#overprotective husband lars

[sundaynie]

lars “TOUCH MY WIFE AND YOU DIE” rorschach nbd 🤪

the “WHERE IS MY WIFE” trope is trope-ing y’all overprotective husband!emperor lars is mad MADDD but i’m so down BADDDD kslkslsdjjdl

[satohqbanana]

Aveyond Divergent Fate Part 15-1

A/N: Clearwater episode! Part 1: Let’s explore Rhen's perspective on her journey. Also, a little reminder that Devin, Talia, Dameon, and Rhen all adapted the “Darzon” name to hide their true identities, but only Rhen, being the youngest and the one who understood the truth the least, is attached to it. Oh and probably get some tissues while you’re at it?

--

That night, Rhen gets a nightmare. In that nightmare, Rona tauns her, hurts her, and humiliates her, over and over. Rhen sees Talia calling for her, but even as she runs to her mother, the gap between them only widens. Rhen wakes up and cries in bed. Not even Veldarah, the place where she first experienced freedom after she was enslaved, is safe.

She regains her composure, washes her face, and rejoins the party as if nothing happened.

Peacefully, the party with their guests sets off and rides a ferry to the West Isle. It's stuffy to ride with rowdy, noisy passengers when they have important business to attend to, and Rhen yearns for a personal boat. As they travel, she notices the odd silence between Lars and Dameon, who are usually at each other's throats. Then again, Dameon became witness to that ugly display between herself, Lars, and Rona, so it isn't like Rhen had much to say about that either. She's just thankful Dameon hasn't said anything about it, because she has no idea what to tell him if he asks. He is, however, being overprotective of her, but that’s nothing new.

Once the party lands on the West Isle, they head to the Highlands, facing off fierce Nemesis birds and Enchanted Trees. Danny realizes the dangers of the world and promises to stay in Clearwater as long as they want him to. Theodore, unable to resist boredom and the call of his warlock blood, plays tricks and makes loud noises that attract the beasts towards the party. It doesn't help that Te'ijal has been laughing at just about anything she encounters.

Nevertheless, the group makes it alive to Clearwater. While everyone celebrates the return of Rhen, Danny, and Dameon, the group is simply relieved they finally reached their destination. Danny goes with his mother, while the rest of the party settle down in Rhen's childhood home.

If Rhen could even call it ‘home’.

Rhen's neighbors and "relatives", the Darzons, have just come home to see the fuss in their town. They too are overjoyed with the return of the lost children.

Rhen asks for some time alone with the old couple, and she follows them to their house to talk. The Darzons express worry about Devin and Talia, but Rhen sees through their little lie and reveals that she knows of the truth already. The air tenses.

Tailor then gently reveals to Rhen how she and her father came to Clearwater, detailing the day Thais burned down. He tells her that Alicia died protecting her, not physically, but by tricking Ahriman into chasing her, therefore keeping him away from Rhen. He describes how Alicia hurt to part from her, how the former queen cradled her child in her arms and sang one last lullaby as her husband, friends, and soldiers prepared for their departure.

Tailor understands that Rhen does not fully understand this, but he wants to let her know about this, if it helps her understand her origins, and why she must be the one to slay Ahriman. Because he stole her mother, her birthright, and her real home from her.

But Rhen angrily retorts that Thais is NOT her home. It was Clearwater. Was.

"All I've ever known my whole life is Clearwater. All I've wanted is to grow up, get a job as, I don't know, a seamstress or a farmer, and maybe get married to someone from this village or maybe Sedona! But I can't even call this place home anymore!” Rhen sobs. “My memories of this place feel strange to me. I feel like a stranger here. I don't know where I should go. I don't feel safe here. I don't feel safe with my parents. I don't really feel safe anywhere at all! I, I..."

Rhen cries in Mrs. Darzon's arms.

"I don't know where to go from here." She weeps, ashamed of herself, frustrated with herself and her journey, and burdened by her history and her real identity. "I don't know what I want to do anymore." "Oh, honey!" Mrs. Darzon cups her face and wipes her tears with a handkerchief. "I'm sorry to hear all of this. I think you should stop if you want to."

Rhen contemplates it for a while. She could, in fact, tell her friends she wanted to stop all this. All of the battling, the daeva-hunting, the druid-saving will cease.

And then, what? The cons of stopping still outweigh the pros.

Rhen shakes her head. "No. No! I don't want to! I can't! I can't leave the world like this. Everyone is still in danger. There's still some druids out there. There's still Thais. If I don't do anything, I, I… it'll feel like I abandoned everyone!" "Well, you don't have to stop completely!" Tailor places a hand on Rhen's shoulder, and adds, "You can just pause and rest for a bit, collect your thoughts, and weigh all your options. Give yourself some time to take it all in, dear. The situation is dire, but even the hero can feel fatigue, and therefore she deserves a break." "But what about everyone who's suffering out there? Fighting on hopelessly? What about Thais? Isn't it your home, Uncle? Don't you want to save it, too?" "I'm sorry, Rhen, you can't save everybody. But, for those that you can save, I'm sure they are eternally grateful for you, and will always remember you and keep you in their thoughts. More than saving their lives, you've saved their souls by giving them hope." "And even a mere act of love like this," Mrs. Darzon hugs Rhen, "Is a way to give someone some hope, isn't it? You too need your little dose of hope in between your battles, no matter how big or trivial."

Rhen is touched by the Darzons’ words and gestures. She's never even told her parents about these things, as she fears they expect her to follow the prophecy. She's glad she talked it out with her Uncle and her Aunt. Even if they weren’t family by blood, they were her family by heart.

While knowing it is too soon to ask a favor, Rhen requests them to keep an eye on Theodore. The couple agree. After washing her face and cheering up, Rhen sends Theodore to live with the Darzons for a bit.

She then locks herself in her room. Home sweet home. Yeah, right. She still remembers the layout of her room. She looks at her old clothes, recalls her old favorites and the ones she wore to special occasions. She searches through her old belongings, things she thought she wouldn’t survive with, and yet here she is. She lies down on her old bed, and yet it is no longer that comforting.

Rhen gets up and picks up a dusty mirror. She wipes it and looks at herself. This is no longer her. Maybe it is true, as she feared. Rhen Darzon is dead.

But, she can’t quite call herself “Rhen Pendragon” either. That thought gives her hope. She can still find herself, whoever herself is.

Tearing up, she promises herself she’ll definitely find herself and make herself whole again.

[rachelkaser]

Stay Golden Sunday: The Competition

A bowling tournament brings out Rose’s competitive side, while Sophia reunites with an old love. It somehow ends with the four girls in a bowling battle.

Picture It...

Sophia is cheerfully singing over a pot of spaghetti sauce, the smell of which is enough to attract Dorothy and Rose. Blanche meanwhile arrives with a new bowling ball for the upcoming tournament, which she and Rose have participated in for years -- and lost, much to Rose’s irritation. Dorothy asks Sophia to partner with her for the tourney, but Sophia will be busy with an old boyfriend named Augustine Bagatelli, who is visiting from Sicily. They were engaged, but lost contact when Augustine went to fight in the war. Blanche sneaks some sauce behind her back.

SOPHIA: Mmm, if this sauce was a person, I’d get naked and make love to it.

The next day, Sophia prepares for Augie’s visit by dressing in black, to show she’s a widow and therefore available. Rose tells Dorothy she found her a partner and signed her up for the tournament. Augustine arrives, and he and Sophia have a cute reunion, catching up on each other’s lives. Augie married a girl from their village and is also a widower. The two leave to go on a walk together.

In the kitchen, Dorothy asks who Rose signed her up to bowl with. Before Rose can say, Blanche enters and is, by her own word, stunned. Rose dumped her as a partner and signed up to bowl with Dorothy, who’s a better bowler. Rose confesses she’s very competitive and wants to win the tournament this year. Dorothy initially refuses to be Rose’s partner, but Blanche reveals she signed up with Rose’s biggest competition, Olga of the unbeatable Nielsen twins. Rose talks Dorothy into being her partner.

Sophia tells Dorothy that she’s having a great time with Augie, but he has to return to Sicily soon. She wants to return with him for the San Genero Festival, but Dorothy protests Sophia’s health is too poor to risk it. Sophia wants to go anyway, but can’t unless Dorothy pays her way. Dorothy refuses, and a just-entering Rose defends Sophia. Sophia lets slip that Rose is dumping Dorothy as her bowling partner. Rose is so desperate to win that she signed on with the other Nielsen twin, Sonja.

Blanche enters and drops a bomb: The Nielsen twins, who split up over a man named Lars, have reconciled after his unexpected death. So now neither Blanche nor Rose has anyone to bowl with. Rose tries to sweet-talk Dorothy into being her partner again, but Dorothy’s had enough and partners up with Blanche. Sophia, wanting to prove that she’s physically capable of traveling abroad, offers to be Rose’s partner. So now it’s the Girls against the Girls.

Later, Dorothy has to drag a reluctant Blanche out of the house for practice, and they meet Rose and Sophia just coming back. Sophia asks Dorothy to make a bet with her on the outcome of the tournament: If Sophia wins, Dorothy has to pay for her trip to Sicily. Dorothy agrees, and counters that, if she wins, Sophia has to give her a pair of antique silver earrings.

ROSE: Blanche, do you want to have a side bet with me? BLANCHE: Well I would Rose, but everything you own is so damn ugly. Oh I can’t wait to whip your butt. ROSE: *death glare*

Finally, it’s the day of the big competition, and Dorothy and Blanche sneak a peek in the men’s locker room. They’re waiting for their opponents, and of course they turn out to be Rose and Sophia instead of the Nielsen twins -- who had to drop out to attend Lars’ Viking funeral. Rose and Sophia resort to some underhanded tactics to get ahead, including wearing identical outfits to Blanche, and acting overly affectionate in front of a jealous Dorothy. Sophia makes the first strike of the game.

Much later, the girls are the last two teams playing, and Rose picks up a spare that puts them in the lead of the tournament. Dorothy points out they could still win, but Blanche chokes under the pressure, only knocking down two pins on her last frame. Dorothy can still win if she gets a spare, and all she has to do is knock down the nine-pin. Augie shows up to support Sophia, and the two reminisce about playing bocce ball together, and sharing their first kiss. Dorothy, looking on, is touched by how happy Sophia looks, and deliberately throws a gutter ball. Rose immediately leaps up, crying victory.

Sophia recounts her trip to Dorothy after she returns -- she had a great time, excepting the time a friend she was about to visit died shortly before they arrived. She then hands Dorothy her antique earrings, saying she knows that Dorothy threw the game to make her mother happy. Rose comes home with the bowling trophy, and both Dorothy and Blanche give her the cold shoulder. She apologizes for being such a sore winner, and says she got their names engraved on the trophy since they all won. However, this gesture is undercut somewhat:

DOROTHY: Why is your name three times larger than ours? ROSE: Because I’m the one who actually won it. If you ever want to look at it, it’ll be in my bedroom.

“Blanche, wake up. My wife will be home any minute.”

This is one of the sillier episodes of the show, with no elevated stakes or touching melodrama -- and while I’m not in love with the episode itself, it’s a huge relief to watch this after watching the other episodes back to back as I have. No grandkids to correct, ex-husbands to tell off, or kidneys to donate -- even the fight between the Girls seems incredibly low-stakes and light compared with the battle between Blanche and Dorothy two episodes ago.

That’s not to say it’s not a good episode. It’s very good, actually, and it’s got some of the best humor and zingers of the first season. The episode rarely slows down to let the audience think too much... instead it’s funny scenario after funny scenario. The whole final bowling game is rapid-fire gags, first with the girls getting a glimpse into the men’s locker room, then Sophia’s and Rose’s mind games with Blanche.

I think, when you hear at the beginning of the episode that there’s a doubles bowling tournament happening, you kind of know it’s going to end with two Girls vs two Girls. It’s just a matter of which two pairings will be competing. It’s great to see Sophia pairing up with Rose, with whom she’s not shared a whole lot of screentime up to this point, and they make a rather devious pair.

It’s not very common in this series for the A & B plots to coincide, but here they both culminate in the bowling tournament. It’s the first time so far in the series the writers have seemed comfortable balancing two different storylines at once. Each gets an equal amount of screentime, everything is set up well, and the stakes for the final competition are established for everyone. Sophia wants to win so she can go to Sicily, Dorothy wants to win so Sophia doesn’t go (the silver earrings are incidental), Blanche wants to win to get back at Rose, and Rose wants to win because she needs professional help.

This is the first episode where we get to see one of Rose’s big flaws -- namely, that she’s very competitive. Up to this point, Rose has been all sunshine and sugar -- even when she was trapping Elliot into a confession, she was doing it with the best of intentions. Here we see she’s got a full-on Mr. Hyde persona, getting this murderous glare whenever she talks about the bowling tournament.

I kind of enjoy this, because it makes Rose more complex. I love that the nicest, most positive of the Girls is the one who would absolutely murder for a bowling win. It’ll come up again in the series, albeit not as prominent -- or as funny -- as it is here. Something about the way Betty White’s eyes change when she’s in competitive mode is just darkly awesome.

Augustine Bagatelli is the first of the many men of Sophia’s past -- I’m not sure where she gets off sometimes, calling Blanche a slut when she apparently had several boyfriends before she married her husband Salvador. But he’s a lovely Italian gentlemen, and you get a glimpse into Sophia’s background. There’s a hint that she and Augie are cut from the same sort of cloth when he laments about his bizarre father-in-law: “Thank god he drank himself to death.”

We also see Dorothy being overprotective of Sophia, which will come up again later. Frankly, if one of my parents was as mobile and energetic as Sophia is at age 80, I would be thrilled, but I can understand why Dorothy doesn’t want her to fly across the Atlantic. But this won’t be the last time Sophia proves to Dorothy she’s still got some spunk in her -- nor will it be the last time she asks Dorothy for money.

By the way, I feel like the unseen Nielsen twins have a far more interesting story than the Girls this episode. They are supposedly unbeatable on the bowling alley, until Sonja sleeps with Olga’s boyfriend Lars and doesn’t tell him he has the wrong sister (which, ahem, is actually rape if Sonja knew that Lars didn’t know who she was, but we’re going to pass over that because... yikes). The girls split up, but then Lars dies -- slumped over a desk at his Volvo dealership, as Blanche puts it. The twins make up, then reenter the tournament.

The day before, they attempt to have an authentic Viking funeral for Lars, which involves burning a ship with him aboard, but the Coast Guard keeps putting it out. So they have to drop out of the bowling tournament entirely in order to finally have the funeral the next day (when the Coast Guard will apparently look the other way). Seriously... who are the Nielsen twins and why do they have a more interesting life than I do?

Episode rating: 🍰🍰🍰🍰 (four cheesecake slices out of five)

Favorite part of the episode:

ROSE: *about the 14-hour spaghetti sauce* Oh Sophia, that smells heavenly! Is it Chef Boyardee? SOPHIA: *holding up a knife* Stick it in my heart, Rose. It’ll hurt less.

[nethwan]

Family

NedTai

Day 4: Domestic

Summary: Mei is thinking how her life has changed.

Also: 

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13220186/4/NEDTAI-WEEK

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17943482

Mei opened her eyes and yawned. She didn’t know for how long she had been sleeping. She got home from work and told Lars she’d take a nap, but she lost track of time. She looked at the clock, it was still early. She was about to get up when he appeared with Willem in his arms. The baby reached out his little arms when he saw her.

“Mamma, mamma” he said.

“No, Willem, mommy is still sleepy” Lars said.

“It’s ok, I am fine” Mei replied and took the baby in her arms and gave him a kiss on his head. Then she looked at Lars. “I slept too much, why didn’t you wake me up?”

“Mei, you worked a lot this week. You were tired”

“But Bunny…”

“Don’t worry. You’ll have more opportunities during your holidays. Meanwhile, I’ll bring you breakfast, you must be hungry” he said and kissed her head.

She looked at him while he got out of the bedroom. She sighed. It was supposed to be her turn to spoil the family and be an attentive wife and mother, but she was too tired. She used to wake up first and make breakfast. She loved to cook for him and the kids. She thought that their lives had changed a lot.  

She remembered those days when they started living together as a couple, they lived in a small department and they didn’t have so much money. Sometimes, when they couldn’t sleep, they drove their car and went to a 24 hours store to buy whatever food they saw or just to admire the city at night.

Now things were different. They were married and they had three adorable children. Mei had more work hours and Lars was a writer and a stay-at-home dad; that had been his idea in their first place; it was easier for him to work at home and take care of the kids. On weekends, she cooked and she spent most of her free time with her family, but it wasn’t the same.  

Mei didn’t know how her mother did that: dealing with her work as a teacher and then taking care of her husband and four children. Her father was very busy because he was a surgeon, but he was never an absent parent. And when none of them was there, she and her brothers had their grandma.  

Lars got in the bedroom with a tray with breakfast and a bottle for the baby. The food was just as she liked it, of course after living together for almost 10 years, he knew her better than anyone.

“Your father spoils me a lot” she told Willem. She tickled him in the tummy, making him laugh.

He took the baby to feed him while she had breakfast. She smiled, that image was so beautiful. Lars was a really caring father. She knew how anxious he was when she was pregnant, especially, because her first pregnancy wasn’t planned, but it was wanted.

He was very overprotective and got her whatever she fancied. Also he read lots of books about parenthood. He wasn’t sure if he would be a good father, but everything changed when he held Vincent for the first time. It had been a challenge, now they had so much more experience, they weren’t the best parents, but they tried their best.

Mei giggled remembering how nervous was Lars the first time he fed Vincent, now he did it so easily. He looked at her and she just commented how delicious breakfast was. She asked him about the new chapter he was writing, they discussed some ideas, and he asked her about her sketches and which colors she should choose. Then they changed the topic and talked about their plans for the day, they didn’t have too much to do since he did laundry the day before. He wanted her to relax and rest during her holidays.

Minutes later, they heard some voices and laughs.

“I think you have visitors” Lars said.

Then Vincent and Anri got in the bedroom and took a place in the bed to be close to their mother. Mei put the tray aside to hug and kiss the children several times, tickling them. Both kids giggled. They were still very little and they had missed her all that week, now they were laughing and playing with her. Mei missed her kids too, for her they were still babies.  

She observed them; the three of them were an adorable combination of Lars and her. They were their most precious treasure. Vincent was six years old and he was learning to write; Anri was three, she was a really calm child, but she was very curious too; Willem was only one year old and he was a restless baby.

“Kids, What if I make breakfast for you?” she asked them. The kids said yes, they were excited because they liked when she cooked. “Bunny, did you have breakfast?” she asked Lars.

He shook his head; he was more interested on taking care of her that he forgot about himself. Mei smiled and got up. Maybe she could spoil them after all, and maybe she was exaggerating because she was on holidays now. She felt happy, seeing them enjoying breakfast and talking about their week and a lot of other things. Later she and Lars did some chores, while the kids played in the living room.

The rest of the day was calm. They stayed in the garden. She played with the kids, they laughed and he felt his heart full of love. He loved his family so much, he was so grateful with Mei for being the love of his life, and giving him the luck of being a father.

At night, it started raining, it was a storm. Mei hated storms, but at least she wasn’t alone, she had Lars and the kids. Willem cried because he heard a thunder, so Mei decided he’d sleep in their bed. Minutes later, Vincent and Anri knocked at the door. They were holding hands and she was crying.

“What’s wrong, my princess?”

“Mommy, the storm is scary” Anri sobbed, hugging her.

“Don’t worry, mommy and daddy will take care of you” she said, indicating them to take a place in the bed.

Their bed was big enough for the five of them. Lars looked at her, smiling. She sang them a lullaby and soon the three kids fell asleep. He yawed and told her good night. The storm wasn’t scary anymore. Everyone had sweet dreams, but especially Mei, she felt the luckiest woman on earth, she had a beautiful family: three adorable children and the best husband. Also, she had some plans for those days of holidays. Maybe they’ll go to the countryside or the beach, they’ll discuss it in the morning, for the moment, she wanted to enjoy that comforting warmth and that loving familiar moment.

[dragoneyes618]

Lottie would act just like you described. Lars too, mostly. He failed to save Hans from his own actions, but at least he can be kind to his daughter. They don’t actually speak about Hans much, though. Or the Southern Isles family in general. They all mainly talk about Auradon Prep and New Orleans (I imagine Lottie and Lars living in New Orleans) and what places they should visit.

I actually imagine Lottie’s father as being rather wary of Celia. He loves his daughter, I get the impression he’s a somewhat overprotective father-he’ll do anything for her. And then here comes the daughter of the man who cursed his daughter’s best friend! Well, that part was an accident. So he cursed his daughter’s best friend’s husband. And he planned to use his daughter’s best friend’s husband’s valet to marry his daughter under false pretenses, and then possibly kill him. So the whole time he’s watching Celia suspiciously. The time he walked in on Celia attempting an occult ritual to contact the Other Side didn’t help. There was a chalk pentacle and candles and a blood sacrifice and everything. (Don’t worry, she used a mouse.)

So Celia tends to avoid him. She’s more comfortable around Lottie, who’s generally nice to everyone. Facilier never planned to harm Lottie, after all. Sure, he planned to get Lawrence, disguised as Naveen, to marry Lottie and usurp her fortune, but that never ended up happening. And Celia’s not going to remind anyone of that.

But over a few weeks (I imagine them living with them for a few weeks because school is out for spring break or something, and they can’t just live in the dorm, so Lars and Lottie volunteered to host them) Eli comes to realize that Celia is just another preteen girl who loves her friends and family. Even her father, a rarity on the Isle. Also, they all slowly start to realize what life was like on the Isle. Like that time they found stashes of food hidden under both Dizzy’s and Celia’s beds. Just in case there wouldn’t be enough. All of them, even Eli, think: ...They’re just children. They were born to them. They did nothing. They don’t deserve this.

Lottie doesn’t tell Tiana and Naveen who’s staying with her and Lars. Until one day she invited Tiana over and sat with her and chatted in the living room right when Celia and Dizzy walked in from exploring the neighborhood. She totally planned this.

Tiana meeting Celia was awkward at first, but it went well. Celia offered to tell her fortune and Eli froze, but Lottie didn’t seem bothered so Tiana agreed. Celia made sure to give only favorable predictions. And she also made sure not to tell Naveen what her father said of him, that he was a “royal spoiled brat who deserved everything he got.” Mostly because Dizzy was stepping on her foot, but still.

According to the headcanon that A. Prince Hans is the father of Dizzy Tremaine, and B. Prince Lars married Charlotte "Lottie" La Bouff, how do you think Lars and Lottie would react to meeting the best friend duo Celia Facilier and Dizzy Tremaine?

Lottie would legit scream excitedly like she did in the movie, hug Dizzy, and introduce herself before noticing an awkward looking Celia. Then she'd drag Celia into the hug and just be complimenting both of them with compliments like "omg you're sooooo cute", "look at you, you look just as adorable as your father was at your age!", "oh my goodness, I love your hair! And your outfits!", "You made this?! Hans didn't tell us you were this talented!" and so on.

Lars wouldn't be much better. He'd be delighted to finally meet one of the stabbington brothers and Hans' kids (because hey, they're still his brothers and he still loves them even if they've done horrible things. Thinks he blames on the rest of his family). He'd be just as likely to hug the both of them-- yes even Celia because any friend of his brothers and their kids are a friend of his and automatically considered family to him-- and ask them loads of questions. Desperate to finally get to know his youngest niece and her bestfriend in person.

Niether of them would really care that Celia was Dr. Facilier's daughter. She's just a little girl after all, why punish her for her father's sins? Lars is the last person who'd do that... for obvious reasons of course... and Lottie was friends with Tiana in the 1920s. You really think she'd be someone to judge? Nope.

Also, they would definitely offer the pair a place to stay during the summer and spoil the pants off of them, and their other nieces and nephews. Because that's just how it works. You can't tell me Lars and Charlotte wouldn't do so. Especially since Dizzy and Celia are both younger than their 5 kids are. I would kill to read a fic like this. It'd be awesome. Though maybe I'm just saying that because I still picture the two of them as 8 years old. Who knows.

And just in case you were wondering, Charlotte's dad would also adore the two of them and Lars' other nieces and nephews. That's just how it works. He's just like "oh cool, more grandchildren". How do you think Tiana and Naveen would react to all of this? Or the frozen crew?

[nethwan]

Three

Summary: Their life as parents of three children...

Note: I hope you enjoy this, I think it goes too fast, I am sorry :’v 

Also on: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12864153/1/Three

That summer was hot and special, Vincent and Anri were playing in the yard with Miffy, while their dad worked in the garden and their mother was in the kitchen making lunch. Mei was in her 4 month of pregnancy; her belly wasn’t that big yet, but the sun wasn’t her friend at that moment.

Mei observed Lars; he was working in the garden, as every Saturday, he seemed focused, as he always was when he did something. She called them to eat lunch; the kids went into the house first. When he entered, she hugged him.

“Wait, I was sweating and I am covered with soil” he said.

“I don’t care, you are my husband” she replied hugging him tightly.

“What’s wrong?” he asked softly.

“Do I need a reason to hug you?”

“No, you don’t” he admitted. “But it’s because of this week?” he asked.

“You always work so hard, Bunny. You know I am with you, right?”

“I know, thank you” he said and kissed her forhead.

Lars smiled and hugged her for a while. That week he had lost an important case, and even though it wasn’t the first time, she was concerned. She always worried a lot, but now that she was pregnant she had to be calm, and at that moment, she just wanted to comfort him.

Mei always made sure that everyone feels fine; she was very loving with him and the kids. She used to dance with Vincent and Anri and singing to them. Lars just watched them not interrupting what he thought it was a wonderful dream. How much he loved that woman: his partner, his friend, the mother of his kids and his support. If someone had told him about this when he was a college student, he wouldn’t have believed it. Now, they were expecting their third child.

In those nine years of relationship they had grown up as a couple and as persons. They could communicate with just a simple gesture, an only glance, as if they had invented a language, based on the mutual tolerance and love. But they still were sweet with each other, and their passion was as alive as the first day.

Last year was good for them, her designs for maternity and children’s clothes were a success. Later, they could buy that house, it wasn’t the house of their dreams but it had everything they wanted, it was in a calm neighborhood and it had a big garden.

Their kids were growing up fast, Vincent was in kindergarten and he spent time with his cousin Javier, and Elise, a friend from kindergarten. He was very curious and followed his parents asking them why at everything. Sometimes, Mei got desperate and told him to go to play and she’ll answer his question later. Yao used to make fun of her, telling her that Vincent was like her. Mei didn’t get it wrong because she knew it was true.

Anri was practically a baby, she was two years old, but she could walk without help and talk clearly, she was very calm and she loved a stuffed bunny that used to belong of her father. She has brown hair and a curl strand as her mother, and she had hazel eyes.

Both siblings liked to play in the garden with Miffy and Plum, a cat that sometimes visited them.

Anri was still oblivious about becoming a sister, but Vincent, as he did with her, was ready to take care of the new baby. He wanted to be a good big brother. Sometimes when Anri woke up in the middle of the night, he was the first in get up to see her; he took her hand to calm her down. It was easy for him, because they shared the same bedroom, and he could keep an eye on her.

When Mei was ready to work, and Lars had to come back to his office, he was a little worried; he didn’t like the idea of having a nanny or a babysitter. He was afraid of being like his parents, but Mei assured him that everything would be ok and they’ll find a solution. They didn’t have to look further; the uncles and aunts were always ready to take care of the children.

The day after know he’d be a father for the third time, was Anri’s birthday. He got his shirt dirty, and made little mistakes, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Mei. The others noticed his strange clumsy behavior, but when they saw the cause of his distraction, they just smiled. Lars couldn’t believe it, he wanted to tell everyone about the news, but he promised to keep the secret.

That night, when the kids finally fell asleep, Mei and Lars went to bed, they talked about their plans and when they’d tell the family about her pregnancy. They decided that this one would be their last child, three were enough. They planned a little party to tell everyone. Her mother was the most excited to know the good news.

As her other two pregnancies, Lars used to overprotect her, get everything she fancied and spoil her. Nothing mattered but her and the kids. Sometimes, he let her rest at home, while he took the kids to the park. He helped her so much now that her belly was big and it was hard to move, and when she had nausea or cravings. She felt so glad to have him by her side.

Months passed quickly, and one day, they finally could meet a cute little boy, that they called Willem. His siblings were very curious to meet him, and were excited when they saw the little baby in their mother’s arms. They observed him without wanting to touch him, because they were very intrigued about such a small kid. Vincent didn’t remember so much about when he saw Anri for the first time, so it was still a surprise.

With three children, they could say they had experience and if with Vincent and Anri they used to be very careful, with Willem they learnt to be chill. Willem used to cry a lot in the mornings, so they got up quite early.

The rivalry between siblings wasn’t a problem, Vincent and Anri argued as every sibling, but they got along well and played together. Since the arrived of Willem, Anri stopped being the baby, but for Mei, the three of them were her babies. Lars secretly thought the same. And they would think the same, even years later when Vincent was a journalist, Anri a chef, and Willem an activist who protested for the rights of the animals.

But at that moment, the three of them were little children who loved fairy tales and puppets. Mei tried to always dress them with cute clothes made by her, and Lars tried to be there for them. They sang them lullabies in their languages, but sometimes, their kids used to mix the lyrics.

Willem was new in the world, he was more interested in observe everything around him; recognize the sweet smell of his mother and the reassuring voice of his father. Also, trying to find out a way to touch that creature that sometimes jumped. Their parents called it Miffy, but he wasn’t sure what it was, and he still couldn’t be able to talk as his siblings.

Mei and Lars were already used to their life as parents, but even though they sometimes were tired, just looking at their children encouraged them. They had formed a family and they loved their three children more than any other thing in the world.

Months later, when Willem could already sat by himself, he started imitating the sounds everyone could make, and he finally found out the name of the mysterious creature.

“Bun-ny” he said while his father fed him.

“What? Mei, listen”

“Bun-ny” Willem repeated clapping.

Both felt proud of their child.

Those holidays, they went to the beach, which was the first time Willem saw the sea. Lars stayed with him protected from the sun with a beach umbrella, because he easily got sunburns. He contemplated the willowy figure of his wife in that swimsuit; she’d surely get a nice tan, but he’d have to wait until night to admire it closer. Mei looked at him and smiled.

Mei spent all day playing with Vincent and Anri, they made a big sandcastle and colected lots of shells. And as their mother, they weren’t afraid of the sun. The family spent a nice weekend there, in a house that his parents lent them.

Finally, after having fun all day, the kids fell asleep. Mei and Lars were outside contemplating the nocturne sky and listening to the sound of the wind. She put her head on his shoulder and he hugged her. They talked about the day and their kids. Then, she got closer to him.

“You know, the kids are sleeping” she purred drawing a heart on his chest with her finger. “We can go inside and…” she whispered the last words in his ear.

He just nodded without hesitate. She giggled and took his hand to enter the house.

Later, they fell asleep in each other’s arms; they were happy to be together, loving each other and having the opportunity to form a family. They felt proud of their kids, and the domestic happiness in which they lived. Nothing was more important than that.  

[nethwan]

Opportunities

Fandom: Hetalia

Characters/Pairing: APH Luxembourg & APH Nyo! Hong Kong (Human AU)

Summary: He was looking for his own way, she was looking for some peace, but none of them were looking for anyone until they met each other… 

Notes: I know, it’s such a crack ship, but just give it a chance :v (NedTai appears so it has to be on this blog)

Also in ff.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12753854/1/Opportunities

The girl sighed, she didn’t know how her relatives would treat her, and she hoped not having to see pity in their eyes. Ling saw her cousins, Yao and Mei, waiting for her at the train station. It was a very long trip and she needed some fresh air and rest. Both hugged her.

“Let’s go! Lars is waiting for us”

Mei’s husband said hi, and the three of them got into the car. Mei told her that they’ll go to Yao’s home; she’d stay there because she and Lars had already a guest. Ling just nodded. They arrived and found a blond young man who had several stains on his shirt. He was carrying a baby.

“Ling, he is Henri, Lars’ brother. And this little guy is Vincent” Mei said.

“Nice to meet you” Henri said smiling.

“Nice to meet you too. Your shirt…” Ling said in a monotone voice.

“Oh, I am sorry, Vincent didn’t want to eat and spit me” he explained.

She just looked at him, then at Yao and Mei.

“Where are Jiang, Li and Yong Soo?” Ling asked.

“Jiang is in Monaco with his girlfriend. Li and Yong Soo went to a trip with their friends” Mei said.

“Yeah, with the white emo boy and the fish girl” Yao whispered. “So, you can use Li’s bedroom. I am sorry they couldn’t be here to take you to some places”

“I can show her around, I have so much free time now. Well, if you want” Henri said while played with Vincent.

Yao looked worried and glared at Lars, as if this was his fault; Lars just shrugged his shoulders, why he had always that attitude towards him. And before one of them could say something Mei said happily:

“That’s a fantastic idea! There are lots of interesting places, I am sure you two will have fun”.

Then, Mei started commenting every single thing they could do in the city and all the places they should visit. She tried to convince her to just go and have fun, since Ling hadn’t been there. Finally, the girl sighed and said:

“Yeah, why not, just pick me up tomorrow. Now, I am tired, I need to sleep” and Ling left.

Ling was truly tired. Tired of the trip and her situation, she thought about her mother, she surely was worried but she was sure she’ll be fine; after all she was a very strong woman. She wished to be like her.

She got in bed, thinking, tomorrow she’ll go out with that guy, what was his name? She didn’t remember. Whatever, as long as she didn’t have to talk about her situation everything was ok.

Henri thought about her when he went home with Lars and Mei. He would like to know more about Ling. She must be more or less his age, she had a very modern and still fashionable style and she wore a flower in her long brown hair just as Mei, it had to be a family tradition, he thought.

“Thank you for offer to show her around. She needs distraction. She is passing through a hard situation and her mother thought it would be better for her to be far away from her problems” Mei explained.

Henri just nodded. Maybe, he and Ling could understand each other, but she looked so indifferent towards him that he didn’t know if he could help her.

The next day, Henri picked her up. She noticed that he had a very expensive car. Ling wasn’t very sure of what to expect of that man, but she followed him. She promised herself to be nice with him, even if she thought he was such a spoiled rich boy who was nice with her because of her problems.

They remained in silence almost all the way. They visited some parks and museums. Ling had never been in that city, but still, she didn’t know what to say. Henri tried his best to cheer her up, but she hardly talked.

Three days passed in the same way: they went to different places, he talked about it and she only nodded. When they went to eat something, she always looked at her phone. One day, Henri finally asked her:

“Could I ask you something?”

“Sure” she said not looking at him.

“Do you dislike me?”

Ling took off her eyes of her phone.

“No, I don’t. It’s just that… why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“All this, going out with me, you don’t even know me. I appreciate your kindness, really, but I don’t need your pity” she said.

“What are you talking about? I am not being nice for that; I don’t even know what your problem is. I am just doing this because Mei is my sister-in-law, and she and my brother are letting me stay with them for a while. That’s all”

“So, you don’t know…”

“No, I have no idea”

“Then, I am sorry”

“It’s fine. Anyways, you are not obligated to continue going out with me. I’ll take you home right now” he said standing up.

She looked at him; she thought he looked like a little child, so innocent and still so lively. Yes, maybe he was such a spoiled rich boy, but he was just being kind because he was genuinely kind, besides, she needed someone who didn’t know about her situation. She grabbed him by the shirt.

“No, wait. I’m sorry. What if we start again?” she offered.

He didn’t respond. To be honest, he wanted to stay there with her. He sat again.

“I am Ling. I am here because of my mother’s idea. I am in college, I study rural tourism”  

“Ok, I am Henri. I am here because of the holidays. I am in college too. I study law. Now what?” he said with a little bit of indifference.

“Well, take me home, and pick me up later, but not in your car, I’d like to walk”

He didn’t know what to expect of that. He imagined Yao making him lots of questions, as he did with Lars, but it wasn’t as if that was a date, maybe, she wanted to know the city at night. Who knows?

A few hours later, they met again.

“So, where do you want to go?”

“Do you know a good dance club?”

Henri looked at her. Actually, he didn’t know one; he never took a girl there because he didn’t use to go to those places. And more important, he didn’t know how to dance. They walked until they found a place. Before enter, she undone his tie.

“Much better” she said and took his hand.

She started dancing and he didn’t know how to move. He tried to imitate her. He felt awkward and as an idiot. Surely, she’d make fun of him, but she didn’t seem to notice it, besides it was kind of dark.

When he took her home, they were quiet. She looked sideways at him.

“You didn’t have fun”

“What? Yes, I did”

“Don’t lie to me, rich boy”

“Well, it was the first time I went to a dance club… I don’t dance” he admitted.

“Hmmm I knew it. I could teach you, if you want” She said simply, without sarcasm.

He didn’t answer, they were already at home. She just said goodbye, and entered the house.

During breakfast, Mei asked him if he was getting along with Ling.

“Yeah, I guess”

“Just give her a chance. Maybe she needs time”

He wanted to ask her about Ling’s problem, but maybe Ling would tell him later, when she felt more comfortable around him.

“Will you see her today?” Mei asked.

“I am not sure, she didn’t say anything. I don’t have her number but maybe I’ll go to see her later”

“If you go, I hope Yao doesn’t kill you” Lars grumbled.

Mei looked at Lars, she wasn’t mad, because she had to admit that he was right. Yao wasn’t that bad, he was just an overprotective big brother and Lars more than anyone had to understand him.  Henri said he’d go to see her and they wished him luck.

“Last night, he arrived late” Mei said.

“I know”

“When he is going to tell you what’s going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, he seems worried, and why he would stay here when he can stay at your parents’ house?” she said.

Lars didn’t know how she could read people so easily. That was one of the things he loved about her. He made her sit on his lap, and they kissed, then Vincent started crying.

“It’s my turn” he said and kissed her on the cheek.

He thought about what Mei said. To be honest, when Henri asked him to let him stay there, he was surprised. Of course, he accepted, but if he thought about it, it seems very strange. He’d wait until he was ready to talk.

Henri arrived to Yao’s house. Ling called him.

“You are here way too early, don’t you think? Rich boy”

“Sorry, I just wanted to know if you want to go out today” he excused.

“Hmmm today, I want to call my mom, but give me your number and I call you”

Henri just nodded and came back home. He spent all the afternoon waiting for her call. He didn’t know why he was so anxious, he barely know her, but she was so mysterious that he wanted to know more about her, and maybe befriend her.

Two days passed and she called.  

“Do you have time right now?”

“I have to take care of Vincent…”

“Oh I see… Could I accompany you? Yao is going to go out this evening and I don’t want to be alone…”

“Sure”

When Ling arrived, Henri was on the phone. He looked a little bit annoyed.

“Hello? Ah, Lars. Yes, Vincent already ate. He is fine. Bye” Why her brother had to be like that? Henri wondered.

Every 5 minutes he received a call from him. Mei stopped him. She knew her husband was the most caring person ever, but he needed to relax.

“Bunny, just trust him. Remember that this is the first time in months that we go out just the two of us” Mei said.

Henri hung up and rolled his eyes, Ling laughed. He was very surprised, that was the first time he saw her laughing and he started feeling something new on his chest.

“This is the first time they go out without him, and my brother is kinda overprotective” he explained.

“It’s ok, besides Vincent is such a cutie” she said caressing the baby’s cheek.

Vincent fell asleep after some minutes and Henri took him to his bedroom. When he came back to the living room, he sat next to Ling. She seemed thoughtful, and then she asked him:

“Now, tell me, why are you spending your holidays at your brother’s?”

“Because, I wanted to see him…”

“That’s not true. What’s the real reason? You are a rich boy, why spend your holidays being a babysitter?”

Henri didn’t expect that question. He wasn’t sure what to say, why suddenly she was interested on him. He sighed; maybe he could talk with her about his situation, and maybe with that, she’d tell him about her.

“Well, I’ve been thinking so much lately, and I feel that law is not for me”

“Why do you study that then?”

“My dad wants me to be a lawyer as him and my brother. I don’t want to disappoint him, but I don’t want to be compared with my brother”

“I see. What does your brother think about this?”

“He doesn’t know it. This is why I am here. I need to know that he is by my side”

“I think you should tell your dad that you need to find your own way. It’s your life after all”

Ling looked at him. They remained in silence. Then, Lars and Mei arrived. All they talked for a while and Ling said she had to go. Henri offered to take her home because it was very late, and she accepted.

When they arrived, she said thanks and wished him luck. She thought that maybe he needed help, and after being so nice with her, she decided to encourage him, in some way. And perhaps, she had gotten a new friend.

That night, Henri finally could talk with Lars about his problem, and as he wanted, his brother was very supportive about whatever his decision was. He wanted to tell Ling, but maybe in other moment.

Those days, Henri and Ling hung out, maybe by insistence of Mei, both thought. They went to the cinema, to skate or just for a walk. Sometimes, she tried to teach him how to dance but they ended up for just laugh.

He really wanted to know her more but it seemed that it was something between them, like an invisible wall. If he disliked Yao, he would think it was because of him. Sometimes, when he picked Ling up, he could hear him say: “That shaggy boy is here… again”, but for Henri that was a very interesting and funny nickname.

Ling was a quiet person, but when she laughed and smiled at him, Henri felt that his chest was about to explode. He rarely felt that way for someone, he had liked some people before, but he never wanted to have a relationship. In that way, he was too different from his siblings who had a calm life. His sister lived in Spain with her husband and their two little children; his brother and Mei were happily married too and had a baby.

Henri always wondered if he would be able to have that kind of life. Maybe, he thought, when he found a person he really loved. Now that question was on his mind every time he was with Ling. He couldn’t stop thinking about the way she called him rich boy, her long hair, her smile, and her eyes that kept a secret.  

One of those nights, they went to a dance club again. It was Henri’s idea. He still couldn’t dance but he tried his best. Before go home, he had to go to the bathroom and when he came back he saw her talking with a guy, they seemed to fight.

“What did you just said?” Ling asked.

“That what you heard”

She was about to slap him, when Henri approached.

“What did you tell her?” he asked.

“Oh your little boyfriend is here” the guy said joking.

And suddenly, Henri punched him in the face and the guy fell down, while Henri indicated Ling to get out of there, but the guy made him stumble. Henri didn’t know from where he got that force, but they fought until they heard the police car. Ling took his hand and both ran away until they didn’t hear the noise again. They hid in a little park.

“Your nose is bleeding” she said

“Oh it’s nothing” Henri said trying to seem calm, but he was excited, he had never been in a fight.

“I can’t believe you punched him in the face for me. Are you crazy? That man was taller and stronger than you, he could kill you. Why did you do it?” she said smiling at him.

Henri felt his heart beating fast.

“… I did it because… he was bothering you, you are my friend, and well, I think… I like you… I really like you”

She just smiled in a melancholy way, messed his hair and took him by the arm. Both walked slowly in the streets. And for the very first time, Henri felt alive.

“You did what?” Mei and Lars asked him when he arrived home.

“I had to, that guy was harassing her” he said trying to not seem proud.

His brother just shook his head, while Mei put some ice on his eye and clean the blood of his nose. It was very late when he arrived and they were awake because Vincent needed another diaper.

“Please, tell me you were drunk” Lars said.

“Lars!” Mei said.

“I wasn’t!” Henri replied.

Mei and Lars looked at each other, they were surprised for that new side of Henri and both, especially her, were worried. He was too, but for a different reason, he just confessed and she never answered, so, that meant she didn’t like him, but that was fine, after all a relationship wasn’t in his future.

Ling couldn’t sleep well, she still thought about what he said: “I like you, I really like you”. Didn’t it suppose that they were friends? It wasn’t as if she disliked him or something, in fact, she felt really comfortable with him, he was so kind, sweet and smart, and he had that vibe of being a prince, but she couldn’t allow having feelings for him.

A couple of days later, they were in the garden. And while a French song sounded, she told him to be ready for a dance lesson. He knew that song, one of his favorites, but he didn’t tell her. After some awkward moves, they fell down between laughs, she was on top, and he looked at her.

“You don’t have to feel the same, you know” he whispered.

Ling didn’t respond and helped him to get up.

“Listen, it’s not you, really, you are such a spoiled rich boy, but you are the nicest guy I’ve ever met, and you are the best but… I am not ready. I am sorry, but I can’t, I can’t…” she cried.

Henri hugged her until she could calm down. He didn’t understand what that was, why she was so worried.

“It’s ok; it wasn’t my intention to bother you. Really, I like to be your friend. But please, don’t cry. I am sorry” he apologized.

“Henri, you are so kind, you deserve better”

When she calmed down, she told him her story and the real reason of why she was there. It happened two years ago, she and her boyfriend, Will, were about to celebrate their first year together. She convinced him to go out, and then she realized he had forgotten what day it was.

They fought all the way to her home, he was driving, and he turned around to see her then she’d never forget his scared expression, the white light, the squeal of the brakes, the darkness, the sound of the ambulance and the endless pain. After a long dream, she woke up, but Will didn’t.

Her body healed but her heart never did it. Ling felt guilty, because the last thing they did was fight, and she couldn’t even apologize. She didn’t want to go out for months, her friends tried to cheer her up but it was in vain. She really tried to continue with her life, she knew he didn’t want her to live sad forever, but she promise herself never forget him.

So, when she received the invitation of someone, she rejected it. She felt as if she was betraying Will. And when she isolate herself and started overworking just to avoid people, her mother worried and asked her to visit her cousins. But what it wasn’t in the plan was to meet Henri and falling in love again.

“I am very afraid of having these feelings for you, because I feel as if I was betraying him. I am not ready to let him go. Maybe, we shouldn’t spend so much time together. I need to be alone” she sobbed and moved away.

He felt that his heart finally broke in thousand pieces when he heard all that. He wanted to cry.

“I understand. I just want you to be happy. Remember that I will always be there if you need me” he said and kissed her softly on the cheek.

He went home. He had lots of emotions, but he put them aside because he was worried for her, she had been suffered a lot, and he wanted her to be happy even if he wouldn’t be the one for her.

They didn’t see each other for some days more. He didn’t want to talk about it with someone else, Mei and Lars worried, but he just said he was fine, that she wanted to rest for a while, but they knew that wasn’t true. Ling spent the days in the bedroom; she called her mom, and told her what happened.

“And you like him?” her mother asked.

“Mom, you know I can’t…”

“Dear, it have passed two years, no one will replace Will, he has a very special place in your heart and I know you will never forget him, but I think it’s time to let him go”

“Mom��?” she said surprised.

“Listen, life moves forward, I am sure Will would like to see you happy. I know it’s painful, but you have to live your life”

Ling didn’t know what to say, she already knew all that, but… she was afraid of do it. She didn’t want to replace him, no one was like him, and however, it was time to let him go. She knew she had to do it one day, but she never thought it will be very soon. But her mother was right, she had to admit it.

That night, she opened the window and tried to talk with him:

“Will, I don’t know if you can hear me, but I think is time to say goodbye. I loved you so much, you were my first love and my best friend, but you are not here anymore. No one will replace you, I am sure, but I need to continue with my life. So, please, if you agree, just send me a sign…”

Then a soft rain started falling down, she took it as his sign, after all, Will loved the rain.

The holidays were about to end, Ling got up the courage and looked for Henri, but Mei told her that he was at his parents’ house. She told her she could wait for him there. It was late when he arrived. Both wanted to talk but they didn’t know from where to start with all the things they wanted to say.

“Thank you” he said.

“Why?”

“I went to talk with my father about my career, at the beginning he didn’t understand my decision but after all it’s my life and life moves forward. Maybe, I would make a huge mistake if I didn’t control it. So you had reason. Well, I have to pack my stuff”

“Wait, I am here to talk with you”

Henri was waiting for a goodbye.

“Henri, I like you too”

“Wait, what?”

“Yes, I like you. You are right, rich boy, life moves forward. I won’t forget Will, but now you are my present and I hope that my future”

“And I won’t replace him. I respect that”

“You won’t, you aren’t like him, you are Henri, and I like you for being yourself”

Both embraced tightly.

“But what are we going to do? We have to come back to our universities and…”

“Well, now that I solved my problem, I think I know what I am going to study now. What about rural tourism?”

She smiled and kissed him.

After some weeks of paperwork, they finally could spend more time for go out for walks, study together, have more dance lessons, and avoiding dance club fights. Now they were happy living their life as they wanted to live it.