#me when dean lets what his father taught him win

[cten0phora]

dean shouldnt be considered as one of jack’s dads tbh

[yesimwriting]

been obsessed with coryo after watching tbosas 😭 please write more of bestfriend!coryo <3

so so adorable 💋 i love u tehe

me gasping like in that tiktok sound: oh my goodness i love this question!!!

in all seriousness i have so many more thoughts on this dynamic omg

----

thinking about bestfriend!coryo who knows your parents love him, and, more importantly, he knows how to use that to his advantage.

it's no accident, he's put in meticulous effort in making sure that they not only approve of the friendship, but that he's their favorite friend of yours. when it comes to a family as prominent and wealthy as yours, parental approval goes a long way, especially with how regularly your parents leave town for business.

your father's admiration isn't an easy thing to win, but coriolanus is no stranger to uphill battles, and you're worth it. with the way that you look at him, how could you not be?

so he puts in the work: being the perfect student in classes taught by known friends of your father, wearing his best clothing and practicing old capitol etiquette his grandma'am was more than happy to review with him before family dinners that you invited him to, and making sure to keep proper distance between the two of you whenever your parents are around, no matter how difficult it is for him to remember to not hold your hand.

the hardest part is the fact that most of your father's intimidation comes from the fact that he's the exact kind of man coryo wants to be. powerful, respected, and in a position to never worry about finances or status. but he keeps at it, taking more care than usual to make sure that the signs of poverty are never visible in front of your parents.

even if that means purposefully leaving leftovers of the best food he's eaten in years on his plate so that no one will think he's starving. even if you give him a look that only he can feel the strangeness of because even though you've never spoken of his financial status, you can tell that he's not as well off as everyone thinks. that's the only thing about you that digs beneath his skin--you can always tell.

he's unsure if his efforts are working because of your father's constantly stoic disposition even though you assure him that that's your father when he's relaxed.

but then one day, he's over on your father's last night at home before returning to the districts to oversee some business, and your father asks to speak with him in private. you're instantly snapping your head up from your textbook, wanting to make sure that your father won't say anything embarrassing or rude.

he's scared off other friends in the past and even though it hurts, you never fight back too much because your father isn't an easy man to talk back to. but this is where you draw the line. you're not going to lose your coryo.

coryo feels something in his stomach knot, especially at that bewildered look behind your eye, but he's not about to be openly intimidated, so he assures you that he's fine. when you push, asking what topic could possibly involve just coryo and him and be that private, your father says that it's just business from man to man.

coryo has to force down a smile because he knows he'll be hearing no end of it from you as soon as the two of you are alone together. then he starts to think that this might be it. maybe your father has found out about his true financial status or dean highbottom has finally gotten to him and he's about to be banned from seeing you.

he forces down his anxiety and follows your father into the hall. your father's quick to the point, letting him know that he's leaving for another long stretch of time and that your mother's social and professional engagements mean that you'll be alone often. he closes the statement by asking coriolanus to look after you until he returns.

the realization that coriolanus has made it hits him at the same time as the relief and for a second all he can do is stare. then his senses return to him and he's swearing to your father that he'll take such good care of you, your father will have nothing to worry about. then your father's clasping his shoulder and offering him a gruff but oddly genuine thank you, son before telling him to get back to your room before you get paranoid.

it's an odd way to end the moment, but coryo's so busy trying to convince himself to not mentally plan out your wedding (because let's be honest, that's a level of trust from someone like your father might as well be a pre-engagement) that he doesn't think of it.

when he gets back to your room, you ask as casually as you can manage what your father wanted. after telling you that your father just wants to make sure that you're looked after while he's away, coryo expects you to be happy. but instead of reacting positively, you just sort of nod and mumble something polite before attempting to go back to studying.

something in his chest hardens. he's your best friend, who you spend as much time as socially acceptable with, and you two are being given the perfect excuse to be around each other more and you're not happy.

he immediately pushes and you reluctantly tell him that this has to mean that he's in with your father. another thing that coryo thinks you should be thrilled about. the more your father approves, the closer the two of you can be. he's accusing you of being sick of him, of trying to get rid of him, of no longer wanting to be best friends with him.

that has you scrambling to defend yourself. there's little you consider more important than your friendship with him. it's the only bond you fully trust.

so you tell him that your real concern is that your father never gets along with your friends that way, and that the only similar reference point you have is the way he talks to people like him.

you then tell him that the people in your father's social circle aren't like coryo. at the very least, not your coryo, who's never harsh with you and would rather spend parties sitting with you than sharing cruel opinions to impress other men.

all coriolanus hears is that you don't see him the way you see the actually important men. the hurt behind his eyes has you moving to stand and reaching for him. he lets you take his hand but doesn't react, so you explain it as transparently as possible. people that your father likes are mean, and you don't want to lose him to that.

there's something about the way you say it, all round eyes and genuine worry. it reminds him too much of tigris, of the newfound hint of tension in their relationship that's become more prevalent. she's constantly reminding him of what his father's success turned him into.

coryo's pulling you into a hug, whispering promises that you could never lose him. you're hugging him back tightly, hand smoothing circles against his back.

he realizes he means what he's saying. he can achieve the prominence he wants without alienating you. there's a way to be stern with the world and just coryo to you. and even if his edges become a little sharper, he'll keep that away from you and you'll understand.

you may criticize some of your father's views and actions, but you do love him. coryo sees it in the way that you constantly strive for his approval, he sees it in the way your face lights up when he's home. if you can love your father through your disagreements, you can love him as well. he'll make sure of it.

feeling better, he starts semi-playfully chiding you for even thinking that anything could take you away from him. that you should know better than to not see this as yet another thing he's doing for you, for your friendship.

you don't want to admit it, but you're feeling a little bad for reacting like that. after all, coryo was so excited to tell you and you know your father's capable of scaring people out of your life. at least this means that nothing's going to get in between the two of you.

coryo recognizes your slight pout and the apologetic line between your eyebrows. the two of you so rarely argue that even a hint of conflict has you willing to do anything to make things feel normal again.

so he lets himself play into his hurt. you're quick to pick up on it, holding onto him a little tighter. the two of you stay like that for awhile until you break the silence, saying that you're happy that he has an excuse to be around more.

eventually the two of you end up sitting on your bed, both of you silently agreeing that you've done enough homework. instead you focus on reassuring him, holding his hand between both of yours, pressing the occasional chaste kiss against his knuckles and resting your head against his shoulder until he has to go home.

after your father leaves, coryo takes his promise to look after you seriously. he's already in the habit of walking you home after school every day, but he start staying over after every day. the lack of authority figures around makes it a little easier to accept the after school snacks your maid always prepares and sometimes he even lets you send some home with him.

his grandma'am's over the moon when he starts accepting invitations to school social events that he honestly considers painful because he's escorting you. she's convinced that the two of you are getting married and with your family's status and the snow name, there's no door the two of you won't be able to unlock. even though you're still just friends, he rarely reminds her. it's for her own sake, he tells himself, it makes her happy.

the promise to your father also makes him bolder. he feels more assured, more justified in his disapproval of those that show a little too much interest in you.

you still don't notice the way his jaw tightens when some unaware guy gets too close, or think anything of the way that it almost always leads to him grabbing your hand.

he also stays over more, sometimes leaving for a few hours in the late afternoons so your maid doesn't think anything's going on. your family's estate is so large it's easy enough to get him in and out through a secondary exit.

the two of you fall into such a good routine that when your parents do get back, they start trusting coryo even more. your father asks if he can take you to certain social events that normally you wouldn't be allowed to attend and your strict weekday curfew becomes more of a suggestion when he's around.

[rubyvhs]

you are not your dad [sam and dean winchester]

pairings; dean winchester x reader x Sam winchester tags; established relationship, death of family members, angst (idk what’s wrong w me) summary; you go visit your mother for her death anniversary, and you’re having a hard time.

masterlist

I don’t blame Sam and Dean for the wrongs of their parents. That is one line I swore I would never cross with the boys. My boys. They don’t deserve to be told that their father’s actions shed light on their own, because they don’t. Sam and Dean are their own people, they are not the making of their parents. 

Especially because they never had any. Sam only had Deans and Dean only had a Sargent, not a father. And only one of them had a mother. 

But that’s all to say, I hate when they blame themselves for the horrible things John has taught them. John taught Sam that he can’t have a life outside hunting— practically told Sam he’d be selfish if he didn’t hunt monsters. He taught Dean to never be a kid. And those are their biggest downfalls.

“De! Can you come in here?” It takes a second before I hear his footsteps and he makes his way into my room. I smile as my eyes immediately take notice of his beautiful green ones. He nods. “Found a hunt, thought you guys would want something after the hiatus we’ve been on.”

“Sure, sweetheart. Where?”

“Texas.” He furrowed his eyebrows and stepped closer. “S’ a coincidence, obviously.”

“That you find a hunt in your hometown the same week of your mother’s anniversary?” I nod once. “You could’ve asked. We don’t need to hunt to get you there.”

That makes me shake my head no. There’s nothing worse than going to Texas to cry my eyes out then come back home with no win. At least this way I can celebrate something. 

“Alright. We’ll head out tomorrow, I’ll get Sammy to pack. First thing in the morning.” I jump to kiss his cheek gratefully and he lets me, before taking a hold of my face to pull me into an actual kiss. Then his hands move down to my waist to pull me closer. He smiles against my lips and it makes me think he’s laughing at something. Maybe something I did wrong?

I pull away. “What?”

“What’s that?”

“What’s what?”

“What are you wearing? On your lips.”

“Gloss?” He shakes his head. Oh, he wants the flavor. “It’s raspberry.” His grin stretches. I scoff and push him away. “You’re so weird.”

“Use it more.” For all my teasing, it makes me blush. And he notices so he steals another kiss, much shorter, and tells me dinner’ll be ready in a bit. 

We don’t talk about the case at dinner, but they assure me we’ll go in the morning. My mother’s anniversary is still on Friday and it’s only Monday, but I’d rather be prepared and already there so I don’t miss it. 

At eight were all out of the bunker and into Baby. For years I’d argue with Dean that it’s better if I drive myself, but after losing Dean on the road more than once, we decided it’s better I stay in the backseat. I’m a decent driver, just not close to Dean. 

The motel gives all of us the creeps. We usually stay at my parents house when we visit Texas whether for a case or something else. My dad moved out ages ago, so it’s always just us and three bedrooms.

This time, unfortunately, my siblings will be there so I can’t just bring Sam and Dean in to stay with us, not that they mind cramming into the house, it’s much cleaner than the motel room, but I’d rather not get asked questions. I talk to my brother and sister as much as I can in between hunts—not that they know what I do, but that doesn’t stop them from having infinite inquiries.

They understand and book us the cheapest motel. I’ll go stay with Lily and Connor tomorrow. “You okay?” Sam asks when we’re alone, Dean hitting the showers first.

“Fine.” He exhaled dramatically like the lie is killing him and sat next to me. “Just scared and tired.” I take a deep breath. “S’ just the third year. It’s been three years since I lost her, Sam. And I just— I keep thinking about her and it hurts. I don’t want to see them and talk about her, I just— I’m scared.” 

He frowns and stands us up so he’s engulfing my entire body in his grip, pulling me into a hug like no other. No one knows what a hug means until they’ve had one from Sam Winchester. “It’s okay, baby.” I’m not going to cry, obviously, not in front of them anyways. 

“I’m sorry.” It’s breathy, and not even directed at him, I’m not sure who I’m apologizing to or what for but I feel like I have to. Sam shakes his head and burries mine into his chest further. 

After Dean, Sam freshens up, then I do. Dean researches the hunt, tries to make sure we have enough information to actually have a case, and we do. They offer to work it alone and I refuse, saying that as long as we finish by Friday, it’ll be fine. 

“Okay so obviously vampires. Looks like a nest if these happened at the same time.” He points to two articles that show that four men and women were murdered at both ends of town at the same time a little less than a week ago. “There are only two— maybe three warehouses in the area. Me and Sammy can go check them out after we drop you at your house.”

“You what? No way! I’m coming with you, I’ll drop by tomorrow, four people is a lot, who knows how many vamps are in town.”

“And who knows how many of them will hurt Lily and Connor. You need to stay with them.” He makes a good point, but it doesn’t make me hate it any less. Sam and Dean will obviously need backup, what then? “Hey, sweetheart,” he stands up and walks over to me, “we came here for you. We’re taking the vamp case to ease your mind. We’ll stay here for as long as you need— but you need’ta see them. They need you, you’re their big sister.” It sucks how true it is. I am the big sister. The one who’s supposed to have it all figured out, instead I have two boyfriends instead of one, I hunt demons and ghosts for a living, and I avoid talking about mum at all costs.

Dean lets his words sink in before he presses a kiss to my head, then leans down before I capture his lips with mine. He smiles into the kiss. I break it apart. “Raspberry.” It makes me shake my head with a smile. 

I’ll be fine. Obviously. I have Sam and Dean. I’ll always be fine. 

And just to make sure I know it, Sam gets up too to brush his lips against mine softly. Dean’s much softer with his kisses than Sam is, but at the moment, they’re both so so soft.

“Yeah, I can taste it.” He looks at Dean and I shove him away. Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’ll be okay.

Because it’s Sam and Dean. If anything, I should be worried about them, not me. Sam will hunt when I know he wanted to rest (I only said we should hunt because I thought he’d sit it out by researching) and Dean will have to play protector again and be on extra high alert with no backup.

But they do it because they love me. Not because they’re forced to, not because John taught them to, and not because fate has pushed them to. Simply because they love me. At least, I hope so.

a/n: can I just say I wrote this because of this prompt; raspberry lipgloss. yeah, I know.

[cosmicoceanfic]

Claire’s in Germany when he calls.

The search for Kaia is hard, and frustrating, and requires a hell of a lot of credit card fraud, and she doesn’t feel entirely up to it, seeing the caller ID, enough so that she stares at it for a couple seconds to really think about it, before the conscience she’s wrestling with wins out and she picks up the phone. “Hey, Cas.”

“Hello, Claire.”

Claire waits, but Cas doesn’t follow it up with anything. “Is the connection bad?”

“No. No, it’s… it’s fine. Where are you?”

“Germany.”

“Do you… speak German?”

“Wasn’t taught at Dropout Academy, no.”

“Right.”

Claire waits some more as Cas is quiet long enough for a little concern to blossom, right below her ribcage. “You, uh. You good?”

“Something…” Cas sighs. “Jack is… we lost Jack.”

“Lost as in-“

“Lost as in… as in gone. Jack is… gone.”

“Oh.” Claire sits heavily on the curb outside the grubby little youth hostel she’s staying in. She’s never met Jack in person, but she knows all about him from Cas’ phone calls, knows his favorite cereal, his favorite cartoons, the way he tilts his head in a way Dean says is “some real like father like son shit”. Claire’s never met Jack, but she knows him. “Cas, I’m… I’m sorry.”

“Yes.”

She can hear it, now that she’s really listening for it. She can hear Cas bleeding grief. “Was it…” She doesn’t know what to ask. Was it peaceful, as close as we get to peaceful, when we go? Was it better than it could have been? Was it even a little bit okay?

“No,” Cas answers, like he heard all of her questions. “It wasn’t.”

“Are Sam and Dean… are Sam and Dean okay?”

“I have not spoken to Sam. Dean… is not okay. But Dean not being okay… is no longer my problem.”

Claire blinks, straightening a little. “Hang on, what does that-“

“I’m sorry,” Cas interrupts loudly. He takes one of those big deep breaths he does sometimes, the ones he doesn’t need. “I am… I am sorry, Claire.”

“Sorry? What the hell are you sorry for?”

“When…” Cas is quiet for a second. “When I was… knit back together. The last time. Any time. I am sorry… I am sorry I did not take your father back with me. I’m sorry that I didn’t… I’m sorry that it’s me. That I’m me. That I look like this to you.”

“That’s.” Claire rears back a little, thrown. “That’s okay, Cas. You don’t have to… I told you. I told you that’s okay.”

“You are okay with it,” Cas answers. “That is not the same thing as it being okay.”

They’re quiet.

“I’ll come home,” Claire says eventually.

“No.”

“No, I will. I’ll… I’ll get a plane and I’ll come find you.”

“No. I don’t want you to do that.”

“Cas-“

“It’s… I just wanted to talk to you. That’s all. I just… I just wanted to say that.”

Claire purses her lips, looking at the nighttime sky.

“You’re talking like a man standing on a ledge looking all the way down,” she tells him. “And I’m telling you that if you jump, I’m gonna come find you, and when I do, I’m gonna beat the shit out of you. Okay?” Cas doesn’t say anything. “Cas-“

“Okay,” Cas tells her quietly. “I… okay. I understand.”

“And I want you to call me tomorrow.”

“It’s not your job to take care of me.”

“It should be somebody’s.” It should be Dean’s, Claire thinks, but apparently that’s not an option, and she’s smart enough than to ask why. “So call me tomorrow, cause if you don’t, I’m booking the first ticket out of here and I’m coming to find you. Got it?”

“…okay.” She can hear Cas swallow. “I should… I should let you go. Let you get your rest.”

“Yeah. Okay.” Claire wrestles with the words for a minute before she lets them come spiraling out of her mouth. “Cas.”

“Yes?”

“I still have that stupid cat you got me in my backpack.”

Dead silence.

“I’m glad,” Cas chokes eventually. “Good night, Claire.”

“Bye, Cas.”

Cas hangs up, and Claire sits out on the curb for another moment before, with a sigh, she gets up and she heads inside.

cas finally understanding exactly how claire felt seeing him puppet around the corpse of her father after his experience with belphegor, like oh, i'm the demon. [cue cas self-hatred spiral]. doesn't matter that claire's already forgiven him for all that. he feels like a monster all over again. wonders if he should even have this body. he's justified his actions for so long, convinced himself it's different. it's his body now. it was remade, without jimmy, multiple times at this point. but he still feels like some kind of hypocrite, remembering how he burned belphegor out of jack, destroyed the body completely because he just couldn't stand to look at something else using jack's face.

[sortasirius]

Dean Winchester be like:

I hate myself because it’s what my father taught me to do.  I hate myself because it’s a defense mechanism.  I use sarcasm to cover up the fact that I believe I am worthless.  I raised my brother into a good man, that’s the only good I’ve ever done.  I’ve saved some people, they don’t say thank you, but that’s okay.  I wish I could have been the man my father wanted me to be.  I break everything I touch.  All the people I love I end up killing or leaving me.  I am broken.  I don’t do romantic love, it’s asking for me to get my heart broken, more broken than it already is.  I sold my soul to a demon so I could save my brother, because he’s the best thing I ever did, the only good thing.  I’m afraid to go to Hell, but I pretend I’m not, because what’s the alternative? 

Hell proved that I was the person I always knew I was, a bad person, willing to torture to get out of pain.  I met an angel, he’s not like I thought.  He’s a soldier, like me, he’s taking orders from a father he can’t see.  He starts out as an ally, but he’s different than the others, they say he likes me.  He’s awkward, he stands too close to me sometimes.  I started the Apocalypse because I wasn’t strong enough.  My brother is going down the wrong path, and I don’t know how to stop it.  The angels tell me Lucifer has to rise, but the one that pulled me out of Hell disobeys to help me stop it.  I think I should consider him a friend.  Lucifer rises anyway. 

The angel is on the run from Heaven, he’s a good guy, I like him a lot, more than I think I should.  I don’t know what to do, if I say yes to Michael, we can save some people.  Maybe I’ll get to know peace, maybe my father will be proud of me then.  The angel and my brother are angry at me, but I’ve always been a coward, they just don’t know it.  But they know me best, I can’t say yes to Michael if it means disappointing them. 

My brother goes to the cage with Lucifer and Michael, the angel disappears, and I’m left to pick up the pieces, living a life I feel like I stole from somebody else.  I always sleep with a gun and holy water under the bed, even though I know every entrance is secure.  My brother comes back, but he’s different now, he’s not the same, I should have looked for him.  I feel guilty.  We found out his soul is gone, his soul, his soul.  The angel is back, but he’s no real help.  I kill myself to speak to Death, who brings back his soul in exchange for me playing Death, where I learn a few hard lessons. 

I find out the angel has been working with our enemies.  Why does it feel like my heart is broken when he won’t meet my eyes?  I leave him to the demons, but not before one last look.  I’m not sure why.  The idiot, he ends up dying trying to get souls from Purgatory, desperate to win his war in Heaven.  Why does everyone leave me?  The Leviathan are out there, a new threat.  At least I know how to kill, so I won’t have to think about the muddy trenchcoat in the trunk of my car.  I lose the closest thing I have to a father with a bullet to the brain.  I feel like I’m spinning out of control.  My brother loses his mind.  The angel comes back, he doesn’t recognize me, that hurts.  When he does remember me, I tell him we need him, but I really mean that I do. 

I get sent to Purgatory, I meet a vampire turned ally turned new best friend, but I won’t leave without the angel, I can’t leave without the angel.  We find him, he was running from me, why does everyone run from me?  We make it out of Purgatory, the angel gets left behind.  It turns out my brother didn’t look for me.  Why am I so dispensable?  The vampire is the only one I can trust now.  I dream about the angel, about the way I couldn’t save him.  I feel like I can’t save anyone these days.  I see the angel in the air around me, am I going crazy?  But then he shows up behind me, why do I care so much about him?  I don’t even care where he came from, as long as he’s here.  My brother takes on trials, they start to hurt him.  We find a place to call home.  I’ve never had my own bedroom before.  The angel is distant, I wish I could reach him.  He doesn’t answer my prayers.  He and I find the angel tablet, he hits me.  I tell him I need him, never able to tell him that I think I might love him too.  He snaps out of it then walks out of my life again.  I wish I was lovable.  I almost lose my brother to the trials, he has to know I can’t lose him, he’s all I’ve got.  The angels fall, I wonder about my angel, if he’s alright. 

My brother is dying, and I make a deal with an angel to save him.  My angel says he’s a good guy, and I’m too desperate to vet him properly.  I watch my angel, now a human, die in front of me, the angel in my brother saves him, it’s one of the only times I’ve ever put someone else over my brother.  I feel guilty about that.  I have to kick my angel out, it tears me in half to do it, but I have to protect my brother.  I watch the angel from a gas station window, I try to find the courage to go see him.  I use humor to hide how much I miss him.  My brother finds out about the angel, which cost the life of a kid I was supposed to protect, he’s so angry at me.  Well, I deserve it this time.  I take the Mark of Cain to defeat Abaddon, it can’t be all that bad.  I start to lose my grip on myself.  My angel gives up an army for me, and it’s the closest I feel to being me in months. My brother and my angel try to stop it, but it’s too late.  I die in my brother’s arms.

I wake up with black eyes.  I don’t care about anyone, anything.  There’s a tiny part of me that’s screaming to wake up, but I drown him out easily enough.  My brother finds me, says he wants to cure me.  I don’t want it, I don’t want to be me, not feeling is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.  They do cure me though, my brother and my angel, and waking up from the blackness is like surfacing from deep water.  For a while, I feel loved.  But after what I did, I don’t feel like I deserve it.  I’m still not me, and when my friend, who I loved like a sister is taken, I go off the deep end again. It’s too easy, but violence is all I know.  The angel tries to stop me.  I have him where I want him, a blade to the heart and this is all over.  But I still can’t kill him, I still can’t kill the angel.  Death tells me I have to kill my brother.  I almost do it.  But killing Death releases me, and I’m me again.  Sometimes I still wish I wasn’t.

I have this connection to this Darkness.  It scares the hell out of me.  I wish I understood it, I wish I could stop it.  Am I pulled towards the Darkness because I, myself, am darkness?  Is it because I am, because I’ve always been bad?  I lose the angel to Lucifer himself, how did I not notice until it was too late?  Why would he leave me like this?  Will I ever get him back?  My head is foggy around the Darkness, but not when it comes to him.  I just wish I could get through to him.  Lucifer taunts me, my heart rips in half.  We get the angel back, but nothing good can last in this life, can it?  God himself returns, I have to sacrifice myself to stop the Darkness.  I’ll do it, because of course I will, if I have an opportunity to do some good, I’ll take it.  The Darkness doesn’t kill me.  She thanks me.

My mother is alive.  It’s everything I’ve always wanted.  I have to learn fast that she’s not what I thought.  That’s hard.  Me and my brother end up in prison for trying to kill Lucifer, and we find out this girl is going to have his kid.  How will we kill someone innocent?  I can’t think about that, I’m a killer, I’ll kill if i have to.   The angel kills a reaper to save me, but what will happen to him?  We start looking for this kid, but do we even want to find it?  The angel nearly dies for me, he tells me, my family he loves us.  I wish I could tell him the same, but the words won’t work right in my brain, so I do what I always do, I look away.  The angel finds the girl, but the kid inside her gets to him, and he runs away from me.  Why does everyone run from me?  We find them just in time to find a rift to another world, and my brother has to drag me away from the angel, who is going to sacrifice himself to kill Lucifer.  He comes back, but before I can say the words I’ve been holding onto for so long, he dies in front of me, only this time, it’s real.  My mom is taken from me too, and I’m left by the angel’s side, staring up at the sky, wondering why, why me?

I bury the angel, my brother insists we can’t kill the kid, even though it’s his fault my mom is gone and the angel is...  I beg God to bring him back, please, bring him back.  You owe me this, please bring him back.  He doesn’t listen.  I’m alone.  We burn the angel, and I try to learn to live with regret and grief and crippling pain all at once.  I hate the kid, this is his fault.  I kill myself again to save some souls, but also because I want to die this time.  I can’t take it anymore.  Death tells me I have work to do, but how much more work can there be?  How much more can I take?  It’s like the Universe reads my mind, because my angel comes back, and it’s like the last few weeks haven’t happened.  I still can’t say the words, but maybe this time I’ll get there.  Maybe this time.  We go to the other world, we save some people, I find my mom.  I let another Michael from the other world possess me to defeat Lucifer, but then I can’t expel him.  Before he shuts me in my memories, I am desperately afraid.

My brother and the angel find me in my own head, the snap me out of it.  I should have known this bar was too good for me, I knew I didn’t deserve it.  I shut Michael in there, but I know I won’t last long. I think I’m too weak to hold him, so I build a box designed to hold me forever.  I dream about it, claw the sides of the wall until my nails are bloody, but if it’s my eternity or Michael’s rule?  I’ll take the ocean every time.  The angel will always try to save me, I still can’t say the words.  The kid, my kid, he destroys Michael, but something is wrong, and I don;t realize until it’s too late.  My mother is dead, at the hands of the kid, and I have never been angrier.  I hate the kid again, I hate the angel too, I hate myself more.  I pull a gun on the kid, but I still can’t pull the trigger.  Sometimes I wish I could put it to my own head.  God comes back, turns out he was the villain all along.  Typical.  He kills our kid.  I can’t let myself feel.

The angel tries to convince me that we’re real.  How can I believe that?  Is everything I am just a story?  Have I ever chosen anything?  Does the angel really care about me?  Do I really care about him?  Another one of our friends dies.  I blame the angel, I push him away, because I can’t look at him if I think what I feel for him might not be real.  I meet up with someone I loved.  He’s a monster now, I have to kill him.  He dies holding me.  I wish I was dead sometimes too.  My brother is sick, he gets kidnapped by God.  I’m spinning in circles.  Me and the angel end up in Purgatory again.  He gets taken from me.  I’m so alone, so scared, I break down in the one place I could get lost in forever searching for the angel, I don’t want to leave him, please, don’t make me leave him.  I have to keep looking, get back to the real world to save my brother.  How will I choose?  Thank god, or, whatever, I find the angel.  I’ll tell him this time, but he stops me.  He must know.  He doesn’t want me, no one wants me.  Why would they?  Chuck has taken everything from me.  I have to kill him, no matter the cost.  The cost is gonna be our kid, raised from the dead by Death.  I guess the one thing we have going for us is we don’t stay dead for long.  I’m ready to let my kid die for my freedom.  My brother stands in the way, I pull a gun on him.  He talks me down, he’s the only one that can.  I decide to take it out on Death, my pain, my anger, my rage.  I take the angel and we find her, she chases us.  Another trap.  I realize that I’ve trapped us both.  Why am I so worthless?

The angel looks at me.  He smiles.  He tells me how worthy I am, that I’m good, that I changed him.  How can I tell him how he changed me.  He tells me he’ll die for loving me.  Then he shouldn’t, I’m not worth his life.  Don’t leave me, please, I can’t lose you, you don’t know what it does it me when you leave me.  He tells me he loves me.  I try to tell him a fraction of the things I feel for him, but it’s too late.  He’s taken before my eyes, and this time I know there’s no getting him back.

I’m left on the floor, unable to move.

This time I know, I’ll never let myself love again, because my heart is so shattered that it’s powdered, there’s no repairing it now.  I’ve always been broken, but this time I’m not just broken: I’m destroyed.

[wormstacheangel]

Suptober Day 7: Young at Heart

wc: 902 tags: dadstiel and nothing else matters

Maybe it’s because he never had a childhood.

“Cas, buddy, come on! We gotta go.”

Maybe it’s because neither of them ever got the chance to experience what it’s like to be a normal child. Or a child at all. And that’s how they ended up here.

“Dude, we’re gonna hit traffic at this rate.”

They were both turned into soldiers as soon as they could hold a weapon in their hands. They were taught to kill now and ask questions later. Or don’t ask questions at all. Just do as you are told. Believe in a father that would only ever leave you and let you down. Hurt you.

“Jack, tell your Dad to hurry his ass up.”

“Dad, Dean said to hurry your a-”

“Ah! Shit, kid, don’t repeat it.”

“But you told me too.”

“When have you ever listened to me? I swear you and Claire are just out to get me.”

Cas heard laughter from Claire up ahead. His heart filled up with joy as he heard his family bickering around him. The strangers around them became nothing but a blur at that moment.

He watched as Dean wrapped his arm around Jack’s shoulder, bringing him in close to mess up his hair. Jack whined, calling Claire for help, but she only turned around and told them to say, “Cheese!” Which they did.

She must have noticed something in Cas; maybe he looked as lost as he felt. Unable to understand that this is what he has now. This is who he calls family.

Claire stopped walking to wait for him, reaching to take his hand as soon as Cas was in reach, and they walked together to the gates. Her head resting on his arm while they watch Jack and Dean play rock, paper, scissors to see who gets to pick the first ride.

Dean, of course, lost. Not even able to give the excuse that he let their kid win because the game is a game of luck and chance. And yet Dean seemed to suck at it. Not understanding that if they all know he picks scissors, he will never win. Or maybe he understood that perfectly fine. Cas never really asked. He enjoyed winning their arguments like that too much to ruin it.

Cas feels Claire squeeze his hand, and he turns his head to kiss her hair.

Maybe it's because neither of his kids had a childhood that they decided to pack up the car and go.

Jack has only lived four years, and he has already died one too many times. He had the world’s problems on his shoulders as soon as he took his first breaths. Maybe even before then. He held so much power in his hands to do so much good and so much wrong, but at the end of the day, he had too much heart, and it was overwhelming. He came home.

While Claire kept a wall up at all times. Constantly afraid to care about someone or something when she would undoubtedly lose them. She can’t go through that pain again, but sadly it’s their life. Feeling as if they were saying goodbye a lot more times than saying hello. She said she liked that life, enjoyed helping people, and felt like she made a difference in the world. “If I only save one person, isn't that worth it?” She once told him, and he smiled. She still held her shoulders up high, even when the world tried to push them down.

“Jack, go! Go get in line!”

Cas focused back on his family when he felt Claire being tugged from his grasp. Jack had pulled her along to find a short line to wait in. Of course, she complained, but they were both grinning so bright that Cas’s heart felt like it could rapture from happiness right there and then. And it’s only seven in the morning.

“Cas?” Claire’s hand was replaced by Dean’s own. “You okay, buddy? Is the happiest place on earth not working out for you? Cause you know, it was Jack’s idea. All on his own.” Cas already knew Dean was the one that talked Jack into asking Cas to go. He wanted to be here as much as the kids did.

Cas squeezed Dean’s hand. “I am just so happy to be here. With you. With the kids.”

Dean’s eyes widened for a second before they melted back into Cas, his face lighting up before he leaned to give Cas a small peak on the temple. “Me too, Cas. Me too.”

“Dad! Over here!”

They both looked up to see Jack jumping and waving over to them. Then, with one last shared smile, they ran over to meet up with the kids.

None of them know how to be kids, some weren’t even given the opportunity, but they will try their best to have fun.

“I want Starbucks first!” Claire announced as they crossed the gates. Claire had her hand in Jack’s as if she was afraid he’d get lost, but Jack didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he looked down at her with the intensity of an excited little brother.

He couldn’t wait to be a family and have the kids act like...well, kids.

“Fuck that! We need to get in line for Space Mountain.”

And then he has Dean. Just as much as a kid as everyone else.

[joviewinchester]

Part 2 to the supernatural MBAV crossover ✌️ Also this is on crack so I’m sorry in advance. Lol.

“Oh my gosh, Jack! We’ve been living here for two weeks! Do you know what that means?! We actually live here.” Y/N said excitedly.

“Yeah. I like it here I hope we stay awhile.”

“I have a boyfriend now! Do you know how cool that is?”

“You what?!” Dean exclaimed.

“Don’t eavesdrop! It’s none of your concern.”

“Yes it is. I’m your dad!”

“Moms handle the boys and the periods, and she promised me she’d visit sometime this week, so therefore, it’s none of your concern.”

“Since when have you had contact with Amara?”

“Since like a month ago. Uncle Chuck taught her about the world of cellphones. She promised she’d drop by for at least an hour. You don’t think she’s going to flake on me do you?” Tears welled up in her eyes. Dean held his arms out for a hug.

“Hey, come here, kid. Your mom has done a lot of bad things, but if there’s one thing I know for sure about her, it’s that she never says something unless she means it. Now about the boyfriend thing…”

“His name is Benny, he likes Star Wars, and he’s a calculus nerd. Good enough?”

“Come on Dean. Calculus nerd? You have nothing to worry about.” Sam chimed in.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right, Sammy.”

“Does that mean that me and Jack can go hang out with him and our other friends tonight?” Y/N asked hopefully, putting on the puppy eyes she had inherited from her uncle.

“Fine, but don’t be out any later than 1 am okay?”

“Got it. Would you be mad if we left right now?”

“No. It’s fine. Go ahead, but Jack she is not to be left in a room alone with this punk. Got it? Good.”

Y/N rolled her eyes. “Drama queen.” She muttered.

“I heard that!”

“Good!”

All of their friends had already arrived by the time they got there. The only thing missing was pizza.

“Dude the delivery guy was so slow last time though. Someone should just go get it. I’m starving.” Ethan complained.

“Not it.” Y/N and Erica said at the same time. Benny and Jack both looked at Sarah.

“Um…don’t look at me. I’m babysitting.” She gestured to Jane who was sitting peacefully watching Dusk.

“I’ll go.” Jack volunteered. Y/N tossed him the keys to the Jeep.

“Don’t wreck my baby.” She said sternly, laying on the floor beside Jane.

“Careful. You sound like your dad.” Jack joked. Y/N threw a pillow at him.

“Okay. Okay. I’m going.”

“So this Dusk thing, what is it even about?” Y/N asked. Erica immediately jumped in.

“Oh my god. It is so good. You’ve never seen Dusk? It’s about a human who falls in love with a vampire and vice versa, but there’s also this werewolf that’s in love with the girl, but she ends up choosing the vampire because, duh, she’s in love with him, but anyways it’s so good and you have to watch all of them with me some time.”

“I’ve seen the Vampire Diaries but I’ve never watched this.”

“Oh my God. Don’t you just love the Salvatore brothers?”

“I love Damon, but I’m not huge on Stefan. Oh and Katherine is so hot, but my favorites are Kol and Kai.”

“You have a thing for murderers with sociopath tendencies and you’re dating Benny?” Erica asked.

“Okay, just leave me alone. Kai is hot and he had reason to murder his entire family.” Literally the entire room was just looking back and forth between them in confusion.

“Remind me to never leave you two alone.” Sarah said.

“Did you just say murdered his entire family casually in a sentence?” Benny asked.

“Yes. If you guys watched the show you would totally get it. Although Jack doesn’t and I made him watch it but then again his biological dad is literally satan-“

“Wait. Wait. Wait. First of all, Castiel isn’t his biological dad? Second of all what is his biological father a serial killer or something?” Ethan asked.

That was when Y/N registered what she had said. “It’s not my place to tell you guys about his biological dad, so like please don’t tell him I told you anything.”

Everyone agreed and dropped it. Soon after Jack came back with the pizza. “Who’s hungry?”

“I am.” Erica whispered passive aggressively under her breath. Sarah elbowed her and gave her a look, mouthing the words shut up.

Benny, Ethan, Jack, and Jane all grabbed a slice.

“Want one?” Benny asked.

“No I’m fine. Thanks though.” Y/N said. Her mood had noticeably dropped, and it was because she was thinking of her mother. What if she didn’t come like she’d promised? Well, at least her cousin Gabriel promised a visit soon, despite her father’s protest.

“Hey what’s wrong?” Sarah asked her.

“It’s stupid. My mom told me that she was going to visit me sometime this week, but I’m worried she won’t show up.” At that very moment Amara appeared in the room. Now there was a lot of explaining to be done.

“Holy shit! Who are you and how did you do that?!” Ethan exclaimed.

“Wow. Gorgeous alert.” Erica said, ignoring the fact that a woman she didn’t know had just appeared out of nowhere. Y/N immediately jumped up and hugged her.

“I missed you, mom.” She muttered into her hair.

“Mom?!” They all asked at once.

“Woah. Woah. Woah. So what are you then?” Benny asked.

“Why are you guys not very freaked out about this?” Jack asked.

“We know about the supernatural, but nothing like this.” Ethan said still in shock.

“So, you made friends? I’m proud of you. How’s your dad doing?” Amara said.

“Same old. Same old. Sad, confused, protective.”

“Wait how do you guys know about the supernatural?” Jack asked ignoring the side conversation.

“That depends. How do you feel about vampires, warlocks, and seers?” Benny asked.

“Wait! You’re vampires?!” Y/N exclaimed suddenly.

“Not all of us. Just Erica and Sarah.” Ethan said.

“You guys haven’t even the ones killing people have you, because that would suck because then I’d have to kill you.”

“No, but really?! Kill us?!” Sarah exclaimed.

“My family hunts the supernatural! You guys have got to stay on the downlow or my dad and my uncle will straight up kill you and not think twice, please be careful!”

“Are warlocks on that list?” Benny asked.

“Wait, you’re a waflock and you didn’t tell me?!”

“We still don’t know what you two are and I think I speak for everyone when I say I would like to know!”

Y/N sighed. This would be a long conversation. She took in a deep breath. “So, my dad is the vessel of the archangel Michael aka the person Michael needed to possess to win the apocalypse which already happened by the way. My dad kind of saved the world. My Uncle Sam on the other hand is the vessel of Lucifer who is Jack’s biological dad which makes Jack a nephilim, and by the way Lucifer is actually pretty chill. But that’s beside the point. This is Amara my mom aka the darkness aka god’s sister which kind of makes me a Demigod which makes god aka Chuck my uncle and Lucifer, Michael and Gabriel my cousins which makes Jack my second cousin and also by the way Castiel is an angel too. Oh and also my dad is kind of gay for Cas but neither of them will admit but you know, subtext.”

They all looked at her with wide eyes. “If you plan on sticking with me welcome to my dysfunctional family.” She announced.

“Are they okay?” Amara whispered.

“Maybe. I don’t know.” Y/N whispered back.

“Ya know what? Cool. Also can we just talk about how Y/N has hot parents? MILF alert. Like it finally makes sense why she is so pretty.” Erica said casually.

“What’s a MILF?” Amara asked her. Y/N face palmed.

“It’s good. It’s a compliment, but don’t say it to anyone , ever.” Y/N tried to explain.

“Anyways���I guess I’m gonna go and let you all process this interaction. Benny, call me. Bye!” They all left, and Y/N insisted that they take the Jeep and not just teleport.

When they got back to the house everyone kind of just looked at each other awkwardly. “Mom and I are gonna go…what do normal teenage girls do with their non supernatural mothers? Paint their nails? We’ll go do that. See you soon.”

Dean looked at Jack waiting for an explanation. “I’ve got…homework. Yeah. Anyways bye.”

“What just happened?” Sam asked.

Dean shrugged. “Don’t know. Don’t care.”

[richmond-rex]

I’m currently listening to Anne Boleyn: 500 Years of Lies by Hayley Nolan on Audible, and I’m trying hard to like it because it has really good information discrediting some of the beliefs surrounding Anne; but I have to admit that it’s grating me to hear the author stating that the Tudors were “usurpers” and that they were preventing a “more rightful heir” from gaining the throne. I almost screamed in frustration when she blamed H8’s sociopathy on Margaret Beaufort and especially Henry VII, using that one source claiming that H7 once tried to kill H8 in a fit of rage as firm evidence of a miserable childhood (ignoring all evidence stating otherwise); because of course having an overprotective parent (which is all H7 was) is going to cause you to grow up with no conscience. Also is it true that H8 was given absolutely no training in monarchy and came to the throne completely uneducated in that regard, I find that incredibly hard to believe regarding H7.

Hello! First of all, there's so much to unpack here. I think we have to go step by step. A big disclaimer is that I have not read Nolan’s book, so I’m only considering what you told me here. Secondly, I will not be addressing any claims against Margaret Beaufort because, frankly, what did that woman ever do be accused of that — the same Margaret Beaufort who 'of marvayllous gentyleness she was unto all folks' , and who 'unkind she would be unto no creature'? Are we talking about the same Margaret? We know one of her old servants, Henry Parker, was talking about his 'godly mistress the Lady Margaret’ to her great-granddaughter Mary well into the mid-1500s, and we know the time Margaret reprimanded a dean in Christ's College for beating one of his pupils (crying ‘gently, gently!’). I don’t see how she could be considered the origin of anyone’s sociopathy, but I also dislike the term — antisocial personality disorder is a medical condition and I doubt we could ever diagnose Henry VIII with that or anyone else who died five hundred years ago for that matter. The rest of my answer is under the cut! 

Well, now for the rest: I wouldn't say all of the Tudors were usurpers. Henry VII very much was one, as he did unseat England's king at the time of his invasion though that hardly makes him worse than other 15th-century English kings (as I've talked here, Henry IV was a usurper, Edward IV was a usurper, Richard III was a usurper — hell, William the Conqueror had been a usurper four centuries earlier). None of Henry VII's successors would have been usurpers, though (unless we should say every English king after William the Conqueror was a usurper, I guess?). Especially if you consider that they were also the natural successors of the Yorkist line via their descent from Edward IV's eldest daughter and heir, Elizabeth of York. I have no idea who Nolan could be referring to as the 'more rightful heir': the de la Poles, the descendants of Edward IV's sister? The Poles, the descendants of Edward IV's brother? Even if you go by Yorkist descent alone (which not everyone in England regarded as the most legitimate), who would have had a better claim in England than Henry VIII, the son of Edward IV's surviving heir and the son of England's most recent conqueror, Henry VII?

As for Henry VIII's miserable childhood, I don’t think there is evidence of that. We know Henry was well-educated; his father made sure to appoint tutors who taught him in the arts, classics, music, dancing, discourse, courtiership and theological disputation. We also know that Henry VII was personally involved with his sons' education, whilst his wife Elizabeth was involved with their daughters'. It is true that Henry VIII was not initially prepared for kingship but once his brother Arthur had died his father began preparing him for his future office. In July 1504 Prince Henry officially moved into his father's household where it seems Henry VII tutored him personally in some subjects. In August of that same year, the Duke of Estrada, a Spanish ambassador, wrote that 'Formerly the King did not like to take the Prince of Wales with him, in order not to interrupt his studies [...] But it is not only from love that the King takes the Prince with him; he wishes to improve him. Certainly there could be no better school in the world than the society of such a father as Henry VII. He is so wise and so attentive to everything; nothing escapes his attention'. So you can see that Henry VIII was assisted and had at least five years to prepare for the office of kingship, which is more than Henry VII himself ever had.

Lastly, it's clear that Henry VII loved his son. The same ambassador, Duke Estrada, also said in his dispatch: 'It is quite wonderful how much the King likes the Prince of Wales'. There are several entries in Henry VII's privy purse accounts describing items and stuff he bought to his younger son, always referring to him as 'My Lord Harry'. For all we know, Henry VII saw much more of his second son than he ever saw of Prince Arthur who lived in Ludlow, away from court. There is that anecdote about the time Henry VII knighted Prince Henry when he was only three years old: during the ceremony the king picked up his young son and placed him on a table for all to see — a gesture possibly made out of love, fondness, and/or delight in his youngest, though we can only speculate. Henry VII seems to have been determined not to expose his remaining son to danger in the same way that Arthur had been, and some of his more overprotective measures (like the setting of the Prince's apartments, accessible only by way of his own) can be understood as born out of paternal concern, all things considered. The rumours that the Calais garrison was not willing to crown Prince Henry in the event of his death were certainly of great concern to Henry VII.

To sum up, there is evidence that Henry VII did love and care for his son Henry. No doubt their relationship may have been strained at times thanks to Henry VII’s overprotective measures, but it’s also true the king let his son shine on many occasions in his place, denoting both affection and trust. Henry Pole's claim, made in 1538, that the king ‘had no affection nor fancy unto’ his heir should be seen in its proper context: one in which his brother, Reginal Pole, was involved in an ideological campaign against Henry VIII — the message was that not even Henry VIII's own father had loved him. I cannot say if Henry Pole actually said those words (anyone with more expertise please feel free to correct me) or if those were brought up as charges against him, but they do belong in the realm of (real or invented) seditious language. I tried to find the claim that Henry VII once tried to kill his son over a fit of rage in the dispatches sent by Fuensalida (allegedly the one who made that claim according to Hutchinson’s Young Henry), but the only thing I could find was something akin to court gossip, saying Henry VII treated everyone badly for a time (including his son) and spent three hours every night with his eyes closed but not sleeping...... which is?? 

(Here I should comment that Fuensalida not only disliked Henry VII but he was also several times denied access to the king and the Prince of Wales on account of what the English most likely considered to be his rude behaviour. He is also the one who said the Prince was kept closeted away like a girl, not realising that he was specifically denied access to the Prince — perhaps not without reason, seeing how Ferdinand had instructed him in winning the Prince over to their cause. Fuensalida was, of course, only serving the interests of his king, but his skills in diplomacy are somewhat unusual. Even Catherine of Aragon would later complain about Fuensalida’s behaviour). 

In any case, I cannot speak about Nolan’s book as I have not read it but I wouldn’t be surprised if the author makes some unsubstantiated claims, considering the book was not peer-reviewed. That’s exactly how many pop history books work and why it’s hard to hold them to high standards. I hope this answer is not a big rambling mess, but really there were so many things to address, I didn’t even know where to begin. Thanks for the ask, anon! 🌹x

[asirensrage]

☕️ Hot Cocoa: what do your OCs do if they need reassurance or comfort? Do they talk to someone/fall back on a certain activity?

🌲Pine Tree: share a snippet that shows a character being strong (whether that’s physically, mentally, emotionally, etc.)

🍲 Soup: share a snippet where a character does something kind.

Heyyyyy! Thanks for asking! Let's see...

☕️ Hot Cocoa: what do your OCs do if they need reassurance or comfort? Do they talk to someone/fall back on a certain activity?

Hmm. A lot of my ocs are terrible at reaching out for comfort now that I think about it...

Amelia reads. Kate curls up on a couch with coffee and 90s sci-fi shows. Michelle does not reach out to anyone and retreats, usually maybe sleeps (Sam ends up tracking her down and offering comfort which she eventually accepts lol). Kelly curls up on a couch and reaches out to the people she cares about. It's usually Dean or Michelle. Darcy generally goes and causes chaos to make herself feel better. Toni reaches out to her family and bakes.

🌲Pine Tree: share a snippet that shows a character being strong (whether that’s physically, mentally, emotionally, etc.)

Have a scene from The Art of Seclusion

For all that my mother has taught me, she is not my only teacher. I have spent many moments with my father, having him patiently explain the mechanisms of his work to me. It provides me with a solid foundation. One that will serve me well. It takes me a moment to find something that will work. Thankfully, while Eric does not leave me with utensils, he does have knives hidden throughout his room. As though he did not expect me to look, especially at the top of the bookshelves. One is underneath the bed, tucked into a holster that he has managed to secure on his side.  I expect Eric to open the door as I maneuver the knife under the bottom hinge pin. It would suit the trend of my recent history if he appeared now. I slam the heel of my palm into the butt of the knife. The hinge pops up.  I use the knife as a lever to help force the pin higher before I am able to grab it. It does not come easily. Trying to pull it out with my bare hands hurts, especially when it sticks. Thankfully, one of Eric’s shirts provides enough coverage to allow me to yank it out. It feels like a small win. He’s provided me with my means of escape.  It takes longer to get the top pin out, merely because of the height of it. I let it fall to the floor with the other. The door is heavier than I expected and I lose my grip on it once I managed to get it out of the frame. It falls with a loud bang.  I glance around quickly. Eric does not come storming in from around the corner. In fact, the hall is oddly quiet. It is unnerving when Dauntless is silent. It’s a juxtaposition to the whole faction. 

🍲 Soup: share a snippet where a character does something kind.

And a scene from Serendipity:

Clive leans a bit closer. “I’ve heard he killed three men with a pencil,” he says.  “Impressive but can he call a storm?” Not that she could, not alone. Only a weather witch really had that power. Clive blinks at her and she grins in response. He cracks out a wheezing laugh, accepting her teasing with faux disbelief. “I’ll be fine, Clive. Thank you for your concern. Tell your king that I’ll come see him soon. I’ll bring food, okay?” She turns and grabs the pot of coffee. “Let me refill you before you go.”  He holds the cup out and she pours in the coffee, thanking that cups themselves hold small charms to help keep it warm.  She pauses for a moment and looks up to see John standing in the doorway taking stock of the situation before he comes inside.  “Come back if you’re cold out there, okay?” she tells Clive. “You want something else before you go? Dessert?” He smiles again but shakes his head. “I’ll be alright. I’ll pass it on.”  “Thank you,” she smiles. 

Winter Writeblr Ask Game!

[stephspurs]

A Family Affair | Euro 2020 Football Fanfiction

Life is beautiful and life is cruel. A window into the souls of the victorious and the vanquished. In a way, football did come home during the summer of 2021. Follow along Amelia’s journey, navigating the football world as a tactical analyst for the italian football team, with a brother and father part of the three lions. Will Amelia leave Italy and come back to England? Will she leave the Serie A for the Prem? Will she set aside the bianconeri stripes for new colours, leaving behind friendship for love? Maybe she can have both...

Hello my lovelies!! Part 3 sees a whole lot Amelia's beautiful brain & you get your first slice of interaction with the british boys - leading up to an all important Mykonos adventure (part 4 - out friday). As usual, please let me know your thoughts and feelings, and let me know what you want to see happen with Amelia and her story! Updates have increased to 3/week! I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am!

Love always,

Steph xx

UPDATE as of 31/07: I've made some additional editing changes due to some feedback about the confusion between ben white (her brother) and ben chilwell (not her brother LOL). Nothing has been added to the story, just the addition of either surname has been added where i think it could be more straightforward - for future readers!

Part 3. | parte terza

warnings; none - just a whole lot of feels.

word count; 2081

writing tools; third person until dashed line, first person thereafter.

next update; Friday 30/07 5pm AEST. Updates are three times/week (Monday, Wednesday & Friday)!

Tags (as requested by users); @footballffbarbiex @obsesseds-world @abysshaven

link to fic masterlist here

It was the day after the final match and Amelia should be nursing a hangover due to the large amount of red wine she consumed with her Italian counterparts the night before. However, she finds herself at St. George’s Park before 9am, meeting one of her father’s colleagues who directs her to the recreation room that she remembers from a few days prior.

Standing outside the door, she assumed she was just waiting for her dad as agreed on the phone an hour earlier. As she was waiting, she could hear Gareth Southgate give a team talk to the players, praising them for their ability and pleading for them to bounce back from this defeat and use it to push on. The next voice she could hear was that of her father, giving them the tactical run through of the game. She listened to the points her father made, and both agreed and disagreed with some. Unexpectedly, the man sent to collect her opened the door and ushered her inside.

She stood at the back of the room, facing her dad and Gareth, whilst the team and other management staff had their backs to her. Making eye contact with her dad, he smiled slightly.

“Whilst I can offer you my opinion on the match last night, to better prepare you for the next time, there is no better opinion to learn from at this moment than that of your opponent. Amelia, would you please come up here” Dean really threw her into this situation, that again, she was not prepared for nor did she want to participate in. However, the 30+ sets of eyes that had currently turned around to stare at her didn’t exactly inspire a choice to be made here.

_____________________________________________________________

“Lads, this is my daughter. I taught her everything she knows, which was probably too much considering I can now recognise that it was her signature plays that the italian side used to their advantage last night. Treat her with respect, or I will let her at you. Which i’m sure you all saw a few nights ago in this very room” My dad spoke as I walked up to the front area, weaving in and around beanbags with players occupying them.

Standing in front of the Three Lions was more nerve wracking now than it had been when she was confronting her brother, maybe Fede did offer her protection as his bodyguard. Either way, she put her big girl pants on (figuratively speaking, literally she was wearing her official puma tights and Italian polo) and got on with it as if she was speaking to her team.

“Thanks Dad. Hey guys, I think the first thing I would like to say is that you’re allowed to feel exactly how you feel right now. There is no rush to ‘get over it’ or ‘push on and learn’. You need to feel this now, feel it throughout your body, understand the pain and then turn it into motivation.” I speak to the group, trying to accurately express how sincere I am to this group of heartbroken men.

“As for tactics, I can stand here and praise you for how good you really are but that's not how you are going to learn. You came into the game hard and fast.” I paused, understanding the innuendo just as it was flying out of my mouth. I pursed my lips and tried to hold my giggle in, however some of the boys seem to have the same sense of humour as I do. My brother, face of steel and eyes that burn into any man that tries to joke with me.

“Sorry, can’t help myself. So yeah, you took charge of the game from kick off and we were not ready. You had the aggression and desire to push from the start and that's what you did, Shaw, you really surprised me with that goal. Not because I didn't think you could do it but because I wasn’t anticipating you being someone we had to watch so closely.”

“Again, something you guys need to keep in mind is that it is literally my job to know everything about you and how you play the game, what foot you prefer, who you pass to, how long you hold the ball before you pass, do you like to assist or score...all of these things make a massive difference in each play we make.”

“The error you made came around the 25th minute of the game, we had settled into the game and did what we do best - we slowed you down. In Italy, in the Serie A, which is where most of my team play, the game is a lot slower. There is more skill and tactic used to ensure a favourable outcome. Again, i'm not saying you all don’t have skill, but the Prem favours pace over tactics and strategy. The only way we were going to be able to win was by making you play our game, but in your half of the pitch.”

At this point, all of their eyes are trained to me and the more senior players of the team, like Henderson, Walker, Coady, Kane, they understand what i’m trying to say. Gareth, my dad and other members of staff are sitting to one side, arms folded and a slight smile on their face at the simplicity of my approach to such an important game. I direct my next question to them.

“Can I ask - have you already selected your man of the match?”

“Off record, yes we have. Before I announce to the team who it is, can I direct the question back to you and find out who you would award it to?” Gareth poses back to me, interested to hear my opinion.

“While the obvious choices would be Kane, Sterling, Maguire - your players who perform week in week out and are consistent and no doubt deserve an award as such. I would recommend Declan Rice. Personally, he was the most instrumental in the match last night. Every time we turned to attack, he was there to stop it. He was a player I was confident that I knew the extent of his ability, when it was obvious that I didn't.”

The boys around him, Mason Mount & Ben Chilwell, offered him a gentle shove and ruffle of the hair, to show their encouragement to the bashful boy who seemed surprised at the praise he was receiving.

“The other player that I think deserves a bit of a shoutout, and not because of his hair, is Jack Grealish.” I spoke, looking around the room until we locked eyes. I wanted him to understand how serious i was about my next words.

“You are so dangerous on the ball, you are an asset as a team mate, you aren’t guilty with the ball, but you have the power behind you to score when the opportunity presents itself. The moment you were subbed on I pulled Jorginho to the side and told him to treat you like Chiellini and Bonnucci were handling Sterling and Kane. You were one of my players to watch, and for good reason”

At the end of the little session, I said thanks to the boys for listening and that I hope to see them again in a tournament. The only way to be the best is to beat the best. After a quick round of applause that made me feel more special than I am, I walked past my brother, gave him a quick ruffle of his hair and met my dad at the back. Gareth dismissed the boys and they all stood up, breaking away and grabbing some breakfast that was set up to the side of the room, for one last team meal.

“Mills!! I’ll get you an almond croissant and a coffee, come sit with me!” Walker shouted from across the room.

“Oi mate, she’s my sister not yours” Ben counters from the back of the line.

“Yeah she's your sister by blood, mine by choice.” Kyle firmly states and begins his way to one of the tables.

“I suppose i better join Kyle before he drowns everyone in his tears” i joked with the england officials i was standing with before walking over to Kyle and a few of his team mates.

“Sooo am I supposed to pretend I don’t know who you all are so you can introduce yourselves? Or do we just mutually agree that I know too much about each of you and not bring it up?” I question the boys, jokingly. They all laugh and I sit down in the space Kyle left between himself and John Stones. I sat there and got to know some of the boys on a less competitive level, working out who was a leader both on the pitch and off it. After listening to the boys joke around and just be mates, rather than teammates, I leaned over to Kyle.

“Hey, before I go, do you think you can introduce me to Bukayo? I want to speak with him for a moment.”

“Yeah sure, I'll take you over there. Why are you nervous? You've never been shy before” Kyle questioned back at me.

“I’m not nervous, I'm just hyper aware of the sensitivity of the moment. Last night would have been tough”

Saying goodbye to the boys, Kyle directed me over to a table that was sitting my brother Ben White, Kalvin, Ben Chilwell, Grealish, Saka, Sancho & Rashford.

“Hey boys, Ben, I just wanted to come say goodbye before I head off.” I directed towards my brother. He pulled up a chair and asked me to sit for 5 more minutes, claiming he deserved it after months of no contact.

“Ben here didn’t let us know he had a sister as smart as you...what happened to you Ben? Did you miss that gene?” Jack Grealish poked at my brother. With his signature scowl on his face, Ben White let his mates laugh at his expense.

“Oh don’t make fun of my brother Benny, that’s my job!” I joked back, setting the boys off again with my brother’s childhood nickname. It was nice to hear some laughter again from a side that looked so solemn the night before.

“No in all seriousness boys, I especially came over because I wanted to talk to you Bukayo - what you did was so impressive. In a final, as the last penalty taker, to take on the responsibility of the nation at the age of 19! Not many players would dare to do that. You have earned a lot of respect, particularly from the Italian camp.” I spoke with a smile on my face, directed at the young boy.

“The same goes for you two” Now looking at Sancho & Rashford.

Bukayo looked down at his hands & smiled, before getting up and walking to my side of the table. Anticipating what he was going to do next, I stood up and welcomed him with open arms. Grateful that he understood my message and was beginning to accept the praise he so deserved. Stepping back from the hug, I turned to address the group of lads one more time.

“If any of you fancy a change of pace and want to come over to the Serie A, just give me a call - Benny can give you my number!” I start to speak, before I'm cut off but my brother.

“Stop poaching my mates! I’ve already lost you to another country. I don't need to lose anyone else” He jokingly says while standing to walk me out of St. George’s Park. I know it was a joke but I can't help but think there was some truth to that.

It had been more than 3 years since I moved out of our family home to start my life in Turin, and not one moment had i regretted it or thought i made the wrong decision. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when I wished I was closer to my family, but I know I had to make that move to prove to myself I am just as successful as I hoped I would be. Not saying I have learnt everything there is to learn with the Serie A giants, Juventus, but maybe it's time for a new challenge? Maybe I can bring the strategic spin on the game to the fast paced action of the premier league?

Part 4. | quarta parte

[holylulusworld]

My alpha at the end of the street (2)

Summary: New home, new fate.

Pairing: Alpha!(Mobster)John Winchester x Omega!Reader; former Alpha!Marcus x Omega!Reader

Character: Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester

Warnings: angst, A/B/O dynamics, scenting, protective John, true mates, older alpha younger omega, comforting, fluff, cuddling & snuggling

A/N: Part 2/3

<< Part 1

Divider by @firefly-graphics​

“That one over there,” grasping for John’s hand you drag your alpha toward the garden goblins. “It’s the one he destroyed, look. I finally found her again.”

“Aw, the girl who liked the bad guy, the biker goblin,” nodding eagerly you bring the goblin into your arms, smiling as you found three of the garden goblins Marcus destroyed a few months ago.

“Now they can be together again,” you sniff, smiling when John places the goblin into your shopping cart. “My biker goblin will be so happy, John.”

“He will,” smiling John pecks your cheek before he has a look at the other garden goblins. “What about the dude with the pants down?” John picks the goblin up, laughing as you look at the figurine’s naked butt. “He’s on discount. Eight bucks, doll.”

“He’s naughty but I could place him next to the angry old lady. I bet she’ll like to have a look at his butt,” giggling you watch John put the naughty figurine into your shopping cart.

“Our garden will look great with all the goblins,” wondering if John will like all your decoration you look at the shopping cart. “We only need to find the one with the barrow.”

“JOHN! Look, there he is,” squealing you run toward the other side of the shop. John laughs at your eagerness but his features change when you are not looking where you are going and slip on the floor.

“Ouch,” ending up on your knees you cry out in pain, whimpering silently to not anger the alpha. You are used to hide your pain and emotions as Marcus always punished you if you didn’t put a fake smile on.

“Omega, doll…” John is by your side before you can shed the first tear. “Are you hurt, Y/N?” he carefully picks you up to soothe the pain. “I’m gonna check on you, baby doll, okay. Don’t cry. I will take care of you.”

“’m fine, John. It’s nothing, really,” you sniff, looking at your bleeding knees. “I want to buy the garden goblins first, please. Someone will snatch them if we don’t buy them.” you tear up.

“Shhh … everything is going to be alright. I will tell the clerk over there to reserve the garden goblins for me. I’ll bring you to my car and go back to get the goblins, okay baby doll.”

“O-okay,” sniffing you hide your face in John’s shoulder. “Sorry, but I like them so much. I want the garden to be colorful and friendly, is all.”

“I like them too, Y/N,” mumbling the words against your hair John inhales your scent deeply. “We will get them all, promised. I want you to be happy at my house. You gave up your new home to be with me, it’s the least I can do.”

“I love our home. It’s just that I’m not used to someone taking care of me. My parents left for Europe years ago without a care, and Marcus he’s – ya know.”

“A bastard,” John grits out, hiding Bobby, Rufus, and Claire took care of your former alpha without John’s permission. “He’ll never hurt you again, no one will as long as I live.”

“See, I got them all,” John shows you the garden goblins in the shopping cart. “And I found one more, the one with the sunflower.” he went back into the store to get everything you wanted after he checked on your wounds.

“There is another biker goblin too,” looking at the figurine you smirk. “You like them, don’t you?” laughing John nods at you.

“Look at that tough guy, Y/N,” getting the goblin out of the cart John laughs as you take it out of his hands. “Bet that guy and the one in our backyard will be a perfect team and protect our little goblins.”

“They will,” nodding you look up at John. “Thank you for everything, John. I know it’s a bit crazy to like the garden goblins so much but after I ran from Marcus, the first thing I saw at a secondhand store was a garden goblin. He was damaged and no one wanted the poor guy, but I liked it.”

“Is it the one you are hiding in your wardrobe?” you nod, embarrassed John found out about your secret. “It’s okay, doll. Everyone needs something to feel better. To me, it’s you and your presence.”

“You make me happy too, John. Incredibly happy and-“ taking his hand in yours you smile, “I feel safe with you, alpha but do you really want me around? We barely know each other, and I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You could never be a burden, Y/N. I will not tell you again that I want you around, omega, okay. You make me happy too, Y/N,” pecking your hair John smiles against you. “Now let’s bring our friends home and we can have lunch. I’ll cook for you. ”

“Aw, your sons look cute,” looking at another picture in John’s photo album you smile. “Sam, he’s got shaggy hair.”

“You know, they are all grown now and far from being cute,” chuckling John watches you look at the pictures again. “Do you-“ clearing his throat John tries to find the right words. “Omega, do you want to have pups? I mean, do you want to have my pups.”

“Pups,” purring you close the photo album to scoot closer to John. “Do you want some? I could have two or three…”

“Whoa, three?” snickering John watches you crawl onto his lap to hide your face in his neck. “We can have as much as you want to, doll.”

“Marcus, he never wanted to talk about babies. When I mentioned having a pup he got mad and threw things around the room before he-“ choking the last words out you fist John’s shirt.

“I should’ve ripped him apart limb by limb. That monster will never touch my girl again. You’re my omega now, Y/N. I’ll protect you and the goblins,” John can feel the tension in your body, so he moves his hand over your back, gently rubs it to calm you. “Everything is alright. You’re safe with me.”

“I know,” sniffing you peck John’s neck. “I feel safe with you, alpha. I know you would never hurt me.”

“I finally found my omega, my true mate. How could I ever hurt you?” nuzzling you John breathes you in. “You’re perfect, Y/N. All I ever wanted and more. Now, do you want more goblins?”

“I think we got enough – for now,” humming John watches you get comfortable on his lap. “Maybe if we find a cute one.”

“Anything for you, doll. Just say the word. This old alpha is all yours…”

“That bastard got what he deserved, John,” Claire shrugs at John’s pissed expression. “What? He almost kidnapped your omega. He hurt and threatened her. Not to forget to mention that monster destroyed her garden goblins.”

“I didn’t give you permission to kill him! What if his father and his men come here to find out who killed his son? We can’t draw too much attention. This sleepy little town is a refugee for us,” John growls. “Marcus Grant senior is not a fool.”

“According to the police report that bastard died in a car accident. His father will never know we taught his son a lesson or two before he bit the dust,” Rufus chuckles. “Believe me, John, we still know how to cover our tracks.”

“I don’t doubt you can cover your tracks, but this doesn’t mean Grant senior will accept his son is dead without digging deeper. What if he comes here to threaten my girl? I swore to never kill anyone again.”

“If that idjit dares to come here, he’ll regret it, John. Rufus, Claire, and I won’t let him ruin our sleepy little town. We are ready to defend our home,” Bobby mutters, pointing at Rufus. “Rufus got a nice shotgun and we don’t want to talk about my collection of guns.”

“I still can cut a bastard open. John Winchester, I will not let anything happen to your omega,” Claire plays with her favorite knife, chuckling as John makes a face. “Don’t worry, we’ve got this. Take care of your omega. She’s all you should worry about right now.”

“Perfect Y/N,” John smiles when you place the last garden goblin next to a cherry tree in John’s backyard. “I never thought my garden could look that nice. You did a great job, doll.”

“You think so,” you grasp John’s hand to squeeze it tightly. “Look, I cleaned your grill and I went to the grocery store and bought meat for you.”

“You’re spoiling me, doll,” smirking John watches you smile happily. “So, we can have a barbecue, huh? Maybe we can invite Bobby, Rufus, and Claire.”

“Sounds great. We could invite your sons too,” gasping you clasp one hand over your mouth, whimpering as you believe John doesn’t want you to meet his sons yet. “Sorry, I know it’s too soon to meet your sons. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“Baby doll, you can ask me anything and,” pecking your temple John smiles, “I called Sam and Dean. They will come around this weekend to meet my omega, my true mate. My sons are both excited to meet you, Y/N.”

“They are?” nodding you look up at John. “I could make dinner for us and pie. Uh-do you like pie? I could look for my granny’s recipe.”

“Dean will love you forever if you bake a pie for him.”

“I only want you to fall in love with me, John,” grinning cheekily John looks down at you. “If only I could find a way to seduce you, alpha.”

“You have my heart, Y/N,” mumbling the words John watches you place your hands onto his shoulders; laughing when you crane your neck to peck his lips. “Always, sweet omega. I don’t want you to do anything to win me over. This is unnecessary.”

“Maybe I want to seduce you,” cocking your head you glance at John’s lips. “I wasn’t always scared and meek. I used to be confident and funny.”

“I would never doubt you’re funny, doll. If you want to seduce me, kiss me again and I’m all yours,” your wrap your arms around his neck, humming happily when he meets you halfway to press his lips to your mouth.

“Nothing, Dad,” Sam whispers, watching you introduce his elder brother to your garden goblins. “We double-checked the police report and had a look at the car-wreck. Bobby did a great job. Grant senior won’t find out his son didn’t die in the accident.”

“Keep taps on him,” John laughs when you show Dean the biker goblin. “I need to be sure Y/N is safe, just like this place. One day I want my sons to take over this town.”

“She’s nice, dad,” humming John watches Dean interact with you. “We are glad you finally found someone. Dean was worried you’ll spend your life alone while jerking off to porn.”

“Sammy,” Dean tuts. “That was a secret. Can you not blur out anything I say?” deadpanning Dean walks toward John and his brother. “Now I want that food Y/N was talking about. She made pie too!”

“Y/N, welcome to the family, and be sure, you’ll not get rid of Dean as you baked him pie. He’s your best friend from now on,” Sam chuckles.

“I love me some pie, sweetheart. Dad, well done. You got yourself a nice, pretty, and smart omega. And she can bake, that makes her the ultimate mate,” grinning Dean pokes his father’s chest. “Bet you can’t wait to have pups with her.”

“Son-“ John grumbles, whispering the next words. “We didn’t so far. I want to take it slow and not scare my omega.”

“Your sons are great. Sammy is so smart, nice and freaking tall. Dean, he’s funny, loves pie, and hugged me repeatedly. He told me about his car and promised to get me a garden goblin with an Impala.”

“They like you too, doll,” your heart swells when John tells you his sons never liked one of his girlfriends before. “Dean asked when we are going to have pups. Sam wanted to know if we plan a spring wedding, and their wives want to come around as soon as possible.”

“Aw, I can’t wait,” crawling under the covers you babble about everything happening tonight while John watches you get comfortable on his bed. “Can we see the kids too? I bet they are as cute as your sons.”

“Uh-omega? Not that I want to complain but don’t you want to sleep in your room? I thought you need space and-“ John purrs when you pat the spot next to you. “Y/N?”

“I want to sleep in your room from now on. I’m not ready for anything else but I wanna sleep in your arms tonight,” swallowing thickly John lies next to you, waiting for you to make the next step. “When my heat is due, I wanna be yours.”

“Be mine,” humming John lets you lie on his chest, sleepily resting your head on his heart. “I like the sound of that.”

>> Part 3

Alpha at the end... tags

@negans-attagirl​; @fanatic434​

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[shesclearlya3]

Class Fight (p.3)

pairing: teen!dandy mott x teen!reader

word count: 3,559

warnings: language, jealous dandy, slightly au!dandy, all characters are 18

part 1 part 2

1.

You led Dandy into your bedroom, gently clicking the door shut as to not alert your mother. She trusted you, but the motherly instincts couldn't be helped when it came to safety with boys. Dandy glanced around your room, having not been up here since you were in elementary school. He noticed you still had the teddy bear he gifted you in fifth grade when you fell and scraped your knee so severely it required stitches.

You wasted no time, turning around as he took a seat on your bed, "I need an explanation from you!" you said, giving him a glare as he smirked at you. "Dandy, why are you causing fights with my friends?"

"You two really are friends, then?" he asked, very pleased with your answer. "I don't see us coming to an agreement with what I have to say."

You crossed your arms, your glare worsening as Dandy just smirked at you. You tried not to be distracted by the fact he was starting to grow into his looks, and you were beginning to notice. "That's not fair."

"Of course it isn't, but neither is life, y/n." he shrugged. "I don't regret what I did. I never liked Jason, we're rivals by default."

You frowned, "What are you talking about?"

Dandy stared at you, wiping his hands on his clean pants. "You don't remember the story? The Deans and the Motts were business partners before we were born. Jason's father stole ideas and were selling them someplace else. Ended up losing the lawsuit after my father found out. Not long after, your grandfather helped grow our business, and eventually yours."

Of course, how could you forget such an essential detail in your family history? It was only ingrained in you since birth. Despite the temporary setback, the Deans found their fortune in cars. Frozen foods weren't their strong suit, it seemed.

"Jason isn't his father," you defended him, coming to take a seat next to Dandy. "That's not fair to him."

"And I'm not my father," Dandy countered. "I go way back with Jason, y/n. Neither of us ever liked each other, and not for reasons due to our parents. He's a stuck up, spoiled brat."

You thought it was funny that Dandy, of all people, could call another person a spoiled brat. You knew he changed plenty since you were kids, but he was always the one kid in the entire grade who had a tantrum once a day in each class.

"It's not fair to me!" you said, springing back up. "I don't pretend to like everybody, Dandy. However, I don't want my relationships to suffer because two of my friends hate each other. If Jason had ulterior motives I have yet to see them!"

Dandy laughed loudly, and you found yourself with the same unamused expression as before. He didn't falter at your glare, instead grinning widely and standing up, easily towering over you.

"y/n, I don't talk to a lot of people. You know that." he approached you, and you stood your ground, feeling your legs become jelly at his close proximity. "And because of it I hear everything that is said in that school. If I wasn't concerned about you, I would have punched the shit out of him just for the shoes he was wearing yesterday."

"What about what I want?" you questioned, causing him to arch an eyebrow. "I never said I was interested in him. If he thinks something is going to come out of this, he's wrong."

Dandy nodded, smiling at you. You felt chills run down your spine as his eyes twinkled with curiosity. "I like your attitude. You always knew how to take care of yourself."

You nodded slowly, swallowing the saliva pooling in your mouth. "I guess you taught me a thing or two growing up."

The silence between you was deafening. You noticed Dandy's jawline was more pronounced than you remembered. Dandy realized your lips were fuller than before.

"y/n, I want you to promise me that you'll come to me if you change your mind." he said, and you could hear the genuine concern in his voice. "I don't trust him, but I trust you."

You nodded; however, any thought of Jason was pushed to the back of your mind.

Dandy smirked at you and took a few steps backward. "I'm afraid I have to go."

You blinked, realizing that he had you where he wanted you. You glared at him as he headed to your door before turning to look at you.

"You're still not going?" he asked, a rather smug look upon his face as he wiggled an eyebrow at you.

Before you could answer, Dandy walked out your door. You heard him descend the staircase, with a farewell to your mother, then the front door shut.

You sat on your bed, hand clutched to your chest as you silently begged for your heart to stop beating so fast. Your mother had appeared in your doorway after a few minutes, and she was grinning ear to ear.

"y/n, you still have time to make the dance." she gave you a knowing look before leaving.

You stared at yourself in the mirror across the room. You did have a few dresses with the tags still on them that would pass nicely as a formal gown.

"He wants me to go," you muttered to yourself. Dandy had been dressed nicely, but he always was. He was also soaking wet.

"But Jason might be upset.. But I'm mad at him too," you groaned, plopping down on your back. "What do I do?"

"You get the hell up and stop moping around!" you screamed, kicking your legs as Winter posed in the doorway, grinning at your reaction.

"Why are you here!?" you stood up, still panting from the scare.

"I started feeling better yesterday. Oh yeah, your mother called me and said you were having a crisis. So here I be!" she walked in the rest of the way, pulling a suitcase behind her.

"What is that?" you asked, your voice stern as she knelt on the floor, unzipping the bag. It was filled with makeup, professional kits like you were about to appear on television.

"Your plans canceled, so you're coming with me. I never got a date and with Zoe having a date, I'm not being the third wheel."

You watched her set up and realized this is why you were friends. Partying was okay on some occasions. You rarely went to school dances, to begin with. This was your Senior year. How often in the future would you get the chance to just let loose for a night?

"Okay." you shrugged, and Winter gave you a knowing smirk.

2.

You were excited until you arrived at the school in Winter's car.

The rain had since stopped, and she dragged you to the entrance of the school as couple upon couple poured into the double doors. You were nervous now, knowing that both Dandy and Jason were probably already inside. You weren't supposed to come tonight.

"y/n! It's fine, babe," Winter said, holding your hand as you finally kept pace with her brisk walking. "We'll have a good time."

"It's not really us I'm worried about," you replied, and Winter had a look on her face that told you she already knew what happened. Your mother.

"If it helps Jason is supposed to have a date tonight. Which means he's not your problem right now."

"It's so embarrassing.. Everyone knows about the fight, and people won't stop staring!" you said, glaring at a group of Junior girls who were watching you from a corner. They quickly diverted their eyes, and Winter scoffed as she pulled you into the gymnasium.

It was decorated nicely, a live band already taking stage as kids piled in and found empty seats, many running over to the food to get first dibs. Kyle and Zoe have yet to arrive.

You found a table, sitting down and taking a quick glance around. Your heart stopped when you saw Jason arrive with his arm looped with Madison Montgomery, the most popular girl in your grade.. and the entire school. They fit together almost too well.

"You weren't kidding," you commented to Winter, who shrugged.

"I know my gossip, y/n," she said.

It wasn't long before Kyle and Zoe joined you. Zoe was ecstatic at the sight of you, pulling you into a hug and whispering that she was happy you decided to come. It made you feel good.

You had sat back down, pulling a ballot from the small pile on the table. You completely forgot about Homecoming King and Queen nominations.

Boys:

Jason Dean

Kyle Spencer

Matthew Nylund

Dandy Mott

You paused, glancing across the room to see Jason staring directly at you. You immediately looked away, reading the girls' list.

Girls:

Madison Montgomery

Zoe Benson

Natascha Langdon

Violet Harmon

You pushed the ballot aside, already knowing who you were voting for. You were relieved your name wasn't on the list. It was funny; Dandy and Jason always seemed to be selected for nomination. As far as you knew, Jason won once.

Winter nudged your arm, and you looked at her with an arched brow. She nodded towards the dance floor where Zoe and Kyle were dancing and asked if you wanted to join her.

"In a bit," you replied. Winter smiled, nodding in understanding before standing up and pushing her chair in.

You avoided making eye contact with Jason, who was also dancing with Madison. Everyone already seemed to be having a good time. You were just observing, debating on if you truly wanted to be here or not. It seemed like a good idea at first, but now you remembered why you always felt so out of place.

You jumped when someone pulled out Winter's chair, and you breathed a sigh when Dandy sat down, already smirking as you glared at him.

"You did decide to show up," he commented, a rather accomplished look on his face.

"I wouldn't look too excited. Winter came over and convinced me to go." you said, only lying a tiny bit. Dandy picked up your forgotten ballot, his eyes reading over the names before setting it down. His eyes were sparkling, but you were positive it wasn't from seeing his own name.

"Who are you voting for?" he asked casually, also looking around the packed gymnasium, also looking very out of place. There was just something about the Mott family genes that stood out from everyone else.

"I think Zoe and Kyle deserve to win together," you shrugged, and you saw Dandy's lips twitching. "You voting for yourself?"

Dandy shrugged, a smile now touching his lips. "I haven't decided yet. I've never asked to be Homecoming King."

You chuckled, seeing Winter talking to a boy you didn't recognize. Zoe and Kyle were getting something to drink as the band started to play a slow song.

Dandy watched you quietly, his eyes flickering from Jason Dean to your face. He stood up, watching you look at him with interest and almost longing for him not to leave your side.

"Would you dance with me?" Dandy asked, holding his hand out to you.

You didn't hesitate to take it, almost embarrassingly so. Dandy didn't smirk or make a sarcastic comment. Instead, you walked hand-and-hand to the floor, turning to face each other as Dandy placed a hand on your waist. It brought back memories of you being children, both of your mothers having enrolled you in dancing lessons. You were never paired with Dandy, which he would have appreciated a lot more. He was forced to dance with the girls who could never get it right, causing him to throw a fit and claim he was the best dancer in the whole world.

The thought made you smile, shaking your head as Dandy watched you, wondering what was on your mind. You looked as beautiful as he had ever seen you, and you've always been attractive.

You were unaware that the kids were staring at you, some of them whispering the latest gossip, while others were either jealous or unwilling to admit they thought you two looked cute together. Zoe and Winter were giggling, sucking down their fruit punch with Kyle.

Jason had taken a seat next to Matthew while Madison went to the bathroom for a touch-up. Matthew was smirking, eating a plate full of cookies, while Jason did his best not to stare at you.

"I thought she wasn't coming?" Matthew teased him, sticking an entire cookie in his mouth.

"She wasn't," Jason responded sourly, crossing his arms.

"It sounds to me you've been rejected," Matthew grinned.

"y/n wouldn't lie," Jason said defensively, "Her plans were probably just canceled. It's fine, I'm thinking of asking Madison out."

Matthew rolled his eyes, knowing perfectly well he was jealous as fuck.

Dandy enjoyed having you in his arms, and you felt the same. You laid your head on his chest, and you completely forgot all the dancing couples and people around you. There was a safety that came with being around him that you couldn't exactly pinpoint why that was.

The song had ended, and you unwillingly pulled away from Dandy's warming embrace. The band immediately jumped into a fast-paced song. He wasn't pleased about this, but he was quick to pull you out of the way when a mob of screaming girls nearly stormed the stage.

"Y/N!" You gasped when Winter ran and gave you a hug, giggling wildly in your ear. "Watch out, someone spiked the punch- BYE!"

You stumbled over your feet as the boy with a rather interesting mustache whisked her away, both giggling hysterically as Dandy helped you keep your balance.

"Your friend is interesting." Dandy commented, a slight smile on his lips. He'd tolerate anyone you truly cared about.

"Yes she is," you sighed, finding yourself intertwining your fingers with Dandy. He kept his cool, wanting to give Jason Dean a middle finger to the face.

You had both eaten and got some punch, talking and ultimately enjoying yourself. You were thrilled you decided to come now, feeling like you weren't going to be alone the rest of the night. You danced with Zoe, while Kyle sat awkwardly at the table with Dandy for a break. Zoe whispered in your ear that Winter will be gone for the rest of the night before you both giggled.

In the middle of Jailhouse Rock, Principal Harmon grabbed the microphone, causing the boy band to lose their rhythm and many kids to boo.

"Alright, alright, its time to collect the ballots for King and Queen! Five minutes to get to your tables, complete the ballots, and then the Senior Student Committee will come around to collect them."

You followed Zoe back to the table, taking your seat as Dandy was folding his ballot. He handed you the pencil, and you almost hesitated as you filled it out. A part of you did want to vote for Dandy, but who would you pair him with? Madison Montgomery has tried digging her nails into him many times. Zoe would be a good fit, but she deserved to win with Kyle. Natascha openly despised him, and Violet probably hated that she was even nominated. Her disposition wasn't exactly sunny.

You ended up voting for Zoe and Kyle like you originally intended. Dandy peeked over your shoulder and seemed pleased with your nomination.

The ballots were quickly collected, and it took another fifteen minutes to accurately count them. The band hadn't returned to the stage. There was a lot of chattering about who voted for who.

You hadn't been paying attention to the table directly behind you. The girls who had been staring at you when you had arrived had been talking about you and Dandy. Dandy was listening, his hands clenching at the awful things they were saying about you. He was doing his best to not cause a scene on your behalf. It was bad enough he and Jason both had bruising that was a constant reminder to the students what already happened.

All the nominees had to go stand on the stage. Zoe looked uncomfortable, but you gave her a reassuring smile, which seemed to ease her mind. Winter sat next to you, and you gave her a questioning look. She only grinned and waved you off. Dandy stood next to Jason, both boys beat up but as handsome as ever.

Principal Harmon announced Madison as the Queen. She gushed while he placed the crown on her head, and the elderly receptionist placed a bouquet of roses in her arms. She beamed at the crowd, waving as if she were pure royalty. You and Winter clapped unenthusiastically, but you knew deep down Zoe wouldn't take it too hard.

"And for the King," Mr. Harmon said, opening the envelope. The silence was awkward, and you could feel the tension in the air. "Oh no-"

Mr. Harmon glanced around, his eyes settling on the student committee kids who only shrugged, nodding their approval.

"Well it seems we have a tie," he continued, scratching his head. "Dandy Mott and Jason Dean."

There was a ripple of laughter and disbelief as students yelled for a recount. Dandy was smirking, but Jason didn't look the least bit amused. Madison was pouting.

".. This has never happened in my twenty years of being principal," he said awkwardly into the mic. "Where do we go from here?"

"I back out," Dandy announced proudly.

"Oh! That was easy!" said Mr. Harmon, "In that case, I present to you, King Jason Dean!"

The crowd roared as he placed the crown on Jason's head. He smiled sheepishly, briefly meeting your eyes as Dandy and the others walked off the stage. Zoe and Kyle hugged, both smiling in good humor. Dandy sat beside you as Jason and Madison started their dance to Frankie Valli.

"That was kind of you," you whispered to Dandy.

"It's nothing, I could care less about winning."

Dandy put his arm around the back of your chair until their dance was over. They took a few pictures before the band returned back to the stage, promising a few more slow dances to all the couples before the night was over.

Winter gasped when Jason approached your table; Madison running to her friends and fawning over her flowers and tiara. He ignored Dandy entirely, focusing only on you.

"Could I have a word?" he asked kindly, offering his hand to you.

You nodded, feeling Dandy tense by your side. You placed your hand on his leg under the table in reassurance before taking Jason's hand, following him to the dance floor. You realized at that moment that you knew where your heart belonged.

"I was surprised to see you tonight," Jason said, bringing you in close.

"My plans didn't work out. Winter talked me into coming." you laughed nervously, and he smiled at you.

"I'm happy you came, we don't have many of these left, you know," he chuckled.

"I'm happy I came too," you replied before looking at him. "I'm sorry about everything."

Jason frowned, raising his eyebrows as he spun you around. "Why are you sorry?"

You shrugged, "I've known Dandy my entire life. He's very protective of me and I wish you two never got into that fight." You made your point by glancing around at the few people trying to catch glimpses of you.

"It's not your fault, y/n," Jason said in disapproval, "It was a misunderstanding, Matthew isn't the sharpest tool in the shed and doesn't think things through when he speaks. Mott just heard the worst of his ignorance."

"Well, I think it's safe to say it won't be happening again," you said, watching as Madison came back from the hallway, pouting at the sight of you. "I think Madison really likes you."

Jason glanced back, a smile on his face. "Is it too much to admit now I really like you too?"

You smiled shyly, "That's very sweet of you."

Jason nodded, "I think it's clear who you really like, and he's very lucky," he said, now watching as Dandy stared at the pair of you.

"Yeah.." you agreed, almost liking the jealous looks being thrown your way. "I hope we could still be friends."

Jason was pleased to hear that, and he promised to call you sometime after the song ended. You watched as he walked to Madison, whose eyes lit up at the sight of him. You quickly walked back to your table, pulling up Dandy, who was surprised by your urgency.

"Did he say something?" his nostrils flared, looking as if he was about to murder someone.

"Nope," you said before cupping his cheeks and pulling him down to meet your height. You kissed him deeply, and you heard Winter say, "Holy shit!" while Zoe squealed with her mouth full of cake.

Dandy pulled away, his hands on your waist as he blinked in surprise. You grinned, pulling him towards the doors as the group of girls watched you with their mouths hanging open.

"Sorry for your loss!" you chirped at them, smiling sweetly as Dandy followed you in a daze.

School drama just does not change.

taglist: @daisychainsinknots​

[heyyy-hey-babyyy]

When We Were Young (Part IV)

Dean x Fem!Reader; Sam x Fem!Reader (platonic)

Read part I here ; Read part II here ; Read part III here

Warnings: Angst, Mentions of trauma/abuse, brief moments of self-harm, mentions of anxiety attack, a little dirty (not quite smut, but a bit steamy). 

Summary: Dean, Sam, and Y/N grew up together, but when she’s taken away for over 10 years, the boys have no idea what she’s been through. Will asking her to move into the bunker with them reveal more than she’s ready for?

2359 words

You tensed, anticipating the conclusion of the story and suddenly afraid of how Dean would react to what you were about to say. You took a deep breath before speaking.

“And when Greg opened the closet door and pulled back the blanket, I emptied the clip into his chest.”

It was deafening in the bedroom as you let the words you had never spoken out loud ring out and coat the empty spaces around you, never to be forgotten again. Dean hadn’t spoken, and you suddenly felt exhausted, reliving the darkest moment of your life. He still held you tight in his arms, but he was no longer comforting you, merely laying still as you pressed against his chest breathing him in. You couldn’t decide if you were worried for his reaction, or if you were relishing in the silence and warmth of his hold, but either way you were becoming anxious the longer he didn’t speak. 

Dean cleared his throat lightly, and you chanced glancing up at him. He wasn’t looking directly at you, but seemed to be lost in a memory for the moment. You curled back into his chest, and he tightened his hold, before you heard his voice, gruff from not being used. 

“When I was maybe, I don’t know, thirteen, fourteen, I killed my first vampire. She was young and dad decided I was old enough to go head to head with her because we were roughly the same size.” He huffed out a brief laugh. “Looking back it seems really messed up, but I was itching to get more into the hunt and this became the only way for me to prove it to my father.” He stopped, and it was your turn to try to comfort him, reaching up to run your fingers across his shoulders and you felt him relax a bit, letting out a deep breath he must have been holding. 

“Anyway, I took out the vamp no problem, and remember dad clapping me on the back, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of the vamp’s head. She hadn’t even barred fangs, and honestly looked just like a normal teenage girl, but one that I had just beheaded.” You continued lightly massaging his shoulders as you took comfort in the rumble of his voice against your cheek. “The image haunted me for weeks and after I woke dad up one night screaming in my sleep he sat down with me and instead of giving me the ‘she’s a monster, get over it’ talk he said something that I think about often.” Dean seemed to be completely lost in thought, and though you weren’t sure why he was telling you this, you listened intently, like he had just done for you. 

“He told me, ‘Dean, she was doing bad things. Yes, she was young, but sometimes people can’t come back from tasting a little bit of the darkness.’” 

You stopped moving your hands and he pulled you softly away from his chest and you looked into bright green eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. 

“Y/N.” He began, his tone growing serious. You shrunk back a little against his hold, afraid of what he was about to say. “Hey,” he softened, pulling you closer again so he could rub his hands up and down your arms. “Look at me.” You glanced back into his eyes as he continued speaking. “Some people can’t come back from the darkness.” 

Dean made everything seem so easy, and for a second you believed him. Perhaps you really could stop drowning in the guilt of what you did. But you shook your head at him with finality breaking your eye contact. You could never be forgiven for taking another human’s life. And you had too many secrets to ever live life like a normal person. Way too many skeletons in the closet. In that moment you felt profound guilt and sadness at the direction of your life. Sure, you were now in the arms of the man you had been in love with since before you even knew what love was, but he didn’t know anything about your life now. 

Dean saw the way you were reacting to his words. The way your mind was taking you from hope to guilt to sadness to absolute dread. He knew you thought you could hide from him, but he spent the better part of his childhood learning how to read the nerdy short girl who sometimes hung out with him at Bobby’s. And he could still read you like a book. 

“Hey, stop avoiding me, and look at me.” He said it with the tone that didn’t leave room for argument and you glanced up slowly. “You did what you had to do to protect yourself. That’s what your dad, my dad, and Bobby always taught us. Remember, ‘shoot first and ask questions later.’“ He smiled at you softly and you couldn’t help but smile back, feeling the memory pull at you. 

When you found yourself alone with Dean on endless nights when you were younger, waiting for your dad’s to return, you used to come up with outrageous situations that you both could maybe find yourselves in and the other would respond simply with ‘shoot first. Ask questions later.’ It was stupid and bordering on morbid, but it always made you laugh, and Dean would stare at you until your fits of giggles stopped. In those moments, you always felt like maybe Dean felt for you just as much as you felt for him. But you were just his friend who he would hang out with at Bobby’s. Not girlfriend material. And you were taken from the boys young anyway, shattering any hope of what could have been. And Greg successfully shattered any hope of you being comfortable with another human being. 

Dean saw it happening again. The way you went from joy to guilt to sadness to dread. It broke his heart to not know what was happening in your head. Whatever you were telling yourself to give you such a hopeless look. He wanted more than anything to take away your pain, but he had no idea where to even start. 

You coughed lightly, pulling away from his arms. “Uh, can we just go to bed, Dean? I’m tired and,” you stopped glancing at his bedside clock, “it’s nearly 4:00am.” He nodded softly, and you turned away in the opposite direction, pulling the comforter up to your chin, though you weren’t even remotely tired. You were too stuck in your own head, imagining what could have been if you hadn’t been taken away all those years ago. You were never one for coulda woulda shoulda, but laying this close to Dean had you feeling all kinds of ways and it was hard not to want so much of what you couldn’t have. You had been laying silent for a few moments, when you felt Dean shift slightly. 

“Hey,” he whispered, gauging if you were asleep. You turned your head back toward him, glancing into his eyes. “Uh,” he looked awkward and it made you smile. “Would it be okay, if I held you, Y/N? Just for tonight.” You were a bit shocked by his question, being that you had just been thinking about him, but you nodded, realizing quickly how much you wanted him close again. You turned back to your side away from him, and felt one arm snake under your head laying against the pillow, and the other crawl across your waist pulling you flush against him. He sighed contentedly, and you allowed yourself to breath normally, even though your body was trembling slightly and your breathing was a little erratic. 

Being this close to him, it was impossible to hide the way your body was reacting, and you felt him pull away from you a bit, but you grabbed his arm and placed it on your hip again. This is what you wanted. It’s Dean. He would never hurt you. You told yourself over and over to calm you racing heart. Besides, Greg never cuddled with you. 

“Are you sure you’re alright, baby?” Dean whispered, his breath tickling the hair by your ear, making your body tense up again. But you nodded placing your hand on his on your hip, and moving it further down your stomach. Dean let you guide his hand and when it landed in a comfortable place, you proceeded to run your fingers up and down his arm. A memory of Dean flashed across your eyes as you did this. 

You were playing some racing game that you were horrible at and he knew it, so of course he wanted to place a bet. You were no punk, so you agreed, sitting up a bit straighter as the cars raced around the tracks for their practice run before you pressed the start button. 

“If I win,” you started, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth in thought. “I get to ride in the front seat of the Impala the next time John takes us into town!” You didn’t really care about riding up front, but you knew it drove Dean insane to be in the back, and if you were up front you could play Dixie Chicks and Dean would have to shut up about it. 

He sighed dramatically, but agreed. “Okay, then if I win...” He trailed off trying to look deep in thought, but you knew him better than that. He was embarrassed, and you got serious thinking ‘what could he possibly be embarrassed to ask for?’

“If I win, I want you to do that arm scratching thing you do when you’re nervous, to distract yourself... I love that.” You stared at him stupidly in response, but nodded anyway. You always thought he thought that was annoying when you’d be watching a horror movie and you’d grab his arm and move your fingers up and down the smooth skin as a distraction. You hated the feeling yourself, but he never stopped you, so you figured he was just humoring you. 

Dean shrugged like it was no big deal and nodded back, looking toward the game, knowing he was going to win, and smiling to himself. 

You kept moving up and down his arm and Dean sighed into your hair. “I love this.” He whispered softly, almost as if he didn’t mean to. You smiled nodding that you knew. Dean leaned his head down to rest on your shoulder and he lightly kissed the open patch of skin on your collar bone, losing himself for a moment. You breathed out a little in surprise, and he felt you tense, moving his head back. “Sorry.” He whispered quickly, but you shook your head in response. 

“I liked it...” You whispered back, moving your hand to entangle your fingers with his on your waist, and he pulled you closer gripping you to him. His head returned and he placed another chaste kiss against your neck making goosebumps appear across your skin. He nuzzled into your neck lightly and you giggled involuntarily, nervous suddenly and he placed another kiss against your collarbone before speaking. 

“It broke my heart to let you leave...” He trailed off, lost in thought as you took in his words. “I begged my dad for months to take you back, but we couldn’t find you. It was like the system ate you up. I’m so sorry, baby. I should have saved you.” You shook your head at his last words, not wanting any of this to be his fault. Besides, after Greg, you didn’t want to be found. You wanted to tell him it wasn’t his fault and that you had disappeared for years after the shooting, but he released your hand suddenly, moving his hand back over your stomach. Your shirt had rode up a bit and you felt the pads of Dean’s fingers glide smoothly across your exposed skin. You had never been touched so gently, and though it brought up feelings you hadn’t felt in years, you knew Dean wasn’t pressuring you into anything, but rather comforting you and letting you know you are wanted. The thought made you choke up, and Dean held you close to him. 

“Lets sleep. We can talk more tomorrow.” You nodded, and snuggled closer, relaxing as Dean’s fingers danced across your skin, and the sound of him humming “Let it Be” lightly into your ear soothed you into a dreamless sleep. 

---------------------------

It was well after noon and you were still fast asleep. Dean had pulled away from you gently around 9:00am and was returning now to check on you. He pulled the door closed, leaving it open a crack so he could hear if you called for him, when Sam came up next to him. 

“Hey,” He whispered. “How is she? How did last night go?” 

Dean put a finger to his lips and motioned for his brother to follow him into the bathroom across the hall. He closed the door and sat down with a huff on the toilet seat, Sam perching on the side of the bathtub. 

It took a few seconds for Dean to decide what he wanted to tell Sam, but his brother was ever patient waiting for Dean to say what he needed to. 

“Some awful stuff happened to her when she was taken into foster care after her dad died, Sammy...” Sam nodded looking up at his brother, remembering how chaotic things were after the social worker barged into Bobby’s house and took you out screaming for Dean along the way. Dean refused to stop looking for you and it was almost a year later when he finally resigned to returning to hunt with his dad and taking care of Sam again. 

Dean slammed his hand down loudly on the sink, and pulled it back quickly, straining to hear if he woke you. He didn’t hear anything so he turned back to Sam confessing what was weighing deep on his soul. 

“I don’t know what to do.” He stated simply.

Sam narrowed his eyes in confusion. “What do you mean?” Dean looked up at him with sorrow in his eyes.

“I love her, Sammy.”

Read part V here.

When We Were Young Tag list: @vicmc624​ 

[chaiscentedcandle]

A Wedding! (Neville Longbottom x fem!reader)

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Neville Longbottom

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: y/n and Neville get married after a few years of dating

𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭: none/NA

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: reader wears a wedding dress (in case for those who don’t want to wear a wedding dress)

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 1,580 words

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: I thought it would be cute to write a little story of you and Neville getting married because who wouldn’t love that? Plus y’all are living on crumbs so I’m gonna give y’all a full meal, also I didn’t really hint at a “maide of honor” or a “best man” and I don’t really say who walks you down the aisle in case someone gave themselves a father or a different character.

Nerves were running at an all time high today. The day of complete bliss, a happy ending to a new start. A win in the eyes of many even though the dark years had passed but who didn’t want a win? Especially as one as beautiful as this ceremony. The joining of two people becoming one powerful soul.

Today is Neville and Y/n wedding day. Anxiously waiting till they could see each other at the end of the aisle and say “I do”, In each parties rooms people were running around getting things ready and helping either the bride or the groom get ready. In Nevilles courtiers Ron was tasked with doing Nevilles hair because let’s be honest, in moments like this Nevilles hands shake too much. And Ron seems like a man who could do hair. Harry was doing something with his glasses, standing awkwardly with no task.

While in Y/n’s room Hermione had been doing her hair. Hermione already being dressed because she loves being early, while the other bridesmaids got ready around them, Molly Weasley keeps checking things and asking Y/n questions, either how she is or if she’s excited. Talking about how she remembers her wedding with Arthur or the busy days before Bill and Fleurs wedding then rambaling about weddings. Y/n had invited the Weasleys because of the kindness they had showed her during her years at Hogwarts, especially when people would hate on her for dating Neville.

Y/n and Neville actually didn’t start their friendship over Herbology, they started talking after being paired in Transfigurations when Neville was having a hard time. From then things started to come together and now in the present she gets to marry her best friend. Hermione was putting the finishing touches on her hair before Molly asked if she was ready to put in her wedding dress. “Yes, a little nervous but yes” Y/n told her, Molly just let out a small laugh, a tissue in her hand in case a few tears slip out.

Helping her slip and zip up her dress Molly took Y/n to a mirror to look at herself. “How do you feel, dear?” She asked, tears sprung to Y/n’s eyes as she tried not to let them fall, not wanting to ruin the makeup she had on “like a bride” Y/n responded with. Molly began to dry her eyes “oh dear, if you cry I’m going to start crying and I won’t stop” she said with a laugh. Hermione was off to the side with tears in her eyes as well, Y/n spotted her and held her hand out, Hermione took her hand and held onto her arm “don’t cry, Hermione” yet a few tears had slipped out “I’m not the one you should be telling not to cry, honestly, you’re the one with the make up and getting married” Hermione laughed out.

“We’ll let’s get you out there, we can’t keep Neville waiting for too long” Hermione said.

Now in Nevilles room he’s standing in front of a mirror as well, his groomsmen busing themselves with the finale touches on their suits. “Clean up nice, don’t you Neville?” Dean Thomas said “yes, I do don’t I?” Neville smiled proudly, turning to Ron he said “thank you for doing my hair, mate” Ron smiled up at Neville with doing his belt “no problem, mate” Ron said back, then began to gush a bit “Hermiones taught me a few things”

Dean laughed and nudged Neville “well, we should get you out there before she is” Neville agreed and with that they made their way to the alter, waiting for the beautiful bride.

What was minutes felt like hours to Neville, standing with the officiater, in the five minutes it took for her to get to the door Neville had given himself a pep talk, more a speech, preparing himself to see Y/n. Then finally the doors open.

Molly and Hermione hand her off to who walks her down the aisle, brushing a few stray tears away. Molly went to take her seat while Hermione joined the bridesmaids in going out first. Her heart began to pump faster and louder as she saw the door come to view, the line of bridesmaids and groomsmen with linked elbows making their way out, then finally it’s Y/n’s turn, music begins to play and everyone stand to their feet.

All eyes are in the bride as her beautiful wedding gown is shown off, whispers of just how beautiful she looks. From the moment Y/n stepped out she locked eyes with Neville and wouldn’t tear her eyes away, Neville shed a few tears before he decided to not hold back, it was now settling in for him that Y/n is his, forever until the start align, and just how beautiful she is in her gown. Today was everything he could ask for and he couldn’t ask for any more, he could be marrying her in his pajamas and he’d still wheep like a baby, the happiest being her husband.

Y/n was traded off to Neville, handing her bouquet to her bridesmaids, her hands fitting perfectly in Nevilles, he looked her up and down, biting his lip and trying to keep more tears from coming out, but with a beautiful bride like her, he couldn’t help it. “Don’t cry, my love, it’s alright” she told him, he shook his head “with a angel like you in front of me? I can’t help it” she smiled wide, letting a few tears slip as well.

Molly handed Y/n two tissues, one for her and Neville. Y/n took the deed in drying Nevilles tears and whipping his nose while she did the same with her tissue.

“Well, let’s not wait too long shall we” the officiater spoke, opening his book he began to read aloud. Neville and Y/n kept eye contact, as if their souls had connected as one, they loved each other and you could see it from miles and miles away, they didn’t want anybody else but each other, and so it shall stay that way. “Now, shall we here the vows?” The officiater asked. Neville started with his.

“My dear Y/n, from the moment I spotted you it was love at first sight for me, I was a shy chubby kid but because of you I’ve learned to explore outside my shell just a bit, we’re still working on it” laughs rang throughout the crowd “people were always pairing off and being best friends, most of the time I felt like I didn’t fit in, sometimes it felt like I only have my toad, Trevor, or the professors” another wave of laughs “but because that fateful day when we were paired in Transfigurations and I was having a hard time, we completely changed our futures and I wouldn’t want to change it, now because of you I can feel happy, be myself, and love unapologetically, thank you for never leaving me even when people would give you hate for being with me, you’ve showed me what it’s like to love and no matter what gift I give you I can never say thank you enough for that, my beautiful bride, I can’t wait to be yours forever” once Neville had finished Y/n had to take another tissues from Molly because she began to cry her eyes out.

“That was so sweet” she said with a little laugh as she patted her eyes, with a deep breath she said “well, I guess it’s my turn” giving Neville a short giggle.

“To the sweet little boy who I helped in Transfigurations class, I don’t know how to thank fate for putting us together, though it think I need to thank McGonagall for that” again laughs rang through the crowd, luckily they had invited McGonagall who said a sweet “you’re welcome” a bright smile on her face “you’ve proved to me that there’s more then just wizard magic, you’ve helped me become a women I idolized when I was younger, a world without you is a world I don’t want to live in, everyday I wake up I’m thankful to be next to you, and to know that you are truly the one for me, I will never stop telling you that I love you more and I promise to help you with all your plants” even that one made Y/n giggle.

“Now, Neville, will you take Y/n to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?” The officiater spoke, Neville nodded his head “I-I will” he couldn’t hide his smile anymore.

“Y/n , will you take Neville to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?” The officiated turned to Y/n “I will”

Finally the words everyone was waiting for “I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride” the part Neville had been waiting for, leaning forward he captured his lips with hers in a sweet kiss filled with love. Cheers and clapping were heard throughout the crowd.

The ceremony had passed and now it’s time for the reception, the first dance of the bride and groom with a song of their love played.

Neville took her waist and held her other hand, Y/n’s hand that wasn’t occupied with Nevilles was holding his shoulder so he could be closer to her. Leaning down a little Neville kissed the tip of her nose “you look absolutely stunning” Neville told her. From the many amounts of times she’s seen her blush he could never get over it “thank you, darling, you don’t look too bad yourself” she responded, they shared a laugh, twirling her and bringing her back to her arms “this is just chapter one of our story” Neville whispered to her “with many more to come” again giving her another love filled kiss.

[misssophiachase]

prompt- AH Klaroline. we usually see klaus developing feelings for caroline while she's in a relationship with someone else. i would like to see something where klaus has been in an established relationship with another girl and caroline realizes that she's developed feelings for him. (if you don't have time to do this one, don't worry about it).

Thanks nonnie, I love it so much! Inspired really. Got a bit carried away too, see notes at the end.

Synopsis: One wedding and a completely confused best man and maid of honour.

“And all you never say is that you love me so.”

All You Never Say

Caroline Forbes, Maid of Honour, Invites you to celebrate:

The Bachelorette Party for

Katherine Pierce

On Saturday fifteenth of June, twenty-twenty one at Connaught Bar, Mayfair, London at 2000h

Dress: Party Attire

One week before the nuptials - Connaught Bar, London England, 10:21pm

“What happened to the Kitty Kat I knew who’d usually be dancing on the bar right now and showing the stripper just how it’s done?” 

Although her tone was light and teasing, Caroline was a little disappointed given this was her best friend’s bachelorette party and there wasn’t a tacky veil or penis straw in sight. 

Also, they’d been forced to hire out a venue to avoid unwanted media attention before the big day so the atmosphere wasn’t quite what she was expecting either. 

The word lacklustre seemed a good word to describe it all.  

Maid of Honour Caroline had been banned from most fun things when organising Kat’s last night of ‘freedom’. 

“She’s marrying one of the United Kingdom’s most eligible bachelors, not to mention the youngest Minister in the Government’s Cabinet. That doesn’t really go with the wholesome reputation she’s trying to portray, Care,” Bonnie offered, eating the olive from her martini. “Although, I think it’s a shame you can’t put those pole dancing moves we learned in Cabo to good use.”

“This is one pathetic stripper, just saying,” Rebekah offered, joining them at the bar and stealing Bonnie’s drink from her outstretched hands.

“I was on the other side of the world, I could only go by his rating on the internet,” Caroline argued. “Plus, I also had to find one who kept some clothes on and we all know what that means.”

“What’s underneath doesn’t match the whole package,” Bonnie finished. “We don’t need to tip him, do we?”

When Katherine called Caroline thirteen months earlier to say she was engaged to Elijah, Caroline couldn’t have been happier. They’d all met each other at private boarding school and had stayed in touch ever since and even though they seemed like opposites, Kat and Elijah complemented one another. 

Also, Katherine’s job as head neurosurgeon at one of London’s most prestigious private hospitals and her impressive family inheritance greatly helped matters when it came to swaying his parents on the engagement. 

The Mikaelsons. 

Mikael and Esther were extremely wealthy and well-connected in English society.  They came from family money and owned a large and impressive property portfolio spanning the entire globe and had sent their children to the best boarding school the US had to offer.  

Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. 

Caroline wasn’t wealthy like the rest of her friends. She’d be lying if that fact didn’t make her feel somewhat inferior. Her father owned the local general store and, if it weren’t for her scholarship, Caroline would have ended up in public school. Not that she would have minded but her father insisted it was too good an opportunity to pass up. 

Attending the exclusive boarding school had been an adjustment to say the least and not just because of the ugly and uncomfortable uniforms they had to wear. Caroline was assigned to a room with three fellow students. 

Katherine Pierce, although the daughter of a talented cardiothoracic surgeon and a world class architect, was wild and impulsive and constantly in trouble with the dean for her indiscretions like sneaking out to meet boys and smoking on occasion. 

Bonnie Bennett was the gorgeous but serious high achiever whose parents owned one of the biggest publishing houses in the world. She was taught never to take anything for granted and work hard for what she wanted in life. 

Rebekah Mikaelson, while strong-willed and passionate, was the odd one out from the beginning. She made it her aim in life to drive the other girls crazy with her brittle personality and unwanted opinions. Although it took a while, and a few choice fights that needed to be broken up between her and Katherine, the girls became best friends. 

Rebekah’s brothers all attended the school at the same time but in different years with Elijah the eldest followed by Klaus then Kol and youngest sibling Rebekah.  

The Mikaelson boys and their best friend from home, Enzo St John, were definitely the most popular and sought after by the female student body. Caroline, not being one to conform, refused to play that game. She had no intention of stroking their egos any further, especially head womaniser Klaus. 

There was no doubting he was gorgeous, it ran in their family after all, but he knew it. 

Caroline found that she could have a fun time with Enzo, a deep and meaningful discussion with Elijah and a joke with Kol but when it came to Klaus all he did was tease her and rile her up. 

Of course she told herself it was because he was an immature idiot but wasn’t overly convinced it was the only reason given the looks she’d send his way when she knew no one was looking.  Caroline hoped whatever weird thing was happening would dissipate when they graduated. 

Kol and Bonnie had dated for a year at school, but apart from them they all stayed friends. So much so, that after they’d all graduated and gone their separate ways in life they still caught up for most significant occasions. 

This wedding being one of many. 

Katherine and Elijah had reconnected in Boston and, even though she always said he was too serious, they fell in love and were now on the verge of marriage. 

Caroline was so excited, if not about the bachelorette party. 

“Who are we kidding? I got the wild stuff out when you three were all too busy being good girls in boarding school,” she scoffed. Caroline wouldn’t admit it aloud but she had a point. “And there’s nothing stopping you three from getting up there with the stripper.” 

“Pass,” all three replied, looking up at him ominously. 

“How about we get out of here and see what the boys are up to?” Katherine suggested a twinkle in her brown eyes. 

“Because I think that defeats the purpose of a bachelorette party, Pierce,” Caroline drawled. “And this is Elijah, no offence but poker doesn’t sound all that exciting if you ask me.”

“Says the girl with the special poker skills,” Kat smiled deviously. “Klaus likes to think he’s the best player but we all know you could give him a run for his money. I’d say watching you fleece him is a fun way to spend an evening.”

Caroline had to admit angering the best man and her wedding partner certainly had its benefits. They’d seen each other in passing the previous day on arrival but otherwise hadn’t connected much recently because she was based on the West coast in Los Angeles and him on the East in New York City. 

He was the CEO of a prominent stockbroking firm and, by all reports, had been dating a Texan oil billionaire’s daughter and model, Hayley someone, for the past year.  

Okay, her surname was Marshall. 

She may have read a few editions of Page Six and seen them attending premieres and openings. She was sort of attractive.

Okay, she was gorgeous with big, brown doe eyes and a glossy chestnut mane and legs for days. 

Caroline told herself that she didn’t care more times than she could count but there was also something lingering beneath the surface with Klaus. She would have endeavoured to forget him after school had it not been for something that happened two years earlier and changed her opinion of him completely. 

Bastard.

And with that came the insecurity she hated. Even though she’d carved out a successful career as a human rights lawyer, she’d never fit into his life because she didn’t have a rich family or a huge inheritance like Hayley. Not that she cared but she knew his family did. 

She noticed her friends giving her weird looks, clearly she didn’t realise how much of a Klaus trance she’d descended into. 

“Sure. Why not?”

American Bar, Savoy Hotel, London 11:07pm 

“This is lame,” Kol scoffed, throwing his cards on the makeshift poker table. 

“He’s only saying that because he’s losing,” Enzo laughed, pulling the chips towards him greedily. 

“No, I’m saying that because this is no bachelor party,” he huffed, standing up and going to the bar to make himself another drink. “You couldn���t even organise one, measly stripper?”

As with the girls, the guys had hired out the venue for privacy reasons, not that they were actually doing anything untoward. 

Klaus had won the most money so far but he’d left the table to take a call from Hayley letting Enzo win a few rounds in his absence. She was arriving the next day for the wedding and was calling to check on the arrangements. 

Klaus was certain he’d told her multiple times but she was someone who liked things just right. But she also liked to call. 

A lot. 

At first he thought it was endearing but after a year he was starting to realise it was largely overkill. So too, her obsession with all things materialistic and celebrity and having to be at the opening of everything and anything. Klaus liked to keep more of a low profile if he could and that trait only reminded him of his parents and their chosen life together.

When he’d met her during a wild weekend in Miami, Klaus was immediately taken with her. He even thought it was love but decided that was just the tequila talking and it was most definitely lust. Klaus didn’t do relationships and he assumed she would be a momentary distraction until his parents had taken a strong liking to her.  Or more accurately to her wealth and family connections and future prospects for them. 

With Mikael and Esther it wasn’t much about love but what you did for a living and how much money your family had. Their marriage was case in point. 

Klaus wasn’t one to do what his parents told him but he’d long felt the black sheep given his secret paternity and decided it would be good to earn their favour for a change.  

There was also another reason to entertain the relationship, one that had made him realise that, no matter what, he was always going to have to settle for second best. 

“Are we interrupting anything?” Klaus looked up into the eyes of his future sister-in-law. He and Katherine had acted like siblings from the moment they met so to him her marriage to Elijah was inevitable.     

“Great!” Kol growled from his vantage point behind the bar. “Not only do I have to sit through this poor excuse for a party but now the girls have arrived.”

“Nice to see you too, Kol,” Bonnie said, raising her eyebrows. Although they’d dated over ten years ago everyone seemed to think something was still very much happening between them. 

“As much as I’m glad to see my beautiful fiance,” Elijah smiled, standing so he could pull her into his arms affectionately. “I’m not sure this is the done thing.”

“Oh, you mean like strippers, brother?” 

“You’re more than welcome to our stripper, Kol, we only left him in Mayfair about ten minutes ago so you might be able to catch him if you’re lucky,” Rebekah teased, swiping a few of Enzo’s prized chips from the table.

“Oi, woman!” He muttered, attempting to take it back while she squealed in response. 

Rebekah and Enzo had been play fighting since he was eleven and she was nine.  The rest of the group all knew it was unresolved tension that would finally sort itself out some day so were just waiting for it to click into place. 

“So, what you’re telling me is that the girls were allowed to have a stripper?” Clearly, Kol wasn’t letting this one go easily. 

“Oh would you please shut up, little brother, does it shock you that Elijah didn’t actually want one?” Klaus barked, his brother wearing on his last nerve. 

For the most part his gaze had been surreptitiously trained on the maid of honour.  Attired in a little, black dress that hugged her in all the right places it was incredibly distracting.  She was also wearing her hair just how he liked it, loose and a little wild. How many times had he imagined running his fingers through those waves? Too many to count.

Yes, Caroline Forbes was his dirty little secret. One that he had every intention of keeping because it would do him no good to reveal it. 

“I promise that when you get married I’ll book out an entire strip club,” Enzo offered, stealing the chip from Rebekah’s grasp while she wasn’t watching and sending her a triumphant smirk. “Happy?”

“Are we playing poker or what?” Caroline asked. This got his attention. Klaus looked over at her, his eyebrows cocked curiously. 

“You play poker, love?”

“I dabble,” she replied, taking a seat at the table. “I mean, I used to play with my grandpa when I was about ten. Pretty sure the rules haven’t changed much since then.” It would have been adorable if Klaus wasn’t so competitive by nature. 

“We are playing for real money here,” he warned, giving her one last chance to back out. “I mean I wouldn’t want to take advantage.” 

“I’m a big girl and can take care of myself,” she shot back. “So, just deal the cards, Mikaelson.” 

The others took their place and the game was restarted, even Kol seemed to have gotten out of his funk to play. The first hand went like this:

“All red,” Rebekah smiled triumphantly, laying her cards on the table. After betting her entire bank it was sufficed to say she was out from the get-go. 

“All red? Seriously, little sister? Can you please take her away Enzo and never let her play ever again,” Klaus muttered through gritted teeth. How were they even related?

Second hand ended in Katherine and Elijah being expelled for too much PDA at the poker table. Neither of the love birds minded a little time out in the corner. 

Third hand came down to a poor display of bluffing from Kol while Bonnie complained because all she wanted to do was play Go Fish because it was more entertaining.

Then there were two.

“Are you sure you don’t want to just give in, Forbes?” Klaus asked, leaning back lazily in his chair.  She was studying her cards carefully. Most hands she’d folded before betting anything and he was starting to realise she was too careful, much like the girl he knew in real life.   

“Give me a minute,” she hissed, fastening a loose wave behind her ear. Klaus could tell it was a sign of a bad hand but at the same time he wished he was the one to place it there. 

“Okay, I want three cards,” she asked, placing the discarded ones face down. 

“Maybe you should just fold, love?” He asked, partly because he was concerned but also because Klaus knew he was that accomplished. His straight flush was looking extremely good right now. 

“Maybe you shouldn’t tell me what to do, ass,” she offered, noting his shocked look in response. “I was just trying to counter your love with something equally fitting.”

“Fine,” he murmured trying to pretend not to feel dejected. “Three cards.”

She took them and again studied them closely. Meanwhile the rest of the group had gathered around, no doubt sensing this was their last hand and everyone could finally go home. 

“Okay, how about we stop beating around the bush and I just bet everything I have,” she said pushing it all into the middle. 

“You’re bluffing,” he blurted out, knowing it was impossible she had a hand to beat his flush. 

“I guess you’ll have to bet to find out,” she smiled. All he wanted to do was kiss it off her face and that was just for starters. He shook his head reminding himself that he needed to relax. 

“Call,” she said, her expression serious. They held each other’s gaze for a prolonged period, Klaus telling himself it was to try and read the poker signs but that wasn’t it at all. He suddenly realised that he could stare at her for hours and never tire. 

Not just hours, forever maybe.  

He cleared his throat knowing that everyone was now watching in anticipation. 

“Straight flush,” he grinned proudly, laying it out on the table. She gave it a brief look before placing hers next to his. 

“All red.” Given it was a ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of diamonds, also known as a royal flush, she was clearly being facetious. 

“You played me, Forbes.” He finally uttered amongst the cheers and Rebekah’s insistence that she must have had a winning hand all along. 

She pulled the chips towards her happily choosing not to respond immediately. His eyes were still trained on her though, desperate for some kind of response.

“And you underestimated me, Mikaelson,” she murmured. 

Yes. Maybe he had underestimated her and everything else.

TBC - Next part will be up tomorrow PM..there’s a chance encounter in the middle of the night, a rehearsal dinner and a slight wedding mishap before the big day. But let me know what you think so far : ) 

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[goldvnboy]

LESSON ONE. YOU ARE ONLY AS STRONG AS THE WEAKEST POINT YOU MAKE KNOWN.

everywhere he treads is a golden road. it is only so because mother had made it so, because mother had first melted gold ingots in the blaze of a furnace, heaved this cauldron from the fire to tip over cement, and scalded her fucking hands. and mother had made it so in anticipation for the day he trips, for pure gold is softer than concrete and so she deems it suitable to pillow his fall, yet strong enough that he feels its consequence. jaehyun obsesses over the growing red of his virgin palms, winces at the minor throbbing of his swelling knees, and mother hands him a palm to hold. on the pale of her skin, the evidence of welts from a time he lay as a pomegranate seed in her womb.

such is the extent of a mother’s love.

and so this is how our golden boy grows, hand clasped tightly in hers as little feet mimic the steps she takes, like footprints embedded in snow. he perfects her gait through trial and error, and every word that spills from her lips is carried by the cold draft like the snowflakes he lets melt on his tongue. it is in this way that he learns her stride, chin tipped confidently upwards just as mother does it.

the thing about imitation is you never get it quite right. there are nuances that you fail to catch, techniques you can never quite echo, and so when mother lets go of his hand, it is only a matter of time before he falls.

                                     it seems you weren’t properly taught by your predecessors, huh?

it’s the disrespect that grates him the most. to question the quality of mother’s teachings is a forgivable sin, for jaehyun understands this as a reflection of the gap between her lessons and his execution. but to imply that he owes this all to the virtue society, an organisation that has done fuck all for him, in place of mother’s careful guidance? in the dark of the night, jaehyun memorises the man’s face, etches the hideous squint of the latter’s eyes into his brain, and he does this all behind a grating nod. as a budding politician, he knows better than to speak, for words have a penchant of inspiring sometimes radical action, such as the manoeuvre of his curling palms around the man’s neck like a noose.

see, park jaehyun is a winner because mother had made him so. park jaehyun is a winner because mother had taught him better.

so he stays the man’s execution, waits patiently for the summer when his father is finally elected president. after all, he hears that cold dishes are popular in the humid heat.

LESSON TWO. VULNERABILITY IS A WEAKNESS. THE ABILITY TO FEIGN VULNERABILITY IS AN ASSET.

confident is the way in which jaehyun saunters into the makeshift exam hall, a friendly smile splayed on his lips despite the anger that glows in his fists. he greets the people he calls friends, though their names dangle just on the tip of his tongue. and this is how he finds his heavy arm hooked around wonjae’s shoulder, the kid who just happens to be the brightest of their cohort.

“you ready for the test?”

in the midst of the chatter, jaehyun shrugs. “yeah… i don’t know,” it is spoken below his breath like a secret, an unfitting pocket of dialogue outside his usual nonchalance. wonjae frowns, but jaehyun is quick to play the role of the comforting friend, a friendly pat on the latter’s back and an assuaging smile on his lips.

LESSON THREE. DO NOT BE SO QUICK TO SHY AWAY FROM PITY. IT IS WHAT GIVES UNDERDOGS THEIR STRENGTH.

park jaehyun doesn’t linger. everything he does is with purpose, from the way he smiles, the way he talks, the way he tilts his head into a perplexed frown. so there is something to be said about the way in which he passes his time staring at his exam sheet in what appears to be deliberation, fingers pulling at his usually kempt hair when the agreement was to turn in a blank sheet. and there’s this repetitive sequence where he scribbles, hovers pen over paper, crosses out. soon, the invigilators tell him that time’s up, and jaehyun submits his sheet of incoherent jottings.

“you alright, man?” he hears wonjae before he sees him, and jaehyun is quick to mask his sigh of relief as one of defeat. see, there is something to be said about the way in which he stays in the exam hall despite the obvious option to leave and the truth is, very simply, that our golden boy was putting on a show for an audience of one kim wonjae. because jaehyun understands his weakness in academia as the latter’s strength, and there is nothing like the allure of collusion to make up for the marks he’s lost from this exam.

“yeah, it’s just been really hard. i haven’t been in the best frame of mind…” he initiates the rising action of his charade, head dipped uncharacteristically down where mother had always stressed the importance of tilting his chin up, “i’ve been swamped with meetings cause of my student presidency and just—” he trails off as he rounds the climax, “—things at home…”

“oh…”

and he can’t deny that it helps, this golden path, this silver spoon. for in the field of politics, the president is king, so he supposes that makes him the prospective heir to the throne. it might not mean so much in a democracy, but to a man like wonjae, a proud member of the dean’s list in skku’s political science, it means enough.

“well hey, if you ever need any help with tutoring or assignments, you know how to reach me.”

of course. on his face, a winning smile.

“appreciate it, bro,” he raises his fist for the bump, “you’re a real one.”