#or the day before lemon visits to make sure it's a good spot to chill

[whispering-kavka]

sitting by the lake for hours would fix me

[dootznbootz]

Worth the Mess Ch. 1

...Tada! :'D I've decided to make that "Odysseus gives baby Telemachus a lemon" fanfic split into chapters instead! As it'll probably be around 25,000 words if I keep doing what I do. Anyways! It's fluffy and self-indulgent as hell and I had fun! :D Hope y'all like it! I will say it's more ODYSSEY INSPIRED as I got really indulgent. I keep to mostly everything but I also have a shitton of fun. Warnings: Vomiting as Penelope has magic food poisoning, Penelope is also a young mom and they're both parents so that'll come more eventually. Words: 6000+ Shout out to all my lovely friends for helping out and being so amazing! I love you all so much!!!

Odysseus looked at the pile of flowers he had in his hand, then back to the single bloom held in the other. A light blue, mostly small buds that have yet to open. Looking at the bundle, one side had more white than the rest and decided that’s where the new one should be placed. That’s what his father always told him. Something about the colors. He gently tucked it among the rest, careful of the petals.

The wind suddenly picked up, whistling past his ears and causing some strands of his hair that weren’t being held in it’s tie to blow in his face. He pulled his purple cloak tighter around him and waited for it to pass. A curl caught on his lip, annoying him. As the chill stopped, he pushed the hair back behind his ear. 

He looked at the pitiful bundle of flowers in his hands, making sure none were lost. It had only just become spring and he had to make do with what he could find. His collection had started earlier that day as he walked around the markets. A few blooms taken from there as well. 

Odysseus scratched as his shoulder, all the while searching once more against the plants for more to pick. Sharp gray eyes spotted a little white one with two flowers on the stem and he reached for it. 

He shifted his knees beneath him as he leaned forward and winced as the sharp gravel underneath stabbed at them. Squatting now, he grumbled and brushed the jagged pebbles that still stuck to his skin. He knew he didn’t need to do this himself. He was a king; he didn’t have to do anything he did not want to. 

…He reached again. 

Despite his strength, the smooth stem simply slipped through his grasp. Trying again, he gritted his teeth and pulled at the deeply rooted flower. Realizing that it would not budge, he took the small dagger he had with him and pressed his thumb against it, the stem in between. 

A smooth cut. Too smooth, as he then felt a sting of pain and a yelp burst from him as he pressed too hard and moved too quickly. Having dropped the dagger and the flower, he hissed as he pressed his now bleeding thumb to the red outer skirt he was wearing.

A long tongue licked at his cheek. He laughed and leaned away from Argo's cold little puffs as he sniffed around his face. “I’m fine, boy. Your master is just not using his head at the moment.” 

Argos made a noise that sounded like a sneeze before shoving his head under Odysseus’ arm for pets. The king smiled as he watched his dog’s tail wag when he started to scratch behind his ears. His fur soft and sleek under his fingers.

Good boy.

It was only the two of them right now, having sent the slaves that came with him away with a nice oak log that he planned to use for carving. He also wished to meet the naiads by himself, especially as this was a more personal visit.

He looked at the cut on his thumb, and was thankful it no longer oozed blood. If Penelope were here it would be completely healed, leaving no trace of his mistake… He huffed. For now just be happy you didn’t slice your thumb off… She’s resting now and that’s what she needs, he thought. 

At least now he could use both hands to scratch both his dog’s ears. Argos’ eyes closing and letting out a low content sound and leaning against Odysseus who turned his head towards the palace where his love remained. 

They usually went together while doing the rounds about their properties, as queen and king. Their palace watched over by his parents during their absence. Sometimes their son in their arms or strapped against them if they only planned to walk. Looking over their orchards, pastures, going on a hunt, a run, a swim, visiting friends… 

It was strange how ever since they met his mind was filled with thoughts of “Oh, she’d like this.” and “I’ll have to tell Penelope this later.” Being separated made him feel like he only had half his mind. Functioning like a dull carving knife would; usable but needed more effort to make something out of it. Even now he was picking flowers for her. Seashells he found on the shore and bought at the market today clinking in a pouch at his hip. Stories brewing in his head to tell her… It would’ve been better if he could give it all to her right now.

Four days ago, his Penelope had simply gone to the river naiads, something she did often. Odysseus usually went with her as well, but there were messages and disputes to attend to so she went alone. Their son also remaining with Odysseus as well, thankfully, as the nymphs had taken down a huge catfish that day. Not an uncommon occurrence, the naiads taking matters into their own hands when they felt something was out of balance in their environment. 

Odysseus was proud of her. He always was. He adored his powerful, little wife. She’s recovered so well since giving birth and he knew how much it meant to her to do what she did before. To feel like herself again.

The catfish was a beast. Three people were killed in it's rampage. While it wasn’t the largest creature Penelope has fought, as in Sparta there was more space, it was still longer than he was tall and it’s mouth could swallow his waist, making it even larger than her in comparison. It also had sharp, thin teeth unlike the usually gummy toothless maw catfish were known for. And as water nymphs do, they ate their kill in victory. 

Penelope was the one to deal the final blow to it’s skull, using the rivers current to force the beast hard into a dead tree that fell over the the water. Letting the sharp branches do the job for her rather than her blade. Her victory meant she got to take the first bite. The cheeks, her favorite.

He did not know that she was battling the beast at first so he was concerned with how late it was getting, as she usually let him know if she planned to stay the night with the nymphs. Telemachus asleep for his final nap, as they were trying to have him sleep in the night better. A messenger told him of the catfish however and that eased his worry. He knew the nymphs took care of each other. 

Soon later, she leapt from the pool he had built right outside their bedroom. He smiled as he put aside the records he was looking through and went to go meet her. 

What had been excitement turned to concern as he watched her, meeting her halfway. He was at first afraid she was possibly wounded. Looking at her somewhat ripped dress. As a naiad-born, she had the ability to heal with her water but he knew how stubborn she was. (Wouldn’t be the first time) While her sharp teeth gleamed with pride as she told him her story, she moved slowly and she was deathly pale. Her usually cold skin felt warm as she pulled him down to kiss his cheeks. She had even forgotten to use her ability to dry herself off, dripping water onto their floor before he reminded her. No, she wasn’t wounded, she was sick .

“I’m fine, dear Joy,” she had told him when he asked if a physician should be summoned. She smiled weakly as he guided her to their bed. With their son asleep, she thankfully didn’t argue with Odysseus about seeing him. “I’m only tired. I just had a scuffle with a beast you know. I’m more angry about that dress that got ruined…”-she shook her head only to stop when she realized it made her nauseous-“It…It was bad, but I stopped as soon as I knew there was something wrong with it and told the others. I definitely didn’t have enough of that monster to get sick from it. Telemachus gave worse stomachaches when I was pregnant.” 

He shook his head, tipping her chin towards him to look him in the eye. “Darling, you’re as pale as bone-”

“I’m always pale and you always worry.”

“Penelope-”

“Odysseus,” she tossed back, smiling. When she saw his worried face, she realized this was no time for banter. She softened and kissed his palm . “I am fine … Rest will make it better, you’ll see…If I do get sick, it…it probably will be short. Definitely wasn’t cursed, as that fish was causing problems anyways. I’ll be okay.”

He couldn’t sleep. He curled around her, as they always did, and just watched. She did not face him. He rubbed her back, tracing the constellation of birthmarks and smattering of scales that were placed upon her pale skin. Their legs tangled together. The little black cat she brought from Sparta, Anthos, slept by her torso. All he could think about was his wife’s stomach rumbling and her breathing throughout the short time she was asleep. He ordered maids to be at the ready outside their room. 

Strange woman, what sort of trouble did you get yourself into now?

Just as she seemed to finally get restful sleep, making him finally believe that she was right and that she was fine, she wretched his arms off her before her stomach purged itself over the side of their bed. The maids rushed in with buckets and rags as he sat beside her. 

Three days. Three days of wiping her lips and face. Of wiping her body down of sweat. Of just waiting . He watched over her most of the time, others only taking over when he couldn’t. Only truly leaving to be with their son, who he gained some comfort from, and for a few bad disputes his parents needed help with. He didn’t leave the palace.

He asked for the physician. Had prayers and a goat sacrificed to both Asclepius and Hygenia. Nothing changed.

Two days in he realized this wasn’t like when she was pregnant or the occasional illness. Whatever was in that wretched fish was causing this. He asked Goddess Athena for an answer, if Penelope had truly been cursed. All she said was she would live, which gave them both relief but he was still frightened and she was still in pain. 

She couldn’t even keep water down, the very thing ingrained into her very being. What she lived and breathed in. They made sure to have her dipped in the waters often, to keep her scales from peeling and to bathe her. He had to carry her to the warm bath where he and the maids would wash her. When she wasn’t throwing up, she was exhausted and slept, only to suddenly wake up and vomit once more. Since she could not consume anything, it got to the point where her body was heaving nothing until she started to cry… So dehydrated there weren’t even tears. All he could do was clean and hold her while she shivered in his arms.

“Tel…Telemachus-” she sputtered as he rinsed her neck and chest with a damp cloth. Odysseus quickly pulling his arm back as she began retching once more into the pot in front of her. 

Of course, at her worst, she thinks of their son. Odysseus’ heart ached for his wife. The physician (and Lady Athena) said to ‘wait it out. Let her body get rid of the toxins’. But neither the king or queen were good at patience. And Odysseus hated feeling so helpless. 

He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat as he waited for her to finish before he comforted her. “Our son is fine, I go play with him when I can. His nurses are feeding and taking care of him right now. He misses you too but you’ll be better and can see him soon.”

He gently wiped at her nose, lips, and chin with a damp rag as she gasped for breath, her hand resting upon her sternum. She shifted. He thought she needed him to move but she whined and shuffled against him. She rested her head against his shoulder and he pulled his arms around her, taking the damp rag to rest against some scales on her collarbone. He rested his chin against her sweaty head, hoping she could not see him grimace at the smell. He waited, watching Actoris replace the pot with a new one.

“Hurts…”

He bit his lip and blinked a few times but put on a smile and squeezed her. “You did just win a fight against a monster fish, love…” 

She giggled and looked at him with a tired but sly grin, with some mess still on her lower lip. Gods, he loved her. “Did I really if I’m left like this?”

“Yes,” he pressed a kiss on the side of her head. 

She smiled, a good sign but she still trembled against him. Then her mouth twisted and a sob came from her burning throat. “I’m so reckless…should’ve known. It had teeth, Odysseus. That’s not normal for a catfish.” 

His lip curled before furrowing his brow and moving his head to look her in the eye. If he had it his way, catfish would no longer be seen on Ithaca. “None of that. The other naiads are just at fault as you are. They didn’t notice either. Aristomache is older than all of us and should’ve known better. Do you blame her? Do you blame them? ”

Penelope, already knowing what her husband was getting at, remained silent. She sniffled once and closed her eyes, exhausted. “...Do you know if they’re okay?”

He huffed, trying to keep some of the annoyance out of his voice. “They’re fine. A messenger was sent to all waterways and all the naiads are fine.”

She curled further into him, not responding. He sighed. “I’m not mad…Not at you at least,” he muttered. He used the back of his knuckle to stroke at the apple of her cheek. “Be gentle to yourself. You’ve recovered so well and are so strong…None of the others are mothers, and you’re the one who killed that thing. You’re doing better than most.” 

She looked at him with those silver eyes, before looking back at her hands. His words didn’t necessarily take all those feelings away but she could admit to herself that he was right. He took that as a win regardless.

“I still feel like shit.” She grumbled before leaning over and spitting some phlegm into the new pot. He rolled his eyes at her and wiped at her face again until she reached up to touch his cheek, where dark circles sat upon. Her tired face lined with concern. “Have you…You have rested as well, yes?” 

“I have,” he reassured, taking her clammy hand and kissing her wrist. 

“You could take another room if you can’t rest while here.”

“I sleep in our nest with you or outside on the dirt.”

She couldn’t help but smile at his bluntness. It was selfish but it brought her great comfort that whenever she was sick, usually within seconds she would feel those warm, rough hands rubbing her back. And if he wasn’t there, she was told he was with their son.

A strand of Penelope’s raven hair fell over her face, tickling her nose. He gently pushed the soft strand back behind a pointed ear. He called to Eurynome from where she was gathering new rags to help redo it. Eurynome braided her hair before tying it up in a wrap around her head, Odysseus keeping Penelope upright.

He picked her up and began to lay her down on their bed only for her to raise her hand and grab his wrist, her grip was weak. She wasn’t completely asleep like they thought. He placed his other hand over hers and leaned closer to hear her. She whispered, “What do those tablets say?” 

The king was taken aback, looking where her gaze was pointed. A pile of clay slabs that were resting upon the small table on his side of their nest. Someone must have left them there for him earlier, as she was in no condition to correspond. “I don’t know yet. I will look at them once I know you’re resting-”

“Did Linus respond? I need to know.” She was sitting up now, swaying a bit. Even sick, Penelope’s silver gaze was fierce. 

Odysseus gently pushed her back onto the sheets. She didn’t fight him, thankfully, though she still looked at him with demand. His heart warmed. Her stubborn determination was simply one of the reasons he loved her after all. “Dear Wife,” he began softly, rubbing softly at her shoulders with his thumbs. “I don’t need to see those slabs to know that you got the ten oxen you wanted. You would still be there at his house right now demanding him if you hadn’t.” 

He took a cool rag to wipe her forehead of sweat. Going under her chin and chest as well, careful of her sensitive breasts. He placed a different warm cloth given to him by Eurynome over top of them to help with the swelling. As she could not feed Telemachus in her condition, and despite her lack of food, they had to make sure infection or mastitis didn’t take root. When she winced, he murmured an apology. 

He pulled the blankets over her. She looked up at him, her sharp teeth shined at him. Bright as always. “I want that man ruined, Odysseus. If he thinks he can have some of Ithaca’s finest craftsmanship for just five oxen, then he has no idea who he’s dealing with…”

“I know. He already knows if you ripped into him as you do,” He kissed her forehead. “Now rest, silly woman.”

When he pulled back, she was looking above them where the canopy of their nest was. Odysseus raised a brow before raising his head to see a small gray owl, hiding among the branches.

Athena must have spoken with her, as she looked back at him, sighed and fell asleep. He looked up again and bowed his head in thank you. If all Athena could do was help his wife get some peace then he was grateful nonetheless. 

Odysseus pulled Argos closer and rested his head against him. His fur was soft. He traced spirals in his coat. The dog sniffed the wind, lost in his own little world just as his master was.

 He had summoned a physician again on the third day, worried about how to get the food she needed. She gave her a mixture that only ended up purged later. A waste of time and of the fine wine he gave as payment.

In the evening, Athena appeared. Telling him the Naiads wished to speak to him. As his Penelope was sleeping, he had Euryclea and Actoris watch over her while he sprinted to see what the nymphs had to say. Aristomache, the oldest of the naiads and often spoke on behalf of all the younger ones, waited on the edge of river bank for him. 

She was strangely more formal, having become what he would call mother-in-law figure for him with Penelope’s family so far away. While most would have to supplicate and bring many offerings to their nymphs, they had become a second family to him. Offerings were gifts now. Ithaca had never been so close to it’s nymphs until his new bride came with him almost eight years ago.

She was blunt in her instructions and gave him a strange plant. One with little pearls instead of leaves. Telling him that Penelope must have one pearl and to give them news when she is better again. He asked if this was punishment for his queen. If they had to do more to sate whatever was causing this. 

Aristomache gripped his hands tightly and forced him to look at her. “You will not do anything. Penelope was wronged…This is to make up for it.” She gave him a look, her deep blue eyes seeming to cut into him. He simply nodded. 

She said nothing more before she sank into the river. 

He decided not to question it despite how strange it was as he remained hopeful that this would be what finally helped his wife. He raced back to the palace, the plant in hand. He pulled off a pearl for Penelope as he was told. She had a hard time swallowing it at first. A short moment passed, everyone waiting to see what would happen. 

The queen retched up a small black glob that went into the pot with a splat, only to then disappear in a mist. She was exhausted and sank back into the cushions before sleeping once more, frightening him at first, but she was still breathing. He had the room and her be purified while she slept.

She still hasn’t woken up yet. 

“Master, she probably needs rest. More now most likely as she was fighting that ailment. She’ll be awake and better soon,” Euryclea had told him, wrinkled hands on his broad shoulder. 

He didn’t move. It’s been three days. Three days of her not being able to eat or drink. That…thing might be out of her now, but what of the damage it’s caused? 

“It would be best if you rested-”

“Get out,” he muttered, his lip twitching. He whipped around to look at them. “Now! Get out! I want you all out!”

Euryclea jumped back, she knew her king had a temper. “Now My King, she will still need help when she wakes-”

“And?! She’s sleeping now. She and the room have been purified. There is nothing more to be done. So you will get out !” He swallowed and inhaled deeply through his nose. “Check on our son while you’re gone... You will be called upon when she wakes but you will be out of our chamber until then.” 

He turned his head back towards their bed once he heard the whispering of the maids and the quick shuffling of feet. One tried to pick up her supplies. “Leave it!” he shouted without looking at her.

She stopped, startled, but did as he ordered and followed the other slaves. The room was empty now. 

Tension left his body as he sat on the bed, looking at his sleeping wife.  Her cheeks were red and were warm, and her breathing was deep. 

His vision blurred, and his eyes burned and so did his throat. A sob escaped him and he lowered his head into his hands. He let the curtain of his thick hair drape over him to hide his face, the ends of it laying against the blanket that covered her body. This wasn’t the first time he wept over her condition and he knew he shouldn’t expect her to bounce up and out after that but… She still looked sick. She hasn’t eaten or drank in days. Even if that sludge was out of her, what if the damage had already been done? 

He felt a cold gust against his back, causing a shiver up his spine. He didn’t have to look up to know who it was. He waited for her to speak.

He heard Athena in his mind like usual. Her deep voice echoed in his head with a chuckle. Penelope is asleep and could not hear her right now it seems. “You know, kicking them all out wasn’t necessary.”

He sniffled, tossing his head to throw the auburn locks bouncing once more against his back so he could look at the owl with his red-rimmed eyes. He grabbed a rag and wiped his own face now. And blowing his nose. “Well, they aren’t necessary either.”

“Really? Are you planning to stay up the whole time to watch her when you’re in such a state yourself?”

He glared up at her. She was resting on a branch that came out from their nest. He hated that she seemed to be smiling. And that she was right. He was exhausted as well. Stress, taking care of her, trying to remain relaxed while visiting and playing with Telemachus, half-assing being a king. It was all adding up and his head felt like fog.

“Sleep,” She was suddenly in the form of a young girl. Sitting at the end of their nest. “I’ll make sure she’s well. I knew her before I knew you, you know.” 

He couldn’t say no even if he wanted to. His eyes were shutting and he was now the one swaying. He went to the other side of the bed and crawled under the covers. “Wake me when she does, please.”

Athena nodded. He curled up to his wife, resting his head on her shoulder, resting his nose under her jaw… We need a bath , he thought before sweet sleep fell over him.

It was in the middle of night when he woke up, Athena brushing her feathers against his face to wake him before nodding once in Penelope’s direction and taking flight. This time he stayed awake and lit the oil lamp that rested in it’s special nook on their living bed he made. 

He looked at Penelope and hope filled him when he noticed the change. She no longer felt so hot under his touch, her skin going back to it’s familiar coolness. Color started to come back to her face. Her breathing no longer sounded so labored. Anthos laid upon her belly, so he scooped up the cat and placed her to the side. He then looked over her body, checking her scales once for peeling before settling for scratching under Anthos’ chin as he waited.

Penelope was laying on her back when she suddenly sat up and belched loudly. The warm damp cloth that had been laid over her breast fell into her lap. 

“Oh, gods-” she said before she covered her mouth. It would’ve been humorous in any other situation. 

Odysseus immediately sat up as well, pushing the blankets off himself to kneel on the bed facing her. Her silver eyes bright. She let her hand fall from her mouth as she felt her husband's rough hands cup her face. She blinked, her thick lashes fluttering once.

She watched as her husband’s stormy eyes scanned her with a worried brow and pursed lips. She chuckled at how his hair decided to wake. Parted too far to the right and weirdly flattened on one side.

Odysseus was taken aback by how she looked as she almost looked as though she had never been sick. The bags under her eyes were gone, her skin almost seemed to glow, and her silvery eyes were bright and focused. Tears no longer filled them. 

She waited, breathing deeply, reveling in her body working with her again. She opened her mouth slightly, relieved that nothing seemed to buildup just below her throat. 

She grinned at her husband, who was now looking over where some of her scales were, having memorized their placement. His hand now brushing over the scattering of some on her left hip once again. He looked back up at her wide-eyed, when she hummed lowly, her throat still burning from the bile of the last few days. 

“I think at this point you just want an excuse to look at me…” she rasped.

He snorted. “Since when have I needed an excuse?” 

He rested his forehead against hers, her pushing back a slight bit with her own, and he whispered, “How are you feeling? The pearls worked, yes?”

She nodded, then kissed his nose, “I think they worked, my Joy… I think I’ll be okay.” 

“Oh, praise the gods! Penelope!” He exhaled and pulled her close.

He placed a few soft kisses on the once sweaty and pale forehead that he would push her hair away from. As she giggled and turned away, he cupped her other cheek, pulling her face closer to his own to continue his affection. The kisses only stopped momentarily as he could not hold back his grin as he squished his nose into her cheekbone, no longer red from fever but from joy. Her sharp teeth glinted as she squirmed. Her body was sore and moving so much hurt her ribs but she couldn’t bring herself to push him away. She leaned away from him, as his hair was tickling her; it only left her neck vulnerable. He nuzzled himself on the pulse point, the same spot he desperately felt during the past few days. Her laughter, although still hoarse, was his goal; she truly meant it when she said she was feeling better.

He shifted, trying to pull her tighter to him when she winced and pushed him back, “Odysseus, my breasts hurt. Not so tightly!” 

“Forgive me, I forgot.” He still smiled, giggling himself as he took her freezing hand, a good sign for Penelope, and kissed her calloused fingertips.

Penelope shook her head and took a deep breath, wincing. She took the rag that was in her lap and wiped at the milk that had dribbled out on her. “My ribs definitely hurt as well”-she coughed- “and my throat…Maybe I’m not fully well yet actually.” 

He stopped his affections, face suddenly serious. “You don’t think you’ll be sick again, right? You said the pearls helped.”

 “Oh, they definitely did. I’ll be fine eventually. Just thisty and hungry and sore,” she said, her usually gorgeous voice hoarse. She swallowed thickly but smiled at him. He was clearly worried and she wanted to give her husband some peace. She rustled his hair so it wasn’t such a mess with her other hand. “But I actually feel pretty good. Though I did just wake up.” She gave him the rag to clean the droplets she left on his own chest.

“Good,” He said, tossing the cloth back when he was done and gave one final kiss on her cool cheek before shuffling off the bed, losing balance as he got tangled up in the blankets before taking off to call back the maids. “We’ll get you something to eat. That’s the only way to test if you’re better.” 

He looked out the doorway, somewhat regretting having yelled at the maids to leave earlier. Euryclea was nearby thankfully. Stubborn old woman. 

“She’s awake. Bring some food. Let’s try some fruits and bread for now, pomegranates, of course. And bring more water. Wake up the other maids when you finish bringing them. Go.”

He whirled back around and jogged back to where she sat. She was petting Anthos’ black fur as she drank from the little cup that was beside their bed. “Slow down, don’t overdo it…” 

She rolled her eyes. To “overdo water” was a silly concept to her as a naiad, but she did drink more slowly. He crawled back on their bed. He started to retie her hair which had fallen out while sleeping. She flicked her wrist and water hopped out of the pitcher once more into the small cup. Anthos curling up beside her.

He began combing her through her soft black hair, running into some of the knots with his fingers and gently undoing them. Going through it more times for his own comfort. She didn’t need anything fancy right now, especially as she should bathe soon. “How’s your stomach? Not feeling sick, right? You haven’t been able to have anything in days…”

“No, Odysseus, I don’t feel sick. I’ll be okay…” He finished tying her hair up with a leather cord and pulled her into his lap. She shifted a slight bit to sit more comfortably before suddenly her eyes got wide. “Th-the council! What day is it?!”

He scoffed and shook his head. He placed his hand over hers. “Rescheduled. Neither of us were in a state where we can go.” 

She wrinkled her nose but didn’t argue as he was right. Again. 

She squeezed herself up tighter into his strong arms. She had always enjoyed his warmth, always running colder than most mortals with her ancestry; they met in the middle. She traced some freckles on collarbone with her unoccupied hand.

She took another sip from her cup before turning her head and placed a kiss on his collarbone. “Thank you for taking care of me…I know the reason I got better is because of your care.”

“There is no reason to thank me,” he murmured. “I missed you so much.”

She smiled,“I don’t know if a man who barely left my side can say that.” 

“This man will say it no matter where he’s been.”

She snorted. “Speaking of which, I know I need a bath. When was the last time you’ve taken one?”

“Since you last had one,” He smirked at the way she wrinkled her nose. “We can take one after you eat.”

She gasped. “TELEMACHUS!” she started to turn away before she grabbed her left side and groaned. 

“Just my ribs! Calm down,” She grunted, reassuring him as he reached out towards her. She caught her breath and slowly brought herself back to curl back up against him. Anthos’ head now up looking at them. “I will see Telemachus.”

“You need to eat-”

“Then while we bathe! It’s not like our son isn’t capable of worse smells himself.”

He couldn’t argue with that. 

The pitcher was empty by the time Euryclea came in. The plate was soon empty as well. But her stomach remained full.  

Odysseus smiled as he sat with Argos now, playing with his floppy ears. That had been this morning. And it was why he was on his own. He told her what the Naiads told him and as always, she immediately was making plans as to what to do. He wanted her to rest and gain her strength back, she wanted him to “do his royal duties”. He was simply keeping his promise to her… 

That doesn’t mean that she still wasn’t on his mind. Or that he didn’t sneak in the castle at noon and was reassured by his Euryclea that she hadn’t snuck out or was doing anything too strenous. 

“King Odysseus! You’ve been sitting there for a while! Are you well?!” 

Argos answered before Odysseus could. His dog, who had been lulled to sleep by his master’s petting, stood up quick and began to bark at the sheep herder. The shepard’s own dogs rising to attention at the possible threat. The sheep surrounding him shuffled about in fear. 

Odysseus placed his hand upon the dog’s chest, Argos looking at him before looking back at the other man and his own herding dogs and growling. “Hush Argos, that’s no stranger and you know that,” Odysseus looked back up at Alkaios before grabbing the pile of flowers from the ground. “I’m well! Just lost in my thoughts. Is that the young lamb that you are so worried about resting on your shoulders?” 

Alkaios smiled and raised his hand to pat at little lambs head that he was carrying. “Yes, she’s getting strong though! She’ll catch up with the others and I’m sure soon I won’t have to worry about her anymore. And you won’t need to worry about your queen much now that I hear she’s getting better… I’m happy the sheep left you some flowers for your collection there.” 

“Yes, I am too,” Odysseus smiled back and couldn’t help but shake his head at the little faces that were crowding around the herder, as though they knew they were being talked about. “Would hate to go back to Penelope empty handed! I’m actually on my way to thank the Naiads for their help.” 

“I won’t keep you then! Have a good evening, my king!”

Odysseus nodded as he watched the shepard go over the hill, his flock following close behind. He was happy knowing his sheep were being watched over by Alkaios, always the dutiful shepard. 

He held the flowers and tried to reach into his pouch for a leather cord to keep them together and grumbled when he couldn’t find one. Of course, he forgot. He pulled on the cord that piled his hair on his head, releasing the thick spiraling curls over his shoulders and back. It was getting cold with the evening air so having another layer of ‘wool’ was helpful.

He had just finished the knot around the flowers, when he heard Argos whimpering. He whipped his head in his direction, worried his faithful companion was in danger, only to start grinning when he saw the actual problem. “You silly dog, you want it that bad? It’s too big for you!”

His hound was bouncing around a couple of rocks, a large stick sticking out of them. He looked back to his master, tail wagging and pleading with him to pull it out. 

Odysseus shook his head but walked over to it. He looked around the stones before he pushed one boulder with his leg and heaved the large stick out. He threw it in the grass where Argos picked it up and started to gnaw on the stick, much too large for him. His head leaning to the side from it’s weight. It was hard to believe that this was the same dog that was capable of taking down good game. 

But that’s why Odysseus liked him so much. 

“Good dog…Enough dallying. It’s getting late, and I must speak to the nymphs.” 

Argos simply crunched on his stick some more.

~~~

Let me know what y'all think! (also if there are spelling errors!) :D I know I have her being stubborn but know that Odysseus behaves the exact same way when sick. They're Likeminded and they behave basically the same in every way.

[pl-panda]

To Marry a Vigilante: Part 3

MASTERLIST || First || Previous || Next

Disclaimer: Masterlist

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

The dinner was an interesting affair. Everyone was gathered around a large table that could easily fit several more people. Marinette was sitting between Damian and her mother; on the opposite, Tim, Stephanie, and Cass took the seats. She was glad that they were all people she knew well enough. It was overwhelming. Before, Christmas was always just her and her parents. Occasionally, Nona came too. And there was this one time when she was five when her great-uncle visited. This was much too crowded. 

Damian gently squeezed her hand, reassuring her that it was alright. She ate some, but the nerves made her lose appetite quickly. She was in Gotham. Celebrating Christmas with her husband’s family. Husband… She was going to have a panic attack. She wasn’t ready. 

“Habibti. It’s okay. Everyone here’s a friend.” Damian whispered into her ear, seeing she was spiraling. “Nobody is going to judge us on anything.”

“But I didn’t make any gifts for the Kents. And I didn’t know your eldest brother had a daughter! And I’m a total klutz. I will probably knock over the tree and it will fall and set the house on fire and you will end up homeless or someone will get hurt and then your family will hate me and the Kents will hate me and I…” she kept whispering faster and faster until she was finally starting to feel the need to breathe or pass out. The jury was still out. 

Seeing her daughter’s panic, Sabine also grabbed her hand and squeezed it lightly. “Honey, let’s go get some fresh air.” She said loud enough for people close to them to hear before leading Marinette outside. Nobody batted an eye when the pair passed them. 

Once the two were in the back garden, Mari felt her legs give up under her and if not for her mother, she would have probably collapsed. The woman held her tight and led the girl toward the bench, which was luckily not covered in snow. 

“I’m so sorry, Maman. I don’t know… I just felt so overwhelmed. There were all these people and I was really meeting my husband’s family and friends for the first time and I guess I was not prepared for all this…” She was speaking fast. 

“Don’t worry sweetie. I understand. Did I tell you how, when I met your Nona for the first time, I accidentally flipped her over my shoulder and pinned her to the ground?” Sabine asked, smiling understandingly at her daughter. 

“No! Really?”

“Yes. Well, in my defense, she surprised me with a gun that shot candies.” 

Marinette couldn’t help but giggle at that. It did seem like something her Mémé would do. 

“She was shocked at first and I was afraid I hurt her. Instead, after that, she decided that I was apparently worthy of dating her boy and gave us her approval.” 

“So… the moral of this story is that I should flip Talia over for them to accept me?” Mari asked with a cheeky grin. 

“That too, sweetie. I can even lend you something from my bag if you want a more… permanent effect.” 

“Maman!” 

“Fine…” Sabine grumbled goodheartedly. “You don’t need to worry about fitting in or how they will perceive you. I’ve seen how that boy looks at you and I approve.” She smiled. “That’s all that should matter.”

“Thank you maman. I’m glad you’re here.” She hugged her mother as the two sat together on the bench, enjoying the evening chill until the cold became irritating instead of refreshing.

-------

When the two returned, the dinner was nearing the end. Marinette noted seven burning holes on the ceiling but didn’t comment. There was also a plate on fire next to Jason that he seemed adamant not to acknowledge. Also, Mar’i and Jon were levitating above the table and playing rock paper scissors, except they used the props. Silently, Marinette walked to take a seat next to Damian. Her mother went over to talk a bit with Bruce about something.

“Um… Why is Jason’s plate on fire?” She asked, very much confused. 

“Tt. He wanted a souffle on fire.” 

“We’re already at desserts?” The girl asked, surprised. In the corner of her eye, she saw Cass staring at Tim and Stephanie with a strange gaze. It wasn’t hostile, but rather, she couldn’t really name the emotions present. 

“Yes. I saved you some maracons. You love the strawberry ones, right?”

“You made me prefer lemon ones.” She smiled. “The subtle sourness really brings out the sweetness.” 

“Of course it does Angel.” He smiled. “Sadly, we sit next to Brown, who will devour anything with sugar in it.”

A devious grin appeared on Mari’s face. “Really now?” She reached over into her purse to pull a small box where she kept the power-up cookies for her Kwami. “Tikki… will you mind if I give her a burnt-red one? You know which…”

For a moment, it looked like the Kwami wanted to protest, but then the small goddess noticed the plate of cookies was empty. “Go for it, Marinette. It won’t hurt her.”

“Stephanie! I’ve got a spare macaron I can share,” she smiled at the blonde girl. 

“Gimme!” She almost leaped like a gremlin, her eyes in a slight daze.

“Uh-oh. She is experiencing a sugar rush. I think she ate the whole plate herself,” Tim spoke from his seat, eyes slightly worried. 

Mari handed over the macaron and watched as Steph ate it. It took only a moment for her face to flush red and tears to appear in her eyes. “Water!” She said with a hoarse throat. Tim handed her a glass, but when she downed it, the burning only increased.

“Oh no! I forgot to warn you! It was made with ground hot pepper instead of flour… silly me!” Mari said, keeping the cute smile on. “I would advise milk.”

When Stephanie ran to the kitchen, followed by Tim laughing and Cass and Damian smiling, the older boy turned to Marinette. “You are devious.” 

“She shouldn’t have eaten so many cookies,” the girl shrugged. After that, she actually started to enjoy the evening. It might have started a prank war later on, but for now, she was safe. 

---------

After dinner, the crowd moved to a large living room where adults took seats on the couches or chairs while most kids and teens sat on the fluffy carpet. Alfred was walking around and handing the wine glasses to adults and hot chocolate to the youngsters. Clark opted for hot chocolate as well, which earned him a round of teasing. 

Since everyone was staying the night, there was no need for designated drivers. When Tim and Stephanie tried to get their hands on alcohol, Alfred slapped their hands. More laughter followed. 

Marinette sat there, cuddled into one armchair with Damian, observing everything and looking cute. 

“...I’m just saying, Bruce. You could smile a bit more in costume too. It wouldn’t kill you.” Clark finished a short speech.

“Work and homelife should stay separate,” Tim spoke up from his spot on the floor.

“Which doesn’t stop you from smiling. You’re not a Buckingham Palace guard.” Lois pointed out.

“To be frank, you could smile a bit more often, B.” Dick supported the enemy.

“It would be bad for the image,” Bruce mumbled. “If anyone saw Batman smile, it would ruin my years of hard work.”

“Diana disagrees.” Kor’i smiled. “She actually said once that ‘a smiling bat looks pretty handsome’.”

“I’ve seen a smiling bat!” Mar’i shouted from her spot on Jon’s knees, the two of them acting like nice siblings. It secretly irked Damian, but he wouldn’t ever voice that thought. “There was a cartoon!” 

“That’s nice, sweetie.” Sabine couldn’t help but rub it into Bruce some more. “Did he also have a cape, like Bruce?”

“Yes! And he walked on two legs!” 

“See? I think your image doesn’t need to suffer.” Tom joined his wife. His English wasn’t that good, but he could get by. “Maybe you could get a cartoon about Batman? Ladybug had her own movie and a song dedicated to her.” 

“Ladybug?” Jonathan asked. Marinette immediately tensed at the mention of her superhero name. She definitely did not want to reveal herself to everyone here. It’s not that she didn’t trust any of them, since all of them knew about Batman and co., but she felt uneasy. The fewer people knew, the better. 

“Parisian superheroine.” Sabine clarified.

“We sure didn’t hear about her back in Smallville.” Martha insisted, smiling. “Then again, we don’t really keep with the news from the old world.”

“There was this terrorist in Paris that used magic to turn people into temporary villains. He was finally defeated recently. I think you’ve seen all the ladybug decorations.” Tim explained in broad terms. 

“Ah! Right. I was wondering about the ladybugs…” 

Damian noted that his beloved was tense and decided that it was a moment good as any other to spring up the surprise. He shifted slightly, signaling that he wanted to get up. Marinette, who was still holding her cup, immediately sprung onto her feet. She thought he maybe wanted to leave somewhere or speak with his father alone. 

Instead, Damian hit the side of his hot chocolate cup with a spoon three times, gathering everyone’s attention. 

“Tt. I wanted to say a few words. This will be important so shut up you lot.” He cleared his throat before continuing in a mostly emotionless voice that most people associated with his ‘Ice Prince’ persona. “Marinette. When I first met you, it was not from our own free will. The bitch that is my mother forced our hand and tied us together. But we got to know each other out of our own free will. Nobody forced me…” His head snapped toward Dick. “Tt. Don’t you dare, Grayson.” Seeing his brother raise his hands in a surrender gesture, he carried on. “Nobody forced me to come to Paris. Definitely, nobody forced you to actually accept my courting. To this day, I am left wondering why an Angel as you would actually agree to go out with me, but here we are.”

The people watched with rapt attention. Marinette just stood there, unable to voice a coherent thought. She had no idea what was happening, but a deep red blush had made its way onto her face when he praised her. 

“You were so full of passion and joy and it reminded me a bit of Jon, but without the irritating factors.” 

“Hey!” The boy protested. A murderous glare from Damian shut him up quickly. 

“As I was saying, you were perfect in my eyes. I was taken away by your kindness. There are no words to describe my feelings.” His tone was still emotionless and monotonous, but Marinette could see that he was doing his best to actually see this through. “I can say without a doubt that I love you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.” 

All air was suddenly sucked from Mari’s lungs when he fell on one knee and pulled out a small black box. Inside was probably the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. There were three flowers on a golden band. In the center of each, there was a shining diamond, surrounded by smaller stones. The petals were made from pink stones that she suspected were also diamonds. Were there even pink diamonds? All in all, it looked beyond words. 

“Will you do me that honor and become my wife?” When he finally asked, she could feel the world spinning. This was… this was better than in any of her daydreams. And not only because instead of Adrien there was Damian. 

The words died in her throat. She had to sit down to not faint. “Yes…” She whispered weakly, so only Damian could hear. The boy smiled brightly (a rare sight to be sure) and put the ring on her finger. 

Her gaze fell on the band he had on his own hand. It was silver with a large black stone in the center of the band, surrounded by eight diamonds. The Black Cat Miraculous she realized. 

An applaud arose from several places in the room, but some of the guests were confused. 

“Aren’t you two too young to get married?” Johnathan asked, scratching his head. 

“Tt. Technically, we are already married where I come from. This is for my wife’s content and nothing else.”

“Married?!” The old farmer asked, scandalized. 

“Tt. That’s what I said. Now can someone please get my Angel some water? I think she is about to faint.” 

“Um… I would also be very interested in the story…” Clark joined his father. He wasn’t exactly that much scandalized, but confusion was clear on his face. 

“I promise I will explain everything. I think we should give the two some breathing space…” Bruce proposed hesitantly. 

“I will help get Mari to her room. I think she has had enough excitement for today,” Tom offered.

“I am also turning in for the night, Father. I trust that between you and Miss Cheng they will get a full story. Sans the private parts of course.” He glared at him. 

“I will make sure of that.” Sabine quickly cut any protests.

“Good. Good night everyone. And Merry Christmas or whatever.” With that, he left, wanting to catch up with Tom and Marinette.

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

Masterlist // Next

[mxchellesworld]

𝟑 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝 - 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐝 𝐱 𝐂𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬; 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫.

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: smut, phone sex, mutual masturbation, dirty talk

𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 | 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫

***

The next few weeks went by in a breeze. It was now mid December and you were excited for the holiday season. You weren’t able to go with your family this year but Abbie had promised to make the time as festive as possible in your new home. Cat had scheduled time off to spend it with you and Spencer as the both of your jobs already gave you the days free. 

They started to take you out to fancier places. You’d all dress up and sip on fine wine in restaurants. However you also had time with both of them individually. Spencer loved to take you to places where he could show off his knowledge. Dates to the museum or aquariums were your favorite. He would always talk your ear off and you would happily hang on to each word, asking him to further explain a certain topic. 

Cat was more for artistic dates. She signed you guys up for painting classes. Each one of your masterpieces were now hanging up in your apartment, greeting you every time you got home. Or a ceramics class where she wasn’t too fond of how messy clay can get. One of your favorites was a wine tasting class. Spencer had to take you guys home after one too many glasses. 

Slowly the emotional and physical bruises were disappearing. Neither of you had mentioned going back to the club. You didn’t mind though, it was probably for the best you take a break from that scene. You knew they still went, obviously being owners they needed to keep up appearances. 

Just because you weren’t playing at the club didn’t mean you weren’t having fun at home. After your stunt of trying to be in control they spent their time showing you exactly who was in charge. Shocker: not you. 

But just like their personalities had shifted your sex life had as well. Each time was filled with more of those kisses which made the butterflies in your tummy go crazy. More of your fingers interlaced and sharing each others breathes as you came down from your highs. More silent whispers of those three little words that made you all feel warm inside. 

_

You had finally been able to have that long waited brunch with Penelope. She told you to go to her favorite cafe. It was bright pink with rainbows and unicorns littering every single corner. 

You walked in and she called your name from a booth in the corner. She was excitedly waving you over. You had noticed her outfit was quite different than the one when you met her. The black corset was replaced by a knee length dress, it was pink and had colorful little shapes all over. She also donned chunky necklaces and had fluffy pins in her hair. 

“Y/n I am so happy to see you again!” she said pulling you into a hug. Her embrace was extremely comforting. It felt like when Abbie hugged you, the same sisterly protectiveness they both radiated. 

“Me too Penelope! How have you been? How was visiting your brother?” you questioned her as you sat down. 

She explained her family situation and you silently listened to her. Your hand instinctively grabbed hers from across the table, trying to bring her a gentle form of comfort and understanding. 

A waitress came by and asked what you’d like to order. You decided to get a lemon tea and a strawberry chocolate crepe. Penelope on the other hand ordered a unicorn blast frappe with a slice of chocolate cake. 

You both ate and talked about any updates in your life. You had told her about how you were mainly going to be alone for the holidays so she had invited you to her house for the annual party she threw. 

“Most people from the club go. We’re all really close and it’s fun to see each other in a different light ya know. I’m sure everyone would love to meet you,” she said taking a sip of her equally colorful drink. 

“Sounds fun. I’ll think about it and let you know alright,” you said cutting into the crepe. Of course you wanted to go but you didn’t know if Cat and Spencer wanted to have you around their friends yet. You guys haven’t had the conversation about making everything official but it was obvious you guys were a step up from the past dynamic. 

Once you guys had finished up eating she insisted on paying the bill. After a few minutes of bickering you relented and let her pay, “Fine, I’ll let you get it this one time but don’t be surprised if muffins suddenly show up at your house,” you said pointing a finger at her. 

She gave you a hug goodbye and wished you a safe drive home. You did the same and promised to keep her updated about your stance on going to her party.

_

Arriving at your house, you saw you had a missed call from Spencer. You set your stuff down and threw yourself on your bed, having your phone on speaker as it rang. 

Three rings later and you heard his voice float through the air, “Hey hey,” he said stressing the ‘y’. 

You giggled as you answered, “Hey Spence, What’s got you in a good mood?”

“I am glad you asked Y/n/n. I just finished all my grading for my classes this term and suddenly have the afternoon free,” he said excitedly. 

You were aching to see the smile you knew was on his face so you hit the button to switch the call to facetime. Like you had predicted he there was a smile on his face spread from cheek to cheek. His phone was propped up on his desk and you could see his whole face and torso. He was wearing one of his suit and sweater combos, which you thought were adorable. 

“Very nice, any big plans for the night?” you asked holding the phone up high as you laid in bed. You noticed the top buttons on the flannel you had on were popped off, showing the red lacy bra you had on underneath. Spencer’s lack of response let you know what he was looking at. 

“See something you like Sir?” you said in a teasing voice.  

He cleared his throat, his eyes shifting back to look at your face, “Of course I do. Who were you trying to impress wearing that under your clothes? Do they already know you belong to someone else?”

You decided to play along and tease him. The inner brat in you was aching to be let out so you had to have some fun. You set your phone to be propped up by your pillows as you rested on your knees in front of it. 

“Yeah and to who is that exactly? I don’t see a collar around my neck Spencie,” you said further unbuttoning the shirt, letting it hang loosely around your frame. 

You saw him look to his side, probably making sure the door to his office was closed. “Is that what you need princess? Do you need me to get you a collar like a lost little puppy to show you and everyone else who that tight little cunt belongs to,” he gritted into the phone. 

You shivered at his words. You had seen other people in the club with a choker type necklace around their necks. Many were simple with little designs while others had hoops at the front. Some people even tugged their partners around on a leash. You didn’t think you were there yet but the thought of everyone knowing who you belonged to because of a simple piece of leather around your neck was enticing. 

This time your silence let him know he had gotten to you, “Keep striping,” he said smirking into the camera. 

You pulled off the flannel and felt the hairs on your skin prick up from the chill in your room. “Keep going princess. I wanna see all of you.” 

Hopping off the bed you put your fingers in the leggings you had on and tugged them down your legs. Spencer licked his lips at the sight of the lacy set in contrast to your skin. All your best aspects were on display. You crawled up towards the phone and saw Spencer shifting with his pants. You grabbed the phone again and went back to your previous position of laying down. 

“Touch yourself for me princess,” you heard Spencer say. 

You let your hand slide down between your legs grazing over the lace material, you could feel the slowly growing wet patch. A sigh left your lips at the sensation, your fingers teasing over your clothed slit. 

“I wish you were here Sir,” you said looking into the phone. You could make out the motions of Spencer pumping his cock but the visual was under the frame, “Can I watch you?” you tried to say in your most convincing voice. Knowing about his soft spot for you, you’d get your way easily. 

He scooted his chair back a little and angled his phone giving you a full view. You moaned at the sight of his long cock dripping with precum, the way he used his thumb to collect it over the tip just how he liked it. 

“Fuck princess, I wish you were here too. I’d bend you right over the table and fuck you hard enough for everyone in this damn building to hear,” he groaned. 

You let your fingers slip inside the fabric and gather some of your slick. You used it to rub quick circles on your clit before you inserted one of your fingers. You whined wishing it was one of his longer, fuller ones. 

Your eyes raked over the phone screen, taking in the way his head fell back as he pleasured himself. The way the long veins on his hands popped out drove you wild. 

You weren’t shy about hiding your moans. You let them float through the room and into the phone freely as you fingered yourself. Neither of you were saying much but the thought of each others presence was enough to have you guys panting. 

“I’m so close Sir,” you moaned, “I wish I had your big cock inside me.”

“That’s it baby, fuck yourself while you think of me. Just wait until I get my hands on that sweet body again, I’m gonna fuck you till you cry princess,” he said breathlessly. 

His words spurred you on and soon enough the knot in your belly was exploding. You took the fingers out from inside of you and quickly rubbed your clit. Your other hand had a hulk-like grip on your phone

“Cum with me Sir. Please,” you mewled out. 

“I’m right there with you princess.”

You both let out sighs of pleasure. His a bit more quiet due to being on campus and the walls could only do so much. You tried your hardest to keep your eyes open and gaze over everything on your phone. You tried to catch his facial expression down to the spurts of cum dripping down his hand. 

You stayed spread out on your bed as you watched Spencer clean himself up with a pack of tissues on his desk. He then tucked his now soft cock into his pants and picked up the phone looking at you with a smile. 

“Hey,” you whispered. 

“Hey pretty girl,” he said back. 

You thought back to Penelope’s invitation and decided to bring it up to him, “I was at lunch with Pen today and she brought up a party she holds for the holidays. Maybe it’s dumb but do you and Cat wanna go together? Like with me I mean,” you asked laying on your side. 

“Yeah I don’t see why not princess. We’ve been meaning to show you off to everyone at the lounge but we didn’t know if you were ready to go back,” he trailed off. 

“I understand. Thank you guys for being so patient,” you said. Your heart felt soft at how they wanted to introduce you to their friends. 

“Maybe by New Years or something we have a big event. You can even get me collar and all,” you said with a teasing giggle. 

He playfully groaned, “God you wanna kill me don’t you.” You shared a laugh and looked at your phones in silence taking in each other. The same giddy feeling you get when you’re around them flowed through you. 

_

The day of the party had came sooner than expected. Penelope was over the moon that you accepted her invitation. You showed up to Cat and Spencers apartment around 6pm to head over to Penelope’s house together. Your eyes raked over Cat’s frame as she opened the door. 

She was wearing a deep red dress that went down to her knees. It had a lace trim and black belt around her waist. Her hair was done in curls which fell to her shoulders. Looking back her face, the dark lipstick she always wears was painted across her now smirking lips. 

“Get a good look angel?” she said looking you up and down. 

You had on a forrest green dress that fell to your mid-thigh. Your hair was in looser curls and you did minimal makeup. 

“Always Mistress,” you said with a wink. 

She brought you into a hug and gave you a small squeeze. Looking into the hallway you saw Spencer make his way over to where you stood. He had on one of his dark suits. The only spec of color on him was the red and green tie around his neck and the mix matched Christmas socks peeking from under his slacks. 

Once she let you go. Spencer took his turn to wrap his arms around you. You inhaled the scent of his usual peppermint and Calvin Klein cologne. He rocked you back and forth then let go and looked you up and down. 

“Both of you look absolutely beautiful tonight,” he said with a small smile. 

“Spence come on you look as dashing as always,” you said dusting off his shoulder. 

“Well shall we get going?” Cat said shrugging on her coat.  

You and Spencer nodded then made your way down to the elevator. Cat’s fingers interlocked with yours as Spencer held his hand at the small of your back. 

The car ride there was mostly quiet. You watched as the lit up streets passed you by. Storefronts with reefs and gigantic bows on top of their logos as decoration. Soon enough the driver stopped and they led you to Penelope’s door. You could hear the music from outside and you felt excited for what the night held. 

Spencer rang the doorbell and after a minute Penelope whipped the door open. You could smell the booze and gingerbread radiating off of her. 

“Hello my little sugar cookies, I’m so glad you could make it.” she said ushering you all in. You gathered she was already too intoxicated to question how you all showed up together. Of course you spoke too soon and she turned around pointing at the three of you. 

“Wait how do you all know each other?” she questioned. 

You were about to speak up and mention that you became friends after your first time at the club but Cat cut you off. 

“Y/n is our girlfriend.”

𝐚/𝐧; 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐥!!! 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐡𝐡, 𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞.

[elsanna-shenanigans]

June Contest Submission #17: The Little Match Girl

Words: ca. 5,000 Setting: HCACU (Hans Christian Andersen Cinematic Universe) / “Snow Queen” x “The Little Match Girl” crossover Lemon: no CW: Non-graphic mentions of child abuse. Non-descriptive mentions of parent death. Mean idiot kids. MCD (Mayor Character Death) (SPOILERS: she’s a happy spirit by the end). Freezing. Near-death hallucinations. Period typical stupidity (mid 19th century)

.

It was a horribly cold and dark evening, and the snow fell like a thick swarm of white bees which swirled and swooshed about seeking their next victim. The grey walls of the town’s buildings were just as grey as the clouds that curled above it. Among the piles and gross patches of muddy wet snow, a little girl, no older than eight, chased after her scarf, which had been blown off when a carriage with horses rattled by. The scarf had belonged to her mother, and it was the only reminder of her, for she’d been dead before her smallest daughter was old enough to know her. The scarf was also the warmest article the girl had since she’d lost her hat and her shoes running down the road outside of town. She’d been far from home with her pockets full of matches to sell at every door that would open for her, but everyone in the tiny distant farms had rejected her, and so had the factory workers from the city. The sun was setting, so she had no choice but to go back home, where her grandfather would surely punish her for coming back with not one penny.

The girl’s name was Anna. Her feet and hands were dead from the cold and wetness, growing from red to blue to black, and her whole body convulsed like that of the dead dove in her cat’s mouth last week. A weak tiny chest unprotected by the scarf heaved up and down out of control, with an even tinier and weaker heart inside. Her thin clothes had grown soaked from the carriage wheels and the splashing hooves of horses when they passed by, and the cold crept up from her socks to her neck, where snowflakes leaked inside the collar of her dress. The poor little thing could do nothing but shiver as her stiff muscles pushed her forward down the street towards her home, where her grandfather would surely give her an ugly beating and call her names and bad words she didn’t understand. 

Among the worse things he told her, were the tales of the wicked Snow Queen, who could never stay on the ground for long, but came down to earth in her reindeer-pulled sleigh when it snowed to snatch away children and young women, and as she’d heard, the Snow Queen had taken her mother and father away, and would surely take her too if she took too long to sell her matches. To Anna, that didn’t sound so terrible if it meant she’d see her parents again, because they must surely have been the only people to have ever loved her. Every winter, in the safety of her house, Anna liked to heat a copper penny by the stove and press it against the glass, so she could peep out the clear circle and see people going along with their lives, the birds and dogs fighting for food and the beautiful snow swirling outside with the wind. She particularly liked to spy for the Snow Queen, who must arrive at any moment.

As the wind picked up, she sighted a spot to take refuge: a narrow alleyway, between two tall brick houses. There she curled up with her little knees against her chest and hugged herself. The scarf was long gone as she’d lost it from sight miles back. She would never see it again, and then her grandfather would grow even angrier. She hadn’t even brought a single penny to make up for it. 

If only she could draw a match from her pocket and strike it against the wall! Then it would make a beautiful warm light, but she didn’t dare anger her grandfather any further, and she still needed to sell them the following day. So instead, she shivered and shivered as the snow fell faster and faster and the wind blew louder and louder. Her cold-dead fingers twitched with the impulse to strike a match, but she held back, because then her grandfather’s wrath would be unimaginable, and he would kick her out of the house to be captured by the Snow Queen. 

As the sun set and all light vanished, little Anna felt her head grow lighter and the cold on her limbs recede. Keeping her eyes open was harder, but she didn’t mind, because the brick wall behind her wasn’t as wet or cold as she’d initially thought, and she could lay against it and go to sleep.

When she thought she should see only darkness, a soft light glowed from among the snow, and a silhouette stood before it. It was that of a large sleigh, and a person climbing down from it. Anna’s little heart fluttered with joy. She was saved! She’d be brought back home safely! But then she noticed the person’s strange appearance: she looked like a young girl, barely a few years older than her, and everything from her hair to her skin to her bear-coat was as white as snow. She approached Anna and cried:

“Oh, my, what are you doing here alone? You must be freezing to death! Please, crawl into my coat so I can keep you warm.”

Anna hesitated, for she noticed the bear-coat was made of snow, as well as the young girl’s dress, but she could barely feel the cold anyway, and the girl had asked so nicely, so she did as asked and inched closer as the girl knelt before her, end even though Anna’s body thought it couldn’t take any more cold, being enveloped by the coat felt as if she were sinking in a snowdrift.

“C-c-cold, cold, cold…” She whimpered like a babe, and the girl tightened her coat’s grip around her.

“Don’t worry. Come here.” She kissed her hair, and Anna thought she may pass out from the sheer chill that iced her bones and her whole head, but only for a moment, and then it slowly vanished and left in its stead a soft, comfortably cool feeling, like dipping your bare feet in the creek during a sunny summer day. At the same time, a few hairs on her red head grew white. Her limbs quickly recovered their ability to feel, and her clothes were no longer soaked. “Did it work? Are you no longer cold?” Asked the young girl.

“No, why, thank you so much!” Anna cried. “I feel as though I just woke up from a warm bed.”

“You shall not get any more kisses, now, or else I shall kiss you to death,” said the girl. “Now, what is someone as small as you doing out in the snow on a night like this? I don’t want to imagine what may have happened if I hadn’t come across you.”

Anna didn’t want to imagine either. Oh, had she come so close to death? And she didn’t even notice!

“I’m a match girl, you see,” she explained, showing her a handful of matches from her pocket. “My grandfather has me sell matches every day, but if I’m to come home empty-handed by nightfall, he will beat me with a belt.”

“Your grandfather beats you and sends you out dressed so poorly?” Asked the girl with horror.

“He gave me my ma’s scarf, but I happened to lose it, which is why I was so scared to come home. I haven’t earned a single penny today, and if he knew I lost the only thing of my parents’ we had left, he’d be terribly angry.”

“Could it be this scarf? It blew in my direction by accident today,” the girl said, and she looked for something in her sleigh and made Anna gasp when she raised a beautifully clean and dry red scarf, embroidered with gorgeous foreign patterns. 

“It is! You’ve found it!” Anna rejoiced as she grasped the scarf and hugged it to her chest before wrapping it around her neck. “Are you my fairy godmother? You’re so nice and good with me!”

The girl smiled shily.

“You must have heard of me before. They know me as the Snow Queen.”

Anna’s heart chilled with fear, but then she realized how warm she felt, and how nice the Snow Queen was to her, and thought she must have been wrong about her before, and no longer felt afraid.

“Oh! I know you!” She exclaimed. “You look so much younger than I thought. My grandfather said you’d be an old hag, and he also said you took my parents away. Is that true? Can you take me to them? My name is Anna, by the way.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Anna, but I’m afraid I don’t know your mother,” said the Snow Queen. “I have never taken anyone away, but maybe my mother, who was Snow Queen before me, has.”

It had never occurred to her that the Snow Queen may have a child or a mother. It had never occurred to her that she may be good, either, but in these few minutes, she’d been nicer to her than her grandfather had ever been. 

“I’m sorry about your mother,“ said Anna.

“And I’m sorry about yours as well,” she replied. In that moment, a strong harsh wind howled and made Anna fasten her scarf around her neck out of habit, but she didn’t shiver at all. 

“It’s getting colder,” said the Snow Queen. “But I’m afraid to let you go if your grandfather is as you say.”

Sharp terror seized Anna’s little heart.

“Please, don’t bring me to him!” She implored. “I’ve not sold but one little match.”

the Snow Queen looked at her with pity.

“Do you suggest I bring you along with me?”

“Yes!” Cried Anna. “Oh, take me with you! You’ve been so kind and you’ve kept me so warm! Surely I will never feel cold again with you.” 

The Snow Queen was told to be a cold, aloof villain with a frozen heart, but there were unbelievable pain and despair behind her eyes, as she laid them upon Anna. 

“I cannot bring you with me, for I’m afraid you shall freeze to death in my palace, which is in the snow,” she told her. “But if you allow me to take you home, I promise I will visit every day of winter. Whenever you need me, just call for me and I will look after you and keep you warm.”

Anna’s little heart lurched when she thought about coming back home empty-handed, but she was still beyond happy to have a new friend. She climbed onto the Snow Queen’s sled, which was made of ice, but that didn’t bother Anna in the slightest, less even when nestled securely in the heavy bear-coat. All of the reindeer looked at her curiously, and Anna waved at them before the Snow Queen whipped the reins and had the sleigh take off. The wind soon whistled past them as the reindeer galloped faster and faster, but not a single snowflake scratched Anna’s red numb cheeks, and not for a moment did her throat grow sore and cold. The Snow Queen, whom she would now see as her dearest friend for the few years left of her life, kept her close to her during the whole ride, as the houses and farms and fences blurred by and then slowed down again, until Anna’s familiar neighborhood came into view. She hugged her new friend goodbye and clung to her for dear life until it was time to part. 

“It is winter, so I’ll be here for you to call me,” said the Snow Queen. “I won’t leave you alone.”

Anna smiled warmly.

“Thank you.”

Then she rushed into her home, still empty-handed, and she was terrified to alert her grandfather of her presence, but suddenly, the pipes burst, swollen with ice, and he stomped past her with only a quick “Not now” as an acknowledgment when he marched into the kitchen to see what was wrong and fix it. Anna held her breath the whole night, but her grandfather seemed too preoccupied with the state of the house and the price of repairment to remember her discipline.

That very night, Anna used one of her matches to light the stove and no ten minutes later, her little eye appeared on the window, and she could see the raging storm and the sleigh with reindeer and her new friend sitting on it only twenty meters away. She waved at Anna with a hand, and though the Snow Queen couldn’t see her, Anna waved back, too. 

“Thank you,” she mouthed.

Ever since that way, Anna’s life turned upside-down completely. Every day she would happily stroll out into the streets and stay outside late selling matches to every neighbor that would buy, which sometimes were many, as the days were growing colder and windows often cracked under the punishment of ice and frost, or stoves broke down, or pipes froze completely. Some days were less lucky, for people would sneer at her increasingly white hair and chase her away with a broom as if she were a witch’s cat-familiar, but that roughly bothered her, because her grandfather was always too busy shoveling snow or chopping off the stalactites that grew under the roof to care. 

Where adults were mean, kids were meaner. The edge of the forest was their place of leisure, a place parents often avoided out of fear, so that’s where they all went to play. Anna didn’t usually play with the boys and girls of her town, because they didn’t like her, but where before they’d simply ignored her, they would now go after her. protesting that it was unfair she sold so many matches, or that she so rarely felt cold. They pointed at her white hairs, which Anna loved with all of her heart, and laughed bitterly before chasing her around with hard, rough snowballs. But Anna wasn’t scared anymore, and she hadn’t been in quite some time, because when she raced across the woods and cried “My best friend is the Snow Queen! Be afraid!” and the Snow Queen puffed out her cheeks and blew a strong glacial wind from behind Anna and over the mean kids, they all screamed in horror and scrambled away crying like babies. Anna laughed, and because of this, the Snow Queen laughed too, albeit nervously, because she didn’t like frightening people, but once everyone was gone, the forest belonged to them.

And in the forest was where Anna and the Snow Queen spent the most time together. They liked to play in the snow and climb trees and ride the reindeer around, galloping through the woods faster and faster until the Snow Queen let Anna win, as she always did. Winters with the Snow Queen were the most beautiful moments of freedom in Anna’s short little life, where her grandfather couldn’t catch her and the people weren’t mean to her and she didn’t feel cold nor alone, not when the Snow Queen kissed her forehead to keep her warm and made more beautiful white hairs grow. 

But winter always came to an end, always a little bit too soon, or that’s how it felt like, at least, because the Snow Queen would visit less and less, and with her, the pristine snow melted into mud, insects crawled out from every crack between two bricks, and grandfather had fewer problems with their house. And people were buying fewer matches.

“I’m sorry, but I must leave,” told her the Snow Queen the first time. “It is springtime already, and I must return to my palace.”

“Oh, can you bring me with you?” Anna begged more than once.

“I wish I could more than anything in my life,” said the Queen back. “But I’m afraid you shall freeze to death.”

Every spring came a time in which Anna watched the Snow Queen climb onto her sleigh and ride away one last time.

These were hard times, without her dear friend. Grandfather could always find her some other work to do, and the weather was kinder, but she felt alone and unprotected without her company, and whenever she mentioned how much she missed her, her grandfather would scoff at her and say:

“Quit it with the fairy tales. You have a delivery to make.”

And he’d slam a heavy box down on Anna’s waiting arms and send her off.

The first summer wasn’t as hard. The second one was a little bit harder. Each year the Snow Queen came back and brought so much love and happiness with her, only to tear it away once more, and Anna’s little heart could barely take the punishment. Kids and adults alike at church didn’t want to sit near her, and people rarely bought her flowers, bread loaves or whatever she was selling that season. Grandfather was growing more and more irritable each year, so Anna avoided him. She also avoided the kids in town, and the adults, and even the dogs and birds fighting over food, for they had grown to fear her. She could see them pointing fingers and whispering and talking about the Devil and wicked spirits in the mountains. “What awaits out there in the snow?” They asked out loud. “Surely it is death. You’re going to catch your death, child.”

But then the forest turned red, and then black, and then white when the frost came. Anna could feel herself growing colder and colder each day as anticipation built in, and when the first snow fell, she rushed out of home and into the forest to greet her friend. 

Whenever grandfather was out of the house for the night and left Anna alone, she sneaked into the woods and towards the little refuge she’d built with the Snow Queen, a half-fallen oak tree, with an icy curtain she could gently move aside to enter, where she kept an old wooden sled, a matchbox and a few toys. Luckily, this had been the case last time the Snow Queen came down to visit. Anna raised her hands to her mouth, looked at the sky, and sang. It was a special call the Queen had taught her, which in its turn had been taught to her by her mother. Only four clear, loud notes which echoed through the mountains and the town and reached the ears of every frightened child and adult, regardless of whether they believed in the Snow Queen or not, and told them there was something deeply wrong and wicked with their little match girl. But Anna had no reason to care for what they may think, because soon she’d hear the sound of hooves and turn around to find her dear friend standing there, who grew more beautiful with every year, and Anna would give a little jump and race to her arms and laugh as the Queen circled her waist and pulled her close, nuzzling her hair and covering her body with her coat.

“I missed you,” she said, as she did each time, and she heard the Snow Queen sigh in bliss.

“I missed you, too.”

Anna lit up one of her matches to make a fire so that she could cook the little meat she’d brought along, and just like every time, she thought she saw the light parting like a curtain to reveal a vision of a beautiful crystalline palace on the top of the mountains.

“How is life in your palace?” She asked.

“It is peaceful, but it’s lonely. Still, I feel as free as a bird when I’m up there,” she told her. “But not nearly as happy as when I am down here.” She happily pinched Anna’s cheek and they both laughed. Anna felt a strange and warm feeling inside of her, something that compelled her to snuggle close to her friend, rest her head upon her shoulder, and close her eyes. The lack of cold was distinctly different from warmth, and she greatly enjoyed it when sitting before a fire in the Queen’s arms. Oh! She was certain the Queen must share this beautiful feeling, because she saw her face redden and her hands fidget when Anna kissed her cheek, once again reminding her of her humanity. She’d heard of women like these. People made them sound so horrible, but Anna knew her Queen and she knew herself, and she didn’t truly believe the things the townspeople preached anymore. They had been so wrong about the Snow Queen! She wasn’t the evil spirit they mistook her for, not at all. She was Anna’s dear friend, and a beautiful young woman as well. Oh, how happy did these moments make her!

“Would you tell me about your summer?” the Snow Queen requested, and Anna snuggled closer and happily told her about the ducklings in the pond, the flowers in her garden, and the beautiful lush green forest she tended to when it wasn’t covered in snow.

Life was difficult, but it had moments of true beauty, and Anna would treasure them with her whole heart. 

Winter, although safe and beautiful, was not always perfect. It was during her last winter that Anna wandered into an inn with pockets full of matches to sell that she saw none other than her Grandfather standing there, giving a loud, staggering speech to every man gathered around him. They had pitchforks and unlit torches in their hands.

“There is an evil creature haunting this town and we all know it!” He cried. “We’re too afraid to even name it! But I refuse to submit to the creature that took my family from me!”

The men cheered in fervor and support. 

Her grandfather hadn’t seen her. His eyes must have glossed over her, and Anna took the chance to bolt.

With her heart in her throat and her pockets full of matches, she trudged through the heavy snow into the forest. She needed to tell the Snow Queen, and to do so she needed to safely call her. She didn’t suffer the cold nearly as much but she felt her hands begin to grow numb just when anyone else’s would grow lifeless and dark. 

The wind picked up as she heard voices near, of men following deep into the woods with their hot red torches in one hand and their pitchforks in the other. Whenever she thought she’d come far enough, she’d hear them again, and at one point she made the mistake to think she was safe, raised her hands to her mouth, and called for the Queen. Her voice echoed in the walls of the mountains.

“I hear her!” Somebody cried. “This way!”

Anna’s little body jumped in terror, and she scurried away as quickly as possible, praying that the Queen did hear her and would get to her in time. The snow swirled cruelly around her and between each tree, muffling the red light from deep into the forest, and the soft white glow of the moon. She had to stumble in darkness, and she couldn’t see where there may be a tree, a rock, or a slippery sheet of ice.

She shivered thinking about the beating she’d receive if she didn’t sell her matches, but she was so scared, she still struck one against the bark of a tree, and a weak flame spluttered to life. She saw the thick snow, looking golden in the firelight, and the trees before her. They were growing sparse as the forest gave way into the vast expanse of whiteness that was the frozen prairie. She felt her numb hands grow warm.

The fire fluttered and died in the wind, and the shouting of men from behind resumed. Without thinking, Anna ran into the prairie. 

The wind blew hard frost against her, which cut the skin of her hands and cheeks, and Anna shivered in the impossible cold. Oh, where was the Snow Queen? Why was she taking so long?

She slipped on ice and hit her head against a tree, and as her confused brain processed the red light coming closer, she dragged herself behind the offending plant to hide, but setting her bum and back against the cold surface shook her to the bone. Against her best judgment, she lit another match, and pffffrtz! It came to light beautifully. Anna’s trembling lungs took all the air they could as she watched the soft light, and she thought she saw something in it, a crystalline structure, with delicate towers and a beautiful glass bridge. She smiled to herself, for a moment feeling less afraid. Oh! She could see that strong, secluded castle so clearly! But quickly the light went out, and she was once again shivering and scared.

Then, a heavy paw squeezed her arm, and she screamed.

“Quiet!” Her grandfather grunted. “You’ve called her yourself, and now you’ll have to deal with the consequences.”

“Please, grandfather, don’t hurt her!” Cried Anna, jerking her arm. “She meant you no harm!”

“You are losing your mind,” he said “The Queen was the reason why your parents and sister were lost to the snow. She took them away, and left you behind to depend on me.”

Anna stopped struggling. She had never heard of any sister.

“I had a sister?” She asked.

“Yes, and she disappeared the same night your mother did,” he told her. “I planned on telling you when you were old enough, because he was only a child and you didn’t need one more unknown loved one to cry over, but I later realized you were just foolish enough to talk to the Snow Queen yourself!”

“You don’t know her! She is the most, loving, gentle and warmest person there is, and not the monster you think her!” Anna finally released her arm from her grandfather’s clutches. She ran as he cried after her before his old legs could follow.

The freezing air filled Anna’s lungs and burned her lungs from the inside, so she fastened her scarf around her nose and trod forward. Her only goal was to get as far from the red light as possible, but without lighting a match, she couldn’t see where she stepped and her boot landed on a smooth, cracking surface that soon gave way into glacial water that dragged her away. The creek was shallow and she kept her head above the surface, but her whole body convulsed as the cold clawed into her, and the water dragged her down the river. She only pulled herself out when her dead-numb hand managed to hold onto a tree’s root. Even when she was fully out of the water, her little heart still struggled to carry warm blood to all of her limbs.

She tried to open her mouth and call for the Queen again, but she only coughed. She’d lost her scarf and one of her shoes on the way, and in her pocket, lied only one miserable wet match.

She desperately tried to scrub it dry and, with her shivering blue fingers, she struck it to life. She let herself sigh at the beautiful view. The warmth quickly spread over her fingers, along her arms and across her whole body. She didn’t even feel cold anymore. She didn’t shiver. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the light, and slowly, she began to see figures dancing. They looked like a couple with two small children, and a large roaring fireplace, with a table full of bread, cheese, milk and a roasted lamb to devour on Christmas Eve. Anna could reach her hand and take a piece of bread into her mouth. She could even taste it, and she smiled. The family’s house was big and spacious, with long corridors and stairways and a ballroom, and crystalline towers and a beautiful bridge between the mountains that led up to the palace in the sky. It was a beautiful home.

Across the fire, she saw a pair of concerned eyes. The fire went out. The Snow Queen fell to her knees, hugged Anna to her chest, and rocked her slowly.

“My love, you’re freezing!” she cried, and stroked Anna’s nearly-white hair. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I got scared and started this storm! I should have been here much sooner!”

Anna cupped her cheek.

“It’s alright. I still love you,” she told her, and then the Queen pulled away and looked at her with so much love, pain, and despair. She held Anna’s hand on her cheek. The Snow Queen must be freezing her but Anna didn’t feel it at all.

Then, the Queen brushed her hair away, leaned in, and planted a soft kiss on Anna’s lips. For a moment, a sharp cold stung her heart, and then it was gone, and she no longer felt the heavy drag of her wet dress as the Queen wrapped her up in her beloved scarf, which was dry and clean. Anna didn’t feel cold, nor afraid, nor in pain. She felt only warm and content. Oh! Anna had never been this happy or loved in her life!

The Snow Queen broke the kiss, picked up her soul into her arms, and safely carried her towards the sleigh, where the reindeer greeted them. She placed Anna on the seat and wrapped her into her bear coat. Then, she said:

“Are you feeling alright?”

Anna grinned at her love.

“Yes, I am. Thank you. I’m so happy you found me.”

She held the Queen’s hand tightly. She was kind, safe and familiar, and Anna felt so happy to be wrapped in her coat and sitting on her sleigh again. 

“Let’s go home,” said the Queen as she squeezed Anna’s hand and then stroked her auburn hair. Anna recalled the palace, and the happy family and the two children, and her grandfather’s words. Every memory made her smile. Home sounded like a nice plan. 

The Snow Queen whipped her reins, making her reindeer cry and break into a gallop. The snow swirled past them, faster and faster, and soon they left the red light far behind them, and the clouds parted and they raced high into the sky and towards some distant mountain with a beautiful palace on it, and Anna’s soul soared, watching the world below disappear, still holding the Snow Queen’s hand. 

The men below would eventually decide to keep quiet about that odd young girl who sang alone in the forest and talked to evil spirits. Anna’s grandfather, especially, was silent about it, and didn’t tell anyone about what happened to his son or daughter-in-law in the snow, much less to his granddaughters, both of which he failed to save. They never found the bodies at all, and he never knew what had taken the eldest away, only to come back for the youngest years later. The only certain thing was that, whenever someone dug their hands into their pockets during a snowy day, they’d find an old match lost somewhere in there, and they’d look at it with a strange combination of shame, terror, and gratitude. They were very quiet, yes, they never shared a word, but when they were alone, they did wonder, who was out there? What awaited out there in the snow?

[outoftownagain]

The best restaurants in Santorini, Greece

This, of course, isn't a definite list. We didn't even try a fraction of what the culinary world of Santorini has to offer and I am sure there are plenty of equally fantastic or better places. But by these 5 restaurants stood out for us and came recommended by other travelers and locals.

Hope you're not hungry!

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1. Μεταξύ Μας / Metaxi Mas 9FQ5+H2 Exo Gonia, Greece www.santorini-metaximas.gr

Metaxi Mas is a must whether you take a taxi, rent a four-wheeler, or simply walk from the charming village of Pyrgos. (We were advised very strongly against doing the latter by a very nice lady at a souvenir store: "It's not possible to walk, it's in the next village! But it is a wonderful restaurant, you must make it there regardless," she said. We did it anyway and it took about half an hour of walking downhill.) And just like pretty much everyone we spoke to about Metaxi Mas promised, it is absolutely amazing. You won't find your regular horiatiki and moussaka here, but by the time you make it here, you've most likely had enough of those and will be excited to take a quick break. You'll also have a change of view, because the cozy terrace is overlooking the airport and the less photographed side of the island, which may be slightly less iconic but gorgeous nonetheless. We started with Smoked Fish in a Chickpea Stew and the moment we tasted the dish, we knew that it would be the best meal on the island. We continued with Shrimp saganaki finished with ouzo, tomato sauce, fennel and feta cheese, which I will remember for a long time. And then, for a finale, a Spicy fried pork with Assyrtiko Santorini wine (which we were about to learn all about at a nearby winery, Santo Wines) with peppers, onion, garlic, Santorini cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and boukovo—red pepper flakes. Were we full? Of course. Did we want more? Absolutely! It was our last day on Santorini, so we knew we wouldn't have time to return to Metaxi Mas, so we asked our lovely waitress if she could suggest just one more, small dish, simply because everything was so delicious that we'd love another bite. She said that her favorite thing on the menu was Oven-baked asparagus with Cretan graviera cheese and estragon, and we thought that a little asparagus appetizer would be a perfect finishing touch to this feast. Little did we know that the "small dish" is in fact a huge plate filled with lots and lots of hot, melty, delicious cheese (with a little bit of asparagus buried deep under). It was way more than we wanted but way too delicious to leave behind and a taxi to take us to the wine tour at Santo Wines was already waiting. We might have burnt our mouths a little but we finished the asparagus and our wonderful waitress brought us a dessert packed to go because she knew we had to go. If you're in Santorini right now and looking for some delicious food, I couldn't be more jealous of you!

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2. To Psaraki Vlichada Marina, Vlichada 847 00, Greece www.topsaraki.gr

Near the southernmost tip of Santorini, at the end of Perivolos beach you'll find the charming Vlychada port. Arguably the best place to view it from (and definitely the most delicious one) is To Psaraki taverna. You'll have to drive or take a taxi there but the place is worth the trip. The actual restaurant is very nice but you really want to sit at the bright blue terrace across the street, which overlooks the port and the sea. Eating at To Psaraki feels like finding a hidden gem andt also like being on a Greek postcard at the same time.   The food is delicious and it starts from the very beginning—each table receives a bread basket and a portion of Santorini tomato paste with olive oil and oregano. (There is a tomato paste museum down the road, but it was still closed due to Covid when we visited.) We continued the feast with Fresh Greek mussels steamed with wine and spring onions (it's hard to imagine a more perfect dish to go with the view of sea and a distant smell of a seaport) after which a gorgeous Grilled Octopus arrived. Can't say that we were hungry anymore, but our main dish — fresh and homely amberjack was only about to be served. Accompanied by vegetables, tomatoes and a lemon, it was wonderful.

The restaurant overlooks the port and a short walkaway is Vlychada Beach with black sand, a beach bar and some amazing view of the cliffs, which makes it easy to spend a whole day in this small area.

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3.  Kokkalo 25is Martiou 25, Thira 847 00, Greece kokkalosantorini.com

We arrived in Santorini midday and after the initial shock caused by the overwhelming beauty of the view from the plane, then the taxi and finally from our suite, we were ready to eat. We picked Kokkalo purely because it was the closest recommended restaurant from our suite. It did take some climbing (everything in Santorini involves countless stairs and hills) and then a short walk along a busy, narrow street, but the place was 100% worth it.

We were greeted by a very friendly and quirky lady with a very particular sense of humor and a tray with 2 glasses of strong, local liquor. Day drinking it is! After hearing that we just arrived on the island, she was quick to recommend a local specialty—Santorini tomato fritters. "If you're going to have them, you need to have them here," she said, "we have cooking classes and we teach how to make them here." Tomato fritters are very tasty, but to be completely honest, it is one of those dishes that you try once and don't necessarily need to order again anytime soon.

We also got the Santorini Greek Salad and Chicken Souvlaki, which were both absolutely delicious and anyone could eat them every day for a long time. The presentation of the chicken deserves a special shoutout—it is definitely an attention-grabber when it arrives at the table.

Kokkalo is totally a great spot—it may not overlook the volcano, but staring into the flat side of Santorini with Anafi island in the distance is a pure pleasure! Mix that with great food, chilled wine and lovely service and you have a fantastic experience!

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4. Roka Mpotsari 6, Oía 847 02, Greece www.roka.gr

I'm not gonna lie, Roka was a bit of an accident (a great one though!) We hiked from Fira to Oia and we completely underestimated the time it would take us to complete the hike considering all the stops for wine, snacks, photos and views. They say that the hike takes from 3 to 6 hours and it did take us 6 hours (we're fast hikers but we stopped A LOT along the way to enjoy the views and wine) so when we finally got to Oia, we needed to eat before the sunset and most places were either booked or still closed because of Covid. We basically ran to check out Roka and it is semi-hidden in a maze of small, charming alleyways so we got a little lost trying to find it. We were greeted by a man who looked like he could be in a movie about a mafia-ran restaurant: white shirt and a tie, a sceptical gaze, a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, and a brutal silence. He turned out to be our waiter and luckily he turned out to be very friendly, much contrary to our first impression of him.

We were seated at the small back patio lit by the setting sun and overlooking the sea and some less touristy parts of town and the island. The food was absolutely delicious yet presented in a slightly pretentious but cheesy way. It is not taverna food and obviously the chef is aspiring to a higher level of a dining experience. To start we were served rusk with olives and delicious tomato paste, which we learned was typical of Santorini, famous for its cherry tomatoes. Then we continued with ‘Imam Bayaldi’ with eggplant, shrimps, ’Oyzo’ glaze and chilli garlic mayo and Mushrooms Ragout on a sourdough bruschetta with caramelized onions, cream and gruyere sauce. Those two appetizers were quite Huge And Totally Satisfied Our Post-Hike Hunger, But We Had Two More Dishes Coming - Main Courses This Time.

Skioufikta - Traditional Greek Handmade Pasta with Caramelized Onion, Eggplant, Zucchini, Tomato and ’Xinoturi’ From Ios, which was light, delicate and delicious. The shape of pasta is a bit like cavatelli and is a perfect vessel for the summer flavors of this dish. Fresh Dorado Fillet came with fantastic Parsnip Puree, Braised Leek that melts in your mouth with Hazelnuts and was topped with long, thin crisps that gave it an additional texture. Satisfied and excited, we ran to the nearby Castle of Agios Nikolaos for a spectacular and unforgettable sunset.

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5. Naoussa Fira Santorini Next to the Central Orthodox Cathedral of Fira Town Mitropoleos Fira Town, Thira 847 00, Greece naoussasantorini.restaurant

When we arrived at this gigantic taverna, it was empty, with the only two guests eating at a table near the windows. We decided to sit at the other table with a view—right next to the couple finishing their dinner. It turned out to be a quite an unfortunate choice because those guests were an extreme example of a married couple who goes out to talk to other people in bars and restaurants. We spent the entire dinner listening about the wealth, success and amazing life of our co-diners, all the houses, apartments, businesses and countless trips all over the world were described in detail whether we wanted it or not. We also learned the history of their relationship including tidbits like: "Would you believe that after not seeing me for 2 weeks my husband chose to take me out to eat sushi instead of taking me to the bedroom straight from the airport?"

But back to the restaurant, the food was delicious and the sunset view (when we managed to look away from our interlocutors) quite terrific. We started with Dolmades, which are vine leaves stuffed with lemony rice and happen to be one of my favorite small dishes. The leaves are the best when they're delicate and not veiny, the rice needs to be moist and the entire thing is best served room temperature or slightly warm. So good! We also had a tuna salad with hard boiled eggs, which looked a bit like mess but was packed with unexpected flavor. We finished with a whole fish, which was absolutely perfect.

We did drink a lot of wine and we took our time eating, listening to the forced stories and admiring the sunset. At some point the initially empty dining room filled up completely and then it emptied again. It felt like we experienced the whole circle of sunset dining crowd.

[thesoftdumbass]

you’re a fine girl

Steve Rogers x reader

word count: about 5K

warnings: cursing I think, cheesy, fluffy, not much else

summary: Steve Rogers visited Y/N’s harbor town once, but he made it clear that he couldn’t stay...when he comes back suddenly for a visit, he just might turn her world upside down.

author’s note: So there’s no time setting for this one, so Steve and his sailors could belong in pretty much any era. Is he a pirate? A merchant trader? The captain of a cargo ship? Who knows, I’ll let you decide! This fic is loosely based on the song Brandy by Looking Glass (yes, it’s that one song from GOTG vol. 2) and it gave me a lot of inspiration to write! I hope y’all enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

> masterlist

Y/N makes her way across the room, salt in the air as she inhales the essence of the sea making its way into the bar. She grabs the requested drinks, a round of beers for the market vendors at table three, red wine for her regulars at table seven, and a bottle of whiskey for the sailors in the booth in the corner. She gathers empty glasses and plates, cleaning up after her guests, and making sure to collect any tips. Luckily her customers have been pretty satisfied tonight. 

Taking a tray of dirty dishes to the sink to soak, Y/N is surprised to see a familiar figure sitting at the bar, having walked in and sat down while she was preoccupied. Wiping her hands off on a towel, she walks over to the man, already grabbing a glass and pouring two fingers of whiskey neat with a peel. When she sits the prepared drink on the bar in front of him, blue eyes look up to meet hers. The look on his face is unreadable, but Y/N gave up trying to understand this man a while ago.

“Welcome back to port, Captain Rogers.”

Her name is a whisper on his breath and she can’t help the way her heart skips a beat hearing it. Steve’s eyes dip to spot the silver chain she wears around her neck, but he catches himself, clearing his throat and glancing around the bar that they’re in. “It’s good to be back.”

“That’s not the way it felt when you left, Steve.” The slight bitter tang in Y/N’s voice surprises her, but it’s been too long for him to come back and act like nothing happened. 

He came in the summertime, when the bar was full of sailors docked in the nearby harbor. Sailors are Y/N’s best customers, leaving tips and making conversation as they pass their time. Steve’s ship, The Howling Commando, was docked in the harbor, undergoing repairs after it took on some damage in a rough storm. That’s how Y/N found herself in the company of the Howlies, the ship’s crew. 

It was one of these quieter nights when most of the customers have gone, after laying down drinks all day, Y/N got to listen to the group of sailors talk about their adventures on the seas. Exaggerations about their skill and compliments to the barmaid were thrown in for good measure, but Y/N laughed it off, chalking the good mood up to the alcohol. 

“Can I get another brandy there, Y/N?” She hummed in affirmative and grabbed the requested bottle, refilling the man’s drink. He tips his hat, a smile on his face. “Thank you, darlin’. You’d make a fine wife.”

Y/N rolled her eyes, used to these comments, but this time, there was a smile on her lips. “And you’re full of it, Dugan. You’d better pay down your tab before you drink me out of a job!” 

“Aw, one-eyed Nick’d never fire you. He’s soft on you, you’re practically like a daughter to that old grump,” Morita exclaimed and Y/N shook her head, not confirming or denying their suspicions.

The crew settled a little before a newcomer arrived, the doors barely shutting behind him before cheers raised up from the group of men sitting by the bar. “Hey Cap! Nice of you to finally join us. Come have a drink,” Bucky offered his chair before grabbing another from a nearby table, sitting down next to who was obviously the captain of their crew.

Y/N hadn’t seen the man before, because if she had, she would remember. The man’s sandy blond hair looked as if it had been mussed by his own hand or someone else’s, and his jawline looked sharp enough to cut, but his eyes. His eyes were what really drew her in.

The soft blue color of his irises radiated power and understanding, making Y/N want to know the man they belonged to. She shook her head mentally, this wasn’t a townsman or a regular, he was a sailor that would be leaving as soon as his ship was ready. Still, she had a job to do, so she smiled and asked if he’d like anything to drink.

“Whiskey, with a peel of lemon.”

“Ice?”

“No, thank you.”

She went about making his drink, bringing it back to the table and sitting in her previous seat, which just so happened to be next to the newcomer. “Here you are, Captain.”

“Please, call me Steve,” he smiled at Y/N and she felt something in her chest lighten at the expression. 

Y/N spent the rest of the night until closing time at a table with the Howlies and their captain, listening to their stories and wishing she could be part of that, to get away from her quiet life and have an adventure for once. 

After the Howlies paid their tabs and ambled their way out of the bar, Y/N took a few minutes to put away bottles and wipe down the bar. Expecting to be alone, she startled when she looked up and found Steve still in the room, quietly flipping chairs onto the tables.

“You don’t have to do that, Steve,” she rushed out, but he waved her off gently.

“It’s the least I could do after my men destroyed this place.”

She laughed, “it’s not destroyed, just a little messy. I’ve seen this bar in much worse condition. Besides, at least they’re kind and they tip well.” Steve nodded his head in agreement.

Steve waited outside while Y/N secured the till and closed and locked the doors behind her, a shy smile making its way onto his face when she turned around. “Would you let me walk you home? It’s just that it’s dark out, and these streets aren’t always the safest.”

Feeling safe in his presence after only knowing him for a few hours, Y/N nodded her head, leading the way to her home as Steve kept pace beside her and filled the silence by asking questions about herself. He enjoyed getting to know someone new, someone who he could tell was a kind soul, but could also keep up with his crewmates and serve them snark right back. 

Y/N slowed when they reached her home, wanting to draw out her time with Steve as much as she could. Still, the day weighed on her and she felt the need to go inside and sleep, so she came to a stop in front of the door. “Well, this is me.”

Steve stopped walking, disappointment filling him at their time together ending for now. Still, he smiled, glad to have gotten the chance. “Goodnight, Y/N.”

“Goodnight, Steve,” before Y/N could stop herself she leaned forward, brushing her lips softly across his stubbled cheek. “Thank you for walking me home.”

Steve’s muttered “anytime” was almost lost to her ears, but Y/N smiled when she heard it. She sent one last look over her shoulder before unlocking the front door and walking inside, closing it behind her. 

That night Steve made his way through the streets back to his lodgings, happiness spilling across his face so freely that he couldn’t stop if he wanted.

“I love you, Y/N.”

“Don’t say that, Steve, please, just-” a sob broke out of her chest, interrupting her words.

Steve closed his eyes to try and hide the pain there, hands reaching out to hold her for as long as he could. After spending weeks together and forming a deep bond, repairs on the Howling Commando were finished and it was time for Steve to set sail again. He tried to put it off as long as he could, but he and his men had jobs to do and couldn’t resist any longer. 

Icy ocean air whipped onto the dock where the two lovers were hidden, chilling Y/N to her bones. She held tighter onto Steve, not wanting to let go, but it was inevitable.

“I wish you could stay,” she murmured into his neck, the skin contact giving him some warmth in the cool morning wind. 

“I know,” Steve replied, placing a kiss on her temple and rubbing a hand in circles on her back in comfort, “but a harbor isn’t my home.”

Y/N nodded. She understood. That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt, though, the constricting feeling in her chest not going away, and she figured it would last until long after Steve left.

A ship’s horn blew in the distance, and Y/N knew it was time. Y/N leaned forward, capturing his lips with hers. She kissed him, trying to convey all of the emotions she felt but didn’t have the time to express with words. Pulling away, she took a few deep breaths to still herself. “I love you too, Steve,” she echoed his earlier words. “Be safe out there, okay?”

“Wouldn’t dream of doing anything else.”

“Not according to some of the stories that Bucky’s told,” she retorted softly. They both laughed, but the sound grew hollow in the air. Y/N’s eyes met Steve’s, and this time, she didn’t see soft blue looking back at her. For once, Y/N could see the ocean falling and rising in his irises, the color like a stormy sea reflecting the sadness within. A soft hand caressed Steve’s jaw, and he knew that this would be the end.

As Y/N began to withdraw her hand, Steve wrapped his fingers around her wrist to stop her from going too far. “Wait.” Steve reached into his shirt, pulling out a silver chain that sparkled in the dim morning sunlight. “I want you to keep this.”

“What is it?”

“It was my mother’s necklace. It belongs close to my heart, and since you carry that with you now as well, it’s only fitting that you wear it.” Steve removed the necklace from himself before clasping it behind Y/N’s throat, the locket falling to rest on her sternum. 

She grasped the locket with trembling fingers, warming the metal with her touch. “You say that like you’re never coming back here.”

“I might,” Steve started, but was cut off by her.

“But you don’t know for certain.”

Steve pursed his lips, his eyebrows drawn low as he closed his eyes. Even with her thoughts and emotions a wreck, Y/N couldn’t ignore how beautiful he was, his eyes fluttering as his lashes brushed against his cheekbones. Still, his silence was the most clear answer she was going to get from him. Accepting that fact, Y/N let her hands fall from where they rested on his chest and took a step back. “Goodbye, Steve.”

In the cold, foggy morning, Steve watched as she walked away, not turning around once as she made her way out of his life.

“Steve,” Bucky called out to his friend and captain as he passed by on the ship deck. Steve nodded in acknowledgement, continuing the walk to his quarters. Bucky took that as his cue to follow along and keep talking. “I just got back from doing inventory, and if we wanna make it to Thailand, it looks like we’re gonna have to stop and replenish our supplies. You know, food, fuel, that sort of thing.”

“Okay,” was the simple reply that earned him.

“Unless you wanna run out of rations in the middle of the Pacific.”

Steve turned an incredulous look on his friend as he stopped in front of the door to his quarters, wondering if his first mate had suffered a mental break. “No, I definitely don’t want that.”

Bucky followed Steve into his quarters as he shrugged his shoulders in a casual show. “It’s just that, the best place to stop on the way to Thailand is that town we stayed in while the ship was gettin’ fixed.”

A sigh left Steve in a huff, the man nodding his head reluctantly in agreement. “Okay, I trust you to get everything lined out while we’re there.”

“Will do, Cap.”

Steve sat down at the desk in his room and opened a ledger before noting that Bucky was still present, and making himself comfortable on the edge of Steve’s bed. “Anything else, or is that all you needed to talk about?”

“Man, Morita was right, you do need to lighten up.” A flex of Steve’s eyebrows had Bucky raising his hands in surrender. “I’m just saying, you’ve been different since we left, and I think I can deduce the reason why.”

“Deduce?”

“I read stuff!” Smiles lifted both men’s faces just the slightest. “I know this; you’re acting even more sullen than usual, you don’t talk as much or hang out with the guys for very long when you get some free time. It seems like you left a piece of yourself in that town.”

“I think I did. Leave part of me, I mean.”

“Then let’s go get it. Steve,” Bucky took a long, hard look at his friend and decided to ask the question that has been on his mind. “Isn’t she worth it?”

Steve looked down at his hands, his face lifting as he let himself think of their memories together and how much he truly missed her. Her presence, her laugh, her intellect...everything. “She really is.”

“Don’t screw it up this time.” Bucky stood from the bed, walking over to his friend and clapping him firmly on the shoulder before walking from the room.

Y/N is brought out of her thoughts and memories when she feels a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she finds her boss looking at her with a concerned expression on his face. “Oh, hey, Nick.”

“Hey, kid. Are you doin’ alright?”

“Yeah,” she laughs off his question. “Why would you ask that?”

“You seem a little distant tonight.” Nick looks over his shoulder to the other side of the bar where Steve still sits. “Or maybe just a little too close to your own thoughts.”

Y/N brushes off his observation, shaking her head with a smile that she hopes is reassuring. “I’m fine, I promise.”

“Why don’t you take the rest of the night off? You never seem to get a break from this place, maybe you should take a few hours to yourself. Maria and I’ll take it from here.”

A genuine smile, then “I would be crazy to turn down a night off work, wouldn’t I?” 

Y/N gathers her things and says goodbye, and she can’t help the pang of disappointment in her chest when she looks toward the end of the bar and finds it empty. Steve must have slipped out while she was distracted, and she’s stuck somewhere between thankful and unhappy.

Making her way outside, Y/N feels a breeze on her face, the setting sun bringing a peaceful warmth with it. When the breeze brings to her a once-familiar smell, the content smile on her face falls, and she opens her eyes to find Steve before her, an apologetic look on his face. He clears his throat almost nervously, his voice low as he asks, “would you let me walk you home?”

Y/N nods and simply begins walking the familiar path to her home while Steve follows. The journey is silent for a few minutes as both adjust to being near each other again, the way they left off last time hangs in the air with every step they take, until Y/N can’t handle the silence anymore. “So you’re back.”

“I am,” Steve is quick to reply, thankful for conversation, though he knows it’s painful for both of them. “We stopped to refuel and grab some supplies before continuing our journey to Thailand.” Y/N hums at that, not sure how to respond. When she doesn’t, Steve takes the opportunity to really look at her. “I missed you, Y/N.”

A soft sigh leaves her, his name carrying on her breath. “I’ve missed you too.”

It’s silent again, until Steve finds the courage to say what he’s been wanting to since setting course for her little harbor town. “When I used to tell you stories from sailing, travelling around the world, and you would say that you wished you could experience that...did you mean it?”

Y/N’s eyebrows dip lower on her forehead, contemplation and confusion filling her. Why would he bring that up now, after so long? “Yes, I meant it. I still do.”

Relief shows itself briefly on Steve’s face before he shifts back to neutral. They reach Y/N’s home and sit down on the front step, neither wanting their reunion to end so soon. “The Howling Commando will leave this port two days from now.” Steve pauses to take a deep breath, licking his dry lips. “I’d like you to be on it when it does.”

Speechless, Y/N takes a minute to try and process what he’s just said. When she remains silent, Steve continues. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. And I realized that when I left, I told you that the harbor wasn’t my home...but I never asked you if it was yours.”

The words reach Y/N’s ears, and she’s hit with so many feelings that it’s hard to think straight. She runs her hands through her hair, and when that doesn’t help to calm her she stands, pacing a few feet away from the porch before rounding on the man still sitting on the steps. “You can’t be serious,” she says almost desperately.

Steve, who has been silent while she tries to process this, raises his eyebrows as if challenging her statement. “And why can’t I be serious?”

“Because, Steve! So much time has passed, and suddenly you’re back, and saying that, what, you want me to come with you?”

Steve’s reply is simple. “Yes.”

Y/N deflates, argument leaving her for a moment. “You know that I can’t just agree to this on the spot, right?”

“I know,” he nods.

“Because this is a lot to process, Steve, I mean...I would be dropping the only life I’ve ever known to sail off into the distance. I’ve never even left the harbor, and then there’s us…”

When she trails off, Steve stands from his spot on the steps and approaches her slowly, hands coming to rest on her biceps in a calming gesture. “This was a lot to dump onto you, and I’m sorry that it was so short-notice. I don’t want you to do something that you’ll regret later, but you have a few days before we leave that you can decide.” 

When Y/N nods, Steve puts a goofy grin on his face to try and make her laugh, succeeding in drawing an amused huff from the woman. “Besides, if you come with me and then decide you don’t wanna stay, we can bring you back here or drop you off at a location of your choosing. There won’t be any leaving you on a deserted island to fend off pirates.” This time, Steve’s remark brings a grin to her face, and she can’t help the short laugh that follows.

“Thank you,” she says, looking into his eyes for the second time this evening, and is pleased at the warmth she finds there, that she’s always found in Steve. Taking a step back, she can’t help but be disappointed at the loss of his touch. “I guess I have a lot to think about.” 

Steve nods, taking a step back for himself, resisting the temptation to take her back into his arms. “I’ll leave you to it, then.” At the last second he moves toward her, leaving a kiss on her lips that seems all too brief to both parties. “Goodnight, Y/N.”

“Goodnight, Steve.”

Y/N walks up the front steps into her home, resisting the urge to look back, only turning when she shuts the door behind herself. She lets out a sigh, taking a moment to gather herself. It’s time for a strong drink, a hot bath, and a lot of consideration about her future. 

It’s been nearly two days of consideration, and Y/N hasn’t yet decided what to do. Between worry over her decision and bouts of anger at Steve for dropping this on her so suddenly, she can barely focus at work, forgetting simple tasks and practically zoning out for minutes at a time. It didn’t take long for Nick to notice, the bar’s owner an observant man that also cares for his employees, and as her odd behavior has persisted, he found himself stepping in. 

“Y/N!” When she heard her name called from the office, her head popped up from where she was wiping down the bartop, a question in her eyes.

“Yeah, boss?”

“Why don’t you take a break from that? Come in my office for a few minutes.”

Her brows dip on her forehead in confusion but she does as asked, putting away the rag she used for cleaning and making sure someone was watching the bar before making her way into Nick’s office. The man is already sitting at his desk when she walks in, so she closes the door behind her and takes the chair opposite him.

She’s nervous, but puts on a neutral face as she looks her boss in the eye. “What’s up, Nick?”

He shakes his head before looking back at her. “I was gonna ask you the same thing, kid. You’ve been out of it for a few days-” He’s cut off when she starts apologizing, but he just holds up a hand to stop her. “You’re not in trouble. I just wanted to check in on you, make sure everything’s okay with you.”

Y/N smiles, glad to have someone in her life that cares about her. “I’m alright, Nick, just thinking through some stuff.”

“Would this “stuff” have anything to do with the Captain being back in town?” 

She takes in a deep breath, releasing it with her next words. “It has more to do with the fact that he’s leaving again...and he asked me to go with him.”

Nick’s eyebrows raise at hearing this, mouth falling slack before he catches himself, employing his usual trained angry expression. He clears his throat, shifting in his seat so he’s facing her more directly. “And are you? Going with him, I mean.”

A dejected sigh leaves her as she shrugs her shoulders, looking across the desk at the man who had become a father figure to her. “I don’t know.”

Nick takes a long moment to really look at her before coming to a conclusion. “I think you do.”

“Wha-” Her eyebrows dip down her face, mouth opening to question him when he continues his train of thoughts. 

“I think that you want to go. I also know you, you’re scared.”

Nick’s simple verdict stops her in place and Y/N closes her eyes, admitting to herself what he already knows about her. “I’ve been in this town my whole life. I’ve always wanted to travel, but I don’t really know what waits for me out in the world.” She pauses and bites her lip, thinking through her next words. “I love Steve, and I want to be with him. I’m just afraid of what our relationship will be like when we’re trapped on a boat together on the open sea.” With a chuckle, she looks down at her lap, fidgeting with her fingers. “We might get sick of each other after two weeks.”

“Or you might not.” She looks up in surprise at Nick’s words and he raises his hands in acknowledgement. “I know, I’ve never been the type to say to drop everything and go after a romantic interest. But, I’ve seen you together, and I’ve also seen you without him. You got just a little taste of adventure when he visited here the first time, and that opened your taste buds up for more. I don’t think you’d be able to forgive yourself if you let this opportunity pass you by.”

It’s quiet as Y/N processes Nick’s words, and she knows deep down that he’s right. 

She looks up, resolution shining in her eyes as she finally admits to herself just how much she really wants this. Nick takes in the look on her face, leaning back in his chair wearing a satisfied smile. “You better head home early tonight, looks like you’ve got some packing to do.”

She laughs, a fond smile breaking over her face. “It looks like it.”

Y/N stays in his office a little while longer, as Nick agrees to pack up what belongings she doesn’t take with her to put in storage and assuring her that while she could never be replaced, it wouldn’t be hard to fill her job at the bar. As he practically shoos her out of his establishment to begin packing, Nick walks Y/N to the door and gifts her with a bright smile by his standards.

“I’m gonna miss you, kid, be safe out on the water. And make sure you tell the captain that if anything happens to you, his head is mine.”

Y/N laughs, shaking her head at the older man. “I’ll be sure to do that.” It’s silent for a moment as she tries not to tear up. “Thank you for everything, Nick. You’ve always been good to me.”

Nick nods silently, pulling her in for a tight hug. He clears his throat, stepping away after a moment. “Now get out of here. I need a break from you, kid.”

“Oh you’ll be hearing from me, old man. You can’t get rid of me that easily,” she laughs, leaving the bar behind with a spring in her step. 

As the sun starts to creep above the horizon, coloring the skyline with oranges and pinks, Steve checks his watch one more time. Between watching the time and checking his surroundings, on the outside he looks like a man obsessed, and inside he’s starting to feel it. 

A hand lands on his shoulder and he looks up to find his first mate by his side, eyes clouded with something that Steve doesn’t want to admit looks like pity. “The cargo’s all loaded. We’re ready to set sail whenever you are, Captain.”

A solemn nod is his answer as Steve acknowledges what he’s been denying to himself for the past three days. Maybe she’s not coming. Releasing a dejected sigh, he turns around, walking beside Bucky as they make their way beside the ship is docked. Steve wasn’t expecting that when they came to the gangway, Y/N would be standing in front of it, holding a large suitcase and duffel bag, breathing heavily as though she’d just run here. 

Relief fills Steve and he couldn’t contain his smile if he tried, her name leaving his lips on a whisper to join them in the cool morning air. She returns his smile, her lips lifting peacefully before she opens them to speak. “You weren’t going to leave without me, were you?”

Steve’s eyes widen as he tries to think of something to say to reassure her that that is most definitely /not/ what he wanted, before her smile widens and she giggles at his expression. Beside him, Bucky chuckles, leaning down to leave a friendly kiss on her cheek. “Glad to have you with us, doll.” He grabs her bags, making his way onto the ship and giving her and Steve a few moments alone. 

She looks up at him, eyes soft in the morning light, and Steve’s heart decides to do back-flips in his chest because she’s here. Her voice reaches him, almost shy under his gaze as nervous fingers fidget with the locket around her neck. “Sorry I’m late.”

He immediately shakes his head, waving away her apology before reaching down to hold both of her hands in his own. “That’s okay. I’m happy you came.” He can’t express how happy he is.

She hums, stepping an inch closer to him. “I would’ve been here sooner, but the guy who asked me to meet him here wasn’t very specific on where…” She trails off, squinting her eyes up at Steve and he laughs, falling harder for her at the mischievous twinkle he finds there. “I hope you aren’t as vague when giving orders on your ship, Captain, or we might end up lost on the open sea.”

Steve pulls her closer, his hands moving from their hold on hers to resting loosely around her waist. “I would like to apologize for my unclear request. I promise it won’t happen again.” Steve’s voice is filled with mirth, but his words are genuine. No way was he going to risk losing her after just getting her back in his life.

“It better not,” she mutters, her nose bumping his gently when she goes to turn her head. Steve takes this opportunity to lean forward that last little bit, his lips finding hers like they were never parted. 

She sighs into the kiss and she leans into him, contentment and warmth filling her. The kiss isn’t intense, but it’s filled with passion, as both of them relish in being back together again. 

The blow of a horn sounds from the ship, and this time instead of making Y/N’s heart sink in her chest, she smiles, pulling away from Steve reluctantly. “I think that’s our cue to leave, Captain.”

He smiles, bumping his nose against her cheek affectionately. “I think you might be right.” He reaches down, intertwining their hands once more as they begin to walk up the gangway side by side. This harbor wasn’t her home either but now it seems she’s found one on board the Howling Commando, so she happily ascends the ship, ready to leave this small town behind.

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[the-fiction-witch]

Sick P1

REAL LIFE: COUPLE: TBS X READER RATING: SWEET + FUNNY

I slightly shivered as I rode my bike thought the cold autumn streets, the pathways covered in layers of orange, red and gold leaves, the green grass of gardens littered with twigs, a few houses having little pumpkins on their doorsteps, a few evil people daring to have the unholy twinkle of Christmas lights in their windows already. 

I kept my wheels turning as the sky was getting darker and the chill in the air was growing till I reached the little house I had been looking for, I pulled my bike onto the driveway chaining it to the garage door and heading up the little gravel path till I hopped into the porch and knocked on the little door 

"Oooh good evening y/n" she smiled opening the door 

"Hi, how's he doing?" I asked as she let me in and I began to slip off my coat as the heat in here was insane compared to out there 

"Like hell," she says "I'm sure he'll be happier once he knows your here" she smiled "go on you know the way" he smiled "ohh and ask him if he wants some pie"

I laughed and hurried up the staircase turning sharply on the corner to the bedroom door covered in stickers gently pushing it open revealing the blue bedroom, his bed not made tucked up within the corner of the room, his desk covered in paperwork, his TV mounted to the wall with his little sofa facing it, almost every inch of the floor was covered with dirty clothes and tissues, even if the bed was full of them. And I spotted him sat on his little sofa a blanket over his legs, a blanket around his shoulders, he wore his grey sweatpants and an old blue triumph t-shirt, his console controller in his hand and a box of tissues to his side he looked sickly pale...well.more than usual, his nose bright red and his eyes looking weary his hair a bedhead it slowly worsening each day s I know he hasn't brushed it once, I couldn't help but laugh, it was kinda adorable to see him this way.

"Hi germy" I giggled shutting his bedroom door behind me 

He groaned a little holding his throat before he spoke his voice sounded harsh and broken like he had been gargling sand and razor blades yet sickly still almost as if you could hear the mucus in his nose and throat with each word "oohh fuck off y/n"

"Fine I'll go" I laughed faking being offended

"No… I'm sorry y/n" he answered "don't go"

"How are you doing sickie?" I laughed sitting beside him on the sofa 

"Still sick, I wouldn't get too close y/n maybe I'm infectious?" 

"You’re not infectious Thomas you have a cold" I laughed

"I have the flu" he corrected 

"You have man flu" I laughed 

"what's the difference?"

"The dramatics" 

"I have the flu y/n" he complained

"You might but you're not dying," I laughed as I got my bag "medicine… take it" I warn handing him the tablets I got him at the pharmacy he grimaced and put them to the side with his tissues "Thomas" I warn "don't you wanna get better?"

"Not really no…"

"Why not?"

"I get to do my work at home which suits me better, I get to spend all day in my lazy clothes, I can spend all day in bed if I want, and I get you visiting me everyday, everyday and giving me cuddles" he smiled nuzzling into my shoulder "why would I wanna get better?" 

"Take them, before I force them in you" I warn 

"No, I'll keep my mouth shut you can't force my mouth open to take them" he argues 

"I didn't mean your mouth" I warn 

"Where else could you- ooh…" he said realizing what I mean and instantly getting himself a tablet and downing it with his water 

"Good boy" I smiled, giving his cheek a kiss which made him blush "ohh your mum wanted me to ask do you want pie?"

"Not really, I'm not hungry," he shrugs 

"Here's your homework, and today's notes" I smiled handing him all the stuff from today 

"Where would I be without you" he smiled nuzzling closer to my shoulder but he soon moved away to cough and use another five tissues, 

"You need to get to bed Mr" I laughed almost picking him up from the sofa unwrapping him from his blankets even if he shivered before tucking him in his bed with his blankets and pillows "get some rest, okay, so you can get better" I smiled 

"Y/n? Can I ask you something?" He groans almost coughing again

"Go on" I laughed

"Can a dying man have a last request?"

"You're not dying Thomas…" 

"Will you go to the Halloween dance with me? And… kiss me on the wall home, surrounded by the orange leaves in the beautiful moonlight?"

"You're not dying Thomas…" I repeat

"Would you anyway?"

"I'll think about it okay" I smiled "and if you want a kiss you only have to ask"

"Not now… I don't wanna make you sick" he sighed "thank you for visiting y/n"

"It's fine Thomas" I laughed kissing his cheek "I'll see you tomorrow" 

I smiled as rose across town as the sun began to set, the skirt of my dress fluttering in the breeze as I hurried along the road till I got to Thomas’ house just as his parents were leaving “Ohh go on y/n I was just about to lock up” his mum smiled so I chained up my bike and headed in her locking the door behind me so I ran up to Thomas’ room it was as messy as last I saw it but Thomas was nowhere to be found 

“Hu? Where are you?” I laughed “Thomas…”

“Hi Y/n!” he yelled from the bathroom the door open enough to see the light on 

“What’s going on?” 

“I’m having a bath” 

“Ohh… should I go?”

“No, it’s fine I can still talk to you”

“You sound less sniffly today” I smiled leaning on the doorframe but as I did “whoa! What the hell smells like Lavender lemon and honey? God damn it smells like what  imagine whine the phoo smelt like” I complained

“Awww yeah…. I was sick of being snuffly so I googled Herbal cures for the flu that I could bathe in and I uhhh I may have put way to much in”

“how much did you put in?”

“Well… I filled the bath, Then I put a couple lavender bath bombs in, then a packet of lemon bath salts”

“A packet! Thomas you're meant to put like a handful not the whole pack!”

“Oooh… that may explain why the sourness is in the air…” he sighed “then I put a quarter of a bottle of honey in…”

“A Quarter! How big was the bottle?”

“Uhh one of those ones that looks like a bear” 

I pushed the door open 

“Hi” he waves from his bath I grabbed the poor little bottle of honey 

“Noooo... you killed the honeybear?”

“I needed it”

“What did the instructions online say?” I asked

“It said a tablespoon per five hhundred mill so I thought that added up right”

“Thomas… thats for tea” I sighed

“Oooh..”

“So your bathing in a cup of tea” 

“Well… I’m not sick anymore” He shrugs “However I am sticky” 

“That will be you know half the poor honeybear” I argue as I sat on the closed toilet lid holding the poor honey bear bottle “If you were a girl I’d say you were gonna get a yeast infection, can you get your dick infected?”

“Ahhhh no no stop! I don’t wanna think about if that's possible!” 

I laughed looking up to him as I hadn’t really focused on him to busy with the bear and I noticed something else in is bath

“Are you eating chinese food?”

“It floats” He shrugs 

“You made a tea bath? And you're eating chinese food because you can float it in your bath?”

“Yeah”

“What you got?”

“Noodles… and chicken balls, Want some?”

“I do want the chinese food… but I don’t know if I want chinese food that's been floating around your bath?” I said “You know the place you are naked?”

“When has me being naked ever stopped you from doing anything?” he asks “case and point” 

“What?”

“You sat with me while I’m in the bath?” He laughs “Your not even my girlfriend” he says eating his food 

“Who says I’m not?”

“Wait what?” he asked in shock 

[harlot-of-oblivion]

When Roses Cease to Bloom (Part 5)

Vergil recommended your shop and now you have a reputation to uphold as you meet Nero and Kyrie for the first time, helping them with all their flowery needs for their wedding.

Hope you like my offering of good fluffy content, with a dash of sweet flirtation and silly shenanigans! 💕

Here’s the link to the list of all the flowers featured in this part and here’s the list of wedding flowers if any of you are curious. 🌹🥰🌹

Your garden has always been your personal place of peace and joy. As you walk among the flowers you have helped flourish and thrive the lively sounds of the city seem nonexistent. The buzzing of hard-working bees, the chirping of early morning birds, and the soft babbling of the garden fountain block out all outside noise as you enter a world of your own. Despite all the tranquility of the surrounding blooms, anxiety bubbles through your body as you set up a garden table and three chairs. Normally, an appointment with a customer does not make you so nervous, but this is different. You are about to meet the son of Vergil Sparda, the man who has lately been the subject of many daydreams.

The power of Sparda must also include smooth seduction, you thought wryly as you wipe down the garden furniture, making sure they are clean before heading back to the house. You open the backdoor and walk through the kitchen towards your office to grab your leather-bound notebook and a pen. You open the door and walk to your desk, trying to focus your mind on the task at hand. When you grab the notebook, you go check on the refreshments in the kitchen, mentally reminding yourself to not let your blunt mouth get you in trouble again during this important meeting.

I am rather fond of the delightful sounds that come from your mouth.

The memory of Vergil’s words send chills down your spine as you cover your face with the notebook, hiding the blush that appears even though there is no one there to witness it. It has only been a couple of days since that devilish man was in your garden, completely charming the petals off of you. The freshly picked daises he brought you, his sensuous voice as he recited poetry, and his intense gaze as he kissed your hand…every detail keeps running through your mind, causing you to zone out a lot as you think about other places you want to feel his touch. You are glad that he is reciprocating your advances, but you were not prepared for just how good he is at flirting!

You shake your head of these romantic thoughts as you finally enter the kitchen. I have a job to do and I will not get distracted any longer, you reprimand yourself. The iced lemon tea is still cold and the mini muffins have cooled off enough for you to plate them. As you take a platter and begin to remove the muffins you wonder if his son also likes blueberries just as much as his father does. You laugh a little as you recall that his son, Nero, is only a few years younger than you. Finding out that Vergil has a son was a little surprising...you still cannot believe he did not tell you sooner! But after he told you all about his family you understand why he waited. You are no stranger to complicated family dynamics, as you shared your own family history with him, and you are honestly very curious and excited to meet Nero and his fiancée.

I just hope they like me, you internally fret as you finish getting the refreshments ready. You grin as you remember Vergil’s reassurance about how you have the best flowers in the city. He really does know how to compliment you just as well as he knows how to make you blush. You check yourself in a mirror just down the hall, making sure your hair was sufficiently braided and your modest amount of makeup is still looking good. When you are satisfied with your appearance you head out back to the garden to double check the furniture. You start to hum as you make sure everything is perfect, setting your notebook and pen on the table. After you are satisfied with everything you turn around and the man that has been haunting your thoughts is standing just a couple of steps away.

“Jumping juniper!” you gasp, clutching your chest at his sudden appearance. Vergil is wearing his usual blue attire, tailcoats swaying in the light breeze as amused silver eyes stare at you. You sigh in relief before shooting him an irritated glare as you put your hands on your hips. “Does the power of Sparda also include scaring your local gardener to death?!” you huff breathlessly.

The corner of his mouth lifts into a pleased smirk. “Perhaps.” You eye him in anticipation since you notice that one of his hands is behind his back, which you know can only mean one thing…and he proves you right as he reveals a small bouquet of yellow and white lilies. “It may also include a proclivity for giving lovely flowers as recompense to my local gardener.”

You give him a bright smile as you reach for the elegant lilies. “You know me too well, Vergil.” Your hand clasps just above his and let your pinky finger caress the inside of his wrist. And without fail you feel his warm thumb gently graze the inside of your palm. You have long accepted the fact that you will never be able to hide the blush that always appears when he touches you this way. Plus, you like seeing the knowing smirk that graces his lips when he sees just how much this subtle intimacy affects you. You take the lilies and bring them in for a sniff, wondering if these will have a scent or not. A light honey fragrance wafts from them and you hum in delight, smiling at the handsome man who gifted you a bouquet of sweet gratitude.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon,” you remark as you hold the precious lilies close to your heart. “What brings you to my garden today?”

“Would you allow me to read here? Dante is being even more insufferable than usual and I can’t find peace and quiet at the shop.”

“Is the café too crowded today?”

“Possibly. I didn’t stop by to check. I remembered your invitation and came here first,” he informs matter-of-factly.

“Oh.” Your eyebrows furrow in confusion as you tilt your head. You did tell him that he is welcome to visit you any time, but you did not realize he would just pop in without calling you at least. If he had done so then you could have informed him that you have a meeting with…Your eyes widen as you come the realization that he must know you have an appointment this morning. His surprise visit just so happens to be on the same day as your meeting with Nero and Kyrie. What a coincidence, you muse as a cheeky grin appears on your face.

Vergil quirks an eyebrow. “What madness have you got rattling in your head now?”

“Oh nothing,” you reply nonchalantly. “Just hoping that you don’t mind if I join you after my appointment with Nero and Kyrie today.”

“That’s today?” he asks, having the audacity to pretend that he is not aware of that little piece of information.

“Yep.”

“Hmm.”

Your cheeky grin drops as you give him a deadpan stare. He just simply returns your stare with his own intense gaze, reminding you of the last time he challenged you to a staring contest. You refuse to look away though, even when small shivers begin to run through your body as that memory plays in your mind. There is no way he doesn’t know, you ponder. Unless this is how he shows his support? You know by now that Vergil’s actions speak volumes despite his silence. And your intuition tells you that even though he claims to be here to read in your garden…he chose to visit while you meet his son for the first time.

Aww…he’s so sweet, you thought as you finally break your stare, giggling as you nod your head. “Okay. There’s a nice shady spot under the apple trees,” you point as you begin to walk by him. “Would you like some tea? I can bring you some. I can also spare some mini blueberry muffins if you want.”

Vergil nods. “I would not mind tea while I read. Thank you, Y/N,” he says softly with a thankful grin.

You show him to a comfy seat and side table under your apple trees before heading to the back door of your house. As you step in the kitchen you notice the time on your oven, noting that you only have a few more minutes until your expected guests arrive. You glance at your newly acquired lilies in your hand and quickly open a cabinet where numerous vases are stored. You grab a nice crystal one, set it in the sink, and turn on the faucet. As it fills with fresh water you reach for a glass and a small plate, cutting the water off when the vase is sufficiently full and setting it on the island in the middle of your kitchen.

As you pour some iced lemon tea into the glass you inspect the lilies laying on the counter, trying to determine which lucky bloom should go in your hair. By the time you place a handful of mini muffins on the plate you narrow down your choice between a pure white lily and a bright yellow lily. Not wanting to let your indecision keep Vergil waiting you swiftly clip the stems off the contenders down to size and put the rest of the lilies in the vase. You gather his refreshments and the two lilies before heading back out to the garden.

When you arrive back at the apple trees you notice that Vergil has already got his nose in a book, that little crinkle you are so fond of in between his brow scrunched up in concentration. Your soft giggle brings him out his thoughts as you approach, those striking silver eyes watching as you set his glass of tea and muffins on the table next to him. He softly thanks you and you smile sweetly before presenting him with the white and yellow lily.

“I can’t decide which lily to put in my hair. What do you think? This one?” You hold the white lily up to your head, modeling it up above your ear before doing the same to the yellow lily. “Or this one?”

His eyes soften as they regard you, a radiant blue hue blooming in molten silver. “Both look equally beautiful in your hair.”

Your lips curve into a coy smirk. “Hmm…” You look down at your white embroidered summer dress, taking note of the faint floral pattern in the fabric. The yellow lily would add some color, but the white lily just looks so pretty and graceful. “I do remember that the lily white shall in love delight,” you say playfully as you put the winning lily in your hair. When you feel that the flower is secure you turn your attention back to Vergil. “How do I look?” you ask, giving him a little spin in your excitement.

“Nor a thorn nor a threat stains her beauty bright,” he murmurs as his eyes roam over your body, showing no restraint as he takes his time appraising you. His blatant gaze gives you pleasant goosebumps. When his eyes finally meet yours a gentle grin tugs at one corner of his mouth. “You’re absolutely breathtaking.”

Your mind fizzles out as warm tingles surge through your body, his words making you blush harder than ever before. All you could find yourself able to do at the moment is just stand there while Vergil smiles smugly in victory. If you knew he would be this good you would have raised your game a while ago! It is like a switch has been flipped…perhaps your sly suggestion of Catullus really did work. You did hope that some of his more erotic poems would inspire him to be more open with his advances, but you were clearly not prepared for what Vergil has in store for you!

A high-pitched deafening squeal breaks through the air, knocking you out of your romantic stupor. Vergil’s head snaps toward the direction of the sound. He scowls as an annoyed growl escapes his lips and relaxes back in his seat. “It seems they have arrived,” he explains as he goes back to reading his book.

“You can tell it’s them just by that?!” you exclaim as you point in the direction of what is surely a car speeding way past safe limits. Another ear-splitting screech sounds off, this time with a little bit more grit, which must mean they are breaking.

“I would know the sound of that vehicle anywhere,” he says in total confidence. In the distance you hear car doors slamming shut and some really angry yelling. Vergil shakes his head as he reaches for his tea. Your stomach starts to churn a little as your anxiety from earlier returns. You check over your dress one last time before turning back to Vergil.

“Well, I better go greet them. Wish me luck!” you say, twirling the yellow lily in your hand nervously. Vergil looks up from his book and gives you a warm smile, making your heart flutter despite your worry. You return his smile with your own appreciative grin before making your way to the front of your house. When you get to your front porch you see an RV with a neon blue sign that reads Devil May Cry on the side. A black-haired woman yawns in the driver’s seat as she waves to the couple approaching your home.

When you bring your attention to the couple it takes all of your willpower to keep your jaw from dropping in shock. The young man strikingly resembles his father, from the white hair to the blue and silver eyes. But the similarities end when it comes to their sense of style. His hair is cut short and his attire is very punkish. You do not see any swords on him so you assume he must have left his weapons behind. The power of Sparda must include the good-looking gene, you quietly quip to yourself as you softly giggle. The young man takes notice of you and his eyes narrow in curiosity as he offers his arm to a very beautiful woman. Her auburn hair shines brilliantly in the sunlight and her hazel eyes glow warmly. She links arms with the young man and adjusts her golden yellow dress as they make their way towards you. Her gentle smile puts you at ease and you put on your own welcoming smile as they finally reach your porch.

“Hello! Welcome to my garden!” you cheerfully greet them with a wave.

The beautiful woman smiles as she bows her head slightly. “Thank you for taking the time to see us,” she says sweetly, her voice so full of joy and you almost believe you are hearing an angel.

“It’s no problem! You must by Kyrie, yes?”

“Yes!” she nods before turning to the young man. “And this is my fiancé, Nero.”

“Nice to meet you,” he greets with a slight head nod.

You smile invitingly. “Well, if you come this way, I have a table ready in the garden.” You lead them through your luxuriant garden, feeling proud of yourself when the cute couple look around in wonder. When you show them their seats you ask if they would like some iced lemon tea and muffins. They both accept your offer and you rush off to get the refreshments, doing your best to stay professional and not walk to briskly on the way to your kitchen. When you arrive back at the table you serve them, take your seat, and ready your notebook as you begin to question the happy couple about what they want for their special day.

Kyrie is the one who mostly talks about the details with you, Nero nodding his head every now and then during the conversation. You find out that you only have a couple of months to pull this off, which is a little stressful considering that it is just you doing all the arrangements. But when you see Kyrie’s hopeful eyes as she goes on about her ideal flowers you decide that no bride should be left flowerless on her wedding day. You assure her that you will work tirelessly to make sure every bloom is perfect for her big day. The most heavenly smile you have ever seen breaks out on her face as she takes your hand and thanks you with utmost sincerity. Nero also smiles and gives you an appreciative nod, probably glad his bride-to-be has one less thing to stress about.

Their colors are yellow and blue, and Kyrie tells you what she ordered with the previous florist before it suddenly closed. You find that you can provide most of the flowers, some you have to suggest alternatives for because of the short notice. In the end the flowers you have listed are sunflowers, blue dahlias, yellow peonies, blue delphiniums, and blue periwinkle petals. You take really detailed notes about her bouquet and the arch they will be married under on the beach. And lastly, you list how many other bouquets, displays, and boutonnieres they will need. By the time you have everything written down you feel a bit overwhelmed but mostly excited to get started.

During your energetic conversation you find yourself growing quite fond of Kyrie. She is just so kind and shows a sense of sophisticated grace. Throughout your talks you come to truly believe that she really is some sort of heavenly being. She thanks you for your patience and understanding and you in turn tell her it is no inconvenience to you and that you are happy to oblige all her flowery needs.

You feel that you have won her approval, but you are still not sure about Nero. He has mostly been quiet so far, observing you and his surroundings closely and chiming in when Kyrie asks his opinion on something. He does not look like he dislikes you, but he has not gone out of his way to be friendly and courteous towards you like the absolute angel next to him. You do not let this discourage you though. If he is anything like his father you know that it will take a little time before he warms up to you.

After your initial discussion about their wedding flowers Nero asks to speak to his fiancée privately. Kyrie looks over at him in surprise and asks if everything is okay. Before he can answer you nod and get up from your seat, knowing from past experience that this is when the husband tries to talk his lovely wife into ordering less flowers. You tell them that you will be just taking a walk on the other side of the garden when they are finished. Nero nods and Kyrie looks a little concerned as you walk away and take a small break.

As you stroll through your garden you come across your tulips. The sight of their stiff buds swaying in the late morning breeze inspires you to pick one for Vergil, already knowing the perfect tulip for him. With careful footing you step through the vibrant blooms and search for a variegated tulip that has the best colors to bring out that lovely shade of blue in his silver eyes. Just as you spot the lucky winner of your search you spot Vergil walking towards you. You put on a face of pure innocence, but it is obvious he is not to be fooled since his eyes narrow cautiously as he stops just outside the tulips.

“What mischief are you up to this time?” he questions warily.

Your drop the innocent act as you bring your hands up to your hips. “I can’t have you out doing me in my own flower game! Now…would you kindly turn around so I can properly surprise you, please?” you implore impatiently.

Vergil arches an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize I was winning.”

“Hmph!” You cross your arms and turn your head away from him, playfully sticking your nose up in the air.

His cocky laugh rings out, which makes you squint your eyes and glare at him. “Perhaps I’ll turn around,” he relents. His smug face softens as he gazes back into your irritated glare. “Recite more poetry for me while I wait,” he requests, though it almost comes out as a challenge.

You roll your eyes. “Alright, alright.” You look at him expectantly, but he is still as a statue while he continues to stare at you, clearly entertained by this whole situation. You let out an exasperated sigh. “You can turn around now!” You move towards the flower, but pause for a second. “And no peeking!” you add in a serious tone. Vergil keeps his smug smile plastered on his face as he swiftly turns his back. You pick your brain for any poems you have memorized as you go over to the chosen bloom, a white and purple variegated tulip. I know more Catullus...but I don’t know if I can recite any his love poems with straight face! You can feel your face heat up at the very thought of repeating steamy prose to the handsome devil standing close by.

As you bend down to pick the lucky flower your mind suddenly sparks with a more sweet and subtle poem. You look over at Vergil’s back, making sure he is not looking as you bring the flower to your chest. Your eyes roam over his strong and regal physique, biting your lower lip as you especially appreciate his long legs and other…prominent aspects of his body. You shake your head, casting out your desirous thoughts as you focus on his request. You clear your throat to signify that you are ready and slowly make your way out of the tulips as you recite Emily Dickinson.

When Roses cease to bloom, Sir, And Violets are done— When Bumblebees in solemn flight Have passed beyond the Sun— The hand that paused to gather Upon this Summer's day Will idle lie—in Auburn— Then take my flowers—pray!

Vergil turns around to face you just as both of your hands hold out the variegated tulip to him. He tilts his head as he scrutinizes the striking purple strips on the stiff white petals. Your heart begins to thump rapidly when he suddenly steps up closer to you, causing you to crane your head up. He cups your hands and his warm calloused fingers caress your skin as he peers down at you tenderly.

“Thank you for the riveting recitation,” he murmurs. His low and sensuous voice sends shivers down your spine as you find yourself enraptured by his presence and touch. He takes one of your hands in his and brings it gently up to his lips, achingly gracing your skin with a lingering kiss as his molten silver eyes stare straight into your soul. “And for the compliment,” he tacks on with a genuine smirk.

Oh yeah…it most definitely includes smooth seduction. Soft warmth flushes through your body as the scent of bergamot drowns your senses. You are captivated by the beautiful eyes that have been object of your daydreams for the last couple of days. He lowers your hand, but does not release his grip as you just stand there, lost in whatever force has a hold over you. Your eyes linger all over his face, taking in the perfectly sculpted jawline, the ever-present crinkle between his brows, and the soft laugh lines that have blessed you with their presence. This brings your attention to his mouth, and you cannot help but wonder how those velvety lips would feel pressed against your lips instead of your hand.

The sound of footsteps breaks you both out of the intimate moment. Vergil glances over your shoulder as he relinquishes your hands and puts his flower inside his coat. You look over as well and see a dumbfounded Nero and a jovial Kyrie walking towards you. You immediately feel self-conscious about your very obvious flustered appearance, trying desperate to cool your heated cheeks by fanning yourself with your hand. Meanwhile, Vergil is somehow the epitome of cool, calm, and collected…which is totally unfair!

You do not let that discourage you as you put on a friendly face and ask if they are ready to continue. Kyrie nods and informs you that they talked it over and decided to do a more modest arch, so they will not need as much flowers as they originally thought. Nero gives his father a questioning look that seems to ask “what the hell are you doing here?” Vergil just stares back stoically in response to his son’s quiet query. As you all walk back to the garden table Nero breaks the silence and talks to you directly for the first time since meeting him.

“So, uh…how do you two know each other?” he asks hesitantly, his inquisitive eyes darting between you and his father.

“We met at the book café. Your father took my spot,” you answer, a reminiscent smile spreading across your face.

“I don’t recall seeing your name on it,” Vergil curtly adds with a huff.

You promptly ignore his commentary and go on with how you remember the events of that serendipitous day, doing your best to hold in your laughter. “And I, being a kind and gentle soul, allowed him to stay.”

“I beg your pardon?” Vergil glares at you incredulously. His response makes you do a whimsical twirl as a lighthearted giggle escapes your lips, your dress flaring out delicately in the breeze. Vergil sighs as the corners of his mouth twitch a bit, shaking his head at your jest. Kyrie giggles along with you while Nero looks at his father totally stunned.

“Needless to say,” you continue as soon as the giggle fit subsides, “after that misunderstanding was cleared, we chatted about more pleasant things and voila! Book nook buddies for life!”

“So…you’re friends then?” Nero prods, earning a hard stare from his father.

“Yeah!” you exclaim as your hand surreptitious reaches for a fistful of the marjoram flowers hidden in your dress pocket. “Friends that remind each other to lose the glower and smell the flowers!” You raise your hand and let the flowers scatter in the air, showering everyone with a healthy sprinkling of light pink petals. Kyrie laughs in delight while Nero looks around at the falling petals in confusion.

A low grumbling growl brings your attention to Vergil, who does not look very amused as a few stray petals cling to his perfectly slicked back hair. His irritable stare makes your smile drop as your eyes widen in surprise, putting a hand over your mouth to control the giggle that is bubbling just behind your lips. “Oops!” you mutter softly behind your hand, earning you a severe sideways glance from the grumpy Son of Sparda. Kyrie has her hand over her mouth as well to hide her smile, but Nero’s lips break into boyish grin as he fails to hold it back any longer.

“It’s a good look for you, Dad,” he compliments while giving his father a mocking nod of respect. Vergil snarls in response to his son’s sassy compliment.

“I can fix it!” you blurt out as you put yourself in between them, trying to defuse the situation you accidently created. Vergil peers down at your pleading face, and he must see that you honestly did not mean to embarrass him because his harsh expression softens a little. You hear Kyrie behind you ask Nero to accompany her to the nearby garden fountain and they both walk off, leaving you alone with a pretty prickly devil.

“I’m too short to reach you…could you kneel down for me?” you ask sheepishly. Vergil takes a deep breath and complies, bending a knee down to the ground so his head is level with your shoulders. You thank him with a smile as you pick tiny petals from his hair, being careful not pull the silky white strands too much. As you circle around to expect the back of his head you cannot help but to enjoy his soft and shiny hair, letting your fingers linger just a bit longer than they should as they remove pesky petals. Vergil is motionless and silent, which gives you a good opportunity to apologize.

“I’m sorry…I didn’t think these flowers would be so clingy.”

Vergil quickly turns his head to look over his shoulder at you, startling you as your fingers rip away from his gorgeous hair. His keen eyes stare at you for a moment before he speaks in a calm and even tone. “There’s no need to apologize. I should’ve known you would pull one of your whimsical antics, but somehow you always manage to take me by surprise.”

You laugh softly as you move to face him again, his gaze following your form as you spot more petals nestling by his temple. “And I should know by now that you don’t like surprises,” you note as you gently dig out the tiny petals. Vergil has grown quiet again and you glance down to see if he really is not angry anymore. That is when you realize that his face is level with your chest as you bend down. Vergil is a gentleman though, averting his gaze as you proceed with your task…although, you do catch him sneaking peeks from the corner of his eye a couple of times.

This makes your stomach flutter with butterflies and your heart beat faster as a devious ploy pops into your head. If he can make me blush with his hand kisses…then I can raise the stakes and make him blush too! Before you can even ask yourself is this is a good idea your body instantly steps closer to examine the top of Vergil’s head for petals. This brings your chest so close to his face you can feel his breath brush against your skin, which sends pleasant tingles all over your body. You pretend to pick a petal out of his hair, savoring the smooth texture of his white locks between your fingertips and the subtle scent of bergamot once more before withdrawing just as quickly as you approached.

“There,” you declare with an impish grin. “Perfect as always.”

It seems your spur of the moment tease has flipped another switch inside of Vergil. His brow is completely relaxed, his cheeks show the barest amount of pink, and his eyes are gleaming as they stare up at you in awe. He seems so ethereal as he slowly rises back to his full height and his silver eyes pierce you to the spot, adding more fuel for your constant daydreams. The intensity of his gaze fills you with triumph as it stirs your heart and sets your soul aflame. That mysterious force is back, stronger and headier than before as it pulls him closer to you…

A violent rustling from some nearby shrubbery startles you. Vergil puts himself in front of you, shielding you from whatever threat lies beyond the bush. They shake again and you hear a string of curses coming from the leaves. You peer around Vergil’s body, wondering what strange creature is creeping and cursing in your garden. Suddenly, the black-haired woman from the van comes careening out of the shrubbery, jumping around and fidgeting as she swats various spots on her body with her free hand. She has a phone in the other hand and when she finally notices you and Vergil, she quickly hides it in what looks to be a tool belt as she gives you both a casual wave and a grin.

“Hey, uh…fancy meeting you here.”

“Nico?!” Nero exclaims as he and Kyrie rush over, no doubt hearing the commotion and coming to investigate. “What the hell are you doing?”

Nico rolls her eyes behind her red glasses. “I got bored waitin’ on ya’ll! So…I decided to go explorin’.”

“In the bushes?” Vergil questions blankly.

“Y-yeah!” Nico stutters a bit, but quickly recovers. “Never know what’s lying beneath something so pretty.”

“Aww, thank you!” you beam, giving the nice strange lady a big happy smile. In return, Nico nods as she gestures around the garden and wiggles her eyebrows. Kyrie smiles along with you and Vergil relaxes as he continues to stare at Nico suspiciously. Nero just looks at her in utter disbelief. You know that her explanation is odd, her appearance and attire screaming mechanic instead of explorer, but it is clear that whatever she is up to she meant no harm. There has been enough excitement for today and the appointment is almost over anyway, so you let her explore to her heart’s content as long as she does not harm the plants and flowers.

When it is clear that you have no problem with Nico rummaging through your bushes you get back to business with the happy couple. You go over the final order, happily adding a couple of flower crowns and few other minor details to the list. By the end of the appointment Kyrie is positively gleeful. Her jubilant attitude is contagious as Nero’s smile widens and your mind is already buzzing with exhilaration. Kyrie gives you her number and insists that if you ever need help all you need to do is call. You feel touched by her generosity, but you explain that you are going to try your hardest to make sure that they do not have to lift a finger.

“Well, we better be off,” Nero says after checking the time on his phone.

“Thank you so much for doing our flowers on such short notice!” Kyrie happily smiles as she takes both your hands in gratitude.

“Oh no, it’s no trouble at all!” you say graciously as you squeeze her hands back in understanding. “It will be a little tight, but I promise I’ll do my best to give you the wedding flowers of your dreams!”

You escort them through your garden to the front of your house. Nico has already made her way back to van, waving at you as she smokes a cigarette. Kyrie surprises you by giving you a friendly farewell hug. Nero thanks you with a grateful smile. He warmed up to you after the spontaneous flower shower…you get the feeling that he is a little impressed for some reason. Whatever it is that made him open up you are glad that you got to know him better. As you wave goodbye and watch them leave Vergil appears next to you just as the RV backs up and shoots down the road. The tires squeal as they speed away, leaving behind a big puff of white smoke.

“I think they like me!” you exclaim in delight.

Vergil chuckles. “How could they not? You are a marvelous woman after all,” he compliments as he stares at the lily adorning your hair.

You do not even try to hide the blush breaking out over your cheeks. “I guess those sweet words mean you’re not still mad about the flower shower?”

“I wasn’t mad.”

“Hmm, you looked pretty mad.”

“I wasn’t-” he scoffs, but stops short when he sees your cheeky grin. His scowl softens as he shakes his head. “Sometime I wonder if you drive me mad on purpose.”

“And what if I am?” you ask, playfully tilting your head to the side.

Vergil’s lips curve into a fond smile as his eyes glitter wickedly, staring deeply into your eyes. “Then by all means,” he mutters as he raises his hand and gently brushes a stray strand of hair away from your face. “Don’t ever stop.”

No matter how many times he makes you blush and tingle with his charming words you know that you will never tire of it. You will gladly give him all of your crimson blushes, your mirthful smiles, and your vibrant blooms in return. Even though you have only known him for a short time you feel deep down that you would anything for the eldest Son of Sparda…anything to see his handsome face smile and his eyes gleam with passion. Even when roses cease to bloom, you will always be there with a fresh bouquet in hand, ready for him to take your heart along with your flowers, pray!

Read Part 6 (Ch. 1) here

Read on my Ao3

Master List of my previous works ❤

Tagging: @drusoona @thedyingmoon @veenus-ow @bettybattaglia @meowykittenn @fandomhell97 @vergilsangel @venomous-lawyer

[acedesigns]

In the Rain [Good Omens: Aziraphale X Reader]

Word Count: 2930

Warnings: Death mention, cancer mention, angst, that year was tooootally not based off of 2016 for me, not at all, and it wasn’t even the worse year I’ve lived through *glares at 2018*

--

Drops of rain started to form on the ground slowly. The sidewalk would just have a few spots that were darkened. Then, it would gradually start to spread. The rain would fall heavier and heavier until it was pouring. Rushing water ran down the streets along with people seeking out shelter.

And there you stood. In the middle of the sidewalk with your arms to your sides and your face up towards the heavens. The rain made strands of hair to stick to your face. But the rain also made your tears nearly invisible to anyone looking. It didn’t really matter if it was obvious that you were crying. Everyone hustled past you, completely ignoring your figure.

Then, the rain stopped hitting your face. Your nose wrinkled up in confusion. The sound of rain pattering on the pavement still entered your ears. Slowly, you opened your eyes and saw an umbrella over your head. Your eyes trailed down the umbrella to a hand that was grasping the handle. Then, you looked up the arm and to the owner’s face.

His blue eyes were narrowed in concern. He wore a heavy frown that didn’t seem to really fit on his face. The wind blew past the pair of you, his small curls of blond hair flittered ever so slightly. But what really drew your attention was the tan coat he was wearing that fluttered behind him.

“You’re getting drenched. Are you alright, my dear?” he asked softly in an angelic voice. You stared at him with your lips firmly pressed together in a thin line. He was a complete stranger offering you sanctuary from the rain under his umbrella. You took a shaky breath and shook your head from side to side. “That’s what I was afraid of. I’m the owner of the shop, right there.” He pointed to a shop just across the street. “Why don’t you come on in and dry off?”

You hesitated for a moment, but the pain in your heart was becoming too much to bear alone. You nodded your head and followed the man. He stayed close to your side while holding his umbrella over you. Once you were at the entrance of his shop, he opened the door and motioned you to enter.

When you entered, you stepped to the side of the doors. Drops of water fell from your figure and onto the floorboards below. You winced slightly at the mess you were making. But as you looked around the shop, you realized that it was better getting the floorboards wet than any of the ancient-looking books.

“Follow me,” the man guided you to the back of the bookshop. “Here, you can dry off with this.” He handed you a fluffy white towel. You almost shivered with delight at how soft it was against your skin. “I’ll get you a change of clothes and put the kettle on.”

He disappeared as you started to run your hair through the towel. Once your hair wasn’t sopping wet, you patted your face dry as well as any other skin you had exposed. The man reappeared with a set of clothes and led you to the restroom.

“Take all the time you need, dear,” he spoke softly after handing you the clothes.

You looked down at what was in your arms and set them to the side. You quickly began to strip out of the clothes clinging to you for dear life. You shuddered from the lash of cold of your damp skin hitting the cool air. You took a moment to ring your clothes out over the sink before folding them into a pile. Then, you changed into a fuzzy pair of pajama bottoms and an oversized, cotton shirt that for some miracle seemed to fit you perfectly. It felt as though they were fresh out of the dryer and felt wonderful against your chilled skin.

Holding your own clothes in your arms, you left the restroom and quietly shut the door behind you. Looking around, you didn’t see the kind shop owner so you ventured further towards the backroom. He was standing over an electric kettle that was just starting to boil. His eyes fluttered towards your direction and he sent you a gentle smile.

“The water is almost ready,” he informed you. “Why don’t you take a seat? You still look a tad cold.” You nodded and looked around. There were a couple of sitting chairs and a couch. Though, one of the sitting chairs was crowded with books and loose bits of paper. With that in mind, you stiffly took a seat on the couch.

The kettle gave off a high-pitched ding and the man poured the hot water into a couple of mugs. “I have some black tea and honey. Does that sound alright?” You nodded your head and took the now steeping tea from him. “Careful, it’s still a bit hot.”

The mug in your hands was indeed warm. You held it close to your face and inhaled the wonderful scent of the mixture of tea and honey. It was calming, something that you desperately needed that day.

“Now, my dear, if you don’t mind me prying, why were you standing out there in the rain?”

You looked up to see him looking at you as though you were a frightened animal he was wanting to help. You brought the mug of tea to your lips and took a testing sip. A slight hiss escaped your mouth, it was still a tad too hot.

“I’ve been having a bad year,” you whispered. “A bad few years, actually. It’s all just too much to handle.”

“I see,” he said and looked down at the tea in his own hands. “Would you like to talk about it? It might help you feel better.”

“You wouldn’t mind listening?” you asked with some shock. Most people couldn’t be bothered by the troubles of a stranger.

“Not at all.”

Looking at your tea, you started to relax into the cushions of the couch. “This year started with my dad being admitted to the ICU. He had to be revived in the emergency room and get emergency surgery. He got a defibrillator implant to shock his heart whenever it starts beating too fast. The doctors said that if it went off twice within twenty-four hours to go to the ER. A couple of months later, it did. So I went with him to the emergency room. I ended up hallucinating there. Never done that before.”

The man nodded and took a sip of tea. “Stress can do weird things to the mind. I don’t blame you for that.”

“You don’t think I’m crazy?”

“Not at all.” He gave you a soft smile, “Even if you were, that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.”

You were silent for a few moments and took a few more sips of tea. It started to spread warmth from your stomach out to the rest of your body. “Then, my aunt was diagnosed with cancer.”

“I’m so sorry, dear.”

You nodded your head numbly. “They had to remove her entire kidney. A whole kidney. She’s not even in her forties and it’s gone. That’s two aunts who have gotten cancer so young. Then, one of my best friends ended up in a medical coma because of a blood clot. They almost died. And then…And then,” your voice quivered and your bottom lip started to tremble. Fat drops of tears started to roll down your face and a sob broke through.

The kind man put his tea mug on his desk and quickly made his way over to you. He sat next to you and pulled you into a hug. You cried into his chest while he rubbed his hand up and down your back. He didn’t tell you it was going to be okay. He didn’t tell you to hush. He didn’t give you false hope. He let you cry.

“She was killed,” you wailed. “I can still see her wounds, the towel over her eyes, everyone around her body just crying. It hurts so much.”

The man holding you frowned. You had been through so much in such a small amount of time that no one should have to endure in their entire life. It was a real miracle that you were still here and haven’t given up.

“I know it hurts, my dear,” he tried to soothe you. “It will hurt for some time, too. And it is definitely not fair. I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all of this.”

You sniffled and pulled away from him. “Thank you.”

The man pulled out a handkerchief and started to dab at your tears. “It’s the least I could do.”

You laughed bitterly. “You’ve done far more than the minimum. You truly are an angel.”

He chuckled as if he was reminded of an inside joke. “Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure.”

You hiccupped slightly from the crying disrupting your breathing. “Still, thank you. Geeze, I don’t even know your name.”

“Aziraphale, it’s lovely to meet you.”

“[Y/N]. Thank you, Aziraphale.”

--

A couple of days had passed by since you’ve met the kind bookshop owner. It was the only time you’ve had available, so you decided to bring him some homemade treats as a way to express your gratitude for helping you. You weren’t entirely sure what he liked, so you ended up baking a huge range of things: miniature pies (of varying flavors), biscuits, lemon bars, and brownies. You were slightly nervous that he wouldn’t like them, but you wanted to at least try to pay him back.

When you approached the shop, you saw him flipping the sign from closed to open. With a sigh of relief, you jogged across the shop and opened the door. Aziraphale was still near the entrance and glanced over when he heard the bell chime. He smiled brightly over at you. “[Y/N]! What a surprise!”

You gave him an anxious smile back and held out the container holding all of the baked goods. “I wanted to thank you for the other day. So I made you these!”

"Oh, you shouldn’t have,” he said and took the container. He popped the lid open and peered inside. Instantly, his face lit up. “These look scrumptious!” He looked over at his sign and seemed to have an internal battle. He shook his head with a silly grin and quickly made his way to the sign and flipped it over. “The customers can wait! Would you care to join me? It’d be more fun eating these with a friend, after all!”

--

After that, you regularly visited the bookshop. It seemed to always be open, much to your surprise. From what you’ve heard, it was almost always closed whenever someone else would try to visit. But Aziraphale was always there, waiting with that same cheery smile of his.

There was one day when you walked in and somehow startled Aziraphale. He spilled a mug of hot cocoa over himself. “Oh goodness gracious! Sugar, sugar, sugar!” he swore out loud.

You rushed over to him, “Aziraphale! Are you okay? Did you get burned?”

“Just a tad.” He looked down at his vest and shirt and pouted. “I’ve kept this spotless for years!”

"We can get it out,” you said while taking the mug out of his hands and placing it on his desk. “Do you have water softener?”

“Oh, yes,” Aziraphale muttered and rummaged through some of the cabinets at the back of his shop. “Here we are!” He pulled out a seemingly full bottle of water softener and handed it to you. “Now what?”

“I need a bowl of cold water, a rag, and um…I’ll also need your shirt and vest,” you said and suddenly became more focused on the bottle you were holding with a slight flush on your cheeks.

“Right, let me just close shop really fast.” He brought you a bowl of water before leaving to flip the sign. The shop always seemed to close whenever you visited. Perhaps that’s why others complained.

Once you had mixed the water softener with the water, a bundle of cloth was handed your way. You glanced over and felt your cheeks grow rosier. Aziraphale looked to the side with a blush of his own. He was wearing a white undershirt. You glanced down his arms. They were surprisingly muscular. You supposed it was from fencing, something he mentioned he enjoyed doing from time to time.

“Thank you,” you mumbled and started to soak his shirt and vest. You were sure to be gentle with his clothing. You’ve never seen him wear anything else, so they must be special to him. Once they were soaked, you removed them from the bowl of water and started to dab at the stains of cocoa. Slowly, it started to fade from his clothes. You grinned once it was completely gone. “There!” You held up the clothing for him to examine.

“Oh my goodness, [Y/N]! You did it!” Aziraphale smiled brightly and brought you in for a tight hug. “Thank you!”

You felt your heart leap in your chest at the feeling of his bare arms wrapped around you. His chest was slightly exposed as your head was placed against it in his hug. He felt warmer than usual without his clothing there to buffer his body heat. He placed a kiss to the top of your head. Once you both realized what happened, you both tensed up and froze. Aziraphale reluctantly let you go and looked off to the side with his face flushed red.

“I’m sorry, [Y/N]. I got carried away.”

“It’s alright,” you uttered. “Just a peck on the head. Not a big deal. Just an expression of affection between friends.”

“Right, of course.” Aziraphale nodded with a small frown on his face.

"A-anyways,” you stumbled over your words, trying to get past the awkward silence between you. “I should get going. I just wanted to stop by and say hello.”

“Yes. Well, hello. Let me walk you out.” The pair of you walked towards the entrance of his shop. Aziraphale opened the door and bid you a farewell. Though, he smiled, it never really reached his eyes. He looked upset, but you just told yourself it was from embarrassment.

--

You were at home pacing back and forth in your living room. The moments at Aziraphale’s shop kept replaying over and over again in your head. God, the images just wouldn’t stop. You could still feel his body heat and the press of his lips against the top of your head. You let out a shaky breath when you came to the ineffable conclusion.

You were utterly and completely in love with Aziraphale.

Suddenly, your phone started to vibrate in your pocket. You fished it out and looked at the screen at who was calling. A goofy picture you took of Aziraphale with cupcake icing on his nose showed up. You groaned at his perfectly imperfect timing.

“Hello?” you croaked into the phone.

“[Y/N]!” Aziraphale nearly shouted over the phone. “I need to talk to you!”

“Okay, what’s up?”

“No, not over the phone. I need to talk to you face-to-face.”

"Sure, do you want me to meet you at your shop?”

"That wouldn’t do, not special enough,” he seemed to mutter to himself. “No, meet me at the park. You know the gazebo? We’ve had ice cream there when it was raining.”

You chuckled lightly, remembering sprinting through the rain with him. He just had to get ice cream despite the storm clouds rolling in. He tried to do some magic by making a napkin appear from his sleeve when your face got messy from the ice cream. It did more to make you laugh than stare in awe.

“I know the one, I’ll be there soon.”

--

You leaned against the railing of the gazebo and glanced at your phone to see what time it was. Aziraphale should have been there by now. His shop wasn’t too terribly far away. With a sigh, you settled for watching a dog play fetch with its owner.

“Sorry I made you wait!” you felt your heart leap again at the sound of his voice. You turned around to see an angel panting slightly. He was holding a stuffed teddy bear of your favorite color and a bouquet of your favorite flowers. “I had to make a stop before I got here.”

"What are those for?” you asked quietly while looking at the items in his arms.

“These are for you!” he said and held them out for you to take. You uttered a thanks and looked at him with confusion. “Right. Well, when you said that the peck on your head was a sign of affection between friends,” he paused while trying to gather some courage. “It wasn’t. I’m in love with you, [Y/N].”

Instantly, you dropped the teddy bear and flowers and threw your arms around him. You grinned wider than you thought possible. “I love you, too!” you exclaimed with joy. “I love you so much.”

Aziraphale chuckled and held you against him. “I’m so happy.” You pulled away and looked up at him. Standing on your toes, you pressed a kiss to his lips which he happily returned. Both of you pulled away and simply grinned at each other. Aziraphale laughed and lifted you up and spun you around. You squealed with glee and held onto him tightly, never wanting to let go.

[marshmallow-phd]

Where Waves Meet the Shore

Genre: Neighbor!AU

Pairing: Jongdae x Reader

A/N: And now... another little story inspired by @xui-n-soowillbethedeathofme‘s moodboard featured above. Because she’s just too good at what she does. 

**

You didn’t hate your neighbor, per se. But if he suddenly up and moved away, there would be no tears from you. It’s not that he was rude or obnoxious. Since the first time you’d met him, he’d been friendly and nice. He was just. So. Loud!

Spending the summer relaxing by the beach sounded like paradise, but while you were enjoying the laid back isolation, your neighbor – who lived there all year round – apparently didn’t like to be alone. Friends were constantly over, throwing bonfires until well after midnight with music blaring and laughter and screaming. It was like he didn’t realize that other people might actually want to sleep at night.

With the sun setting in the west just above the shimmering water, you were settling down for the evening. A freshly poured glass of wine was resting on the side table next to the couch and you were flipping through the pages of your latest novel to find your previous spot. It was quiet and you were looking forward to the chill evening. Unfortunately, that only last about half an hour.

At first, it was just the music. That didn’t bother you too much as it was at the right volume to be simple background noise. Easily ignorable. Then the shouting started.

You weren’t sure how many of them it took to be so obnoxious while whooping and hollering, but tonight – tonight you were not going to just let it slide.

Slamming your book shut, you jumped up from the couch and stormed out your back door. The sand under your bare feet was still scorching hot from being beat down by the sun all day, but you pushed through it until you reached the rowdy group down by the water. A medium-sized bonfire served as the center of the chaos, surrounded by lawn chairs and coolers. One of the men noticed you standing there a few feet away with your arms crossed. He nudged the arm of the target of your wrath, who turned around and had the nerve to beam at you.

“Hey, neighbor!” Jongdae greeted with a wave. “Decided to come out and join us for once, huh?”

“No,” you snapped. “I came to ask you to please keep it down. I can hear both you and your music all the way in my living room.”

Jongdae just laughed. “Oops, sorry. We’ll try to keep it down.”

“Thank you.” Spinning on your heels, you started back up the beach.

“It wouldn’t kill you to have some fun, though.”

And that made you screech to a halt. Excuse me?

Turning back around to face the jerk. “What exactly is that supposed to mean?”

Jongdae opened his mouth to elaborate on his comment, but one of his buddies stopped him.

“Just let it go, dude.” He was one of the shorter ones, with curly black hair and sharp eyes. You noticed that he kept a safe distance away from where the water met the sand. “Sorry, ma’am, we’ll keep it down.”

“I appreciate that.” You headed back to your home before Jongdae could let out whatever snide comment he was holding back.

Once you were standing in your living room again, you sighed deeply.

Peace and quiet.

**

For the past couple days, that silence from your neighbor had continued and they were the best nights you’d had in a while.

Coming to an oceanside villa for a month or two was exactly what you needed. After the rough year you’d had, getting the chance to not have to worry about work or anything else that could send you into a sour mood or a downward spiral. This little place you’d discovered randomly in your research was simplistically perfect, you were almost tempted to stay here permanently.

Another little activity that you actually enjoyed in this place without rushing or stressing out was grocery shopping. The seaside town was small and rather than a large chain store, your source of perishable items for cooking was a small mom and pop shop. And you loved it. Nearly everything sold in the store was fresh and local. You could wander up and down the aisles without worrying about being in the way or having to choose through a dozen different brands.

With a half-filled basket hanging from the crook of your arm, you inspected the different oranges for any bruises or other signs of impurities. The citrusy smell was clinging to your fingers, making you smile.

“Howdy, neighbor.”

And your good mood slumped.

Finishing off the bag of oranges in your hand, you tied it up and placed it your basket before turning to Jongdae.

“Hi,” you replied in a monotone voice.

He raised an eyebrow at you. “Bad day?”

“No,” you scoffed. “I was having a nice day until you appeared.”

“Now that’s not very nice,” he pouted.

You threw him a look before continuing down the aisle. “Bombarding my nights with your noise out on the beach constantly isn’t very nice, either.”

“Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Hang inside your house all day.”

“I do not hang out in my house all day!” you barked. The poor old lady behind the register leaned over the counter to check on the disruption. You mouthed “sorry” to her before turning back to Jongdae. In a quieter voice, you argued, “I leave my house quite often. I go out with friends and obviously I’m standing in the middle of a grocery store at the moment.”

“But you are in a villa on the beach,” he whined. “You should be enjoying the sunsets and seeing more of the sand than your morning jogs.”

You gaped at him. “You’ve been watching me?”

“You jog past my place at the same time that I’m eating breakfast on my back porch every day,” he explained. “Kind of hard to miss that pattern.”

That argument just pulled a heavy sigh out of you. “I enjoy my morning runs. From there, I spend the day with my friends. Sometimes. Other times… I just want to stay inside.”

A group of your friends were staying in a hotel a little over half an hour away for a water park and they’d graciously come to visit you a few times on their own vacation. You just didn’t hang out with them as much as you were implying at the moment.

“Why?” Jongdae challenged.

Your arm was going numb from the basket hanging from your elbow. Shifting the basket over to your other hip, you narrowed your eyes at him. “I don’t know. I guess I just like the lack of expectations when I’m alone.”

Instead of arguing with you, Jongdae nodded in understanding. “I get that. There’d be no expectations if you wanted to join our little get togethers. We just hang out and do whatever. You can drink or not. You can go into the water or not. It’s all up to you.”

“Maybe I’ll think about it next the time you get together.” Surely it wouldn’t be too long until their next bonfire.

“The boys are coming over tonight if you want to join.”

Why were you not surprised?

“I’ll think about it,” you half promised.

Slapping the container holding the lemons, Jongdae’s face broke out into a million watt smile. “Great! Hope to see you there!”

As you watched the boy walk away and out of the store, your heart did a little skip.

What the hell was that?

**

Were you actually going to do this? Were you actually going to join in the chaos just outside your door?

Apparently, the answer was yes based on how you were dressed.

It was simply your swimsuit under a tank top and and shorts, a pair of flip flops adorning your feet. You were currently staring out your back door, fighting with yourself on whether or not to head to the beach. The group did look like they were having fun….

Screw it.

Shoving your back door open, you headed out, telling yourself that if you didn’t like it, you could always leave.

When you reached the group, you froze, unsure of what to do from there. At least eight other boys made up the party and Jongdae was currently chasing one of the taller boys around the fire. Until he noticed you.

“Hey, (y/n)!”

Forgetting all about his pursuit, Jongdae ran up to you, grinning from ear to ear.

“You made it,” he huffed excitedly. Taking your hand, he pulled you towards the group. “Hey, guys! This is my neighbor, (y/n).”

Everyone waved to you and Jongdae, finally letting your hand go, but swiftly moving it to the small of your back, went around and introduced you to each of his friends. Then he gestured to a low-sitting lawn chair.

“You can sit down there, if you want,” he offered. “I’ll grab you something to drink.”

You’d barely sat down in the chair before Jongdae was gone and back with a cold bottle of light-colored beer. You muttered out a small “thanks” as you took the drink.

Rather than hover over you, Jongdae ran off to talk Minseok and Chanyeol who were kicking a soccer ball back and forth. Unable to help yourself, your eyes lingered on your neighbor. How could he make a loose white tank top and a pair of light-washed skinny jeans look so incredibly good?

Damn it, you could feel your cheeks heating up by the second.

“So, what did he say to get you to join us?”

You jumped at the sudden presence setting a chair down in the space to your left. It was Yixing, one of the quiet ones.

Shrugging, you took a sip of the beer. “You know, I’m not exactly sure. Maybe it was just the outright invitation?”

Yixing nodded. “Jongdae has a way drawing people to him. He’s very kind-hearted.”

“Yeah, I can see that,” you chuckled.

“He was really excited when he told us that you might show up.”

You perked up at that new piece of information. “Really?”

“Uh-huh.” He flashed you a cute little smile. “He was practically jumping up and down. When you first moved in, you were all he could talk about. Actually, he still talks about you a lot.”

You didn’t know how to respond to that other than clearing your throat and scratching the space behind your ear.

“Oops,” Yixing chuckled. “I don’t think I was supposed to tell you that.”

You stayed quiet, sipping away on your drink.

Several times throughout the evening, Jongdae came over and made sure that you were okay and didn’t need anything that he could provide. About three beers and a sunset later, most of the boys were packing up and heading home for the night.

Sehun was the last to leave. You were debating whether or not it was time for you to go back to your villa as well when Jongdae dropped into the chair beside you.

“Did you have a little bit of fun?” he asked.

“Yeah,” you nodded sincerely. “I did.”

The whole group was a hoot, constantly dragging each other through the dirt in a very brotherly way. You’d never been so entertained in your life. If anyone were to ask, you were sure your abdominal muscles were going to be hurting tomorrow from laughing so much.

“Good, good.” He side-eyed you with a mischievous glint. “Glad to know the stick isn’t stuck in the mud.”

Oh, that was rude.

Scoffing at his insult, you reached over to the cooler that was in arm’s reach and grabbed a handful of ice. You threw it right at his chest. A big wet spot was now clearly visible on his shirt, making you giggle.  

“Hey!” Jongdae jumped up from his seat to get the ice off of him as soon as possible. Then he narrowed his gaze at you.

Crap.

You scrambled up to your feet and ran for your life. The sand and your flip flops made it impossible to get anywhere fast. Jongdae caught you in his arms, sending you both down to the ground. He landed on top of you, barely missing knocking his head against yours.

“Oh, man, (y/n), are you okay?” He pushed himself up to his elbows, eyes searching you for any injury.

“I’m okay,” you whispered.

That was lie. You were certainly not okay. His close proximity was sending your nerves into overdrive and your eyes were lingering on his lips no matter how much you fought it.

With his right hand, Jongdae brushed the sand that covered your cheek before cupping the back of your neck. Slowly, he lowered his head until his lips brushed up against yours. It was just a tease, but it didn’t last long.

Jongdae pushed down more, turning the brush into a full, deep kiss. His lips were hesitant, giving you all the time in the world to pull away. But you didn’t. You brought your arms up, locking them around Jongdae’s neck to keep him in place as you eagerly kissed him back.

What the hell was happening? This neighbor that you insisted annoyed you was suddenly making your heart race and you didn’t know what to make of any it.

Reluctantly, you broke the kiss, needing air to refill your lungs. Jongdae was smiling down at you, giving you one last kiss to your forehead.

“So,” he chuckled as he sat back, “I’m not so bad.”

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes. Lips still tingling, you sprung up, taking a seat in Jongdae’s lap with your legs wrapped around his hips. “No, I guess you’re not too bad.”

“Can I take you to breakfast tomorrow?”

Chewing on your bottom lip, you couldn’t hold back the smile. “I think I’d like that.”

But right now, you wanted desert.

With your fingers tangling in his thick black hair, you started the kiss up again. Jongdae held you steady with his arms around your waist, happy to continue what he’d started.

The setting for this strange turn of events couldn’t have been more perfect. As the fire crackled beside you, it sent little sparks up into the night sky that faded before they could hit the stars. Waves met the shore with a crash, pulling back before rushing forward again. While you’d expected a peaceful and ordinary time by the beach, it seemed life had decided to take you on a different trail. And you weren’t sure how long this would last, but for a little while, at least, you would certainly be grateful for the unexpected twist.

[wickedsingularity]

Until Next Time [Chapter 11]

Banner by PhoenixAlthor @ TDA

The hand on my heart clenched painfully. I stiffened and gritted my teeth. My eyes stung and I couldn't breathe. I was there. I had reached the point where it hurt so bad I didn't know how to live for one more second.

War. We do what we can to find comfort and hope.

Remus Lupin x OC Warnings: Lemon, lemon as a coping mechanism Words: 1699

Chapter 10 | Masterlist | Chapter 12

Us

This makes it easier.

For nearly two months now, Remus and I had been sneaking off to his room after every Order meeting we had both been at and almost every time I had visited headquarters for whatever reason. I had not had the pleasure of him fucking the full moon on me again – I had visited Grimmauld Place a couple of days before the last full moon, but he had been out taking advantage of the situation to get in with a werewolf pack up in Wales, one we knew was likely to side with You-Know-Who.

The memory of how feral he had seemed and how he'd bitten me was strong in me, and I wanted so bad to experience it again I felt like humping air when I thought about it.

When had I become such a sex starving scarlet woman?

I had thought a lot about the raw attraction we felt towards each other and hadn't been able to really explain it until he straight out asked me one day in the middle of November.

Remus pulled out of me and rolled onto his side of the bed. I laid an arm above my eyes, trying to catch my breath. My mind was blissfully empty, no more thoughts about the tiring day I'd had at Azkaban, where we were in the middle of setting up the last ward. All I could feel was the empty but satisfied feeling in my entire body. Until I felt a warm, calloused hand gently moving up and down my other arm.

I discreetly lifted the arm above my eyes a fraction and looked down. This was unusually intimate of him. Yeah, we were having sex, but this was not a relationship. And that action was very relationship-like. Was this a relationship? I sighed quietly and moved both my arms up and crossed them under my head.

And as if Remus had read my mind: "What is this? Us?"

I gazed up at the ceiling for a moment before answering with the first thing that came to mind: "Sex. Good sex."

Remus chuckled. I looked at him. He had a smug expression on his face. "Good sex," he confirmed.

"Wipe that smirk off your face, Mr Lupin."

"Not possible."

A few long moments went by. We just laid there, not looking at each other, my mind analysing the past couple of months.

Good sex was an understatement. Remus knew exactly what he was doing and then some. I wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. I hoped it didn't mean he slept around a lot, but he didn't seem like the type. I wasn't either, because my friends-with-benefits relationship with Connell aside, I had only had one proper relationship since I started at Azkaban seven years ago. No one wanted to be with the witch who worked alongside Dementors, not even for one night. My job freaked them out. They all thought I had a fetish for death and depression.

But I had managed fine on my own. Keeping to myself, channelling everything into work. Until... the war.

"An outlet," I mumbled. It was obvious. Being with Remus made me feel lighter, less chilled to the bone. Sex with him warmed me up from the inside and emptied my mind, and that made it easier to handle the fears I had repressed for years before the war started bringing them all back to the surface.

"What?"

"An outlet," I repeated. "For... everything."

Remus raised himself up on his elbow, resting his head in his hand. He gazed down at me, his face grave. "An outlet," he confirmed.

It fit when one thought about most of our times together. The war had made my glass overflow. Feeling everything, truly feeling, I couldn't afford it. Remus proved to be an able outlet. All our fears and concerns and worry manifested themselves as sexual energy when we were in the same room together. We took comfort in each other. Sex was all we – anyone – could afford right now.

As if to prove my point, my brain sent a shiver through my body and my breath caught in my throat. Remus was on the alert immediately. But before he could do anything, I rose up, pushed him down and straddled him. I leaned down and kissed him hard, forcing my tongue into his mouth, while grinding my naked sweaty body against his. Needing him to harden again, needing to feel him inside me again. My breasts rubbed against his scarred chest and I ground my core back and forth over his cock.

He started growing against my slickness, and I thanked the stars he reacted so quickly. He held his cock steady and without disrupting my rhythm he entered me easily and we both gasped at the connection. I pushed down, getting him fully inside me and stayed still for a moment. Our eyes locked. His amber ones were intense and there was something wild there.

Needing friction, I raised myself up, put my hands on his chest, and felt him go even deeper when I sat down. He was so delicious like this, deep in me and his face contorted in pleasure. I started to move again, still looking into his eyes. The evidence of our previous climax made it slick and easy but didn't scratch the itch as well and I moved with more desperation.

Remus put one hand on my hips, helping me keep a more controlled rhythm, and the other hand went to my breast, massaging in time with my movements. A particularly hard squeeze made me whine and fall forwards slightly, breaking my pace. Both his hands grabbed my hips now and his mouth took the opportunity to latch onto one of my breasts, sucking hard. Then he moved back, teeth pulling at my nipple and I felt myself gush around his cock.

I let him take complete control and moved only the way he guided me. His lips caught my other breast, biting and sucking hard on it. My bundle of nerves rubbed against him from this position, and combined with every scratch of his teeth on my nipples, it sent jolts of electricity through my body. The orgasm washed over me before I realised how close it was and I wailed like a banshee. My entire body shivered and I grabbed a hold of his arms to not fall over and dug my nails into his biceps.

Through half closed eyes, I saw Remus gazing at me. He hadn't come with me like he had done earlier that night, and I looked questioningly down at him. He only smirked. He had explained about his short or non-existent refractory period close before the full moon, but it was three weeks until the next one. I licked my lips, as if I'd tasted my favourite pudding, and rode him with more fervour – wondering how many times I could come before he did. I raked my nails up and down his chest, squeezed him as tight as I could, but he would have none of that.

Instead, he put one finger on my clit, and I came again.

I'm not sure how long we were at it, but we were both drenched, and my entire body was feeling like jelly. I used my last strength and took both his hands in mine and held them above his chest. Riding with all I had left in me. He met my thrusts so hard we were lifted off the bed, the sound of skin slapping against skin loud in the room, drowning out our gasps.

He was about to use his mouth on me again, but before he got that far, I leant down to give him a quick kiss and then biting down on his shoulder. Turned out he liked that as much as I liked him biting me, because he flipped us around, making me squeal. His weight pushed me down into the mattress and he thrust fast and desperate. I wrapped my legs around him and tossed my head back as he reached that spot in me. I came so hard I couldn't make a sound. Then Remus buried his face in my neck as he finally came.

My mind didn't return to earth until we were both lying side by side again, breaths slowly coming back to normal. I had that feeling in my throat as if I'd run hard in cold weather, but my thoughts were peaceful.

"An outlet," Remus said, his voice flat.

I looked at him. I couldn't read his face, so I just hummed in response. "I should get going. I need to get to sleep so I'll be able to get up in time tomorrow, a lot to do still before setting up the final ward."

Remus didn't say anything, just nodded. I rolled out of bed and got dressed, feeling his eyes on me the whole time. When I fastened my cloak, I stopped and looked down at him barely covered by the sheets we had rolled around in.

"Do you know what would happen if I let my fears get the best of me?" I asked. There was something about the way he was behaving since we came down from our highs that made me need to explain. He frowned at me and shook his head. "I'd be a target. I'd be a feast for the Dementors. I can't let myself be afraid. I need to control it. I was so good at it, but this war has... made that hard. This..." I moved my hand back and forth between us a couple of times. "Makes it easier."

For a long time, we looked at each other. I don't know if I wanted him to say anything to reassure me or comfort me, or anything. Because the flatness of his voice earlier made it feel like he wanted to end what we were doing, and that made a slightly different kind of anxiety poke at my heart.

"Until next time," he then said, the faintest of smiles on his lips.

I breathed out in relief and smiled back. "Until next time."

Chapter 10 | Masterlist | Chapter 12

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[bigherosixfeels]

Mini-Max REVIEW

Yeah, I'm still not over the Hiro and Callaghan scene. I never will be.

The episode begins with a little girl throwing a coin into a fountain. The water begins to bubble and the kid thinks it's magic, so she wishes for a giant pony. Turns out, the water is actually Globby who's stealing the money from the fountain. Fred (in his super suit) shows up and tells him to drop the change. Globby and transforms himself into a big penny and knocks Fred down. He rolls through the streets with Fred chasing him. He tells the others that he needs backup, but they can't because they're in the middle of class. Granville asks if there's a problem and they assure her that there's not. They tell Fred he has to go solo this time.

Fred is determined to get Globby, but he burns a car, breaks a brick wall with a wrecking ball (a wall that an old lady had been spending her whole life painting on) and knocks the giant crab from Mission Fried Rice down. Globby changes into his regular form and literally catches a bus. He gets away and Fred now realizes all the destruction he's caused.

Later on the news, Bluff Dunder reports about how Fred failed spectacularly while trying to catch Globby. Apparently, this isn't the first time it's happened either. Gogo thinks he shouldn't roll solo again and Honey says he gets carried away when he's wearing his suit. Fred also crashed into someone's house as they were about to take a family photo. Someone has to watch the city while they're at school (and watch Fred watching the city) and Hiro has come up with that solution. Hiro is designing a small robot called Mini-Max to watch Fred while they're in class. Fred shows up and they think he heard about him basically having a robotic nanny, but he's excited because he thinks Mini-Max will be his sidekick! Fred asks when he'll be done and Hiro insists it'll be soon. All he needs to do is use his lab at school to finish the programming for his superhero chip. Fred excitedly leaves the garage. Honey suggests they should tell him that Mini-Max is actually not his sidekick, but because of how happy Fred is, they decide not to.

At night, Hiro and Baymax go to the robotics lab, but his student ID rejects entry inside. The robotics lab is currently closed for maintenance until further notice. Hiro questions who okayed this and Professor Granville shows up to tell him it was her. Hiro is surprised because midterm projects are due, but Granville is giving everyone an extension. The lab is off limits for everyone. She says she's going home and suggests for him to do the same.

Of course, Hiro is confused since the lab was fine yesterday and goes around to enter in a different way. He spots an open window and uses Baymax as trampoline. After a few jumps, Hiro manages to get inside. Baymax attempts to jump, but wasn't designed for that. Hiro opens the door for him and they're both inside!

In his lab, Hiro finishes up Mini-Max's chip. Baymax scans around and detects Granville inside as well. She enters inside a lab and looks around to make sure no one sees her. Hiro tells Baymax they have to get out, but Granville is too occupied with her own thing. She tests out a vocal command which is acknowledged.

The next day, we're at Fred's mansion and he's super excited to meet Mini-Max. That's right! We're at the Mini-Max comic-con preview! The second Mini-Max is active, he flips in the air. He introduces himself and says that he's a defender of justice. Fred already sees them as a classic duo. Fred thinks he'll be the serious and logical one while Mini-Max will be the comic relief. He goes to pat his head, but Mini-Max flips him over and pins him down. Fred explains what he was going to do and Mini-Max apologizes and allows him to do the affectionate gesture. Baymax scans his hand and tells Fred he has a minor abrasion on his wrist. He turns on the cooling system in his hands and tells Fred to ice it ten minutes twice a day. Baymax and Mini-Max look at each other and introduce themselves to each other. Mini-Max is programmed to assist and protect his fellow heroes, thwart villainy and be a champion for justice. Baymax states that he's a personal healthcare companion and Mini-Max says, "We all serve in our own way."

Honey Lemon starts a movie (The Mermaiden's Tale). Fred is showing Mini-Max a Captain Fancy comic book. Mini-Max has knowledge on who that is. Fred also shows him Captain Fancy's sidekick. Mini-Max tells him that he doesn't have internal organs.

Wasabi is happy that Granville gave them all extensions on their midterms since he needed more time. So of course they're watching a movie instead of working. Honey states that The Mermaiden's Tale is so much more than a movie. Wasabi adds that you're dead inside if you don't cry when someone throws herself in front of a harpoon.

Hiro, holding the old yearbook he found back in Small Hiro One, walks up to everyone and asks if they ever wonder about Granville. Hiro tells them that she lied to him last night when she said she was going home, but went back inside the lab to work on something. Gogo reminds him that he did the same thing, but argues that he had a good reason for doing so. Hiro thinks that Granville is up to something bad, but everyone (including Mini-Max) laughs it off. Hiro's being serious and wonders why she'd mysteriously stop teaching twenty years ago, only to return now.

We cut back to a scene all the way back from Baymax Returns that shows the alloy Obake wanted. Hiro thinks it's weird that she kept a super rare conductor on her desk as a paperweight. Wasabi thinks Hiro is letting his personal feelings get in the way. Everyone knows how hard Granville is on him and that she gives him a lot of attention. Hiro knows something isn't right and him and Baymax leave. He's going on to discover the truth about her.

Later that night, Hiro and Baymax follow Granville, whose going down Good Luck Alley. Hiro and Baymax have to go undercover. Hiro has his hood up with sunglasses and Baymax is wearing a hat, mustache, shirt and coat. Through the alley, Baymax accidentally bumps into someone and checks to make sure they aren't injured. They're not and Hiro drags Baymax away. Hiro and Baymax continue to follow Granville, but Hiro bump into Yama, accidentally getting pizza all over his freshly dry-cleaned track suit.

Yama orders his goons to go after them. Baymax's coat falls over them. By the time they're uncovered, Hiro is on Tadashi's moped with Baymax in his carrier. He's speeding through the alleyway, but Yama's goons are now chasing him on motor vehicles of their own. Hiro reaches a dead end and Baymax tells him there's no exit. Hiro states they'll have to make one and he begins going directly for Yama's goons. He pushes a button on the moped which activates rocket boosters. He goes flying, we get a slow motion "Oh no" from Baymax, and Yama's goons fall into a dumpster. Hiro and Baymax drive off.

Meanwhile, Fred and Mini-Max are scanning around for trouble. Mini-Max has his own super suit and he looks so cute! Fred doesn't see any signs of illegal activity, but Mini-Max does. They go off to take care of the illegal activity which is Globby stealing money from parking meters. Mini-Max and Fred show up and Globby (in a Cockney accent) says he doesn't know who he's talking about. Fred is definitely not fooled by Globby in a ski mask since you can see the rest of his body. Fred then does his best Cockney accent and Mini-Max says both their accents were highly inaccurate. Globby says he's never been to Cockney and the ski mask is because he heard it might snow. He turned himself into a giant snowball and rolls down the street.

Fred assures Mini-Max that he's all over this and Mini-Max states that he's all over Fredzilla. While Fred tries to stop Globby, Mini-Max stops Fred from causing destruction. He prevents another car from getting burned and the wrecking ball from hitting the old lady. Globby hits a dead end. When Fred breathes fire at him, Globby turns himself into fire and swallows Fred's fireball. He knocks Fred down, but Mini-Max is there to help. He extinguishes Globby until he returns to his usual form and makes another getaway. Mini-Max is pleased to have stopped all Fred-related disasters. Fred comments on how that's not really a superhero type of line, but praises Mini-Max for how well he did. He still thinks they make a great team and before he knows it they'll be finishing each other’s sentences. Mini-Max doesn't finish it. He then asks for a Mini-Maximum fist bump that sends Fred flying off-screen. He asks if they can do a Mini-Medium fist bump next time.

The next day in the nerd lab, Hiro comes in and announces to his friends that Granville is totally up to something. He tells them that she had a mysterious visit to Good Luck Alley. The others are now a little confused by this and wonder why she'd go there. Hiro tells them that he and Baymax were chased away before they could find anything out and discovers something else in the yearbook. He's found someone that could have answers.

Later on, Hiro arrives at a prison and we immediately cut to him meeting up face-to-face with Robert Callaghan. Callaghan tells him that Granville was an excellent teacher and the way she left was a shame. She was in the lab after hours when an incident occurred. Officially, it was known to be a pipe burst, but rumors went around that an unsanctioned project went wrong. She ended up resigning and the matter was not pursued any further. That's all Callaghan knows. Hiro thanks him for the information and turns to leave, but Callaghan calls out to him. He thanks her for saving Abigail. He also tells him that he never set out to hurt anyone and apologizes for what happened to Tadashi. Hiro says that Tadashi would have wanted Hiro to forgive Callaghan and he hopes that he can someday and walks away. Chills. Chills everywhere.

That night at the school, Hiro sneaks into the lab through an air vent. Unfortunately for him, he's caught by a spider-like robot that considers him a threat. Two more of these bots show up and surround Hiro, but before he can do anything, Granville shows up. Hiro asks if the killer spider robots are what she's been up to. She tells the bots to stand down and explains that they're a part of the schools' new security upgrade. San Fransokyo has had a rise in criminal activity lately and is sure that Hiro has noticed. Hiro lies and says he's been so focused on his studies.

Granville takes Hiro to the main area where the brains behind the bots are. She's programming them to detain intruders (like a reckless student breaking in after hours). Hiro tries to come up with either an excuse or lie, but Granville tells him to save him and that they'll deal with his punishment in the morning. As that conversation is going on, Obake hacks into one of the bots. He reprograms the bot to see Hiro as a threat again. Granville commands it to stand down, but it doesn't recognize her authority. She tries to override it, but can't. The other bots then detect Granville as a threat and Hiro tries to fix the code. The bots then attack them and Hiro and Granville make a run for it.

They run into a classroom and Hiro sneaks behind a desk to call the others for backup. They see that him and Granville are in need of help, but are concerned that they'd be recognized. Wasabi points out that no one recognizes them in their gear, but Gogo thinks that she would. Looks like it's up to Fred and Mini-Max! Mini-Maximum justice!

The new duo makes it onto campus and goes down a sewer drain. Mini-Max has a 'glow mode' which basically makes him a nightlight. They look around until they stumble upon a few of the bots. Fred avoids them since he's afraid of spiders, but Mini-Max steps up and manages to take down all of them by himself! I gotta say, Mini-Max really comes in handy. Get it? Because he used his hand to-ah forget it.

Meanwhile, Granville and Hiro are alone and she asks why he's been spying on her. He laughs it off and assures he hasn't been spying on her, but Granville knows he followed her when she went to Good Luck Alley where she was purchasing parts for the security bots. Hiro admits he has been spying and confesses that he knows she used to teach at SFIT before and talked to Callaghan to figure out why she left. Granville realizes she has to work harder to gain his trust and decides to tell him what happened.

Twenty years ago, there was a young genius at the school and she believed that without any limits, he'd achieve great things. She granted him free access to the lab at all times. However, she was unaware that his experiment was extremely dangerous. The boy barely survived the incident. Granville covered for him and told the authorities it was her work. She believes in a way that it was and that she had failed as a teacher. She understands now that students need limits...even geniuses. The door they were blocking off gets pushed by a few security bots. Hiro is luckily not detected, but Granville is and she's stuck. Hiro doesn't hesitate to jump on the bot. It prevents the bot from attacking Granville, but now Hiro is in trouble.

Fred and Mini-Max break into the lab that controls the bots. Mini-Max punches and stomps on a few of them. He then tells Fred to distract the bots while he destroys the CPU. Fred tells himself they're just killer robots and not spiders, but questions if that's any better. Mini-Max gets pinned down by one of the bots and tells Fred to continue heroically without him. Fred doesn't know if he can, but Mini-Max tells him to believe in himself like he does.

Fred wonders how to take down the bots since they see everything as a threat. He then states that threatening him is a threat to the school because he's here to protect it. So, to defeat all threats to the school, the security system has to fight itself. Two bots then end up fighting each other. Fred then thinks that fighting itself is also a threat, so it should fight the part of itself that's threatening that's not a threat. The bots are becoming confused and start to malfunction. He's confused the bots so much that he's overloaded the system and they all break down.

Mini-Max is pleased with how Fred got them to terminate themselves and tells him that he's a great hero. They share a much more pleasant fist bump and laugh in victory. Oh yeah, they're an iconic duo.

The next morning, Granville is in the lab she was using for the security system and cleaning up the mess. Hiro comes inside and comments on how crazy it was. Hiro tells her that he does take risks and that she thinks he's reckless (he says as he trips and knocks over a beaker). He assures her that he's not going to end up like her former student. She tells him that they're done and goes back to sweeping. Hiro smiles at her and turns away to leave. As the door closes, she turns to smile at him.

Unbeknownst to her, Obake is spying on her and he is not very happy with her.

GOOD EPISODE.

Mini-Max is an adorable character! I love that he’s meant to keep an eye on Fred, but Fred sees him as a sidekick. He’s definitely going to be a lot of help. I honestly didn’t expect him to be as powerful as he is, but I shouldn’t be surprised. Hiro knows how to make some awesome robots and Mini-Max is amazing! He’s also super adorable in his super suit. I’m really looking forward to seeing more of him and his adventures with Fred in future episodes.

I liked that this episode addressed how they can’t always be looking out for the city when they’re in class. Luckily, Fred isn’t a student so he can help when the rest can’t, but he does need help and Mini-Max is a great way to not only help with fighting, but also with keeping Fred from accidentally destroying the city in the process.

Professor Granville. I love her. From the beginning, she’s been tough on Hiro, but for good reason. In this episode, we finally get a better understanding of the reason. She acknowledges that she made a mistake with teaching in the past and now knows that students need limits. I thought that conversation between her and Hiro was really good as well as the one at the end where he assures her that he won’t end up like the former student. Granville is truly an amazing professor. She does worry about her students and keeps an eye on Hiro in particular due to past experiences. Their student-mentor dynamic has really been a treat to watch since Baymax Returns and I love how well it progressed in this episode.

Obake was briefly in this episode, but what we got from him was interesting as always. If it wasn’t obvious that he was the former student that Granville had, I think it’s safe to say that it’s obvious now.

I love the background music in this show very much. Specifically, I loved the music that played when Hiro and Baymax were following Granville down Good Luck Alley. It was so good!

This episode currently holds my favorite scene of the show so far. The scene between Hiro and Callaghan was incredible. I don’t think there’s a word that can describe just how amazing it truly is. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it was for Hiro to see him again and he was so neutral the whole time. He didn’t become furious or anything around that. He was visibly uncomfortable, but remained civil and thanked Callaghan for giving all the information about Granville that he could. And then…the best part happened. Callaghan thanks him for saving Abigail and even though he knows it’s not enough, he apologizes for what happened to Tadashi. That itself was emotional, but Hiro’s facial expressions and his voice cracking to where you know he’s about to cry is what made this scene so heart wrenching. He feels that Tadashi would want him to forgive Callaghan and all he can say after that is, “Someday I hope I can”. I loved that. I love that he didn’t forgive him. He’s clearly not ready and it showed with every expression and how his tone was from the beginning of the scene. Hiro was just so amazingly mature in this scene and I’m still blown away with everything. Ryan Potter and James Cromwell did a fantastic job with this scene. I’m so happy that James was able to come back to voice Callaghan. This scene for many reasons is the closest I’ve been to shedding tears so far. I loved every moment of it.

On a scale of one to ten…I’d rate Mini-Max a 9.2!

[bethestaryouareradio]

Fall Harvest and Bulb Buying

“Tickle it with a hoe and it will laugh into a harvest.”  English Saying

 Every September I think about two major garden projects that transpire throughout the autumn season: harvesting and bulb buying.

 Fall boasts a spectacular bounty of pears, Asian pears, grapes, apples, tomatoes, tangerines, blackberries, walnuts, kiwis, and more. The last of the peaches and nectarines are being picked while festivals celebrating the end of the fruit and vegetable collections transpire throughout the next two months across the United States. 

 We also kick off fall by thinking about what bulbs we’ll want to plant for spring. Alliums, daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinths, iris, snowdrops, muscari, and fritillaria top the lists of many gardeners. 

 Let’s get started on this month’s workload! 

 Fruit and Vegetables

 What do we do with all the produce that is harvested? Besides eating your fruits and veggies fresh and raw, autumn is a plum time for canning, freezing, pickling, and drying the season’s extra yield to enjoy during the winter months when “fresh-picked” is not possible. Use a dehydrator to dry apples, peaches, tomatoes, and pears. Put grapes into an ice-cube tray, add water, and make grape cubes that are pretty and delicious in drinks. After cooling, freeze batches of various fruit sauces that have simmered in a pot with a dash of salt, sugar, honey, and/or vinegar. For canning and pickling, check online sources for simple recipes and make sure to follow the safety requirements. Making jams, jellies, pies, and chutneys is easy and fun, especially when you involve the kids. Next to Christmas, harvest time was always a favorite family experience when I was growing up.  

 Although my vegetable garden did not return the abundance I had anticipated for the year, my fruit trees overcompensated. I’ve been slicing crunchy apples into salads, sauces, compotes, soups, and making crumbles, pies, and crisps. Peaches or nectarines with fresh cream is one of my favorite breakfast treats. For a refreshing and invigorating weekend cocktail that I call Sunday Sensation, try this beautiful and delicious combination. It can be made with or without alcohol.

 Sunday Sensation

In a clear pitcher, muddle cut pieces of peach and nectarine. Add slices of an orange, tangerine, and Meyer lemon. Stir in a shot glass of Campari or Aperol for an alcohol infused drink, add ice cubes, and top with sparkling wine or Champagne. For a virgin sensation, use a cup of orange juice topped with sparkling water or apple cider. Garnish with sprigs of basil and mint leaves. 

Yummy!

 While you are enjoying your Sunday Sensation, it’s time to contemplate the bulbs and rhizomes you’ll plant this fall for a spring showcase. Bulbs can be planted mid to late fall in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Daffodils can be planted anytime and anywhere. They are especially great in areas where deer roam as the deer are repelled by them. There are so many varieties of tulips for early, mid-season, and late blooming that it may be best to peruse bulb catalogs to get an idea of the specimens that speak to you. All tulips will need six weeks of refrigeration before planting so it is doubly critical that you decide on what to buy now. For rock gardens and borders, you may be thrilled by Water Lily tulips that naturalize when left undisturbed. When you want exotic-looking tulips, consider the flamboyant Parrot or Peony flowering tulips. If you want to force flowering, single or double early tulips are the most well-known as well as Species and Triumph tulips.

 Forcing How-to:

Plant bulbs in well-draining pots in October, place them in the dark for 12-14 weeks while chilling at 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit. Gradually move pots to filtered sunlight to allow sprouting and acclimation. Water as needed. 

 Ponder the Pollinators:

Happy bees stay in our gardens helping nature thrive. By planting bulbs in colors most attractive to the bees­­­­––blue, purple, white, and yellow––fresh food is provided for them after winter when they need it most. The best bulbs for bees are allium, anemone, camassia, corydalis, crocus, fritillaria, Galanthus, hyacinths, muscari, tulips, and scilla. 

 Best Way to Plant Large Quantities:

Most people plant bulbs in groups of five to seven spaced six inches apart and buried four to five inches deep. However, if you want to create a bold and beautiful impact with large swatches of color, try trenching. You can mix bulbs or use one variety or one species.

 Dig a long five-inch deep (or whatever depth the bulb packaging indicates) trench wherever you want to make your floral statement. It can be straight or made into a circle or pattern. Add soil amendments if your ground is clay and hard. Arrange a minimum of a hundred bulbs with the pointy side up. Cover area with soil and mulch. Water, wait, and WOW!

 After blooms fade in the spring, cut the flower stalks to allow the bulbs to conserve energy for the next year while the foliage continues to flourish. 

 Hose Repair:

Every time I or my siblings telephoned my Mom during a summer or fall day, the first words out of her mouth were “I’m busy. I’m pulling hoses.”  That line became a code sentence for us whenever we were doing manual labor that others may not think was important, but what was critical to us. This past summer, to save water by not turning on my irrigation system, I found myself pulling actual hoses daily. By spot watering, I was able to water deeply and accurately, but it was arduous work pulling those heavy hoses. Several tore or broke during the process and I mended them, giving them new life. I have always repaired frayed or cut hoses and figured everyone repaired theirs when necessary. But then I saw a couple of hoses in the recycle bin area of a client’s yard with new hoses sitting next to the front faucets. They didn’t realize that hoses are easily repaired with inexpensive parts. If your hose is damaged, head to the hardware store to buy either a female or male coupling. If your hose is broken in the middle, you can buy a connector. Cut off the damaged hose part with a shear or sharp knife. Use a Philipps screwdriver to open the connector. Push the new female or male plug into the hose and tighten the connector with the screwdriver. Test the hose. It will be good as new. I tend to use more female couplings than males, so I always buy extras.

 Tickle your garden with a hoe and you’ll have a great harvest. Come visit me at the Pear and Wine Festival in Moraga at the Be the Star You Are!® charity booth on September 25th and pick up some free goodies. Laugh on!

 MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Saturday, September 25th, Be the Star You Are!® will participate in the first live event at the Pear and Wine Festival with a booth sponsored by the Lamorinda Weekly(www.Lamorindaweekly.com) and MB Jessee painting (www.MBJessee.com). Wear your mask and visit us! Details at https://www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-events

  Happy Gardening. Happy Growing. 

Photos and more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1515/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian.html

 Cynthia Brian, The Goddess Gardener, is available for hire to help you prepare for your spring garden. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com.

Buy copies of her books, including, Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, and Be the Star You Are! www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store. Receive a FREE inspirational music DVD and special savings.

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures.

Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com

www.GoddessGardener.com

[sussex-nature-lover]

Friday 7th May 2021

Will Someone Turn the Heat On Please

I’ve got a prepared post to finish off my Great Spotted Woodpecker family - the juveniles. It’s in preparation for our new babies which must be coming out soon or soonish. But I thought a break and mixing it up would be better for a blog, so I took some photos out and about yesterday and then in the garden too. 

You really wouldn’t think we’re heading towards mid-May would you. There’s a real chill in the air and you need to wrap up. I feel so sorry for all the pubs, bars and restaurants who’ve been told they can finally re-open for business, but only outdoors. I just read a post from a family-run place near Bodiam Castle, they’ve put marquees out in their garden, but one blew away in the storms a couple of nights ago - what bad luck.

Anyway, our out and about was in the Ashdown Forest where we’d intended to go for a good walk. Well, talk about blowing the cobwebs away! and despite the fabulous far-ranging views, it just wasn’t all that pleasant to be out. There were some hardy souls drinking and dining al fresco, but rather them than me.

I wanted to get amongst the Gorse and test out this idea that it smells of coconut. I’d never noticed it over all the years, but I wrote about it last year and it’s intrigued me ever since. I love the smell of coconut, it’s very evocative of sun kissed beaches and tropical vistas (anyone remember those?) and it’s one of the few ‘fruit and veg’ fragrances that I like in toiletries - I can take cucumber for facial stuff and mint for toothpaste but no, thank you, I don’t want my hair to smell of strawberries or orange.  I digress...

From the Woodland Trust:

Common gorse can be seen in all kinds of habitats, from heaths and coastal grasslands to towns and gardens. It generally flowers from January to June (although it may flower sporadically throughout the year), while its close relatives - Western gorse and dwarf gorse - flower from July to November. Common gorse is a large shrub and a member of the pea family.

A large, evergreen shrub, covered in needle-like leaves, it has distinctive, coconut-perfumed, yellow flowers during the spring and summer.

It provides shelter and food for many insects and birds, such as Dartford warblers, stonechats and yellowhammers.

Three observations. Yes, its leaves are absolutely like needles, ouch! Yes, you can see that the flowers are of the pea family but No, it’s not that easy (at the moment) to detect the coconut fragrance. I think it is there, very faintly, but suspect we need some lovely warm sunshine to bring it out properly.

I should’ve taken this photo yesterday before the flowers started to dry out

It was too cold to linger so I persuaded Crow to stop at a garden centre. Goodness me, prices have shot up. I invested in two Thyme plants to replace what I have in pots outside. It’s been there for years and is rather woody now, although still thriving, so perhaps supplement rather than replace: I’m awful at getting rid of stuff. I think the ones I have are a basic common Thyme, it’s a greyish green and cream leaf and a Lemon Thyme, which is green and gold.

My recent purchases: two types of Thyme, Basil and a Pasque Flower

RHS site info below

Thymus are evergreen woody-based perennials, shrub or sub-shrubs with small aromatic leaves and terminal whorls of small, 2-lipped, tubular, purple, pink or white flowers in late spring or summer

Silver Posie'  (above) is a dwarf, erect, bushy, variegated shrub to 30cm tall with narrowly ovate, lemon-scented, dark green leaves with white margins. Pale lilac-pink flowers are produced in whorls in summer

'Aureus' is a bushy evergreen shrublet to 20cm in height, becoming spreading and more open with age, with small, bright yellow, lemon-scented leaves and erect, interrupted spikes of tiny pale lilac flowers

When we got home I looked on line at the garden centre’s site and was amazed to see that the one plant I had picked out - not being familiar with it at all - is actually featured in their news as Plant of the Moment...never let it be said I don’t have my finger on the pulse!

You can see it Here on their website.

I’d love to make a true Cottage Garden flower bed, but alas fear it would just be haute cuisine for the resident Rabbit population. Speaking of which

Did someone call?

Tipping the seed tray for every last bit

We didn’t have many Rabbits last year and the Squirrels have given us a bit of a break only to return with all the guile and cheek of old. The Bulrush fat ball feeder is now missing one of its leaves and I need to attempt a repair job. That didn’t last long did it. Thugs!

Newbies

RANDOM BITS FROM THE GARDEN:

A little bit of early evening sunshine and the Silver Birch taken from the house (so on a long zoom)

Silver birch has both male and female flowers (catkins) on the same tree.

The male catkins are formed in the autumn and will remain on the tree all winter – only opening in April or May. The female catkins appear in spring with the new shoots.

A very puffed up Blue Tit at the bird bath

The Magpie came with a mate yesterday but of course, as soon as I picked up the camera, there was only one in shot

And the one lonely female Pheasant visiting us at the moment has as much space as she desires. Not sure why I feel a bit sorry for her, she’s getting the pick of everything.

WHAT DID I LEARN TODAY?

There are over 300 thyme varieties in the mint family of Lamiaceae, of which thyme is a member. I really didn’t know that.

If you want to know more about varieties of Thyme, here’s a Link to Gardeners’ World - one day I might even attempt a carpet planting like Sissinghurst has And if that’s not enough for you, take a look at something special on my other page HERE.

PS Late News

I forgot to post photos of tadpoles that I took at Bateman’s last week. I forgot to say that on the way home yesterday afternoon we saw a large Tawny Owl in a tree overhanging our lane and also that I saw the Goldcrest in the Christmas tree earlier today...it’s not often you can say you were watching two Coal Tits and all of a sudden they dwarfed another bird!!

EDIT:

Tadpole and other photos can be seen on my other page HERE

[hornedwyvern]

Dew Drops in March ❈ Chapter 3

Im really happy that everyone is enjoying this. With all the good feedback of the previous chapter on here and Ao3 Ive decided I will write a wedding scene once I complete this fiction. I will probably knock out a few chapters of my other fan-fiction of FFXV (Which is here!) before doing that. I actually have full head canons and story plots for children I can see these lovelies having. I have no idea if I will write a fiction about them but their names are; Evangeline, Barnaby and Scarlet. Two look similar to Chise; having human like forms then one resembling more like Elias. Shoot me a ask if you’re interested in learning more. Anyway! Enjoy this chapter!

Word Count: 4,291

Chapter 1 ❈ 

Chapter 2 ❈

Cooking and baking became a calming past time in this screwball of a world. It was a easy science that Chise understood, balancing her ingredients like she would with making medicine but in most cases this ended up tasting a lot better. Only a pinch of cocoa powder here, a sprinkle of salt there. Maybe even some cherry extract to add flavor. When she’d lived on her own in America she’d once had a studio apartment for a brief time -- it was extremely cramp especially when Ruth manifested into any form. It was a incredibly depressing time for both parties. Though in those small, few months she learned quickly how to fend for her self; preparing most of her meals at work. The office kitchen wasn’t always stocked with the most fresh food or coffee.

Guess it was a trait that just stuck.

There sat a mixing bowl on the long counter’s of Silky’s kitchen. Everything was arranged nicely and stored perfectly. It really looked like a kitchen you’d see in those magazines at the doctor’s office or in department stores. The intelligent house sprite would never allow clutter or mess in her most favorite room of the house. If Elias was even caught misplacing something she’d surely tan his hide for it. Whom was master of whom? Chise smirked thinking about it as she blended a group of ingredients in the clear cylinder bowl, folding it with a spatula. All coming together as one, the scent of chocolate in the air.

Chise drew her finger over the edge of the bowl, scooping a dollop of the dark, confection batter that she licked clean off. It was rich, a twinge of mild fruitiness there too. The sweet, chocolaty taste riveting her tongue. These were probably going to be the best brownies she’d made in a long time. Simon told her to add cherry extract for a bold flavor and she surely did not regret that decisions. The thick batter found it’s way into a oiled pan that was ancient looking, how long has Silky had this? The House Sprite was a mysterious being indeed.

One of the kitchen windows was opened ajared, it was just enough to let in a chilling breeze. It hugged the back of Chise’s neck; making her reddish neck hair stand on end. Even with the glowing flame of the oven and her toil of blending the ingredients did it freeze her from top to bottom. She quickly fed the tray of uncooked brownie batter into the oven’s mouth, closing it quick. Her face was now warm but the rest frigid. Quickly the red-headed woman trotted to the open window, latching it close. The frost growing like mandalas of the flatness of the clear glass, Chise drew a heart in the fog.

Snow had fell that night before and now the hills were masked in a blanket of fluffy, powdery snow that crumbled through your hands like cold grains of rice. It was the perfect weather for building a snow man, Chise thought. Maybe Ruth might enjoy that later? Her reflection looking back at her as she gazed at the ever green pines and pillowing winter clouds above them. At least the sun was out, dismal but awake and exulting joyful rays of endearing warmth.

Looking at the viridian pine trees that stood tall, like a wall into the forest beyond their hillside home; Chise thought about the Yule time and how the house smelled of cinnamon and cedar. Her green eyes closed, breathing in the winter air that had escaped in side. This Yule was very refreshing, it brought back old memories as well building new. Chise’s face started to grow a roseate shade from ear to ear. Thinking about a certain moment during the twelve day period, her fingers reached to her parted lips. It was the first time she’d kissed Elias -- directly.

It seemed like a regular day aside the the wicked cold. They’d both gone to collect some items from in town. There wasn’t abundance growing in the garden aside a few seasonal vegetables and fruit but they were no where close to harvest. The couple had their reserves but there was plenty delights stored in town as well giving them a reason to get out of the house and do a smige of socializing. Elias held Chise’s hand the whole walk home. The gentle grasp was enough to keep her gloved hands more than warm enough.

In the crook of Elias’ free arm sat some supplies and Chise held a burlap bag full of books and wrapping supplies along with a few articles of clothing; gifts for friends back in America and Japan. She wanted to send them right away so they would arrive in time for Christmas. The idea of gift giving was very new to Elias,Chise and Angie was the only ones he’d given stuff too but listening to Chise speak about her friends and what she was planning to give was amusing to the old mage. His cloaked face fixated on her for a good chunk of the walk home.

Their home -- a wonder of faint, flickering lemon colored lights from the several windows. Years ago this had been Elias’ home, hers as well but now it felt like she had imprinted on it. Like as if it was a living thing; It’s soul and walls grasped her presence and welcomed it any time she proceeded through it’s doors. There was no better place ever than here and she realized that soon after returning. The overhead porch light like a beacon, Chise gave Elias a tug forwards.

The door opened with a crack, frost breaking off it’s frame.

“Silky!” Chise alerted the fae. “We’re home!”

She was likely upstairs, her foot steps creaked above them. Elias lifted his cloak.

“She must be busy.” Elias said, having dropped his supplies off on the side table, closing the door behind them. He examined the lot but then realized a piece had been missing. Maybe it dropped the way here or when they were pushing to escape the cold? Elias had already shed his winter cloak, opened the door to the outside. He pulled at his over jacket and spotted the missing item -- a collection of sage for a cleansing spell he had planned for the new family living to the south.

“Elias? What’s wrong?” Chise stood in the door way with a printed shawl around her shoulders.

“I dropped this.” He responded after rapidly nabbing the collection of herb, it’s scent of cedar breaking into the air around them. The mix of saffron light from the porch lantern and carpeted snow was a sight for Chise, Elias looked very handsome in this evening. The shadows of his face gave a certain intensity aside the puffs of white smoke he breathed. In the States she’d dated a boy or two -- even found the company of other woman nice too. None of them seemed the same to the depth she felt for him. His crimson eyes traced her blocking figure in the doorway.

A long time ago when he’d found the time to visit her, she was some what involved with another gentlemen and Elias found that out. She’d never seen him act so strangely, like a piece of what they were had broken off. Their letters to each other became non existent-- well from Elias at least, he never replied more than once every two months. Chise truly believed he he was mourning the lose of what their connection was as Student and Pupil as well the thought of her loving him.

But this was a different chapter for them though. They had no idea what they were to each now -- Chise really liked that for some reason.

“Chise? Are you going to let me in?” She’d zoned out. He was clearly trying his best to not shiver.

“S-Sorry!” Like a door she turned to let him in. His broad body coming in and closing the door behind them. The sage found it’s home next to the other purchased herbs. It smelled glorious in the hall now. Chise still stood beside Elias, turning to her with a questioning eye. Her ungloved hands twiddling together, unknowingly asking something of him.

“What’s wrong?” His voice intrigued. She was looking at him with love struck.

Chise’s emerald eyes took evasive action, spotting the Mistletoe above them.

“The mistletoe.” Mumbling it, Elias asked her again. “The Mistletoe!”

Both gazed up at the collection of lush green leaves and carmine berries twisted with lace above their front door way. A tradition that was required every year in the twelve days of Yule. It was a blessing to the Winter Goddess whom would favor any house decorated by it. Being that herself and her companions have encountered such a being, to be in her graces was a necessity. Along with her and Elias would kiss underneath it as well. They did it in the many years as student and master? Why not now.

“Ah, yes.” Elias turned back to Chise, leaning down to her. “Do you want to kiss me?”

He said it so nonchalantly, breaking away from him and living with people her generation; it really showed how much he didn’t know of human nature or expression. Chise couldn’t help to break into a blush when he said that, she wanted to give him a knock on the head but instead just nodded. The mage realizing she was reddening, his wide palm cupping the side of her face.

“Like we do every year.” Chise tried not to stutter, their bodies close.

“Do you want me to crouch down this time?-- Or.. “ His voice broke, her hands clutching his coat.

“Or?” One of her thin eyebrows raising. Elias’ view looked to be some where else than her. What was he getting at?

“Might we try something different?”

“Different?”

“Yes. I was thinking that I might try this year to kiss you like a normal man would?” Elias’ thumb grazing over her febrile cheek. For some reason she was feeling very nervous but expecting the rest of what he might say “But I have been hesitant to ask you.”

“What do you mean?” Chise pulled at his question, the mage’s eyes glued to her dreamy face.

“By using my glamour. It resembles the human body like yours. It may not be the real thing but I was hoping to know what it felt like to kiss you with it. If you consent to it.” It was something Chise already knew he was getting at but how could she deny him with a face like that longing at her so. His voice said the words crystal clear, it was a very perplex situation.

Chise nodded, a otherworldly blackness absorbing Elias, shifting his form into that of a man with silvery blond hair and turquoise eyes. She knew it was him, underneath this shell and still smelled like him, like patchouli and fresh-cut flowers. Would it really feel the same kissing him like this? Now at least she could read his expressions and tell some what better what he was thinking -- and right now it seemed more like a piqued experiment than a kiss to him. Chise inhaled a hitch of breath.

Their bodies got closer, she could wrap her hands around his biceps a bit easier than before. She’d kissed people before but a frightened nervousness boiled in her gut. Chise did her best to meet Elias in the middle; their lips touching at last. Of course his lips were soft, he never wore this form out other than to be around humans, yet he lingered a certain taste. That of black tea, faint hint of dark chocolate and his own essence. Her hands naturally looped around his neck, rolling their lips gently against each other.

Whatever they had left behind, they could never go back to the way they were. Their kiss only made sense. Like two flames that had slowly been inching towards each other; igniting into a bigger and more beautiful blaze. It was only that of a few seconds in that Chise felt her back held against the hardness of the door behind her, Elias’ body weighing against her. They were both inflamed in the moment with each other, their lips longing to be together deeper. Elias’ racing for more, both of his hands had her cheeks cup; she wouldn’t be able to escape even if she wanted to.

Though as time passed, their passion grew. It became more lip pulling, graze of the tongue and heated breaths. It was only when Chise made a lascivious sob that Elias pulled away quicker than a whip. His face nonplus, staring at Chise just as red as her. Truthfully it look like someone had slapped him, not the face she expected after inducting into such a ardent kiss as that. Chise breathed for the air she had missed.

There was a long awkward pause, Elias dumbstruck. His form shifted back into the original mold.

“I--..” He began, stopping. His sleight beggy bracing herself against the door.

‘Chise? You okay?’ Ruth questioned her in their mind. She couldn’t think at all, all she could focus was the towering mage just a few feet infront of her.

‘Yeah.. Im fine..’ She was, this was just entirely new perspective of Elias.

“My apologies if I became a bit brash!.” Elias suddenly sputtered out, remembering. He rushed to console Chise, petting her like a cat. “I suddenly started to feel.. something new--! And it wanted you. Closer. My heart was beating like a drum, Chise!”

She understood the emotion he was feeling and tried not to overthink about it, Chise lifted her hand over his arm. Giving the fretting mage a soothing smile.

“It’s okay. I felt it too.”

“What was that feeling? Never once have a felt it!”

Would it be smart to lie? He would eventually find out, he always find out. Maybe if she worded it right? They found their way into the heat of the living room, joining each other on the couch. A thick woven woolybug blanket like a cocoon, hugging their sides. Chise didn’t realize how cold she was until after Elias had let go of her.

“That was just a different form of love.” Her eyes flickering a reflection of the dance of the fire ahead of them, salamanders resting between the burning logs.

“There is different forms?” Elias always questioned with the innocence of a child, Chise felt his jaw move above her; she was practically sitting in his lap.

“Yeah. There is types like a mother to her child. A brother to a sister, a friend to another and a one shared between lovers. Love is complex yet beautiful.”

This made Elias think for awhile, a comfortable silence lingering while the fire crackled and the sound of his breathing. The salamanders would hum at each other but usually go back to resting in their warm hearth.

“And.. What did it feel to you? With me.” The mage’s words dripped out slowly like he was afraid to ask them. The hold he had of Chise becoming tighter.

“I-..” She didn’t want to force things out. She wasn’t ready to answer this question. “I felt something very good.. I can’t put my finger on it but..-”

A small hand clasped the larger’s under their blanket’s safety. They didn’t entwine but just laid together, just making sure that the acknowledged touch was there.

“It was good, like something woke up. I will admit. I see you a bit different now.” The words shook Elias, He leaned snout by Chise’s shoulder to get a good look at her face.

“Is that a bad thing? Do you think of me poorly?” He questioned so sincerely, yet the tone of his voice still echoed the nervousness from earlier. Chise reverberated a calm chuckle.

“No. Like I’m no longer looking at the Elias I knew as a child. Im seeing you through a different lenses. It’s like Im relearning all of you and what you mean to me.”

This made Elias go silent again, the cogs working through that large bonehead of his. It took Chise by surprise when he dropped his chin on her shoulder. Like as if he was sulking and she was his oversize human teddy-bear. Even ten years later this old man acted like a child in the oddest of ways, Chise pet the length of his cold muzzle, the now tepid air making her a bit hot for this chunky blanket with Elias inside of it.

“I feel..similar.” He mumbled into her collar bone.”You are very important to me, Chise. I have lived hundred of years but while you were gone it felt like time stopped, I became an abyss and it didn’t go away until you came home.”

A few more followed but she couldn’t understand him without a prompt ‘Huh?’ Elias gave her another squeeze, hesitant to ask the words especially after what happened less than 15 minutes ago.

“Will you sleep with me in my bed together? I’m feeling very strange and it’s making me feel .. unbalanced, conflicted. I would appreciate if I had you near me for the rest of the evening.” Chise tried not to laugh, only sealing her lips with enthusiastic smile. She gave his hand a pat and nodded.

With a unearthly muster of strength and swoop, Chise found herself in the Magus's arms. Holding her like a bride, the blanket laid around his shoulders. It was like a band-aid had been ripped off her whole body as well enduring the shock of being lifted so quickly. Chise shot Elias’ a painful leer.

“Just no funny business!” She exclaimed, kicking her legs, almost losing a slipper.

“Funny Business?” He parroted obliviously, no idea what she was even talking about.

“Never mind! We still have to put our stuff away so put me down!” Even as Chise complained, Elias found a chance to give her a nuzzle at the top point of her cardinal red hair, he breathed a content sigh as he relished in his most favorite person’s presence. Even if she demanded to be let go..

❈

The timer broke Chise from her book about medicinal herbs found in India. It was a key piece of literature to helping her complete a remedy she’d been wanting to make for on of the townsfolk. It range with the utmost annoyance but at least the kitchen and lower half of the house smelled like fresh baked brownies. It drew Silky in like a predator to prey, initially peeking her head in to see Chise’s figure.

With decorative floral oven mitts, a piping hot tray of chocolate delights emerged. Chise could already taste the flavor in her mouth. Silky inched closer to see what she had baked, it certainly look good to her for a odd reason. Perhaps it was made with cream? Even Ruth manifested from the shadows to watch the even unfold, his ghostly tail wagging behind him.

“Silky could you start some hot water as I get these ready for afternoon tea? Im sure Elias would appreciate something fruity to go along with these.” She said setting the hot tray on the stove. Powder sugar would go perfect on these once they had cooled down. "I'll promise to leave you a cup of cream on the mantle~"

The hermit mage was locked in his study most of the morning, working on who knows what. The church had asked him for a few favors earlier that week but he still couldn’t be working on them? He’d been acting very odd the last two weeks since he’d returned from London. Watching her, sometimes avoiding, asking random irrelevant questions at the oddest of times.

Which he was preparing, Elias was looking for the perfect time to ask Chise to marry him. Today he’d been gifted with inspiration to write something heart felt to her but understanding the few emotions that he didn’t quite know still wracked his brain. Notes of mindless scribbles laid out before him on piece of blanched paper, some like hymn and others like poems. Maybe he should ask her bluntly, getting answers out of her was always easiest when he did that. How could he describe the right words to express to her? He’d never said ‘I love you’ but clearly had shown it. Was that valid enough?

The door opened with a creak, It was Silky and whom followed was Chise with a large silver platter in hand.

“Is it that time already?” Elias said looking at the time on his watch. Before Chise got too close he cleaned the desk of papers, shoving them all into a filing cabinet by his ankles. Good thing too, she would been able to see everything where she had placed the platter at. What sat upon it’s silver throne was a grey tea pot decorated with pink flowers and matching cups as well a small pitcher of thick cream and a plate of lemons. Beside them was the platter of Chise’s brownies dusted with powder sugar and lavender petals. The aroma of the summer lemon and raspberry tea gave a festive ambiance to the study.

“What refreshing change of pace for this time of year. I wonder what you had been up to earlier.” Elias complimented their work, enjoying the scent as Silky poured both cups. Chise has found a seat from across his desk.

This had been the room Elias taught most of their lesson at, the amount of frustration and toil she spent between these four walls. But it was Elias’ teaching that helped he obtain such a good job when she lived in the states, thank goodness for his stubbornness, she admired him from across the way as he took his saucer and tea cup.

“I thought we could brighten it up.” Accepting her own cup as Silky offered it, “Ive been a bit bored with the robust teas lately.”

They idled over chatter for some time, fading in and out of conversations. It was when the tea started to run dry and half of the platter had been emptied .. primarily due to Ruth, had Elias stopped the conversation. His glowing rose colored eyes viewing Chise as she took a bite of her brownie. Powder sugar dusting the pinkness of her lips. She might have thought it ungraceful but Elias found it endearing.

“Chise, Ive been meaning to ask you something lately. It's been on my mind the last few weeks.” His words left without thinking, Chise chewed, watching him with a wondering eye. He’d been storing the ring in one of the compacts of the radiant desk he found himself working at every day. Chise never pried in the drawers, it was a secluded spot that was just his, when he’d been acting like he’d been pulling put a pen to note something down Chise said, he slipped the velvet box into his coat pocket.

“Efh-hmh?” She mumbled with her mouthful. There was still a shred of child someone where in her.

“Ive been over thinking about it and it would ..--” He stopped, relaying what he was saying. Chise had swallowed by now but Elias rising from his seat made it hard to go down, he was standing in front of her less than a moment later. The sleigh beggy’s body began to shake, she knew what was coming and had to hold her weak heart in from bursting out of her chest.

“It would be the most blessed honor if you could..” A doubt started to shake his heart and rib cage. How he got to crouching beside Chise in her chair was even a mystery as well he’d taken her hands too. It was having extremely fast, with each second he remained dumbstruck infront of her; Chise’s expression got more red and frantic. She was stuttering in her chair beside him.

“If you could--” He wasn’t able to say it nor did Chise seem like she was ready. It wasn’t the right time or place. It was too cramped. “If you could teach me how to bake like you? Your delights are always superb.”

“What?” Her voice fell flat, hands clasps around Elias’ like wrenches. “You.. want to learn how to.. bake?”

Was he serious? Her heart had fled away as she stared flummox at the gentlemen before her sitting figure.

“Umm! Yes--.. I do, so then I can bake you something nice one of these mornings.” He played off the potential proposal the best he could. “Like plum and apricot scones or the carrot cake during the Spring months that you like.”

“I mean if Silky allows you to work in her kitchen I do not see why not? Would you like to try tonight? Im sure Ruth would like some pecan pie or pumpkin pie.” The second Chise mentioned it the large black dog who had been lying on the floor behind her chair perked up his low hanging ears, his tail batting the floor like hummingbird wings.

“Pie? I like pie.” Ruth said with the most eagerness in his deep voice, the rose color of his eyes glimmering up at his beloved soul sibling. This both concluded a laugh from Elias and Chise, their hands still clutched together.

“See? We have your first taste tester.” Chise indulged in gentle smile to Elias, he looked a little flustered but so was she. In their silence they under stood it wasn’t time but in the mean time Chise could kiss the knuckles of Elias’ gloved finger tips. He felt a special warmth under the touch of her hued lips, parting from the silk fabric. Even if they had both tripped there a few moments ago, the right time would come soon. It would happen naturally like anything good.

“You’ll need to take these off and put a apron on, you know? Unless you want to be covered in flour and batter.” Her voice meekish, Elias nodded in agreement.

“That is fine with me, I have one of the best teachers!” Elias found him to his feet, helping Chise to hers. With cups assembled, making sharp porcelain noises and plates scattered with crumbs and sugar adjourned, they carried out the wide platter away. Chise sharing the last brownie with Ruth who gobbled it up. That pup sure did love his sweets, was chocolate even healthy for fae?

“Prehaps we can even make a pot pie for dinner?” Elias mentioned, that was one of his favorite dishes. Chise liked the idea of that, they had a abundance of vegetables that could go to good use.

“Maybe.~” Together, both mages exiting the dim lit study with Ruth in suite. They would start by baking something easy, something that might actually taste good if it was a little burnt.