#papa cora and little law have my heart

[salibadati]

Another sketch commission 💜

[spacebaby1]

MY MAMA (Child!Law Trafalgar & Mom!Reader)

"STOP IT," Law yelled at you "YOU ARE NOT MY MOM AND YOU WILL NEVER BE." Law pushed past you running to his room and you stood up and grabbed on Corazon's wrist when he called for Law.

"No, don't yell at him" You said stopping your husband from walking. "B-But sweetheart, he can't yell at you like that. He can't talk to you like that-"

"Yes, he can" you smiled a little, "he's my son, isn't he?" Corazon nodded looking down, he felt hopeless, "then let him cool down, Darling. I can handle his words, let him yell, scream or throw hands at us" you chuckled gently lifting your husband's chin, "He'll calm down soon, just please don't yell at my boy."

Corazon sighed at your words, how could you be so sweet to his boy after all he had said to you today and how he treated you. But, as an neglected child you easily understood Law's emotions; he is just a kid.

Corazon decided to make the dinner tonight so you agreed to fold the clean clothes, after putting the clothes away in the drawer you noticed the small picture album you owned, it had pictures from your school. So you sat down to go through it but from the side of your eyes you noticed someone peeking from the doorframe, it was Law. He tried to hide but you had seen him, with a smile you titled to side so now you could full see him, "Hey, you. Did you need anything?" You smiled Gentle as always.

"C-Can I come in?" He asked almost in a small voice. "Sure, Sweetie. Come sit beside me." You tapped the floor beside you and he did as you told him still not looking you in the eye.

"Are you hungry? Do you want me to make you a snack?" He shook his head and mumbled something under his breath, "Huh?" He turned towards you and you could see his eyes were glossy, and your heart dropped; was he crying?

"Law? Sweetie were you crying? Your eyes are puffy. What's wrong are you not feeling well?" The concern that you showed made the gilt Law felt run wild in his little head. His lips quivered as he just looked at you hoping for you to understand his tears and how sorry he was yelling all those words at you, he fell into your arms without warning, "It's okay, Sweetie, whatever it is, we'll fix it, what's wrong? Tell me? Want me to get your Cora-San?" He shook his head in your embrace, "Okay, Sweetie, Not calling for Cora-San." You rubbed his back, "there there, I'm here for you," you placed your head on his as he cried and cried till he couldn't anymore.

"You okay?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean what I said earlier, that wasn't very kind. I shouldn't have said that to you, I'm so sorry, I'm very very sorry. I just don't know how to explain it," he looked down at his fingers, "it's not an excuse no it shouldn't be."

You were confused, "What is Law? Did someone said something to you at school, you can tell us anything." He pulled at his hat before speaking, "it's my fault for yelling at you b-but I-uhh my teacher s-she well she-"

"Law did you teacher say something to you? Did she hit you?" You were getting scared and angry but not at Law, never at him. He shook his head to which you calmed down, and he spoke again, "She didn't do- well- today is mother's day." Oh, you said nothing.

"T-the teacher gave us each a flower and she said "give it to your mother" as a gift, a-and I didn't cry but I felt sad and I didn't like that feeling so I got angry at you, I'm sorry I didn't mean to be mean to you like that, you are kind to me and you cook my favourite food a-and I yelled at you." He was crying again in your arms, you just hugged him, apparently your old school never stopped with this tradition you chuckled. "Don't cry, it's okay to feel like that Law, I know how you feel, trust me it's okay."

He pulled away to look at you, "H-How?", you smiled and whipped his tears, "When I was few years younger than you, my mama and papa separated. I was too young to understand why I just knew they didn't want me because they left me with my nana, and I went to the same school as you when I was your age, my teache used to do the Same. Every mothers day they would give us a flower to give to our mama's but I didn't have one," you smiled to stop your own tears, "so I used to give them to nana and tell her that it was a gift." Law blinked at you, "y-your mom didn't like you?" He asked "but why?" You shrugged, "sometimes people change but that doesn't mean I am alone, yes I was for most of my childhood but I am happy now, I have you, your Cora-San. You are my family, and I love you more than a mother can love her child because I see you as my own, and I am not mad at you for yelling at me at all, you call speak your heart out with me and I will always be there for you, sweetheart."

Law's lips quiver as he fell in your arms crying again before you noticed Corazon was standing by the door crying his eyes out when he heard your words, he too jumped to hug you as they both cried in your arms, you chuckled blinking the tears away, "Stop crying you big baby" you told Corazon but he only cried harder, "I love you so much." He said crying and you laughed at them both for being alike.

[doflamingo-cant-draw]

LAW LET PAPA OUT, HES ROTTING’!!!

Transcript available below ⬇️

Transcript

Letter 1.

“Dear Law, your pee-paw has gotten into some trouble again.

Last time we spoke, you said some harsh things that I think you probably regret, just like Trebol always spoke about taking in Pica, or Dellinger.

Your dear pah-pah has been recently admitted into the lowest level of impel down for a string of falsehoods that are tarnishing my the family’s reputation.

Now I know you do not have such a cold hard as to abandon your father in such a terrible, COLD place, would you? What would Cora have done??” - Doffy.”

Letter 2.

“Law.

Please, be the good boy I know you are and come here right now.

I have been reduced to a tacky suit that are not my colors and an assortment of mirrors and bells. They entertain me however do not please me, I want my life back.

Don’t you want to help me become a better man? Be the change, Law.” - Your Dad

Letter 3

“To Law.

I know you’re getting these you little shit and I know you have tossed them aside for some other fruitless endeavor, or some other dad you want to fumble and kill with your selfishness.

YOUR DEAR FATHER IS ROTTING AWAY IN A CELL AND YOU ARE IGNORING HIM OUT OF THE HATE OF YOUR DISGUSTING HEART. YOU MUSHROOM CAPPED LITTLE SHIT. OBEY YOUNG MASTER AND COME HERE RIGHT NOW.” - Young Master

Letter 4

“Dear Son,

Law, please I was on my third box of wine when I wrote this, Tsuru left her purse near my cage and I acted irresponsibly. Please disregard my last letter, - from your papa, Doffy”

[lawluaficionado]

Enjoy! Pls follow me on Twitter lol @ Ooopsss_OT9

*-*-*-*-*-*

Cora's kindergarten teacher stands there with a frown on her face as she speaks to Luffy about his son's behavior...again...for the third time that week.

If it's not that he doesn't seem to listen, it's that he doesn't sit still. Or that he's too quiet or that he doesn't seem to want to play with the other kids. Or that he doesn't want to eat. On the rare occasion that he corrects her, it's even worse.

Usually.

But today, Luffy was called in because his little Cora just punched a kid in the face. And this tracher here just looks like she's waiting for Luffy to reprimand the boy in front of her.

With his blinding smile, he holds his little boy on his lap and asks him, "Why did you hit someone today?"

Cora plays with the hem of his shirt, he just shakes his head. Then he looks back at his teacher and back at his papa. He whispers in his ear, "Said I have ugly spots on my arms."

Luffy nods in understanding, "Ahh then it's okay! You have to defend yourself, right?"

It breaks his heart a little to hear that.

His son smiles then, and weakly nods.

"What?!" the teacher screeched. "I'm about to have him removed from my class for this, unacceptable behavior."

Luffy ignores her, "Next time Cora, aim your strong punches at their eye." He laughs as his son seems to start getting less devastated.

They leave then, Luffy in a rush to talk to Law about this new little bump in the day.

The teacher was livid. 'Obviously nothing gets done when she calls that parent in!' she thinks. Pulling out Cora's emergency contact card, she looks for the other parent's number. "Maybe then mute kid will actually correct his behavior!"

She calls, see waits and finally gets a hold of Dr. Trafalgar. Who just calmly stated he'd be there shortly.

Law would drop everything to go to his son. And as soon as he gets the call, he cancels his afternoon consultations and is on his way to his Cora's school.

He knows about certain behaviors that the teacher hates about his little baby. And he's never gotten the opportunity to actually speak with her.

But then Luffy messages him, so he blows off the meeting to go to the ice cream shop with his husband and son.

It's not like he isn't dedicated to his son's school life. Is just that Luffy has banned him from attending any school functions. Honestly...valid.

This was Cora's third school. And it's not because of their son...

Luffy has a track record of punching and name calling some of the other parents. And well Law doesn't do well with authority. Also he may or may not have threatened the school's principle with various forms of torture. Nothing was proven and no charges were filed.

Needless to say, they both came to an agreement (Luffy) that the more likable, happy go lucky parent would be the one accompanying Cora to all his school functions.

So, not Law.

When he reaches the little hole in the wall ice cream shop, he spots his son happily eating spoonfuls of a banana split. Luffy, uncharacteristically, isn't eating anything.

He greets them by kissing both their cheeks, but sits at his son's side.

"Sorry I was a tad late Lu-ya. Traffic was horrendous."

"Daddy, papa said that you are going to get me anything I want today!" his little joy smiles.

"Is that so? What could possibly be the reason?" he stares at his smaller husband.

The other laughs, "He defended himself today!"

That was a big feat indeed! Especially for their quiet baby.

*-*-*-*-*-*

"That teacher has it out for him," Luffy grumbles as he preps his lunch for tomorrow.

Cora is in the living room playing with their two dogs, and watching over his baby brother, Ace.

Luffy continues, "She smells of obnoxious high end soap, looks uptight and hates my son. That's more than enough reason to change schools."

"Again, love?" Law sips his coffee. "It's almost the end of April. He'd be even more stressed. Why can't Robin still be home schooling?" he too grumbles.

"She went back to teaching at the university."

"What about the school Sanji and Zoro's triplets go to?"

"That's really far from both our jobs."

"Zoro can pick him up. And we could always just get him afterwards."

Luffy pauses, "You know what that'd be perfect! Torao you're the bestest! And he'd probably get more out of his shell hanging out with the triplets!"

"So it's decided, next year he'll go there."

Suddenly Ace starts crying, and Cora comes running to his dads.

"Baby brother fell on the tile!"

Law calmly walks over, "You get your cry baby tendencies from your papa, Ace."

"Hey!" Luffy whines. "That's not true, I was tough, just ask Sabo."

"Papa, uncle Sabo said you cried a lot." Cora chimes in, smiling.

Luffy dramatically falls to the ground, "BETRAYED by my own son!"

Cora runs to jump on top of him, followed by a now calm Ace.

Law happily watches from the sidelines. "He's ticklish, just so you two know," he teasingly says.

Both his sons gets a knowing look on their faces, ready to attack their papa with tickles.

Luffy is at their mercy, loving every second.

[ohtobealady]

Fluff #49 for the prompt ask, please? 💗😊

Oh my goodness. Well, I did enjoy the idea of this one! I hope there’s something here that warms you a bit :) it was such a fun little prompt. It’s my new headcanon as to why Cora was in such a panic over Robert giving a speech while drunk at Christmas … and then her absolute surprise and delight when it went well:

Fluff 49: They’re such an idiot. My idiot, but still.

—- — - — - — - — - —

She turned away from what Rosamund was saying and toward the bounce of his chuckle. He was speaking to Marmaduke across the room, but Cora could distinctly hear his laughter, even over the gentle din of the party.

His voice too loud? His mood a little too jovial? Laughing heartily with Marmaduke, in particular? Cora didn’t need to have seen him do it, but it was obvious Robert had imbibed beyond his limits.

She turned back to Rosamund with a shake of her head, but also with the tickle of a smirk in the corner of her mouth.

His sister was less amused. “Poor Robert. He seems to be under the impression that dancing with the servants whilst sober may scar him irreparably.”

Cora couldn’t help but scoff a little at that, but through a forced laugh. “Well,” she tipped her head, “he does find it uncomfortable.”

“And why is that?” Rosamund’s sharp features had turned to Robert as well. “They dress and undress him. Light his fires. Cook his meals. I dare say one dance with Mrs Davies is a fair exchange.”

She sounded exactly like Mama, but Cora would never tell Rosamund that. For even though Cora had only known her for two and a half years, she knew it was the strongest insult she could ever offend her sister-in-law with.

All the same, Cora lifted her chin a little, the warmth of feeling for her husband spreading in her chest. “But it isn’t just the servants this year, is it? It’s the tenants, too, since your papa was ill at Christmas. And you know how Robert hates any sort of change. And he rather dislikes crowds, in a strange way.”

“I’m not sure I care what he dislikes.” Rosamund straightened before her and grinned her elvish grin. “Though I do think your defense of my brother dear is quite touching, even if I know you must. After all, he is the father of your infant child.”

They both laughed, and Cora felt herself blush deeply.

This was true. Mary was still very much an infant, having just turned three months, and they delighted in their beautiful daughter.

But that was not why she had blushed. Not in the least. For the fact was, beneath Cora’s tightly drawn corset and bodice was a secret. A wonderful, miraculous secret that she and now Doctor Warren both suspected to be there. Already.

She’d only whispered the suspicion to Robert this morning in her room, trying to explain to him in the gentlest terms how apparently having had her courses only once since birth had been more than enough and no, it was not just the irregularity of her recovering body that she’s not had them again — the nausea, heightened sense of smell, profound exhaustion, and tender breasts made it all too clear. There really was to be another! And for the rest of the day he’d spent looking at her out of the corner of his eye — and grinning.

Cora looked over at him again, across the room; just as she thought, he was watching her again, another happy, shimmering grin in her direction.

Cora rolled her eyes, her heart blossoming behind her ribs, her blush all but cooling as Robert made his way across the room.

“Here he comes now,” Rosamund muttered flatly. “The dignified lord of the manor.”

Oh, Robert, whose lovely blue eyes were warmed over and glazed, lifted his brows at that but did not respond.

“Should you like to dance, dearest?” He slurred at Cora and proffered an arm. But Cora could think of nothing less appealing than to be spun around a room with the state of her tummy. She shook her head.

“No, but thank you, darling.”

“I don’t suppose —“

Rosamund snipped at him. “Don’t ask, Robert. I’ve danced with you twice in one lifetime. I’d say that’s more than enough sibling affection, don’t you?”

“Has it really been … twice?”

Cora had to swallow a laugh she felt bubble up in her throat, and she lifted her chin away and toward the movement of the Great Hall.

How many people there were. How varied: the Mr Drewe of Yew Tree drank beside a smaller group of tenants; the vicar spoke to Mama and Carson; one of the kitchen maids Cora had seen downstairs looked terribly sweet in her pink frock. And Papa, too — Robert’s papa — stood beside Cousin James before also lifting his chin and searching around the crowd.

When he began to move through, the air shifted with the mass of people gathered, making way for him to go to the stairs and stand there.

“Oh, shh, Papa’s going to speak,” Rosamund motioned to Robert to turn and to hush. Cora, too, settled to hear as everyone else lifted their chins to Lord Grantham.

“First I would just like to say what a nice evening it’s been.” There was a low murmur of agreement. “Lady Grantham and I are grateful to all of you here tonight. Because it is January, well nearing February,” the crowd allowed a small appreciative laugh, “it feels right to mark in gratitude the year we’ve all shared. Crops were plentiful. Livestock flourished. And on a personal note, Her Ladyship and I welcomed a new granddaughter. All in all, a bumper year.” Applause, and beside her, Robert clapped, too.

“Mary,” he whispered too loudly in her ear, and Cora laughed. Yes, yes she knew who he had meant.

Papa continued, “And just as we mark the success of last year, and though still early, we know that 1892 shall be another wonderful year.” Again, a ripple of yes and hear, hear. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, my son, Lord Downton may say a few words. Robert?”

“Really?” Rosamund’s voice echoed Cora’s thoughts, and before either of them could even turn to him, Robert had walked across the hall, in a not-so-very straight line to the second step. Cora watched as her father-in-law gave way to him.

“Yes,” he began, and Cora smiled. Her husband, the viscount. The future earl. She felt a swell of pride. “Thank you to … to my papa for, well, thanking you. He’s right. It’s been a nice eneving.”

Next to Cora, she noticed as Rosamund dipped her chin to her chest and she heard her low laughter. Cora bit at her lip.

“1891 was yes. A very good year, indeed. For so many of us. Mr Tyler, for instance — your sheep did remarkably well.”

Cora saw a white-haired man nodding in the crowd.

“And … and Mr Hensley … where? Where is he?”

“Here, m’lord!”

Again, a man spoke out and Cora and Rosamund watched him.

“Your pigs were … they were huge!”

Everyone laughed, amused and in agreement.

“Though I suppose pigs should be fat,” Robert continued on. “For the fat show. All the same, very well done to you. But … but what was I saying?”

“Oh no,” Cora whispered as lowly as she could to her sister-in-law, and Rosamund lifted a brow.

“Mmhmm,” she whispered back as Robert spoke on. “He’s drunk.”

“… wonderful dancing, and drinks, and … and the flowers have been nice, haven’t they? Well done, Mama. Lady Downton. Oh, my wife, everyone!”

Cora felt the assembly turn to her, a small rumble of their shifting feet and a rustle of ladies’ dresses emphasizing the attention. Cora smiled at them, but blinked uncomfortably. What was he doing?

“Isn’t she lovely?” He said now as they all looked on, and Rosamund even nodded before Cora saw her cover her lips with her gloved fingers. She was laughing, and quite frankly Cora couldn’t blame her.

“Let us thank her for the flowers and the invitations and for how beautiful she is.”

Oh dear.

The crowd, too, must’ve then recognized the state of his sobriety for a small ripple of applause began, as if to let him move on, but Robert only lifted his hand.

“And, if you all promise not to tell, she may also be pregnant.”

Cora’s eyes went wide, and then to him, and she felt her mouth fall open.

And then gasps, all around her, everyone was gasping and then whispering, and the blush that never quite left Cora’s cheeks suddenly caught flame.

“Oh, my God,” she couldn’t help but say. She could vaguely hear Rosamund’s sharp “Oh!” through the thick fog of her embarrassment.

“To 1892, and my Cora, my daughter Mary. Sweetest Mary. And to … to you all!”

Through the murmurs and laughter, and Cora’s refusal to look up at the crowd who she felt staring at her, she heard them all repeat, because what on earth was there to say: “To 1892!”

[bella-caecilia]

Cobert prompt: home alone

Thank you for the prompt! I know it has been in my inbox for a while but here is my answer now. I enjoyed imagining different scenarios for this one. Hopefully, you like the one I chose to go with. I set this prompt pre-series. Hope you enjoy it!

Home alone

1891

Cora strolled the gardens on her own. Normally she would have a morning tea with Mama in between the large and luscious bushes of roses at this time. Her mother-in-law was a very demanding woman and Cora did have a hard time with her, there was no denying it. But Mama’s penchant for gardens and flowers led to some of the most beautiful moments Cora had experienced at Downton so far. Violet had made it their habit in summer to discuss the day’s tasks outside amidst her favourite part of the gardens instead of in her sitting room. Every morning, after Cora had joined Robert on his walk on the grounds, she sought the rose garden where her mother-in-law had advised the footmen to prepare a seating area.

Violet wasn’t there at the moment. She was in London for new frocks which were her usual excuse for seeing Rosamund. She spent the day looking at several fabrics and dresses and pestering her daughter with questions. Rosamund had told Cora that Violet hardly ever purchased anything and she suspected that her mother only wanted to have a closer look at her daughter’s new life as a married lady in far-away London. Today was one of the days the countess had chosen to grant her dear daughter a visit, and Cora was walking the paths in the rose garden alone. She enjoyed it though. The heavy scent floated around her and Cora relished the dream-like moment.

After her walk with Robert, he had returned to the house and she had decided to turn to the rose gardens nevertheless. Robert had to deal with some estate business because his father had left for London too. The earl was away for a few days, staying at the club and settling some business. He had advised Robert to manage a few minor tasks that would come up during his absence. Robert was eager to fulfil them responsibly and with care. He didn’t want to show a lack of interest or success right at the start of what would be a long career as ‘caretaker’ of Downton Abbey. Cora supported his ambition into the still rather small tasks he had to handle and she had urged him to tell her every detail of how it went afterwards. She used her time at hand trying to recall the different types of roses and their names Mama mentioned by the by with such great ease. Cora could relate to Mama’s interest in flowers but the older lady was a bit ahead in her knowledge and Cora always looked like a disinterested amateur next to her mother-in-law. She knew that by remembering the roses’ names she would hardly manage to impress Violet but she had to start somewhere. Humming, Cora wandered between the bushes, easily recalling the distinct types. There was only one type of intensive pink and Cora had gotten the hang of telling the different white roses apart immediately after her first visits to the garden. But the apricot roses still posed quite the challenge. The shades and forms seemed to differ more within one bush than between the different types, and Cora thought all of them as equally lovely. If she would want to make real progress on her gardening knowledge, she should consider consulting the gardener, she thought.

Being up to Mama’s mark proved to be more work than Cora had thought when she had married Robert a year and a half ago. Still, she hasn’t given up to find a way into Mama’s good graces, although she doubted, she would find a way into Mama’s heart.

Shrugging her shoulders and taking the last whiff of her favourite yellow bloom (she always imagined having a perfume of that particular rose, it would be lovely), Cora decided to return to the house and look how Robert was doing. In the hall, she already encountered her husband who was in discussion with a footman. It seemed he had received a telegram just now.

“Ah, Cora! Guess who is staying in London tonight?” Robert spoke when he spotted her.

“Uhm… Papa is, I guess,” Cora attempted an answer while trying to discreetly shift her hat whose pins began to prick unpleasantly into her scalp.

“Well, yes,” Robert replied with a shrug of shoulders. “But so is Mama. She just informed us that she would stay at Rosamund’s overnight. She isn’t feeling well and doesn’t want to travel today.” His tone was elated and he now accompanied her to the stairs, nodding his dismissal at the footmen silently.

“Oh, I am sorry,” Cora exclaimed.

“She will surely be alright by tomorrow morning,” he assured. “But she doesn’t have to bother us until she is back.” Cora chuckled at his statement.

“I will hurry to take off my hat. Might I find you in the library in a few minutes?” she asked.

“Yes, of course.” Robert smiled softly at her before she ascended the stairs.

When she met him on the red settees not much later, he already reclined casually on the seat next to the fireplace, the one his father usually occupied. He patted the cushion next to him and Cora sat down by his side.

“You know what we can do when we’re alone at home,” Robert said in a low voice, searching her eyes.

Cora furrowed her brow, trying to think of something he could possibly mean. “What?”

“Well, … everything,” Robert concluded. “It is our house for now, and there is no one to tell us what to do and what not to do.” He reached out his hand to caress her thigh.

“I see,” Cora murmured and a tentative smirk appeared on her features. Robert watched her reaction.

“What are thinking about?” he asked when she was silent for a while and her gaze had left his.

“I just thought that every single room is ours at the moment is all,” she gave back without meeting his eyes. His grip on her thigh grew firmer and eventually, she looked up at his face. She was met by a wide grin and relaxed a little at this sight, not really knowing where this former tinge of nervosity came from. This was her dear and familiar Robert after all.

“I like that thought,” he spoke softly and cupped her cheek with his other hand. He was rewarded with a content smile of hers. She leaned into his hand and her eyes swept adoringly over his features.

“What do want to do in this room for instance?” Robert inquired. Enveloped by her warm gaze he only focused on her vision in front of him.

“Well, I thought about using this comfortable settee in a manner your parents wouldn’t approve of if they knew about it.”

“Is that so?” he grinned and his voice held a teasing tone. Cora nodded and without breaking their warm eye contact she pulled up her legs and unbuckled her shoes.

“Yes, it’s a shame we’re having these cosy settees and no one ever gets really comfortable on them,” she explained while stretching her legs on the part of the sofa that faced away from Robert and leaning her upper body against his. He chuckled and she felt the rumbles that shook his body where her side pressed against his.

“You are really one of a kind, Cora,” Robert stated and began running his fingers through her pinned-up curls.

“Don’t! You’re messing up my hair,” she argued with little conviction.

“I am careful,” he assured. Cora turned until she faced him and her lips were mere inches from his. Without further words, she extended her definition of ‘getting really comfortable’ and covered his lips with hers, her arms looping around his chest. Robert moved his lips softly, relishing the opportunity to drag this unusually sensual kiss in the library. His eyes closed, the feeling of her warm lips was as present as the touch of her small palms on his back, and he enjoyed how her body moulded against his more and more. His hands splayed across the small of her back. Cora emitted low hums into their sealed lips before she tentatively tried to dip her tongue into his mouth. Robert gladly went along with her plans. After all, she was right, it was their room for now and the best way he could think of to use it was exactly what Cora initiated. But feeling growing arousal well up in him, he wasn’t sure how far they should really take it. Therefore, he was glad when Cora pulled back to catch her breath, leaning her forehead against his. Robert brushed his fingertips across her spine and Cora tucked her head underneath his chin.

“I like having the library to ourselves,” Robert pondered.

“Yes, me too,” Cora purred, letting her fingers graze the skin of his neck just where his collar ended.

“You know? One day it will be like that every day,” he said. Cora laughed without restraint.

“I don’t think so,” she chuckled.

“Why is that?”

“Well, I am sure your mother will never cease keeping an eye on us. Apart from that, we won’t be alone, Robert. Not only will there be our dear Mama but also a bunch of children,” she stated.

“Oh, right. I forgot about your big plans for the nursery,” he teased. He could never forget her dream of a nursery full of their children. It was only a few months ago that baby Mary brought life to the nursery.

“These are our plans, Robert. Or am I mistaken?” she inquired, still fiddling with his collar.

“No, of course not. It takes two after all,” he answered. His hands began pressing against her corseted waist more persistently. “Then we have to make the best of our peace in this house now.”

Cora turned again in his arms, lifting her face to his height by pressing her palms to his chest. Her close-up grinning face made Robert chuckle lowly. “I totally agree,” she purred.

[bh7theseriesblog]

Fire and Ice Roses: BH6 Oneshot

www.fanfiction.net

*Across the Pacific ocean the sun begins to rise in the east, the ocean sparkles with light as the mist parted ways to reveal San Fransokyo. The lights eventually hits on a small house, where a family of three live. The light shines through a port window which roused a person on a futon mattress beside it, the person shifted before it revealed itself to be a 13 year old girl with dyed blue hair. She is shorter than most girls her age, and her figure still resembles that of a child and yet it is starting to curve a little bit. She stood up in her futon mattress as she looks at the sun outside. She stands up and makes her futon mattress decent, and then she looked at her surroundings; her room is decorated with posters ranging from robotics, the ocean, old anime posters like Sailor Moon and Revolutionary Girl Utena and various homemade mural pictures made out of seashells and had many homemade wind chimes/chandeliers also made out of seashells hanging from her ceiling. She straightens her baby blue nightgown before she walks out her room and into the bathroom, she looks at herself in the mirror as she brushes her teeth and looks at herself. She sighs in disappointment that her bust remained small, but she quickly shakes hear head from focusing on her lack of mature body and starts her day. With the dawn still young she dresses herself to her outfit, a yellow tank top with a sea green plated skirt, she brushes her hair and places her purple eye contacts in. She heads downstairs once more to prepare for breakfast, setting water to boil to put the rice in. A drop of hot water slightly burns her hand as she reacts with a soft ow; when she stirs the rice she hears footstep coming in the kitchen.*

Kaguya: Good morning Cora.

*The girl named Cora turns her head to give a small smile to the old woman wearing the traditional kimono with her signature cane.*

Cora: Good Morning Grandmama.

*After she was done cooking she places their breakfast on the table and walks out to wake the third person in her family. She gently opens the door to see her Father, who is slowly waking up from his deep slumber. Cora looks at the table in his room and found it filled with bills and job resumes. She sighs as she sits beside her father as his massive figure lifts up and his vision clears to see his daughter.

Cora: Morning Papa.

*Mizuchi slowly walks to the table where his daughter and mother-in-law are waiting for him. He sits down and eats his breakfast, his eyes weary and lost. Cora sighs as she begins to eat her breakfast as well. After breakfast the father and daughter are sitting in the living room where it had a TV with a VCR, a blue ray player, VHS tapes and DVDs of old and new anime and movies. Cora looks around before she brings out the small robot she made; the robot was small, sleek and pale as a pearl and resembled more of an egg. When she brings out her controller she activates the robot. The robot activates its eyes to a electric green eyes and floats around to Mizuchi where it begins to dance. Though it does not have legs the robot moved with grace and purity. Mizuchi looked at the robot and his daughter and gave a small smile...just for a little while. Cora's smile drops as she stops playing with the robot she made and puts it in her dress pocket.*

Kaguya: Cora, it's time to go grocery shopping.

*Cora nodded as she stands up and tiptoes to kiss her father on the cheek as she prepares to join her grandmother. She puts on her outdoor shoes, which are her favorite rain boots, and steps out.*

Cora: We're heading out Papa...We'll be home soon...

Mizuchi: Be safe.

*After the grandmother and girl get on the trolley the city begins to come alive. The stores are opening as people soon fill the streets to go wherever they need to go. Cora looks at her grandmother,who at the moment is checking over the money in her purse as she looks to the streets across them. She sees a group of young friends walking and talking happily as a young couple hold hands and kiss. Cora sighs sadly at the sight as she looks down at her feet, and her grandmother notices this but said nothing. Once at the stop they got off the trolley and walk to the grocery store, and once inside Cora grabbed a basket and begin to search for their groceries. Kaguya spots a familiar face nearby and places a hand on her shoulder.*

Kaguya: Cora, there's a music store nearby that you can visit right now. They are even having a sale right now, here.

*She places a few dollar bills in Cora's hand but Cora begins to shake her head.*

Cora: N-no Grandmama, groceries are important I-I don't need to-

Kaguya: I insist. You are still young, enjoy your life.

*Cora sighs in defeat as she hands the basket to her grandmother and walks out the store. Once she was gone the old woman turned around and saw the person she recognized.*

Kaguya: How are you doing today Felony Carl?

Felony Carl: Oh, hey Kaguya. I'm doin' fine, just getting some Tofu and apples as my doctor recommended. Was that your granddaughter I saw with you a while ago?

Kaguya: Indeed.

*Both Felony Carl and Kaguya walk over to the apple stand where they begin to look for good apples.*

Felony Carl: She's a lot quieter than what you told me.

Kaguya: I know. Cora has been shy and quiet yes, but she has this burst of life inside her. Like how she would splash around in the waves and search for seashells. In a way she's an oyster.

Felony Carl: Grey on the outside but a hidden gem within?

Kaguya: Exactly, just like her mother...but ever since my Son-in-law was fired he has been struggling to find a job and paying for the bills. Cora is worried sick about him, and it doesn't help that his weariness is obvious in his eyes.

Felony Carl: I understand that, when people look at me they get scared and want nothing to do with me.

Kaguya: Mhmm, Cora has been home schooled her entire life as I recall telling you.

Felony Carl: Yeah, cause she hacked into her dad's computer at age four?

Kaguya: And Mizuchi protectiveness kept her from going to real school in fear she will be ostracized. But I've seen how Cora looks at the children her age...she wants friends...and possibly someone who loves her.

Felony Carl: You mean as in a romantic sense?

Kaguya: Yes. But with Mizuchi's financial struggles, Cora will be forced to push away her desires. She's been the main chef and caretaker of the house for a long while now and has even been thinking of selling her seashell collection and homemade art. And she may think of never going to College.

Felony Carl: That's tough.

Kaguya: It's times like these I wonder what Akemi would do... I know Cora needs to make the first step to talk to people...and yet I hope that someone will see Cora for who she really is and cherish her... someone who can understand her and connect to her...

*Meanwhile around the same time, the cafe is buzzing with customers as Cass Hamada is busy taking orders. Upstairs at the moment, two brothers are up and ready to start the day. The older brother is putting on his baseball head while the younger is making some adjustments on a small, black and somewhat derpy-looking robot.*

Tadashi: OK Hiro, I'm off to meet up with some friends, and remember to call me if you need anything or if you're heading out.

Hiro: Kay, I will.

*The boy named Hiro is a 13 year old genius prodigy and his brother is Tadashi, a intelligent young man with a good heart. Tadashi calls out as he heads downstairs.*

Tadashi: And don't give Aunt Cass any trouble OK?

Hiro: I hear ya.

*Once Tadashi heads downstairs Hiro fixes up the bot with a satisfied smile.*

Hiro: OK, now that you're fixed up Megabot, I just gotta head to the mechanics store and upgrade your controller. After all, another bot fight is coming up tonight.

*He goes to his drawer where he pulls up a panel where he placed the cash he won over from the bot fights before. He had to admit, he was impressed of himself that he can make this large sum of money from bot-fighting. He supposed he could almost thank the bullies from high school for driving him towards Bot-fighting, where he can use his big brain for the thrill of beating everybody to a pulp. He shook his head to avoid the memories of high school and the harassment he endured there, after all he had just graduated last week and now has the summer to himself.*

Hiro: Alright, that should be enough.

*With that he heads downstairs and through the cafe where he sneaks in a cookie.*

Hiro: I'm heading off to the mechanics store Aunt Cass, I'll be back soon!

Cass: Be safe!

*With that, Hiro heads off down the street to get the parts for his upcoming bot-battle that night. Meanwhile at the other side of the town Cora wearily looks around the music store, spotting whole shelves ranging from vinyl record players to digital songs displayed on Holograms. She holds tightly to her purse as she looks at the songs available in the anime and movie soundtrack.*

?: Hey kid.

*Cora looks up and turns her head to see a woman in expensive make-up and rather revealing clothing. Cora diverts her eyes the other way as she addresses the scantily clad female.*

Cora: A-are you talking t-to me?

Scanty: Well I don't see any other blue-haired girls around here. So yeah, I'm talking to you

Cora: *Looking down in embarrassment* Um... I-is there a-anything you want?

Scanty: Not really...but you certainly do have something on your mind.

Cora: W-what do you uh...mean?

Scanty: You've been pressing the scroll button for too long that its speeding up and you haven't even noticed.

*Cora sees the scroll bar in the hologram as it became non-visible as blurry icons of songs zoom past her. She lets go of the button as she looks down again at her feet blushing.*

Scanty: I guess you do have something going on in your mind then?

Cora: Yeah... there's... a little trouble at home...Money trouble...

*The scantily dressed lady sighs before she grabs the young girl to a more secluded part of the store.*

Scanty: How old are you kid?

Cora: What?

Scanty: I'm asking how old are you?

Cora:...13 ma'm.

*The lady nods her head before she whispers to Cora.*

Scanty: If you're looking for quick cash, I might be able to help.

*Cora's eyes light up at the prospect that she could earn money to help her father.*

Cora: Really? What is it? I'll do anything!

Scanty: There's two people I know that are looking for a double date, and since my old business partner bailed out on me...you might be a possible candidate to date the other guy. And they are paying good money for the date.

*Cora's eyes slowly widened in shock as she realizes what the lady is offering her. The lady notices the look in the young girl's eyes.*

Scanty: Look kid, I know this is a big girl's game but if you want to help out your folks you gotta be out there. Sides, you're pretty enough for guys to see you, even if you are a little...flat.

*Cora consciously covers her chest as she looks down at her feet.*

Scanty: The date is nearby by Good Luck Alley where a bot fight is hosting.

Cora: A bot fight? I thought the Bot fight tournament was at the capital.

Scanty: That's not the bot fight I'm talking about. This one is where people bet on the fighters, and if you're lucky enough to win you might just get some good cash.

*Seeing this as a chance to make money, she quickly pulls out her robot that was in rest mode.*

Cora: I have a robot! It's in rest mode but it should-

*That is when the lady snickers at the girl, she clears her throat after a little bit and faces Cora.*

Scanty: That's a sweet thought kid, but there is no way you can beat those big boys at a bot fight, especially since your robot is basically an egg. You can be set for life by going on these dates with the guys offering good money. Sides it's not illegal, you're 13. You're of age of consent. Since it's you're first time, I'll just call them and tell them that we'll just going out for dinner and nothing more.

*The lady picks up her stuff and starts to walk out, and Cora follows her to the exit.*

Scanty: It's your choice baby girl, either your face money trouble or you can go out with these men and have them beg you to date them. Who knows, if you're good enough you'll be a favorite.

*The Lady walks away down the street leaving Cora looking at her robot in hand. She then looks at the direction the lady walked down and sighs. She then decided to head back to the grocery store, keeping the event the lady told her in her head.*

*Hiro arrives at the store as he immediately searches for the part for his controller. The cashier greeted Hiro, since he remembers the times both Tadashi and Hiro have come over to the store to buy the tools and gears they needed. Hiro only gave a dismissive hello before he inspected some of the gears on the shelf. Just then another person comes into the store, a big jock with a Letterman jacket coming in and spotting the young teenager.*

Jocky Jerk: Well well lookie what we have here, if it isn't Zero the brainiac twerp.

*Hiro sighs but refuses to acknowledge the older adolescent as he continues to rummage through the wires.*

Jocky Jerk: Hey! I'm talking to you freak.

Hiro scrunches up his nose in disgust as he speaks without turning his head to acknowledge him.*

Hiro: Hello Kurt.

*Kurt smirks as he heads over and ruffles Hiro's hair which made the young boy groan.*

Kurt: Haven't seen you since graduation, what sort of things you doing now you little twerp?

Hiro: I know I'm not repeating a year of high school and taking summer school while being kicked out of the football team.

*Kurt's smirk is wiped clean as it turns a murderous glare, he looks around and then has a devilish grin.*

Kurt: Looks like your annoying nerdy brother isn't here, so I'm sure you don't mind if we head out and talk-

Cashier: Sir, if you're not buying anything, I suggest you leave right now.

*Kurt scoffs as he shoves Hiro before he exits the door. Hiro gives a scoff in return as he grabs what he needs and pays for it; the cashier then directs Hiro to the back exit so he won't be attacked by Kurt and possibly his goons like Ram.*

Cashier: Seriously kid, I don't know how you handle those jerks. I probably wet myself if I made that comment to that big donkey like you did.

Hiro: Eh, guys like Kurt are idiots. He's butt-hurt cause I refused to take his SAT exam for him, sides I'm used to it.

Cashier: Why didn't you tell your brother? He's always stuck out his neck for you, so why haven't you told him this?

*Hiro sighs as he turns to face the cashier.*

Hiro: Tadashi's been really busy with an after school project and is rarely home. I don't want to bother him.

Cashier: *Sighs* OK then, well I'll see ya later. Tell Cass and Tadashi I said Hi!

Hiro: K.

*With that Hiro exits through the back and safely to the streets. He passes through the corner where the other jocks are waiting to ambush him. But they were confused on what's taking Hiro so long to come out. Once Hiro makes it safely to his street address he snickers quietly over the stupidity of those pea-brained jocks. He enters inside the Cafe where Cass is delivering juice to an group of elderly people.*

Cass: Hey Hiro, how was your trip out?

Hiro: It was fine, nothing much. I'm just gonna be heading upstairs K? I'll make sure Mochi's okay.

Cass: Alright Hiro!

*Hiro heads upstairs and starts getting to work on his controller, anticipating for the bot-fight tonight.*

*The day soon turns into early evening where Cora is back home, facing a dilemma, and her father is out looking for work while her grandmother is out doing whatever she's doing. She sprawled out two outfits on her bed for her to change into; one is a set of a black long-sleeved shirt with a black denim vest with cloth hood, along with dark cargo pants and boots and complete with a traditional Japanese cat mask, and second one is a sleeveless knee length red dress with black flats and a see-through black shawl. She paces back and forth as she thinks over what she should do. These two activities are both dangerous each in its own way. On one hand, she could battle off fighters that would be more aggressive since the rules of the tournament will not apply to the streets. But on the other hand, she will be facing older men who she has no idea who they are and may potentially be dangerous.*

Cora: What to do, what to do, what to do? *Sighs as she stressfully runs her hands through her her and over her face* Maybe I should get a glass of water.

*With that, Cora closes the door behind her as she heads down to grab a glass. She drinks the glass of water as she passes by the living room where she sees it...a small Butsudan dedicated to her mother... Cora sighs before she heads over to the small shrine. She kneels down in front of the bustudan and clasp her hands in a prayer, she takes a deep breath before she looks up.*

Cora: Hi Mama...how are you? I mean... I know you're dead, but I hope you're OK in...wherever you are now...

*Cora goes quiet for a few moments before she speaks again.*

Cora: Papa has been teaching me self-defense for a quite while now, and Grandmama says I'm becoming strong. Also, I've graduated...in a sense...I finished my high school course, I even got a diploma.

*Cora points to a diploma where it states that Cora graduated as a home-schooled girl. But Cora's forced smile fades as she looks back at the shrine and talks again.*

Cora: Mama...I'm really worried about Papa... Ever since he was fired he looks so defeated and lost and I can't bear to see him like this anymore... I want to help anyway I can...actually that's what's happening now... A lady from earlier told me that she's looking for a partner for a double date and that they'll pay me... she also told me about a bot fight that's happening at the same time but she says I have no chance... Mama what am I going to do? I don't know what these people will be like when I go against them, but I also don't want to go with these strangers for a date...what would Papa and Grandmama say...

*Cora turns her head to another section of the shrine and saw a picture of her mother when she was pregnant and her father, they were both smiling. That's when she gains a determined look on her face.*

Cora: You know what Mama? I'm not going to that double date. I'm going bot-fighting! If I ever do go out on a date, I want it to be with someone who I love and loves me back and is around my age, not be paid like a doll for a middle aged man whose desperate to buy dates from girls like me.

*Cora stands up but quickly kneels down again to end her prayer.*

Cora: Thank you Mama for listening. I'll be careful at that bot fight!

*She then stands up and leaves, not noticing how the candle flame brighten with soft warmth on the main picture of her mother, a beautiful woman with golden-blond hair and sea blue eyes smiling gently. She enters her room as she looks at her outfit for bot fighting.*

Cora: Alright now! Lets get to work!

*Cora spends the next few hours working on her robot so that she'll be more suited for an intense bot fight rather than the fragile dancing robot she made as a child. She upgrades the controller with spare parts as she adjusts wires. Once she was done she grabs the outfit and starts dressing up. Now she appears more of a rouge modern ninja as she packs her robot, controller, and cat mask in her bag. She then writes a note to her family saying that she is using the money her grandmother gave her to see a movie and won't be back for a while. She knew that her father will still panic since she's going out by herself, but this is a risk she must take. She then makes a makeshift rope to climb out the port hole window, and due to her small height and size she can manage with ease. Once on the ground she starts sneaking through the streets as she heads her way to Good Luck Alley. A decision that will change her life forever.

*The evening begins to darken by the time Tadashi heads back to the Cafe where Cass is making some cappuccinos for her customers and smiles when he sees Hiro helping out by picking up the dirty dishes.*

Tadashi: Hey Aunt Cass, how's it going?

Cass: It's been pretty good so far, Hiro has been helping me out for a while now. He even fixed the espresso machine!

*Said espresso machine coughs a few times before it resumes to normal.*

Cass: Hopefully it'll last long enough to save up for a new one.

Tadashi: Alright Cass.

*Tadashi heads over to Hiro who is struggling with the massive load of dirty dishes, where he surprises Hiro by lending a hand to carry the dishes together.

Hiro: Tadashi! You're back early!

Tadashi: Nice to see you too knucklehead, and yeah I've managed to get some stuff done sooner than usual and decided to come home early for a day off.

Hiro: Cool!

*Hiro gives a somewhat strained smile, because while he's happy Tadashi is here right now, he was hoping he would be gone long enough to sneak out without raising suspicion.*

Tadashi: Something on your mind Nerd?

Hiro: * Smirks* Who are you calling a nerd, Nerd King?

Tadashi: *Chuckles* Alright, if you say so.

*After a while with the Cafe closed up and Cass finishing up dinner, Tadashi and Hiro talk over their day.*

Tadashi: So you went over to the mechanics store? How's Willie doing?

Hiro: Willie's fine, just getting some stuff for me to experiment with.

Tadashi: Hopefully not like the time you turned every utensil in the house into a rocket which caused a fork to land on my forehead.

Hiro: It was funny and you know it Dashi.

*Tadashi shakes his head as he chuckles, his little brother is definitely up to something for sure. After dinner, Tadashi and Hiro head up to their room where the older brother opens the screen door and flops down on his bed.*

Tadashi: Welp, today was exhausting, I'm just gonna lie down here and sleep like the dead.

Hiro: OK, sides I think I'm gonna crash down soon too.

Tadashi: Alright, night Hiro.

Hiro: Night Nerd.

*Hiro gets to his bed where he simply waited for the soft snoring of his brother. Once he knew that Tadashi is in deep sleep, Hiro quietly gets up and takes Megabot, his controller, and the wad of money to bet. Once he gets out of the house he dashes towards Good Luck Alley, excitement running through his system as he can't wait to win the jackpot tonight, equally unaware that his life will change forever.

*At the time of Hiro and his family are having their dinner, Cora had arrived at Good luck Alley. She spots from the distance the scantily clad lady with two older gentlemen, and the men looking more impatient as the time goes by. She pulls up her hood over her head and hides behind a trash can as the men are finally fed up and they walked with the lady together.*

Enjo: Can't believe this, that little piece of s*** ditched out on us.

Kosai: Eh, maybe it's for the best. I wanted a busty lady, not some flat chested brat.

*Cora held her breath as they walked down her path, waiting for the men and the lady to go away. But she did notice that the lady gave what looked like a small sigh of relief over the girl not showing up. Once she was sure they were gone Cora headed up and waited for the person running the bot-fight. She immediately slips on her cat mask and makes sure her hood is secure over her head and hiding her hair as she meets up the person in charge.*

Hime Na: What do you want kid?

*Cora's mind went to a state of internal panic. What was she going to say? How will the lady respond?! What if they turn her away?!*

Hime Na: Well? I'm waiting.

*Cora then remembers the time her father had scared off a group of rude teenagers when they were at the beach. His eyes burned along with his height that made them run in fear. Cora's eyes became determined as she simply pulls out some of the money and points to the bot fight ring, giving off her best imitation of her strong father.*

Hime Na: Alright, ya can go on in.

*Cora gives a nod in thanks before she seats herself to the opponent seat, which caught the woman off guard since she thought that the kid merely wanted to watch the fight and not be part of it. The first person to come was a late adolescent male with serious acne problems and a neck beard.*

Neck beard: Well lookie here, a little cosplayer.

*The crowd began to snicker as Cora remained silent.*

Neck Beard: Anyway, I'll go easy on you kid since this is your first time.

*He pulls out a robot that appears to have muscle and doing macho like poses. Needless to say that he was compensating for something very important. Cora pulls out her robot as she activates it with her controller, the robot goes from her egg mode to her robot form, still floating with electric green eyes.*

Neck Beard: Aww is the little kid gonna beat me with their little EVE dollie-

*That's when Cora launched her attack.*

*Hiro arrives at Good Luck Alley as he makes his way through the crowd to sign up for the bot fight. Once he signs up by using his innocent boy charm, he sets out on the opposite side of the alley where another ring is open.*

Spector #1: Hey, have ya heard? Some new kid beat the living crap out of Yabo.

Spector #2: Oh man... I never seen that loser bawl so hard, and that kid just keeps beating everyone every single time!

Spector #1: Yup, I heard that tonight, the two best bot fighters here will get into a special event where'll there'll be a ton of dough!

*Hiro is intrigued by this news. A new arrival that may be the perfect challenge for him? This is going to be fun. He immediately starts his usual bit where he'll appear as a first-time bot fighter and purposely lose, then go around and beat them. Once he finishes a number of rounds the person shows him the person he'll face next.*

Hime Na: Looks like it's gonna be you two next. This ought to be very interesting.

*That's when he finally gets a good view of his new rival. A person around his age wearing a cat mask in modern ninja clothing using what looks like a slimmer version of EVE from WALL-E and mercilessly beat it's much larger opponent. Due to it's small stature and electro-magnetic suspension that causes the bot to float, it can easily dodge and land a swift hit that ultimately left the rival bot scrambled.*

Hime Na: Looks like we have our winner! Now then, Nekodome come here.

*The one called Neko stands up and walks over as they pick up their bot, not even uttering a word.*

Hime Na: Now that we have our two reigning champions...it's time for the Duo Dual!

*The crowd began to chant as both Hiro and the ninja-clad person become confused. They thought they were gonna fight each other, not partner up!*

Hime Na: Now that these two are placed in the duo dual, they will face more danger for the large cash prize! Can these kids beat the baddest of the bad? Lets find out!

*Hiro and the ninja-clad person look at each other before they reluctantly sit down next to each other. Neither of them spoke as they are face to face with two opponents. They brought out their own robots that appear to be much more tougher than the others. Hiro turns to the person as said person looks over their robot as it gently skims over the smooth metal.*

Hiro: So...you're new here?

*The person doesn't respond, but they nod slightly as they place their bot down. Hiro then places Megabot down beside the EVE robot as the lady begins to set the stage.*

Hime Na: Four bots enter, only two can escape...fight!

*Immediately the other two charge their robots as Megabot launches forward while the EVE robot flies up, dodging the attack. The robot pinned Megabot down while the other goes after Eve. Megabot separates to pull out its circuits but the robot simply threw it away. Megabot barely stays within the circle as it lands and stands up. Eve is facing a similar problem, as it is pulled to a magnetic armor the bot wore; Evie barely escapes as it slams its head to the enemy bot. Then by a complete and miraculous accident, Megabot is launched to Evie's bot as it knocks it down and leaves a rather large dent, leaving the magnetism useless. Hiro and the person look at each and realize how they can beat them and win the prize.*

Hiro: You thinking what I'm thinking?

*The person nods their head excitedly as they both charged their robots at the damaged enemy bot. Evie zings forward as it spins its head in a tizzy, once it falls down Megabot jumps up and knocks out its heads. The person controlling the magnetic bot throws their controller in frustration as the other gets tense over the fight. The large bot jumps up and tried to pin down Evie but Megabot stops the enemy bot and restrain its limbs, leaving Evie to strike the robot repeatedly until it was nothing more than scrap metal. The pieces of metal rain down on the two victorious bots as they returned to their cute mode when they ended their fight with a bow.*

Hime Na: And the winners of the duo dual...Hiro and Nekodomo!

*There was a mixture of cheering and disgruntled disappointment. The person went over to collect the money and the prize money, and just as the person is heading over to give the jar to Hiro... Sirens went off in the distance.*

Spector #2: Crap! The cops are here!

*The first spector grabbed a bottle of a beer and smashed it to the ground and yells out.*

Spector #1: SCATTER!

*Everyone else begins to run in different directions, desperate to avoid the cops. Hiro went to run towards a shortcut he knows when he sees the ninja-clad person stand still like a deer in headlights. They were still carrying the money in their arms as their knees shook in terror. Out of his better judgement he went back and grabbed their hand and they bolted out of there before an officer can spot them. Hiro drags the person far away from the police cars as the person could only stare at the young teen in what appears to be an awe. They were approaching a safe distance when the person tripped on a piece of loose concrete and falls on their face. Hiro picks them up and they continue to run, leaving behind a broken cat mask. Once they are in a safe place away from the cops, Hiro turns his attention to the person.*

Hiro: *wheeze* That...*Wheeze* was close...*Wheeze*...this really must be your first bot fight huh? I have to admit though, you are really...

*But Hiro's voice trails off as the person removes the hood from their head and he finally gets a good look at the person beside him. They was actually a she. And she was his age with large beautiful purple eyes and short blue hair that fluffed with elegance. And just her face is described as innocent and very cute. Cora also finally gets a good look at the boy beside her named Hiro. He was her age with large almond brown eyes, messy black hair and a tooth gap, and Cora couldn't help but think that he was very cute too. The two teens stare at each other as they felt something sparkle in their eyes..*

Cora:...H-hi...

Hiro: He-hey...

*Cora blushes as she looks down a little over the silent space between them. Hiro then clears his throat as he regains his state of mind.*

Hiro: A-as I was saying...You're a really good bot-fighter...

Cora: Thank you...

*They both stand up as they feel their hearts pounding heavily inside them.*

Hiro: So...Nekodomo is probably an alias right...

Cora: Yeah... but if you want to know... My name is Cora Mizichio.

Hiro: Cora...W-well my name is Hiro. Hiro Hamada that is.

*Hiro straightens his voice to be deeper to try and flirt with the cute girl, which causes Cora to giggle at his flirtation. Then Cora reaches out her hand to shake his.*

Cora: Thank you for being my partner in the bot fight...and for saving me back there.

Hiro: O-oh! It was no problem actually...

*Cora then looks at the prize money she stuffed in her bag.*

Cora: Oh right! So Hiro...do you want to split up the prize money?

*She begins to pull out the money, but in the distance Hiro sees a very familiar moped. Oh crap, Tadashi is coming!*

Hiro: Uhh... Actually, you keep it! I guess...hopefully I'll see you around again?

*Cora's face became a deep shade of red over his generosity. She expected that he would want half of the prize money, but this...this is the sweetest thing he has ever done for her, and they had only just met.*

Cora: T-thank you...I gotta go right now...but yeah, I'll see ya later... Hopefully we can team up at another bot fight again sometime?

Hiro: Y-yeah! T-that sounds great! See-see ya!

*Cora was about to run off with the money, but not before she unthinkably kisses Hiro on the cheek. Hiro blinks in shock as he watches the girl run off into the darkness as he slowly brings his hand up to his cheek with a stunned and lovestruck look on his face... At that moment, all he could think about was if this is how Prince Charming felt after Cinderella ran off from the ball when the clock stuck midnight. And that all that was missing from this moment was a glass slipper.*

Tadashi: Hiro! what are you doing out here?! Do you have any idea what time it is?!

*Hiro doesn't respond, as he's still staring off in the direction Cora ran off in with a derpy lovesick smile on his face.*

Tadashi: Hiro? Hey Hiro, are you alright?

Hiro: Hmmm...Oh hey Dashi... When did you get here?

Tadashi: *Giving Hiro a confused look, now starting to get concerned for his younger brother* I've been here for the last twenty seconds trying to figure out why your all the way out here this late at night, which by the way you still haven't answered me about yet. Are you okay though? You're acting kinda weird and you look a little flushed too. Are you starting to get sick?

Tadashi tries to place his hand on Hiro's forehead to feel his temperature, but Hiro snaps out of his newly developed lovesickness just in time to swats his hand away before he can get the chance.*

Hiro: Relax Nerd King. I'm not getting sick, I'm just...a little tired that's all... So what are we waiting for? We heading home or what?

*Tadashi just watches with concerned eyes as Hiro gets on the moped without another word and puts on his helmet. They both ride off to the Cafe in silence as Tadashi wonders what the heck happened to his brother at that bot fight?!*

*Cora climbed up the window as she quietly strips her ninja clothes and into her sleeping gown as she quietly puts the money into her father's savings. She blushes over the memory of the boy who gave her the prize money when he could have easily demanded it all. She sighs dreamily as she heads upstairs to finally sleep.*

Cora: Good night everyone...goodnight Hiro...wherever you are...

*Since then, Cora and Hiro have met up in the following four months after. They would meet up at night where they not only bot fight the other fighters, but chatted in private over their lives, interests and hobbies. Both are surprisingly similar and yet so different. Hiro talked about his life at the Cafe with his aunt and brother and their pet cat, his interest in robotics, anything that came to mind when usually he wanted nothing to do with conversations. Cora told him that she lived with her father and grandmother alone in a small house nearby his place, her love for marine biology, and how she was home-schooled her whole life. They both instantly connected when they learned that they are both genius prodigies, someone very intelligent like them. Even through their excitement and obvious feelings for each other, they never told the other in fear that they would consider it gross or reject them and thus ruin their newly formed, but already highly valued friendship. Young love at its finest.*

Kaguya: Cora, I hope you don't mind me saying this, but you've seemed to be in a very good mood for a while now.

*Cora looks up from her daydreaming daze as she sees that she had not taken a bite out of her porridge.*

Kaguya: Not that it's a bad thing, it's like you have a new burst of energy that radiates inside your heart and making you glow with pure happiness.

Cora: *blushes with a small smile on her face* Well...thank you Grandmama.

*Kaguya did indeed see a big change in Cora. Her shy demeanor was slowly fading away as she became more confident over her voice, she began to sing more than usual, singing mostly love songs as she noticed, as she slightly dances with the broom while doing chores, and she has more energy in self-defense lessons with he father.*

*Across the kitchen, she hears her father talking on the phone, he was talking a manager of a job that her Dad applied for. His voice turns from soft and low to excited and booming.*

Mizuchi: Are you sure? No I will take it! Thank you very much!

*Mizuchi hangs the phone up as he lets out a joyful booming laugh.*

Mizuchi: Mother-in-law! My little Cora!

*Mizuchi runs to the kitchen where he picks up the two ladies and spins around happily.*

Cora: Did you get the job Papa?

Mizuchi: Yes!

Cora: I'm so happy for you!

*Cora hugs her father tightly as the grandmother gently pats his head in approval. He puts them down as he starts preparing for his big job coming soon. As her father prances around happily while her grandmother goes to make herself tea, Cora's heart suddenly drops as she realizes what this means...*

Cora: Oh no...what am I gonna tell Hiro?

*She only joined the bot fights so that she can support her father, and now that her father is no longer unemployed, she would have to stop going there. But that also meant she coudn't see Hiro anymore...*

Cora: I...I should tell him that this will be my last night...

*As of while, Hiro was also busy daydreaming over the blue-haired girl he had gotten close to, playing with the yolk of his eggs as leans his head to his hand.*

Tadashi: *Waving his hand over Hiro's face and than snapping his fingers trying to once again get his younger brother out of his daze* Hello? Earth to Hiro, earth to Hiro! Where are you?

*Hiro snaps out of his thoughts as he stops playing with his food. The funny side up egg glared at Hiro for destroying their friend's face.*

Tadashi: Seriously Hiro, you been acting really weird for the last few months. What's gotten into you Bro. Are you sure you're feeling alright?

Hiro: *Clears throat* Y-yeah, yeah! I'm fine Tadashi, totally fine! There's nothing to worry about at all!

*Hiro finishes his breakfast as he puts away the dirty dish. While Tadashi's eyebrows furrowed, Cass leans over and bumps his shoulder with her elbow with a wide and excited smile of her face.*

Cass: I don't know about you...but I think he's really got it bad!

Tadashi: It? What 'it?' And why does Hiro 'really got it bad'?

Cass: Oh Tadashi...don't you see? I think Hiro might be in love!

*Tadashi's eyes widened as he takes in this information his aunt told him as she hums merrily to continue working.*

Tadashi: Hiro's...in love?!...With who?!

Cass: Well obviously he's not gonna just tell us. You don't know this because you haven't found someone yet, but everyone always keeps their first love a secret, especially when it's young love! *Sighs* Our little Hiro is growing up so fast!

*After his aunt tells him this, Tadashi begins to think over Hiro's behavior ever since that night he found his brother in a daze. And the following months since then, Hiro has been much more helpful around the house and Cafe, been in a much more cheerful mood than he's usually in, constantly dazing out and daydreaming with a dopey lovesick look on his face, and if all that hadn't been odd enough, he has also been looking up information about the ocean lately with the newly developed focus on killer whales. So if what his aunt just told him did in fact ring true, along with the fact that Hiro wasn't gonna tell him about it since this was his first love and what-not, He than decided that when Hiro goes out to another bot fight, he will finally meet the young person his little brother has been seeing for the past four months.*

Tadashi: Alright Hiro, since your obviously not gonna tell me who your new little friend is, I'm just gonna have to follow you and find out myself.

*Later on, Tadashi waited for Hiro to sneak out of the house to follow him in the cover of night, determined to find out who this mysterious person that had stolen Hiro's heart.*

*Cora and Hiro are at the bot fight as a tag team where they are currently facing off a representative of Yama, a notorious Yakuza leader in San Fransokyo. They were head to head as both Cora's bot Evie and Megabot held hands as they spin fast enough to chop off the head off the bot. However the crowd didn't exactly cheer so loudly this time...The man playing against Hiro and a disguised Cora had made a bet using Yama's personal cash he made from his illegal businesses... And he just lost it to the two teens. Hiro happily accepts the money and stuffs it to his pocket.*

Hiro: Thank you very much, now lets see... who else want some?

*But then he notices Cora walking away after the bot fight, and she appeared downtrodden. Hiro stuffs the money in his pockets as he runs to catch up with Cora, all the while the loser was giving the stink eye to the two teens, and his buddies are standing behind him dangerously.*

Hiro: Hey Cora! You a...y-you heading out early? What? Did you're Dad figure out or...?

*Cora sighs as she removes the mask and hood and looks at the boy.*

Cora: Hiro...You do know that the reason I come to bot fights is to help my Dad out with money issues right?

Hiro: Yeah...?

Cora: Well, my Dad finally found a job...and since he's not so stressed out anymore and our money problems are settled out now... I can't go to the bot fights anymore...

Hiro: W-what?

*Hiro, though being a genius prodigy, is still a 13 year old boy. His thoughts were running through his head as he felt his heart begin to tremble. Cora felt her eyes grow warm as she looks at her feet.*

Hiro: Does this mean...I-I won't be able to see you anymore?

*Cora continues to stare at her feet as she does her best to hold back her tears. But before either can respond, they hear footsteps behind them, stopping as their shadows loomed over them.*

Dead Meat: Well lookie here...seems these little kids are having a little trouble...

*Hiro recognizes them as the people who lost the money that belonged to Yama, and they most likely want it back. He then turned his head to Cora who looks at the grown men with wary eyes.*

Dead Meat: Either way...I want that money back.

*The men grab Hiro and pin him to the wall where they begin to punch the boy. Cora rushes towards them and begins to try and pull the men off Hiro.*

Cora: Leave him alone!

Goon #1: Don't get involved girly.

*The man throws Cora to the ground where she injured her leg. She looks up to see the men now kicking Hiro where he fell to the ground and curled up in a ball trying to shield himself. Cora's eyes changed from fear to pure fury. She looks at the men with a low and dangerous voice.*

Cora: I said...Leave. Him. Alone!

*Tadashi finally manages to arrive at the location where the bot fight is taking place, as he stills to a halt he hears distant screaming coming from his right. His throat tightened as he fears the worst. He speeds up towards an alley, immediately getting off his moped and ready to use his karate skills to protect Hiro...What he saw was the opposite of what he expected. In front of him is a young 13 year old girl with blue hair punching the men in the face and delivers a hard kick to their groins. He then spots Hiro on the ground where he rushes to his brother's aid.*

Tadashi: Hiro! Are you alright?!

Hiro: *Groggily* I'm f-fine... just check on...C-cora...

*Tadashi raises an eyebrow before he realizes what's going on and ultimately, the identity of the person Hiro was gushing over.*

Tadashi: *Looks up at the girl who was beating the men to pulp* So..that's Cora...

*Cora finally flips them over as she breathes heavily over the bruised men.*

Cora: Now Get Lost!

*The men stand up and run with their tails behind their backs. Cora takes a few breathes before she turns around and sees a young man holding Hiro. She straightens her clothes and clasps her hands together as she recalls the pictures Hiro showed her on his phone that showed his family and the stories he told her about them.*

Cora: O-oh! Um...H-hello... My name is Cora Mizchio! I'm Hiro's Gir- uh...h-his friend! You must be Tadashi. Hiro's told me all about you.

*She gives a sheepish smile as Tadashi looks over the girl and his brother, deciding that they all need to figure out what the hell is going on.*

Tadashi: Uh, do...do you mind if we all head to the cafe?

Cora: Sure?

Tadashi: Also...we may need to call your parents...

Cora: *Suddenly looking very nervous*...Oh...

*The ringtone playing Sebonzakura loudly got Kaguya's attention as she answers.*

Kaguya: Moshi moshi...Who are you...Wait...What?! Alright. We'll be right over.

*Kaguya hangs up her phone as she heads to her Son-in-laws room and pulls off the covers.*

Kaguya: Get up stupid son-in-law! Cora is out there in the middle of the night!

*Mizuchi barely heard anything as his senses were not fully activated. He was ready to doze off when Kaguya then told him what he feared most and would most likely listen to.*

Kaguya: Cora is at a Boy's house in the middle of the night!

*That shot Mizuchi awake as he immediately runs out and gets dressed, yelling loudly on how and why is his innocent daughter doing at a boy's house in the middle of the night. Kaguya shakes her head as she mumbles to herself.*

Kaguya: ...That girl better explain herself...

*As of while Hiro, Tadashi, and Cora got inside the house where Tadashi takes them upstairs.*

Tadashi: Alright, I'm going to get some bandages for you guys, also Cora, you're grandmother and father are on their way now... Man what a night...

*Tadashi goes of to the bathroom to get the medical supplies, leaving Hiro and Cora alone...*

Cora: So... this is where you live huh?...it's cool...and the Cafe looks pretty..

Hiro: Thanks... I'll tell Aunt Cass what you said..

*After a few minutes of silence, a chubby white and calico cat walks over to the two injured teens*

Cora: *Gushing* Oh! Hey there little guy, aren't you a cutie! Is this your pet cat Hiro? The one from the pictures you showed me on your phone?

Hiro: Yep, that's Mochi alright.

Cora: Well the pictures clearly don't do him justice. He's even cuter and adorable in person!

*Mochi starts to sniff the young girl as she says this and purrs. He than jumps up and rests himself on her lap.*

Hiro: Wow, he must really like you.

Cora: *Petting Mochi* Really?

Hiro: Yeah, he usually never trusts anyone this quickly.

*However, While Mochi senses she is in fact a good person, he is more attracted to the fact that she smelled of the ocean, therefore fish and therefore food.*

*They both start petting Mochi for a moment more before Cora finally breaks the ice as she begins to laugh.*

Cora: Oh my god...I just realized something...

Hiro: What?

Cora: Hiro, just because I can't go to bot fights anymore doesn't mean I can't still see you again...

Hiro: Oh! Oh...

*The two teens begin to laugh, while unbeknownst to them Tadashi is listening to the conversation, along with Cass who woke up from the commotion, along with Cora's father and Grandmother who had just arrived and were at the moment observing the two teens from the top of the stairs. They all look at the two teens with still breaths.*

Hiro: Yeah...so much for us being teen geniuses am I right!

Cora: Yeah, after all we can see each other at other places like the movies.

Hiro: Yeah! There's also the arcade and maybe that aquarium you like so much!

Cora: Uh huh! After all, they would make some awesome dates-

*Cora stops talking as soon as she realizes what she said. Hiro looks at Cora with also wide eyes as he too blushes over Cora's words. The two teens remain silent for a while as the adults ponder what's going to happen next. Finally Cora speaks up.*

Cora: Hiro...I know this is going to be really crazy for you to hear...but when I'm with you I feel like I can do anything, like I'm not afraid of what's outside anymore... You helped me when I was scared or confused over the slightest things... What I mean to say..is...

*Cora clenches her eyes as she finally spits out her feelings.*

Cora: I really like you Hiro! As in Like you-like you...You know what, screw it! I love you Hiro!

*The adults held in their gasps as they watched the young girl who have been so quiet and demure confess her love to the boy with such a loud and unwavering voice. Silence rang for a few moments as Cora mentally prepares herself for rejection. She opens her eyes as she sees Hiro holding her hand in his, Cora blushes intensely as Hiro gathers his courage and rushes out his words.*

Hiro: I...really like you too Cora, I don't think you should really like me cause I'm a huge freaking nerd and I'm awkward and I don't really know what I'm doing or if I'm doing it right, I don't even know if I'm holding your hand right! Also you're very pretty and smart and sweet and in just these last few months we've known each other... I'm just plain crazy for you!

*Cora's face blossoms to a loving smile as she tightens her hand in Hiro's.*

Cora: But you being a nerd and awkward are two of the reasons why I like you, and to be honest I thought you wouldn't like me because compared to other girls I'm not exactly...developed is the best way I can put it...

Hiro: I... I actually don't mind that you're n-not developed. I-I mean you're still really pretty...and I don't really like girls who put way too much effort into being attractive anyway... I mean it kind of makes them look fake you know...?

Cora: Yeah...

*As they spoke they begin to lean closer, their hearts pounding as their eyes slowly close...*

Cass: Wooh! Go Hiro!

*The teens snap out of it as they realized they were watched by both of their familes.*

Hiro: W-what the heck guys! What ever happened to privacy?!

*Cass simply hugs the two together which in turn they let out cringes and soft ows. She lets go as she realizes that they have yet to be treated for their wounds.*

Cass: Oh! Sorry! Sorry! My bad! Didn't mean to hurt you two through hugging! Alrighty then! I'm...I'm gonna go make some tea! Does anyone else want tea? I'll make that tea!

*Cass leaves the room with an excited squeal while Tadashi heads over to Hiro and Cora with the bandages with a sly smile on his face.*

Tadashi: Nice job Hiro.

Hiro: *Awkwardly rubs the back of his head while blushing* Hehe...thanks...

Tadashi: Even if you did one up me by getting a girlfriend first.

*Tadashi jokingly said this as he ruffles Hiro's messy hair.*

Hiro: Dashi...

*Tadashi looks at Cora who shyly looks up at him as she swings her legs back and forth. He leans to Cora's ear as he whispers.*

Tadashi: *Whispers* Cora, whatever you did, thanks. I've never seen Hiro this happy.

Cora: *Giggles as she whispers back* Your welcome, and I'm glad he has an older brother like you to watch out for him.

*Both smiled at each other as Cora and Tadashi shook hands. Finally, Cora acknowledged her family.*

Cora: Papa! Grandmama! I know you two are here, so you can come out now!

*The sight of Mizuchi's Goliath-like stature kind of made Hiro lean towards Tadashi as the older brother keeps his cool over the massive man who is looking at Hiro with an intense stare...*

*WHACK!*

*Both boys are caught off guard as the small elder woman whacked the taller man with her cane.*

Kaguya: Stop trying to scare the poor boy Mizuchi! Cora and that boy Hiro are dating now! So you better not try to scare him or break him!

Mizuchi: But Mother-in-law! We don't know anything about hi-

*WHACK!*

Kaguya: Then take the time to get to know him better! *To Hiro* I am so sorry for my son-in-law. I assure you, he means well. But I'm afraid sometimes he can be a little too intimidating and protective of Cora for his own good. Now then, lets get a good look at you shall we.

*Kaguya than leans down to get a better look at Hiro. She looks deep into Hiro's eyes, which caused Hiro to feel a little unnerved with how intense the older woman's gaze was and wondering exactly why she felt the need to stare him in the eyes like this. When she finally stopped gazing into his eyes, something he was grateful for, She was smiling approvingly at him.*

Kaguya: Yes. Oh yes, you are a true keeper my dear boy, a true keeper indeed. Definitely perfect for our Cora, no doubt you'll treat her as the treasure she truly is.

Cora: *Looking down in embrrassment* Grandmama...

Mizuchi: But...Mother-in-law, are you sure that he's-

Kaguya: Mizuchi!... I know how you feel about all of this, but you and I both know that this was bound to happen eventually. And need I remind you, I myself was overprotective of Akemi when she first met you, but in the end I accepted the fact that you were both made for each other. Besides...it can't be helped. They obviously have true feelings for each other...they both need each other now Mizuchi...

*Both Kaguya and Mizuchi looked at each other intensely for the next few moments. Though it wasn't exactly a stare down as some people would think, it was more of a silent conversation. Hiro and Tadashi shared a glance with each other before both boys looked over to Cora hoping she could explain the situation, however Cora just shrugged looking just as confused as the boys before all three of them went back to watching the two intensely staring/silent communicating adults wondering how long this was gonna keep up. Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long as Mizuchi finally relents as he sighs heavily and runs his hand through hair.*

Mizuchi:...It really can't be helped can it... Alright Mother-in-law. I'm still not thrilled about all this...but I guess I don't really have a choice now do I?

Kaguya: You already know that answer as well as I do son-in-law.

*The three shared another confused glance with each other, still not fully understanding as to what was going on. But thankfully at that moment Aunt Cass returns to the living room with the tea cups as she finally sees Cora's family.*

Cass: Oh! You two must be Cora's Father and Granmother! Hi I'm Cass, I'm Hiro and Tadashi's aunt.

*Cora yawns loudly as she felt the sleepiness start to run to her head.*

Kaguya: I'm sorry Miss Cass, but it's pretty late now...

*Cora then speaks up.*

Cora: However that doesn't mean we can't meet up again.

*She turns to Hiro as she smiles*

Cora: Would you and your family like to come over to our house and stay over for dinner?

Kaguya: Would you like to stay over forever?

Mizuchi: Mother-in-law!

*Hiro covers his mouth to suppress his giggles before he clears his throat and faces Cora.*

Hiro: Dinner would be great.

*With that the families parted their separate ways, Cora giving a kiss on the cheek for Hiro as she gives him her phone number but not before she apologizes for what happened between her father and grandmother, still having no idea as to what that was all about. To which Hiro told her it was fine, a little weird he was willing to admit, but fine, much to her relief. As she flops into her bed, she felt like she could float on a sunbeam. She is officially in a romantic relationship with an amazing boy, someone she can relate to and talk to, someone who made her feel special. Hiro also flopped onto his bed, exhausted, but happier than he had ever been in years. He now has a girlfriend and had scored said girl's number, although Tadashi wouldn't stop teasing him about this. Like when are they gonna have their first kiss? When are they gonna get married? Could he be his best man at the wedding? He knew it embarrassed Hiro and made him freak out, which is why he did it. Hiro couldn't wait to show Cora the inventions he and Tadashi had invented over the years! Maybe he'd even share his secret stash of gummy bear with her.*

Tadashi: Hiro, get into your pj's, you can't be comfortable sleeping in your normal clothes.

*Tadashi is in his bed and ready to pass out. Hiro just groaned in response, his eyes already closed as he drifted off to sleep with the thought of Cora on his mind.*

A.N: Here is an updated one-shot of the story 'Fire and Ice Roses'. With the help of Wolfwithchuntress1314 and Thank you for following Big Hero 7 the Series and for being patient. Love you!

[lilacmoon83]

A Darker Curse

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 23: Whatever It Takes

Snow gazed through the window to the interrogation room and tried to calm her racing heart. She was trying to clamp down on her panic, as she refused to break down with Cora in the room. She wouldn't give her the satisfaction, but she was finding it increasingly difficult to stay calm as the moments passed.

Slowly, she felt a bit of it ebb away, as he put his arms around her waist.

"They're not taking Emma from us. If I have to move us into the woods or we have to live on the run, then that's what we'll do," he said. She sniffed.

"Never again Snow...she's not separating this family again," he promised, as he pressed a kiss to her hair. She turned in his arms and hugged him tightly, almost afraid that he was going to disappear. They looked at Gold, as he came out of the interrogation room with Neal.

"What happened?" Snow asked with bated breath.

"They offered me a deal. Three years with the possibility of early parole. It's not a bad deal for the charges," Neal said.

"You're taking it?" Snow asked in surprise.

"Of course he's not taking it," Gold answered for him.

"Papa…" Neal said with a sigh.

"No Bae...I told you that I am not losing you again," he snapped, as hobbled toward Cora.

"If he is taken away...there will be no where you can hide from me," he warned. She smirked.

"I look forward to any battle with you, Rumple...you always lose against me," she cooed.

"Not this time," he hissed, as he went back inside the interrogation room to represent Emma.

~*~

Emma sat in the interrogation room and waited for the Detective to start asking questions.

"Miss Swan...we have several surveillance tapes on record that show Mr. Cassidy pocketing goods, while it appears you are distracting the store proprietor," the detective said.

"That's what you're going with? Because in this video, it appears that Miss Swan is actually purchasing goods from the store clerk," Gold objected.

"That's a well known tactic with teams of thieves. One actually makes a purchase, while the other is stealing them blind," Michael argued.

"Hardly much to go to a jury with. Especially when the young woman you are attacking is just a young, single mother that has moved to a small town to raise her baby. A young mother who is now our town's deputy," Gold countered.

"Yes...a young, single mother. Raised by another single mother. I pulled your mother's file, Miss Swan," Michael said.

"You leave my mother out of this. She has nothing to do with any of it," Emma snapped, which made the detective smirk and Gold put his hand up to silence her.

"You know...it's not often in the digital age that I run across someone that hasn't left a digital footprint, but before 1983, there's no real record of your mother and when I ran her in the system, her papers came up as fake. Your brother's too. That makes them undocumented persons in this country and forged identities is also a criminal offense," detective Bishop said. Emma looked like a deer in the headlights at that information. She had never anticipated that this detective would have dug so deep into her mother's background.

"Miss Swan's mother is not on trial here," Gold interjected.

"But she could be," Michael warned.

"Mary Margaret Swan is not an undocumented person," Regina interjected, as she walked through the door.

~*~

Outside the room at the same time

"Oh Gods…" Mary uttered, as she realized that the documents she had managed to get for herself and August all those years ago were now in question.

"Dammit...this could be bad," August muttered to David.

"He's not taking Emma and he sure as hell isn't going to take you or Snow either," David hissed, as he pressed a kiss to his wife's head.

"Stay with her," he said, as he went over to talk to Regina, who was talking to Graham at the same time.

"We have to do something…" he blurted out.

"And I am getting ready to go in there now. I have a plan and part of it is this," Regina said, as Graham handed a badge to him. He was stunned for a moment and took the star in his hand.

"While Emma is embroiled in this calamity, I need help and Regina tells me that there is no one better to deputize than you to help protect this town," Graham said. David swallowed thickly, as the insecurities he still had from the abuse he had suffered gnawed at him and told him there was no way he was good enough for this. But he banished those thoughts and clipped the star to his belt. If wearing this badge meant finally getting to protect the people he loved, then he was eager.

"You can count on me and I think I might know of something that will help get rid of them. It's a bit outrageous, but if it sends them running for the town line, because it's too crazy for them to handle, then I'm good with that," he said. Regina smirked and walked past him to go into the room, but not before leaning close.

"Welcome back, Prince Charming," she said, as she burst into the room.

"Mary Margaret Swan is not an undocumented person," Regina interjected.

"Oh?" he asked.

"She's my step-sister and she escaped our town with Emma when she was a baby to save her life. She took August too and adopted him to protect him as well," Regina explained.

"And what exactly was she running from?" Michael inquired.

"My mother...the very woman that called you here. She's the real villain in all this and once again, she's trying to destroy my sister and her family. But now that I'm older and finally in a position of power...I'm not going to let her do it. Or you," Regina said.

"If she's an undocumented person in this country, one call to the correct government agency, and it will be out of all our hands," Michael replied.

"Really? You're going to call the Feds and get yourself kicked off your own case?" Regina questioned skeptically and he looked a little startled by that, as she had clearly called his bluff.

"Fine...give me one good reason why I should believe this story?" he questioned, as the door opened again and David stood in the doorway.

"Because...I was there for all of it. Emma's best chance was leaving this place, even if it killed me to see her and her mother go," David interjected. The detective looked confused.

"I'm sorry...who are you?" he asked.

"I'm Mary Margaret's husband...and Emma's father," he announced.

~*~

Outside the room at the same time

Snow gasped, as her husband dropped information that the people from outside their world wouldn't be able to understand.

"Charming...what are you doing?" she said in a worried tone. August chuckled.

"Yeah...we're not going anywhere, mom, because your husband is about to go all Prince Charming on their asses," he quipped.

"But...they'll never believe it," she replied.

"Oh, I don't think they'll have any choice," August said, as she listened to the spectacle.

"I'm sorry...you want me to believe that you're this young woman's father?" Michael asked, almost laughing at the idea of it.

"I don't care what you believe," David said, as he plucked a hair from his head and put it in an evidence bag that Regina handed to him.

"Take it and a sample from Emma. Have the hospital run it and I'm guarantee that it will prove it," David said.

"And even if I were to go test your DNA against hers...how does that change the fact that your supposed daughter is a potential suspect in several thefts?" Michael asked.

"It would definitely prove that there is obviously more going on here than you know and things you don't understand. And as for your case against Emma...if I had to guess, it's circumstantial at best. You just want to question her to see if you can get her to admit anything. I'm no stranger to interrogation tactics," David replied. He was bluffing a bit there, but he had a good amount of confidence in his ability to at least intimidate even the seasoned detective before him. And he could tell that his mind was doing gymnastics, as he looked between them. Emma was the perfect mixture of himself and Snow and the resemblance was obvious. No one bothered to look for it before, but now that it was on the table...it was hard to deny.

Greg studied the man with scrutiny and could see the resemblance between them. It was really weird, but then...that's why he was here. This town had popped into existence twenty-eight years ago and he knew that meant strange things were going on here. This might be the start of exposing it all.

"I'll take you up on that test," Greg spoke up and Michael looked at him in surprise. Emma shrugged and plucked a hair from her head

"Can we please get back to my questions for Miss Swan?" Michael interjected.

"Is my client under arrest?" Gold questioned. Michael gave him a hard look.

"Not at this time," he said reluctantly.

"Which means you really have only conjecture against her so without any hard evidence, then we are done here," Gold stated.

"Your son is still very much under arrest and he's spending the night in that holding cell. Then tomorrow morning, he's leaving for Portland with us," Michael hissed.

"I do have some questions for your mother, Miss Swan," he said.

"No...you don't. My sister-in-law, our new Mayor, just told you that she's native to this town," David responded.

"He's right...I can get the town Census if you'd like and I can assure you that my mother, the former Mayor who had a stranglehold on this town until now, is the real evil. She's ripped out more hearts than you can imagine," Regina added.

"Fine...but this isn't over. There is something rotten in this town and we're going to find out what it is," Greg said, as he and Detective Bishop left the room. Tia was about to follow them, but Gold and Regina cut her off.

"Not so fast...fairy," Gold growled. The blonde smirked.

"So you know," she said.

"Did you really think I wouldn't recognize you?" Regina asked.

"It doesn't matter," Tinkerbell replied.

"It does!" Regina exclaimed.

"Your mother ruined my life," she spat.

"Look around...she's ruined everyone's lives! But we're finally making progress against her. She's going down, so I'd like to know why you of all people would do anything to help her," Regina hissed.

"I'm not doing any of this to help her...believe me," Tinkerbell answered.

"Then why are you here, Tink? Cause I'd really like to know. I really thought we were friends," Neal interjected, as he stepped back into the room.

"You know Tinkerbell?" Emma asked.

"I was in Neverland for almost two hundred years. It's how I'm still alive," Neal replied. Emma's mind was a little blown at that, but then there was a lot she had never known about him before he came back into her life.

"Bae...I'm glad you're okay and that you got away," she said.

"Looks like you got away too," he mentioned and she frowned.

"Not exactly," she said, as Emma turned to her father. Emma wanted to listen in on that, but she took a moment to turn her attention to her father.

"Dad...are you sure that was a good idea? The DNA is going to match and it's not going to make any sense to them," Emma said.

"No...but it distracted them enough, especially that district attorney. He seemed pretty interested, which begs the question as to why. Seems like he might not be the only one that isn't what he seems," David replied. Emma had never thought about that and felt relief, as he hugged her.

"No one's taking you and your mother from me again," he promised, as he pressed a kiss to her hair, just as Snow came rushing into the room. She practically tackled him to the ground and he took her in his arms, as she crushed her lips against his.

As their lips parted, they started to hear things get pretty heated between Regina and the blonde detective that was really Tinkerbell, a former fairy.

"What do you mean...not exactly?" Neal asked. But his eyes widened, as he saw his father swing his cane at her. She dodged and David jumped in to diffuse the situation.

"Whoa...whoa...what are you doing?" he asked, but Rumple ignored the Prince.

"You're working for him," he growled in an accusatory manner.

"Not by choice...but it was the only way to get out of that hellhole," Tink replied.

"Working for who?" Regina questioned.

"Shit...please tell me you're not working for him," Neal said in exasperation.

"Someone better tell me who the hell you're talking about," Regina interjected.

"Pan…" Rumple hissed.

"Well...isn't that kind of obvious? I mean in the story I always heard...Tinkerbell kind of worked for Pan," Emma chimed in.

"Em...you of all people know that this world's quote, official story, is rarely on point," August reminded her and she shrugged.

"But nothing on Pan is in your book," Snow interjected.

"No...but I'm still the author and the pen tells me things," August said, as he met Gold's gaze and he sighed.

"Tell them...or I have to," he prodded. Gold glared at him and he shrugged.

"They're my family and every time I lie, it seems to come with more consequences than it does for a normal person," August added.

"Papa...do you know Pan?" Neal asked.

"Yes...he's my father," Gold announced, shocking them all.

"Your father?" Regina asked in disbelief.

"Isn't Pan a kid?" Emma wondered.

"Not really...he just looks like one," August answered, as they looked at Neal, whose mouth was ajar.

"I take it you didn't know that," Emma said.

"That...psycho is my grandfather?" Neal questioned.

"No...he stopped being my father when he abandoned me, so he's no grandfather to you. He's the worst...even worse than Cora," Gold said.

"Why would you work for Pan?" Neal asked in disbelief.

"Isn't it obvious?" Tinkerbell asked.

"Your freedom. The question is...what does he want in return? Because not even my pen is telling me what that is," August replied, as their eyes met, before hers finally flicked back to Neal.

"You should say your goodbyes, Baelfire. We'll be leaving for Portland in the morning," she said, as she prepared to leave. Rumple blocked her path and she glared at him.

"Out of my way, Dark One…" she hissed.

"You're not going anywhere, flea," he hissed back.

"Move...or I'll make sure you join your son in a jail cell," she threatened.

"If you think this is over...you have another thing coming," Gold replied, as he stepped aside and let her leave.

"What now?" Emma wondered.

"We work on a plan to make sure those detectives don't take either of you away," David replied.

~*~

Cora stared at the blonde detective through the glass and their eyes met, as she walked out into the office part of the station.

"Well, well...long time no see, Madam Mayor," Tink said smugly.

"Oh that's right...former Mayor. Unfortunately, you look none the worse for wear after your fall from power, but I'd say if the lynch mob in there has anything to do with it, you're going to be burning at the stake when they're done," she added, as Cora glared at the former fairy.

"That's definitely a bonfire that I'd bring marshmallows to," she joked, as Kathryn looked confused by the whole thing.

"Excuse me...who are you? And why would David claim that he's Emma's father? That's insane. And he keeps saying he's that little tramp's husband when he's really mine," Kathryn complained. Tink rolled her eyes.

"Whoa...you really did a number on this one I see," the blonde commented, as she brushed past her.

"Watch your back, Madam Mayor...you have made a lot of enemies and you might find a knife in it," Tink said, as she left the station.

"Cora…" Kathryn started to say.

"Shut up and follow me," Cora snapped, as the blonde obeyed.

"Where are we going?" Kathryn asked.

"I have something I must do to ensure that all my enemies will be destroyed," Cora answered darkly.

~*~

"So...what's our next move?" David muttered to Rumple.

"I think the real question is...how far are you willing to go to protect our families, deputy?" Rumple countered. David glanced over at Emma, Snow, and August, as they both exchanged hugs with his wife.

"Too far doesn't exist when it comes to them. What do we need to do?" David asked. Rumple smirked.

"Your little stunt with the DNA was a nice touch and it might be just the distraction we need. Depending upon how that goes, I'll know what we need to do next. For now...take your family home," he instructed. David nodded and put his arm around Snow. They exited the interrogation room, just as Cora was leaving with Kathryn following her like a puppy. By the way they were walking, it was clear they were off somewhere with purpose.

"What do you think they're going to try next?" Snow asked, with a slight quiver in her voice. Her normally strong exterior had been deeply shaken by these people's attempts to take her daughter away. But unlike so many times in the last twenty years, she wasn't facing adversity alone this time.

"I don't know and I don't care, because they can't tear this family apart again. She may have succeeded once before, but her time in power is over. She's going to lose this time," he promised. Snow turned and he pulled her into his arms, as she rested her head against his shoulder. His words, as always, gave her hope and comfort. But she also knew Cora. She knew she was desperate again and feared what it may drive her to do now.

"Let me take you home," he suggested and she nodded.

"Honey...are you coming?" she asked their daughter.

"Uh...I'll be along later. I think Neal and I are going to take little David to the park and spend some time with him, you know, just in case," Emma replied.

"We're not letting you go, princess...and if I know Gold like I think I do...he won't be letting his son go either," David promised. She nodded, as a few tears escaped down her cheeks and they hugged her between them.

"I love you guys," she said, as she felt her mom press a kiss to her forehead.

"We love you too, baby and we're finally a family," she said, as she took her daughter's hands in her own.

"Your father is right...there is no way in hell we are letting you go and that goes for Neal too," she promised. Emma nodded, as she watched him put their son in his stroller and then went to join him, as they left the station. The detective and the district attorney would be upset to find that they didn't put Neal in a cell when they returned to the station, but she couldn't be bothered to give a damn.

"How about you, sweetheart?" Snow asked, as she noticed her son's preoccupation.

"Yeah...I'll be home later too. I think there's a story to chase here," August replied.

"You mean with Tinkerbell," Snow deduced.

"There is a long, sordid story there and it stops at the point when Blue banished her," he said, as he scoffed.

"Another person screwed over by the benevolent Blue Fairy. I think she needs to know she's in good company," he said.

"You think you can find some common ground with her?" David asked.

"It's worth a shot. You know, I don't know a lot about Pan, but I do know that he's known to prey on lost people. Maybe she just needs someone to offer her a home, like you did for me, Mom," August said, as he looked at her.

"Me?" Snow asked. He smiled and gently hugged her.

"You once told me that all you wanted when you were on the run as a bandit was a home and that you found it when you met David," he reminded her.

"And then I found it with you," he added.

"I mean...I know I had Geppetto for a while and he was a good papa, but to be honest, I don't remember a lot of that. I was too young and the trauma of the night the curse was cast and what he did will always overshadow it all," he continued.

"He was scared, honey...don't be too hard on him," Snow admonished.

"You're kind for saying that, Mom...but regardless, I would have been a very lost little boy without you. I honestly don't know how I would have turned out if you hadn't come through the wardrobe after me," he said.

"What was taken from you...from you both was so unfair. You lost almost everything, but you gave everything to me," he replied, as Snow melted and hugged him tightly.

"I love you so much sweetheart," she gushed.

"I love you too, Mom and we were always okay, because you fought and worked so hard for us," he said, as he gazed down at her.

"But now...we no longer have to worry ourselves about you," he said, as he looked at David with a smile. Snow smiled shyly, as David slid his arms around her.

"No...you don't," she said.

"Anyway, maybe Tinkerbell just needs to know that Pan's way isn't the only way and that maybe she can find a home, instead of doing his bidding. Either way, there is a story here and I think it needs to be in the book," he said, as he left the station as well.

"Do you think all that is really about a story?" David asked her and she smiled.

"Definitely not, but I think I'll take you up on that offer to take me home," she replied. He smiled and kissed her tenderly, before leading her out to his truck.

~*~

As Gold stormed back to his shop, he was surprised when he ran into Lacey.

"Oh...there you are. I was actually on my way to the station. I...I heard about your son," she said.

"Well...whatever you heard isn't happening," he growled, as he brushed past her.

"You mean they're not taking him out of town?" she asked curiously.

"Oh, they're going to try and if they do...I will make sure it is the last thing any of them do," he said darkly.

"Let me help," she offered and he looked at her skeptically.

"You want to help me?" he questioned. She shrugged.

"You helped me by putting Keith in his place and I'd like to help you with whatever you need," she replied.

"I'm not a good man. If you want to work with me, you might see some very dark things," he warned. She smirked.

"Oh I'm counting on it," she replied. He wasn't sure whether to be excited by her attitude or sad. On one hand, Lacey being attracted to his darkness was inviting. But Belle had always been the opposite of that and therein kept him tied to his humanity. Either way though, he didn't have time for any of it.

"Come along if you so wish," he said, as she followed him with a smirk.

~*~

The more this day went on, the more confused Kathryn grew. Everything David had said and done at the station had confused her to her very core. He had told that detective that he was Mary Margaret's husband and Emma's father. It was absolutely ludicrous, but then he had gone and given them a DNA sample like it would be some sort of proof. It was impossible though. Complete and utter lunacy and yet no one else around him was treating it as such. Instead, the new Mayor Mills and Sheriff Humbert had rewarded his idiocy by giving him a deputy badge of all things. And if she hadn't felt like she was in the Twilight Zone before...she did now.

She had followed Cora to the old library, which had been locked and boarded up for years. Cora had pulled out an astonishingly large ring of more keys than Kathryn had ever seen and let them into the old building. Sidney Glass was there too and she had gotten into a hand cranked elevator with the former Mayor.

Now she was confused and terrified, for they had been lowered into a cavern beneath the library and it was pitch black.

"What...what are we doing down here?" Kathryn asked, as she finally found her voice.

"I need something," Cora replied vaguely, as she watched the woman look and stopped, as she leaned up against something.

"This...this doesn't feel like a wall. It...it feels scaly…" Kathryn said in a frightened tone, as she walked back from the mass that lay in the cavern.

"What...what is that?" she asked, as her eyes refused to believe what they were seeing.

"Never mind that! Get over here!" Cora hissed, as the other woman stumbled around the rocky outcroppings in the cavern, until she finally found Cora and stared at the object before them.

"A coffin?" Kathryn squeaked with a quiver in her voice. Cora smirked and gently ran a gloved hand along the dirty glass covering.

"A glass coffin," she corrected.

"This was once the answer to me getting everything I ever wanted," she continued.

"She was never supposed to be such a problem...but she rallied more love and support around her than even her distasteful mother ever could. But this was supposed to be her end," she said.

"She was supposed to sleep here eternally, her own body as her tomb. And he was supposed to be executed so he could never press the kiss of true love to her red lips," she continued.

"Then her suffering would have been eternal. She would never awaken, yet never die...she'd never be allowed to reunite with her true love and then my revenge would have been complete," she growled, as she thrust her hand through the glass and pulled out a small, velvet pouch.

"But they ruined it...they ruined my perfect revenge and now my perfect curse," she said, as she pulled a large black diamond out of the pouch and cruel smile curled on her lips.

"What is that?" Kathryn asked. Cora looked at her.

"The only way I'm ever going to get rid of all my enemies," Cora replied darkly.

[insanely-creative-things]

Fire and Ice Roses

www.fanfiction.net (In case you want to read this one shot in there.)

*Across the Pacific ocean the sun begins to rise in the east, the ocean sparkles with light as the mist parted ways to reveal San Fransokyo. The lights eventually hits on a small house, where a family of three live. The light shines through a port window which roused a person on a futon mattress beside it, the person shifted before it revealed itself to be a 13 year old girl with dyed blue hair. She is shorter than most girls her age, and her figure still resembles that of a child and yet it is starting to curve a little bit. She stood up in her futon mattress as she looks at the sun outside. She stands up and makes her futon mattress decent, and then she looked at her surroundings; her room is decorated with posters ranging from robotics, the ocean, old anime posters like Sailor Moon and Revolutionary Girl Utena and various homemade mural pictures made out of seashells and had many homemade wind chimes/chandeliers also made out of seashells hanging from her ceiling. She straightens her baby blue nightgown before she walks out her room and into the bathroom, she looks at herself in the mirror as she brushes her teeth and looks at herself. She sighs in disappointment that her bust remained small, but she quickly shakes hear head from focusing on her lack of mature body and starts her day. With the dawn still young she dresses herself to her outfit, a yellow tank top with a sea green plated skirt, she brushes her hair and places her purple eye contacts in. She heads downstairs once more to prepare for breakfast, setting water to boil to put the rice in. A drop of hot water slightly burns her hand as she reacts with a soft ow; when she stirs the rice she hears footstep coming in the kitchen.*

Kaguya: Good morning Cora.

*The girl named Cora turns her head to give a small smile to the old woman wearing the traditional kimono with her signature cane.*

Cora: Good Morning Grandmama.

*After she was done cooking she places their breakfast on the table and walks out to wake the third person in her family. She gently opens the door to see her Father, who is slowly waking up from his deep slumber. Cora looks at the table in his room and found it filled with bills and job resumes. She sighs as she sits beside her father as his massive figure lifts up and his vision clears to see his daughter.

Cora: Morning Papa.

*Mizuchi slowly walks to the table where his daughter and mother-in-law are waiting for him. He sits down and eats his breakfast, his eyes weary and lost. Cora sighs as she begins to eat her breakfast as well. After breakfast the father and daughter are sitting in the living room where it had a TV with a VCR, a blue ray player, VHS tapes and DVDs of old and new anime and movies. Cora looks around before she brings out the small robot she made; the robot was small, sleek and pale as a pearl and resembled more of an egg. When she brings out her controller she activates the robot. The robot activates its eyes to a electric green eyes and floats around to Mizuchi where it begins to dance. Though it does not have legs the robot moved with grace and purity. Mizuchi looked at the robot and his daughter and gave a small smile...just for a little while. Cora's smile drops as she stops playing with the robot she made and puts it in her dress pocket.*

Kaguya: Cora, it's time to go grocery shopping.

*Cora nodded as she stands up and tiptoes to kiss her father on the cheek as she prepares to join her grandmother. She puts on her outdoor shoes, which are her favorite rain boots, and steps out.*

Cora: We're heading out Papa...We'll be home soon...

Mizuchi: Be safe.

*After the grandmother and girl get on the trolley the city begins to come alive. The stores are opening as people soon fill the streets to go wherever they need to go. Cora looks at her grandmother,who at the moment is checking over the money in her purse as she looks to the streets across them. She sees a group of young friends walking and talking happily as a young couple hold hands and kiss. Cora sighs sadly at the sight as she looks down at her feet, and her grandmother notices this but said nothing. Once at the stop they got off the trolley and walk to the grocery store, and once inside Cora grabbed a basket and begin to search for their groceries. Kaguya spots a familiar face nearby and places a hand on her shoulder.*

Kaguya: Cora, there's a music store nearby that you can visit right now. They are even having a sale right now, here.

*She places a few dollar bills in Cora's hand but Cora begins to shake her head.*

Cora: N-no Grandmama, groceries are important I-I don't need to-

Kaguya: I insist. You are still young, enjoy your life.

*Cora sighs in defeat as she hands the basket to her grandmother and walks out the store. Once she was gone the old woman turned around and saw the person she recognized.*

Kaguya: How are you doing today Felony Carl?

Felony Carl: Oh, hey Kaguya. I'm doin' fine, just getting some Tofu and apples as my doctor recommended. Was that your granddaughter I saw with you a while ago?

Kaguya: Indeed.

*Both Felony Carl and Kaguya walk over to the apple stand where they begin to look for good apples.*

Felony Carl: She's a lot quieter than what you told me.

Kaguya: I know. Cora has been shy and quiet yes, but she has this burst of life inside her. Like how she would splash around in the waves and search for seashells. In a way she's an oyster.

Felony Carl: Grey on the outside but a hidden gem within?

Kaguya: Exactly, just like her mother...but ever since my Son-in-law was fired he has been struggling to find a job and paying for the bills. Cora is worried sick about him, and it doesn't help that his weariness is obvious in his eyes.

Felony Carl: I understand that, when people look at me they get scared and want nothing to do with me.

Kaguya: Mhmm, Cora has been home schooled her entire life as I recall telling you.

Felony Carl: Yeah, cause she hacked into her dad's computer at age four?

Kaguya: And Mizuchi protectiveness kept her from going to real school in fear she will be ostracized. But I've seen how Cora looks at the children her age...she wants friends...and possibly someone who loves her.

Felony Carl: You mean as in a romantic sense?

Kaguya: Yes. But with Mizuchi's financial struggles, Cora will be forced to push away her desires. She's been the main chef and caretaker of the house for a long while now and has even been thinking of selling her seashell collection and homemade art. And she may think of never going to College.

Felony Carl: That's tough.

Kaguya: It's times like these I wonder what Akemi would do... I know Cora needs to make the first step to talk to people...and yet I hope that someone will see Cora for who she really is and cherish her... someone who can understand her and connect to her...

*Meanwhile around the same time, the cafe is buzzing with customers as Cass Hamada is busy taking orders. Upstairs at the moment, two brothers are up and ready to start the day. The older brother is putting on his baseball head while the younger is making some adjustments on a small, black and somewhat derpy-looking robot.*

Tadashi: OK Hiro, I'm off to meet up with some friends, and remember to call me if you need anything or if you're heading out.

Hiro: Kay, I will.

*The boy named Hiro is a 13 year old genius prodigy and his brother is Tadashi, a intelligent young man with a good heart. Tadashi calls out as he heads downstairs.*

Tadashi: And don't give Aunt Cass any trouble OK?

Hiro: I hear ya.

*Once Tadashi heads downstairs Hiro fixes up the bot with a satisfied smile.*

Hiro: OK, now that you're fixed up Megabot, I just gotta head to the mechanics store and upgrade your controller. After all, another bot fight is coming up tonight.

*He goes to his drawer where he pulls up a panel where he placed the cash he won over from the bot fights before. He had to admit, he was impressed of himself that he can make this large sum of money from bot-fighting. He supposed he could almost thank the bullies from high school for driving him towards Bot-fighting, where he can use his big brain for the thrill of beating everybody to a pulp. He shook his head to avoid the memories of high school and the harassment he endured there, after all he had just graduated last week and now has the summer to himself.*

Hiro: Alright, that should be enough.

*With that he heads downstairs and through the cafe where he sneaks in a cookie.*

Hiro: I'm heading off to the mechanics store Aunt Cass, I'll be back soon!

Cass: Be safe!

*With that, Hiro heads off down the street to get the parts for his upcoming bot-battle that night. Meanwhile at the other side of the town Cora wearily looks around the music store, spotting whole shelves ranging from vinyl record players to digital songs displayed on Holograms. She holds tightly to her purse as she looks at the songs available in the anime and movie soundtrack.*

?: Hey kid.

*Cora looks up and turns her head to see a woman in expensive make-up and rather revealing clothing. Cora diverts her eyes the other way as she addresses the scantily clad female.*

Cora: A-are you talking t-to me?

Scanty: Well I don't see any other blue-haired girls around here. So yeah, I'm talking to you

Cora: *Looking down in embarrassment* Um... I-is there a-anything you want?

Scanty: Not really...but you certainly do have something on your mind.

Cora: W-what do you uh...mean?

Scanty: You've been pressing the scroll button for too long that its speeding up and you haven't even noticed.

*Cora sees the scroll bar in the hologram as it became non-visible as blurry icons of songs zoom past her. She lets go of the button as she looks down again at her feet blushing.*

Scanty: I guess you do have something going on in your mind then?

Cora: Yeah... there's... a little trouble at home...Money trouble...

*The scantily dressed lady sighs before she grabs the young girl to a more secluded part of the store.*

Scanty: How old are you kid?

Cora: What?

Scanty: I'm asking how old are you?

Cora:...13 ma'm.

*The lady nods her head before she whispers to Cora.*

Scanty: If you're looking for quick cash, I might be able to help.

*Cora's eyes light up at the prospect that she could earn money to help her father.*

Cora: Really? What is it? I'll do anything!

Scanty: There's two people I know that are looking for a double date, and since my old business partner bailed out on me...you might be a possible candidate to date the other guy. And they are paying good money for the date.

*Cora's eyes slowly widened in shock as she realizes what the lady is offering her. The lady notices the look in the young girl's eyes.*

Scanty: Look kid, I know this is a big girl's game but if you want to help out your folks you gotta be out there. Sides, you're pretty enough for guys to see you, even if you are a little...flat.

*Cora consciously covers her chest as she looks down at her feet.*

Scanty: The date is nearby by Good Luck Alley where a bot fight is hosting.

Cora: A bot fight? I thought the Bot fight tournament was at the capital.

Scanty: That's not the bot fight I'm talking about. This one is where people bet on the fighters, and if you're lucky enough to win you might just get some good cash.

*Seeing this as a chance to make money, she quickly pulls out her robot that was in rest mode.*

Cora: I have a robot! It's in rest mode but it should-

*That is when the lady snickers at the girl, she clears her throat after a little bit and faces Cora.*

Scanty: That's a sweet thought kid, but there is no way you can beat those big boys at a bot fight, especially since your robot is basically an egg. You can be set for life by going on these dates with the guys offering good money. Sides it's not illegal, you're 13. You're of age of consent. Since it's you're first time, I'll just call them and tell them that we'll just going out for dinner and nothing more.

*The lady picks up her stuff and starts to walk out, and Cora follows her to the exit.*

Scanty: It's your choice baby girl, either your face money trouble or you can go out with these men and have them beg you to date them. Who knows, if you're good enough you'll be a favorite.

*The Lady walks away down the street leaving Cora looking at her robot in hand. She then looks at the direction the lady walked down and sighs. She then decided to head back to the grocery store, keeping the event the lady told her in her head.*

*Hiro arrives at the store as he immediately searches for the part for his controller. The cashier greeted Hiro, since he remembers the times both Tadashi and Hiro have come over to the store to buy the tools and gears they needed. Hiro only gave a dismissive hello before he inspected some of the gears on the shelf. Just then another person comes into the store, a big jock with a Letterman jacket coming in and spotting the young teenager.*

Jocky Jerk: Well well lookie what we have here, if it isn't Zero the brainiac twerp.

*Hiro sighs but refuses to acknowledge the older adolescent as he continues to rummage through the wires.*

Jocky Jerk: Hey! I'm talking to you freak.

Hiro scrunches up his nose in disgust as he speaks without turning his head to acknowledge him.*

Hiro: Hello Kurt.

*Kurt smirks as he heads over and ruffles Hiro's hair which made the young boy groan.*

Kurt: Haven't seen you since graduation, what sort of things you doing now you little twerp?

Hiro: I know I'm not repeating a year of high school and taking summer school while being kicked out of the football team.

*Kurt's smirk is wiped clean as it turns a murderous glare, he looks around and then has a devilish grin.*

Kurt: Looks like your annoying nerdy brother isn't here, so I'm sure you don't mind if we head out and talk-

Cashier: Sir, if you're not buying anything, I suggest you leave right now.

*Kurt scoffs as he shoves Hiro before he exits the door. Hiro gives a scoff in return as he grabs what he needs and pays for it; the cashier then directs Hiro to the back exit so he won't be attacked by Kurt and possibly his goons like Ram.*

Cashier: Seriously kid, I don't know how you handle those jerks. I probably wet myself if I made that comment to that big donkey like you did.

Hiro: Eh, guys like Kurt are idiots. He's butt-hurt cause I refused to take his SAT exam for him, sides I'm used to it.

Cashier: Why didn't you tell your brother? He's always stuck out his neck for you, so why haven't you told him this?

*Hiro sighs as he turns to face the cashier.*

Hiro: Tadashi's been really busy with an after school project and is rarely home. I don't want to bother him.

Cashier: *Sighs* OK then, well I'll see ya later. Tell Cass and Tadashi I said Hi!

Hiro: K.

*With that Hiro exits through the back and safely to the streets. He passes through the corner where the other jocks are waiting to ambush him. But they were confused on what's taking Hiro so long to come out. Once Hiro makes it safely to his street address he snickers quietly over the stupidity of those pea-brained jocks. He enters inside the Cafe where Cass is delivering juice to an group of elderly people.*

Cass: Hey Hiro, how was your trip out?

Hiro: It was fine, nothing much. I'm just gonna be heading upstairs K? I'll make sure Mochi's okay.

Cass: Alright Hiro!

*Hiro heads upstairs and starts getting to work on his controller, anticipating for the bot-fight tonight.*

*The day soon turns into early evening where Cora is back home, facing a dilemma, and her father is out looking for work while her grandmother is out doing whatever she's doing. She sprawled out two outfits on her bed for her to change into; one is a set of a black long-sleeved shirt with a black denim vest with cloth hood, along with dark cargo pants and boots and complete with a traditional Japanese cat mask, and second one is a sleeveless knee length red dress with black flats and a see-through black shawl. She paces back and forth as she thinks over what she should do. These two activities are both dangerous each in its own way. On one hand, she could battle off fighters that would be more aggressive since the rules of the tournament will not apply to the streets. But on the other hand, she will be facing older men who she has no idea who they are and may potentially be dangerous.*

Cora: What to do, what to do, what to do? *Sighs as she stressfully runs her hands through her her and over her face* Maybe I should get a glass of water.

*With that, Cora closes the door behind her as she heads down to grab a glass. She drinks the glass of water as she passes by the living room where she sees it...a small Butsudan dedicated to her mother... Cora sighs before she heads over to the small shrine. She kneels down in front of the bustudan and clasp her hands in a prayer, she takes a deep breath before she looks up.*

Cora: Hi Mama...how are you? I mean... I know you're dead, but I hope you're OK in...wherever you are now...

*Cora goes quiet for a few moments before she speaks again.*

Cora: Papa has been teaching me self-defense for a quite while now, and Grandmama says I'm becoming strong. Also, I've graduated...in a sense...I finished my high school course, I even got a diploma.

*Cora points to a diploma where it states that Cora graduated as a home-schooled girl. But Cora's forced smile fades as she looks back at the shrine and talks again.*

Cora: Mama...I'm really worried about Papa... Ever since he was fired he looks so defeated and lost and I can't bear to see him like this anymore... I want to help anyway I can...actually that's what's happening now... A lady from earlier told me that she's looking for a partner for a double date and that they'll pay me... she also told me about a bot fight that's happening at the same time but she says I have no chance... Mama what am I going to do? I don't know what these people will be like when I go against them, but I also don't want to go with these strangers for a date...what would Papa and Grandmama say...

*Cora turns her head to another section of the shrine and saw a picture of her mother when she was pregnant and her father, they were both smiling. That's when she gains a determined look on her face.*

Cora: You know what Mama? I'm not going to that double date. I'm going bot-fighting! If I ever do go out on a date, I want it to be with someone who I love and loves me back and is around my age, not be paid like a doll for a middle aged man whose desperate to buy dates from girls like me.

*Cora stands up but quickly kneels down again to end her prayer.*

Cora: Thank you Mama for listening. I'll be careful at that bot fight!

*She then stands up and leaves, not noticing how the candle flame brighten with soft warmth on the main picture of her mother, a beautiful woman with golden-blond hair and sea blue eyes smiling gently. She enters her room as she looks at her outfit for bot fighting.*

Cora: Alright now! Lets get to work!

*Cora spends the next few hours working on her robot so that she'll be more suited for an intense bot fight rather than the fragile dancing robot she made as a child. She upgrades the controller with spare parts as she adjusts wires. Once she was done she grabs the outfit and starts dressing up. Now she appears more of a rouge modern ninja as she packs her robot, controller, and cat mask in her bag. She then writes a note to her family saying that she is using the money her grandmother gave her to see a movie and won't be back for a while. She knew that her father will still panic since she's going out by herself, but this is a risk she must take. She then makes a makeshift rope to climb out the port hole window, and due to her small height and size she can manage with ease. Once on the ground she starts sneaking through the streets as she heads her way to Good Luck Alley. A decision that will change her life forever.

*The evening begins to darken by the time Tadashi heads back to the Cafe where Cass is making some cappuccinos for her customers and smiles when he sees Hiro helping out by picking up the dirty dishes.*

Tadashi: Hey Aunt Cass, how's it going?

Cass: It's been pretty good so far, Hiro has been helping me out for a while now. He even fixed the espresso machine!

*Said espresso machine coughs a few times before it resumes to normal.*

Cass: Hopefully it'll last long enough to save up for a new one.

Tadashi: Alright Cass.

*Tadashi heads over to Hiro who is struggling with the massive load of dirty dishes, where he surprises Hiro by lending a hand to carry the dishes together.

Hiro: Tadashi! You're back early!

Tadashi: Nice to see you too knucklehead, and yeah I've managed to get some stuff done sooner than usual and decided to come home early for a day off.

Hiro: Cool!

*Hiro gives a somewhat strained smile, because while he's happy Tadashi is here right now, he was hoping he would be gone long enough to sneak out without raising suspicion.*

Tadashi: Something on your mind Nerd?

Hiro: * Smirks* Who are you calling a nerd, Nerd King?

Tadashi: *Chuckles* Alright, if you say so.

*After a while with the Cafe closed up and Cass finishing up dinner, Tadashi and Hiro talk over their day.*

Tadashi: So you went over to the mechanics store? How's Willie doing?

Hiro: Willie's fine, just getting some stuff for me to experiment with.

Tadashi: Hopefully not like the time you turned every utensil in the house into a rocket which caused a fork to land on my forehead.

Hiro: It was funny and you know it Dashi.

*Tadashi shakes his head as he chuckles, his little brother is definitely up to something for sure. After dinner, Tadashi and Hiro head up to their room where the older brother opens the screen door and flops down on his bed.*

Tadashi: Welp, today was exhausting, I'm just gonna lie down here and sleep like the dead.

Hiro: OK, sides I think I'm gonna crash down soon too.

Tadashi: Alright, night Hiro.

Hiro: Night Nerd.

*Hiro gets to his bed where he simply waited for the soft snoring of his brother. Once he knew that Tadashi is in deep sleep, Hiro quietly gets up and takes Megabot, his controller, and the wad of money to bet. Once he gets out of the house he dashes towards Good Luck Alley, excitement running through his system as he can't wait to win the jackpot tonight, equally unaware that his life will change forever.

*At the time of Hiro and his family are having their dinner, Cora had arrived at Good luck Alley. She spots from the distance the scantily clad lady with two older gentlemen, and the men looking more impatient as the time goes by. She pulls up her hood over her head and hides behind a trash can as the men are finally fed up and they walked with the lady together.*

Enjo: Can't believe this, that little piece of s*** ditched out on us.

Kosai: Eh, maybe it's for the best. I wanted a busty lady, not some flat chested brat.

*Cora held her breath as they walked down her path, waiting for the men and the lady to go away. But she did notice that the lady gave what looked like a small sigh of relief over the girl not showing up. Once she was sure they were gone Cora headed up and waited for the person running the bot-fight. She immediately slips on her cat mask and makes sure her hood is secure over her head and hiding her hair as she meets up the person in charge.*

Hime Na: What do you want kid?

*Cora's mind went to a state of internal panic. What was she going to say? How will the lady respond?! What if they turn her away?!*

Hime Na: Well? I'm waiting.

*Cora then remembers the time her father had scared off a group of rude teenagers when they were at the beach. His eyes burned along with his height that made them run in fear. Cora's eyes became determined as she simply pulls out some of the money and points to the bot fight ring, giving off her best imitation of her strong father.*

Hime Na: Alright, ya can go on in.

*Cora gives a nod in thanks before she seats herself to the opponent seat, which caught the woman off guard since she thought that the kid merely wanted to watch the fight and not be part of it. The first person to come was a late adolescent male with serious acne problems and a neck beard.*

Neck beard: Well lookie here, a little cosplayer.

*The crowd began to snicker as Cora remained silent.*

Neck Beard: Anyway, I'll go easy on you kid since this is your first time.

*He pulls out a robot that appears to have muscle and doing macho like poses. Needless to say that he was compensating for something very important. Cora pulls out her robot as she activates it with her controller, the robot goes from her egg mode to her robot form, still floating with electric green eyes.*

Neck Beard: Aww is the little kid gonna beat me with their little EVE dollie-

*That's when Cora launched her attack.*

*Hiro arrives at Good Luck Alley as he makes his way through the crowd to sign up for the bot fight. Once he signs up by using his innocent boy charm, he sets out on the opposite side of the alley where another ring is open.*

Spector #1: Hey, have ya heard? Some new kid beat the living crap out of Yabo.

Spector #2: Oh man... I never seen that loser bawl so hard, and that kid just keeps beating everyone every single time!

Spector #1: Yup, I heard that tonight, the two best bot fighters here will get into a special event where'll there'll be a ton of dough!

*Hiro is intrigued by this news. A new arrival that may be the perfect challenge for him? This is going to be fun. He immediately starts his usual bit where he'll appear as a first-time bot fighter and purposely lose, then go around and beat them. Once he finishes a number of rounds the person shows him the person he'll face next.*

Hime Na: Looks like it's gonna be you two next. This ought to be very interesting.

*That's when he finally gets a good view of his new rival. A person around his age wearing a cat mask in modern ninja clothing using what looks like a slimmer version of EVE from WALL-E and mercilessly beat it's much larger opponent. Due to it's small stature and electro-magnetic suspension that causes the bot to float, it can easily dodge and land a swift hit that ultimately left the rival bot scrambled.*

Hime Na: Looks like we have our winner! Now then, Nekodome come here.

*The one called Neko stands up and walks over as they pick up their bot, not even uttering a word.*

Hime Na: Now that we have our two reigning champions...it's time for the Duo Dual!

*The crowd began to chant as both Hiro and the ninja-clad person become confused. They thought they were gonna fight each other, not partner up!*

Hime Na: Now that these two are placed in the duo dual, they will face more danger for the large cash prize! Can these kids beat the baddest of the bad? Lets find out!

*Hiro and the ninja-clad person look at each other before they reluctantly sit down next to each other. Neither of them spoke as they are face to face with two opponents. They brought out their own robots that appear to be much more tougher than the others. Hiro turns to the person as said person looks over their robot as it gently skims over the smooth metal.*

Hiro: So...you're new here?

*The person doesn't respond, but they nod slightly as they place their bot down. Hiro then places Megabot down beside the EVE robot as the lady begins to set the stage.*

Hime Na: Four bots enter, only two can escape...fight!

*Immediately the other two charge their robots as Megabot launches forward while the EVE robot flies up, dodging the attack. The robot pinned Megabot down while the other goes after Eve. Megabot separates to pull out its circuits but the robot simply threw it away. Megabot barely stays within the circle as it lands and stands up. Eve is facing a similar problem, as it is pulled to a magnetic armor the bot wore; Evie barely escapes as it slams its head to the enemy bot. Then by a complete and miraculous accident, Megabot is launched to Evie's bot as it knocks it down and leaves a rather large dent, leaving the magnetism useless. Hiro and the person look at each and realize how they can beat them and win the prize.*

Hiro: You thinking what I'm thinking?

*The person nods their head excitedly as they both charged their robots at the damaged enemy bot. Evie zings forward as it spins its head in a tizzy, once it falls down Megabot jumps up and knocks out its heads. The person controlling the magnetic bot throws their controller in frustration as the other gets tense over the fight. The large bot jumps up and tried to pin down Evie but Megabot stops the enemy bot and restrain its limbs, leaving Evie to strike the robot repeatedly until it was nothing more than scrap metal. The pieces of metal rain down on the two victorious bots as they returned to their cute mode when they ended their fight with a bow.*

Hime Na: And the winners of the duo dual...Hiro and Nekodomo!

*There was a mixture of cheering and disgruntled disappointment. The person went over to collect the money and the prize money, and just as the person is heading over to give the jar to Hiro... Sirens went off in the distance.*

Spector #2: Crap! The cops are here!

*The first spector grabbed a bottle of a beer and smashed it to the ground and yells out.*

Spector #1: SCATTER!

*Everyone else begins to run in different directions, desperate to avoid the cops. Hiro went to run towards a shortcut he knows when he sees the ninja-clad person stand still like a deer in headlights. They were still carrying the money in their arms as their knees shook in terror. Out of his better judgement he went back and grabbed their hand and they bolted out of there before an officer can spot them. Hiro drags the person far away from the police cars as the person could only stare at the young teen in what appears to be an awe. They were approaching a safe distance when the person tripped on a piece of loose concrete and falls on their face. Hiro picks them up and they continue to run, leaving behind a broken cat mask. Once they are in a safe place away from the cops, Hiro turns his attention to the person.*

Hiro: *wheeze* That...*Wheeze* was close...*Wheeze*...this really must be your first bot fight huh? I have to admit though, you are really...

*But Hiro's voice trails off as the person removes the hood from their head and he finally gets a good look at the person beside him. They was actually a she. And she was his age with large beautiful purple eyes and short blue hair that fluffed with elegance. And just her face is described as innocent and very cute. Cora also finally gets a good look at the boy beside her named Hiro. He was her age with large almond brown eyes, messy black hair and a tooth gap, and Cora couldn't help but think that he was very cute too. The two teens stare at each other as they felt something sparkle in their eyes..*

Cora:...H-hi...

Hiro: He-hey...

*Cora blushes as she looks down a little over the silent space between them. Hiro then clears his throat as he regains his state of mind.*

Hiro: A-as I was saying...You're a really good bot-fighter...

Cora: Thank you...

*They both stand up as they feel their hearts pounding heavily inside them.*

Hiro: So...Nekodomo is probably an alias right...

Cora: Yeah... but if you want to know... My name is Cora Mizichio.

Hiro: Cora...W-well my name is Hiro. Hiro Hamada that is.

*Hiro straightens his voice to be deeper to try and flirt with the cute girl, which causes Cora to giggle at his flirtation. Then Cora reaches out her hand to shake his.*

Cora: Thank you for being my partner in the bot fight...and for saving me back there.

Hiro: O-oh! It was no problem actually...

*Cora then looks at the prize money she stuffed in her bag.*

Cora: Oh right! So Hiro...do you want to split up the prize money?

*She begins to pull out the money, but in the distance Hiro sees a very familiar moped. Oh crap, Tadashi is coming!*

Hiro: Uhh... Actually, you keep it! I guess...hopefully I'll see you around again?

*Cora's face became a deep shade of red over his generosity. She expected that he would want half of the prize money, but this...this is the sweetest thing he has ever done for her, and they had only just met.*

Cora: T-thank you...I gotta go right now...but yeah, I'll see ya later... Hopefully we can team up at another bot fight again sometime?

Hiro: Y-yeah! T-that sounds great! See-see ya!

*Cora was about to run off with the money, but not before she unthinkably kisses Hiro on the cheek. Hiro blinks in shock as he watches the girl run off into the darkness as he slowly brings his hand up to his cheek with a stunned and lovestruck look on his face... At that moment, all he could think about was if this is how Prince Charming felt after Cinderella ran off from the ball when the clock stuck midnight. And that all that was missing from this moment was a glass slipper.*

Tadashi: Hiro! what are you doing out here?! Do you have any idea what time it is?!

*Hiro doesn't respond, as he's still staring off in the direction Cora ran off in with a derpy lovesick smile on his face.*

Tadashi: Hiro? Hey Hiro, are you alright?

Hiro: Hmmm...Oh hey Dashi... When did you get here?

Tadashi: *Giving Hiro a confused look, now starting to get concerned for his younger brother* I've been here for the last twenty seconds trying to figure out why your all the way out here this late at night, which by the way you still haven't answered me about yet. Are you okay though? You're acting kinda weird and you look a little flushed too. Are you starting to get sick?

Tadashi tries to place his hand on Hiro's forehead to feel his temperature, but Hiro snaps out of his newly developed lovesickness just in time to swats his hand away before he can get the chance.*

Hiro: Relax Nerd King. I'm not getting sick, I'm just...a little tired that's all... So what are we waiting for? We heading home or what?

*Tadashi just watches with concerned eyes as Hiro gets on the moped without another word and puts on his helmet. They both ride off to the Cafe in silence as Tadashi wonders what the heck happened to his brother at that bot fight?!*

*Cora climbed up the window as she quietly strips her ninja clothes and into her sleeping gown as she quietly puts the money into her father's savings. She blushes over the memory of the boy who gave her the prize money when he could have easily demanded it all. She sighs dreamily as she heads upstairs to finally sleep.*

Cora: Good night everyone...goodnight Hiro...wherever you are...

*Since then, Cora and Hiro have met up in the following four months after. They would meet up at night where they not only bot fight the other fighters, but chatted in private over their lives, interests and hobbies. Both are surprisingly similar and yet so different. Hiro talked about his life at the Cafe with his aunt and brother and their pet cat, his interest in robotics, anything that came to mind when usually he wanted nothing to do with conversations. Cora told him that she lived with her father and grandmother alone in a small house nearby his place, her love for marine biology, and how she was home-schooled her whole life. They both instantly connected when they learned that they are both genius prodigies, someone very intelligent like them. Even through their excitement and obvious feelings for each other, they never told the other in fear that they would consider it gross or reject them and thus ruin their newly formed, but already highly valued friendship. Young love at its finest.*

Kaguya: Cora, I hope you don't mind me saying this, but you've seemed to be in a very good mood for a while now.

*Cora looks up from her daydreaming daze as she sees that she had not taken a bite out of her porridge.*

Kaguya: Not that it's a bad thing, it's like you have a new burst of energy that radiates inside your heart and making you glow with pure happiness.

Cora: *blushes with a small smile on her face* Well...thank you Grandmama.

*Kaguya did indeed see a big change in Cora. Her shy demeanor was slowly fading away as she became more confident over her voice, she began to sing more than usual, singing mostly love songs as she noticed, as she slightly dances with the broom while doing chores, and she has more energy in self-defense lessons with he father.*

*Across the kitchen, she hears her father talking on the phone, he was talking a manager of a job that her Dad applied for. His voice turns from soft and low to excited and booming.*

Mizuchi: Are you sure? No I will take it! Thank you very much!

*Mizuchi hangs the phone up as he lets out a joyful booming laugh.*

Mizuchi: Mother-in-law! My little Cora!

*Mizuchi runs to the kitchen where he picks up the two ladies and spins around happily.*

Cora: Did you get the job Papa?

Mizuchi: Yes!

Cora: I'm so happy for you!

*Cora hugs her father tightly as the grandmother gently pats his head in approval. He puts them down as he starts preparing for his big job coming soon. As her father prances around happily while her grandmother goes to make herself tea, Cora's heart suddenly drops as she realizes what this means...*

Cora: Oh no...what am I gonna tell Hiro?

*She only joined the bot fights so that she can support her father, and now that her father is no longer unemployed, she would have to stop going there. But that also meant she coudn't see Hiro anymore...*

Cora: I...I should tell him that this will be my last night...

*As of while, Hiro was also busy daydreaming over the blue-haired girl he had gotten close to, playing with the yolk of his eggs as leans his head to his hand.*

Tadashi: *Waving his hand over Hiro's face and than snapping his fingers trying to once again get his younger brother out of his daze* Hello? Earth to Hiro, earth to Hiro! Where are you?

*Hiro snaps out of his thoughts as he stops playing with his food. The funny side up egg glared at Hiro for destroying their friend's face.*

Tadashi: Seriously Hiro, you been acting really weird for the last few months. What's gotten into you Bro. Are you sure you're feeling alright?

Hiro: *Clears throat* Y-yeah, yeah! I'm fine Tadashi, totally fine! There's nothing to worry about at all!

*Hiro finishes his breakfast as he puts away the dirty dish. While Tadashi's eyebrows furrowed, Cass leans over and bumps his shoulder with her elbow with a wide and excited smile of her face.*

Cass: I don't know about you...but I think he's really got it bad!

Tadashi: It? What 'it?' And why does Hiro 'really got it bad'?

Cass: Oh Tadashi...don't you see? I think Hiro might be in love!

*Tadashi's eyes widened as he takes in this information his aunt told him as she hums merrily to continue working.*

Tadashi: Hiro's...in love?!...With who?!

Cass: Well obviously he's not gonna just tell us. You don't know this because you haven't found someone yet, but everyone always keeps their first love a secret, especially when it's young love! *Sighs* Our little Hiro is growing up so fast!

*After his aunt tells him this, Tadashi begins to think over Hiro's behavior ever since that night he found his brother in a daze. And the following months since then, Hiro has been much more helpful around the house and Cafe, been in a much more cheerful mood than he's usually in, constantly dazing out and daydreaming with a dopey lovesick look on his face, and if all that hadn't been odd enough, he has also been looking up information about the ocean lately with the newly developed focus on killer whales. So if what his aunt just told him did in fact ring true, along with the fact that Hiro wasn't gonna tell him about it since this was his first love and what-not, He than decided that when Hiro goes out to another bot fight, he will finally meet the young person his little brother has been seeing for the past four months.*

Tadashi: Alright Hiro, since your obviously not gonna tell me who your new little friend is, I'm just gonna have to follow you and find out myself.

*Later on, Tadashi waited for Hiro to sneak out of the house to follow him in the cover of night, determined to find out who this mysterious person that had stolen Hiro's heart.*

*Cora and Hiro are at the bot fight as a tag team where they are currently facing off a representative of Yama, a notorious Yakuza leader in San Fransokyo. They were head to head as both Cora's bot Evie and Megabot held hands as they spin fast enough to chop off the head off the bot. However the crowd didn't exactly cheer so loudly this time...The man playing against Hiro and a disguised Cora had made a bet using Yama's personal cash he made from his illegal businesses... And he just lost it to the two teens. Hiro happily accepts the money and stuffs it to his pocket.*

Hiro: Thank you very much, now lets see... who else want some?

*But then he notices Cora walking away after the bot fight, and she appeared downtrodden. Hiro stuffs the money in his pockets as he runs to catch up with Cora, all the while the loser was giving the stink eye to the two teens, and his buddies are standing behind him dangerously.*

Hiro: Hey Cora! You a...y-you heading out early? What? Did you're Dad figure out or...?

*Cora sighs as she removes the mask and hood and looks at the boy.*

Cora: Hiro...You do know that the reason I come to bot fights is to help my Dad out with money issues right?

Hiro: Yeah...?

Cora: Well, my Dad finally found a job...and since he's not so stressed out anymore and our money problems are settled out now... I can't go to the bot fights anymore...

Hiro: W-what?

*Hiro, though being a genius prodigy, is still a 13 year old boy. His thoughts were running through his head as he felt his heart begin to tremble. Cora felt her eyes grow warm as she looks at her feet.*

Hiro: Does this mean...I-I won't be able to see you anymore?

*Cora continues to stare at her feet as she does her best to hold back her tears. But before either can respond, they hear footsteps behind them, stopping as their shadows loomed over them.*

Dead Meat: Well lookie here...seems these little kids are having a little trouble...

*Hiro recognizes them as the people who lost the money that belonged to Yama, and they most likely want it back. He then turned his head to Cora who looks at the grown men with wary eyes.*

Dead Meat: Either way...I want that money back.

*The men grab Hiro and pin him to the wall where they begin to punch the boy. Cora rushes towards them and begins to try and pull the men off Hiro.*

Cora: Leave him alone!

Goon #1: Don't get involved girly.

*The man throws Cora to the ground where she injured her leg. She looks up to see the men now kicking Hiro where he fell to the ground and curled up in a ball trying to shield himself. Cora's eyes changed from fear to pure fury. She looks at the men with a low and dangerous voice.*

Cora: I said...Leave. Him. Alone!

*Tadashi finally manages to arrive at the location where the bot fight is taking place, as he stills to a halt he hears distant screaming coming from his right. His throat tightened as he fears the worst. He speeds up towards an alley, immediately getting off his moped and ready to use his karate skills to protect Hiro...What he saw was the opposite of what he expected. In front of him is a young 13 year old girl with blue hair punching the men in the face and delivers a hard kick to their groins. He then spots Hiro on the ground where he rushes to his brother's aid.*

Tadashi: Hiro! Are you alright?!

Hiro: *Groggily* I'm f-fine... just check on...C-cora...

*Tadashi raises an eyebrow before he realizes what's going on and ultimately, the identity of the person Hiro was gushing over.*

Tadashi: *Looks up at the girl who was beating the men to pulp* So..that's Cora...

*Cora finally flips them over as she breathes heavily over the bruised men.*

Cora: Now Get Lost!

*The men stand up and run with their tails behind their backs. Cora takes a few breathes before she turns around and sees a young man holding Hiro. She straightens her clothes and clasps her hands together as she recalls the pictures Hiro showed her on his phone that showed his family and the stories he told her about them.*

Cora: O-oh! Um...H-hello... My name is Cora Mizchio! I'm Hiro's Gir- uh...h-his friend! You must be Tadashi. Hiro's told me all about you.

*She gives a sheepish smile as Tadashi looks over the girl and his brother, deciding that they all need to figure out what the hell is going on.*

Tadashi: Uh, do...do you mind if we all head to the cafe?

Cora: Sure?

Tadashi: Also...we may need to call your parents...

Cora: *Suddenly looking very nervous*...Oh...

*The ringtone playing Sebonzakura loudly got Kaguya's attention as she answers.*

Kaguya: Moshi moshi...Who are you...Wait...What?! Alright. We'll be right over.

*Kaguya hangs up her phone as she heads to her Son-in-laws room and pulls off the covers.*

Kaguya: Get up stupid son-in-law! Cora is out there in the middle of the night!

*Mizuchi barely heard anything as his senses were not fully activated. He was ready to doze off when Kaguya then told him what he feared most and would most likely listen to.*

Kaguya: Cora is at a Boy's house in the middle of the night!

*That shot Mizuchi awake as he immediately runs out and gets dressed, yelling loudly on how and why is his innocent daughter doing at a boy's house in the middle of the night. Kaguya shakes her head as she mumbles to herself.*

Kaguya: ...That girl better explain herself...

*As of while Hiro, Tadashi, and Cora got inside the house where Tadashi takes them upstairs.*

Tadashi: Alright, I'm going to get some bandages for you guys, also Cora, you're grandmother and father are on their way now... Man what a night...

*Tadashi goes of to the bathroom to get the medical supplies, leaving Hiro and Cora alone...*

Cora: So... this is where you live huh?...it's cool...and the Cafe looks pretty..

Hiro: Thanks... I'll tell Aunt Cass what you said..

*After a few minutes of silence, a chubby white and calico cat walks over to the two injured teens*

Cora: *Gushing* Oh! Hey there little guy, aren't you a cutie! Is this your pet cat Hiro? The one from the pictures you showed me on your phone?

Hiro: Yep, that's Mochi alright.

Cora: Well the pictures clearly don't do him justice. He's even cuter and adorable in person!

*Mochi starts to sniff the young girl as she says this and purrs. He than jumps up and rests himself on her lap.*

Hiro: Wow, he must really like you.

Cora: *Petting Mochi* Really?

Hiro: Yeah, he usually never trusts anyone this quickly.

*However, While Mochi senses she is in fact a good person, he is more attracted to the fact that she smelled of the ocean, therefore fish and therefore food.*

*They both start petting Mochi for a moment more before Cora finally breaks the ice as she begins to laugh.*

Cora: Oh my god...I just realized something...

Hiro: What?

Cora: Hiro, just because I can't go to bot fights anymore doesn't mean I can't still see you again...

Hiro: Oh! Oh...

*The two teens begin to laugh, while unbeknownst to them Tadashi is listening to the conversation, along with Cass who woke up from the commotion, along with Cora's father and Grandmother who had just arrived and were at the moment observing the two teens from the top of the stairs. They all look at the two teens with still breaths.*

Hiro: Yeah...so much for us being teen geniuses am I right!

Cora: Yeah, after all we can see each other at other places like the movies.

Hiro: Yeah! There's also the arcade and maybe that aquarium you like so much!

Cora: Uh huh! After all, they would make some awesome dates-

*Cora stops talking as soon as she realizes what she said. Hiro looks at Cora with also wide eyes as he too blushes over Cora's words. The two teens remain silent for a while as the adults ponder what's going to happen next. Finally Cora speaks up.*

Cora: Hiro...I know this is going to be really crazy for you to hear...but when I'm with you I feel like I can do anything, like I'm not afraid of what's outside anymore... You helped me when I was scared or confused over the slightest things... What I mean to say..is...

*Cora clenches her eyes as she finally spits out her feelings.*

Cora: I really like you Hiro! As in Like you-like you...You know what, screw it! I love you Hiro!

*The adults held in their gasps as they watched the young girl who have been so quiet and demure confess her love to the boy with such a loud and unwavering voice. Silence rang for a few moments as Cora mentally prepares herself for rejection. She opens her eyes as she sees Hiro holding her hand in his, Cora blushes intensely as Hiro gathers his courage and rushes out his words.*

Hiro: I...really like you too Cora, I don't think you should really like me cause I'm a huge freaking nerd and I'm awkward and I don't really know what I'm doing or if I'm doing it right, I don't even know if I'm holding your hand right! Also you're very pretty and smart and sweet and in just these last few months we've known each other... I'm just plain crazy for you!

*Cora's face blossoms to a loving smile as she tightens her hand in Hiro's.*

Cora: But you being a nerd and awkward are two of the reasons why I like you, and to be honest I thought you wouldn't like me because compared to other girls I'm not exactly...developed is the best way I can put it...

Hiro: I... I actually don't mind that you're n-not developed. I-I mean you're still really pretty...and I don't really like girls who put way too much effort into being attractive anyway... I mean it kind of makes them look fake you know...?

Cora: Yeah...

*As they spoke they begin to lean closer, their hearts pounding as their eyes slowly close...*

Cass: Wooh! Go Hiro!

*The teens snap out of it as they realized they were watched by both of their familes.*

Hiro: W-what the heck guys! What ever happened to privacy?!

*Cass simply hugs the two together which in turn they let out cringes and soft ows. She lets go as she realizes that they have yet to be treated for their wounds.*

Cass: Oh! Sorry! Sorry! My bad! Didn't mean to hurt you two through hugging! Alrighty then! I'm...I'm gonna go make some tea! Does anyone else want tea? I'll make that tea!

*Cass leaves the room with an excited squeal while Tadashi heads over to Hiro and Cora with the bandages with a sly smile on his face.*

Tadashi: Nice job Hiro.

Hiro: *Awkwardly rubs the back of his head while blushing* Hehe...thanks...

Tadashi: Even if you did one up me by getting a girlfriend first.

*Tadashi jokingly said this as he ruffles Hiro's messy hair.*

Hiro: Dashi...

*Tadashi looks at Cora who shyly looks up at him as she swings her legs back and forth. He leans to Cora's ear as he whispers.*

Tadashi: *Whispers* Cora, whatever you did, thanks. I've never seen Hiro this happy.

Cora: *Giggles as she whispers back* Your welcome, and I'm glad he has an older brother like you to watch out for him.

*Both smiled at each other as Cora and Tadashi shook hands. Finally, Cora acknowledged her family.*

Cora: Papa! Grandmama! I know you two are here, so you can come out now!

*The sight of Mizuchi's Goliath-like stature kind of made Hiro lean towards Tadashi as the older brother keeps his cool over the massive man who is looking at Hiro with an intense stare...*

*WHACK!*

*Both boys are caught off guard as the small elder woman whacked the taller man with her cane.*

Kaguya: Stop trying to scare the poor boy Mizuchi! Cora and that boy Hiro are dating now! So you better not try to scare him or break him!

Mizuchi: But Mother-in-law! We don't know anything about hi-

*WHACK!*

Kaguya: Then take the time to get to know him better! *To Hiro* I am so sorry for my son-in-law. I assure you, he means well. But I'm afraid sometimes he can be a little too intimidating and protective of Cora for his own good. Now then, lets get a good look at you shall we.

*Kaguya than leans down to get a better look at Hiro. She looks deep into Hiro's eyes, which caused Hiro to feel a little unnerved with how intense the older woman's gaze was and wondering exactly why she felt the need to stare him in the eyes like this. When she finally stopped gazing into his eyes, something he was grateful for, She was smiling approvingly at him.*

Kaguya: Yes. Oh yes, you are a true keeper my dear boy, a true keeper indeed. Definitely perfect for our Cora, no doubt you'll treat her as the treasure she truly is.

Cora: *Looking down in embrrassment* Grandmama...

Mizuchi: But...Mother-in-law, are you sure that he's-

Kaguya: Mizuchi!... I know how you feel about all of this, but you and I both know that this was bound to happen eventually. And need I remind you, I myself was overprotective of Akemi when she first met you, but in the end I accepted the fact that you were both made for each other. Besides...it can't be helped. They obviously have true feelings for each other...they both need each other now Mizuchi...

*Both Kaguya and Mizuchi looked at each other intensely for the next few moments. Though it wasn't exactly a stare down as some people would think, it was more of a silent conversation. Hiro and Tadashi shared a glance with each other before both boys looked over to Cora hoping she could explain the situation, however Cora just shrugged looking just as confused as the boys before all three of them went back to watching the two intensely staring/silent communicating adults wondering how long this was gonna keep up. Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long as Mizuchi finally relents as he sighs heavily and runs his hand through hair.*

Mizuchi:...It really can't be helped can it... Alright Mother-in-law. I'm still not thrilled about all this...but I guess I don't really have a choice now do I?

Kaguya: You already know that answer as well as I do son-in-law.

*The three shared another confused glance with each other, still not fully understanding as to what was going on. But thankfully at that moment Aunt Cass returns to the living room with the tea cups as she finally sees Cora's family.*

Cass: Oh! You two must be Cora's Father and Granmother! Hi I'm Cass, I'm Hiro and Tadashi's aunt.

*Cora yawns loudly as she felt the sleepiness start to run to her head.*

Kaguya: I'm sorry Miss Cass, but it's pretty late now...

*Cora then speaks up.*

Cora: However that doesn't mean we can't meet up again.

*She turns to Hiro as she smiles*

Cora: Would you and your family like to come over to our house and stay over for dinner?

Kaguya: Would you like to stay over forever?

Mizuchi: Mother-in-law!

*Hiro covers his mouth to suppress his giggles before he clears his throat and faces Cora.*

Hiro: Dinner would be great.

*With that the families parted their separate ways, Cora giving a kiss on the cheek for Hiro as she gives him her phone number but not before she apologizes for what happened between her father and grandmother, still having no idea as to what that was all about. To which Hiro told her it was fine, a little weird he was willing to admit, but fine, much to her relief. As she flops into her bed, she felt like she could float on a sunbeam. She is officially in a romantic relationship with an amazing boy, someone she can relate to and talk to, someone who made her feel special. Hiro also flopped onto his bed, exhausted, but happier than he had ever been in years. He now has a girlfriend and had scored said girl's number, although Tadashi wouldn't stop teasing him about this. Like when are they gonna have their first kiss? When are they gonna get married? Could he be his best man at the wedding? He knew it embarrassed Hiro and made him freak out, which is why he did it. Hiro couldn't wait to show Cora the inventions he and Tadashi had invented over the years! Maybe he'd even share his secret stash of gummy bear with her.*

Tadashi: Hiro, get into your pj's, you can't be comfortable sleeping in your normal clothes.

*Tadashi is in his bed and ready to pass out. Hiro just groaned in response, his eyes already closed as he drifted off to sleep with the thought of Cora on his mind.*

A.N: Here is the one-shot of the story 'Fire and Ice Roses'. With the help of Wolfwithchuntress1314 who edited this story. Hope you enjoyed the story of how Hiro and Cora became a couple! Love you!

[eternalstereksecretsanta]

Christmas Magic

@theydraggedmein | AO3 

John scrubs a hand over his face, letting his breath out slowly. He faintly wonders if he was this much of a handful when he was Stiles’ age but he quickly reassures himself that he wasn’t. Losing his wife almost two years ago certainly hasn’t made things easier on either of them and now Stiles is convinced that Santa doesn’t exist and theimposter needs to be dealt with.

John just wants five minutes of peace.

He makes Stiles promise to stay with Tara at the front desk and moves on into the station to where James Hale is getting into his Santa costume and rubs nervously at the back of his neck.

“Okay, so there’s no easy way to say this but I just, I wanted to apologize upfront…”

“For?” James says, a small smile twisting at the corner of his mouth.

“My kid is uh, inquisitive by nature…gets it from his mother’s side of course,” John teases, his heart clenching painfully at the memory of his lost wife. “But he’s convinced himself that there’s no Santa and that Christmas, all of it, religious aspects and non-religious, is a hoax.”

John leans against the wall as James turns back to look himself over. “Normally, I’d probably just come clean and tell him the truth but Stiles has a tendency to umn, how do I put this…”

‘To be long-winded.”

“Yeah, let’s go with that,” John agrees, not wanting to call his kid a brat, though sometimes he fit the bill a little too well. “So you’ve met him then.”

“My daughter Cora has mentioned him a few times. I believe they’re in the same grade at school,” James says, tugging a bit at his beard to make sure it stays in place. The sheriff is looking back at him with a little fondness for his child but there’s also a distinct scent of worry rolling off him. “It’s fine, John. I’ve dealt with a few skeptics in my day.”

“You don’t know Stiles,” John says as he pats James on the shoulder and shakes his head. “Good luck out there.”

James chuckles to himself and thinks, “How bad could one eight year old really be?”

He might have underestimated the sheriff’s worry.

It’s less than twenty minutes into the BHSD Christmas party and James is too damn close to ruining Christmas in Beacon Hills for kids of all ages. Question after question is fired at him, mostly from Stiles and he answers as many as he can with logical, normal answers. But he’s had to use the ol’ Christmas Magic line a couple of times now and he can tell the more he does the more irritated Stiles becomes.

Though something warm coats his stomach at how bright and curious Stiles is, the kid just refuses to back down, reminds him a bit of himself actually.

Peter is probably cackling somewhere nearby.

“What specifically gets someone on the naughty list…”

“Well, Stiles… If your father would be disappointed, so would Santa.”

“So really you’re just saying we have to mind our parents. You don’t have any rules of your own?’ Stiles says, not even skipping a beat before coming back with, “What about stuff like, Scotty’s not allowed to play outside when it’s cold because he has asthma, but I am because I don’t. If we both snuck out to play outside when it was cold, Scott’s mom would be more upset than my dad…does that mean Scott’s on the naughty list but I’m not?”

James shakes his head. “Well would you mind answering a question for me, Stiles?”

“You can ask.”

“Do you think Scott would sneak out to play at night, on his own, if it were dangerous?”

“Ugh!”

That apparently is not well received, though James can smell just a hint of honeyed embarrassment underneath the cinnamon tang of anger. He’s unintentionally making Stiles smell like Christmas with his already overwhelmingly pine signature he inherited from the sheriff and James’ stomach growls heartily at the scent.

“Okay kids, as much as I would love to stay with you, I’m afraid I really must get going. There’s a lot of work to be done up North and if I’m lucky Mrs. Claus will be waiting on me with some warm Christmas Stew, Ho Ho Ho.”

James hugs a few children goodbye, smiling widely at some of the younger ones that try to sneak in another Christmas Wish.

Before leaving though, he turns to Stiles and bends down on one knee so that they are eye level and he says, “Never stop asking questions, Stiles. Never give that up.”

Reluctantly, Stiles hugs him as if he’s expected to do it and James doesn’t think he’s ever felt more worthy of a child’s acceptance outside of his own.  

It feels like something special.

“Oh you should have seen it, Talia…”

“Go ahead, Peter…I’m glad to see you’ve found some amusement, even if it’s at my expense,” James says, shrugging off his jacket.

“I’m sorry to report that there’s no Christmas stew , dear but the kids ordered pizza and I left a plate in the microwave for you,” Talia says, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “You know how they get after a full moon, everyone passed out in the upstairs Den.”

James does not miss that playful glint in her eyes that say she revels as much as Peter does in his misfortunate experience with Stiles.

It’s a good thing he loves her, otherwise he’d have to kill her.

Peter on the other hand…

James is just about to take a playful swipe at his brother’s neck when he hears Derek heading down the stairs.

“Thank your nephew, Peter. It’s because of him that you’re not off in the woods licking your wounds,” James says with a smirk before padding over to the stairs.

“Papa?” Derek asks, sleepily rubbing at his eyes.

“Hey pup, what are you doing out of bed?”

“Missed your heartbeat…”

James chuckles to himself, of all his kids of course it would be Derek who was restless without him there. He pulls his son in for a tight hug, laughing a bit when Derek sniffs at his neck suspiciously.

“Mmm, you smell like Christmas.”

“Actually that would be Stiles, pup.”

“What’s a Stiles?”

John smiles fondly at the familiar sight of James getting into his well worn Santa Costume. He thinks back on all the good that the Hale family has done for his town and he can’t help but feel a bit emotional. Still, he bites it back because Stiles needs him to stay strong and sooner rather than later he’s going to have to get back out there and calm his kid down.

“Y’know I’m rarely one to say I told you so but…” John starts, a loud chuckle erupting out of his throat when James turns to give him a now familiar eye roll.

“I certainly was not prepared for it back then, but hopefully the years have taught me better this time.”

‘Oh I wouldn’t count on it. Like most things, Stiles’ skepticism only grows better with age.”

James straightens his fuzzy hat and leans down to buckle up his big black boots. “Maybe he’ll cut me a little slack this time, I mean he’s practically my son now…” he asks, looking back at John with a hopeful grin.

“Wow, you really don’t get it do you?” John answers, shaking his head. “That only makes it worse.”

James frowns.

“What? You think he drives me up the wall because he hates me? Nah…you’re family now. You get the familytreatment. Good luck out there though.” John says, laughing loudly as he makes his way back toward the banquet hall.

James slumps down and groans, it would not look good for him to have his ass verbally handed to him by someone less than half his age. Somehow, he thinks if anyone can do it, it’s probably Stiles. He takes a deep breath and shakes his head feeling a familiar sort of fond exasperation that seems to come with any thoughts of his soon to be son-in-law.

Showtime

“We are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of these two hearts, two lives…”

“Stiles?” Derek asks, surprised not to be greeted enthusiastically at the door as his now husband has taken to doing.

“Sorry, Der! Got my hands full. If you come here you can totally get your after work kisses though,” Stiles calls back from the kitchen.

Derek follows the sound of his voice and grins when he sees his ridiculous husband half covered in flour, hands stained with frosting and food coloring.

Stiles holds his arms out in front of him and Derek quickly shakes his head.

“Oh no you don’t,” he says, instead maneuvering himself around behind Stiles and wrapping around him that way. He inhales the spicy pine notes of Stiles’ scent, the sugary sweetness from the cookies still floating in the air. “Mmm, you smell amazing.”

“Oh? You mean like sex stuff…like I smell like you or something?”

“No, you smell like you, like Christmas…”

“Wait what? What do you mean I smell like Christmas? That doesn’t sound sexy…”

Derek rolls his eyes, “You’re an idiot.’

“Hey! No insulting the chef or you don’t get any of his sweet sweet goodies.”

“Maybe I’ll just make my own goodies.”

“We both know that your goodies aren’t nearly as good as mine.”

Derek snorts, “You’re talking about sex aren’t you?”

‘Duh.”

He chuckles despite himself, kissing at Stiles’ neck, inhaling more of the delicious scent. “It’s pine and cinnamon sugar, it’s…it’s more than just a scent, it’s a feeling. You smell like mine, like home.”

“Aww, look at you being all domestic and sweet…Laura will never believe me.”

“Ugh, shut up and let me love you Stiles.”

“Well when you put it that way…”

Derek kisses him silly, kisses him until his own oxygen feels depleted and then kisses him some more. When he finally pulls away they’re both panting a little, flushed red with the spicy flavor of their arousal filling the space.

“Hey, you stopped talking…it’s Christmas Magic”

[ramajmedia]

Edith Crawley's 10 Best Quotes On Downton Abbey, Ranked

Poor Edith. For six seasons on Downton Abbey things never seemed to go her way. Ever the middle child, not as sought after as Mary, nor as adventurous as Sybil, her life for the first three seasons is a series of failures. She was pitiable, but, as she’s often her own worst enemy (and Mary’s too) she was hard to root for.

RELATED: Mr. Carson's 10 Best Quotes on Downton Abbey, Ranked

But it’s not much of a story if she never grows or learns, and Edith did both in spades. She fell in love, became a magazine owner and editor, had a baby out of wedlock, and ended up with her happily ever after. And in that time, had some great lines.

10  "Something happening in this house is actually about me."

Edith’s first inkling that she might get her happily ever after is when she earns the attentions of Sir Anthony Strallan. A friend of her father’s, and easily 25 years her senior, he was a widower with an injured arm. Still, he’s kind to her and genuinely prefers her to Mary which was new for Edith. And while Mary initially sabotages their relationship, they reunite after the war and become engaged.

RELATED: Downton Abbey: The 10 Most Shocking Twists 

On the day of her wedding, Edith is overjoyed that for once all the fuss happening in the house is about her. Little was she to know that she was hours away from being jilted at the altar.

9 "How comforting it is that there really are a few good people left in the world."

When she discovered she was pregnant, Edith resigned herself to giving her child away and never seeing her again. It wasn’t possible for someone of her station in 1920s England to keep an illegitimate child and still have a chance at marriage and a reputable life. However, despite the logic of her head, her heart couldn’t leave behind her child.

She arranged with Mr. Drewe, one of the tenant farmers, to take in her child and raise it on the estate. He agreed, and let her know that not only would he allow her to “take an interest” in the child, but he knew the truth of the situation. And he also promised to keep it between them. Edith hadn’t been shown a lot of kindness until that point, but he did prove good people still existed.

8 “Did you ever think we’d get here?”

At the end of everything (at least until the upcoming movie), Edith got her happily ever after. She met an estate agent who was a cousin to the Marquess who owned the estate and fell in love. He loved her as well, and it seemed they were bound for a happy, if low-key, life together.

However, Bertie Pelham was not only the cousin, but the sole heir to the Marquess, and when he died Bertie became the 7th Marquess of Hexham and heir to a grand estate. After some difficulties once again caused by Mary, the two were engaged and got married, giving Edith her happily ever after. (And making her the ranking member of nobility in their family.)

7  “Well, we're together, darling. And I know it's not ideal, but it's such an improvement on being apart that I think we should celebrate.”

Edith tried her hardest to keep Marigold at a respectable distance. To be merely a benefactor and someone who would visit occasionally. But the more time she spent with her, the more it became impossible for her to be separated from her daughter. Unfortunately, Mrs. Drewe had also fallen in love with the little girl, and separating her from Marigold became a trial unto itself.

But she finally took her daughter back, determined to start life anew in London as Marigold’s mother. In the end, her mother, grandmother and aunt came up with a more feasible solution to keep Marigold in her care. But when Edith finally got Marigold back, it was a cause for celebration.

6  “You’re a grandmother. And I know you’re going to be a wonderful one.”

Except towards Mary, Edith is a well-intentioned, kind woman. When Sybil died, her first concern was for the well-being of her niece and brother-in-law. She cares deeply for both of her parents and her grandmother.

RELATED: Downton Abbey: 5 Best Couples (& 5 Pairings Fans Hated)

And when Matthew died, she made sure to visit his mother Isobel, to make sure she was okay. When Isobel laments that she doesn’t know who she is or what to do as without Matthew she’s no longer a mother, Edith reminds her that she still has a very important person in her life in Baby George. And it helps Isobel begin to move past her grief.

5  “I want your forgiveness, Papa. Am I allowed to say that still?”

Edith was terrified of what her father’s reaction would be to finding out that Marigold was her child. In the end it turned out she had nothing to be afraid of. While he may have been slightly disappointed, his main concern was about her future. He assured her that he knew she didn’t enter into a physical relationship with Michael Gregson lightly. He also knew that had Gregson lived, he would have married her and it wouldn’t have been an issue.

Still Edith wanted his forgiveness. And her father let her know there was nothing to forgive. Edith may have sometimes felt like the family’s black sheep, but she could never doubt after that how loved she was.

4 “The fact is, I’d like a life.”

Edith flourished once she moved to London. She had been pigeon-holed at Downton, forever the maiden daughter, doomed to spinsterhood for the rest of time. In London, she had an exciting group of friends, she dined at fine restaurants and owned a magazine.

RELATED: Downton Abbey: 10 Best Costumes On The Show, Ranked

She was an independent woman whose words held weight and who had a good life. When discussing her desire to move to London full time with her aunt Rosamond, she voiced her simple desire to have her own life. One where she wasn’t a fallen woman or the failed Crawley sister, but the smart, capable woman that she’d become.

3 “I know now I need a purpose.”

It might seem like the lap of luxury the Crawley family lives in should fulfill any desire. But each of them in their own way chafed at being idle. Sybil became a nurse. Cora joined the hospital board. Mary became co-agent of the estate with Tom. And Edith ran a magazine. But when she fired her editor for disrespecting her repeatedly, she found herself having to edit an edition with a looming deadline.

She loved the challenge and the rewarding feeling of a job well done. As she told Bertie after he helped her get the edition out, she doesn’t want to lead a purposeless life.

2 “Who do you think you're talking to?! Mama?! Your maid?! I know you! I know you to be a nasty, jealous, scheming b****!”

The culmination of six seasons of bitterness between the sisters resulted in an explosive fight. Edith had not yet told Bertie the truth about Marigold, and Mary had recently weaseled the truth out of Tom herself. Feeling sore that Edith was about to surpass her, and that she couldn’t negotiate her own feelings for Henry, Mary spilled the beans about Marigold’s mother. Bertie was understandably upset, not that Edith was a mother but that she had lied, and called off the engagement.

When Mary tried to deflect her actions by saying she didn’t know Bertie wasn’t informed, Edith let her have it. The poisonous vitriol that bubbled under the surface of their whole relationship spilled over and it seemed like nothing would be able to repair it.

1 “Because in the end, you’re my sister. And one day only we will remember Sybil...Until at last our shared memories will mean more than our mutual dislike.”

After their blowout fight, it seemed like nothing could restore Edith and Mary’s relationship. They had been at odds too long, and there was too much nastiness on both sides. So, no one was more surprised than Mary when Edith arrived for Mary’s wedding to Henry Talbot.

Mary apologized profusely to Edith, but still expressed surprise at Edith’s willingness to give her another chance. But as Edith tells Mary, even after everything that’s happened, they’re still sisters. And their mutual loves of their family and friends will overcome their dislike of each other.

NEXT: Downton Abbey: 10 Most Tear Jerking Moments

source https://screenrant.com/downton-abbey-edith-crawley-quotes/

[fictionsofasasswolf-blog]

Broken Hearts and Sarcasm | Part Two

•Teen Wolf | AU (where Cora stays in touch with everyone) •Stora (StilesxCora)

Terra gathered her daughter Malia and Cora into her car four minutes and forty-three seconds after Cora had told her. Malia was a little ten year old; the daughter of Peter and Terra born just a few months before the fire. Terra had taken Malia to live with her after the fire and Malia hadn't seen her father other than over Skype calls. She was still half asleep as her mother went over a hundred miles an hour through shortcuts to get them to Beacon Hills. Cora had become friends with her cousin during her stay with Terra, and Terra finding out someone important to Cora was hurt, the alpha wanted to make sure her daughter's family was okay as well. Cora chewed her lip as discreetly as she could, staring out the window and every couple of minutes, checking her phone for news. As Terra's electric blue Shelby Cobra screeched into the parking lot and rotated into a place, Terra herself looked at the young beta. “Who is he?”

Cora stared out the window, jaw clenched as she watched the doors. “He's a friend.”

“Cora, I've seen you with friends. This boy means more to you than that, and I think even you know it.” The brunette brushed some curled bangs from her face, Hazel eyes drifting from the doors back to her ex-husband's niece. “You go. Malia and I will be there shortly.”

The beta looked at the alpha for a moment and was moving before she gave herself conscious permission. She rushed up to the surgical floor, almost screeching to a halt as she came across the massive group in a corner by the window. Scott sat beside Allison, their hands linked. Isaac was against the far wall beside a girl Cora didn't recognize. Lydia was sitting between Aiden and Ethan, the latter twin holding Danny's hand. Stiles' dad paced the area, between the chairs on either side. Her brother leaned against the window, and her uncle leaned against the corner just behind him. Peter was first to notice, shoving his shoulders off the wall and opening his arms. Cora didn't hesitate to go to him, holding him close.

“Cora,” Noah Stilinski said, walking over as the girl released her uncle. “Peter said he'd called you.”

Cora nodded. “My aunt drove me here. Please don't ask how many laws she broke, we were in a rush.” she replied. “How is he?”

“Last we heard, he'd lost a lot of blood. They took him in to stitch him up.”

“Sheriff, what happened?” Cora asked.

“We don't know. From the looks of it, he swerved to miss something in the road and lost control.” Stiles’ dad replied. His tone matched Cora's thinking; Stiles didn't just lose control, it wasn't like him when he drove. “I've got my best people on it because I have to be here. Everyone keeps telling me to go home.”

“Cora,” the sound of her brother's voice made Cora turn. She looked from where the sheriff had pulled her aside, excusing herself to go and hug the older Hale. “You got here safe.”

“Aunt Terra wouldn't have wrecked.” Cora said certainly.

“Of course not. I don't need two Hale men after me for something that silly.” Terra said as she approached, holding ten year old Malia's hand. She was carrying the duffel bag Cora had packed.

“Papa!” Malia said, rushing Peter, the eldest remaining Hale kneeling to catch his daughter.

“Hi Princess.” Peter said, ignoring the numerous stares from the teen. “I'm so happy to see you. I wish it was a happier moment, though.”

“I came to help, Papa.” Malia chimed, nodding as she held up her hands.

“She's got the pain transference down pat. She's quite the little handful.” Terra answered. “I couldn't leave her, not knowing someone important to her family was hurt.”

“So...who are you?” Scott asked.

“Apologies. My name is Terra. I'm Peter's wife, although I do admit I thought he was dead until Cora came back last year.” Terra replied. “Malia is our daughter.”

“She has style.” Lydia mused, a slight sarcasm in her voice.

“We live in South America, and she was napping.” Terra replied to the implied comment about her daughters shorts and spaghetti strap tank top. “She's smart for her age, and she knew something was wrong by Cora's scent. Demanded I take her since Christian is at work.”

Cora noticed her uncle's face but turned back to the Sheriff, staying close. “How long have they been back there?”

“Hour and a half. The doctor came back earlier to say everything was good so far. They should be coming back out with another update soon.”

“Then I'm not leaving your side. Or his.” Cora said seriously. She wanted to be there when he woke up.

“You don't have to do that, Cora.” Noah replied before she shook her head.

“It's the least I can do. Let me stay the night, I have a change of clothes and everything.” She watched the father of the boy she loved for a moment before he nodded.

“Alright, only because I can't fight a wolf.” There was a faint smile on his face and Cora smiled back just at faintly, both of them more worried for the boy under the needle. He was opening his mouth to speak when the doors opened and the whole group stood. Cora tensed a little.

“Stilinski?” the man asked, looking at the massive group.

Noah nodded. “Yes. Close family friends have arrived since we spoke.” he said, reaching down to take Cora's hand.

“He's stable. Still unconscious from anesthesia, but he'll be fine. We'll have to keep him to make sure everything is good and healed properly, but you're all welcome to stop by.” he shook the Sheriff's hand, took the thanks and walked away after giving the room number. Cora wasn't prepared for Stiles’ dad to hug her the way he did, but she returned it; relief that Stiles was okay flooding her senses.

“I say we all stop by to see he's alright and we can all divide shifts to come and sit with him.” Lydia announced, and a few soft laughs left the group.

“Why don't we let his dad, Scott and Cora go first, hmm?” Terra said. “Lunch is on me downstairs.” she offered, beginning to lead the way back to the cafeteria. “We'll be back.”

Cora gave a grateful look to her aunt and moved to follow the directions as she walked between Scott and Noah. She felt scared, although she wouldn't admit to it. She had never been particularly fond of hospitals, but this was serious. She walked silently between the two men, pausing as they reached the door. She bit her bottom lip, waiting for Noah and Scott to enter as she tried to prepare herself. The door opening gave way to the overly clean smell of the equipment, the steady beep of the machine that mirrored the pulse of the human currently asleep beneath the pale blue blanket. She stood just inside the door, unable to take her eyes from the face of the teen she loved. A hand on her shoulder pulled her from her mind and she looked up at Stiles’ dad.

“It's okay,” he said, gently guiding her to the chair beside the bed. He sat on the couch against the wall on the other side of the bed next to Scott, reaching to take his son's hand. “You've got a special visitor waiting for you, Stiles. Scott and I will keep her company until you wake up.” he promised, watching Cora lay a hand on Stiles forearm before she scooted the chair closer, resting her head on the bed as she watched the sleeping teen's face. The sheriff smiled and leaned back, content with the silence aside from the monitor that beeped in time with his son's heart.

[and-you-will-like-it]

You do grandparents!cobert so beautifully ...Would you write a Drabble about when they find out Mary's pregnant again?

My darling one, I can’t apologize enough for how long this took. Life has been insane. I do hope this was somewhat worth the wait.

———————————-

The emotions of the day had left her happily exhausted. The joy of seeing her second child happily married had filled her to overflowing, and with her husband’s approval of her new job, along with the unexpectedness of her mother-in-law’s approval–which had been a long thirty-six years in coming–Cora felt as if her heart would burst.

The party began to break up shortly after midnight, the family slowly slipping away to their respective rooms or houses. Cora caught sight of Mary and Henry huddled in a far corner of the saloon, their hands entwined, their foreheads almost touching. She smiled to herself, thankful that her eldest, too, had finally found happiness. Both of her children were finally happy, and Cora reveled in the knowledge that her mother’s heart could now rest easy.

“I’m ready to go up if you are.” She heard Robert’s voice behind her as he rested his hand on the small of her back.

“Past ready,” Cora chuckled. “I’m completely done in.”

“It has been quite a day, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed. I don’t think either of us has stopped smiling since breakfast.” She glanced around the room at the leftover decorations from the day’s festivities. “Yes, it’s definitely been one for the ages.”

Robert took her hand then, raising it to his lips for a kiss before turning to bid their daughter and son-in-law a good evening.

“Oh, Papa? Mama? There’s something that we-that is, Henry and I-would like to discuss with you. If you’ve a moment.”

“Of course, darling.” Cora placed a concerned hand on Mary’s arm. She watched as Mary smiled conspiratorially at her husband.

“The thing is, we may need to think about expanding the nursery. It may become quite overcrowded soon.”

As Mary’s words settled upon her, the hold Cora had maintained on the joyful tears that had been threatening all day was lost. She felt them course warm paths down her cheeks, her mouth curving into a wide smile.

Not trusting herself immediately to speak around the lump forming in her throat, Cora pulled her daughter into an encompassing embrace, and placed a soft kiss on Mary’s cheek.

“No reeling this time,” she whispered teasingly when she finally trusted her voice.

“Mama,” Mary groaned as she rolled her eyes, pulling back from her mother before conceding a small laugh. “No reeling. I promise.”

The room filled with warm congratulations soon after, those who remained wanting to be let in on the secret. Robert and Cora ascended the stairs after once again bidding everyone a good night.

As they made their way toward Cora’s room, a small sound beckoned them further along the gallery to the door of the nursery. The melody of soft snoring could be heard and, smiling at her husband, Cora eased the door open. Nanny stood from her chair at their entrance, and Cora put a finger to her lips.

“We don’t mean to disturb you,” Cora whispered. “We just wanted to look in on them before we turned in.” Nanny smiled her approval and stepped aside, allowing them to step further into the room.

“Can you believe there will be another occupant soon?” Cora turned to Robert.

Robert shook his head, a wide grin playing at his lips. “I still haven’t quite wrapped my mind round it, to tell you the truth.”

Cora gazed around the nursery, smiling at the sweet faces of her grandchildren. She couldn’t help but see the faces of her own girls, briefly transported back to another time. She reached for her husband’s hand.

“Time passes so quickly, doesn’t it?” she mused. “It doesn’t seem so very long ago that it was our own daughters asleep in here. I still sometimes have a hard time believing that we’re grandparents.”

“It does seem to have crept up on us both,” he agreed. “I still sometimes think of our daughters as little girls.”

Cora nodded as her attention focused on Marigold. “Oh,” she whispered, kneeling by the little girl’s bed. “It breaks my heart to think she’ll be leaving soon. We’ve had so little time with her.”

Robert bent to run his hand through the tiny girl’s light brown curls. “Far too little. But Northumberland is only a couple of hours away by train,” he comforted. “We can visit often. Though, I dare say, not too often. Lord knows Edith will have her hands full enough with Mrs. Pelham.”

Cora covered her mouth with her hand, stifling her laughter to prevent waking the children.

“But, she’ll come back to visit,” Robert continued. “And we’ll be here to welcome her.” Taking his wife’s hand, he helped her to her feet. “Always. You said it earlier: a long and happy life together to watch the children grow. Not only these three, but all the ones who follow.”

[ohtobealady]

Could you write cobert and number 1? Your cobert stories are so so lovely

Thank you, dear Anon! I hope there’s something about this one that you like. A wee bit of fluff for you :)

#1 - Things You Said at 1 am

He wasn’t sure that they’d ever done this before. Of course he’d been in Cora’s bed with some regularity since February, but here they were in June and Robert wasn’t sure if they’d ever just lay in the same bed, simply trying to sleep.

Robert stared up at the dark ceiling of his sister’s house and endeavored to relax. He knew that Cora, mere inches away, was also wide awake similarly peering around her. He could not make her out easily in his periphery for there was no fire. It was much too warm. Instead, the curtains were drawn open and milky rays of the moon seeped into the room through the open window. The street lamps below had been lit, and their sputtering gas flames illuminated little orbs of an amber glow that did not quite reach the bed, just merely touched the floor around them. Of course, even if the sun was shining down upon her, Robert would not be able to make out the form of his wife, for he kept his eyes trained upon anything but her.

He drew in a deep breath, and exhaled through his nose.

Naturally they had been the ones selected to stay at Rosamund’s. Why it had been Robert and Cora who had been relegated from Grantham House to Rosamund’s was hardly a mystery. Rosamund and Susan did not get along, and of course Susan and Shrimpy were not staying at Flintshire Place because Susan did not get along with her mother-in-law. Rosamund would not have James and Emma in her house, so, consequently, they too had little choice but to stay at Grantham House. Papa had also welcomed Lord and Lady Falmouth and their daughter, Lady Margaret - though why they weren’t staying in their own London residence was never mentioned. And lastly - and most predominantly - it was by design. After all, everyone in his family was determined to make his life much more difficult than need be. Mama and Rosamund, especially, had been contriving ways in which to force he and Cora together, even when they knew of the awkwardness between them.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Rosamund had lied when she had mentioned the arrangements. “But of course, I know you don’t.” She’d laughed in that way that made her eyes smile mischievously, the blues of them all twinkling as her elvish features curled upward.

No. Any other newly married couple perhaps would not mind. But he and Cora were different. There was still that strange formal politeness between them, a forced politeness, as if that was the easiest common ground for both to stand on. Oh, they both knew it was a front, a facade, but it was much easier than the alternative: the truth. And the truth was that he didn’t know how he should behave around her. And he wasn’t sure if she knew exactly how to behave around him.

Robert must have sighed, for he noticed Cora’s head fall toward him. He could sense her eyes upon him in the dim light, searching his face. So, hesitantly, he moved his face to meet hers.

They looked at one another for a moment, and then Cora softened her expression.

“I suppose neither of us can sleep?”

Her voice was quiet. Robert detected a small effort in it.

“No,” he returned her softened expression. He looked back at the ceiling and brought a hand to his head. “And no small wonder.”

He sensed her looking back at the ceiling, too, mirroring him. 

And then it was uncomfortable. 

He shouldn’t have said that. He let his hand fall down heavily to the mattress and he moved his jaw in irritation with himself. He turned over questions to ask her or things to say to her, for they couldn’t leave it like that. No small wonder. Why, that could be taken any number of ways. He didn’t want her to believe he didn’t wish to share a bed with her. Honestly, it would have perhaps been even more strange purposefully sleeping apart with the house so full. And then, finally, he landed on something.

“The bed is rather small.” He turned his head back to her, and her to him. Her expression appeared ... deflated?

Oh, wrong again. More amendments. He shuffled down into the bed, “Are you all right? Do you have enough space?” He slowly moved more to his left, away from her.

“Yes,” her hands tugged on more of their shared duvet. “Do you?”

“Good. Yes.” He nestled in his spot, and then looked back up at the ceiling. 

That was a disaster.

The moonlight wavered across the ceiling through a sheer curtain. He could hear horses’ hooves for a brief moment as they trotted past his sister’s townhome.

He also heard Cora sigh. “I’m not the least bit tired.”

He swallowed. Was she not? Why not? Was it very uncomfortable to fall asleep beside him? Or was it simply the excitement of the day? This would be her first season as a married woman. Perhaps it was nerves? After all, she was being presented at court this season by his mother. He knew that much energy had gone into the alterations of the presentation gown, the gown that had been her wedding dress. She’d called it “rather poetic,” being presented as Lady Downton in the gown in which she became Lady Downton. He hadn’t known how to respond.

He looked at her again. The moonlight had settled on all the smooth, soft lines of her features. He thought he could just make out the color of her eyes, though perhaps it was more from memory. Odd, that. He could clearly make out the color of her eyes, though the light was so very dim.

“Neither am I.” He answered.

She hummed a very small hum, and then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, rolled toward him, her chin still angled up toward his face.

He was surprised, in a way. Instead of the feeling of cold shock or total confusion as to what to do at this, he felt warmth. It was the warmth of familiarity. The warmth of a nostalgia that wasn’t nostalgia at all, for it had never happened before. And even more surprising, he felt himself smile down at her.

He hadn’t even realized he had been smiling until she smiled back, and in that smile, he got the distinct impression that she also felt the same warmth.

“Robert?” She pressed her lips and he instantaneously nodded at her. His heart was suddenly beating like a drum, but delightfully so.

“May I ask you something? Only -“ she moved her head upon the pillow, tucking her chin slightly, “- I don’t want to embarrasses you. And of course you can say no.”

Well now he had to know. “Please do.”

She laughed lowly, scoffing really, and she drew in a breath. “The thing is, I was wondering if you ...” She trailed off.

Robert blinked at her, “Go on.”

“Well,” she exhaled. Her voice dropped an octave. “Do you enjoy it? When we’re together.”

“Of course,” Robert pouted. “I suppose I have been quieter today, but that bears no reflection of your company. Really, if you must know, Rosamund put my teeth on edge the moment we arrived —“

He realized Cora was shaking her head and he looked at her.

“No, I mean ...” her voice grew very quiet. Still. He felt the moment tumbling away from them. “Never mind. It was a stupid train of thought. Ignore me.”

“No,” he furrowed his brow. “I’m just failing to follow your meaning. When we’re toge-“ His lips formed to repeat her word, but he realized what she had meant before his voice could finish speaking. He blinked, and looked back at the ceiling, and his mouth went dry.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice was small down beside him, and he gathered up enough sense to make some noise and look at her. She cast her eyes away from his.

Say something to her. But he couldn’t. His mouth open and closed like a goldfish. “No, no.”

He shook his head. “That is, please don’t apologize ... it’s just it’s ... unexpected to be asked is all. I —“ He thought of how he could possibly answer this. He made a few starts, a few sounds and he had to clear his throat to begin again. “That is, if I find — If you’re asking if I enjoy ...“ He felt irrationally tongue tied. His brain couldn’t conjure the word and he realized, at looking at her, that he was only making the situation much worse. “Yes.” He finally managed. And then he forced out even more: “And you?”

There was silence between them then. The politeness they’d managed had crumbled, and Robert found that Cora was just as inept as he was at speaking those uncomfortable things aloud. And at that, his heart constricted.

He turned his body slightly, resting upon his shoulder blade, and lifted his head to garner her attention. To soften whatever it was that had become so hard. “Cora, when we are together, I feel so —“

Her eyes fluttered up to his. And the air left his lungs.

He watched dumbly as she nodded, as her eyes drifted to his lips, and as she drew in closer to him. He felt as she kissed him.

Soft. And warm. There was a sort of tingle of nerves at the contact, and he closed his eyes and pressed his lips more to her own.

She was still very close to him when the kiss ended, when he finally opened his eyes again and looked at her. He felt ... he felt strange, but in a wonderful way. Alive and yet he couldn’t breathe. Confused and yet in complete wonderment.

“Yes,” she whispered, and Robert’s hearted swelled.

[lilacmoon83]

All I Want For Christmas is You

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 1: The Christmas We Met

Since his mother's death, Christmas hadn't had much meaning for David Nolan. It was Christmas Eve and he was a single beat cop in Seattle, more specifically the troubled neighborhood of Hyperion Heights. For that reason, he offered to work that night to give a fellow officer with a family the night off.

This was David's first year on the force and so far, he had made quite a name for himself. He had stopped a couple robberies, a few muggings, and a potential sexual assault. He heard rumors that he had caught the interest of the notorious Captain Weaver and was on the short list to be fast tracked to Detective. But David didn't pay the rumors any mind. If a promotion happened, then it did, but he wasn't too concerned with it.

For now, he was just focused on getting through another Christmas alone. In many ways, since his mother died, he might as well have been an orphan.

His twin brother died a few years earlier. He had been involved in a seedy business deal that went very badly and was stabbed to death. David blamed their step-father, the powerful businessman, George Spencer, and owner of Spencer Industries. He was as dirty as they came, but like Teflon when it came to making any charges stick.

When David became a cop, George had officially disowned him, not that David cared. He had refused to have anything to do with the man since James died.

No, Christmas didn't have much meaning now that his mom was gone. Little did he know, that was all about to change on that night...

"Let go of me!" he heard a female voice demand and hurried into the alleyway, just in time to see a young woman stomp on the foot of her assailant and punch him in the face.

"You little...your father has ordered you home, Miss Blanchard and I'm not returning empty handed!" the man growled.

"You can tell my asshole of a father to go to hell...I'm not going back there!" she cried.

"HEY!" David called out, getting their attention.

"Good...Officer, maybe you can help me make this unruly girl go home to her father. Leopold Blanchard would be very grateful," he said. This earned him another whack from the fiery young woman.

"Woman…" she corrected in offense to being called a girl.

"She looks like an adult, or more importantly, as she said, a woman, which means you can't make her do anything. Now remove your hands or the only place you'll be going is jail," David warned.

"Maybe you didn't hear me, Officer. This is Leopold Blanchard's girl...the Leopold Blanchard that owns half this city," he reminded.

"I don't care who he thinks he is...if she doesn't want to go, then she doesn't have to," David refuted.

"My father may own this town...but he doesn't own me, despite everything he's done to try. If I could do what I'm about to do to him, I would, but since he's not here...you'll do," she said hotly, as she wound up to smack him with her bag. Unfortunately for David, the other man ducked and he was accidentally waylaid by her book filled bag. The man ran off and the young woman was horrified by what she had just done.

"Oh God...I'm so sorry!" she cried, as she helped him up.

"I'm under arrest, aren't I?" she asked. He chuckled.

"No...you didn't mean to," he said, as he got to his feet.

"Oh God...you're bleeding," she lamented, as she fished a tissue out of her bag and dabbed his chin.

"Who was that guy?" David asked.

"Just one of my father's hired thugs. He's mad that I refuse to make an appearance at another one of his horrible parties," she replied.

"It is Christmas Eve though and he's your family, right?" David asked curiously.

"Not anymore...I refuse to be a part of his evil. He and my step-mother Cora are involved in things I want no part of. My step-sister Regina is my real family," she replied.

"I guess I know a bit about that," he admitted.

"Oh?" she inquired curiously.

"My name is David Nolan, but I grew up David Spencer. I took my mother's maiden name when I was old enough," he explained. Her eyes widened.

"Spencer? As in George Spencer?" she questioned. He nodded.

"The one and only. He's my step-father or was. He disowned me when I joined the police force," he replied.

"Be grateful. I wish my father would disown me," she said.

"Yeah...Leopold Blanchard. The Captain of my precinct would love to get a conviction on him," he replied.

"My father never gets his hands dirty. Justice is kind of a joke in this town...no offense," she said.

"None taken," he replied, as they stopped outside a bar.

"Um...my shift is about over. Can I buy you a drink?" he asked.

"How about we get one on the house? This is my step-sister's place," she replied, as they went inside. He was positively captivated by her and not just because she was beautiful. She wore a simple fluffy white sweater with dark wash jeans. Her short hair was pulled back in a messy baby ponytail and he was positive he had never seen a more beautiful person, especially when he watched her smile at the woman behind the bar. He found himself wanting to make her smile, just so he could see her light up and glow the way she was now.

"Hey you...I was about ready to get my bat. Was it another one of those thugs?" Roni asked. Mary nodded and approached the bar.

"Sykes again...but I got a little help from a new friend," she said, turning to him.

"Uh...hi, I'm David," he stammered, as he approached the bar. Roni smirked and did a shot, before grabbing two more glasses.

"Roni...nice to meet you, Officer," she said.

"Oh...it's just David. I'm off duty now," he replied, as Roni poured three shots.

"Well, that's good...because you're just in time to join us for Christmas Eve," she said.

"I wouldn't want to impose," he replied.

"You're not...let me guess, you're an orphan like us. Your mother is gone...and your father is probably a dick, who doesn't approve of your profession in law enforcement. And instead of being alone on Christmas, you volunteered to work," Roni said. David's mouth hung ajar, as he tried to figure out how she could know all that. Mary giggled.

"Don't ask how she does it...that's just Roni. She takes in strays...or girls that need to escape bad situations," Mary said, as David looked curious about that.

"When my father married Roni's mother, she was already grown, but I wasn't. I was sixteen and she took me in when I ran away. She helped me get emancipated from my father and change my last name from Blanchard to Snow. I wanted to be free of him and Cora," she explained.

"My mother is ninety percent of why I drink...I wasn't about to let another person go through that. Plus Leopold Blanchard is a creep and a criminal," Roni added.

"Believe me...I'm a cop, I know," David agreed, as the bar door opened, despite the closed sign and a man that David vaguely recognized walked in.

"Speaking of more strays...here comes two more," she called, as the man put the little girl in his arms down and she ran to Roni and Snow.

"My favorite strays," Roni said, as she hugged the little girl and then kissed the man, whom David now recognized as Detective Killian Rogers.

"Merry Christmas, love," Rogers told her, as he noticed they had a newcomer.

"Officer Nolan, right?" he asked.

"Uh...yeah, Detective Rogers?" David questioned.

"Just Rogers is fine...you know, Weaver's had his eye on you," he mentioned.

"He just helped Mary out with another one of Leopold's lap dogs," Roni informed.

"Good man," Rogers said, as he clapped him on the shoulder and eyed the bottle of rum behind the counter.

"Papa...can I have cocoa?" Alice asked.

"Of course, starfish," he answered. Roni smiled.

"One cocoa coming right up," Roni said.

"Make that two more," Mary said, as she looked at David and he smiled.

"I'd love one," he agreed, as Roni went about making cocoa, while turning up the radio with Christmas music playing. Three more people joined them, as Captain Weaver himself showed up with his wife Lacey, and their son Gideon. It was the warmest Christmas David had experienced in a very long time.

"So...how does it feel to be adopted?" she teased. He smiled.

"Pretty good actually...a hell of a lot better than going home to my empty apartment," he said, as they stared at each other.

"So...Mary Snow? I like it...better than Blanchard," he mentioned. She smiled.

"Really?" she asked. He nodded.

"It really suits you," he replied.

"Thanks...my father's name just means to many negative things, so I made my own identity," she said, as they enjoyed the music together and drank their cocos, while watching Alice get to open one present. As it got late, David knew he had to go, but he found himself sad about that.

"So...Christmas dinner is tomorrow at two," she mentioned.

"You mean...you want me to come?" he asked. She smiled.

"I told you...you've been adopted," she mentioned. He smiled.

"I'll be here," he confirmed, as they noticed they were standing under the mistletoe at the door.

"Mistletoe…" she whispered.

"Mistletoe…" he uttered, as they stared at each other, before their lips finally crashed together. And that was the night that Christmas changed forever for David and Mary for that matter.

"See you tomorrow, Snow…" he said fondly and she grinned.

"Snow?" she asked. He shrugged.

"I like it...I think you're going to be Snow to me," he replied, as she saw him out and watched him go, her heart fluttering in her chest.

"Snow…" she muttered, finding herself giddy that he had his own name for her and at the incredible kiss they had just shared. Christmas certainly was the most wonderful time of the year…

[ramajmedia]

Edith Crawley's 10 Best Quotes On Downton Abbey, Ranked

Poor Edith. For six seasons on Downton Abbey things never seemed to go her way. Ever the middle child, not as sought after as Mary, nor as adventurous as Sybil, her life for the first three seasons is a series of failures. She was pitiable, but, as she’s often her own worst enemy (and Mary’s too) she was hard to root for.

RELATED: Mr. Carson's 10 Best Quotes on Downton Abbey, Ranked

But it’s not much of a story if she never grows or learns, and Edith did both in spades. She fell in love, became a magazine owner and editor, had a baby out of wedlock, and ended up with her happily ever after. And in that time, had some great lines.

10  "Something happening in this house is actually about me."

Edith’s first inkling that she might get her happily ever after is when she earns the attentions of Sir Anthony Strallan. A friend of her father’s, and easily 25 years her senior, he was a widower with an injured arm. Still, he’s kind to her and genuinely prefers her to Mary which was new for Edith. And while Mary initially sabotages their relationship, they reunite after the war and become engaged.

RELATED: Downton Abbey: The 10 Most Shocking Twists 

On the day of her wedding, Edith is overjoyed that for once all the fuss happening in the house is about her. Little was she to know that she was hours away from being jilted at the altar.

9 "How comforting it is that there really are a few good people left in the world."

When she discovered she was pregnant, Edith resigned herself to giving her child away and never seeing her again. It wasn’t possible for someone of her station in 1920s England to keep an illegitimate child and still have a chance at marriage and a reputable life. However, despite the logic of her head, her heart couldn’t leave behind her child.

She arranged with Mr. Drewe, one of the tenant farmers, to take in her child and raise it on the estate. He agreed, and let her know that not only would he allow her to “take an interest” in the child, but he knew the truth of the situation. And he also promised to keep it between them. Edith hadn’t been shown a lot of kindness until that point, but he did prove good people still existed.

8 “Did you ever think we’d get here?”

At the end of everything (at least until the upcoming movie), Edith got her happily ever after. She met an estate agent who was a cousin to the Marquess who owned the estate and fell in love. He loved her as well, and it seemed they were bound for a happy, if low-key, life together.

However, Bertie Pelham was not only the cousin, but the sole heir to the Marquess, and when he died Bertie became the 7th Marquess of Hexham and heir to a grand estate. After some difficulties once again caused by Mary, the two were engaged and got married, giving Edith her happily ever after. (And making her the ranking member of nobility in their family.)

7  “Well, we're together, darling. And I know it's not ideal, but it's such an improvement on being apart that I think we should celebrate.”

Edith tried her hardest to keep Marigold at a respectable distance. To be merely a benefactor and someone who would visit occasionally. But the more time she spent with her, the more it became impossible for her to be separated from her daughter. Unfortunately, Mrs. Drewe had also fallen in love with the little girl, and separating her from Marigold became a trial unto itself.

But she finally took her daughter back, determined to start life anew in London as Marigold’s mother. In the end, her mother, grandmother and aunt came up with a more feasible solution to keep Marigold in her care. But when Edith finally got Marigold back, it was a cause for celebration.

6  “You’re a grandmother. And I know you’re going to be a wonderful one.”

Except towards Mary, Edith is a well-intentioned, kind woman. When Sybil died, her first concern was for the well-being of her niece and brother-in-law. She cares deeply for both of her parents and her grandmother.

RELATED: Downton Abbey: 5 Best Couples (& 5 Pairings Fans Hated)

And when Matthew died, she made sure to visit his mother Isobel, to make sure she was okay. When Isobel laments that she doesn’t know who she is or what to do as without Matthew she’s no longer a mother, Edith reminds her that she still has a very important person in her life in Baby George. And it helps Isobel begin to move past her grief.

5  “I want your forgiveness, Papa. Am I allowed to say that still?”

Edith was terrified of what her father’s reaction would be to finding out that Marigold was her child. In the end it turned out she had nothing to be afraid of. While he may have been slightly disappointed, his main concern was about her future. He assured her that he knew she didn’t enter into a physical relationship with Michael Gregson lightly. He also knew that had Gregson lived, he would have married her and it wouldn’t have been an issue.

Still Edith wanted his forgiveness. And her father let her know there was nothing to forgive. Edith may have sometimes felt like the family’s black sheep, but she could never doubt after that how loved she was.

4 “The fact is, I’d like a life.”

Edith flourished once she moved to London. She had been pigeon-holed at Downton, forever the maiden daughter, doomed to spinsterhood for the rest of time. In London, she had an exciting group of friends, she dined at fine restaurants and owned a magazine.

RELATED: Downton Abbey: 10 Best Costumes On The Show, Ranked

She was an independent woman whose words held weight and who had a good life. When discussing her desire to move to London full time with her aunt Rosamond, she voiced her simple desire to have her own life. One where she wasn’t a fallen woman or the failed Crawley sister, but the smart, capable woman that she’d become.

3 “I know now I need a purpose.”

It might seem like the lap of luxury the Crawley family lives in should fulfill any desire. But each of them in their own way chafed at being idle. Sybil became a nurse. Cora joined the hospital board. Mary became co-agent of the estate with Tom. And Edith ran a magazine. But when she fired her editor for disrespecting her repeatedly, she found herself having to edit an edition with a looming deadline.

She loved the challenge and the rewarding feeling of a job well done. As she told Bertie after he helped her get the edition out, she doesn’t want to lead a purposeless life.

2 “Who do you think you're talking to?! Mama?! Your maid?! I know you! I know you to be a nasty, jealous, scheming b****!”

The culmination of six seasons of bitterness between the sisters resulted in an explosive fight. Edith had not yet told Bertie the truth about Marigold, and Mary had recently weaseled the truth out of Tom herself. Feeling sore that Edith was about to surpass her, and that she couldn’t negotiate her own feelings for Henry, Mary spilled the beans about Marigold’s mother. Bertie was understandably upset, not that Edith was a mother but that she had lied, and called off the engagement.

When Mary tried to deflect her actions by saying she didn’t know Bertie wasn’t informed, Edith let her have it. The poisonous vitriol that bubbled under the surface of their whole relationship spilled over and it seemed like nothing would be able to repair it.

1 “Because in the end, you’re my sister. And one day only we will remember Sybil...Until at last our shared memories will mean more than our mutual dislike.”

After their blowout fight, it seemed like nothing could restore Edith and Mary’s relationship. They had been at odds too long, and there was too much nastiness on both sides. So, no one was more surprised than Mary when Edith arrived for Mary’s wedding to Henry Talbot.

Mary apologized profusely to Edith, but still expressed surprise at Edith’s willingness to give her another chance. But as Edith tells Mary, even after everything that’s happened, they’re still sisters. And their mutual loves of their family and friends will overcome their dislike of each other.

NEXT: Downton Abbey: 10 Most Tear Jerking Moments

source https://screenrant.com/downton-abbey-edith-crawley-quotes/