#not my usually pairing but I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole recently

[marvelgaynesstothemax]

If Geralt’s heartbeat is slower than a human’s then in turn his breathing must be as well, therefore I strongly believe that this has happened before early on in him and Jaskier’s adventures:

Geralt, snapping awake: What is it?!

Jaskier, still shaking him by the shoulders: WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN “WHAT IS IT”?! YOU WEREN’T FUCKING BREATHING!!!

[avengerscompound]

Homecoming - A lovelink Fanfic

Homecoming - A lovelink Fanfiction

Character pairing: Jonathan Hayes x F!Reader

Word Count: 1750ish

Warnings:  Smut (MF, Oral and vaginal sex)

Synopsis:  After waiting for months for Jonathan to return from his posting, you finally get a notification that he’s home.  When you reunite it’s fireworks.

A/N: Hello, yes, I have a new minor hyperobsession that I’m dragging people down into with me.  I’m not suddenly going to turn into a lovelink account, but I needed to get these thoughts out of my head. Thanks to @musicalninja​, @lillianfromaccounting​, and @thelookingglassalice​ for going down this rabbit hole with me and helping me with the images.

THERE ARE IMAGES IN THIS FIC YOU NEED TO SEE FOR THE STORY.

Homecoming

Four months.

Four months, you’d kept the LoveLink app on your phone, not swiping any profiles or chatting with singles in your area, just keeping it - in case.  Four months of fearing the worst and hoping for the best.  Four months of wondering if you should move on and try to find that same connection again with someone new.  Four months of no word and not knowing if that meant he was dead, or he’d forgotten about you, or he was out there, on the front line missing you as much as you missed him.  Four months of wondering if you were a complete idiot for falling for a man so damned quickly when you knew he was going to be taken away from you.

And then your phone buzzed.

You didn’t put too much hope in the small chime that let you know you had a LoveLink notification.  You didn’t hold out too much hope as you picked up your phone.  You’d gotten a few of them over the last couple of months and usually, it was just a reminder that you had matches waiting to speak to you.  You didn’t want to match anyone else.  It didn’t matter who was out there, they could be a magical centaur from another world and you would swipe right.  You were waiting on Jonathan.

You blinked at the screen, not quite sure if you were hallucinating or not.  It wouldn’t be the first time that a matchup on LoveLink had ended up with you hallucinating.  You quickly opened the app and stared at the screen.  The ‘I’ll be waiting’ you’d sent him four months ago that had been taunting you was no longer the most recent message.

You stared at the phone as he dropped back offline again.  Your heart was pounding in your chest.  He was back.  And he remembered you.  And he was on his way here.

He was on his way here!

You jumped up and hurriedly started to tidy up.  You were still in sweats and you looked like you’d just come back from a 10-mile run.  You jumped in the shower and changed into something that sat on the border of sweet and sexy.  You were just fixing your hair when your doorbell rang.

You hurried to the door and pulled it open.

Standing before you was the man you’d been dreaming about for four months.  The corners of his mouth twitched as you reached up and cradled his jaw.  Your thumb caressed his cheek as your fingers traveled over the scar that ran down his brow, spitting his eyebrow in two and narrowly missing his left eye.  You had studied the photos he’d sent so many times now, you could draw his face in your sleep.  He put his hand on yours and leaned into your palm.  Slowly he turned his head and kissed your palm.

His lips moved to the inside of your wrist and he wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you flush against him.  Your pulse was racing, and part of you still wasn’t sure that this was real.  Where your skin met his it felt like there was a current passing between you.  Like you were a live wire and he was grounding you.  He looked down into your eyes and smiled softly.  “I can’t believe I’m here with you.”

“I can’t believe you’re back,” you said, leaning in toward him.

He met you halfway, his lips connecting with yours.  What was meant to be soft and tender only lasted a moment.  You kissed hard and passionately.  There was a frantic need that was four months in the making.  Neither of you could keep your hands off each other.   You slid one into his hair, bunching your fingers in the short blond locks as the other slid up his chest and closed around his dog tags.  His hands slid around your hips and up your back.  He lifted you off your feet just for a moment - long enough to get you inside and kick the door closed behind him.

He pushed you up against the wall and you wrapped your leg around his waist, drawing him closer to you.  He kissed down to your neck, and his hands slid up under your skirt gripping your ass as he ground his hardening cock against you.

“God, Jonathan,” you moaned.  “I need you.”

“I was hoping you’d say that,” he said.

You grinned and grabbed his hands, pulling him back into your bedroom.   When you were inside, you began unfastening his shirt.  He pulled back and looked down at you, his hands going to your shoulder and slowly pushing the straps of your dress down your arms, the back of her fingers grazing over your skin and sending a warm tingle through you.  His gaze was full of lust, but there was love there too.  It was strange to have fallen for someone so completely so quickly, but you could see he had, and you knew you had too.

“You are so beautiful,” he breathed.

You looked over his firm, muscular chest up to his clear blue eyes and smirked.  “You’re not too bad yourself, hot stuff.”

You let your dress fall to the ground and stepped out of it as you pushed his shirt off.  His calloused fingers skimmed over your bare skin, and he kissed you again.  You could practically taste his feelings for you in the tender caress of his lips.  He unhooked your bra and you unfastened his pants and pushed them down.

The last few steps to your bed were slow, and each of you shed the last of your clothes as you made them.  You sat back on the bed and pulled him close, nosing at his cock.  He was achingly hard and at the small touch, it jumped and leaked pre-come down the shaft.  You licked up the sticky trail and swirled your tongue over the head.  He groaned, bunching his hands in your hair and you slowly took him into your mouth, relaxing your throat so you could take him completely.

“Fuck…” he moaned.  “I’ve dreamed of that beautiful mouth of yours.”

You pulled back and looked up at him, making him make a needy whining sound.  “Is that all you dreamed about?”

“No,” he said as you took him into your mouth again.  “I dreamed about all of you.  Being able to see your smile, and hear your laugh.  To read your teasing texts.  I’ve dreamed of taking you out and exploring the world with you.  Of your pussy.  The taste of it, and how good it feels when my cock is buried deep inside it.”

As he spoke you sucked and bobbed your head up and down.  His voice became breathier and cracked as he spoke and when he finished speaking he groaned and tugged on your hair.  “God… you gotta stop or we’re not gonna get to the good bit.”

You laughed pulling back and looking up at him.  “We can’t have that.”

He kneeled between your legs and pushed them apart.  “Your turn,” he said, and dipped his head down.  His tongue pushed between your folds, swirling around to taste as much as he could before focusing on your clit.  Your toes curled and you gripped his hair as hot currents shot straight up your spine.  He sucked your clit into his mouth and flicked his tongue back and forth over it.  You groaned and shudders your legs trembling slightly.  “God, you’re so good with your mouth.”

A slight blush went to his cheeks, which was strangely adorable considering that his cheeks were so firm planted between your thighs.  He kept licking and sucking at the sensitive bud, sending shockwaves through your core.  You threw your head back in pure ecstasy and all your muscles seized up at once as you came.

“Wow,” Jonathan breathed.  His soft pink lips glistening with your fluids.  “That was fast.  And hot.”

“It’s been a long build-up,” you said, pulling him up onto you.

He guided you back as he crawled between your legs.  You welcomed him between them and as he lined himself up, you pushed up your hips to meet him.  He kissed you again.  You could taste the tartness of yourself on his lips and you sucked greedily on them.  With a quick snap of his hips, he was inside you.

You gasped and moaned loudly, arching your back in the hope it would push even more of him inside you.  He groaned into your lips and began to thrust.  He started slow and passionate - like he was trying to make this special and meaningful.  Like he wanted it to be more than just sex, but a connection too.  It didn’t last.  It had been a long time for both of you, and neither of you could hold back your passion.

He thrust hard and fast into you as you gripped at his back and writhed under him.  The buzz of pleasure built in you to the point that your edges felt fuzzy and you couldn’t tell where you ended and he began.  His mouth moved from your lips to your neck and back again adding to the desperate passionate nature of everything.  As his hips began to stutter, you slipped your hand between both your bodies and rubbed your clit, and as one, you came.  You cried out and arched up under him, your whole body shuddering as your orgasm crashed down on you, and at the same time, he jerked into you and released, his cock pulsing inside your fluttering walls.

“Wow,” he sighed, as he slipped out of you and rolled onto his back.

“You’re telling me,” you said, rolling to look at him.  “Don’t think I’ve ever done the simultaneous orgasm before.”

He laughed and blushed.  “You are so dirty.  I love it.”

You nosed at his cheek.  “Stick around, and you can see just how dirty I can get.”

He smiled and looked at you, brushing some of your hair off your face.  “Don’t worry, this time I’m not going anywhere.”

[sweetheart90210]

Thoughts on Jikook

So, I have been lurking for the past 2 months on anything/everything jikook related and when I tell you I have never ship ever in my life ever, especially when it’s two people not even cartoon characters. OMG ok before I get into my thoughts here a Disclaimer: I have never done this before so excuse me if there’s any grammar errors also, this just my thoughts and opinions on everything that i have consumed  so whoever reads this your a god and I don’t blame anyone if just you scroll past this lol.

. What’s funny is that this started out of boredom lol, ok so since October, I have fallen into the rabbit hole that this ship is. So I was on youtube just doing usual stuff and I don’t know why till this day, but I search BTS funny videos so as i watched some vids, and  I see my recommended list and there’s this shipping video about Jikook on this youtube call black&white couple, and at first I’m like “uhh ok well lets just see what this is” it was jikook lowkey exposing themselves i think that’s the title so after watching i wasn’t convinced 100%, but I had questions that needed to be answer.

So the first thing that stood out to me was the GCF thing in the video cause it said it was a by an openly-gay artist( I didn’t know who Troye was) and in my head i was like that’s impossible like a korean idol using an openly gay artist’s song in what world considering how south korea is with the LGBT community and as a gay person who finds fanservice not so enjoyable because to me, it's like “ooh looks at us we almost kiss hehehe” you know its cringy and it's obvious the idols don’t like but do it anyway, I’m probably on the minority but I digress. My point is majority are not so open about the gays or even touch on the subject or even acknowledge a gay artist, so when I lookup Troye sivan and his boyfriend all up on instagram and how JK openly admires him and did a cover with Namjoon, rainbow flags, rainbow flags everywhere. And to add more fuel to the fire, I come to find out JK planned the whole thing without any managers, or staff an actually took JM on trip just by themselves.

Now what really bothers me is how a lot of the fandom likes to turn a blind eye for Jikook and Jikook only. it’s the only pair that gets the most hate. and I honestly think it's because it’ has the most probability of being real and a lot of people aren’t ready to accept that maybe your oppa likes dick. I have a twitter and I only follow 5 jikook accounts and they have a lot of followers but it’s crazy how nasty and ugly the replies/quotes are when they post a Jikook moment, the one that really took me out was the Ice block gift. OMG i have never seen so many people try to disprove something that’s literally in there face with no subtly what so ever like why are people so triggered, and ready to pop a vein, and foam out the mouth lol. I don’t get it. Also recently with the new GCF that dropped there was a post about Namkook with 20k likes pointing out how the video got warmer when Namjoon smiled and basically celebrating the editing, however the same can’t be said when the black border turned white when JM’s scene came on, because a lot people where like “it’s not about ships”, but yet the Namkook post can get 20k likes and everyone can go goo goo gaga gaga over it.....OK. My point Jikook is a threat to these people and unless they come out which I highly doubt they will, no one is gonna want to see the how JK and JM are subtle yet obvious and are showing us to there best to their ability. Speaking of coming out If they were too I would honestly love it if they did after their enlistment cause I don’t want them to ge treated over there differently just because of their sexual orientation. you know how the military is over there the hyper masculinity and don’t ask don’t tell BS. safety is the most important.

Ok Last thing cause this is getting too long and messy. The video was my catalyst( lol I had to) into diving deep into this, so the second thing that caught my eye was the member’s reaction when Jikook did something or where in there own world. Basically Jikook have the ability to turn people into third wheels. like the awkwardness that oozes from the other members when these two start. I’ll never forget the Japan interview like WTF was that shit and the “arrest me”......*sigh* I can’t. there’s so much more and don’t get me started when I found MMA 2018 and Rose Bowl, especially Rose bowl, like my man really gonna suck his ear like that in front 50-60k people like.... do you have no shame at all lol. Season’s greeting, Bon Voyage( all seasons), the winter package preview. like y’all don’t understand these two are ruining my life(in a fun way). What makes this more interesting is not only the dynamics Jikook had in the beginning but also the consistency, and they have extra loud this year as well. so yea these are my thoughts I wanted to share I’m not an analytical person but this not rocket science,  I think JK is the main reason why is so obvious lol bless his heart he truly wears his heart on his sleeve, JM is hard to read but he has his caught of guard moment too. OOHH and the TATTOO!!. THE FUVkcing tattoo

OK listen I don’t know who came up with that OT7 bullcrap about “representing all the members bs, but let me tell you something if you have to explain something that is so obvious, you might as well agree that you see what we see, cause the reach in that idea has to many inconsistencies, So he got the A an upside down V to represent Tae, RM for Rm, Y for Yoongi????, PAUSE THE MUSIC. where his stage name at? where’s Suga also J is for Jimin, Jin, J-hope, and JK....???? you mean to tell me that one J on his ring finger is suppose to represent the rest of the members???

He might as well tattoo “BTS” on a different section of his hand cause the way this theory reaches beyond the great wall of China is sending me lol. Ok I’m ending this now cause I’m turning this into a rant and I don’t want this to be rant so yea based on what I have seen not only from the past and recently Jikook are 99.9% a couple, leaving that 1 percent cause you never know, maybe they really are just close bros, but the probability is high for sure. Thank you for reading if you made it this far, it’s long and messy, but these are my thoughts I’ve had for a while.

[eeyore101247]

The Problem With Heartbreak

Pairing: Fuckboy!Tom Holland x Reader

Summary: You’re in love with your best friend and roommate, but how much longer can you take his one night stands?

Warning: Angst. Major, MAJOR angst. Like, so much angst. And implied sex.

1,809 words

Masterlist

You stirred awake from your peaceful slumber, the sound of moans from across the hall thick in the air. You groaned, rolling over and covering your ears with a pillow. You had an exam early in the morning, having gone to bed early to get enough rest. The last thing you needed was to listen to your roommate fuck his most recent conquest all through the night until you’d finally get to leave the apartment again for the day.

Your chest tightened as you heard Tom moan, your stomach churning. Not getting enough sleep was bad, but what was worse was having to listen to the man you love get pleasure from other women. You had already come to terms with the fact that you’d never be good enough or pretty enough, having seen the bombshells Tom usually brought home. You looked like a steaming pile of garbage compared to them. You were a college student, unable to afford to make yourself look like a goddess. You didn’t have the time to get that little bit of fat off that resulted from stress. You were still skinny, but not as skinny as the women Tom brought home.

You surrendered on your conquest to get more sleep, sliding out of bed and slipping your feet into your slippers. Standing up, you walked out of your room, not caring if the noise you made interrupted their little session. They had woken you up, so it was only fair to make your presence known. 

Swallowing the lump in your throat from the hand slowly ripping your broken, bleeding heart out of your chest, you dug through the fridge, looking for that sweet liquid that helped suppress these feelings you harbored for your roommate. Pulling out a cider, you swiftly opened it, chugging a quarter of the bottle as you headed back to your bedroom. You were a lightweight, so a little bit of alcohol always seemed to help you relax and get some sleep on nights like these. 

They only seemed to get louder though as you stopped outside your bedroom. Having had enough and wanting to get a good night's sleep, you chugged down the rest of the bottle without a second thought, the warm burn of alcohol starting to flood your veins as you turned around. You stared at the door, contemplating exactly how you were going to kick this bitch out so you could get some rest.

Minutes passed as you were soon pulled out of your thoughts by a shrill moan. With a huff, you walked up to Tom’s door, banging on it loudly.

“Ya know, some of us have a college career that they’ve gotta get up at six in the morning for and can’t spend all night listening to two rabbits fucking!” You yelled through the door, arm dropping down to your side with another huff, You turned back towards your room as silence now blanketed the apartment, a proud smile on your face as you walked back into your room and shut the door.

Your exam went well the next day, despite having been woken up in the middle of the night. With a newfound boost of confidence, you smiled as you walked down the hallway of your apartment building, a slice of victory cheesecake in hand. Sliding your key into the door, you unlocked it and pushed the door open, dropping your bag by the door as you walked in. 

The soft sound of the AC filled your ears as you shuffled around, searching for a fork to use. You were proud of yourself for doing how you felt was well on your final, as well as not letting yourself suffer through another sleepless night. With a smile, you pulled out a fork you found, opening the plastic container and digging into the cheesecake.

“Oh look, the roommate that interrupted my fun.”

You rolled your eyes as you looked over, watching as a blonde woman who uses way too much self tanner leaned against the wall. She was thin, the thin Tom seemed to prefer, with plenty of curves and a large bust. She was wearing one of Tom’s shirts, which caused your stomach to twist up in knots.

“Oh look, the one night stand that woke me up.” You retorted, a smirk tugging at your lips. “Ya know, you should probably get going before Tom comes home. It’ll hurt less.”

She scoffed, rolling her eyes before her lips pulled up in a smirk. “At least I’m fuckable in his eyes. Unlike you.” 

That was a sore spot, your chest tightening as a surge of icy pain shot through you. You tried your best not to grimace, but you could tell she knew what her words had done.

“I mean, look at you,” she started, slinking over to you like a predator to its prey, “your hair is a mess, you have acne, you don’t wear makeup, and you’re fat.” She said, a satisfied smirk on her face. You didn’t think of yourself as fat, but it still stung like a knife through the chest. Your eyes burned with tears, but you quickly blinked them away, swallowing down the lump forming in your throat.

“You really should leave before Tom gets home.” You muttered, turning your back to her and setting the barely eaten cheesecake on the counter. Taking a slow, deep breath, you forced a smile on your face, turning around and patting her on the shoulder. “Tonight is our movie night, so you are not welcome to stick around.”

You brushed past her, ignoring the smirk that still adorned her face as you grabbed your bag and headed to your room, shutting and locking the door behind you. You could hear her shuffling around in the kitchen, and you knew she wasn’t going to leave until Tom told her to.

You tossed your bag on the bed, your reflection catching your eye in the mirror across the room. You looked yourself over, a pit of self hatred building in your stomach. She was right after all. There was nothing attractive about you. You still had that little bit of baby fat on you, having tried everything that was healthy to get rid of it and failed. You still suffered from acne, a result of your family genetically having extremely oily skin. You never had time to ‘paint your face,’ as others put it, nor did you often get time for a haircut.

You quickly turned your back to the mirror before you could continue to fall down that bottomless pit, pulling out your history textbook and studying for your upcoming exam.

Hours passed as you stayed holed up in your room, waiting patiently for Tom to get home and kick the blonde chick out. The time slowly ticked away, growing closer to when your movie night was supposed to start, and so far the apartment had been quiet. Tom usually shouted a hello when he got home, letting you know that he was back. Checking the time, you decided to go and investigate, wondering if maybe he was just a bit late.

You quietly peeked out of your room, noticing the lights on in the living room. This piqued your curiosity as you quietly tiptoed out of your room. Your chest ached as you heard soft gasping, slowly making your way towards the living room and gazing around the corner.

Pain.

Hot, searing pain.

That’s all you felt as you watched the blonde from earlier grind against Tom on the couch. You quickly made your way back to your bedroom, slamming the door shut and locking it behind you. You grit your teeth as you made your way over to your closet, every breath sending a harsh pain through your chest. There was a gaping hole where your heart once was, every vein bleeding in agony as you threw the duffel bag on your bed and started throwing clothes into it.

Three knocks pounded on your door, echoing through your room as salty tears slid down your cheeks. You did your best to ignore it, zipping the duffel bag shut and grabbing your backpack, sliding your laptop and wallet inside.

“Y/N? Is everything alright?” His voice asked through the door, a sound as sweet as honey. The pain throbbed in your chest at the reminder, ice slowly chilling over your broken heart and leaving you cold and empty. 

“Yea. Everything’s fine.” You lied, tongue thick with your cries. You tried to swallow down the lump in your throat as you heard hushed voices behind the door, followed by him sighing and walking away. You continued your packing, texting the only friend you could trust in a moment like this. 

You packed as much as you could, tearing out a piece of paper and leaving a note laying on your bed. Picking up your bags, you cracked open your door, checking that the coast was clear before walking out. You took the apartment key off your key ring, setting it on the kitchen counter before walking out the front door with no intention of ever returning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tom woke the next morning with a pounding headache and an empty bed. He had sent the blonde home in the middle of the night, guilt eating away at him for picking what was once a one night stand over his best friend on their movie night. He groaned as he sat up, slipping out from under his sheets and stretching.

He drowned himself in sex to distract himself from the one thing he wanted but could never have: You. In his eyes, you were perfection. It didn’t matter that you still struggled with acne or rarely wore makeup, because you were always showing everyone who you really are. You were way out of his league, and he felt you could do so much better than some fuckboy who drowns themselves in sex rather than confronting their feelings. His heart ached at the thought of him hurting you last night, having tossed aside your weekly movie night for some girl who meant nothing to him..

He slowly stood up with a yawn, deciding to go and apologize before things got worse. His heart was heavy with guilt as he made the short walk to your room, gently pushing the door open. His stomach dropped as he found it empty of most of your belongings, a single note addressed to him sitting on your bed.

He made his way over, dread settling in his stomach as he picked up and read the note, pain and guilt immediately washing over him as he read it again.

Tom,

I can’t do this anymore. I’ve fallen in love with you and I can’t sit here and listen to you rip my heart out every night anymore. Goodbye Thomas.

Y/N

AN: Hihi! So, this was 100% just pure angst. I’m sorry, but also not sorry.

Maybe I’ll do a part 2! XD

Thanks for reading!

~ LoLo *^-^*

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[aidanchaser]

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Everyone Lives AU

Table of Contents beta’d by @ageofzero​, @magic713m​, @ccboomer​, @somebodyswatson​, and Aubs

Chapter Twelve Silver and Opals

As soon as the door to the cell closed behind her, Tonks slumped against the cold stone wall. She breathed out a silent prayer of gratitude that at least she did not have to deal with dementors on this trip to Azkaban. As horrifying as it was that the dementors had left and were loose around England, she was not sure she could have survived this visit otherwise.

“Alright?” Proudfoot asked with a raised eyebrow.

Tonks gave him a wan smile. “Alright. Except that the guy doesn’t know anything. Don’t know why Scrimgeour’s insisting we keep him.”

Tonks pushed herself off against the wall and followed Proudfoot down the stairs of Azkaban’s western tower. Her interrogation with Stan Shunpike had gone exactly as she’d expected. Stan had pleaded innocence, said he didn’t know anything, he’d been exaggerating, he’d been trying to impress people.

“I suppose even people who pretend to have associations with Death Eaters ought to be taken seriously. Prevents people from….” Proudfoot rubbed the side of his head and winced. Tonks didn’t think he noticed it anymore, but it had become a tick of his whenever he thought too hard about something, a remnant of his duel with Pyrites last spring. “Sorry. I guess I just mean we’ve got to take any threat seriously.”

“I don’t blame Scrimgeour and Robards for having him brought in,” Tonks said, and tightened the scarf around her neck as they reached the large doors leading out of Azkaban, “but I think he’s learned his lesson, don’t you? He’s not going to give us anything useful.”

The doors out of Azkaban stood nearly as tall as the castle wall itself. They were each a meter thick, crafted out of ironwood and reinforced with bands of steel that were then reinforced with enchantments that left the metal glowing an eerie silver. On either side of the doors were two security trolls who towered twelve-feet high, nearly as high as the door, and beneath them stood two burly wizards, arms folded over their chest. As Tonks and Proudfoot approached, one whipped out a Secrecy Sensor and the other a Probity Probe. Without further prompting, Tonks and Proudfoot raised their arms over their heads and waited until they were cleared. They’d done this a hundred times. It was standard practice before going into the office these days — so Tonks went in as little as possible.

When the guards seemed satisfied that Tonks and Proudfoot were exactly who they said they were, they ordered the trolls to open the doors.

Each troll grabbed the enormous handles attached to a wheel and chain and pulled. With a loud clanking and a low-pitched creaking, the doors to Azkaban opened, just enough for Tonks and Proudfoot to squeeze out, and then they slammed closed behind them.

The North Sea crashed around them, drenching Tonks’s hair and clothes. She pulled her cloak tighter and shivered, and reminded herself to be grateful that it was not her job to stand out here as a guard.

The two wizards who did have the unfortunate duty of protecting the gates outside of Azkaban handed them their wands, for no wands were allowed inside Azkaban. Finally, she and Proudfoot were able to Apparate back to the Ministry. It was not quiet, at least not as quiet as the late night hours usually were. A pair of witches waited at the golden gates for Security to let them in. Another wizard stood by someone in bright green healer’s robes, having a whispered discussion. Several Hit Wizards lined the Floo Network entrances, prepared to detain and interrogate anyone who appeared suspicious. They were not far from the new, gaping hole in the Atrium, while the Ministry figured out how they would replace the Fountain of Magical Brethren that had been destroyed in Voldemort and Dumbledore’s duel.

Exhaustion kept the two of them quiet as they headed through security and up to the Auror offices. Anne Scrimgeour was there, ready with their assignments for tomorrow. Just seeing the scroll in Anne’s hand made Tonks’ exhaustion level increase twofold. She hadn’t even finished her day, and already tomorrow’s task was looming in front of her.

She slumped into her chair and carefully flattened the scroll out over her desk. Part of her hoped it might be hunting down Fenrir Greyback, though she knew that Marcy had been put on that trail weeks ago. Instead, she discovered she was scheduled to be at Hogwarts for the weekend.

The Ministry had, of course, insisted on extra security for Hogwarts. They wanted round-the-clock Auror patrols of the corridors and grounds in addition to all the extra protections Dumbledore and the Ministry had already placed on the school. Dumbledore had, in turn, submitted a list of Aurors he deemed appropriate to patrol Hogwarts — meaning, Aurors who were also in the Order.

Shacklebolt was still working with the Muggle Prime Minister, and the Longbottoms were in charge of the recently added Dark Wizard Detection and Detainment Task Force, so it was mostly her, the Prewetts, and Moody. Moody was still technically retired, but he at least helped guard Hogwarts when he was needed. Tonks did not think there was any favour Dumbledore could ask of Moody that Moody would not give, and that was a hard level of respect to earn from Moody.

Padfoot leaned on her desk and craned his neck to get a look at her assignment. “Hogwarts? I got Knockturn Alley rounds this weekend with Savage. How did you even get on the Hogwarts list? You’re still the youngest of the Aurors — Diggory doesn’t count, and don’t tell me he does. He’s got three years of training to get through, just like we all did.”

Tonks tucked the new orders into her coat pocket. “You were still out for your injury when Dumbledore made his list. I’m sure that’s all it is. Did you write your report yet or are you just harassing me to procrastinate?”

When their reports were finally done, and they’d approved each other’s account of their interrogation of Stan Shunpike, they finally left the Ministry of Magic. Proudfoot, while not his usual cheery self, was his usual chatty self. He talked about his sister’s plans for a holiday in Florida in an effort to escape what was likely to be a harsh winter, the strange smell that had started to creep into his flat that he hadn’t had time to investigate fully, and a half-dozen other things on their wait in the lift and their walk out of the Ministry.

The night sky over London was dark, not a single star visible. Tonks was only able to find the moon, a vague, silvery light behind the cloud cover, because it was nearly full. Tomorrow night it would reach the peak of its cycle, and someone she loved very deeply would endure a lot of pain.

“I know a great twenty-four hour place,” Proudfoot said, pulling Tonks out of her staring contest with the hidden moon.

“What?”

“I thought you just said you were hungry.”

Perhaps she had murmured an agreement accidentally. And, as she thought about it, she actually was hungry.

Tonks checked her pocketwatch and groaned. “I can’t. I’ve got to be at Hogwarts first thing in the morning.”

“Hogwarts patrol is easy enough. Dumbledore’s got all the security in place, hasn’t he? You’ll wander around, get yourself an excellent meal, and be done with the day.”

Tonks did not think a Hogwarts patrol would be as simple as all that, but she agreed with him that it would be easier than today had been.

“Fine, but I need to let my mum know I’m alright. Hopefully she’ll believe me.” With a muttered incantation, Tonks summoned her Patronus and sent it off to deliver her hasty apology and promises she was alright.

It wasn’t until she saw Proudfoot staring at her, dumbfounded and scratching the side of his head, that she realized he was only familiar with her quick rabbit, not the lumbering silver wolf. An apology leapt to the tip of her tongue, but she held it back, unsure what she was to apologize for. Not telling him she’d fallen in love?

Proudfoot was the one to apologize. “Sorry. I thought — I dunno what I thought.” He continued running his hand through his thick brown curls and let out a long, slow breath. “A wolf, huh?” His patronus was a Kneazle, a far cry from the one she’d just revealed.

“Yeah — a wolf.”

“Used to be…?”

“A rabbit.”

“Yeah. That’s what I thought.” He frowned, eyes still on the space where her wolf had vanished. “It’s the old legend, isn’t it? Patronus changing to match someone you love?”

“I didn’t ask the wolf, but — well, I ‘spect so.”

“And I haven’t heard about them because…?”

“Because it’s complicated.”

“Well, my food offer still stands. Tell me all about him. Or her.”

Tonks, who knew how hard it could be to extend friendship to someone you wished would love you, appreciated his offer more than she could put into words.

Proudfoot led Tonks towards a caff around the bend of the Thames. It was a few miles to walk, but the cold, fresh air felt good after so many hours in Azkaban. It also made it easier to talk.

“Start with their name,” Proudfoot prodded.

Tonks thought that was the last place she wanted to start. It would be easier if Proudfoot didn’t know who she was talking about and didn’t make a number of assumptions based on Lupin’s previous run-ins with the Ministry.

“He’s a friend of my cousin. So I knew him growing up. Always thought he was sweet, y’know? And funny. I mean, I really looked up to my cousin — Mum always thought he was a bad influence, but you know my Mum.”

“In concept,” Proudfoot laughed. “Just promise me the cousin you’re talking about is Sirius Black and not Regulus Black? Or Draco Malfoy?”

Tonks had never been more grateful for Proudfoot’s sense of humor. It was why the two of them got on so well. “Of course I’m talking about Sirius.”

“And the friend isn’t James Potter, is it? Because I think I can point out some quick problems with that relationship.”

“I do not have a crush on James Potter! Stop — did you want to hear about him or not?”

“You didn’t give me his name, Tonks! I’m just making sure the reason you’re keeping him secret isn’t because he’s already married to a very powerful and terrifying witch who has it in for the Ministry.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. It was sudden, uncontrolled, and brief. She couldn’t remember if she’d laughed in the last month. She couldn’t remember if she’d laughed at all since Voldemort’s return was finally public. Since she’d had a real conversation with Remus. But it was funny to hear how the Ministry felt about Lily Potter.

“I’m not in love with Potter. Promise.”

“Alright, alright, carry on.”

Proudfoot led her through a garden along the bank of the Thames. On any other day, Tonks might have worried he was trying to make this walk romantic, but she found it so much easier to breathe, now that he knew she wasn’t interested in him. She wished she had tried to talk to him about it all sooner, but they’d danced around the line between friendly and flirty for so long, she hadn’t known how to bring it up. Perhaps an accidental discovery like this was the only way for them to move forward.

“So I always sort of liked him,” she said, “but it was just a silly crush, you know? I dated at school and everything, but, well, I dunno, after I finished at Hogwarts I saw him at a party and I just — it all hit me all over again. My heart got all jittery, and I didn’t want to leave, even when my mum and dad left. I just wanted to keep talking to him. But then there was Auror training, and I was so busy and exhausted all the time —”

“I remember Moody ran you hard.”

“Yes! It was miserable, but worth it… Anyway, this past year, we’ve spent a lot of time together and — I dunno, I thought he finally saw me as an adult, not as his friend’s kid cousin. I thought that maybe he liked me too.” Tonks felt tears pricking the corners of her eyes and she instead latched onto her anger at herself for being so upset. She shouldn’t be reacting this way. Unrequited love hurt, but it was nothing worth crying to a co-worker about.

“I’m sorry.” And Proudfoot sounded like he meant it. There was no relief in his voice that Tonks wasn’t actually taken. There was no hope that because her love was unrequited she might turn her feelings to him. He was just sympathetic.

“When I tried to talk to him about it, he said there was nothing to talk about. It hurt, but I knew I could be alright with it. Even if he did have feelings for me and just wanted to be stubborn and deny it, fine. If he wanted to date someone else, fine. If he was content with his own company, fine. I could make my peace with that. But he….” She sighed and ran a hand through her thin, mousy brown hair, wishing that she could turn it back to her favourite vibrant pink. “It’s just a lot more complicated.”

Proudfoot considered this. He kept his eyes on the road ahead, following the occasional Muggle automobile that passed them along the embankment. His hands were in his pockets, presumably one on his wand, and Tonks hastily shoved her wand hand into her pocket. She’d been using her hands to assist her talking, but she knew Moody would have criticized her for taking her hand off her wand for even a moment.

“What reasons has he given you for not wanting a relationship?” Proudfoot finally asked.

“He says I don’t deserve him because he’s old and… and sick. He thinks I ought to fall in love with some young attractive Auror instead of him — his words, not mine.”

Proudfoot’s face flushed and a grin spread across it. “So he knows me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. But yes, he’s seen you before. He knows we’ve worked together. And it just makes me angry that he thinks he can tell me who I should fall in love with!”

Proudfoot nodded. “Yeah, I see that. Has he admitted that he shares your feelings? It almost sounds like he’s making excuses to avoid hurting your feelings — and failing spectacularly, I might add.”

“I thought that for a bit, but then I talked it over with Sirius, who knows him best. Sirius said he does have feelings for me, that Sirius is sure of it. Sirius seems to think the problem is that Remus doesn’t want to deal with his own feelings and insecurities, so he’s running from them.”

“Oh. This is about Remus Lupin. I see.”

The tone of Proudfoot’s voice turned from as comforting as her mother’s homegrown herbal teas to as cold and icy as a dementor’s chill. Tonks felt her hurt and anger stunned into temporary submission as her brain tried to work out which part of Remus Lupin it was that made Proudfoot so angry. Was it that he finally had a name and a face for Tonks’ love? Was it the werewolf thing?

Tonks did as she did best: tried to brush it off with a joke. “What? Would you be less upset if I’d said it was Emmeline Vance?”

Proudfoot did not see the humor. “I just think what he is matters. You can’t have a serious relationship with someone like that.”

So it was the werewolf. “Glad to have your opinion on it,” she said coolly.

“I just mean that you ought to think about it practically. He certainly is. You can’t live with someone with that kind of condition — it’s dangerous! You know he never registered himself? And imagine what might happen to your children —”

“Merlin’s merchant, Proudfoot, where do you get off talking about me having kids?”

“I’m just looking at it in the long-term. That’s all.”

“And I was so glad to have a friend to talk to about it.” Tonks rolled her eyes, embarrassed by the gratitude she’d felt just moments ago. “You’re unbelievable. Sirius is in love with the man and he’s a better comfort about all of this than you are.”

Without checking for Muggles and without waiting for another poor, insensitive explanation from Proudfoot, Tonks Disapparated, leaving the man she had — until just a moment ago — considered her best friend standing alone on the roadside in London. She Apparated into her mother’s garden, with no care for the mint plant she trod over, and stomped into the house.

Despite the late hour, Andromeda Tonks was still up with a book in her lap, and looked relieved to see Tonks. Her relief turned into concern when she actually took in Tonks’ expression.

“What’s happened?”

“Nothing. It’s fine, Mum,” she grunted, and stomped up the stairs to her bedroom, slamming the door closed.

“Nymphadora!” her mother shrieked, with the same strength and indignation she’d used throughout Tonks’ teenage years.

As another set of footsteps stomped up the stairs behind Tonks, the house seemed to groan with weariness. It had endured hundreds of similar arguments as Tonks had passed through puberty and into adulthood; it was likely to endure a hundred more.

Tonks was barely out of her coat when her mother threw the door open.

“Nymphadora!”

“What, Mum?” She was so tired of every adult treating her like a child, and she wished she knew how to stop herself from responding as if she still were a child.

“You know better than to come barging into this house at ungodly hours making that kind of noise —”

“Because you haven’t just woken half of the neighborhood yourself —”

“Don’t interrupt me! I’ve been up half the night, worried sick about you, and you brush me off like I’m little more than a house-elf —”

“I’m sorry, Mum. I’m tired. It was a long day.” Tonks hung her coat in her wardrobe, simply because her mother was still standing in her doorway and she knew she’d get another scolding if she left it on the floor.

There was a heavier set of footsteps in the hallway, joined by a loud yawn, and her father came stumbling down the hall, dressed in his nightclothes. He joined her mother in the doorway. “Dromeda, Dora, must we do this now?”

“She’s the unreasonable one!” Tonks said, raising her voice more than she meant to, an old habit of an oft-repeated phrase growing up. “Shouting like it’s the end of the world at Merlin knows what hour of the night!”

“I’m the unreasonable one? I’m just asking for the bare minimum — the absolute least you can do is say hello when you come home. Some basic decency is all I ask for in this house.”

“I’ve said I’m sorry, Mum. What else do you want? I’ll remember to send my Patronus earlier next time.”

“You have no idea what it’s like, waiting up with worry while you’re only child is off fighting who-knows-what and who-knows-who and —”

“Yeah, and I ‘spect I never will. I was at Azkaban half the day, and I’ve got to be at Hogwarts in the morning, and I’d like to get just an hour of good sleep in, if it’s all the same to you.”

“Ah,” Ted Tonks said, and stifled another yawn. “There it is. Did you have another run-in with Lupin?”

“No! Dad — just go back to bed.” Her cheeks flushed, and had she been thirteen instead of twenty three, her hair would have burned bright red with embarrassment.

“Are you really still interested in him, Nymphadora?” asked Andromeda. “It’s been nearly six months since you’ve even spoken to him.”

Tonks rolled her eyes. “Yes, Mum, I’m aware. You say it like I can help it.”

“Oh, please. You are not the protagonist of some Russian novel who can stand around waiting for him to reform bad habits and realize he’s been in love with you all this time. You cannot mope about —”

“I’m not moping!”

“Then change your hair. Fix your nose. As much as I love seeing my face on my daughter for once, I miss seeing your father’s. You’ve let this man take a wonderful gift from you, and it’s growing ridiculous.”

“Dromeda,” Ted said, and put his arm around his wife, “don’t pretend you were any less romantic about love when you were her age. I recall several impassioned speeches about what you thought of your family’s philosophy, and how you didn’t care what it cost you, you would have me no matter what.”

Andromeda’s face grew red. “That was different! We had each other — and we had a plan —”

“It’s not the same, but it’s not that different,” Ted said. “Come on, let’s get to bed before any of us say something we’ll regret in the morning. Will you be home tomorrow night, Dora?”

Tonks, still furious with her mother shook her head. “No. I’m at Hogwarts this weekend. I expect I’ll be home on Monday.”

Andromeda’s face was shrewd. “Why not come home tomorrow night? London’s no closer to Hogwarts than we are.”

“Let it go, Dromeda,” Ted said. “She’s an adult, and if she wants to keep throwing herself at this, that’s her choice.”

Andromeda did not look like she was going to let it go. “This conversation isn’t over, Nymphadora.”

Tonks rolled her eyes. “Brilliant. Can’t wait until we pick it up again.” She considered never coming home again, but the last thing she needed was her mother pounding on the Potters’ or Weasleys’ doors, demanding to know where she was and how to get to the Order’s headquarters in London. As her bedroom door closed, and she was finally alone, she reminded herself that her parents were simply looking out for her. Her mother cared, as difficult as that could be to see. Tonks tried, as she tried every night in the middle of this war, to count the things she was grateful for, and having two living parents who loved her was at the top of the list.

—————————— ✶✶✶ ——————————

At the bottom of Tonks’ list of things to be grateful for was the weather. Though she’d been glad to have the dementors out of Azkaban just yesterday, she was already wishing them back. Hogwarts was bitterly cold, and it wasn’t even November.

Tonks doubled her scarf around her face to shield herself from the biting cold atop the Astronomy Tower. She leaned over the edge of the parapets and watched the students file out, all successfully passing Filch’s Secrecy Sensor. She thought about how many times she’d tricked Filch during her time as a student, and wondered if his Secrecy Sensor was as reliable as he’d insisted.

Tonks watched until she saw a group of four wrapped in Gryffindor scarves — one with short, messy dark hair, another with long untidy red hair, someone with dusty blonde hair, and someone with long, thick, curly hair — set out from the castle to brave the icy cold wind that blew down the path to Hogsmeade. Tonks was, as her Auror assignment said, guarding Hogwarts in Dumbledore’s absence. But more than that, she was guarding Harry.

And she’d expected him to head out into Hogsmeade, which is why she was up here on the Astronomy Tower, watching to make sure he’d gone, though she’d been hoping he wouldn’t bother to brave the weather. With a disappointed sigh and a curse on courageous Gryffindors, Tonks cast a simple Disillusionment Charm on herself and mounted her Comet Two Sixty. She wasn’t used to having to resort to spells for Disguise, but she’d gained a lot of practice these last few months.

Her gift hadn’t vanished right away. It had been slow, like exhaustion creeping in as the day grew longer. At first, she’d thought it simply was exhaustion. Changing her appearance became like stretching an over-extended muscle. It hurt, and she could do it, but not for long. Then the things she did without a second thought seemed to take all of her concentration. Her hair, her eyes, her nose, her jaw — the things about her that mirrored her mother that she had spent her whole life disguising, first out of spite and then out of habit — all relaxed into their natural shape. Until one morning, she found she was unable to shrink her nose or soften her cheekbones. She could not grow her nails into claws or turn her hair from brown to pink.

She’d thought it was the war that had worn her out, but when she had seen Remus after his transformation last July, she had known exactly why she was so tired, so exhausted. The war was something she had trained for, and she’d been trained well for it by Mad-Eye Moody. Falling in love with someone who repeatedly tormented himself — not just on the full moon but on each night of his life — had never been something she’d prepared for.

Tonks landed her broom just outside the Three Broomsticks and tucked it away in a shed behind Rosmerta’s pub. She’d retrieve it later.

For now, Tonks walked the streets of Hogsmeade. She was familiar with its layout, having visited enough times as a student. It wasn’t particularly crowded, with how terrible the weather was. Still, she found it strange to watch the clusters of students hurry from shop to shop. It wasn’t too long ago that she had been one of them, and yet it felt like a lifetime ago. The only students she could possibly know were the seventh years, who had only been bitty firsties when she’d been in her final year. She didn’t think she’d recognize any names.

The students she did know — Harry, Hermione, Neville, and the Weasleys — were nowhere to be seen. Tonks tried to think of where Harry might go. She knew he’d been to the Hog’s Head before, but from what she understood it had been a special occasion. She wondered if he was continuing Dumbledore’s Army now that Umbridge had been deposed, if he’d decided it was still necessary with Snape in charge of Defense.

Tonks wandered the path down to the Hog’s Head, but it didn’t seem like any students were particularly interested in braving the long walk to the edge of town, away from the warm, inviting shops. When Tonks did open the door to the Hog’s Head, she was greeted by the smell of animal dung and an unwelcoming grunt from the barkeep. The place itself was empty.

“Wotcher, Aberforth,” she said as she approached the counter.

Aberforth half-growled. “Don’t have time for your funny business, Nymphadora.”

Tonks wished she felt anything like funny business. With the loss of Proudfoot, Aberforth was the last person left in her life she could joke around with. “I’ve outgrown all that,” she said with a shrug. “Just checkin’ to make sure you aren’t serving Firewhiskey to firsties.”

“Not unless they’re as wrinkled as shrivelfigs. Or if you’ve got another student that can make their face look as weathered as mine.”

“Just me, far’s I know. Any interesting shrivelfigs come through?”

“In this weather?” Aberforth stroked his beard. “‘Dung came in here, tried to sell me something. I gave him a firm reminder he was banned. Are you going to buy something or did you just come to annoy me?”

A drink sounded tempting. “Sorry, but I’m working. Maybe tonight.”

“Butterbeer for the road, then?”

Tonks could not resist something warm in this terrible weather. As grumpy as he was, Aberforth was an excellent salesman. Or maybe he was just trying to unload his dusty collection of butterbeers on unsuspecting Aurors. Tonks’ lips curled back in disgust as he handed her the glass bottle coated in a quarter inch of muck, as if he’d unearthed it from the floor.

“Cheers,” she said, and tucked the glass bottle into her coat. At least it was warm.

She left Aberforth, cheered by the interaction. She’d once made the mistake of impersonating Dumbledore in her third year in order to get herself a drink at the Hog’s Head. It had gone terribly, but how was she to know that the barkeep was the Headmaster’s estranged brother? Aberforth had promised not to tell the school what she’d done as long as she promised not to let everyone know who he was. It had been a fine arrangement, one Tonks had leaned on and abused to get the occasional free drink in her later years.

As Tonks headed back to the shops in the center of Hogsmeade, she wished she’d spent time practicing warming charms instead of Disillusionment Charms. The wind was picking up, and she was pretty sure there was a storm coming.

She caught sight of Harry, Ron, Neville, and Hermione exiting Zonko’s and hurrying across the street towards the Three Broomsticks. They didn’t seem to notice her, which she was grateful for, though disappointed they’d chosen the Three Broomsticks. She couldn’t very well go in and have Harry recognize her, but she did very much want to get warm.

She ducked into Gladrags. Though most of the window was plastered with Death Eater wanted posters, there was a space in the corner where she had a good view of the Three Broomsticks. Tonks settled into the corner and when the shop owner asked her to buy something or leave, she simply flashed her Auror badge. He ignored her after that.

Harry and his friends stayed in the Three Broomsticks just long enough to enjoy a nice, warm butterbeer before heading back into the cold. She waited until they’d passed by Gladrags before heading out into the cold herself. The butterbeer in her pocket wasn’t especially warm anymore, and she pulled her coat closer to stave off the bite of the windchill.

She squinted up at the castle, and wondered if she ought to take her broom back. The wind was picking up, and she didn’t have any desire for her Comet to get caught in a gale and have the both of them into the Whomping Willow. She also had no desire to walk into the wind. In the end, Tonks chose the lesser of two evils. She pulled her collar tight and trudged up the path towards the castle. She had barely crested the first hill and taken in the vision of the Black Lake, with white caps on its traditionally mirror-smooth waters, when a blood-curdling scream cut through the air.

Tonks bolted into a run. The glass bottle in her coat pocket swung like a pendulum as she hurried towards the sound, wand out, eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of distress. The scream continued, even as she ran, and as she mounted the ridge where she had last seen Harry, she saw a young girl, hovering six feet in the air just at the end of the bridge that crossed the Black Lake, screaming with all her might as the wind whipped around her. Tonks had barely taken two more steps when the girl collapsed to the ground in a heap. Five students clustered around her. Tonks saw the one she thought was Harry run towards Hagrid’s hut. That was good; Tonks was still far enough away that Harry might reach Hagrid first.

Tonks searched for more strength to put into her sprint, but it felt like no matter how hard she tried, she could not run fast enough. Then, as her feet left the well-worn path and hit the hard, stone bridge, she tripped and sprawled onto the ground. She heard the glass in her coat pocket shatter, and the left side of her chest grew wet and warm. She did not even stop to consider the sensation; she only cursed her clumsiness and picked herself back up.

When she finally reached the end of the bridge, she skidded to the young girl’s side, this time intentionally slamming her knees into the bridge. Hagrid and Harry were just steps away.

“Get back,” Hagrid shouted at the students as Tonks ran her wand over the girl on the ground.

The girl was still screaming and writhing in pain. Tonks hated these kinds of curses, the ones you could neither see nor defend yourself against. She was not very good at treating them, either. Snape was better. And Hagrid was faster.

“Get her to Madam Pomfrey,” she said, though Hagrid had knelt down to scoop her up as soon as Tonks pulled her wand away. “And get Snape!” she added as he ran off with the still-screaming girl in his arms.

“Is anyone else hurt?” Tonks looked at the five students — Harry, Ron, Neville, Hermione, and a girl she’d never met.

They all shook their heads.

“Did someone attack her? What happened?”

The girl Tonks did not know pointed at some brown wrappings on the ground. “It — it was when that package tore,” she sobbed.

The wrappings were nearly soaked through, and as the wind whipped the loose edges around, Tonks saw something glittering underneath.

Ron knelt down and reached for the package.

“Don’t —” A jinx shot from the end of Tonks’ wand and knocked Ron backwards. She hadn’t meant to use the Knockback Jinx, but she’d been so determined to keep Ron away from whatever was in that package, she’d reacted without thinking.

Harry knelt next and, before she could even open her mouth, said, “I’m not going to touch it!” Instead he reached for the wrapping, and pulled it back to reveal a stunning opal necklace, glittering with iridescent greens and blues and whites.

“I’ve seen that before,” Hermione gasped. “Or one just like it. It was on display in Borgin and Burkes this summer. The label said it was cursed. Katie must’ve touched it.”

“Where’d your friend get this necklace?” Tonks looked at the group of students. They all looked at the girl.

“That’s why we were arguing.” The girl started to shake, and Hermione put an arm around her. “She came back from the bathroom in the Three Broomsticks holding it, said it was a surprise for someone at Hogwarts and she had to deliver it. She looked all funny when she said it…. Oh! Oh no — she must have been Imperiused and I didn’t realize!”

“She didn’t say who’d given it to her, Leanne?” Hermione asked.

“No —” Leanne hiccuped on another sob. “She wouldn’t tell me. I said she — I said she was being stupid and not to take it up to the school, but she wouldn’t listen, and then I tried to grab it from her and —” Leanne let out another heaving sob and buried her face into her hands.

Tonks appreciated how calm Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Harry were as Hermione patted Leanne’s shoulder, and how carefully Harry and Neville examined the necklace. They had what it took to be Aurors, or maybe they’d just been through enough to make them that way.

Tonks took off her wet cloak and tossed it to Ron. The warm butterbeer had quickly grown cold, and Tonks thought she’d be better off with no cloak than a cold one. “Wrap it in this. Do not touch it — do you understand?”

Ron nodded solemnly and used her cloak to scoop up the necklace. “Why is it sticky?”

“Hippogriff piss,” Tonks said, and didn’t feel any urge to even smile at her own humor. “I need you to run on ahead and get that to Snape. It’ll help him treat Katie.”

Ron, though he looked pale, did not ask questions. He did as Tonks said and hurried on ahead.

“Come on,” Tonks said to the rest of them. “Let’s get out of this wind and get somewhere warm.”

Hermione kept her arm around Leanne’s shoulder as they walked up to the castle. Harry fell into step beside Tonks.

“Do you think Katie will be alright?” Harry asked as they trudged into the wind.

“I don’t know,” Tonks answered honestly. “You lot were in the Three Broomsticks just now, weren’t you?”

“Yeah.”

“Tell me everyone who was in the Three Broomsticks.”

Harry frowned. “I dunno — Ron, Neville, Hermione, and me. A Slytherin from our class. A couple of warlocks… Katie and Leanne…. I dunno who else. It was kind of full with the weather so bad.”

“I thought Mad-Eye would’ve taught you better.”

“What do you mean?”

Had Tonks been her usual self, she would have scrunched up her face into her wizened mentor’s shape. As it was, she simply mimicked his voice. “Constant vigilance!”

Harry looked appropriately reprimanded. “I didn’t think about it in Hogsmeade. It’s so close to Hogwarts, I thought it was — I don’t know, safe?”

“Doesn’t matter where you are. How many times have you been attacked in places you’ve felt safe?”

Harry didn’t answer, and Tonks didn’t need him to. She could tell from his face it was a mistake he wouldn’t make again.

“I think it was Draco Malfoy,” he said suddenly.

Tonks raised an eyebrow at him. “You sound certain.”

“He saw the necklace in Borgin and Burkes this summer,” Harry said. “Remember I told you we tailed him?”

“You didn’t tell me he purchased something. You told me he bullied Borgin into repairing something for him.”

“Right but — he could’ve purchased it. Or he could’ve gone back and purchased it.”

“Did you see Malfoy in the Three Broomsticks?”

“No, but there were a lot of people there.”

“And you think a lot of people would not have noticed a young man in a Hogwarts uniform slip into the girls’ bathroom?”

Harry considered this. “Leanne didn’t say Katie got it in the bathroom, just on her way back from the bathroom.”

“Alright, that’s a fair point, but I’ve got one more question.”

“Okay.”

“Katie — she looked like she’s a sixth or seventh year?”

“Seventh.”

“She a good duelist?”

“Yeah. She was in the D.A. She’s on the Quidditch team, too, ever since she was in second year. Good reflexes.”

“You think if Malfoy so much as approached her in the girls’ bathroom or anywhere in the Three Broomsticks with his wand out she wouldn’t Stun him or even shout?”

Harry didn’t answer, as they climbed the steps into Hogwarts. Filch growled at them and waved his Secrecy Sensor, but McGonagall came running down the stairs and waved him away.

“Let them in, Filch,” she said. “My office, all of you.”

Tonks could not help but feel like a student again as she trooped into McGonagall’s office. Ron was already there, with Tonks’ wet and sticky coat draped over the back of a chair. The necklace was nowhere to be seen.

“Well!” McGonagall said, and shut her office door firmly behind her. “Hagrid says you are the ones who saw what happened. Mr Weasley, I hope you’ve caught your breath enough to tell us what’s happened.”

“Leanne’s the one who saw it all,” Ron said. He still sounded short of breath, and Tonks was proud of him for putting in so much effort.

Leanne, between sobs and hiccups, was able to tell McGonagall what she had told Tonks: Katie had entered the bathroom at the Three Broomsticks and come out with a strange parcel and acting very odd, and they’d argue over delivering the strange package, until they’d torn the package in their argument. At this point, Leanne became inconsolable, and neither McGonagall’s stern demands nor Hermione’s gentle coaxing could convince her to finish her story.

“Go up to the hospital wing, then, Leanne,” said McGonagall in a kinder voice than Tonks had ever heard from her, “and have Madam Pomfrey give you something for shock.”

Leanne rubbed her eyes and obediently left the office.

“What happened when Katie touched the necklace?” McGonagall asked. She was looking to Tonks for answers, but Tonks did not have any. She looked at Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Neville.

It was Harry who hurried to answer. “She rose up in the air,” he said, “and then began to scream, and collapsed. Professor, can I see Professor Dumbledore please?”

McGonagall frowned, clearly uninterested in this change in topic. “The headmaster is away until Monday, Potter.”

“Away?”

“Yes, Potter, away. But I assure you, we are in quite capable hands regardless. Now, is there anything else you have to say about today’s incident? I believe I am most needed in the hospital wing.”

“That’s about it, Professor,” said Tonks. “I’ll see these four back to their common room.”

“Thank you,” McGonagall hurried out of the office without another word. Tonks could see Harry burning with frustration, but she ignored it, instead looking at the Quidditch Cup sitting on a shelf in McGonagall’s office. She felt bitter at seeing it here, especially after so many years of Charlie Weasley crushing her team in Quidditch.

“Who do you reckon Katie was supposed to give the necklace to?” Ron asked as he handed Tonks her cloak.

Tonks shook her head. “I doubt we’ll know unless Katie can tell us.”

“Whoever it was has had a narrow escape,” said Hermione. “No one could have opened that package without touching the necklace.”

Tonks led the four Gryffindors out of McGonagall’s office and towards the stairs to Gryffindor tower.

“It could’ve been meant for loads of people,” said Harry. “Dumbledore — the Death Eaters would love to get rid of him. Or Slughorn — Dumbledore reckons Voldemort really wanted him and they can’t be pleased that he’s sided with Dumbledore. Or —”

“Or you,” Neville whispered.

Tonks raised an eyebrow, prepared to comfort Harry, but Harry only shrugged.

“Couldn’t have been, or Katie would’ve just turned around in the lane and given it to me, wouldn’t she? I was behind her all the way out of the Three Broomsticks. It would have made much more sense to deliver the parcel outside Hogwarts, what with Filch searching everyone who goes in and out. I wonder why Malfoy told her to take it into the castle?”

Tonks sighed. “Harry, the Malfoys have been searched as thoroughly as anyone has ever been searched. And I find it far more likely that a woman cursed Katie with the Imperius Curse and had her deliver the parcel.”

“He could’ve asked Pansy Parkinson,” Harry said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Pansy couldn’t curse a toad to sing.”

“Whoever it was,” Ron said as they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady, “wasn’t very slick, were they? The necklace didn’t even make it into the castle. Not what you’d call foolproof.”

“You’re right,” Hermione agreed. “It wasn’t very well thought out at all.”

Tonks examined each of the brave Gryffindors and considered her own Auror training. They all had the temperament for it, if nothing else. And they were asking all the right questions, the ones she’d been asking herself since she’d seen what had happened.

“What was it about the plan that went so wrong?” she asked them, curious to hear what they’d noticed.

“Even if Leanne hadn’t thought it strange, Filch would’ve caught the necklace with his Secrecy Sensor when they walked in,” said Neville.

“And no one’s really traveling alone these days,” said Hermione. “Someone like Leanne being suspicious was practically guaranteed.”

“Anyone could have opened the package,” said Ron. “Or like what happened — it opened accidentally and Katie got cursed.”

“The possibility for collateral damage was high, and the chance of success slim,” Tonks agreed. “So what does that tell us about the culprit?”

“Someone not very bright,” said Harry, “like Malfoy.”

Three pairs of eyes rolled in unison. Tonks sighed and shook her head.

“Not necessarily. What happened to Katie requires a certain level of skill. And brilliant people can make foolish mistakes. But it does tell us she’s definitely inexperienced. You four thought quickly today and reacted coolly in a stressful situation. That’s something to be proud of. Stay vigilant, alright?”

They each nodded and Hermione said, “Dilligrout.” The Fat Lady’s portrait swung open. Ron helped Hermione inside, then followed. Neville scrambled over the large step into the common room. Harry, though, hesitated.

Tonks thought he was going to give another argument for why Draco Malfoy had been the one to curse Katie, but instead he said, “How long are you staying at Hogwarts for?”

“As long as I can be useful. Mad-Eye should be here ‘round supper time. He might be a better help for Katie, but I’ll do what I can.”

“Are you… Are you going to see my parents at all tomorrow?”

Tonks wished she had control over her Metamorphmagus ability if only so she could hide the blush creeping up her neck. “I’m supposed to spend the night with your mother, actually. I hope she won’t worry too much if I’m late.”

“Oh — does that mean… does that mean he’s coming home tonight?”

“As far as I know, he’s planning to, yes.”

“That’s good.”

“Yeah, I hope so.”

“I’m glad someone can keep Mum company, too.”

“I’m happy to do it. Your Mum’s cool. You’re lucky, you know.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Go on, before your friends worry that you’re having a tryst with a mature, older woman.”

Harry pantomimed searching high and low, and even peered around the Fat Lady’s portrait. “Huh. I don’t see one around.”

Tonks stuck her tongue out at him and playfully shoved him into the short tunnel into the Gryffindor common room.

—————————— ✶✶✶ ——————————

That night, when Mad-Eye relieved Tonks of her duty, she trudged back down the path to Hogsmeade. The wind had died down, but it was still bitterly cold, and she didn’t have a cloak. She had her butterbeer soaked cloak draped over one arm, and the only thing really protecting her from the cold was the knit scarf around her neck.

Though Tonks would have loved to stop in the Three Broomsticks for a proper warm butterbeer, to make up for the broken, dirty one, but she was expected at the Potters’ Hogsmeade cottage, and she didn’t dare delay any more than she already had filling Moody in on the events at Hogwarts.

Remus Lupin had not come home for the full moon at the end of August, but he had returned for September, of his own accord. Lily had said he was reluctant and sullen about it, but regardless, he’d finally come home.

Unfortunately, all of that bitterness and irritation that Remus brought home with him carried over into the full moon. It wasn’t just that he’d surprised Lily by showing up on their fireplace hearth an hour before sunset, asking if it was alright to stay the night. It wasn’t just that Lily had needed to put together a half-dozen potions on little notice. Whatever it was that Remus carried with him into the full moon had nearly ripped both him and James to shreds, and Lily, with the help of the Potters’ house-elves, had barely managed to keep the two of them alive.

So this month, she’d asked Tonks to help.

When Tonks reached the cottage, she knocked, and was surprised when one of the Potter house-elves answered. Tonks hadn’t really been properly introduced to them, but she thought this one was called Picksie.

“Miss Tonks!” the house-elf squeaked. “A moment —” The small elf squeezed her large, purple eyes closed and snapped her fingers. There was a blue spark, and Tonks felt a shock run from her head to her toes. She jumped back, startled, and fumbled for her wand.

The elf, however, opened her eyes and smiled. “It is you! Come in, come in.” She stepped aside and motioned for Tonks to enter. “Picksie has been practicing, detecting Polyjuices and hidden curses! But you is you, so come in, come in!”

Tonks could not help but smile as she walked in. Picksie’s pride in her success was contagious. “Impressive. House-elves might make better guards than trolls if they practice as hard as you.”

Tonks was not certain whether house-elves could blush — the only one she’d had any real interaction with had been Kreacher — but she thought that Picksie was glowing with pride.

“Thank you, Miss Tonks! You is very kind. Mistress Potter is in the kitchen, finishing a potion.”

Tonks let Picksie show her the way. She’d never actually been to the Potters’ cottage. She knew James had purchased it to be closer to Lily during her brief stint as a Hogwarts professor, but she wasn’t sure why they’d held onto it all these years. It certainly came in handy on a night like tonight, when their house was occupied by a bloodthirsty werewolf, and the Order’s headquarters were little more than a way-station for overworked Aurors these days. The life that had returned to Grimmauld Place when the Order had needed a London base had all but vanished after the Ministry was no longer the primary battle ground. Even Regulus wasn’t around as much. Tonks had heard he was on a special mission for Dumbledore, separate from the Order’s task, but she couldn’t recall who had said it to her.

Tonks didn’t find this cottage much more homely than Grimmauld Place as she looked around. The fireplace was empty, and the furniture was covered. It was clear that the Potters didn’t spend much time here.

The kitchen Picksie led her to was smaller than Styncon Garden’s, which said a lot, considering that their kitchen there was not especially large, not compared with homes like Grimmauld Place or the Burrow. There was enough room for a woodstove and a hand-pump sink. It seemed that James hadn’t been looking for grandeur or comfort when he’d bought the house. He’d only been looking for somewhere close to Lily.

Lily stood over the wood fire, waving her wand over a cauldron. Picksie waited in the doorway until Lily had finished her spell and used her wand to siphon the potion into a bottle before announcing Tonks.

“Mistress Potter — Miss Tonks is arrived. Picksie is doing the checking of her myself. Miss Tonks is who Miss Tonks says.”

Lily smiled. “Thank you, Picksie. I don’t know what I’d do without your help. Tonks can help me with the last of the Blood-Replenishing Potions. Why don’t you check on Mellie and get some rest?”

Picksie bowed and disappeared with a pop.

“Is Mellie alright?” Tonks asked.

“She’s old, and more and more tired these days…. But we all are, so maybe it’s nothing.” Lily corked the bottle of thick red liquid and set it into a box. “One more should do the trick. I wish I could brew these in advance, but they only last about forty-two hours, and I never know how much I’ll need.”

“Depends on his mood, doesn’t it? How was he tonight?”

“Better with Sirius gone, I think.” Lily rubbed her eyes and leaned against the sink. “You haven’t heard from Sirius or Emmeline, have you?”

“I read his report about two weeks ago. It seemed like they had a lead.”

“I’m just worried that she threw herself back into the field too soon after her recovery… and for Sirius to take a mission that would take him so far from us for so long….”

Tonks worried, too. But she had a feeling Sirius had run to give Remus less excuses. The last thing he’d said to her in July had been, “Whatever I’ve been doing to help him hasn’t worked in all the years I’ve known him. Maybe I’ve mucked up too many times to make it right. I don’t know….”

Lily stared at the fire as it slowly burned itself out. The dim, flickering light danced in her green eyes, and it made it hard for Tonks to tell if she was near tears or not. “If Sirius isn’t back next month, he’ll miss Harry’s Quidditch game.”

“No one ever said any of this would be easy,” said Tonks.

“No, but I don’t understand why Remus has to make it harder on everyone.” Lily shook her head. “Sorry — I know that isn’t fair to say. I just….”

Tonks knew what she meant, though. They couldn’t blame Remus for going through something difficult, any more than Tonks could blame herself for not being able to use her Metamorphmagus ability. They each had their own boggarts to confront, and all of it happening in the middle of a war only made things more difficult on everyone.

So Tonks didn’t press Lily to explain. She simply began to help clean up the cauldron Lily had abandoned on the fire. She wasn’t the best at cleaning, and she fumbled each time Lily handed her a glass vial, but Tonks did her best to help Lily prepare another bottle of Blood-Replenishing Potion. Lily didn’t seem interested in talking while they worked, and that was okay. Tonks focused herself on the task at hand, making sure not to break anything or accidentally drop anything into the potion. She wasn’t entirely sure how she’d passed Potions at N.E.W.T. level with her consistent clumsiness, other than through sheer determination to become an Auror.

When the potion was safely sealed and labeled, Tonks put it in the box with the others. There was one potion glowing light blue — a fresh batch of Burning Bitterroot Balm, she guessed — and the rest were red potions with dates and times scrawled on them, going back to noon yesterday.

Lily made them a quick cup of tea, using her wand to heat the water instantly. Tonks took a moment to be in awe of Lily, who seemed a master of the house-keeping charms that had eluded Tonks, Potions, which had always been a challenge, and dueling, which was the only thing Tonks had ever shown a talent for. Tonks had spent her life mastering one thing and working hard to be passable at others; Lily seemed to have it all under control. She hadn’t been exaggerating when she’d told Harry his mum was cool.

“Thanks again for helping me.” Lily led Tonks back into the sitting room and pulled a cover off of the sofa so that they could sit. “It’s nice not to sit up alone, praying everyone’s alright.”

Tonks carried the warm mugs, and was careful not to spill as she handed one to Lily. “I think you’re doing me a favour just as much. It’s nice to know that I can do a little something for him, even if it isn’t a lot, even if he won’t talk to me.”

Lily used her wand to light the fireplace, then curled herself up into the corner of the sofa, hands wrapped tightly around her mug. “I can’t understand it, really. But I’ve never been good at understanding Remus.”

“I thought you two were close.”

“Close, yes — we tell each other almost everything. We spent a lot of time together as prefects. I almost made him my chief bridesmaid,” she laughed, “but I don’t understand him. I was rather harsh with him last July.” Lily blew on her tea and took a sip. Her gaze was not on Tonks as she spoke; she seemed to be staring at something much farther away.

“I didn’t know about his condition until our seventh year. I’d always assumed he understood what I was going through because he had a Muggle mother. I’d never dreamed it was because he knew better than I did what it was to be persecuted by wizards. But I always fought to prove myself. I was loud, angry, and maybe not willing to hex someone who mocked me, but I’d certainly outshine them in class. Remus was always quiet, secretive, and avoided people as much as he could. If he hadn’t been roommates with Sirius and James, or at least with people like them, I don’t know that he would’ve ever made friends.”

“It’s a bit different, though, isn’t it?” said Tonks. She flinched as she took a sip of tea and found it still too hot. “I just mean — being Muggle-born. You had ten years at least of a normal life.”

“I suppose. Though I always knew I was a witch. I had… a friend who was a wizard, who knew all about Hogwarts. But he never — well, while we were children — he never did treat me differently because I was Muggle-born. I suppose Remus never knew anything like that, not until he met James and Sirius. But we’ve all been friends for twenty-five years now. And I know what he goes through isn’t easy, but I’m so tired of him tearing himself up over it. I don’t know how to make him understand that we love him, not despite what he is but including what he is.” Lily closed her eyes and leaned her head against the back of the sofa.

Tonks ran her thumb along the edge of her mug. She took a moment to let the steam warm her face before blowing on her tea and taking a sip. It didn’t hurt so badly as her first sip, but maybe she’d just burned the feeling out of her tongue. “Sirius says he’s just using the werewolf bit as an excuse so he doesn’t have to deal with his feelings.”

Lily hummed in agreement. “I’m sure that’s part of it. James described you as a catalyst, and I think that’s the best way to put it.”

“I don’t want to be anything — I just want to be me. And part of being me is loving him. But that part of me is making it harder to be myself, to be the person I know that I am.” Tonks bit down on her lip, realizing her words were heading dangerously close to thoughts she had been trying so desperately to avoid.

“Love changes us.” Lily’s smile was fond and distant. “You should’ve seen the way it changed James. I changed, too. James made me learn patience and humility, two things I’d never bothered with before. The love that makes you better is the one you want to keep around.”

Tonks was not sure she had changed for the better, at least not in these last six months. She liked spending time with Remus. She thought he made her more empathetic, more considerate, and more careful. Lately, though, she wasn’t happy with the ways she’d changed. She didn’t joke the way she used to, and she knew the loss of her Metamorphmagus abilities was an unfortunate effect. She supposed those losses weren’t because of her relationship with Remus, but because of how he had shut her out.

“What do you do when parts of him are good for you and other parts aren’t?”

Lily was quiet. Tonks wondered if she’d fallen asleep, and her question had gone unheard. She thought if she closed her eyes for even a moment, she might slip away too.

But then Lily said, “I think that’s why relationships are hard work.”

Tonks added emotional wisdom to the list of things Lily excelled at.

Tonks watched the fire as it slowly burnt out, intent on keeping a vigil all night, but at some point, Lily was shaking her shoulder gently. Tonks looked out of the window to find gray daylight creeping in. She stretched and groaned, stiff and sore from sitting on the sofa for so long. It was a familiar feeling after a life full of naps in odd places.

“Time to go already?”

“Just about.” Lily’s eyes were rimmed red and puffy. Her long red hair was a tangled mess. Tonks decided that she had no interest in looking at her own reflection.

They gathered up the potions and the house-elves. Tonks belatedly remembered her broom was still tucked away in Madam Rosmerta’s shed, but there would not be time to grab it. There was no telling what state Remus and James would be in. She just had to hope it would go unnoticed a bit longer.

Picksie, as a house-elf, had the ability to Apparate into Styncon Garden, and Tonks found it incredibly convenient, having made several uncomfortable Floo trips herself. She disliked traveling by Floo. She was always nervous that she would step into the wrong sitting room. Apparating was far more efficient.

Picksie’s ability also allowed her to Apparate around the grounds of Styncon Garden, which meant they did not have to waste time looking for James and Remus. Picksie was able to check the grounds quickly and return them to the kitchen for Tonks and Lily to treat immediately. With a pop, the house-elf was gone, and with another, she had returned to the kitchen with two very beat up and bloodied men.

As they had discussed beforehand, Lily prioritized the bite marks in James, and Tonks was to heal as many of Remus’s injuries as she could.

What caught her attention first were several punctures in his chest and abdomen that dripped blood. What worried her more than the blood was the way Remus gasped for air. Something, whatever it was that had gored him — Tonks couldn’t imagine what — had probably punctured a lung. Or if it hadn’t, any internal bleeding could be pressing on his lungs and even keeping his heart from beating properly. He may have had both a punctured lung and internal bleeding, judging by the pair of dark purple, heart-shaped bruises on Remus’s chest. Quickly, Tonks ran her wand over Remus’s abdomen, focused first on repairing the deepest of his wounds. Blue light pulsed at the tip of her wand, and she concentrated on that combination of Charms and Transfiguration that made up the root of healing magic. Her father’s voice filled her mind, reminding her of the basics of healing injuries. “The body wants to be fixed, and knows what to do; you’re just helping it along,” he had always said.

She did not have a lot of experience with internal wounds, and found it challenging to work on what she could not see, but she trusted in her own skill, and when his breathing was no longer strangled gasps, she dragged her wand over each of his external wounds, drawing blood away from cavities and knitting together open veins.

Once the immediate danger was settled, and she was certain Remus’s heart and lungs were working appropriately, she took an assessment of everything else. He seemed to have several misaligned joints, which Tonks thought odd injuries, but they were easy enough to set straight. There were also several superficial cuts and scrapes that she left alone, and three breaks in one of his legs that she set, but did not heal for fear of overtaxing his body. When she was confident she had done all that she could, she Levitated his body into the sitting room.

The last time Tonks had been to Styncon Garden, the sitting room had served as a make-shift hospital room for Remus and Sirius, and it looked as if it had not changed. Lily had thrown down towels and padding over both the floor and the furniture, then covered the entire room in white sheets.

Tonks gently set Remus down on the sofa and pressed the back of her hand to his cheek. He was cold and clammy. She hurried back into the kitchen, careful to step around Picksie and Lily, who were still at work on James — Tonks glimpsed a deep bite mark in his stomach as Picksie lifted a cloth so Lily could drip dittany over the wound — and dug a Blood-Replenishing Potion out from the box. She hurried back to Remus’s side and woke him just enough to get him to drink. Some of the potion spilled as she uncorked the bottle, staining the white sheets with bright red blooms, but Tonks had not expected to be perfect at this. She hadn’t been doing this for years the way Lily had.

Once Remus had finished the potion, with minimal loss down his chin, Tonks helped him lay back down. His eyes closed and he immediately slipped back into sleep. Not only was the transformation itself taxing, and running around at night exhausting, Tonks had needed to draw on his body’s own stores of energy for the healing. It was likely that he would be asleep for a while.

Tonks turned to help Lily, only to find Picksie lifting James with her own wandless magic and setting him down on a set of cushions not far from the sofa Remus rested on. Lily was two steps behind her, uncorking a Blood-Replenishing Potion. “Tonks, please get me another one,” she said, and Tonks rushed to follow instructions.

By the time Tonks returned with another potion, Lily had already gotten James to drink the first one without spilling a drop. Tonks made sure to uncork the second one before handing it to Lily. She thought she saw tear streaks on Lily’s face, which startled her, but she forgot as James coughed and spluttered.

“Hold him still, please —”

Tonks rushed forward and helped hold James’s shoulders still. She realized she was staring at the scarred half of his face and quickly focused on Lily instead.

“No,” he mumbled, half-awake. “I can’t do another —”

“James, please, you lost so much blood.”

It took a bit more coaxing, but Lily was able to convince James to finish the second bottle. Tonks helped him lay back down and pulled a blanket over him. Lily recorked the bottle and pushed herself back to her feet, but James grabbed her hand.

“Lily —”

She knelt back down and squeezed his hand.

“Lily, I can’t do another full moon. Not with him like this. Not without Sirius.”

“I know,” she said. She brushed some of his dark, messy hair out of his face and tears fell from her cheeks onto his. “We’ll talk to them both. We’ll make it work.”

Tonks looked away, embarrassed to be intruding on this private moment. She did not know what had happened during September’s full moon, but she knew that in July, Sirius had been the one to take the brunt of Remus’s anger, and James had largely been unscathed. She wondered if something had changed between them, or if James had simply become a surrogate for Remus’s anger.

Her eyes caught on something familiar on the mantelpiece. There, tucked among photographs of James and Lily, Remus and Sirius, and Harry, was a wand. Curiosity seized practicality and Tonks crossed the room to examine it more closely. She estimated it was just over ten inches, with a darkly polished handle, and a fine twist to the wood before it tapered off into the end of the wand.

“It’s Remus’s,” Lily said softly.

Tonks turned. Lily was still seated at James’s side, holding his hand, but James appeared to be asleep. Lily wiped her cheeks with the heel of her free hand.

“Remus left it here last May.”

“I thought he broke his wand dueling Bellatrix.”

“Yes, his first wand. He got a new one when Barty Crouch stole his wand a few years ago, the one you’re holding now. He used it for about a year, until Regulus took his old wand back when he killed Barty. It was that one he was using to duel Bellatrix. He never did care for the replacement wand, and hasn’t picked it up since his duel. Says he doesn’t need it when he’s talking to other werewolves.”

“Doesn’t he Apparate?”

“I suppose he doesn’t.”

Tonks set the wand back down carefully beside the jar of Floo powder. Lily extricated her hand from James’s with similar care.

“Watch them for me, will you?” Lily asked. “I’m going to help Picksie take care of the kitchen. I think James left half his blood in the floorboards.”

“Is it always this bad?” Tonks asked.

Lily shook her head. “I think it’s a lot harder, not just because Sirius is gone, and what that means to the both of them but — well, I think simply it is much harder for a deer to manage a wolf than for a dog to manage a wolf.”

Tonks suddenly understood all of Remus’s wounds. She imagined what it must have been like for James, who maintained his reasonable senses during the full moon, to have to corral a wolf in the body of a prey animal, to know he could defend himself but not in any way that might injure Remus too terribly until it was nearly sunrise, and help would be on the way. Tonks could see why he was so desperate to not let another full moon pass in this fashion.

She walked back to Remus’s side and settled herself into the small space between him and James, listening to their steady breathing. Though she knew Remus had passed a violent night, and those violent feelings were still trapped inside of him, he looked peaceful like this. Worn down in the corners of his eyes and in the grey in his hair, and gaunt just hours after a transformation, but peaceful. There was a thin scar that split his lower lip in two, and a striking set of stripes across his nose, but she did not think they made him any less attractive. She’d always been intrigued by her cousin’s best friend, this man who was quiet, respectful, and yet had somehow managed to capture the attention of someone as wild and loud as Sirius Black.

Remus’s breathing changed, and Tonks was pulled from her reverie. She pressed two fingers against Remus’s neck and checked his pulse. It was steady. She let out a sigh of relief, and, just to be sure, took her wand and ran it over his chest again. She saw no sign that anything had torn or open, felt no injury she had not repaired. Her own heartbeat slowed as she realized Remus was alright.

Then his eyes fluttered open and her heart rate picked up once more. They were green like Lily’s though not as striking, and they seemed strangely unfocused. They settled onto Tonks’s eyes and she wondered for a moment what colour they were. Were they her more usual warm brown? Had they settled into her mother’s grey eyes? Were they something else entirely? Something out of her control?

“Well this is a cruel trick,” Remus whispered, and smiled wryly.

Tonks’ mind whirred like a Snitch desperate to be free of a Seeker’s grasp, but she found no answer, no way to interpret the strange words and expression. Remus only made it worse as he reached up and pressed his hand to her cheek.

“I always knew I hated myself but I didn’t think I’d punish myself with a vision of you with his face.”

Before Tonks could protest that she was not a vision and that this was her face, just her unaffected face, Remus pulled her close and kissed her.

He tasted like blood. He smelled like morning dew. She had not expected to feel the raised scar on his lower lip, but she did. For a moment — the briefest of moments — she closed her eyes and allowed herself to believe this was real, and that she wasn’t going to pretend, for his sake, that he truly had been dreaming.

She pulled herself away and swallowed down the tears that swelled in her throat. “You should rest,” she said.

“You won’t be here when I wake up,” he protested.

“No,” she said. “I won’t.”

Despite her honesty, it seemed that the brief attempt at wakefulness was all he had, and he returned to his proper dreams. Tonks wondered if she would continue to feature in them. It was unfortunate she had never mastered Legilimency. There had been a special course for Aurors, but it required the steadiness of a one-track mind. Tonks may have been stubborn enough to succeed at difficult challenges, but focusing on one thing alone was too much for her.

Which is why her mind was still spinning down several different paths, spiraling out of control. Remus had kissed her. He had not thought she was Sirius. He had not thought she was someone else. He had known who she was, and had only noted she looked like a Black, that she looked like Sirius. He had known who she was and he had kissed her.

But he had thought it was a dream. Did it make a difference?

She wondered if that moment was the only one she would ever get.

She wondered if that moment made everything better or worse.

“Everything alright?” Lily asked. “Tonks?”

Tonks still had her wand on Remus’s chest. Though her mind was running at a hundred miles an hour, she had not moved an inch.

“Fine,” she said, though she could feel the tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She shoved her wand into her pocket and rubbed her eyes until she did not feel like she was about to break. “He’s alright — I just had a little…. It was nothing.”

“Why don’t you get some rest? You’ve got to go back to Hogwarts soon, don’t you?”

“Twelve on, twelve off,” she sighed. She was supposed to be there by nine in the morning, but Mad-Eye had made her swear not to come back until noon. She’d overworked her shift to make sure Katie was cared for, and he’d made her promise to take her entire break. She checked her watch. It was nearly eight am now. She might have fallen asleep on her feet or curled up under the portrait of Sir Cadogan if she’d had to be at the castle by nine.

“I have a few hours,” she said.

“I made a room ready for you yesterday, just in case.”

“Thanks.”

Lily warned her to skip the fourth step on her way upstairs. Tonks thought remembering on her way up was simple enough. Remembering on her way back down would be harder.

Tonks collapsed into bed, not even positive it was the right bed. She could be in Harry’s bed for all she knew, but she didn’t care. Even her worries over Remus vanished when her head hit the pillow, and she knew nothing but sleep.

When her pocketwatch alarm did finally chirp at her, reminding her it was time to return to Hogwarts, the warm afternoon sun was spilling over the bed. It was warm, and she did not want to leave it for the brisk wind of Hogsmeade. Why did Hogwarts have to be so far north anyway?

But she had a job to do. Tonks pulled herself out of bed with a lot of grunting and groaning and stumbled downstairs. She skipped the fourth step largely by accident, after nearly tripping over the fifth, and returned to the sitting room.

Lily was there, but she had fallen asleep on the floor, not far from where James had been laying. She did not see James, but she noted that the door to James and Lily’s bedroom was open. She was glad James was awake and on his feet. She ought to be polite and say goodbyes, but she didn’t want to disturb any of them.

That, of course, all fell apart when she reached for the Floo Powder and dropped it to the floor. The ceramic bowl crashed into the stone hearth and Tonks swore under her breath. It was easy enough to repair, but the damage had been done. She heard movement behind her, the rustling of sheets. She prayed it was Lily. Her prayers went unheard.

“Tonks?” Remus said in a quiet, groggy voice. It was such a raw tone, and Tonks wished he would repeat her name that way over and over again. That prayer went unheard, too.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

As she scooped Floo into the newly fixed jar, she reminded herself not to turn around. She could not let him see her face. She could not let him realise his mistake.

“I just came to make sure you were alright,” she said. “Sirius and the Potters aren’t the only ones who get to worry about you.”

He was quiet as she replaced the jar of Floo Powder on the mantle. She told herself not to turn around. She told herself to throw the powder in and just go. He was alright, he was awake, and she did not need him to know that he had really kissed her. It would only hurt him.

“You shouldn’t.”

“Shouldn’t what? Shouldn’t be here?”

“You shouldn’t care.” It was such a vulnerable whisper, Tonks wondered if he still thought he was dreaming.

“But I do,” she said, with as much of her own vulnerability as she could muster.

“Well don’t,” he snapped.

Remus was the most reasonable and empathetic person Tonks had ever met, but in this one thing he was proving to be so unreasonably stubborn. She couldn’t understand how he could tell her to simply stop caring, when surely he, of all people, knew how little control you had over who you fell in love with.

She turned around, and it brought her no joy to see his tired, defeated face slacken into shock then twist into horror as he saw the proud Black family cheekbones and her strong jawline, so like Sirius’s. She knew the horror was not at how she looked but at the realisation of what he’d done.

“Fine,” she said. “If you don’t want to talk like adults, we won’t talk like adults. When you’ve decided that you’re ready to be friends again, and actually talk to me like another human being, let me know.” Tonks threw the Floo Powder into the fireplace and stepped through the green flames into the Potters’ cottage in Hogsmeade. She let the cold, brisk wind dry her tears as she continued her solitary walk back up to Hogwarts castle.

[soraegeeks]

Favorite BNHA Fics

I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of fanfics and I’m starting to lose track of my faves. I’m going to make a few posts to log recommended fics. I’ll update them as I finish fics/start new ones. 

This post will be dedicated to all of my absolute favorite Boku no Hero Academia/My Hero Academia fics.

[Change log:

7/13/20: Removed “Other Pairings”, added more relationship headings, and created a menu of links]

BakuDeku | TodoKiriBakuDeku | KiriBakuDeku | TodoBakuDeku | KiriBaku | TodoDeku | TodoBaku | BakuOchaDeku | ShinBakuDeku | EndHawks | EraserMight

BakuDeku Pairing

Not Another High School AU - By MellowWrites (NSFW) - In progress Alternate universe, American high school, Quirkless kids

The New Year's Kiss - By HoneyBeeez and MellowWrites - In progress “Their second year at UA is coming to a close, and with the League of Villains MIA, Izuku and Katsuki have more time to focus on their training to become future pros - and what exactly they mean to one another.“ 

You're so Hot - By SecretKiwi (NSFW) “Two boys + One cold winter evening = something hotter than a kotatsu“

You're Still Hot - By SecretKiwi (NSFW) “Two men + One scheme = a chance to reignite a fire. (oh, and there's a kotatsu, too.)“

What's Next On My To-Do List? - By SecretKiwi (NSFW) “The house is a mess. Katsuki wants to clean but Izuku just wants to get a little dirty.“

Blood Moon - By Lalazee  (NSFW) “The Thank-Fuck-We-Aren’t-Dead Sex had started then, and had never really stopped. Then came the feelings and the fights. The ego, the pride, the jealousy. And then there was Us.“

Devil in Me - By glamour_weeb (NSFW) “Katsuki's usually the one getting into fights over Deku when they go to the club, but this time, his Omega's the one that starts a fight over him, but he doesn't stop there. Deku's determined to mark his territory.“

Paradise Circus - By glamour_weeb (NSFW) - In Progress “In the far future, Omegas have managed to establish a society of peace built on the ruins of a society torn apart by Alphas. Now the Omegas are in charge and Alphas have become little more than breeding stock and status symbols to those that can afford them. Recently elected to political office, Izuku decides to treat himself to an Alpha for his heat.“ 

Perfect Partner for You - By Seeress - In Progress “Deku is of an age to get married. But he lives in a small town where there is a distinct lack of suitable partners so he asks Katsuki to help him find the perfect partner in the big city. Great plan, right? What on earth could go wrong?“

“Just for Love” series - By Shiro_Kabocha (NSFW)

Predictive Cues - By MellowWrites (NSFW) “Predictive Cues: a sensory stimulus that accurately predicts a subsequent event.Sometimes, however, these cues may cause false predictions. Especially if you’re worried and expecting the worst.“

Crybaby by Lalazee / @atomicblonde (NSFW)  - In Progress That awkward moment when you have phone sex with your childhood best friend and neither of you realize who is on the other end. A love story.

BKDK Party AU - By L1nka (NSFW) - In Progress A fanfic comic on Twitter set at a house party at the UA dorm.

I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You series- By Seeress (NSFW) Three years into their friends-with-benefits arrangement, Izuku begins to behave oddly. And Katsuki has difficulty dealing with it.

Despacito by cosmikuri The Bakusquad and Deku go Salsa dancing. 

"Tales My Mother Never Told Me" series by Seeress.

Final Applause by Avialle. Katsuki is tired of running away and decides to truly make his presence felt in a world, he never wanted to be born into. He has nothing left to lose and one thing is for sure: When he leaves, he leaves with a boom!

Somebody's Gotta Uncle by brichibi. (NSFW) Chapter 11 in "You Can’t Spell “Kink” Without “October"." Katsumi finds her parents' toy and Uncle Kaminari's imagination runs away with him.

Once Upon an Instagram Story by capncapnk. Idiot. For fucking once, in the worst possible moment, he forgets to log into his private account, the one he shares only with his friends where he posts stupid videos like this one. In which, Deku goofs.

Give a man a mask - by Saysi (NSFW) It wasn't an easy decision, but Izuku knew it was the right one to make. Deku's time as a top hero was over, he was going to have to step aside, to leave it to the friends he trusted. It was time to live a relaxing life, an early - ridiculously early, admittedly - retirement. Like every hero always wanted, right? Of course, it's hard to hang up your mask when your feet move on their own.

Costume Party by Saysi  (NSFW) One Halloween Bakugou Katsuki put together a passable wolf costume, and ever since, he has worn the same outfit for every costume party he was dragged along to. This time, though, he finds himself face to face with a very drunk Midoriya Izuku, who has ingested more than enough liquid courage to have some fun with Bakugou's costume. Who would have guessed Bakugou was into it the whole time?

Empty Spaces by Saysi Almost a year after graduation, Class 3-A meet up for dinner and drinks. There, Katsuki is forced to face the crush he's been hiding for nearly two years. Valentine's Day 2019

Little Sh*t (Kidfic) series by Saysi A series of fics in which various members of the BNHA universe are hit by a de-aging/Age Regression quirk and the others are left to deal with the aftermath.

8 Simple Rules (for screwing my childhood friend) by Saysi (NSFW) When one is super horny and pent up, who else does one turn to but the friend who has been there your entire life? The friend who can keep a secret, who can be discreet, and most importantly, who seems to want all the things you want. What could go wrong, right? Lay down some ground rules and let's do this thing.

As Fate Would Have It World series by ScientificallySinful (VampireGaaraCheesepuffs) (NSFW)

Claim Me by ScientificallySinful (VampireGaaraCheesepuffs). (NSFW) - In Progress Being an Alpha has nothing to do with Katsuki's success as a Pro-Hero, the same way Deku's Omega status hasn't kept him from becoming Number Two. Secondary gender doesn't mean anything nowadays and “mating” is an antiquated practice. So when Izuku, his rival, asks Katsuki to Claim him in the middle of the night, there is only one logical thing to say. “What the fuck?”

Brand New Colony by ScientificallySinful (VampireGaaraCheesepuffs). (NSFW) 200 years ago the first child with animal characteristics was born. Now, over 20% of earth’s population is accounted for by “hybrids,” or humans with varying degrees of animal characteristics. Midoriya knows what life’s like for a hybrid. He’s grown up with the stares, the comments, the weight of proving everyone wrong. At least, he thinks he knows hybrids. Until he meets a mysterious Alpha wolf under less than desirable circumstances. Suddenly Izuku is drawn into Katsuki Bakugo’s gravity and he doesn’t want to leave. Unfortunately, Izuku needs to to make a choice. Does Izuku choose his human side, his animal side...or Katsuki? 

open your mouth, boy (show me what you got) by SageMasterofSass (NSFW) Izuku makes the mistake of stealing something from Katsuki for, uh, reasons. Katsuki comes to collect.

Bakudeku Secret Santa series by Unoutan 

Get on My Level series by Mikacrispy (NSFW)

Izuku's Home for Wayward Pets by glamour_weeb (NSFW) - In Progress Izuku works at the Bureau of Companion Protection as a rehabilitator for abused and abandoned Companions, animal-human hybrids. He’s seen his fair share of cruelty cases and even fostered a few Companions, but he’s never had a Companion of his own, until now. After rescuing Katsuki from a life in an illegal, underground Companion fighting ring, Izuku must take in the wolfdog that no one else can handle.Eventually, Katsuki comes to love his new home, as well as his new Master.

Eyes on Fire by glamour_weeb (NSFW)  - Hiatus The Dread King Katsuki, the savage Alpha that’s conquered most of Yuuei with the help of his dragons and his barbarian horde, has arrived at Izuku’s palace. With no way to repel the invaders, Izuku hatches a dangerous plan to seduce the Dread King and, much to his surprise, it works. Manipulating his new mate won’t be easy, though, given that Izuku can’t understand a word he’s saying, but the language barrier is the least of their problems. Izuku and Katsuki have to navigate the dangerous world of court politics and all the while, an ancient evil is stirring across the desert.

Beyond Sea and Storm by Celestialgunfireopera (NSFW) Ancient curse, destined mates, kingdoms rise and fall, and through it all, two young men learning to love.

Ink Stains by hokimri (NSFW) - In Progress Izuku Midoriya - a 17-year-old teenager from the Eastside of Kamino on the threshold to adulthood. His hobby? Drawing comic books about heroes. Katsuki Bakugou - a 21-year-old man from the Westside. A tattoo artist struggling to make the ends meet. Add ink-stained sleeves, coke, two caffeine-driven minds, skeletons hidden deep in the cupboard and get a story about changing yourself before changing the conflict-stricken town governed by drug dealers.

Forestial by MiraChaDoodles Katsuki laughs outright, a harsh and sarcastic sound. “That is what I mean. You know exactly what I’m asking, and yet you lie,” he challenges. “You’re not fae.” Izuku turns to look at him, irritated. Their faces are closer together than he expected—the blond must have leaned in—and he’s hypnotized by those piercing crimson eyes yet again. They narrow at him. “I am,” he pouts, sitting back to collect himself. Katsuki raises a brow, devil’s smirk back on his lips. “Not entirely.”

The Spell in Her Name by Merrywetherweather - In Progress Bakugou Katsuki returns home to Japan after his 3 year contract runs out with his agency in America. Unfortunately, the house he had contracted to be built by the time he got back has had a few setbacks and his closest friend, Kirishima, just shacked up with Ashido. Rather than live in a hotel for another month, he tries to crash at Deku's place. He arrives at his door uninvited. But Katsuki wasn't expecting Deku to already be living with someone. An adoptive child au where Deku took in and raised a little girl someone left on his doorstep.

Reparations by Merrywetherweather When Izuku was a child, he was told to never enter the woods. But being in possession of the shortest attention span a four year old is capable of, he ignores his mother's warnings and stumbles after a very pretty butterfly. What he finds, instead, is a friend. His first and only friend. Izuku is in his twenties now and he no longer runs to meet with the childhood friend who pushed him away so long ago. His mother and their village are on edge because he's way past his presenting years and he still hasn't had his first heat. He's defective. An omega who can't present can't find a mate or have kids, not like he's ever been inclined to find someone or have children. After leaving the confines of his small minded human village and wandering out into the woods once again, in search of a better life, that all changes when he runs into the one person he hoped to meet but never thought he'd see again.

Quiet Rapture by lalazee (NSFW) - In Progress That ABO fic where cocky Alpha Bakugou falls in mate-love at first scent, while Midoriya is just a poor bookstore-owning Omega who got his nose punched in is a kid and can't smell a damn thing. Also known as: That time an Alpha had to use his actual personality to woo his mate instead of relying on his scent.

What a damn hero by Saysi (NSFW) When Izuku comes across an account full of photos captioned "send this to guys who won't leave you alone" it seems like the perfect way to get clingy suitors off his back. What he doesn't expect is a spiral of stupid actions that leads him to asking the man to play along. Nor does he expect to find out the buff angry dude is a pro hero.

Look to the Stars by erza_mikazuki At the age of 34, the weight of the future weighs heavy on Izuku’s shoulders. Getting lost in his work, the pressure of being the number one hero leading the future is no easy task. Sometimes, he needs a reminder that he needs to keep looking to the stars.

Iridescent by dekubunny After Katsuki learned Izuku’s secret about One For All, he said that things would be different from now on. The two of them learn how to stand on equal grounds and be proper rivals, and that gradually leads them to evolve into something more – or, rather, they start to realize what was there all along. Because what’s left after all the bitterness and misunderstandings are gone? Affection. By the time they reach their third year, they can’t go a day without seeing each other. Eventually, they start pining over one another. Katsuki secretly works through his insecurities in order to accept his feelings for his childhood friend, but it goes haywire once he realizes that he doesn’t know how to apologize for the wrongs he has done.

The Shrinekeeper and the Harvest God by bkdkwritingsdump Izuku keeps the shrine of the harvest god, a minor god mostly worshiped by farmers and ignored by everyone else until the yearly harvest festival. During a spring thunderstorm one year, a mysterious man named Katsuki shows up at his shrine seeking shelter from the rain, but ends up over staying his welcome by a few months. In that time, Izuku not only begins to become suspicious of his identity, but finds himself longing for something more between them

Amateur Ghost Hunters by bkdkwritingsdump Izuku, aspiring film producer and fanatic of the paranormal, somehow convinces Katsuki, a staunch skeptic, to start an internet series with him where they investigate supposedly haunted sites. And with both boys attempting to hide their feelings for each other, one has to wonder if it's true what they say about horror and romance…

In the Eye of the Storm by CheshireButton Izuku Midoriya is a scientific prodigy seeking a cure for a rapidly spreading neurodegenerative disease. A potential clue in his research points to a fabled island, guarded by an eternal storm from which no travelers have ever returned. He navigates through the hurricane and discovers an island that is anything but uninhabited. He must adapt to survive against the natives who place intruders in three categories: warriors, mates, or meat.

Rehabilitation by InkspillsNotebook - In Progress It had only been one day off, not even the entire day if he was being honest, so how had things gone so wrong? This wasn't supposed to happen. They would get through this, he had to get better. It would take time, but Izuku wouldn't fail him, not again. A near death encounter changes the every day life of Izuku and Katsuki as injuries need to be mended and time may not be on their side.

Home. by fexillusion Katsuki and Izuku had a rough falling out four years ago when Katsuki’s band went on tour, leaving Izuku behind. With his return, he runs into the omega.... who’s been hiding something.

Chances Are by catbel - In Progress Midoriya Izuku is a popular hero journalist who has a reputation for finding up-and-coming heroes, as well as skyrocketing the popularity of any hero he interviews. When he starts to receive death threats from an unknown villain, he is re-introduced to his childhood friend Bakugou Katsuki, also known as the soon-to-be number one hero, Ground Zero.

Kacchan by KyuukaKoinu (NSFW) Sometimes it’s about winning an argument. Other times it’s about acknowledging your feelings. And in rare cases, it’s about trying to make sense about your ex-childhood friend making out with you in your mother’s kitchen when he swears that he hates your guts. But most of the time, it’s about growing up and understanding what makes the difference between a boy and a man. Both Katsuki and Izuku are finding this out, and they are figuring it out in the hardest way. ---Or: Izuku always called Bakugou "Kacchan" growing up. But when peer pressure from others and society get in the way, the two boys grow distant and the nickname is buried. While Katsuki is running away from his emotions, Izuku is stuck trying to figure out how to cope with a broken heart. Kai Chisaki steps in to show the boy a new path. Will Katsuki figure out his own feelings in enough time to save him from the mysterious man?

“witch & shifter” series by SageMasterofSass (NSFW) After eight months of being collared, Izuku is finally free. But a dark, stormy city is no place for a lonely shapeshifter on the run.

In A Sky Of A Million Stars (Who Cares If One More Light Goes Out?) by Stringlish (NSFW) - In Progress He could never forgive himself.It was his fault. He’d planted the idea like a seed he’d never known would grow. (Or: What if Izuku jumped?) (OR: The one where Izuku jumps and lives and Katsuki visits him every day and Class 1-A not-so-secretly finds it adorable that their designated angry pomeranian brings flowers to his comatose childhood friend.🌻)

To Stand By Your Side by aeronines (NSFW) One student, one hero, and a whole lotta pining. Or, the High School Bakugou/Pro Hero Deku slow burn I need in my life.

Playful Rationality by bkdkwritingsdump Izuku Midoriya, born Izumi Midoriya, has always had two identities: the gentleman he wished he was, and the lady he was forced to be. However, no one has ever thought them two separate individuals until Mr. Katsuki Bakuogu, a young, rich, and unmarried man, moves in not too far away and first meets him on his morning ride – the one time of day he gets to be himself. In an attempt to court him as Izuku, however, he ends up tricking the man into believing that his female counterpart is his younger sister, who is rivaling for his affections. Katsuki prides himself for his intellect and loves Izuku for that same quality, but when will he be smart enough to see that his love triangle is actually a straight (or perhaps not-so-straight) line?

Those Blasted Freckles by Esselle Katsuki is an accomplished painter, called to the Midoriya Estate on a commission to paint the young duke who has just succeeded to his title. Upon meeting Midoriya for himself, he can't help but find him utterly compelling; and he soon discovers the interest is a mutual affair. When Midoriya asks Katsuki to stay and teach him to paint, Katsuki agrees despite himself—not least because he's eager to learn the exact blend of captivating green hues that shine in the duke's bright eyes.

Not Another Glass Slipper by Crandberrycrush and paigetaylor (NSFW) Katsuki’s life was no fucking fairy tale. He wasn’t some damsel in distress, and he did not need some fucking knight in shining armor to save him. So what the hell was Prince Charming doing showing up at midnight and begging for his help?

Summer Daze by erza_mikazuki After Izuku moved away as kids, he and Katsuki reconnect and soon find themselves inseparable on social media. As summer hits, Katsuki finds himself bored on vacation with his parents at a beach town far from home. However, a twist of fate leaves Katsuki in a daze.

Read {between} Your Lines by greatcloudninja (NSFW) Midoriya Izuku, up-and-coming actor, has finally hit his big break: he's been cast as one of the leads in a film based on the first book of a best-selling novel series. Even better, his co-star is none other than his idol, Bakugou Katsuki, who has been acting for over twenty years. However, Bakugou seems to have it out for Izuku, leading to tension both on and off set. When some incriminating photos surface, the studio suggests an extreme form of damage control: having Bakugou and Midoriya fake a relationship to get ahead of the rumors. But not all of Midoriya's fans are accepting of the relationship...Can the two of them get through filming without killing each other first, or will hate turn to passion along the way?

The Space Between by Kanae_vR (NSFW) - In Progress Holding his expensive camera tightly between his hands, Midoriya Izuku looked up at the once-white letters displayed on the black storefront banner. “The Hard Luck Bar,” he murmured to himself, unsure if he was getting ready to enter or flee.Amateur photographer Midoriya Izuku is stuck in a rut and desperate for a change of pace. Deep in his city's grimy underbelly, he finds exactly what he's looking for in the form of an underground punk sensation on the verge of their big break, fronted by a foul-mouthed firework of a human being.Loud, brash and passionate, Izuku may have just found the creative spark he needed, as well as something new to set his soul ablaze.

Stygian Fire by LadyGreenFrisbee Izuku's Quirk manifest at the tender age of five. It's strange that he would have a fire Quirk given what his mother's Quirk is, but he initially chalks it up to genetics on his father's side.Then there's a familiar stranger in the kitchen, and everything changes.

Grief Counseling by Merrywetherweather (NSFW) Katsuki remembered the first time he had failed to save someone, watched helplessly in horror as an elderly man had been crushed beneath the girth of a thrown car. He had already propelled himself forward to grab a small boy when he noticed, too late, the car fly by overhead. Two other heroes had been on the scene at the time and had assured him. There was nothing that could have been done. Most of class 1-A had already gone through a similar experience. The only one left with a clean track record in the rescue department had been Deku. Well, except for today. A slowburn fic where Kacchan tries to convince Deku to take advantage of the grief counseling provided for free to heroes experiencing their first failed rescues. Lots of flirting. Healing their relationship comes first. The romantic bit where they fall helplessly and stupidly in love comes after.

Lovebites by mynameis152 (NSFW) Katsuki Bakugou was going to hate this summer.He thought he'd hate it because he was being forced to leave home and work for his mother's friend in a small, seaside town. He thought he'd hate it cause he was being punished for burning his room to a crisp. He thought he'd hate it because he hated change. But it turns out, he hated the Supernatural Turfwar between four species that shouldn't exist but do a whole lot more....Or The one where Katsuki is forced to move in with Inko for the summer and finds himself falling for a particular bloodsucker....

Macarons by mzmirrorz “It’s no problem,” the man says moving closer, “must have been a hard night at work. Thanks for that and everything. The protection and shit.”Colour starts to creep across the man’s pale cheekbones and he starts shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably. This is the closest Izuku has ever been to him and the faintest waft of caramel reaches his nose, coming from the man. Izuku finds the man’s embarrassment adorable and it causes a small grin to stretch across his face, making his 3 am all the more entertaining. you, but its not necessary, seeing everyone safe is thanks enough.” “Oh, well, thanks anyways but I’ve got to head off now, I’ll see you tomorrow, I guess? 3 am?” “You got it, it’s a date,” Izuku says, finishing with a wink and heading inside to his apartment, missing the bright red that flushes all over the man’s face as he turns in shock and almost runs to his car in haste. It takes Izuku’s work addled brain the entire trip up to his apartment to realise just what he said to his very attractive neighbour, slapping his cheeks in surprise at his stupidity. Or Izuku is tired and inadvertently smooth, but Katsuki is smoother.

Do I? by Phayte (NSFW) Midoriya and Bakugou get black out drunk... and somehow married.((spoiler-- they can't get it annulled))

Parking Wars by RicaIncheroo A blonde guy stole Izuku’s parking space. Izuku retaliated by pelting the blonde’s multi-million yen Ferrari with a few hundred yen worth of eggs. Apparently it turned the blonde on, because the next thing Izuku knew, the blonde asked him out.

i was a little bit lost (but i'm not anymore) by starkteasfic (NSFW) Struggling as a single parent sucks. Especially when he had so many other responsibilities. So when Izuku asks his best friend to help him find a better job, he doesn't expect that to lead to becoming the sugar baby of the Symbol of Victory himself, Ground Zero.

Actions Speak Louder by TsunaidaMay (NSFW) - In Progress When Bakugou Katsuki meets Midoriya Izuku at a Pro Hero fan-event, he's intrigued by the intricate way Izuku's hands move, emphasizing every word and phrase. After another chance meeting, Katsuki will soon come to learn that sometimes, actions speak louder than words.

Don't Bite by bkdkink Katsuki always spent his ruts alone in his family cabin out by the mountains deep within the woods.Then he found a body covered in blood and snow, and it's far more alive than he first realized.

“Cosmos” series by Larxicana Not all villains scheme in the darkest corners of the world, in abandoned warehouses or underground lairs. Some live in your neighborhood, wear the faces of people you know, and rest in homes that should be considered safe.

Revive Me by Szr101 and ViolentButterfly There are instances in life where you have to evaluate who you are. Not just who you are, but WHAT you’re doing with it. Who you’re meant to be. Those very contemplative times come when you least expect them too. Being the son of a multi-billion dollar criminal organization hasn't exactly been a blessing for Katsuki Bakugo. Yet, he's the one that will be inheriting this empire created between two prominent criminal families. There are secrets, and enemies behind every door, and every smile. He trusts almost no one, and the pressure that's laid on him physically and mentally has him ready to explode. In fact, half the time he feels like he's going crazy. After getting kidnapped, however, he's helped by an old friend and he begins to question everything.

A Salty First Kiss by DarkMachi - In Progress Izuku Midoriya's family beach trip went awry when an attempted act of heroism lets to an unexpected first. ~o~ Jumpcut to twelve years later: Izuku was struggling to stay afloat when his stepfather threw him a chance. What was meant to be a reprieve turned into something else entirely when he finds someone washed onto the beach. A memory he should have buried long ago, a kiss he could never forget, and a debt he could now repay. Or. What do you do when you have an angry Merman in your bathtub that speaks a different language? Or again. What do you do when a stoopid hooman rescues you and then proceeds to start courting with you?

Some Wannabe Hero! by Superior_Moustache - In Progress Katsuki had bullied Izuku for nearly all his life for being deaf and Quirkless. After middle school, they went their separate ways, never to see each other again. Ten years later, however, when Izuku moves back into his old neighborhood, a familiar face jumps back into his life. But neither of them are sure if they want to reopen old wounds.

Procreate by katyastark - In Progress When Katsuki sees him again while patrolling on his usual route in the city proper, he’s a little stunned. Not because Deku looks different—even though he does. Not because he dresses better, or that he looks healthy and fit and happy. It’s not even the slightest bit of fear he sees in his expression when their eyes meet, though that’s just as out of place—even when Katsuki was mean and violent and absolutely ruthless, Deku never looked at him like that. No, it’s nothing as simple as that. It’s the little boy on his hip, a toddler with skinned knees and a smattering of freckles, curly blonde hair and piercing green eyes.

Unto the Breach by Sensiblytainted (NSFW) - In Progress Izuku Midoriya is thought to be quirkless. It's not true. He has a quirk. He has death visions. His mother - terrified Izuku would be taken away because of the rarity of psychic quirks - teaches him to keep it secret and tell no one. But Izuku needs help saving the people he can feel dying in his visions and asks for help from the strongest person he knows: Katsuki Bakugou. Little did Izuku know, Katsuki has his own secret - he's being abused. Their secrets bind them together and a deep friendship is born. By the time they apply to UA, their feelings have begun to develop into something much stronger. But can their love survive through all the challenges ahead of them?

Incinerate by KyuukaKoinu (NSFW) - In Progress Bakugou Katsuki is a workaholic cop hell bent on never dating again because it's too much of a 'distraction'. Enter Midoriya Izuku: A walking contradiction that is giving Katsuki an actual lethal goddamn migraine along with a mysterious set of arsenal crimes that walked right into town with him. But the most frustrating part is that Katsuki can't seem to get his fucking mind off either.

Ingenium by Crandberrycrush (NSFW) - In Progress Katsuki has prepared for this his entire life, a master’s degree in engineering followed by five years military experience with over one thousand in-command hours of piloting jet aircraft and he’s ready to make the jump out of the atmosphere as pilot astronaut on the first Jupiter mission. It’s a dream he’s had since he was young, and one he shares with the five other crewmen who have been selected. Barely thirty and he is going to be traveling four hundred and eighty million miles toward the gas giant, a feat that will put him and his crew further into space than any other manned mission to date.

Total Knock Out KyuukaKoinu (NSFW) It was love at first punch. In which Katsuki is a cocky alpha who needs to be taken down a peg, and Izuku is just the man willing to give him a bloody nose.

eighty proof by antisora (NSFW) The mood of the dance floor shifted from playful to dirty in a matter of seconds, the ocean of people all around them finding their partners or friends and pressing close. Very close. Izuku may have been kinda awkward, but he was no prude—that being said, some things were better off behind closed doors.Unless some things were in reference to a certain blond Izuku knew of, in which case he’d do said things in places that would deeply disappoint his mother.In which a chance meeting at a popular nightclub is all Katsuki and Izuku need to get sucked into each other's orbit.

Cosmic Kiss by TheChatWithClaws When Katsuki is hit with a quirk that causes him pain whenever he’s away from the person he loves most it results in his sweet quirkless boyfriend no one knew of spending a week amongst the class 3A students. Problem is he hasn’t come out and really isn’t in the mood to. Plus maybe Izuku has his own reservations too...

Change of Plans by Mikacrispy (NSFW) Life doesn't care about how you want things to go. Alpha Pro Hero Bakugou Katsuki never planned to get married to some random omega but what he wants isn't an option anymore. One for All wielder Midoriya Izuku has suffered injustice too many times and doesn't plan in allowing his secondary gender to dictate how he must live his life.Falling in love was never in the plans.

Sunlight Moving by peredhils The night air was cool but not as damp and depressing as it had been when leaving England. The sea breeze was refreshing and it was crisper than it smelled standing from the shore. Although the rocking of the boat made him a bit nauseous, coupled with the unease that came with being unable to see any land on the horizon, Katsuki liked it more than he thought he would. Standing at the ledge and looking up at the stars, all so bright and clear, was easing the day’s troubles.He wasn’t alone for long.—Katsuki, a duke organizing the creation of a new university in England, meets astronomer Izuku on board a voyage overseas.

the ocean sings by bittermoons When Katsuki Bakugou moves to both away and towards his ghosts, he meets someone he thought he’d never see again and learns what it means to be human (or at least how to be himself).

Pint-Sized Homewrecker (A Wholesome Love Story) by VibeTribe (NSFW) He didn’t think his love life could be this depressing, in fact he wasn’t really searching for a significant other to begin with, so when 17 year old Midoriya Izuku suddenly got confessed to by the troublemaker neighbor kid he’s been babysitting since forever, he can’t help but think fate is playing a cruel joke on him.“I like-like you, Deku.” Bakugou Katsuki, the 10-year-old tyrant of Musutafu, Japan declared.In order to get Katsuki from chasing after him, Izuku gets Todoroki to pretend to be his boyfriend, but it sets off chain reactions of violent fan clubs, a disappointed mom Inko, a cheerleader mom Mitsuki, and several attempts where he's falsely labelled a pedophile. Bakugo slowly ages up as story progresses. Last chapter up with legal aged up Katsuki being smutty with Deku. Non Shotacon. 

Happenstance by Merrywetherweather When Katsuki was just a child, his mother, the King of Lucia, took him to enact diplomacy with the Midoriya's, the royal family of the neighboring country of Tayloria. After that day, his fate was sealed, his marriage arranged to the Midoriya's elusive omegan child.At the age of twenty, he leaves for Tayloria again, this time, to finally wed his fiance and cement the allyship of the two kingdoms indefinitely. Only, his fiance turns out to be the child he had met on his very first visit, a naive, idealistic young prince who wants nothing to do with marrying the prince of Lucia.Good thing he just assumed Katsuki was only part of his fiance's entourage.An arranged marriage between two princes aob au where Katsuki tries to abide by Izuku's desire for a natural romance to develop without letting Izuku know his true identity.

With Harvest's Moon by Serah_chan During the night of Friday the 13th, during a beautiful full harvest moon, Izuku Midoriya has an encounter with a naked man drenched in blood.

Sucker Punch by warschach (NSFW) But, whatever, Disney Boy over there was—Prettying up real damn good that Katsuki got kind of distracted—totally understandable, like god those CGI pine eyes—and didn’t see the straight path he made for the metal trash bin in the center of the area until he was tipping forward and waist deep in discarded bottles, plates, balled up tissues sticky with he prayed was chocolate ice cream and nacho cheese.Mina howled behind the gate. “Look, Katsuki returned to his home.”(or Katsuki works security at Six Flags and moonlights as a derby dude and continuously looks uncool around Izuku)

(Un)Marked by angel_baby Being marked was considered as an honor in the world of lycanthropy. It was known as an intimate connection between two individuals (either it be Alphas, Betas, or Omegas) whose souls were immediately bonded for a lifetime.It was once Izuku Midoriya's dream to be marked with an Alpha who'd love him unconditionally and was powerful enough to protect him from all dangers. Unfortunately, bad luck was on his side soon crushing all hopes and dreams of being marked.After unintentionally trespassing into another pack's territory, the Omega encounters the bad-mouthed, cruel Pack Alpha who just so happens to be a familiar face from the past.The chances of this particular Alpha mending the Omega's heart is literally zero.However, fate has a funny way of sorting things out.

Juggernaut by warschach What had four legs, a tail, fur all over, and went 'woof woof' in the dead of night?Katsuki's soulmate, Izuku Midoriya, the werewolf.Which is funny-if you're fucked up in the head and you're going to get real fast why Katsuki was a special Frosted Flakes brand of 'fucked'- because Katsuki's profession clocked out monsters' time card early.It should be fine.Narrator: It was, in fact, not fine.(or Katsuki meets his soulmate at the worst time and under the worst circumstances, tries to deny his feelings while battling monsters, attending class-yea,no-, and trying to piece together the giant gaps in his past. so adulthood except everything does want to kill him.)

F.U. by warschach (NSFW) Izuku smiled; Katsuki understood why people warned that the devil wore a Sunday hat and fine clothes because deception worked better if no one expected it.Not anymore. He knew Izuku’s evil ways, and his ass might be a 20 on the hotness meter but Katsuki held grudges.“Izuku,” he sneered; he too could be evil right back.(or Katsuki's a football player; Izuku's a cheerleader; they have a rivalry until it isn't one)

Drinking Watermelon by warschach (NSFW) For whatever reason, maybe divine fate, Izuku turned and looked over his shoulder and waved to them.Katsuki’s heart full on stopped right then, and his fingers forgot their duty on the rails, and his body neglected its job to keep Katsuki balanced.Izuku’s summer sweet smile fell into concern as Katsuki went airborne and cracked his skull on the porch.or Katsuki works as a camp counselor, and Izuku is a boy made of summer heat and sunlight.

Gravity by warschach (NSFW) Izuku is back in his hometown and plenty hasn't changed much from the 8 years he was gone. Except, Katsuki Bakugou, the alpha king of their small town. He's hotter- because that's fair, right, God? -, stronger, a now-famous pro fighter, and noticeably nicer this round.Not that he cares, pfft.Ha, Izuku Midoriya caring about Katsuki Bakugou, thinking he's pretty cute and not half bad once you get past the asshole persona; though that gargantuan ego of his could take a dive off a very tall cliff.(Fine, he cares.)

Before Midnight by DriftingGlass (NSFW) Izuku Midoriya takes the same train to and from school Monday through Friday, morning and night. His only company during these lonesome hours comes in the form of another boy his age—a teen with scarred hands and blood gem eyes, a stranger with ash-blond hair who walks in a shroud of danger and mystery."Would you stop with that fucking muttering, idiot?"And before Izuku can find his footing, his life becomes a full-blown collision course thanks to walking cannonball Katsuki Bakugou. (And along the way he may have found the missing fuel to his fire).

Album Title in Progress by bkdkink (NSFW) "I mean, technically, sure. Anyone able to sing can sing. But am I good at it?" Deku left the pen alone so he could gesture as though he was weighing two different invisible objects. "...Yeah, I'm okay."Now that got a chuckle out of Katsuki."I wouldn't call that just 'okay'." -- OR; Izuku's singing makes Katsuki realize sex is Real™ and uses those feelings to make a bomb-ass(lol get it? cuz his quirk is...) album while also helping a self-doubting Izuku realize how fire his mixtape is.

Metallurgy by Beeeteee (NSFW) - In Progress Where Izuku gets a quirk naturally and Katsumi is too introspective for her own good.

Someone Borrowed by mynameis152  (NSFW) It felt like hours that he stared at Izuku, coming to terms with the fact that a man, his childhood best friend, whom he hadn’t seen since their senior year of high school, was there in front of his very eyes. Then his brows furrowed and his jaw clenched before he uttered through gritted teeth the very name Izuku had longed to hear for years.“Deku.”

On my terms by Phayte  (NSFW) Bakugou Katsuki is a workaholic cop hell bent on never dating again because it's too much of a 'distraction'. Enter Midoriya Izuku: A walking contradiction that is giving Katsuki an actual lethal goddamn migraine along with a mysterious set of arsenal crimes that walked right into town with him. But the most frustrating part is that Katsuki can't seem to get his fucking mind off either.

Fanboy & Zero series by tsukithewolf  (NSFW) Blogger AU where quirkless Izuku is Ground Zero's number one fanboy and runs a blog strictly about him. Katsuki just follows him for his fight analysis posts, he swears. He just happens to really like talking with the guy too. And maybe he's kind of sweet. And maybe Katsuki kind of... doesn't mind that this guy is thirsty for him.

Side By Side by Bennyhatter Mitsuki Bakugou brought Kyrin home as a puppy when Katsuki was eight years old. None of them knew exactly what she was back then; she was just a tiny ball of fluff, malnourished and weak and clearly abandoned. She looked like a husky mix of some sort, but that was all they knew. It wasn't until she started growing that they realized she wasn't just a normal mixed breed. Katsuki bonded to her immediately, nursing her back to health almost entirely on his own. He loved the half-wild little creature, and it was abundantly clear that the feeling was mutual. They grew up side by side, each of them a constant in the other's life. He trained her himself, and from the very beginning, her level of intelligence was beyond anything he'd ever known in any other dog.

Group 1: Alkali metals by mzmirrorz “What. The. Actual. Fuck.” “Well Denks, they did actually do as they said, they took us to the pool.” “Yeah but Eiji they never said the pool would look like this!” Denki whined, arm sweeping out to direct everyone’s attention to the pool, as if everyone’s attention wasn’t already on the pool. Turning to Izuku and Katsuki angrily, Denki yells at the couple, “What the fuck guys, I want a different payment for carrying all those boxes down that stairs now! It’s so hot I needed to cool down! I thought you guys never told us about your super-secret apartment pool because it was so fantastic! Not because- because, oh what the fuck, what the actual fuck iS THIS?!”

Blessed Be by LevySutcliffe (NSFW) Katsuki helps Izuku prepare for and celebrate the festival of fertility, Beltane!!

Shameless by whack_blight (NSFW) “I’ve got a dick appointment that’s been on the books for months. So thanks for comin’, but get the fuck out." Deku throws a party. Katsuki just wants to get wrecked. Birthday fic for the explodo-boy.

The Prologue, the Sequel, And then Everything in Between series by JayD A love story about Bakugou Katsuki, his childhood sweetheart, and how Endeavour ends up in jail somewhere in the middle of this cliche.

Bakudeku Are Great Parents series by Tokiji

Co-op series by Mikacrispy (NSFW)

Imperial Retrograde by mynameis152 Owning a dragon is a capital offense. The barbarians in the East use them for battle. They decimate the countrysides and send stragglers to the capital of Lusun with wounds that will never heal. And in Lusun, If you own a dragon, it dies and so do you. Izuku finds a dragon egg to no effort of his own, and its rightful owner comes searching. As he marvels the hatchling, he’s taken— kidnapped by a barbarian for crueler and far more dangerous than he could have imagined. Now, he must learn to fight, he must learn to ride the hatchling that imprinted on him, and he must do it all for the people he despises. But as he plans his escape, Katsuki Bakugou pulls him further into the Drōgfolk way of life. And soon, Izuku must determine who the true enemy is, and whether the dragon riders are worth saving. And he needs to do it before his own country calls for war.

The Red String that Binds Us series by tsukithewolf

there's glitter on the floor by dumbdaisies A kiss at midnight (it's been a long time coming). Izuku’s lips quirk. “Are you happy, Kacchan. With me?” For a horrible, fleeting moment, Katsuki considers shrugging it off. Trying for nonchalance, apathy. But Izuku’s too smart for that, deserves better than that. He’d see through it. Or worse, his face would crumple and he’d back off. And Katsuki has never felt more like he’s being tenderly urged to pieces, layer by layer, by the light pressure of Izuku looking at him with scant centimeters between them. So he tells the truth, because the truth is the only thing he knows, the only thing he can trust about himself and all of his inconceivable wants. “Yeah,” he rasps, “I’m happy.”

mise en place by SageMasterofSass (NSFW) Who knew breakfast foods could bring people together. aka, the kitchen au nobody asked for

Puppies Puppies by Esselle Katsuki thinks he has everything he needs in life: a successful pet shop, an occasionally reliable assistant, and the unconditional love of the twenty puppies he’s raising for adoption. But when the tattoo parlor next door hires Midoriya Izuku, a hot sailor with an affinity for dogs, it makes Katsuki wonder if he might need something more. Like… a piece of that ass. Maybe. He’s figuring it the hell out as he goes.

TodoKiriBakuDeku

All The Trope Things by SurelyHeavenWaits (NSFW) Todoroki Shouto only ventures out into the winter storm to find a quick snack but he stumbles onto so much more.A job, friends, a place to belong. Also, his coworkers a mind-blowingly, disgustingly, stupidly hot. And they're all in love with each other but it doesn't stop them from befriending him.

No, Deku, You Can't Just Adopt Every Single Stray by todorokitops  (NSFW) - In Progress In which Izuku can’t stop taking in new ‘strays’, and Eijirou is surprisingly willing to indulge. Presenting to you - ripped Izuku in an apron, Eijirou with longer hair, angry yet domestic chef Katsuki and club stripper Shouto. Also featuring jealous teen Izumi Kouta, because he’s a snarky little shit and I love him.

Home (Naive Melody) by stereonightss (NSFW) “Deku. You’re early.” From what little he can see through the doorway, Bakugou’s room is surprisingly welcoming. There are All Might posters on the wall behind him, action figures and shelves of books and a game console and a nice set of speakers. Familiar-unfamiliar, it’s not so different from his childhood room. And familiar-unfamiliar is Kacchan in the doorway: familiar eyes, familiar powerful body, but a banquet of unfamiliar details. “Yeah. Hope that’s okay.” Details like: he’s well endowed and leans slightly to the left, visibly half-hard in his skin-tight boxer briefs. “You just couldn’t wait, huh?” Bakugou is almost naked, and Izuku likes it.

KiriBakuDeku

Three Can Play That Game by DanaEliza (NSFW) “What do you mean you guys still don’t get along? I was sure you two would’ve made up by now and have like a gazillion babies together.” ... Bakugo and Midoriya get constantly asked why they are not together, but perhaps that was because something was missing.

Godsmack by warschach Izuku's new roommates are gods.

The Seven Sins (And More) series by The_Busy_Beee (NSFW) Izuku Midoriya has decided that now that he's 18, it's time to stop intruding upon his mother's newlywed life, but he's definitely not sure about living on his own. Kirishima and his family (of choice) live in a dormitory-style house and welcome him with open arms. There's just a few secrets, though...Or: Izuku is a troubled young adult, trying to figure out life, and some demons want to help him get better.

Out Of Body by BrightEyesEren (NSFW) Midoriya Izuku, a fairly shy omega, decides to take pole dancing lessons from his friend Kirishima Eijirou. Except... things get a little complicated when he ends up with two alphas instead of one.

Pieces of Bright by grayclouds A King, a Sultan and an Emperor walk into a bar.

TodoBakuDeku

[+BakuBowl] “Fire in the Mountains” series by  EllaBesmirched (El_Bell) (NSFW) - In Progress Bakugou Katsuki harem, Fantasy AU

A Lingering Finish by moonbabyscoot (NSFW) Pro Hero power couple Todoroki Shouto and Bakugou Katsuki are out to dinner at Tokyo's best Italian restaurant to celebrate their five year wedding anniversary. Izuku Midoriya cannot believe he gets to wait on the sexiest men in the country. Are they...flirting with him?

The long way home by allslurp Back in his hometown to visit his parents, Bakugou runs into a face from the past. Years down the line, the memories are still as clear as on the first day... and so are his regrets as he is left to reminisce about what was and what could have been, knowing all too well there’s no way back. It’s too late.But he is not the only one who remembers, and the past does not stay in the past. When Bakugou tries to make up for his mistakes, he sets them on a course neither of them expected – because there's not just the two of them to consider anymore.

“Powder Keg” series by Ajaxthegreat (NSFW) Bakugou really, really, really didn’t want to be trapped in an elevator with Todoroki and a fireproof dildo. Todo x Baku x Deku. University AU.

Fuck, but he's hot though by Grufflump Izuku was ready for just about anything. He was prepared - emotionally, physically, spiritually, All Mightily - for just about anything but a brash, aggressive, annoying, thoughtful, kind and sometimes...flustered Bakugo Katsuki.

KiriBaku

Spice, Not Sugar by KTG (NSFW) Bakugou was fired from his last job for having a "poor fucking attitude".What the fuck ever.Unfortunately, he needs money to eat, and to get money, he needs a job, /stat/.After getting hired at RIOT, the agency own and run by the number-twelve pro hero Red Riot, Bakugou quickly learns that his boss isn't an average hero--or an average sugar daddy.

TodoDeku

Everyone except You by CakeyDill (NSFW) AU where Midoriya Izuku is a college pre-med student and Todoroki Shouto is a fireman and EMT. Upon meeting during Izuku's attempts to save the life of his professor after a cardiac arrest, Shouto and Izuku can't seem to stop meeting each other in increasingly dangerous situations. Their very different lives are suddenly meshed together as they discover something about themselves at each chance meeting.Can these two men find something special? Maybe all it takes is several terrible incidents, a few heartbreaks along the way and true determination to bring these two together.

“Thanks for Saving Me” Series by Esselle Midoriya Izuku is a university sophomore, a fanboy, quirkless. On the list of things he is not: a hero. That's why he's more surprised than anyone when he rescues Todoroki Shouto, his favorite pro hero, from a deadly villain attack. His actions fling him into the media spotlight, grabbing the attention of the entire country, including Todoroki himself. But Todoroki actually wants to get to know him past the headlines. Izuku finds himself living a story straight out of a fairy tale, one where the mysterious, handsome prince is played by the real-life superhero he has always admired. But Izuku is convinced he's the ugly duckling, not the swan; could he ever be remarkable enough to get his happily ever after?

#bakudeku by rageprufrock This is not a #bakudeku story, but if Izuku hadn't wanted Todoroki to give him shit about it, he probably should have thrown away that doujinshi Jirou had bought him.

TodoBaku

Raise the Bar by Esselle Shouto receives some unexpected (and much needed) assistance in looking after his infant daughter on an international flight.

BakuOchaDeku

Like the Mighty Roar of Thunder by Serah_chan (NSFW) - In Progress Izuku Midoriya, a strong and proud warrior priest, faces off Katsuki, a supposedly ruthless Viking leader. The brave warrior loses his first fight against the Viking, but is spared. He doesn't know why, but he knows he won't be allowed to die easily. Izuku tries to fight, he tries to hate the man who reduces him to a mere slave... yet he ends up discovering things about the blond Viking that just don't add up to the villain he wanted to paint said man as. Perhaps, given time, the blond can be reasoned with. Perhaps he can escape... or maybe he'll find that he may not need to see Katsuki as an enemy, but as someone he can trust.

Where I Want To Be by jaegerbombastic (gabrielle015) NSFW “Okay,” she says, barely above a whisper. “But promise you’ll hear me out first. All the way. Don’t interrupt.” There was resolution in her voice, but he could hear the wavering. He kept his position in the chair adjacent to their couch his girlfriend was occupying. “Won’t say a fucking word ‘till you’re done,” he states. And for a second, Ochako feels a hot rush of anger throughout her body. Because he is just as fucking responsible as she i- “Alright,” she begins, readjusting herself on the edge of the couch she was sitting. “I’ll start I suppose.” “You should,” Bakugou bristles, gesturing loosely in her direction. “Go ahead. Explain to me why I was balls deep in you and had to listen to you moan Deku’s name instead.”

ShinBakuDeku

Return by Baltic_Breath (NSFW) Their pack had been on edge the whole fucking day. There was the faint smell of blood and organs in the air around their territory but nothing else. No trace of location, no trace of foreign wolves, no trace of dead animals being the source. Until Katsuki goes to wash up at the river bank for the night and comes face to face with a bloodied, gored up omega with a pup on his hips and a litter in his belly and Katsuki blanks at the sheer submission he experiences. This is a wolf that went feral and probably killed a few alphas while defending his pups. This is, for sure, Katsuki's mate. A Prime Omega.

EndHawks

Perihelion by horny4hawks (Wy95) and Shigure_xx (NSFW) "My fierce wings, my loyalty, or even my life, if this is what you ask of me—”Hawks raised his eyes, determined, looked straight into Endeavor’s own. The scent of alcohol escaped his mouth in light puffs of breath, and lingered in the hot space between them. He took off the jacket of his suit, and threw it to the sofa.“I will give you all that, and more.”

On my terms by Phayte Enji is drawn to a certain coffee shop for the coffee and gets more than he ordered.orThe College, Coffee Shop, Business Man, Sugar Daddy, and SLOW BURN AU only my fandom wife is gonna want!

EraserMight

The Yagi Family series by Dnote147 What happens when two Pro Heroes rescue an infant after defeating a powerful villain and discover that the baby is an orphan?A whole bunch of cute, fluffy and wholesome shit transpires, that's what!

[the-queen-of-the-light]

I Miss You

A soft Domestic Supercat fic for @thequeenofnationalcity

I hope you enjoy friendo!

Available over on AO3

Kara woke to the sound of rain early that Saturday morning. The soft gray lighting and gentle pattering of drops against the window were perfect for a day spent cuddled up in bed, but as Kara rolled toward her wife’s side, she found the sheets cold and empty. Cracking her eyes open in the dim bedroom, Kara saw that she was, indeed, alone, and sighed heavily. Waking up to an empty bed had become a rather usual occurrence over the past month, and although Kara understood her wife’s absence, she missed quiet mornings with her more.

Standing up with a yawn and a long stretch, Kara glanced at the early hour blinking at her from the alarm clock and ran a hand through sleep-mussed waves. She followed the sound of low murmuring and clacking that broke the morning calm, finding her wife still awake and working at her office desk.

“Cat?” Kara whispered, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She took in the image before her. Cat sat in a pair of Kara’s old Uni sweats with messy curls spilling from a small bun as she hunched over her keyboard, occasionally consulting a stack of notes settled beside her.

“Kara?” Cat glanced up in surprise, her eyes magnified to comical proportions as she peered through two pairs of reading glasses perched on the end of her nose. “What are you still doing up so late, darling?”

“Sweetheart … it’s morning already.” Kara’s brows furrowed in concern as she took in Cat’s confusion.

“No, it can’t be …” Cat said to herself, glancing at her watch. “When did it hit seven?”

“Just a little bit ago.” Kara laughed softly, moving further into the office so she could settle on the edge of Cat’s desk. She brushed a few curls back from Cat’s face and pulled both pairs of glasses off her nose, taking in the dark, exhausted circles marring her beautiful face. “Cat, I’m worried about you,” Kara whispered, resting her forehead gently against her wife’s.

Cat let out a small dismissive snort, but Kara caught her eye. “I’m serious, Cat. This is the fourth all-nighter you’ve pulled-”

“-Fourth? Darling, that’s not so bad. Just the life of an investigative journalist.”

“Fourth this week.”

“Oh.”

“Yes, oh,” Kara said, cocking an eyebrow and staring hard at Cat. It was obvious that Cat hadn’t realized how far down the rabbit hole she’d fallen with this case. A small piece on National City’s local government had blown up a month back. Suddenly, CatCo and the Tribune were looking at a piece on government corruption, embezzlement, and a whole slew of crimes going all the way to the top tiers of National City’s leaders. Cat hadn’t trusted anyone else to handle the story, and more importantly, she hadn’t wanted to risk anyone else’s safety. From what Kara had been allowed to see of the research, there was bound to be retaliation, and at least Cat had her own live-in bodyguard and superhero. “This story has been running you into the ground, Cat. Just this week, I found the great Queen of All Media slumped over her desk, half asleep during work hours.”

“Don’t overexaggera-”

“Cat. You fell asleep during our lunch date yesterday. You’re exhausted.”

Cat scoffed, pulling back from Kara to reach for her laptop. “Honestly, darling, I’m fine. I’ll sleep when this story is finished. This is far more importan-” Cat cut herself off with a wide yawn, a soft squeak escaping her.

“No,” Kara replied, sharply. “Your health is more important. You’re going to eat some breakfast and, at the very least, take a nap. A break won’t hurt you, and the story will still be here in a couple hours.”

“Oh, I’m going to, am I?” Cat asked, staring at Kara with a blank expression, brows raised.

“Please, Cat,” Kara pleaded. She hated seeing her wife like this.

They continued to hold each other’s gazes challengingly for another moment before Cat folded. “Alright. Alright. I only have a couple paragraphs more to finish, anyway. Then, I can finally send it off to the editors.”

A brilliant smile stretched across Kara’s face. “Okay, but I’m only giving you a half hour until breakfast is ready. If it’s not done by then, I’m forcibly removing you from this office until at least noon.”

“Oh, is that a threat, Supergirl?” Cat asked, a little smirk playing at the edges of her lips.

Kara’s eyes narrowed at the tease. “Definitely a promise, Mrs. Supergirl.” She moved forward, placing a kiss on Cat’s forehead.

Cat leaned into it for a moment, sighing, before pulling back and shooing the woman away. “Enough of that. Go cook and leave me to my work.”

Kara hopped off the desk, snickering, and saluted. “Yes, ma’am!”

“Oh, you little …” Cat muttered, placing a small slap on her wife’s bum as she retreated, their laughter ringing through the apartment.

“Cat! Breakfast is ready!” Kara called, waiting for her wife to appear down the hall, but after a full minute of silence, as she munched on the massive pile of toast she’d prepared, she accepted that her yell had fallen upon deaf ears.

“CAAAAAT!”

When she was, again, met with silence, Kara tossed her half-eaten piece of marmalade toast onto a plate and huffed as she made her way to the office.

“I warned you,” Kara said as she lifted Cat from her office chair and settled her over her shoulder.

“Kara! What?! I-”

“I said you had till breakfast, and I’ve been calling you for agessss,” Kara whined playfully, as she patted Cat’s butt where it was nicely located at her shoulder.

“God, you’re such a child!” Cat laughed, squirming a little to get more comfortable on her wife’s muscular shoulder. “At least, let me hit send on the email to Weissler over in editing.”

“Of course, my lady,” Kara said, leaning down so Cat could reach the trackpad without having to set her down.

“Alright, finished,” Cat replied, settling into her upside-down position over Kara’s back. At least the view was exquisite.

“You’re finally free?” Kara asked gleefully.

Cat laughed lightly. “Yes, darling. I’m finally free from my reprise as a reporter. I believe that I’ll be sticking with CEO for the time being.”

Cat was still settled where Kara had put her, in one of the tall chairs around the kitchen island, as she watched Kara move around, tidying up after breakfast. The way Kara’s shoulder muscles bunched and stretched under her tank-top as she washed the dishes was mesmerizing. Cat had missed this, seeing her wife and spending quiet time together. It felt like they’d barely seen each other in the past month. Cat was sure the longing she felt now, panging heavily in her chest, was the same that had filled the wistful looks Kara had been sending her recently. God, she just wanted to hold her.

She moved around the island in her socked feet, the only sound being the soft swishing of her borrowed sweats dragging the floor with each step. Wrapping her arms around Kara’s waist, Cat buried her face in her shoulder. She placed a kiss on the bare skin, inhaling her wife’s warm scent and sighing contentedly. They swayed gently, wrapped together in their little bubble of warmth and silence, only broken by Kara’s soft humming as she moved the dishes to the drying rack.

After wiping her hands on the dishtowel, Kara turned in Cat’s arms. She pulled her closer, pressing a firm kiss to the top of Cat’s tangled hair. “I missed you in bed,” Kara whispered.

Cat squeezed her eyes tight at the words. “I’m sorry, darling. You know I was almost done with-”

“-Not just this morning, Cat.” Kara sighed, leaning back to look into her wife’s eyes. “Do you know how many mornings I’ve had to wake up without you, lately? I can barely count the number of times you slipped away early to follow some lead or the number of times you never even made it to bed because you were so caught up.” Cat winced, but Kara soothed the sting with the brush of her lips to Cat’s cheek. “I know ... I know the story was important. You’re probably going to win another Pulitzer for it,” Kara smiled, laughing gently at the blush spreading across Cat’s face. She looked so soft like this, pressed against Kara’s chest. “I am so incredibly proud of you, sweetheart. So proud.” Kara said this all with such benediction, staring straight into her wife’s gorgeous eyes, before hiding her face against Cat’s shoulder, nuzzling closer. “But ... I missed you. I missed my wife.”

Cat threaded her fingers through Kara’s hair massaging her scalp as she placed delicate kisses against her ear. “I missed you too, darling. And it sounds like I have a lot of snuggling to make up for.”

Cat laughed when Kara’s head shot up with a brilliant grin spread wide across her cheeks. She didn’t waste a second gathering Cat into her arms and settling them onto the couch for a day of movies. Kara lounged back along the length of the couch, while Cat lived up to her namesake and curled into a loose ball on top of Kara.

Netflix hadn’t even fully loaded when a small rumbling sound pulled her attention away from the screen. Cat’s eyes were completely shut as she nuzzled closer to Kara’s chest, snoring. Smiling, Kara just pulled her closer and settled a throw blanket over them both, reveling in the warmth and closeness she’d been missing so terribly. She was right when she woke up that day. It was a perfect morning for cuddling.

[love-cats-and-girls]

How do I translate my style when I need to dress up for things?

I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of designer clothing recently, but I’m into more casual pieces that aren’t super girly. (I had to go out and buy a hot pink shirt to use as part of my Halloween costume.) A typical outfit for me looks something like a Y-3 shirt, AllSaints jeans, a John Elliott hoodie, & a Rick Owens + Moncler coat. Usually this is fine, since I work for a company with an anything-goes dress code and can wear what I want to work or around town on an average day.

I feel like I’ve really leveled up my outfits until it’s time to dress up—and then my wardrobe reverts back to conservative staples, like black dresses. If it’s professional, I end up looking preppy with pixie pants I like and jewelry I scrounged around to find. I feel like I’ve put all of this effort into curating a wardrobe that works for 95% of my lifestyle, but the 5% where I actually need to look nice is still in style limbo, ironically when looking nice and feeling confident about my look should matter most.

Are there any brand recommendations on how to dress business casual or for an event without losing that edge? I wouldn’t describe my style as androgynous because I still like flattering, classic feminine fits, but my day-to-day style is probably an unnamed mix of streetwear, minimal basics, and maximal statement pieces. I want to wear upscale clothes that fit the occasion without looking plain or overcorrecting too hard and looking preppy. I’m in my late 20s, so I’m trying to find clothes that strike the balance of looking trendy/cool (not looking too stuffy), while still looking nice and put-together (not looking too immature).

For example, if I had to get a professional headshot and wanted a smart casual outfit (pants and nice shirt), what brands should I look into? If I’m a guest at a work dinner with my husband’s colleagues, what brands of knee-length dresses should I look into? And/or what shoes would work with those? I currently have a pair of both brown and black pleather D’Orsay booties from Target as my summer staples and black Sam Edelman booties when it’s colder.

Sorry for the wall of text; I’m new to fashion and don’t know the name of the aesthetic I’ve been curating in my closet, but I need some dressier clothing for events that will still fit in with the look.

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