#my work schedule at the greenhouse is hell right now
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maybe-itll-be-someday · 4 years ago
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How We Raise Them
This is a birthday gift for the most wonderful human being and writer that I get to have the pleasure of being my friend? @jetaime-jespere you inspire and support me in so many ways. 10/10 would recommend being her friend. 
This story, of puppy kisses, margaritas, and tooth-rotting domestic!Hotchniss is just for you. 
Read on AO3
--
Emily always had a knack for caring and nurturing.
The house plants in their home were all bright green, a hobby she had gotten from JJ after too many nights spent fussing over Jack. Jack had seemingly grown up in the blink of an eye - far from the toddling two year old that Aaron had first brought into the office, his steps uneven and hand tightly wrapped around Aaron's finger. He was now almost 17, finally starting to grow into the long, gangly limbs he had no doubt inherited from his father. He was a great kid, but no doubt a teenager now, complete with the home-grown embarrassment for his parents' PDA and a sense of false confidence that he knew better than his parents' combined 80 years of experience.
Jack was starting to take charge of his own schedule, planning out his soccer and baseball practices and time with his girlfriend and was now rarely at home outside of eating dinner and sleeping. Sometimes, they liked to joke that their home was more of a hotel, only utilized for meals and a warm bed.
"He's grown up so fast, Aaron." Emily had lamented, curling a warm leg around his as they listened to Jack pitter around the kitchen before school. Emily had a rare day of no meetings, her new job as Section Chief agreeing well with a more attainable home life balance. Aaron had been teaching at the Academy for two years now and he didn't have his first class until 2 PM, granting the two of them a morning spent lazing in bed while Jack fended for himself before school.
He was old enough to drive now and have a girlfriend, and that fact took Aaron's breath away every time.
Aaron remembers when Jack was born, a wriggly screaming bundle of joy that entered the world with the loudest wail Aaron thought he'd ever heard. Now, he was driving, sending applications to colleges, and in a relationship with a nice girl.
He had grown up so fast.
Now, both of them had a plethora of time - time that used to be spent shuttling Jack from school, practice, and birthday parties between cases, making sure that his homework was fully done, PTA meetings (which Emily insisted on being a part of) and coordinating Jack's  schedule with precision, slotting in play dates and trips to the mall to buy new khakis because he shot up like a weed.
All the time spent taking care of Jack, now exchanged for hours searching for different plants and nurturing them until their home was an urban jungle.
So Aaron starts doing some research while Emily is asleep, hoping to bring something a little more difficult than plants to take care of.
Before their entire home had turned into a greenhouse.
--
The house was quiet, too quiet, when Emily arrived home from a day spent in meetings discussing budgets. She was exhausted and would do anything for a glass of red and a foot massage from her loving husband.
"Aaron? I'm home." She calls out, shucking her shoes and purse by the front door.
There was silence that permeated from the house, followed by a sharp yelp from what she can decipher is Jack.
"Jack? Aaron?" She calls out again, following the source of the sound only to be met by an out-of-breath Aaron.
"Hi honey." He says, his breathing heavy as he presses a kiss to her lips in greeting. She cocks an eyebrow suspiciously, glancing over his shoulder to see if Jack would pop out from their den.
"Hey. Is something the matter?"
"No, no. Nothing's the matter." Aaron says, shaking his head. He wrapped his hand around hers, a bright smile on his face and she couldn't help but feel lucky that this is where they had ended up. Married, raising Jack together in a row house in Dupont Circle. Now Jack was nearly an adult - their duties as his parents were slowly dwindling down to providing advice and making sure he made the right decisions.
On those days, when she and Aaron are left in the empty rooms of their house, devoid of Jack's sounds of make believe as he pretended to be an astronaut or a G-Man like his father, she can't help but let a small pang of regret hit her.
She didn't know how much joy she would derive from being his step-mother, and a small part of her wishes that she and Aaron had created a brood of their own.
But it wasn't part of their journey, and she was okay with that.
"I have a surprise for you. Look, I know we've never talked about it..." Aaron starts to ramble, leading her to the den at the back of the house as her confusion grows.
He stops right by the closed door, hearing the shuffling going on on the other side of the door.
"But you're an amazing mother to Jack and I know that he's leaving for college soon. I don't want our house to be quiet."
"Aaron..." She says cautiously. "What did you do?"
The den door swings open, revealing Jack with a bright smile on his face and a small bundle in his arms. The tiny ball of fluff makes a soft mewl in Jack's arms, popping its tiny head up to reveal long floppy ears and the sweetest eyes she thinks she's ever seen. Aaron smiles, dropping her hand to pick up the puppy in Jack's arms and drop it right into hers.
There's a tiny jingle and her fingers brush against cold metal, reaching down to reveal the tag that hung around the puppy's collar.
Finn Hotchner
"This is Finn."
--
It turns out, despite all the research that Aaron had done for puppy rearing, it was still much harder than they had anticipated.
Emily groans as she hears a sharp whine come from their living room, where they had set-up Finn's crate. Aaron was adamant about them crate training Finn, despite the fact that Emily and Jack would have been fine letting Finn sleep with them in their beds.
This was the third, no maybe the fourth time, that night that he had whined in his crate like he had been abandoned on the side of the road instead of sleeping next to their fireplace.
Aaron pops up a sleepy head, eyes blearily adjusting to the faint moonlight streaming from the window and glances as the neon numbers that shone on his bedside table.
5:30 AM
"Good God, does he ever sleep?" Aaron groans as Emily let out a large yawn, patting a soft hand on Aaron's shoulder to tell him to go back to sleep.
"I've got him." Emily says as Aaron sinks back under the covers, quickly drifting back to sleep as Emily rolls her eyes and throws on her robe. She pads out into the living room, her soft footsteps enough to catch Finn's attention and get his cries to stop.
"Hey sweet boy." She coos, letting him out of his crate as he pattered out, his limbs still floppy at 10 weeks as he let out a large yawn, Emily's heart melting as he curled up by her ankles. He was clearly just desperate for attention.
More specifically, desperate for her attention.
Finn had latched on to her, claiming her as his human the moment Aaron had placed him in her arms almost three weeks ago. The puppy was always quick to dart to Emily when she came home, eager to expose his belly to her for pets after a long day at work. He followed her around at home, hearing the soft tapping of his paws against their hardwood floor as she cooked dinner or made coffee in the morning. He curled up right at her feet in her office as she worked through mountains of paperwork, content on sleeping right at her feet as she filled out reports.
"Come on." She coaxes, moving from her spot by his crate to let him out into their back garden.
The sun was softly breaking in the horizon, the long summer days already evident by the soft light that streaked the sky. Finn zoomed out onto the grass, quickly tripping over the limbs he still didn't have much control over and Emily let a small smile play on her lips.
After the initial shock of the fact that they now had a dog, despite almost no previous discussion prior, Emily found herself completely enamored with the puppy. She found herself thinking of the tiny ball of fluff often, taking time out of her day to check the camera they had installed in their living room to see what he was up to when they were at work (it was mostly sleeping) and watched with a fond smile as Aaron let him out during lunch. He would crouch down, despite the hell she was sure it caused on his knees that were now worn with age and trauma, and play tug with Finn or attempt to train him in what would only cause frustration for both of them.
She had always seen the softness that lined Aaron's interactions, despite the steely demeanor that had hardened like calluses after too many tragedies. But she saw the gentle way in which he raised Jack, always insistent on talking and sharing - a far cry from the slamming doors and harsh hits that were consequences of his father's temper. She felt it in the way his hands drifted to her lower back when he felt a need for connection. She heard it in the soft tones that he'd use when talking to children, a sparkle in his eye as he interacted with them.
It had filled her heart with a new measure of love she didn't think was possible, watching him soften to Finn in a way she never expected.
Aaron yawns, stretching his limbs to ease the sleep from them when he realizes that his wife's side of the bed had gone cold. He glances up at the clock and realizes it had been almost two hours since Emily had gotten up to let Finn out. A bloom of warmth grows in his chest when he realizes where they could probably be.
He finds her on their couch, stretched across in a deep slumber as Finn dozed quietly on her chest. It was a position he had found her in often, Finn always opting to sleep anywhere where he was physically touching Emily.
Another Hotchner wrapped around her finger.
When Emily is jolted from sleep by a loud clink, the warmth of Finn is nowhere to be found. She props herself up, sounds slowly coming into focus and she can hear the sounds of Aaron's soft whispering and a familiar scratching of utens. There's the sweet aroma of coffee wafting from the kitchen, and she follows the scent to catch Aaron red-handed.
Aaron is reading the paper on the counter, not noticing Emily walk in, and slips a small piece of his bacon to Finn who is sitting patiently by his side.
When she chastises him, he just laughs and passes her the cup of coffee he prepares for her on Saturday mornings.
"This is the only way I can get him to love me, Em."
--
As it turns out, having a puppy was a little too similar to having a baby. 
Their days now revolved around Finn - their sleep schedules were disrupted by crying in the middle of the night, their daily list of tasks including someone having to be home to let him out every three hours whether it be them or a pet sitter and on top of Aaron’s classes and Emily’s workload. It had only been a month since they had gotten Finn and they were exhausted.
Emily had never had a dog and Aaron had never grown up with any animals, so both of them severely underestimated the amount of work that went into keeping a tiny ball of fluff alive and healthy. 
Aaron finds her in the living room, sprawled out on the couch with relief on her face at the silence she worked so hard to cultivate amidst the chaos.
“He finally passed out.” Emily whispers and Aaron eyes the puppy who is sleeping peacefully in his crate after being forced in for a nap. 
He produces a margarita from behind his back, salt lining the rim.
“I knew I married you for a reason.” She says happily, taking a grateful sip and moaning in delight as the sweet liquid hit her tongue and the tequila stung her throat. He clinked his own glass of whiskey to hers before taking a seat next to her, both of them needing the alcohol after weeks of sleep deprivation and tending to Finn’s every need. 
“I think we’re getting too old for this.” Emily muses, watching Finn shift in his sleep. 
“I don’t know about you, but I feel young and spry.” Aaron jokes, pressing his lips to her shoulder as she takes another sip of her margarita. His lips slowly trail from her shoulder, dancing across her collarbone before settling at the base of her neck. He feels Emily tilt her head slightly to expose more of her skin to him and a breathy moan escape from her lips. 
“So this is why you made me a margarita.” Aaron knew that certain kinds of alcohol produced different reactions from Emily. Wine always made her sleepy, whiskey always made her angry. 
Tequila, on the other hand, made her very mouthy.
“I just thought my beautiful wife deserved a drink.” He mumbles into her skin, taking the glass from her hand and placing their drinks on the console table behind them. “Also because Jack is sleeping over at Tyler’s tonight and Finn is finally asleep.” 
It was the first free night they had in a while, out of earshot of their very perceptive teenage son and Aaron thought that deserved some sort of celebration, one that hopefully involved making her scream and not caring who heard. 
“So no ulterior motives?” She teases, but Aaron’s lips are very persistent against the pulse in her throat. 
“None whatsoever.” 
--
They barely make it back to their bedroom, clothes hastily strewn against the carpeted bedroom floor with Emily’s legs straddled across his waist and his fingers dancing across her underwear when he hears it. 
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Aaron groans when a familiar high-pitched whine comes from the living room. They freeze like two teenagers caught by their parents, hoping that the whine would just be Finn waking up for a brief moment before going back to sleep. 
It isn’t long before Finn’s wailing at the top of his tiny lungs and Emily giggles, hopping off his lap as Aaron flops dramatically back onto their bed. 
“It’s your turn.” Emily says, pushing Aaron towards the direction of their door as he pouts like a petulant child. Aaron grumbles as he goes towards the living room, slightly annoyed when Finn bounds out of his crate like he hadn’t just interrupted the one solitude moment that they’ve had in over a month. 
“Kid, I could kill for less than this.”
--
Finn slides into their family like the final piece of a puzzle they didn't know was missing.
He quickly becomes Jack's best friend, chasing him around in the garden and attaching himself to Jack’s hip when he was home. When Jack leaves for college a year after they get Finn, Emily finds him on Jack’s bed, a sullen look in Finn’s eyes at the profound absence of his playmate.  
Aaron finds an unusual confidant in Finn. There are nights that are difficult, the memories of Foyet amplifying the phantom ache in his chest, especially when Jack graduates high school and when he gets accepted into both Georgetown and Yale. 
He raises Jack to grow up just fine and he still hates, even after all these years, that Haley wasn’t around to see the kind of man Jack has become. Despite losing Haley at such a young age, too many of Jack’s mannerisms made him believe that he could have only gotten those traits through genetics. The way his left eyebrow twitched when he got angry, one of Haley’s tells when she was beginning to lose her temper. Jack fidgeted with a pen, clipped between his fingers, the same way Haley did when she was concentrating on a test back when she first caught his attention at 16. 
On those nights, he steals away to the kitchen and sips a fingerful of whiskey. It was a habit he’d developed years before, a quiet moment just for himself. He was used to doing it alone. 
Until they had Finn. He remembers the first time Finn had done it, a floppy 6 month old with disproportionate limbs and an attitude that was driving both him and Emily crazy. 
He could only ruin so many of their expensive leather shoes before they had a problem with it. 
It had been the night of Jack’s graduation and Aaron poured himself his whiskey, raising a glass to an empty kitchen with a hollow ache in his chest on days like today. 
On days that she should have gotten to see. 
“We did it, Haley.” 
Finn had walked in then, intrigued by the clinking of the glasses that was coming from the kitchen. It was as if he sensed the sadness that lived in Aaron, walking up to give gentle licks to his palm and refusing to leave Aaron’s side as he sat at the dining room table nursing his drink. 
He hasn’t spent a night in the kitchen without Finn since. 
But despite the fact that they knew that Finn loved all of them, Jack and Aaron both knew that there was something special about the way that Finn loved Emily. 
Finn was her shadow - always glued to her side whenever she was around. He often favored Emily’s company on the couch over anyone’s, huffing in disapproval when Aaron would come over to sit next to Emily. He was a constant presence in any room that Emily was in, either laying at her feet or pressed up against her somehow. They had often joked that Finn would choose Emily over boiled chicken, which aside from Emily was Finn’s greatest love. 
When Elizabeth dies, suddenly and with no warning, Emily is inconsolable. She had always wished that their relationship was better than it was, despite the fact that it had improved in spades as the years went on. But it didn’t stop her from wishing for just one more day with her mother. 
Finn is steadfast by her side from the moment she finds out. They all hovered over her, but Finn was practically tied by an invisible tether to Emily, refusing to let her leave his sight. He stays still when she cries into his fur on a quiet afternoon, grief heavy in the air. He licks the tears from her face and lays on her lap when their house is full of guests giving their condolences. He doesn’t bark at Aaron, like he normally did when he was hugging Emily, and instead lets her find comfort in his arms. 
“Emily? Have you seen Finn?” She hears Aaron call out from their kitchen. She glances around their office and is about to call out that he wasn’t with her when she hears a loud crash and an exasperated Finn Hotchner.
She opens her office door to find Finn staring up at her, his fur caked in dirt with a trail of mud tracked on their hardwood floor. Jack comes into view, home from college for the summer, with a sheepish smile on his face. They had probably played with the hose in the garden - one of Finn’s favorite past times on hot days. She can hear Aaron yelling expletives in the kitchen and she simply bursts into laughter. 
This was her family.
Mud on hardwood floors and all.
And she wouldn't change them for the world.
--
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watermelonlipstick · 4 years ago
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Dreams, Chapter 16
If you haven’t read this series before, you might want to start on Chapter 1, or check out the Dreams Masterlist! Here’s the series description:
When Dean dies for good leaving Sam and his girlfriend (the reader) behind, they must figure out how to carry on without him. Alone, reeling, and unsure what to do next, trying to honor Dean’s memory and follow their hearts gets even more complicated when their nightmares become dreams that feel a little too real.
Title: Dreams, Chapter 16
Pairing: (past) Dean Winchester x Reader, (eventual) Sam Winchester x Reader
Word Count: 1754
Summary: Some of Sam’s efforts to ‘nest’ in their new life together reveal new possibilities.
Warnings: angst, FLUFF, swearing, s l o w  b u r n
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           Water laps at the weather-beaten wood of the dock underneath you slowly and the rhythm feels like hypnosis with the sun beating down a blanket. You sense Dean at your side without opening your eyes.
           “So…was he any good?”
           You can’t help but laugh, hearing the echo go out over the small lake, and get up to your elbows. It’s bright enough that you have to squint over at Dean where he lays next to a couple fishing poles and a cooler, t shirt hitched up to show a sliver of his stomach with his arms behind his head. His smile is devilish, made even more smug with eyes closed against the sun so his lashes cast an inch-long shadow on the dusting of freckles across his cheeks. “You can’t ask that!” you giggle.
           His lips flatten into a knowing line. “So that’s a no?”
           “Jesus Christ, of course it’s not a n—you know what, I’m not talking to you about this,” you smile, laying back down.
           “Ooh, so it’s a yes,” he teases as he turns on his side to face you. “Go Sammy. That mean you two are, like, going steady now?”
           You let your head loll over to him and roll your eyes. “Are you done?”
           “Not yet. Is he going to let you wear his letterman jacket? Take you to junior prom?”
           “I’m giving you ten more seconds.”
           Dean laughs, free and easy. “Fine, okay, I’m done. Wait—did he wrap it?”
           “DEAN!” you yell, covering your face in embarrassment.
           “Okay, alright, okay.” He’s still chuckling when you open your eyes to look over at him and reaches over to slip a piece of hair behind your ear. “You, ah, you seem happy.”
           You search his eyes for any hidden anger and find only the softness of calm affection with a pinch of solemnity. Where his hand lingers in your hair you turn into it, pressing your lips to Dean’s palm. “I am.”
           Dean smiles, straight teeth a perfect row of pearls so white you think for a second they might ‘ding’ with sparkle like a cartoon, and he looks relaxed enough as he puts his hands back behind his head that it calls up images of a kitten falling asleep in a sunny spot like this even as he keeps his eyes on you. “Took you guys long enough.”
           “And you’re still okay with this?”
           “Yeah, hell yeah. That’s the best I could ever ask for, you two happy. So, what do you say? Want to see if we can catch some fish?”
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           Spring was a blessing; clean greenness breaking through the grey and white purifying the air and breathing new life into you, Sam, and the community you’d come to be a part of. The cabin was that much nicer with the new hours of sunlight pouring through the windows and all the upgrades you had put into it, to the point that you began to feel truly comfortable there. You even invited the Kaisers over for dinner a few times, feeling more like equal partners in your burgeoning friendship with them.
           You started to feel stable enough to get things; picked up a bookshelf at the combination flea/farmer’s market that happened in the K-12 school’s field every Saturday morning and got higher quality spatulas to cook with, the kinds of nonessential stuff you never would’ve bought before knowing you were going to stay in one place long enough to get good use out of them. Sam, in turn, kept building: changing the locks to sturdier ones and erecting a shed big enough to hold a lawn mower.
           You’d been cooking on an early Sunday afternoon when Sam came home and crossed the cabin in a few strides, giving you a kiss on the cheek before setting a thick paper bag down on the kitchen counter. “Smells great, what’re you making?”
           “Ratatouille!” you buzzed, placing a slice of eggplant carefully into its slot. “I’ve never had it, but I’ve always thought it looks so pretty. Hopefully it’s good. Where were you?”
           “Hardware store. I thought maybe I could build a greenhouse; see if we could grow anything. Might be enough to work against the cold.”
           You raised your eyebrows in appreciative surprise. “Look at you! What’re you thinking? Poppies? Platinum OG? Purple Haze?”
           Setting a box of screws down, Sam rolled his eyes through a smile. “My plan was more along the lines of tomatoes or something, but I’ll, uh, take those suggestions under advisement.” You had a sudden urge to twist a gentle finger into the dimple that stayed on his cheek as he unloaded the rest of his supplies but didn’t want to embarrass him, instead sweeping some garlic skins into your hand to throw into the small bucket Sam kept under the sink to collect scraps for the compost pile. When the bag was empty he refolded it and took off his jacket, passing by you to put it on its hook by the door. “Want any help?” he asked, sounding about as breezy as you’d ever heard him.
           “It just has to bake for about an hour. Does a late lunch work with your construction schedule?”
           Sam leaned over to slip a hand around your waist and kissed the top of your head before grabbing an armful of stuff to take outside. “Definitely. Just yell when you’re ready for me.”
           You giggled and waggled your eyebrows suggestively. “I’m always ready for you.”
           He tried his best not to blush but bit his lip in spite of himself, looking up at you with a bashful twinkle in his eye. “I walked into that one, didn’t I?”
           In response you held up a spare slice of zucchini that Sam readily accepted, opening his mouth like an obedient puppy and chewing as he went out the back door.
           You loved watching Sam work on his greenhouse in the weeks that followed, getting so excited about the tiny shoots sprouting up from the soil that he sometimes woke up early to check on them before starting his day. After a few weeks he woke you up one morning with a cup of coffee, bare-chested under slightly sleep-tangled hair and the hems of his flannel pants sloppily half inside his boots. “I wanna show you something,” he said, throat still gravelly. You accepted the mug and got out of bed, following him drowsily and jamming your feet inside your shoes at the door, too tired to worry about the laces.
           He led you into the greenhouse with its clear plastic walls and pointed down at a petite bud on top of a green stalk. It had the telltale waviness of a basil leaf, and when you bent down to look closer at it the plant already smelled herbaceous. “It’s so cute!” you hummed. Sam practically glowed with satisfaction, an unbridled smile the perfect accessory to the broad span of his chest where it was backlit by the fuzzy light through the greenhouse walls. You straightened and rubbed his back in congratulations, staring down at the plant together with your coffees like parents on Christmas morning. Tucked in the corner of the greenhouse behind the basil, a scattering of bitty white flowers caught your eye against the burnt umber soil.
           “Wait, you already have stuff flowering in here? What’s that?” you asked, tiptoeing around the wooden stakes in the soil to get closer.
           “Oh—I, uh—” he stammered behind you.
           At arm’s length the flowers looked vaguely familiar and you stopped short. “Is that—?” You turned back to Sam, who seemed not to be able to come up with anything to say, his face the kind of blank surprise that indicated he didn’t know whether you were about to be upset. “Really? Where’d you even…how did you get some?”
           He tucked his hair behind his ears to stall for even a half second. “I—well, I found a guy who got me—got us—some.”
           “You still have an African dream root hookup?”
           Sam’s lips pressed into a well-practiced silent ‘I guess?’ and he reached back to ruffle the hair at the nape of his neck, the movement stretching his side distractingly enough that if you hadn’t been so startled by the discovery of a plot of dream root literally in your own backyard you might’ve forgotten what you were talking about altogether.
           You raised your eyebrows expectantly, waiting for him to explain.
           “I made some calls, found someone in Milwaukee who got his hands on some and he mailed it here. I didn’t want to, uh, tell you in case I couldn’t get it to grow.”
           All kinds of possibilities and frustrations raced through your head. “So you’ve had this for weeks? That’s why you built the greenhouse?” Sam didn’t answer fast enough. “Never mind, I don’t care,” you found yourself saying, and surprisingly, actually meaning. You took a deep breath to stop the words from jumbling together. “Do you think it’ll work?” you breathed, knowing he would understand the real question: would we be able to see Dean together?
           “Only one way to find out.”
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           For whatever reason you’d gotten freshly showered, made up, and dressed before brewing the tea with Sam on your next day off of work. It felt like there should be some level of pomp and circumstance about it, this giant undertaking that might be able to change your whole life again, even knowing that your prep wouldn’t translate into a dream. You were giddy with anxiety and almost wished you could reasonably put it off, the idea of this new possibility being yet another dead end making you nauseous.
           “Your place or mine?” you asked, trying to put a little sheen of humor on your nerves.
           Sam chuckled but you could tell he was nervous too, rubbing his palms dry on the knees of his jeans over and over again. “You haven’t done it before, right?”
           You shook your head. “Is there a learning curve or something?”
           “Honestly it’s been long enough that I don’t really remember. Hold on—hold still.” He reached out and very gingerly swept a finger across your cheekbone, drawing back to show you an eyelash stuck to the whorl of its pad.
           You straightened where you sat on the edge of the bed. “That’s as good a sign as any. Cheers, I guess.” Sam dropped the tiny hair into his mug and touched the ceramic to yours, his eyes hopeful and reassuring as you took tandem sips.
           And then you were off.
-
Continue to Dreams, Chapter 17
Thanks again for reading! If you liked it, check out my Masterlist or send me a request!
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thiswasinevitableid · 3 years ago
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54. I’m not sure what you think I said, but you start calling me an asshole and whip a ruler at me and somehow, we both end up in detention
Indruck, sfw, please?
Here you go! Content note: spiders appear at one point.
I based some of this AU--namely the concept of the Crucible and how magic is channeled--on the Carry On series by Rainbow Rowell. And Duck is trans in this, because any good wizarding school is inclusive.
After three years at Amnesty Academy, Duck is used to the objects being magically propelled through the air. But a ruler zipping through the air and smacking the back of his head is a new, unpleasant experience.
He tracks it to two chairs to his left, the new third year with the silver hair. He hasn’t even been here a day, what the fuck the is his problem?
“Hey, what the hell man?”
“You know very well what.”
“Uh, no I don’t, and I don’t appreciate bein hit with a fuckin ruler!”
“The maybe think before you insult someone next time!”
“I didn’t fuckin insult you! I don’t even know your name!”
“Ahem.” Ned, their Charms professor, looks down at them reproachfully, “gentlemen, while I know the review of Zone of Truth is rather dull, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t entertain yourselves with mindless conflict.”
“Sorry, Ned.” Duck mumbles, sending his pencil shooting below desk level to whack the other guy in the leg at the exact same moment he whips his pen at Duck’s hand.
“OW!”
Ned sighs, “I hate to do this, but-”
------------------------------------------------
“Detention! Lovely, my first day here and I’m in trouble. Thank you so much, Duck Newton, for landing us here.”
“You started it!” He growls as they take their seats. God, he hopes this isn’t one of Woodbridge’s days.
“Huh, only two.” Mama wipes her boots on the mat, closes the door behind her, “Afternoon, Duck. And…”
“Indrid.” Says his nemesis, “It is nice to meet you Professor C-” he cocks his head, “you really prefer I call you ‘Mama?’”
“Yep. Never could get behind that more formal stuff. Let some of the first years call me ‘Ms. Mama’ if they really need to feel like they’re showin some deference.”
Mama is deputy Headmistress of Amnesty. The only reason she’s not fully in charge is that she’s not a witch and some families object to that. So The Quell technically runs the school while Mama does most of the actual day to day work. She also teaches a course of non-magic practical skills because, “some things you can’t magic your way out of. Like taxes.”
Duck loves her class and, while he doesn’t understand why someone would opt into this weirdness, he admires the guts it takes as a fifteen year old human to walk into a wizarding school and declare that there was plenty you could learn there even though you couldn’t so much as send a spark from your fingers.
As he and Indrid watch the clock tick down, Mama pulls a bag from her satchel. The contents are cookies, which she offers to each of them.
“Barclay tryin’ out new recipes?”
“Course he is. Kid is gonna be the best damn kitchen witch in the country by the time he graduates. Guess he’s plannin to spend the summer drivin around and learnin the food magic of different regions.” She smiles, “bet you’ll never guess who’s goin’ with him.”
“Joe?”
“Bingo. Apparently he wants to study niche cultural magic.”
Duck’s pretty sure there’s another motive; sharing a van bed with Barclay. It sounds fun, roving the country, discovering new places with someone handsome by your side.
All that’s by his side is a glower hiding behind red glasses.
“Mama? I, ah, would it be possible for me to leave five minutes early? I’m supposed to get my pairing from the Crucible tonight.”
The older woman looks between the two of them, “Better tell me how you landed here first. Ned just said it was an argument.”
“He threw a ruler at me outta nowhere.”
“It was not, you know what you said.”
“The last thing I said before you hit me was ‘“nah, man’ when Billy offered me a pizza roll from his lunch.”
Indrid goes still, “Oh. I, ah, I misheard you. I thought you said 'mothman.' I apologize. I ought to have given you the benefit of the doubt.”
He seems so suddenly downtrodden that Duck shrugs, “Yeah, you should have. But it ain’t the worst thing that’s happened to me here. Not by a long shot.”
“No kiddin” Mama leans back on the desk, “Two of you can go at five til.”
His evening turns uneventful after that; dinner, hanging out with Juno and Aubrey, half doing homework and half fucking around on his phone in his room (the agreement between the school and the government is that a long as the students don’t post vidoes of themselves doing sick stunts with magic, the government will ignore any explosions and/monsters in the vicinity of the school).
He’s never had a roommate; when the Crucible spat out his name in fire on his first day, there was no other name with it. Almost everyone else rooms in pairs or trios. So his belongings are strewn about the tiny cabin that makes up his home away from home. Which is why, when the door creaks open at ten p.m, he sits up and prepares to fire off a spell.
Indrid stands in the doorway, one bag over his shoulder and another in his hand. He looks tired.
“Hello, Duck. Ah, I guess that one is my bed, then.”
----------------------------------------------------------------
The class schedules for Amnesty are generated by the heart of the school itself. Indrid isn’t entirely sure what that means, but the heart must not be terribly creative. It stuck him in divination class. He’s been seeing the future since he was five, managing it with his drawings since he was eight. Even the professor has no idea what to do with him, since the images come in like a garbled T.V signal when he uses a crystal ball and the cup shattered when he tried to read tea leaves.
At least Barclay gave him a conciliatory caramel while they swept up the shards. It made him feel a bit better, though whether that’s due to enchantment or Barclay being exceedingly good at cooking is hard to say.
And now he has to go to “Magical Weaponry.” Magical Defense he understands; there are still lots of malicious forces out there, or even just everyday evils that it’s good to be able to ward against. Plus, Vincent is a good professor, enthusiastic and understanding.
Professor Minerva is just as enthusiastic but twice as loud. This is their first day in the actual gym, as opposed to at a blackboard, and his visions suggest it’s going to go poorly for him. As it should; he’s not a fighter, he’s a disaster.
At Amnesty, magic is channeled through objects. Most people use wands or their hands but some, like Aubrey, use jewelry (a necklace from her mother) or another accessory.
Duck Newton uses a sword. Or he’s trying to. The sword seems to be winning.
“Exert your will on him, Duck Newton, he answers to you!”
“I answeeer to only the capable.”
“Shut up, Beacon.” Duck adjusts his grasp, but nothing happens until he drops the sword and sends a spell through his fingers. The target explodes. Indrid suddenly feels a bit better about his own probable performance.
Duck notices him, indicates the practice area next to him is clear. While they started off poorly, his roommate is doing his best to demonstrate southern hospitality. He invites Indrid to eat with him, helps him when his visions offer no help in navigating the grounds, and even lent him a blue and green shirt (Amnesty's colors) for his first Spirit Day. Duck is the best thing to happen to him in his first month here.
By the time class is over, they have six broken targets, a shredded mat, and a knife that is now a very confused frog between them. They manage to laugh about it, even as Duck scoops up the amphibian and tucks him into his shirt pocket.
It’s then that Indrid realizes he has a crush.
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“You comin to the game tonight?” Juno measures her sapling.
“Assumin nothin comes up and nobody’s tryin to kill me, you know I’ll be there.” He loves cheering Juno on during her soccer games (hey, not everything has to be magic based, even at a wizarding school).
“Drat.”
The hissed frustration draws his attention to the far end of the work table. Indrid is trying to coax his Venus Flytraps to perk up, but they remain brown and limp.
“Need some help?”
“Please, as you clearly know what you’re doing.” Indrid tilts his head towards the sapling pine tree Duck is working on. If he does his growing spells right, he’ll be able to take it home as a Christmas Tree during winter break.
“You tend to picture words or, uh,pictures when you do your spells?”
“Images work best. The trouble is that the futures sometimes make it difficult for me to picture a spell clearly.”
“What if I try describing how I’d see it and you picture what I say?”
“It’s worth a try.” Indrid closes his eyes.
“Okay. Think about the roots drawin water up from the soil, about the traps absorbin nutrients from prey. That brown is goin green as they do, they’re stems are growin stronger…” he grins as the plant turns bright green, it’s mouths open, “hey, ‘Drid, look”
“Oh!” Indrid flaps his hands, “it worked! Now I can keep them healthy and big andohno, nono not again.”
The table cracks and collapses as the plant turns gigantic, blocking out the light from the greenhouse roof.
“Holy fuck, that’s great!”
“Language, sport, but I agree.” Thacker, the head of the magical Horticulture classes, whistles as he looks the plant up and down, “this is mighty impressive Indrid. Wonder if we could use it on some pumpkins come fall…”
“I don’t recommend it, unless you want them to chase people.” Indrid points to one of the heads, which is swaying in the air and lowering closer to him. It snaps and he leaps back, falling to a pile of potting soil. Thacker raises his walking stick and the flytrap returns to its proper size.
Duck helps Indrid up, but his friend stays quiet through the end of class and on the walk back to their room.
“You know it ain’t anythin to be ashamed of, right?” Duck flips on the light, “we all fuck up spells now and then. Hell, Aubrey is on track to be the best spellcaster this school’s ever seen and she still has trouble.”
“But mine go haywire constantly” Indrid flops, dejected, onto his bed, “forget mastering my powers, I’ll be lucky if I graduate able to keep them in check. If I graduate at all.” His hand searches the bed blindly; Duck sets the weighted, plush bat into so Indrid can set it on his chest.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve never lasted more than a year at a magical school. Or a non-magical one. I started at Mt Vernon when I was fifteen. Tried Deep Hollow and Shasta the year after that. I’m powerful but I can’t seem to channel it well, and three different schools decided I was more trouble than I was worth.”
“Bullshit.” Duck rests a hand on Indrid’s knee, “you’re strugglin with somethin; that means you need more help, not less. And if anyone gets it into their heads to kick you outta Amnesty, I’ll raise a goddamn ruckus.”
Indrid chuckles, quiet and disbelieving.
“I’m serious. You know Aubrey and them would side with me, and Joe knows school policy well enough he could probably find a reason why them tryin to get rid of you was against the rule.”
“Thank you.” Indrid’s smile is a rare flower, fragile and stunning.
“You want one of those calm-down caramels Barclay made?”
“Please.”
Duck grabs the box from the cabinet of their little kitchenette, then snags a Coke and a pineapple soda from the fridge. Indrid is no longer horizontal, is instead sitting with his back to the wall so Duck has space to join him.
Under the fizz of fresh bubbles, his friend murmurs, ‘“Have people really tried to kill you?”
“Yep. Someone sent an assassin after me my first year, and there was a Dire wolf on the grounds last winter that was clearly locked on to my scent. Perk of bein a Chosen One.” He grumbles as he swigs his drink.
“...Who on earth sends an assassin after a fifteen year old?”
“Right?! Fuck if I know, they never got any information out of the guy. Fuckin prophecy I swear, I didn’t even want these powers, let alone to be some kind of hero.”
“I sympathize.” Indrid rests his head on Duck’s shoulder, “there are prophecies around my birth as well.”
Duck clunks their bottles together, “To bein’ fucked over by stuff we can’t control.”
Indrid drains his soda, then perks up, “Oh! Oh dear, you should go if you want to be there for Juno’s match.”
“Come with me?” Duck can’t get the image of the two of them sharing a giant pretzel while smushed thigh to thigh on the bleachers out of his head.
His friend grins, “Of course.”
-----------------------------------------------------
Duck hoped, after his not-great time in middle school, that a magic academy would be asshole free. But no, there are assholes everywhere, and these ones have even more tools for tormenting their targets. He’s never been one, nor have any of his friends. The one time someone tried to bully Barclay, Dani sicked three spectral hummingbirds on them until they apologized.
Indrid, odd and new, is an easy target, though he seems to hold his own just fine (and his proximity to the most powerful witch in school does scare off many potential antagonists). But three guys in their Magical Defense class have zeroed in on him.
They’re standing in line to practice against an evil eye when Indrid’s glasses, the ones he doesn’t take off even when he sleeps, hit the floor by Duck’s feet. Duck scrambles to grab them before they get stepped on, wondering why everyone is making such a fuss. Then he turns and backs up in alarm.
An eight foot tall moth creature is where Indrid should be, red eyes wide and claws clicking together anxious.
“Who let that thing in here?” Someone yells from behind him.
Indrid’s antenna flatten.
“Fuck, wasn’t expecting him to be that big a freak” one of the bullies scoffs.
Black wings twitch.
“Newton, give him the glasses back so we don’t have to look at him!”
Indrid trills, upset, and leaps into the air at the same moment Aubrey yells, “that’s enough” and Vincent shouts a reminder about no flames in enclosed spaces and also detention for you three. Duck is to busy climbing out the window Indrid flew through to pick up the details.
One two-story fall later, he’s chasing a dark shape into the Monongahela forest. While the parts of the woods near his hometown of Kepler are non-enchanted, this chunk is magic down to the moss (he plans to write his final year project on how those halves of forest mesh on an ecological level). One of the worst aspects of the enchanted portions is their tendency to re-shape around travelers. His usual way around this is to have an unwavering sense of where he’s going and pretend the woods are giving him an unchanging path to get there. But that trick does fuck-all when he doesn’t know his destination.
After two hours of searching he’s no closer to finding Indrid, it’s getting dark, and he’s debating heading back to the school for help. He hasn’t been this deep in the woods since he fled the Dire Wolf, and he knows the deeper you go into the trees, the wilder the magic becomes. Bad news for him, even worse for his friend who's out there somewhere, upset and alone.
Eight gigantic eyes glitter at him from the dirt, and he quickly rearranges who has it worse right now.
Throwing a burst of light into the trapdoor spiders eyes buys him enough time to bolt to a tree and climb. As soon as it crawls free of its burrow he freezes; if he’s remembering right, they use vibrations to locate prey.
Fuck, that thing is the size of a VW Beatle. Why is that even a thing? No spider needs to be this big!
In spite of his stillness, it spies him and sets its forelimbs on the tree-trunk. There’s nothing else for it; he draws Beacon, pictures the spider shrinking, and casts his spell.
A soft crunch of leaves signals it hitting the ground, now an unremarkable size for an arachnid. Just as he steps down a branch, a second trap door opens and an enraged spider bursts out, looking for it’s friend. When it can’t find it, it turns and snaps its mandibles at Duck. This time, Beacon does nothing, no matter how Duck commands and curses as his eight-legged doom gets closer.
A crackle of electricity and then this spider disappears as well. On the other side of the trunk, red eyes regard him with worry, “are you hurt?”
“Nah, all in one piece thanks to you.” He holds out his hand, “you wanna head back?”
“Yes, please.” Indrid flaps to the ground, Duck following him on foot and then turning them towards campus, “you did not need to come look for me.”
“Course I did, not gonna let my friend get swallowed up by the forest. Oh, here” he holds out the red glasses, “you want these back?”
“Not just yet. That is, if this form is not too alarming to you.”
Duck takes in the glossy feathers, the charming ruff, the way the face is still obviously Indrid yet excitingly new, “I’m good.”
Light flickers from black claws, stars and flowers spinning out with ease, “It’s so much easier when I’m like this. I never foresaw my disguise charm being an issue, but the older I’ve gotten the more it seems to influence my ability to control my spells. But, well, you saw how people reacted. Even you were startled.”
“In my defense, I thought you’d been eaten by, well, you.” Duck casts the same spell, vines of light chasing the red flowers, “I’m still sorry, though. You ain’t horrible like this, ‘Drid; you’re fuckin stunnin. Never seen anyone as incredible as you.”
Indrid stops, looking down at him, “Do you truly mean that?”
Duck rises on his toes, pecking his cheek, “Yeah, I do.”
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The Halloween Formal is the most elaborate event at Amnesty. Indrid feels that if there’s any day he’s within his rights to be in his true form, it’s when everyone else is dressed as monsters.
He doesn’t have a date. He thought Duck was in the same predicament. Then his friend left before he was half-done grooming his feathers, saying he needed to get flowers for his hot date.
Ah well. At least Indrid will get to see him there and spend some time with his friends.
He checks his reflection in the gleaming black walls, orange and purple lights glowing and jack’o lanterns floating above his head. He adjusts his robes, the nice red ones his father sent him, and prepares to enter the ballroom.
“Hold up.”
When he turns, Duck is standing there in his black dress shirt and green tie, looking for all the world like he’s alone.
“You got one more thing to put on” He holds out a bracelet of flowers, sized to slip perfectly over Indrid’s hand. There are matching flowers pinned to one side of Duck’s hair.
“Oh. Oh my. You really-”
Duck uses a small spell to bend Indrid into a kiss; it’s a bit messy, since their mouths aren’t meant to fit together, but Indrid would not trade it for all the magic in the world.
“Yeah, ‘Drid, I really do.” With that, Duck offers his elbow and they walk arm in arm into the great hall.
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writing-imagines · 4 years ago
Text
Jealousy // An Ellie Williams imagine
Possible warnings: drinking, jealousy, pettiness (?), Dina and Jesse are really the only spoilers
Request: Hey!! I was wondering if you could maybe write something where ellie is jealous because the reader has been hanging out with Jesse or Dina a lot. Maybe end it angsty or fluffy (idk it’s up to you (: )
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Life in the apocalypse wasn’t easy by any means. You had to face the fact that anytime you left the safety of Jackson’s walls, you could easily be killed. Having to face that fact everyday really took a toll on those who understood it. While yes, you we’re born into the cordyceps infected world and didn’t know much about the world before it, you still struggled standing on death’s doorstep every day. That’s why any chance you got to let lose, you took full advantage.
You sat at the bar, beer in hand, and enjoyed the couples dancing. Some were really good and others were terrible, but they were all having a good time and that’s what made it entertaining. As you went to take another sip of your beer, the bottle was swiftly removed from your hand. Your head quickly shot up and towards your now empty hand. That’s when you found the culprit.
“You think just because you’re my patrol partner you can take my beer?” You raised an eyebrow, making Dina laugh.
“Listen, I just danced my heart out. I deserve a drink.” She smiled behind the bottle before finishing it.
“Seth, we need two more down here.” She half yelled while waving an arm. The old man nodded and pulled out two beer bottles.
“You gonna trade anything for these, Dina?”
“Put them on my tab.” Dina winked at Seth, causing the old man to roll his eyes.
“Cheers to surviving another patrol.”
“To surviving another patrol.” You clanked your bottles together before drinking. The two of you sat and watched the dancers for a few minutes until Dina sat up straight.
“Hey, your girlfriend is here.” She pointed across the room to the open door. You had to look around a few people, but you eventually saw Ellie’s red flannel.
“I’ll be back. Don’t drink my beer!”
You jumped off the barstool and made a beeline to your girlfriend. You almost ran into a few dancing couples, but you eventually made it to Ellie. Without hesitation, you pulled her into a bear hug.
“Hey! I didn’t think you were coming.” You loosened the hug ever so slightly so you could look at your girlfriend.
“I wasn’t planning on it, but I missed you and I knew you’d be here.”
“I missed you too, babe. Come on, I already have a spot at the bar.” You let go of Ellie only to grab her hand and drag her across the dance floor and to the bar.
“Babe, take my seat.” You gestured to the barstool next to Dina and she accepted. You sat down beside Ellie and gently placed your hand on her back.
“Hey Ellie. Didn’t think we’d see you here.” Dina greeted while swirling her beer around.
“Yeah, I wanted to hang out with y/n for a little bit. We may live together, but we don’t see each other much.”
“Why is that? Y/n, your dad runs the scheduling. Why don’t you have him put you two on the same schedule?” Dina raised her eyebrow at you while finishing off her beer.
“My dad does the scheduling for the jobs around town. Maria is the one who does patrols.”
“Then talk to your stepmom about getting you two together! All the other couples work together if they want to. You should be no exception. Seth, I need two more beers! Ellie, you drink beer, right?”
“Not tonight. I have early morning patrol tomorrow.”
“Y/n, you need another one?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Awesome! Seth, where are my beers?” Dina got up and marched to the other end of the bar where Seth was defiantly hiding from her. You couldn’t help but laugh at your friend.
“She’s something else.” You took a sip of your drink, officially finishing it. When Ellie didn’t respond, you noticed the mild scowl on her face.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Are you two going to get hammered again?” Her tone said it all. Ellie was pissed.
“I was hoping to have a few drinks, yeah.”
“Okay. Just don’t be obnoxious when you come home. I’m not cleaning up your mess again.” Before you could respond, Dina came back and handed you another beer.
“Thanks Dina.”
“No problem. So Ellie, how’s the North lookout treating you? I’ve heard there’s a lot of infected out there.”
“It’s good. There’s defiantly...”
You tuned out their conversation. She probably didn’t mean to, but Ellie kind of ruined your night with that comment. Most of your time spent with Dina was on patrol, so, you were really looking forward to enjoying the night in the safety of Jackson. You sat quietly and continued to drink a few more beers while Ellie and Dina caught up with each other. Just as you finished your drink, one of your favorite songs came over the loud speakers. At that point, you had just enough to forget Ellie was mad at you and vice versa.
“I love this song. Will you dance with me?” You held Ellie’s hand and looked at her with hopeful eyes. You knew Ellie wasn’t a big fan of dancing, especially to fast songs, but you thought maybe she would try it for you.
“Oh no, I can’t. I’m terrible at dancing.”
“Come on, babe. Pleaseeee.” You held her hand a little tighter and tried to work your puppy dog eyes.
“No, I don’t want to.”
“Come on, y/n. I’ll dance with you.”
Dina jumped up and quickly pulled you onto the dance floor. You and Dina immediately started jumping around and dancing like idiots. You didn’t care how stupid you looked flailing around, you were having so much fun. The song eventually ended and you and Dina fell into each other, both of you laughing uncontrollably and getting a ton of strange looks. You wrapped an arm around each other and swayed back to the bar.
“Man, I love you, y/n. Seriously. You’re one of the best people I know.” Dina slapped your shoulder before leaning against the bar.
“I love you too, D. I-hey, where’d Ellie go?” You quickly spun around and tried to find her in that red flannel.
“She left. Looked pretty upset too.” The guy sitting on the other side of Dina said. Those words were enough to block most of the alcohol in your body. Dina looked at you with a slightly concerned look.
“Looks like you better go find your girl. Can you make it home okay?”
“Yeah. Can you?”
“I’ll be fine. Go get your girl.” Dina slapped your shoulder again before you ran off.
You stumbled through the crowd and eventually out the door. Things started spinning a little, but you had made the exact same walk a dozen times. The only thing that really posed a threat was the wet leaves everywhere. But, you knew you’d be fine if you fell. It took a little time, but you eventually found your way past the mini greenhouses and to Ellie’s. Without hesitation, you opened the door and nearly tumbled in. Once inside, you saw the most heart breaking sight. Ellie was sitting on her bed, head in her hands and trying not to cry.
“Babe, what’s wrong?” You tried to sit down beside her, but Ellie quickly stood up. Her eyes were red and puffy, causing a ache to settle in your chest.
“What’s wrong? Something is going on between you and Dina. That’s what’s wrong.” Your eyes widened at the accusation.
“Ellie, what are you talking about? There’s nothing going on between me and Dina.”
“You think I haven’t picked up on how you two have been acting these past few weeks? You specially requested her to be your new patrol partner, you always get home late from patrols, and you were just flirting with each other at the bar.” Ellie fought back tears as she spoke. Every word sounded like it was her breaking point. You slowly stood up and stepped towards your girlfriend. Much to your surprise, she let you hold her hands and looked you in the eyes.
“Ellie, babe, Dina has been my friend for years. Hell, she’s practically my sister at this point. There’s nothing going on between us. You have nothing to worry about. I swear. You’re the only one I love.” Ellie pulled her hands out of your lose grasp and crossed her arms over her chest.
“You two haven’t spent this much time together since I’ve known you. If nothing is going on, what’s caused you two to spend so much time together recently?” Her tone changed from heartbroken to even more accusatory and that didn’t sit well with you.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because she broke up with Jesse and has a little more free time?” You shrugged, genuinely not knowing (or caring) why Dina was spending more time with you. Ellie dropped her arms to her sides before shrugging.
“Okay, fine.” Her tone wasn’t very convincing and you knew she was annoyed. She tried to playoff her annoyance by casually walking to the dresser and pulling out her sleep clothes.
“You don’t believe me.”
“No, I do.” Once again, Ellie’s tone wasn’t convincing. If anything it conveyed more annoyance.
“Fine.” You walked over to the desk and grabbed your backpack for overnight patrols. You could feel your girlfriend’s eyes on you as you gathered your own sleep clothes.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to stay at my dad’s. I think we need some time apart.” Your tone was harsh, probably the harshest it had ever been with Ellie. You could tell she was worried now.
“You don’t have to do that. We can keep talking this out.”
“What’s the point? You obviously don’t believe me. I can put up with a lot, but I refuse to sleep next to someone who thinks I’m a liar.”
“I don’t think you’re a liar, y/n. Please, put the bag down and let’s talk.” Now her tone was laced with worry as you put on your flannel shirt.
“No. I can’t be around you right now, Ellie.” All bets of you staying where off when you opened the door.
“Please don’t go. I want you here.” The ache settled in your chest again when you heard the hurt in her voice. You took a deep breath and let it out as a sigh.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night. Love you.”
You stepped out into the cold fall night again and made your way to the other side of Jackson. You couldn’t help but notice all the looks you were getting as you walked down the street. After what felt like an eternity, you reached the doorstep of your former home. You softly knocked, hoping your dad would answer.
“Hi y/n. What are you doing here this late?” Maria asked, already in her robe for the night.
“Hey Maria. I um...I was wondering if I could talk to my dad.” You watched as her eyes landed on your backpack.
“Of course. Come inside it’s cold. Tommy, y/n is here for you!” She stepped to the side, allowing you to walk inside the house. Maria placed her hand on your shoulder to get your attention.
“Is this something you want me to hear? I know how you feel about people knowing your business.”
“It’s nothing personal. This-” she placed her hand up, effectively shutting you up.
“I’ll let you two have your talk. Let me know if you need anything.” Maria walked into the kitchen, leaving you alone until your dad walked downstairs.
“Kiddo, what are you doing here?” Tommy asked as he held his arms out and pulled you into a hug.
“Hey Dad. Do you think I could stay here for the night? Ellie and I kind of got into a fight.” Even though Maria was in another room, you found yourself whispering. Tommy quickly pulled away, his smile was replaced by a puzzled look.
“Of course you can. Is everything okay between you two?”
“I don’t know.” That lump in your throat returned and you try to hold back your unexpected tears.
“Hey, it’s okay. Did you eat dinner?”
“No, but I’m not hungry. I really want to lay down actually.”
“Okay. Here, I’ll take your bag.”
Tommy helped slip the bag off your shoulders and started towards the stairs. You followed him even though you knew where he was going. You followed him upstairs and down the hallway to the last door on the right.
“We haven’t changed it since you moved out.” Your dad opened the door, revealing your childhood bedroom. He wasn’t lying, everything still looked like you remembered.
“Brings back memories.” You couldn’t help but smile as memories from your childhood and teenage years came flooding back.
“You remember that time Dina put her foot through the wall?” Tommy walked over to the far side of the room and pointed at a discolored portion of blue paint.
“Yeah. She was trying to do a handstand and fell backwards.” You both chuckled at the memory, but your smile faded when you remembered why you were back in your childhood bedroom.
“Man, you two were always getting into something when you were younger.” He said with a soft laugh.
“Yeah, we always had a good time.” You sat down on your old mattress and let out a sigh. Tommy walked back to you and carefully sat down on the bed.
“You wanna tell me what happened with Ellie?”
“She thinks something is going on between me and Dina because we’ve been spending more time together. I told Ellie I didn’t love Dina, I only loved her. I could tell she didn’t believe me and that made me mad. So, I packed my bag and I came here because I didn’t want to be around someone who thinks I’m a liar.” You let out a sniffle as a tears attempted to roll down your cheeks. You quickly wiped them away and looked down at the old hardwood floor.
“Kiddo, I’m sure Ellie doesn’t think you’re a liar. She’s probably just really upset at the moment. You both need to cool off for a minute and then talk this out.” Tommy wrapped an arm around your shoulder and pulled you a little closer.
“I don’t understand. I used to run around with Dina for days and Ellie was fine with it. What changed?”
“That’s something you’re going to have to ask her yourself. Remember, that girls been through a lot, more than anyone should ever have to go through. If you both take your time and be patient with each other this will all be fixed.”
“You really think so?”
“I do. I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. It’s the look of love if I’ve ever seen it.” That made you feel a sense of pride, enough to make you smile a little.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“No need to thank me. This is just part of parenthood. Now, I’m going to leave you alone so I can get some sleep.” Your dad lightly tapped your shoulder in an attempt to be supportive before slowly standing up.
“Jesus the bed is hard. Good luck sleeping on it.”
“I slept on it for years. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Night, kiddo. Sleep tight.”
“Night, Dad.”
Tommy finally left your room, closing the door behind him. You let out a sigh and actually felt a little better, albeit tired. You decided to change into your sleep clothes while you still felt a little better about the situation. You had to admit that it felt weird doing your nighttime routine without Ellie there to make conversation with. Once you were changed, you slid into the old bed and hoped to get some sleep.
Instead of falling asleep right away, you thought of the first time Ellie snuck over. You were fifteen and she wanted to show you a knife she found while on patrol. She ended up sleeping over and you two talked about anything and everything. That was the first time you felt feelings towards her. The painful ache returned to your chest the longer you thought about it. You forced yourself to shut your brain off and eventually fall asleep.
You woke up the next morning with a mild headache and a growling stomach. With a groan, you forced yourself out of bed and out into the hallway. Just before you reached the stairs you heard Joel’s voice. You tiptoed closer to the stairs until you could barely see your dad and uncle at the kitchen table.
“So, Ellie’s pretty heartbroken about this?” Your dad questioned while eating his breakfast.
“Yeah, she is. She showed up on my doorstep at one in the morning and asked to talk for a bit. She hasn’t wanted to talk to me like that in years.”
“What did she have to say?”
“She said she was really upset about y/n leaving. Felt like crying for a while, but decided to talk to someone instead. She talked about some other stuff too.” Joel paused and took a drink from his mug.
“Like what, Joel?”
“You know, getting married and moving out of the garage. She thought they were ready for that, but this little mess has her thinking otherwise.”
You had to stop yourself from gasping at that revelation. You knew you wanted to spend the rest of your life with Ellie and move out of the garage someday, but you had no idea she actually wanted to get married. Realizing the severity of this small fight increased tenfold, you decided it was time to go home. Cautiously, you went back to your bedroom, changed into your jeans, shirt, and flannel from the previous day, and mentally prepared yourself to face your family.
“Look who’s up.” Tommy greeted as you walked down the stairs. Joel looked at you with a somewhat stern look that was usually reserved for Ellie.
“Morning, Dad. Morning, Uncle Joel.”
“Hey, kid.” His stern look stayed, even as he took another drink from the mug. You adjusted your backpack, feeling a little uneasy about the situation you got yourself into.
“Where you running off to? Too good to hang out with your dad and uncle?”
“Of course not. I figured I better get home and take care of some things.” Tommy and Joel gave each other a look, making you feel even more uneasy.
“How much of our conversation did you hear?” Your uncle looked at you for a moment before reaching into his jacket pocket. A small part of you was worried you were about to be shot or stabbed. If that was going to be your last moment, you wanted to be honest.
“All of it. That’s why I’m going home, so I can work things out with Ellie.”
“You might want to take this. It’ll at least get your foot in the door.” Joel finally pulled his hand out of his pocket and revealed Ellie’s switchblade. Your eyes widened in surprise since Ellie rarely let it out of her sight.
“Well, go on. She’ll give up eventually and leave for patrol.” Joel held the switchblade out for you to take. You carefully took it and placed in in your jeans pocket.
“Wish me luck. If she stabs me don’t punish her. I probably deserved it.” Your joke didn’t totally stick, but both men gave you a halfhearted smile.
“Good luck, kiddo. If things don’t work out you can always move back in.” It was a sweet gesture, but you really didn’t want to move back in with your dad and stepmother.
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
You hastily left the house, determined to make it back home before Ellie left. After running through town you reached the garage you could see Ellie through the door window, searching for something. You placed your hand on the door handle, but paused before twisting it. We’re you allowed to just walk in after a fight? You pulled your hand away and knocked instead.
“Come in!” You slowly stepped in, expecting her to turn around. Instead, she continued to rummage through her desk drawer.
“You don’t have to say it, Jesse. I know I’m late. I can’t find my switchblade.” You stood there practically frozen. What exactly were you suppose to say in situations like this?
“Uh...it’s me.” Ellie stopped searching and looked over her shoulder. You gave her a small smile and in return she finally turned around to face you.
“Hey. I uh...I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Sorry. I found your switchblade in my bag. I knew you’d want it for patrol.” You pulled the switchblade out of your pocket and walked towards her. When you were a few steps away, Ellie held out her hand, silently telling you to keep your distance. You handed her the switchblade and felt the awkwardness in the room intensify as you both stood in silence.
“Thanks for bringing it back. Now I can finally go on patrol.” Ellie stepped to the side and walked past you. You knew you couldn’t let her go out into the world where she could possibly die without talking things out first.
“We need to talk about last night before you go.” You forced yourself to turn around and look at Ellie. It took her a moment, but your girlfriend eventually turned around to face you.
“What is there to talk about? We fought, you left and now you’re back. We’re fine.” She shrugged, trying not to show she was still upset about this whole thing.
“We are not fine. Come on, talk to me, Ellie.” You carefully approached her and much to your surprise again, Ellie let you hold her hands.
“I’m jealous of Dina. There, are you happy now?” Ellie barely looked you in the eye as she spoke. She also let go of your hands and quickly crossed her arms over her chest.
“Babe, why are you jealous of her?”
“Like I said...she gets to spend a lot of time with you and I don’t. She’s also really pretty.” Ellie nervously bit her lip and rocked back and forth slightly.
“I’ll talk to Maria about maybe scheduling us for the same patrols or at least have us both work mornings. That way we’re both home at the same time.” Ellie finally shifted her gaze from the floor to you.
“I’d like that, but I realized it’s unfair for me to ask you to stop hanging out with Dina. You guys have been friends since before I got here.”
“She’ll understand. After all, she did pretty much abandon me the first month she was dating Jesse.” You chuckled at the memory while Ellie smiled at you. It felt amazing seeing her smile again.
“So...are we good?” Part of you was nervous that she would say ‘no’ and your relationship was permanently damaged. The other part was certain things were finally mended.
“Yeah, we’re good.” That was all the confirmation you needed to pull Ellie into a hug. A smile crept across both your faces as you held one another. Ellie pulled away just enough to fit her arms between you that way she could hold your face in her hands.
“You know, you never denied that Dina was pretty.” She tried to give you a serious look, but ended up looking adorable.
“I can’t deny it because she is pretty. She’s not my type though. I only like girls who are interested in space, comic books, guitars, and who are immune to a certain virus that turns people into walking fungus.” Ellie tried hard to fight her growing smile, but failed miserably. You didn’t even try to hide your amusement.
“You’re such a sap.”
“Yeah, but I’m your sap.”
Like a scene out of a movie, you looked each other in the eyes for a brief moment before leaning in for a kiss. The kiss was sweet at first, but after a few moments things heated up. Ellie’s hands found their way up to your hair, effectively pulling you impossibly close together. Just as you took off your flannel there was a knock at the door.
“Ellie? You in there?” Jesse’s muffled voice called out. You quickly jumped apart, both breathing heavy.
“Shit. Yeah, I’m in here! Just give me a minute!”
“Take your time. It’s not like you’re missing work or anything.” Ellie rolled her eyes and let out a groan.
“I guess we’ll pick this up later?” You asked, straightening out your shirt.
“Definitely. I’ll get back as soon as I can.” Ellie turned around to finally leave for patrol. She only made it a few steps before you grabbed her wrist. Ellie stopped and turned to face you.
“Be careful out there. I can’t lose you after I just got you back.” Your girlfriend smiled before leaning in and placing a kiss on your cheek.
“I’ll always come back to you.”
“I love you, Ellie.”
“I love you too, y/n. See you later.”
“See you later.” She leaned in and gave you another kiss on the cheek.
Ellie finally reached the door and was promptly greeted by Jesse sporting a raised eyebrow.
“And what took you so long?”
“I was busy. Now, let’s go.”
Ellie and Jesse left, officially leaving you alone. You walked over to your bed and laid down, enjoying the feeling of being back in your own home. Just as you closed your eyes for a moment of rest from the emotional rollercoaster you had been on for the past ten hours, there was a knock at your window. You turned your head to see Dina waving furiously.
“Let’s go get breakfast!” Her muffled voice came through the window. For a moment, you considered not going since Ellie told you her feelings about you spending time with Dina. But, Ellie did say it would be selfish of her to ask you to not hang out with your longtime friend. What could one breakfast together hurt anyway? You quickly climbed out of bed and met Dina outside.
“Hey, D. What’s up?”
“I think you know what’s up. You really think you could get into a fight with Ellie and not tell me about it?” Dina placed her hands on her hips and tried to look angry at you.
“How’d you find out?”
“People in this town talk, y/n. Come on, you can tell me all the details over breakfast. I’m starving and hungover. Not a great combination.”
“Alright, alright. Let’s go.”
You threw your hands up in a surrendering way before walking with Dina to the bar. It was going to be a long morning, but after the drama you had just been through, you were ready for anything.
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sk8 au week - day 2: royalty and soulmate
reki kyan was nearing his eighteenth birthday and he had yet to meet his soulmate. reki has heard the whispers of the people in the town about people who don’t find their soulmates. it’s not that he didn’t have one -he did, for your information, thank you very much- but because reki was from a royal family, and therefore a prince, he was to be married off and did not have the luxury of being with his soulmate. unless his soulmate was from another royal family, but reki had seen where his red string lead: straight into the center of the town below. so no such luck for another noble as his soulmate.
reki’s mother had tried to let him build friendships and hopefully relationships with the other royal children around his age, but reki had dreams about meeting his soulmate and never developed anything more than friendship with the other royals.
reki stared at his red string, eyes tracing its path down into the village, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone. sometimes when he sleep he caught glimpses of a tall, pale, slender figure and bright blue eyes. reki wondered what those eyes would look like mere inches from his own.
suddenly a book smacked into the back of reki’s head, startling him from his daydream.
“what the fuck-“ reki’s head whipped around.
“hey there slime.” said a voice.
reki groaned at the sight of the boy sitting atop his desk.
“hello miya.” he grumbled.
“what’re you looking at?” the young prince asked, a catlike smirk breaking out on his face.
“nothing,” reki said pushing himself up and walking over to miya.
“so is your mom still making you meet that prince for dinner tonight?” miya hummed as he twirled a pen in his hands.
reki’s mother was much more kind with her son and his romantic predicament, compared to reki’s father who was ready to marry his son off without a meeting between the spouses. but after his father ran away with the sevrant girl he impregnated no one stuck to his old rules.
“yes, but i have a plan to escape and i need your help.” reki said placing his hands on miya’s shoulders.
“i’m all ears,” miya said leaning forward as if reki’s mother was outside the door and eavesdropping this very moment.
“ok so i need you to mix up joe and shadow’s schedules so they’re both in the great hall at the same time. we cant have a fancy dinner set up if the cook and florist are in there at the same time now can we?”
“i like what i’m hearing.”
“and then i need you and koyomi to either distract the stable hand while i sneak through the barn.”
“done. is that all you need?”
“yep. the rest is up to me. joe accidentally let it slip that his soulmate is the craftsman in town and that he sneaks out at the exit behind the greenhouses to meet him. so thanks to joe i’ve got my escape route all planned.”
“well look at this, prince reki ditching the feast planned just for him. who would have thought?” miya asked with a laugh.
“well after how the last dinner ended it’s not that surprising.” reki said with a shudder as he remembered the glazed goat falling onto the poor princess who was just looking for a potential marriage partner.
miya let out snicker at the memory. “well now that you say that...”
“anyways i have to hurry if i wanna make it before my mom sends a servant to make sure i’m ready.”
“oh right right let’s go. i’ll go get koyomi and head to the stables. see you soon.” and with a wink miya slipped out the door and was gone. grabbing a cloak from his bed, reki fastened the clasp and dashed out the room after miya.
he was sick of all this arranged marriage bullshit, he was sick of it all. reki just wanted to meet his soulmate and fall in love. he knew his thoughts were selfish though. he was the eldest of the four kyan children and his mom was doing her best to rule a kingdom by herself, so by default his marriage was bound to be political. it was very unlikely he would end up with his soulmate.
and so that’s why reki was going to meet his soulmate tonight. he would meet them and apologize for being a lousy soulmate before heading back to the castle to meet the prince who he was supposed to be dinning with.
for most of reki’s life he soulmate had lead to a place up in the snowy mountains. but within the past few years the string moved into the town below the castle reki lived in. just like fate his soulmate moved to his home town. but it was someone else’s fate, not his. so reki made up his mind weeks ago: meet his soulmate, apologize, then finally agree to a political marriage. his plan would take away his curiously about his soulmate, it would hopefully lessen his guilt about not being able to be with said soulmate, and it would make his mom happy. so why didn’t he like what he was about to do?
ignoring the heavy feeling in his stomach reki pushed on. running quietly through the halls reki hid behind stone pillars and over large plant pots when he needed too. finally reaching the barn reki slipped into there to see miya and koyomi talking away with the stable hand over a loaf of bread and some pieces of cheese.
slipping past the trio and out into the courtyard beyond reki doesn’t make a noise. he holds his breath all the way to the green house, and doesn’t let it out until he’s well into the tunnel behind it. some time ago a tunnel was dug in the large wall protecting the castle, the entrance was hidden by vines on both sides. the cave was known only to a select few.
as reki hurried through the cave he began to think back to some of his earlier suitors. he remembers his best friend who he could have seen himself marrying despite not being soulmates. but his friend got sick and went back to his kingdom and reki never heard from him again.
but tonight was about his soulmate. so reki trudged on, squinting for the cave opening.
before long the prince was stumbling out of the vines and onto the street. luckily it was mostly empty. empty except for a tall man with long pink hair and glasses.
at the sound of someone falling through the leaves he looked up but seemed shocked to see a teenager.
“your not kojiro.” the stranger blurted.
“and your not- actually i wasn’t waiting for anyone and i have no idea who you are...or who kojiro is.”
the man stared at reki for a minute before recognition flashed in his eyes.
“prince reki! what are you doing outside of the castle?”
“i um...well you see-“ but reki was cut off by a rustling behind the vines and a large figure falling out of said vines.
“kaoru you will never believe the day i had...” joe trailed off, eyes catching sight of a panicked reki and surprised kaoru.
“joe?” reki blurted at the same time joe said “reki?”
the two stared at each other before reki made a run for it.
but joe caught him by his hood so reki didn’t get far.
“kid what the hell are you doing here?” joe said apparently forgetting all formalities one should talk to their prince with.
“not of your business! and i could ask you the same!” reki yelled as he struggled to get free from joe’s grip.
“i’m meeting my soulmate. and i’m going to ask you again, what are you doing here?”
reki sagged, giving up the struggle. “same here,”
“you’re meeting your soulmate?” kaoru asked.
“yes, what about it?” reki said crossing his arms. it had all gone so good until now.
“aren’t you supposed to be in a arranged marriage?”
“yes so i’m going to meet my soulmate and apologize before agreeing to an arranged marriage.”
“what?” joe said, surprise causing him to loosen his grip. taking the chance reki dashed away. ignoring the yells behind him reki kept on running. nothing can stop me now, reki thought, i’ve come this far.
eyeing his string, reki ran through the streets watching it get tighter and tighter. reki was too focused on the string that he didn’t see the boy in front of himself until it was too late.
the boys slammed into each other hard, the medicinal products in the other boy’s hands clattering to the ground.
“oh shit sorry-“
“sorry-“
they both spoke at the same time causing the boys to look up at each other abruptly. the boy had bright blue hair that went down past his ears. he was tall and lanky, his skin almost as pale as snow. bright blue eyes that reki had sworn he had seen before. but when reki’s gaze meet the boy‘s hands, his heart stopped. a thin red string connecting reki’s own finger to this mystery boy’s, hung in the air. a red string of fate; a soulmate string. this boy was his soulmate.
eyes snapping back to the bright blue ones reki knew his soulmate saw it too.
“well shit.” reki blurted and the boy began to laugh. it was a sweet noise, like the chime of heavenly bells. and so reki began to laugh too.
“well i guess you’re my soulmate. that makes this search a lot easier then.” standing up and reaching out a hand to his soulmate, reki began to speak. “so you probably know who i am and therefore i can’t marry you -or be with you quite frankly- and i’m very sorry for that and it’s selfish of me but i have the responsibility of the kingdom on my shoulders and i can’t fail my people.”
“what? ‘kingdom’? what are you talking about?” the boy‘s blank stare bored into reki.
“...i’m the prince. and i’m going to be king someday. and as much i want to be with my soulmate -you-, i have to be responsible for my people -which includes you-.”
realization dawned on his face. “ooh, i see.”
“and honestly i don’t care about the difference of ‘rank’ between noble and townsfolk but other royalty do.”
“well my moms a doctor if that means anything.”
“a prominent roll indeed but unfortunately not enough for the in-law of a prince. well not in my eyes, but in the eyes of others.”
the boy hummed in though. “well she was the queen of the kingdom in the mountains before my father fell to illness and some corrupt politician overthrew her and had us banished. do that mean anything?”
“you- you mean you were a prince?”
the boy nods.
“oh my god. oh my god! this may just work then! i may be able to be with my soulmate and still have a marriage that pleases the royal court!” reki’s eyes light up in happiness. “that’s only if you do want to be with me i mean.” he added.
“well you’re my soulmate, are you not? so we’re meant to be together, no?”
“well yes of course. but i wanted to make sure you were comfortable with it and all...”
“of course reki.” the boy said sweetly while reaching out and clasping reki’s hands in his own.
reki almost melted at the use of his given name spoken by his soulmate.
“oh wait can i call you that? is that ok?”
all reki could do was dumbly nod.
“my names langa by the way.”
“langa,” reki said testing out the way the name felt on his tongue. “i like it!” he smiled and watched as langa’s face turned red.
“well should we head to the castle or something to relay the news?” langa asked, turning to reki.
“hmmm i think we can wait a minute. wanna show me around the town?”
“it would be my honor.”
and so the two boys disappeared into the lively bustle of the town as the laughed away and held each other’s hand like a lifeline.
~ ~ ~
@sk8-au-week
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alexandenigtscreations · 3 years ago
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Chapters: 1/2 Fandom: The Penumbra Podcast Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Peter Nureyev/Juno Steel Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Poisoning, cough, lung trauma, Peter Nureyev has ADHD, Heist gone wrong Summary:
After Juno Steel and Peter Nureyev return from a salvaged heist, Juno proves to have a little cough that's more than what it seems.
Chapter 1:
“God damn it Ransom, would you hurry up?” Juno hissed, anxiously pacing back and forth through the garden path.  
He cast his eye about the place, the snaking paths, the exotic plants and flowers crammed into every corner; thriving under the environmentally controlled conditions of the dome.  Had to admit, as far as giant waists of creds went, an arboretum wasn’t bad... or whatever…
That is if said arboretum wasn’t a cover for a shady cybernetics firm Mercury Wear.  
The mission had been on shaky ground from the get go.  May have thought that a multi-billion cred company like Mercury Wear could afford some halfway decent security- but no.  
The place was a mess from the shoddy placement of it’s security cameras to the guard's off schedule patrols.  Juno for the life of him couldn’t figure out why they even bothered with them.  Five minutes into the heist and they nearly plowed into a patrol at least an hour late for that sector.  
There was something to be said for the unpredictability of their movements, lot harder to navigate a place when you didn’t know what or who was around the corner.  But it lost a lot of it’s edge with how haphazard it all seemed to be.  
He turned on his heel, pacing up the way he came.  Cursing the decorative hedge rows and bursts of color from the flowers, making him see shadowy figures around every turn.
Damn it Nureyev- Where are you?  Juno did his best to quash the worry niggling away rising up within, but didn’t have to do so for long.  
There was a cracking sound, Juno stiffened, head whipping around for the source-  
Nothing-
He was just jumping at ghosts- great.
Juno turned back to his vigil, trying to keep the place clear for when Nureyev made an appearance.  Casually shifting his grip on his blaster when wham!
Something plowed into his side, a youthful voice shouting out “Intruder!”
His blaster was sent flying, making him swear.  They were bigger than he was and it was hard to stay on his feet with a blow like that.  He balled up his fist, and planted it into his attacker’s gut.  They coughed, doubled over, and Juno prepared for another blow but this time hit only air as they twirled away.
The opponent may be green, but was no stranger to a fight- that could be a problem….
“Hey!  Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Juno barked at their retreating back.  Their arm was wrapped firmly around their middle and they seemed- scared.  Juno didn’t have time to think about that as he lunged forward and just managed to catch hold of their uniform before they disappeared between another oasis hedge row.
They hissed and twisted in his grasp, scrabbling for purchase on the raised flower beds.  Squeaking “Let me go!  Let me go or else!”  The fear was plain in their voice, catching and tearing at the edges.  And god- Juno hated that, wishing more than ever he could have just stunned this stupid kid rather than dealing with all of this.
“Can’t- Do that-” Juno grunted, and it was true.
The fact was that Juno couldn’t afford to let them go- couldn’t afford to give them the chance to trigger the alarm.  Couldn’t afford to bring any unnecessary attention to Nureyev while he still had a job to do.
“Damn it, would ya- hold- still- Ahh!”
They’d taken a fist full of dirt, red as the Martian sands and blown it into his face.  A cheap trick, an old trick, but... it worked.  Juno reeled back scrubbing at his eye and gagging on the bitter taste.  He’d eaten plenty of dirt in his time.  Unintentionally, of course, but this was particularly foul.  
Soon as his hold loosened, the guard sent a kick to his chest that would make a sewer rabbit proud.  
Galaxies exploded in front of his watering vision as he was sent sprawling.  The kid was gloating and somewhere he was aware of Nureyev calling out to him.  
Nureyev- that thought stuck in his mind.  
A shuddering gasp later and Juno recovered enough to realize that the guard made a mistake-  There his weapon was, somehow, laying right next to him.  He took up the blaster, aimed and made the shot.
The guard crumpled.
“Detective!” Nureyev appeared “Are you alright?” he offered a hand pulling Juno upright.
“Yeah.  Fine, just one second-” he crossed to the guard, they were quite still, almost too still.  Not something he’d normally worry about if it weren’t for how young they looked, maybe the same age as he was when he joined the HCPD.  The hell were they doing in a job like this?  “Ohh thank god-” he exclaimed, the kid’s pulse beat a strong tattoo under his fingers.  Captain Khan would be proud.
“Juno?”
“Can’t leave an unconscious guard out in the open now can I?” He hoisted them up under the armpits and dragged them behind the hedge.  Their sleeve hiked up over their wrist and Juno’s gut twisted.
A debtor's tag.
Damn-
He really hated rich people.  
“Love, are you-” Nureyev paused mid sentence, looking down at the glittering bit of tech on the kid’s wrist.  “Ah, an…. employee of the Board of Fresh Starts then.  That would explain something about discipline of the place.”
“Yeah, I think it does.”
Just then, their radio crackled to life.  Though Juno couldn’t understand what was being said, the way the message repeated it was clear that they were expecting a response.
Before he could so much as share a look with Nureyev, the doors banged open and guards started to pour in.
“I believe that that is our cue, Detective.”
“No kidding.” he quipped.  But Nureyev was already making his way out of the greenhouse.  “Hey!  N-Ransom!” Juno took off running after, clearing a path for them to get through with well placed shots.  
“Thank you Love!” Nureyev turned briefly to flash him the signature fox’s grin, blown all the wider from adrenaline.
“Yeah, yeah.  Eyes front Babe-” he wheezed “you can thank me later.  Whoa! Hey!” a bolt of plasma whizzed past his ear, sparking dead against the wall.  Juno was about to pivot and return the favor when Nureyev yanked him around the corner, commanding the door shut.  
“Juno, the lock-”
Juno saw what he meant.  It was a cheap thing made of poor quality metals.  “On it.” Not the safest thing in the world, but at this range, he couldn't afford to miss.  One shot was all it took to fuse the mechanism.  
Though he really ought to have expected the fumes.  As soon as he took a whiff of the stuff his lungs seemed to launch a full scale revolt.  Probably would have keeled over if it weren’t for Nureyev’s steading arm about his waist.  
“Are you quite alright Love?”
His lungs still felt unpleasantly tight, but he was no longer coughing which was a plus.  “Yeah, jus’ fine- Forgot how much I missed the smell of burning epoxy in the morning-”
“I’ll make a note not to add it to my cologne collection then.”
Juno rolled his eyes, picking up his pace to match Nureyev’s easy strides.  Taking a moment to both appreciate and curse those long legs.  They could hear the pounding footsteps come up from behind.  Whatever time they’d bought with the door trick was coming to an end.
Damn.
“How do we get out of this damned place?”  Juno demanded.  He’d gotten hopelessly lost several turns back.
“Like this.”  Nureyev flung open a door with a flourish.  Several faces stared up at them from the stairwell, “Or not.” He shut it just as quick; moving aside for Juno to fuse that lock as well.  
“Just how many escape routes you have left in there?” he wheezed against the pressure in his chest.  
“Seven.” He shot over his shoulder.  The pounding of boots issued from the corridor to the right, drawing Nureyev’s attention, “Make that five.”
“Five?  Oh, Great.” he skidded to a halt at the mouth of the hall, grounding his feet and lining up the shots.  Three guards, he could take out three guards.  
“A simple process of elimination Detective.” He grinned, pulling Juno out of the way of an erratic burst of blaster fire.  At the same time, he extracted a smoke bomb from one of his overstuffed pockets, lobbing it back the way they came.  
To their credit, the guards weren’t idiots.  They knew a threat when they saw one and high tailed it back the way they came as the corridor filled with a brilliant purple smoke.  
Nureyev turned, leading him down the corridor bearing the stunned guards, flinging open another door.  
“Another Stairwell?” Juno asked bewildered.  
“Of Course love, unless-” he paused long enough to give Juno a cheeky grin “you’d rather we take a window or the vents.”
“You know, been meaning to take more stairs.”
Even skipping two at a time Juno was outpaced.  Nureyev could vault over the edges of the banister, his feet barely touching the ground before he was once more air born.  Juno plowed on, his lungs burning, itching with the effort of catching up.  He suddenly regretted missing all those physical therapy appointments.  
There was a loud bang and a shout, sounds of a scuffle.  Juno readied his blaster, heart in his throat.  He relaxed a little when he heard Nureyev’s voice, slightly strained.  He was saying something in a language Juno didn’t understand, and someone was shouting back.  
“Juno, Dear, if I might have some- assistance.”
It took less than a second to eye up the situation.  Nureyev’s arm wrapped around the neck of a struggling guard, using them as a shield while another had their blaster trained on him.  They plainly weren’t ready to shoot their companion, which was good for Nureyev.  
“Yeah babe.”
The guard only had a second to lock eyes with Juno before she took a stunner to the chest.  
“Thank you Love.” Nureyev tightened his grip on the person’s pulse point.  Their mouth opened wide, gasping, desperately scrabbling with his arm until they went limp.  He held on for a moment longer to ensure they were truly out before letting their weight slide to the floor.  Juno stooped, exposing the guard’s wrist.  “I assure you love, they’ll be quite alright.”
Juno gave a soft laugh “Yeah, I know-  Just looking to see if they have any accessories.”  They did.  He stepped aside showing the debtor’s tag to his partner.  “Been in this mess for three years by the looks of it.”
“Indeed.”  
Nureyev crossed to examine the other guard “Six years.”
“Damn, she looks young.”
“Never too early to acquire debt.” There was a bitterness to his tone that Juno longed to ask about, but wasn’t sure if he was allowed to yet.  
Just like he wasn’t sure if he could ask about the subtle change in Nureyev’s fighting style when they were paired on missions.  
It hadn’t escaped his notice that Nureyev had allowed more people to survive their encounter with the nameless thief.  Juno knew this was less about his own sensibilities and more about- trust.  That belief that someone had your back as much as you had theirs.  The sight of his boyfriend knocking someone out cold with a choke hold probably shouldn’t make his stomach do flips, but there they were.  God, they were both saps.
Juno coughed roughly into his elbow, earning him a look from his knight in stolen armor.  
“Not much further Love.  Jet has been notified of our change in exits.”
“Wow, don’t waste any time, do you?”
“No such thing as wasting time with such delightful company.”
Juno groaned affectionally, coughing again into his sleeve.  
He was right, they were practically right next to the exit.  Nureyev dashed ahead, drawn to the green of the Ruby.  He opened the door wide, allowing Juno to pile wheezing into the back seat before joining him.  
The Ruby whistled cheerily and Nureyev returned “It’s wonderful to see you as well Ruby, Jet.”  He gave nods to each in turn.  
“I appreciate the notice in the change of pick up locations.” Jet acknowledged.  
“Thank you for making the- adjustments,” Nureyev searched for his seat buckle, “to the plan.  It can’t have been easy on such short notice.” and offered a smile that Jet did not return.  
“It is important to be flexible in our line of work.”
“Quite.”
“Nice to see you too Big Guy, but could we get out of here?” Juno coughed, “Surveillance in this place is kind of lax, but I guarantee you that at least a few guards will notice a bright green car.”
“I imagine so, the Ruby 7 is many things but is not inconspicuous.”  
The Ruby made a sound that if Juno didn’t know any better would say was disapproval.  
Once they were off, Nureyev turned to look at Juno, laughing softly “Love, what in heaven have you got on your face.” He reached up, brushing a thumb under his good eye.  
“Wha? Oh! Yeah!  The kid fought dirty.”  he explained, scrubbing at his face with a sleeve, only for Nureyev to place a handkerchief into his hand.  
“Perhaps you’ll have better luck with this.”
Juno smiled fondly, leave it to Nureyev to bring a handkerchief to a heist.  
“I suppose I should not be surprised.  Out of all the people on the Carte Blanche, the one that would pick a fight with a child would be you.” Jet commented.
Juno’s head snapped up, “Hold on Big Guy,” he objected “first off, they were much taller and secondly I think you and I both know that I-” and he caught it.  The crinkle around Jet’s eyes and the faint up turn in his lips that he’d of missed a year ago, he coughed “Oh very funny.”
“I should think this a serious matter.”
“Okay, hey, you know what I meant!”
He spent the rest of the flight back to the Carte Blanche idly bickering with Nureyev and Jet.  There was an odd tightness to his chest he couldn't place.  His hand kept drifting up to massage his sternum, as if he could magically reach through tissue and bone to ease the pressure.
_____________________________
Once back, he headed to the shower to clean off the remaining sandy residue and, hopefully, open his lungs back up.  Juno Steel was many things but lucky was not one of them.  The spray washed over his skin, the steam warming his insides as he lathered and scrubbed in his usual fashion.  He turned to reach for his towel.  He could have sworn he’d stilled- but the shower kept on spinning.  
The steam that had felt so good a moment before now felt oppressive, suffocating.  
He tried to draw in breath, but he just couldn’t. Couldn’t hold anything down.  Fear spiked as dark spots bloomed in front of his vision, threatening to swallow him whole.  He launched himself out of the shower, slamming into the opposite wall.  Feet only just gaining purchase on the smooth-grip flooring.  
By some miracle, his airway cleared on impact.  Juno’s chest crackled with each forced gulp of air.  But he was breathing, and that was….good.  
He coughed again, spitting pink into the sink.  
A knock came at the door making him jump "Juno, love.  The Family Meeting is about to start."
"Jus-" his voice came out harsh and broken.  He rinsed and repeated, "Just-a minute."
“Alright.  I’ll see you there.”
“Yeah-”
Once it became apparent that he wasn’t going to keel over any time soon, Juno straightened, dressed.  The itch was still there but whatever freak thing that had him choking on nothing seemed to have resolved itself.  
"Juno-"  Buddy admonished, "how kind of you to join us."
"Yeah-" he coughed "had a lot to consider, like why you didn't tell us Enterprise Labs had dealings with the Board of Fresh Starts.  You said you'd-"
"There were people from the Board of Fresh Starts there?"  Buddy queried.  
"Yes Captain.  The security team seemed to have been compromised entirely of the unfortunates indebted to the organization."  Nureyev’s hands flourished through the air.  
"We knew they had ties darlings, but had no idea the connection ran that deep."
Rita’s eyes went overly large, “I didn’t see nothin’ about that in our intel Captain A, I swear-  Unless-” she gasped “Wait- let me check somethin’.” and she dove nose first into her comms, hot pink nails clacking against the screen.  
Juno opened his mouth wanting to argue further but Vespa cut in.  "If you think you are the only one that cares, Steel, think again-" she flicked back her sleeve revealing her debtors tag.  
The anger from a moment ago dissipated in an instant.  Hell, he felt so tired, drained.  Juno kneaded his chest trying again to ease the prickling.
"Yeah, right.  So what are we going to do about it?" Another cough, the harshness of it taking him by surprise.
"As loath as I am to admit it.  For now there is nothing we can do darling, save plot and scheme our way to the cure mother prime.  A collapse of their business model ought to put quite the dent in their debtor’s practice.” she frowned, “Are you quite alright?"
"What?  Yeah-"he coughed all the harder "Just forgot how to breathe and swallow at the same time-" and dissolved into a fit.  He was making a scene and worst of all he didn’t even know what was causing it.  All he wanted was to shut the hell up and get out of there.
Buddy gave a disbelieving humm as she watched while Nureyev massaged circles into his back with clever fingers.  Stars burst in front of his eyes and his head was set to pounding in no time.  
“Damnit” he rasped at last, panting.
“Quite.  Well if you have similar issues in the future darling, might I suggest you pay a visit to our resident physician?”
Juno pulled a face, Vespa took offence and the rest of the meeting passed in much the same fashion.  Juno didn’t really need to talk, so didn’t.  After all, he'd just been playing lookout while Nureyev stole some data and installed some spyware.  Mercury Wear’s security seemed to be something of a joke to Rita.  She kept bouncing up and down in her seat with each new discovery on her comms.  Juno very much doubted anyone else would be able to get that far in such a short space of time.  He may not know much about computers, but he did know Rita was one of a kind.  
___________________________________
“Are you sure you want to stay Nureyev?  I think I’m comin’ down with somethin.  Wouldn’t want you to catch-”
“Nonsense love,” Nureyev waved him off, “Besides,” he sidled up closer and delicately laid a kiss on Juno’s forehead, much to the Detective's chagrin “how could I possibly leave a lady in distress?”
“‘Reyev~” Juno groaned, despite himself sinking into the man’s chest.
“And- I'm certain to have caught whatever it is you have by now love.  We do spend a lot of quality time together."
Juno scoffed "If you call a shoot out, 'quality time' then we may need to reevaluate our leisure activities."
"But oh my Detective" Nureyev coyly walked his fingers along Juno's collar bone, sliding into some silly character "I do love a lady who knows their way around a blaster-"
"Reyev-"
"Why, the smell of the plasma-" he made the words as breathy as possible.
"Come onnnn-" Juno mock groaned, hiding his smile in a cough.
"The smell of the plasma-" Nureyev plowed on as if Juno hadn't said a thing "just makes me all funny inside."
Juno burst out laughing "funny inside?"
"I assure you love," Nureyev broke character "this is a serious matter.  Now where were we-"
Juno laughed all the harder, until his breath caught and he dissolved into a fresh fit.
"Oh Juno-" Nureyev wrapped an arm around him bracing him through it.  "Sorry love, I shouldn't have pushed so hard."
"It's- fine-" he managed between coughs.
"I dare say it isn't.  We should have Vespa take a look at you."
"Nn-no."  Juno panted, swallowing against the soreness. "no way- in hell- am I bothering her at this hour.  And certainty not for a cold or whatever."
"It's the 'whatever' that concerns me Juno-"
He wasn't going to let it go.  It was easy to see that, so Juno decided on a compromise.  "I'll see her tomorrow if it makes you feel better." messaging his sternum again.  
Nureyev made a resigned sort of sound.  "It will have to do."
"Good."  Exhaustion pulled him down into the bed "you coming?"
Nureyev looked as though he had something to say, but thought better of it "Of course." and climbed in.  With a practiced ease he cuddled close, worming an arm under Juno's neck so that the lady could curl into his side, a gentile hand running lazily down his spine.  Juno shivered at the touch.  The persistent itch in his lungs continued, but that nagging pressure seemed to ease up.
He nuzzled in, ear to Nureyev’s chest and allowed the beat of his partner's heart to lull him to sleep.
[Reblogs are greatly appreciated] 
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matronoftheblackrose · 3 years ago
Text
C sees C
Zayne clicked his tongue as he checked his watch. The waning rays of the sun and the dimming of Piltover coincided with every second ticking closer to 6:00 PM. Corina asked all of her employees to work two hours longer this day, and the Piltover Enforcers needed to be given their signal. Zayne looked left, then right as he walked outside of the blooming factory. Past the greenery and the foliage, he took a step outside where a rat scurried across his boot. If he was as soft as a Piltvan then maybe he would have jumped in shock but nah, Zayne was used to far worse conditions than a greenhouse and mice.
Zayne rolled his left sleeve back, exposing his metallic cybernetic limb. He had to blink and squint from the sudden ray that reflected into his eyes, and in that moment, he swore something darted past him. Zayne looked behind him to find- nothing there. Other than the artificial lights of the greenhouse humming with energy and the vats of fertilizer being pumped throughout the complex. With a shake of his head, Zayne refocused on his tasks at hand.
With a twitch of his thumb, Zayne’s hextech crystal clicked to life in his ear.
“Rat to Dog? The big C remains. Mice scurrying to alternate corners in 10.”
A harsh buzz was followed by, “Roger. Begin in 10.”
Zayne clicked his thumb again, let out a sigh of relief, and looked all about to make sure no one was around. He could swear there was something just, in the corner of his eye, but no matter what, no matter how he looked, Zayne saw nothing. Even when his goggles locked on, zoomed in and identified the spewed remains of a liquid in a nearby alleyway to most likely be vomit.
With another sigh of relief, Zayne clicked his thumb again. “Sheriff? 10 until the War Storm. Do as you will.”
A smooth, soft click was followed by, “Thank you. In and out in-”
A hand came over Zayne’s mouth. Something pressed into the base of Zayne’s spine, and another hand picked the earpiece out, and in Zayne’s voice, the presence said, “Sorry, you need to wait 5. Guard schedule changed. I’ll tell the En’s storm to hold for another 10, else you’ll lose your chance.”
Zayne wanted to react in some way, but he felt his body go utterly limp- whatever martial arts this was, Zayne could not lift a limb. He also knew that the hand wrapped around his mouth certainly looked human, but was anything but. The way the fingers bent were not like a human’s, to be able to wrap so perfectly around his face to mute him completely and allow Zayne to breathe only through his nose.
A pause. “Are you sure?” the headpiece asked.
“Yes, Sheriff. Positive.”
Another pause. “We can’t miss this chance to lose C. Are. You. Sure.”
In that instant, Zayne knew that this person was toying with him. The hand flexed ever so slightly, straining Zayne’s jaw. He could feel his bones bend, and if the hand bothered to clench, Zayne knew it could crush his entire skull with pathetic ease.
“Ten thousand percent, and three quarters, Sheriff. Trust me, Sheriff.”
Zayne’s eyes went wide. How the hell did this ‘guy’ know Zayne’s dumb joke?
“Alright. 10 it is” The comm line went dead.
The presence asked, in Zayne’s voice, “May you please call your Wardens? I wish to ask them to arrive in another 10.”
Zayne’s mind raced, but his thoughts turned to pain as the hand on his jaw squeezed again.
“I honestly would love playing with you a little more, seeing how you are actually aiding my Sheriff, but I have business to attend to and we’re in a rush. I do not like violence, but today is a very personal day for me and I simply cannot be late,” the presence continued. “Do as I say, and no one gets so much as scratched. I promise you."
The hand released Zayne’s mouth, giving him the chance to spit back, “And how can I trust you?”
The presence turned Zayne around, and as Zayne’s turned paler than death, under the dimming rays of Piltover’s sun, the presence simply asked, “Do you have a choice?
---
Corina caressed the petals of her wolf’s bane flower that was exposed to an open window and to the sun, fully knowing that so very soon, the Enforcers will be arriving and her master plan could be enacted. It took some time, oh yes, but a single stroke would remove those pesky officers with ease, and then she could bring forth into Piltover-
“Miss Corina? Ma’am? May I have a word with you?” Zayne asked.
Corina turned around, her metallic nails clicking. The hum of electrical lights above flickered, Zayne with his hands in his pockets, standing between two rows of planted Noxian oleander. Corina smiled at him and beckoned him to her.
“Yes, Zayne. You may approach,” Corina cooed. “What is it you wish to discuss?”
“Well, a coupla things,” Zayne admitted as he walked forward. His right hand came up and caressed the poisonous petals of the flowers. “First and foremost, guess you know what I’m doing here, huh?”
Corina’s fingers clicked. She could feel the toxins from her suit’s canisters course through the tubes and fill the chamber of her fingertips. “No, do tell, what are you doing here?”
Zayne smirked and waved Corina off. “Playing coy? Come now.” His voice changed almost entirely- now slightly higher pitched but far more relaxed, with just a slight Demacian accent as he twirled and skipped underneath the flickering lights. “I know you’re pretending to be ‘C’, Corina. No reason to play games with me.”
Corina blinked, unsure of what just happened. “Pardon?”
“I said there’s no reason to play games with me. If this were a game and I were playing chess or some other alternate ‘intelligent’ game, you’d be playing connect four and failing to count to three,” Zayne continued with a chuckle. He threw his right hand out and batted one of the more annoying oleanders out of his way.
Corina realized just then that not only were Zayne’s mannerisms off, but the fact that he was touching Noxian oleander that she genetically bred herself, and did not react with violent itching or wheezing, or collapsing to the ground in paralyzed agony, was slightly off. “You’re not Zayne, are you?”
“And you have managed to count to two! Your intellect shocks me!” Zayne laughed. 
Corina collected herself, furrowed her brow and pointed a finger at Zayne. “Do watch your tongue, cur. You may have caught me off guard at first, but please, do you know who you are talking to?”
Zayne snorted and raised his right hand up in mock apology. “You are correct. Please forgive me, Corina Veraza the Chembaron- my deeper apologies, I mean Corina, the Mastermind of Chembarons and Zaunites.”
“Thank you. Now, what do you want?”
“Back to 1, huh? You ask questions but not the right questions.” The light flickered, Zayne’s goggles reflecting the light every little which way in the dimming room. “Let me answer your question with a question: What do you think I am here for?”
“If you were Zayne, then to raid my cultivair with Piltover’s Wardens and that daft Caitlyn. But you are not, so- honestly, you can be here to make a deal with me or to kill me. The former being far more plausible than the latter.”
Zayne clenched his jaw, took in a deep breath, and responded, “I’m sorry to say but the former is far less likely than the latter at this rate. And the latter I would daresay, is not something ‘up’ in my priority list. No, I’m here to take back what is mine, and to take something so very dear of yours.”
Corina raised an eyebrow. “Oh yes, you are here to take my magnum opus? Please, as though I would let you. I have investors that are interested in it, and if you wanted it so badly, we could have negotiated a price at a better time than this. Is that all?”
“Your magnum opus? Which one?” Zayne pointed behind him just as the electricity shut off for nearly a full two seconds. When it flicked back on, Zayne’s smile was just an inch too wide- a few teeth too many. “Your ‘magnum opus’ in your office? A glorified weed according to your own documents that would cause severe bodily waste leakage if consumed, a so very crude joke for a crude mind. No, no no. I am here to take back my reputation, and to take Meiraxa.”
Corina’s body went cold. Her actual magnum opus, the one that could in fact eliminate the Zaun Grey, named after her sister, a fact no one alive should know. Corina brought her hands up and was about to unleash her full fury when she took a moment, thought, and smiled. “Since you know so much about me, may I ask who I am speaking to the corpse that will be fed to my children?”
Zayne snapped his fingers, brought out his left, very human arm, and clapped at Corina. “Excellent! You counted back to two! Bravo!”
Corina’s rage cracked her stoic mask, but she said nothing.
Zayne continued to speak, this time in Corina’s exact voice, “You finally did your best to recognize an ant’s existence! Have you finally noticed how damn quiet it is in here? Your guards went home. Have you been too distracted to see the time? I changed it when you weren’t looking so you wouldn’t be ‘panicked’ about being time efficient. Who am I?”
Zayne pointed at himself, bowed, and said in Zayne’s voice, Corina’s voice, that Demacian voice, and a multitude of other voices in horrifying unison, “I am C. The C. You took what is mine, and so I will take that back and more.”
Corina paled.
“You took my moniker because you thought it’d be easy to lead Caitlyn here into a trap, kill all of the wardens in a single stroke, and have more freedom to pursue your stupid, selfish desires in Piltover like the so very good ecologist you are,” C continued. He laughed and wagged a finger at Corina, speaking in his Demacian voice again, “Which, I could appreciate! Imitation is the purest form of flattery-”
Corina clicked a button on her palm, and the bed of oleanders nearest to C exploded, sending wood splinters and plant matter everywhere. The detonation was small and controlled, but it was more than enough to utterly annihilate a human at point blank range. The lights flickered, the smoke parted, and Corina stumbled backwards, eyes wide with fear and disgust.
Flesh slurped, skin ripped, bones creaked and cracked, and Zayne reformed in front of Corina under the strobing light of failing electricity above. He cracked his head to realign it, which made each vertebrae of his spine crack one after the other like a macabre xylophone.
“C the Mastermind, your genius plan is to blow up people. I truly envy the stupid, you have such easy expectations to meet for yourself,” C muttered, rolling his eyes. “As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, imitation is the purest form of flattery, but you tried to take my credit, for my acts. Imitation is one thing, plagiarizing is an outright insult.”
“How are you alive?”
“By continued breathing, I thought they taught you that in school. No matter,” C waved Corina off. “So, before you get any more bright ideas, please do not try to kill me again, and do listen to me. When the Wardens come, I want you to give them a note, and to tell them you are not the real C, absolving you of my crimes.”
Before Corina’s fingers could twitch, Zayne’s arm lashed out, splitting apart at the seams with sickening, wet slurps, and with serrated fangs, wrapped around Corina’s hand. Corina felt no pain, but saw the severed pipe that fed the toxic ammunition into her weapon flop about on the ground.
“Please pay attention, you have only 2 minutes and twenty seven seconds left before your bombs go off.”
“I haven’t se-” Corina started, then felt one of her fingers break and something slip into her palm as the rest of her fingers were forced to wrap themselves around it. Corina bit her lip to stifle the pain as best as she could. Years of scarring from science experiments gave her an excellent tolerance of pain.
“I apologize for the brutishness but you just do not shut up. I programmed your bombs to go off on a timer rather than by your kill switch. I had to give you the one bomb to see if you were truly stupid enough to try and kill me,” C crowed. He reached into his chest, pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen from his literal ribcage that parted and gave him access to his empty body cavity, and placed it on the ground in front of him. “On your knees, write down your apology and to absolve yourself of the title of C, and we’re done here. The longer you take, the more likely this won’t end well for you.”
“On my knees? Like some common whore? Do you think-?”
“A common whore has more sense than you, a common idiot,” C shot back. “In one day I have undone your idiotic master plan and taken even your Merixia under your nose. The only contest here that is left is the contest of patience, and I am admittedly close to losing that one.”
Corina had enough. She had enough toxin in her fingers, and she knew that he could not break all of them in time to stop her from enacting another one of her kill switches. Corina pressed a button that would cause a canister on her suit to fire forward and cover C with a flesh eating toxin, only to have it shot mid-flight and shattered before it could cause anyone any harm.
Both C and Corina looked up overhead at a window, and there was Sheriff Caitlyn, looking down her sights, aiming her rifle at both of them.
C blinked. Utterly distracted by this, Corina ripped her arm free and ran away from him as Caitlyn called out.
“C and Corina, surrender yourselves and you will not be harmed,” Caitlyn called out. “You have one chance- surrender peacefully!”
Corina stumbled away, gasping and wheezing, her arm shuddering.
C looked up, smiling and laughing. “She came. She actually came. Do you see this, Corina? Caitlyn recognized me. I thought she had gotten rusty. I am glad I did not have to escalate, but how did she figure it out? Ah, wait, Zayne never says positive. It’s Zaunite slang he uses, or a two syllable word for his small mind. Nor does he ask to trust him like that. It’s trust me, followed by some animal metaphor, like a whump on a shroom hunt. It slipped my mind. I can’t believe it, without her, it slipped-”
The bombs went off. Ripping through the factory, Caitlyn caught sight of C laughing as he slipped into the fiery green hell while Corina ran the other direction. Caitlyn had to slide down from the window to avoid the explosion of glass shards, cursing under her breath. So close to get two birds with one stone. She knew that Corina posing as C would get him to surface, his ego could not take imposters. Though Caitlyn may not have caught C, the wealth of information gathered from this one event alone was almost worth the loss. And while C will resurface, Corina would not if she got away now. So close to her target, but Caitlyn took a moment to look down the alleyway to make sure the knocked out Zayne was peacefully sleeping, and saw the lights of the Wardens’ vehicles speeding on their way.
If C had not changed the time for the Wardens’ arrival, this evening would have been absolutely catastrophic. The death toll would have been in the dozens for their officers, both good and bad. Caitlyn had wanted to capture Corina before the Wardens arrived, but it seemed that C had alternate plans in mind. The only reason she was delayed was because Zayne had to be found first, taken care of and supervised. Thankfully, backup for Caitlyn had arrived in time as well.
In fact, about backup, as Caitlyn circled around to the back of Corina’s factory, she soon heard an all too familiar voice yell, “Boom! In the face!” followed by a a shriek of surprise and a loud thud.
Caitlyn came across Vi hoisting of Corina onto her shoulder, Corina who was handcuffed and limp.
“Vi, you did not strike her, did you?” Caitlyn asked.
“Nah. I was going to but she just fell forward and passed out at my awesome sight.” Vi gave Corina’s shoulder a little pat as she continued, “Who knew this wallflower back at hq was C, huh?”
“That would be because she’s not C,” Caitlyn answered. “C was in the factory.”
“Wait- really?” Vi looked back at the now violently on fire, emitting smoke clouds of a variety of chemicals, factory. “Well shit. Guess he’s dead.”
“I highly doubt it. C has escaped worse. But now to find his next target-”
Caitlyn stopped herself. She bent down in front of Corina, looked down at the criminal’s hand curled into a fist, saw the purple and white pollen that stained Corina’s skin, and Caitlyn’s eyes dilated.
“Vi, drop her right now.”
Vi did not question Caitlyn, but she did not drop Corina.
“Vi?”
“Uh...Caitlyn...” Vi’s voice lowered, she whimpered, “I- I can’t- move.”
“Noxian oleander poisoning. Who knows what Corina did to it to make it work this fast. Damn it.” Caitlyn had to take a gamble.
As Caitlyn put on a pair of surgical gloves from her satchel her mind raced. This was an interaction between C and Corina. Corina was destructive, C was not for the most part, despite the contorted expression of absolute fear that remained on Corina’s face.
Caitlyn did not know the full extent of that meeting, but knew the pair exchanged some combat, or at least an explosion, but she needed to trust her read of C’s psychology. Caitlyn reached over to unfurl Corina’s fist by trying to pull free a finger. Caitlyn’s hand brushed against Corina’s thumb and immediately noticed the digit was tightened into an iron grip. However, Corina’s fore finger was broken and loose. This meant that though it hurt Corina, Caitlyn could pull the finger free from the stiffening grip and reveal a single vial stuffed in Corina’s palm.
As Caitlyn pulled the vial free, a note wrapped around the glass fluttered to the ground. Her eyes scanned it quickly, the message was short, but the weight of its words struck her like a ton of lead. Caitlyn uncorked the vial, gave it a quick sniff before she took out a spray cap from her satchel, jury-rigged it to fit on the vial with some tape, and sprayed Vi’s arm down.
Vi’s arm slowly, and with great effort, lowered.
“A solution of 90% rubbing alcohol, with a bit of soap and water, to at least remove the pollen and the urushiol oils of the oleander. We’ll have to have the doctor look you over, but this should help for now,“ Caitlyn explained.
Vi actually laughed and gave Caitlyn’s shoulder a soft, knuckled tap with her good arm. “Crap, Cait, you really have a gadget for everything, huh? Thanks.”
Caitlyn smiled, but did not answer.
That note on the floor, that read, “The only time I will give instead of take, a gift from one old friend to another. Hope to see you soon. -C” was a promise Caitlyn knew C would keep. Yet, Caitlyn could not help but notice that C’s methods were escalating. There were no casualties this time, but would there be next time? Even an accidental one? How did C know that Corina would escape the factory if she was doused with a potent enough oleander that it caused nearly instant paralysis in Vi?
The game was afoot once more, and more dangerous than ever.
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cytusimagines · 4 years ago
Note
How about characters actions when their partner is a diabetic?
This is probably the longest post I’ve made and I’m so sure I may have gotten some things wrong, but here we go!
Cytus Characters With a Diabetic S/O
Aroma/PAFF
-So I like to think that PAFF has probably the best healthcare and will get you on that plan ASAP
Insulin is expensive, that she knows
If she can bring down the costs for you, she’ll do it
Hell she might as well buy your medication She does by the way
-You cannot convince me that Aroma does not have a planner
Inside it is her schedule for meetings, interviews, concerts, etc.
But she always makes time for you
Especially to make sure you’re eating on a consistent schedule and checking your levels
Will move everything around her schedule when you mention that you have a doctor’s appointment coming up
Will also attend said appointments to make you more comfortable
-She is aware of what you can or can’t eat
Sometimes when you have dinner with her and Helena, she helps cook
This is to make sure Helena doesn’t do anything that could make your levels too high or too low
Of course she always asks for your input
-Overall a loving and supportive partner to her S/O
Neko
-Let’s be real, she’s not the best equipped to help
-But as long as you explain to her what she should do, she’ll be fine. Maybe.
-Will hound you about your insulin and levels if she suspects something off
“Don’t lie to me Y/N! Nothing gets past Neko!”
If you thought she was annoying before, she will be even more annoying if you even forget for a nanosecond
Sometimes she forgets though, especially in between streams and making music
-Please help Neko understand it more so she’s not constantly panicking about your health
-Honestly she does her best to help, but you’ll have to give her reminders to relax from time to time
Nora & ROBO_Head
-Nora knows how challenging something like diabetes can be to have
She doesn’t have it, but considering that the Ender virus took her ability to walk, she at least shares the sentiment
-She programs ROBO to have an alarm when it’s time to check your levels and take your insulin
-She can also be pretty strict when it comes to your diet/meal plan
You’re always allowed to give her feedback, but you can also tell her to tone it down if you think it’s too strict
It’ll take some time to adjust, but she will listen to you
-Where Nora is lacking in emotion, ROBO picks up the speed for her
On days where you beat yourself up, he’ll play you some music he made to make you feel better
His screen will show a pixelated heart to let you know that he loves you
Nora understands that it’s hard to keep everything balanced and in check, so she reminds you that there is always tomorrow to do it right
Ivy
-Walking database based on everything she’s been seeing on the cyTus network
-Let’s not forget that she is slowly gaining a “human” side to her as her research went on
She’s protected humans in the past from dangerous situations
So to see that she is protective around you is not surprising
-I think when you two are in private, she knows you can take care of yourself just fine
-It’s when you’re out in public going to a restaurant that she starts to worry
She will make it clear to the staff of any changes you would want to the item you want to eat
She may not be a Karen, but she can probably exert that energy off to the staff
You’ll probably need to talk to her about letting you do the talking when it comes to ordering your food from now on
But be patient, she’s still pretty new to this
Crystal PUNK/Cherry
-Sherri has some family that are diabetic, so she knows what they go through
That doesn’t mean their experiences are the exact same as yours
-She doesn’t hover over you about your diet or when to take your insulin
You should know how to take care of yourself
Will give you small reminders just in case you forget though
-Cooking dates will become a thing
She wants to learn how to make your favorite foods
She also wants to learn more about what you can and can’t eat
Please give her kisses for a good job
-Overall she won’t baby you about it and knows you’re able to take care of yourself
Vanessa
-So let’s say Vanessa survived the final events of the game and Ivy & PAFF were able to fix both her body and core
She’s back to being kind hearted and more stable than she ever has been before
She was also able to escape from A.R.C since they were using her to keep the cyTus network up and running
-Years of knowledge don’t necessarily prepare her to help with diabetes
It may have been around since her time or it may have developed after The Decommission, I don’t have the answers exactly
Regardless, she’s just not prepared
You’ll have to tell her more about it and how it affects you
-Despite being unprepared, she is more than willing to put in the effort and help you live a normal life
As normal as it can be since she’s still recovering from what happened to her
She’ll most likely go to Ivy for help since Ivy has lived upon humans longer than her
-Chances are with time, she will know more based on your experiences and anything she’s researched with the help of Ivy
Xenon
-First thing’s first- teach him about diabetes!
I promise he wants to learn more about it and how it affects you
Is it Type 1? Type 2?
What type of medicine do you take and how many times a day?
Is there any food you can’t eat at all?
Tell him everything please-
-You bet he made a spreadsheet and spent the next few nights researching everything he could find on diabetes
-He can’t go to your doctor appointments most of the time since work keeps him busy, but when he does he asks them multiple questions
Cares so much about your health, even if it sounds like he’s being rude to them
-Will help you with formulating a good diet based off what he knows about diabetes and what the doctor recommends
Obviously you’ll have to give him some input since you know your body the best
-Has a schedule on when you should check your levels in case you forget
ConneR
-Very knowledgeable man, we love that
He has no knowledge of how diabetes works and assumed the worst when you told him
You had to inform him of how it actually works and how it’s affecting you on a daily basis
-Now he doesn’t panic, but he sure was worried for a second there
-You know, he would be extra and write a whole ass song for you
It’s based on your experiences and everything you’ve told him about diabetes
He’ll play it for you when you’re having a bad day or feeling upset about having to deal with it
-Tea time is his favorite time of day with you
He does love a good cake with his tea, but he won’t have it around you
-He’s also not afraid to correct anyone who spreads misinformation about diabetes
Why anyone would do that, he has no clue
He’ll go after them though, that shit is not allowed so long as he lives on the internet
Joe
-My man respects the fuck out of you!
You cannot look in his eyes and not see how much love he has for you!
And you got diabetes? Shit, he doesn’t care- he loves you for you!
-With that being said, he’s stupid and has on occasion slipped up on what you can’t eat when he’s cooking dinner
“Babe, how come you’re avoiding that?”
“Because I can’t eat it.”
“Son of a bi-”
-He is doing his hardest to cook you delicious food while working with your meal plan
I think it calls for good job kisses and cuddles
He definitely deserves it
-Anyone at the bar that decides to make fun of his S/O gets whopped by a pool stick and his foot up their ass
He does not accept anyone talking shit about them just because they have to deal with diabetes
All the regulars know not to fuck with him or his S/O
-He’s always testing out new dishes and drinks that’ll appeal to more customers with diabetes (just like you!)
Feedback is always appreciated! He accepts your critiques very well
Also free lunch? Who doesn’t want that?
Sagar
-You picked either the right or wrong person to date
-Do you love exercise? Do you love healthy meal dates? Do you love feeling like your core is going to explode?
If you said no to any of these questions, too bad! :D
Sagar is ripped for a reason
And he will ensure that you stay on top of your health 100% of the time
-He’s the partner that will get you up at 7 am to go on a run
“But Sagar, it’s too early-”
To him, it’s never too early to stay in shape and keep you healthy
It is too early for you
-However, he does have fears of something bad happening if he doesn’t keep this up for you
The unknown scares him the most, even if he doesn’t show it
The next time you’re cuddling him, give him those gentle smooches and let him know that you’re going to be okay
You’re not going anywhere anytime soon
Now back to exercising
Rin
-She is an absolute sweetheart and her botanical work may pay off!
When she first heard about your condition, she wasn’t sure on what to do
After a long talk, she understood and took notes on what you need when it comes to her support
-She finds a few plants in her greenhouse that can be added to your food depending on your meal plan
Any time you mention you don’t like eating a certain herb, she puts it on her “Do Not Feed” list
-She can’t exactly cook and leaves that up to you. You know what you can and can’t eat, after all
-Will pick up on your schedule when it comes to checking your levels and taking your insulin
-She is your emotional support Rin when you need her
Cuddles are her favorite thing to do when you’re feeling down
This isn’t an easy condition to deal with and she knows that
Dotes on you and calls you cute nicknames to get you to smile and cheer up
She’s a shy kisser, but cheek and forehead kisses are always up to the plate when it comes to you
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another-snape-story · 5 years ago
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Sowing the Seeds of Liking
Chapter VIII
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To your displeasure, the next few days brought you no chance to meet Professor Snape – something you heartily anticipated. You still haven’t thanked him properly for his special gift. Except the task of spreading the Devil’s Snare in one of Hogwarts’ basements Headmaster gave you and your colleague Professor Sprout, you realized you had not much to preoccupy yourself (the gloomy man might’ve known it firsthand).  Whiles your days offered you some job, evenings felt especially lonely, and Thaumatagoria seed which took a conspicuous place on your desk really helped to chase boredom away. You had so many questions and not a single answer. You were not even sure, if you could look for any information about the plant in the library, if it wouldn’t give out your secret, and if it was some kind of a secret at all.  
As it was too early to go to bed, you decided a short walk wouldn’t hurt. You’ve already learned the ways to all strategic places in the castle such as Great Hall, staff room, Headmaster’s office, your own office, Greenhouses, and a few other. So why not to explore some new?
The darkness of the corridor still seemed unfriendly. You felt much better accompanied by… You sighed at the thought. Where could he be? You were not going to knock on his door, clearly, but stealing just one glance from him would certainly make your day better – or to be precise – what was left of it.
Fresh air and a picturesque view opening from higher floors returned serenity into your soul. There was nothing more pacifying than this quiet solitude in the last rays of falling sun. Standing on a balcony, you tried to absorb as much warmth as you could before going back in the cold of the dungeons, which met you with blood freezing howling, as you climbed down. The sound echoing through the passageway frightened you even more, when you realized it was getting closer and closer.
“For Merlin’s sake, Peeves!” you heard a deep voice of a man you longed to see.
Once you felt relieved, a sudden ‘BOO’ in your ear forced a desperate scream out of your lungs, and finally a culprit of all this rumpus materialized out of nowhere, jumping in the air and laughing mischievously.
“I swear, I’m going to kill you, you filthy bastard!” annoyed, you threatened the Poltergeist, being aware his death was, by definition, impossible.
“What a hell do you think you’re doing?” Professor Snape’s voice thundered, as he showed up from around the corner.
Embarrassed, you were about to open your mouth to explain yourself, but without even looking in your direction, the man resolutely strode past you, pressing the naughty guy into the wall.
“I warned you to stay away from here?” Snape growled. “Or you’ve been missing the Bloody Baron? So I can make you a favor and arrange your meeting! Right now.”
“No!” Poltergeist’s face twisted in a fright. “Don’t do it, sir!” he pleaded. “I just couldn’t help giving in to temptation of trying acoustic down here. It’s so incredibly phenomenal!” he raised his eyes in delight. Taking a moment, as Snape’s eyebrows sank to meet at the bridge of his nose, the prankster disappeared again, leaving another wicked laughter resound under the ceiling.
“Loafer!” Snape hissed, turning back to you. “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” you sighed. “This place seems to gather all the childish tricks known to the world… Could someone give me a list?”
Displeased expression on your face softened as he slowly approached you.
“I… I’m glad I met you,” you admitted. “I didn’t want to bother you… and since you’ve made yourself rather clear about seeing me at your door…”
A faint smirk curved his lips. “But I don’t remember saying a thing about seeing you in-side,” your heartbeat fastened, as he emphasized the last word stretching it in entrancing manner of his.
You answered him with astonished yet cheerful smile and lowered your head, feeling blood rushing to your face bringing color to your cheeks. “Didn’t know your words could be interpreted this way.”
Once in his office again, you looked around, knowing already how rare all these specimens on his shelves were, but barely holding back from studying them closely – you’ve come here for another purpose after all.
“Take a seat,” the man gestured at an armchair. “I’ll join you in a minute. The idiot didn’t let me finish…” With these words he left you tear apart between manners and curiosity.
You slowly walked along his shelves, taking a note of what they contained and were about to sit where he showed you, as suddenly your glance fell on a carefully folded wool plaid blanket hanging on an armrest. What? You didn’t remember seeing it here the previous time. Did he bring it for you? Was he waiting for you to come? All the flasks which were an object of your highest interest till this moment now blurred in the distance, while your sight narrowed to one small spot on a black old armchair. Coming closer, you traced your palm along woolen fabric, and a soft smile adorned your face.
“Why you’re still on your feet?” the quiet question sounded like another invitation to sit down, so you sank into the cushions, making yourself comfortable, while Professor Snape placed a couple of vials of different size and shape on his desk.
“So what is it, you wanted to talk about?” he didn’t take his usual place, but joined you on another armchair, opposite to yours, peering intently into your eyes.
“I apologize for taking your time…” you started uncertainly, coming to realization, that desire to thank for the seed was actually just an excuse to see him. Still a matter, but of less importance though.
“My schedule is free till the morning,” he stated calmly. “Neat work with the Devil’s Snare, I must admit.”
“Oh,” you were grateful he took the lead in this conversation. “I still doubt it will serve well…”
“Why?”
“The plant is not resistant to light, which makes it not fully reliable.”
“None of these can be considered absolutely reliable,” he agreed.
“Why then it was a choice?”
“Ask Dumbledore,” he sighed, not really pleased with it either.
“And what was your part? I assume this –” with a slight jerk of your head you pointed at the freshly appeared vials on his desk, “– is what kept you busy this whole time?”
“How insightfully,” he sneered.
“Never thought I’d say it,” you laughed, “but your sarcasm suits you so good!”
“Does it?” his brow sprang teasingly, as his glance wandered your face. “Not popular opinion.”
Without taking his eyes off you, he pulled the wand out of his sleeve and waved it to the side, lighting the fireplace – the gesture suggested he was eager to bear you longer than you’d expected, what pleasantly surprised you. Although his words might be scratchy sometimes, his actions spoke otherwise, and you couldn’t help enjoying it.
“You don’t often use it, do you?” you smiled gratefully, trying to hide your hands under a corner of the blanket, which still hung on the armrest, and which you still didn’t dare to lay hold of without permission.
“Not really,” he confirmed your assumption. “You may take it,” your movement didn’t go unnoticed, clearly.
“Thank you,” you shyly pulled the blanket on your shoulders and snuggled in its welcoming warmth. You felt much more comfortable now, not only physically, but also emotionally. Even though the man looked as cold as it was in his office, the softness of his tone and rare shadows of a smile betrayed it was just a seeming.
“So. Do you like it here?” Snape asked quietly.
“Did I fail to express how thrilled I was with everything you have in your dungeon?” you took another chance to look around.
“Not this particular place,” he smirked, “but Hogwarts in general.”
“Hogwarts. Sure…” you laughed again, not believing your own stupidity. “May I tell you tomorrow, when students arrive? I absolutely love it just like this, but I’m not sure I could repeat these words after children overflow the castle.”
Once sullen and apparently ill-tempered, Professor Snape now smiled with content. You must have said something he felt the same about. This smile suited him even more than his sarcasm, but by no means were you going to apprise him of it.
Your lively conversation purled so naturally, touching many different subjects – most of which were professional though, but surely not without some additional guidance about the school – none of you did even think of putting an end to it, and when you mentioned the magical seed of Thaumatagoria, there was no chance of you to ever stop.
Snape found your company surprisingly pleasant, pacifying in a way. It frightened him as much as it delighted him at the same time. Although he still knew not much about you, the one and the main thing he recognized distinctly – you had a pure soul, and there was no way he could let someone harm you.
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Tag: @diaryofafan17 @yul-is-sparkling @fullmoonshadowwrites @forthehonourof @mayumikurosake @redrehab @space-helen @fluffymadamina nadiigh
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jaybear1701 · 5 years ago
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It was supposed to be a simple spell.
At least, that’s what Tally had said. One sprig of mistletoe and an easy-as-pie incantation:
Love is precious Banish your woe Love is found ‘Neath the mistletoe
It had sounded fake, if Raelle was being honest. But she had no reason to doubt her fellow Gryffindor and was willing to take the chance. But, like with many things in Raelle’s Collar’s 16 years on earth, nothing was ever that simple.
Perhaps she had said the words wrong or emphasized the wrong syllables. Or perhaps the intensity of Raelle’s emotions had given her magic a little too much oomph. Or maybe she didn’t use the right mistletoe. “It had to be picked on the night of a waning gibbous moon,” Tally had exclaimed only after everything went to hell. Whatever it was, it backfired. Spectacularly.
Instead of the enchanted mistletoe appearing above the archway leading to the greenhouses—where the object of Raelle’s affections would go every morning to help Professor Sprout with all the magical plants (the mushrooms, especially, were her favorite)--it now appeared above every archway, in random locations and times, catching students and professors and even ghosts unaware. 
What made it even worse: the nefarious mistletoe trapped unexpected couples underneath it until they kissed. (Raelle didn’t think she’d ever be able to purge from memory the sight of Headmistress Alder locking lips with Peeves the poltergeist.) Anyone who dared to defy its mandate were forced to have their deepest crush announced to every corner of the castle by multiple Howlers--which is how everyone now knew that Libba Swythe, a Slytherin, had a thing for a Gryffindor. And not just any Gryffindor. Her sworn nemesis: Abigail Bellweather.
At lunch, the Great Hall was decorated like it always was during the winter holidays. A massive Christmas tree with all the trimmings sparkled at the front of the hall. Giant wreaths adorned the walls, and a flurry of snowflakes floated above their heads. The air smelled of pine and sugar cookies, and Raelle would have enjoyed it if not for the calamity she had brought down on Hogwarts and all its residents.
Sitting at Gryffindor’s table, Abigail’s scowl was dark and furious. She stabbed at her meal with more force than necessary, glaring at Raelle as she vigorously chewed.
“This is all your fault,” Abigail said, very much heated.
“Keep your voice down, will you?” Raelle lowered her head, glancing to the left and right. The last thing she needed was for Professor Quartermaine to find out that she caused everything. “Besides, it was Tally’s spell.”
“Um, excuse you, it was not my spell.” Tally looked offended. “No one forced you to use it, Rae.”
“She’s right,” Abigail grumbled. “And now everything’s the worst.”
“For what it’s worth, I think it’s the best,” Tally sing-songed, high on a dreamy cloud after sharing multiple kisses with Gerit Buttonwood all over the castle. “As do a lot of people. Nothing wrong with a kiss here and there.”
Abigail rolled her eyes. “None of this would have happened if you just told Ramshorn the truth,” she said. “And what's worse is that you haven't even tried to catch her under one of those vile weeds."
"I'm working on it," Raelle said.
"You are the most cowardly Gryffindor in the history of Gryffindors,” Abigail stressed. 
“Look, it’s not that easy, okay?” Raelle stole a glance over at the Ravenclaw table, where Scylla looked as effortlessly gorgeous as ever, head buried in a thick tome, as usual. She was probably crafting all sorts of new spells and potions in that brilliant mind of hers. Uncertainty washed over Raelle. Even if she managed to kiss Scylla under some mistletoe... how would she go about telling one of her best friends that she's in love with her? What if Scylla didn’t feel the same way? Would Raelle ruin their friendship? She couldn’t imagine life without the bright, witty, and rebellious Ravenclaw. 
"It’s not like you’re running to Libba even though she loves you too for some reason," Raelle deflected. 
The blush on Abigail’s face was brighter than the red on her robes. “This isn’t about me.”
Raelle watched as Scylla stood from her table and made her way out of the Great Hall. At the Hufflepuff table, Porter Tippett also stood. He only had eyes for Scylla, as well. Oh hell no. On instinct, Raelle shot to her feet. The last thing she needed was for Porter to try to rekindle anything with Scylla because Raelle’s spell had gone awry.
“Where are you going?” Tally asked, eyebrows raised. 
“I don’t know,” Raelle said. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Abigail shook her head.
Raelle ignored them both to follow Scylla, who had some free time before her next class--not that Raelle had memorized her schedule or anything. Perhaps she was going back to Ravenclaw Tower. She had to find Scylla before Porter did.
Raelle walked quickly down the hallways, shoes clacking against stone. She bounded up the moving staircases, two sometimes three steps at a time, drawing warnings from several of the portraits to be careful. She hoped she was taking the right path to Ravenclaw Tower. No matter how often Scylla told her the way, Raelle found it confusing, as if it was an ever shifting puzzle that only the Ravenclaws could figure out. Thankfully, Porter apparently found it just as mystifying because Raelle lost him somewhere between the third and fourth floors.
Skidding around a corner, Raelle’s heart lodged firmly in her throat when she saw Scylla underneath an archway, alone thankfully, staring up at a bundle of leaves and white berries. Raelle willed herself to be calm and approached slowly, not wanting to startle Scylla.
“Looks like you could use some help,” Raelle called out. Nerves made the tips of her fingers number and she rubbed her hands together.
Scylla’s head snapped toward the sound of her voice, shoulders visibly relaxing when she saw it was Raelle. “Thank the goddess it’s you,” she breathed out.
“I guess you could do worse,” Raelle said as she joined Scylla, pulse ticking ever upward.
“Not by much,” Scylla teased.
“Ouch,” Raelle said. 
Scylla’s gaze returned to the mistletoe. “I can’t believe some idiot botched this spell. I mean, a first-year could do it. Whoever it was probably picked the mistletoe during a waxing gibbous moon.”
“R-right.” Raelle rubbed the back of her neck. “What an idiot.”
Silence stretched between them, awkward and thick. 
“Well, I guess we should get this over with.” Scylla looked at her expectantly, but Raelle found she couldn’t move. She was frozen in place, as if someone had hit her with an Immobulus charm. 
“Are you okay?” Scylla’s brows furrowed. 
“Yeah, I just…” It was hard to speak with the way her mouth suddenly dried out.
“It’s just a kiss.” Scylla moved closer and touched Raelle’s elbow. “No big deal.”
Raelle’s stomach dropped. Because of course . It wasn’t a big deal to Scylla because she didn’t feel the same as Raelle. And in that moment, Raelle knew she had messed up. Royally. Why had she thought some mistletoe would miraculously lead to Scylla returning her unrequited love. She should have never cast that spell.
She was so stupid .
But she had a chance to fix it now. To bury her feelings and give Scylla a quick peck and be done with it. But...
“I can’t,” Raelle whispered, tired of hiding. 
Scylla’s face fell and that made Raelle’s heart crack. “Would kissing me be that terrible?”
“What? No!” Raelle covered her face with her hands. This was a disaster. “That’s not…”
“Rae,” Scylla gently pulled down Raelle’s hands, blue eyes as clear as the shimmering waters of the Great Lake on a cloudless day. “It’s okay. You don’t have to kiss me, if you don’t want to.” 
“That’s the thing.” Raelle’s chest throbbed. “I do want to. More than you know. But not like this.”
“Like what?” Scylla asked, baffled. 
“Like it doesn’t mean anything.” Raelle took a deep breath. It was now or never. She’d prove she wasn’t the most cowardly Gryffindor in the history of Gryffindors. “Because, Scyl, it’d mean everything to me. Because you mean everything .”
Scylla licked her lips. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, I love you. I’m in love with you. Have been for as long as I can remember. But I understand if you don’t feel the same.”
Closing her eyes, Scylla ducked her head down, shoulders beginning to shake. Raelle couldn’t tell if she was laughing or crying.
“Scyl? Say something. Please.”
When Scylla finally looked up, Raelle for sure thought her heart stopped. Tears shone in her eyes, and her mouth curved up in a trembling smile.
“You know what Muggles say about assumptions, right?” Scylla said.
Raelle watched dumbfounded as Scylla stepped away and out past the perimeter of the mistletoe’s reach. Howlers appeared out of thin air, and their screech was deafening. They flapped to all corners of the castle. Even with her hands clapped around her ears, Raelle could hear the message clearly:
Scylla Ramshorn, Seventh Year, Ravenclaw, is in love with Raelle Collar, Sixth Year, Gryffindor.
Scylla Ramshorn, Seventh Year, Ravenclaw, is in love with Raelle Collar, Sixth Year, Gryffindor.
Scylla Ramshorn, Seventh Year, Ravenclaw, is in love with Raelle Collar, Sixth Year, Gryffindor.
The message repeated for what seemed like eternity before it finally ceased, leaving Raelle in stunned silence, facing burning.
Scylla shrugged helplessly.
In less than a fraction of a second, Raelle erased the gap between them and kissed Scylla, cupping her jaw and burying her fingers in soft, auburn hair. Scylla wrapped her arms around Raelle and brought them even closer. Raelle melted into the softness of Scylla’s lips, warmth spreading throughout her entire body as her heart expanded to the point of bursting. 
“Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Scylla whispered when they broke apart, foreheads resting against each other.
“Why didn’t you?” Raelle countered, smiling so widely her cheeks were beginning to hurt.
“I guess we’re both idiots.”
“Guess so.”
Scylla nuzzled the tip of Raelle’s nose. “Speaking of idiots, I’ll have to thank the one who bungled the mistletoe spell after all.” Her gaze traveled up to the archway. The mistletoe had already disappeared to claim its next victim. 
“Lucky for you, you don’t have to search very far,” Raelle confessed.
Scylla’s eyes widened. “It was you?”
Raelle nodded sheepishly, and Scylla could only laugh, pulling her in for another kiss. 
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deathly-shipper · 5 years ago
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Yes absolutely I want to hear about your Hogwarts au
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why, my dear sirs, madams and variations thereupon, thank you for your interest!
(fair warning, this is going to be a long ass post because I have FEELINGS about this ship and this au okay??)
- Donna is muggleborn, but you'd be dead wrong if you think she's going to let anyone make fun of her because of that.
-When she was six her mother told her they weren't going on holiday that year, so off she went to the nearest bus stop and got on the Knight Bus. As if anyone involved in that mad acid trip of a bus would bat an eye to a child climbing on the bus alone, so they merely asked where she wanted to go and little Donna just went "Strathclyde!". Her family found her hours later with the help of the muggle police.
- Her first big show of accidental magic was when she was seven. The other kids at school were making fun of her hair, she got so mad that she turned all the other kids ginger too. Trust her to make others see the other side of things.
- So! Fast forwarding to when she's eleven, one ordinary morning Donna and her family are having breakfast, as you do, and someone knocks at the door. Lo and behold it's Professor McGonagall (seriously considered Snape, just because it would be so entertaining to see him explain the magic world to Donna's family, imagine Sylvia Noble talking to Snape.)
-She explains everything to the family; yes Donna is a witch, she has a place in Hogwarts, no Mrs Noble, tuition is free, etc etc.
- Sylvia is obviously the sceptic "magic isn't real!", Wilf may or may have not done a little dance of happiness, Geoffrey is a little too stunned to speak and Eileen (Donna's Nan) is the only sensible mind in this, bless her.
- The first thing that comes to Donna's mind when she is told she can go to Hogwarts is "So I won't have to go to school with Nerys anymore?" After being told that no, you won't have to, she's just a little bundle of joy, I mean, who wouldn't be when discovering you can do magic?
- Moving on, everything is explained, magic is real and a trip to Diagon Alley is scheduled for the next week!
- Now Ten! Ten is from a pureblood family, but currently the only members of said family are him and his older brother, Braxiatel. Their parents died in the first war against Voldemort.
- Ten spent the majority of his life inside the family's property, so he turned to books for his escape. He particularly likes astronomy, history and magical creatures.
- He hasn't got any friends, the only children his age he ever met are the other pureblood kids, and let's be honest, they aren't much like him, poor lad.
- He meets Donna in Diagon Alley when shopping for books, and when I say meet I mean he almost fell on top of her. She gives him hell for it of course, but they manage to get a conversation going about Hogwarts.
- They go their separate ways and both spend the rest of the summer holidays thinking about that weird kid they met on Diagon Alley.
- September the First arrives and they meet again at King's Cross. Donna's whole family has come to drop her off, of course, and Ten and Brax meet them at the platform.
- Brax explains to them how to get to platform nine and three quarters and goes first to demonstrate. Donna is scared, what if it doesn't work for her? Ten senses it and ask Mr Noble if he can take his trolley for him, so he can push Donna's with her. "Together?" "Together."
- They say goodbye to their families and get on the train, and, like Harry and Ron, manage to get a compartment all to themselves. Conversation goes on about all sorts of topics, the magic world, the muggle world, Hogwarts, the houses, what do they do for fun, you know, a bit of everything.
- They arrive at the station and have to get to school by the little boats, Ten does not like the idea. Donna holds his hand to reassure him. She likes this weird boy who talks about stars and creatures so fantastical she almost doesn't believe him.
- Sorting then. They're both nervous, it is all very intimidating after all, even if the idea of a talking hat is kind of funny to Donna.
-She goes first, sits there for about four minutes. After careful deliberations the hat places her on Hufflepuff. Yes, she could have been a Gryffindor, she is very brave, BUT, she's hard working and kind and compassionate, and I feel like her bravery stems more from her wish to help others you know? and more importantly, she's loyal. so, so much, and that's what seals the deal for me.
- Ten. Now Ten, like Donna, could've been a Gryffindor, but the hat decided on Ravenclaw. STILL, that's not where he went. No, my precious boi Ten argued with the hat. He looked at Donna and saw his only friend, the fiery girl who yelled at him when they met and later held his hand when he was afraid. "I want to go with her" he said to the hat, and so he went.
- Yes, they are both in Hufflepuff. No, I don't take criticism on this. This is my au and I make the rules, Hufflepuff is a great house and anybody who thinks otherwise can get the fuck out.
- Hogwarts is not ready for this duo.
- Regarding classes; Donna loves Charms, she's best in class, Flitwick loves her. Ten likes History of Magic, but Bins is terribly boring so he and Donna study on their own. They always pair up in Potions, not the best in class, but have yet to explode a cauldron. Transfiguration is Ten's area, his family is particularly gifted in this subject. Herbology is more Donna's scene, she used to help her nan with her garden so she likes working in the greenhouses. DADA is anyone's game really, with changing professors like that. Now, they both really like flying and they are good at it. Donna joins the house team as chaser in her third year.
- Ten is the second coming of Newt Scamander. He always drags Donna down to Hagrid's hut to see what creature he has most recently acquired. Has been given detention for wandering in the Forbidden Forest. He's also probably friends with the centaurs.
- A couple years pass, the friendship grows and life is good.
- Third year, Donna "I'm good with numbers" Noble tottaly takes Arithmancy and aces it, Ten too of course. They also take Care for Magical Creatures, to Ten's absolute delight, and Divination. But they take one class with Trelawney and decide to take Ancient Runes instead.
- On their fourth year Harry Potter comes to Hogwarts.
- Donna is one second away from screaming bloody murder at Dumbledore's blatant favouritism.
- Fifth year has all that business with the Chamber of Secrets, Ten and Donna are among the few that don't think Harry is the heir.
- But then Donna gets attacked too. Ten is inconsolable, he spends every moment he can with her in hospital wing. Fortunately she is saved by the mandragora potion with the others.
- Now, in sixth year things start getting Interesting. There's this boy who is interested in Donna and she kind of is too, but she's nervous because she hasn't had her first kiss yet. She tells Ten this. He also hasn't kissed anyone yet and he has one of his Ideas. He suggests to Donna that they can be each other's first kiss. That nearly earns him a slap, but he manages to convince her before she takes action. He says that they're best friends and what are best friends for if not helping each other? So she agrees and he goes all out to make it special for her. He takes her to the Astronomy Tower one night when the stars are out and they sit looking at the sky and hold hands. They see a falling star and he tells her to close her eyes and make a wish, he kisses her then. And that my friends, is when the Pinning starts.
- Sirius Black whom???? All they can think about is that kiss.
- Not that they let that ruin their friendship.
- Also, they love Hagrid teaching, he absolutely let them fly on Buckbeak. And Buckbeak is a strong boi, he took the both of them (cue Ten holding onto to Donna's waist and she going "Hands!" but secretly liking it)
- Seventh year, this is a good one folks. This year we continue with the Pinning, yes, but we also have the Triwizard Tournament!
- They tottaly go to the Quidditch World Cup, but manage to leave before the madness start.
- Meanwhile Harry Potter is dreaming about a slightly older version of Ten and freaking the fuck out.
- Back to Hogwarts and the Tournament. Donna speaks French so she makes friends with some of the Beauxbatons girls. Also, tottaly talks well of Hagrid to Madame Maxime.
- They both put their names on the goblet.
- "And the Hogwarts Champion is Donna Noble!"
- Yep, you read that right, my girl Donna is Hogwarts Champion instead of Cedric.
- The goblet inevitably spews out Harry's name and chaos ensues. BUT, we have something different this time, we have the brilliant Donna Noble. She asks if it really is binding if Harry didn't write his own name, and not his full name at that. And it is also against the rules for a fourth school to compete, and as someone had charm the goblet into allowing a fourth school competitor it is not really valid. The teachers are convinced and Harry doesn't participate. He is eternally grateful to Donna.
- The Weasleys are the first to know about the first task, and Ron tells Harry who in turn tells Donna. He takes her to see the dragons with the invisibility cloak.
- Donna asks Magical Creature Enthusiast Ten for help and they study the dragons they have seen.
- On the actual day Donna gets the Hungarian Horntail, but she uses a spell for it to understand her instead of tricking it. She manages to tell it one of it's eggs is false and convince the dragon to give it to her. Full points for spellwork and pacific solutions.
- Magical Creature Enthusiast Ten also immediately recognises the merpeople sound from the egg, so Donna is the first to figure out her clue.
- What she doesn't know is what it is that she has to recover, but she has a plan as to how. She uses gillyweed and practices the BubbleHead spell just in case.
- But first, Yule Ball. Our continued Pinning is going on full force, but Ten realizes that if he wants to go to the Ball with Donna he has to ask NOW.
- And so he does, with more blood on his face than anywhere else. Donna is a confused but secretly hopeful. "You want to go as friends?" "No Donna, I want you to be my date." "Oh" "If you don't want to that's fine-" "I would love to" cue more blushing.
- Donna is a vision on her Ball dress, Ten is so in love.
- So they dance and laugh and generally have fun. Then Ten takes her to the Astronomy Tower again, and they kiss under the starry sky.
- Back to the tasks then.
- Of course it is Ten waiting to be rescued at the bottom of the lake.
- Donna is the first to get there, but, like Harry, she helps the others too. Still first place though, my girl is efficient like that.
- Ten and Donna cuddle for warmth after getting out of the lake, of course.
- Third Task, the maze. Donna ends up saving Fleur and having to fight Krum. She almost doesn't make it to the cup.
- Moody had to change plans and kidnap Harry since he wouldn't be competing in the Tournament. So Harry is in the graveyard, Voldemort returns, yada yada.
- But they didn't account for Donna getting there too. She arrives during the fight and saves Harry.
- So Donna is Triwizard Champion!
- and Voldemort is back, which is a bummer.
- Ten and Donna graduate and start travelling the world with a blue suitcase that is bigger on the inside and that's all I have for now, thank you for reading!
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missjosie27 · 5 years ago
Text
Year 3 Part 2- Boggarts and Slytherins
Hello, everyone. New day, different chapter. Hope you guys like it as always!
One small note: this is the beginning of the arc I have planned for Merula which will be quite extensive. For now she’s still perpetually angry and vengeful but I plan to plant the seeds very subtly along the way.
Constructive feedback is welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!
The next morning the Gryffindors received their schedules for the year from Professor McGonagall and certain times had been switched around from the previous year.
“Looks like we have Herbology first thing in the morning now,” Rowan observed. “I always liked it in the afternoon.”
“At least we still take it with the Hufflepuffs,” David shrugged. “Potions on the other hand…”
“Slytherins, I know,” Rowan sighed, shaking his head.
“And that means another year of having to deal with Merula Snyde trying to get underneath my skin or attempting to blow up my cauldron.”
“Just be thankful, it’s not Ismelda,” Ben came up behind them, timidity in his brown eyes. “She doesn’t announce beforehand how she’s going to make your life miserable.”
“Well then brace yourself, because we have that today too,” David stated glumly.
“At least the rest of the week doesn’t look so bad,” Rowan pointed out on the schedule. “We get Transfiguration and Charms on the same day. Defense Against the Dark Arts on Wednesdays and Fridays along with our electives.”
“Can’t wait to see what rubbish teacher they picked for that class, if the previous two are any indicator,” David muttered.
Just then Charlie interrupted them, hustling over, a gigantic bag slung over his shoulders.
“Hey, guys. Did you get the schedules? What electives did you take? I can’t wait to take Care of Magical Creatures.”
David had never seen Charlie so excited before. He suspected the reason why.
“Well I’m taking Magical Creatures as well alongside Ancient Runes…Charlie are you taking this class so you can see a dragon?”
The response was predictable.
“No….maybe.”
“You realize that logistics of getting a dragon to Hogwarts are extremely difficult, bordering on impossible, especially with the more aggressive species. The sheer manpower alone would be astounding, not to mention the amount of sedation,” Rowan rattled off.
“I know, I know,” Charlie said sheepishly. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t learn about them. Hagrid is pretty knowledgeable about dragons too. Even offered to lend me a few books.”
“Out of curiosity, did anyone take Divination?” Ben asked.
The rest of the boys shook their heads.
“Heard the professor for it is completely bonkers,” David replied. “My parents also think the subject is a load of old tripe. For once I agree with them.”
“Not really my style either,” Rowan concurred. “I like dealing in facts not predictions.”
“I guess I dodged a bullet then,” Ben said with relief.
“Dodged a what now?” Charlie asked.
“Muggle saying,” Rowan informed.
It was then that Professor McGonagall came up to shoo them away as their cue to leave.
“We better get to Herbology before Professor Sprout gets cross with us,” David said aloud.
And off the Gryffindors went.
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Professor Sprout took her job very seriously as head of Herbology, taking immense care of her greenhouses. However, being the Hufflepuff she was, she was not the type to give detention for tardiness. David personally enjoyed her class due to her friendly but fair demeanor. She even gave him a personal greeting upon arrival as the rest of the students set up.
“David Grant,” she said cheerfully. “So nice to see you in Herbology instead of inside of a Cursed Vault.”
Grinning at the good natured humor, David was thankful for Sprout’s non judgemental disposition.
“Cursed Vaults don’t compare to your class, Professor Sprout. I hope you had a nice summer.”
“How thoughtful of you to ask, your brother was always the same way.”
David ignored the pang in his chest as he listened politely.
“My summer was splendid! I conducted several experiments on the composition of dragon dung fertilizer. The quantity and quality of it has a tremendous impact on a plant’s growth.”
“Interesting. Just don’t let Charlie hear the word ‘dragon’ he might trip over himself trying to find it.”
Professor Sprout gave a hearty chuckle.
“There’s that wonderful sense of humor of yours. Ten points to Gryffindor for the laugh. Now, find your place Mr. Grant, we are about to begin today’s lesson.”
Feeling quite pleased with himself gaining points for simply making his professor laugh, David gladly took up a spot in between Tonks and Penny (the former gave him a wink) as the demonstration commenced.
“Good morning, class! Welcome back to Hogwarts and I hope you all had wonderful summer holidays!” Professor Sprout greeted in her usual affable manner. “Today we will be learning to grow Valerian. The roots of this magical plant can be used in many magical potions. All eyes up front, please!”
The lecture began with information about the plant itself, its properties, and the potions commonly used for. Penny was particularly excited as it turned it was a common ingredient in more advanced brews such as the Draught of Peace and the Forgetfulness Potion. Following that were notes on the proper care of the Valerian, the gathering of equipment and working on soil and roots. Greenhouse three usually housed far more dangerous plants, but that wasn’t what made the Valerian tricky. It required a very specific amount of water and light and if botched, died quite easily, something Professor Sprout was very quick to point out.
“Gather around, everyone,” she called out. “Too much water on the Valerian root will kill it within moments. I will demonstrate the proper amount to use. Miss Haywood, will you fetch me that pail on the shelf?”
“Yes, Professor Sprout,” the blonde beamed, hopping over to the shelf.
While that was occurring, Tonks took the time to catch up.
“Wotcher, Dave. I felt like I hardly saw you at the end of last year.”
“Saving the school from becoming the Arctic tundra will take up a good deal of time,” David joked. “But I promise we’ll hang out more this year.”
“Smashing! We can start right away. Which of these plants do you think would work best for bothering a certain, irritable librarian?”
The third year Gryffindor rolled his eyes but smiled all the same.
“Tonks, just how many detentions do you plan on getting this year?”
But before she could retort with a quip of her own there was a sudden crash and scream. Everyone turned to see Penny Haywood standing in front of one of the pots, positively petrified with fear. Standing over them all, was a vicious, snarling werewolf.
Immediately some of the class started screaming and a cold washed over David’s body.
How on earth did a full grown werewolf get in here?!.....In the middle of the day….when it’s two weeks before full moon….
None of this added up but before he came to the obvious conclusion, Professor Sprout leapt forward, wand drawn.
“Everyone remain calm!” she ordered. “There is nothing to fear. Please stand back, Miss Haywood.”
Penny dove underneath the table as the head of Hufflepuff house yelled out, “Riddikulus!”
The werewolf immediately transformed into a harmless, poorly stitched, teddy bear causing some of the class to laugh at the sheer hilarity. It proceeded to burst into a pile of smoke and vanish completely.
“What the hell was that?” Tonks asked aloud. “Was that a real werewolf?”
“It wasn’t,” Professor Sprout answered. “That was a boggart. Nasty shapeshifting creature that takes the form of a victim’s worst fear.”
“I’ve heard of those things,” Rowan informed them. “They’re found in almost every country. My grandfather came across one in India once. Not a pleasant experience.”
“Very true, Mr. Khanna. However, a boggart cannot physically harm you. The true damage it causes is to the mind. It is repelled by laughter and the incantation I just used will change it into something humorous.”
Sprout checked underneath the table.
“Miss Haywood, you may come out now. You do not need to be afraid any longer.”
Slowly, the blonde peaked her head out and slowly brought herself to her feet though her body was still trembling mightily.
“Oh, you poor, dear. I think a trip to Madam Pomfrey might be in order just to be safe.”
“I’ll take her,” Chiara Lobosca immediately volunteered. “I have some experience helping in the Hospital Wing. It’s the least I can do.”
David could already guess why Chiara was doing this so readily. As a werewolf herself, there was a guilt that she carried that he hardly blamed her for. And though Penny knew her secret and the two were friends, no doubt Chiara did not want to run the risk of her dormmate’s fear tainting that friendship again.
“That is very kind of you Miss Lobosca. I think we’ve all had enough for one day. I will also be forced to report this to the Headmaster; to my knowledge this is the first time a boggart has ever been seen inside the greenhouses. Class dismissed.”
Professor Sprout waved her wand, sending the Valerians back to their proper stations as the rest of the class put away their materials, gloves, and packed their things. Chiara hurried Penny away, the blonde still holding back tears and unable to speak.
David made up his mind to pay her a visit later on just to make sure she was okay. He also reflected on Professor Sprout’s comment that a boggart had never been seen in the greenhouses before.
Hogwarts was never what anyone would call ‘normal’ but even so, something very odd was going on.
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Lunch time only served to prove his hunch further. He and Rowan discussed the issue over pumpkin juice and ham sandwiches.
“An anomaly to be sure,” his best friend commented. “Boggarts typically like dark, decaying places.”
“A pot filled with soil is technically dark and decaying,” David joked.
“A pot in a greenhouse which absorbs and takes in massive amounts of sunlight,” Rowan pointed out. “When my grandfather stumbled across one in India, it was in a cave. It hardly adds up.”
He took out a book titled ‘Blithe’s Guide to Dark Creatures’ and flipped a few pages.
“Case and point,” he said, showing him the underlined text. “And I don’t know if you noticed this, but that boggart looked a lot more…realistic than normal.”
“It is odd I grant you that,” David conceded. “I’m just concerned about Penny mostly. She looked as though she might die of fright.”
“And that’s precisely what I’m getting at….what if that was no ordinary boggart?”
Before he could elaborate further, they were joined by the Weasley brothers, who sat down next to them.
“Did you hear about what happened?” Bill asked them.
“Charlie filled you in pretty quickly, eh?”
“No, not Penny. There was an incident in McGonagall’s sixth year Transfiguration class with the Ravenclaws. A boggart in the form of a banshee popped in out of nowhere and nearly gave this one bloke a heart attack. And there was another one in the Astronomy tower with the Slytherins. Second year broke down after seeing a bloodthirsty ogre.”
Rowan gave David a knowing look. Yes, something was definitely going on here.
“In other words, Penny wasn’t the only one to see their worst fear today,” Charlie summed it all up.
“One day back and we’re already dealing with a crisis,” David muttered. “If it isn’t cursed ice it’s the ‘Attack of the Boggarts’. Oh, joy.”
“You don’t think this has to do with another cursed vault, does it?” Rowan asked.
“And if it is, should we try and find it?” Bill added. There was an eagerness in his voice, but as it was during the feast, he tempered that eagerness.
David thought for a brief moment. It seemed preposterous to think that a cursed vault would be active so early in the year. Then again there wasn’t a viable explanation outside of that. But what did boggarts have to do with ancient curses anyway? They were sentient dark creatures, not tied to anything other than taking the shape of someone’s worst fear.
“I think we need to learn more about boggarts,” David said aloud. “There’s only so much a book can tell you. As far as whether this stems from a cursed vault, it’s too early to tell.”
“You should ask Hagrid,” Bill told him. “He knows all about terrifying creatures. He’s actually in the courtyard now if you want to talk to him. Let me know what you find.”
Just then the group had to duck as a custard tart narrowly missed hitting Charlie on the head.
“Duty calls,” Bill grinned, tapping his prefect badge. “OI! You first years! Stop throwing food in the Great Hall!”
As he left to handle the situation, David couldn’t help but shake his head and snicker a bit.
“He seems to be getting a handle on the job.”
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t entertaining when he tries to corral the first years,” Charlie laughed. “But this is going to work to your benefit, Dave. Bill can give you cover when you’re searching for the vaults. Like I said, he has no interest in stopping the search.”
David nodded but kept his response neutral. This wasn’t the time to go galloping off in search of another vault…not yet anyway. Dumbledore would not be pleased if he were to find out he directly disobeyed him. Nor did he want a howler from his parents.
He tried to ignore the memory of his brother once more as his face became quite vivid in his mind.
“Let’s just take it one step at a time.” Draining the last of his pumpkin juice, he got up from the table. “Shall we go visit Hagrid?”
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Finding a ten foot tall human was not a difficult task. David and Rowan spotted him right away. He was tending after Fang, who had grown quite considerably since the previous year, throwing him treats and laughing mightily.
It was a bright, sunny day. Perfect weather for going outside, and it seemed that most of the students had not heard of the mishaps with the boggarts. Not yet at least.
“Hey, Hagrid!”
The giant turned around and waved cheerily.
“Dave! Rowan! Good to see yeh.”
“Likewise. How was your summer?”
“It was fine. Thanks for askin,” Hagrid replied cheerily. “Raised a litter of flobberworms in the hut but now they’re fully grown. Don’t know what to do with em, really. Not very interestin creatures, flobberworms.”
“You could always set them free, Hagrid,” Rowan suggested. “Especially if Professor Snape doesn’t need them for any other potion.”
“Not a bad idea, though I’d have ter set em free away from me garden. They’ll eat all the pumpkins I’m growing fer this years Halloween feast. But enough of me flobberworm problems. What can I do fer yeh?”
David tried to phrase the question innocently.
“I don’t know if you’ve heard but there have been multiple boggart attacks today around the school, including Penny. Seeing as you’re an expert on creatures, we were wondering if you knew why so many are popping up out of nowhere.”
Hagrid’s normally warm, beetle eyes narrowed as he rubbed his massive beard.
“A boggart will occasionally get in here, but I haven’t seen one o’ them in ages. Not since…”
There was a pause and it was clear the gamekeeper was reluctant to reveal more.
“Since when, Hagrid?” he pressed.
“Since yer brother was a student and came askin about them as well.”
As it usually was with these cursed vaults, all questions seemed to lead to more questions, including several David had off the top of his head. He could not contain his desire for more information about Jacob this time.
“Why was my brother asking about boggarts? What did he say? What did you tell him?”
“Slow down, Dave. I’ll tell yeh everything yeh want to know,” Hagrid eased. “Years back, there was an infestation of the ruddy things. Yer brother came to me seekin’ ter know more. He had a theory that one of the vaults at Hogwarts played on the fears anyone who tried ter open it. If these boggarts are suddenly appearin’ again, it might mean someone’s bin messin with that vault.”
That all but confirmed that another Cursed Vault was currently active in the school. Except this time they had no idea where it was, unlike the ice which originated from a specific source.
“It is another vault,” Rowan whispered. “I knew it.”
“Do you know if my brother kept research on the vaults? Any writings of that nature?”
“Fraid not,” Hagrid said truthfully. “Yer brother didn’t have a lot o’ friends at Hogwarts. But he did spend a lot of time at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. Madam Rosmerta is the innkeeper, I ‘spect she migh’ know more about any writings or notes he kept.”
David gave a wide smile.
“Well that’s quite convenient, because we’re third years now and we’re allowed to visit the village.”
Hagrid beamed. “Wonderful. I’ll have teh introduce yeh to her. She’s quite the woman, Rosmerta.”
“First trip is scheduled for the first week in October. We can meet then.”
“Sounds good ter me, Dave. I’ll see yeh around. Come along Fang.
*woof!
As Hagrid lumbered away, Rowan gave David a half inquisitive, half worried expression.
“What?”
“I know you and I know that look you get in your eye. This newfound information on your brother has you all excited again.”
“So what if it does? Do you know what I’ve had to put up with over the summer? Living with…”
He stopped, unwilling to reveal anything more. As always, the status of his family was not something he enjoyed or wanted to talk about and kept it under wraps. Rowan, gazed at him sympathetically, however.
“David, only a day ago you said you didn’t know whether we should continue searching for the vaults. One talk with Hagrid and you’re ready to go to Hogsmeade right now. Just be careful. Don’t get sucked back into this too early.”
His best friend definitely had a point. There were places in time during the previous two years where the search for Jacob had caused him to lose his rationality. Still, if there was a lead, he couldn’t simply stand by and not follow it.
“Don’t worry, Rowan. That Hogsmeade trip isn’t for another month. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with talking to Madam Rosmerta just to learn more about my brother.”
“We both know that’s not the only reason you want to talk to her.”
“Fine. You caught me. I’m going so I can stare at her chest all day. Happy?”
Rowan couldn’t help but chortle at that as he adjusted his glasses.
“David, I know I can’t stop you from talking to Rosmerta. When you put your mind to something there’s very little anyone can do to stop you. I just don’t want to see you expelled.”
“I won’t be, I can promise you that,” he replied, putting an arm around the Indian boy. “And I know you’re looking out for me like you always do. Thank you.”
That brought a big smile to Rowan’s face. Underneath the surface he was always a bit insecure about his place at Hogwarts and to reaffirm his friendship was exactly what a person like him needed now and again.
“I always will.” He checked his watch and frowned. “Lunch is almost over, and potions starts soon. You know what happens if we’re tardy.”
David groaned. Though potions was actually a subject he normally did well in, it also meant afternoons spent with two of his least favorite people: Severus Snape and Merula Snyde. And though he had not seen the latter of the two yet, there was no doubt the Slytherin girl would have multiple choice words for him.
“Let’s face it then, yeah? Nothing like trading warm air and sunshine for the black pit of the dungeons and Merula.”
It would have been a lot funnier were the prospect not so bleak.
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Sure enough, upon their entry to the Potions classroom Merula was waiting for them. Her look had changed slightly over the summer- she sported black eyeliner, heavy dark eyeshadow, and what looked like a tiny amount of blush in her cheeks. Otherwise, there was very little difference in her appearance- the orange tuft of hair, ripped tights and combat boots were still there. However, this time she wasn’t alone.
“Welcome back to Hogwarts, Grant. How did it feel to be publicly humiliated by Dumbledore at the welcome feast?”
“You know as lovely a tradition arguing with you every first potions class is, I really don’t have the patience to keep it going this year,” came the witty retort. David also wasn’t lying. His ire against the girl certainly hadn’t subsided but on days like this it receded into a kind of bored exasperation.
“You’ll need more than just patience this time around. In fact, I wouldn’t even bother trying to find the next vault. I’m going to open them all before you even have a chance to find them,” she sneered at him in her usual manner. “With my associates Ismelda and Barnaby here, all of the fortune and glory in the vaults will be mine.”
It was like the speech of a badly written villain, however Merula wasn’t fibbing on one aspect of her statement. Flanked on each side was indeed Ismelda Murk and Barnaby Lee, two people he was familiar with- the former once tried to threaten him into revealing more information about the vaults while the latter was notorious for consuming potions he wasn’t supposed to drink.
“Didn’t you say something similar to that last year?” Rowan pipped up.
“I don’t believe I was talking to you, four eyes,” Merula snapped at him as she turned back to David, violet eyes glinting maliciously. “You got lucky last year, Grant. But that luck is about to run out.”
The third year Gryffindor gave a false yawn as he slung his bag over his chair.
“Truly, I’m shaking in my boots. Merula. When you actually find a vault as opposed to talking about finding one get back to me. Otherwise, I have better things to do than listen to you carry on like a prat.”
Merula’s rosy pink cheeks turned a bright shade of red as anger surged through her.
“Like what?!”
“Uh, literally anything else.”
The Slytherin witch had no time to reply, however as Snape entered the room, his usual slumped over, bat like silhouette taking immediate command of the room. That certainly hadn’t changed.
“Alright you insufferable lot,” he droned in his usual monotone. “Take your seats, heat up your cauldrons and do try to not ruin another lesson…Mr. Lee that goes double for you. Any consumption of potions and I’ll have you repeating your third year faster than it takes you to form a sentence. Now, take out your books and turn to the first pages. Today we will be learning Wide Eye Potion.”
The class did not hesitate in obeying the Potions master and set to work. David was also extra careful to pay close attention to Merula and Ismelda, the latter of whom frightened the life out of Ben and never missed an opportunity to screw with his brew. However, Merula didn’t attempt to sabotage him today, nor did she whisper unsettling, annoying threats underneath her breath. Instead there was a pronounced smirk on her face, one that she occasionally threw his way. He did not care for it one bit.
After adding the two sprigs of wolfsbane and adding three counter-clockwise turns, David figured he’d brewed an acceptable concoction and placed a sample on Snape’s desk, who barely acknowledged his presence and waved him away. All in all, the class itself was uneventful. But Merula and her cronies weren’t done trying to antagonize him. After leaving the potions classroom, David and Rowan were again confronted by the Slytherin gang.
“You think you’re so amazing,” Merula snarled at him. “But you’ve had a team of people helping all along the way and taking the credit. Well that’s exactly what I have now. Wherever the next cursed vault is and whatever is inside it, it’s mine for the taking.”
David was about to retort but before he could, Barnaby interrupted. The hulking mass was easily the tallest among the group and was already just under six feet. When he spoke his voice was deep but surprisingly gentle.
“What do you think is inside the next Cursed Vault?” he wondered aloud more to himself than anyone else.
“I hope it’s something that can bring back the Dark Lord,” Ismelda said darkly. This caused Barnaby to look slightly fearful and the two Gryffindors extremely apprehensive.
“Maybe it’s something that can bring back Grant’s brother,” Merula said tapping a finger on her chin, her eyes up towards the sky. Her expression then turned back to her usual nasty leer. “On second thought, no one cares about that loser.”
As it was with David, he had very few sore spots, but his brother unfortunately was one of them. He could handle her usual barbs and insults, but if she needed another lesson when it came to talking badly about his family, he would teach it.
“I’d shut your mouth, Merula. Unless you want to duel again and we both know how that ended up the last two times.”
He stepped forward. She was still his equal in height but he held no fear of her. Malicious violet eyes clashed with the cold fury of hazel-blue ones and the tension was considerably heightened.
“You got lucky, Grant. You always get lucky. Next time, you’ll be begging for mercy…” Merula said dangerously.
“Didn’t you beg a bit when Grant beat you the last time?” Barnaby asked her stupidly. “People told me you cried too, but I could have sworn there was begging.”
It wasn’t until a few seconds passed that David realized the question was not a jab at Merula but a genuine one. He had heard Barnaby wasn’t the brightest candle in the room, even so his lack of brain power clearly irritated his leader.
“Shut up, Barnaby,” Merula growled. “Let’s go. This loser isn’t worth our time.”
She brushed past him, while Ismelda gave Rowan a rough shove. However, Barnaby did not immediately follow the two girls as he stared down at the Gryffindors in front of him, his face taking on a serious, stoic expression.
“If you mess with Merula, I’ll vanish all the bones in your body,” came the words. It wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.
David sized up the burly Slytherin. This was probably not someone he wanted to tangle with both physically or in a duel. And yet there was something he didn’t understand.
“In case you haven’t noticed, she’s the one constantly messing with me,” he pointed out. “Why are you friends with her? She treats you like rubbish.”
“She treats everyone like rubbish, actually,” Rowan muttered.
“Merula says whatever is inside the vaults is something really powerful. If it makes me stronger, I want it. She’s the most cunning witch at Hogwarts and the only way I’ll ever get that power is to do exactly what she says.”
David resisted rolling his eyes at that logic. It was typical Slytherin speak. Power over everything else no matter how intelligent or moronic you were. In Barnaby’s case it was the latter.
“Is that what she told you?” he asked sincerely.
“Yes,” came the simple response.
“You ever think she might be lying in order to manipulate you?”
That gave Barnaby pause scrunching up his face as though he were trying to solve an incredibly difficult math equation. After a few moments, he frowned.
“Don’t try to make me think, Grant,” he growled, cracking his knuckles menacingly, multiple silver rings glinting as he did so. He too walked off to find the rest of his gang though he did not shove either one of them as Ismelda and Merula had.
“Is it just me, or was that conversation literally the stupidest thing I’ve ever been a part of?” David asked aloud.
“Barnaby is one of the strongest wizards in our year,” Rowan told him. “Has quite the reputation as a duelist. Even so he’s still thicker than a troll.”
“Even a bloody troll would know better than to trust Merula. Then again, I’m surprised that bloke knows how to put on his trousers properly in the morning.”
Rowan laughed and they continued on their way, but David couldn’t help but feel that his third year at Hogwarts might be the most challenging one yet. Between the possibility of another cursed vault and dealing with three hostile Slytherins as opposed to the usual one, the message was clear.
He had his work cut out for him. 
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sk8 au week - day 2: royalty and soulmates
reki kyan was nearing his eighteenth birthday and he had yet to meet his soulmate. reki has heard the whispers of the people in the town about people who don’t fine their soulmates. it’s not that he didn’t have one -he did, for your information, thank you very much- but because reki was from a royal family, and therefore a prince, he was to be married off and did not have the luxury of being with his soulmate. unless his soulmate was from another royal family, but reki had seen where his red string lead: straight into the center of the town below. so no such luck for another noble as his soulmate.
reki’s mother had tried to let him build friendships and hopefully relationships with the other royal children around his age, but reki had dreams about meeting his soulmate and never developed anything more than friendship with the other royals.
reki stared at his red string, eyes tracing its path down into the village, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone. sometimes when he sleep he caught glimpses of a tall, pale, slender figure and bright blue eyes. reki wondered what those eyes would look like mere inches from his own.
suddenly a book smacked into the back of reki’s head, startling him from his daydream.
“what the fuck-“ reki’s head whipped around.
“hey there slime.” said a voice.
reki groaned at the sight of the boy sitting atop his desk.
“hello miya.” he grumbled.
“what’re you looking at?” the young prince asked, a catlike smirk breaking out on his face.
“nothing,” reki said pushing himself up and walking over to miya.
“so is your mom still making you meet that prince for dinner tonight?” miya hummed as he twirled a pen in his hands.
reki’s mother was much more kind with her son and his romantic predicament, compared to reki’s father who was ready to married his son off without a meeting between the spouses. but after his father ran away with the sevrant girl he impregnated no one stuck to his old rules.
“yes, but i have a plan to escape and i need your help.” reki said placing his hands on miya’s shoulders.
“i’m all ears,” miya said leaning forward as if reki’s mother was outside the door and eavesdropping this very moment.
“ok so i need you to mix up joe and shadow’s schedules so they’re both in the great hall at the same time. we cant have a fancy dinner set up if the cook and florist are in there at the same time now can we?”
“i like what i’m hearing.”
“and then i need you and koyomi to either distract the stable hand while sneak through the barn.”
“done. is that all you need?”
“yep. the rest is up to me. joe accidentally let it slip that his soulmate is the craftsman in town and that he sneaks out at the exit
behind the greenhouses to meet him. so thanks to joe i’ve got my escape route all planned.”
“well look at this, prince reki ditching the feast planned just for him. who would have thought?” miya asked with a laugh.
“well after how the last dinner ended it’s not that surprising.” reki said with a shudder as he remembered the glazed goat falling onto the poor princess who was just looking for a potential marriage partner.
miya let out snicker at the memory. “well now that you say that...”
“anyways i have to hurry if i wanna make it before my mom sends a servant to make sure i’m ready.”
“oh right right let’s go. i’ll go get koyomi and head to the stables. see you soon.” and with a wink miya slipped out the door and was gone. grabbing a cloak from his bed, reki fastened the clasp and dashed out the room after miya.
he was sick of all this arranged marriage bullshit, he was sick of it all. reki just wanted to meet his soulmate and fall in love. he knew his thoughts were selfish though. he was the eldest of the four kyan children and his mom was doing her best to rule a kingdom by herself, so by default his marriage was bound to be political. it was very unlikely he would end up with his soulmate.
and so that’s why reki was going to meet his soulmate tonight. he would meet them and apologize for being a lousy soulmate before heading back to the castle to meet the prince who he was supposed to be dinning with.
for most of reki’s life he soulmate had lead to a place up in the snowy mountains. but within the past few years the string moved into the town below the castle reki lived in. just like fate his soulmate moved to his home town. but it was someone else’s fate, not his. so reki made up his mind weeks ago: meet his soulmate, apologize, then finally agree to a political marriage. his plan would take away his curiously about his soulmate, it would hopefully lessen his guilt about not being able to be with said soulmate, and it would make his mom happy. so why didn’t he like what he was about to do?
ignoring the heavy feeling in his stomach reki pushed on. running quietly through the halls reki hid behind stone pillars and over large plant pots when he needed too. finally reaching the barn reki slipped into there to see miya and koyomi talking away with the stable hand over a loaf of bread and some pieces of cheese.
slipping past the trio and out into the courtyard beyond reki doesn’t make a noise. he holds his breath all the way to the green house, and doesn’t let it out until he’s well into the tunnel behind it. some time ago a tunnel was dug in the large wall protecting the castle, the entrance was hidden by vines on both sides. the cave was known only to a select few.
as reki hurried through the cave he began to think back to some of his earlier suitors. he remembers his best friend who he could have seen himself marrying despite not being soulmates. but his friend got sick and went back to his kingdom and reki never heard from him again.
but tonight was about his soulmate. so reki trudged on, squinting for the cave opening.
before long the prince was stumbling out of the vines and onto the street. luckily it was mostly empty. empty except for a tall man with long pink hair and glasses.
at the sound of someone falling through the leaves he looked up but seemed shocked to see a teenager.
“your not kojiro.” the stranger blurted.
“and your not- actually i wasn’t waiting for anyone and i have no idea who you are...or who kojiro is.”
the man stared at reki for a minute before recognition flashed in his eyes.
“prince reki! what are you doing outside of the castle?”
“i um...well you see-“ but reki was cut off by a rustling behind the vines and a large figure falling out of said vines.
“kaoru you will never believe the day i had...” joe trailed off, eyes catching sight of a panicked reki and surprised kaoru.
“joe?” reki blurted at the same time joe said “reki?”
the two stared at each other before reki made a run for it.
but joe caught him by his hood so reki didn’t get far.
“kid what the hell are you doing here?” joe said apparently forgetting all formalities one should talk to their prince with.
“not of your business! and i could ask you the same!” reki yelled as he struggled to get free from joe’s grip.
“i’m meeting my soulmate. and i’m going to ask you again, what are you doing here?”
reki sagged, giving up the struggle. “same here,”
“you’re meeting your soulmate?” kaoru asked.
“yes, what about it?” reki said crossing his arms. it had all gone so good until now.
“aren’t you supposed to be in a arranged marriage?”
“yes so i’m going to meet my soulmate and apologize before agreeing to an arranged marriage.”
“what?” joe said, surprise causing him to loosen his grip. taking the chance reki dashed away. ignoring the yells behind him reki
kept on running. nothing can stop me now, reki thought, i’ve come this far.
eyeing his string, reki ran through the street watching it get tighter and tighter. reki was too focused on the string that he didn’t see the boy in front of himself until it was too late.
the boys slammed into each other hard, the medicinal products in the other boy’s hands clattering to the ground.
“oh shit sorry-“
“sorry-“
they both spoke at the same time causing the boys to look up at each other abruptly. the boy had bright blue hair that went down past his ears. he was tall and lanky, his skin almost as pale as snow. bright blue eyes that reki had sworn he had seen before. but when reki’s gaze meet the boys hands, his heart stopped. a thin red string connecting reki’s own finger to this mystery boy’s, hung in the air. a red string of fate; a soulmate string. this boy was his soulmate.
eyes snapping back to the bright blue ones reki knew his soulmate saw it too.
“well shit.” reki blurted and the boy began to laugh. it was a sweet noise, like the chime of heavenly bells. and so reki began to laugh too.
“well i guess your my soulmate. that makes this search a lot easier then.” standing up and reaching out a hand to his soulmate, reki began to speak. “so you probably know who i am and therefore i can’t marry you -or be with you quite frankly- and i’m very sorry for that and it’s selfish of me but i have the responsibility of the kingdom on my shoulders and i can’t fail my people.”
“what? ‘kingdom’? what are you talking about?” the boys blank stare bored into reki.
“...i’m the prince. and i’m going to be king someday. and as much i want to be with my soulmate -you-, i have to be responsible for my people -which includes you-.”
realization dawned on his face. “ooh, i see.”
“and honestly i don’t care about the difference of ‘rank’ between noble and townsfolk but other royalty do.”
“well my moms a doctor if that means anything.”
“a prominent roll indeed but unfortunately not enough for the in-law of a prince. well not in my eyes, but in the eyes of others.”
the boy hummed in though. “well she was the queen of the kingdom in the mountains before my father fell to illness and some corrupt politician overthrew her and had us banished. do that mean anything?”
“you- you mean you were a prince?”
the boy nods.
“oh my god. oh my god! this may just work then! i may be able to be with my soulmate and still have a marriage that pleases the royal court!” reki’s eyes light up in happiness. “that’s only if you do want to be with me i mean.” he added.
“well you’re my soulmate, are you not? so we’re meant to be together, no?”
“well yes of course. but i wanted to make sure you were comfortable with it and all...”
“of course reki.” the boy said sweetly while reaching out and clasping reki’s hands in his own.
reki almost melted at the use of his given name spoken by his soulmate.
“oh wait can i call you that? is that ok?”
all reki could do was dumbly nod.
“my names langa by the way.”
“langa,” reki said testing out the way the name felt on his tongue. “i like it!” he smiled and watched as langa’s face turned red.
“well should we head to the castle or something to relay the news?” langa asked, turning to reki.
“hmmm i think we can wait a minute. wanna show me around the town?”
“it would be my honor.”
and so the two boys disappeared into the lively bustle of the town as the laughed away and held each other’s hand like a lifeline.
~ ~ ~
@sk8-au-week
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dramioneasks · 5 years ago
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HP FESTS: TheMourningMadam’s Fests  (Part 2)
Where Gods Dwell Fest 2020:
Forge of Aradia by WordsmithMusings - E, WIP - A dark and angst-filled twist on the story of Pygmalion and Galatea - an enchanting myth about a sculptor who fell in love with his own sculpture and prayed to the goddess Aphrodite to bring it to life. Only here the sculptor is Draco Malfoy, his hands are guided by his three best friends, Hermione Granger is in an abusive marriage with Ronald Weasley, and the Goddess Aradia hears their cries.
Her Only Sunshine by articcat621 - E, one-shot - He was the sunshine in her dark and lonely world.
Sweetest Downfall by BiscuitsForPotter - E, WIP - Seven years after the war began, Hermione is sent on a mission to take down one of the greatest threats to the Order. Rumor has it that this threat has some sort of special power that has made him unbeatable in a duel. Hermione's orders? Find the source of his power and destroy it. Based on a dark interpretation of Samson and Delilah; Written for TheMouringMadam's Where Gods Dwell Fest.
The Clouds, The Wind, The Stars and The Moon Know Not by fandomfairytales - E, WIP - Based on the Polish tale of Miranda and Hero. Draco is the crown prince of a rich island nation, plagued by powers beyond his control and dreams of a woman he has never met; he is stalked, pursued and eventually imprisoned the wicked goddess Astoria (Kosciey) ascended from the underworld.Hermione, a formidable warrior in her own right never put much stock in magic, but when the sun speaks of truths and dangers she had already dreamt, she must embark on a quest to save the man she loves from an impossible, seemingly unbeatable foe.
Tanabata by sleepygrimm - M, WIP - This is a story of a boy and a girl. The way they found each other. The way their love was a force greater than anything that tried to tear them apart. A story of tolerance, respect and trust. That Patience is all you need to deal with life's intricacies.
Taming The Fire by Imotales - M, 2 chapters - can one person change the tide of the war? Voldemort did with her power and politics . So did Draco Malfoy with his love. An old tale of love written for morningmadam's fest with a supernatural twist.The world burned with her power so did she. She remembered only one face. Could he save her? She didn't waned him to.    
The Last Story by TulipsofIsolation - M, 9 chapters - The man could tell a story. That much was a fact. Yet he knew, had been there seen with his own eyes when they pulled Hermione Granger from the woods. She couldn't have possibly survived. Could she? 
Anointed by TheMourningMadam - M, one-shot - The world believes he stole her away, dragged her to his own personal hell. Perhaps he did, but she eventually followed willingly, with her heart full of love. And now, with the world closing in, they make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure they stay together for eternity.Influenced by The myth of Hades and Persephone, though more figuratively than literally.
I Have You Etched on my Skin by DarkAngelOfSorrowReturns - M, WIP -  She wasn’t a muggleborn, and she was magically bonded to Draco Malfoy.Wait, what?
Searching by pixiedustandbluebutterflies - M, WIP - Hermione and Draco’s hearts were tired of hatred and exhausted of prejudice - but the world wasn’t necessarily ready to accept a relationship between a muggleborn war hero and the son of a disgraced death eater. After years of turning enemies into friends, overcoming public scrutiny, and living through a very public engagement, they were ready to spend the rest of their lives together in peace.Unfortunately, sometimes those closest to you have other plans.
A Woman’s Truth by Charlie9646 - E, WIP - A tale of love, hatred, secrets, but most of all what family truly means.Our choices affect more than just ourselves.
How to Grow Anemone by augustine (aramyn) - M, WIP - May the Gods be ever in your favour.
Unveiled by GracefulLioness - E, one-shot - On the eve of her wedding to Ron, Hermione learns exactly what he wants in a wife, and it's more than she can bear. Running from him and everyone she loves, she finds herself turning to an old flame and wondering why they hadn't worked out.Based on the Hebrew myth of Lilith and Samael for TheMourningMadam's Where Gods Dwell Fest.
The Golden Girl and the Dragon by Art3misiA - T, 5 chapters - There's something developing between Hermione and Draco. The only problem is, her two best friends aren't happy about it and are determined to stop things in their tracks. But will they succeed, or will events take an unexpected turn?
Meet Me at Greenhouse Three by HollyBrianne - T, 3 chapters - A pair of star-crossed lovers, a whispered invitation, a date at greenhouse three. / Dramione fest piece
to seek the light of truth by sparrow_ink - T, WIP - A retelling of the myth of Eros & Psyche.An ancient artifact awakens in Magical Britain, and much drama ensues. Hermione Granger doesn't have time for nonsense like having her marriage arranged by a semi-sentient cup, only it seems she doesn't have much choice in the matter. How is she supposed to help replenish the population of magical Britain when she doesn't even know her husband's name, and she's never seen his face? And is she actually falling in love with someone who might as well be a ghost? Of course not. That would be ridiculous.Herein contains: a library as a bribe (a bribrary, if you will), too much magical chess and tea drinking, and more nonsense than you can shake a wand at. Enjoy
Killing Hermione Granger by NotSoSirius92 - E, one-shot - He intended to kill her. Falling in love was never apart of the plan.
Shriek by Rosella_Burgundy - M, one-shot - He wants her. He'll do anything in his power to get to the object of his desire.
Then We Found Us by CindyBarnard - M, WIP -  Prompt: Adam and Lilith - Dark Festival: TheMourningMadam's Where Gods Dwell Hermione had a life plan, and it was going exactly according to schedule, thank you very much. If only her husband hadn't decided he did not like her plan. . . Which led to her finding out exactly what her husband had done... Maybe she would never have known his secret then, living in blissful ignorance. But he did have an issue and therefore she did find out. And now? Well, Hermione never did want to be the supporting character, did she? And if they did not want to change, then she would fix the problem. So she had to do what she had to do. Besides, the devil is not always wrong you know.
Living Death by Kyonomiko - T, 2 chapters - To Hermione Granger, forgetting who she is might just be worse than death. Looking for forgiveness, even absolution, Draco Malfoy gives her a hidden place in his world.
The Equinox and the Garden by Pandorascube - T, 4 chapters - One night at the Malfoy Harvest ball, everything changes.Modern retelling of Ariadne, Theseus, and Dionysus through Hermione, Ron, and Draco. Written in the style of Greek Tragedy complete with purple prose, Deus ex Machina, the three unities, and a poetic chorus of House Elves.
Accidentally in Love by grace_lou_freebush - T, 2 chapters -  Theo is brewing a potion when Draco barges in and ruins his night. Now he needs revenge. A Dramione reimagining of the Greek myth of Apollo and Daphne.
Like Souls that Balance by savedprincess85 - T, 2 chapters - Hermione is captured. Harry and Draco must rescue her. Based on the Myth of Lancelot and Guinevere. Written for TheMourningMadam's Where God's Dwell Dramione Fest
This fest is onging.
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anubislover · 5 years ago
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Welcome to the Heart Pirates, Nami-ya chapter 14: It’s All Fun and Games
The Polar Tang’s library was easily Nami’s favorite place on the submarine. For one, it was the coolest room on the whole ship as Law had put a considerable amount of resources into developing state-of-the-art climate control equipment to keep the books in good condition. Secondly, the walls were lined with shelves practically bursting with tomes on navigation, oceanography, geography, zoology, weather, history, and, of course, every type of medicine imaginable. Thirdly, it was comfortable; there were plush chairs and couches, a peaceful atmosphere, perfect lighting for reading, and a large table where she and Bepo could work on maps and other projects.
In fact, that’s exactly where the pair of navigators had been holed up over the past few days. Stacks of books on horticulture and gardening surrounded them as they furiously scribbled on sheets of graph paper, meticulously planning out the new greenhouse. With the money they’d accrued from the gala heist, Clione had managed to purchase the equipment needed for solar lights and the sprinkler system. Now it was up to Nami and Bepo to decide which plants should go where so the engineers could start the installation process. It was trickier than it sounded; due to the combination of medicinal herbs and produce, many with different watering and sunlight requirements, the room needed to be carefully mapped out for peak efficiency.
“What do you think of this layout, Nami?” Bepo asked, handing her a rough sketch. “Rough” being the key word—though there was a marked improvement over the past few months, even under Nami’s careful tutelage, his drawing skills still left much to be desired.
Despite the giant sweatdrop falling down the back of her head, Nami forced a happy grin. “It’s a good start! What corner are we putting the aloe plants in?”
“Well, they need a lot of sunlight, so I thought the west corner?”
She studied her notes carefully, a deep wrinkle forming across her brow. “Hmm, but that’s the area that also gets watered the most. According to the books, aloe needs to be watered deeply, but infrequently; otherwise it’ll rot.”
“I’m sorry,” he replied, round ears drooping as he hung his head, a gloomy cloud forming around him.
“It’s ok! We can make a dry corner—a section that has a lot of sunlight, but no sprinkler system. We’ll manually water those on a strict schedule.”
He perked up at the suggestion. “Maybe we can have a chart or something next to those with specific instructions to avoid confusion? And some plastic curtains to block out the spray from the sprinklers so it stays dry?”
“Great idea!” she replied, smile much more genuine this time. With how sensitive Bepo was, she’d forced herself to adopt a more calm, motherly demeanor when working with him. He was a lot like Chopper; sweet and a little naïve but extremely intelligent in his specialized field. She wondered if perhaps, like the blue-nosed reindeer, he’d been bullied when he was young. Had people thought he was a monster, too?
“Thanks, Nami,” Bepo said, bashfully rubbing the back of his neck. “Actually, the island we’re heading to has the aloe variety that Law uses—I know we’re not ready for a full greenhouse, but maybe we could pick up some fresh plants and set up one of the sunlamps in here as a tester since it’s the driest room.”
At the mention of the captain, Nami had to bite back a frustrated sigh. Law had been pretty much intolerable for the past week. She’d thought she’d seen the worst of his insomniac tendencies when he’d been working on the fertilizer, but this was so much worse. He stayed in his room practically all day, and on the rare occasion he emerged he’d been broody and snappish. Most of the crew had chalked it up to stress and lack of sleep again, but Nami could tell they were trying to hide their concern. This wasn’t a hyper fixation like the fertilizer had been—this was an obsession over something personal.
However, she dared not press the matter—Law wasn’t like Luffy or Zoro, whom she could knock over the head and nag into submission. And if his mood did have anything to do with the Amber Lead vase, she was even warier. She still distinctly remembered his rage after the gala—he’d implied that the World Government had covered up the truth that the infamous disease wasn’t contagious. Maybe he wanted the vase to prove it? To spit in the eye of those who had callously doomed an entire city?
Seeing the frown on her face, Bepo sulked. “I’m worried about him too.”
“I’m not worried about him,” she huffed, crossing her arms stubbornly.
The Mink ignored her denial. “I wish he’d get more sleep. I know he’s working on a plan, but he still needs his rest.”
“Why don’t you just drug him or something?” she asked a bit petulantly. Really, she was mostly upset that Law was needlessly troubling his crew. Didn’t he realize how much they cared about him? “There’s plenty of sedatives aboard the ship.”
“Oh no!” Bepo cried, black eyes widening in horror. “Law’d be furious if we did that! There’s too much risk involved. What if we were attacked? He’d be too out of it to fight or take care of the wounded.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she acquiesced, slumping forward and resting her chin on her crossed forearms. Chopper would probably have the same objections. Except a sleep-deprived, angry doctor wasn’t much better than a doped-up one. “Still, he needs a nap or something. He’s been acting like a toddler.”
“Careful who you call a toddler, Nami-ya,” Law’s deep voice rasped in her ear, startling a shriek from her throat as she jerked upright, nearly smacking his chin with the back of her head. “And keep your voice down—you’re in a library.”
“Oh, go to hell, Law!” she snapped, twisting around in her chair to glare up at him. “What are you skulking around for, anyway?” Not that she should really complain—he was actually out of his room, after all.
Striding past her, he perused the history section before selecting a large, faded tome. “It’s my ship—I’ll go where I please.”
“Well, how about you please go to bed?” she argued. Screw not pressing the issue—maybe she couldn’t knock him over the head like her own crew, but she could sure as hell nag, and clearly someone had to. And he wouldn’t attack her with Bepo around, right? “You don’t want to screw up someone’s medication like you did last time you were overtired, right?”
The glare he threw over his shoulder was so full of malice Nami shrank down in her chair. Though a valid point, she knew her comment had hit below the belt.
“Watch your tongue, Nami-ya, or else I’ll remove it,” he sneered. Even with the shadow his hat cast over the top half of his face, Nami could clearly see his eyes were bloodshot and the bags underneath were even darker than usual. “Getting that vase is going to take even more planning than the gala, and I’ve got less information to go on and maybe a third of the time. Even if I could calm my mind enough to sleep, I simply don’t have the time to spare.”
“Look, I know you’re the devious schemer around here, but you’re also the doctor. You of all people should know the importance of getting proper rest. If you’re that worried about your plan, I can help you; burglary is literally the reason you brought me on,” she argued, arms spread wide.
A deep frown marred his face as he shook his head. “No. After what you went through on Grimm, I want you to take it easy until we get to Atifakuto—that’s when I’ll need your help. You’re lucky I’m even letting you work on the greenhouse plans.” He glanced down at the piles of papers strewn across the table. “By the way, I want to look those over later.”
She smacked her forehead in exasperation. “Seriously? Your own plans aren’t enough to keep you occupied? You have way too much on your plate as it is. For God’s sake, just take a break and get some fucking sleep!”
Long fingers gripped the book in his hands so tightly Nami could hear the leather binding groan. “Don’t you dare give me orders on my own fucking ship, Nami-ya.”
“Captain,” Bepo interrupted quietly, voice nearly a whimper, “do you promise to at least try to get some sleep when we get to the island tomorrow? Even just a short nap? It’ll be sunny and warm and safe—maybe your mind will settle down there.”
There was a moment of tense silence as a pair of round black eyes shimmered pleadingly, desperately hoping to put an end to the argument.
“Shit. Quit being so cute,” Law muttered under his breath. Narrow shoulders heaved in a sigh. Not even the Surgeon of Death could be mad at the sweet Mink when he sounded so genuinely concerned. “I promise to try. At the very least, I’ll spend some time outside; I’m sure all this time underwater hasn’t exactly helped my vitamin D deficiency. So long as no one gets any ideas about giving me another lovely sunburn,” he quipped, scowling at the mikan-hair woman meaningfully.
Nami held up her hands in surrender. Even though he totally deserved another prank due to his prickly behavior, it was way more important that he had enough peace of mind to get in even a small amount of sleep.
Damn, she thought to herself as Law stalked out of the library. Bepo’s right; I really am worried about that idiot.
XXX
Cousteau Island was small but beautiful. By Nami’s estimation, it had been an undersea volcano that had risen up less than a hundred years ago. Shaped like a fat crescent moon, the majority of the land was covered in lush jungle and lined with smooth, sandy beaches. The surrounding ocean was nearly teal, full of tropical fish and rainbow-colored coral. Fruits like bananas, coconuts, and pineapples grew in abundance, but there didn’t appear to be much wildlife—mostly birds and sea turtles who had decided the uninhabited island was the perfect spot to lay their eggs due to a lack of predators.
“How did you guys find this place?” Nami asked Bepo, not bothering to keep the awe from her voice as they surfaced in the cove. “I’ve never heard of Cousteau Island, and it wasn’t the atlas.”
More than happy to tell the tale of their lucky discovery, her fellow navigator explained, “It’s a summer island we found when a storm blew us off course. It’s so tiny its magnetic field is hidden by Grimm’s, so it doesn’t show up on a log pose—we had to make an eternal pose to get back. It’s also surrounded by a massive reef that’ll destroy most other ships if they get close, but we found the underwater tunnel to get through. It’s completely uninhabited, so we claimed it and use it as a hideout.”
Glancing around, Nami could see the skeletal remains of what looked like a pirate ship wedged onto the rocks, along with debris scattered along the beach. They appeared to be several months old, however, so she doubted they’d be running into any castaways. “How’d it get its name?”
“Cousteau found the safe path to the island, so we let him name it,” Law interjected bluntly, though not without a hint on begrudging affection for the diver/oceanographer. “Otherwise, it would have been ‘Trafalgar Cove’.”
Nami nodded in understanding, too pleased at the possibility of mapping out a brand-new island and taking a vacation to mock him for the blatant arrogance. It seemed Law hadn’t been making empty promises when he told her the island would be much more relaxing. Now all he had to do was keep his promise about getting some sleep.
Upon landing, the crew spent the better part of the morning setting up chairs, umbrellas, a volleyball net, blankets, tables, and everything else they could think of for a fantastic day on the beach. Surprisingly, getting the bonfire and grill started was the easiest part; debris from the shipwrecked pirate ship, which seemed to mostly consist of the shattered remains of wooden crates and barrels, littered the shore, so there was no need to cut down trees. By noon, the last of the preparations were finished, and after a quick lunch, the crew split off into their own groups.
Cousteau and Crozier led Clione, Darter, Sgt. Pepper, Ajisahi, Tsunomedori, and Shiroruka to explore the jungle, promising to be back by sunset with fresh fruit, water, and the aloe Law wanted. Skua and Malamute, two of Ikkaku’s fellow engineers, elected to stay on the ship to perform some maintenance. The rest, led by Penguin and Shachi, chose to change into bathing suits so they could all enjoy some much-needed relaxation on the beach.
“Incoming!” Nami shouted, spiking the blue and yellow beach ball hard over the net, scoring the winning point for her team.
“Nice shot!” Ikkaku cheered, high-fiving her partner.
“And that’s the match!” Ermine sniggered from their spot by the grill as they cleaned the assortment fish Jude, Uni, and Seiuchi had caught for dinner, careful to keep their long brown braids free of fish guts. The cook had been thoroughly amused throughout the game—they’d never pass up the chance to watch the first and second mate get trounced by a pair of pretty ladies in swimwear. “Did you guys even score a single point?”
“Ah, shuddup,” Shachi groused as he fell back onto a nearby towel, though his displeasure at losing didn’t stop him from ogling Nami and Ikkaku’s sun-kissed bodies. Nami had elected to don a cherry red, lace-up one-piece that tantalizingly showed off her legs and cleavage. Ikkaku’s was comparatively more modest, being a sporty, black, high-neck two-piece, though the mesh across her breasts didn’t hide much.
The swimwear had been a tactical choice—the moment Penguin and Shachi had proposed a game of volleyball, the girls knew there was no better way to distract them. And with such a devious plan, they of course added on a friendly wager—losers do the winners’ cleaning duties for the next month.
“Man, they destroyed you,” Jude mocked from his chair, black bowl cut shining in the late afternoon sun.
“Like you would have done any better,” Penguin argued as he took a swig from his water bottle.
“Doesn’t matter—I’m not the one with double cleaning duty.”
“You’re all getting extra chores if you don’t quit your damn whining and let me work in peace,” a dark, irritable voice called.
Law was seated a dozen feet away from the makeshift volleyball court on a wide beach blanket, Bepo snoozing softly behind him. As promised, he’d managed to doze for a short while in the sun, but it hadn’t done much for his mood. In fact, it seemed that with that small bit of rest, he’d become even more determined to work on his plan instead of relax like his body clearly needed. So, despite the protests of his crew, he’d attempted to return to his work inside the ship.
However, the maintenance had proven noisy enough to force him back outside, stacks of books and papers in hand, and he’d sullenly plopped onto the blanket beside his navigator, resolute to get some work done despite the universe’s clear attempts to stop him.
In Nami’s opinion, he looked absurd in his black and yellow swim trunks surrounded by notebooks full of messy scribblings and huge history books. He was like a nerdy brat who’d been forced on a family vacation but opted to petulantly do homework on the beach instead of have fun.
Sure, he was a hot nerdy brat, but she could also see the signs that his obsessive planning was taking its toll on his body. The definition of his muscles was starting to fade, and he looked thinner. Tan skin appeared dull even in the bright sun, and there wasn’t enough concealer in the world to cover up his eyebags now.
“Ok, this is ridiculous,” Nami grumbled with a scowl. She squeezed the volleyball between her hands, briefly imagining it was Law’s thick skull. “Even post-catnap he’s being a grumpy bastard.”
Ducking beneath the net to stand beside her, Penguin nodded in agreement. “Normally I’d say leave him alone and let him deal with it at his own pace, but this is different.”
“He told you what we’re going after?” she asked lowly, keeping her voice down to avoid disturbing the man in question or risk him eavesdropping.
“Yeah. That’s why I’m worried.” Penguin gave her a sidelong glance. “Amber Lead’s a touchy subject with him. Think this is bad? It was way worse when we sailed the North Blue.”
“What’s his deal with it?”
“It’s not my place to say. What’s important is that we get his mind off of it. All this brooding’s just going to make his insomnia worse, and it’s completely killing the party mood.”
“Any suggestions?”
“You could give him a lap dance.”
Before anyone could blink, Penguin was on the ground, a grapefruit-sized lump throbbing on his head. “Ow! I was kidding,” he moaned.
Nami cracked her knuckles. “Got any legit suggestions?” she growled, a murderous look in her eyes.
“Leave it to me,” Shachi chimed in, getting up from his towel. His gait was determined as he marched over to his captain. Standing directly in the man’s sunlight, he waited until Law glared up at him in annoyance.
“Move.”
“Nope.”
“That’s an order.”
“Nothin’ doin’.”
“If you don’t move in the next five seconds, they’ll be using your head as the volleyball.”
“Go ahead—the rest of me will still be right here, blocking your light.”
Rubbing a hand over his frustrated face, Law half-growled, half-sighed, “What the fuck do you want?”
Shachi crossed his arms over his chest. “This is supposed to be a vacation, but you’re bringing down the whole mood. So, unless you want a mutiny on your hands, you’re gonna play the King Game with us.”
Gold eyes narrowed ominously. “Are you fucking serious?”
“Law, you’ve been a brooding pain in the ass for eight days. I get you’re dealing with a lot of shit, but if you expect us to just sit by and let you kill yourself with planning and sulking, well, you’ve got another thing coming.”
“I refuse to leave things to chance,” Law snapped, gesturing towards the large pile of notes and books before him. “The plan hinges on me memorizing all of this. I don’t have time for stupid games.”
“Dude, too much stress from studying can cause brain inflammation and result in memory loss or depression. So unless you take a break, you’re more likely to forget this stuff and your plan will be ruined.”
“Please, Captain?” Bepo chimed in from behind him, black eyes once more shimmering with beseeching tears. He’d awoken at the mention of the King Game; it was one of his favorites, and there was no way he was going to let Law miss out.
Another sigh, this one more resigned as the stubborn captain massaged his temples. The combination of scientific facts and Bepo’s puppy-dog eyes was especially effective in his weakened state. “How long do I have to play?”
Shachi grinned triumphantly. “No less than thirty minutes. Come on; it’s a relaxing, easy game. Heck, you might not even end up having to do anything.”
“If that’s the case, it’ll be an even bigger waste of time.”
“Law, when have you ever considered watching us act like idiots a waste of time?”
He couldn’t argue with that. “Do you promise to leave me in peace afterward?”
“Aye-aye, Captain,” he said with a mock salute. “Now, is your grumpy ass going to join us, or are we coming to you?”
“Fine, fine,” he growled, carefully marking his place in his books and laying Kikoku across the papers so they wouldn’t blow away in the wind. Bepo hefted him to his feet despite his grumbled protests, ushering him towards the group that had formed. Jean Bart, Uni, Jude, Ermine, and Seiuchi had come to join them, plopping down onto the sandy beach in hopes of cheering up their moody captain.
“Ok,” Shachi began, clapping his hands together eagerly, “does everyone know how to play this?”
“We all draw popsicle sticks. Each stick has a number except for one that has a crown. Whoever draws the crown is the ‘King’ and can order one or two numbers to do anything they want,” Jean Bart answered bluntly.
“Within reason,” Ikkaku interjected, pointing her finger at Jude and Seiuchi. “Nothing R-rated.”
“Surprised you guys are so tame,” Nami giggled, glancing around the circle.
“Things got a little out of hand once,” Uni said vaguely while everyone else mumbled in uncomfortable agreement. “A lot of rum was involved.”
“Say no more.” Nami could easily imagine, with a crew of mostly men, just how insane the game could get under the influence of alcohol.
The warm dusting of pink that broke out across Penguin’s cheeks confirmed her suspicions. “Anything goes so long as it’s PG-13 and doesn’t cause grievous bodily harm.”
“Whatever,” Law grumbled from his spot beside Bepo, still determined to remain sour and unpleasant throughout his prescribed dose of forced fun.
Rolling his eyes at their captain’s less-than-enthused reaction, Shachi held out his fist clutching the popsicle sticks. “The sooner you start playing, the sooner we’ll let you get back to your brooding, Boss.”
The answering glare was ignored by the crew in favor of drawing a number, with Ikkaku cheering loudly, “Oh yeah! Guess who’s the King!”
“But girls can’t be kings!” Shachi teased, quickly ducking the fist he knew would be coming.
“Buddy, you’re lucky I’m not royalty—otherwise I’d have you drawn and quartered for that crap,” she snapped, but there was no real venom in her tone. If Nami had to guess, this was a joking argument they had every time. “But as your temporary ruler, I decree that numbers eight and five should do a handstand contest. First to fall loses.”
“I’m eight,” Uni stated, getting to his feet.
“And I’m five,” said Jean Bart.
“This’ll be over quick,” Ermine whispered to Nami. “If he hadn’t gone into piracy, Uni would have been a great circus acrobat. Or maybe a ninja.”
Nami stared at the mysterious Heart Pirate, impressed. Perhaps she could ask him for a few tips—balance was vital when you were a burglar.
To everyone’s surprise, though, despite Jean Bart’s massive size, he kept his balance remarkably well even on the soft sand, managing to stay up for nearly a full two minutes until finally yielding.
“Saint Charlos would regularly make me perform for him,” he explained, tone nonchalant but the tension in his shoulders betraying his discomfort. “I was basically his circus monkey.”
“Crap, I’m sorry, Jean,” Ikkaku replied, looking guilty. Even though it had been completely unintentional, bringing up the former slave’s past was generally regarded as an unspoken taboo.
He lifted his shoulder in a half-shrug, though he wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. “It’s fine. At least this time I could stop when I wanted and didn’t get beaten after.”
Everyone in the circle winced. The Celestial Dragons really were a piece of work.
“Alright, next round,” Shachi changed the topic as he collected and shuffled the sticks, trying to keep the party mood from turning sour and to give Jean Bart the opportunity to step back out of the spotlight.
This time, Bepo had the luck of being King. “Uh, I order number three to scratch behind the King’s ears for a full minute,” he said shyly, tapping his claws together bashfully. “I mean, only if they want to.”
“Do I?” Nami called cheerfully, climbing to her feet and scurrying over to the cute bear. Immediately she buried her fingers in his thick fur, manicured nails scraping across Bepo’s sensitive skin in quick little flicks. The Mink immediately leaned into her touch, growling happily, and she swore she saw his foot twitch like a dog’s.
So cuuuute! Nami thought, working her hands even deeper into the white coat. And so soft! Almost as soft as Chopper! She allowed herself a brief daydream of cuddling up by a fire on a cold winter’s night, using Bepo as a pillow while Chopper lay against her legs in his reindeer form.
“That’s enough you two.” Law’s voice broke her out of her fantasy, and instinctively Nami glared at him. However, she didn’t miss the brief hint of a grin that tugged at his lips at the sight of his navigator so happy. “Bepo looks like he’s about to pass out.”
She stuck her tongue out at him. “Jealous?”
His face settled back in a scowl. “If I’m stuck playing this game, I’d rather not waste time watching my navigators fondle each other.”
Annoyed, Nami gave Bepo one more pointed scratch before returning to her spot. Darn. For a second, she’d thought Law might have started to relax a bit. Instead, he was stubbornly staying too grumpy to even flirt with her, and she’d lobbed him a softball!
The lots were pulled again, with Uni earning the King spot. “Number ten must sit in number one’s lap for the next three rounds.”
Ermine was the unlucky one, as Bepo gingerly lowered himself onto the cook’s lap.
“I’m putting you on a diet!” they groaned, voice muffled by the Mink’s thick fur as their legs sank deep into the sand under the added weight of a fully-grown polar bear.
“I’m sorry,” Bepo replied miserably, hanging his head.
“You’re not putting him on a diet,” Law snapped, glaring at his crushed subordinate. “Bepo’s a healthy weight for his size and species.”
Ermine didn’t dare argue. Not just because trying to do so with the ship’s doctor would be suicide, but because they didn’t have enough air in their lungs.
“Since Ermine’s a bit…indisposed at the moment, I think they should sit this one out,” Penguin stated as he collected the sticks.
“Agreed,” they wheezed.
Discarding one of the numbered sticks for later, the first mate held out his fist, prompting everyone to draw.
Nami was the lucky lady, and she gave a catlike grin as she considered her potential victims. Should she demand their wallets? No, they were wearing swimsuits, so they probably wouldn’t have them on them. Have someone kiss her feet? Whatever it was, it needed to be devious and hilarious if she wanted any chance at getting Law to enjoy himself. The man took sadistic pleasure in other peoples’ discomfort, after all.
The perfect idea came to her like a vision from God. No matter who her command was inflicted on, it would be funny, but if luck was on her side…
“Numbers two and three have to kiss each other on the lips for three seconds.”
Inwardly she cheered as, across from her, the first and second mate gaped down at their numbers in abject horror.
“You know, I used to like you,” Shachi groused while Penguin glared at her.
“Ha!” Ermine laughed weakly from under Bepo’s furry mass. “Looks like I got off easy.”
“Watch it, asshole, or I’ll take my sweet time and let you suffer!”
“Nami, please reconsider!” Penguin begged, shuddering at the mere thought of kissing his best friend. “We agreed to keep it PG-13, remember?”
The Straw Hat shrugged nonchalantly, which was heavily at odds with the evil grin etched on her face. “It’s just a peck—hardly anything scandalous.”
“A three-second peck is still three seconds too long!”
“Aww, don’t tell me you’re afraid of cooties!” Ikkaku jeered, which made Penguin blush in embarrassment.
“I’m not afraid of anything! I just have standards!” Shachi defended himself.
“Hey!” Penguin snapped, looking wholly offended. “Fucking excuse me, but standards? I’ve seen some of the women you’ve slept with, and I’m sure as hell prettier than your last one-night stand!”
“The hell’s that supposed to mean, creampuff?”
“It means you can’t attract good-looking women to save your life, barnacle-face!”
Nami rolled her eyes at the childish fight and was about ready to knock them both over the heads to put an end to the argument when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye.
For a second, it looked like Law’s mouth had twitched upwards. It could have been a trick of the light, or he was actually amused by his friends’ obvious discomfort just as she’d planned. Not willing to let the chance to get Law back in good spirits slip away, Nami pointedly cleared her throat to catch the duo’s attention.
Clasping her hands together and batting her eyelashes, she gave her best pout. “Please, boys? For me?”
“And me?” Ikkaku joined in, mimicking Nami’s flirtatious pose.
Weak against the machinations of such beautiful women, their resolve wavered and Nami, locking eyes with Penguin, jerked her head towards his captain and gave a subtle thumbs up. Penguin seemed to catch on to her meaning, as he gave a small, resigned nod before sighing and grabbing Shachi’s head to slam their mouths together for a quick, awkward kiss.
The moment his grip loosened, Shachi jerked away, spitting and sputtering with disgust. “Oh gods! My mouth! You’ve poisoned me!”
“Believe me, I didn’t like it any more than you did, dickhead,” Penguin grumbled as he furiously wiped his lips. Taking pity on the poor man, Ikkaku passed him his water bottle, though she didn’t bother to repress her snigger when he swished a large gulp of water around his mouth before spitting it out.
Meanwhile, Nami peered at Law, hoping his sour shell had finally cracked. But while he wasn’t glaring at them all like he was plotting how to brutally murder them and hide the evidence, his expression was still far from his normal carefree smirk.
“Good to see you’re both so secure in your masculinity,” he sneered.
“Give me a break, Law,” Shachi coughed, though there was a slight hint of red in his cheeks at being called out. “She might as well have asked me to kiss my brother. My gross, ugly-ass brother.”
“Love you too, man,” Penguin replied sarcastically as he collected the lots, pointedly ignoring the rest of the crew’s sniggering.
The next two rounds, though amusing, were fairly uneventful; Jude got his feet kissed by Jean Bart, much to the larger man’s obvious disdain, and Nami, upon becoming King again, demanded a shoulder massage, which Ikkaku was all too happy to give. The rest of the men certainly had no complaints about getting to watch the two beautiful women in sexy bathing suits pamper each other, so the round lasted nearly a full five minutes without even Law interjecting to hurry them up.
In fact, Nami could feel Law’s hot gaze upon her as she arched into Ikkaku’s touch. The engineer was surprisingly good with her hands and her skilled fingers even managed to coax out a few pleased sighs from the thief’s lips as she worked at a knot of tension in her shoulders. Through hooded eyes, Nami noticed the tip of Law’s pink tongue peek out to moisten his lips as he leaned forward, resting his chin on steepled fingers as he observed the motions of Ikkaku’s fingers as they kneaded her skin.
Nami had the feeling that he was taking notes for his own fiendish use. Her suspicions were confirmed when Ikkaku managed to press down on the sensitive junction of her neck and shoulder; Law’s golden eyes practically lit up when she let out a faint, involuntary sound of delight.
The attention they were getting didn’t escape Ikkaku’s notice, either. “God, you’re all animals,” she groused, rolling her eyes as she pulled away from Nami. Patting her friend on the head, she said, “I’ll finish the job back our cabin, Nami. Away from prying eyes.”
“Sounds good to me,” she teased back despite her mild flush. She justified the sense of satisfaction she felt to the fact that, despite the show being over, some of the tension in Law’s shoulders has eased as if he’d been the one getting the massage. He hadn’t quite reached to point of relaxation, but it was clear the game was successfully beginning to distract him from his obsessive planning.
A few more rounds passed before Penguin had the good luck of becoming King. He rubbed his chin in thought as he considered his order. “Number eight has to do an impression of number one.”
“Ooo, I got eight!” Ikkaku shouted, grinning widely. A gleam of pure mischief twinkled in her brown eyes. Across from her, Law sighed, raising the stick to show he was number one.
“Remember who signs your paychecks,” he grumbled, scowl once more settling across his face.
“‘Remember who signs your paychecks’,” she repeated, voice dropping a few octaves as she smirked. Getting up, she struck a few poses, dramatically holding out her hands like Law did when he used his powers. “Room. Shambles.”
The group chuckled and sniggered around them while Law continued to glare up at the engineer as if he was trying to set her ablaze with his mind. None of them felt particularly bad about cheering Ikkaku on; considering what she’d gone through on Grimm, she was probably the only one besides Nami who could get away with a less-than-flattering impersonation of the captain. In fact, Jude and Seiuchi decided to aid her impression by getting up and switching places in the circle, gasping in mock surprise at their new positions.
Emboldened by her fellow Heart Pirates’ approval, Ikkaku melodramatically recoiled from some imaginary horror, face twisting in disgust. “Ugh, is that bread?! So help me, I’ll switch your brain and your bowels if I find so much as a crumb on my plate!”
Nami stifled a cackle behind her palm as she noticed Law’s cheeks heat up just the slightest bit. “I do not sound like that,” he scoffed, arms folded tightly across his tattooed chest.
Ikkaku donned a serious expression, mimicking his posture and frowning down at Law as if in the midst of a stern lecture. Their eyes locked, and an unspoken challenge was declared. “Ikkaku, you can’t install lasers onto the sides of the ship because they’re not yellow! I committed to this obnoxious color scheme, and damn it, you’re not going to ruin it with your cool ideas!”
“I never said that.”
“Ikkaku, you’re the most brilliant, valuable member of my crew and I couldn’t bear to lose you.”
“I definitely never said that.”
“Ikkaku, you’re fired.”
“Now that I have said. Multiple times.”
Plopping down onto the sand and reclining against Bepo, she cheekily flipped her captain off. However, it seemed the ridiculousness of the situation finally broke Law, as his scowl dissolved as he chuckled and returned the gesture, admitting defeat.
Whether he was overtired or he legitimately found it funny, it didn’t matter; at last, the brooding captain was having a bit of fun.
Determined to keep his spirits up, the crew eagerly drew numbers again, each planning their own silly command. Seuichi had the honor of becoming King that round and rubbed his hands together eagerly. “Number nine has to wrestle number six.”
“In the name of every god ever dreamed up throughout history, I will make you fucking pay for this,” Jude snarled at him as Jean Bart proved that he’d drawn number nine.
“Hey, Jude, don’t be afraid,” the gunner countered with a smirk, twirling his thin mustache deviously. “I’m sure Jean Bart will go easy on you. I mean, it’s not like you had him kiss your feet recently, right?”
“Yeah,” the helmsman said menacingly, cracking his knuckles. “You’ve never done that.”
Jude stared at Law beseechingly, but the captain merely smirked and ordered, “You reap what you sow. Maybe this'll teach you to be a bit nicer to your shipmates.”
“This is gonna suck,” he muttered as he squared off against the much larger man.
It did. Jude didn’t even last ten seconds before he was put in a headlock and forced to tap out.
Next, Law drew the King stick, and that oh-so-familiar smirk finally adorned his face. “I order ten and five to worship me and declare how great I am.”
Nami gave a quiet sigh of relief that she hadn’t drawn either number. She wanted Law in a good mood, but a girl had her limits. Game or not, her literally worshiping him on her knees was the exact kind of thing he’d hold over her head for the rest of the year.
After Uni and Penguin finished extolling their captain’s virtues for a good three minutes, it was time for the next round.
“Woo, I’m the King!” Shachi cheered as he held up the stick adorned with the little crown drawing. Behind his sunglasses, he peered at the circle mischievously. Reaching into a nearby beach bag, he pulled out a small box. “Your illustrious ruler demands that number seven and number four play three rounds of the Pocky Game.”
Glancing down at her popsicle stick, Nami silently cursed her luck; the number seven was written at the top in bold, black marker. Brown eyes darted about the group, wondering who she’d have to play with until they landed on Law’s wide smirk. Silently, he turned his stick for all to see, showcasing the number four neatly printed at the top.
“Holy crap,” Shachi sniggered. He didn’t even need to see Nami’s number—her mortified expression said it all. “Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it?”
Gleeful at the unexpected vengeance, Penguin eagerly leaned forward to hand her the box. “No need to be shy, number seven. It’s just the Pocky Game—hardly anything scandalous, right?”
The navigator glared at him before heaving out a sigh. “Right,” she grumbled, grabbing the strawberry pocky and shuffling over to sit across from Law. It was for the greater good, right? They were trying to keep the grumpy captain out of his sour bubble. It was no big deal; she could always break away before their mouths got anywhere near each other.
Smug grin widening, the captain leaned in as Nami slipped the creme-covered biscuit stick between her lips. “It’s ok if you chicken out after the first bite, Nami-ya,” he teased as he gently bit down on the other end, gold eyes bright with amusement.
Fire flashed in Nami’s eyes. She might not mind being a coward in most situations, but this time, her pride was on the line.
Her righteous courage abandoned her quickly, though. The moment she felt his hot breath tickle her nose she jerked away, blushing in embarrassment as she realized there was still a good two inches of pocky dangling from Law’s mouth.
“Ready for round two?” he asked, a wicked gleam in his eyes as he chewed on the crunchy treat.
“Only if you’re ready to eat what’s basically a breadstick,” she countered, hoping to gross him out so he’d back down.
Law didn’t fall for her ploy. “It’s closer to a cookie, really, and those I can stomach. Especially if the prize at the end is worth it,” he replied with a leer, deliberately running his tongue along his upper lip.
Why am I even freaking out about this? Nami wondered as she pulled out another stick of pocky. If we do end up kissing, who cares? It’s just a brush of lips. Completely innocent. No worse than Shachi and Penguin’s peck. More importantly, I can’t let him psyche me out—he wants that way more than a tiny, indirect kiss.
Determination returned, she carefully balanced the thin treat between her teeth, steeling herself as Law slowly leaned in to take the other end. This time, they managed to nearly bite their way to the middle. Unfortunately, a gentle breeze blew in, causing a loose strand of Nami’s sweetly scented hair to flutter against Law’s nose. His nostrils twitched at the delicate tickling, and this time he pulled away, turning his head in anticipation of a sneeze that never came.
“Shit,” he growled, annoyed at his ill luck.
A smug smirk curled Nami’s lips. “Now who’s the one chickening out?” she teased.
“I didn’t chicken out. Or would you rather I sneeze all over your pretty face?”
“Yeah, that was one hell of a sneeze,” she replied sarcastically. She didn’t know why she was provoking him—the man was far from shy about looking for an excuse to kiss her, and her cheek basically guaranteed that he wouldn’t let her off easy in the last round.
She refused to acknowledge the tiny voice in her ear whispering that she knew damn well why she was egging him on. That she got a primal thrill sassing such a dangerous man and coming out alive when so many others couldn’t. Taunting Law was like playing with a tiger; he could rip her to shreds if she grew too careless, but he’d wouldn’t sink his claws in so long as he enjoyed the chase.
Law stuck the final stick of pocky between his teeth, beckoning her forward with a “come hither” curl of his finger. In response, Nami rested her hands on his bare knees as she leaned in, bracing herself as she wrapped her lips around the other end. Their gazes locked, and in sync, they slowly started nibbling along the sweet, crunchy stick.
The seconds dragged by as, inch by inch, their faces drew closer. Nami tensed as she felt his exhalation warm her skin, while Law’s eyes suspiciously flicked towards her hair as if daring it to interfere again. However, neither pulled away, and he pounced on the opportunity presented to him; angling his head and closing the last centimeter between them to brush his lips across hers in a chaste but teasing fashion. When Nami didn’t immediately pull away, Law tested his luck further by lightly catching her plump bottom lip between his teeth before flicking the tip of his tongue to soothe it.
The action sent tingles down Nami’s spine and she finally broke away, cheeks red and breath quickening minutely. It had been barely more than a few seconds—the kiss she’d given him at the gala had been longer—but the tension between them had made it a tempting, sizzling experience.
“So,” Law drawled, watching the Cat Thief as she shuffled back to her spot like the hungry tiger he was, “who’s up for another round?”
The pair was so focused on each other they didn’t notice Shachi and Penguin subtly low-five while Bepo and Ikkaku shared a thumbs-up.
XXX
“Seriously? We leave you alone for a few minutes and you’re back at your plans?” Nami sighed as she plopped onto the towel next to Law, eyeing the messy papers in his hands disdainfully. The King Game had ended not long ago with everyone in good spirits. Even Nami, despite her lingering embarrassment from the kiss, had managed to enjoy the final round where Jude had to serenade the crew by singing “Dr. Heart Stealer.”
“The deal was that I would play for thirty minutes and then you all would leave me in peace,” he replied, not even looking up from his notes. He’d escaped back to his makeshift workstation the moment Bepo had inadvertently caused a commotion when, tempted by the smell of fresh fish, he’d absconded with the large sea bass Ermine was preparing to grill. The rest of the crew had chased after him; some in hopes of saving their dinner, others treating it as a new game.
That left no one but Nami to confront the workaholic captain, even though she would have been happier to keep her distance for a while longer. “That deal was solely between you and Shachi as you were non-specific regarding the plurality of ‘you’. You really must be tired if you missed an important detail like that.”
He scowled, realizing that she was right but refusing to admit it. Changing tactics, Law tilted his head slightly, smirking down at her with hooded eyes. “If you’re so concerned, I’ll take another break later if you make it worth my while. Perhaps with another round of the Pocky Game?” he purred.
She flushed slightly at his suggestion but refused to let him distract her, instead turning her attention to the books before them. “You have five seconds to finish whatever you’re doing before I toss those into the ocean.”
Annoyed, he glared at her defiance before reluctantly activating his Room, teleporting the books, papers, and Kikoku safely inside the submarine. There was too much of a risk that she’d make good on her threat and destroy his work, and he also wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop himself from cutting her to bits if she did. “That’s the last order you get to give me tonight, Nami-ya,” he grumbled. “I don’t take kindly to being bossed around.”
Rolling her eyes at his stubbornness, she leaned back on her hands, enjoying the sensation of the warm sun on her face. Honestly, he should be thanking her. Days like these were too perfect to waste studying, and the tide was coming in—his work would be ruined anyway if he didn’t get those books off the beach. “You really are such a control freak. Would it kill you to listen to the wisdom of those around you for once?”
“Are you saying you don’t get caught up in your cartography?” he challenged.
“Look, as someone who used to be forced to work nonstop without food or sleep for days on end, I fucking appreciate it when my nakama makes me take a break.”
Law grunted in reluctant acceptance, leaning his elbows on his knees as he stared out at the vibrant waves that slowly threatened to encroach his spot. “I do appreciate their concern, but they should also respect my authority as captain.”
“They do, Law,” Nami sighed, rubbing her temples, “but respect and blind obedience aren’t the same thing. You’re practically killing yourself working on those plans; are the guys supposed to just sit by and watch? And considering how…personal this all seems to be, they have even more right to be worried and tell you to take a step back.”
“Yes, it is personal—that’s why I can’t leave anything to chance. Atifakuto is known for its museums and art auctions. If I’m to blend in well enough to get my hands on that vase, I need to be well-versed on history and art throughout the four Blues.”
Ah. No wonder he’d been so intent on studying. “I get it; this is important to you, tons of preparation is needed, and a lot relies on you. But planning to the point of sleep deprivation is only going to increase your chances of messing up. You need to sleep, Law.”
“Contrary to what you might think, it’s not my work that’s been keeping me awake. I can’t sleep—insomnia’s a bitch like that. The body may crave it, but the mind has other ideas.”
“You managed to catch a nap earlier,” she argued weakly.
“Oh yes, because a brief doze in the sun makes up for nearly a week of nightmares.”
Brown eyes widened in surprise. Nightmares? Nami wondered. What kind of nightmares could the Surgeon of Death get?
Realizing he’d given her a nugget of personal information he hadn’t intended, Law’s entire expression closed off as he got to his feet. “I’m going for a walk.”
“Law—”
He turned towards the eastern side of the beach, the bold face of his back tattoo smiling mockingly at her as he activated his Room. “I’ll be back by sunset,” were the last words he said before he vanished, replaced by a broken, rusted metal bar.
XXX
Law wasn’t back by sunset, though the crew assured Nami that there was no reason to worry.
“Law loves to go on long, aimless walks,” Bepo said as he handed her some pineapple slices. He’d managed to eat the giant sea bass before the crew caught him, but they’d stumbled upon some ripe fruit in the process, along with a bed of oysters, so Ermine had reluctantly forgiven him. “They help clear his head when he’s got a lot on his mind or his insomnia gets bad. If we can’t get him to sleep, this is the next best thing. At least he’s not working.”
She hummed in reply, still mulling over what kind of nightmares a man like Law could be having. Were they related to Amber Lead, or was it something else? The man was a renowned sadist and didn’t seem to blink when it came to murder or torture, though admittedly the only people she’d seen him actually harm were utter scumbags.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Skua and Malamute, the engineers having at last come out of the ship. Their brows furrowed as they looked around at the small gathering, confused.
“Where is everyone?” Skua asked, taking a plate of steamed oysters.
“Probably still exploring the island,” Ermine said with a shrug.
“It’s not a big island; shouldn’t they be back by now?”
“You know Cousteau; maybe he found some pond full of weird fish or something and is making everyone document their behavior throughout the day.”
Malamute’s brow furrowed. “I’d believe that if it were just him in charge, but you’re forgetting Crozier’s with him. You know, the man who survived a forced march across an island literally made of ice and rocks? That guy doesn’t fuck around; if he says the crew will be back by sunset, they’ll be back by sunset.”
Penguin considered his words, rubbing his chin. “You’ve got a point. They might be in trouble.”
“Or they’re on their way back now,” Shachi said with a shrug, chowing down on some grilled fish Bepo hadn’t gotten to. “There aren’t even any predators on the island, and if anyone got injured, they would have called on Crozier’s mini Den Den Mushi.”
The bushes behind them rustled loudly, and Shachi jerked his head in their direction. “See? That’s probably them now. Or maybe it’s Law, and you can ask him to Scan the island for them.”
Before anyone could reply, a massive boar burst out of the jungle, squealing in fury as it barreled into the camp, knocking over tables, chairs, and umbrellas. Instinctively, Penguin grabbed a burning stick from the fire and waved the hot flame at the beast in hopes of scaring it away. However, its green eyes flashed in clear anger at the threat, and, sharp tusks gleaming in the red glow, it let out another loud squeal before charging at the first mate, showing none of the instinctive fear one would expect for the man’s primitive weapon.
Acting fast, Ikkaku tackled Penguin so the boar just missed them, the soft beach sand cushioning their impact. However, the beast didn’t stop, using its momentum to make a U-turn for another attempt on the group.
It didn’t get far, though, as Jean Bart managed to grab it mid-charge and pick it up as if it were no bigger than a corgi. As the boar squealed angrily, he chucked it up into the air, watching as it flew in a wide arch high above them before landing somewhere in the middle of the jungle.
“Where the fuck did that thing come from?” Ikkaku panted.
“The jungle, obviously,” Jude groused, helping her and Penguin to their feet.
“But boars aren’t native to the island,” Uni pointed out. “Last time we were here, only birds and turtles had managed to make this place their home. So either it washed up on shore in that shipwreck, or someone brought it here.”
Skua knelt down and studied one of the debris in the woodpile. “This looks like it could have been part of a crate. Or a cage.”
Nami remembered the metal bar Law had switched himself with. “My money’s on cages. Maybe that pirate ship was transporting animals.”
“Do you think there are more of them?” Shachi asked as he pulled a pistol out of his beach bag.
Uni peered into the shadowy trees. “Who knows? Maybe something even worse is lurking in the jungle, waiting to pick us off.”
“The last thing we need is you freaking everyone out with your ghost stories!” Ermine snapped, even as he grabbed a large carving knife to use as a machete.
Penguin frowned as the crew armed themselves with the knives and pistols they’d habitually brought along. “Ok, given the fact that we were literally just attacked by a wild animal, I say we should start looking for the others. If nothing else, if a boar was able to survive the shipwreck, then it’s possible something more dangerous did, too. There may even be human survivors.”
“Do we split up or stay together?” Jean Bart asked.
“Hmm, split up into smaller groups, but no one’s to wander the island alone. That way we all have someone watching our backs while still covering the optimal amount of ground. That work for everyone?”
“Aye-aye!” they shouted, pairing up as they headed into the dense foliage, lanterns and weapons in hand.
“I’ll catch up!” Nami called out to them, sprinting towards the small motorboats. There was no way she was going to go wandering around a jungle with so much skin exposed again; she learned her lesson after Little Garden. She also wanted to grab her Clima-Tact; Ikkaku had been modifying it that morning, so it was likely still in their quarters.
To her surprise, instead of following the others, Bepo stayed with her. “None of us should go wandering off alone, right?” he explained nervously. “And somebody should head back to the ship to call Crozier; at the very least, they need to know there’s potentially dangerous wildlife around.”
“Good thinking,” she said, climbing onto the boat and revving the engine. It only took them a few minutes to get to the submarine, but she could tell Bepo was fretting from the way he clicked his claws together. “They’ll be fine,” she assured as she scaled the side ladder onto the bottom deck.
“I hope so. Maybe they ran into Law?”
“If they did, we can kill two birds with one stone.”
Bepo sighed as they stepped into the comparatively cooler interior of the submarine. “I’ll go make the call; meet me on deck in a few minutes?”
“Sure; I shouldn’t take long.” True to her word, Nami dashed to her quarters and quickly pulled on a pair of jeans, boots, and a long-sleeved top. The fabric was stifling against her skin, but it was better than risking another Keschia bite. Her hand hesitated over her Clima-Tact and holster; Ikkaku had told her she’d managed to increase the power of a few things, but they hadn’t been properly tested yet. Should she risk it? Ikkaku was good with machines and gadgets, but she wasn’t Usopp.
Couldn’t turn out any worse than the first time, she decided, recalling her battle with Ms. Doublefinger. If she could secure a dark horse victory with a weapon she’d never even used before, she could certainly manage with a modified one.
Weapon securely strapped to her leg and delicate skin protected from any prehistoric bug bites, Nami determined she was ready. However, as she trotted down the hall, she hesitated in front of Law’s quarters.
Though her trust in Law had grown to the point where she didn’t think he’d be selling Vegapunk’s weapons research, she still wanted to take a look at Harpin’s ledgers. Wanted to finally unravel the mystery as to why Jinbei had set Arlong loose in the East Blue. She’d noticed some of the research had centered around cyborgs; Franky could use that. Then there was the stuff on Kuma and the Pacifistas—if they needed to fight him again, she’d much rather know what they were up against. There was intel on Blackbeard, too; considering how he was the reason Luffy’s brother was dead, she had no doubt her captain would end up fighting him. Any information she could give him could save his life!
She’d considered just asking Law if she could look at them. Surely he’d understand her reasons; be able to appreciate her desire to plan and be prepared. But the time was never right—he was either obsessively planning and thus rather ornery and volatile, or they were in the midst of some crisis and it would slip her mind. Besides that, she still wasn’t sure why he wanted them.
The information in those books is more valuable to me than everything in that mansion combined, he’d sneered during their fight. But what information was that? He’d burned the blackmail and Marine profiles. As far as she knew, he’d kept his word and not sold any of Vegapunk’s weapons research. Hell, he’d been more interested in his fertilizer formula, and that was as a favor to Nami.
If the research and blackmail weren’t what he wanted, why did he got to so much trouble to get those ledgers? What other information could possibly have been worth nearly getting himself and his crew killed?
By process of elimination, that left the book on the shichibukai, and with his control-freak tendencies and his violent reaction the last time they’d discussed it, she wasn’t sure he’d be willing to part with it.
She could borrow it, though. Grab it, hide it, make a copy, then find a way to return it without him noticing.
Unconsciously, her hand slowly raised to the cold steel door handle. This was the first time the ship had been completely empty. Everyone was preoccupied on the island. Surely she could take a few minutes to grab the ledger from Law’s room, right? Just a quick in-and-out. He didn’t need it at the moment—it had nothing to do with his plans. He wouldn’t even miss it.
Cautiously, she tried to open the door. Locked. She could easily pick it with her tools, though. She could pop back into her room, grab them, jimmy the lock, grab the ledger, pop back out…
She was wasting time. Bepo was waiting for her. What would she tell him if he saw her breaking into his captain’s room? Or worse, what if Law suddenly returned? He could teleport back to the ship without her even realizing, and she doubted he’d be happy to see her there, especially when his crew was in potential danger.
If Nami wanted to get that ledger, she’d need a much better plan than some spur-of-the-moment burglary attempt.
Making a mental note to start working on that once the current crisis was over, she sprinted back to the main deck to find a worried and dejected Bepo.
“They didn’t pick up.”
A thousand outlandish scenarios about what could have happened to them popped into Nami’s head, from cannibals to the island actually being a sentient being that had been slowly devouring the crew for sustenance.
God, she missed Usopp. At least when he was around, she had someone to blame when she got worked up like this.
“M-maybe we should stay on the ship. You know, in case they try to call us?” she said nervously, her old scaredy-cat tendencies bubbling to the surface.
“But what if no one finds Law? Even if the others return, we’ll all just have to head back out into the jungle to find him. It’s better to find him first, and you saw him last, right? You have the best idea where he might have gone.”
Slumping, she sighed. He was right, and unfortunately, Crozier and Cousteau’s team had gone West, so it was unlikely the search party had thought to go in Law’s direction. “I guess you’re right.”
By the time they arrived on the shore the rest of the crew was long gone, so Nami and Bepo headed East towards where she’d seen Law wander off.
“Even if there are wild beasts, they wouldn’t stand a chance against Law,” Bepo assured her confidently as they searched, keeping to the outskirts of the jungle. The tide had washed away Law’s footprints, but they were hoping to find some sort of clue or disturbance along to foliage to see if he’d ventured into the jungle. “I’m sure he’s already on his way back; we’ll find him in no time, and then he can use his powers to Scan the island and make sure there’s nothing else dangerous!”
Nami’s mouth twisted in disdain. She was beginning to understand why Law put so much pressure on himself; his powers, plans, and medical abilities were everyone’s go-to solution for any given problem. She wondered if Law’s control-freak tendencies were because of this, or if he’d always been that way and the Hearts had just learned to pick their battles.
Regardless, Bepo had a point this time—if Law used his powers, they’d know the situation with the island and where the crew was in one fell swoop.
Life was never that easy, though. Icy dread crawled down Nami’s back as she caught a flash of yellow near the edge of the jungle. Heart in her throat, she darted towards it, barely restraining a strangled sob when she realized it was the shredded remains of Law’s swim trunks.
Oh my God! Nami could feel sharp tears sting her eyes as she collapsed to her knees, cradling the tattered mesh in her hands. Up close, she could clearly see it had been torn apart by a razor-sharp blade or, more likely, claws and teeth. What could have done this? There’s no way it was a boar! Please don’t tell me he’s—
She jumped as a set of long, sharp claws filled her vision, only to realize it was Bepo reaching for the piece of cloth.
“There’s no blood,” he mumbled, studying it closely.
Hope filled her chest at those simple words. If there was no blood, there was a chance Law was perfectly fine! Probably buck-naked, but that was way better than dead!
Her happy bubble burst when a strange, husky sound reached her ears. Goosebumps rose up along her arms as she realized it was a growl of some kind.
She lifted her head slowly, only to find a pair of wild gold eyes peeking out from the darkness of the jungle. The beast moved closer, and Nami found herself mere feet away from a snarling snow leopard, its white fangs bared menacingly.
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