalant, but you could only imagine they knew you two had been shacking up. Especially since Jake had become much more handsy with you. You had begun to wind down, but still wanted to entertain Sam.

“Sammy, are you ready to go home? I’m feeling a movie, one of your frozen vegan pizzas, and maybe a touch of Mary Jane.” You say approaching him.

“Oh sorority girl, you just get me.” He says throwing his arm around you. “Josh call the Uber.”

**

When you all made it back home you and Sam split off to have your night while the other three sat in the living room and discussed music. Sam didn’t stay awake long, you were thankful for that as you were also tired. You ended the night next to Jake who kept his arm around you all night. Everything seemed like it was going to be okay.

**

TODAY:

It was Thanksgiving, but your nerves were killing you. You had spent all day trying to secretly google what a negative but also positive pregnancy test could mean. There were a million answers. You had already made up your mind that you wouldn’t have a baby right now either way. All day you were on edge. You hid your tests in your skincare bag under the sink. Putting them in the trash can was way too risky. More than likely it was just a mistake, but the other outcome made you ill. You had called Lana because you knew she could help. Her cousin worked at an OBGYN, she had already made an appointment for you next week just to see what was happening even though it was Thanksgiving. Would you tell Jake? No, you didn’t think so. You just wanted to forget about it and try and enjoy your Thanksgiving. You had gotten back in bed with Jake and just stared at the ceiling.

“Good morning lover.” Jake says kissing your shoulder.

“Morning.” You say back kind of weakly.

Jake furrows his brows. “What’s wrong?”

You put on a small smile. “Nothing. Just tired I suppose. I didn’t sleep well.”

“Go back to sleep then babe. I’m going to go start the turkey, but I’ll be back in here to check on you soon.” Jake says as he traces little circles on your arm.

You nod your head and Jake kisses you before getting up. But you can’t go back to sleep. You just turn over and look at the wall. Eventually you peel yourself out of bed and turn on a hot shower. You sit there holding your knees, allowing this to be the last of your wallowing for the day. Once you get out, you do your routine. Shuddering when you open up your skincare bag. You throw on leggings and a sweatshirt and head out to the kitchen to see what everyone is up to.

“Good morning mama.” Josh says with a cup of coffee in his hand.

Jake is working on his basting, Danny is assisting Jake, and Josh and Sam are watching.

“Good morning.” You say back.

Jake holds his hands up at you. “I would make your coffee, but I’m a bit unable to at the moment.”

You laugh at him. “It’s okay, I can do it.”

You make your way to the refrigerator and start getting out everything you need. Once you make your coffee you put everything away and start to head back to the island to watch with everyone.

“Wanna go sit outside with me sorority girl?” Sam asks.

You nod your head and follow him out on the patio. It’s beautiful this morning, not too cold and the view is amazing. You sit down and sip your coffee but Sam keeps looking at you.

“Are you okay?” He asks.

You glance back at him and make a face. “Yes. Why?”

“Something seems off. You know you can talk to me about anything, right?” Sam says.

You smile lightly at him. “I know Sammy. But seriously I’m good.”

He bites his lip. “Okay, if you say so.”

It’s evident how much Sam knows you. He can tell when things are off with you, but you don’t want to talk about the impending potential anxieties. It would also feel weird talking to Sam about it over Jake.

“I don’t know about you, but I am so excited to eat tonight.” Sam says, obviously trying to change the subject.

You giggle at him. “You can’t even eat a lot of the food tonight.”

Sam chuckles. “That may be true, but I do have a whole pie to myself.”

You sip your coffee. “Mhm I’ve heard it’s probably the best vegan pie in the world.”

“Oh is that so?” Sam asks.

You nod your head. “Yeah, I’m afraid so. The baker is some sort of genius. She’s hot too.”

Sam laughs. “That’s obviously the most important trait in a baker. But if that’s the criteria, then this will be the best pie in the whole world.”

“Jake the Thanksgiving tyrant needs you Samuel.” Josh says, opening the sliding door.

Sam huffs and looks at you. “Pray for me.”

You laugh and follow them both inside.

Jake is stress cooking and Danny is trying his best to help. Jake was a perfectionist when it came to a few things, music and cooking being two of them. You loved seeing him in the zone with both.

Jake barely glances up before saying, “Sam get over here and stir this shit.”

**

After everything was prepped and on its way to being cooked you all sat outside on the patio. You and Jake were sitting on the swing, his arm around you, slowly swaying back and forth. The other three were sitting at the table. There was quite the entertaining conversation of the best Thanksgiving movies. Mostly Josh and Sam argued this one out.

“Okay I’ll interject here.” You start. “Why has neither one of you said A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving?”

Jake cocked his head and looked at you. “You know what I agree with her.”

Sam smiled at you. “That’s not a movie, that’s a special.”

“So? It’s objectively better than everything else you two are arguing about. We should watch that tonight.” You say.

“Hm I am feeling rather nostalgic. But we will watch Planes, Trains, and Automobiles after.” Josh says.

You nod your head. “Fair enough.”

Sam continues to argue for his pick.

“It’s such a beautiful day today.” Jake says, turning his head towards you. “I’m so glad I get to spend it with you.”

You smile brightly at him and plant a soft kiss on his lips. “I love you.”

Jake kisses you right back. “And I love you.”

You hear a gagging sound and look over at Josh who is dramatically pretending to throw up. “You two and your cute lovey dovey shit. Makes me sick!”

“You sound bitter.” Jake says, egging his twin on.

“I need to go check on the potatoes.” Sam says, rather quietly getting up.

“Yeah I probably need to go tend to the turkey. Should be ready in an hour or so.” Jake says.

“I’m going to change and fix up a little.” You say.

With that everyone is going and doing. You go into your room and pull out a white off the shoulder frayed sweater and your brown corduroy flare pants. You put some loose curls in your hair and some light makeup. You spritz yourself down with perfume and you’re done. That hour has almost passed, so you head out to the common area. It’s a little bit chaotic, but everything seems to be done.

“You look nice.” Jake says as he kisses your cheek. “I’m going to set the table, then I’ll get changed.”

“I can do that. Go get changed, you've done enough.” You say, taking plates from Jake.

He gives you a smile and heads off towards your room. Danny is setting up all of the food and Sam and Josh are working on cocktails. You set out all of the plates, fold the napkins, and set out the silverware. Jake’s back rather quickly. He looks nice with his everyday jeans, a flannel, and his boots.

“Okay everyone. Let’s eat.” Jake says, sitting the turkey in the center of their table.

You all took your seats, Jake sat at the head of the table. You were next to him, Josh next to you, Sam across from you, and Danny next to Sam.

“Shall we have a toast?” Josh says, raising his glass. “I don’t want to be cliche and make everyone go around the table and say what they’re thankful for. But, I do want to say that I love everyone at this table, very much. Here’s to this wonderful meal, this wonderful place, and these wonderful people. May we live long and prosper. May we find love and provide it where there is not.”

“Here here!” Jake says while everyone clinks their glasses.

“This is so good. What is it?” You ask after sipping the drink.

“Cranberry and sugared lemon gin. I came up with this one.” Sam says.

You smile at him. “I should have known.”

The food was magnificent. Everything was so beyond delicious, but the turkey was the star. After you had all stuffed your faces it was time to clean up and have dessert. The boys made quick of the clean up while you cut the pie and squirted whipped cream on all of the slices. Jake came and helped you carry the plates to the living room where “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” was already queued up.

“Shit this is so good.” Josh says chewing his first bite. Danny hums in agreement.

“There’s no way it’s better than the vegan version. This is probably the best vegan dessert I’ve ever had.” Sam says.

“I told you it would be.” You say pushing the pie around on your plate.

“Yeah this is great babe.” Jake says, rubbing your knee.

“I wanted to run something by you guys.” Danny says.

Everyone looks up at him and nods.

“So my birthday is obviously coming up, but I was thinking we could combine that with New Years and have a party for both?”

“Ooh that sounds so fun!” You say.

“Right. But I want to do it in Atlanta” Danny finishes.

You smile at that. “Even better!”

“I’m always down to go to Atlanta.” Jake says.

“Perfect. It’s settled then.” Danny says.

**

You all spent the rest of the night watching Thanksgiving movies and talking. It had been a rough start, but overall a really good day. Jake pulled you into his arms and you both fell asleep full and happy. You woke up the next morning and everyone was ready to spend another day at the beach. You had all packed a cooler full of leftovers and a volleyball match had broken out. Of course Sam and Danny with their height advantage, won. You all stayed in the sun the whole day, so everyone got pretty toasty. You had tried to make everyone apply sunscreen every hour, but they didn’t listen. Before you went to bed that night you had to lather Jake in lotion so he wouldn’t peel. He returned the favor, but his massage had ulterior motives. Tomorrow was your last full day before you had to fly back on Sunday. You didn’t want to think about next Friday, this was your appointment date. You looked down at your sleeping Jake and tried to stay present in the moment. You told yourself over and over that everything was going to be fine.

**

You awoke the next morning to noise in your bathroom. It was rather early, but Jake wasn’t in bed next to you.

You sat up and whispered. “Jake?”

No response. You begrudgingly left the warm bed and got up to make sure everything was okay. When you opened the door there stood a very pink Jake rummaging around the bathroom.

“Jake?”

He turns around and looks at you strangely. “Hi… I was looking for the lotion for my face. It was starting to sting.”

You laugh a little at that. “Do you need help?”

You step forward and then immediately your stomach drops. On the counter is your skincare bag, opened. On the counter lay your serums, creams, and two pregnancy tests. The color from your face drains and you look at Jake with horror.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jake asks, quietly.

You start to feel defensive. “Because I’m not sure.”

“You don’t have to be sure. You can tell me anything, especially things like this.” Jake says.

You huff. “I appreciate that. But I don’t want this to be the focus of this trip. Can we just side table this and enjoy today?”

Jake bites his lip and looks at you. “Is this something that needs to be sidetabled?”

“Please.” You say, looking up at him.

“Okay yeah.” Jake says, in the least assuring tone.

The rest of the morning was odd. Jake was being incredibly distant and kept looking at you. He shook his leg profusely when he sat and you knew he was bothered by earlier. You all went back to the beach for a few hours just to read and relax. But you didn’t feel super relaxed. You tried to distract yourself with your book, but you could feel Jake’s eyes on you. Josh made dinner reservations at a somewhat fancy seafood bar for tonight. You excused yourself back to the house to start getting ready. You decided to wear a black tank bodysuit with pleather black pants. You paired it with black heeled booties and gold jewelry. You put waves through your hair with a decent amount of makeup. Finishing off with pink gloss and perfume. Jake walked in and nodded at you before getting in the shower. He usually complimented you, but today wasn’t one of those days. You went out in the living room to wait for everyone. Sam was out there with Danny already pregaming dinner.

“Tequila shot?” Sam asks you when he sees you.

“Two.” You say, slumping down in the barstools.

Sam smiles at you. “Oof I heard that.”

He lines up the shots and you all take them. You barely flinch as the liquid burns your throat. Jake comes out and eyes the shot glasses, but doesn’t say anything. The ride to the restaurant is a little tense, for you anyway. There’s no touching or normal warmness. When you arrived at the restaurant Jake took his seat next to you, but didn’t participate in the group conversation.

“So Josh, are we feeling a feast of appetizers tonight?” You ask.

Josh places the menu down. “Absolutely we are. Assuming there is something for the diva.”

Sam rolls his eyes at him.

“Hi guys, what can I get us started with over here?” The waiter asks, approaching your table.

Josh, Danny, and Jake all go ordering various cocktails.

“Can I have a peach sangria?” You ask.

The waiter nods at you.

“Ooh that sounds good. I’ll take one of those as well.” Sam says.

“Okay I’ll be right back with those drinks.” The waiter says.

“Are you serious?” Jake says, turning towards you.

You make a face at him. “What?”

“You’re seriously drinking right now?” He retorts.

Everyone at the table gets quiet. Sam looks at you with confusion as to why Jake is being like this.

“Can we go outside for a moment?” You ask Jake.

He nods his head and escorts you outside.

“Why are you being like this?” You say, crossing your arms.

Jake huffs out. “I’m not being like anything. Forgive me if I’m a little bit stressed after this morning.”

“We were supposed to put that to the side for now.” You say.

Jake laughs. “Put it to the side? How do you just put something like that to the side? It doesn’t go away if you don’t think about it. The fact that you’re drinking is also ridiculous. I get it’s not an assured thing, but even if there is the slightest chance that there is, drinking is absurd.”

You feel a heat rise in your chest. “For fuck’s sake Jake. It won’t matter anyway.”

Jake furrows his brows at you. “What do you mean? Of course it matters. I could possibly be a Dad, and I don’t want our child having fetal alcohol syndrome because you want a goddamn sangria.”

Now you’re pissed. “I’m not having a fucking baby, Jake. Either way I’m not. No way in hell is that occurring, so get that out of your head.”

Jake makes a face at you. “So that’s it then?”

“Yeah, it sure is. I don’t know who the hell you think you are telling me what I can and cannot do” You spit.

“I’m not trying to fucking tell you what to do. I thought this would be something we would discuss together, as you and me.” He says running his fingers through his hair.

“Well you thought wrong. Now if you’re done having your tantrum I would like to go inside and have my goddamn sangria.” You say, bitterly.

Jake stares at you for a moment, then shakes his head. “Go ahead.”

You march back into the restaurant with your blood boiling. The audacity for him to act like this. Sam can immediately tell something is wrong. He shoots you a look but you nod him off. The drinks arrive and you can’t wait to down your whole sangria in front of Jake. But he never arrives. He never came back inside of that restaurant. Where he went, you have no clue. But the next time you would see Jake things would be very very different.

**

[oddaodd]

· Cloudberry Flavored Midnight Cravings ·

Request: by a lovely anon “Hola!!! May I please req a Tommy fic wherein he and his wife are sleeping and then his wife suddenly woke up hungry in the middle of the night and is craving for a very particular weird food that they don’t have and Tommy have no choice but to search the whole Birmingham just to satisfy his wife. Just Tommy being soft and husband material🥺🥺 I’m so sorry if it’s too detailed. My mind can’t explain it without going all out 🤣😅 Thank you so much! Your fics have been nothing but phenomenal and the best💯💖”

Author’s note: This request was too soft I can’t ahhhhh I loved writing it and I hope I did it justice and as always, I wish you all the loveliest of days! ❤️

Warnings: none

·

After tossing and turning for a good couple of hours, Y/n couldn’t handle it anymore. Flashes of biscuits invaded her mind as she tried to fight her thoughts into sleep. Sinking in bed and tossing one more time she sighed . And before she could go back to sulking in that awful sucky feeling of discomfort and hunger, she heard his voice.

“Can’t sleep?”

“No” she mumbled as she laid on her back to look at the ceiling “I can’t stop thinking about food”

“Anything in particular your heart might desire?” Tommy asked softly prompting himself up on his arm

“Chocolate cookies with cloudberry jam” she sighed letting the picture of her craving invade her mind one more time.

“I can go get some from the kitchen” he reassured with a chuckle at her odd craving “I’m sure I saw some biscuits in the pantry after dinner”

“Yes, but we ran out of cloudberry jam yesterday, remember Finn loves it so too” she said tragically.

Tommy pondered on this information for a few seconds before standing up and walking to the chair where his clothes from the previous day laid.

Taken aback by his reaction, Y/n questioned him.

“Benjamin’s store might still be open” he murmured as he finished buttoning up his shirt.

“But it’s the middle of the night” she said, her heart fluttering at Tommy’s willingness to satisfy her cravings.

“it’s alright, love. He’ll be open” he answered calmly, after all Benjamin’s shop was protected by the blinders. If Tommy wanted to buy at 1 in the morning, Benjamin would sell at 1 in the morning.

“be careful, then” she smiled knowing that she wouldn’t dissuade him from going and about half an hour later, Tommy was stepping into the bedroom again. A small jar filled with a yellowy mush on one of his hands and a platter with some chocolate biscuits on the other.

“I cannot believe you got it” she smiled as Tommy sat in bed “was Benjamin open then?”

“Well, he was out of jam” he said as he opened the jar “said Madam Rosmerta hadn’t dropped off her jam batch today so I went to her house”

“Jesus, Tommy” she laughed at the idea of him roaming the streets of Birmingham in search for cloudberry jam “And what did she do? When you went banging on her door at bloody 1 in the morning”

“She was surprised alright” he began spreading the jam on top of the biscuit with a laugh “but when I explained it was for you she smiled and sold me a jar”

Y/n laughed again in pleasant disbelief as her husband handed her a biscuit with the mushed fruit on top. She sighed in bliss and closed her eyes after taking the first bite, letting the mix of sweet and tangy flavors fill her every senses before eating the whole biscuit.

“Was that what you were imagining it to taste like?” he inquired with a tender expression at his wife’s reaction.

“Yes” she professed fixing her eyes on him.

“Thank you so much” she continued while pushing the biscuit platter to the side so she could scoot closer to him. Cupping his face in her hands and looking lovingly into his eyes she whispered a soft “I love you” before pressing her cloudberry flavored lips to his.

·

@captivatedbycillianmurphy @peakyxtommy @nyotamalfoy @writeroutoftime @babylooneytoonz @lilymurphy03

[paperandsong]

My fic, Erik Gets a COVID Test, is being translated into Chinese by Snowydove7. It’s an honor to have someone volunteer to translate fic and it’s been a great experience so far. It is so much fun to watch Chinese readers interact with the fic on Lofter, a Chinese language fanfic site. 

I do not speak Chinese so I’ve been using Google Translate to read the comments, which has been an interesting lesson in the limitations of Google. I use the program to translate between Portuguese and English fairly regularly for work purposes and while it always needs editing, it is readable. But I have found that for Chinese, Google Translate loses all ability to convey nuance or slang. As a human translator, this actually makes me feel pretty good. Computers can’t replace us just yet. 

Here’s an example:

Reader：这个设定好有���！！会乱骂人还肌肤饥渴的桶子最傲娇了哈哈哈～～

Reader: This setting is so interesting! ! A bucket who can curse people and get thirsty skin is the most arrogant hahaha~~

Snowydove7 has been great about answering any questions I might have about the comments. I’ve learned that “skin-thirst” and “thirsty for skin” is how one talks about being “touch-starved” in Chinese. 

Comment from Snowydove7 about the use of “bucket” to discuss Erik: 

'Bucket' is 'bucket'. In Chinese, the word Phantom has similar pronunciation as 'meal bucket(饭桶, spelled as Fantong in Pinyin）', which means a good-for-nothing. It's such an interesting coincidence that Chinese POTO fans uses 'bucket' or 'meal bucket' a nickname of Erik. AI has a long way to go before understanding homophones.

Another interesting conversation we’ve had is about the Chinese translation of Leroux’s novel. Snowydove7 noticed my author’s note in which I explain that Christine sings the Night Queen’s aria from The Magic Flute in the original French, which was left out of the Teixeira de Mattos translation (along with many other details!) Snowy mentioned this scene was also missing from their Chinese Leroux. I asked Snowy to check for several other details - the scissors, the enlarged coffin - and they were all missing from the Chinese translation too. Which means it is very likely that the translation Snowy was looking at was translated from Teixeira’s English, and not the original French. The omitted passages are like watermarks of Teixeira’s censorship - and they show up in the translations of other languages too. 

Snowy confirmed that there are many Chinese language editions of Leroux and some of the newer translations do include these missing details. That still doesn’t confirm whether the translation was made from the original French or from a more recent English translation that is more faithful to Leroux. I find it fascinating that French literature would be translated into Chinese via English. But it makes sense. There are more English speakers in China than French. 

I couldn’t find a date for the first translation of Phantom of the Opera into Chinese, but it seems it must have been at least prior to 1937, when “Song at Midnight”, a Chinese made silent film based on Leroux’s novel, was released. 

Here are the Chinese editions I found available on Amazon. It is impossible to know which were translated from Teixeira or other English translations, and which were translated from the original. 

(No year provided) Phantom of the Opera (Traditional Chinese Edition) Unknown Binding

1991 China Astronautics Publishing House

2000  Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House (Youth Edition)

2010 Chongqing Press

2012 New World Press

2013 大连理工大学出版社 (Graphic Novel)

2016  Changjiang Juvenile & Children's Publishing House

2020  Yuan Liu (might be translated from the original French)

2021 Shang Hai Yi Wen Chu Ban She (The description sounds like the 2004 film)

“Eric was born deformed and was abandoned by his parents and society. The kind Madame Giry hid him in the basement of the opera house.”

Chinese fans, do you have any recommendations for Chinese language translations of Phantom of the Opera? Any comments about PotO slang in Chinese? Leave a note!

[pocketfulofrecs]

One for Heaven and Earth by cerbykerby

teen | 7.2k | wangxian | complete | celestial LWJ

An incredulous "Whoa," behind Lan Wangji yanks him out of his meditative state. He spins around fast enough for his wet hair to stick to his cheek. His eyes widen in horror.

On the shore of the Cold Springs, Wei Wuxian stands, half-dressed in his own robes. He holds up Lan Wangji's heavenly robe, the fabric shining like spilled stars at midnight.

"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian breathes, a whole constellation reflecting in his eyes. "What's this? It's so—"

----------

On the night Lan Wangji's mother left, she gave him a divine robe and told him to never let anyone see or take it from him.

Dee’s thoughts - This fic is magical, the lore of LWJ’s lineage, his mother, the significance of the robe, all of it makes it so special. I really like the mystical vibe it creates. WWX is mischievous but also gentle with LWJ. The fic is LWJ’s pov, which is my favorite. A lovely read.

Ju’s thoughts - Ahh! This fic was so good to read! It follows all canon events, but LWJ has a heavenly robe that no one should touch, or take. This robe binds itself to LWJ, and embroiders itself with things LWJ finds important (WWX). It's a really lovely read, I loved LWJ's pov.

Author’s tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - Supernatural Elements, Angst with a Happy Ending, Madam Lán Lives (Módào Zǔshī), kinda like the swan maiden myth but not really?, inspired by wangxian selkie au, Getting Together

Remember to leave feedback to the author! <3 Comments and kudos feed the author’s soul.

Please be respectful to the authors and treat them kindly!

[thetvmoviefan]

Nabrina FanFics Part 6

Sabrina Spellman & Nicholas Scratch (Nick Scratch) FanFics MASTERLIST

Updated: October 23, 2019 (10/23/2019)

Well Netflix just released their list for November and sadly CAOS isn’t on there. So Since we aren’t getting Part 3 anytime soon or at least not in November. Here’s a new updated list of Current and New Nabrina FanFictions for anyone missing our favorite Power Couple Nick Scratch/Sabrina Spellman since the wait for Part 3 and Part 4 is still on-going. But to anyone need a Nabrina fix or CAOS fix in general all the fics on this list are worth it and the re-reads.

Anyways have a wicked time with these fics and and ENJOY!!!

Fics in order by last Update since 10/23/2019

1. “Lessons in the Unseen”

Author: bunivy

Summary: Academy Teachers AU. Sabrina Spellman lives as simple a life as a half-mortal half-witch can. Despite her dislike for the headmaster, she enjoys spending her time teaching Ritual Magic at the Academy of Unseen Arts, hoping to positively shape the minds of young witches and warlocks. However, with the sudden dreadful announcement of her aunt Zelda's engagement and the appearance of one mysterious - and strikingly handsome - Nicholas Scratch, Sabrina finds that her life is not so simple anymore. Or all that safe. Rated Mature - Chapters 23/? - Last Update 10/22/2019

2.”Ground Beneath Her Feet”

Author: mindlesshappy

Summary: Sabrina is born out of a miracle - one that she wishes would repeat for her, but when she is destined for someone else, how much can she resist before her heart decides to give in. Alternatively, Nick is Sabrina's soulmate, but she really just wants Harvey to be it. Also, in the backseat are all the other possible ships, getting their own soulmate glories. Rated Teen - Chapters 15/? - Last Update 10/22/2019

3. “But The Greatest Is Love” 

Author: sarahkwut

Summary: The acheron captured Lucifer Morningstar, but their problems are far from over. The coven is decimated, the Church of Night is no more, Father Blackwood is on the run, and Nick and Sabrina's relationship is in ruins. How do they pick up the pieces and move on? There are more questions than answers and the consequences could be of biblical proportions. Rated Mature - Chapters 22/? - Last Update10/18/2019

4. “Thirteen Memories” 

Author: tempestbreak

Summary: (Set at the end of Season 2) Sabrina and her friends go to Hell and rescue Nick -- but what happens when that's the easy part?It turns out, having the Dark Lord inside your mind for months can do some damage, and Nick comes back different. His memories of the events leading up to his sacrifice, including his relationship with Sabrina, are gone. How can Sabrina help him regain his memories of their time together when she's not even sure she trusts her own? Rated Mature - Chapters 3/? - Last Update 10/17/2019

5. “Back to You”

Author: nadiaselite

Summary: Sabrina brings Nick back from hell. Rated Teen - Chapters 1/1 - Last Update 10/11/2019 

6. “The Open Road”

Author: paradiamond

Summary: Nick wants her back, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes. In fact, he insists on it. Rated Teen - Chapters 1/1 - Last Update 9/22/2019

7. “Be True to Your School”

Author: rayo aka @its-nabrina-bitch​

Summary: Nicholas Scratch is the Golden Boy™ of Baxter High; star athlete, top of his class academically, and devastatingly handsome. Sabrina Spellman sees Sophomore year as an opportunity to expand her horizons; joining the cheerleading squad, running for student council, and making new friends along the way while working to maintain her relationships with her old friends. What Sabrina Spellman doesn't know: sophomore year is about to turn her world upside-down. AU - Rated General - Chapters 4/? - Last Update 9/12/2019

8. “Mission: Let’s get my boyfriend back”

Author: My_Evak_Heart

Summary: Sabrina and the Fright Club ventures on their first mission: getting Nick back from Hell Not Rated - Chapters 1/1 - Last Update 9/7/2019

9. “Jealousy is a killer”

Author: Melissa1226

Summary: Will Sabrina and Nick Start something new? and who is watching them from the shadow full of jealousy? Rated Mature - Chapters 8/? - Last Update 8/28/2019

10. “The Institute for Divine Craft” 

Author: rayo aka @its-nabrina-bitch​

Summary: After a humiliating spat with Father Blackwood pushes Sabrina away from her witching life and the Academy, Madam Satan crafts an alternative solution to move Sabrina Spellman further down the path of night. Ultimately leading her to the Institute for the Divine Craft. A handsome Headmaster with mysterious ties to her father, convinces Sabrina to abandon her mortal life, and cultivate her abilities as a child of the Church of Lucifer. AU - Rated Mature - Chapters 16/? - Last Update 8/21/2019

11. “The Jock”

Author: mikaila_ealum

Summary: An Alternate Universe where Nicholas Scratch is Baxter High’s quarterback along with one of the most popular boys at school. With few knowing the truth, Scratch is living a double life as a warlock at the Academy of Unseen Arts. Sabrina takes a hiatus from the Academy to get more in touch with her mortal side. When Sabrina gets back she becomes partners with Nicholas for a project in theatre class. AU - Chapters 8/? - Last Update 8/07/2019

12. “act 5, scene 2 (thou and i are too wise to woo peaceably)”

Author: ghostemo aka @wickedscratch​

Summary: When Sabrina Spellman rose to a challenge issued by Prudence Night, she never imagined she’d actually make the varsity cheer squad - or that doing so would upend life as she knew it. Now she has to navigate her new role within the social hierarchy of hell -er Baxter High as well as trying to get her boyfriend to actually communicate. It certainly doesn’t help that she’s been paired up with the annoyingly handsome Nicholas Scratch, captain of Greendale’s beloved football team, for a project in her theater class. It’s exactly as, if not more so, cliche as it sounds. AU/AH - Rated Teen - Chapters 3/? - 7/25/2019

13. “Off the Record” 

Author: sarahkwut

Summary: AU. Detective Nicholas Scratch left New York for Greendale in desperate need of a change of scenery. The small town takes some getting used to, but local reporter Sabrina Spellman quickly grabs his attention. It's the fresh start he needed until Greendale's residents start turning up dead. With a murderer on the loose, no one is innocent - and anyone might be next. AU/AH - Rated Mature - Chapters 29/29 - Completed 7/22/2019

14. “Bring You Close To Me”

Author: BridgetMcKennitt

Summary: Sabrina and her friends managed to bring Nicholas back from Hell. There was a lot the two of them needed to discuss, but tonight, they had this. Rated E Mature - Chapters 1/1 - One Shot - Last Update 7/13/2019

15. “A Brief Moment” 

Author: bunivy

Summary: Ever since he's returned from Hell, Nicholas Scratch has been having nightmares. With help from Aunt Hilda, Sabrina unknowingly shows him a light and for a moment, Nicholas knows everything will be okay. Rated General - Chapters 1/1 - One Shot - Last Update 6/24/2019

16. “To Hell and Back” 

Author: swtnerdgirl

Summary: A year has passed since Sabrina and her friends rescued Nick from Hell. No one came back the same. They all had their scars. Some emotionally. Some physically. In the days leading to Hilda's wedding, they all prepare for their lives to change and heal their wounds. Rated Mature - Chapters 16/? - Last Update 6/06/2019

17. “Dead Witch Walking” 

Author: rayo aka @its-nabrina-bitch​

Summary: Faced with the possibility of being harrowed to death by her classmates, Sabrina finds an escape. Rated E Mature - Chapters 1/1 - One Shot - Last Update 5/26/2019

18. “Moonlight Beneath Rough Lips” 

Author: ivylikeveins

Summary: After the encounter with the thirteen witches of Greendale, Sabrina enters the dining hall with moonlight locks bathed in soft blue hues, and Nick does not know what to do. He ends up with a soft and small Sabrina pressed into his chest, sleeping, and wrapped around his very much over-sized jacket with Nick's lips pressed into the soft, pearly strands he wants his soul to get entangled within. Rated Mature - Chapters 1/1 - One Shot - Last Update 5/19/2019

19. “The Hunt” 

Author: OnlyInAutumn

Summary: Nick howled into the night, up at the stars to signify that he was ready on the eve of Lupercalia, the darkness of midnight around them. The first sound of the horn sent them into the forest. The hunt had begun. Rated E Mature - Chapters 1/1 - One Shot - Last Update 5/11/2019

20. “Secrets, Secrets are no Fun”

Author: filmharlot

Summary: Sabrina is the new kid for the first time in her life. Choosing to go to the Academy full-time seems to be a hard transition than she was expecting. With the Weird Sisters harassment at an all-time high, dealing with leaving her mortal friend's and condescending teachers, Sabrina is suffering. She's not even allowed to have Salem for comfort. It's not all bad though. She is finally free to do magic whenever she wants, and there's a charming warlock who is being particularly nice to her. Plus, someone is leaving kind gifts on her bed at the end of the night. She just wishes she knew who it was. Not Rated - Chapters 1/? - Last Update 5/06/2019

21. “My only love sprung from my only hate” 

Author: filmharlot

Summary: High School AU where Nick is based on the version of him that Sabrina creates in her dream during the Batibat episode. Harvey and Sabrina have broken up and don't want to work together on the Romeo and Juliet assignment in Drama class, so she ends up being partners with Nick AU - Not Rated - Chapters 7/? - Last Update 5/04/2019

22. “Unsettled Nighttime Creatures” 

Author: mindlesshappy

Summary: We all know Sabrina is going to save Nick. This is how Nick reacts to being saved - which, spoilers alert - is like a very stupid warlock. Rated Teen - Chapters 5/5 - Completed 4/25/2019

23. “Selfless” 

Author: sarahwut

Summary: Sabrina Spellman dragged Nicholas Scratch back from Hell. But Hell might be better than a world in which they aren't together. Rated General - Chapters 1/1 - One Shot - Completed 4/23/2019 

24. “Homecoming” 

Author: cherrystems

Summary: After several months Sabrina is able to get Nick back from Hell with the help of her family and friends. However, Nick has to adjust to Earth again while dealing with PTSD and anxiety. This tells the story of the growth of Sabrina and Nick's relationship over the recovery time. Not Rated - Chapters 3/? - Last Update 4/20/2019

25. “Under Your Spell” 

Author: londonmarie

Summary: Sabrina doesn't hesitate to have her Dark Baptism and things go differently. Rated Teen - Chapters 10/? - Last Update 4/18/2019

26. “Photographs” 

Author: Greyowl9831

Summary: It's been at least 150 years since Sabrina signed her name in the Book of the Beast. One day she finds an old photo album. Will the memories it contains be a great walk down memory lane or will it be more than she can bare? Not Rated - Chapters 4/? - Last Update 4/14/2019

27. “An itch That Needed Scratching” 

Author: umbrellacorp

Summary: What if Nick slayed his familiar and Sabrina and Nick got to experience the last night of the Lupercalia festival alone. Tonight, Sabrina would be transformed. Nick was going to show her power that she never knew she had, an innate carnal power. They were about to become the most powerful union of the Church of Night. Rated E Mature - Chapters 1/1 - One Shot - Last Update 4/13/2019

28. “and I keep waiting (but I won’t say I’m waiting)”

Author: lost_n_stereo @lost-n-stereo​

Summary: You would think that it would hurt less as the days go by, since it’s been nearly two years since Nick sacrificed himself for the greater good and Lilith took him to hell. Except, he didn’t sacrifice himself for the greater good, he sacrificed himself for her. And that makes it a hell of a lot tougher to let go. Rated General - Chapters 1/1 - One Shot - Last Update 4/10/2019

29. “The Four Pictures” 

Author: Copper_16

Summary: It’s been 10 years. Nick and Sabrina are teachers at the Academy along with some familiar faces. It’s been a decade there can’t be that much chaos anymore, right? Wrong. Rated Teen - Chapters 3/? - Last Update 4/09/2019

30. “Fire” 

Author: OnlyInAutumn

Summary: Their power—together—was overwhelming. It was something that she had not felt either, the consuming feeling of expanding power. It was entirely addicting. Rated Mature - Chapters 2/2 - Completed 3/24/2019

31. “something I can believe” 

Author: Anry

Summary: Missing scene after Sabrina's baptism. I wouldn't say that it's really a relationship here, just conversation. Rated General - Chapters 1/1 - One Shot - Last Update 1/25/2019

AND THERE YOU GO!!!!

Everyone make sure to leave love and praise through comments and kudos to all these amazing writers who are writing these amazing Sabrina fics, because without them this hiatus would be so much harder.

But honestly because they work so hard on these stories they deserve the encouragement and love for the hard work they do. Even a simple “Great Chapter” keeps them going.

So make sure to say how much you love their writing by giving them all the encouragement they deserve through comments or just sharing their stories with other fellow Nabrina shippers or just CAOS fans.

If anyone has any other suggestions for the list feel free to message me :).

ENJOY!!

[wolfstarbaby]

a gentle hand, a secret touch on the heart

This fic was written with love for @flaggermousseart​ for @wolfstar-secret-santa​! Enjoy! :D

Title: a gentle hand, a secret touch on the heart

Author: wolfstarbaby (fuutenfantasy on AO3)

Pairing: Wolfstar

Rating: T

Length: 6202 words

Summary: 

“James, Peter and Sirius manage to land themselves in detention the night of the full moon. Remus will be fine! He's done moons by himself before. Everything will be fine. Totally. 

Sirius is full of emotions and James can tell something is amiss. Remus is also full of emotions but better at hiding things. Will things work out for these star-crossed idiots? Read on to find out!”

Link to AO3 HERE

Fic under readmore!

a gentle hand, a secret touch on the heart

Remus was waiting for his friends for three hours, half-reading an old History of Magic textbook and staring into the fire, before the Portrait Hole finally slammed open. Sirius came storming in first, followed by James, and Peter came scrabbling in last, still complaining at top volume.

“-and you know Tulip’s had it out for us from the start! Totally unfair, is what it is.”

“We know, Peter,” moaned James wearily. “You’ve been on about it for the past ten minutes. Just shut it.”

Sirius threw himself onto the couch next to Remus, his eyes narrowed and and his arms folded. Remus closed his book and eyed his friend.

“I take it things did not go according to plan?” he quipped. Sirius just grunted. James flopped onto a nearby armchair and Peter stretched out in front of the blazing fire, both arms over his head. The other Gryffindors on the floor in front of the fire had to scoot out of his way, pulling books and wands closer to them with half-hearted grumbles.

“Things went great!” said Peter, voice muffled. “For the first ten minutes, anyway. We had the ravens stowed and the birdseed scattered.”

“It was going to be magnificent!” James interrupted, waving his arms about. “A perfectly timed series of events that would lead to old Tulip being absolutely covered in birdshit! I had everything planned. But then...” he sighed, running a hand through his already wild hair. “It all fell apart.”

“How so?” Remus asked, trying and failing to conceal his smile.

After a dramatic pause, Peter took his arms off his face. “Tulip came in early.”

“We still could have gotten away with it,” James complained, sinking down into the overstuffed lap of the armchair, “if Padfoot hadn’t been busy using birdseed to spell WANKER on Tulip’s desk!”

Remus let out a snort and put down his book. “Did you really? That’s a bit much, even for you, Sirius.” He patted Sirius on the arm. Sirius glowered and made cranky noises, but the corner of his mouth twitched.

“And from there he looked up and saw the ravens and it was all downhill.” Peter sighed and rolled over onto his stomach. “Yelled at us for two hours. I thought his heart was going to burst, the way his veins were pulsing.”

“Glad I gave this one a pass, then.” Remus rubbed his shoulder, grimacing. “Not by choice, mind you, but I suppose it worked out. Did you get away with just a bollocking or do you hooligans have detention now, too?”

“We all have four hours of detention,” muttered Sirius. He turned to look at Remus. “Saturday night, starting at 8.”

Remus felt his stomach drop. “Oh.”

“I’m sorry, Moony!” James leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “We argued with Tulip for ages but he wouldn’t budge, and it’s not like we could tell him why.”

“I’ll be fine,” said Remus automatically. “I’ve done plenty of moons without you lot before, I’ll survive this one too.” He stood up abruptly, stretching with some difficulty. “Let’s go to supper, I’m famished.”

The evening passed as many do at Hogwarts. Sirius came out of his funk by dessert and soon all the boys were laughing and bantering like normal, but Remus noticed that every time he winced at a pre-lunar ache Sirius glanced over, worried. They took their usual spots around the huge scarred wooden table in the common room and muttered over some homework, making more jokes than progress on their Transfiguration essays.

“I just don’t understand how we’re meant to explain a process we’ve never seen before!” Peter complained, scratching his forehead with his quill and leaving a streaky black line in its wake. “ ‘Explain in fine detail the technical process of turning a chicken into a cow, paying special attention to where the additional mass comes from.’ What does she want us to do with this?”

Remus, already halfway through with his outline, just chuckled. “It’s in the book, Peter. You have to read.”

“Sounds like too much work,” said James, closing his book with a decisive thump. “Right, lads. How’s my hair?”

Sirius ruffled it playfully, messing it up even more. “Now it’s perfect. Go get her, Prongsie.”

James eyed his target, squared his shoulders, and stood. “Wish me luck.”

He sauntered across the common room so he could attempt to flirt with Lily - by which he meant leaning on the back of her chair and joining whatever conversation she was a part of with loud commentary and inappropriate humor. This was met with eye rolling, ignoring, and the occasional artfully dodged hex. Eventually Peter went for a shower before bed and it was just Sirius and Remus at the table, sitting in a comfortable silence, the pretense of working long since given up.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright by yourself this Saturday?” Sirius asked softly. “I could skip detention and Padfoot could be there at least.”

Remus’s heart clenched. “Don’t skip out, Tulip will lose his mind and you’ll be in even worse trouble. I’ll be fine, I promise.” He smiled, fairly convincingly. “Come on, let’s rescue Lily from Prongs and head upstairs.”

Together they hauled James away from Lily and her friends, dragging him up the stairs by his elbows, and Remus tried his best not to notice every time he bumped into Sirius on the narrow staircase. He climbed into bed after a round of “good nights” and only when the curtains whisper shut around him did he allow himself the luxury of basking in the idea that Sirius’s concern meant anything more than platonic worry. He fell asleep imagining a world that could not be - a world with Sirius stroking his hair and whispering sweet words meant for him and him alone, chasing away the lingering curse of the moon with his quiet warmth.

~~~

Remus had been quietly pining for his best friend for what seemed like forever, but for what was realistically about two years. Before Hogwarts he’d kept to himself out of both necessity and choice - growing up on an isolated farm and being bitten by a werewolf are both life challenges that keep you from making many friends. It wasn’t until about halfway through his second year that Remus began to realize that he wasn’t interested in his female classmates the way the other boys were, and not until his third year that his heart was captured by Sirius.

It wasn’t anything dramatic or complicated - in fact, it was the simplest thing of all. It was, as most things were in Remus’s life, centered around the full moon. A rough transformation in December of their third year had left Remus in the Hospital Wing for longer than usual - nearly a week. He spent the first two days of that awful week unconscious, and didn’t wake up until nearly midnight on that Wednesday. The first thing he saw when he opened his puffy eyes was long black hair strewn across the end of his bed. There, softly illuminated in the candlelight, was Sirius, head pillowed on his arms, fast asleep at the end of Remus’s bed. As if on cue, Sirius turned his head and smiled sleepily at Remus, and that was that for Remus’s heart.

But this realization was followed almost immediately by the knowledge, the deep, certain, bones-deep truth of the fact that he could never act upon his feelings. Not once, not ever. Sirius was assuredly heterosexual, and also one of the most important people in Remus’s life. He wasn’t going to put years of friendship in jeopardy over the simple vagaries of his heart. No, best to push these feelings way down deep and pretend they weren’t there.

This decision came in a split second, and Remus was able to return Sirius’s smile with one of his own - even if it was a little forced at the corners. He could live with that.

~~~

It was the day before the full moon, which means Remus woke up with full body aches and a head that felt like it was underwater. He buried his head under the pillow and tried to ignore the slow-roasting coals in his knees and shoulders. His stomach curled and twisted, though, and it wasn’t long before he was up and in the bathroom, viciously ejecting the remnants of his dinner the night before. His ears were ringing and his headache was splitting - all in all, normal pre-lunar symptoms. He thought about making is way down to the Hospital Wing, but the idea of submitting himself to the fluttering and worrying of Madame Pomfrey was almost more than he could bear - besides, it’s not like she could cure what was really wrong. He resolved to spend the day in bed and pretend like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

He heard the rest of the boys surface to consciousness and rise to face the day, but the velvet curtains around his bed and the mountain of pillows he’d sunk his head into muffled everything. He thought he heard his name once or twice.

“-Remus doing okay?”

“-probably not going to lessons today, poor chap.”

“-him alone. Moon’s tomorrow, you know how it is.”

There was a rustle and a change in the light against his eyelids, so Remus cracked one eye open to see Sirius, his dark hair swinging around his face as he peered through the curtains. He was so close to Remus that the ends of his hair brushed ever so slightly against the boy’s cheek. The sun, well and truly up by now, poured in behind Sirius, the golden streams illuminating him and giving him an unearthly sort of glow. The light got tangled in his hair and brought depth to the blackness, little pockets of richness and color that weren’t usually visible. His eyes were brown and so soft as he looked at Remus. Remus choked a little as his heart clenched almost painfully from the unexpected loveliness of this sight. It took him a minute to realize Sirius was talking to him.

“-anything, mate?”

“I - what?”

“I said, would you like us to bring you any breakfast? We’re heading down now.”

His stomach clenched again at the thought of food. “No thank you - I wouldn’t be able to keep it down, anyway.”

“Fair enough.” Sirius hesitated, then pushed a hand through the curtains and rested it on Remus’s hair, stroking it gently. Remus felt his whole body stiffen in reaction as his brain short-circuited. Quickly, as if embarrassed, Sirius pulled his head and arm back through the curtains, and the sunshine disappeared. “Get some rest, we’ll bring you what you miss in class.”

It wasn’t until the dormitory door closed with a soft clatter that Remus had the presence of mind to call out, “Thank you!”

Soon enough the dormitory was empty, and the air sat silent and still. Remus wanted to lie there and dwell on the unexpected moment of tenderness from Sirius that morning, but his body had other ideas and soon he was asleep again, his brain running from the pain as best it knew how. He spent the day in and out of consciousness, drifting along like a soap bubble. He was vaguely aware of the other boys coming and going, leaving books and parchment on his bedside table, and he managed to rouse himself enough to drink the mug of soup one of them brought for his lunch around noon.

The afternoon brought less drowsiness but more pain. His shoulder and hip joints, as if in preparation for the next day’s miseries, felt tense and twisted. A gentle heating charm cast on a pillow helped a little bit, but not a lot. Again the thought of the Hospital Wing crossed his mind, but at this point it would have hurt more to drag himself down there than to stay in bed.

Besides, he was used to pain.

He felt a weight settle at the end of his bed, and looked up to see the messy black hair and dorky glasses of James. His friend smiled easily and patted his leg.

“Hanging in there, Moony?”

Remus shrugged. “Day before the moon. You know how it is.”

James winced sympathetically. “Need anything?”

“A cure for lycanthropy?” Remus quipped.

James laughed. “I’ll get right on it. You take care.” He deposited an armload of parchment scrolls onto the teetering pile next to Remus’s bed and waved as he headed out the door again.

Remus knew they were all in their afternoon classes for the next few hours, so he was duly surprised when a half hour or so later Sirius showed up again.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in Potions?” Remus remarked, pushing himself to a sitting position.

Sirius shrugged and sat down. “Told Slughorn I needed to bring you your assignments.” He waved a hand at a notebook slung onto the floor. “Didn’t want you to fall behind, and all that.”

“And he just… let you go?” Remus raised an eyebrow. “Decent of him. Odd, but decent.”

“Not that odd.” Sirius smiled. “Everyone knows you’re his second favorite, after Lily. You’re a genius with a cauldron, as he says.”

They fell silent after that, Sirius fiddling with a wrinkle in the duvet and Remus watching his hand while trying to seem like he wasn’t. Finally, Sirius looked up.

“Look, mate, are you sure you don’t want me to skive off this detention tomorrow?

I hate the thought of you being up in the Shack alone.”

Remus sighed. “As much as I want to say yes, I’m going to say no. I don’t want you getting in more trouble because of me. It’s fine, Pads - I’ve been alone before.”

“I know,” said Sirius, “but you shouldn’t have to be.”

“I’ll be okay, Sirius, I promise.” And before he could stop himself, he blurted out, “but I love that you asked.” Immediately he felt his cheeks and ears turned crimson and hastily looked down, pretending to smooth out wrinkles in the duvet. He didn’t notice Sirius looking at him. Eventually Sirius stood to go back to class.

“We’ll bring you something from dinner if you don’t make it down,” he called over his shoulder as he left the dormitory. “Get some more sleep!”

As soon as the door closed Remus threw himself painfully backwards and covered his face with a pillow.

It wasn’t even that revealing of a comment! He told himself. God, what a state I’m in, mention the word ‘love’ once and I act like an idiot.

Somewhere in between the self-admonishment and the lingering moon-pain, he did fall asleep again. He woke up once more to the sound of James and Peter bring him a plate from the Great Hall - beef, yorkshire pudding, carrots, and a slice of Black Forest Gateau, if his wolf-sensitive nose was correct. They were talking softly as they approached, so as to not wake him up.

“-acting weird all day.”

“I know, Pete, but you know he’s always weird where Remus is concerned.”

“I wish he’d sort his feelings out, this pining is exhausting to watch.”

Still lying down and in a sleep-fever haze, Remus kept very still and hastily closed his eyes when James pulled aside the curtain to peek in. The curtain twitched closed again and the soft conversation resumed.

“I swear, James, he doesn’t even know what’s going on inside his own head. He won’t admit it to himself.”

“Did you see his face when Remus tripped into his lap last weekend by the lake? I thought he was going to produce steam, his face was so red.”

“He’s an idiot, Prongs. He needs our help.”

��You’re right, Pete - they’ll never sort it out for themselves.”

Remus waited until they had both left the room before getting the dinner plate. The wolf was getting stronger, and he was ravenous. He puzzled over what he’d just heard and the implications therein. He knew what he wanted it to mean, but he couldn’t risk the danger of hope, no matter how much he wanted to believe. He devoured the dinner plate and, lacking anything else to do, pulled over some of the work from Charms and began to read. O.W.L.s were this year, and Remus would be damned if he let something as stupid as lycanthropy keep him from scoring well.

~~~

Saturday morning. Moonrise due at 2 pm.

The achiness had left Remus’s joints, but he was left with a horrid combination of exhaustion and nervous energy. He wanted to be moving around, itching to do something, but the weariness enveloping his whole being kept him from doing very much at all. He settled for sitting on the edge of his bed, twisting the blanket in his fingers and swinging his feet, just…….. Waiting.

He eyed the others. James was flat on his back, curtains wide open, snoring with his mouth askew. Peter was an indistinguishable lump underneath his blanket. But Sirius - Sirius was propped up on one elbow and watching him, face expressionless. When he noticed Remus staring at him, he quirked up one corner of his mouth.

“The waiting is hard, isn’t it.” It wasn’t a question.

Remus shrugged. “Not as hard as some things, but… yes. The anticipation. I feel like I’m going to crack in half from the tension of it all.”

His hands kept working at the fabric of the blanket, bunching it up, smoothing it out, fidgeting with the wrinkles, pulling at loose threads. He stared down at them, as if they belonged to someone else. He felt disconnected from his own body, like he existed slightly above and to the left of everything around him. Those hands, in a few short hours, would twist and crack and bend and stretch, forming paws coated in coarse brown fur and tipped with wicked black claws. Those hands would tear at the walls of the Shrieking Shack, batter and beat at the remaining furniture until it was splinters. These nails would rend his own flesh, bringing blood and bruises and pain. These hands were capable of such damage. It was astonishing they ever produced anything of worth at all.

“Stop that, you’re going to hurt yourself.”

It wasn’t until Sirius’s smooth hands closed around his own that he realized how tightly he’d been gripping the blanket. He blinked, and relaxed his fingers. The muscles were sore, having been clenched up so tightly. He looked up - Sirius was on his knees, both hands wrapped around his own, lips slightly parted, his eyes filled with something… indescribable. Remus could feel the dry warmth of Sirius’s palms radiating into his knuckles, soothing them. He leaned forward a little almost without thinking, and now he realized he could smell Sirius - the scent of sleep, of laundry soap and clove and the faintest tinge of cigarettes. It was drowning his senses, the smell of him, the feel of him, everything. He was falling into Sirius’s eyes, surrounded by their gentle brown. Falling. Drowning. Rising up.

Somehow he came back to himself before he did anything stupid, like finish leaning forward and kissing the boy in front of him. Remus gently pulled his hands out of Sirius’s grasp and sat back. When he did, he saw the slightest hint of pain flash across Sirius’s face before the other boy stood up, hands jammed into his pockets. Remus grimaced inwardly and stood, trying not to look Sirius in the eye.

“I’d better head down to Pomfrey, it’s nearly time.” It wasn’t, and they both knew it, but Remus had to get out of that room before the tension knocked him sideways. Sirius nodded silently and moved aside to let him pass. As Remus went out the door, Sirius opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but changed his mind and shook his head. The door closed between them with a soft ‘click’.

~~~

Remus sat on the splintered bed in the Shrieking Shack and waited for the change to come over him. Sunlight streamed in the high-up window, sluicing through the dust in the air.

It always snuck up on him, like a train through the fog. By the time you noticed the rumbling and the noise, it was almost upon you.

He shuddered. He jerked. He twisted. He Changed. His nose sampled the air, searching for the smells that meant Friends, Safety, Fun, Comfort. He couldn’t find them! Where were they?

Out came teeth and claws.

~~~

A huge mountain of assorted birdseed was piled in the middle of the table. James, Sirius and Peter sat around it, armed with tweezers and an assortment of bowls. They surveyed their task.

“So let me get this straight. We have to sort this,” Peter pointed at the mountain with his tweezers, “into these bowls.” Another point.

James shook his head. “Tulip’s a clever bastard, I’ll give him that. This will take us all night.”

Sirius said nothing, just eyed the task before them with displeasure. After a moment’s silence, he sat with a heavy sigh and picked up a piece of seed at random with his tongs. The other boys flopped down and followed suit.

The moon hung high in the sky, visible from the narrow window. It was brilliantly white against the black of the night sky. Sirius kept glancing up at it.

An hour passed, then two, in relative silence.

~~~

The splintered bed finally crashed to the floor after a determined paw swipe took out the last leg. The wolf howled, calling for its friends. When no response came, its fangs clamped around a foreleg in frustration, sending blood splattering across the wall.

~~~

A howl echoed up from the forest, causing all three boys to pause. Sirius abandoned his tweezers and got up, crossing to the window. He gazed out at the forest, fingers drumming a rhythm on the windowsill. Peter and James exchanged significant glances, and then James put down his tweezers.

“Padfoot?”

“What?” said Sirius, still looking out the window.

James rolled his eyes. “When are you going to pull your head out of your arse and tell Remus how you really feel?”

That got a reaction. Sirius stiffened and spun, hands clenched and eyes wide.

“I - I don’t - you mean -” he paused, forced himself to be still, and finished. “I don’t know what you’re on about, Prongs.”

“We’re not stupid, mate,” chimed in Peter. “You’ve been pining over him for at least a year. Him being alone tonight has you wound tighter than a paranoid doxy.”

“You goggle at him when he’s not looking,” added James. “You find every excuse to touch him. And the way your eyes look when he’s smiling at you…” he shook his head. “Sirius, did you think we would hate you if you told us?”

A pause, then Sirius sank into a chair and rested his face in his hands. “Am I that obvious?” His voice was muffled by his palms.

“Yes,” said Peter and James in unison. Sirius groaned.

“Does Remus know?” Sirius asked, still covering his face.

“No idea. “James shrugged, picking up his tweezers again. “But you should go find out.”

Sirius turned to look at James. “What, now? But we’re-”

“Go on.” James reached into his robes and threw the Invisibility Cloak at Sirius, nearly knocking him out of his chair when it hit him in the face. “We’ll finish up here.”

“We will?” Peter asked, then jumped and rubbed his shin where James had kicked it. “I mean, yeah, we will. Go get him, Pads.”

Sirius thought about it, and finally stood to cover himself in the Cloak. “I… thank you for not hating me,” came from the air where he’d been standing. James just chuckled.

“You’ll have to do a lot worse than fall in love to get us to hate you. Now go!” The door opened by an invisible hand. “And don’t come back to the Tower until you’ve told him how you feel!” James called after his escaping friend. He turned back to the tower of birdseed and sighed.

“Shall we?” Peter grumbled.

~~~

The wolf curled up in the center of the room, panting. Wood splinters and strips of wallpaper littered the floor, along with slapdash specks of blood and tufts of fur. It was Sad. Confused. Angry.

Its ears twitched as a distant patter came ever closer up the tunnel, and a familiar scent wafted its way into the room as the trapdoor flapped open. The wolf lifted its head.

Friend? Here? Friend! It bounced to its feet, disregarding the myriad cuts and bruises all over its body, and ran over to the large black dog makings its way into the room. The black dog sniffed it all over, whimpering at the blood.

The wolf didn’t care about its pain - now its friend was here, and all was well.

~~~

The weak morning sunlight slanted past the curtains, and Remus cracked an unwilling eye to the world. Just like every morning-after, he took a general inventory of his body - ankle definitely twisted and maybe sprained, deep cuts across the left thigh, bruised ribs, scratches everywhere… he touched a hand to his nose and winced. Definitely broken. He pushed himself to a sitting position, moving slowly so as to not jostle his injuries more than necessary. The thin blanket kept in the Shack fell away from his chest as he sat up, and fell onto Padfoot’s sleeping body. He’d apparently curled up next to Remus to keep him warm during the night.

Just thinking about warmth made Remus realize how cold it was in the room, especially since he was decidedly unclothed. He looked around for where he usually left his clothes, and saw only a pile of shredded cloth. He grimaced - last night had been pretty terrible, it seemed. He shivered, and it was this movement that woke Padfoot up. The dog opened it eyes, cocked its head, and then in a complex and brain-twisting series of movements turned into Sirius sitting cross-legged on the floor.

“Morning, Moons,” he whispered. Remus tried to smile, but the dried blood on his face had stiffened the skin too much. He reached one hand up to wipe it away, but gave up after a few halfhearted swipes. Sirius got to his knees.

“Here, let me.” He took the edge of his jumper and gently wiped Remus’s face, working off the worst of the blood. Once finished, he took the blanket and wrapped it around Remus, then stood up. He went to the trapdoor, rummaged around for a second, and returned with a bag.

“Don’t worry, I came prepared.” Out of the bag he drew a sweater and a pair of soft pants, as well a thermos and his wand. “I was a bit in a hurry, but managed to grab a few things.” He tossed the clothes at Remus and turned his back in a semblance of privacy.

“I’m surprised you came at all,” croaked Remus as he pulled on the sweater and pants. “Weren’t you supposed to be in detention?”

“Prongs and Wormtail covered for me.” Sirius turned back around, the thermos in his hands now full of steaming liquid. He poured some into a cup and gave it to Remus. “Hot chocolate. Drink up.”

Remus took a tentative sip - it was delicious, and not too hot. It was smooth and rich and filled his aching mouth with warmth and sweetness. He drank the hot chocolate slowly as Sirius gathered his shredded clothes into a pile. When that was done, he dropped onto the floor next to Remus and looked him over, eyes moving slowly up and down Remus’s body. Remus flushed, hoping the bruises on his face would cover any redness. Sirius reached out a gentle hand and held it over Remus’s injured ankle, not quite touching it.

“This must smart, yeah?”

Remus nodded, avoiding eye contact. He felt the tap of a wand on his ankle, and with a warm squishing sensation the swollen tissue receded somewhat and the pain died down. It still hurt, but nowhere near as bad. Sirius pushed up Remus’s pants leg, tapping the deep cuts on his thigh with his wand to close them up. The warm hand on his bare thigh was doing strange things to Remus’s brain, and he gripped the now-empty cup of hot chocolate so tightly it almost broke. Another gentle tap to his broken nose twitched it somewhat back into place. Remus finally looked up, and saw Sirius less than six inches away from his face. His eyes were wide, his mouth slightly open. Remus stared - he couldn’t help it. There was a fine spray of freckles, so light you usually couldn’t see them, across the bridge of Sirius’s nose. He found himself focusing on those freckles, wondering what it would be like to kiss each one. He leaned forward unconsciously, closing the distance to four inches. Then three.

“Remus, I…” Sirius closed his eyes briefly. “I need to…”

But what he needed was interrupted by the sounds of footsteps in the tunnel. The boys sprang apart, Sirius throwing the Invisibility Cloak on just in time for Madame Pomfrey to throw open the trapdoor. Remus managed to send the thermos and cup over to the concealed Sirius in a panicked slide before Madame Pomfrey had climbed all the way into the room. She did her usual clucking and fussing over Remus, practically pouring two bottles of potion down his neck to speed up the healing process. If she thought the clothes were unusual, she was kind enough not to say anything.

They made their way back to the Hospital Wing, where Remus spent the day sleeping in a curtained-off bed. When he woke up for the third time some time around 3 pm, his ribs felt better and the other Marauders were clustered around his bed. James was the first one to notice he was awake, and grinned broadly.

“Cheers, Moo- er, Remus,” he said with a sideways glance at Pomfrey three beds away. “Welcome back to reality.”

Remus grinned weakly. “How was detention?”

Peter pulled a disgusted face. “It was awful!” And he launched into the story of Tulip’s detention. Remus half-listened, laughing or exclaiming in the right places, as his mind wandered. He kept thinking about this morning, about what he’d almost done.

He’d almost kissed Sirius, right there in the Shrieking Shack. And he was pretty certain that Sirius had wanted him to.

He chanced a glance at Sirius, who was sitting on the edge of the bed half-smiling at some pivotal moment in Peter’s story. He glanced over and made accidental eye contact with Remus, blushed, and looked away.

The blush was interesting and worth looking into, Remus thought. All at once he threw caution to the winds and made a decision.

“Madame Pomfrey?” he called. The matron made her way over to them, giving the Marauders a dirty look and a wide berth.

“Yes, dear?” she asked, patting him on the shoulder.

“Can I finish resting up in my dormitory?”

“Of course, dear. But come back down if you need anything.” He nodded, and she walked away. The other boys seemed a little surprised. Remus sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

“Pads, will you help me back to Gryffindor Tower?” Sirius’s head shot up and he looked at Remus warily, but nodded. Remus stood and only wobbled a little bit, which he counted as a victory.

“I’ll see you lads later, then.” This to James and Peter. James immediately grabbed Peter’s arm and pulled him to his feet.

“Right, we’re off to the library. See you at dinner!” He hauled a protesting Peter away in the direction of the library. Remus smiled inwardly. James always was quick on the uptake.

Remus and Sirius made their way slowly back to Gryffindor Tower. It hadn’t been a ruse - Remus genuinely needed help, especially on the stairs. He found himself leaning on Sirius more often than was strictly necessary, though - and each time he saw the blush and felt the nervousness. But by the time they were climbing through the Portrait Hole, Remus was almost spent. The Common Room was nearly empty, thankfully - most people were spending this cold but sunny Sunday afternoon outside or somewhere on the grounds, with only one or two zealous fifth years seated and studying at the tables. No one bothered them as they climbed the stairs to the fifth-year dormitory.

Sirius helped Remus climb into bed, and stood there awkwardly as Remus arranged the blankets and pillows around himself. When he was finished, Remus looked up at Sirius.

“Sit with me?” he asked, softly. “Please?”

Sirius sat on the bed, legs tucked up underneath him. He stared down at his hands, fiddling with the fabric of his pants.

Remus took a deep breath. “Sirius…”

“Look, I’m sorry, okay?” Sirius burst out. “I shouldn’t have… I almost… I didn’t mean to…” he sighed. “It won’t happen again, I promise.”

Remus just blinked a few times. “...what?” he finally managed to ask.

Sirius balled up handfuls of the blanket beneath him, his knuckles white with the tension. He still wouldn’t look a Remus. “I… I almost kissed you earlier, in the Shack. I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.” He blinked several times. “All of my feelings just came rising up and spilling out and I couldn’t control myself, Remus, you were right there, right beneath my hands and so close to my face, and I could see your eyes, and the way the light was hitting you, and God, I just…” he scrubbed one hand over his face almost angrily and took several deep breaths. “I just don’t want this to ruin us. Ruin our friendship. Because so help me God keeping you in my life is more important than any stupid emotions I might be feeling.”

He fell silent, still breathing hard. Remus’s mind was reeling. He gathered himself together enough to reach out and touch Sirius’s wrist. The other boy jerked under his touch and turned to face Remus, brown eyes overbright with tears. Remus closed his hand around Sirius’s wrist.

“Pads, are you telling me you fancy me?” Sirius closed his eyes and nodded, just once. A wave of excitement and relief washed over Remus, and for the second time in an hour he threw caution - and himself - to the winds. He pulled Sirius by the wrist towards himself, caught the other boy’s face in his free hand, and kissed him.

The kiss, as kisses went, was too new and enthusiastic to be much good. It was all angles and teeth and repositioning, but it was honest and right and full of the feelings neither had been able to express. Sirius’s lips were warm and a little chapped, and they felt like perfection. They felt like comfort, safety, and home.

Sirius eventually leaned back, cheeks flushed. “I… wow, Moony, I just…” he ran a hand through his hair. “How long?”

Remus reached out a hand to run it through Sirius’s hair as well. “About a year and a half. I’ve wanted to do this for so long.” He wound strands of black hair around his fingers, carefully working out any small tangles he encountered. Sirius leaned into the touch. “How about you?”

“About a year,” Sirius replied, with a soft smile. “We’re right idiots for waiting so long, I suppose.”

“Something like that.” Remus was overtaken by a yawn so large his jaw cracked. “I really should get some more rest if I’m going to be in any sort of shape to go to lessons tomorrow.” He leaned back on his pillow, letting his hand fall from Sirius’s hair. Sirius picked up the hand where it lay and held it in both of his.

“Would you like me to stay?” Remus intertwined his fingers with Sirius’s.

“No, you go down to dinner and bring me something back.” He pulled Sirius’s hand to his mouth and kissed it, delighting in the sheer overwhelming fact that he could. “We should talk more when you get back. About - well, all of this.”

Sirius stood up. “What should I tell the others? James and Pete, I mean.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “They already know… some of it. My side of it, anyway. Practically threw me out of detention by my collar to go to you.”

Remus made himself comfortable in the blankets and pillows. “Tell them I swept you off your feet. Make me sound romantic.” Exhaustion was coming back over him in waves. Sirius leaned over, tilted his chin up with one finger, and kissed him again. This kiss was less urgent and more languid, sweeter, gentler. When he stood up again Remus’s head was swimming.

“I’ll see you soon,” he whispered. Sirius kissed Remus once more and made his way out of the dormitory, closing the door very gently behind him.

Remus slid into sleep and into dreams that welcomed him with open arms. Dreams of a person who saw his heart and held it, warm in their hands. Dreams of Sirius. Dreams of love.

[weirdthoughtsandideas]

The Quagmire-Baudelaire Switch part 2: The Quagmire triplets are on the case

- Reference list -

Chapter 1: The birth of the Quagmire triplets

The doctor is named dr. Doof, a reference to Dr. Heinz Doofensmirtz from Phineas and Ferb

”We’re gonna name her Edgar or Polly.” A reference to Polly Poe, which was mrs. Poe’s name in the books

Chapter 2: Triplets can speak telepathically

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 3: Run for your lives!

”Don’t play Willy Wonka with me. Put the right key in the lock before an accident occurs!” Reference to Charlie and the chocolate factory (2005) where it was obvious that he ”didn’t find” the right key before Veruca got thrown to down the chute

Chapter 4: Isadoras dream

’”You’ll be dancing on air in no time” Violet said. ”Dancing on air with Glee.”’ A reference to My little pony escape from midnight castle

Chapter 5: Brothers being doctors

The room Isadora is in is room 9-17, which in the alfabet is the letters I and Q, which is Isadoras initials

Chapter 6: Children at the carnival

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 7: The triplets become freaks

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 8: Madame Olivia Caliban

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 9: A performance, a death and What the fuck else

”Didn’t the author explain that?” Fourth wall break

Chapter 10: Toddlers in the snow

The title is actually a reference to ”Teletubbies and the snow”

”’Deville twins.” Quigley said back, which meant ”I like worms.”’ A reference to Rugrats deville twins

Chapter 11: Snow scouts and scarfs

”Since when did you become Tintin?” in this context, Isadora thinks very fast. Another fictional character who thinks very fast is Tintin.

”Angelica.” A reference to Angelica from Rugrats, which is what the little Snow scout who said it is reffering to.

Chapter 12: Short Chapter with child endagerment

Isadora says ”You won’t understand what i’m saying now, you little dork.” in swedish. A reference for the author to include a little of her mother language.

Chapter 13: Kidnapping and recruitment

”’Rilaya!’ Sunny shrieked.” (...) ”She said that we could have been a perfect couple if it didn’t end so soon.” This is a reference to the ship name for Riley and Maya from Girl meets world.

”Klaine!” Another ship reference. Kurt and Blaine from Glee.

”Tyrus?” After Sunny compares different ships to Duncan and Klaus, and decides the best one is the ship between Cyrus and TJ from Andi Mack.

Chapter 14: Short playdate on the beach

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 15: Nice but also uncomfortable reunions

"I've had that name for 10 years now." Isadora came out as trans when she was 3/4 years old, which was 10 years ago

Chapter 16: The worst human alive

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 17: Siblings and friends bond in an underwater cave

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 18: The Quagmire-Widdershins rescue team

"Don't call me Eds." A reference to IT

Phil baked a cake in pink, white and blue, which is the trans flags colors. It also has the words ”sorry!” in the rainbows colors, even if Phil wanted to write it in shades of orange a pink. This references both the gay flag and the lesbian flag.

Chapter 19: Escape the brig

"We are revolting children living in revolting times!" Reference to the song ”revolting children” from Matilda the musical

Chapter 20: How to just suddenly take care of a submarine

"We are... confessing our sins?" Actually a reference to my murder mystery fic, where the killers tell Esmé they are confessing their sins

Chapter 21: Who released triplets at a Hotel?

”Floor 4, some fat guy playing a violin.” It’s Nero!

”Floor 5, a girl a little younger than the triplets screaming to her parents that she didn’t have a problem with cakesniffing.” It’s Carmelita!

Chapter 22: Short brunches and wreckless drivers

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 23: Three triplets, three bells

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 24: Terrible tragic things

”No one is dying.” Dramatic ironyyyyyy~

Chapter 25: Sheesh, a fucking trial?

"’Violet, they locked us... inside.’ Isadora yawned.” Actually a reference to my Viodora fic, the Inventor and the Poet!

"I submit this movie directed by some guy named Brad Silberling!" A reference to the 2004 movie

”I submit this book series by Lemony Snicket!” Fourth wall break

Chapter 26: Short but large escape

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 27: The last flashbacks

"’I am the emperor of portugallia!’ Olaf laughed.” The emperor of portugallia is a book from 1914 about a man and his daughter. In the book, the daughter sails away and doesn’t come home for many years, which makes the man slowly become insane as he misses her so much, so he starts to call himself ”the emperor or portugallia”. I will not spoil what happens to the man in the book, but it’s something the triplets wished would happen to Olaf.

Chapter 28: I won’t force you to read this

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 29: Something weird on the island

Isadora wrote a poem that’s literally the lyrics of the song Shipwrecked by the gothic archies, which is a band who has done songs for all the books in asoue

"’Cackles academy?’ Isadora suggested.” Cackles academy is the name of the school in The Worst Witch

Chapter 30: It all ends here

No particular references in this chapter

Chapter 31: Our last goodbye

If the Quagmire parents had any daughters, they would name them Moxie, Beatrice or Solitude. Moxie is a reference to Moxie Mallahan, Beatrice is a reference to Beatrice Baudelaire and Solitude is a reference to the name the ao3 user midas_touch_of_angst gave movie-Sunny in her 6 Baudelaires fic.

Adding to this, Isadora’s name is not in their list, because Isadora chose her own name later

Baby Beatrice’s full name is Beatrice Kit Violet Snicket-Quagmire. Should be pretty obvious references. Of course ”Beatrice” doesn’t have the same significance with the Quagmire triplets, but... I can’t just change a characters name like that!

The last sentence is the famous couplet from IHOSO: Two sets of friends just out of reach will meet again on Briny Beach.

[madamemidnight]

It's finished! It's taken over 2 years, but HMA is completed. I will be posting twice a week starting next week.

Chapter 72: Looking Outside Fixed Patterns

Gabriel and Claire spend a morning in bed then they both prepare to be assist as he embarks on his longest mission.

[the-dark-fantastic]

Trick Or Peet (Fanfiction - Pokémon HG/SS - Petrel/Reader)

Title: Trick Or Peet Author: ultra-warped / the-dark-fantastic.tumblr.com Fandom: Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver Characters: Petrel/Reader, Giovanni, Team Rocket Grunts, Original NPCs Rating/Warnings: General/Teen - Completely SFW fic; the rating is for some mildly-naughty words and bad jokes. Notes: At the end of the fic (along with a 'deleted scene')! Summary: Everybody has a good time at the holidays. Even Team Rocket.

One of the great things about this town is that no one's ever too old for the Haunted Harvest Festival. Even the people who don't go all-out for it still give it a nod, in the way of a hairbow holding a tiny pointed hat, or a porch full of plush Pumpkaboos, or that one incredibly odd fellow with the lapel pin shaped like Mismagius that when you lean in turns out to be an actual Mismagius -

Alright, that guy's a f'n freak. But everyone else is having a good time, including you, though you'd probably be having an even better one if you hadn't gotten stuck taking your little brother around for tricks and treats. Your dad was supposed to do it this year, but -

"He went out for candy cigarettes three hours ago and hasn't come back," your mom said, staring out the window with the most worried expression she could possibly contrieve, and you'd just groaned, dropping your head into your hand. (He really will be back, though. Your mom just thinks that joke is a lot funnier than it is - but your brother's not old enough to understand it yet, so it's probably okay.)

(And to be honest, you wouldn't put it past your dad to have gone out the front door, snuck around the back, and been hiding in the basement choking on his own laughter. The whole family's like this, but at least you know where you got it from. And whose fault it will be when you finally get your sweet, sweet revenge.)

So you're stuck with the kid instead of meeting up with your own crew, but at least it's a nice night for it. Last year, it rained until the garlands of paper Ghost-types turned to purple mush, and the year before that, it was so cold that nearly everyone had ended up in a universal costume of parkas and overfluffed earmuffs. But right now it's warm enough to slip off the light jacket and go bare-armed, and once the temperature does start to fall, you'll have been running around for so long you'll welcome the kind of breeze that scratches leafless branches across a midnight sky.

Your neighbours are nice - and certainly festive (Gentleman Edward and Madame Vivianne do the absolute best amateur spookyard, hands down) - but for the real haul, most people head downtown, where all the local businesses and even a few of the larger chains are stocked with full-size chocolate bars, gift bags so heavy the bottoms are threatening to fall out, and in one case, a berry-bobbing tub deep enough to drown in. It's all about drumming up customers, of course, but it's hard to mind when every window is filled with a living display and the only way you can tell the employees from the guests is by their nametags because all the costumes are that damn good. There's no half-assing it with just a googly-eyed, wiggly-eared headband here.

But what's better yet (or much, much worse, or absolutely hysterical, depending on who you talk to)? Is that Team Rocket gets super-into it, too. No one had been happy when the infamous criminal organization had set up shop here - and it's not like they'd been open about it at first, they hadn't put the Big Red R on their roof or anything; but once the rumours started to spread, they'd spread fast, and once someone actually managed to prove it - by then, they'd become firmly enough entrenched that no one knew how to run them out to begin with, or if it would have been the right thing to do even if they’d found a way. Weirdly enough, Team Rocket puts a lot back into the local economy. So sort of an uneasy truce had formed, with most of the residents looking the other way as long as Team Rocket didn't do anything really publically illegal, and Team Rocket pretending their business wasn't doing things that were...well, really illegal.

But then they'd started up their Happy Harvest, Family Fun! campaign, handing out candy and trinkets and colourful little cards right outside HQ, and the PTA Brigade had lost their minds. “Criminals? Luring our children into their creepy black van? Not in my backyard!” If ever there was a lost cause, though, trying to keep kids away from an increasingly-shiny combination of candy and danger was probably it. Eventually, Moms Against Team Rocket (MoTeR, pronounced exactly like it wasn't actually spelled) had given up on attacking the event directly and settled for grumbling behind the closed doors of what their husbands assumed were meetings full of wine and those lemon bars their hands had been smacked away from.

Your mom hadn't been part of it (though you're not sure if that's because she isn't particularly concerned about Team Rocket or because of the Noodle Casserole Incident that had gotten her politely but firmly invited not to feel as if she needed to continue attending the PTA), and so you don't feel much guilt about taking your brother that way once the frenzy at the shops starts to die down. He's still as wound up as he'd been when you left the house and probably doesn't need any more sugar, but he's easier to manage when he thinks he's getting his way and once you get back, he's going to be your parents' problem, not yours. (Ha. There's your revenge.) He's run into one of his little cronies and they're shrieking about who's collected the most, and by the time you rock up to the Rocketyard, the stories being passed back and forth about all the people they know who know someone who's been to Lavender Town (and occasionally, someone who didn't come back from Lavender Town) are actually a relief, because every time they manage to scare each other silent, it lasts a whole three seconds or so.

Whatever's beyond those heavy red doors is off-limits to anyone not a member of the organization, so the party takes place outside, and outside is packed. Most years, it's been the grunts handling the handouts, but tonight - Seriously? The big boss himself? Those are the murmurs at the back of the line, anyway. You've never seen Giovanni in person before - just his portrait staring into your soul from the posters put up now-and-then - and you bounce up on your toes, trying to get a glimpse over the top of the crowd. You can't - too many taller heads prevail - but a pair of girls you remember vaguely from your senior year are passing by on their way out, and you can hear them giggling and gasping - "Oh! I know Team Rocket's terrible, but Mr Giovanni's really quite dashing, isn't he?" "...did you really just call him dashing? Did Celebi transport me back in time and I missed it?"

So it is him? That adds a further touch of mystery and excitement to a night that's already got no shortage of either. Why here? Why now? It's no secret that Team Rocket hosts these events to boost their image, but they're doing well enough right now (for a given value of 'well enough', anyway) - so is it that he feels safer making an appearance when public opinion is high, or could it be a ploy to push it even higher? Because, face it, ninety percent of these kids would vote the man into office right now. (The other ten percent are too firmly on the Pikachu is Pikafection platform, and by tomorrow, they'll all be throwing their support to Mr Mime's Wall O'Wonder Show. The candy bribes giveth, and the candy bribes taketh away.)

As you get closer, the image you've seen in those pictures begins to resolve. Giovanni isn't costumed (though he is very definitely dressed up - like, to the nines up), but he's made a concession to the festival by pinning a spray of purple blossoms to his lapel. He's seated in a chair padded with the sort of leather that probably shouldn't ever actually be brought outdoors, and though he's generally accompanied in promotional material by the most smug Persian the world has ever known, the Classy Cat is currently nowhere to be found. It seems, too, that the grunts are still the ones running the show, because Giovanni nods and smiles - kind of smirks, really - at the visitors who've made it to the front, but it's his henchmen who are filling bags and making jokes and pulling punches at the teenagers who think they're too cool for fun and just want to say they went toe to toe with Team Rocket.

And while the Persian may be strangely absent, there are an assortment of the other Pokémon people have come to associate with the most poisonous team in town - an Arbok dancing amidst fan-blown ribbons, the full Zubat evolutionary line flapping about overhead, and more Koffing than you can shake a swab stick at.

Seriously, there are so. Many. Koffing. They're bobbing around like balloons, and they're dressed up, too - with hats and body paint and fluttering capes, and one even has a little papier-maché head stuck to its side, so that it can know what it's like to be a Weezing even though it's not quite ready to evolve.

You've reached the end of the queue, and while your little brother is hopping up and down, jabbing the air next to a grunt who's clearly weary as hell but still doing his best to make sure all the kids get to have a good time, Giovanni steeples his fingers and dips his head in such a way that his eyes flash before going darker still, and alright, you can absolutely see why the airheads called him 'dashing'. You only get to hold the thought for a moment before the two of you are ushered away, though, and you don't have time to snatch it back before your brother's shoved his head into the sack and started reeling off a list of his ill-given gains. It's a smorgasboard of crackerjacks and actual jacks, little plastic toys that won't last for more than a day but it doesn't matter because little boys can't stay interested in most things that long anyway, and the reason you know they're going to break immediately is because your brother's managed to snap one in half before you've even made it halfway home.

Unfortunately, 'halfway home' is well before the limits of even the shortest attention span, and delight turns to dismay with a wail that could make a Haunter shudder and turn pale. You do what you can to, if not distract him, convince him that it's not the end of the world and he probably didn't care that much about the trinket anyway, but he's already convinced himself of the exact opposite, and in the end, the only thing you can get him to agree to is to stay right here while you run back to see if they'll give you a replacement. It's a goodwill gesture, right? And they'd all seemed fairly good-natured about it. Maybe they won't mind.

By the time you get there, though, things are winding down; the Rocketyard's mostly cleared out and the remaining grunts are either sweeping up the hundred thousand wrappers dropped by hands that are surprisingly incapable of holding on to anything for being so sticky, or trying to recapture the overly-excited Koffing that are now chasing each other around with all the grace of drunken bumper cars. "Oi! Peety! Come get your freakin' plague puffs!" one shouts, and if this Peety, whoever that is, answers, it's lost beneath the cacophany of cleanup. Your chances of finding (or buying, or begging) a new toy seem to be dwindling as rapidly as the chance anyone's getting those Koffing back in order, but from the corner of your eye, you catch a flash of dapper black vanishing around the building's far side, and screw it, you are going for the gold.

"Mr Giovanni! I'm sorry to bother you, but do you have a minute? My brother -" you call, and then you stop short, because as you come up on the man you're chasing, he starts to strip - no, wait, he's wearing something else beneath that fabulous suit, and you wouldn't have thought that to even be possible, it fit so well. Did he not hear you? He must not have, because he's dropped his face into his palms and raked his fingers through his hair, and when he turns toward you at last -

It's not Giovanni. It's a tall man in the black and white uniform of a Rocket executive, with purple hair swept up atop his head, and if you hadn't seen the transformation yourself, you never would have believed it. He's as surprised as you, now - but for a different reason - and the elegance he'd displayed in Giovanni's suit is gone as he stumbles back. "&#%$!" he yelps, and you can hear every symbol rolling off his tongue. "You, ah, didn't see that, did you?"

You stammer an answer as you edge away yourself, because as fun as it may be to play 'Take On Team Rocket!' when you're eight and loaded up on Vanillish Wafers, this seems a lot more like it's going to result in real trouble, and though your hands have found the wall and you're trying to use it to guide yourself back the way you came without taking your eyes off the executive, it's no use - his long legs outstride yours and he's caught up to you well before you have any real hope of getting away. His own hand plants to the wall, just beside your head, and he leans in, smirking that same smirk that had you so convinced he could really be the Fearless Leader. "'cause if you did, I'm gonna have to make sure you won't talk."

Oh, &#%$, you think, legs shaking, you are going to die here; you are going to disappear and at your empty-coffined funeral, your little brother is just going to scream that you hadn't gotten him another toy before you were tossed off the mortal coil, but before you can manage to pass out so that you at least won't see it coming, the man ducks the rest of the way in and smashes his lips to yours. And then he's gone, darting around that corner you were so desperate to reach yourself, and based on the sound that's rapidly fading as he puts ever-more distance between the two of you, you're pretty sure that he

is

giggling.

"G'damnit, Peety!" you hear as you're creeping out, apparently from the same grunt who'd been yelling for the mysterious Peety before. "The hell have you been?" You don't stick around for the reply, because no one's looking your way - including the lanky executive, who not only has his back to you once more but has suddenly been flocked to by every last one of the runaway Koffing, cloaking him in a cloud of poisonous purple love - and this seems like the perfect time to make your escape.

"Where is it where is it where is it!" your brother demands as you run back up, grabbing his hand to pull him along whether he's ready to go or not, and you mumble a reply you can barely understand yourself; They didn't have any more or They were already closed or something else that doesn't have a damn thing to do with what actually happened but at least takes the blame off you because what are you supposed to do in that situation? Your face is on fire, but as long as he's trying to find the perfect balance between crying over his broken knick-knacks and stuffing his mouth full of candy, he's not paying enough attention to notice, and by the time you've made it back to your house and pawned him off on your parents (Dad was indeed in the basement, and you are not surprised at all), that chill evening wind has mostly washed away what you haven't managed to yourself. The sooner you're in your own room, the better, though, and you spend a few minutes flattened to the closed door, trying to catch the breath that should never have left you in the first place.

...Team Rocket throws a Christmas party, too, don't they?

Notes:

- For @hollowsart, who said there wasn't enough Petrel/Reader fic in the world. - There was a discussion about Team Rocket (or at least some members) doing Random Acts of Kindness to cast them in a more positive light, which reminded me of the Yakuza group that does that with Halloween, which is how we're now getting a Halloween fic in May. >_> - It ended up with a lot less actual Petrel/Reader than I intended (or even Petrel at all), but this is what I do, I make it so we can't have nice things, and also I think it's cute so you'll get this and you'll like it! <_< - =D

Bonus Deleted Scene:

Jessie and James roll out a mechanical Persian, which promptly malfunctions, necessitating a need to whisk it away as quickly as possible lest the Jig Be Completely Up.

[pixiealtaira]

Things to be Happy About

Pairing: None really, it is a friendship fic...Kurt, Elliot and Dani

Author’s note: So..last year I decided to do a journal prompt challenge.  Or, rather, I thought about it.  I wrote down all the prompts in a notebook...and it sat and sat and sat.  The ridiculous thing of course being it was a 30 days of lists, about as easy a journal challenge as you get...but I was not feeling it at all.  So June of last year come around with the stupid notebook still sitting there mocking me and with me at an impass on the long fic that is still in progress, but not at the same point which is good....and I thought, I need something else to write on but I want to still be playing with the character’s I’m am writing so that stall Harry Potter fic isn’t an option...wait a minute! And thus this series of fics was born.  The titles will be kinda...bah,  However, each title is the journal prompt.  So maybe someone out there might want to write the prompt for their own 30 days (plus one) of Lists.

Kurt slid the door to the loft open as he finally reached home after his long day. He was really tempted to shoot whoever was in charge of scheduling for year three at NYADA and he half suspected that Rachel quit simply because she’d heard all about what her next year would have had in store for her.  First semester was the work-study project, the screen and play writing class, one of the playwrights in depth classes, and the “from script to concept’ class.  The latter three could be taken as on-line courses if one’s work project was out of the city as long as one also attended a summer workshop in each the next year to get the ‘physical’ parts completed, but if one’s work study was near-by each class took time on campus. The second semester was what was lovingly called the practical semester.  Of course, Kurt was also half certain somehow Rachel would have convinced everyone that SHE didn’t need to take stage craft (which at NYADA consisted of everything not included in the other classes, pretty much), or makeup arts, or costume design, or sound and lighting and that her spot in Funny Girl should negate a work-study project. Nor did she need to read or write anything, it was all about the acting…or rather the singing.  Somehow she would have just ended up with the voice workshops and dance class. She somehow managed it her freshman year, after all. Anyways…Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays Kurt spent from 9 to noon working with make-up and costuming and from 1 to 4pm working stagecraft and with the sound and lighting, about half and half.  He understood it, really.  He agreed, too.  Simply knowing what all went into a production was fine and dandy, if one even got that far. He didn’t think Rachel ever did, nor did Blaine.  They saw “sing” “act” “dance” as all they needed to even contemplate. However getting down and dirty with the rest of it was a whole other ballgame.  Doing the behind the scenes work made him respect the whole process even more.  He could already tell it made a difference in the few auditions he’d managed after starting this semester.  Tuesday and Thursdays were spent at dance class and the music workshops.  He had Madame Tibideaux’s voice workshop in the round from 9 to 11 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, followed by dance from 1 to 3 and the whole aptly named ‘How to be a proper part of the Chorus” workshop from 3:30 to 5pm. And Monday through Friday his had his voice and speech practicum from 8am to 8:55.  He seriously wasn’t sure which days were longer.  

From school he headed to one of his jobs.  He’d worked at Vogue.com, which was a part time paid job now.  He enjoyed it, even though he wasn’t Isabelle’s personal assistant anymore.  He worked with wardrobe right now, until he had more time to be the type of assistant Isabelle needed.  He rather loved it.  A lot was done in the evening and night, after those working the more normal hours had made the decisions and then gone home.  It also tended to be a bunch of work at once time but then light hours day to day.  Only once had he ever had to choose between work and class, and a once in a long while work emergency had not been a problem.  Besides, it was like doing make-overs all the time.  It was a good job for now.  He also had the diner job.  He’d nearly given it up, but after Rachel had quit and Santana had quit and he’d given the owner time to calm down while showing up for work on time and doing all he was expected without pushing for more,  it had ended up a much more pleasant experience.   On top of those, he’d picked up a few mechanic jobs over the past few months since Blaine had left.  He’d been looking desperately to pick up something extra that he could do when he needed just that little bit more cash for rent or bills or to eat.

It was a Wednesday. Stage craft had involved creating the backdrops.  It involved hammers, bruises…caused by himself and others, a first coat of paint which needed much better ventilation than was to be had, and a headache. Lighting and sound had involved creating thunder and lightning in many different forms.  Costume design was working with sewing machines, all 20 going at once, to finish a commission the costume design teacher had taken on and not followed through well with and thus was overdue on. Make-up design was ‘gore’ this week.  Work had been from 4:30 to 11:30 at the diner and he had to be at Vogue by 6am to get the last minute items set for a photoshoot the next day.  He’d had an hour of sleep the night before, covering his shift at the diner till 11:30pm and then opening for a sick co-worker starting at 5am, plus getting the last minute work done for his costuming class (steampunk Westside Story…he’d been in charge of two Jets costumes) and redoing a series of props for stage craft that he’d missed half the assignment instructions on.  The night before that hadn’t been much better.  Kurt was dragging. It was nearly half past midnight when Kurt got home. He wasn’t even certain if he ought to eat and shower, or just fall into bed for his four hours of sleep.

His apartment wasn’t empty. Dani and Elliot were there, kicked back on his couch watching TV and chatting.

“Oh Please don’t tell me I missed a rehearsal that I scheduled?”  Kurt asked.

“You’re home!” Elliot exclaimed.

Dani rushed over to Kurt, removed his bag and sat him right in the middle of the couch.  Before he could even say anything a bowl of curry over rice was handed to him.  It was warm and smelled so good.

“Nope.” Dani said.  “It’s just we noticed your schedule on the wall at the rehearsal Sunday night and decided you needed some TLC.”

“We’ll be over Friday night for a movie night and some good old fashioned chilling.  I’m bringing the fruit and other snacks.” Elliot added. “I let Dani pick the movie and games.”

“Now eat up so your bath doesn’t get cold.  I added just the right oils for relaxation and sleep aid.  There is yogurt, granola and fruit for your breakfast. I will know if you didn’t eat.”

With that Dani and Elliot both kissed his forehead and headed out the door, closing it tight behind them.

As he finished his dinner and washed his bowl and fork, realizing all his other dishes he hadn’t been able to do were done and shopping was done and things were cleaned, he pondered his life’s turns.  

Even though school was full and wild and work was busy, Kurt was pretty happy.   He actually was enjoying his classes and learning tons. Even if he never made it to Broadway, what he was learning now was providing the information he would need to help start community theater groups when he was older.  He loved costuming, he liked props, and he had fun working sets and managing a stage.  It didn’t make him want to give up his dreams of starring in a show like Rachel had yelled over the phone that it would, but it gave him a greater appreciation for the whole theater experience. He had fun in dance (oddly enough Ms. July was decent now that Blaine and Rachel weren’t there and hadn’t that been a disturbing few days of contemplation) and he learned a lot in his vocal courses, enjoying those as well.  School was worth it.

His band was still together and they still performed, in fact they had a small following that would hound them for the next show date and would always show up.  They never played to a room smaller than 50 now. All three and the band were fine with this, because they were all just in it for fun and enjoyment.  They played with genre and costumes and did theme nights and it was fun.  They’d even done weddings and birthday parties.  

He had a lovely flat, which he had an extra room which he could rent out when he choose to but which working like he did he could cover on his own if he needed to.  He controlled his own food.  He didn’t have to worry about if Rachel was being a vegetarian that day or not, or about someone trying to fatten him up to relieve their own self-doubt.  He could sing when he wanted and dance when he wanted and watch his own TV.

He had friends and wasn’t that an eye-opener, having real friends.  He’d forever be grateful that Elliot got back from his retreat when he did.  Elliot missed the whole break-up and the next several weeks while they still had to share the loft until the end of school…during which Kurt went to school and went to class and took his tests and sang when he was supposed to and did his assignments and went to work so rent could be paid and picked up the loft and Blaine went out and partied it up, coming home drunk and skipped classes and blew off June (for whom he was already skipping classes to start off with) or lay on the couch bemoaning life and moaning about how everything and everyone hated him, eating junk food and take out and not doing anything except moan and then yell and throw things.  Elliot missed the spectacular melt down when Blaine was informed he flunked out.  He missed the movers coming in the next day and Kurt having to stay home from work after watching Blaine trying to pack stuff that wasn’t his for fifteen minutes.

Elliot was home, though, by the end of that move-out week.  He had popped over to discuss keeping the band going when the first of the angry texts came from Sam, and then from Brittany and Santana and Mercedes. The texts accusing Kurt of making Blaine flunk out, of making teachers give him bad grades.  The ones accusing him of throwing Blaine out the moment they broke-up (which he didn’t) and stealing Blaine’s money by taking rent when he wasn’t even living in the apartment anymore (Blaine hadn’t even paid rent for the last two months) and taking all Blaine’s stuff.   Elliot was there the day Kurt came home from his first psychologist visit (with the same guy that encouraged Rachel to see having an understudy as a plot against her and who told Blaine that it was healthy for him to be the alpha gay and Kurt to always be less than him, two confident people cannot work as a relationship, one must always be subservient and lying to each other only gave a relationship spice) and Elliot was there to point out that Kurt thought the guy was insane when Rachel and Blaine were seeing him, why would he think what the guy said to him to be less insane now?  Elliot called Dani, who gave Kurt the name of several other individuals, all of whom were more comfortable to talk to and within which he found a psychologist who really did help.

Dani was home by the time he was ready to even consider starting to date, and before that Dani and Elliot dragged him out to other places and encouraged him to make friends at work and school.  Chase was the one who suggested speed dating and got him a spot, Dani was the one he complained to about the guy who said he wasn’t over his boyfriend and also the one to suggest maybe it wasn’t Blaine they were talking about.  Ellie, who he worked with at wardrobe, sat with him as he called the Apples he knew were still around, apologizing to them and asking for Adam’s contact information.  Elliot held his hand while he called Adam and apologized.  Elliot and Dani both insisted on meeting Adam, and they all talked as Kurt and Adam become friends again.  

Kurt was able to rejoin the Apples and work with them.  He reconnected to friends he’d started to make there.  He connected again with friends he’d made in his stage combat and mime classes, and joined other clubs again.

Dani and Elliot and all the Apples around at the time were waiting at the coffee house kitty corner to the spot where everyone was supposed to meet up in 6 months’ time, and stayed until Kurt gave up.  They took him out clubbing and reminded him why he was in New York.  Dani called Chase who called Isabelle, who invaded the loft the next night with a party on the go, just to cheer him up.  Elliot called Adam, who flew in over the weekend and they teamed up to drag Kurt sightseeing, to all those places Kurt had not taken the time to see since he was living there and not a tourist.

Kurt came back to New York after running to answer Rachel’s call, instead of staying in Lima. Instead of having the bad advice of that first psychologist and the old-flame speed dating guy in his head shouting and mixing with Rachel’s wish and desire to see them back together, Kurt had other voices.  Ones who showed him what he’d suspected all along and told him that yes, choosing each day to love someone and trust someone was a good way to deal after they continually hurt you…however, that didn’t make it the only answer ever.  The next day you can choose something else and it is not a failure.  He was able to watch Blaine and David together and cry in the bathroom at the loss of a relationship he’d invested so much in, but he was also able to say NO. No to Rachel, No to the relationship and No to trying to fix something that had been so broken for so long.  Furthermore, he realized he didn’t even have to start dating just yet.  There was nothing that said he had to have a boyfriend at all times to be enjoying life.

His bath was still warm and even the towels were heated.  Kurt laughed.  He knew Dani liked to toss them in the microwave to heat.  He relaxed and reached for the body wash Dani had set out. It was a favorite sleepy time mix that she’d found worked to combat insomnia.  

He’d come home to New York. He did his work-study at the same home where he’d done Peter Pan.  He helped them put on the musical Annie and the play Barefoot in the Park. He also picked up some extra hours helping a small children’s theater group just down the street from his loft put together a production of Alice In Wonderland after one of the aides at the old performers home found out he had done costumes when he was in high school.  It wasn’t working with Broadway babies, heck some of the kids couldn’t sing what they were supposed to and not many could dance at all, but it was fun and so fulfilling to help provide the chance for the kids to be able to get up on a stage and perform to the best ability they could.  He was able to take the classes he needed to take at the school and sing with the Apples again and perform with his band.    He auditioned.  He even managed to end up at two call-backs.  Sure, he hadn’t made it onto the stage yet, but a call-back wasn’t anything to be laughed at.  He’d played chorus parts in both NYADA musicals since the break-up.  He’d scored near the top on all showcase performances he’d done. He was holding his own and he was doing well.

And with him not back in Lima, his dad and Carole had had to come to New York.  His dad had had to take a vacation.  Carole had had to take a vacation.  His dad was able to meet Elliot and Dani and watch the band play on Elvis night.  Carole was able to go to work with him at Vogue, and meet Isabelle and watch a photoshoot he’d worked wardrobe on.  They went and watched a show.  They talked about Finn without despair, able to laugh about what he’d have thought. It was good.

Kurt got out of the tub. He dried off, drained the water, and headed to his bed.  He found the comfiest flannel PJs he owned on his bed, his blankets turned down, and Bruce in place.  Somehow, he thought he might just have the best life ever.

[fandomtrumpshate2017offerings]

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stephrc79 & petite-madame Auction #1

Type of fanwork: fic Subtype(s): n/a Fandom(s): Captain America Rating(s): G, Teen, Mature, Explicit Length/size: up to 5k words Especially interested in: Stucky - Steve Rogers & Bucky Barnes Will not: non-con, dub-con, BDSM, cross-dressing, bodily fluids, pain for pleasure, strict top/bottom (We don't want to be forced into any particular partner being required to be the bottom) | secondary characters I'm pretty open with as the writer, but no OT3 for the original pairing. It would be strictly Steve & Bucky. Notes: Hey all! Are you a fan of The Life of Bucky Barnes? Well, you're in luck! The artist and creator of the series, petite-madame, as well as the author of the stories, stephrc79, are teaming up to bring you your very own story and artwork! Whatever you choose is up to you. Do you want this to be an in-universe, canon-divergent side story of TLBB? No problem! Want this to be a completely different story and concept? We can do that! Basic notes for your winnings: It will include ONE (1) ficlet at potentially 5k max (though I won't stop writing if the story calls for it), and ONE (1) piece of art based on the story. Please keep in mind that while you might want to choose what you want in your art, it's a lot easier to discuss what you want the story to be, and let petite decide which part to create based on the story itself. Please also understand we reserve the right to refuse a concept if both of us are uncomfortable with the subject matter. But that's okay, we'll keep collaborating until everyone gets something awesome!Thank you for participating, for donating to such a great cause. We really appreciate it (especially me, the American). Good luck!

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[ao3feed-aizawashouta]

by ShadowThief78

There’s a new Heroics company out there: A&Y’s Heroics Center.

There’s a new dance school out there: Dreams Performing Arts and Theatre Academy.

Those two things may or may not be related.

But there’s definitely more to this than meets the eye.

  Or: A heroics company with shady connections and a dance school that secretly trains spies for the Japanese government is totally believable. A fic I thought up on a snow day. . . Read at your own risk. Warning: Not Beta Read!!!

 All this is made up. I don’t own any of the characters or any of ther plot excepting the ones that came from my mind, My Hero Academia doesn’t belong to me. All the URLs are made up, I am not profiting from this in any monetary way, shape, or form. But it does make my day when I get any comment or kudos!

Words: 5929, Chapters: 7/?, Language: English

Series: Part 1 of A&Y’s Universe (Or: One Work and A Bunch Of Random Background Stuff Because I Like Making Up Detailed Backstories)

Fandoms: 僕のヒーローアカデミア | Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: Gen, Other

Characters: Original Characters, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Original Child Character(s), Original Female Human Character(s), spies - Character, 1-A, Aizawa Shouta, President Mic, Yamada Hizashi, Cementoss, Nedzu, Principal Nedzu, Heroes - Character, Hero, Iida Tenya, Midoriya Izuku, uraraka ochaco, Bakugou Katsuki, Shuuzenji Chiyo | Recovery Girl, Shuuzenji Yuuna, Shuuzenji Noriko, Nakamura Jun, Shyla Gupta, Elise Gutenberg, Consuela Campos, Jonathan Parker, Kataoka Mori, Chan Emi, Inoue Tadaomi, Mina Ashido, Denki Kaminari, Kirishima Eijirou, Bakusquad - Character, Dekusquad - Character, Deku, Marinko Aya, Todoroki Shouto, Yagi Toshinori | All Might, Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead, Kayama Nemuri | Midnight, Hatsume Mei, All For One - Character, One For All - Character, League of Villians, Madame, Mineta Minoru, Sero Hanta, Yaoyorozu Momo, Sato Rikudou, Mt Lady, Pro Heroes - Character, Asui Tsuyu, Aoyama Yuuga, Ojiro Mashirao, Koji Koda, Mezo Shoji, Kyoka Jirou, Tokoyami Fumikage, Hagakure Tooru

Relationships: No Romantic Relationship(s), Other Relationship Tags to Be Added

Additional Tags: UA, Yuuei, Original Companies, Original Company - Freeform, Original Books., Original Works of Literature, dance, original school, POV Original Female Character, inventions, Mei’s “Babies”, Fluff, Comedy, Government Conspiracy, Conspiracies, quirk - Freeform, Quirks, All For One, One For All, Heroes, Theatre Performances, Anastasia - Freeform, Conspiracy Theories, No one knows what is going on, I’m not sure either, Author Is Sleep-Deprived, This is my Brain Vomiting, Not Beta Read, Snow Days, why not?, irregular updates, High School Is Lots Of Work