#malle x maddox

[ericac318]

You Were Born For This

Summary:

Quinn Harper and Kris Maddox had no idea how much their lives were about to change when they chose to join Billy Cranston and Jason Scott at the Quarry. The Power Rangers were formed in this retelling of the 2017 film. Jason x OC/Tommy x OC

Chapter 1

Quinn and Kris were walking to detention after a failed attempt to skip class the day before.

“Was our trip to the mall even worth it?” Quinn lamented.

“I dunno about you but any time out of Coach Burgess’s class is worth it,” Kris smirked as the two friends entered the dungeon.

Quinn’s face lit up when she saw her boyfriend Jason sitting at a table with two empty chairs.

“Hey, babe!” Quinn exclaimed as she took one of the free seats, “I didn’t expect to see you here,” she added as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Kris rolled her eyes as she joined the couple at the table. Despite Jason Scott being the most popular football player at Angel Grove High, he had never been one of Kris’s favorite people. That was until he started dating her best friend about six months ago. Although he has grown on her she still likes to give the two a hard time.

“Sup, football star?” Kris teased, looking over Quinn’s shoulder.

Jason’s lips curled into a smirk as he asked, “What kind of trouble could you two good girls have gotten yourselves into?”

“You don’t have Coach Burgess, do you?” Quinn replied with a smirk of her own, “Let’s just say, we needed a break.”

Kris nodded silently in agreement before scoping out the room.  To her left was Billy Cranston sitting alone, meticulously organizing his pencils.  She smiled fondly in his direction without him noticing.  Quinn, Kris, and Billy had had the same classes together since first grade, but despite knowing each other for years, the three had never grown close.

As Kris continued to look around the room, she noticed the new boy sitting alone in the back.  His name was Tommy Oliver. The two briefly made eye contact before Kris quickly turned her attention back to her friends.

Meanwhile, the notorious school bully, Dom, walked into the room and made his way directly to Billy’s table. He picked up one of Billy’s pencils and snapped it.  This caught Jason’s attention.

“What are you? A five-year-old?” Jason questioned as he stood from his seat and approached Dom.

Without saying a word, Dom took a swing at Jason. Jason quickly stepped back, avoiding contact.  With Dom’s body leaning in closer to Jason, the former football player took the opportunity and slapped the bully across his face. The room filled with gasps and a few snickers.

“Jason, did you just slap him?” Quinn asked, holding back a laugh.

Jason taunted, “I did, weird right? Now, listen. I’m going to be here for the foreseeable future just like you. So, you don’t sit anywhere near me, him, my girl, or her best friend, deal?”

Before anyone could start another conversation, the teacher walked in.

“I expect you all to sit here silently until this is over. Let’s make this painless for all parties involved,” Ms. Appleby announced.

Once detention ended, Billy walked over to Jason, Quinn, and Kris. “Hey, do you guys want to join me at the Quarry tonight? I’ve been working on a special project and I could use your help.”

“That does not sound sketchy at all, Billy,” Kris joked. Billy stared blankly at the girl standing across from him.

“Ok, but do you?” he asked, ignoring the comment. As the trio shared curious glances back and forth, Tommy Oliver walked out of the building. His stride in close proximity to the group as he passed by.

“I’m not doing anything tonight,” Kris mentioned, noticeably aware of the mysterious new kid as he walked away.

Quinn nodded, “If she’s not doing anything, I’m not doing anything. We’ll see you guys tonight,” she added as she stole a kiss from Jason as the two left detention.

“Why are we here?” Jason asked as he, Quinn, and Kris were on their way to meet Billy at the base of the Quarry.

Quinn wrapped her arm around Jason’s waist as she answered, “Kris and I have known Billy since we were kids and he’s never really had friends. We just figured it was time to hang out with him more like we should have been doing all along.”

Billy was kneeling near a stone wall when the trio reached him.  He looked up excitedly as he heard them approach.

“Billy...what are you doing?” Kris asked, her eyebrows raised in shock as she realized what Billy had lying in front of him.

“You might want to cover your ears,” Billy warned.

Before anyone could act on his advice, Billy ignited the dynamite, setting off a loud explosion.

“What the hell, Billy?” Quinn yelled once the dust had settled.

Billy didn’t get a chance to explain when Tommy Oliver and Zack Taylor interrupted.

Zack yelled at Billy, “My boy Tommy and I were trying to get zen when you blew up the mountain. What are you freaks up to?”

“Guys! Guys! Look at this,” Kris called out, ignoring all the commotion that was going on around her. There, lying buried within a clear sediment before them were colorful, glowing stones. Kris placed her hand against the clear sediment rock.

“It feels like it’s vibrating,” she said softly.  The rest of the group stopped their bickering as the glimmer from the stones caught their attention.

Billy walked over to Kris and used his chisel to dig deeper into the rock. After a few minutes, he uncovered multiple, colorful, coins.

“What are these?” Billy asked as he picked up the blue one.

Everyone held up a color of their own. Billy with blue, Quinn yellow, Jason red, Zack black, Tommy white, and Kris pink.

“Ew, I don’t want pink. Do you want to trade?” Kris asked Quinn as the others closely inspected the coin-like objects in their hands.

“Nope,” Quinn answered shortly as her fingers closed around the object.  

Before anything else could be said, the sound of sirens surrounded them.

Follow along here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44620114/chapters/112249003

[margaretofwales]

crash: Your muse crashing my muse’s vehicle by accident (jacob said he could drive the car btw)

“Fuck’s sake!”

Malle put down the clementine she was eating, turning to watch the car ram right through a hedgerow. She looked around the little kitchen, as though expecting Jacob to materialize each time she needed him -- and found no one. She was four months pregnant, fairly unreasonable, and a little disappointed.

Opening the side door, she stepped onto the back porch and clattered quickly down the stairs under the gray Welsh sky. The car had stopped, mercifully. It was a small thing in comparison, just a little, low, roadster, in the prettiest shade of deep blue. Malle rushed over to the side of it and reached for the man’s shoulder. “Maddox? Maddox Keyes. Are you all right?”

[lunaserenade]

Entangled

Gif by @dornish-queen

Masterlist

Part Eleven of the Meet Me at Sunrise Series

Previous Chapter: Haunted

Next Chapter: Exposed

Author’s Note: Thank you to @icanbeyourjedi , @reddead-trash and @sugarontherims for tolerating me while I overthought everything I wrote for this chapter.

Beta reading dream team: @violentcosmicsymphony and @briefgalaxycat <3

Paring: Marcus Pike x FBI Agent!Reader

Words: 2k

Warnings: Swearing, violence, mentions of blood.

Summary: The team rallies together after a traumatic incident.

“I have an officer down, I need paramedics immediately.” Your voice shook as you rattled off your address to the 911 operator. Snatching a blanket from the couch you reapplied pressure to Marcus' wound, the pain bringing him back to consciousness with a yelp. You gave him a weak smile “Marcus I need you to stay awake. Paramedics are on the way. I-... I'm sorry, I should have disarmed him, I thought I had and I-”

“Baby, I'm okay.” Marcus let out a whine as he tried to sit up and gingerly reached to touch the back of his head, a faint smear of blood from when Pearce slammed him onto the floor. “I'm not going anywhere.”

“Says the man bleeding in our living room.” You let out a slightly hysteric laugh at his lack of concern to his own wellbeing. The seven minutes it took for the paramedics to arrive were easily the longest minutes of your life, and you clung to Marcus' hand as they went to work. Once he was loaded on the stretcher, and you had waved off the medics who were trying to tend to your cut cheek, you followed them downstairs and into the ambulance.

“See honey? I'm going to be fine.” Marcus gave you a weak smile. “It was only a light stabbing.”

“... I'm going to let that slide on account of the blood loss.” You gave his hand a squeeze and pressed your lips to his knuckles, the sound of the ambulance siren ringing in your ears as it raced toward the hospital.

-------

Standing in the ER waiting room you knew you must look like something out of a horror film: hair wild, a shallow cut across your cheekbone, and your hands still covered in Marcus' blood. You could feel yourself trembling as you awaited Regina and Maddox's arrival, they had been your first call after Marcus' father. You had promised to keep him updated but it did look like Marcus would be fine as he had insisted the entire ride to the hospital. You heard your name, turning to see Regina, her wife Amber, and Maddox at the Emergency Room entrance. Regina was at your side in an instant, it wasn't until she wrapped her arms around you that the true gravity of the evening hit you, your chest heaving with sobs. You barely registered Amber attempting to clean the blood off your hands with wet wipes from her purse as Regina whispered soft reassurances into your hair.

“Mads, go see about getting us back there to see Pike. Flash your badge if you have to.” Regina said to the younger agent as she surveyed your face, the cut across your cheek had finally stopped bleeding. “Hon, what happened?”

“Ioan Pearce. He was waiting in our apartment when we got home. He must have been following us this week... I should've known... This is my fault, I brought Marcus undercover with me. If it wasn't fo-” You felt yourself spiraling quickly.

“No. You need to stop. This is Laurent and Pearce's fault, no one else's. Tonight, we make sure Marcus is alright. Tomorrow we tie up these loose ends and get Pearce in cuffs.” Regina reassured you.

“Cuffs... body bag, same difference.” You muttered.

“And that's why you probably shouldn't be joining us.” Regina laughed as a nurse came out calling for the group of you, you could finally see Marcus.

“I'd love to see you try and stop me.” You said with a smile, although your words were deadly serious.

-----

Marcus was sitting up on the edge of the bed in the ER, freshly stitched up, and he looked instantly relieved when his eyes met yours. You immediately rushed into his arms, silent tears streaming down your cheeks as you saw the bandage on his abdomen and buried your face in his shoulder.

“-‘s my fault. It’s my fault you’re hurt. I can’t live without you.” You whispered against his neck and felt him shake his head.

“Sweetheart, I’m alright. They’re even going to discharge me soon.” Marcus looked up, noticing the rest of the crew for the first time and gave them a smile. “Ten stitches, nothing vital hit, and a bump on the head. All I really need is a change of clothes and sleep.”

Needing to see for yourself you peaked at his torso, your fingers ghosting over the dressing covering his stitches. Marcus pressed a reassuring kiss to your forehead, his hands drifting to your waist.

“We’re glad you’re alright, boss. We’ll catch this psychopath.” Maddox said from beside Amber and Regina, handing Marcus a fresh shirt to change into.

“I reached out to the office, let them know what happened. They posted officers outside your apartment, I told them they’d have to wait until tomorrow for a full statement. Tonight, the two of you need to rest.” Regina said, squeezing her wife’s hand, relieved to see Marcus relatively unharmed.

“Gina, thank you. For everything.” Marcus said sincerely.

“We’re family, we always take care of our own.” She said with a fond smile.

-----

The search for Ioan Pearce was on, and undeterred by push back from the higher ups you and Marcus insisted on being involved. Pouring over CCTV footage and any new leads on Pearce’s whereabouts. It'd been a week since the break in and though he wasn't fully healed yet Marcus was relentless in his pursuit, but they were getting close. Maddox and Regina had been staking out a location that was a possible safe house for Pearce and his associates, they were sure he would surface any day now. You were camped out on Marcus' office couch with Regina, Maddox was dozing off at his desk but none of you had the heart to wake him. The effort he was putting in tailing Pearce's associates was admirable, and he seemed to have a natural knack for going unnoticed while trailing a suspect.

“I think he'll finally give in and end up at that safe house any time now. He's assuming we've lost any trace of him and he's starting to get cocky. He'll let his guard down and that's when we'll strike. I've got people watching the safe house twenty-four hours a day now, so I think we should all be prepared to move as soon as he's spotted.” Marcus said from his desk, giving a small stretch and wincing lightly as it tugged at his stitches.

“I agree, I think Pearce is getting impatient. That’ll be his downfall.” Regina said, buried in Ioan Pearce’s file trying to see if there was anything she missed that could finally end this.

“I'm just ready to put this bastard behind bars like Laurent.” You said with a small huff as a half-asleep Maddox poked his head into the office.

“My CI just called. Pearce should be going to the safe house in the morning.” Maddox said as he rubbed at his eyes.

“Fantastic! Then I want everyone to head home and get some rest. We take this guy in, come morning.” Marcus said with a smile.

As everyone packed up and headed out for the night Marcus wrapped his arm around your waist. You stood on your tip toes to press a few soft kisses to his jaw. Finally, this nightmare was almost over.

—-

The early morning sun was beginning to creep across the sky as you prepared for the raid on Ioan Pearce’s safe house. Considering how deeply personal this mission had gotten for you and Marcus you both agreed to take a back seat and cover the back door. Regina, Maddox, and a small team would breach the front door to apprehend Pearce; You and Marcus would cover the back door in case he tried to make a break for it.

“I won’t lie, I’m a little disappointed I won’t get to lay hands on this creep.” You gave Marcus a small smile as you adjusted your earpiece.

“As long as we finally get this guy in cuffs, I'm happy.” Marcus said as he adjusted the Velcro straps of your bulletproof vest.

“Breaching door in 10 – 9 – 8” Regina counted down over the earpiece as she prepared to break into the front of the house. You planted your feet and held your gun loosely in your hand, Marcus at your side as you covered the rear entrance. The shouts and sound of the front door breaking echoed loudly in the otherwise silent neighborhood. You could hear scuffles coming from inside the house when suddenly Maddox's voice came through your earpiece.

“He's heading for the back! He's running!” Maddox shouted.

Ioan Pearce burst through the back door and putting your full body weight behind your shoulder you slammed into him, knocking him off balance and to the ground roughly. In an instant Marcus had him flipped onto his front, handcuffing him while reading him his rights. Marcus looked up at you and smiled. It was done, this insane case was conclusively solved and everyone involved in custody. Maybe now the two of you could finally relax.

------

That evening after an early celebratory dinner and drinks with the rest of the team you walked hand in hand with Marcus down the path alongside the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. The stress of the last few months with this case hanging over both your heads was settled and maybe the two of you could relax, if only for a little while. You would have never thought you would be where you were today when Marcus had finally asked you out nine months ago, in this very spot no less. He was particularly contemplative tonight, but it was a comfortable kind of silence. Just happy to be in each other's company as the pair of you strolled quietly, the purples and pinks of the sunset streaked across the sky behind the Washington Monument as you reached the end of the Reflecting Pool. Tugging Marcus close, you snaked your arms around him and tucked your head against his chest. Marcus smiled down at you and pressed his lips to your hair, but his nerves were starting to get the better of him.

“Mmm I can't wait to get home. We can curl up on the couch with a movie.” You pulled back to look up at him and smile. “Maybe have a glass of wine and an early night.” Giving him a suggestive eyebrow wiggle you captured his lips in a lingering kiss.

“That sounds like a perfect night in.” Marcus said and paused for a second. “Before we head home, there is something I need to ask you.”

“Of course honey, anything.” You replied with an adoring smile.

“I know we haven't been together for a long time, but I do know that my life is better with you in it. I love you and I can't see a future without you next to me.” Marcus took a deep breath, reached into his pocket, and dropped to one knee. “Sweetheart, mi corazón, will you marry me?” He gently took your left hand and held out a simple but beautiful cushion cut engagement ring with a thin platinum band. Your heart was pounding, eyes welling up as you grinned down at Marcus. It was never a question; your heart truly was his and had been from the moment the pair of you had sat here that early morning watching the sunrise.

“Oh Marcus, yes! I can't think of anything I want more than to spend the rest of my life with you.” Your hand trembled slightly from excitement as he slid the ring onto your finger. Marcus stood up quickly and kissed you deeply, holding you tight to his chest.

“I love you. I love you so much.” He said reverently between kisses, you could feel his smile against your lips. You had both been through so much recently and now? Now a new and amazing chapter of your lives was about to begin, and you couldn't wait to see where it would take you.

tagged: @diva-1992, @yespolkadotkitty, @sarahjkl82-blog, @seasonschange-butpeopledont, @mrsparknuts, @disgruntledspacedad, @mrschiltoncat, @giselatropicana, @sugarontherims, @cynic-spirit, @supernaturalgirl, @farfromjustordinary , @keeper0fthestars​

Let me know if you'd like to be added to my tags.

[quirkswriting]

whipped cream cats and christmas magic

Overview: Life has been hard this past holiday season, so your local Rescue Hero (sidekick) Uravity decides to take Christmas Eve into her own hands (Pro Hero AU). Pairing: Uraraka Ochaco x GN!Reacher Wordcount: 2.6k Warning(s): Tons and tons of fluff Author’s Notes: MERRY CHRISTMAS MADDOX!!! From your friendly neighbourhood Secret Santa! I was so so so happy that I got you for Secret Santa this year, and I really really hope you like this!! Ily a lot and you’re such an amazing friend, I hope you love it!!!

                                                            ***

Working retail during the holidays was a nightmare. You knew this, you really did, but honestly you didn’t expect it to be as bad as it is this year.

All through December more and more people were coming through your store as the days passed. You couldn’t blame them, really--you know you worked in a cool store with a lot of really cool pop culture and fandom items, and you were usually pretty good with helping well-meaning parents and grandparents, and the kids who wanted to get small trinkets for their friends. And you may have even gotten some very cute things there yourself while doing your own holiday shopping when you weren’t busy dealing with customers left, right, and centre. But you do love your job! You swear you do! But by the time your shifts finished, after helping people find gifts and dealing with the nice and not-so-nice customers all day, you never had much energy left by the time you got home. Even with Christmas fast approaching, all you wanted was some peace and quiet. You barely had time for your girlfriend Ochaco, which was something you did feel bad about, let alone time to go out and do a lot of the Christmas things the city had to offer. There was a cute Christmas market downtown, and the wonderful lights display in the local park that was always nice to see every year (among other things) and while the two of you had talked about going to see those things together, it just never ended up happening. But you knew she was understanding about the whole thing because really, how many date nights or lazy days in together had to be rainchecked because of hero emergencies popping up? Enough that the two of you really enjoyed the time you had together, whether it was five hours or five minutes.

The two of you had been living together for a few months now after dating for just over a year, and you’d settled into a comfortable routine. You worked your job in the mall while she worked as a Sidekick (but things were looking good in regards to joining a Rescue Hero Agency as a full-time hero!), and though your hours didn’t always line up exactly the way you wanted, the two of you were living a very nice, cozy life.

The two of you had been to one Christmas party together so far this year--your friends had thrown one way back at the beginning of the month, and you and Ochaco had plenty of fun looking cute and hanging out with your friends at a nice little party. Some of her old classmates from when she had been at UA had a little get-together too, but you hadn’t been able to take time off work to be able to go with her. She’d sent you plenty of pictures, and Iida and Deku had promised to throw a New Year’s party that you were definitely looking forward to. You wanted to see the fabled ‘Drunk Bakugou’ who enjoyed cuddling everyone in sight.

Thankfully, come Christmas Eve, all stores closed early across the city. You’d been looking forward to that for weeks. It felt so nice to be able to close up shop and bid your co-workers a cheerful, “Merry Christmas!” before you all went your separate ways. You’d see them on Boxing Day, bright and early, but until then you were planning on relaxing for the next day and half. Sleep sounded like a very good idea. So you drove home and made your way from your car up to your apartment, bundled up tight against the bitter chill in the air and the thick snow that was falling from the sky.

As soon as you’d unlocked the door and stepped inside, you could see Ochaco’s boots sitting by the front door. You slipped your own off, calling out an, “I’m home!” before hanging up your coat and keys and making your way from the front hall and into the living room.

“Welcome home!” Ochaco said, a big smile stretching out her round cheeks. She was sitting on the couch, legs tucked up underneath her body as she watched TV. You came over to sit beside her on the couch, pressing a kiss to her cheek and grabbing one of the blankets off the back of the couch to wrap around yourself to get nice and cozy after being out in the cold. One of Ochaco’s hands came up to rest on your shoulder and start to draw lazy patterns on your sweater. “Long day?”

“Long month,” you said. “It was so nice to close at noon today. It finally feels like I can breathe.”

The two of you settled together on the couch, with you telling her stories about customer interactions you’d had that day, and her peppering in little anecdotes about her recent work at Pro Hero Ryukyu’s agency.

“You’re seeing your family tomorrow, right (Y/N)?” Ochaco asked, and you voiced the affirmative. You were spending Christmas Day with your family this year (like you normally did), while Ochaco went to visit her parents. And then the two of you were meeting up to have a nice little birthday celebration for her on the 27th. There may or may not be a surprise party involved. It was going to be fun. “Did you have any plans for tonight?”

“The only plan I have is to take the most amazing nap I’ve ever had,” you said, wrapping the blanket closer around yourself. Her giggle, soft and having just a little bit of a snort mixed in, caused you to smile as well. “Why?”

Ochaco’s cheeks started to flush a light pink, but she shrugged. “Just wondering! I was thinking maybe we could spend some time together,” she said.

“Sure! Do you wanna watch Haikyuu and order food in?” you asked, and she nodded. You’d already seen all of the episodes out so far, but you’d gotten her hooked on it a few weeks back and the two of you were slowly making your way through the seasons together. Currently you were halfway through season 2, and you couldn’t wait to see her reaction to the matches once Karasuno had finished the summer training camp.

“We can see what we feel like when you wake up from your nap!” she said, and you nodded. After a few more moments, you got up from the couch and went to the bedroom so that you could close all the curtains and take a nice, much needed nap in the darkness.

                                                            ***

True to your word, you had such a good nap. You even woke up feeling refreshed, which was a very nice change from most naps that just left a groggy, soup-y feeling after waking up. It had to be a Christmas gift from whoever was watching over you. Bundled up in your favourite sweater, you left your bedroom and made your way to the kitchen for a nice glass of water. Your girlfriend was already in there looking at something on her phone as she sat at the small kitchen table in the corner. She did look up, though, when you walked in, and smiled.

“Hey (Y/N)! You look like you slept well!” You nodded.

“Yeah, best nap I’ve had in ages,” you told her, getting a glass from the cupboard above the sink and fetching the water pitcher from the fridge. Once you’d finished pouring the water and putting the pitcher back, you took a nice long drink and set your glass on the counter. You looked at Ochaco, noticing her wearing her favourite pink and white winter coat with the soft white knit hat you’d given her last year for her birthday and the cute frog themed scarf from Tsuyu. “Did you just come back from somewhere?”

“No, actually I’ve got an errand I need to run before we sit down and watch Haikyuu. I have to go pick something up and it would be really nice to have some help. Please?” In the cold? After you’d already been out earlier? You were very sorely tempted to say no, but one look at your girlfriend’s puppy dog eyes had you sighing.

“Fine, but I get to choose dinner then,” you told her. You moved your glass from the counter to the sink as she let out a little cheer. You then went to go gather your things and get dressed for the cold weather outside while Ochaco grabbed her bag from off the table and followed you into the front hall. After you were sufficiently bundled up, you left the apartment and locked the door behind you. It was still snowing when the two of you left the apartment building, and you were quick to get to where your car was parked and buckle up inside.

Once the car had warmed up sufficiently, you shifted the car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot in the apartment complex the two of you lived in. Ochaco sat in the passenger seat and connected her phone to the AUX cord. Within a few minutes the car was filled with Christmas music while the two of you drove through the city. She was quick to point out all the decorations set up in front of different houses and in different shop windows. It was so peaceful and beautiful, with very few cars on the streets. That allowed you to drive a little slower than normal so that the two of you could really admire all the twinkling lights amid the snowfall outside the car. You weren’t quite sure how long that went on for, but you followed the random directions that Ochaco would give you as you made your way through the city.

As you got closer to the downtown area of the city, you recognized where you were going. You pulled into the parking lot that Ochaco indicated, which belonged to a small cafe that was sitting just outside the entrance to the park. It was one of your favourite date spots, even though the brunette was known to grumble about how expensive things were there, and it had the added bonus of overlooking the prettiest park in the city. You did as Ochaco instructed, seeing the lights hanging from all the trees in the park as you pulled into a spot and placed the car in park.

“An errand, huh?” You gestured towards the cafe and the park, and she clasped her hands together in front of her chest and smiled at you.

“Surprise! It’s not really an errand, but I wanted us to do something fun together tonight,” she told you. “And what’s more fun than spending time together in the park looking at all the lights?” Which, okay, you did have to admit that she was right, but she could have just told you that. But it was a nice surprise.

Ochaco smiled at you and reached back behind her to grab her bag out of the backseat, and then she proceeded to take a thermos out of her bag, holding it out to you. “I brought our own hot chocolate to keep us warm while we’re walking, too.” Which was fantastically sweet of her, and definitely something she did regularly, but you couldn’t help but look at the cafe you were parked beside. They had the most amazing holiday hot chocolate and you had thought that the two of you would be getting some of that. As if she knew exactly what you were thinking--which she most likely did, because for someone with a gravity quirk she was scary good at reading people--she shook the thermos at you. “C’mon! Do you really want to pay $6 for a small hot chocolate from some overpriced cafe and waste your money, or would you rather have a whole huge thermos of hot chocolate made with love?”

You made a show of sighing and looking longingly at the cafe, but there was a smile on your face. “But they can make a cat out of whipped cream and candy cane pieces.”

Ochaco was not impressed. She pressed the thermos into your hands as she unbuckled her belt. “I will literally get Sato to make like ten of those for you. And he can teach us how to make them! Wouldn’t that be cute? We can save money and make it a date.” You shook your head, laughing just a little as you unbuckled your own belt and got out of the car. You locked it once the two of you had gotten out, and you held out the hand not holding the thermos to take hers as you entered the park together.

The two of you walked together through the snow, admiring the soft lights set up on the trees. There were all different colours, from the traditional Christmas multicoloured and white lights, to blues and purples and greens all twisted through the leafless branches. It felt almost magical, being out together in the dark evening among the trees in the softly falling snow. It was cold, really cold, but the hot chocolate did help. And just being with Ochaco was enough to keep you warmer than you would have been on your own.

The two of you didn’t really see many other people walking around, which was fine by you. You got to walk hand in hand with the brunette hero, talking about anything and everything and nothing at all as you made your way along the path through the park. Really, this was a much better Christmas Eve than you had imagined it would be.

The two of you made it to a small clearing near the middle of the park, off of the pathway that you’d been walking on, and Ochaco gently tugged you along with her to stand in the centre of the clearing. You could tell she was up to something because she was very obvious, but you let it happen.

“Close your eyes!” she said once the two of you had come to a stop, and you obliged. You could hear her boots crunching in the snow as she ran around doing… something. You couldn’t really imagine what it would be, but you dutifully kept your eyes closed anyway. It took a few moments, as you rocked back and forth on the balls of your feet, before you could feel her gloved hands grab your own and hold them. You could hear her soft giggle from close to your face, and you couldn’t help the smile spreading across your face.

“Okay… open your eyes,” she said, her voice breathy and soft. You slowly opened them, and that’s when you saw what she’d been doing. A gasp left your lips as your mouth hung open. All around you, bobbing lightly in the air, were clear balls filled with what looked like softly glowing golden fairy lights. You looked around, seeing them circling you, and those lights reflecting on the two of you mixed with the lights from the trees was ethereal on that cold winter night. It was your own private little winter wonderland. You loved it. You loved it, and you loved that Ochaco had done that for you. It was simple and sweet and you couldn’t help but love the soft glow it cast across the whole clearing.

“Merry Christmas, (Y/N),” Ochaco said, leaning forward to press her lips against your cheek. They were warm against your skin, and you wrapped your arms around her in a tight hug. You said your own, “Merry Christmas,” in return, holding her close as the two of you looked at the lights floating all around you.

There might be parts of the holiday season that you could do without, but this small, magical moment between you and Ochaco was something you’d treasure for many more Christmases to come.

[luckywarner]

🍀LOCKED🍀

[Lucky didn’t want to say that his demands had worked, per say, but there did seem to be a different air around all of them. Less tension, less stress. If Lucky wasn’t aware of the situation, he could have easily believed they were just a big group of friends having a fun Saturday at the mall. Alas, he knew the truth of the matter, so he was hyper-aware of everything, unable himself to be able to feel a bit less tension.

Stove was talking to the group as a whole, just presenting a topic of conversation for anyone to latch onto, because she apparently decided she was going to be the mediator of this whole thing, Lucky supposed. He couldn’t really focus on what she was talking about, however, because he was still being pelted with random objects in the back of the head. Maddox apparently didn’t think that the throwing of things was included in Lucky’s terms of acting like they had some form of up-bringing. So, in the middle of this conversation, to which Carson didn’t appear to be interested, Carson was dragging Lucky further away from everyone else, and shoving a bag of clothing at him.]

I bought these for you. 

What? When...? 

Just now, while you were listening to Stevie go on about random shit. Thank me later. Go put them on. Now. 

Now???

I can’t look at your t-shirt for one more minute, alright? Go change.

[So, without word, but probably just a grimace of more offense, Lucky’s off to the fitting rooms to go put on all of the things in this bag of his. And, nah, what he’s pulling out isn’t horrible, or something off-the-wall, but it definitely wasn’t his everyday-wear of choice. 

But here we go, he’s put it on, yo. And tbh, it’s probably something a lot like this: x.

Out he go, away from the fitting rooms, and back towards the crowd, with a now seemingly absent Carson. Where did he go off to? Perhaps he decided he wanted to get away from the conversation currently happening, which was something like this:]

And Whitman’s work is actually pretty--.

You know Walt Whitman?

Don’t judge a book by the shelf it sits on, Sage.

I guess not...

[I should mention, as soon as Lucky had walked out of the fitting room, chuck goes another flying object and his head. GUESS WHO?  SO, Lucky picks up his own random object and chucks it tf at Maddox. She turns and look at him like she’s offended he’s decided to join in on her game, so she picks another object up and throws it right at him. Lucky huffs and throws the same thing right back at her. Oh, what’s this? She does it another time. Instead of continuing that fun volley, Lucky stomps over and hits her with it once more.] Stop throwing things at me!

Was tryin’ to get your attention~.

Why?

Nice outfit~.

It was Carson’s choice.

I’d never say Carson makes good choices, but good choice, Carson. [She is eyeing him. This is very clear]

... [His head is down all bashful-like.] Ya done throwing shit at my head now?

Lucky, I’m bored. [:((((]

Wow, that sounds like a terrible problem to have.

Can’t we go do something fun? I don’t want to watch Carson shop, and listen to Stove and your friend talk about dead guys. [We’ve gone further to this face: :C ]

What do you suggest we do instead?

Oh, we could do anything.

[He was about to roll his eyes until he remembered her earlier conversation with Carmen. Why not start practicing now, huh??? So he paused, raised an eyebrow, and folded his arms across his chest.] Anything includes a lot of things, Maddox.

I’m sure we could narrow it down. 

We’re just gonna sneak off, are we?

They won’t miss us at all. Or, you can stay here and keep listening to stories about Walt Disney.

Walt Whitman. [A chuckle.]

Oh, whatever. They’re both dead. It doesn’t matter.

Whitman’s pretty genius, though.

Lucky. If I wanted to talk about a dead poet, I’d go hang out by Stevie and Sage.

Right. You’d rather be doing ~anything.

Anything.

[He pauses to “think”. Again, he’s not really thinking, because he’s already gone through his entire conversation with Carson in his head. Make her think it was her that swayed your opinion, right?] Alright. You got me. Let’s go do anything.

Thank, Christ. [She makes a face like ‘praise be’, and hand grab, there we go, because she’s gonna drag him out of the store by the hand. Okay, pt 6 out.]

[margaretofwales-archive]

“When did this turn into an ugly sweater party?” (maddox)

“It’s not.”

The hall was filled with people, most in some form of regalia. Maddox had annoyed her earlier, something about his laconic stare and the way he seemed constantly incapable of giving her a straight answer. She tucked back a smile.

“You’re underdressed.”

[margaretofwales]

September 2019 Cardiff, Wales

The deep green Mercedes AMG G 63 idled on the busy street, two suited men jumping out from an unmarked car in front of it. They entered the apartment building -- tall, made mostly of glass, overlooking the harbor, and returned a few minutes later with a third, suited man. They left him on the sidewalk and returned to their car; it pulled away as a different car, a mid-range Fiat with aftermarket windows, pulled up behind the Mercedes.

Nothing happened until the man approached, the soft click of a door unlocking the only indication that it was the right one. A shaft of gray light fell into the back seat of the car and Malle looked over, smiling.

“Good morning, Maddox.”

She had a cup of tea in her hand -- with a lid, of course -- a black folio splayed open in her lap. Her phone, similarly black and sleek and mostly screen as other phones on the market -- but different -- sat on the leather seat next to her. Goldvich caught the light.

Patting the seat next to her, she leaned forward and offered him a similarly-dressed cup. “I trust they briefed you yesterday.”

He’d been in and out of Cardiff Castle for nearly two weeks without Malle ever once making an appearance. It was rude, she felt, but she hadn’t been around to greet him, anyway. She’d left a nice note and a bouquet of flowers at his flat, a bottle of gin as a bit of a private joke. Clearances approved. Target briefed. The driver, disguised behind a bulletproof screen in the front of the car, pulled it into motion.

Music played softly from the speakers as they glided into traffic. It was the start of a multi-day mission, covert, to view six ports around Wales that comprised the first and second phases of Malle’s plan. Modernize the ports, even those outside of her control. Negotiate peace with the clans where she could, and where she couldn’t -- 

Well, Maddox Keyes had many skills.

“It’s about two hours to Pembroke. Madoc Hughes administers the area, he’s likely friendly. Won’t like us coming without warning, but--” she shrugged, a line in her brow showing she was clearly resigned to the reality. “I need my engineers to take a look at it. Before we negotiate. And I need you --” She nodded, slowly. “To tell me what a pirate might think of it.”

@keyes-tothecrown​

[margaretofwales]

☎

NAME: Maddox KeyesRINGTONE: None, just vibrate.PICTURE: This!LAST TEXT RECEIVED: “I’ll handle it.”LAST TEXT SENT: “Thank you.”

[margaretofwales]

😶 - nudging my muse

Music filtered from the corners of the ballroom, Malle stood a few paces away from one of the walls. The gala was going well, even if the thought of pirates -- even semi-legitimate ones -- strolling around her castle made her nervous. Security had increased tenfold for the event. She could even see guards on the second balcony.

Finding Maddox by her side again, she turned to him with a small smile, and nudged him gently against his side.

“He looks nice,” the faintest inclination of her head. Her eyes sparkled, amused, like the jewels in her crown. “Doesn’t he?”

[margaretofwales]

🎎 sit close enough to brush knees/lean against yours (my only character)

The back half of the car was large enough to stretch out her legs, but she didn’t. It was cold that day, especially for June, and the rain hadn’t stopped since Tuesday. Malle leaned back as the car churned into motion, the partition raised. The light outside was so dim and gray, it took all the color from their skin.

She sat silently, not wordlessly. There were words of course, and many, but none that needed to be said. They’d spoken. They’d strategized. There was a cover for what they were doing, and people who would see through it. But Malle was the Queen, named and crowned, and she needed to start acting like it.

Her knee brushed against his as she shifted, and she gave a small, polite smile. She didn’t apologize. She wasn’t going to do that anymore.

@keyes-tothecrown

[margaretofwales]

💬

Malle is extremely guarded in her personal affairs, but she thinks Maddox is very smart and picks up on nuance without much aid. So much so, that sometimes she forgets to tell him key details -- like she’s getting married -- until the newspaper announces it. 

And then she feels awful.

[margaretofwales]

Send 💕for a drabble where my muse falls head over heels for yours. -slaps knee-

Some AU worldVery far away2021The room was full of people without being loud, voices and sound arched high into the moulded ceiling. Windows panned the southern wall, staring out at deep black now that the sun had set. She’d greeted half the room by then, dinner just ending. Half to go.

Malle didn’t like crowds like this, the countless opportunities to say the wrong thing, take the wrong step. She had a preternatural fear that someone was watching her and waiting for just that moment, all of her limbs went rigid from the moment she alighted the car until she returned to her bed that night. His jacket was soft against her palm, her hand curling against his shoulder. The song was bright, but slow. The room drew just a little closer, became just a little smaller.

She smiled as they turned, his hand on her waist. Their other fingers touched, entwined even, but chastely: this was a public space, of course. He said something softly, but she only really heard the low rumble in his chest, felt his breath against her cheek. The song faded, the light dimmed. The room slowed, and bit by bit, she relaxed. Malle breathed. It had been a long time since she felt safe. She did, then. He looked wonderfully nice in the soft light.

It ended quickly, the song drawing to a close. Around her, polite hands clapped in applause, and she realized with surprise that hers couldn’t, they were still taken. She pulled back, gaze unfocused, and turned away with the same sense of disorientation that shock victims must have felt. Shock, she thought, looking at her hands. They felt smaller, colder. Her shoulders, bare save the sash she wore, curved inward a tiny bit.

Oh, no.

[margaretofwales]

😘 + a character: How could they get your muse to like them more than they already do?

Show that he believes in her, even in moments when she doubts herself. Pour good gin. Maybe a slow dance that ends with the song.

[luckywarner]

🍀LOCKED🍀

[Welcome to Stage land. As I know has been happening practically every day since they were subjected to the mall trip of destiny, Sage is at Stevie’s apartment. There is a hang out happening. Let us cleanse ourselves of the J(Y)ucky. You know what’s about to go down. Here we go. Sage has just arrived.]

Lucky decided not to come this time? 

He couldn’t come. He has a date. [He’s still too giddy.]

A... date? With who? [Because she knows for it fact it ain’t her stupid ass best friend who doesn’t know how to convey her own emotions.]

That new girl in your grade.

Jordan Harper?

Yeah, her.

She’s kind of a stuck-up bitch.

And yet, she’s still a better prospect than what Lucky’s been going for. She actually has ambition!

Well, at least that explains why the lesser prospect has been especially unbearable.

What do you mean by that?

Whether she realizes it, or not, she makes an attempt to be a decent human being when Lucky’s around.

If that’s what Bravo thinks is a decent human being, I’d hate to see her when Lucky’s not around.

I said she makes an attempt. Not that she is one. I’m even having trouble being around her right now.

That’s why Jordan’s a good thing.

[You already know Stove is not buying it. You know she isn’t.] Sure, and I’ll just continue to suffer through an unbearable Maddox. It’s not like I”m not used to it at this point.

Can we have a subject change now? Too much talk of her makes me feel sick to my stomach.

You’re so ridiculously over-dramatic sometimes, Sage~~. [But she means that in a ‘ur so adorable’ kind of way.]

I’d rather talk about more interesting topics. Sorry

Sure. What falls under that category for you?

Anything, if it means moving on~.

Well, I think we’ve just about exhausted the conversations of every author from the past four hundred, or so years.

I don’t only talk about literary things and education-related points of conversation, you know.

Could’ve fooled me~.

I’m offended by your presumption that just because I enjoy schoolwork, and get on my friend’s case about what girls he finds himself interested in, that I don’t know how to talk about fun things too.

No-- no presumptions here.

Do you– not think I’m a fun person…?

Wait– what? That’s not–…

You get bored of our conversations, don’t you? Oh, boy… You’re… you’re probably bored now, aren’t you?

Sage, could you just–…

I’m boring. That’s it. That’s probably why you keep inviting Lucky to come with me. You don’t want to be subjected to talking to me alone. Which, fine, okay. I get it.

Sage, I keep inviting Lucky for you. Because you always seem so nervous when it’s just us, and I want you to be comfortable.

Wh-- I’m confused.

I don’t want you to get scared off, or anything. You’re not boring. I really like you. Uh, talking to you. A lot.

– Really?

Yeah. Really.

Oh, Stevie… [X]

[Write Stevie down as having a big ol’ WTF moment, because she never ever would’ve though Sagey would be kissing her first evER. BUT HERE WE HAVE IT. Sage is gonna pull away, and I’m gonna use the same gif from last time.]

I like you too.

[Here’s the GOOD OL’ PHRASE.] Hell yeah.

That’s all you’re gonna say?

No, one more thing. 

What?

Be my boyfriend.

You-- wanna... we... O-Okay.

Hell yeah~. [Oh, get it, Stevie.]

[margaretofwales-archive]

your choice. → @keyes-tothecrown

19 July 2019 Trianon Palace, Versailles, France

The room had deep paneling on one side, windows on the other. Candles twinkled in the glass, the moon reflecting on the surface of the courtyard fountain, outside. Malle sat at a table slightly out of the way, the high walls of the curved banquette hiding her from the room.

Not the case, for others.

Bronwyn turned away from the bar at the far end of the dining room, blue eyes catching the arc of diamonds in the tiara on Margaret’s head. She was distracted in the next moment by the olives in her drink -- and the lack of anything else left in it. She sighed glumly, staring at the back of the bartender as the woman steadfastly served anyone but her.

“Bet you don’t have this problem,” she commented in nearly-perfect French, nodding her head toward the man next to her. She grinned, playful. A little impish. Her accent saved her, as it did quite often, the Welsh softening her words. “Can’t seem to get her attention on me to save my life.”